Gordon and the girls wearily disembarked the train at Ponyville station, arriving back later than planned due to a delay at leaving Canterlot caused by signalling malfunctions. Trudging off the platform, dragging their luggage with them; they headed for Gordon's house for some late dinner. As it was Sunday, there were very few ponies out and about; most staying inside as well to avoid the cold weather.

A few minutes later, they approached his home. Going inside, they left their bags on the hallway, entered the front room and sat themselves down on the sofas. Rainbow however, sat in Gordon's 'Captain's Chair'. Star Light and Nightlock were playing Halo 2 on split-screen multiplayer, not quite Goldeneye 007 Gordon thought, but close enough. According to both of them, there had been no incident during his absence, much to Gordon's relief.

"I'm going to put some sandwiches together," Gordon said, "I don't feel like cooking just now."

"That's fine dear," Rarity replied, "Would I be able to have a tuna salad sandwich please?"

"Sure, what about the rest of you?"

They girls gave Gordon their preferences so he went off into the kitchen only to be followed by Twilight.

"Something wrong Twilight?"

"No, I just wondered if I could help you?"

"Go ahead."

Gordon went to the fridge and got out some butter and the necessary sandwich fillings including cheese and ham. He next got out a couple of chopping boards and handed one to Twilight.

"Thanks," she replied, "Where do you keep the bread?"

"In that," he said, pointing at the bread bin.

"Thanks," she replied once more, "I can do Pinkie's, Fluttershy's, Star Light's and Applejack's if you like?"

"Sure."

Gordon went over to a cupboard and got out a tin of tuna and another of corned beef, handing the latter to Twilight for Applejack's sandwich.

"One week," Gordon said.

"I'm sorry?"

"One week," Gordon repeated, "One week since I arrived here."

"And quite a week it's been."

"That's one way of putting it," he said acerbically

"Gordon, do you......hate ponies?" Twilight asked, picking up on Gordon's tone.

"What makes you ask that?" he asked.

"Well, after how we met and all the claims about humans, and your hostility towards us.......I couldn't help but wonder if you actually hated us."

Gordon sighed tiredly and walked over to Twilight, "I don't hate ponies, but I am pissed off with how they've distorted history. I accept that humans can be violent, but considering what the Mayor of Trottingham told me, ponies are just as capable of violence and acts of evil as humans are."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm assuming you know of a unicorn called Starswirl the Bearded?"

"Know of him?" she spluttered in disbelief, "He's the father of modern magic! One of the wisest ponies to have ever lived!"

"What do ponies say about him?"

"Well, credible historical accounts show that he was exceptionally concerned for the welfare of his fellow ponies, many of today's healing spells are due to him discovering new healing techniques and teaching others."

"How did he discover them? When did he live?"

"Well he discovered them by excessive research and experiments-"

Oh yeah, he did excessive experiments alright Gordon thought.

"-and he lived over 1,000 years ago before disappearing for around two hundred years. Why are you asking this?"

"Just curious, do you have a history book about him I can borrow?"

"I suppose so, I mean you've let me borrow some of your books. Come around later of you like."

"Sure. I'll need to arrange a few things first for my visit to the school tomorrow."

"What about that 'rocket' you want to show us?"

Gordon froze but quickly answered, "Errrr, yeah.....that. I'll sort something out."

"You don't sound so sure," Twilight replied, squinting at him suspiciously.

"Don't worry Twilight, everything will be ready to go."

I hope.

Several minutes later, Twilight and Gordon returned to the front room with everyone's sandwiches and cups of tea and coffee. Twilight used her magic to hand over everyone their sandwich while Gordon went over to his film cabinet and picked out as film for everyone to watch.

"What film are you picking this time?" asked Rainbow.

"This one," he replied, holding up the case.

"Goldeneye?"

"Don't worry Dashie, it's not a musical."

"What kind of film is it then?"

"One where shit blows up."

"YES!" Rainbow exclaimed jubilantly, waving her arms up into the air.

Rainbow groaned in boredom, "I thought you said things were going to blow up."

"Steady on Rainbow," Gordon replied, "The film's only two minutes in."

"When will things blow up?"

"Soon, Dashie, soon."

A few minutes later...

"THAT WAS AWESOME!" Rainbow exclaimed at the chemical weapons facility exploded.

"The first of many in this film," Gordon replied, "Amongst other, notable, scenes."

"What like?"

"You'll see. I remember this film coming out actually. I'd have been nine years old at the time, not quite old enough to see it in the cinema."

"Why not?" asked Twilight.

"The film is rated 12, meaning that it's considered unsuitable for anyone below that age; and people under the age of an age restricted film are not allowed to see the film at the cinema, or buy the DVD's when they released for home viewing."

"What was the first film you saw at a cinema?" asked Twilight.

"It was Beauty and the Beast, all the way back in 1991 when I was just five."

"How old are you?" asked Twilight.

"I'll be thirty in a few weeks," he replied before sighing glumly, "Thirty years old, where's all that time gone? Anyway, less talking about my old age and more watching shit blow up."

"Here here," Rainbow replied, snuggling up to Gordon.

"Bond. James Bond"

"You don't need the gun, Commander."

"That depends on your definition of safe sex."

"Why does James Bond insist on making all these lewd jokes?" Rarity asked.

"Because he's James Bond," replied Gordon.

"Hello James."

The girls and others watched as the shadowy figure walked slowly into view. Like Bond, they were shocked to see who the identity if Janus was.

"Alec?"

"Back form the dead. No longer just an anonymous star on the Memorial Wall at Ml6. What's the matter, James? No glib remark? No pithy comeback?"

"Why?"

"Hilarious question. Particularly from you. Would you ever ask why? Why we toppled all those dictators, undermined all those regimes? Only to come home ‘Well done! Good job, but sorry ol’ boy! Everything you’ve risked your life and limb for has changed!’

"It was the job we were chosen for."

"Of course you'd say that. James Bond, Her Majesty's loyal terrier, defender of the so-called faith."

Bond raised his iconic Walther PPK.

"Please, James, put it away. It's insulting to think I haven't anticipated your every move."

Bond lowered his weapon.

"Yes."

"I trusted you, Alec."

"Trust. What a quaint idea."

"How did the Ml6 screening miss that your parents were Lienz Cossacks?"

"Once again, your faith is misplaced. They knew. We're both orphans, James. But where your parents had the luxury of dying in a climbing accident, mine survived the British betrayal and Stalin's execution squads. But my father couldn't let himself or my mother live with the shame of it. Ml6 figured I was too young to remember. And in one of life's little ironies, the son went to work for the government whose betrayal caused the father to kill himself and his wife."

"Hence Janus, the two-faced Roman god, come to life."

"It wasn't God who gave me this face. It was you, setting the timers for three minutes instead of six."

"Am I supposed to feel sorry for you?"

"No. You're supposed to die for me. By the way, I did think of asking you to join my little scheme, but somehow I knew 007's loyalty was always to the mission, never to his friend."

"Does Bond always abandon his friends?" asked Twilight, almost crying, "Does he care so little about them?"

"He has a job to do Twilight," Gordon replied, "Letting personal feelings get in the way could......complicate things."

"How so?"

"Take the start of the film for example, had Bond come to the aid of his friend, he would probably have been captured and interrogated for sensitive intel, given Bond is an undercover double agent, he'd have quite a bit of valuable intelligence to an enemy. The weapons facility would not have been destroyed, leaving the chance its chemical weapons could be used."

"What would you do?"

Gordon turned his attention back to the film, "We should watch the film, one of the best parts of the film will be coming up soon."

"SWEET CELESTIA!" Twilight screeched, "DID HE JUST SMASH THROUGH A BRICK WALL IN THAT MONSTROSITY?!"

"Good luck with the floor, James. I set the timers for six minutes.....the same six minutes you gave me. It was the least I could do for a friend."

Trevelyan's chilling laugh sent shiver's down Twilight's spine.

Does friendship mean so little to humans?

"She always did enjoy a good squeeze."

"Just like you Dash," Gordon said, grinning cheekily to Rainbow.

Rainbow responded by punching him in the arm.

"He was your friend, Trevelyan? And now he's your enemy and you will kill him. It is that simple?"

"In a word, yes."

"Unless he kills you first."

"Natalya..."

"You think I'm impressed? All of you with your guns, your killing, your death. For what? So you can be a hero? All the heroes I know are dead."

"Natalya, listen to me..."

"How can you act like this? How can you be so cold?"

"It's what keeps me alive."

"No. It's what keeps you alone."

"I AM INVINCIBLE!"

The film eventually finished, much to Rainbow's disappointment.

"Awww, I wanna see more explosions."

"I've plenty more films Rainbow," replied Gordon, "But for now I need to prepare a few things, mostly for the rocket experiment I'll be showing you all."

"How is that coming along?" asked Twilight.

"Fantastic!" Gordon quickly answered.

"Liar."

"Applejack," Gordon countered, "Things are going fine, there's just a few......hiccups."

"Hiccups?" Twilight repeated, unconvinced at Gordon's answer.

"Yeah, just a few kinks to iron out. Nothing to be worried about."

"Applejack?" Twilight said, "Is Gordon lying?"

"If lies could cause fires he'd be a blazing inferno right now."

"Gordon," Twilight said sternly, not amused at his evasiveness.

Gordon groaned and rolled his eyes, "Fiiine! I may be having a few....issues."

"What kind of 'issues'?"

"The problem I'm having is getting the fuel mixture right. I light the rocket and it's barely off the ground when it explodes. I'm using sorbitol as a fuel source, potassium nitrate as an oxidiser and iron oxide as an additive."

"How many times has this happened?"

Gordon started rubbing the back of his neck and mumbled in response, "About twenty."

"I'm sorry? I couldn't hear you."

"About twenty," repeated Gordon.

"TWENTY!" Twilight yelled.

"Cut me some slack; I was in the Infantry, not the Royal Engineers."

"Would you like my help?"

"You want to help me build a rocket?" Gordon asked sceptically.

Twilight nodded.

"You want to assist someone with no engineering experience and very limited knowledge on rocketry, to build a rocket fuelled by explosive compounds?"

Twilight nodded again.

Gordon just stared at her in disbelief, "Twilight, are you insane?"

"No, my parents had me tested."

Gordon, and everyone else sans Shining, blinked in surprise at the seriousness in which Twilight answered.

"Twilight, that was a figure of speech," Gordon said, "I was trying to say you're nuts for wanting to build a rocket fuelled by explosive substances with a complete amateur."

"But I was tested."

"She's not joking," Shining said, "Do you want to know how she reacted when she saw she scored a Negative on her test?"

"They don't need to know!" Twilight replied, he cheeks bright red.

Shining, grinning only like a big brother could, continued, "She cried in her room for hours thinking she would be sent back to magic kindergarten."

"What is it with you and getting sent back to magic kindergarten?" asked Rainbow, looking at Twilight.

"I was only a foal! How was I to know getting a negative on an insanity test was actually a good thing?"

"Well if you weren't so crazy..." Gordon replied cheekily.

Everyone in the room began laughing, though not in a cruel way, taking Gordon's response in good humour.

"Very funny Gordon," Twilight dead-panned, "But back to what we were discussing; can I help you?"

"Sure. So long as you understand and follow safety precautions."

"Of course, I always follow rules."

"Can I help?" Pinkie unexpectedly asked.

"You?" Rainbow queried, "No offence Pinkie, but what do you know about rockets?"

"Nothing," she cheerily replied, "But I do know about getting mixtures juuuuuust right."

Gordon and Twilight looked at each other with concern. Both knew that Pinkie plus explosive substances might not be such a good idea.

"Pinkie," Twilight said, "We appreciate your offer but-"

"But what?" Pinkie interrupted, "I do have some knowledge of explosives, I even have an Explosives Certificate."

"How?" asked Gordon, shocked and genuinely interested.

"I grew up on a rock farm. We sometimes had to use small explosives to shift large boulders or rock faces. That and I have my party canon, something I wouldn't be allowed to use if I didn't have my certificate."

Everyone sat/stood open mouthed at Pinkie's revelation. No-one in a million years would have ever thought that Pinkie of all ponies would be certified as suitable to use explosives. Her seemingly oblivious regard for being sensible was in stark contrast to what would be required for a holder of a Explosives Certificate.

"You have a license to use explosives?" Twilight asked in disbelief.

Pinkie nodded.

What could possibly go wrong? wondered Gordon.

Just before lunch the following day after an uneventful and Rainbow Dashless night, Gordon, Twilight and Pinkie were doing the first test launch using Pinkie's fuel mix consisting of sorbitol, potassium nitrate and iron oxide; having spent the entire morning doing tests of rocket motors. Twilight's and Pinkie's knowledge being extremely useful and achieving in a few hours what Gordon had failed to do in months.

Things, however, didn't start out so well.

The first test completely caramelized the sorbitol.

As did several of the following tests in which Sulphur and Aluminium were added.

Some motors exploded, sending shrapnel all over Gordon's dedicated garden workshop/shed. Gordon wasn't feeling brave enough to use the workshop above the garage and risk damaging his pride and joys. They were quickly running out of components to construct the motor casings, but; like in Hollywood blockbusters, they found the solution just in the nick of time.

The final test they did was a success in that in neither exploded or caramelized the sugar. Though it had a short burn period, Twilight estimated that it would be powerful enough and long enough to get the rocket off the ground and into the air.

For the test launch though, they went to an empty plain of grassland just outside of Ponyville, devoid of buildings and ponies.

The rocket was ready for launch.

"I'm lighting it now," Gordon said.

He lit the wire leading into the motor and quickly retreated to a safe distance, standing next to Twilight.

Two seconds later, the rocket launched.

Pinkie began jumping up and down excitedly, "WE DID IT! WE-"

The rocket exploded barely a second after lift off, sending debris flying. Twilight though, quickly and instinctively erected a shield to protect herself, Gordon and Pinkie.

"Damn," Gordon said, "So close. Still, it's further than I've ever gotten on my own."

"Why did it explode though?" asked Pinkie, "The test motor didn't."

"I don't know Pinkie, but we'll get it right eventually," Twilight replied, examining the shrapnel, "If it's alright with you Gordon, I could keep running tests with Pinkie while you go to the school."

"Sure, just be careful."

"We will."

An hour later, Gordon was stood outside the school carrying with him the notes he had made for the lesson, along with a few other things. He'd also changed into a plain dress shirt in a dark blue, and out on a pair of black trousers and shoes. There was no way he was turning up to a school looking like an unmade bed.

Waiting outside as expected was Cherilee.

"Hi Cherilee."

"Good afternoon Gordon. How are you?"

"Not too bad, you?"

"I feel great, are you ready to go in?"

"Ready as ever. Are they expecting me?"

"Yes, but don't worry; they'll be on their best behaviour. Now if you'll follow me."

Gordon followed Cherilee into the school, nervousness beginning to build inside of him.

As he entered the classroom, he noted a range of expressions from fear, awe, excitement and intrigue.

"Good afternoon class."

"Good afternoon Miss Cherilee."

"Now, as you can see, we are joined by a special guest this afternoon. I'm sure you've all heard and even seen him around town. Children, allow me to formally introduce you to Captain Gordon Gresley."

"Good afternoon Captain Gresley."

Wow, thought Gordon, Cherilee must have gotten them to say that.

"G-good a-afternoon children. How are you all today?"

An abundance of indistinguishable answers echoed throughout the room, but from the excited response Gordon guessed that they were feeling fine.

"G-great. N-now today, at Miss Cherilee's invitation, I've come in to tell you all a little ab-bout my world and about humanity. First, I'd like to tell you a bit about my nation of birth."

Gordon took a piece of chalk and began writing on the blackboard, "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. G-great Britain consists of three nations: Scotland, Wales and England. England being the nation of my birth. A-are you all with me so far?"

A series of nods were seen across the classroom.

"Excellent. A lot of foreigners don't realise the United Kingdom and Great Britain are different. For clarification, the United Kingdom is Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Great Britain is just England, Wales and Scotland."

Gordon spotted a hand go up.

"Yes, young colt?"

"Hi Mister, my names Pip. I was wondering if you had a map to show us what your country looks like."

Gordon smiled, "Indeed I do Pip."

Gordon went into his bag and pulled out several maps. With Cherilee's assistance, he blu-tacked the map to the board. Holding up a pointer, he identified each nation.

"This here is Scotland, here is Wales, Northern Ireland and finally England. The smaller islands you see are the Isle of Man, Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands. The bit you see at the bottom here, is the northern most part of France. But we won't talk about that poncy lot."

A series of giggles was heard throughout the classroom. Gordon just couldn't resist the opportunity to take a swipe at the French.

Another hand went up.

"Yes, young mare. What's your name?"

"Scootaloo, and my question is; how big is your country?"

"Approximately, the United Kingdom is around 94,000 s-square miles in size, with England alone covering roughly 50,000 square miles."

Getting out another map and replacing the previous one, he moved on to his next question.

"Now, if you took my world and layed it out flat-"

"But the world is flat," came a distinctly, feminine voice with a pinch of snootiness.

"Diamond Tiara," Cherilee said, "Please do not interrupt. If you have a question, raise your hand."

Diamond Tiara, raised her hand.

"Yes Miss Tiara," Cherilee said.

"I was going to ask why Captain Gresley is implying his world is round. Everypony knows the world is flat."

"Well Miss Tiara," Gordon replied, "Your world may be flat, but mine is round, or more specifically; an oblate spheroid. This means it's a sphere that is flattened. In regards to my world, that means its radius is larger around the equator, than it is around the poles."

The scribbling of quills filled the room as everyone tried to take down what Gordon said, completely captivated by learning about an alien world.

Diamond's hand went up again.

"Yes, Miss Tiara?" Gordon said.

"Does this mean our world is an 'oblate spheroid' too?"

"Possibly," replied Gordon, "I'd like to find out myself. I'm hoping to do an experiment that will provide the answer. Anyway, moving on. Right here, is the United Kingdom."

Everyone looked to where Gordon was pointing with the pointer.

"That's tiny!" came another girly voice.

"Sweetie Belle!" Cherilee gently scolded, "Please don't call out."

"Sorry Miss Cherilee."

"You're right in that my homeland is small Sweetie Belle. But don't let it's small size fool you. For many centuries, the United Kingdom ruled the largest empire ever to exist in Earth's history."

Gordon took out yet another map, this one too of the whole Earth; but this one had large portions shaded in red.

"Now this map, highlights the areas of the world my nation once ruled almost a century ago when the Empire was at its height."

The classroom was a sea of open mouthed as everyone gawked at the map.

"Your tiny country ruled all of that?!" asked Pip.

"Yep. Though due to the Second World War, the UK no longer had the manpower or finances to retain its Empire, and subsequently gave independence to those under its rule. Some thirteen nations however, retain the Queen has head of state, including New Zealand, Australia and Canada; though they all govern themselves," he finished, pointing out the three countries on the map.

"At its height," Gordon continued, "The British Empire ruled almost a quarter of the planet's population, and its territory covered 14 million square miles, about a quarter of the planet's entire land surface. Such was the size of the Empire there was the saying, 'The Sun never sets on the British Empire' as, at any one time; the sun was shining on a least one part of it."

Pip's hand went up again.

"Yes Pip?"

"What was the Second World War?"

"Put simply, the bloodiest war in human history with a death toll between 55 million and 85 million people, most of them civilian. A war that involved over 100 million people and over thirty countries, and a war in which the Allies thankfully won; due in part to certain nations putting aside differences and focussing on their common goal."

"Could you tell us about those nations in particular?" asked Cherilee, trying to move on from the horrifying death tolls, noting the foals looking a little taken back by it.

"Sure. Two nations in particular were the United States of America and the Soviet Union. The former an ally of the United Kingdom and a capitalist democracy lead by the democratically elected President, Franklin D Roosevelt; whereas the Soviet Union was a communist dictatorship, ruled with the iron fist of Josef Stalin."

"That Stalin doesn't sound so nice," a filly said aloud, to which her class mates seemed to agree.

"He wasn't," replied Gordon, "He was a brutal dictator, but the Allies needed him and the Red Army on their side. The Red Army being the nickname of the armed forces of the Soviet Union. There's no doubt though, that without the Stalin and the vast resources of the Soviet Union, winning the war would have been far more difficult."

Gordon went to his bag and got out a laptop, one of many he owns, and put it on Cherilee's desk.

"As we're on the topic of World War II, I'd like to play to you some audio excerpts, of the UK's Prime Minister during the war, and who is, in my opinion, the greatest Briton to have ever lived. The man's name is, Sir Winston Churchill."

Gordon booted up the laptop and soon found the files to play.

"The first extract I'm playing, is his 'We shall fight on the beaches' speech, made to Parliament on the 4th June 1940."

Turning up the volume, he played the clip to the class.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkTw3_PmKtc

"What do you all think?" asked Gordon.

Several hands went up. Gordon pointed to a filly at the back, "The young filly at the back."

"Rose Blossom, and I think that speech was good."

"Anyone else?" asked Gordon, looking around the room, "Yes, Apple Bloom?"

"Ah think he sounds like a leader should."

Gordon smiled with pleasure, "Churchill was known for being an outstanding orator. He made many speeches that remain popular to this day. Would you all like to hear another?"

Many little heads nodded vigorously, so Gordon quickly found another popular speech by Churchill, "This one, was made a few weeks later, in late August while the Battle of Britain was raging in the skies, but more on that later."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y0t-RqjMH-A

"The Few," Gordon continued, "Refers to the Allied aircrews of RAF Fighter Command. The speech itself is longer, I just played the most memorable part."

A colt's hand went up.

"Yes young colt?"

"Rumble sir. What is RAF Fighter Command?"

"It was the command of the Royal Air Force that specialised in fighter aircraft such as the Hawker Hurricane and the Supermarine Spitfire-"

"SPITFIRE!"

"Scootaloo!" Cherilee gently scolded, "What did I say about calling out?"

"Sorry Miss Cherilee, sorry Captain Gresley."

"That's quite alright Scootaloo. I can understand your interest that particular name. Anyway, RAF Fighter Command was instrumental in defeating the Luftwaffe, the German Air Force at the time."

Taking out some more papers from his bag, he blue tacked them to the blackboard. A4 sized photo's showing the aircraft in question. Taking his pointer, he spoke more about each aircraft, retelling what he could remember.

"This one here, is the Hawker Hurricane. It was designed and built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the RAF and accounted for over half the victories in the Battle of Britain, the aircraft also served in every major air battle in the Second World War. Fifteen thousand of these aircraft were built between the late 1920's and mid 1940's, and could fly at over 300mph."

The colts and fillies 'oooh'ed and 'arrrr'ed in fascination at Gordon's telling of his nation's past, it was by far and away better than the maths lesson they would have had.

"As the war went on and technology advanced, so did the aircraft. Subsequent variants of the Hurricane were produced with more powerful engines, better range and fuel consumption and so on. It was also the same for the Spitfire, the more famous aircraft of the pair and one of the most famous aircraft in aviation history."

He pointed to the picture of the Spitfire.

"The Spitfire was designed by a man named Reginald Joseph Mitchell in 1936 and went on to become a symbol of the Battle of Britain itself. Initially fewer in number than the Hurricane, but as the war went on over twenty thousand Spitfire's were built."

Gordon took the photos down and handed them to a filly in the front row, "Have a look at them more closely and pass them around. Those are actual photos taken at the time of the Battle of Britain, over seventy years ago."

Gordon took a few moments to have a drink while the school foals looked at the photos, and have a quick, quiet chat with Cherilee.

"They seem to be enjoying themselves," Gordon said.

"I told you it would be a good idea."

"They're well behaved as well."

"I should think so. I am their teacher after all"

"A very good one it would seem."

"Thank you," Cherilee replied, fortunate her fuchsia fur hid her blush.

"Captain Gresley? We've finished with your photos," a colt at the front said.

Gordon walked over and took the photos, "Thank you. Who'd like to see more photos of aircraft?"

The very enthusiastic chorus of yesses gave Gordon a rather clear idea. For the next half hour, he showed them more aircraft such as the Lancaster Bomber, the English Electric Lightning, the Harrier Jump Jet, the Panavia Tornado, the Eurofighter Typhoon and the F-35 Lightning II.

"OK class," Cherilee said, "It's time for break now."

The thundering sound of countless hooves reverberated throughout the room as the foals raced towards the door. Within five seconds, Gordon and Cherilee were alone.

"Reminds me of my school days," Gordon said, "Seems like a lifetime ago when I first started."

"How long?"

"25 years. Finished 13 years ago."

"You did twelve years of schooling?" Cherilee asked in shock.

"Yep. In my country, twelve years is compulsory. After that I went into 6th Form for two years, then I got my degree whilst serving in the army."

"What's 6th Form?"

"Exactly that. When you're 11, you start Secondary Education and do five years, eventually obtaining GCSE's. If you carry on, you go into 6th Form, you're 6th year of secondary education, though it's not compulsory. Another option is college or getting an apprenticeship, or going straight into the workforce. Or if you're a lazy shit, sit on your arse all day and do nothing."

"What did you study in 6th Form?" Cherilee asked, intrigued.

"Media Studies, Sociology, Classics, and English Language."

"Why those?"

"They interested me, plus they seemed easier. I needed a minimum number of points to be able to apply to become an officer in the army."

"That was a risky gamble to take," Cherilee replied, slightly shocked at the reasoning Gordon showed for choosing his subjects. Choosing subjects just because you might pass them more easily was not something she would ever encourage her students to do.

"True, but since I enjoyed those subjects, I wanted to learn about them anyway."

"Then after that you applied to become an officer?"

"Yes. I was invited to attend a two day Army Officer Selection Board briefing. There I, and other prospective officers, were tested on our teamwork and leadership skills. That leads to a three day assessment were our physical and mental abilities are tested before the Selection Board."

"I take it you were successful?"

"Yeah. Only just though."

"A pass is a pass, Gordon."

"I can remember officer training now. Forty four weeks at Sandhurst, in addition to studying for my Leadership and Strategic Studies degree."

"Was it difficult?"

Gordon laughed heartily as memories of his cadet days came back to him, "That's one way of putting it. It makes me wonder what Equestrian soldier's training involves."

"I'm sure if you asked the Princesses they may show you."

"I might. Though if I do I may not be able to resist yelling at soldiers who commit infractions."

It was Cherilee's turn to laugh, "Try not to scare them too much."

Break had ended and the school foals were back inside, each one of them eyeing the cloth that covered something on Cherilee's desk. The foals very quickly found their seats and sat down, eager to hear more about Gordon's world.

"Welcome back class," Cherilee said, "Now, without further ado, Captain Gresley will continue his lesson."

"Thank you Miss Cherilee. Now children, first; I bet you're all wondering what's under this cloth? Who'd like to see?"

"I do, I do, I do" came the chorus from the class.

Smiling, Gordon walked over and began to pull back the cloth, "Children, allow me to show you, a scaled down version of an internal combustion engine."

In one swift move, Gordon pulled the cloth away, revealing the model.

Everyone, apart form Gordon, gasped at the complex (to them at least) device.

"Now, while this is a simplified model, it still shows the mechanics of what goes on inside a four stroke internal combustion engine."

Gordon switched the device on, and upon seeing the pistons move up and down, the fillies and colts couldn't help but ooh and arr at the sight.

"If you'd all like to come to the front and get a better view, I'll explain how it works."

Or try to, he thought, getting out some notes he made earlier and setting them behind the model.

Once all the children had moved to the front, he began explaining the device, referring to his notes in the process.

"Now, this model shows the Otto four stroke cycle. The first movement is the intake stroke. Here, the inlet valve opens and the piston moves down allowing the cylinder to be filled with air and fuel. The second stage is the compression stroke. Here the piston is pushed back upwards which increases pressure in the cylinder and results in the explosion being more powerful."

The fillies and colts continued to listen to Gordon, and watch the strange device as the pistons moved up and down.

"The third stage is the combustion stroke. When the piston reaches its highest point, it fires the spark plug which in turn ignites the fuel and causes an explosion which moves the piston back down again. The fourth stage is the exhaust stroke. When the piston reaches its lowest point, the exhaust valve opens, the piston rises again and pushes the waste gas into the exhaust pipe."

The children continued to watch in awe, amazed at such a complicated device.

"The real thing however, moves much faster. In fact, if you're all good children......I'll show you a real one."

Even in an alien land, children it seemed, were excited about super cars.

Gordon continued his lessons, also teaching the foals more about how aircraft are able to fly; and becoming more and more thankful to himself that he took several notes with him on said topics. But now though, was one of his favourite hobbies; and one he'd already spoke to Luna about.

Astronomy.

Taking out an iMac Pro and a mini portable projector, he quickly set the items up and closed the curtains, making the room as dark as possible.

"Gordon, what are you doing?" asked Cherilee.

"Making the room as dark as I can."

"Why?"

"To show you some pictures I think you'll like, darkening the room will make allow for clearer viewing."

In a minute or so, Gordon was ready and switched the projector on.

Everyone in the room gasped at the sudden projection.

"What is that?" asked a filly, pointing at the projection.

"It's a projection of what's on my laptop here."

"What's a laptop?" asked another colt.

"A portable computer."

"What's a computer?"

"Think of it as an artificial brain."

"What does artificial mean?"

Damn, these kids are interrogative.

"Made or produced by people rather than occurring naturally. Now, who's ready to see out of this world pictures."

Another round of enthusiastic affirmatives gave Gordon his answer.

"Now, I'll first start with a few pictures showing the area around where I was born and raised."

The first picture appeared and it showed lush green hills, blue sky and cumulonimbus clouds on a summer's day.

"This here, is the North Yorkshire Moors, in the north of England."

"Cool," replied a colt, "It looks like Equestria."

"Why are all those clouds there?" asked a filly, "Don't your weather ponies care about the weather?"

"Things are a little different in my world, we can't control the weather for a start. Also, in my world, humans are the only sapient beings and pegasi and unicorns don't exist. And Earth ponies, are quadruped and can't talk or think like you can."

"So, in your world, ponies are dumb animals?"

"To put it bluntly, yes."

"I'm not sure how to feel about that," said another colt, "Here we're smart, but somewhere else we're dumb?"

"It could very well be the same for me," replied Gordon, "Humans may be smart in my world and here, but I could have ended up in another Equestria where humans are just animals."

"I get the distinct impression you'd have quite a few things to say to ponies who'd try to treat you as such," Cherilee quipped.

"I certainly would, though I don't think you'd want your school foals to hear it."

"No, I wouldn't," replied Cherilee with a disapproving look similar to what a mother would give.

"Anyway, moving on to the next picture."

Gordon continued to show several more pictures he had taken himself over the years. From his childhood, his school years, his time in the army and the many holidays he had been on. Gordon explained each photo the best he could, and as much as he could remember, and was surprised at just how many questions the school foals were asking. They seemed to have a genuine curiosity about his world and so far hadn't shown him any animosity or called him a 'monster' or spouted any anti-human propaganda.

It was like being with his own children again.

After showing numerous of his own pictures, Gordon moved on to the astronomy pics.

"Now, the next photo's I'm going to show you are not ones I've taken myself, but taken by NASA's Hubble Space telescope. Most of them anyway."

The first picture appeared.

"Now this one, is called Earth rise, because it shows Earth rising above the horizon of the Moon. The photo was taken by astronaut Bill Anders in 1968 during the Apollo 8 mission."

"But then how does the sun and moon rise?" asked an understandably confused filly.

"In my universe, the Sun is at the centre of solar systems. My solar system, and everyone other one we've discovered are all heliocentric, that means the sun is the centre of the solar system and the planets orbit around the sun."

"But the princesses move the sun and moon!"

"If your sun and moon are anything like mine, then that would be nigh impossible. The amount of energy that would be required to move a small moon, never mind the sun.....is astronomical, I think mainly due to their mass. My world, is roughly 24,000 miles at the equator. The moon, just under 7,000 miles. The sun, 2.7 million miles."

Each school foal's mouth dropped in shock.

"The sun, my sun, is so big that 1.3 million Earths could fit inside. On a night when you see stars, you are told Princess Luna controls them, are you not?"

The children nodded.

"Those stars, are just like what you see during the day. The sun, is a star. All those stars, all those suns you see on a night, are in distant solar systems in different parts of the universe."

The was a long silence as Gordon's words sunk in.

"I know what you have been told about the Princesses, and that they control the sun and moon. But I say that that, to me, is scientifically implausible. I hypothesise that this world is, like my own, an oblate spheroid and orbits the sun, while the moon orbits your world with no input from the Princesses."

"Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence," asked Cherilee,"Can you prove your claims?"

"I'm planning an experiment to see if it is so. I'm planning in acquiring the assistance of one, Aurora Selena."

Cherilee's eyes went wide in shock and fear, the mere mention of the name putting her in a state of nervousness and unease.

"W-what s-sort of experiment?" asked a nervy Cherilee.

Gordon, who noted the tone in her voice, answered carefully, "I'm going to launch a helium balloon that will hopefully, at the very least, go high enough to show the curvature of the planet."

"Oh.....well I wish you luck," replied Cherilee with nervousness.

You'll need it if Princess Celestia has anything to do with it, she thought.

Gordon carried on with the presentation, although slightly concerned at Cherilee's change in demeanour, showing the foals the more spectacular photos taken by Hubble.

The rest of the presentation went well with the foals increasingly amazed at what Gordon showed them. But, as promised, Gordon was going to show them a real internal combustion engine. In the meantime, Cherilee has the foals design a spaceship they would use to visit Earth. Their designs were....interesting.

Gordon meanwhile, was rushing back to his home, taking his equipment with him. Along the way, he was met by Rainbow, who was wearing a training suit much like the Wonderbolt flightsuit, in that it didn't leave much to the imagination.

"Hi Gordon," she said, landing on the ground and walking up along side him.

"Hi Rainbow. What are you up to?"

"Just been doing some training exercises. What about you?"

"Just been at the school teaching the foals about my world. I'm just dropping these off then I'll be going back."

"What for?"

"To fulfil a promise."

"What promise?"

"THIS IS AWESOME!"

Gordon had only just switched the engine on and Rainbow was already beside herself in joy.

"Just so you know, you'll be the first pony EVER, to ride in an internal combustion engine powered vehicle."

Rainbow's grin just got wider, the revelation boosting her ego to the extreme.

"And not just any vehicle little Dashie. You're travelling in an Aston Martin Vanquish," Gordon said, fastening his seatbelt, "Right, now fasten your force belt Dashiekins."

"Force belt?"

"Your seat belt. Fasten it."

"Why?"

"It's the law in every country in my world, that and it's a life saving safety feature."

"But we're not in your world."

"True, but it's still my car and I'm driving. That makes your safety my concern."

"OK OK, I'll put it on."

She copied what Gordon did and fastened the belt, hearing it click in place.

"There. Happy?"

"Very much so."

"It feels so constrictive though,"she sulked.

"I don't know what you're so whiny about, you seem to me to be the sort of girl that likes to be tied down."

Rainbow blushed and, glaring daggers at Gordon, furiously showed her pearly white teeth, "SHUT UP!"

Gordon just laughed and slowly pulled out of the parking space and out of the garages north exit, the one that lead behind the house and around the front. The south garage door could be accessed from the front driveway where the standalone garage also stood. Gordon drove out of the garage, the garage door automatically closing behind and resetting the alarms.

He drove slowly around the house on the tarmac driveway, until he came to the front entrance where he saw Pinkie and Twilight stood out front.

"What are Pinkie and Perky doing out front?" asked Gordon.

"Perky? What's that?"

"Oh, just a human thing."

Gordon drove slowly and came along side the pair so they were at the driver's side (the right hand side).

"Pinkie, Twilight, what's up?" asked Gordon.

"What is this?" asked Twilight, mouth agape.

"It's one of those cars I told you about. Anyway, is there something you wanted?"

"Errr yes, now you mention it. Pinkie and I have finished."

"Finished? Finished what?" he asked in confusion.

Twilight blinked in bewilderment, "The rocket. We had a successful test."

"Really?"

"Yes. We did two more identical tests just to be sure. We should be all good to go on a demonstration to everypony."

"Excellent. What's the state of the garden shed?"

"It's....still intact," she replied sheepishly.

"That's not very reassuring," Gordon replied.

"We'll clean everything up!"

"You made a mess of my garden shed?"

"Well it's......it's.....it's all in the name of science."

Gordon said nothing for a few seconds, instead he relished Twilight's panicky demeanour.

"Just be sure the clean it up," he eventually said.

"We will. Bye Gordon."

"Bye Twilight," he replied, "Bye Pinkie."

"BYE GORDON! BYE RAINBOW!" Pinkie screamed.

"Bye Pinkie, bye Twi," Rainbow replied.

"Bye Rainbow."

Gordon drove slowly away and off the driveway and onto the gravel road, turning in the direction of the school.

"This is so awesome," Rainbow squeed.

Eyeing the straight road ahead, Gordon planted his foot down.

The result was his hearing being shattered by an ear piercing scream.

Slowing down again, he turned to Rainbow, "Did you enjoy that?"

Rainbow nodded vigorously, "Can you do that again?"

"No."

"Awww," Rainbow whined, "Why not?"

"Because we're almost out of straight road and there's a pony blocking the road."

"Well....get her to move."

"I can't make her move."

"But you have the means to do so?"

"Well, yes but-"

"Hey is that a horn symbol?" Rainbow asked pointing at the steering wheel.

Gordon looked to where she was pointing, "Yes, but don't-"

*BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP*

The blast of the car horn sent the pony running.

"It's a monster! Run for your lives!" the mare was heard screaming as she ran away.

"Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, that, was, HILARIOUS!"

"Maybe so," Gordon replied, trying not to laugh himself, "But when her Royal Sun Butt finds out she's just going to get all high and mighty with me again."

"Don't worry, I'll.......her Royal Sun Butt?" Rainbow repeated, all traces of humour before, completely gone, "Dude, if she EVER hears you say that she'll-"

"She'll what? What could she possibly do to me to make me suffer more than I am?"

Silence fell. The atmosphere in the car going from jovial to serious in a second. Rainbow, though often brash and sometimes insensitive, picked up on Gordon's words.

"Gordon, are you OK?" she asked, her voice quavering slightly.

"I'm fine," he replied tiredly.

Rainbow wasn't buying it, "Don't lie to me Gordon. What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"GORDON!"

"For fuck's sake Rainbow, drop it! I don't want to talk about it!"

Rainbow visibly flinched and edged back from Gordon, had the door not been closed she may have fallen out. Gordon regretted his outburst instantly. He stopped the car and immediately turned his attention to Rainbow, still pressed up against the door, her eyes smaller and her body shaking slightly.

Of fucking hell, I scared her. Gordon you're a fucking idiot!

"Oh shit, Rainbow......I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you or get you upset."

Rainbow didn't move, prompting Gordon to gently reach for her hands.

"Rainbow, I know you're concerned for my well-being and I appreciate the concern. I'm just not used to openly expressing my problems. Especially since the death of my family."

His hands on Rainbow's, he gently pulled her close, her still shaking slightly.

"I'm sorry for scaring you Rainbow."

He slowly pulled her in closer before giving her a gentle hug; one she returned, much to Gordon's relief.

"I forgive you," she said softly, "And I'm sorry if I was being pushy."

"You weren't being pushy Rainbow, you were being concerned," he replied, still hugging her and stroking her wings.

Rainbow moaned quietly in pleasure as Gordon's soft hands caressed her wings. The pair consoled each other a little longer, unaware they had drawn a small crowd.

"We seem to have attracted an audience," Rainbow said, letting go of Gordon.

"Then let's give them a show."

"WE CAN'T HAVE SEX IN FULL VIEW OF PONIES!"

Gordon was momentarily taken back, "I.....wasn't talking about sex."

Rainbow began to blush in embarrassment.

Gordon continued talking, "I was going to rev the engine and do a burnout."

"Oh," Rainbow replied sheepishly, "Yeah......let's do that."

Rainbow faced back towards the front, as did Gordon, giddy with excitement. He pressed the Launch Control button and adjusted his seat juuuust right until he was ready.

"Ready Rainbow?"

"Ready."

"OK. Three........two........one!"

At that moment, he ploughed his foot into the accelerator and after a furious wheel spin, he sped of into the distance; kicking up gravel and a cloud of dust in the process, causing ponies to start coughing.

A couple of minutes later, Gordon pulled slowly up to the school. Waiting outside were Cherilee and the children; the former not looking amused. Rolling down the window, Gordon spoke to Cherilee.

"Miss Cherilee, I've returned."

"I know. I heard you," she replied with just a hint of disapproval.

Looking at the foals, each and every one of them were stood open mouthed, the car being beyond anything they'd ever seen or even thought of.

"So, what do you little ones think?"

"It looks awesome!" replied Scootaloo, "Wait a minute.....is that Rainbow Dash?"

The passenger door opened and Rainbow moved to get out, only to be stopped immediately by her seat belt.

"You need to undo that first before you can get out," Gordon said.

"Shut up," she grumpily replied.

She undid her belt and got out, greeting Scootaloo with a smile, "It sure is Squirt."

"Who'd like to see the engine?" Gordon asked.

The excitable foals jumped up and down shouting 'me me me'. Gordon pushed the bonnet release button, allowing him to open the bonnet. He got out of the car and walked to the front, excited foals eagerly waiting to see what awaited underneath followed him.

Placing his hands under the bonnet, he lifted it up and stood aside to allow the children to see.

They were not disappointed.

"Remember not to touch anything children," Cherilee kindly reminded them.

"We won't," they chorused back.

While the foals were excitedly looking at the engine and the inside of the car, Gordon spoke to Cherilee while Rainbow kept an eye on the foals.

"They seem impressed."

"Foals usually are," replied Cherilee, "They seem to have taken a liking to you."

"I was honestly expecting screams of 'monster', or something of the sort."

"My students are much better than that. I teach them to be open minded and tolerant of others. Though the school curriculum requires teaching of humanity, it is not portrayed in a.....positive light. I have no option but to teach it, unless I want to lose my job and be barred from teaching for life."

"What do you mean by 'not portrayed in a positive light'?"

"I mean I have to teach the foals that humans are aggressive, selfish, territorial, greedy, materialistic and that they would betray and kill anyone if it suited their interests."

Gordon sighed tiredly. He was truly beginning to get sick of all the anti-human bullshit.

"Whilst some people are like that, they are a very small minority. The vast majority are selfless, open minded and peaceful, tolerant people."

"You don't have to tell me Gordon, I saw enough in your house and have been around you long enough to get that feeling."

"You've hardly ever been around me though."

"Long enough."

Cherilee and Gordon remained silent as they watched the foals look around Gordon's car, some foals sitting in the driving seat (under Rainbow's supervision). Gordon didn't mind so long as they were careful and didn't touch and of the buttons or levers; they could touch the steering wheel though.

"It's been a while since I last enjoyed being around children," Gordon said sombrely, unpleasant memories of his own children forming in his mind.

"I won't ever pretend to know what that feels like," Cherilee said sadly, looking to the ground, "To lose children you love dearly; I know that if I lost one of my students...."

Cherilee trailed off, not finishing her sentence; emotions overwhelming her.

"Sorry," she said, "I don't usually get like this."

"No need to apologise."

The noise from the foals was beginning to build, prompting Cherilee and Gordon to look over. The foals were beginning to argue about something.

"We better find out what's going on," Gordon said.

Walking over, Cherilee addressed her students, "What's going on here?"

"Miss Cherilee," Sweetie Belle whined, "Rainbow Dash won't let us switch it on."

"It's not mine to do so Sweetie Belle, it's Gordon's car."

Sweetie Belle turned rapidly to Gordon, "Captain Gresley, can you please switch it on? Pleeeease?"

A sea of adorable eyes looked at Gordon. No matter how much he tried, he couldn't bring himself to deny them.

"OK."

The foals, not for the first time today, cheered in delight. They moved aside as Gordon walked forward, allowing him to get into the car. Making himself comfortable, he inserted the key into the ignition slot and started the engine.

The rumbling of the engine once more brought out the amazement of the foals.

"Do you remember what I said earlier about how an internal combustion engine works?"

The foals nodded.

Gordon pressed his foot down, slowly building up the revs.

"Now," he said, speaking louder, "At the moment, the engine is at 1,000rpm. That means the cycle I explained earlier, is rotating the crankshaft one thousand times a minute. The crankshaft converts reciprocating motion into rotational motion. Don't ask me what all those mean though, I'm a soldier, not an engineer."

He pressed his foot down harder.

"The engine is now doing two thousand revs per minute."

He pressed his foot down further still.

"Three thousand.........four thousand............five thousand!"

The engine now was making a monumental noise, so much so the foals were covering their ears.

"Five thousand five hundred revs!" Gordon bellowed.

After a few seconds, he eased pressure on the accelerator and returned the engine to idle before switching it off. Turning to the foals, who were now uncovering their ears, he spoke to them once more.

"Right there at the end, the engine was doing five thousand five hundred revs per minute."

"Wow! Is that the fastest?" asked Scootaloo excitedly.

"Not even close," replied Gordon casually, "Another car I have can do up to six thousand revs per minute. Formula 1 cars a few years ago could hit just over nineteen thousand revs per minute which is just over three hundred revs per second if my maths is right."

The foals, yet again, stood open mouthed.

"Three hundred times a second?" Scootaloo repeated, "That's even faster than Rainbow Dash!"

"But I bet it can't fly faster than me."

"It's a car Dash, it doesn't fly," Gordon replied seriously.

"That was a joke, Gordon," Rainbow deadpanned.

"Oh."

"How fast can this travel anyway?" asked Rainbow, rolling her eyes.

"201 miles per hour at top speed."

"Pfft, I can fly faster than that."

"How fast?"

"She can do a Sonic Rainboom!" Scootaloo interjected, answering for her.

"What she said," Rainbow replied, pointing to her adopted little sister.

"I take it that's the sound barrier?"

"Sure is."

Gordon shrugged his shoulders and replied as nonchalantly as he could, "We have aircraft that can fly far faster than that."

Rainbow scoffed indignantly, "Excuse me? Did you just say that you have things in your world that can fly faster than ME?"

"Yes I did. Most modern jet fighters can fly a Mach 2. However, the Space Shuttle can reach 17,500 miles per hour when they orbit Earth, and unmanned probes can fly several times faster than that."

"How?!"

Gordon shrugged his shoulders, "Don't ask me to explain how; I'm a soldier, not a scientist."

"Despite that," Cherilee intervened, "The children and I have enjoyed your visit this afternoon. Haven't we?"

The children cheered in joy.

"Well if you all enjoyed it, I may have to make another visit sometime."

"We'll look forward to it," Cherilee replied, "Children, say goodbye to Captain Gresley."

A chorus of goodbye's filled the air as the foals returned to the classroom with Cherilee following behind. Before she went in with them though, Cherilee turned around and called back to Gordon, "I'll talk to you some other time Gordon."

"Sure thing Cherilee."

Cherilee went inside, leaving Gordon with Rainbow; who had made herself comfortable by laying herself over the bonnet in a provocative manner. She was layed on the bonnet, on her back and arms stretched out and one leg bent. Her posture amplified her bosom greatly, causing Gordon to get a little hot under the collar.

"Rainbow?" Gordon said, tugging at his collar with a finger.

"Why do I get the feeling that sexy car plus sexy mare equals horny stallion?"

"Rainbow?" Gordon repeated.

"Yes Gordon?"

"Please get off the bonnet."

"You're evading the question," she said as she got off the car, "Do human men find that combination sexy?"

"That information is classified," he said in his military tone of voice.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Turning around and playfully swatting Gordon with her tail, she opened the passenger side door and got in. A flustered Gordon followed suit. Fumbling with the key, he slotted it into the ignition slot and started the engine and fastened his seat belt.

"Ready Dashie?"

"Ready," she replied, fastening her seatbelt.

Gordon did a three point turn and drove slowly away from the school. Despite being mid-afternoon, the cloud cover reduced the light prompting Gordon to switch the headlights on.

"What have you got planned for tonight?" asked Gordon.

"Nothing much."

"You can stay at my place again if you like"

"Really?" she asked gleefully, stars sparkling in her eyes.

"Sure. I can make us some pasta if you like? I can add in some chicken and bacon and mix it with pasta cheese sauce."

"Sounds great. Would I also be able to play that game again?"

"Sure."

"And could you make me another hot chocolate?"

"Complete with whipped cream and marshmallows in the biggest mug I have."

"Thanks! You're the best Gordon!"

A happier feeling Gordon continued to drive slowly down the gravel road, which was empty of ponies, until he reached the entrance of his driveway. Waiting outside was a group of ponies, some looking on in awe and wonder at his car, others with a face like a smacked arse.

"I wonder what's pissed them off this time?" Gordon said.

"Who?"

"The grumpy looking ponies," Gordon replied, pointing to them.

Rainbow looked to where he was pointing and rolled her eyes, "Ignore them. Some ponies in this town will complain about anything."

"Such as?"

"Once, there was a stallion that complained about some clouds above his house."

"You're kidding?"

Rainbow shook her head, "I wish I was."

Pulling into the driveway and being careful not to run anyone over, Gordon go the foreboding feeling that yet another incident had occurred and he had been chosen to be the scapegoat.

Stopping outside his house, he switched the engine off and began to get out of the car.

"Aren't you going to put it back in the garage?" asked Rainbow.

"Later, for now I just want to see what these lot want."

"OK, let me come with you though."

The pair got out and began walking over to the group of ponies. Amongst them was a mare they encountered earlier. Flanking her were two burly Earth stallions, both of whom looking somewhat irritated.

"YOU!" shouted the one on the mare's left, who began walking forward towards Gordon, "Who do you think you are scaring my sister like you did?"

"What are you on about?"

"You, earlier this afternoon, in that hideous monstrosity, deliberately scared my sister!"

"No I didn't."

Gordon didn't have time to react to the stallion's punch and hit the floor hard, his nose throbbing and blood dripping.

"What the fuck did you do that for?!" Rainbow bellowed, bending down and tending to Gordon.

"The filthy ape deliberately scared my sister!"

"No he didn't! I was the one who pressed the horn!"

The group of ponies gasped in shock. The stallion however, looked down at Rainbow in disgust.

"So now you betray your own and side with this filthy parasite," the stallion spat.

"Oh come on, you're being ridiculous!"

"Am I? I've heard that you're even sleeping with this fowl creature."

"Who I sleep with is NONE of your business!"

"SHE ADMITS IT!" the stallion bellowed, "But then, you are known for sleeping around."

Infuriated at what the stallion was implying, Rainbow slapped the stallion hard across his face; a resounding smack being heard all around. Nursing his bruised cheek, the stallion began raise his fist.

"You'll pay for that you bitch!"

The stallion swung his fist.

Only to be stopped by Gordon who deflected the move with his arm and causing the stallion to stumble backwards.

"Not on my watch arsehole!"

The other stallion who flanked the other side of the mare, ran up.

"Need any help brother?"

"I'd be delighted to have it."

Realising the situation was going south very fast, Gordon backed up slowly so he was in line with Rainbow.

"Dashie, go and find Twilight."

"Sure thing."

Rainbow flew off before she could be stopped by anyone, leaving Gordon with the two burly Earth ponies, both of whom were larger than him and had considerably more muscle. The two stallions began to advance on Gordon, bloody murder in their eyes.

"Brothers, stop! I don't want this!" the mare called out.

"He deserves it for scaring you!" the first stallion replied.

"No he doesn't! Please don't hurt him!"

The first stallion looked back to his sister for several seconds, then back to Gordon.

Several tense seconds of silence passed as the stand off continued. No one saying anything or moving a muscle. Eventually though, the stallion spoke.

"Fortunately for you monster, my sister is present. Had she not been here....."

Gordon said nothing as the stallion and his brother retreated back to the group of ponies. He lowered his guard and watched as they walked away.

"That could-"

"ARGH!" Gordon screamed, jumping in fright.

Turning around he saw Star Cross.

"Sorry," Star Cross said, "I was saying that that could have gotten worse."

"Yeah........fortunately it didn't. I doubt I could have taken both of them."

"You took on three stallions the other day."

"Yes but they were scrawny little upstarts who just flailed their arms around. Those stallions were burly bastards far larger than I."

"Gordon!"

Gordon and Star Cross looked over to see Rainbow and Twilight running over. Before Gordon could talk to Twilight, Rainbow ploughed into him and hugged him tightly. Gordon returned the gesture and looked over Rainbow's shoulder to Twilight.

"They left just a few seconds ago," he said.

"I know, we saw them walking into town," she replied, grimacing at his bloody nose, "First things first though, you're going to the hospital to have your nose seen to."

"I'll be fine."

"No you won't. You're going to the hospital and that's final."

"Twilight!"

"GORDON!"

Gordon flinched slightly at Twilight's forcefulness, taken back by her strong stance. She continued walking towards him and took out a tissue from her satchel bag. Holding it onto Gordon's nose, she once again put some sense into Gordon.

"Gordon, you're going to the hospital and that's final."

"But Twilight," he moaned.

"But nothing Gordon. Rainbow, tell your coltfriend."

"Gordon, do as you're told," she said as she continued to hug him.

"Fine," he said, huffing in defeat.

"What were they wanting anyway? Rainbow said a stallion's sister was scared by you."

"The mare in question screamed and ran away when she heard my car horn."

"Why did she hear it anyway?"

"Because Rainbow pressed the horn, because the mare in question was blocking the road," he added, before Twilight could ask why.

"Was there really any need to scare her though?"

"The horn was used for one of its intended purposes. Rainbow wasn't irresponsible in its use."

Twilight sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose, "OK, but please bare in mind that there are ponies who'll jump at any opportunity to have you kicked out of town."

"What do you mean by that?"

Twilight nervously began to rub her arms, fearful of Gordon's response. She had already witnessed first hand his ferocious temper and did not want to be on the receiving end of another verbal roasting.

"Some ponies in town.....have started a petition."

"Demanding what?"

".....that you be removed from town and banished from Equestria," Twilight replied, her voice getting gradually higher in pitch.

Gordon scoffed and shook his head, "So much for love and tolerate."

"Gordon?" Rainbow said gently and quietly, "Please don't get angry with Twilight."

"I won't. But if your fellow ponies keep acting like they are sooner or later I'm really going to lose it."

"Gordon, calm down," Rainbow said, fear growing at Gordon's implied use of violence, "I know ponies are giving you a hard time but if you hurt them, even if they push you to it, you'll only cement their belief that humans are violent, aggressive monsters."

"What about when Shining and I knocked seven bells out of each other?"

A tired sigh left Rainbow, "That was unfortunate, and you certainly did yourself no favours-"

"Thanks Dash," interrupted Gordon sarcastically.

Rainbow scowled in annoyance, "But, you've also shown your good side by befriending some of us, including a Princess. And you've given a lesson at the school. When parents find out from their foals and Cherilee how good you were they'll have a more positive opinion of you."

"I don't know about that Dash," Gordon replied sceptically, "Something tells me something from going to the school is going to come back to bite me in the arse."

Rainbow scoffed in frustration, "Gordon, will you stop pointing out the clouds in the sky and try to be more optimistic?"

Gordon exhaled tiredly, “Sorry Dashie. It’s hard to stay optimistic in a world where almost everything is against you.”

"I'm sorry if I'm sounding harsh, but I don't like seeing you sad. Now come on, let's get you to the hospital."

"Fine," he replied before turning to Star Cross, "Mind staying here and keep an eye on the place?"

"Sure," she replied, "You'll be back later won't you?"

"Yes, we'll watch another film tonight if you want."

"I'd love to, so will the others. What will you be picking out tonight?"

"I'll think of something."

Gordon was sat on the bed in the Doctor's room alone, being attended to by a junior nurse. Twilight and Rainbow had returned to Gordon's house after his persistent insisting that he would be fine, although on the condition that they could cook something for tea.

The nurse walked up to Gordon, "If you'll allow it Captain, I'll examine you."

"Go ahead."

The nurse moved in closer for a better look and began gently touching his nose, causing Gordon to wince a little in pain. He didn't feel he'd broken his nose, but if he had it wouldn't be the first time. The first time was getting elbowed in the face, by accident, in a game of Rugby at school during a scrum. He didn't care though, he scored a try in the following attack.

"Nothing feels broken," the nurse said, "But I know nothing about human anatomy. A good sign though is the bleeding has stopped."

"Then it's nothing to worry about," Gordon said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way."

Gordon began to get up only to be stopped by the nurse, "Before you go, could you stop at reception on the way out?"

"Why?"

"To collect a form to register you with the Equestrian Health Service. It's so that you are eligible for free health care, unless you want to be burdened with massive costs."

Free universal healthcare? At least this place has got something right.

"Fine, I'll stop by. But if I'm not registered, then who covered the costs of my previous visits?"

"Your fees were waivered by Princess Luna given your....circumstances," the nurse said, nervousness in her eyes.

Noting the nurse's nervousness, Gordon deduced that it had to do with him being human, and the incident with Shining leaving a negative lasting impression on the nurse. If he was in her shoes, he'd probably be scared of himself too.

"You're scared of me, aren't you?"

The nurse nodded, "I am scared of you. But I have a duty of care to patients in this hospital and I will not allow personal feelings get in the way of my job."

"I know that feeling," Gordon muttered to himself.

"I'm sorry? I didn't hear you," the nurse said.

Gordon looked to the nurse, "Nothing, I was just talking to myself."

The nurse said nothing as she opened the door for Gordon, "If you'll follow me Captain, I'll walk you to the reception."

"Lead the way."

Gordon followed the nurse to the reception, realising that he'd now been to the hospital three times in one week; whereas his preceding three visits to a hospital spanned four years.

It took about about a minute to reach the reception, the corridors sparsely populated. The one pony he did encounter hobbled away on his crutches as fast as he could the moment he saw Gordon.

Gordon paid him no mind though and just focussed on his objective.

Walking behind the desk, the nurse pulled out some forms from underneath the desk and handed them to Gordon, "Fill these out and return them as quick as you can."

"Sure. If there's nothing else?"

"No. That's all."

"Well in that case, goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Gordon turned around exited the hospital, intending to get home as quick as possible.

And not only to avoid the rain.

As he went outside, a pony dressed in a nurses uniform approached him, a scowl etched on his face.

"Can I help you?" asked Gordon, noting the familiar situation he found himself in.

“You’re lucky the princess personally saw to it you were treated with care. We don’t usually treat animals here.”

"That's good to know, if I ever have an animal I'll be sure to not to bring them here."

Gordon walked past the nurse who was now speechless from Gordon's unexpected witty comeback.

I think I didn't give him the reaction he wanted.

Gordon managed to make it home before the heavens opened and, after parking his Aston Martin back in the garage, walked straight into the kitchen, completely unprepared for what he saw. There in his kitchen, were Twilight, Star Cross, Pinkie and Rainbow; all wearing frilly pink aprons, getting out pots and pans and beginning to prepare an assortment of ingredients.

Gordon just gawked at the scene like an idiot until Pinkie bounced up to him, "Hi there Baking Buddy!"

"Hi," he mumbled, still a little phased at the unusual situation.

"Have you come to join us?"

"Join what, exactly?"

"To help us cook! It is your kitchen after all."

"Well-"

"Come on Gordon," Rainbow added, walking up to where Gordon and Pinkie were stood, "Join us! You are Pinkie's Baking Buddy after all."

"But we wouldn't be baking, we'd be cooking."

"Then we'll be Cooking Compadres!" Pinkie exclaimed excitedly.

"What?" Gordon said, becoming more and more perplexed at the situation.

"Rainbow!"

"Yes, Head Chef Pinkie?"

"Grab Gordon an apron and get him chopping away!"

"A pink frilly one?" Rainbow asked with a creepy, sinister grin.

Pinkie nodded, "Silly Rainbow, of course the pink frilly ones; which other ones do I use?"

"I'll get one pronto."

Rainbow went to the utility room adjacent to the kitchen and returned with a frilly pink apron.

"Come on Gordon, time to-"

Rainbow stopped talking and looked around the kitchen, "Hey, where did Gordon go?"

Pinkie looked around the room, only finding Rainbow Twilight and Star Cross, and ultimately came to a definitive conclusion.

"HE'S GONE!"

FIVE MINUTES LATER

Gordon stood out of the lift and onto the top floor of his house, after going there via the basement to get a bottle of wine, his heart still beating faster than normal after his brush with likely humiliation. His destination was his railway room to escape the clutches of the girls and their suddenly peculiar behaviour, except for Pinkie. She's always crazy.

"Hi Gordon."

Gordon looked up to see Shining, Photon, Spike and Nightlock all standing around his model railway, looking but not touching or operating.

"Hey guys. How long have you been up here?"

"Since the girls scared the shit out of us with their suddenly girly girl behaviour," Shining replied, grimacing and shuddering in great displeasure.

"How close did you come?" asked Gordon.

"Too close," Nightlock replied, looking a little shaken up, "Had Shining not acted as quick as he did...."

Gordon looked to Shining for clarification.

"I teleported us up here."

"Ah," Gordon replied, "Makes sense. Any idea what caused the sudden, extreme girlishness?"

"I don't know," replied Shining, "And I don't think I want to know."

"Well if it helps," Gordon held up the wine, "I brought some liquid pain killer to ease our troubles."

The three stallions and drake smiled for the first time in the evening.

Downstairs in the kitchen, four mares were in hysterics; laughing like hyenas and having to support themselves by leaning in the kitchen counters.

"They really thought we were going to make them wear frilly pink aprons!" Rainbow laughed out.

"Did you see the look on my brother's face?" asked Star Cross gleefully, relishing in the teasing of her brother she'd never let him forget.

"Your brother? What about my brother? I've never seen him so scared."

"It was totally worth it, wearing this," Rainbow said, motioning to her apron, "Just to see grown stallions scream like little fillies."

"Your coltfriend didn't scream though," Twilight replied, "He just ran away."

"I think Gordon would say he made a strategic withdrawal," Star Cross said, walking over to the carrots, "Now, come on girls, we had our fun. Let the boys play with their toys while we do the tea."

"This isn't a toy," Gordon said seriously, "It's a model, built to scale."

"We understand," Shining replied, speaking on behalf of the others.

"Then gentlemen, you may operate this model railway."

NINETY MINUTES LATER

Gordon and the other guys were back downstairs and in the kitchen, sat at the dining table; waiting quietly as the girls brought the food over. Rarity, Applejack and Fluttershy, had arrived during the previous ninety minutes, and were sat at the table with the guys. The latter group all feeling nervous.

"So boys," Rarity began, eyeing them like a lioness stalking its prey, "I hear you all left our fellow mares to do all the cooking."

"Well they are females."

"What was that Gordon? I couldn't quite hear you."

"Nothing!"

"Oh good, for a moment there I thought you said something quite inappropriate."

The sound of silence did nothing to ease the nerves of the males in the room. Each one could feel the eyes of the girls boring into them, just waiting for them to crack.

...

"We didn't want to intrude!" Shining exclaimed, giving into the pressure.

"Or get in the way," added Nightlock.

"And I'm too young to be handling sharp knives," Spike pointed out.

"And it's my house. No one, tells me what to do in my home," Gordon stated confidently, sure in his own authority.

"Gordon get your feet of the chair," Star Cross said firmly.

"Yes ma'am," he replied, obeying the firm demand.

Just in time for Rainbow to sit down next to him, "Did you enjoy playing with your toys?"

Gordon spluttered indignantly, "My model railway is not a toy!"

Rainbow giggled and playfully jabbed Gordon in his side with her elbow, "I'm only messing with you."

Gordon wrapped his arm around her and gently pulled her in for a cuddle, "I know. And with the little stunt you all pulled earlier, I know just the film I'll put on."

"What film is it?"

"You'll find out later," he replied cryptically, smirking.

Twilight returned with a several plates in her magic, all containing the same meal; roast salmon with peas, potatoes & bacon, and placed one on front of each person.

"Smells good," Gordon said.

"Glad you approve," Rainbow replied, "Though I must compliment you on your speed earlier."

"Speed?"

"We turned away for one second and you disappeared!"

"One second was all I needed."

"To run away?"

"I didn't run away," Gordon replied, slightly offended, "I made a strategic withdrawal."

"I told you so," Star Cross in a sing songy manner,

"Gordon?" Rainbow said.

"Yes?"

"I took the liberty of getting a couple of bottles of white wine from the cellar, to have with the meal," Rainbow said, getting up and going over to where the bottles and glasses where.

"That's fine. So long as there's some wine left."

"Some wine left?" Rainbow half-yelled in shock, "Gordon, there must have been over one hundred bottles down there!"

"I just bulk bought a load from a specialist wine store. I put them in the cellar as it's the best place to keep them."

Coming back with the bottles and glasses on a silver tray, Twilight kindly levitated the contents off the tray and set them on the table. Rainbow put the tray on the kitchen side and sat back down, just in time to see Gordon pouring her wine glass full.

"Thanks Gordon."

"Anytime Dashie."

"Dig in everypony," Twilight said aloud, "I hope you enjoy it. It took long enough to make."

"You could have asked for help," quipped Gordon, stuffing some fish in his mouth, "We'd have helped out, right guys?"

"Sure we would/absolutely/of course," came the simultaneous response.

Twilight looked at Gordon incredulously, her eye twitching.

"Just ask next time," Gordon replied.

An hour later, tea was finished and everyone was once again in the front room getting ready for another film night. Gordon was stood in front of the DVD shelves, picking out the film he chose.

"I've had more film nights this past week than I have in the preceding several years."

"Don't you have friends over?" asked Twilight.

"Hardly ever. Most have families of their own to be with or they're on active duty overseas.....or dead."

Everyone present had the sense of mind to know what Gordon meant, and not pry for more details.

"You don't mind us though?" Twilight asked, worry in her face, "Being here?"

"Not at all, it's welcome change from what became a solitary life."

Picking the film out, he walked over to the Xbox and put the film in.

"What did you pick tonight?" asked Rainbow, "If you picked another mushy musical just because of that little stunt we pulled-"

"Come now Dashie," Gordon said sitting down next to her, "Would I ever do that to you?"

"Yes! You would!"

Gordon grinned cheekily, relishing in Rainbow's poutyness, "You're right. I would......and I have."

Rainbow groaned in great displeasure, slamming her head back on the sofa.

"Come on Rainbow, this musical in based on a true story and is considered a timeless classic."

Rainbow folded her arms across her chest, pouting and sulking, "Fine! Even though you said I could play that game again."

"You still can after the film finishes."

"Do you Pinkie Promise?"

"Pinkie Promise? Is that the thing you made the other day when Pinkie scared the shit out of me when she randomly appeared out of a plant pot?"

"Yep, and nopony, or human, breaks a Pinkie Promise. Isn't that right....Applejack?"

Gordon looked to Applejack and saw fear in her eyes, like she was recalling a truly traumatic moment of her life.

"She's right sugarcube," Applejack said, her voice somewhat subdued, "You do NOT want to break a Pinkie Promise."

"Well, Gordon?" Rainbow asked, drawing Gordon's attention back to her, "Do you Pinkie Promise, or are you too chicken to?"

"I Pinkie Promise."

"Do the rhyme Gordon," Pinkie said.

"What rhyme?"

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye," Pinkie said with the accompanying arm movements, including squishing a cupcake into her eye.

Where did she get that? wondered Gordon.

Gorodn huffed in annoyance at having to recite such a silly idiom. Though given the similarities between that and one from his world, he decided to give his world's version, "Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye."

As he expected, the girls squealed in terror; the guys however found it morbidly amusing.

"Gordon, that's disgusting!" Twilight scolded before turning to her snickering brother, "Shining, stop laughing!"

Shining did, considering it the safer option. Twilight turned her attention back to Gordon, still greatly unamused at his version of the idiom.

"Why would you say 'hope to die, stick a needle in my eye'?"

"It's just an expression Twilight, to show how serious you are at going through with something."

"So does Pinkie's Pinkie Promise, why couldn't you have just said that instead?"

"Because it's too silly for someone like me to say."

"Maybe," Twilight admitted, "But your version is a little morbid for a society like Equestria."

But killing humans isn't it seems, Gordon thought, recalling his talk with the Trottingham Mayor.

"Come on guys," Rainbow said, intervening, "Let's not argue. Let's just enjoy the film."

"Sure," Gordon said, wrapping an arm around her, "I have a feeling you'll like this film Rainbow."

"I doubt it."

THREE HOURS LATER

"So," Gordon said, "What did you all think?"

"Surprisingly good," replied Shining, "And you say that it's based on a real story."

"Yes. I think there might be something in my library that has more details but, it's based on true events, yes. Although the producers did exercise some artistic licence for the sake of the film."

"I particularly like Maria's wedding dress," Rarity said, "Simple yet beautiful."

"What about you Rainbow?" asked Gordon, "What did you think?"

Rainbow, who was resting her head on Gordon's shoulder, just shrugged her shoulders, "It was OK."

Ok? Just OK? Well it takes two my little Dashiekins!

Taking a deep breath and bracing himself for strong verbal vitriol, Gordon responded in kind to Rainbow's opinion, "OK? Just like the Wonderbolts then."

Gordon's tactic worked a little too well.

Jumping to her feet and spreading her wings out wide, she snarled fiercely at Gordon.

"THE WONDERBOLTS ARE MORE THAN JUST OK!"

Whilst everyone else reeled back in shock at her outburst, Gordon didn't move a muscle, completely unfazed by Rainbow's reaction. The was a nervous silence as everyone remained still, fearful of making a noise and incurring Rainbow's wrath. Rainbow however, looked fiercely at Gordon and after a few seconds of staring at his self-satisfied smile, the pennies began to drop.

Her fierce glare slowly softened into a sheepish laugh, "Heh heh, point taken."

"You liked it didn't you?"

"I suppose," she said, sitting back down next to him.

As close as possible.

"Well I must be going now," Twilight said, standing up, "I have a few things to do and I think Gordon and Rainbow want a little privacy now."

Everyone else stood up and began making their way to the front door.

"Gordon, we're good to go on that rocket launch tomorrow, if you like?"

"Sure, I should be able to squeeze it into my busy schedule."

"Excellent, I'll write a letter to Princess Celestia."

"What for?" asked Gordon, concerned. While he knew she was aware of his plans, because he told her, having her there would put immense pressure on him for the experiment to work. One little mistake, and Celestia would capitalise on it and not hesitate to use it against him and further try to suppress the advancement and discovery of new technologies; claiming them to be dangerous and keeping Equestria in a state of technological stagnation.

"Well she has taken a keen interest in this experiment, as has Princess Luna, but she is unable to attend."

"Why?"

"According to Princess Celestia, Princess Luna has a private engagement to attend. But what it is I don't know."

I think I may know what her private engagement is, Gordon thought.

"Fine," he said with great reluctance, "So long as she allows me to actually get on with the experiment and not interfere."

"She will, " Twilight replied.

Gordon looked to Twilight, his face contorting into aggression and ready to tell her where Celestia can stick her muzzle. Fortunately, Twilight realised her use of words just as quickly as she spoke them.

"I mean she'll let you get on with it!"

Gordon breathed a sigh of relief and visibly calmed down, "Sorry, just for a moment I thought you said Celestia would interfere."

"Sorry," Twilight replied, twirling her mane, "I should have worded it better."

Twilight opened the front door and all who were leaving, stepped out.

"Well, thank you again darling for a wonderful evening. You certainly know how to play host."

"I'm just being me," Gordon replied modestly.

"You don't give yourself enough credit Gordon," Rarity continued, "But I look forward to more nights like this. That is if you invite us, of course."

"I can't see why not, our film nights have been good laughs. Maybe next time one of you can pick a film."

Rainbow immediately grinned like a Cheshire cat and began bouncing up and down on the spot, "Can I pick one? Can I? Can I? Can I?"

Gordon stroked his chin, 'pondering' whether he should, "I don't know....."

"Oh come on," she whined, pouting, "Please!"

"Oh alright, but only because you said please."

Gordon suddenly felt himself embraced by furry blue arms.

"YES!" Rainbow exclaimed excitedly before hopping back inside, leaving Gordon and the others to watch on bemused.

"Well that seemed to put her in a particularly fine mood," Gordon said.

"Well," Applejack started, "Rainbow has been a bit more....playful, since you came along."

"It's just my British charm," Gordon quipped cheekily.

The girls just rolled their eyes.

"Of course it is darling."

After the girls left, Shining, Photon and Nightlock went up to the railway room to operate the model with Gordon's permission, while Star Cross had gone with Rarity to model a few dresses for her.

Gordon entered the living room and to his surprise, Rainbow was already on the floor, sat cross legged playing on the Wii U. On further examination, Gordon saw she had turned off the Xbox One, and put the The Sound of Music DVD back in its case.

Nodding in approval, he walked up slowly and quietly behind Rainbow and sat down behind her, slightly to the side, and wrapped his arms gently around her waist.

"You didn't waste any time."

"You know me. I'm the fastest mare in Equestria."

Gordon chuckled and gently pulled Rainbow back into him, gently squeezing her, "Want a hot chocolate?"

Rainbow turned her head to Gordon and nodded gently and smiled.

"One big hot chocolate with whipped cream, marshmallows and a dusting of chocolate powder coming right up," Gordon said softly, kissing her on her cheek.

He got up and went to the kitchen, out of sight to see Rainbow's crimson blush.

Gordon returned a few minutes later carrying a tray with two large hot chocolates, each complete with a mountain of whipped cream and encrusted with marshmallows. Also on the tray, a large bag of Skittles.

Gordon set the tray down on the coffee table and glanced at the TV screen and saw Rainbow chase Dampe around beneath the grave. He decided to wait until she completed the challenge before alerting her to his presence, as a gamer he knew to well how annoying interruptions could be.

"Finally!" she exclaimed in relief.

Hearing shuffling behind her, her ears twitched and she turned around, "Hey Gordon."

"How many attempts did it take?"

"......Four."

"I did it on my first attempt," Gordon replied, grinning.

"Show off."

"Says you."

"Touché," she conceded, before noting the drinks and her face lighting up in delight.

"Help yourself Dashiekins, and there's a bag of Skittles for us to share," he said, grabbing one of the mugs and taking a gulp of chocolatey goodness, "Damn that's good."

He set the mug back down, only to notice Rainbow looking at him, stifling a laugh, "What?"

"You've got something here," she said, pointing to his nose.

Gordon raised a hand to his nose and sure enough, found a small amount of whipped cream there, "I'll go and get a tissue."

Rainbow had other ideas and scooted over to Gordon and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling herself in close too him.

Close enough to lick the cream off of his nose.

"There, all gone," she said happily before returning to the game.

Gordon's cheeks however went as scarlet as his Grenadier's tunic.

"Report."

"All is proceeding well. It shouldn't be too much longer before the plan can be put into effect."

"Excellent."

Author's Notes:

NB: I've changed Gordon's Uni degree (mentioned in chapter 10) from 'Criminology' to 'Leadership and Strategic Studies', because the latter is what you can study in the British Army when you join up as an officer.

Also, I have his story in the 'Wishes for a TV Tropes' folder of the TV Tropes group. It's been there a while so I was wondering of anyone was interested in creating a TV Tropes page for it?

I have a Patreon account and it's been a big help. My Patreon Donors (very nice, generous people) are listed below:

Andrew Adams
Tankoncow

If you wish to become a donor as well you can become one by going here.