Paradise
Chapter 28: Supper
Previous Chapter Next Chapter<><><> 3rd person, Hank, Top of Ponyville Hill™ <><><>
Stopped at the top of the hill looking down into the town that he hadn't been in since that eventful morning Hank briefly thought back to what happened in the cave. A wicked grin spreading across his lips the human shook his head with a slight grumbly laugh before starting down the hill and into town.
He felt bad for Rarity, he felt bad for every pony that had to go through what they did. Even through all Hank had seen, on this world and his own, he had no idea why people had to go and be such fuck ups. Then again he knew he really couldn’t say much with his track record.
Memories flooding back all at once a deep frown flashed on Hank’s face before returning to his usual glare.
He wasn’t as disappointed in himself or even remorseful, he was scared that the ponies around him would somehow find out about his past and then he’d be back with nobody.
It was strange to feel scared about something after so long, the sinking feeling in his stomach was a feeling that was forgotten once… certain events transpired.
His thoughts quieting down as he approached the guarded entrance, Hank prepared to be pestered by the guards and felt his already low mood drop further.
Walking past the guards with a surprisingly low amount of fuss Hank nodded his head and pressed forward pleasantly surprised, now just to-
“Hey, thanks for what you did.” The voice of one of the guards came from behind him.
Stopping dead in his tracks, far beyond disbelief, Hank had to take a second to repeat what he had heard in his head before slowly turning around to face the guard.
“You brought a lot of ponies hope that they’d lost.” The guard said simply with a nod of respect before turning back around.
Taking another second to process what had just happened before wordlessly turning around and slowly continuing on his way to the bank.
The thank you had confused Hank greatly, he was much more used to disgusted looks and names, ponies running away from him on a good day, so a compliment or thank you was almost more off putting. It put him on edge more than being called a monkey or monster would, he saw that coming, but a thank you? From a guard no less? Showing respect? Inconceivable.
Hank was so in his own head from shock he hadn't even noticed the waves and smiles he was getting from many more ponies than usual. It may not have been the majority but the feeling toward him was much more friendly than two weeks ago, even if he couldn’t see it.
His surprise eventually wearing off as he reached the bank doors Hank was ready to deal with this appointment, even if it were a month or more late.
Entering the clean lobby Hank scanned over the room and the occupants inside before moving to the wooden door where the stock broker pony had his office, to be honest he was a little surprised such a small town would have a dedicated stock broker, but then again looking to the world around him it wasn’t the strangest thing by far.
“Hey, it’s me.” Hank called out, knocking on the door a few times, “Sorry I’m-”
“You’re late!” The door opened showing the somewhat graying middle aged stallion, his black mane more salt and pepper against his brown coat.
“I’m here now, so let's get this over with before I have to go get stabbed in the stomach somewhere else.” A small grin on his face Hank chuckled.
“Yes…. let’s.” Disturbed at the grim statement the stallion closed the door behind the human after he had ducked under and into the roomy office.
Impressed with the size of the office and the quality of the furnishings Hank gave the place a once over as the stallion went and took a seat behind his desk.
“Now,” The pony started, “We have some extremely important things to get handled, and we are very late getting to it. So late I sent a request for an updated transcript of your stocks just a week ago, and much has changed since then even.” Looking up the stallion was annoyed to find Hank closely examining the beams and wood siding that lined the office.
“This place is pretty ritzy now ain’t it?” Hank exclaimed with a laugh, “and to think it’s just an office. I ain’t even been to a place this nice before.”
“Yes, it is quite nice now... wait… never been to a place this nice before?”
“Hm? Yeah,” Hank said turning around from where he was looking over the stone floor, “Pretty fuckin’ fancy in here. Too rich for my blood.”
“Not for long.” The stallion interjected.
“What ya mean?” Hank asked, not following.
“Sit and I’ll tell you. As I said this is very important.”
“Ight.” Squeezing into the small chair Hank took a second to get comfortable, “What cha got uhhhh?”
“Bright Bit.” The stallion smiled holding out a hoof.
Giving it a firm shake that confused the pony Hank nodded, “Nice to meet you.”
“Same to you Mr. Hank.” Bright bit smiled and leant back in his chair and started to take out the large yellow packet that was sealed with Fancy Pants’s personal estate seal, along with a large ‘IMPORTANT’ and ‘CONFIDENTIAL’ printed on both sides.
“Don’t call me ‘sir’, I’m not your superior.” Hank said watching Bit take the folder out, a folder Bit had been dreaming about opening for over a month.
Looking up to the daunting, absolute unstoppable force of a man, sitting calmly across from him Bright Bit nodded his head despite what he truly thought, “As you wish.” Looking back down to the folder after Hank smiled the stallion cleared his throat, finally they could open this folder, possibly one of the most important packets of his career.
“Now before I open this I am legally and morally obligated to ask permission to open this letter and see information regarding your bank account and standing with stocks. Do you give me permission?”
Not expecting how serious both Bit and the question he asked was Hank took a second to digest and go over what he heard.
“Yeah I give you permission to look at this information but let me open it first and get the first look.” Hank’s untrusting nature won through while he also realized he would most likely not understand any of the information on the papers. He at least wanted to make sure Bit didn’t add anything in there after the fact.
“Of course.” The stallion nodded and slid the packet to the human, happy the man, who previously, had not shown any respect for the actions he was taking in investing, was now at least showing a responsibility for privacy.
Watching the human open the package and take out the pieces of paper one by one and examine them he could only imagine what they said. Bit had a good idea what they said with how he followed stocks it was his career after all, one he loved, but he had followed Fancy Pants’s new business very closely with how revolutionary it was.
Noticing the human take out a small black and slim brick and hold it over both page sides, doing it to all of them Bit didn’t know what he was doing but Bit didn’t know anything about the human so he just chalked it up to the unknown, whatever it was, it was intentional and he guessed important.
With how big of a deal this was he was glad the man was taking it as seriously as it should, it had been before his own lifetime that such a large risk had paid off so incredibly well. Fancy pants’s businesses usually always went well, along with his wife’s, but a string of failures for the noble had his investors with a sour taste in their mouths and new investors extremely cautious of the high ranking stallion and his proposals. As such Fancy Pants couldn’t hardly get any pony to invest in his new business and fashion line, especially one centered around stallions. No pony could have predicted how largely the business would have exploded overnight. It seems Canterlot was ready for something new, and shops were already proposed for Manehattan!
Hank, being done taking photo copies of all of the pages, put his phone away and gently slid all of the papers to Bright Bit, along with the strange what seemed like hand signed small envelope sealed with the same wax stamp as the large envelope that contained everything.
“Ight’ go ahead and explain all that nonsense.” Hank chuckled and motioned with his hand to the stallion who eagerly spread out all the sheets.
“Gladly.”
<><><> 3rd person, Apple’s farm, living room<><><>
“I know that I’ve been acting differently as of late and I apologize for being short with you girls but with everything going through my head… I was just so stressed.” Rarity laughed while also wiping one of the many tears that she had cried over the last half hour from her eyes.
It had been terribly hard to open up and talk about what she had done, but now that it was over she felt so much better, so much lighter. Rarity didn't feel like she was buried anymore.
“I hope that we can all still be friends…” Rarity started but couldn’t finish as she felt her lip start to waiver at the thought of losing her friends. However it didn’t even matter because it wasn’t even a second before the other girls rushed to the crying white unicorn and started to hug her, some crying with her, others reassuring her, but none of them ostracizing or holding any ill feeling toward her.
The hug lasted a few minutes before Rarity was calmed back down and reassured that none of her friends hated her for what she had done. All the ponies now returning to their seats they all shared a smile of relief and gave a round of happy laughs, now that everypony was okay.
Wiping the last bit of moisture from her eyes, knowing her makeup was absolutely ruined, Rarity smiled, “Hank was right. He told me that you would all understand and I must admit I was doubtful, but I’m glad I listened and that I was wrong, I love you all so much and I couldn’t bear to lose our friendship.”
“We’ll always be here for you Rarity.”
“Can’t shake us now, sugar cube.”
“C’mon Rarity, we all got your back.”
“We all care for you very deeply Rarity.”
“We’ll be friends forever!”
The others said in response, making Rarity almost cry again before she was able to reign her emotions in, “Thank you all so so sooooo much,” Rarity smiled before turning to Zecora, “and please, Zecora make sure Hank knows how grateful I truly am. I’ll never be able to convey it enough myself but I know if you say it he’ll understand.”
Smiling back Zecora nodded, “He already knows Rarity, believe me. He speaks very highly of you. Even though he doesn’t show it he picks up on all of it, he just doesn’t know how to reciprocate it and show it.”
Relieved Rarity smiled wider, “I’m so glad.”
That fateful morning inevitably coming back into her mind, Rarity found herself able to think about other things now, not just the image and sound of the machete digging deep into the diamond dog’s neck. Now she was able to focus on other things, like Hank, and what he had done. The horrors he had committed against the diamond dogs. Whether they deserved it or not it was still hard to think about.
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath, Rarity opened her eyes again and found a smile on her face as she looked at Zecora, “I know you know more about Hank than any of us, but I just want you to realize that you are the most protected mare in all of Equestria. If Hank was able to do what he did for complete strangers I feel pure dread for whatever it is that threatens you. I don’t say this as a bad thing at all, I say this just so you can realize how thoroughly safe you are in his care.”
A little surprised at the vote of confidence from the unicorn all Zecora could do was give a small smile.
“You have yourself one outstanding stallion,” Rarity smiled as Zecora went slightly wide eyed, pulling back into herself.
How can they know!? He hasn’t told anybody… he asked me not to tell anybody. Is it really that obvious?
“O-Oh no… We’re not a couple or anything.” Zecora answered automatically before her brain was even done processing.
Simply laughing in response Rarity shook her head, “Darling it’s quite obvious, there’s no need to deny, even if he told you not to tell anypony.”
Trying to think of what to say Zecora was cut off as Rarity’s eyes suddenly shot open and she excitedly inhaled, “Oh my goodness imagine how protective he’ll be when you have foals. That’ll be a sight to see.” Rarity snickered.
“f-foals?” Zecora’s eyes were basically pinpricks as her mind was flooded with possibilities she hadn't thought of before. Sure she’d thought of it briefly, but any mare of age was biologically programmed to think about it when they saw a male they found acceptable. However, with everything happening that quick thought had been buried under other things, now though that they were a couple it was a much more plausible possibility.
“W-we aren’t really thinking about foals or anything.” Zecora tried to recover but it was Granny that piped up this time.
“All it takes is one bad heat,” Granny gave a hearty laugh as she got up from her chair with a slight groan, “Where do ya think their daddy came from?” She asked pointing to Applejack and Mac.
“Granny!?” They both exclaimed and then groaned as the others started to laugh.
“What!?” Granny shot back, “There ain't been a planned foal in the Apple family for well… ever as far as ah’m concerned.” She held a hoof to her chest, “The mares in this family just have particularly bad heats and when that one comes around they get…”
“Granny!” Applejack practically yelled getting the old mare to stop as the rest of the room sank further into laughter.
“Ah whatever,” The green mare waved her granddaughter off, “Ah’m gonna go check on supper.”
Slowly hobbling out of the room Applejack gave a sigh in relief as her cheeks burned bright red.
“You ain’t gonna be no different!” Granny yelled from the kitchen causing the rest of the room to explode with laughter from where they had calmed down before.
Even Mac gave a deep chuckle causing Applejack to look to her brother betrayed, “Really Mac?
“Sorry.” He chuckled again causing the stetson wearing mare to scowl.
“Like you ain't gonna knock up some mare unexpectedly, takes two ya know!” She shot to her brother causing him to quiet down.
“Ah...e-eyup.”
The two siblings sitting in embarrassment the rest of the room laughed around them
<><><>3rd person, Hank, Stock office<><><>
Sitting stock still, his fingers forming a bridge in front of his mouth, Hank goes to say something but brings his hand back to his face and hums.
The information that was just dumped on him far more… impressive than he imagined, Hank was having a hard time processing everything that he had just heard.
“You’re gonna think I’m a retard Bit, but can ya run through that one more time?” The human asked once again looking to the stallion across from him extremely confused.
Smiling at the clear confusion the man had over the revelation of his new found wealth Bit gave a small laugh, “Of course. To put it simply you are one of the most wealthy stallions or…”
“Men.”
“Men! Right,” Bright Bit nods, “You are one of the most wealthy men in Ponyville, number two actually, counting the 90,000 already in your savings account. Your 50,000 bit investment is now worth six times its original value totaling 300,000 bits; as of your most recent update I received a week ago.”
Nodding Hank looked around waiting for his brain to catch up, “Eyyyy uhhhhh…. How?”
“Well,” Bit laughed, “You put a large amount of wealth in a company that had almost no prospect of success but then exploded in the largest stock market upset in over a hundred years. This company is the only one in this business as of right now so it holds a monopoly on a new market that has much more demand than supply. To put it simply: Congratulations! You made the most profitable guess in the history of stock exchange in Equestria.”
“I see. I see.” Hank said pausing again as he came to terms with having near half a million dollars, “What do I do now?”
“Well… We have a few options, either you sell a portion of that, all of it, none of it, and use that money to invest in other companies to diversify your portfolio or not.” Bit explained like the seasoned professional he was.
“Okay…” His mind now caught back up Hank took a deep breath, “I have an idea.”
Nodding with a smile Bit leaned forward onto his desk, “Let’s hear it.”
<><><> 3rd person, Hank, Return From Town <><><>
Mind filled with something other than his past or what he needed to do for once Hank walked down the path, a stunned smile on his face. Out of all the things he’d seen: Cities burn, people eat each other, beautiful sunsets over towns as they returned to nature, wondering caravans with thousands of infected acting as a hivemind walking down the freeways, talking ponies, tangible magic, and creatures of literal myth. Things that let him understand and expect the unexpected he never figured he’d be so absurdly wealthy.
It was a strange feeling to Hank. For a man that always knew at least one avenue he could take in a given situation he didn’t know what to do, what to say, where to go. He was completely dumbfounded, he grew up poor, under the poverty line, he knew what literal survival meant and as such money meant nothing to him but, yet, he had near half a million dollars to his name.
To a man that had all but lost the concept of money it was hard to understand any part of it, sure a hundred thousand was a lot but that seemed like a lucky fluke, he simply killed the right people at the right time, he did that for free on the regular but there was something about the insane sum of money that really sank the point home to the man.
Hank didn’t know why he was smiling. There was nothing he wanted to buy, nowhere he really wanted to go so to be smiling for the most he had ever smiled in years was weird, but he couldn't wipe it off his face. He knew the ponies in town looked at him strange, seeing his always stoic face with a genuine smile on it, and really he was as equally off-put, he didn’t know why he was smiling… but then it hit him.
Hit him so hard it stopped him dead in his tracks on the dirt path; it all came rushing back to him, his lifelong dream. For all of his life he always wished for the same thing, every birthday, every shooting star; for as long as he could remember Hank had always wanted to become wildly successful and rich and then make sure all of his friends and family would never have to work another day in their lives. Make it so they could go wherever they wanted in the world, never have to worry about if the old refrigerator was going to keep on ticking, drive nice, non rusty, cars, Make it so his parents and grandparents could just enjoy life without having to work away.
That dream had faltered when his world collapsed, then it died when he became the only survivor out of all of his kin and friends, he had forgotten that dream when his life had turned into pain, rage, blood, and bone.
The smile on his face now gone he stood in the dark, alone, on the trail before the smile slowly came back, but now he could make that dream come true, alas, not with the same family, or the same world, same species even but he could do it!
A low grumble of a laugh starting in the very bottom of his stomach it grew and grew until he was bellowing with laughter into the night sky, pumping his fist all the while.
“YES! YES! FUCK YES!” Hank cried, jumping up and down in place feeling pure unadulterated joy for what felt like in forever.
That was until he heard a twig snap to his right. In an instant he became a human robot, gone were the emotions and the smile on his face, replaced with a stoic gaze and a raised rifle, along with the squared off posture.
About to write it off as a raccoon or other non hostile he heard another crack about ten yards up the road and snapped his rifle to the source of the noise before swiftly closing on it, keeping his rifle raised but surroundings in check.
Moving to the front of the treeline where he had heard the sound the feeling of being watched had firmly set in, Hank could tell he was staring right at this thing, whatever it was.
Reading himself Hank pushed down on the pad that controlled the flashlight on the side of his gun illuminating the foliage in a bright white light. Hank’s eyes locked onto something gray and large for just an instant before it quickly darted out of sight while being too fast for him to track with the beam.
Turning the light off Hank was on autopilot: Locate hostile, destroy hostile, clear area, eliminate other hostiles if located. His body, the machine the computer called his brain controlled, he started carrying out his directives all the while trying to complete the most important task: Return home.
After a few minutes of playing cat and mouse with the incredibly fast, and intelligent, creature Hank began to realize that it wasn’t trying to attack him… yet. It was scouting him, it was hunting him as he hunted it. This worried him much more than usual, this was no brute Shuck, or numerical advantage using Timberwolf, it could still be one of those creatures but it was smart.
Hank knew intelligence was far more powerful than brute strength or numbers and he didn’t like that this threat was showing it’s cognitive abilities.
“C’mon motherfucker make a slip,” Hank said under his breath as he spun in circles keeping this entity at his twelve as it desperately tried to flank him, it’s speed and agility certainly making it a possibility, “We all make ‘em, make a mistake.”
The chess game all good fights for survival were becoming far too lopsided for Hank’s taste, he needed to make his own play. He was starting to understand its patterns, it’s habits of movement, but all he was doing now was staying at stalemate, this definitely four legged creature may have been okay staying at 0-0 but Hank knew the longer you drew things out the worse it’d get, he desperately wanted to start trading blows, takin’ licks. He was playing its game now, he needed to change that.
Hank knew he was closing on the Apple’s farm, the gate entrance was just ahead, he could see it in his periphery. At this time Hank had formulated a plan as he tracked the creature through the trees once again before it, sure enough, juked back toward him even faster, predictably trying to take his back.
He had its tells down by now, the little two step it would take before doubling back, the way it circled him, but he was sure whatever this thing was was also starting to understand him as well, he had to make a move soon, and he knew just what it’d be.
The creature was changing the speed it would switch back with before abandoning and just circling again before doing it on the other side, it was getting faster and faster, conditioning him to react faster and faster, to keep his rifle pointed at it. Currently he was going off pure prediction to keep up as it almost seemed to teleport from his 12 to 3 o’clock with how fast it was. Doing one more time even faster it confirmed his theory as he snapped his rifle to a new spot using all of the speed he had.
Earlier however it was doing it slower but just as purposefully, Hank’s hunch was that it was conditioning him to over correct and then when he did so it would actually cut in using it’s true speed and take him out while he was looking either far right or far left depending on what side it was coming from.
What Hank didn’t think the creature knew was one: That he was onto it’s plan and two: That Hank could tell the rough speed it was going to rush by the length between the first and second two step.
As such Hank had made it obvious, but not overly so, that he planned on entering the fence and that the pinch point would be one of the last spots the creature would have a clear run up before it had to go into an apple orchard where there were far less unobstructed lines of travel.
Closing on the gate Hank took a deep breath and readied himself, he hoped he was right about all of his assumptions and that the creature would take the bait.
Hank’s foot crossing that invisible threshold the creature had set it all happened.
The entity doubled back but slower as the sound cue reflected, Hank played into it but nowhere near as severely, flicking on his light as he started to snap his rifle to where the creature had definitely cut in Hank’s head turned faster than his body and saw the grey wolf rocketing through the air mouth wide open.
What Hank had failed to account for was the sheer speed the creature was capable of, far faster than even before Hank’s eyes went wide as he realized he couldn’t have his rifle up in time.
It happened in half a blink: Teeth, Lowered shoulder, Impact, Yell, Screech, Broken fence plank, Ground.
Holding the light on while he laid on his back Hank got his first good look at the creature as it slowly raised up from having its head compressed into it’s spine from the impact on his shoulder.
Not understanding what he was looking at Hank saw a grey coated slim but no less long Shuck looking back at him from it’s incredibly low mounted eyes.
It’s back was completely flat, a straight line, and its head continued that straight line. It’s face was small, the eyes and top of the muzzle being at the same level, the forward only mounted eyes at the sides of the muzzle with no forehead at all, just a slight drop where from the shape of a typical muzzle. That was the only typical thing though as the real house of horrors started down from there. The rest of the head was so small to accommodate and make room for the massive jaw that split all the way back on the throat, it’s mouth had to be at least twenty inches deep and looked to unhinge just like the big ones.
“Holy fucking shit!” Hank yelled bringing up his rifle from his prone position, alarmed at the sheer appearance of the flat faced and streamlined creature.
Shrieking a high pitched shriek right out of a horror movie Hank shot a round right through its side presented to him making it stumble and ‘yelp’ in pain before it zipped away from him.
Getting up as fast as he could Hank started booking it in the opposite direction toward the house listening to make sure he wasn’t being followed.
“Holy mother of Chernobyl, Fukishima, Nagasaki, Herosima, Atlanta, Louisiana, and California.” Hank cursed reaching for his walkie as he ran, “Zecora! Lock up the house! Hostiles inbound! How copy!?”
Hearing nothing in reply Hank remembered that they had left the radio on the charger back at the cabin, “Fuck!” Realizing that he’d have to signal her with the light he held tight to the rifle as the house started to come into view through the trees, at the same time a shriek sounding from his far right but not behind him by any means.
“You motherfucker!” Hank growled stopping and holding up his rifle before clicking the light in the sequence he taught Zecora meant ‘barricade.’ Hank just hoped she’d notice and get the house locked up before that thing got there, he had about three hundred meters to go and that thing could have easily passed him by now.
<><><> 3rd person, Zecora, Living room <><><>
Everypony had heard the crack of the gunshot and the shriek as such the room had grown quiet and the conversation had shifted.
“What do ya think happened Zecora?” Applejack asked, a look of concern on her face.
“I don’t know… there’s never usually just one shot.” Zecora answered truthfully.
“Maybe one was all he needed, that sound definitely wasn’t him was it? Whatever he is can’t make those sounds can they?” Dash added turning and looking out of the big glass window behind her, leaning back unconsciously.
Shaking her head Zecora thought about it for a second, “Definitely not, but… I’m sure it’s fine, it is Hank after all. I’m sure he’s walking up right now enjoying the cool weather, he always says how he enjoys the softness of night air.”
Nothing happening for a second the ponies had started chatting again, albeit quieter, and Zecora had turned to Granny and was listening to the old mare comfort her about Hank being out there, Zecora really had to give it to the old earth pony she could read everyone like a book all the time.
Calming down a little bit Zecora was still chatting with Granny before a small blinking white light pulled her away from the conversation.
“It certain llllllll…..” Locking onto the light Zecora started to read it aloud, “ 1 - 11 - 1 - 11-”
“Hey what's that light?” Dash asked, looking at it herself getting the attention of everypony who then noticed it and Zecora.
“1 - 1 1 - 1 - 1 1...barricade?” Her brain taking a second Zecora suddenly sat bolt upright as her eyes widened in realization, “Barricade! Lock the doors and windows then get away from them! Use furniture!” Flying out of her seat Zecora sprinted to the door and slammed it shut before locking it.
The other’s completely baffled, they all sat still not understanding what had just gotten into the zebra.
“Uh hey the light stopped.”
“What’s the matter sugar cube?” Applejack asked, ignoring Dash for a second as Zecora rushed back into the room obviously fearful.
“Something is wrong, something is out there with him and he doesn’t have a handle on it and that something is headed toward us! So barricade!”
Taking a moment to set in the ponies were broke free as another much more violent shriek came from much closer. Snapping into action the ponies started locking windows and rushing around the house making sure everything was shut down.
“Apple bloom get down here!” Mac yelled rushing to secure the backdoor and find his littlest sister.
“I’ll get the kitchen!” Dash flew through the room like a bullet the short distance securing all the windows before zipping upstairs and helping Mac.
Watching the house around her get tore apart as furniture was pushed against the large living windows Granny couldn’t help but think back to the last time she’d had to barricade her house, though it may have been seventy five years ago and it was just her and husband in a small cabin, a small cabin that wasn’t there anymore on the far south side of the property. Giving a short inaudible over all the commotion laugh Granny shook her head, “Ah’m too old, and I don’t even have you with me anymore.”
Most of the fortifications complete the ponies took a step back from the windows and huddled together in the middle of the family room.
“How much has Hank taught ya about codes and procedures and stuff?” Applejack asked, scared out of her mind and trying to keep calm.
“Hours. Hours of teaching, review, and practice.” Zecora answered looking over their situation, “He’s a very good teacher, through all the things he’s taught me it was never dull and I remember it all.”
“What would he tell you to do now?” Twilight spoke up for the first time in three minutes, nervousness obvious in her own voice.
“He would tell us to…” Her mind racing with possibilities, stress, and fear her stomach sank as she heard something scrape against the house and then stop at the back, its breathing loud and resembling the “death rattle” Hank had told her about.
The group facing the side of the house the noise was coming from Apple bloom was pressing her face into her brother as hard as she could trying to stay calm as the others around her started to feel nervous as well, slight trembling coming from the softer in the group, ponies that had never dealt with a threatening situation.
“He - He would tell us to arm ourselves.” Zecora stated, taking one brave step forward away from the group, overpowering that instinctual pull to stay grouped together. Making it into the kitchen she quickly seized a knife and carried another two before returning to the group that was still in the living room minus Mac who had retrieved the axe by the door.
Making sure to give Rarity a knife and then handing the other to AJ she looked to the others. About to go back for more cutlery the sound of Hank’s heavy footfalls and gear bouncing made way to her ears.
Rushing to the window to get a look at the man as he entered the orange glow that surrounded the house she could tell he was okay, bleeding from his left shoulder and obviously frazzled, but not scared, she didn’t even know if he got scared or could.
At the same time Hank entered the scene the breathing at the back of the house fell silent, taking a quick look behind her Zecora realized that the other ponies had also moved toward the partially blocked window to look at Hank as he looked around and through the trees looking for the threat.
About to call out and let Hank know where the thing was the slightest of cracks came from the rear of the house making Hank snap to the edge of the house with his rifle in an instant and begin to close on the sound.
Watching him intently as he moved toward the target he quickly made it to the edge of the house where the ponies could hear the old siding creak as he braced his rifle on the corner and cleared it.
Apparently seeing nothing the ponies could hear Hank push forward a few steps before the beast screeched again prompting another round to be fired, the crack being much harsher this time.
“God damn that thing is fast,” Hank’s deep voice came through the wall, “What is this th-”
Hank’s voice being cut off from a tremendous crash that knocked glasses and silverware off the counter the ponies could only assume someone or something had been slammed into the side of the house.
Hank’s gasping breaths coming from the side of the house the group could hear as he slowly got back up, using the wall as a crutch to lean against.
Focusing on Hank Zecora, and the group as a whole was forced to look away as the creature in question seemed to suddenly appear in the circle of light cast by the house, it’s appearance making the ponies gasp in fear. It’s jaw opening, it kept going and going making Zecora feel sick as she watched it’s mouth open all the way to the bottom of its neck.
“Oh my goodness…” Rarity whispered.
“I… That’s not supposed to exist.” Twilight mumbled, wide eyed.
Letting out that ear piercing screech again it caused the ponies to flinch away and cover their ears as the sound proved too much, Hank however, getting his bearings back, didn’t even flinch as he pushed toward the thing, his patience pulled insanely thin.
Being the first to look back up in search of her companion Zecora saw the end of Hank’s rifle round the corner and the screamer as it prepared to dart away, out of sight of the man, and as such out of death's grasp.
Going against everything Hank had told her about not being seen or heard under barricade unless provoked or in an advantageous situation where she could ambush the intruder Zecora knocked her hoof into the window instantly catching the things attention.
Forgetting about impending doom as it closed on its heels the mutated beast locked eyes with its prey, all nine of them. Eyes dilating at the feast in front of its nose, Zecora's eyes, in turn, shrank to pin pricks as the canine opened its disproportionate mouth and prepared to pounce.
Milliseconds from unloading the power in its massive rear legs the crack of an AR was followed by a 5.56 ramming into the side of its neck before tumbling out of the other side, no amount of adrenaline able to cover up mulched airway and ruptured arteries the Shuck couldn’t keep going this time and collapsed to the ground mid pounce; the shriek of rage suddenly turning into a gurgling one of pain.
The Shuck knew it was done, but that predator programming in its brain mixed with the adrenaline in its body wasn’t going to let it die peacefully.
Getting up just as fast as ever the shuck rushed back at the human ignoring the rounds that pierced their way into its lungs and jumped, locking it’s jaws around one of the man’s arms and torso.
Quickly bashed off of it’s target with an elbow to the head the Hank threw the shuck off of him with a yell and tried to raise his rifle again but was cut off as it got right back in his face again plowing him over onto his back.
Barely getting his head out of the massive set of jaws before they snapped closed Hank pushed up on the underside of it’s jaws locking the Stalker’s mouth closed before pulling his knees to his chest and launching the wolf thing over his head where it collided with the hardwood stairs.
Watching in awe as both combatants kept getting up the ponies had a front row seat to the show they couldn’t look away at as it unfolded in front of them. For some it was the first time they had seen Hank operate or “go to work” as he sometimes put it.
It was most eye opening for Twilight, Rainbow, Mac, Pinkie, and even Granny.
For Twilight it showed her how relentless he and truly capable he was, for Rainbow it made her realize that Hank was in an entirely different class than herself when it came to fighting, he would rip her apart with ease. For Mac, as he watched Hank punch the Shuck across the face and throw it into the wall of the house like a ragdoll with a crash and a bellowing yell, he then knew that he wanted to learn how to do what Hank did. For Pinkie it made her scared and sad, this wasn’t happy in the slightest, she felt bad that things had to be this way. And for Granny it showed her that other side of Hank that she had never seen, but heard of many a time. She suddenly understood what he meant with what he had said about his temper and capabilities. He had truly seen horrors past even her comprehension.
Hank looked at the Shuck with burning hatred in his eyes and it did the same coming back again, refusing to die.
Its resistance mixed with the gual it had to attack him and threaten his loved ones on a day like today, when he got life changing news, pushed Hank onto a level of anger that even a Shuck couldn’t reproduce.
Pulling Hank to the ground by his armor the shuck ignored its mortality and knocked Hank’s helmeted head head through the hoof carved railing as it desperately tried to lock its jaws onto his neck.
Reaching for one of the railings that was knocked free by his head Hank found one and yanked it the rest of the way free holding like a club. Trying to get back up Hank’s hand slipped free from the Stalker’s blood slicked chest and he was barely able to stick his left arm in its mouth to keep it from getting his neck.
Clamping down on his arm Hank felt the teeth as they pierced to the bone but didn’t even stop to think about it as he pushed to his feet and brought the improvised wood club down on the Shuck’s head causing it to loosen its grip on his arm enough for him to wrench it free.
Immediately grabbing it by the skin on the underside of its neck Hank brought the pole down on its head over and over until it broke leaving a large spike. Not missing a beat Hank pulled the Shuck up higher from where he had beaten it down before ramming the pole up under its ribs and through its diaphragm, the pointy wood end just poking out the other side.
Leaning back from a last attempt of a bite Hank punched the Shuck in the throat causing blood spray to go everywhere, a large glob splattering over the window he was standing right in front of, making the ponies cry out in surprise at the violence they were witnessing.
Squatting down and wrapping his arms around the lower torso of the Stalker Hank stood up, the Shuck now resting on his back over his head before he contracted his abs and pulled down with his arms, letting go of the Shuck and letting it slam into the wood floor with the force of a Ford Pinto going 30 miles per hour.
The impact shaking the entire house Hank quickly mounted the already dead Stalker grabbing onto its upper and lower jaw pulling it in opposite directions with a sickening crack before pulling back and sending a rage filled punch that hit right in the middle of the corpse’s ribcage, denting the chest in instantly, but he wasn’t done. Doing it over and over, each hit strong enough to reverberate throughout the living room, and shake the pictures on the walls.
Watching, mouths agape at Hank, none of the ponies could look away from the scene as more and more red spray covered Hank and the environment around him.
Watching the chest of the once living creature fracture deeper and deeper, along with the vibrations going through the house from his punches Twilight’s scientific mind started to wonder how many PSKH(psi) Hank could deliver with a punch.
Hank on the other hand was enjoying one of his favorite feelings and sounds in life, using the body of the Shuck as a Grotesque sort of stress toy. If it was going to make him angry then it sure as hell was going to be used to bleed some of that pressure off.
Chest heaving and arms coated in blood Hank leaned back and sat on the Stalker’s lower torso while he got his breath back, admiring his handiwork all the while. Taking a second to look over the body under him, Hank pulled the head of the beast back up and looked it over again. It’s structure all so wrong Hank shook his head before he let go of the head letting it flop back to the floor. The thing just wouldn’t quit, after being shot in the stomach, the neck, and then the lungs a few times the human had to take a second and respect how driven the thing was. It was more thin than a regular Shuck but also much much more threatening: intelligent, fast, powerful, and utterly relentless, it was the greatest challenge he had been up against in a while.
Collecting all the spit and blood in his throat Hank picked up its ugly-ass head one last time before spitting right in its eye, “Fuck you.” He half groaned, half growled, as he got off of the thing and picked it up before throwing it over the railing and into the grass.
Looking at it’s now lifeless body Hank rested his hands on the top of the railing and hung his head, realizing just how worn out he really was, one of the most challenging fights indeed.
“Squirly son of a bitch.” Hank cursed as he calmed down as he started taking toll of his injuries, his left arm being the worst by far the puncture wounds being jagged and deep, dark blood running out of the bites.
“Not enough bandages in the world for that one.” Hank grumbled looking down to his shirt that had been stained for what seemed like forever. It seemed to Hank that it was time for his magnum opus of medical knowledge, “Well, time to serve your final purpose old friend.”
Standing up from his leant over position Hank stretched his arms before unbuckling the various buckles and clips that held his gear together. All falling to the bloodied floor with a thump Hank gently hung his revolver and its holster from the railing before he reached down and undid the velcro that held his plate carrier closed with a slow tear.
Finally popping open Hank felt the breeze flow against his back and chest, the sensation making his breath stop for a second as sweat soaked cloth and skin was exposed to the air.
“Never gets old.” Hank exhaled, grabbing a hold of the shoulder straps and pulling the carrier over his head before letting it fall to the ground, the steel plates clanking together through the thoroughly worn down and thin nylon.
Rolling his shoulders a few times, his left responding with some soreness and stiffness he looked over to see the puncture wounds in it as well causing Hank to shake his head and grumble as he thought about the creature that inflicted it.
Reaching behind his back and pulling up on his shirt he pulled in over his head before he heard a faint gasp from behind him and froze.
The most skin any of the ponies had ever seen of Hank, including Zecora, they were taken aback from the scars that spread across his back that seemed to originate from his left side. They’d of course seen the scars on his face and arms, his arms being particularly mangled, but the arms weren’t vital to survival like the torso, as such the thick bubbled up scars that did find themselves on his back were only that much more hard to look at.
The almost crater-like divot in his side that was surrounded by burns and spider web like scars being the hardest to look at. That wasn’t the only scar on his back of course, there were plenty others, from broken glass and even barbed wire, but the one from the coffee can bomb and ensuing burns/infection was the worst by a mile.
The sight being too much Fluttershy gasped and brought her hooves to her mouth, “Oh my goodness.”
“What do you think did that to him?” Applebloom asked, looking at the man's back who she considered almost like an uncle, her eyes deeply sad.
“Ah dunno Apple bloom. Just promise me ya won’t ask him about it okay?” AJ said, pulling her sister close into a hug.
“Ah promise.”
While the other ponies were understandably shocked at Hank and his scars Zecora was focused on something else, the tattoo a few inches down his neck and right in the middle of his shoulder blades that read:
Hank
Campbell
Lynch
It was extremely simple, just a few bold bold black letters that stood out strongly against his very fair skin tone. Focusing on the tattoo Zecora figured it was his name but he had only ever said his name was Hank, she didn’t expect there to be more after it.
His shirt quickly pulled back down, covering the tattoo and scars Hank turned around and took a small step back looking at the audience he didn’t know he had, the looks on their faces showing that look of pity he hated all so much, it was clear as to what they had seen.
Eyes looking from each pony to the next he grimaced, “What does a guy have to do for some god damned privacy around here?” He grumbled before picking up his plate carrier and quickly jumping over the railing and getting out of sight so he could derobe in peace.
Frowning as her lover went out of sight she shook her head, saddened at how upset it made Hank to have others see his skin. She wasn’t sad at his reaction. She was sad that he had them at all, he shouldn’t be ashamed of his body and feel like he had to hide it so thoroughly. While his injuries were gastly and certainly a shock to look at, she knew that she wasn’t the only zebra or pony to like the way he looked, it didn’t matter how many times she’d tell him that though, he’d always resist or brush it off.
“Do you think we can take the barricades down and unlock the doors Zecora?” Twilight asked strangely enough.
Finishing her thoughts Zecora exhaled and turned around to look at the others, “The barricades can come down but keep the windows and doors locked. After a barricade event and if through reconnaissance cannot be conducted and or armed exfil cannot be provi…,” Stopping and looking at the others as they starred back obviously lost she smiled and gave a short laugh, “Just don’t expect to go home tonight and to sleep upstairs.”
“Why can’t we go home?” Rainbow asked as the others started on resetting the room.
“I doubt he’ll let you leave.” Zecora said simply as the ‘he’ in question stepped back onto the porch dressed just as he was before minus shirt. His heavy steps ending at the door Hank opened the screen door before using his balled up fist to repeat the code he gave to signal the barricade order but reversed: 1 1 - 1 - 11 - 1
The door opening right before the last hit Hank turned and looked down to the zebra pointing a knife at him like he taught. Smiling, he leant down and wrapped an arm around the zebra as she did the same, dropping the knife.
Not sharing a word between them they both were plenty content just sharing the embrace knowing that each other was okay.
Finally breaking the embrace Hank stood up and walked deeper into the house as Zecora closed the door and relocked it, picking up her knife in the process.
“Sorry about all that, complicated business.” Hank said addressing the ponies in the room, “any chance you’re still offerin’ supper Granny?”
Looking up to the man as he turned to her Granny took a second and looked over the human, his face and arms coated in drying blood.
“Of course!” She tried to smile but couldn’t looking at the state the man was in, “but ya might want ta get cleaned up first,”
“That was my next question, thank you.” Pointing to the old mare and turning away Hank started up the stairs on his way to the shower.
Watching the man disappear into the bathroom and then hearing the sounds of his gear hitting the floor again the ponies started to look to one another just to confirm what happened actually happened. Obviously they had all seen it from start to finish but still, it was hard to come to terms with and wrap their minds around it since most of them had no idea such violence was even capable.
“Sooooo uh,” Rainbow started looking back over her shoulder at the body at the edge of the light the house gave out remembering the sight and sound of Hank picking up the wolf and slamming it down, “Are we gonna talk about that cause I think what just happened is kind’ve a big deal.
“Well what do ya have to add?” Applejack asked sitting back down.
“Well… I - I dunno but I mean what are supposed to do now? After something like…. that, what comes next?” looking back at the body and blood stain on the porch Rainbow rambled.
“Well…,” Leaning back in her chair Applejack gave a heavy sigh, “Ah’m not gonna do anything unless Hank tells me to.”
Looking at Applejack and shaking her head Rainbow didn’t even know if she was looking at the same pony she had grown to know so well, she had never seen her act so passive once in her life, “Why? Why are you going to listen to him? This is your farm, your home.”
A short humorless laugh escaping the orange mare’s lips Applejack just shook her head to Rainbow’s inability to understand, “Cause Rainbow Ah can’t hold my own against a Shuck, especially somethin’ like that, let alone pick it up and body slam it like it was a sack a flour. Can you? Am Ah missin’ something ‘ere?”
No response coming from the prismatic pegasus Applejack looked back out the window at the body as well, “This is his ball park, his area of expertise, Ah don’t know anything about anything he did out there so Ah’m glad to have him take the lead. If he needed some apples bucked Ah’d be tellin’ him, though... he can do that already now that Ah think about it.”
The room staying quiet, the only sounds heard coming from the shower upstairs as it was shut off Twilight was the next to break under the strange pressure the situation wielded, “Surely we have to tell somepony this happened. What happens after something is killed?”
“The victor walks away and the loser goes cold on the ground.” Rarity said simply getting the attention of everypony in the room at her harsh taste of reality. Noticing the raised eyebrows and looks of surprise she was getting Rarity leaned back, “What? I’m just telling the truth. It’s a strange kind of empty feeling isn't it? Feels like more should happen after but it's just.... It's just over.”
“Y-yeah.” Twilight muttered not knowing what else to say.
The sound of the bathroom door opening and heavy steps coming down the stairs breaking the heavy silence Hank rounded the corner already covered in all of his gear. Immediately picking up on the energy of the room Hank clapped his hands, “So everyone hungry? Good let’s eat.”
Answering the question before anyone even had a chance to answer for themselves Hank started into the kitchen but was stopped as Twilight stepped forward following, “You’re hungry after all that?” She asked.
Looking at the purple pony for a second Hank grumbled and shook his head ignoring her before disappearing into the kitchen.
“C’mon your appetite’ll come back once ya smell what Grannys been cookin’ up.” Applejack nudged Twilight as she walked back her aggravated friend.
The group following AJ’s lead, they all went into the kitchen and started to take their seats as Hank stood at the sink and drank down a large glass of water. Once he finished his drink Hank turned around and saw as they took their seats, his training instilled from years of being taught how to be a gentleman by his grandparents kicking in he quickly set in and pushed Granny’s chair in followed by Zecora, AJ, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Apple bloom, and even Mac who he gave a firm pat on the shoulder as he walked past before taking his own seat at the other end side of the table obviously skipping over Rainbow and Twilight who didn’t mind because just the presence of the human behind them was enough to get their hearts racing.
Looking over the table Hank saw that the tension was still there in the group even as they conversed and started setting their own plates, plus he could really see the look Zecora was giving him about “Getting along” while motioning to Twilight and Rainbow.
Rolling his eyes Hank gave a loud groan and leaned his head back looking to the ceiling while reaching for the flask on his belt that wasn’t there but on the counter at home, full of delicious whisky, “Fuck meeeeeeee.”
“Alright fine, I know y’all wanna talk about shit so let's get it goin’.... C’mon c’mon let’s do this.” he motioned with his hands, “You all have questions about what happened and maybe even about me so… I’m giving you all this one chance to ask whatever it is you want. Within reason!”
Not about to let a chance get away from her Twilight immediately jumped on the opportunity, “We-”
“Not you.” Hank immediately cut off pointing his finger at Twilight making her wilt.
“Hank!” Zecora firmly said, getting the human’s attention, “Play nice.”
Staring at the zebra for a few seconds the human clenched his fists hard enough to crack them before he opened, “Okay, okay, fine.” Taking a deep breath Hank lowered his hands to the table slowly and opened his eyes looking to Twilight.
“What?” His tone as deadly as a hand grenade he growled.
“I- I was just going to say that I am sorry. I have been very very wrong about you in the past and while I can’t say I like you, your character, or your actions it’s clear to me, especially after tonight, that you care about my friends a great deal.”
While at the start Hank was about to jump over the table and smash Twilight’s head in he was able to hold himself back, barely, and now was surprised at the apology. Out of all the things he was expecting to happen tonight that was not one of them; by a long shot.
“And if you’re willing to put yourself in harm's way to keep them safe then I see no reason as to why we should hate each other, or why I should hate you.”
The human’s unwavering icy stare making Twilight uncomfortable she finally averted her eyes and looked down to her plate not being able to look into the tiny predatory pupils any longer.
“I’ll remember that.” Hank finally said in a much more neutral tone making Twilight look back up to the human who was still looking at her. Turning to Rainbow Twilight gave her a nudge.
“... What she said.” Rainbow finally spit out, causing Hank to roll his eyes, “Feel free to flap your happy ass home anytime.”
Shaking his head Hank looked to Granny, “Before we start the questioning do you have any drink in here?”
“There’s some whiskey in the top cupboard above the cooler there,” Granny motioned as Hank stood up from his seat, “But it’s real old and you should probably just pour it all out.”
Scoffing at the idea Hank opened the cabinet and grabbed the bottle. Examining it hank could tell there was some age on the bottle but he of course didn’t know the brand, “This uh, pretty strong stuff?”
Laughing a little Granny turned to look at the human, “I know it prolly don’t mean nothin’ to ya but as it says there on the label that is Highhill. Now back in the day that came out of a small still in the Macintosh hills, as far as Ah’m concerned it’s one of the strongest whiskeys a pony can get ahold of.”
Looking back to the bottle Hank nodded his head, “Well then.”
Opening the cap and swishing it around a little he paused as he nearly brought the nearly full bottle to his mouth noticing the shot glasses that were hidden behind the bottle, “Anyone wanna take a shot with me?”
Holding out a few of the glasses Hank looked over the table as they all seemingly thought about it. Expecting to hear a no from everypony Hank was about to put the glasses back before Mac spoke up, “What for?”
Never having to think of a reason himself Hank had to remember some people liked to have something they were drinking over, not just to dull the pain or fill empty time, “Well to not bein’ dead, the ability to witness one more sunrise.”
Mulling it over second Mac seemed to hesitate and lean toward no before straightening up, “Prolly the best reason there is. Ah’m in.”
“Hell yeah, anyone else? Zecora?”
“Ah’ll do half.” Applejack said, raising her hoof.
“I think I’ll pass for now.” Zecora said with a smile, Hank responding with a smile and nod as he prepared the drinks.
“I’ll do one as well please.” Rarity chimed in.
Giving a thumbs up over his shoulder Hank opened his mouth to ask how much before Rarity beat him to the punch.
“Full please.”
The request came as a surprise to not only Hank but everyone else in the room as they all turned and looked to Rarity, the fairly small mare, known only to occasionally sip on a glass of red wine looking to all her friends, “What?”
“I’ve never known you to drink whiskey Rarity.” Fluttershy said gently.
“These are a set of different circumstances darling.” Rarity explained with a smile, Fluttershy nodding in understanding.
‘What about you Flutters?” Hank gave a quick glance to the yellow pegasus.
“Oh, no thank you, it’ll be much too strong for me.”
Nodding and turning back to his task Hank was about to serve the drinks before Rainbow adjusted herself in her seat and sat up a little straighter. “I-I’ll take one.”
Her raspy voice catching Hank’s ears instantly he froze and looked over his shoulder to the easily smallest of the group and was about to say something before he felt Zecora’s eyes on the back of his neck.
Grumbling to himself Hank fixed the last drink before he turned to the table and started to pass them out in order of request, Mac first Rainbow last.
Picking up his own ‘shot’ Hank raised it up, “May every obstacle that blocks us be overcome and all our enemies know nothing but fear and death.”
The grim toast making the ponies pause for a second they all eventually clinked their glasses to Hank’s bottle, minus one.
Looking to Rainbow Hank growled, “I got you a drink. The least you could fucking do is toast with everyone else.”
About to say something back the pegasus looked at Hank's arm and the veins and muscles that were showing through the skin and scars and decided to yield; tapping her glass against Hank’s.
Standing back up to his full height Hank brought the bottle to his lips and took a large swig of the liquid feeling the slight heat on his tongue that was nothing compared to what the others were feeling going by the looks on their faces.
Still too weak, but stronger than what I had in Appleloosa. Hank mused swallowing the mouthful as the others rode out the burning sensation.
“Be careful now, that was a lot ta take in, don’t wanna ta hurt yoursel-” Granny snickered but stopped as Hank brought the bottle back to his lips and started drinking the rest of the bottle down.
Granny and the rest of the room now looking at the man with grim fascination as he drank down enough alcohol to kill even a large earth pony Hank pumped his fist as he drained the bottle dry and sat it back down on the counter.
“Now then, let’s get this party started.” Hank said as she walked back to his seat and gently sat down so he didn’t break it, “Who’s goin’ first?”
“Areeeee you gonna be alright sugar cube?” Applejack asked, her mouth slightly agape as she leaned on the table looking at Hank, much like the others at the table after witnessing Hank drink down an entire bottle of whiskey in ten seconds.
“Do you need to go to the hospital? Do humans even get alcohol poisoning?” Twilight asked as well.
“I’m fine. Now let’s get this o-”
“Ya sure?” Mac cut Hank off making the man deadpan.
“I’m positive. Pony alcohol is weak as shit and I have done much worse than that.” Hank nodded, “I’m fine.”
“Alright.” Mac reluctantly accepted, still unsure one can be ‘okay’ after chugging an entire bottle of whiskey.
“Anyway, so. How about we eat and then get on with clearing the air, sort of speak?” Hank suggested.
Agreeing with the human the others nodded and started to pass the feast around the table. Everyone’s appetite back despite what they had seen every dish was sampled, from the corn, to the salad, the casserole, which did contain lima beans that put Rainbow and Fluttershy off, to the stewed apples, and multiple pies and cobblers. It was a meal that nary a restaurant could reproduce, it was a product that could only ever come from generations of passed down culinary knowledge, and the taste and smell certainly reflected that.
All the others focused on filling their plates with the various food items and talking Zecora gazed up from her plate to her man at the far end of the table, a smile tugging at her lips as she simply watched him get his own plate.
Feeling the eyes on him Hank looked up from his plate as well and quickly found the source of the feeling in the form of his zebra girlfriend. Quickly smiling back and offering a quick wink his smile grew wider and he shook his head looking back down to his plate as Zecora blushed and gave a giggle, covering her mouth with a hoof.
She had been so giggly lately, ever since he had admitted what he meant with his claim of loving her in the letter courtship seemed the only reasonable option to the man and he quickly asked her if she wanted to be his girlfriend, which she had instantly accepted and rushed into a huge hug.
The memory made Hank feel a warmth in his chest he never had before and he liked it… a lot.
Zecora on the other hand was trying to cool her blush down while making sure no one registered her giggle, sure they knew that Hank and herself were an item now but they didn’t need to know just how smitten she was with him.
C’mon girl get it together. This is no teenage crush, you are no teenager, this giggling and blushing is below you. Zecora thought as she thanked Granny as the old mare passed her a dinner roll and gave her an amused look. We’ve lived together for months, we’ve slept together for most of that, so why am I so bubbly and flustered all of the sudden? Quickly looking back up from her plate she immediately took her eyes off the human and back to her plate so she wouldn’t start giggling again, What is wrong with me!?
Shes so fuckin’ cute. Hank laughed in his mind after catching her sneak a peak at him through his peripheral as he used the salad fork and spoon to pile the greens on his plate finding the mix of lettuce, shredded carrot, and radish perfect along with the garlicky vinaigrette dressing. The only thing that was wrong was the presence of daisies but those could be picked out.
Satisfied with the population of his plate Hank looked up and saw that the others also had a mix of everything signalling that everything had been passed around.
Setting down the salad bowl Hank was about to take out his knife but noticed the silverware and went for that instead.
Starting in on the salad first Hank ate around the daisies and began to pull them out and pile them up on his plate which immediately went noticed by the ponies and Granny in particular, the daisies being the usual favorite part of the salad.
“What’s wrong with the salad dear?” Granny asked motioning to the human.
“Nothin’.” Hank answered simply as he swallowed and pulled the last daisy from the greens.
Confused at his answer Granny gave a short laugh, “Well obviously somethin’ is. You ain’t touchin’ the daisies. That’s the best part!”
Raising his eyebrow Hank realized that they didn’t know he couldn’t eat flowers and such and hummed as he crunched down on a radish, “Not a matter of not likin’, I can’t eat them. My body can’t digest it really.”
“So ya can’t eat any flowers? Not daisies or even roses!?” Applejack questioned in horror.
“No, I can eat certain ones like dandelions to a degree but nothing along the lines of roses or grass and all that. Somethin’ to do with cellulite or cell..”
“Cellulose.” Twilight corrected.
“Ight’, that.” The human shrugged.
“That’s strange,” Applejack resumed, “Can’t imagine not eatin’ a daisy sandwich once and awhile. They used to be my favorite when Ah was a little filly, yours too Mac.” AJ added with a nudge to the large stallion.
“Yup.” Mac retorted raising up from his salad bowl half a daisy stuck to his nose which was result to how ferociously the stallion attacked anything with daisies in them. He really couldn’t help himself around the flower, everyone has a vice.
Flicking the half eaten flower of Big Mac’s nose Hank grabbed the pile of daisies of his own plate and dropped them into the stallion's own bowl, “You seem to like these a little.”
“Pft oh he loves you now.” Applejack laughed, catching Hank’s attention and making the human shake his head with a small laugh before he caught the look the stallion was giving him.
Looking up to the man with his eyes wide and pupils dilated as large as they could go, only the smallest amount of green outline around them, Hank could swear Mac’s eyes were twinkling as the pony looked up to him.
Not knowing if to pet the stallion’s head like a dog or pull out his knife in case he got pounced on Hank just stared back until, as soon as it happened, it was over and Mac had his face buried in the bowl.
“AJ! Hit him!” Granny called out wanting to discipline Mac for acting like a foal at the table in front of guests despite her distance from him.
Not wanting to be disciplined herself Applejack listened and started to slap Mac in the side to no effect minus a snort or grumble here or there.
Finally stopping his onslaught upon daisy kind Mac raised his head from the bowl with his eyes squinted and looking at his little sister.
“What in the blazes has gotten into you Macintosh!?” Granny angrily yelled, “You’re actin’ like a damn foal!”
Eyes now wide open Mac put his hooves between his legs on the chair and lowered his head, his ears naturally following, “Sorry.”
“Ya better be! You know better than that! Just what got into you?”
“... Daisies.” Mac whispered too low for anyone to hear minus Hank and AJ.
Shaking her head Granny grumbled to herself, “Ah’m sorry about him everypony let’s just… forget about it.”
Slowly getting back to the meal after the out of character display from the stallion, Mac kept his head low out of embarrassment before a large hand slapped him on the back.
“You’re pretty fuckin’ weird Mac.” Hank laughed as the stallion looked to the human immediately feeling worse even if it was said in jest.
“Butttt it takes one to know one, HA.” Hank finished with a jarring laugh making the stallion develop a small smile as the rest of the table looked to them and shook their heads, especially Zecora who was always thrown a little off by the man’s strange sense of humor but always found it endearing and completely unique.
“It seems to me that daisies... well more like flowers in general to you are kinda like meat for me: the favorite part of a meal.”
While the comment was completely mundane to Hank it held more than a small amount of threat to the ponies simply due to their biology and psychology, but more so for the ponies who didn’t know Hank as well.
“So you can digest all types of meat?” Twilight asked, pushing down her growing feeling of unease.
“If cooked and not toxic, yes,” Hank answered honestly as he chewed on some corn and beans, “Hell I can digest human,” He laughed, “But I’ve never done…. That.”
A deeply buried and blurry memory coming forward Hank was instantly taken back to two years ago during that winter, his skin getting cold and stomach aching just at the thought as that thousand yard stare that was always at the back of his eyes suddenly became much, much, more prevalent as he bore a hole through the cabinets behind Granny.
“Hank…” AJ began not liking the tone of her friend’s voice at the end of that claim and really not liking what he was doing now, “What happened Hank?”
Completely dead to the outside world Hank continued to stare forward as his body became much more rigid. His mind blank of all memories of those he loved and cherished all that remained was cold sting of the icy air in his lungs, the pain of starvation, the fatigue and aches that came with the body cannibalizing itself to stay alive, the sensation of his ribs rubbing on the inside of the rough old jacket, and the cold weight of his legs as the snow on his boots and pants turned to solid ice.
The feeling of utter hopelessness taking over his mind Hank was brought back to the land of the living from his world of white as Mac’s hoof collided with his left knee finally hard enough on the stallion's tenth try, having to wind up and strike the man nearly full force.
Vision returned to the human, Hank’s eyes darted around in their sockets as they worked their hardest to pull in enough information for Hank’s scarred brain. Brain finally caught up, Hank slammed his eyes closed and brought a hand to his forehead trying to quell the raging headache that had popped up with a groan.
Hearing the others call out his name and other small blurbs of worry he held out his free hand signaling them to quiet down, “Just… gimme a minute.”
Squinting his eyes as much as possible to keep irritating light out, Hank reached for the glass of water that had been provided for him and slowly drank it, his stomach feeling like it was gonna empty itself the entire time.
Groaning some more Hank rested his elbows on the table and used his hands to cover his eyes as the migraine ever so slowly faded away.
“Aughhhh! Just get out of my fuckin’ head!” Hank half yelled as he leaned back in his chair in a position that would be looking up at the ceiling if he still didn’t have his eyes covered.
“Is this what I get for rammin’ all of that Codeine? Or was it the Hydrocodone? Huh? You tellin’ me that mixin’ quarter bottle of Jack and two pills a day for a month was a bad idea?”
Groaning again as his head throbbed one last time Hank slowly fluttered his open and temporarily ignored the looks of worry he was getting from the others, especially Twilight who had a solid idea of what opioids were and could understand just how bad what Hank had done to himself was.
Putting up his own finger in front of him at full arms extension Hank tracked the appendage around his field of view and tested how well his eyes were focusing by bringing it closer and then further away.
Satisfied that the little episode was truly over and that it wasn’t going to come back since his eyes were working normally.
“Oh goddamn,” Hank rubbed his head and looked over the table, “Been awhile since I had one of those.”
“Is that a lasting side effect of the opioid abuse?” Twilight immediately asked, not able to hold her curiosity back.
“Huh?” Hank turned and scowled at the purple mare, “I don’t fucking know, probably. That kind of thing always catches up to you. It’s maybe phycological… fuck off.” Hank answered in his angry and still in pain state, “Sorry, just leave me be, it’ll fade.”
“Why did you trail off when you were sayin’ that doc?” Applejack pushed again, not out of judgement, but pure concern.
“Are you okay hone- Hank?” Zecora asked softly, getting a slow thumbs up from the man.
Far more disgusted than anypony else at the table apparently rainbow scoffed and leaned back into her chair, “Did you seriously eat one of your own!?”
Grumbling to himself as the loud voice caused another jolt of pain to course through his head and even down his spine.
“Dashie please be a little quieter, loud noises really hurt when somepony has a migraine.” Fluttershy urgently said in her shushed tone looking between the blue pegasus and the human and he seemed to slowly be getting better.
“Did you not hear what he said!?” Just as loud as last time Rainbow tsked to her gentle friend, speaking over her as Fluttershy tried her best to quiet down the loudmouthed pegasus.
“Did you hear what he said Twi!?” Turning to her one ally through this all Rainbow looked for some confirmation.
“Yes, but please let him get over this migraine. They’re terrible.” Twilight replied feeling understandably off put and disgusted by the insinuation Hank had made but also sympathising with the pain a migraine could bring.
“No way! That’s sick! You ate somebody, what is the matter with you!” Dash spoke louder now addressing Hank directly.
Trying his best to keep control of himself he started to lose the battle as usual, his breathing becoming heavier and veins becoming more prominent as his blood pressure skyrocketed.
Knowing things were going to get ugly if Hank didn’t calm down Zecora started to get up from her chair to rush over to him and support him but knew that it was past that. Instead she turned her attention to Rainbow who was still antaginazing her man, “Hey! Hold your tongue, you deserve to cast no judgement!” Zecora angrily said in a barky accent filled sentence, her anger clouding her knowledge of Equish it made the sentence sound only more foriegn.
Instantly taking control of the room out of pure shock Zecora leaned back in her seat as the others tried to figure out if the gentle mild mannered zebra was actually capable of such a commanding tone.
Realizing that the yelling was done Zecora got out her seat and rushed over to Hank propping herself up on his thigh and embracing him the best she could at the awkward angle she started to work her magic at calming the man.
It was working well, Hank was calming down a little, his breathing was becoming more normal and his migraine slowly started to fade away all until Rainbow had to add one more smart comment.
“I wouldn’t invite a cannibal to dinner.” The comment coming from nowhere but the desire to get a one up over Hank, almost everybody reacted negatively to the comment looking to Rainbow with disgust. AJ, Mac, and Rarity being the most offended.
But for Hank, just like that, the ever smoldering ember roared to life. Muscles instantly firing Hank slammed his right fist into the thick wooden table and glared straight through the pegasus.
“I was starving to death!” The human growled, “ The frost killed everything! Animals, plants, all routes of travel, all movement! You’ve never known starvation and pure cold, waking up everyday feeling weaker and weaker as your body consumed itself to stay alive, watching powerless as your skin grew a new shade of grey and blue everyday while it dried and died in patches either splitting into painful cuts or bruising down to the bone!” Hank yelled to the pegasus and shot up from his chair causing the piece of furniture to slam into the wall behind him as he leaned over the table.
“I didn’t eat for a month, I could see every bone in my body, so on the last day I thought I’d ever have I set out for food or a place to die.” Hank’s chest heaved as he lived through the experience again in his head, “There was nothing but snow and ice for miles,no houses to scavenge, no game to hunt, no fucking daisies! But then I saw it, a dead infected lying in the road froze solid. It was either I partook in another one of life's fucked up tests and lived through the night or held onto my morality and fucking died!”
Snarling like a wild animal the table looked at the man soberly as he opened up about his previous life and what he had been through, “Don’t think for a second that it was easy cause it wasn’t! It wasn’t fucking easy!” His voice developing a small waver, Hank’s face turned from rage to sorrow and pain.
“You think I didn’t think about pushing past and trying to get to the few houses two miles away even if I knew I’d succumb to the blizzard? I did, more than you can possibly know. You think I was eager to pull out my hatchet and butcher a member of my species for no other reason than food? Even if it was an infected and if it were alive it would try to eat me with no second thought it was still the body of someone I fuckin’ knew!”
“Sorry Mr. Greene I’m gonna cut your leg off and cook it over a fire and eat it for the next three days. I’m sure you’d understand! Hey, remember when you’d pull all the kids around on your old tractor and hay rack through the parade? Remember that I was one of those kids not too long ago? Ha Ha Yeah now I’m here butchering you like a fucking hog!” Hank started to laugh a pain filled choking laugh, “Tell the misses I said ‘hi’, oh wait right she was eaten alive, right. Crazy times ya know? Oh well the grandkids, the brothers that were in my class: Tim and Casey… wait wait no I blew Tim’s head off when he tried biting my throat out and Casey? Poor poor Casey, I split him open with a machete, wish I could say I was sorry. Just what kids fuckin’ do these days...” Pushing the last sentence out through grit teeth Hank’s entire body felt strained and he was forced to stop to catch his breath as sweat started to bead up and roll down his beet red skin.
Looking over the ponies in front of him and seeing their various expressions of sadness from Granny shaking her head, tears in her eyes, to Rarity covering her mouth with one hoof and holding Pinkie with the other Hank didn’t care, if she wanted to push him, he’d tell her the truth.
Focusing on the blue one Hank did his best to level out his voice but failed miserably, “And here I fucking am in all of my horrible glory, I went to those houses after I got my strength back and the snow melted ya know, just for my own conscience. There was food there sure but also two nests of infected, about twenty or so of the bastards in total so that means that if I had pushed to the houses that day and didn’t get lost or succumb to the elements by some miracle the second I would have opened one of those doors I would’ve been eaten alive.”
Leaning forward further Hank hardened his gaze, “And I’ll tell you from experience being eaten really fucking hurts.” Pushing off the table and standing up straight Hank held his eyes closed and tried his best to calm himself as tears tried to escape.
Regaining control after a second Hank opened his eyes and looked down to his arms at the bites and few chunks that were missing as he remembered the pain of the injuries and events that surrounded them.
Sadness poured into Hank’s mind but was immediately converted to anger again as his brain did what it did best. Like a switch being flipped Hank’s hands clenched into fists and his jaw flexed as he grit his teeth.
Turning away from the table without a word he gently rubbed Zecora’s head as he passed before grabbing his rifle and heading for the door, “At least I make sure things are dead before I eat them.” Hank whispered, barely audible to the ponies at the table as they either watched him leave or stared down at their plates just contemplating what such pain is like to live through.
Following Hank to the door Zecora watched as he unlocked it and slipped outside before locking it again and closing it behind him. She knew he hurt greatly to some degree all the time either at the back of his mind, unconsciously, or if it were what he was actively thinking about.
It hurt her immensely as well because there was nothing she could really do other than simply be there for him. He wasn’t comfortable talking about it, and she was sure she wouldn’t know what to say even if he did open up. He said that just having heer around and seeing her helped more than she could understand and that it ‘kept him grounded’ but the zebra wished she could do more for the tormented man.