A New Field

Following a short delay due to me retrieving my ACR from it's hiding place outside the forest, I was once again with the Princess and company travelling to the capital city.

"So, Grayson, you mentioned that these 'guns' could grant a small amount of troops lots of power. Can you explain how they work?" I figured Shining Armor would be the one to ask this question, being the Captain of the closest thing resembling a military faction.

"Are you sure? I'm pretty sure you won't like it, or at least be somewhat disturbed by all of it."

"I'm Captain of the Royal Guard, I should be knowing of things that are as powerful as you say they are."

"Alright." I pulled back the slide on my M1911, ejecting a round which I picked up and held for the Guard Captain to see. "This is a bullet, when I pull the trigger, it ignites the gunpowder in the shell casing forcing the lead projectile out of the barrel at speeds too fast to be traced by the naked eye. The bullet carries a lot of force behind it, tearing through most anything in it's path. It can pierce living flesh with ease, that's what it was designed for. It can easily puncture vital organs, larger calibers can fracture bone. Bullets can penetrate through thin obstacles like wood, plaster and sheet metal, with little to no resistance. Meaning hiding behind thin cover will only cause visual obstruction to your enemy."

"I'll believe it when I see it." Shining Armor said with a tone of doubt.

"You will, don't worry." I replied with confidence.

Canterlot is a huge city, I couldn't see much from the chariot, but I did see a city much like any capital city, buildings everywhere and upper class citizens holding their heads a bit too high. We finally touched down at Canterlot Castle. What everyone else saw as an impenetrable fortress, I saw as something that tanks, airstrikes and other heavy ordnance could level in minutes.

"Alright, let's see if these weapons can live up to your claims."

I was ready to wipe the grin right off of Shining Armor's face. Me, Princess Celestia, Luna and Shining Armor were deep in the castle labyrinth, while Cadance was resting for her trip back to the Crystal Empire with her husband. I was going to show off my M1911 and ACR, that should be enough to prove my point.

"Are you all ready?" I asked.

"Yes" came the unanimous response.

There was a small unit of six mannequins dressed in standard Royal Guard armor. I was ready to put some holes in the "magically enhanced" armor.

"Alright, here goes." I then opened fire with my ACR, riddling the first three mannequins with 6.8 rounds. After my assault rifle mag ran dry, I quickly switched to my M1911 and finished off the last three with .45 ACP.

I turned to see to see three ponies introducing their jaws to the ground.

"I told you so, Let's go see the extent of the damage." I said, now it was my turn to bear a cocky grin.

After walking 25 meters or so to where the targets were set up, my pony companions decided to to re-introduce the ground with their jaws. Both types of round went right through the armor. On one mannequin I left a shot grouping that resembled a face on what remained of the head.  "I already explained how these work, are you really that surprised? Besides, you haven't seen the exit holes yet."

"It went through the other side?" Shining Armor was about to faint, he had never in his "military" career seen or heard of weapons other than swords and spears, let alone automatic rifles.

"You bet, did you honestly think I would show you a big noisemaker?"

"These weapons are quite terrifying, I would hate to have to see what they did on living ponies."

We all turned to face the pink alicorn pony joining us in the labyrinth.

"I woke you up didn't I? Sorry, I thought I warned you." I said apologetically to Cadance, I'd imagine waking the royal pony from her sleep wasn't going to help me with anything, I could only hope it wouldn't hurt me either.

"It's alright, I guess I could have listened." She didn't sound mad, thankfully. I glanced over at Shining Armor who bore a blank expression, hopefully that meant his wife was not about to explode in anger all over me.

"Well, that's one part of my visit done with. Should we move on to the second?" I asked.

"We will, but I believe Cadance and Shining Armor must return to the Crystal Empire to tend to their royal duties." said Princess Celestia.

"She's right, It was nice to meet you Grayson." said Shining Armor walking towards the exit of the labyrinth.

"Yeah, you should really visit us up north sometime." replied Cadance, moving to her husband's side.

I smiled and waved a friendly goodbye then turned to Celestia, "Crystal Empire? Sounds interesting, maybe i'll visit someday."

"Yes, to get there you must first pass through a barren arctic tundra, but if you can handle that you are rewarded with one of the most beautiful places in Equestria. Now Grayson, we must grant you your second wish, your reward for saving my prized student."

"I thought after seeing my weapons in action you would understand that it wasn't really that hard. It was pretty easy, I still don't get why you are going through this much trouble just for me, or how you you can accept the fact that I saved your pupil by killing my enemies."

The royal sisters exchanged uncomfortable glances, then Celestia turned to me and said, "I accept your actions because they were of necessity, there wasn't much you could do in your situation, but I'm glad you did what you could to rescue my student, speaking of whom, I think she may like you a little." Celestia grinned as she said the last part.

"As a friend? Of course." I replied.

"I think a little more than that." Luna said, a playful smirk on her face.

"Interesting, May we move on now?"

"Oh, yes of course. I will now cast a spell turning you into a pony, I don't know which race for sure, but I do know regardless, you will have the ability to change back at anytime by focusing intensely on your old form." said the Solar Princess, her horn glowing a vivid yellow. I felt a warm sensation spreading through my body, I was floating in the air, then I blacked out.

I awoke in what I assumed to be the princess's royal chambers. Celestia and Luna were standing over me, smiling as usual.

"So how do I look?" I asked.

"Why don't you get out of bed and see?" replied Celestia.

I shoved the bed covers off of me and stood on four legs for the first time. I was a bit wobbly at first. But was walking like a normal pony in a no time at all. I'm a fast learner, what can I say?

I then looked in the mirror and stood for a few seconds, taking in my new form.

In the mirror a saw a unicorn with a grey coat and a flowing jet black mane with streaks of my natural red hair. I kept my emerald green eyes and serious expression. But strangely, I hadn't an emblem on my flank like everyone-er, everypony else.  "Princess, Is there any reason I don't have a marking on my flank?"

"The mark you speak of is called a cutie mark and only appears after a pony discovers their special talent." Celestia answered.

Special talent? I'm surprised it wasn't a rifle or crosshair or something to do with special forces, or military in general.

"Oh well, I'm sure it will appear eventually."

"That's the spirit! Now get some rest. The next few days you will spend here learning the basics of magic from me."

"Will I have to write letters to you every so often like Twilight?"

"No. Don't tell her I said this but, I don't actually read most of Twilight's letters." The Solar Princess replied, softly chuckling.

"Okay then, thanks for everything Princess, really, It means a lot."

"Please, you may just call me Celestia, like my friends."

"You consider me a friend?"

"Why yes, of course. Now rest, it's getting late and there's lots of basic magic I want to begin teaching you tomorrow."

"Okay, Celestia." It felt weird not addressing her as princess, but I would eventually adjust.

"Your room is just down the hall, I'll be there first thing in the morning."

I went down to my room and crawled into bed. I fell asleep instantly without getting to look around too much.