The Ghost of Cozy Glow the Second Story

by SapphireRose87

21) I Just Have to Save People Don't I?

When we finally got the last trench it just had to be nighttime. Once again, the cease-fire meant that we had to stop fighting.

Great, I thought, I just want to get to Shadow Mist! Is that too much to ask for?

No sooner had I thought that, I nodded off to sleep. It wasn’t long before a slap in the face snapped me out of it. My eyes shot open, afraid a woman slapped me. I looked to see Jasper and Ben standing over me.

“Ow!” I said. “What did I do this time?”

“You didn’t do anything,” Jasper said.

“Then why did I get slapped and who slapped me?” I said.

Jasper tried to block his laugh with his hand, “It was Ben! Feel free to chew him out!”

“Hey!” Ben said. “I was just trying to help!”

“What exactly were you helping with?” I snapped.

“You were having a nightmare!” Ben said. “And you were talking in your sleep!”

“What was I saying to earn a slap in the face?” I said.

“You kept talking about Betty,” said Jasper, “you said something to the effect of ‘don’t go!’ I take it you were dreaming about when she jumped off that cliff right?”

I nodded, “Yeah that would be it.”

“Wait a minute!” Ben said. “Are you talking about the Legendary Death Walker Betty Jewel?”

“Yeah,” I said, “she’s dead now and to add onto that she's the Queen of hell!”

“How could she have died if she’s a legend now?” Ben said.

“She died alright,” said Jasper, “how do you think she became the queen of hell? I don’t think you can be alive for that!”

“Oh yeah,” said Ben, “the book did say she was the queen of hell. Those people in black clothing were fighting side by side with us back in Equestria! Are they demons?”

I rolled my eyes, “What do you think?”

“Okay, okay,” said Ben, “sorry my bad!”

“Yeah,” I said, “now please don't talk about my sister around me!”

“Okay then,” said Ben, “I’m going back to my side of the trench!”

“Good!” I snapped. “You do that!”

“Wow Norman,” said Jasper, “sorry about egging Ben on, but I figured you’d love a chance to kill Ben!”

I heard a voice in my head like a radio going off.

“Team Enemy Lines! Team Enemy Lines!” I heard the voice say. “Team Enemy Lines! If you can hear me just say yes or nod your heads!”

“Am I crazy,” I said, “are you guys hearing the voice too? Or do I need to check into an insane asylum?”

“Does it sound like a radio going off in your head?” Jasper said.

“Yup,” I said, “what about you guys?”

“Yeah! We can hear it too!” Ana, Xavier, and Ben said.

I recognized the voice. My sister's voice.

“If I didn’t know any better I’d say Betty's trying to contact us!” I said.

“Are you talking about the Legendary Death Walker Betty?” Xavier said.

“Just shut up and listen!” I said.

“Thank you Norman,” said Betty, “just in case you’re wondering, being able to talk inside someone's mind is a demon talent. That’s why I’m able to talk to you right now!”

“Wait a minute,” said Ana, “did she just say demon?”

I groaned, “Did you guys even read the history book about her? What rock have you been living under? Just shut up and stay shut up! Got that?”

“Thanks again Norman,” said Betty. “We have gained intel about the enemy territory. There’s an Inn on the outskirts of the kingdom of Mave. I can escort you to it on the next ceasefire. But there might be some of the enemy forces waiting for us. I would say may Celestia be with us all. But she’s dead now and she can’t do a thing to help us! Stay sharp and listen for any more messages! I’m out. See you soon!”

“Well,” said Jasper, “I guess we’re going to be here for another day huh?”

“I just want to end this war already!” I said. “Is that too much to ask for?”

* * *

The next night Betty came to escort us to the Inn that she mentioned the night before. Before Jasper and I could go to our room, Ana pulled me to the side. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hear what Ana was going to say. I wanted to get to my room and go to sleep.

“You wanna know what’s funny?” Ana said.

“What is it?” I said.

“You act like you don’t remember me,” Ana said.

“You don’t look familiar to me,” I said, “so it’s no different than fighting side by side with Xavier and Ben.”

“That’s cute,” said Ana, “ you don’t remember why you won three of the five medals you have.”

“Uhh…” I said with a confused look on my face.

“You saved me three times back when you were a cadet!” Ana said. “I heard you won two more medals just for saving people? You can’t help yourself can you?”

I shrugged, “I guess it just comes naturally to me. If I did save you I probably told you that you don’t owe me anything!”

“Actually I do owe you!” Ana said. “Since you saved me three times I think I should show you how grateful I am, don’t you think?”

I didn’t realize that I was standing right in front of a chair because when I backed up I found myself sitting on it. I gulped when Ana sat on me. When I snapped out of my terror I was angry. So angry that I bawled my hand into a fist and was getting ready to deck her in the face before she kissed me just like it happened with Olivia.

“Hell no!” I screamed. “Get off me!”

“What the matter, Norman?” Ana said.

Before she tried kissing me again I almost finished my punch when Jasper stepped in and caught it in his hand. That was when Ben came over and pulled her off me.

“Sergeant Ana!” Jasper said. “Do you care to tell me why you’re sexually assaulting my general?”

“I wasn’t doing anything to him!” Ana said. “I'm just trying to show him my gratitude for saving me three times!”

“Doesn’t matter Ana!” Jasper snapped. “When someone says get off them. You. Get. Off! You don't see how pissed off he is? I don’t think he wants that type of gratitude!”

Ana looked at the fact Jasper was still holding my punch in his hand.

“Let my fist go Jasper!” I snapped. “I’m not going to let it happen again!”

Ben and Xavier didn’t look too happy at what Ana had just done too.

“What exactly happened to General Norman, Second Jasper?” Ben said.

“It’s a long story,” said Jasper, “and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to talk about it! This time I am holding him back! We have to get to Shadow Mist. And we’re so close! Ana, try something like that again and I’ll let Norman finish his punch. Do you understand me?”

Ana shrank back in terror at Jasper. I didn’t notice how angry Jasper was because I really wanted to land my punch on her.

“Ana,” said Ben, “try that again and I just might let you die in battle!”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Ana said.

“Try me!” Ben said. “It’s okay General Norman, you can stop now!”

“NO!” I roared.

Jasper then took my arm and held it behind my back. I snarled at Ana which seemed to amuse her instead of scaring her, fueling my anger.

“Oh well,” said Ana, “I’ll just have to find some other way to show my gratitude! You did save me three times after all!”

“Yeah,” I said, “there’s no way I’m going to save you anymore!”

“Oh you will save me, you want to know why?” Ana said. “Because you just can’t stop yourself from not saving people! Have fun resisting that urge!”

“You little witch!” I shouted.

“Calm down Norman!” Jasper said. Without another word, he dragged me upstairs to our room.

* * *

That night I couldn’t sleep. I just laid in bed trying so hard not to think of what just happened with Ana and unfortunately, I couldn’t help but think she was right about me saving people.

I just have to save people! I thought.

“You can’t sleep can you?” Jasper said.

“What do you think?” I said.

“Yup,” said Jasper, “women aren’t just annoying they’re crazy too!”

“Don’t forget psychos,” I said, “but psycho women run in the family. Good thing Betty didn’t grow up to be one!”

Jasper couldn’t help but laugh, “You just can’t chase them away can you? And unfortunately neither can I! Remember what I said about putting that snake in that girl’s desk?”

“Yeah?” I said.

“After I did that was when I realized that I was gay!” Jasper said. “Do you want to know when I realized that I had feelings for you?”

I raised my eyebrow, “When I saved you?”

Jasper shook his head, “Nope remember that fight we got into when we first met?”

“Yeah?” I said. “I sent you flying into a wall. That was when I was still turning people into punching bags. You just happened to be in my line of fire!”

Jasper laughed, “I probably shouldn’t have challenged you even back then! I didn’t realize how strong you were. And I didn’t think that anyone could do that to me! No one had been able to do that to me ever since I enlisted! The fact that you did it on the first try amazed me!”

“You sure didn’t look amazed by it then!” I said.

“Why do you think I kept challenging you to sparring matches after our first mission?” Jasper said.

“Because you were an idiot?” I said. “Not to mention you hated me calling you a coward!”

“True I hated that,” laughed Jasper, “but I kept challenging you to see if you would send me flying again!”

“Yeah that took some self-control,” I said, “although I really wanted to do that big time! And I didn’t want to get sent back to therapy again.”

Jasper snorted, “That’s what you were afraid of? Getting sent back to therapy? You know you're human, right?”

“Yeah, last time I checked I am,” I said, “and a death walker on top of that. I don’t know if being a death walker makes me human still.”

“I think it does,” said Jasper, “although I don't know what being a death walker is like. And trust me I don’t want to find out. I do wonder something though.”

“What?” I said not sure if I wanted to know what he was thinking.

“Why don’t you add another woman to the group?” Jasper said.

“If I find another sane woman like Sunset then maybe,” I said, “so far every woman I’ve come across has a screw loose!”

“I guess it’s a good thing that Olivia isn’t around,” Jasper said. “Now if only we can get rid of insane Liz and insane Chole!”

“That’s exactly why I’m not adding any more women,” I said, “and Ana’s not invited!”

“In any case, we try to sleep, that is if that’s what you want to do?” Jasper said.

“After what happened with Ana,” I said, “I’m not in the mood right now.”

* * *

After we headed out of the Inn and started to head towards the castle, I realized there were hardly any ponies around and it really creeped me out.

“This is so weird,” Xavier said, “we’re out in the open, and nopony’s attacking us?"

“I wouldn’t think that so soon!” I said. “At least we’re not hearing any nursery rhymes yet!”

“Huh?” Xavier said.

“Long story…” I said.

I looked behind me to see Jasper trying so hard not to laugh. I had a feeling of why that was. When I saw what Ana was doing it gave me the creeps. That’s because Ana was giving me the same look that I give Jasper, Robert and Sunset sometimes.

Jasper tried his best to keep a straight face when he came beside me.

“In case you’re wondering,” said Jasper, “yeah she is staring at your butt!”

“I’m going to pretend you didn’t just say that!” I said. “And to add onto that it’s not funny!”

“You get around don’t you?” Xavier said.

“I don’t get around with her!” I snapped. “She’s not invited!”

“I’m going to make a suggestion,” Ben said.

“I have a feeling I don’t want to know what you’re going to say,” I said.

“Why don’t you marry your first branch?” Ben said.

“First branch?” I said.

“Oh yeah,” said Ben, “Equestrian law does say, if you’re forming a big family it would be wise to designate the people or ponies that will be the original family or first branch so to speak. Once you do that, anyone else that gets added to the group can not be included into the family without the Alpha leaders say so.”

“That’s going to keep people from stalking me how?” I said.

“Once the Alpha is chosen,” said Ben, “the rest of the family will protect him or her. You can also get a restraining order amulet that doesn’t just work in the observation room.”

“How does that work?” I said.

Ben shrugged, “I’m not sure, but I’ve seen people and ponies have it on them before. Usually, it’s because they need protection from crazy people.”

“Oh yeah,” said Jasper, “Norman needs protection alright! And if there is a first branch and an Alpha leader is chosen it would be him! I think Sunset and Robert would agree with me.”

“No kidding!” I said. “You would think that people wouldn’t force me to date them!”

“You can’t win can you?” Xavier said.

“Nope!” I said. “Maybe I should do some self-defense training to keep people from tying me to a chair and sitting on me!”

Ben laughed, “Yeah might help too!”

We couldn’t continue our conversation because out of nowhere an arrow whizzed past. I heard the arrow coming and jumped out of the way pushing Ana out of the way in the process.

Yup, I thought, I just have to save people!

I had half a mind to use Ana as a shield when another arrow came towards us. Thankfully Betty caught it and snapped it in half.

“Take cover!” Betty said. “Now!”

I smiled because it reminded me of when this war first started and Dae came to save me. I didn’t want to get hit by another arrow or whatever attack the enemy could do. So I took cover behind a nearby tree. Thankfully Ana had enough common sense to take cover. I wasn’t about to save her again if I had a thing or two to say about it.

I turned my attention towards Betty again, watching her in awe as she fought the enemy attacks not even breaking a sweat. She caught arrows out of the air snapping them in two. She turned around as if she were doing a dance and catching some bullets in her hands and crushed them as if she were crushing a tin can. Every attack that the enemy threw at her she dodged or caught and broke with her bare hands. I realized something, I didn’t see her take out her death walker weapon not once. But it didn’t look like she needed it at all. When the last enemy was defeated she turned around and smiled at us.

“Wow,” said Jasper, “she’s amazing! And she didn’t even break a sweat!”

I shrugged, “She is a legend after all! Some of the battles she fought in the history book almost seemed too good to be true! They sure got it right!”

“You’re all clear!” Betty shouted. “You can come out now!”

When we came out from cover everyone including me looked at Betty in awe.

“No wonder why you’re a legend!” Xavier cheered. “You definitely deserve the title!”

“Queen of hell yes,” said Betty, “I don’t accept legend, not in the slightest! Don’t want that title!”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that, “You’re just as bad as I am!”

“Ha, ha,” said Betty, “very funny Norman!”

“Hey,” I said, “that’s my line!”

“You want to know what’s getting really old?” Betty growled.

I tried to stifle a laugh because I knew what she was getting ready to say.

“People and ponies and any other creatures in between bowing to me!” Betty said. “You can look at me now! Blah, blah! Honestly now! Well, at least I don’t have to wear a dress! I had to for my coronation ceremony and wedding but there’s no way I’m wearing a dress all the time!”

“You know you’re a queen right?” I chuckled, “you probably should act like it!”

“Yeah, yeah that’s what Parada told me!” Betty said, rolling her eyes.

“Who?” I said.

“She’s the king and queen of hell’s assistant,” Betty said, “the first time I met her it wasn’t pleasant!”

“Why?” I said.

“You don’t want to know!” Betty said. “If any case the castle is right up ahead. The rest is up to you. Hopefully, I’ll see you later Norman alive and not in The Land of the Dead!”

“I will do my best,” I said, “but I’m not making any promises…”

Betty nodded at me and disappeared. When we turned our attention to the drawbridge everyone’s eyes went wide at how many of the enemy we saw guarding it. There were at least twenty of the enemy guarding it.

“Okay then," said Xavier, “what do we do now?”

“You know I always say ‘okay then’ when I’m getting ready to make an exit,” I said. “I hope that’s not what any of you are planning to do!”

“Hell no!” Everyone else said.

“Good!” I said. “Jasper, you’re up!”