Walking away from the small fire I’d lit at the base of the tree I stayed in for the night I made my way towards a small pool of water that was only a hundred yards away at most. My right leg able to take weight once again without going out from under me I limped forward pushing some of the thicker brush out of my way with my rifle as I came upon the pool.

Stopping at the still and crystal clear water I get down onto my knees, setting the rifle down beside me, and lean over the water to get a look the first look at my face since I’d walked into the forest.

My face unsurprisingly covered in blood and numerous cuts I turn my head to either side running my fingers over the holes in either side of my face. The skin fairly ripped and torn from the teeth I sigh and cup my hands before bringing the water up to my face.

Jumping and gasping in surprise at how cold the water was my breaths return to normal as the reddened water droplets drip from my face and onto the ground.

“W-wow, god damn cold.” Going back again for more water I bring it to my face again, the shock not so bad this time as I scrubbed the blood away. Looking back into the now rippling water I could tell in the imperfect surface that I had at least gotten the bulk of it and turn to my arms, giving the same treatment.

Scratching at some of the blood on my arms that wasn’t going away with just water I rub the spots a few more times before giving up, knowing that I’d need some soap and a sponge to get the reddish dark tint to wash out of my skin.

Not really caring all too much, just glad to have gotten rid of most of the mess, I take the canteen I brought with me and hold it below the surface of the water until it was filled completely. Pulling it out of the water and screwing the cap back on I hold it in my left hand while grabbing the rifle with my right and stand up before turning back to where my fire was.

Plopping down onto the log in front of my fire with a sigh. Propping the rifle up next to me on the log I take my canteen out and set in at my feet while picking up the stick I had been using to poke at the fire with.

Not really having a reason behind lighting the fire other than warmth, the continuous sprinkling of rain and constant cool breeze getting old after twelve hours, the hour of morning sun I’d received so far hadn't been fast enough in warming me up after the long night.

Sat enjoying the low flames of the fire I slip one of the seven crude bone shanks out of the molle webbing on the front of my plate carrier and start to look in over.

The small hook at the very end of the handle being just enough to make sure that the knife could rest in the molle without falling out I turn my attention to the point and poke it with the pad of my finger finding it plenty sharp.

Slipping it back into the webbing I lean back and extend my arms out to my sides stretching them and yawn before leaning back forward and grabbing the canteen. Opening the container I push the fire to one side of the dirt circle I cleared exposing the red hot embers and white ash.

Nessling the metal canteen in the coals and using the stick to push more up its sides I stare absentmindedly at it while waiting for it to heat up. Sticking my finger in the open neck of the canteen I hastily remove it finding the water extremely hot. Shaking the pain out of my finger I use three large folded over leaves to pick up the piping hot canteen and pour a liberal amount of water into the discarded MRE bag from last night’s feast.

Setting the canteen down next to me I look into the bag that was half filled with some light grey clay I found in a nearby stream bed and a large amount of finely ground charcoal. Grabbing a strong green limb from one of the saplings near by I use it to stir the mixture, periodically adding small amounts of water when the mix got too thick and crumbly.

Nearing the sweet spot I add one last drop of hot water and stir the mix some more. Finally reaching just where I wanted to be I take the stick out of the bag and look to the dark black paint I had just made. Dragging my finger along the stick before rubbing it between my pointer finger and thumb I find the consistency to be perfect. Setting the stir stick down I take a swig of whiskey from the half drunk bottle before picking up a small stick I had finely frayed at the end to act as a crude paint brush.

Getting started on my left arm I slowly and carefully paint different patterns of lines and runes that meant nothing. The designs very reminiscent of Daron’s body paint in the music video for Chop Suey I stop just below my elbow and start drawing the word “Wrath” in calligraphy similar to the constitution.

The entire word written in large bold black letters I continue the designs down the back of my hand and my fingers. Looking over my work and liking how it turned out I switch to my right arm and start at my shoulder once again before working my way down.

Reaching my forearm again I stop and think a second for what I should write before something pops into my mind that reflected yesterday perfectly: Gu bàs tha mi a 'sabaid.

“To death I fight.” I mumble before getting started on the sentence, making the letters small but no less bold for their significant meaning, “I guess some of that scottish gaelic did come in handy, Thanks Grandpa, Grandma.... For drilling this otherwise useless information into my fuckin’ head.”

Having taken off the armor on my arms and setting them a few feet away from the fire to dry I was enjoying not having the heavy pads on my arms and decided to leave them off. Finishing off the rest of the decoration I look at the two whole sleeves that I had just drawn out and nod a few times liking how they both turned out.

Looking down in the bag, quite a bit of paint left I pick up my rifle and sling it on my back before taking the bag with me back to the pool of water. Stopping at the pool and getting on my knees I lean forward over the now still water and look at my face once again, noticing how the cut above my left eye had started bleeding again.

The blood running down past my eye just to the corner of my mouth I look to the right side of my face was “clean” and get a scoop a small amount of paint out of the bag with my first three fingers. Trying to decide what to do I start putting paint on the right side of my face before deciding to paint the complete right side of my face black.

Watching myself in the completely still water of the pool, minus a few ripples caused by falling leaves, I sit back onto my calves and think about to do with the rest of the paint and the empty canvas that was the left side of my face and neck.

Reaching my left hand’s pointer and middle finger into the bag I pull my hand out and draw two lines from the completely black side of my face under my left eye all the way to my left ear. Putting the last bit on my pointer finger I wipe the blood from around the cut with my thumb before drawing a line straight down from my hairline over my closed eye, making sure to get my eyelid, and down to my chin where the paint ran out. Crumbling the empty bag in my hand I look myself over.

Content with the look I picked the rifle back up and used it to assist me in getting to my feet before walking back to the dying fire.

Kitted back up the forest was starting to get uncomfortably humid under the warming morning sun as a fine haze was just visible above the trees. Stomping out my fire I take a deep breath and start back the way I came, wanting to loop around to pick off any stragglers that I found.

Walking through the trees I rack a round into the chamber of the rifle and harden my gaze.

Crouched behind a fallen tree I was only three yards from a lone shuck as it licked itself and clawed at the trees. I’d managed to keep the element of stealth and I was determined to keep it that way, not wanting a repeat of yesterday.

Being downwind of the Shuck I could smell it but I knew it couldn’t smell me, setting my rifle down extremely quietly while keeping my breaths slow and steady I pulled one of the bone shivs from my molle, afraid drawing the sword would be too loud.

Watching the Shuck, waiting for a pattern to emerge or the opportunity to show itself so I could close the distance a squirrel suddenly jumps down onto the fallen tree about making me yell in surprise. Thankfully able to keep myself quiet the squirrel barks loudly at the Shuck getting its attention before turning and staring right at me.

Staring back it almost looks like it smiles before jumping over me and running off into the bush. Not having any idea of what to make of what just happened I’m snapped back into the situation by crunching leaves as the Shuck walks closer to the log I was hiding behind no doubt to inspect where the squirrel went.

So close I could hear it sniffing around it puts its front paws on the log before pushing its head over. Springing into action I grab the wolf by the neck and force it onto its side so its back was facing me before plunging the four inches of bone into its exposed neck over and over again before pulling it over the log and holding it down as it panicked during its bleed out.

Getting weaker and weaker as more blood rushed from the numerous stab wounds its eyes finally close as it lays still, the blood puddle slowly growing larger and wider. Pulling the shank out of its neck I put it back in the molle webbing before popping my head over the log and looking around for any more.

Not seeing anything I shrink back down and pull my sword out before lifting its head and cutting its left ear off, placing its ear into the second near full ziplock bag, “Maybe I will fill all three.” I whisper as a familiar bark calls from above me. Looking up I see the same squirrel looking down at me from its perch, smiling I tip my helmet at the tree rodent before my small falls as it salutes back and scurries off once again.

The shit? I think looking at the empty branch where the squirrel was before slowly looking away, “Fuck that.”

Standing up I pick my rifle back up and vault over the log determined to continue forwards and put a larger dent in the Shuck population.

Coming upon the large gore pile I found yesterday I approach with extreme caution and keep to the trees low and slow. Still just as inactive and just as repulsing in scent and sight I get myself back to the highway of drag marks and continue my way back to the clearing before the sound of approaching paws from behind barely makes itself tangible.

Crouching down behind a large hickory tree I set my rifle down and peek out from the tree spotting two Shucks each carrying a dead fawn in their mouths by the neck. The one closest to me walking on a path that would put it right next to me the other laged about fifty feet behind and to the right. Scanning the surrounding area for more silhouettes behind the brambles I look back toward the pair as they steadily approached. Taking my pack slowly off my back and setting it down I take the sword from its sheath, comfortable at the distance they were and their ability to hear the blade being drawn.

Holding the blade in my right and positioning myself correctly for the fastest movement possible I wait for the one to walk by hoping it wouldn’t smell me.

Closing ten feet I relax my muscles and take a deep breath before shooting out and grabbing the Shuck by the back of the head while pushing the blade through its neck, the fawn it had it its jaws making things a little more difficult.

Immediately going limp like I hoped, spinal cord severed, I slowly set its body down and pull the sword from its place and look to see if the other had grown wise to me. Not seeing the Shuck at first I look quickly from left to right just as it walks from behind a thick bush. Quickly but silently going from tree to tree as the fifty feet distance it had grew smaller I step on a small branch I neglected to see making a loud snap.

Its head immediately whipping to me I’d already began rushing the cretin and tackle it before it could run or alert any others that may be nearby. Having landed on its back it starts to stand back up but I shoot the sword in between the forth and fifth rib making it collapse back to the ground instantly as its heart and lungs were skewered by the blade that was still covered in its kins blood. Holding my hand on the top of its muzzle so it couldn’t make any noise I feel for a pulse and make sure none was present before getting off. Quickly slicing off it ear and holding it in my hand I get off the back of the Shuck and go back over to the other before doing the same thing.

Taking the two ears and putting them in the bag I reseal it and put it back in the pack before looking for a spot to hide the bodies knowing that if they were starting another nest there would be more to come after them. Looking around the area I find a medium sized divot in the ground under a bush and push the two Shucks and two fawns into the hole before dusting off my hands and looking at the paint on my arms seeing that it was holding up well, even if some parts were coated and splattered in blood.

Picking all my crap back up I reorient myself South West before pushing forward.

----

Well this is quite the fortunate turn of events. I laugh in my head as I stalked the last group of Shucks headed to the nest fifty yards back. The two I’d killed earlier being the tail end of the train I had noticed three more walking the same direction after a few minutes of heading South.

Having stopped and laid in wait more and more Shucks came out of the trees, all with kills of their own, now I was following the last pair that walked by hoping that I could off a few Shucks around the new nest.

Getting closer the blackened field I watched as a few more Shucks emerged from the brush and fell in step beside the two I had been following for almost a mile. Not thinking anything of three extra Shucks at first I started to become more uneasy as five became ten and ten became twenty as we closed in on the clearing. Following the small pack cautiously the clearing comes into view through the trees.

Stopping in shock at the sight in front of me fifty to seventy Shucks had to be populating the clearing as a large mound of dead animals laid in the near the tree that held me before it was broke down.

Breaking off to the right of the group of Shucks I reach a large mound of dirt and roots that was ripped out of the ground by the tree that fell, presumably due to the fire that burned the rest of the clearing, and observe the wolves.

Watching as they milled about a few more filtered in in the following minutes but no more had walked in for a little while, instead the wolves added their prey one by one as the Snappers used their flat heads to consolidate the pile.

Slowly taking my pack off and setting down I unzip it and reach inside before pulling out the grenade and half finished bottle of whiskey. Not doing anything yet I continue to observe and learn as much as I could while I could.

Not really seeing anything that stood out minus the pile of dead animals and dozens of Shucks another Shuck enters the clearing from my left dragging a regular grey wolf by the hind leg as the grey wolf growled and snarled, not willing to give up minus its mortal injuries.

Every Shuck in the clearing snapping still like statues in the the presence of the live prey the Shuck drags it to the left side of the pile before letting go and jumping back, the grey wolf immediately up on its three legs.

Looking around angrily the wolf barks and growls at the Shucks as they start to close in on the helpless wolf.

Pulling the pin on the grenade I keep the spoon depressed and wait for the inevitable to happen. Spinning in a circle trying to keep the Shucks of its back a Shuck nips the grey wolf on the tail before the entire mass of bodies collide in on the single wolf, desperate to sink their teeth into the wolf’s flesh.

Stepping out from cover I hold my left arm out in front of my like I was throwing a javelin to aim while letting the Spoon fly free from the grenade starting the fuse before throwing it in a arch that would hopefully land in the middle of the pile right where the wolf once stood.

Watching the grenade slip into the middle of the pile I return I jump behind cover and cover my ears tensing for the explosion.

One… Two… Thr-- My internal counting is cut off my the extremely loud explosion as pieces of shrapnel, be it bone, steel, wood, or rock bounces off the trees and lands on the forest floor like a gentle sleet storm.

Taking my hands from the side of my head I grab the rifle and swing back out from cover. A massive cloud of dark ash and pink mist floating in the air the first Shuck I see stumble out of the cloud was dragging half of its organs behind it before it fell over.

Taking my sights off the dead Shuck the cloud starts to disperse and the sounds of whining and whimpering starts to make its way to my ears. A seemingly non injured Shuck stumbling out of the cloud I put a slug in its chest as the wailing starts to get painful in the volume it was getting to my ears.

The haze completely settling to the ground I was slightly in shock at the damage the single grenade caused. Most of the Shucks lying on the ground dead or crying in pain even the Snappers, minus one, were reduced to crying heaps on the ground.

The other Shucks stumbling around aimlessly it was like looking at a hornets nest in the winter, slow and unresponsive. Picking off four more Shucks with four shots I sling the rifle before pulling out the 1911 and walking towards the destruction.

Dropping the concussed Shucks at point blank range as I walked past them I stepped over numerous crying wolves; stopping at one that was being particularly loud about the non existence of its rear legs. Stopping next to it I put a round through the top of its head as the slide locks to the rear.

Sliding the empty mag out I replace it with a fresh one and rack the slide rechambering the pistol before quickly emptying the seven rounds on seven Shucks. Sliding the pistol back into the pouch I pull out my revolver and quickly expend the six rounds held within it before switching to the sawed off.

Approaching one of the last standing Shucks it looks to me and falls to the ground as it tries to step back. Even having a hard time to get up I kick it down before it could making it yelp in surprise.

Staying on its side I scoff, raise my foot, and stomp out its life before turning to another of the two Shucks that were left standing and blowing it away. Approaching the last standing Shuck it lunges for my throat but fails as I catch it by its throat with my left hand.

Looking into its eyes I could see fear as I pressed the shotgun to its chest and pull the trigger. Letting go right as the firing pin strikes the primer the Shuck is flung back before landing on the ground, smoke coming out of the hole in its chest.

Slowly turning around while reloading the Shotgun and sliding it back in its holster on my leg I look to the remaining Shucks on the ground that unfortunately had to have their suffering sped up to fit into my schedule.

Pulling out the sword I twirl it in my right while pulling the third and final Ziplock bag from my pocket with my left, “I think I’ve reached my quota.”

“Sixty Seven.” I say while dropping the last ear into one of the bags from yesterday, the third bag running out of room.

“God Damn!” I excitedly whoop pumping a fist in the air, “I’ve never seen a grenade blow up like that before.” Putting the bulging bag of ears next to the others I pull out the Jack and take a quick swig in celebration.

“I mean it makes sense, the heavier atmosphere with more oxygen and other gasses would make the concussive force much worse... plus the lessened gravity would give more velocity to the shrapnel.” I belch and take another drink while walking around the clearing inspecting things, “I’m no physicist but ya add all that up and you get a hell of a deadly explosion.”

Stopping at a random dead Shuck I kick it over to find a sword similar to the guard’s but slightly different in shape and symbol. Picking the mud and blood covered blade up in the hand that wasn’t holding the bottle of whiskey I wipe the blade on my pants uncovering the rest of the symbol near the guard.

Rolling my eyes I groan, “Fuckin’ golden pricks, can’t even keep ahold of their shit on a scouting mission.”

Sliding the sword under my belt so it was pinched between it and my hip I look over the clearing again and take in the complete silence, cherishing it greatly. Looking up to the pale blue sky I close my eyes and take a few calming breaths before re opening my eyes and raising the bottle of whiskey in a ‘cheers’ gesture before drinking it down so only two inches of liquid were left in the glass.

Walking back over to my pack I pick it up and re secure it on my back. Jumping up and down a few times to get it settled I sling the rifle on my back and pull my revolver out instead, the one handed nature of the firearm allowing me to keep my whiskey held tightly in my left.

Starting back the way I came I figured I’d make this my last trek through the forest today but would at least try to get to the north part of the clearing the town was set in cleared so one side of the immediate forest was safer.

“All guards are in position Princesses.” Clover nodded to the regal duo as the table was being prepared behind them.

“Thank you very much Sargent.” Celestia warmly smiled while Luna stayed silent, the princess of the night even more distant than usual, something Celestia had picked up on immediately.

“Of course princess,” Clover bowed his armor clinking quietly, “ We will of course notify you of anything that may pose a threat to the town, especially if Hank makes himself known.”

A shiver going down Celestia’s spine at the name she hears Luna give a almost inaudible huff next to her while Clover thankfully looked away talking to one of the guards under his command missing the ruler of the sun’s moment of weakness. She certainly didn't want to make anypony else more nervous by showing that she was as well. Her body unconsciously getting back into its confident and regal stance Clover finishes discussing with the other guard and turns back to the princess.

“My apologies you majesties I was just running times past one of my guards again.”

“No worries Sargent, we wouldn’t want anypony out of the loop now would we?”

“No Ma’am.” Clover bows his head, “If you would please excuse me I need to go talk to one of the privates about yesterday, he really shaken up.”

“Of course, I presume this about what was found in the forest?” Celestia questions already knowing the answer.

“Unfortunately yes.” He sighs, “Honestly the whole town is a little on edge right now, especially after that last explosion an hour ago, I’m glad you both are here to calm them down a little.”

“Do not fret sergeant we already have a plan to get rid of whatever is terrorizing the nearby forest.” Luna speaks up for the first time.

Smiling and laughing Clover seems to lighten up a little, “That’s great! That’s a massive weight of my, and everypony else's shoulders. Well I leave on that high note and tell the news to Share, that way he'll maybe get some sleep tonight. Goodbye Princess Celestia, Princess Luna.” He bows once to each princess before turning around and walking out the front door.

“Sister?” Celestia starts.

“Yes?”

“What plan do we have? Because if you have one I certainly didn’t know.” Talking quietly so nopony else could hear them Luna could still hear the worry in her older sibling’s voice.

“Try not to be too loud, no need to startle anypony here,” Luna starts not making Celestia too excited to hear this so called ‘Plan,’ “We want to hire Hank to take care of this problem.”

Instead of shouting out in refusal Celestia was dead quiet. Luna didn’t know if that was a good or a bad thing. She decided it was a bit of both.

“I didn’t consider him as hireable material.” Celestia answers getting a strange look from her sister.

We didn’t think she’d actually go along with it. Luna thought before answering, “We fail to see why he wouldn’t.”
“He just seems too… feral.”

“The table is all set princesses and the girls have arrived.” The slightly chubby blue mare unknowingly interrupts.

“Oh thank you Mrs. Cake.” Celestia politely responds, “And thank you again for letting us hold the town social here on such short notice. We just didn't feel as if the town hall was the most relaxing or welcoming place.”

“I-its no problem Princess-es, me and my husband are honored.” Mrs. cake smiles before the voice of her husband comes from the kitchen requesting her help.

“Oh, that’d be him.” The mare starts to quickly walk toward the kitchen before stopping and bowing. Smiling down at the mare Mrs. Cake nervously smiles back before rushing to the kitchen.

“Perhaps talking about this plan later is a better idea.”

“Agreed, but sooner than later, the last explosion was far louder than anything else reported.” Luna points out.

Only nodding in response Celestia and Luna turn their attention to the door as the elements file in all talking to each other. While the conversation was mostly muddled the two princesses could tell that the main talking point was the events of the last day and especially the explosion just over an hour ago.

Upon seeing the two princesses in their presence the girls all stopped what they were talking about and greeted the pair happily.

All talking joyfully, minus Luna who tried to seem happy but was still noticeably downtrodden by something, they exclaimed how happy they were to see each other, what’s been happening, and their concerns, before Luna speaks up getting their attention.

“Perhaps we could all sit, the table has been set and the treats do seem delectable.” Luna motions with her head.

“I wouldn't mind getting off my hooves.” Rarity adds.

“I agree with Ms. Rarity, let's sit.” Celestia smiles and starts to the table followed by her sister and the rest of the group.

All sitting down at the long, baby blue table cloth clad, table Luna and Celestia sit directly next to each other facing the door while the six others sit with their backs to the door facing the two sisters.

Everypony being quiet Applejack decided to break the silence, “Now Ah don’t want ta be the one ta bring up a bad subject but what exactly is goin’ on the Everfree.”

“Could you be any more blunt dear?” Rarity chastises getting an eye roll from the farm mare.

“It’s quite alright Ms. Rarity this is the nature of our visit after all,” In a voice as smooth as silk Celestia reassures no offence was taken, “I’m sure that your close proximity to the forest has you quite uneasy Ms. Applejack.” The large white alicorn turns her attention to the smaller orange mare who only nods in confirmation.

“Not to sound disheartening but we do not know.” Celestia’s smile drops while the rest of the ponies minus Luna, who wasn’t worried about what was in the forest, seem to deflate a little.

“We know what the aftermath of one of these brief moments of violence entails, but we do not know what is the cause.”

“Could it be the monster?” The prismatic mare questions, “ I mean it definitely fits the criteria of go into woods and kill.”
While Rainbow couldn't see it or hear it Luna was not all to happy with her or her words about Hank. However the years of control kept Luna’s appearance as stoic as ever as Celestia addressed the lithe mare.

“While he was first considered he was ruled out by Sergeant Clover due to the amount of carnage that was found on their scouting. He said, and I agree, that Hank may be violent but he wouldn’t be capable of such destruction.”

Thinking it over for a second Rainbow Dash nods, “I see what you mean princess.”

“What exactly was found on the patrol Princess?” The princess’s own student asks.

Sighing Celestia hesitates for a second, “While I know this kind of imagery is completely foreign to you all I feel that you can handle it.”

The warning only making the group more curious the only one to not show interest was Fluttershy, “Maybe y-you shouldn't tell us.” The pegasus says quietly enough nopony else heard her.

"It was a burned clearing in the Everfree just more than a kilohoof in. It was full of the bodies of mangled Shucks, some missing limbs, some torn open, some partially decapitated… so on” Luna quickly describes tired of the waiting.

The shock of what the lunar princess just said still being processed by the ponies and some of Celestia’s personal guards who were listening in the door suddenly opens and a local guard quickly walks in breathing heavy.

“Please rise.” Celestia commands to the bowing guard, “What is it?”

“It’s here.” The guards quickly answers, “The train in the station pulled out for Canterlot and it was just there standing behind where it was, it came out of nowhere and its walking this way.”

Luna’s sudden perk up going unnoticed by everypony but Celestia the solar diarch clears her throat, her heart rate starting to rise, “Does it seem aggravated?”

“Its covered in blood and has... tribal? Painting all over its upper body." The guard takes a few deep breaths and calms down, "It looks pissed."

My helmet strapped to the back of my pack I let the wind blow through my hair as I walked through the ankle high grass towards the train station.

Nothing in my hands other than the bottle of whiskey in my left I got closer and closer, the ponies inside the train cars features becoming visible other than colors and outlines I run my hand through my hair parting it to the left as it laid naturally so it would get out of my eyes.

None of the ponies noticing me as I walked up toward the train the train blocked anybody on the other side from spotting me either. Walking up to the train I stop ten feet away from its side and look up and down the row of windows not finding may ponies on this side of the train or a pair of eyes on me.

Not knowing how long I was going to be stood there waiting for the train not wanting to walk around I set the bottle next to my right foot and begin to look over my plate carrier and bare extremely pale skin that was exposed due to the lack of shirt.

My entire torso, thankfully, covered by the armor the only thing I could feel the breeze on was the inner parts of both clavicles and the larger area that was exposed on my sides under my arms. Looking the areas over I gazed at the scars and discoloration and sigh before looking up and meeting three pairs of eyes as three kids had just their eyes peeked over the bottom of the window looking at me.

All their eyes as wide as dinner plates as their eyes were filled with curiosity I raise my hand and wave to them.

Looking between each other they all slowly raise up showing their entire faces while one waves back. Smiling at them as kindly as I could with a face like mine they seem to loosen up and smile back as they all three energetically waved back.

Just watching them as they talked amongst themselves about me another, smaller pair of eyes appears, presumably a younger child, before they raise all the way up and stick their tongue out at me.

The other three stopping their conversation they all turn to the youngest before looking to me nervous at how I’d react to the gesture.

Waiting for a second I let them get more and more nervous before sticking my tongue out at them. The nervousness immediately gone they all start to bust out laughing just as I hear the conductor on the other side give the final call.

The commotion bringing an adult pony over that seemed to be their mother she at first had a smile on her face before tracing her children’s eyes to me.

Her face turning a shade of pale at my appearance she pushes her kids away from the window and looks to someone else while pointing to me. Watching her mouth as the train ever so slowly started to move I read ‘what the fuck is that!?’ come out of her mouth before the entire side of the train is filled with ponies of all ages looking at me as the train sped up.
Smiling and waving at them as they started to move away I laugh, “Safe travels.” I say as the train full of wide eyes ponies slowly goes past.

Leaning over and picking up my bottle the caboose goes by exposing the train platform and all the ponies greeting their suitcase clad loved ones happily. Watching them for a moment to make sure no threats were in the crowd I walk toward the two tracks stepping over the iron rails.

A few ponies noticing me I take a large step up onto the platform and start to weave through the sea of ponies, stepping over a few as I made my way forward. Taking the lack of screams as a good sign I ignore how quiet the place had gotten and leave it behind as I went forward.

Looking straight ahead as I walked behind a pair of ponies I fail to see them suddenly stop and stumble as my armor covered shins and knees collide with the mint green one causing a sudden cry of surprise to come out of her mouth. Watching her fall to the ground out of my peripheral vision I stumble for a second before my injuries on my right thigh show themselves causing me to fall down into a knee.

Looking behind me I see that her light cream colored friend was helping her up.

“Sorry about that, I didn't see ya stop.” I apologize using my knee to help push myself up.

“It’s fine I shouldn’t of stopped so suddenly.” The mint mare reciprocates as she gets to her hooves. Still looking away from me I stand to my full height and clap my hands off.

“Are ya alright? That was a pretty hard hit.”

“It was, but I’m made of some pretty sturdy stuff, are you…” Stopping her sentence as she and her friend turned around looked at me, or my knees, before tracing my body up to my face they both stare at me with wide eyes with mouths agape.

“It’s YOU!” The green mare suddenly yells pointing at me.

“It’s ME!” I point to myself with both thumbs and look down at the pony with a very fake wide smile.

My smile apparently not being seen as humorous by the ponies the Green one’s ears flatten out as her pupils quickly shrink while the cream colored one steps in front of her eyes showing obvious anger, “B-Big teeth.”

Closing my lips and putting my arms down I look to her unamused, “Fuck, y’all are scared of goddamn everything.” I huff and roll my eyes before turning around to start walking again.

“Wait.”

Turning back around at the voice of the green mare I see her stepping out from behind the other pony as the protective pony looks to her disapprovingly.

“C’mon Lyra, this thing was just about to leave, you don’t know what it’s liable to do.”

“Well if I was ‘liable’ to do anything, and by anything I think you mean kill, I think referring to said being as less than dirt would do it.” I stare at the cream colored pony as she slowly turns her head to face me, her face about three shades lighter than the rest of her body.

Huffing at her I look to the green one, “What did you want?” I ask in a short tone.

“I wanted to talk.”

Looking at the pony up and down my anger starts to rise, “Fuck off.”

Turning around and walking away I can hear her hoof steps behind me as she follows. Pinching the bridge of my nose I sigh and bring the bottle of whiskey to my mouth before drinking all but a small amount that barely came off the bottom of the bottle.

“Could you stop following me?”

“All I want to do is talk, why wont you do that?”

Ignoring her I walk past the fountain and start to get close to the square.

“That’s what I thought, you don’t have a reason. I knew human’s are stubborn but you add a whole new level.”

Stopping immediately she runs into the back of my legs and bounces off. Turning around I look to the unicorn while she rubbed her head, “For one me not wanting to talk is as good of a reason you need and what do you about humans?”

“That’s why I want to talk,” She gets back up, “I didn’t think when Bonny told me that a tall and pale creature with a flat face and small features was terrorizing the forest and town that I’d actually be a human.” A creepy smile spreads across her face, “I couldn’t wait to get back from Canterlot and possibly catch a glimpse of a real human!”

“Yeah I live in the woods to avoid you crazies.” I start to turn again but she zips in front of me.

“I-I didn’t mean to sound unhinged but… she looks around at the groups of ponies that were observing us, “look I need to talk to you in private, just find me sometime.”

Smiling he turns around and walks back toward the other pony but not looking behind her at me and giving an excited laugh.

Not moving until I see her disappear out of eyesight I slowly turn back around and start toward the town square. Ponies jumping out of the way or whimpering as I walked through them I walk past the bank before I hear the front door burst open.

Whipping around pistol drawn at the door, finger on the trigger, the stock market pony was stood there with wide eyes as he started to shake.

“Sorry.” I put the pistol away and he seems to calm down a little.

“I really need to talk to you Mr. Hank, it is of the utmost importance.” He looked at me excited.

“Are you in Saturday? I’m kinda well…” I motion up and down my body.

“Oh. Oh! My god you look like manure!” He exclaims before covering his mouth.

“Really? I thought I did quite well on the painting all considered.” I look down to myself and then back to him to find him inspecting me further.

“No no no no nonononono, the painting is…well a little off putting but. Good! It’s good! I was pointing out your current physical condition.”

“You realize I always look like this right?” I grumble.

“The blood? The injuries? I think not. You certainly didn’t look like this when I first met you.”

Looking back down over myself I look to my right thigh before running a thumb on the gash above my left eye and the ripped up skin on the sides of my face. Gazing at my thumb I could see that old and newer blood was covering the skin’s surface, “Oh.”

“Are you oka-” He stops and hurks as I put the pad of my thumb in my mouth and suck the blood off the surface. Chasing it with a small drink of whiskey I look back to the pony as he looks to me out of the corner of his eye and dry heaves again.

“You gonna be alright?” I ask as he calms down.

“Y-yes.. Ahem. I will be in Saturday just come see me.” Slowly turning back into the bank he heaves again barely opening the door and slipping in.

Laughing I turn and start, once again, out of town. Walking down the road as all semblance of pony society was on pause a few guards come out of the bakery and make a defensive formation. Noticing that somebody of importance had to be inside I notice the royal carriage next to the bakery and shake my head while chuckling, “Man, fat ass always picks the worst days to come into town.”

Walking toward the bakery another guard comes out looking a little unsure of himself before standing at attention while looking at me, “Princess Celestia wishes to speak with you.”

The rest of the guards posture staying perfectly still I see a few of their eyes look to their comrade incredulously.

“Tell her to suck my big fat cock.” I say loud enough to make sure Queen Marshmallow could hear me inside. Still walking past I hear the announcer give a angered snort.

“You are ordered by the crown directly to have a social intercorse with the princess of Equestria!” He barks at me causing me to laugh again and stop before turning to him.

“Oh I’ll have intercourse with ‘er but it ain't social.” I laugh again and wave him off.

Completely furious he flares his nostrils and bares his teeth, “You vile, unrespectful, monster. You are being given the chance to speak with the princess of Equestria!”

“If I come in will you shut the fuck up!? ” Not in the mood to beat the shit out of him I ask him.
Snorting angrily at me he motions to the door with his head and starts toward it. Following I walk through the row of guards before two, dressed in the same ‘royalish’ ungraded uniforms as Mr. Pissy, hold their spears in front of the door in a ‘X’.

“You must leave all weaponry here to enter.” the one on my right monotonically informs.

“Pft... shove it up your ass.” I exclaim back before going to leave.

“Wait. Let him in.” I hear the marshmallow herself command causing me to grin.

Turning back around I walk past the two guards that now had their spears held straight up and duck under the door before stopping directly inside. Slowly looking from right to left I notice all of the streamers and party decorations immediately.

Looking at the table I see that the whole gang was there including Luna, Applejack, and Fluttershy who were all looking at me along with the rest of the room.

“You must need my ass for somethin’ real bad to invite me into someplace so nice Marshmallow.” I smirk while downing the rest of the whiskey. Slowly walking forward all eyes were on me as I approached the table.

“You are correct Hank.” She confirms getting me to raise an eyebrow.

“Oh damn not calling me ‘it’ anymore? Glad to see you learned some manners.”

Stopping at the head of the table I slip my bag off with my rifle, setting it next to a small chair before slowly sitting down. My right thigh burning and screaming at me again I clamp my eyes shut and clench my teeth as I finally touch down on the chair.

Opening my eyes I saw most of the ponies at the table, even Celestia, looking at me with worry.

“Are you badly injured?”

“Nah, but if you were looking for a time to take care of me once and for all now would be the time to do it.” I laugh a few times before hissing.

Slightly taken aback the white princess looks at me surprised, “What do you mean? Surely you don’t think-”

“Oh shut up.” I roll my eyes, “Don’t play that high and mighty shit to me, I know for a fact that at sometime I’m going to ‘disappear’,” I use my fingers as air quotes, “never to be seen again in the forest mysterially.” Getting more comfortable I grin to her, “But at the same time so are a massive number of whatever you send in to get me.”

Looking at me terrified at what I just said she sputters, “I would never try to kill anypony, even if I didn’t exactly like them,” She starts to move her gold slippered hoof toward my hand that was on the top of the table.

Pulling my hand away quickly she snaps her hoof back just as fast and holds it in front of her chest, “Don’t you fucking touch me, I’d sooner have an infected tear my flesh from the bone.” I spit as I look to her distraught face as Luna looks shocked behind her.

“But I’m not a pony am I? You know that, everyone knows that and I know you don't "necessarily like me" you hate me.” I look to her as she slowly lowers her hoof back to her lap, her face taking a saddened appearance, “But if it were a pony you needed right now you wouldn’t have insisted that I walk in here. It’s obvious to me that you need my skills, so what needs to be put in the ground?”

“Please tell me you don’t think that I’d hurt you.” She goes again leaning toward me, sadness either real or fake written all across her face.

“Hurt? No. If you had it your way its be quick, an arrow to the head or somethin’ or the sorts, Snap,” I snap my fingers, “It’d be over, fast and clean.”

Looking horrified at what I was saying I start getting memories, “I’ve snapped plenty of people, ya know.” I look to her before looking back up to the ceiling, tracing the lines with my eyes.

“I tried to make it fast and easy, humane, but sometimes it don't work like that. Sometimes they scream or whine, sometimes they start to laugh because the knife in their head caused something to go so wrong they can’t feel the pain and laugh about how they can’t see or feel their legs anymore.”

Laughing in laughter not meant in happiness I sigh, “What really sucks is when you miss and clip the spine or something.” I briefly look to her, “Cause they get paralyzed right? They cry in a panic about how they can’t feel their own body or they say how sorry they are for trying to kill you as if that can take your bullet back and fix them. Sometimes all they want is their momma, its fucked up. You gotta look at that person sentenced by your hand to death and finish the job because even it you wanted to take it back you can’t.”

Sitting up with another groan I look at her, “Didn’t mean to go off on a tangent like that but I won’t go that easy Celestia. I’ll leave a mess. I’ll leave such a damn mess you’ll be forced to lie to the faces of the mothers of the men I kill because so many of em won’t come home.”

The entire room silent as a funeral I notice the amazing looking cupcakes in front of me and reach for a vanilla one while sitting forward. Slowly unwrapping the paper around the bottom I inspect it before taking half of the relatively small cupcake into my mouth and biting down.

Chewing I hum in surprise, “That’s damn good.” I pop the rest into my mouth and greedily eat it down, “Only thing that could make it better would be a nice tall glass of milk, anyway you haven’t told me what you need dead.”

Staring at me like her sister I could tell they were both looking at me with concern, Celestia’s angered me, “C’mon I got wounds to clean and stitch up, let’s move.” I snap my fingers in front of her face making her snap of it.

Opening her mouth I stop her right there, “If what comes out of your mouth isn’t what you need buried I’m gonna walk out that door and not look back.” I point to the open door making her close her mouth.

Starting again she sighs, “Something's been terrorizing the nearby forest. This usually wouldn’t be a concern, but due to how close to town, I, and everypony else, are scared for the safety of the residents here.”

Already knowing what was ‘terrorizing’ the forest I don’t let on and play along, “Any tracks? Scat? Or damage left behind?”

“Yes. Yesterday a small guard patrol flew over the forest before they found a medium sized burned clearing where a large number of Shucks, from regular to huge in size, laid completely torn apart.”

“Huh, no large tracks?” I question.

“Not that they saw. However the report stated that all the Shucks were missing their left ears and one of the guards lost his sword when they were attacked by one of the huge Shucks. They thankfully got away but a sword that had been in the family for generations was lost.”

“I see.” I rub my chin and groan as my thigh aches once again, “You want me to go into the woods that are infested with Shucks and then on top of that kill something that has been turning the Shucks themselves into a fine puree?”

“Well…. Yes. The creature in question also seems to be able to harness explosive power due to the large booms that were heard up until just few hours ago.” She seriously explains while looking at me, “There was even thought about it being you.”

Almost smiling I drum my fingers on the table, “This all depends on what I’ll be gettin’ in return,” I huff, “This is quite the monumental and may I add extremely dangerous task: Killing some undocumented being and getting some dumbasses’ sword back.”

“I am fully aware and I know that you don’t care for ponies so I am prepared to compensate you greatly.”

Looking over the white pony I could tell she was dead serious, “Alright Celestia, I’ll bite, what we talkin’? I want amounts.”

Looking back over to Luna, the dark alicorn nods. Switching back to me she looks at me a little nervous, “Eighty thousand.”

Pretending to mill it over for a second I smile, “I don’t know, this seems like a win win for you.”

“What do you mean?” Anxious she asks.

“Well if I comeback you owe eighty thousand bits, small price for you, but if I don't comeback you get rid of me, that’s priceless to you.”

Huffing she looks back to Luna which again nods, “Hundred thousand.”

Winking to Luna she looks at me in a ‘what are you doing’ look before I switch back to Celestia as she nervously adjusted herself in her seat.

“Deal.” I nod.

Giving a small exhale of breath Celestia smiles, “Thank you.”

“There’s just one problem.” I add watching her smile immediately disappear.

“Whatever you need, weaponry, maps, food, wat-” I cut her off as I pull the sword I got from the clearing from my belt making her lean back and the guards to start at me before I gently lay it on the table in front of her.

Relaxing she looks to me before the blade, her eyes going wide she picks the sword up in her magic and runs the tip of her hoof over the symbol at the base of the blade right above the guard.

Looking to me I could tell she was starting to put it together. Reaching to my bag I unzip the top and pull out the three full bags of ears before setting them down in front of her as well.

“What is that?” In a shaky voice she asks pointing to the bloody bags.

“Left ears.” I answer opening one of the bags and showing a few of them before putting them back in the bag and zipping the pack back up. Leaning back in my chair as it creaked under my weight.

Looking at me understanding, her face seemed uneasy with a little fear sprinkled in while Luna’s and the rest of the ponies at the table faces were a mix of shock and disgust at what I put on the table.

“While I can kill what I figure is around a hundred and a half or so Shucks I can’t kill myself, promised somebody before they died, so that would be my issue with the parameters of the deal.” I smile and wait for somebody to say something.

Celestia being first she looks to me and away from me a few times, “You went into the Everfree alone and single handedly killed around two hundred Shucks, you, one pony, did all of that?”

“Not a pony. But yes.” I nod.

“You stayed overnight in the Everfree?”

“Yes.”

“You got injured like you are now, stayed in the Everfree and then came out?”

“Fought out.” I correct.

“Fought out.” She repeats.

“Why?” Celestia shakes her head not understanding why I would do such a thing, “Why would you endanger and get yourself hurt for no reason?”

Huffing I pop my neck, “There’s always a reason.”

“What was it?”

“Because I care. Believe it or not.” I look at her while she completely shuts up looking at me blankly, “There’s ponies at this very table that a care deeply about in fact.”

Looking right back at her I look away and grab my pack and rifle, using the rifle to push me up before slipping the bag on I start to the door, about to step outside I stop as she starts again.

“What about the hundred thousand bits?”

“I live in the woods. What fuckin’ use do I have for it?”

Rolling my shoulder I crack my knuckles, “All I want is a bottle of some rare liquor, not the pansy ass shit y’all drink neither. I want somethin’ that’s dangerous to have around open flame. Whatever you don’t spend on that give to charity.”

Not having anything else to say I limp out of the door and turn to my left hoping to finally get out of town.

All the ponies shocked at what they had just witnessed even the regularly stoic guards were looking to each other for confirmation. Perhaps the pony most afflicted with a torrent of emotions was Celestia, even if her face didn't allow that to be broadcast to the others in the room.

She was baffled, scared, in awe, and deeply saddened with what had happened with the human.

She couldn’t quite believe that he had killed so many Shucks, but he did have the evidence. It scared her, the only pony she knew that could do the same thing would be her and her sister. Even if it had been over a thousand years since they’d tasted combat, however when they did nothing was left standing.

A part of her yearned for combat once more after seeing the human and the paint and blood that clung to his skin but she quickly extinguished the thought. The human’s image was also still stuck in her mind’s eye it wasn’t his current appearance that stuck so seemingly, even if the painting was threatening enough. It was the scars across his arms, shoulders, and neck.

She hoped he hadn't noticed her borderline staring but she couldn’t help but trace every healed over cut, divot, burn, or what looked like bites that made up seemingly the entire surface of what she could see. The princess of the sun also couldn’t turn away whenever he moved his arms, perhaps it was the complete lack of fur or just how built he was but the sight of seeing the muscle groups in his arms contract and loosen was entrancing to her. She’d never seen a creature with such a defined musculoskeletal structure.
Where as a minotaur was thick all around, joints and all. Hank was a step below the bulkiness of a minotaur, his body still looked to where it could be fast and flexible instead of just pure bulk.

Being stuck in her thoughts for so long she tuned back into the world to see that everypony was still silent, still thinking. Looking over to where the human was sitting just minutes ago she noticed that he left the bottle he walked in with on the table next to the crumpled up cupcake wrapper.

Trying to pick the bottle up with her magic she found it had no effect, while her aura could surround the bottle it felt as if she had no grip at all. Catching the attention of the other ponies in the room at the princesses incapability to lift a empty glass bottle.

“Sister could you please try to move this bottle.”

Snapping out of her own thoughts she looks to the bottle noticing it was Hank’s. Already knowing that certain types of magic had no effect on him or anything he owned from his world she decided to play along and keep their friendship a secret as long as possible even if she didn’t want to, knowing it would anger Hank if she told her sister about their relationship.

“Of course.”

Celestia’s aura fading away it was replaced by Luna’s as she tried to move the bottle to no success, just as she knew would happen.

“Strange.” The large white pony mumbled before resorting to picking the square bottle up in her hooves and starting reading the black label.

Reading all the way through her eyes open a little as she reads the small white text at the bottom.

“What is it Princess?” Rarity asks as Celestia looks to her from the bottle.

“I’m just a little surprised by the alcohol content of this whiskey is all.” She smiles setting the bottle down.

“What is it?” Rainbow looks to the bottle and points.

“Eighty Proof.” The princess answers.

“Can’t buy that in any stores.” Applejack whistles, “Ah won’t be challengin’ him ta any drinkin’ contests.”

“Why would he drink so much?” Rarity asks to the open air.

“Numbs the pain of wounds.” Luna nods her head, “He probably wouldn’t of been walking with a leg like that otherwise.”

“I-I see.” The fashion designer says slightly aghast, the idea of drinking alcohol to numb pain completely foreign, and terrifying, to her.

Looking up from her hooves that were placed on top of the table Twilight looks to her mentor, “What did the writing on his right arm say? I could read Wrath on his left but I don't know what language was on his right. It almost looked like Thestral?” The lavender pony guesses unsure.

“Correct Twilight.” Celestia confirms, “While my Thestral is a little rusty I think it said-”

“Gu bàs tha mi a 'sabaid.” Luna interrupts looking straight forward, “To death I fight.” Repeating in equish, the authority she said it with and the message itself sends shivers down the ponies in the room spines.

“It’s bilingual!?” Twilight says in disbelief sooner thinking that Hank was illiterate let alone able to speak two languages.

“It would seem that way.” Celestia said somewhat to herself, not believing that Hank was that intelligent either.

“Could thou please refrain from calling another intelligent being ‘it’ young Twilight.” Luna mostly commands, her temper starting to reach to a point where she couldn't hold it in anymore, from hearing Hank talked about so negatively with no consideration to his situation.”

“Uh-” Looking at the lunar princess the young mare thought she heard wrong, “What was that Princess Luna?”

“Could thou stop talking another intelligent being as if he were an animal.” Her patience waning she wanted to yell at them but at the same time didn’t want to raise suspicion.

“I- sure.” Twilight agrees not knowing why Luna would defend it, it was clearing nothing more than an animal, his actions proved that.

The door opening with the chime of the bell that was hung explicitly for that purpose the ponies turn to see who it was only to see that Hank was walking toward the table.

“I forgot my bottle.” He points to the empty bottle that was sat in front of Celestia while walking toward that end of the table.

“You didn’t have to comeback for an empty bottle.” Sliding the bottle toward him Celestia tells the human.

“Yeah but I didn't want you to get your grubby little hooves on it.”

About to retort with something he says something first, “Hey is that tablecloth bad or somethin’?” Pointing to the one in the trash Hank asks.

“Uh y-yeah.” Pinkie confirms.

Looking over his shoulder at the pink mare she shrinks back at his painted face, “So it’d be alright if I took it and ripped it up?”

“Y-yeah.”

“Great.” He smiles.

“What are those on your chest?” Rarity asks before he could walk over to the trashed tablecloth.

“These?” Hank points to the bone shivs slipped behind the black webbing, Rarity nodding yes.

“Shanks.” He states simply.

“Shank? What’s a shank?” Rarity asks getting a look of disbelief from the human.

“You’ve never heard of a shank?”

She shakes her head no.

“Shiv?”

No again

Leaning back, his hands on his hips he exhales a large breath in a whistle, “Your innocence is great you know that?”

Looking at the ponies he huffs and pulls the largest from the molle, “A shank is a, usually, crude disposable knife made for stabbing. I use them as last options before hand to hand or to slash and dash, personally if you’re in the business of close combat with multiple opponents I recommend screwdrivers sharpened to a point. Cheap, disposable and fantastically easy and satisfying to sink into a neck, skull, chest.” He acts out stabbing the neck head and chest.

The casualness of his explaining being scary enough to the ponies he continued, “I made these because with multiple enemies bursting out from behind every tree or bush it’s good to make sure you have plenty of killing potential. Fortunately I got out without having to resort to that.” Walking behind the six ponies Hank sets the bone knife in front of Rarity.

“Have a look and feel if you’re so interested, that blood is fresh by the way.”

Staring at the weapon in front of them they didn't know what to do with it. Slowly reaching a hoof out Rarity pokes it before quickly flinching back almost like she expected it would bite her.

While the six naive ponies were entranced by the knife and what power it seemed to have over a life the Princesses were watching the human as he retrieved the table cloth and cut it to a desirable length with the sword on his hip.

Watching intently as he starts carefully cutting at the bandages on his right thigh they both gasp as the blood saturated cloth falls away, hitting the floor with a thud, and the sight of the fresh blood rushing down his leg from the four deep open cuts.

Ripping his jeans open more the telltale sound of fabric ripping catches Rarity’s and then the other fives attention. Looking over as well they collectively gasp at the wound that was previously covered.

“Y’all may want to look away.” Hank advises biting down on the tablecloth and gripping the sword near the tip for added control.

Not able to look away for the human they watch as he takes a few rapid breaths and bites hard before opening the top middle wound with his left hand and guiding the sword in with his right.

“Oh-hoho, FUCK!” he yells in pain around the cloth in his mouth as the rush of blood surges forward out of the wound. Setting the sword down on the chair he digs into the wound with his shaky right hand pinching at something.

Not able to look away a few of the six start to feel sick as both of the princesses look in shock at how well the human was dealing with the pain.

“Gotcha.” He mumbles, his entire body, especially his right leg, trembling before in once clean motion yanking a broke off claw out of the wound in between his pointer finger and thumb, “I knew somethin’ was in there.”

Looking over the blood covered claw he stuffs it in his pocket before spitting the tablecloth out of his mouth and wrapping it around the bleeding wound

“Much better.” He shakily laughs before bending over and wiping the blood off the floor with the rest of the cloth he didn't use. Tossing it into the trash can he resheaths his sword and takes an experimental step, liking the lack of shooting pain the claw was giving him.

Not saying a word he grabs the bottle and the knife before walking back out of the door, leaving the ponies to process the horror of what they just saw.

Silence reigning once again faint sobbing gets the room’s attention. Looking to Fluttershy, the source of the crying tears start to roll of her cheeks.

“What’s wrong darling?” Worried for her friend, Rarity places a hoof on the upset mare’s back and leans in.

“H-hank.” Fluttershy looks to Rarity, “He’s so hurt, he’s in so much pain and none of us offered to help him.”

“I- I don't think there is much we could of done anyway dear,” Rarity tries to reassure her saddened friend, “I’m sure that he knew what was best to do with his medical background.”

“Still h-he shouldn’t have to suffer like that.” Sniffling she chokes out, “He’s so nice once you get to know him.”

Not knowing what else to say Rarity sits there awkward before Applejack thankfully jumps in, “Sugarcube Ah know he’s hurt bad and yer worried fer him, Ah am too, but I agree with Rarity. Plus Ah mean it is Hank we’re talkin’ about, he’s one of the toughest ponies Ah know.”

“Y-yeah.” Fluttershy wipes her eyes and sniffles.

“He’s gonna be okay. If he can choke a Shuck to death with only his legs in a t shirt and underwear Ah’m positive he’ll be alright.”

“When did he do that?” Rarity turns and looks to Applejack who immediately shuts up realizing what she just said, “And how did you know he was in his underwear?”

Everypony at the table looking directly at the mare, curious at what she just said, Applejack stays silent before clearing her throat.

“W-well it happened on my front porch.” She explains simply only making the others more intrigued.

“Why the buck was that thing at your house in its underwear? Was it trying to force itself onto you!? I swear I beat the manure out of that thing!”

Motioning to get out of her chair Applejack looks to Rainbow not believing what she just heard, “What? No. He’d jus’ got out of the shower. He wa-”

“Did it force you to let him use your shower!? I bet he even brought the Shucks to your house! I wouldn’t-”

“Shut up.” Applejack re-interrupts Rainbow, surprising the mare.

“He was talkin’ a shower because he spent all day harvestin’ apples fer us even after getting his skull cracked open by a brick when he came in town.” Hardening her gaze it was clear she was tired of how her friends were talking about Hank, “He put us two days ahead while having a hole in his head, the amount of his own blood on his body scared me because Ah don’t know how there was still blood in him.”

Staring at Rainbow dash Applejack sighs, “So yeah Ah invited him ta take a shower and when Shucks attacked the house when Winona showed up he killed them. If it wasn’t fer him Me, Granny, Apple bloom, and Big Mac would be dead right now.”

“I’m sure you could’ve just closed the door.” Rainbow brushes it off not wanting to give the human any positive credit.

“They were in the house!” Applejack exclaims in a raised voice her body slightly shaking as the events played back in her head, “But he came flyin’ down the stairs like a bat outta Tartarus and with the force of a runaway carriage knee’d the Shuck back out the door just as it was milihoofs from Mac’s head. Why are ya so adamant on believin’ that Hanks nothin’ but a monster, he’s a good pony damnit.”

Wanting to scoff at the idea the prismatic mare looks to her friend as the orange mare stared down to the table top while her entire body shook and her breathing was quick.

Not knowing what to do other than look at her friend Celestia pushes out her chair and walks around the table before putting a hoof on Applejack’s shoulder.

“Are you okay Ms. Jack?”

“A-ah’m fine, it’s jus’ Ah’ve never that close to death before a-and it jus’ keep playin in my head as that Shuck was about ta get Mah brother.” Taking a deep breath but not looking up from the table Applejack keeps going, “Ah jus’ keep wonderin’ what could’ve happened if he wasn’t there, We’d all be gonners.”

Her emotions in a whirlwind of confusion about how to feel about the human her thoughts were conflicted at the same time. She had no idea what Hank had done for her ponies, what he’d sacrificed and risked. She previously had the presumption that the only reason he was ‘protecting’ ponies was because he loved killing, now she was starting to feel the other way especially after hearing what she had from not only the element of honesty but kindness as well.

She was starting to feel more and more terrible at the light the human held her in, she hated being feared or looked at negatively by any of her subjects, especially by a pony who may have been risking their life to protect others and not just satisfy a primal hunger for death. Her conscious was weighing heavier by the second on how she spoke and thought of the human.

“There is no need to speculate what could’ve happened Ms. Jack. What’s done is done. What if’s will only tear you apart from the inside out.”

Smiling down to the element of honesty as she looked up to her Celestia patted her shoulder, “I reassure you miss Jack. Everything will be fine.”

Calming down at the princess’s words a small smile works its way onto Applejack’s face, “Thank you princess.”

“Of course.” Nodding her head Celestia takes her hoof off of Applejack’s shoulder and walks back around the table to her seat and sits back down. Settling back into her chair Luna pokes her in the arm. Turning Celestia looks to her sister who had a small smirk on her face.

“We told you he’d be effective.”

Rolling her eyes Celestia turns and picks up one of the cupcakes, “You always had to be the wiseflank.”

“Well, fatflank was already taken.”

“I’m tellin’ you Zecora I’m fuckin’ fine.” I try to tell the Zebra for the thousandth time over the radio.

“You don’t sound fine! I know you! So how hurt are you?”

“How the fuck can you tell if someone is hurt over the radi-” I sigh and pinch my nose before pressing the button, “Like I’ve told you, I. Am. Fineeeeee. F-I-N-E Fine, Okay?”

An annoyed breath coming from the other end I hear her mumble something I couldn't make out, “So you aren’t hurt at all?”

“I never said I wasn’t hurt. I said I was fine.”

Waiting for a few seconds on a response I hear the speaker click and a sigh come from the other end, “Why are you such a dumbass?”

“Why are you such a pain in the ass?” I immediately respond. Reaching the front door of my house I push it open with my shoulder and step inside.

“I’m coming over and I’m going to beat some sense into you.”

“And I’m going to start charging rent if you spend anymore time over here.”

A frustrated yell coming from the other end of the line I take it as a victory over the zebra and laugh before setting the radio on the counter, “Ha ha, eat that stripes.”

Slipping the pack off my back I let it fall to the floor. Happy to get the weight off my shoulders and hips I twist from side to side trying to loosen myself up, a few pops coming from my lower back as my reward.

“Oh yeah.” I groan leaning over and trying to touch the floor, not quite getting there I stand back up and start taking off my kit.

The plate carrier coming off last I throw it on the couch and walk over to where my clothes were to get a new shirt. Digging through the pile I find no shirts that didn’t have rips, holes, or were covered in more stains than not I throw the shirt in my hand back into the basket and walk out the door to get to the shed.

Kicking a bucket out of my way as I stepped into the dim shed I walk over to the bin that had all the old and small shirts in it and start to look for anything that wouldn’t be too small. Half the container being eliminated almost immediately I’m left only a few shirts, none of which were plain white as I would of preferred.

“Maybe I could get Rarity to make me a few shirts and pants, she said she was a seamstress after all.”

Digging down a ways finding nothing other than shirts with band names my old Boston(the band) shirt stands out and I decide on it. Picking it out I stand and hold it up in front of me, “Perfect.”

Slipping it on the shirt clung to my form leaving nothing to mystery, every part of the shirt was tight, from the torso to the neck.

At least it covers my skin.

Walking back out of the shed in the black tee shirt I go back to the cabin and walk into the bathroom in search of isopropyl alcohol and sutures. Avoiding the mirror on the cabinet I open the door and take what I was looking for plus a small shaving bag that held a few scalpels and a pair of tweezers or two.

Leaving the cabinet door open I turn and walk back out into the main room where I set down the supplies on the counter and bend over to untie my boots. The cuts on my leg protesting my movements greatly I ignore it the best I could and kick off my boots before taking the ruined pants off.

Washing my hands in the sink I open the door under it and grab a unused white washcloth before taking it and the rest of the medical supplies and setting them in the wooden chair. Picking the chair up by the back I quickly walk outside as blood started making its way slowly down my leg again.

Walking about twenty feet from the house I set the chair down and go back to the shed for a milk crate. Setting the small plastic crate upside down as a footrest I take a seat in the chair and set the supplies in my lap before putting a few on the ground.

Splashing some rubbing alcohol on my hands and soaking a side of the washcloth I clean around the wounds, making sure no dry blood or contaminates were around the open cuts before I closed them up.

Pouring a little over a scalpel and pair of tweezers I take a deep breath and clench my teeth before spreading each and every cut open to make sure no foreign objects, like a whole claw, were left inside of the cuts.

The cuts bleeding quite a bit more after being aggravated I pick up the rubbing alcohol and grumble, displeased at what I was about to do. Taking a few quick breaths and holding I pour the alcohol in all the four cuts in one go. Waiting a half a second the terrible stinging surges through my nervous system causing my entire body to clench, even my breath being forced out of my chest from the shock my nervous system took.

“Feels pretty fuckin’ c-clean to me.” My right leg quivering I clear my throat and lean over to grab a packet of needles, stitching, and scissors. Trying the thread the needle I pause for a minute in agitation at how shaky my hands were preventing me from getting the small line through the seemingly even smaller hole. Pressing my hands down on my left thigh to steady them I slowly push my hands together; finally getting the line to go through the hole I use the tweezers to tie a small and tight knot to make sure the connection from needle to line would hold up.

Running some more alcohol over the needle out of instinct I get started with the tedious process on the largest of the four cuts, “ Fun. Fun. Fun…” I grumble slowly pushing the needle through my flesh.

The largest cut closed up and the one I was working on now mostly done the sound of rustling leaves catches my attention causing me to let go of the needle halfway through and draw my revolver.

The black and white stripes of my zebra friend showing through the foliage I put the gun away and get back to what I was doing, half watching her at the same time as she approached.

Looking up as she got closer I noticed she did not look at all happy and did, in fact, have her staff with her. Snorting at her I smile and look back down to my leg as I cut the stitch and begin to tie it.

“Wonderin’ when you’d get here.”

“I thought I take the long way and blow off some steam so when I got here I wouldn’t beat you to death.”

Laughing a little I look up to her, her eyes definitely not amused, “Well I appreciate it.”

“What happened to you anyways?” I hear her bags slide from her back and she sets her staff down.

“Shucks.” I wince as the needle hits a particularly sensitive spot.

“How many this time? Five? Ten?”

“Little over a hundred.” I Look up to her before going to re-thread the needle.

“Sureeeee….” I can hear the disbelief dripping from her voice, “You don’t have to try to be more of a ‘stallion.’ Frankly it is a little annoying when stallion, or mares, try to be more tough to impress others.”

“On top the counter, go check yourself.” I point to the door behind me.

“Pfft.” I hear her as she walks past toward the cabin.

Clearing my throat and pinching the third cut together a little with my fingers I get the needle all the way through before I hear her outburst.

“What the Bbbbuck!”

“Get to counting if you want to know the exact number!” I yell back to her turning my head to the left.

“There’s at least two hundred ears in those bags!” Her voice changes as she walks out of the door; back outside.

“Yeah, no shit? I put em there.”

“How aren’t you dead!? She gets right in front of me and stands on her rear hooves heavily placing her front on my thighs causing my teeth to grit and hands to clench as I look toward the sky.

“You took the long way here and didn't beat me to death.” I say through gritted teeth, “Now get the fuck off.” I push her off me and pull the needle all the way through for where I was interrupted.

“What’s wrong?”

Bringing my gaze from my leg to the zebra in front of me I could tell she was upset, her ears were flat on her head and she seemed taken aback from my actions.

“You put all your weight on my thigh and my thigh, if you can’t tell, is not in the best of shapes as of right now.” Upon telling her that she seemed to perk up a little, losing her saddened demeanor.

Watching her as she walked up to my right side to see what I was talking about she visibly tenses and lets out a surprised gasp at the sight of my wounds.

“Oh my! I’m so sorry, I had no idea!”

“It’s fine.” I grumble as I begin to get started again, “Jus’ don’t jump up on me.”

Watching her out of the corner of my eye as she sat next to me and watched me do my thing I could see her flinching everytime the needle got hung up or when I tensed.

“What are you using for the pain?” Zecora asks as I tie the stitch I just did.

“Bottle of Jack.”

“What’s that?”

“Whisky.” I say enthusiastically with a small laugh.

“Are you drunk right now?” In a disappointed tone she asks.

“No, a little buzzed for sure though.” Pushing the needle through my skin once again I groan as it hits a tender spot, “Sure ain't helpin’ much here though that much is fuckin’ clear.”

“Why would you go out of your way to get into danger, I don’t understand.”

From Zecora’s voice I could tell she was concerned for my safety and didn’t like seeing me hurt, “Because if I don’t put every single one of those fuckers in the dirt then more and more people are gonna get hurt and killed. I can’t have that.” I sigh, “ Especially to someone that I care about, like you.”

“You don’t have to do this to yourself,” The zebra walks up to me on my right side and puts her front hooves on the arm rest before lifting herself up to be closer to my sitting height, “ This is not fair to you, you can’t task yourself with saving everyone.”

“I can damn well try.” My voice somber memories started to resurface causing my heart to start racing and my breathing to become erratic. Focusing in my heart beat I close my eyes while slowing my breathing. Listening to my heart beat I slow the tempo in my head causing my heart to slowly follow suit.

“Hank?”

I ignore the zebra for a second making sure if I let go of the control over my heart it wouldn’t cause me to go into the flashes like it sometimes did.

“Hank are you okay?” I feel the soft underside of a hoof press against my right bicep. Cracking open my eyes I take a deep breath and let go of the control over my heart.

“I’m fine.” I say curtly as my heart rapidly reaccelerates causing me to brace for an amplified episode that always came with a failed suppression, “Get some distance.” I push Zecora back weakly with the last bit of control I had over my arms as images of all the people I failed and what happened to them started to replay in my mind.

Everything fading to white the flashes started back up accompanied by the sounds and smells of the places I found myself transported to, unwillingly reliving the past. Barely able to feel something climb onto my lap while two round something's were impacted into my chest at the same time a few times I could hear my name being called even though it sounded muffled and far away.

Something different about the voice calling my name I latched onto it. Becoming clearer with every repetition I could start to hear panic in the voice calling my name as the weight on my lap suddenly hit my chest and stomach and the back of my head was softly brushed by something.

My senses going blank once again the voice got substantially clearer and a white and black blob filled my vision.

“The fuck?” I groan not knowing where I was or what in the hell just happened. My arm moving sluggishly to the back of my head, the grass tickling my exposed skin, I press my palm against my skull as it throbbed.

My eyes clamped shut at the pain coming from the back of my head it slowly starts to fade letting me crack my eyes open the teeniest bit. Looking straight up skyward the only thing blocking me from looking directly up was Zecora, a relieved smile on her face as tears streamed down her cheeks eventually falling onto my face.

Shoving her head next to mine into the crook of my neck she starts to sob making me confused and worried. Slowly putting a hand on the back of her head and wrapping my other arm around her midsection I try to comfort her as my own nervous system comeback online, the numbness in my extremities fading away.

“What’s the matter?” I rub the back of her head while trying to sit up at the same time.

“I-I thought you were gonna die!”

Her sobbing picks up and I start shushing her, “I ain't goin’ nowhere. Don’t you worry.”

“How can I not worry about you!?” She takes her head from my right shoulder and stares at me with watery eyes, “Everyday you go out and look for things to kill! You do it like its second nature. You make it seem like getting fights for life is as mundane as walking to the market.”

Staying silent and just looking at her she exhales heavily out of her nose while looking down before hitting me on the chest with her right hoof harder and harder while she starts crying more.

Not knowing what to do I sit there taking the hits while trying running my hands down the back of her neck to comfort her.

“You’ve been hurt so much already! Yet you always drag yourself back here and patch yourself up before heading out again. This isn’t fair to you!” She screams at me, “This isn’t fair to me as I watch you kill yourself bit by bit!”

“Shh. Shh. It’s okay.” I pull her back in and hug her as the last few sobs escape her lungs.

“It’s not okay. You don't have to do this anymore, you don't owe anybody anything.”

Taking a deep breath in I sigh, “The people I’ve failed. The people I couldn’t save. I owe them.” Pressure starts to build behind my eyes but I quickly beat the tears back, “I owe their memory the promise that I wouldn’t fail anyone else ever again. I owe their panicked eyes, their gurgling last breath, their memories lost, and lives cut short the promise that no one else under my care would suffer like them ever again… at any cost.”

Not sharing a word between us I sit holding her close to me watching the tree line feeling as her breathing becomes more smooth. Sitting like this for a few more minutes I ignore the growing pain in my thigh not wanting to move and break the embrace with the zebra.

Loosening my hold as she starts to push herself away I look into her eyes as she looks back into mine sighing she takes a deep breath, “So did you do the paint yourself?”

Happy to change the subject I snort and smile, “Nah, I’m cheating on you with another zebra shaman who specializes in body painting.”

“You better not be.” She smiles and rolls her eyes.

“Nah don't worry you’re the only small equine of the striped variety for me.” I put her shoulder, “That bein’ said: get your fat ass off me, you’re gonna pop my stitches.”

Huffing at me and slowly getting off me I get up to one knee before I feel a hoof whack my ass causing a loud slap accompanied with a slight sting to come from the hit. Slowly turn my head with my body I stare at the zebra as she stares down at her hoof before looking up at me.

“That hurt my hoof.”

Still holding her hoof upside down she nervously laughs as I stare her down.

“Muscle.” I say slowly.

“Your ass is still bigger than mine.”

“Oh fuck you.” I flip her off and stand up the rest of the way before picking up the chair and sitting back down, wanting to get the stitches over with.

“From the waist up you’re a big scary human but from the waist down you’re a plump butt that’s not threatening at all.” She laughs getting me to groan.

“Tell that to the Shuck I choked to death with my thighs or the countless skulls and chests I’ve crushed.” I say while picking up the supplies next to the chair.

“You’re not going to scare me.” She pokes me in the ass again from behind before walking around to my left side.

Looking at her out of the corner of my eye I growl making her take a small step back. Smiling at her I start to disinfect the needle again, just to be safe.

“I ain’t trying to scare ya. Then again it’s kinda hard to scare someone with what they want.” I grin.

“What do you mean by that?” She walks in front of me before sitting down in the grass just beside my makeshift foot rest.

“I see how you look at me, especially my ass, this is the first time you’ve only really seen me in my underwear and your gaze is obvious.” I look to her without moving my head, “I know you want a piece. Dense strong muscle covered in a layer of healthy fat.” I pat my uninjured thigh, “What’s not to love?”

Face flush with blood I watched as Zecora tried to find some words to respond with but couldn’t before I started again, “Then again I look at your ass all the time too.”

“You do?” She asks a little flustered.

“Yeah, and you don't wear any pants.” I laugh and start to push the needle through my skin once again.

“Mine still isn’t as fat as yours though, pervert.” She huffs.

“It’s still pretty big.” Tying the stitch before cutting away the excess the zebra walks up to me.

“You’re just a freak of nature.”

“I’ve known that for a while.” I chuckle, “Regular person would be dead as fuck by now.”

Humming at my statement Zecora starts to look over my legs before I feel the tip of her hoof poke at my left calf muscle on one side then the other as I continue to stitch up the cuts.

“What caused these?”

Keeping a hold of the needle I look up and see that she was pointing to the two bullet holes in my calf, “I got shot clean through the calf.”

“By a arrow or one of the things you use?” Feeling around the two holes I feel goosebumps starts to form from her touch.

“Second one.” I lean back in my chair starting back in.

Switching to my left leg she starts poking around and rubbing various scars, “What happened here?” She rubs all the way up the left side of my leg past my knee and onto my thigh before I stop her, the slight touch causing my entire body to tremble in the odd sensation.

“You know I don't like talkin’ about this Zecora.” I say quietly.

“I - I know but I just think that if you talked about with what you’ve been through it could help you leave it in the past.”

Taking a deep breath I stay quiet for a moment, “Same thing that happened to my entire left side, like my arm and shoulder,” I show her my left arm, “I know you’ve seen this.”

“I have.” She confirms, uncomfort clear in her tone.

Rubbing my forehead and running my fingers through my hair I clear my throat, “A makeshift bomb went off and it was jam packed with pieces of tin, parts of scissors, razor blades, nails, and other shit. Needless to say when it landed right next me while I was stopping the bleeding from one of my friends while he was shot and it slipped out of my hand when I tried to throw it away, only going ten or so feet away before going off I got peppered pretty bad.”

“That must of hurt so bad.” Z says in a soft tone, her eyes wide with sadness.

“I didn’t feel it at the time really. I was already on top of Carter while I was working on him and it landed next to us. When I failed to throw it away over the cover I flattened myself over him and tried to shield him the best I could. Not a second later I felt the shockwave go off and was immediately disoriented, deaf, almost blind, no balance. When I picked my head up I saw the metal sticking out of his neck while he gasped and writhed under me.”

Taking a deep breath I slowly exhale, “Pulling the metal free his blood squirted almost a foot off to the side. Knowing he was dead I still covered the wound with my left hand out of instinct before I took the uh… uh… well the M9 in the gun closet and put it under his chin before wasting him.”

I look to Zecora for a split second, the zebra paying nothing else but me any attention, “After that I remember looking down to my left arm and thigh, the BDU I was wearing quickly turning red with blood as it rushed to escape my body from all the holes and cuts. Then I think I stood up straight and started to walk toward the others in the middle of a gunfight as bullets whizzed past. Last thing I remember is a few of the guys looking over to me and their faces and yelling. Then I woke up in the medical bay of the national guard post a few days later.”

“Gods, I’m sorry.”

“Nothing that can be done about it now.” I retort with a shrug before tying another stitch up.

“You can talk to me whenever you like Hank, don’t ever feel like you’re alone.” She smiles at me.

“I know.” I give a small smile back.

---

“You shouldn’t be on that leg.” Zecora continues to nag at me, “That has to hurt.”

“Like a bitch yeah, I just want to find something to wear so you stop getting to look at me all you like.” Digging through another bin filled with clothes I find a pair of khaki shorts that I already knew were going to be a tight fit.

Walking further into the shed to the workbench I start to pull the shorts before they get stopped midway up my thighs. Picking up the small knife on the workbench I but the dull spine of the blade on my skin before pushing it down. The tension on the shorts from trying to stretch over my thighs being so much the knife cut down the side the four inches almost like butter.

Setting the knife down I pull the shorts up a little higher due but don’t get all the way up to my hips. Picking the knife up again I do the same to the other side and try again this time getting the khaki shorts to pop over my ass.

“There, no more for you.” I mock the zebra making her roll her eyes and huff.

“Whatever those look like they hurt, especially in the… crotch.”

“Yes they are tight and I look like Steve Irwin plus I will most likely make them explode with one wrong move, but that is a small price to pay to keep the prying eyes of a certain zebra off my ass and dick.”

Walking past her and out of the shed she follows me, “You make it sound like all I do is stare at you in a sexual manner, like a young colt.”

“Well it’s certainly what you do sometimes.” Stepping into the cabin I hold the door for the zebra, closing it after she walks in.

Huffing she spins around to face me and stomps her rear hoof down, “Well maybe if you didn’t hide your body all the time I wouldn’t be so curious.”

“Nice try.” I smile and pat her on the head while walking over to the couch and lying down.

“Are you seriously going to sleep so soon?”

Cracking open an eye I hum, “Oh I almost forgot.”

Setting up I slowly stand up and limp over to the counter before pulling out carrot and a tomato plus a cold beer out of the fridge for something to wash it down. Eating the vegetables down so I wouldn’t wake to terrible stomach pains I pop the cap on the edge of the table and chug the beer down, setting the empty bottle in the sink.

“Now I am.” Going back to the couch I lay down again.

“I’ve never seen you go to sleep so early.” Zecora points out.

“Yeah well last night I was up in a tree all night getting rained on so I think I could use it.” Putting my right hand behind my head I take a deep breath.

---

A series of knocks coming from the door my eyes snap open and my heart starts racing as I come out of my sleep. Pulling Zecora closer to my chest as she apparently sat on top of me like a cat with my left hand and arm I pull the revolver off my chest with my right and point it at the door, cocking the hammer.

“Come on in.” I say loudly to the door as the door knob fumbles for a few seconds before slowly opening to show Luna on the other side. Taking a sigh of relief I decock the hammer and put the pistol back in its holster.

“Was I interrupting something?” She asks with a raised eyebrow looking to me and Zecora.

“Yeah, my fucking sleep you spooky bird horse.” I set Zecora next to me and I sit up, slightly agitated to be woke up from a nightmare less sleep. Getting up from the couch I walk over to the counter and open the cabinet before pulling a bottle of blackberry brandy down. Twisting the metal cap off I look to Luna, “Well close the door. You’re gonna let one of the frogs in the house.” Looking away from Luna I take my first drink, “Slimy bastards.”

“So what did you come all the way out here for?” I ask motioning to the couch, “And please have a seat.”

“I need to talk to you about your actions.” Voice stern and full of seriousness she walks to the couch and sits next to Z.

“What about ‘em?”

“You know full well what events we are speaking of.” The anger in her voice slipping out I frown.

“Of course I do,” I set the bottle down on the counter a little rough, “I may be undereducated but I’m not stupid.”

Opening the first bag of ears I start counting them while I hear Luna loudly scoff.

“No, thou are most stupid! Going into the forest lonesome on a quest to kill Shucks!? If that does not show poor judgement we do not know what does.”

“It’s called search and destroy!” I roll my eyes putting the tenth ear on a stack before starting on another, “and weren’t you and your sister the ones ready to pay me a hundred thousand bits to go into the woods alone and kill whatever was killing the Shucks?”

“Yes… We were.” Her tone shifts to a softer one.

“Why are you having such a fit over my actions when you were prepared to send me in there yourselves?” laughing I place a stack of ten ears on the counter before reaching in the bag to start another.

“W- I was confident in your abilities to succeed and increasingly lacking in confidence at the abilities of our military.”

“As you should be.” I nod, “but with success comes sacrifice, you know this.”

“That I do.” Much calmer Luna agrees.

“So you know that by being in the profession I have found myself so good at I risk sacrificing it all and cannot chastise me when I end up having to sacrifice something.” I turn my entire body and look to her sternly.

“You did not have to go into the woods and do what you did to save ponies, you could have died.” Not angry but worried she leans forward off the couch.

“Yes I did.” I sigh.

“Why?”

“What are you a fucking shrink? What’s with all the questions?” Becoming increasingly agitated at the line of conversation I want to do nothing but end it.

“I want to know why you think that you have to protect everyone.”

“Because if I don’t they die. Everyone fucking dies. So I guess I’m a little protective, is that a damn problem!?” I slam my fist down on the countertop making her flinch a little.

“Not at all, we just don’t want you killing yourself attempting to save others when other options are available.”

“Well what other options do I got? Eh? I sure as hell don’t see none.”

“You could not actively seek out trouble perhaps.” Zecora chimes in making me shake my head.

“No. No. No. These Shucks are a cancer to this forest and the natural life that lives within it. You haven’t seen how they only kill for fun, eating maybe twenty percent of what they do wipe out.” I explain putting my palms on the top of the counter and leaning forward.

“How does that concern you?” Luna asks.

“Because my friends are right in the shit along with the rest of the forest, and… well… I see the infected” I spit the word and clench my fists, “In these Shucks, the pure hatred that burns in my very soul, the hatred that kept me alive. I-I see it in these fucking dogs!” I point a bladed hand toward the open kitchen window while turning the Luna and Zecora, a unhinged look in my eye.

“Everytime I see one of those… those walking bags of black furred shit it reminds me of the things that stripped me of everyone I loved, stripped me of my morality and innocence, stripped my entire fucking world away from me in twenty four fucking hours.” Now yelling I throw a punch at the wall I was next to, a bassy thud coming from the plywood.

The thoughts becoming too much to bottle up anymore the dam in my mind was let loose, “Yet while the world was completely happy stripping me of anyone I remotely carried about it couldn’t just finish the fuckin’ job!” Running my hands through my hair I pull some out and huff as I look at it in my palms before throwing it in the sink.

“I don’t know if I’m too resilient or if I was just a play thing the world liked to wind up and tear down over and over again… I guess that really doesn't matter does it?” I briefly look to the two on the couch before looking away.

“Because either way it left me with a body I can’t stand to look at and put me through enough shit that I know that if there is a hell I’m takin’ the expressway.” Pacing back and forth my eyes flicker from side to side as I think about all I’ve done,”It just makes me want to get it over with!” I pick up my M9 bayonet from the counter and quickly take it from the sheath before pressing it hard to the side of my neck and trying to slide it across.

Gasps coming from the two others in the room I growl at my inability and throw the knife at the wall sticking it into the plywood. Walking over to the gun cabinet I pull out my 1903 and shove five rounds in it before putting one in the chamber; heading for the door.

“I’m takin’ a walk.”

Throwing the door open I step into the night, heading for the stream; wanting to wash the paint of my face and arms. Jumping down into the creek bed I lean over I bring a cupped hand full of water to my face.

Doing the same to both of my arms most of the paint comes off only leaving a faint picture of what was there standing up and picking the rifle up in my right hand by the receiver I use my left hand and push myself out of the creek.

Looking over my shoulder briefly I see all the cats sleeping in their usual formation before looking back forward I start to walk toward the tree line before stopping as I look up toward the night sky and the moon.

Taking a deep breath and running a hand slowly through my hair I exhale all of my breath, “What the fuck is wrong with me?” getting down onto my knees I fall back and lay in the grass. My left hand resting on my chest my right hand was still gripping the rifle by the receiver as I rubbed the metal with my thumb.

A set of hoof steps softly approaching me on my left I don’t look away from the stars above as luna stops next to me and looks down at me before lying down next to me. Using my free left hand I grab her and pull her so she was pressed against my side.

Taking a deep breath I hear Zecora walk next to me and lay down next to me on my other side with her head on my chest like she usually did.

“Do you wish to speak about it?” Luna asks softly.

“No. No I don’t.” My sadness bleeding into my voice I wince at the memories I was forced to revisit, “ I don’t even want to think about it.”

Look who finally decided to post a chapter, and a shitty one at that! Well this what you get so take it or leave it.

And I know by the last bit that it shows Hank's emotions to be able to switch in a split second but I meant for it to seem that way. He is in no way stable or in a good place and while the sudden switches may be a tad jarring I think thats the right effect.

As of right now I don't have a clear idea where I want the next chapter to go so it'll be a while but this is 18,000 words so I don't feel too bad.

Thanks for reading and all the regular jazz, and will someone please down vote the 19 is starting to piss me off.

Also, Merry Chrysler