John Sampson Returns Chapter Three

“Your Majesty?”

I turn and find I am being addressed by a Crystal Pegasus in a Royal Guard uniform.

“Yes. And ‘Sir’ or ‘Major’ also work.”

The Corporal replies, “Yes, Sir. I am here to be your guide. Where would you like to go?”

“I think I’d like to see Cadance first.”

“Yes, Sir. Just follow me.”

“And Corporal, if it’s practical, I’d love to fly. In fact, we can even take a sightseeing route.”

The Corporal springs into the air getting about twenty yards of altitude with his first sweep. I launch off right behind him to about ten yards more altitude. He looks around and takes off for altitude beside the castle. Then I notice something very interesting. There are white spots under his wings and he has white feet.

We circle the Castle in an expanding spiral one time then a contracting spiral one time to end at a large balcony on the side of the Castle. When we land on the balcony, the Corporal comes in fast and lands light. He must have some exceptional wing strength.

He has my attention, “Corporal, what is your name?”

“Sam Apple, Sir.”

“And those white spots I see on your side go across your back under your uniform, don’t they?”

“Yes, Sir. But how did you know?”

“Look at me, Sam. It’s called ‘Tobiano coated’ and I brought it to Equestria. There’s no doubt, we’re related. Now, how do we find Cadance.”

Behind me a sweet voice says, “We turn around and look up.”

I meet Cadance in the middle of the balcony.

“Cadance Darling, I have missed you. We have a lot to talk about.”

We rub cheeks, necks, as I wrap my wings around her and pull her close. Her scent is intoxicating.

Whispering in her ear, “How much did Twilight tell you?”

“She told me she was adding to the Royal Herd.”

I feel some wing movement.

“Did she tell you I’m here to offer you the same?”

Oh yeh, we have serious wing movement.

“Why, John?”

“I have two very good reasons. One, I’ve just spent more than four hundred years regretting missing my first chance to found a herd. Two, I’m taking indisputable charge of the Royal Herd.”

Yep, full wing boner.

“How long will it take you to be ready, Cadance?”

“About half a day.”

“Perfect. I have some banking business to attend. After dinner we can dance by the light of the moon and our magic will reflect all through the Crystal Palace.”

And now we have tail too.

“Did Twilight tell you it only took her a day to settle?”

“Are you serious?”

“Yep. At least one of us is awfully fertile.”

There is a scent now too. I’m nibbling a little ear when a loud thud intrudes.

A very shaken Corporal exclaims, “Pardon me, Sir. I must go now.”

Sighing, I say, “Very well. Be back here after lunch. Dismissed.”

Giggling, Cadance remarks, “I think we disturbed your young herd member. He ran square into the doorpost.”

“It’s probably for the better. I was thinking of not waiting until tonight.”

“We don’t have to, you know.”

“No, I want to give you my very best when it counts. Let’s have some lunch and serious talk.”

We move to her private kitchen and settle in to wait for lunch.

I open with, “How much has Twilight told you about Celestia?”

Somberly, Cadance replies, “She’s told me that you’ve tried everything imaginable and Celestia still refuses to work with you at all.”

“It’s worse than that, Cadance. Celestia will not yield the slightest hint of control. Twilight hides her own strength and beauty to avoid threatening Celestia. Wanna talk about why you stay out of there?”

“No, it would sound too much like an echo.”

“What I have done is won the complete allegiance of the Royal Guard and the Ponies of Equestria. The sun has been begging me to take over since the first demon battle. The Noble Herds remember me as the Pony that gave everything to rescue them from the demons and my own herd occupies a significant percentage of the administrative positions in Equestria. That leaves the Royal Herd. You, me, and Twilight represent most of the power of the Royal Court. Once we are consolidated, I can make choices for Celestia.”

“Do you think she’ll respect any of them?”

“Do you think she’ll have a choice? Worst case, I could turn her into an Earth Pony and put her out to pasture. What I need you and Twilight for is to rule Equestria in a calm and orderly transfer.”

“John, she is not going to quietly cooperate.”

“She’s going to have one last chance but when she doesn’t take it, I am going to have to do something creative out of respect for Luna. How would you feel if I moved the capital of Equestria to here? There is plenty of vacant land south of here. A few rail roads, a few highways, some dams and canals, and we could have a very prosperous ‘New Canterlot’. Or there’s even more open land west of Canterlot. We could start from scratch.”

“What about the sun? Celestia could do enormous damage with it.”

“The first thing I will do is cut her off from it for that very reason. It’s one of the reasons I’m doing this. Equestria doesn’t need an insane pony wielding that much power.”

Lunch arrives and it is something I haven’t seen in a very long time, catfish and potatoes with a large salad bowl. I don’t talk much for a little bit.

“Cadance, I have something to show you. It will explain some things and you will want to see it anyway.”

I call Shining’s letter out and pass it to her. I think she reads it about eight times.

“Can I keep this, John?”

“As soon as I get back from the bank, yes. And I miss him too. He was the good one among us.”

“John, do you think Swift’s prediction is accurate?”

“Celestia signed over about ten percent of what I left and told me Swift squandered the rest. You got to see more of the terrible trio in action than I did. What do you think?”

“I think you can afford to build ‘New Canterlot’ out of pocket change and finance the economy of ‘New Equestria’ too.”

“I hope you’re right, in fact, I’m counting on it.”

“And if you’re wrong?”

“We’re talking about Ponies here. They’ll bring their own economy with them. And I think you’ll agree that I have some heavy construction talents of my own, as does Twilight. But we’ll know in just an hour or so.”

The young Corporal is waiting for me on the balcony.

I smile, “Hello, Corporal Sam. Ready for some more introduction to the Royal Herd?”

“Sir?” with confusion.

“You’re running with the big Ponies now, son. You’re going to have to stretch a little to keep up.”

“I don’t understand, Sir.”

“Okay. Let’s go to the main bank and while we are waiting for them to do their job, I’ll explain it to you.”

“Yes, Sir. Follow me, Sir.”

Launching from the balcony, we glide down circling the Castle nearly halfway around before landing in front of a large, angular building with an arched door. Corporal Sam leads the way inside to a row of desks.”

He announces, “Prince John here to see the bank manager.”

The young Unicorn mare behind the desk answers, “The manager is in a meeting right now but I will get her,” and starts off.

“Wait,” I command, “Get somepony to confirm my identity while we wait.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

She stops at an office to pick up another Unicorn before they both disappear down a hallway toward the back of the bank. Seconds later the second Unicorn emerges bearing a large binder. When I realize where she is headed, I move to meet her at a large table. I turn to make my cutie easy to see as she opens the binder.

She asks, “About when did you register, Your Majesty?”

I reply, “About four hundred years ago.”

She blinks, “Did you say ‘four hundred years’?”

“Yes, I did.”

“This book only goes back about two hundred and fifty years. I’ll have to go get the first book.”

As she goes back to exchange books, I turn to Corporal Sam, “Pay attention, Sam. A big chunk of your history is about drop in front of you, At the front of this next book will be Swift Trail, Civil Hassler, Almost Rich, and me.”

This time three mares emerge from the hall. The addition is a heavyset Earth pony with an obvious Tobiano coat. She takes one good look at me and starts scolding the two Unicorns.

As she approaches the table, “I’m sorry for the delay, Your Majesty. One wall of the hall we just came out of is called ‘Founders Wall.’ You are on it and neither of them recognized you.”

I nod, “But it doesn’t matter. There will be information in that book that we need to conduct my business here.”

We open the book to the first page and there’s Swift, Civil, Rich, and Shining. The second page is all me.

“It says here that the north vault is mine and that I should have a key to fit it. Just what is ‘the north vault’?”

“It’s a heavily protected room, Your Majesty. We don’t know what’s in it because it hasn’t been opened in more than three hundred years.”

I call the key Shining left me and say, “Well then, let’s go open it and see.”

We set off in a parade across the lobby and back to a different, short hall. Several very heavy doors let off of this hall and we go to the very last one. My key fits a keyhole in this door and turns but nothing else happens.

I order, “Everypony step back. There’s obviously a magic lock too and I need to examine things to find it.”

It’s a common vault door with multiple bolts moved by a single bar attached to the handle. It could be blocked by a heavy bar attached to the key mechanism but that has moved. I keep looking and find another spring loaded bar with no connection to anything else blocking the end of the main bar. This is looking familiar. I pull the extra bar back and lift the handle.

As the door swings open, I say, “That was almost expected.”

I cast a light inside and see a stack of boxes, several empty shelves, and a table with a large binder on it. I bring the binder out and close the door behind me.

“Let’s go back to a well lighted table so we can examine this.”

We don’t have to go all the way back to the first table. As I examine my find, I realize that what I have isn’t a book, it’s a book shaped box with a locked clasp holding it closed. There’s no keyhole but I’m getting used to manipulation locks like the one on the door. It turns out that’s what this is but at a whole different level. It has a common enough lock cylinder operating the mechanism but the keyhole is pointed right at the hinge pin so there is no way to get a key in it. There are also several different warding spells and another of those thousand year stasis spells.

After a few minutes of serious concentration, I get all the tumblers right at the same time and clasp pops open. The expected book is inside . . . and a letter.

Swift writes, “Hello, John. Equestria has been positively boring without you. I seems like when you took the demons out of Equestria, most of the greed and crime went with them. I moved to the Crystal Empire with Shining after Celestia started throwing public tantrums at me. I so wish you had taken her with the demons.

“We have foals, his and yours. Civil and Rich have visited the farm and come back with foals also. In a few years the Crystal Empire will have a strong nucleus of our herd. Cadance has been wonderful to us. Take care of her and give her a lot of what she wants.

“The binder contains a list of your wealth. Each page lists one major asset with the management company that is maintaining it for you and the trust that receives the income. Trusts are detailed in the back of the binder. Trust administrators are instructed to buy more hard assets when the cash account grows beyond a certain size. Rich assures me that if this system is left in place long enough, you will own Equestria outright. I think this may be a small exaggeration but I don’t know how long you plan to be gone.

“The ‘terrible trio’ all send their love. Cadance and Shining are missing you too. By the time you read this the Crystal Empire should be full of your descendants and I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you.

“I wish you the best of luck with Celestia. That pony needs some serious fixing.

“Your First Mare, Swift,” followed by her signature mark.

I stood there for a few minutes, lost in what might have been, when, “Are you alright, Your Majesty?” from Corporal Sam.

“Yes, as alright as I’m going to get.”

Lifting the binder, I leaf through and find it as Swift described for hundreds of pages. I offer it to the bank manager.

“Take this and make at least three copies as soon as possible. I’ll seal the original back in the vault when you are done. You can use the copies to update and verify everything. I expect it to take weeks and I expect you to have to hire help. Remember that I can set up teleports for you to speed things.”

“I’ll have it back to you within the hour, Your Majesty.”

All three mares rush off for that main hall and disappear. I set the letter on the table in front of Sam.

“Read it, Sam. It contains your past and your future. When you are done, we will find a comfortable place to wait and have that explanation I owe you.”

It takes him a couple of minutes so he’s studying it.

“I’m done, Sir, but I don’t think I understand what you mean.”

“I didn’t expect you to understand instantly. There’s a lot of other knowledge needed. I remember a ring of bean bags near the center of the lobby. Let’s go there and have a real conversation.”

We go there and I get comfortable but Sam is nervous.

“Sit, Sam. Be comfortable. This is a herd matter, not Court or Guard. And call me ‘John’.”

“Yes, Sir,” as he settles down.

Starting off, I ask, “Do you have any pressing questions?”

He looks puzzled, “I understand the history part of it, every one of those names appears in my lineage. There are two names missing but I’m guessing that she just assumes you already know them. Then she says ‘our herd’. Can you sort the lines out for me?”

“First, there’s only one name missing, ‘Fred’. When she says ‘visit the farm’, she means Sweet Apple Acres and one of the residents, Fred, a foundation stallion of our herd. That’s where the ‘Apple’ in your name comes from. Second, the other name you are missing is ‘Bud’, a foundation mare of our herd and also resident of Sweet Apple acres. Bud isn’t named in the letter because the letter is addressed to Bud.”

After a long silence, “But, Sir, the letter isn’t just addressed to you, it was sealed and protected so only you could receive it.”

“That is is correct. So only one possibility is left, I’m Bud. Sam, when you get to my level of magic, anything is possible. Would you like to see Bud?”

“That letter is four hundred years old. How would that be possible?”

“I’m four hundred and sixty five years old. Fred is nearly that old.”

“Okay, show me.”

I changed into my Bud body and I’ll give Sam credit, he didn’t jump completely off the cushion.

“Fast Freddie, my youngest, will be four this spring. Fred is shopping for new farm mare while I resume my Royal duties. Now ask yourself how all of this matters to Sam.”

I resume my A-Pony body and Sam looks more puzzled than ever.

Sam speculates, “You are telling me much I didn’t know about my herd and history. I believe every word because I can see things like the Tobiano coat. But the future part of it confuses me even more now.”

“My coat isn’t all you inherited, Sam. You have my magic too, you feel it in your wings. When ordinary Pegasi reach their limit, they’re done. You can reach down and call up more. When you want to launch instead of just take off, you can reach down and feel the power flowing through your legs to repel the ground. Do you feel it pushing you when you want to fly faster yet?”

A startled Sam nods, “All of that. What does it mean?”

“The strength flowing to your muscles is Earth pony magic. Pushing against the world is levitation, Unicorn magic. And, of course, you have Pegasus flight magic. What kind of pony uses all three kinds of magic? Second question, why did Cadance choose you to meet me?”

“Are you telling me that I’m an Alicorn like you?”

“Nope. You’re a potential Alicorn at this moment. You have a lot of work in front of you before you can ascend and be like me. But in several hundred years you might even be stronger. I want you to ascend as soon as you can because by then I’ll be bored silly attending the sun every day and welcome the help.”

A very incredulous Sam asks, “Are you telling me that I could be a god?”

“You are my blood, Sam. You have exactly as much potential as I did at your age but you have one big advantage, you have a teacher. By the way, you are going to find out that gods live in ordinary Pony bodies and have ordinary Pony faults.”

“When will this happen?”

“It starts today if you choose this path. Ascension isn’t a gift, it’s an accomplishment at the end of a long process. It works like any other magic, you focus your will and you pursue the things that carry you towards your goal. It will be nearing completion when your head itches.”

“When my head itches? Why would that matter?”

“Your horn will be sprouting. We will have to have you ready before that happens. Coming into a horn with adult strength is dangerous. And your wings are going to get a lot bigger. You’re not going to believe how hungry you’ll get.”

Sam is worried now, “What is this going to do to my life?”

“Right now, you will be assigned as my aide and travel with me. If you have any relationships, they may get lost. Long term, you will become part of the Royal Herd and will mostly associate with other Alicorns.”

Sam is confused again, “Why only associate with other Alicorns?”

“Sam, I was heartbonded with Swift Trail and Applejack before I knew that ascension was possible. I loved them more than myself. Then circumstances forced me to take a small four hundred year nap. I’m here and they are all dead and dust for more than three hundred years. It hurts, Sam, it hurts a lot.”

“I understand and you have my sympathy. How long Alicorns usually live?”

“We don’t know, none have died yet. Alicorns are functionally immortal but there has to be a limit somewhere.”

The bank manager had walked up behind me during the last of our conversation. She has my book balanced on her back so I lift it off and float it in front of me.

“I assume this means you have your copies so I’ll put this back in the vault. Come on, Sam.”

We rise and head for the table with the book box.

Sam has a new curiosity, “How did you know she was behind you and holding the book?”

“Look at my eyes, Sam. I can’t see through my own backside but I can see everywhere else. It’s one of the many perks.”

“Will I get eyes like that sometime in the ascension?”

“Nope. What you will get is the ability to modify your own body to suit yourself. If you really want the eyes, I can give them to you right now but you probably want to keep your Pony eyes for tonight. There’s going to be a show after dark. It’s one of the big perks. Can you get to one of the observation towers?”

Sam replies, “I can do that. What kind of show is this going to be?”

“If you have a marefriend, bring her. Cadance and I are going to finish what you saw started earlier today.

“Then why would we need to be in a tower?”

“Alicorn mating is called ‘cloud dancing’ for a reason. There will be a lot of magic thrown around too.”

The book is back in the box and the box is back in the vault. I seal the door and turn to Sam.

“I have been wondering, where does the guard get breakfast around here? I like to eat at zero five hundred.”

“There’s a mess in the basement.”

“Good. Pick me up in Cadance’s quarters at zero four forty five. For the duration of breakfast, I will be ‘John’, no rank, no title. It’s everypony’s chance to be a friend or express themselves.”

“We’ve had a few transfers from Canterlot. Your legend is known here.”

We pass by the row of desks and make our goodbyes with the bankers. Taking off, I quickly climb to enough altitude to have an overview of the Empire as Sam struggles to keep up.

I explain, “I want to remember the general layout and note any special hazards before the sun goes down.”

Sam points out, “Remember the Crystal Heart blocks the center of the passage under the Castle and look out for the stadium, the field is lower than grade and creates an optical illusion.”

I reply, “Thank you. That’s useful. If you decide to make this aide job permanent, you will be living with me. I can transport wagon loads with relative ease so pack anything personal you may need. You’ll be sleeping in Royal quarters and Royal piles will be common. You can bring friends to breakfast too and if I like them, I might ask them to stay.”

We glide back down to the big balcony. It faces the right direction. I could be raising the sun from here before too long.

Sam asks, “Are you alright from here?”

“Yes. You are dismissed. Think on your choices and I’ll be looking for you on the tower.”

Sam launches again and begins his glide to the Square. I head up the hall for the Royal quarters.

“Hello, Cadance. What’s for dinner? Lunch was a very pleasant surprise.”

Laughing, Cadance replies, “Twilight did say that you have a stomach fetish. It’s your old favorite, smoked salmon on rice. I want you loaded with protein.”

Laughing myself, “You’re serious about this foal.”

“We screwed up and blew four hundred years of chances to attain heaven in Equestria. That is not going to happen again.”

“Here’s the letter, Cadance and another like it. Take care of them for me, please.”

We groom and nuzzle until dinner is announced. Seated side by side, we tease and play through the food. When the food is gone, the teasing intensifies. Cadance noses inside my hind leg.

“My that is a fine pair you have, John.”

I nose her tail aside and get most of my tongue into her slit.

“And you have an excellent place to empty them.”

She squeals and jumps across the room. I stretch to my full height and rumble as I step toward her. She breaks and runs out the door as I trot easily behind her. Running up the hall, she scatters staff and guardponies. Yep, she’s headed for the balcony. Cadance launches into flight as she clears the balcony door. I pause for a second on the balcony to let my eyes adjust to the night and note Sam, a large middle aged Pegasus mare with Tobiano coat, and several young Ponies standing to the side. I smile and launch straight up at full thrust angling to follow Cadance.

Sweeping along, I ease up behind and below Cadance. I get close enough to lift her tail when she squeals and banks hard right. I loop over her course and accelerate until I can drop in front of her. This time she banks left and dives. We loop around the Castle and towers. Every window and balcony is occupied. I detect a pattern in her loops so I skip the next loop and shoot ahead. Wham! I’ve got her. My front legs are firmly locked around her barrel just behind her ribs. Her wings lock out to glide mode and I take over the flying, lifting us to altitude directly over the Castle. I get a mouthful of mane for leverage and feel her tail against the outside of my right hind leg. My erection is probing her backside and feeling moisture. Now I feel winking against the front of my glans so I curl my hips sliding my erection up and in. Circling over the Castle, I thrust and our horns light. Our magic intertwines, shining with a light that overshadows the moon and bounces through the crystals of the city. My flare is stretching her and I feel that soft bump I need. As my flare fits over her cervix, my seed rushes through me and into her depths. Our magic peaks as we sing our common song of triumph into the skies.

And I am spent. I carefully separate myself from Cadance, being sure she is ready to fly herself. We glide, wingtip to wingtip, around and around the Castle to the sound of applause and cheering. Finally, we land back on the large balcony and stand at the rail, basking in the happiness of our Ponies.

I suggest, “How about tomorrow around lunch time? Everypony can take time from work to get a great view of the show in the bright daylight.”

Cadance grins, “I didn’t know you were an exhibitionist?”

“I’m not. I just want all of Equestria to know for certain that the Royal Herd is healthy and strong no matter what they may hear to the contrary. Though I’ve got to admit that as the biggest stallion in Equestria, I don’t mind advertising.”

Back in quarters we have a nice shower together and I instruct the staff to wake me with tea at zero four hundred. Wrapped in each others’ wings we drift off as an ideal two pony pile.