Heros Vitae

War

I can’t say I exactly woke up. That would imply that I hadn’t spent hours on end wondering if I was going to meet god while I waited. When light finally reaching my eyes again, I felt relieved. It didn’t last long as my numb body began to feel again.

Ok, so not dead, just fucked up.

I tried to move roll over only to realize I was tied down. I sighed, “So when does the gang raping begin?” I said sarcastically.

“Assuming I understand you, never.” The voice of Soothing came from around the bend. “Sorry about that”, she said walking into the room to look over my bandages. “Sand is a bit rash, but you didn’t really give her any other choice. For her you were either going to die or come here. Considering what happens to those which are taken I would consider thanking her.”

“Thank her?” the words, “That bitch slit me open like a can!” I yelled back. Searing pain erupted from my chest causing me to wince and bite my lip.

“No yelling! The stitches are still fresh and you’ll bleed out if you move around too much. That is also the reason you’re restrained, no rapes on my watch.” She said with a slight smile, “Also, any time you move your arms or neck you’re aggravating the wound so don’t try moving.”

“Fine… “, a long silence pervading us as she finished her investigation of my chest.

“Looks like I am going to have to refresh the bandages again, do you have any record of Hemophilia?” I shook my head, “Odd, usually a cut this deep would heal up much quicker, especially for one bound to the earth magic such as yourself”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“ohh. Nothing, just the rambling of a unicorn medic who has a new species to heal.” She smiled, “It’s not every day you get to talk with an alien. So, tell me about yourself?”

“What do you want to know..? I am 23 years old, born in the United States. Colorado specifically. At the age of 12 I started pursing my dream to become the world’s greatest gamer.”

“Gamer? As in like sports?” she asked.

“Not quite, I do enjoy some sports like table tennis but I spend almost all my time playing video games.”

“Video Games? I am not sure I know what you mean?” she asked again.

“You know, video games. Shooters, brawlers, strategy, rhythm games…? Crappy indie platfomers?” I said with a pleading half smile. She shook her head. I let out a sigh as she became more and more confused as I went on. “Ok, where in the world did I end up that you don’t even know what video games are?”

“You are on the southern tip of Equestria below the badlands. We are in the desert as you might guess, but specifically we are on top of Mount Hades.”

I let out a smirk at the irony, “Mount Hades… “, I would have face palmed but couldn’t “Really, “And where are you from, Unicorncipia?”

“Actually, I am from Manehatten. I am 32 years old and would appreciate it if you stopped laughing I don’t want a bloody mess when I take off that bandage.”

“Sorry,” I whimpered the pain causing tear to enter my eyes and I tried to contain my laughter. “That is truly amazing“, I said trying to shake the tears out of my eyes.

“Ok, that is enough questions for now. I am going to take off your bandage now stay still.”

“Ok, just...” my eyes went wide as I was enveloped by a pink glow floating in air as my bandages smoothly unwrapping around my chest.

“Hold still now, don’t move or I won’t be able to get the dressing on without blood going everywhere.” A small container of medicine levitated up the contents flowing, devoid of gravity, to coat my chest. Then in an instant new bandages wrapped themselves around me before softly letting my body back down.

I stared at for probably a minute eyes wide and mouth open. “You… what?” My breathing increasing as the implications crossed my mind, “What is going on? How are you able to do that? I was floating! And…”

She smirked, “You don’t’ get a name like Soothing Touch and a bandage cutie mark for no reason you know.” She said gesturing to a picture of a bandage on her ass. “That reminds me. What’s your name?”

I looked at her the alien pink and tan hair churning my stomach as the strangeness of everything hit me. She was just like a normal person, but yet she… And a tattoo, and…

Fuck! She’s naked.

With that thought, my sanity came into question again as tried to un-think that. Suddenly feeling very strange I looked away. “Uhhhh… A name?” I said trying to get my breathing back in check. “Just call me…” My name eluded me I’d been so long since I last used it, always going by my gamer tag since I was 15.

“Daunted, or Daunt for short” I decided, if I was going to be recognized it would be by that name if any. Although, I was really starting to question whether I was still on earth.

“Well, nice to meet you Daunt, I’ll just be down the hall. Be sure to give me a haler if you need anything. Also, just to be clear Sand will do that again if you try and leave without her permission. She can a bit of a jerk at times, but she means well so try not to get in her way or cause her trouble.”

Soothing Touch left me, laying on the bed as my brain declared civil war. I wasn’t going to be sleeping any time soon.

A day passed, Soothing changing my bandages again before the sun went down. She unstrapped me from the bed, telling me that if I moved around too much the wound would re-open. I complied, I wasn’t really in any position to do much more than sit up and look around.

Soothing was now looking me over, inspecting my body. Her horn glowed every now and then moving my limbs so she could examine them. Every so often she would pause and rub her chin with a hoof, a pencil nearby scribbling down notes as she went.

“Could you move your feet for me please?”

I complied rolling my ankle in circles, grinning as she inspected the limb in wonder like a child at with a new toy. I smiled at the cute site, I wish I had my phone for a picture, this would totally crash Reddit.

“Hmm, fascinating. And you usually wear these shoes?”

“Yes”

“Can I take them off?” she asked, a hopeful smile on her face.

There was no way I could resist, “Sure thing, go ahead just be warned my feet probably stink.”

“I would imagine, these look similar to a medical cast for broken limbs.”

I laughed, “Not that bad, do you guys have the same tradition of signing them?”

“Indeed, one moment let me get some scissors,” she started to walk off.

“What, wait? Just un-tie them.” She turned and looked at me skeptically. “Ok, guess you guys have not concept of shoes.”

Spending the next few minutes explaining how to untie and take of shoes was awkward to say the least, and not being able to reach my feet made it worse as I forgot the sayings my Mom told me growing up.

“Ok, now for the sock…” I stopping thinking of the best way for someone with hooves to take them off.

“Oh don’t worry,” she said going a shade red, “I have seen even more crazy stuff than this, just not so white.”

I quirked an eyebrow, deciding to not pursue the topic causing her obvious discomfort.

She bit down on the sock, I winced as I felt her teeth round my toes pulling the sock off. I felt really awkward at this point her soft fuzzy hooves inspecting my foot making me feel very warm.

“Interesting, your feet are similar your hands like our front and back hooves, yet have a distinctly different structure.”

“Soothing! You in here?” A voice called.

“Yes, I’ll be there in a second. Is it urgent?”

“No, but I need to talk with our new guest.”

“Then come on back!” She stopped looking over my feet, hiding the sock under her notes, “Now please don’t freak out, that was War Horse, he is a bit stupid, but he means well. Please give him another chance.” She pleaded.

“So, what have we got here?” War Horse, stallion if I ever saw one, stood in the door. A bulky build, with a mud brown fur and black hair. He had a mark, similar to Soothing’s in size, except it was a pair of crossed blades. He tried to smile, the gesture awkwardly forced, as he moved into the room.

I decided a dull glaring was the best route, “Why didn’t you believe me? Who walks into town announcing their presence if they intend to hurt anyone? I mean seriously?” I continued raising my voice, “What the crap did I do?”

He looked away, walking to the small window.

“Nothing…” I finished.

“Boy,” his tone notably darker and more tired, “When you’re fighting a battle sometimes you forget things. Sometimes it doesn’t matter: a shower, a meal, a night’s sleep. But then other things, not so much.

“Who you’re fighting, why you’re fighting, and who needs to be protected. When you get as old as I am ponies think you get wiser with age. I wouldn’t say that’s true we are just take longer make decisions and stick with them till the end.

“My apologies for the friendly fire. You look a lot like our enemy with the most notable differences being your lack of fur, height, and intelligence. Since you came into town from the jungle we assumed you to be an enemy, spy, or bomb.”

“Excuse me?” I quirked an eye brow “You thought I was a Bomb…?”

“Yes, although only one recorded case. We found records from back in the 60s about a mare coming into town covered in cloths only to explode killing a half dozen ponies. If the diary is to be believed, this event was the start of the last evacuation of Sandville. So when you came walking into town covered head to tail, err… hoof in cloths we assumed the worst. Planning to take you out with a stun bolt and investigate from a distance.”

I bit my lip at the explanation, remembering the horror stories on the news about the middle-east. Things were bad her, and for all I knew I just stepped into a war-zone.

“So, now that I know the jungle is dangerous. When can I leave?”

“That is going to depend on a few things,” the stallion mused, “Soothing how long till you think he’ll be able to move around?”

“Based on how long it’s taking him to heal. I’d say no more than another a day until moving won’t be dangerous. He can probably help out the growers as long as he gets frequent breaks and enough water until the caravan is ready.”

“Thank you,” Horse turned to me, “So the only thing you’re missing is Sand’s approval. Otherwise we should have the caravan ready by the end of next week. If you didn’t already guess we are getting everyone out of here. The Guard can’t remain here forever and there is no way we can reach a peaceful solution with the Blood Dog clan. Sand would argue with me, but I won’t stand by and let an entire town get slaughtered. Anyone with half a mind is coming with us back to the heartland.”

“Next week, sounds good,” I said, “Hopefully I won’t explode before then, alright” I let out a small smile.

“Her name was, Shadow Sleeper,” A voice came from outside, “She and my mother were best friends back then.” Sand walked into the room, a neutral expression on her face as I tried to cut her with my glare. “To answer the other question… You are free to leave Sandville after you defeat War Horse in a practice duel, he is getting quite old so it shouldn’t be too hard. I don’t want you leaving without at least a little training. Be sure to ask others to a few rounds before challenging War, he is quite old fashion.”

“Ok, I get it! I am a bit old, you don’t think I know? I plan to retire when we get back to Canterlot. But if I am going to train this boy than I expect your respect until we leave. “ War said glaring at Sand.

“Sure thing, General War Horse. If he doesn’t beat you by the time you leave he will stay.” Sand turned to walk away.

“WHAT!?” both War and Soothing yelled.

“General, this is my town. Outside of Equestria proper there is no laws, nor does he qualify as a citizen to have any international rights. I don’t want him leaving.” She continued walking out of the room, “and, general, you go easy on him, I will keep him regardless.”

“Bitch!” I yelled after her, wincing as my chest turned a darker shade of red.

The next day, I was ready. Ready and pissed. After a quick release evaluation, Soothing lead me to the growing houses to help out. With the move taking place in the next dozen days they were short on workers but still needed to have enough food to go around so she wanted me to help. We walked into the largest building that remained standing. The massive building was wide and deep, and its roof had been taken off to let the sun in. All around us were plants, some flowing others with fruit and vegetables which looked very familiar.

Across the vegetation a group of ‘earth ponies’, as I had been informed, stood around a small tree arguing. “No, you don’t understand if we push this tree anymore it’s going to die and then we won’t every have apples in Sandville ever again!”

“I disagree, I this tree is bread for concentrated and repetitive growth cycles. We brought it from Canterlot, we would know, so stop your gabbing and get back to work. It will be fine.”

“Am I interrupting?” Soothing interjected.

“Not at all. Thanks again for helping Brush Crasher last week he is feeling much better and will be starting up again tomorrow.  How can I help you today Soothing?”

“Well I was actually going to drop off our guest to help you here today. He doesn’t seem to have any aptitude for earth magic, but his can life, reach, and move things much easier and with a higher level of dexterity than an earthpony. He isn’t bad at talking either and I am sure some of his stories will interest you.”

“Well,” the stallion looked me over, “He’s tall, and how much do you think you can lift sir?”

“Probably about fifty or so pounds at most, I don’t exercise very often.” I replied.

The stallion quirked an eyebrow, “Let me rephrase that. From lifting a bucket of water, he pointed to a bucket, to uprooting a small tree how strong are you?”

The steel bucket he pointed to was probably no more than five gallons, so I gave it a lift. Straining, I raised the bucket raised to my waist before putting it down again. “Going to say the bucket or lower, Sorry.” The stallion’s face showing disappointment.

“Well, watering and picking food are what we do most. Don’t worry Soothing we’ll take care of him.” He said, bowing his head like a gentleman?

“Thanks, Earth Bound.” She turned a touch of concern on her face, “And I’ll come to pick you up at sunset.” She said before walking off a smile on her face. “Have fun!”

“Ok, Well first off, I am Earth Bound, nice to meet you. Yourself?” he said putting a hoof out for me to shake.

“You can call me Daunt,” I said noting how quickly he withdrew his hoof.

“Well, for now we have most everything under control, but if you want to just wait right here for about an hour. Then we will start watering the plants for the mid-day cycling. We are going to need lots of water and extra buckets for the produce. Until then make yourself comfortable.”

Perfect. I smiled, I had planned to sneak away and find War to try and get some training in.

There’s no way I am going to stay here with Sand. That mare’s a psychopath, two steps from a murdering rampage.

No more than a minute later Earth Bound, walked off to talk to another pony. I slipped out the way I can, trying to stay in the shadows as best I could as to not attract suspicion. I made my way through town, if our conversation about the town’s layout was accurate the command center was in the last building the west side of town. I walked in trying to be as casual as possible.

Everyone in the room instantly stopped what they were doing to look at me.

Damn, can’t be casual without a shirt and half of my body wrapped in white cloth.

“Hey War Horse,” I said casually, “I am here to start training.”

“Ohh, I wasn’t expecting you so soon…”

“Yea, Soothing was surprised how quickly I healed and sent me over, no dueling today but basic training and what not.” The lie sliding off my lips like glass, the opposite was actually true as Soothing was on the fence about me going to work with the growers.

He looked me over, inspecting my bandages.

“To be honest General, I can’t wait to start. And there is no way I plan to stay behind with Sand when everyone else rolls out to leave this shithole.” I got a few grunts of agreement from the others with that sentiment.

“Ok, anypony particularly interested in training…” he turned to me, “what’s your name again?”

“You can call me Daunted, Sir”

“Righto, anypony interested in training Daunted?

“Come on, no one wants to send a new recruit through basic again? I thought you all would jump at the opportunity to train a rocky to beat me” In an instant a few hooves were raised.

“That’s more like it, as long as you aren’t needed elsewhere you are free to help Daunted prepare for our practice duel. He needs to win so be sure to help him out as much as possible.”

“Good luck, Cadet!” he before returning to his desk.

A group of four volunteers were formed in the front of the room. “Ok, so we got thirteen days I say we break his training up into four sections, three days each. With the duel being the day we leave. Depending on how good he gets I say we make it a parting event to those who are going to stay behind.”

“Seems reasonable,” another said, “I am the best dueler here so I’ll take the last section to get him up to speed on how to beat an uncle War Horse.”

“I’ll handle the introduction, I don’t have to clear the west side of town till Friday, and I have been meaning to try out a few new exercise routines as well so I’m game.” Another said.

The ‘leader’ join in again, “I’ll take him off your hooves for basic combat theory and conditioning. Steel you ok with handling combat training?”

The pony gave a grunt in response.

“Great, Enjoy Mist, and be sure to tighten up that tongue of his while you’re at it. Although I am sure our Griffin would love it, I don’t want to see him swearing up a storm when he fights the general on the last day. Especially if he comes back with us,”