Relentless Boundaries

I groaned as I rolled over on the medical bed and felt for my right shoulder, it was there but I could tell by the amount of medical bandages that I had some severe damage done to my body. I rolled back over and faced the roof, the machine beside me beeped and informed any doctors that I was alive, “man this sucks” I grumbled. “Yeah tell me about it” said a dopey voice from beside me and I looked over to see a grey colored Pegasus in the bed across from me, she had some messed up eyes and I couldn’t tell if she was looking at me or at the wall.

I disregarded the pony’s weird eye configuration and got up, I wasn’t in an extreme amount of pain but I still winced in pain. “Whoa what happened to you?” the strange eyed Pegasus asked, “uhh a friend of mine did this to me” I muttered, “well that’s not very nice” she laughed. I chuckled to “yeah well we aren’t friends anymore” I informed her, “why not?” she asked curiously as I sat down beside her. “He tried to kill me” I told her and she let out a gasp, “my name’s Ron by the way” I told her as I extended my hand. She reached out one of her hoofs and shook it rapidly “name’s Derpy nice to meet you Ron” she said.

I looked around, not many other ponies were in here, I hoped to keep it that way. “So uhh what’d you do to get stuck in here?” I asked and she laughed, “oh I broke my wing” she laughed and extended her wing in a cast and flapped it “but that’s nothing compared to what you looked like when you came in” she told me seriously. “How long have I been in here?” I asked, “oh just 3 days” she informed me casually. 3 days, how the hell did my wounds heal as much as they had in 3 days? “So uh how do I get out of here?” I asked but Derpy simply shrugged “you’ll have to wait for a doctor or nurse to come in then tell them you’re ready to go” she informed me.

I looked around “and how long does it take for a nurse or doctor to come around?” I asked, “ohh sometimes it takes hours” she laughed but I didn’t, I couldn’t just sit around for hours waiting to tell the doctor I wanted to go. I looked to the monitor which continued to beep healthily and I looked to the needle that was reading my pulse. I grabbed the needle and yanked it from my arm and the monitor flat lined. “What are you doing” Derpy gasped and I looked to her “getting out of here” I chuckled as 2 nurses and a doctor ran into the room.

“Hey doc good to see you, listen I’m ready to leave now” I informed him but he gave me an irritated stare “get back on your bed you can’t leave until we say you can” he ordered and he left the room along with the nurses and locked the door behind him. I flopped back down on the bed and starred at the roof “hey Derpy what’s there to do anyway?” I asked and she looked at me “not much just sit around and wait” she informed me.

I let out a depressed sigh but she caught my attention when she grabbed a book “hey Ron can you read this to me… I can’t read very well and no one really has the time to read to me” she asked. I stood up and walked over to her and looked at the book. “Daring Do and the Mystic space ponies?” I asked curiously, “yeah I love the saga but usually can’t find anyone to read to me” she informed me and I opened the book to the first page and began reading…

Daring Do proceeded through the vast desert plains, thirst seemed to strike every last ounce of energy from her body…

* * *

And with that Daring Do yelled out to the space invaders “don’t you dare come back or I’ll whip your hinds again. THE END

“Wow, Daring Do is so awesome don’t you think?” Derpy asked, “yeah she’s really… something else” I said trying to find a good word to describe her but simply failed. “Just like you right?” Derpy asked happily and I looked down at the book and yawned “I suppose she’d kind of like me, except her story ended well” I told Derpy and looked out the window.

It was night time and I realized that I had just spent the entire day reading to Derpy. I walked back over to my bed and laid down to realize that there was a tray of cold hospital food waiting for me. “Ech” I groaned as I pushed the food away, I had tasted hospital food before and it didn’t taste very good. “If you don’t want your food can I have it?” Derpy asked politely and I got up and handed her the tray “help yourself” I mumbled and she immediately started to down the food. I sat back on my bed and closed my eyes.

* * *

I awoke to feel a hoof tugging on me. I shook my head and wiped my eyes to see Derpy above me, “morning” I grumbled, hell it must’ve been like 5am the sun was just rising. “Morning” she said with a bright smile, I grumbled and rolled to one side “I just wanted to say goodbye and that I hope you get better soon” Derpy told me and I looked to her “leaving already?” I asked and she nodded “yep doctor said I’m all good just have to take it easy for a while” she said happily. “Well Derpy it was really nice meeting you” I told her and she waved as she left the hospital room “hope everything turns out alright for you” she said as she left. She disappeared from my sight and once again the doctor closed the door behind him.

I let out a sigh “I need to get out of here” I told myself as I looked around, the window maybe but I didn’t know how far it dropped, “dammit” I muttered and stood up and began walking around, ‘need an escape plan… need and escape plan’ I thought to myself but my thoughts were interrupted as the 6 ponies I had met the other day plus the 2 princesses walked into the room. “Thank god… listen you gotta get me outta here” I whispered but the large white princess shook her head. “Listen to me Ron if you ever dare put my sister’s life in danger again” she threatened. I chuckled “then kill me” I offered and she let out a gasp and I looked her in the eyes “come on kill me, do your worst. You really think that an idle threat like death is gonna scare me” I laughed and she stepped back.

I looked to Luna “sorry about not letting you join in on the fun” I joked and she nodded. “Ron we appreciate that you kept us out of harm’s way” Luna said thanking me, “meh don’t mention it… actually what happened?” I asked and they all looked at me seriously. “Fluttershy patched you up and Luna transported you to the hospital, you were in pretty rough shape when they brought you in” Twilight informed me and I nodded and turned to the yellow Pegasus that I assumed was Fluttershy “thanks” I told her and she shied away sheepishly “don’t worry about her she’s just a little shy” Rainbow Dash told me and nudged me in the ribs.

I winced but realized that no pain seared through my body. I looked at the medical bandages and began unwrapping it. “Holy shit” I muttered as I looked at my body and realized that all my wounds were healed up completely. “There’s no way” I mumbled and Twilight squeaked in happiness “actually I used a healing spell to accelerate your healing process” she informed me and I nodded in appreciation. “So what about Ricardo?” I asked and the larger princess gave me a cold gaze, after your failed attempt I sent 3 dozen royal guards in to dispatch of your friend but none have returned” she informed me and I nodded, 36 horses in medieval suits wouldn’t be enough to stop Ricardo, not by a long shot.

“All right let’s get out of here” I told them but the larger princess stood in my way, “I never got your name” she asked and extended her hoof “Ron, but I think you already knew that” I grumbled “well I haven’t met you professionally so… my name is Celestia” she informed me and I shook her hoof “nice to meet you… Celestia” I said politely as always and looked to the others “I’m gonna need my things” I told them and Rarity gave an irritated sigh “do you have any idea how hard it is to get blood out of a fine coat and shirt?” she asked and I thought to myself about that time a lawman had chased me down and shot me and how long it had taken me to get the blood stains out of my coat. “Sorry about that” I apologized and she levitated out the cloths she had made me but all the holes were stitched up and one top of that a bandolier had been added from my old jacket, “I found these on your old jacket and figured they were probably for that thing you carry around” Rarity said with a smile as I began putting the clothes on. “And uhm… here I uhm… made you this in case you need it” Fluttershy said sheepishly as she handed me a medical saddle bag with a belt. “And yah might need this back” Applejack said with a wink as she gave me back my SKS, I nodded and slung it across my back “oh and these” Pinkie Pie offered and handed me my knives along with some assorted candy. “And this thing” Rainbow Dash offered handing me the large double barreled .577 T-Rex plus the ammo. “And I enchanted you cloths with a small film of magic so that Trixie can’t grab you with her magic” Twilight informed me and I looked at the cloths and back to the group “thank you all so much… I… I don’t know what to say” I stuttered and Celestia came forward “only promise that you will stop your friend no matter the cost” she ordered and I nodded “I can only promise that I will do my best and if my best isn’t good enough than I’ll die trying” I promised and she nodded.

“If you don’t mind I’d like a little while to relax… I don’t exactly have a battle plan” I asked the group and they nodded. “Well Applejack if you don’t mind could you spare an extra spot at the table for supper?” I asked and she blushed, Rainbow Dash leaned over and whispered in my ear “got the hots for AJ?” she joked and I kept a straight face as we left the hospital, I’m not quite sure why I had asked Applejack’s of all ponies to stay at while I constructed a plan but I just did.

* * *
As we walked away the group dispersed, Rarity went back to the boutique, Pinkie back to Sugar-cube corner, Fluttershy back to her cottage, Twilight back to the Library with Spike, Celestia and Luna went back to the palace and I’m not quite sure where Rainbow Dash went, it looked like she was just chilling on a cloud. Whatever the case they were all waiting for the results of the battle that was coming.

As Applejack and I walk down the dirt path we passed multiple small forested areas but one caught my attention. A dirt trail was made by a set of tire tracks and I looked into the forested area. “What’s wrong?” Applejack asked, “something might actually be good” I told her as I followed the dirt trail made by the tires. I stopped when I came into view of it.

It was my 1979 Ford Bronco “yes baby that’s what I’m taking about” I yelled and raced towards the truck. The front grill bars were a little dented and one of the lights were smashed but the truck looked to be fine. I opened the door and looked to Applejack “get in” I laughed and she looked at me “why?” she asked curiously “because this is faster than walking” I told her but she still didn’t really understand what was going on but agreed anyway and hoped into the truck. “Move over” I told her and she hoped into the passenger side and I lept into the driver seat. “Please baby work for me” I prayed and twisted the key for the ignition. The truck rumbled to life and I let out a cheer like I had just won an epic battle.

“Faster than walking?” she asked and I put the truck into reverse and slammed on the accelerator and the truck’s engine roared as the truck bombed through the forest and back onto the dirt road. I spun the steering wheel and centered the truck on the path and slapped the truck into first gear and put the accelerator right to the floor and the truck launched itself down the dirt path, I slammed it into second gear and continued racing down the path. “Faster than walking” I told Applejack who nodded in agreement.

What would have taken at least a ½ an hour to walk took 3 minutes in the truck. I slid the truck in front of the barn and the truck skidded to a halt. “YES” I yelled out in triumph, “whoa easy there you ain’t won the war just yet” Applejack teased and I nodded to her in agreement, sure I hadn’t won but this truck was going to make it a hell of a lot easier. I got out of the truck and helped Applejack out as well and we walked towards the farm house, I had a wide smile across my face.

As we walked up the steps on the front porch Granny Smith opened her eyes. “Oh that’s so wonderful, you two look absolutely perfect together” she chimed and we both blushed. “Oh I’ll get supper ready” Granny Smith offered as she got up and walked inside, “oh don’t worry yourself Granny ah can handle it” Applejack offered, “that’s sweet dearie, it’s so nice to have grandchildren like you” she said happily and I followed Applejack into the kitchen.

“Uh so what do you eat for diner?” I asked and she looked to me “hay and grass” she said bluntly and I heard my stomach turn in disapproval “just kidding, how’s salad and apple fritters sound?” she asked and I nodded sounds good” I agreed happily and we began cooking together. I finally let go of my want to go home, now that I had lost Ricardo I had nothing to go back to, I understood now that Ricardo was the only thing keeping me going but now it was time to move on, to give up my old ways and start new. I looked over to Applejack and smiled “what?” she asked curiously as she cut the lettuce for the salad and I nudged closer to her.

She blushed and nudged closer to me, soon our bodies were touching and we both blushed, “uhh Applejack ah know we just met an all” I began but she let out a laugh and turned to me “yah just ah” she laughed and I realized I had just slurred my speech and sounded a little more southerner. I chuckled and began my sentence again “so I know that we just met and all but I think… I mean I just wanted to say” I began but she put her hoof to my mouth to silence me and hoped up on her hindlegs and put her forelegs around my neck “ah know sugar-cube” she whispered and leaned closely towards me “AJ ah… I mean… I” I stuttered but was cut off when she closed her eyes and leaned closer to me. “Oh my, well I knew you two looked cute together” Granny Smith interrupted us and Applejack stopped and dropped back down to all fours “oh uh Granny Smith ah was just showin Ron here how tah…” she trailed off, “don’t worry dearie I think it’s wonderful that you two like each other” she began and I felt as if the moment was perfect. Sunlight beamed through the window and it highlighted Applejacks freckles perfectly and she looked really cute. I smile and brought myself closer to Applejack once again “I love you AJ” I whispered and she lept up on me again like she had before.

Granny smith continued on her story “oh I remember when I met your grandfather, oh the fun we had. We used to sit by the warm fire in the winter and” but she was cut off as a thunder BOOM rang out and the window behind me shattered. I lept to the ground and cradled Applejack under my body so that glass debris couldn’t harm her, I looked to Granny Smith, she had a large hole in her side from a bullet entry. Her eyes starred off into nothingness, she was dead.