John Sampson's Story

I’m coming down from the adrenalin and anger of mortal combat with a demon. I look back and realize how much skill and how much luck went into my victory. The proportion is frightening. I need something calm and ordinary.

“AJ, I think, in the interest of good manners and public relations, that I best stop by Ponyville and apologize for breaking windows. I should probably pay for them too. I’ll just fly there and teleport back to pick you up.”

AJ is concerned, “How many times have you teleported?”

“Counting this time, five. This will be the longest too.”

“I think I’ll ride with Twilight.”

“Chicken.”

“Smart.”

Twilight is ready to leave and shows me the location of the Town Square. We pop in and the place is deserted. There is some broken glass and minor damage but not a pony to be seen.

“Well. . . The Weather Office is our next stop anyway so let’s ask them where everypony is.”

We can hear the answer before we see it. Rounding the corner we see solid ponies filling the streets around the weather office. They’re all mad about something.

Twilight looks at me, “You’re own your own, big colt.”

I go back up the street a little and levitate to get above the buildings. There I spread my wings and sweep a few times. Circling the Weather Office I aim for a landing on the platform on the top of the building. I can’t, it’s too crowded and no pony is moving. I circle and build some speed, coming in hot this time. At the last second I cup and sweep hard. I’m controlling my altitude with levitation so there’s no danger of a crash but several ponies are blown against the railing leaving me enough room for a vertical landing.

A very excited Rainbow Dash comes running up, “What do you mean coming in hard like that? You could have crashed and hurt somepony!”

I smile, “What do you mean getting so distracted that you don’t even notice a giant economy sized Alicorn hovering just over your head? Given that I’ve come to rescue you, you might want to work on the manners a little.”

I walk over to the rail and look down on the crowd.

“Your attention please, Mares and Stallions.”

They’re still waving and hollering.

A little louder, “Attention Please!”

No change.

I turn it up to full volume, “QUIET!”

You could hear a pin drop.

“Thank you. I believe you are here because of damage to your homes and properties in Ponyville caused by a large sonic boom. I apologize for that. A demon had taken one of the Royal Mares captive and I was on my way to battle the demon. The last time I saw him he was burning up in the sun so that part of it worked out rather well. I will authorize the bank in Ponyville to pay every receipt for repairs submitted. It is well worth it to get my mare back whole and happy. Please tell your friends and neighbors that aren’t here right now. Thank you.”

I step back from the railing and Rainbow looks at me, “You can’t be serious. What really happened?”

I look back, “Twilight and AJ are right over there behind that building. You can ask them.”

She won’t give it up, “No, it isn’t possible for an Alicorn to break the sound barrier. That would be like winning a race pulling a freight wagon.”

I am getting a little tired of the lack of manners and being contradicted.

“Rainbow, have you looked at the damage? I was way supersonic when I went by here.”

Rainbow is determined, “No, it just isn’t possible for anypony with that much wing to get near supersonic. It would tear them off.”

“His Majesty John Sampson hereby challenges Rainbow Dash to a race to determine once and for all who is the fastest flier.”

“What? What did you say?”

“It’s a race, child. I’ll bet you can’t even keep up with me. What would you care to lose in a bet.”

“How about if I win you have to come work for me for a day?”

“And if I win? Because I don’t think it would be fair to my ponies to have you sitting Court for them.’

“How about I come to the Castle and do your wings for you once a week for a month?”

I've got to rub it in, “You sure you’re up to job that big?”

I open my wings to their full spread to emphasize the point.

Rainbow gulped, “Yeh, sure.’

“Where do you want to race to? How about Dodge City and back?”

Rainbow is worried, “That’s a long race.”

“My problem is that I need altitude and isolation or I’m going to break more windows.”

“OK, We’ll start at the railroad track south of Ponyville and go around the tower of the old castle and back. First one to cross the railroad after rounding the tower wins.”

“First to cross the railroad at the starting point, the first bridge south of Ponyville. Who can we get for a judge? Twilight?”

“How about the Wonderbolts?”

“How long will it take to get them here?”

“Maybe fifteen minutes.”

“Hurry.”

I am making side bets when Twilight and AJ come up to see what is taking so long. I explain and . . .

“John, please say you didn’t. That is just cruel.”

“I tried to talk her out of it but she just had to prove something.”

AJ is laughing and my side bets have suddenly dried up.

A few minutes later Rainbow comes back accompanied by a group of very athletic looking Pegasi.

“Your Majesty, Rainbow informs us that you would like us to verify that you are the first supersonic Alicorn.”

I laugh, “Rainbow missed the mark a little. I would think that the damage behind you would represent some kind of evidence but I don’t need anypony’s verification. What I need is a judge for a little bet we have going. It’s a simple race. From the railroad bridge south of Ponyville around the old castle and back. First to complete the course wins. Anypony that thinks they can compete is welcome to join on the same terms as Rainbow. Just one very important detail. Stay out of my way. Anypony as big as me and moving that fast is going to have one hell of a vortex. I don’t want anypony getting hurt for a game.”

“We’ll be glad to fly along with you and verify that you’ve made the course. . . .”

“Damned, does some kind of mental condition run in Pegasi? You can’t keep up with me. Don’t bother trying. I want ponies stationed at the old castle to verify that all contestants make the turn and more at the railroad bridge to record the order that the contestants cross the finish line. Understand?”

“Yes, Your Majesty, but it just isn’t possible for anypony with wings the size of yours to get any great speed. . .”

“I’m tired of this repetitious idiocy. New bet. I’m leaving off the top deck in one minute. Anypony that dreams of competing can be on the platform or in the air. All you have to do is keep up with me for five minutes and you win. Simple and easy.”

That led to lots of discussion and agitated movement. Most go up but to watch or wait I don’t know.

The minute is nearing an end. Standing in the center of the platform, I launch straight up at maximum thrust. I’m sweeping but it’s more for looks than effect. It looks like a swarm of bees pursuing me. Leveling out at altitude, I wait for them to catch up. Soon the whole swarm is buzzing around me. I head south and start sweeping for real. I gain speed quickly but they’re all keeping up. Good. I add in thrust and some of them begin to trail behind me. Cranking up the thrust some more brings me to where the wind begins to hurt so I put up my shield and look around. About half of them are gone. Time to get serious. I tuck and put on more thrust. In a few seconds I feel that bump and the world goes silent. Three of them are still with me. Show time. Full thrust doubles my speed and leaves the Pegasi far behind. I do a loop and come up behind the Pegasi and blow by them. Just to rub it in, I fly a literal ring around them.

Point made, I get in front of them and slow down, eventually dropping all the way to a hover.

“Is there anything else you’d like to see?”

A very subdued Rainbow says, “No, Your Majesty. I just want to know how you do it.”

“It’s the horn, child, the horn. I’m mixing winged flight and high power levitation together.”

One of the other Pegasi says, “I didn’t know you could do that.”

So I fold my wings and just float there in front of them.

I say, “Wings are far more fun and I’d rather just soar. But it is useful to be able to get somewhere in a hurry sometimes and part of the reason I won that battle with the demon was because I made a dramatic enough entrance that most of his helpers ran away. Let’s go back.”

The trip back was subsonic and we actually collected a few dogged pursuers. A crowd was waiting in the air and on the ground.

Rainbow steps out in front of the crowd, “It’s official. I’m going to be doing his wings for the next month. But it’s worth it to see him go by me like I’m sitting still even when I’m supersonic. I’d give anything to see that from his point of view.”

I’m on that, “Did I hear you say ‘anything’?”

Rainbow is confused, “I thought you had to have a horn to do that?”

“You do. But I heard you say you wanted to ‘see’. All you need for ‘see’ is to be a passenger.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You got any of those rescue harnesses? Think one of them might fit me? We could just strap you to my chest and go for a ride. You’d fit within my legs even tucked. That would be important because part of going that fast is a shield to keep the wind under control. Anything outside of the shield will get burned off.”

“Would you really do that for me?”

“It’s what I should have done from the beginning because it’s a lot safer and less antagonistic way of proving the point. Now what’s ‘anything’?”

I ended up getting my wings done once a month for a year as a cumulative prize. It took two harnesses together to fit me but we got it done. Twilight helped with the fitting while AJ looked on laughing.

“AJ, you should take the next ride. It’s a great feeling to be free among the clouds.”

“There’s no earth for the Earth pony so it’s not for me.”

Rainbow’s weight is negligible but I have to be careful walking so I solve the problem by going up the stairs gliding pony. That gets a reaction all by itself. On the platform I wrap Rainbow in my magic and launch straight up with medium thrust.

From underneath me, “Oh yeah. That’s a takeoff.”

“That was not maximum acceleration. I don’t want to risk breaking the straps.”

I climb to altitude with several Pegasi following. Leveling off, I turned south again and start ratcheting up the thrust. I put the shield up and check with Rainbow.

“How’s the wind down there?”

“Not bad. I’d rather feel it though.”

“Not when the speed gets serious, you wouldn’t. We won’t be able to talk at mach so thump my ribs if you have a problem. Ready?”

“Ready!”

I tuck and crank the thrust to high while increasing my personal speed also. The familiar bump passes and I kick even more thrust in. I loop around and blow by our escort just for fun. I lose some altitude and pick up the river going south. The landscape is rushing by at spectacular rate as I follow the twists and turns of the river. When we get south of Appleloosa I turn and follow the Macintosh hills weaving through a couple of peaks. I curve back north around the end of the forest and kick in even more thrust as we head home. The old castle passes in a blink and I start dumping speed over the Everfree. By the time we get to the river we’re subsonic.

“How we doing down there?”

“Wowee! I like this.”

An escort has joined us by the time I sight the landing platform. Twilight is waiting and unbuckles Rainbow.

Rainbow is wound tight, “We flew the length of the Macintosh hills in seconds! Wow, this stallion is fast!”

I’m grinning, “Congratulations, Rainbow, you can now tell everypony that you are the first Pegasus to go for a hypersonic bellyride on the Royal Stallion. I might take others later but right now, I need food. I’ve burned a lot of energy today and I might hurt anypony that gets between me and food.”

Twilight asks, “How would you feel about a hayburger?”

I respond, “Very annoyed. Make it a dozen and I might calm down.”

We stop at the bank first and I get them lined up on paying damage claims. Some of them had been at the ‘gathering’ anyway but I want to make it official. After the three of us order fifteen hayburgers, the filly taking the order asks how long before the rest of our party arrives. I tell her that demon killing makes Alicorns really hungry so she has to go talk to her boss. I order six more after those are gone and she looks under the table to see if I am hiding any. The world has officially returned to normal.

“Mares, I am ready to go home. I need my band.”

Twilight shows me the location for our tower and we go there. Cadance and Shining are already there.

Spike says, “About time. Swift sent word she would be here with Civil as soon as she can get some Guard to watch all the mares in your old barn.”

I wrap everypony into one big wing hug.

I’m thinking about crying, “It is so good to be home with my herd and not have to worry about what may happen next.”

Wouldn’t you know, about then Swift and Civil pop in so I pull them into the herd hug.

“Swift, honey, I’m sorry for throwing you back into the work so fast but so many things have been happening.”

Swift smiles up at me, “You did exactly the right thing, John. After being a slave the best thing that could happen was to be back in control. We’ll have to go inspect all the mares tomorrow. I think a bunch of them will do nicely in the Guard.”

Yes! My Swift is back, “I was hoping for that. It’ll make life a lot easier in a hurry.”

Civil spoke up, “I guess it’s safe for me to go home now.”

I turn to AJ, “What do you think of that?”

AJ replies, “To get some personal items?”

Facing Swift, “How about you?

Swift is blunt, “Hell yes.”

“Cadance, you’ve spent some time. . .”

Cadance is measured, “Not enough for a final decision but more than enough for an invitation. Yes.”

“Civil, you can always sleep anywhere you feel comfortable. Just understand that our nightly pile is on that list. You can live here or in any of the many places we own without reservation but we would be happiest if you would stay with our herd and band.”

Civil is crying, “John, I’ve lived for years with the ‘Noble Herds’ and you cannot imagine how different your herd is. Hell no I’m not going anywhere else.”

We have a random dinner because some of us have eaten already and some have not and I just want more. Sleeping takes organization. I get in the center of the pad and raise my wings. AJ nestles against my right side and Civil against my left. Twilight is next to AJ and extends her wing across my back. Cadance is next to Civil with Shining on her other side. She covers Shining with one wing and extends the other to meet Twilight’s wing over my back. Finally, Swift nestles against my chest and I curve my wings over the entire pile until the tips meet over Swift. Then I rest my cheek on Swift’s back. My herd is secure and I will protect them.

We are seated in Luna’s kitchen but something seems off about it. Oh, there’s no shadows so this is a dream.

“Hello, Luna. How are we doing tonight?”

“We be disturbed, Friend John. I worried about thou after the battle with the demon and tonight some of my worries seem justified.”

“It’s a stallion thing. After any battle there is a period of second guesses and what ifs that must be waded through.”

“My Dear Friend John, I am the Princess of Dreams. How could thou imagine that I might not know the nightmares of warriors.”

“The only real concern that I have is that I may have killed an innocent pony. I never even knew that a demon was possible until after Blueblood was dead. He might have been as much a victim as any of the mares.”

“Save thy concerns for somepony worthy. It be not possible to be both innocent and victim of a demon. A demon cannot force a pony to act against their essential nature. Blueblood had to welcome the demon at some point.”

“That’s good to know. I need to learn more about demons just in case. Hell, I need to learn more about everything.”

“Worry not Friend John. Thou hast many that love thou and will help thou. I must go now but I will see thou in the morrow.”

A small familiar voice is saying, “Zero four hundred, John.”

I raise my head and look. Yep, it’s Spike in the door. Straightening my wings a bit, I expose Swift and rub my cheek down her back and side. This is how life is meant to be. I have all the warm furry love around me that I could desire.

Swift says, “I’m awake, John.”

“I know but I just want as much of your scent as I can get. I missed you.”

“Let me up and we can go get tea.”

I lift my head and Swift slides off and heads for the door. I rise and lift my wings, walking carefully out of the pile. Toilet first then kitchen.

“Hello, Spike. I’ve been missing your tea.”

“Hello, John. I’ve been hearing stories about you.”

“If they’re funny ones, tell everypony else.”

Swift is scandalized, “Don’t encourage him. He was just telling how his sire can scare the crap out of a Minotaur with a look.”

“Oh well, then whatever you do, don’t tell him about the pissing Unicorn.”

Swift isn’t going easy, “What pissing Unicorn. I didn’t see a pissing Unicorn.”

I just grin, “I bet AJ did.”

My evil deed for the day done, we could get down to business.

“We want to find three good executive assistants and as many secretary/clerks as we can get. We’ll start with the mares though we may have to pull them from the bank or other businesses. We can also sort out some farm mares and leave them with Granny. How many do you think are Guard material?”

“I’d bet on fifteen but you’ll probably want some of them for clerks and I think two might make assistants. Who are the lucky recipients of the executive assistants?”

“Civil, you, and me.”

“You have me.”

You’ve been promoted, Darling.”

“What if I don’t want the promotion?”

“Don’t worry, you do. You’re lead for all of the non Alicorn mares in Canterlot. AJ leads the farm and Celestia leads the Alicorn mares.”

“John, I’m not sure I want to be trying to keep up appearances with a bunch of high society mares.”

“Swift, my love, they have to measure up to your standards. That’s why I want you as lead. If they think eye candy is enough to be one of my mares, you go all military on them. My goal is to eliminate the deadwood, send them to another stallion or retire them. You are now the number one mare in Canterlot outside of the Castle.”

Swift is adjusting, “But I don’t have to live with them?”

“You can live anywhere you want and play with anypony you want as long as you come home to me and bear my foals. The more you come home to me the happier I’ll be but the hard truth is that I have obligations to AJ, Twilight, Luna, and Celestia that cannot be ignored. The good news is that now I have the transportation to come home no matter how far away duty takes me.”

“John, I really liked our pile last night. I want to be part of that every time I possibly can.”

“So do I. It’s why I’m alive.”

“And me too. So I’ll help you deal with the politics and snobbery any way I can.” Civil has come in, in the middle of my conversation with Swift.

“You two are going to be together at least until all the changeovers are done. Swift is not only my lead mare, she’s a Royal representative and Guard. If anypony gets shitty, she can handle it herself, make arrests, or call down the wrath of Prince and Princess without question.”

Swift is nervous, “John, I’m not sure I want that kind of power.”

“I know, Honey. That’s why I’m giving it to you. The power already exists. Somepony will wield it. I trust you with it because you don’t want it for yourself. How do you think I got into this madness?”

Civil comes around the table and hugs me.

“Not that I’m mad or anything but what was that for?”

Civil smiles. “I’m beginning to understand you.”

Of course Twilight and AJ walk in right at this moment.

Twilight exclaims, “Hey, if there are going to be any test rides, we have to watch.”

“We’re heading out to the farm today. The only problem is that absolutely nothing will get done if we go romping in the pasture.”

Civil looks lost, “Wait a minute. You ponies are Royal with a whole Castle to play in and you go outdoors in a pasture for fun?”

I put on my best hurt look, “Civil, Darling, you can’t believe all the restrictions they put on me. I’ve already told you about soundproofing. Would you believe that I’m not allowed to play with Luna at night? So the only way to have real uninhibited fun is to get far away from everypony else. The chase is really fun too.”

Twilight isn’t sympathetic, “Don’t let him fool you. The Luna rule is because Celestia got woke up to find out why the stars were wobbling. But he’s right, the chase is half the fun. And I hear he has a date to go cloud dancing with Luna.”

“I’ve got a date to go to flight school with you. You need to be up on this supersonic Alicorn technique.”

We go to a normal breakfast then ‘port to the farm. Twilight gave me a bunch of locations so I can get around better now. AJ still doesn’t want to ride with me.

My old barn home is packed with mares. It’s a mixed herd but with a heavy preference for Unicorns. I’m levitating to about double height as I address them.

“Your attention please, I am Prince Major John Sampson, the Royal Herd Stallion and maybe your stallion. On my right is Duchess Captain Swift Trail, Royal Mare and possibly your Lead Mare.”

“Earth ponies can’t lead Unicorns,” from the herd.

“I see we are going to need a special group. Anypony that agrees with that please move over by the door.”

Eight mares went to the door.

I grin, “Anypony else? Be very sure.”

One more went.

I smiled big for this one, “Very good. Now I have a revelation for you. I’m an Earth pony. You may use that door and go anywhere you want.”

“Are you throwing us out?”

“Nope. You just declined the invitation to join my herd. No mare will be forced to do anything. What the rest of you have is an opportunity to apply for inclusion in my herd. You will be expected to work for the good of the herd and contribute more than just a warm body. Anypony that can’t or won’t work doesn’t need to hang around. On my left is Counselor Civil Hassler, manager for all the former Blueblood properties.

“Do we have any farm fillies here?”

We have five.

“How would you like to stay on this farm? This is Sweet Apple Acres, the largest apple farm in Equestria. If you stay here your lead will be Applejack, an Earth pony Royal Mare and Element Bearer.’

They all like the idea.

“Please wait in the corner over there.”

They all go there.

“Alright, do we have any management or secretarial staff here?”

A young Unicorn mare steps forward, “I was a branch manager for the bank. Civil Hassler should know me.”

Civil nods, “I do. How did you end up in here?”

She replies, “I complained about an established account disappearing and about thirty minutes later I was ordered to report for reassignment and didn’t find out that meant to brood mare until I was in the corral.”

I smiled big at that, “Consider that as proof that you are smarter than your former boss was. I was inquiring about some irregularities as a Royal investigator and inquired about my own account. That’s the established account that vanished. Civil, who do you think she fits best with?”

“She’s a pro and will work with anypony honest. Her name is Almost Rich. Swift needs her most.”

Do you prefer ‘Almost’ or ‘Rich’?”

“I’d rather be ‘Rich’.”

“Come on over here and get to know us before we decide.”

I let the mares work it out while I moved on.

“How many would be interested in a career in the Royal Guard?”

Eight step forward. All look young and healthy.

“Go wait with the farm fillies for now.”

That left five. I drop to the floor to get a better look at them. All look both haughty and delicate.

I choose one, “What’s your education?”

“I am Noble. I have been tutored by the best in charm and etiquette.”

All five are the same.

“What do you expect from me?”

Their spokesmare says, “We expect to be covered and kept in comfort while we bear you magnificent foals.”

“I don’t see a four band horn among you. None of you have the physical strength of a healthy foal. What can any of you do besides just stand there and get fucked?”

I should have known. That confused them.

“It takes two good lines to make one good foal. You are far too weak. Do any of you have a herd to go home to?”

They all managed to come up with somepony that would take them in which saves me a hard choice.

“Swift, you mares ready to go back to Canterlot?”

“Any time you are.”

“Good. Guardponies, raise you right front hoof. Repeat after me. I do hereby solemnly swear to beat the crap out of anypony that annoys Duchess Swift Trail.”

They all do.

“Congratulations. You are temporarily assigned to Prince John’s Royal Guard and will assist Duchess Swift in transporting the rejected mares to their destinations.

“Swift, drop the farm fillies with Granny on the way by the house then stop at the bank and draw enough bits to cover a weeks average food and lodging for each of the fourteen rejected mares. Give them the money and a rail ticket, one way, to anywhere in Equestria they desire. End by delivering the new Guardponies to Steel for training. I’ll get the list of names and cuties from you later. Civil and I are going to pay a call on the snake den.”

We left Swift with her new assistant and Guard squad. I had a quick stop to make locally.

“We’re going to say hello to Fred. Fred hasn’t seen me like this so his reaction should be priceless.”

We are walking toward the house when I spot Fred grazing in a field.

“That’s him over there. I’m sure you’ll notice the resemblance. That’s because my first equine body was a gift from Fred and I just like the colors.”

I took off and swung high to come back and hover over Fred.

“Hi, Fred.”

“How do you like the new look?”

I dropped down and hovered in front of him.

“Smartass. Think hard about this. I could give you part of this for your own use.”

“Because you could talk like everypony else instead of just mentally. You could talk to everypony else.”

“I know, Fred. But if something happens to me you would lose the chance forever. I want you to be happy even without me.”

“Thank you, Fred. I owe you now and forever.”

Fred bounces off across the pasture at that so I go back to Civil and we teleport to my apartment in the Guard sector. Civil rides with me so I finally got to bust that cherry. Steel is in his office and I explain what I have in mind. We walk out of the Castle and down to the front door of the bank to give Steel’s Guardponies time to get in place.

When we walk in the front door of the bank, everything stops. I do mean everything, noise, movement, everything.

I say, “We all know your CEO is permanently out of town so show me who’s in charge right now.”

There were some furtive movements in the back but not much else. On a hunch, I put a clear shield across the back door.

“Anypony can grow a brain and cooperate at any time. Until then everypony in this room can line up right here for inspection.”

“We don’t have to do that!”

“Do you know just how far out of town your ex boss is? I personally stuffed him into the sun. Yeh, I can do things like that, just like Celestia. The difference is that I have balls. I’m meaner. Now line up or I’ll line you up.”

Two of them make a break for the back door and hit with a solid ‘thud’. I scoop one up in each ‘hand’ and float them over to me. Then I realize they have a familiar cold slimy feel.

“Civil, please teleport to Colonel Steel and tell him to send some Guardponies to take charge of the prisoners.”

“But, Your . .”

“Now! Mare.”

As soon as she pops out they all stand up. I crank up max speed and strength then teleport both of the ones I have a hold of to the sun. The rest start toward me. I put a hard spherical shield around myself and start grabbing them and sending them to the sun. More are coming out of the back offices. They are weakening me whenever they can touch anything of mine, including my magic, and I can’t send them all out fast enough. It’s a long shot by why not? I open a continuous teleport to the sun and start shoving them into it. I hope help gets here soon. I’m down to four when suddenly everything gets very bright. The sun has come to me. Good. I may not survive but they damned sure won’t. I welcome the sun as I fade from consciousness.