New Life, Same Soldier

Author's Note: Over 6000 words, good God. My longest chapter ever. I hope I don't have anymore like this, it took forever for me to get this all typed. Sorry it took so long, but I have been typing on and off for the last week. Too many things to do, so little time to write with a clear head.

It was the morning after the manticore's attack and her admission to the hospital when Rainbow Dash woke up again. She looked around, blurry eyed, and felt a strange yet welcome warmth on her body. She shifted, trying to roll over, when she heard the warmth groan. What? She rubbed her eyes and found Twilight sitting beside her bed in a chair, one of her large, barely-used wing covering Rainbow.

Her eyes grew huge and looked around the room, but found nopony else other than her and Twilight. She looked back at her sleeping friend. Shaking her gently, she said, "Twi'? Twilight wake up." Purple eyelids fluttered open.

"Huh? Where am I?" She retracted her wing and saw what she'd just woken up from. "Rainbow Dash! I-I-I uh..." She kept stuttering, trying to explain what Rainbow had woken up to.

"Twilight? You okay?" Rainbow's voice was thick with concern.

"Um, I just- I don't..." She trailed off again.

"What are you trying to say?"

Twilight's eyes started to fill with tears, already bloodshot from crying the night before. She choked up several times trying to talk. "I thought- The doctors said- said that you could've- could have died. I was just- just so worried because... because." She trailed off, starting to cry.

Is she really?  Rainbow hesitated. "Are... are you saying what I think you're saying?"

She was really crying now. "I don't... I don't know! I just- I just don't know!"

Rainbow's eyes were bringing on tears now. Before she could respond, Twilight teleported away in a flash of light and a  loud popping sound. The pegasus lay in the bed, mouth hanging open trying to speak. A nurse came in frantically. "Miss Rainbow! Are you alright?"

"Yeah. I'm okay." She sighed, never meeting eyes with the orderly. "Just leave me alone." She rolled over and plunged into a fitful sleep.

Henry lay in the hospital bed opposite of Rainbow Dash, not being seen through the privacy screen. He'd accidentally fallen asleep and a nurse placed him in the bed, telling the rest to go home. Twilight had insisted on not leaving, and the nurse had to let her stay. He woke up just in time to hear their strange exchange.

Does that mean... Oh God, that can't end well. He quietly got up when he heard Rainbow's snoring and left the hospital, thanking the nurse who'd let him sleep. He first went to the library to see Spike.

He opened the door, not bothering to knock. He heard crying upstairs and was met with a frantic dragon. "Henry! I'm so glad you're here. Twilight teleported home, crying, then just ran upstairs and wouldn't let me in. Do you know what happened?"

He shifted his weight, leaning on the doorway. "I may have an idea. Come on, let's go find Applejack."

"Okay..." They left for the market.

They didn't find the orange pony, but instead found Big Mac sitting at the apple stand. "Hey Big Mac, AJ at home?"

"Eeyup."

"Good, thank you. I don't mean to sound rude, but I know you don't like to talk much."

"Nnope."

They left, exchanging friendly waves, Spike trailing behind Henry.

They soon got to the farm, finding Applejack emptying apples into a cellar in the barn. She turned and saw them, unhooking herself from the cart. "Hey there, Spike, Henry. What brings ya'll here?"

Henry spoke first. "We've got a problem, and it's pretty personal."

"Oh?" She looked around, making sure nobody was around to hear. "Let's go in the house. Granny's out in the market with Big Mac and Applebloom's at school." They followed her into the farmhouse. "Alright, what's the problem then?"

"It's... Wait a second." He looked at Spike. "Cover your ears." The dragon rolled his eyes, but did as he was told. "It's Twilight and Rainbow Dash. I think-"

"They've got a likin' for each other an' neither's got the courage tell the other," she interrupted. "Me an' the girls have had our suspicions, but it was pretty obvious last night at the hospital."

"Well... They had a falling out this morning and Twilight teleported home, locked herself in her room, and has been crying since."

"Oh my, that's bad. I think we should go and talk to-" She was interrupted by Spike burping. "That's pretty rude, dontcha think?"

Spike no longer had his ears covered, and tried to speak. "No, it's-" He was interrupted as he burped green fire and a letter appeared out of nowhere and fell to the ground. He picked it up and looked it over. He saw something on the sealed scroll and his eyes grew. "Oh no. This can't be good."

Henry took the letter from his hand and found nothing but a strange seal, holding it closed. "It's got a seal on it, what's the big deal?" He split the seal and started reading. It was written in curved, tilted writing.

Spike jumped up and took it back, looking slightly panicked. "It's the royal seal. Only used by the princesses on an important or urgent letter. Every time we've gotten one of these, something bad was happening." Applejack moved to read over his shoulder, and both were fearful of what they were reading.

"Well, what is it?" Henry was confused.

Applejack looked up, distracted by the letter's contents. "It's a letter from Princess Celestia. There have been sightin's of Changelings around Equestria and each team she sends to investigate doesn't come back. She wants the Element's help in findin' out what's been goin' on."

"I'd be glad to help- wait a second." He took on a frighteningly serious tone. "You said 'Changelings?'"

"Yeah..."

"You remember that nightmare I had last week? When Applebloom couldn't wake me up?" She nodded dumbly. "It was about Changelings. I was running through the Everfree by myself, being chased by four of them. They caught up, started talking about a queen and killing other humans, then killed me. That was when I woke up."

"Oh, this is bad. Very bad. We need to go get Twilight and-"

Henry interrupted Applejack. "No, I have an idea. Spike, you go get the other girls." He saluted, mockingly, and ran off to find the others. "I need your help."

"What do ya need, Henry?"

"Can your cart get to the area where you found me?" She nodded. "Good. Get it and follow me." She did as he said and they went to the clearing.

He pointed to the area where the humans' bodies were. "Don't go over there. There are things Rainbow saw that almost made her sick." Applejack looked confused for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I need you to start gathering up these," he picked up a discarded rifle, "and anything similar and put them into a pile here," he pointed to a spot on the ground near the cart. "I'll gather them up and load them. If you hear anything, let me handle it."

While the orange pony went around gathering up some of the guns, steering clear of the area he'd pointed out, he went to the bodies and searched them. He found more daggers, a few swords, some sidearms, medical supplies, gun cleaning materials and replacement parts, a decent amount of ammunition, and other various weaponry. He gathered up all of them, grunting against the pain tearing through his side, and walked back to the cart.

He found Applejack, waiting, with a pile of guns and assorted boxes of ammunition. "I found all of this, but I don't rightly know what it's all for." She motioned to some of the metal boxes. "I poked through some of these boxes and found some odd-looking cylinders and orbs." Interested, Jones hefted his first load of things into the cart and looked in the metal crates. He smiled mischievously at what he found. "What is it, Henry?"

He'd found grenades, C4, anti-vehicle bombs, ammunition for rocket launchers, and other random explosives. "I think we're gonna have fun with these." He lifted a large anti-tank bomb from the pile and gestured to it. "You've seen explosions, right?"

"You mean like fireworks?"

"Sure, but on a much larger, destructive scale. Say, explosions that, if used correctly, could leave Ponyville a smoldering crater in one sweep."

Her eyes grew wide. What she said next almost made Henry drop the bomb into the mud. "Holy shit."

"Please, never say that again." She opened her mouth to protest. "No! Don't argue, just, please, don't. Ever." She shut her mouth and the rest of the trip went quietly. They loaded the rest of the weaponry and supplies into the cart.

Picking up one of the assault rifles and some grenades, Henry said, "AJ, go ahead without me. I have something to do." He left before she could argue.

He went back to the bodies and looked through the pockets of the dead men. He found a map, a red "X" marking an area deep in the forest. "I know where I'm going." After checking his things over, he left, following the map.

He'd walked for hours. Henry was just about to give up when he found what he was hoping for. Human boot prints. Following them, he found a crumbling castle in the middle of the forest, occupied by humans. Many of them had guns, but he immediately recognized some of them. They were the ones tied up with guns to their heads. His squad mates.

Found you bastards. He also recognized who held them at gunpoint. The Afghanis. There were three, each with their own soldier. Henry lifted the rifle, equipped with a silencer he'd found, and shot the middle one in the head. He dropped to the ground, as did the others before they'd realized what happened. None of their friends had seen it.

Henry's friends had, though. Quickly looking around, they tried to find out what happened. He walked out into the open, rifle over his shoulder, and said, "Hey, you miss me?"

The Private fell over, scared for his life. "No! That's not right! The Sergeant Major's been missing for two months!"

Henry walked over and cut them loose. "Actually, we've all been missing for two months. Boys, as crazy as it sounds, we're in a different dimension."

They all looked dumbfounded. The first to speak up was Gunnery Sergeant Darrel "Frenzy" McKenzie. Long brown hair and beard, like Henry's. Brown, often angry-looking eyes. He specialized in close-quarters and was the team's explosives "expert," with a hint of pyromaniac. Often called a human tank, he was heavily built, like Henry, but a bit shorter, there was a reason for his nickname. Eyeing him suspiciously, he said, "Why the hell should we believe a ghost?"

"I don't know, why don't you ask one?" He slapped his friend roughly but not out of anger. Smirking, Henry said, "I'm as real as you suck at Call of Duty, 'Kenzie." It was true, he was absolutely terrible.

"Dammit, only Henry would do a low blow like that." They shook hands strongly. "We thought you dead, man. Glad to see you're not." He glanced around, making sure none of the other humans heard them. "So what the hell are you doing here, anyway? How'd you get away?"

Looking around himself, Henry said, "Look, I don't have time to explain. Follow me and say something if you hear anything. The monsters out here will rip you guts out." Turning to walk away, he looked over his shoulder. "Literally." Knowing his squad was following, he led them away and back to the farm.

On the way, he thought about the other two people that were with him. Private Alexander Roberts was the first to come to mind. He was, quite literally, the runt of the litter. Blonde hair and no beard whatsoever. Blue eyes and, more often than not, he put everyone else first. He was short and lanky, only five feet tall, and quick on his feet. He was the team's sniper and designated marksman. Though he'd only been on a few missions overseas, he'd gained ten kills under his belt, each of them headshots.

The other man was different from the rest of them. He didn't know much, only that he'd come from a broken home. Like Henry, he had no family or friends to speak of before his time in the Marines. He was the biggest out of all of them, nearly seven feet tall and wide. Black hair and green eyes, his size scared most people who came across him. He was a Captain, but he left most decisions to Henry. After all, being the commanding officer didn't hold much authority when you were a mute. He mostly spoke with gestures or occasionally sign language, but spoke with pen and paper when able to. Not knowing what his name was, they just called him "Captain."

Finding the clearing, Henry said, "Frenzy, I've got something to show you."

"What is it?" Henry walked over behind a tree and pulled out the metal explosives tank, motioning for him to take a look. He picked one of the explosives. "Oh my God." He held the explosive close, then put it back, looking over the rest. "Boom boom, motherfucker. We gonna blow shit up?"

Henry laughed, then clutched his side in pain. Roberts looked over. "Sir, you alright? What happened?"

He shook his head. "I'd have to show you for you to believe me. Come on, we're almost there." He led them out of the forest and they saw the apple trees of Sweet Apple Acres. Robert's eyes grew at the sight of the countless trees, McKenzie said something incoherent, and Captain just smiled and nodded in approval. "Let's go, there's someone you have to meet. Several someones, actually."

McKenzie spoke again, picking up the metal crate. "And who might these 'someones' be? Aliens?"

"Not quite. More like, aliens in a familiar form."

"Oh come on, man. Enough with your cryptic, philosophical bullshit. Just lead the way."

"Alright, just don't swear so much around them, would ya?" McKenzie frowned and nodded. "Good." He led them back to the farmhouse and peeked inside. Sure enough, the girls and Spike were in there, waiting. The cart of guns was probably in the barn. "Guys, wait here. I'll be back in a minute."

Before anyone could do anything, Henry quickly went inside and shut the door behind him. Looking around, Twilight, Rainbow, and Applejack were nowhere to be found. "Hello, Henry." Fluttershy spoke first.

"Hey, girls. Where are the others?"

"Oh, they're um... talking. Upstairs. About... stuff."

"I know, you don't have to talk about it. I just want you guys to know something." They nodded and leaned in. "You know I was in the military back on Earth, right?" They nodded again. "I went into the Everfree again and found an old crumbling castle. I found my old squadmates, my family. Or, the closest thing I had."

All of their eyes went wide with shock. Pinkie was immediately excited. "Ooh, where are they? I haven't thrown you that party, so that means that I can throw all of you a party!"

"Later, Pinkie, later." He turned to the door and opened it. He found the surprised faces of his squad. "Guys, you have to promise not to freak out. Me and Rocky were hurt, badly. The ones in here are the ones that saved me, so show them some respect. Got it?" They all nodded. "I'm gonna hold you to that." He opened the door all the way, letting his human friends inside, awaiting their reactions.

Rainbow Dash was sitting in the upstairs bedroom of Applejack with Twilight and the room's owner. The pegasus and alicorn were both crying, the earth pony sitting to the side, watching with silent concern. "So, that's the reason you've been crashing through my window so often? Why didn't you say anything?" Twilight was deeply confused about Rainbow and her own feelings.

Before she could answer, a deep, booming voice came from downstairs. "HOLY FLYING FUCK! TALKING PONIES?" She bolted out of the room and looked downstairs to find Henry and three humans. One of which was responsible for the yelling.

Henry spotted her and looked over his shoulder at the humans. "Guys, stay down here and talk to them." He leaned in and whispered something indiscernible, and continued talking. "I've got something else to do." He walked the stairs, leaving the others to find places on the floor or furniture, and spoke to her.

"How's it going, Dash? Not very well, I assume?"

"What?" She remembered she'd been crying, and still was. Wiping her eyes, she said, "No, not really. Do you want to sit in with us?"

"That's what I was planning on. Let's go talk." They left and went to resume the conversation.

Captain took a seat on the couch next to Roberts while Frenzy McKenzie took a hesitant seat on the floor. The young Private understood very much about speaking with gestures, so he was a sort of interpreter for the mute. Looking questioningly to the ponies, he flattened out his palm face up and acted like he was writing. "He wants to know if you have something he can write on."

The white unicorn spoke first. "I don't believe Applejack does, but I do at home. If you don't mind me retrieving it."

Captain held up his hand, palm facing her, and shook his head. Roberts spoke for him again. "It's no trouble. He can just talk through me."

The pink one was next. "Ha, silly! Why don't you just use your mouth like you're supposed to?"

"He can't. He's a mute."

The yellow pegasus spoke, very quietly. "That's just terrible! Were you born like that?"

Captain simply nodded, looking downward sadly. He'd always been a bit sensitive about it, being made fun of when he was younger.

"How about we introduce ourselves?" McKenzie spoke for the first time. "Gunnery Sergeant Darren McKenzie. We call the mute over there Captain, and that's his rank. Right there is Private Alexander Roberts." Captain nodded in greeting and Roberts held up his hand in a short wave. "I assume you've already made acquaintances with Sergeant Major Henry Jones?"

The unicorn nodded. "Yes, we have. Saving somepony's life usually makes one another become closer," she said with a bit of sarcasm. "I'm Rarity, this," she gestured to the pink one, "is Pinkie Pie, and she is- where did Fluttershy go?" The group looked around and found no sign of the yellow pony.

Captain "talked to Roberts, who repeated his message. "He thinks he saw her go outside, if you want to look there first.

"You may be right, Captain. Pinkie, be a dear and use your- uh, whatever you use, and go find her. If you have luck, would you please fetch some parchment and quills from the Boutique?"

Captain stopped her. He pulled out a normal pen from Earth that he'd had with him. "He has his own pen. He thanks you for the thought, though.

"Sure thing! After that I can go and get your party planned!" She disappeared into the kitchen and returned quickly, carrying saddlebags filled with paper. Dropping the bags on the ground beside Captain and Roberts, she used the front door to look for Fluttershy.

Captain, apparently happy to be able to communicate without the use of an interpreter, began using his favorite method of speech to talk to Roberts while McKenzie talked with Rarity. What do you make of all of this? I think the last meal we at was spiked with something and we've been in comas or very stretched out dreams.

"I don't know, seems pretty real to me. Wait, you can't feel pain if you're in a dream, right?"

Yes... McKenzie gave a sudden jerk and an angry grunt as Roberts backhanded him across the face.

"Ow! Shit, man, you're stronger than you look."

"Thanks." He turned to Captain again with a smart-ass expression, leaving the other soldier rubbing his face. "I hurt McKenzie, that mean's it's all real."

He gave a defeated huff.I guess you're right. He tapped Rarity on the shoulder.

"Hmm?" She turned to face him.

What is this place called?

"What do you mean?

This country. Are we even on Earth?

She sighed. "Well, yes and no. Twilight explained it and the way I understand it, Earth and Equestria are the same, just parallel universes. Different dimensions. Lots of sciencey stuff I don't understand at all."

I was never much of a scholar myself. Mostly take charge and barge in head on. Always thick-headed.

"Ah, yes. I was never much into schoolings and reading."

Just then, the group came downstairs, Henry and an orange pony came downstairs grinning happily. The other two glanced  around nervously and avoided each other's eyes. The purple one, equipped with a horn and wings, said, "You must be the other humans. Henry has already us about you, but let me introduce us. I am Twilight Sparkle, the earth pony is Applejack, and..." She coughed nervously.

The cyan pegasus flew up to Captain and looked him in the eyes, staring at each other for moment. Assuming it was a staring contest (which it was) he held his gaze easily for upward of five minutes before the mare blinked. "Aw, crap! Heh, you won." She stuck out her hoof. "Rainbow Dash."

Captain shook it and wrote. I am "Captain," or so they call me.

She scoffed. "Why don't you use your mouth for speaking?"

Before he could answer, Rarity spoke. "Because he's the mute one."

She dropped to the ground and lowered her head. "Oh, sorry..." She trailed off.

"Well, I think we should be going our separate ways for now. Spike, come along." Twilight turned back to the group. "Are any of you interested in books?" she asked hopefully. She got no answer. Disappointed and slightly embarrassed at her odd question, she said, "Oh, okay. Well, bye!" The young dragon, having gone unnoticed by the humans, ran and held onto her leg before disappearing in a flash of light that smelled of something burning.

"Dear God, what's that smell?" McKenzie didn't like that smell, even though he loved explosions.

The only answer he received was a series of shrugs. He went back into his own thoughts.

Captain silently (as if he had a choice) studied the entities in the room. One orange pony, a cyan pegasus, and a white unicorn, all of which could talk, he could get used to. But being non-hostile, let alone friendly and hospitable? That was unbelievable. If he was going to have to live here, he would have to give it a hell of a shot.

Rainbow Dash sat off in a corner, thinking about everything that had just happened. Me and Twilight told each other how we felt, but I didn't get a clear answer. Yes or no? She didn't get far when she noticed a presence settle beside her. A hand patted her on the shoulder and she looked up to the concerned face of Henry.

"You alright, Dash?"

She lowered her head as tears began to come back. Trying to fight back tears, she choked out the words. "I... want to speak. Privately." Henry glanced around and noticed no one paying attention to them.

"Alright, just hold on." She heard him grunt as he stood, then she was picked up. She ignored the panic and let him carry her out behind the house. Sitting down, he let her lay her head on his lap as they talked. "What do you want to talk about?"

"I-I just d-don't know what to do. She told me how she felt, and I was happy, but I didn't get a clear answer."

"A clear answer to what?"

"Whether or not she wanted something between us."

Henry sighed loudly, then paused. "Rainbow, I don't know what to tell you. I've never been in the situation you are, so I can't give you confident advice." He waited, letting the words sink in. Combing his fingers through her mane comfortingly, he continued. "I want to say to just wait and give let her come to you, but that would tear you apart. If you need anything, I'm here."

Silent tears were steaming down her face. "Thank you, Henry. Really." Before she knew it, she'd fallen asleep.

Henry sighed to himself as Rainbow drifted off. Not wanting to disturb her, he sat unmoving and let her sleep. Not long after, Fluttershy came around the corner and sat next to him. Looking thoughtfully at the sleeping pegasus, she said, "She's done this before, you know. I let her sit on the couch next to me and let her cry, then sleep. It's always been peaceful around my home, and I don't mind the company. She's like a sister me, you're being like a brother to her. She's never known what it was like having a brother."

Henry looked over at her. "I never knew what it was like having a sister. The closest thing I've ever had to a family is Rocky and my squad, and I almost lost them. Thanks to you guys," he put a hand on her shoulder, though he noticed little discomfort, "I can have my friends and non-family. It's terrible growing up without either." He looked at the ground.

Fluttershy surprised him. She reached up and put her arm around him, hugging him. He returned it, his other hand still resting on Rainbow's head. "You are always welcome at my house. You can let yourself in anytime since you know where the key is."

The embrace ended and Fluttershy looked sadly at Rainbow. "Thank you, Fluttershy. I really appreciate it." He shifted his leg and Rainbow groaned, her voice cracking slightly. "I think I'll take you up on that offer." Putting his arms around Rainbow, making sure she was still asleep, he stood up and walked to Fluttershy's house. She followed beside him.

"So what are you going to do about your friends?"

"I- I don't know. I didn't think about that."

"Oh. Well, I'm sure AJ wouldn't mind them staying in the barn." She looked up at the sky, gauging the sun. "It's almost time for dinner, if you don't mind me going ahead and getting started."

He shook his head. "No, I don't mind." He watched her hover uncertainly in the air, then fly off in the direction of her house.

Much to his displeasure, Rainbow woke up. Groaning sleepily, she said, "Where are we? Where are we going?"

"Fluttershy said we were welcome anytime at her home, so I took her up on her offer. We're heading there now."

"Oh, okay. What time is it?"

"Don't know. She said it was almost dinnertime, so she went ahead to start cooking."

"Okay." She waited for minute, letting him walk in peace. "Thank you, a lot. You're the only one that I've ever gotten this personal with other than Fluttershy." She gave a hug as best she could from her position.

"It's really no problem. I'm happy to. Fluttershy said you didn't have a brother growing up, is that right?"

"Yeah?" She wasn't sure what he was talking about.

"And I've never had a real sister. Fluttershy suggested it, so what do you say?"

"Adopt each other as brother and sister?" She paused, thinking. "I'd love to. Brother and sister?"

"Brother and sister," he confirmed. He held her tight as he continued the walk to Fluttershy's home. By the time he got there, Rainbow was asleep again. Opening the door, he heard the sound of clanking coming from the kitchen. He set his newly adopted sister on the couch and walked in. "Fluttershy?"

She turned away from the sink, apparently just finishing. "Hello, Henry. Is there anything particular you want?"

"No, just whatever you have."

"Okay. Is Rainbow in the other room?" He answered with a nod. "Asleep?" He nodded again. "Then let's not disturb her. She can get something when she wakes up." They sat and ate, though Henry didn't have much of an appetite. They finished eating and Henry walked into the next room and found Rainbow still sleeping.

He picked her up. "Fluttershy, where's the guest room?"

"Up the stairs, second door on the left." He followed her directions and walked into the room. He put Dash down on the bed.

He sighed, looking at her. She was much different in this state. She changed when she was like this, and he hated change. He laid down on the floor next to the small bed and quickly found himself sleeping.

He found himself in an ethereal world of darkness and couldn't see anything. He searched the strange world surrounding him, deserting to a natural cliché. "Hello? Is anybody here?" he called.

A voice answered him from the darkness. "Yes, human. You are Henry, is that correct?"

"I'll tell you as soon as you tell me who you are!"

"Oh, I beg your pardon!" The deep voice was very deep and had a sarcastic tone to it. "I believe the 'darling' princesses have failed to introduce us." A figure appeared in front of him. It was humanoid, meeting him eye-to-eye, but it definitely wasn't human. It looked like a mother had given her toddler several sets of animal puzzles and let him go crazy. "I am Discord, the Spirit of Chaos! A draconequus, in case you haven't noticed."

"Yeah, sure. Now where the hell am I?"

The sarcasm continued. Discord put a hand - or claw - over where his heart would be and sounded offended. "Why, such language! Why must you swear while in the presence of an immortal!"

Luna's voice came from darkness. "Discord, stop antagonizing him! I would expect you to treat a guest with more respect."

Henry and Discord turned and looked at Luna while she approached. Simultaneously, they said, "Guest?"

"Yes, guest. This is your dream realm, Discord, so it is technically your own domain. That makes Henry and I your guests."

Grumbling, Discord wandered off to who knows where. Luna used her magic and teleported him in between her and the human. "Discord, Henry, I have news."

"By all means, Princess Lulu, enlighten us!" Discord couldn't drop the sarcasm.

"It seems the Changelings have returned, Discord, and are not after the love of ponies this time. They appear to want revenge." That shut him up. "Just moments ago, all of our teams investigating the Changeling sightings returned. They were teleported into the throne room, dead and horribly mutilated." She looked disgusted and appeared to be resisting the urge to vomit. "Some of them were literally turned inside-out, their hearts missing."

Even Discord looked sickened, even if slightly. "Couldn't Celestia track the teleportation spells and you two get rid of them or have those Elements of yours do it for you?"

"She couldn't. There was too much distortion for us, even with our combined power. That's why I came to you Discord. You have the power to track them down. We need you to find them and find out what they're up to."

Obviously mocking Henry, his form went up in smoke and Discord reappeared in a full set of woodland camouflage with human weapons, complete with grenades, and saluted. Before Luna could say anything, he'd disappeared and left them alone in the blackness. "Does he always do that?"

"You would think you'd get used to it, but he always comes up with something new," she said with an annoyed tone. She turned to look at him. "When you wake in the morning, you must gather the Elements and come to Canterlot immediately. Gather your human friends and weapons as well, we may require use of them."

"Anything you need, Princess."

"Please, just-" Anything else she was going to say was cut off as Henry was jerked away from the blackness of Discord's dreams.

He'd always been a light sleeper. It was no surprise he was woken up by a heavy warmth on top of him as searing pain ripped throughout his body. He yelled in pain, the thing on top of him jerked around. That didn't help.

The thing got off of him as he rolled up and wrapped his arms around his sides, groaning painfully. A voice spoke from the other side of his clenched eyes. "Oh no, Henry! I'm sorry!" Rainbow wrapped him in a gentle hug. "Dammit, I must have rolled off while I was sleeping."

He spoke through the pain. "I'll... be okay... in the morning. Just... go to... sleep."

"No, not going to happen." She lifted him, grunting against his weight, into the bed. "There. You sleep on the bed and I'll sleep on the floor."

"No... bed..." He rolled on the side opposite of his broken ribs, leaving room at his back. "Don't... roll off... again. Won't be there... to break your fall."

She snorted as she climbed into the bed, their backs facing each other. "Haha, funny. If that keeps up, you'll have to go to the hospital. Your ribs are already broken enough." He only grunted in response, the pain receding slowly as he fell back into a deep sleep.