John Sampson Returns Chapter Five

I really have to give Twilight credit. The balcony is back up and most of the other damage repaired. Ponies are organized and getting things done. Twilight is in the Throne Room with a big table in front of her. We rub and hug with great feeling.

Solemnly, I ask, “Have you done anything with Celestia’s Throne and Regalia?”

Twilight replies, “It’s all being packed up for storage. I’ll have her former quarters cleared before sun lowering.”

“That’s okay, I think I’d rather spend the night with you anyway. I’m going to need my Regalia made quickly, though. I can use the ‘sun suit’ for immediate needs but there are sure to be many state occasions in the works. Have you eaten lately?”

“No. You see that line of ponies over there? Those are runners. Grab one and tell him what you want.”

“Okay. Have you spoken to the Royal Secretary yet? And who makes the Regalia anyway?”

“I haven’t spoken with the Secretary, Tailor, or Jeweler.”

I step over to the line and, “First pony, go to the cafeteria and have a twenty pony buffet sent up with tables. Second, I need the Royal Secretary right here. Third, I need the Royal Tailor and fourth, the Royal Jeweler. Go!”

Going back to Twilight, “How long do you think we should allow for an official succession ceremony? I’d say at least a week but I would hate to go any longer than necessary.”

Twilight considers, then, “Two weeks. It will take more than a week for travel from some of our allies and they need a few days to prepare.”

Within a few hours I announcements drafted, a wardrobe ordered, regalia roughed out, and my Throne brought out and redecorated. In short, I am burying myself in the entrapments of government. Then I feel a call.

“Twilight, fifteen minutes. Has anypony seen Luna?”

Somepony answered that Luna was in her quarters so I head out of the Throne Room and toward the stairs on the other side. As I mount the stairs, I turn my ‘sun suit’ to full bright and step out onto the Balcony with five minutes to spare and just in time to see Luna step out on the other end. We nod to each other and wait. The moment comes and I reach out with my magic and embrace my Old Friend. With love and comfort I ease it below the horizon and open the sky for Luna. In moments it is done and I turn my sun raiment off. It’s then that I become aware of a sound. The courtyard below is filled with ponies and they are all applauding. I bow to them and go back down the stairs.

Twilight meets me in the Throne Room, “That was very good, John. We have made the most important part of the transition and our ponies have confidence in the future.”

“Twilight, I have thought about it and I’m going to have dinner with Luna. I need to talk with her about her sister and her own future. Today was hard on all of us but it must be worse for her.”

“I’ve made the same decision, John. I guess we can just go together.”

“Whenever you’re ready.”

As we cross the Throne Room to Luna’s quarters, I tell Twilight, “I have some unfinished business in the Crystal Empire that I may need your help with.”

Twilight is amused, “Oh? I would think that Cadance is settled by now so that can’t be it.”

“I have two strong candidates for apprenticeship. Both are Pegasi and one might be ready for a horn.”

“Now that could be very good. The Royal Herd is rather small these days,” Twilight is looking hopeful.

We enter Luna’s apartment through the side door and look around. Luna is in the main room just standing with her head down and ears limp. I move to her right while Twilight embraces her from the left. We interlace our wings over her and support her with our magic.

I speak softly near her ear, “Luna, My great Friend Luna, we are here for you. Whatever you want, whatever you need, just name it. More than that, accept our love and caring without limit.”

As softly on the other side, Twilight speaks, “Let me help you, Luna. I will hear your Court and can tend your moon for a night or two. You need time to rest and assimilate.”

Luna turns her head to look at me and quivers, “My sister is gone. All that is left is a foal. You did that.”

“Yes, Luna, I did. But I absolutely promise you that all of Celestia is still there. Celestia’s personality is badly broken so I put it into hibernation. All of her memories, good and bad, are still there, just walled off. I intentionally left as little personality as possible outside of the block. That’s Buddy. Her body is still Alicorn so she has as long as she needs to grow a new, healthy personality. When that personality is ready, I will reintegrate her two halves. It’s a slightly more complicated version of what I did to myself to recover from being burned out. You can see for yourself how much of me got lost.”

I see hope in Luna’s eyes now, “My Great Friend John, I’m sorry I doubted you. I think you are right that I need rest. "

From the other side Twilight says, “Luna, everything belonging to Celestia is being carefully packed and stored, ready for instant use when she returns. We are putting John into her place as quickly as possible not because we want to be rid of Celestia but because we need to uphold an image of strength and continuity in Equestria for our ponies and our enemies alike. All of the announcements and notices describe Celestia as on medical leave or medical retirement without any specifics. We are leaving it open for her to return on whatever terms best suit her whenever she comes out of it."

Luna is still sad, “Tell me truthfully, when she comes out better than new, will you be willing to relinquish power?” Her hope is tempered with worry.

I answered seriously, “By the time Celestia comes out, I plan to have a very different Royal Herd in place. Equestria is growing, gaining both size and prosperity. The days of putting the whole load of governance on a single individual are passed. That is what broke Celestia, the need to be perfect every time for so long with no chance for rest. We are going to expand the Herd and share the load. It was our plan, mine and Celestia’s, before she balked at the act of sharing power during the battle with the demons.”

Luna is becoming thoughtful, “I remember you telling me that I must get used to sharing more with the younger members as the Herd grew.”

Somberly, I elaborate, “It’s the reason that Celestia summoned me and has always been some part of the larger plan. I blame myself for the enthusiasm that I displayed when the demons took Swift. I pushed Celestia to the side in the heat of that battle and likely created the fear in her that I would continue pushing until she was out altogether. I can only plead that it was my first experience of using my primary talent and Alicorn powers together.”

Moving together, Twilight and I take Luna into her bedroom and settle us together on her pad. We lay there, cheek to cheek, and relax into sleep.

I am laying on a beanbag in Luna’s main room in my human body with Luna’s head in my lap. Luna is sleeping peacefully when Twilight walks in and looks around.

Twilight asks, “What is this, John?”

I smile, “Back in the beginning, when Luna had a fear of being seen too publicly intimate with a strange alien, we arranged to meet in dreams like this. We could groom and socialize for hours and she would relax and dream in my dream. The possibility of a paradox worried me at first but nothing bad ever happened. Now, I’m guessing that she feels secure and safe in here.”

Twilight nods, “I’m sure of that but how did I get involved?”

“Twilight, I don’t know. Maybe physical proximity? Maybe our bond? Maybe how Luna perceives us? Regardless, you’re a welcome addition. Get comfortable and see where it goes.”

I lay back flat as Twilight eases down beside Luna and lays her head on my chest. I gently stroke Twilight’s cheek and neck then fall asleep in my own dream.

“Zero four hundred, John.”

What? Spike has found us. I begin separating myself from Luna and Twilight as Twilight begins to stir on the other side of our pile.

Luna opens her eyes and looks at both of us, “Thank you very much, My Great Friends. You are exactly the friends I need right now.”

I stretch and, “Luna, there is tea in the kitchen and we are going to breakfast in the Guard cafeteria. You can go with us or go back to sleep. I will meet you on the balcony in an hour and change anyway.”

Passing through the toilet, I find Spike in the kitchen with a cup of heaven waiting for me. In a minute, Twilight joins us followed by Luna.

After everypony has some tea in them, I float an idea, “I want opinions on a change I want to make. The traditional arrangement of the thrones has been the senior Princess in the center and the rest by descending rank on both sides. I prefer primary on one end and secondary on the other with lower ranks in the center giving the symbolism of the strength of the herd protecting all.”

Twilight remembers, “We did that once, when we were going to hear the demon’s complaint against you. I liked it then. We have a much smaller Herd now but I still like it.”

Luna asks, “How soon do we have to decide this?”

I reply, “We don’t have to ever make a permanent decision but I would like to start hearing Courts again tomorrow. That would mostly be one of us at a time but the continuation of normal government is important and we will have full Courts and ceremonies soon.”

There is a small hush as we walk in the cafeteria door but nothing otherwise is out of the ordinary. I get a large fruit bowl and order chicken salad. Twilight and Luna both get large fruit salads.

At the table, I advise Twilight and Luna, “I’m going back to the Crystal Empire after sun raising. I need to catch Cadance up on how things are going and there is some serious banking business left hanging. There’s also a couple of prospects to get to Canterlot.”

Twilight allows, “The Throne Room will be ready by midday. You need to get your office in order and okay your regalia. Who’s going to take tomorrows Court?”

Luna smiles, “I’m safe, I’ve got Night Court.”

Resigned, I say, “It would probably be best if I did but that doesn’t mean I will like it.”

Twilight laughs, “Poor, John. His ponies love him so much.”

Poor Luna looks blank so I explain, “I’m fun to watch so whenever I hold Court, I get a large audience. The audience can’t interfere or even make noise but the supplicants are aware of them and start playing for them. It burns time.”

Now Luna is laughing, “That must be a terrible weight, having so much love heaped on you.”

Wryly, I say, “At least it will be educational for my new aide.”

I get in my chicken salad and some more small talk then, “Twenty minutes. Time to go.”

I salute the room on the way out and every pony in the room rises and bows. We go through Luna’s apartment with Twilight splitting off to the Throne Room. Luna and I go up to the balcony and do our morning duty. I go down the other side so I can check my office and back out to the Throne Room and Twilight.

I have one request, “Twilight, can you get me a desk etc for an aide? I think I’m coming back with one.”

She nods and I reach for the main square in the Crystal Empire. The sun is just peeking over the mountains and I see what Smooth was talking about. Colored beams are shooting up and down the streets as light comes to the Empire. I launch for an aerial view and it is pretty. Looking around, I see my mountain is still missing its peak. I wonder what they’ll call it now?

Landing on the big balcony I walk to Cadance’s apartment. Everypony is quiet so I make myself some tea and settle down in the kitchen to think. I have two really good prospects for both aide and apprentice. Which one do I want most? After kicking it around, I decide to take both to the bank and to Canterlot and see what works out. I suspect I am going to end up with a substantial staff anyway.

A voice comes from the back, “I smell tea. Tea at this hour can only mean one thing. . .”

I answer, “Yes, Cadance, it’s true and you can’t blame me any more. By definition, I have to get up before sunup.”

Laughing, Cadance walks in, “It couldn’t have happened to a more deserving pony.”

Focusing, I say, “Let me take a good look at you.”

Smiling, she replies, “Don’t bother, I’m settled.”

“Dammit! That’s two good cloud dances Celestia has cost me,” I exclaim.

Cadance laughs, “You’ve got at least one waiting for you right now so quit your bitching.”

Attempting to be serious, “I hope you have a replacement for her because I intend to take her back to Canterlot for my staff. She stood up well yesterday in situations that would have left most ponies in a panic.”

“It’s already taken care of, John. And you can have the colt too.”

“Good. We’re having an official succession ceremony in two weeks. I’ll be hearing regular Court tomorrow and rotating with Twilight after that. Luna was very unhappy but we seem to have moved beyond that. Today I’ll see what’s going on in the bank then rush back. I have many symbols and decorations to approve and a staff to build. How is the Empire taking things?”

Cadance grins, “Other than a spirited discussion over what to do about the missing mountain, the Crystal Empire is uninvolved.”

Laughing, “I can’t wait to hear how they fix that one.”

Giggling, Cadance replies, “I’m sure you will. The predominant plan is to petition you to replace what you broke.”

After a moment’s thought, “Send them to me. I have an idea.”

We gossiped a little more then I started down the stairs in search of my aides to be. A couple of quick questions get me to the Captains office and there are two Captains there.

I smile, “Hello, Captain Smooth. I assume you know how to find Corporal Sam?”

The Unicorn Captain shoots up and bows while Smooth bows lightly and, “Hello, Prince John. I’m told I’ve been transferred. And Sam will be here in a few minutes.”

With a grin, “I'm afraid there are hazards to impressing your Commandant. I have a sudden need for a staff and it’s a rare pony that can run in my herd. I hope you’ll find the benefits outweigh the risks. I told Sam that my transportation abilities are effectively unlimited so you can pack anything personal.”

Right on cue, Sam walks up followed by a buddy. Both are carrying stuffed duffels. When they spot me, they drop the bags and bow.

I greet, “Hello, Sam. Just leave the bags.”

I scan the bags then drop them in my pocket.

Turning to Smooth, “And yours?”

She points to a light bag in the corner of the office. I add it to my pocket and salute the Unicorn.

“Thank you for the use of your office, Captain. Smooth, Sam, let’s go open a bank.”

We go up and out until we arrive at the front door of the bank. One of the young Unicorns from our previous trip is waiting inside and unlocks the door when she sees us.

Bowing, she invites, “Right this way, Your Majesty,” and leads down that big hall to a large office with the bank manager waiting.

“Good morning, Your Majesty. I have some very exciting news. Only a few of the trust admins have replied so far but every one that has, indicates not only verification of the information we have but also substantial increases in the assets held. I don’t think we have enough room in this building for the staff it will take to oversee all of these assets.”

Smiling, I ask, “Who owns the adjacent buildings?”

“You do, Sir. This block is one of the assets.”

“Are any of the tenants short term?”

“Two of them, Sir.”

“Make their transitions easy and build offices. Hire me a large engineering firm for civil construction also. It will probably make sense to open satellite offices in Canterlot, Manehattan, and Baltimare. I’ll check back in a few days. Right now, we are going to the vault.”

Those boxes have been on my mind since I saw them so I go straight to them when the door is open. Looking inside the first one, I burst out laughing. Both of my aides look at me with confusion.

“This, my friends, is what I mean when I talk about running with the big ponies. Swift Trail has sent me a message, ‘clean up your mess,’ over the centuries. Sam, go find us a heavy cart suitable for hauling off a lot of garbage.”

I start pulling pieces out of a box and sorting them on the table into piles of wood, iron, and copper. When I have a pile of any category on the table, I wrap it in a shield and contract the shield to minimum radius. Soon I have solid balls of wood, iron, and copper. The metals go into my pocket and the wood into an empty box.

Sam finally arrives with a cart, “They don’t have a garbage cart so a money cart will have to do.”

I float the first box of wood onto the cart and go back to work. Shortly, I compress the excess empty boxes into the last wood ball and load the third box onto the cart.

“Take that back to them and tell them to use it for fuel.”

Smooth couldn’t hold it any more, “John, what was all that stuff?”

Sadly, I say, “Smooth, I am going to give you a gift beyond price. I’m not going to tell you what it was except to say it represents something that you never want to see in Equestria.”

We make our way back to the manager’s office and I inform her, “We’re on our way to Canterlot. If you have an emergency, tell Cadance, otherwise my mailing address is Royal Castle, Canterlot. Make an extra copy of every final report and I will seal it in the vault when I check in.”

Collecting Sam, we go out the front door, into the main square and teleport to the Throne Room in the Royal Castle. Ponies are cleaning and shining everywhere including my Throne. Twilight has one small table in front of her and is speaking with the Royal Tailor and Jeweler.

Twilight looks up, “John! Great. We need a fitting right now.”

“Okay, I’ll swap with you. These are Sam Apple and Smooth Trail, the prospects I want you to see.”

The Royal Jeweler has a crown but he has underestimated the size of my head by a lot. The good news is that it will be fixed within the hour with extra relief for my horn. The Royal Tailor has robes and a vest with my sigil large on the front of it. They’ll do. Meanwhile, Twilight is giving my two nervous aides a thorough going over.

As I walk up, I ask, “What do you think, Twilight?”

Smiling, she replies, “I think you’re right, John. You can start her on horn training today. He’ll catch up in a year or two.”

I nod, “Thank you, Twilight. Come on you two, let’s find you a home.”

I lead them through the side door into my apartment and down the bedroom hall.

“Pick any room other than the big one for a private room and throw your stuff in,” as I call their bags from my pocket. “Be sure you have your paperwork with you when we leave.”

Checking through the master bedroom, I find plenty of pads and blankets. There is a very nice shower and toilet through the far door. Back out to the hall gets me a larger communal shower and toilet in the middle of the smaller bedrooms. The other end of the hall opens to a complex of offices with my favorite conference slash war room. The executive office is much as I remember it. My aides have caught up with me while I’m reminiscing.

“This office is where most Royal business is done. Even if it has to go to open Court to be finalized, the deal is struck here. Most Court time is ceremony, proclamations, and commoner supplicants. Things like supplier contracts will be evaluated and approved back here, that will be a lot of your jobs, then made official with three minutes in front of the Throne. The supplicants are the most time consuming, most fun, most frustrating, and most important. It’s part of the heart of Equestria that literally anypony has the absolute right to ask the Royal Herd for help with any problem and expect to be heard promptly. Most of them will be ordinary ponies with ordinary problems and just a hair too much pride or stubbornness to compromise. And some are like a petition I am told is coming soon. A group from the Crystal Empire wants me to fix the mountain I broke.”

Sam is studying me, “You can’t be serious, can you?”

Meanwhile Smooth is laughing so hard she’s about to fall over.

Seriously, I say, “Consider this a lesson in Royal thinking. I’m going to do it but I’m going to make them earn it. This will be the first job for the engineers I told the bank to hire. The petitioners will have to decide what we are going to build with the help of the engineers.”

Smooth is calming down, “But, John, that wasn’t your doing, that was an attack on you. They’re blaming you for saving their lives by drawing the attack away from town.”

I explain, “Yes, and you will never say that outside of these walls. The attacker was Celestia. We know that but they don’t. The responsibilities are the same anyway. Celestia is of the Royal Herd and I head the Royal Herd so I am responsible. Whether I am fixing Celestia’s mistake or my own it’s the same.”

Passing through the door into the main hall, “The Castle Main Entrance is that way. You will usually check in and out through there. This way is the main entrance to the Throne Room and around the corner is the hall leading back to the Guard sector.”

I lead all the way back to the Company Clerk’s office and open the door, “We have two new Aides for the Royal Herd. Please set them up while I speak with the Colonel.”

The clerk snaps off a bow and opens the door to the Colonel’s office at the same time.

We trade bow for salute and get comfortable when I close the door.

I start, “I’d be much happier if we could keep it ‘John’ and ‘Far’ or any other call name if you prefer.”

She smiles, “Far will do, John.”

Continuing, “You may have noticed those are relatives out there. They are assigned to me specifically as aides but their real job is apprentice. They both have the magic and the strength to ascend relatively soon. And it might be a good idea to bump Sam to Lieutenant. He’s going to be giving orders in my name.”

Far nods, “I’ll take care of it. Are you planning any more of those cloud dances soon?”

Laughing, “I am but you need to talk to Twilight about cutting through the Castle. I prefer more room. At least she won’t get a chance for another year. By the way, I have a gift for the armorers. You might want to come along for that.”

Far replies, “Give me just a second,” pulling a form from her desk and signing it. “That will take care of Sam’s promotion.”

She leaves the form with the clerk as we file out and I tell my aides to keep after the paperwork, I will return shortly. At the armorers I call all of the metal balls from my pocket and present them to the head smith.

“These are very good metal recovered from a very bad purpose. Please use it wisely.” Turning to Far, “If you know anypony deserving a special weapon, now is the time.”

Far suggested, “What about you, Your Majesty?”

“How could I possibly find a weapon more special than the one I already have?”

So I have to call my big sword and show it off. I think the armorers are more in awe of the sword than me.

On the way back to her office, Far has questions, “How effective are you with that sword, really?”

“Very. I have the speed and strength to swing it faster than any non-Alicorn can see. The only time I’ve ever drawn it in anger, I beheaded a Minotaur in a fraction of a second. The other five Minotaurs surrendered immediately. You need to know this because the standing order when I’m in combat is to get the mares and foals to safety and stay out of my way.”

Far nods, “Of course a real battle would be different.”

My turn to nod, “In a real battle is where my primary talent comes into play. I plan. My backups have backups and under no circumstances will I allow the situation to deteriorate into a fair fight.”

Far is smiling widely, “I like that. You are nothing like Celestia.”

Smiling, I observe, “You know there are least two big differences.”

Curious, she asks, “Oh, and what are they?”

“Balls.”

I open the door to the clerk's office with the sound of laughter behind me and a disturbed Sam in front of me.

“Prince John, please tell this clerk that I’m not a Lieutenant.”

Ginning, I ask, “Did you read the paperwork?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“What did it say?”

“It said ‘Lieutenant’.”

“Then what you say is ‘Thank you, Colonel Far Trail’.”

Suppressing giggles, Far Trail salutes Sam and says, “Congratulations, Lieutenant Sam Apple.”

A rather dazed Sam returns salute and thanks the Colonel. Smooth is just barely not laughing.

“Come on, staff, we need bars, an alarm clock, and to finish setting up tomorrow’s Court.”

Back in the Throne Room, the Jeweler has my crown adjusted and it fits.

I complement, “Very good. Put it with the rest of my regalia and I’ll be ready for it after sun raising tomorrow. Would you happen to have any Lieutenant’s bars handy? Sam suddenly needs them.”

“We have them on the shelf, Your Majesty.”

“Good. Set him up with daily and dress in silver. He’ll be in my quarters”

I look around for Twilight and find her, “Twilight, Darling, can I annoy Spike for a while?”

Twilight snickers, “I don’t think your colt will consider anything you can come up with annoying but you are welcome to try. He should be in the Tower.”

“Thank you, Twilight. Smooth, the same Guardponies that keep the sign in log will have a sign-up sheet for supplicants. Get a copy and start making sense of tomorrow. Sam, come with me.”

I take Sam out the main doors and down the hall to Twilight’s Tower. Walking in the front door, “Hello, Spike.”

Spike returns, “In the kitchen, John.”

As I walk in the kitchen, I hear “Gurk!” behind me. Turning, I see a very big eyed Sam staring at Spike.

Spike looks annoyed at me, “You didn’t tell him I’m a Dragon, did you?”

Looking innocent, “Why should I? Sam’s a big pony.”

Spike sighs, “Sam, I know what John is up to. In a week the Castle is going to be full of every size, shape, and species of dignitary that you can imagine. Some of them are going to be bigger and more fearsome than me. You need to get used to the idea or leave the Castle before then.”

Sam is beginning to recover, “But Twilight said he is your colt? I thought that meant he is her colt too?”

Smiling, I explain, “It does. It says so right on his Guard ID. I told you anything is possible when you get to Alicorn level magic. Spike, Sam is in training to be my aide. Twilight and I are going to go in different directions a lot in the near future, especially when she gets heavy. So I need someone to keep my life together. Can you please show him around and teach him how to make tea. And get him an alarm clock.”

“Sure, John. When do you need him back?”

“I want him for sun lowering today and you can have him back tomorrow as needed.”

Spike smiles, “Got it. Sam, come with me. We are going to make a list of the things John craves and then we are going shopping for them.”

“Sam, take notes. Spike is very, very good at what he does.”

Back in the Throne Room, I get in some serious cheek rubs before Twilight pulls away, “You’re distracting me, John.”

“That seems only fair to me. Sam had a junior moment on meeting Spike but got over it. He’s still trying to figure out how you gave birth to a Dragon. Spike is instructing him in housekeeping in the Castle. I’m going to take Sam up on the balcony tonight and introduce him to Luna. I really hope I can get Luna interested in mentoring him. Did you see where Smooth went?”

Twilight smiled, “Hell yes. Sam and Luna could do each other a world of good. Smooth is in your office. I showed her where to get the supplicant list and she came back with several pages.”

I'm beginning to have some confidence, “You know, we may actually pull this off.”

“Don’t get too happy, Big Colt. I doubt the Minotaurs will start anything once they realize who you are but the Griffons can’t avoid testing you. And who knows what the Dragons may think.”

“I’ve been thinking about that. Sooner or later the Dragon Lord is going to hear that Celestia has retired. He might feel like returning to his old ways without the fear of Celestia to restrain him. So we might just invite him and let him test me. That will get it over with quickly and on our terms. Plus, the sight of me besting the Dragon Lord will end a lot of ideas that Equestria might be vulnerable.”

Twilight is worried, “Let me think on it. I understand your logic and can find no fault with it, but nothing good has ever come of dealing with wild dragons.”

Smooth was at her desk, as predicted, with three pages of list spread out.

“John! I’m glad you’re here. The entries with a check mark are routine problems and need no further research. The entries with an X mark need your personal attention. The unmarked entries need more info.”

Looking it over, there are several unmarked entries and two X’s. The rest are checked. The last X, almost the last entry, is ‘A petition for the repair of damaged community property in the Crystal Empire’. As Cadance had predicted.

“Smooth, this last X, bottom of the last page, goes first thing after lunch. Put all the leftover checks behind it and we’ll clear as many as we can and leave the rest for Twilight. The first X, the Ambassador from Griffonstone, goes first. ‘A matter of mutual security’ doesn’t give me much to go on so just start at the top of the checks after that’s concluded.”

I go over the checks looking for anything hidden but all I find is individual ponies with minor gripes.

“Take the list back to the sign in squad and explain it to them like I just told you. They’ll line them up in order when they sign in. When Court begins, you will stand to my right and look good. Don’t answer or respond to anypony but me. I may tell you to fetch papers from the supplicants or other minor ‘go for’ duties. Everything else will be taken care of by the regular Throne Room squad.”

When Smooth returns from delivering the list, Sam and several packages are with her.

Sam is excited, “I am so glad you introduced me to Spike. He knows some very interesting stories about you, John. Did you really scare a Minotaur so bad just by looking at him that he crapped all over himself?”

Laughing, “I did a little more than look at him. I carried him off from the group by his horn and promised him that I would let my pet monster out to play with him if he didn’t talk. You’ll certainly hear about that incident when the Minotaur delegation gets here. Before it was over I had all five of them gelded.”

Sam’s eyes are getting big, “Whoa, you have a pet monster?”

“Yes, Sam. He’s known for his tastes in exotic foods. His favorite is Manticore.”

Sam is really excited now, “Where do you keep this monster?”

“In my head.”

That was good for a couple of minutes of silence, so I suggested, “Let’s go put up the groceries.”

In the kitchen, Sam looks serious, “That’s why you want all this meat, isn’t it?”

“Yes it is, Sam. No pony has anything to fear. Swift Trail tamed him many years ago. Now he lives to defend ponies. That makes him useful to keep around. Twilight and Luna even like him.”

Thoughtfully, Sam says, “Spike likes him a lot. And I saw what you mean about Spike’s ID. He’s very proud of it.”

“Fifteen minutes, Sam. Let’s go.”

I head through the apartment and up the back stairs. We come out on the balcony with five minutes to spare. Luna is already waiting.

“Stand off a couple of steps, Sam. Watch and see how much of it makes sense to you.”

And it’s time. I send my magic out to cradle and lower the sun. As soon as the sky is clear, Luna raises her moon.

Turning to Sam, “How much of it could you see?”

Silence. Sam is staring at me with wide eyes and open mouth.

“Hello, Sam. Anypony home?”

Sam focuses on me, “John, I felt it. I felt the wind so strong it could have blown me out of this world.”

“That’s good. Now all you have to do is learn to fly in that wind. Let’s go meet Luna.”

Luna was waiting at the other end of the balcony watching our little drama with a smile.

I introduce, “Hello, My Great Friend Luna. This is Sam Apple and he has just felt the great wind for the first time. Sam, Luna taught me horn skills. It would be a great favor to me if she could teach you a few things and you had damned well better pay attention and keep her happy while she does it.”

Luna laughs, “So you think I need a distraction?”

Nodding, “I don’t think it will hurt you, Luna. Mostly, I need some quiet time with his dam. She’s ready for a horn right now and I need to get some basic horn safety into her. Sam is having his world view greatly expanded this week and you are better at that than anypony.”

With a grin, Luna says, “I’ll babysit your colt, John. How long do you need?”

“Anything more than a couple of hours. He’s going to get another lesson on Castle housekeeping from Spike tomorrow so you can keep him as long as he entertains you.”

“Come with me, Friend Sam. We have much to discuss. Perhaps I will take you on my nightly rounds.”

Smooth is still in the kitchen when I get back, “You didn’t drop Sam, did you?”

“No, I gave him a major revelation then traded him to Luna for the night. By sun raising he will have a much better understanding of what the Royal Herd really does.”

“That sounds interesting, John. When can I take one of those courses?”

“As soon as we have some snacks and tea. Your course will be more advanced than Sam’s.”

Smooth starts pulling out plates, bowls, and groceries. As she puts the water on to boil and prepares the food, I explain, “We are going to mind walk tonight. We’ll use my horn but you will be expected to actively participate. What we must do is get your mind organized and focused. Until that happens, I can’t let you anywhere near free magic. You can have as much Pegasus magic as you want and it will only help you fly. Free magic, like Unicorns use, can do anything including things that could get you and those around you badly hurt.”

Dinner is pleasant and we learn much about our personal lives. Then it’s time to get serious. I push two bean bags together in the common room and say, “Get comfortable. This may take some time.”

When she is settled, I stretch out next to her and make the horn touch. I find myself in a whirlwind with images zooming around me.

“Smooth, where are you?”

“Right here,” as she blows by. I open my wings and chase her down.

“Isn’t this fun, John?”

“Enjoy it while you can. Our primary goal tonight is to be sure this never happens again.”

“Oh, John. Can’t I have any fun?”

“Not this kind. Come with me to my mind for the reason why.”

I grab Smooth and bring her to my familiar white floor.

“This is what a wizard’s mind looks like. That whirlwind you enjoyed so much would be quickly fatal if you had a horn. Watch and learn why.”

Several hours later Smooth has the beginnings of an understanding of magic and some personal info about me. Her mind is organizing and it’s time for rest.

“Smooth, while you sleep, your mind will assimilate the new information and when you wake up, you will remember some of it as your own knowledge. Now, I’m going to bed. You are welcome to join me or find your own.”

“I want to join you, John, but I need a shower.”

This is going to be fun to watch, “How about I show you the Alicorn way?”

“Okay, John, but I’m not sure what you mean.”

I concentrate for a second and ‘pop’, it is done.

Smooth squeals, “What did you do?”

Smiling, “I sent everything not a living part of you or an integral part of your uniform on a one way trip to the open countryside. You are now cleaner than a shower could get you and got your uniform got cleaned too.”

She makes a beeline for the big pad in my bedroom and settles into the middle of it after doffing her uniform. I stretch and settle next to her, covering her with my wing. Pulling her close, I lay my head on top of my wing over her shoulder and drift off to thoughts of how good it is to be adding to my herd again.