New Life, Same Soldier

Jones was still sitting in the bed for a few days when Rainbow Dash came back again. "Hey Dumbass, what's up?"

He was beginning to get used to the nickname. "Just sitting here waiting to be discharged. How about you?"

"Just flying and controlling the weather. Nothing new other than visiting you."

"How does that work anyway? Controlling the weather?"

"I'm really not, uh 'wordy' enough to know all of the specific stuff, so I think I'm better off leaving it to Twilight." Just then, the purple pony poked her head in the door.

"Well, speak of the devil."

Twilight and Rainbow were confused. "Speak of the what?"

He sighed. "Don't ask, it's just a human saying. When you're talking about someone and then they come out of nowhere, that's what we say."

Twilight was still a bit confused. "Huh. Well, I'll just ask you everything later. The nurses said you wanted to talk to me?"

"Yeah. I just wanted to apologize to you and Fluttershy about the other night. Dash here talked some sense into me and I want to start over. She even gave me a nickname." He looked over at the pegasus. "It's something she heard me calling myself when I was in my coma. She said it was 'unique.'"

"Oh? She only has nicknames for her friends. What is it Dash?"

She answered nonchalantly. "Dumbass."

Twilight was a bit shocked at the name, knowing Dash had never actually heard it before. "Uh, you know what that means, right? It's an insult for humans."

"Yeah, I know. He told me."

"You know what? Nevermind. Henry, I asked the nurses on the way down here and they said you were ready to go. I already filled out the discharge papers, so you just need to gather up your stuff."

"Really? Well it's about time they let me out. Thanks, Twilight. I owe you two now."

"What? No, you don't owe me anything. I'll explain when we get to the library, just follow me. Wanna come Dash? I think I've got the newest copy of Daring Do."

"I'd love to, Twi', but there's actually a storm planned for tonight and tomorrow and it'll take a few hours to get everything in place. I'll come by when there's a chance."

"Alright. Henry? Who do you want to stay with?"

He was a little taken back. "What?"

"Which one of the girls do you want to stay with? I'd say the best choices are me or Fluttershy since we've got guest rooms. After all, Rainbow Dash lives in a cloud, AJ has the barn, and Pinkie is... Pinkie."

"Thanks for the offer, but I think I'll take Applejack's barn. I need a little freedom anyway."

"Okay, suit yourself. No peace and quiet with them, and they always wake up really early."

"I'm good, thanks though."

Well, there goes one of my chances to study his sleeping patterns. I have to know more about his behavior- why are they looking at me like that? Twilight Sparkle, you're staring. STOP! "Sorry, I was just thinking about... stuff."

Dash looked at Henry, who was getting out of his bed. "That's Egghead for ya." Twilight was a little agitated. "Well, have fun showing him around town. I've got a storm to make. See ya!" She trotted out the door.

"So, Twilight. Do you know where Fluttershy is? I want to apologize."

"She's either at home or at the spa with Rarity. I'd rather check the former first, if you don't mind."

"Yeah, I really don't feel like going to the spa. Good idea." He motioned to the camouflaged suit. "Can I put this in your saddlebags?"

She teased him a little. "It's a bit early for me to start carrying your stuff around, don't you think?"

He scoffed and opened the saddlebags on her back, putting the suit in. He then grabbed the strap and put it over his shoulder. "I'll carry your stuff for you then. Anything else, ma'am?"

She had to laugh. Speaking in a mockingly uptight tone, "No, that is all kind sir. Shall we go?"

He laughed again after strapping the holster and knife sheath on his waist. He'd already put on the boots. He copied her tone. "We shall, milady."

They both laughed. Henry's going to be nicer than I thought. A major break through!

Leaving and saying goodbye to the nurses, they left on their way to Fluttershy's house. A little ways out of town, Spike ran into them, obviously panicked. "Twilight, thank Celestia you're here! I was helping Rarity look for more jewels and we were attacked by those Diamond Dogs again!"

"Why can't she just complain and whine a lot like last time?"

"They put a muzzle on her and tied her up. I barely got away."

"No! Spike, go get the girls. Henry, come with me." They ran in the direction that Spike had pointed to, eventually coming across a field with three holes in the ground. They were about to go down one when they heard a muffled scream come from behind a pile rocks.

Peeking around, they found the Diamond Dogs again forcing the seamstress to locate jewels for them. "No whining this time! This was a good idea."

Twilight went around and tried to sneak up on them. Just hold on, Rarity. I'll get you. One of the dogs started sniffing the air.

"Hmmm. I smell something familiar. It smells like one of the other ponies." He turned around quickly and wrapped a huge paw around her horn and she yelped in surprise. "We've got you now, pony. You get to look for jewels too!"

Jones watched in shock as they strapped a muzzle on Twilight so that she couldn't yell. Shit! What do I do? I don't want to kill them unless I have to, but I'm outnumbered. He peeked back over the rocks. Seeing their backs turned to him, he dropped Twilight's saddlebags and walked out from behind the rocks where he could plainly see three of the dogs and a tied up Rarity and Twilight. Here goes nothing...

He yelled loudly, "Hey fuckers! Let them go!"

The three turned and looked at him. "This one is new. He looks like us, but I know a Diamond Dog when I see one." The apparent leader turned to the larger one, obviously the brute of the group. "Get him and make him dig."

"Yes, boss." The large dog walked over and stood a good two feet over the human. "Let's make this easy. I tie you up, you dig up jewels. Deal?"

He pretended to think it over, letting the dog get annoyed. "Hmm... No deal, asshole." Before the giant could react, Jones reared back and sent a steel-toed boot into the dog's nether regions. He toppled over, clutching his crotch and whimpering in pain. "No kids for you." He stepped over the incapacitated animal and faced the other two. They hadn't noticed their friend take the hit.

He snuck up until he was right behind the smallest one and noticed him staring at the hole that was currently being dug by the leader. He let his hover just behind the dog's shoulder for a moment and asked quietly, "What are we waiting for?" The dog jerked around in surprise. Before he could yell, Jones sent his fist into the dog's nose and let him crumple to the ground.

He sat cross-legged by the hole, patiently waiting for the leader to come up. When he did finally come to the surface, his back was turned the human and two dogs. His paw reached out behind him, apparently waiting for the one Jones had just knocked out. "Cattle prod." He looked and saw the smaller one with a smaller version of a human's cattle prod strapped to its belt.

He unclipped the small cattle prod and walked up behind the leader. "Heh, sure thing, boss." He quickly grabbed the back of the dog's head, jamming the prongs so hard into the beast's neck that it penetrated the flesh, then activated it. The dog tensed up then fell to the ground, where he twitched wildly for a minute and falling still, unconscious.

He turned and saw a tied up Rarity and Twilight laying on the ground, both in panic. He pulled the knife and cut off the ropes and muzzles. Rarity spoke first. "Henry, I thank you very much for saving us from those heathens, though you did use a rather uncouth way to deal with them. I forgive you, as you saved our lives." She jumped up and hugged him tightly, though it lasted only a moment. "Ahem, well, let us go home now. I would like to spend a short while to calm down."

They turned to leave and saw Spike, panting, with the rest of the girls. They all looked shocked and relieved. "Well, I'll be darned, Henry! Yah took down those three Diamond Dogs by yourself when us seven could barely stop 'em with Rarity's whi-... complainin'. I didn't think anypony could beat the stuffin' outta those dogs besides the soldiers here. And I was impressed when you said you killed that Ursa Minor!"

He glanced at the two unconscious dogs and the one laying on the ground, doubled over and nursing his own 'jewels.' "Yeah, I agree with Rarity. Let's go home and leave the bastards be."

Fluttershy looked around at the three Diamond Dogs laying on the ground. Oh goodness. How could he do this? He may be a little angry sometimes, but knocking out three vicious Diamond Dogs? Even that's just cruel. She heard Applejack talking and looked around again. She saw Twilight and Rarity getting up and stretching, apparently having been tied up by the dogs.

"Rarity, Twilight? Are you okay?"

Twilight looked up and noticed Fluttershy standing behind the group. "Yeah we're okay Fluttershy."

"Fluttershy, darling, I am very sorry that I missed our spa appointment. Would you like to go tomorrow?"

"Uh, y-yes, that would be nice."

"Thank you. Now I would like to go home. Spikey-wikey?"

"Yeah Rarity?"

"Be a dear and get the cart with jewels in them, would you?"

"Yes, alright!" He ran over to the cart and started following Rarity, struggling to keep up while pulling the full cart.

"Now, if nopony minds, I've got to go get that storm started." Rainbow Dash flew off to start gathering clouds.

"As much as I want to spend time with ya'll, I have to get back to the farm. See ya'll later!" Applejack trotted off back to Sweet Apple Acres.

That left herself, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, and Henry. "I'm still planning a party for you, Henry, so I'll see everypony later!" She jumped down the short hole that the apparent leader had been digging. When Henry looked down, he got a confused and surprised look on his face. As they were walking over, Twilight said, "Don't ask, Henry. It's Pinkie Pie." He just nodded confusedly.

He walked to Fluttershy and she shrunk back onto the ground. "Fluttershy, please let me apologize. I didn't mean to yell the other night." He squatted down to meet her face to face. "I'm really sorry, Fluttershy. If you want to accept, go ahead. If you don't," he got up and sighed. "I'll be in AJ's barn." He walked away, following the general direction Applejack had gone in.

"Twilight, what do you think I should do?"

"Well, Dash said she talked to him after we left. He's been through more than we could imagine and then some, so he's got a lot on his mind. He thinks living here in peace would be impossible because all he's known is fighting and pain. If I were you, I would accept the apology and give him some time."

"I'm sorry Twilight. I didn't think about his time before he came to the Everfree. I'll wait until tomorrow and let him think." She sighed. "I'll see you later tomorrow, Twilight. I'm going home."

"Bye Fluttershy. See you later..." Fluttershy could feel her friend staring at her back while she walked. When she got home, she found Angel waiting for her at the front door.

"I'm sorry, Angel Bunny. I got caught up with the girls, but it's okay now." She unlocked the door and went inside. "I feel sorry for Henry, though. I didn't know that he'd been through so much. I need to see him tomorrow." She noticed it was getting dark outside, probably from the storm clouds Rainbow Dash was bringing in. She looked at the grandfather clock in the den and it read 5:49 p.m. "Well, I guess we can have dinner early and laze around tonight. What do you say Angel?" His foot tapped rapidly. Yes.

Jones was sitting in the barn, organizing the few things he had with him. He sat quietly and heard the barn door open. "Big Mac, he in there?"

"Nno-" His word was interrupted as Jones stepped out into the open. "Eeyup."

"Good. Henry, come on. You're stayin' in the house, not the barn."

"Alright then." He gathered up his things and walked to the door. "Where to?"

"You can sleep on the sofa in the livin' room. You saved Fluttershy and Twilight after they saved you and Rocky, so I thought you should stay somewhere decent. Don't you worry, I already talked it over with Granny, she said you could."

"Thank you, AJ. And you too Big Mac."

"Eeyup."

"You don't talk much do you?"

"Nnope."

"Man of few words. Respectable." Big Mac nodded in thanks and led them to the farmhouse. There were dark clouds covering the sky and he could hear thunder in the distance. "Looks like Dash made quite the storm."

Applejack looked up. "Sure does. Hope nothin' happens to the barn or the trees. Don't like the look of this storm."

"Yeah, me neither. Don't think I'd have wanted to stay in the barn tonight if I knew this was in store."

"Heh, it's a good thing I came to get you then." Big Mac opened the door and let them inside. "Here ya go. If ya need anythin' my room's up the stairs, last one on the right."

"Thanks, I appreciate it." She nodded and Big Mac went up the stairs to his room. "Night, Big Mac!"

"Eeyup!"

He looked back at Applejack. "Does that stay annoying or do you get used to it?"

"Eh, your opinion varies on your mood, the way I see it."

"Yay. Anyway, goodnight."

"Night, Henry. See ya in the mornin'." She walked up the stairs and went to her room.

He heard the door shut and flopped down onto the couch. "I think I could get used to this." He closed his eyes and slowly went to sleep.

Well into the night, Jones was jolted awake from a clap of thunder. "Dammit. Looks like I won't be getting back to sleep soon." He sat and listened to the rain pelting the windows and walls, the periodic clap of thunder rattling the entire house. I think it's time to find a bathroom. He got up and walked up the stairs.

He got up and looked. He knew which one was AJ's, and from the heavy snoring coming from the room across from it, he guessed which one was Big Mac's. That left three rooms. Cracking open the door closest to Big Mac's, he saw a sleeping Granny Smith. Oops, not it. He shut the door and went to the one next to Applejack's. Peeking in the slightly open door, he saw the familiar looking faculties of a bathroom. Good.

Five minutes later, he came out of the bathroom, relieved. Alright, now back to sleep. He passed the door next to the stairs, and heard crying coming from behind. What the hell? He opened the door quickly and saw a shaking blanket on the bed in the shape of a small pony. She'd heard the door open.

"A-applejack? I-is that you?"

"No, I'm Henry." His voice startled her and made her cry harder.

"Please, go away! Ah want mah big sister!"

This must be Applebloom. "Look, your sister's asleep. I don't want to wake her up unless I have to."

Her crying slowed and she peeked out of the blanket when she realized he wasn't a monster. "You're... you're that human the mah sister saved in the Everfree."

"Yeah, that's right." He started walking to the bed, shutting the door. "You're scared of thunderstorms, is that right?"

She sniffled and scooted over as he sat down on the bed. "Y-yeah, why?"

"Well, back where I'm from, children are scared of storms too."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really. I can stay here if you want."

She sniffled again. "Okay." He laid down on the floor beside the bed, taking an extra pillow and blanket from a closet in the hallway. Another clap of thunder shook the window. She shot under the blanket again.

"Applebloom, don't be scared. It's just noise. I'll be right here."

She peeked out from under the blanket, looking at him. "Thank yah, Henry. You're nice for an alien. Ah'd always imagined aliens to be mean and scary."

He laughed softly at her comment. I hope to God you never have to see me like that. "Goodnight Henry."

"Goodnight, Applebloom." He waited for her to fall asleep first until he closed his eyes. He sighed and leaned up to look out the window. Rain was still hitting the window, but the worst had passed. He laid back down and went to sleep, the rain and filly's snores the only sounds that entered his ears.