It was the next day after a lively night. We see Twilight and Luna waiting by the fireplace for Adam and Lute, who were outside sparing.
We also see Noir still in bed, sleeping. It seems he slept in… something normal he hadn't done in a while.
*Creak!*
The door opened, and in came Adam and Lute. Adam left his Guitar-Axe on the table while Lute closed the door, sheathing her Angelic-Steeled sword…
They both went and sat next to the two ponies… It was time to plan.
"Alright, what do we say? Or ask?" Adam beckoned for a reply.
"Hmmmm, maybe we should just be straight forward? If we're honest enough, Noir would accept our proposal and accompany us to venture deep within the forest." Twilight suggested to the group.
They all stayed silent to think, before Lute said, "but what if he says no? We can't just force him! He would rather die than to go any further from here… and I wouldn't blame him."
"Well, we have to at least try. Noir is by far our most knowledgeable, and most powerful member we have. If anyone could get us home," Luna turned to the sleeping Noir, "it's him."
They all hummingly agreed. Adam suggested they tell him when he is completely awake, while Twilight asks if they wake him up now.
"He usually is awake before anyone else, the fact he's still asleep means…" Twilight and everyone there shared the same thought… Noir felt comfortable enough to sleep in.
"Aww, did the big-scary purple demon feel safe enough to let his guard down?" Adam said, making a baby noise and face while doing so.
"First of all, I never let my guard down." They all turned to Noir who was now awake in bed.
"Second, I overheard you all wanting to venture deep into the forest." Noir sighed deeply when he finished.
Luna got up and walked towards him, "I know it's a big ask and-" Noir cuts her off.
"Alright, when do we leave?" Noir's response made everyone freeze in place. Did-did he just agree? Just like that? No "No's" or disagreements or arguments? Just… like that?
"Umm, dude, did you hit your head or something? Why did you just agree like that? You do know what we're gonna do… right?" Adam asked.
Noir stopped to think for a moment before saying, "I know you all want to go into the forest, deeper than I have, and you all need a protector. Well," he got out of bed, "why not? I've been stuck here, barely making progress for the past decades… Why not continue where I left off?" He shrugged his shoulders and went to the door. They all watched as he went outside, which only a few seconds later they heard gushing water, and a loud "Yelp!" Before seeing Noir come back inside…
They continued to watch as he started packing his stuff. They all kept quiet, staring at him like.
Noir turned to them, "are you all going to sit there or help me pack?" He asked.
"No-no! We're-well we are staring at you, but we have a good reason!" Twilight stuttered.
"Yeah! Like, why? I thought you feared going any deeper?" Lute told him.
Noir paused his packing, sighing deeply before turning to face the whole group.
"I do. I hate this place, I fear those monsters… but I can't just sit down and do nothing… not after what you all have given me." Noir said before continuing to pack.
"Huh?" They all said in Unison. What did they give Noir for him to agree to their proposal?
….
After contemplating Noir's actions and motives, they all helped him pack….
Right now, we see everyone outside the Cabin. Noir sighed deeply again, saying his goodbyes to his home.
"Welp, it was good while it lasted, girl," he stroked the wood of his cabin, "but it's time to move on." He lets go of the cabin.
He turned to see Adam showing a smirk, Lute grinning, Twilight and Luna also showing face but were nervous a bit. Noir smiled for a second before showing his normal dull expression and walking to the group.
"Well… shall we?" Noir gestured his left hand towards the forest, getting them all ready to venture deep into the forest…
"We're ready!" Twilight announced.
"We couldn't have done this without you Noir." Luna told him.
"I'm ready to tear some monster A*S!" Adam shouted.
Lute just hummed in agreement with the rest.
Noir looked at his group, before turning to the forest.
*Sighs*
"Alright," he stretched a bit, cracking a few bones, and un-sheathing his sword, pointing towards the forest, "let's find a way home." Noir announced to everyone present.
They all took their first steps into the unknown, probably never returning to the cabin….
…..
Noir led the group deep into the forest, "once I stop," he said while walking on the cold snow, "that's how far I have gotten."
Luna walked at his pace, while Adam and Lute stayed behind, covering their rear, while Twilight stayed in the middle, making sure to cast a barrier when necessary.
As they continued their walk, Twilight told them some of her stories from when she was in Equestria, around the time before she met her best friends.
"At the time, I didn't really see the point it's making friends, let alone best friends. I always thought Princess Celestia, Candance, Shining Armour, my parents, Spike! They were all I really needed… that is, until I met them." She smiled when she said "them."
"And who are "they" exactly?" Noir asked Twilight, curious about her past.
"Oh!" She looked at Noir before looking forward, "they are my friends, best of friends. There's Applejack, Element of Loyalty, and the strength among our group and the most honest one." Twilight said.
"Oh, really? So, she has never told a lie before?" Lute asked.
"Well, from what I remember, yeah! Alright, and then there was Pinkie Pie, Element of Laughter, and the most spirited one among us. She always knew how to brighten the mood, and she always did random things," Twilight giggles at the memory, "which I found very hilarious."
"And then there was Rarity, Element of Generosity, and she is the most elegant of us. Then it was Fluttershy, Element of Kindness, and the kindest pony one can ever meet… but I wouldn't push her if I were you, she can get a bit…" Twilight was trying to find a word for Fluttershy.
"Explosive in Emotions?" Noir suggested.
"Hmm, yeah, that is one way to put it. Anyways, lastly is Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty, but that can be questionable. But at most times, she will always be there for her friends and family, so I would place my trust in her… ehh, mostly if I'm being honest. Her arrogance gets in the way a lot." Twilight said softly, not wanting to continue bad-mouthing her friend.
"Haha! Oh please, if anything, Adam's the same!" Lute pointed out.
"WHA-HEY! I AM NOT! AND DON'T TALK ABOUT YOUR BOSS LIKE THAT!" Adam was furious at Lute, who smirked in response.
"Sorry "Boss~", but it's true. You tend to…" Lute tried to find work that isn't offensive.
"I tend to what Lieutenant?" Adam demanded her to answer.
"Well…. You tend to be arrogant at almost everything you do. Like saying "I'm the First Man! I can do whatever I want!" Is what gets you into trouble a lot." Lute told the group and Adam, which caused a rupture in laughter.
Everyone but Noir was laughing, making Adam blush red under his helmet.
"WHA-ARE YOU IMPLYING THAT I MADE MYSELF-" Adam didn't even get to finish his sentence.
"Yes sir, you can be, in other words… a bast*rd." Lute finished her sentence before getting back into position.
Adam was speechless, and now wondered why his best girl would talk to him this way? He is the First Man, the Original Di*k of mankind! So why? Was it the forest doing this to her? Was it the company? No, not even Noir could influence her. So it had to be the forest!
"Stupid fu*king forest, messing with my girl!" Adam mumbles to himself…
…..
It had been 2 Hours since they started, until….
The whole group stopped when Noir stopped. Noir looked around, making sure nothing was following them before saying, "this is as far as I went last time. Never continued beyond here." Noir gestures to the forest, showing how he never took a step forward from where he stands.
*Inhales*
*Exhales*
Noir took in deep breaths, and looked in front, seeing the dense forest beyond his eyes… he took a step forward and…
*Crunch!*
Noir has finally done it. After years of being too afraid to do so…and thanks to his company… he has done it. He has stepped into unknown territory… but not alone…
We see the gang continue their walk, staying as vigilant as possible. Noir held his sword out just in case, while Luna was looking through his Journal that Twilight had given her.
"Hmmm," Luna flipped another page, "it seems new entries shall appear," she turns to face Noi, who was serious at looking for any dangers, "right Noir?" Luna asked him.
Noir looked back at her and showed him the empty pages. He smirked at her, telling her there might be new pages to add…
After a while of walking, they decided to camp at an open field, as far from the trees as possible.
Noir and Adam would take first watch while everyone else rested. Right now, we see Noir writing in his journal, a new entry after a while…
After he finished writing, Adam came up to him and sat next to him.
They both sat in silence, waiting for the other to start up a conversation. Adam got fed up, and started, "Hey Noir?"
Noir turned to face him, "yes Adam?"
"Do you-do you miss Hell?" Adam asked, wondering whether Noir was only helping them and not himself.
Noir paused, trying to find an answer to Adam's question. He sat still for a minute or two before looking back at him.
"I-at first, I did… but after a while… you tend to give up. I mean," he laughed a bit while he talked, "hah, what's the point of thinking about escaping? Sure, you all believe there must be an exit to this place… but I don't. So to answer your question, yes, I miss Hell. Because unlike the realm of the fallen Angel, this-this forest," he paused, looking all around him, "it's worse than death, worse than purgatory."
Noir pulled out his sword slowly, placing it in front of him. Adam was confused before Noir continued.
"I think… about killing myself.. everyday." He picked up the sword, making a small cut in his finger before his own flesh started to sew back together.
He stared at the now healed finger, then turned to look up, "but… Even if I try to… end it all, something in me says to keep on going, saying that…" he paused… "that I might make it out one day… that I might wake up from this nightmare… but no. I don't wake up, I don't make it out, I-I don't even know why I still let myself live…" Noir's eyes started to tear up.
Adam saw this and tried to change the subject, "woah, uh, how about we-" Adam quickly thought of a random topic.
"Ah! How about I tell you what me and Lute did before we came here, yeah?" Adam proposed.
Noir heard Adam's suggestion and smiled a bit before wiping the tears off his face. He looked back at his sword and pulled it closer to himself, resting it on his lap.
"Sure, why not." Noir said, making Adam take his helmet off and start off a new conversation to hopefully avoid the whole "forest-trauma" topic…
"Ok, let me get this straight, you, Lute and an army of exorcist angels were preparing to fight against Lucifer's only child and her Hazbin Crew… why?" Noir was confused.
"Well, see she tried to pitch this idea of "redemption" to heaven's court, which got rejected, of course, then I proposed we finally ended her project, saying they had one month to prepare for a slaughter!" Adam got up, making some random villain pose, which made Noir laugh at.
"What? What's so funny?" Adam asked.
"It-it's nothing Adam. But tell me," Adam sat down to listen, "why? Like, what do you really gain from doing this? You told me yourself, the extermination is for sinner-demons only, like myself. And all Hell-Borns and Royalties are excluded from it… but you decided to plan a genocide on… Lucifer's child, who is a Hell-Born by that logic… and on her friends? Are you trying to start a holy-war or something?" Noir was even more confused.
Adam tried to think up a counter argument but realised right then and there that his idea of attacking and killing Lucifer's daughter… was a very bad Idea, as not only would it destroy their contract, but it would make Lucifer, and the High Powers of Hell rise up against heaven, which was one of the reasons the Extermination started.
"Huh… I…I didn't think about that." Adam sat down, not re-thinking all his ideas, his plans, even thinking whether the extermination should continue?
"Hey Adam?" Noir asked, planting a hand on his shoulder, "how about… if you escape here with Lute," Adam cuts him off, saying they will escape. "Right, when you both escape, what will you both do? Will you continue your plans? Or will you try something else?"
"I…I don't really know Noir. I mean, ever since meeting you, I started to second guess myself. I mean, the real reason why I started the extermination was to get back at Lucifer… but judging by how he reacts to all that… I don't really know why I'm even continuing this event…" Adam slumped into the snow, pulling out his phone from thin air.
He turned it on, and went to the photo gallery, asking Noir to look. Adam showed Noir some photos of him, before the extermination and after. Adam would explain what each photo was.
"This is when Emily was born. Oh, how happy Sera was to finally have a little sister." He showed another, "and here is when I pranked Sera by leaving a small cake in her office, which was laced with some alcohol. Oh, how drunk she looked!" Adam laughed while Noir sat quietly, listening to Adam's tales…
….
It was time to switch shifts. Adam went over to Lute, who woke up almost instantly. Adam took her place and immediately fell asleep.
Lute though Noir would wake one of the ponies to switch… but he stayed awake.
"Aren't you gonna… sleep?" Lute asked.
"No." Noir said, his voice a bit tired, but he remained awake.
"You all need your rest and energy. I'm fine like this. You can go back to sleep if you want." Noir offered, which Lute declined.
He took her spear and made her way to Noir, who was seen with tired eyes. He yawned a bit, before now noticing Lite sitting next to him.
They sat over the fire, not speaking to one another before Lute brought up a topic.
"Are you," she paused, thinking whether asking would be appropriate or not… she asked anyway. "Are you comfortable here? Like in this forest? You've been here longer than… probably anyone."
Noir slowly turned his head, matching Lute's gaze.
"Why would I be comfortable here? Sure, I've been here a while, got enough strength to stay alive and all… but overall… I wish to leave. Maybe that's why I decided to follow you all." He looked at each member, seeing their sleeping faces before turning back to Lute.
"I-I see, sorry for asking Noir." Lute said, before taking a handful of snow and throwing it.
Silence came, but Noir broke it first this time.
"You don't have to apologize to Lute. You were just curious, which is normal." Noir said to her, seeing her slightly relax a bit before continuing her distraction…
They sat together… and Lute slowly fell asleep, not used to staying up late.
Noir saw Lute's sleeping form, and grinned a bit. He got up and carried Lute somewhere close to Adam before tucking her in.
He got back next to the fire, watching the flames dance as he slowly smiled to himself.
"Hehe…" he chuckled a bit, 'if there really is an exit… I do hope they find it…' Noir continued his watch, waiting for the first light…
….
It was now morning, and everybody was awake, and ready to continue their adventure into the forest.
Noir puts out the fire before facing everyone.
"Alright," he says, "as we go deeper in, we might discover new threats along the way, and I won't always be there to protect you. So from here on out… all of you need to adapt quickly, understand?" In a stern voice, everyone shook their heads before Noir un-sheathed his sword, being on guard as always…
The group continued deeper into the forest, using their previous formation.
As they walked, Twilight Sparkle started a lite conversation to keep the mood from going gloomy…
"So after me and my friends from Canterlot High obtained the Element of Harmony that Sunset Shimmer stole, we used the power of friendship to defeat her. And from my visits from my world to the Human world, Sunset has gotten a lot better at making friends! Even my friends at CHS grew fond of her." Twilight explained, telling her tale at Canterlot HighSchool, during her days in the Human world.
They all listened in, but Adam had to make a joke from her story.
"BAHHAHAHAHAHAH! ARE-ARE YOU SERIOUS? "The power of friendship?" THAT IS THE MOST CRINGIEST STORY-HAH! I HAVE EVER HEARD IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! And that says a lot." Adam finished, still laughing and making fun of Twilight, who argued that friendship is the most important magic of all!
"I have to agree with Miss Sparkles." Noir intervened, explaining how it was his friends who gave him a proper life. Adam tried to argue, but decided against it, knowing that Noir's hold onto them was one of the only reasons he kept on going.
More conversations came and went, Luna explained her tale of how was reformed by Twilight and her friends using the Elements of Harmony, saving her from her endless suffering from Nightmare Moon.
Noir acknowledged Luna for staying sane and brave, and for reuniting with her Elder Sister, Celestia, and for letting by-gones be by-gones.
Adam told his story, how he was made, how his first wife left him for Lucifer MorningStar, and how Lucifer and Lilith, Adam's first Wife, somehow convinced Eve, Adam's second and permanent Wife, to eat the forbidden fruit of knowledge, releasing Freedom into Humanity, and also Sin.
Lute continued where Adam left off, saying how Lucifer and Lilith were banished from Heaven, sent to spend eternity in Hell, the realm they both caused into existence.
Noir listened in on all their tales and stories, asking questions here and there, even telling some parts of his life, and smiling throughout it all. They all noticed Noir being cheerful, but didn't call him out on it…
A few days later->
Noir, Twilight, Luna, Lute, and Adam, were all currently sitting around a fire. An Angelic Force Field, along with Twilight's Barrier was covering them all from the dangers of the outside.
Adam asked Noir what he would do once he escaped. Noir placed his fingers on his chin, thinking hard in his answer…
After a while of thinking, he answered Adam's question. "If I ever got out… I would continue where I left off. Head to the Happy Hotel, earn Redemption, and go to Heaven. But… I knew I deserved Damnation… after what I did…" Noir closed his eyes, trying hard not to remember his awful sin…
Lute became curious and tried to press on, thinking 'what could he have done to end up in hell? What Sin?' She tried to ask, but Adam stopped her.
"Lute, can't you see the guy not trying to cry right now?" Adam pointed to Noir, the group seeing a single tear drop escaping his eyes and falling down…
In Noir's mindscape: we see him running. Running away from something…or someone.
"WHATEVER YOU DO! DO NOT TURN BACK!" Noir shouted, Luna Star and Zack Stone shouted in agreement…
They kept running, the streets being empty, the cars all parked away, and the trio running away from someone, someone smiling, while holding a gun.
*BANG!*
The figure shot Noir, his left arm bleeding from the bullet. He kept running, telling them to not stop, even if he fell, they were to not stop!
As they ran, Luna slowed down a bit, trying to match Noir's pace, and help him speed up… Zack, Luna and Noir turned a corner, seeing a dead end…
The figure was approaching them~
Noir looked around, seeing Luna crying, seeing Zack pick up a random shovel he found to hopefully defend them with.
Noir kept looking for a way out when…
'What the? Is-is that an exit sign? How the fu*k did I not see that beforehand?!' Noir grunted, making Luna and Zack face him.
"Guys…" he said, still very weak from the multiple gunshot wounds on his legs, body and hands, 'there-there's an exit… behind us…' Noir slowly pointed, showing a way out of their predicament…
The Figure was slowly turning a corner, laughing like the Joker from the DC Comics~
Zack tried to get the door open, even going as far as to use his shovel to break it open… it didn't work. Luna was now crying more, seeing their end near. Zack didn't let go of hope and kept trying to get the damn door open! And Noir? He got up slowly, making his way towards their killer. Luna saw this and was about to call him out when Zack finally got the door open.
He pulled Luna in. She kept begging Zack to let go and help Noir, but he saw Noir's eyes, eyes that read "go… I'll hold him off…"
Zack cried, and dragged Luna in, shutting the door, leaving Noir alone… with their killer.
The figure approached, seeing Noir alone, his friends nowhere near be seen. The figure smiled when he saw the exit door, which he guessed led into an apartment building. He'll kill them after he deals with Noir First~
"Oh~ How admirable you are~ Sacrificing yourself to save your friends… pitiful behaviour indeed. Well," the figure cocked his gun, "ready to die? Noir?" The Figure aimed his gun when… what?
Noir was… no where to be seen! He kept looking around, hoping to find his prey when…
"YOU FU*KING, A*SWHOLE!!!" Noir leapt from behind the figure, bashing his head with the shovel that Zack left behind. He somehow got the shovel right into his chest, making the figure turn and shoot him a few more times… Noir kept going.
He stabbed, further and further into the figure's chest. And as he saw the light from his killer's eyes start to fade…
*BANG!!*
The figure shot him right in the chest, slowly killing Noir right then and there… the figure got up, removed the shovel and leaned on the wall near them…
The killer slowly got down, aiming his pistol to his head and…
*BANG!*
He killed himself. Their killer killed himself…
Noir, on the brink of death, asked so many questions… but as he took his last breath, he thought of one thing… his one regret.
'I-I wished I spent more time with you guys… I'm sorry for getting mad at you Luna, for you losing my Phone… sorry I cancelled our plans Zack… fu*k… I didn't even get to tell Luna and Zack… how I loved them as if… they were my….family…' Noir…. Had died..
And then…. He woke up…. In hell…
Outside Noir's Mindscape->
We see Noir sleeping. He had fallen asleep while trying to suppress his memory of that night.
Adam, Lute, Twilight and Luna watched as he snored, tears falling from his eyes, while he kept saying, "please… I'm sorry… don't leave me… Luna… Zack…" Noir repeated over and over, sleep-talking.
"Gosh… what could he be dreaming about, feeling this miserable?" Lute wondered while showing a hint of concern.
Adam and Lute decided to take their first watch, letting the ponies and Noir sleep…
'Noir… when we get back… I'll try and convince Sera to place you in Heaven. Because it's a mistake for you to be in hell!' Adam vowed to himself, wanting for Noir to receive what he was due…
….
Chapter 7: An Encounter With A New Beast~