Author's Note

This is a part of the Jest Days of Christmas, where I update something every single day of December. Go check out the link for the full list and check back everyday for a new update!

The Royal Order Of Hunters

Rainbow Dash’s eye twitched.

“Are you absolutely certain the nurse’s initial report was correct?” asked a nearby doctor, who was holding up several X-rays and looking from one to the other.

“I am absolutely certain because I was the one that admitted her!” retorted Nurse Redheart from the other side of Rainbow Dash’s bed.

“That's impossible,” declared the doctor, raising one of the X-rays in emphasis. “Because this indicates that not only is Miss Dash’s wing not broken but it's not even sprained.”

“I did all the tests that come with a twisted wing and they all came back positive. Maybe it's your precious machine that isn't working,” Redheart retorted.

“Impossible. It was maintained just last week!” the doctor shot back.

“Would you two cut it out!” Rainbow Dash shouted. “I feel like a kid stuck between two bickering parents, only I’m not related to either of you. And thank Celestia for that.”

“Apologies Miss Dash, but I’m having trouble understanding the exact method by which you were able to magically regenerate so much tissue,” offered the doctor.

Rainbow Dash turned to Nurse Redheart expectantly.

“Doctor Horse thinks you lied about the extent of your injuries,” explained the nurse.

“Hey! I didn't lie, Redheart saw how bad those pukwudgies had stuck me!” Rainbow Dash declared.

“Yet after only a single day here, you have recovered more than most ponies do in a month,” Doctor Horse retorted. “Your wing has apparently already healed, and the only reason I haven't given you a psych evaluation or checked for a concussion is due to the fact that the quill marks haven't fully closed yet. So obviously you did indeed run into something.”

“So I’m awesome, why is that a bad thing?” Rainbow Dash replied forelegs crossed over her chest.

“I think this goes a bit beyond being able to fly good, Miss Dash,” retorted the doctor. “If you really received the injuries you reported then you should be in bed for months, not days.”

“Again, so I’m awesome. What's the big deal?” Rainbow Dash repeated.

“Such rapid cellular division could be the sign that you were given a healing spell or perhaps were fed a potion that aided in your recovery. Are you sure you didn't receive either?” Nurse Redheart pressed.

“I woulda remembered that,” Rainbow Dash shot back. “All the big guy did was haul me back to town and pat me on the head. And bleed on me, I guess.”

“Perhaps this unknown creature has healing blood,” Nurse Redheart offered.

“Or Miss Dash stumbled into a pack of special mushrooms and hallucinated the entire event,” offered the doctor.

“Hey, I haven't encountered any mushrooms since that one time in college!” Rainbow Dash shouted.

“Now now, don't get too excited. You still had to get stitches and you don't have to get those again,” offered the nurse.

Rainbow Dash muttered angrily, forehooves crossed over her chest.

“Regardless, I have other patients to attend to. I will see you again tomorrow. Nurse, prepare the discharge papers,” ordered the doctor.

“You do it, you arrogant dick waffle,” Nurse Redheart spat.

“Wait, you can't just go. I don't know where the forms are!” called the doctor.

Rainbow Dash snickered as she watched the nurse and doctor leave, one chasing after the other.

The pegasus wasn't alone for long, however, as two ponies entered a moment later. Though Rainbow Dash worried the quarrelsome hospital staff had returned, she quickly recognized one of the newcomers.

“Twilight! You’re here to get me out, right?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Uh no. I was actually here to introduce you to the leader of the hunter’s guild, Furious Flare,” Twilight replied, gesturing to the mare behind her.

Who was a tall unicorn with a long horn, red and orange hair, and a piercing gaze that unnerved Rainbow Dash. Tall, to the point that she was almost an equal to the princesses, the stranger had a short mane that billowed out behind her, moving slightly like the way Luna and Celestia’s did. Rainbow Dash didn't recognize her, and glancing at her cutie mark didn't help, though it did seem oddly impressive. For on her flanks was a small golden star surrounded on all sides by a billowing, raging fire that resembled a flower.

The hunter wore only a simple leather vest, and though in a hospital, she also had on her a long sword belted to her side. At first glance the blade looked like the kind used by the royal guard, only this one had a wider base and lacked a cross guard. The blade bore a strange inscription written in some unknown language in red letters upon a black background. In addition, it had a large hole in the metal near where the edge met the handle as if there should be a gem or something placed in the gap.

“I heard you actually met with and spoke to the creature firsthand,” Furious Flare stated.

“Yeah he was actually kind of nice… well okay not nice nice but polite I guess,” Rainbow Dash replied, scratching her head.

“And just to confirm you fought with him against a pack of mad pukwudgies?” Furious Flare pressed.

“Yup! He was totally about to get got by those little buggers so I helped ‘em out,” Rainbow Dash offered.

Furious Flare sighed. “How unfortunate. Had you not intervened this would all be much simpler.”

“What do you mean?” Rainbow Dash questioned.

“I believe you have run into a monster that my ancestors called an ork,” Furious Flare explained. “A horrifying beast that should it not be slain quickly, and its remains burned, will quickly begin multiplying.”

“Uh so? He didn't seem like that bad of a guy,” Rainbow Dash explained.

“I don't know why the creature didn't kill you when it had the chance, but the texts are clear. This is a threat that must be dealt with quickly and with extreme prejudice,” Furious Flare declared, turning around. “I will gather the rest of the guild, and form a hunting party immediately. You should remain indoors for the foreseeable future.”

“Wait, maybe we should listen to Rainbow Dash? She could… and she's gone,” Twilight muttered.

“Who was that nut job and why does she want to kill that green dude I helped?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Like I said, her name is Furious Flare, and she is from the Royal Order Of Hunters,” Twilight explained. “An ancient organization that can apparently trace its roots all the way back to before the time of the alicorns and the uniting of the three tribes.”

“Huh. But like, why all the murder though? He didn't seem half bad,” Rainbow Dash inquired.

Twilight shrugged. “I don't know, to be honest, but if what she said is true then apparently these ork things were here at one point and were quite the menace.”

“But doesn't that sound kinda racist? He's green so now we gotta kill him. Doesn't seem right to me,” Rainbow Dash pointed out.

“Yeah, that does seem kinda messed up,” Twilight admitted.

“So, are we going to stop her or what? Cus I’m outta here tomorrow,” Rainbow Dash urged.

“And in the meantime, I’ll check on these supposed texts of hers and find out if there is any truth in what she’s said,” Twilight added.

“Awesome! Don't worry Ghuzrod, your pal Rainbow Dash is gonna save your butt!” Rainbow Dash shouted, pumping a hoof in the air.