//------------------------------// // Recovery and Farewell // Story: An Earthly Portal // by Nightmare Darkness //------------------------------// When my consciousness drifted back my brain felt like it was on fire. I clenched my jaw reflexively and felt a cold cloth get placed on my forehead, water ran down my feathers and wet my pillow. My eyes cracked open and I instantly shut them again because the light stung my eyes and I sharply inhaled. "Feather Beak.... can you hear me?" A feminine voice asked and I tried to nod my head but only was able to give a slight nod. "How is he?" I heard Spike's voice inquire. "He's been heavily poisoned we are just getting him back from the brink. He will make a recovery." Said another voice masculine voice. I tried to open my eyes again but again the sharp pain made it impossible. I gave up and let darkness retake me. I looked around and found myself at the campsite the spider folk I had killed lay at my feet. Looking at my claws they were dripping with dark red blood, then movement caught my eye as the two Spiders I had just murdered jerked coming back to life and turned their white orbed eyes on me then began to approach me in a determination that reminded me of the walking dead. I stepped back and then their eyes furrowed in a glare and their maws opened in a scream as they lunged at me and sunk their teeth into my throat cutting off my scream. I jolted upright with a scream as a slashed out in front of me defending myself. The room swam as my head felt like it was lanced by a fire poker. "Ahhh.." I groaned as I opened my eyes and to my surprise the light didn't hurt nearly as bad. "Feather Beak?" Came a soft voice to my right and I looked to see Gilda who had her right arm in a sling. "Gilda? What happened?" I asked as she retook her seat next to me. "We were able to save the ponies, Vin is in custody and being interrogated by Luna's batpony guard." She explained as I listened calmly. "How did you get free from the net?" I asked remembering that she had helped me by jumping onto Vin's back. "Spike. He jumped off of Cerberus and burned through the web. I saw you were in trouble." She said as I looked at her. "Ok but how did you get caught?" I asked, at this question she seem to deflate. "I didn't account for the spiders placing alarms with nearly invisible threads. I tripped them and my surprise was caught." she said dejected. "Its ok...it all worked out somehow." I offered comfortingly Gilda didn't seem to take it but remained silent. I looked at my shoulder which was stiff as well as my leg that was bandaged and sore. A soft knock on the door as it opened and Spike walked in trailed by the Batpony officer that was barking orders when they had arrived on the scene. "Feather Beak." The batpony asked calmly more stating a fact . I nodded to him and he continued. "I am Lt. Stride. On behalf of the Equestrian government we like to give our thanks for taking it upon yourselves to help save the lives of our citizens." He said formally then he visibly relaxed and looked at all three of us. "On a side note you three went above and beyond the call taking on so many. As I understand your already on a mission from Princess Twilight to deliver Cerberus back to Tartarus." He said calmly and I simply nodded, Gilda looked at him uncomfortable. "What did you learn from Vin?" Gilda asked and he gave her a look that conveyed he didn't truly trust her. "We have not gained much that we don't already know from the information Spike sent us. Besides, anything you know will be relayed back to Griffinstone am I right?" he asked matter of factly. Gilda was quiet a moment they held up her chin defiantly. "The elders need to know about what's happening. The Princesses do not keep the griffins in the loop regarding land shattering events." She said pointedly and Stride canted his head to the left. "I am not in charge of correspondence with other countries but I would appreciate it if you stop involving yourself with Feather Beak and Spike for the time it takes to complete this quest. You are another countries spy and we would rather not allow another country to know about the insides of Tartarus." He said as Spike and I looked at Stride. "She has helped us, as well as helped save those train passengers." Spike interjected and Lt Stride assumed his more militaristic posture. "Princess Luna and I are grateful and she will be compensated for her outstanding efforts to helping keep Equestria safe, But....It still stands that she is not permitted to enter Tartarus. The fact Feather Beak is allowed to go being what he is has already been called into question and that fact also makes him ineligible to go to Tartarus." He said and I blinked and frowned was this...racism? "Excuse me?" I said coldly and Stride did not miss my cold tone. "Although Princess Twilight asked you to take Cerberus to Tartarus her order has been superseded by the authorisation of Princess Luna." He stated as I ripped off my blanket and stood even though my leg almost made me collapse. Stride visibly tensed as I stood a head taller and my look was that of distain. Strife did not say anymore but only waited. "Can I say goodbye to him? I at least ask that." I said and after a moment he nodded slightly. I walked past him with my limp and Gilda followed after me with her own limp. "How are you feeling?" she asked suddenly and I gave her a side long glance but then looked forward. "Like shit." I said simply and she looked at me puzzled. "You could say that again, but that's not what I meant." she said with a smirk and I looked at her with a wry smile. "What do you mean then?" I asked as she looked at me seriously. "You recoiled from Vin when you almost ended him. What happened?" She inquired to me and I simply looked forward and said nothing. We arrived outside the hospital taking in the smell of sea air and the bustle of the city. To the left of the entrance guarded by three Lunar guards was Cerberus who looked at us as we walked outside. "We will talk later." Gilda promised and I decided to ignore her I didn't have to talk to her about...that. Cerberus stood up and approached us. Some new scars were on his three heads as well as his legs and chest. "You ok?" I asked and the three dogs looked at one another and gave a throaty gruff which I took that it was not too bad. "Are you ok going back to Tartarus now?" I asked and the hound took up a more stoic look and all three heads nodded. Spike approached him and patted his leg in greeting. "You were the best three headed dog I've ever known." Spike said with glassy eyes as Lt. Stride stepped up behind me and spoke. "There is a reason were stopping you three here." He said into my ear and so I didn't move but only to nod. "There has been an escapee." He said gravely and at this I turned to look at him. "Who?" I asked quietly and he shook his head. "Even I am not privy to that information." He said with only a hint of annoyance. "So essentially don't take this personally?" I asked looking up as Spike and Gilda giving Cerberus a good rub under the chins of the multi headed dog. "If you would, we have some carriages to take you back to ponyville." He said and I thought for a moment. "What about the other kidnapped ponies." I inquired and he looked at me quizzically. "Foulnapped?" I corrected myself and he seem to accept it. "We have others looking into that, you don't need to look into that." He said simply. "In other words you have nothing." I pointed out and his ear twitched but he said nothing which confirmed my observation. I approached Cerberus and was licked which cause me to smile. "You are amazing Cerberus. Take care of yourself." I said as all three heads looked at me with their bull dog faces with a hint of sadness broaching their features then they nodded and I turned around to limp back towards the hospital where the nurse was giving me an un-approving look for getting out of my bed. "Mr Beak I would have thought that getting out of bed in your condition would be ill advised." A chestnut brown earth pony stallion said as I looked at him, a name tag labeled him as Dr. Withers. "Had to say my goodbyes. I feel i will be in here for a while and he needs to get moving." I said factually and he simply gave me a raised eyebrow. "Well that may be the case you are not going to be here overnight." He said with a cock of his head and at his I stopped and looked at him. "I thought I was in bad shape." I said and he nodded. "A few fractures, multiple lacerations, several smaller cuts and multiple bruising. Yes you were banged up pretty good but what has delayed your operation was the poison. Bones are more difficult to fix if broken or Celestia forbid, shattered. We have a talented unicorn on staff here that will speed up your natural healing. Since Spike spoke for you, your medical expenses will be paid for by the crown." He said with a smirk. I then realized that I still needed to get my medical information submitted and that it was not covered by the government my luck with people picking up my medical bills will run out sooner rather then later. We made it back to my room and after a hour of waiting a dark grey coated unicorn mare with a black mane tied back into a pony tail held a clipboard in her green ethereal magic. She looked up at me the surveyed my body with a critical eye and lowered her clipboard. "Feather Beak, I am Dr. Mending. I am here to patch you up." She said with a disarming smile. I gave her a simple nod and waited for her to do cast a spell or cover me in magic. "I would like you to count back from 10, alright?" she said in a singsong voice. I again nodded and looked at Gilda. "Ten,nine,eight"I began then I never did get to one. I awoke feeling like every bone and muscle in my body was aching. It felt like I had run a ten kilometer marathon without stretching or warming up. My mouth was dry and my head pounded with a rhythm of my heart that throbbed behind my eyes. "Ah....fuuuuuck" I moaned. "You did great." Dr. Mending said with a chipper voice as I cracked my eyelid open and saw Gilda looking at the pony in slight horror. "What?" I began to ask but she cut me off. "The nurse will be with you shortly have a pleasant day." she said before picking up her clipboard and leaving in quick succession. I looked to Gilda who simply looked at the door and then after a moment noticed me looking at her. "What happened?" I asked hoarsely as she found her seat again as she gave an involuntary shiver. "Cant stand unicorns." She muttered under her breath. "What happened?" I asked more forcefully as the nurse walked in and smiled at me as she got a jug of water and poured me a glass. "Your cleared to leave when you feel up to it." She said And Spike walked in not long after and saw Gilda's expression and gave her a knowing smile. "Hey Gilda." Spike said with a mischievous smile as she looked at him. "She can do you next if you want." He offered as her face seem to pale if she could do such a thing and shook her head quickly saying. "N-no ill be fine it was a clean break I-It will heal in a week or so." she forced out. My look of irritation spoke volumes as Spike looked to me ignoring my annoyed look. "We got Vin to speak." He said his joking tone melting into a grim monotone one , this got my attention and with that the nurse left the room closing the door "What did you learn." I inquired. " Only a name. A donkey by the name Bray." Spike said coldly.