John Sampson's Story

Chapter Nineteen

“So Twilight had begun to suspect that early,” Celestia observed. “What about you?”

“I knew. I suspected starting when the opportunity to take the Oath came. Then things started clicking together. Being young and naive, I welcomed it.”

“Oh, John, I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I could have stayed on Terra and never have known the glories that I had.”

When the train pulled into the Ponyville station there was a pink blur waiting for us.

“Hello Twilight John Sampson Swift Trail!Oh you’ve changed.Congratulations Major Captain.”

And the strangest thing happened, she just stopped. Pinkie walked up to me and stood up placing a hoof on my chest. “YES!” She blasted. Then she walked over to Swift and did the same. “YESYESYES!!!this is wonderful.We must rework everything.Be at City Hall by One PM.Don’t worry I’ll get you home by dark.” And pink blur shot off the platform and into town.

Twilight smiled, “I told you so.”

Swift just grinned.

“I’m guessing we’re about to have some sort of wedding celebration?”

“At least.” Twilight laughed.

I shouldered my bag and we headed into town with the goal of seeing Rarity first. Last time were through here my novelty drew a crowd. This time I was wearing Guard colors and insignia. And the crowd was bigger if anything. I could blame some of that on the Princess next to me but she is a regular here. The good part, though, was that they wanted to get close. Last time there was a zone that nopony would cross around me. Now they all wanted to hoof bump or hug. It was wonderful.

Rarity is a gray Unicorn mare with a longdark blue maneand a serious devotion to style. She loves my choice of colors in clothes but detests the fit.

“Rarity, please, these were made in a few hours by copying my work clothes while I slept so I would have something for a Royal Audience the next morning. ‘Something better’ is why I’m here.”

“Very well. Up on the platform!” A tape measure starts flying around me. “Hmmm. Take those rags off.” So I strip down to tighty whities. “You’re not a stallion!”

“Rarity, most of Canterlot would argue that with you right now.”

Twilight is having convulsions trying not fall down laughing.

Rarity looks back and forth between us, “What is someone not telling me?”

Swift spoke up, “John and I are recently married. Due to a series of unusual accidents our honeymoon has become the stuff of legends in Canterlot.”

“Oh. . . . What I was referring to is that we must allow a certain space for accidental expansion when we dress stallions. Otherwise there is a great potential for pain and embarrassment. John doesn’t seem to have that requirement.”

“Actually, I do. I just ‘dress’ down instead of up. The vertical spine has that effect.”

Rarity leaned next to Swift, “Darling, you are going to have to fill me in on the details some day.” Coming back to me, “But right now we have this most wonderful opportunity. We can do things with this glorious stallion of yours that we can’t do with any other, starting with showing off those magnificent muscles.”

“Rarity, I need a little fancy dress, some Guard for humans, and a lot of daily work clothes with a light side of house dress. You can have all the fun you want with Swift here.” I figured that for a win-win.

The tape measure flew and some notes and sketches were made. I turned and bent on demand. Finally, “That should do it. We’ll have to do some fitting with a few of the pieces but this will do for most. You can get ‘dressed’.”

“Wait a minute! There’s something else.” I pulled my whities down enough to expose my flank. “I want this on a few of the pieces,” pointing to my cutie mark.

“Oh yes. Why would anypony want to cover that up?” And we had another sketch, in color this time.

“Next!”

As Swift mounted the platform I said, “Mares, this is your opportunity to talk about me. I’m going take a few minutes to run out to the Apple place. Where should we meet back? Here?”

Twilight thought for a moment, “Here, I guess. Unless you run late. About twelve thirty we’ll head for the party. Don’t get lost!”

“No problem.”

I finished dressing and left the mare talk behind. Back across the square and out the other side of town from the train station should do it. Of course, there’s only about a hundred chances to confirm that as most of Ponyville seems to waiting for me to walk by. I have to turn down a number of offers for an escort because I plan to make up some time when I get out to open country.

Two minutes later I’m walking through the Farm gate. I can see Fred and Big Mac working in the next field over. Fred spots me and shrugs out of the harness as I trot over to meet them.

“Hi there, Big Guy.”

“Fred! You’re learning words.”

“Hello, Big Mac. Fred says your teaching him.”

“Eeyup. Good to talk while working. Gonna plant twice as much next spring.”

“Damned. You too.”

“Eeyup.”

“Can I ‘borrow’ Fred for a minute? I want to try something.”

“Eeyup. Fred says you been learning too.”

“Yes I have. Fred, you up for a race?”

“Yes. To the back of that pasture you raced in before and back to here. Big Mac can call go.”

We lined up. “Go.”

Fred kicked off a short yard ahead of me and settled into an easy gallop. I eased up beside him until I caught his eye.

He kicked it up a notch so I kicked it up two. I cleared the fence just ahead of him and stretched out for a serious run. The wind in my face felt wonderful. The back fence was coming up fast an we u-turned side by side. Less than a minute later we pulled up next to Big Mac still side by side.

“WE won!”

“John, I knew Fred could, but you too?”

“Yes. I’m learning a lot of things.”

Big Mac throws me a hoof bump and a big smile, “This is good, John. And the Service too!”

“Big Mac, I’d like to ask you a favor. Swift and I both like the outdoor life and running free. Could we come out here for a vacation? I’d love to do some farm work just for the joy of it and we’d like to camp in the woods sometimes.”

“John, don’t ask, just come. You’re feeling the Earth pony need for the land. And I can show you a couple of great, private camping spots.”

“Thank you, Big Mac. I had the need on Terra. I think it’s a universal truth.”

That got me a giant three way hug.

“I hate to run guys but I left Twilight and Swift with Rarity picking out clothes. I need to get back before they overload the train.”

It took me two minutes to get back to town and fifteen to get across the square. The mares were having tea and gossip.

Swift look up, “John! How are Fred and Big Mac doing?”

“Very good. Fred is learning words and Big Mac says they’ll double their planting this spring.”

Twilight stared at me, “John. Do you realize what you just said? Big Mac is teaching Fred to talk!”

“Yep. And Fred seems to be drawing Big Mac out. I gather they have conversations while working the fields together.”

“Wait a minute.” Rarity is looking confused, “Are you trying to tell me that you’ve walked to the Apple Farm and back since you left here and had enough time to visit?”

“Well, maybe not ‘walked’ but it was all on foot. Fred and I raced across the farm and back too. I can keep up with him now.”

Rarity stood and walked over inspecting me thoroughly. “I believe you, John Sampson, because there’s no other way you could have collected this much dirt.” And I feel a subtle ‘pop’ on my body and a small ring of dirt falls to the floor around me. As I watch, it forms into a ball and the trash can near the door opens to receive it.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, John. A.J. is going to just eat you up.”

Rarity closed the shop door behind us. We had ideas of wandering around town for a few minutes but I noticed that almost everypony was drifting toward City Hall.

“My darling mares, I believe that there’s nothing to see because everypony has already left for the show. As ‘the show’ it behooves us get in gear and not disappoint them.” An excess of strong tea has given me a slight edge.

We joined the drift. Just as we reached the door, Pinkie came shooting through from the inside. “Wonderful.Right on time.Just follow me,” taking us through the foyer and main room to the stage.

I’ve never been to a Pinkie Party before. I wasn’t prepared for the speed.

As soon as we were all on stage Pinkie got behind Swift and me and pushed us out to the front.

“Here’s the guests of honor! Tell us something about yourself, John Sampson.”

I almost missed it I was so amazed that Pinkie could enunciate flawlessly.

“I’m sure everypony knows by now that I’m not from around here. I’ve been a lot of places and seen a lot of things. There’s been ups and downs. But none of that matters any more. I have a wonderful mare, Swift Trail (hugging her to me) and a hall full of friends. All that’s left to achieve perfect happiness is a party. So let’s do it!”

Canons fired confetti from both sides of the stage and balloons fell from the ceiling as the crowd erupted. Pinkie smiled so big I thought she was going Cheshire Cat on us.

We mingled. And we ate. And we rubbed flanks with the great and small of Ponyville. I finally found a pad and just sat. That put me more at eye level with the rest of the world. Twilight had slipped out to check on her library and Swift had been swallowed by the crowd but I feel her nearby. The citizens of Ponyville are a gregarious lot. I haven’t been ask for anything but friendship yet. I’ve been offered everything. After a few hours I felt a need to stretch. I eased out a side door and leaned against the side of the building a few yards away. I turned to the sound of hoofsteps and saw Applejack coming from the same door.

“Hello there Applejack. I haven’t broken my promise to you but things have kinda happened to me.”

“I know that, John. And call me AJ.”

“I like that. I just wanted to be sure it wasn’t reserved for close friends.”

“It is.”

I squatted with my back against the wall to put us at the same level. She moved directly in front of me and looked me in the eye from almost nose to nose.

“I want that date.”

Leaning forward, she gently rubbed my cheek and shared breath with me.

I stroked her neck with my hand and said, “AJ, you will always be among my first friends no matter what. But you are fast approaching a line that I cannot cross without Swift’s approval.”

“The only question I have is do you want to cross that line, John. Am I somepony that you could love?” And she started nibbling on my ear.

I moved away. “Please, AJ, I cannot take any chance at all of hurting Swift. As much as I want this, I must talk to Swift first.”

“John Sampson, hear me. On my Oath as a Bearer, I would never consider harming Swift Trail or you. Swift sent me to ask you.” She seemed to glow for a second. “How do you think I knew about the ears?”

“Oh, AJ. I can only plead that I was doubting my own judgment more than I was doubting you.”

“John, this is another lesson in pony living. A stallion doesn’t need a mare. He needs mares, plural. The stronger the stallion, the more and stronger mares he needs. I have seen your heart and soul. You are the strongest stallion that’s been for generations. Equestria needs your bloodline. You won’t stop with me.”

“Very well, AJ. But I have some conditions. At least one date will be private and lengthy. It would probably be best on your farm. You need a full look at just what you are getting yourself into. And we need a serious conversation with Twilight. It won’t be tonight but you know where to find me.”

Then I pulled her to me and kissed her deeply and fully.

As we parted, “Oh John. I thought Swift was exaggerating.”

“Consider that a sample.”

We made our way back to the party. Swift was watching the door when we walked in. AJ nodded and Swift nodded back. Rarity and Twilight both smiled. Why do I feel like there’s a conspiracy going on?

After thanking Pinkie and arranging delivery from Rarity we piled on to the night train for Canterlot and home. I used my bag as a pillow and Swift used me for one as we slept most of the way back.

When we got to the castle gate I passed my bag to Swift and suggested that the mares go ahead while I attended to a quick errand. They agreed and when they had moved off I asked the gate guard if Luna was holding Court that night. He said, “yes.”

I made my way to the Throne room and waited as Luna heard the pleas of a town mayor needing a new road.

“Approach us, Major John Sampson.”

“Your Majesty.” I stepped forward and bowed.

“What hast brought thou, Good Major?”

“Your Majesty I come here tonight as John Sampson, a fool. There has been some recent small disturbances in the Castle caused by myself. Blame has been bandied about by myself and others. I come to place in Public Record the final determination of fault. It is absolutely and fully on me. In my arrogance I failed to appreciate the power and subtlety of Equestrian magic. In my ignorance I spelled myself to the inevitable failing. I’ll never regret the outcome or any subsequent effects but I apologize profusely for allowing my failing to spill over and disturb Yourself or any other of my friends .”

“That be a mighty act of honor, Major John Sampson. Art thou sure thou wishes for it to be a part of Official Record?”

“Absolutely.”

“It is done. Thine words shall be read in the morning’s Royal Proclamation. Perhaps some of thyne ‘other friends’ hast some word to add,” looking sharply to Her right.

Celestia and Twilight stood there in an alcove. Twilight was grinning.

Swift had already hit the bed when I got in. As I settled in behind her she rolled and wrapped herself around me without waking. This is what matters. No spells. No hormones. Her naked soul loves me.

Next Chapter