Chapter VIII: Transcendant
~1 Month Later~
I lolled in bed as the light from the Sun began to creep into my vision, removing the heavy darkness. I continued to start at my ceiling for an unknown amount of time before finally forcing myself out of the comfy bed. Shuffling to the bathroom, I turned on the light and immediately winced as the near blinding light filled my vision, giving me a full perspective of my morning self. My hair was a mess, parts of it jutting off my head at every imaginable angle, unable to find a shift. I ran some cold water to force the cobwebs out of my head, and turned to look at myself in the mirror. Right as I did that, a dull, yet sharp point of pain went sauntered through my chest, causing me to put my hands on the sink for balance.
I closed my eyes for a moment as I allowed myself to recover, knowing where this pain had come from.
I hope the Princess replies soon, I mused to myself as I continued about my daily chores as quietly as possible. I tip toed towards my front door, glancing back at my bed, smiling. Colgate lay there, quietly sleeping away, tail tucked around her sleek form. I chuckled to myself as my marefriend stirred before rolling over. I guess you could say that I was glad for letting somepony love me again. It had been many years since I had. The blue mare sleeping in my bed was always kind and gentle. We rarely argued and if we did, we made up immediately. Some people say that if a couple doesn't argue, it demonstrates a lack of interest in each other, but I have to disagree.
Wouldn't it be the other way around?
The crisp autumn air met me as I stepped outside, sending a shiver down my spine. Nothing much had changed as I scanned the town I had learned to call my home. Ponyville was so beautiful this time of year: leaves of yellow, red and orange painted the once boring brown main road a pretty multicolor walkway, the trees slowly swayed from side to side in the gentle breeze. I pushed my bangs out of my left eyes with my arm, half smiling to myself.
I went back inside my little house, closing the door gently behind me, as to not wake Colgate, tip toeing again towards the bed.
"Good morning, sleepy head," an unmistakable voice said in the silence of my home. A wide smile broke across my face as I hopped onto the bed, meeting Colgate's gaze with my own.
"Morning cutie," I replied, welcoming her kiss. I stroked her back as she positioned herself more comfortably. Even now, her fur was unbelievably soft.
Blushing slightly, she scanned the room with half awake eyes, coming to rest on the crackling fire. It might sound weird to have a fire going in the morning, but autumns in Equestria were particularly chilly. She sauntered over to the couch in front of the fireplace, smiling warmly and beckoning me to follow her.
Plopping myself on the couch next to her, I felt a hoof poke at me as I lay down on the comfy furniture to get comfortable. Colgate crawled on my chest, nuzzling my cheek, her sapphire eyes almost glowing in the soft light of the fire. I felt her hooves slowly wrap around my neck as she shifted on my chest, her tail draping over my legs. She rested her head just under my chin as her eyes slid half shut, gazing into the fire. Since I wasn't wearing a shirt, I could feel every movement she made, every breathe she took; even the beating of her heart. Moments passed until I felt her head move, her blue eyes meeting mine in a love filled gaze.
Neither of us said a word.
This is all I have ever wanted.
She kissed me again, our lips meeting sent shivers through her body. This time it was deeper though, as I could feel her pushing against me gently. Mimicking what she was doing, I wrapped my arms around her back, pulling her close. Her lips parted from mine, as her sultry gaze wandered from my eyes. Leaning towards my neck, she gently kissed it, making me shiver. I took a sharp breathe and closed my eyes as she continued to kiss my neck.
Feeling her stop, I opened my eyes to see her smiling warmly, gently attacking me with herself. I let my fingers flow through her mane as our lips locked once again, my hands slowly caressing her body, sliding down her back towards her flanks. As I did, she did not falter, but broke the kiss momentarily to give me a devilish sort of smile.
Her flanks were the softest part of her body by far, at least what I have discovered. I felt something stir in my sweatpants, the mare on top of me almost immediately sensing it too. She moved my hands gently around her lower body. She gave a barely audible moan as I continued to explore my marefriend, panting slightly myself. She leaned forward, kissing me with force, moaning slightly with every movement. I moved my hands to the base of her body, just above her tail, which caused her to right herself and give a hot smile.
She didn't say a word, but moved herself, curling up on my bare chest, her heart beating harder than it was before.
"I love you...so much Jackson..." she said. Her voice was quiet, but the words filled the room. I felt my heart soar as she kissed me one more time, before tucking her head under my chin once again, slowly letting her eyes fall.
"I love you too my little pony. Never forget that," I replied again as I allowed my eyes to fall, darkness taking over.
"Promise me you will never leave," she said.
I froze. I've heard those words once before. But it was so many years ago it hardly mattered now.
I gently stroked her mane while she shifted again.
"I promise," I almost whispered before turning my head towards the fire, and letting my eyes fall.
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She was still asleep on my chest as I began to stir from our mid morning nap. The adorable ball of blue fur had her head tucked neatly under my chin as her body rose and fell with her gentle breathing, tail tucked neatly against the back of her hind legs.
Minuette was a thing of sheer beauty, and to be frank, I was honored to have her as my marefriend. I continued to stare at the ceiling while making sure not to move a muscle. It was white and void of anything interesting except for a few patterns and doodles that my eyes picked out. Feeling her weight against me in such an intimate and caring moment was, in Rainbow Dash's words "Too awesome for words". My ears caught the faint sound of rain hitting my glass windows as I shifted myself slightly so I could see. I dared not move for fear of waking my precious pony, instead I closed my eyes once more and drifted off to sleep.
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A gentle thump on my chest stirred me as I entered the realm of reality. I smiled as Colgate bounced gently on my chest, her warm smile beaming in the last afternoon light.
"Finally you wake up, lover boy. I was getting bored," she said with a playful jab at my left shoulder.
She pulled me in for a kiss before hopping off my chest and strolling off, giggling. I chuckled, stretching and finally picking myself off the bed. By my guess, and casting a glance towards the clock at my bedside, it was around 3pm. I turned my gaze to Colgate, who was happily trotting towards me with a letter in her mouth, with a familiar seal on the back of it. I dropped to my knees, grabbing the letter from her, eyes with anticipation. She literally bounced in place a couple times before walking up to me, putting her forelegs over my left leg, watching as I opened the sealed envelope. My eyes widened as I flew over the neat and elegantly written words as my heart beat faster and faster. What I saw me literally squeal in happiness as Colgate flung herself around me, hugging me tightly. The letter fluttered to the floor as I continued to embrace my beloved marefriend, hearing her gently sobbing into my right shoulder. However, they were tears of joy, happiness and love. Not of sorrow.
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Dearest Jackson and Colgate,
I very much appreciate that you took the time to contact us with your decision. Judging from what my younger sister says, you two make a lovely couple and enjoy your night walks quite a bit. It truly means a lot to both of us that you have found happiness in Equestria.
Now then, pertaining to your question and condition, to make the answer short and simple, Yes. We do have the technology and knowledge to mend you of this ailment. It is of great relief that I send you this letter as we are now, because as I understand it you've made quite a few friends, thanks to Pinkie Pie.
Apologies, I'm rambling. Back to the topic. We have scheduled you and your marefriend on an express train to Canterlot this coming weekend where we can conduct the procedure. The crown will be covering the costs and everything, so there is no need to worry about that. My sister, Princess Luna, will personally oversee that your operation.
I look forward to seeing you here in Canterlot.
Best wishes,
Princess Celestia & Princess Luna
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I couldn't contain my excitement any longer. Throwing both my arms around Colgate, I squeezed her tightly against my chest as I felt her tears soak into my shirt. I knew that this would change my life for the better, but then why was I having some hesitation?
~
The train sped along the tracks at a ludicrous speed, its whistle thundering through the mountains on the way to Canterlot. I sat in my seat with Colgate at my side, Twilight and her other friends also in the same car. They had business to attend to in Canterlot as well and thought it would be nice to tag along and offer support through my operation. The train ride wasn't that long, but it certainly felt long. I didn't do much talking, rather simple listened to the conversations that were going on. Rainbow Dash and Twilight were chatting about flying mechanics, since Twilight had recently gotten her alicorn wings, Applejack and Rarity were arguing about something related to fashion, and Fluttershy simply listened to Pinkie Pie's endless carefree babbling, which bounced topics from cake to climbing mountains to dragons to bubbled, weirdly enough.
As the group burst into laughter at one of Pinkie's remarks, I smiled and shook my head.
Typical Pinkie, I mused as my gaze turned out of the train window, scanning the beautiful Equestrian landscape. I let my mind wander free across the mountains as I slipped deep into thought.
What's next in my future? How will this procedure affect me, and more importantly, everypony else.
My mind swirled with thoughts as the train clacked and steamed along the tracks, making its way to Canterlot. I had a lot to think about in the next coming hours; and to be honest with myself I was a little scared. Knowing that I was in good hooves for the operation was settling enough, and even more reassuring that Princess Luna herself would be overseeing the operation. But I couldn't help but feel some trepidation as the train rolled into Canterlot station finally, screeching to a halt before a huge cloud of steam billowed from the smokestack. Everypony on the train headed their ways, Twilight and her friends heading off towards Princess Celestia's quarters, while Colgate and I waited at the station. Shortly afterwards, Princess Luna arrived with two night guards at her sides.
"Your Highness," I said politely, bowing my head in respect to the real pony in front of me. Giggling she sent off her two guards and trotted over to me.
"Jackson, we are friends. We do not have to be so formal with one another," she said with a smile. Whenever Princess Luna smiled, the entire world seemed a bit brighter.
I stood to my feet and followed Luna as she beckoned me and Colgate to follow her.
"I understand this is a peculiar situation for you, Jackson. That is why I have offered to oversee this procedure myself, so that one of my favorite subjects receives perfect results," she said with a wink.
I chuckled in response; "Thank you for the thought, Luna. Now, what could I expect to happen during this procedure?"
She gave a wise smile as we ascended a flight of stairs towards the medical wing. "It's quite the typical procedure, if I may say so. They are going to put you under, analyzed where the problem is, and fix it. That is, in layman's terms of course," the dark alicorn said as we neared the top of the stairs.
"I see," I replied, giving a satisfactory nod with a firm jaw as we walked down a long hallway.
Luna turned to Colgate, who was trotting happily by my side. "I'm going to have to ask you to wait outside, Colgate. At least for a little while, while we get Jackson here set up and ready to go. You may see him when we are ready."
She nodded in response, pecked me on the cheek before turning around and trotting off. Upon seeing this, Luna chuckled and beckoned me to follow her inside the big double doors.
"She thinks fondly of you, I can tell that you two are meant for each other," she said behind the curtain where I donned my hospital gown. I placed my clothes on a chair behind me before tying the gown around my body.
"Yeah," I replied, "She's amazing."
"Something troubling you, Jackson?"
I paused for a moment. "It's nothing, just a bit nervous," I said as I drew the curtain down, slipping the gown over my right shoulder, covering the tattoo that laid there. Luna's ears and eyes perked as she saw the intricately designed mark disappear from view.
"If I may ask, what is that on your right shoulder?"
"Oh, that's a tattoo. I guess it's the human equivalent of a cutie mark."
The regal mare turned her head to the right slightly, studying the delicate tribal eagle that lay there: colored in black and red, I got it on my 18th birthday when I discovered that I had a talent for machinery.
"You like to fly, Jackson?"
A big smile spread across my face as we walked slowly down the large hallway, many stain glass paintings depicting past events surrounded us.
"It was one of my favorite things to do on Earth, but humans themselves can't fly. We don't have wings," I explained. She nodded in response as we continued to walk down the hallway, the massive paintings depicting Twilight and her friends saving Equestria multiple times. I felt it was an honor to be their close friend.
We entered the medical wing, filled with white washed walls and bustling medical ponies everywhere, who immediately snapped to attention when the Princess and I entered the wing. She relieved them and called the doctor that would be doing the operation over. He was a tall, well build beige unicorn stallion with thick rimmed glasses. I didn't catch his name, but he was very friendly and explained the procedure in depth as they took me to the operating room. He was very reassuring and calm, professional even. Of course, he had to be when one of the Princess's was in the room.
After about 15 minutes of questions from me, they took me deeper into the operating room, where I saw Colgate waiting for me, accompanied by two nurses. As the bed rolled up next to her, she put her hooves on the railing and leaned in for a kiss. She mouthed the words "be safe & I love you" to me before being escorted out by the nurses. The last thing I saw before the white doors swung shut was Colgate meeting up with Twilight and her friends.
"Alright, Jackson. Are you ready?" the doctor said to me, donning his operation attire. He looked very calm and cool, like he had done this dozens of times.
I nodded, glancing one last time at Princess Luna, who gave me an encouraging smile before giving the doctor the green light.
The last thing I remember as the real world started to fade away was the thought of Colgate, laid out on my chest, snuggling by the fire. I guess it's true that love can transcend worlds.