Hello once again everypony, i have a few things to say before i begin the chapter, i hope you don't mind.

First of all, i am still looking for fanart for both of my stories and my oc's.

Second, i would like to thank everyone who has helped me with my work and given their support, your all awesome!

And lastly, I will give a spoiler at the beginning of chapter...twelve seems about right. I want to see in the reviews what you want to know the most. (No "how does the story end?", i'll only answer a reasonable question.)

Ok, that's all done now, let's get back to the story!

Chapter 9

So, this is being dead huh? it's not as bad as they make you think. I'm kind of just...floating. there's no light and i feel warm. It's strange really, you think i would be more upset by my own death, but I don't feel angry or...anything really..

"Hello...hello!" i guess when I'm dead I'm by myself forever. this is going to get really boring. then i hear a wet slapping...like boots on a slick tile floor.

Suddenly i hear voices around me, they sound like I'm underwater. I can feel a weight pressing down onto my chest. Isn't death supposed to be quiet and peaceful? what the hell's with all this noise?

"You idiot, you're not dead...I won't allow that." Who the hell was that?! suddenly the wet slapping stops, and i stop floating, falling to the floor.

I look up and I'm staring at a pair of black hiking boots, just like mine, except these are covered in...what appears to be blood. I also noticed they have large spikes on the sides and toe.

"You are pathetic, you know that!? If you had just let me kill that little shit you wouldn't be here now would you?" i get to my feet and look to the person speaking to me.

Well...this is just plain screwed up. It was like looking into a demented mirror, his clothes were tattered and bloodstained, almost all of it was black except for a white undershirt with scorch marks across the sides and chest.

"Who are you, and why are you in here? wherever here is." The burnt copy just laughed, not a pleasant laughing either, he sounded like an old man who smoked three packs of cigaretts a day..

"Wow, your dimmer then i thought huh? Why do you suppose you lose control when you fight? Who do you think is the one who takes the wheel?" He couldn't be serious...he was the one who made me...

"You bastard! I don't know how you got here, or how you can control me but i want you out RIGHT now!" He just starts up his wheezing, sickly laugh again.

"You damn fool, i can do these things because I'm YOU! I can make you fight, i can make you kill, i can make you STRONG. You can't get rid of me, I'm part of you. I've been here ever since those little heathens decided to do this to us!"

He pulled of the burnt shirt, showing a large scar going completely across his back. Unlike mine, his was festering and dirty, he never let it heal. "No...I don't care who you say you are!" suddenly i felt something being moved off me, i started to feel numb.

"Remember, I'm always going to be here. I'm what makes us strong, without me you would be DEAD! Hee hee hee hee hee ." *cough cough*

Then a light shines violently in my eyes and i find myself in a white room. "Good...he's recovered. We thought we lost you boy. Okay miss! you and your friends can come back in but please be gentle."

I was in a hospital bed with an elderly doctor standing next to me. "Why am i here sir? I'm not sure what happened after the fight..." the doctor began to speak as the door burst open, revealing six mares with varying levels of concern, relief and anger.

I also saw Cake and Trent trailing behind, they seemed to have been torn a new one by the girls, and i was about to get the same treatment. Before i could start explaining myself a yellow object came hurtling towards my bed.

"Fluttershy slow down!" i placed my hands out to defend myself from the emotional Pegasus, but to no avail. she collided with my chest and my vision faded as i heard her whimpering turn into unintelligible apologies.

Ok, am i dead now? I find myself in a hospital only to get my chest caved in by Fluttershy?! that's not how i pictured going out. I could feel a light smack on the side of my face, i was slowly coming back from flutter's moch two tackle.

"Please...never...do that again." it hurt slightly to speak. I could hear my breathing, wheezy and raspy. It mainly hurt in my thigh, i had no clue why, Fluttershy hadn't landed anywhere near here.

I rubbed Fluttershy's shoulder to assure her i was ok and looked down at my leg. It was propped up and i could see a bandage going from my knee to my groin.

There was a red mark seeping through the bandage, around five inches long and one inch wide. I craned my neck and saw a smaller, circular mark on the other side of my leg."That's going to leave a mark." i said with a dry chuckle.

"So, i guess that smug prick got me good huh? I was careless, thought that armor made me fucking invincible." I was angry at myself, i was stupid and let my guard down. Now i would have a limp for a month to remember my mistake.

As much as i hated to admit it, that Blast guy wasn't all talk. He was good, almost killed me. I didn't like how he insulted my father's teachings, but maybe i could stand talking to him again.

The girls looked happy to see me awake and seemed anxious to say something. Fluttershy was still sitting on my stomach, curled up, resting her head against my chest. "It's fine everypony, I'm not upset, you can go ahead and talk."

The guys came from the back, Cake was the first to speak "I think it would be easiest to explain how you ended up here. After you passed out and Blast had stumbled away, we split up, I stayed to try to help you and Trent ran for help."

Then Trent picked up the conversation "I went to Twilight's house and asked her to come with me, i thought she could close your wound and teleport you to the hospital. It turns out the wound was too big for her to close and she had to teleport you here, hoping they could help in time."

Now the doctor spoke up "It was strange enough having you suddenly appear at our front desk with blood pouring from your leg. Thankfully we were able to stitch it closed while you slept, the scarring should be minimal."

That was some good news, i had enough scars to grimace at. "So...Is there any permanent damage doctor?" I was nervous that this wound had torn a major muscle, making my leg useless.

"You must have the princess herself looking after you, the shrapnel missed any major tendons. You should be walking fine, It will be sore for a few weeks though." I could deal with that.

"So, that explains what happened to me. What else did you girls want to tell me?" They looked nervous, maybe what they wanted to say was private? I called the Doctor over and asked him if he could give us some time alone.

He left, saying he would be back in ten minute."Ok, so what's the big deal girls? you all seem really stirred up by something." All of the other girls were visibly uncomfortable but it was Fluttershy that worried me.

I could feel her shaking, she wanted to say something but she was scared to speak up. I tilted her head so she was looking at me "What's wrong Fluttershy? I can tell your upset."

She spoke in a whisper that was hard for even me to hear "...Is...Is It true? What I heard in the market today." I had no clue what she was talking about, but it must have been something serious to shake Fluttershy up so bad.

"What do you mean Flutter? Is what true?" She looked to me, she had tears welling in her eyes, but she didn't seem...sad.

"I heard some mares talking in the market. They said that they had heard a story from Aloe of a human and a nurse getting intimate in the hospital. Please tell me, is this true?"

I felt so bad, her voice was cracking and i could see the others were all looking at the floor, everypony seemed troubled by this. "I won't lie to you Fluttershy, It's true."

At this she seemed to lose some of her edge "Why? You haven't been in Ponyville that long. Have you already fallen in love with a mare?" With the last sentence she looks down, avoiding all eye contact with me.

"No, i don't love her or any other mare Fluttershy. I accepted her offer to see if a physical relationship with someone, or somepony that i is so very different from myself would be possible."

I stroke Fluttershy's mane gently "And i think I'm just fine with it." she seems to have calmed down, the other girls are looking around, rather embarrassed.

"I know it's not a reason to be proud of, but i needed to know i would be comfortable with it if I'm going to be staying in Equestria. You all don't expect me to live my life alone do you?"

I see the girls face all turn a shade of pink at this comment, besides Pinkie, who has smiled gleefully through the entire conversation. "I...I understand, and I'm happy you've made your decision."

Fluttershy looks up at me with her adorable, soft blue eyes and I can feel my insides just melt. "Thanks Flutter, that means a lot to me.I'm happy I had the chance to tell you. By the way how long have I been out?"

The girls return their attention to the floor and grow silent, finally Cake walks up and places his hoof on my shoulder "The fight with Blast was nearly three days ago. you were borderline for the first day because of how much blood you lost."

This came as a shock, i had been laid up in bed for three days! Would i lose my job, or what about helping FallenStar? "Well, i have a lot to catch up on huh?"

Twilight clears her throat to get my attention "Actually, you should be just fine. Rarity and i had a discussion with Aloe and Lotus to alert them of your condition." Well that was a relief, i thought i was out of a job.

"Girls, there was something i wanted to ask, and Flutter please don't take this personally, but are there any houses with vacancies around here? I think it's about time i stop mooching off Fluttershy and support myself."

"Yeah, I know plenty ah places y'all could stay. there are even a few that i bet ya'll could afford without no trouble." Leave it to Applejack to know just who to see when you need anything.

Flutter was about to protest, but i stopped her, i was pretty sure i already knew what she was going to say "No Fluttershy, i need to learn to stand on my own two feet, so to speak. Thank you for all your help."

I pull her tightly against my chest, i would miss seeing her every morning and having the comfort of her home cooked meals, but i needed to be an adult and get my own place to live."I'll still see you as much as you want, though I'll miss you living with you Fluttershy. You were the first pony to accept me, you're a wonderful friend."

Fluttershy was trembling against me, i could feel my hospital gown getting wet where her head was resting "You shouldn't cry Flutter, this isn't goodbye. I won't leave you Fluttershy, cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye."

I used the same promise i had heard a while ago, using the arm not pinned by Fluttershy's body to act out the motions. "Now please stop crying Fluttershy, you look so much better when you smile." i pulled myleg out of the sling.

I held Fluttershy to my body, she didn't weigh much, but my legs were wobbly as i stood with the Pegasus in my arms "What are you doing?! the doctor had just came back in and saw me stand carrying Fluttershy.

"You said my leg would be fine right? i'm leaving and i think this one needs to calm down before i let her walk anywhere." i walked past the doctor with a polite nod, all my friends following closely behind.

"I realised I'm wearing a glorified bed sheet, where are my clothes? While were on that subject what happened to my sword and all my armor?"

"All your armor and your sword was brought to the smith's to be repaired. as for your clothes..." Twilight didn't seem excited to finish her sentence as she indicated Rarity.

"Yes, i had the doctors take your clothes off, i left once they got your armor off. I took your clothes and disposed of them, they were too filthy and soaked with blood to fix." that sounded like a very Rarity thing to do.

At least i now knew why i woke up in a barely covering piece of cloth. "Rarity, would you mind escorting Fluttershy home? I would normally walk her this late at night, but i was hoping AJ would take me house shopping."

I excused myself to go find an extra pair of clothes, luckily the girls had left one in my room for the doctors to change me into. i swapped out of the gown and got back to AJ.

Rarity agreed and walked towards Flutter's cottage, both of them saying goodbye. "So AJ, any places you recommend?" she nodded and led me off towards Sugarcube Corner.

"Zach...you should know we was all worried about ya. Thought you were going to be taking a dirt sleep, to tell you the truth..." I stopped in my tracks and looked at Applejack's had kept her composure in the hospital but she was starting to crack.

"AJ, i don't plan on dying anytime soon, so don't worry about that now. What i want you to do is knock some sense into me the next time i try something stupid, ok?" she laughed and we kept on walking, leaving the tense moment behind us.

We went past Sugarcube corner and had ended up in a part of Ponyville i had never seen before. if i had to describe it i would have said "Downtown". There were several houses and apartments with "For Rent" signs.

There was a mare standing on the side of the road, she had very risqué clothes and heavy makeup. As AJ and I walked by she called out to us "Hey, if you're looking for some company honey, i'll treat you right!" Wow...didn't expect those types of neighborhoods to be here as well. I guess there are slums everywhere, even Equestria.

"Hey Applejack, why did you pick a place here? I mean, this doesn't seem like the best of places to live." She looked at me and stopped walking, she was thinking it over.

"I thought ya'll didn't have much bits, so i picked one of the cheaper places i know. Besides the ponies may be a little different then the rest of Ponyville, but they are purty safe."

She was right, i was tight for finances, so I couldn't rally complain about what i got. "So, is this the place?" Applejack nodded, it was a large apartment complex with red paint and yellow window frames.

Besides the disgusting color combination, it didn't seem that bad. It was only a twenty-minute walk from Sugarcube Corner and another fifteen from there to the spa. Not to mention all the colorful clubs, restaurants and stores i had nearby.

Granted some of them were better off avoided, i still had plenty to do nearby and a short walk to work. "Thanks AJ, I owe you one for this. let me know if you need anything alright?" Applejack tipped her hat and walked back toward the center of town.

I had two hundred and thirty bits to my name, that would need to be enough for rent, utilities and personal use. I walked inside the apartment complex, i looked around the first floor and found the land mare's room.

"Hello, I'm here to ask about your vacant room!" I was knocking on her door while calling, i only had to wait a minute or so before an older mare answered the door. by human standards she would be in her mid forties.

"What do you want?! Why you coming...so...late?" she slowly turned her tired eyes up at me, she must have just gotten up because her mane was messy and she hadn't showered.

"Hello miss, my name is Zach, i was just discharged from the hospital today and decided i should find an affordable place to stay. You still have a vacancy correct?"she was baffled at the sight of me.

I guess i would be too if i was a pony and saw a six-foot hairless app come in and ask for a room. "I promise i have bits, so can i please discuss the rent?" she beckoned me into her room, her mouth still slightly agape.

It didn't take too long, she had me sign a paper that stated i had agreed to pay the monthly rent of eighty-five bits, (all utilities included) which was reasonable from what i heard from AJ.

"Thank you ma'am, i'll move my stuff over here tomorrow. Have a good night's sleep." i walked out of her room with my wallet much lighter. I had paid the next two months in advance, leaving me with sixty bits for myself.

In truth, i wouldn't have much to move over anyway, just my clothes and my gear. I would still need help lugging the armor down here, that stuff was not light.

I looked at the clock, it was only seven-thirty. I figured i might as well go out and see what there was to do around here, get my mind off that bit of craziness in the hospital. Must have been the blood loss that made me have that nightmare. That was a nightmare right?

After i got outside I noticed someone familiar across the street. "Hey Trent! What are you doing here?" I ran to the unicorn, he looked surprised to see me.

"I was wondering the same thing. I never saw you down this way before, why you so far out of the center of Ponyville?" I told him the place i had moved into was just nearby.

"That's a surprise, i figured you would have picked a nicer place than this, then again you don't got much for bits do ya? Anyway, wanna go out with me? Always more fun hitting a club with a friend."

I had nothing else to do and i figured Trent would know the fun spots better than most, he was crazy about partying. "Why not, I've got nothing planned."

I let Trent lead the way to a large, dark building. There was a neon sign in front depicting a...dancing mare. The club was called the Spiked Stallion. "You're not giving me a boost of confidence here man."

But before i had even finished my sentence, Trent had already walked inside, past the bouncer.I followed closely behind him, not wanting to just be waiting around with nothing to do.

I stepped past the bouncer as well, he gave me an odd stare as i walked through the door, but didn't stop me. I looked around for some where to sit and found a bar with some open space.

I looked at the stage and saw mares and stallions alike, dressed in straps and cloth, dancing provocatively on large metal poles. Don't ask me how they learned to do that...

I take a seat on one of the bar stools, it's short so my legs are cramped. "Hey buddy, what can i get ya?" the bar mare asks while serving a light brown liquid to a tipsy looking mare.

The mare shoots the drink down and asks for another, her coat was white with black on her legs, her mane was red. Her mark was covered up by some weird clothing she was wearing.. Getting smashed at the bar. Too bad, she's gonna hate this tomorrow.

"I'll just take an orange blossom please." The bar mare looks at me like i just asked for a glass of pickled fish heads. I forgot, this is Equestria, they probably don't have the same idiots making up drinks here.

"Well, give me anything you recommend then, just don't break my wallet ok?" She gave a knowing smile and nodded, moving behind the counter and grabbing several bottles, mixing their contents in a metal shaker glass and pouring it out with a wink.

"Here, that's star cream. only eight bits." I had no clue if that was fair, but i paid it anyway. I wanted to forget about that horrid dream this morning, and this would do it. Hopefully, or it might kill me, who knows?

I take the drink out in one go. "That was good, tasted like a cream soda mixed with some coffee liquor, I don't suppose you would tell me what you put in that?" She just smiled and shook her head.

"Sorry sweety, I'm afraid that's my own personal blend. Can't have customers knowing my secret ingredient." I could feel the mixture hitting me already, i was buzzed but i would be able to get home.

Suddenly the waitress mare nudged me in the arm "Hey, would you minnnd escorting mmme hommme? I thinnnk i *hic* had too much and i'mmm *hic* not sure i cannn walk there mmmyself."

She was slurring her words horribly, but i would feel really bad if I just told her no. "Sure, where do you live?" She described the same building i had just moved into today.

We get up and make our way out, i wave goodbye to Trent as i leave. when we make it outside i decide to try and make some idle conversation."So, what's your name."

"I'm Ssssscales, DragonScales. Though all my friends call me Sssshelby," We make it back to the apartment building, by now the drink has effectively knocked me on my ass. I'm slurring almost as bas as Shelby.

"Ummm...I hate to be a burden, but i don't have my key..." Well that sucks, i had my key in my pocket, i figured i could invite her in, shouldn't be a problem right?

How did you guys like that one? I know that was some serious shit at the beginning, that was just a little back story fluffing.

Now Shelby is owned by my good friend ShelbyDragonScales75.

I hope to see plenty of reviews and stuff, have an awesome day. I'll see you all next chapter!