Faithless

Chapters

Episode 1, The Fallen Star
Episode 2, Ghastly Lights
Episode 3, The Second Star Falls
Episode 4, The Celebration
Episode 5, Nightwing Night
Episode 6, the forgemaster
Episode 7, The road to Canterlot
Episode 8, Breath of Doubt

Episode 1, The Fallen Star

The light flashed brightly, as last he could remember, and the stars began to give way to blue skies. Flickering from his smaller limbs were greens flames, the celestial flesh burning away, giving way to pure white hairs covering four hoofed legs. He knew he wouldn't survive the fall and he Knew the change wouldn't save him. What he didn't know was why? Why was he falling and from where? But it didn't matter to him, he wasn't going to survive. He shut his eyes and faded into his final thoughts, his mind was at peace.

There was a small voice in the back of his mind, as he dreamed. "HOLD ON! I GOT YOU!" A sudden jerk and wracking pain became. "Oh ohohohoh, Oh wow you're 'light' " Came the the voice from earlier, a little louder than before. He opened his eyes slightly, revealing the hazy image of an orange face and bright red eyes looking back down on him. The weakness that began to wash over his body quickly claimed his eyes and all was dark again, quite, and numb.

BEEP!... BEEP!... BEEP!...click.

The doctor turned the monitor off as he flipped the page on the patient's file, which hovered before his face encased in a gentle yellow glow. "Alright everything checks out. He suffered some minor trauma, from his body whipping back so violently, but that should show up as some small aches and pains. He's one tough pony." A wheat colored pony, the doctor wore thin glasses and a long white medical coat. He finished with his exam a hooked the file to the edge of the bed, a comforting smile and a nod put the orange pegasus at ease.

The pegasus' voice was calm and collected but hinted at his great reserves of energy. "Thanks Doc. I'll help him out when he gets up." He had a brown mane with a single red streak sliding down it's roots. He stood up as the Doctor nodded and walked out of the room. "You're one lucky colt. what were you doing out there anyway?" Dazer whispered to nopony in particular, looking over at the battered sleeping pony.

It was a few hours later when the sun peaked through the hospital room window, dancing across the white pegasus's face. He twitched slightly, with a pain filled groan he turned away from the bright light and opened his eyes to see Dazer hopping up and sticking his face right up to his own. "Bout time! You were out all night sleeping, sleeping beauty." The colt's bright blue eyes shot opened as he shuffled his way back in shock.

"Wh-who... whats going on?" Came the steely voice of the white colt. The black scars about his body told the story of struggle and his mane glowed with celestial patterns, deep within the black hairs a spiraling galaxy slowly turned amongst the distant stars. He had quickly settled down and took on a disinterested glare. "Where am I?" His voice carried command as he spoke to the energetic orange pony before him.

"Oh um.. You're in the Ponyville hospital in Equestria. I brought you here after I caught you mid-fall. " Dazer was a taken aback from the authoritative voice that belted from the pony he had saved the night before, but quickly recovered with a self-promoting comment. "Pretty impressive if I might add."

The white stallion frowned a bit and leaned against the headboard of his bed. "Equestria? It sounds familiar... But I just... I don't seem to remember anything." He sighed.

"Nothing? What about you're name?" Dazer quizzed the white colt. The only response he received was a shaking head. "Right. Well the Doc wants you out, he says you're fine. I guess you can hang out with me for bit since you got an empty head." He grabbed the sheets in his mouth and pulled them off. He noticed the blank white flank rolling off to the other side of the bed. He decided it would be best not to ask and headed for the door. "C'mon, I'll bet you're hungry. My treat" The white colt simply nodded and followed.

Dazer ended up taking the strange blank flank to a well kept bar called 'The Quick Fix'. The bartender, a light brown unicorn with a long berry colored mane that was well kept and combed back, stood behind the counter. His Cutie mark weas two half-filled shot glasses clinking together. He was shaking a mixed drink for a crowd of stallions who were cheering a single pony on. He didn't seem to have taken a single drink yet, his mug still dry and empty. Dazer walked up to the group with a wide grin. "Hey check this out buddy. Looks like Irish Dancer is taking ol' Hopscotch's one drink challenge again." He said, glancing over to the mysterious white colt.

Hopscotch tipped the metal canister and poured a dark golden liquid into Irish Dancer's mug. "Same as usual, if you don't get drunk the drink is free." The other ponies began to chant Irish Dancer's name as he chugged the liquid down. Dazer's new friend observed the odd ritual with interest. It wasn't but two seconds after the empty mug hit the counter that Dancer rolled his eyes back and fell off his stool, completely tanked. Dazer cracked up as he took an empty stool and motioned his friend over.

Dazer ordered some food and some cider for the two of them. "That doesn't seem like it would be that difficult. It was just one alcoholic beverage right?" The white colt inquired with a stumped look.

"Wouldn't be that difficult!? You, sir, must be new to this town." Hopsctoch jokingly mocked as he approached, sliding two mugs of cider over and levitated a small bowl of apple slices their way. "How about a proposition? the first try will be free, if you think it will be so easy. If you loose you will have to admit to the entire bar that my one drink challenge is without a doubt the hardest challenge to beat. If you win, well you can order drinks for free." A sly smirk crossed over the bartender's face and he levitated a mug to the counter and quickly polished it with a clean rag.

Something about the challenge thrilled Dazer's friend, regardless of how simple it was. "Very well, I'll take this challenge! It'll be good to have free drinks any time I want." The last statement made Hopscotch laugh. He was already mixing the drink as The white colt spoke. Dazer Leaned on his tool and lifted his mug to his mouth as he watched in amusement.

Hopscotch poured the drink and set the mixing canister to one side. Just like with Irish Dancer a crowd had formed around the nameless pony waiting to see if this would be the one that made it. The white colt looked into the mug with interest. "When ever you are ready good sir."The bartender stated. A quick chug later left everypony on edge, waiting for the alcohol to knock the mysterious pegasus off his stool.

The drink started with an intense burn that also carried a subtle smoothness down his throat. It had a peculiar sweetness that hung in his mouth like honey. The suspence came to a boil as the ten second mark approached. He set the mug down, looking to Hopscotch with sober eyes and and a cool smile. He folded his hooves over each other as he watched the bartender's jaw fall slack as his challenge was so easily defeated. "Another please. I believe it's on the house." Was all the pegasus had to say. The other patrons burst in thunderous cheers, calling him a hero among drinkers.

Dazer clopped his hoof down on the counter with a greedy smile. "You heard the pony, two drinks, on him!" he called to the shocked Unicorn.

WHAM!! Asudden sound broke the patrons' joy before anyone could react a masked deep blue unicorn slammed the door open and tossed two glowing green vials to either side of the bar from his matching blue coat, causing a majority of the patrons to fall asleep instantly as they shattered and released gas into the air. "Hand it over now and no one hurts!"he shouted, and then quietly added. "please hand it over, I don't wanna hurt anyone." The ponies that were still standing at the bar looked on in sheer surprise. No pony stepped forward to answer the intruder. Who would blame them? There would be no way to get close to him with out getting hit by one of those vials.

The hero among the drinkers stood from his stool and turned to the intruder with steel piercing eyes. His wings burst open and he charged forward on instinct. The blue unicorn stepped back hesitantly and quickly pulled a vial from his coat, tossing it in the chraging pegasus's path. The white stallion kicked off the ground and over the vial, which had just cracked against the ground. With a single beat of his wings he dispersed the gas the vial had released and sent himself into a front flip that place him behind the blue pony, His hooves pounding against the wooden floors. He immediately bucked the unicorn off his feet and immediatly spun about to pin him against the ground.

The bar patrons, that were still standing, cheered in excitement. "YEAH! He really is a hero!", " HEY way to go hero! that guy was about to mess us up!" shouted the bar ponies.

The pegasus pondered these praises as he stood over the unicorn who looked like he was about to wet himself. He glared down at the blue pony. "Now what is it you wanted? I don't think I heard you the first time." He asked trying to sound as intimidating as possible.

The unicorn stuttered for a moment, "Well I-I-I-I uhhmm... heh.." He smiled innocently behind his mask. "The star that fell. I wanted it.. for science... I heard it was a-" HE noticed the celestial patterns glowing in the Pegasus's hair. "-a.. pony?... it's you?" He suddenly seemed even more paniced." look I'm sorry! I didn't know. I just wanted a piece really.. for science.."

The star emblazoned stallion was completely baffled. "That's it? Why didn't you just ask somepony? You really don't know how to talk to other ponies do you?" The unicorn shook his head quietly. "Would some hair work?" The masked unicorn simply nodded. "You should have just asked." He stepped off the unicorn to allow him to stand. "This didn't need to happen."

"I'm sorry.. I thought... I don't know what I thought. Please don't be mad. The other ponies will wake up in a few minutes. Look can I just come find you later? I would very much like a sample, ummm..." The unicorn waved one hoof. "I uuh.. didn't catch your name."

The pegasus looked about and thought once again about the patrons' praises. "They call me, Hero."

*****

The ice in the glass clinked as it was set down, The bar had been empty for some time now as the night blue glow about the glass faded from view. "Hero? Are you sure this is true?" Spoke a shadowed mare's voice.

Hopscotch picked up the small glass and began cleaning it. "Of course m'lady. I even saw him falling late last night."

"This is both good and bad my sister." Began another mare's voice. "If it is him, we will have a great champion home once more. But it also means the return of the one he worked so hard to vanquish."

"Indeed. In time we will see." Stated the first voice as the sound of hooves making their way toward the door could be heard. "Thank you Hopscotch." Hopscotch simply nodded and turned out the lights.

Episode 2, Ghastly Lights

Hero watched the myriad of strangely colored liquids rush through glass tubes that twisted and looped about in odd ways as he waited. He was supposed to meet the bumbling unicorn from 'The Quick Fix, here in this darkened building. The odd fluids were mesmerizing as they boiled and condensed in their glass prison, he had lost track on how long he had been waiting. Sure enough the chemical wielding pony showed himself, popping up behind a peculiar shaped beaker that stretched his face to look like an apple.

"Oh good you're here!" He said, sticking out his hoof through an open space. Hero leaped back a bit, startled by his sudden appearance .

"oh... yes of course. I always keep a promise no matter what." Hero stated as he shook the chemist's hoof. He took a second to think about how little he knew about himself and corrected his words. "I 'will' keep a promise no matter what." This way he could account for any promises he could not remember from before he had fallen into town.

The unicorn nodded and walked out from behind the lab table. "I'm Blue Flame by the way... Sorry again for that whole, uhmm... Well the thing at the bar. You know..." He grinned sheepishly as he spoke, his words shaking nervously.

"You shouldn't worry so much about it. Everypony forgave you since there was no real harm done. Though I'm not sure they would like seeing you there." Hero stated, waving his hoof dismissively. Since Blue Flame had a reputation for antisocial behavior most of the other ponies forgave him for acting out so strangely, though some of the bar patrons still grumbled about his appearance the other night regardless.

Blue Flame nodded. "Either way I'm still sorry. " He continued while spinning about pulling open a drawer. "Well I have a date with Carrot Top so I'm going to have to collect the sample and go. I'm sorry to have to shove you out like that." He looked back to Hero holding a pair of scissors and a sanitary baggie in his magical grasp.

"Well, I think I'll be fine. I'll have more time to explore Ponyville. I think it would be best to get familiar with the place." Hero swung his mane to the side to give Blue Flame access to his star emblazoned locks.

Blue had an idea while carefully snipping away small unnoticeable portions of Hero's mane. "Well if you're looking to explore, Ghastlie Gorge is beautiful this time of year. I took Carrot Top there for a picnic once and she loved it." He drew his head back as he examined the now filled baggie, the hairs still containing the magical glow of starlight. "Too bad you won't let me have more. You could always get a hat from that hatmaking pony... uhm.. Jordan Action I think." He let a frown crawl over his face, wishing Hero had been a little more generous; it was for science after all.

Hero shook his mane of loose hairs and turned for the door, chuckling lightly. "I think I'll keep my mane, thank you. I'll stop by sometime to see what you come up with."

"You'll be the first to know!" Blue Flame shouted as the light from outside waned from the closing door.

*****

The grip dug deep into the rock wall as Grapple secured a new hoofhold, tiny pebbles falling against her cheeks and to the distant ground below. The stone-gray coated earthpony had been climbing this rock face since early morning and the sun was now setting in the distance, casting heavy shadows through the gorge. These were the sights she set out to see, the sights nopony else had the ability or time to look for. She stopped for a small rest, tieing her rope to the grip and leaning back or a breath. She tilted her head to the side and smiled as she admired the breathtaking view of the valley below her.

Grapple admired the view,it was all so breathtaking the clouds had an enchanting purple haze as they obscured the sun casting their shadows across the gorge. she felt the soft refreshing breeze blowing through her green, blue, and orange mane, She was blissfully unaware of the hushed grinding of pebbles between the grips. In moments her bliss drained into terror as she dropped into a spiraling free fall, the grips tied to her rope flailing out beside her. Through her screams a thundering boom caught her attention, possibly her own imagination playing out the sound of when she would hit the ground.

*****

"Oh wow! This really is nice." Hero stated as he looked out over the gorge, watching a pegasus zip across the sky above him, leaving a rainbow colored trail in it's wake. He looked down into Ghastlie Gorge and stretched out his wings. "Okay... " He gave himself a few test flaps and streched the rest of his body, thinking about how he hadn't taken flight since he could last remember. "let's do this" It felt right, natural and fluid. The urge to leap forward overwhelmed him, his body crouching low and rocketing forward into the sky. The rush of wind through his mane was exhilarating, exciting every sense in his body as the world around him became more vivid.

In this heightened awareness he was able to spot a pony falling into the gorge through the waning sunlight. Something clicked in his mind, the same something that drove him to fight off Blue Flame only two days earlier. He had an ovewhelming urge to save the distressed pony. As if by instinct he stopped mid-flight and kicked off the air as he rocketed into a nosedive, leaving a thunderous sound in his wake. The earth and stream below him grew quickly as he dove ever faster toward, tears forming about his eyes as they were battered with air and dust. With only a moment to spare, just before they both struck the ground at full speed, he scooped the screaming pony into his hooves and slowed to a glide along the river that cut through the gorge.

Grapple slowly opened her eyes as she realized she wasn't falling, a gasp of wonder and relief escaping her lips as she let one hoof down to touch the water. "How...?" She looked back up to see Hero's determined face, his celestial mane and the spectacular show of lights that hung in the air above them. She hated flying, but as the night sky came into view and the aurora lights filled the gorge with a brilliant array of blues and greens; it actually seemed like a magical experience.

Hero slowed to a stop as he swooped up to the top of Ghastly Gorge and gently placed grapple on her hooves. "Are you okay?" He tilted his head slightly, observing her multi colored mane.

"I'm... I'll be fine. Thanks, you really saved my flank out there." She smiled gratefully, dusting herself off and gaving a grateful nod. "I'm Grapple by the way."

"Hero." Her rescuer replied as he stretched out before gently tucking them away..

Grapple couldn't help but giggle a little bit as she began to turn about. "Fitting. Hey I'll catch you around mister 'Hero'" She started off towards the side of the gorge she was climbing, stopping briefly to look back at the curious stallion and offer one bit of advice. "Oh! and next time? Just set me back at the bottom so I can try again." She smiled and settled into a gentle canter under the aurora's light.

Hero watched her trot away. "What an odd pony."

*****

Luna stepped out onto the balcony of the castle tower, her eyes wide in wonderment. " What beautiful lights! And in MY night sky." A tear escaped her eye as she stepped back into her room. She stepped up to her mirror and lifted a small wooden lock box from among a series of old mementos in her magical night blue grasp. "It may have been over a thousand years... But I still remember." The lock clicked open at a touch of light from luna's horn and opened to reveal a blue gem embedded in a leather collar. The gem glowed softly against the crimson velvet cloth it rested on, a thin swirling white impurity pushing the light out from deep within the sapphire.

Episode 3, The Second Star Falls

Amid the daylight and the busy market place, the distant black streak in the sky was hardly noticeable to Spiral Winds. She flew haphazardly through the town square, only barely missing the shop keepers. "W-W-woah-oh-oh-oh!!! Coming through!" she shouted to the unsuspecting ponies she was weaving through. A disgruntled shopkeeper shouted at her to watch her wings after she barreled through his applecart. She struggled to keep herself in the air, her blue striped snow white hair obscuring her view as it flew wildly in the wind, as she made her way to the outskirts of town.

When Spiral finally came to a halt, it was face first in the ground near a stone bridge that lead to the outskirts of town. "he he. you're such a goofball Windsie." giggled Sky, a white mare with silky light blue hair and three clouds as her cutie mark. She smiled down to Spiral with bright teal eyes, fluffing her wings as she offered a hoof to her friend.

Spiral hopped back onto all fours with out any help squealing with excitement. "EEEE!! I can't wait for this sleepover!" She pulled herself onto her hind legs and punched the air. "It's gonna be so AWES-" Her sentence was cut short, her jaw dropping at the sight of the ball of black flame that was heading over their heads and straight for the town behind them. Sky squeaked in fright and crouched down, hiding behind her own wings.

Not long after the deafening crash that set the town a blaze, causing ponies to scream in panic, both Spiral and Sky felt the earth shake from a unit of battle ready guards that were in full gallop towards the city. As they passed, A guard stepped out of formation and began nudging the two ponies in the direction they had come from. "Make haste citizens, Head to Ponyville. You will be given lodging until the danger has passed." He didn't wait to see the two off but quickly sprinted to catch up with the rest of the guards.

*****

Hero jolted up from his cloud made bed, rolling his dry tongue in his mouth. He shook his mess of a mane out and stretched himself out before rolling out of bed and making his way through Dazer's home to the dining room. He sat down at the table and looked at the mess his friend had left. Looking down, Hero noticed that Dazer had left his 'Mares of the Month' magazine on the table. Apparently this issue had "exclusive" stories from the Elements of Harmony themselves.

Hero picked up the magazine to examine the cover, he had never actually taken to reading these with the enthusiasm the Dazer had. The cover featured a well known mare, named Berry Punch, lay sprawled on a bed in a very suggestive manner. Hero tilted his head and cocked an eyebrow as he turned to the first page. Before he could get passed the first sentence of the beginning article, Dazer slammed open the door. "HERO!"

Hero, in a sudden panic, flung the magazine over his head and into the messy pile behind him. "Hmm? yes?" He folded his hooves over each other to give the impression that he hadn't been doing anything devious.

Dazer didn't seem notice or possibly care what hero was doing. He ran up behind Hero and started pushing him out of the chair and across the floor. "Come on! We have to go to The Quick Fix! Hopscotch has the story." There was definitely urgency in the usually laid back stallion's voice as he even flapped his wings to get hero moving.

Hero stumbled forward, trying to slow Dazer down. "Woah woah! What story? what happened?"

"A whole battalion of celestia's royal guards were found dead!" Dazer shoved, a now shocked , Hero out the fluffy cloud door and into a hurried flight. When they arrived, the bar was already filled with ponies talking about the discovery. Dazer pushed his way through the crowd, Hero following behind, to get to Hopscotch.

The Bartending pony ,though having a full bar, wasn't too busy. He was talking to an Orange mare in a cowgirl hat. When Dazer and Hero finally made their way to the bar Hopscotch smiled to them, gave the mare a quick kiss on the cheek, and made his way over. He quickly began shaking up his 'one drink challenge' which had come to be known as 'The Hero's Special'. "Hold on I'll get you fixed up right away. But I suppose you're here about the incident in Hoovesdale?" Both Hero and Dazer nodded, eyes wide in anticipation. Hopscotch poured Hero's drink and pulled up a mixed cider for Dazer, leaning forward so they could hear him over the crowd.

"Okay so, late last night an express messenger pony stumbles into my bar. And OH CELESTIA does he look beaten."Hopscotch pounds his hoof on the counter to emphasize his meaning. "He orders a rather strong drink and tells me that there was a massacre in Hoovesdale and not even the guards that the princess sent could stop this ONE pony." Hero and Dazer looked at each other in disbelief for a moment before turning their attention back to hopscotch. "Oh Yeah! One pony did it. Killed almost everypony in town. What few survivors are heading here as refugees. But thats not all! This wasn't just any pony. They say he raised ponies he had slain by shooting a spell at their flanks that burned off their cutiemarks so that they would spread his destruction throughout the town. These ponies he raised have strange powers... powers nopony should have. From what I gather, It was worse than any nightmare a normal pony could conjure up." With that he leaned back and nodded his head off to one side, point to a pegasus that had passed out in the corner. His wings were battered and his coat singed all over. "Theres all the proof you need."

Hero glared into his mug, his stomach curling into a knot. "This... I don't... This isn't right." He slammed his hoof into the counter. "I should have been there!"

Hopscotch shook his head, placing a hoof over Hero's shoulder. "Relax Hero, There's nothing you could have done."

Hero pushed his drink away and turned on his stool to hide the pain on his face. "I don't care. I feel responsible somehow. Like it's my fault they all died." As he spoke he slowly became aware that the bar had become quiet and a path to the front door had been made to allow none other than Princess Celestia through.

"Is that so my little pony?" With all her grace and poise, she carried herself with elegance up to the sulking pegasus. A hoof, brought to his chin, cast Hero's gaze up to his princess. "If you care so deeply for the lives of your fellow ponies then stand here and live up to your name. Protect the refugees and all the citizens of Ponyville; for this is a time they truly need a hero." A caring smile crossed the Princess's face as Hero's turned to determination.

Giving a soldier's nod, Hero swore he would protect the Ponies of Ponyville. Satisfied, the princess stepped up to the bar. An understanding glance between her and Hopscotch sent the bartending pony off into the back room, where he kept his special reserves. Dazer nudged Hero with an excited smile spread across his face. "DUDE! The princess knows your name!!" His whisper was muffled by laughter as he sent a suggestive wink Hero's way.

Princess Celestia nodded to Hopscotch , who had returned with a metal canister sealed in the center with a wax moon stamp. "I'm so sorry for having to bother you during such a busy day Hopscotch, but she simply couldn't wait for your trip to canterlot. The events- "

The Princess was interrupted as Hopscotch raised a hoof into the air. "I understand M'lady. No need to explain. Just send my regards." He levitated the canister into Celestia's magical grasp and bowed his head.

"Thank you." Celestia bowed her head in return and head for the door, where two stern looking guards had stood in waiting.

The bar returned to it's usual hustle and bustle shortly afterward, though rumors had begun stirring up about the princess, hopscotch, and their secret package. Hero turned to Dazer, who had taken to making kissing noise with their two mugs and repeating Hero and Celestia's names in mock voices. "Grow up Dazer!" He grabbed his and took a drink. He paused a moment thinking about the taste... "Hold on... this is mixed apple-" THUNK! Dazer hit the ground in a daze, waving his hooves in the air as though he were running. Hero looked to Hopscotch briefly, who shrugged off a snicker. "Maybe you should label those around Dazer.. I'll fly him home."

*****

He snickered wildly, tossing his over sized grin from side to side as he watch the ponies who began to cower away from his band of armed ponies. "HEEheeheeheehee! Oh what a wonderful place! I'll bet all the little flowers will be here soon!" The black coated Stallion hopped up and down as they moved through town, causing his scraggly red mane to bounce in front of his piercing orange eyes. "This is going to be SOOOO MUCH FUN FUN FUN!!! hee hee hee" The strange bandit leader came to a sudden stop, digging his hooves into the ground with great force, his smile twisting into a snarl. "WAIT! who is that? who's that pony? WHO IS HEEE!!!!??"

The band of armed ponies came to a disgruntled halt behind their leader, who was snarling at Hero as he dragged a loopy Dazer through the streets. Hero released Dazer's tail and looked over to the maniacal redhead. "Hello?"

Before Hero could utter another word, the crazed stallion began shouting orders to his lackeys. "That's HIM - he's the one - he's almost him, get him anyway! Kill the star maned FREAK! and his friends" His thugs didn't skip a beat, rushing forward with silent professionalism. "Hee hee hee HAHAHAHA!! Kill everypony! NO OPPOSITION FOR THE KING!" His shrill laughter showed no sign of his aggression.

Hero gave a swift kick to Dazer's side and dropped into a combat position, his wings a full spread and angled backward. "Get up Dazer. I think we're in trouble."

Dazer complied, rolling onto all four and standing shakily on his hind hooves. "Comesh... get ssshome! Ya..pffffoal." He drooled lightly as he held his front hooves up to the charging group of bandits.

Hero was the first to meet with the bandits, charging forward and leaping into a full strength buck to the closest pony's head. To his surprise, the head fell right off and rolled about in the dusty road. Instead of blood gushing from the now headless body, water began pushing it's way up through a rather thick green substance that filled the bandit's insides. "What the-" He was cut off as another bandit swung a spiked mace toward Hero's head. Hero rolled under the attacking bandit to dodge his swing and sprang upward into a fierce kick aimed for the bandit's stomach. Just like before, it split with ease allowing Hero's springing kick to launch him onto his own four hooves. "What is this!?"

Dazer seemed to have no such questions, as being drunk had turned him into the most graceful dancer in all the land and he had no time for such problems. A few quick spins and line-dance kicks had the Bandits near him falling without a fighting chance. "Away youuuu... Crazzzthed fansh!" One dancing kick sent a bandit's head flying through the air. "AAAHM AMAZTHING!"

It wasn't long before the whole group of plant ponies laid in pieces about Hero and Dazer. "Who are you!? What's going on!?" HEro demanded answers from the clearly outmatched leader of the bandits.

The black coated stallion laughed maniacally, digging his hooves deeper into the ground and then sitting himself down. He lifted one hoof to his chest as he spoke in a proper pony's tone. "I am Lord Vein Vines. First lord of King Black Star. Made known by my Scorch mark."He pointed to his flank, which displayed his own smoldering flesh in place of a cutie mark. Without warning he broke back into his usual wild manner of speaking. "But my friends call me Lord V.V., They call me V.V., You can call me Lord V! OOO, or lord Vines is good! Hee hee hee haha!"

"WELL! Looksh like yer friendss are all g-" Dazer paused for a moment. "-not here...hic!"

Vein Smiled wickedly, planting his hoof back into the ground. "hehe... actually... You made more. More friends for me! MORE FRIENDS TO KILL YOU!" With that the pieces of the split ponies began to grow into whole creatures on their own, little vines sprouting from their wounds and twisting about to form their new bodies. "You see? Now just DIE!"

"There's no way! What kind of creatures are these!?!" Hero stepped back, the now doubled crowd of plant ponies encroaching upon him and Dazer. Dazer stumbled onto his back, even while drunk he knew they were overwhelmed.

"NOW!" Blue Flame shouted from behind as a sharp climbing pick swung out from atop a building, sticking itself into the lead plant creature's chest. A loose rope laid from the pick's target to the building rooftop.

Another climbing pick dug into the cobblestone road behind the group of bandits, the rope attached was kept tight and held in Grapples hoof. "Get that burner going Blue!" Grapple leaped up, pulling on her rope. The tightened rope pulled her to the ground with great speed, sending her into full gallop when she touched down. The loose rope, which she now held tightly in her jaw, was pulled along as she ran in circles around the plant bandits. When she came to a halt the bandits were bunched together and tied up by Grapple's hoof.

Blue Flame stepped up from behind Hero, placing a rather tall lit bunsen burner down before them. "Alchemy 101, What happens when you release a combustible gas near a flame?" He allowed a pause, in case someone might have an answer. Vein Vines tilted his head, trying to figure out what was going on. Blue flame let some shades he had been wearing slide down over his eyes as he pulled out a large canister of compressed propane, wrapped in his magical grasp. A wide grin crossed his face as he shouted out to the plant creatures. "It BURNS!!" He pointed the canister hose and turned the release valve.

An intense bellowing flame wrapped itself around the plant creatures. Lord V.V. Began cracking up. He stomped his hoof into the ground repeatedly as he cackled in rage. "You killed them! Burned them! MADE THEM ALL DEAD!" His hooves stopped moving as they dug into the ground on last time. The sound of tearing flesh and grinding bones emanated from Lord Vines. "But now you’re going to get it." His wicked grin almost literally stretched from ear to ear.

Grapple retreated to the small group of heroes, leaving her charred rope behind and giving Hero a quick wink. "Looks like we're even hot shot." She gave a cheshire grin and stood next to him, crouching into a battle ready position.

Hero nodded to Grapple and Blue Flame. "I'm glad you two showed up when you did. I wasn't sure what to do about those things."

Dazer waved his hooves in the air, commenting incoherently. Blue Flame lifted his glasses as he spoke, his recent excitement all but a memory. " Hero, Remember that lock of hair?" Hero glanced to Blue flame and gave a solid nod before looking back to Vein Vines. The looney lord had begun shaking violently as his skin began to twist outward from his body into long fleshy vines. "Those stars aren't there to look pretty." Blue continued. "It's solid magic. I don't know what you are, but you've got some serious power locked away." A large vial was levitated from Blue's jacket. The vial glowed softly, the stars and galaxies that could be seen in Hero's mane also floated gently bout behind the glass. "Drink this, You'll be able to use what little magic this small portion contained."

Hero grabbed the vial quickly, not questioning his friend, and popped the cork. He tipped the vial back, swallowing the liquid in one gulp. A short moment passed as the four heroes waited to see what would happen. Suddenly Hero's stomach began to growl, causing him to bend over slightly in pain. Blue and grapple took a cautionary step back, Dazer didn't quite care, holding their breath.

Pppppptttttttt! Hero let one rip, a look of relief crossing his face. Grapple looked disgusted. "That's IT!? Some potion, Blue!" Before another word could be uttered Vein's Fleshy tendrils slammed into the ground, ripping apart the ground as they dug their way to Hero and his friends.

The tendril burst from the ground underneath each of the heroes, slamming into their stomachs and flinging them into the air. Shortly after launching the ponies into the air, the tendrils began wrapping around them and constricting about their necks. "HEE HEE HEE! This is it! You're gonna die! this is your end! HAHAHA! Now you pay for hurting my little sproutlings." Lord Vines was furious. More vines began launching from his body, attaching and digging into the buildings around them. "Now I have to make more!" At this screams could be heard from the modest dwellings.

"NO! sto-acckk.. thiss." Hero struggled to get his words out as he writhed in the fleshy vine's grasp. The vine itself began to sprout smaller vines that were trying to find their way into his mouth, ears, and nose. Hope seemed lost as the vines tightened, closing off all chance of breath.

From the shadow of an alleyway a hooded mare stepped just into view, her night blue snout was the only noticeable feature anypony could see. "Hero! I believe you can do it! I have faith in Equestria's hero!" Her voice was soft but reached out through Lord Vine's laughter. Something about this phrase caused Hero's body to freeze up, his sapphire blue eyes fading into the white of his eyes. Seeing that her work was done, the cloaked mare rushed back off into the shadows.

Hero gained an unimaginable strength and ripped the vines from his body, his eyes filled with a brilliant white light. Vein shrieked in pain, withdrawing his vines from his victims and allowing them to fall to the ground. Hero floated in the air, only slightly accompanied by the flapping of his wings. An ancient voice met the world from Hero's lips. "Thy scorched spawn of Black Star. Deliver unto him this message! WE PROTECT EQUESTRIA ALWAYS!" A black aura of magic rippled from Hero's forehead, glistening with stars, and shot into the sky.

Vein Vines stepped back in crippling fear of the sudden change in his opponent, his fleshy tendrils slowly creeping back into his body. The ground about began to shine as small lights began to dot the ground. The day sky above had given way to a small patch of night as the star themselves beamed down upon Vein. "What?! wait, no stop. stop the lights!. What are you doing?" I DEMAND YOU TELL ME-" He was cut off as the lights solidified into burning white beams of energy, tearing his body into crispy pieces of burnt flesh.

The observing ponies began to step out from their hiding spots, Grapple and Blue Flame looking on in awe as hero slowly began to descend. Even the drunken Dazer was hushed by the brilliance of Hero's performance. "Some potion my flank, that was AWESOME!" Blue flame shouted in joy as Hero touched his hooves to the ground. His eyes returned to normal and immediately rolled into the back of his head. Hero slammed against the ground in exhaustion. "Hero?"

Grapple nudged the fainted pegasus with her hoof. "Jeese.... he's completely hopeless." she sighed.

*****

Luna sighed heavily as she sipped from the small canister her sister had gotten for her that morning. It was a seemingly peaceful night as she sat there drinking her own special wine under the moonlight. A sly smile crossed her face as she daydreamed from atop the castle tower's balcony. "I guess everything will work out after all. Though, A little help never hurt anypony."

Episode 4, The Celebration

What a head ache. It was as though Hero's head was being pierced by an iron spike. He rubbed his head, cringing in pain, as he sat up from his bed. Glancing out his window, he could see that he had been sleeping since the fight with Lord Vines. The moon was high and rested over storm clouds that had rolled in while Hero slept. But what happened? He couldn't recall anything after that freak of nature grabbed him with those fleshy tendrils. Maybe some fresh air would clear up this headache.

Hero groaned his way to the front door, his mane of brilliant stars a jungle of bedhead. He opened the fluffy gray cloud door and under a flash of lighting a cloaked mare rushed her head forward, planting a kiss filled with pent up emotion on Hero's lips. He pulled away from a stunned and now wide awake Hero. "Now be quiet and listen my hero." The deep blue mare, fluffed her wings, knocking rainwater out of her feathers. "The power you experienced that allowed you to defeat that creature was catylized by the chemist's power and sparked by your greatest weapon, the faith you inspire in others. It was I who shouted my belief in you and brought forth that power, which I hadn't seen in so long."

Hero recovered from the shock of the mare's sudden kiss. He noticed that even though she clearly had no horn she glowed with a deep blue magic that wrapped about her gray cloak and elegant wings. "I, I'm not sure I totally understand." He glanced behind him quickly, nopony there. Was this actually happening?

The mysterious mare quickly turned Hero's face to look back at her. "Pay attention my hero. What I'm about to tell you is important. This self proclaimed king, the one who sent Lord Vein Vines, is an ancient and powerful foe. You wont be able to defeat him from Ponyville. You must travel deep within the Everfree Forest and find the master smith, Hammerforge." She produced a leather necklace that held a single saphire embedded in the center and fastened it around Hero's neck. "Present him with this and he will show you the path you must follow. "

The Saphire, which displayed a spiraling galaxy deep within, felt familiar and warming. But this request hurt him at his core. "I can't leave! I swore to the princess to protect Ponyville with my life!" He shook his head and pulled the necklace from his neck. "I'm thorry, I an'th take thith." He dangled the necklace from his mouth for her to take back.

The mare stepped back into the rain, a frown crossing her face. "You're as stubborn as I remember. This is the only way, have faith." In a flash of lightning an incredible wing span had carried her into the night and out of sight.

Hero looked at the sapphire that dangled from his mouth.Who was that Nightwinged Mare? What is all this about? How is this thing supposed to help defeat King Black Star? This was probably a trick, a dream, or some kind of strange hallucination from being hit on the head. He refastened the necklace and made his way back to his bed. Regardless of what it was, the necklace was very comfortable. It was almost as though it were made for him. As he crawled under his blankets he noticed his headache had subsided and wondered when that happened.

*****

"HEY!...... -ake uf. det uf Hero... c'mooooooooooooooooon." Dazer grabbed at Hero's ear dragging his stary maned ass out of bed. He let Hero flop against the ground and groan, rolling onto all fours and flapping gently. "Come on Hero, I know you're tired but the princess is back. She wants you to appear for reward. c'mon c'mon c'mon!"

Dazer hopped up and down excitedly while hero pulled back his mane and sleepily flopped his ears. "You're only excited cause you get to do something aren't you?" Hero had come to know his good friend all too well. He was often to lazy to get his own mail unless one of his many magazines were supposed to arrive. Hero had taken to the task of retrieving the mail most days.

"Ugh that's not the point" The excited stallion rolled his eyes as he trotted over to the table. Oddly enough the table had been cleaned off and a breakfast set out for Hero. "Now come eat your oats and lets book it. 'I' get a medal too so I don't want to be late." He trotted in place a couple times. It was obvious in his overzealous smile and manner that he was filled with energy.

Chuckling lightly, Hero trotted past Dazer and opened the door. "Lets go I'm not really hungry." With out skipping a beat Dazer bolt out the door in full flight. Hero shook his head, a smile creeping over his face.

It was mid day and the ponies of ponyville were hard at work putting up decorations to welcome the princess. Hero must have slept well into the day. He couldn't even see Dazer, who he had assumed was already waiting where the ceremony would be held. Hero stopped as he overheard a couple who were reading the newspaper. "Hey look at this. There's been another attack. 'The Valiant Starshield Shatterhorn Fallen in Defense of Appleusa.' It says his battalion was never seen again after the small town caught fire. Even the Buffalo were helping defend it." The Stallion read to his mare. "It really makes you wonder why the Princess is holding a celebration at a time -"

"It's HERO! hi Hero!!!" A little filly shouted, immediately capturing Hero's attention.

"Huh? oh... hello little Miracle." He knelt down to the mismatch-eyed filly, her black and sparkling blue eyes shining up to him. "How's that wing doing?"

She giggled and flapped it about. "Oh it's much better. So did you really beat up that scary guy!? of of course you did. you're HERO! the cutiemarkless Stallion of WONDER!" She jumped around in little circles, making swooshing sounds as she imitated Hero flying to someone's rescue.

Hero laughed, ruffling her brown and yellow hair. "You're a goof ball" She smiled back up to him and stuck out her tongue.

"Hey I'm going to go play with my friends. See you Hero!" She quickly galloped her way over to the other fillies who hadn't gotten their cutiemarks. They liked to pretend they were on missions or something. Hero had spent a day with them when they were sad once. The fact that he didn't have a cutiemark and still accomplished so much really made the little crusaders happy. That's all he ever really tried to do, help out anypony that needed it. He continued along his way towards the Town Hall stopping briefly to watch the frantic purple librarian teleporting from place to place to make sure the decorations were all in order.

When he arrived at Town Hall he was immediately greeted by an eccentric pony in glasses and her crew of makeup artists. She was shouting her name in dramatic pauses as she ranted about how the pictures of this ceremony would be PERFECT. He didn't get much time to see the beautiful streamers, balloons, decorations, or the long red carpet as he was rushed into a dressing room. The room they had cleared for the dressing room was hectic, ponies rushing everywhere to make the gthered heroes look spectacular for the occasion. Hero spotted Dazer, who was practically posing, Blue Flame, and the surprisingly well composed Grapple all being tended to by the makeup artists.

Hero had always thought of grapple as a rough and tumble type of mare, but she seemed to be fidgeting right in as two ponies went to work styling her mane. It was obvious Blue Flame was uncomfortable as he fidgeted away from everything the stylists were trying to do. When Hero looked either side of himself he noticed the two mane stylists next to him, that were supposed to be grooming his mane, hadn't even begun. They were sitting with their utensils hanging from there gaping mouths as they stared in awe at the glowing stars the gently wandered through his mane. "So beautiful..." one of them managed to squeak out.

Before any of the four heroes of ponyville knew it, trumpets began to bellow through the Town Hall welcoming Princess Celestia. At the sounding of the first trumpet all four guests of honor were shoved through the door and lined up in order of appearance outside the front door, Starting with the Graceful Grapple and ending with the hero of the fight. By the time they wer all lined up the princess had already begun her speech and an excited crowd stood on either side of the long red carpet. Another horn bellowed introducing Grapple and then periodically Blue Flame, Dazer, and the valiant Hero.

As Hero stepped into that crowd of ponies, he was overwhelmed by the amount of joyful faces that watched his every move. Princess Celestia continued her speech as Hero began his walk down the carpet to stand by his friends. "My little ponies, It is in these times of need that we must be strong, brave, wise and cunning. Today we honor these four ponies, who by their own initiative protected the whole of Ponyville from a powerful foe. My wish is that their valiant efforts will inspire others to do the same." She paused for a moment as Hero reached the pedastool and kneeled. The Princess bowed her head and addressed the four ponies directly with a voice all could hear. "My dear heroes, Grapple the Adventurer, Blue Flame the Chemist, Dazer Hooves the Weather pony, and Hero the Fallen Star. We thank you deeply and offer these medals so you might know our appreciation." With that, Princess Cadance and three other guards walked in from a door off to the side and aligned themselves before each of the guests of honor carrying a golden medallion tied to a blue ribbon save for Cadence who lined up with Hero.

The medals were placed over each of their heads as Celestia stated their names again. "Grapple, for your bravery in seeking out those who needed you most, we award you the medal of the Valiant. Blue Flame, For your wisdom in quickly utilizing the enemy's weakness, we award you the medal of the Scholar. Dazer Hooves, For your cunning in confusing the enemy with your strange fighting style, we award the medal the Swift. And finally Hero, For your strength, heroism and delivering the decisive blow, we award you no medal but the royal name Borealis so that you might be known for your heroic deeds!" Cadence Tapped her horn to either side of Hero's bowed head and gave him a quick kiss on the forehead. "Hero Borealis please stand and be known to those you have saved. Let them Take faith that you will be here for them!"

Slowly, Hero turned to the gathered ponies. As he held his head up before his neighbors and friends, they began stamping there approval shouting Hero's name and whistling in a joyous uproar. Hero couldn't could help but smile brightly, The Blue gem tied about his neck began to glimmer and then shine as he felt their faith in him fill his being.

"CONGRATULATIONS! HOW ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! A CHAMPION AMONG WEAKLINGS." Boomed a deep stallion's voice from the entrance that brought the crowd to a dead silence. The silhouetted figure kept his wings spread and his horn raised n the sky. "IT'S TOO BAD HE'S STILL NOT ENOUGH TO STOP ME. HAHAHA!"

"Back Star!" Celestia took to a battle ready pose, her horn glowing in anticipation of an attack. "How did y-" She began.

"GET PAST THE GUARDS?" The black stallion stepped into view, his bat like wings folding to either side. "EASY, THEY'RE DEAD."

Hero couldn't bare this ponies presence any longer, Alicorn or not he wasn't about to let such an injustice go unchecked. He lept off his pedastool into a full, wing powered, charge. The leather bound pendant around his neck, glowing brightly, near instantly formed a barrier of brilliant star specked shadowy energy around him.

A sinister grin crept across Black Star's blue eyed face at the thought of yet another pony's retaliation. "BOW BEFORE YOUR KING!" He commanded, full well knowing how this would play out. Hero continued his super speed charge, an oddly deep seeded anger pressed into his determined expression. "NO?" The Alicorn stated as if surprised. His horn flash an emerald green and Hero was blasted to the side, launching him through a window. "THEN DIE. HAHAHA" He found this all to enjoyable as the crowd of ponies filling the hall bowed down in fear of their own lives. "OH LOOK PRINCESS, IT SEEMS YOU HAVE BEEN FORSAKEN."

Celestia stepped in front of the three remaining heroes, who remained standing and ready to fight, and shielded them with unfurled wings. "You will not get away with this!"

Outside, Hero's body remained motionless upon the ground amongst the glittering shards of glass, blood pooling about his body.

"They said the stars would aid in her escape, and so they did. In a years time a star fell from the night and carried with it the heart of her people." The Nightwinged Mare stood over the moon lit Ponyville, a single building lit into a raging fire. "So the heart of her people slows to a still beat, but with no dawn there is no day. Hero, You must live. Because even now I believe in you. Even when those around you have lost faith and the world is crumbling beneath our hooves, I still have faith that you will save us." She turned from her cliff side to look at a bundle a blankets covering somepony. "Because you, are MY Hero."

Episode 5, Nightwing Night

*****
"Is he awake yet?" came an extremely energetic mare's voice.

"Stay calm, he will wake up when he is rested" Answered the voice of Nightwing Mare. "Please go get the water Spiral Winds. He will be thirsty when he does awaken."

"oki dokie!" Spiral answered promptly, hero could hear her trot off shortly afterward. He could feel the pain surging through his body and he deeply hoped he was in some sort of nightmare. It felt as though his bones were twisting and his muscles tearing. He opened his eys to see the blinding light of- no wait. It was night time already. the stars in the sky above him gave an erie feeling of serenity.

"Wh-what happened?" Hero asked instinctively as he sat up and examined the small campsite. A small fire had been built at the top of a cliff side and arranged to comfortably seat four ponies. sitting just next to him was the ever mysterious Nightwing Mare.

"Well, for a while you were dead." Nighting Mare spoke with such calm certainty that her words seemed surreal. A tinge of sadness carried heavily in her words. "You have been out for some time."

Hero shook his head in disbelief. "No no. not again. I-I was fighting Black Star. Protecting ponyville like an actual hero-" He was cut off by the night blue hoof pressed to his mouth.

"He killed you with a single shot. I retrieved you as the sun set and revived you. that's all you need to know right now." chimed Nightwing. She moved to sit down next to the valiant stallion, wrapping one incredibly large wing over him and resting her head on his shoulder. "I understand you don't remember anything, and this might seem strange. But please let me live here in this memory while we talk" She closed here eyes as she snuggled into him.

Hero had to admit that it was rather strange, but not unsettling. Her light blue mane was incredibly soft. "Uhm.. okay. I guess, if I believe you, then when do we strike back? we can't let him get away with this. What happened to my friends? are they safe? what abou-"

"Please." The reminiscent mare stopped him, letting a moment of peace carry through the wind before answering his questions. "We won't be striking back. We need to run and find the forgemaster. He will know what you must do. As for your friends, I am unsure of what happened to them. My - My princess Celestia held him off for some time, but she fell to his influence to allow them to escape. He then sent his creatures after them. I have heard nothing else from the townsfolk he now has enslaved." Hero felt a tear trickle down his neck as Nightwing Mare spoke.

Even through the unrivaled anger building in Hero's chest, he couldn't bring himself to deny this strange and mysterious mare. How could she abandon them? there is nothing to be considered hopeless! a true hero would fight regardless of the odds. And even though these things were true in Hero's mind, the weight he felt denied him the ability to disagree. In a tone surprisingly gentle voice to Hero in this situation, he answered Nightwing. "Okay, we will go see the forgemaster. But I can't promise I'll stay after that. the odds are stacked against me but I must return to fight."

"That's all I ask my-" Nightwing was cut off as a sky blue pegasus hopped her way up the hill.

Spiral's minty white and blue, short cut mane bobbed to one side of her face as she shouted. "Im baaaaack! OOH! Mr. blank bottom is awake!" she set the buckets of water she had strapped to her side down and looked him over with scrutiny. "hey whats with that anyway? I know you're supposed to be like, a superhero or something. shouldn't you have, like, a superhero cutie mark? or OOO OO! a super cutie mark a cutie super mark!" she puts her face next to Hero's a looks to Nightwing. "A super cutie." she suggested, wiggiling her eye brows.

Nightwing quickly shut her wings back to her sides. "Spiral!" she blushed deeply. "I told you already, you will find out in time." Spiral just stuck out her tounge and sat down before Hero.

Spiral grabbed one of the water buckets and set it infront of the confused stallion. "Drink up fancy butt." she fluttered her wings, staring at Hero with a wide smile.

"I don't understand, what does my not having a cutiemark have to do with anything? it has never caused a fuss before. infact it has made quite a few ponies happy." Hero said before lifting the bucket to his mouth. The water was cool,clean and refreshing. Only now did he realize exactly how dry his throat had been. It was like dousing a raging fire that was crawling ever further up his throat.

While Hero drank the spring water Spiral decided to give Hero an answer to his question, but was cut off by a much more timid and gentle voice. Spiral had trained herself not to speak over her much quieter friend. "Oh, it's just- A cutiemark means somepony has found their super special talent." Sky, another pegasus, ducked into the light of the campfire. "if uh- you don't mind me saying, it is rather odd for a full grown pony to not have one." she sat down elegantly with a shy smile.

Hero put the bucket of water down with a gasp for breath, he had chugged the whole thing. With thought, he glanced at his scarred bare flank then over to Nightwing's, who shifted her tail to cover her blank back side. "I see." Hero looked to Nightwing. "perhaps, if you know who I am, you can tell me. because I have certainly forgotten."

With a thoughtful gaze Nightwing Mare stood, spreading her wings up in commanding position. even through her power stance she spoke with a gentle command. "I'm am sorry, but I can not tell you. I made a promise Hero, and I won't break it." With that she took to the night sky, not giving poor Hero a chance to respond. It was clear, to the noble stallion, that he should approach the question with care in the future.

*****

Hopscotch swore as his cart filled with barrels cracked it's wheel on a stone. After his tavern got burned down from the attack he had to save what he could and move out as soon as possible. luckily for him his intoxicating brews held more than just a high alcohol content. He was able to easily slip out of the Black Star's enslavement with a disguise brew, which made him appear as nothing more than another one of his barrels of spiked cider. He looked on to the Everfree forest as he continued pulling his cart. "Don't worry, we'll be safe soon enough."

Episode 6, the forgemaster

"GONE!? What do you mean GONE!?" Black Star's rage was practically malleable. "He was a damned corpse laying in the street! surely he didn't just FLY away?!?" swooshed his hoof into the air before slamming it back into the wood beneath him. The splinters sprayed the cowering minion before him.

The caramel buck peered up from under his glasses which had nearly fallen off his snout in the rage of the great conqueror. "w-w-well I jus-" He was immediately cut off as the remaining windows of the Ponyville main hall shuttered under magic enhanced voice of it's occupant.

"NO EXCUSES! Find that corpse or I'LL HAVE YOU BRANDED!" Black Star's horn shined and then burst into an overglow as he effortlessly flung the buck down the hall and out the door with a wood splintering slam. "ARAGH! completely unacceptable!" Black Star rose from his makeshift throne, made from the podium and several artfully broken benches, and made his way into what was once a closet and more recently a make-up room. Now the multi converted room was setup to be Black Star's personal prison. "Wake up my dear. I have some questions."

The spellbound Princess Celestia wobbled to her hooves, eying the magical wards placed around her which created the barrier that held her in place and sapped her strength. "You'll get nothing out of me Black Star, you can't me with your tricks this time." She glared, with death in her eyes, only to be met by a sly glance and cackle from her captor.

Black Star brought his muzzle to the barrier and caressed the princess's face with one wandering hoof. "Tricks? I don't need petty tricks anymore. you're just going to spill it all out for me... one way or another." The princess spat at the would be king's words. "ugh" He wiped his face before stepping toward the broken vanity mirror. "Now, my first question. Why were you protecting those ponies, and where did they go?"

*****

Hero's face was slapped by the branch of a rather rude tree that appeared to be making lude gestures. "Pleh, why would he choose to live all the way out here?" he questioned as he expelled musty leaves from his mouth. "Who does he even sell his wares to?" Though the question sounded thoughtful his gaze was obviously lost into his admiration of the gently swaying plot in front of him.

Glancing back to make sure her companions had stayed in step, Nightwing carefully chose her words. "Hammerforge is very uh.... selective of the company he keeps. And at one point, The royal family. But that was a long time ago."

"OOHH THE GODDESS! everything is 'a long time ago, of great power, legendablahblahblah' is there anything like... Recent you two have to talk about... like I dunno, The Wonderbolts newest initiate or something?" Spiral tossed her mane about, shouting up from behind Sky. "I mean seriously guys. If you're gunna talk, at least include us. I'm Bored." She pouted, stomping quickly before hastening her canter to keep up.

Nightwing rolled her eyes. "Okay then, what would you suggest we discuss?"

Spiral bounced up and hovered over Sky. "Okay, what's this guy like?! is he nice? does he like candy? I like candy. OH! is he a pegasus? do you think he's 'handsome'!?" Sky blushed as she looked up to her loveably over imaginative and hyper friend, ducking to the side as she watched Spiral live up to her name and hit the ground.

She couldn't help but giggle at Spiral's antics. The ever so graceful Nightwing stepped onto a stone walkway before answering. "Well he's a Unicorn. As for the rest, you can see for yourself." She lifted her head towards an overgrown ruin, a decrepit archway leading into long hallway that had clearly been designed for elegance and to strike we in those who trotted through. The effect had been lost to the overgrowth and collapsed ceiling tiles. "Welcome to The Castle of the Alicorn Sisters." A quick glance to hero told him there as more she wanted to say before they continued but she held her tongue tight.

The four pegasi walked through the once magnificent halls of the old palace, the broken stained glass story-windows letting lecks of colored light dance across Hero's face. He was in struck wonder, the beauty lost to the decay of time was quickly reversed in his mind as he viewed the castle in it's glory days. How wonderful it must have been to walk through this place and call it your home. Hero was so lost in his daydream he barely noticed Nightwing stop before a door mid way between a nearly intact window depicting two alicorns pulling the moon and sun and another almost completely shattered window whose remaining pieces seemed to depict a scene of blissful night and raging fire. He drove into her hindquarters face first before falling onto his haunches in embarrassment.

A multitude of embarrassing, suggestive, glances and giggles from the mares later landed Hero scowling at a stone door with no discernible method of opening it. Hero knew he wouldn't live this incident down any time soon. Nightwing had led them out of the castle into a small patio with raised walls arcing from the castle exit to the large stone door. Without a word, Nightwing traced an image that Hero wasn't paying attention to onto the door with her hoof. With one great clop against the stone door, all three pegasi following the Nightwing Mare back back onto their haunches in astonishment. The Stone door lit up, glorious hues of blue and green splitting the grand door and pulling it away and into the darkness of the space beyond.

"H-how did-?" Hero began before having his muzzle shut with a raised hoof.

"Hammerforge is the greatest smith in equestria. That's how." Nightwing smirked, Taking wy too much pleasure in the cluelessness of her present company. Another teasing glance was given to Spiral Winds. "You know, of great power, Legendablah blah blah." A giggle and a swish of her luscious tail sent her striding down the path through the small outcropping of trees behind the door.

At the end of the path stood a small cobblestone smithy, smoke from a burning forge wafting from a crooked chimney that climbed out from the back. A soft yellow mare peeked out of the door, a burlap sack laden with unseen goods dangling from her mouth. At first sight of the travelers, she bolted out from the door and took flight, her flowing pink mane trailing behind her. The door opened all the way to reveal a rusty orange Buck, with an extremely displeased glare. He brushed his Dirty brown mane back and turned back into his shop, motioning for the others to enter.

Spiral stayed outside with a more than frightened Sky, Something about his eyes. The buck, who looked surprisingly young for his supposed renown, was infact Hammerforge and was not in the least bit humble. He had gracefully offered two wooden stools for Hero and Nightwing to sit on while they told him why he should waste his valuable time with whatever ridiculous request they had. "And I'll be damned if you ask this as a favor. The last time I did that for a pony, he never came back. So bring bits or get packing." He lifted a hammer in an emerald telekinetic sheathe and began pounding on an amorphous blob of heated material that he must have recently pulled from the blazing forge next to him.

Hammerforge busily slammed the heated metal as Nightwing explained. "Of course, I brought appropriate compensation for your services." Nightwing lifted a bulging sack of bits from her side in her telekinetic grip.

"Oh! well that’s different, What was it you wanted miss....?" Hammerforge Suddenly perked up, magically lifting his project and dropping it into an overused traugh with a whining hiss.

with a smile the mare answered. "Oh yes, I am First hoof to the princess of the night, High Agent Nightwing Silverstar. And this is Hero Bo-.... This is Hero, my current mission." She danced around Hero's new name like a magic snowpony during winter wrap up. This struck Hero as strange since she had so openly used it during their trip here. She even seemed to enjoy saying it at times, using his name excessively when it even began to sound repetitive. Perhaps the name was important to both these ponies? He was certain of this fact but held his questions as the bartering continued. As it would turn out his lovely companion was not paying for his service so much as information.

Hammerforge lifted his newly crafted piece from the trough as he mulled ov- WOOD? Hero's eyes took in with great surprise that the smith had just lifted freshly cooled wood out of the traugh. That wasn't even possible! Hero blinked heavily believing he had been seeing things. Regardless of his efforts the newly forged wooden helmet remained wooden. "So, you.... The big special forces pegasus of Princess luna doesn't want me to make any new special armor..... you want me to direct you to an older set? One that failed to protect it's previous owner when it really counted might I add? I could easily make a brand new set of higher quality and MUCH better fit for your little soldier over there." Hammerforge looked perplexed, not quite understanding Nightwing's request.

"We want the old set, and it's not for him" Nightwing glanced to hero. "It's for a MUCH older friend."

Hero could have sworn Hammerforge's eye tripled in size as he lept over his anvil, "He's
BACK!!? After a thousand years he'd better do good on that drink!"

Nightwing giggled, patting the Smith's head. "He's not here quite yet. But he should be here soon enough. That why we need his armor." Nightwing offered him the bulging sack of bits once again.

With a quick thoughtful glance Hammerforge took up the money and trotte back behind his forge and pulled out a tome like ledger. "Well I'll tell you what you need to know, But I can't guarantee you'll get your prizes so easily. " He flipped the book to some place in the center, dust flying everywhere. "I sold them, I couldn't bare to see them gather dust." Clearly he didn't mind watching his books gather dust, hero coughed as he tried to speak.

"ha-ckehem- a!,, ehem.. You mean you don't even have them? And if they're not for me why am I here? Black Star is wreaking havoc in ponyville and godesses know where else. We don't have time to sit here and watch this somehow incredibly old pony go through his books." Hero grumbled, folding his hooves and fluttering his wings in one fierce flap. His attempts to sway Nightwing into letting him go fight Blackstar was answered with a light giggle and a hoof pointing to the smith who's heated brown eyes were catapulting daggers into Hero's very soul.

"I..... Am not....... old." Hero shut his mouth tightly as Hammerforge returned to a calm demeanor and went back to his book. "Well now if Black Star is back than all manner of bad things are happening. I'll give you a discount since it's a state of emergency.... one bit back. Right then. The first to go was the helmet, now being held in the canterlot royal treasury. The Chestplate went to a soldier by the name Starshield Shatter horn, he was rather stubborn. The wing clasps were purchased by the royal family for Sky Captain Thunderhoof, with the horseshoes to match for his outstanding service when negotiations with the griffons went bad. Last but not least the Cape went to an upstart collector and historian named Sky Dreams in Neighvarro." He tore out the pages detailing the final sales and handed them to Nightwing along with a single bit. "You may have a hard time getting the pieces off of Thunderhoof and the historian, but the other two shouldn't pose much of a challenge. I hear Shatterhorn died protecting Fillydelphia and you are already working for the princess."

Before Nightwing could work the voice to thank the 'young' smith she was cut off by the yelp of Sky Chaser and the shouting of a mare from outside. "We know you're in there. Come out and surrender in the name of King Black Star!!"

Hero Kicked into action before any of the others could react, rushing outside in a burst of flight and taking a guardian position in front of Sky and Spiral. "How dare you act on that wretch's behalf! what are you thinking!" Hero was standing against three ponies two pegasi and a battle harnessed unicorn. None of them had their cutie marks scorched, they were acting on their own volition! Hero was furious. How could these ponies betray equestria!?

The leader, the unicorn who had been speaking before answered with strength in her voice. "We act on his behalf to cease the torture you've forced on our princess. Some hero you turned out to be, You're the one putting her in more danger." The mare's horn began to glow fiercely. "So surrender and let us take you back. Don't let Celestia suffer anymore, nothing can stop Black Star anyway. Not even the Elements of Harmony were able to stop him!"
"So, that's it then." Hero was completely caught off guard, and dropped his defenses. "I am sorry, I don't blame you for acting to save the princess." He placed a hoof over his chest and bowed. "I will go with you, I am only one pony after all. it's not li-"

"NO!" Nighting pushed her way in front of Her. "do you really think he'll stop his wicked torture? No, he will continue no matter what promises he's made." She then turned on Hero string him down with outstretched wings. "And you! I've waited far too long to have you throw yourself away at the first chance you get you... you. you stubborn pony." She sighed as hero began to protest, but she clearly had heard this before and knew what he'd say. "Forgive me for this." With two swift hoof placements Hero felt a surge of pleasure run through his body followed immediately by nothingness.

"Hi, cand be.... fightintg...." Hero wobbled, fell on his haunches and blacked out. The High agent was clearly very talented.

Now in the safety of his Canterlot shop, the fine brewer Hopscotch let his wagon slam against the ground. "OOOOoohhh my back. You're a heavy bunch." He said demeaning his barrels of merchandise. "Good thing I got you out of there before Black Star burned my poor bar to the ground." a single tear dripped from his eye.

"oh ssshhhut your yapper. I lost more than yer shtupid sssshhhop."Dazer popped the top to the barrel he was hiding in. "d-I lost a friedn! A good one!" he waved a bottle at Hopscotch who rightfully swiped it away from him.

A swift hoof to the noggin set Dazer back into his barrel. "You drank the whole lot didn't you! You drunkard! I'm never letting you taste my beverages again until you work off this merchandise!" Hopscotch scolded. Dazer wasn't listening, he curled up in the barrel, hugging his empty bottles of various alcoholics as he sobbed over Hero's death.

Grapple's multi colored mane was next to pop up, followed but the nervous wreck that was Blue Flame. "Look Dazer. I liked the buck too, a little more than I care to admit. But he's gone! Now we're the only hope equestria has, right Blue?" Grapple looked over to her chemist companion, who still had the lid resting on his head.

"i-I, yeah sure.... we ARE safe here right?"Blue flame asked, ducking back in slightly. Hopscotch reassured Blue flame about the security of his Canterlot wine cellar and ushered the group into their new base of operations. Dazer was dragged and given a pile of hay to sob on.

Episode 7, The road to Canterlot

The sharp pain in Hero's chest protested against his restful sleep, causing him to groan as his vision slowly returned through teary eyes. He had been knocked out! That bitch knocked him out! He was just trying to save Celestia. Even worse than that was the scene he woke up to.

The two pegasi that had accompanied the attacking unicorn were laying bloodied and beaten, their wings snapped backward so that the bone was exposed, in front of hero. The male, had the unicorn's snapped horn shoved through his eye. Hero shuffled back in horror, getting up on all fours, allowing him to see the distant unicorn. She seemed to have been the victim of her own spell that one could only assume had backfired when her horn was snapped. The unicorn floated helplessly in the air wrapped in a continuous fire. Hero mumbled in desperate shock, still unable to fully control his facilities. He never wanted this, this shouldn't have happened. He fell back to his haunches, his legs giving out beneath him.

"Borealis." Came Nightwing's soothing voice, which dripped with apologies and regret. "I'm so sorry, please don't hate me for what I did." But how could he not. Right now, through his rubber limbs and cotton mouth, he was burning with rage for this wretched betrayer. In Hero's mind she had just killed three valiant ponies who were just trying to help their great princess.

Nightwing sat down in front of Hero, who could only scowl at her despite all his rage. "listen, I know what I did seems harsh and i don't expect you to actually forgive me." She looked down in shame, her sky-blue hair drooping in front of sorrowful eyes. The smell of vomit on her breath told her actions had left her sick as well. "But I-I..... I can't let you go back." She shook her head "I'm not selfish! I'm not.... I had to do it. because now you can't go back.." she stood, turning away, towards the door to the smithy. "Like somepony once told me, sometimes you have to do terrible things to do the most good." Her voice squeaked into a short sob as she charged into Hammerforge's home.

Hero didn't know what to think, he hated her with a passion, but she was so honest and the regret in her was clear as the day's sun. No, no that didn't change what she did. She's a terrible pony for what she did. But now he's stuck with her, she turned all of Ponyville against him by slaying those three and now he had nowhere else to go. He hated her.

It was a few hours before Nightwing had fully recomposed herself and began to load a wagon filled with traveling supplies with the assistance of Hammerforge and Sky. Spiral had been given the task of keeping Hero in time out as he fumed over the bodies he had spent the time to bury after recovering. Hammerforge had suggested the group take toward Canterlot and start with recovering the Helmet. He was certain Princess Luna would relinquish it freely to the party.

Hammerforge finished levitating the last of the supplies, a sack filled with freshly 'smithed' foodstuffs. "Okay Spiral bring him over! We're hitting the road!" Nightwing called out to the two ponies who were out of sight. Spiral shouted back with an okie dokey. She turned to Hammerforge. "Are you sure you can't come with us? Luna would be overjoyed to have you as a guest." She lifted hoof with her final offer.

The greatly disappointed smith grunted but gave a slow nod. "I'm sure, I need to tend this forge, it's too powerful to let anypony else use it. Besides, I have a few orders to fill for another group of ponies that came this way. You saw one of them leave when you came in."

Nightwing just nodded as Hero was walked walked behind her and helped into the wagon's harness by spiral. "Very well. Stay safe Hammer and thank you for your kindness." The two made a short bow and then turned to their respective business. Sky had climbed into the back of the wagon, curled up with her tail. She had been worn out by the days events, and who could blame her. It was a lot to take in after seeing your home destroyed only a few days before.

"hrmphr! hrry opf!" Hero shouted behind him, holding the pull-bar in his mouth. He stomped furiously as he shifted his great strength into pulling the massive wagon, a slow start that hurried into a steady roll. Spiral fluttered her way onto the forward seat, while Nightwing trotted from behind.

"So long, and mind the main road! Black Star will be looking for you!" Hammer forge shouted from his door before slamming it closed like a grump. Sky thought it was very rude. In fact sky thought a lot of things, curled around her own tail. She thought about where she might be going from here, what was going to happen if they were caught?, would Canterlot even be safe by the time they arrived? how many other ponies were looking for them? Why is the road so bumpy? what is poking her in the back? oh it was a pair of calipers. All these thoughts made her more scared. She was terrified even through the comforting look the high agent gave her.

THUMP!.... THUMP THUMP! WHACK!

The barrel Dazer had been taking his frustration out on toppled over and smacked into the cellar wall. "Buck this! I want my life back! I want my house, my easy job, my magazines! Fuck I just want my bed." He delivered another quick buck to the barrel, splintering the worn down wood. He groaned in frustration, tossing his head in the air. "I'm sick of hiding!"

It had been two days since the small group of heroes arrived at Hopscotch's Canterlot home. And the group was roughly adjusted to working the brew master's bar, 'The Quick Fix, Canterlot'. Dazer of course was forbidden from drinking anything until the bar was closed and that ticked him off more. "Dazer! we need more 'Hero's Special'! these guys are taking on the challenge.... all of them!" Hopscotch called down to his warehouse worker. Dazer groaned and lifted a small crate onto his back, using his wings to keep it from toppling over.

Dazer stepped up the stairs to see a slew of royal guards trying to impress the waitress. Grapple wasn't impressed stating that the only stallion she'd look favorably upon was able to take the challenge and not get drunk. So far the score was 'Hero's Special': 7 Royal guards: 0 with five more to go. Blue was busy shaking up the next drink while Hopscotch cleaned out used mugs.

"Come on you fillies! Can't handle your drinks?! HAHAA!" A White stallion in guard captain armor called to his drunken comrades. "This is your last chance to get laid before marching you pansies!" He beat his hoof on the counter. "Hit me Barkeep. I'm taking this fine young filly home with me tonight, you can bet on it!"

Blue flame snickered as he finished shaking the drink, Dazer setting the crate down behind him, and poured 'The Hero's Special' into the freshly cleaned mug. " One up, good luck, don't let the floor hit you on the way down." He turned to Grapple, who was leaning against the counter suggestively for the still conscious guards. "Damn girl you're good for business. I'll bet all this is even enough to let Hopscotch overlook you climbing the stacks of barrels on your breaks."

With a light, unheard of the noise in the bar, clop against the floor Grapple returned to her regular posture. She flung her multicolored mane back before speaking. "Ha. This is nothing. With the swing of the haunches you can make horny soldiers do just about anything. You should give it a try sometime Blue Dame." She winked. Blue Flame just rolled his eyes and turned to the next guard who had stepped over his fallen captain, apparently he was as much a filly as his underlings. The young buck beat his wings fiercely as he demanded 'The Hero's Special'. Another victim.

Hopscotch stop Dazer before he descended the stairs again. "Hey, we're closing in a few hours and I think you've just about paid off all the drinks you guzzled." Dazer scowled at Hopscotch's word, the heat of the painful memory that drove him to his debt evident in his tired glazed eyes. Hopscotch had looked upon him with pity since he had sobered up, Dazer was truly a noble pony lost to grief. "Well, How about you run an errand for me and we call it even?"

Dazer grunted in agreement, not having the gumption to actually say anything to his debtor. He gently folded his wing and use his hoof to pull his mane back, which he had left unkempt to the past two days.

Hopscotch took the workhorse outback and hooked him up to the wagon that had pulled the group to the safety of Canterlot the other night, however there were no barrels filled with ponies, but carefully packed open-top crates containing a large quantity of silver canisters sealed with a wax moon. he bobbed his cherry mane to one side as he finished levitating the crates into the wagon and turned to his friend. "Now Dazer, you can fly this wagon if you're up to it but if not I would suggest taking the back roads. This is a very important delivery do you understand?" The rusty buck nodded, finding his interest peaked by the hushed tone the barkeep had taken to using just now. "This goes straight to the castle do you understand? Don't let anypony see what’s inside, save for the guards at the gate who already know of this arrangement. These are for Princess Luna. No pony drinks any of this except her."

"Wait it's almost dusk, why doesn't she come pick these up? Celestia came down to Ponyville for just one of these last time." Dazer questioned, finally working up the energy to speak now that he was sufficiently distracted. To be honest, Dazer thought, it was strange enough for a princess to go to a bar for a drink in the first place. If HE were a princess he would have the guards go pick things up for him.

The bartender shook his his head solemnly. "The princess hasn't left the castle in months, ever since.." He paused wondering if he should mention Dazer's dead friend. "Actually, why don't you let her tell you." Hopscotch took a few steps back, stomping one hoof into the cobblestone. "Now get going! 'The Quick Fix' doesn't keep royalty waiting."

Dazer nodded sternly, taking on the visage of a soldier pony. With a few fierce beats of his wings he took to the evening sky, the burning orange filling the air and spilling into the wall-side alleyway.

*****

"Do you see now young Dazer? why you must be strong. We can never lose faith. This is his and our greatest strength. This is our only weapon against Black star." Luna finished her explanation, gazing out over the moonlit streets of her beloved city. She levitated the now empty wooden box back to her vanity mirror.

In a semi daze, the rust colored pegasus sat back up from his Princess's bed. "So.. he's not dead." He laughed a little bit in disbelief, fluttering his feathers in joy. "Are you serious about all that Elemental crap? He's coming here!?! " Dazer lifted up in the air and practically danced.

Turning to Dazer with concern, Luna spoke up over her subject. "Yes all that I have said is true. But so true are the dangers. With my Sister being held captive, there is nothing I can do in the open. Black Star holds all the cards in his hooves." Luna levitated one of the silver canisters from the delivered crate, breaking the seal and twisting it open with a metallic pop. A fruity scent immediately filled the room, assaulting Dazer's nostrils with suspicion.

It was true he trusted his princess but there was something strange about that brew. " Umm. Princess Luna?" Dazer asked, touching back to the ground as the night blue alicorn drank deeply of the scented drink. "Now, I've had my fair share of drinks. I know what those fruity drinks smell like and that right there isn't alcoholic at all. Mind if I ask what you've been ordering from Hopscotch? and what about all the security and secrecy?" He tilted his head slightly, the question had been building in his head since he had been given the delivery.

Luna stomped one hoof as she finished her drink, glaring over to Dazer with eyes that let him know he crossed a line. "I'm sorry Dazer, but I believe it might be best if you took your leave."

"yeah bu-"

"Now." Luna demanded of the now stuttering pegasus. Even through her kindness she was stern and frightful if you pressed the wrong buttons. Dazer simply nodded and took flight out the balcony window, gazing back to royal pony and unanswered questions he left behind. Though it ended on a bad note Dazer had wonderful news to take to heart. He took solace in what he had learned.

Grapple Looked solemnly down into the murky gray water as it sloshed back in forth in the bucket. She sighed through the wooden handle and continued mopping. It was closing time and her mind had been elsewhere since the excitement from that morning died down. Dazer hadn't even returned yet and that mounted additional worries to earth pony. She had been cursing the enclosed space she was forced to hide in, the friend she had lost and the fact she might never get to scale a decent wall again crushed her. She felt trapped, broken hearted and hopeless.

Where was Dazer? He had been gone for several hours and it doesn't take that long to make a delivery, not even to the royal castle. Blue flame didn't seemed worried, she glanced over to look at the pony who had quickly become her best friend. Blue flame was calmly tending to dirty dishes and a small chemistry project at the same time. It must be nice to have magic to levitate things around for you. Grapple's train of thought was broken when Hopscotch called from the basement.

"Hey Grapple! Stop moping and take a rest, the water is dripping through my floors!" Grapple looked down with shock in her eyes, how long had she been sitting there like that? She shouted back her compliance and lifted the bucket in her mouth, being sure to put the mop to the side. Walking out the front door, she dumped the dirty mop water onto the streets and onto a rather unfortunate sleeping drunkard she had to kick out not but an hour ago. hmm, still asleep. no harm done.

A shadow caught Grapple's attention as it dart through the alleyway across the street. It looked like griffon and by the way it moved, slipping from cover to cover, the feathered fiend was up to no good. Perhaps it was the actions of Hero that had rubbed off on her or the simple fact that she felt all of Equestria was at war, but her sense of justice wouldn't let her stand by. She dropped the bucket on the drunkards sleeping head and galloped over the cobblestone street. "Hold it right there!" she belted, turning the corner of the alley way.

"u-oh... I umm... sorry? w-what did I do?" Came the sweetest, almost seductive, voice of a unicorn mare. Her dark blue coat bristled in the chilled air, fright filling her sapphire eyes, a color matching her gently tufting mane. Impossible, Grapple thought to herself with her mouth agape. She turned her head several times, look back to the Quick Fix and this strange mare. What happened to the wings? when did she get a horn?

Taken aback, she found it hard to answer the unquestionably innocent mare. "Oh I... you were. but...... D-did you see a griffon just pass through here? looking really suspicious?" The mare simply shook her head,turning to one side to reveal her cutiemark and point down the alley way. She had a bright cutiemark adorning her flank, a sun being eclipsed by a crescent moon.

"c-can I go now? I have somewhere I should be." She stuttered her eyes shifting away to show her urgency. Grapple agreed after asking her name, Nocturne Eclipse. As Grapple watched the mare trot along at a brisk pace, supposedly so she could keep to her schedule, she couldn't help but she had met her before. She had never been at the Quick Fix in the time that the small group had occupied it, of that she was certain. What was so familiar about this pony? It was probably just deja vu, her mind had definitely been elsewhere after all.

Grapple started back towards the safe haven of the bar, spotting Dazer land with an excited step at the front door. Thank the princesses he was okay and happy at that.

Author's Note

Sorry it's short and long delayed. I've been having computer issues. episode eight shouldn't be too far behind.

Episode 8, Breath of Doubt

“tell me that my friends are all lying to me and avoiding me because they don’t like my parties and don’t wanna be my friends anymore!”

Black star slumped in his makeshift throne, his plans halted by the presence of an unknown factor. He levitated a small vial of blood some of his 'dedicated' servants had collected from the sight hero had died at. A snaking grin stretched across his face as a grim plan unfurled in his mind. "Dear Hero, it will be your own deeds that bring about your downfall. I'll just need to keep you occupied until your labor bears fruit. hmm hmm hmmm hmmm." The cork to the vial popped open, releasing a hissing steam. The blood began to bubble inside the rattling glass, swirling into a violet pus. The vial shattered under the vapid liquid's sputtering energy. The turned blood ejected itself into the air to briefly form a dark glyph before splattering to the ground. "POLISHED SHINE! GET IN HERE.... I have a job for you....."

Hero beat his hoof into the stone all of the cave they had made camp in, the water in the opening next to him rippled from the force. With a heavy defeated sigh he hobbled over to the water's edge to take a drink after exhausting his frustration. The water was cool, clear and refreshing as it trickled down his throat. He quickly reeled from the pool, something in the water caught had his eye. Something dark had briefly reflected back at him. The pain surging through his chest sent guilty pangs into his heart. The reflection was too close to his own image for comfort. Was this the result of his harbored thoughts against Nightwing? She was here to help him after all. "NO!" Hero shook his head, "My distrust is well placed" He stated as he stepped boldly toward the water again to see his reflection. Leaning down, he saw staring back at him nothing but his natural reflection.

A smirk spread across the bold white stallion's muzzle as he turned toward the entrance to the cave and the outer chambers where the others slept around a fire pit Sky had started. For such a shy pony she was very good in the survival area. As he made his way toward the cave entrance, tip-hoofing carefully over the sprawled out spiral and around the ball of puffy tail that was a freshly bathed sky, he couldn't help but notice the beautiful devil huddled against the supplies on the cave wall. The red eyes and black, scarred in white, coat that reflected back at him not but a minute ago flashed fresh in his mind. It was so real to him he could even put a voice to it. "hero.... hero....hero" it whispered into the depths of his mind, cradling itself against his loss of faith in the supposedly noble High Agent.

He had spent several hours walking through the Everfree Forest, striding along its borders as he gazed up to the distant city lights of Canterlot. It was only half a day's travel by wing. They planned to leave the wagon in the cave and take flight once the forest turned back into grassland. A mad dash from cover to cover. It was a coward's play but the only one he had. With any luck nopony in Canterlot would know him as a traitor as the ponies of Ponyville did. The doubts weighed heavily in his gut, he just wanted to huddle down and vomit... No wait.. he actually needed to vomit. He quickly trotted off to the side and hung his head into a bush, violently beating his wings against his sides as the contents of his dinner escaped his stomach and made haste toward the ground.

Maybe those berries weren't as good as Sky thought they were. Hero shook his head. No, he was just literally worried sick. The world rested on his shoulders and he didn't know what to do but follow somepony he hated. He gently rubbed his stomach, sitting back on his haunches, as the taste of vomit burned his throat and tongue. He needed some water. Hero sat for a minute to make sure he wouldn't lose his lunch too and made for a nearby stream. As he walked he noticed a few of the odd creatures that made their home in Everfree. Oddly enough, even through the warnings and obvious danger, they didn't seem all that dangerous to Hero. They even looked cute, something you'd keep as a pet. It's not like they ever bothered him. He had been traveling through the forest for three days now and not once did any of the creatures attack him.

Lost in thought about the adorable manticores he had seen on his walk, Hero nearly stumbled face first into the small stream. A quick shift of weight and he regained his balance, taking a stance that was a little more than embarrassing; his legs crisscrossed, his head to one side, his tail raised in the air and his wings splayed out wide over the water. Luckily nopony was around to see that. They weren’t around to see that right? He quickly glanced about, phew nopony but a little rabbit... what are you looking at bunny?

The water was cool and refreshing, much more fresh than the stagnant water in the cave. He made sure to rinse out the taste of bile and acid from his mouth before washing the fire in his throat back down to where it belonged. Just as he swallowed and began to turn a distant sound called to be investigated. Somepony was shouting off toward the main path. "Yeah I don't care how much work it is, I won't look bad in front of the king! I simply will not allow it. Now tell Silva Song to take up her work near Froggy Bottom Bog. That place is most fitting to a creature of her talents." Hero crept past the river and through the bushes to see a steel gray Unicorn, whose coat seemed to shimmer, shouting instructions to a potted plant in a cool but lazy voice. His exquisitely styled white mane and tail was complemented by a Violet stripe.

The Scorch-mark on the stylish pony's side gave Hero all the reason he needed to avoid him. The last pony to have that mark was an earthpony and had some interesting powers, who knew what a unicorn could do with such enhancements.

"OKAY, ALRIGHT, FINE!!! hee hee hee. I'll let her know, I'll tell her, we'll talk." cracked a horrifyingly familiar voice. "I'll spread the message through the.... VINE... HAAHAAHEEHAAA HA. SO GET OFF MY BACK, LEAVE ME ALONE, SHUT UP! Using the plants like this is exhausting Polished." Lord V. Complained from his pot. He was a little pony head on a flower stem. It looked like a sick joke nature had played in order to invoke wishes of eternal illness rather than see it. Hero went to vomit again, but nothing came out. Apparently his stomach had nothing left to toss.

Lord V. spit a seed out of his mouth which promptly dug itself into the ground upon impact. "Good, lets move on toward the end of the path, any more of this humid forest and... UGH.. insects and my hair might frizz. I want these traps set and then i want to go back to my studio. " Polished huffed before levitating the disgusting 'plant' that was Lord V. along with him. Hero stepped back, keeping his eyes trained on the two superponies. The Rocks at the top of the river bank did not agree with this reckless act and gave way beneath him.

Hero fell backward, stones clacking and banging about him. NO! they had heard him. It was impossible that they hadn't. Hero clambered to get back on his hooves as he heard Lord V. shouting that he had heard something. His heart stopped as the bushes above him rustled, the violent laughter of the disturbing plantpony screaming through his head. He was going to have to get up,be strong, be a hero. Even if he died here the others would be safe, they would have their prize and go.

With a steady hoof he dug into the embankment, wings spread, ready to burst forth into fray as the mighty warrior he was supposed to be. Yes, this he knew would be his defining moment. He would succeed and place his first true mark against the Tyrant Black Star. He would with great effort get smacked in the face by a giant scorpion tail. Hero tumbled back once more, getting his coat soaked in the icy night time water. The roar of the manticore blasted into the fray before the unicorn shouted something about it being hideous and a bright light splattered manticore bits all over Hero. "EW! oh oh oh! that was the most hideous thing.. EW! Come on lets get out of here before another of those... those THINGS make themselves visible. Ugh..."

With that the monstrous pair made their way down the road, leaving Hero soaked, cold, and covered in the blood and guts of a manticore. He back pedaled in horror, sending himself up the opposite embankment and leaving quite a trail dug into the earth. "whwhat the fuck? Why did it.. but.He just fucking blew it up! it..." His stammering was cut off by a very calm and familiar voice.

"Of course the manticore leaped to your rescue." That silky voice cooed to try and calm the massively disturbed Hero before lifting him out of the muck. "You have a deep connection to this place. You, just like the forest and it's creatures, are filled with mystery and power. The princess will know more." Nightwing tried her best to turn Hero about and calm him down. But she was the last thing he wanted to see or hear right now. She murder three ponies in cold blood, that's all he could see in her.

Hero shielded his scowl with his blood soaked wing. "No! I don't want to hear anything from you. Why are you even out here?" He mumbled as he hoofed his way through the brush and back towards their camp. He shook what he thought was intestines from his celestial patterned mane, which surprisingly didn't seem to have a drop of blood staining it. He was red from head to hoof and fuming to boot. He had been the cause of yet another death, all be it an animal, but still a death due to his carelessness.

"Some hero" whispered the voice in the back of his mind.

Nightwing stared after him, pity in her teary eyes as she sat back on her haunches. "Because I care Borealis... Because I care." Her chest sank lower than she had felt in a long time. She had come out to help clear the air between them but only felt worse after her attempt. She already knew the extent of what he needed to know... but she wouldn't, couldn't risk telling him before he was ready. all the secrets she had to keep were starting to dig into her heart. She stared into the blood caked flank until it was clear out of sight, sigh and resting her head up against a tree as she contemplated taking a different approach to Hero. She needed him to inspire others, not make them feel bad. It was her job to mold him after all. It was her job to mold the one she cared most about, and even that she couldn't tell him.

"Are you serious!?!" shouted Blueflame, dropping the glass he had been holding in his telekinetic grip. Dazer shook his head up and down with the widest grin possible.

Grapple leaped forward giving the pegasus a mighty hug. "OH Celestia! This is incredible!" She could have almost kissed him..... almost. She jump back, the earth pony prancing and kicking the air in glee.

"That's great news." stated Hopscotch flinging his mane back. "This means Equestria still has a chance to survive." He levitated a few chairs out of their positions on top of the tables. "But since they're on their way here we should probably stay put and make sure Hero has a warm place to stay when he gets here."

Dazer stomped his hoof into the fine wood floorboards. "No way! If he's alive we should go and help him." His wings at full span."I could fly Blue out there with a skycart and-"

"-get them all killed." countered Hopscotch. "If what you're telling us is correct the two of them are pegasi. They would have flown if it was safe." Dazer folded his wings, scrunching his face inward. He clearly didn't like the waiting but Hopscotch was right. The Pegasus stamped fervently in place before flopping his ears down and falling hard on his haunches. Hopscotch got straight to work, mixing up a drink for his young drink-loving friend. "Here let me fix you something to calm you down. Lets go Celebratory, Hero's Special perhaps?" Dazer perked back up, smiling his trademark grin under droopy eyes.

Grapple calmed herself and trotted up next to Dazer, placing her hoof on his back."Hey it'll be alright. I personally don't like waiting either Dazer. But hey, if it'll work it'll work." She leaned forward to make sure Dazer could see her face. "I'm going to go get some supplies in the morning for when he gets here. Would you like to come with me? We can make a day of it." Dazer brightened up further to a full blown smile. A good drink today and some supply shopping tomorrow, plenty to keep his mind off things for now.

Blue stepped out from his dish-washing area. "Hey I thought I was going with you. I need to pick up some chemicals."

"Just get me a list Blue. Dazer needs the distraction." Grapple calmed. Blue Flamed shrugged, muttering something about quality goods before going back to his dishes. "Thanks Blue! You're a good friend." He shouted something back in return that was intelligible. The chemist was calm natured but they all knew he had lost something dear to him during Black Star's attack. More than his laboratory, More than his greatest experiment, his dearest Carrot Top is for now lost to the tyrant in Ponyville. They had all lost something and the cracks were beginning to show.

"Celestia..... Celestia... We need to get you out of there" Came the sweet sound of a mare from outside the window of the room turned dungeon. The great princess of the day rose her head weakly to hear the sound, the tales of her injuries told plainly by the dried blood that stained her dirty white coat.

Her knees wobbled then buckled under her as she attempted to rise on her own volition, but Black Star's torture had proven too brutal for her weakened frame. "m-my sister. Cadance is that you?" She managed to choke out. Her voice holding some echo of hope.

"Yes my sister, I've gathered Twilight and her friends. We are staying safe and gathering some of the Old Prince's armaments... are you okay Sister?" What a stupid question to ask, the clop of a facehoof could faintly be heard outside the window.

Celestia managed to find the heart to smile softly at Cadance's little mistake. "I will be fine Cadance. But I have some information you need to take to our sister, Black Star is telling me more than he thinks. Haaaagh haaaghkk. "Celestia coughed through her burning throat. "I'll do the most good here..." she paused to take in a slow breath so as to not choke on her dehydration again. "He want's me alive and I can learn."

Cadance fluttered up to the window, a cloak was draped over her face. She placed a hoof over the glass. "Oh my sister...." Worry filled her every word.

Hero looked over at the sleeping forms of Sky and Spiral, trotting angrily towards his bedroll. The past two hours were frustrating, terrifying, and exhausting. Never had he been more aware of his mortality and the threat that was being posed. He laid down as he let his eyes glaze over in the light of the campfire.

Hero sighed deeply as he looked over the three little fillies under his care. They were frightened. The two pegasi and the little unicorn huddled under his wings shivering, wide eyed in fear of what was before them. Hero flutter his blackened wings and stepped back, looking back up into the violets of the demonic mare in front of him. She growled billowing shadows that threatened to consume the very earth beneath them from under her silvery armor. Nightwing placed her hoof over his chest and thrust him up and onto his back. He didn't want to watch but he had to. It looked like she'd gobble them up in one foul swoop but her hooves would suffice.

Hero watched in utter horror as the world turned red, the three he had been trying to protect becoming crushed beneath the mare's thunderous hooves. The foals’ bones twisted and snapped wretchedly " They need to die!" Her silky voice screeched through his dark black coat and into his bones. "There is NO OTHER CHOICE!!!!" The looming shadow of Black Star began to boast a hearty laughter has his azure eyes greedily watched the foal get pulped. Hero stretched out his hoof aching to help but knowing in his heart that it was hopeless. He couldn't defeat an enemy who had already won.

It was funny though wasn't it? How much he wanted to struggle against 'clearly' impossible odds. The entirety of Equestria wanted his head for leaving Celestia to the hooves of the "King". Actually it was pretty hilarious, so funny in fact he cracked a smile, watching his forced companion kill the fillies. Look at that, the irony is absolutely hysterical. He cracked out into laughter as the world melted into white sky above him, the little black stars dotting the skies. It was always like that wasn't it? It didn't matter, that was funny too. Everything was funnier. He laughed and laughed and laughed some more. Everything was so pointless, why did he even try to begin with? He was such a silly pony, he should have just laid down and given up right then and there in the town hall. He should have just given-

"-herooooOOOooo. Hey sleepy butt!" Spiral had her face in his. "Hey fancy flank. lets goooOOO. you've been asleep straight through breakfast." She rolled her eyes, glancing back to Sky as Hero sat upright with a hoof to his head. "Sky said we should save you some. She's So nice...." She looked back to him with a grin. "But I kinda ate it. I had the munchies. Besides you don't like carrot flakes.... right?"

Before he could even get a syllable out Sky had fluttered over and pulled the hyper mare off. "Come on Windsie he's clearly had a rough night." Spiral stuck her tongue out and trotted out to the readied cart. Knowing the two mares didn't have the strength to pull the heavy wooden frame, Hero assumed that Nightwing must have moved it into place for them though she was nowhere to be seen. Sky's sweet smile filled the stallion's vision. "Come on, I saved you a little extra" From the wreck she had been the after leaving the smithy she seemed to have bounced back rather quickly. How did she do that? It was like she had completely forgotten that brutal murder. During Hero's moment of contemplation Sky had moved to push him off his rump. "You can't sit here all day. We're only one day from Canterlot and the.." she giggled a little bit, he imagined her blushing from the tone of her voice. "the Princess is going to see us. hehe."

Hero wasn't stubborn and quickly found himself on his hooves, Sky fussing over his bed feather. She was like a mother. Hero hadn't had one himself, but he saw fillies and colts with their mothers before. He didn't bother fight off the mare's motherly mothery motherness. All he could do was shake his head, mares were weird. "Hey sky?" He managed after making sure Spiral was out of earshot and the Nightbitch was out of sight. The gentle mare stopped her obsessive preening and looked up to Hero. "What do you think about all of this? I'm feeling kind of lost here."

Sky trotted off from Hero's side and turned to face him, sitting hard on her haunches with a dignified sigh that told she had been thinking of what to say long before the question was asked. "I think this is something out of my control but something I clearly have a chance to help change." she looked back and then to the stallion again. "I have never seen the things I have in the past few days in my entire life. I'll admit I even had a few panic attacks. But just between you and me?" she frowned a little bit, glancing towards the cart and Spiral again."I think Windsie is taking all this hard than I ever will." That was hard to believe, the mare was practically in party mode over there. Sky gave him another quick look over. "But that's not what you meant is it?" she frowned again, feeling concern grow as Hero's eyes darted off to the side. He didn't want to make her worry.

"I-I.... What about all this stuff that agent mare is shoving at me? After these past few days I've started to think that maybe..." He choked on his own words, his heart sinking in his chest as he drooped his head in thought.

"yeah? maybe what? Come along now Borie, tell me what's on your mind." She had gotten much closer than Hero had realized and was actually stroking his cheek with one hoof as she spoke. Right there, he wanted to say it so bad, he wanted to tell this mare his every secret and thought. Her words could give even the most devout of ponies naughty thoughts if she had so wanted it. Part of him wondered if she had ever used this talent to her 'advantage' before. No no no! He mentally shook the perversion from his mind as he refocused on what he was trying to tell her. He needed to get away from all these mares at some point.

He stammered as the thought of a very provocative Sky danced in front of his thoughts. "I uh... what if... Ahem.." Hero gathered himself. "I was thinking, what if I'm not actually a hero. what if I took on that name like a blind fool. I mean I didn't really know any better at the time. Hell I still barely know any better. I could have lit-"

Sky pushed a hoof up against his lips and shook her head with and understanding smile. Again with the motherlyness. "No Borie.... Hero. You didn't see what Nightwing showed us, what all your friends saw, what all of Equestria bore witness to that day you fought Lord V." She trotted back over to Hero's side to finish preening the few feathers she had missed. "You're a hero Borealis, Whether you like it or not." The finality of her statement dared Hero to speak further, back by a stare that would beat a cockatrice in a no blinking contest.

Hero lifted his head just in time to see Nightwing step up to the cart and assist Spiral in the final preparations. The remaining supplies were being bundled into four saddlebags for the flight to Canterlot. He did feel a little better, even managing to smile a bit at Sky's words. That type of absolute faith in who he was reassured him things would be okay, but a growing shadow in the back of his mind still stabbed at his doubts. 'that's two down, the entirety of Equestria to go.'