"My Little Airman pt 40 Hard to Kill"
By PonyAirman (https://pastebin.com/u/PonyAirman)

URL: https://pastebin.com/d65k1HUK
Created on: Thursday 6th of December 2012 04:32:59 PM CDT
Retrieved on: Monday 26 of October 2020 04:39:31 AM UTC


Part 40 Hard to Kill

>Slowly gaining consciousness, you wake up warm, but barely able to move
>You're in a bed, comfortable and soft
>Turning your head, you see a heart rate monitor, an IV, other medical equipment...
>There's an oxygen mask over your nose and mouth
>Weakly moving the bed sheet, you're dressed as a patient, and have some padding where your chest wound was
>How bad did it get?
>Better yet, why did they let you live?
>You've got nowhere to go right now, you're too weak to do anything, and you lack the motivation to leave
>At least your sight and hearing are back
>Though you're the kind of person that hates to lie around and do nothing, doing exactly that feels...refreshing
>You turn the other way, and see two things of interest
>First, a window with the sun in it. How beautiful it is to be living, to see another day
>The light feels warm and pleasant
>The second thing in your view is Twilight Sparkle lying on a small couch, sleeping
>She still cares for you? Or is there another reason?
>You turn your head back straight, staring at the ceiling
>You swear you've been in this exact room every time you've ended up at the hospital
>Why do you live on, knowing your men have been killed?
>How is it that every attempt to end your life has failed?
>What can you do?
>...
>"Anon?"
>That small voice breaks your train of thought
>Somehow, you feel more comforted and safe
>Instantly, you're in a better mood
>Must be the painkillers
>You slowly look towards her, and give a weak smile
Hey...Twi...light...
>Talking hurts man
>Every syllable or two takes a breath
>She springs immediately to your bedside
>Sweetly, she lays her head next to yours
What...hap..pend?
>She looks in your eyes
>"Anon, you've been in a coma for three weeks. I knew you wouldn't be gone for long!"
No...I mean...
>She gives you those big, Twilight Sparkle eyes
>It distracts you, and you forget what you were going to say, so you speak the first thing that comes to mind
Twi...light...I've done...some...bad things...
>"I know. But you've also done many good deeds."
>She buries her head in your shoulder, careful of your chest wound
>Lightly, you pat her head
What's...going to...happen?
>"I can answer that, Captain Anon."
>That voice...you haven't heard it in a long time
>Shining Armor comes into the room
>His face is long, appearing regretful and tired
>He continues "You have been found innocent of intentional wrong-doing. Princess Celestia has ordered your immediate release, and as you can see, you're being treated for the injuries you've received."
>You look to him
What...all...my injuries?
>Did that come out right?
>That sounded a little...off
>Whatever, painkillers
>Regardless, he understood what you meant
>"The gravest of your wounds is the one in your chest. It was there when we apprehended you, correct?"
>You nod
>"That one...well, when the doctors looked at it, they were surprised you were still alive. By the time you got there, not only was it infected, but your left lung was collapsed. How you could still do all that is a miracle."
It...wasn't easy..
>"The other injuries you had include some broken ribs, your right thigh was dislocated, and plenty of second degree burns. I don't know how you were able to walk back to the castle, let alone your cell."
>You sigh
Chrysalis...helped...
>His expression becomes more uncomfortable
>"Anon, I truly am sorry for everything we did to you. Myself, especially. I treated you with disrespect and contempt, when there was clearly something strange happening. It was conduct unbecoming of an officer, and the most shameful act I've ever done."
>He's very clearly distraught about thinking ill of you
>Not really too bad; You know of worse actions taken against you
Shining...Armor...you're fine...Not your fault...
>He looks a little better, but you know he's not feeling much better
>Words really cannot console a man...er...stallion when he feels his honor has been tarnished
>Time to change subject a little
What happened...to my...troops? Their...bodies?
>That gave enough of a distraction to him
>"We brought them back, and were about to bury them with the highest military honors we could give when the dragon attacked. After we witnessed your...sacrifice, I decided to hold off on their interment. When you are able to... You can give them the honors they deserve. Please, tell their story."
>You owed them much more than that, but that's all you can do for them
>Star Shine, Lucky, Blazin' Blue, Lightning Strike...
>They are much more deserving of life than you are...
>Certainly, you deserve to be the one-
>Stop
>That thinking is destructive in nature
>You have your own demons to face, you can't be against yourself as well
>Painkillers... man, they're helping you fight your depression
>You nod to him, and he lowers his head in a sort-of respectful bow
>"I must inform the princesses that you've regained consciousness. I'm sure they'll visit you soon."
I...underst..and
>Shining Armor turns and exits the room, leaving you and Twilight Sparkle alone
>It suddenly occurs to you that the mention of Chrysalis didn't bother him
>Why is that? And how do they know of your innocence now? And of your attempted sacrifice?
>This must be why you're in a hospital, instead of a cell
>It is at this time, you notice a stand on your right
>On it, is a ton of flowers and cards, wishing you well and the like
>Those ponies...They must all care about you again
>You wonder for a second if Twilight ever stopped
>As she's still got her head gently rubbing against yours, you doubt it
>You must have hurt her when she saw you in the cell, but you know she's strong
>Still...
Twi..light...I'm...sorry for...hurting you
>She whispers in your ear "I'm past that, Anon. I've already forgiven you for everything. Don't you think you should start to forgive yourself?"
>Huh
>That's some rather insightful thinking
>Only Twilight would say something like that
>The concept, though attractive, will take a LOT of time
>You did lose four of the greatest soldiers you've ever commanded
>You respond to her by pushing your head against hers gently, returning her affection
>"Ahem"
>That voice...Well, fuck it. You're the hero, you deserve some time with Twilight Sparkle
>Though you try to continue, Twilight pulls back
>"Princess! We're glad to see you."
>You look, expecting to see that bright, multi-colored mane
>Instead, you see a darker, yet still ethereal mane
>Princess Luna walks into the room, looking somber
>"I am glad to see you both as well. Captain Anon, are you comfortable?"
>Well, at least she's concerned
>And talking normally?!
>You gently nod, and motion her closer
>As she walks towards your bed, you ask her
Where...Celes...tia...?
 >"I'm sorry, Captain. She's not here right now."
Why...?
>"My sister is...a bit reclusive right now. She heard the news of your health, but couldn't bring herself down. She feels so much guilt about the events that have transpired."
How...d-
>"How do we know?"
>She lowers her gaze
>"Anon, please try to put yourself in my sister's shoes. After murdering those ponies in a blind rage, we were terrified of what you could do. Especially being the only...human... in Equestria, we had no idea what you would do. Fear...it caused both of us to over-react. We hoped to never see you again."
>Her eyes drop even more, avoiding yours
>"When you crossed the border, we were paranoid that you had come back to kill again, this time with an army. She was the one who decided the only action we could take was to execute you. Of course, the dragon interrupted preparations, and you did something neither of us thought you'd do; come to save the day again."
>She comes a little closer, now making eye contact
>"Despite the judgment Celestia passed down on you, you went on to save Equestria, risking your life for a country that had condemned you."
>Her eyes start to tear	
>"She was so confused by your actions, she couldn't help but be suspicious. She grabbed you, and when you rolled off her back..."
>She sniffles
>"There was never any danger of you falling to your death, as long as we were around, Anon. When you passed out, we carried you as far as we could before you started to wake. My sister...She was so curious... She was paranoid that you were faking, so she disguised herself as Chrysalis, and tried to tempt you."
>Another sniffle
>"Celestia...we agreed that reading the minds of others was forbidden, for it could severely damage the read mind, but your refusal made her desperate. When she saw your...tragedy...she couldn't do it anymore. She let you climb back to the castle, allowing you to walk the castle as a hero, though you didn't know it at the time."
>Those tears start rolling down
>"Anon, you are the definition of a hero. I am so very sorry for everything we've done to you. I know it's no excuse, but please try to understand that we were afraid."
>You nod
>You already assumed this
>She goes on
>"We were just trying to protect our citizens. Ever since Discord returned, we've been on edge with anything unknown showing up."
>That part interests you
Dis..cord?
>"Yes, Anon. A draconequus, Discord is the physical embodiment of chaos."
>That sends a chill down your spine
>That sentence...was enough to make you feel uncomfortable
>"It was only a few months before you arrived that he escaped from his stone imprisonment. After Twilight Sparkle and her friends wielded the Elements of Harmony to seal him in stone, my sister and I swore we would better protect our citizens. We had very little patience for anything that seemed to be a threat to Equestria."
>Luna looks away, unable to maintain eye-contact
>Who's this Discord? Why does his description leave your heart racing?
>Unaware of the internal freakout you're having, she continues
>"We realize now that we were wrong about you. You are more than worthy of our trust and respect."
>Slowly, she moves towards the door, looking conflicted about leaving or staying
>"Anon, I have other matters to attend to, but please know that your every need will be taken care of. Please, stay strong."
Wai...t...Prin..cess..
>That stops her in place
What...abo..ut...killing...
>She replies "I've stated it before, but you're forgiven for that night. You were not behaving on your own accord."
No...Mean...if...happen....again...how...not...
>That time she understood you
>"I'm sorry, I forgot to mention that. Twilight will be taking care of that."
>She leaves, confusing you
Twi...light...what...
>She starts to cuddle with you
>That warm snuggle from her relaxes you
>"I'm going to be researching the cause of...well...what caused you to lose control. I suspect it is related to your magical powers. I'll take care of it, don't you worry!"
>Though relaxed, you're still a bit discomforted
>It's still about that...draconequus thing
Dis..cord...
>"Hmm?"
I'm...scared...Discord...
>"Oh, him? You have nothing to fear from him. The Elements of Harmony are stronger than his chaos."
>That does absolutely nothing to comfort you
>"I almost forgot! Your airplane was recovered in near perfect condition. It practically glided back to the castle."
>Perhaps she had sensed that you were at unease, and said what she could
>It worked. You were less anxious after learning the fate of your F-22
>She must really know you well
>You attempt to move over to give her space on your bed
>As injured as you are, you fail
>She smiles, though, knowing your intentions
>As Twilight's horn glows, you feel yourself levitate slightly, moving to the right side of the bed
>After she places you gently down, she carefully climbs up in your bed, and lies next to you
>Her soft, warm fur against your face full of cuts and bruises is enough to make you sleepy
>Slowly drifting, you feel at peace with the world again
>Perhaps you had worked off your bad karma
>Hopefully, life will just let you stay here with Twilight Sparkle
>That's all you need in life now
>She's the best thing that ever happened to you, and she's back
>You melt in her embrace, and right as you start to fall, you hear her whispering
>"Please don't ever leave me again. You're everything to me."
>Let the good times roll...