//------------------------------//
// 38 - Return to Ponyville 
// Story: It's OK to Be a Pony 
// by David Silver 
//------------------------------//

Twilight, Sam, Cadance, and Shining Armor all boarded the train headed towards Ponyville. Luna and Celestia remained in Canterlot, returning to their duties, or getting in a nap in the case of the ruler of the night.

Cadance tried to be supportive of the sad pony she was seated beside, offering up a warm wing and an equally warm presence, but Sam never forgot he was being offered hugs by an alien, and couldn't really enjoy these equine affections. "No offense, uh, ma'am, er, majesty? Perhaps you'd be better off with your husband there."

Cadance took the hint and spent the remainder of the trip beside Shining, and the two were content in one another's presence. Twilight smiled at Sam. "Don't worry, we'll get things straightened out for you. You're not alone, just to emphasize, and we won't force you to do anything."

Sam quirked a smile. They were being so helpful... thoughtful... Why? "What do you need me for anymore anyway?"

Twilight tilted her head. "We don't need you for anything, Sam, but you obviously need us, or somepony. You look so... alone." She wobbled a hoof as the said the last word.

Sam frowned a bit, anger flaring, just to die and escape him with a resigned sigh. "Yeah..."

Twilight suddenly smiled. "Oh, Lyra will be there too, if you'd like to talk to her? She's your friend, right?"

Sam considered over that, mulling the thought in his mind. Was Lyra really his friend? "I'll talk to her..." He wasn't sure, but a conversation wouldn't hurt him, and might dispel the mystery.

When they arrived in Ponyville, Sam disembarked and headed for the once-human house with Cadance and Shining trailing along behind him quietly. He frowned back at them. "I don't need company to get through Ponyville."

Shining smiled hesitantly. "We'd like to meet the, uh, mare you're interested in."

Sam huffed and stormed ahead, knocking on the door lightly.

Sunny opened the door and her expression turned from casual to brilliant smile immediately. "Sam! I thought you were gone forever!" She jumped out at him, knocking him to the ground in a tight embrace. "Welcome back!"

Cadance smiled gently, watching the exchange. "You certainly seem to have a friend here."

Sam wriggled out of her grip and sat up. "Sunny, I've told you not to do that. I don't like tackles as a way of greeting, god."

Sunny shrugged. "Pegasus instinct. That's my excuse and nothing's changing it. What's up, Sam?"

Sam pointed past her into the house. "Is Lucy in?"

Sunny turned for the door. "Hey, Lucy! Sam wants you!"

Sam turned dark at her choice of words before he shook himself out, trying to look composed. The small crystalline form of Lucy appeared and Sunny retreated into the house.

Cadance approached curiously. "Well look at this adorable pony."

Lucy perked an ear at Cadance and looked across from here to Shining and back. "Um, good day. A pleasure to meet you both?"

Shining Armor pointed at himself. "I'm Shining Armor, and this is my wife. You can call her Cadance. She's the princess of the Crystal Empire."

Lucy nodded slowly before it clicked. "Oh! Where they thought I was from, at first." She frowned at Cadance. "I hope you're not here to try and remove me from Ponyville. I'm not done here."

Cadance held up her hooves placatingly. "Perish the thought. Your friend came to say hello to you."

Lucy looked away from Cadance to Sam and smiled at him. "I thought you'd rush back to the portal once you were done. Wanted to say bye?"
Sam fidgeted in place. "Well... yeah... about that... I..." He reached out for her, brushing a hoof through her mane, which she tolerated. "I don't want to be alone anymore. The job isn't important. Fucking fingers aren't so important..."

Lucy shook her head. "Sam, you're twice as large as I am, to start."

Sam huffed softly. "That'll change. I'm not asking for sex, damn it. I want a girlfriend that knows what I'm talking about. I want a human... Is that wrong?"

Lucy gave a sad little smile. "No... That's not wrong, but I don't love you, Sam. I like you a bit, but to be honest, you've been kind of a jerk." She held up a hoof. "Now don't get me wrong. I know you're going through a lot. I know that... I'm willing to give you a chance to be a friend, and to knock that chip off your shoulder, but... really, there's no way I can offer what you're asking for right now."

Shining looked between the two and leaned in close to Cadance, whispering, "She seems to have this under control."

Sam deflated at the denial, as gentle as it was in comparison to how it could have been. In his mind, Lucy was the only woman he knew, and she didn't want him. Then it struck him and he frowned at himself. "Yeah... You're... you're right, Lucy. I've... I'll get better. You don't deserve to have some desperate slob crying all over you."

Lucy shook her head. "On the contrary, if you need to get out a cry, we're always here, Sam, all of us. Crying doesn't make you a jerk. Being a jerk makes you a jerk, and I think you know the difference." She stood up and turned to head inside. "Let us know if you're moving back in. You'll probably want to visit Lyra first."

When she was gone, Sam looked to Cadance and Shining with a heavy heart, but mind whirring with possibilities. He tried to voice a few, but nothing came out.

Cadance wrapped him in her magic and lifted him up, pulling him over between herself and Shining, where a group hug quietly occurred. "Your little friend is very wise. You have my fondest wishes that you find happiness. If you need to get a message to me, ask Twilight."
Soon the royalty had departed, secure in the knowledge that no foal would be harmed by Sam.