//------------------------------//
// Chapter 30: Waiting  
// Story: The Elements of Honor 
// by Flanagan 
//------------------------------//

“He’s been in there forever…” Battleaxe said pacing back and forth. “Why won’t they let us in?”
“They’re in the middle of surgery, Battleaxe…” Twilight said trying to calm him down. “Those Timber wolves cut him deeper than Fluttershy first thought, and given the fact she ran out of medicine, the hospital was the only other place to go.”
“At least I could see him at Fluttershy’s… Here they wouldn’t allow you in even if you were Princess Celestia herself…”
“It’s just their protocol… I’m sure you understand that.”
“I do…” Battleaxe said looking back at her, “but that doesn’t mean I have to like it…”
The moment he stopped talking Warhammer and the apple family walked into the room. The looks on all their faces, especially Apple Bloom’s, were full of worry.
“Is he doin’ ok?” Apple Bloom asked stopping right in front of Twilight. “Is Greatsword gonna be alright?” 
“We really don’t know Apple Bloom…” Twilight said apologetically, “All I know is that he was stable enough to move from Fluttershy’s house, other than that I’m lost.”
“We’re all lost…” Battleaxe growled taking a seat across the room.
“You don’t have to be like that Battleaxe.” Twilight said reassuringly “I’m sure-“
“My brother is on yet another operating table after coming off of one…” Battleaxe interrupted, “I’m sure that’s not very healthy…”
Twilight couldn’t help but let a little smile grow on her face, she could hardly believe that Battleaxe could still have a since of humor in an hour like this. But in the short time she’d come to know him, she understood that that was his way of coping with stressful situations. She also noticed that he was built very well for a unicorn and that he had a very nice face. However her thoughts were cut short by the voice of the very pony that just filed her thoughts.
“Twilight?” Battleaxe asked waving his hoof in front of her face, “Twilight, you in there? If so, I kinda need you to come back to me.”
“Huh?” Twilight squeaked, returning back to conscious thought, “Oh… uh… Battleaxe… I… uh… I’m sorry; I guess I was lost in thought.”
“No big deal Twili,” Battleaxe said with his trademarked grin, “Just making sure you’re all there upstairs.”
He patted her on the head, much to the surprise of the others in the room. “I thought ya only let yer brother call ya that…” she said. “Let alone let-“
“It’s Fine!” Twilight said suddenly, just to be answered by the silence of the others. She looked to Battleaxe and Warhammer, then to the Apple family, with both parties looking at her with confusion she calmed herself and started again. “It’s alright, Applejack, he can call me that.”
“But only-“
“I said it was ok Applejack…” Twilight said nonchalantly rolling her eyes. “It’s not a big deal.”
“Looks like I have a new nickname to add to my long list…” Battleaxe said. shooting a smile at Applejack, “What say you AJ?”
“Now hold on one-“
“Now is not the time or place for arguments,” Warhammer said stepping between the two. “We all came here for one pourpose; and that was to show support for Greatsword and the doctors who are operating on him as best they can.”
“We aren’t in Canterlot anymore little bro…” Battleaxe said. “We don’t have all the equipment they had in the castle, I’m sure these guys are good…” he looked to the door separating them between his brother. “You and I both brought him here when Fluttershy ran out of meds… he looked nearly as bad as when-“
Battleaxe and Warhammer looked to one another, then to the others and shook their heads. Everypony except for Twilight knew exactly what he was talking about. She never saw him this bothered, she knew what happened, hell Battleaxe explained it to her down to the last bloody detail. But not once did he look that upset when he was telling it to her. He cares about his brother more then he lets on, she thought to herself. Her thoughts were cut short when Applejack broke the silence.
“When ‘what’ exactly?”
“The reason we’re here now, and not in Canterlot.” Warhammer answered. “But now it is not the time or place to speak of such things,” he made his way to her stopping to where his shadow completely engulfed her and Apple Bloom, “Perhaps if we stepped outside?” he said pointing to the door.
“Uh, yeah sure…” Applejack said looking to the door. “We can talk outside.”
“I’m commin’ too!” Apple Bloom said following her sister, only to be stopped by a hoof nearly half the size of her body.
“No Apple Bloom.” Warhammer said sternly. “The story I’m about to tell your sister is not one for ears and a heart as young as yours.” He stared her square in the eyes, “You must stay here with the others.”
“But-“
“No buts, sugar cube,” Applejack said opening the door. “If he don’t want ya ta here what he’s gotta say then ya won’t hear it.”
“But it ain’t-“ Apple Bloom was cut off by the closing of the door. “Fair…” she completed, pouting while she took a seat.
“There’s a reason that he didn’t want you to hear it Apple Bloom,” Twilight said. “It’s not for the faint of heart.”
“Ya’ll still treating me like a little foal!” Apple Bloom yelled angrily. “I ain’t a foal no more, I’m-“
“That’s enough Apple Bloom…” Big Mac said, placing his hoof on her shoulder. “Come on, let’s see if Granny Smith could use some help ‘round the house.”
Apple Bloom looked up To Big Mac, then to Twilight and Battleaxe. Letting out a disappointed sigh she got up and the two walked outside. Leaving only the two that were in there in the first place, after a few minutes of silence Battleaxe finally spoke.
“Still creeps me out whenever he says anything other than ‘eeyup’ and ‘nope’…”
“I have to admit… even though I’ve been living here for nearly six years it still surprises me when he when he does that too.” Twilight added. “But it’s just who he is, and as long as Cheerilee loves him for it… who are we to judge?”
“I didn’t judge…” Battleaxe said slightly defensive. “I just said it’s kinda creepy.”
Again Twilight smiled, but this time a tiny giggle managed to find its way into the room. She covered her mouth quickly, trying not to sound impolite in the mist of her partner’s inner turmoil. But Battleaxe only smiled, that smile, she thought, here was something about it that seemed to calm her, even in a situation like this, even when she knew for a fact that he was scared of losing one of the few things he had left.
“Twilight…” Battleaxe said snapping her out of her thoughts yet again. “Twilight you’re doing it again…”
“I’m sorry Battleaxe…” Twilight said turning slightly red in the cheeks. “I just get lost in my thoughts from time to time.”
“I understand completely,” Battleaxe said rising from his seat. “You start thinking about that one thing… then before you know it you’re staring into blank space, leaving everypony else wondering ‘what the hell are they thinking about?’.”
“Yeah…” Twilight said, “Just like that, I guess.”
“Well Twilight I guess we’re one in the same…” Battleaxe said walking ever closer to her, “Don’t you say?”
Before Twilight could answer Warhammer and Applejack stepped through the doors. The look on Applejack’s face said it all. He had left nothing to her imagination, leaving her in shock. Immediately she walked up to Battleaxe and removed her hat.
“I’m real sorry I acted that way to ya Battleaxe…” she apologized. “I didn’t know…”
“It’s fine Applejack.” Battleaxe said acceptingly. “It’s just a part of the job.”
“But ya’ll-“
“It’s a job hazard that became a reality… bad things happen all the time.”
“And better it happen to us then civilians.” Warhammer added. “Life continues, it always will, it’s just how you come out of your experiences that makes you who you are.”
At that moment the doors opened again this time revealing two more in the rooms light. Rarity and Pinkie Pie didn’t visit Greatsword that much, but it when their day of work was done they did their best to pop in before something came up. With little Warning Pinkie rushed to Twilight wrapping her up in her embrace.
“Hi Twilight!” She exclaimed happily. “How’s Greatsword doing? Is he getting better? Oh please tell me he’s getting Better, because if he’s not getting better that would make me sad and if I get sad I would-“
“I think what Pinkie’s trying to say is that she’s concerned about Greatsword.” Rarity interrupted.
“We all are Rarity,” Battleaxe said. “More than you’ll ever know.”
“Oh I understand Battleaxe,” Rarity said. “If it was my sister behind those doors I’d be worried sick.” She looked around the room and noticed something was out of place. “Where are your other friends? Like Patches, Lug Nut and Long Shot?”
“Patches and Lug Nut are back in Town Hall taking care of some paperwork.” Battleaxe explained, “And Long Shot’s with Scootaloo on the other side of the hospital.”
“Why’s that?” Pinkie asked. “Did Long Shot and Scootaloo become super close in the time he’s been here?”
“She might be his daughter.” Warhammer answered, leaving everypony in the room speechless.
“Long Shot…” Battleaxe said in disbelief. “A dad?”
“It is uncertain, but he will require a blood test,” Warhammer explained. “I spoke with him when we brought Scootaloo here, his eyes were full of worry that only a father could have.”
“Does he really think that Scootaloo is his… daughter?” Twilight asked. “I mean just the thought of that-“
“He belevies it beyond any doubt,” Warhammer replied. “And he’s willing to do anything to find out.”
On the other side of the hospital, Long Shot was standing over a particular patient’s bed. Scootaloo was still unconscious, but that wasn’t what bothered him the most. Scootaloo was getting worse with every hour, and nopony really knew why. 
“I haven’t been there for your whole life…” he said softly brushing his hoof across her face.  “I’ll do anything to make sure you have more life to live…”
The door swung open, Doctor Stables stood in the opening, a needle and blood bag in hoof. “Is there a problem sir?” he asked motioning him to follow him. “We don’t have much time.”
Long Shot took one last long look at Scootaloo then back to the doctor. “What’s happening to her doc?” he said reluctantly leaving her side before the door closed. He stopped Doctor Stables with a hoof on his shoulder. “She’s been here for over a week, why is she still dying?”
“She has a very rare blood type,” Doctor Stables explained. “In fact, only one percent of the population has it. We can’t give her a transfusion simply because we don’t have any.”
“See if I have her blood type!” Long Shot exclaimed stopping only inches away from the doctor. “See if I’m a match!”
“Um… very well…” Doctor Stables said slightly intimidated. “But we’ll need to run some tests to see if you have anything that would make her worse as well as needing you to fill out some paperwork.”
“As long as we get done before any more damage happens.” Long Shot said before the two stepped out of the room completely, leaving Scootaloo in the room alone for the first time since they got there.
Back on the other side of the hospital, beyond the small waiting room, Fluttershy was sitting next to Greatsword’s bed. The doctors had been done with the surgery for an hour and they were long gone, but she remained, watching over him like an angel. She wondered what was going on inside his mind, what he was dreaming. She looked him up and down, head to hoof in stiches, his blankets damp with the blood that still oozed from the wounds. Blood made her sick, but there was something about him, something that made her want to stay by his side as long as she could.
Meanwhile inside Greatsword’s mind, any description short of hell would still sound pleasant to a normal pony. Greatsword was running through the darkness of his mind, trying to find his way out. Along his trek he was met with horrors and reminders of the friends he had lost. They were calling out to him begging him to save them, but the harder he tried to save them the more violently they died before his eyes.
“WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!” he roared into the darkness, “IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN TAKE?!”
“We haven’t taken anything…” a voice from the shadows of his mind echoed, “This was all you…”
“NO!” Greatsword cried continuing to run into the ever continuing darkness.
“GREATSWORD!” a familiar voice cried, he turned around seeing Record Keeper held down in position while several tendrils dangled closer to her. “GREATSWORD HELP ME!”
“RECORD KEEPER!” he yelled running to her, but the faster he ran the quicker the tendrils advanced quicker until they wrapped themselves around her torso and began to pull. She cried in agony as they pulled her towards them, he was only a few steps away when finally.
RIP! Record Keeper was separated from her limbs and dragged to the ceiling, her blood showering Greatsword as she ascended. “You did this Greatsword!” she cried before disappearing “It’s your fault I’m-“
She didn’t get to finish her statement, all Greatsword could hear was a blood curdling scream from the darkness. Followed by a shower of blood and other body parts, staining his coat red, he fell to his knees throwing his hooves into the air, letting out a cry of pure despair as the blood continued to rain on him.
“What’s the matter hero?” the voice echoed, “Not good enough to save the ones you love?”
“NO!” Greatsword cried, “I can save them! I CAN!” at that moment he heard two familiar voices desperately cry for help. He ran to the noise, only to see Battleaxe and Warhammer being gutted alive by a giant spider-like creature. “BATTLEAXE!” he cried “WARHAMMER!”
“Brother…” Warhammer said reaching out to him weakly, “Why didn’t you come when we called your name? Why did you abandon us?”
“I would never abandon you!” He yelled charging the giant spider. “I’ll save you!”
“You’re too late to save us bro…” Battleaxe said, “and if you were only a bit stronger, you could’ve saved us…” and with that he fell limp to the floor. 
“NO!” Greatsword exclaimed tripping over himself, sending him rolling to a stop. “B-Battleaxe…” he said weakly trying to stand.
“You were too late brother…” Warhammer said weakly, “It’s your fault that we’ve…”
He was cut short by the spider’s foot stomping his face in. the creature stood over the now blood and tear soaked pegasi and began to laugh. “Not quite strong enough, not quite fast enough…” it said mockingly. “But don’t worry, it only cost your brothers… What will Luna say about that?”
Greatsword looked up the beast, his eyes full of guilt and anger. “I… I…”
“Or better yet…” it said reaching into its stomach, “What would THESE two say about it?” he pulled out Comet, his body half-digested, showing in-trails and bone the other was Celestia, her body broken and bloody but still alive.
“WHY?!” he roared, tears flowing from his eyes, “WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!”
“To remind you of your failures…” the creature answered, “And to show you that everything you love will die because YOU aren’t good enough to protect them…”
“G-Greatsword?” Princess Celestia asked opening her eyes, “Greatsword is that you?”
“Yes, my lady…” he answered, “It’s me…”
“You told me you would protect me… keep me safe…”
“I tried…” Greatsword replied, “I tried…”
“Trying isn’t good enough…” Comet said twitching in the creatures hold, “You failed us… all of us…”
“NO!” he cried reaching for them, but the creature stuffed them back into his gut, muffling the screams of the two ponies.
“To slow, hero…” the creature laughed, “Maybe next time… oh wait… they’re already dead.”
Greatsword fell before the creature, expecting it to take him next, but it only disappeared in a cloud of darkness. Leaving him there with the bodies of the ones he loved. Lying in a pool of his brother’s blood he began to let go, feeling the chill of ice and wind engulf him Greatsword finally blacked out.