Another Casting of the Cards

The next day…

Sam and the othes sat in a train, headed to Canterlot, with my head in Rainbow Dash's lap as I told her about our airplanes. "…and they can even break the sound barrier," I informed her, privately wondering how a discussion with Rarity about my dark coat colour and reddish-blondeish-ginger had shifted to one about airplanes. I sank into a daydream as I finished the sentence. That reminded me: "actually, Rainbow, I'm not Thomas anymore. I left that name, that…person behind and I'd like to try a new start, a fresh leaf, another scroll, a second life, another casting of the cards."

Twilight only smiled in support, leaving me to continue, "I request that I be known as Billy Phoenix from now on. I want to try and be better than I was. Having finally met Applejack and Rarity, I realize that I wasn't mistaken- this really is paradise, and I hope to one day call you my friends."

Applejack stated in her distinctive drawl, "ya know we are already yer friends?" I started, not really sure what to make of this. Where he had come from, a friend was sometimes referred to as a 'space heater'. Not that that was gonna matter here. Nor would that term be in use by me.

I had a new found respect for friends, suddenly. Never again would they be referred to as space heaters.

I suddenly informed Twilight, "oh, and we don't have magic where I was from."

She sputtered, clearly confused, "what?! How did you do anything then?"

"We didn't," I replied, "at least, not well."

o.O.o

Later…

"Okay, but what are you doing here, Rainbow?" I asked as the aforementioned adventurer trotted sedately with the rest of us.

"Well, I need to check in on the Rainbow Factory. Normally I do have to check in once or twice a year, but now seems ideal too." I glanced at Pinkie Pie, Applejack and Rarity, knowing they all had long-term contracts with various Canterlot vendors- Pinkie for pastries, AJ for apple products, and Rarity for dresses. Fluttershy was here because, well, I wasn't really sure why Fluttershy was here. And Twilight was here with me on my first trip to the ruling junta! On second thought, maybe I shouldn't use that phrase again when here. Or maybe it was my natural and deep seated paranoia rearing its head again, though I had no idea why it would want to bring up my paranoia.

Either way, I had to get something out. On that note, I glanced around, paying attention to roofs, windows and alleys, saying as I did so, "Twilight, you mind if I tell you something?"

Turning to me, she had a smile on her face as she answered, "not at all. What's up?"

I began, nervous at first, but getting stronger with every word, "there are two things I never liked, and I still don't, but not so much. Anyway, I never liked opulence and sleeping. I never liked opulence because it invariably hid something. And I don't like sleeping because I always had nightmares, and I don't need it either." Having finished this outburst, I lapsed into silence, deciding that I would be as quiet as possible for the next three hours. Unless someone asked me something. Then they'd hear me roar, all right.

I remembered something someone had told me -- no, not me. I wasn't Thomas anymore-- a long time ago: If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything. I pondered this as we approached the magnificence of the castle and trotted past the guards, impressive-looking stallions in burnished gold armor. As we went, I noted dispassionately that the castle was a well-built, solidly designed fortress, no doubt magically strengthened and protected as well.

An indeterminate amount of time later, I awoke from my daydreams to see that we were standing before an imposing door. It was huge. Apparently this is the final door till the throne room. I was about as nervous as a debutante at her first cotillion, and not just because I was meeting with the ruler of an entire kingdom.

I looked over at Twilight, and she smiled at me, saying, "it's ok, you little shit. They're just going to sentence you, then execute you. Fine, right?" Her voice seemed to shift as she said it, not that I noticed, too busy processing her words to notice.

I instantly began to panic. "You really didn't just say what I thought you did, because you just said that…" as she took a step closer, I rapidly shifted into panic mode, shying away, then simply running forward. At this point, as I threw myself to what I realized was the immovable door, I simply flew through the air, catapulted by my own momentum. I half-closed my eyes as-- I fell through the door. Twisting around, I caught a view of myself turning to Twilight as I fell, talking to her with a smile on my face.