Chain of Hearts

by Hyperion

First published 28th of October, 2011

Raynor leaves his family and left his story behind to wife. The story of his dark past...

One night, after putting his daughter to bed. Raynor leaves his family but left behind a word document on the family computer for his wife. Telling his dark past to her and the reason for leaving them.

=note=
Only Raynor, Hyperion, HopeStar and WindStar belongs to me.
The other oc's belongs to my friends.

Chain of Hearts: Prologue

“I love you, daddy…” she whispered to me as she fell asleep within her bed. I slowly closed the door to her room and stood there. I just stared at the wooden door. It was only a few minutes but it felt like years. “…why?” whispered as I look down at my hooves. Nopony could see it but it was there…blood. Blood of those I killed when I was blinded with rage and nothingness…how can somepony love me?

I walk away from my daughter’s door and headed down stairs and found my wife sleeping on the couch. She look so beautiful laying there…her snow white coat shine as the glow of the TV set covered her. Her soft blue and purple mane was covering close eyes, so I wasn’t sure if she woke from my touch as I stroke her back. “…Netrunner…” I softy said as I stop stroking her. “…I’m sorry for breaking my promise, which we made years ago but…” that was all I said as I walk over to the computer and opened a word document. Tears filled my eyes as I headed for the door. Before I left, I look around as I heard something from Net. “…don’t leave me Ray…or I’ll…” I waited a few seconds before she spoke again, which in turn made me smile “…beat the living buck out of you…”

I closed the door and a part of me headed off to the void. The void of the darkness where I belong…while the other part of me will always stay within the ponies I loved and care for…I will always live on within in their hearts…
The doc that I left open will tell my past and the pony’s hearts I affected. Good or bad: “Chains of Heart”

Chain of Hearts: WindStar

Chains of Heart: WindStar

WindStar…she will forever stay within my heart…Net, don’t be mad or something but WindStar was…I’ll type this later; anyway I was born in a poor family. My father was a farmer, while my mother was a maid for a rich folks in the village where we lived. Can’t remember the name and don’t bother looking for it anyway, I’ll explain later. My life there was like any little colt. Sure, I never had “real” toys like the other kids or any the good things but I loved my life there. My parents were the kindest ponies you could ever meet…sure my father drank until he couldn’t stand anymore and my mother wasn’t around until night time…but I loved them…because they loved me so much. I always dreamed that this love will forever go on…
…but it didn’t. I was thirteen when my father died. He drank himself to death…my mother died a year later. The doctor said she died from a sickness but to me, she died from a broken heart. I drop out of school and got myself a job at a local blacksmith. The old stallion I work for was very kind. He even made me a sword for my fourteen birthday. He wanted to teach me how to use it but I told him no thanks. I was never going to use it…

One night, as the moon was full. Raiders appeared from the darkness and burned everything down. Everypony I knew was gone as the fire burns away my only home. Till this day, I’ll never know if I was the only survivor of that attack. I was capture by the raiders and became their slave. It was months until I was saved by my future teacher. Two of the raiders sold me to him for sixty bits. His brown fur, his black mane and his green eyes…he was cool. He took me to his school, where he taught ponies he saved, the way of the sword. The first pony I met there was her…WindStar.
She was a Pegasus like me. Her very long light red mane…her orange fur…she was beautiful but she always kept her eyes closed. She was a loner and never talk to anypony there…not even smile or laugh…not even to our teacher. I made a lot of friends during my time there but I always wanted to be WindStar friend…

So, I tried by speaking to her but she just walk away. She will always blow me off when I spoke to her but I never gave up. Till that day. I beat her in training one day. Nopony ever beat her in training, she was the best. After training, she came up to me and…smiled. She started to talk to me when we were alone. She gave me tips on my sword style because in truth…I suck. Yeah, she became my second teacher…and from that movement on…I started to fall in love with her…I wish I didn’t…
One night, she woke me up and asks if she could sleep in my room. I said yes. I felt her warm body as she got into bed with me. She places her hoof on my stomach and hugs me very tight as I felt her tears on my neck. I didn’t know what to do…so I turned to her and kiss her. She kiss me back and…yeah…we did it…

…I woke up after feeling hot. As I open my eyes, I saw smoke. As I dash out of my room, the hallway was filled with smoke. As I ran to the next section of the dorm, I found my friends…dead. All of them died from slashes marks on their bodies. Blood filled the area…I felt sick and angry but I press on. Soon, the school was on fire. I ran to my teacher room but he wasn't there, so I left to the training area…I found him there…dead as WindStar stood above the body. Her and her sword was covered in blood…that’s when I realize it…she started to leave after hearing me call out her name. I was so angry and…sad…I grab my teacher’s sword and dash at her. She quickly turned to me and it was over. She cut me two times. She got me on the chest and my right eye. Right before I pass out from the blood lost…I remember seeing her eyes…her eyes were red and had some kind of symbol within them…

I woke up in a military hospital a few days later. A passing group of soldiers saw the fire and rescue me. I learned from the doctors that I lost my right eye and the cut on my chest will have scar but my fur will hide it. With no place to go, I signed up to the army.

But I never forgot that dark day…she will always be in my heart…as seek my revenge on her…that was the day when my anger blinded me…I wanted blood.

Chain of Hearts: Dark

After the griffin war ended, I was lost for the next two years. I was nineteen at the time and my thirst for blood was still there. Even after killing so many griffins during the war. Here the part I know you will leave me, Net… I started killing. I heard rumors about a Pegasus with weird eyes hiding in local griffin towns. When I found the rumors were fake…I lost myself…my rage…it blinded me and took control of me.

When the redness were gone from my eye… I left each town after I buried the bodies… I can never forgive myself for what I did…

One day, I came across a cabin and haven’t eaten or shower in a few days, I knock on the door. The pony that came to door was an earth pony. His coat was brown and he had a black mane. He let me rest there. His name is Dark. He’s a very kind colt that I ever met. He reminds me of that blacksmith from my home town, since Dark work as a blacksmith too. During my stay there, he taught me some stuff.

I told him my actions and I thought for sure, he’ll kill me on the spot but he didn’t. He told me I should forget WindStar and move on with my life before I’m to far gone to save. I told him I couldn’t move on…my heart couldn’t let her go. He told me I could let go and then he sigh and return working on his work. I thank him and left. I’m still in contact with him, if you’re wondering, Net.

After a long year of searching, I gave up of searching for WindStar and started looking for a place to live. I headed to Canterlot to live a peaceful life…yeah, didn’t work out.

Chain of Hearts: Schlovia Canters

I rented an upstairs room of a spoon store. The store is called “Queen of the Spoons”. Yeah, the owner…when you first meet her, you think she’s a filly but she isn’t it. She’s just small and weird. Schlovia is her name and she’s a unicorn. Her fur is dark red and her mane is stripes with yellow and red. I work for her as a door greeter…while wearing a spoon suit…yeah, didn’t love that job but she did pay well.

After a month working and living there, something happen. She was going bankrupt. Yeah, she fell in a deep depression after finding out. I did my best of cheering her up but nothing helps. I was worried about her.
That’s when I told her about the reward on my head. Yeah, the military wanted me for the crimes I did. She refuses to bring me in, saying she didn’t believe I could kill any pony. That’s when I told her what’s more important, her only source of income or protecting a killer?

The next day, I was in prison and Schlovia receive the reward, which in turn saved her from bankrupt. I heard from the guards about a red unicorn store becoming a huge hit. It seems ponies will buy spoons after a killer was working there it seems…a few weeks later, I found a spoon in my cell after coming back from cleaning the mess hall. It had a note attach to it.
Here what it said:

“Dear Raynor

Thank you for helping me by giving up your freedom. Here a gift. I know it’s not money or anything valuable but please treasure it. This was my very first spoon I ever made. The reason I’m giving you this, it’s because…I’m giving you hope. Hope that you will be free from not only from prison but also from your past. When you finally let go, please return the spoon to me.

From Schlovia”

…I still have that spoon to this day.

Chain of Hearts: Hyperion

Jail was hell. POW from the griffin war was in the section I was in…yeah, I remember fighting some of them and they remember me. They heard what I did from the guards and somehow pay them off, as the guards brought me to the shower area and left me there…there with twenty griffins. I thought for sure, I was going to die there. Thanks to my military training in CQC (close quarter combat), I was able to hold some of them off but in the end, I was over powered. I still remember laying there on the blood covered floor. My right hind leg was broken, had open cuts around my body and shoulder was broken as well.

“Bring his flank up!”…those words echo in my mind as my flank was pulled up and laughter could be heard as the leader of the group walk behind me and stroke my flank with his…I was powerless to stop him as I laid there, coughing up blood.

Their laughter soon turned to screams as a group of earth ponies came crashing in and started to fight with the POW griffins. The earth ponies that crashed the beat down were from the gang known as “Hype”. They took me away as they held off the griffins.

They took me back to their leader cell and tried to stop the bleeding. I remember seeing him for the first time. He was the great hero from the griffin war before being imprison for a war crime. His fur was black and his mane was blood red…his name is Hyperion. “Need some protecting, comrade?” he said to me as I black out from blood lost.

The prison guards soon stop the fight that went down in the shower area and bought those who was involved, to the dark cells…included me after prison doctors patch me up. The dark cells are just cells but in complete darkness. There no windows and nopony are feed for four weeks too. I mostly slept while my time there but I did hear the others…I heard crying, begging for food, laughter, praying and even scratching on the steel doors…sometimes, I heard nothing.

The only reason I survived was because very small portion of food was teleported into my cell. This was very odd, since unicorn prisoners magic are sealed away and I knew food was never given to the others…somepony pay off the unicorn guards it seems.

Within the darkness, I saw things. I saw figures as they surround me and whispered at me. I think I was going insane or something…but then I saw it, a huge door. The door had princess Celestia and Luna on it, with weird symbols around them. I crawled my way to it as it opened…standing there was Hyperion.

My time in the dark cell was up, as four weeks had pass. I soon learned from Hyperion, he was the one who pay off the unicorn guards. He knew my war record and wanted me to join his gang. With no reason, I joined him. By joining them, I was safe from the remaining POWs but not from the rival gangs. It seems Hyperion gang was dead lock with two other gangs. He just wanted me because of my military skills. Mind you, there were very few Equestria soldiers in the prison I was in. Hyperion needed me for an upcoming prison riot, which he was planning. During this chaos, him and I will track down the two gang leaders and kill them. I told him, I’ll help him track the gang leaders down but I’ll not help kill them.

A few nights later, the riot started and just like I said, I didn’t help him. I just heard their dying screams as I stood outside of the storage room. After the screams finally ended, Hyperion came out, covered in blood and smiled at me. “Let’s pay the warden a visit!” he told me as he took off. I quickly took off after him and when I arrived to the warden office, Hyperion was ready to kill him…I stop Hyperion by flipping him over but his training kick in and he recovered and push me into the hallway and we started to fight. We fought with CQC and soon, I was on top of him and holding a broken window shard near his neck. “DO IT!” he yelled at me. “DO IT BOY! YOU’RE A KILLER LIKE ME! I SEE IT IN YOUR EYE!” he screamed at me as a grin formed on his face. I told him I wasn’t as I stood up from him. “STOP FOOLING YOURSELF!” he yelled as he slowly stood up. That’s when I saw it. I was like Hyperion so many years ago…I just wanted to kill. Hoping shedding blood will ease my pain…but Hyperion eyes…they had nothing. If I ever walk that path again, I’ll just end up like Hyperion again…but as a mad colt who just wants to kill and nothing more…a monster…

The riot soon got into control and everything return to normal…until the warden came to my cell and order me to follow him. He brought me to the mess hall and there, I was met with a white unicorn, which had a pink, green and blue stripe mane and tail. She…well, I think it was a mare…she look female but had a boyish voice, anyway, she came to me and handed me my release papers…from the princess from herself. I was surprised but something even more shocking happens next…
“You’re going to be the bodyguard of one of the princess students.” She said. I ask who and she just pointed to herself. “Howdy. The name is Pastel!” she smiled as she smacks my back.

Chain of Hearts: Pastel

I didn't have a choice. If I didn't become her bodyguard, I'll be sentence to death...which was odd. At the time, I wonder why they didn't sentence me to death after arresting me back then but I learned why later on but I'll tell you that later, Net.

Anyway, I agree to be her bodyguard and I was set free. It seemed Celestia students were being targeted for assassination and she had her students under heavy watch. Now you're wondering why this was never reported in the news, right? Well, there was a very good reason but I'll explain that later. Anyway, Pastel did have a bodyguard sign to her but she wanted the best and asks the princess if she could hoof pick her guard. She agreed and Pastel was given a list of soldiers. She soon came upon my war record and asks the princess and military top cheese for my release. She told me it took hours before they agree.

For the weeks I protected her, I got to learn how a life for Celestia students was like. At six in the morning, Pastel would draw or paint until nine when the class would start. She told me because she draws and paints so early because her class won't end until nine at night. During the first class with Celestia, Pastel and the other students will learn how to cast different spells without calling it out. This skill was common in the medic core as well. This skill was very hard to master as I heard from some medics during the war. Since I know you're a unicorn as well, Net and be saying "That's easy. Just cast the spell while saying its name in your mind." right? Well, you're wrong. Since you never been in combat or been in Celestia School, then you'll never know how hard it is to cast a spell in your thoughts as fear of dying fill your mind. Sure, Celestia students won't see combat unless they join the army but learning this skill is priceless never the less. After that class, they went on to learn high level spells. The spells I saw...many and I mean many students will never master those spells. This class went on for five hours. After that class, there was a two hour break before the last remaining class began. The last class was very different from the others. Celestia brought her students to her private library and she ask how their day off was and ask them about their family. Pastel told me that Celestia does this because she wants a bond between them...a family bond...she didn't want her students to fear her and just see her as their ruler. She wanted them to see her as a loving sister...

As we were returning to her home, Pastel and I was attack by a cloak figure. I was blasted away into the wall by the figures magic but Pastel was able to counter by blasting the figure with a fireball spell. I was freed and quickly charged at the figure as the unicorn tried to run away. I was able to cut the unicorn with my sword and part of the unicorn hood was slice off and I saw those eyes...those orange eyes with symbols within them...almost like hers...

I quickly recover from my shock as the symbol started to spin and soon black fire shot out. I quickly remember this deadly spell and I tried my best to dodge it. For the love of Luna, I was able to dodge the spell and watch as the black fire bolt turned everything in its path to ash. This spell...I remember seeing it before during the war. The front-line I was in was almost overwhelmed when the griffin 3rd battalions attack. From the reports, a unicorn cast the ban fire spell known as "Black Heaven Ashes" and completely wipes out the 3rd battalion. That day...it rained ashes. From the final reports, the unicorn died from casting the spell. A few days later, the war ended. Only those who fought in that battle, remember that day as the "Dark Rain event".

As I stood up, the unicorn was gone. Maybe the unicorn teleported or something but this pony was gone. I ran back where Pastel was and I was glad she was safe...but we learned from the royal guards that one of the students was killed before our attack. It seemed the student horn and eyes were removed and the body was covered in ashes...they couldn't find the student body guard.

Classes were cancelled and Celestia ordered more guards to her students as she searched for the killer. During this time, Pastel and I got to know each other. She grew up on a farm like me and wanted to become a artistes. Her art was amazing. She even showed me a picture of myself. It was when I was standing outside in the rain one day. She said I had an odd aura when painting the picture. "Your aura felt...lost and confuse..." she said to me and went on to say "...and torn between something..." I wanted to tell her my past but I black out for some reason.

I woke to find myself in the underground basement of the castle. I was tied up and chained to the wall. I soon saw Pastel chained to a medical table and knock out. I could see she was alright but before I could call out her name, he appeared from the shadows and removed his hood. It was a student from the school but something was wrong. His orange eyes were bleeding and his horn was cracking. I ordered why he was doing this and he said "To acquired the half breed greatest power!" and he started to walk over to the table and stroke Pastel horn and went on to say "Our magic is store within our horns but the half breeds are different! Their magic is stored within different body parts when their born. Within it, their magic enhances that body part!" he soon picks up a saw and turned to me and smiled "But the magic power is more affected within the eyes! I will become a half breed! The more magic horns I have! The more powerful my eyes will become!" I quickly tried to get free as he started to saw Pastel horn but I couldn't and watch as he removed Pastel horn. He took the horn and somehow infuses it into his eyes. His eyes, which had a circle with five spikes around it, became six and his eyes slowly turned dark orange but he started to scream in pain. "DAMN IT! I NEED HER EYES AS WELL LIKE THE OTHERS!" he screamed as he turned to her. Before he could remove her eyes, Celestia appeared from a bright flash and ordered him to stand down. He just laughs at her and said "I'LL SURPASS YOU MY DEAR TEACHER!" and he cast the "Black Heaven Ashes" spell but something happen. His horn blast apart and he slowly turned to ashes. Celestia cried as she watches him die. Sometimes I wonder to myself...did she let him die or she couldn't really save him?

After this event, Celestia fully let me free. Pastel was...well, I don't know what happen to her. I didn't want to see her after I failed to protect her. She hated me...I just know it...so I left without saying goodbye. Celestia never told me what these "half breed" was but she did told me that the stolen magic couldn't fuse with the unicorn own magic, which made an overload as he tried to cast the spell. She also told me that he needed Pastel eyes was because his vision was going bad. Even to the point of blindness. He was going to fuse Pastel eyes with his own...

I left the city and headed somewhere...I ended up in Cloudsdale. Well, in the streets of Cloudsdale....

Chain of Hearts: Spitfire

I was living on the streets of Cloudsdale after arriving there. I was in a deep depression after what happen with Pastel. I started to drink and steal. I was just trying to find my next meal, that's the only reason why I stole in the first place, Net. I was like this for three months…until one night.

I was sleeping in the city consume made park, when I woke from somepony cheering. I pop my head out from the bushes and saw two Pegasus cheering and hugging. The mare, who's fur was yellow and had a fire like mane and tail and wearing a black jacket with fire marks on the sleeves, was going on about being one of the finalist, while the colt, who's fur was sky blue and had a dark blue mane and tail, was saying stuff like "way a go!". I yawned and returned to my spot and tried to go to sleep. A few minutes later, I saw the blue Pegasus fly away. I turned and saw the yellow mare still jumping with joy. Whatever contest she was in, she was very happy about it. I was about to look away when I notice something.

A Pegasus in a dark trench coat appeared from the shadows and started to walk quietly over to her. I didn't do anything; I just lay there and watch. I didn't want to attack the coat figure yet. It might have been her friend or something. The coat Pegasus grabs her by the neck and quickly tried to drag her into a nearby bushes but he didn't go far. I dash out of my spot and quickly head butted him. He was force to let her go and quickly took out a knife. Since I didn't have my sword, I was force to use my hooves. "GO!" I yelled at the yellow mare. She flew off and the coat Pegasus soon attacks at me. Mind you, I was trained for these fights. I took my CQC stand and got ready for the swing or thrust from his knife. In a flash, I grab his arm and his knife. I quickly broke his arm by pounding my elbow into it and taking his knife and pointing it back at him. "BUCKING LEAVE!" I yelled at him with anger. He took off while holding his broken arm. I toss the knife away and was going to head back to my spot but the yellow mare landed in front of me. "Thanks dude!" she said as she smiled at me. I just waved her off and walk pass her but she grab my tail and said "Hay! Cool ya jets. My name is Spitfire." I turned to her and said my name to her. She wanted to thank me.

So, she took me to her place and I took a must needed shower and shave. She wanted me to stay as long as I want. I decline her kind offer but she didn't take a no for an answer. So I stayed. During my stay there, we became close…we started to date. I soon found out she was in the Wonderbolts, along with her colt friend I saw before, Soarin was his name. I soon started to coach her, since she was running for captain for the team. She was the best flyer I ever saw. Her flying skills were off the roof.

After practice, we sat under a tree and just talk. We talk until the sun set over the outer clouds. I told her that I was leaving but she surprises me. She knew I was leaving and said "Time changes like the wind…" she stared at the night sky and gave a weak smile "…blowing into another direction. A new event is waiting…" she turned to me and kiss me on the lips before saying "…your event isn't here right? Your searching for something or somepony?" I stood up and just stare off at the sea of clouds. I soon felt her jacket on me and her warm arms around me as she hugged me. "…something to remember me by…"

I soon left Cloudsdale a few days later. I came across a poster and was happy to see her as the team captain. She was right about my event. The wind was blowing at a direction…at ponyville…

Chain of Hearts: HopeStar

…living here, in Ponyville was like a dream. Everypony was kind to me when I moved here. I even dated the town's nurse, Redheart but it ended very quickly. Anyway, this dream of mine… I needed to wake up… and it finally happens one day.

A female earth pony came to my place and said she was looking for me. She told me…WindStar wanted to meet me… my mind was racing. Like was this pony telling the truth? If so, why was WindStar looking for me, when I wanted to… anyway, I left with the earth pony and we headed north.

As we traveled north, the more I wanted to kill WindStar… that was all I wanted to do to her… see her bleed from my blade and fall at my hooves. I didn't sleep or ate as we traveled to her location. I was a mess, as we arrived. We arrived at a cottage, which was located on top of a hill. It pretty much looks runs down as I stared at the place… my blood was boiling as the earth pony opened the door. I waited until she returned and order me to enter. Before I entered, a five year old Pegasus mare flew out the door and crash into me. …she had a black mane with a single red stripe in the middle of it. Her fur coat was light tan, like my coat…her eyes was orange…and they had kindness and happiness in them… she hover from the floor and took off to the somewhere. As I entered the cottage, with my sword drawn…I found her…she look like a stick…she was dying Net…

I couldn't bring myself to kill her. She looked so weak… the earth pony told me she was dying from over using her inner eyes. I was complete lost here but WindStar weakly stood up and explained to me everything… Net…WindStar is a very special breed of Pegasus known as the half breed or Innercorn. You see, it's impossible for alicorns to be born, right? Well, when a unicorn and Pegasus/earth pony have a foal together, it's a unicorn or a Pegasus/earth pony, right? Well, its and I mean it's very rare for the Pegasus/earth pony to be born with magic, since they don't have a horn, where their magic is stored. Well, when they come to age, their magic will appear and like that student unicorn said before, where that magic is stored, that body part will be enhanced. Well, WindStar eyes were where her magic is stored. Her vision was greatly enhanced and she could even foresee attacks…but it came with a price. It was draining her life force, since she doesn't have a horn to completely control her magic.

She then went on to explain how; our teacher was just training a army to kill Celestia. She was in the army and went to school under cover. Her mission was to find information to see if the rumors were true and then kill not only our teacher but everypony there as well…even me. She said she failed in her mission because…she fell in love with me. She told me, she explained this to me before, back when we made loved but she made me to forget…she even went on to explain that she was watching over me during my time in the war and it was her who caused the "Dark Rain" event. After the war, she left the army and wanted to live in peace but she couldn't…she was lost like me…then she told me the other reason, why she didn't kill me: "I wanted you to set me free…not just me but yourself as well…" she wanted to died by somepony who loved her, I guess…before I could say something, she used her remaining magic and give me her left eye. "…what you see from now on, I'll see as well…I'll always be at your…" that's all she said before she died. I just sat there and my heart was filled with…anger and hate toward her…she left me…no, she us in this prison of the void. I wanted to be free but she took that from me and herself…

"MOMMY!" she screamed as she flew pass me and landed near WindStar. It was the filly from before. The earth pony told me, that WindStar never left the cottage after the war and she never dated nopony during the war…

Net, that filly is my daughter. Her name is HopeStar. As she turned to me, I saw it. Her eyes…they lost its kindness and peace…only anger and hate remains…as her orange eyes became red and her inner eyes appeared. She becoming like me. I needed to save her from the path I took. I told her to find me after becoming strong.

Net, if you're reading this then she found me and she going to set herself and me free…I love you, Net. Take care of our little princess…tell her that her daddy loves her very much.

Chain of Hearts: Becoming Free

"Each passing second, my heart beats for you
Waiting for the chains that bind us together to be slash
Waiting for you here, waiting for our final clash"

It was raining today, as I headed to the outskirt of Ponyville. The weather team did an awesome job with the down pour today. Nopony was out during this time, since it was also night time. So, nopony saw me carrying my sword in my mouth, since weapons aren't allowed to be unsheathe in public.

It only took me a while before I arrived to the hilltop. That's where I found her. Maybe my eye was playing games with me but I thought I saw WindStar as she stood there in the rain…but it was HopeStar as she turned to me…with those red eyes…

She quickly drew her sword and dash toward me with great speed. I was able to block it with my sword but we were face to face now. "I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" she screamed as her inner eyes started to spin. I quickly broke our clash and dodge coming magic spell, I knew too well.

"Each night as I stay awake, I pray for freedom
My heart is burning with flames as our bond still grows
My eyes are crying red as anger fills them and makes them glow"

I look down from the sky, where I escape too and saw half of the hilltop burning with black flames. I was amazed and scared that she was able to learn the "Black Heaven Ashes" and reuse it very quickly as she shot the spell at me again. I was able to dodge it once more but something was different about the fire, as it soar pass me. It smelled like…blood? I turned and was shock to see it wasn't the same spell but the "Blood Cage" spell. Before I could do anything, the blood made a u-turned and covered my body.
She watched as I fell to the burned ground, since the spell made my body feel five times heavier. As I tried to rise from the ground, I watch as she stomp the ground and summoned a rock pillar. "This is for killing my mom, you monster!" she cried as the pillar fell toward me.

"Daddy!"

I heard her voice as I closed my eyes. Her voice turned my black mind into a white void.

"Why are you doing this?" her voice said as her body took form in front of me "Why?"

"I WANT TO BE FREE! STARRUNNER!" I shouted to her as my right eye started to hurt "I'm been…"

"Mom is right about you, daddy. You are dumb sometimes." She said as she sighs and continued to speak "How are you lost? You hate living with mommy and I?"

"What! NO!!" I quickly yelled as my eye filled with tears "Never! You two are my world…I love you both so much…"

"Then did you felt lost when falling in love with mommy?"

"…"

"Or hearing from her that she was carrying me?"

"…"

"Or holding me in your arms after I was born?" she said as she started to cry and was getting older "Don't die daddy, I want you around after I get knock up…"

"WHAT!" I screamed with anger as I flew in front of her but my anger faded as I saw her giggling and smiling.

"You can't take a joke, can't ya."

…she…she was like Net. She had that warm smile and…humor…

"…Don't die…" she whispered to me as she hugged me "…Don't let this cycle go on."

"…but…"

"…I don't want to become lost…." She said as she started to fade away and the rock pillar returned "…like my big sister…"

I quickly stood up and opened my bad eye as the pillar crush me. Those words made me use WindStar gift…I used the gala wall spell as WindStar innereye was active.

"Deep within my heart, there rusted out chains
Even deeper within my heart is that forgotten bond
That lone chain that's still in the beyond"

I watch as HopeStar started to cry and screamed at me how I dare to use WindStar eye. She took off at me as she used her sword but I quickly dodge it as time slowed down and I punch her away. As she felled, I used a healing spell and removed the "blood cage" from my body but as soon as I healed, HopeStar tackle into me and dragged me to the air.
As we soared into the sky, thunder started to flash near us as we went deeper into the storm.

"After I kill you, I'm taking what you took from her!" she cried as her eyes started to bleed. I couldn't believe it. I just couldn't believe it. She acquired the outer eyes. A more powerful version of the inner eyes but to reach this level is unheard of. Her symbol for the inner eyes faded and was replaced with her cutie mark.

"Five Element Dragons of Outer Heaven!" she spoke as five dragons, each made of wind, lighting, water, earth and fire, surround us as they appeared from the clouds. They fuse with us as HopeStar did a u-turned and we soar back to the earth. As we soar to the earth, I saw a Sonic Rainboom circle and I knew with this magic spell and the force we're going, we wouldn't….no, I stop myself from thinking that and I knew there was one way out.
As we slam into the earth, we created a large crater and I stood up with my inner eye bleeding. I active WindStar outer eye in time but in doing so, it quickly drained my strength. As I fell on my plot, I could see a blue flash among the smoke. In seconds, I saw a blade covered with lighting, coming toward me and with my last strength, I was able to dodge it but as it pass me, I saw it was my sword and HopeStar wasn't holding it but instead she must of toss it.

…then I felt a sharp pain in my chest. Soon, it felt warmed as something drip over it. I slowly look down and saw her blade through my chest. I turned around and saw her smile and those red glowing eyes…

"RAYNOR!"

HopeStar and I turned to see Netrunner. I started to black out as she said something to us. Before I know it, I heard "daddy?" from Hope as she laid me down and her eyes returned to her inner eyes.

"…I wanted freedom…I wanted you to be free as well but I was a fool. I kept this cycle going and took your freedom away, while I was too blinded to see I was always free…" I told her as everything started to turn black "…and not lost…"

"Beyond of the darkness of the void and trapped in the light
Only Hope remains for our hearts. Chains of Hearts"

Chain of Hearts: Second Chance

I returned. I remember this place. This dark void as I stood in front of that door with Celestia and Luna on it. Just like before, I could see creatures with dark red eyes, as these creatures surround me and started to whisper to me. Sadly, I couldn't understand them.

The door in front of me started to glow as I need to open it as I started to walk to it…but the creatures started to grab me and hold me down but I kept on. These creatures' hands burned into me and I could smell the burning of my skin. So much pain…

"YOU BELONG HERE!"

"WITH US!"

"FOREVER!"

Growled the creatures as they started to bite me and cut me. The pain was too much for me…I was so close to the door but I gave in and lower my hoof. The creatures soon started to pile on top of me and I felt my body being torn apart…

"…I'm here…" called out voice…a voice I remember so well.

Before long, a strong gust of wind blasted away the creatures and I could see who saved me…it was her…WindStar…

"It's not your time yet Raynor." She spoke as she hover over me "Get up now!"

"Why should I?" I answered her "I should stay here….for my sins…"

"But your daughters…" she landed next to me and stared into my eye "Remember what I told you, so long ago?"

Before I could answer her, she opened the closed eye, which was the eye that she gave me before dying. I was shock as my closed eye opened and visions flooded my very mind…

I watched as HopeStar was born and was bought to me, who I was looking through WindStar eyes. Before long, I was watching as Hope started to walk but quickly fell and started to cry. WindStar came over to her and stroke her head and soon Hope stop crying and look at Wind…or me….or both of us. That smile…there was so much love, love that I never got from her, only hate.

Soon, I found myself with WindStar again but I was standing now…and crying.

"Please Raynor, I beg of you…" she whispered as tears fell down her cheeks "…bring back Hope's smile again…not for me but for her. Don't let her drop into this void of being…"

"She wouldn't…" I spoke as I cut her off "I swear WindStar!"

I turned around and watched as the door opened up and blinded me with a flash of light.

***

I opened my eyes and I could hear beeping noise. I turned my head and saw a heart monitor and other machines as I realize I was hook up to them. As I raised my hoof, to remove the wires from my body, I found something on it. It was Hope, as she rested her head on my arm and fast asleep.

"….daddy…" she whispered in her sleep as a tear fell from her eyes.

Chain of Hearts: That Rusted out Chain

She looked so peaceful there…my daughter. I took my free hoof and I stroked her black mane as my eyes started to fill up with tears.

“Why?” that was the only thing that went through my mind as I stared at her. I couldn’t understand why she was at my side. I remember Net was at the site and she yelled something and Hope…

*Click*

“Huh?”

“YOU IDIOT!”

*smack*

It happened so fast, I couldn’t react in time as she hit me on the head with I believe was a take-out box. Standing at the doorway was Net…and she looked pretty angry but yet, she looked sad as well.

“What? What’s going on?” Yawned Hope as she got up and rubbed her sleepy eyes.

Before I could say something, Net pretty much tackled hug me and started to kiss me over and over again while how she said she’ll going to kill me after she stop. As I was trying to keep her going on (Dear Luna, don’t make her stop), I noticed Hope heading to the door and I called out to her. Net stop (thankfully she didn’t start to hit me) and turned to Hope and call her name as well. Hope just stood there. It felt like hours before she turned to me.

“…When I was little, mom told me that my dad was dead…and she blamed herself for that.” She looked away and I believe she started to cry as she went on “Every time I stared into her eyes, I saw nothing but sadness…she never smiled…if she did, it was a fake smile…”

I looked down in sadness as I started to understand where she was going with this, while Net was trying to put this together.

“…I hated you for killing my mother but after what your wife told me, you didn’t kill her but I still…”

“Hate me…” I said as I cut her off “For taking away WindStar AND your happiness, right?”

She didn’t say anything, nothing at all. That was her answer to me. WindStar wanted me to bring back Hope’s happiness again…to make her smile once more but how can I? There no bond to between us just that rusted out chain that still connects us. So rusted, that nothing can cross it…

“Mommy, I got the snacks thanks to Miss Redheart.”

“Starrunner?” Net and I said as we heard her voice in the doorway.

She couldn’t see us since Hope was in the way but I could hear something like a bag hitting the ground.

“…he’s awake…” said Hope as she step out of the way “Go see-“

Before she could finish her sentence, Starrunner bolted into the room and stared at me as she flew in front of my bed. I could see tears forming in her eyes as she took her long scarf and started to play with it. Ever since I made that scarf for her, she will always wear it, even in the summer but Net and I started to notice that when she gets emotional over something, she will start to play with the scarf.

“Hey sweetie…” I whispered as I stretch my arms open for a hug “Come here and give daddy a big hug.”

“Daddy…” she quietly said as she notice my bandages on my chest “…wouldn’t it hurt if I hugged you?”

“…”

I pulled off the wires, which I was hook up too and got of bed and walk over to her and hugged her.

“Hugging you will never hurt me, silly.”

I soon felt her small hooves as they warp around me and her tears as her dug into my shoulder. I was happy she loved me but…I look up and saw Hope looking away. She was trying not to look. So, I broke my hug with Star and walked over to Hope.

“…I’m…”

“If you’re asking forgiveness, then don’t hold your breath!” she snaps at me.

I was going to try it. I was going to try to cross that rusted chain and into her heart. I was going to end this. This cycle that kept us in this limo of being lost.

“I’ll never ask you to forgive me. I don’t even dare earn your forgiveness after what I took away from you. I made you suffer and force you to walk that path. The same path I took so long ago.” I turned to Net and Star and I smiled as I went on “I always thought I was still on that path, even after having a family but I was wrong. They saved me from that faith of being forever lost, filled with regret and anger…” I turned to her once more “HopeStar…my dau-“

“DON’T YOU CALL ME THAT!” she screamed as she faces me. Her eyes were filled with pain…so much pain.

“…Our daughter…” I said as my right eye started to cry blood “Please let me save you. Let me love you like a real father will do…you believe I wasn't there for you when you was little…like seeing you walk for the first time or seeing you fly…but your mother, Luna bless her soul, she showed me. The eye she gave me.” I place my hoof on her head and brought my forehead to hers and I went on “What you see from now on, I’ll see as well…I’ll always be at your…side. Hope, I’m not crying right now with the outereye…it’s your mother. She doesn’t want to see you like this…”

“…how can I believe you?” she quickly answered.

“…Because I’m here, honey…” Wind said in her own voice, through me “…I’ll always…” her voice started to fade as my right eye started to close “Be here, at your father side…” with that, her voice was gone and my eye was closed again.

The room was quiet for a few seconds before Hope spoke again “…don’t call me your daughter…” I was sadden by this but she went on to say “…not yet. After we get to know each other better…daddy…” she smiled as she hugged me.

That rusted out chain that connected us. Connected to our hearts, was going to be repaired and form into a better bond.

“YAY!” cheered Star as she hops onto my head “I HAVE A BIG SISTER NOW!”

Net gave a smile as she turned to the window and saw the sun setting over the town. Night was coming and soon the new day as well, a new day with our new family.

The end

Epilogue

“So I was out for eight days?” I said as I sat in a wheel chair that the clinic gave me, since it was a rule that every patient needed to leave the clinic in a wheelchair.

“Eeyup.” said Net as she pushed me with her magic “The blade miss your spine by a few inches and thanks to Miss Sparkle, she was able to heal you up faster.”

I rubbed my chest and watch as Star and Hope, who was walking in front of me, was trying to talk. Star just played with her scarf while talking, while Hope just simply nodded or say yes. Couldn’t hear what Star was asking her, since she was talking a mile a minute.

“Do you still want her to read the word doc you left behind?” ask Net.

I quickly remembered about them and said “Yes. She has a right know. Not now of course but when she’s older.”

“Fine, I’ll save the doc but you got to teach her about the “flowers and the bees”, mister!” laugh Net.

I kind of stink back into the chair and sighed. I wasn’t looking forward to that…

I didn’t notice as Net came over to me and whispered to my ear as she said “You can tell her how daddy made love to mommy for the very first time and how daddy came right away…”

“BUCK NO!” I quickly yelled as I blush so hard “AND I DIDN’T COME RIGHT AWAY!”

“Come? What daddy?” ask Star as she started to play with her scarf “Why are your wings up?”

“…”

Net and Hope looked on and laugh, while I tried to think of a lie for what I yelled out.

“Damn you Net!” I screamed in my mind as Star kept asking questions…

Thankfully, Star was able to off the topic as we got outside. It was snowing and she started to jump around the place. After winter, she’ll be old enough to join in the winter wrap up event. This also marks the first ever winter wrap up with Star AND Hope. Now that’s what I’m looking forward too.