James looked at the sleeping form of Johann with bloodshot eyes. He couldn’t think straight anymore his paranoia was getting at one of it’s infamous peek moments again. On these moments he felt like he was being watched from everywhere his eyes couldn’t look at like the paranoia normally seen wasn’t bad enough his arch-nemesis in the same room increased it even more to the point that he hadn’t even been able to close his eyes for more than ten minutes each time and that had been already rather generous.

Johann had been resting as well obviously just as trustful of him as James was of him not that it mattered much Twilight would be out of the infirmary today and then he would get his own chamber hopefully so he wouldn’t need to worry about Johann killing him anymore. ‘argh what am I saying to myself the infected couldn’t keep him from me what are these ponies going to do if he really wanted me gone?’ James thought grimly.

‘New world means new chances who knows you have thought about burying the war axe who says he hasn’t had the same thoughts?’ A voice asked.

‘Because he’s a psychopath even if he acts civil around these ponies he is hiding his real side from them!’

‘Or perhaps he is showing his real side? Huh did you ever think about it that something made him become insane, bloodthirsty, lightly sadistic, genocidal, hateful, emotionless, insecure, …?’

‘Yeah, wait insecure?!?!?!?’

‘Yeah, insecure or why do you think he still wears that mask not much point to it here huh there are only two bipeds like you two in this realm from what you know and I think if he does something even masked than they’re going to know who of you two did it.’

‘Fair point, but still you expect me to forgive him after everything he put me and the others through?’

‘I didn’t say forgive or forget, but I do think it would be beneficial to hear out his part of the story remember a story always has two sides to it!’

James thought about those words for a bit it was true a story did have two sides and whilst his time with Johann before he tried to kill their asses was only brief he could not help, but notice the complete 180° mood change that the guy had gone through when they first talked with him and his little group the first time to the time when they were fighting over the map in the hospital and definitely the first time they encountered him after he escaped from that horde well let’s just say that James thought that someone had stolen the mask and pretended to be the Medicine man.

The guy’s behavior had gone from civil to savage to eventually completely psychotic it had been obvious something bad something extremely bad had happened to the guy after he had escaped that horde that had appeared from almost everywhere after a car alarm had went off for a still unknown reason for James.

What had happened to the man across him? Whatever it was it was something that had been capable of turning a sane person into a bloodthirsty killer now during an apocalypse that was not unusual if it was infected who were killed not if said bloodlust was aimed at fellow humans.

‘You see perhaps there is more to him than meets the eye.’ The voice spoke again.

‘Fair enough it’s not like I have anything to lose from hearing his story.’

Twilight had started waking up and was now looking at him with sleepy eyes. “Good morning .” She said.

“Good morning to you too. How are you feeling?”

“Better.” She replied that was when he noticed that Johann was sitting motionless on his chair. ‘huh guy needs to have actually fallen asleep.’ He thought.

Suddenly the sound of wheels could be heard outside in the hallway and the door was opened revealing a nurse. “Good morning, I am here to give the princess her pills.” She announced James looked over at Johann who continued to sat motionless on the chair oh he knew the guy wasn’t sleeping anymore, but he was one good actor he would give him that.

He returned his gaze to Twilight and the nurse who was busy explaining how the pills were supposed to be used before exiting the chamber again. James took his backpack and got a can filled with beans out.

“James could I ask you a personal question?” He didn’t really like answering a personal question in ear reach of Johann, but he could at least hear what she wanted to ask.

“Ask and then I shall see if I want to answer.”

“What happened to your friends? Not the ones you travelled with before you came here, but I mean your friends from before the apocalypse surely you must have had those same with Johann.”

James weighted down his options he could tell both Twilight and Johann or he could wait till Johann was out of reach ah to hell with it what does it matter if he knows or not.

“My friends were a bunch of back stabbing bastards I helped a friend whenever he needed help, but when I needed help then they were like ‘sorry, no time or got better things to do.' and when shit hit the fan those fucks left me for dead!”

James please calm down she purposely left out the ‘you’re waking Johann’ part because she knew he could give less whether he was asleep or not. The human was pacing back and forward fuming with rage at his ‘friends’

James was too busy fuming and Twilight too busy in trying to calm him down that neither of them noticed how Johann’s breathing had increased underneath his mask Johann on his turn was thinking back to his so-called friends as well oh he hadn’t forgotten what they had done to him when the shit hit the fan in Belgium nor would he ever forgive them either.

The outbreak in Europe had happened almost two years earlier than the one in America so he had seen the signs earlier than the Americans themselves after all governments do work the same on a few ways first trying to keep everything silent before all hell breaks loose is one of those ways.

Regardless he decided to stop his act as he was certain of it James had seen through it already so he faked waking up slowly with a yawn he got the attention of the two others and he said. “Good morning.”

By now Twilight was absolutely certain of it the coldness in his voice was normal as it seemed to stay in every situation it’s heaviness depending on the situation, but it was always more or less present. “Good morning you managed to get some sleep in the chair I see.”

‘Nothing worth mentioning.’ He thought. “A bit. How are you feeling?”

“Quite good just a bit of pain in my leg, but that’s it.”

“Good to hear that.” He said sincerely.

At least the raspy part she had heard from Luna that his voice had contained was gone although she did wonder how that part had come to existence it probably came because he didn’t use his voice a lot so he probably preferred solitude rather than working with others.

She had mixed feelings about the two James with his unpredictable temper and Johann’s almost complete lack of emotions made her nervous around them both however both had the potential to be good friends as both showed traits for that however they also had the potential to be cold blooded killing machines she hoped the former.

She pitied both of them she could see the nervousness of James like he was constantly being watched no being should live in constant fear and Johann’s eyes sweet Celestia she would never be able to get those eyes out of her mind those dull green orbs almost empty of any emotions besides the occasional sadness, hate and alertness like their sole purpose was judging and she didn’t want to think about what those eyes had judged back in their world.

Before anymore words could be said a knock on the door

****

Rarity and Rainbow Dash were walking to Twilight’s room with a simple mission collect Twilight and the two humans and join the others for breakfast simple enough right at least Rarity hoped that it was she knew Rainbow did not like the two and she was certain of it that feeling was mutual so she prayed that both parties especially Rainbow could control themselves.

Definitely the masked one by the name of Johann gave her the creeps she had been unable to see his eyes, but the rest of his appearance had certainly done a good job in giving her an uneasy feeling she had no idea if the others noticed it, but she as a fashionista had taken notice in their clothes and had thus noticed small scratches that looked like something had attacked both of them and she was certain of it that those two had faced things worse than Rainbow so to say she didn’t want her friend searching trouble with those two would be an major understatement.

Rarity had noticed that besides her and Fluttershy no one seemed to be willing give these humans a chance so she was disappointed. Hadn’t her friends learned anything from the Zecora incident? She could not necessarily blame them as most enemies they faced were of strange origin, but that was still no reason to provoke them into hostile actions.

“Hey Rares what do you think of those two?”

“Darling, I haven’t spoken with either of them and barely seen them it’s much too soon to judge them although I find them rather interesting perhaps you should keep an open mind about those two they helped Twilight after all.”

“Perhaps they are just trying to fool us so they can take us down from the inside like Chrysalis did.”

“Rainbow please try to be a bit more open minded we cannot just go around accusing everything that isn’t a pony from wanting to conquer Equestria. Why are you persistent on this” Rarity said on a bit more dramatic way. Rainbow said on a colder tone.

“Why? Because I don’t want my friends or anypony or any non-pony getting hurt by two hairless apes!”

Only then the pair realized they had arrived by their destination. “We shall finish this on a later occasion,” Rarity whispered before knocking on the door using her hoof the door was opened and they were allowed entrance by James without a word in the corner sat Johann besides some small movements like breathing there was no indication that he was even alive.

Rainbow shot both of them a glare neither of them even acknowledged her presence. Rarity however had Johann’s gaze locked upon her she didn’t know if she should be happy that unlike her friend he at least acknowledged her presence because now she had his cold look aimed at her.

She didn’t sense any malice just cold emptiness so for now she ignored it and went over to Twilight.

“Hey Twilight, we came to collect you guys for breakfast.”

“Thank you, I am starving.” Twilight replied however she had not noticed the glare her friend had shot the two humans, but was glad the two arrived when they did granted the humans if they tried managed to hold interesting conversations, but James temper and Johann’s lack of emotions where slightly unnerving her whilst acceptable normally seen if you have been alone in a room with them for some hours already it started to take a toll on her. “I am certain of it James and Johann are up for some food as well.”

“I prefer to eat alone, but I shall join you in breakfast as I am interested in what types of beverages your castle has access to.”
Johann could see a disappointed look on Twilight’s face for just a moment ‘She had counted on it I would have to put off my mask for eating of course.’ He mentally said to himself. He had obviously annoyed Rainbow more as she gave him a cold glare behind his mask he smiled at the very thought the Pegasus thought it could scare him with her looks after what he had been through.

“Very well then like you wish.” Twilight replied he had to give her credits she hid her disappointment extremely well.

“James tried to find a way out, but before he could even come up with an excuse his stomach grumbled earning a victorious grin from Twilight as she wanted to know how both humans acted around more than one pony.

“So how are you getting out of that bed?” James asked as he directly brought a serious issue in card. Twilight opened her mouth, but close it again after she found no response. She wasn’t allowed to stand on the leg for the remainder of the day, She had started eating a bit more ever since she had become a princess so Rainbow wouldn’t be able to carry her anymore and Alicorns were more resilient to magic so Rarity couldn’t levitate her either.

“Don’t worry I have a plan.” Johann stated before moving towards her only to be blocked by Rainbow flying right in front of his face.
“What do you think you’re doing?!” Rainbow Dash started hovering in front of a now agitated Johann.

“Let us get a few things straight sweat chick first of all get the fuck out of my face, secondly don’t try shit like that again unless you want to be in Twilight’s place here in the infirmary and finally I am going to carry her to whatever location breakfast will be held at is that clear?!”

Rainbow looked about ready to explode until Rarity coated her in her magic to pull her out of the way so Johann could continue his path. He silently went to work to shut Twilight heart rate monitor off as to prevent the medical staff from thinking her heart had stopped before pulling of the wires connected to her body when he was done he carefully wrapped her in his arms.

Twilight shifted a bit to make herself comfortable it felt extremely rare because he had chosen to not wear his raincoat she was pressed against the cool metal plates that processed in the jacket it acted the same way as normal armor did only it was much more silent as the plates didn’t touch each other being separated by a heavy type of fabric.

Johann was satisfied with the result as well he found that she didn’t weight that much as long as he did not need to walk across the entire castle this would be bearable. “I’ve got my eye on you monkey thing no funny stuff understood,” Rainbow snapped earning a sight from Rarity.

“Sure thing sweat chick I’ve got my eyes also over you.” Johann said on a semi-perverted way.

“Hey if I catch you looking at my flank you will get ….” Rainbow growled.

“So you immediately assumed I would be looking at your flank wouldn’t you like that?”

Rainbow blushed, but before the situation could get out of control Rarity stated. “I am quite hungry so please follow me.”

James had watched the display with great amusement oh Rainbow Dash had no idea with whom she was playing with, but she would soon find out that Johann was quite a good player when it came down to playing certain types of games.

In the hallway Twilight balanced herself a bit more. ‘How far can a dining room be in a castle?” Johann wondered not that she was very heavy, but still long distance could give him some trouble.

Author's Note

Hello everybody!

I just wanted to say thanks for reading the story so far and I hope you guys stick around for a while longer.

If you like the story perhaps drop a review, a like, a favorite or a follow.

I want to say one more thing about my grammar like you guys perhaps know my native language is not English so I am not as good in it as those who have it as native language logically. So this is defenitely not a way of me to say to not notify me of enormous grammar mistakes, this is not a way to say I have the right to write a story with dozens of mistakes in it, neither of saying that I don't care about your comments for I truly care about them. This is simply a way to notify those of you that want to give constructive criticism that my capabilities of finding errors are less developed as others and to kindly ask you to take that into account.

I hope you guys understand, by any means if you have tips and tricks or other things you want to share with me feel free to do so!