Nocturne of Peace

A My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic fan fiction

Written by David H. Stidham

10/11/2011

Chapter 0 – Unto the dark I go

It is an early summer evening, the wind is gentle and the sky has few clouds. It would be enjoyable were it not for the haze that still lingers in a long dead city, where seven figures are hiking their way through the remains that mark the graves of countless forgotten men women and children. Three of these figures are of the same company, one is garbed in a long coat as dark as the night, his face is obscured by a mask with a color that matches his coat and a strange symbol marking where the face would be, seemingly crafted with sharp, angular maroon-red strokes.

The other is wrapped in a flowing navy robe; in his right hand he wields an intricate, highly ornate cane. His face has a look of astute calm, fitting for one who has seen and done many things in his long, interesting life with short neat hair that reveals his age. And the third man appears to wear basic combat gear, holding an assault rifle in both hands, with skin colored by the darkest imaginable tan and a face portraying a sly, witty expression accented by a baseball cap worn bill facing forward on his head. While the other four are tagging along behind, clothed in attire commonly seen in the twenty-third century.

At last the odd group arrive at their destination, so they decide to rest and converse with one another about their final objective.

"Hawk, don't think about doing something impractical, we all miss the Mana-Façade, but even you need to think this through", the one with the fancy cane started to the man in all black, while the others spoke amongst each other. Hawk took note of the sounds of faint gunfire and booming explosions in the distance, echoing of what was left of the decrepit structures that still lay in the two hundred year old ruins of Los Angeles, their frequency intensifying every passing moment. After looking around, seeing the billows of smoke and fire surrounding them choking out the twilight sky, Hawk replied in cold, solidly calm tone. "I already have Sohen; the Black Rose took what was rightfully mine, so now I will take away all they cherish, their hopes, dreams… I will even rob them of their last bastion of victory." The third man was confused, after over-hearing what Hawk had said. "Eh b-but I thought we all said those goth fuckers immortal! Unless we have the articles of their original death, we'll never kill them", he nervously blurted.

"Indeed Maverick, that's why I'm gonna charge them. They'll expect this but believe I would never do such a thing. Once I'm in, they will likely ambush me but shocked that I sprung the obvious trap, by then they'll be unsure on what to do next."

"Damn it Hawk, why do you insist on this? We need to be aware that we can die, they can't. I swear if you go first, I will usurp you!" Hearing those words from his long-time friend, Hawk shuddered in the frantic tension the Sohen expelled, then with a solemn, sorrowful voice he said, "Sohen, you've been with me for fifty years. It's time for you to take your rightful place… to lead the Reborn in your wisdom, take care of the others and take victory from Joseph and his slaves." Hawk finished his final farewell with the customary quote,

"May it always be…"

The quote lingered in Sohens thoughts for moments. Stunned, he refused to believe that his close friend would be lost forever. Hawk had already taken off into a large domed structure, the main hub of the huge complex of buildings and pavement that sprawled over several square miles. The others must have seen, because they jumped up from where they were sitting, unsure on what just happened they all looked at Sohen. He was uncomfortable in his new role, he'd always been happy as Hawk's second-in-command witnessing countless adventures alongside his friend and thoughtfully scouring through old tomes and manuscripts in his personal library. Two hours had passed since they arrived at the place once known as LAX, and now the others are restless.

Sohen turned around, unable to stop his former boss, to face his allies and began to say in an uncharacteristically distraught tone. "It's ten O'clock, Hawk rushed in alone to face a likely certain death, we have to proceed now or the primary objective will be lost." Sohen spun back to face the ominous maw of an entrance and hurried in to try and catch up while the others followed suit, wondering what his friend was thinking.


Hawk careful wandered through piles of rubble, dark hallways and decaying rooms for the past fifteen minutes. His mind went through memories of his past, on how all that had happened until now began here, in the city he was born in, then finally come to an end here. He was old and his body had scars of age and past battles, his thoughts kept returning to the one person that loved him with such a passion that she took her own life to protect him from his own death. His bottom lip quivered in sadness at the memory and he didn't attempt to fight back the small approaching cry that soon hit him like a torrent of anguish. Although he wished he hadn't started crying, he decided to leave it be until the weeping's soothing effects took hold, which never came. It became worse now, with his knees buckling he sat down on a still intact bench. With tears flooding his mask, he removed it with a face turned red as his cry continued. He'd now had enough and began to stifle the cry, then wiped his face dry with the left sleeve of his coat and stood back up to venture further inside.

The night had now taken hold over the day so it was really dark in, as well as outside. Because of this, Hawk left his mask by the old bench. He felt a soft cool breeze brush past his well formed cheeks and the odor of old moldy dust combine with hot sooty smoke forced its way into his nose. Thirty minutes have now elapsed, and finally entered a particularly large, open room. Hawk knew that even his perceptive vision, the trait that he well known for, could penetrate the shadows. He closed his eyes slowly took in a deep breath, and then let out sigh to calm his nerves and ease his mind for the coming battle.


"Hawk! Hawk, where are you?" The only replies were the sounds of the battle that still raged on outside. It was pitch black inside, other than the the weak flickers of light caused by the explosions it was too dark to see, so Sohen raised his signature accessory into the air.

"Luna Incarnanta" was the odd sounding words that came from his mouth; an eerie glow began to emanate from the onyx that served as the canes head. With the surrounding environment illuminated by the artificial moon-light glow the others gawked at the light source in astonishment. Maverick noticed their expressive amazement; he chuckled as he turned his head to look at them and say, "Magic… Yeah, Sohen tends to do that from time to time." One of them, whose name was Cheska, faced the dark man and rolled his eyes.

"Not that you fool, THAT", he retorted with an unusual accent and a wry smirk while gesturing at the scenery. "Ooh, no you didn't Cheska" a young woman with beautiful bright red hair at the back of the group snapped.

"Yes, he did." Sohen said with a snotty expression, and then resumed surveying the drab and faded area. After five minutes of hurried and careful walking, they came to a bench encased in coppery colored rust, Sohen spotted a head sized object too fresh and too new to be a part of the ruins. With cane still in hand, the mage bent over and picked up the object his left hand and saw an emblem he knew too well. He was here, he thought. His lips pursed into a scowl, and the wily old man knew they were close, Now, if I only knew which way Hawk went. Door number one, or door number two. Choices, choices.

Sohen pondered for a moment cut short by a set of two weighty gunshots too clear and too near to be part of the violent blood-bath in the background. Running out of valuable time, Sohen quickly turned to the others. "Maverick Cheska and Ruby with me, the rest of you take the terminal!" After the order was given, the party divided and went their respectful ways in a frantic search to reunite with Hawk before it was too late.


Nerves are steeled, mind is clear, senses are alert. The lone man sighed, now he is ready to face his enemy.

"UNTO THE DARK I GO!"

In the blink of an eye, Hawk reached both gloved hands into his coat drew two large six-shot revolvers, and aimed them straight and ahead of him. The first muzzle flash provided enough light to locate his targets, while the second one allowed him to be aware of the room's layout. More shots followed afterward only to hit wall, floor and ceiling. No words were spoken, only the sounds of gunfire, bullets whizzing by and grunts of exertion during this deadly dance of gunplay and hand-to-hand. Hawk was more than a match for his four opponents, but they had an advantage that rendered all his power and skill completely useless… Immortality, Invincibility, whatever one would call it they were unkillable. Hawk's plan seemed to work, they were hesitant, their combat effectiveness was slurred. But Hawk knew it was only for a short moment that the effect would last, so he went into part two of his plan.

His time had finally come; he was to die here so the war would share the same fate. Fighting, seeking cover, shooting, it was almost music. Hawk stopped his ballet of death to accept what was to come, from behind him came an agonizing dull sting ripping through his spine, and out the center of his chest. The crippling pain brought him to his knees, looking down he saw a long double-edged blood smeared blade protruding outward from his sternum. A lone tear rolled down his dirty left cheek, he felt cold, his vision blurred, too weak to stay upright he slumped forward and face-down.

I miss you, Nightingale

That was the last thought that went blissfully through his mind before the void consumed him.

He felt nothing.

He saw nothing.

Heard nothing,

No smell and no taste either…

Yet he was still aware of his thoughts.

Unto the dark I go…

and into greener pastures

End chapter