(Dominic’s P.O.V.)

Reaching under the collar of my suit, I pulled it away from my neck as much as I could while also taking a deep breath. The weather outside was amazing, cool, and slightly windy... not so much in this train. Yet while the train was now coming along the side of the mountain so that I could see Canterlot bathed in the sunlight, I felt a body move beside me before pressing into my side, and as I looked to my side, I saw a sky blue wing stretching away from me briefly. Trailing the tip of the wing back to the body it belonged to, I saw a rainbow colored mane covering the face of the mare I knew only too well.

Reaching an arm down and wrapping it around her body, I pulled her close while leaning against the window. While I did like Dashie... damn near love in fact, but she has been at my side ever since the salt incident I had with her a week ago. She had apparently remembered tidbits of that night, and that had made her believe we had participated in some rather intimate acts that I had unfortunately convinced her hadn’t indeed happened. While she still showed affection to me... she had apparently taking to pulling pranks and jokes, yet she had seemed adamant at times to continue the jokes...

Looking out the window, I was able to see Canterlot fast approaching, and I thought back to the letter Princess Celestia had sent me. While Dash continued to cuddle into my side, I ran my fingers over her fur in what I knew gave a relaxing sensation, whilst I pulled the letter from my other pocket so that I could read it.

Dear Dominic Wild,

You are hereby requested to attend a meeting at the Canterlot Castle to meet with the leaders from other nations around Equis. Your attendance is mandatory, and dress attire is required. Please be aware that you will be meeting with two of the most aggressive races on Equis; the Minatours and Griffons. Along those two will be a few others, yet your best behavior is a recommended and required, as you will be representing your entire race to the rulers. It is understandable that this may be stressful and cause apprehension for you, so you are granted to bring a single companion with you to attend this meeting. It is left to your discretion if the pony is someone you trust or is your friend, but bring no more than one companion.

Sincerely,

Princess Celestia

Refolding the letter and placing in the pocket of the jacket I was wearing, I did indeed feel a bit... overwhelmed. I was a fighter pilot, a soldier in the sky, and I was being asked... no, told, that I needed to play the role of a politician. That was the same as saying I would have to accept the silent or hidden jabs in whatever the other rulers of this world would most likely say. The letter indicated that two of the rulers I would meet would be aggressive in nature, so I could only assume that they would be the ones I would need to keep an eye on, as I wasn’t sure if she meant physically or verbally.

Bringing my hand that was rubbing Dash’s fur up, I scratched idly at the side of her head, an inch or two beneath her ear, and I heard her sigh happily as she shuddered briefly. Her wing flexed briefly, but I paid it no attention as I was more than glad she was attending this meeting with me, even if I wasn’t sure if that was a bad idea or not. She was the only one I trusted to bring with me, and even then I didn’t have a choice in that matter as she would’ve came anyways, but she was... brash at times. It was endearing in most cases, but others it was annoying enough that I wanted to do anything to get her to stop.

The train whistle sounded out, and I looked back outside to see we were approaching the center of Canterlot, and I knew that meant it was time for Dash and I to get ready to get off. She didn’t wait however, and when she shook her head, I stopped scratching the side of her head so she could instead pull away.

“Enjoy your brief massage Dash?”

She smirked as she looked into my eyes, and she placed a hoof against my chest as she leaned up towards me. She didn’t give me the expected kiss, but she still came close as she said softly, “I want a real massage later... and a kiss.”

When she finished, her cheeks lit up as her eyes looked away from my own, and I felt my own smirk starting to form. Reaching a hand forward and sliding it through her mane, I ran my fingernails gently across her fur, and she shivered briefly as she leaned into my touch. She still didn’t look back into my eyes, but her violet colored eyes were looking at my chest with a happy smile across her muzzle. As I pulled her closer however, I felt both her hooves press against my chest as she tilted her head back and looked into my gaze now. Smiling some more as I leaned forward, I closed my eyes as she did, but when I felt her breath over my lips, I stopped and let her wait for it.

She let out an impatient grunt, and I pressed my lips against her own, but very faintly. When she began to push back to attempt to deepen the kiss, I smiled even wider as I kept our lips connected with just enough space to prevent a passionate kiss.

Her annoyed groan was all I needed to know it was working, and that was when I pulled away so that we were separated by a foot of space. When I opened my eyes, I saw hers appeared to be angry, and she pushed her hoof against my chest firmer as she growled out, “That isn’t a kiss Dom... give me a real one...”

I knew it was risky to deny a woman something she wanted, even more so to deny a mare anything, and downright dangerous to deny something to Dash... but it didn’t stop me from shaking my head. Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned forward suddenly to try to give me a kiss, but the train suddenly stopping proved to be her counterforce and my window of time to prepare for another attempt should she try.

“Dash, you know we have somewhere important to be.”

Her cheeks suddenly flared with color as she said, “And what is more important than kissing your mare?”

Chuckling, I reached a hand up and scratched the back of her ear and said, “Well, I think meeting a princess and various other rulers of this world is one thing, and I will promise to give you a real,” I gave her ear tip a gently squeeze and twist, which got a surprised and pleasured gasp from her lips, “passionate kiss... but only after the meeting. Think you can behave long enough for that?”

Her angry eyes became that even more, and she was now glaring at me as she said, “I'm not a foal Dominic...” I couldn’t hide the grin or chuckle, but she didn’t seem to find it funny as she got up and stood in my lap, and then placed her hoof against my shoulder and growled, “What’s so funny Dominic...?”

Chuckling as I reached up and grabbed her hoof, I gave her a wink as I said, “I think we should get going Dash... don’t want to make everyone wait for your awesome arrival...”

...

Walking in through the massive double doors as our escort left us to join the other guards along the perimeter of the room; I looked around in admiration, and trepidation. I saw various equine creatures, but what really caught my attention were the two races Princess Celestia had warned me about, and another one she hadn’t. The griffon that sat at the table was a scared looking thing, and its plumage was discolored, suggesting old age. The griffon had red fur and brown feathers, and a beak with as sharp as its eyes. Yet that was all I got to observe before eight pairs of eyes looked towards Dash and I.

I did my best to keep a straight face as I stood tall, and I made my way into the dining hall as formally as I could when I wanted nothing more than to about face and march back into the hall. Yet as I walked in, all the light chatter from when the doors open ceased, and while I looked around the table, I met each pair of eyes that seemed to be studying me. While I walked, I noticed two open seats at the end of the table, yet right next to a creature I wasn’t sure would be hostile or not; a dragon.

Yet as Dash and I made our way to the open seats, I looked to my side and saw she appeared to be keeping a neutral face as well. I made sure to look back up to the leaders of this world, and as I did, I couldn’t help but feel as if this was how men felt when they stepped in front of the U.N. conferences...

At least those that are part of the U.N. only are needed to meet with those of other cultures... I'm the only human here.

While making my way closer to the table, I looked towards Princess Celestia as she was the only one I knew at this meeting, and I saw her looking back. When she lowered her head a bit, it was when I reached the end of the table, and I took that as a silent order to halt. When I did, I saw a light smile play across her lips, and she said loudly enough to be heard by all, “Glad you could make it Dominic. If you wouldn’t mind, please take a seat next to Vita Gentleheart.” Princess Celestia was sitting at the head of the table, so when she nodded to my right, I knew that Vita Gentleheart could only be the blue dragon. While appearances apparently could be deceiving, I knew her name could only imply she was gentle, so that made me feel better. Yet when I nodded, I turned and made my way to the seat I knew to take, and I heard Dash start to walk beside me... until Princess Celestia spoke again, “Dash, if you would step outside with me for a moment...”

I felt my steps falter as I slowed my pace a bit, and I looked over my shoulder and at Dash to see she too was a bit surprised. Yet I saw her grimace slightly as she turned and made her way back towards the entrance. Fuuuckkk...

Turning around, I forced the grimace from my face as I walked the last few steps, smiled towards Vita, and then took my seat. When I was sitting, I set my arms on the table in front of me, and I looked around the table. All sets of eyes were still looking towards me, and I felt like they were waiting for something... so as I sat there, I cleared my throat and said, “My name is Dominic Wild, and I am sure many of you have questions, so I will do my best to answer them.”

When I finished, I saw many of them were still looking me over, and I glanced over at Vita as she hummed thoughtfully. Yet it was in fact someone else further down the table that spoke, and I looked to them and saw it was one of the two normal looking ponies. “My name is Shining Armor, co-ruler to the Crystal Empire and Captain of the Royal Guard. My question to you, what were you doing when you appeared over the Wonderbolt Academy tryouts in that strange craft I have heard about?”

That question was one I hadn’t been expecting, and it caused me to lean back as I tried to find the correct words. Looking back towards the Captain, I saw him, among the others, were now looking towards me in confusion or interest. It seemed some of them apparently hadn’t received the same info on me as others. Crossing my fingers, I looked solely towards Shining Armor as I spoke, “Before I arrived in Equestria, I was engaged in aerial combat wi-”

“How can you fight in the air when you clearly do not have wings!?”

Clamping my jaw shut as I looked towards who interrupted me, I saw it was the Griffon representitive with his disdainful scowl. I felt my eyes narrow a bit, and I knew just how I could take a jab at him. “Sorry, but I don’t believe I got your name...”

His scowl turned into an arrogant grin, and he puffed up his chest as he said proudly, “The name is Sharp Beak, it’s a name you best remember if you ever come to Griffon Territory...”

“Ah, Sharp Beak,” I felt a chuckle leave my throat as I looked into his eyes, “well, unlike you, my feathery friend, I don’t need wings to fly. Humans use technology to fly... now, back to what I was saying.” Clearing my throat, I looked back towards Shining Armor and saw he appeared just as confused as before, “Sorry Captain, I can only hope our friend here will allow me to finish this time. But as I was saying, I was engaged in aerial combat with a traitor. He stole an aircraft that was being refitted to perform better than newer fighter jets, and I was the only pilot pursuing him. The only way I could stop him was to kill him. I'm not sure when we arrived over the, er, academy tryouts, but that was what I was doing when I appeared.”

When I finished, he seemed to understand the concept, yet he still appeared confused. While he mulled over what I just said, it appeared that Vita was the one that had the next question, “Was there no other way to stop him than to kill him?”

Looking to my side, I saw her eyes seemed to burrow into my own, and I simply shrugged as I said, “There probably was, but he was responsible for an incident that nearly killed me a month ago.” When I finished, her bright blue scales rippled, and I saw agitation flash through her eyes, but she soon turned away as she seemed to become immerged in deep thought. Bringing my attention back to the others around the table, one of the other leaders, a zebra if the stripes were to indicate anything, inclined his head towards me as he said, “You have more combat experience, than more diplomatic experience. Why is that so?”

When he asked that, I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to lie or not, as Princess Celestia hadn’t exactly told me if I was supposed to play a role as the human speaker, a mock diplomat, or even just to stick with the best policy; honesty. I felt myself grimace, but I decided that I might as well go with the best policy. “That is because my role was a soldier in the United States Air Force, with the occasional formal dinners with the high brass.”

The zebra smiled widely, but before I could inquire as to why, the large double doors opened up, and I, along with the others, looked over again to see the princess and my mare walk in through the doors. Yet as they did, I saw the Princess smiling, and when she glanced at me, I saw the mirth in her eyes as she walked. Yet Dash on the other hand was looking slightly flushed...

There was a flash of light from Princess Celestia’s horn, and I looked to her as she said, “Dinner will be served shortly everypony.” She glanced towards me, before she asked, “Is there any questions you would like to ask any of those here Dominic?”

The entire time I had been sitting here, I had been answering questions, so I answered with a nod, “Yes, I have a few.” Looking at the leaders that sat around me, my first thought was to ask something about Sharp Beak, but the real first question I had actually was about the one beside me; the dragon. Looking at Vita, I saw she was around my size, yet she was a great leader at this table. When she looked back into my eyes, I saw the wisdom in her gaze, yet I knew my question. “Vita, excuse me if this comes across as rude or inconsiderate, but in my culture, dragons are parts of myths and legends, yet here, dragons are a part of reality. I have met one dragon, yet he is a baby dragon. Yet if dragons age and grow just like every other creature, then doesn’t that make you a little young to be a leader of an entire culture?”

The kind smile on her muzzle curled into a large smirk, and she looked past me towards where I expected Princess Celestia was. She looked back at me, but she let out a deep sounding chuckle as she said, “Appearances can be deceiving, young one. I can only attend this... meeting, due to magic. You see, dragons grow larger primarily by the size of their hoard, or with how old they are. I am many times larger than what you see in front of you... If you wait until after this meeting for my departure, you can see my true size...”

When I opened my mouth to ask her something else however, yet, the familiar voice of the Griffon leader spoke up, “Yes, with Vita’s true size, you can see how much she enjoys expanding her hoard.”

When he said that, I heard a few snickers around the table, but they ceased before I could find the sources. Vita Gentleheart slowly looked away from me, and I followed her gaze and saw that Sharp Beak flinched when the small dragon looked at him. Although I understood she was larger than she appeared, and magic was used to reduce her size, she couldn’t be too much larger... could she?

Looking away from the scolding the Griffon was receiving, I could always ask any questions I had later, so I turned my attention towards the only Pegasus in the room. As I shifted in my seat, I leaned forward a bit as I clasped my hands together as I took in everything I could. Flushed cheeks, hidden eyes, and baby blue hooves gently running over the wood of the table as she continued to remain in her recluse state. Lowering my head a bit, I whispered quietly, “Dash.”

Her hooves stopped their movement, and she looked up at me with a sheepish smile, “What’s up?”

Giving her a brief chuckle, I looked past her as the massive doors opened again and saw chefs pushing food carts towards the table. Bringing my attention back to Dash, I saw her cheeks were quite red, and I felt my curiosity peak as I asked, “So, what did you and the princess talk about?”

Dash smiled widely as she said, “Nothing too important... why do you ask?”

Reaching a hand over, I ruffled her mane as the first chefs reached the table, and I said, “Because you’re as red as a tomato right now.”

Pulling my hand back as the chefs began to either levitate or place platters in front of each individual, I observed each of the other platters that were around to get an estimate to what meals Equestria offered. I wasn’t one to complain, but the constant meals I had in Ponyville that consisted of nothing more than bread, vegetables, fruits, and the occasional nuts, was becoming... dreary. I was craving the taste and texture of something with meat; fish, poultry, beef, whatever...

As the lids came off, I noted Vita Gentleheart’s platter consisted of gems, past her, the Minotaur had what appeared to be something akin to a Ceaser Salad, yet no meat. The Zebra, Shining Armor and the pink Alicorn -who I couldn’t believe I had thought was only a unicorn at first glance-, Princess Celestia, and even the donkey all had the same meal. Even a glance to my side confirmed even Dash had the same thing. And when the lid lifted off the platter in front of me, I saw to my distaste I was added to the list as well. A long sandwich that appeared to have similarities to a dandelion club, but spruced up with what looked like hay sticking out of the side of it, with even dipping sauce that looked suspiciously like dressing I would put over a salad. A quick glance up showed a nice juicy and steaming steak on the Griffon’s plate.

I can’t take another meal like this when that Griffon is even enjoying meat...

Looking over my shoulder, I saw the chefs quickly making their retreat towards the entrance, yet I called out a little hushed to not draw too much attention from the national leaders, “Hey, sir!” One of the chefs faltered in his rush to leave the room, but he looked over at me as I gestured for him to come closer. I noticed Dash even looked away from her sandwich to look over as well, and I felt a little bad as I gave her an apologetic smile. Turning my attention back to the chef in front of me, I asked, “Would it be too much of an issue to request if I can get a different meal?”

“Not at all... did you have something in mind?”

Giving him a thankful smile as I nodded, I proceeded to ask, “Can I get a steak like the Griffon... with maybe a small salad to the side?”

His eyes widened, and he said apologetically, “Yes sir, right away! Nopony knew you were a carnivore.”

“Not carnivore, I'm an omnivore. And sorry to inconvenience you and your staff.” He shook his head, but didn’t say anything else as he darted off.

As I began to turn back to the table, I caught Dash’s wide eyed gaze, and she was looking at me curiously as she asked, “You eat meat?” Looking to the side, I thought about that, before simply nodding. “When? You never ate meat before...”

“It wasn’t available before, and I was more than happy to eat what was available.” Her eyes shifted to the side a bit, and as she appeared to be thinking, I asked a bit uncertainly, “Is that a problem Dash... me eating meat?” If it was a problem... I'm not sure how long I could be a Herbivore for...

She looked up at me with wide eyes as she shook her head, “No. It’s cool, I just was...surprised... don’t expect me to try any though...” Her face turned green, and she shivered as she mumbled quietly, “...Never again...”

I felt my eyebrows raise a bit, and I leaned back as I knew that was a question for another time... yet it was still interesting enough that I knew what we would be talking about on the train ride back to Ponyville. I am so going to get that story out of her, whether she wants to tell me or not.

Bringing my attention back to the table in front of me, I saw everyone else was happily chomping away at their meals, well; Sharp Beak was digging into his with gusto... literally. Yet the Minotaur, easily known by the deep voice he had, asked from the other side of Vita Gentleheart, “Dominic Wild, I feel a kinship with you, as we both lack magic or wings like all the other races, but you said your kind had the ability to still fly because of advanced technology... what other amazing devices does your kind possess...?”

Pushing the herbivore meal away from me as I leaned over the table to look towards the Minotaur, I saw wonder in his eyes, as I saw in everyone else’s eyes as they too turned to look at me. Feeling a smile spread across my lips, I let out a chuckle as I said, “We have built many things... have anything in specific you wish to know?”

His eyes seemed to sparkle, and he bowed his head in thought, but it was Vita that spoke instead, “What if we start with flight... how high can you fly in a... uh, jet?”

My smile turned into a wide grin, but I had to first ask, “What is the highest you have ever flown? For measurement, use feet instead of meters or yards.”

Vita Gentleheart smiled as she puffed her chest out, and she shot a smirk towards Sharp Beak –something he didn’t miss- and said proudly, “I believe out of everypony present, I have flown the highest at, eh... roughly ten thousand feet. I bet not even your jet can do that.” I could only hold her gaze for a few moments, before I started to laugh. She flinched back a bit, and it wasn’t long before she started to glare at me as she said hotly, “Youngling... I have others that can verify my claim...”

I felt a few more chuckles leave me, and I looked at her, and then at the rest of those seated around the table. Sharp Beak was looking on in interest; though he did say a bit too gladly, “See that Vita, even the wingless creature has a hard time believing that you can fly that high!”

Smirking as I shook my head, I looked back at the Minotaur and said, “You sir, are going to like this.” Giving Vita Gentleheart my attention once more, I saw she was glaring as she seemed to sulk in her seating, but I said loudly enough that all could hear, “Vita Gentleheart, I do not doubt your ability, but I hate to break it to you, but I have flown at average forty-five thousand feet in the sky, accurately counting too.” When I finished, I saw her eyes narrowed, as if she thought I was mocking her, but then Sharp Beak laughed loudly. I felt my smile widen, and I looked to him as I said, “I know you won’t believe it, and I doubt anyone else will, but the operational flight ceiling for my type of jet is sixty-five thousand feet high. I wish I could show you all visual proof, but my jet was, unfortunately, destroyed...”

“Youngling... you’re not joking, are you...?”

Turning and looking back at the dragoness, I felt a smile stretch across my lips, and I shook my head. The surprise was written across her features, but I had another one up my sleeve, one that every human knew of, “That isn’t even the farthest human technology can go. The farthest Humanity has ever gone is the moon. There is actually an international space station that orbits Earth.”

This time every single creature looked disbelieving towards me, yet as I sat there, I looked to each individual face, and found only one of them didn’t look at me in disbelief; Princess Celestia. I found myself looking to her longer than the others, and I saw the surprise on her eyes, but her outward appearance was one of neutrality.

There was a loud snort, before Sharp Beak said boisterously, “I for one don’t find any of that believable! Now, here is myquestion... if any of that is true, then it means you can only fly high... but how dangerous is your race... what weapons do you have?” I felt my jaw lock on that one, and I knew what I said here could have repercussions if I answered too quickly or with a wrong choice of words. Glancing out of the corner of my eye, I saw Princess Celestia lean forward a bit, and I felt my throat tighten as I thought over how to answer that question. “Oh, so your kind is defenseless I take it?”

The frown I felt spreading across my lips forced me to lean back as I bit back a retort towards the arrogant Griffon. Humans were many things, as we were essentially the jack of all trades kind of people, and there was only one thing we were masters at; and that was war. Jacks of all trades, masters of combat. Licking my lips, I looked down at the table as I asked a bit quieter than I had before, “What is your best weapon?”

The Griffon laughed loudly, before he said smugly, “The best weapons across the entire of Equis, a musket. Stronger and better than a crossbow.”

I felt a weak, yet grim chuckle leave my throat. There was no longer a smile on my face, and I looked up with a dead serious expression as I glared towards the Griffon. I wouldn’t let him know everything, and I wouldn’t even give him a hint to my most recent thought, but I saw the smugness leaving his beak as I said in a calculated tone, “A musket is an antique weapon on my world. They are bulky, cumbersome, unwieldy, and inaccurate... they are basically meant for nothing more than a stick with a metal skin.” The Griffon scowled at my last statement, but just as he went to say something, I made sure this time I was the one to cut him off, “The weapons of my world are accurate, quick to use, and can devastate any target they were made to fight against. Mounted weapons are even more-so as they have more power. The weapons on my jet can tear through the metal of another jet or lightly armored vehicles easily... and I haven’t even started with the missiles that are attached to the undersides of the wings. Different missiles have different jobs. The ones I had were meant for anti-aircraft combat. There are missiles meant to destroy bunkers, or even buildings... as in multiple buildings. If you don’t believe me, you only need to ask Princess Celestia of the validity of my statements...”

I didn’t bother looking away from the Griffon as I saw him turn his head and look towards where the princess sat. While she wouldn’t know anything about the weapons of my world, her sister had seen one of my dreams, while Princess Celestia had seen two jets in use. From the corner of my eye, I saw her nod her head, before her voice sounded across the table, “What he says is true. I saw his jet in use above the Wonderbolt Academy... and my sister saw fragments of one of his dreams.”

When the Griffon looked back towards me, I saw the shock written across his beak and in his gaze, and I nodded towards him as I said, “You boast about your musket... but remember there is always someone more powerful than you. That is all I have to say about my nations military weapons.”

Silence reigned around the table after I finished that, and I was surprised when the chef from before nervously placed my meal in front of me. He left before I could thank him, and it was silent again as I sat there, and everyone else sat there in silence while they digested what I had said. I hadn’t revealed too much knowledge on how dangerous humanity was in a whole, but I had said enough and confirmed enough that he shouldn’t question humans being defenseless again.

When the silence was broken, it was by the Minotaur, and he asked, “If there is always someone more powerful... who is stronger than you I ask?”

Leaning back in my seat, I felt a chuckle leave my throat as I a small grin spread across my lips, and I shook my head lightly as I said, “Nobody. My nation is the strongest in the entire world. Don’t let that fool you though; we use that power to fight for freedom. For our nation or other countries that cant. My nation, the United States of America, is part of a international group called the United Nations. Generally, we help those across the world...”

Looking around the table, I saw many of those were looking towards me in admiration for what I said, or in two cases, still shock over what I had revealed about humanities weapons. Yet as I did, I saw Princess Celestia smile warmly, before she nodded in my direction and said, “That is a very honorable course of action your nation does.” When she used her magic to raise and bite into her sandwich, I took that as a chance to get something to eat as well. Using the knife and fork that were beside the table, I began to cut into the steak, and I was actually interested in what Equestrian meat would taste like.

As I ate, everyone else did so as well, but I felt a hoof push into my side, and I looked over at Dash as I swallowed. She was smiling as she looked up at me, and she asked, “Did you really fly that high?” I gave her a nod, and she smiled wider as she said giddily, “That is awesome!”

When she said that, I did feel my smile drop a tad bit, but I chuckled as I shook my head. “No Dash, you’re awesome,” I said it like that intentionally just to see her blush, before I finished, “you can fly with your own two wings... you get to enjoy the feeling of flying like no other. A human may fly, but we don’t get to enjoy it like you do.”

“But you get to fly where nopony else has been!” Her smile was wide as she beamed up at me, and even though she didn’t understand what I was getting at, I couldn’t find it in me to burst her bubble. She only comprehended that I was flying at almost five times that of a dragon, so I might as well be content to let her enjoy that fact. So as I sat there and ate, I could only expect more questions to be asked as dinner continued...

Author's Note

Alright Everyone, I'm not sure what's up with this story, other than I'm not sure what I'm doing with it anymore. I expect, and hope, to finish this story in a few more chapters.