//------------------------------// // Chapter 18: Repercussions // Story: Time to go // by MasterHunter55 //------------------------------// Time to go Chapter 18 Repercussions Hunter woke to something jabbing him in the side, and then a poke in the face. He immediately noticed that he wasn't sleeping on soft clouds anymore, and more of a shoddy mattress. He wondered how he could have ever slept on a mattress. He opened his eyes slightly to see Michael's tail waving slowly in front of his face, and his feet on either side of him. Michael was standing over him, but he was facing the exit to the room. That was not exactly the best thing to wake up to. He looked around and saw that he was in a white hospital room, and that the whole of the mane six were there, surrounding his bed. Except they weren't even looking at him, they were all facing the direction of the door. They weren't just facing the door, they were holding ponies back. Why would they be holding ponies back? He opened his eyes wide and shifted so that he could get a better view of the doorway. It was another mob. Being an alicorn had its price. Hunter saw that the six were trying to keep the doctors and nurses from assaulting him with all kinds of tests. Hunter guessed that Celestia wasn't exactly one to be bothered with medical science. “We must run some tests, we'll never get this chance again!” A doctor yelled. “Yeah, well you can't see him right now, he's resting!” Applejack yelled, pushing him back. Rainbow Dash had resorted to flying ponies out through the window, and depositing them outside the hospital. Twilight had set up the extra bed as a blockade, and was pushing it further and further as the doctors were pushed out the door. “Hey Michael, how are things?” Hunter asked casually. “Oh, ya know, just trying to save you from an angry mob.” Michael said. “Who am I to stop the progress of science?” Hunter said, “Jump off.” Michael landed on the floor as Hunter mustered what strength he had to yell. “Stop it!” He immediately felt woozy, but it had the desired effect. The doctors and nurses stopped pushing, and the six turned to see a now conscious Hunter, laying on the hospital bed. “If they want to run some tests, let them.” Hunter said quietly. “They're professionals, and as long as they don't get carried away, I'm sure that I'll remain unharmed.” “Recovering in a hospital isn't the time to have tests performed.” Twilight said. “I'm sure that they won't let my condition get any worse than it already is,” Hunter said, shifting some more so that he was sitting up, “Whose my doctor anyways? I want to know what my condition is in the first place.” “I'm your doctor,” A light brown unicorn with a brown mane, and a heartbeat monitor as his cutie mark, walked into the door, now free from the crowd. “My name is Doctor Stables, your friends here, brought you in after you apparently passed out, and you've been sleeping here for a couple hours. Unfortunately it seems that your rest was interrupted when word you were an alicorn spread through the hospital, and this crowd arrived.” “Don't you think there was a better way to try and do some testing? I dunno, like asking permission?” Hunter asked the crowd of doctors and nurses in the background. A couple of them looked slightly embarrassed by their recent behavior and left. Doctor Stables and a blue earth pony, with a mint green mane, and a red cross cutie mark, walked next to Hunter's bed, checking the equipment, making sure it wasn't messed with in the struggle. “This is Nurse Tenderheart, she will be in charge of making sure that you're comfortable during your unfortunate stay here at the hospital.” Doctor Stables said, “Now, since you just passed out, you should probably stay in bed until your strength returns, which will hopefully be until tomorrow, unless something else is wrong with you. If you need anything, press the nurse button on the side of your bed.” At this he walked out of the room, and Nurse Tenderheart followed suit after having Twilight return the bed to it's original position. Then a professor looking pony, gray with a white mane, wearing glasses and a sweater vest with a tie, walked into the room. He had a molecule as a cutie mark, and reminded Hunter of some kind of school teacher. “My name is Bill Neigh, and I'm glad you've allowed us to run some tests.” Said the professor as he walked to the bedside. Hunter stifled a snicker, looking at Michael. Michael looked at Hunter realizing what the joke was. They both laughed their heads off simultaneously. Michael was on the floor, and Hunter was in danger of passing out again. They eventually calmed down again, and the rest of the ponies in the room just had quizzical looks on their face. “What's so funny?” Bill Neigh asked. “Nothing,” Hunter chuckled, “It's just that your name is very familiar. You wouldn't happen to be a science guy, would you?” “I am of the science community yes, I even have my own T.V. Show for the kids.” Bill neigh said, looking a little proud. This just caused Hunter and Michael to laugh some more. Bill Neigh was a little put off by this. “I'm sorry Bill, but this resemblance is just too uncanny.” Michael said, “We don't mean to offend.” Bill Neigh shook it off, and proceeded as he had planned. “Now if you don't mind we'll get straight to the testing, just some routine stuff, needles, monitors, that sort of thing.” The professor explained. As he talked a couple of nurses entered the rooms with some bulky looking medical equipment. “Go ahead,” Hunter said. “I've never been one to shy away from needles.” “Needles?” Fluttershy asked, “I think I.. um... I need to go.” With this Fluttershy flew to the window, “Get well soon Hunter.” She said waving. Hunter waved a little wave back, and she flew off towards her cottage. “I should probably get back as well, blood isn't my favorite thing to look at, and I better get working on those clothes of yours.” Rarity said, walking to the door. “Are you alright? I know you really strained yourself with that water.” Hunter asked after her. “Oh, I'm alright, I just needed to rest for a minute was all.” Rarity said waving as she exited the room. “Get well soon.” “When I heard that you were injured I came right away, I was going to decorate with all kinds of balloons, but the doctors wouldn't let me bring my party cannon, OR my balloons.” Pinkie said with a sigh. Hunter thought for a moment before addressing the scientist. “I don't think I'm really in the mood for testing without some balloons.” He said, crossing his arms. Bill Neigh walked out of the room to go get one of the doctors. “How you feeling sugarcube?” Applejack asked, “Twilight told me what you did, that was mighty nice of you to save ponyville from the flood.” “Yeah,” Michael interjected. “That alien invasion was really unpredictable.” Applejack gave Michael another quizzical expression and Hunter just rolled eyes at the Halo reference. “It was no problem,” Hunter said. “Are you kidding?” Rainbow Dash interjected, “You basically gave all the strength you had, without thinking about it. That's so selfless! You saved the whole town! That wasn't nothing.” The room went silent and the group stared at Rainbow Dash as she floated in the center of the room, “What?” She asked returning to the ground. “Nice to know how you feel about me.” Hunter said, chuckling. Rainbow Dash blushed madly. Sitting down on the floor she started stuttering. “Thanks Rainbow Dash, you're right.” Hunter said, “I guess I just got a little carried away though. Considering that I'm in a hospital.” “So what was that anyways?” Twilight asked, “If it wasn't magic, then what did you do? I've never seen or heard anything about what you did. None of my books even describe what happened a few hours ago.” “You searched all your books in just a few hours?” Hunter asked flatly. “No,” Twilight rolled her eyes slightly, “I just remember from when I read them all beforehand.” “Well it would be easier to explain if I had my computer, but until I can show you, I'll try and tell you best I can.” Hunter said, clearing his throat. Bill Neigh walked back into the room and told Hunter that it was alright if he had some balloons, but no party cannon. Pinkie jumped out the window exclaiming, “I'll be right back with some balloons!” Hunter thought nothing of it, considering they were on the ground floor. Bill Neigh and his nurses started setting up the equipment. “Well I guess I should probably tell you Applejack, I'm not exactly from around here.” “No kidding.” Applejack said, a grin on her face. Hunter just chuckled and waited for all the nurses and Bill to be out of the room before continuing, “I'm from a place called Earth, and I used to be a human.” “A human?” Applejack asked, “Aren't those them things Lyra always yaps about?” “I told you they existed yesterday,” Twilight said, “Why do you think Luna suddenly had a house built for him?” “I assumed it was because of his being an alicorn.” Applejack said flatly. “Well now that you know, I can tell you about what I did.” Hunter said, “There are certain people in my world that believe in this natural force called, 'Ki', they think of it as your life force, flowing through you. Training, and/or being in tune with nature can give you a powerful life force, and sometimes you can learn to control it. What I did today was I focused my energies into a ball, and then released it as a giant wave of destructive force.” Twilight was listening intently, but Applejack seemed a little lost. “So, you're saying, that you controlled your life force? Is that like your spirit?” “I guess you could think of it that way.” Hunter said, “Other than what I just told you, I really don't know that much about it.” “What was that word you yelled when you were creating that wave?” Rainbow Dash asked. “Kamehameha?” Hunter questioned, “It's a reference to another popular T.V. Show in Human culture.” “No way.” Michael said, “You didn't do a real life Kamehameha.” “I did,” Hunter said turning towards Michael, “and it was awesome.” “Why do you get to be so amazing, while I'm stuck being a dragon!” Michael said loudly, in more of a comical way. “Listen to what you just said.” Hunter pointed out. “Oh yeah, cause I'm a dragon.” Michael said, “Being a baby dragon isn't exactly the most awesome, but good things come to those who wait I guess.” “Anyways, yeah, I'll show you this T.V. Show later, but that's all I really know about it.” Hunter said. “I just don't understand how you did it.” Twilight said, “How did you know to do that?” “I was actually trying to work my magic, I was building up power, and I was suddenly able to control my Ki.” Hunter said, “I feel like I suddenly have all these powers that I shouldn't.” “With great power, comes great responsibility.” Michael said solemnly. “Thanks Uncle Ben.” Hunter joked. “Whose Uncle Ben?” Applejack asked. “Another movie reference.” Hunter said, as Pinkie hopped back into the window. Soon balloons were strewn around the room. “Thanks Pinkie, I needed that burst of color.” Hunter said, smiling. “No problem.” She said, “Now I have to go, the store still needs to be run!” “When do the Cakes get back?” Hunter said, “They on vacation?” “They are catering for a very fancy party in the Crystal Empire.” Pinkie said, “I told Princess Cadence about the store, and she said she would ask them to cater at their next celebration. I would have gone, but I have to take care of the store! That's okay though, because otherwise I wouldn't have met you, and I love to meet ponies!” “Thanks Pinkie,” Hunter smiled, “It was nice meeting you too.” Pinkie hopped back out the window, and towards the middle of town. “Would it hurt her to use the door?” Bill Neigh asked, reentering the room. “I hope all these balloons don't get in the way of our equipment.” “I hope that your equipment doesn't pop any of my balloons.” Hunter said. “They're a gift from Pinkie, and I would be sad if they got ruined.” Bill Neigh brought the last group of equipment into the room and started to get to work. “Well it's going to get really routine around here,” Hunter said, “So you guys might as well get out of the Doctor's way.” Twilight and Applejack said their goodbyes, leaving through the door. “So what's gonna happen if I need to get home and there isn't a pegasi around to get me there?” Michael asked. “Good question.” Hunter said. “Until we figure that out,” Hunter turned to Rainbow Dash, “Would you mind taking Michael home?” “That would be no problem.” Rainbow Dash said, flying into the air and grabbing Michael as she went out the window. Hunter waved at them as Michael watched the room. Eventually they disappeared into the sky. Hunter spread his arms at his sides and lay flat against the bed. “Do your worst.” Hunter said quietly to himself. “What was that?” Bill Neigh said. “Nothing.” Hunter said. He rested his head back against the pillow as his bed moved to a more level position. He looked up at the ceiling and a nurse stuck a needle into his arm, extracting some of the deep red. He looked at the balloons in the room, going over the days events in his head. This is how he had hoped his life would turn out. Friends, a house, a job, a wonderful neighborhood. A possible girlfriend. He was content for once in his life. He smiled slightly as his eyes closed. The nurse took the needle out of his arm and Hunter, the smile still reaching across his face, fell asleep. ><>< These setbacks were unacceptable. Skull Trap had waited far too long for delays, but if anything, the long wait had also taught him patience. What was a few more days for the destruction of pony kind, after years of waiting? They were nothing. His power had been waning slightly, almost not enough to be noticed, but enough that it had become a problem. He continued to sap the energy of anything that dared get within fifteen feet of him, meaning that he didn't hear any more noises, unless they were from a distance. He could easily grab the husks of the dead creatures for his spell components as he walked. He returned to the main cave where he kept all his important things, and where he slept. He placed all of the ingredients, mostly dead things, on a rock that he used for a table. Then he went and sat on the rock that he used as a bed. His power would continue to grow, no matter the cost. The light would falter, and the dark would rise up to fill the gaps. He laid on the rock, he did not use a blanket of any kind, he just lay on the rock, focusing his dark energies. He didn't need to shut his eyes, it would not change how dark it was. He stared at the top of the cave, but he couldn't see what was in front of him. He lay there for a moment and soon he was asleep. If someone were to shine a light on him from a distance, they would find a creepy Skull Trap, laying on a rock with his eyes open. Then if they walked within fifteen feet, they would die. Skull Trap's spells always continued while he slept, meaning that his strength would grow even as he rested. He was almost ready, just a few more days, and the world would be dark. ><>< Rainbow Dash dropped Michael onto the porch of his house and waved goodbye, before flying back to her front door. She saw Michael walk inside, and turned back towards Ponyville taking flight again. As she passed the house she heard Trixie say, “Michael! Guess what! I got through a whole level on normal without dying!” “Good job!” She heard him say back, before the house was out of earshot. She flew towards the Ponyville hospital, hoping that she could still get inside, despite the hour. When she arrived, she saw that Hunter's window was still open, and she floated silently inside. Closing the window behind her, she took a seat and moved it next to Hunter's bed. She thought about the day's events, and then night before them. Hunter sure seemed to lead an eventful life, considering that he had only been here for a day or two, he had already saved Ponyville, and had to put up with two mobs, if what Twilight had told her was true. She sat on the chair backwards, allowing her to lean forwards on the back of the seat. She watched Hunter as he slept, realizing that if anyone walked in, that phrase would be the wrong explanation to give them. Bill Neigh and the nurses had left their equipment running, monitoring Hunter's vitals as he slept. Rainbow Dash watched Hunter's chest rise and fall with his steady breathing. His face had a smile on it. She wondered if he smiled every time he slept. His gentle breathing was the most prominent noise in the room, the quiet beeps and whirs of the machines hardly noticeable. She looked at Hunter's mane, still shiny as ever, as the moonlight that now shown through the window reached it. She reached out with a hoof, as if hypnotized by the effect, and she ran her hoof through his mane. Hunter didn't react to the motion other than a sigh, and then returned back to his normal breathing patterns. His mane was still as silky as the first time she had felt it, the night they had flown together in harmony. She brought her hoof back and rested her chin on her front hooves, bringing them up to the back of the chair. She continued to think about the day as she watched Hunter resting. He looked so peaceful. He had understood when she wanted to take their relationship slowly. He had become friends with everypony he met, including Trixie. She may not like that he was her friend, but he was right, everypony deserved friends. He had given Rarity a smooth flight at her request. When the dam broke, he had taken charge, knowing exactly what to do. He had done everything he could, even if he didn't know what would happen as a result, even if he didn't know the risks. He took them. Hunter seemed so selfless, always willing to give a part of himself so that others could achieve what they wanted to be happy. She realized how literal that was, when she thought about Hunter's giving up blood for the doctor's tests. When Ponyville was in danger, he hadn't just given a part of himself, he had given his whole self, and without hesitation. Not to mention he had power that not even Twilight had heard of before. Selfless, powerful, cook, speedy, awesome. Was there anything that Hunter wasn't? She guessed that resistant to passing out was one thing he wasn't. Or able to beat Michael at Halo. Why was she suddenly thinking of ways that Hunter wasn't cool? Maybe she felt like she needed to know he wasn't flawless. Needed to know that she could still be just as awesome. Did she really need to be just as cool? Was that what this was? Was that what she really thought, that Hunter was better than her? She shook her head, trying to clear her head. She wasn't jealous was she? Or maybe she was. Hunter had so many good features, it was hard to try and compare herself to someone like him. Then she thought about the ways that she had been a good person. She had saved Ponyville multiple times, she was the element of Loyalty. She had yet to be beaten by Hunter in a race of speed. Okay, so they were pretty even. She noticed Hunter hadn't shifted since she arrived, his arms at his sides, his face looking up at the ceiling. His smile still present on his face. Maybe he was having a good dream? As if just to answer her question Hunter mumbled in his sleep. “It was nothing.” He said quietly. “Oh great,” Rainbow Dash thought to herself, her face turning into a comical frown. “He's even humble when he helps people in his sleep.” She smiled herself as she thought about the night before. The heart of gold and rainbow that they had made in the sky looked dazzling in the picture Michael had showed them afterwards. Hunter had blushed furiously when they looked through them, and she chuckled at the memory. She wanted to take it slow though, she didn't want to seem like some tramp, running into a relationship with some stranger she had only met the other day. Yet in those past few days she had learned so much about him. How nice he was. She blushed as she thought about the kiss they shared. Over and over again she went over it in her head. The burst of light, the dancing, the spinning, the descent onto the roof, being held in his hooves, the kiss. The burst of light, the dancing, the spinning, the descent onto the roof, being held in his hooves, the kiss. The brilliance, the movements, the twirl, the fall, his eyes, the feel of his lips against hers. Everything flashed in her head and her cheeks refused to turn back to their usual cyan color. She rubbed her headache and released a frustrated groan. Why did Hunter have to be so darn awesome! She wanted to wait, to take it slow, but the way he acted, combined with his seemingly mediocre features just made her wanna... Kiss him again. She realized that her face had suddenly met Hunter's. Their lips meeting once again in the light of the moon. As she leaned over the bed, trying not to fall onto its owner. She used her wings to keep herself from falling as she backed off. She looked at Hunter's face straight on and he was still smiling. As if to say. “I knew you'd come around.” Rainbow Dash sat back in the chair, leaning her forelegs across the back of it. She rested her head on them, gaining the same smile that Hunter had on his face. As she thought about the two nights in a row, she started to drift off. Eventually the only activity in the room, was the whirring of the machines, and the gentle breathing of two fliers. One of which had gained consciousness to the sound of his window closing, and was happy that he had. He heard the gentle breathing of Rainbow Dash beside him, and started to drift off again. “I guess this is the first time we've slept together,” Hunter thought to himself. “Forever alone.” Hunter laughed inside his head. ><>< Michael and Trixie continued their gaming long into the night. It didn't matter how many times they finished the campaign, they would just restart it. Michael was happy that he had found somepony who was as enthusiastic about playing a game as he was. He was happy he had found a mare as enthusiastic as playing as he was. Trixie was improving. Michael was having a hard time keeping up with Trixie as she ran through the levels, picking up weapons as they crossed her path. While Michael would go back some to get one he was proficient with. Michael stopped the game, opening the xbox guide to look at the time. He wasn't sure how accurate the clock was, but it did say it was almost two in the morning, so it couldn't be that far off. “Alright,” Michael said, “Even hardcore gamers have limits.” “Awwwww.” Trixie groaned. “Fine.” She accepted defeat as Michael wiped his claw over the power button. He had to be careful about that, Hunter wouldn't be the happiest pony if his Xbox got a ton of scratches all over it. “Where should I sleep?” Trixie asked. “Where?” Michael asked himself, “You mean like here?” He asked her this time. “Of course here.” Trixie said. “Where else should I go?” “Didn't you say you were getting a house in town?” Michael said, clearing up the living room. “About that.” Trixie said quietly, “You were right, nopony here likes me, let alone selling me a house.” Michael realized the mistake he had made way too late. He turned towards the unicorn just in time to see a tear fall from her face. He dropped everything he had been holding as he went over to her. He had no real experience in soothing a crying girl, but he did the one thing he could do. He gave her a hug. She was slightly surprised at the motion. She hadn't received a hug from anypony in a very long time. It was nice, and considering it was a dragon that she was getting a hug from, it was warm. She was too tired to fight the emotions back down her throat. She wrapped her arms around Michael and sobbed, the tears she cried would fall from her face, landing on Michael's back and shoulder. They would slowly evaporate from the heat of Michael's skin. They stayed there for a moment, Trixie hugged Michael with all she had. Michael felt for a moment as if she was going to crush him, but he didn't mind. This was what she needed, a friend, a simple gesture of kindness in the middle of a harsh reality. He was all she had. Aside from Hunter, he was the only friend that Trixie had, as far as he knew. Considering that she had said earlier, that she had been trying to move to ponyville because Hunter and he had been the only people worth living near, he probably wasn't wrong. Trixie continued to sob holding Michael in her arms. “Hey,” Michael said, trying to comfort her. “You'll be alright, you'll always be my friend.” Trixie tried to stop crying long enough to say, “You promise?” “I promise.” Michael said. “You'll never leave me behind?” Trixie moved Michael back so that she could look into his face. Her eyes were filled with tears, and determination. “I'll always be there for you.” Michael said, realizing how this had escalated. Trixie's determination gave way to relief, and she brought Michael back into another hug. “Thank you Firestorm.” “Don't worry, I'll always be your healer.” Michael said, trying to sound comforting. Trixie's sobs eventually turned into quiet cries, and then the only thing that Trixie did was leak tears. She let Michael go and he stood on the couch next to her. “You gonna be alright?” He said quietly. “I'll be fine.” She responded with a weak laugh. “I just, I've never had a friend like you before.” Michael decided now was not the time to be questioning that statement, and grabbed her hoof. “I bet you never will either.” He said getting her to look up. She looked at Michael's smile and blushed. She was being drawn towards that smile, it was captivating. Michael was a true friend, the only kind pony she had met in a lifetime of searching, and she had been looking in the wrong places. She had gone into what she had thought was the epitome of hate, the human world, and yet she had come back with something wonderful. A beacon of light, a relief from the crushing weight of the world. This had been, what Luna had told her, that she was to be, for the human she brought back. She was to be a relief, a savior from the dark, the human world so obviously showed, and yet she was not the one who was doing the saving. Michael had not needed saving, he had a family, friends to call his own. She had gone to retrieve him so that she could be saved. She needed a family. Friends. Somepony to talk to when she was down, somepony who would relate. Somepony who was at least willing to listen to her simple problems. In a world that was supposed to be full of love and tolerance, it was surprisingly hard to find somepony like that. She noticed that she had been leaning slowly towards Michael. Michael had noticed this as well, and was freaking out. He didn't move a muscle on the outside, but on the inside he had no idea what to do. She was moving towards him, did she want to kiss him or something? He had no experience with things like this. Girls were not surprisingly lost on him as well, but now that one was actually volunteering to love him, he was frozen. He did the only thing he could do, and stayed motionless as Trixie's eyes closed, and her lips pressed against his. She had reached her hooves up to hold his head as they met. This was what she had been looking for, not just a friend, but a companion. All those years of wondering alone, all that time wasted. It was finally at an end. She had found her special somepony, and he was never going to leave her. Suddenly, Michael grabbed Trixie's face and kissed back, the force of the emotions doubled by the late hour, and their drowsiness. They stayed locked for a moment, kissing was something that was completely new to the two of them, and they wanted to make sure that they did it right. Their first kiss was what they had always hoped for. Warm, wonderful, and with a true friend. Eventually Michael and Trixie backed away from each other slowly, opening their eyes and holding each others faces. “Thank you Firestorm.” Trixie said, all the tears on her face disappearing. “It was my pleasure miss Lulamoon.” Michael responded releasing her face. Trixie grabbed his claw and held it up to her face, wanting to feel its warmth. Michael let her sit there for a short moment before speaking up, “It's about time to get to bed, don't you think?” “Right,” Trixie said, dropping Michael's claw. “You can sleep in my bed,” Michael said, “I'll just sleep here on the couch.” “Are you sure?” Trixie said, walking towards the bedroom. “I might get cold, and dragons are famous for being nice and cozy.” Michael's eyes widened, and he blushed like mad. “I think I'll be fine, you go ahead.” Trixie giggled, “Alright if you insist.” Michael took one of Hunter's throw blankets that he had brought from home, and spread it over the couch. He turned off the lights that the workers had installed when they put in the solar panels. Trixie and Michael placed themselves between the warm covers of their respective resting places, and with thoughts of the other drifting through their minds, they went to sleep. Both of them satisfied to have found a new best friend. A new special somepony.