John Sampson's Story

We had warned Colonel Steel Will before we left and he was waiting when we returned. I had a duffle on each shoulder and carried the rest. He led us to a stone walled room off the hall near his office. There was nothing in it but a couple of tables. I emptied both bags and spread the contents on the tables. Clothes, boots, knives and utensils, hatchet, trenching tool all were quickly passed though stainless steel earned some remarks. Ropes, tent, and tarps got more notice for the strangeness of the materials. Twilight stuttered when I spread out my cell phone and charging system. The LED lights were accepted as normal magic.

Then we got to the guns. I stripped the AR, laying out and explaining each piece then did the same with the Beretta. I showed them the ammo and explained how it made the sound and effect that Swift had observed. Then I said, “And right here in this state the guns will remain until at least two Princesses and one human say different.”

Twilight starting puffing up but I stopped her, “Twilight, I say this because I love and respect you. This is the very technology that ended knights and kings on Terra. A foal with that AR is the equal of a dozen Royal Guard. Armor ceases to have meaning. And it can be scaled up to the point of destroying a castle in seconds. I do not want to unleash this turmoil on Equestria!”

The Colonel said, “Why don’t we just destroy it all right now?”

“Because you’ll have to destroy me and memories of me along with everything else. The physical existence isn’t what’s dangerous, it’s the concept. With the concept and a simple recipe, a foal could build a crude version capable of killing anypony in the room. Human children call then ‘zip guns’. I have far more dangerous concepts stored away in my brain right alongside concepts that could save the lives of thousands of ponies. You are the friends that I have chosen to help me and watch me. Celestia will make the final decision but we need to see that She has a chance to make a good one.”

Steel looked right at me, “What if She decides to destroy all of the technology?”

“Then I’ll expect speed and honor.”

Twilight was looking seriously worried now. “John, what are you and the Colonel talking about?”

“Military things, Twilight, the kind of things we exist to protect you from.”

We stepped out and closed the door as the Colonel produced two large padlocks for the two hasps on the door. “Major, these are enchanted locks. Put a drop of your blood on the key before you lock it and nopony else will be able to use that key to unlock it. There are two keys for each lock.”

I pulled out my folder and pricked a finger. A drop of blood later I had locked the top lock.

“May I borrow that?” from the Colonel.

“Sure” And it floated off my open hand. Seconds later it was back and the bottom lock was locked.

I held the second key to my lock out to Swift. She bit her tongue, spat on the key, and took it with her lips locking the top lock again.

Colonel Steel held out the last key to Twilight. It floated over to Twilight and she looked me expectantly so I opened the knife again and held it out. She floated over and made a small nick on her shoulder. The knife floated back, the key got its drop of blood and the bottom lock was locked again.

The Colonel and I exchanged salutes and he marched off up the hall. Swift, Twilight, and I went the other way. When we got back to the residential section Twilight headed for her tower after agreeing that we should be at her place by eight o’clock in the morning.

Swift and I walked quietly to our suite and in the door. I just got the door closed and she was on me. “John Sampson! Which pit of Tartarus were you spawned from?”

“Swift, I warned you what life with a human would be like.”

“You said you would terrify me, not torture me!”

“I’m sorry, my darling, at least I found somepony else to take the worst burden from you.”

She just put her head down and charged me. Again. And again. I just stood there and took it until she ran out of anger and collapsed. After carefully picking her up I walked to the bed where I sat and rocked her. She clung to me and sobbed for a while. Finally, “Oh John. I’m so pathetic. You’re the pony facing death and I’m falling apart.”

“I thought you handled yourself rather well for having such a shock just dumped on you. You didn’t even twitch when Twilight was completely clueless.”

“But look at you. You aren’t bothered at all.”

“Swift, my love, I’ve had years to adjust to my fate. When I first got a look at pony society I knew something like this was coming. You have been the surprise good luck in my journey.”

And she was off and wailing again. When she had calmed down again, I said, “I’m not planning to die. The possibility gives my words more weight but I am sure Celestia will find a better way. Now why don’t we find something to eat?”

Dinner was quiet and tender. She leaned on me and we fed each other tidbits. Afterwards we just sat together grooming. She worked on my back and I on her mane. We took a slow shower then settled onto the bed. I laid on my back and draped her across my chest.

“What are you doing, John?”

“My heart wants to feel your heart.”

She lifted her head until she was almost nose to nose with me staring directly into my eyes. “John are you absolutely sure?”

“I don’t know why but I am completely certain that this is the right thing to do.”

She began to rub her cheek against my cheek. She rubbed up the side of my head and down across my shoulder. Then she very softly kissed me full on the lips. The same gentle rubbing continued on the other side of my head. As she crossed over, she kissed me again, a little deeper. The place where our bodies met was beginning to feel a little warm. She kept rubbing and kissing as my heart began to pound. Then I could feel her heart pounding in her chest and it was the most wonderful thing that I had ever felt. The rubbing accelerated and the kisses went deeper. My heart rate increased as it seemed to home in on hers. Suddenly our hearts synchronized and began to beat together. It felt like one heart was pumping across our chests, from hers to mine and back again. A warm glow spread from our hearts until it completely surrounded and contained us. I don’t know how long we laid there but I had no intention of ever leaving that feeling of perfect bliss.

“ Thank you , John. I had never in my wildest dreams imagined that it would be this way. I don’t care if we never consummate it. I don’t care if either or both of us is dead in the morning. This one perfect moment is worth everything.”

“Swift, I’m sorry that we can’t have everything we want right away but there is something that you should know. While you were celebrating with your squad, Fred told me that we are going to have a foal.”

Our heart actually skipped a beat. “John, are you sure of this?”

“No, but Fred told Big Mac that I was turning into a pony the day before I did. I have a hard time understanding him when he makes these pronouncements but he’s never been wrong. Remind me to ask Twilight and the doctor just how complete this pony transformation is.”

“We’ve got a few months to go before spring and we know all of the best Alicorns in the world. We’ll figure it out. Meanwhile, you are completely and eternally mine. Marriage the old way is the strongest way.