Chapter 1 – And into greener pastures

"…and besides, where would I be without you?"

"In a grave somewhere…"

Whispers of memories and echoes of thoughts came from progressively deeper regions of the lone mans mind.

"Hey there, lookin' good sexy!"

"Thanks, you always know how to cheer me up N…"

Hawk's time in the tangible blackness went on for the briefest of moments, yet lasted in the span of infinite infinities. He had no body or anything in relation to one, but his consciousness remained. The old hero imagined himself waiting for the after-life, he never cared about ever going to heaven or hell, he only cared that others could be saved at the expense of his own soul. The events that happened next were explicitly unforeseen, random if you will; it made Hawk wince in shock. At first, it was subtle. A great light broke through the darkness; a lovingly soft wind caressed him, carrying with it a pleasant scent of grass and an assortment of wildflowers. A warm glow above him and the sensation of something large cradling him below made him feel safe, like an infant in the arms of its doting mother. Awakened by this, Hawk slowly opened his eyes as if waking from a long, restful slumber. Everything about him felt unfamiliar, slowly lifting his head so he could investigate his surroundings, he saw a vast hilly plain. With the sun climbing for noon, Hawk witnessed a wide mountain range curving around the sprawling field, blocking out the western, southern and eastern horizons.

Now with a sense of direction, he attempted to rise to his feet. The attempt was met with failure, maybe he was weak, maybe he had been crippled, but the answer was not so simple. First inspecting his arms then the body, legs, feet, hands and face. This strange new form mesmerized Hawk, with hooves taking the place of hands and feet, arms and legs had movement of the opposite limbs, brick-red fur covering every inch, an elongated face ending in a snout and even the ears were weird. They stood tall like a dogs ear or maybe of equine form. All of this was garnished with a soft, medium length wavy black mane and tail. Everywhere around him was calm and gentle, unlike his previous location where everything was dirty, violent and loud. This place seemed beautiful, vivid and peaceful. Several more attempts to stand up were made, each one closer to success.

Like a newborn foal, Hawk struggled and faltered. The idea of irony struck in, for in his old form, parkour was a particular skill of valuable use to him. Now in his current state, the simplest motor function came with difficulty. Hours came and went, his stomach ached for nourishment and his throat groaned in thirst. Finally mastering his new body, he rose to his hooves and felt a peculiar feeling coming from the back of his shoulders and ending at the ground.

Wings! How? Where in the hell am I? I swear I'd died; I have to find a way out of here.

Wings were not the only extension of this strange ponified version of himself, for there was also a familiar emblem on his left and right flanks. "How odd…" he murmured to himself. Still hungry and still thirsty, wing hanging limp dragging on the grassy earth, he walked about two miles and already he had become highly agitated by this series of annoyances. Blue sky, green fields and tall mountains were the only thing he saw, save for the occasional bird or flying insect. All of this gave the red stallion a sense of displacement. Growing weary from his lifeless appendages, Hawk contorted his shoulders in an attempt to gain control of his wings, many more tries were made until he found that they folded comfortably on a mere thought.

Ah, so it's similar to that of reaching for something or walking, even.

Countless questions flew through his mind, all of which could possibly be answered if he can fid any sign of civilization before days end. An especially tall mountain standing out from the rest was decorated by a large castle, complete with what appeared to be a classy garden. Sheer amazement was the only thing that the loner felt, "Civilization, at last." Immediately breaking into a full gallop, he took off toward the elaborate structure. In a short time he came across a simple road, after following the road for a while, he eventually arrived at the gates of a ranch. A sweet aroma of apples triggered his stomach to roar in protest, and his his mouth watered in anticipation as he walked through an open gate.

"Hoo-wee I tell ya Big Mac, who woulda thought that a farm gal like me would help save the world?" asked an orange mare wearing a cowboy hat while her older brother replied with a simple "Eyup." The two siblings were on their way to dinner after finishing the day's chores when they were met by single blood-red Pegasus with a jet-black mane and tail. "OH I'm sorry darlin', but we're closed fer the night, come back over tomorra." After having said this, she saw that he was young, perhaps around her age and even reminded her of her big brother. A handsome face, healthily toned body, strikingly bold blue eyes and a Pegasus to boot, were the features that she instantly recognized. "That's fine; I just needed to know where I'm at, and where to go for a place to stay for the night."

The unemotional words offered a hint to the young mare that the stranger did not reside in the region. "Oh ya mean ya don't live in Ponyville? If ya don't mind me askin', where'd ya come from?" The mare inquired. "No, I've come a long way and became lost", Hawk answered in his typical emotionless tone. Now exhausted, not only from hunger, but also the physical exertion he experienced during the long trek. How'd ya like stay with us fer the night? An' the in the mornin', you can come with my brother an' I. Since we were goin to Ponyville anyway, I know somepony who can show ya the sights, what'ya say?"

Hawk had always been used to being mistrusted, resulting in having to do things himself many times. Now a complete stranger is showing him hospitality, even inviting him to stay in her house for the night. "The name's Applejack, and big brother here is Big Macintosh. Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres, home to the best apples in all Equestria." The invitation sounded more like an advertisement, rather than the beginning of a possible relationship. As the trio was heading inside, the unknown pegasus gave the considerate siblings his name. Applejack instantly smiled at the odd name, than asked "Ya mean like the bird?" Hawk only answered with a curt nod, he was relieved that he now had lodging and even the opportunity to be taken to a nearby town the next morning.

The evening now coming to an end, the sun was set below the west horizon and the moon came out in all its majesty. Sounds of nocturnal life traveled through the cool night air, Hawk was grateful to have met such a kind family. The meal they offered him sated his need for food and water. Though it was Applejacks idea, the thing that impressed him most was the fact that she and her family seemed delighted to give him a comfortable bed, a delicious feast of alfalfa and hay and a lovely night as he told them a story about two close friends who shared a long series of quests together.

It was late now, so he promised to continue his tale at another time as they each went off to bed, and for the first time in many horrible years, he smiled.

Nightmares of cruel violence and demonic monsters ruined his sleep, unable to go back to bed, the blood colored stallion quietly snuck out for a walk in the hushed moon-lit night. The ruler of the night was full and beautiful, he couldn't help but repeatiatly return his gaze toward the heavens. A voice came from behind him and asked; "Restless night, huh?"

"Yes"

"Nightmares?"

"How did you know?"

"Ya seemed troubled by somethin" Hawk turned to face the orange mare and was taken aback by her surprising attractiveness under the moons glow. Her blonde mane and tail were long and untied, with her face having somewhat of a tom-boyish yet feminine quality in the dim light.

The two sat on a small hill, talking to each other about themselves. Applejack told Hawk about her own recent adventure while intently listening to his tales. Morning came and the two decided to head back inside while Aj's grandmother, Granny Smith, called for breakfast. After the morning meal, everyone began to start the day's tasks as the two acquaintances headed off to the nearby town of Ponyville. Upon leaving the ranch, Hawk looked back one last time.

It's over Nightingale…

It's finally over.

Ponyville, a busy town nestled in the middle of a vast region rich in natural recourses; lumber, water, farms, wind, stone, gold and even rare precious gems, also home to six unique mares that had saved the world just two days prior. A studious unicorn that is adept in the mystical art of magic, a cheerful pink party-goer that celebrates any and all occasions, a brash Pegasus with mane and tail sporting the colors of a rainbow, another unicorn with a taste in high fashion, the fifth mare was a timid Pegasus who loved all living beings. And finally Applejack, the sixth and owner of S.A.A. coincidentally, the other five were on their way from Ponyville together to meet up with Aj.

The road to town wasn't dangerous, but hawk found himself constantly glancing in the direction of any sound he heard. He was too alert, and sometimes realized that he kept shifting into an etinardek brace, a signature technique similar to that of the Iron Horse stance. The rest of the trip continued, after a while of walking he eventually started to ignore these reflexive tendencies. Nearly at his destination, five ponies were coming from town. They all fit the descriptions that the country mare told him about. "Oh hi Applejack, we were just coming over to get you."

The one who began the greeting also noticed Hawk, "And you are?" she asked. The authoritive voice left him with little choice but to introduce himself. "I'm Twilight Sparkle and here are my friends; Rainbow Dash, Rarity, I see you've already met Applejack, this is Fluttershy and-"

"PINKIE PIE! It's so nice to meet new people and I LOOOVE to meet new people so where are you from how do you like Ponyville it's cool huh if you want I can show you around maybe throw a welcome party since I know everypony and I mean EVERYPONY in town…" The pink pony rambled on incessantly, but Hawk was saved from the bombardment by the one known as Twilight. "I apologize for the interruption. I hope you don't hold it against Pinkie, she's just really friendly." Despite his usual nature, Hawk spoke openly and freely. "No, I should thank you for have such kind and caring friends, if it wasn't for Applejack, I would still be mindlessly wandering the land." The sheer accumulated beauty of these six stunned the athletic stallion, before this, only one female caught his eye like this. He was never able to move on from the death of his fiancé, the one he always had dreams about, the one affectionately named Nightingale.

Now thrust into an unimaginably strange new life, maybe even a new start, he began to refuse slipping into his old habits. The Idea that one being ripped from a certain known existence and forced into another overtly contrasting world may be answered with a common solution. Hawk could not fathom the fact that he was still alive, although he had one theory on how to verify if this was reality or something else entirely.

Gazing upon the elegance of the immaculate castles' interiors, newly returned Luna wondered on one-thousand year banishment. The sin of defying her older sister, regardless of relation, is one that should never be forgivable, but Celestia was so merciful that she granted the moon princess a second chance. Loneliness is what the young princess had known for so long the=at her heart became twisted, but now having friends confused her. Why should she be welcomed back with such fan-fare? Why would everyone, those on who she betrayed, be so willing to forgive her? Look to the outside through a window in her new room, the mare of nocturne saw crowds of her subjects preparing the town of Ponyville for the city-wide party in her honor. Emotions ran through her heart; regret, shame, joy even love. Perhaps she can atone by forming the strong bond of friendship with her sister and her subjects.

While thoughtfully staring out of the window, the sun princess Celestia entered the room and greeted her. "Good morning dear sister." Luna moved her eyes to her big sister, the ruler and god of Equestria, with an ethereal mane and tail that seemed to move with its own life. The divine properties of this strong yet gentle mare evoked an array of painful memories; Luna couldn't help but to cry. "Do you believe that I'm deserving of such mercy big sister?" Celestia walked up to her young sibling and gently brought her front legs around her, "Don't be sad Luna, no matter what deeds you had committed, you will always have a big sister who loves you." With both sisters looking into each others eyes, the older one lifted a hoof to the younger ones face to dry the abundant tears. "Now now, dry those tears, everypony is waiting for you in Ponyville."

The young royal mare could not remember the last time she felt like this, but she made a promise to herself to never betray Equestria ever again. So it was; the day that all living creatures, great and small, will remember as the day that the sun and the moon are the embodiment of harmony

Being in the midst of those who had saved Equestria was something that Hawk could possibly relate to. The huge city-wide celebration not only marked this day as Equestria's salvation, but as the return of a long forgotten heir to the throne. At least this world did not have to suffer the terror and destruction of war like his world did. The preparations were nearly complete now, the only thing left was to to summon the princesses for the celebrations ceremony.

Connection that Twilight Sparkle had with the princess of the sun was one of prestige, when Hawk learned about the interesting fact, he felt honored to have met one with such high standing. Since Twilight was now on her way to the palace, Hawk and the others chose to hang out at a bakery called Sugar cube corner while they waited on Twilights return. Sounds of merriment and the delicious smell of various freshly backed pastries and cakes filled the air around him. He soon found himself the center of attention from the five ponies that accompanied him. They were curious on where he was from, his likes and dislikes as well as other questions about him, even though Pinkie Pie was the one asking the most questions.

One particular mare, Fluttershy, stayed quiet, but not enough to escape his attention. She was shy, but exuded an aura of highly potent, yet strongly suppressed aggressiveness. The very second when he spoke to her, the only reply he received was nothing more than a soft and meek murmur.

This one is so pure and innocent, please dear God, please keep her away from the shadows of misery.

After he thought this prayer, Hawk gave her a warm smile, a smile which she returned with a cute face. The natural beauty that Fluttershy possessed put a blush on his face and resulted in a nervous chuckle. The bustle of the crowds became louder, getting up from his chair, Hawk followed the outside to see what was going on. In his eyes he saw two prominent figures, one was tall and white with mane and tail flowing on its own accord, while other was shorter but with fur, mane and tail colored like the night sky, each had wins and a horn. These two ponies wore adornments fitting only for royalty; Hawk assumed that the two were Celestia, the older one and Luna, the younger one. With the two sisters here, the whole population congregated around the siblings.

Everyone cheered and danced, even one pony trotted up to the younger princess and gave her a necklace made of elegant flowers. The ceremony seemed more like a birthday celebration than anything else, but the excitement still occupied the atmosphere.

Twilight Sparkle had always took pride in her work as the personal protégé of Celestia, but after the success of her most recent assignment, she had second thoughts about all the things she learned in her young life. Before all of this, she was content smashing her face into book after book and cramming endless knowledge into her brain, but now learning of the magic of friendship she became heartbroken.

Her new friends taught her that happiness didn't come from studies or knowledge, but from relationships with others. Ironically, being a dedicated bookworm ultimately led to this, it still did not prevent her from wanting what everyone else had… Love.

Oh get your head out of the clouds, Twilight.

she thought to herself.

Twilight may have known her new friends in a span of two days, but the bond they shared was strong, as if they had been friends for years. Even the crimson pegasus stallion gave her the same impression, somehow she felt compelled to discover his inner secrets. She watched him as he joined the growing crowd surrounding the noble sisters. This mysterious pegasus had revealed almost nothing about himself. The only thing that was known about him was his name, but there was something else about him that gnawed at her mind. The answer finally hit with force of a train, it was his cutie mark.

The sharp face-like design was unlike all other cutie marks, most marks would signify a hint of what the bearers' identity is. To Twilight, Hawks very movement was intimidating, his piercing eyes seemed to penetrated her soul whenever he looked at her. Despite all of these, he seemed at ease as if coming from somewhere horrible and ugly, but now her mission was complete and she would have to return to Canterlot.

The time had gotten late, everyone was now packing up what was left of decorations and refuse. Hawk enjoyed himself, but still had to acquire an apartment and some form of steady income. He wandered the streets, roamed the alleys and walked the neighborhoods, but found nothing. He became tempted to ask Applejack for a job as a farm hand, but she was already back at her farm and the sun had begun to set. With no time left in the day, the red pegasus headed back to a small park that he saw earlier.

Once again on his own, he already missed his friend. Hawk wondered on how Sohen was getting along without him, maybe concocting some elaborate plan to bring him back. "HA! As if, even Sohen himself isn't capable of such feats… Pfft, resurrection." His loud retort to himself overheard by an approaching lavender unicorn. "Who isn't capable of such feats?" the unicorn asked.

The unexpected eavesdrop nearly made him jump. At first he thought he heard Sohens famous sarcastic voice, but when he turned to face the unicorn, it was only the one named Twilight Sparkle. "I was under the impression that you lived in the capitol, Canterlot if I'm not mistaken." Well, I did, but princess Celestia has given me a new mission here in Ponyville." Hawk didn't care on what her tasks involved, but she was nosey, perhaps too interested in his personal affairs. In an attempt to shoo her away, he said "Well, good luck on your studies but if you will excuse me, I have some tasks of my own to finish." Twilight refused to let the conversation end there, instead she continued, "Um actually, that's why I'm here. Applejack told me about your particular problem and how she let you stay at her house last night. So I agreed that you can live with me, which is until you find your own house."

The offer of hospitality caused his wings to twitch in surprise, then he began to simulate several other scenarios in his head, but this one had the highest possible chance of avoiding permanent homelessness. Feeling awkward, he accepted the offer anyway. Night soon followed, the dinner was filling and the house was a library of all things. Twilight had already made for bed and was on her way into sleep, while Hawk laid on a mattress downstairs.

Drifting off into sleep, Hawk couldn't help but think.

Am I really dead? If not, how long will I be here?

…This place is nice…

With heavy eyes, he fell asleep after trying to fight to stay awake due to the previous nights' scary dreams.

The demons returned in his sleep that night. Blood, death, fighting, it never stopped. Drenched in sweat, he screamed himself awake.

It's going to be another long night…

End Chapter

Author Notes: Chapter 2 will pick up the pace a bit, and will start making some twists and turns. And I'm also planning on making this story into a trilogy series (the Nocturne trilogy) with Nocturne of Peace being the first. The action and epic parts will come in chap 3(i promise)