Hank stared down at the M240B as it laid in front of him on his workbench. He had been through the gun three times with oil, swabs, and brushes. He was confident that not a single speck of grime rested anywhere in or on the gun. Tapping his foot to the classic rock as it played quietly from his phone Hank reached and picked up the machine gun, its weight feeling comfortable in his arms.

Connecting the box of a hundred linked rounds to the side of the gun Hank fed the belt through and roughly brought the feed tray cover down, bringing his fist down on it to make sure it was secure. Turning around and walking to the Humvee Hank sat the large gun next to his seat and looked around the interior finding it incredibly bare.

Gone were the duffle bags of ammo, the jerry cans of extra fuel, or anything that wasn’t needed. All that remained were the bloodstains in the carpet and a small bag filled to the brim with medical supplies and an extra canteen full of water that sat on top of the dash. The sight of such a bare humvee caused Hank to frown a little, he ignored the feeling and pushed down on the lever turning over the engine.

Angry to be awoken from its slumber the engine groaned as it turned over before erupting into a roar. Letting the vehicle idle for a few minutes Hank stared off forward just listening to the engine’s purr before he pulled himself out of his trance and flicked the switches that controlled the lights to “ON” as it was written in sharpie.

First the headlights turning on and then the four rally lights on the top the tree line in front of him was bathed in a bright yellow cone of light. Turning off the lights for the time being Hank patted the dash of the humvee lovingly as he slipped out of the seat and returned to his workshop to get ready the rest of the way.

Getting to work Hank started in on the pile put on his web gear first, its extra heavy weight from the added weapons and ordnance felt like a comfort blanket to the man as he set the shoulder straps in place before buckling it down.

Not a single spot along the belt was committed to anything thing but payload. On his right side the three molotovs sat lined up all in a separate specially made pouches he had made long ago for that direct purpose along with a single grenade that was also tucked away. Behind that was his new sawed off shotgun he had become oh so attached to in the short time he had used it. It’s long leather holster tied around his thigh above the knee to keep it from bouncing around the shotgun rested peacefully, a 00 shell inside both of the chambers with ten more in reserve on a bandolier that was attached vertically to the black vest running down its right side under where his arm would be.

His revolver, a piece of his past that had followed him into the present faithfully, was moved to his hip, just behind the shotgun, for protection from blades and the such that his chest was sure to attract. On his left hip was the empty holster and mag pouches made to fit the Beretta and three of its mags. In front of that was his hatchet and two buck knives, both of which had blades marred with chips and scrapes from heavy use. And while his bayonet seemed missing from its usual place it had been moved to his right leg, tied to the appendage with paracord and a liberal amount of duck tape.

Picking up the black vest Hank hung it over the LBV’s shoulder straps and connected the velcro on the front. Taking up the piece of aluminum in his hands next the young man slipped it into its spot over the black material and walked over to the bench where four pop rivets and the pop rivet gun sat.

Picking up the small fastener Hank put it on the first hole and slipped the stem of the rivet into the gun but stopped the second he started to squeeze.

If he went any further he would be sealed inside the armor, the only way out would be to drill out the rivets. Hank knew this and had made the act he was doing right now the point of no return in his mind. He had always done this, setting a mental point that if he crossed he couldn’t turn back from. His body was a record of this practice and Hank was fully aware of what had been in front of him before and what was now.

Thinking about Zecora and all the other friends he had made so far his hand loosened on the riveter before quickly tightening and locking the rivet into place with a pop. It was an impossibility that Hank would let the ponies suffer anymore, an impossibility that a single diamond dog would go unpunished for what they had done. He would bleed them of every drop and before he knew it he was sealed into his possible tomb.

Tying the black handkerchief behind his neck the helmet found its way onto his head next. Patting himself down while walking into the cabin Hank looked at the table with his assorted guns neatly laid out where he had cleaned them… minus one.

Sliding the three M9 magazines into their pouches all that was left on the table was the was one more M9 mag and a single 9mm round. Slowly walking to the gun cabinet Hank took the cloth wrapped pistol down, feeling the gun through the cloth and his gloved hands as one bad memory punched him, followed by another, and another, and another.

Unwrapping the gun and tossing the cloth back into the closest Hank gripped the pistol tightly and stared at it. It had been over a year since he had last held it like this and he would of preferred if it could have stayed that way but its services were needed.

Pointing the pistol at the wall Hank found the pistol still fit well in his hand causing him to sigh. Pulling the slide back and locking it Hank took the loose round and stuck it in the pipe and slowly closed it. Taking the magazine next he slid it in and tapped it with his palm solemnly. Putting the pistol in its holster on his left hip Hank stopped and looked at Zecora as she slept on the couch. She had tried to stay up with him all night as he worked but failed miserably after midnight. The man was positive she would still be passed out on the small piece of foam right now if he hadn't carried her in.

Part of him wanted to wake her and say goodbye but he couldn’t bring himself to wake someone resting so soundly, especially for anything he was doing. At the same time he couldn’t just leave, possibly forever, without saying goodbye.

It wasn’t hard to find a piece of paper and pen and so Hank started thinking about what to write. Hank was bad at talking, and terrible at writing notes so he decided to go straight to the point, as he always did.

<><><>

Hey Z. I couldn’t bring myself to wake you but I wanted to say goodbye somehow. If I die all of my belongings and wealth is yours. If I don’t die I’ll be at the hospital hopefully by at least 06:45. Come by if you want, though you may not like what you see.

Love you - Hank
<><><>

Lying the piece of paper down on the table in front of the sleeping zebra Hank worried that saying that he loved her was too much but it was true. He figured going out saying the truth was better than not saying anything at all.

Mental checklist almost complete there were only a few things left: Food and water to give to the ponies, flare gun, the sledgehammer and blowtorch to break into the cage, power drill, 1911 to serve as a truck gun and absolute back up, and of course celebratory Arizona green tea and Killian’s.

Stepping out of the door with everything in hand Hank silently closed the door behind him while taking in a long breath of air through his nose. His eyes closed as he enjoyed the smell of the early morning dew he opened them with a sigh and turned his head and then body to face the Humvee as the exhaust billowed out of the stack and condensed with the cool air forming small grey wispy clouds.

<><><><><><>

Stood outside the south entrance to town Clover, Ironhoof, and Ironhoof’s oldest friend looked up at the top of the hill through the dark waiting for Hank to arrive. Ironhoof and his friend Amber Walnut, an earth pony from a walnut farm far east of Canterlot stood next to each other clad in their dark silver trail guard armor, their swords hanging of their right sides.

“Do you really think “Hank” means business Iron?” Amber asked scanning the top of the hill the best he could in the low light.

“I don’t know him well enough to give you a definite answer on that. He seems like quite the driven and motivated individual though.”

“I guess.” Amber shrugged off, “What do you think ‘bout this situation here Clover?” Amber turned to the smaller earth pony clad in gold armor.

Only offering a sigh in response Clover continued to look forward at the hill. He was tired of always being asked what he thought. He couldn’t understand why ponies thought his opinion was worth any more weight than theirs. He was thrust into the role of leading the garrison only because he had been to officer school. He could count ten ponies more qualified than him and yet, here he stood the leader of the Ponyville garrison.

“I think he’s being serious. He wouldn’t kid about something like that. Plus how would he know about the missing ponies unless he saw the fliers? He hadn't been spotted in or near town before he came to me.” Clover said in a distant tone.

Laughing a little Walnut turned to Ironhoof who also had a smile on his face, “So how do you think he found out then?”

Snorting Clover could only imagine, “Buck if I know. All I do know is that he found out where they were and had a plan formulated in a day. Something we have been chasing around for a month or more since the first disappearance.”

As the ponies continued to chat about possible upcoming events and the large creature that had devised the plan that was for the most part still a mystery to them none of them noticed a faint glow of light from on top of the hill until a low rumble started to vibrate through the air. All of the ponies stopping their conversation at once with the addition of the strange noise the growing brightness of the glow from atop the hill finally caught their attention.

A sense of tension hanging in the air around the ponies as the rumble grew louder and the glow turned into two defined beams that shot over the hill. Early risers and fellow guards deeper in the town alike all looked to the source of the noise and light causing a concerned murmur of conversation to come from the few awake ponies as two far apart glowing orbs crest the hill and stopped looking down into town.

Conditioned to believe anything with glowing eyes and coming out of the Evertree was a monster the ponies had no idea what to expect from the arrival of such an entity. Watching closely as the something started to come down the hill four more glowing orbs snapped on above the previous two.

Watching it come right at them the three guards took a step back toward town as the thing reached the bottom of the hill. A faint outline of the beast slowly becoming visible in the darkness the three ponies realized it wasn’t a creature at all. It was a strange wagon.

Pulling up right in front of them before turning left and stopping they heard a clunk come from the other side of the wagon and a familiar silhouette step clear.

<><><><><><>

Pulling himself out of the still running Humvee awkwardly due to the large amount of gear strapped to his body Hank walked around the front of the vehicle casting himself in light for a brief second as he walked toward the trio.

“Sorry I’m a bit late. Had to make sure the fifty was ready to roll.” Pointing over his shoulder with his thumb to the large anti material machine gun pointed off the rear of the Humvee Hank stopped in front of the three.

“Well… Hank, this is Amber Walnut, one of my oldest friends and a stallion I trust my life with.” Ironhoof introduces the two.

Both stepping forward Amber offers his hoof with as much confidence as possible but almost pulls back as Hank unexpectedly grabs it and starts shaking it up and down, “I hope that means you have combat experience.”

“I do.” Amber answers as Hank let go and stood back up straight while turning to Clover.

Wanting to get right down to business Hank knew he would have time to get acquainted with the pair on the drive over and didn’t want to waste time now, “Okay Clover this is all going down at the Gemfields, there’s a somewhat hidden cave entrance at the far North-East of the clearing that a Diamond Dog pack of unknown strength resides in. It’s not hidden much more than its in a shady spot but I was not able to scout for alternative exits or other packs in the area.”

“So it was that close under our snouts.” Clover said in a dejected tone, ashamed of himself.

“It would seem.” Hanks nods, “Now is the hospital gearin’ up? Are your bird ponies watching for flares? Are your backup troops on standby?”

“Yes to all three, and they are called pegasi. Not bird ponies.”

“I really couldn’t give less of a shit about what the right term is right now. Now are you two ready to get this show on the road?” Pointing to Ironhoof and Amber he asks.

“We’re ready.” Iron confirmed not knowing what he was getting his friend and himself into. The uncertainty made him uneasy and the little information he had just learned did little to help, but if he had been called upon to help ponies he was not going to say no. He knew Amber felt the exact same.

“Alright, let's go then.” Opening the passenger front door Hank motions for the duo to climb inside.

Not sure of how to board the strange vehicle Iron jumped up to the floor board and then climbed onto the seat making sure to leave room for Amber to fit as well. The door then closed behind them with a slam causing their anxiety about the situation to peak they realized that now they were in for whatever happened next.

Watching Hank say one last thing to Clover, they both watched as Hank quickly turned and walked back in front of the Humvee as it gave off its signature low hum. Catching a glimpse of the human in high detail as he crossed through the light it was at this moment both ponies realized just how armored Hank really was; and it certainly didn’t give them a good feeling about what lay ahead.

Said human slid into the driver’s seat and closed the door behind him everyone in the cabin silently looked to one another while trying to read how everyone felt. The main consensus for the ponies was tense while Hank was as calm as he could be.

Breaking eye contact first Hank put the Humvee in gear causing it to pull forward slowly, much to the surprise of the ponies inside, the feeling being much different than riding in a carriage.

It wasn’t until they had made it into the tree line on the Canterlot path that someone opened their mouth.

“So what exactly is our job here?” Iron asked while looking over the human’s gear now that he was right next to him.

“The only purpose either of you have is to guard this.” Slapping the steering wheel he quickly glanced to Ironhoof and Amber, “This rig is the only chance we have at getting these ponies, and ourselves, to the hospital quick. In other words, it’s our lifeline.”

“So we aren’t even going to go in with you?” Slightly offended that they were seemingly doing so little Amber’s tone conveyed this.

“Right. But this big bitch is going to be about fifty feet from the entrance so the ponies down there have less land to travel to get pulled out. I expect you to protect and help them load up, even giving up your seat if we run out of room.”

“Do you expect for the diamond dogs to attack this?” Iron asked as Hank started going through his phone for a piece of music.

“I don’t know what I expect to be honest. What I do know is that once I go down there things are going to get messy so I expect some dogs to attempt to flee; and that’s gonna drive them to you.” Holding the wheel in place with his knee Hank plugged the phone into the stereo, “Make sense?”

“I think we got it. Do you understand Amber?”

“Yeah. I got it. I do have a question for you though, Hank.” Catching Hank’s attention the man turns to the pony who had positioned himself in the backseat, “How do you expect to take on the whole den by yourself?”

A grin creepily spreading across Hanks face he turned so he was looking back forward, “I’m banking on one thing.”

“And what’s that?”

“Have you ever heard of shock combat?”

Confused at the question Amber shares a glance with Iron, “Shock combat? As in electric spells?”

“No. No.” Shaking his head Hank’s grin grew wider, “You hit hard and fast with brutality. Break their moral and crush their spirit. You never give them a second to breathe or regroup, you make sure all they know is pressure and death.

A strange glint in the human’s eye as he looked to the ponies they couldn’t help but feel unsettled as he continued to grin maniacally. Both of the two passengers wondered at that moment what knowledge and secrets were housed inside the human’s head.

Perhaps even harder to think about is how Hank had learned all that he seemed to know. What things had he done and seen to hold such knowledge? And on top of that be more than willing to carry it out.

“If I had to sum it up in three words they’d be: Speed, Violence, Momentum.” His words not helping at making him feel anymore friendly Hank didn’t really care, “Now I hope you boys don’t mind but we’re just about three minutes out and I’m gonna put some tunes on to psych myself up.”

Tapping the screen of his phone before setting it on the dash with the bag of relief items for the ponies a strange series of notes plays before the cabin erupts with drums and guitars.

<><><>

As the song progressed and they got closer to their objective Hank had steadily grew more and more enthusiastic while the ponies only grew more unnerved. The completely foreign music and its subject matter fitting scarily well with the human Iron had watched from his seat as the veins on the exposed parts of Hank’s arms grew larger and his muscles tensed against the skin.

Now pressed against the door to get as far from the man as possible Iron watched in nervous amazement as the human sang along to the demented song with surprising skill.

Looking away from the man for a second and out of the rectangular window in front of him Iron’s eyes widened and Amber cried out in surprise as the path became too narrow for the vehicle causing various degrees of vegetation to block their path

Unfaltered by the obstacle Hank put the pedal to the floor causing the Humvee's turbocharger to whirl as the vehicle smashed through the wall of vegetation. Small trees and the like breaking or being forced out of the way with one last rough bump the humvee rammed into the clearing.

“Your life is over now! Your life is running out! When your time is at an end, then it time to kill again!”

Looking back and forth from the crazed human and the ground in front of him Iron started to try to find something to hold onto as the cave entrance got closer and closer and Hank showed no intention of slowing down. Panic just about to set in Iron saw Hank, in a flurry of movement, manipulate every control near him causing the vehicle to start sliding sideways as Amber started screaming from the backseat. Quickly finding themselves stopped with the ass end of the Humvee pointed toward the cave Hank flung the door open and grabbed everything near him, slinging it over his shoulder or carrying it as he made his way out of the truck.

Running around to the back and flinging open the hatch the sledgehammer and torch taped to the handle found its place slung across his back as well before Hank turned and started sprinting faster than he had any business going towards the two still reeling diamond dogs guarding the entrance.

Screaming “YOU BETTER GET READY TO DIE!”, in perfect timing with the last verse from the song Iron and Amber watched in shock Hank ruthlessly dispatched the two dogs and disappeared into the cave mouth.

“What the buck just happened?” Amber mumbled staring at one of the dogs as it rolled on its back clutching its throat.

<><><>

Targeting the dog on his right for no direct reason Hank felt the dogs lungs deflate from the full speed shoulder check into the rock. Taking a step back as the dog slid down the rock face Hank let free a kick directly into the adam’s apple of the bipedal canine crushing the windpipe instantly.

Staring in shock and horror at what he had just watched happen to his litter mate and best friend Bone Claw didn’t even think to use his spear until the monster turned toward him. The bright light coming from the side of its head blinding him he swung wildly but knew the blow had been batted away easily as a large hand grabbed the side of his head and rammed it into the rock. Pain erupted in the side of his head as second hit made an unsettling crack in his skull and the third hit exposed his brain to the outside world.

Two lives erased in an instant Hank couldn’t feel more alive or at home as he threw the dog’s broken body to the ground. Turning the light, that was zip tied to the side of the 240, on Hank pushed into the cave with the gun at his hip.

The bright white light from the two flashlights his only source of illumination in the cave Hank steadily pushed deeper. His trigger finger desperately wanting to hold down on the piece of metal his wild eyes desperately searched for a target from behind the ballistic glass.

Finding nothing yet Hank stopped as he reached a twenty by twenty circular room with eight off shoots. Stopped in the middle as he looked around Hank went with his best guess and chose the one that was widest.

Continuing down the path torches started to line the walls casting the place in a dull orange glow. A bend coming up in the path ahead Hank saw shadows cast on the wall in front of him as something moved around the corner. Picking up his pace Hank raced to the bend and swung around the corner.

A packed hallway of armed diamond dogs staring at him as he stared back from down the machine gun they paused and all conversation stopped. Hank’s brain releasing dopamine in tremendous levels with the sight in front of him the lead diamond dog pulled his sword and tried to step forward but was quickly cut down by a wall of thirty caliber bullets.

Nowhere for the dogs to go sideways the rounds rammed their way through multiple dogs at a time before stopping. Before five seconds had passed twenty dogs laid dead as the last few tried to run back down the hall only to receive a singular bullet through their backs.

The noise was tremendous. Hank was nearly deaf from the short burst from the machine gun and he was sure the entire pack had just been awoken but he didn’t care as he pushed through the hall of dead bodies, his boots instantly becoming stained red.

Following after the diamond dog he didn’t shoot he wanted to see what he would lead him to. Making it further down the hall, the dog looked behind him panicked to see that it was still following him, the two lights shining brightly as the black shape moved behind them.

Bringing his closed fist down on the large wooden doors as hard as he could the Diamond dog cried out, “Let me in! There’s something out here! I-It killed them all. HELP!”

Slowing down and watching bemused the dog turned around terrified as the door started to open. Shaking his head ‘no’ Hank raised the gun and sent a short burst into the dog and through the wooden door.

Half the diamond dog’s head disappearing into a mist Hank ran past the dead body and pushed himself through the door where another dog lay dead from a bullet to the chest.

Scanning the yellow lit room Hank smiled under his black handkerchief at the full room in front of him. A meeting of some sort going underway a larger dog sat in a “throne” of sorts as higher members of the pack sat around respectively.

Anger on all of their faces as they glared at the interloper the chief growled and pointed to Hank, “Kill that piece of shi-” his words dying in his throat much like himself four rounds tore through his midsection and blew out through the back of his throne.

Turning his attention to the rest of the room Hank started to hose down the other members as they charged toward him. A hard impact striking his left chest area Hank looked down to notice a large divot in the aluminum as another arrow skidded off the plate on his right thigh.

Going to direct his bullets to the dogs with crossbows Hank instead had to duck under an axe as it went for his neck. Backstepping to create space Hank shot the dog in the chest once crumpling him as another lunged in with a machete type blade. Muzzle striking him in the sternum the dog swung his sword and hit Hank in the side of the helmet. Striking him again in the chest to push him back Hank quickly turned and cut down another charging dog as an arrow flew next to his head.

Ducking from the arrows Hank shot the machete wielding dog in the face and turned face to the archers before leveling the machine gun and cutting through their ranks. The dogs quickly falling Another large diamond dog came out of nowhere and tackled Hank into the wall. Holding onto the heavily armored human by the waist Hank shot another approaching dog before bringing the stock of the machine gun down onto the back of the canines neck as he tried to punch the human in the ribs. Letting go of the armored man Hank quickly threw a knee catching the dog on the muzzle and making him fall back.

Holding his broken muzzle Digger looked up as the masked man stepped over him and raised a boot. Holding up a hand in a surrendering gesture it went ignored by the human as he brought his foot down onto the dog’s chest breaking his ribs and puncturing all of his vital organs.

Stepping away from the now cooling body Hank looked around the room and thankfully saw all the diamond dogs dead. Looking around for the door with the cages behind it Hank heard yelling echoing from down the main tunnel.

Running to the large door Hank lent the gun on the door while preparing his first molotov of the morning. The scent of gasoline reaching his nose he flicked open the lighter and lit it before igniting the wick.

Waiting as the sounds grew closer Hank adjusted his grip on the lit bottle before sending it down the tunnel to the bend. The flame spreading quickly and sticking to the walls and ceiling like he hoped panicked creams of somebody on fire came from around the corner causing a few flashbacks to flash across his vision.

Shaking the flashes away Hank picked up the machine gun and quickly shut the large doors while using the nearby pole to lock them down. Turning around and sweeping the room with his flashlights Hank’s eyes locked onto the only other tunnel in the room. Going to the tunnel Hank shined the lights down the hallway and saw a singular wooden door, making his way toward it Hank raised his foot and gave a hard kick near the side causing the door to open a few inches before slamming back closed

Not able to hear anything subtle from all of the gunfire Hank tried to kick it in only for it to move in a little before closing right back up. Enough knowledge from experience Hank knew that if a door was acting like that someone was behind it pushing against it.

“You can’t hold me back motherfucker! I’m gonna rip your god damned throat out!”

Going to kick again it budged a little more but quickly closed again. Going to plan B Hank kneeled down and pointed the 240 at an up angle before sending three rounds through the door and into whatever was behind it.

Screams of pain immediately coming from the other side Hank stood up and kicked the door in only to receive three arrows, two to his chest and one that caught the flesh on the underside of his left arm by the elbow.

Though the wound didn’t hurt yet Hank still registered he’d been hit and grit his teeth in anger as he depressed the trigger. The ten or so dogs blood splattering the far wall he let off the trigger and looked down to see around twenty rounds left in the belt. In his excitement it seemed Hank’s finger was lingering on the trigger more than it needed to. Though it sure was a lot of fun.

Entering the room Hank had become aware of the pounding at the large doors behind him but he knew there were things he needed to get going right now.

Stepping in front of the cage and looking past the bars the ponies stared back as they huddled in the corner from whatever had killed their captors so efficiently. Some of their ribs and hip bones showing from malnutrition Hank had a hard time looking at their ghoulish faces. Ponies weren’t supposed to look so skinny with matted fur and empty eyes.

An even ratio of stallions and mares a white mare with cut short purple hair poked out from the back and gasped as she looked over the figure closer, “Hank!?”

Rushing up the the bars Rarity put her front hooves on them while the masked man stepped closer.

“I- It’s you! You found us! H- How?”

Tracked the dogs and found this place, your friends are worried.” He answered simply while taking the bag full of food and water off from his shoulder and pushing it through the bars, “Make sure the starving ones don’t eat or drink too much, it could kill them. And don’t worry about cleaning up just get hydrated and patch your wounds if there are any.”

Taking the bag in her mouth Rarity nodded and quickly started distributing the supplies.

“Who sent you? Was it Celestia? Luna? Captain armor?” Looking up from where he was wiring the torch to the steel bars Hank looked at one of the skinniest stallions he had ever seen in his life, to be honest Hank had no idea how the pony was still standing. Looking back down to his work Hank shook his head slightly, “No. It’s just me.”

Confused at the lack of involvement from his own government the stallion deflates a little, “There are guards here with you though right?”

“Other than the two guarding the extraction vehicle no.”

“Oh… so we were forgotten.”

“This is not the time to feel sorry. Get some food and water in you.” Hank ordered as he completed wiring the torch up.

Walking back to the others slowly Hank looked over to Rarity while some of the ponies started to eat and drink, “Are there keys to this?”

“The leader keeps them on him.” The mare he saw get captured a few days ago answers.

Standing up and going to get the keys Hank stops as the multiple axe heads chop down on the timber through holes in the door, “Not an option." Turning back to where the torch was wired to the bars he turned the gas on full and clicked it until it ignited blowing a blue cone of flame on the locking bolt of the cage.

The hissing of the torch scaring the ponies Hank turned and looked to them, “Press against the wall closer to the door I don’t want a stray arrow tagging one of you.”

Moving as quickly as they could, the stronger ponies helped the ones that couldn’t walk on their own anymore to the other side of the cage while the human picked up the sledge hammer and leaned it on the wall behind him.

“When that cross bolt gets red hot you tell me.” Hank called out to the ponies in general as he picked up the 240 and walked to the door, bracing it against the wall while aiming the sights down the tunnel where the dogs would have to walk square into his sights.

Looking at the human as he braced and readied for combat Rarity could see his first finger slowly go from its place pressed against the side of his strange weapon onto the trigger. In an instant her perception of the man had shifted. Gone were her prejudices and reservations, all she saw now was a stallion willing to put himself between immeasurable danger and ponies who needed help. Turning her head back to the ponies behind her and spike who had instantly started trying to cheer up the little filly the second they had gotten into this terrible predicament a smile came across her face as she looked at the tiny dragon, but was quickly replaced by a frown. She was the one who had gotten them into the predicament in the first place wasn’t she? Just thinking about it almost made her collapse in guilt.

Hank coming back up in her mind she walked to the edge of the bars and was about to say she was sorry and to thank him before the object in his hands exploded with deafening noise, as it was seemingly prone to do, before another and another explosion came forth from the weapon.

Looking down the sights Hank squeezed off singular rounds as the targets presented themselves, a somewhat challenging thing to do with a gun that only had “safe” and “full auto.”

Five separate dogs catching five separate bullets diamond dogs stopped coming from around the corner but the pause was short lived as a battle cry rose from around the corner followed by a rush of dogs. The bad news for Hank was that he only had fifteen bullets left. The bad news for the dogs was that the tunnel was only wide enough or one and a half dogs shoulder to shoulder.

Expending the rest of the ammo quickly most of the wave fell but more still came. Tossing the gun to the side Hank reached for his revolver and drew it while leaning out of the door more and straightening his right arm.

Firing all six round down the hall arrows flew past his head and he head diamond dogs moaning in agony. Music to his ringing ears Hank dumped the empty casing and started to reload the revolver with its extra ammo. Getting to three a diamond dog presented himself in the doorway and started charging toward Hank, a large club held over his right shoulder.

Slamming the cylinder shut Hank pulled the trigger four times going over two empty cylinder and two full ones as he backpedaled while the diamond dog slowed to a stop and fell to his knees. Both of his lungs scrambled the dog wheezed painfully while Hank ran forward and pushed kicked his head backward into the stone floor. Contacting with a sharp crack the diamond dog stopped moving and Hank started to reload again.

For almost all of the ponies, including Rarity, that had been the first time the saw a person kill another person. They had seen ten diamond dogs get cut down by some mysterious force just a second ago sure, but having both parties involved within the picture was different somehow, it was more personal.

Hank however was unfazed by the death he had just dealt, instead focused on reloading the revolver. Closing the almost full cylinder Hank looked down to the revolver knowing that the four rounds left may be the last time he ever fired the pistol. A part of him sad at the notion Hank smiled instead and decided to enjoy it while it lasted.

As if on queue the dogs tried again to enter the room. The first took a bullet to the head and crumpled into a ball while three moved in at the same time. The first two taking rounds to the chest the last one in the stack pushed past his dead comrades and tackled Hank to the ground.

“I Got it. I Got it!” The diamond dog yelled to the others signaling their soon to be victory for sure. Taking out his long dagger and trying to thrust it down into the throat of the armored creature.

Catching the wrist of the Diamond dog with his left Hank held the dagger back as the dog frantically tried to push it into his throat. Reaching for the revolver that came out of hand when he got tackled he could feel its wooden grip at the edge of his reach. His fingers pulling the revolver closer to him another diamond dog rushed in with axe and ran toward the pair.

The revolver out of reach the other diamond dog raised the axe and started to swing it while still running forward. Raising his right leg and kicking out Hank felt it impact the dogs crotch causing the diamond dog's blow to stray off course and instead of burying the axe head into Hank’s right clavicle it went high.

Finally getting a grip on the revolver Hank pressed the muzzle to the dog’s head as the dagger started to inch closer to his throat. Looking into the dog’s eyes Hank pulled the trigger and watched as the side of his head disappeared into a cloud of red splattering his visor in much the same liquid.

Taking the dagger in his left hand while pushing the limp body off of him Hank turned to the recovering diamond dog and plunged the long blade into his gut as he started to raise the axe again. Holstering his now empty revolver while getting to his feet Hank twisted the blade and pulled it out before ramming it back in.

Every stab accompanied by a flash Hank’s mind slowly tore itself apart as the man desperately tried to hold on and not let the monster out of the cage. He could feel it thrashing in the back of his mind, wanting nothing more than to take the reins once again, the worst part; Hank was tempted to let the old him make an appearance. He knew he’d like whatever he did. Clenching his teeth Hank drove the dagger hilt deep into the Diamond’s dog chest and threw him to the side.

Just hold it together for a little longer man. That’s all we gotta do.

Looking over to the torch Hank sighed, this was going nowhere near as fast as he was hoping, the metal was only just starting to show a little color in a small square. Looking back to the open door Hank could hear yelling over the ringing in his ears and the hissing of the torch. He decided he didn’t like that.

Taking out one more molotov Hank flipped open the lighter and ran the side of his hand down the small black wheel sparking a small flame into existence. Exposing the wick in one fluid twist and pull Hank ignited the rag and prepared to throw it through the door as more flashes surged forward.

Images of the charred bodies he had left behind and the screams they had made as they were burning at his hand flooding his mind Hank could feel a small snapping sensation deep in his brain and twitched as his best efforts to contain the beast started to fail. Cocking his arm back none the less Hank felt the bottle leave his hand just as the diamond dogs yelled in unison signaling another charge.

The moral filled yell quickly turning into terror filled screams as the bottle broke and sent its contents onto whatever was in a ten foot radius Hank pulled the shotgun from his hip and waited as the first flaming diamond dog scrambled through the doorway flailing and shrieking as his flesh melted.

<><><><><><>

Clenching her eyes tight as a mighty yawn went through her system Zecora sat with her eyes closed for a few moments until she realized a familiar warmth wasn’t there. Slowly opening her eyes it took a second for Zecora’s mind to register that she was not in the loft and Hank was not with her.

The cabin was dead quiet, and that was strange. Usually if Hank got out of bed before she did he would be doing something and making a small amount of noise, whether that be drawing, cleaning his guns and blades, or preparing some food there was always some noise. But now there was none. In fact the cabin felt… empty and lifeless.

Looking around the cabin from her spot on the couch Hank truly was missing. Sitting back down with a confused sigh a white piece of paper sitting on the coffee table caught her eye. Looking at it inquisitively Zecora sat up and rubbed her eyes to bring the somewhat messy writing into focus.

Her neutral look steadily turning to panic as she read more of the short letter her breathing was labored by the time she reached the end.

“No no no no no NO! I can’t lose you too!” Zecora loudly exclaimed as tears threatened to escape her eyes, “I don’t want now to be the end of our relationship. I-I want to be with you for a long time.”

Pacing around the cabin being a complete nervous mess Zecora didn’t know what to do. He hadn't told her where his operation was going down, on purpose she expected, and she knew it would be a bad idea to try and track him down. Left with nothing but her thoughts about her somewhat unexpected housemate Zecora decided if she ever saw Hank again she would tell him exactly how she felt even if there was a chance he didn’t feel the same.

The zebra shaman had no idea what to make of the note. Did he mean love her in a familial since or in a romantic one? She knew how she loved the human and that alone was something to think about. Her feelings had at best snuck up on her and at worst ambushed her one night when she was nestled face first into the human’s neck as his arms were wrapped around her back. It was in that very moment her feelings for the man ahold of her were realized.

In reality the human had thrown a massive wrench into her plans. She had planned to move into the Everfree and quietly live in solitude working on potions until her mind had finally healed over the loss of her best friend or until she died, but Hank had other plans. Instead of doing any of that she was now living with the man and enjoying every second of it. Sure they had some small disagreements but nothing that ever lasted or wasn’t resolved with a gentle compromise.

Zecora hadn't even worked on potions or been to her home much at all in the last month’s, instead she had been content to help Hank out with the property and his various projects. Zecora was just now starting to realize how much she relied upon the man for emotional support, he had become her rock in a sense. And even if she didn’t realize it yet she had become his.

A mass of brown surrounding the base of the sink and covering the top of it Zecora stopped her pacing and entered the bathroom to investigate. Getting closer Zecora realized that it was hair, Hank’s hair, and there was a lot of it. By the looks of it Hank had removed most of his thick shaggy hair, he often did complain about his hair getting into his vision.

Putting her front hooves onto the ceramic of the small sink and standing up Zecora noticed even more hair in the sink basin and a pair of strange trimmers that plugged into the wall and a regular pair of scissors. What caught her eye the most was a small picture partially covered by a clump of hair. Pushing the hair off of the picture with her hoof and sliding it towards her Zecora turned it over and almost couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

On the small three inch by four inch picture was Hank, but she barely recognized him. He looked so young compared to how he did now, and he was noticeably smaller, even if she could only see from the chest up. Also gone were the numerous scars the adorned his face and left him with a permanent snarl from the way they healed and long messy hair that she had always known him with. Instead they were replaced with a unmarred face and a haircut that was just barely long enough on the sides to not show the scalp but long enough on top to retain his tell tale left part his hair did on its own.

The thing that amazed her the most, however, was the wide glee filled smile that spread across his face. Never in the time that she had known him had he ever smiled in such a way or with such life behind his eyes, she hoped someday she could see him smile like that again. It was a wonderful look for the human.

Though her happiness was short lived as she remembered just what the human in the picture was doing as she looked at his photo. Setting the picture down and walking out of the bathroom Zecora decided that she couldn’t wait any longer to see the man, and if that meant going into town and waiting at the hospital that’s what she would do.

<><><><><><>

Flinching away from the sight in front of them the shrill shriek of pain made a few of the ponies watch as Hank caught the club aimed for his head and stomped through the knee of the canine that swung it. Taking the shotgun in his right hand and ramming into the underside of the diamond dog’s chin Hank fired off one barrel reducing his head to a shower of red white and pink.

Pulling the layer of brain coated saran wrap off of his visor returning his vision the angered human crumpled it up and threw it away as he executed another diamond dog that way leaned against the wall blubbering and trying to keep his guts from falling out.

Chest heaving Hank turned back to the door and ejected the spent shells before reaching for more only to find he was out. Holstering the shotgun the man struggled to catch his breath and recover from the ten minutes of hand to hand combat he had just endured. Cuts of varying depths were spread across Hank’s frame and all leaked blood onto the stone floor. Hank ignored this stinging in his limbs from the injuries and exertion while reaching for the M9 pistol.

He truthfully didn’t want to use the weapon, his mental state had been steadily deteriorating as the fight drug on, the presence in his head now throbbed instead of whispered as it tried to force itself out of its cage. Hank knew using the pistol would only help return him to his true self.

Pulling it free Hank gave a short glance to the ponies in the cage and saw the expressions of terror across their faces as they looked back to him. Well minus one of the skinniest and most abused mares. She had a wide smile on her face.

The floor in the room was littered with dead bodies, all laid there by Hank’s hand. Hearing another rise in volume from outside the door Hank prepared himself. He had to give the dogs one thing: they were persistent.

A yell echoed through the halls Hank and returned one as loud as he could as diamond dogs rushed through the door. With the first trigger pull and following bang Hank’s mind broke further as a painful snap ran from the back of his head to the front. Gritting his teeth Hank screamed in anger as his mind shifted to being far more cruel.

“I WANNA FEEL YOU BLEED!”

Firing the pistol one handed as he advanced towards the diamond dogs the pistol cicked empty and Hank was forced to duck under a roaring diamond dog’s swing of a large meat cleaver. His hips loaded Hank cracked the dog across the face with a left hook and kicked him back into the others as they tried to push through the door, stopping their advance.

Dropping the empty mag and quickly inserting another Hank made quick work of the fumbling dogs before whipping his head to the side as a voice cried out.

“IT’S RED!”

The diamond dogs taking this as an opportunity doubled their efforts and charged in. Hank quickly emptied the magazine in the pistol but it did nothing to stop the influx of invaders. Dropping the handgun Hank prepared for hand to hand with an excited roar.

Flipping the first dog over his back Hank grabbed onto the handle of an axe as it came for his neck only to take a hammer blow to the ribs. Grunting in pain the human head-butted the dog he was fighting with and ripped the axe from his grip taking it as his own. Driving the axe head into the side of the dogs neck finishing him Hank dodged one hammer swing only for the backswing to catch him square in the side of his right arm as he swung the axe in an ascending blow. While Hank’s arm screamed in pain the diamond dog who swung the hammer couldn’t even scream as the axe head penetrated under his rib cage and into his chest cavity.

Pulling the axe free causing the dog to fall to his knees Hank took a step back and swung the axe from his left side. Denting the side of the dogs head in with the hammerside of the axe he pushed the now dead body into the bars where it caused a tremendous clanking sound to ring through the room and startled some of the ponies inside.

No time to breathe Hank back stepped and back stepped again as he avoided a machete. Timing the swings Hank rushed in getting inside of the weapons range and struck the dog with the top of the axe to the sternum. A quick and hard elbow to the trachea finishing the dog Hank moved to the next and caught him off guard with a swing as he came through the door. The hard swing easily going through the ribs of the dog it also broke the handle leaving Hank with a short stick.

Throwing it away Hank rushed over pistol and picked it up and began to reload it. A silhouette appearing in the doorway Hank turned his head to it while standing and trying to bring the pistol to bear.

An arrow ramming into the clear visor it gouged a deep scratch across its surface while the impact stunned the man giving the archer enough to dip back around cover before getting shot. Mildly pissed about the split in his vision now Hank kept his pistol pointed to the door while approaching the cage to breach it. Nothing appearing Hank quickly holstered the pistol and picked up the sledge hammer. Readying his swing the human aimed for the lock face and swung with his entire might.

Hot metal giving away under the tremendous force the cage door swung open and slammed against the bars signaling all to the human’s progress. Also a signal to the second step of the ponies freedom Hank could feel a second wind flow through him as the ponies behind the bars started to perk up as well.

“Hank look out!” Rarity screamed as another diamond dog jumped into the doorway with a crossbow.

Reacting, but not fast enough, Hank turned as the arrow left the weapon making its way to him. Drawing the pistol as the arrow reached him, its tip tore through the tough fabric of the carrier and lodged itself deep into the muscle of his left shoulder.

His left arm immediately going slack Hank growled in pain as the diamond dog dropped the crossbow and pulled a sword from his hip. His left arm mostly inoperable Hank did his best to just hold on to the pistol as the dog charged toward him. His right arm was still completely fine though and with a change of grip on the sledge hammer Hank swung the twelve pound hammer backhand into the dogs ribs.

Raising the hammer again as the dog laid on the ground screaming as some of his broken ribs poked through the skin the injured human brought the hammer down onto the dogs face promptly turning it inside out.

Pulling the hammer free with a wet slurp Hank dropped the hammer and wrapped his right hand around the shaft of the arrow before pulling hard. The pain from the pull nearly making the human piss himself he realized the arrowhead was barbed and not coming out that way.

Instead he broke the shaft off and stood back up from where he had fallen to his knees, throwing the bloody arrow shaft to the stone floor below.

“Get ready to move!” The rapidly angering human ordered the ponies while realizing that his left arm was starting to respond again, although under great pain. Trying his best to ignore the pain a massive armored diamond dog stepped into the doorway with a massive crossbow that was more akin to a man portable ballista.

Raising the pistol Hank squeezed off a few sub par shots that missed or were absorbed by the huge diamond dog before the dog fired himself. The two pound arrow crossed the short distance almost instantly and impacted Hank’s armored chest pushing through the aluminum before being easily stopped by the steel plate.

Stopping such a projectile is only half the battle however and while no blood was drawn the kinetic energy from the arrow carried through the steel and into the human where it threw him onto his back with no air in his lungs.

Trying to breathe Hank’s breaths came in as high pitched wheezes as his eyesight failed and his hearing came in muffled. Hacking and coughing as he tried to get his breath back Hank positioned himself somewhat upright and started firing the pistol the best he could at the rapidly approaching dogs.

It didn’t take long for the pistol to click empty and as the last dog hobbled back out of the doorway Hank did his best to pull himself to his feet as his lungs protested. He wasn’t out yet. In fact an ever-growing part of his brain screamed for more.

<><><><><><>

“The hospital is ready Captain.” Calm Breeze said with a lax salute as he landed in front of the nervous pony.

“Oh, excuse me,” Clover turned from the hundredth townspony who was asking about just what was going on, “Good. Has anything been seen in the sky, we’re fifteen until seven.”

“I’ve seen nothing Captain, and neither have any of the other pegasi, but uh… a zebra showed up.”

Matching Calm Breeze's quizzical look Clover shakes his head a little, “Did you say zebra?”

“Yeah, she showed up at the hospital just a few minutes ago, said she knows Hank.”

“What in the hell have you got yourself wrapped into Hank?”

<><><><><><>

“No you don’t you son of a bitch!”

Pushing the knife poking at his lower stomach from under his armor with all his might it only prolonged the inevitable as the shaking blade slowly started to cut back into Hank’s skin. His tired arms no match for the hulking armor clad diamond dog Hank looked into the dog’s eyes as the K9 sneered back with a wicked grin.

The ponies all screaming for Hank as they watched their savior slowly and painfully get run through Rarity wanted to look away but couldn’t as Hank’s and the dogs labored breaths and growls grew stronger as their struggle grew. With one more hard push from the diamond dog a short pain filled scream came from the man as half the blade disappeared into his gut. Covering her ears, Rarity couldn’t stand the screams of the man and finally looked away to the floor where bloody machete laid.

Looking down at the weapon Rarity knew she had to do something, she was still able bodied after all, something most of the ponies behind her were not. Perhaps it was what she had seen Hank do, or the stress of her situation, either way Rarity's mind slowly pulled free of the prey mentality that she was born with. Her magic quickly grabbing onto the handle of the weapon she lifted it into the air, it had become clear to her that if she wanted to see Sweetie Belle, her friends, or daylight ever again she would have to fight if Hank couldn't.

The lactic acid in his arms burned greatly as Hank, still in a futile attempt, tried to push the knife free.

“I’m gonna gut you like a fucking fish. Then I’m gonna do the same to every single one of these ponies you wanted to save after i play with them, especially the filly.” The behemoth of a dog taunted pushing the knife deeper but got no response from the man pressed against the wall.

Upon hearing filly Hank’s attention turned away from his situation and he started to scan the occupants in the cage. Wide eyes looking back as some of the ponies cried, others seemed to be yelling for him, and Rarity was swinging a machete at a dog as he came through the door, his heart felt a small amount of pride as the pony defended herself.

As time slowed down for the man he finally saw her, her head pressed into the chest of the tiny dragon as he looked right back at him as they both hid behind what he presumed to be the filly’s mother, who was nothing but bones and covered in filth, his eyes connected with her sunken and deeply saddened ones before he looked back to the dog in front of him with a newfound deep seated hate.

Hank’s mind was dangerously close to breaking and the mention of another child, one that couldn’t be more than five years old, had been the last straw. Staring deep into the eyes of diamond dog before him a low tone on the back of his mind started to rise in pitch and volume.

They’d taken a mother and child, they’d starved the mother who no doubt had been giving all of her little food to her child, They were willing to torture a child directly as punishment for what he had done. They were willing to rob innocence away for their own sick enjoyment. All Hank wanted to do is wipe the pack from existence, he’d wiped settlements clean before and he’d do it again, even if it killed him. If they wanted to be monsters, he’d show them a monster.

The tone the back of his mind reaching its peak Hank knew what was coming and closed his eyes tight in preparation. What felt like a ball of lightning growing in the back of his head it finally exploded and caused Hank’s eyes to close harder in extreme pain as it spread all across his mind before focusing on the frontal lobe.

What could only be described as the feeling of your skull fracturing like a spiderweb before exploding open taking over Hank’s senses the human shrieked in pain as he finally broke. The diamond dog’s ears ringing from the unnaturally loud scream he looked tried to drive the knife deeper but found he couldn’t move it in any direction, it was as if the human had become a stone statue, there was no give at all.

Claian was the strongest diamond dog in the entire pack, he was personally picked by the alpha as his second for his massive size and prowess in combat. No other could hold a candle to his ability, if anybody was going to be able to take on the strange invader that had laid waste to their brothers it was him. And though he was initially full of confidence when facing down the bloodied and beaten creature now his confidence was starting to drain away.

Looking into the creature’s eyes through the blood speckled glass Claian didn’t expect for the creatures eyes to go from nothing but pupil down to smallest pinpricks he had ever seen. It unnerved him further when the pupils snapped to his eyes from their empty stare and quickly dilated again before shrinking back down.

What Claian really didn’t expect was for the man to willingly let go of the knife and allow it to stab all the way into his gut before grabbing onto the shoulder straps of his armor and pulling him into a powerful head butt that made the inside of his head echo with the crack of his skull on the helmet.

The only thing occupying Hank’s mind were the details of how he would execute the brutality and torture he needed as he ripped open the visor and handkercheif exposing his face while lunging for Claian’s neck. Easily slipping inside of his wild punches Hank bit down into the side of the diamond dog’s neck quickly drawing blood and a scream of pain.

Claian’s strength overpowering the human’s bite in his neck he pushed the enraged man away losing a large chuck of his neck in the process. Looking at the human Claian was mortified at what he was facing as the human spit out the chunk of his neck and came back for more.

Throwing a right hook as the human came in Hank ducked under it and responded with a left hook that caught the dog on the jaw before loading a cut kick with his right leg and blowing the dog’s left knee out causing him to go off balance.

As Hank grabbed onto the top rim of the Claian’s armor and forced him into a kneel the dog was still trying to process what had just happened as the first punch of many cleared his mind. Hank rained right hook after right hook down onto the dog, enjoying the feeling of his fist meeting the face of his target and breaking it immensely. He missed this, the feeling of pulverizing somebody in pure rage, he couldn’t even begin to think of something that he enjoyed more.

His right arm cocked back ready to let another punch impact the dog’s Hank stopped as his chest heaved from exertion and threw Claian into the cage. A weak groan coming from the dog as he somehow hung onto consciousness. Propping himself up onto one arm Claian watched as Hank walked into view and started to try and pull himself away.

“No. No. No!”

Jumping onto Claian’s chest and pinning him with a knee Hank went for the neck again but was stopped as the diamond dog held him back with his large paw pressed against Hank’s face but quickly realized why it was a bad idea to put anything near a human that liked to bite.

Trying to pull his Paw back as Hank bit down on his two middle fingers Claian screamed in pain as the human ripped the two digits off with a growl and spit them out before diving back in for the throat.

Watching the diamond dog stumble back, bringing a paw to his throat, pulling the lodged machete with him. Rarity couldn’t believe what she had just done, she didn’t even think she was capable of killing a household mouse, not that that would go over at all with Fluttershy, but here she was killing another creature as, debatably, intelligent as her. She wasn’t left with her thoughts long though as a blood curdling scream caused her ears to flatten. Turning around and expecting the worst to have happened to Hank, Rarity didn’t know how to process what she was seeing.

His teeth cutting their way through Claian’s jugular as Hank thrashed his head from side to side his face was sprayed in blood. Taking that as a decent enough signal Hank pulled back bringing part of the diamond dogs throat with him and got up to his feet. Looking down to the gurgling diamond dog with mirth in his eyes Hank wrapped a hand around the knife sticking out of his gut and slowly pulled it out.

Wrapping his hand around the slick wooden grip Hank bent over and rammed the blade between the dogs legs causing a high pitched sound of some sort to come from the dog. Swallowing the clump in his mouth the human looked down to Claian as he stopped moving and laughed a deep belly laugh. His laugh startling the ponies watching him Hank turned to the door while pulling out one of the buck knives from his belt.

“Get ready to move. If you can walk carry those who can’t, if you can run carry two. We don’t stop until we can see daylight. Transport will be waiting.” Stopping in front of the doorway Hank looked down to Rarity who looked back to him more nervous than she would like to admit.

“You did good, pick up another weapon.” Pulling down the visor Hank smiled and turned his head to the opening, “If they make it past me, kill them.”

It didn’t take long for the dogs to try one last time after hearing the creature’s voice. They would avenge their alpha, their brothers, and now Claian. With one more yell the dogs pushed down the hallway intending to crush the creature.

Expecting the human to be right in front of him as he turned into the room the diamond dog’s blade bit nothing but air before a knife slammed into his gut from around the corner and was yanked back towards its owner.

The dog’s stomach spilling at his feet Hank switched the blade to a regular grip and quickly stabbed it into the chest of the dog, pushing him out of the door in the same motion. Ducking under a spear thrust Hank tossed the respective dog over his shoulder and traded another blow to his ribs for a slash across the next dog’s chest before a hatchet rammed into his torso armor. Yelling in rage Hank pinned the arm of the hatchet wielding dog under his arm and stuck his knife into his throat before he was forced to abandon the knife and the dog to avoid a sword.

Stepping back and drawing his other buck knife he stomped down on the diamond dog he threw over his shoulder.

“Y’all ain’t nothin’ but an all you can eat chinese buffet!” Pulling out his hatchet and rushing forward again Hank started back in again stabbing, slashing, punching, and trading hits. Not a single Diamond dog made it past him that wasn’t thrown or pushed through already dying. This continued for several minutes until no more diamond dogs wanted to try their luck against the man as he refused to give an inch. It was clear that something had changed within the man during his time in the caves, his eyes were wild while he fought, he growled and screamed like an animal as he continued. The human’s only function had been reduced to causing as much pain and suffering before his victims died. All instincts of self preservation had been washed away in an instant, if it meant he could get one more blow in and cause more pain, see the life leave one more pair of eyes Hank would gladly take a hit of his own.

“C’mon! I’m still fuckin’ hungry!” Slamming the cage door shit one last time on the diamond dog's head he had held in place with his boot Hank pushed the door back open and took a deep breath, trying to calm his desires and the pull he felt to run out into the hallway and start back in again.

A small part of his brain reminding him that he had a job to finish Hank turned on his heel and began picking up as many of his items as he could find. Everything accounted for minus one of his buck knives Hank pulled the grenade free from its pouch.

“You’re going to do exactly what I say when I say understood?” The ponies nodding while walking out of the cage Hank pulled the pin on the grenade while leaning out of the door and tossing it down the hall, catching another arrow to the visor in the process.

“Cover your ears!”

Doing as they were ordered the human ran over to Rarity and pulled her back from the door by her hair and wrapped her up with his right arm, using his body to shield her from any fragmentation and shrapnel. Rarity’s surprised cry being cut off by the loud explosion dust fell from the ceiling and rock chips were thrown into the room in a brown and grey dust cloud.

Flint chips tearing open the side of Hank’s right arm he welcomed the pain while dropping the pony and standing back up. He could lecture her about shrapnel later right now he needed to get these ponies moving while the chaos was still thick in the air.

“GO GO GO!” Hank yelled while pushing out of the doorway, his beretta brandished and ready for action. Continuing slowly so the injured ponies could keep up Hank stepped over the mangled bodies the grenade left and ignored the comments of the ponies behind him as they let out expletives and the contents of their stomachs as they walked through the organic soup on the floor.

Sweeping the main chamber left and right Hank waved for the ponies for move up once he saw no threats. Walking beside the group as they made it to the large broken open doors Hank split off and quickly executed a diamond dog that was screaming about his missing leg as he drug himself on the floor.

Wincing at the crack of the gunshot Rarity looked to the human saddened as he approached, the diamond dog he just shot in the back of the head lying motionless on the floor in the background. Looking up to the human as he took his place beside and motioned for them to move faster down the main tunnel Rarity tried to look at his face through the blood stained piece of glass but could only make out a faint outline. She was grateful that Spike and herself were being freed from their captivity and she could only imagine how happy some of the ponies that had been in the caves for months felt, but a part of her knew she could never look at the man the same again despite the admiration she felt. She had never seen anything like it in her life, she didn’t even know that brutality on such a scale was possible and no matter how much she hated the diamond dogs a part of her felt bad for them. They didn’t even stand a chance! She knew Hank was a stallion that had skills she couldn’t even comprehend but know she didn’t even know what he was, she could think about these things later though. Snapped out of her thinking as an arrow whizzed past her head some of the ponies screamed and Hank cursed before firing shots down the hallway until his pistol clicked empty.

“Not one of ya’s gonna survive this!” Hank yelled to the approaching dogs while pulling out the last molotov and striking the lighter, that had somehow stayed with him through all of the combat, Hank lit the molotov while taking up his spot at the rear of the group to use himself as a shield.

“Run as fast as you can until you see daylight! I’ll cover you!”

Throwing the molotov down the hallway as arrows flew past Hank watched the flame explode and engulf a group of diamond dogs much to his delight. Arrow’s still flying past Hank took a few hits that bounced off harmlessly before a scream came from the group retreating behind him.

One of the arrows making it past the man only to lodge itself into the flank of a stallion, the pony fell and started to panic before he was scooped up by the human as he tried his hardest to catch up to the group as they started to disappear out of the cave and into the sunlight.

Wrapping his hand around the shaft of the arrow as he awkwardly held the M240 under his arm Hank gave it a slow pull and found the arrow to move freely.

Must be out of barbed arrows Hank thought pulling the arrow free much to the stallions dismay before an arrow stabbed itself into Hank’s unprotected rear.

“Ow! Fucker!” Hank growled stumbling out of the cave.

The sunlight blinding the stallion and human alike Hank blindly pressed forward as the stallion started laughing, never thinking he would ever see green grass or breathe fresh air ever again. His sight returning Hank limped to the rear of the Humvee and dumped the stallion in while dropping the M240 to the ground.

“Load th-ESE ponies up as fast as you can!” Hank ordered to a stunned Ironhoof and Amber while pulling the arrow out of his ass and tossing it to the ground. “Also good job.” He said motioning to the three dead diamond dogs to the rear of the Humvee while climbing up onto its roof and getting behind the fifty.

Pointing the heavy machine gun to the entrance of the cave Hank waited for the remaining dog’s to come out of their cave right into his sights.

“C’mon, c’mon, c’mon. The old bitch wants to come back to life. Give me an excuse.” Whispering to himself Hank broke out into a wide grin as the remaining force poured from the cave in a charge.

You’d think they’d learn.

“Ha Ha HA HA, yes you would.” Hank replied to himself while Iron and Amber started to freak out down below.

“Buck! Here they come! Iron get ready to-”

A loud shockwave came from the top of the Humvee cutting the pony off as the closest diamond dog exploded in half, his closest mates followed to much the same fate before the chain of fire stopped before resuming once targeted on a new group. Awe struck at the power of the weapon Iron hit Amber upside the head.

“He has that covered! Let’s load the rest of these ponies up!”

Loading up the last few ponies into the cramped vehicle Hank was having a blast behind the fifty as it turned the diamond dog’s into chili. Laughing up a storm as he swiveled the gun from one group to another cutting through them in short bursts Hank let off the thumb paddle as he heard a yell from down below.

“WE’RE LOADED!”

Pulling himself away from the gun unwillingly Hank jumped off of the side of the Humvee and promptly fell into a clump on the ground as the severity of his injures started to catch up to the human, the massive amounts of adrenaline in his blood quickly disappearing.

Pushing himself to his feet Hank limped over to the rear of the Humvee and lifted up the tailgate before reaching up and closing the top hatch with a small warning to the ponies inside to watch their heads.

Wobbly making his way to the driver seat while picking up the 240 in the process Hank flung himself into the seat and popped the humvee into gear before putting his foot to the floor. Gaining speed quickly the inside of the cabin was alive with tears of joy and laughing as ponies hugged the ones closest to them, relieved that the terrible chapter of their lives was for the most part over.

Hugging the small dragon tightly in her hooves Rarity smiled as the dragon tried to signal that he couldn’t breathe before the tapping on her shoulder caused her to loosen her grip. Keeping her hooves on the small dragon and looking down to him with tears in her eyes Rarity looked to her right over to her shoulder where spike and many of the ponies were looking.

Looking to their driver as he sat hyperventilating Rarity looked to the man worriedly as they hit a particularly large bump causing a pained grunt to leave the man’s lips and a large amount of blood to pour from his lower abdomen and run down the seat before pooling at his feet.

Looking over the human closer Rarity realized he was in much worse shape than she had thought. His left arm hung limply in his lap, the stab wound in his gut bled profusely, as the hundreds of other small injuries on his arms and legs bled also.

“Are you doin’ okay up there Hank?” Iron asked over the now quiet cab but got no response from the human as he cranked the wheel to the side with his one hand and putting them on the main path from Canterlot to Ponyville.

“What’s the worst injury we ‘ave back there?” Hank asked back in a low grumble.

“Minus some serious malnutrition and the effects of slave labor, we have some infected wounds probably on the edge of gangrene and some minor cuts and scrapes.” Amber promptly answered while looking to the human’s back as he slowly started to slump forward in his seat, “Hank are yo-”

“Shut the fuck up.”

Cutting the guard off, Hank couldn’t deal with stupid questions about his well being right now as he focused his hardest on keeping the Humvee on the road and getting the ponies to the hospital as fast as he could.

Reaching the crest of the path the small town sprawled out in front of them over the hood of the Humvee getting many gasps and happy remarks about seeing pony society once again. Staring dead ahead at the hospital Hank reached over to where the custom lever was attached to the dash and pulled down on it once, causing the four black painted horns taken from a wrecked International dump truck to come to life.

The deep bellow of the horns echoing throughout the valley once Hank let off for a second and then pulled the lever again signaling to hospital that heavily wounded were on board.

<><><><><><>

Stiffening his wings and pointing his muzzle to the ground Calm Breeze’s body followed suit and he started a fast dive toward the hospital. The wind tearing at his ears Calm folded them back and pitched lower while pulling his wings back. More falling than flying the pegasus squinted his eyes and held his wings closed for a single second longer than the alarm bells in his head wanted before shooting them back out and pulling up.

The strong muscles that attached his wings to his back straining under the force he used his wings to slow down to a running speed taking over with his legs is a dead sprint towards the front doors of the hospital. Flying up the stairs Calm shoulder checked the door open and met eyes with the surprised hospital staff that stood next to their gurneys and took a deep breath.

“Two honks. Heavily injured ponies inbound… You have ten seconds before it’s here.” Reporting to the staff between deep breaths Calm breeze looked back out the door as the roar of the incoming vehicle grew louder. Stepping free of the door and letting it close behind Calm stared at the vehicle along with the Zebra on the steps next to him as it raced towards them, kicking up a cloud of dust behind it.

Suddenly slowing, the nose of the truck was pulled downwards as its RPM’s skyrocketed causing black smoke to pour out of the stack. Eventually sliding to a stop in front of the hospital the low hum of the engine was cut off and the driver door opened to show the imposing human covered in blood.

Turning his head to the pair before swinging his leg out Hank put one foot on the ground before the other and immediately fell onto all fours as a large amount of blood cascaded down his armored leg and to the ground from his gut. Taking a second to gather himself the human forced himself to his feet and slowly walked to the rear of the Humvee, undoing the latch before tearing open the hatch.

“Unload from the most needing of attention to the least, then get yourselves checked out after.”

Ordering with authority despite his injuries Hank stepped to the side allowing for the two guards to start their duties before the hospital doors were flung open and they were all swarmed with hospital staff and stretchers.

The last of the liberated ponies walking into the hospital doors after the frenzy of nurses and doctors had dissipated Hank looked at the closing doors and sighed in relief. The hard part was done, he had gotten all of the ponies out with minor collateral and most importantly he had thinned the gene pool just a little bit.

Decently satisfied with how things went Hank hummed and undid the fastener his helmet before pulling it off his head and setting it on the tailgate. Ignoring the mass of ponies that had gathered and were loudly whispering about what was going one, as they usually did, the human sat still and let the air cool of his head as he ran his fingers through his now much shorter hair helping it part like it always did.

Using the Humvee as a wall to lean on Hank walked back to the driver’s side before reaching in and pulling out the tea, beer, and cordless drill Hank took them and returned to the tailgate before hopping up on it himself, disturbing the stab wound greatly.

The initial shock of seeing Hank in such a battered state wearing off Zecora quickly made her way to the rear of the Humvee before hopping up next to her man. Not sharing any greeting minus a soft pat on the Zebra’s shoulder from the human both were relieved to be in each other’s company nonetheless.

Picking up his helmet and setting in on his left knee for something to rest his irritated left arm on rather than just leave it dangling. Hank ran his hand through his hair one more time wiping some of the sweat and blood off of his forehead in the process. Picking the beer up in his right hand next Hank postured it to Zecora.

“Help me out here.”

Knowing exactly what he wanted before he even asked Zecora used her hooves and twisted the cap like she had been taught causing the cap to shoot off followed by a torrent of bubbles. Laughing a little Hank brought the bottle to his lips and took a long drink, sighing in satisfaction once he pulled the bottle away.

“What are you doing now?” Zecora asked the beaten human trying to ignore all the starres directed at them.

“Well…” Hank paused to take another drink, “I ain’t really got that far yet. I’m glad to see you though.”

“I’m glad to see you too.” Zecora reciprocated with a short laugh, the sentence being the largest understatement of her life

Sitting in silence for just a few more moments Hank and Zecora both found their eyes looking at the frail looking pegasus colt in front of them as he lined a camera up at Hank. Raising a beer to the camera in his right hand and smiling his vacant but rage filled eyes with their minuscule pupils looked right into the lens before both of their visions were filled with white from the flash.

“You’d better only sell that to the RPO you little bastard, or else I’ll use your tiny little legs as toothpicks.” Hank said blinking his eyes until all the spots gone only to find that the colt was no longer there, the faint sound of a weedeater growing more distant by the second.

“You won’t really hurt the kid will you?” Zecora asked as the human looked at her.

“No, I’ll just follow him around for a day until he has a mental breakdown and pisses himself.”

While the comment did upset her with how serious and nonchalant Hank was about it as long as it wasn’t physical violence Zecora guessed she couldn’t be too upset about it. Leaning into his side not bothered by the blood Hank flinched slightly at the touch before looking down to Zecora and wrapping his arm around her.

Both human and zebra enjoying each other’s company the hospital doors opened getting both of their attentions but each chose to ignore it just the same. Walking in front of the pair Redheart a small medical kit held in her mouth along with a shot of morphine, or the closest equivalent at least.

“You’re really tore up Hank.” Redheart said from around the kit’s handle while jumping up onto the tailgate as well, hardly making the Humvee move at all, “I almost don’t know where to even start.”

“Well I have this stab wound in my gut and it’s giving me a few issues.” Pulling his armor up painfully he showed the wound making Zecora and Red’s eyes go wide.

“O-okay I’m gonna need help with that, and a lot more sutures, and iodine, and a surgeon.” Red prattled off running back into the hospital.

Planning to ask about why Hank just had to go off and get himself so severely hurt all of the time Zecora also figured that he was in no mood to have that pointless discussion and instead pressed into him harder, further staining the white sections of her coat red, “I’m glad you’re not dead.” She finally said as her voice started to waver.

“I don’t plan on leaving anytime soon.” Hank calmly said squeezing the small zebra a little, “I do plan on getting out of the hot armor though so could you hand me that drill?”

Setting down his beer on the other side of the Zebra and taking the drill in his only working hand as Zecora handed it to him Hank fiddled with the drill for a second before turning it around and drilling through the rivets. The ones on his left side a fair bit harder to deal with than the other two Hank got them nonetheless, just with the help of a few swears. Sliding the drill behind him Hank pulled the sheet of aluminum free and held it up in front of himself and Zecora, inspecting it.

“Huh. Who knew an old stop sign could work so well?” Looking at the bloody piece of grey metal full of gouges, dents, and other signs of abuse he laughed. “Damn thing sure did take a beating.”

“It seemed to work very well.” Zecora said in agreement while looking at the piece of armor before Hank dropped it to the ground and started tearing at the black vest.

“I’d woulda been dead about half way through my task if I didn’t have it… Hell I woulda been shot in the face three times if not for the visor.” Laughing a little more while slipping his right arm free of the vest.

Not understanding how Hank could continue to talk about his own possible death and laugh about it Zecora stayed quiet as she looked up to the human his face showing pain as he continued to laugh.

“Oh right the arrow…” Looking down to the wooden shaft sticking out of his left shoulder and the vest Hank sighed, “Z I apologize for the sound I’m about to make.”

“What do you-” Confused about what the human meant Zeocra cut herself off and folded her ears down trying to dampen Hank’s agonized scream as he pulled the vest off and threw it to the ground. Putting his right hand in between his legs and leaning forward as he tried to get his breath back sweat started dripping freely from his hair again.

Pain was something Hank was most accustomed to in his life, it had gotten to a point where it more of just something he accepted would always be present and pushed to the back of his mind. But the arrowhead hooked on the nerve in his shoulder felt like his entire nervous system was shutting down whenever he aggravated it.

“Huh haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, fuck me in the ass.” Staring forward at the ground, his eyes unfocused Hank didn’t notice Redheart returning with Caliper and the arrival of Clover as he tried to deal with the pain.

“Gods Hank are you okay?” Cover asked stepping forward to the beaten human as he sat in a growing puddle of his own blood.

“Nooooooooooooo...” Hank answered without looking to Clover, instead spitting out the foul tasting saliva adrenaline always put in his mouth.

“Well I uh… I just wanted to give you my deepest thanks Hank. There’s no way we could have gotten all of them out alive like you did. Nor can I understand what you had to do to get them out.”

“My methods are very simple Clover.” Hank said lying back as Redheart guided him, “But I appreciate that you acknowledge what I did.”

“Of course Hank! What you did is just short of a miracle! I sent a letter directly to Princess Celestia telling her what you did, I’ll make sure this deed doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Processing what Clover said Hank cracked a smile that greatly disturbed Redheart as she looked up to his face, “Now repeat what you jus’ said there because it sure sounded like you just said you told Celestia about this.” Hank laughed.

“Uhhhh.” Rubbing his hooves nervously at the human’s tone Clover could sense something was wrong. “I sent a message to Celestia about what you did.”

Humming Hank chuckled, “Clover I think you should get yourself as far away from me as possible because if you don’t I’m gonna stomp your head into the fucking dirt.”

“I-I don’t understand. I just wanted to-”

“Don’t push your luck Clover.” Hank growled holding a finger up as he held onto his beer, “If I ever want to talk to you again I’ll talk to you. Otherwise, I don’t want to hear a word come out of your mouth.”

Truly not knowing what caused the sudden anger towards him Clover opened his mouth to say something but closed it while his ears flattened against his skull. Taking a few steps toward the hospital Clover looked back as Caliper pushed a large needle into the human’s abdomen causing the large man’s leg to twitch. Looking to the zebra Clover a found a small amount of sympathy in her expression before she turned away and walked deeper into the large vehicle. He didn’t know where the sudden anger came from, he just wanted to help the human clear his name a little and get his good deeds recognized. He knew they weren’t friends and that Hank did make him nervous but at the same time Clover did want to at least be friendly with the man, he was descent to be around when in a good mood and always wanted to help. He’d even trained two of the gate guards one night and now what he taught was standard procedure for all the guards in the town and they felt a little safer with the knowledge they’d obtained. Clover guessed that if Hank didn’t want anything to do with him he could understand why, it’s not like he’d been of any use anyway.

Following the saddened guard with her eyes Zecora sighed and walked back to where Hank’s head was as Redheart and Caliper poked around with the stab wound in his gut.

“Why did you have to be so mean to him? You really upset him Hank.” Sitting down next to the man Zecora said disappointed, “He was just trying to help you.”

Rolling his eyes Hank scoffs, “If he was trying to help me he wouldn’t of gotten the attention of the big white bitch. Everybody knows I hate her, and she hates me, now she’s gonna come down here with that magical bullshit of hers and start screaming about: “Oh my god you killed all of the diamond dogs?! You didn’t use your words or diplomacy?! You’re dangerous and not fit for society blah blah blah.”

“Just how much blood have you lost Hank? You seem a little delusional.” Redheart asked in a short tone while holding pressure on the wound while Caliper worked, the human’s rude behavior and degrading remarks at the leader of her country grating on her.

“About five pints so stop trying to be smart and close that fucking hole.” Hank snapped back before taking a breath to calm himself, “Or I’ll get up and do it my damn self.”

“Oh no no no no. No. Don’t do that! The knife managed to slip past all of your intestines… Somehow.” Caliper said looking down to the wound amazed, “So all we have to do is reconnect to muscle and skin. Don’t move.”

Sitting still again Hank interlaced his fingers and put them behind his head, just waiting for the procedure to be over with so he could go home and be away from all the ponies minus one. Speaking of a certain black and while small equid-

“Hey Z?” Opening his eyes and looking up to the zebra who had tears in her eyes Hank instinctively reached up and tried to use his thumb to wipe the tears only to smudge a line of blood under her eye, “Oh shit, sorry.”

“N-no it’s fine.” Zecora laughed and smiled wiping her own eye only widening the red line, “What did you want to say?”

“I know living with me, and dealing with me, is difficult and I’m sorry that I have to put ya through stress like this but even though I do I really do care about you. I just wanna make sure you know that, I know I don’t say it near enough.”

“I know you do, I never doubted that.” The human’s words made her heart warm and Zecora moved in to rub up against him again but found herself held back.

Looking back to the pouting zebra Hank smiled and pushed her back further before retracting his arm, “I know how hard blood is to just get off skin and I don’t know about fur, but you have some work to do either way.”

Taking a second to look down at herself Zecora saw that she was indeed stained red. Knowing that the cleanup to get the red out of her white stripes would be terrible the zebra smiled in embarrassment not even realizing that it had happened, “It would seem I do.”

“Gods this is bucking hard.” Caliper exclaimed trying to push the needle through the muscle of Hank’s abdomen. Everyone shifting their focus to the stallion as he worked he looked up from his task at hand and looked back at the three sets of eyes looking at him, “What?”

“You’ve never sworn during an operation before.” Redheart pointed out while holding pressure on the other side of the wound.

“Well I’ve also never come across muscle so dense and hard to push a sharpened needle through. Just look at how thick the muscle layer is! Look how closely connected the fibers are! Have you ever seen that!?”

“If you’re gonna have a melt down I’d prefer it wasn't over a hole exposing my guts to the daylight, alright?” Hank chimed in, “Just let Red have a crack at it.”

“No. No. I have this.” Caliper takes a breath and starts to push to needle through for the tenth time, “Just what in the tartarus are you made of?”

“All the same things you are I suppose.” Cracking open the can of Arizona tea Hank motioned it towards Zecora, “Want a drink?”

“I am not made of whatever this is, oh and you can let off Nurse Redheart, his blood has already congealed, in fact get me a scalpel so I can scrape open the clots and get some fresh blood to the area.”

“Is this normal for a human Hank?” Redheart asked after giving Caliper the scalpel.

“Which part?” Wincing Hank asked while gesturing the can toward Redheart after Zecroa had taken her drink.

“What is it?”

“Green tea.” Hank smiled, “A delicacy in my homeland.”

Taking a small sip before going in for more Redheart followed the can as Hank pulled it away, frowning once it got out of her reach, “That’s really good, do you have anymore?”

“Just a few after this one.” A frown on his face Hank took a sip which immediately brought back his smile.

“Going back to human anatomy,” Red restarted her original train of thought before the tea had distracted her, “Does human blood have a reason why it clots so fast? Is your species usually this resistant to nearly mortal wounds like this?”

Taking another long drink Hank hummed around the liquid in his mouth, “No. Not usually but you can ask this one about why I have those abilities now.” Hank motioned to Zecora who turned away with a blush on her face, still embarrassed about what had happened all that time ago.

Both Redheart and Caliper looking to Zecora the embarrassed zebra did her best to straighten up once she realized she really would have to explain.

“Well when me and Hank met for the second time he saved me from Shucks that had trapped me in my house and in the process received a grievous leg wound. It was bleeding a startling amount and without thinking I dumped a large amount of dried powder made from the Zebriacan desert Lily in it.”

“The flower that is the host for the rare bacteria?”

“Yes.” Zecora nods, “I was just getting to the bacteria.” Smiling she looked over to Hank who chuckled.

“While even for ponies and other native species to this planet it causes enhanced healing properties it is for a usually short amount of time because their magic with flush it out of their system.” Explaining both Red and Caliper nod along, “But he is not from this planet and has no magic. At all. So the bacteria was allowed to run rampant in his body. He’s a huge warm place to live and absorb nutrition from. In return they give him all of the benefits that goes along with the harmonistic bacteria.”

“So I am currently straddling the thigh of the largest living colony of this extremely rare bacteria possibly in the world?” Caliper asked amazed.

“Yes.” Zecora nodded in confirmation as Hank sipped quietly on the tea watching the ponies and zebra talk.

“This colony is getting a little pissed off that you’re not closing the hole in his gut.” Hank growled down to the pony while setting the tea down.

“Sorry! Sorry!” Caliper apologized scampering back to work.

“How far along are you anyhow, I want it closed up before fat ass gets here.”

Dismissing the name Hank called Princess Celestia Caliper continued to struggle as he pushed the needle through the muscle, “I’m about three quarters of the way done with your muscle.”

“Alright.” Hank grumbled wanting the pony to go faster.

“Princess Celestia isn’t going to come here and do anything to you Hank. What’s your problem with her anyways? She’s always been kind.” Redheart said turning her attention from the wound that wasn’t bleeding and to the man.

“You have far too much faith in your politicians Red. They’re nothin’ but a pit of backstabbin’ snakes. Believe me, I’ve seen how much they care for the people that they rule over.” The human sneered taking another long drink. “Buncha fucking cowards, I hope their deaths were drawnout and excruciating.”

Now not focused on her job as much Red started to realize just how strongly of sweat and fresh blood he smelled. Her olfactory nerve kicking right in, Red’s mind started to get cloudy and tell her to get closer to the source of the overwhelming scent while she did her best to resist her biology and instincts that were a lot more powerful than ponies liked to admit. It seemed some natural impulses were harder to get rid of than others.

“W-well I don’t know about your world Hank but things are different here.”

“Heh. Sure.” Lying back down Hank was completely oblivious to the effect he was having on both of the mares as they slowly inched closer and closer to him. The entire atmosphere had become more relaxed as the shock of the event had started to subside. This was also a problem for the mares because now that the tunnel vision had faded away the rest of their senses were able to pick up what was around them.

“What is that smell?” Caliper asked to himself as he calmed down and let his hooves go on autopilot as he did his job, “Oh it’s you.” Caliper took a long inhale finding that the source was indeed his patient, “How much cologne did you put on before you came here? And how much did it cost you?”

“What?” Hank asked leaning his head up confused as to what Caliper was getting at.

“Your cologne. Why did you put cologne on before you came here and why is it so strong?”

“I didn’t put any cologne on.” Hank shook his head, “That’s my sweat and blood.”

“Oh it is! What the hell!?” Taken aback Caliper realized that while he was on top of the human’s thigh he had stained his underbelly with the human’s sweat as he operated on him, “And I’m covered in it… great.”

Laughing Hank went to lay his head back down but realized that Red and Zecora where doing. Knowing exactly what was happening, having had plenty of experience with Zecora after a long day of working and sweating Hank rolled his eyes.

“No…” Hank flicked the ears of Zecora and Red respectively catching their attention, “Go on, get out. I can’t have you both rubbing up on me getting blood on your fur right now.”

Shooing the two away they both looked back to the human and stopped before they went to jump off the rear.

“I’m not going anywhere now go.” Watching the pair jump off Hank met eyes with Caliper who was looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

“I’m aware of the effect I have on women.”

Going to lay his head back down and let the stallion work Hank noticed a ball of golden magic forming fifty feet from the back of the humvee. Knowing exactly what was coming his way Hank reached for the needle of painkiller and grabbed it getting a concerned look from Caliper who cried out as the human jabbed it into his injured shoulder.

“Here we fuckin' go.” Hank grumbled, slowly sitting up as Caliper yelled and tried to push him back down.

“You’ll blow your stitches! I’m not done!”

Ignoring the pony while his limp evolved into a stride as the painkiller took effect and spread across his body Hank picked up the 1911 and its extra magazine he brought swapping out the beretta and one of its extra mags. His left arm coming back online despite the arrow still lodged in his shoulder Hank turned around and pulled the slide back on the pistol with his pointer finger and thumb. Looking down to Zecora and Red from where they had sat together Hank grimly chuckled.

“Just a bunch of back stabbin' cowards Red, take my word for it.”

Putting the pistol in his empty holster Hank made it back around to the rear of the truck and sat back down as the glowing gold ball grew larger and larger, little lightning bolts crackling off the orbs surface. Watching the orb just as intently as the crowd that had yet to disperse Hank watched as Celestia appeared replacing the ball as it exploded outwards.

A smile slowly starting to tug at Hank’s lips, a smile not formed in mirth but burning anger, he let it take over his face.

This chapter got much longer than I expected but I didn't feel like splitting it so here it is. I think its alright, perhaps over the top, but that's just my style I guess. As I said there is one more chapter before the end of this arc. Yay. It also means I have to figure out what to do next and while I have a few ideas that I want to do I don't know how to lay them out and connect them in time.

We'll see how things go either way, maybe I'll have a more concrete idea by the end of the next chapter.

Hope you liked this, it was fun to write, see y'all next time.