Chapter Eight

Princess Luna had been ecstatic over the reports she had been given about the giant, pure their agreement between her and Celestia. Currently, she was munching on some flowers from her salad, setting her fork down.

And swallowing her mouthful of food, Luna gently lifted her cup of water with some of her magic, and took a soft sip, shortly afterward setting it down to re-read the letter offered from Celestia's pupil, as a reward for becoming a more proper weight for a mare of her size.

Finishing the scroll filled the younger alicorn with dread. She did enjoy reading them but they always ended sooner than she would have liked it to.

A gently knocked reverberated off of the door to her left making the night-themed mare shift to face the unknown guest, clearing her throat she spoke up.

"You have permission to enter."

Shortly after saying they could come in, the Captain of the guard followed by her elder sister entered the small dining room making Luna tense.

"I have not intimidated the Butler to tell a falsehood to you sister, why have you arrived?"

"Sister, why do you always think I'm always trying to discipline you? It's been a thousand winters since we shared a hearth warming. Have you forgotten? Back when you were still a mere filly you always tried to get me a gift all that time ago, what have you gotten me for this year?"

Luna's wings twitched at her sides, while her heart stopped beating at this revelation. How could she have forgotten? This holiday long before her banishment was the celebration she always waited for, offering her older sister a hoof painting or asking a member of the castle staff to purchase a gift so Luna could offer it to Celestia.

Of course, when she grew up Celestia told her she knew of her plans to buy or make her something with the crown's funds or when she requested paint and paper from the royal Quartermaster.

Offering a sheepish smile, Luna's ears splayed back. "Regretfully I do not, you have my most sincere apologies for not having anything to offer for this year." She offered

Smiling Celestia shook her head. "It appears we both are in a predicament, you don't have a gift for me and I have lost yours. But remember this holiday wasn't always about gifts, it was about making friends and spending time with family."

Celestia reassured, making Luna softly sigh in solace thinking she was spared from the humiliation.

"However," Celestia added, making the younger alicorn freeze.

"The greatest gift you can give me dear sister is your company today."

Giving a gentle grin Luna answered. "That I can do for you on this day." Before the two sisters could enjoy the holiday together, Shining Armor cleared his throat to grab their attention.

"I don't want to ruin the moment your Highnesses, but something has been brought to my attention," he said, not wanting them to forget he was just standing there.

"My apologies Captain, what was it that you needed to know?" asked the sun monarch,

"I've received a report of Lunar guards being stationed in Ponyville, may I inquire to what end? The town's garrison is nothing more than a police force. And the guard post there hardly equipped to handle fifty. How can it possibly hold a hundred of them?"

Celestia turned to face her with an amused expression. "Why was I not informed if this Sister, you are aware Ponyville does not have the housing capability for that many soldiers?"

"It is for the town's protection sister," Luna suggested, reminding Celestia of what Twilight Sparkle's letter warned of.

"Very well, Captain starting tomorrow. Begin their withdrawal from Ponyville, this Winter is almost over and so far nothing has happened."

Giving an annoyed huff; Luna shook her head in disagreement. But decided to deal with this later

"I shall send the necessary orders to them but for now rest sister." Luna countered, before Shining Armor could answer somepony from outside the room decided to slam into the door metaphorically.

The barrage of frightened knocking continued against the door. In hopes of grabbing their attention Shining Armor moved cautiously, igniting his horn and using his magic, to let the shaken Royal Guard inside.

"What's the problem, Corporal?"

Asked Shining Armor who grabbed the frightened NCO. "A large group of infected are moving towards Ponyville if they aren't stopped the town will be Massacred!"

Glancing towards Celestia, Luna gave a knowing smirk. "Apologies sister but my recollection has failed me, didn't you ask me to withdraw my forces from that village?"

In the corner of her eye, Luna watched Celestia's ear flick showing that she wasn't going to acknowledge her at this moment.

Seeing this as her time to shine Luna spoke up.

"Very well, since you won't acknowledge me on this. I shall defend Ponyville myself!" Proclaimed Luna, setting down the scrolls from her magic, much to Celestia's disapproval.

"Sister, Infected humans are difficult to eradicate, especially a gathering of that proportion, and you just only now recovered from your lack of self-care, let the guards handle it," Celestia suggested, making her nose flare.

"I've spent the last few months recovering, I have also not dueled or battled anything in that time so I will not! I am a Princess of Equestria. I cannot allow such a threat like this to go wild and terrorize and harm our subjects. No matter its origin, physical or in the dream realm. "

Leaving the room with haste, Luna made a mad dash for a window, or even a balcony that the night monarch could get through.

Before she knew it, she was in the air wings flapping with haste in the hope of arriving there quicker; at the town of Ponyville, with a detachment of day Royal Guards, whose goal was to reinforce the besieged town, struggling to keep up with her speed.

The first thing that grabbed her attention was the town bells going off, snow had covered the town. Yet the infected had changed its peaceful atmosphere into one of battle, and disease.

Blood was splattered everywhere, some pools and splatters looked fresh, others a black tar-like consistency. There were dead infected everywhere but smell of death filled the air.

'Stars above please aid me in this quest to protect my subjects!' Luna mentally implored, as she encountered her first infected human.

Currently, the undead beast was feasting on a not-so-lucky human who was left out, igniting her horn Luna attempted to blast the undead human into ash.

Her magical shot flew silently as if carried on an invisible wind current.

Before hinting its center of mass, incinerating the undead monster. It didn't even howl upon death, rather it gurgled into a heap of infected flesh and ash.

Landing, Luna took in her surroundings as best as she could. In the distance, she could just make out other spells being casted and even castle-forged steel slicing through rotten meat.

The thought of how easily their weapons tore through the infected, like how similar

"Princess!"

Shouted somepony to her left, Turning to see who it was she spotted a disheveled-looking earth pony mare who was rabidly running towards her.

"Please help, two of my students who didn't follow the orders of the Royal Guards are now trapped! Between a G-giant human! And a group of infected. First, I nearly lost them all in the Ever-Free forest, and now this?" She looked terrified at what she had witnessed.

Deciding on taking the more cautious approach Luna cleared her throat before speaking in a gentle but firm tone, "Loyal subject please tell me your name."

Thinking for a moment the mare had spoken up, "my Students call me, Miss Cheerilee your Highness."

Nodding Luna moved close to the alrighty frightened mare, "Please find safety lady Cheerilee, I shall bring this Colt and filly back to their senses. What are their names?" Luna inquired of the Identity of these brave but also foolishly Children.

"Storm Hooves and Apple Bloom." She whispered,

Being as close as Luna was she thankfully heard their names, Gently nodding. And opening her large blue wings she gave a few test flaps to see if her back muscles were ready.

"Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I shall have them returned to you as soon as possible," Luna promised while a few Royal Guards landed maintaining a loose formation around the night Princess.

"Guards, get this mare somewhere safe," Luna commanded as she took flight

She knew the order she just issued would be followed so there was no point in looking back,

Circling the medium to large town from the air, Luna did her best searching for this little Colt and filly, until finding somepony she didn't think would be here.

'H-he's here?!'

Luna nearly fell out of the sky at this revelation and yet there he was running through the town of Ponyville, he trampled and even stomped some infected humans this activity made her curious about his plans.

"What is going on here?" Luna muttered watching from afar.

Soon lady Rainbow Dash was following him; which turned into her guiding him somewhere.

Deciding that watching from afar was the best course of action Luna did just that.

Chrysalis POV Half an hour before

The time was now to initiate her plan; the whole nation of Equestria, even town residents of Ponyville were currently celebrating 'hearth's Warming.' That being said, very few Royal guards were on active duty in the town to defend it; the changeling queen summed up that it would be a bloodbath.

Igniting her horn, Chrysalis activated the changeling communication mirror knowing her general would most definitely answer her call.

After some time the warrior answered the Queen's call. "My queen, we await your command." The battle-hardened changeling declared bowing before his queen.

"It is time, my loyal servant, to wipe Ponyville off of the map! Release them." She commanded, making the warrior drone nod."At once my Queen that town will be nothing more than a graveyard."

"Then make haste I wish to watch this unfold." With that being said she terminated the transmission and eagerly waited for her drones to connect her to the third communication device she made.

However, in the meantime, she idly sat on her throne, her teal long tail swishing lazily from left to right in this short time of rest, Chrysalis thought back to the last report of the giant.

From what the scout reported, the giant was fleeing away from the single drone making her grin. 'If one puny drone can scare him I doubt I ever need to slay it, all I'll need to do is fly and he'll go running; Maybe I will be the first to control such an unruly creature.'

This made her giggle malevolently until finally, her drones had connected to her device.

Looking through the mirror the changeling queen saw the minor town of Ponyville covered in snow. The village itself seemed quiet, and peaceful even, though soon it was all going to change.

"My queen, they are on the move." A drone spoke from the mirror, not daring to block her view.

"Excellent!" in preparation for the show Chrysalis found a cozy spot to watch it all unfold.

Robert POV

The days had grown shorter and the night lengthier, snow was covering the lands near his home along with Ponyville, and even the capital city of Canterlot wasn't spared from its soft blankety embrace.

In the meantime, Robert was not sitting on his hands and waiting; before even the very first snow flurry. He was hard at work preparing for the long and dark months ahead, even though Christmas was today, and the new year was just a few weeks away; he had finally finalized his plans for spring.

Even Gilda pitched in for a brief moment with the planning; along with agreeing to ease back on her Griffin gluttony. Allowing him to store their winter cache within the old castle walls.

Regrettably, Gilda wanted to return to her old home Griffinstone, to celebrate a holiday called, 'The Blue Moon Festival.' Robert summed up the holiday to be similar to his human holiday. While Zecora only visited sparingly, her reasoning was odd but had something to do with a sickness that sprouted up only in the cold months.

Waking up to the howls of winter going through the old royal throne room Robert begrudgingly sat up head pounding from last night's drinking binge, remembering what happened last night.

That night was a feast of high-alcohol beer and fish, his first time away from home or any friends he knew. While just eating seven different types of fish he caught the day before.

'I think I drank three barrels on my own.' Robert thought sheepishly while also thanking his zebra friend for going into town to purchase the required yeast to make the cider even better.

"I shall call it, Giant's Grog."

And with that, Robert created a fruity-tasting apple juice that had a larger percentage of alcohol and with a harder kick that normal pony cider could never achieve, and yes he did share it with his griffin companion a week before her departure.

Needless to say, she couldn't handle it too well, if her trying to seduce him and inappropriately rubbing against him was any correlation.

'I would have preferred to have her company non-sexually during this Christmas but I guess I'll be alone again. Plus I doubt Ponies would even touch this stuff. I'm not a professional in distilling or testing, but if I had to guess this stuff is 95 proof.' Moving over toward his wood pile Robert began doing inventory.

"My wood pile is running low. I might need to go and gather more, beforehand I'll get a small fire going for the other two and then gather more."

After periodic flint strikes against a sharp rock, a fire roared to combat the chilliness, subsequently, he went to check on his Timberwolves.

'Time to make sure I don't have frozen logs.'

Robert saw the heap of furs and other things he gave his Timberwolves to stay warm at night and to his astonishment, the wolves were using them among the mass of various furs one wooden head had been peaking through.

Reaching over and gently bobbing the head a soft growl reached his ears showing that they were indeed still alive.

Opening one green eye the wolf huffed before
burrowing deeper to hide away from the cold grasp of the wind. Shaking his head, he just shrugged even though they couldn't talk their message was clear.

~Too cold to help you sorry,~

"Well better than being completely alone, thank you for not disappearing on me," Robert added while they buried deeper trying to hide from Winter's embrace.

"Alright, I'll go and get the firewood myself so you both can stay warm in the meantime." He offered to his wooden companions, leaving the massive hall and heading for an exit. Once outside in the courtyard, Robert saw the state of it.

It wasn't spared by the soft blanket of snow and on top of that it was still snowing, making him smile softly as a boy.

He loved Christmas and right now he would love nothing more than to make a snowman, and now that he was nineteen. He could drink privately but due his current predicament human laws most likely didn't apply here.

Even though he boozed when he was far younger with his grandparents, who would offer him wine and other low-alcohol volume beverages during dinners, and other more important events.

"Huh, who knew I would spend my first ever white Christmas alone." He spoke, then slowly shook his head.

' Jeez Robert, That sounds depressing. Even for you,'

Regardless he had to get more wood first, his childhood awe could wait.

Stepping out from his stone gate he spotted a present resting on a veil to keep it from getting ruined.

Upon closer inspection, the gift was rather big with green and red wrapping paper, along with a pink bow on top sealing the contents inside.

'The Ponies know where I live now? Why would they give me a gift? I thought they saw humans and even myself as Stupid lesser beings. Or is this an attempt to lure me into a false sense of security with them, and boom! back into the pits, I escaped all those months ago.' Looking left, then Right, and not spotting a soul in sight. Robert bended down to pick up this gift, that's when he spotted the little note hanging from the top wrapping.

Gently flicking the note open, Robert began to read its contents.

~ A species who has existed before the power of the sun and moon, Favored by the gods of old. With a kind and gentle temper and not so easily angered, your time was cut short by the newer races of Equus, and we kindly ask for your forgiveness.

We have heard your heart's warming melodies, filled with such dismay and sorrow while others are narrowly cheerful and hopeful. We know this year will be quiet and difficult for you, with no friends, not even a lover's Embrace to ease the sorrow.

So we offer this present to ease this winter's misery. However, next year will most definitely be a much different and brighter story. ~

Flipping the note over, Robert saw three names written on the back of the note. Aurora, Bori, and Alice.

'Why are their names identical to the northern lights? And what do they mean next year will be a different story?' shaking his head Robert simply opened the box to reveal a massive drinking horn with a cover already inside of the Hollow inside.

Opening the horn he found another letter.

~Why are their names identical to the northern lights? And what do they mean next year will be a different story? And yes this was made to be attached to your pants.

Don't forget it cleans via magic so if you want it clean leave it empty for a day or two and it's good as new. I just hope you don't mind the dust that's been building for a couple of centuries! ~

However, the culprit named Alice left her name on the front this time, taking his gift inside. Robert would test its ability to be a useful vessel for holding water or liquor, beforehand he washed out the horn. Not wanting a mouth full of dust; oddly enough it held a worthy amount of his altered spirits.

Fastening it to his side, Robert looked at his other horn he had. True it wasn't a drinking horn but in his mind, it would complete the look just a bit by having both on him.

Picking it up, and attaching the other horn to his crude belt he reached over and grabbed the tiny mirror.

Looking at himself in the tiny mirror, he began to ponder.' I think it looks good on me, sadly I can't get a second opinion, so with that distraction dealt with time to get firewood.'

Heading back out, with the small gift in toe, did fill him with much-needed Christmas spirit. To help him through this holiday alone. While he walked, Robert decided to hum a Christmas song. 'Walking in a winter wonderland.'

Once done with that he continued down the list that brought him the most joy as a child while gathering wood, up next was 'Then Rockin around the Christmas tree.'

Stopping on one of many cliffs within the snow-covered Everfree, Robert had a clear view of Ponyville and with his free hand grabbed his brand-new horn undone the lid, and took a hearty gulp.

"God I love Christmas, especially with a stomach full of liquid courage!" releasing a heavy sigh, Robert smiled, he could faintly feel a tingle from his prized liquor.

'That should keep me merry, while I gather this darn wood.' Since it was Christmas, he decided to take a long way home just to enjoy the forest at this time of year.

It had no predators or prey awake for him to hunt or eat so those supplies the ponies gave Robert saved him this year, hopefully, next year he'll have something planned.

Nonetheless, entering one area he knew where plenty of trees had fallen or had lost their branches, Robert planned on taking as much as he could carry.

However, a small group of humans had blocked his path. 'The hell are Equestrian humans doing way out here? This is Timberwolf and Manticore territory. Last I checked, the humans of this world stay far from here if they can help it.'

Deciding to watch them from his current distance it was evident these humans were sick with something, setting down the lumber Robert had grabbed two sticks, and proceeded to clang them together, making them turn towards him.

However, they didn't approach, having been fooled into thinking a tree branch fell and wasn't knocked together. 'What the fuck, Are they even human anymore? They have more in common with zombies than people who are suffering from an illness.'

Their eyes, if you could even call them that, were yellow. And deeply sunken in, They also had Varicose veins, but instead of being in one area or even two, they appeared all over their bodies which could be a sign of decay. Not to mention their tongues had been sticking out and were as black as coal,

'I need to get my club or something to burn these things with if they attack me, whatever they are carrying inside of them I want no part of.'

Picking up his gathered resources with haste, he prepared to leave them when a raspy and rather forced scream, rang out to his right. Glancing over Robert spotted a teenage human who was suffering from the very same affliction.

'Shit.'

In an instant, she charged him shambling at first but it evolved into a full-on sprint, before he knew it the infected human was upon him climbing his leg; reaching his knee at frightening speed, she began biting down on his thick-furred pants, they weren't pierced, by her rotting mouth.

"Get the hell off of me!" he snarled, grabbing the small human and tossing it away not trying to hurt them.

However, it didn't have the desired effect, and instead, he had a group of five diseased humans climbing his body attempting to reach somewhere above Robert's legs, or trying to bite or claw him with their nails.

'I'm no doctor but These humans are showing signs of rabies. I could be wrong but I am going to treat it as such, don't you little shits bite or claw me.'

Not wanting to discover what their goals were, he tossed them off until he impaled one by mistake, the sounds of rotting flesh and bone being pierced on a tree branch, echoed forth grabbing his attention.

Watching it wheeze and cough a dark cloud, the undead man slowly struggled to free himself from the branch while its black viscous blood oozed out, all of those signs made it clear to Robert, that these humans had died long ago, just the body was being controlled by a virus or disease of some kind.

"This world has zombies now too, you gotta be shitting me!" throwing two off his pants with a great deal of force, he was finally done with trying to flee if they wanted to eat him or infect him, Robert wasn't going to make it easy for them.

He ripped one undead off of his pelt shirt and simply smashed his head, which required far less pressure compared to a healthy human skull. Dropping the recently killed horror, Robert did his best to kill them without trying to get bitten or scratched.

Once all of them were dispatched, decomposing end trails slid off his hands with a mucus-like consistency. The fragrance it produced was beyond Rancid, a cross between rotting food waste and road kill that had been out in the summer sun for too long.

'Mother of God that fucking stinks!'

Shaking them off, and rubbing the foul-smelling crap off onto neighboring trees, to remove it. The giant began checking his body for any cuts or bite marks that they might have caused; finding none he began his way back, not sure what to think.

'I'm not going anywhere without my club. If extreme damage can kill these things I would rather keep them at club length.' Following his tracts back, snow crunching below Robert's feet he forgot the main reason why he left his home in the first place; this new subject had completely shaken him to his core.

Arriving back at the ridge, Robert scanned the Ever-free for potential threats along with collecting his thoughts.

'Ok, I'll head over to Zecora's and check on her if she needs help. I can kill any that have made it to her tree home, another thing, I also have pretty thick clothes. After all, I may be the only one suited to handle this outbreak.'

Glancing westward, Robert spotted something moving towards Ponyville, from the bowels of the Ever-free something was advancing towards the town. As large trees had been knocked down or propelled out of the way.

'Whatever that is, they can't handle it on their own. Let's call a spade a spade, and say they need my help this time.'

Reaching over and grabbing his horn, Robert breathed in as much air he could fit inside of his lungs before blowing it out, his first blast did nothing from what he could see making him annoyed.

'Damn these Ponies are dense.'

Repeating the process two more times he tried his best to warn them of the situation but from what he could see no one believed his warning.

'To hell with this, I'm going down there myself.' Taking a few steps back Robert stored the sentry horn before quickly shifting into a sprint, while Robert stomped through the forest making the barren trees shuddered. Along with shedding there respective snow build-ups, from the force of his running.

Getting closer to the town his ears picked up the sound of bells tolling, followed by undead cries, pushing past the last few trees, Robert found what had attacked Ponyville.

Lunar guards and some day guards were doing their best at keeping the infected away, one attack that surprised even Robert was a night guard who stabbed a zombie through the eyes with hoof blades, effectively killing the undead terror.

'And here I thought, Ponies weren't capable of real violence.'

Despite their valiant efforts, the dead were pushing them back. The dead pushed into the town like a wave of destruction and terror watching from the tree line a voice from his left called out to him.

"I see you showed up, took you till the end of winter but in the end, you showed. Since you always avoid us, I wanted to tell you sorry for the mix-up of supplies." The feminine voice panted out,

'I recognize that voice.'

Turning to look at who was speaking Robert found Twilight who looked exhausted, her coat was a combination of infected sludge blood and normal red blood.

It covered different areas of her body, along with a few cuts and bruises, watching her for this short amount of time. He noticed that this mare was favoring her left back leg, instead of being on both rear legs.

He of course grunted, and bent down to scoop Twi up and on her part, she didn't resist. Looking up at him Robert saw her Violet eyes staring back as she slowly spoke up.

"Thank you, Could you possibly help me back to my home? I might have sprained my leg trying to fend off these infected humans. " She said, while he placed her on his shoulder to rest up.

'You're not done yet, drink this.'

Reaching down, Robert grabbed his drinking horn and merely popped the cover off, and offered for her to drink from it.

She most definitely smelled it, making her nose scrunch up as her ears folded. "N-no thank you Giant, but I don't drink, but I do graciously appreciate the offer however, "

'You look like you're in pain, have some liquid medicine.' He mulled while Robert kept insisting she drink his altered booze.

Twilight would keep refusing until she released an annoyed sigh. " Alright Fine, I'll drink it. You're pretty stubborn, aren't you? At least you, and Applejack, have something in common." Leaning in close, she took a few hearty gulps to make him stop.

'I wouldn't do that if I were you, too late now I guess.'

Pulling away, the mare swallowed what she had taken, making her cough and hiccup as Twilight became teary-eyed.

"How in Celestia's name do you drink that stuff?! Not even a Minotaur can handle such a spirit. It's burning my mouth and Stomach!" She continued coughing and even began dry heaving on his shoulder.

'Can't take her grog! Note to self, Twilight Sparkle is not a party-going pony.' Robert considered, sealing his drink vessel back up as another pony joined the mix rather forcefully.

Slamming into his chest with enough force that could make Canterlot Mountain shake, Jasmine gripped him as best she could.

"Why have you been hiding? We've been looking for you for months! It's almost like you didn't want to be found." Whined Jasmine, climbing up his chest to get to his other free shoulder.

'That's the point of hiding, I didn't want to be found. The book did mention real Giants of this world are masters at hiding in plain sight.' He mentally deadpanned, as the thestral nuzzled into his neck and head.

"You owe me so many stomach scratches," Jasmine crooned, making Robert uneasy.

'I regret wanting to help Ponyville now.' Robert inwardly cringed, he still wasn't used to them treating him as a lesser being.

"Ahem."

Twilight coughed grabbing both of their attentions.

"I don't want to spoil the moment Commander Jasmine, but the town is currently facing slaughter."

'Maybe I was wrong, she can handle that stuff.'

Grumbling, Jasmine got off of him and coughed to clear her throat. "Apologies, Twilight Sparkle. I am sorry for what came over me. I haven't seen this specimen in a long time." Jasmine commented, making Twilight produce a suspicious stare.

"I assume you've encountered him before?" Twilight Cautiously asked, making Jasmine nod.

"We have; he's a really good stomach scratcher. I've tried to substitute it with humans but they just can't compete! Surely he's given you some scratches before? Maybe back scratches even."

Jasmine remarked, towards Twilight who fell silent after taking care of her, Jasmine turned her attention back to him.

Giving him a big smile, she showed her small fangs off, to seem less threatening. "You gave her Highness a big fright, all that time you've been hiding, I must admit she almost believed you were dead, or even worse."

Jasmine snickered, her tail swishing left to right, while her bat wings lazily flapped to keep her in the air, Her head buried into his chest.

Twilight seemed to avoid Jasmine on that certain topic of back scratching, as her tail began swishing on Robert's shoulder, thankfully. Out of the bat pony's point of view regardless Robert felt her tail moving.

Deciding to change the subject and also gain back control over her tail, Twilight promptly picked a topic that was bothering her.

"From what Celestia has informed me her Sister wasn't in the best of shape has she improved?" Twilight inquired, making Jasmine nod still face planted into his chest.

Pulling her head back Jasmine replied, "Princess Luna, has greatly improved from her early predicaments, do not worry about it."

Turning left Robert saw something most terrifying: a human nearly his size shambling towards Ponyville with a group of infected following close behind as a log had been glued to its hand which made Jasmine tense up, her ear was pointed in its direction showing she was closely listening.

"Big guy, down here."

She calmly asked, looking upwards toward him. As she slowly crawled up his chest, until reaching his face.

After grabbing his attention, she gingerly pointed towards the lumbering undead giant, "That Giant is a very bad one, he hurts Fillies and eats them." Jasmine fibbed, trying to get his help and in turn, Robert saw this as his way in.

'Thanks for giving me a way to help your town without seeming intelligent.'

Giving a deep growling sound, that seemed to have frightened Twilight. Who had never encountered an 'agitated' giant before, as her tail when almost stiff as a rock, similarly to a cat being frightened.

As he gently grabbed Jasmine and placed her down another Lunar Guard arrived who bore even more bad news.

"Commander, the town is going to fall! Their numbers know no end and our troops are either injured or experiencing combat exhaustion. Or protecting the town residents,"

"It's alright Lieutenant, I just acquired some prominent support," Jasmine said sheepishly. Making her underling rub his face with his lavender-themed hoof guard.

"I mean no disrespect Commander, but how is an oversized dumb animal going to assist in Ponyville's defense? He doesn't even have a weapon on him."

The Stallion questioned, however, Robert made another deep growl this did make the Thestral stop. For a second, from his prey instincts.

'Buddy if only you knew. I feel dumb doing this but hey, it's working.' Robert pondered not amused.

As Robert stood there, the night themed guard stood there looking up and down at Robert. As if the stallion was mentally checking off boxes on Robert's combat ability.

"I know you weren't there during the raid on the Newport district Lieutenant, I have seen what he's capable of." She said pointing a hoof back towards Robert while she continued to speak.

"With his help, we might just survive the onslaught these infected are attempting to do; true he may not have hoof blades or sword's like us. But I've heard and seen reports from the detained pit-fight workers and some I interrogated myself. He's a one-Giant army, especially when he's pissed. So I riled him up, you also didn't looked into private 'Strong Waters,' autopsy report. I rather we not have a sequel to what happened in Canterlot, Inform every remaining Guard we have not to attack him."

Gradually her officer nodded. "At once Commander," he turned to leave but Jasmine wasn't done with her associate.

"Now tell me that messenger made it to Canterlot," Jasmine asked calmly, while Robert stormed off following the undead giant as Jasmine and her officer's talking became less audible to him.

"They did. We are receiving full support from Canterlot, we just need to hold out, ETA-" her lieutenant provided, making her rub her temples with her hooves.

'The way she was rubbing her face tells me were on our own. Or there going to be really late to this kind if party, better make this proper exposure of what I can do. One to remember!'

Robert entered the outskirts of the small town and pushed past a house he spotted the tracks it left, from the looks of it. The undead beast was barely lifting its legs, and if anything didn't seem to care about being tracked.

'This is going to be an easy kill.'

He mulled, looking around he saw the state of the town.

Ponies before the attack seemed to be enjoying this day with all manner of festive items, decorated homes, and businesses. One little cottage had a tree in the window with a pony holding a star perched atop it, and plenty of gifts some open, under the small tree. However, this is where the fun and tranquility ended.

Most homes had their windows covered to conceal the movements of the inhabitants inside. The silence was defying minus the wind blowing, Robert was about to start humming to add sound to the silence, before remembering who was on his shoulder.

'Forgot Twilight was on my shoulder, and here I thought I was going to have fun today.'

Coming upon the intended target made the mare on his shoulder tensed a bit, having never seen an undead giant before and credit where it was due never had Robert. The group of humans it traveled with had dispersed into Ponyville, so this was going to be a one-on-one fight.

Having heard him, the undead creature turned and locked gazes with him, with its rotting eye sockets before releasing a forced but guttural roar, its vocal cords straining to even work after a few thousand years of being frozen and slowly thawing into decay.

'Come on you undead sack of bones, and rotting flesh fight me.'

"C-can you put me down for Celestia's sake?!" Twilight begged terrified of the monster before her, as she tightly latched onto his shoulder.

Sadly, Robert couldn't grant this request as the rotting body charged with frightening speeds, lifting its large club and showing where it would attack from.

'Sorry Twi, but you're stuck until we're finished.'

Robert thought slightly feeling bad for Twilight who was debating if she could survive jumping off of his shoulder to get away.

Deciding on meeting the beast halfway, the monster tried to crush Robert's head with an overarch slam with the club. But seeing the mode of attack, from a mile away, he grabbed the club and pinned the log against his chest, making it so the undead giant couldn't use it.

Yet like a switch, Twilight changed her opinion upon spotting something as informational. "Wait, stop! This is valuable information I can gather."

Twilight pleaded momentarily beginning to study the two as she began talking to herself, "The undead Giant is far smaller than the living one; it only comes up to his middle chest area, maybe even lower? Which means that Giants have undergone some kind of evolution or possibly even devolved. If this is true, that makes the older generations even bigger than younger generations."

'Really?! You do this now? I'm now considering tossing you into that frozen fountain. Maybe the cold water will shock some sense into you.'

Robert contemplated, while the undead beast roared in rage trying to pull its weapon free from him, seeing that it wouldn't be returned, it lurched forward trying to bite him, making Robert shove the undead creature so hard it fell over, making the ground shake from its fall.

"I wasn't done!"

Twilight wined, showing that no matter the situation she still liked to study and document things. Remembering where she was and the situation they were both in. She quickly went quiet.

Watching it for a moment Robert watched how it struggled to even get up making him grin. 'Maybe I was wrong? If they can't even get back up on their own how is this even a fair fight?' '

Walking over with a few large strides, Robert needed to be quick for how he planned on re-killing this undead beast.

'Die Eldritch Horror!'

Lifting his left leg high, he simply brought it down stomping the dead giant's head in; the resulting crunch, and the cold decomposing brains and skull fragments covered his foot made him shutter. As it clung to his flat foot like rotten clumped-up gelatin.

"Sweet Celestia, I think I'm going to be sick!"

Twilight yelled out her face a deep shade of green as her cheeks puffed up with what he assumed to be bile.

Robert on the other hand was desensitized to it, as killing was nearly a common occurrence for him, but he did agree with her.

'That was pretty vile, but why is she disgusted by this? It's just how the world works. Things kill one another to survive, especially Carnivores and Omnivores, or it could be that Giant's grog I gave her finally kicked in?'

While he wiped his foot off in a mound of snow the rotting corpse of a giant merely fell apart, the magic that held it together was unable to fulfill its task after the death of its host.

His ears heard the sounds of Twilight struggling to swallow what came up, but once she got it down she spoke up. Her voice was raspy and hoarse from what narrowly Twilight avoided.

"S-sompony planned this? Who would do such a thing against the town of Ponyville." Twilight said, still green in the face from watching Robert's act of mercy.

'That's for you to figure out and decide, I'm just the added muscle because your town needs it.'

Reaching up, and setting her down on the solid earth below, her luck had run dry as it came up one final time.

However, being on solid ground Twilight was finally able to hurl, making him nod; grabbing the club from the dead hand of its previous owner. And decided to arm himself, while the Mare beside him emptied her stomach.

'Better out than in, I suppose. And I'm not in the mood to be puked on. So if Miss Sparkle, has anything left in the tank she is going to be hand-carried.'

Deciding on carrying the mare in his free hand instead of his shoulder, Robert scooped her up in his free hand and took her towards her tree residence. Along with seeing the carnage the undead had wrought.

He found many dead infected humans, some had two claw marks going through or fully around their heads, others had spears stuck into their skulls, others were slain via magic if the puddles of rotting flesh and ash were anything to go by.

'Damn, I thought those shocking spells were painful. Thank god I'm not on the receiving end of these spell casters, Glad they're on my side for a change.'

Finding the treehouse, Robert reached up and plopped the drunken Mare on the balcony; she seemed stunned, even surprised about making it home so quickly. "I-i'm home? I didn't want to go here, I wanted to go to the zoo!" Twilight drunkenly rambled which was starting to amuse Robert.

'Can confirm she is a lightweight.'

"Twilight what happened to you? If you had touched her, I swear I'll make you regret it!" Spike warned, but one deep growl from Robert, made the baby dragon quickly double back, forgetting his size to the giant.

"U-uh I need to go!" He stammered, grabbing Twilight who finally began to speak.

"Spike- *hiccup* take a note. *Hiccup*," she said as Twilight's word slurring slowly worsened, Robert had left to handle the more primary issue.

'Even though I find Twilight extremely entertaining when she's intemperate I need to help in the town's defense.'

Gripping his newly acquired weapon Robert made his way over to the more battle-contested parts of the town which was around the town hall and the nearby marketplace.

Turning the corner he found a horde of undead being swarmed by a mix of Lunar and day guards who were stabbing, shooting crossbows bolts and even casting spells in an effort to take the endless horde down.

"Why in Luna's horseshoes is he here!"

Hissed a Royal Guard while his unicorn companion spoke up. "Who cares? I'll take that thing over a standard human handler any day! If we had human support this would go much faster than currently, but that's the main host of the disease Lance Corporal." The mare called back, as her horn fired a spell that collided with an exposed skull making it explode in the process.

Lumbering passed them, Robert heaved the tree log up; then he brought it down with so much force those unlucky enough to be caught were crushed.

"Yeah! Just like that, Big guy! send them flying back to their graves! First class." The senior Guardsmare shouted, at Robert cheering him on.

'Well, if you insist.' He mentally joked,

Lifting it back up Robert swung the log as if striking for a low aiming baseball and the unfortunate zombies that were struck went flying, watching them for a moment. The poor sods that got hit went somewhere far off into the other side of Ponyville.

'Four points to Hufflepuff! And tally ho lads!'

He grinned, watching the undead knowing they weren't going to survive the fall, despite the current situation Robert was keeping count of how many zombies he was putting down making this into a game that only Robert was playing.

While he physically kept them at bay, more Unicorns and Crossbow welding Thestrals had arrived, shooting around him to avoid reproducing the same accident back in Canterlot.

"I don't wanna get on his bad side." Said a Crossbow wielding Thestral to his right who shuttered, watching the infected fall to their deaths.

This made Robert grin as he mentally responded, 'You're goddamn right you don't want to.'

Progressing forward to secure more territory for the ponies, he spotted something that made his blood boil, these undead bastards were eating humans alive.

'Sorry champs kitchens closed.'

Stomping forward Robert slammed the small group off of the human and crushed the undead into the wall of the cottage nearby.

Someone gurgling, reached his ears. It originated from where the undead were initially, from what he could see. The human those zombies were feasting on, was very much still alive and currently choking to death on blood.

'How is this person even alive?! They're turning the snow around them red for god's sake.'

The mauled man had a look of fear on his disfigured face, from what Robert could see. His right eye was ripped out and dangling; the person's stomach and chest area were clawed at, and chunks of flesh were missing. And blood was gushing out at an unnerving speed.

'I don't need a medical degree to tell me this man isn't going to pull through, the best I can offer, is a mercy kill. Don't worry man, I got you. I'll
make this quick.' Stepping over gently, Robert lifted his foot and quickly brought it down on the dying man's head.

'Better a quick death than a slow and painful one; But why the hell aren't these Ponies helping these humans? I figured they were better than Canterlot. Maybe Equestria Ponies are one in the same when it comes to humans, Uncaring and disingenuous.'

Taking a step off of the dead human below, he continued pushing forward. His previous Royal Guard companions had left him. Maybe they didn't dare push into this area for some reason, whatever it was Robert was going to find out.

This side of Ponyville was dead silent similar to a graveyard in the winter; the only company he had was that blasted wind it didn't want to stop so evidently.

Just then another familiar voice sliced through the never-ending silence.

"I'll take you all on!"

Shouted Storm Hooves, who were trying to fight three infected humans and one Undead giant, Robert soon heard Applebloom's response.

"Stop trying to be a hero! You're going to get yaself killed!" Applebloom pleaded, making Robert pick up the pace.

'What the hell is going on over there.'

Squeezing past the two-story cottage home. Robert was face to face with the small group of infected, however, one of them tried to get the drop on him.

Jumping onto him the afflicted human bit down on his exposed hand sinking, its rotting teeth into his club hand making him yell in rage. Grabbing the offending undead, with his free hand Robert snarled before speaking.

"Piccolo bastardo!"

He growled while rearing back and throwing the zombie across town he hoped wherever it landed the fall would end its miserable life.

Shaking his freshly bitten hand, Robert heard what he never wanted to hear; Applebloom was screaming bloody murder. Her screams had sliced through the howls of wind making his heftier heart stop slightly.

Turning to look to his surprise the infected humans had been killed, by none other than Storm Hooves. Regardless the poor kid's luck had run dry, as the undead giant without mercy had crushed the poor colt.

Storm struggled for breath, as his bones were crushed as it pulled him closer in an attempt to bite his little head off. In one final act of defiance, he managed to stab a dagger into its eye and from what Robert could assume the brain.

The giant roared one final time, starting to fall apart. Not wanting to let Storm Hooves fall, Robert rushed over and grabbed him from the disintegrating hand. As he meekly looked up blood coming out from his muzzle, Storm softly spoke.

"Everything hurts I can… Hardly B-breathe…W-was I brave Mr. Robert?" Storm asked as he coughed up blood. Acting quickly Robert dropped the log and then scooped up, Applebloom in the process.

'You got a lot of fucking balls kid, you got some set of Kastanyas on you, I sure in hell wouldn't have done what you did if I was your size today.'

Robert wanted to say that but instead, he just nodded and spoke more reasonably.

"Yes you were, do me two favors alright? Whatever you do, don't close your eyes ok? And don't go into the light; what you suffered, I-it's just a scratch. The doctors will give you a few stitches, and you and your dad will most definitely get ice cream to celebrate what you've done. " Robert comforted,

He began running through the streets like his rear was on fire looking for any kind of hospital, hell even a pony medic. This kid needed help badly, and he was slowly running out of time.

"Hey! What in hay feathers are you doing here? We're busy with something. " Shouted a prismatic Pony she easily kept up with Robert, as Applebloom answered.

"We need to get to Ponyville Hospital. Storm hooves is hurt plenty bad!"

That seemingly was the last thing Rainbow Dash expected, as she left his line of sight for a few moments before zooming back over. Her iconic rainbow trail followed her, to his left hand.

"Applebloom?! What the buck are you doing out here? With him no less! Didn't you hear, Ponyville is under shelter in place."

"I know! But please in the name of Celestia look!" Apple Bloom pleaded, Robert's head was on a constant swivel. Looking for any markings that imply a hospital or clinic.

'Come on! Come on.'

"I'm going to break that big skull of yours! You oversized ape!" Rainbow Dash seethed, thankfully Apple Bloom stopped her.

"It's not his fault Rainbow Dash! He's trying to save his life. Lead him to Ponyville Hospital!"

Grumbling rather loudly she agreed;

'Thank God just take me there before this kid dies in my hand and you blame it on me!'

Time seemed to be moving slower, for Robert as he carried Storm Hooves. Who on his part was still alive, if only barely. The one thing that was worrying Robert the most, was him struggling to breathe. It started to get worse it even was on par with a death rattle.

Arriving at the front of the hospital, Robert saw the front doors were glass but had been blockaded by office items. Rainbow Dash did go ahead in an attempt, to get them to remove the blockade.

But once getting to where Rainbow had been standing, she rolled out of the way to avoid him as Robert simply kicked the glass doors, shattering it and dispersing the makeshift barricade.

Getting down on one knee, and leaning over, he thankfully didn't hurt the medical ponies inside. Without speaking or making any sounds, offered the dying colt to them, who in turn immediately got to work.

He also gave Applebloom over, sense this side of Ponyville seemed clear, getting back up Rainbow Dash was in the air blocking his path.

She seemed distrustful towards him now, way better than her previous encounters, with him which were all out of aggression. "I just wanted to say, Thank you. . .Pfft, what am I doing? You can't understand me for Celestia's sake."

'If only you knew the truth. Rainbow, but don't thank me just yet make sure that kid lives, to see another day.'

Getting in close, she landed on his shoulder and gave him a quick but thankful hug, Dash eventually spoke up.

"Don't tell anypony," she warned as Rainbow grimly laughed at her own joke.

Rainbow gradually pulled herself away before heading inside the hospital to do god knew what.

Deciding that his job was done if the sight of golden and lavender dots in the sky heading towards the town was any correlation he began his walk back.

Completely unaware of the blue Alicorn tailing him from the sky above.

Traveling through the Ever-free relatively unopposed, Robert was halfway home when a voice rang out in the winter-covered woodlands.

"Halt!"

A regal voice boomed from behind him, making Robert turn and look to see who followed him into the Ever-free.

To his shock, it was the Pony who brought him here. She seemed to be slightly more shy now that he was staring at her,

Taking a breath, she closed her eyes before composing herself, to begin what Robert believed was a thank you, little did he know it wasn't that.

"I Beseech you, Mighty creature of old, to accompany me back to Canterlot; There you will be cared for, and I will grant you protection. I swear this on the moon and stars. Let me repay the debts of Equestria's ancestors, tis true the betrayal they did to your kind was a truly unforgivable transgression for pony kind."

Taking a risk, Luna began trotting towards him slowly, which made Robert step back. Making Luna stop dead in her tracks. "Please! I mean you no ill will; I merely wish to get closer. I have been liberated from the corruption that made me the Preacher of Nightmares."

Gradually, she continued her path towards him Allowing Robert to see Luna in better detail.

Her ears were folded flat, and her wings were twitching at her sides faintly. Despite the calm demeanor she had, that was the clear giveaway of Luna being anxious.

Soon the young alicorn was face to face with him, or in this case face to leg, the deafening silence made her speak up. "During my youth, Instead of doing my studies, I would read totems and scrolls of your kind, but they never readied me for this interaction."

'Alright, I got the message.'

Reaching down, Robert scooped The Princess up making her Release a soft gasp in surprise. Now holding the night-themed pony she clung to him like glue.

Something behind him began its approach growling and gurgling.

'For the love of all that is holy now what?'

Turning around while still holding the Princess he found one last adversary, making his hard stop.

'Who gave a zombie a sword?!'

Nearly dropping Luna for her safety, Robert backed up rather quickly which grabbed her attention.

"For what purpose, are you backing up?" She looked up towards him thinking he would be staring at her. Instead, Luna merely followed his gaze, making her freeze up as well.

"Giant please run! That is old griffon steel. It may look dull and rusty, but it is dangerously sharp!" Luna warned, as she unfurled her massive wings, then took flight Luna did stop to gently pushed against his chest to show he needed to flee.

Seeing that he wasn't leaving, she left to battle the creature making Robert want the sword even more now.

'I keep forgetting they think I'm as dumb as a pile of rocks.'

Having no time to search for a sufficient weapon, Robert decided to use his fists. Waiting for the window of opportunity he simply watched Luna, who in part was holding her own.

Luna had the speed and power, being able to avoid its slashes, and swipes from its free hand. Along with returning strikes to the beast with her might. It turned around completely, focusing on Luna giving him his opportunity;

Charging the beast, Robert steeled his right fist. Luna on her part, didn't know of his plan. So when she made the beast turn to confuse it, the creature thrust its sword forward, trying to skewer the alicorn but instead, it stabbed him in his right hand.

Releasing a pained howl, Robert reared up and punched it in the face. With his left hand, making it stumble a few steps back, the undead giant just wouldn't go down.

'I have an idea but I need something like quick clot to stop the major bleeding.'

"Stop this foolish mission! I asked you to flee, not help, and do battle against it!" Luna pleaded, as she used her magic to try and heal his hand from a distance which proved to be difficult.

Sticking his neck out he watched the creatures sunken in eyes lock onto the area in question.

The undead lurched forward, biting into Robert's neck but that sacrifice gave him the vantage point he needed.

Grabbing its cold hand he tore the sword away, and with the other he forced its old jaws open breaking them in the process, as blood ran down his neck.

'Got the sword. And what I just did was pretty dam stupid.'

Kicking the monster back, its grip on him was very weak to begin with, so getting free wasn't difficult. And with one final slash, he sliced the giant from head to waist. The remains struggled to stand, let alone hold together as it fell apart into two pieces.

Putting his free hand on his neck, to stop the bleeding Luna began her verbal foray.

"Why couldn't you heed my words! I was trying to protect you!" Landing on his shoulder she concentrated on a healing spell doing her best to patch him up.

Looking over, he saw that Luna was crying softly. No amount of magic could stop the disease apparently if her crying was any indication.

She stopped his neck from bleeding and disinfected it with magic, but a scar remained, gently picking her up and placing her against his chest he allowed Luna to let it all out.

They stayed there for a while, the young alicorn bawling her eyes out into his chest as he merely allowed Luna to calm down.

"I will stay with you T-till the end." She sniffled out, after what felt like an eternity of her crying, she looked up at him with her teary-filled blue eyes. Her blue orbs, shimmering with regret and sadness. Not to mention the whites of Luna's eyes were puffy and red,

Shaking his head, he gently walked back towards the exit before placing her down outside of the forest, showing that she should leave. Luna of course didn't take that well.

"I R-refuse! I am a Princess of Equestria, and I make due on my words!" she said, stomping her hoof on the snowy ground which made it rumble and crack.

Pulling the decomposing hand off his now new primary weapon and tossing it behind him, he drew a line across the snowy earth below, showing she wasn't welcome.

"P-please I ask that you reconsider!" Luna pleaded moving across the line he just made.

He pushed her back, this action made her release a shaky and uneven sound of frustration. Luna tried again and again until she released a whinnied out of frustration.

By the end of this, Luna was Looking at the ground, looking defeated.

'I think I can leave now.' Turning to leave grabbed her attention, that made her find her voice again.

"Please; if you survive, and spring dawns on the land, please leave a mark here." She softly begged, having a small glimmer of hope.

Sighing he returned and gave her head a gentle scratch showing he might.

Leaping up she hugged his chest tightly making Robert scratch her ears, making the mare coo in delight.

"These ear affections are far better in person, than in the dream world." She hummed, as the small ear flicked and twitched showing how Luna felt about them.

Determining that their interaction was over and that she wasn't balling her eyes out Robert gently pulled her off and placed Luna back across the line before disappearing into the trees.

Arriving back home Robert had the beginnings of a fever and other flu-like symptoms.

"I guess I'm in it for the long hull now."

Little did he know the next few weeks were going to be hell without any kind of medication or magic to aid in his discomfort.

'When Gilda gets back, I'll send her to get Zecora maybe she can lend me a hand here. Or maybe some advice on how to keep the fever down if it gets too high.'

The Griffin in question, wouldn't be back for at least three days, hopefully, he could trooper through it in the meantime.

Author's Note

I can't believe it.

I'm turning into Target and Wall-mart I posted a chapter about Christmas in July 💀

Hopefully that will be the end of the Christmas theme for now unless it's actually in winter.

You guys and gals know what the deal is by now if you find any Grammer mistakes or if you think something should be replaced by all means leave a comment.

Remember this isn't the last we will see of the changelings! 👀👀👀

Keep your eyes pealed.

Please enjoy this chapter in the meantime!

Also a quick though to make you all shutter if a giant and a pure alicorns have a child that offspring would be cracked 💀💀💀

Also I think that Luna and Celestia we're also naturally born alicorns (as a theory) but I'll make it cannon for this story.