Chapter ten -

"One step at a time, just like that. See? You got this Storm." His physical therapist said calmly. Helping the young colt walk across the rubber mat with her wings keeping him steady.

The only nurse in the room was off to the side. A Unicorn was ready to catch him if his unsteady limbs buckled from this medical endeavor.

"The hospital doctors are very pleased with how fast your recovery is." His therapist added trying to boost his morale as they slowed down at a small bump that seemed to be put there on purpose.

Remaining steadfast, the shaky colt persisted. Making it to the end earning him a chuckle from a new voice.

"Now I know you are my brother's son. You have his determination, and resolve." Turning quickly, Storm saw his aunt, and Applebloom and her big sister watching from the hallway window.

"Aunt Snow berry!" Storm said, happy to finally see a familiar face and immediately he tried to make his way to her but the therapist stopped him.

"I don't want to ruin the moment, but you're pushing yourself too hard now. Please Miss Berries, can you tell me who else is out there?"

Nodding Snow Berry listed off who she knew outside. "A filly from his school named Applebloom, and her older sister. Along with a few of his friends including his teacher."

Flagging down the nurse in the room, she and the Physical therapy Pony switched places. And exiting the room the mare cleared her throat to grab all of their attention.

"A show of hooves to see who is for my patient." Watching the Mare counted up the group she began to speak again.

"I assure you all, he's very excited to have visitors but I am asking for Everypony to hold off till he's back in his bed. He's just finished his third round of Physical therapy. And it most likely drained his energy."

After his encounter and victory over the undead
Giant and infected humans, the town was very enthusiastic to thank him for doing what his father taught him to do.

Looking over towards his aunt, Storm raised a question. "Is Dad here? Or was he not informed yet."

Snow Berry shrugged, "If I know my brother, he's probably busy and hasn't received word yet of what happened. But when he does, he'll come to see you and possibly break your window if you don't open it fast enough." The mare kindly joked.

Getting levitated was an odd feeling, the same weightlessness as gliding. But that's where the similarities ended, soon Storm was floating through the clean and sensitized halls of the hospital, his entourage of a single relative and friends following close behind.

Arriving back at his hospital room the nurse gently placed him back down onto his bed getting him comfy before departing and allowing the small group in.

"How has it been, are you improving? The school paper would like to know." Applebloom spoke up.

Storm never thought he would be in the school paper and that made him slightly nervous."I-i am it's ju-" Storm tried to say, but Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo added onto Applebloom's statement.

"Yeah! You are the buzz of the school right now! Even around recess time, your name is brought up here and there. You might even be tackled the moment you walk in for class!"

This made, Snow Berry interject. "Girls, I'm sure Storm Hooves appreciates the info about what is going on on school grounds. But please, do not fill his head with granger. It will go to his head if you keep it up."

Blushing the three fillies stopped. Allowing for the more grown-up ponies to speak, this time Cheerilee was first to break the awkwardness.

"You'll be pleased to know Storm, You haven't missed much in the way of assignments and homework. But I do ask you, once you're able to. Begin catching up to the rest of the class, I'll even tutor you, once school is over to make your return easy and not too complicated." Cherrliee offered, with a warm smile.

"I'll take you up on that offer."

Storm proposed, making her nod her head at this reply, Cherrliee Moved over to his side of the bed.

Reaching towards her own saddlebags and retrieving a book she placed it down next to his third copy of Daring Doo.

"Impressive, you're on the third installment of Daring Doo already? Those books aren't exactly light reading either. Maybe I shouldn't worry then, if you're that fast of a reader just save all the questions you have, for when I Arrive to tutor you."

'More like I have nothing better to do.' He deadpanned.

Giving Storm a farewell hoof wave, Cherrilee left his room and presumably, the hospital. While Applejack seemed to brighten up the mood, knowing that school for a colt of his age was hard on them.

"Partner! You're doing mighty fine if I say so myself. At this rate, you'll make Big Mac come down here and ask you for help on the farm." Applejack said, trying to boost his confidence even further.

Despite the dull pain in his small body the hope his friends were giving him was enough to make him grin.

"I'm sure he would, wouldn't he?" Storm Hooves said making his aunt facehoofed slightly,

While she cursed Applejack for giving him a slight ego boost, the foals conversed about all the things they did today or the day before, anything they could think of; they talked about it.

Storm's aunt had left in need of using the bathroom leaving them alone with Applejack.

However, when the only Adult In the room wasn't paying attention, Storm pulled a fast one by grabbing Applebloom's attention so he could ask a persisting question that never seemed to dissipate, since first waking up in the hospital.

"How is Robert? Have you seen or heard anything from him?" he whispered.

Shaking her head, Applebloom spilled the beans in the same hushed tone.

"I can't say that I have, for all we know he's halfway through the Frozen North. I'll go check with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo to see if Anypony else has heard anything."

Returning a few moments later she shook her head.

"They heard nothing," Applebloom responded, and somepony else responded in Storm Hooves's stead.

"Heard what?" Asked Applejack, making nearly all of their little hearts stop beating.

"N-nothing! We were just talking about the recent School paper! That's all." Sweetie Belle quickly covered, making her friend's older sister shake off her skepticism.

Deciding to quickly change the subject the three cutie mark crusaders did just that, "Did you hear about the Hydra that's been spotted near Appaloosa? Do you think it will attack the town?" Asked Scootaloo.

"The paper said it would be passing by, and that an attack wasn't likely as the Ponies there are being cautious of their movements."

Looking over towards Applejack she seemed to have lost interest in their conversation, seeing it as kids being kids.

Seeing this as an information exchange for a later time, they shook on it. And instead opted to just catch Storm Hooves up on what had transpired, after his discharge.

"Applebloom, It's time to head home. We need to help Granny Smith and you also have your chores and homework to do." Nodding her friends followed suit, stating their reasons for departing.

His loneliness didn't last long as his aunt finally returned giving a sheepish grin, "Sorry about that I didn't fall in, if that's what you're wondering. Just got caught up in some paperwork, for you that's all."

Giving him an apologetic smile his aunt sat down right next to him and gave him a big hug, being mindful of Storm's condition and casts.

"Now that's it's just you and me, can you please tell me why you ran out there? I thought I told you to come straight home or go somewhere safe when that bell tolls." Snow Berry berated.

"Please Aunt Snow, I've been told off for my actions so many times already. I don't want to hear it from you." Storm Hooves pleaded, making her anger dissipate.

"I'm not yelling at you Stormy, I just want to know the reason why you did it."

Thinking back to his time before he nearly got crushed to death, the reason popped into his head.

They were going to a secure zone but Applebloom was nowhere to be seen, and seeing that all of the Royal Guards were busy he decided to save her himself, and the rest is history.

"Those who've yelled at you are only trying to keep you safe. They also have a level head, Stormy. If the Ponies of this town didn't care, I think they might have even encouraged you to keep fighting."

Sitting up, she placed a hoof against his head. "You have a good heart, just like your mother." Before she flicked his nose and continued to speak.

"Just like your father, you sometimes forget to stop thinking with your heart." Snow Berry said, moving her hoof's location off his chest and moving it back to his head again. "And think with this more often."

'I-is hitting me, really necessary?'

After pulling her foreleg back she released a soft sigh.

"But in the end, I'm glad you're alright. All I ask is if you are trying to be a hero again, do it close to home. And not the other side of Ponyville, that has an active threat against it."

"N-noted."

He offered which made her smile.

Reaching over and taking hold of his favorite book that Storm Hooves wanted to read and she was more than ready to help him. "Are you ready to continue? Or do you think you can read on your own?" She asked, and the resulting nod was her answer.

"Let's see where we last left off, Shall we?"

Snuggling into his bed Storm Hooves patiently waited for the action-packed tale of Daring Doo to be continued.

While his aunt placed the book softly against his. Chest, Snow Berry got up and moved away. "Just let me know when you need me to flip the page." She said going off to a seat to relax. While her nephew, more or less dove into the book, an action that would make Twilight proud.

Robert POV

His head was pounding, slightly the world around him appeared to be in slow motion but Robert recognized the hell before him.

All around him the animalistic roars and wails from humans rang forth showing either bloodlust or drug withdrawals.

"Shut those bucking humans up, I'm trying to speak to our freak!"

'And there's a voice, I could have gone the rest of my life without hearing. Wait, I bulked up, maybe I can tear myself out?' Robert contemplated, before attempting to rise in order to try what he conjured up.

His body, strangely enough, refused to move like something or someone was holding him down and wouldn't let go.

'What the hell, why can't I move?'

Robert began to strain his own body, flexing his muscles, all in an effort to lift only one finger. His only reward for this monumental amount of effort was him violently shaking.

"There's my walking golden piggy bank! Did you have fun, you dumb rascal. Did you get it all out of your system?" said a Stallion with an expensive-looking twelve-piece suit for ponies. His face looked less than pleased,

'Oh great; a clown in a fucking clown suit, what does he want. Just my luck that he wants to visit me. Can today get any worse?' the stallion had taken notice of Roberts shaking, who in turn gave a grin.

"Somepony's a little cold I see~ here, let me help you out with that." Stebbing back a good eight steps, the evil glint in his eyes told Robert everything he needed to know, as the Unicorn's horn ignited and in a flash of orange light, the owner dumped ice water onto him. Once that was achieved he simply tossed the empty bucket away.

"There! Now you should be Freezing." He spat before going back to his original position, as the Owner leaned in close to make sure Robert heard him.

"If you ever Pull that shit again, I will cut your nuts off with a rusty pair of hedge trimmers. You don't want to end up like my last gold mine that lost its usefulness don't you bub?" the depraved pony affirmed with a look of pure disgust along with a sick and twisted smirk towards Robert.

Robert on the other hand was more than willing to pop him one, 'I'd like to see you try! If you do, I'll give you a slow painful death guaranteed.'

This back and forth went on for some time, the Owner making idle threats to disfigure him or remove most if not all of his little buddy.

Until a loud cry of a crowd grabbed his attention.

"It appears your time has come, get ready the crowd is seeking a new form of entertainment~ I'll make sure the 'little turds,' have something to at the very most cut you with."

Turning to leave the Stallion simply kicked some dirt at Robert with his back leg before departing.

'What a fucking prick, May god have mercy on him if I find him again because I certainly won't. There's no way I'm back in the damn pits, it's not possible, I remember falling asleep in the castle.' This concerned Robert greatly, if his recollection about him sleeping was wrong then he was in some deep trouble.

The roar of the crowd seemed to grow ever louder as they called for him, almost eager for his approach. Getting close, Robert could hear ponies chanting for him and proclaiming their own depravities.

"Tear their heads off, we want to see blood! And The sands filled with red!" Shouted a mixed group of Stallions and mares.

Yet, there wasn't the hum of magic to show he was floating. Nor the group of Unicorns that supervised in handling him, or transporting him to the pits.

'Something isn't right here, I may be wrong about the powers of Unicorns but they need to see said item in order to lift or move it. But I don't see any of them in the crowd,'

Looking through the bars, Robert scanned the crowd for any of the horned Equines with activated horns.

Yet he encountered a female pony who thought him glancing over her was reason enough to become flirtatious with a supposed dumb animal.

"Now that's a male, I would bet all of my bits on.~ I wonder if they will allow me to make him a 'salt lick.' Of course, I'll pay, if needed." The mare to his right hummed, her tail swishing left to right similarly to a cat finding its prey.

'Ok, stay far away from that Pony, specifically.'

Debating if being neutered was a better course of action than becoming a so-called 'Salt lick.' Robert was unceremoniously dropped into the familiar sands below.

Getting onto his feet he discovered something far worse than just humans killing one another, instead of the dumb more primitive humans of this world, it was children more specifically human children.

'These sick fucks want me to kill kids? Fuck that.' Before Robert could dispute if murdering adult talking ponies was punishable by prison time, a familiar voice sliced through the madness.

"Robert!"

Stunned, Robert again looked around trying to find the user of that voice, 'Gilda, Where the hell are you?' Looking left to right, up and down he couldn't find her.

She would shout again but this time everything changed.

"Robert! Wake your lazy ass up!"

This revelation caused the world around him to destabilize as it began to get darker and fuzzier as his friend helped break through the madness.

Waking up to a talon smack she seemed slightly pissed that he wasn't up yet. "Dude, what the hell. You usually wake up before me, did You Eat something you shouldn't have?"

Sitting up on his own Gilda slid off with a huff as Robert cleared his throat, before speaking.

"No? I was just having a nightmare; I haven't had one in a very long time, as a matter of fact."

Rolling her golden eyes, Gilda got back to her paws before speaking her mind. "Congrats you want a scone? A nightmare can't hurt you, Robert, even I knew that the moment I could read!"

Gilda proclaimed before jumping off of him and shaking herself out removing any loose feathers.

"I also expect compensation for not killing you, along with a little bit of 'interest.' in the Meat variety," Gilda said through her morning stretches. Even more loose feathers fell out in the process.

'I mean, I do owe her and Zecora.' But deciding he wanted to cause a little bit of problems with her Robert spoke his mind. "Holy shit you can read? And let me speculate, you can write to." Looking over at him Robert gave the griffin a shit-eating grin.

Letting out a completely fake laugh Gilda responded promptly.

"Hehe, Fuck you."

Gilda informed him along with showing she wasn't having it. "Now that you're up and your sense of humor is back, go out there and bring back some fresh meat!"

"Alright, Alright. Don't get your feathers in a twist. Why don't you tag along? You're smaller and faster, so you'll be able to get the drop on whatever I select to hunt." Robert offered,

Scoffing, Gilda told him outright.

"Robert I would like nothing more to hunt as much as the next Griffin, but you have to realize. I spared your ass, so this time you owe me. Remember all of that tender meat you were given? That was my Talon work,"

"Lazy fuck. And last I checked, Raw meat isn't exactly tender especially cuts of meat that are from working muscles."

Robert grumbled along Begrudgingly getting back onto his feet, then grabbing his bow and the accompanying arrows, and then his sword. Once all items were accounted for Robert left the old castle. Along with a certain pair of wooden wolves following close behind.

"At least you two always want to hunt. Better than feather brains in there."

Now that his body had a stronger immunity to the infection, Zecora wasn't visiting as much as she originally did.

Zecora might have been recovering from the very little sleep she was allowing herself, to help her giant friend recover. Gilda on the other hand was the same old Griffin but she was definitely growing on him.

'Does she want manticore? Or something else. Granted, I'm also peckish. So I might get something for both of us.' A bark from his left showed who else wanted something to munch on.

"Don't you two go crazy. I can only carry so much." It's not that Robert didn't want to kill a few wild animals, it's just his balance wasn't the best right now and often required him to use a tree here and there as a balance support.

Seeing that their pack leader was restricted, the Timberwolves decided to help Robert hunt.

They would start small and simply track things like rabbits, rats, birds, and even field mice.

"You too think, a mere Rabbit would feed any of us, you two included." He notified them, making his Timberwolves turn their heads panting back at Robert.

Tank and Athena proceeded to give him a look that said it all.

~ You are still too weak to hunt anything worthy.~

"Don't give me that look, I might be sick but I can handle myself now. We need a creature that's big enough so that everyone can eat."

Giving a soft howl, they immediately changed from weak and small prey to the larger monsters of the forest. The first few predator barrows they found were empty.

And the few that had a beast inside Robert didn't think it was worth risking life or limb over; and the most recent one, a dragon sleeping in a cave damn near made Robert lose it.

After getting halfway to another beast barrow he decided to go off on his Timberwolves.

"Are you two fucking insane? I am not taking on a fully-grown dragon! In this condition, need I remind you, Tank and Athena you are both made of wood. Dragons breathe fire. Fire burns wood; this is common sense. Something you two clearly are lacking today!"

Robert had heard about dragons, which fascinated him. When there wasn't much to think about, that fascination however went completely out the window entirely, upon seeing an adult dragon. With green scales and light, almost neon-green spikes that could have been the size of an apartment complex.

Growling back at him, the Timberwolves showed their frustration towards Robert prompting him to respond.

"When I said big, I mean the same size or even a little bigger than a manticore, not a creature whose own size should be killing itself! I wouldn't even fight that thing in my current state and with this inadequate equipment."

While he argued with his two wooden companions, the argument was one-sided and in his favor as Robert was the only one able to communicate.

Now that it was clear what their giant companion wanted to track, they quickly got underway searching with their strong sense of smell.

In the meantime, Robert took in the scenery of the Ever-free had changed, winter was at its end. And the forest was showing it, From snow melting away to even some small green spots here and there among the icy and cold landscape.

'I'm surprised I've lasted this far out here for nearly a year, and look how far I made it without being forced to serve as a plaything or some kind of tool for the Ponies, or Griffins. Or what other horrors are out there; '

Following the wolves into more dense woods he discovered what appeared to be remains of a battle of some kind. With stone chunks everywhere and a fresh blood trail leading off north.

'I mean it can't hurt to track this thing right? And if it's foodworthy, I'll kill it. Something already has it bleeding. I may as well finish the job unless it is pregnant. I need to spare animals with youngsters or newborns so that decent meat keeps rolling in.'

Determining the best course of action to follow, Robert did just that;

Finding a dead Manticore the creature was covered in blood. It was all around the beast, even in its coat.

Getting his sword ready Robert approached and gently poked the beast.

It didn't move.

Robert moved the beast over and found that it had a missing leg, and the remaining stump was broken stone. Blood seemed to be leaking out from the wound resulting in its demise.

"Poor bastard bled out."

Lifting the dead monster he discovered a smaller creature dangling from its maw, Pulling it free, Robert discovered what it was.

It had the head of a chicken, a scaly body with wings, a lizard tail, and Chicken legs.

'What the hell is this?'

Shaking it around the multi-trait creature it didn't move either. However, the Timberwolves had been less than willing to come any closer to the monster in his hand.

"Come on! It's dead, see?" Robert said, shaking the corpse and wiggling it about as the human showed his wooden companions the smaller monster's expiration.

And yet that didn't stop their fears, as their tails went straight up on end as they began to bark and growl at the lifeless Cockatrice.

Deciding to ignore their barks and growls of protest, Robert grabbed both bodies and managed to hold the blade without cutting himself on its sharp ends. And storing his bow on his back, his arrows would be carried by the Timberwolves. 'I need to get a sheath for that blade, along with a quiver. Before I join this Manticore's fate.'

Once he made sure it wouldn't slice his arms open, or any other vital parts of his body. Robert began the trip back home, much to the disapproval of Tank and Athena.

The whole trip back, they did anything and nearly everything to make him relinquish the smaller beast. They even attacked his legs which they had never done since their domestication.

'What has made them so spooked? It's dead, I shook it like a can of soda.'

Determining it was just their nerves making them both jumpy, Robert continued to traverse the Forest, having become so accustomed to it. Robert knew how to get to most points of interest, like Zecora's hut or that underground tree, and even Ponyville. Getting back home, however, was a trick he needed to work on.

Ultimately he found his way back and entered through his front gateless archway. 'I need to make a door too, once I start farming my food I don't need every animal and their siblings here eating my hard stolen work.'

Stopping and looking back, Robert began to brew ideas on what kind of door he should have. 'Should it be scary? Or maybe it should be plain, Granted. If I go down the frightening route, it would keep away certain creatures, in particular, prey animals; yet a simple door would attract all manner of critters.'

Dropping the manticore's body with a soft thud of its tail, he began to rub his chin in thought.

'Maybe a door that is wood but reinforced with metal? No; too costly and currently not possible to obtain at this moment in time.'

Having been torn on it for so long Gilda appeared and snapped him out of his internal debate. "What the hell are you doing? Snap out of it!" Gilda snarled, which did what she wanted it to do.

Looking around for a moment he discovered her on the path before him with a fatigued and yet pissed expression on her face.

"I was trying to decide on what kind of door I want for the front gate. If we decide to start growing food, animals will find out and eventually try to steal it. And what made you tired? I was only gone for a few hours at best."

Robert illustrated but Gilda just simply rolled her eyes before pointing back at the castle ruins. "That's great and all, but you better have brought something to eat that was of better quality than Cragadile; and from what I can see you got a fresh Manticore here~" Gilda stated, clearly ignoring the fact about her sudden tiredness.

'She just probably had a nap or something.' Robert watched her closely and would discover a drool trail going from the griffon's beak, down to her White feathers.

Shaking his head, he decided to inquire about some information about the 'dead' smaller creature.

"If you know so much about animals, tell me about this one then," Robert said tossing it towards her,

The reaction was something to surely remember, Before it even landed Gilda's pupils had grown exponentially before soaring away and squawking, in fright.

"Shit! Are you insane for bringing that thing here? Fucking kill it, Being turned to stone is a fate worse than death!"

This was enough to make him grin, even though he knew it was dead. It was time, To get back at Gilda. Walking slowly over to it, Robert began speaking.

"Gilda don't worry it's safe, All I gotta do is-"

Robert cutted himself off by picking it back up, and tossing the Cockatrice at her, making her panic further.

"I swear to the seven realms, fucking kill it NOW! before it kills us all!" Luckily she avoided it with her aerial skills. And doing her best to cover her eyes, fearing to even look at it.

After composing himself from his laughing fit his laughs were genuine and hearty. "Ok ok! You're such a chicken shit, Tank, and Athena included; it's dead already, it's been dead for some time."

"How did it die!"

Gilda snapped, still covering her eyes tightly.

"It was bitten by the Manticore you were just drooling over a moment ago," Robert answered, along with deciding to drop the dead Second animal he found instead of throwing it at her. While she shook her head.

"If it was a body bite, that's not how you kill them. You're supposed to remove the head and burn it! Now kill it before it comes back."

Just then the supposed dead animal released a soft but angry cluck, showing it wasn't dead as it began trying to get back onto its own two chicken feet. Prompting Robert, to respond appropriately.

"Well, shit."

Moving quickly, Robert grabbed hold of the live wild animal. The critter had struggled and even seemed panicked at the sight of Robert.

Having never seen such a creature before the fright or maybe awe is what stopped it from turning him into a fine sculpture.

"News flash buddy, this is my turf." Robert declared before snatching it by the tail.

Dangling it upside down, the animal gave him a harsh glare And a few Furious clucks as a retort. But Robert wasn't paying attention to it, as his feet felt heavier than usual, even sluggish.

Deciding that wasn't the issue, at this point, he grabbed its head and pulled. There was little resistance but Robert heard the Cockatrice's muffled wails of pain before flesh and bone were torn apart.

'Enjoy the free head adjustment. Courtesy of me, come back when your living again and I'll give you another.'

Now holding its severed head in his other palm, he looked over towards Gilda and cleared his throat. "It's done. Now get a fire going, would you? Let's see if we can teach an old dog some new tricks."

She still refused to look towards him, yet Gilda huffed at this joke but flew back inside to do what he asked of her. Yet she held the severed head facing down casted so it wouldn't stare at her.

'Gilda will argue about everything. But the moment it involves food she shuts her mouth; I guess she just loves tender meat, Wait till I find some Italian herbs. That will knock her socks off.'

He determined to clean up in the moat along with using the water-reflective surface to see how his trim job was. 'Damn, I still got that skill even after my college days. Thank you, Pete, for showing me how to trim up a beard with a pocket knife.'

Robert didn't have per say a pocket knife anymore, more like a dull sword he 'acquisitioned,' from those bandit ponies.

'Now that I'm all cleaned up, let's clean these kills.' pulling over the Manticore Robert got down to business, using his sword, and he made an incision into the belly of the dead animal.

Once done, he moved the sword away so as to not harm himself by mistake, Robert would pull open its belly and remove its internal organs. Tossing them into the moat for the fish inside to eat.

"Fish gotta eat like everyone else; though I would kill for some homemade sausages. Sadly that won't be for some time."

Once that was done, Robert pulled the coat off of the Manticore gradually. His reward was a large pelt that needed to be cured.

'Alright time for the little chicken that everybody is terrified of.' Removing the scales like a fish then its organs. Along with plucking its feathers, Robert was very much done.

Regardless, when he tried to stand he discovered he Couldn't.

"What the?"

Looking down and to his surprise, his lower legs were solid stone.

'I guess that's what Gilda meant by being turned to stone, I just figured it was a figure of speech or it would freeze you in place with its stare. Not literally turn things to stone,'

With the help of the sword, Robert got back to his feet along with the accompanying trial and errors that happened along the way.

Making it inside at his hampered speed Robert found Gilda was burning the head of the cockatrice. "So; Gilda, we may have a slight problem."

Groaning, she craned her head towards him.
"Now what? You fell into some Poison joke or something." She wasn't paying attention to his legs until he Gestured down to them, upon seeing his legs Gilda grew slightly concerned.

"You might want to bother Zecora about that Robert, we don't have a Unicorn who's well-versed in healing magic here. or any kind of magical items that heal or undo a Cockatrice's stare."

"I'll take care of it, just let's get the food done."

Setting the dead animals up in a place that wouldn't dirty the meat, Robert began removing the flesh and juicy meat.

Of course, Tank and Athena wanted their portions raw. And Robert gladly threw them what was owed,

"Eat up you two, after this I'll be traveling on my own for a bit. So stay here."

Disagreeing with this course of action, Gilda spoke up. "You sure that's a good Idea Robert? What if the stone begins to spread?"

"If it's going to spread then why am I standing here making food and wasting valuable time, that could be used to save my own life!" Robert said annoyed at the lack of information she was giving him.

"Sorry, I don't know how to read apparently," Gilda affirmed while laying there watching him panic; When Robert was paying attention to her Gilda lifted a claw to cover her beak, hiding her
soft giggling and growing smile at the look of anxiety on his face.

Having been entertained enough Gilda Spoke up. "Dude, chill out, You're fine. You stopped it fairly early just don't fight any more of those monsters or it will keep spreading. Right now, it's in an inactive state which means it can be treated fairly easily. But that doesn't give you an excuse to stop making breakfast!" Gilda warned her lion tail flicking from left to right as she watched the cooking flesh, like a hungry predator.

Releasing a sigh of relief at the idea of not becoming some kind of sculpture, Robert decided something needed to be done about this game She and he played.

"We need to stop this Gilda, this could have been serious I could have died," Robert interjected while she waved him off with a claw.

"Robert, I'm going to be Serious with you for a moment. If it was severe, I wouldn't be this calm right now. You'll know if something is bad if I need to be worried, and that." Gilda pointed to his half-stone feet.

"Isn't something you need to worry about currently, It might be uncomfortable at the very most, but blood is still getting to the necessary vessels and areas to keep the limbs operational. If anything, get ready for the worst pins and needles feeling of a lifetime."

Her medical knowledge surprised him, and deciding a question couldn't hurt while the food cooked Robert asked it. "How do you know so much about this topic? Were you learning to become a doctor?"

Shaking her head she answered. "It was a stupid assembly, I needed to attend during flight camp. They taught us what to do in the event of your human being partially turned to stone by a Cockatrice. Along with a few other things, I'm just applying the same logic for a human to this scenario."

Rolling his eyes Robert just continued making the food. 'That would have been nice to know thirty minutes ago.' He thought over, finishing up breakfast and giving Gilda her share. Robert dived into his meat with enthusiasm, after all at his size Meat was more significant than vegetables or fruits.

Standing while eating, Robert took a large bite out of the manticore leg he gave himself.

"This meat is amazing! It is extremely tender, juicy, and easy to eat. To the point, a newly hatched Griffin could consume it! You surely are an expert in cooking exotic meats Robert." Gilda complimented.

"Again, I can teach you how. But you'll need to hunt your own game for me to teach you, I refuse to be yours or anyone else's lapdog." Robert replied.

Nodding she finished up the manticore before hesitantly picking up the cooked cockatrice's meat.

Shakily Gilda took a bite and slowly became infatuated, by its taste. "Now this is a surprising change of events," Gilda seemed to be tasting the meat more than really eating which caught his attention.

"Is it bad?"

Robert piped up, resulting in Gilda shaking her head no. "Not really, but the taste is truly unusual."

Deciding Gilda couldn't have all the fun with this he grabbed his portion of Cooked cockatrice and took a bite.

The taste was on pair and even identical to deer meat, which made Robert smile. 'Well shit, all I need now is some tomato soup and I'm back at home.'

"You know this reminds me of a certain meat back home that hunters love, it's called venison."

Immediately Gilda perked up upon hearing of this new variant of meat.

"Now I gotta try it if others love it! What animal do you kill for it?"

Seeing no harm in it, Robert replied.

"It's deer meat."

The resulting silence and tenseness that followed, were similar to someone breaking an inexpensive piece of artwork. But once Gilda regained her voice she did so with a boom.

"You sick Fucker! Is that the real reason you've been keeping me here? To eat me whole!" taking flight and hiding in within the highest reaches of the stone ceiling.

Following her with his gaze, the griffin pinned herself against the roof. Talions unfurled and ready to strike.

"I would never eat you, or the Ponies Gilda. All I said is I would eat deer meat!" Robert called up to her which made her snap back.

"Deer here are as intelligent as a Pony dumbass! If you eat them, what's stopping you from eating a pony or griffion!"

Standing there Robert was perplexed by this information. 'Deers here are as smart or even smarter than a pony? Great. What's next? Cows can talk, and pigs are writing this world's version of Mozart or Beethoven.'

Shaking his head Robert began his defense. "Gilda please give me one chance to explain that's all I ask." Watching her closely; Gilda cautiously raised one finger.

"One."

Clearing his throat, Robert began his defense. "Back home, hunters kill deer for food, Which is true. But they share more traits with humans here than the deer of this world. In short, there wild animals."

Digging her claws into the ceiling Gilda weighed his words; it felt like an entirety of just silence minus the occasional movement of the timber wolves. And the soft crackle of the dying fire, eventually she spoke up, "You mean to tell me deer are just wild animals where you're from?"

She seemed dumbstruck by this answer but Robert confirmed. "I'm not lying I speak the truth, Gilda. I'll be heading out now, just relax and calm down, but if you wish to leave I won't stop you." Robert offered before leaving the room with the conflicted griffin.

The meal was good, yet the discomfort became more and more unbearable. So Robert departed into the Everfree to find help,

Zecora couldn't help him, in her words. "A Cockatrice's glare is something only the Ponies can remedy."

It could have been that she was still recovering from the constant surveillance of himself so Robert didn't press the matter any further. And now he was currently traveling towards Fluttershy's cottage.

'I can only hope she's still home, If not I'll need to head into town which I'm already dreading.'

Completing his voyage was no cakewalk, his feet had fallen asleep mid-way and each step felt like pins and needles. Walking passed the spot that Him and Luna made their arrangement, Robert simply grabbed a thick branch and slammed it into the earth to show that he did very much survive.

'When in Rome, I suppose. Plus no doubt Fluttershy and her friends will snitch on me to the Princesses, so I may as well do this now.'

Luckily the familiar cottage wasn't too far away and after a few minutes of walking. It appeared on the horizon, from what he could see Fluttershy was outside tending to some animals that had awoken this early on in spring.

'Thank god, just stay there Fluttershy.' Robert mentally pleaded, hoping she would hear him.

Yet fate seemed ready to torment him as Fluttershy nuzzled a squirrel before taking flight and flying towards town.

'You gotta be shitting me, You're not getting away that easily. I just hope this doesn't blow my dumb facade.'

Before she could get too distant, Robert pursed his lips and whistled. Which seemed to have worked as her ear flicked pointing towards him.

Turning to look over toward him a smile appeared on her face and Fluttershy floated over.

"O-oh! hello. I was just about to head into town. It's good to see you! I'm glad you survived winter, most animals that live in the Everfree usually don't." Fluttershy landed before him looking up at Robert.

'Isn't that the truth Fluttershy, I see why it's called the Everfree forest.' Robert mentally replied,

She seemed cheerful upon seeing him but the discomfort Robert had, was easily noticed by the animal-loving mare.

"What's wrong? You never stopped by, I figured you were hibernating till late spring." She pointed out.

Motioning down at his feet Fluttershy's complexion filled with worry.

"G-goodness! We need to get you to my cottage right away!" Fluttershy exclaimed, before immediately taking flight and latching her cool hooves around his hand. And beginning to drag him there.

Arriving at her humble abode, Fluttershy guided him down onto an area she made just in case Robert decided to visit.

The area itself wasn't special, just some land that had nothing he could break by mistake.

"P-please stay, I will get assistance in the meantime. if you're here by the time I get back you'll get a reward!" Giving him a quick nuzzle in hopes of keeping Robert calm, along with giving him comfort.

Fluttershy flew off, now with purpose. As her little frame zoomed towards Ponyville. Robert sat there waiting, 'If she is doing what I think she's going to do. I'm going to need a drink. To deal with two certain Ponies.'

Not even twenty minutes later Rainbow Dash, Twilight, Spike, Pinky Pie, Applejack, and Fluttershy had arrived. Making Robert sigh inwardly,

"I can't believe Rarity wouldn't come with us! Why does she find him so appalling." Twilight said, sounding disappointed that her more regal friend wouldn't give him a chance.

"Come on Twi, you know she doesn't like em, especially him. She thinks he's a freak of nature." Applejack stated, which made Rainbow Dash join in.

"She's missing out if you ask me! This big guy saved Everypony's Flank. The least we can do is patch him up!" Rainbow Dash said through a shout, she even gave a pose to go along with it making him inwardly facepalm.

'Fantastic. Just what I needed today, and here I thought Rarity and Rainbow Dash wouldn't show, Guess I'm only taking three swigs, to handle one troublemaker.'

Grabbing the horn from his belt Robert popped the lid off and proceeded to take three shots worth of his spirits.

Yet a certain prismatic mare had taken interest in his horn, zooming over she watched him drink. " whatcha you drinking big guy? Smells like Apple Cider."

Twilight however knew all too well what infernal liquid it was, and promptly warned Dash. "Rainbow, Don't drink that stuff! It's too strong for anypony to drink! I theorize it could even kill a pony!"

Yet Rainbow shrugged off her concern, "I bet it can Twilight, but let's not forget how easy you can get drunk. You can't even handle two shots of Ram's Fury!" Rainbow playfully mocked before casually landing on his shoulder.

Gently poking him in the shoulder with her hoof, Rainbow gave him a large dopey grin, once gaining his attention. "You mind if I get a taste of that drink big fella?"

'Well I'll be damned, I never had a Pony willingly ever want to try this stuff. Ok, Rainbow Dash, the floor is yours.'

He offered the cyan mare his drinking horn and she immediately dove in, Gulping greedily.

'Jesus she's chugging that shit.'

To his surprise most of her friends were watching her go, Applejack began mumbling under her breath. Something along the lines of, "I knew she still had that Party pony inside her."

After her tenth gulp, Robert decided to cut her off much to her disapproval." Come on dude! I nearly finished it all! And AJ, you got to try this stuff. It will even get you tipsy!"

Looking inside, she was indeed correct. 'The hell is Rainbow Dash made off? I no wonder she attacked me she's pretty fucking ballsy and apparently liqueur proof.'

"Rainbow Dash, the point of us coming here to help was to treat a certain impairment for it, not to make merry, And drink." Spike reminded, not agreeing with the fact that he or any of his friends was still near Robert.

"Lighten up Grandpa. It's all in good fun!" Giving out a hearty belch, Rainbow Dash got closer and even, snuggled into his shoulder.

"You know; you're not as bad as I first assumed. You're cool, not on the same level of awesomeness as me. But still, pretty cool." While Rainbow Dash became slight tipsy on his shoulder, the Lightweight of the group approached him.

Striding towards him, Twilight began inspecting his feet, " This is most definitely the work of a Cockatrice. All we need to do is find the one that did it and we can reverse the effect."

'Yeah, good luck with that, me and Gilda kinda ate it.'

As if hearing his words Fluttershy piped up. "W-what if we can't find it? Isn't there a spell we can do to reverse it?"

Thinking for a moment Twilight nodded, "There is a spell that can reverse this. But I have never attempted to cast it, as there wasn't a reason to. But due to the current circumstances. I'll do my best. With that being said, that spell is for middle to high-level magic users."

Glancing up and locking eyes with Robert, Twilight waved back at Fluttershy with a hoof and whispered, "Fluttershy you said he liked; 'Peanut butter' Correct?" in turn Fluttershy nodded.

"He does, I don't know why but he and only a few other animals I care for like it. If I need to guess, it's because of the high protein content." Flicking her tail, Twilight cleared her throat and spoke loudly enough for him to hear.

"You might remember me, from that cold winter day Giant. I merely wish to help you now. So if you feel tingling or a fuzzy feeling do not worry I am merely making you better. And if you behave well You'll get peanut butter."

Robert didn't need to be told twice,

'Deal.'

Gently reaching over, Robert offered her the last of his booze to Twilight. Who immediately backed peddled, "N-no thank you, I learned my lesson the first time."

'And here I assumed, my Giants grog made you loosen up. I guess I was wrong.'

Rolling his eyes, Robert sealed the vessel back up and placed it off to the side. Once it was out of sight Twilight and Fluttershy drew closer.

Fluttershy went to his other shoulder as she normally did, and became his Emotional support. Whispering words of comfort, and even humming him a soft tune.

On the other hand, a soft murmur of magic filled the surrounding area along with what Twilight had stated earlier. A Tingling feeling engulfed his legs. Which was a far better feeling than the never-ending pins and needles he worked through.

He sat there unmoving, as the sounds of rock beginning to crack echoed forth, "I am almost through Fluttershy please keep him in the lull state."

"You're doing just great, Mr. Giant soon you'll be rewarded with your peanut butter."

'I'm not even in this so-called lull state I just want my damn peanut butter.'

Eventually, the outer casing had disintegrated, freeing his feet and allowing the aforementioned stumps to breathe. Meanwhile, Twilight was panting and her horn was a little smoky with purple smoke.

"There, piece of cake."

She panted out before Robert grabbed hold of her.

'Twilight looks like she's about to lose consciousness, so just to be safe.' Robert scooped Twilight up, and dumped her onto his lap.

And Twilight began her protest. "Hey! What's the big idea here," Before it could escalate any further Fluttershy disarmed the situation.

"Calm down Twilight, he saw you working very hard and just wants you to take a breather. There's no harm in it." Huffing, Twilight attempted to stand but her legs buckled and she promptly fell back into his lap with a soft thud.

"And maybe he was right," Fluttershy stated, looking at her with an amused expression.

Jumping over until she was arm's length away, Pinkie Pie with her massive smile began her hyper assault. "I'm so happy that you loved my cookies and cupcakes!!! If I throw you a party There will be cake! And balloons and all sorts of games!!! And Everypony here even Rarity will be invited!"

'Does this pony even know how to take a second to breathe when speaking?'

Leaning away a little bit, Fluttershy caught on instantly from being shy herself and directly stepped in.

"Pinkie, you're frightening him. You might want to knock it down a few levels, he's not used to you. So it would be best not to go full Pinkie on him yet."

Ceasing, Pinkie gave an apologetic smile. Before trotting closer. "I Understand you, Fluttershy was just like you before we met. Don't you worry I'll break through that shell of yours!" Pinkie calmly Proclaimed. Offering a large smile,

"Pinkie, do you have any Peanut butter? He kept his side of the bargain." Applejack inquired which resulted in a mischievous giggle.

"I never leave home without it! What kind of flavors should I give him?" Pulling a wooden cart out of nowhere, Pinkie Pie had Jars upon jars of the protein-packed spread.

Freeing Himself from a now sober Rainbow Dash, a tired Twilight, and a clingy Fluttershy was no easy feat.

Yet somehow Robert did it. And was well on his way, returning home with roughly thirty jars of peanut butter in toe, Robert was both amused and flabbergasted about Pinkie Pie.

'Firstly, I feel like those people from simple word problems. Who buys around nineteen dish soaps and I need to subtract X amount, Secondly. Where the hell was Pinkie hiding all of that? She didn't show up with it and if anything it just appeared out of thin air.'

Entering the castle, Robert made his way back inside, and to his surprise, he ran right into Gilda, who seemed far calmer than early. "I see you got your feet fixed up. How did it go? And is that; Peanut butter?" Gilda inquired, Robert on the other hand simply nodded.

"Yep."

Not satisfied with the answer she persisted, "Can I ask why you have thirty jars of peanut butter?"

Walking past her Robert told her what he thought. "Mind your damn business, Gilda."

Hiding his shit-eating grin, Gilda's confusion only grew. It even resulted in her following him, "So ignoring the fact that you have all this Peanut Butter, are you not going to tell me how you got patched up?"

Deciding his trolling needed to be Wrapped up, Robert went back to normal. "Zecora couldn't help me, so I had to seek Pony aid and the Peanut Butter was a treat. For being good, I guess it's Similar to getting a lollipop for being good at a doctor's office."

Shaking her head in disappointment Gilda facepalmed, "I just don't understand how they don't see you as intelligent. You act completely different from an average human."

"Hey, it's better that they think I'm mindless and stupid. It's bad enough Twilight wanted to test more on me after she healed me, thankfully she was too exhausted to attempt it. If whatever they deem as a government finds out I'm not idiotic, I'll be locked away in some lab and experimented on."

Looking up at him with a deadpan expression Gilda added onto her original statement.

"Robert buddy, they aren't that cruel. True they have human Fight pits which I think you're well-versed in. They however are illegal, if for whatever reason, you are taken to a research facility. There are rules and regulations, to protect and preserve a subject. Even more so if you are granted endangered status. So don't worry you won't get your balls chopped off if that's what you're fearing for."

Gilda half-heartedly joked near the end but she did her best to sound sincere toward her larger friend.

Seeing that he didn't want to talk about that if his quietness was any correlation. Gilda quickly changed subjects.

"I decided to stay by the way, Only on the condition you don't eat any intelligent creatures. More specifically me." Gilda added making him reply.

"I wasn't exactly dropped into this world with a fucking pamphlet, that tells me what is intelligent and what isn't Gilda. If this is your attempt at making me go vegetarian I must decline. And if I ever decide to eat an animal that talks, your the first name going onto my list Gilda." Robert added.

This made Gilda huff, "Firstly fuck you. Secondly, I wasn't asking you to abandon meat altogether, just ask me before you hunt something I'll let you know if it's ok to kill or whatever."

Nodding, she quickly changed the topic once more.

"So, After Winter wrap up, do you want to raid Applejack's farm? I would kill for some Pig and Chicken meat."

Looking back at Gilda as if she was a cannibal, made her perplexed. "What? I can eat chicken, it's not like I'm eating another Griffin."

Rolling his eyes and storing his peanut butter, he sat down. "I guess we can do another raid but let's wait until the farm is producing I refuse to raid it for just meat alone. I'll be glad to have a hand in this, unlike last time. I did that solo,"

Chuckling, Gilda brought up a point from his story on his first raid. "Didn't you throw an apple at Applejack?"

Nodding he recollected that moment in time. "I threw it so hard it became applesauce on her hat. But I'm amazed that it didn't kill her."

"If I know a thing about Earth Ponies Robert, it's that they have tough skulls. So if anything it was a headache at most. Plus, I think Rainbow Dash got lucky or cursed. She has the head of an earth pony and the body of a Pegasus." Gilda implied.

Deciding to make a fire while they chatted, Gilda and Robert talked and discussed whatever they felt like talking about, even cracking jokes. And overall having a nice time.

Turns out, Rainbow Dash was a Partygoer after graduating from the Pony High School in Cloudsdale. So it was no wonder why she was a ride-or-die kind of pony.

The fire was still going but so much time had passed Gilda had passed out, snoring near the fire.

Getting up, Robert scooped her off the ground and placed her in the nest she made.

'I might as well sleep myself, it's getting late.' The fire wouldn't spread so there wasn't a real worry over it.

laying down Robert went to sleep listening to a cracklingly fire surrounded by three creatures he could somewhat trust.

Author's Note

Chapter ten?!!!! No way we made it here.

College is in full swing for me and so far I'm managing by the grace of god.

Other than that, if you guys have any questions or concerns leave them in the comments!!

Along with any grammar mistakes don't be scared to point them out we are all friends here.

Anyway, I kept you here long enough go read and have a nice night.

Also for those who beg me to update the story please chill out with that. I know it needs to be updated and begging for it won't make it happen faster. Its ready when its ready.