I gradually open my eyes as the morning sun shines on me, with a quick scan of my surroundings I find find myself in the Ponyville hospital room I was in after my initial run in with the Timber wolves. I check over my body to inspect my various wounds, my wrist is secured within a cast so I'm hoping that the doctors were able to set the bone back in place or heal the bone entirely. Running my hand over my head I find a bandage tied over the wound I sustained from the crash, not to mention an additional one I likely gained after face planting the floor. My shoulder has also been cleaned and bandaged from the sword which had been able to pierce my flesh, my calf however seems to have been stitched rather then bandaged so I'm guessing it was not as bad as I initially thought.

You lost it again, didn't you?

Turning my head I find Williams sitting on the edge of the window, the wound on his cheek is highly visible as the sun shines on it. Sitting back against the head board I run my hand through my hair, "Why are you here?"

Jumping off the window edge he walks to the foot of my bed. I told you that you needed to keep your anger under control. You beat somebody to death in front of half the town, broke his bones and smashed his skull open.

"It was in self defence. He tried to kill me so I defended myself."

Do you really expect them to believe that? You had won the fight yet continued to attack him.

Closing my eyes I cup my hands over my face, "I had to."

Bullshit. Williams leans against the frame as he stares into my eyes, If you did that back home you'd be out of the army and more than likely in prison. The fight was over, he could have been captured and interrogated. Now everyone will look to you as a murderer, a monster who kills those who are helpless.

"Fuck off!" I bring my hands down on the bed punching the mattress, "You're not real! You're dead!"

I'm in your head. For as long as you live I shall remain.

"John?" My eyes widen as I realise that there is someone else in the room, looking to my right I find Twilight getting up from a chair tucked in the corner which I had somehow missed , "Who are you talking to?"

Looking back to the foot of the bed I finds no sign of Williams. Glancing back to Twilight I let out a sigh, "I... There's no point in hiding it. I was talking to Williams."

Twilight moves to my side and rest her hoof on the bed, "You see him? Is he here now?"

I shake my head, "No... he just comes and goes."

"How long have you been seeing him for?" I can hear the concern in her voice, it's almost as if she actually cares. Whether or not the girls like me after that display is an entirely different matter.

"Since the party in Canterlot before I was deployed to the Griffin Empire. It became more common as the war went on."

"I take it that it isn't normal?" Raising an eyebrow I look to her, "For human to have vision of their dead."

"No. It's not." We just stay silent for a moment, I can see that she's trying to think of something to say but in all honesty how do you respond to somebody who says they're seeing their dead friend? "I... need help, Twilight," She raises her head to face me, "I don't know why I'm seeing him, before I could only see him but before too long he actually started speaking to me."

"Is there anything in particular which cause him to appear?"

Leaning my head back I rest against the head board, "He often shows up when I... lose someone or let my anger take over. He first spoke to me when I lost Moonshadow in the first offensive of the war, I saw him and Taylor looking down to me from the village."

Twilight turns her head to look towards the door, "You should tell Princess Luna when she arrives, she may be able to help you."

"Princess Luna is coming?"

She nods, "She requested that I informed her when you awoke."

I let out a groan, "I take it I'm in the shit again?"

"You... murdered that Griffin in front of half the town."

"It was self defence."

Twilight glares directly into my eyes, "I think it surpassed 'self defence' after you broke his leg and wing!"

"I know... I lost myself in the heat of the moment."

"That's a bit of an understatement," She heads towards the door and opens it with her magic, "You only just started to be accepted here, after last night I wouldn't be surprised if the whole of Ponyville was afraid of you. I know you thought your actions were justifiable, others won't be so understanding," Exiting the room her magic slams the door shut behind her.

She's right. They ran when I used to walk through their town, after watching me kill another no doubt they will see me as a murderous fiend. With little to do I lie back down and rotate my head to the side to watch the outside world through the window.

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Following a few hours I decide to get changed, bringing my legs over the edge of the bed I attempt to stand but slump over onto one knee as a pain shoots through my injured calf. Regaining my composure I search the draws alongside my bed and find a set of clothing had been left for me, nothing too fancy just a set of tan trousers and a white t-shirt.

Luckily I was left in my pants rather then naked so straight away I put my trousers on. Pulling the top over my head I hear the door creak open, "Going somewhere?"

"That was the plan," Turning to the door I find Luna standing in the doorway, walking into the room two Unicorn guards enter alongside her with Griffin muskets held in their hooves, "I see you've approved of your guards being issued rifles."

Side glancing to the guards she steps forward, "They certainly are highly effective. But we will discuss that later, for now we have more pressing issues."

Sighing I step closer to her, "I should have known this was coming."

She stands at her full height raising her head above mine. She looks down at me with her eyes, a deadpan expression painted across her face. I wait patiently as she continues to glare at me, "I understand why you did it."

I look up to her with confusion, "Well I certainly wasn't expecting that, I was expecting a royal bollocking."

Luna repeats herself, "I understand why you did it, but others won't look at it the same way I do. Know that my sister is not pleased with the outcome but she also understands the reasons behind your actions. You will face no retribution from us, John, though as I'm sure you can imagine the tabloid have picked up on this story very quickly."

"Yeah... they love to milk a story for every last drop," I sit down on the foot of the bed, "So what's going to happen? Surely you won't be able to let me go and pretend like nothing happened."

Luna turns to the door and stops once she enters the hallway. Looking back over her shoulder she gestures with a flick of her head for me to follow, "I may have a solution to this issue, come with me," Getting up from the bed I hobble slowly towards her and follow as we walk down the hospital corridor, due to my injured leg I find myself unable to keep up with her pace. Stopping she turns to me, "I see that all of your injuries have not been healed."

Shrugging I bring my damaged wrist against my chest and support the weight by bringing my good hand underneath the elbow, "It's better than nothing, at least they set the bone and healed all the cuts from the broken glass."

"Hold still," Raising an eyebrow I lower my arm again and look to her. Closing her eyes the tip of her horn begins to glow, "This may sting," Before I can protest I find my body enveloped in her magical glow as a unreal sensation courses throughout my body. The cast on my wrist peels away dropping to the floor with a resounding thud, lifting the wrist I watch as the swelling subsides and the wrist's position adjusts followed by a succession of audible clicks. The movement of the bone causes my face to strain in pain, shallow groans escape my lips as pain shoots throughout the joint. I feel something being plucked away from my calf, glancing down I find the stitches falling from within my trouser leg as the wound itself feels to be shrinking.

Following the next minute a mild pain shoots through each of my injuries as the magic seals the wounds. When the magic finally fades I take a few moments to process what had just happened. Lifting my wrist I rotate the joint to examine its condition, I'm able to move it with complete ease almost as if I had never even broken it. Taking hold of the bandages around my head I unwrap them and throw them to the floor, running my fingers across my forehead I find no sign of the deep lacerations I had received during the fight.

Letting out a shallow groan I smile to Luna, "Thank you. Why couldn't the doctors have done that?"

"I spent some time studying the reports on your species anatomy that Twilight and the medical staff here completed. That level of healing also requires a lot of magic which only Alicorns or advanced Unicorns could possess," Stepping off she smirks as she looks to me, "Just don't expect me to kiss your boo-boos better every time your scrap your knee."

Chuckling I move alongside her, "That's an interesting image."

"An image which will not become reality, I can assure you."

I let out an over exaggerated sigh, "Such a shame," We walk slowly down the hallway with the two guards a few steps behind us. I continue to glance to Luna as we walk, "About the other night... at the party," Luna raises her eyebrow as she tilts her head towards me, "I'm sorry for referring to you as-"

"-Moon-butt?" I slowly nod my head, "You were drunk, so I suppose in those circumstances I can forgive you."

"Well you did throw me half way across the room."

Luna chuckles softly, "Well that was my way of immediately forgiving you for your insolence, though if you refer to me by that name again I shall do worse then throw you at a table."

"Understood," As we round the last corner I find two more Unicorn guards armed with rifles stationed at a door to another hospital room. Luna moves to them as they stand at attention, one of their horns glow opening the door for her, "What's in there, Luna?"

Halting she turns her head to the side, "One of your attackers, he was found unconscious outside the Golden Oaks library. How about we find out who organised the attack?" We both enter the room finding an additional six guards posted at various positions, however all these guards are Pegasi armed with short swords, I guess they don't rely on their rifles for close quarters fighting. In the centre I find the Griffin chained to the bed, he has various bandages around the rear of his head where his skull collided with the ground.

Stepping up to the side of his bed I glance back to Luna, "Have you got a way to make him talk?"

Bringing her hoof to her head she taps it against her horn, "I was able to see your memories, remember? I can do the same to him, though as he won't allow me access like you did it may take a while to break through."

"So basically you need his cooperation to access his memories?" Luna nods, "Isn't there some kind of spell to make him docile or something?"

"There is but it's very complicated, I wouldn't be able to make him complaint and access his memories at the same time."

"So I am to wait whilst you break through into his mind?"

Luna steps up alongside me and looks to the unconscious Griffin, "It may take a few hours but I'm sure we will be able to find something useful, if not then we at least have a scapegoat to clear your name."

I sit on the side of the bed and look up to her, "Can't you just clear my name?"

She rolls her eyes, "Well yes, but then it would make you look guilty. If I learn why they assaulted you then I can make a more official stance on the matter."

"Fair enough," I watch as Luna's horn begins to glow, a trail of energy connects the tip of her horn to the Griffins forehead allowing Luna access to his mind. I have no idea how long it will take though I'm sure watching Luna's face as it scrunches with concentration will provide me with some entertainment as I wait.

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I was wrong, it only provided about one minute of entertainment before I got bored. With little to do I cycled through the various songs on my phone as I pace around the room, not knowing how long she will be I find myself a chair and relax into the cushions before selecting 'City of Delusion' and letting it play out loud.

If there's one thing I hate more than anything it's waiting... I could never stand sitting around doing absolutely nothing, I always had to be doing something. So deciding to finally do something I move to a free space of the floor and remove my shirt, positioning myself low to the ground I resting the palms of my hands on the floor I begin to perform push ups. Every so often when my arms start to tire I would switch positions and change exercises alternating between push ups and abdominal crunches.

"Ahem..." Pausing during my set I glance up to see Luna looking to me, "Having fun down there?"

Grasping my shirt I lift myself from the floor, "Very much so," Pulling my shirt back over my head I look to the Griffin who remains motionless, "Did you find what you needed?"

"I was only able to obtain small pieces of information, it would seem the injuries you caused have highly affected his memory."

"So I gave him brain damage?" Luna nods, "So what did you learn?"

Raising a hoof she points to the Griffin, "Elric here was a member of the Militarist army, so were his companions. Many who were in the south of the empire when their new leader surrendered refused to accept his orders, they have moved out and plan on attacking the new government in the future. They call themselves 'Children of the Motherland'-"

"-That's a pretty shit name."

Luna just looks to me momentarily before continuing, "They aim to reclaim the Empire for the 'true Griffins' and to remove those who 'bow to the demands of other nations'."

"So why did they come to me?"

"They wanted to make a statement to the provisional government, by eliminating the 'Liberator of Griffonstone'. By eliminating a key figure of the Royalist forces they hoped to crush the moral of those who supported the Royalists and the soldiers within their ranks."

I chuckle softly as I hear the title I've been given, "I'm not going to be using that title. So am I still at risk? Are any other key members of the Royalist forces at risk?"

Luna smiles when she hears of my disapproval towards the title, "More than likely, no doubt they shall attempt attacks in the future once they learn of the failure to take your life. As for others who assisted the Royalists I am afraid I don't know, but at least we now have your scapegoat. Come with me," With that Luna heads for the exit, looking to her confused I slowly join her as we walk to the hospitals main entrance.

Stepping out of the main doors I am immediately met with a barrage of camera flashes, when my eyes adjust I find a large crowd of approximately fifty journalist all gathered around the entrance. I can't make sense of the questions they're asking as they all try to shout over each other to be heard, scanning the front of the crowd I find Twilight and the girls trying to separate them from me.

"Be still!" I cover my ears as I shift my attention back to Luna, "The actions of Lieutenant John Davies last night were the result of an attack against him! He acted to defend himself and other key figures within the Griffin Royalist military and provisional government from a terrorist plot orchestrated by an organisation referring to themselves as the 'Children of the Motherland'! No action shall be taken against the Lieutenant, he acted within his capacity as an officer of the Equestrian Guard! Now leave us! No more information shall be divulged on this matter!

Reluctantly the journalists begin to disperse as they finish jotting down everything the Princess had said to them, one by one they all leave the area. Looking to Luna I cock an eyebrow, "'Officer of the Equestrian guard?' I thought I was in the army?"

Luna looks back to me as the girls slowly gather around her, "Equestria hasn't had need of an army for the last thousand years. During Celestia's rule she saw it more suitable to rename them as the 'Guard', personally I don't agree with that but what's done is done."

"So what happens now?"

Luna's horn glows causing three scrolls to materialise from seemingly nowhere, "Now you return to your duties, Lieutenant. As I mentioned earlier the rifles the Griffins used were highly effective, a mass majority of our casualties were due to injuries from those weapons or from Griffin cannons. Despite being shot at yourself you were defended from the projectiles on account of your armour, my sister and I would like for you to prioritise developing similar armour for our guards," One of the scrolls levitates into my hand showing my the casualty reports for the conflict. Two-hundred and eighty-six dead. Six-hundred and twenty-four injured.

Looking to all the girls I scratch the back of my neck, "I'm afraid I don't particularly know much about Kevlar ceramic plates used in my armour, I understand the principle behind it but I don't fully know how the Kevlar is created. In essence its designed to dissipate the energy of the projectile spreading it out in order to prevent it piercing the armour and flesh, bullets deform on impact so if it deforms against the layers of armour so it won't be able to fully penetrate. Producing armour to stop rounds such as 9mm or even the musket rounds used by the Griffins isn't an issue, it's creating an armour which will stop high velocity rounds like my rifles 5.56mm or even larger ones back home such as 7.62mm along with shrapnel. Metal and ceramic plates are used along with the specially designed fibres to prevent these rounds from piercing the armour, though internal damage is still likely to be caused it will at least stop the round tearing through you."

I try to gauge the girls reaction to my explanation, it's pretty safe to say the only ones who seemed to understand what I said was Twilight and Luna. Luna steps up to me, "So you need to establish how Kevlar fibres are created?"

"Essentially, yes. After that it will involve numerous testing, it will have to stop the bullet, reduce the impact against it's target so the force won't cause serious injury or death, ensure it's relatively lightweight and that the soldiers have good manoeuvrability."

Luna nods, "I may have somepony who can assist you with that. If you would gather what equipment you require we will immediately make our way to Canterlot."

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The walk towards the library went about as well as you expected once again everybody was back to running away at the sight of me, it was almost as if they were expecting me to snap and attack them. I recovered my armour and helmet from the chest back in the library, grabbing my utility belt I attach it around my waist clipping the thigh holster to me with the pistol. After last night I am going to be keeping this on me for a long time, the pistol should be enough though.

I exit the library with vest and helmet in hand to find Luna waiting on a sky chariot with four Pegasi guards attached to the front. Circling to the rear of the chariot I throw the helmet and vest on the back before climbing up to stand alongside Luna, lifting the vest I equip it and attach the helmet to it so I'm not forced to carry or wear it. Without warning the chariot rocks as the drivers rush forward causing me to grasp onto the frame, it only takes a short gallop before they start to take to the air bringing us over Ponyville and heading towards Canterlot.

I enjoy the scenery as we fly over the various woodlands and rolling green fields, it's not very often that I get to take a moment to enjoy the view. My vision is interrupted when the last two scrolls Luna summoned levitate in front of my eyes, taking grasp of them I look to her, "What are these?"

Luna just smiles softly, "Your invitation to the Grand Galloping Gala in two months time... along with your letter of commendation."

Opening the first scroll reveals a golden ticket of sorts which states my admittance to the Gala, pocketing the ticket I move to open the second scroll, "Commendation for what?"

"For a number of decorations and medals, including one that has not been awarded since my banishment a millennia ago. The Lunar Cross."

"The Lunar Cross? Why have I been nominated? Who even nominated me?"

"Shining Armor nominated you, following your sacrifice," I just look at her with a confused expression in an attempt to get her to continue, "You led an infiltration behind enemy lines to extract a high-value target, when things started to go wrong you kept your head and led your team to safety. In order to buy them time I was informed you charged alone to assault the enemy position, trapping yourself behind enemy lines as the rest escaped."

Looking down I let out a sigh, "Not everyone escaped, I lost two of my squad that night-"

"-They all would have likely perished without your leadership. Your army chose wisely when they picked you to be an officer."

I keep quiet as I run a hand over my arm, "What is required of me? Do I have to do anything?"

"There will be a ceremony when the others return from the Griffin Empire, everypony who has been nominated for a high honoured medal which has been approved will attend this ceremony to be awarded the medal. All that is expected is for you to attend on parade and accept the medal when you are presented it. Your medal has already been approved, it's up to you if you decide to accept it or not."

"Who approved it?"

She hesitates as she looks to me, "I did. It's been so long since I have been connected to an act of greatness, this medal was considered the highest military honour before my banishment. Nopony has been awarded this since, it is given to those for acts of valiance and who willingly sacrifice themselves for others in combat... It would mean a lot to me if you accepted this, John."

I just look to her, it's almost as if she's trying to give me puppy-dog eyes. Smiling to her I bow slightly, "I would be honoured, Princess Luna."

I can see how much this means to her as she fails to hold back her excitement, giving a soft squee she wraps her forehoofs around me and pulls me against her chest, "Oh thank you, John. This means so much to me..." She freezes as her eyes grow wide, releasing me she steps back as a blush paints her cheeks, "Sorry."

I can't help but laugh at her, "It's quite alright." We both look over to Canterlot as we approach, occasionally I flick my eyes over to look at Luna. I consider asking her to help me with my... problem, but I can't bring myself to talk to her. Deciding to leave it for the time being I take out a cigarette and light it up causing Luna to look to me, "You don't mind do you?"

Luna waves a hoof, "Not at all, in fact it was once considered a sign of class and elegance during my time. Smoke away."

Releasing a plume of smoke I look to her, "Did you ever smoke?"

"Tried it once but never really cared for it, that was a long time ago mind you. It's largely frowned upon now in Equestria, it's mostly prominent in the Griffin Empire and the Zebra lands."

Taking another drag I lift my head and create an 'O' shape with my lips, with each push of my tongue I push out a ring of smoke resembling a doughnut earning a small giggle from Luna, "So how long do you reckon it will be before everyone stops thinking I'm a monster again?"

"In Ponyville? It's hard to say, they are still a bit funny around me at times. Elsewhere however I don't think it will be too much of an issue, though you could try and engage in society to show that you are not a threat."

"Anything you can suggest?"

Luna brings a hoof to her chin as she thinks for a moment, "Well you could always work to teach others about human culture. Next month the Royal Canterlot University is holding lectures on various other cultures and species, you could always hold your own on human culture."

Shrugging I grasp a hold of the chariots frame as we come in to land at the Canterlot castle barracks, "If you set it up then I guess I can, it's something I suppose."

As the chariot lands we both step off and make our way to the barracks entrance, walking through the gate to the main courtyard one of the guards calls all of the others to attention gaining their attention from their various training exercises. Luna bows her head to them signalling for them all to return to their various duties, I just watch as a large group return to a sparring exercise where a Second Lieutenant is walking them through close quarters fighting with a spear.

We begin to make our way into the main building where we make for the stairs, they lead down a number of floors leading to a underground section of the facility. Reaching the floor we require Luna continues to show me through a dimly lit corridor, before too long she stops alongside a door and looks to me, "Dawnstar is an exceptionally gifted Unicorn with knowledge of the arcane, she should be able to assist you in determining how to recreate your armour for us" -Raising her hoof Luna knocks on the door- "She isn't military however, so don't go bossing her around like any other soldier."

"Okay, I won't," A loud clattering from the other side of the door snaps my attention back onto it, a succession of mumbles can be heard from the other side. Leaning closer to Luna I whisper to her, "Why exactly is she in the barracks then?"

"She assists us in research, but she isn't exactly... sociable. She prefers the quiet here to conduct her work."

Another bang can be heard from within the room, "So she's quirky?"

Luna eyes shift to me as she begins to head back towards the stairs, "I suppose so. I shall have a room prepared for you in the castle while you stay here, for now though I'm going to get some rest. Farewell, John."

I'm about to respond when the door in front finally opens breaking my concentration, looking to the small gap I find a set of lime green eyes looking directly up to me, "Dawnstar?"

"Y-yes?" She doesn't open the door any further as she responds, her voice sounds fairly high pitched almost as if she was still a teenager.

"Princess Luna sent me, she said you may be able to assist me with a project."

The door finally fully opens revealing the Unicorn. She has a royal purple mane which runs over the left side of her face, her dark blue coat provides her with some camouflage as she stands in the poorly lit room. Her cutie mark consists of the top of the sun, almost as if it was trying to rise over the horizon. She isn't quite as tall as the rest of the ponies I've come across in my time here, come to mention it here frame is also smaller. Nervously she steps forward, "She did?" I nod, "With what?"

I remove my armoured vest and hold it out in front of her, "I need your help to figure out how to make more of these."

Taking it in her magic she swivels it in the air as she examines it, "Why?"

"To help save lives," Her head immediately lifts up as her eyes focus on me, "If we can recreate this armour then we should be able to help keep Equestria guards safe from harm, you will help to save lives."

Turning back to her room she walks in with my vest hanging alongside her. Following her in I step over the various books and scattered odd and end sprawled over the floor. Resting the vest on the table she looks to me, "What is it made of? It's unlike any armour I've come across."

Flipping it over I reach into one of the internal compartments and remove one of the ceramic plates within, placing it on the table I knock on it with my knuckle, "This is a ceramic Kevlar plate, it's designed to stop bullets from piercing the body. I need to know how to recreate the Kevlar fibres within so we can manufacture more."

Taking a nearby knife from one of her tables I try to cut through the fabric encasing the armour, with the help of her magic to apply additional force it takes a fair bit of effort and time but I'm able to allow her to see the interior of the armour plate. Within is the ceramic plate which acts as the first line of defence followed by numerous layers of the material I know to be Kevlar which sandwiches a selection of ballistic fibres such as fibre glass, the rear selection of Kevlar is met with a gel layer which softens the blow of the round to reduce internal injuries, all of these mixed with the casing creates the body armour which slots within my vest.

Taking a selection of the layers of Kevlar she takes them to the other end of the room and places them underneath a microscope, stepping alongside her I look over her shoulder as she studies the material. She quietly mutters to herself as she works, levitating various chemicals over she begins to apply them to the material. Not knowing anything about science I lean against one of the tables and wait as she works.

Finally after what feels like forever she looks up from the microscope, "It appears to be constructed from Phenylenediamine and Terephthaloyl chloride. From what I can tell it's synthesised and it's run through a spinneret forming the fibres, though it will be a challenging process to recreate."

Stepping up to her I glance to the dissected plate, "Reckon you could do it?"

"Possibly, it's not my area of expertise but I'm sure it can be done."

"Great," Taking the plate I keep all of the sections together as I examine it. Looking back to her I raise an eyebrow, "How old are you? You seem... young."

"E-eighteen."

So we're relying on someone this young to develop our armour? She better be right. "Got anywhere we can get started on this?"

She nods, "Follow me."

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We spent three weeks working none stop trying to create the fabrics, though she identified the process to create them it was a lot harder than we anticipated. Trying to adapt it's use to traditional guard armour we fitted the Kevlar initially underneath the armour every soldier was issued acting as an under layer, they would still primarily engage in melee combat so this should provide both protection for firearms and melee weapons.

Securing the armour piece to the mannequin I take a few steps back and draw my pistol. Looking over my shoulder I nod to Dawnstar who creates a magical field over our ears to protect our hearing, "Ready?"

"Ready when you are."

Lifting the pistol I load a round into the chamber and take aim at centre mass.

PHAT PHAT PHAT PHAT

I wait until the last bullet casing bounces on the ground before holstering my pistol. Stepping up to the armour I look to the holes to find two bullets lodged just after they pierced the metal of the breast plate. Unbuckling the armour from the dummy I pry the metal away from the Kevlar causing the two bullets to fall to the floor, inspecting closer I locate the last two bullets lodged within the Kevlar fabric. Removing the full armour I find two small dents showing the force it created to the wearer yet find no exit holes in the armour showing it succeeded at stopping the rounds.

"Well it worked, now we need to see if the force isn't too substantial for the wearer to cause any significant damage."

Dawnstar steps closer and examines the armour, "How do we do that?"

"We need a volunteer-"

"-Not it!" She raises her hoof in the air as she looks to me wide eyed.

I mumble as I look to her, "So you want to shoot me?"

"I must admit I am curious to see the effect this armour will have on a wearer," She smiles sheepishly to me.

Sighing I grab another identical piece of armour, "Go and get a medical team then, just in case."

As she leaves I try to figure out where I can put the armour on, it was designed for ponies not humans. Having little places to put it I move it over my leg and tie it around with a rope securing it, if the armour fails I'd rather get shot somewhere which doesn't have any vital organs. Waiting for the next few minutes Dawnstar finally returns with a small medical team of three medics along with two other guests, Princess Luna and Celestia.

Luna steps forward and examines the armour on my leg, "That isn't where a breastplate goes."

"If you haven't noticed yet, I'm not a pony. It won't fit over my chest, also I'd rather have a bullet in the leg than in my heart."

Celestia moves alongside her sister, "Are you sure this is wise, John?"

"Definitely not, but we need to find out if the force is going to harm the wearer significantly or not," Taking out my pistol I hold it out on my palm, "Now who wants the honours?"

Luna's magic instantly wraps around the pistol, "Me!" Everyone looks at her in surprise and shock, her sister in particular.

"Oh, well thanks for wanting to shoot me. I feel so honoured," I reply in a sarcastic tone as I take a few steps back. "If you somehow kill me I swear to god I will come back as a ghost and haunt you."

Luna just shrugs as she points the gun towards me, "That's okay, ghosts aren't real."

PHAT

I feel the round impact with the armour on my leg sending a sharp jolt through the limb, bringing my hand down I fall to the floor as the force knocks my leg back, "Son of a bitch!" Rolling on the floor I hold onto my leg, the medics run up to me and remove the armour. Pulling it away I look down to find that the bullet hadn't gone through, after a few moment I move my leg and find only a small amount of discomfort from where the round impacted. "Ow... that hurt."

As I stand Luna presents me with my pistol which I immediately make safe and holster, "Well it seems you were successful with developing the armour."

"Not quite, we need to still develop a plate carrier which will be sufficient. That can wait though," I begin to make my way towards to the door as I glance back to everyone, "I will get to work on that in due time. For the time being, it can wait."

I am never agreeing to be shot again.