//------------------------------// // Chapter 23 Control regained // Story: The metal HAWKEN // by NinjaTurtle //------------------------------// Chapter 23 Control regained --------------------- Connor Irons, Canterlot hospital --------------------- My mind woke up numb and irritated. I slowly began to get feeling back in my body. I couldn't move but not through lack of trying. I could feel the itchy bandages, the mask on my face and a slight pain in my side. In the air, I could smell the hand ( or hoof, one or the other ) sanitizer, my sweat and blood and something else. I could hear the beeping of the monitor, the sound of hooves on hard flooring and the mask that made me sound like that character from those old films. Who was that character, Dark Vader or something. Other than that, I was unaware of anything. I couldn't see or move even if there was something. I just laided there as my mind came up with random questions to pass the time. One such question was why the bandages were so irritating and the blanket too thin. Answer, they were made with creatures with fur in mind. I didn't have fur to keep me warm or to shield my skin from the uncomfortable fabric. One by one, I went through questions. I would have fallen asleep if it wasn't for the bandages and the wound it was covering. It was also in the morning. The only way I could tell it was day outside was due to the fact that I could still 'see' light through my eyelids, like how you can see light through your fingers if you put a torch under it. There was also the slight warmth of the sun. This warmth was so comforting, I went back to sleep, as if it made a difference to my state. Not long after entering my dream, I was greeted by a guest. "Hi Luna. Nice seeing you here. " I said as she looked stepped in. She smiled and responded. "Yes, it is good to see you again. ". "So, whatcha doing here? " I asked. Luna looked down a bit before taking. "I came to inform you of your condition. You were…" "Stabbed by the horn of the bitch I beat to death with a bat I got from the sports section of a shop? Yeah, I know. I think I broke the bat on that last hit. Hope it could be repaired. Even better, get a durable metal one. More weight means more power and it will be easy to use... " I trailed off at the end, going on about the practicalities of a metal baseball bat. Luna looked at me surprised and confused. "You remember the event? This is most uncommon. Most ponies wouldn't remember and think that they fell asleep until waking up and then they remember. " she explained to me. "Well, I'm not a pony, as it has clearly been proven, so comparing me to one isn't the best thing. Also, I may have lost blood, but I can think consciously so it means I'm alive. " I said. Luna looked at me in surprise again. "You seem very aware and yet you are not conscious. " she said with what could only be sarcasm. Sarcasm is universal, go figures. "Well, I did wake at one point but I couldn't move or look around. I can still feel, smell and hear but I just can't move or look around. While I'm on the subject, could you please get bandages which don't itch and irritated like hell? Or a thicker blanket so I can stay warm cause I'm freezing here. " I said. "I shall see want can be done for you. Do remember that you fought a Changeling Queen? A worthy opponent for any creature, let alone one that isn't native to this world. " Luna said. This brought up a problem I had forgotten about since my arrival because of all the things that had happened. "Oh, and one more thing? ". "Yes? Want is it? ". "Could you start looking into a way to send me home? It's nice, here and all, but I belong home with my family, friends and other humans. " I asked. Luna smiled. "I shall have the night mages start their work tomorrow. " . With that, she turned and walked out the door which hung mid-air, surrounded by realm made of food, walking trees and flying TV's. --------------------- Blocked heart, Canterlot castle --------------------- He was waiting patiently for the doctor to say he could go. He had been in the hospital since yesterday and was in no way happy about it. In the bed next to his was Blade wing. She had gone back to sleep despite being completely fine. He had overheard that Connor was here but couldn't go and confirm this due to being bed bound. When ever he asked how he was doing, they would say he is doing fine but none of them would tell me what happened to him. All he knew was that he fought the Changeling Queen and won. He looked up at the nurse that entered the room. "Hey. " said Blocked, already knowing what was going to happen. "Hello. I am giving you and your partner one last check-up before we can send you home. " she said with a nice smile all the staff had. The check-up was quick. Just some checks to see if we were fully healed then we were done. But before we left, we went to the desk. "Excuse me? " he said. The doctor turned around. "Yes? How may we help you? ". "Is it possible to go visit Connor Irons? I heard he was here? " Blocked asked. Blade wing was now behind him having just got out of the check-up. "Yes, but be careful as he was very badly injured. He's in room 333. " said the doctor. The pair of them started they're walk to the room they had been told. "How bad do you expect his wounds to be? " Blade asked. "I wouldn't be surprised if he was just unconscious or if he was missing a limb. No-one had any idea how badly a fight like that could go. " Blocked replied. "Well, remember the weapons he showed us. Those would easily give him an advantage. " "Yeah, but that big one wouldn't be helpful in close quarters like the fight with the Queen. The smaller one could only hold so many of those projectiles. He would most likely used melee. That's what I've heard, at least. " Blocked explained, remembering the first proper conversation with Connor on their way to Canterlot with him. "Yeah. I heard that he fought the Changeling Queen with a bat. He apparently whacked Chrysalis so hard, it splintered. " said Blade. They arrived at the room and walked in. On the bed was Connor, who was only covered by a sheet. The machines next to him beeped and they could see his chest rise and fall slowly. The exposed arms had bandages and now looked quite thin now compared to Blocked's foreleg without the clothing covering the arm. "Geez, he looks like he fought a manticore. How'd he survive this? " Blade asked as she saw Connor. Blocked looked over at her. "I don't know. We were both knocked out by three Changelings. He must of took on half the castle just to get to the Queen. " he said. "His actions were quite astounding, I must say. He shall be rewarded and praised for his actions. It seems he already has one gift. " said a royal voice behind the two ponies. Both Blocked and Blade whirled around to see Princess Luna and immediately bowed. "No need to bow, ponies. I am here for the same reason you are. To visit the human hero. " Luna said in a more friendly and less authoritative tone like she normally had. Another sound was heard from behind Blocked heart again. "Uuuhh… ". All of them turned to look at Connor as he moved slightly. He used his arms to move his body up the bed to prop his back against the headboard. They could all see him bare his teeth in pain as he did so, which made them all nervous subconsciously. "Ahh, Connor. You are awake, I see. " said Luna. "Yeah, I'm up. Uuuhh, my back. " Connor groaned. He then interlaced his fingers together and extended the palms out. This made small popping sounds which Blocked didn't like. Connor went to get out the bed but then quickly decided not to. He looked at all the ponies before saying "Where are my clothes? " . "They were removed to help heal your wounds. " said the Princess. "Why do you need you clothes anyway? We only wear clothes on special occasions. We wear our armour whenever we're on duty but that's it. " Blade asked. Connor started blushing. "Uhh...well...unlike you ponies...human... reproduction bits aren't covered or hidden. So we have a nudity taboo which means we always wear clothes. " explained Connor. He readjusted up a little more. The bandages around his torso were now visible as he continued. "The only time we don't is when we..uhh...do the adult thing and when we wash. Some sleep nude but most do have sleep wear. " he finished. With that, Blocked and Blade blushed. Luna nodded. "Understandable. I shall see what can be done. " she said. The door to the room opened to reveal a nurse. "Oh, your awake. I'm sorry, but if you three could please leave, I can check on Connor's health. " said the nurse. Blocked, Blade and Princess Luna all left the room and walked towards the waiting room. "Wow. Even after fighting half a castle worth of Changelings and taking on the Queen, he wakes up just a day later. How good is that boy? " Blocked said. "He's one amazing creature. I doubt anything could pull off the same trick. Did you see the wound on his stomach? How could he fight with a wound like that? " Blade added. Luna smiled a bit. "It was a truly great battle. I haven't witnessed a dual like his for a thousand years. " Luna said. "Wait, you were there? Could you tell us what really happened? We've asked around but no one will tells what happened. " she asked. Luna recounted her side of the story. From Chrysalis defeating them to Connor's entertance and his collapses. She told them how he moved and how he could weave passed most hit. --------------------- 5 minutes later --------------------- "...and after he...finished her, he was able to stand till he fell unconscious. " Luna finished. Blocked was shocked at the power of the human. Saved a village with his mech and was able to get to Canterlot on time to help eliminate them. He looked at his partner to see her face with the same awe as his. Before they could say anything about it, they looked over to see Connor finally coming out. He held a bag, probably with medication, and a long stick much he used to help walk. Under his left arm, he held a package that had been in the room. "Hey. " he said simply as he walked towards them. All of them could see the limp in his step but the stick he had helped. "Hello Connor. " Luna said. Blade wing shook her head before talking. "Hi Connor. " she said. He came over as they got up. They all then headed for the exit. "So, how are you? " asked Blocked "It could be worse. This will definitely suck for the next few days. " he replied, getting a chuckle from Blade and Blocked and a smile out of Luna. They talked and walked towards the castle. As they entered the busy main street, the ponies started murmuring. To what Blocked could hear, most were saying good things with the occasional bad thing. They also happened to pass DB. "Hey! DB! " he called. "Hello rider. You seem to be in good health. The castle is protected like ordered. Do you have any other orders? " DB asked in his oh-so familiar monotone voice. "Well you can keep patrolling or you can go rest. I don't mind as you deserve a break. " Connor said with a smile as he spoke with his partner. "Affirmative, I shall go rest my power supply after I finish my cycle, rider. " he said before walking off again. They made it to the castle where they were surprisingly met with Celestia. "Hello, Connor Irons. It is good to see you. " she said. "Hey. It's good to be back. " he said. Connor and the princesses then walked off while Blade wing and Blocked heart went to the armoury to collect their armour and prepare to go back into duty. End of chapter 23