Twilight's study had grown to feel stagnant and uncomfortable as she had to deal with this new complication.

"That doesn't mean anything. Princess Celestia cares for every pony and all the creatures of Equestria. And she always knows more than she likes others to believe. Just because she didn't know the time the party would begin doesn't mean anything."

Luna should have expected Twilight to overreact like this.

"Twilight, calm down," she demanded. "This doesn't mean she is doing something nefarious. If anything, perhaps she is scared of something. She does, after all, have more experience and knowledge of humans than any of us."

Thinking more on the subject, Twilight added, "And she also has knowledge about the potential dangers of cross-dimensional travels. Is it possible that she once had a human friend long ago?"

"That... Hmm," Luna held off her comments, having never considered such a possibility. "That is something, if true, would explain much. It is hard to say, however. She has never spoken of her use of the mirror. It could very well be a painful memory she is keeping to herself. Nothing that can be done about that now, however. There are too many unknowns. Unless..."

"Unless, what?" Twilight asked.

Luna answered, but it was clear she was worried about Twilight intervening.

"Something that may need looking into back in Canterlot, Something only I would be able to investigate. However, if any discoveries are made, you will be made aware of them. And depending on what is found, it may be best to converse with you only in the dream realm."

Twilight was growing nervous again.

"Could it really be that serious?"

Luna put her suspicions aside for the time being.

"It is too early to say, Twilight. For now, let us focus on our human friends. There is much to do and much to consider with our magic-resistant friend. And if the others are just as resistant, it would be wise to ensure they remain our friends."

Twilight was afraid of what this could lead to.

"I hope you're not suggesting they would ever turn against us." Her eyes went wide at the thought of it, and she gasped. "A human like Cerb could be nearly unstoppable!"

Luna gave a coy smile.

"A magic-resistant warrior as skilled as Cerb would make a most amazing ally against the likes of Tirek or another Changeling attack. Would he not?"

Twilight was even more taken back by her response.

"Luna! You can't be serious! You would want to use Cerb as a weapon?!"

Luna almost laughed at the notion, but her voice came out just as gitty.

"Twilight, please. It would be a poor choice to attempt to use any of the humans as a weapon. But as an ally that is impervious to magic, that would be a wondrous deterrent from aggression."

Twilight answered in amazement.

"And so there would be almost no threat to them being injured. And Cerb has shown that he's capable of taking down even one of the strongest Earth ponies without injuring them."

It was a brilliant plan that Luna was elegantly proud to claim ownership of.

"None of the humans have shown any aggression towards ponies. They didn't even attack when Kelly was nearly mortally wounded. They have all shown restraint and kindness... Of course, we would not force them into anything they did not agree to or try to leverage our generosity for their compliance. But, particularly in regards to Mr. Cerberus, he has shown a level of acceptance to even consider Big Mac family. And we have seen the type of dedication and risk he is willing to take for those he cares about."

Twilight wasn’t sure how to move forward with this and asked, "Do you think he would fight for us if something were to happen?"

For Luna, it was a rhetorical question.

"Twilight, look at how close he has already become with Fluttershy and Rarity. Even Cadance and Shining Armor and the Apple family. All of you, honestly. What do you think?"

Twilight didn't have to think about it a second time. Everything about Cerb showed how much he cared about those around him.

"Yes. I wouldn't doubt it for even a second."

Still living in the moment, Luna added, "Fluttershy was correct in her assessment as well. Cerb is lost. He needs something to fight for. Something to defend. And with any luck, giving him a new purpose that brings about peace might be exactly what he needs to let go of his past."

With someone like Cerb, Twilight would have double the protection for Equestria if only... "Do you think Celestia will allow for this?"

Luna knew that question was going to come up and already knew what to say.

"This would not be something to simply place at the bottom of her throne and expect for her blessing. Not to mention, we know not what her true feelings are about our human friends. This would be something best worked in slowly. Let her see the benefits as they come so she believes them to be of her own discovery."

That sounded oddly familiar to Twilight.

"That sounds almost like we're trying to deceive her?"

Luna countered, "No more than she has been deceiving us. However, that would require much planning. And planning is what Mr. Cerberus needs to do now. And once we are sure he is ready for his departure, there is something else we may need to handle in his absence. Something I wish to address."

Twilight cocked her head slightly.

"Another mystery to solve?"

Luna lowered her gaze away from Twilight.

"No... Sadly, this is no mystery. Kelly was broken when she discovered what terrors that befell Cerb in his war. And I fear she knows not the depths of his suffering from what she has told me, and what I felt from him. And with him wandering off into the Everfree, I believe she is breaking yet again."

That all sounded like more tragedy and heartache to Twilight.

"I could only imagine what it must have been like to have a friend so close to you go through what he did. If that were to happen to any of the girls... I don't know what I would do."

"Yes," Luna agreed. "So, tell us what you know as of now. From there, we will see fit that you are given all that is needed to tend to their needs. Then we can join the others to assist with his departure."

Luna and Twilight had finished their discussions, left the study, and made their way to the stairs, and Twilight started a new conversation.

"I'm a little surprised that Sniff hasn't come by yet. I hope they were able to work everything out without us. Then again, they do have a knack for handling things on their own."

Luna followed close to Twilight’s side and shared her thoughts on the matter.

"Tis fascinating how they can at times appear to be so fragile, only to stand up and show themselves to be practically invulnerable to what life has given them. And as to Sniff's comment, it would be wonderful to have them visit."

Twilight smiled brightly and nodded. She was about to make more conversation about what they could do to help them return when she noticed the commotion of many voices and the clattering of hooves running about downstairs.

Luna noticed the bustling of busybodies as well.

"Were you throwing another party today?"

"No," Twilight answered, growing more curious herself. "I have no idea what's going on down there."

They both hurried themselves to the railing and looked down and saw a mix of ponies and humans working together. Chris had amassed a large crowd of mares around him, taking turns making comments that he would take notes on. Lumberman and Applejack walked in with what looked like camping gear and hiking supplies. Sniff passed the two of them, walking out with Mayor Mare accompanied by Helix Ray.

Starlight's voice spoke up from behind them, and a box full of random items she was carrying.

"Twilight. Luna, it's about time you two finished up. We could really use your help organizing everything."

"Organizing what?" Twilight asked.

Starlight held back her laughter, knowing what was happening would get to Twilight, and started back down the stairs. "Oh, ho-ho-ho. I think we finally found someone who puts your over-planning and organization skills to shame."

"What?!" Twilight shouted and then teleported next to Starlight, following along next to her. "Can you at least fill me in on what's going on first?"

"It's Cerberus," Starlight answered. "All of this you see here, is his doing. He's started asking questions about everything he needed to know about this trip and everypony jumped at the chance to help out once they found out why he was going into the Everfree."

As they entered the throne room, even more busybodies were moving about. Rainbow Dash and Thunder Glide were hovering in front of a map they had tacked to the wall, making marks and drawing lines while instructing assignments to at least a dozen pegasi sitting and taking notes. On the other side of the room, Roseluck stood over a blanket with a collection of flowers and other plants. With her sat a circle of Earth ponies watching her prune and bind the flora together. Lastly, in the center of the room over the map table was Cerb and Fluttershy, with Cadance and Shining talking and pointing out different areas over the Everfree.

Twilight walked up to the table and addressed the four.

"What is going on here? What's everypony doing in my castle?"

Shining all but exploded in excitement.

"Twilly! You have got to see this! Cerb is a military genius!"

Luna's voice spoke up from behind and drew all of their attention.

"A genius, you say?"

Cadance answered, walking up between the two late arrivals.

"Yes. We thought we would help Cerb get ready for his travel. Give him some information on what to expect. Maybe some food and supplies. But there was so much more he said he needed to know before setting hoof out in the Everfree."

Shining finished making a point about one of the locations on the map before moving over to add more praise for Cerb.

"Intel on reports of any attacks in the Everfree. Recent events. Topography. Weather forecast. Local support in the area. Known safe houses and locations. Plants and wildlife threats. There's so much I never would have thought to ask for! I've never seen a planning process so in-depth to minimize danger. He even has a five-paragraph brief for this." He turned back to Cerb. "What did you call it? A Smick?"

Cerb finished marking something on a piece of paper.

"Smee-ack. S.M.E.A.C. Situation. Mission. Execution. Administration and Logistics. Command and Signal. It's a simple document that tells you what's happening, what we have to do, how we plan on doing it, how we get support, and who's in charge of what."

Benny walked up from behind with Pinkie bouncing up and down behind, carrying a tray of cupcakes balanced on her head.

"Good, you're both here. We're running into a snag with our plans for our primary route. The Castle of the Two Sisters." He laid down what looked like a recently drawn map. "No one can tell us if it's a safe place to set up as our C.O.C. and primary overwatch station."

Pinkie grabbed a cupcake with her hair, popped it in her mouth, and started to speak with her mouth full, “It’s a Command Operations Center. Benny has lots of acronyms for just about everything.”

Luna leaned in to take a closer look at the map.

"An overwatch? Could you explain, please?"

Rainbow Dash fluttered in and looked over the map again.

"Hold on, Benny. I want to make sure I got this all right." She looked up to Luna before pointing back to the map. "Okay, so, Fluttershy and Cerb will be walking the entire way to all the locations, and most of it will be alone. They need some ponies to watch for threats they can't see around them. So, an overwatch is mostly a stationary position from an elevated location, where they can keep track of the patrol party. If any danger approaches, then overwatch can send in a warning signal or a react team to engage the threats if they need support. Right, Benny?"

Benny answered with a proud smile.

"You nailed it," he offered a bro-fist to her bro-hoof. "Cerb and Flutters won't be a patrol party for this, but the same concept applies."

"Fascinating," Luna approved. "So, is that what all these markings on the map are for?"

Shining stepped up for this one, overly excited to explain.

"Oh, Luna. This is one of the most genius parts of his plan. So, if you look here, all the most important items are marked and numbered. A square is where friendly forces will be. The diamonds are hostiles. Stars are where we've had reports of recent activity. The plus signs are for landing zones for our pegasus support teams. Normally they're for the flying machines humans have, but we decided to use them for ponies anyway. And then these triangles that point to the right are the rally points where they plan on meeting up to check in with us."

Twilight looked over the map and all the symbols.

"Check-in? I thought the whole plan was to go alone?"

This part Fluttershy wanted to answer.

"For most of the trip, we will have to go alone. But after talking with Cerb and how in-depth his plan for this was going to be. We figured that if we could get help from all of you and some of the other ponies around town. We could safely gather a lot more of the items we need and have them taken back at different checkpoints. That way, we'd have more medicine for Becky, and it would make traveling a lot easier for Cerb if he didn't have to carry as much all the time."

Luna had another follow-up question.

"You said you are alone for only most of the trip? When would you not be going alone?"

Fluttershy hovered over the map and pointed with a hoof as she started to explain, "Well, I couldn't be certain about how much Coltshoof we could find at the edge of Rambling Rock Ridge. If we can't find enough, there's another spot on the other side of the river that runs through here. Unfortunately, the vines that grow in that are too dangerous for just the two of us. So if we really have to go that way, we would wait or camp out until we can get more help to come and escort us through."

Luna was overwhelmingly impressed.

"You two have placed a considerable amount of thought into this."

Fluttershy backed off over to Cerb's side.

"Oh, no. This is all Cerb's doing. All we did was tell him what we know."

Twilight scanned the room again.

"So, every pony here is helping with the planning?"

Fluttershy stated warmly, "Most of them are. Everypony with Chris is providing all the information I couldn't cover about the dangerous creatures in the Everfree. Mostly about the Timberwolves. They're likely to be the most common threat we'd run into. Cerb said to ask them where they most frequently appear. That way, we know which areas to avoid."

Twilight pointed, "And Applejack?"

Fluttershy looked at the tent being set up, "Applejack is gathering some of the gear Cerb and Benny didn't have with them."

Twilight pointed again, "Mayor Mare?"

"Oh—” Fluttershy brightened up and pushed a box full of papers into view from under the table. “—She's been very helpful. She's shared with us some of the older maps of Ponyville. Some of them were marked with safe paths through the Everfree, and even some of the dangers to look out for, like pitfalls and manticore dens. Plus, she’s been directing us towards the ponies most likely to help us with other things."

She flew a few feet up to get a better look at the Earth ponies on the other side of the room.

"Mayor Mare told us that Roseluck and her other friends know the most about preserving flowers for travel. She even has some experience with harvesting herbs." She came back to the floor and rubbed shoulders with Rainbow Dash. "And Dash said she would help organize the pegasi to hold the overwatch stations, help control the weather, pass messages if anything happened, and even help carry off some of the lighter supplies we'll be collecting."

Starlight finally dropped her box onto the table.

"And I have been working on the signaling methods. "She used her magic to pull out a kite. "Since neither of them can use magic, I've been coming up with different enchantments to keep a kite in the sky so we can locate them in case of an emergency or if they're ready for a pickup or a resupply."

Thunder Glide stepped up to the table.

"When the kites go up, they'll release smoke during the day or glow at night. Red for medical emergencies. Purple if they're in danger. Yellow for a resupply. Green for a pickup. And blue if they're having trouble with anything else or need to send a message."

"Well, well," Luna smiled at the sight of her previously frustrated combatant. "It's nice to see you've put your hostilities aside and decided to help."

Thunder Glide huffed, "No disrespect, Princess, but I'm still plenty mad about not having the chance to prove myself. However, Shining and Cadance talked to me and set me straight on why I shouldn't hold it against him."

Fluttershy rolled her eyes away from Thunder Glide.

"They weren't the only ones to talk to her."

Cadance had wrapped her forelegs around Rarity's waste and was trying to pull her back.

"Rarity! Calm down! It wasn't a threat!"

Thunder Glide continued to edge away from a wave of pins, needles, scissors, and other sharp sewing tools.

"I just wanted to have a chance to spar with him. I wasn't threatening him!"

Rarity snarled and bore her teeth, continuing to hold the mare at bay.

"I know it wasn't a threat! If it were! I would have dragged your carcass back to my shop and turned your skin into a hat!"

Cerb pinched the bridge of his nose.

"I'm still not going to hit a woman, but we agreed to have Thunder Glide join us in our training sessions... Pending Rarity's approval."

Twilight looked around the room again.

"Where is Rarity?"

Cadance smiled the kind of smile that screamed how much she was downplaying what she was about to say.

"Rarity needed some time away to calm herself with something she enjoys. So, she's back at her place to modify Cerb's old uniform for this outing?"

That caught Luna’s attention, and she asked, "Modify your old uniform? What kind of modifications would you need?"

Cerb stated calmly as he thought back to the days when he was still serving.

"I'll always be proud to wear my uniform. However, since I'm not active duty, I am not authorized to wear any uniform that would identify me as such. At least not for anything that has not been cleared by an approving authority."

Rainbow Dash's ears perked up and promptly cocked themselves at odd angles.

"I still don't understand that."

Benny groaned and facepalmed.

"His old uniform has patches sewn on them that say U.S. Marines. By instruction, those have to be removed if he wears it anywhere that is not approved by the military. That's all."

"Oh," Rainbow Dash said disappointedly. "Why didn't you just say that?"

Cerb brushed over Rainbow Dash's question.

"Moving on. The last few things we have to work out is getting your okay to have some of the locals, who wanted to help, go out and collect the heavier packs when we’re done."

Twilight, somehow was surprised Cerb would think he needed her permission and asked, "You're asking me? Why would you ask me?"

Cerb darted his eyes between everyone else around the table.

"They're your citizens, Princess. I'm helping Fluttershy with this. I don't have the right to ask anyone else to put themselves in danger. At least not without your approval after I show you the plan."

Twilight was suddenly intrigued.

"What exactly is your plan?"

It didn't take long for all the other groups to join together in the throne room to begin the mission briefing. Cerb started it off no differently than he would have if he were briefing his unit back in the core. He ran through the list of items to be addressed. The indigenous dangers were covered by Chris and Starlight. Cerb actually took notes of his own since he wasn't there to gather the intel they were providing. Rainbow Dash took over for the overwatch portion, sighting what their job was going to be and who would be where. Then the bulk of how every job would be conducted and what to expect for all the standard procedures was covered by Cerb. Lastly, Shining closed off the briefing to remind everypony why it was so important to make sure this was successful and the lives it would be impacting.

At the end, the groups broke off again, and Twilight approached Cerb.

"I can't believe how thorough your plan is. Primary routes, three alternate routes, standard operating procedures responding to signals, how to enter a space, redundancies for all of the operations you're conducting? How did you come up with all of this so fast?"

Cerb handed a clipboard back to Benny.

"Practice, mostly. There were months where nearly every day, I would lead my squad out for patrols or other missions. We had to do this right. Doing it wrong meant people got killed. All I needed was the proper intel and some help from the locals to figure out what the best course of action for success was with the lowest level of risk."

"Mr. Cerbrus," a familiar voice chimed in. "I had to dig around for a while, but I found one that works."

Twilight looked over to see Lyra Heartstrings trotting up with a small box.

"Lyra?"

Lyra cheerfully returned the greeting.

"Oh, Hi-ya, Twilight." She opened the box up for Cerb to look into. "This is what you need, right?"

Cerb reached in and pulled out a compass.

"So long as it points north, this is exactly what I need. Thank you so much. How much do I owe you?"

Lyra tried laughing it off.

"Pft. Please. Just bring it back when you're done. Oh, how much did I miss?"

Cerb examined the compass as he spoke.

"The whole mission brief. Your friend... Uh—"

"Bon Bon,” Lyra corrected him.

Satisfied, Cerb put the compass in his pocket.

"Yeah, Bon Bon. She was here for it, and she can fill you in." He took a glance at his watch, looking as if he had someplace to be."Unfortunately, I gotta run out and get an exam soon."

Fluttershy, not having a watch of her own, asked, "Is it already that time?"

Cerb called over to his second in command for planning this operation.

"Benny! Medical appointment. Let's go. You too, Dash. Fly on ahead and tell Becky we're on our way."

Twilight was incredibly out of the loop now.

"Medical appointment? When did you arrange for that? Sniff and I were just there this morning. And we didn't even get an appointment set up for him."

Sniff answered, "That's on me. I reached out to Nurse Redheart and let her know what was going on. Since Cerb is going out and Benny is to stay with the C.O.C., they're getting looked at tonight. Heaven forbid something happens; they'll have a nice and healthy record to review in case of any injuries or whatever the fuck else could happen out there."

Applejack threw herself into the conversation.

"Mind the language, would ya, please. No need get'en all worked up over nuthin that hasn't happened."

Lumberman joined Applejack at her side.

"Ain't nuthing bad gunna happen."

Cerb added on to that train of thought, "That's the plan, at least. Oh, Starlight. If you want to keep working on the signals, please do. I'll let Chris know we're going to meet up with Becky at the hospital so we can get checked out." He turned back to Sniff. "And you staying or going?"

Sniff looked back at the rest of the ponies, still toiling away.

"Nah, I think I'm better suited staying behind. Benny's the best at keeping everyone organized. But I'm probably the next best thing until he gets back. Plus, we still need to go over the rest of the camping gear to see what's missing. Not to mention, Twiggels, no doubt, misses my charm and wit."

Twilight scoffed, "Your charm and wit? Sorry, but your Princess is in another castle."

Sniff feigned insult through an Italian accent. "Mama Mia. We shared a wonderful evening together, I bring you breakfast, and you're already pushing me away? I thought we had something special."

Twilight may have grown to like him more, but this wasn't the time to be playing around like he was. "What? Peter, please don't make a scene over a little joke."

Sniff blinked a few times, looking at Twilight before turning to Luna.

"Hey, aren’t you technically a Princess in another castle?"

Luna chuckled.

"Sniff. I'm quite certain that Twilight—"

Sniff quickly raised his hands and danced his fingers in front of Luna.

"Magic... Fingers," He teased in a smooth, sultry voice.

Luna's eyes brightened, "—is... so busy these days, and we have so many rooms in the Canterlot Castle. I seem to remember Celestia even offering—"

Twilight stomped her hoof.

"Peter! Stop teasing the Princes of the night!"

Cerb looked down at Lyra, who had been trying so hard not to laugh.

"Can you do me a favor and make sure this fool doesn't try to catch a ride to Canterlot or stow away in Luna's luggage while we're gone?"

Lyra shrugged, "Uhhhhh, sure. I guess." She looked over to her partner in crime. "Hey! Bon Bon! I'm on foal-sitting duty for the dancer guy! You wanna help?"

"Open your mouth and say Ahh."

"Ahhhhhh."

"Any soreness in the cheeks, jaw, neck, or throat?"

"No."

"Any history of pain in those areas?"

"No."

"Any physical trouble breathing through your... hmm, sorry," Nurse Redheart backed away from Cerb to make another note from her examination. "I completely forgot that you humans don't have a snout. And I don't know what I'm looking for, specifically, to check his breathing passages."

Becky pulled open an anatomy book and thumbed through the pages until she came to a cutaway that showed the nasal passages.

"It looks like ours are smaller than the average ponies. Both in length and diameter. But you just have to look inside to make sure nothing looks inflamed or irritated. It'd look puffy or cracked and either a lot more red than what you see now or a yellow or green discoloration if there was a nasty infection."

Cerb butted into the conversation to try and speed things up.

"My breathing is fine. And not that I don't appreciate all your doing, Nurse, but how long is this going to take?"

"Cerb," Nurse Redheart addressed him while looking through some of his papers. "Or do you prefer Justin or Mr. Husk?"

Cerb started to fidget with his hand and cracked his knuckles.

"Any of those are fine. Just not Mr. Cerberus. Just sounds weird."

"Mr. Husk," Fluttershy suggested, not hiding the irritation in her voice. "I think that would be most appropriate."

Nurse Redheart replied, narrowly holding back a sneer from yet another interjection from Ponyville's volunteer vet.

"Of course. This is a hospital, after all. Best to be professional."

Becky suddenly seemed nervous.

"Alright, so, for the next part, I really don't know if you like the idea of me being here for it... Cuz... You know."

Three knocks tapped on the door before it opened, and Doctor Horse walked in.

"Sorry about having to step out. We had another patient come in that required my attention. Where are we at now?"

Becky answered and handed over a chart she’d been keeping notes on.

"We just finished up the respiratory inspection, Doctor. Everything came out clear."

Doctor Horse beamed brightly over the results, "Outstanding news. And is the patient willing to perform the next set of inspections, or will we be moving onto the x-rays?"

Fluttershy noticed how awkward both Becky and Cerb looked at the question just asked, "What's the next inspection?"

Doctor Horse didn't have any issue being blunt with the answer, "The next item on the list would be a full-body inspection without the patients' garments covering him."

Still sitting on the examination table, Cerb answered, "Yeah, doc. If it's just a visual inspection, I'm fine with it."

After reviewing the books and seeing mostly only illustrations, Doctor Horse was ecstatic to hear that.

"Splendid. Might we bring in the others? Just for their own familiarity, visually. Becky also explained to us before her own examination the sensitivities your species has with nudity. You have the option of only males or females to do the inspection if one or the other makes you feel more comfortable."

Becky spoke up again, "Hey, Justin. If you want me to step out, believe me, I understand."

Doctor Horse was still focused on having the inspection performed and offered, "If you don't feel comfortable removing all of your clothing, you can leave on your undergarments. Having a full understanding of your anatomy would be preferred, but you're under no obligation to, just so we're clear."

Still, without an answer, Becky admitted, "I couldn't do it. Just bra and panties... at least around the male doctors."

Cerb stopped her from trying to over-explain.

"It's fine, Becky. And doc... Whatever you think is best."

Doctor Horse opened the door for the group.

"Right. Well then. Could you follow us down the hall to a larger examination room? We're slowly starting to learn about some of the various medical procedures described in Miss Landon's books. So having a better view would help them in case there is ever a need to perform an operation."

"Sure," Cerb said, sliding off the table. "Lead the way."

"Thank you, Mr. Husk," Nurse Redheart said, following alongside. "This means a lot to our medical team."

Walking toward the door, Nurse Redheart could see an uneasy look on Fluttershy's face. Some level of fear and anger under all her confusion.

"Oh, yes." Nurse Redheart stopped and looked at Fluttershy. "We would appreciate you joining us, so long as Mr. Husk approves."

Fluttershy snapped to attention.

"Me?"

Nurse Redheart stumbled for a moment, somehow at a loss for words.

“Mr. Husk, we… We all have medical training for ponies. Some have additional education for griffins... but after our inspection with Becky, we came to discover how limited our understanding of your body's features are compared to ours."

Cerb stood at the doorway, wondering why the obvious was being stated like this.

"And?"

Nurse Redheart sighed, "While she may not be a doctor or even a nurse, Fluttershy has far more experience with providing care to non-ponies. She would most likely have a better idea on addressing your medical needs."

Doctor Horse suddenly had the appearance of looking desperate.

"Please, don't view this as any reason to doubt our capabilities to provide care for you and your friends. Your kind just so happens to be uniquely different in ways we don't yet understand."

Cerb looked down at Fluttershy, clearly uncomfortable at all the new pressure being put on her.

"I trust Fluttershy probably more than any other pony here. So long as she doesn't mind, I'm fine with her being there for the strip show."

Becky facepalmed, "Oh, God, Cerb. Don't call it that."

Cerb acted like this was all a joke.

"Ah, come on. How far off is it?"

Fluttershy finally answered, "I can come along if it makes you feel more comfortable. I mean... If you don't mind, that is."

If the jokes weren’t flying, Cerb thought simply being honest would work better at this point.

"Flutters, if worse comes to worst out there, it's better you know what I'm supposed to look like without a broken bone or dislocated shoulder."

Fluttershy squeamed at the thought of such an injury, "Please don't say that. Seeing Kelly was bad enough. I don't know what I would do if anything were to happen to you out there... I'd never forgive myself."

Cerb leaned over and lifted Fluttershy's face up from under her chin.

"Hey. Plan for the best, be prepared for the worst... Come on."

Fluttershy stood up and followed the others out to the next room.

Seeing another chance to bring back some levity to the situation Cerb spoke up, addressing Fluttershy, "Also, now that I'm thinking about it. Someone's gotta be there in case Pinkie Pie shows up."

"Hmm?" Fluttershy inquired wordlessly.

Cerb went back to making jokes.

"Or some other crazed mare that goes looking for my lever."

Becky backhanded Cerb in the chest.

"Stop it."

Cerb laughed, "What? I make jokes when I get nervous."

Becky threatened him, though clearly joking, "Yeah, keep making jokes, and I'll call Pinkie over myself."

Cerb mock laughed, "And lose your twenty bits? Yeah, right."

Becky fired back and made a kissy face.

"Oh, like you'd be so heartbroken over losing."

Rubbing the lump Kelly gave him, Cerb said, "Can't be worse than getting punched in the back of the head. And I ain't helping my case with all of this today, am I?"

Becky turned around and held the door open for him, sporting a shit-eating grin.

"Nope."

Inside the room, Cerb was directed under a set of lights. Before him stood more than a dozen doctors and nurses. There was a mix of expressions ranging from excited, curious, and even a few who seemed to have no real emotion at all.

Doctor Horse levitated up a wand for pointing, "Miss Landon. If you would be so kind as to educate us on our patient."

Cerb groaned as he walked over behind a privacy curtain to disrobe.

"Come on, Becks. Let's get this over with."

A minute later, Cerb walked out in just his boxers.

"Sorry, I'm sure there's gonna be a lot to go over before this needs to come off."

Doctor Horse wasn’t bothered by the display, or the limited view, as it were.

"That's perfectly fine, Mr. Husk."

For the next forty minutes, Becky did an entire review of all the essential parts of human anatomy and muscle groups. There was even a breakdown of the various scars over his torso and back. Each scar was given an explanation of what type of internal damage likely would have occurred and the dangers of such injuries.

With the simple stuff complete, Becky asked, "Any questions?"

Nurse Redheart raised a hoof.

"Miss Landon, I'm rather confused as to the lethality of such injuries you described on Mr. Husk. From first hoof experience, the patient Kelly Bardwell had significantly fewer injuries with only one major point of blood loss. How was Mr. Husk able to survive withstanding significantly more traumatic and damaging injuries?"

A collection of concerned comments were shared between the group.

One of the doctors in the back asked, "Is it because of the size difference between males and females of your species?"

Another asked, "Are the males of your species naturally more resilient to injuries?"

Cerb answered loud enough to end their barrage of questions, "I should have died... There were a lot of things that went into play that kept me alive. Rapid medical assistance, blood transfusions, a ventilator to keep me breathing, and access to a trauma team of seasoned surgeons that had a lot of practice stitching together wounded fighters like me. Even after that got me stable, I still needed multiple surgeries... It's a miracle I'm alive. So don't bet on anyone to get hit like this and make it out no matter what you do. Because there were too many that weren't as fortunate as me. Even those with fewer injuries than I had."

Another unicorn doctor in the back poked her head up with another question. "How can—"

Cerb cut her off abruptly.

"I'd rather we move on to finishing the examination of my current condition than reviewing my trauma. No offense. But it was my understanding that this was to help you all get familiar with human anatomy in case something happens to me out there. Nothing about what happened with these scars is going to help you with that."

The unicorn poked her head up again. "We only—"

Becky cut the doctor off this time, "Anything you want to know, I can fill you in later. With all due respect, that's not relevant to what he's here for. And he still has plenty of work to do before tomorrow morning."

Doctor Horse jumped in to take control of the situation.

"Doctor... Our patient has made it clear that we will not be discussing that right now. So... if you're ready, Mr. Husk."

Becky averted her eyes as soon as Cerb had his thumbs under the elastic bands. Then, without hesitation or any grand displays, his boxers hit the floor.

At first, nothing was said. None of the staff knew what to say or how to react. They all merely stared at this grand mystery that had just been revealed to them.

Nurse Snowheart, an Earth pony mare with an off-yellow coat and mane and tail of light-blue with a white stripe, and a white ball shape surrounded with four hearts spoke up.

"Was this due to one of your injuries?" She nurse asked as if though she took pity on the sight.

Cerb looked down at his exposed genitals.

"Could you be a bit more specific?"

Doctor Horse spoke with an uneasy wavering of his voice.

"Mr. Husk. Your..."

Cerb finally took in the obvious.

"Oh, that. No. That's normal for us. We're not built like you down there."

A pegasus doctor stepped off to the side so she could get a better look.

"Is it always in this state?"

Having to explain his penis was more embarrassing than Cerb ever would have imagined.

"I'm guessing you mean, is it always out like this. And yes. Ours can't be pulled back into our body."

Sweetheart, another nurse in the room, clearly confused, asked, "Pulled in?" She turned with a curious look at Doctor Horse.

Nurse Redheart's eyes lowered, and she forced her ears back.

Cerb sighed as he reached down for his boxers.

"Well, this was a mistake."

"Wait," Fluttershy ordered, making Cerb freeze in mid-squat.

The sudden outburst drew all the attention to Fluttershy from everyone in the room. She held her head a bit higher, and with a single twitch of her right ear, she took a step forward.

"Can you... stand up again?"

The request came on so suddenly at the oddest time, and Cerb asked, "Is something wrong?"

Whatever was going on, it finally drew Becky's attention to look at Cerb.

"Your leg," Fluttershy said, trotting over. "What happened to them?"

Cerb looked down and covered himself with his hands, leaving the scars on his leg in view.

"The scars?"

Indeed it was the scars that caught Fluttershy's attention, but something else as well.

"You were injured here." She pointed with a hoof to his upper inner thighs. "It changes the way you walk, doesn't it? What happened?"

It took a second for Cerb to pull from memory how to answer.

"It's shrapnel from the bullets. Same thing that cut my arms up."

Fluttershy looked over the specks and streaks of scars on his legs.

"But shouldn't everything have healed once they pulled the pieces out?"

A little more explanation was needed from Cerb on this.

"No... Most of the metal's still in there. They usually leave a lot of it in there because it can do more damage to cut them out."

Fluttershy raised a hoof to his leg but stopped short.

"Oh. Umm... Is it okay if I..."

Cerb looked at her, clearly uncomfortable.

"I'm not going to hurt you," Fluttershy said. "I just noticed something when you moved."

She placed her hoof on his inner thigh over the scars.

"Move down again like you did before.“ She felt the muscles move as he squatted down. “Okay, and now back up again."

She backed away a few feet and examined both of his legs from the knees up.

"Can you move your hands away and do that again?"

"Fluttershy," Nurse Redheart spoke up. "What exactly are you having the patient do? We already did an examination of his range of motion."

"Somethings wrong," Fluttershy answered. "I didn't notice it when he was covered up... Becky, can you come over and tell me if you see the same thing?"

Becky joined Fluttershy in front of Cerb.

"What am I looking for?"

This was beyond awkward and embarrassing for Cerb, and he was profoundly regretting agreeing to this now.

Fluttershy pointed just below the scars.

"His right leg, when he lowers down. Cerb, can you do it again?" She asked, never taking her eyes off of him.

Begrudgingly, he did what was asked of him. As he lowered himself again, he paid closer attention and could feel what she was looking at.

Fluttershy pointed with the tip of her wing.

"There. That muscle. The lower part by his knee tenses up, and so does the top near his hips. But the center doesn't move right. It only contracts when he gets down low. Justin, how often do you work these muscles?"

Cerb answered bluntly, "I run almost every day?"

Fluttershy lamented as she rubbed her hoof up and down his inner thigh.

"No-No-No. Your body is very different from a pony's, but there are similarities that I can see. Although, an injury like this is more common with a cheetah if they tear a muscle or a hamstring. But this is much worse. Does it hurt all the time?"

Watching Fluttershy walking around him while looking him over more closely, Cerb answered, "Not all the time. But I'm used to the pain. I just deal with it."

Cerb froze as he felt Fluttershy's hoof come down on his lower back and run down low enough to touch his ass cheeks.

"Did you used to have a tail?" Fluttershy asked.

Cerb covered himself up again and turned himself away from Fluttershy.

"What? No. Humans don't have tails."

This was a better question for Becky to answer.

"Our spines are different. We have a tailbone, but it's completely different from the tailbones you have."

"Oh," Fluttershy answered, still not fully understanding it all. "Well, that's the only thing that I noticed then. But I'll ask Aloe and Lotus if they can see you tonight. I don't think the damage done can be fully healed, being how long they've been like this. But that doesn't mean that having those muscles worked over won't help. Since not all of the muscles are working correctly, other muscles are being overworked. And that can cause the tension to spread down to the knees, up into the hips, and even into the back. If that happens when we're in the Everfree, it can make carrying what we gather a lot harder. Maybe even further the injuries."

That was Cerb’s limit, and he asked, "So, are we done?"

Fluttershy answered while looking over the back of his thighs and calves, "I can't think of anything else we can do. There might be more I can find if we did some stretches and start doing yoga. I could help more then, but you should be fine for now. A good massage tonight should be more than enough to prevent any injuries from occurring tomorrow."

Seeing that Cerb was mentally done with this portion, Doctor. Horse spoke up to end this portion.

"Yes. I do believe that will do for today in here. Although, we would very much appreciate you coming back for another more thorough examination."

This whole affair was not something Cerb wanted to repeat, feeling this time was necessary.

"I appreciate all the effort and consideration for the welfare of myself and my friends. But I think at this point in time, I'd prefer to do this on a as-needed basis."

Doctor Horse confirmed Cerb's request with a nod.

"Very well. If you would please, you may put on your clothes, and we will continue this into the x-ray room. After that, Miss Landon would like to provide training on performing a blood draw... Something we've never done before. We will be waiting for you while you change."

As the ponies began to file out and Cerb returned behind the curtain, Becky tapped Fluttershy on the shoulder.

"Could you give me and Cerb a minute?"

Fluttershy started to back out.

"Oh, sure... Is everything alright?"

"Yes," Becky said. "Just something personal I'd rather talk to him about alone. Nothing bad."

Fluttershy politely obliged and made her way out with the others, leaving the two humans to themselves.

Once alone, Becky ran her fingers through her hair.

"Wow... I can't believe you actually did it."

Cerb spoke up from behind the curtain, "Becks... Don't get me wrong. I have a lot of faith in what I'm doing after all the support we got in preparation for tomorrow. And while there is a lot of risks I'd be willing to take to get you the shit out there, that I pray to God will help you, don't think I'd be dumb enough to walk out for a suicide mission."

Becky rolled her eyes.

"You say that, and yet you're still going."

"Yes," Cerb said firmly, walking out into the open again. "And yeah, I'm honestly a little scared right now. But I trust... God, I can't believe how fucked up everything is. I'm actually putting my trust into a cartoon horse come to life."

Becky spun in place and then turned back to him.

"Why?"

Cerb hung his head and looked at her, asking for some understanding.

"Come on, Becky. Think about it. How much of your meds do you have left?"

"No," Becky lowered her voice. "I mean, why are we all so trusting? Just sitting around and playing card games or having a place to sleep for the night is one thing. And don't get me wrong, I'm just as guilty for over-trusting Rainbow Dash. But Cadance and Shining want to take you and me to another side of this continent, damn near. Celestia offered Sniff a place to live with her, and I don't know if she was even joking or not. And Fluttershy is taking you away from us into the death forest? I don't like the idea of them splitting us up. Even if they're trying to cure me or give you therapy or what the fuck ever."

Cerb took a deep breath and nodded his head.

"I share your concerns. I'm not stupid. I know everything doesn't add up. I know they're keeping secrets. And some of them are getting way too familiar with us."

Becky tilted her head and made the jerking-off motion.

"You mean like getting felt up in front of me?"

"No," Cerb answered with a touch of irritation. "I mean, like Pinkie getting dangerously close to finding out that stupid lever joke is about my dick. And that one out there—" He pointed out to the hallway. "—is the only one that's done a fucking thing to keep her off me. And that is so fucked up because neither one of them knows what the fuck is really going on."

Becky sighed, "I still don't get how none of them seem to understand what sex is... or at least only have the most broken and fragmented concepts of it."

Cerb admitted with a mix of emotions that weren't clear, "Sniff kind of said the same thing... Sort of. And I guess that would explain the lack of a reaction from Fluttershy just a minute ago."

Becky chuckled.

"Guess I'm not winning those twenty bits after all," she stated as a joke. "But honestly," Becky became serious again. "How messed up is your body from everything? We never talk about it."

Cerb sighed and finished putting his shirt on.

"I can breathe. I can run. I still got all my limbs. And last time I checked, my dick still works. So aside from the pain and numbness and fucked up nerves here and there, I can deal."

"I'm serious," Becky reiterated with a bit of a pause to let Cerb think over his response. "Are you a hundred percent for this?"

Cerb flexed his right arm and slapped his bicep to show it off. "I'm better than I was after all the physical therapy. And even at that point, I was good enough to reenlist. Believe me. I asked."

Becky felt her heart sink.

"Jesus Christ, Justin. You didn't."

Cerb shrugged, "Cleared everything but the psych board."

Becky shook her head and looked at him like he knew how crazy he sounded.

"And yet you still want to go out there?"

"Becky," Cerb spoke her name with a level of exhaustion she wasn't expecting. "What else am I gonna do? Hmm? Just sit around making cupcakes and talk about my feelings as the doctors here look you over and say, 'Well, holy shit. We don't have a fucking clue what we're doing.' All the while, you run out of meds, and Fluttershy comes back with a bag of tea, hoping that it's enough to keep you going until we get back home? If we even can get back home."

Still trying to control her voice, Becky snapped at Cerb, "I'm sorry. Fucking sorry, alright. But right now, you're the only one who really knows what the fuck is going on with all this. Everyone around you is trying to bring all the pieces together, but we can't all see it like you do... All you had to do was explain this shit to us, and you could have avoided all of this extra drama and Kelly having to relive the fear of you not coming home again."

Cerb huffed and turned to look away from Becky.

"Kelly will be fine."

Becky glared back at Cerb.

"You need to talk to her before you leave. Calm her down before she actually breaks something."

Cerb glared back at Becky.

"Like what?"

Becky answered while balling a fist up in front of Cerb's face.

"Like her goddamn hand. Fuck'n Big Mac carried her in before you and Benny showed up. Her hand's all messed up now after decking you. I thought she did break it, but she just jammed it. Like an idiot, as the consensus seems to be."

Cerb closed his eyes and grumbled.

“Goddamnit. Twenty-eight years old and still acts like a fucking toddler when she doesn’t get her way.”

Becky didn't want to keep dragging this conversation on and knew she was keeping the others waiting longer than appropriate.

"Look. I know you'll be fine out there. No matter what happens, you'll make it back to us in one piece. I just wish... you would actually fucking talk to us. Not just Benny or Lumberman. I mean... If, for whatever reason, you can't talk to us, and you can only do it with any of the ponies here that are all wrapped up over you, then whatever. So long as they actually help you."

Cerb grit his teeth, "I got a handle on it."

"Barely," Becky snapped again. "Oh, and after you do this. You better follow up on that shit. Because if you don't let them help you, I'm not gonna have your back the next time you pull a stunt like this."

Cerb cocked an eye, not knowing if that was a threat.

"What do you mean?"

Doctor Horse spoke up among the crowd.

"Fluttershy, your attention to detail and immaculate diagnosis are both impressive and worthy of praise. You truly are a master of your craft."

Fluttershy graciously accepted the compliment.

"Why thank you."

Nurse Redheart suddenly butted in.

"Uh, doctor. If it would make things easier. I will wait here with Fluttershy for the others to finish up. I can show them where to go when they finish inside."

Doctor Horse smiled wide and started off down the hallway.

"Very well, nurse."

Nurse Redheart spoke up in a low voice, "Miss Fluttershy. I know I'm not always the easiest mare to get along with, but please don't view me as a threat."

Fluttershy instantly retracted back in defense. "I didn't—"

"You did," Nurse Redheart said, overtaking the conversation. "Almost all of you have. Especially you and Rarity after taking care of Mr. Husk."

Again, Fluttershy tried to defend herself.

"But we—"

Nurse Redheart snarled as she turned and moved further away from the door.

"I don't want an apology. I want to know what you know."

That statement left Fluttershy confused enough she felt the need to correct the nurse, "I think you might be mistaken. If you remember, I'm not really a doctor—"

"I know that," Nurse Redheart grumbled before collecting herself. "Look. We spoke with Miss Landon and her friend Peter when he visited us with Princess Twilight Sparkle. They both have knowledge that is, for some reason, completely unknown to us. Some of Miss Landon's books go so far in depth of their anatomy and organ composition that it lists the chemical makeup and molecular bondings of elements that produce them. Technically speaking, their understanding of biology and medical science is more advanced than the forbidden textbooks of magics deemed too dangerous for unicorns to study. Even their introduction-level books are more advanced than anything Doctor Horse, myself, or any of the other medical staff have seen."

Fluttershy still wasn’t understanding what the nurse was asking for.

"If it's that advanced, why do you think you need me?"

"Adductor Longus," Nurse Redheart answered. "The injured leg muscle on Mr. Husk. You were the first one to notice it, and I've read the books on their anatomy and can point most of them out, but you know what to look for. You can even recognize problems based on injuries from the animals you've helped. And if you really care about making sure your special human friend stays healthy, you will want us to know as much as possible."

Fluttershy’s heart rate started to jump.

"Special human friend?"

Nurse Redheart looked at Fluttershy like questioning that statement was an insult, yet still bore a smile through it.

"You think you're the first mare to bring your stallion in here and cop an attitude with the cute nurse that gets too close to their special somepony?"

"Eep!"

Nurse Redheart chuckled at Fluttershy's reaction.

"Well, really, it was that look you gave when you thought you would be left out of the examination. That wasn't the look that ponies who are just friends give."

Fluttershy started to cower before the nurse.

"Please don't mention this to any pony. It would cause so many problems if word got out. I'll do anything you want. Just... Please—"

Nurse Redheart clicked her tongue and shot Fluttershy an insulted look.

"I'm not threatening you or trying to blackmail you. Besides. I like Mr. Husk, too."

From the cowering position, Fluttershy looked up with a new look of rage that was about to tear its way out.

"No-No-No!" Nurse Redheart quickly corrected herself. "Not like that. I mean, he's nice. A real gentlecolt."

"Oh, heh... Sorry," Fluttershy apologized while needlessly trying to fix her hair. "I'm just a little worked up right now."

"Understandable," Nurse Redheart said with a knowing bow of her head. "Mr. Husk and his friends are some amazing creatures. And there's something about them that I can't explain. Every moment around them is... like a whole new experience."

"Yeah," Fluttershy said with a pleasant smile. "Everypony that meets them can't help but getting attached to them."

Nurse Redheart relaxed her posture.

"Well, Mr. Husk is incredibly brave. A little scary even. Or at least he would be if he wasn't so kind... I still can't believe he could survive the injuries those scars gave him. From my understanding of how our lungs work, if a human's lungs are anything like ours, we wouldn't be able to recover from such trauma."

Fluttershy turned away slightly.

"I'd rather not think about that."

The nurse was quick to apologize.

"I didn't mean to imply anything negative. They just happen to know so much more about these types of injuries than we do. I'm sure that after we have more time, we'll be much more capable of taking care of such things."

The door from the examination room finally opened, and Becky and Cerb stepped out together. From there, they made their way down to the next room led by the nurse.

Ready to start the next phase, Doctor Horse instructed his patient, "Just stand there, Mr. Husk."

Cerb stood in front of the wall.

"Where's the machine?"

Doctor Horse answered with a proud smile, "There's no need for that here. Doctor, if you would please."

A unicorn doctor took front and center, charging up his horn and casting a light over Cerb.

Cerb looked down over the light shining over him.

"Do I need to hold still for this?"

Doctor Horse watched in confusion.

"Well, that ain't right."

Believing something was amiss, Doctor Horse walked into the light with Cerb. Wherever the light touched the good doctor, his flesh and clothing vanished, and only his skeleton could be seen.

Cerb's eyes widened as the skeleton of Doctor Horse drew closer.

"That's fucking gnarly and creepy."

Becky realized what they were trying to do and said, "Magic isn't gonna work on this guy. Found out today. He's immune to it."

The skeleton of Doctor Horse turned around, looking at Becky. "Oh? Fascinating."

"Actually," Becky stepped up and stuck her hand in the light with no reaction or bones displayed. "Guess it's not just you there, Big Guy."

Doctor Horse sighed, "Well then. Looks like we'll be doing this the new longer way."

It didn't take long to run through the process of taking standard X Rays. Except for the time it was going to take to process the images.

Then, after a quick blood draw, which only further seemed to amaze the medical staff, it seemed like their time there was complete.

Cerb had grown impatient and asked, "Is there anything else we need to go over?"

Becky remembered the injury from last night and asked, "How's your hand doing?"

Cerb brought up his hand and examined it. "Not bad. Could use a stitch and glue before I head out. I'm sure they'd like to watch that."

Cerb turned out to be right about the interest of the others. They took notes of the whole process. Washing the wound, threading the needle, and how Becky carefully pierced the skin and weaved the thread through. Lastly, she tied up the stitching string, snipped it short, and improvised the medical glue with ordinary super glue.

As Becky finished up and sorted the medical tools she used, she gave a final explanation.

"Since he'll be out there in the forest, grabbing who knows what, the glue will help not only keep the wound closed, it will also keep the dirt out and help stop an infection."

Another Nurse, Sweetheart, couldn't help but comment on the demonstration.

"That is so simple, yet seems ingenious in how effective it is."

"Yep," Cerb said as he stood up. "But if that's it, we'll grab Benny and be on our way."

Nurse Redheart opened the door for Cerb.

"Your friend is in the waiting room. His examination was much shorter than yours."

"Yeah," Becky sighed. "Benny got as far as taking his shirt off."

Cerb groaned, "Whatever."

Walking down the hallway, Nurse Redheart was full of praise for the three.

"Miss Landon, Mr. Husk, Fluttershy. Thank you all so much for all the help and the time you've given us today. I cannot begin to explain just how much your contributions are advancing our understanding of emergency services and the care for our patients. So, if you wish, we would like to have a follow-up after you return from your trip. I'm sure there will be many questions we'll have after we review your X-rays. Plus, any reactions from the physical stress and fatigue you may experience will be something we'd love to examine."

This time hearing it from Nurse Redheart, Cerb answered, "If I'm not busy after we get back. Have a good night, though."

Nurse Redheart waved them off.

"Take care, Mr. Husk. You too, Miss Landon. And thanks again, Fluttershy."

As soon as they entered the waiting room, they spotted Benny.

Benny stood up.

"So... did you have to turn your head and cough?"

"No," Fluttershy answered. "Becky says that his lungs are just fine."

Cerb wasn't going to let his disappointment in Benny ruin the moment.

"What about you? Classic case of stage fright? They'll warm their hooves up if you ask them nicely."

Benny mockingly retorted with a snap of his fingers.

"Well, shucks. Guess I should have asked. But yeah, not feeling it today, man. Sorry… Just a little too much going on for me to be up for stripping down and getting poked and prodded. At least not today."

Cerb rolled his eyes, and half shrugged.

"Whatev's. Not like your missing much outside of having to explain why you have an outie instead of an innie."

Fluttershy tilted her head and exchanged looks between the two.

"Is that what you call it?"

Cerb didn't answer Fluttershy and instead continued with Benny again.

"Oh, yeah. Fluttershy was there, too. She noticed my right leg is still jacked up, and I don't have a tail above my ass crack. And that's all she noticed. So I'm feeling all sorts of special about that."

Becky placed a hand on Cerb's shoulder, "Oh, no, Justin. Your poor little ego. They didn't give you a medal or a trophy or nuthing. Don't you worry your pretty little dick off. How about some ice cream to make you feel better?"

Cerb started to walk to the exit.

"Alright. Shut up. My ego is fine. Just trying to make a joke about it."

As per usual, the joke went right over Fluttershy's head.

"What's there to make a joke about?" She then noticed Cerb walking off without her and ran to catch up with him. "Wait! I know a nice place to get ice cream!"

Applejack shouted into the castle, "Everypony! They're back!"

Rarity quickly trotted out to meet them as they entered through the double doors.

"Finally, you're all finished up checking in with the—" She stopped dead in her tracks as a vanilla ice cream cone was placed in front of her snout held in Fluttershy's wing. "You stopped for ice cream?"

Fluttershy answered as she let Becky and Benny walk past her, "We sure did. Don't ask me why, though. Apparently, it was a joke from... or maybe it wasn't. I don't know. The important thing is that Justin is perfectly healthy. Except for a slight leg injury, I'm having Aloe and Lotus take care of tonight."

Cerb quickly answered the question he somehow knew Rarity was going to ask.

"It's an old injury. I got it back with the other scars on my chest. It's been like this for years, so don't go on a warpath for something no pony did to me."

Rarity playfully tried to play down her overreaction they both knew she would have had.

"Oh, Justin, please. I know I may have come across, ehm, a tiny bit more intense than one would have expected—"

Cerb cut her off with a cheerful demeanor as he walked passed them and headed for the table map room.

"Don't apologize. Both you and Flutters are the strongest, most intense warriors I've seen here. And you hide it all behind all that... uh..." He slowed down and turned around to look them up and down while taking another lick from his chocolate ice cream cone. "—You know... All that beautiful... you... That you both are. I love that about you two."

Sniff shouted from the next room over in mock disgust.

"Oh, my god! Cerb! Stop flirting with your girlfriends and get back to work!"

Cerb actually turned a little red at that jab.

"Oh, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! You're one to talk, Poacher!" He made a gesture with his free hand to the girls. "Hold on a sec. Let me just check up on everything in here, and then we can head over to the massage place."

Fluttershy beamed as he ran off, "Go ahead, Justin. I'll wait for you outside where it's not so crowded and fill Rarity in about what we learned today."

A short walk led the two out past the double doors and the steps where they waited away from the guards next to the lineup of vehicles.

Rarity impatiently asked, "Everything came back looking good for Justin's health, you said?"

Filled with optimism and most of her ice cream cone, Fluttershy answered, "Very healthy. Also, as of right now, it looks like I'm the next expert on human health, after Becky, after spending so much time with Justin. Well, that and seeing how taking care of all the animals has helped me to notice another muscle injury in his leg."

Rarity started to fret.

"Oh, dear. Nothing too serious, I hope."

Fluttershy shook her head, "No. Not really. I think a nice massage and a heat wrap should be all that's needed to help relieve the tension that's been built up over time."

Rarity nodded.

"I see. Nothing else exciting or interesting discovered?"

Fluttershy took a nibble of her cone.

"Not really. Well... sort of. I think I figured out why all the humans wear clothes, now. At least the stallions. They look really different down there. I've never seen anything like it."

Rarity's eyes widened with interest.

"Oh, darling. You simply must tell me." She pulled out her notepad from her satchel and started flipping through the pages. "I had a theory about this I came up with after trying to design undergarments for them. Does this look anything like what you saw?"

Fluttershy looked at the various drawings of what looked like a stallion's genitals on a human body, but with the proportions not matching up.

"Umm... sort of. I mean, you're right about them not having a sheath."

"I knew it," Rarity boasted.

Fluttershy’s shyness started to show through again for the next correction.

"But their... umm... ahem. Uh."

Rarity could see where Fluttershy's eyes were focused.

"Testicles?"

Fluttershy wasn’t going to repeat those words.

"Yes, those. You drew them too big in this drawing. And the other part is longer on Justin than what you drew. And that part on the end looks more..."

Rarity was making mental notes as she studied her own drawing again.

"More what, darling? And did you say longer? Hmm. That must be inconvenient."

Fluttershy hadn't thought about the complications of having a limp appendage flopping between one's legs.

"Maybe. I suppose it would make running difficult. But as for how it looks. It has kind of a funny shape on the end. Kind of like a mushroom."

"Pft!" Rarity had to refrain from laughing too loud. "Are you serious?"

"Yes," Fluttershy stood tall and indignantly prideful. "And it's not funny, so you shouldn't laugh."

Rarity rolled her eyes.

"Oh, please. I'm not laughing at how it looks. I only laughed at the words you used to describe it. I'm sure it looks perfectly fine just the way it is."

"I guess so," Fluttershy admitted. "I think it looks fine. Although, I did notice his scent was a lot stronger down there." She suddenly became a little flush in the cheeks had had another twinge in her ear. "Ehm. Wow. I didn't expect that all of a sudden. I guess I was too caught up with examining his leg injury to—"

Rarity appreciated her friend's sudden burst of being flustered.

"I can't help but express a touch of jealousy if I'm being completely honest with you. For all the discussions about how they all prefer to be covered up and the privacy they like to keep about that part of themselves, he at least trusted you to see that part of him."

Fluttershy giggled slightly at the thought of seeing him like that again.

"Well, yes, hmm. I think it was more of a necessity than anything else, but... Oh, my gosh." She suddenly blushed deeply and covered her face behind her wings. "I don't know why I'm getting so excited just thinking about it. I need to calm myself before I need another Wonder Rush."

"You know," Rarity had a moment of clarity and closed the notepad. "I had a similar reaction with my first Wonder Rush. True, it started with just thinking about him and enjoying his scent. But I was thinking about that part of him after I made my drawings, and well... Oh, dear. Now I'm starting to get that feeling again."

Fluttershy saw this as another piece to their puzzle.

"It can't be a coincidence that we both had the same reaction."

Opening up to her drawings only to hide it as soon as she caught another glimpse, a thought was starting to grow in the back of Rarity’s mind.

"Hmm. Yes, quite so. But why over this? No.“ She slammed the notepad shut. - “Not now. I can only— " A sudden ear twitch distracted her, and she had to cover it. "Blast it all."

"Yo!" Cerb called out as he walked down the steps behind them. "Everything's good in there. Let's get this muscle stuff taken care of so we can finish up and get some Zs before we head out."

Sniff yelled out from inside the double doors.

"Hey, asshole! Wait up! I know these chicks, and I was supposed to be first."

Cerb threw his head back and whined. "Jesus Christ, Sniffy. Crying over my dinner at Grapes and Olives. Jealous over my seamstress. And now you're gonna try and derail my physical therapy?"

Sniff ran up behind Cerb and put his arm over his shoulder.

"Come on. If anything, I'll get ya a discount."

Cerb scoffed, "A discount? If I get any more of a discount, they'll be paying me for their services."

Not knowing of the agreement that was made with Rarity earlier, Sniff asked, "Paying you? Damn... Talk about a happy ending."

Cerb laughed as he started walking off again.

"Okay. There we go. Now, I see why you're tagging along."

Sniff slapped Cerb on the ass as he walked past him.

"Shut up, gimpy. Besides. These chicks are cool."

Cerb gave Sniff a good shove to the side of him.

"Never met a single woman you didn't like, have ya?"

Lotus looked over the mass of muscle now lying on the table in front of her and Aloe, "Now, vee may be very skilled, howev-air. Des es very big job. And Fluttershy tells us of your injury vee are to verk around."

Fluttershy hiked herself up on the table to point out the troubled spots and corrected the masseuse, "Workover, actually. These areas here, and here, mostly. Then, if he's up for it, everything from his lower back down to his ankles. Oh, and the top of his shoulders down through the center of his back."

Aloe shined with confidence.

"No need to worry, Fluttershy. Your friends are in the best of hooves. We will be tending to them personally today. So, please. You and Rarity have the entire facility open to yourselves while we tend to Peter and Mr. Husk."

Sniff abruptly moaned as he sprawled out on the massage table.

"Mmmph… Man, it's almost like being back home again. Being called by our actual names, the comforts of massage parlor and spa."

Rarity replied with a slight giggle.

"So glad you can enjoy yourself. Perhaps you'll be joining us on spa days in the future?"

Sniff was already face down on his table, getting his back worked on by Aloe.

"Say when, and I'll be here."

Fluttershy raised her voice loud enough to let Cerb hear as she headed off with Rarity, "Okay. We won't be gone for too long. We're going to step into the steam room for a while, and then we'll be back out here with you."

Rarity added one little joke as she stepped out.

"And keep those hands of yours to yourselves, you two. Don't want Aloe and Lotus thinking they have new competition in town."

Sniff blindly gave a thumbs up, "No promises on my part, Diamonds."

As soon as the two left the room, Aloe decided to use that to start up a new conversation.

"So? Rarity thinks you two could be a future rival of ours?"

Sniff downplayed the power his magic fingers seemed to hold. "Nah, she's joking. We're not professionals. But, apparently, we give good massages."

That seemed to pique Aloe’s interest.

"How good might that be?"

Sniff thought back to the events in the pool and how unnatural the pony's reactions were.

"I don't know, to be honest. We all had too much to drink and... Yeah. I really don't know how to explain it."

Lotus laughed and made light of the situation.

"Vell, zo long as vee have zee chance to higher you virst. And dis isn't herting you, Mr. Husk?"

Cerb shifted slightly.

"Only a little, but don't let that stop you. I can take a lot more, believe me."

Sniff huffed through a grin, "That's what she said."

"Vut?" Lotus questioned. "No, I didn't."

Cerb reached out and gently laid his hand on Lotus's hoof, working over his hip. "It's a stupid joke, mam. And he didn't mean you. It's a running gag about a woman who always says the same thing someone else said but in a different context."

Lotus took a moment to run the logic of how that joke was supposed to be funny but couldn't figure it out.

"Oh… And who is des voman?"

Sniff decided to take a shot at trying to explain it.

"The joke is that she doesn't exist. That's part of what's supposed to make it funny."

Aloe chuckled, "You have a very different sense of humor than most ponies."

"Good or bad?" Sniff asked.

Aloe started to apply more oils to Sniff’s back as she answered, "It's been good so far. Might we ask why you all wear clothing all the time and insist on being covered? That's also unusual for us."

Sniff didn't know how to answer this one, given how he was only wearing a sheet at the moment.

"Uhhhhhh… You wanna take this one, Cerb?"

Cerb winced as Lotus pressed her hoof into his leg and stroked it up and down his hamstring, running down to his knee.

"No, you're fine. Don't stop. But..." He drew a long breath before trying to explain this as best he could. "Alright. So, our anatomy is very different from yours. I don't really know how different because your bodies, or the stallions really, keep everything covered up naturally. Our bodies don't do that. So we wear clothes."

Lotus instinctively looked up at the bulge under the sheet covering Cerb's groin.

"Zo... ets allwheys out?"

Cerb winced again as the hoof dug into the hip flexor muscles.

"It's not made to go in at all."

"That's not what she said," Sniff said, almost too quiet to hear, making Aloe giggle.

Cerb had to laugh at that one, "Damn it, man. But yeah, that's why."

Lotus, with all her innocence on full display, asked, "Vhy is et problem to be out?"

Aloe spoke up to better clarify the question, "I think what my friend is trying to say is, why do you feel the need to cover up? Everypony has a body. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. And believe me, we've seen a lot of bodies. They're really all the same. It's only the color of their coats, and cutie marks that change."

Sniff huffed out a laugh, "Yeah, but we don't have either of those."

Cerb tried to give a simpler answer.

"It's more of a cultural thing. It's just the way we are."

Rarity poked her head out of the door one last time.

"Yes, I'm certain of it."

Fluttershy was brimming with glee at the situation she had created.

"Everypony else in town must be busy helping with getting everything ready for Justin and me."

Rarity closed the door, hiding them from any prying eyes.

"You should do this quickly, though I do insist you wait. I'm fairly certain we can both wait."

Fluttershy groaned, "It was all I could do to stop my twitching and fidgeting when Justin was undressing." She sighed with a pained groan of desire. "You don't know how bad I wanted to jump under that sheet with him. My tail is practically soaked."

Rarity looked in amazement at the display Fluttershy was carelessly leaving open to view.

"How in the world did you manage to keep yourself under control if it was this bad? Did only thinking cute thoughts finally work?"

Fluttershy sulked slightly, not feeling too proud as she reflected on her new method.

"I didn't think of it until after leaving the hospital this afternoon. The only thing that's been able to distract me from thinking about Justin this way is to think about all the pain he must be in."

Rarity gave a sympathetic moan, "Oh, darling.”

That moment had passed, so Fluttershy tried getting back into the proper mindset.

"I knew his heart was hurting inside, but I didn’t know his body was still in pain... But right now, I'm going to focus my thoughts on making him feel better so I can feel better, too."

Rarity rolled her eyes, "Well, I suppose I can't simply sit back and watch. Especially now that you have the idea of jumping under the sheets with him stuck in my head."

Looking back, this probably should have been the chapter titled "The Flawless Plan." Oh, well. Too late now.

Otherwise, the mystery continues with Celestia and Cerb impresses Luna more and more.

And... I don't have a lot of commentary to provide for this one. The highlights for where the flashback with Rarity going crazy horse on Thunder Glide and the interactions between Cerb and Becky at the hospital and Sniff being a jackass at the spa.