Hunter In Equestria: Chapter 7

A few hours later, you awoke to someone clearing their throat. You slowly opened your eyes and tried to stretch, only to find your arms unresponsive. Curious.

Looking down, you saw both arms pinned by Twilight and Rainbow. Confusion set in before you remembered where you were.

The pers-pony cleared their throat again, and you looked up. A bright white unico-no, pegasu-, wait, horn and wings? Tall too, much taller standing than you were sitting. She'd come up to at least your neck if you were standing, which only Big Mac could say the same about.

She smiled warmly at you.

"Glad you're awake. I see you're having some...trouble." The pegacorn said to you, gesturing at your currently incapacitated arms. You gave her a nervous grin that screamed 'get them off me'. Without another word, Twilight and Rainbow were both removed from you by a golden aura, placing them in empty seats next to you. Neither stirred or gave any indication of waking up.

"Thanks." You said, shaking your hands out to get the feeling back in them.

"My pleasure, Anonymous."

That got you curious, seeing as you hadn't told her your name.

"Don't mean to be rude, but have we met?" You asked, slightly suspicious.

"No, but Twilight Sparkle speaks quite highly of you." She flared her wings out, and you suddenly noticed the crown and golden shoes. Royalty. "I am Princess Celestia, co-ruler of Equestria." You quickly got out of your chair and kneeled, having met royalty on one or two occasions for hunting rights. She simply laughed. "There's no need for that. Please, talk to me like you would them."

"Uh, okay." Was your delayed response. "So, may I ask what brings you here?"

"I'm here to check on my student and her friends. The recent tragedy must be weighing heavily on them." Celesta's smile faded, though she wasn't quite frowning either. She looked to the sleeping pegasus and unicorn, then looked towards the other three. Rarity was awake, but not really paying much attention. She didn't even seem phased that Celestia was in the room, and was simply staring at a spot in the floor.

Then a snore came from her. Rarity fell asleep with her eyes open...that's not creepy at all. You shook your head, then considered reaching over and shutting her eyes for her. Celestia beat you to it, golden aura gently shutting the white unicorn's eyes. Rarity visibly relaxed at that and her snoring stopped completely, making way for deep, slow breaths.

"And you, Anonymous. How are you holding up? This must be affecting you as well?" She was concerned for you, despite only having just actually met you. You liked her already.

"I'll be fine." You responded. "I've lost friends before, so I suppose I've just built up a resistance to loss. Last I heard though, Fluttershy was in surgery."

Celestia nodded, not precisely pleased with your answer. She quickly changed the subject.

"While you were busy being a pillow, I checked in with a nurse. Fluttershy's wing was reattached thanks to your quick thinking, and they're expecting a near-full recovery." Her smile returned a bit. "They'll be letting visitors in when she finally does wake up."

Relief spread through you, and a smile made its way to your lips. You opened your mouth to speak when the doors opened again. A dark blue pegacorn walked in, also with a crown. Her crown was black, while her shoes were silver...though she was much, much shorter than Celestia. More royalty, you assumed.

"Sister, did we miss anything?"

You looked over her shoulder, there was no one else there. You waited a moment for somepony, anypony, to come through the door. Nothing. So why the 'we'...?

"No Luna, and haven't I told you about not being so formal?" Celestia responded, smile back on her face. "At least you didn't use the Canterlot Voice this time."

Of course, now it made sense. The Royal plural. Very rarely used where you came from, and apparently very rarely used here. Luna gave a sheepish grin. "We are in a hospital, it wouldn't be appropriate. Still, we-I am sorry. I am still growing used to this." She then turned to you.

"Is this the...hue-man Twilight Sparkle spoke of?" You wished these ponies would start pronouncing your species name right. It was starting to bug you. Luna then took note of your armor, or at least the parts you still had on. Your chestplate was under the chair you had been sitting in, though you still had the tasset and leggings on. You noticed the similarity in color between your armor and her coat. Happy coincidence, you figured. "Do you like the night?"

That came out of nowhere.

"Uh, it really depends." You replied, caught off guard.

"On?"

"Whether the night is being used for business or pleasure." Luna flushed a bit at that last word. "Not THAT kind of pleasure...just for enjoyment, I meant."

"And what, pray tell, is your business?"

"Well, back where I came from, I was a Monster Hunter. I hunted and sometimes killed things that were being a danger to my people. Hunting at night is difficult sometimes, simply due to some creatures taking advantage of the shadows."

"What kind of creatures?"

"The kind of monsters that hurt Fluttershy, for instance. I don't know how they got here, but those are from my world."

Both Luna and Celestia shared a concerned look, but didn't say anything. Celestia spoke next.

"We'll look into it. For now though, I'd like to get to know you better. Twilight left some things out of her letters, I can tell."

"I'm not sure what she left out of her notes, but there's been very little that I haven't told her." You responded.

"Well, you mentioned having lost friends before. That must have been a terrible experience. How did you get through it?" The pegacorn asked, a mix of concern and morbid curiosity in her tone.

"Honestly? I never truly did. I still have nightmares about it, simply because their deaths were my fault." You shrugged. "There's nothing I can do to change it, and realistically, there's nothing I could have done at the time to stop it. I understand this, but it doesn't stop it from hurting."

Why did this sound like you were trying to justify it to yourself more than her?

Celestia merely nodded in response, the understanding smile never leaving her face. For reasons you couldn't understand, it was starting to annoy you. Just that incessant smile...

You sighed, before sitting back down. You held your head in your hands, suddenly depressed and sullen.

"Well, there's no reason you can't make new friends, correct?"

You looked up at Celestia, giving her a look that screamed "what do you think I've been doing?"

"I'm not telling you to replace them, they will always have a place in your heart. However, making new friends can help heal old wounds...sometimes more effectively than by what you were doing instead. Remember Anonymous, alcohol is never a substitute for companionship."

How the fuck did she know you drank yourself into oblivion for a week after that? You didn't even tell Twilight that.

"I know a great many things, including how to circumvent magical immunity." Celestia replied to your thought with a laugh.

Great, she could read your mind and get around the whole 'immune to magic' thing. You were willing to bet Luna could too.

"No Anon, Luna cannot. She hasn't had as much time to practice with it as I have."

"Can you please stop doing that? I'd like to have some privacy." You grumbled. Another musical chuckle, and she nodded.

"I was just having some fun, I'll stop."

A yawn from Twilight signaled her waking up. You stood and walked over to her, and Celestia followed you. Deciding she'd have a little more fun, she flared her wings out. Now it looked like you had wings sprouting out of your back, and Celestia was thin enough to hide behind you completely.

"Anon...? Where'd you get those wings...?" Twilight's sleepy mind was chugging, barely registering much at all.

"Uh, they just grew in while you were asleep."

"Oh...kaaaaay..." Twi then promptly went back to sleep. You looked behind you and Celestia had a hoof to her mouth to stifle her laughter. Luna was rolling her eyes, completely unamused.

A doctor came out into the lobby, looking somewhat cross. The anger dissipated almost instantly when he saw both princesses there, but he spoke regardless.

"I don't mean to, uh, intrude, but our patients are sleeping..." His voice was quiet, likely trying to not offend the royalty in the room.

Celestia nodded. "Very sorry, we'll be taking our leave now." She turned to you, giving you a slight bow. "When Twilight wakes up, let her know I was here. Tell her to have Spike send me a letter, and I'll be back over."

You nodded, and with a flash, she and Luna were gone. Which left you with five sleeping ponies...in uncomfortable hospital chairs. It was a damn good thing they were light...
--

You had finished carrying them all to the library. AJ had woken up briefly, but then went back to sleep when you told her you were taking her to bed. You opened the guest room door with your foot, and laid them all on the expanded bed. There was more than enough room for them all, so you spread them out a bit and laid the quilt over them.

"Surprise sleepover..." you muttered, then went into the lobby to crash on the couch Twilight had bought recently. Real, relaxing sleep finally overtook you, and you gladly fell into its embrace.
--

Black swirling clouds were all around you.

"Mmm, that's two that have gotten hurt due indirectly because of you..."

What?

"Applejack and that unicorn...Fluttershy and those curious wingless dragons..."

Whatever was in your head wasn't you. It didn't even know what they were.

"Alright, who the hell are you, and why are you in my head?" You shouted angrily.

"Ah, but that would be telling! I love a good game, and most of the fun is having you figure it out!" The voice cackled, before the clouds obscured your vision.

You roared in anger.

--

Your eyes shot open, and you noticed you were in the guest bedroom. You had somehow gotten into the bed, and had some bodypart covered in mare. Twilight was napping against your chest, with Pinkie and Rarity taking an arm each. Rainbow and AJ each had a leg, and they were all making various sleepy noises. Ordinarily, you'd be ecstatic to be covered in girls like this, but this was just weird.

You sighed, your breath making Twilight's ear twitch. That got a chuckle out of you, though you didn't abuse it.

Then the nightmare came flooding back...was it even a nightmare? It didn't seem like it. In fact, it almost seemed like someone was talking to you. Not Celestia, her voice was much more soothing than what was talking to you. You weren't even sure she was telepathic.

Your head was itchy, but you couldn't move your arms to scratch it. Irritated, you began moving your arm out from Pinkie's vice-like grip. Once free, you relieved the itch and placed your arm back down...where Pinkie promptly grabbed it again. It was like you were one giant cuddle toy.

Rainbow Dash was the first to wake up, yawning and stretching. She let go of your leg with a slight blush, probably silently praying you weren't awake. You decided to spare her the embarrassment and close your eyes. You felt her hop off the bed.

"Hey, girls. We should go see Fluttershy, get up!" The pegasus nearly shouted. You felt Twilight and Applejack jerk awake, with Rarity and Pinki-where'd she go? One second she was there, the next...gone. Weird, you hadn't even heard her move.

"Wow Twilight, you were right. 'E IS comfy. Might have ta steal 'im from ya every now and then." Applejack said with a laugh. Feeling all the weight off of you, you decided to 'wake up' with a loud yawn. "Well, speak of the devil!"

"And the devil shall appear." You replied with a wry grin. "Sleep well girls?"

A chorus of "yes" or "yep" followed. "C'mon, we're going to go see Fluttershy!" With that, Rainbow Dash was off like a bullet, rainbow trail behind you. Pinkie was just...gone again, and you saw her skipping down the trail when you looked out of the window.

Rarity and Applejack attached themselves to Twilight, and the purple unicorn gave you a sly smile.

"See you there!"

With a wink, she teleported.

You stood there, mouth agape. Did they seriously just ditch you?

Yes, yes they did.
--

It was a few hours before you showed up at the hospital. You had taken time to get something to eat, meanwhile puzzling out what was going on with you. Strange dreams all the time, your growing attraction with this place in general...

You shrugged, before walking in the building. You stepped up to the front desk, and asked for directions to Fluttershy's room. Directions in hand, you thanked the mare at the counter and entered the yellow pegasus' room.

Fluttershy seemed...different. Her colors were completely faded out, and Applejack and Rainbow looked ready to fight the injured pegasus. Twilight, Pinkie, and Rarity were nowhere to be seen.

"Oh look, it's the monkey. Come for a banana?" Fluttershy sneered. You blinked, taken aback by her sudden hostility. Where was the little quiet pegasus from yesterday?

What the...

"Fluttershy, what the hell is going on with you?" Fluttershy wasn't acting like herself, and it seemed like you were the only one still able to speak in non-angrish. AJ was visibly restraining herself, as was Rainbow.

"Why don't you ask Rainbow Crash? Or the inbred redneck?" Fluttershy cackled and gestured to the pegasus and earth pony in turn.

That did it for the both of them. They both lunged at her, and you had to step in the middle. Rainbow collided with your chest and you had to grab Applejack around the waist as she went by.

"Whoa, slow down. I'm trying to piece together what happened." You kept your voice level, pulling both enraged ponies out of the room with some difficulty. You stepped into the hall and closed the door behind you. "What the hell?!" You exclaimed, no other real question on your mind.

"Ah dunno, but she's fixin' for a hurtin'." Applejack huffed. Rainbow Dash was too enraged for words. All that came from her was heavy panting as she tried to calm herself down.

"Let me talk to her. Alone." You added when the two stood. "I'm surprisingly slow to anger, so I can at least try to figure out what's going on."

You took a deep breath, and went back into the lion's den, closing the door behind you.

"Fluttershy, what the fuck." You said bluntly. "Is this about what happened yesterday?"

"If you have to know, chimp, yes. When that thing attacked me, after I had been nice to it? After I had fed it? Well, I figured out being nice isn't worth it."

You sighed.

"You've been given the likelihood of a full recovery. That doesn't sound like a reason to be nasty."

"I think it's a great reason to stop caring! I lost my WING, Anon."

You groaned.

"So you were nice to something, and it metaphorically bit you in the flank?" You suppressed a mirthless chuckle. "That's life, Flutters. You have to pick yourself up and let it go."

"Oh, like a murderer like you has ever been too nice to something." The pegasus scoffed. You winced, that was a low blow. A flare of anger was quickly quashed.

"C'mon, talk to me. Why does this, of all things, make you want to be mean and nasty to your friends?"

"I'm tired of being pushed around! Maybe if I do some pushing back, I'll be respected!" Fluttershy's voice was raising in volume as she was speaking, growing to a low roar by the end. Some of her color was coming back, but it was still greatly muted.

"They DO respect you. There's a reason you're friends with them, Fluttershy. Even if you don't want to be nice to wild animals anymore, that's no reason to take it out on Rainbow and AJ." You replied calmly. "We shouldn't be fighting. We should be celebrating."

"Celebrating WHAT, exactly?" The pink-maned pegasus snapped.

"The fact you're still alive. You easily could have died yesterday, and it was only through the quick thinking of the friends you've been insulting that you're still here."

Fluttershy froze, tears in her eyes. Her color came back in full...and she began sobbing.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! Please don't hate me! I'm sorry..." She cried, sobbing her little heart out. It was heartbreaking. You opened the door and let the two ponies back in, satisfied it was over.

They quickly went to her bedside, and you left. You needed to find out what happened to Rarity, Pinkie, and Twilight.
--

You searched all around Ponyville for them, asking a few ponies if they had seen any of the three. All answered with a 'no' or a 'not today'.

You frowned, this wasn't good. You decided to check the library after all, just to see if they arrived after you left.

As you approached, a note was on the door.

"Anon: If you're reading this note, then I'm at Canterlot with the Princess. I'll be back before sunset.
~ Twilight"

Well, that answered where she was. Strange that she would abandon her friend like that, but with the way Fluttershy had been acting, you weren't too shocked.

Still didn't answer where Rarity or Pinkie Pie were.

--

Sugarcube Corner. Why didn't you check here sooner?

You opened the door, and a massive cake was sitting on the counter. Easily as tall as you, colored yellow and pink. Very spongy just from looking at it, and absolutely covered in thick frosting. Pinkie was hard at work mixing a new batch of frosting, so into her task she didn't even hear you enter. You noticed her hair was flattened again, and a distraught look was on her face.

"Pinkie?"

She perked up when she heard you, and looked at you. Her hair remained flat, and it looked like she was...unhinged. It was really creeping you out.

"What?"

"I'm not sure what *was* wrong with Fluttershy, but I sorted it out. If you want to visit her, she's actually ready now."

That did it. Pinkie's mane and tail immediately poofed back up, and she gave you a tight hug around the neck.

"You're the bestest friend EVER! I'm gonna go see her now, thanks Anon!" With that, she darted out the door and down the street.

"So what was the cake...for...ah forget it..." You grumbled to yourself.

"For Fluttershy, silly filly!" Was Pinkie's response.

Your head nearly hit the ceiling, and your heart tried to jump out of your throat.

"For f-Pinkie! How in the hell did you do that?!"

"Well, I-"

"Nevermind Pinkie, really. Not important."

"Okie Dokie Lokie!" She then proceeded to skip out of the store for the second time in five minutes. Crazy fracking mare was going to give you a heart attack one of these days...
--
Carousel Boutique was the last place you could think to look. Honestly, you should have gotten the obvious places FIRST, would have saved a lot of time.

A closed sign was in the window, but you knocked on the door regardless.

"It's open!" Rarity called from inside. You pushed the door open and found the unicorn looking...angry. Just flat out angry. "Oh, it's you again. Listen, I'm not much in the mood to entertain you today. Try again when Fluttershy isn't being such a..."

"Bitch?" You finished for her. She winced at the language, but nodded all the same.

"Yes. Not the word I would use, but yes." She sighed and took a seat on a nearby chair. "Seeing as you're here, would you like some tea? I have some ready."

"That would be nice, thank you."

"I may have been...wrong about you." Rarity started, pouring two cups. "I suppose it's not how you look that matters, but how you act. You've been nothing but a gentlecolt, and I've been rude to you at every turn. I'm sorry."

You waved the apology off.

"It's fine, Rarity. I never took it too personally." You took the cup from her telekinetic grip, taking a light sip. You weren't sure what it was, but you didn't like it. You suppressed a grimace.

She shook her head. "I still feel terrible about it darling. Is there any way I can...make it up to you?"

Was she giving you bedroom eyes?

Yes, yes she was. This got awkward...and FAST too.

"Well, there *is* something I have in mind."

"Oh? Do tell." She placed a hoof on your thigh. Your brain was screaming at the invasion of personal space.

"You can go make up with Fluttershy. Not sure what was wrong with her, but we had a talk and I sorted it out." You were speaking quicker than usual due to nervousness, but she got the hint. With a small smile, she nodded.

"Well, if there's anything else I can help with...you know where to find me..." She replied in a teasing voice. She walked out, presumably to visit Fluttershy. You sighed and calmed your nerves. If Pinkie sneaking up on you was creepy, you weren't even sure how to classify...whatever THAT was.

You left shortly afterwards, and the door magically locked behind you. Interesting.
--

Night had fallen, and you were still roaming the streets of Ponyville. The four had yet to leave the hospital, and you didn't want to intrude on great friends enjoying themselves. You weren't exactly part of their group anyway, so it would have felt strange.

The note on the treehouse door was still there, which concerned you. Twilight is rarely late, especially THIS late. You unlocked the door, taking down the note as you went in.

To your surprise, Twilight was there, books strewn about all around her. She wasn't paying any attention to you, a theme you noticed today.

"Twilight?"

She didn't respond. Her mane was somewhat out of place, sticking out in various places.

You waved a hand in front of her face, but she didn't move. She almost looked like she was in a trance. You placed a hand on her, and she flinched, coming out of her trance.

"Oh, sorry Anon."

"Twi, what were you doing?"

"Trying to find a way to fix Fluttershy. She's Discordant, but the spell I have for it didn't work."

You chuckled. You didn't know what being 'discordant' was about, but you guessed it had something to do with Fluttershy's colors fading out. "How long have you been at this?"

"Uh..." She looked at the candle next to her. "Twelve hours."

"Well, it was twelve hours wasted. Flutters is fine now, I talked to her about what was bugging her."

"...that was it?" She seemed to be in disbelief.

"Uh, yeah? She just vented to me for a little bit, and I told her just how good she had it. Fluttershy then just...burst into tears. Everypony's there now, you should hurry."

She nodded, a giant smile on her face. Twilight soon teleported away, leaving you with Spike in the library. You laid back on the couch, cracking open one of the many books scattered about. The title of this particular book had been worn away, but it did at one point have one. You started reading, intrigued. Tonight would be nice for relaxation anyway.

You fell asleep reading the book, only to be woken up by someon-somepony poking you in the side with a hoof. You jerked awake, the book falling off of your face and onto the ground.

"Huhwha?" You asked sleepily. Celestia was standing in front of you, laughing to herself. You quickly woke up, trying your greeting again.

"Hello Celestia, what brings you here?"

"I came to check on my student personally today, but only found you. May I ask where she is?"

"Hospital. Fluttershy had something wrong with her, but it's fine now. Twilight and her friends are keeping Fluttershy company." You answered, perhaps a bit more in-depth than you needed to. Celestia nodded, then turned to leave.

"Thank you Anonymous, we should speak after I make sure the Element of Kindness is alright." With that, she spread her grand wings and took flight, the royal guards tailing after her.

You shrugged, and continued your nap.
--

At some point, Twilight had come home and went to bed. You wouldn't know when, you were not in the land of the conscious at the time. You got off the couch and stretched, your spine popping several times. You went upstairs to briefly check on the unicorn, then went back down and into the guest room. On the nightstand was a slice of cake and a note from Twilight.

"I couldn't have hoped to meet a better friend from stranger circumstances. Please don't hate me next week, we'll all be under a lot of...stress.

~Twilight"

Well, that was..cryptic.