The early morning rays of light flowing over the trees I stand in the open doorway letting the still cool breeze wash into the cabin to air it out from a years accumulated dust and dirt.

Slowly chewing a stick of wolf jerky I listen to the sounds of the water in the stream and the animals of the woods around me. Taking a deep breath through my nose and exhaling through my mouth I rub my face and sigh trying to get rid of thoughts that had plagued my mind not letting me sleep.

Giving up I throw the last bit of the jerky into my mouth before turning around and opening the leftmost drawer of the counter top. The only two occupants being perhaps my most precious of items, carefully I take out the bluetooth earbuds and their charger before plugging them into the wall.

Holding my breath I stare at the earbuds before a small orange light appears meaning it was indeed charging, relieved I exhale and pat my heart.

Picking up my phone I unlock it and see it was at fifty percent before setting it back down, confident the battery life would last through my run.

The clothes I was wearing currently having two days of sweat and dirt on them I walk over to the pile of clothes and drop my pants before taking off my shirt and switching it out for a cleaner white tee shirt. Picking up a pair of, less constrictive, BDU pants I pull them up until they get to my thighs and ass before not being able to go any further.

Looking down I check and see if all the different elastics and buttons were undone. Seeing as they were I wiggle them back and forth gaining some ground before they get stopped again. “Ya fuckin’ serious?” I grunt trying to pull them up further.

Taking a deep breath to calm myself I clap my hands before grabbing the rear and the left side of the pants before yanking them up as hard as I could. Grunting, my arms about give out, the size too small pants finally pop over my ass and thighs. Exhaling I fall to my knees and faceplant into the couch.

“Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.” I sigh, weakly hitting the couch with my right hand, “Why? Why me?.”

Still laying face down I button the pants and roll off the couch, hitting the floor with a thud. Groaning as I stand up I drag my feet over to where I left my kit, grabbing the plates first I put them on before placing the belt and suspenders over them.

My revolver already in it’s holster I walk over to the gun cabinet and swing the door open. The interior being too dark to see I plunge my hand into the darkness and feel around for the bayonet I was looking for.

Rummaging around I place my hand on top of a long cold something that certainly felt like a sixteen inch long 1903 bayonet and wrap my hand around the handle before pulling it out.

Sliding the borderline sword out of it’s sheath I run my fingers across the blade making sure it was sharp. Running up my arm and watching the short hairs fall off I sheath it before clamping it between my legs as I take off my current M9 bayonet from the belt.

Moving the pins around in the small holes of the belt I awkwardly bend and pinch the belt struggling to get the scabbard and knife to disconnect.

“Why ya gotta be so…. Difficult!?” The scabbard coming un attached I toss it onto the countertop before going through the same process but in reverse, this time with the extremely longer WW1 era bayonet.

A sweat forming on my brow from the struggle of old and outdated military equipment I wipe my forehead with the back of my hand before going over and picking up the 1903 and some stripper clips that I throw into the ammo pouches on the front of my belt.

Slinging the rifle from my right shoulder across my back to my left hip I jostle it around and pull on the sling to make sure the sling was tight to insure the rifle wouldn’t bounce around as I ran. The connection good I walk over to check and see if they were charged yet. The little light being green I unplug them and sync them to my phone. Pulling up my phone I tap on my running playlist before starting to tap my foot and bob my head to the upbeat, mostly metal and rock music.

Done with my phone I place it in one of the buttonable pockets on my BDU so it had no way of falling out, stepping out of the door I check the time to see it was 07:32 before pausing. Walking backwards I reach into the cabin and take one of the maps I stole from the train station.

Studying the map I see that other than the railway there were roads leading from Ponyville to Canterlot and many other hubs some of their names being Dodge city, Appleloosa, Fillydelphia, and Baltimare.

Snorting and giving a hearty laugh I sigh and put the map into the same pocket as my phone.

Taking in deep breaths and stretching my legs and arms I look up into the sky and smile, “Nothin’ clears the mind quite like a good run.” Taking my first step I start meaning to go into a jog at a mild pace but instead take off into a full run, the lessened gravity making me practically glide over the ground.

Smiling at the feat I giggle in astonishment at how little effort it was taking to run at such a pace.

Man I feel like I could run two marathons like this.

Making it into the trees I zip through them, the rush of air surrounding me and making my tangled and matted hair blow back.

Using the trees to go around Ponyville unspotted I run down the path toward Canterlot apparently, flying past the random guards and different ponies, some being pulled in extravagant carriages and other pulling wagons of various things all either jumped back as I passed them or screamed loud enough to hear through the music in my earbuds.

Ignoring them as I zoomed past I continued down the path, sweat starting to drip off of me but my legs and lungs not hurting at all.

One of my favorite songs playing my I made sure to keep my head on the swivel to make up for the loss of my sense of hearing.

Taking out one of my earbuds to listen to things around me I hear a series of screams and a howl up ahead. Not slowing down I take the rifle from my back and take the bayonet out of its scabbard before securing it to the rifle and sprinting forward holding the rifle in my right hand while I used my left to put the earbuds into my pocket.

Passing some of the trail guards as I run toward the scream, and ignoring their yells to stop, I round a bend before I see three guards with their swords drawn at a Shuck as it snaps its already bloody maw at them.

See the guards backing up as the shuck advances I take the rifle in both hands and run as fast as I could, leveling the bayonet to the rabid beast.

“AHHHHHHHHHH.”, I yell at the wolf distracting it before I go down onto one leg and use the great speed I’d built up to slide the last ten feet to the wolf.

Not having enough time to react the wolf tries to dodge out of the way but get intercepted by sixteen inches of cold steel. The bayonet sinking all the way to the muzzle of the rifle into the wolf’s lungs we slide another ten feet before I use the last of my momentum to easily push myself up and place a stomp to the side of the wolf’s head.

Taking the knife out of it’s side I grab the rifle so I was holding it vertical to the wolf and with a last yell plunge it into it’s large neck, arterial spray already eager to escape.

Pulling the bayonet out I step off the wolf and kick it in the throat for good measure. Holding the rifle further up the barrel I push the button on the side of the bayonet and take it off before wiping it on my pants and sliding it back into its scabbard.

Turning around I see all the guards pointing their swords at me, taking a step forward they all take a few back causing me to roll my eyes. Looking around I see a wagon to my right on the side of the road, the pony pulling said wagon on their side in front of it.

Forgetting the guards I walk over to the wagon and peek around the front wheel seeing a brown earth pony male laying on his side in a large, ever growing, puddle of blood.

Quickly going over to the pony I crouch down and flip him over, “Ah shit.”

“I-is it bad?” He asks, his eyes clamped closed.

“Yeah it’s bad, but nothin’ I ain’t seen before.” Looking at the mangled front leg of the pony, I clamp my hand above the almost all the way severed leg to stem the bleeding.

“How b-bad?”

“Jus’ dont open yer eyes and keep talkin’ ta me okay.” Looking up from him I lock eyes with one of the guards.

“Give me yer belt.”

His sword till pointed at me I sigh and hit the ground, the pony beneath me jumping, “Give me yer fuckin’ belt before I come over there and rip yer FUCKIN’ HEAD OFF.”

Dropping his sword he scrambles to undo his belt before his unicorn friend takes action and strips it off of him before throwing it over to me. Picking up the belt and empty sword scabbard I bite the belt before yanking the scabbard off and throwing it back to the guards.

“Here bite down on this.” I place the belt in front of the pony’s mouth.

“What, why?” He responds in a lighter tone, his words becoming more slurred.

“Just do it!”

Startling him he bites down on the belt.

“Hold it there until I tug on it.” Reaching for my hatchet I take it off my belt before I line it up with the chunk of flesh still holding the severed foreleg to the rest of it.

“This is really gonna hurt.”

“Whait, Wha-”

Thump. I bring the hatchet down taking the rest of the leg off.

“AHHHHHHHHH, OH MY GODS! MY BUCKING LEG!”

Holding him still I take the belt he spit out and wrap it above the now profusely bleeding stump.

“Ya need ta calm down, the higher yer heart rate the faster you’ll bleed out.”

“What the buck do you think you’re doing!? You really are a monster, cutting off a pony’s arm and say you’re going to save him!”

“Shut the hell up fuck stick.” I say tightening the belt before poking a new hole in the material so it could hold itself, “The bone was powder, and the muscle and flesh would need a miracle to ever heal, I couldn’t save the leg so it was either cut the leg off and save to rest of the pony connected to it or leave it and watch as it dragged him to death with it.”

The guard not saying anything I reach behind me and take the medical pouch from my back before opening it and dumping it onto the ground. The ponies face losing color I slap him on the cheek a few times, “Hey! Hey! Stay with me!”

“W-wha?” He mumbles

“What’s yer name?”

Picking up the artery clamps I steady my hand before moving my left hand that had the brachial pinched and clamp down the clamps stopping the bleed. Working double time I tear open all the bags of hemostatic and pour it onto the stump as I hold it above the patient's heart.

“What’s yer name?”, Checking his I scowl at their unfocused state, “Not today you ain’t diein’.” Wrapping my hand around the top of the stump and squeeze. The effect being immediate the pony under me pupils contract to pinpricks while he screams a ungodly shriek.

“You go to sleep you die! Stay awake, don’t stop takin’, fuckin’ sing for all I care but you gotta stay awake. Understood?”

Shaking his head he starts to ramble on about something I nod and say ‘okay’ while finishing up the dressing. The clamp taped in place and the dressings finished I re-sling the rifle and look over to the guards.

“Where’s the nearest hospital?”, noticing that the pony beneath me had stopped talking I look down and see that he had finally opened his eyes and noticed me, “I’ll grab yer nub and squeeze real hard if you don’t keep talkin’, you don’t want that do ya?”

“N-n-no.”

The pony back to his rapid rambling I look back over to the guards and ask again. “Where is the nearest hospital?”

“Ponyville general, the direction you came from, but that’s three kilo hoofs away at least and no pony here can get there in time.

“You’re right nopony can, but I ain’t a pony.”

Switching to the pony under me I stare into his eyes, “I’m gonna get you to the hospital in time and it’s gonna be a bumpy ride but I need you to do your part and stay conscious, if you start to feel yourself slip you need to tell me okay?”

“Y-yes o-okay.” He stutters.

Looking over to the guards again I point to the pony with the fanciest armor, “You. Ya need to either evac this path or get ponies ta where they need ta go because if there’s one there’s more, I also want you to get a message to the head of command about this attack and impending others. You also need to get a message to Ponyville general about a incoming amputee with a severed Brachial who’s lost a shit ton of blood and will be in immediate need of surgery. They need to be ready when I get there because we got less time than a sixteen yearolds first time in the sack. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!?”

“Yes sir!”, He salutes and turns around, “You heard the stallion, find the nearest scroll bearer and send those messages word for word, a life hangs in the balance here colts, let’s get a bucking move on!”

Picking up the casualty I make sure the injury was above the heart before holding him into my chest.

Ignoring the ponies and griffons that had amassed near me I look down to the pony in my hold, “Ready?”

Nodding his head I take a deep breath start into the hardest sprint I have ever ran in my life.

“Head nurse Redheart!” Nurse Quick Pinch yells running down the hallway to the main lobby, a scroll in her magical grasp.

“What is it Pinch? Is everything okay?” Red Heart looks to the assistant nurse with concern as she slides to a stop at the side of the lobbies half circle reception desk.

“You know Commander Ironhoof right?”

“Yes, we trained together and I was later a field medic in his squad right after graduation. Why? I’ve already told you this.”

“Because a strange transcript just come in from his division on the trail patrol.” The assistant nurse sets the rolled up scroll on the desk.

“What did it say.” Redheart asks, holding down one end of the scroll with her hoof while sliding it open with the other.

Shaking her head Pinch looks to the scroll as it opens, “I don’t know. The intern that runs the message room said it looked more or less like a conversation than anything else.”

“Strange.” Redheart squints while reading through the transcript before feeling her stomach drop, “Did he not read the bottom part!?”

Adjusting the paper she clears her throat. “You. Ya need to either evac this path or get ponies ta where they need ta go because if there’s one there’s more, I also want you to get a message to the head of command about this attack and impending others. You also need to get a message to Ponyville general about a incoming amputee with a severed Brachial who’s lost a shit ton of blood and will be in immediate need of surgery. They need to be ready when I get there because we got last time than a sixteen yearolds first time in the sack. IS THAT UNDERSTOOD!?”

Reading back the message and emphasizing the last part Redheart wastes no time and and runs over to the intercom before slamming her hoof into the button, “Dr. Steady and full staff you will be needed in whatever O.R. is available, we have a code three trauma patient coming in with an amputated foreleg and severe blood loss. Expect shock and get a gurney up here.”

Letting off the intercom Red Heart turns back around and looks to Pinch before exhaling, “This is bad Pinch. A lot of these nurses haven’t seen this type of thing before.”

“I haven’t, but I’m more worried about those ponies running in with a corpse on their backs, the time stamp was four minutes ago and was three and a half kilo hoofs down the path. I don’t know anypony that can run three kilo hoofs fast enough to get here in time.”

Sighing Red heart nods in agreement, knowing that it would take miracle circumstances for a pony to get to the hospital in time, “I dread the same, soldiers aren’t trained enough in first aid anymore anyway, I bet there won’t even be a tourniquet on the arm.”

“Really? That bad?”

“Unfortunately yes.” Hearing screams outside everypony in the lobby looks to the doors before they’re rammed open with a slam as they impact the walls on either side .

Ponies jumping back and ducking behind furniture they all look up in terror to see the Everfree Monster standing in the lobby holding a brown stallion into his chest.

Covered in blood with sweat pouring off of him he looks around the lobby before locking eyes with Redheart. Approaching the counter he looks down to the stallion in his grasp before looking back up the the nurse.

“He lost consciousness about thirty seconds ago and his heart rate is weak but rapid. He’s lost a lot of blood and needs multiple transfusions. I don’t got a blood type so you’ll need as much O Negative as you can get, No pain medication has been administered but the arterial bleed is currently clamped shut.” He points to Red heart and says in a commanding tone getting her to snap out of her staring fit and go over to the patient in a rush and start her vital check.

“How long has it been since the amputation?”

Nine minutes, three to get him stable for the move and six to get over here.”

Pausing nurse Red heart looks up to the tall being, “You ran over here in six minutes?”

“Yes Ma’am.”

“That’s three kilo hoofs away!” Pinch says from beside her fellow nurse getting the stallions attention.

“I know, but that ain’t important. What’s important is getting him on a table and some blood in him so he don’t die.”

“Right sorry.” Pinch shrinks back and runs down the corridor to make sure a operating room was open.

“What did this?” Red heart looks stallion and feels a shiver run down her spine as he looks at her.

“A Shuck did most of it but I cut off the rest of the arm due to the severe tearing and bone crushing that had happened.” Taking a deep breath he continues, “under that wrapping is a mangled mess of meat and bone, I couldn’t of even found the artery if it wasn’t bleeding so hard.”

Three ponies come rushing down the hallway getting both their attention before grabbing the gurney and speeding down the hallway and around the corner.

Turning her attention from the gurney and back to the Everfree Monster standing in front of her she looks up and sees him still staring down the hallway before sighing and shaking his head.

“What is it?”

“I jus’ hate seeing good folk get hurt, he’s got a family back in Canterlot and didn’t have enough money to move house down here with a train, so he did it himself. He’s got a kid, a four year old, I-..." Pausing and taking a deep calming breath Hank composes himself, "If he dies I’m gonna walk into that forest and rip every last one of those bastards limb from limb until I can say myself that they’re all dead.”

Hank’s sudden tone change from neutral to a kind of calm anger Red heart had nee seen before and his deathly cold gaze catching her off guard Red heart pats him on the leg getting his attention.

“He’ll be fine, I’m sure of it.” In a comforting tone she reassures, making Hank take another deep breath.

“Yeah, I hope so.” Turning to leave, Red heart pokes the human on the back of the leg stopping him, “Hm?”

“S-sorry but I just have to ask, where did you learn how to do all that you have? You saved Roseluck’s life and now another pony’s as well. I guess I’m just surprised at your knowledge and skill.” Nervously looking away from the human afraid he was going to hurt her for questioning him, waited for a hit that never came she looked back up to the creatures as it looked at her with a questioning glare.

“I’m a medic… was a medic, learned all I did from a surgeon that traveled with us and in the field.”

Her mouth hanging open at the revelation Red heart found herself at a lack of words, she never would've guessed that the Monster of the Everfree was a medic, although it did make sense when she thought about it.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I’m guessin’ you were too?”

“Y-yes. I was.” She answers making the person in front of her smile.

Crouching down Hank holds out his hand before Red heart gets the idea and places her hoof in it, chills running down her spine as the large hand wraps around her hoof. “Then from one to another, I thank you.”, Shaking her hoof Hank lets go of the small white mare’s hoof and stands back up to his towering height.

“No thank you, you saved two ponies lives in the last two weeks, I haven’t done anything.”

“Bullshit.” Hank crudely states one again catching her off guard, “You’re a nurse now right?”

“Yes, but I don’t do anything compared to you.”

“Ah. Ah. Ah.” He moves his head back and forth, “You got it all wrong, you do more. All I do is keep people from bleeding out and make their deaths less painful. You however help the sick, comfort them, give people hope that they or their loved ones are going to be okay. When you see a nurse you think ‘thank goodness all is fine’ but when you see me all you wonder is ‘how bad is it?’ or ‘who got hit?’.”

Crouched back down to her level Hank looks right into the nurse's eyes and smiles, “Don’t demean yourself, ya do a lot more than ye think.”

Now at a complete loss of words Red heart closes her mouth and takes a step back. Never being told such a nice thing by anybody before she blushes and feels a growing sense of pride in her chest.

The terrifying but oddly nice and kind creature walking toward the door Red heart shakes her head and follows him.

“Did you mean what you just said?”

Stopping and turning around he wipes some sweat of his arm that lands on the floor with a audible splat, “What? ‘Bout you demeaning yourself?”

“Yes”, the nurse confirms nodding.

“Course.” Taking a canteen off his belt he smiles and takes a drink, “ From a guy who watched his entire world burn and descend into hell you notice a lot of things change, but one fatal and outstanding change that affects everyone in the nonexistence of medical professionals. Before when you got a bad cut you went to the doctor and a nurse stitched you up and made you feel better. When the world ends though you either die or sew that shit yourself.” The smile off his face he stares directly into Red heart’s eyes.

“You may feel unappreciated, but I want to let you know that I for one hold the highest of respect for you and your colleagues, whatever you think, your work does not go unnoticed and you change lives everyday. From inspiring the next generation, or letting a person see their family one last time to the small things like remedying a child’s cold you do good. Remember that,”

Tears starting to form in her eyes Red heart sniffles and wipes her eyes, “T-thank you.”

“No problem, keep doin’ what ya do.” Spinning back around and walking toward the door he stops and looks over his shoulder, “Oh and pump enough antibiotics through that guy to turn shit ta gold because I assure you Shuck mouths are not clean.”

Walking out the door Red heart feels a smile tug at her lips as a series of hoofsteps coming up from behind her, turning around she sees Pinch walking into the lobby.

Stopping the young nurse sniffs the air and immediately gains a flush color to her face.

“Oh my, it smells like a real stallion was just here.” Fanning herself with her hoof she grins.

About to berate her assistant Red heart also takes a deep breath through her nose, the scent so many mares would fight for filling the lobby.

She’s right! And this is after he left, this is incredible.

Feeling her face start to heat up as well her tail starts to raise on it’s own. Realizing what she was doing she forces her tail back down.

Pinch giggling at her mentor Red heart only grins and points behind the younger pony making her stop her giggling and add a shade of crimson to her blush before lowing her tail as well.

A small grin on both of their faces they both shake their heads and get back to work, breathing through their noses all the while.

Ponies stopping in their tracks and scrambling back behind cover at my blood and sweat covered self, my head held high I walk toward the road again, not caring what others had to think.

“You got a lot of nerve coming back around here monkey.” I hear the sergeant or whatever spit from behind me.

Stopping dead in my tracks I take a deep breath and clench my fists, cracking my neck and turning around I stare daggers at the pony making him falter for a second.

“Get. Fucked.” I growl, several ponies around me gasp at what I said to the pony.

Apparently not expecting to see a person twice his height and covered in blood growling at him he takes another step back before his face goes back to it’s angered state, “You should be shipped off to the middle of the Everfree in a wooden box to where disgusting cretin like you belong. It hurts my eyes to see such a stain on society walk free.”

“I’ve been told worse by better ye toilet headed cum splat, now fuck off and get bent.”
The sergeant standing their not knowing what to say I smirk and turn around figuring it was as good as time as ever to leave.

“What’d you say to me!?” I roll my eyes as he yells and follows.

Stopping again I turn back around, “I tol’ ya ta fuck off and leave me alone. Now take the hint and ruin somebody else's day ya needle dicked bug fucker.”

His teeth clenched I see his horn spark up and hear the sound of a sword being drawn from a sheath.

Taking the bayonet from my left hip with my right hand I barely have time to knock the incoming slash coming from my left side over my head.

Fun and games over I simultaneously side step as I parry the slash and end up directly to his right. Throwing a kick I hit him directly in the underbelly, throwing him into the air and back ten feet.

The sergeant landing with a thud I notice that the blow knocked the sword out of his magical grasp and walk over to it picking it up.

Sheathing my sword of sorts I throw his sword up and watch it spin before catching it in my hand again.

Noticing the exceptionally large crowd gathering, including a large amount of guards I slowly walk over to the coughing and struggling guard before stopping and putting a heavy foot on his chest piece, making it groan under the force.

“Now why’d ya have to do that huh?” Noticing his horn light up I push down farther making his eyes bulge and his magic cut out.

“I try ta be a nice guy, I really do, but fuck asses like yerself always seem ta fuck it up.” Stepping off of his chest I let him cough and take a few deep breaths before kicking him hard in the side, the hit sending him rolling.

“Now look what ya’ve done to yerself, all you had to do was be nice but nooooooo, that’d be too hard wouldn’t it snowflake?”

Crouching down next to him I flip him over toward me and slap him across the cheek, “Isn't that right snowflake?”

The sergeant looking at me with pleading eyes I sock him in the stomach before letting him go into a ball.
Waiting long enough I flip him back around again, “Isn't that right Sergeant snowflake?”

“M-my name is-”

Slamming his head into the ground I grab him by the throat and lift him up to my face, “Your name is whatever I say it is, you’re mine now, understand snowflake?”

“Y-yes.”

Smiling I stand up and place him on his hind legs so he was standing up on two and not four.

“Now I’m sure ya don’t want to die…” I smile as his face turns even more pale, “but we can’t all get what we want.”

“Wait! No! I’m sorry!”

Cocking my arm back I flip the sword around so I had the blade pinched in between my fingers and palm before swinging it and catching the guard in the side of the helmet with the handle and pommel, making him spin around before falling to the ground in a heap.

Flipping the sword back around I give it a few test swings and jabs before shrugging, “ Eh… not for me.”

Placing the tip if the blade on the ground I place my foot in the middle of the blade before pulling with my arm and pushing with my leg.

The sword groaning it creaks before it finally gives in and breaks in the middle. Throwing half of the sword still in my hand to the ground I pick up the sergeant by the drag handle all the armor seemed to have on the backs and drag him over to where the group of guards was standing among the other ponies that had gathered to watch the show.

Stopping in front of them I hold the pony out in front of me and drop him to the ground. Ignoring the looks of disgust and fear I turn around and unsling my rifle before taking the bayonet back out and slapping it on.

Walking back down the trail I sigh and rub my eyes.

Standing outside the small, but cozy, abode on the edge of ponyville I look to the empty cart and nod, “That’s all of it, hopefully if he gets out of the hospital he can enjoy not having to unload a whole house.

Pulling the cart next to the house I pull on the door to make sure it was shut before picking up my rifle and starting back to the trees, “I hate towns. I hate people. I hate this place. Fuck this place.”

Walking up on the Apple’s orchard I hear a whistle and turn to see Mac waving at me. Stopping and waving back I lean my rifle on the fence before leaning myself.

Mac squinting his eyes and speeding up he reaches the fence and stands up to get closer to my height.

“Celestia be damned Hank, are ya alright?” Concern in his voice he looks at my shirt before looking to my arms and face.

“I’m jus’ fine. How are you doin’ today though?”

“Ah’m a tad tired but other than that Ah’m good.” Wiping his forehead he sighs before looking back to me, “But I’m more curious about what in the Tartarus happened ta you.”

“Nothin’ happened ta me per say, but things did happen.”

“Like what?”

“Takin’ a mornin’ run ta clear my thoughts on the road to Canterlot a pony was attacked by a Shuck and lost his left arm. Torn ta shreds. So I killed the walkin’ abomination and stopped the bleeding before running the pony to the hospital.”

Nodding he motions for me to continue.

“So must this blood is his and the wolf’s, I’m not even scratched.”

"Is he alright?"

Shrugging I shake my head, "I don't know, he was still alive when we got to the hospital

“Well at least theres a chance”

“Yeah, That much is true.”

Blanching at the thought he shakes his head, “Well Ah’m glad yer alright, but I was gonna ask ya if ya wanted ta join me and the others fer our monthly get together.”

A hopeful look on his face I look away, “I... um dunno Mac, I jus’ ain’t much of get together kinda guy.”

“I figured ya’d say that, and neither are any of us, that’s why there’s only four of us.

Drawn to the small size I hum, “Who’s attendin’ then?

“Doubt you know em but there’s me, Braeburn, Dr. Whooves, and Thunderlane. We all jus’ sit in the cellar and play cards, talk, drink cider, so on.”

“Huh, well that don’t sound too bad.” I scratch my chin.

“So can I count ya in?”

“Well... maybe. I know for a fact that Thunderlane don’t like me so I wouldn’t want ta bring any unwanted tension.”

Obviously intrigued he shifts his stance, “How’d ya know that?”

“Well a few days back I was walkin’ through the woods and I came across a timberwolf that had four kids stuck in a tree, Button Mash, Dinkie, Pip, and Rumble. Rumble is Thunderlane's little brother and I don't think Thunderlane liked it too much when his brother was around me.”

“How many ponies are you gonna save? It seems like everyday ya save somepony.” He snorts.

“I’ve got no idea, y’all ponies jus’ seem ta have a knack fer findin’ trouble.” Laugh getting him to smile and nod in agreement.

“Eeyup, some more than others.” He adds.

“Oh yeah, definitely.”

“Heh, well I’m sure he can get over it, ya did SAVE his brother after all. So can ya make it?”

Rubbing my eyes and giving a heavy sigh I groan, “Yeah. Yeah, I can make it. When is this shin dig though?”

“Yes!” He pumps his hoof getting a strange look from me, “Sorry it’s jus’ been a while since we got somepony new.” He chuckles gaining a shade of red, “But anyway, it’s in two weeks, at end of the month.”

Picking my rifle back up I sling it over my shoulder, “Well I’ll be there, what time though?”

“ ‘Bout seven.”

“Alrighty then, see ya then.”

“See ya Hank.”

Turning around and heading back down the road I finally reach the ‘Y’ before stepping onto my path, the daylight above being partially cut out by the increased foliage.

Zoning out, just looking at the plants around me I look ahead and see a yellow pony with saddle bags on slowly pacing up the trail, her ears rotating too and fro.

Speeding up she suddenly turns around but sighs in relief when she see’s it was me.

“Hello Hank.” I hear her greet, only able to hear her with my renewed sense of hearing.

“Howdy Flutters, and before you ask I’m fine.”

“What do you mean- Oh heavens!” Getting close enough to notice the blood stains she drops her basket and runs over to me.

“Are you hurt!?”

“Jus’ tol’ you I was fine.”

“But there’s so much blood! Are you sure you aren’t hurt?” She goes to lift up my shirt before I grab her hoof and crouch down on one knee to be at her level.

“And none of it is mine.” I let go of her hoof and smile before gaining a serious face making her shrink back, “ Never try to take my clothes off.”

“O-okay.”

“Good.” I smile and stand up, “C’mon let’s walk the rest of the way to the cabin.”

Walking forward I motion for Fluttershy to follow. Catching up to me in a trot she stops to pick up her basket but I beat her to the punch.

“You don’t have to carry that, I can do it.”

“That’s okay, a gentleman is supposed ta carry a women’s items fer her.”

“Oh. Well thank you.”

“No problemo.”

Walking into the clearing I see Fluttershy’s head immediately start to swivel as she tries to take in the new surroundings.

“T-this is really nice.” She says spinning in circles with a smile on her face, “Is that your house?”

Looking to where she stopped her spinning I nod, “Yep that’s where I live.”

“It’s kinda small.” She adds

Scoffing I cross my arms, “Says the pony who lives in a hobbit hole.”

“Hobbit hole?”

Staring at her I sigh, “Oh right you wouldn’t know the reference.” Facepalming I look back up to the house, “It’s a small house partially underground, sod roof, little cottage lookin’ thing.”

“Oh. That does sound like home though.”

“See.” Walking toward the cabin Fluttershy meeps and hides behind me as we pass the wolf skull on a pike. Past the display she takes her spot beside me, reaching the door I open it with one hand and motion for her to go in first. Stepping forward she enter the cabin before I walk in as well and close the door behind me.

Setting the basket on the counter I walk over to the fridge and pull out some of the vegetables that had already reached ripeness out of the garden.

Setting the two tomatoes and three carrots down I hear hoof steps walk behind me.

“What’s that?”

Peeking over my shoulder I see Fluttershy pointing to the fridge.

“That’s a refrigerator, basically an icebox but without the ice, keeps itself regulated automatically as long as it has electric power.”

“Oh sounds… nice.” She says not quite knowing how to respond.

“It comes in handy.” I open the basket and place the fresh veggies inside, “Look around if ya fancy, jus’ don’t touch nothin’, I’mma take a shower and get a change of clothes on, don’t wanna smell like sweat and blood while we eat, might bother you.”

Grabbing a cleaner set of clothes I step into the bathroom, “Seriously though, don’t touch nothin’.”

Slowly closing the door I squint at Fluttershy as she nervously smiles. The door shut I strip off all my gear and set it in an undignified mound in the middle of the bathroom floor. Stepping into the shower I reach up and turn on the water, the lukewarm temperature leaving something desired.

What I wouldn’t do for a hot shower. I think and chuckle while I scrub my face and torso from any dried blood and sweat. Looking over myself and not seeing any blood anywhere I turn off the water and shuck the excess from my skin before stepping out and grabbing a towel lying on the floor.

Drying off the best I could with the still damp towel I throw the towel down and put on the cleanish shirt, socks, and underwear before picking up the pants. Staring at the blue garments I scowl and slip one leg through before the other.

Taking a deep breath I pull them up as fast as I can trying to trick them into going up all the way, but to no one's surprise they get stuck right at the bottom of my ass cheeks, just to spite me a little more.

Oh get fucked ye blue queer, bedazzled, no pocket havin’, capri lookin’, fabric of sufferin’, shite blossommmmmmmmm. Insulting the pants in my head they finally pop up and rest on my waist, smiling I go to button them before frowning again.

Okay. I knew these bastards fit a month ago, for the sake of me not going on a murderous rampage the universe better hope that these shrunk and I’m not going into a growth spurt again. Seriously. Fuck off puberty, I don’t need to get taller or ANY damn wider for Christ’s sake.

Giving up on the button and reaching for my gear again I re-kit and open the door before stepping back into the main room. Fastening the last buckle I look and see Fluttershy with her face buried in the shirt I wore when I was working in the garden, her tail raised as well.

“Whatcha doin’?” I ask, interrupting the pegasus from whatever she was doing.

Apparently startled by the question she meeps and shoots back onto her rear legs before falling back with all of her limbs locked like a fainting goat. Watching her fall backwards I wince from the thud as her head connects with the edge of the table on her way to the floor.

Sighing I walk past her and over to the fridge before opening the freezer and pulling out a lunch box ice pack. Grabbing the shirt from the back of the couch I wrap the ice pack with it as I sit down on the couch next to the pony on the floor sniffling and holding her head with her hooves.

Pulling the teary eyed pony up with a surprised squeak I set her in my lap and place the ice pack on the already forming goose egg. Stroking the back of her neck to comfort her, her sniffling eventually dies down.

“You ‘ight?” Still petting the back of her neck and scratching her hair I ask.

“I-I think so.”

“Is the ice too cold on yer head?”

“No it’s just fine, thank you.”

“Jus’ tell me when you want me ta stop.”

Humming in acknowledgement she sniffles one last time and wipes her eyes before leaning her back into my chest. Having to turn my head to the side and look up to the ceiling so I wouldn’t get absorbed by the plume of pink hair I blow some out of my face, “So what were you doing anyway?”

“W-what do you mean?” She tenses up in my grasp.

“Why did ya have yer face stuck into my shirt and why was yer tail hiked up high?”

Seizing up at the question she starts to shake and I feel her warm up.

“Whoa if yer gonna act like an epileptic you don’t have to answer.”

“I think I’m okay now.” In a small voice she states.

Letting go of her and setting her on the cushion next to me I stand up and put the icepack back in the freezer and the shirt in the dirty pile.

Grabbing a small bag of jerky out of the fridge and putting it in my right ammo pouch along with some of the stripper clips I pick up the basket and her saddlebags.

“Ready to go outside?” Looking back to Fluttershy her eyes meet mine before her face flushes red and she looks in any direction that didn’t have me occupying it.

“What’s the deal Flutters? Somethin’ on my face?” Wiping my face with my sleeve and hand she forces her gaze back over to me.

“I’m just embarrassed.” Looking back to her she avoids my eyes and looks back to the floor.

“Why?”

“B-because, b-becaus-”

“If yer embarrassed about smelling my shirt or whatever, don’t be. You ain’t the first and you ain’t gonna be the last.”

“I-I’m not?”

“Nope, hell I had somebody lick me before so... whatever” With a shrug I take a step toward the door, “I don't know why y’all ponies like how I smell and taste apparently but that seems ta be the popular consensus.”

Walking out of the door with Fluttershy in tow I walk past the garden to to the stream before setting everything down.

Hmm. Cats are gone.

Plopping down onto the ground I put the basket in the middle between me and Fluttershy before setting her saddlebags down as well.

“So what didja bring?” Curious as what was in the basket I ask as she settles herself into the cat loaf position.

“Well I brought those cookies you seemed to like a lot, some carrots, cucumber, watermelon, and two daisy sandwiches. Oh! And two thermoses of lemonade.”

Excited about the lunch I smile, “Sounds really good Flutters.”

“Really!? I was worried that you wouldn't like it.” Clapping her hooves together she smiles in return.

“Somethin’ about me you should know is that I ain’t a picky eater, in fact I’ll eat damn near everything I can digest.” Opening the basket I set everything out before pausing as I pick up the two daisy sandwiches, the contents of the sandwiches literally being flowers, “That being said I’m ‘friad yer gonna have two sandwiches to eat.”

“What? Why? I-is something wrong with them?”

“No no no, I bet they’re great I jus’ can digest plants like that.” Setting down the two sandwiches I reashure the saddened pony.

“Oh, well I’m sorry, If I would've known that I would made something different.”

“Hey no big deal, I woulda told ya different if I knew y’all actually ate flowers.” I chortle, “Let’s jus’ enjoy what we got, I also threw a tomato and a few of my own carrots in here as well.” Holding up the produce from my own garden I set it down with the rest.

“Oh my, these look really good!” Holding up the tomato she pokes it with the tip of her hoof, “Good, firm, and just the right color. How’d you get such a good garden in such a short time?”

“How’d you know I just got the garden?” I ask, suspicious.

“The soil looked freshly tilled, plus I saw the shovel and other tools laying next to the plants.”

“Oh. Well I guess I have my friendly neighborhood zebra witchdoctor to thank fer my garden’s success so far, she’s the one who knew the potions and such ta get my garden goin’.”

“Witchdoctor?” She sutters obviously frightened.

“No not really that’s jus’ what I call her to piss her off,” I laugh and wave my hand, “but she is from Zebrica and lives in the woods as well, she stayed here with me fer a few weeks when the Shucks were real bad in her area of the forest, I see they’ve moved north though.” I mumble the last bit with a growl.

“So she’s nice?”

“Oh she’s a sweetie, she’s the type of person to be the first to help and the last to leave. I’ll have ta acquaint y’all sometime she kinda lives in yer neck of the woods.”

“Oh well if you say that’s what she’s like I’d be delighted to meet her.” Taking a small bite out of her sandwich she continues, “Although I hope I don't come off as awkward, I’m a tad shy toward new ponies.”

Waving her off I take a bit out of one of the carrots she brought, “If she could make friends with a giant pale forest monster I’m sure y’all will get along swimmingly.”

Finished with most of the main foods and getting dangerously close to desert I remember the jerky that was in my pocket, “Hey Flutters I got a question to ask."

“Yes?”

“Here’s the thing you gotta promise me that you ain’t gonna freak out or somethin’ ‘ight?”

“Um… okay?”

“Perhaps you already noticed, bein’ the animal expert ya are, but I got incisors and K9’s in the front.” I say before opening my mouth and pointing out the cutting teeth.

“You’re a predator?” She asks, only a small amount of discomfort in her voice.

“Yes, but I also can eat most vegetables and fruits, I’m an omnivore really. Plants, animals, I can eat it all.”

Nodding Fluttershy puts down a thermos of lemonade after taking a drink, “I have animals that eat meat so it doesn’t really bother me too much, I know that it is a biological requirement for some species, it does make me kinda squeamish when I see them eat it through.”

“Thanks for not freaking out, so would you prefer if I waited to eat this jerky I made?” Holding up the bag of jerky she looks to it and gains a frightened look.

“What’s it m-made of?”

“Wolf.”

“Oh. I was scared I thought it was cow for a second.” Taking a deep breath she exhales.

“Nope, I don’t eat things with personalities.” I open the bag and take a strip out.

“Some ancient griffon tribes didn’t feel the same way, a-and I’ve heard there’s been a resurgence of... that belief of sorts from a few traders that come through Ponyville.”

That must of been the ones who ate Zecora’s friend. Wonder if I could find where this is and do what I do best?

“Are you okay Hank? You look mad.”

Snapping out of my thoughts I see that Flutters was shrunk back and feel that I was scowling. “Oh yeah, sorry.” Smiling I take a bite of my jerky and a sip of lemonade, “This lemonade is top notch by the way, that’s the right way ta do it right there.” I point to the thermos.

“Well thank you, I’m delighted you like it.” Setting her’s down she pulls out a smaller plate covered with a towel from the basket, You said you didn’t get much of this in your old world?”

Chugging the rest of the lemonade down I set down the thermos, “That’d be an understatement, all I really had for the past few years was water, whiskey, brandy, vodka, and GOOD beer if I was lucky, most of it was skunky due to refrigeration not being aroun’.”

“That’s a lot of alcohol.”

Knowing where she was going I roll my eyes, “Yes it is, but it don’t have ta be refrigerated, in the heavy stuff’s case, and keeps you awake. Also before you ask if I’m a drunk I’m not, dulling senses is not a good idea in any situation, plus I’ve had plenty of experience with how it can almost rip a family apart, I ain’t gonna make the same mistakes.”

“Good, I’ve seen ponies get destroyed by alcohol and I didn’t want you to go down the same terrible path.”

“Huh so that’s what it feels like, I’d forgot.”

“What?”

“The feeling of somebody being concerned for you, That’s two people in this world already, feels … strange.”

“You forgot what’s it’s like to be cared about?” Aghast she covers her mouth with her hoof, “That’s horrible!”

“Well yeah, all my family and friends are dead, I’ve been alone for a while.” Casually shrugging I pick up one of the cookies and stuff it into my mouth whole.

“I know you’re on a new planet now b-but how would you know that they’re dead? Maybe they’re still alive back on your old world.”

“HA!” Covering my mouth I swallow the rest of the cookie and wipe away the bits that escaped during my outburst, “T-that’s funny Fluttershy, but I buried my family, figuratively and literally.”

Taking a bite of another cookie I snort, “Nice optimism though.”

Silence between us I clear my throat, “So what have you been up to these past few days?”

Staring at me for some reason I wave my hand in her face getting her to flinch back and rapidly blink, “What was that?”

“I was wonderin’ what you’d been up ta these past few days.”

“Oh well you remember when we were all wanting the ticket to the Galla?”

“I remember yeah.”

“Well Twilight wrote a letter telling Celestia just what you said about ‘all or none’ and Celestia sent tickets for all of us! I’m really excited to see the animals in the gardens, apparently there’s animals from every corner of the planet there.”

“Sounds like a good time, so when is it?”

“It’s not for a while, it usually in the winter, or it has been for the past three hundred years.”

“Damn, hell of an early jump on admission ain’t it?”

Staring off into space Fluttershy suddenly snaps out of it, “I guess you’re right, I’d never thought about that.”

“Yeah leave it to the high falutin’ folk ta need ‘formal invitations’ and ‘confirmation’.” Using my hands to air quote I mock getting Flutters to giggle.

Smiling at her laugh I lean back on my elbows and take a deep breath.

“Something on your mind Hank?” Fluttershy’s quiet voice asks over the breeze.

“Somethin’s always on my mind Flutters,”, Sighing I sit back up straight, “but yes this time in particular something that actually happened today is on my mind.”

“What is it?”

A grin tugging one side of mouth up I think back to the guards pony’s face in the town when I told him I was going to kill him, “It’s kind’ve a funny story actually. So when I left the hospital, after dropping of the casualty, the sergeant of the local guard or whatever decided that it would be a good idea ta follow me an' infer that I was less than a human and a stain on society.” A smile on my face I snicker and continue, “And while he may be right, it was also not his place ta say so… So I called him a bug fucker and told him ta jog on.”

Gasping Fluttershy interrupts me, “You could've gotten in trouble for that, you’re not supposed to insult a guard.”

“You’re not supposed ta insult nobody, but I don't give a shit, anyway, we're jus’ ‘bout to the best part. Ahem. Well after saying that ta the daft cunt he musta took offense and his shriveled up little testis musta told him that it was time to fight and defend what little manhood he had left, so he pulls his sword out and swings it at me tryin’ ta kill me ‘course. Parrying the strike though I step to the side and kick him in the chest sending him for a trip before giving him a new name and making him think he was dead, then I dropped him like a sack of potatoes in front of his soldiers and a whole group of folks who watched the whole thing unfold.” Laughing I wipe my eyes, “So I ‘prolly ain’t gonna be welcome back inta town.”

Staring at me with her mouth agape I reach forward and close it for her, “You’ll catch flies that way.”

“H-Hank! You could be arrested!” Standing up she paces back and forth, “T-this is terrible! Why would you do that?”

“Cause the asshole tried to run me through over a few words, I may be a fucking monster but I know that that is not a good trait of anyone, especially in a leadership position! Honestly he’s lucky I didn’t kill him, dipshit had it comin’.”

“Why did he deserve to die!?” Shocked at what I said Fluttershy sits back.

“Because if I would done nothin’ he would have killed me and gotten no punishment for it-”

“Why wouldn’t there be repercussions for killing you, your life means just as much as a pon-”

“Oh bullshit, ‘it’s worth as much as a ponies’.” I mock, interrupting her, “What a crock of shit, I could die right now in front of everyone and nobody would give two fucks, hell some of them would be happy that the monster was gone. Then again what’s new!?” I throw my arms up to my sides and laugh.

“Why do you think nopony would care if you died?”

“I dunno, tell me one pony who would.”

Staring at me she sits back down, “I would.”

“What?”

“I would care, I would actually be really sad.”

Baffled I stutter on my words before stopping and taking a deep breath, “Why? Why would you care about some… some monster?”

“Because I would be devastated if any of my friends died, you’re no different Hank, and you’re not a monster.”

Staring at the yellow pony across from me I open my mouth before closing and looking away from her, “You consider us friends?”

“Um yes.”

“Huh, weird.”

“How is friendship weird?”

“Well I mean I fixed your door, I didn’t figure that made us friends, but I’m thinkin’ what ponies call friends and what I call friends are two different things.” Pointing out the fact Fluttershy cocks her head to the side seemingly not understanding.

“I’ll explain. So it seems ta me like whenever you ponies find someone that is nice to ya ya call em a friend. Right?” I give the universal ‘i’m making an assumption’ shrug.

“Mhm.” Shaking her head Fluttershy agrees.

“Well it takesa lot more fer me, my friends are people I would die for without hesitation, I’ll do anything to protect my friends… Anything.”

“That’s really serious.”

“I know, that’s why it can take a long time for people to become friends with me, I have to be able to trust and know my friends won’t back out on me in a sticky situation, that’s why ninety percent of people I’m friendly with are my acquaintances… but not friends.” Explaining how I did things she nods along.

“Am I your friend?”

Looking at her I sigh, “Not yet Flutters, but don’t make that think I don’t like ya, I think you’re great ta be around. It just takes more time and me becoming familiarized with ya.”

“Oh okay, I hope I can be your friend some day.” Smiling with her eyes closed she states.

“I’m sure ya will be Flutters.” Grabbing another piece of jerky I rip it in half with my teeth.

“So Hank.” I hear Fluttery call and turn my head from the woods where I saw something move.

“Hm?”

“Is Zecora your friend or just a acquaintance?”

“Well actually I can call her a friend, but sleeping in the same bed as someone else for a week or so really makes you have to trust a personnnnnnn.” Droning off at lack of bird song and various other sounds of the woods I set up into a kneel and draw my revolver, “Fluttershy get your stuff packed up we’re going inside.”

“Wha- why?” Confused I see her look at me through the corner of my eye.

“Jus’ trust me, I feel eyes on us.” One handedly putting some of the stuff into the basket she starts to follow.

Everything packed up I pick up the basket in one hand and hold my revolver at ready in the other, pointing it to the tree line surrounding us while backing up toward the cabin.

“What did you--”

“Shhhhhhhhhh.” I whisper scanning the tree line before snapping to a patch of foliage that was moving with small rustles.

Focusing on the small area I hear a Shuck’s howl and pause before hearing the same howl from all around us.

“Fuck! Move! Move! Move!” Pointing to the cabin Fluttershy takes off and I run after her, stopping at the door I open it and push her inside before stepping inside. Turning around and slamming the door before locking it I see five Shucks approaching the front of the cabin alone.

“Heh, so they finally came for me.” I walk to where I had my rifle lent and pick it up before switching off the safety on the bolt.

“I-is everything going to be okay?” Fluttershy stutters nervously following me with her eyes.

Stopping I turn around and kneel down in front of her before cupping a hand under her chin.

“I don’t know that Flutters all I know is that at the end of this either I’m gonna be dead or they are. I’m gonna put you up in the loft, if I say so you have to get out of the window and fly off and warn the town.” Hearing a growl outside I look to the door before looking back to the scared pony in front of me. “There is at least ten of these bastards and they have us surrounded.”

Picking her up I set her up in the loft, “If I tell you to go it means I’m dead and there is no reason ta look back.” A closer series of growls and grumbles I look through the small crack in the boarded up kitchen window and see at least ten of them in front of the cabin, sighing I look to Fluttershy who was looking at me with tears in her eyes. Slipping the long bayonet from my belt I hand it to her and grab the other side of her chin with my other hand careful not to cut her.

“In the case they get me by the throat and I can’t tell you ta run I’m leavin’ ya this. If they try to get up here stab it into em and go.” Setting the knife in front of her I pat her on the neck, “You’re gonna hear some unpleasant things here in a second, yells, growls, gunshots, the sound of death, but I promise ya that as long I got blood in my body yer gonna be fine.”

“I thought y-you said w-we weren't friends.”

“What?”

“You’re protecting me with your life.” Pointing that fact out I hum.

“ Huh, I guess this is jus’ what I do now.” With a smile I turn around and grab the rifle before walking over to the gun closet and pulling out my shotgun and my m16 I slap the bayonet onto the m16 before loading up both guns and leaning them on the counter.

Throwing some extra mags and shells onto the counter I take a deep breath before bringing up the butt of the 1903 and using it to knockout the planks in the kitchen window.

A Shuck immediately outside the window I point the rifle at his head, “Hey there big boy.” Pulling the trigger the wolf’s head explodes and a flurry of howls erupts through the clearing, “Come on then!” Pulling the bolt back I chamber another round and pick out another target before pulling the trigger, a plume of black fur and blood spray exploding from the wolf’s back as it collapses to the ground, it’s spine in more pieces then it should be.

A heavy thumping coming from the door as two wolfs tag team it, turning to the side I aim at the pair and let a 30.06 rip. Hitting the wolves they pause before going at the door again, the bullet wound apparently not phasing them.

Dumping the last two rounds into them, they stagger before slowing and slumping over. The rifle out I slam the bolt back before reaching into the pouch and pulling out a stripper clip and a chunk of jerky. Putting the jerky in my mouth I slide the rounds into the rifle before forcing the bolt forward chambering a round and pushing the clip out, “C’mon ya ugly bastards, get a piece a me!”

Putting the barrel back out the window a Shuck jumps from the side and grabs the rifle in it’s teeth before yanking it out of my hand and out the window.

Standing still with my hands still held where the rifle was I feel my blood start to boil, “YOU MOTHERFUCKER!” Picking up the shotty I point it out the window before quickly pulling it back effectively baiting out a shuck causing it to jump right into my line of sight.

Pulling the trigger the shotgun throws a full three inch shell of buckshot into the beast’s neck, blowing it open.

Racking the shotgun over and over the smell of gunpowder and blood all melds into one scent as the shotgun thumps into my shoulder, every shot killing or maiming a Shuck. Running dry I reach for more shells before getting confused at the manic laughter I was hearing.

Reloading the shotgun, periodically pausing to take a shot before resuming the reload, I realize the laughter was coming from me and close my mouth.

The shotgun finally full I pump three rounds out of the window before turning to check on the door right as it snaps open, running over I swing the shotgun to my right and blow a wolf’s chest open as it tries to run into the cabin.

Knowing I only had two shots left I use them on two of the closest wolves and reach for the m16 right as a Shuck leaps for me, stepping to the side it flies through the door and impacts the far wall with a loud crash.

Grabbing the M16 I thrust the bayonet at the wolf impaling it through it’s neck as it reared up on it’s hind legs. Pulling the knife out of it’s neck I push it to the ground and swing the bayonet across the open door.

The preemptive strike landing and slicing a wolf’s eyes in half a shriek of pain and fury explodes from the wolf causing my blood to almost freeze at the ungodly sound but is quickly brought back up to temperature by the anger and adrenaline flooding my bloodstream.

“RAH!” I thrust the knife into the canine’s chest pushing it up onto it’s hind legs before sparta kicking it out of the door and into one of its mates. Shouldering the rifle I dump half the mag into the pair permanently grounding them before emptying the rest into the wolves that were trying to get into the cabin but stumbled over their dead brethren.

Pulling the trigger but nothing happening I drop the mag and reach for the other before I feel a tight force grab onto my leg right where my boot covered before being pulled forward.

Falling onto my back I drop the rifle and get pulled out the door and onto the bloody grass. Rolling a few feet I land on my back, coughing and trying to get air back into my lungs I struggle to get up as sharp claws dig into my arms and thighs as a wolf pounces on top of me.

A surge of adrenaline flowing through my veins at the pain I forget my breath and reach my arms up before grabbing behind it’s head and on it’s lower jaw right as it was about to clamp down onto my throat.

My jaw clenched I snap it’s neck to the side and knee it off to the side before standing up.

Thanks Modern Warfare Three.

Catching my breath and looking at the cuts on my arms and thighs I look up and see five of the Shucks staring at me, nervous of what would happen to them if I got a hold of them.

Pulling my revolver out and cocking the hammer before pulling the 1911 out of my waistband and cocking it’s hammer as well I point them to the five before, “Shoulda got me when I was down.”

Using the revolver I shoot twice hitting two separate targets while the others scatter, tracking them with the 1911 I pull the trigger as I hear a growl from my left. Turning to the side I see the open mouth of a wolf and put my arm up to block it’s bite.

The beast bowling into me we fly a few feet in the air before I land on the ground with the wolf on top of me, my left arm clamped in its bite as it turns it’s head side to side. The other wolves getting in on the action I turn my head and fire a round into a fastly approaching wolf , blowing its lower jaw off and dropping it.

Switching back to the one gnawing on my arm I press the hot barrel of the revolver into it’s eye, the sizzle of water evaporating filling my ears before I pull the trigger.

Brain and blood splattering all over me I push the wolf off of me before standing up, my ears ringing constantly. Firing the last two shots at another I raise the 1911 and dump the whole mag, only stopping the wolf as it closed ten feet.

Sliding to a stop in front of me I place my foot on top of it’s head getting it to weakly growl, increasing the pressure it’s head cracks and finally collapses with a sharp but wet crunch.

Oh god I love that feeling.

Sliding the revolver back into the holster on my chest I take out the empty mag from the 1911 and replace it with the full one before pushing the slide release, chambering a new round with a crisp click.

Looking around me I see dead and dying wolves lying all around me in a circle before a low groan sounds from the stream.

Looking over I see two absolutely massive shucks staring at me their huge mouths open at a unhealthy angle. My gaze hardening I look to the two Shucks that rivaled my height and hit my chest with a balled up fist and roar in a ‘come at me’ gesture.

Understanding what I meant the oddly proportioned monstrosities slowly advance, raising the pistol I aim for the head of one and slowly fire one by one, the rounds only making it flinch as all seven plant themselves either in its neck or face.

Lowering the pistol I close the open slide and put it back in my waistband. Not having anything else I slide my hatchet out of its sheath and take a stance. Stopping their advance they both look to the sky and let loose a ear ringing high shriek, their jaws completely un hinging, showing all three rows of teeth.

My ears ringing from the wail I look to my left and see my maul leaning against the cabin where I had left it after cutting some poles for the garden fence, the sap residue still on the edge. Seeing the wolves crouching down into a ready stance out of the corner of my eye I take a deep breath and push off, shooting toward the maul while putting the hatchet away simultaneously.

The two jumping at the opportunity rush toward me. Grabbing the end of the handle with my right hand I swing it as hard as I could across my body while taking a step back, with a crack the hammer end of the maul head impacts the beast’s outstretched head directly under the ear.

A throaty groan the beast’s head cocks to the side while it stumbles around. The closest one currently dazed I look for the other one, not seeing it anywhere I turn around and come face to face with it’s unhitching jaw, flinching back it’s mouth snaps closed right where my left arm was.

Pulling a fist back I sucker punch it before stepping to the side and delivering short blow to its forehead with the bladed part of the axe.

The axe simply slipping off the dense bone but still cutting the meat it takes a step back, apparently surprised at being hurt. Taking a step back myself and taking a deep breath I adjust my blood covered hands on the handle.

Snapping their jaws at me, both their faces bleeding, either from bullet holes or cuts, they try to taunt me.

Seem to me like they’re not used to having something fight back, I have to go on the offensive.

Putting my right foot behind me I take the maul in one hand in thrust it toward the pair with a growl before switching my grip on the maul so I was holding horizontal where I could see the tops on my hands.

The two gurgling they charge forward in unison. Copying them I charge back toward them and ready the maul while screaming a battle cry, getting louder as I got closer.

Reaching the two I pretend to go left before going right, their heads and open mouths still pointed to the left I use my entire upper body to strike the wolf on my right with the blade right behind the head in a horizontal slash.

Shrieking and ducking its head down it rubs the spot with it’s arm, the beast stalled I reposition my grip on the maul and use its momentum to carry the weapon up and guide it to the beasts back. The maul falling toward the monster’s spine I hear a click to my right before the other that must of went around goes low and rams me a full speed.

Suddenly sent airborne I somehow maintain my death grip on the axe while I roughly impact the Humvee’s hood and bounce off onto the ground next to the side of the cabin where the loft window was.

Winded I struggle to get my breath not able to shrug it off this time, vision blurry I look up to the window and see a yellow face and a plume of pink hair looking down on me. Weakly smiling I try to get up but to no surprise get pounced on by one of the easily three hundred and fifty pound wolves, the weight pushing any air I had in my lungs back out with a raspy wheeze.

My legs kicking as I slide across the ground on my back, the wolf pushes down on me while I hold the maul handle out in front of me to shove the wolf’s open jaws away from me so it’s unhinged lower jaw couldn't catch me.

Arms and chest burning from the overwhelming weight and force bearing down on me I start to lose ground letting the razor sharp teeth close in. Starting to suffocate under the beast’s immense weight my vision starts to fail and I start to feel as if I was just a passenger in my body.

So this is how I die, a massive mutant wolf is going to gut me and bite my face off while a innocent life hangs in the balance. The rest of the outside world going silent I zone out and feel everything slow down, Wait. I might want to die but not at the hands of this natures’ fuck up! If I’m going to die I’m at least going to drag you two down to hell with me!

My vision coming back I growl in resistance, “rrrrrRRRAAAHHHHH.” With a final burst of strength I push the beast back as far as my arms would reach. Bringing a foot up I catch its jaw as it swings back and with a strong push of the leg snap the jaw back all the way to it’s chest.

A flood or dark, almost black, blood surging forward from the broke open skin it pours over my face and shirt completely turning me red.

The beast trying to retreat from me now as it realized that the tables turned I grab hold of its right front leg and hold it in place while I change my grip on the maul and use the handle to snap it’s leg out. Collapsing to my right, it’s leg broken I hook it with the underside of the Maul head and force it the other way.

Getting out from under the downed creature I stomp on it’s trachea and stand tall looking at the other one. “I. Will. Kill. You.” Growling I turn the maul around to I was using the hammer head.

Looking to me with caution it switches its gaze to its friend laying on the ground choking in its own blood and snarls.

Already rushing toward it I swing the maul and impact the side of it’s head right as it looks to me. All sense of finesse and grace gone I use all my strength and wildly swing the maul from side to side, not to lose momentum. It’s head going from side to side it tries to growl while backing away but keeps getting interrupted by another hit.

Advancing I emphasize every swing with a yell or growl. Swinging the maul above my head I go to swing it down but the wolf turns its head and grabs ahold of the maul in its jaws.

Yanking it’s head to the side it snaps its jaw severing the maul in two, still within close proximity and now without a weapon I draw my right hand back and right hook the wolf in the side of the head, the blow making it stumble.

Backing up I take my hatchet in my right hand, choking up on it so I could use it to punch. Hatefully staring at the wolf with my teeth bared it looks to me and stumbles trying to get it’s balance.

One of its eye sockets smashed in it glares at me with its other eye while I slowly start to circle the beast. Reaching too far out of it’s ruined peripheral it clumsily turns around and face me.

Stopping we stare each other down as we both pant. My skin feeling like fire due to my elevated heart rate sweat pours down my body soaking all of my clothing, even pants, in a futile attempt to cool me. Spitting out a glob of blood I take a deep breath to calm myself as the beast gains its footing and snaps its now crooked jaw.

Breaking into a sprint toward the large canine it does something neither of them had done before and throws a slash with its left paw, seeing an opening I dodging into it and catch the swing before it could reach full force and with the bearded part of the hatchet and force it straight up, the bone breaking and the tenon ripping at the sudden dramatic change in posture.

Going for a bite to my left thigh I kick it in the underside of the throat making it whimper, adjusting my footing and position I go low and grab it in a football tackle before pushing it onto it’s back legs to expose it’s underside, “There will be NO SURVIVORS!”

Holding it up with my left I cock my right hand back and punch the hatchet into its ribs over and over again until I hear it wheeze, knowing that I had punctured a lung and that it was only a matter of time now I hoof it in the balls before pushing to my left.

Falling to the ground I feel the vibrations of the beast’s weight impact through the ground and in my boots. Watching as the mutant tries to get up but falls down every time I release my choked up hold in the hatchet for a more regular one, approaching the downed canine it tries to back away but stops as I stomp it on the side of the head.

Seeing that it was out of the fight I stop my assault and turn around, “HA HA!” holding my arms out in a ‘witness me’ gesture I walk in a small circle before stopping back at the wolf. Flipping the hatchet and catching in one rotation I smirk at the wolf before bringing it down right on its ruined eye socket.

The skull being softened by the previous beating the hatchet’s blade sinks in all the way to the handle. Still alive and staring at me with it’s other eye I pick it’s head up by the chin and smile, “Don’t worry it was a good shot, closest to death I’ve been in a while.” Grabbing the handle of the hatchet I start to twist it, “Oh and if you’re worried about your death being in vain… well I guess it is but you’re gonna give me a lot of food for a longggg time.”

Chuckling I snap the hatchet to the side in a fast motion splitting its skull and face in half effectively ending its existence.

The battle over I stand up breathing heavy and turn around looking at the other as it went through its death throes. Walking over I stomp on it’s neck over and over until it stopped flinching, watching the blood leak from its ruined mouth I clear my throat and walk over to to where my rifle was lying. Picking up the rifle I run my fingers over the divots that now scarred the wood surface.

Gazing to the wolf responsible I walk over to it and kick it in it’s blown open neck soaking my right boot in blood, “You’re lucky you’re dead cause if you weren’t, oh boy, you’d wish you were.”

Kicking it again I watch the blood spurt and hear the bones break, enjoying the sight and sound. Further inspecting the rifle I pull the bolt back half way and back forward to make sure it was still operational.

“What’d they do ta you girl?” Rubbing the gun I sigh, “You’re starting to match your owner, scars an all.”

Hearing a stumble I look to my left and see three more Shucks, not saying anything I raise the rifle and pop one in the middle of the chest.

The other two rushing toward me I fire at one but only graze it, chambering another round I fire from the hip at the other expecting it to come at me as well. Missing it as well the round impacts the ground and sends up a cloud of dirt and grass going to reload another round the one I missed completely zooms past me and into the cabin where I hear a scream.

Going to chase after it a heavy weight slams into me from the rear smashing me into the cabin wall. Officially overclocked with bullshit for the day I intercept it by the throat as it pounces again and drop the rifle and take out my hatchet before proceeding to open it like a piñata at a five year old’s birthday party. Making strange gurgling and gasping sounds I cock my head to the side and stare into it’s eyes as I grab a handful of guts and rip them out before throwing the whimpering wolf to the ground hard enough to hear something crack.

Spitting on the dying wolf I rush into the cabin and turn to my left seeing Fluttershy crawling backwards to get away from the wolf that was three fourths into the loft, running over and grabbing the wolf by the back legs before yanking it back to me, the wolf gives a surprised yip.

Grabbing it by the ears as half it’s body hangs off the edge of the loft I drag it off all the way and onto the floor. Noticing the bayonet sticking out of it’s left shoulder grabbing the knife I start to saw it side to side while I clamp its mouth shut with the other hand and hold it down with the heel of my foot directly on it’s spine.

With a pull I take the bayonet out of the wolf before plunging it back in. “Nothing.” Stab, “Ever.” Stab, “Hurts.” Stab, “My.” Stab, “Friends.” Growling the last word directly into its ear I take the knife out before forcing it’s head straight up and lining the blade up with its right eye.

Slowly letting it pierce the eyeball I ever so slowly twist it back and forth, my grin growing larger and larger with every pained whimper the bitch emitted. Stopping my twisting I place my hand on the pommel of the knife before pushing down on the blade with all my might, the calcified bone at the back of the skull standing no chance as the knife skewered the skull all the way through.

The head pinned straight up by the knife I watch as the jaw weekly falls open before grabbing the knife in a ice pick grip and pulling it back out with a wet slurp.

Standing up I wipe the blood and skull fragments off on my pants before slipping back into empty the sheath on my hip. Looking up to the loft I see Fluttershy staring at me from the edge of the loft.

“Guess we’re friends.” I dryly laugh before walking over to the bathroom, leaving her in the loft.

Purposely avoiding the mirror above the sink I turn on the tap before starting to scrub off the dried blood on my arms and hands. Vigorously scrubbing I only get enough of the uncover my cuts on my arms and hands, the dried blood taking too much time and too much water to remove completely. Not looking up I open the cabinet and pull down a bottle of hydrogen peroxide and a roll of gauze.

Leaving the door open I look up and take down a pair of surgical scissors, setting them on the sink’s stone top I undo the cap of peroxide before pouring it over the three medium deep cuts in my left arm, making sure that the already forming scabs get rubbed off.

Fresh blood flowing from the wounds I pour peroxide into the open cuts causing a burning and tingling sensation that I was far too familiar with to erupt from the cuts. Setting the bottle down I wrap the wound in gauze before cutting off the extra and taping it in place. Looking my arms over I see nothing else terribly bad but then remember my leg. Looking down to my left leg I see that the front of the leg was bloody but had no new blood being added to it. Not interested in taking my pants off I hit the wound and decide that the amount of pain was fine and that the wound was not that bad. Still deciding to be on the safe side I wrap a few layers of gauze around my leg over the pants before taping it in place as well.

Sitting everything down, I turn around and see the Fluttershy was staring at the dead wolf at the bottom of the loft. Going over to it I pick it up before throwing it out of the door before picking up the other and doing the same.

Looking back to Fluttershy I give an exasperated look before going over to the loft and pulling myself up and sitting next to her.

“You alright?”

“Y-y-yes.”

“Good.” Rubbing the left side of my head I stop as I feel four almost to the skull gashes running from above my ear to my neck on the back, no doubt ruining the chances of hair ever growing back in those spots. Sighing I look back to her, “Sorry one got that close, must be gettin’ rusty.”

Rubbing the left side of my head I bring my hand back and inspect it my blood definitely staining my fingers.

I’ll clean it later, I’m not in the mood to deal with head wounds right now.

“That’s alright you had a lot to deal with.”

“True but I coulda done better,” Taking a deep breath I smile, “nice job stickin’ that Shuck though, honestly wasn’t sure you could do it.”

Going to pat her on the back I pause and pull my hand back, “Prolly don’t want blood on yer coat though.”

Sitting in silence I sigh and jump down, “Well let me get you home, before somethin’ else comes ta die.”

Setting the 1903 and M16 on the counter I grab the shotgun before looking it over and setting it down as well. Limping over to the gun cabinet I reach in and grab the 45-70 lever action before loading it up and throwing some extra rounds in the ammo pouches, taking out the few stripper clips that were still hiding inside before setting them inside the cabinet.

Grabbing some .357 I pull out my revolver and dump the empty casing on the floor before inserting the new rounds into the cylinder. Gently closing the cylinder I slip it into holster before pulling out the 1911 and it’s mags. Filling the mags I put one into the rightmost mag pouch and put the other into the pistol before chambering a round before pulling the mag back out and topping it back off.

Turning around I slip the 1911 back into my waist and pick up the rifle, “Ready?” I ask fluttershy leaning the rifle over my shoulder.

“Um… n-no.” She stutters shrinking back into a loaf.

“Why’s that?”

“I’m s-scared.” Shivering she stutters.

Slowly walking over to the loft I stop far enough away so I could still see her, “I know you are, it’s nothin’ but natural to be scared in a near death situation, but we ain’t walkin’ and I promise you’ll be safer at home or at a friend’s house than here.”

“You don’t seem scared.” Coming out of her ball she inches toward me at the edge.

“ I’m a bit different Flutters, I’ve been in way too many near death situations all I feel is adrenaline and anger anymore, I’m far past being scared.” Waving her over closer I pat her on the neck, “Plus I promise nothin’ will get ya. Ready ta go?”

Thinking it over her eyes shift from left to right before settling on me, “O-okay, I trust you.”

“That’s the spirit, now come here.”

Coxing her over I pick up a blanket and gently pick her up before holding her under my left arm.

“Comfortable?”

“Yes, but why are you carrying me?”

“The ground’s a bit bloody outside and I don’t you gettin’ yer hooves bloody.”

“Oh.”

Grabbing my helmet I place it on my head before picking up the basket in my other hand, my rifle slung over my shoulder. Stepping out of the door and onto a dead wolf’s head I hear Fluttershy gasp and push herself closer into my side.

Stepping over a wolf it tries to reach its head up to bite me in the leg but fails, only causing me to notice it, passing it by I reach the humvee and open the door before placing Fluttershy in the passenger seat with a reassuring smile.

Giving her the basket I gently close the door. Turning around I look to the not quite dead yet wolf and walk toward it, stopping behind it it struggles to turn it’s head to look at me but eventually gives up before starting to breathe heavily. Picking my foot up I mash its head into the ground until it stopped squirming.

Turning around I walk to the back of the humvee before opening the hatch and letting down the tail gate.

“W-what are you doing?” Looking up I slide the ammo bag forward before replying.

“Ya saw those big fuckers didn’t cha?”

“M-mhm, they were s-s-so scary.”

“And extremely dangerous, so while I may not be welcome in town I’m gonna show em one of em so they know how serious this Shuck situation is, there may be a lot of pricks in that town but there is also a lot of good people, I’m not gonna let them get killed by somethin’ that coulda been prevented.”

Walking away from the humvee I walk over to the one with a less broken head and stab it in the eye, turning the blade around to make sure it’s brain was scrambled and dead before grabbing it’s hind legs and dragging the massive wolf to the back of the truck.

Picking up its front half I place it in the truck before picking up its back half and doing the same. The Shuck in place I walk to the driver’s side and get in.

Sighing and shaking my head I reach for the switch and turn the truck over, startling Fluttershy for the second time. Putting it into reverse I roll backwards fifty feet before popping it into first and turning it around.

Heading down the path neither of us say anything until we reach the ‘Y’.

“I’m sorry the picnic was ruined, I was having a good time.”

Looking to the right I huff, “Pft, why do you feel sorry you did nothin’ wrong Flutters.”

“I-I mean maybe I could’ve calmed them down so you didn’t have to fight.”

“Even if you could’ve all those cunts want to do is kill, hell I came across a field of dead deer, none of em eaten. Means they’re killin’ fer sport, I don’t agree with that.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah so don’t feel bad the fight was inevitable.” Stopping at the bridge that crosses the stream in front of her house I open my door and walk around.

Popping open the door Fluttershy looks to me while I give a small smile.

“Your stop madam.” I give a flourish and point to her house.

Smiling she gently jumps out of the humvee and looks up to me, “Thank you gentle stallion. What’s the occasion?”

“Just tryin’ to brighten up a day gone bad is all.” Closing the door behind me I look to Fluttershy again, “I promise everythin’ will be fine, okay? Jus’ trust me.”

“I- I trust you Hank.”

“And I trust you, now I’m gonna go by the Apple’s place and then to town, on my way back want me ta swing back on by?”

“That would be wonderful.” She nods.

“Alrighty, see ya soon then.”

Stepping back around the Humvee I slide inside before closing the door and heading down the road toward the orchard.

Well there's that. Half of 28,000 words. This one took a while, sorry.

This time around I have a question that I need answers for, like seriously answer this question the out come will change the story dramatically.

Heres the deal... I'm thinking about taking the story down and turning it to anthro. Now before you assemble the mob hear me out, eventually I want to ween Hank of his firearms so he's not so dependent on them and to spread out his ammo. This will encompass lot's more hand to hand combat and sword, sword and shield, pole axe, and other various DUES VULT goodness.

While writing swords is hard enough, writing it and making is so Hank is mostly fighting enemies waist height is awkward, for example I would base Hank's moves off of the knight characters in For Honor for simplicity and better visualization, but some real stuff as well. This will go down great if he fights a two legged opponent and I can make it a lot cooler but not so much against things of the four legged variety.

So now that you've heard my reason Fucking tell me what you think! if you hate it tell me! If you like it tell me! If you want to tell me how to make sword fights with ponies work tell me! I will do whatever to make you guys happy!

Seriously though please respond to this question. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD! TELL ME DAMNIT!

Anyways hope you liked it. If you didn't tell me why, if you did do the same thing, I will see you later or laterer if the switch does happen. I really need help here guys.