I woke up in an infirmary. I laid on one of eight beds that ran down the room, four on each side. At the back were some medical cabinets, filing cabinets and two work desks. The other end on the room was a metal automatic double door. I was the only patient in here but Fluttershy was at one of the desks. She saw me wake up and walked over to me. Before I could speak she instantly began to lecture me.
“Ooo I told you to be careful. Now your neck is even worse and you were paralysed from the neck down. Luckily we were able to get you back here and repair the damage...”
“I’m sorry Fluttershy... I just couldn’t let Dracos hurt you. It was bad enough that you got shot in the face. I didn’t want you getting hurt anymore”
“That’s sweet of you and I thank you but it wasn’t just Dracos that did the damage. All that jumping around you did didn't help your neck at all...” she said in frustration.
“What was I supposed to do?” I asked defensively.
“You should have let the soldiers handle it. You had us all worried when you passed out. Please. Be more careful in future...”
“Okay, I will...”
“This is serious Courage. I shouldn’t even let you out of bed with a broken neck. Promise to be more careful in future okay?” she demanded insistingly.
“Okay. I promise to be more careful”
“I’ll give you a huge over dose of the calcatumine to increase the regeneration rate. It’s a bit risky and will have side effects but I can’t let you out of this ward without it, knowing that you’ll most likely put yourself in more dangerous situations”
“Calcatumine? Never hard of it...”
“It’s a calcium based chemical that helps broken bones repair faster. It can only be taken in small doses before it starts having side effects and an over dose is very deadly. Since you seem to be a stubborn life form, I think it should be safe to give you an over dose”
“You mean because I’m human I can take more?”
“No, not because you’re human; because you can go through a war zone with a broken neck and still come out alive” she said with a sense of disapproval as she walked to the medical cabinet.
“Oh...”
She pulled out a large needle from the medical cabinet. It was full of a strange blue liquid and was labelled Calcatumine. This looked more like a gun than a needle but I wasn’t going to complain. She then trotted over to me and jabbed it in my neck.
“Ow!”
“Oops, sorry”
“So is this the same stuff as last time?”
“Yes but it’s a higher concentration and a larger dose. It should hopefully be safe for you but if you experience any side effects, let me know as soon as possible so I can give you the antidote” she said with caution, pulling out the needle from my neck.
“Side effects like?...”
“Light headed or dizziness, heart ache, head aches, chest pains, loss of feeling in limbs, blurred vision, constant pains in the healing area or just generally feeling ill”
“That’s.... That’s quite a list...” I said in concern.
“Well if you experience any of them, be sure to let me know”
“I will... and... Thanks again Fluttershy. You’re a wonderful doctor” I said quietly in gratitude.
“Um... you’re very welcome Courage. Remember to be more careful okay? Take the day off to allow yourself to recover. Oh and come see me in six hours so I can check on your neck”
“Of course. Thanks again Fluttershy”
I got off the bed and walked to the door.
“Oh and Luna wants to see you in her quarters. She was just as worried as we were”
“Okay. I will go see her now” I replied as I walked out the room.

After walking around for ten minutes trying to find my way, I finally gave up and approached a guard to ask for directions. I approached a gray Unicorn and a white Pegasus, both in black and blue armour. The armour was the same as Celestia’s royal guards except themed to Luna.
“Hi. Can you tell me where to find Luna’s quarters?”
“Ah, you’re the Alien everyone has been talking about...” said the gray Unicorn. “Sure. We can show you the way”
“Wow. It is weird being called an Alien. I always imagined an Alien being an ugly monster...”
“Well you got the ugly part right” snickered the white Pegasus.
“Heh heh don’t worry, he don’t mean nothing” said the gray Unicorn with a chuckle of his own. “C’mon. We’ll show you to the Princess’ quarters”
“Okay, thank you very much”

“She’s right through that door. We’ll wait here for you so we can guide you around the base afterwards” said the gray Unicorn.
“Thank you” I thanked him before walking though to Luna’s quarters. When I got inside I found her on the bed reading a book and brushing her mane with her levitation powers. She seemed very calm and she was so focused on her book that she didn’t even notice me enter.
“Princess? You wanted to see me?”
She closed the book and dropped the brush and book on the bed.
“Good to see you alive and well Courage. Please, call me Luna. Welcome to the ESC base” she said casually.
“ESC?” I said in confusion.
“Equestrian Space Command” she replied.
“Okay. So what did you want to see me about?”
“I just wanted to thank you for what you did...”
“But I lost the elements...” I reminded her, shaking my head a bit.
“Yes but you did a good job of defending them. At least Discord doesn’t have them”
“We still need to get them back though”
“Agreed. I have my scouts and intelligence officers working on finding their location. Once I have something I’ll be sure to let you know”
“Okay...”
I stood their awkwardly waiting to be dismissed but Luna just went back to her book and started eating an apple.
“Soo.... Where’s your sister?”
“She’s in Canterlot helping repair the damage Discord’s troops did”
“What about your ship?”
“In orbit having repairs made”
“...And Discord’s fleet?”
“Doing the same”
She was very casual and completely unconcerned with current events.
“Shouldn't we be doing something about Discord?” I asked with a very insisting tone.
“There’s noting we can do until he makes his move or until we find the elements. Im taking a few hours brake so I’ve put Twilight in charge for now”
“Oh. So Twilight is the one I should be talking to then?”
“Well if you want to sit around on your haunches waiting for something to happen then yes”
“So you mean to say that Discord is not actually doing anything at the moment?”
“That’s right. He is just sitting in orbit”
“This is weird? It’s like a cease fire or something...” I thought to myself out loud.
“That’s one way of putting it” said Luna with interest.
“Well looks like I get the day off after all. I’m going to go get a bite to eat”
“Okay. I’ll be here if you need me” replied Luna, focusing on her book.

I was in the mess hall of the base. The two pony guards kindly guided me and here and even brought me lunch. Liam was also here getting a cappuccino. Blades, Rarity and Pinkie had also joined us for lunch. Blades wasn’t in good shape: Cuts, burns and bruises all over him and he was a bit shaky. He got it worse than anyone back at the element vault. At least he was still alive. I wish I could say the same for his two friends.
“...and Courage was there! He saw me do it. I like pulled out a fire extinguisher and I was all Like ‘Fire extinguisher bitches!!!’ and then I killed them with it. I was so MLG pro and sheet!”
Liam was talking about the fight, Blades and the guards paying close attention. Rarity was brushing her hair and eating her chocolate cake. I was sat alone thinking. I was still feeling a little depressed.
“Hay there!” cheered Pinkie next to me.
I looked at her with a glum smile.
“What’s wrong?” she asked in a sad tone.
“Just a little stressed and stuff...”
“Awww. Anything I can do? I know! I’ll sing you a song!”
“Erm what?” I said in confusion. She jumped on the table and took a deep breath.
“Oh no. She’s not going to sing is she?” said Rarity with dis-please.
A slow mellow tune began to build up. I had no ideas where from... Scary...
“Sometimes life can get you down,
and things get really tough,
you may begin to feel,
like you’ve had enough.
But Pinkie Pie is here today,
and she only has one thing to say,
that you should never think that way,
because at the end of the daaaayy....”
Pinkie had a huge pause and the music started to sound like it was going to get energetic...
“Where is that music coming from?” asked Blades in confusion, looking around to find the source.
“...you should always be happy!
Happiness all day!
Always being happy!
makes the bad things go away!”
She was bouncing around the room all cheery and happy, the music very energetic.
“Where is that coming from?!?” said Blades again as he looked under the table.
“...the power of happiness!
is as great as can be!
So always be happy!
Be as happy as Meeeeeeeeee!!!!”
The music then stopped and she was stood on the table with her front hooves in the air. I was a little stunned, Rarity was face-hoofing and Blades was still looking for the source of music. I smiled at Pinkie cheerfully.
“Where was that coming from?!?” shouted Blades in dis-belief.
“See! You’re smiling! Everything is better when you smile!” said Pinkie with an uplifting smile.
“Thanks Pinkie. It’s a nice thought... and it was cool to see you sing” I said cheerfully.
“Pinkie Pie... Though I do appreciate the effort, I do think Courage needs more than a song to cheer him up” said Rarity gracefully.
“Hay! I can do better than you can little miss perfect!” retorted Pinkie.
“Really?” replied Rarity in doubt.
“You’ll see...” frowned Pinkie as she stormed off.
“Hmm... Oh well. C’mon Courage”
“What? Where we going?” I asked with curiosity.
“You need to relax, especially in your condition. Come with me...” she said with a smile.
I wasn’t sure if I should be happy or worried. A few thoughts popped into my head which were some what... admittedly... perverted, which was why I was slightly concerned. But I’d hate to be rude so I went with her anyway.

“Wow Rarity. This is amazing. mmm.... Where did you learn this?” I asked with a relaxed tone followed by a sigh of pleasure.
“I learnt a thing or two from my close friends Aloe and Lotus...” she said proudly and sensuously.
“The Spa ponies? That makes sense... You certainly learnt well”
No, we were not having sex if that was what you were thinking. She was actually helping relax my neck muscles with a massage. Apparently it would help my recovery. Weather or not this was true didn’t bother me because this massage was amazing and it was exactly what I needed after many weeks of non-stop fighting and doing the impossible. Her hooves felt great as they rubbed my neck and back sensuously. My muscles eased and my body filled with a pleasurable vibe.
“Enjoying yourself there?” she asked with a giggle.
“Yes, definitely. You are amazing at this Rarity”
“I’m glad. It’s good to see you smiling so much”
“Yes. It is great to have a brake for once. It has been touch and go for a while. I guess we have Dracos to thank for that. What do you think will happen next?”
“I don’t know. I’m hoping that Twilight will find out what happened to the elements so we can get them back and finish with all of this” she replied, continuing to massage my neck and back.
“Yeah, the sooner we end this war the bet- ooo that hit the spot... Yeah... Right there....”
“I think you’re enjoying this a little too much Courage...” she said with another giggle.
“So? That’s not a problem is it?” I said jokily.
“Not at all. It’s just-”
Applejack then walked into Rarity’s room.
“Hay er, Rarity, Pinkie wanted me ta-” she then froze and looked at us in shock. “What in tarnation is going on here?”
“Erm... It’s not what it looks like” I said immediately in defence.
“Ah certainly hope not!” she said with disgust.
“I was just giving Courage here a massage. I thought it would be good for his neck” explained Rarity calmly.
“Alrighty then. Any-hoot, Pinkie put together a party down in the mess. She wanted me to let ya’ll know about it. DJ P0N-3 is DJ-in’ it herself. It’s gonna be great! Ya’ll are welcome to join us”
“We’ll be there once I’m done with him”
“Good! Don’t be too long now or Pinkie will drink all the cider before you get a chance...” said Applejack with a chuckle before walking out the room.
“A massage and then a party? Best night ever!” I said cheerfully.
“I’ll just finish up and then we can head on down to the party...”
“Wait... You can take a few more minutes...” I said suggestively.
“As you wish Courage...” she said with another giggle.

“Hello there every-pony!! This is mother fudging Pinkie Pie!! Are you ready to Partaaay?!?”
“Yeah!!!”
“I can’t hear you!!!”
“YEAH!!!”
“Ooookay!! Take it away DJ-P0N-3!!”
Vinyl Scratch started up the music. The room went dark and filled with colourful lights. The music was some kind of trancy techno track. Fast beat, laser sounds and fuck knows what else. I was more focused on all that yummy delicious food that was laid out on one of the tables. Chocolete cake, Apple Pie, Apple slices, Apple crumble, Apple Cider... I glared joyfully at all that food.
“You can help yourself you know...” giggled Rarity. “Looks like Pinkie has already started on it”
“Oh hell no! She’ll eat it all before I get any! Not on my watch!”
I immediately helped myself to some Cake and Cider. Spike was sitting next to me eating away at a bowl of Rubies.
“Oh Hay Spike!”
“Hay! Awesome party huh?”
“It’s only been a few minutes...”
“It’s got Rubies ain’t it? What more does a party need!”
“Hay there Courage!!” Shouted Pinkie Pie. Jumping out of no-where. “What do you think of the party!”
“Fuck! How do you keep doing that?!?” I shouted after having my little heart attack.
“Do you like the party?!? Do ya?!? Huh huh huh?!?”
“Yes. It’s awesome. I’m amazed by how you could get all this together in less than six hours... Shit... Six hours?!? I’ll be back in a bit Pinkie!” I said before running out the room.

“Fluttershy! I’m sorry I’m late!” I shouted, walking into the room, huffing and puffing from running down here.
“Oh... It’s fine. It’s just a check up and I’m not on a busy schedule”
“Oh okay... So you taking another X-Ray or what?”
“Just lay down here and let me take a look...”
A few minutes passed as Fluttershy did her check up. She looked very confident with her results.
“Well you’ll be glad to know that the massive overdose has taken it’s toll on your neck. Look here... the crack has stabilised and is on it’s way to healing. Give it a week and you’ll be just fine”
“Awesome! Things are finally starting to look up!” I said cheerfully. Things appeared to be getting better. All that was left to do was defeat Discord.
“Well you’re free to go Courage...”
“Hay Fluttershy, there’s a party going on upstairs. Do you maybe wanna come join us?”
“That’s nice of you to offer but I’d rather stay here where it is quiet” she replied timidly.
“C’mon! It’ll be fun! It won’t be long till something happens so enjoy yourself as much as you can!” I said insistingly.
“Well um... I don’t know...”
“C’mon! You’ll be fine!”
“Well um... Okay, why not?” she said, finally giving in.

After a few hours of partying and maybe having a little too much to drink I sat at the table with a head ache, the music still rolling and ponies still dancing and enjoying themselves. Liam on stage dancing and singing a strange song called ‘Look at that Stove’?
“Take a look at that stove! Ooo what a stove!! Take a look at that Stove! Stove Stove Stove!!...”
I turned my attention away from my surroundings and lent my head on the table in pain. My head was throbbing.
“You okay Courage?” asked Fluttershy.
“Yeah. Just a bit of a head ache...” I replied rubbing my head.
“Oh dear. It might be the drink...”
“That’s what you get for drinking” said Major Hockey in disappointment.
“Wow. Thanks Major for the comfort...” I said with slight sarcasm, lifting my head off the table.
“You’re welcome. And call me Russell. It’s easier than saying Major Hockey every time” he replied.
“Okay then Russell. Come take a seat!”
“The seats are screwed to the floor though!” he complained.
“Oh dear, I didn’t mean it like that. I meant sit down...” I laughed.
He laughed also and said, “Well say that then!”
“So what’s your story Russell? You’ve been with me since Sweden and some how survived...”
“I’m just your regular soldier. I joined up because the UN was looking for soldiers and I lost my job with Nintendo due to cut backs. I didn’t get any special training or anything if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m just born a bad ass”
“That’s a pretty bland background. Well I’m glad you’re here because you’ve definitely proven a worthy team mate”
“Indeed. Well I just want to get this over with so I can get back to my video games...”
“That’s if there are any video games left to go back too...” I replied with a depressing tone.
“Eh... Well I’m off to get some rest. I’ll see you later Courage”

Russell then left to get some sleep. That’s when I saw Trixie standing by the door all by herself. She looked like a fish out of water, unsure of what to do. I walked over to her to see what was bothering her.
“Hay Trixie, you can come join me and the others if you want. You don’t have to stand here by yourself”
“What makes you think I want to join you?” she said lifting an eyebrow.
“C’mon. Lose the stuck up attitude... Relax and just enjoy yourself”
She then dropped her head and began to look a little depressed.
“I can’t help it. And why would they want to talk to me? I helped start this whole mess”
“You helped wipe out my planet and got most of my friends killed. If I’m not mad at you then nor will the others be. You turned over a new leaf and you’ve redeemed yourself. This is your chance to change. Just give yourself a chance”
She looked up and smiled, “Okay, I promise to change. I’m going to be much-”
The music suddenly cut out and everyone looked to the stage. Twilight was on stage.
“Excuse me! Sorry but the party is over! Discord is making a move! Girls! Courage! Meet me and Luna in the control room immediately!”
“Sorry Trixie. Duty calls...”

“We have detected a huge influx of transports to this area of the Ever Free Forest. We are guessing that Discord found out where Dracos was hiding. This is a complex cave system that runs through this mountain. It has been there for years but we haven’t actually been there for months. For all we know Dracos could have a whole base there by now. We need to get in there and get those elements off Dracos before Discord does”
Luna was presenting to us the situation.
“I want you girls to take a small team of marines and assault the main entrance. I will need another team to come in from the back cave, trap Dracos inside the cave system with no escape...”
“I can have the remains of the humans forces take the back entrance... I have two Russian teams and one UN team still left from the transport nuke runs we did on Discord’s fleet...” I interrupted.
“Okay...” agreed Luna. “...but I still want you with the girls”
“Of course Luna. Russell and Liam will be with us too”
“...I’m coming with you too!” insisted Blades and he walked into the room.
“Blades? You’re hardly in any condition for fighting...”
“I’ll be fine! Twilight built me a suit of similar design to hers anyway so I’ll be fine...”
“Twilight?” I asked with concern.
“It’s okay Courage. He speaks the truth. I built him, Liam and Major Hockey a suit while you were busy partying. I used your designs.... I hope you don’t mind” she said with a guilty smile.
“You mean you stole my suit designs?” I said blandly , lifting an eyebrow.
“Well, I prefer the term borrowed... What?... I thought that we ponies could use the technology... I was just thinking of the greater good...”
“Alright Twilight. You can keep my designs. It would have been nice if you had asked though...”
“Sorry...” she said with another guilty smile.
“Can we focus please?” asked Luna demandingly. We all went silent. “...Thank you! The longer we sit here, the longer Discord has to steal the elements. I’ll give you two squads of Buckies to support you girls on your way into the caves. They’ll wait and hold the entrance while you retrieve the elements. The human teams will take and secure the back cave entrance to make sure Dracos doesn’t escape. Once you have the elements I will send in transports to pick you up. Now get going... I will return to the ship and see how Big Mac is doing with the repairs. Good luck girls!”
We all saluted and walked out the room to gear up and get going. The end of the war was getting close now. I could feel it. Too bad I couldn’t feel who was going to win it.