Me and Rainbow spent the next couple of hours arm wrestling and sharing stories. She was telling me all about this aerial acrobatic team called 'The Wonderbolts' who are supposedly the best flyers in all of Equestria. They primarily act sort of like stunt pilots, crowd pleases in order to raise moral and make the military life appear glamorous. However in certain circumstance they are deployed as a fighting unit such as when Spike went on a rampage. That little guy... really?

Rainbow absolutely idolises the Wonderbolts, she even went away at one point to the Wonderbolts academy for training. Their Captain's name also caught my attention. Spitfire, a pony named after perhaps the most iconic British fighter plane, she better give that name credit. Rainbow also seemed to love the aircraft I mentioned back home. She claims she can break the sound barrier causing a 'Sonic Rainboom,' I guess I'd have to see it to believe it.

The matches are now becoming more balanced. I usually win but once every few games Rainbow wins. She'd enter into a gloating celebration, only for me to promptly put her back into her place. She's pretty good, but she lacks discipline. From this, I gathered that ponies generally have the same upper body strength as humans, but their main strength is their hind legs. Their weight seems to be roughly the same as well, due to their body structure, despite them being smaller is height.

We're currently locked in another match, my arm feeling exhausted from the repeat matches. Rainbow's face strains as she puts all her strength into the final push. My hand is only inches above the table. Biting my lip I try with all my might to fight back, but it's not enough. My hand slams against the table with a loud thud.

Rainbow immediately jumps into the air in triumph, "YEAH! HA! That's another one in the bag!"

"Well you've had a good tutor, but you've still got a long way to go."

"Ha! Wanting another rematch?" She seems to wiggle her eyebrow and she land back in her chair.

"I think that will do for now. My arm is killing me," The door to the kitchen opens, Spikes leaning against the door as he peaks his head in.

"John, Twilight wants you to come through," With that, he runs back into the main room.

Standing I stretch my arms out, grasping my hands at the end I crack my knuckles, "Shall we, Rainbow?" She just shrugs as she jumps out of her chair and leads through the door.

In the room is both Twilight and Rarity standing in the centre, Spike seems to be standing awfully close to Rarity. She has even brought a bag of sorts, a pin cushion is strapped to her hoof along with a measuring tape around her neck. Soon they're both looking to me and Rainbow as we enter the room, Rarity approaches me as she smiles graciously.

"John, darling we have some important business to attend to," She manages to say in a sing-song voice.

"We do?" I look down to Rainbow who only shrugs to me.

"But of course, we have to sort out you're attire," Walking back over to her bag she opens it up producing a few short strips of dark fabrics.

"My attire? Whats wrong with it?"

"How do I put it nicely? It's absolutely horrid, John. I can't allow an officer to walk around in something so... grotesque," She levitates a stool and mirror over from the side of the room and sets them up against the central table.

"I told you before, Rarity, these are camouflaged. They're not supposed to look nice, It's supposed to break up my body shape at distance," I reluctantly step before her and step on the stool, facing the mirror.

"That may be but you have no need for camouflage here. We must make you something more socially acceptable," She raises her hoof and taps my forearm, "Raise these for me please. I have to take your measurements."

Releasing a loud groan I raise my arms and face the mirror. I catch Rainbow's reflection in the mirror heading towards the door, "Going somewhere?" I call out.

Turning back she continues to back peddle, "Dresses aren't my thing. I'll catch you guys later," She rotates once again exiting through the doorway.

"Hey! Don't forget what you need to get me!"

"I won't!" the door closes behind her. Twilight steps to the side of the mirror looking confused.

"What is she supposed to get for you?" Twilight asks.

"That's not important. Let's just say shes doing a solid for me," I face forward again as Rarity continues to measure around my waist.

Rarity moves the tape from my waist to the inside of my legs, "So what exactly do humans wear for... casual clothing."

"Well we wear a mixture of things really. Basic T-shirts like the one I'm wearing, smart shirts buttoned up the centre with a collar like I showed you in the photo. Trousers made of various materials such as denim, and footwear made of various materials," I never did really care for fashion, I was happy just to throw on any old clothes to be perfectly honest.

"I see. Is there anything else you require me to make for you? Twilight did inform me that all humans wore clothes when with others," Glancing to Twilight I can see a light blush on her face.

I turn my head back to face to Rarity, "Yeah, pants and socks if you could." She immediately pauses and averted her gaze, a shade of crimson showing through her coat.

"Socks? You mean stockings?"

"No... I mean socks," My own voice portrays my confusion. Twilight also has a blush on her face, "Am I missing something here?"

"It's just that... socks, or stockings, are seen as lingerie," Her eyes finally look up at me. I can't help but burst out into laughing.

With the odd chuckle, I finally manage to reply, "That's so stupid. I only need them to wear under my boots to prevent blisters."

Rarity frowns slightly at my behaviour, "I suppose I can make a few pairs for you. Twilight also described the 'pants' you wear so I can sort them for you."

"Yeah, I bet she did. The pervert wanted me to strip down," Upon stating that I immediately heard a number of books drop to the floor. Turning to the source Twilight was the brightest shade of red I have seen her, her eyes telling me that she wanted to kill me.

"I did not!" Twilight practically screams at me. Rarity can't help but give off a small giggle to Twilight's reaction.

"Yes, you bloody well did. You wanted to have a close examination of my body, " I love winding people up, it's a great way to pass the time.

"I di-didn't in that way. It's was purely for scientific research," No matter what she tries, Twilight is unable to hide her blush.

"Speaking of which, you didn't heal my ribs. Seeing as you did fondle me I'm sure you have what you needed in order to make an attempt at fixing them," Rarity drops her tape measure and peers her head around from my side looking straight to Twilight.

Twilight looks as though she's about to explode. She closes her eyes and her magical aura is soon around my chest. I'm unable to describe the feeling, a strong vibrating sensation is felt throughout my rib cage. Looking down my eyes widen, the bruising itself is rapidly subsiding returning the skin to its normal colour. The aura soon vanishes as Twilight makes her way to the door. I smack my fist against my chest a few times to test the fixed bones. Now that's what I'm talking about.

Twilight pauses at the door. "Rarity can you keep an eye on John for me? I have to speak to Fluttershy for a moment." Rarity eyes focus on me for a moment in contemplation, coming to a decision she nods towards Twilight. Before long Twilight has left the building, Rarity was keeping me occupied with the measurements.

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"All finished!" Rarity finally beams after what felt like an eternity, standing like a mannequin isn't exactly my idea of fun. The last hour consisted of various fabrics being draped over my body, trying to find 'the perfect colour scheme.' The sun is starting to set out the window, covering the town in an serene orange glow. I suppose I shouldn't complain about the clothing, seeing as she was doing this all for free. I offered to try and pay her somehow but Rarity outright refused, claiming that she wanted it to be a gift of sorts.

That got me thinking. What will I do for money? I've spent my adult life in the military, my primary work skills consisting of electronic engineering and bomb disposal. Back home this wouldn't be an issue as I could easily joined the civilian workforce as an engineer, like I was whilst I was in college when I spent every other day working on cars. From what I've seen so far of Equestria they lack any advanced engineering facilities. I'm probably more qualified than any engineer in this country, not to mention they probably lack the advanced technology I've been trained to maintain.

"John?" Rarity's voice interrupts my train of thought, a concerned expression present on her face. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing... Just thinking," I don't exactly feel like indulging anyone with my concerns at this time, they hardly know me. As far as they're concerned I'm just some sort of monster.

Rarity is about to respond until our attention gets distracted with the appearance of Rainbow Dash suddenly barging through the door. Her expression is anxious, whatever it is it has really gotten her jumpy, "Rainbow?"

"You have to come quickly!" Rainbow's eyes dart from Rarity to me, faltering when she looks to me. "You have to come too, John!"

"Me? Unless you've forgotten I'm under house arrest," Hopping from the stool I advance slowly to Rainbow, halting a few steps from her. "What's got you so worried?"

"I'm not worried!" I raise my eyebrow in reply, arms crossing. "I mean... I know you're a fighter. We need your help at Sweet Apple Acres."

"Rainbow, I need more than that to go on. I'm not about to piss off those who hold my life in their hands, just to deck someone for you."

Rarity moved alongside me, "Rainbow, tell me whats wrong."

Rainbow's eyes fell to the floor, her voice shifting to one of worry, "It's the Crusaders. They went into the Everfree Forest and came across a pack of Timber Wolves. They're now trapped in their clubhouse with the Wolves outside. AJ is trying to keep them back with Big Mac, but we need help."

Rarity screams, "SWEETIE BELLE'S TRAPPED!?" Without so much as a backwards glance she gallops out the door and into the distance. I focus around the room and notice my weapons chest, dashing over I try to grasp the lid but instead receive an electrical shock shooting through my body. Letting out a pained scream I briefly slump to my knees, regaining my composure I turn focus on both Spike and Rainbow who are both still in the room.

"Fuck it!" Starting to run to the door I shout back to Spike. "Spike go and get Twilight! I'm going with Rainbow to help her!"

Sprinting out the door I catch a glimpse of Rarity in the distance, assuming she's heading towards her sister I quickly follow suit. Rainbow is swiftly overhead, acting as a closer escort guiding me down the road. I was already having a hard time fitting in here without being stared at, sprinting at full speed probably is only helping to reinforce the views of the locals.

After a good ten minutes my pace has now slowed to a jog. We are now down a much more remote winding road, Rainbow soon disappears over the top of a small tree line. I make my way through the trees and dense bushes, thorns leaving minor cuts on my exposed arms. Ceasing at an opening I can see a building of sorts built part way up the tree, a small platform is raised at the base stopping anyone from going up. In the window I can see silhouettes of three smaller ponies, at this distance I'm unable to make out any details. Applejack and a red male are wielding various tools trying to keep the animals at bay, I freeze at the sight of them.

Rainbow said there was Timber Wolves but I didn't think she meant it literally. I was expecting your standard wolves, but no, instead these wolves are actually made of Timber. Sharp wooden teeth are protruding from their mouth, glowing sickly green eyes stare up at their prizes up top. Razor sharp claws scratching at the base of the tree. There are three wolves in total, all are paying no attention to Applejack, only focused on the tree itself.

Marching to Applejack I halt and look to the additional tools behind her. She momentarily locks eyes with me, shock seems to show on her face as she tried to figure out why I'm here. Ignoring her I rush to the selection of tools and look over them. A scythe, shovels, woodcutting axe, mallet and a couple of hammers. Reaching down I grasp the axe and twist it in my hand, lightweight and sturdy. The perfect weapon.

I move past Applejack and gain ground on the first Timber Wolf. With its back turned I raise my axe and whistle out loud, gaining it attention I rapidly bring the axe down. The blade makes contact with the top of its neck, chopping clean through. The blow causes the head to be removed from the body, as the head falls the rest of the body seems to break apart littering the floor with various sized chunks of wood.

The sound of the wood clattering causes the others to turn their focus to me. They slowly circle around me, one to my front with the other to my rear. Their positions cause me to hastily turn to ensure one doesn't lunge for me, this fails however when I'm swiped across my back with a sharp set of claws. The claws tear clean through my shirt, leaving two large lacerations on my back which bleeds profusely. On instinct I turn taking a defensive swing, the axes blade makes contact with the creatures chest. As it falls to the floor the axe remains locked firmly in position, cemented to chest of the wolf.

Unable to remove the axe I turn in the nick of time to see the last one lunging for me. On instinct I raise my left arm to protect my face, this only results in the teeth puncturing the flesh on my arm. Letting out a pained screech I punch at its head, my swings having little effect except for causing me more pain. Punching wood is never a great Idea. As the struggle continues I tread backwards, my foot catches on a fallen part of the first wolf causing me to fall to my back with the other on top of me.

With the wolf on top of me, pinning me down, it releases my arm attempting to strike forward at my face. Moving me head I'm able to avoid its jagged teeth, the breath of each bite fills my nostrils with a vile stench. With the adrenaline pumping through my body I'm able to thrust my body weight against it causing us to roll on the ground, my body now positioned above. The wolf continues to scratch at my chest as I clamp its jaws shut with my hands, the new cuts penetrating my skin leave a sharp pain on various sections of my chest.

Footsteps draw my attention slightly before I hear Applejack's voice. "MOVE!" As quickly as I hear it I leap from on top of the Timber Wolf, rolling across the floor to come to a sudden halt. In my view I witness AppleJack bringing her rear hooves down on top of the Wolfs head. It ceases moving as its remains shatter under her attack. I lay on my back and look up toward the setting sun, my hand pushing down on my bleeding chest keeping pressure on the wound.

Holy Shit... that was too close...