My heart shattered the moment I stepped into the observation room of Ponyville Hospital where doctors and nurses were swarming around the now unconscious Scarlet. Celestia, Luna, and Angel were beside me, the latter still covered in blood. Gemini was also beside me, and she was actually wrapping a tail around me in a rare gesture of support. I looked down at her, and the look she gave me back reminded me of those sad dog videos on YouTube. Her ears were splayed, eyes wide with sorrow, and mouth shut tightly. She pulled on my waist more with her tail.

Behind me, I felt a large and warm wing placed on my back. I looked back and saw the now white with fire red tipped wings that belonged to Celestia. Her eyes were full of reassurance as she said, "I've brought the best doctors in from Canterlot for her and the Giraffe cow you brought. They'll know what to do."

I took little comfort from that. Miora's injuries, while just as severe as Scarlet's, had been caused by an arbalest's bolt, but Scarlet's had been caused by a smoothbore matchlock musket. It wasn't exactly the same, and bullet wounds hadn't ever been seen before on Narda until today. Nobody on Narda could…

My thoughts cut off abruptly as my eyes widened. "Nobody on Narda…" I muttered.

"Jethro?" Celestia looked at me curiously.

I looked up at the princess with eyes wide, now full of hope. "I'll be right back!" I shouted as I turned and ran out of the hospital.

As I did so, I nearly ran into the Mane Six and Spike who were just arriving. "Jethro, we just-whoa!" Twilight exclaimed as I rushed past them.

"Where are y'all goin'?!" Applejack called out.

"I'm going to try and get help!" I shouted back as I spread my wings and flew into the sky, ignoring the biting cold and the small snow flurry that was falling. I could barely hear Fluttershy's screams of shock as she, presumably, saw the state Angel was in.

When I landed in front of the large barn-shaped structure in my backyard, Zecora was just walking out of the front door. She ran back to me as I unlocked the gate. "I just heard what happened to Scarlet, love," she said. "How's she doing?"

"Not good," I admitted, "but I'm going to try and find help."

"Help from where?" she asked.

"Help from Earth," I explained hastily as I pulled the large door open, revealing the Stargate. I turned to her. "If she wakes up before I return, tell her I went to try and get help."

"I will, dearest," Zecora said as she spread her own wings and flew into the air, heading towards the hospital.

I looked towards the Stargate, its watery mirrored surface moving slowly. I approached the gate, and pushed my hand through-

-just as a ball of fur tackled me and Gemini and I tumbled through the Stargate.

I shot out of the massive statue of King Arthur, tumbling with my unanticipated fellow interdimensional traveler onto a large patch of snow. My face was buried in said snow, and I heard a familiar voice grumbling. I pushed myself out of the snow and turned, only to see a human face looking back at me. If it wasn't for her teal eyes, I wouldn't have recognized her. "Gemini? The fuck are you doing here?"

Gemini, having passed through the Stargate, had now become human. Her hair was slightly wavy, brown with naturally lighter brown highlights. Her skin tone was darker than I would have anticipated, almost a honey color. She wore a pair of black jeans, a thick fur coat with a fur lined hood, and wore fingerless gloves. There was a large hunting knife strapped to her belt. Despite what she was wearing, I could tell that in her human form she was muscular. She reached out and grabbed me by my coat and hoisted me to my feet, then slammed me onto the ground, fury etched into her now human features. "What are you thinking, abandoning your mate in a time of need?!" she asked with a hiss.

I grabbed her by the wrists. "Nobody on Narda knows how to treat a gunshot wound," I snapped back, "and I've been treated by someone locally here! I need to find him and bring him back! That way, there's a better chance of saving Scarlet!"

"Jethro? That you over there?" a familiar voice called from just out of sight. We both looked up and I saw Jackie walking over, a pile of wood in her arms. Wood which she dropped when she saw what was going on. "Let go of 'im right now!"

"Relax! She's with me!" I shouted before Jackie could do anything foolish.

Gemini stood up, then hoisted me to my feet none too gently. "This had better be important, Your Grace," she said, using the title like a weapon. "Your mate lies dying and you travel elsewhere?"

Jackie's eyes widened in alarm. "Yer mate?" she asked. "What's goin' on back there?"

"Scarlet got shot by a musket," I hastily explained. "Is Mac around?"

Jackie didn't hesitate. She pulled out her phone and hastily dialed someone. Putting the phone to her ear, she waited, then when someone responded, she spoke. "Mac, it's Jackie. Jethro's here and needs yer medical help…someone got shot in Equestria…ah know, but he looks desperate…alright, I'll give him the phone." She turned and handed the phone to me. "He's tendin' tah somethin' on the other side of the farm, but he wants tah talk to ya."

Nodding, I took the phone and held it up to my ear. "Mac, I know this is super sudden, but I could really use your help," I said, feeling the desperation flowing out of me more and more.

There was a small pause, and then, "What kind of help?"

Mac's tone sounded calmer than mine, and I felt myself growing unusually angry at his seeming nonchalance. "Scarlet got shot by a bullet. I need your help to treat her! Please! You helped that doctor treat me when I got shot!"

"I just helped him," Mac replied. "I'm not the expert you think I am."

"There are doctors in Equestria who have magic and know what they're doing," I said, finding myself stumbling over my words as my thoughts rambled. "You can help them just by telling them what they should do! Please! She got shot in the stomach! I can't lose her!"

The pause on the other end felt like an eternity, but then I heard a sigh. "I'll be there as soon as I can," he said, "but I need to grab some medical books from my room first."

"Please hurry!" I pleaded, eyes wide and tears threatening to fall.

"I will." And with that, he hung up.

Several minutes later, almost ten, Mac came up, dressed warmly and carrying a backpack that looked stuffed with books. Gemini had spent the entire time there trying to calm me down, but it wasn't working. When I saw Mac approaching, it took everything within me not to grab him and shove him through the portal to Equestria. "You ready?" I asked frantically.

"As ready as I'll ever be," he said.

"Then let's go!" I grabbed Gemini's hand, which a small part of me noted was surprisingly warm, and rushed back through the portal.

I sat in the lobby of the hospital several hours later, sitting on a chair and staring down at the floor. Zecora sat to my right, Spike in front of me watching YouTube videos on my phone, Gemini on my left, and the rest of the Mane Six around me, almost in a protective huddle. Angel, who was still in his Anthro form and now wrapped in a warm blanket, lay next to Spike and was watching the video alongside him. I was surprised that the two had actually hit it off, after the shock of hearing an actual bunny talk wore off, of course.

As for Fluttershy, though, she'd been so distraught by what could have happened to her precious pet bunny that when she scolded me and Angel, her words tumbled out of her so fast that she didn't make sense. Afterwards, she apologized for everything, but I reassured her that everything was okay. I had deserved it. Celestia and Luna had gone back to Canterlot already to recover from their use of magic from earlier, but had promised to return as soon as they could.

The past few hours had been a blur, first of hasty activity, and now just silent waiting. Mac, after getting used to his new Anthro form, had gone to the hospital with me and Gemini. After I explained the situation to the surprised doctors, Mac put on a surgical mask and gloves, along with a large smock the hospital provided for him, and got to work helping. The reports I kept getting from Nurse Redheart kept saying that things were inconclusive yet. She was bleeding internally and had lost a lot of blood as a result.

The doctors, having never operated on an Anthro before, had been at a loss until Mac came and began guiding them. I made a mental note to thank Twilight for having suggested a full medical scan of me and Zecora to compare, since it had been discovered that, with very minor differences, the scans were remarkably similar. Zecora's internal organs were nearly identical to a human female's with the exception of the stomach, which was exactly where Scarlet had been hit, sadly. The bullet had been removed without any incident, but now the doctors were looking for any other shrapnel and tears inside her to plug. According to the nurse, Mac's help had been a Godsend, although she'd used the term Celestiasend.

Spike looked up at me, his green eyes full of worry. "Are you okay?" he asked timidly. It hadn't been the first time he'd asked, and in my exhausted and terrified state, I found myself growing more and more irritated with the young drake.

Still, I kept my temper in check as best as I could and sighed. "Like I said before, not really," I replied.

"Hey, that Pegasus will be fine," Angel said with a grin. "She's a fucking survivor."

"Angel Bunny! Language!" Fluttershy scolded him.

He flinched a bit, then nodded. "Sorry, Mom."

Fluttershy nodded. "Good kit."

Spike stood and wrapped his arms around me, holding me. "She'll make it," he said before he broke the hug.

"Of course she will," Applejack said. "That there mare's a fighter. If she can survive in that old haunted mansion fer years, then she can pull through here."

Fluttershy walked over to me, put her hooves on my knees, and stood to nuzzle me reassuringly. "She'll make it," she said with a smile.

"She's a tough bitch," Rainbow said with a smirk.

"Darling, language!" Rarity chided her before turning to me. "Still, everypony's right, dear. She'll pull through."

"I wish I could get my hooves on that Lycan bitch, though," Rainbow said, her expression dark and her teeth clenched. "I'd show her a thing or two about hurting one of my friends and one of my two best students."

"Git in line, Rainbow," Applejack said equally as darkly, eyes narrowed.

"You two won't get the chance," Gemini said, teeth barred and snarling with rage. "I'll tear her throat and heart out and make Amethyst eat both!"

"That's enough, everyone." Twilight said, trying to calm everyone in a tone she probably hoped was reasonable. Since she hadn't become quite as neurotic as she eventually became in the show, she still was more of a voice of reason. "We can't do anything about it now."

Just then, the front door to the hospital opened. We all turned, then saw a younger and smaller looking Giraffe walking in. Fluttershy saw her first, and her eyes widened. "Clementine? What are you doing here?"

The Giraffe looked around, then spotted me. She rose up taller, then spoke. Unlike Miora, her voice was higher pitched and younger. "Where is my fellow Giraffe?" she asked.

"Still in surgery, last I heard," I replied, ignoring the shocked faces of those who weren't quite in the know. "They won't let anyone see her, yet."

"I see," the younger Giraffe said, nodding. She then walked over to an empty chair and took a seat. "Then I will wait."

Nobody spoke for a good long while, until Fluttershy, who still had her hooves on my legs, looked up at me. "They…can talk?"

"Later," I said. I then looked back over at Clementine. Switching to the Hum, I quickly said, "Please extend my most sincere apologies for what has transpired to your elders as well as a well wish for a full recovery."

"You honor me by speaking in the Hum," Clementine replied, "and I will relay your words and well wishes. Thank you."

"You're welcome," I replied. "If she does not make it, may she forever walk in the Fields of Golden Grass where she may gain her eternal reward."

"In the One-In-All's name, I agree," Clementine replied with a respectful nod.

"Was that a song you two were singing?" Twilight asked.

"Later, please," I pleaded.

"It must have been some sort of language," Fluttershy replied.

Why that particular sentence made me snap will forever confuse me, but it did. I stood sharply, fists clenched. "I need some air," I said through clenched teeth, and before anyone could say anything, I stormed out into the winter night.

The moon was in its waxing crescent phase, its silvery light glistening off of freshly fallen snow. I sat on a bench after wiping the snow off of it, head in my hands. I had never felt this terrified with my parents' deaths or my Trixie's descent. Maybe it was because, unlike their deaths, Scarlet's was still uncertain. I was terrified of feeling too much hope only to have it snatched away from me. Life's been good to me in many ways since I came here, I thought, so I guess Murphy had to step in and fuck things up. I had it too good.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear the footsteps crunching through the snow as they approached. I was only aware of the presence of the unexpected guest when he spoke. "Shiiit…that was quite the fucking scene in there," Angel said.

"Go away, Angel," I said without looking up, "I'm not in the mood."

However, instead of leaving, I felt someone hop up onto the bench. I looked up to see the form of Angel, still wearing the blanket around him like a cloak, narrowing his eyes at me. He thumped onto the bench. "Listen here," he said, pointing a finger at me, "I won't tolerate anyone, monkey or pony, making Fluttershy cry! You left her and the others so fast that she almost cried."

Well, now I feel like a heel, I thought, the pit in my stomach deepening. "I…I'm not angry at her," I said softly.

"Could have fucking fooled me," the diminutive Anthro rabbit kit said.

I looked away, feeling foolish for being chastised by a rabbit of all creatures. My mind was a jumble and I couldn't straighten anything out. I clenched my teeth. "I can't lose her…"

"You don't have a monopoly on losing family," Angel said, and the tone in his voice had grown oddly sympathetic while not losing much of its biting tone. When I looked up at him, he continued. "I lost my birth parents and all my siblings to a timberwolf attack. Fluttershy doesn't think I remember it, but I do." He took a deep breath, his eyes appearing to be haunted by that memory. "Winona's told us about how sometimes that orange pony will either talk to her about her dead parents or how she'll cry herself to sleep. Fluttershy wants you for a mate for God knows what reason." I turned to him sharply when he used the word 'God', and seeing that, he shrugged. "I heard you use that word. A lot better than saying 'Celestia'."

Despite myself, I chuckled. "I guess so." My smile faded as I turned away and looked at my hands. "It's not just Scarlet, though," I added. I began rubbing my hands as if trying to wash something away. "I guess I'm still a bit in shock at all the Lycans I killed."

"I spent my early days in the Everfree Forest," Angel said, "and in there it's kill or be killed. Do I regret hurting the dogs I did hurt? Sure, but it was necessary. They wouldn't have hesitated to kill you, me, those lizard guards of yours, and the dog guard."

"I know it was necessary," I admitted, "but the fact that I…I partly enjoyed it…that scares me."

A small hand patted my shoulder. "Talk to someone," he said. "Fluttershy lets us talk to her whenever we have something on our minds."

I exhaled. I probably should do just that, I mused. I hoped that Cadance would be willing for a visit. I forced myself to relax. "You know, Angel," I said, turning back to him, "you've got to be the most foul mouthed and irritating shithead out there, and your bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired, but you're not wrong."

He thumped onto the bench again. "Damn right I'm not wrong." He reached over and tugged hard at my coat. "Now let's get the fuck back inside. It's cold as Tartarus out here!"

When I returned, I looked directly over at Fluttershy, who stood and rushed over to me. "I-I'm sorry for whatever I said," she said.

I knelt and hugged her tightly. "No, I'm the one who should be sorry," I replied. "I'm not angry or upset with you. I'm just scared."

She tightened her hug and stroked my hair with her hooves. "It's okay," she said, nuzzling me before kissing my cheek. We stood like that before she broke the hug. "I'm just glad you're okay right now."

I nodded somberly before feeling a hand slap me on the back. Looking back I saw Angel standing beside me, a grin on his face. "This monkey just needed some sense knocked into him," he said.

"It's still so weird hearin' 'im talkin'," Applejack muttered.

Angel looked over at her. "Be glad it's me and not Winona," he said. "She'd talk at you a mile a minute and be ultra hyper."

Applejack seemed to consider that for a moment, then nodded with a small chuckle. "Aah guess yer right," she said.

Twilight looked like she was about to say something, but seemed to think better of it as her mouth closed again, and she went back to waiting. She wasn't even reading, which told me just how rattled she was. Sure, she was still curious, but that was probably her trying to find a distraction for either herself, me, or everyone.

Pinkie, who's mane was almost flat now and who's color had drained a bit, spoke up after not speaking. Her blue eyes were full of tears and her ears were splayed against her head. "I hope we can see Scarlet's unique smile again," she whispered before walking over, getting on her hind legs, and kissing my cheek tenderly.

I put a hand on the back of her head, leaned in, and touched her forehead to mine. She nuzzled me affectionately, and after holding back, the tears finally started to flow. She hugged me first, followed close behind by Spike, who hugged my midsection, and Zecora and Gemini, each of whom hugged me from the side. Soon, everyone came in for a warm hug. I quietly wept, the stresses of the entire day and the entire last few weeks starting to catch up to me. Their warm embraces gave me some comfort, but the fear was still there. I couldn't lose anyone else, I just…I just couldn't…

I must have cried myself to sleep because the next thing I remember, a dark red hand was gently shaking me awake. I bolted awake, barely remembering in time that Spike, who was now asleep, was still sitting right below me. I looked up and saw a tired looking Malcom, still wearing scrubs and a half removed surgical mask.I felt my heart beating rapidly. "Where's Scarlet?" I asked. "Is…is she safe? Is she…alright?" The moment I said those words, I winced. I hadn't meant to make that reference. I smacked my cheeks. "Please tell me she's going to be okay, Mac, please…"

Mac inhaled deeply, then exhaled. "Yer gonna have to talk to the actual doctors here fer more information, Jethro," the human turned Anthro pony said. "I did what I could, and they did all the heavy lifting." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small plastic bag. Inside were a few pieces of metal. He handed it to me. "Here's the bullet," he said. "They got it out at least, and I think they found all of the holes and plugged them up." He sighed again. "She's still unconscious, but still alive. I don't know if their magic will do anythin', but if they have healin' spells, I reckon she'll be okay."

"I believe she's out of danger," a familiar voice said. Malcom and I turned and saw the Unicorn doctor who had treated Scarlet before.

"Doctor Stable," I said, anxiety creeping back into my tone, "are you sure? Are you absolutely sure?"

The doctor nodded. "The doctors that the Princesses brought down are extremely talented, and this stallion here," he gestured to Malcom, "was instrumental in treating this unique wound. I've never seen anything like it."

"But she's okay, yeah?" I asked again.

"She needs some sleep and round the clock healing spells to speed up the recovery process," he explained, "but for the moment, we found all the shrapnel, as this stallion called it. All of the places where the shrapnel cut her open are stitched up, too. There's no sign of any further internal bleeding. All she needs right now, like I said, is rest and time for the healing spells to help her recover. It may be a while, but our estimates are that she'll make a full recovery."

Tears fell again, only these were tears of relief. A huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. A heavy and somewhat calloused but still furry hand rested on my shoulder. "She'll be perfectly fine," Mac said in a perfect bedside manner.

"Thank you," I said, looking between Malcom and Doctor Stable. "Both of you."

"You're welcome," the doctor replied.

"Eeyup." Mac added. He then yawned and stretched. "Will you need anythin' else?" he asked both me and the doctor.

"Those medical books you brought with you should be very helpful for how we treat Scarlet," Doctor Stable said, "so thank you. And we don't need anything else right now. Feel free to go home. You've earned it."

Mac nodded and yawned again. "Jethro, everyone," he said, inclining his head politely.

"I'll show you back to my place," I said as I stood.

The others, who were almost all asleep except for Gemini, woke as I stood. I helped Zecora to her feet and held her close. "Do you want us to stay with you tonight?" Fluttershy asked softly.

I shook my head. "No, but I appreciate the offer," I said. "They just told me Scarlet should make a full recovery."

Sighs of relief and happy smiles passed over the crowd of ponies. There were happy tears and hugs all around.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Doctor Stable talking to Clementine, who had not moved from her spot until just now. I couldn't hear what they were talking about at first, but judging from the small smile on the doctor's face, I had to assume that Miora was going to recover as well. Not wanting to take the chance that I was wrong, however, I turned and walked up to the two. "Doctor, Ms. Clementine," I greeted them again.

"Emperor Bethridge," Clementine said with a polite nod.

"I thought you were going home," the doctor added with confusion.

"I should have asked this earlier, but how is Miora doing?" I asked. "The Giraffe in your care, I mean," I added when the doctor looked at me in confusion.

"Oh, yes," the doctor said as he adjusted his glasses. "Fortunately, the metal arrow that was inside her missed anything vital." He turned and gave an apologetic nod to Clementine. "I'm afraid that we had to call in a veterinary expert. I'm sorry if that's an insult-"

"No insult is taken, good doctor," Clementine interrupted with a shake of her head. "Miora is one of my superiors, and she has looked after me quite well. We have hidden our ability to speak quite well, it seems." She sighed and shook her head. "There are some among us who dislike our extreme secrecy, but even so, I must ask that no Pony in this hospital who has seen or heard me or Miora speak repeat what they have seen here."

"I'll let my staff know," the doctor promised, "but I can't speak for other patients."

"Please do what you can, doctor," she said before she turned to me and inclined her head. "Emperor."

As she was turning to leave, I called out, "Miss Clementine, do you have a place to stay?"

She paused, her hooves half up before turning back to me, standing back down on all fours. "I have been sleeping in the forest you call Everfree," she said.

I shook my head. "I have enough rooms in my house for you to have your choice of them," I said. "Why don't you stay with me for now? You won't be out in the bitter cold and snow."

She looked at me carefully for a moment, considering, then slowly nodded her assent. "That would be…most appreciated. Sleeping under fall leaves is quite uncomfortable."

I nodded, then looked at Gemini and Zecora. "Come on," I said, feeling more exhausted than even before. "Let's go home."

I lay in bed, my own bed in the mansion's bedroom, with Zecora holding me close in her arms. The silence between us was soothing. I had led Malcom back to my home and he'd gone back through the Stargate with a gift of a hefty reward, ten thousand dollars worth of gems. I'd wanted to give him so much more, but the humble farmhand had only accepted the ten grand.

Zecora's warm and soothing presence helped relax me, but the bed still felt empty without Scarlet there. I looked over at the empty side of the bed where the once feral Pegasus had curled up and slept with me and Zecora. When she did come home, I'd have to get used to her sleeping as an Anthro. Somehow, though, I didn't think I'd have that much trouble getting used to it.

There was a knock at my bedroom door. It was slightly hesitant, but also a determined one. I exchanged a look with Zecora, who just shrugged. "Enter," my wife said.

The door opened, and standing in the doorway, wearing a bathrobe and with her normally tied up hair now hanging loosely around her, stood Gemini. She had a nervous look on her face as she stood there. "May I enter?" she asked.

I nodded, gesturing for her to come in as I sat up and turned on a nearby light. As Gemini entered and shut the door behind her, I asked, "Is everything okay?"

Gemini flinched a bit, but then straightened. "I know you have not officially responded to my declaration," she said, "but even if you reply in the negative, as your personal guard, I feel it to be my duty to protect you, even from your grief."

This girl…I thought wryly despite myself. It's so cute when she tries to be kind and it comes out like this. "Are you saying you want to comfort me?" I asked.

Gemini looked embarrassed, but soon wiped that expression off of her face. "You nearly suffered a severe loss today, Your Grace," she said, and I could hear the sincerity in her tone, "and as you are the one I have declared as mine, it is my duty to ensure that your emotional state returns to normal."

"That's a yes," Zecora said with some amusement.

Gemini bristled at this, looking even more humiliated. I was sincerely touched by how far she was going out of her comfort zone. I removed the empty side of the covers. "Please join us," I said with a small smile.

She reached to remove her robe, then paused. "Before I remove this, I want your solemn vow not to tell anycreature what you're about to see underneath," she said, her tone anxious.

"I swear it," I replied.

"As do I," Zecora said.

Gemini exhaled slowly, then removed her robe. Underneath, her breasts, surprisingly big now that I got a better look at them without them being covered by her clothes, were covered by a fabric bra and she wore a pair of what looked like skin tight booty shorts. This was the first time I had seen her this undressed, and she definitely had an amazing figure. There was some muscle there, but it didn't detract from her feminine physique. She walked quickly over to the bed and crawled underneath the covers. "This is so embarrassing," she muttered.

I chuckled softly, then reached out with one hand and took her paw in it. She looked surprised, but took it back. "Thank you for coming here," I said sincerely. "It means a lot that you went out of your comfort zone to try and help me feel better."

All she could do was nod and crawl even further under the covers. However, she didn't let go of my hand. I lay back down and she immediately pressed her warm body against mine. Zecora took my other free hand and pressed her own body against mine as well. "Sleep well, beloved," my wife whispered into my ear.

"May your dreams be of you conquering all your enemies in glorious combat," Gemini added with sincerity.

Despite the horrendous events of the day, I went to sleep with a small smile on my face.