Turning onto main street I walk along to the music in my head, ignoring the ponies as I walked past I stroll past the fancy restaurant with the patio area before hearing several gasps of what I would guess was disgust.

“Look how absolutely revolting that thing is with its flat face and pasty coat dear. Not to mention the scars.” I hear a especially pompous voice whisper.

“Yes it is quite the sight.” A male voice laughs, “What an embarrassment.”

Stopping mid step I lower my right leg to the ground and spin so I was facing the couple. Back to staring into each other’s eyes like something out of a cheesy romance film I quietly hop over the ornate iron fence and slowly saunder over to their table, the other restaurant goers following my every move.

Stopping next to their table I slowly place both my hands palm down on the white table cloth surface and lean over the table while crossing my legs.

Both pairs of eyes widening, they trace my arms up to my face where they both stare. Smiling I look to each of them, “Anythin’ ya want ta tell me? Perhaps somethin’ ‘bout my looks?”

“N-no.” the mare stutter in a small voice.

“Hmm.” I look to the stallion, “You enjoyin’ the sights, or are ya embarrassed?”

“T-they are quite nice.” He gulps.

“Oh really? Because jus’ a second ago you said I was an embarrassment and she called me repulsive, or did I hear wrong or somethin’?”

“You must have h-heard wrong sir.” The mare answers.

Turning my head to her she shrinks back and diverts her eyes.

“Oh okay then, my mistake.” I stand up.

Both sitting up a little I switch my gaze from one to the other noticing that they were both just starting to cut into their brown bean something as I interrupted.

“You want that cut smaller?” I ask the mare pointing to her plate.

“U-um I got it.”

“Yes, Okay then.” I quickly pull my sword from my hip, the collective gasp of the ponies around me making me smile as I twirl it between my fingers. Starting to shake and turn pale the mare starts to shrink back further into her chair as I bring by sword down onto the square mass of bean.

Slowly pulling it through the food I stare directly into her eyes, hearing the patter of something dripping on the cobblestone I look down and see that she pissed herself. Looking back up to her eyes I widely smile making her freak out more and shake more violently.

Turning to the stallion I hold up my sword, “You too?”

“I-I-I-I…”

“I’ll that that as a yes.”

Whimpering I stare into the scared pony’s eyes as well and slowly cut the block in half. Pulling the blade all the way through I hold the sword at my side and turn around. Looking at the brown substance on the blade I turn the sword in my hand inspecting it.

Humming I don’t look away from the blade, “Ya know, perhaps y’all weren’t taught this cause a bein’ born with silver spoons in yer asses but I was taught to never say somethin’ if ya didn’t have nothin’ nice ta say…” Bringing the blade to my mouth I pinch it between my lips and slowly pull it through to taste the dish,

“Bland. Maybe all y’all don’t need manners cause yer all so damn rich and like to pretend that yer better than everyone else but remember this…” I place my sword on the top of my arm before quickly pulling it across creating a small cut, “No matter how rich you are, how poor you are, what you may or may not have... every single one of ya bleeds red.”

Turning my arm to the side, letting the blood that had pooled on my arm run down before dripping to the stone below, “So use this experience later in life when you’re about to degrade someone based on their looks. Don’t.”

Sheathing my sword I place the self inflicted wound in my mouth and suck and blood out while walking back to the fence and hopping back over it amongst the ponies that had accumulated on the other side of the iron fence.

The ponies immediately backing away and giving me space I continue back down the way I was going. Coming up on the gingerbread house I see a guard outside the door before said door opens as another guard steps out before Celestia and Luna.

Watching as the rest of the group, including the lizard, step out as well all laughing and or smiling. Seeing me the front guard visibly tenses causing Celestia to notice and then causes the rest of the group to notice me as well, causing the general mood of happiness to fall away from the group.

Good to see I’m also the killer of good moods too. Add it to the list.

Meeting eyes with Fluttershy I give a small smile, which she reciprocates, as I continue to walk toward them on the sidewalk. Walking past the group I notice that Celestia was holding a large cake box in her golden magical grasp and slow my pace.

“Ya sure you need that cake Celestia? I mean if your rear gets any larger they’ll have to start making custom chairs for you.” I snicker.

Her entourage gasping while Luna starts to laugh and elbows her sister Celestia stares at me with a gobsmacked expression across her face.

“W-w-well perhaps you should look in the mirror! Your flanks are about as large as they get!” She says in response making the same ponies gasp again, especially the purple one, while Luna tries to stifle her laughter.

Stopping and turning around I place my hands on my hips, “I tend to avoid mirrors on the count of me being so ugly, but I’m glad that someone was lookin’. Say Celestia. Did ya like what ya see?” Turning around I pat my left ass cheek while looking over my shoulder, watching as Celestia very obviously looks to the area and lingers for a good second or two.

“Well you had to of looked at me.” She retorts snapping her gaze from my ass.

“Kinda hard ta miss somethin’ so large and white.” I say with a shrug, “Plus not to mention those big gold ass tattoos that stand out like a burning skyscraper.”

Eyes widening in shock at my comment she looks to her own rear as if to convince herself that they, ‘didn’t stand out too much’, before looking back to me obviously a little frustrated.

“You will speak to the princess with respect!” The lead guard demands while angrily looking at me.

“Why are ya gonna do? Put me in chains?” I ask the guard.

"You’d like to see me in chains wouldn’t you hot cheeks?” I grin at the princess, “No no no no, you’re the kinda person thats wants to be put in chain aren’t you? Yeah course you are, most people of power like yourself really like to have the tables turned on ‘em. To go from one of most powerful people in the world to being completely at the mercy of someone else and powerless… look the ideas already making ya antsy.” I motion a hand to the princess as she shuffled around all flustered like, a mellow blush on her cheeks.

Watching her for long enough I snort, “Ah hell, I’m jus’ yankin’ ya hot cheeks, in fact I think possibly meeting formally with you and your sister could be good so we can lower the levels of bullshit down a little ya know?” I explain while poking at the cut I gave myself.

“Get to where you stop trying to sic yer guards on me so I don't have to hospitalize them. I appreciate the practise an’ all but eventually I’ll go a little to hard and end up snappin’ one of their necks or somethin’.” The guards flinch and wince at my words.

Still just starting at me as she apparently does based on previous encounters I look to her and nod my head, “Obviously you’re still thinkin’ about the chains and all that so I’ll jus’ let you think about it, send a letter or somethin’ to yer pet if you ever make up your mind.” I motion to Purple making her scowl at me.

“Well don’t try to hard to not think about me later tonight.” I wink with a smile and turn back around.

Chuckling to myself while I shake my head I wipe my eyes and make my way out of town. At the top of the hill I check my watch and see that it was only four in the afternoon. Lowering my hand I take my shotgun from my back and smile, “Nothin’ like relaxing prance through the trees.”

Might be time to head back now, I look down to my watch noticing that it read five. Returning my left hand to the black synthetic forestock of the remington I turn on my heel I start back East toward the Apple’s orchard.

Sure are some fuckin’ strange tracks and marks of… activity... in these woods. I think to myself recollecting the strange tree scrapes and other other weird occurrences I’d stumbled across on my little walk, I need to stay out here in the dark some night and see what I can hunt down.

Balancing across a moss covered fallen tree that was the only way to get across the twenty foot wide, fifty foot long, thirty foot deep gouge in the earth some of the rotting soft material falls away underfoot causing me to almost fall off.

“Shit.” I mutter falling into a crouch to regain my balance, hearing the rotted wood hit the stone below I slowly stand back up and quickly make my way across the log of questionable structural stability. Jumping off I take a quick look behind me and push my way through the tall ferns and brambles as I make my way further east.

Shotgun raised and at the ready I quickly glance to my watch cursing under my breath at the time, It’s almost dark and I’m just half way back and these things are gonna pounce me if I try to run.

One of the lithe black shapes shooting across in my peripheral I snap to where it was long after it was already gone, “Yer really startin’ to piss me off you cowards.” I grumble.

Two zipping past in opposite directions on my left and right I swing the shotgun in an arc to cover both my flanks.

What’s the breaking point going to be? Run or stand and fight… well now these things have peaked my curiosity so I guess we know which one is going to happen here don’t we Hank?

“Haha, yes we do.” I smile.

Pretending to turn and run I swing back around as multiple shrieks fill the trees and a black figure jumps out of the darkness at me. My shotgun already pointed at where it came from I pull the trigger, illuminating the creatures face just as it was liquidised by the nine pellets of buckshot, sending the rest of the creatures body to the leaf covered ground. Looking at the spotty fur and dark skin, mixed with the black blood leading from its mutilated head and long snaggled teeth of its lower jaw I snap my gaze back to the trees and listen to the sound of rapid feet in the darkness around me, “These ain’t Shucks.”

Screeches filling my ears something impacts the back of my right knee causing me to have to regain my footing as another rams into the side of my left knee trying to buckle it.

“Son of a bitch!” I yell and fire a shot in the direction of where I thought it would be going. Missing I use the flash of the fireball to reacquire a new target before firing again, this time definitely hitting something, the large scream telling me all I needed to know.

Pumping a new shell into the chamber I continue to fire in every direction, noticing all the eyes that were surrounding me.

A figure sprinting toward me I level the front bead with its chest and pull the trigger, the most dreaded sound I knew faintly calling out… *click*.

“Fffuuuuck!” Gripping the shotgun tightly I prepare for hand to hand. Jumping for my throat I intercept the beast with the buttstock sending it to the ground. Kicking it the ribs making it snarl I raise my foot to stomp on its neck as another one rams into my exposed side, digging its teeth into the material of my body armor.

The sudden addition of weight throwing off balance allowing the other one to slink away back into the dark I turn and look down to my side as it held onto my material trying to dig in deeper. Raising the butt of the shotgun and smashing it on its eyes making it fall off where the thing lands on the ground on its side. Raising my foot again I drop it on its ribcage, its side collapsing like a pumpkin getting hit with a baseball bat.

Thrashing its head in pain I forget about it and turn, another one mid air, going for my throat. Holding up the shotgun to block it bites down on the receiver and starts to pull. Growling I throw the shotgun to the ground, in turn making the mongrel land in front of me. Pulling my revolver I fire and plant a .357 in the top of its skull.

Quiet filling the forest I look all around me before reholdeting the revolver and picking up the shotgun. Still looking around me I start to backpedal East while slamming the forestock to the rear and putting a shell in the chamber before locking back forward.

Hearing rapid panting coming from dead ahead I stop the process of loading and fire a shot blindly, once again illuminating the area around me the previously injured K-9 takes the shot in the middle of its chest causing it to immediately drop and slide directly in front of me.

“Get fucked.” I growl still backing up. Ejecting the spent shell I replace it with a new one and proceed to top the shotgun off, completely spending my reserves. Looking over my shoulder I see a patch of forest where the tree cover lessened letting the last beams of sunlight to illuminate the forest floor.

A place where I could finally see what I was fighting only three hundred meters behind me I take a deep breath and harden my gaze. Turning around I push off the earth as hard as I could and start into a sprint toward the light.

Swarming around me one of them jumps at me from the left trying to knock me on the ground, my shotgun already pointed in its general direction I pull the trigger as it gets into the gun’s line of fire blowing it back into the trees head over heels.

Racking the shotgun, the spend shell flying in front of my face with a trail of pure white smoke, I see another anomaly running directly at me, tucking my shoulder I ram into the beast with a yell, sending it flying into a nearby tree.

Almost to the light spot one of them finally times it right and zips between my legs as I took a stride. Legs locking up instantly I fly forward, the leaf covered ground slowly making its way toward me as time slowed.

Tucking my head in and turning to my left side I impact the ground and slide for a second before ending up on my back ten feet from the light. Right where they wanted me, they start to yip and screech around me as they close in.

Raising my shotgun I fire at the closest one as it rushes me, blowing its chest wide open. Using my legs to turn myself around in a circle I pick of the ones that lunged or tried to pounce on me. The smell of blood and gunpowder filling the area around me it only seemed to anger the strange doglike creatures as they started to growl and become even more reckless.

My trusty shotgun pumping out its last shell I hastily try to push myself up from my vulnerable position but much to my chagrin get knocked back down as one pounces on my chest and starts to bite snap its jaws at my throat. Holding it back with the shotgun I roughly push it off me as another jumps at me, raising my legs I joey kick it directly in the chest causing something to crack as it flies back and hits one of its circling brethren.

Using the second I had I stand up and sucker punch another in the process. Switching the shotgun to my left hand I hold it around the receiver and pull my revolver starting my way back into the tiny clearing.

One coming from my right, jaws wide open I don’t even aim with the sights, just point and send a round into its neck, the deep report of the revolver being a stark difference from the dog’s high pitched screeching. Another two coming at me from left I quickly switch to them before plugging them both, stopping their advance.

Stepping into the clearing I look behind me and notice another running at me from the other side, whipping around I fire a shot, missing by a foot, before firing once again, this time hitting it in the left side of the chest, at least puncturing a lung.

Thankfully knowing how to count to six I realize the revolver was empty and re holster it, replacing it with the 1911. Looking all around me I see the unbelievably ugly faces of the sickly black skinned K-9s as they snap their jaws and bark at me. The front four K9 teeth being extremely long compared to the others I look to their bodies, all of them definitely being made for speed, their legs and torsos being extremely thin and lanky.

“You sure are frail mother fuckers ain’t cha?” I laugh drawing my sword, holding it regularly in my left hand, “Well come on, I might jus’ be a little too big fer ya to handle tough, might accidently rip ya in half even.”

Mocking them it doesn’t take long for them to get antsy before finally all hell breaks loose. Rushing me all at one time I spend all eight shots I had in the blink of an eye, dropping six of them as they run toward me. Dropping the empty mag I attempt to slide in the new one but get stopped half way by a wolf jumping onto my back.

Latched on I throw my right elbow into its ribs until it finally lets go and falls off, another immediately at my twelve I pistol whip it with the 1911 in the side of the head before stabbing it in the neck with the sword.

Looking to the right I barely have time to pull away from the bleeding dog as another lands right where I was standing snarling all the while. Throwing a quick cut with the help of a flick of the wrist the ascending cut seems to almost miss the dog’s neck before dark blood starts to flow out of the wound like a waterfall.

My sword still near my head from the swing and the 1911 still empty I have no way to do anything as I get rams from my right and left. Knocking me off balance I thankfully manage to stay upright. Taking a step back and cutting down the mangy dog that bounced off my left thigh with a unrefined hack of the blade resembling the motion of chopping down cattails next to the pond with a machete back home the one on my right clamps its jaws around my forearm.

Yelling in anger I turn to the offending delinquent and ram the sword between its top ribs, the angle I thrust the blade making its tip poke through the dogs back. A singular gasp being the last sound the dog would ever make it loosens its grip and falls off my arm, sliding off the sword as it fell.

Turning I knee another one under the chin as it came at me snapping its head back and snapping its neck. Its body falling to the ground like a sack of potatoes I kick another back and grab the only mag I had left before slamming it into the pistol.

Using my thumb to push down the slide release I look to the right and pop a dog as it tries to run around me and switch positions. Hearing a screech I turn my entire body to the right to face the enemy. Sprinting directly at me, twenty feet away and closing, I push off toward it; not getting much speed built up before it jumped into the air. Shooting directly at me with its maw wide open and front claws showing I tuck my shoulder and lower down like a Linebacker before pushing up with my legs as it got right on top of me.

Feeling the dogs ribs crack and snap as its body folds around my shoulder it rebounds back and lands on the ground in front of me. Already looking broken and near death I stab it in the stomach for good measure, enjoying the look of pain on its face. Twisting the blade I rip it out sending a streak of blood splatter across my face.

Looking up I see that while they were still growling at me they had stopped trying to attack me.

Growling and yelling at them I try to provoke them to attack, “What too scared to attack me? C’mon I wanna continue my holocaust!”

Looking to each other and barking they start to paw at the ground before breaking into a sprint toward me.

Cocking my head back and thrusting my arms into the sky I yell, “YESSS!”

Snapping my head back down and lowering my arms I fastly walk toward them my face stuck in a snarl. Speeding up I start into a run before we meet in the middle.

A flurry of blood, fur, and flashes of light being the only thing my eyes see an orchestra of death fills my ears. The sound of whimpering, growling, thrashing, yelling and bodies hitting the ground my body does what I do best while my mind seems to go blank, needily asking for three things: Blood, Flesh, and Bone.

Cleaving into a dogs back before kicking it away I use the pommel on another before slitting its throat. Picking up the Dog as it bled out I throw it into one if its companions, knocking it to the ground.

Blocking another’s bite by placing my arm in its neck I thrust the soaked blade into its chest, stuck on the blade I pull it toward me ramming it into my shoulder popping it off the blade. Turning to the one I knocked down I stomp on its head with a growl and turn around throwing a wild cut that only caught air.

Rapidly looking around me I snap to one of them as it backs away, one of its front legs missing, raising my right arm that was still holding the 1911 I fire a single shot hitting it directly in the head.

The 1911’s slide locking back I turn it questioningly noticing it was out of rounds. Grumbling disappointedly I press the slide release and place it back in the front pocket along side its empty mag, reminded of my guns I notice the shotgun I dropped earlier and walk over to it. The last of the dogs dead, dying, or running away I ignore them.

The nickel coating of the shotgun being completely covered in blood I wipe some off with my hand before slinging it over my back.

Switching my sword to my right hand I spit some blood out of my mouth, not knowing if it was mine or not. Looking up the the moon as it hung high in the sky I take a deep breath before frantic breathing from my left interrupts me. Quickly turning to the left and dodging to the side I avoid the lone fuck stick as it lunged at me. Turning around to try again I instead lunge at it getting it by the throat with my left hand.

Slamming it into the ground by its throat I remember that I had a social event to attend and stand up. Still holding the dog by its throat I start to walk east, the blood I was covered in mixing with my sweat as cool night air cooled me as I walked toward the Apple’s farm, struggling mutt still locked in my grip.

Coming to the front gate of the farm I go to raise my left arm and wipe my face off but feel a weight keeping my arm lowered. Looking down to my hand I jump slightly at the sight of the dog I had in my grip.

Squinting my eyes and looking at it closer, while lifting it closer to my face I notice that other than the blood pooled in its mouth and matting the fur around it there were no other signs of physical trauma.

“Been a while since I’ve done that.” I mutter to myself, “First the flashes and now this… hope I ain't fallin’ back into it.” Starting off I shake my head, “Nah, I got over that a long time ago, I’m better now.”

Looking at the dog I drop it to the ground and start to loosen my fingers from their locked state. Walking through the gate I stop and look over to my shoulder to the unmoving figure of the dog, grunting I quickly walk back to the dog and stab my sword into its heart just to be sure. Not moving an inch as I stabbed it I nod and turn back around.

The house in sight I look down to my watch and frown at the time, I’m late.

Keeping clear of the front of the house I flank around the side where I see a faint yellow glow coming from the open cellar door. Stepping closer, my footsteps silenced by the soft blades of grass, I hear conversation inside.

“Perhaps something came up Mac,” An accented voice says from inside the cellar, “however, it would be nice to have five of us instead of four… I always did prefer odd numbers.”

“Maybe he just didn’t want to come...” A certain dark grey pegasus I knew the voice of says flatly, “and because you won’t tell us who this mystery stallion is we don’t know if he’s one to show or not.”

“Y’all have met him before.” Mac says in his signature deep accent.

“I’ve met lots of ponies Mac, like crazy amounts of ponies. Does he at least live in Ponyville?”

“... Kinda.”

“Kinda!? C’mon mac just tell us already!”

“I for once I agree with Thunderlane just tell us already.”

“Well….”

Using that as my que I start my way down the stone stairs having to duck my head as I go down.

“Sorry I’m late, I got caught up with some neighborhood hooligans and it got a little heated to say the least.” I laugh reaching the bottom of the stairs.

Three of the four ponies in the group being familiar they all look at me with equal faces of shock, their gazes sweeping over my body before settling on my sword that was still held within’ my right hand.

A crate sat next to Braeburn I walk over to it and slowly sit down with a grunt and kick my legs out to stretch them. Leaning my back against the cool stone wall I sigh and smile at the cold feeling on my spine. Letting my head rest against the stone wall as well I poke my sword around for the opening of the sheath before finally locating it and sliding it in.

“Uhhhh… are you okay Hank?” Mac asks.

“Oh, yeah, I’m fine.” I answer not moving from my spot.

“Wasn’t sure if ya were gonna show or not.” Brea states with concern in his voice.

“I said I’d come so I was obligated. I jus’ got a little caught up is all.”

“Well if ya want ta go home and get er um… patched up ya can. It’s no big deal.”

Looking up and sitting up straighter I look over to Mac, “Nah, most this blood ain’t mine anyhow.”

“What is it then?”

Thinking about what to say I hum, “Frankly I don't know, black dogs, smaller than a Shuck, faster, massive K9 teeth, eyes that almost looked already glazed over and this screech… a screech that make your ears sting. Just these absolute abominations of nature, easy to kill and all, but frankly just… I’ll put it this way I’ll be seeing those snapping jaws when I close my eyes for the next few days.”

Looking at the empty mug on top o the old table in the middle of us I point to it, “Mind if I have a glass?”

“Go ‘head, looks like ya need it.” Leaning forward he grabs it and fills it with apple cider, the fresh scent of the apples already drifting through the air, “Here ya go.”

“Thanks.” I grab the mug with a nod.

“Eeyup.”

Putting the mug to my lips I lean my head back and gulp down the amber liquid as fast as I could, my body apparently far more parched than I thought.

“God damn, that’s a pretty fuckin’ good glass of cider.” I wipe my mouth and set the glass down on the table, the outside of the glass streaked in blood from where I gripped it. Leaning by elbows on my knees I look around the cellar at the ponies, both the ponies I didn’t have much prior contact with looking on edge.

“So do y’all want to get acquainted or do we jus’ want to sit here like five guys at the doctors ‘bout to get our prostates checked?”

All of the ponies shivering a little at my comment the brown coated earth pony is the first to break the ice.

“H-Hello, my name is Dr. Hooves or just Hooves if you prefer, I’m the resident scientist in Ponyville. I presume that you are… Hank, correct?” Holding out his hoof I reach over the table to shake it before stopping and pulling my hand away.

“Doubt you want blood on your hoof,” I smile and pull away as he does the same.

“Yes I would like to avoid bodily fluids as much as possible.” He laughs.

Nodding in understandment I rub my neck, “Yes that’d be my name, I’m not really much of anything profession wise other than my obvious achievements that you’ve most likely heard of. It’s nice ta meet ya Hooves”

“Pleasant to meet you as well Hank, and I am indeed quite familiar with your work but at this point I don't know a pony, at least in Ponyville, who doesn’t know you by some alias.”

Chuckling a little I smile, “Unfortunately you’ve probably heard more bad than good, but what can I do.” I shrug.

“Yes the popular opinion around town is not very positive.” He confirms.

“Oh well, frankly most of the ponies there seem like people I don’t care ta meet or be friends with anyway.”

“Bet they feel the same.” Thunderlane says with a frown looking at me.

“Well there’s the little sparkle of sunshine I was waitin’ for.” I roll my eyes with a snort.

“Thunderlane, there’s no need ta get cross now, Hank ain’t done nothin’.” Braeburn says holding out his hoof.

“Hasn’t done anything? I don’t know how you’re all sitting here with a murderer! He’s a monster for Celestia’s sake! Look at him!”

Sitting up straight I roll my shoulder, “If you’re trying to piss me of it ain't workin’. Everything ya jus’ said I’ll take as a compliment.”

Sneering at me he huffs and turns to Mac, “Why did you invite the monkey Mac? Are you trying to get us killed!?”

“I suggest ya calm yer tone Thunderlane.” He calmly states, “Hank is one of the best ponies I know, he ain’t never done anythin’ bad ta me, you, or anypony in this here cellar.”

“Rumble hasn’t been able to sleep a full night since what he did.” Shooting a hoof in my direction I look up from my second glass of cider I poured myself.

“So you’re tellin’ me that you’d rather have your little brother be dead than have a few restless nights?” I question with a raised brow.

Looking to be he leans forward, his wings starting to unfurl, “He wouldn’t have any restless nights if you just stayed out of it! The timberwolf would of gone away.”

Setting my glass down I pinch my nose and sigh, “Alright listen here you sheltered idiot. That ain't how nature works, you either kill or get killed… and y’know what it’ll be good for the kid in the long run, make him more mentally calloused.”

“Don’t you say what’s good for Rumble, you’re nothing but a murderous maniac, you coltcuddler... with your foal bearing hips and massive flank.”

“That is quite uncalled for Thunderlane.” Whooves says shaking his head, “you need to apologize.”

Laughing to myself I smile, “No it’s fine Whooves, I’m actually flattered that he finds my ass so entrancing he remembers so much about it, you sure you ain’t the gay one there bud?”

Gritting his teeth he stares at me before huffing, “What’s your excuse for all the murder huh? How do you sleep with yourself at night?”

“My excuse?” I ask.

“Yeah your excuse.” He spits.

“I don’t have one, I jus’ kill folk who don’t deserve to live no more. So really I feel pretty good about myself in that aspect really.”

“So you feel nothing when you end a life for no reason?”

“Well not deserving to live usually means there’s a reason for that.” I explain taking a drink of cider.

“So you’ve never done anything wrong… you are a perfect angel huh? You have the moral high ground.”

“Angel of death maybe,” I mumble just loud enough for the ponies to hear, “ and I never said that, I’ve made mistakes, had my reflexes act before I could think, I’ve done terrible things, but it’s what I had to do to survive.”

“So you are a monster. I knew it.” He smuggly smiles.

Setting my mugdown I gaze at him and darkly laugh before quieting myself, “Put yourself in my shoes here dickhead: A bomb went off… Boom… You’re run toward the sound because it went off right next to some of your mates. When you get there two of them have treatable injures but the third… you turn him over and half his face is gone, blood is everywhere, he’s screaming but you can’t hear because a bomb went off next to you earlier and all you haven’t been able to hear since. All you can do is look at the part of his jaw that is left in silence as the exposed muscles and tendons in his neck spasm as he screams before you cover it with your own palm in a fuck all attempt to stop the bleeding. Now you can feel his screams though, they reverberate through your arm to your brain where you can feel the pain, the panic, the fear in this man who just an hour before you talked about his family. A family that is also dead, two daughters, and a loving wife.” I spit, the pony across from me sitting back, all the anger he was showing gone, replaced suprise.

“You’re on top of him, covered in more people’s blood than you could name, starting into his eye as he stare into yours. The bullets are still whizzing past, throwing sharp pieces of concrete onto your skin but you don’t look away, you can’t. The man underneath you dying has a name. Tom. Thomas Davidson. Tom was a good man, you owe him something, but what? You can’t save him, you can’t make him more comfortable, you have no morphine or otherwise, you ran out ages ago.” I laugh.

“So what do you do? You take out your M9, a pistol you still have trouble looking at because of the amount of people you mercy killed with it.” I take out my 1911, “You make sure a round is in the chamber,” I say in a dead tone racking the 1911, “Level it at his head, he grabs your wrist with a shaky hand and places it on his forehead shutting his remaining eye. Then you pull the trigger,” I close my eyes before pulling the 1911’s trigger, jumping at the sound of the sharp click from the hammer hitting nothing.

Taking a deep breath I reopen my eyes, “You stared at Thomas as you blew his brains out, there was nothing you could do you tell yourself. That don’t stop the already massive hole in your heart from getting bigger though, regret is all you feel, anger, hatred mixed in of course.” Putting my pistol back into the pouch on my plate carrier I let my arms rest in my lap, “What would you of done?”

His face one of shock he shudders, “W-what?”

“What would you do? Am I a monster for doing what I did? Could you of done better?” I grab my mug and shotgun it back.

“I-I how can I answer that!? W-What!?”

“So how the hell can you judge me when you have no fucking clue to what I’ve had to do, what I’ve been through!? Do you have any idea what kind of shit you go through doing that once?”

“What? N-no! I've never killed anypony.” He was starting to look panicked now.

“Well I’ve had to do that same thing lots more than once, and man I’ll tell you this, it grates at you, eats you from the inside out like a cancer. Imagine this… maybe so you can understand.”

“No.”

“Too bad. You and Rumble just had a bad accident, you’re alright, you’ll live. Rumble though, he’s split open, his intestines are blown out of his stomach, and as you try to scoop them back in he starts to scream and cry. ‘Kill me’ ‘Make it stop’ he pleads. So you do. You kill him, you had to, bad luck buddy. Now though its a while later some little bullshit thing reminds you of him and you remember what you did, how he’s dead, you’re alive, and you killed him. Have fun with that guilt.”

“N-no.” He says feebly.

Leaning back I hum, “So how can you undoubtedly call me a monster when you don’t even know me or what I’ve been through?”

He stays silent.

“Am I a monster for doing what I had to do to just barely fucking scrape by and survive? Sure I had to bad things, but look into my eyes and say that you would just lay down and die when there was a single hope that tomorrow things would get brighter. Look into my eyes and tell me.” Looking into his eyes he looks away before settling on the floor.

“That’s what I thought.” Standing up I pop my back, “Honestly Thunderlane I don’t think you’re a bad person, or just an asshole, but I think that you may have a hard time thinking for yourself and are too quick to judge the book by the cover.” Walking toward the steps I turn around, “But frankly I’m tired of your bullshit and now I’m thinkin’ about those things that I forced to the back of my mind.”

Taking out my sword I rest my hand on the cold cobblestone wall, “ I’m terribly sorry y’all had to hear any of that, I’ll make sure to not come next time. The cider was excellent by the way.”

Nodding my head I start up the stairs, dragging my hand along the wall until I reached the top of the steps and turn. Walking toward the front of the house I hear hoofs rush up the stairs and stop at the top.

“Hank?” I hear Braeburn call out.

Turning around I face the worried stallion.

“Are you goin’ ta be okay?” He asks.

“I’ll be fine.” I reply.

“Are ya sure? You don’t seem ‘fine’. Ah may not understand what you’ve been through but Ah’m sure that I’m not the only one down there that would listen… Ah know for a fact Mac thinks pretty highly of ya. Come on back down.” He motions with a hoof.

“No.” I simply state and turn back around, making my way back toward the front of the house.

“Hank, C’mon, I care, Mac cares, Hooves is a really kind person and is a great pony to talk to.”

“You’re jus’ being nice because you’re scared of me, that I’ll go crazy and kill you or somethin’, You pretend to be nice to me so then I don’t go crazy and kill you. I’d be better if I jus’ left y’all alone. I get it. I’m goin’.”

“Now Hank where'd ya get that idea? Why would I of invited ya into my home? Why would I be tryin’ ta get ya to come back down and talk to us if I were scared of ya?”

Stopping and thinking over what he said I start to turn around before stopping myself and grunting, continuing to walk toward the trees.

“Hank C’mon, please.”

Pretending not to hear him I make my way to the trees and don’t look back as the light from the house disappears from behind me, casting me and my surroundings into almost complete darkness.

“The lights are on… I didn’t leave the lights on.” I grumble walking toward the cabin, the dead hairless dog draped over my shoulder.

Slowly approaching the cabin, as silently as possible, I stay out of the view of the front door and kitchen window. Stopping in front of the shed I slowly set down the body of the dog and sneak up to the kitchen window.

Peeking between two of the boards inside I look around the interior of the cabin before spotting a familiar black and white zebra sitting on the couch. Smiling in relief I stand up straight and walk to the door before opening it and stepping inside.

“How’s it goin’ Zecora?” I ask sheathing my sword.

“Quite well, may I ask how you are doing?” No doubt noticing my dry blood covered self she asks.

“Eh I’m good, little bruised and banged up but no worse for wear.” Setting my shotgun down I start to take off my kit.

“That’s a lot of blood Hank, are you sure?”

“Adrenaline wore off a while ago, I’d know if something were really wrong. I’m fine Z, you don’t sound too worried though.” I point out with a small smile.

“I’d be more worried if it wasn’t you.” She rolls her eyes.

“Yeah well…” I grunt as I take off the plate carrier and set it on the floor, “If it wasn’t me they wouldn’t be alive so you wouldn’t have to be worried about how hurt they are.”

“I suppose… I still wish you would be more careful.”

“It’s not like I go around asking to be attacked Z, its out of my control.”

“Shucks again?” Cocking her head to the side she asks.

“No. Thankfully. These were also canine of variety but smaller, faster, and easier to kill, but damn were they persistent… fuck.” I explain exasperated.

“What did they look like?”

Laughing I set my last piece of kit down, “I’ll show ya after I get out of the shower.”

Grabbing some of my clean clothes I carry them into the bathroom.

Walking out of the bathroom in some of my more comfortable, but also more worn, clothes I see that Zecora had got herself a plate of vegetables and was munching on them happily.

“Pretty good ain’t they?”

“Oh yes, very.” She smiles, “Sorry I didn’t ask you permission to have any.”

“Zecora you planted the damn things as if I care if you have any. Think of here just as a second home, help yourself.”

“That means a lot.”

“Don’t mention it.” I smile walking over to the liquor cabinet above the countertop. Swinging open the door I look inside and pull out a bottle of blackberry brandy. Unscrewing the cap I smell the liquid inside before placing the bottle to my lips and taking a small sip.

Humming at the flavor I put the bottle back to my lips and tip it back holding there for a good three seconds before I had to come up for air. Wiping my mouth I set the bottle down and screw the cap back on before opening the fridge, surprised at how full it was of tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, and other assorted vegetables.

“You refill the fridge Z?”

“Hmm?” She turns her head and looks at the full fridge, “Oh yes I picked the garden before you got back.”

“Oh well thank you.”

“You are welcome.”

A potato and a tomato in my left hand, three strips of jerky in my right I walk to the couch and plop down next to Zecora, the force of the impact sending her airborne a few inches before landing back on the couch.

“How much to you weigh?” She asks still startled from her sudden flight.

“Don’t know, last I checked I was two twenty, two thirty .” I answer taking a bite of the potato.

“Wow… that’s really heavy… most ponies only weigh around eighty stones.”

Taking a bite out of the tomato I hum, “I don’t know what a stone is compared to a pound by you don’t weigh very much.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” She laughs.

“Go ahead, you look great.” I say around a small bite of jerky.

“You think I look good?”

“Yeah it’s safe to say you’re pretty attractive Z. You’re not too big, too small, you have a great personality, you’re quite the catch really. ”

“You really mean that?” Looking to her I notice her blush and smile.

“Yep, sure do.”

A wide smile spreading across her face I put a folded over piece of jerky in my mouth and look back to the table. Scooting closer to me I take notice and snake a arm behind her before quickly pulling her right next to me.

Patting her on the shoulder I return my arm to its place at my side and take the last bite of my supper. Leaning my head back onto the couch cushion I take a deep breath and sink into piece of furniture.

“Long day?” Zecora asks resting her head on my chest.

“Like you wouldn’t believe.”

Enjoying just lying there for the past ten minutes I sigh, “Sorry Z I gotta do somethin’.”

“Hmmm… what?” She says a little further along into sleep than me.

“Gotta clean my guns and sword.”

“Why now? I’m comfortable.”

“So if something happens in the middle of the night we’re not defenceless.”

“Okay.” She agrees after a moment of thought.

Setting up I rub my eyes before walking over to the gun cabinet and pulling out one of my many cleaning kits along with some Hoppe’s oil. Pacing over to the pile of gear I start the repetitive process of cleaning and inspecting my gear.

Both the sword and my M9 bayonet returned to a state I deemed passable I set them next to the rest of my weapons that had been sharpened, cleaned, and checked for any major damage. Humming with a smile I walk back over to the cabinet and set the shotgun in with the rest of the guns.

Picking up a half empty box of .357 magnum I pick out six before setting the box back down. Pushing the cylinder from the frame I place each bullet in carefully before closing the cylinder and turning it until it locked into place. Putting the revolver into the chest harness I had put on out of habit I next load the two magazines I had for the 1911 before setting it into the cabinet as well.

About to close the door on the cabinet I stop and re open it. Not making a sound I place my hand up onto a the top shelf and feel around before my fingers graze the edges of a old piece of white cloth. Placing my hand on the cloth and the item wrapped inside it I slowly take it down from the shelf and hold it at my waist as I look down on it. Lifting a corner of the cloth slowly I pull it all the way back revealing the M9 service pistol that it was concealing.

My breath momentarily catching in my throat I slowly run my fingers across the cold black surface causing painful memories to flash before my eyes making me wince. Grabbing the grip of the pistol I hold the the cloth in my left hand while moving the pistol around in my right.

“Oh god, the things I’ve done.” I whisper holding up the pistol and aiming down the sights at the wall. Taking in a deep breath I clamp my eyes shut and lower the pistol before wrapping it back in the cloth.

“Something wrong Hank?” Zecora mumbles from the couch.

“No… No. I’m fine.” Starting off I set the pistol back on the top shelf.

“Just come and go to bed, you’ll feel better in the morning, we can talk.”

“Okay.”

Closing the door I sigh and walk toward the couch were she was lying. Smiling up at me I give a small smile back before reaching down and picking her up.

“O-oh… okay.” She laughs surprised, “I didn’t realize you could just pick me up like that.”

“I told you you didn’t weigh much Z.” I say holding her across my chest like a cradle.

Stopping at the loft I set Zecora up top before taking off my chest holster and revolver and setting them up top as well. Grabbing onto the ledge I push off with my legs and jump up to the loft before adjusting myself and lying down on the pile of blankets and clothes.

Scooting herself into my left side I turn into her and pull her into me. One of my arms underneath the pillow her head was lying on, the other locking her into me I rest my head right above hers while she scoots up and puts the top of her head up against the bottom of my jaw.

“Comfortable?”

“Mmm… Very.” She purrs.

“Good, maybe this can convince you to stay tomorrow night too, I sleep better when I have someone to grab onto.”

“I think that may be able to be arranged.” I practically see her smiling as she rubs against me, “Goodnight Hank.”

“Night Zecora.”

So here's the other, more exciting, half. All in all I don't think the chapters or, chapter that was later split, didn't turn out too bad. Hope Y'all feel the same.

Also a little explanation on this bacterium that Hank got Involuntarily infected with. I've already explained that it execrates every aspect of the human healing process, from slowing bleeding to reducing swelling.

So that little bit about enhancing muscle growth goes like this: So the way the muscle is build is by ripping it and then the muscle healing back, making it stronger in the process. With the bacteria speeding up healing while doing it better it would make muscle growth faster and more efficient, and Hank has gotten a lot of exercise.

Just wanted to explain that a little better.