Chapter 3: First Weekend

Chapter Three: First Weekend

"Well, no way back, is there?"

"Nope, sorry John. I came here because my daughter offered me a chance."

"Oh, is your daughter this so called Rainbow Dash?"

"Yes, but, how do you know?"

"You know, i saw  her when they sent you back to earth before i went into the coma"

"I see you've also met Pinkie..."

"Yep"

"About what happened back in the forest..."

"Don't worry, it's okay" I assured him.

"But how did you get in here?"

"I woke up in a forest nearby after you, well... did your part..."

"Ah, ok"

"Uhm, Brian?"

"Yes?"

"I know it's wierd but... can i sleep over at your house tonight?"

"Well, there's no more room, you see..."

"Don't worry, I've slept on the floor before" He chuckled in response.

"Sure, but Dashie doesn't know much about who you are and what you are"

"So, she won't get scared or anything?"

"Hopefully" After we got to his house, he knocked on the door.

"Come on, pops it's your house!" Said somepony, assumingly Dash, and Brian opened the door.

"You go first"

"Sure..." As i took one step into the house, i found myself lying on the ground.

"Welcome home pops!" Said the pegasus with a rainbow mane and cyan coat, cyan fethered wings... yep, it was her.

"Ow, Nice to meet you too, Dash" After Dash realized she didn't hit his father, but me instead, she said three words.

"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!" Dash bucked me so hard i literally flew out the doorway, i think Brian knew it would happen, since he was still holding the door open. Not like i would've just broke through or anything...

"I see you two have met..."

"You think?" Brian walked up to me, trying to help me up.

"Come on, get up" I took the bucket off my head that fell from a shelf from the impact, then grabbed his hand and got up. "Hah, you look just like me, or, i look just like you, if you prefer. Hey, Dashie[/b! Come and apologize to our visitor!" He yelled into the doorway.

"Comiiing..." She yelled, walking out of the doorway, as soon as she saw me standing right next to her father she gave us a confused look, Brian and I swapped glances then gave eachother a high five.

"Yoouu... two are related or something?" Her face was still in shock.

"Well, in fact. Yes, we are" Brian managed to spit out while laughing.

"What now?" She wondered, thinking we were joking.

"That's right, Dashie let me introduce you to our new friend, visitor, and my own brother"

"Your brother? What? Are you serious?"

"Yes Dash, your father is my little brother" I reached a hand around Brian's neck, pulling him in.

"John, i think we should explain it better to her"

"Only tomorrow tho..." They both nodded.

"Well, sorry about, you know..." Said the now blushing pegasus.

"Been through worse..." I looked at Brian, mimicing firing a shotgun with a grin.

"Indeed you have..." He said in response.

"Let's get you a blanket and a pillow okay?"

"Thanks for letting me stay guys" They looked at me and said "Anything for family!" in unison.

"Good night Dash, Brian" Next morning i woke up a bit earlier than they did, and made a trip for my equipment, gefore i left i made them a little breakfast, i  had some rations left for Brian, and for Dash... i guess toast or grass sandwich would do, i was still wearing the clothes Rarity gave me, i love them. When i got to the right adress, there was a guard at the door, well, looked more than just a guard. The stallion had a white coat, and blue mane, wearing a purple armor.

"Hello sir, i came here to claim my house"

"Ah, you must be the Sergeant who Celestia told me about. I heard the great news from my sister  in her letters."

"Sister?"

"Oh, Twilight i mean"

"Oh, so you're her brother?"

"Indeed. Name's Shining Armor"

"Nice to meet you, uuuhmmm...."

"Yes?" He asked.

"Uhm... Your rank?"

"Oops, i forgot to add that. Captain Shining Armor at your service."

"Aaaand, how does saluting go around here?"

"The way you feel it more fitting, my sister isn't the easiest to befriend. If she found you safe to consider a friend, then so should i, just call me Armor, and uhm... don't salute to me ever."

"Sure, Armor"

"Now that you are here, i can go back and report. It was nice meeting you, John" We both saluted and waved bye. I went upstairs, and found the chest Celestia told me about. I opened it and found my equipment in it... at least the boots, pants, shirt, dog tag, helmet, knife, bulletproof vest in it.

"How nice of her to at least give me the knife back"

"Something missing?"

I promptly had another heart attack, coughing up some red-grey-green goop onto the wall, nobody noticed it.

"What are you still doing here? Didn't you just leave?"

"Oh yes, i forgot tell tell you, part of your equipment will arrive in today's mail. A grey mare with golden mane with... Funny eyes will deliver it"

" Uhh, Funny?"

"You see... she's a bit... clumsy"

"Oh, i see"

"She may make a few mistakes, please forgive her"

"No problem"

"See you around the barracks?"

"Sure will!" We sad bye, again, for real this time. I think i should do a little clean up... this place got really dusty. I looked at the clock, it was about 6 am, then heard the doorbell. "I'm coming, hold your hor...ses" Oops... I opened the door, a grey mare, golden mane, and... funny eyes looked back up at me.

"Delivery to Sergeant John Miller!" She said with a voice as cheerfull as Pinkie.

"That would be me, thank you very much..." She took a box out of her mailbag and threw it into my hands.

"Please, sign this paper right here"

"Sure" I signed the paper, confirming that i did take the package.

"There you go, miss... uuhmmm" She gave me a confused look.

"Yyyeeesss?"

"Excuse me uhh, what's your name?"

"Mail Mare Derpy Hooves at your service!" She said, trying to salute, but at the end she knocked the package out of my hands. Part of my equipment... shit! That must be the pistol! If it falls it will fire, i have to get her safe! "Oops, sorry i didn't mean to kno..." At the point i tackled her to the ground. As the box made impact with the floor a loud "BANG" was heard.

"Just like i thoght..."

"Excuse me sir?"

"Heh, sorry" I was still on top of her Not that way, sicko on the ground, then climbed off.

"You all right, Derpy?"

"I'm fine sir. I just don't know what went wrong" We both smiled.

"Sooo... why are you delivering at 6 am already?"

"I was told to deliver it as soon as possible"

"Ah, care to come in for a coffee?"

"Oh, i would but, i have many to deliver and..."

"Don't worry, that can wait, i'll help you with it after the coffee"

"Oh, would you really?"

"Well, you woke up early to get this to me so... at least i can return a favor"

"That's nice of you sir, thank you"

"Come on in, take a seat i'll get the coffee right away"

She walked in, put her mailbag and hat on the sofa and sat down.

"Here's your coffee. Hey, care for some muffins?" When she looked at me i swear i saw her eyes shine.

"If that's not too much to ask" I went back and returned with two muffins.

"Here's one for now, and one for later" We sat there, and drank our coffees.

"Thank you sir, but i have to get back to work"

"Sure thing, let's go!" Apparently she forgot i'll help her, we left to help Ms. Hooves with the packages, luckily she was a pegasus so i told her the plan.

"Okay Derpy. I take the packages you go with the letters"

"Ookie Dookie Chocolate Cookie!" Apparently she was just as random as Pinkie... We went our separate ways, 4 hours later we met at the post office.

"How did it go?"

"All done. What about the packages?"I gave her the clipboard with the signatures.

"Thank you very much sir, you did me a great favor. Wait, let me get you a gift" She went into the office, clocked her shift out, and came back with a small bag in her mouth. "Here, take this, you'll need it around!" Through clenched teeth, and threw it over to me, the bag landed in my hands with a small jingle, apparently i forgot that i had no money at all in the local currency, that's right, i was a bum basically at this point.

"Wow, i completely forgot that you have a currency as well... thanks Ms. Hooves!" We said our goodbyes and went on our own ways. When i got home, i inspected my belt a little better. 3 medium bags and even a pouch for money? Oh *Rarity, you just knew the details didn't you?* I picked up the box that now had a hole in the side, and realized. Wait, if the gun fired, and i was in the line of fire to save *Derpy, why did i not get shot?* I was sure the box was touching my back when it fired... Anyways, i'll go and see Rarity, i have a few things to thank her, and maybe she can fashion a pistol holser to my belt as well. I walked over to Brian and Dash's house, carrying a bigger box as a gift for Brian, when got there i knocked on the door.

"Coming, hang on..." The door opened, Dash gave me an audible slap.

"Next time you leave like that at least leave a note where you went"

"Ow, i forgot that part, how was the breakfast I made?"

"You? You made it? I thought it was dad"

"Yes, it was we. Is Brian home?"

"Sure is, why?"

"I got him a surprise"

"Can i see it?"

"When he does, sure"

"Come in, don't just stand out there"

"Hey Dashie, who was it?" Brian yelled out.

"It's John, he want's to see you" She replied, Brian walked out of the bedroom into the kitchen.

"Hey brother, how's your day going?"

"Not much, i met Derpy earlier, helped her with the deliveries, and met Twilight's brother"

"You did what?"

"What do you mean?"

"Derpy? Really? That feather brain?"

"Come on Dashie, just because she's clumsy you don't get to be mean with her." Brian scolded her, , nodded in agreement.

"Fine..."

"So, what can i help you with, John?"

"Hmm? Oh yes, i got a surprise for you in this box here" I handed the box over to Brian, Dash chuckled, Brian raised an eyebrow.

"Is this one of your pranks, Dashie?" We both shook our heads.

"Go and try them on. I hope the size is about right"

Brian opened the cardboard box and took out the cyan feather. "Ha...Ha...Ha... How funny..." Later they told about how they met, only then i realized how ackward this situation was, Dash gave me a confused look.

"How did you get that?"

"I thought you would know"

"Well, what do we have here?"

"What is it dad?" Brian looked at me with a smile, then back into the box.

"Special clothes"

"Clothes? Really? You gave dad some rags?"

"You two hold on here, i'll try them on" Brian locked the bedroom door behind him.

"So you were the guy in the forest?"

"What?"

"Before i found dad again i saw somebody who looked exactly like dad, in a forest. He was lying in a pool of blood and was wearing wierd clothes, and a few minutes back i saw others wearing the same clothes. I decided at least i should help him and got him to a bush near them"

"So you were the one who saved me, weren't you?" She nodded with a grin, I gave her a thumbs up.

"Welcome, yes i know i'm amazing..." She replied. We heard the door open and Brian walked out in my previous equipment, steel capped boots, camoflauge pants and a trenchcoat, black shirt, and even the kevlar helmet.

"What do you think?"

"You look, great dad" I gave him a thumbs up.

"Are you sure we won't get into trouble for this?"

"What for? Me giving you some clothes that are a bit better at protecting you?" Brian looked into the mirror.

"Dashie, would you take care of the house for a while?"

"Sure... why?"

"John, come i'll give you a tour around"

"Sure, but, do you want to wear that on the way?"

"Well, you got used to wearing it all the time as well, it can't be that bad"

"Okay, go on ahead, see you at Sugarcube Corner" Brian nodded with a two finger salute what i returned then, he left.

"Uhm, Dash?"

"Sup?"

"I nearly forgot to give this to you" I handed her a pair of black sunglasses, she took it and tried it on.

"Thanks! How do i look with it?"

"Welcome, about... Maybe 20% cooler" She gave me a smile and a high five.

"By the way, can you do me a favor?" I asked.

"Sure, what is it?" I took off my plated vest and the bulletproof vest, then handed the bulletproof vest over to her.

"What is this?"

"It's... another thing to protect him"

"Why are you giving him all these protective things?"

"Because you and i both want him to be safe, don't we?" She nodded.

"Besiedes, he'll know what it's for"

"And what's the favor?"

"Any paper and qulls with ink nearby?" She bolted into the bedroom and back in no time with a piece of paper and a vial of ink.

"No doubt, you deserve your name..." She blushed in response.

"What now?"

"I need a quill" She sighed, then extended one of her wings towards me.

"Do it quick" I plucked one of her feathers as she told me to.

"Let's leave him a note"

"What kind?"

"How about... Take this, wear it with care, and stay safe?"

"Yeah, that should do" We made the note and signed it.

"Go hide it somewhere, when he comes home give it to him"I put the note into one of the pockets on the vest, not completely so it will stick out and be easier to notice.

"Got it!"

"Thanks, see you later, Dash"

"Later, John" As i was on my way to Sugarcube Corner i noticed a group of about 3 mares and 2 stallions hurrying towards the forest. I stopped one of them and asked what's going on.

"Oh, there's a fire in the forest, we are trying to put it out!"

"Can i come along?"

"Sure can, let's hurry!" While in a hurry i saw the smoke rising above the trees. Suddenly i had an adrenaline rush and when i was at the edge of the forest i noticed i outran the group. Was i really running that fast? I outran 5 horses? I heard a loud "CRACK" noise, a huge tree just fell. I ran into the forest deeper and deeper, when i started to see the light emmited by the flames. What should i do? What should i do? My mind was racing.

"Hold on Fluttershy, i'm coming!" A voice yelled. "Just don't know how..." This time a bit quetly, i ran along the edge of the flames hoping to see a body to that voice. Then, "BAM" I ran right into her.

"Hey now partener, watch your way would' ya?"

"Sorry, what's going on here?"

"My friend, Fluttershy is trapped in there. Wouldn't ya mind lending a hand or two?"

"When i came there was a group of ponies coming to help, go find them and lead them here, i'll get her out of there"

"Are you sure? Will you be fine?"

"Trust me, please."The mare nodded.

"Good luck partner" And ran off to find the group.

"Well, no time to think, i have to force my way through" Here goes nothing... I took a deep breath, and covered my face with one of my arms. While in the flames i felt incredibly hot, more than i should have. "Fluttershy! *Cough* Fluttershy! Where are you!?" After a while of searching, i found a clearing, and saw something lying on the ground. I ran up to it, it had wings, and yellow coat, pink mane. Her left hind leg was caught by branches, she was barely breathing so i kicked the branches out of the way and picked her up and took my vest off along the hoodie and wrapped it around her, i didn't want anything to burn or fall onto her. "Don't worry, i've got you." I ran and ran through the obstacle course of burning logs and falling branches, when i saw the edge of the flames i had another rush, and ran even faster. It's over, i saved her. As i finished the thought i was hit by a falling log, throwing me to the ground. As i fell i heard a quiet scream. Was she awake? I struggled to get out, and managed to carry on. Finally, i was out of the flaming hell. I got a bit farther from the forest in case a tree would come down our way. "Finally *Heavy breathing*  out of that *Heavy breathing* hellhole..." I knew that mare would come back with help, so i put Fluttershy down and sat next to her to catch my breath. I lied down, on my back to rest, but ended up either falling asleep or passing out.

The next thing i knew, was me lying on my bed, back at home in my boots, pants and shirt. I woke up covered in sweat and most of my body was covered in bandages. I slowly sat up, and put my right hand to my forehead. "Owww, what happened?" I thought i was alone, when my hand got to my forehead i noticed it was also wrapped in bandages.

"What happened? You saved Fluttershy! You were amazing!" Dash yelled in response.

"Tell me at least she's safe..."

"She's all right, she isn't know for her bravery and passed out from the smoke. If you wouldn't have ran into the burning forest she wouldn't have made it." I just smiled.

"What are all these bandages?"

"You got burned badly... Didn't you feel it?"

"Now that you mention... No... I didn't."

"What? How? Did you use magic or something?"

"No, to be honest i only focused on getting her out of there, even if it would mean me dying instead of her."

"Man, now i can see how you can be dad's brother." I gave her a high five.

"How long was i out?"

"The rest of the day."I slowly turned to get out of bed, as i sat on the bed, we heard a knocking on the door.

"Is it Brian?" I asked her quietly, she shook her head in response.

"I came alone..." I pulled the pistol the aimed it at the door.

"Hey, what are you doing?" She panicked.

"Who's there?" I shouted at the door, a while later we got the response.

"I have heard of the mess that fire made. I'm here, to lend my aid."

"It's Zecora, she's a friend of ours, she want's to help" Dash whispered to me, i lowered the pistol.

"Sure." I walked to the door and opened it. "Come on in." Zecora, a zebra walked into the room.

"Oh, i see you are badly burned. Tell me, how much did it hurt?" She asked.

"It...didn't...at all..."

"You were in a bad shape i thought. Please, take a look at the potion i brought." Zecora reached into her saddlebag and threw me a vial of bright green liquid.

"What will this do?"

"Your wounds are sevire. The brew will help them disappear."

"Sure... Why not..."

"Come on, she knows what she's doing, drink up!" Dash elboved me, almost making me drop the vial. "Hehe..." She added, i uncapped it and drank it all up.

"Anything you're feeling? By now, it should be working." I just stood there with closed eyes, and nodded in agreement.

"It is."

"I have a potion for the effect to vanish. I can give it to you, if you wish." I nodded, she threw the potion, i drank it.

"All better, sorry for wasting your metarials"

"Do not worry, for there's more of them back at home, than i can carry."

"Sooo... now you'll just stay burned as you are?" Dash asked, i guess i should've thought about it...

"I think i have a better idea... No offense, Zecora"

"None taken"

"What do you have in mind?"

"Dash, where's my belt? There's something in it that i'll need."

"Gimme a sec, i'll get it." She searched the house franticly, then 10 minutes later she came back. "Hehe, can't find it, sorry." I pointed to the chair behind her.

"Have you checked over there?"

"Of course i did, why?"

"Because it's right there?" Dash facehoofed.

"Is this some kind of cruel joke?" She threw the belt over to me and i put it on. I crunched my shoulders and neck, my neck didn't go with out a loud "CRACK" noise.

"Ouch..." I guess she didn't expect the noise...

"Well, first things first. Where's Brian?"

"He's off helping Pinkie with and order."

"Say, Zecora... Could you give me a tour around the town?"

"In the town, i have no business to do. But a tour i'll gladly give to you."

"Have fun you two." Dash commented, we nodded at her and left.

"I think i know where we should go first. We need to get something for our thirst." I followed her down a dirt road, untill we saw a long fencing, as soon as we got to the fence gate we heard a voice.

"Howdy partner? What brings you here to the old Sweet Apple Acres?" Said an elder mare from a rocking chair.

"We are... visiting." I replied.

"Oh yes, you must be one of AppleJack's friends"

"Yes, is she around?"

"She's in the barn, makin some cyder. Hurry on, you might get some."

"Thanks, uhhm, Granny" We made our way into the barn, it was the same mare i sent for help back at the forest.

"So, you're Applejack, correct?"

"Howdy, partner? Glad to see you're all right!"

"Good to see you're no worse."

"And yes, name's Applejack. Pleasure to make an acquaintance. Can i get you two something? Maybe some cyder?" We nodded in response.

"Three fresh squeezed apple cyder comin right up." She rushed out of the barn.

"You knew this would happen didn't you?" I asked Zecora, she nodded with a smile, i chuckled and Applejack came back balancing 3 cups of cyder on her back.

"Come on, drink up partner." We drank it down, it was better than good.

"Thanks Applejack, that won the first place."

"Welcome."

"Since we're here... need any help around?"

"That's nice of 'ya to ask but, no thank' ya. If there'll be anything i'll let'ya know. Besides, you are in no shape for hard labor, no offense."

"None taken, thanks." Zecora elboved me in my kidney, straight in my kidney.

"Oh yes, one more thing."

"Go on partner."

"Since i woke up in my bed at home, i assume sooner later you did return with the rest of the helpers."

"Damn straight i did."

"Is, your friend all right?"

"Yes, whatever you wrapped around her, it saved her life. If you didn't sacrifice your clothes she would've died of the smoke."

"Is she at home?"

"She should be by now, between the three of us, she wanted to get you something to return the favor. Anythin else 'ya need friend?"

"No, that's all, thanks."

"Well then, if you'd excuse i have to get back to apple squeezing." We nodded.

"Have you seen where is Rarity? The way to her home is not a mistery." Zecora asked.

"I haven't, but i wanted to go there anyways." We began walking, again, until we got to Carousel Butique. I knocked on the door.

"Please, come in!" We entered the shop, i swear even a gasmask wouldn't hold the fumes back.

"Ah, John, Zecora, good to see you two." Rarity welcomed us.

"Hey Rarity, i wanted to ask you a favor a while ago... I'm afraid i have to ask a bit more than that now."

"Oh, don't you even mention it. I've heard of the heroic deeds of you saving Fluttershy from that terrible forest... I bet all the debrits in there were just repulsive!"

"Yes, it was but im afraid i ruined the coat and hoodie you made for me. I'm sorry..."

"You're what? Dear, you sacrificed your beloved article of clothing to save a life, what are you sorry about? I can make another for you in no time!"

"Oh, i see. Can i ask you a favor then?"

"Most certainly!" She said with a smile.

"I would appreciate if you'd make me another hoodie and vest." Rarity nodded in agreement. "Also, i know i already have 3 bags and a pouch on my belt, but i'll need one more bag onto it." She nodded again.

"I'm sorry sweetie but i ran out of the proper metarial i need to make the other bag. But if you can get some more i'll gladly make it."

"How much do you need?"

"About... a square meter or two."

"But you have everything for the rest i asked for?"

"Certainly do darling."

"Zecora umm, no offense but would you leave us in private for a minute?" I asked, she nodded with a smile, indicating she took no offense.

"I need something else..."

"Don't hold back."

"Could you make a holster for this onto my left side?" I pulled the pistol out of my belt bag and gave it to her, she took the measures and hoofed it back.

"Surely can, but in that case i'll need more leather."

"Also, could you make a sword sheath next to the pistol holster?"

"I'll see if the space around will be enough, and i think the left over metarial will be just enough."

"Thanks, how much will it cost?"

"Money? Oh my, it's the least i can do for a friend." I gave her a confused look.

"Thanks again."

"You're quite welcome."

"If you would excuse, i would pay Fluttershy a visit."

"I'll send your clothes to your house when they are done, see you around John!"

"Bye Rarity." I left the store, Zecora was waiting for me. "Now to Fluttershy?" She nodded. I hope she's in better shape.

"When she needed your help you didn't deny her. Are you not worried for the rest of your attire?" I gave her a worried look.

"What do you mean?"

"There was a price that saving her life had needed. You gave up what you wanted and payed it" I guess she's either all rhymes or silence...

"I don't care if i get it back in one piece, or see it as a pile of ashes. The only thing that matters to me is that she got to keep her life." She gave me a smile, then we got to a cottage near the forest.

"Are we there?" She nodded, i knocked on the door.

"Oh my goodness" Fluttershy called out after she noticed my bandages."Oh my goodness! You look terrible! I mean... not that way... but.. .you need help... you got burned badly. I'll get some bandages and change yours... if that's allright with you..." I completely forgot about those details... That explains why everypony was staring at me.

"Oh, don't worry. They don't hurt at all."

"Okay, but... are you sure? I mean...if you say so it must be true..."

"Yes, i'm fine, thanks for the offer tho."

"Oh, okay. If i can... you know... do anything to help you can... let me know... okay?" I nodded.

"Oh, by the way..."

"Yes?"

"I'm glad you're okay..." I guess she wasn't yet used to my presence, but she smiled at me.

"Well, i think we should go now... I only came to see if you're okay."

"I understand. Thank you for... saving me."

"No problem."I smiled at her to cheer her up.

"Well, it was great to see you. Bye John, bye Zecora."

"See you later." We started back on the road we came here.

"So, is there anywhere else i should know a way to?"

"For getting to the Canterlot barracks to be. The train station is what you need to see."

"Let's go" We got to the station and she told me the price of a return ticket to Canterlot: 50 bits.

"I hope i'll get some discount for being a soldier..." She nodded. "Let's go home now, shall we? "She nodded again, as we got to my house she stopped in the doorway. "What, you're not coming?"

"I'm sorry, i belive i need to leave. For there are other places, i need to be."

"Okay, thanks for the tour. See you around."

"I'm happy to you who i have come. In my house in the forest, you are always quite welcome." We waved our byes and she left, i went back to my room, then laid down on the bed. I hoped everything will go well tomorrow... A while after i heard a knocking on the door, i went down to check it. As i opened the door i saw a familiar face.

"Hello John. You have a package from Carousel Butique!" Derpy stood in the doorway, saluting me, she knew what happened yesterday, she handed me a small package.

"Thanks Derpy."

"Sign it here, here, here aaand here..." I scribbled. "Thanks John. Have a nice day, and get well soon!" She smiled.

"Thanks Derpy. I'll be okay in no time, see you next time." Derpy flew off into the sky... Maybe it was her last delivery for today. I opened the package. Rarity got done already? I put on the hoodie and plated vest and laid back into my couch and embraced the dark slumber.

End of Chapter 3