The log thumps down to the ground as I give Big Mac a smirk, the hundred kilogram log down, two more to go. I step back and allow Big Mac to step up to the log, he bends down and puts his two front hooves under the log before nodding to Sweetie Belle.

“Ready! Set! Lift!” Sweetie Belle shouts as Big Mac grunts before lifting the log above his head without any effort.

The log thumps down again after ten seconds and Big Mac grins at me.

“Yeah yeah, that's number one, we have more to go.” I say.

I approach the next and eye the two hundred and fifty kilo log, I bend down and place my hands under the log, when I have a good grip I nod to Sweetie Belle.

“Ok, two hundred and fifty kilogram log is next target.” Sweetie Belle states looking at the crowd gathered. “Ready!” I nod. “Set!” I tense my body. “Lift!”

At first the log doesn’t move but after only a slight increase in pulling power it lifts off the ground. I bring the log up over my head and keep it there for ten seconds, dropping it down I let out a sigh of relief.

I look to Big Mac. “Damn, almost thought I didn't have it then.” I chuckle. “Your up.” I watch as Big Mac stares at the log and gives it a good looking over. “Don't break anything now.” I say, sniggering.

Big Mac nods to Sweetie Belle after putting his hooves under the log.

“Ready!” Big Mac shifts his body. “Set! Lift!”

Big Mac grunts as he lifts the log near his head and with one final push it raises above his head, ten seconds later he drops with a sharp outlet of breath similar to mine.

“That one was interesting.” Big Mac says to me, I nod in agreement.

I walk over and step before the heaviest of the logs, Five hundred kilograms. I look down at it and swallow hard, looking back I spot all my sisters including Applejack holding their hooves over their muzzles. I see Luna smiling as she bites down on an apple.

'Does Luna know something I don't? She looks like she isn't worried.' I think to myself. Shrugging off my thoughts I bend down and get my grip of the log. I position my hands several times before I finally pick a comfortable spot. I raise my head and give Sweetie Belle the signal.

“Log number three!” Sweetie Belle shouts. “Five hundred kilograms!” The crowd gasps nearby. “Are you ready Brother?” Sweetie asks looking at me. I nod. “Ready! Set! Lift!”

I grunt as I pull with all my might, I feel the log shifting and rolling as I try to lift it. I manage to get it a few inches off the ground as I feel my arms start to ache. I push the pain away and put in more effort, I get the log to my chest and then to my shoulders. With one final grunt of pain I lift the log above my head, sweat was pouring down my face. I was vaguely aware my wings had extended to give me balance. I managed to keep the log in the air for ten seconds before dropping it and collapsing to my knees.

“Brother! Are you alright?” I look up and find Sweetie Belle standing next to me, her face a look of concern. I give her a nod as I stand back up, my body aching from head to toe.

“I'm fine little sis, that was quite heavy.” I chuckle, grabbing my chest as a sharp pain crosses it. I turn to Big Mac. “Be careful, that one's a doozy.” I stand off to the side, glancing to Applejack I give her a thumbs up. 'Damn that hurt' I silently think.

I watch Big Mac stand before the log, then he turns to me and gives me a 'do I have to do this?' look. I nod which cause him to flatten his ears back.

“Ah'm not sure about this.” Big Mac says.

“If you want to forfeit this challenge I will be one nil up.” I state. I get a small shock as Big Mac nods.

“Ah know my limits, you win this challenge John.” Big Mac then turns to Sweetie Belle. “I forfeit the challenge, John wins this round.”

I hear some gasps from the gathered crowd as Sweetie Belle addresses them.

“Big Macintosh has forfeited the last log challenge! John wins first round!”

My family cheers as some ponies exchange bits, I laugh at the betting going on. Me and Big Mac get fifteen minutes after each challenge to make sure our bodies are fine and rested enough to carry on. I also take the time to check my ribs, the pain across my chest was something to worry about.

“Are ya ok?” I look up to see Applejack walking across, I nod. “Thank Celestia, ah thought ya had injured yourself.”

“My chest hurts, but apart from that I'm fine.” I reply.

“You done well in the first trial.” I turn my gaze as Luna trots up to me. “I never thought you could manage the last log.”

“I almost didn't, my arms nearly gave out but I did complete the lift.”

“Ah was confused mah brother forfeited, ah really thought he could do it.”

“I think he could but seeing how I came out of it, he didn't want to injure himself so early.” I say.

“Hmm, maybe I should have a word with him.” Luna says tapping her chin with a hoof.

“Why?” I ask.

“I might be able to 'persuade' him to not forfeit any more challenges.”

I quickly realise what Luna was implying. “I would say yes, but I think the princess of the night coming on to him might cause him to have a heart attack.”

Applejack suddenly chokes on air as it finally dawns on her what Luna was going to do.

“Princess!” Applejack almost shouts. “Ah never would have thought ya would even suggest seducing my brother.”

Luna grins and starts to walk away but not before looking back at me and Applejack.

“I may be a princess dear Applejack, but I'm still a mare.” With a flick of her tail Luna walks back to the seating near the next challenge.

“Well Ah'll be, ah never thought of Princess Luna being like that.”

“She's more laid back than Celestia, more like us common folk.”

“Common? Ah ain't common!”

I lean in and smile before whispering in Applejack's ear. “In bed you are.” It has the effect I wanted as Applejack's body goes stiff and her face turns bright red. “I have to get ready for the next challenge, cheer me on ok?” I give Applejack a kiss.

“Win and ah'll give you more than cheers.” Applejack walks away after dragging her tail across my face.

'Fuck me.' Crosses my thoughts.

Standing up I walk over to Big Mac who was sitting nearby.

“Time to start again Big Mac.” I say, clapping him on the shoulder.

We both walk over to the next challenge, to me it was unfair but I thought that it might be fun. The task was simple, both me and Big Mac would be strapped to the front of two ploughs. Then we would have to each pull the plough to the finish line, the first one to get the front of the plough to touch the line wins. Now you see why I thought it was unfair as Big Mac pulls ploughs all the time and me, I have never even touched one.

As me and Big Mac stand near the ploughs Scootaloo comes over, her steps almost bouncing with excitement. I step forward and strap myself to the plough, Scootaloo checks the straps and nods her approval. She then moves over to Big Mac and watches as he straps himself in then nods after checking his work.

Scootaloo walks in front of us and smiles.

“You two know the rules, first plough to touch the finish line wins.” Scootaloo picks a flag off the ground and points it in the air. “On the count of three, pull. One! Two! Three!” The flag comes down and I pull with all my might, Big Mac does the same and his plough starts moving much sooner than mine.

I finally got my plough to move but Big Mac was already a length in front. I knew he would have his moving much sooner as he uses them everyday. I stare ahead as I start to catch Big Mac up, I was now almost shoulder to shoulder with him, the look he gave as he glanced back was priceless. I smirked and pulled with all my strength.

I saw the line and kept pulling however just before I got there one of my straps snapped under strain and I did my own ploughing...with my face. I groaned as I lay there felling very embarrassed. I looked up and spotted Big Mac cross the line and win, I saw him look back but it wasn't with a look of victory but with a look of shock. Big Mac threw off his straps and ran over to me, helping me to my feet.

“You ok?” Big Mac asks.

“Yeah.” I reply shaking my head. “One of my straps broke and by the way, I don't recommend ploughing the ground with your face, it's very uncomfortable.” I chuckle, brushing off my clothes.

“I'll remember that, I guess this makes us one all.”

I nod. “Yup, three challenges to go.” I see Big Mac lower his head slightly. “Hey don't worry, it seems I'm the one getting injured not you.”

“I know, but I kind of see this as pointless.” Big Mac states as he gestures to our challenges.

“Look at it this way, we promised Apple Bloom and the others that we would do this. You wouldn't want them to be upset now would you?”

Big Mac straightens up. “I will never allow myself to go back on a promise, I love my family.”

I put my arm over Big Mac's neck. “Then that's something we both got in common.” Big Mac gives me a nod and a smile. “Now we have a small break before the next challenge, and my face is stinging.”

Big Mac laughs. “Eeyup!” He laughs again.

A brown stallion watches the events unfold, he was very surprised. The big red stallion was always known for his strength and yet here he was almost being out matched by the human. The stallion writes down his observations as a green gem around his neck starts to glow, bringing it up the stallion holds it in his hoof as a light appears out the top in the shape of a changeling head.

“Vigil, how nice to see you.”

“I have contacted you with news agent hooves. Our empress wants the plans to accelerate.”

The stallion pulls his head away in shock. “The empress does know what this means? The queen planted the poison and it has yet to take effect.”

“I know but the situation has become dire, the queen is regretting herself and becoming distressed. I think her encounter with the human and his abilities has left her feeling that all this is meaningless. We have to stop this line of thinking, the hive must be destroyed.”

“Then I will do my duty.” The stallion bows his head before quickly bringing it back up. “Oh that reminds me, did you get the item?”

“I have, your marefriend will like it I'm sure.” Vigil replies.

“I know she will, my Derpy has never turned down anything from me.”

“Then I shall leave the matter in your capable hooves, just make him want to come here and destroy everything. Then his next step will be complete.” Vigil turns his head. “I have to go, be well agent hooves.”

“Be well sir.” The magical image fades. The stallion looks up and she's his marefriend flying above, he waves as his marefriend swoops down. “This assignment is getting worse all the time.”

I sat on a barrel and rubbed my face, Applejack was nearby trying not to laugh.

“I know you want to laugh Applejack, I can feel your humour.”

“Ah'm sorry, it did look funny though.”

I sigh and look at the next challenge. “The water trough next I take it?”

Applejack nods. “Yup, filled with enough water to weigh three hundred kilos.”

“Good didn't want to go over board, besides this one is just the warm up for the last challenge.” I say. Reaching for a bottle of water nearby I take a long drink before setting it back down. I also see my younger sisters all walking towards me. “Hey girls enjoying it so far?”

“We sure are!” Scootaloo replies, bouncing in place.

“We came over because you looked hurt after your fall.” Sweetie Belle states.

“Nah, he's tough, nothing could hurt our big brother.” Scootaloo argues.

“Are ya ok?” Apple Bloom asks.

“Fit as anything girls, just a bit tingly that's all.” I place a hand on my face. “Though I say face planting really isn't fun.” I hear the girls giggle. “What's the situation looking like my little sisters?”

“You're both tied and the water trough is next, though ah'm not really sure what ya two are going ta do with it.” Apple Bloom says squinting in the direction of the water trough challenge.

“Well it's what we humans call a squat lift, you put yourself under the trough and then you try and lift it as many times as your body can handle. When you can't go no more that's the number the other contestant has to beat.”

“I get it so if you went first and you lifted the trough twenty times and stopped then for Big Mac to win he would have to do twenty one or more.” I nod.

“Ohhhh!” The girls all said in unison.

“That does sound like a good work out.” Apple Bloom says. “Well we better get back to our positions.”

I give my younger step siblings a wave as they run off.

“Ya know ah feel like ya'll make a good father some day.”

“Is that an invitation?” I ask, wiggling my eyebrows.

“It might be, but remember ya said ya'll get tested at the hospital.”

“I know and yes I will go there tomorrow, I still have to ask Rainbow about flying lessons and when we can do them. I start my guard training in three months, I at least want to be able to get off the ground by then.” I reply, flexing my wings.

“Ah know Rainbow will help, she's been dying ta see ya fly, ah think she has a thing for wingspans.” Applejack chuckles. “But it seems they need ya back out there.” Applejack says turning to look at the next challenge, she turns back only to get a surprise kiss off me.

I break the kiss and walk out onto the field. “Cross your hooves for me Applejack, I might need them for this.”