Disjointed images flashed through my mind. A raised fist, shattered glass. Fire, burning deep and red.

I saw countless bodies, piling up to a never ending sky, the burnt desert seared by the hot sun. I saw a man, broken and bloodied, screaming his rage for the world to hear.

Smashed shields, bent swords, a field of bodies, growing and twisting into a gruesome mockery of a farm. Vision tinged red, I turned from the sight, bile flowing from my now open mouth.

I saw It then. The impossible thing. It was and was not. A formless being of uncountable possibilities. In but a flash It was gone, the image along with it, leaving only the echo of a memory. I cried, tears flowing into a river, a river tinged red with the blood of millions.

Gazing at the gory sight, I saw glinting, gleaming weapons lining the river, forever defending the border. Men. Marching. They walked into the river, unflinching, faceless, even as the sharp metal stripped the flesh from their bones and the current dragged the corpses in front of them away and out of sight.

I tried to stop them, crying out in anguish, but my pleas went unheard and deadened, my feet sinking into the ground. I saw It again, rushing off into the distance. I followed, rage fueling my broken and useless limbs, pushing them past their endurance. I was flying, chasing towards It, when suddenly It turned I saw It’s face, leering and grinning in impossible glory.

I turned, desperately trying to escape, but it was no use, It’s jaws clamped around me, and I fell, deep into an unknown abyss. I lay there, watching as countless more bodies piled around me, suffocating me, until I could last no longer.

I awoke in a panic, my eyes rolling around the dimly lit room. I heard a frantic beeping as if from afar, taking in minor details. White-green walls, artificial ceiling, bed. Too-small. A shape, nearly out of my vision, off to my right.

I tried to turn to face it, but found that I couldn’t. Panic rose inside of me as I realized I couldn’t even feel my own body. Some distant, semi-logical portion of my brain let slip that I should be in immense pain right now. So why couldn’t I feel anything.

I couldn’t move. I couldn’t feel. All I could do is look around the room and breathe heavily, the only noticeable outside stimuli to my panic the frantic beeps of some infernal machine. I couldn’t even feel the air in my lungs, merely hear my breath, ragged and heavy.

Fuck! HELP! FUCKING FUCK! GODS, ANYONE HELP! I screamed into my mind. I tried to do something, anything. Even a turn of the head, but I couldn’t. My body was deadweight, and I was trapped inside.

Time was immeasurable, the complete lack of tactile sensation driving me insane. At some point, shapes poured into the room, my panic-fueled mind too busy to try to determine what they were. I heard strange noises, sounds I should recognize, and finally one word. “Sedative.”

Then blackness.

When I next awoke, I did so feeling a presence nearby. My eyes shot open once more, my hand jerking against something as instincts attempted to protect me. Pain blossomed in my right arm as I did so, and I groaned, eyes screwing shut with pain.

I was lying in a bed, dim memories remind me about something. Something important. Something about the regular beeps nearby? I opened my eyes again, looking around. I saw a whitish-green walled room, with ceiling tiles. Around me sat various pieces of equipment, and off to my right sat another bed, also surrounded by various pieces of equipment. Between the beds sat three shapes. Purple, green, and blue.

Those colors… My mind thought, trying to piece itself together. Why are they familiar?

“He’s awake! Richards awake!” I heard a familiar voice say, though I couldn’t pin down who exactly it belonged to. The green shape turned and engulfed me, holding tight to my chest.

The bastard held on tight, his bear hug causing my ribs to creak as his ‘friend’ attempted to brain me with the bat.

I grunted, trying to escape, as pain exploded from my chest. I couldn’t give in. Had to survive. I felt my pulse quicken, a set of beeps rising in rapidity.

Struggling out of the grasp in the nick of time, I turned, my blade digging deep into his skin as a crimson fountain bathed my hand.

I felt the pain lessen as whatever held me let go.

“Sorry! Sorry. I just… the doctors said…” I was struggling, trying to piece together what had happened. That voice… Soothing… like listening to some haunting melody….

MELODY! My brain finally brought forth an answer, putting a name to the familiar face that hung over me. I smiled as best I could, trying to recall exactly what had happened recently.

“It’s good to see you awake. We’ve been worried sick about you.” Melody said, her hoof caressing my cheek.

Looking around, I spotted Twilight and Sunny standing next to the other bed. On it sat a similar form, looking over at me with his head encased in bandages. I looked down at myself, finally noticing my own condition. I was in a similar state as Max, casts surrounding me, from my left leg up to my right arm.

Thankfully, I had full articulation of my fingers, and the toes on my right foot. Still hurt to move, though I felt no grating bones. Small thanks.

I looked over towards the ponies, who were looking between Max and I. Grunting, I nodded at Max, before turning to Twilight. I tried to sign out a message, but with only the use of my left arm and right leg I couldn’t easily make the necessary noises. Plus moving my arm more than a few inches sent a stabbing pain though my shoulder.

I huffed, trying to get my message across.

“Uh, You alright Richard?” Twilight asked. Yup. Just sitting here covered in casts because I thought it would be fun. I snarked in my head.

Physically, I rolled my eyes before looking pointedly at my hand, wriggling my fingers.

“Do you want something?” That was Sunny. Looking away from Max for a moment. I rolled my eyes again, nodding as best I could with the neckbrace on.

“Water?” There’s Melody again. I shook my head slightly, wincing as my neck ached. Though water would be nice… I thought. This time I made as if gripping something.

“Coffee?” Melody beat the others in response this time. As much as I would, I doubt it would help me very much right now. I shook my head.

“Some sort of utensil?” Twilight asked after collaborating with the other ponies. I nodded, the ponies giving a confused look around.

“Fork?” Melody asked. Try again.

“Spoon?” Twilight said. Not very useful right now.

“Spork?” There’s Sunny again. Strike three, you’re all out. And in the wrong ballpark to boot.

I heard a laugh from Max. At least he understood what I wanted.

+Wr…ite…+ He tapped out, laboriously. Actually had to do it twice for Twilight to catch it.

“Oohhh!” She said, facehoofing. “That makes a lot more sense. Umm...” The ponies looked around the room before a whiteboard and marker floated over to me. On it was written the nurse of the day, and other information, none of it immediately important.

I grabbed the marker with my left hand, letting the whiteboard float in twilight’s magic. Using my hand, and wincing at the pain in my shoulder, I wiped the board clean-ish before starting to write.

+How long?+

“What?” Twilight asked, looking at the board. I grunted in mild annoyance.

+How long was I out?+

“Umm…” Twilight said, biting her lower lip.

Melody and Sunny looked similarly abashed, muzzles scrunching a bit. I pointed at the sign in frustration.

“Three days.” Came the whispered response. I couldn’t tell who said it. There was a pregnant pause.

“You were almost comatose. Same with Max. Though he woke up yesterday.” Twilight finally said.

+What’s the damage?+ I asked, wiping away my previous message.

“Bad. You managed to puncture a lung with your ribs, not to mention the lacerations and contusions.” Twilight said

“They almost lost the both of you numerous times.” Melody said, small tears visible in her eyes. “The sheer amount of magic they poured into you…” She trailed off.

+Expected recovery?+ I pushed back dark thoughts about what could have happened. Siphoning it away so I could deal with them later.

“The doctors said if you woke up you’d be out in a week or so, full recovery in two to three weeks after that.” Twilight said.

I stared at her for a moment, kind of blankly.

+What, Really?+ I wrote on the board.

“Yeah.” Twilight said despondently “If they didn’t have to push so much magic in you early on, then it would have been shorter. If only we had found you faster…”

+Twilight, with what I’ve had I would be in here for months back home. How’s max.

“He’ll be out of the hospital just before you. Assuming everything runs smoothly. His injuries were less severe, yet far more numerous.” Melody answered that one. Max gave me a pained thumbs up as she said so.

+That’s good.+ I wrote, absentmindedly chewing my tongue as I thought.

Pain burst through my jaw as the bastard haymakered me. I tasted blood and saw stars for a moment. Spitting out a globule of blood, I realized I had bitten my tongue. He’ll pay for that

I shook my head, dispelling the vision. My heart picked up a pace.

“You alright?” Melody asked, a concerned note in her voice. I nodded and smiled. Turns out it’s easier to lie if you can’t talk. I remembered what happened in bits and pieces, pushing as many of the unpleasant memories I had to the back of my mind.

+I’m sc fine.+ I wrote in answer, scribbling out a mistake.

We spent almost an hour after that just ‘talking.’ Max would chime in occasionally with a signed phrase. We passed the board to him sometimes as well so he had a chance for better communication. After a while, however, Max drifted off to sleep. I could feel my eyes getting leaden as well, the small ‘talk’ had worn us both out. Noticing this, Twilight and Melody turned to leave, bringing promises of returning tomorrow.

I laid my hand on Twilight’s withers as she turned to leave.

“Richard?” She asked.

I picked up the marker again and wrote on the board.

+Twilight, I need to talk to you about something…+

It had been a few days since I had woken up, and both Max and I were feeling much better. I was uncertain whether it was the painkillers or the healing magic of ponies, but either way, it was definitely made life easier for the both of us. Every day, sometimes even twice a day, a nurse would come in and change our bandages, excluding the casts.

The neckbrace and head cast had been removed this morning, apparently the magic they poured in healed my skull and neck at a far accelerated rate, but my legs, arms, and ribs were still broken. Something about the magic tolerance forcing them to focus on the severe injuries, leaving very little for the less dangerous ones.

Which amounted to Max being able to hobble to the bathroom while I was stuck with the bedpans. And help wiping my own ass. Needless to say, I was not the happiest of campers at that, though I knew it was necessary. Thankfully, I could write and sign far more effectively, though it was little comfort.

The nightmares didn’t help much either.

Twilight had returned on my second conscious day to inform me she could not help me with what I wanted, something to do with her station being not quite high enough, which confused the hell out of me. However she said that she still had some avenues of research to look through, but it would be a while.

I was upset at the time it was taking, but I hid it. Intellectually, I knew it would take time, especially for the ruler(s) of an entire country, to decide on what amounted to a petty issue, but I couldn’t help how I felt. Twilight, seeming to have sensed my displeasure, decided to bring her friends in to truly meet Max and I, and to hopefully cheer us up.

“So you’re saying that the big guy and… well, the other big guy… were put in a pit and forced to fight to the death?” Rainbow Dash asked, a mix of awe, pity, and incredulousness edging into her voice.

“Yes.” Twilight said.

“Not cool!” Rainbow said. No. No it wasn’t.

“How Ghastly!” That’s Rarity. Good to see concern for a thing.

“Oh my.” There’s Fluttershy. My thoughts exactly.

Pinkie merely lost a bit of her smile, while Applejack removed her hat, an odd look in her eyes. Sunny was off in the corner trying to imitate Fluttershy and disappear, while Dr. Song was all the way back at Ponyville Veterinary, working. She didn’t quite have enough vacation saved up to visit me for the whole week, so she usually came by after work.

“Twilight, dear, I feel sympathy for you, and your… pet, but was it really necessary to bring us all down to visit them?”

“Well, you see… There’s kind of a bit of a secret I’ve been keeping from you…” Twilight said, rolling her hoof.

“I knew it!” Pinkie interrupted, jumping in front of Twilight. Somehow she had acquired a magnifying glass and a slueth’s hat. “I knew something was fishy the moment I saw ‘em! It all adds up. The visit from Melody, the ‘human get-togethers.’ Even the strange fake apple and restraints in your basement.”

Twilight started blushing, as did many of the ponies, and Max, at the implication. “..but, I… It’s for research!” Twilight protested.

“I know! You’ve been very busy, and very naughty Twilight…. For I know you’ve been researching…” Everyone in the room held their breath, while Twilight had sweat pouring down her muzzle. “…My Cupcakes!”

What?

“What?”

“What in tarnation?”

“Huh?”

“Dear me.”

“That’s a priv… huwhat?”

“That’s right. You’ve been using the humans as cover and occasional subjects as you try to determine exactly what it is about my cupcakes that makes them so delicious! If you wanted to know you should have just asked!”

…

The whole room just stared at Pinkie, looks ranging from confused to concerned. For a moment, Twilight seemed relieved, until I blinked and I saw confusion take over.

“No, Pinkie.” Twilight said carefully. “I have not been experimenting on your cupcakes.”

“Oh.” Pinkie said, seeming to deflate a little. “Then what is the secret?”

“It’s not really my place to tell it…” Twilight said, looking at Max. I took the opportunity, picking up my notepad and pencil that Twilight had brought in recently. In my peripherals, I saw Max mirroring me.

+It’s MY secret. And Max’s.+ I wrote out, holding it up.

+Yeah. We’re kinda… smart.+ Max added.

Silence greeted the room as the ponies looked at eachother, strained smiles on their faces. Their expressions were mixtures of shock, disbelief and some third, unknown emotion that neither Max nor I could place.

Max and I looked at eachother, shrugging respectively, before turning back to the group in front of us. Applejack looked like she was about to say something, then thought better of it. Fluttershy seemed to be contemplating either running away from or towards us. Rainbow… actually, Rainbow seemed to grow a strange mischevious glint in her eye. Pinkie appeared broken, while Rarity was the only one who had any form of certainty in her bearing.

“Darling, while it’s lovely that you taught these… things… to do simple parlor tricks, I still do not see the point of us being here.”

+Parlor tricks, she says…+ I wrote out.

+Rarity, I swear this isn’t fake.+ Was Max’s response.

“…” Rarity seemed to be at a loss from words, if the decreasing distance from her jaw to the ground was any indication.

“Girls?” Twilight asked, somewhat fearfully.

“That. Is. SO. AWESOME!” Rainbow shouted, rushing forward towards Max, bombarding him with questions. “How long have you been smart! Like the whole time? ‘Cause then while we were wrestling and all that, you would have been… which means that! I was actually winning aga…”

I tuned her out quickly, turning back to the other ponies in the room. Fluttershy seemed to be trying to fold into herself, her face and most of her body now hidden by her mane. Rarity was still shocked, and Pinkie now appeared like she was trying not to explode.

*BANG**BANG*
“THIS IS THE MOSTWONDERFULTASTIC THING TO EVER HAPPEN!” Pinkie shouted after having exploded with confetti. Twice. “NOTONLYDOIGETTOTHROWYOUWELCOMETOPONYVILLEPARTIES, which, admittedly I should have done before, BUTNOWIGETTOTHROWCONGRATSONBEINGSMARTHUMANSPARTIES!” She turned and disappeared in a puff of Pinkie-shaped dust

My ears… I thought, the sentiment seemingly shared with the other occupants of the room. Rainbow had stopped assaulting Max with questions while Pinkie’s explosive outburst jarred the rest of the ponies to action. Fluttershy dove under a chair that was far too small to conceal her, Twilight summoned a pair of glowing earplugs for herself, Rarity stopped her impersonation of a fish, and Applejack seemed to have finally figured out what she wanted to say.

“Darlings I… Have to take my leave.” Rarity said, almost sprinting out of the room, while Applejack approached Max and I.

She looked us up and down, one after another, ignoring the rainbow-colored gnat that was chewing off Max’s ear. Then she nodded, seemingly satisfied. “I suppose I shoulda seen something like this. Both of you were definitely… queer… compared to the rest of the humans…”

Max nodded. I merely rolled my eyes.

“Well… I better go make sure Pinkie doesn’t tear down the town in her excitement. I need some time to… process… all of this anyways.” She finished, turning on her heel and walking out of the room, chewing her cheek.

After a while, the rest of the girls made their excuses, once most of the questions were answered. Fluttershy stayed the longest, talking mostly to Max and asking him some surprisingly poignant questions.

For the rest of our time in the hospital, the girls would come visit every now and again along with Melody and Twilight. Rarity hadn’t set foot outside her boutique, apparently the whole ordeal having destroyed her perception of reality.

Pinkie, the most worryingly of all had only been spotted a handful of times, and each time had been acting normal. The sight of which caused several ponies to faint. At least, if Rainbow Dash is to be believed.

I spent the time when we had no visitors reading up on equestrian law or sleeping. By the end of the first week, I too was mobile, though only just. Made going to the restroom far easier than it normally would. Although I did ask the doctors at one point why the never freaked out about the whole thing like the girls did. Dr. Stable, who seemed to be our primary physician, merely shrugged and gave a non-committal answer of having seen worse.

Finally, the day before we were due to leave, Twilight came up to me.

“Richard, Max? I got you both a get well present.” She said, a small grin on her face. Floating in her magic were two waxed cylinders, each recognizable as basically scroll envelopes. With a bit of eagerness, I practically tore mine out of Twilight’s magical field, opening the tube and pulling out the scroll to read it. Max took his as well, curiosity on his face.

As he read his, his face darkened, while a smile grew on mine.

+I thought we agreed to keep this a secret! It’s bad enough the girls know, now the world does too?+ he signed angrily.

+World? No. Well… if they dig through the records I suppose. But no, this was not some big media hurrah. Merely something to give us the freedom and protection we need. Now, if I defend myself, I will no longer be the one they try to kill. Same with you. We can fight back fully backed by the law!+ I responded, the lengthy statement causing me to drop my scroll.

LET IT BE KNOWN that by the twin powers granted to Us by the Heavenly Bodies, We, Princess Celestia Dawnbringer and Princess Luna Shadowpainter do hereby proclaim that Richard of the United States a Citizen of the Sovereign Land of Equestria, with all due rights, liberties, and responsibilities that are entailed. Henceforth, the assigned being shall be held to the same standards of Peace, Harmony, and Unity as expected of all Citizens, and shall be judged by the same light as are all Citizens.

Signed,

Princess Celestia
Princess Luna

Witnessed,

Princess Twilight Sparkle.

Author's Notes:

See my blog for a reasoning behind the delay.