//------------------------------// // Chapter two: Welcome to Harmony Hallow Village. // Story: Season 10: Dawn of a new generation of Harmony // by xombiekilla //------------------------------// "Gah!?" Hero fell out of bed, rudely awoken by a gruff voice yelling to get him up. "Woah. Aww.. my head... And man... What kind of a dream was that? What were those creepy black things? And that gigantic black thing? That angelic voice, too. What just happened? It all felt so real. Well, that sword is gone." "Hey! Hero! Get up, you lazy bones! I swear you'll one day fall asleep and never wake up from it!" "Oh gees, sorry, Uncle. I'm on my way out now." Hero's Uncle was hard-working, dependable, and honestly rather pleasant to deal with when he wasn't angry about something. Sadly, this happens more often than not. Hero's parents were gathering groceries for dinner tonight, so he had no choice but to do whatever his Uncle told him to do, whether he liked it or not. "Hey, you lazy bum. The village chief had summoned you, so you better get your butt into gear. Don't keep him waiting!" "Right then, yes, sir. I'll be getting ready to go to him." Hero knew that his Uncle was insistent, but he meant well. If anypony ever deserved the title of saint, it would be our village chief. He certainly had the patience for it. But why does he want to see him, specifically? Hero hasn't done anything in this village worth recognition. Not to his knowledge, anyway. Well, it has to be essential for this summons to have been so sudden. As he got ready and walked out the door, Hero breathed a massive lungful of fresh outside air. "Ahh! This is nice. It's a beautiful morning today, but I better get going." Hero greeted all his townsfolk as they did in kind. He went through the Town Square and saw the massive hut on the hill. That's where the Chief resides. "Why do I have this terrible feeling all of a sudden?" He made his way into the Chief's hut and greeted him. "Hey there, Chief. Why did you summon me? Not to sound rude." "Sit. Then we'll discuss why." Hero sat down, and he began. "I had hoped that after the princesses of Equestria were finished with their last battle, our nation would be at peace. Unfortunately, I feel that there's a grave evil among us. Surely, you've felt it, yes?" "I-I did... but how did you-" "I know because I recently had a vision from our Tree of Harmony last night, that's why. I can sense something special within you, young one. You're a smart lad, quick as a whip. So you should be aware that something bad is about to happen. Although I am uncertain who, I do know what: there is an evil pony, a sorcerer. I've seen a robed figure like that entering the cave to the tree underneath my home, and I do not trust him." "So you want me to investigate then?" "The simple answer would be yes." He adjusted his glasses and patted Hero onto his shoulders. "I can sense a bright light in you- a warm one. You were chosen for greatness. You will play a vital role in the future of Equestria. I can confidently say this without a doubt. The Tree of Harmony doesn't make any mistakes, only judgments." "But why would I ever be chosen by the tree? Why me, Chief?" "We'll discuss this matter later, young one. Now, quickly, before he causes any trouble!" "Yes, sir." Hero got up and left his hut. Stepping outside, he went to the cave's entrance under the Chief's house. True to his word, there was indeed a robed and bipedal figure. The concealed and ominous figure had noticed Hero immediately. "Hey! Who're you supposed to be, and what're you doing here?" "This world has been connected." He replied. "W-What? What're you talking about?" "Tied to the darkness, soon to be completely eclipsed." He then turned around to face Hero, his face garbed by a dark hood- unable to be identified. "I don't know what you're going on about, but you're sounding suspicious here." "There is much to learn, and you understand so little." "Oh yeah? Well, I'll see everything Equestria has to offer. Do you hear that? I'm going to see it all!" He chuckled. "What's so funny?" "A meaningless effort. One who knows nothing can understand nothing." Just then, he vanished into a pillar of darkness. "Man, that guy gave me the creeps. Who was he, anyway?" Hero then shrugged it off as he saw the tree was still untouched. "At least you're still safe." "Courage..." It was that voice again, speaking to him telepathically. "W-What!? Did the tree say something to me? Courage? I'm not courageous. I must be going nuts if I'm starting to hear voices in my head." Hero looked back to the tree as if it were trying to deliver a message to him. He made his way out of the cave to return to the Chief. When Hero got back into the Chief's hut, he looked distressed. "Hey there, Chief. What's wrong?" "I just had a terrible vision. Our beloved Tree of Harmony is in grave trouble. It's slowly dying, meaning darkness is sure to follow." "Well, isn't there anything we can do about it? Our job is to guard the Tree of Harmony, right?" "Yes. That is our job, but powers do these we cannot control. Its end is nigh, and it knows it. You didn't happen to have any strange dreams, by any chance, did you?" "I did. Then my Uncle woke me up to go and see you." "By Faustia's great mane... The tree has chosen you to be its new element bearer." The Chief and Hero were in shock. "What!? Am I an element of harmony? You've got to be kidding me. I never asked for this." This was understandably a lot of information for Hero to take in. "I know that this is a lot for you to comprehend. But it would be best if you remembered that the tree doesn't make mistakes, only judgments. And you were chosen for a reason." He consoled Hero and then said, "I know you'll do what's right, Hero. I have faith in you." "Y-Yeah... I need some time for this to all settle for me. That's all." "Take your time, young one. There's no rush for today. It's almost afternoon, and I imagine your Uncle might have something for you to do." "Oh, you're right. I don't like him when he's angry with me. I better get going." "See you later then, young one." The Chief dismissed Hero as he went back to his peaceful meditation. When he returned home, his Uncle greeted him, still looking sternly at him. "So then, spill the beans! What did he tell you?" "It's... It's nothing too important." He inspected Hero to see if he was lying, something he often did before giving up, and sighed. "Fine then. But your parents are about to return home, and we'll prepare for dinner soon." He then patted Hero's head, ruffling his mane as he huffed. "Heh. I like to mess around with you, kiddo. They said that they're making your favorite soup for dinner tonight." "Mmm.. minestrone with garlic bread. Mom always makes the best, doesn't she?" "Oh yeah, she does. That goes without saying." To Hero's delight, he then saw his mom and dad as they waved over to them. "Hey, Mom... Dad. I'm coming." Hero ran up to them and hugged them, and my Uncle joined. "Hey there, honey. Your father will be cutting the vegetables, isn't that right?" Hero's mom looked at his father with a knowing look. "Oh yes. I will be only because your family soup is the best. Hey there, Hero. Do you want to help your old man out?" "Sure thing." "Let's say grace before we eat. A few words of appreciation to the Tree of Harmony for keeping Equestria safe daily." "Yeah, mom." Everyone said their grace, holding their hooves together in a circle as they all stood up and spoke. "We thank you, Tree of Harmony, for keeping us safe. We eat and drink in celebration of you and together as a family. We keep our hope and faith for all that's good and harmonious to prevail. Amen." They then broke grace and began to eat. This was Hero's favorite part, without a doubt. "Mmm~ Chowtime!" He dug in and enjoyed his meal with his family. When he was done, he cleaned the dishes and headed to bed to turn them in. "Thanks for the dinner, Mom, Dad, and Uncle. Good night." They said their goodnights to him as Hero went to sleep. "Aahiee!" Hero shot up awake as he heard screaming. "M-Mom? That was Mom." He threw off his covers and left his room to find that the house was dark and the lights were turned off. But the front door was clawed open as if there was a forced entry. "W-What's going on here?" Hero walked out as he saw his mom lying on the ground and his dad pushing his back up against the side gate to the backyard. "Mom! Dad! What's going on here?" "Hero, get back into the house. I've got this. You'll be just fine, honey." Hero's mother was sobbing as she clawed at her stomach; the dark, vaporous mist rose from her wound as the gate busted open. Hero saw the same inky-black darkness from his dream. Standing in awe, he took a moment to comprehend what he thought was only a dream. "N-No way... That's not possible." The darkness broke through the gate and swallowed them in front of him. "NO! MOM... DAD!" "Hero, get out of here! I take it back. The house wouldn't be safe for you. Just go with your Uncle. He'll protect you." "H-Hero! Run.. just run away and don't look back. We love you. But you must stay safe... for us." Hero's parents' last words before they were swallowed up, never to be seen again. "We need to go, Hero, now! They're gone. It's too late to save them." Hero's Uncle pulled him along. He was reaching out towards the wall of encroaching darkness, tears running down his cheeks for his now, more than likely, dead parents. The tide of darkness crept forward toward them. They ran as fast as possible through the town, with Ponies screaming, houses on fire, and being destroyed. Three shadows have appeared in front of them, blocking their path. Hero gasped as he saw them. "No way! Those are the shadows from my dream. They're real!?" "Well, real or not, I don't care. Out of my way, you creep!" He ran over to punch one with his left forehoof as the shadow grabbed his foreleg and stabbed him in his chest with its other arm. Its claw went right through his chest and out of his back, clutching his glowing heart. "G-Gahh!!!" "No! Uncle! Not you, too!" The darkness slowly consumed his body as he said to Hero. "H-Hero... you must see the t-tree... and the Chief... there is still hope for us yet..." Hero's Uncle said in his last words before a shadow was in his place and his body consumed by darkness. "I-I will. I'm sorry. Mom, Dad, and you too, Uncle." Hero ran. Tears continued running down his cheeks as he had no choice but to flee to the cave entrance where the tree was. Hero saw the Chief, wounded and holding his chest with his foreleg. "Chief!? I got you." "W-What happened to your parents, Hero- Oh, I'm s-sorry." They exchanged looks of mutual sympathy before looking towards the cave as they entered. "Hey! It's you again, you big creep. What happened to the Tree of Harmony? What'd you do to it?" "I simply gave it an early retirement, nothing more, nothing less." The figure replied with a dark grin as he faced Hero. "No! Do you have any idea what you've done!?" The Chief replied. "Yes. It was in my way, and I took it out, as what will happen to you and anyone else who wishes to intervene." He rushed at the Chief and punched him, sending him flying into the cave wall. "Chief!? Why you." As Hero began to look over toward the downed village chief, the enigmatic figure grabbed his attention. "It looks to me like he's already infected by darkness. It shouldn't be much longer for him, then." As Hero approached the Chief, he saw the darkness slowly eating him up, and the poor man slowly decayed before his eyes. "NO! Chief! Why? Why're you doing this?" Then, with anger from his plight, he unthinkingly rushed at the mysterious enemy as the figure reached out to grab Hero midair into a chokehold, raising his body as he gazed into his eyes and mirthfully chuckled. "Yes. You'll make for a good vessel for my cause. I do believe that I shall settle for you." He then forced a black crystal into Hero's chest. Hero shut his eyes briefly and gritted his teeth before screaming in pain, flailing in place at the agony racking his body; the crystal itself had been seared into his flesh like a branding iron as steam rose from his wound, and he felt this cold, hateful, and malicious darkness embedded into him as he fought through his tears... but, for some reason, he wasn't changing like they were. "You'll eventually become a powerful warrior, Element. Then, when the time is right, you'll be ready." Then he let Hero go and turned around as he vanished into a pillar of darkness. As Hero fell to the ground, he clutched at his chest with his forehooves as there was a burning and stinging sensation racing through his chest; whatever that guy put in him, the pain was phenomenal. It was creating a sort of black scar on his chest. After briefly examining his new and slightly pulsing chest scar and wincing as he felt it, he saw the Tree of Harmony was withering away from that guy's darkness and death. Hero then ran up to the Chief to comfort him. "Hey, Chief... is this.. going to be it for you? Are you going to be.. one of those things now?" "Y-Yes... I think so. But with what resistance I have left, I can hold this darkness back for enough time for you to escape from town. It would be best if you ran Hero. Don't worry about me." The darkness was almost entirely all over him. "Go! Now! Before it's too late." "OK, Chief. I'll make you proud of me." Hero ran away as he was instructed. "Y-You already have, E-Element of Harmony..." The darkness then consumed the poor elder as Hero had no choice but to run. "I gotta get away from these things, then get some help." Hero was running from the army of shadows racing behind him as he saw a pillar of light up the hill near the Chief's hut. It felt like it was calling him over to it. He felt compelled to approach it. "This light.. it feels... like harmony." As he stepped into it, the shadows backed away, unable to touch the light as that voice spoke to him again. "Courage... Courage... Courage... The last of my power... shall go to you... Equestria's last hope... It's all up to you now... Element of Courage..." Then the light disappeared, and Hero felt that power within him, just like when he was in that dream, but for real now. That sword also came back to him in his magical grip. The shadows then surrounded Hero as he readied his weapon. "Oh, so you guys want some of this, huh? Well.. bring it on!" Rushing in with a war cry, Hero began a three-hit combo to force a small crowd back as more of them rose from the ground. "No. There are too many of them. I gotta move," so he left through the village gate as they pursued him from behind. There, in the distance, was a village of some kind. Hero looked back to his home, only to see it getting swallowed up by darkness as it was reduced to a massive crater. "N-NO... I have to keep going... I'm almost there. I won't fail Equestria." Hero was so close to that village now. But he had to jump over a plateau with a broken bridge and a reasonably-sized ravine below. "I have to jump... Here goes nothing." He did just that as he barely made it across. Those shadows just warped up to him through the darkness. "Oh c'mon, that's not fair." The Hero then made it to the village at a farm as the shadows had disappeared. The Hero wasn't complaining. He needed help. The Hero was exhausted as he collapsed into the dirt and fell unconscious. Then, a shadow of a pony approached his prone body.