John Sampson's Story

Celestia paused and looked intently at me, "Does any of this sound familiar to you, Bud?"

"I . . . I . . . You left part of it out. The part about the pit," Bud stammered.

"Bud, that is all of the official report I was given." Celestia said flatly, "Is there more?"

"We . . . We . . . were walking right next to the forest. Swift Trail was talking with the point pony about the best route as we went between some large rocks. As they stepped out past the rocks they just disappeared. I knew they didn't go far because I could hear Swift Trail. She sounded like an old Marine." Bud continued, "We later figured out that somepony had dug a pit trap there and in the dark they just walked right into it. The rest of the squad ran up and quickly divided into watch and rescuers. Both ponies were out of the pit in under a minute. But I couldn't stop laughing. This was the first time I had seen a pony truly pissed and Swift Trail was the very image of an angry Marine child's doll." So I grabbed the hatchet off of Fred's pack and volunteered to cut a sapling to leave in the hole as a warning to others.

A minute later I was back with the "flag". Swift Trail was cleaning up and I was down to a minor case of the giggles. I still rated a harsh glare so I apologized, "Sergeant, I'm sorry. I know this isn't a laughing matter but you just triggered a memory from my home and I had to either laugh or cry." There is no way I am going stand in front of the squad and tell a veteran NCO that she reminds me of a child's toy! So I offered, "Sergeant, as far as I am concerned this never happened. If everyone else agrees, no word of this incident will ever escape my lips." Swift Trail grinned a little and nodded.

“The rest of our little march went pretty much as you said. I realize now that I just broke my word but I also know that everypony involved is long dead and gone.” There is much confusion in my head. ‘Marine’ is a concept from before Equestria but how can anything be 'before Equestria'? “How can I remember things that happened to this John Sampson?” Bud asked.

Celestia nodded. "We are making progress, Bud. John Sampson is still alive and it is up to us to find him and bring him home. Let’s continue our story."

Just as the sun began its climb into the heavens, Big Mac opened the front gate to the Apple family farm and ambled out to greet his guests. Twilight had told him to expect two unusual visitors with a Royal Guard escort first thing in the morning and here they were. ‘Unusual’ was an understatement. Big Mac was called ‘Big’ for a good reason but as he approached this pony he was looking up at the pony’s chest. “Howdy,” he drawled, “Jus’ follow me.” Big Mac turned and took a few steps but the big pony just stood there. Turning back to the big pony Mac said, “This way.” But the big pony didn’t move.

Then the other guest came walking up and spoke, “He doesn’t speak your language but he does appreciate your attention to him. Tell me anything that you want him to know. My name is John and his is Fred.”

Big Mac was impressed again. This (Twilight said he was a ‘Man’) Man was nearly as tall as Fred. “Howdy, I’m Big Mac.”

The sergeant trotted up just then with the squad in tow, “And I’m Sergeant Swift Trail.” The sergeant quickly formed a column with herself, John, and Big Mac in the lead followed by Fred and the squad. They marched by the main house and some storage barns. Over the hill and past several planted fields they came to a solitary barn.

“This barn and hayfields are yours for as long as you need them.” Big Mac turned and headed back to his chores.

“Doesn’t say much, does he?” John observed.

“That was probably his longest speech of the month,” the sergeant replied. “Let’s see what we have to work with here. The Princess can send or make anything else we need so start a list.”

“Let’s talk while we walk,” John said. “Big Mac is the first pony that I’ve got a good look at. All the Guard are in uniform and the Princess was just too distracting during the few minutes she was around. He seems to have a solid body color with a contrasting mane and tail. Do all of you follow that pattern?”

“With a few notable exceptions, like Zebras, yes,” the sergeant replied.

“Then your pattern of gray green body with red and gold striped mane and tail make absolute sense to me,” John declared. “And your name is perfectly descriptive. Are ponies generally so appropriately styled?”

“It’s part of our magic, John,” the sergeant explained. “Do you see that mark on my flank? That’s my cutie mark. Mine is a trail disappearing towards the horizon with a wind blowing down it. That’s my name and my talent which makes me perfect for Guard duty. We get them when we come of age. Can I assume that you don’t have one? And why do you stay covered up all the time?”

“No, I don’t,” John replied. “And I wear clothes because about seventy five percent of the hair on my body is what you can see on my head. Naked skin is too sensitive to both heat and cold so protection is needed. When we have a comfortable indoor place arranged I will wear a lot less.”

This got the sergeant’s attention. “I’m looking forward to that and I want a closer look at those hands some day. I wonder just what you can do with them.”

John just smiled from ear to ear, “Be very careful what you wish for sergeant.”

"How are you doing, Bud?" Celestia inquired.

"I remember Swift Trail. She was my first and best friend in Equestria. She taught me more about what it means to be a pony than all of the learned scholars put together. . . . How is she these days?"

"Welcome back, John. I'm glad to see you again," Celestia smiled. "I am afraid that Swift Trail has gone on from this world. We made our little pact a little over four hundred years ago."