I'm awoken by the sound of singing birds outside as the sunlight pierces through a gap in the curtains to shine on my eyelids. Rolling to the side I let out a yawn as I rub the sleep out of my eyes. Giving myself a few minutes to wake up I cautiously throw the sheets from the bed and swing my legs around to sit on the side of the bed. Lifting my head I look around the spare room Twilight gave me for the night, having your own castle has its benefits as she seems to have more spare bedrooms than she knows what to do with.

I actually ended up getting lost last night when I got up in the middle of the night to get a drink, once I got a drink of water from the kitchen I spent the next twenty minutes trying to find my room again. I didn't exactly have the greatest sleep last night, my mind kept running back to Twilight's experiment with Applejack which prevented me from sleeping. I still can't get over the fact that Twilight was able to use a transfiguration spell to turn a pony into a human. One night I'd have to try and convince Luna to do it, maybe as a birthday treat or something.

I also couldn't get over how Applejack looked as a human. She had a perfect figure, a toned body which showed her years of hard work on the farm and a perfect pair of breasts. If I came across a girl like that back home I'd be all over her in a heartbeat... well, I'd have to be single as well. Shaking my head I finally push myself from the bed and walk towards the door. Before I leave my room I quickly look down at my own body as I realise I'm only wearing my boxer shorts, deciding that I should throw on a top I turn back to my shirt which hangs over the bannister of my bed.

Reaching out for my shirt I fail to notice by bag alongside the bed and end up kicking it across the floor spilling its contents. Groaning I grab hold of my shirt and quickly put it on before moving to pick up all my items. Collecting my clothing from the floor I pause when I notice two paper slips. Picking them up I turn the slips and flip them over. Wonderbolt tickets? Why have I got... Oh yeah. Rainbow's gift for me at Christmas, but why did Chaser put them in my bag?

Looking closer at the tickets my eyes widen when I notice the date. Shit. They're for this afternoon. Sighing I rest the tickets on the bedside table as I pick up the rest of my items. I guess I can head to Canterlot to watch the airshow and endurance race, but who do I take with me? Well, I guess since Rainbow got the tickets for me I should ask her. With everything collected off the floor, I place them all back into my field pack and make my way to the kitchen.

Making my way through the kitchen I find Spike searching through the fridge. "Morning, Spike."

"Morning, John. Sleep well?"

Stretching my arms I move to the kettle and fill it with water, "Better than I did at the hospital. I'd rather have my own bed but at least the bed here is comfy."

"Twilight should be through shortly. Have you got anything planned?"

With the kettle filled I light the hob on the cooker and rest the kettle over the flame. "Well, remember those tickets Rainbow got me for Christmas... Hearths Warming?" Spike nods. "It turns out that the air show and race are today. I thought I'd ask Rainbow if she'd want to come with me to Canterlot to watch."

"No doubt she will," Spike states with a chuckle. Closing the fridge with a bottle of milk in his grasp, he reaches into one of the lower cupboards and retrieves a bowl and a box of cereal. Looking back to me, he shakes the bowl in his claws. "Want one?" Nodding to him he grabs an extra bowl and places it in front of me before collecting a pair of spoons. As he fills up his own bowl, Spike glances to me, "So which race is it? Derby?"

"No. It's an endurance race so there'll be lots of laps." Once he places the box down on the table I take hold of it and fill my bowl with a generous amount. Waiting for him to finish with the milk I then fill my bowl, "So, how has Twilight been coping with the home upgrade?"

Finishing his mouthful, Spike looks around the kitchen. "At first she didn't exactly like it. The castle just didn't feel like home to her, I guess she was used to living in the library."

"I know how she feels, losing her home and starting again."

"Huh, I guess you do." Shovelling another spoonful of cereal into his mouth, Spike continues with his explanation. "Twilight was trying anything to stay away from the castle, no matter what she couldn't see the castle as her home. But the girls helped her realise that what makes a home feel like home isn't what it looks like, It's the memories you make when you're there."

As the kettle begins to whistle I get up from my seat, "Yeah. That's true. Back home we would spend six months in Afghanistan on each deployment, we'd add our own little touches to make it feel like home. Whether it be Williams making his own makeshift barbeque or Stanley plastering his walls with pictures of naked wo-" I cut myself off as my eyes lock onto Spike. Clearing my throat I drop a teabag into a mug and fill it with hot water. "Point is, a home is where you experience many great things and create many memories. Material possessions are one thing, but family and friends are the most vital thing to any home."

"Yeah, but nothing beats a room full of gems." Spike begins to practically drool as he rubs his claws again.

Adding milk to my tea I begin to chuckle as I watch him. As I stir my drink. Twilight enters the room, "Have you got Spike thinking about gems, John?"

Grinning I shake my head, "He did that himself." Moving back to the table I take a seat as I cautiously sip my tea, "Thanks again for letting me stay here, Twilight."

"It's no trouble, John. I may as well make use of all the room in this castle, I don't mind if you need to stay a while." Moving towards the kettle, Twilight begins to make her own drink as Spike wipes his mouth clean with his arm.

"Have you been able to learn your way around here? I managed to get lost last night when I got up."

"I've got the majority of the castle memorised now. There is still the odd occasion when I get mixed up with my rooms, I'm getting there slowly." Making her own cup of Coffee, Twilight joins me at the table. Bringing my mug to my lips my shirt catches against the bandages on my shoulder reminding me of the scar which is bound to cover my body.

Flicking my eyes back to Twilight I lower my mug and rest it against the surface of the table. "Twilight, I know it's still early in the morning but do you reckon you could help me with the rest of my scars? I've got a feeling this mark on my shoulder will leave a lovely scar otherwise."

Sipping her coffee, Twilight nods before resting the mug on the table. "Of course. I guess we got sidetracked yesterday with the transfiguration spell." Twilight climbs out of her seat and moves to the centre of the kitchen. "You'll have to remove your shirt and bandages in order for me to focus on your scars."

Moving next to Twilight I remove my shirt and rest it over the chair. Glancing at my stomach my eyes immediately lock onto the large scar on my abdomen which I obtained during the Griffin civil war. Brushing my hand over my shoulder I tentatively start to peel the bandages away from my skin, thanks to the gel used to treat the burn it prevents the bandages from sticking to me. As I pull the last part away I notice Twilight's troubled expression as she observes my body. The top layer of skin hasn't healed over leaving my blistered flesh underneath exposed, surrounding the burn lies dead or severely damaged skin which threatens to peel away from my body.

Stepping up to me, Twilight examines it closely. "Does it hurt?"

"Not anymore. I spent a week doped up on painkillers and having the hospital staff treating me. They said that they've healed it as best as they can, it's just the case of letting the skin heal." Closing her eyes Twilight begins to channel the magic from her horn, it doesn't take long until her energy pierces my skin and courses through my veins. Switching my focus to my shoulder I watch as the blisters begin to subside, merging back into the flesh and quickly dissipating.

I start to groan as my skin starts to stretch, covering over the exposed flesh the skin starts to solidify recreating the layers which were destroyed by Starlight's spell. As the dead skin rejoins over my shoulder the natural colour of my flesh soon resurfaces, it leaves my shoulder a paler shade than the rest of my body on account of the tan I accumulated during my time in Equestria. As Twilight cuts off the spell I lower my head to check my abdomen, it seems Twilight was also able to heal the scar caused by the artillery shrapnel as I find no signs that it even existed.

Reaching for my shirt I move my right arm around to make sure there's no discomfort in my shoulder. Grabbing hold of my shirt I notice Twilight looking at my skin which is now a different colour from the rest of my body, "How do you feel?"

"It feels fine, Twilight. Thank you. You don't need to worry about the difference with my skin colour, it's just because it's a new layer of skin. Once I get a tan it will look normal again." Pulling my shirt back over my head I take hold of my tea and drain a sizable portion from the mug. "Where does Rainbow live? The entire time I've been in Equestria I've never actually seen her house."

"Rainbow lives on the East side of town," Twilight responds as she returns to her seat. "Just look up and you can't miss it."

Look up? I look to Spike with a confused expression on my face, "What does she mean 'look up'?"

"Rainbow's house is in the clouds," Spike says. "You'll notice her house as soon as you see it."

Scoffing I shake my head, "Surely you two are taking the mickey? She can't live up in the clouds."

Twilight lifts her head as she leans against the table, "John, you already know that the Pegasi can manipulate and control the weather. In order to do this, they need to be able to physically move the clouds. Pegasi can walk on and interact with the clouds, they've also developed techniques in order to strengthen the integrity of clouds to use them as construction materials. In fact, the city of Cloudsdale is primarily constructed within the clouds."

"Buildings? Made of clouds?" Rubbing my face I release a sigh, "Well now I've heard everything." Finishing off the last of my drink I leave my mug in the sink. "I'll be back later tonight. I'll be in Canterlot, I've got some tickets to see the Wonderbolts so I'm gonna see if Rainbow wants to tag along." Walking through the door I call back to them, "See you later."

After taking a shower and changing into a fresh set of clothes I made my way through town in order to find Rainbow, with the weather today being hotter than the rest of the week I decided to leave my jacket behind and opted for a simple pair of jeans and a grey short-sleeved buttoned shirt. Making my way through the town I decide to cut through the market, just in case there was anything in the stands which took my fancy. Most of the stall owners gave me some sort of greeting as I passed, despite being in civilian clothing many of them still refer to me as Captain.

Navigating a number of stands I find who I'm after when I notice Rainbow talking with Applejack in front of an apple stand. Applejack's brother is also with them, Big Mac, I only met him briefly on a few occasions but he seems alright... a little quiet but other than that he's okay. As Big Mac goes about unloading some more produce for the stall I approach Rainbow and Applejack.

Applejack turns her head from Rainbow and smiles at me, "Howdy, John."

"Hey, girls. How's the stall going, Applejack?"

"Pretty good so far. The apples are goin' steadily. What brings you here?"

I turn my gaze to Rainbow as I take the tickets out of my pocket, "The Wonderbolts race is this afternoon. Since you got me the tickets, I was wondering if you wanted to come with me."

A wide grin appears on Rainbow's muzzle before her expression suddenly drops, "I can't. Since I joined the Wonderbolt reserve, they keep calling us back for training. I've got to go to the academy for a training exercise this afternoon."

"Ah, the joys or the military. You want to do something yet they call you in for duty." Running a hand across my beard I look at Applejack, "What about you? Any chance you'd want to come along?"

Applejack seems to pause as she looks at me, "I guess I could check with Big Mac, see if he's okay to watch the stall by himself."

As she steps to the side to talk to her brother, Rainbow steps along side me. "I blame you for this."

Cocking a brow I tilt my head, "For what?"

"Me having to go to this training exercise. Apparently, Spitfire heard about the war games and how much the Rangers moped the floor with the Solar Guard that she wants to train up the Wonderbolts. I heard that she's been asking your other Captain about the training you make the Rangers go through."

Grinning I rest my hands on my hips, "You guys may be an aerial unit but you still need to know how to operate on the ground. It's better to be prepared."

After a moment, Applejack returns with a grin on her face. "Big Mac will watch the stall. I'm ready to go when you are."

"Okay then. Let's head to the train station and get some tickets, we've got to get to Canterlot." As Applejack moves alongside me we both begin to make our way through the market as we head towards the train station.

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By the time we reached the station the train had just arrived allowing us to head straight to Canterlot, we didn't have that many stops along the way which only sped up the journey. We spent the majority of the journey just idly chatting about various things, Applejack's work on the farm, me coping with being banned from the closest thing I have to a house. Applejack also seemed to take some interest in my stories from home, particularly about my time in the army when I had nothing else to do except for pissing about with my mates, she even found some of the pictures I had on my phone amusing.

Once we arrived in Canterlot we didn't have that much time until the event was due to start. It probably didn't help that I slept in a bit longer than usual, after a week without work it seems that my internal alarm clock had finally shut off allowing me to sleep in longer than usual. With neither of us being used to travelling around Canterlot we also ended up getting lost on our way to the track, thankfully we were directed by a set of patrolling guards when we asked for directions.

After queuing up for a number of minutes we finally reach the entrance in order to present our tickets. Handing the tickets over to the steward, she examines them briefly before allowing us to enter the stadium. Stepping through a number of tunnels we enter the main arena. The track is similar to that of a four-hundred-meter track you'd expect to see at any athletics event, apart from the lines being made from thin barriers of cloud and numerous obstacles such as hoops, slalom posts and various elevations littering the course.

Ascending a number of steps we quickly find our seats, we're almost in the centre of the stadium providing us with a fairly good view of the track. As I take my seat I notice a VIP box on the opposite end of the stadium where both Luna and Celestia seem to be spectating. After a few moments, Luna finally notices me as her eyes seem to lock onto me. She's probably wondering what I'm even doing here. It doesn't take long until Celestia notices her sister staring, following Luna's gaze she seems to give an amused grin before returning to scanning the stadium.

Leaning back in my seat I turn my head to Applejack, "Any idea when they're due to start?"

Applejack shrugs, "I don't reckon it'll be too long. No doubt they'll put on some sort of fancy show before they begin." After a brief pause, Applejack tilts her head, "John, I was wonderin' if... you could help me with somethin'."

"I guess. What do you need help with?"

"Well, seein' as y'all helped out on the farm when you first got to Ponyville, I was wonderin' if you could help me on Friday. With Big Mac and Granny Smith visitin' cousin Braeburn in Appleoosa, I could sure use the help."

Nodding I turn my head to look at her, "Sure, no problem. I can help you out."

A smile quickly covers Applejack's muzzle, "G-great. Thank you. I know y'all like to work so I figured you'd appreciate havin' somethin' to do."

"Everyone seem to think I'm some sort of workaholic."

Chuckling, Applejack turns her focus back to the track. "Well, you always to seem to work yourself to exhaustion."

Groaning I rub my beard, "I'd just rather do something practical then sit on my arse doing nothing."

"I know, I'm exactly the same. Rarely do I get any time off, when the day finally comes around I'd rather be doing some work instead of relaxin'." Applejack rubs her hoof across her foreleg, "I guess we're the same in that sense."

"Yeah, the joys of having little to no social life. We're certainly living the dream." Before Applejack can respond she is cut off as numerous cloud trails fill the sky overhead. Lifting our heads we watch as a number of the Wonderbolts put on an acrobatic display performing various aerial formations and stunts you'd expect to see pilots perform at an air show. Focusing on the Wonderbolts I'm able to identify at least three of them, High Winds, Soarin and Fleetfoot, there doesn't seem to be any sign of Spitfire as I imagine that she is probably running the training exercise for the reservists.

We both watch as they Wonderbolts begin to perform a variety of stunts before they're due to begin the race. Flying in formation they perform a succession of barrel rolls in order to switch positions with one another as they dive low towards the centre of the stadium. Pulling up they separate outwards in the shape of a star as they head towards the stands, as they get closer they quickly pull themselves up at the last minute in order to fly over the audiences head as they create small smoke trails which resemble the Wonderbolts insignia.

The display continues for a number of minutes before they finally come to a stop at the centre of the track, hovering above the race course they're quickly instructed to enter their starting positions on the track as members of the audience cheer following their display. After reading the details of the race I figured out that the endurance race consists of three hundred laps of the track, seeing as the Wonderbolts are the best fliers in Equestria I'd imagine it shouldn't be too difficult for them.

As they get into position to begin the race I lean closer to Applejack, "Who do you reckon is gonna win?"

"Not sure. If it was just a few laps then I'd go for Fleetfoot, she's probably the quickest. For an endurance race, I ain't too sure."

Looking over the fliers I lean back into my chair, "I'll bet ten bits that it's Soarin."

Applejack cocks a brow as she looks at me, "Soarin? Why him?"

"He's an officer. If the Wonderbolts are anything like the army then they'll make their officers go through tougher training than usual. We were expected to be fitter than those under our command."

Applejack chuckles as she prods me with her hoof, "Just because he's an officer, it doesn't mean he's fitter than the rest."

"True. Most of the officers I've seen back home probably couldn't complete a fitness test if you'd ask them." Shrugging I hold out my hand towards Applejack, "The bet still stands. Ten bits that Soarin wins."

A grin quickly surfaces on Applejack's face as she takes hold of my hand, "Deal." As soon as the bet has been made the race begins. Just like Applejack said, Fleetfoot had more speed as she pulled ahead of the others earlier on. If this was a sprint then I'd be worried about who I bet on, if she keeps going like this she'll only end up tiring herself out allowing the others to overtake her later on. Soarin however was sitting comfortably in the middle as he paced himself, probably waiting for an opportunity before he'll make his move to seize first place.

As the race went on there were a number of near misses as some of the fliers came close to clipping the obstacles in their path, it allowed the race to pick up some interest as watching somebody going around in circles isn't exactly the most entertaining thing in the world. Applejack didn't really seem to care, she would occasionally glance to the race as we ended up having our own conversation. After a while her body was pressing lightly against mine as she used me as a post to lean against, I didn't particularly mind as we continued to talk with one another.

After the hundredth lap Soarin had taken second place as Fleetfoot pulled back to forth, High Winds was in the lead by a couple of feet but it didn't seem long until she'd lose her position. As I look over the rest of the stadium my eyes once again lock onto Luna as she's looking directly at me. Once she notices that I'm finally looking at her she tilts her head to the side in an attempt to signal for me to come to her. As soon as she does this she says something to Celestia before rising from her seat and exiting the box.

Resting my hand on Applejack's back I hold her up as I climb out of my seat, "I'm gonna get us some drinks. I should only be a few minutes." Applejack nods as she sits up straight in her own seat. Moving down the steps I quickly head through the tunnel into the main corridor of the stadium which houses various stalls and facilities for patrons to use. Looking at a set of signs I follow the one which points towards the VIP box and start to head in that direction.

In a couple of minutes, I start to move through a section of corridors with very few ponies around me. Checking the signs again I hear Luna's voice from behind me, "Well, it seems that you're finally out of hospital."

Turning around I notice that Luna has used her magic in order to make her appear as Moon Glow, "No thanks to you. I was ready to leave after a couple of days but you insisted that they kept me there for a week."

Luna grins as she steps closer, "If I didn't do that then I can guarantee that you would have tried to return to work as soon as you could get out of bed." She quickly glances to the side before her horn illuminates, as soon as I hear a door behind me open up she quickly pushes me inside as she joins me. As soon as she closes the door she presses her lips against mine in an aggressive yet passionate kiss. Pulling back she prods my chest, "It's about time you followed orders and took some time off."

"Well, a certain Princess banned me from staying in the barracks." Looking around the room I can see that Luna has pushed us into some sort of supply closet, the large room seems to have various barriers and cones likely used to direct visitors and to close off sections of the stadium. Lifting my hands I hold out my palms to Luna.

She initially looks to me in confusion until her eyes widen as they lock onto my palms, "Your scars. They're gone. How?"

"Twilight learnt a spell and was able to repair my skin. That's not the only one." Grasping my shirt I quickly unbutton it and show Luna my chest where my abdominal scar once was. Once she notices that the scar is no longer there I adjust my shirt to expose my shoulder showing Luna the new layer of skin where the burn once was. "Twilight was able to patch me up."

Luna gives a coy smile as her hoof presses against my chest, "This doesn't mean you can go back to work yet. Nice try, John."

Wrapping my arms around her neck I pull her closer, "It was worth a shot. I guess I'll just have to stay at Twilight's until you let me back into my room."

"Saturday. I'll send orders to allow you to resume duties on Saturday, on one condition."

"And what's that?"

"Enter my office in the barracks once you're allowed in. Once you're there I want you to pay close attention to the fireplace, resting on the mantle will be a golden pot with a special powder. Simply start the fire and throw the powder into the flame, once you've done that I want you to walk into the fire."

My eyes widen as I pull back, "Walk into the fire?"

Luna shakes her head as a smile spreads over her muzzle, "Trust me, John. If you add the powder like I instructed then it won't harm you. It's a magical chemical which has teleportation properties. The fireplace is enchanted and linked to one other location, the fireplace in my study here in Canterlot."

"So it'll teleport me to your room in the castle?" Luna nods as I wiggle my eyebrows, "So why do you want me to come to your room?"

Luna gives a seductive smile, "You can probably guess." Moving closer her lips lock against mine as her tongue lightly brushes against my lips. Allowing her access our tongues flick against one another as my hands begin to run through her coat. Releasing a soft moan she pulls back from the kiss, "I should probably get back before Celestia becomes suspicious."

Nodding I button up my shirt and give Luna one last kiss, "I'll see you Saturday. Shall we say 21:00?"

"I'll see you then." Opening the door she steps out and turns to head towards the VIP box, I quickly leave the room and close the door behind me before anyone else notices. With a grin on my face, I turn to head back down the corridor to collect a couple of drinks before returning to Applejack.

I'm definitely looking forward to the weekend now.