Author's Note

I've started my Senior year of High School, so updates might become once a week, maybe more. Also, I rushed this chapter, because I kept sitting on it, not wanting to write, so I just pushed through it.

Please let me know about any error, which I'm sure are there.

Good day and enjoy reading.

Starting Recovery (8)

Pain. Not something you’d ever really enjoy feeling. It something that lets you know something is supposed to be there, or something is wrong; from how Ray felt, something was very wrong.

Letting out a loud groan of pain, Ray shifted under what felt like a blanket. He didn’t really know what to think of his situation. His right side felt like it was on fire, but it was at least a weak fire.

Opening his eyes, Ray found himself staring at a white ceiling. He let out a dry chuckle. Don’t be on the receiving end of angry magic creatures. He thought dumbly, smiling, then let out a hiss, his ribs beginning to hurt.

Hearing the door to the room open, Ray looked over, smiling again as he noticed Mac trot in. Ray shifted to sit up, he chest flaring in pain, but he did his best to ignore it, letting out a hiss. Mac stopped beside the bed and Ray noticed he had a saddle bag on his side. Mac began digging through them, silent as a rock as he searched. Maybe it’s a warrant. He joked to himself, and found himself grinning when Mac pulled out a bottle of Daniel’s Whiskey

Ray reached for it with his left hand, which wasn’t comfortable with how he was positioned and grabbed the bottle, biting and pulling off the cap, spitting it out onto his lap. He proceeded to take large gulps, feeling the warm run down his neck and his stomach become warm from something besides pain.

Mac chuckled, “I’m sorry ya ended up in here, Ray. Luna also took some of your stuff to see a friend.” He shrugged, “Something to do with notes and product.” Ray felt his eyes narrow, “She took my notes without my consent?” he asked, looking around for his things.

A table to his left, thankfully, had an assortment of things set on it, on of which was his PMM and it’s clips.

Sighing, Ray relaxed. At least I still have my gun...He thought, looking back at Mac, “How long was I out?” Ray asked, curious. Mac kicked at the floor before speaking, “Two days.” he said simply, We’ve been checking on you everyday, Luna would stay here overnight.” he continued.

Ray smiled, thinking it was funny Luna would watch over him.

Mac rubbed the back of his head, looking around the room, “Need any help?” he asked, to which Ray nodded, “Help me up.” He said, looking down to see his right arm in it’s cast.

Mac trotted around, and help Ray out of bed. Once up, Ray took a few steps, stumbling slightly, but Mac helped to steady him, “Thanks.” Ray said quickly, balancing himself. Mac nodded, rubbing the back of his head, stepping away from Ray.

Ray made his way to the restroom through another door. Once done, he stepped out, seeing a shocked doctor staring at him, Mac trying to calm the doctor down.

“You shouldn’t be walking!” the doctor said and being a unicorn, tried to levitate Ray back to the bed.

“Put me back down! Right this moment!” Ray yelled, scared of being lifted by nothing. The doctor shook his head, but Mac trotted over, and lightly tapped the doctor’s horn, causing the magic to stop, and Ray fell to the floor, groaning.

The doctor glared at Mac, “What do you think you’re doing?! This is my patient!” he yelled, getting in Mac’s face, who didn’t really care, “‘He’s my friend.” Mac said simply, trotting over to help up Ray. The doctor growled, “I’m calling security.” he said, leaving the room.

Once Ray was standing, he smiled at Mac, “Thank pal…” he said simply, but Mac shook his head, “Don’t call me pal.” This confused Ray, but he nodded slowly.

Ray sat back onto the bed, looking around for his clothes, which were nowhere to be seen, which only upset him more, “They took my clothes?” he asked, looking to Mac, who nodded, “Eeyup.” Ray sighed, rubbing his face. I don’t need this greif. He thought, looking back to Mac, “Can you go get my clothes?” “Nope.” Mac replied simply, causing Ray to stare at him.

Before anything else could be said, the door to the room opened, revealing Luna, who trotted in and looked at the two, “Good morning.” she said simply, levitating in a fresh set of folded clothes and briefcase. Ray rose a brow, but smiled when the clothes landed beside him, starting with the underwear and pants, putting them on under the gown.

“I hope you’re alright Ray, my sister was…” “Crazy?” Luna nodded slowly, “She… Could sense a magic within you, and that's my fault… She could detect my magic…” Luna looked at Mac, how was looking back and forth between them, confused, “Wait, how did your magic get onto hi-...” he stopped, a look of realization took his face. Luna sighed, “Yes, fine, we did, but that’s not important. I calmed her down, and I’ve also talked to some ponies I know.” she said, smiling at Ray.

Ray rolled his eyes, taking off the gown, beginning to put on his shirt and vest with the help of Luna’s magic, “So, your sister attacked me, is this bad.” Luna nodded, “She wanted to keep a much closer eye on you now.” she continued, sighing as she opened the briefcase, “Now, I have some papers I need you to go over; they revolve around your gun and the designs.” she explained, turning the briefcase to reveal papers and bags of bits, “He’s very interested.” Luna continued.

Mac cut in, “Wait, you two are makin’ guns? Those are illegal in Equestria.” he said, looking back and forth between them. Luna nodded, “Yes, and selling them illegal would make a great deal of money.” she said calmly, giving him a look. Mac only shook his head, sighing. Ray nodded slowly, “Listen Mac, the money could help your farm, and you could even help Granny have a better life.” Ray said, smiling at him.

Mac looked around the room, thinking about it. After a short amount of time, Mac let out a sigh, looking at the two, “Fine, but I don’t like it.” Luna nodded, closing the case back, and waited for Ray to finish putting on his shoes.

Once he finished, she stood straight, turning to the door, “I’ll be paying for a personal care pony, who will be making sure you recover properly and don’t overexert yourself.” she said, opening the door, exiting. Ray quickly moved to followed, backed by Mac.

Heading down the corridor, Ray noticed doctors and patients here and there, talking to each other, or just lazing about.

Before he could really begin to think about it, Luna coughed, getting his attention, “You’ll be standing at the Deluxe Blood Hotel.” she explained, trotting along, Ray moving to walk beside her, “You’ll have a telephone, so call those you need to let know, and I’ll be assigning some of my Lunar Guards to ‘watch’ you.” Luna continued, Ray nodding along.

Bodyguards, that’s nice. He thought, chuckling, causing Mac to give him a puzzled look, “What’s so funny?” he asked, Ray shaking his head, “Nothing, don’t worry.”

Eventually, they got to the lobby, where Luna quickly checked out Ray, using her position to overrule him needing to stay longer; and so they left.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was a long walk to the Hotel, and Ray wasn’t really in the mood for anything else anymore. Considering, they’d forgotten his painkillers, his side was on fire and he had a raging headache. He was currently leaning on Mac as they entered the hotel, making the pony behind the Check-In Desk look up, her eyes widening, rushing around the desk, “Oh my, are you alright sir?” she asked, helping Mac lead Ray to a chair. Ray smiled, “Oh, just my doctor forgot to give me my painkillers.” he said simply, getting a gasp from the pony, “That’s awful!” she said, making it seem like the worst thing ever.

Luna coughed loudly, getting the Mare’s attention, gesturing to the hanging keys, “I called in advance, for a VIP room?” she asked, trying to get the pony to hurry.

The Mare blushed, and quickly scampered to retrieve the keys for Luna, hoffing them over, “There you go ma’am, top floor.” she stated quickly, smiling as Mac helped Ray backup, “I recommend the elevator.” she said simply, watching as they slowly walked by.

The elevator ride was taken in silence, no one spoke until the door opened, “So.” Ray started, Mac helping him out, “VIP huh?” he asked, getting a snort from Luna, “My sister wasn’t willing to let you stay in the castle, so I booked you a room here. I’m sure you don’t mind, right?” she asked sarcastically, looking at him flatly over her shoulder, “Mac, you’re gonna stay with Ray.” she said, making Mac stutter, “Wh- what? What ab-” “I already told Aj you’d be staying in canterlot for a while longer” Luna stated, glaring at him, shutting him up.

Ray was confused, she was more… upset? Than usual. Maybe him getting his ass handed to him affected her more than he thought.

They got to the room door, opening it with the key. The inside was impressive. The room itself was massive, desks lining the walls, along with blank white posters on the walls. There were also multiple mini fridges, each labeled by what was in them, liquor, snacks, food, the usual things. The bed was a king sized waterbed, making Ray grin.

Luna looked at Ray, levitating him suddenly, causing him to yell, “Put me down goddamn it!” He was glaring at her when she sat him in a chair by a window. Looking out, Ray’s breath was taken away, he could see most of Canterlot from there, and could probably see more it he switch window. Great sniper spot. He thought absently.

Luna sat beside him, “I need you to stay here and rest for a few days, maybe longer. The magic in you is speeding your recovery, but you still need rest, and I’ll go and get the production of guns underway.” she said, smiling at him darkly, Ray shuddered. She’s taken a very great interest in guns… He thought, beginning to worry.

He nodded slowly, “So you… just want me to sit here.” Ray asked, and Luna nodded, “You’ll find a way to entertain yourself.” she said, grinning as she turned and left with the briefcase, leaving Ray and Mac there.

They stayed quiet for a moment, before Mac spoke up, “... Wanna drink?” he asked simply, to which Ray responded, “Yes please.”

And so, they drank for the rest of that day.