Horus let out a tired sigh as he looked among all the empty glasses of ale he had finished. He knew it was against regulations to drink right before his shift, but he just couldn't help it. He would usually stop himself from drinking too much by constantly counting how many glasses or bottles he had drank and if he had gotten to the point where he had forgotten how to count properly then it was time to stop and he suspected that he was almost there.
Unlike most of the poor saps who found themselves in this place, Horus was by no means troubled. If he had to comment on his life he would say that his life was rather calm and uneventful. Despite being a night guard, trouble rarely ever happens in Ponyville. Only the occasional bar fight proved to be the one thing that added excitement to Horus' job. If he wasn't ordered to stay, Horus would have left a long time ago.
Ponyville was just a small town with way too many ponies who value good manners. Not that it was bad thing to be kind to your neighbors, it was just that Horus felt uneasy when placed around so many good ponies. It was hard to tell if anypony was scheming something when everypony had a smile on their face and talked as though they never had a bad day in their life.
Taking his last sip of the day he took a few moment to look around the bar and see how the inhabitants of the bar was faring.
He noticed one of the young couples sitting in the back of the room snuggling up against each other, prompting Horus to wonder who would bring their loved one on a date to a bar? Especially if that bar was full of old, sweaty and drunk stallions, with the occasionally mare every now and again.
Shaking his head, Horus turned his attention towards a middle aged stallion who had drank one too many. He was sound asleep with his face laid out in his own drool and left over beer. Though it would be rather embarrassing to be caught in a position like that, Horus couldn't help but smile at how peaceful the stallion looked. He wondered if he looked like that when he slept. He doubt it. His dreams were hardly ever peaceful.
As Horus turned his attention to the next pony he noticed that this pony was staring at him also. The look on her face showed that she was indeed studying him for reasons he did not know. As he matched eyes with this strange pony he couldn't help but feel a chill move its way up his entire body. It was as if he had been sitting by an open widow and the wind had just blown in. Her eyes were blank, not blank white, but just empty as if he wasn't looking into the eyes of another pony. Well, not a living one at least. The closest thing Horus could compare her to was to that of a painting which had captured the very likeness of the pony who had been painted. She was there yet she wasn't at the same time and for a moment Horus couldn't help but feel a bit concerned.
He wasn't out right scared to the point of totally fear, but he was concerned enough for his well being and hers to know that something was different about her. She was not normal. Not by a long shot.
When did she walk in her? Horus thought as he tried to trace back his entire night to when he first walked into the bar. He didn't remember seeing her there when he first arrived and throughout the entire evening he had never once seen her walk into the room. Perhaps I had not been paying enough attention to realize... Horus thought. He felt the sudden urge to say something, but he couldn't find the words, he just found himself frozen in place.
It wasn't long until somepony broke his stare down with the strange mare.
"Hope! I knew I would find you in here again." A familiar voice said. There was only one pony who called him by that name.
Turning his head to see who had called him out, he was greeted with a sudden fist to his face, knocking him straight out of his chair and on the cold hard floor.
Looking up at his assailant, he could see the pony form a smile as he pulled him back onto his feet. It was Horus' "close friend" Lucky who had deliver the blow. "What was that for Lucky?" Horus slurred as he began to rub his jaw. He could feel his anger rising, but he knew how submerse it.
The pain wasn't as bad as the last time Lucky caught Horus off guard with one of his signature haymakers, but that didn't mean it didn't hurt like shit. "You know exactly why I punched you. Shouldn't you be out there with me doing our daily night watch duty? Or did you forget again?" Lucky said cracking his knuckles. He passed a glance at the bartender who had also been the owner of the place. He didn't even bother to look at the two of them. The two of them were regulars and he had come to expect them to get into small brawls every now and again.
"Sorry, Lucky I had lost track of time." Horus said checking his watch to see that he should have gotten suited up not less than thirty minutes ago.
Lucky shook his head and stifled out chuckle. "You know the deal. You owe me big time. I had to lie to the Captain about why you didn't show up on time AGAIN."
Taking out his wallet, Horus paid his fee and quickly left the bar with Lucky, unaware that the hollow eyes were still staring at him.
Horus had been on the force for a little more than a year. That was plenty of time to memorize the cheerful faces of Ponyville. He was fully aware of who was native to the town and who wasn't. Every so often a traveler would pass through the town often to visit a relative or some friends. He made personal notes to watch after them as they wandered around town. He didn't want anything bad happening to the citizens of Ponyville. Not when there was something he could do about it.
Many ponies including Lucky have praised him for his dedication to his fellow pony. For most this was the reason why some would put their life on the line for others. The fame, extra bits and whatever seemed to be follow after you saved someponies life was often the driving ambition for many guard ponies, but not for Horus. He didn't care about the citizens of this town as much as they thought he did. He did what most ponies wished of him and that was all. There was no particular feelings that drove Horus to save other ponies lives. It was just something to do.
The weather was indeed lukewarm tonight. The buzz Horus had received from his prior drinks had made him a little slurred. Mentally speaking. His body was primed and ready for something to happen, just as it was every night. He figured himself to be a little bit tipsy because he couldn't help but think back to the mare who was at the bar. He had never seen her face before and that of course brought up some concern. She could be dangerous... Horus thought.
Lucky, his partner for tonight could see that his buddy was extra quiet. If he had saw the pretty young mare at the bar, you could bet that he would have been right there hitting on her. "Got something on your mind?" Lucky asked with his trademark smile in full effect.
Horus hated that smile. It reminded him of all the other ponies here who gave him that same nonchalant look. He went through great lengths to hide the fact that he hated when Lucky smiled. They were supposed to be best friends, so there was no need to break character over something as meaningless as a smile. "Nothing of note." Horus said giving his "friend" a small glance.
Lucky understood when Horus didn't want him to pry any further. He just figured that his friend was just enjoying a good buzz and didn't want to be disturbed anymore than he has too.
They weren't the only ones on duty tonight. Other guardponies such as Tango and Lila Dusk often broke from their usual routes in order to find them. Luck was the first to spot them in the town square. Their smile grew wider as Horus and Lucky drew near.
Tango was a brute of a pony. He was built for strength and fortitude while towering over most other ponies. His partner, Lila was more agile and quick. She was small and could fit into tight places other ponies such as Tango couldn't. It's believed that the two of them often team up because their abilities compliment each other. What one pony lacked the other brought to the table.
Tango, the earth pony and Lila, the Pegasus, hoof bumped Lucky and then gave Horus a stern but friendly smile. Horus returned the pleasantries with his own manufactured smile. Horus wasn't a physical pony and they knew that. He didn't enjoy all the touching that followed when he met up with other ponies. He was content with just a simple smile and nod. Nothing more, nothing less.
"Warm night isn't it?" Tango asked letting out a small, but noticeable yawn.
"I don't know about you, but I hope these warm nights continue," Lucky said as he continued walking at calm stride. The other ponies agreed. "When was the last time we had a cold evening? It's been a long time hasn't it?"
Lila shook her head. "I believe it was cold the other night, but not for long. The Princess really does like warm weather." She smiled.
Tango shrugged his shoulders. "Perhaps it reminds her of Celestia. I guess she figured most ponies would rather have warm nights rather than cold ones. It makes walks like these better." Everyone agreed and began to discuss certain aspects of their week.
Lila had visited her younger brother at school the other day. He goes to school in Cantorlot. Unlike all the rich pricks who lived in Cantorlot, Lila and her family lived here in Ponyville. Lila wanted her brother to have better education that she did so she sent him Luna's School for Gifted Ponies. The little brat was a early bloomer when it came to magic so Lila's family figured that it would do him more good if went to school in Cantorlot.
Tango informed the group that his recent hard work made him look rather favorable in the Guard Captains eyes. He might receive a promotion soon. Like Horus, Tango was dedicated to job, but he was also dedicated to the ponies he had sworn to protect. There was no wonder that he had finally been recommended for a promotion.
Lucky bypassed his story as he figured nobody would be interested in his recent escapades into random mares beds. The only one without a story to tell was Horus.
"What's wrong, Horus? Don't tell me all you do is stay at home and stare at the wall all day." Lila joked as they now began patrolling the hospital.
Havoc shook his head. "Not all day. Sometimes I like to go sleep." He quipped. "but no. I have anything to tell. My life is rather uneventful and that's the way I like it."
Lucky groaned and expressed boredom at the fact that his best friend had no social life. Horus didn't care and made no effort to act as if he did. He had a job to do and until he was told other wise he wasn't going to spend it making friends with the ponies he has to protect. Underneath his fabricated facade, Horus wished he already received orders to leave. He had been here for a year and nothing out of the usual had happened. At that moment he wondered what was the reason why he was chosen for this mission.
The patrol was rather uneventful. Nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Tango and Lila's company did in fact liven up the patrol, but not enough to keep Havoc from producing a few yawns and silently cursing his luck for being in this town.
Soon the sun began to rise and it was time to go home. Havoc said goodbye to his fellow companions and walked towards his house. He lived alone, so he had no one to look forward to upon going home. As he walked through the empty streets something caught his attention. Someone was hiding in a distant alleyway and appeared to have been looking in his direction. Whoever it was looking directly at him. He could feel it.
Horus wasted no time in addressing the pony. "Who are you and what do you want?" He asked in voice full of malice. If the pony was dangerous it was best to make himself appear dangerous as well.
The pony was hidden in the shadows of the buildings. This made it difficult for Horus to actually see the pony he was addressing, but the rising sun made it easier. The pony had a pale white coat and a bleached blonde mane. As the sky brightened Horus identified the pony as the strange mare who was staring at him while he drank at the bar.
Suddenly his anger began to rise. Was she following him? He didn't know and she wasn't responding to his questions. He walked towards her, getting ready for a sprint if she decided to run, but she remained still. Her blank grey eyes almost made it seem like had no irises. They looked at him with curiosity as he walked closer to her, stopping only when he was standing face to face with her. She was a little shorter than him. She was probably in the last few years of her adolescence. It didn't seem like she was a threat, but Horus wasn't going to take that chance. He kept his guard up.
"Who are you and what do you want?" He repeated.
The Mare stared at him absently as if she was trying to solve a riddle. What was so interesting about his face? This annoyed Horus even more. "What comes once in a minute, twice in a moment, but never in a thousand years?" He asked. Maybe she was one of his friends and was looking to hear the riddle he was supposed to ask. The Mare continued to stared at Horus with mild amazement. Fed up with the silence Horus decided to leave. Clearly she was not threat. She was just a mare who was off her marbles.
Horus scoffed and walked away. He stopped upon walking ten feet away from where was normally standing. The Mare had moved and was now following him. "Don't do that. Leave now or I'll make you leave." Horus commanded as he walked back towards her. He gazed was icy cold and could easily penetrate the most fortified defenses, but the Mare remain undeterred. He tried walking away but the mare followed. He stopped once more in annoyance. His horn began to glow as he began mentally moving her away from his immediate vicinity. His magical aura wrapped itself around the Mares body and slowly levitated her off into the distance. He sent her away as far as his magic could take her before dissipating.
Not knowing if the mare would come back, Horus made a quick sprint towards his house which was not far from where he was now. He ran and ran and ran until he finally reached the front door of his house. Years of rigorous workout made Horus quite capable of running for long distances without getting tired quickly. He was sure that he had outran her. As he placed his hoof on the door knob of his front door, Horus turned around and spotted the mare right behind him, not less than five feet away from him. "What in Tartarus?" He spoke to himself.
Despite the distance of the run the man looked as though she didn't run at all. Horus was confused. He didn't know who this Mare was or where she came from, but she needed to get lost. Horus raised his hoof in order to throw a punch, but the mare didn't seem to flinch. It was almost as though she didn't even see the anger on his face.
"She's taunting me." Horus thought as he threw the punch. It was a strong punch. It was more like a quick jab to get her attention. The mare didn't move and the punch looked as though it was going connect with her face, but as his hoof touched her face, he knew that throwing a punch was a bad idea. The mare's body immediately released a discharge of magic. The force of the discharge was great enough to life Horus off his feet and slam him into the door of his house.
Horus landing on his chest in pain as he felt as though all the air had been siphoned out of his lungs. He wheezed and coughed as he desperately tried to breathe. The mare looked at him sympathetically, but did not help him. She looked as though she didn't know how too. She took a step towards him and gently began to nuzzle him.
A multitude of thoughts began to flood his brain. This wasn't the first time Horus had been at a lose for air and going to make sure that this wasn't going to be the last. He just needed to remain calm. The pain in his back began to subsided and his breathing began to slowly function again. However, he couldn't stand back up.
As he laid on his front porch fading in and out of consciousness. His last thought before succumbing to the abyss was about the magical discharge he had been hit with. How can a earth pony use magic?
