I open my eyes only to rapidly close them as the light of day almost burns away my retinas. I blink several times as I turn my head to find my now blurred orange marefriend cuddled up to my chest and as always lying on one of my wings. Knowing that my wing won't move until Applejack does, I settle my head back down to enjoy the closeness. It doesn't last long however as the door to our bedroom slowly opens after two sharp knocks.

“Uh? Brother? Sis?” I cast my gaze to the door as Apple Bloom walks in only to stop as her eyes shrink to small pinpricks, her face turns bright red. “Sorry! Sorry! Ah'll wait down stairs!” Apple Bloom says, quickly bolting out the door.

I look at the place Apple Bloom was as my brain finally engages, I look down and yup, I was naked.

“Well, that's going to be awkward.” I say to myself, chuckling. I use my free arm and stroke Applejack's face. “Wakey Wakey Applejack.” I state, following up with a flick to her nose.

With a snort Applejack awakes. “Wha?” Applejack lifts up her head let's out one big yawn and looks to me. “Is it morning already?” I nod. “Ugh, ah feel funny down below. Feels like ah'm still full.” Applejack stands up and leaves the bed.

I watch Applejack cross the hall and enter the bathroom before I feel it's time to get up aswell. Swinging my legs over the edge of the bed I stretch my arms and my wings, giving myself a nod as I feel several bones crack.

“We sure did have a vigorous night, I feel so drained.” I shout out to Applejack. “I feel like I can't do anything today.”

I hear a toilet flush and Applejack walks out of the bathroom.

“Ah have ta admit, ya did give me more than usual last night. Did ya feel any different?”

I squint as I try to think back. “A little, I'm not sure why but I seemed to have more energy during our 'making out'.” I quote gesture the air. “Though I hope that means I ain't absorbing your life essence or something.”

“Ta be honest, ah think it was me doing the absorbing last night.” Applejack says, walking up and bumping me with her flank. “Now ya should get cleaned up and let's get down stairs.”

I nod. “Yeah, I might have to apologise to Apple Bloom.”

“Why's that?”

“She came in a minute before you woke up.”

“So? What's the apology for?”

“I wasn't under the covers.” I reply, gesturing to my naked body.

Applejack's face turns into a look of horror. “Oh my, ah see why now! Mah poor sister!”

“Yeah she did look quite embarrassed.”

“Ah bet.” Applejack puts her front legs on my lap and kisses me. “Ah'll see ya down stairs.”

I kiss Applejack back. “Yeah, I won't be long.”

The changeling queen sits on her throne over looking her hive, a sigh escapes her lips as she taps a holed hoof.

“My queen is something wrong?”

The queen turns her head to speak to the voice.

“No, everything is not alright Vigil. The hive is dying, I can feel it.”

“Dying my queen? But it has never been stronger, the attack on the Empire was proof of that.”

“Was it a success?” The queen rises from her throne and walks to the rocks edge. “Look at it. I remember when this was alive with activity, changelings of all shapes buzzing to and fro. Now I barely see a few coming and going from the hives entrance.” The queen turns back to Vigil. “Tell me Vigil, did I do the right thing? Did I have the hives best interests at heart?”

“My queen I am afraid to answer, you are not yourself today, maybe you should retire and rest. I'll make sure no changeling bothers you.” Vigil states walking closer to his queen.

The queen sighs. “You know I wish my sister Chrysalis was here, she almost took Canterlot a year ago, she would know what to do.”

“My queen you took control after our scouts failed to find her body, any decision you make I and the rest will follow.” Vigil says, bowing his head.

The queen walks over and places her hoof on Vigil's shoulder.

“I know you will Vigil, I think I will retire early, the Empress will call soon and I don't want to miss her.”

“Very well my queen, I will make sure everything runs smoothly.”

The queen smiles before taking off for the door leading to her chambers, when the large stone doors shut behind her another changeling walks from the shadows behind Vigil.

“The queen is acting strangely.” The new changeling states in a monotone voice.

“Indeed.” Vigil replies. “I have an important report to make, Cryto I want you to go to Ponyville and contact a pony named Turner or if he prefers, Hooves. I want you to give him this.” Vigil walks to the throne and pulls out a green gem. “He will know what to do, then return here.” Vigil looks over the almost empty hive. “Our plans must be accelerated.”

I clean myself up and put on a white t-shirt with a pair of blue shorts that go passed my knees. Stretching again I exit the bedroom and make my way down stairs.

I reach the bottom of the stairs and see all the apples gathered around the kitchen table. I meet Apple Bloom's gaze as I settle in next to Applejack, my little sister blushes and looks down. I pick up a bowl on the table and fill it with what looks like porridge with apple pieces in it. I take one spoon full and place it in my mouth, I mentally nod, apple porridge.

I look to Apple Bloom. “Apple Bloom I must apologise to you about the way you found me today.” Apple Bloom lifts her head up. “I should have locked the door and I didn't, for that I'm sorry.”

“What's this about?” Big Mac asks.

“Well Apple Bloom came up to get me and Applejack out of bed, the only thing was I was wearing nothing and not exactly covered.” Big Mac laughs. “It's not funny! Poor girl could have had a heart attack!”

“I would say she has!” Big Mac laughs again causing Apple Bloom to hide her face.

I stand up from my seat and move over to Apple Bloom, I put my arms around her and she groans.

“Hey, I know what would make you feel better. How about me and Big Mac have that little test your might competition? You, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo wanted that right?”

Apple Bloom slowly reveals her face. “Ya mean it?” I nod. “Yippee!” Apple Bloom shouts as she jumps off her chair, I'll go get the girls right now!” Before anybody could say anything Apple Bloom was gone.

“Ah'm not sure about this.” I look up and find it was Applejack who said it. “It might be dangerous.”

“I'm not worried, you Big Mac?” Big Mac shakes his head. “Then that's settled.” I say clapping my hands together. “Besides I've never really seen just what I'm capable of, might be fun!”

“Ah still voice mah concern, just ya two don't over do it.” Applejack adds.

I walk over and place a hand on Applejack's shoulder.

“Look if it does seem like it's going hairy then we'll stop.”

“Hairy?” Big Mac asks.

I turn to him and smile. “It means going wrong or not the way it should be.”

Big Mac nods. “Got ya, now, how we going ta do this?”

I tap my chin. “Ok family gather round, I think I know.”

Vigil walks along a section of the hive that has stood abandoned after attempts to rebuild it failed. He surveyed every wall as his horn lit the way, he wasn't afraid to get caught as no changeling ever came this way again. Stopping suddenly Vigil eyes a section of the rock face, to any other changeling it would look like a dead end, but Vigil knew better.

Walking up to the rock he tapped his hoof five times, after a small tense moment the rock shimmered away and a chamber was revealed. Vigil trotted in as the rock shimmered back behind him.

“Have you come alone?” A voice speaks out.

“Yes your majesty, as always.”

A figure steps out from the shadows and into the small ray of light coming from the ceiling.

“I have no time for games has she fallen for our plan?”

“Yes princess, she has no idea what we are planning.” Vigil shifts on his hooves.

“You seem troubled.”

“I...I am feeling apprehension.”

“You don't think my plan will work?”

“I didn't say that princess, it's just...what if she finds out? All this work will be for nothing.”

“The real problem here Vigil is that my sister did not hunt down and kill every last one of their retched kind, the attack on Canterlot was an affront to everything we stand for. I never took part because I was in a trance preparing my mind for the night sky, my sisters actions are in excusable! I do not hold sympathy for them nor do I hold regret for what we are about to do. I have to return to Canterlot, you have done well this day Vigil. Soon you will return home and be with your family.” The figure turns and walks back to the shadows.

Vigil bows. “Thank you Princess Luna.”

Luna turns and bows in respect. “Be safe my friend for soon my rebirth will come.” Seconds later Luna flashes out of the chamber.

Vigil turns to exit, a large grin on his face.

“And this is supposed ta make me feel better?”

I stand with my arms folded as Applejack sits by my side, I had a large smile on my face.

“I thought it would be interesting, make a show of things.” I say.

“Those are twenty five kilogram bags of apples and a large grape squishing tub, what exactly is this test of strength?” Applejack asks gesturing to the large wooden tub and various sacks dotted around it.

“Well it's test of endurance lifting, you see me or Big Mac fits in under there.” I state pointing to the under side of the tub. “I designed it so that it will be easy for me or Big Mac to lift the tub, the test starts out with one sack in the tub then for every squat we do one more gets added, the winner will be the stallion who is able to lift the most weight without giving up.” I turn to take in the make shift obstacle course. “Every test is essentially who can lift the most.”

Applejack face hoofs. “Why did ah love ya?”

“I ask myself the same question, of all the stallions around you pick me to love, I still don't understand it.” I say scratching behind Applejack's ears.

“Yeah well not everypony has those digits of yours.”

“Oh, so you fell in love with my fingers then? I'm hurt I really am.” I look away and put the back of my hand to my forehead.

Applejack hoof punches me in the leg. “Oh stop it! Look ah'm just worried that ya two might get hurt.”

“We won't, like I said if anything goes wrong we'll stop, simple.”

“Ok, ah believe ya just...careful ok?”

I bow. “Yes your highness.”

Applejack flicks her head up. “Ya better, peasant.”

I reach for Applejack but she just gallops away. “I'll get you your royal sexiness.” I mutter.

“Talking about me!”

I almost jump out my skin as I turn to find Luna behind me.

“Princess! It's nice to see you.” I say, recovering from my heart attack.

“And you my champion, I heard about your little competition and I was just wondering if I could watch?”

“Of course! I don't see why not but quick question? How did you find out?”

Just before Luna answers my head clicks, at the same time we both say.

“Twilight.” We both chuckle.

“That mare, you can never have any privacy.” I state, looking over to were Twilight and my other sisters were helping put up banners, Pinkies idea no doubt.

“Yes, my sister wanted to come but a situation in the dragon lands has taken her attention.”

“I hope nothing serious?”

“A long time feud between two dragon clans has started up again, my sister wants to know why.”

“Ah.” I turn as Big Mac whistles to me, I wave back to let him know I'm ready. “Well princess would like to sit with the rest of my family? I'm afraid we have no V.I.P seats.”

“Your sarcasm is not amusing.” I look at Luna's face as she smiles. “But your only human after all.” Luna teleports away reappearing by Applejack, let's just say, ponies have great bowel control.

I slowly walk over to Big Mac and the first test. I eye the three logs on the floor, each weighs heavier than the last, the first is one hundred kilos, then two fifty followed by the last at five hundred. We both will take turns to lift each log once, during which the log has to remain more than one metre off the ground for ten seconds, after that we can drop it. The loser is the stallion who can't lift the log pass the metre mark.

I watch as Sweetie Belle walks into view carrying a small flag and wearing some pocketed jacket, she drops the flag on the floor and addresses us.

“Ok contestants! I want a clean competition, no biting, no tickling and no cheating by using magic.” I hold up my arm showing the band that suppresses my magic, a small gift from Twilight. “Good, now we shall flip a bit to see who goes first.” Sweetie Belle pulls out a bit from her jacket and hands it to me. “I can't flip it.”

“It's ok, I'll chuck it in the air and let it drop to the floor.”

“Ah call heads.” Big Mac says.

“Tails for me then.” I reply chucking the bit in the air and letting it drop to the floor, to my surprise it lands tails up. “I win.” I snigger.

I walk up to the log as the mares behind me cheer out. I bend down with my knees and put my hands under the log, I make sure I have a good grip and nod to Sweetie Belle.

“Ok, first test will commence when I drop my flag. In three! Two! One! Lift!”

I brace with my arms thinking.

This will be fun!

Author's Notes:

As you all can see I removed the POV's for each scene change, if it's better I can leave it if you think it was better with POV writing then please comment below.

Next chapter the competition continues.