A Balance of Fire and Light

The front room was unusually quiet, with only the sound of wood gently clacking against wood.

“How is it so hard to stack wooden blocks?” Rainbow Dash complained suddenly as she dropped another block.

“How is this helping again?” Applejack asked.

“You have to practice fine control and manipulation.” James reiterated, “It's not enough to be able to move around, you have to be able to get along in day to day life.”

“I don't think any of us play with blocks regularly.” Applejack countered.

“Blocks are just the easiest way to practice.”

Before Rainbow Dash could comment, Pinkie roared excitedly as she destroyed the stack she had just created.

“Glad you're having fun.” James said with a grin. “You can stack them again if you feel up to it.”

“Okay dokie, smokie!” Pinkie happily said as she rounded up her blocks. “This is almost as fun as playing with the Cake twins.”

James paused once more as he looked over the group, spotting Rarity's veritable block castle, one of the blocks seemingly adjusting themselves as it was surrounded by her distinct luminescence.

“That looks nice Rarity … but you're not supposed to use your horn. That won't help your muscle control.”

Rarity forced a surprised gasp as she turned to James. “Use my horn? Of course not.”

“Rarity, this isn't about looking nice, it's about helping you get out of that suit.” James reminded her. “At least during training you have to stop using magic.”

Rarity huffed as she attempted to pick up a block between her hooves. “Very well.”

“How long have we been at this?” Rainbow Dash asked as she used her wing to wipe sweat from her face as she placed another block.

“About half an hour.” James answered.

“Half an hour?! No way! I am way too tired for it to have only been half an hour.”

“Really, it's only been half an hour. But,” James reiterated with a smile, “ after we're done with this I've got something for all of you.” James said with a smile.

Pinkie stopped stacking blocks and bounced over to James, crashing into the ceiling over three meters up more than once. “Ooh! What is it? What is it? What is it?” she pestered, completely un-phased by her collisions.

“You'll find out tonight.” James said with a smirk, before looking up and realizing the damage he'd have to repair and sighing.

“How much longer do we have to do this?” Rainbow Dash asked, growing impatient as she continued stacking.

“An hour and a half.” James commented.

“This sucks.” Rainbow Dash groaned.

“I don't know,” Fluttershy quietly said, “I think it's kind of relaxing.”

“We have to rebuild the city after the attack of the giant pony.” Pinkie excitedly said aloud as she began stacking her blocks once more.

***

Rainbow Dash and Applejack lay side by side panting as Pinkie destroyed the structures, laughing as she did.

“Oh no! She's back!” Pinkie mocked shouting as she knocked over her block city once more.

“How is it so tiring to hold yourself back?” Applejack asked, staring up at the ceiling.

“I don't think it's as physically tiring as it is mentally taxing.” Twilight explained as she began collecting and organizing the blocks that Pinkie unhelpfully scattered around roaring as she did. “You have to concentrate so much on just how much force you're putting into every action.”

“Fluttershy I get,” Rainbow Dash said, “she's naturally gentle, but why aren't you tired?”

“It's kind of the same idea behind using my magic since the Lord of Nightmares gave me a piece of herself.” Twilight explained as her magic encompassed the blocks and began arranging them by shape and color in a nearby crate.

“Right,” Starlight added as she sat slumped on a nearby chair. “you were throwing things around for quite a while after that.”

“Yeah, while the approach here is different, it's really the same concept.”

As Twilight began rearranging the blocks into sets that would give everyone the same amount of each, Pinkie bounced over to James. “What's the surprise?” She excitedly asked, prancing in excitement.

James chuckled as he shook his head, “It's hardly a surprise, but anyway, it would do no good if you got stiff and sore from all this work so I've set up a massage table by the bath. Admittedly I can only massage one of you at a time.”

“Well we all know AJ isn't interested.” Rainbow Dash scoffed.

“Are you kidding me? I ain't passin' this up.” Applejack countered.

“So it's not just when you're hurt.” Rainbow Dash said with a smirk.

“I don't wanna get that hurt again,” Applejack answered, straight forward, “and I can already feel my muscles gettin stiff.”

As Applejack spoke, James stood over her and Rainbow Dash, holding a hand out to each of them. “Then let's get you up and to the bath.” He said with a smile.

***

As Airi approached the house she heard a curious noise. It was faint, but easy enough to follow.

Walking around the house, she followed the sound. As it got more recognizable and her smile grew into a mischievous cheshire grin.

Eager to confirm her suspicions, she followed the satisfied moans around the building towards the outdoor bath. Her curiosity only grew as she heard the sounds of talking and laughing accompanying the moans. Quietly, she crept over to the wall and found a concealed area to peak in from.

Certain that nobody would see her, she carefully peered into the bath.

Airi could readily see into the bath, designed to look like a natural hot spring with a waterfall feeding more hot water into the rock lined pool. Her vision was barely obstructed by the bamboo culms planted to provide a measure of privacy.

She found nearly all the ponies in the bath, with Twilight receiving a massage on a nearby massage table. Disappointed, she quietly continued to watch.

“I think you found her weak spot.” Starlight laughed as Twilight let out a sigh of relief.

“Do it again!” Pinkie demanded happily.

“Pinkie.” Twilight weakly chastised.

“Of course I will,” James answered, “there's still a lot of tension here.” As he spoke he kneaded just above Twilight's wings, making her take several sharp breaths before moaning once more.

“Told you he's been getting better.” Rainbow Dash boasted, ribbing Applejack.

“James …” Twilight helplessly protested.

“No need to be embarrassed, darling, it's just us and we're all getting a turn.” Rarity said, allowing herself to sink further into the natural looking bath.

“You all had better go before me,” Rainbow Dash said with a grin, “I'm going to take a while.”

“Then maybe I should get in line.” Airi suddenly said, getting a shout of surprise from the ponies.

“Miss Airi!” Rarity scolded, “We're bathing!”

“I think I'll join you, you wouldn't believe how rough my job can be.” Airi said, still unseen by the ponies. “It's not like there's anything for any of us to be embarrassed about.”

“James is here too.” Applejack said to deter her.

“Is that so?” Airi asked, clear implication in her voice.

“It's just some massages since we've been training all day.” Rainbow Dash insisted.

“Even better.” Airi answered, her voice clearly moving away.

“This is going to be so fun.” Pinkie squealed happily.

Twilight had been replaced on the table by Rarity as Airi walked through the door, wearing only a small towel around her waist and carrying with her a small white ceramic bottle and accompanying dish.

“Oh my gosh.” Twilight quickly said, looking away from the exposed woman.

“Oh, there's nothing to be squeamish about. We're all girls here.” Airi said dismissively, “Besides, you all walk around naked all the time.”

“Didn't I just say James is here?” Applejack stated more than asked.

Airi turned to James and waved to him. “It's okay, he doesn't mind.”

James sighed as he continued to massage Rarity, “I don't, but I would have preferred you at least ask first.”

“So I'm next, right?” Airi asked, completely ignoring James' comment.

“Those who actually trained take priority.” James clearly stated. “If you get a massage, you're last.”

“Oh don't be like that.” Airi said coyly.

James looked squarely in Airi's eyes. “I will be like that.” He deadpanned.

Airi shrugged and walked into the bath, lounging as soon as she found a comfortable spot. “I guess that works best anyway. I do have to talk to you privately, after all.”

Airi turned to Twilight as she poured a small amount of sake into the dish. “There are certainly advantages to not having politics to worry about,” she said before downing the sake in a single swallow, “not as much paperwork for one.”

As Airi poured herself another drink she heard Rarity take a sharp breath and squeak.

“Ooh, he found Rarity's spot.” Pinkie excitedly announced.

“Quite a while ago, actually.” James casually said.

Airi chuckled at the comment, “Careful there, James, or you might just leave here with several girlfriends.”

Applejack simply shook her head at the comment.

“You'd think it would have happened already after so many years, Airi.” James commented.

“Or maybe they're more patient than Rainbow Dash, and just waiting for you to ask them.”

James sighed as he rubbed his thumbs into the back of Rarity's neck. As she took another sharp breath James smirked. “Alright then, here's the opportunity. Girls: Who here wants a serious relationship with me?”

On the table Rarity shook her head, joined by several “no”s from the bath, Rainbow Dash being the only one to say yes.

“Huh,” James said with obviously feigned confusion, “only one yes. Now, I'm getting back to work helping my friends here. We don't need to turn this into some kind of dating game.”

Airi smirked as she noted every answer given. “I guess I was wrong.” She said, as serious as James was confused.

One by one each pony had their turn, as he worked James explained how Bulk Biceps taught him about the general stress points each type of pony had, and what he had learned training at Ponyville day spa.

It had been over two hours by the time James finished with the ponies. As they wrapped themselves in towels to go inside James spoke up. “Once I've run a few errands I'll set up for some hoof, horn, and wing care if you want. It won't be anything too nice, no hooficures or buffing, just maintenance care.”

“Dear, you really don't have to.” Rarity said as she wrapped her mane. “we're more than capable of handling that ourselves.”

“I know, but the offer is there all the same.”

Airi smiled, her face flush as she had emptied her small bottle of sake and stayed in the bath the entire two hours. “Run along, I get him all to myself now.”

“Hey!” Rainbow Dash said, turning on the woman.

Airi laughed and patted the air. “It's alright, we're just talking business. Nothing to get jealous about.”

“Lucca seems to think there's reason.” Rainbow Dash grumbled.

“It's because Airi's as much a flirt as I am. But I make it a point to not flirt when she's … undressed.”

Rainbow Dash took a breath and stared at Airi a moment longer.

“I promise, nothing you don't already know about is going to happen.” James calmly reassured her.

“Let's get this started!” Airi said excitedly, walking over to the table and flinging her wet towel to the side.

“She's just trying to get a reaction out of us.” James assured Rainbow Dash. “It's a prank to her.”

Rainbow Dash opened her mouth to protest before remembering that many didn't like her pranks either. “Pinkie Promise?”

“Pinkie Promise.” James said with a nod.

“I'll hold you to that.” Rainbow Dash reminded him before walking back into the house herself.

Once alone with Airi, James walked over and placed his hands on her shoulders and pressed in, feeling around for knots.

As if on cue, Airi gave a loud, exaggerated moan.

“Are you really trying to compete for my attention,” James said as he stopped abruptly, “or are you just trying to see how worked up you can make things here?”

Airi gave James a mischievous smile before sighing. “Relax, it's just a joke.” She said, waving away the comment.

“I don't appreciate you treating my relationships like a joke.” James said, pausing a moment before finishing his thought. “Look, I don't know what it is yet, but Rainbow Dash seems to feel less secure about us lately and I don't need you rocking the boat.”

Airi was silent for a few moments as she was clearly thinking. “Was she single the entire time between the prank and the real thing?”

“Yes.”

“The poor girl must have been so confused during that time.”

“She said as much.”

Airi was silent for a minute as James moved from her shoulders to her back. “So we've been compiling reports from what sources we have, and they're keeping a close eye on you.”

“How close?”

“They know about your trip to Jurai.”

“Well it wasn't exactly subtle to take Hinako.”

“True, and their knowledge of what happened there is nonexistent, but they reported the moment you left and even tracked the shipment of that training gear we had delivered.”

“Sounds like they have contacts in the GP.” James concluded, pressing on Airi's lower back.

Airi moaned slightly before composing herself again. “Yes, and we need to flush them out and learn if there are spies, or just people who can't keep their mouths shut.”

“The bigger the secret, the harder it is to keep.”

“You don't seem to have so much trouble.”

“Rainbow Dash knows something is going on, just not the specifics. She has a certain idea of pirates that does not match reality.”

“Lower,” Airi instructed, “and harder.” Airi grit her teeth as James obliged, giving a satisfied sigh before speaking again. “While you're running errands I have a list for you too. A half dozen shops with specific items from each, even if they're available elsewhere.”

“Testing to see if they find out even that minutia?”

“Yes. And if they do we can hopefully find out how they're getting their information.”

“Fair enough.” James commented, continuing the massage even lower. “I hope this doesn't add too much time. I'm making dinner tonight.”

***

“Can somepony tell me why we're sneakin' around like this?” Applejack whispered.

“Oh, oh oh!” Pinkie excitedly whispered before getting silent. “I forgot.” She finished with a smile.

“Rainbow Dash told us that the GP are around because of something to do with him, don't you think we should know?” Twilight asked as Starlight peaked from the bush.

“That explains what we're doin here, but not why” Applejack clarified. “Shouldn't we just ask him?”

“That's all he told Rainbow Dash, and he hasn't told us anything: So he's deliberately hiding something.” Twilight commented.

“He has a lot of secrets.” Starlight conceded, “And it's probably for the best that we don't know all of them.”

“But what if he's in danger and isn't telling us?” Twilight reasoned, her breath coming in quicker.

“That's why we're here.” Starlight countered, “Not that we could do anything if he were in danger. I mean, if it's bad enough to be trouble for him, we would more likely just get in the way.”

“Thanks for the answer Starlight.” Applejack said as she peered out of their hiding spot. “We're just makin sure he's safe is all.”

“Keep an eye out for anything suspicious.” Twilight instructed.

“Uhm, how're we supposed to do that? What qualifies as suspicious to us may just be normal here.” Starlight argued.

“Suspicious is suspicious.” Applejack answered, “Don't matter where you are.”

“So, suspicious like us.” Starlight stated.

The excess foliage decorating the streets made hiding relatively simple for the group as they didn't even need to crouch as they moved from bush to bush. The hard part was not being noticed by others as the places they went seemed more and more busy, though James had yet to enter a single store.

“Oh, he's talking to someone!” Starlight announced in a hushed voice as James approached a humanoid man wearing the now familiar GP uniform.

“What's he saying?” Twilight asked, as she and the other ponies looked from their hiding spot.

“I don't know, we're too far away to hear them.”

“Maybe he's asking directions?” Applejack offered.

As they watched, the GP officer's face went from friendly to shocked as he suddenly saluted James. James shook his head before returning the salute and showing the officer a slip of paper.

After a brief examination the officer blushed and smiled, holding something out for James other than the paper James had handed him.

“Ooh, it looks like trading cards!” Pinkie whispered excitedly.

“James doesn't collect trading cards.” Twilight whispered back, trying to see just what was on the cards James was actively refusing.

Before long the officer put away the cards and pointed, waving as James walked away typing something out on his omnitool.

Without any answers forthcoming, the ponies hurried to follow James.

Soon they found themselves in a much more metropolitan part of town, bright lights and busy businesses lined the streets. Music of many kinds mingled in the open, drifting out from the patios of restaurants and bars. The ponies had to follow at a greater distance as there was now less cover for them to use.

The occasional whisper caught their attention as from time to time they would realize people would talk to each other about the strange sight of the ponies. When any of the ponies turned towards them, their audience would always, without fail, turn away and act as though they were not just commenting on the group.

With another pause, they watched as James seemed to consult his omnitool and type something out, but soon was on his way once more.

“I thought he was out running errands.” Applejack commented, confident that even speaking normally James would be unable to hear them. “He hasn't stopped for anything yet.”

“Whether or not he's actually running errands we should keep track of him.” Twilight said, watching as James moved once more. “Come on.”

“How far is he going?” Starlight asked as James came to another stop.

“Ooh! It's a toy store!” Pinkie excitedly said as she looked at the whimsically designed building.

Twilight couldn't help but feel some nostalgia as the store greatly resembled the Golden Oak Library, though this store had a large teddy bear false front with the word “Toys” written in large alien runes.

“Hold on,” Applejack said as she looked out, “I can read that.” She added confused, examining the runes once more. “I never learned the language.”

“That's a good question for another time, Applejack.” Starlight said as she watched James enter the store. “Oh! He's finally stopping somewhere.”

“Oooh!” Pinkie said excitedly, “I wanna go in too! It looks fun!”

“Pinkie!” Twilight hissed, “We need to be secretive about this.”

“Oh, that's okay,” Pinkie said with a smile, “I've got a disguise.” She turned away briefly before turning back to show that she was donning a pair of Groucho Marx joke glasses.

“Back in a jiffy.” Pinkie announced as she jumped out from their hiding spot.

“Wait Pinkie!” Twilight desperately whispered as she reached out for the oblivious pony now prancing towards the building.

“Time to come clean.” Applejack said, resigned.

“Pinkie.” Starlight groaned.

Pinkie pranced casually into the shop, and seconds later pranced right back out towards their hiding spot, with a bounce she was once more concealed beside her friends.

“Did he see you?” Starlight asked, surprised by Pinkie's quick return.

“Nope.” Pinkie answered simply.

“Then why did you turn right back around?” Applejack asked, confused.

“Wrong kind of toys.” Pinkie answered as she started giggling.

“Uhm, what kind of …” Twilight started to ask before Pinkie put her hoof to Twilight's mouth, hushing her.

Pinkie simply shook her head slowly to answer the unfinished question.

The ponies continued to follow James for what felt like hours as he took winding routs to several stores, each giving more context to Pinkie's earlier reaction.

“Jeez.” Applejack whispered as they were now, mercifully, once again following James around to less specialized shops. “At least we're back to the normal stores. I think it's gonna be a while before I look at James the same way again.”

“Looks like he's almost done with his list.” Twilight said as she peered over their cover.

“How much longer are we following him?” Starlight asked with a sigh.

“It looks like just one more stop on his list.” Twilight guessed.

“How the hay are those considered “errands?”” Applejack asked as they started moving once more.

“Even if he's comfortable enough to just announce where he's going, do you think he'd tell us about visiting these stores?” Twilight reasoned, “I mean, we didn't need to know all this.”

As James stood where he was, looking around, he typed something out on his omnitool, a disc of light appearing by his ear.

With only that as warning, Starlight's omnitool lit up and played an upbeat tune.

Starlight's mouth opened as she stifled a cry of surprise, and she desperately tried to answer the call before the song got any louder.

“Hello?” She said quietly, trying (and failing) to sound casual.

“Uhm, is this a bad time?” James asked.

“No!” Starlight said, panicked, but still keeping her voice down. “I'm just …” she paused, urgently trying to think of any answer that wouldn't be immediately suspicious, “at the beach, and I don't want to bother anypony else is all.” In reaction to her statement, Pinkie started mimicking the sounds of waves with her mouth, drawing a panicked glare from Starlight.

“Okay.” James hesitantly said. “Should I call someone else? I don't want to cut your beach time short.”

“No.” Starlight quickly said before trying to sound calm once more as Twilight and Applejack restrained and gagged Pinkie with their hooves. “No, I was just about to come back anyway.”

“Alright then,” James answered, “I've got a couple stops left, so clearly I'm running later than I expected to. Can you just let everyone know I'm going to bring us all some takeout instead of cooking today?”

“Sure. How long do you think you'll be?”

James stared at his list again before answering, “about an hour. That should be long enough for you to get back and tell everyone. Just get back to me with what everyone wants and I'll place the order so we don't have to wait too long.”

“Alright.” Starlight said, sweating slightly, “I'll call back with everyponys' order.”

“Alright, talk to you soon.” James said moments before the disk by his ear vanished. He paused briefly before looking around, scanning over the ponies' hiding spot a couple times.

Starlight's horn lit up before engulfing the four in a bright flash of light. Before any of them could speak they were at the house once more as Starlight tried to breath normally.

“Why were you making all that noise Pinkie?!” Starlight asked, as she stared at the laughing pony.

“So it sounded like you were at the beach, duh.” Pinkie answered easily before bouncing towards the house.

As promised, James arrived a little over an hour later with an armload of shopping to go with the bags of food.

“Sorry that took so long,” James said as he placed the food and groceries on the table and the rest on the floor beside it. “Airi gave me a list that she needed done and all of that took most of the time I was out.”

James took a moment to examine the food orders as Rarity and Fluttershy put the groceries away.

“I even got all of you something while I was out.” James said, casually inspecting the box before placing it in front of one of the chairs.

At the comment Twilight, Applejack, and Starlight blushed deeply while Pinkie bounced excitedly up to him. “Eeeeeee! What is it? What is it?” She asked eagerly.

James took a breath and was about to speak when Pinkie cut him off. “No, wait! Let me guess! …” James smiled as Pinkie rambled off ideas, each more impractical than the last, and her excitement and intensity growing with each guess.

“I just need Rarity's help before I can give them out.” James eventually said, now mostly ignoring Pinkie.

“Of course, dear, whatever you need.” Rarity easily said.

Twilight coughed suddenly as Applejack looked away from James.

“Are you alright?” James asked Twilight. “You're looking flushed.”

“I'm fine.” Twilight was quick to answer, “Just spent some time in the bath.” Twilight laughed awkwardly as she spoke, “I was feeling a little stiff and wanted to soak.”

“Odd, do you need another massage? I know how tiring holding yourself back can be and we're going to be doing a lot more exercise soon. You need to stay as limber and relaxed as possible while we're doing this.”

“No, I'm fine.” Twilight insisted.

“So what is it you need my help with?” Rarity casually asked.

“Well, I need a few things altered. After all, the store didn't have ponies in mind with these.” James said with a grin.

Starlight coughed this time, and James quickly turned on her. “You too?” He asked.

“Oh, no.” Starlight was quick to say, “I just tried to breath and swallow at the same time.”

“Okay.” James said with a nod. “Sadly the little annoyances of life aren't solved by augmentation.”

“Yeah.” Starlight agreed, forcing a smile.

“So what did Airi have you get?” Rainbow Dash asked.

“Just a few things she thought would embarrass me to buy. Thing is, I've bought feminine hygiene products for my daughters. This was nothing in comparison.” There were a couple giggles at the table as James finished speaking.

“Just to embarrass you?” Applejack asked, her face no longer flushed.

“Yeah, that's generally her caliber of prank. She just wants the reaction. Her daughter, Kiyone, was the kind of prankster who would draw all over you if you fell asleep near her.”

“What kind of prank is that?” Rainbow Dash asked, sounding almost offended. “The black eye telescope is funny, but if you're pranking somepony in their sleep at least put some effort into it.”

“Yeah, that's just rude.” Pinkie agreed.

“Sounds like your idea of pranking has matured some, Rainbow Dash.” Twilight said with a grin.

“Well, maybe … a bit.” Rainbow Dash said as she rubbed the back of her head. “Okay, so maybe it's funner when everypony has fun, even the prankee.” She eventually conceded.

“Or even if they're not having fun in the moment they can look back and laugh.” James added with a chuckle. “Like those fairy wings I gave Barry.”

Fluttershy laughed quietly at the comment and smiled. “I was so surprised when he started flying around the cottage, I thought he might fall.”

“That's why I had the spell keep him low, his poses were making me laugh so hard I nearly lost control.” James finished.

***

James knocked on Applejack's door as the evening grew darker, and with a call was allowed in.

Applejack noticed the paper sack he held under his arm, a soft lavender and white striped pattern that, even without writing, she recognized from following him earlier.

“That for me?” She hesitantly asked.

“If you want it.” James answered, his voice oddly somber.

“What's with the voice? Yer not pokin' fun or anything, right?”

“No. I just want to ask …” James paused only briefly, “can you tell me what's going on? I know Twilight at least is lying to me, and Rainbow Dash told me that you went with her Starlight and Pinkie shortly after I left. Is everything okay?”

“Yeah!” Applejack was all too eager to answer. “Everything's fine as far as I know.”

James stood silent longer as he thought about what she had said. “Okay.” He eventually said with a nod. “I trust you, I just want to know if there's something wrong, alright?”

Applejack silently nodded as an answer.

“Anyway, Rarity finished yours up first so I just brought them by.” James said, handing over the bag to Applejack.

Cautiously, she took the bag from James. “Thank you.” She said, not taking her eyes from the bag itself.

“I know you prefer simple comforts, but you deserve nice things too.” With a nod and his half smile, James turned and left.

Applejack placed the bag on the floor and closed her eyes. She took a breath as she braced herself for what she feared waited for her based on the stores she had seen James visit.

Cautiously, she opened the bag and dared to look inside.

Much to her surprise, James had given her a full set of soft flannel pajamas with matching slipper socks.