In a secluded corner of the palace gardens a bright golden ball of light grew larger and larger before it exploded outwards revealing Celestia’s battered frame. Stood on wobbly legs Celestia panted as she watched the birds she had startled fly away. Taking a deep breath in through her nose Celestia was interrupted as she breathed in more blood than air and started to cough. Her body heaving as she coughed up a disconcerting large glob of blood the large pony sat down and waiting for the light headedness to go away.

She would have teleported herself directly into her chambers to avoid most of the questions she would have been asked especially about her current appearance but she knew she didn’t have a stable enough frame of mind to teleport with that much precision and didn’t want to end up getting split in half by a wall, she also couldn’t fly because that punch between her wings had all but stunned them and with her added fatigue she didn’t feel like she could pull off the ground. So even though she wasn’t dead now she had to walk all the way through the castle looking and… smelling as she did. With a groan Celestia winced and stood up before starting forward.

Celestia could feel the dred of having all of the eyes on her growing as she got closer to the castle entrance. Looking to her left side as she continued toward the entrance Celestia saw just how much red was staining her snow white coat. Bringing her head back forward, Celestia saw the fountain around the corner that was in clear view of the entrance and the two guards that were always stood at post. Quickly looking at her other side and stopping Celestia saw that the red hand print was most certainly still proudly displayed over her cutie mark, right in the center.

“He has good aim.” Celestia confirmed to herself causing her jaw to flare in pain, “...And power.” Rolling her neck Celestia caught sight of a very familiar face, a face frozen in pain.

“I bet you’re enjoying this, aren’t you Discord?”

Celestia could almost hear his laughter as she looked at the statue; listening to the water in the fountain bubble and the birds sing for a few more moments the alicorn eventually shook her head causing her neck to throb in protest, “See you around Discord.” Celestia as she walked around the corner.

Coming in view of the two stoic guards Celestia straightened her posture and looked straight ahead, trying to look as regal and proper as possible. Approaching the fountain Celestia ignored the looks on the guards faces and stopped at the crystal clear water before looking down at her own reflection.

Celestia knew she had to look battered but she wouldn’t have guessed it was that bad. The side of her face was swollen causing her eye to be a little more closed than usual, blood, dried and fresh, lined her lips and caused the fur under her nose to be matted down and gummy. There was even another red hand print from the human around her left eye from where he had pushed her head into the dirt. She looked much worse for wear than she thought. Staring at a face that hadn't been marred once in hundreds of years, Celestia was very much reminded that she was just a pony.

She had never thought she was a god as some claimed but she had also forgotten that she could bleed, she may be immortal but she wasn’t invincible and Hank had very much reminded her as such.

Stuck staring at herself in the reflection of the water a small smile started to spread across Celestia’s face before a drop of blood dripped from her nose and into the crystal clear water causing it to ripple and for Celestia’s reflection to fade away, replaced with the expanding drop of blood.

The blood starting to run down the back of her throat Celestia coughed and looked back up noticing the guards still staring at her. Moving around the fountain with as much grace as usual Celestia approached the two stunned guards and stopped before them, “Both of your days going well?”

Both of the mares not being subtle at all while scanning over the princesses’ form they stopped and looked at each other, “A-A are you okay Princess Celestia!?”

Smiling Celestia nodded, “Yes, I’m fine. Though I would like to go take a bath so if you would please…”

“O-Of course!” Both guards stepped aside and snapped to attention.

Only a smile on her face Celestia walked through the pair pretending not to notice their noses twitching and their tails starting to raise slightly, it seemed that she smelled more strongly of him than she thought as well; or maybe the two mares hadn't been with a stallion in a long time. Maybe she needed to look over the statutes being a guard had to blowing off steam. Sexual frustration was still frustration, and just as unhealthy, no matter what some stuck up noble might say. They say there was nothing “professional” about listening to your biology while being in the guard, but it wasn’t very professional to hike your tail or slip out of your sheath while on post either.

Yes, it would seem that she would have to check into that. Celestia thought as she continued down the hallway, ignoring the looks from the maid staff and occasional guard the best she could. Even though she was “ignoring” the looks she was getting Celestia saw them all just fine and she could tell her appearance was more stunning to the ponies than she previously thought it would be.

She couldn’t blame them really, for longer than they knew, for generations before them, Celestia had never let herself be seen in anything but a regal state. That was all gone now, taken from her by a very angry human, though again, she couldn’t blame him either, she did throw the first punch after all. Now walking down the castle halls she could navigate with her eyes closed just by counting her hoofsteps Celestia walked toward the throne room leaving the occasional drop of blood on the spotless marble floor as her nose continued to bleed.

Long abandoned were the ideas of rushing to her room and hiding away as Celestia pushed through the castle wearing the marks of shame with a head held high and back straight, minus her regular flowing hair which the princess had also abandoned, preferring to just let her mane and tail hang naturally just like anypony else to avoid the headache magic would certainly bring.

Walking up to the throne room doors Celestia looked inquisitively to the lone guard to the left side of the door as she looked back with the usual expression of shock.

“Where is your counterpart Guardsmare?” Celestia asked gently.

“Uhhhhhh. I um….. Most of the guard force pulled back to the mess hall after you left your majesty. After we escorted all non staff and guard personnel out of the castle we went into full lockdown.” The smaller mare explained trying her hardest to keep eye contact and not look at the state of her princess, “ Princess Luna is trying to calm everypony down in the mess hall. That’s where my partner ran off to get answers, along with three quarters of the entire castle.”

“It seems I really did throw everything into a tizzy...buck.” Celestia swore to herself, turning around to go to the mess hall, “How long ago did everypony start to go to the mess hall?”

In complete shock from hearing Celestia swear the guards mare let out nothing but a low “Uhhhhhhhhh” as her brian rebooted, “Just after you left, so a while ago now.” She finally answered.

“Thank you.” Celestia smiled while resuming her walk.

“Do you want an escort princess?” The guardmare asked, taking a half step forward.

The question stopped Celestia in her tracks, she hadn't even thought about that with the billion other things going through her mind, but it was procedure for a princess to have escort in times of lockdown and distress; and even though she had passed at least twelve guards this was the first guard to recall that part of their training and ask no less.

“Why yes I would, Lieutenant I presume?”

“Yes princess.” The guardsmare answered, quickly taking her place at Celestia’s side and falling into step as they made it toward the mess hall.

The trip to the mess hall didn’t take long, it was only a minute or so walk at alicorn pace, but by the end of the walk the guardsmare was huffing and puffing, breathing exclusively through her nose. She had also inched closer and closer to Celestia subconsciously as her base instincts took over and her tail started to rise despite her best efforts of fighting it. Celestia had noticed the change in posture and other signs but had decided to not say anything about it out of politeness and sympathy.

Smiling to the guards at the mess hall door, Celestia motioned to them to open the door, “If you would please.”

While Celestia was smiling on the outside she was having a panic attack on the inside. She did not want to face her sister let alone a large amount of her guards looking like she did, it wasn’t a problem of vanity but a problem of the character she had made for herself over the last thousand years. Things were already going to go crazy: rumors, lies, and sneaky plays for power over her stunt and how it backfired, but by standing in front of her own guards she would have to tell the truth to explain what happened.

Celestia knew something eventually would break her perfect image but in a thousand years she didn’t think it’d be a primate with a hellacious right hook. Again, she had nobody to blame but herself though, she’s the one who let things get the way they were, and that artificial pillar she found herself on was crumbling down just as all things eventually did.

As the large doors slowly swung open Celestia could feel her heart rate climb once she spied Luna through the growing crack. The increased pulse just exacerbating her nose bleed, the battered princess took a shaky step forward followed by a more confident one as she kept her eyes locked firmly on her sister. Celestia completely tuned out the loud sounds of the room as she walked into it, the only things that she could do were see Luna’s lips moving as she tried to calm the massive crowd of ponies, yelling over them as they asked question after question, and feel the blood trickling off her chin.

Keeping her head forward Celestia could feel her heart start to race as she saw dozens upon dozens of eyes turn to her in her peripheral vision. Luna of course saw this change in focus and turned to where the crowd was now looking automatically only to see her sister looking right back at her covered in blood. Luna was shocked as Celestia approached, a small smile on her bloody lips that Luna saw through in an instant. She knew Celestia was nervous, grow up with your sibling for a thousand years and go through the terrible things that happened with them by your side. You learn to read them like a book.

“Hello sister.” Celestia said simply taking her place at Luna’s side, droplets of blood flowing freely from her nose.

Watching the blood fall from Celestia’s nose for a second Luna slowly brought her eyes to her sister’s, “How are you?”

Taking a long bubbling breath in through her nose Celestia smiled showing a glimpse of her blood slickened teeth, “I feel young.”

Certainly not the answer she was expecting Luna didn’t say anything until Celestia whispered again, “We’ll talk about this later.”

“Yes we absolutely will.” Luna replied matter of fact.

Heart beating in her chest Celestia turned from her sister and took a deep breath as she looked to the crowd in front of her, while usually in front of massive crowds Celestia couldn’t even feel her heartbeat now that she’d been stripped of that pristine armor that protected her very regular and flawed self she felt nothing but the jitters of adrenaline now that she had been exposed.

“N-Now I’m sure everypony has many many… many questions but let's first start with the basics-” Celestia was interrupted by her own cough, “Despite my outward appearance and coughing I am fine, I was not attack…. Hm.” Pausing Celestia decided to rephrase her explanation.

“There is no immediate threat to me or any of Equestia’s citizens, there is no need to maintain lockdown, though I will not be returning to day court.”

Once the guards and other staff realized she was done speaking they all began to murmur to one another waiting for one of them to ask the first question and open Pandora's box. It took a while for the conversation and speculation to quiet down but once it did an older mare spoke up, a maid that had worked in the castle her entire life and climbed the ranks to highest position a maid could hold, head maid.

In all reality it was the maids that kept the castle running so it was understandable why Gold Down didn’t care about any potential backlash when she knew the princess knew how important she was. It also didn’t help that due to her position she was always stressed and had lost her filter years ago, “With all due respect princess, what did you go and get yourself into?”

“Yes sister what did you go and get yourself into? I’m curious.” Luna said, already having a decent idea considering that she knew exactly who’s scent it was clinging to her sister’s coat. That and a report from Ponyville regarding a certain biped was left open on Celestia’s desk along with a crushed bottle of ink, together the two pieces of evidence were irrefutable, Luna just wanted Celestia to admit it.

Holding back a sneer for Luna, Celestia looked over the huge crowd in front of her and took a deep breath, “Before I explain myself, which I will do I want to say this: I am just a pony, full of faults and prone to making decisions on emotion rather than rationality. I am no god or higher being than the rest of you.” Celestia took a step forward feeling a little more confidence, “The only thing I have is my experience crossing many millennia, which only makes my actions more unacceptable.”

Taking one more deep breath and closing her eyes Celestia re opened her eyes and pushed the bile that was rising in her throat back down, “The truth of the matter is that I got into an altercation, and it obviously turned physical.”

The crowd stared back silent for a few moments before erupting into a roar of questions all of which made Celestia’s head pound worse with each passing second.

“Yes I know I will answer all of your questions just please qui-” Celestia clamped her eyes shut and grit her teeth as a particularly strong boom echoed inside her skull, “p-please quiet down I- just please quiet down.” Celestia said but went unheard as the crowd continued to roar.

Her head pounding once more with worse severity Celestia took a deep breath in through her nose; she was done with this, she didn’t care if she hadn't used the canterlot voice on her own ponies in hundreds of years, this day was all about tarnishing her reputation so why not go a little further?

Opening her eyes Celestia furled her brow and opened her mouth, “SILENCE!”

Not realizing that she just barely cut Luna off from using her own Canterlot voice Celestia looked to her sister and gave an exacerbated expression before turning back to the stunned ponies and hardening her expression, “I will answer ten… no five questions that you may have. BUT! I will only do so if you raise your hoof. Begin.”

Starting off slow only a few ponies were either curious or brave enough to raise their hooves. A new recruit was the first to catch Celestia’s eye and she pointed to him, “Yes new recruit, I’m sorry but I do not know your name.”

Surprised to be called on the recruit’s eyes widened as he realized he was now on the spot and had the entire crowd staring at him, “A-are uhhhh.” Gulping the young stallion tried to calm himself, “Are you okay princess?”

Raising an eye at the question Celestia felt her heart warm at the stallion’s concern, “Yes. My wounds will heal.” She said with a small smile, “Thank you.”

Nodding his head the stallion sat back down and tried his best to calm his racing heart as Celestia pointed to a maid this time.

“Yes Mrs. Bordeaux?”

“Did you win the fight Princesse?” The middle aged mare asked in a feint but noticeable prench accent.

Holding her breath for a split second Celestia sighed, “No. No I did not.” Her jaw aching just from the slightly fuzzy memory of the punch that knocked her out she scanned over the crowd watching as they looked between each other trying to understand what they just heard.

Another guard rising her hoof Celestia nodded, “Yes?”

“What are we supposed to do?”

Another selfless question, Celestia felt a twinge of pride before feeling it slip away into guilt and regret, “Nothing.”

Flabbergasted at the response the guardsmare looked at her princess dumbfounded, “With all do respect princess we can’t let whatever did this to you keep walking around.”

The guards around her nodded and responded in agreement and soon the noise started to rise again before Luna stomped her hoof into the marble floor silencing everypony instantly.

Sharing a nod Celestia looked away from Luna and back to the crowd, “I appreciate the concern and spirit you all show but, in this circumstance I deserved it.” Frowning at her own words Celestia pushed through her self disappointment, “I am the one who provoked the interaction and the one who escalated it. I threw the first punch and am both lucky and tremendously unlucky that the creature I struck across the jaw is a stallion made of iron and sheer perseverance.”

Luna was surprised with the words coming from her sister’s mouth, not only in the vague explanation of the events but in the words she had used to describe the human. While they might not have been descriptors that were necessarily viewed as positive in modern canterlot culture, which was undoubtedly stupid, Luna knew her sister would only use such words as a compliment, which was strange coming from the pony who vocally disliked Hank.

Luna could also see the effect what Celestia had said on the crowd, they were now completely silent, stunned into silence by the shocking revelation. Luna knew Celestia could see this too and looking over to her sister and reading her like she had always been able to do Luna could tell Celestia was beyond embarrassed and disappointed. While the smaller alicorn wanted to feel pity for her sister she also knew that Celestia had to learn the hard way sometimes; because even if she didn’t show it in public Celestia was the only pony who could contend with herself and Hank for being incredibly hard headed and outrageously stubborn.

Celestia was indeed feeling rather embarrassed as she looked over the silenced crowd noticing Shining Armor’s gaze looking right at her with a stern look, contrary to the ponies around him. Shining Armor was incredibly smart, perhaps just a touch below his sister, but Twilight was on a completely different level in the first place. Looking a little longer at the Captain, Celestia could tell he had figured out what happened, not that it was surprising, she was more curious at the look of anger on his face at just who it was targeted at.

Ending that train of thought Celestia focused back on the crowd and swallowed the blood and mucus that had gathered in the back of her throat, “For this reason I have brought great shame onto not only the crown of Equestria but the entire nation by consequence. This will reflect upon you, members of my guard and staff, the most and I must apologize for what I have done to all of you. There will of course be plenty of press and related things happening in the coming days because of my actions so expect to hear more then.”

Sighing deeply Celestia frowned, “Once again I am sorry and only hope you acknowledge my attempt at an apology.” Bowing her head to the ponies in front of her Celestia knew it wasn’t very princess like but so was everything else she had done today, and she figured she should at least own up to her actions like an adult, something the rest of the nobility she would be hearing from about this could learn about.

“Now.” Celestia said raising her head there is one question remaining”, Not that I don’t know what it’s going to be. She tisked in her head.

Watching Shining Armor’s hoof rise into the air Celestia had to keep herself from raising a brow and rolling her eyes at the stallion, she knew he already figured it out, and he knew she knew, he was going to make her say it, and Celestia had a feeling he would enjoy it as well.

“Yes Captain Armor?” Celestia asked in her usual tone but strangely enough had to hold back some venom in her voice.

Clearing his throat, Shining looked directly at the bloodied princess, “What kind of stallion was able to win in a fight against the most powerful pony to ever exist? Or was it even a pony? And I apologize for my tone Princess but should a stallion that powerful be left alone among the general populous?”

Ignoring the murmurs from the crowd Celestia looked back into the captain’s eyes just a little too long for comfort before breaking eye contact and settling back into her regular parental smile, “ Perhaps my previous explanation was a little misleading, my apologies, but it was no pony that I got into an altercation with, I’m sure you have all heard about the “myth” of the Everfree Monster yes?”

The crowd of ponies all confirming in one degree or another, some even mentioned the RPO’s “false story” while others argued in favor of the rural paper.

“Right.” Celestia nodded, catching the full attention of the crowd, “Though I know there is much confusion and suspicion of false information around, “The Everfree Monster” but I will confirm that he does very much exist, and that no, the RPO did not write a false narrative for attention, what happened in Appleloosa is very much real.”

Taking a second to take in what the diarch said the crowd erupted into a cacophony of questions and comments before Luna brought her hoof down causing a loud boom to echo around the room.

Starting again Celestia coughed, “As I’m sure you’ve figured out by now that is who I started a fight with, and lost. I’m sure you want more questions answered but I will not entertain them, I am now going to retire to my chambers.” Looking over the crowd Celestia straightened up a little, “As you were.”

Turning herself Celestia started toward Luna before the smaller alicorn joined in step beside her sister heading in the direction of their quarters. Both sisters remained quiet while they walked to the doors leading out of the mess hall but it all changed as soon as the doors closed behind them.

“Lu-” Celestia started before her younger sister stepped in front of her glaring in pure anger.

“What in the buck were you thinking!? What the buck is wrong with you?” Luna whisper yelled at Celestia.

Closing her eyes the larger alicorn sighed, “Sister please just let me explain myself.”

Huffing Luna shook her head and laughed, “Explain yourself...what a load of manure. There is no explanation for what you did and you bucking know that.”

Already angered at herself Celestia didn’t want to hear it from Luna, “Are you mad at what I did? Or are you mad that I punched your secret friend? Huh!?” Celestia said straightening right back up immediately putting Luna on the defensive.

“Wha- I- What in our mother’s name are you talking about?” Luna said holding her ground.

“Oh please,” Celestia huffed pushing past her sister with a roll of her eyes, that caused her face to flare up in pain, “How stupid do you take me for? I have a nose and eyes sister, I saw you were leaving early at night and coming back before morning. I could smell a stallion on you even though you tried to wash it out. It’s a very potent scent and while I didn’t want to say anything because I didn’t know for sure now that I’m covered in it myself I know without a doubt what you were doing.”

While in all truthfulness Luna wasn’t too surprised she had been found out she was still shocked at how bad of a job she had apparently done in concealing her activities. Walking down the hallway in complete silence both princesses knew they were wrong in some way and didn’t want to be the first to speak so instead they kept looking forward ignoring each other until the sound of quickly approaching hoofsteps came from behind.

Both turning around at the same time to face the unknown pony following them they both raised a brow as they watched the castle’s lead surgeon run toward them.

“Princesses!” The mare called out slowing into a trot before stopping a few feet away and bowing, “Sorry to… intrude.” Clearly out of breath the mare said standing back up.

“Something the matter Cross?” Celestia asked the young mare, not knowing why else she would’ve had a reason to track them down.

“Well no.” The beige mare started, “Minus your obvious condition, and that’s why I came and found you.”

Giving a small laugh and smile Celestia looked to the surgeon, “While I’m flattered that you’re concerned about my health I assure you that all of my wounds will heal, despite how bad I may look on the outside.”

Nodding Cross smiled back, “Oh I know you’ll heal, being an alicorn and all, I just wanted to do a few x rays similar for what was done with Princess Luna when she encountered…”

“Hank.” Luna answered.

“Hank, yes.” Cross nodded.

“Oh so you don’t even want to do it to see if I’m okay?” Amused Celestia asked.

“Me and you both know the only way to kill an alicorn is to damage them beyond repair all at once. Otherwise you’ll slowly start to heal using your own magic stores and even outside sources. So I’m not too worried considering that you’re up and moving.” Cross smiled back, “Though this is the second time this creature has beaten an alicorn, on two seperate accounts on different alicorns. So I’m curious to see what he did this time.”

Shaking her head, Celestia gave a long sigh, “You’ve always been thorough in examining every little thing about everything biological, haven't you Cross?”

“If I remember correctly that’s why you picked me to be the castle’s premiere surgeon your majesty.” Cross only smiled back.

Remembering that day clearly Celestia gave a short laugh, “That is true… I suppose I could do it as long as it is quick and you give me some exceedingly strong pain killers.”

“Done.” The surgeon stood up straight, “I’ll have the painkillers delivered to your chambers, I’d imagine you want to take a shower before every mare in the castle flocks to you. You know it’s almost that time of summer.” With a small smirk Cross added.

“I’m very aware of what time of year it is Dr. Cross, I’m a mare as well.” Celestia said back while turning to resume her walk to her quarters.

“Just thought I’d let you know.” Walking the opposite direction herself Cross said over her shoulder.

Both sisters watched the doctor walk away only looking to each other and turning around after she was gone. Both continued on down the empty hallway before Celestia quietly spoke.

“I’m not upset that you’re making friends, not in the slightest, I just feel betrayed that you’re more eager to run off and spend time with him than me.” Luna turned to her sister and saw the pain in Celestia’s eyes.

“I haven't seen you for a thousand years, and I know what terms we parted with all those years ago…. I just. I don’t want you to hate me!”

Shocked at her older sister's words Luna had a hard time making her own come out causing her to just stand looking at Celestia as tears started to gather at the edges of her eyes.

“I understand why you would,” Celestia looked to the floor as her tears started to run down her cheeks bringing some of the blood with them, “I just want to spend time with you and it tears my heart to shreds to watch you avoid me after I didn’t have you for a thousand years. To have you so close but to still feel like you resent me and want nothing to do with me.”

Sniffling Celestia started to break down entirely, her feelings truly realized, “ I know it's selfish to even think about how I feel compared to you but I… I just… and I know it’s jealousy that I feel because you’d rather talk to him than me and that’s sick of me but s-”

Not able to take anymore of her sister's sorrow filled words Luna rushed forward and wrapped her in a tight hug cutting off the crying alicorn, “I. Am. Not. Replacing you sister, I hold no malice toward you either, I love you.”

Pulling back from her bloodied sister Luna was pulled back in as Celestia held on to her tighter, ignoring all the pain her body was screaming with.

“I love you more than life itself Luna,” Celestia said as firmly as she could as she fought back tears, “There is no exaggeration in my words at all.”

“I know sister, I feel the same.”

Holding the embrace for a few more seconds Celestia just enjoyed feeling her sister’s fur against her own, it had truly tortured her to think that Luna might hate her. Squeezing just a little bit tighter Celestia then loosened her grip followed by Luna and took a step back giving a coy smile to her sister, embarrassed about what she had just said.

“Come, you need to take a bath.” Luna smiled and started toward her sister’s chambers.

“You do too.” Celestia gave a short laugh and sniffled trying to fend of the rest of the tears.

“All thanks to you; did you really have to go rubbing all over me?” Luna asked back playfully as they walked down the hall.

“You hugged me.”

“Pft. Like I had a choice.” Luna rolled her eyes.

“You mean to tell me that this couch turns into a bed and that we could’ve been sleeping on this all along?” Zecora asked the human as he laid on the mattress still in his bloodied clothes.

“Yes.”

“Why do we sleep up there then?” Pointing to the loft honestly a little upset at the revelation after watching the couch unfold into a bed.

Slowly looking at the zebra Hank gave her the “Really?” look before shaking his head, “For one there little miss heat thief you don’t sleep up there, you sleep on me who then sleeps up there so don’t act like there’s not enough cushion for you.”

A cute little half sneeze escaping the zebra she recoiled from the finger that poked her in the nose, “Two, security.”

“Security?” Z parroted, “I mean we are inside after all.”

“Well sure but if we slept down here someone could rush through that door and stab us both before we knew what hit us. Back on my world someone could’ve just shot me through that window.” Turning and looking at said window Hank scratched his arm, “Speaking of windows I need to get that fixed…. but back to security that’s why we sleep up there, we’re out of arms reach and by shifting our position we have the high ground in case something does get in, gives me more time to react.”

Hank’s explanation was obviously well thought out and while she doubted anyone would rush in and try to stab them she also didn’t know if he had any previous experiences that created his stance, “I guess that makes sense, have you had something like that happen?” Zecora asked.

“Not until recently no,” He answered groaning as he adjusted his position, “Which I told you about.”

“Right, I really should try and speak with Fluttershy sometime, she seems nice, and now that I’ve met the Apples I should try to meet more ponies.

“I think that’s a great idea, Having more people to- oh fuck.”

Pausing as he placed his hand over the sutured stab wound on his gut Hank gently put pressure on the wound while Zecora started to worry.

“What’s wrong?” Zecora asked worry seeping heavily into her voice.

“Nothing I think just…” Lifting his shirt just enough to see the wound he looked at it inquisitively, “It’s just really hot, like really hot.”

“Let me see,” Zecora said standing up and moving so she was sitting next to Hank closer.

Moving his Hand out of the way she held the frog of her hoof over the wound and nodded in surprise before gently setting it down causing Hank to flinch, “Sorry,” She sheepishly smiled, but yes it is, wow really hot. I-I don’t think it’s infected, there is no discharge or discoloration around the wound, it’s just really hot.”

“You don’t think it’s-”

“It’s definitely the bacteria.” Zecora interrupted and answered.

Gently pushing the small zebra’s hoof away and lowering his shirt Hank chuckled, “Well they’re getting overtime.” Laughing a little more he suddenly stopped, “Oh no.”

“Oh no what?”

“How much food do we have in the fridge?” Hank looked at Zecora dead serious.

Looking back at him her eyes slowly grew larger until she fully realized what he was getting at, “I’ll check!”

Jumping over the human and rushing to the fridge Zecroea got up on her rear legs and opened the door. They were generally good at keeping the fridge stocked with the things they farmed, hunted, or gathered from the surrounding forest, Zecora was genuinely surprised with how reliable the garden had become for providing food for them both. It had to be though with Hank’s elevated, and bordering on insane, appetite when he was hurt. He could eat four times what she did in one sitting if he was injured and regularly ate at least double, Zecora could only imagine how bad it was going to be with just how beat up he was now.

“It looks like we are doing pretty good right now.” She answered relieved.

“What about meats? The human body relies on protein to do most of its building and repairing.” Hank asked not able to turn and look himself.

Looking a little deeper Zecora saw the cuts of meat and then confirmed there was some in the freezer as well, “You’re doing okay on meat but I doubt you will be after tonight.”

“Heh. Yeah me too.”

“What do you suppose he is doing now?” Celestia asked Luna as they walked through the halls to the castle’s miniature hospital.

“I figure sitting at home bored out of his mind waiting to recover. He despises sitting still.” Luna answered quickly.

“I will admit, I assumed he has a home but it’s just not something I could imagine. What does something like him even live in?” Half wondering to herself and aloud both sisters rounded a corner closing in on the infirmary.

“It’s… humble.” Luna hesitated not wanting to give away too much information and betray her friend.

“So you have been there.”

“Yyyyyes, but I will not divulge the location of his home to you or anyone else. He made it very clear he wanted to keep where he lived secret to most and I promised I would honor that.”

“And I will respect that sister.” Celestia looked at her younger sister and smiled; the shower and medicine making her look almost normal, almost. Looking not so closely you could still see faint blood stains and swelling on her body while her mane still stayed static, “I will ask though what did he say he would do if you told anybody? And before you start-” Celestia held up a hoof stopping her sister, “I ask only out of curiosity not in an attempt to try and get the location out of you.”

Somewhat suspicious Luna decided to drop her guard and roll with it, “Well while he never directly threatened me he said that the only people he treats worse than rapists are people who betray him; and he’s told me a little about what he has done to rapists in the past while laughing so I’m not looking to find out how it could possibly get worse.”

“He seems to take his privacy and security seriously.” Celestia stated aloud.

Nodding her head Luna gave a small laugh, “I know basically nothing about the world he came from but from what I’ve heard we’re lucky that he doesn't just shoot everypony on sight.”

“That bad?”

“That bad.” Luna looked into Celestia’s eyes showing her seriousness.

Stopping for a second Luna stopped and looked to her sister as she looked to the floor deep in thought. Celestia stayed like this for a few moments before humming something that Luna couldn’t understand.

“It was a war wasn’t it?” Celestia finally said looking up.

Not following for a moment Luna finally got what her sister meant, “... Of sorts.”

Starting back again Celestia followed suit and soon both were step in step heading for medical wing.

“He carries himself like a soldier but not at the same time, he certainly demands authority but also seems to disregard any authority that isn't himself.” Celestia pondered aloud, “We’ve both dealt with professional soldiers, hardened veterans of conflict, mercenaries, but none of them; regardless of experience or bloodthirst ever fought like he does. Even those raised in the old minotaur tribes, literally born and bred to be warriors didn’t fight with as much zeal and passion. Well... minus the one tribe but they were all suicidal and on psychedelics, Hank actually balances out aggressiveness and defensiveness.”

Listening to Celestia go on about her observations only made Luna more sad as she remembered the things Hank admitted to have seen and done, especially having seen how his eyes and face twitched as he retold the scattered information points about what happened to his old world.

“It wasn’t a conventional war sister.” Luna said quietly, stopping Celestia’s musings.

“Oh? Then w-”

“I am not comfortable discussing such matters out of respect, if you want to know more you will just have to ask Hank himself, we’re here anyhow.”

Looking at the door Celestia nodded, “So we are, and I guess I will.” She smiled imagining how hard it was going to be to try and clear up her relationship with the human.

Leaning heavily into the counter top Hank balanced himself on one leg while he tore through the fridge trying to please the bottomless pit that took the place of his stomach. He was already out of meat and tomatoes, his favorites, and was now down to his second favorites, carrots and everything else.

“I don’t think we have enough food Z, the meat was holding it off but these vegetables just don’t have enough protein.” Taking between bites Hank looked over his shoulder, “And I’m sorry you have to see this.”

“No I uh… It’s more amazing than anything but I think you’re right, I will go to the garden and look for more.

Finishing off the last of the carrots Hank took a deep breath, “O-okay it’s settling down but I don’t think for long. If you would please do that I don’t even care if the shit is ready yet. I think I’m gonna go steal something from the cats and just eat it over a fire outside.”

About to object to his statement hoping he would just stay inside and lay back down Zecora kept her mouth shut as he took a slow but steady step away from the counter.

“You know I-” Grunting in pain from moving his torso too much Hank paused, stopping in place and taking a deep breath, “I do feel better… all considered.”

Sucking air in through her teeth Zecora nodded, “Yes…… By all means you should be dead or stuck in a bed for a month, but here you are-” She waved a hoof at Hank before getting off the couch, “Up and walking just hours after the initial incident.”

Annoyance clear in her voice Hank followed her with his eyes, “Would you prefer if I was dead instead?” He joked not realizing that Zecora didn’t find the idea of losing him funny in the slightest.

“Shut up with that!” Stopping her hoof Zecora yelled and looked up to the human with tear filled eyes, “I am so tired of you saying things like that! It hurts me just to think about losing you so shut the fuck up about it and stop trying to get yourself killed as if you don’t matter you massive dense idiot.”

Watching the zebra walkout of the cabin while choking back sobs Hank stood still processing what Zecora had said. He failed to see how it was a big deal but if not talking about it would keep Zecora happy he’d stop.

Walking out of the cabin himself leading with his good leg Hank slowly made it past Zecora and towards the far woodline where the cats were. Half limping past the garden Hank said a simple “Sorry” not waiting for a response as he continued across the small bridge that split the stream.

Getting closer and closer to the cats as they ate a few started to take notice before most of them did as the human closed twenty feet. Hank didn’t know how well this was going to go over, he knew it was generally impolite to take food from someone and in any other circumstance where he felt well enough to hunt he would but in his state now that was off the table.

Approaching the lions in the failing daylight Hank could see their kill and that most of it had been eaten, that didn’t bother him in the slightest as the tangy smell of blood reached his nose causing his stomach to growl. This was, of course, noticed by the cats, some who took no mind, such as Lilith and most of the mothers but was taken as an invasion of privacy from most of the males.

One of the larger more aggressive manticores started to get up to confront the approaching human who was now in the middle of the pride. Seeing this Hank turned to the manticore that towered over him standing and stopped before turning himself.

“Don’t get in my fucking way.” Hank growled staring at the lion who took a step forward and lowered himself to the ground.

Pulling his knife free Hank also pulled his revolver from its place on his hip and pulled back the hammer eliciting four very distinctive clicks, four clicks that spelled the name of the manufacturer the old revolver came from, C-O-L-T.

Seeing what was happening and registering that Hank had pulled free one of his signature weapons, weapons she knew could kill anything he needed them to, Lilith shot up and got in her compatriot’s face growling at the manticore that was even larger than she was. Growling back at his leader he tensed up his right leg preparing to hit Lilith but was instead hit first and thrown onto his side by the angry lioness.

Getting up fast the manticore prepared to charge forward but Lilith rushed back into his face stuffing him and getting rid of his height advantage. Not wanting to get hit again and embarrassed any further the manticore growled angrily before retreating and going into the woods alone.

Watching him leave Lilith turned around and looked at the small but mighty human as he put away his pistol and looked to her from where the aggressor retreated into the darkness of the woods.

Giving a gesture of gratitude Lilith purred and watched with the rest of the pride as Hank noticeably limped to the carcass of the dead deer and slowly lowered himself to the ground giving a loud grunt when he finally got there.

Sitting on his haunches Lilith and the others watched with curiosity as Hank took his knife and started cutting a large slab of uneaten meat from the rear leg of the far gone deer. Soon, after all the flesh had been cut through and hide removed a loud snap came from in front of the human from where he had broken the bone separating the rear leg and it’s meat from the rest of the deer.

The kill was fresh and while the body had cooled in the evening air the blood had not become thick and eagerly poured from the amputation causing more of the heavy iron smell to hit Hank in the face causing his stomach to growl again; this time however much louder and with a more than slight twinge of pain.

Not wanting to go through what he had just been through an hour ago Hank threw all his reservations out of the window, not that he really had any, he liked to pretend however. As such Hank reached over and pushed his hands past the lungs of the deer before grabbing the heart and ripping it out.

Looking at the glistening red organ the Hanks mind was filled with memories of taking his first deer when he was six.

It was a cool fall day, the leaves were loud and crunchy, great for hearing things coming or being heard coming, as such Hank and his grandfather and father were sat in a line of brush about twenty yards from a heavily used deer trail that crossed a slowly running stream.

They had been sat there in silence for what felt like days to the young boy before a slight crunch came from their right, all three members of the family looking to the source of the noise all saw a large doe carefully making her way to the stream.

Hank’s little heart started to beat rapidly in excitement at the prospect of his first deer and while he wanted to pick up his single action shotgun and shoot now he knew that it was too soon, she didn’t know they were there so a better shot would most likely present itself.

Patience was one of the main lessons that his grandpa had taught him about hunting, the time for making quick shots would come later the older man always said to the young Hank.

“First you must work on your marksmanship, shooting .22 at paper all day is all well and good but shooting another living creature carries much more weight.” Hank could hear his grandpa’s words in his head now as the doe crept closer, completely oblivious to their presence, “You can’t let the creature suffer, you must respect it, it will feed you, clothe you, enable you to survive. As such you’ll only bring one shot in your shotgun and a knife, this will make you wait for the perfect shot and make sure you make it count. If you don’t you’ll be responsible for the needless suffering of the creature and be made to fix your mistake. Understand boy?”

Obviously he understood and that was why they were sitting here now staring at the broadside of the large doe right in front of them. Hank began to raise his shotgun from his lap and bring the stiff hammer back from half cock but stopped looking for a sign that this was the right time to do so from either his father or grandfather. Both older men looking forward at the deer Hank realized it was a decision he had to make on his own.

Taking a deep breath in Hank raised his twenty gauge and cocked the hammer as slow as he could to keep the click silent. Finally fully cocked to the rear Hank leveled the gun at the deer and lined up the small brass bead roughly on where he thought the heart was. Hesitating Hank watched the bead sway side to side slightly before realizing that his target was starting to move, focusing back on the doe Hank adjusted his sight, took one last breath, and gently pulled the trigger.

The shot was clean, barely missing the left shoulder and going through both lungs, barely clipping the heart, before making a somewhat clean pass through. Excited about his first deer Hank looked away from his Grandfather and Father as they tried to explain field dressing to deaf six year old years as he gazed from the exposed entrails to the dead doe’s face, eyes just barely showing any cloudiness. Just starting to realize what he really had done a cup was presented to him.

Looking at the steel camping cup Hank then looked at the older man presenting it to him.

“Your first deer will always stay with you, it will become a part of you.”

Taking the cup hand looked at the dark red contents and started to feel queasy, “I- I don’t think I can grandpa. I respect the deer b-but-.”

“You have to respect this creature, you took it’s life. You owe it to her.”

Wanting to protest but knowing he’d get nowhere Hank did take a quick drink of the blood, swallowing it as fast as he could but still feeling light headed afterwards.

“No no, that just won’t do.” Hank overheard his grandpa before being poked in the side of the head, “If you’re not gonna drink the whole cup boy you’ll have to take a bite out of the heart.”

Hank had taken a bite out of the heart that day over a decade ago, much to his father’s and grandfather’s surprise who had presented him the option as a joke, perhaps one in his grandfather’s strange and dark sense of humor but still humor.

Smiling as he remembered how his father and grandfather told the story of him taking a bite out of the heart without two thoughts as a way to brag about him to family and strangers alike his reminiscing was cut short as his stomach cried out again with more ferocity this time.

Returning his attention to the muscle in his hand Hank quickly dug into the organ, devouring the whole thing instead of taking one small bite like before. Unlike before however all sense of disgust and trepidation was lost on the human and before he knew it the heart was gone and his stomach was still calling on him to fill it.

Haul in hand Hank shakily rose and started back to the cabin ready to get a fire going and cook the meat to any degree that was safe to eat. It didn’t take long to get the fire goin despite his injuries, enough gasoline and motivation can get a lot of things done.

Sat at the fire now, the fumes from the gas long gone Hank held the now quarter inch slices of meat above the fire on a quickly made skewer. The meat was far from roasted to perfection, burnt in some places, a tad raw in others but Hank couldn’t take the smell any longer he didn’t care if there was absolutely no seasoning on the cuts he just needed to eat.

His appetite honestly had the human a little nervous, for a few reasons. One: The volume at which he ate, he knew that he ate exponentially more when he was hurt or extremely fatigued but even at what he would consider his new normal it was high, he ate easily double what he did even when he was trying to build muscle and bulk up. Two: Being a person who knew what it was like, and how much it hurt, to go without the correct amount of food for extended amounts of time and nearly starve to death, stomach pain and the feeling of dread a week of it brings was nothing new but the levels at which his stomach could ache now was even worse than that; coming on fast and hard, only slowing once satisfied. He didn’t know what he would do if he ran out of food, he knew how fast supplies can be lost even when you thought you had thought of everything and he most certainly didn’t want to go through that now.

All and all sitting on the milk crate eating the most basic of meals Hank had a feeling of dread hanging over his head.

“You’re not alone.” Zecora said approaching the fire, not able to stay mad at the man while seeing him in such a state. It just angered her to no end with how he talked about himself and joked about his own death so freely. She knew it was due to his dark and somewhat twisted sense of humor but she could also tell he meant it just a little bit.

Looking over to the Zebra as she sat down Hank smiled a little but quickly let it slip away as his thoughts returned, just knowing she was there with him did help though, and she knew it did, that’s why even if Hank didn’t want to talk about it or talk at all she would sit with him, she knew he appreciated it greatly.

“What are you worried about? It’s not the raid today is it? You did great.” Zecora asked looking at the fire crackle doing her best to ignore the smell of burning flesh.

Taking a bite out of said burnt flesh while also staring deep into the flames, almost hypnotised, Hank swallowed what was in his mouth and then didn’t respond for a minute, seemingly going over his own thoughts before voicing them.

“No.” The human said simply, “I’m reminiscing the past when things were simpler while also worrying about how much I eat now, it’s not exactly economical you know… I got a lot going on in my head right now.”

“It sounds like you need to get away from it all, take a break.” Zecora suggested fully expecting Hank to respond in some manner of: There’s always more work to be done.

Taking another pause to pull another cut off of the fire, Hank sighed and looked to the zebra, “You know… I think you’re right. After I’m healed back up I think we’ll go out to the desert around Appleloosa and tear around in that bitch over there.” Hank pointed lazily to the humvee as it sat silent exactly where he parked it after leaving Ponyville. Then I dunno might go on a solo hike or something I’m not sure yet.” With a shrug of his shoulders he immediately regretted Hank dismissed.

More than surprised at the workaholic man Zecora nodded along slowly, “I-I think that is a wonderful idea.”

Both sisters sat side by side in the generously padded waiting chairs that lined the wall they occupied their time waiting for Celestia’s X-rays to get back by talking about past and present affairs, laughing the whole time. Both sisters looked a lot less royal, and far more approachable, sat joking with one another. To the staff in the ward itself they really looked like two regular ponies, minus obvious physical differences. It was quite the sight to behold for the ponies, that for the most part, had never seen the two converse in such an informal and normal fashion, it was refreshing if not a little strange.

Noticing the surgeon approaching with two folders held in her magical grasp Luna interrupted the current line of conversation, “Uh oh, your results are in dear sister.”

“So it seems.” Celestia said, a smile still on her face.

“Anything at all extremely abnormal Ms. Cross?” Celestia said in a joking tone.

“Actually, yes.” Cross said with her own smirk as she approached somewhat catching the sisters attention more causing both of their eyebrows to raise.

“What’s so extraordinary?” Celestia asked, full of curiosity.

“You want the truth, or the watered down version?” Cross asked shuffling through the top folder, looking between it and the princesses.

“The truth, of course.” Celestia answered instantly.

“Well…” giving a small laugh cross shook her head, “The extraordinary thing is that you’re alive right now princess.”

Silence coming over the three Celestia had a hard time understanding what cross had just said, “C-Come again?”

“He about killed you, very seriously killed you. Now I don’t know what changed between Luna’s encounter and yo-”

“He almost killed me?” Saying it out of disbelief Celestia looked to her sister who had a worried look on her face.

“What were the injuries that prove so life threatening?” Luna asked cross who was already getting out the X-ray films.

“Well first of all, almost similar to yours princess Luna, the site where his… hoof, paw, whatever connected is fractured and cracked deep, but unlike yours princess Luna, the hit was so hard the cracks travel four to five centihoofs from where the hit was, it even did a part in separating your natural sutures in your skull that harden once you mature. Oh and did I mention the site where the impact was is ever so slightly dented in? Cause it is.”

“My goodness.” Luna exclaimed looking to her sister who had a horrified expression on her face and had a hoof held to where she had been hit feeling for the dent in her skull.

“That’s not even it.” Cross huffed, “The hit was so hard and fast it pushed some of the vertebrae in your neck out of place and even slightly fractured the first two at the base of your skull from your head snapping back so hard. I don’t know how much force it takes to break an Alicorn’s neck but this certainly was not too far off.” Looking closer at the X-ray Cross nodded, “Now the good news is that somehow your jaw is not too worse for wear, small fractures and a little out of place but nothing that a day or two and alicorn healing factor won't fix right up, I would expect some pretty widespread and deep tissue swelling all around your head and even on your neck from this though.”

The bombshell that had just been dropped on Celestia did not go over easy, her stomach was rolling, she felt like she was going to throw up, and her head was spinning. Luna noticed her sister’s distress and put a hoof on her shoulder, “You’re not dead Tia and you’re not going to die, everything she said is behind you now, it didn’t happen, you’re still here okay?”

Looking at Luna, her eyes wide Celestia nodded, “O-okay, y-yeah.”

Taking a minute to settle herself down and for her head to stop spinning Celestia opened her eyes and focused on Cross who was still standing there patiently, “Is there anything else?” A small amount of humor in her voice Celestia tried to play off her concern.

“Well um yes… uhhhhh, ahem. Your brain moved an awful lot in you skull impacting off the bone itself, and while my small physical and scan did show that you are currently recovering I would expect for your eyes to have trouble focusing, decision making to be slower, memory to be less than what you are used to, and even coordination to suffer to a degree over the next few days. Now you may have none of these, all of them, or a mix of certain ones one day to the next but you need to realize that with brain injuries like this it takes time to heal.” Cross explained as Celestia slowly nodded not feeling any better.

“You will make a full recovery though so do not worry about that, it will just take time. For that reason I’m suggesting you take at least a week off of court and such. You’re not going to feel much better tomorrow, you took enough damage that even your body with the levels of magic it holds will take a minimum of a week to heal completely.”

“I see.” Celestia said not feeling very talkative or cheery all of the sudden, the weight of what really happened finally coming down on her, “How close was I?”

“To death?”

“Yes.”

Sighing Cross put away the films and closed the folders, “I know you got back up immediately after it happened, you can thank adrenaline and your unique physiology for that but, I mean, I can’t give an exact pounds per centi hoof extra that would've done it or impact location shift but It was right there. If it were a regular earth pony, using them because they are the most physically resistant, their skull would have collapsed like taking a mallet to a watermelon. Even if it were an earth pony with exactly your physical resilience, size, so on so on, their neck would have broken and their skull would’ve cracked, brain bleed, you get the picture. All I can surmise is that you are extremely tough, and far more lucky than you know, maybe your magic held you together but I mean this punch even affected your sinuses to a degree, I’m stunned.”

“I-I understand.” Almost to tears thinking about how she would never get to see her sister again or any of her loyal ponies Celestia’s mind was running wild.

“You will make a full recovery though so do not dwell on it too hard, it sounds bad, but just as princess Luna said, you’re past that.” A small smile on her lips Cross looked to Celestia and then Luna before bowing and starting to walk back to her office before suddenly stopping.

“And princesses,” Grabbing their attention they both looked to the surgeon, “If you’re wanting to take this thing out please don't use conventional infantry, it’ll rip them apart, use range to your advantage, and of you want to do it yourselves please use armor, that helmet princess Luna had on very easily may have saved her life looking back on it. I wouldn’t usually advise you on such things but to be completely honest I don’t want to see what it can do to a regular pony if it gets ahold of one.

Hank had fallen asleep on the pullout bed running his fingers through Zecora’s hair as she laid on his chest head nestled into the crook of his neck as usual. Listening to his slow and strong heartbeat Zecora tried her best to slow her mind down but so much had happened in one day, even if not directly to her. One thing was eating at her worse than the others now that she knew that the large man under her would be okay and that was what his feelings were toward her.

He had left that letter but she still had no clarification as to what kind of love he felt toward her, and it was driving her mind crazy trying to figure out herself, with everything going on she had forgotten to bring it up in the moment and now that he was asleep she wouldn’t even dare wake him up to ask, especially after what he had been through.

Not that she even could though, looking at the comatose human Zecora knew it was the most sound she had ever seen the man sleep. Usually he twitched and rolled around in his sleep, no doubt tormented by his memories even in rest, but now he was as still and relaxed as a baby. There were no twitches, spasms, or even panicked breathing, all there was, was the calm beat of his heart and slow and steady breaths.

Looking at his calm form Zecora closed her eyes and nuzzled herself deeper into her personal giant heating pad causing one of his arms to grab a hold or her and pull her in tight. He had always been grabby in his sleep; Zecora smiled before drifting off herself.

I didn't even edit this at all, so I'm aware of the mistakes that are inevitable. This chapter also came out in a completely reasonable amount of time so you're all very welcome for this punctual update. I also know where I'm going from here on out at least for a while so at least that is out of the way.

Also hope the characters are not too wonk but I wanted to get this out for obvious reasons. This chapter was not fun to write at all and that is half the reason why it took so long to get out, but from here things can happen again, I like writing action, not endless conversation, as y'all can probably tell due to the quality from one thing to another.

Either way hope you enjoy, the next chapter will not take half a year to come out but may be shorter than my usual 10,000+ word count.

Also yeah yeah punched in the jaw, but skull fracture. Deal with it. I'm tired of looking at this chapter, there was like 3 weeks between that scene and the other one. Sorry not sorry.