One week had passed since Hawks arrival into Equestria. One week with the lack of murder, hate and fear. Hawk had already found a number of possible jobs, but Twilight and the others had become more insistent than ever to get to know about the truth about him. So far, he succeeded in successfully avoiding their social activities. Often telling them that he was too busy, but today he was under flight training in the tutelage of Rainbow Dash. Now on his third day, the lessons came with greater ease.

Flying low, he followed his teachers' instructions and occasionally colliding into a bush or two. After spending over a week in this world, the most difficult task he faced was thinking of an excuse on why he lacked flight capability, despite being a Pegasus. When the rainbow mare learned of this, she was willing to teach him. "Alright, that's enough of the filly stuff. Now let's see if you can keep up with me in a race." She barked. As Hawk was still picking bits of leaves and twigs out of his fur, she was already on the ground and crouched in a low posture. Hawk lined up with her, but adopting a les exaggerated stance. Rainbow chuckled as she smirked, then shouted. "On three! One… Two… THREE!" and on three, she quickly opened her broad wings and bolted into the shy.

She was fast, by the time Hawk took into the air, the athletic mare had considerable distance between them. Perhaps this was another lesson or a test, but he simply refused to be hindered by his handicap. Following Rainbow, Hawk flapped his massive wings and pushed for altitude. After a few seconds, he had closed in half the space between them. Wind rushing through his mane, he thrusted even harder. With Rainbow looking back she snapped, "Whoa, you sure are fast for a newbie!"

The race was on, Rainbow and Hawk vying for the lead. Tight turns and sharp dives finally caught up and Hawk faltered on one of the highly acrobatic moves, which resulted in Rainbow's victory. The day's session now over, the two said their good-byes and headed off the finish their day. The rest of the day was uneventful, and Hawk spent the time after dinner perusing random books, some were modern novels based off of Equestrian culture, while the majority were mainly those of older history and related works. Having only a fleeting curiosity for the archive of knowledge, he soon grew bored of reading. Another night quickly approaching and the recurring nightmares still haunted him.

Hawk remembered the yellow mare and her unbelievably deep caring eyes, so he left for her cottage toward a nearby forest. Perhaps her soothing nature might help with his nightly problem. His walk was lonesome, the recent events that came and went drifted in his head and even his heart. The stallion who was one the founder of an other-worldly guild, now found himself tangled in a weave of confusing thoughts and emotions. With thoughts clouding his mind, Hawk stopped for a moment to empty his head using his meditative sigh.

Finally arriving at Fluttershy's doorstep he reached to knock, but brought his hook back as if reluctant to do so. His heart beat fast, his mouth dried up and if his hooves were hands, they would be sweating.

Damnit you fuck, why are you nervous? You can strike fear into deamons, yet you crack under pressure when it comes to a girl? … eh …

Hawk's skin felt tight, as if his whole body wanted to curl into some corner.

It's not like that, besides, you're here only for the nightmares. Maybe an herbal remedy or something. Nothing more.

Another calming sigh steeled him enough to carry on. First, one medium-soft knock, then two. A few seconds passed and he knocked three more, each with the same volume. A few more seconds passed but there was no answer, Ah, it's late. She's likely already in bed by now. Hawk now slightly disappointed, he slowly turned to go back.

As he started to walk away, the door opened with a weak creak. "…Hello…?" the one on the inside softly said. Hawk stopped and turned to face the voice. "I'm sorry to disturb your evening, but Twilight told me that you have knowledge of effective remedies for any ailments. So I chose to come here to ask if you can help me with something."

He had trouble in retaining his standard indifferent appearance; he mentally beat himself for being so awkward in front of the sweet Pegasus, even though she was completely unaware of it. "…um.. … Yes… but I..I usually help bunnies and other little animals. Wh-W-What is it that you … ah … need help with?" The sound of her voice helped reinforce his calm, for she was just as nervous, but only due to her intensely shy personality.

"I have a recurring nightly dilemma." He said before being cut-off.

"Oh dear, let's see…uh…St. John's Wort should help with the bed wetting." Hearing this, Hawk had never felt so out-of-place in his entire life. While she continued, "You know it's…it's…please keep this a secret, but I have the same problem, and St. John's Wort really helps." An awkward silence befell the air, and Hawk uttered only a stutter. Left with two choices; either tell her that he does not wet his bed, or maintain the façade.

Choosing to maintain the false problem, as to not deliver a blow to her fragile emotions, Hawk agreed to the unnecessary assistance. Hawk had been witness to a very embarrassing moment, but not back in Twilights he didn't know how to cope. Resting on his cot, he stared listfully at the small pouch containing the few doses of the herb.

Sick of the lack of sleep, sick of his inability to conform to his new life, he went back to the books. With only a lamp for illumination, he flipped through different books and scrolls. The reading continued until midnight, in which he became too sleepy to stay awake any longer and ended up in falling asleep on the desk.

Dawn came and sunlight peeked into the many window of the tree-library, Twilight opened her eyes to the new day. Her bedroom was made into a study, bookshelves lined the walls with various astronomical and geological maps. Her bed, raised higher than the floor, had steps that allowed access to it along with a small basket for her young dragon named Spike. She felt rejuvenated from her nights rest as she proceeded to wake her sleeping assistant.

A big yawn was how Spike starts his mornings, then readied himself for the day. Twilight started her morning rituals; groomed her mane, made the bed, start breakfast and review her daily schedule. On her way down the stairs to the kitchen for the morning meal, she saw a blood-red Pegasus passed out on the desk, as if he fell asleep in the middle of reading. Upon closer inspection, she noticed that there were already a few books stacked in an unorganized fashion around him.

One of them was opened, with his head on top in a deep sleep. The innocent and even somewhat child-like face he had granted him a cute appearance, something that Twilight was surprised to see. During his week in her house, she had never seen him much. She had known that he had nightmares, for all too often she would hear him calling out a name at times. This made her worry about him, although it never kept her up at night, she felt as if he needed someone to spend time with.

His rhythmic breathing, the drool hanging from the corner of his mouth and the look of ease on his slumbering face tempted Twilight to apply a small peck on his cheek, but instead put his blanket over him and went on with her day. The time they had spent together brought them close to each other , even though it for such a short time. She seem to be to only pony Hawk would ever be with; they studied together, discussed political topics and he even taught her a number of very efficient organization techniques.

Sometimes Twilight wondered if he felt the same way about her as she did about him, despite his typical demeanor. Twilight had always loved the brooding and mysterious types of stallions, perhaps due to the excessive amount of romance novels she reads on a daily basis when no one is around. The particular books Hawk seem to be most interested in were ones on spirituality and similar types.

The reason why he preferred them escaped her, but she would sometime hear him muttering to himself about strange places and monsters as he read. Breakfast was finished and Twilight back to hitting the books, since she had no plans for the day, she decided to explore the vast wealth of knowledge for the whole day. With Hawk gone somewhere Spike at Canterlot, she spent hours studying while taking breaks at hourly intervals.

Her typical study session grinded on until lunch, when lunch was over, she continued. One strange tome, however, caught her eye. It was bound in black leather, on its spine were the words;

Arcanine Values

The font was almost unreadable and was colored in red. With her curiosity piqued, she telekinetically pulled it from the shelf and placed it on her pillow.

The cover font was the same, but in the center was a very familiar design. Twilight's memory reeled back to the point when she saw it last, to the one that bears this symbol on their flank. A loud gasp escaped her lips when she discovered the Hawk's cutie mark and the symbol on the book were one and the same. Suddenly nervous, she pondered on whether or not to read it.

What if it's his journal? That means I'll be snooping in his privacy, oooh what do I do?

Going against her better judgment, she opened it anyway. Her curiosity was too strong to resist.

But this book can't be his, it's much too old. But why does it bear his cutie mark?

Finally being able to sleep through a whole night without nightmares, Hawk had felt rejuvenated. With the morning yet to become noon, he took full advantage of the sunny day. The warm air, a sky with few clouds and the citizens going by in their day, he visited a few shops. One of them carried home décor and floral arrangements, the smell of many flowers lingered in the shop as he browsed the numerous merchandise. Hawk spotted a centerpiece bouquet of roses, he walked to the flowers and brought his nose to them and inhaled deeply.

The sweet fragrance filled his nostrils, making him think back on all of his happy memories. He closed his eyes, smiled and took in another smell. A shopkeeper his fondness for the bouquet and said, "I see you have an eye for this piece. If you pick this one, somepony will be a very happy mare." Hawk thought of Fluttershy, but quickly dismissed the idea. "I was only enjoying the roses, and I'm single." The shopkeeper's reaction to the unexpected news, "Well, if you need anything, I'll be happy to help." He said then continued on with serving other customers. Several other stores interested him; food stands, fashion shops, they all had various items that he never took much thought in before. During his stay in Equestria, Hawk had only officially met three of his six new friends.

Always trying to avoid them now started to become an inconvenience so he decided to try to make time to meet the others. Hawk headed for a boutique in the downtown area. The boutique was owned and operated by Rarity; her taste in the wealth of styles and modern trends she possessed was impressive. When he entered the shop, he saw vast amounts of different bridles, accessories, dresses everything in between. As the door shut behind him, the sound of a bell rang softly, perhaps for the purpose of alerting the workers to customers. From behind one of the pony-mannequins was the premier fashionista herself.

Rarity was wearing stylish reading glasses, her horn glowed as measuring tape, ribbons and bows hovered around her. When she turned her attention to Hawk, she was a little surprised to see him at her shop.

"I never expected that you would be in a place like my shop." Rarity chimed.

Hawk looked at the rows and columns of countless types of fabric that were displayed. While Rarity returned to her task, Hawk answered "I'm getting my bearings around town, maybe visit some of the more prevalent places here, like your boutique." When he said this, Rarity poked her head out from behind the mannequin and raised her right eyebrow. "Really?" she asked. "Yes. You are obviously highly talented in this work, the art, the styles, colors and even the passion you put into your work."

Hawk looked into her eyes as he continued, "It is after all something compelling…" Rarity couldn't have been more ecstatic, her eyes widened, her mouth became a huge smile. She rushed up to him, "Why thank you for your appreciation for fine fashion. By the way, how did you acquire a knack for beauty?" She was beaming, "My, your bold features are perfect for my muse." She circled around him, inspecting his mane, wings and the other parts of his body.

"Could you spread your wings for me?" hawk obliged her and did as asked. He was now Rarity's new model, but didn't mind being handled while she pondered new ideas. Since he was here, he figured that he should have an outfit tailored for him. Although he did not have his normal body, he put the thought to the back of his mind. "How is your search moving along?" Rarity asked as she jotted notes of Hawk's measurements.

"Rainbow told me that she's looking for weather pegasi, there is also an opening at someplace called Sugar Cube Corner." "Oh my, I couldn't imagine spending all day with Pinkie. Don't get me wrong, she's a good pony but her um… Personality would not sit well with me."

Rarity wrote the last parts of her notes when Hawk continued the topic. "" I see…I wouldn't be a suitable salesma-…salespony anyway, due to my rather poor culinary ability." "So that leaves working with Rainbow?" "Not necessarily, I talked to Applejack." "What did she say?" "She said that she has enough help for this season." After he finished his sentence, the sound of a ringing phone resonated from another room in the back. "Pardon me please, I have a call." Then the violet maned unicorn went to answer the call.

While Rarity was on the phone, Hawk silently left the shop. He had no desire to stay any longer; since noon was an hour away he made his way back to Twilight's house. Having the handy ability to fly, he spread his wings and leapt into the sky. Even though he did not possess the experience like that of Rainbow Dash, Hawk was still capable enough for long-range flight.

Twilight Sparkle, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash. All of them were very strange names; everything was unexplainable, even for his rationality. His name, however, was not his own. Hawk had been known by this current persona for over forty years, over time it became a part of what he was. He was gone, the war over and peace finally came, yet he retained his alias. It seemed that no one had suspicions on him, all except Twilight. If he wasn't so aware of most things, he wouldn't have noticed her behavior. During times of reading, she would nuzzle close, occasionally stare at him when she thought him not aware and had moments in which she would space out.

Maybe it was an infatuation that she had with Hawk, though he had no intention on an intimate relationship his host, or anyone for that matter. He did enjoy the late night sessions in which they were together; he had learned a massive wealth of knowledge that helped him fit in with Equestrian culture. Hawk never seen freedom for a long time, but being given a second chance for everything, he had no clue on where to start.

Despite all of his experiences, including the events that transpired in the last eight days, he was on his way to an impossible surprise. Now descending to land on the second floor balcony of Twilight's house, he wondered what was for lunch. Already smelling delicious scents emanating from the house, he thought of apple cider, cinnamon loaf and seasoned hay fries. Before he reached to open the arched door, he saw Twilight pace in an impatient manner through the window inside. The particular behavior was not uncommon for her, so Hawk resumed the entrance. When he shut the door behind him, he heard her murmuring about some book.

" …That's not it…Hawk must know about this…"

The mindless rambling made no sense to him, but the way she paced concerned him. "Twilight, I'm back."

She didn't notice him yet. "Twilight, you seem stressed, is everything well?" Now her attention was aimed at him. "Is there something I must know?" The question did not appear be acknowledged, instead she smiled gingerly as she said. "" H-hey, I didn't think you'd be back so soon." Hawk made his way to the dining table while Twilight continued. "Lunch is almost ready, I was setting up the table…yeah that's it." Of course he didn't believe her, she was pacing around, not getting lunch ready but he ignored the suspicious behavior anyway.

He had no care in her mannerisms; he tried to not think about what Twilight's ramblings were. As Twilight was on her way toward the downstairs, Hawk pull a chair out and sat as he closed his eyes to force memories to come out.

Hawk leaned against the wall, finishing the last of his Camel cigarette when the ringtone of his cell phone went off. Reaching to the phone, he heard a helicopter fly above. When he read the display to see who was calling, he knew it was Sohen. He answered, expecting Sohen's report on a current assignment. The following news, however, was not a desired outcome.

"Hawk, get out of there now!"

"What do you mean?"

"They know where you are, get out now!"
"Who?"

"The police and S.W.A.T., they're on your ass right now!"

Hawk immediately ended the call and checked for an escape route. The helicopter he heard earlier circled around and a passenger inside opened fire at Hawk with some kind of assault rifle. Thinking quick, he jumped on his custom motorcycle, started it up, and then sped toward the downtown area of a city known as Denver.

The police? There was a spy after all…Sohen

should know who it is.

Weaving through traffic, cutting red lights and speeding along the wrong side of the road, Hawk tried to lose the eye in the sky. Fearing the safety for his fiancé, he took his phone and called Nightingale. The scream of his bike and the barrage of shooting made it difficult to hear her answer. "Hi sweetie…oh hey what's all that noise?" she asked.

"Nightingale, I'm in trouble. Go to the emergency rendezvous waypoint, Sohen will be there. Stay with him at all costs no matter what." The short message was ended and he put his phone back in the left inside pocket of his long red trench coat.

Stay safe, my love. Sohen will protect you.

Hawk never wanted the Reborn to be as some sort of criminal organization, but ever since a tragic event known as the 'Los Angeles incident' two years prior, everything in the world was changed. This was the beginning of the end of the world. When all of this began twelve years before, in the year of 2012, he became a part of a war beyond any comprehension. Now he was on the run, many lives had been lost and the Reborn was dying. The Circle of Redemption was only a ghost of what it once was, Hawk, Sohen, Maverick, Wolf and Nightingale were the only ones left who were not killed or imprisoned.

His escape was cut off by seven SWAT vans, in which the officers poured out like wasps. He crunched the brakes, skidding wildly to a halt. He was surrounded, vulnerable and faced an army of well armed police. Sirens wailed, helicopters circled above and with Hawk armed with only two highly customized S&W 550's, he knew that there was little chance for him.

"GET OFF THE BIKE AND GET ON THE GROUND NOW! KEEP YOUR HANDS WHERE I CAN SEE THEM!" one officer forcefully shouted.

Hawk turned the bike off, then as fast as he could, he drew his weapons as he jumped off the bike and bolted for cover while shooting at the police. They returned fire; the firefight soon became a heated battle of life or death. Hawk may have been outmanned and out gunned, but his skill with his weapons allowed him to take out six officers…Six more victims under his belt, six more lives with families had been extinguished by his own hand. His heart died a little for each of those six.

The shooting dragged on, bullets flew in every direction and two found their mark, one in his right bicep and the other in his upper left thigh. The pain made him fall to one knee as he cried out. The battle was tipping in the favor of the police who tried to stop him.

I'm so sorry honey; it looks like I won't be with you this time.

Remember that I still love you

He had little regrets, but before he went to go out in a blaze of fire, a young woman's voice shouted out. "C'mon you punks, now you have two of us to mess with!" It was Nightingale. The rest of his memory was mostly a blur. All but the last minute that Hawk last saw his wife-to-be. He could never fully remember what happened, but he was captured and shoved into one of the vans nearby while Nightingale tried to fight off the other officers.

The van's doors shut closed while he was powerless as he watched his lover raise her pistol to her head. The SWAT attempting to make her give up, Nightingale looking at him and yelling "May it always be, I love you!" made Hawk know what was going to happen. Silence, an eerie and sad silence…

Then…

BANG

It made him flinch; sick to his stomach….Then he broke down on the spot. The gun shot echoed endlessly in his mind.

"Hey, Equestria to Hawk." Twilight said as she waved her right hoof in front of his face. He snapped out of his flashback when he turned his attention to her. "You were spacing out on me there, is there something on your mind?"

"Nothing but my own"

Twilight looked at him with narrowed eyes, but shrugged it off afterward.

Aaaanyway, while I was studying, I found this. Perhaps you know what it is for?" Twilight commented as she set a black leather bound book on the table. Hawk brought his eyes to the book and instantly saw an emblem that should not be there, resulting in him mentally panicking. On the outside, his reaction was only a mild gasp.

The symbol on the cover was that of the Reborn, the very symbol that he bore as his cutie mark. Frozen, he stood there while Twilight casually pours each of them a glass of apple cider in the kitchen.

"H-how is this even here?" he said to himself…

This can't be happening…Sohen…Where are you?

-End chapter