My eyes shoot open as I take a frantic gasp for air, my body quickly rising as I push myself into a sitting position, causing Arcturus to leap from my body and hover in the air. I splutter violently as I press my hands against my throat, an unimaginable amount of discomfort still running through my body. It takes me a few moments to calm my breathing as my thoughts return to me.

Turning my head from side to side, I continue to splutter as beads of sweat slowly trickle along my forehead and neck. Despite having only died in a dream, I felt nothing but fear coursing through my veins as I bled out like a stuck pig. Images of Luna looking down at me in horror as she tried to keep me alive still run through my head, the look of desperation and torture as she realised that her attempts to help me were unsuccessful.

I can't imagine how hard that must have been for her, to see me die in one of the worst ways possible. There are many horrible ways to die in war, but seeing your friends or loved-ones bleeding out has to be one of the worst. God knows how she's taking it. But, Luna knows it was all a dream. She must know that I'm obviously still alright and that it won't happen to me in real life. It's not like I'll be fighting a nation with fully operational tanks and snipers in the near future, and I highly doubt it will be the case in the distant future.

Rubbing my hands over my face, I shift my gaze to Arcturus as he lands on the edge of the dresser as he glares at me in irritation. Sighing, I shakily climb out of bed and stumble across the room. My head pounds with each step I take, my vision blurring as I try to keep my balance. Reaching the door to my office, I throw it open and almost tumble through the doorway before catching myself on the desk.

Shimmying myself around the desk, I reach the liquor cabinet and reach in for the bottle of absinthe that Luna gave me and a clean glass. Quickly collapsing into my chair, I pour a generous amount of the green spirit into the glass and rest the bottle on the polished desk. Groaning, I swirl the contents within the glass before bringing it to my lips and draining it with one swift gulp, my throat burning from the strength of the alcohol.

Slamming the glass down on the desk, I lean back into the chair as the strong alcohol sends me into a coughing fit. My stomach decides to disagree with the absinthe as I instantly begin to feel sick, drinking on an empty stomach when you're sick isn't exactly the wisest choice in the world. Tilting my head back, I stare up at the ceiling as I wait for my stomach to settle. It doesn't take long until I begin to feel tired once again, my eyes slowly drifting closed.

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My head suddenly jolts forward when I'm abruptly awoken by a heavy knocking at my door. It takes me a few moments to regain my senses and to remember that I managed to fall asleep at my desk. As the door to my office opens, I frantically open my desk and hide the drink and its glass within the desk. I can't have everyone thinking that I'm drinking myself to sleep every night.

The door is slowly pushed open to reveal Sunny. Stepping inside, she pushes the door closed behind her yet doesn't turn to face me, "John, can we talk?"

"Of cou-" I cut myself off as I enter another coughing fit, my chest burning with each attempt at clearing my throat.

Sunny quickly turns to face me, a worried expression painting her face. "Sweet Celestia, you look awful!"

Finally clearing my throat, I roll my eyes, "Ahh, thanks for making me feel like shit. Well, even more like shit."

"I'm just saying that you look... sick."

Leaning forward, I bury my head into my arms as I fold them before raising my thumb to Sunny, "Cheers doc. I would never have guessed that."

Sunny approaches the desk as she looks around my office, "Maybe you should see a doctor. You're all clammy, look exhausted and-"

"-Fuck that," I state as I lift my head once again. "I'm not going to a doctor just so they can tell me I'm sick and need bed rest. I already know I need bed rest, I'm not sitting in a doctors office for hours just to be told that."

"What about Slicer? Should I get her?"

"Sunny, she's a medic, not a doctor." Groaning, I rub my face as I sit up. "If you're gonna get anyone, best bet would probably be Twilight. Even though she'd likely want to study similarities between humans and ponies when they're sick. I don't really wanna be a guinea pig in this condition."

Sunny chuckles as she turns and slowly saunters back to the door, "I suppose I should get the Princess then."

"Oh, no you don't." I stand up a little too quickly, throwing my balance off as I sway to the side before supporting myself on the desk. "You're not getting anyone. You came in here for a reason, what was it?"

Stopping on the spot, Sunny drops her head as she seems a little hesitant. Turning back to face me, she steps up to me. "It's about... Princess Luna."

I cock a brow as I lower myself back into my chair, "The Princess? What about her?"

"During the training, she seemed to... fly off the handles." Sunny sighs as she sits in the seat across from me. "Something inside her just snapped. She went into a rage, rushing forward and attacking anypony in her way."

I should have known she'd act out in some way, seeing what she did. I would have hoped she'd be able to keep control within the dream, but it obviously proved too much for her. I wave my hand dismissively, "It was a training exercise set in a major conflict. She was likely just testing her abilities."

Sunny shakes her head, "No, that was something else. We had all just been shot at by that tank, I don't really know what happened. One minute, we're all picking ourselves up, the next she's in the enemy trench decapitating soldiers and disembowelling them." Sunny shudders as she looks to me, pausing briefly. "What's going on... between you and the Princess?"

I stare at Sunny blankly, "What do you mean?"

"I heard her calling your name before she rushed off ahead, telling you to 'hold on'." Sunny lowers her head briefly before locking eyes with me. "When I came to my senses, I found you lying in a pool of your own blood and Luna had rushed off ahead. Now, I don't want to be that pony who listens to these stupid rumours, but I heard that the Princess was quite... fond of you."

Sighing, I run a hand through my hair. "Sunny, Luna and I are simply good friends. As bad as it sounds, I don't think she has that many friends since her return. With few friends, can you really blame her for acting out when she lost one in such as way as she did? I practically bled our right in front of her."

"There's acting out, then there's losing your shit. She cut a soldier open with swords, then she ripped the gun off the tank and flipped it over." Sunny shakes her head, "John, I know that you're with Moon Glow, but maybe the Princess sees something in you."

She ripped the cannon off a tank? Fucking hell, she can be really powerful when she's pissed off. Opening my mouth to respond, I'm quickly cut off when another set of knocks comes from the door. Both Sunny and I turn our heads to the door as I call out, "Come in!"

The door is opened to reveal a certain someone stood on the other side, Luna, except she is in disguise as Moon Glow. Entering my office, she closes the door and quickly moves alongside me. "John, are you alright? You look-"

"-Like shit... I know." Before I can say anything else, her forehooves are quickly thrown around my neck as she pulls herself in close.

Luna doesn't stay close for too long as she suddenly pulls back, "You're burning up. You shouldn't be working."

"I'm not working, I was just talking with Sunny."

Sunny gives Luna a weak smile before she gets up from her seat, "I should leave the two of you alone. And Moon Glow, make sure he doesn't try to work like he usually does."

As Sunny approaches the door, I lift a hand out to her, "Sunny, wait a moment." Sunny comes to a stop as she pivots to face me. Lifting my hand, I gesture for her to wait a moment before I begin to whisper to Luna, "She's catching on, Luna. She saw what you did in the dream after I died, she's heard the rumours. Luna, I want to tell her."

Luna releases her grasp of me as she looks at me with trepidation, "You want to tell her?" She responds in a hushed tone. "John, are you certain that's wise?"

"She's one of my best friends, Luna. She'll catch on and she's already raising concerns. Besides, she can be a test... to see how others react."

Luna flicks her head over to Sunny who is stood patiently as she faces the both of us in confusion. Luna sighs as she returns her focus to me. "Can we trust her to remain silent about this?"

"I trust her with my life. We've had each other's backs and have been through a lot together. If there is one person, or pony, I can trust with this, it's her." Luna considers this for a moment as she looks to the side. After a lengthy pause, she finally lifts her head and gives an uneasy nod.

Turning my focus to Sunny, I find her remaining on her spot in confusion as her eyes flick between myself and Luna. "Umm, what's this about?"

"Sunny, there is something very important that I... we need to tell you." I watch Luna as she paces to the liquor cabinet and nervously leans against it. "But, I need you to promise that you will not tell a soul about this. I'm trusting you as one of my best friends to keep this information hidden until I want to make this public. Is that understood?"

Sunny's confused expression remains as she gives a shaky nod, "I won't tell anypony anything, John. You can trust me."

"There's a reason that Luna... acted out when I was killed." Coughing loudly, I clear my throat as I shift my gaze to the mare in question. "Luna has helped me through a lot during my time here in Equestria, giving me a job and giving me a purpose again. Over time our bond grew and we were able to discuss many things together. She grew to be somebody I could confide in, and I earned her absolute trust."

"John, are you saying that... the rumours are true?"

Sighing, I shakily climb out of my seat and move around my desk in order to lean against it. "At the Gala, Luna and I spent the entire night together. As we left for the night to go to bed, the two of us... felt something. Luna and I... are together... romantically."

Sunny's jaw snaps open as she looks at me in disbelief, her gaze eventually shifting to Moon Glow. "B-but... what about Moon Glow? I thought the two of you were together?"

Luna steps alongside me, "There is no Moon Glow." With a flash of her horn, Luna envelopes her entire body in a magical field. In a bright flash, Luna's body transforms to her normal form. Reopening her eyes, she lifts a forehoof to rest on my hand as she looks to Sunny. "I am Moon Glow. It has allowed John and I to go out together."

Sunny stammers as her brain seems to shut down, her eyes locking onto Luna's hoof as it brushes softly against my hand. "Y-y-you... and the Princess... are-" Exhaling heavily, Sunny blinks a few times as she watches us. "I can't believe it. This whole time you two have been dating. We went out together at the Crystal games... and I never knew I was getting drunk with Princess Luna and her... colt friend."

"John and I have kept this hidden in order to protect ourselves, you are one of the first ponies that we have shared this information with. No doubt, there will be many nobles and senior officers in the Guard who would disapprove of our relationship. We will inform others of our relationship when we believe it is best to do so."

"Then... why did you tell me?" Sunny asks as her gaze turns to me.

"I trust you, Sunny. I know you'll keep this to yourself until we decide to go public. In all honesty, we also needed to see how someone will react when they learn about us." Clearing my throat, I lift my free hand and clasp in around Luna's forehoof. "So, what do you think?"

Sunny is initially silent as she studies the two of us, the only noise escaping her lips is the occasional stammer. Once it seems that she's come to a decision, she lifts her head, "I don't see anything wrong with it. The both of you have the right to be with anypony you want, it just so happens that one of you is the Captain under the other's command. But... those relationships aren't uncommon. Many senior officers and NCO's enter relationships with somepony in the rank below, it just happens that Luna is a Princess. If Princess Cadence can be in a relationship with a Captain, then why can't you?"

Sunny smiles as she steps back towards the door, "The two of you have been through so much in your lives, I think it's only fair that you can choose who you want to be with. I think the both of you would be perfect together." Opening the door, she slowly steps through as she looks back at us. "I won't tell anypony, don't worry." With a smile on her face, she begins to close the door behind her, "Like I said at the Equestria games, you both look cute together." With that, she closes the door leaving the two of us alone.

Luna blinks slowly in surprise as she turns to face me, "That went... better than I expected."

"I knew Sunny would be okay with it." Moving from my desk, I make my way into my bedroom before collapsing face first on my bed. "But, I feel like shit."

Luna follows me into my room. Noticing Arcturus, she tilts her head to the open door. When I look back at her, I'm surprised that he takes the hint as he flies out of my bedroom before Luna closes the door. Sighing, Luna sits on the bed alongside me. "I need to talk to you... about last night."

Rolling onto my back, I slowly move to a sitting position as my body aches. "Sunny told me. That's why she caught on that something may actually be happening. She said she saw you rushing off ahead and attacking the enemy when I died."

Luna's ears drop as she turns her head away from me, "I just lost myself in the moment. It was a dream, but I lost control when I saw you... die in my hooves. You're a Captain of my Guard, a frontline officer in a newly formed regiment with the purpose of fighting on the front lines... and I'm scared what will happen. Equestria will never see a conflict on that scale, but it made me realise that even you, a highly trained soldier, are still at risk."

Lifting my hand, I lightly run my fingers through her mane, "I can die in combat, it's true, but it's what is expected of me. I knew the risks when I joined the army, but I also knew the good that would come of it. I have saved lives, protected those under my command and most importantly, I was able to come here as a result of being on the frontline. I will eventually die, Luna, it's inevitable. If I die on the battlefield, it is to protect civilians, those who follow me into battle and to keep you safe."

"And what happens when you die?" Luna locks her eyes onto mine, tears beginning to form as she talks. "You could die out there and I'd have to live with the fact that I sent you out there to be killed. I was powerless to save you last night, I wouldn't be able to handle it if you were killed because of an order I gave."

"It's the same for me, Luna. I work alongside my friends, yet I'm expected to give them an order which could cost them their lives. We can't let our personal feelings get in the way of what needs to be done. We both have our jobs to do, you have to lead a nation, I have to lead a team into combat."

As I begin to heavily cough, Luna watches me with a weak smile. Once I clear my throat, she pulls the quilt from underneath me. "Come on, you need to get some rest." Not wanting to complain, I fall back against the soft mattress and pillows as Luna wraps me up in the quilt before lying alongside me. Leaning closer, she places a soft kiss on my cheek. "Try and get some rest, John." Finding myself unable to keep my eyes open, they quickly drift closed as I fall into a light sleep.

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I'm awoken by the sound of music as I roll in my bed. Groaning, I sit up in bed as I look to Luna as she smiles sheepishly from the other end of my bed. I'm quickly able to identify the song as 'Starlight' by Muse, my favourite song by the band. Rubbing my eyes, I look at Luna as she tries to juggle my phone in her magic. "Is there any reason why you've woken me up by playing Muse?"

Luna mildly blushes as she finally takes control of the phone. "Sorry. I was just looking through it and accidentally started the song. I'll turn it off."

"Nah, leave it on," I state as I lift my hand. "It's my favourite song. Keep it on." Coughing, I clear my throat as I lean back against the headrest. "Is there any reason that you're looking through my phone?"

Moving over the duvet, Luna crawls over the bed and lies on her back alongside me as she holds my phone overhead in her magic. "I was just curious and wanted to see what it could do. You've been asleep for the last three hours, what did you expect me to do?"

I cock a brow as I pluck my phone from her magic, "Three hours? Haven't you got 'royal duties' to attend to?"

"Do you really think that I spend every day working? Of course not. I do get the occasional day where I have little to no duties to carry out." Luna quickly takes my phone from my hand, "There was something I wanted to ask you."

I look at Luna with curiosity "Okay, what is it?"

Sitting alongside me, she begins to flick through a number of photos on my phone. "I had one picture I wanted to ask you about, it... peaked my interest." Selecting through the gallery files, my eyes widen as she loads up a file with the no title where I may have stored some... more adult pictures. "Why do you have photos like... this?"

Turning the screen back to me, I find a picture my ex-girlfriend sent me before my second tour in Afghanistan. It shows her in a fairly untidy bedroom as she holds her phone in front of a mirror. She's wearing one of my army shirts with the chest opened up, exposing her breasts as her free hand is slowly sliding down a set of combat trousers. "Umm... it was a gift from my girlfriend at the time. Something to 'remember her by' when I went away for six months."

Luna slowly nods her head, a mild blush on her face. "Clearly this picture was intended to... keep you company."

Chuckling nervously, I retrieve my phone from Luna's magic and turn off the screen. "Yeah."

Luna's eyes slowly drift to mine, her blush seeming to intensify. "John, you haven't... taken any pictures of me in such a way, have you?"

I quickly shake my head as I lift up a hand defensively. "No. No, I haven't. I never really was one for taking photos during... the act. Jess just decided to give me some when I left. You haven't got to worry about me going around and taking pictures of you in such a... compromising position."

"Good," Luna responds in a sultry tone. "I'd prefer it if you appreciated me whilst we were together." Grinning, she presses her forehooves on my chest as she rolls in order to straddle me. Before I can say anything, she lifts a forehoof and presses it lightly against my lips. "Ah, don't talk. You're sick. You need to conserve your strength. Why don't you allow me to make you feel a little better?"

Trailing her forehooves over my chest, she begins to lightly plant kisses along my neck. Grinning, I tilt my head down to look at Luna, "Well, I suppose I won't object to you helping me feel better." Running my hand along Luna's body, my fingers softly trail through her coat as her soft lips press against my neck.

To my surprise, her magic takes a hold of my hand and lightly pulls it away from her coat. "No. No. You shouldn't be working, John. Let me take care of you." Planting another few kisses on my neck, she pulls back with a slight grimace, "Ugh, you need a shower. And... this needs to come off." Tugging at my t-shirt with her magic, she lifts it over my head and throws it to the floor. "Now that's better."

Luna begins to caress my exposed flesh with her forehooves as her tongue starts to slowly trail its way down my chest. Closing my eyes, she places the occasional kiss as I rock my head back. My body gives a sudden jolt as I feel Luna's teeth pressing on my skin. Looking down, I find her eyes locked on me as she lightly bites at my stomach with a grin on her muzzle.

Releasing her hold on my stomach, she flicks her head to the side as her forehoof digs underneath the elastic band of my pants. Without hesitation, she quickly lowers my last article of clothing as her eyes shift to my member. Trying her best at putting on a pouty face, her eyes flick up to me. "Naw, what's the matter? Not excited yet?" Before I can respond, her hoof flicks over my soft member, "I'll have to fix that."

Without warning, Luna wraps her lips around my cock and presses her tongue along the shaft causing me to buck my hips involuntarily. It doesn't take long until I feel my cock growing in her mouth, her tongue working wonders as she swirls it around my length.

It's hard to imagine that I have a Princess going down on me. A goofy grin spreads across my lips as I raise my arms and rest them behind my head. And she's certainly gotten better since our first time. She learnt the most important rule, a sickie will always make a guy feel much better.

With my cock at full length, Luna pulls away with an audible pop as my erect member slaps against my stomach. Giggling to herself, she runs her forehoof over my wet cock as she looks up at me. "So, is my treatment to your liking?"

Smirking, I nod my head, "Do you really need to ask? I'm a guy, of course, it's to my liking."

Stretching out her wing, Luna begins to tickle my member with the tips of her feathers. "Don't get used to it. I'm not going to always give you this sort of treatment for nothing in return. But since you've been working so hard and are feeling a little under the weather, I suppose I can let you relax."

Positioning her body, she moves in such a way so that she is alongside me. Gesturing for me to sit up, I follow her command and move for her. Turning my head, I watch as Luna sits behind me and positions her hindlegs on either side of my hips as her forehooves hang over my shoulders. Leaning her head to the side, she rests it alongside mine as her wings stretch around our bodies and press against my cock.

Moaning in my ear, she begins to move her wings up and down my shaft as she gives me what I can only imagine is a wingjob. "This certainly is a view." Sticking out her tongue, she flicks it over my earlobes before softly nibbling on them. "You know, I would never have imagined that anypony would have done something like this, before my banishment."

Moaning, I push my head closer to hers as I close my eyes, "It's a good thing that it's the twenty-first century, then."

"Hmm, it would have been particularly naughty for a Princess to do this." Luna's speed intensifies as she continues planting kisses on my cheek and ear.

"Well, I guess that makes you a naughty Princess. Will I have to punish you for acting in such an improper fashion?"

Luna giggles as she ceases her movements, "I suppose I should stop, then." As I turn my head to look at her, an evil grin spreads over her lips. "But, I imagine you won't be too happy if I stopped now."

Groaning, I lift my hand and run it across her cheek, "I would be pretty irritated."

"Shall I continue to be a 'naughty Princess'?" Luna asks in a seductive tone of voice as her wing prods at my twitching member. I can only offer her a weak nod as her wings resume their earlier movements, a chuckle pushing its way from her lips, "That's what I thought."

I lower my head as groans begin to frequently escape from my lips, my eyes locking on Luna's movements as she continues to play with my cock. Her primary feathers work to massage the shaft and tip of my cock with every movement of her wings, the flexible joints are able to easily move around my cock in order to expose every part to her touch. I soon find a certain pressure building up within me as her speed increases, my hips thrusting on their own accord.

Luna moans as she presses her body closer to mine, heat generating from her own groin as it presses against my lower back. "I think you're enjoying this a little too much. However, you are ill, so I shall give you the relief you require." Luna increases the speed of her wing movements, the flat side of her feathers rubbing over the tip of my cock as she shifts position.

Groaning in pleasure, I'm unable to hold back as my head rocks back. My cock twitches in Luna's grasp as I cum, ropes of cum smearing against Luna's wings as she uses it as encouragement to work faster. Luna continues to jerk my sensitive member as I finish cumming, her own hips lightly gyrating as she stares at my cock. It takes Luna a few moments before she breaks herself free from her trance. Pulling her wings back, numerous trails of cum connect her feathers to my cock.

Moaning, Luna kisses my cheek as she spreads her wings out alongside her body, "Look at the mess you made."

Chuckling, I turn my head to look at her, "That I made? You've got nobody to blame but yourself."

"I suppose you are right," Luna responds with a sigh. Pushing against my back, Luna moves away from me as she rolls off the bed. "I'm going to use your shower. I'm sure you won't mind." As Luna saunters across the room, she comes to a stop as she looks back at my exposed member. "As much as I love the view, perhaps you should cover up." Lifting my pants in her magic, Luna flings them alongside me on the bed before she enters the bathroom and locks the door behind her.

Putting my pants back on, I pull the quilt back over me as I try to relax in bed. It doesn't take long until the sound of the shower funning can be heard from the other room. To my surprise, the volume of the shower itself is quite low, likely thanks to the building design. Closing my eyes, I slowly begin to nod off as I allow my body to relax.

I'm only able to get a few minutes of rest until a sudden knocking comes from the door, making me jump in surprise as my eyes turn to the office door. "John," Twilight's voice calls from the other side. "Can we come in?" 'We'!? She's brought the girls with her, and Luna is in my shower! FUCK!

"J-just a minute!" Rolling frantically to the side, I pick up my t-shirt from the floor and pull it over my head. Returning to my position, I'm about to call them in until the sound of the shower makes me realise that they'll notice the someone is in there. Noticing a distinct lack in music after the last song finished, I decide to cover the sound by playing a new song. Selecting a song at random, Under Pressure begins to play as I adjust the volume to cover the noise of the shower running. "Come in!"

The door opens, confirming my suspicions as Twilight and the girls come into my room. "Are you alright, John? Sunny said that you were sick."

I wave my hand dismissively, only to instantly be betrayed as I enter another coughing fit. "I'm fine."

"Is it man flu again? Like you had at the Equestria games? It must be serious if you've contracted it again so soon."

"It could be," I respond with a shrug, almost forgetting that I used the excuse of man flu when Luna had her fun with a certain spell. "I just need bed rest and I'll be up in no time."

"John, darling, forgive me for being so blunt, but you look absolutely dreadful," Rarity states as she lifts a forehoof and points and my sweat covered head.

"I've been shot at, stabbed and caught in numerous explosions. I won't be beaten by the sniffles." Rubbing my tired eyes, they occasionally flick towards the bathroom door as the girls spread around the bed. My eyes finally drift back to Rarity who's holding a suit carrier in her magical grasp. "What's in the bag?"

"Well, seeing as the uniform you came to Equestria in has been through many... patch jobs, I decided to create a few new uniforms for you." Opening the bag, Rarity reveals three sets of MTP combat uniforms. "I copied your old uniform. I must admit that I am not particularly enamoured with this design, however, it wasn't designed to make you stand out for all the right reasons."

"Thank you, Rarity. I appreciate it. There should be space in the wardrobe, just stick them alongside my old uniform." Rarity does as instructed and neatly hangs up the uniform alongside the others, sticking to the presentation I showed my team during locker inspections when we were training in Griffonia.

"It's quite refreshing to see somepony that can keep their outfits coordinated."

"Thank the army and their insistence that all kit needs to be organised completely the same as everyone else's."

Pinkie practically bounces into my wardrobe in order to inspect it, the sound of items being thrown about filling me with images of my wardrobe being worse than a bomb site when Pinkie is done with it. As quickly as she jumps in, Pinkie emerges with my gas mask resting on top of her head. "Hey, check out this funny hat. Is it a mask? Is it your costume for Nightmare Night?"

"No, Pinkie," Twilight responds. "It's John's gas mask. It protects him from chemicals and airborne toxins." Twilight's face scrunches up slightly as she turns to me. "He's already had to use a similar mask in Griffonia during the state visit."

"Oh, yeah," Rainbow adds as she takes the mask from Pinkie's head and looks at it closely. "Spitfire was curious as to why all of your guards carried these."

I shrug as I watch Fluttershy reenter the room, she must have left earlier and I never noticed. "It's just a precaution. Chemical weapons are one of the worst things you can face. Those masks are the difference between life and death. They've already been needed once so I'd rather have them in case another need arises."

Rainbow drops the mask on the end of my bed as Fluttershy moves alongside me and holds out a teacup and saucer to me, "This'll make you feel better, John."

Taking the drink from Fluttershy, I bring the warm elixir to my lips and take a cautious sip. I'm immediately hit with the strong taste of lemon and tea as I drain the liquid, it quickly sets to work as it helps to relieve the discomfort in my throat. "Thanks, Fluttershy." Fluttershy responds with a timid smile as she rejoins Twilight.

"I still don't get why your army taught you to lock doors when you go to sleep," Rainbow says as my eyes drift to her in horror. True to form, Rainbow attempted to open the door to the bathroom like she did when I first came back from the civil war and spent the night with Spitfire.

"I-It just is, alright. Anyway, it's rude to just go snooping through what is essentially my house." I notice Applejack and Rarity giving one another a knowing look as they were previously able to uncover the real reason why I had the bathroom door locked.

As Rainbow seems to give the door another push with her wing it is thrown open to reveal a disguised Luna on the other side. Using the spell to hide her appearance, Luna casually runs a towel through her wet mane as she looks at Rainbow with a fake smile. "Yes? Something I can do for you?"

Everyone's eyes all turn to Luna as she drops the towel behind her and enters my bedroom. Applejack is the first to speak as she turns her gaze to me, a mildly jealous expression on her face, "We didn't know y'all had company."

As Luna joins me on the bed, she climbs onto the mattress and leans against my body as Pinkie lets out an excited gasp, "Oh my gosh! I know who this is! This is John's marefriend!"

Luna's cheeks turn a mild shade of crimson at Pinkies outburst. Rubbing my face, I release a shallow groan. "Thank you, Pinkie."

"This is Moon Glow?" Twilight asks as she gestures to Luna alongside me. As I give a nod, Twilight smiles warmly to Luna as she bows her head, "Well it's nice to meet you, Moon Glow. I'm afraid that John hasn't told us much about you."

Luna returns the smile as she looks at me, "That's understandable. John and I have not had many opportunities to spend some time together recently, not with him being busy all the time. The one time we're both free to see one another he end up being sick, somehow."

"Oh, that's easy," Pinkie exclaims. Inhaling deeply, Pinkie prepares herself before speaking as fast as physically possible. "John needed to solve a mystery so I took him to Zecora's who knows almost everything. Zecora gave John a magical potion that allowed him to speak to himself as he had a nap so that he could control a magical influence. I'm guessing he didn't like the potion as he kept complaining that he felt sick, but it did its job."

Everyone stares blankly at Pinkie as we try to catch up with what she had just summarised. "Magical influence?" Twilight repeats. "What magical influence."

Clearing my throat, I pull away from Luna as I swing my legs over the edge of the bed. "You remember what happened when Tirek made his attempts at seizing Equestrian magic? Since his influence on me was broken, the spell remained and couldn't be broken. After... recent incidents... I have gained control but didn't know how to fully utilise it. Zecora gave me a potion to take an 'inner journey' so that I could learn how to take control."

Luna shuffles across the bed to remain in my view, "You now know how to control it? Are you certain?"

I nod my head, "I simply give myself an order and the influence, Davies he calls himself, takes control of my body and completes the order given." Standing up, I stretch my arms. "I suppose I should test it. I'm going to tell him to listen to any instructions you give me, Moon Glow. Just do some basic tests until I step in, that way I'll know if I can truly regain control when I want."

Once Luna gives me some sort of confirmation, I close my eyes in an attempt to concentrate. Right, I have no idea how to do this. Just give him an order and he'll follow? Okay, I can do that. Davies, can you hear me?

You called? A deeper version of my voice calls back to me in my head. You already bored of having fun with Luna? What's wrong with you?

I mentally roll my eyes as Davies chuckles within my head. Shut up, smart arse. This is a test to see if what you said is true, Davies, I am giving you an order, follow any instruction that Luna gives you until she tells you to surrender command or until I want my body back. Is that understood?

...Yes, sir.

We all watch with intrigue as John's eyes tighten, his hands lifting up to press against his forehead. After a brief pause, his body shifts as he stands up tall. Opening his eyes, we're all initially taken aback to see that the white eyes that are usually affiliated with his corruption has replaced the natural blue colour of his eyes. Climbing off the bed, John turns his head to watch me as I move around. Glancing back to the others, I give them a shrug, "What am I supposed to have him do?"

"Oh," Pinkie shouts as she jumps in front of him. "Make him sing a song!"

I give a minor chuckle at the thought of John having to sing out loud, especially since he has expressed his distaste for ponies breaking into song. "Very well. Davies, why don't you sing John's favourite song for all of us?"

He watches me momentarily before his head snaps forward, his hands resting behind his back. "Far away, the ship is taking me far away, far away from the memories of the people who care if I live or die. Starlight, I will be chasing your starlight, until the end of my life, I don't know if it's worth it anymore. Hold you in my arms, I just wanted to hold you in my arms-"

Twilight steps forward as she eyes John curiously as he continues to sing, "This is the spell that allowed Tirek to influence him. How has he gained control?"

I open my mouth to respond until a thought comes to my mind. I can't openly tell everypony that John made a deal with Discord, that would cause distrust and concern to spread. We should keep it hidden, for the time being, it can be revealed at a better time. "I'm not sure. He hasn't exactly explained it to me." Turning my head back to John, I lift my forehoof and press it against his hand.

"What if somepony else gives him an order?" Applejack asks as she looks at him with concern. "Davies, jump up and down." Despite the order being given to him, he disobeys as he continues singing. "Okay, maybe he won't follow other's orders."

"Yup, you don't have to worry," Pinkie states as she starts to bounce around him. "He's going to listen to one pony and one pony only. This is amazing, then he can fulfil his promise and make me 'auntie Pinkie Pie'."

I cock a brow as everyone shifts their gaze to Pinkie, "What do you mean?"

"Oh, John asked Twilight before if it was possible to have children and Twilight said he could, so long as he was in the form of a pony and obviously did the business with another pony." My eyes widen upon hearing this. John was asking about having children? Pinkie decides to continue as she pokes his arm, "But, he did say he'd rather be married before having children." Smiling innocently, she turns her gaze to me, "Perhaps the two of you can get married!?"

John's head suddenly seems to twitch as he lets out a groan. Clamping his eyes shut, his head snaps to Pinkie as he scowls at her with his blue eyes, a heavy blush on his cheeks. "Pinkie, that's enough. I was speaking hypothetically. I'm still only in my twenties." I begin to stammer slightly as my focus remains on Pinkie, I don't even notice the others looking at me.

My eyes shift to Luna as she seems to be staring into space. Crossing my arms, I look at Pinkie in annoyance as she fails to pick up on my irritation. Breaking the awkward silence, Twilight takes hold of Pinkie in her magic and begins to push her out of the room with the girls following behind. "Umm... I think we should leave you to rest and recover. We'll talk soon, John."

As the girls leave the room and close the door behind them, Luna seems to recover a little as her ears twitch. Tilting her head, she slowly looks up at me. "John... why were you talking about having children?"

"It just came up a while ago when Twilight was using the transfiguration spell on Applejack. My curiosity peaked and I was wondering if it was physically possible for me to potentially have a child in the future. I'm only twenty-five, but when I get older and retire from the military, I'm more than likely going to settle down. Now, that could mean just getting a small house and doing small jobs, or it could be starting a family, I don't know yet. I was simply seeing what my options are for the future."

Luna slowly nods, "I understand." Sighing, Luna turns her gaze to me. "Pinkie Pie just threw me off as she identified me as your marefriend and said you had to 'fulfil a promise'."

I sit down on the edge of the bed, "That's just Pinkie being Pinkie. She wants to be an auntie to my kids when I eventually get them. Obviously, that won't literally happen but it was more to appease her."

Luna sits alongside me as her forehoof rests on my knee. "She can be a little eccentric. Who knows what could happen in the future, there are practically infinite possibilities. But..."

Luna seems to trail off as I eye her curiously, "But?"

"I am two-thousand and forty, John. You're not the only one who wants to eventually settle down."

My eyes widen slightly as Luna's statement hits me, "Everyone wants to eventually."

"Exactly!" Luna exclaims quickly as she looks at me.

"There's no harm in thinking about future possibilities," I respond in a similar fashion.

"Yes, it's perfectly normal!" Luna laughs nervously as she clears her throat. The two of us remain in silence as our gazes shift around the room, an awkward atmosphere filling the room as neither of us says a word. It takes Luna to break the silence when she drops the spell to assume her normal form. Stretching out her wing, she lightly pushes against my back in an attempt to get me to stand. "Come on, you still need that shower." Standing up, I stumble across the room towards the bathroom. Looking back at Luna, I give her a soft smile which she happily returns before I close the door behind me.

Thanks for making things awkward, Pinkie.