Legends Awaken

I let out another groan as I felt around the other wounds I had flinching and gasping as I found the more tender ones. Soon the door behind me burst open and my head whipped around as I shot to my feet. I felt my injuries flare with new pain.

I saw the Apple family barrel out with mixed looks of amazement, fear and concern on their faces as I groaned and sat back down.

“I don't remember saying it was safe to come back outside,” I stated flatly and annoyed.

“That has to be one of the bravest or stupidest,” Applejack started before I interrupted.

“They're interchangeable,” I interjected with a playful tone that resulted in her giving me a look of confusion.

“That I've ever seem! What were you thinkin'!”

“That it would be really horrible if Applebloom became critter food,” I asked with uncertainty as I narrowed my eyes and looked to the side and up with them. “I really don't know, I'm more of a reactor then thinker in those types of situations.” I added as I poked around the bite on by shoulder slash neck and found teeth.

Before the Apples could reply I think they finally saw all the blood I was leaking from my various holes.

“Sweet Celestia! You're hurt pretty bad! We got ta help him sis,” Applebloom cried out as she pointed and waved a hoof at me.

“You are completely correct young one, and you can start helping by going to my room and getting the bottle like the one on my desk and bringing it me from under my bed,” I told her as I held a palm to my head to stem the blood flow. Before anyone could object she bolted towards the barn to get the bottle.

Applejack shook her head for some reason before turning to Big Mac.

“Ay, want ya to go to town and get Twilight and Rarity, am going to get Fluttershy over here to help. Granny, can ya watch him and make sure he stays awake?”

“Ya darn tootin' I will,” the elder Apple answered. All Big Mac gave was a nod of his head and a, “Aeyep.”

The two dashed off to get help as Granny took a set nearby in her rocker and looked me over. It was silent for a minute before she spoke.

“Brave, it was brave what ya done. Ya took on four Timber Wolves to save my youngest grandchild. I recken some of the guard would have hesitated to do that, but you? You gave no thought of yourself, you just dive into battle. And look what happen to ya, you've been blooded and my family is none the worse,” she told me sincerely with a smile on her face. “Thank you.”

I looked at her for several seconds before I gave an apathetic an insincere shrug before turning back to look at the barn.

“Like I said, I've been conditioned to react not think,” I returned with the same tone. I soon pulled my palm away from my head and saw it was still bleeding.

“Fuck it,” I said to no one as I rested my arms on my knees. As I did I saw Applebloom coming back from the barn with my bottle in her mouth.

She gave me the bottle breathing a bit hard but with a smile.

“Thanks, it's going to be a big help soon enough,” I told Applebloom as a cracked the seal on the bottle, well tried. The first try resulted in my hand slipping from the still fresh blood.  On the second try I got the seal broken and let the cap fall to the ground.

I quickly inverted the bottle to get its insides inside my insides, I thought it was clever.  After several gulps I pulled the bottle away and gave a shiver as a thrilled groan escaped my lips.

Both Apples seemed disturbed at my actions but didn't say anything, well about that.

“That was the most amazing thing I've ever seen! You stopped them Timber Wolves, lickety split!”

“With them given my a couple licks through,” I replied before taken a sip and started to feel the burning in my stomach. I traded hands with the bottle to my left before resting my elbows on my knees.

“Yeah, but it was like, BLAM! POW! KICK! SWOOSH! I don't think that a Royal Guard could've done that by themselves!”

“Yeah, that's probable true,” another sip, “and I shouldn't have done so either,” I added. Applebloom was confused and before she could ask about it I answered.

“I didn't have my full kit of armor and weapons but most importantly I had no idea what kind of enemy I was against. Knowing your enemy is just as important, or more so, as your equipment. I had no knowledge of their abilities, strengths, or weaknesses. I just reacted and got lucky,” I explained to her before taking a long sip of cider.

Applebloom replayed the events for me with her own twist and sound effects for me while Granny sat silently rocking in her chair. By the time she was done with her retelling of the event I had drink a little over a quarter of the bottle added with had I had earlier an I was getting drunk.

That was the idea, to numb the pain but it also caused my blood to thin and as a result I leaked out more blood then I would if I hadn't started the second bottle. It was also about the time that Applejack returned with Fluttershy.

As the two approached the farm house they walked past where the dead, I hoped, Timber Wolves lied. A couldn't hear Fluttershy whimper but knew she was as her wings tightened against her body while her ears and tail flatten, I could hear Applejack reexplain what had happened though.

When the two got to where I was sitting I was taking another gulp of cider. After finishing I gave a harsh cough and winched since it aggravated my shoulder and neck.

“Applebloom go inside an' get a lantern, we're gonna need more light,” Applejack told her sister with a hoof before she went to go get one. Also as she did this I took another swig of cider.

After the bottle came down I turned to look Fluttershy dead in her eyes.

“My ouchies hurt,” I dead panned with a small smirk and chuckle. Her eyes darted to Applejack who kinda gave a shrug. I rolled the bottle around before taking a sip.

Applebloom soon returned with a lit lantern that bathed the area it eerie shadows. When she sat on her hunches next to me and held up he lantern everyone got a good look at me, they were gasps of shock and horror.

I was covered in dirt and dust that was mixed into wet or drying blood. The right side of my head and neck had blood flowing down them. My hands were covered in either dry or wet blood. My appearance was probably the most horrifying thing any of them had seen.

Applebloom that gave out yelp when see took everything in and looked green.

“I'm goin' to get some bandages,” she blurted out as she set down the lantern and running inside.

Fluttershy was whimpering and looked like she was going to flee out of terror.

I took a long draw from the bottle when I realized this would probably give them nightmares for a long time, and to numb the pain.

Suddenly Fluttershy took a deep breath hand closed her eyes. When she opened them again I could see resolve and steel in them and I gave a small uhm.

“Alright, let's see what we have to deal with now. This is going to hurt but it will help make your pain go away,” she told me with a strong and gently voice. She went to take my left arm in her hooves and I pulled it away without thinking about it.

My eyes turned to her and looked her over looking for hostile intent. I know there would be none but by subconscious didn't believe it. I shook my head before speaking.

“Patient has punctures and lacerations to my left forearm, right shoulder, right calve, abrasions on the left hand, lacerations to the right side of face and right thigh, and blunt force trauma to the back. Patient may also have cracks or fractures in the bones of the above areas. Patient is awake, responsive, and reacting to stimulus. Patient is intoxicated and may become aggressive and or belligerent,” I rattled off to her as my free hand ran over the areas as I talk about them to avoid confusion.

“Recommend applying direct pressure bandages to punctures and lacerations to stem bleeding, if required use pressure points to further reduce blood flow. After bleeding is under control investigate for foreign bodies and proceed to removal before sterilizing affected areas. Next, close with either stitches or staples as needed. If available magic is to be used to assist or complete required actions,” I added before drinking from the bottle again.

The gathered group seemed to be taken back by my detached and aloft attitude of what just happened.

“My word sonny, how ya know all that? You a doc,” Granny Smith asked with a raised eyebrow. I shook my head before I answered.

“No, I've had training in first aid and emergency response, but most of it comes from first hand experience with the patient. I've had to work on him a lot in the past.” Again the response seemed to confuse and bewilder those present, a shrug of the shoulders was given before a long deep exhale.

“Administering general anesthesia and disinfectant,” was blurted out before a hard swig of the cider. After several seconds of silence I heard Granny give a chuckle which I returned with a devilish grin.

“Yes, well, uhm, that's good. But I still need to look at you to make sure nothing was missed. Uhm, if that's ok with you, that is,” Fluttershy mentioned speaking up. I tilted my head to the side before shrugging again.

“Have at it.”

I was surprised at how gentle she was in her examination, even more when you take into account she has hooves. Although she did seem a bit taken back at all the blood but she remained professional.

“I agree with your um, findings. It doesn't seem you missed anything,” she offered as she wiped off the blood from her hooves on a bandage Applebloom had brought while she was looking over the injuries.

“Um, it would have been easier if you weren't wearing your armor,” she added meekly tapping her hooves together. My eyebrows went up in surprise when I realized the over sight.

“You're right, let's do what we can,” I answered as I used my right hand to undo the clips and straps on the required greave letting in rattle after hitting

the wood.

“I think we should wa...,” I started to say when I saw Big Mac returning with Twilight and Rarity. “Wait until they get here,” I told her pointing with a nod of my head.

The two of them handled the situation better then Fluttershy did as they walked by the scene of the fight. Twilight seemed taken back by it but intrigued, while Rarity looked repulsed by it all.

“So how has your evenings been,” I asked with a smile and small wave as they got to the porch. When they got a look at me their reactions didn't surprise me.

Twilight looked worries and amazed while she looked me over and Rarity looked ill and frightened at my appearance.

“Mine's been absolutely dreadful! I haven't had dinner yet, I've torn my second favorite uniform and I'm almost out of booze! And to make it worse I was attack by some horribly beasts and got hurt,” I said loudly with a playful glee and a small dark chuckle. Everyone was looking confused and worried.

“I'm drunk leave me alone,” I added before taking a quick drink from the bottle.

“Darling, how much have you had to drink,” Rarity asked with concern eyeing my bottle.

“Well, what's missing in here plus three fingers from another bottle,” I informed her holding the fingers next to the half empty bottle, both her and Twilight gasped.

“Incredible,” I heard Twilight say before she started to unpack her bags with Rarity quickly following. After a minute they had a range of bandages and first aid supplies laid out.

“Soo, what are we dealing with exactly,” Twilight ask with Fluttershy bringing them up to speed. As she did I continued to take sips of the cider.

“Alright then,” Twilight began before exhaling sharply, “let us start with the one on the side of our head.” I felt the tingle of magic on me and barely saw the glow of her magic.

“Alright, I'm not finding anything with my magic or by, eh looking. I think we can close it up.”

Rarity stepped up with a needle and thread in her magic but hesitated before she did anything.

“I'm, I'm not I should do this. I mean I'm not a doctor or a nurse. Shouldn't we go the the clinic? They care take care of this icky stuff.”

All her points here true to a point.

“Don't worry about it Rarity, you'll do fine. It's no different then sewing with cloth. It maybe gross but you're not actually touching anything and the clinic wouldn't have any idea on how to treat me. The only ones that really do aren't around. Besides there's no one I would trust more with a needle and thread then you from what I hear about your talent,” I reassured her with a drunken smile and some slurring.

She took a breath and narrowed her eyes as she sat down next to me before putting her glasses on.

“Alright then, let me patch this right up.” She moved slow and smoothly as she put individual stitches into place. I don't know if it was skill on her part, the alcohol, or both but I only felt the tingle of magic and some slight pulling on the thread.

It took her close to half an hour to finish. By the time she was finished my head was starting bobbing up and done from all the drinking.

As that was happening Twilight was asking questions about the human body and how my injuries were or could influence it. I don't think I gave her any real answers causing her frustration to grow as she was pulling a couple teeth left behind out of my shoulder area, leg and forearm.

With my head wound taken care of the two of them switched places so Rarity could work on my arm and Twilight could look at my head, but I suddenly had a different idea.

“I've gotta piss,” I flatly informed everyone as I stood up abruptly and taking a sip of the bottle. I took the bottle with me as I walked over to the outhouse. As I walked away I heard mummers from the ponies on the porch. While I walked I poked and touched the work that Rarity had done, it felt impressive.

After finishing in the outhouse I started to stumbled back to the porch, however I made a detour to the water barrel. After several cups of water and only falling to my knees, one hand and a bottle once on the way to porch I sat back down.

“Alright where were we again? Things are kinda hazy at this point,” the ponies gave worried looks to each other before they spoke.

“Ah, we, er, wondering had happened to ya cast,” Applejack started with pointing at the missing item.

“Oh, I cut it off last night before sleeping but after drinks. Didn't think I needed it any more since I was starting work today. Plus, it was itching,” I slurred out before starching at my forearm.

“Didn't ya need it to make sure your, ah, bones healed right,” Applebloom asked not knowing the right word to use.

“Yeah, more then likely but I think at this point that's kinda moot since I'm now leaking red liquids,” I returned waving the arm.

“Which brings up our next point, can we finish with your other injuries before it gets to late,” Twilight asked, “I still need to write a letter to the Princess.”

“Sure, but under one condition, you can't roll up my sleeves or pants and I'm not taking off my shirt,” I told them in a tone that offered no room for disagreement.

“That will make this much more difficult but I suspect you have your reasons. So let me start with your arm dear,” Rarity replied as she moved to work.

I went to drink form my bottle but found it glowing lavender and being pulled away from me.

“I think my bottle is trying to escape, you know anything about that Twilight?”

“Yes I do, I think you've had enough. You maybe different for us ponies but I think you've had enough, maybe more then enough, from observing your actions,” she informed me tugging on the cider bottle.

“Why is my bottle trying to escape? You know anything about this Twilight,” I asked and she seemed concern.

“It would be nice to know how drinking affects you right now,” she said while rubbing a hoof on her temple.

“Get over here, I'm not done with you yet. I'm still feeling things,” I told the bottle leaning my body over trying to get to it. All I got was a case of falling over.

I let out a groan as I hit the wood and another as I pushed myself back up.

“Again I think you've had enough, I'm confident you're drunk enough,” she told me again as I failed to find the bottle.

“I think my bottle escaped, you seen it anyone,” I asked rubbing my good hand through my blood matted hair.

“Ah, this might be a dumb question but don't we have ta worry 'bout all the blood he's lost,” Applejack interrupted waving a hoof over me with growing concern.

I saw Rarity and Twilight's eyes jump in surprise as they realized the importance of the question.

“Sweet Celestia, you're right!”

“My heavens this is absolutely dreadful!”

“My bottle did escape.”

“Stop worrying about your booze! You could be bleeding to death,” Twilight snapped sounding like she was starting to panic.

“But it's gone! Besides if I remember right I can lose like nearly like I think a third of the five liters of the red stuff I have before I need to start replacing it, which is why I need my bottle. It'll help replace lost fluids... Or help lose fluids? Both? Meh, things are starting to get blurry. Where that bottle go,” I asked and told them rubbing my eyes with one hand trying to focus.

I didn't see their responses but i did hear a couple gasps. I heard words but the sounded like they were speaking under water.

“Anyone seen that bottle I was drinking? It escaped.” I heard, I think, Twilight groan in frustration.

“Why are you so focused on the cider bottle!”

“Because it's missing.”

“AH! I hope this is caused by your drinking and not your personality.”

“I don't think the bottle was really worried about my personality,” I retorted with a grin and pause as I was answered with a few groans and chuckles.

“OH! I just remembered! I was suppose to ask to help get this armor off. With the armor off it should be easier to work on the patient, ah me.” After several seconds they were able to pull off the armor but it was a little more difficult with the wounds I had.

After that it took I guess forty five minutes for the two before everything was patched up as well as I would let the between my restrictions and drinking.

At the end I think the two unicorns were exhausted more from dealing with me then the actually work they had to do.

As for me I was on the edge of passing out from the booze, which I was and had been asking about the entire time.

The Apples slowly and quietly started to move into the house started with Granny and Applebloom, soon followed by Big Mac, leaving only Applejack out on the porch.

"Yea! We're finished! Thank you girls, you've helped make this whole thing suck less then it could have been," I told them running my fingers tips over the stitches they had done.

“Sorry, about the mess Applejack. I'll clean it up in the morning, right now I'm getting ready for the sleep.”

“Ah, thanks but I can take care of it. Shouldn't be a big deal,” she countered.

“I was being polite but meh at this point. I want to tear those critters about to learn 'bout them and maybe found something worth a few bits,” I told her swiping my arm towards the corpses.

The four were stunned at my callous tone and attitude towards the dead but before they could voice it I continued.

“Maybe I'll find how to fight them better in the future and I might get lucky and found some part that I can sell or trade 'cause it's magically or something. Besides they're dead, they're not going to complain, where that bottle go?”

As I looked for it I saw, or thought, Twilight seeing logic in the response, Applejack being confused and lost, and poor Fluttershy shocked and afraid but none spoke up. Well, that I heard, or remember, at this point I was having a hard time staying awake.

The drinking, lost blood, and adrenaline crush were getting stronger then my will to stay awake. The girls were talking to someone but I couldn't tell who.

I grunted standing up pulling the greave in one hand and the chest piece in the other off the ground.

“I'm about to pass out. I'm going to my room. I'll find that bottle in the morning. Before I go looking for the big one that got away. Wake me up when Boring Flank does her job. I'm going to go pass out and bleed in silence,” I talked over them as I limped to my room in the barn with my armor.

After walking through the open door I closed it with a foot before dropping the armor and turning to lock it. After that the voices on the other side got quiet and I turned again to lie on the ground in the middle of the room.

It took what felt like only seconds before I started to slip into the void of nothingness and greeted it warmly.

My last thought was how bad the morning was going to suck, but that was a problem for future Hunter.