John Sampson Returns Chapter Seven

“Rise and shine. It’s four AM and time to kick Dragon butt.”

Yep, it’s Sam. I raise my wings uncovering Galinda on my right and Smooth then Gerald on my left. As everypony begins to stir, I walk carefully forward and fold my wings. Sam is staring but quiet.

I smile at Sam, “Get used to it. We’re facing the Dragons as a unified force and will likely be much closer for it afterwards.”

The tea is good, good enough that Sam has to brew more after the Griffons taste it. I explain my morning custom to the Griffons and they seem enthusiastic. The kitchen staff are going to have an interesting morning.

As we are walking down the hall, Gerald remarks, “When this is over, both of us are going to have to find a private room and spend some time preening.”

I smile big, “Oh no. You’re a guest of my herd while Galinda and I date. You need to try the Pony way. Absolutely nothing makes a Pony happier than grooming a herdmate. How do you think we manage a half acre spread like I carry? Multiple Ponies gang up on it and we take turns.”

Hmmm. I’m seeing tail twitching on both of them.

I continue, “But if you’d like the quick version, I can show you one of the perks of wearing a horn. I’ve done Smooth and myself recently. All you have to do is say yes and stand still for three seconds.”

Galinda stops and says, “Yes.”

I scan her then a very soft ‘pop’ completes the task.

Galinda starts and asks, “What happened?”

I reply, “I just sent everything on your body that is not a living part of you to an empty field outside of Canterlot. I’m afraid a few small feathers made the trip.”

Galinda shakes then announces, “I feel better. Several small irritations are gone. I like that but I think I’ll like the other way even better.”

Gerald catches my eye and says, “Yes.”

A scan and soft ‘pop’ later we are back in route to the cafeteria. Walking in the door brings a small bump in the sound level but nothing else. Smooth gets her usual fruit salad and I order a six egg cheese and chicken omelet. The Griffons decide to try the same.

At the table, Gerald looks around and remarks, “There is a feeling in this room. You might be a god or a monarch but here you are among friends.”

I nod, “This is what mean about the difference between me and Celestia. Celestia surrounds herself with the mystique of an untouchable goddess. That seems like a lot of unnecessary loneliness and stress to me. I want to be able to go ‘off duty’ and relax every now and then. And the Ponies trust me to a degree that Celestia can’t imagine because they know me as a Pony.”

Galinda remarks, “Griffons have a similar custom. A group of Griffons related by blood or law is called a ‘flock’ but a group of unrelated Griffons gathered for a hunt is called a ‘pride’. On the hunt, all members of the pride are equal and work together to make the hunt successful. Good hunters are respected so every Griffon participates. Royals and commoners joke and socialize for the duration of the hunt.”

I see potential here, “I might want to join one of those hunts when I visit your flock. I haven’t had a lot of outlets for that side of my personality since becoming Pony. Of course I would have to use a different body. Hunting with an Alicorn would be boring.”

Galinda is puzzled, “Why would hunting with an Alicorn be boring?”

I answer, “You’ll see when I catch a Dragon.”

The food is ready so I float all three trays to the table and we dig in. The food is quickly consumed and I float the trays back to the kitchen. As we line up to leave, I stop at the door and salute the room. Everypony in the room rises and bows then I turn and start up the hall to the Throne Room.

Gerald is curious, “Does that mean what it looked like?”

I elaborate, “I salute them because those are the Ponies that will go across Equestria with us later this morning and clean up the mess that the Dragons have left behind. They will do things like count and record the dead so their herds can know what became of them. They will do this knowing that another Dragon could show up at any second. The many small sacrifices are at least as important as the single big one. And it signals that I have assumed my full rank and title.”

Gerald nods, “Simple and powerful, I like that.”

When we get to the Throne Room there are Ponies everywhere stacking supplies and preparing for a major campaign.

Luna is waiting for me, “We have another survivor, John. An adult mare that ran into the woods and hid. Now she’s lost in the woods but not in immediate danger.”

I ask, “Do you know what village?” Luna nods and I continue, “Wait until I have the Dragons subdued then you and Sam can get her. Don’t run in until I give the all clear.”

I grab a Guardpony, “I need the Royal Secretary right now. Go.”

Twenty minutes to go when the Secretary shows up, “Do you have the Proclamation for the Crystal Empire ready?”

She replies, “Yes, Your Majesty. Right here,” and pulls out an ornate parchment.

I check it over and levitate a yard, “Mares and stallions, your attention please. Court is now in session. I have read and approved this Proclamation for the Repair of Community Property. Let it be so recorded. Court is ended.” Back to the floor.

Passing it back to the Secretary, “Make it official and give them a certified copy when they wake up. Gerald, if you want to see the show, now’s the time.”

“I’m right with you, John.”

So we run for the stairs and get to the balcony in the nick of time. Luna is waiting.

I warn Gerald, “Stand back several yards,” and I turn my sun raiment up. Luna is already lowering her moon so I reach out with my magic and cradle the sun, gently lifting it to open the day. It tells me it has decided to protect the Griffons along with the Ponies because we are helping each other. I release the sun and look to Gerald.

Gerald is trying to shade his eyes so I turn the raiment down a little.

“Damned, John, you’re hard to look at.”

“It’ll get worse when I meet the Dragons so be prepared. The sun says it has decided to group Ponies and Griffons together as friends from now on. Get your wings ready, we are going to come out at altitude.”

I see his wings open so I reach for four thousand yards over Horseshoe Bay. We come out over a clear morning with excellent visibility.

Gerald exclaims, “Holy . . . When you say altitude, you mean it.”

I answer, “Look for movement over the water. They’re down there somewhere. When I attack, stay up here and watch. You’ll be my witness so I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

We glide and watch. Suddenly Gerald shouts, “John, smoke on the northern horizon.”

I warn, “Hang on,” and teleport us five thousand yards north.

The smoke is still north of us but I can see Dragons flaming buildings. I head out over the water at maximum subsonic velocity. I form my shield for hypersonic speeds but I add a long blade like a boat keel to it. It’s unstable until I add a matching blade to the top. Taking aim on the southernmost Dragon, I kick in maximum speed and thrust. With wings tucked I’m a guided knife missile slicing the left wing off the first Dragon. Making a hard vertical loop, I slice the right wing off the second Dragon. The third and fourth Dragons look around and can’t spot me so they head out over the water. I let them get several hundred yards out then a couple of quick loops slice a wing off of each of them. It turns out Dragons don’t float. Oh well.

I drop back to subsonic and return to the battlefield. The two wounded Dragons are on the beach side by side bellowing like mad. They’re not going anywhere so I go collect Gerald and land in an open field five hundred yards inland. I reach for the Throne Room and make a door ten by ten yards. Luna and Twilight are the first through side by side with Sam hot on their tails.

I shout, “Warning! There are two crippled Dragons on the beach. Stay clear. They are hurting and pissed.”

Luna and Sam look around then fly south looking for their lost mare. Galinda has caught up with us so she, Gerald, Twilight, and I head for the beach and the wounded Dragons.

I caution, “Twilight, keep a shield up in case they flame at you, and Gerald and Galinda, stay behind it.

Everypony else stops in the trees while I walk out on the beach fifty yards from the two Dragons.

I shout, “Hey! Stupid Lizard, over here.”

Both start lumbering toward me. As they approach the halfway mark, I bring out the command voice, “STOP!” and they do.

They look at other and step forward again. I command, “STOP!” again and anchor their feet to the beach with my magic. They jerk and flop but don’t get anywhere.

I turn up my strength and do a full Earth Pony anchor then address the Dragons, “Look, Idiot Lizards, I have some questions for you and you aren’t going anywhere until I get answers.”

The larger one speaks, “Food doesn’t get to talk,” and both of them take a deep breath and flame me. While I’m hidden by the flames, I turn my sun raiment up to its new super intensity.

As the smoke clears, I say, “Listen, Goofy Gecko, I live in sunfire. Dragonfire is kinda cool from my point of view. Are you ready to answer questions yet?”

They’re both trying to squint and get a look at me but I’m glowing like a miniature sun.

The big one asks, “Who are you?”

I answer, “I’m Prince John, replacement Pony sun god for Celestia. Now what are you doing here?”

The smaller one speaks up, “We are feeding as is our natural right.”

Casually, I state, “I thought there was a treaty between Dragons and Ponies, you know, you don’t eat me and I won’t eat you. Who told you it was gone?”

The big one answers, “The treaty was with Celestia. No Celestia means no treaty.”

I smile big for them, “If that’s how you want it. See, I’m also known as Monster Eater because I like to eat monsters, the bigger the better. I’ll be eating some Dragons shortly.”

The littler one bursts out, “That isn’t possible.”

I smile even bigger, “Just watch.”

I grab the bigger Dragon’s tail with my magic and pull it straight then I call my big sword and cut off about two yards of it. The Dragon screams but I just hold its tail straight and slice off steaks putting them in my pocket. Then the big Dragon starts heaving. The spasms get stronger until it stretches out its neck and empties its stomach onto the beach. I estimate that it heaved up the remains of about half a dozen Ponies.

I slice another steak off of it and announce, “Before I waste too much time, I think I’ll sample some of this.”

I float the steak and rotate it as a beam from the sun cooks it. The big Dragon starts moaning and wailing. As I bite into the steak, the smaller Dragon begins heaving and throws up the remains of several Ponies.

I smack my lips and state, “This is some sweet meat. I’m going to have to put a bunch of this in stasis. Hey, Gerald, you want to try some of this?”

Gerald steps out of the woods and, “Hell yes. Galinda too.”

I ask, “How do you want it cooked, or not?”

He answers, “We’ll take ours raw.”

I cut off two fresh steaks and float them over to the Griffons. They immediately start ripping off and swallowing chunks.

Galinda pauses to say, “You’re right, John. This is really good. We’d better get a good supply before the rest of flocks and herds get here.

I am beginning to carve chunks off of the Dragon’s hips when it starts moaning, “Kill me. Please kill me oh great Pony god.”

I turn down my ‘sun suit’ to be sure he sees me smile, “Why? Is there something about being eaten alive that bothers you? I’m thinking about keeping you alive long enough to shit part of your digested body on your face.

I carve off a some more steaks then he loses consciousness so I cut off his head and turn my attention to the smaller one. He’s screaming a continuous high note and twitching all over like some kind of seizure. Wrapping him in my magic, I lift him off the beach and leave him hanging while I walk to where Twilight is standing.

I ask, “Twilight, Darling, do you have a location for the Lord of Dragon’s lair? I need to deliver this message to him.”

Wrinkling her nose, Twilight replies, “Yes. Did you have to make it such a detailed message?”

Sighing, I reply, “Better too much than too little. Hey, and I need a location for Griffonstone too. I’m going to go meet Galinda’s family and give them a gift after I’m done with the Dragons.”

A quick horn touch and I have what I need.

I lay out my plan, “I’ll come out at a couple of hundred yards up and leave the message on his doorstep. You three stay several hundred yards above me and watch. Especially watch for stray Dragons. When it’s time to make the agreement final, I’ll signal you.”

I launch and pull the dragon behind me. When I have enough altitude, I reach for Dragon’s Lair and come out in a clear sky over a smoking mountain. There’s a large cave in the side of the mountain but no room to stand so I drop the ‘message’ near a small lake below the cave. Stretching the dragon out, I anchor it to the ground with my magic and pull its tail straight. The dragon starts making an extremely loud high pitched warble. I step back and anchor.

A very large Dragon head pokes out of the cave and asks, “What’s the alarm?”

The Dragon in front of me cries plaintively, “He’s eating me! He’s eating me!”

Confused, the big Dragon asks, “Who is eating you?”

The smaller Dragon answers, “The terrible Pony god. He made Coal watch while they ate him alive a bite at a time and now he’s eating me!”

The big Dragon still hasn’t spotted me so I decide to help him understand, I cut off the bony part of the smaller Dragon’s tail and discard it. Then I segment its tail into manageable chunks and start a procession of them into my pocket. The smaller Dragon begins the high pitched warble again. The big Dragon slithers out of the cave and glides to the ground beside the small lake but on the other side of the small Dragon from me.

The big Dragon speaks, “Ash, I am your Lord. Tell me truthfully, what has happened?”

The smaller Dragon, Ash, exclaims, “The all powerful Pony god has me tied down and is eating me from my tail forward right now.

I guess the big Dragon has terrible eyesight. He squints at the back end of Ash and realizes that half of the Dragon is already gone. Following the trail of the meat chunks, he finally spots me.

Swelling up, the Dragon Lord exclaims, “Pony! What do you think you are doing here in the middle of my land?”

Smiling, I calmly explain, “I’m collecting meat for tonight’s celebration. I picked this spot to butcher my prey because I have some questions for you and I want to prove to you that these are serious questions.”

By now Ash is panting and screeching, “Great Dragon Lord, please kill me, kill me right now. I can’t stand the pain!”

The Dragon Lord inhales deeply. As his chest stops swelling, I turn my sun raiment to super. Flames envelope both Ash and me. As the smoke clears it is evident that ‘Ash’ was a prophetic name, nothing else is left.

The Dragon Lord is squinting and trying to look at me so I make it clear for him, “Oh Great Lord of Geckos, I live in sunfire. Dragonfire is a cool breeze to me. But I am annoyed that you have ruined my meat. I will expect compensation for that.”

The Dragon Lord is worried now, “What kind of Pony are you?”

With a laugh, I reply, “Didn’t you hear what the pile of ‘Ash’ said? I’m the Pony sun god, the reason Celestia retired. I’m bigger, stronger, and meaner but best of all, I’m a super predator, I eat meat eaters. I’ve been spreading my bloodline throughout Equestria for the last four and a half centuries, dreaming of the taste of Dragon but restrained by the treaty. Then these Dragons broke the treaty. I know they broke the treaty because when I took them, they barfed up dead Ponies. That made all four of them legal prey for me. Do you understand that, Oh Skanky Skink?”

The Dragon Lord is struggling with the concept, “Are you claiming to be a Pony that can eat a Dragon?”

Patiently, I explain, “My belly is full of Dragon meat right now but if you need proof, I’ll be glad to carve a chunk out of you and let you watch me eat it.”

Raising himself to his full height, the Dragon Lord declares, “You can’t possibly eat all of us!”

So I levitate to just a little higher and, “I don’t have to. There are thousands of Ponies like me and the Griffons are friends and allies.”

The Dragon Lord slumps and starts looking around like he wants a way out so I offer him one, “Think real hard, Fart Lizard, did those four Dragons act on their own or did you abrogate the treaty between all Dragons and all Ponies?”

It takes a few minutes but the Dragon Lord finally catches on, “The four Dragons you caught today are renegades and there are no more like them.”

I turn my sun raiment off then blink it twice. Twilight and the Griffons arrive in seconds settling into a hover near me.

Facing the Lord of Dragons, I proclaim, “I am Prince John, Herd Stallion of Equestria. This is Princess Twilight, Herd Mare of Equestria. These are Prince Gerald and Princess Galinda of the Royal Flock of Griffonstone. You are the Lord of Dragons, leader of all Dragons. All parties to the treaty are properly represented. The essence of the treaty is that no Dragon will hunt, eat, or deliberately harm any Griffon or Pony. No Pony or Griffon will hunt, eat, or deliberately harm any dragon. Are we all in agreement?”

All parties indicate assent so I cap the agreement, “Enforcement of this treaty shall be by myself. I hereby swear that I will personally hunt down any individual that violates this treaty.”

A familiar medium sized ripple spreads out from us across Equestria.

Looking straight at the Dragon Lord, I explain, “I am the most powerful wizard in Equestria and that ripple is one of my most powerful talents, Oaths. When you see that ripple, it means that whatever I just said is an absolute truth for all of Equestria. That means there is no way to avoid it, I will eat any and every Dragon that harms a Pony or Griffon. So if you know of any Dragons with foolish plans for sun lowering today, you had better stop them before it’s too late.”

With that, the Dragon Lord hurries off on some urgent matter.

Turning to Twilight, I ask, “Could you please finish the cleanup and take over the portal for me? I’ll take our hitchhikers home and deliver the gift.”

Twilight grins, “Don’t do anything I’ll regret. Will you ‘port in for sun lowering?”

I consider for a minute, “No. Tell Luna I’ll do it from Griffonstone. They need to see the sun in person and the sun needs to get used to Griffons.”

Twilight nods and vanishes. I unfurl my wings and sweep for altitude. As the world becomes a panorama, I look back over my shoulder and ask, “Ready to go home, hunters?”

Gerald and Galinda chorus, “Yes,” so I reach for Griffonstone and suddenly we are in clouds.

Gerald shouts, “Clouds are common over Griffonstone. Fly a thousand yards due east and we should be out of them.”

I return, “I can do better than that,” and ‘bump’ we are a thousand yards east in clear air. Circling, we lose altitude until we can see below the clouds and line up on a road. Following the road, we land in front of the main gate to Griffonstone.

I ask Gerald, “Where would be a good place to unload a bunch of meat. It’s going to need some processing before it’s ready to be served at a feast and some of it should be smoked for future use.”

Laughing, Gerald says, “John, you’d be amazed how little processing Griffons need.”

I elaborate, “Gerald, that I understand. But it would probably be better to remove the scales, wouldn’t you think?”

Galinda picks that up, “No, John. Leave the scales on so it proves what kind of meat we’re eating. In fact, you should serve the meat directly at the table. You will establish yourself as an expert hunter and provider. It will go a long way to getting my family to approve you. Our father tends to refer to Ponies in general as weaklings and wimps.”

Smiling, I admit, “I already have a plan to fix some of that. I need to find a good place to stand for sun lowering tonight. I plan to do it from here both to introduce Griffons to me and to show the sun Griffonstone.”

We are getting a lot of strange looks walking through the center of Giffonstone but I am learning much. Then I spot exactly what I am looking for.

I ask, “That flat rock over there with nothing on it, what is its story?”

Galinda answers, “That’s Lonely Crag. It’s where we go to think or just be alone.”

I am considering, “Do you think anypony would object if I lowered the sun from there in a few hours?”

Galinda replies thoughtfully, “I can’t see why but it’s not something that has ever come up.”

Laughing, I agree, “No, I could see how it wouldn’t be an ordinary thing. As long as I’m not stepping on some local custom, I think it’ll be safe enough.”

We are approaching a castle near the top of the town. As we walk in the door, greetings sound. I am standing back to allow friends and family to embrace when I find myself being scrutinized by a very small Griffon.

I introduce myself, “Hello, I’m Prince John.”

The small Griffon returns the introduction with great seriousness, “Hello, Prince John. I’m Princess Germain.”

I nod, “That would make you little sister to my friend Galinda, I believe.”

With annoyance, the young Princess corrects me, “*Princess* Galinda.”

Feigning some annoyance of my own, “My Good Princess, I am a Pony. Among Ponies ‘friend’ is a higher honorific than ‘Princess’.”

Looking me over, Princess Germain pronounces, “Ponies are strange.”

Nodding, I reply, “Yes, and among Ponies I am even stranger.”

Galinda comes up beside me with a gentle rub, “Come meet the rest of the family, John.”

Galinda leads me to a pair of large, middle aged Griffons and introduces me, “This is Prince John, Royal Stallion of Equestria and my good friend. John, these are King Granger and Queen Gertrude, my parents.”

I nod and say, “I’m pleased to meet Your Majesties. Before too long, I need to discuss a matter of state with you, King Granger.”

King Granger looks straight at me, “Yes, my son tells me you have made a treaty. There are personal matters too. So how should I address you?”

Smiling, I reply, “In Equestria I would be ‘Your Majesty’ or ‘Your Highness’ but here I’ll not usurp a good host so Prince John is enough. I hope that before my visit is over we will be good enough friends not to worry about honorifics.”

King Granger is studying me carefully now, “Prince John, I am told that you have replaced Princess Celestia. You seem a very different kind of Pony than Princess Celestia so I am trying to understand what this will mean for Griffonstone and my family.”

“King Granger, I am fond of saying that there are seven big differences between me and Celestia, two balls and five bands.”

Queen Gertrude is sniggering but King Granger seems a little confused, “The ‘two balls’ seem obvious but what does ‘five bands’ refer to?”

I explain, “The horn is a Pony’s primary magic organ. It grows to match the strength of a Pony’s magic. Since it grows by adding bands, it is a good rough estimate of a Pony’s strength to count the number of bands on a Pony’s horn. Celestia’s horn is nine bands. My daily horn is ten bands and my battle horn fourteen.”

King Granger does a double take, “Are you really that much stronger than Celestia?”

I smile, “Yes. I have a plan to demonstrate some of that strength to Griffonstone in a couple of hours. When it is time, I would like to stand on Lonely Crag and lower the sun.”

King Granger is intrigued, “I would like to see that myself.”

I caution, “No problem at all save that you must keep at least five yards from me and never pass between me and the sun. There is some very powerful magic going on and I would not want anypony to get hurt.”

King Granger nods, “That makes perfect sense.”

I elaborate, “I would like for you to be within earshot. The sun was not aware of Griffons before this Dragon problem popped up. I have it now classing Griffons and Ponies together but it is curious. It would be better if it came to see Griffons as good friends. It will probably want to talk about Griffonstone when it recognizes that I am here.”

King Granger is clouding up now, “You don’t think it's a little presumptuous to expose Griffonkind to something like this without consulting any Griffons at all?”

I nod, “I understand your feelings and actually expected a stronger reaction. It happened because the sun volunteered to vaporize the Dragons, island and all. I declined on the basis that such a cataclysm so close to Griffonstone would harm a lot of Griffons. So the sun reached into my mind to learn what Griffons are and why I would value them. It found my friendship and respect for Gerald and my lust for Galinda. It now considers Griffons an extension of its Ponies and is eagerly watching my efforts to gain understanding and relationship with your family.”

King Granger is understanding, “I see how that would happen and regardless of how I feel about the risk, it’s preferable to the disaster it could have been. Gerald tells me that you had a successful hunt today and wish to share the meat.”

Agreeing, “My plan is to leave half of the meat here and take half back to Canterlot for personal use. It’s very sweet meat.”

King Granger seems concerned, “How many do you think you could feed?”

Calculating for a few seconds, I answer, “If you don’t smoke or save any, a hundred or so.”

King Granger seems incredulous, “How much meat do you have that half of it would feed a hundred Griffons?”

I explain, “We killed four but two of them sank in the ocean. So what I have is all of the tail and thighs from two medium sized adult Dragons.”

Now the king is thoughtful, “Didn’t we have a treaty?”

Smiling large, I reply, “We did and we do, but not right then. The treaty with Celestia was ‘you don’t mess with me and I won’t mess with you’. The dragons said ‘No Celestia, no treaty’. So I said ‘if it’s alright for Dragons to eat Ponies then it’s alright for Ponies to eat Dragons’. By the way, your daughter is a vicious minx. She gladly joined me taunting a live Dragon while eating the quivering flesh carved off his backside. Anyway, both Dragons barfed up a pile of dead Ponies so that made them legal prey for me. The new treaty is basically that any of the three races that hunts another race is legal for me to hunt. What I’ll do when I catch them isn’t specified but the Lord of Dragons is certain that if it’s a Dragon, I will eat it. I butchered the second Dragon right on his doorstep and he couldn’t stop me.”

The King is laughing loud and long, “I don’t know if your story is true or not but I admire any stud capable of telling it like that. Expect to be questioned at length tonight. Forty will fit comfortably in this hall so that’s how many I’ll invite. The feast begins at sundown. Bring your meat.”

I have a conflict, “King Granger, don’t forget that I have an appointment for the moment of sundown. In fact, there won’t be a sun down until I keep that appointment. But I can teleport from sun lowering to the feast in two seconds and you can ride with me.”

The King asks, “Can you bring your meat with you?”

“King Granger, I am a wizard. The meat is always with me in my wizard’s pocket because time does not pass in a wizard’s pocket. It will come out exactly as fresh tonight as it went in this morning.”

King Granger chuckles, “I think you are going to be interesting to have around, Prince John. Right now, I believe Galinda wants to show you around.”

Galinda moves up on my right rubbing and purring as she goes, “Yes, I need to show you our room and several useful places.”

I reach my wing over her and pull her against me while I gently groom her ruff.

Pausing, I explain to the King, “Ever since I explained cloud dancing, she’s been trying to get one by teasing me. I’ve explained that it isn’t happening until I’ve had time to do some body adjustments to ensure safety and compatibility. I’ve teased back until it’s a contest to see who breaks first.”

King Granger wants to know, “You’ve got me curious now, ‘cloud dancing’?”

I elaborate, “Alicorn mating and it means what it sounds like it means. The stallion and mare test each others’ strength in a flying contest and pursuit. It ends in mid air cover. It makes sense because the stallion has to be a strong enough flier to support both himself and the mare during the cover.”

King Granger speaks sternly, “You two need to get out of here before you start giving me ideas.”

I lift my wing and give Galinda a little shove with my flank saying, “Lead on and no tricks if you want any wing tonight.”

We head for the stairs leaving a confused looking King in our wake. At the top of the stairs is a long hall with numerous rooms on both sides. Galinda opens the door into the second room on the right saying, “This is my room, now our room.”

Walking through, there is a spacious toilet and shower to the left and a large balcony on the far side. Walking out, I’m greeted by a view of the town laid out below us. Galinda comes from behind me and begins rubbing my side and purring. I wrap my head around her neck and start grooming her ruff, working down her neck toward her withers. She’s grooming my neck with enthusiasm when I notice a small shape flying slowly back and forth by our balcony.

Whispering in her ear, “We have an audience and I believe it’s Germain.”

Galinda whispers back, “Well, let’s give her a show,” and bites my ear.

I jump and she runs to the corner of the balcony. Spreading my wings, I trap her and advance. She squalls and bites at me so I rumble and bite back. We dance around for nearly a minute when she turns just enough and I get a full bite hold on her neck. She screams as I drag her under me. Then she bites my front leg and I jump just enough to give her room to run for the door. I chase her in and across to the bed pad. Tripping her, I pin her to the pad with my left front hoof and spread her hind legs with my nose. She squalls loudly but lays still as I behold heaven, six dainty little nipples in neat rows.

I take a long slow lick up one row and she howls loud enough to rattle the walls. So I lick the other row and get another howl. Germain is on the balcony peeping around the edge of the door. Galinda’s hind legs have stiffened so I hook them with my chin and bring a sweet little slit into view. Forming a long cone with my magic, I tickle her slit and spread it open. The noise is getting fearsome now, I wouldn’t have believed that such a little beak could emit such volume. Sliding my hardened magic into her, I wiggle and twirl it. Suddenly she erupts in a powerful spasm and when I release her she jumps up and runs around the room bouncing off the furniture.

I look directly at Germain feigning surprise and she jumps backwards flying off the balcony. I land on my side on the pad laughing so hard I can hardly breathe. WHAM! One very pissed Griffon lands on top of me. I look up and I’m nose to beak looking into a pair of blazing eyes.

“You sorry bastard. Now the whole damned castle knows,” she growls.

I laugh and rub my cheek up the side of her head. She softens and I ask, “Were you under any kind of delusion that we were keeping a secret?”

Laughing some herself, “No, but I wasn’t planning to be so blatant about it.”

I remind her, “Galinda, we are going to be cloud dancing soon. Nothing in Equestria is as blatant as cloud dancing.”

We lay there for a while lost in bliss, licking and nibbling each other, then, “I really hate to break this up but I’ve got twenty minutes to sun lowering and I need to pick up the King.”

King Granger is waiting for us in the main hall along with a number of guests.

Hailing us, King Granger laughs, “Well, John, who won?”

I smile, “Nopony yet. That was just foreplay.”

Startled, Granger exclaimed, “Now I understand why Alicorns mate outdoors.”

Laughing, I agree, “Granger, my friend, you have no idea how right you are. We need to get out to Lonely Crag if you want to watch. Would you rather fly or teleport?”

Granger considers for a second and, “After that wing comment earlier, I’d like to see what we’re talking about.”

I turn and exit through the main door. About four steps toward the road I spread and launch.

I idle along until Granger catches me, “Damn, John, you not only have a fine pair, you’ve got some muscle behind them.”

I explain, “It’s part of my magic. My muscles are capable of far more than ordinary strength. I’m telling you this, Granger, because if things keep moving in the direction they going now and your daughter joins my band, there are likely to be a bunch of Tobiano coated Griffons with magic like mine running around. Some of them may even grow a horn and ascend.”

Granger is very thoughtful, “Are you serious, John?”

I reply, “Completely. And you should know that the ascended ones will take centuries just to mature.”

We land on Lonely Crag and I find a level spot with solid footing and turn up my sun raiment. “Stay back at least five yards. There’s going to be some powerful magic bouncing around here,” I warn.

It’s time. I solidify my magic and reach for the sun, “Hello, Old Friend. . . Yes, I’m in Griffonstone now. I want them to see you as I do. . . . No, the Dragons are solved. They have a new respect for both Ponies and Griffons. . . That’s Granger, King of the Griffons and my friend.”

A golden tendril touches me and caresses my body. Then it jumps to Granger and touches him lightly for a few seconds as I slip the sun below the horizon.

Exasperated, I shout, “Don’t rush me!” but it’s too late. Concerned, I look to Granger. He’s dazed but okay.

“It spoke to me, John. I felt its love. It told me that you will bring power and prosperity to Ponies and Griffons alike.”

“Granger, you have received a rare privilege. It can’t even perceive most of us small life forms. But understand that for all its power, it isn’t infallible.”

“John, what were you shouting about?”

“The sun gave me a ‘gift’. I am now compatible and fertile with Griffons. Those little Tobiano coated Griffons we were talking about earlier have just moved from possible to probable. Are you ready to party?”

Granger looks me in the eye and says, “We are going to talk more about this later, a lot more. Let’s go.”

I reach for the main hall of the castle and open a door. The other side is clear so I say, “Come on,” and step through. Granger follows right behind me. We turn and about forty Griffons are staring at us.

Without blinking an eye, Granger loudly declares, “Thank you, Friend John. That was a very educational experience.”

I bow and add, “You are very welcome, Friend Granger, it was my pleasure. Now, are we ready to feast?”

Granger parks himself at the head of a long table and looks pointedly at the empty spot in front of him.

I ask, “Tail or thigh?”

He immediately replies, “Thigh.”

I call out a large slab of meat and segment into chunks about the size of my leg, floating the first chunk to Granger. Gerald and Galinda rush to take the next places on either side of the table and I float chunks to them. That sets off a general rush and I keep calling out and dividing slabs of meat. I’ve got one large chunk of the fifth slab left when I run out of hungry Griffons. I float the chunk ahead of me as I pull off bite sized pieces and swallow them.

Back at the head of the first table, Granger pauses to say, “You are right, John. This is some very sweet meat. I wish we could have a regular supply.”

I swallow, and agree, “Me too. I’m sure they’ll mess up again but after the scare I put on the Lord of Dragons it will be a while.”

The room is suddenly silent. Somewhere down the table a voice asks, “What did you say we are eating?”

I look up and state clearly, “Dragon. This is part of the first treaty violator.”

Another voice inquires, “How many of you did it take to drag the dragon down?”

I answer, “Two. Gerald and I bagged four Dragons this morning. I didn’t know that Dragons don’t float so we lost two in the ocean but the two on the beach had their wings clipped and weren’t going anywhere. So I went inland and opened a portal to Canterlot. Twilight, Galinda, Luna, and lots of Royal Guard came through and started rounding up survivors and cleaning up. Twilight, Gerald, Galinda, and I went down to the beach and questioned the Dragons. They admitted to eating Ponies and claimed that since the treaty was with Celestia and Celestia was retired, there was no more treaty. I said ‘Okay. Then it’s alright for Ponies to eat Dragons’ and started butchering the first Dragon.”

The same voice asked, “Wait a minute. How did you kill the Dragon?”

I replied, “I didn’t. They were eating Ponies and Griffons alive so I saw no reason to spare them the pain. In fact, I passed some of the first cuts to Gerald and Galinda. Galinda and I stood right in front of the screaming Dragon and taunted him as we ate his quivering flesh. This shook the Dragons so badly they both barfed up piles of dead ponies. This is one of the reasons I like Galinda so much, she’s got real strength. Eventually there wasn’t enough left of him to worry about so I cut off his head and ended it.”

The voice continues, “I don’t know what disgusts me more, that you’re such an asshole or that you expect me to believe this garbage.”

I’m flat and cold, “Sir, I couldn’t possibly care less what you think of me but you are insulting friends of mine in their house while eating their food. That’s how I define ‘asshole’ so why don’t you stand up and identify yourself.”

Halfway down the table a portly middle aged Griffon stands up and announces, “I am Lord Gregory of Griffonstone and I fear no puny Pony.”

I turn to the head of the table, “King Granger, this is your house so I must ask, is this individual under any protection or special care?”

Granger responds, “John, he is a blooded warrior and lives his own life, wild and free. You have my leave to deal with him any way you feel appropriate.”

I nod to Granger and turn back to the loudmouth, “I am Prince John Sampson, Royal Herd Stallion of Equestria, Commandant of the Royal Guard, and Pony sun god. Is it your intention to challenge me?”

Gregory sneers, “How could a Pony possibly be worth challenging? I’d rather challenge the slut that raises wing for you.”

Focus, John. There is something hidden here. Using command voice, “There are only two acceptable answers, ‘Yes’ and ‘I apologize’. Choose one.”

Gregory is shaking his head, “You’re using magic on me!”

Still flat and cold, “Yes I am. I am compelling you to answer truthfully and without evasion. Do it.”

Gregory is pissed, “I’ll kill you, you bastard Pony!”

I smile, “Challenge it is. When and where?”

Gregory shouts, “Here and now shit for brains”

Still smiling, “I choose swords,” and call my big sword, remarking, “This is the very sword that chopped off the Dragon’s head.”

Gregory is visibly shaken but not giving up, “How could you possibly wield that monster?”

I call out another slab of meat, this one with the skin and scales still on it. Turning up my speed and strength, I throw it in the air and cut it into serving sized chunks before it can fall. Dropping my speed, I catch the chunks, and ask, “Who wants seconds?”

The chunks go quickly and every Griffon that gets one examines it and verifies that I just cut Dragon scales cleanly.

Softly, I give Gregory a chance, “Everypony here has just verified that I cut Dragon scales easily. Give me any kind of apology and walk away.”

Gregory snarls at me, “Never!”

I stand with my sword vertical in front of me, “Your weapon, sir?”

Gregory reaches and doesn’t find it, “I’ll be right back.”

I nod, “I await your convenience.”

After he has left the room, the questions begin.

“What did you do with the other Dragon?”

“We carried him to the center of Dragon’s Lair and butchered him in front of the Lord of Dragons.”

“I can’t believe the Lord of Dragons didn’t stop you!”

“He tried. When the Dragon begged for death, he flamed both of us. The Dragon was reduced to ash and I wasn’t.”

“How could that be possible?”

“It's a fringe benefit of being friends with the sun. I’m immune to sunfire. Dragonfire doesn’t even come close. That’s one of the things that rattled the Lord of Dragons badly enough to get him into the new treaty.”

“How come the Lord of Dragons didn’t just eat you?”

“I had just butchered a screaming Dragon right in front of him and come through his best flames untouched. I promised him that if he tried to eat me, that would make him legal prey for me and he would be the next butchered. He was too unnerved to question it. That was the whole reason for tormenting the first two dragons. The sight of an adult Dragon in abject terror of a Pony put the Lord of Dragons completely off balance.”

“Wait a minute! Are you telling us that you planned all of that?”

Smiling now, “Of course. I have some very powerful talents. Planning is primary among them. It’s what my cutie means. Though, to be completely honest, I did enjoy some parts of the plan very thoroughly.”

“How could we verify any of this?”

“Let’s see. How about a belly full of sweet meat? Or a complete lack of Dragon attacks? Or even ask Gerald? He was part of it from breakfast until we walked in the castle door here.”

I detect movement in the open door directly behind me so I kick up my speed and watch. It is Gregory flying in at full speed with sword in claw. Several Griffons try to warn me but it is too late. Gregory is impaled on my sword, suspended by my magic, over my hindquarters. As he drops his sword, I turn and lower him carefully to the floor. He smiles at me and mouths ‘Thank You’ as he dies. I pull my sword out of him, clean it, and put it away.

Several Griffons come running up and examine him. One of them stares at me and accuses, “You planned this too, didn’t you?”

I nod, “I didn’t want it but I can’t stop planning any more than you can stop breathing. I tried every kind of intimidation I could and gave him every chance. I have to admire him for his bravery. He knew what was going to happen as much as I did and he kept coming.”

Granger comes up beside me and puts a wing over my withers, “Thank him, John. He has given you a gift of great value. You are now a blooded warrior among Griffons. That makes you eligible to court my daughter.”

“But why did he thank me?”

“Because you gave him a gift of equal value. He knew his time was near. The fight with the Dragons was his last chance to die a warrior’s death.”

“And you knew.”

Granger nods, “I knew of the possibility and didn’t try to stop it.”

“What if he had managed to kill me?”

“Then I would know that you weren’t worthy of my daughter.”

“There is still one part of this that bothers me. Did he have a family?”

“Yes. The Crown will care for them.”

“I owe them too.”

“Let me carry this burden, John. It was mine to permit or deny.”

“I will have to think on that. I believe I will fly for a while.”

“In the dark, John?”

“Look at my eyes carefully, Granger. I can see in the dark just like I can see everywhere around me. Please excuse me.”

I walk calmly out the door and launch into the night sky.