Chapter Nine -

The distinctive, and obnoxious sound of a heart monitor was the first thing Storm Hooves had awoken to, his body was infuriated at his actions. If the dull pain was any indicator, slowly opening his eyes, Bright lights had blinded the poor colt. Resulting in him hissing in discomfort, trying to cover his eyes, and failing as Storm Hooves' limps seemed restrained.

'Am I dead, Is this the end?'

He thought, attempting to reach up to his face again with a hoof before a soft clang stopped him, and a mare's gasp broke through the constant beeping sound.

Sompony walked towards him, gently clearing her throat before speaking up.

"Can you hear me?" a soft, gentle voice called out but Storm Hooves couldn't see who it was.

"P-please turn whatever is blinding me off! l can H-hardly see." He hissed, clamping his eyes shut, from the bright lights while the same voice answered.

"Most certainly, don't worry about a single thing. You've been asleep for about two weeks, And if the first thing I saw when I just woke up was Celestia's sun, I would be burying my head back into my sheets too."

The kind-sounding mare piped up, her hooves clicking across the floor before a soft click echoed forth, and the blinds were closed slightly, giving Storm the ability to see.

A mare with a white coat and cotton candy-like mane stood their clipboard in hoof. "Before we begin, I shall tell you my name; I am Nurse Redheart. You are currently in the intensive care ward of Ponyville Hospital. We have you're file, thanks to your Friend Apple Bloom. And to be rather Frank, you're very fortunate to be alive."

Nurse Redheart said calmly, waiting for him to show that he understood. Once done with that, she proceeded to tell him what was wrong with his body. "Your Rib cage was broken all around; not to mention your internal organs were severely damaged, thankfully you got here just in the nick of time. If you hadn't we wouldn't be having this talk." Redheart informed, making his ears fold.

"And that's only some of your significant injuries, Mr. Storm, Your wings are shattered and must remain in a cast for at the very least two months, and Four before any kind of physical strain, same for your hooves. You're lucky surgery wasn't required, and whatever you fought didn't crush your neck." Shaking her head, Redheart decided to scold him soon.

"N-nurse, I don't understand." He spoke honestly.

Redheart simply moved closer to simplify it.

"Please be thankful for magic because it saved you." Reaching over she knocked her hoof against his forehead making him grimace at the action.

"Nurse, What was that F-for?" He inquired and she promptly answered.

"It was to knock some sense into you. What you did was very foolish, and you're lucky to have walked away alive and not carried out." She quipped, tail lashing, Slowly Redheart composed herself to begin asking simple questions.

The questions ranged from simple math that a pony of his age would know, to things like where he lived, how old he was, etc.

With a gentle sigh, Redheart nodded before stepping away and gently storing the clipboard on her back. "Your brain and mental state, from what I can gather, isn't affected by your injuries, I'll be right back Mr. Storm, so please relax in the meantime."

Turning to leave, Redheart walked towards the room door preparing to depart.

"Nurse Redheart," Storm said, grabbing her attention one more time.

"Yes?"

She said looking back and tilting her head to the side.

"Would it be possible for me to get something to eat? I am getting quite hungry."

Giving a soft shrug, the nurse answered back. "Your manuscript or your examinations didn't say anything about physical food, just yet. but to make sure you can indeed have it, I'll ask the surgeon and doctor just to be safe. Was that all?" She asked but he brought up another question.

"Why do I need a Surgeon? I thought you said I didn't need to do surgery." Storm Hooves added.

Shaking her head for a third time, Redheart replied.

"You almost needed surgery if magic failed to heal your wounds, the Surgeon would have stepped in to save you. Plus comparing a doctor to a surgeon, the latter is more educated on fixing internal organs, and structures."

Satisfied with the results of his own inquiries, Storm Hooves allowed his nurse to depart.

Leaving the room with a soft click of the door, Redheart left him alone with his thoughts, and that infernal beeping. As he tried to remember what had transpired, before being admitted into the hospital.

It took a while, but once the names appeared it made Storm jump up slightly in worry.

"Where's Applebloom and Robert!" The colt tried to leave his bed but the bandaged limbs refused to move; it appeared they were locked in place by metal stands to let his body heal. Not to mention how his limbs and body retaliated. The pain he was enduring was too much for Storm, as the young pony tried to stand or even at the very least sit up.

Soon his weak body buckled, making him flop back onto the bed with a soft thump, sweat all over his forehead and exposed parts of his mane and coat. Laying on his medical bed, he decided not to try and find them just yet.

The first three days without Gilda were extremely grueling, his immune system was forced into high gear making him hot to the touch instead of his normal temperature.

Not to mention him shooting out snot rockets the size of softballs and spitting mucus of similar volume, needless to say. Robert was grateful the moment his griffin companion returned, on the third day of his internal siege.

Explaining the situation in-depth to her as best as one with a zombie plague could, and that she should get Zecora to come here to help him. The last thing he expected was for her to be pointing a loaded crossbow into his face.

'For the love of god, if your going to end me make it quick.' Death wasn't something Robert would choose easily, but with the current state he was in he was considering it a great deal.

Yet she wavered, it looked like she was about to shoot him, and yet she didn't. "You should be dead. How are you even alive? Humans are the main carriers of this disease!" Gilda demanded an explanation encouraging the sick man to respond.

He struggled to answer her, the main reason was because of all the mucus taking up residency in his throat and mouth, and nose. "Y-your guess is as good as mine. . . I'm chalking this up to luck, and let's leave it at that; Look. We can quibble over the details all day. . . About me, being dead or how I should be a rotting reanimated carcass. . . Or you can do me a solid and fetch the zebra named Zecora, I would prefer you to pick that option as I've been suffering here for days."

Wanting to argue this further but seeing her landlord; and even friend, was suffering greatly the Griffin knew what her options were. Sighing she ruffled her feathers before speaking up.

"Alright fine, I'll go and get this Zebra, you're blabbing on and on about; but before I depart do you need anything? because, from where I'm standing you look like utter shit, dude. And in my honest opinion, the thing you need the most is a hot bath that surely will remove that damn stench off of you." Gilda offered, giving a massive sly grin, Robert on the other hand was less than amused by her joke.

"Bring me some water, Please. I haven't drank anything in days. . . I tried rationing it until you got back, but you can see how that turned out." Robert said before coughing up a glob of that infernal snot and spitting it against the floor to his right, where in turn the foul fluid splatted unevenly.

Appalled by this, Gilda turned away, shuttering slightly while storing the Crossbow over her side with its built-in sling, she lifted her claws up. "Easy killer, don't you spit that stuff on me, let me refill that glass bottle of yours." Taking it in her grasp and then flying off she left him alone once again to suffer in silence.

Returning roughly ten minutes later and with the bottle full of ice-cold water, the griffin offered it to him. "Sorry for any chunks of ice in there. I had to break the stuff on top, in order to get the water." Robert however didn't give a rat's ass, snatching the glass bottle he proceeded to begin downing its contents.

This surprised Gilda, but she didn't stop him, instead, she decided to joke around with her human friend. "Careful, I can hear you sizzling from how hot you are right now!" Robert didn't know at this point if she was either being a wiseass or just being honest with him; regardless he still drank the water.

Deciding her joke couldn't go unpunished, Robert had flipped her off, however, she returned the gesture in kind, which surprised him. "Right, back at you buddy," Gilda added, showing she knew damn well what it implied.

'I never flipped her off before, I guess Griffin's and humans are more alike than first expected.'

"Anything else dork, Or am I free to get Zecora?" She added. Showing she didn't like the idea of what this so-called 'Shamen,' had in store for her only real friend since the day Rainbow Dash blew off their friendship.

"That was all Gilda, please bring her here so that she can hopefully treat me," Robert informed, and without saying a word she took to the air with a few flaps, while the sounds of the Griffins flying became more distant Robert fell back into his unconscious state.

Robert's sleep was still sporadic, every time he fell asleep, the dark dreamless peace that it brought only lasted what felt like maybe minutes before he would wake up again, for the eighth time for the day.

This had happened so many times. Gilda and Zecora stopped telling him, how much time had passed, because every time, they told him he would just forget.

His joints were the main area of his discomfort, they were hurting constantly. While Robert's muscles weren't faring much better. Opening his eyes, and giving a few coughs he was greeted with a loaded rusty crossbow to his face.

"And a happy G-good morning to you too. I see, you're still not getting much sleep." Robert offered, before gurgling up a massive thing of mucus and spitting it off to the side. As it landed in the metal pot, Gilda was less than willing to talk.

"How do I know it's you? And not the Black Vine Virus, making you ramble!" She snapped, gripping the wooden handle slightly tighter, showing that she wasn't playing any games with Him, not to mention the large bags under her eyes.

"Test me,"

Robert said, his head pounding. Which made him grit his teeth, knowing what was about to come next, and that was a really bad headache. Gilda on the other hand seemed eager to begin.

"Very well, where did we first meet?" Gilda asked not moving the crossbow away, At its current distance, if fired, it could take out an eye and possibly stab his brain, yet he pressed on and made his case.

"You're the Half-wit, for getting trapped in one of my traps," Robert replied, gently pushing the griffin away and off of his frame, making her huff.

"I might just shoot you, for being a smart ass!" Gilda growled as he reached for his water bottle. Yet she stopped him again. Getting into Robert's way, effectively blocking his attempt.

Licking his dry lips he spoke up, displaying his annoyance towards her Inquisition. "What now?"

"Two more questions, then I'll let you drink." She said, smirking.

Sighing in defeat, he decided to snap back, at her. "Remember this when your Sick Gilda, I intend to give you the same treatment."

Irritated by his response, she stood her ground in front of him, wings flared blocking Robert's path further towards the half-frozen, drinking water. "Deewb, you're carrying an illness that kills humans within fifteen minutes, and the stronger stock a day later! I am hardly getting any sleep because of you."

"G-glad to see you still care."

Robert remarked as his head was still pounding and making him silently suffer, which made her scoff.

"More like I don't want to be eaten in my sleep!" Taking a moment to breathe, Gilda finally asked her second question.

"How did you and this zebra, Zecora meet?"

"We met at her tree hut. I found it while exploring the forest. And she discovered me upon her return from a herb gathering run." He answered the headache slowly taking full effect on him.

However, Gilda seemed to be more focused on the questions than his well-being. "How big were Nightmare Moon's flanks?"

That question nearly made his soul leave his body. As a soft blush took to his cheeks, thankfully his beard hid this reaction. "How the hell am I supposed to know that?! Do you think I was staring at her rear the whole time I was interacting with her? What kind of, person do you think I am?"

Robert asked, flipping the question around on her, making her smirk. "Just checking, to see how much of a pervert you are." She answered, giving a sly grin.

"You got what you wanted, Gilda end this little stunt, and let me drink some damn water. I'm dying over here, this isn't funny." Robert started getting annoyed by this now.

'I think Gilda is far more perverted than I give her credit for.'

Nodding she immediately left his path, allowing him access to his liquid salvation.

The first few times she did this, Robert saw this as Gilda getting back at him for embarrassing her in front of the field trip; but now, she was most likely being a ball-buster.

Snatching the glass bottle, Robert began downing it as if it dictated his survival, it cooled him down sufficiently, but not enough to end his headache.

'I would kill for a bottle of Tylenol right about now, hell. Even a bottle of Aleve could help me out here. This zombie plague is kicking my ass; but it isn't killing me, thank god for being constantly sick as a child.'

Robert chalked up his survival to his immune system being highly active in combating sicknesses, this one included. That or his body heat was slowing it down, Regardless Robert needed to cool himself down, and who better for this task than his companion, Gilda?

"Gilda, can you get some snow from outside and dump it on my forehead?"

Nodding, she stored the Crossbow on her back before going to grab a wooden bucket that Zecora left. "Sure thing, I bet five bits that it melts the moment Zecora put's it on you." She grimly jokes,

"I'm in a large amount of pain, stop it with these games," Robert said, dragging himself from his resting spot and moving towards the gaping hole of the throne room wall letting the cool late winter air blast his face.

The rigid air on his hot pasty face was heavenly, and Robert was content to just sit there until someone made their presence known, With a loud but tired yawn.

"AAhh~ you survived this night, Giant-folk. However your fever has still refused to vacate, thankfully I fetched a potion to remedy a certain issue you face, soon."

Looking in the direction the voice came from, Robert spotted Zecora, the savior of his second week of living through hell. "This damn Fever won't break, do you have anything that might help with that?" he asked as Zecora slowly trotted over.

"Mmm, Let's see if this potion works for a second time, if so be prepared to break some ice." Stepping over in front of him, Robert saw the zebra's attire She had on her black cloak, along with a mask covering her face he had never seen before.

"What's with the mask?"

he inquired, as she gently popped the cork out of the potion bottle.

"I've told you this before, but it appears your fever is making you forget. These clothes are for my protection, the illness you carry is far more aggressive." Zecora warned,

"Are you going to give up on me, Zecora?" Robert asked as Zecora made a sound of surprise.

"Never! You helped me in my darkest hour. Let me return what is owed, to a true friend in their hour."

Using a leather covering to protect her hoof, only when physically touching him, she aided him in drinking the potion. The liquid mixture tasted awful, the only way he could describe it.

Was a combination of rotting Watermelon, and gasoline. Robert could hardly even drink the stuff, but due to his current predicament, Robert drank it slowly and calmly.

Once it was all down he went into another coughing fit; Zecora had backed away in the meantime not wanting to be in the way of his coughing. "What did you just give me? That tasted awful, I've tasted dirt with a better flavor than that."

Arriving at a safe distance, Zecora removed her mask to speak unrestricted. "It was Ever-free herbs, mixed with a certain flower pollen that should decrease your pain."

Gilda returned with a wooden bucket of snow, and Zecora disinfected the articles of clothing. Before re-equipping them and taking the wooden bucket she began her approach, her hooves softly clacking against the old marble floors as she hopped up, And onto his chest.

"Just like old times right?" Robert asked but she stayed silent, focusing on breaking his fever.

Gently taking chunks of snow out one at a time, Gilda closely watched the female zebra place them on his head one chunk at a time.

The snow would melt within Ten seconds of landing on his head, stunning Gilda. "Zecora, did his fever go down?" She asked while the zebra hummed, and nodded.

Zecora would finish up giving Robert his requested snow, and she wouldn't speak until reaching a respectable distance away from him.

"My friend, your fever has dropped, it appears you might pull through after all." Zecora declared, glancing back towards him with a gentle smile, but it quickly faded.

"However you are not out of the woods just yet; given more time, you may be released from my care," Zecora spoke out, gently sitting down on a floor mat she made by hoof.

Robert didn't answer, but Gilda decided to ask for him. "And how long does he need to wait?" Gilda tiredly questioned, seeing that Robert wasn't a rotting corpse she did relax somewhat but not entirely.

Rubbing her chin with a hoof, Zecora determined how long he would need to stay there in isolation; Meanwhile, his joint pain had faded. Giving him the necessary relief to at the very most sit up.

"I would say, one week at the very minimum. But for a case like yours maybe even longer, it would be best to seek out the Ponies for help. I have limited resources, if you go, They might be able to assist you far better than what I can do."

Zecora suggested, making Gilda growl. "Those lame Ponies can't help him! If anything he's doing just fine here. At least if he stays here, they won't slice him open like a piece of cooked meat!"

"Griffin; you and I are hardly getting any rest, the bags under your eyes can be seen from the far
West," Zecora cautioned, but she would not have it.

Finally being able to stand, Robert stumbled his way outside, Gilda following close behind. "Robert, where are you going? You better not be going to Ponyville!" Gilda warned, making the sick human groan in annoyance.

"I'm trying to relieve myself! You know, number one? And number two. I can only do it after Zecora gives me that joint relief shit, so please go away. Unless you plan to wipe my ass for me? Or do you wish to experience me, 'changing flavors again?' "he said, an eyebrow raised.

Gagging at the memory, the female Griffin prominently departed. Not saying another word, leaving him alone, and finally allowing him to do his business in peace.

Once relieving himself for the day, Robert cleaned himself up in the moat water, before reentering the Castle courtyard. There, he would go back under the watchful eye of Gilda who had not parted with that loaded crossbow.

"You do know that Crossbow wouldn't be good after one shot right? If you think about it you'll need at least three, even five minutes to load another bolt into it, unless you're secretly a grand master in using crossbows, I don't see you getting far with it." Robert informed,

"You can't let me have any kind of safety, can you?"Gilda said, slightly annoyed.

And Robert only had one thing to say in his defense.

"No."

Huffing, she flew over and smacked him with the blunt metal end of the crossbow, Gilda again spoke up. "I'll be glad to bury this bolt in your skull if that's the case."

This grim game these two played, was his only form of entertainment during this sick period so he quickly reciprocated. "You'll be doing me a favor, just be sure to make it quick, and try not to make it an open casket burial, I would prefer a closed casket."

"I'll see what I can do, but no promises," Gilda answered, making him nod.

"Duly noted Gilda. Come on, let's not keep Zecora waiting."

Entering the shared throne room, fairly quickly Robert plopped himself back down just as the potion's potency lessened.

The not-so-welcomed discomfort returned, making him want to put his head through the marble wall to his right.

"Be back I will, and hopefully with an elixir to ease the fever's burden." Zecora quipped, giving a smile trying to raise his morale.

"Zecora before you depart, when will the sun rise?" He asked her, the zebra on her part looked outside, she silently began to add up how much time had passed.

"It is currently rising, dear friend, go back to rest. I will wake you when I have returned with your medicine."

Even though Zecora and Gilda were dead tired and borderline ready to end him. They stayed loyal till the very end.

"Thank you Zecora I owe you one."

Giving an exhausted nod, Zecora left the throne room to presumably return home. Leaving him alone with Gilda, who was barricaded behind some wooden placements she made. To hide behind, to sleep.

Laying his head down on a step, Robert simply got as comfy as humanly possible, before forcing himself to sleep which wouldn't be a good idea.

It took nearly an hour to fall asleep; Gilda's snoring helped him in this case, acting as a sortive, white noise machine for him. But when he did, Robert received an anticipated guest.

Opening his eyes within the dream realm, he found Luna waiting for him, in a way that she had been doing it. For the past three weeks when Robert was able to dream.

She was in her second, larger form. Wings flared and horn aglow, with what Robert assumed was a spell to blast him, in his dreams in case he was a zombie in this dreamscape.

"Friend? Or adversary!"

Luna boomed, gritting her teeth slightly hoping it was the former and not the latter.

Stepping back a good thirty paces, until her horn stopped shining, Luna began her approach. Every hoof step was deliberate and wary, she wanted to get closer. But the risk of him being undead was the main cause for these drastic safety measures. Her wings were still flared and ready, to get the Princess off of the ground if the situation called for it.

Thankfully his dream self wasn't affected by the virus, so Robert simply laid down on his stomach which was easier said than done.

Observing his behavior with curiosity, Luna gradually picked up the pace. "Most strange, demeanor for a creature that is supposed to be dead, along with having cravings for the living's flesh. " Luna mused,

Arriving in front of him she gently reached up. And touched her cool armored hoof, against his face, making Luna cringed, awaiting a negative response.

When it didn't come, she began poking him to see if that would trigger what Luna had been expecting. They stayed like that for what felt like an eternity, her poking him in his face with her flat limb.

'Yeah, this is getting annoying quick.'

Seeing that Luna wasn't going to stop, after the twentieth odd poke, Robert sat up and simply dumped the larger midnight Alicorn into his lap.

Luna wasn't expecting such quick movements from a creature of his size, if her gasping, and her sliding down his lap. Along with a loud, *THUD* as she connected with the dream floor was any idea.

"Warn me next time, when you do such an action!" Luna huffed; with one mighty flap, escaped his grasp, and decided to claim his shoulder as a landing zone.

Leaning over, and with all the strength she could muster, gave him a tight hug. To his surprise, the Night Princess was nearly strangling him, with all the raw physical strength she could gather.

"You're still alive! And you're still yourself, How is this possible?! I've conferred with every known human physician in Canterlot, even Manehattan. Both royalty-funded and Common doctors alike. And they all have verified, you should have passed by now!" Luna said her voice was almost hollow at the idea of losing him.

"However I may have left out some details about you from them." Staying close to him, the Princess did whatever was possible to embrace his neck. Fearing if she released him even just a little bit, he would disappear from her sight and never return.

'I appreciate your concern, but you're currently strangling the life out of me. So the virus you're fussing over will have the ability to accomplish its goal, with my corpse. So how about you just hug there instead?'

Reaching over with his other hand, Robert removed the clingy mare and decided that Luna could hug his chest instead.

"A-apologies, I didn't mean to use so much power. I was just very enthusiastic to see you alive. Would you forgive me?" Luna inquired, looking up at him with a look that could destroy an entire army through cardiac arrest.

Her blue orbs doubled in size and were shimmering as if Luna was about to cry, as her bottom lip quivered. Her ears were folded flat against her head, as some of her tears looked ready to leak out at any given moment.

'Sweet Jesus, she's pulling on my heartstrings; that face can cripple the morale of a battalion of soldiers.' Robert thought slowly reaching over and giving the Princess a soft rub on her helmet-covered head making Luna's ears twitch. And that was enough to set her off.

"We demand you to give thy more head pats to me, This is a Royal command!" Luna decreed in the royal Canterlot voice, to add that extra flare, she even flared her wings again. A large smile was plastered on her face, as her previous fake tears had all but miraculously vanished.

'Well; I'm convinced.'

Reaching up, Robert rubbed his ears to fix the hearing loss this overexcited Princess caused.

' I'm going to be stuck like this for a while. Hopefully, I can at least stand on my own without the help of Zecora and Gilda. When I wake up from this forced Petting and scratching session; I also wish I had ear muffs. Luna can be a little loud, especially at how close she is.'

Now that Robert was giving her what she so desired, Luna was humming and cooing, her tail was swishing left to right.

"Tia will be most envious of this~" Luna mumbled, as her body became puddy to Robert's large skilled hands.

'Let me guess, another pony who's going to nearly break my neck? Just what I needed, great.' Robert mulled.

Twilight had awoken fairly early, today this day was going to be a busy one after all, jumping out of bed. With enough speed that would even give Rainbow Dash pause, Twilight began brushing her mane and tail, as a jolt of discomfort reared its ugly head.

Grimacing at the twinge of pain, Twilight began to think back to a certain book that had warned her of infected humans.

'Due to the host being clinically deceased, the virus isn't limited by the control of the human's brain or the dying or dead immune system. Therefore It can push it to its very limit. Increased strength and speed has been reported.'

Another flare-up from her rear leg confirmed this medical study. "Y-yep it's been proven to be true in my opinion." Using some of her magic, Twilight simply conjured a spell to ease the pain, before going to the second bed of her bedroom.

Leaning over Spike, Twilight would nudge him gently to wake him, yet his dragon side was showing through as he refused to wake up.

Frowning, Twilight's horn suddenly came to life with magic as she simply made a large ruby appear near his nose, knowing it would wake him.

Spike twitched in his sleep, as drool began to form around the young dragon's lips, Soon his eyes shot open as he launched forward slightly trying to eat the prized rock; only for it to disappear before his eyes.

Falling to the ground with a soft thud, Twilight chuckled at his soft groan of annoyance.

Walking over and standing over him she beamed a big smile at him to jump-start his day. "Good morning, Spike. It's Friday! and you know what that means!" Twilight smiled at her assistant.

Yet he was less than willing to greet the day and Celestia's bright sun, "Shouldn't you be still recovering from that infected human that kicked you? The doctor said you must rest, he also emphasized the 'Rest' part." Spike grumbled as he began getting back to his feet, making Twilight back up along with reminding her about the medical check-up.

Twilight's face flushed red from embarrassment, she appeared to have forgotten her physician's edict. "I-i haven't! It's just there's so much to do, and me and the girls are the only ones who can do it." She offered, hoping that would persuade Spike to believe her.

"Sure,"

Spike said, clearly showing he wasn't believing in what Twilight had said.

"I'll go and start breakfast in the meantime, Please go and take a seat at the table, What would you like me to make you?" the baby dragon offered, rubbing the last bits of sleep out of his eyes, he began the slow stumble towards their bedroom door.

Opening it and going down the steps, Twilight followed him out of the bedroom but not down the steps.

Thinking for a moment, Twilight finally thought of what she wanted to eat. "Spike, if we have any more hay, for hay-pancakes. I will go for that! Also, hold off on making my plate just yet, I'm going to shower first." Twilight called down the steps making him nod to show he heard her.

Turning around, the mare entered her bathroom in preparation to clean her coat and other parts of her body.

Pushing magic into her horn, Twilight got to work making the perfect shower environment to clean herself, the window to the bathroom was shut and covered. So that any nosy male or female pegasi, that wanted to peek at her weren't able to.

But knowing her luck, it was just to keep Pinkie out. Like that one time, she somehow managed to climb through that very window during Twilight's, 'brain refresher showers.' After a large binge-reading, of one of her top ten favorite writers in Equestrian history.

Locking the bathroom door closed, she looked toward her bathtub. The tub itself was made with Ponies in mind, she used her magic to turn the water on, and to a warm temperature. Before jumping in and getting to work, she washed away all her troubles and worries, along with any dirt her coat collected during her sleep.

'Maybe I should gather Fluttershy, Applejack, and even Rainbow Dash. Then head to sugarcube corner? Hot chocolate sounds amazing for later today. If we go, I might as well get something for Spike. He deserves it after that little stunt I pulled on him.'

Standing there, in the stream of warm water Twilight remembered something, well not exactly something more like somepony. 'I wonder if the colt has awoken from his coma.' She thought grimly.

Lighting up her horn again, Twilight grabbed her shampoo, before working it into her mane and coat. The soft smell of spring flowers and lavender filled the room.

After letting it set into her coat Twilight simply washed it off with the stream of warm water before repeating the process but with a different cleaner for her tail.

Once that was accomplished, the Unicorn simply applied her heavenly knot undoing shampoo, to her tail and then washed it.

"There we go, my tail smells just like the rest of my body, but with no knots in it now." Turning off the water and climbing out, Twilight applied the ointment to her left leg like her doctor showed her.

Using magic to dry herself and then retrieved, a sterilized bandage, opening it, and wrapped it around her ointment-covered flank. With the sterile cloth as to not let it be smeared off, during the day. After that Twilight left her bathroom in a cloud of steam feeling refreshed.

Stepping into the hallway once more, She could smell Spike's breakfast. It appears he was hard at work making what he would eat, stepping down the steps, and making her way into the kitchen.

Twilight had discovered her little assistant had made her breakfast first instead of his which bewildered the pony. "Spike, I thought I told you to make your food first, why didn't you listen?" She asked while Spike looked back, not amused.

"I already know you aren't going to listen to the doctor's orders so I decided to just make you breakfast first to start your day. And what I wanted to make is going to take longer than simple hay flapjacks." Spike offered flipping the last pancake she had onto her small stack of a perfectly round stack of fluffy goodness.

Twilight could feel her cheeks heat up from her embarrassment, 'I guess Spike knows me better than I know myself sometimes.'

Sitting down with a soft thump on a pillow she dug into her food in relative silence, listening to Spike, who occasionally moved around the kitchen. To either clean something or flip what he made himself.

Twilight inquired to Spike, after swallowing her mouthful of food."What did you make yourself?" her answer was him, drooling at the idea of eating his creation.

Finally, he spoke up.

"Something new, I used the leftover pancake mix and some gems to make a pancake gem combination!" Spike tiredly said his long lizard tongue licking his mouth to stop the drool.

It was common for baby dragons to drool at the sight of certain foods, however, that behavior would fade away as they aged. So it was Twilight's reminder that no matter what she did to him, he was still a growing dragon who needed sleep and to eat.

Swallowing a mouthful of pancake with hay chunks she spoke up. "When you're done you can go back to sleep if you'd like Spike, you don't need to come along with me today, Plus tomorrow is the weekend."

But it seemed that Spike didn't hear her as a loud crunch of precious rock echoed through the small kitchen.

Rolling her eyes, Twilight finished her breakfast and Helped lessen the dish load for Spike by doing her dishes. Once they were done, she left to get ready to gather the necessary items for her travels in Ponyville.

Going back to her room she threw on a simple two-tone scarf, with yellow boots to protect her hooves. After that, she slipped her saddlebags on and put all manner of writing supplies inside.

"That should be everything I need, Let's make sure by doing a quick once over."

Twilight didn't find anything to be missing from her bags. If anything she found more room for things she could bring, now what should she bring to Ponyville Hospital?

'I should bring a children's book or two, that Colt must be going mad, just sitting there unable to do much of anything. That is to say, if he's even awake.'

Thanks to her association with Princess Celestia, and a certain older brother being Captain of the Royal Guards, Twilight was able to get filled in on the town after the shelter-in-place order.

A few businesses and homes were damaged, and surprisingly the infected didn't appear to make it towards the apple farm so the outbreak was contained in the left side and center of Ponyville.

And the few guards who had been wounded were minor and nonlife-threatening; except for one.

He wasn't exactly an official Royal Guard but still, his injuries were deemed the worst out of all those who were admitted.

If all that didn't make it obvious, a supposed, dumb creature saved the colt's life.

'We wouldn't have lasted as long as we did if he didn't show up.'

Twilight's tail twitched at her memory of that day, it was all a haze after a certain part something to with a horn. But she vividly, remembers their resident giant stomping the head in of one of its undead kin.

But the smell and taste of whatever was in that horn reared its ugly head, making Twilight lightheaded.

"W-with Princess Celestia's permission, and if I can get him here without the town going into a mass panic, I'll do my best at measuring his intelligence. But for now, let's find a book this colt might like to read. I think daring-do is the best choice."

Grabbing the aforementioned book with her magic, Twilight gently placed it into her saddlebag, before leaving her home and deciding to gather the three ponies she thought about earlier to help in this process.

The front door to the Ponyville Hospital was currently undergoing a restoration attempt, due to the giant's haste to get Storm into medical care.

"Do ya think the youngster is even awake? After all, he was banged up pretty good." Applejack questioned, snow crunching beneath her hooves.

Rainbow Dash interjected her answer. " After the magic healing, he fell into a coma. After that, they placed him in ICU so it's possible, he's not even up. It's been a whole week since I heard anything different." Her wing flapping kept Rainbow off of the snowy earth below, while she lazily followed the group.

Entering through a designated entryway made by the hospital, Twilight approached the front desk and gently coughed to grab the pony's attention behind the desk.

"Good morning. We're here to see Storm Hooves. Is he awake?" Twilight asked, tilting her head at the stationary nurse pony.

"I don't think so, but let me check in the system to see if anything has changed." Said the stallion nurse as he got up from the pillow and left, going through a door and into another room to check;

Returning after a few minutes the Stallion had a clipboard in his magic. "You're in luck, he woke up just before nine." This answer stunned everypony there.

Twilight's mouth felt quite dry at this revelation, but acting quickly she cleared her throat before asking a simple question. "Is he accepting visitors?"

Flipping through a few papers, he nodded. "It appears that the patient is allowing visitation. So if you all wish to see him he's in the intensive care ward; Room Fifteen."

Nodding, Twilight turned to leave. "Thank you, do you mind signing us in? We won't be too long anyway."

The stallion grinned before doing what she asked, Traveling down the many halls of the Hospital. All manner of hospital staff and equipment were moved around to stop the cold wind and possible germs from ruining its sterilized environment.

Rainbow Dash's wings grew tired and to give them a quick rest she softly landed, her hooves clicking against the two-tone flooring.

"There's the room," Fluttershy muttered while the group prepared to enter his hospital room.

Moving close Twilight gently knocked on the door to see if Storm was awake.

To their shock, the door opened outwardly and a nurse stepped out, closing the door behind her. Thankfully Fluttershy knew this earth pony mare.

"Nurse Redheart, how is he?" Asked Fluttershy.

Shaking her head the earth pony spoke up. "He's very much conscious, just the main issue is that Mr. Storm will need physical therapy to possibly fly and even walk again. I could be wrong and I hope that I am; But, it just usually isn't the case."

"Where are his parents in all this? Surely they gotta be worried sick about 'em." Asked Applejack,

"Sadly I am unable to disclose that information with any of you, you'll need special authorization about the whereabouts of his parents."

This action confused the small gathering of Mares however Twilight recovered first. "Do you think we could speak with him, Maybe even leave him a book to read?"

Redheart nodded a soft smile on her muzzle. "But of course! I'm sure he would love the gesture. The main issue is that Mr. Storm may need help reading it. His hooves aren't exactly available at this point and neither are his wings, but I need to ask you all one simple question." Redheart urged, stepping closer to the door not allowing them entry.

"Yes?"

Asked Twilight not sure what this question was going to entail.

"Have any of you had any interaction within the last week, with any infected humans or sick Ponies, Possibly even animals?"

Redheart examined each Pony of the group's facial expressions to see if they would be telling a lie instead of the truth.

"No ma'am, me and ma farm were thankfully spared from the attack. You can check me and my family if ya like." Applejack submitted, showing she wasn't going to be an issue.

Twilight shook her head, doing the same as Applejack. "I did assist in the town's defense, and I did get injured. But my family doctor has cleared me after a few tests and all I had acquired was a sprained leg and a few, but small cuts and a bruised side."

Flicking her ears to show she heard Twilight Redheart looked towards Fluttershy who began her case. "I-I never left my home during the Shelter-in-Place order. But to play it safe, I stayed indoors for three days straight to verify I wasn't infected."

Nodding Redheart Glanced toward Rainbow Dash, she appeared less than willing to answer, but everyone staring at her showed she had no choice in the matter, earning an annoyed huff from the multicolored pony.

"Gah, ok fine! I was also helping get Ponies to safety and I may have kicked an infected human in the head." Rainbow Dash confessed.

"Did any of its blood or any other fluids enter your body through cuts or deep lacerations?" Redheart contested,

Rainbow Dash, thankfully shook her head. "No, I wasn't infected, I'm more careful than that! I've experienced an outbreak before but not one with undead Giants in it!"

Satisfied with their answers, Redheart moved out of the doorway granting them entry. "All I ask, is if you're going to touch him, for any reason please use magic. If you have to touch him physically for any reason; please wash your hooves before hoof, other than that please leave any interactions with Miss Sparkle, just to be safe."

Finally gaining entry, the small group entered giving them sight inside the room. Glancing around, Twilight saw the essentials for a hospital room, especially one in intensive care, along with its soft peeps of the monitor including the bed and the pony they wanted to see.

"H-hello."

A small voice called out, the colt was wrapped in dressings. and half of his body was in a cast, and metal placements to aid in making sure the bones would heal in their proper places. Needless to say, Fluttershy had been deeply heartbroken by the situation of the smaller pony.

"May Celestia have mercy! What happened!"

Fluttershy softly shouted, nearly flying into the bed to get closer to the healing colt.

"Have they been dressing your wounds properly? Do you possibly need a drink or even something to eat or read?"

"I was told it was just a scratch. And I can't have solid foods not for a while anyway." Storm offered which made Rainbow Scoff.

"That's a little more than just a scratch kid, I'm surprised you're still ali-*whack* Ow!"

The resulting hoof hit to the back of Rainbow's head promptly silenced her, Looking over. Twilight saw her friend rubbing the back of her head from where she was hit.

"Don't ya mind Dash here, she's just overjoyed that you pulled through aren't ya Rainbow?" Applejack said, offering her cyan friend a side glare showing she shouldn't be talking like that, around an individual who's been admitted to this certain medical ward.

"U-uh yeah Yeah! I'm happy you're doing well." Rainbow Dash said, giving a smile to the colt.

Twilight stepped forward, moving toward the other side of his bed, Rainbow in the meantime shot a scowl at Applejack, behind a raised wing, for doing what she did.

Knowing Applejack and Rainbow Dash were silently killing each other. For something that was in the past, it made Twilight sigh inwardly, before pulling the cloth privacy barrier around them, blocking any view of her two friends in the event they challenged one another like the first time.

'I should have never asked them to come if I knew they were going to kill one another.' Taking a deep breath Twilight began a soft and warm introduction of herself and her friends.

"Good Morning, My name is Twilight Sparkle. This is a good friend of mine, her name is Fluttershy, and the two that are currently not inside of this privacy shield are Rainbow Dash and Applejack."

Twilight said, gently pulling Fluttershy away seeing her getting a little too close to him, which the nurse didn't advise.

"I remember you three from the field trip, minus Applejack but do you recognize me?" he asked, making Twilight and Fluttershy nod.

"We all remember you, But I want to keep this straightforward, and brisk. Many more Ponies are coming I bet, so us being here is just a warm-up."

Twilight eased, while in the meantime Rainbow Dash and Applejack stopped their silent war. And entered, adding even more ponies, to the little space provided.

"Do you mind answering some questions? I promise they're simple to answer and can be answered with even a yes or no." Magic flowed forth from her horn, as Twilight retrieved a quill. Some ink and paper to write with.

"O-ok."

Clearing her throat, Twilight was going to begin interviewing him when Rainbow Dash interjected by firing her own question.

"I'd like to know how the hay, you'd learn to fight like that! Your moves were impressive every time I saw you, you'd managed to take down some infected humans, and even a Giant!" She said Beaming, before quickly coughing lightly to re-compose herself.

"I'm asking for a friend of course," Rainbow added on to not make it obvious who this 'friend' was.

"My father taught me; he's a veteran Royal Guard who is an active Drill instructor. In Fort Dawnguard, and sometimes he sends me letters to see how I'm doing here in Ponyville with my aunt. The last letter he sent me was a few days before Hearts and Hooves Day, I'm not sure if he has sent me another one. During my time here."

The fort this colt spoke of, was in the top ten largest forts that Equestria had control over; it was able to withstand a siege for many months to even a whole year.

And if the conditions proved right, and if the defenders were well-stocked and had the hoof power they could survive even longer.

The fort's walls instead of being of common brick, and wood, like most modern Equestrian forts. along with outposts, it Was instead made of a strong paste when solidified, and was documented to be far stronger than concrete from the time of 'The Pillars.' However, it couldn't be replicated, and if it needed to be repaired a brick needed to be duplicated with magic.

"That's so awesome."

Rainbow Dash muttered under her breath, trying to hide her marvel at the old and rather large fortification.

"What about your mother? If you don't mind answering." Fluttershy asked as he fell silent, it seemed that this topic was a sensitive one for him as his quietness remained.

"If you don't want to tell us that's perfectly fine Remember, if you feel like not answering a question you can just tell us and we can drop that line of questioning," Twilight interjected, making him speak up.

"I would prefer that, thank you." Storm Hooves said slightly mournful of his mother. Now knowing that was a sensitive topic Twilight quickly changed the subject.

"No worries, now can you tell me your father's name? So I can tell my mentor and she can send word to him." Twilight calmly inquired, making him nod.

"His name is Lieutenant Strong Winds."

Writing the name down on a different piece of paper Twilight nodded, giving him another smile, "I have a gift for you." Twilight said, watching his ears perk up at the mention of a gift.

Even though he didn't say anything, the silent look he gave clearly said, 'What was it?' Opening up her saddle bag Twilight extracted the book with use of her magic.

"I don't know how long you'll be staying here but this is for you; I would have preferred to give you a book geared towards your studies to make up for the lessons you've missed in the schoolhouse. but I figured you wanted some action within your hospital room, even if it's just a story."

Showing him the cover Storm beamed a large smile and even attempted to sit to receive the gift, much to his body's continued protest. "T-thank you for the gift, M-miss Sparkle!" Storm Hooves said grimacing from the pain.

"P-please just stay lying down, your body is under enough stress as it needs to heal." Fluttershy reprimanded in her delicate voice, making him lay back down.

Gently placing it on the nightstand next to his bed the book itself was a copy of the first 'Daring-do' book in the series. "It's a good book, but I must warn you once you start reading you'll never want to stop! Remember once you finish that one I'll happily trade it for the next book in the series. I didn't forget you can't read on your own I'll be back later to get you started! " Twilight grinned.

After the gift was given, the interview continued well into the day Twilight now had her answers, but piecing them together was the main issue she faced now.

Deciding to leave the injured Colt alone for the rest of the day, Twilight and her friends decided to get something to eat themselves.

"I would fight somepony for a hayburger right about now!" Rainbow Dash mused aloud and it appears that Applejack agreed.

"I second that motion, Dash see sometimes you have ya moments," Applejack said giving her a teasing look that made Rainbow grumble.

"I was just being honest! Plus, isn't that your department AJ?" Rainbow sneered while Applejack's tail began to flick.

"Yeah, but there's a time and a place for it Rainbow Ya do well to remember that and maybe I wouldn't have to hit you the way I did."

"Girls, Please!"

Twilight interjected, breaking up the argument with her magic, locking the two mares' muzzles shut to stop them.

"If you two can't be quiet for five minutes so that I can write a report to Princess Celestia then I will depart and eat at the Library." Twilight snapped trying to focus on the important letter.

Finishing up the last of the letter in relative silence, Twilight teleported the report off to Spike who in turn would dragon fire the letter to her mentor.

Releasing a soft sigh, Twilight released her friends from her magical hold. "I'm sorry I just can't focus when you two are screaming at each other over something that happened nearly three hours ago."

"You're right Twi. Perhaps we should just apologize to one another and continue with our day." Nodding, the small group of friends traveled toward the center of town and instead opted to go to Sugarcube Corner as originally planned by Twilight, as the establishment they wished to go to was currently closed.

"Subject 3-J by himself, was able to launch four infected humans roughly, Thirty feet. Into the air with relative ease, nonetheless, Subject 3-J was fully able to handle and dispatch three out of four, undead Giants but at the cost of being bitten. It is possible that this Subject has survived but not very likely."

Currently, both Celestia and her sister were sitting through a military conference, and nearly all of the day and night, high-ranking officers were in attendance.

The meeting was about the possible benefits of conscripting the last Giant into the army of either Alicorn's service if he had survived his exposure to the virus. As the day and night officers did nearly anything and everything to convince the two sisters.

From reading reports of its abilities to the untold and pricey damage it did to the capital city, to even Pit fight documents describing how well he fought, they were doing their all for this attempt.

However, they seemed to be leaving out very few facts. Like him, being forcibly drugged with a serum, that was not recommended because of its high addiction possibilities.

'Strange; they are leaving out the fact that, of the drugs he had been drugged with, makes the user attack indiscriminately. Along with being highly addictive.'

Looking over towards Her younger sister who no doubt was tired, she seemed rather joyful despite it being noon, and yet her tail was swishing for most of, if not all of the meeting.

"I see your mind is elsewhere Luna mind telling me what has you in such high morale?"

Celestia inquired, but she seemed to be ignoring her, and yet her tail was still going left to right against her night-themed throne.

Making sure that Nopony was looking toward the to which normally was the case during these kinds of meetings, Celestia leaned over and discovered something.

Her sister was within her realm of dreams and had been for some time which amused Celestia.

'Couldn't sit through a nearly ten-hour meeting, huh Lulu? I think it's time her break ended.'

Her horn came to life and within moments, Luna returned with a Frightened gasp as Celestia more or less just ripped her out of the dream realm and back into the wakeful world.

"Good morning~"

Celestia teased as her younger sister's tail stood on end.

"Why did you do that!" Luna hissed, getting up before stretching as her older sibling answered.

"You've been in the dream realm for the whole meeting over the Creature you wish to protect and save, This is your opportunity to try and make it happen. Through the 'human handler division.' It would be the best option we could have hoped for, not to mention. We can assign more veteran handlers to him, once he is within Canterlot we can go over the greater details. Do not forget we aren't the only nations and empires interested in this legendary creature, so it is better we 'Claim' him before others do."

Celestia signified while Luna caught on, rather quickly. "You are correct sister, but what if Equestria is brought to war? We can not risk about his extinction."

"They are tougher than they look, sister, trust me. Equestria hasn't been brought to war since the Griffin Mountain conflict." The white Alicorn calmed before standing up herself.

"Officers of the Army of the two sisters, Hear me!" Celestia announced moving to the front of the room, along with cutting the meeting short.

"I and Princess Luna have decided that the last documented Giant will be added to the Equestrian army. But first, it needs to be brought here and must be checked if it is physically and mentally able to. Yet if it fails the physical examinations this will not be discussed any further. With that being said, I adjourn this meeting and ask that you all return to your expected duties."

While the senior officers departed Luna did as well with a loud yawn, a blue wing was covering her muzzle but it did little at masking her exhale.

"Thank you for resolving that Tia, I understand they are our Generals, and even best Commanders and trainers are the best in their respective fields. But they do act like foals sometimes," Luna said as she began her departure.

"I am off to bed Sister, I was having the time of my life before you so rudely interrupted me." She said huffing lightly.

"You need to give him a break Luna. I'm surprised it hasn't attacked you from how many times you've bothered it." Celestia commented following her sister,

"If he wasn't good at scratching, I would have stopped a Fortnight ago!" Luna remarked, which made her older sister the whole more curious.

'Time for some jokes, it is also time to see how my sister finds him.' Celestia mulled before speaking.

"Really now, I see your relationship has progressed well. Tell me, when will I expect you to be with foal? After all, I do wish to know when my younger sister's first child is born." Celestia winked at Luna which made the blue-faced Alicorn turn red.

"Tia!!""

Luna shrieked, completely embarrassed, At the accusation. "That is incorrect, and you know it! Human males, can not get a mare pregnant, nor can a stallion get a human female pregnant."

Celestia would have stopped torturing her younger sister if only her wings didn't become erect, and stiff.

"Which is explicitly true, sister. But what is to stop you from taking that male specimen to your chambers? Or possibly. Somewhere far more secluded,~ for some time in the hay mound.~ Maybe you'll try and offer yourself to him? All painted up in green offering symbols.~" She cooed.

By this point, Luna had turned so red that Celestia believed her younger sister would explode. Or even become a new star in the night sky.

A bright blue flash of magic later and she was gone, and that was enough to make her lose it again.

"Mother above that will never get old."

Despite teasing her younger sibling like this; Celestia had done it before when they were younger, like when she had her first crush on a Thestral stallion.

And another time when she was afraid of flying, and so on. Yet Luna was never the innocent one either as she found ways to get back at Celestia.

'Sister, you're just too adorable when this happens.'

Leaving the room finally after composing herself from a hearty laughing fit, Celestia made her way to the throne room no doubt many still sought, an audience with the sun Ruler.

'Hopefully, she can compose herself before the changing of the sun for the moon. '

Thinking while Celestia traveled through the marble halls of the Castle, what Luna had said finally made itself clear to her.

"That's cheating! She knows I grew up with those animals, I've missed those large hands the Giants were endowed with for ages. Next time, when I tease my sister I will not let up!" Celestia declared, her tail softly twitching.

Author's Note

Well, here we are! I am still very much alive.

You all may be wondering what why it is taking these chapters longer and even longer to make. Well, I start college in a week 💀 (fall courses)

And I'm honestly crapping myself, as my college campus is massive but I need to be up bright and early, to catch a shuttle over there.

I also have no idea what I want to study as I may only be there for three years so I'm kinda panicky on what to pick.

If you have any college tips I'll happily take them 🥲

Don't worry I plan to do spring classes next year instead of fall classes as I do not want to recreate the D-day landings with mountains of snow.

But enough about me and let's talk about this chapter!

If you find anything not grammatically correct or should be replaced by something more fitting, by all means, leave a comment and I will fix it when I can!

I'm not sure what to do for the next chapter but I wager an Idea will slam into me when I least expect it.

While I'm working on an essay or assignment most likely.

Anyway, I've kept you reading this note long enough I do hope you enjoyed this chapter I cannot wait to make the next one!

I'll see you all there! God's speed🫡