John’s mind was roused from unconsciousness. He furrowed his brow and opened his eyes slowly. He noticed he was in a room, afternoon sunlight streamed through large windows in the pastel green walls. The sun had been setting the last he remembered, that suggested that he had been out for at least a day.

John scanned the room, noticing the heart monitor and other various medical equipment near his bed. The acrid scent of disinfectant pervasively assaulted his nose.

It’s probably safe to assume that I’m in a hospital, John thought.

John pulled off the sheet that covered his form to get a look at himself. He quickly took note that he was in his underwear, before moving on to the more pressing matter of the state of his wounds. The gashes were covered in gauze pads held on by white wrappings, they had probably been stitched shut as well.

That’s new, the ponies must have done that while I was out, John thought to himself.

While John checked his wounds, there was a knock on the door. He quickly pulled the sheet back over his mostly naked body, before bidding the visitor to enter. A small purple baby dragon entered the room.

"Hey John, you doing okay?" Spike asked.

The human raised an eyebrow at the dragon.

"When have I ever been okay?" John wittily replied, before his tone became more serious, "But how are you doing, what happened back at the school?"

"After the flash, I ended up at the library,” Spike stated, “I knew that you were still at the school with those girls, so I contacted Princess Celestia."

"Oh," John nodded, calming himself down, "So it was her that showed up with you."

"Yeah. She was surprised what happened at the schoolhouse. Twilight and them-"

"Wait!" The human stopped Spike, "So they’re okay?"

"Yeah, they woke up the next day. Same can’t be said for you..." Spike trailed off as he looked away.

"Spike," John looked at the dragon questioningly, as he felt trepidation enter him, "How long I was unconscious?"

Spike tried to look John in the eye, but his gaze fell on the wall behind him instead.

"About three days," Spike hissed.

John’s face paled, but the expression remained stony.

"Three days, after a little scuffle like that..." John sighed. "I’m not much of a soldier, now am I?"

"Don't worry about that John, at least they didn't take away your diaper." Spike said in a comforting tone.

The human placed his face in his hands, and sighed once again.

"Also, Princess Celestia will come later on to question you about your situation." Spike continued.

"That so?" John looked at the window, "Then I assume that Twilight and the rest have relaid everything I’ve already said?"

"Yep."

Suddenly, John’s stomach made it’s upset at being neglected known with a roar of indignation.

"I guessing that was you?" said Spike.

"Yeah," John admitted.

"Alright, I’ll go let the doctors know you’re awake, and get them to send you some apples."

The dragon headed towards the door as John watched him go. The human made himself comfortable on the bed and sighed in content. Nothing could ruin the moment. Then, John realized something.

"Wait just a second, I don’t wear a diaper!"

***

John swallowed the final bite of apple, as the door swung open in a golden aura. A giant pony, taller than any pony he had seen so far, walked through the open doorway. Her coat was a pure white, and her mane and tail were three-toned ethereal masses that fluttered in a breeze, despite the fact that they were indoors. She had a long, sharp looking horn, and large feathered wings. Princess Celestia, basically the god of this realm.

"Hello John Goodman," the princess spoke in a soft matronly voice that held a certain power to it, "I've heard things about you."

John tossed the apple core into a nearby trash bin, surveying the princess. He chose his next actions carefully, not wanting to cause the Jesus Christ of ponies any distress.

"You did?" John questioned.

"Twilight told me that you're a human, and a soldier. Is this correct?"

John nodded.

"Well, as much as I truly wish to stay here and have a deep conversation, I am afraid that I'm on a tight schedule that I must adhere to. As such, we only have time to talk about recent events."

She stepped closer to the human as he kept his eyes on her.

"What happened when you and Spike arrived at the school three days ago?" The tone of her voice was a bit serious.

So John explained what had happened at the school. At first, Princess Celestia’s expression was an expertly crafted mask of control over the situation. But as John told his story, her mask shattered, and was replaced by a look of utter helplessness. When he told her of how they had been controlled, her eyes widened in fear, and when he’s finished his recount, she took a step back from him.

"What’s wrong?" he asked, becoming concerned.

"It's happening." Princess Celestia whimpered.

John stared at the once stoic monarch, and noticed a tear roll down her cheek.

"Are you okay?"

"I must go."

There was a brilliant flash of golden light, and the princess was gone. The human pondered the events that had just transpired. He had never expected the leader to break down like that, especially when she was supposed to be an immortal god.

That was a little more than strange, John concluded.

Shortly thereafter, a yellow unicorn stallion with a brown mane walked in. He wore a lab coat, and held a clipboard in his magical grip.

"Ah! You’ve finished eating," said the doctor. "I assumed you’ve already checked your wounds, correct?"

"Eeyup," John nodded.

The doctor checked his clipboard and cleared his throat.

"Lets see. When you came in, three days ago, you had suffered loss of consciousness due to massive hemorrhaging from two cuts on you body. We stitched the wounds closed, and bandaged the areas. You should be feeling some chest pains, I'm surprised that you don't feel it right now, but they will go away eventually."

"I don’t feel any-" John stopped as a sharp stinging occurred in his chest.

"Just rest for the next couple of days, and you'll be okay. As for your stitches, don't do any heavy activity, and we can get them out a week from now."

Aww man, John thought, sadly, There goes my morning exercise.

"And you'll be out by tomorrow." the doctor continued.

"Great."

The doctor wrote on his clipboard and smiled afterwards.

"So doctor, what about Twilight and the others?" John finally popped the question.

"They're fine. They'll be out by tomorrow too." the doctor replied, smiling comfortingly.

"And the three girls?"

The doctor's smile faded away to be replaced by a look of uncertain disgust, a sure sign that something was wrong. John looked at the pony and saw that his eyes were troubled and watery. He knew that the fillies he once fought, were in deep trouble.

However, the doctor hastily forced his expression back to it’s normal calmness.

“The girls...are in...critical...condition,” the doctor finally stated, though hesitantly, “They were heavily bruised, suffering from concussions. They’re all in comas at the moment.”

Then, the human's pupils shrank in fear.

"There's little to no chance that they'll make it." the doctor continued. "Not even magic can make the healing process any smoother."

"Why is that!?" John immediately asked.

"Nopony knows a spell that could heal the kind of damage they’ve undergone."

The doctor sighed and looked at his clipboard.

"It'll take a miracle to make them better," he said, before leaving the room.

Hours into the night, John was wide awake. His mind was full of thoughts about the girls. He never expected this to happened to them.

Why!? How could I have caused so much damage!?

The human curled himself into a ball and cried.

"Why?"

BOOM!!!

Instinctively, John covered himself with his blanket, hiding from whatever had made the noise.

“Oh my gosh! I want to...wait. Why am I under the covers?”

John uncovered himself and saw that the room was beginning to fill with smoke.

“Okay. Big boom, plus smoke in the room equals... FIRE!!!”

John got up from the bed as the fire alarm was set off. He looked around the room for his clothes and luckily, the clothes was on a table.

“How did I miss that?”

As John retrieved his clothes, a nurse pony came in with a wheelchair. Without warning, the nurse immediately went towards John and shoved him into the wheelchair. Before John could say anything, the nurse dashed out of the room and made her way outside of the hospital.

“Wow! That was fast!”

John got up from the wheelchair and put on his clothes. Noticing they were clean.

“Clothes are cleaned. Nice.”

Once he put on his clothes, he looked at the hospital and saw that a good portion of it was engulfed in flames. He checked around and saw if the others had made it out, noticing a familiar purple unicorn mare sitting by a tree.

“Twilight! You’re okay!” John exclaimed, moving to meet her.

“Yeah I'm fine.” said Twilight. “Why are you in your clothes?”

John merely chuckled.

“John, Twilight! Thank Celestia that you're alright.”

Both of them turned around and saw Rarity and the rest of the ponies approaching them. The five mares embraced John and Twilight in a powerful group hug. The hug lasted for a solid minute before...

“John, why are you wearing your clothes?” asked Rainbow Dash.

The group hug broke apart as John answered, “I feel uncomfortable when I’m not wearing clothes. It’s a human thing.”

“I see.”

“I hope they get everypony out of the hospital.” said Rarity.

“Same here.” said Twilight.

“There you are!”

The doctor galloped to the group. He looked haggard, and worried.

“So the seven of you are here. Good,” said the doctor. He looked at John and gave him a knowing smile, “Did you go use the bathroom and change?”

John heavily rested his face in his right palm.

I swear to God, I am going to make the next person who insinuates that I wear diaper wear one themselves, John thought.

“No.” John said.

“Just checking.”

Of course.

The doctor left in a hurry as the ponies looked at him suspiciously.

“What did the doctor mean by 'use the bathroom'?” asked Twilight.

“It's a stupid joke that he came up with.”

Meanwhile, the doctor and some nurses checked the numbers of patients. For such a big hospital, they aren't many patients. After they checked, they seemed to notice that they had forgotten something, or three somethings. Guess what they were?

“By Celestia, nopony got the comatose fillies!” exclaimed the doctor.

The sound of his voice brought attention to the six ponies and John.

“Doctor. We must get them.” said one of the nurses.

The doctor nodded and galloped towards the flaming building, only to be stopped by a large gout of flame bursting out of the doorway.

“I can't get in there!” exclaimed the doctor.

“What's happening?” asked Twilight.

“The three fillies are in there.” said the nurse.

“Three fillies... Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo!”

The nurse nodded.

The ponies gasped in horror as they turned around and saw the flaming building.

“No! My little sis is in there!” exclaimed Applejack.

“Nurse what room are they in?” asked Twilight.

“Room 21 on the third floor.” responded the nurse. “Where's the fire department?”

John looked at the building and watched it burning. He thought of saving the girls. He couldn't let them die so young. After the damage he caused, it was time to do the unthinkable. So, the human started running towards the flaming hospital.

“John! What are you doing?” asked Twilight.

“I'm have to save them!” said John as he went inside the flaming building.

As he entered the building, he headed towards the stairs.

Man it's hot, was the only thing John could think.

John ascended the steps, as he moved higher, the smoke, heat, and flames got heavier. He could barely breathe by the time he reached the third floor. His lungs protested at the smoke invading them, and he began coughing violently.

"Keep going! You're halfway there!" John told himself.

As he rounded the corner, he saw the hallway engulfed in flames.

Fuck! How am I supposed to go through this!?

John began to search for the room number as he swiftly made his way through the fire and smoke. As he made his way, he began to slow down from the coughing and lack of air.

“Shit! ‘cough cough’ I can't ‘cough’ breath,” said John.

He finally reached the room number and opened it. He saw the three girls on the beds and something else. Guess who it was?

“You 'cough'!”

The mysterious figure looked at him for a moment and disappeared like before.

“Hey 'coughing' come back 'coughing'!”

The ceiling collapsed to the floor behind him, blocking the exit.

“Damn!”

He looked for an exit and saw the only window. He went to it, open it, and looked outside. The entire town was watching.

“Well 'cough' here goes nothing.”

John grabbed the girls and held them tightly. Thankfully, the three fillies were a light load. He looked at the window and drew a deep breath. Then, after a quick mental assurance, he ran at the window, leaping forward as far as he could when he reached it.

Just as he jumped, the hospital exploded behind him. The ponies screamed when it happened. John quickly rolled over in mid-air so that his back was facing the ground, and the fillies in his arms were not. He closed his eyes, gritted his teeth, and prepared for the pain that was about to come.

Just as John was about to hit the ground, his momentum suddenly stopped. He opened his eyes and saw that he was glowing purple. Then he was safely placed on the ground. He looked around and saw that Twilight was next to him.

“Thanks Twilight.”

“No problem.” said Twilight.

It was night time in Ponyville. Every pony that lived in the town was asleep. Everything was quiet in Ponyville. The sky was clear as a clean window. Nothing could ruin this night for anypony.

Nothing except for the hospital that was burning to the ground.

John got up and placed the girls on the ground, as the fire department watered the burned building. The other ponies approached till they were Twilight's side. John dusted himself a little, till Pinkie Pie spoke.

“John, you are crazy for doing that,” said Pinkie Pie, uncharacteristically serious, “You could've lost your life.”

“I know but 'cough' if I haven't done it, the 'coughing' three fillies would died 'cough' in the fire,” said John.

“Thank Celestia that you and the girls are okay.” said Twilight.

Just as John was about to say something, he was thrown into a coughing fit for about ten seconds.

“My goodness. Are you okay?” asked Fluttershy.

John caught his breath before he spoke.

“I'm 'cough' fine,” said John roughly, “Just that the smoke got into me.”

Suddenly, John got a group hug from Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash. Tears were out of their eyes.

“Thank you John, for saving the girls from that dreadful fire.” cried Rarity.

“It's what at least I can do,” said John.

“You may come from a violent world, but you’re a good fella,” said Applejack.

“How can we ever repay you?”asked Rainbow Dash joyfully.

John let go of the three ponies and looked at the ground. The ponies looked at him and sadness was written all over his face. They have no idea what John was going to say.

“Forgiveness.” said John sadly.

The ponies were confused at John's answer.

“Forgiveness? But you’ve done nothing wrong.” said Rarity.

“Well actually, the little girls are in...a coma.” said John. “The doctor told 'cough' me that not only they were in a comma, they had a great chance of not making it. They were injured 'coughing' very badly.”

“What's this have to do with you asking for forgiveness?” asked Applejack.

John took a deep breath and told them what happened in the schoolhouse after they were knocked out, he also told them about Princess Celestia.

After a minute of explanation, the ponies were speechless for the moment. They didn't know what to say after what they heard. It taken another minute until a pony spoke.

“Is this true?” asked Applejack.

“Yes. It is.” said John with despair.

“They were controlled. That's... horrible.” said Rarity.

John nodded sadly.

Again, the ponies were speechless. They looked at each other and looked at the ground. John wasn't expecting this at all from them.

“So, I'm asking one thing in return. Can you forgive me?”

Before anything can be done to John's question, there was moaning. At first, the ponies didn't knew where it came from. Then, there it was again and it became clear.

The little girls were waking up.

“Applebloom?” said Applejack.

“Applejack? Where am I?” said the little light green filly.

“Ugh...What happened?” said the orange filly.

“I feel so sore.” said the white filly.

“Girls! You're okay!” exclaimed Rarity.

“Thank Celestia that you're awake.” said Applejack with joy.

John looked at the small fillies, utterly shocked.

It's a miracle, John thought.

“Why's the hospital on fire?” asked Applebloom.

“We'll explain that later.” said Applejack.

Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash hugged the little fillies as John made a smile on his face.

“Ow! Rarity, I'm sore.” said the white filly.

“Sorry Sweetie Belle. I'm just so glad that you're okay.” said Rarity.

As John watched them, memories of the last hug he had given his father formed in his mind. The hug was more of a 'farewell' hug, than a 'you’re okay' hug. John's eyes became full of tears.

Then John looked at the building. The fire had finally died out, as the firefighters water it down. John then became a little angry.

That fucking mysterious figure. John thought, It caused that fire.

He continued to looked at the building as Twilight came over right next to him.

“You did good John.” said Twilight.

John snapped out of his little anger and looked at Twilight.

“Yep. I did.” said John.

They looked at the three ponies. They were talking to the little fillies. A smile came on Twilight's face.

“I think you are forgiven.” said Twilight.

John looked at Twilight and gave a gentle smile to her.

“I know.” said John.

Without further ado, John told the doctor that he saved the girls and his back was feeling better.

The doctor was relieved and happy. To make things better, the doctor said John and his friends are going to be out the hospital now because he was going to release them the next morning.

“And stay away from heavy activities.” said the doctor.

“I will.” said John.

“And exercise for your back.”

“I will.”

“And change your diaper.”

“For the last time, it's called an underwear..”

“I'm sorry. It's just that I find the way you react so amusing.”

The doctor chuckled as John began to walk away.

The ponies that had crowded around the charred remains of the hospital began discussing their mixed feelings toward the human that walked by them.

“So, that creature saved those girls from the fire?”

“I think so.”

“I don't really think that John creature cares about them. He did it for fame.”

“It doesn't matter. He saved them from the fire.”

“He’s got more guts than any other pony.”

“You said it.”

John heard the ponies what they were saying about him. He looked at them and gave a smile.

“He smiled at us.”

“Is he going to eat us?”

“How am I suppose to know?”

“He looks kind of cute.”

“Eww.”

John walked towards the six ponies with great news.

“The doctor said that we're being released early.” said John.

“That's great.” said Twilight.

“Fabulous.” said Rarity.

Fluttershy gave a small smile.

“Holy tarnation!” exclaimed Applebloom. “It's that creature.”

The Cutie Mark Crusaders looked at John like it was a new toy. John looked at them and he was dirty from the smoke and ash.

“Hey” said John waving his fingers to the girls.

“Whoa! You can talk.” said Sweetie Belle.

“Of course I can.”

“I guess you’re not from around here huh?” said the orange filly.

“Nope.”

“So tell me. How are you different from us?”

“Scootaloo, that's a rhetorical question. The answer is obvious.” said Sweetie Belle.

“I know, but I want to hear it from him.”

“Girls, you can ask any questions ya got fer John some other time.” said Applejack. “You need to rest.”

“Aww.” groaned the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

“Anyway, thanks for saving them.” continued Applejack.

“No problem.” said John.

“Wait! You saved us from that fire!?” exclaimed Applebloom.

“Yep.”

The Cutie Mark Crusaders' eyes got bigger and dropped their jaws. They were amazed that John was not only from a different world, but he had also saved them from the fire. John gave them a smile and they fainted.

“I guess they found a new role model.” said Applejack.

Everyone laughed in that moment.

John felt good for saving the Cutie Mark Crusaders. His heroic action proved him that he was a good person. He deserved something from this.

Out of all the possible-

“You know what's this called for?” said Pinkie Pie.

“What?” asked John.

Pinkie inhaled and shouted, “A PARTY!!!”

Author's Note

Finally got this chapter up. The past few days was crazy. Like, one of my editors decided to quit, which was surprising. So I had to find another one for the past few days and luckily, I did. Well, I've found two. But hey, at least the chapters are better than before.

Edit by Narlepoax III and Theblacksmithbrony

The other editor will come up in the next chapter.