//------------------------------// // Chapter 19- Second Chances (1). Future Told? // Story: Flames of Equestria // by Mick0339 //------------------------------// Hammerhoof should've been happy. Ecstatic for his new role in shaping Equestria. To help fellow ponies, and to protect and serve, but he just felt an even greater hole inside instead. A big space of nothingness. Where one loves, and loses, the place that is replaced is massive; often too big to replace. A sun in the vastness of space, or perhaps a person floating in the ocean, or even a pebble on the huge expanse of desert sand. The void was huge, and to Hammerhoof it seemed to expand with everyday. However, with his friends, and brethren in the guard, he managed to get by, but he would feel just as lonely before with no one to properly converse with. A position of authority was a curse to him it seemed, but he couldn't refuse, or look bad. He lightly tapped his hooves as he trotted along Canterlot's streets, sighing as he saw families walk by, soem even pointing at the old war pony. Some of the kids made funny faces, while Hammerhoof gave light smiles to them. It hurt so much though. The pain was almost unbearable; to the point where he wanted to end it, but his wife would kill him if he went out in such a cowardly way. He was one of the only ponies he truly feared, and she would kill him in the afterlife, if it was possible. He knew, that if any pony could, it would be her. He also knew, she would want him to move on, but he felt like he just couldn't until he saw her. Like fate, it had reunited the two together. Her face, her color, her smile, it looked almost identical, but even sweeter. If it wasn't for her more majestic movement and more calming smile, he would've thought it was his wife; his special pony. A mare, about the same height as Hammerhoof walked his way, smiling and waving her hoof. She was a beautifully colored pink pony, with pearly white as her mane. Her cutie mark was that of a foal carriage. A heart lied on top of the carriage. It wasn't her, but the resemblance was more than just coincidence, but he couldn't stop himself. Tears flowed out as he saw the mare. She came running as she saw it, "are you alright?" She asked more motherly than even Celestia. Hammerhoof's gruff voice came out slurred but readable, "Yeah, I--you just look so familiar to somepony I knew." "Oh, could you tell me. Maybe I know this pony." She cheerily looked at the pony as he wiped away his tears, but slowly lowered his head. "My wife, but sadly, she's no longer in this world." The mare slwoly lowered her head as well. "I'm so sorry--" She couldn't stop as Hammerhoof rose her head with his and shook it. "Don't be. You weren't the one who took her from me. Took everything from me." The mare could feel guilt rock her heart, but pushed on. She placed a hoof on the stallion's head. "I'm Merry Joy." Hammerhoof looked to the mare and lighlty smiled. "Hammerhoof," he said with a slight nod and smile. They were getting along so well, just smiling at each other, until disaster struck as a sly, sneaky pony snuck up behind the mare. "Hey missy, you look kind of cute." He grabbed her by the neck with his hoof, extending a nullifying ring on her horn, silencing her magic if she attempted it. Hammerhoof moved into an attacking stance, ready to strike, "not so fast old timer." "Let her go," Hammerhoof said, with emphasis and power on each word, but it didn't discourage the cloaked assailant at all. "Who are you pops? Her father? Oh, maybe the one she's going to extort and take your money?" The assailant gave nasally laugh, making the unicorn look in disgust, but still plead for help from Hammerhoof. "I'm not going to ask again," Hammerhoof said, getting ready to unleash anger on the pony. The assailant only continued to laugh. "You're just a puny little Earth Pony. You can't stop a unicorn, even if I gave you free hits. Magic is so great isn't it?" Hammerhoof saw the horn extrude from the cloak's hood, but still kept his stance. "Actually, maybe I'll get rid of you now." The unicorn's magic lit up, and a bubble formed around the new captain, until it suddenly burst apart as he charged. The unicorn stumbled back, quickly releasing the mare, who smiled as Hammerhoof charged forward, until the assailant got serious, and used all of his magic to form a barrier to protect himself, the red aura forming as its color. A normal Earth Pony would never be able to pierce the barrier, without equipment, or assistance, but Hammerhoof was angered by the assailant. Furious, and he let it consume his body, letting out a furious roar into the sky, he kicked straight through the barrier, and sent the unicorn flying into a building across from the alleyway, almost with him in a paste-like state. The unicorn screamed in pain as Hammerhoof slowly approached the unicorn, with little control over his actions he raised a hoof, about to end the ponies life, with power rivalling the princesses themselves. The pony begged for his life in his weak state. "Please--I'm sorry. Please, don't kill me. I'll stop foal napping mares. I'll stop robbing ponies. Please, I won't do any more crimes! Please, don't kill me!" he screamed as guards approached the scene, and the mare slowly walked up behind Hammerhoof, and in a sincere manner she also pleaded. "Please, you don't need to do this Hammerhoof. Remember yourself!" she yelled into his ears as his eyes dilated back to normal and the monster vanished. "I--I'm sorry for that." The assailant sighed in relief, until Hammerhoof directed his gaze upon the criminal, and called for the guards attention, who were all approaching. "You're going into a dark hole for a while," Hammerhoof said, while letting the 'while' resonate. The unicorn pouted, but ultimately accepted his fate laid out in front of him. He would face numerable charges, sentenced to life in prison, and even the death penalty could be a possibility if they find out all of his crimes. However, as he lay on the ground, almost losing consciousness, he could feel a prick hit the side of his neck, seemingly sending some unknown power into him. "Thank you so much." Merry Joy gave a hug around the new captain, smiling the whole time, but with wicked intentions under it. The guards approached, while Hammerhoof watched them. "Sir!" The guards stood in attention, seeing him as a superior officer, although Hammerhoof could see resistance in the title for a recruit on the squad. Unicorns thought of themselves as gods compared to normal earth ponies, or at least some did. Hammerhoof had seen the power of a god though; he felt it once, and almost felt it again. "At ease," Hammerhoof stated, pointing a hoof at the assailant. "This pony tried to abduct Ms. Joy here, and would've gotten away with it if not for me. Now, I request you take him away for trials. Who knows what other crimes he's committed." Just then, Hammerhoof felt a similar power: a bountiful rage. As Hammerhoof turned and looked at what the horrified faces were giving leer to, he saw the unicorn assailant, completely uncloaked and much more fearsome than before. His blue skin had a shade of black, while his mane, originally green, had a shade of white, while his eyes were baked red. His eyes gazed upon the ponies as he slowly lifted into the sky. His heart was gone and mind was melting to the presence infecting his body. It gave him an alicorns power, but stripped away all command over it to the one who held the puppet. "Everypony, back up now!" Hammerhoof shouted, causing nearby spectators and guards alike to shoot for cover. Merry Joy followed gazing back at Hammerhoof as he stared the floating unicorn down. His hair swished in the non existent wind, similar to the princesses, but with a more dark and eerie presence. "We unlock this puny mortals full potential to bask in the glory of all of you being destroyed. Face oblivion!" The mixed voice of the original pony and something dark resonated. His horn lit up and instead of blue aura, deep black emanated and shot out all around, one even striking Hammerhoof. "Who are you?" Hammerhoof called out with his voice, standing his ground as pain surged through him. "That is none of your concern mortal. We bear a message. Deliver this to your leaders, or face dire consequences if its not heard. Oblivion comes; understand that the one you have welcomed will be your destruction, but we will be your salvation. When he destroys we will create, and when he kills we will revive. We will help you on your darkest hour and longest night." The pony slowly looked to the sky, where the dark aura surfaced, blasted off into the heavens and made its way to leave sight. The pony slumped back, falling, flank first on the ground, falling over into unconsciousness. "What--what was that all about?" Merry Joy asked Hammerhoof, who shook his head. "I have no idea; but there will be trouble coming." Hammerhoof looked to the guards. "Guards, deliver message to the princesses. Give them all of the details of what has transpired." "What about you sir?" One of the guards asked, while Hammerhoof slowly approached Merry Joy and swung his hooves around her. "I think I'm head out on the town. What do you think?" Hammerhoof asked the unicorn, who blushed a hot red, but slowly nodded and smiled. "That sounds great!" Hammerhoof gruffly nodded and began to guide her down the block. "Also, clean up this mess!" Hammerhoof yelled back to the guards, who could only salute and spill out a 'yes sir!'