Screams echo from the town as everyone but me and Storm Cloud run out the door. I start, but stop when I remember the force field - as I reach the doorway.

"WHOA, close one. Hey, let me out!" I shout, but I’m unable to gain anyone’s attention. I look out and see massive beasts running through the town square. They’re a little less than two meters tall, and bulky - they look to weigh at least four-thousand kilograms, and are built thick. They walk on four skinny legs that end in hooves, have skinny tails, and have two horns that curve forward. I look to Storm Cloud and ask, "What are they?"

He walks to the door and takes a look outside before saying, "They're cows and a couple of bulls - the big ones." I look back out to see the bulls. They’re roughly the same size as the cows, but are far more muscular. They also have larger horns, and seem to relish in destroying anything in their path. I look back to Storm Cloud, and see him casually walking back to his seat.

"What the fuck are you doing?!"

"My orders are to watch over you and keep you from getting into trouble."

"Seriously?! The town is being destroyed, and you’re going to sit there?!"

"I have my orders."

"Fuck your orders! Get your ass out there and help, dammit!" He turns and drops his ass into his seat, staring at me with the same, even stare as always. Fuck, this guy’s a dick! I turn my back to him and look back outside. The cows and bulls are rampaging through town: carts are being destroyed, houses are having walls damaged, and ponies are running around, trying to find cover that won't be easily destroyed - I've had enough. I turn and walk back to the stairs. Before I reach them, I look at Storm Cloud and flip him off. He just raises an eyebrow in response.

I run up the stairs and look for a way out. I try the windows, but they don’t work. I could just blow a hole in the wall, but that would probably piss Twilight off. I walk up to the third story and look around. A balcony... well, it's worth a shot. I walk to the balcony door and swing it open. I take slow, even steps out, and prepare to be thrown back. When I reach the railing, I take one look back. No stopping now. I leap off the railing, and realize I'm an idiot.

I hit the ground hard and roll forward. When I stop, I take a moment to check myself. Fuck yeah! No broken bones. I'm one lucky dumbass. I stand up and take in my surroundings. Bulls and cows are running in every direction, causing chaos all over the town. Twilight and her friends are down the road a bit, talking in a circle. I run down to see what they’re planning.

"... and from there, we'll corral ‘em up and send ‘em home. Got it?" says Applejack to the group, getting nods from everyone.

"Where do you need me?" I ask, getting wild looks.

"Miles! How did you get out here?! I thought Princess Luna put a spell around the library so that you wouldn't be able to escape!" Twilight says as she glances back to her home.

"Well, if she did, she missed a spot. But that doesn't matter right now. Right now, we need to get the town under control. I'm here to-"

WHAM!

A bull rams directly into my side and sends me flying into a nearby house. As I get back up, I notice the same bull charging straight for me again. I quickly dodge-roll to the right, evading his attack and sending him right into the house, making a massive hole. I get up and ready myself for him to charge again. After a few seconds, he climbs out of the hole and locks eyes with me. He gives a couple of snorts before charging straight for me again. I slowly step back and wait for the right moment. When he drops his head to ram me, I jump up and plant a foot on his head. Pushing up and using the force of his rearing head, I jump clear over him and land back in my original spot. I turn back to face him, and get an idea - a dumb one, but an idea nonetheless.

"Miles, get him ta’ follow ya this way!" yells Applejack from down the street. I can see they have a rope lying on the ground, ready to act as a tripwire. Her plan is better, so I nod to Applejack and turn my attention back to the bull. He's standing with his head down, glaring at me. He digs at the ground a couple of times with his left foreleg before charging me once again. This time, I run down the road towards the trap. He follows, quickly gaining on me.

I look between the rope and the bull and realize that he'll get me before we reach the rope. Well, back to plan A. I slow down, letting him gain on me even faster. Once I'm within ramming distance, I stop and quickly hop as high as possible. I spread my legs apart and fall straight onto his back - and right onto my balls. I grab his horns and hold on for dear life. My brain is telling me to start my plan, while the pain in my groin is telling me that I'm an idiot and I'll never have kids. I listen to the former of the two, and begin punching his windpipe with my right hand while holding on with my left. After a few blows, he stops running and begins throwing himself around in an attempt to get me off his back. I grab onto whatever I can get a hold of. After what feels like an eternity, he starts slowing down. His breathing is becoming more labored, and he's starting to foam a little at the mouth. I take advantage of this by beating his windpipe with my right fist again. With every punch, I can feel his breathing become more and more labored. After a few more he collapses, leaving me standing over him.

"Yeah...! *pant* How the fuck ‘ya like me now..." - I say as I step to his side, panting heavily - "...bitch? Got nothin’... on this...!" I grab my balls as I collapse on top of myself. Fucking fuck in the fuck! This is more painful than anything I've ever felt before! And I've had Fidus punch me down there before. After a few minutes of nursing my groin, I bring my head up and look around. All the cows and bulls have stopped running and are staring at me with fear all over their faces. From in the crowd, I can hear Applejack and Twilight trying to make their way to me. When I finally am able, I stand up and look back to the crowd.

"I think you all should go home." Twilight tells the cows. Without a second thought, they all file down the road and leave as quickly as possible. Once the dust settles, the only occupants of the road are the girls, myself, and the unconscious bull. Everyone regroups around me.

"Oh my gosh! Miles, are you OK?!" Twilight says as she runs up to me. I look down at my left side where I was hit: a massive black-and-blue bruise has taken over. I feel up the side and find a couple of the ribs broken.

"Heh, I think I'll be fine-"

"Fine?!" Twilight yells, "That bull nearly killed you! We're going to the hospital, right now!"

"Yeah... I don't think I could fight you even if I wanted to. Lead the way." We begin walking away, when a sudden wave of pain takes over and makes me drop to the ground.

"Miles! What's wrong?"

"Argh - just some pain catching up with me. Just give me a sec." All the girls come around to take a look. I try again to get up, but drop back down.

"Oh, please stay down!" Fluttershy says in a panicked voice. I look down at my wound and contemplate using my own magic to heal it. Eximius did teach me a ton of medical stuff, but with the pain making my movements shaky, I could really fuck myself up.

"Miles, please lie down, darling. We'll get some help for you," Rarity says while looking around in a panic.

"Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, fly to the hospital and get help. Applejack, Rarity, run into my house and get the first aid kit. Pinkie Pie and I will stay here and try to help Miles anyway we can," Twilight says in a commanding voice. Without saying a word, all of the girls go to their destinations. Pinkie Pie walks up to me and lies to my right.

"How’s the pain?" she asks. I look at her and notice she looks different: her poofy hair has dropped straight down, she’s a lighter shade of pink, and her overall demeanor seems... off.

"Uh, well, sharp - I think I can feel some pressure building, so there’s likely some internal bleeding." Twilight walks over and takes a look at my side.

"Well, I could try to set the bones, but I don't think that would be a good idea."

"And why would that be a bad idea?"

"I don't know your physiology. Plus, I've never had to use the spell before; I could really make things worse." She looks really worried.

"Hey, Twilight, come here real quick." She walks up to my left and looks down. I grab her left hoof and bring it to the right side of my chest. She tries to pull away, but I tighten my grip and hold her there. After a few moments, she stops fighting. I run her hoof across my ribs, making her blush furiously.

"Heh, calm down; feel the bones. Get a good feel for their placement, spacing; see if you can feel the flexibility." I let go of her hoof as she begins feeling my sides and chest. She's looking intently at me for a bit, but is starting to go further down my chest than necessary.

"Uh, Twilight?"

"Right! I think I’ve got it, so why don't I just-" Before she can say any more, I move her hoof over to the other side of my chest and wince from the touch. She tries to pull away, but I force her to stay.

"You need to compare the two. Start from a common point and count the ribs down. From there, compare them to the other side... And, try to be gentle." She gives me a smile and begins running her hoof up and down my bad ribs. I try my best to hide the pain, but when she runs over the broken end of one of the ribs, I let out a sharp gasp, making her pull away.

"Sorry!" she says quickly.

"Aww, don't be. Are you ready?"

"I think so..."

"Will it hurt?" asks Pinkie Pie.

"Well... it may hurt a bit-"

"It'll hurt like fuck," I interrupt. "She's taking a broken bone and forcing it back into place." I think I laid it on a bit too thick; Twilight is having a panic attack and Pinkie Pie is hyperventilating.

"I can't do this! I can't do this! We'll just wait for the doctors to get here, or Fluttershy to get here, or-!"

"Twilight-" I suddenly break into a brief coughing fit, "-calm down." Damn, my breathing is becoming more labored. I think my lung was punctured. "You can do this. You just have to calm down and focus. Work towards the goal and forget everything else." She takes a few deep breaths and charges her magic. My body is engulfed by her aura, and I feel it penetrating my chest. After some feeling around, she latches onto the ribs and begins moving them back into place. I instantly arch my back in pain. Her magic holds me in place, but I still try to twist from the pain. I look up to Twilight and make eye contact with her for a second. She's putting all of her concentration onto me. I give her a nod and she closes her eyes. An instant later, I feel one of my ribs yank back into place, forcing me to black out.

Next Chapter: Chapter 12 Friends Estimated time remaining: 85 Hours, 57 Minutes