“Ok now lift your left arm as high as it is comfortable for you.”

Zero lifted his arm straight into the air, lifting it from his side, keeping it straight.

“Well, it looks like your fine now. Both arms are in full working order and your back has already begun to replace your muscle tissue and skin. I just need you to fill out some forms and your ready to be discharged.”

“Thanks for looking out for me Red. . . Again.” Zero gave a sheepish grin.

Nurse Red Heart hit Zero’s shoulder.

“You better be, if i have to continuously look after your sorry butt every other day i might just have to start charging you.”

Zero put his arm to his head in an exaggerated manner.

“Oh how could you, a poor defenseless-”

A solid hoof caught his side and he instinctively -in a very manly way- fell to one knee and cursed.

“Smart ass”

Nurse Red looked over to a patient who just so happened to be an Ass.

“No offense.”

“None taken.”

Zero got back onto his feet and gave Red Hearts head a pat and ears a scratch.

“Seriously Red, thank you.”

“Your quite welcome.”

Zero followed Red through a route that he knew all too well.

It took all of 30 seconds for them to enter reception, Red went behind the counter and slipped Zero a parchment with some spaces to sign.

Requisitioning a quill, Zero filled in the blanks.

When it was all said and done, he handed both parchment and quill back to Red and bade her a good evening.
____________________________________________________________________________

The air was cold, winter was around the corner and the running of the leaves was going to commence very soon.

Zero didn’t mind the cold. He could turn it off in a sense.

Zero walked through ponyville, taking the scenic route towards his house, he was meet with friendly faces all around and a lot of cheering. Politely waving and declining a few invitations to drink with a group of mares and stallions alike. Zero had to make one stop before he went anywhere else.

Making his way past the townhall and over a small bridge that went over a small stream. Zero walked up The Carousel Boutique and gave three curt knocks.

“Just a moment.”

After a few moments of waiting, the door open slightly. Upon seeing who was at the door, Rarity opened it wide and invited Zero inside.

“Oh Darling it’s so wonderful to see you in good health again.”

“And i'm grateful for being in the presence of such a lovely mare such as yourself.”

Rarity moved a hoof to her lips and giggled.

“My my, aren’t you the charmer.”

“I aim to please m’lady”

“Would you like some tea dear?”

“You know i don’t drink tea. . . or coffee for that matter.”

“How about some of those biscuits that you seem infatuated with?”

“Rarity”

“Very well then, i shall return momentarily.”
Rarity sauntered off to the kitchen while Zero looked around the Boutique, seeing many a dress and suit. Business must of been good for her.

That made him happy.

After waiting around for a bit, Zero made his way over to the stairs to the next floor and went up them. Knowing where he was heading.

Passing a few doors, Zero stopped in front of a single white door with flowers painted on it.

Grasping the door knob and gently opening it, Zero opened the door wide enough so he could just pass through.

Taking in the room, Zero spied its usual contents.

A walk in wardrobe.

A desk with many pictures and a large mirror, as well as makeup and various beauty products.

An oak chest with an oil made from the Apple Family’s home applied in a thin coat to it.

A chandelier hanging above on the ceiling.

Various toys and board games lay about the room, making a varoutable mindfield of foot pain.

And, at the back center of the room -next to an open window, which provided a light breeze to the room- lay a bed, with the sleeping form of Sweetie Bell on it.

Tiptoeing his way to the side of the bed and gently sitting on it, Zero raised a hand and gently pet Sweetie on the head, and behind the ears in a caring manner.

Feeling somepony touch her, Sweetie stirred opening her eyes slightly and uttering an adorable yawn. Scooching closer to Zero’s side and -after failing to move him- pulled herself toward him, curling around his side.

Uttering a content murmur, Sweetie swiftly fell back into the inviting hug of sleep once more.

Zero smiled at Sweetie. She was such a sweet, kind, loving filly who loved to get into trouble, and who had a burning passion for singing and all things entertainment.

Sweetie, the filly who nigh on everypony loved to a fault. . . was nearly taken and corrupted. By a Stallion. . . a MONSTER. . . who wanted nothing more than-

Zero cut off his train of thought. Thinking like wouldn’t help him. Not in the slightest.

Giving her a gentle kiss to the forehead, just below the horn. Zero got up and made his way out.

Closing the door the same way he entered. Zero sighed.

“You really care for them, don’t you.”

Giving a light laugh, Zero looked down the hall to see Rarity. A teacup and a glass bottle suspended in her magic floating next to her head. She bore an appreciative smile toward him.

“Thank you. . . for everything Zero. . . ponyville's Guardian Angel. . . our Guardian Angel.”

Raising his shoulders slightly, Zero simply said.

“It's just what i do.”

Tears freely fell from Rarity’s cheek and she laughed shakeily.

“Of c-course it i-is. . .”

She charged him, Zero dropped to the floor and embraced rarity in the hug she was giving him.

“Th-thank y-y-ou Ze-zero”

Stroking her back, Zero took all of her sorrows. Her worry and pain. Like the boulder he was.

. . .

Author's Note

(Note: End of what i had from before the holidays. Cant wait to see what people think of the new fish in the pond)

Pond? There's no pond here silly!

(Sigh why do i even bother with her. Only with pinkie, amirite'?)