Chapter 5: Painful wake-up

Luna paced the waiting room of the hospital. It had been ten hours since Nathan was brought in! Ten hours! He should have been healed with magic in under an hour! Luna huffed in irritation as she stormed up to the front desk. The mare behind the counter gulped and shrunk.

"How much longer must we wait!?" Luna yelled. The mare shivered in her seat and was about to stammer out an explanation, when Celestia cut her off with a yell at her sister.

"Luna! Yelling at ponies isn't going to make things better! And I think young Cory has more of a reason to be impatient and concerned than you do!" She chastised, gesturing to the distraught man who was sitting with the six mares who were actively trying to cheer him up. Luna puckered her bottom lip and glared at her older sister, before falling to her haunches. Tears began to follow the path that the ones before had set.

"Oh, Tia! Why?! Why did it have to happen to him?! What did he do?!" She cried out as Celestia quickly wrapped her younger sister in a hug.

"Shh... Lulu. It'll be okay. He's strong, and brave, and most importantly," She picked Luna's chin up so they were looking eye to eye. "He has something to fight for. Now, I believe the doctor here wants to talk to us."

Luna turned around to see the doctor standing there, a sad smile on his face. Everyone else came over a second later to hear, what they hoped, was good news.

"I take it you're all here for Nathan?" They nodded vigorously. "Well, there were... complications-"

"Don't you dare tell me he didn't make it!" Cory shouted. The Doctor jumped, but composed himself.

"Barely. We lost him twice on the way here and once in the operating room. We were going to heal the wound with magic, but the knife was coated in a magic deflecting substance. It turned out to be Gryphon oil, which is naturally resistant to unicorn magic." He stated.

Twilight and her friends gasped, while Cory and the Princess opted for angry looks. Luna spoke up first.

"Do we know whose oil secretion it was?" She asked.

The Doctor nodded. "Yes. DNA showed it was... Madame Pompadores."

"That bitch! I'm going to fucking kill her!" Cory shouted, getting up to leave, but was stopped by Celestia.

"Cory, no. She's long gone by now." She smiled at the Doctor. "Is there anything else?"

The Doctor sighed. "A lot, actually. It seems he has also ingested a fair amount of magic inhibitor dust, which kept us from repairing any damages to his internal organs with magic, and we aren't equipped for that kind of surgery, nor would we even begin to understand how to operate on a human... I don't-" He sighed and looked away. "Your Highness? Can I speak to you in private?" He asked Celestia.

Celestia turned to the others and nodded. "Of course."

The others watched as the two talked across the room. The Doctor seemed to be looking away more than he should, and Celestia's face got progressively more grim. The Doctor finally finished speaking to her and left, letting Celestia rejoin the group. She kept her grim look and only Cory spoke.

"How much longer does he have?" He whispered.

"A day at the most..."

Luna collapsed in on herself, as did Cory and Applejack. The rest silently grieved to themselves and Celestia looked out to the stars. "We can go see him. Dose everypony want to?"

Everyone nodded and followed Celestia through the halls to a secluded room in the far back of the IC ward. There, lying hopeless in the bed, hooked up to an ungodly amount of machines, lay Nathan. His chest bandaged up tight. Bruising from the internal bleeding was showing where the bandages didn't cover. The machine to his side groaned, then hissed every three seconds as it continuously pumped air into his body through the trake in his neck. Luna was the first to step forward, placing a shaky hoof on his hand.

"Hello, Nathaniel... Your friends are here."

I could barely register the voice. It was so far off, but I managed to piece together who it was. I opened my eyes to see Luna and the others standing at my bedside. I gave them all my best smile, and even that hurt like hell.

"H-Hey... What brings you guys here?" I asked as the machine hissed again. God, that thing was annoying. Celestia smiled at me and the mares came forward. I got to see them all.

Applejack was just as bad a wreck as Luna, Pinkie Pie's mane was completely deflated and she seemed less glow-y, Fluttershy had tears pooling her eyes, Rainbow Dash was frowning, Twilight Sparkle was sniffling, and Rarity was waving a handkerchief, hoofkerchief? at her eyes, trying to stop the tears.

"We came to see you and... to wish you well soon." Celestia smiled. I read through it as easy as a book. You don't watch as many episodes of House as I do without knowing all the tricks.

"How long did they give me?" I asked, the machine hissing through the silence.

"A day at most..." Twilight whispered. I nodded and shook my head.

"I jinxed myself." I chuckled, wheezing from the effort. Luna gave me a curious stare as she squeezed my hand.

"How so?" She asked. I looked into her bloodshot eyes and ran my hand through the top of her mane. That got a slight smile out of her.

"When I first came here, I said you could kill me now and I wouldn't complain... I guess someone up their finally listened to me for once. Heh... It's funny really."

"This is not funny!" Luna shouted. "How can you even think that dying is a laughing matter?!"

I turned to her and gave her a serious look. "Everyone dies, Luna. Some sooner than others. The longer you hold onto the illusion that you'll live a full life, the scarier it'll be for you to die. Nothing in life is certain, and I accept death as something we all must go through. I'm not afraid."

Celestia stepped forward. "You are afraid." She said, breaking through my visage like a rock on water. "You can try your best to make us accept it, but deep down you're horrified of what it is like to die. And it is okay to be scared, young Nathan. It's okay because I'm scared, too. We're all scared. Save the brave words and just enjoy the time you have left with us."

I felt the tears down my face as my hands began to tremble. She was right, of course. I was godly afraid of dying. I didn't know what to expect after I died. Did I go to the afterlife, or was it just a blank dark space of nothing? I didn't want to find out anytime soon.

"I'm gonna miss you guys..." I choked, hanging my head. Cory came over and knelt down next to me.

"I'm gonna miss you too, buddy." He sobbed, embracing me carefully in a hug. Applejack came over and joined in, then Luna, then Celestia. Finally everyone crowded around me, showering me in affection and love I wasn't used to.

Everyone stayed and chatted with me for a while, mostly about what life was like for me. I talked about my life and I couldn't help but feel awkward about it when Twilight started taking notes. Eventually, they all left, save for Luna and Cory. Cory had long since fallen asleep on the chair in the corner, and Luna was resting her head in my hand as she sat on the floor.

"Would you be more comfortable up here?" I asked her. She looked up to see that I had made just enough room for her to squeeze in beside me.

"Even on your death bed, you are nothing but a saint..." She sniffled, climbing up beside me. She laid on her side, carefully draping one of her forelegs over my chest. I pulled the covers over us and held her against my cold body. She was so warm and soft.

"Can I tell you something Luna?" I asked. Luna looked up into my eyes and nodded. "I wanted... to tell you this this afternoon, but I got too choked up to do it."

Luna giggled and nuzzled my neck. "We know what thou wants to say, but say it anyway... It will please me." She joked, making me laugh.

"Luna? I love you. With every ounce of my being, I love you more than anything. I just wanted you to know that before... you know."

She began to tear up as she kissed me. Hot damn, if I wasn't dying, this would be so much better! She pulled away and began to sob, but composed herself quickly.

"I love you, too. At first, you were my first real friend and... I know it's silly, but do you believe in love at first sight?" She asked. I smiled at her and booped her nose.

"I dunno... It was probably more of the... third or fourth glance at me when you were filing your hooves on the throne." I chuckled. Luna burst into fits of sobbing laughter, which was a very amusing sound. She nestled closer to me and sniffled again.

"How dost thou do it? How can thou look death in the face and still make others smile?" She asked me. I caressed her cheek, stroking the soft, blue fur with light fingers. She began to shiver at my touch as she scooted closer to me, our bodies pressed together as close as they would go.

"The companies pleasurable, isn't it?" I asked. "Besides, if I'm going to die, I might as well die next to the mare I love more than life itself..." My voice began to falter as I struggled to keep the lump in my throat down. "In case I don't wake up tomorrow, just know I wish with all my heart our relationship could have gone somewhere."

I looked down to see her eyes shut tight as her bottom lip quivered. She was trying so hard to fight the coming flood of tears, but it was all in vein. She let out a tiny squeak as her eyes overflowed. I sighed and pressed her head closer to me, which she eagerly pressed into. "You cannot go... You can't."

"The choice is out of my hands now... I wish there was some way, but the Doctors don't know what to do. I'm-"

Before I could finish my heartfelt, unnecessary apology, the door burst open, revealing Twilight and her friends, along with one Zebra. "Nathan?! Are you still alive?!" Twilight yelled through the darkness, making Cory yell and fall out of his seat. "Oops."

"Yes, I'm here! Take it easy." I coughed. "Why so hasty?"

Twilight ran forward, standing next to me and Luna. "Our friend thinks she can help you get the magic inhibitors out of your system in time for the doctors to heal you!"

Luna became ecstatic, bouncing giddily at my side. I'd tell her to stop since it was hurting me, but the whole thing was just so damn cute, I couldn't bring myself to do it. "That's awesome! So, who's your friend?" I asked. I knew well enough who the Zebra in the back was, but I didn't want them to know about that. So far, only Luna and Celestia knew the truth.

"Hello my strange looking friend, today your life shall not end. My name's Zecora and what I brought, will help you quickly after what that Gryphon wrought." She rhymed.

"Thank you, Zecora... You have no Idea how much this means to me." I told her, wiping the liquid happiness from my eyes. She smiled and stepped forward with a vile of bluish green liquid.

"Now, think of this medicine like soda pop, drink it down to the very last drop." She commanded sweetly, handing me the vile that was in between her teeth. I took it and chugged it down, gagging once it was all gone.

"Oh, God! It tastes like... burnt cat hair in a dirty diaper." I gagged again, feeling a lot like Steve-O from Jackass. "Ugh... That is definitely not like soda pop."

Zecora giggled. "Forgive me, but if I told of its taste, you'd likely refuse in a great haste. Now, the elixir will make you quite tired," She noticed my drooping eyes and smiled. "Ah, I see that you wish to retire."

My eyelids felt like golden bars; so heavy and so inviting. Oh, how I just wanted to sleep. "I... I'm jus gonna...gonna..." And that's when everything went dark.

So he'll.... kay?"

"Yes.... be fine... ust keep an... on him"

"Oh thank.... thank you!"

The world slowly crept back. Damn potions, damn sleeping... I tried to open my eyes, but they felt like they were welded shut. I wen to talk, but my lips felt like two led plates. I went to move my arms, but they felt like iron pipes. It was then one of the however many ponies in the room saw I was waking up. I didn't think I'd hear Vinyl Scratch's voice first.

"Look! The dudes trying to move!" She laughed. "Bet everything feels heavy, huh?" She lifted up my eyelid, giving me the first glimpse of all the faces over me. And there were a lot of faces.

"Wha..." I finally managed to stammer, looking at the crowd. Princess Celestia and Princess Cadence were there, as was Twilight and her friends, Cory, Vinyl and Octavia, Chief Iron Horns, Shining Armor... It was quite a sight to see. "Wow... I didn't expect this big of a reception." I chuckled.

Chief Iron Horns stepped forward with a large grin. "Ha! I knew it'd take more than a measly knife wound to keep you down, Human! Way to give the finger to the Gryphons twice in one day!"

I snorted and turned to Twilight and her brother. Twilight smiled and led him over. "Nathan? This is my brother, Shining Armor. He led the search for Pompadore, but they didn't have any luck."

Shining sighed. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm very sorry that we couldn't catch her, but I'm afraid there's nothing more we can do at this point. You understand, right?"

I nodded. "Of course. I'm just glad no one else got hurt." I sighed in relief. Shining smiled at me and pat my hand.

"Thinking of others. That's quite a great trait after you got a throwing knife nearly in the heart." He snorted. I laughed as well.

"So, how close did the little bugger come to killing me?" I asked. Applejack came forward with an envelope in between her teeth.

"Pretty dern close." She said, handing it to me. "Don't you ever scare me... uh, us like that again, ya hear?" She scolded, standing on her hind legs at the bed. I reached my arms up and embraced her in a hug.

"Wouldn't dream of it." I sighed, letting go. I opened the envelope and pulled out the X-rays, holding them to the light as I saw just how close the knife came. "Holy-"

"Another centimeter up and you'd have died instantly." Twilight gulped. "You are very, very lucky." She slapped my leg and smiled. I looked around, and noticed a lack of dark blue Alicorn.

"Where is Luna?" I asked worriedly. Celestia smiled and stepped froward, parting the crowd like the red sea.

"She's back at the castle, preparing for your arrival. You are aloud to leave anytime you want, and I'd make it sooner rather than later. Luna would not like to be kept waiting by her new suitor."

Everyone's, including my jaw, hit the floor. The eyes in the room switched from Celestia, who was smiling brightly, back to me, who was slacked jawed dumbly. Even Cadence, the Princess of love, didn't see that one coming.

"S-S-Suitor?!" I gasped. "She's-"

"Yes." Celestia interrupted, giggling at my stupid grin. "And, the first suitor she's ever chosen. Now, I'm sure you'll be more than happy to accept the offer?"

Every single eye, including that of the staff who had heard passing by was on me. Even Cory was highly curious as to what I'd say, and apprehensive about it, too. If I said yes, then that meant I was here for good. It didn't matter though. I knew my answer, because quite frankly, it'd never come again in twenty lifetimes.

"Yes! Yes I accept!" I shouted happily making everyone, except Cory smile and applaud. Cory left the room quickly. "Cory?" I called out, but he didn't stop. "Cory!"

Octavia watched him leave and huffed. "Well, that was quite rude. You think his cousin being chosen as a suitor for the Princess would be wonderful news!"

Rarity stood next to her and nodded. "I know! Honestly, I don't know... Oh, wait. Yes I do..." She coughed awkwardly. Vinyl stepped forward, standing next to Octavia.

"What? Why would he be peeved about it?"

Twilight sighed and spoke for Rarity. "Because, they're from a different world. My friends and I are going to send them back, but Nathan is definitely going to stay now. Cory's just... hurt by his decision. I can understand why." She turned to me and frowned. "Think of everypony you're leaving behind."

I sighed and nodded. "I did. And I know they'll get along just fine knowing that I'm more happy than I ever could have hoped to be." I stated. This got Twilight to shrug, and Pinkie to beam brightly. I blinked and she was gone from her previous spot, jumping right at my face.

"Gah!" I gasped, scooting backwards. Pinkie smiled ear to ear.

"Hiya! I never got to introduce myself! My name's Pinkie Pie, and I saw you dancing and singing last night which led me to believe you really like parties, and I was thinking if you like parties so much, maybe we can team up all the time and make the best parties ever in Equestria because you seem to know how to have a good party and that makes me happy! So what do you say, do you wanna make awesome parties with me?!"

I chuckled and pat the mare on her poofy mane. "Hell yeah I'd like to make parties with you! But, right now, I got to go find my cousin." I sighed, climbing out from under Pinkie and out of the bed.

"Maybe it would be best to give him time alone, dear." Rarity suggested. I made my way for the door and turned back to the many ponies and Minotaur staring back at me.

"I really need to talk to him. Don't worry, I feel well enough to do so, and I know being alone with a problem never solves anything. I know, I've been there. I'll be back."

I hobbled out of the room and searched for Cory everywhere. Some doctors pointed me in the right direction, and I eventually was led to an outdoor courtyard. Cory was sitting on a bench in the middle, looking down at the coy pond at his feet. I made my way over to him and sat by his side.

"Gorgeous day, isn't it?" I asked. He took a deep breath and nodded. "Look, I know how you must feel-"

"No." Cory interrupted. "You really don't know how I feel. You just decided to stay, leave everyone behind, and shun your old life, the good and bad... Congrats on being picked as the Princess' suitor, by the way." He grumbled.

I chuckled and twiddled my thumbs. "Come on, at that point, how can you even be mad at me for wanting to stay?" I asked him. He smiled just a little bit, getting my point.

"I guess. But, you aren't at all weirded out that she's a pony and you're a human?" He asked curiously. I smiled and shook my head with over exaggeration.

"Not at all. I think she's beautiful, and she's got a great personality to boot. You found your love back home, and I found mine here. What if the rolls were reversed, Cory. Would you want to leave a life behind? A life you couldn't have anywhere else?"

Cory didn't know what to say at that point. What if the rolls were reversed, and he was asked to be the Suitor to a Princess? That opportunity doesn't come along very often. "I guess you have a point. Besides, it won't be a while until they figure out how to send us home. I guess it'll give you time to think on it."

"Cory... Fine, I'll think about it." I relented. Alright, so I really wasn't, but hey, I was happy, and he was somewhat happy for me. "So, let's go back to the Castle. I'm sure I'll have quite the welcome."

Cory smiled and pat me on the back. "I'm glad you're okay."

I copied him. "I'm glad, too. Now, let's go."

We left the hospital very happy that I was still in one piece. Vinyl, Octavia and Iron Horns had left once we exited the Hospital, leaving me, my cousin, the girls and Princess Celestia for the walk back. Yes, we walked back to the castle, enjoying the sights and the fresh summer air. Many ponies passing bowed respectfully to the Princess, which made me wonder something.

"Since Luna has made me her... suitor, does that mean I'm going to be bowed to as well?" I asked. Celestia giggled and looked at the ponies.

"Who knows, maybe they're bowing to you as well as I." She caught my smile and giggled again. "I'm just kidding. Nopony knows about it yet. But, you will be considered royalty after this."

"Sweet." Was all I could say as I donned a smug, shit eating grin on my face. Everyone laughed as we made our way to the gates of the castle, the guards bowing before Celestia.

"Your Highness, Royal Suitor." They said in unison. I turned to Celestia and arched a brow.

"Nobody knows, huh?" I asked sarcastically. Celestia shrugged and hummed to herself as we were let into the castle. One of the guards at the door stopped me.

"Excuse me, Royal Suitor? Princess Luna asked me to give you this." He said, handing me a rolled up scroll. "It's for your eyes only."

I nodded and excused myself from the group. The gang went their own way, talking about how Cory was going to get home, while I walked towards Luna's room, unfurling the scroll as I went.

My dearest Nathaniel,

I'm sorry I could not be there for when you awoke, but I had some duties that I needed to perform. I am overjoyed that you recovered so quickly. I thank Zecora every moment now. She gave me back the one thing in my long life I couldn't live without. I have a surprise for you in my chambers. Once you get here, you can excuse the guards at my door. We are not to be disturbed. And please, make sure you come alone.

Love,

Luna

I smiled and rolled up the scroll, placing it in my jeans pocket. I could only wonder what kind of surprise she had waiting for me; a dinner? A massage? I didn't know but I was more than eager to find out. I rounded the next corner to see Luna's large, black doors waiting for me, two guards standing at ridged attention.

I walked up to them and smiled. "You are excused, guards." I told them. They smiled and nodded to me.

"Yes, thank you, Royal Suitor." They said in unison, trotting off down the hall. I knocked on Luna's large door twice and waited with my hands behind my back.

"Thou may enter!" She called out. I opened the door and froze mid stride as I walked in. Shall I describe the scene to you? Of course I shall!

Luna laid reclined on the bed, surrounded by black rose petals. She wore a black silk bed dress and a pair of stockings on her hind and forelegs. Her ethereal mane was curled, falling loosely to her shoulders. Candles with blue flames lit the scene, accentuating the beautiful night Goddess perfectly.

"Come hither, Royal Suitor." She said, wagging her hoof towards me. I obeyed like a dog with a bone, going to her without question. "Tell me. Dost thou wish to actually be thine Royal Suitor?" She asked.

I climbed into the bed, leaning over her. I stared into those perfect orbs for eyes and smiled. "Nothing would make me happier than to be your suitor, Luna. And I'm flattered that I am your first."

Luna blushed and pulled me down on top of her. "Then it is official. You and I are together, and we are to be wed." She smiled. I was going to halt the breaks right then and there, and then the definition of suitor came to me. A man who pursues a relationship with a particular woman, with a view to marriage. Granted, it was kind of reverse, seeing as how the whole Suitor thing was thrust upon me at the spur of the moment, but I couldn't complain in the slightest. I was going to be wed to Princess Luna, ruler of the night. As Barny Stinson would say; 'Awesome!'

"So, marriage huh?" I asked as she began feverishly kissing my face and neck. She giggled and looked back at me.

"Oh, do not worry, dear. The wedding won't be for a couple of years. I don't want to thrust things upon you that won't make you comfortable." She assured. "Speaking of... Is this making you uncomfortable?" She loosened her grip around my neck slightly and fell back into the mattress.

I grinned and pecked her on the lips. "The only thing uncomfortable about this, is that my clothes are still on." I joked. Luna stifled a giggle and I could feel her magic tug at my clothing.

"Then let us remedy said situation."

SCORE!

Author's Note

HAHA! I leave you all with wanting boners! But, you won't have to wait long! I've decided that, since I have enough backlogged chapters, I'm going to update every Friday AND Monday!
Also, at 12 tonight, wish your dear Pegasi a happy birthday! I'M 21 BABY! I'mma get krunked and thunked, bitches!
Anywhore, enjoy this chapter, and the next one has so many lols, the lol police almost had to shut me down. See you monday! ^_^