It had been a week since the two angels and ponies arrived, they met Noir Void… and learned the horrors of the forest…
….
We see Luna and Twilight discussing theories about the forest, while Lute was seen exercising, trying to stay in shape.
*Shing*
Outside, Adam and Noir sparred. Adam insisted on learning from him, saying how his experiences could help Adam in the long run, granted they one day leave this place, and their training could make Adam a stronger Angel than before..
Noir chuckled at Adam's fantasy of leaving the Forgotten Forest… but agreed nonetheless…
*Shing!*
Adam used his Angelic-Battle Axe/Guitar to get a hit in on Noir, but failed as Noir blocked it effortlessly. They continued to trade blow after blow, Adam never getting close to touching Noir, while said Demon was yawning at Adam, mostly to provoke him… which worked.
"Oh, just because you're bada*s, means you get to you with ME!" Adam leapt into the air and came down fast, hoping to shatter Noir's cockiness with his powerful blow….
"Really?" Noir smirked. He readied his sword and blocked the incoming attack. As the Axe made contact with the Sword, a wave of aura was released, brushing the forest.
Luna, Twilight and Lute felt the aura and came outside to see the commotion.
As the came outside, they saw a wounded and tired Adam, laying on the snow, panting hard, while Noir was sheathing his sword, losing his grin while leaving the group.
"Where…. The fu*k… do you think… you're going… douchbag!" Adam inhaled and exhaled after every pause in his sentence.
Noir turned his head back slightly and said, "I'm heading out."
"Are you going to look for food?" Twilight asked, walking closer to Noir, "or are you gonna… hunt Mimics?"
Her voice was slightly shaken when she said "Mimics". Noir nodded, signaling Twilight to guess, which was never a good sign.
As Noir turned away to continue his path… his arm was grabbed by Lute.
"Wait just a second mister! You have got to explain what you just did to Adam! Why is he covered in bruises? Why is he tired like he ran across the fu*king planet?" She demanded answers. She knows Noir would never torture or hurt them, but to see Adam in such a state drew out her instincts.
"Hmmmm," Noir glanced his eyes towards the weakened and tired Arch-Angel, then looked back to Lute.
"He asked for me to train him, preferably in a friendly spar. I only complied with his request. If you have any other questions… do ask now." Noir wanted to leave.
Lute saw no hint of lies in his voice and let's go oh him, groaning while turning to the battered Adam. She walked over and picked him up, asking Luna and Twilight for assistance.
As the trio entered the cabin, Noir's face showed a slight smirk before turning back to his dull emotion.
…
We transition to Noir fighting and killing a Mimic's nest. He slashed at each enemy, showing no mercy whatsoever. He used his magic to deal with any who tried to escape, or to act as a barrier to block any surprise attacks coming towards his blind spots.
To summarise, Noir was the definition of "Perfect Offence and Defence."
*Slash!*
*Screech!!!*
Noir slayer another Mimic and the sighs. He looked around, seeing the chaos his battle brought. Burnt corpses, Ice-impaled Mimics, multiple body parts played all around, and the snow now seen as a crimson-Iron smaller battlefield.
*Sighs*
Noir absorbed the souls in the area and sheathed his sword. He snapped his fingers and burnt every corpse he could see…
Afterwards, he started to make his way towards the cabin. On his way, he spotted a few Crawlers here and there, and proceeded to eliminate them all. Every kill made him stronger… but he always felt a chill on his back whenever he killed one, whether they were a Mimic, a Beast, a Crawler, or any monster he slays… he always felt something was wrong when he did so. But Noir knew… everything was wrong, this forest, the monsters, the random visitors, the endless snow, the never ending terrain…
Noir quickly brushed his thoughts away and continued his adventure back to the cabin to greet everyone…
….
Noir was close, each step made a *Crunching* sound. As he made his way towards the cabin… his nose picked up a scent… a scent of blood.
(A/N: I don't know how to describe stepping on snow, granted I have stepped on snow before but could never describe it)
Noir's eyes widened and quickly rushed back. He made it back, only to see a bloodied Adam and Lute, while Luna and Twilight were holding a barrier to make sure the monster couldn't get in.
Noir was confused at the sight, 'a… Diamond Statue? But… why would one… gah!' Noir pounced at the beast, un-sheathing his sword and readied it for battle.
*ROARS!!!*
The Diamond Statue turned back, seeing Noir rushing towards it. Twilight and Luna saw Noir and started to shed tears, knowing they were safe. Lute was able to slowly recover just enough to see Noir battle the Diamond Statue. She smirked as she closed her eyes and laid next to Adam on the cold, white snow…
*CLASH!!!*
Noir slashed at the beast, slowly making large dents at the Statue. It was fast. The Diamond Statue was already tough on its own, but its speed was otherworldly. Noir was lucky his Fire-Shield came in clutch as the Statue was drawn back.
Noir lunged again, dodging a few punches and leaping upwards, stabbing its eye.
*ROAR CRIES!!!!*
Noir didn't falter and kept stabbing its eyes, over and over. The beast tried to pry Noir off… but failed miserably. Noir pushed his sword deep inside the monster, turning it slowly, making sure the beast cried out in pain.
"Take that, you large-diamond, bast*rd!" Noir shouted, pulling his sword out and planting his finger in the Diamond Statue's wound.
The monster found its chance to swipe Noir away… but Noir had other plans…
Noir grinned madly, and said… "burn bright… you ugly thing!" Noir lit his hand on fire, the fire making its way towards the insides of the Diamond Statue.
*ROAR CRIES!!!*
The monster was losing its strength, but Noir kept going, making the fire burn brighter and hotter. And then….
*THUD!*
The Diamond Statue fell face first… it was dead. Noir hopped off the statue and made his way towards the others.
"Yo," he said, "you mind releasing the…" Noir paused.
He saw the ponies' eyes, he saw the fear in them. Noir asked again to lose the barrier… but they didn't listen, and he knew why.
"You… why?" Twilight asked, her voice breaking.
Noir didn't answer, instead turning towards the beast and planting his sword inside it, absorbing its soul.
After healing himself, he went back to the others, only to find Luna in his way.
Noir looked confused, "what are you doing Miss Luna?"
"I-Don't come any closer Noir…" Luna shined her horn, signaling she would strike if he did.
"…" Noir said nothing. He walked towards her, making Luna throw a small blast of concentrated Mana in front of Noir, barely hitting him.
He turned to his left, seeing the charred snow on the ground next to him, then looked back.
"Why…. Why did you torture it??" Luna demanded Noir explain.
Noir said nothing, looking emotionless before saying, "I would have killed you four. I did what was necessary-" Noir was cut off.
"BUT WHY MAKE IT SUFFER!" Luna screamed at Noir, tears falling down.
"I… I know those-those things don't deserve to exist… but why, why torture it? You could've ended it quickly, less screams, less pain… So why?" Luna asked softly this time, lowering her horn.
Noir stares at Luna, thinking why she would feel pity on a creature that was here to kill them? Why care how it dies?
"Luna… these monsters deserved torture far worse than what I can produce. They deserved a miserable end." Was all Noir said before walking past her, patting her head before.
Noir kneeling towards the two weakened angels, he held his right hand towards them, creating a soft light.
"Heal…" the light shined brightly, enveloping Adam and Lute, only a second later were they completely healed, no scars, no wounds, nothing.
Noir sighed and got up, about to carry them in when Luna and Twilight approached him. He turned to meet their gaze, and saw something in their eyes…. Fear.
Noir saw dare written all over their faces. Why did they feel fear? Was it the forest? The monster encounter?
….Was it him they feared now?
Noir had questions but never asked. He turned back his gaze toward the unconscious angels and levitated them.
He moved the angels inside, setting them in their beds. After tucking them in, checking their pulse to make sure they're alive, he headed to his desk to write a new entry…
After writing his entry, he turned to see Luna and Twilight sitting by the fireplace, waiting for him.
*Sighs*
Noir got up and walked towards the duo, sitting on his chair, leaning back to rest. His eyes met theirs.. and Twilight started the conversation.
"Mr Noir… why did you make it… suffer?" Twilight was confused.
"I-I was angry at the time, wasn't thinking! I saw it trying to kill you all and… I snapped." Noir said, glancing towards his sword on the walls before meeting their gaze again.
"Hmm, but still, you've put your life in danger for acting recklessly Noir. If you had made a small mistake, or missed a single strike, or got hit even once… you wouldn't be talking to us right about now." Luna told him, looking stern.
Noir leaned back, looking up while signing hard. He glanced back at them but couldn't say a word. He knew they were right, he knew he was reckless, but… he didn't want to see anyone he cares about, be in danger… not again.
Noir closed his eyes, attempting to sleep early today. Twilight and Luna saw his attempt laughable. Twilight shook Noir slightly, causing him to wake up.
*Groans*
"You two won't let me off the hook, will you?" Noir said in a calm manner. The duo replied, telling Noir to work on controlling his emotions, especially during critical events.
Noir wanted to argue, saying his emotions didn't matter when lives were at stake, but the ponies were stern in their decision.
Noir wanted to argue back… but saw a glimpse of them… his old friends. He saw their faces, and remembered how they would lecture him on being irresponsible and such. Noir smiled.
Luna and Twilight looked at him with confusion before he waved them off, telling them it was nothing to ask about…
A while had passed, and the angels were still asleep, granted they started snoring now. Noir, Luna and Twilight were seen reading his journal entries.
"You know? For a guy who has lived here for over 100 years, you don't have many journal entries written huh? Not even at Entry 150. Why is that?" Twilight asked Noir.
"Well…" he stroked his chin a bit before answering, "At first, I was writing like there was no tomorrow… but after a while, you tend to write what is only important, like today." Noir turned the book to his latest entry.
They read it, Luna feeling slightly guilty alongside Twilight, but after reading the final line, she grew curious.
"Umm Noir? If I remember correctly from what you wrote before… These "Diamond Status" don't tend to leave their areas, and you mentioned the closest one was far away from here… so why was there one here then?" Twilight asked.
"That, Purple Pony-"
"It's Twilight Sparkle, Noir."
"Like I said, Purple Pony."
*Groans*
Twilight groaned at Noir's annoying antics, but lets him continue.
"Diamond Statues tend to stay with their own kind. For one to be here means… there are probably more nearby. But… that doesn't explain why we only saw one. If I remember correctly, they move in packs, in groups if you say. So why there was one here… is a whole mystery for me." Noir finished.
The Trio started to come up with theories on why, when they heard some groaning in the background.
*Groans X2*
Adam and Lute were awake. They were still a bit dizzy from the attack, but got up nonetheless.
"You should rest, both of you. Your bodies need time to rest and heal-" Noir was cut off.
"Yeah yeah, we're fine~" Adam said, walking towards the group before sitting next to them.
Lute also followed suit and sat near Adam. And now… the five were all in one group session of chatting…
*Sighs*
Noir couldn't force the angels to rest, even though it would make them a lot more dizzy if they didn't.
"Gah… what-what time is it?" Adam asked, still a bit grumpy.
Luna looked outside the window before turning to Adam, "it seems to be getting dark. I think around… 6:00 PM?"
Luna asked if Noir had something that could tell time, in which he responded with a no.
"Never had a watch or a clock or anything that could tell time. The Sun," he looked out the window, "was my only source of time… and my Journal Entries were another source, but that mostly kept track of the years." Noir finished.
Lute got closer to Noir and asked, "hey? Do you mind… Reading an entry or two?"
Noir looked at her and gave a nod. Twilight passed his journal to him and he flipped to a random page.
*Ahem!*
Noir started reading: "Entry 47: "I hunted a few mimics, using my sword while making invisible fire barriers around myself, so no sneak attacks. This Sword… I don't know what it is, but I think it could absorb souls. I remembered that old FanFiction called: Titans Orb by Mr Horncastle. I wanted to see if it worked similarly to it… and it does. It could strengthen my whole being, and I felt my Mana Pool grow larger, but only by a normal margin… I hunted more Animals for Dinner, and wanted to see if it could also heal me. I cut myself slightly, hurts a bit, and asked the sword to heal me… to which it did. It seems this sword could use souls from downed foes to either Heal or Strengthen Me. I wanted to test it more, but a group of Mimics and Goblins were nearby, and I needed to run away, fast."" Noir finished reading the entry.
Everyone paused to take in the information before Adam spoke up.
Wait, you based the abilities of that awesome sword… off a book? A Fanfiction no less? Wow! Guess Humanity has a good imagination if you could base that sword on that!"
*Laughs softly*
"Well, back when I was Human, I tended to read a lot of fanfiction. My friends would recommend me a few, and I would just read. I can't remember the plot so don't bother asking." Noir paused for a second before continuing, "but what I can say is this: whenever something weird happens, for me it is something new, my memories would act up and provide me with the info needed to deduce what I encountered." Noir exhaled a bit before closing his journal…
"I see." They all turned to Twilight who was seen, deep in thought.
Twilight turned towards the group and started at Noir, "I have to ask, how far have you ventured into the forest? I would have to guess not that far, but how far exactly?"
They all turned to Noir who closed his eyes for a second to think then… "I don't know."
They all paused but he continued, "I may have been around for a while… but even I haven't explored deep into this land. If I were to venture anymore… I don't know if I would be alive to tell the story." Noir got up and went to his bed, thinking of getting an early shut-eye.
They all watched as the Purple Demon went to sleep….
….
After Noir went to bed, Adam started back the conversation. "Alright, so even he doesn't know what lies beyond this fu*king forest? Great! JUST GREAT! Our, probably the only guy who knows more about this damn place than anyone! Doesn't even know what lives deep within it!!!"
"I don't blame him!" Twilight intervened, "you saw what happened just a few hours ago! We almost died! Without Noir… we wouldn't be here…"
Everyone stayed silent…. Before Lute continued.
"That-that is true. But now begs the question: how do we all get home? If a being as powerful as Noir couldn't get home, or is too terrified to explore more of this wretched forest… then how are we supposed to…" Lute couldn't finish her sentence. Her wings opened up slightly and covered herself. Everyone saw how terrified Lute was, even Adam was shocked but he doesn't blame her.
This forest…. It's not natural, it's not normal. How does an Angel who kills sinners…. Deal with this? From being saved by a sinner, to learning how powerless she really is here… it's still a lot to take in, even after living here for a week… which is a nightmare in itself.
After the silence became… too quiet, Adam spoke up again, "alright," he got up, "tomorrow," he turned to Luna, Twilight and Lute who is now looking at Adam, "we do what he hasn't." He pointed at Noir.
"We go out there and find a way home! And Noir is the key to that! With his knowledge of the basics of this forest, and our teamwork! We will find a way home!" Adam announced.
They all stared at him for a bit before Lute started to laugh a bit.
*Laughs*
Adam looked at her with annoyance, "The fu*k is so funny?" He asked.
"Haha, haaa~" she wiped a tear off her face, "sorry, sorry, it's just-you never act this way, EVER! And now you're acting like a proper leader? Guess this forest did some good for one of us afterall~" Lute teased her Boss.
"WHA- HEY! I AM A GOOD BOSS! I'M ADAM! THE FIRST MAN! THE FIRST DI*K! AND THE BEST BOSS ANYONE CAN HAVE!" He told Lute, which made her laugh even more.
Twilight and Luna followed suit, laughing at Adam's display of "authority."
*Laughs!!*
"HEY!! SH-SHUT UP!!" Adam ordered them, in return they didn't listen…
In the background, we see Noir up, but no one noticed him. He watched as Twilight, Lute, Luna were messing with Adam. He smiled a bit, letting a small droplet of tear leave his eye
He smiled more, remembering how he and his friends always acted, how they laughed, how they smiled… it brought joy to his broken world… but that joy, he knew… wouldn't last.
Noir quickly went back to bed before anyone could notice him, while he kept listening to the background noise of Adam being bullied by 3 Females….
….
Chapter 6: The Next Day! The Day Of Exploration!!