The Nurse and the Bug

“Wait. So you caught the Elements of harmony?” Tender asked after a moment when Vector had paused in his story.

“Technically it was sector six. Sector nine was put out of commission until my clutch mates could get their acts straight.” Vector replied.

“So why was it you weren’t taken down by them like the other sectors?”

“A lot of dumb luck. If they would have gotten through sector nine, like I know they would have, we would have been defeated a long time before what happened next. We had stopped them from retrieving the actual elements from their hiding place. They were just the only ponies who could use them.”

“So, then… What happened after that?”

Vector shrugged.  “Well, I don’t feel like going into detail about what happened to me when we were defeated. I was right there in the castle when the princess caused a massive wave of love that wiped the changelings from Canterlot. Let’s just say that… this wasn’t the first time I’ve been found bleeding to death in the woods. Just that I wasn’t taken in by a pony to treat my wounds.”

Tender gently touched Vector’s shoulder. “Sounds like you had it rough.”

“Tell me about it…”

“So what have you been doing since then?”

Vector sighed and ran his hand through his mane. “Well, after the raid failed, we set to rebuilding the hive, but we had less resources than before. I was left to lead sector six and we did a few raids here and there to help. Many of us were left injured and dying, like myself or were killed in either the blast or the fight. The loss of workers and love collectors hit us where it hurt, making life in the hive worse than usual. The ironic thing is that the queen was tended to before any of us and she wasn’t even that bad off. Her chitin absorbed most of the blast and used the love to keep her alive.”

“That’s terrible! Celestia would have put the worse off before herself!”

“Pffft! How do you even know that? She’s the ruler. They always put themselves first. I know that first hand. You listen to what she says and if you don’t you get punished. Orders are orders and they always will be. We’re both probably defying several. Do you even know what would happen to me if those guards found me here? I would be executed! You would be thrown into a deep, dark dungeon for harboring me.”

Tender gasped and shook her head. “No she wouldn’t. Y-you’re wrong…”

Vector looked away. “You didn’t see what I did. You don’t know what I do. And let’s just leave it at that.”

Tender stood from her seat on place on the coffee table and walked to the kitchen to pour herself a glass of cold cider from the fridge. She took a calming sip as she mulled over when Vector had exposed to her. Of course there were several ways that he and his hive were in the wrong, but it seems that so was the Equestrian guard. There were many ways that Celestia and her guard could have prevented hostilities between them and the changelings. Now there was a huge mess of mistrust all thanks to a case of miscommunication and necessity.

And from what Vector had said, it seems that changelings were taught to hate ponies at a very young age. Tender wondered if Vector hated his queen for the harsh treatment of her hive. If so, maybe there was some hope for the crippled changeling after all.

Tender sipped on her cider as she thought further. Vector had shown her that he trusted her enough to tell her his story. Maybe there’s a way to get closer to him, but how long would it take? She only has a month or so to stay at home from work with Vector.

Then an idea hit her. What if she decided to try trusting him first with a responsibility of his own? Like watching over her house while she’s at work when she finally goes back to work. It’s a small and simple task, but it would help open him up to her.

“Hay, Tender!” Vector called from the couch. “Can I have some of that cider too!? I know you have some, I can smell it!”

Tender choked slightly on her cider, before placing the glass down on the counter. “S-sure thing! Give me a second!”

“Vector, I’m running to the market to pick up a few things for the house. Anything you need?” Tender Hoof asked as she stood in the doorway.

Vector, as usual, was sprawled out across the couch. The only difference was instead of his shin splint, there was a heavy brace around it from when Tender had visited a friend from the hospital. “Just another bottle of cider.” The changeling replied in a bored tone.

Tender rolled her eyes. “That’ll be your fourth bottle this week, you drunken changeling.”

“Oh, lay off. I’ll pay you back once I get back on my hooves.”

The nurse groaned. “Whatever. Anything else?”

Vector shook his head as he picked up the tv remote and flipped it on to the history channel. A show about how small arms are made was on at the moment. Vector suddenly jabbed his finger at the screen. “What in hell is that weapon!? I’ve lost three wingmen to those damn things!”

Tender lifted an eyebrow and looked at the screen. “That’s a firearm. I don’t know much about them, other than how to treat an injury from one. Nasty things, guns.”

“One. Just one was all it took to kill three of my best…”

Tender sighed and changed the channel with her magic to the Discovery. A show about two stallions testing age old myths came on. “I’d stay away from shows like that, Vector. Those things will put bad thoughts in your head. I get enough mortally wounded ponies coming into the ER from those. Don’t take the ideas to somepony that could triple that number.”

Vector groaned. “Fine.”

“Now… I’m going, so you better be here when I get back, so should all of my stuff.”

He waved his hand in the air dismissively. “I got it. I got it.”

“Good. And no watching shows about guns. I’ll kick your crippled ass if I find it in my watch history.” Tender said before walking out and closing the locked door behind her.

Vector focused his attention to the tv and watched the program that was on. At one point the blond stallion blew something up and burnt off his eyebrow. His reaction to it made Vector laugh. “Heh, this isn’t half bad…”

Ponyville’s market was crowded heavily today with residents of the small town. The nice weather drew ponies from their homes. Both salesponies and shoppers crowded the street.

Tender had slight trouble weaving her way through the crowd of ponies as they shopped around for various items that fit their needs and wants. In her arms she carried a few items she had bought already. She was now looking for a certain stand that belonged to a certain apple farming family.

She dodged through a haggle, pushed past an argument, helped somepony who had tripped and fallen, and accidentally bumped into Fluttershy, scaring the poor mare, before finally finding the stand she was looking for.

It was a small and simple stand with a cart full of apples next to it. A barrel or two sat in front of the stand. And behind it, leaning against it on her elbow, was an orange earth pony mare with a blond mane that was tied up in a ponytail. A well worn stetson sat on her head. Her face was pretty cute, especially with the freckles on her cheeks.

Her body, unlike her face, was rugged and muscular. She wore a plaid button up with the sleeves rolled up and the shirt tail tied over her breasts like a belly shirt. Covering her bottom was a pair of faded jean shorts that were ripped off right at her upper thigh, exposing almost her whole legs.

Tender walked straight up to the stand.

The mare smiled. “Well, howdy! What can I do ya for, sugarcube?”

“Hi, Applejack.” Tender said as she approached. “I’d like to purchase two bottles of cider.”

Applejack gave her a curious look. “You ok, Tender? This’ll be yer fourth time comin’ here for booz. Ya feelin’ good? Anythin’ I can do to help?”

Tender smiled. “Oh, it’s not for me. I’m caring for a friend of mine and he hates the pain meds. He drinks instead.”

“That’s not good, ya know…”

“I have enough knowledge of how to deal with this sort of thing, Applejack. I know what to do.”

Applejack sighed. “Yer the expert. Anyway, how bout them ciders?” She bent down, giving a few passing stallions a heart attack, and came back up with two empty cider bottles. She bent down again, giving the stallions a stroke, and returned with one of the barrels. Taking the bottles, she filled each one and plugged them with a cork.

Tender couldn’t help but notice the twitching stallions and giggled to herself. “Poor stallions can’t handle you, can they?”

“Never could, never will. Here’s yer cider.” Applejack replied, setting the bottles of the golden liquid down in front of her. “On the house today, Tender. Tell that friend of yers Ah said to go easy on the cider. This batch is the strong. Don’t want a derped up pony on yer hands. Things get weird after that.”

Tender blushed, remembering the first time she had ever drank too much. “Yeah… That mare was never the same after my first time having too much…”

“Oh yeah, Lyra. Last Ah heard, she’s doin’ pretty good. Hooked up with a Bon Bon last month.”

“Really? So she does swing that way. Glad to know I didn’t do too much damage.”

Applejack laughed. “Ah hear that.”

Tender took the bottles of cider in her magic. “Anyway, thanks. I owe you one.”

“You don’t owe me jack squat, Tender. You look like you would need the drink anyway.”

Tender lifted an eyebrow. “But I thought you were just worrying about me drinking a moment ago.”

Applejack waved her hand dismissively. “That was before Ah knew you weren’t the one who’s been drinkin’. Now get on out of here. Ah’m sure ya got better thin’s to be doin’ than standin’ roud talkin’t to a farm pony.”

“Oh, yeah. Got to get back home.” Tender then turned and took off, but not before waving to Applejack as she left. “Thanks again!”

“Don’t mention it!”

On her way back through the market, a glint off of something metal caught Tender’s eye. She turned to see what it was so she could get out of the way of the reflection of sunlight, but stopped when she saw what it was. It was a pair of metal crutches with padded pit rests. They looked used, but perfect for continued use.

Tender ran straight up to the stand that was selling them. “How much for the crutches?” She asked the stallion running it.

The green pegasus smiled. “For you, little lady… Twenty bits each.”

“Sold.” She pulled the bits out of her purse with her magic and dropped them onto the stand, before taking the crutches in her magic as well and continuing on. “Thank you!”

Vector tore himself away from the tv when he heard the door unlock. He stiffened, ready for anything, but relaxed when the door opened to reveal Tender Hoof.

“Hi there. Did you get the cider?”

“No, they were all sold out.” Tender replied.

Vector’s ears drooped. “But…”

“I’m kidding. Of course I got some.” Tender showed him the two bottles. “I also got you these.” She levitated the crutches through the door and set them down leaning against the armrest by Vector’s head.

“Crutches? You got me a set of crutches? Would you quit getting me nice things, Tender? You’re just building the dept left and right.”

Tender giggled as she took her arm full of groceries and the bottles of cider to the kitchen and began restocking. “Why should I? Plus, I am so not having you be lazy all day every day. Get used to walking on those crutches because you’re gonna start having chores around here.”

“What!? You’re gonna make me work with a broken leg!?” Vector cried.

“Hay, I thought you owed me.”

Vector crossed his arms and grumbled to himself. “Bitch took my words and used them against me.”

Tender walked back into the living room with two glasses of cider. “Applejack said to be careful on the cider. It’s a stronger batch this time.”

“Pfft! I think I know how to drink.” Vector said defensively.

“So does Applejack, so what does that tell you about this batch?”

Vector reached out for one of the glasses. “That it was made for me.”

Tender took the glass away before he could reach it. “That’s not the answer I was looking for. I want you to take it easy on the alcohol, ok?”

Vector rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, whatever. Can I have my drink now?”

“Promise you won’t drink too much.”

“Fine, I promise I won’t drink too much.”

Tender placed the glass in Vector’s hand. “If you do, no tv for two days.”

“Wait… Are you threatening me with television? That’s cold, Tender Hoof. Can’t believe you’re treating me like a larva. Bitch.”

“I’m not a bitch, Vector. I am the bitch. Get it right.”

“Whatever.” Vector took a sip of his cider, humming at the flavor.

The cider turned out to be stronger than Tender had thought, because two glasses later, they were both drunk.

Tender was sitting on the floor leaning against the couch next to Vector, her drunken state not allowing her to stand. “Ya know… The reason I... was even able to… to… umm… find you in the woods was… b-because I was laid off from work for a month…”

“No… You? Why in hell would they do that?”

“Buncha stupid cunts complaining about me…”

Vector whistled. “Damn…”

Tender looked up at the changeling. “Ya know… Ya never told me how you ended up being chased by… a pack of wooden dogs… Which something like that makes really so sense…”

Vector chuckled. “I know right? Well…” He ran his hand through his mane. “It kinda happened like this.”

‘Border three is down! Border three is down! Sector six and seven! Move in for back up!’

The voice coming through hive mind startled Vector from his sleep. He bolted upright in his bed. ‘The hive is under attack? By who?’

‘Timberwolves! Hundreds of them!’

“Mother of Chrysalis!” Vector cried as he scrambled out of bed and bolted for the barracks that was built in right next to his room. He lit the light crystal with his magic. “Alright, ladies! Get your asses up! We have orders!”

The team was startled awake by his voice, but soon the changelings were scrambling for their gear.

“Move! move! Every second counts! The timberwolves aren’t going to wait for you to get in gear!” Vector urged as he went to collect his armor and weapon, returning to find his strike team standing at attention. He walked in front of them and motioned for them to follow. “I know many of you have encountered a timberwolf before, but this is much different. Intel says hundreds are attacking our borders. I don’t care why or how, I just want to know what their weak points are and how to kill them. Clear?”

“Yes, sir!” The changelings confirmed.

“Now… As you know, in a pack, they will attack as a team. They’ll gang up on the weakest ones first and tear them apart like a play toy. I want you to stick together as a group and help any changeling that needs it. Nopony should be alone. Clear?”

“Yes, sir!”

Vector stopped at the mouth of an exit. He could hear the vicious growling and the pained cries of the battle taking place outside. He motioned toward the exit. “Good. Now go get them.”

Twenty changelings buzzed their wings and zoomed past their leader, charging into the heat of a losing battle. Vector was close behind. “Attack from the outside! Don’t let them surround you!” He ordered before diving down to join sector two who had called for the assistance. He landed next to the leader as he and what was left of his team had surrounded themselves in a defense bubble.

“Commander Vector Blade. So glad you could join us.” The fellow commander stated.

“What’s the situation, commander Toxin?”

Toxin sighed. “We lost sector one and half of my team in the ambush. They came out of nowhere in a bloodthirsty wave of death. I fear for the worst.”

The sound of glass cracking caught their attention and directed it at the green bubble of magic. A large crack had formed from where the timberwolves had slammed into it.

“This isn’t going to hold…” Toxin said half to himself. He turned to Vector and shoved him away. “Go! Get out of her! It’s not going to hold!”

“But what about-”

“I said go!” Toxin grabbed Vector in his magic and threw him out of the shield just in time for it to shatter. Snarling mouths filled with razor teeth filled the space and tore the remaining changelings to shreds, spilling blood and throwing bloody limbs in every direction.

Vector could only watch in horror as he hovered above where his comrades once stood. The gory sight made his stomach curl. He held his hand over his mouth and steadied his breathing. The last thing he wanted was to stall in mid air because he was puking his guts out. Vector tore his gaze away from the bloody scene and searched around frantically for his sector. He soon spotted them flying above the timberwolves, using fire spells to take out the ones at the edges of the pack, but it wasn’t doing much good. The pack was too large.

He flew toward his team and stopped next to his deputy commander, a brute-like mare with a battle axe and a head fin instead of a mane. “Sector two is down. Toxin’s dead.”

“What!? Then what do we do now!?” The mare cried.

“Hold them off as long as you can. If all else fails…” Vector placed a hand on her shoulder. “It’s been an honor serving with you, Ivy.”

Ivy’s eyes widened. “You don’t mean…”

Vector looked away. “The hive was weak from the start. The timberwolves are slaughtering us. It’s only a matter of time before they reach the tunnels. They’ll go straight for the nursery…”

“What!? We have to protect the queen!” A stallion from his sector cried.

“Do whatever you think you have to… Ivy. Take a team to guard the nursery. The rest of us will clear an escape path. Did you find sector one?”

“What’s left of them. Two walked away with a few scratches, then another with a missing arm.”

Vector sighed. “Where are they?”

Ivy pointed to her right with her thumb. “Hidden in a tree with a cloaking barrier around them. You know how to find them.”

Vector nodded. “Did you stop the bleeding on the one with the missing arm?”

“The other two are taking care of it now.”

“Good. Take a team of six. That’s all I can spare.”

Ivy suddenly grabbed Vector’s armor and pulled him into a kiss, making the virgin stallion lock up and blush madly. The mare held him there for a moment before finally breaking away. “Just… just in case one of us dies…”

Vector had to force his mind to work again in order to start his wings back up, having noticed that Ivy was the only one keeping him from falling into a vicious sea of teeth. “Th-thanks…”

“If you live… Please remember me. And if you do find somepony you love, treat her like a mare. Or I’ll kill you when I see you in the afterlife.” A tear formed in Ivy’s eye and slid down her cheek.

Vector could only nod numbly. He had no clue how to respond to a mare acting like that toward him. It left him confused.

“Wait… S-so… you kissed your deputy?” Tender slurred.

Vector burst out laughing. “N-no. Sh-she kissed me! Oh, she was fucking cute too.” His expression saddened. “Too bad I never saw her again… I remember her face… her personality… what her favorite color was… I-I even remember her birthday.” His eyes teared up. “How could so many of those mindless beasts have ended up at our doorstep? There was so many… I was terrified, Tender. I was fully prepared to lose my life…”

Tender placed a hand on Vector’s shoulder. “Hay… Don’t beat yourself up over what… over what you couldn’t control.”

“If I don’t, who will!?” Vector yelled. He immediately reeled over coughing from raising his voice too loudly. His injuries still hadn’t healed enough to return to full movement in certain areas.

Tender placed her hands over Vector’s chest and gently pushed him back down onto the couch. “Don’t.”

The changeling sniffled. “F-fine…”

“Now… Please continue.

Vector sighed and tried to calm his nerves. “Ok.”

Vector fired a flaming bolt of magic at a large crowding of timberwolves, lighting them on fire. Joining him in the attempted attack was five others, with the sixth placed somewhere safe to rest, his arm having been tightly bandaged and temporarily healed.

“There’s too many of them, sir! They’ve breached the tunnels on the west gate! We need to fall back! This is useless!” One of the stallions of his sector yelled.

“You fall back! I have to clear a path! I have to clear a path for Ivy!” Vector yelled back.

“We won’t leave without you, sir!” Another yelled, before shooting a bolt at a timberwolf that had charged at them, burning it to a crisp.

“No! I can’t let you all die too!”

“You won’t… We’ll stay.” The changeling turned to the rest. “Take one hit wonder over there and get the hell out of here! We’ll cover you!”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” The youngest of the group replied, before taking off toward the tree where the injured changeling had been hidden. The others followed in close suit.

Vector sighed and turned back toward his hive. “We’re going to die…”

“Most likely.”

“On three?” Vector suggested.

“On three.” The changeling confirmed.

Vector smiled. “Three.”

The two changelings drew their weapons and charged at the pack of wolves, hacking at the wooden creatures and igniting the beasts in a raging inferno.