Ember Stroke smiled triumphantly into the bathroom mirror after inspecting his mane from both sides. Turning his head to the right, then the left, he scanned his reflection clearly satisfied with his work.
His flaming orange and black mane was slicked backwards in a fashion to where every couple strands reached for the ceiling almost as if his mane was a wild flame dancing in a fire pit.
Setting the hairbrush down on the counter, he used his magic to pick up the lid of a generic mane gel that he had been previously using and sealed it back up. After the lit made a barely audible snapping sound, the young stallion went to work at putting a couple other of the splayed out items in their respective places.
A few short seconds later and the sink counter was clear again. Ember was in the process of turning away from the counter and exiting the room when he heard a few soft knocks on the closed door followed by a familiar voice.
“Knock, knock.” A mare’s voice said, bordering on a sing-song tone or a playful one. “You fall asleep in there?” She added.
Ember opened the door to reveal a middle-aged mare with a coal colored coat and multi-colored purple mane. Her eyes were a warm and inviting blue-grey and her smile matched the friendly vibe she gave off.
“You and Wire are never going to let me forget that huh, mom?” He replied, his tone humorous as to mask his embarrassment. Sadly his nearly white coat wouldn’t do him justice as the lightest of blushes from remembering that mentioned event ran through his head.
“We will when you learn not to forget studying and avoid going over the whole test in one night.” She playfully scolded. “High school might have been forgiving but college certainly isn’t going to be for much longer.”
“Mom, I’m twenty three,” Ember lightheartedly retorted, “I’ve survived high school just fine, how much different can college really be anyway? I’m nearly done with the first semester.”
The mare’s smile widened at her son’s ignorance. He might have been considered an adult, but he still had that spark of inexperienced youth that she had always hoped her kids would have. Something that wasn’t an option for her.
“You’ll be in for a rude awakening then.” She giggled before continuing by verbally pushing him out of the room. “Well, come on now. You don’t want to keep your friends waiting now.”
“Yeah,” Ember agreed, “Merrymaker is probably already five shots in.” He chuckled aloud to himself, prompting “that” look from his mother.
Ember knew this look well. He had spent his entire life around it and had become accustomed to the expression. It was the one she pulled when he had absent mindedly said something rude to one of her friends or another peer - or in more recent years - the look she used when a scenario she disapproved of was playing in her head.
“Now, Ember don’t do anything that I wouldn’t do. It’s easy to make mistakes under the influence of liquor.”
“Gee,” The stallion replied with a laugh, “That sure narrows my options.”
The look she gave him said this was no time for joking. Ember’s smile faltered slightly as his tone returned to normal.
“Alright, alright, I got it.” He confirmed. “Make smart choices.”
Ember was almost afraid his little relenting act had failed when his mother’s stoick expression remained, but it broke into a small smile a second later and she tightly embraced him.
“Seriously, Ember, please be careful. I know you're all grown up but I’m still your mother. It's my job to make sure you do what is best for you.” She said as the hug grew tighter.
“Okay, okay, can’t breath, mom.” He wheezed, surprised by his own mother's strength.
The mare let him go and was about to leave him be when a thought hit her.
“Oh! I almost forgot,” She added, before levitating something off of her back and in front of Ember’s face. “I finished patching this up so you can look dashing for your fillyfriend.”
The item in front of the stallion’s face was a dark brown leather jacket that had multiple pockets. It was clearly homemade by her truly, but that didn’t make the quality any lesser.
Ember raised an eyebrow as he tried to sound composed and hoped he wasn’t blushing. “Dawn isn’t my fillyfriend, mom. Trust me, I’d be arriving home in a coffin if her father and sisters thought the same thing.”
“Sure, whatever you say, honey.”
Ember eyed the jacket once more before continuing. “I like it, I really do, but you know where I’m going right?” He asked.
“The Keg, of course. It's the only bar in Ponyville.” She replied.
“Exactly, so wearing a brand new jacket is just asking for Merry or Wire to accidentally puke on it.”
“If you don’t like it just say so.”
“No, no,” Ember protested. “I like it, but this isn’t the best night for it.”
Her expression gave off a fake, but playful pouty vibe, causing Ember to sigh in a matching tone.
“Okay, you win. I’ll wear it.” He relented.
“You’ll knock her socks off, sweetie.” She said, happy to have won the light scuffle.
“Dawn doesn’t wear socks. None of us do.”
“You know what I mean.”
Using his magic, Ember pulled the jacket around his body and wrapped it around his form before zipping it up and stretching slightly to get used to the cold feeling. His mother watched with the anticipation of a gambler waiting to hear the winning numbers.
After assuring her that it was to his liking, Ember exited the bathroom and entered the living room of the house where he saw a small unicorn colt and filly laying on the floor, stomachs down and their gazes fixed to the television where a racing game was displayed.
The colt had a medium grey coat in the middle of his mother’s and Ember’s own, a blue and orange mane with a matching tail. The filly was a light - almost transparent blue with a gradient of grey to black mane and tail.
The two giggled and shot light hearted insults and taunts back and forth whenever one of them would gain the upper hoof in the game. A few seconds later, and the colt got up on all fours as he cheered triumphantly while the screen displayed that his car had won.
“That's three in a row. Pay up, Gracie.” His voice squeaked in victory.
The filly, Gracie, pouted as she reached to her left and grabbed one of the miniature candy bars from her pile and passed it to the gloating colt.
Ember smiled, watching the scene unfold before he spoke up and notified them of his presence. “Challenging Ace isn’t a good idea, Gracie, he smokes everypony at this game.”
The two spun around to see Ember standing next to them and smiling down.
“Did ya see me, bro?” Ace gloated. “I’m still undefeated!” With the last part, he raised the forehoof holding the controller into the air like a victor displaying a trophy.
“Undefeated, huh?” Ember replied with a smile and hint of disbelieving aura in his voice as Ace sheepishly realized what he was hinting at. “Remember the Diplomats of the Dead track? If I recall correctly, you were last place on that one and yours truly took home the gold.”
“W-well, that track is unfair!” Ace retorted after a moment of hesitation. “The zombies on the track make it harder!”
“You’re just mad that I picked Stormbringer as my car before you could.”
In the banter, Gracie’s pouty expression turned to one of amusement as her opponent was being playfully humiliated in his moment of glory.
“Boys, there is no time for this.” Ember and Ace’s mother interjected as she came into the room carrying two plates of pizza in her magic. She turned her attention to Ace before continuing. “You’re brother has to get going or he’ll be late, but I’ve already talked to Gracie’s mom, she can stay the night with us.”
Ace and Gracie bumped hooves in excitement as multiple “Yes’s” and “Awesome’s” followed. The boy’s mother and Ember shared a warm glance at the youngins display of joy before the mare placed the pizza down next to the two, kindly asked them to return their plates upon finishing, and left for the kitchen.
Ember lingered in the living room after she had left, prompting a curious Ace to ask if he was going or not.
“Yeah, I’m going just need-” In one swift motion, Ember scooped up Ace, who almost dropped his slice of pizza in the process, off the ground and began to tickle him. Ace was locked in a tickle torture embrace and was trying in vain to not laugh but the contagious laugher and pizza crumbs from his mouth clearly signed that it was a loosing battle.
Gracie had joined in on the laugher as Ace was tickled to the point of tears before Ember finally let go and clutched his side in mock pain. Before getting up, Ember leaned into Gracie’s ear and whispered “Play the Diplomats track next. He won’t be able to keep up.”
And with that, Ember stood up and gathered a few belongings. His cell phone, earbuds, wallet, and even a pocket sketchbook with a pencil taped to the side were all stuffed into various pockets of the jacket.
Well, at least it isn’t lacking in the storage department. Ember thought as he secured his belongings, opened the door with his magic, and stepped out.
The sun had recently set not but ten minutes ago, retreating to let the night’s embrace swallow the town. Despite this change, the town was still as lively as ever with ponies chatting amongst each other, completing last minute shopping at soon-to-be closed stands, or doing their regular business.
Ember trotted through the town with relative ease as he passed market stands, buildings, and residences. He only had a few more blocks to go until he reached the Keg and he would have made it there in record time if it weren’t for a new development.
Standing crowded around a television in a store’s window were over a dozen ponies, all of which were glued to the tv where a middle aged brown mare was speaking in front of a crime scene.
She was talking over the blurred image of a gruesome murder that had recently taken place, calling it the third one this month.
Ember couldn’t watch much longer. He hated gore especially in real life. It was so much different - so much worse than the Haywood films and video games portrayed it as. He almost felt bad disregarding the tragic news to go and bullshit with his friends.
He got to celebrate while some family just found out their loved one’s life was taken cruelly without any rhyme or reason.
But Ember knew feeling sorry for himself or the family wouldn’t solve anything. He sent a swift prayer to Celestia for them as he continued making his way to the bar before something hard bumped into him.
The stallion was nearly sent to the ground upon colliding with a heavily clothed pony, whose face was barely visible underneath his fedora. This mystery pony stared at Ember with it’s bronze - almost red eyes for a moment before it left.
Well that was bucking weird… Ember thought before shrugging off what he thought was a salty civilian.
A few moments later, then he found it.
The Keg - Ponyville’s one and only bar and club combo.
Upon opening the doors, Ember was greeted to the smell of various citrus beverages, hot and steaming food, and scented candles that assaulted his nostrils like the most pleasant battle one could lose. The building’s lighting was dim, with only a faint orange glow above each table complimented by LEDs of the same color lining the floor of the booths and tables as to make sure no clumsy ponies tripped over something in the semi-dark environment.
While the scenery was nice despite being something out of a cheesy romance novel, it made it nearly impossible to find his friends especially when his eyes hadn’t adjusted yet-
“Em! Over here!” A mare’s voice called out from his far right.
Turning his head towards the source of the voice, Ember was met with the smiling faces of three other ponies - two mares and a stallion - all sitting at a square table with two seats on either side located at the back of the building.
To the left, in the furthest seat from his position, sat a well-built unicorn stallion with a dark blue coat and red - black striped mane. This stallion was the most dressed out of the group as he sported an orange watch, camo green stenson hat, and blue glasses that made his coat look light in appearance, and a pair of navy overalls with faint oil stains coating them. He sat with one hoof around the back of the chair and was leaned back in a casual - almost carefree manner.
His name was Wire Wrought.
Beside the blue stallion was a bright pink mare of multiple shades. She was slim, petite by definition, and looked like her bones would snap if she was accidentally bumped while walking past some clumsy street-goers. The mare was wearing a bright gold and red necklace that resembled a heart. Each color wrapped around one another to form said heart. The pink mare sat in what more ‘posh’ ponies considered a proper or lady-like fashion.
Her name was Merrymaker.
And last, but certainly not least, was a pegasus mare on the opposite end of the seating. She was somewhere in the middle of the blue stallion’s brutish build and the pink mare’s petite one but had more than enough muscles to make up for it. The pegasus had a gradient of sunset themed yellows with some orange spilled in here and there, making her short-cut mane actually look like a spiked sun at the end of the day. Her soft, orange eyes were slightly obscured by a pair of square glasses that rested on the bridge of her smiling muzzle. One feature which Ember could not see at the moment, however, was the mare’s lack of a cutie mark.
Her name was Dawn Palette.
Ember subconsciously found himself focusing on that small, almost reclusive grin of hers. Dawn was also a bit of an introvert, especially when it came to displaying emotion in a public setting - which is something he completely understood while sharing the same outlook on socializing. Hell, if it wasn’t for Merrymaker or even Wire Wought, their small friend group would have likely never come together in the first place for nights like these. And he mentally thanked them for that every single day.
“So, how’s college life treating you, Emily?” Wire Wrought asked with his trademark smirk.
“Do you ever get tired of calling me that?” Ember replied, punching his friend in the shoulder from across the table. “Emily,” He repeated sarcastically, “It doesn’t even sound like a pony name!”
“But it still gets on your nerves and that's all that matters.” Wire replied, putting his hooves up behind his head in a relaxing manner.
The night continued on like so, with the four friends bullshitting playfully with one another. As drinks were downed, filters destroyed and pride shattered with every quip, Ember was finally reminded what it was like to feel alive again. Truth be told, he had been struggling a ton at college. Pursuing an art degree wasn’t the easiest thing in a world where the term ‘starving artist’ was literal. Hell, he must have lost ten pounds just by not being able to afford food for the past semester.
But on this night, all of that didn’t matter. Tomorrow's problems would be tomorrow 's problems. Today's fun would be where he lived for now. And Ember wished it could last for-
“Phone call for Ember Stroke!” A young mare called out from behind the bar’s counter, breaking up the friend group’s debauchery.
The four shared brief looks momentarily. Merrymaker was having a hard time sitting up straight, but the mare held a slightly concerned look on her face. Wire had stopped his very vulgar story of the time he almost got tricked into ‘coltcuddling,’ by a crossdresser and Dawn pushed her glasses back while watching the white unicorn leave the booth and make his way to the bar desk.
“You, Stroke?” The bartender asked, levitating a phone in her magic.
“Yeah, that’s me.” Ember replied, starting to feel a knot form in his stomach. “Who is it?”
“I don’t know. Some colt. He sounds pretty upset.”
It’s probably just Ace. Ember thought, feeling a wave of relief wash over him. He’s probably pissed about my track suggestion…
“Yeah, I know him.” Ember said, taking the phone from the mare.
“Ace?”
The younger colt was sniffling. He choked down a few sobs before responding. “E-Ember… I didn’t k-know what to do!”
“Calm down, little buddy.” Ember tried to remain composed as a million dreadful thoughts raced through his head at his brother’s urgency. “Tell me what happened. Where is mom?”
Ace finally broke as full blown sobbing took over his tone. “M-mommy… she… she… tried to stop him!”
“Him?” Ember repeated. “Who? Whose ‘him?’”
Ace kept sobbing and choking on snot.
“Ace! I need you to work with me, bro! Who was there?!”
“I… I…”
“Ace!”
“I don’t know! I-I came downstairs and somepony was hurting mommy! He said that she owned him! And… and that he was taking what was owed!”
“W-what?” Ember sputtered, taking a glance at his friends - who were all staring at him with deeply concerned expressions on their faces. “Did this stallion see you?”
“Y-yes. He… he… just w-walked past me. I couldn’t do anything, Ember! I couldn’t move! He just stared at me and I… I froze! I’m sor-”
“Shh… It’s okay, just… just listen to me, Ace.” Ember was using all he had to keep it together for the sake of his brother and being in public. “I need you to call the authorities. You know the number. They’ll help mom. Just lock the doors and wait. Okay?”
The colt sniffed and sputtered. “O-okay.”
“I’ll be right over!” Then Ember hung up the phone.
The white unicorn didn’t even have time to explain the situation to his now standing friends before he rocketed out the door and into the night. All he knew was that he had to be there. For his mother, for Ace, for himself.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Author's Note
Welcome to my second story! This is another passion project of mine, but this one is heavily inspired by my favorite TV series - Supernatural. There is just something about an interesting, colorful and diverse cast of complimentary characters mixed with gritty action packed scenes and horrifying monsters that I love. Hell, my main story Diplomats of the Damned is just that but more original and on a WAY larger scale than this one. Additionally, if anyone reading this is interested in Dead Space/Gears of War grit and sci-fi in a slow burn format, then I suggest you check out Diplomats as well!
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this prelude of a chapter and the start of something that will hopefully be great and entertaining! 
