The End of an Era

The next few weeks quickly slipped by without much of note and Jack quickly found the comfort of a daily routine again. Each day would start off with Jack waking up just before sunrise and spending time reflecting on the events of the previous day. His thoughts would conclude with the sunrise and with the growing of the light of day, one thought grew along with it. He was probably never going to go back to his old life. He had attempted to end it, but no one here knew about that. After he would climb out of bed, he would take a shower after Twilight was done since she would wake up and get moving prior to him actually doing anything productive with his day. Breakfast was quick to follow and contained all of the pleasantries of vegetarian cooking. Some days they would have pancakes made by Spike, he was infinitely better at making pancakes that Twilight, but Jack would never admit to it.

"Work", as Jack had come to call it, was actually more pleasant than he was expecting after the first few days. Then, just as things were going as well as Jack could hope, Ditzy had been told she was going back to her regular mail route and she was going to be replaced by somepony else. Jack tried to get Mr. Move-it to reconsider, but it was out of his hooves, or so he said. Finally relenting, Jack told Mr. Move-it that he could read well enough to deliver the packages and he knew the town well enough to get things done on time. The first day without Ditzy was sad and lonely, having lost his first friend to the ravages of the bureaucracy, but he soldiered on regardless. Without Ditzy there, the ponies became much more skittish as he approached and the commonplace smalltalk was virtually nonexistent without the friendly grey pegasus. He was, however, surprised when he actually crossed paths with his former guide, the first time she actually crashed into him as they were reading their respective delivery instructions. When the end of the second full week came to a close, Mr. Move-it, had told Jack that he was going to be getting paid. Jack had wondered if this was ever going to happen so he happily accepted it. He wasn't sure how much he was supposed to be given, but something was better than nothing.

The end of the days on his first week came swiftly, staying awake only long enough to eat a hastily made sandwich while studying some letters, take a shower, then pass out on his mattress. As his body adjusted, he found himself with more energy, making the evenings a bit more eventful. Twilight had started to worry about him when didn't seem to want to talk at all, but after he stayed up for longer, her fears quickly vanished. Jack informed Twilight that Mr. Move-it had rescheduled him to have Saturdays and Sundays off so that he could have more rest and some free time to himself. Towards the middle of his third week during his shower at night, he had noticed that it was easier for him to stretch and move around. The weeks of physical labor, coupled with his new diet, had actually shed plenty of the pockets of fat around his body off. He still had slightly sagging skin from where he was once huskier, but when he pressed into it, he could feel the firmness of muscle underneath. He also noticed his face was much thinner and his hair became much thicker on the top of his head. Truly in just a few weeks he had moved away from being a pasty, overweight recluse, to a much healthier and active person.

His dreams were no longer plagued by the mysterious castle, or the figure which inhabited it. Unlike most dreams, whose memories faded with the progression of the day, these events would play in his mind when he found a moments rest. For the next three weeks his dreams turned to his thoughts of his old home, his life of comfort and self inflicted seclusion. He also dreamed of his more active times, going to dance clubs with friends and ensuring their safe return after a night of drinking, dancing, and laughter. When he would rise in the morning, it was more gentle then he had ever been pulled from the embrace of sleep in his own land.

He was quickly awakened by a shout from downstairs. He jumped to his feet in front of his bed with his fists raised before his face. It took a few moments before his mind focused enough to hear the muffled sounds from laughter coming through the door. Relaxing, he walked over and opened it slowly to ensure that everything was fine. As he listened, he could only hear the gentle laughter from his warden and two other female guests, so he shut his door and sighed. The adrenaline rush he just received ensured that he was not going to be returning to sleep as the sun was now pouring light into the room. He dressed quietly, and left his socks off, deciding that if he was going to be doing anything today, it could wait for him.

After getting dressed, he pushed the door open and headed to the bathroom to relieve himself and clean the sleep from his face before greeting guests. As he went through his morning motions he stopped before the mirror behind the sink. Most of the amenities in the house were so low to the ground he had to bend over constantly, the only exception was the mirror. It was one of the few things that Twilight replaced in her home to make it more comfortable for Jack to live. He had complained enough throughout his short time here that everything was so low to the ground that it was causing him back pain, so she had purchased the large mirror in order to ease some tension in his back. He was grateful for it, but that was not what he was thinking of now. He slowly wiped water from his face with the small wash cloth that hung next to the sink as he stared into his own reflection. For the first time in what seemed like forever, he smiled at himself. He was slowly turning from his previous slovenly self and reclaiming some of his former life before depression had gripped him.

A loud round of laughter was heard before a door slammed closed. Deciding that he had endured enough narcissism for one day, he exited the bathroom and made his way down the stairs. As he reached the ground floor to the library, he found three mares sitting in a triangle facing each other. Fluttershy and Rarity were facing away from the stairs and giggling softly. Twilight sat before them, facing the stairwell but she was too focused on her friends. Twilight's face was filled with a deep blush and a soft smile as she conversed with her friends. Jack had wondered how he could see blushes through fur as he closed the gap between himself and his warden. As he approached Twilight caught sight of him and smiled a little wider, causing Rarity to chuckle and turn her head to see the approaching man.

"Speak of the stallion himself..." She said smiling brightly. "Jack, darling, we were just talking about you."

"Nothing good I hope." He joked as he approached behind Fluttershy, causing her to turn and squeak as he approached her. "So what brings you two in today?"

Fluttershy quickly slid herself and her cushion over to make room for the newest addition to the group, leaving a spot between herself and Twilight. Jack smiled and sat down, crossing his legs and tucking his feet underneath them.

"I'm glad you're finally up Jack. I didn't know you could be so lazy in the mornings." Twilight said as she almost imperceptibly scooted closer to him. Almost. Jack didn't pay it any more then a half second longer gaze than he needed.

"Well it's my first day off in three weeks, I think I could use a break." He said quietly.

"See dear? I told you!" Rarity exclaimed as she nudged Twilight with an outstreched hoof. "I told you he wouldn't mind!"

"Wouldn't mind what exactly...?" Jack said with a bit of trepidation. "Do I even want to know what you three were talking about while I was upstairs?"

"Jack, dear. Would you like to come with us three to the spa today? Today is the day that Twilight usually accompanies myself and Fluttershy here to the spa. We go every week, but Twilight only joins us once a month. I posed that we should bring you along, and since today is your day off, I won't take no for an answer!"

"Nope." Jack said quickly crossing his arms against his chest.

Rarity's eyes opened a little wider from his sudden retort but then softened. "Dear I said I wasn't taking no for an answer. Besides, how else would we get to spend time with you outside of this stuffy library?"

"You said you wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, but I said 'nope' so I win. Besides, I don't think that me taking my shirt off in front of other people is a good idea." Jack said. He was grasping at straws but he could see the effect he was having on the ivory unicorn. Her left eye started to twitch slightly until Fluttershy spoke up, saving her from whatever she was about to say.

"Please Jack? I mean, that is, if you want to. We'd like it if you came with us, if that's okay with you." Fluttershy said just barely above a whisper. She looked up to him with her bright teal eyes, half hidden behind her long pink mane. Jack looked over to Twilight who was nodding gently.

"Alright..." Jack sighed as his shoulders sagged. Suddenly Rarity hopped off of her cushion and threw her forelegs around him in a tight embrace.

"Fabulous darling, now let us be off! The sisters are expecting us!" She said, releasing Jack from the tender shackles of a hug.

"Well let me at least get some shoes and breakfast first. If I'm going to a spa, I had might as well be comfortable before I go..." Jack said trying to shield himself from the enthusiastic cries from the pearlescent pony.

"It's already lunch time Jack! If we delay any longer, we may not have time to get the full treatment!" Rarity stomped her hoof gently against the ground. Her eyes fixed on the stubborn man. As if on cue, the sounds of many stomachs grumbled loudly, causing Fluttershy to squeak and Twilight to gasp. Apparently they hadn't had lunch yet either. Smiling, Jack wiggled his eyebrows a bit as he raised to his feet.

"See, I'm not the only one hungry, and certainly you wouldn't deny your dearest friends their nutrition would you?" With his back turned he could still hear the sigh of defeat that escaped Rarity. He chuckled to himself as he pulled his socks on and then tied up his boots. He had then secretly wished he had some more casual shoes, but boots would do just as well. He would only be in them long enough to get to the spa.

Returning to the mares downstairs, he found Spike among them, swooning over Rarity no less. The sight, while apparently common enough to the others, gripped at Jacks throat. He was reminded of how he fawned over the one person he could say he truly had loved only to find out she was just using him for his money. His calm smile faded as he did all he could to control his face, trying to bury the recently awakened emotions. "Well ladies, we're burning daylight." Jack said quickly, opening the front door and waving an arm in front of himself, signaling that they should go first.

"Right, Spike, watch over the library while we're gone. We're going to be going to the spa and we'll return later this evening." Twilight said to the little purple and green assistant.

"You got it Twilight." The dragon responded, giving her his best salute before wandering off to where ever Spike goes during the day. Jack hadn't asked and he really didn't care.

"Oh such a gentle-stallion..." Rarity cooed softly as she walked out of the door first. Jack could swear that she purposely rubbed her tail against his hand that held the door open, but he brushed it aside, as Fluttershy quietly followed her friend out. Twilight was the last and smiled softly, whispering her thanks as she exited.

The newly formed quartet of friends made their way through town to find something to eat. They stopped at an outside cafe with several tables placed in front of a small shop that looked as if it only contained a kitchen and a place to store food. The three mares guided Jack over to a fairly large and empty table with several piles of hay around it. They each took a seat, leaving an open spot between Rarity and Fluttershy this time, so Jack took his predetermined spot. The table was much lower than any he was used to so he stretched his legs out under it in order to get comfortable. As he slid his feet across the grass under the table, he gently pressed against Twilight, causing her to jump.

"Oh shit, Sorry Twi." He said quickly as he pulled his leg back. "Didn't mean to kick you, just don't have much leg room I guess... All this pony furniture is so hard to get comfortable around."

"I-it's okay..." She said gently, blushing once again. What had he touched with his foot? Whatever it was, it was soft. Twilight then floated the menus from a clip on the side of the table out and set them in front of herself and the three other friends she accompanied. Skimming through it she was the first done, so she closed it. Afterwards Fluttershy, then Rarity closed theirs leaving Jack to stare into the menu, his brow furrowed. "You having trouble reading the menu Jack?" Twilight asked. It had only been about three weeks since she had taught him to read, so she wasn't sure if he was having trouble with fine print.

"No... I'll just get another stupid fucking salad..." He said, closing the menu quickly and letting it fall on the table with a loud smack. The three girls looked over at him as he put crossed his arms on the table and put his head down ontop of them.

"Jack... are you alright?" Fluttershy asked, placing a hoof gently on his shoulder.

"Just fine, I love eating leaves and berries." Jack said sarcastically, his voice harsh and quiet.

"Darling, tell us what's wrong. We're your friends." Rarity said, gently nudging his other shoulder. Jack shrugged her off and then sat up. He sighed and looked over to Fluttershy.

"Don't freak out alright?" He said quietly, patting the hoof she had on his arm. She nodded timidly, while Rarity looked between them. Twilight knew what was coming and she slowly moved over closer to Fluttershy to be able to grab onto her if she was to make a break for it. "I'm hungry, and I haven't had meat since I got here. I don't know if it's withdrawal or what, but I'm so tired of leaves and apples I can't stand it. I just get so angry when I sit down to eat and there's no chicken or beef or anything!"

Fluttershy fidgeted a bit, but calmed down quickly. "Would you... would you eat fish instead? I know some creatures eat meat, but they usually eat fish instead."

Jack nodded slowly, he wasn't the greatest fan of aquatic dining, but he knew this was a battle he'd lose unless he could go hunt for himself in the forest without Fluttershy knowing about it. "As long as it's cleaned and cooked well I think I could make do. And if it stops the cravings I have then even better..."

"Well.. I don't really do anything besides give the fish whole to the animals.." Fluttershy looked away, slightly saddened that she couldn't be of more help.

"I think there's a book on that in the library. We'll see when we get back Jack. If it's alright, could you just hold out for a little while longer?" Twilight spoke up, coming to her friend's rescue. "Besides, from what you told me about the diet of humans, fish is supposed to be healthier right?"

"Twilight, if I eat any healthier, I'm going to stop thinking I'm an ugly piece of shit." Jack quipped, causing the three mares to gasp.

"Darling, such language! And you most certainly are not.... that." Rarity scolded.

Sighing and leaning away from the table a bit, Jack responded. "Sorry, force of habit..."

"Well, we'll help you break that habit then Jack." Fluttershy whispered as she hugged him lightly.

As he hugs her back, the other two girls leave their seats and join in on a group hug. Their warm and soft fur pressed against him from all sides spreads a warmth he hadn't felt in ages. He closes his eyes and squeezes tighter around the yellow angel that had saved his life on multiple occasions. The group hug lasted for only moments until an off-white stallion approached the table. He had a blue slicked back mane and what seemed to be a pencil thin mustache. He was wearing what Jack thought was an insert for the top of a tuxedo, giving the appearance he was wearing a white dress shirt underneath, but without the jacket, he could tell it was little more than a fancy bib.

"Have you made your decision?" He asks, his voice carried a heavy french accent which caused Jack to wonder what the hell this guy was doing in a town like Ponyville, but he brushed those thoughts aside as the girls separated and went back to their seats.

"Why can't I have all three?" Jack said chuckling, causing the three mares to blush while the waiter cocked an eyebrow. "Heh.. nevermind.. go ahead and order girls."

After they ordered, the waiter took his leave. Minutes later he returned and placed several plates on the table, the food going to each respective customer. Twilight had ordered a daffodil and daisy sandwich, Fluttershy and Rarity each ordered the house salad with extra flowers. Jack decided that would be good, but he had his without flowers. As they ate, Jack listened to some of their conversations, although he quickly found that they were about only daily occurrences, such as ponies coming to check out books or have dresses made. Jack had finished eating and was looking over the menu for next time he came to this cafe, perhaps during lunch at work. He raised his head as he heard several coins clink down on the table, a small pile infront of each of the three ponies, with Twilight's being slightly larger. The gears started turning inside his head and he glared at Twilight as he came to the only reasonable conclusion, she was paying for him again.

"Twilight put those away, I got it this time." Jack said, pulling his coin pouch out from his right pocket. He fished out enough bits to cover his and Twilight's meal, plus a tip for the french stallion.

"Jack, it's fine, really I can pay for you." Twilight said as she watched him count out the bits.

"Twilight if you don't take your money off the table I'll cram it down your throat."

Twilight smirked and stood up as Jack dropped his coins on the table. "You wouldn't dare." As soon as she finished her sentence, Jack was already up and had swept her pile of the coins off the table, holding them in his left hand. He took a step towards her and she jumped back, levitating her pouch up. "Alright alright! Calm down!"

Jack smiled and poured Twilight's bits back into her pouch and pat her gently on her head. "Good pony." He said as Fluttershy giggled and Rarity's expression turned quickly from mortification to a soft smile.

The group then departed the outside cafe's gate and headed down the road towards their ultimate goal, the spa. Jack's stomach, now sated from the salad, began to sink as he followed the girls to what he felt would be his sure demise. He hadn't been to a spa, but his imagination was very active and he had always heard that it was no place for a man.

As he was running through various horror scenarios, Rarity spoke up, breaking him from his trance. "We're here darling!"

"Oh... heh heh... yay..." Jack said, a thin layer of sweat starting to form on his forehead. The four friends ascended the stairs outside of a large creme colored building. It had a row of flowers and bushes on each side of the steps and a sign hanging above the door, "Ponyville spa." As they entered, Jack could see the walls were painted sky blue, and the woodwork such as the desk and cabinets were white. The floor was also made of a white tile pattern with a rug in front of the desk.

Behind the desk sat a blue pony with a swept back pink mane. On her forehead and neck she had a white headband and collar. She had dark blue eyes that were fixed on the white unicorn leading the group. Her cutie mark was that of a white flower with no stem, blooming as if it were floating on the surface of a lake. "Ah, Miss Rarity and Miss Fluttershy! I was expecting you earlier today. I hope everything is alright."

"Lotus, darling, thank you for your concern. Yes we were supposed to be here but we delayed for a quick lunch prior to arriving." Rarity said as she embraced the newly named blue spa pony. Jack shifted uncomfortably behind the girls, but put on a smile none the less.

Jack looked quietly at the Lotus, she was had a light blue coat with a pink swept back mane. She wore a white headband and a white neckband. Jack couldn't figure out what she was wearing those for, but then again, he hadn't seen much functional clothing in ponyville outside the times he's been to Rarity's shop. He shrugged slightly and turned his head where he saw another pony behind the desk. She was an inverted mirror to what he could only guess would be her sister, from what Rarity said earlier. The one behind the desk at a white headband and also a white neckband, along with a bright pink coat and blue swept back hair. Both of the spa ponies had an open lotus flower on their flanks. Jack rubbed his chin as his eyes went from one's mark to the other, wondering how often twins had the same cutie marks. Were they mirrored souls? Or was it just fate? Maybe accident.

Twilight took notice to where Jack had fixed his gaze for much longer then she felt comfortable so she nudged him in the side a little harder then required, her jealousy flaring up slightly. Jack snapped his head down to her and rubbed his side, batting her hoof away, "Hey what was that for!?"

Twilight huffed and turned her head away from him as Fluttershy giggled. Rarity turned her head over her shoulder and looked back at them. "Alright girls, and Jack. Follow us, we seem to have the place to ourselves. Aloe will lead Jack to his own changing room while we go to ours."

"Your changing room? What do you need to wear? You're already naked." Jack questioned as Aloe, the pink spa pony, waved down the hall to him. He started moving toward her, not expecting Rarity to answer him.

"Well we're giving you your privacy, besides, a lady must always be modest. It wouldn't do to share a room with a stallion." Rarity quipped as she fluffed her indigo mane with a hoof, following Lotus down the opposite hallway.

As Jack and Aloe reach the room Jack looks down at her and then back at the room. "Uhm.. do you have like... robes or something in there?"

"Why of course we do! What kind of spa doesn't have robes?" Aloe asked, her accent seemed to have an Eastern European accent, probably Swedish if he had to take a guess.

"Well," Jack started, his hand reaching up and rubbing the back of his head slightly, "Well, I haven't been to a spa before so I'm not sure what to expect."

Aloe gasped and then giggled, opening the door for him. "Well we'll have to do our best to make it special for you then wont we?" Her eyes fluttered a bit as her voice became a bit more sensual then he'd expected.

Jack fidgeted a bit, he didn't like the flags that were going off in his mind but he had another question before he got started. "Well, Just one more question. I was wondering if you had something to help with... well... excess skin from rapid weight loss?"

Aloe looked him up and down and raised an eyebrow. Jack's clothes did look a little baggy on him now that she had inspected him further, but from what she could see, there wasn't much of a problem. "I think we may have something. We'll get to that when you get a massage. Now get out of those clothes, I'm sure you're friends are already in the sauna."

Jack nodded and then entered the room, the door swinging closed behind him as he looked around the changing room. It was a large open room with multiple wooden cabinets, some just large enough for a coin pouch and a few other small items, and a few he found large enough to hold all of his clothes. He scanned around a bit more and found a large metal rack with different sizes of white towel like robes. Some were rather small, others had slits in the back for wings, and some much larger than the rest. He grabbed one of the large ones and held it to his chest, checking the length and sighed as he found it only went to his mid thighs, much higher than he was comfortable with. He found a couple of large towels and grabbed those up before he quickly stripped out of his clothing and shoes. A few minutes later he returned out of the hall wearing the robe and a towel around his waist below it, covering up more of his legs.

"My my, I didn't think you'd be that shy. We'll have to put in an order for larger robes then." Aloe giggled as she looked at the towel below Jack's robe, causing him to shift uncomfortably and blush. "This way my dear."

Jack soon found himself standing in front of a large glass door with a wooden frame and handle around it. The glass was fogged up, but he could only slightly make out a few shapes through the steam. Jack knew what a sauna was because he'd been in a few when he and his... co-workers... would go to the gym and then into the sauna to relax after a work out. He nodded and opened the door just wide enough for him to slip in, knowing to not let out all of the steam and heat. As he entered he heard the quiet chatter from the occupants stop. He strode over to an empty bench against the wall, away from the others inside of the steam and removed his robe, staying in his towel. Jack slouched forward, putting his elbows on his thighs and hanging his head, breathing in deeply.

A hoof rested on his shoulder as he opened his eyes and looked up to see Rarity standing in front of him. "Are you alright darling?" Her eyes were full of concern. "We were wondering if you had tried to get away while you were alone."

Jack sat up straight, causing Rarity's hoof to slip off his shoulder. "I'm almost offended Rarity. I said I'd be here, so here I am. I thought you'd know I was a man of my word by now." He smirked and gently patted her cheek, causing her to blush and look away.

The two other mares giggled and then got up from their benches and trotted over to Jack and Rarity, and took up spots beside both of them, resuming their lounging poses. "Since I know you won't move, we'll move for you." Twilight said as she took a hoof and poked Jack's side.

"Finally someone gets it." Jack said as he squirmed a bit from her hoof, hoping that he didn't give away that particular sensitive spot as ticklish. Rarity, however, was looking for any way to get him back for what he'd been doing all day, so when he squirmed she lit up.

"Oh, is somepony ticklish?" She said as her eyes narrowed and her mouth twisted into a malevolent smirk.

Jack's face dropped with his hand as he started to scoot away from her, only to be blocked by Fluttershy, her forearms opening and wrapping around him. His head turned quickly to look into his new captor's eyes, her cheeks burning with a growing blush. "Oh no..."

Rarity and Twilight exchanged quick glances, Twilight's face mirroring Rarity's almost exactly as they approached their prey. Jack squirmed against her forearms, finding their vice like grip to be immovable. He wondered only for a moment how she could be so strong, but that thought was quickly replaced by the feeling of purple and white hooves on his side, poking and tickling him. "Fluttershy noooo!" Jack said, laughing as his sides were tortured.

"Let me.. Ahhahahhaha... go!... ahhaha Please! hahaha!" Jack struggled and squirmed, his legs kicking violently, only to be held in place by the yellow chains of his once savior, and the soft purple and blue glows of his assailant. "Pl.. hahaha... please... hahaha!" Between the tickling, the heat of the sauna, and the combined grasps, Jack quickly ran out of breath and was having trouble finding it. He laughter was quickly replaced by coughing and tears running down his cheeks. The sudden change caused all three mares to stop what they were doing and back of a bit.

"Jack, are you alright?" Twilight asked as her smile slowly faded. Jack slumped to the floor on his hands and knees, coughing and holding a hand to his chest. "Jack...?" Twilight removed herself from the bench and placed a hoof on his shoulder gently.

Jack jerked his shoulder violently and then crossed to the other side of the room. "Don't touch me!" Jack coughed a bit more and then sat on the bench rubbing his face with his hands. "Sorry, just... Not used to being touched..."

"Jack, we're sorry, we didn't know. We just wanted to have you cheer up, you have been sulking around ever since you got here." Fluttershy said as Twilight approached the other two, giving Jack his space. "We didn't mean to upset you."

Straightening up and leaning his back against the wall, his eyes falling on the dark black rocks ontop of the heating system at the front of the room. "It's alright, I know it's some kind of irrational thing. People just didn't do much physical contact where I came from so, I guess I never built a tolerance to anything besides pain." Jack quickly realized that this was rolling downhill fast and tried to think of a way to change the subject.

"Rarity, I'm going to need some new clothing soon." Jack said quickly, looking over at the solemn fashionista. She lifted her head up slowly and looked over to him with her big deep blue eyes.

"Whatever for Jack?"

"Well, I'm losing a lot of weight recently, and these are getting pretty baggy. If I keep shaping up I'm going to need new clothes made."

It took the girls a moment to register what he said, their eyes scanning over his body. His skin around his neck belly, waist and thighs had sagged a bit, however, his chest, shoulders, and arms had bulked up quickly, as well has his calves. Their eyes lit up a bit as they realized that he wasn't as 'hefty' as he had been before. "So Human's don't usually carry a lot of fat on them?" Twilight said quickly, her curiosity cutting through any sense of tact.

Jack laughed and played with his flabby stomach a bit. "Well thanks for being nice about it. But no, scientifically speaking, human's aren't supposed to be fat. It's a combination of the food and lifestyle we have in the culture I'm from, that most of the people there are... well fat. Horribly so. It causes all sorts of health concerns like heart attacks, strokes, and all sorts of degenerative diseases." Jack sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose firmly, wondering why he let himself get that way.

"So that's why you have more energy recently is it? Because you've been losing weight?" Twilight asked, getting quizzical looks from the two other mares in the room, silently listening.

"That, and I'm actually doing things now besides sitting around all day... It's funny, I used to have a saying. 'We do more before lunch then most people do in a week.'"

"We?" Fluttershy asked before Twilight could.

"Yea... Well I was what you ponies would call a soldier where I came from, but different." Jack said as he rubbed a scar across the left side of his chest.

"A soldier? You?" Rarity questioned and pointed, obviously unconvinced.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Jack said as he crossed his arms and glared at her.

Just as she was about to answer, there was a loud knock at the sauna door, signaling that it was time to move on to the next activity, whatever that may be. Rarity quickly closed her mouth and stood up and moved to the door, opening it widely and letting out a large amount of steam. The other two mares and Jack followed suit, Jack quickly picking up and holding the removed robe in his arms. The sudden drop in temperature on his sweat soaked skin causing him to shudder a bit.

"This way to the bath please." Lotus said, motioning off down the hallway a bit to what seemed like a very large wooden bucket. Jack assumed that it was just decorations to try and keep things cozy, considering most of the town was made of wood and the sauna he was just in was as well. The three mares in front of him quickly dropped their robes on a bench next to the large tub, Jack's eyes being glued to the sweat making their coats shine in the light. He felt his face grow a little warmer as the mares disrobed, and he placed his next to theirs.

Rarity, of course, was the first into the tub, sliding in gently, barely making a ripple in the water as she sighed contentedly. Twilight was next, causing a bit more of a disturbance in the water, but nothing too obscene or rude. Fluttershy after her tested the water with a hoof tenderly, and then slipped in with as much grace as Rarity had. Jack looked into the tub, and found it indeed was porcelain on the inside, and just decorated with wood. It had slight outcroppings in the walls to allow ponies to sit on them while submerged in the tub. He placed his hand gently into the water and pulled it back quickly. "Shit that's hot!"

Lotus giggled and then, with the same accent of her pink sister, stated. "Of course it's hot. It is to relax your muscles before the massage."

"Relax my muscles or melt them off the bone?!" Jack said as he clenched the towel around his waist, trying to get into the tub without giving any of the girls a free peep show.

Rarity scoffed and then watched as Jack tried to climb into the tub with his towel still on. "Jack, you don't need a towel to get into the bath."

"Well I know that, but you said make myself comfortable here, so I'm doing just that. The towel stays or I go with it." Jack said as he stood, now knee deep in the water before sitting down with his towel submerged in the water. He hissed slightly as the more than warm water threatened to burn him, but after the slight discomfort he found himself adjusting to it. He sat between Fluttershy and Twilight with Rarity across from him.

"So where were we?" Twilight asked as she ran through the list of questions her mind had formed in the short walk from the sauna to the tub. "Oh that's right, you said you were a soldier Jack?"

"Right well, sort of. See I didn't really have a country I fought for per se. The group I was attached to fought for whoever paid the most." Jack said as he sank down farther and sat with down on the floor of the tub, leaving his head just above the surface of the water, now sitting in the middle of the three girls.

"A mercenary?" Twilight asked, a notepad and quill appearing from somewhere as she scribbled notes just above the water.

Jack started to question what he saw but then decided against it. "Yes, basically. I did some things I'm not proud of, but I needed food and money. I also saw it as a way to fight the good fight without the constrains of pointless politicking. I quickly made a name for myself and rose up the ranks until I had command of a few people. By the time I had figured out what was going on I got out. The rest as they say, is history."

"Who shall be first for the massage?" Lotus said as she approached the tub. Rarity quickly raised her hoof from the tub and removed herself from the pool. The water quickly cascading down her body, leaving her mane and tail to hang slightly from the extra weight, her fur flat against her body. Jack's eyes were glued to the spectacle in front of him, unawares of his wandering eyes and the others focused on him.

"Do go on darling, I'll just be over there. I'm quite interested." Rarity said as dried herself off, facing away from him. Jack quickly turned his head as she lifted her tail and started drying it with her towel, his face flushing as he looked over at Fluttershy.

"Well, how did you get that scar then Jack?" Twilight asked, her eyes never having left her notes. Fluttershy gasped and Jack turned his head to look at her. Rarity meanwhile had just started getting her massage off next to the pool.

"Did you get it on some heroic and dangerous mission?" Rarity asked.

"No and that's not a question I want answer." Jack said firmly, his eyes narrowing at the purple inquisitor. "This is neither the time nor the place for that."

Sensing she hit a nerve she made a mental note to ask about it privately, possibly away from the girls. If it was that sensitive she knew it wasn't something that other ponies needed to know. "Alright Jack..."

Aloe approached the side of the tub and then smiled at the three friends still in the tub. "Mr. Jack, I am ready to give you your massage, and I have something that might help with your skin."

Jack nodded and stood up, the towel clinging to his thighs and the outline of his manhood causing both Twilight and Fluttershy to blush furiously, turning their heads away and letting the previous line of questioning fade away into the water as it slid down his body. Jack watched their faces and smiled, noting that they were just as bashful as he was. "Thank you.. Aloe was it? I'm going to need another towel or two to dry off. These pony towels aren't all that big."

Aloe ran her eyes up and down his body and smiled. "Yes you certainly are a big one aren't you." She said softly as she turned and walked over to a stack of folded clean towels. Jack followed her gaze as it lingered in places he was a little more then uncomfortable about. "Here you are."

Jack picked up a towel and started drying himself off quickly, keeping one hand on the wet towel so that it stayed in place. He then put down the second towel and picked up another one, holding it so it blocked his more private areas from prying eyes and dropped the wet towel on the floor, replacing it with a dry one. He then used a third to dry the rest of himself off and cleaned up the soaked towel. Rarity giggled at the display as Twilight took her place on the table, Lotus starting on her second massage.

Jack shrugged and walked over to a second long table next to Twilight where Aloe stood. On the table was a pillow and a lone green bottle. "I suppose that's for me then is it? Thank you very much." Aloe smiled and nodded, motioning to the table. Jack then laid down on his stomach and crossed his arms under the pillow and placed his forehead down on them.

A soft moan escaped Twilight as Lotus started rubbing her hooves into her back a little more forcefully. "Be careful, ohh... Aloe... Jack isn't used to being touched.. mmm."

Hearing Twilight make such noises caused Jack's mind to wander to places he wished it didn't. However, three weeks without a break and being too tired to take care of some urges, does tend to send the body mixed signals. His face flushed as he closed his eyes, hoping that they wouldn't notice.

"Oh, it's his first time? I promise I'll be gentle..." Aloe said, whispering gently into Jack's ear, causing his body to tense up even more. Seeing this she giggled and started to rub her hooves gently into his back.

Jack wondered what hooves would feel like giving a massage. He expected them to be like horse's hooves and be rough, rigid and unforgiving. These hooves however felt soft yet firm. Like smoothed wood wrapped in a thin layer of foam and a soft suede covering. The ministrations of this firm yet gentle touch made him relax slightly. Aloe on the other hoof, was frowning and looking down at him.

"Jack, you are so tense! By Celestia it's amazing you can even move at all!" Jack just grunted gently as Aloe pushed harder into his shoulders and back. Her hooves searching out previously unknown knots in muscles and working them into submission. Her masterful hooves continued working down his back until she was finished and then started massaging his butt.

"Whoa now!" Jack said sitting up a bit and looking over his shoulder, causing Aloe to back off and raise her hooves.

"You don't want me to do your flank?" This caused the other girls in the room to giggle a bit louder than he'd like but Jack shook his head quickly.

"Well... you know what you're doing I guess..." Jack sighed and laid back down on his stomach. He prayed he wouldn't have to roll over any time soon, hopefully he could calm down before he had to, but somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that wasn't going to be the case.

Aloe resumed her massage, kneading Jack's gluets, causing him to blush a little harder. As she moved down to his thighs he tensed up, feeling her hooves slip to his inner thighs. He closed his eyes tightly as he tried to force his mind away from the sensations. "Mr. Jack I think I have just the thing for your particular concern. However I must caution you, this particular potion was made for ponies, I don't know what it would do to you. You should go visit Miss Zecora before taking it."

"What concern?" Rarity approached the table that Jack was laying down on with Aloe removing her hooves from his thighs. Jack let out a slow and shakey breath as her touch left and just laid face down.

"I have a lot of extra skin from this weight loss, although I'm not sure how much." Jack said, remaining motionless.

"It's quite a bit Mr. Jack, your muscles are firm but the skin around is very loose. You were right to want to tighten up. I couldn't imagine the discomfort from having so much excess." Aloe stated, her forehooves clopping back down onto the ground as she took a step back and over to his face.

"Yea it's a bit of a bother but no pain no gain right?" He smirked. Turning his head he spied the green bottle sitting on the corner of the massage table. "This is it right?"

Aloe nodded, and before she could speak, Jack had swept it up in a hand. He turned over and sat up. He quickly realized that the massage and weight loss had a greater affect than he had considered, as his erection was tenting his towel in his lap, pulsing with his steady heartbeat. Aloe started to protest about Jack grabbing the bottle but was silenced by his "approval" of her massage. Rarity on the other hoof looked into his lap at the towel, her mouth slightly agape and her face turning as pink as a certain rambunctious party mare.

Looks like you're putting on quite a show for the mares here ol' Jackie boy.

"Shit!" Jack shouted as he pushed a palm down on his erection, angling it down in line with his legs attempting to at least make it less obvious, however the towel still shook with his quickening heartbeat. "Alright! That's enough of that!"

Rarity shook her head violently as Aloe put a hoof to her mouth, giggling softly. "Seems like you enjoyed your massage Mr. Jack"

Jack quickly swung his legs off the edge of the table and stood up, keeping his hand over his towel and manhood. He quickly made his way passed a squeaking Fluttershy and a semi catatonic Twilight, heading for the dressing room. He kicked the door open and then pressed his back against it, slamming it shut.

Quite a show there. Could probably give the Ringling brothers a run for their money. Hah!

You're NOT helping right now!

I thought you said you didn't want my help?

"Fuck you!" Jack shouted, squeezing the bottle in his hands tightly. He huffed and then walked over to where his clothing was and threw it open, getting dressed quickly. "Fucking ponies and their fucking spa's!"

After he was dressed he looked down at the green bottle in his hands and shrugged. If it's poison at least I'll be rid of you and this stupid spa. With that he tore the cork out of the top and quickly chugged the contents. At first it tasted a bit like cucumbers, kale and a bit of sugar, then the taste turned so sour he gagged. Jack dropped the empty bottle on the ground and started coughing, a few drops of the potion still in his mouth splattering on the floor. Turning to the door, trying to make his way to help, he slipped and fell to his knees, continuing to hack and heave. His body started to become warmer and warmer, starting first at his stomach, then spreading down his legs and up to his chest. His skin suddenly felt like it was on fire, however he had no air to scream. He clenched one hand to his throat and the other tried to reach the handle of the door just before him. His fingers were only inches from the handle when the heat from inside moved up his neck and filled his face. Jack squeezed his eyes shut, shuffling forward a bit more and grasping the handle. Just... got... to...

Then, just as his sight was fading, his body went numb and the tension in his throat released. He collapsed forwards on to the ground and sucked in a deep breath of cool refreshing air. His eyes closed as feeling slowly returned to his fingertips and toes, then the rest of his body. The familiar pinpricks of discomfort from a limb waking up after it had been asleep were absent as he regained control of himself. He blinked his eyes a few times and then sat up quickly, his eyes going to his hands to make sure nothing was amiss. Seeing his hands were fine he quickly patted his chest, stomach, legs and back, making sure that he was still in one piece. He raised a hand to his face and his fingers touched the cool sweat that was running down his cheek, however what he felt wasn't the same. His eyes darted around the room as he searched for a mirror, his heartbeat picking up as panic slowly returned to his mind. He spotted a mirror over a sink on the far wall and he scrambled over to it, still on his hands and knees. As he reached it he placed his hands on the counter tops and lifted himself up, coming face to face with his reflection.

He peered into the eyes of his reflection, the slight panic on his face faded into wonder. He raised his hands up to his face again, tracing a finger along his now much thinner cheeks and his more defined jawline. His eyes had brightened from a dark cobalt to just a few shades shy of neon blue. His hair remained brown but his hands traced down to his neck, still adorned with a large scar from the rope, but his shirt hung loosely from his shoulders. His hands started to shake as he removed his shirt quickly and then returned his gaze to the mirror. His eyes widened as he gasped, taking in the sight of his now tightened and toned shoulders and chest. His eyes ran further down until he saw that his stomach was no longer a flab of flesh, and his waist had shrunken considerably. His skin clung to his abs tightly, showing off his abdominal and oblique muscles for the first time. He'd never been this toned in his life, even when he considered himself in shape.

A loud series of knocks came from the door behind him, drawing him from his disbelief. He quickly replaced his shirt and scrambled to the door, throwing it open to reveal his three companions looking up at him. They took a step back as they gasped, looking into the eyes of this almost completely different man. Fluttershy quivered slightly next to Twilight as Jack's eyes locked with hers. Her wings popping open as she breathed heavily. "J... Jack?" She asked.

"Yea..." Was all it took for Rarity to faint and Twilight's mouth to drop open. His voice was a bit deeper than before and he straightened up a bit, his face contorting in slight confusion. "Yea.. it's.. me?"

"What happened to you!?" Twilight nearly shouted, coming to her senses.

"I guess that potion had some different affects than just tightening skin?" Jack questioned, his right hand releasing the door and moving up to his chin. Then he looked down to the unconscious Rarity. "She gonna be alright?"

Fluttershy finally pulled her eyes away and looked down at her friend and started gently flapping one of her stiffened wings infront of Rarity's face. "S-she d-does t-this a lot..." Fluttershy stammered, her eyes peeking over every now and again to Jack and then back to her new found patient.

"Oh... oh my... Fluttershy dear... what happened?" Rarity slowly roused from her spell. Jack quickly dismissed the suspicion that she was just faking, but apparently her flair for drama can cause her to faint on demand.

"You passed out after seeing me." Jack said, leaning against the door and patting his pockets making sure he had everything. "I have everything and I take it you all are done, so let's get to the cell and we can figure this thing out."

"Jack the library isn't a prison!" Twilight shouted, stamping a hoof down onto the ground.

Jack chuckled and shook his head, walking down the hall to the reception desk and approaching Aloe. "Thanks again Aloe, this stuff worked. Give my best to Zecora if you see her again."

Aloe dropped the clipboard she was holding in her hooves as Jack spoke, her eyes glued to his. Jack reached in his pocket and placed a small handful of bits on the counter. "A tip for you for a job well done." And as he finished he turned and walked out of the spa leaving the mares inside frozen in place.