Far Away

CHAPTER XXII

The group of ponies set off through the town to the train station early next morning. Twilight felt guilty for not telling her friends but she decided it was for the better. The sun had barely crept up the horizon, dousing the lands with a blood red sky and a yellow disk half covered by the curvature of the planet. Long shadows were cast as the group trotted in single file to the open Ponyville train station platform.

A multi-coloured train was waiting at the station, occasionally releasing the small puff of steam from the funnel which was caught in the blood red sky, creating the illusion of a red cloud of gas. The train had no more than three carriages. Not many passengers decided to travel at dawn but there were a few stragglers who were already boarded and staring blankly out of the large windows.

Twilight gave out nine passes, one to each member of the group (the Wonderbolts, Jack and Daring, and Rainbow Dash and herself) which also had their seat number imprinted in bold letters and numbers on the front of the pass. The ponies trotted onto the station and presented their passes to the station master. He nodded stiffly as he observed the tickets and gestured to the train car their seats were located in. “Car A,” he said just in case anypony didn’t notice.

Twilight had everything planned very well, as she did with everything Jack learned. She had packed a map and books for light rereading in her saddlebags and also a few heavy sacks of bits. When everypony boarded the train, they saw that the cabin was private, and included just enough seats to fit them with one left over. The train car had five rows of two seats down the right hand side.

Jack was seated beside Daring, and Soarin was seated next to Dash. Twilight really had though this over a few times. The cabin was spacious and the moment they were all boarded, Twilight took out two sacks of bits and gave one to Jack for his needs. “Come on!” she urged, “I’m a princess, I have too much money, just take it alright?” Jack finally gave up arguing against her and took the heavy sack of bits and transferred it into his own saddlebag. Twilight did the same to Daring, who was sitting beside Jack, insisting that she took it. She was met with much more resistance this time and barely won the argument.

“Good Celestia, you two just don’t get it into your head that I’m a princess, do you?” she mumbled as she walked away to sit next to Spitfire, where they had maps laid on the table before them and discussing in hushed voices but the quiet debate escalated to a heated argument, debating on the fact the amulet had gone missing and where it possibly was. It was amusing for Jack to see the two leaders having a heated debate.

The trip to Canterlot would take around three hours so they had a long time to discuss some issues. Jack felt bored, he blamed himself for not taking a book or a pen and parchment. He stared out of the window at fertile plains that were yet to be farmed and the far away Cloudsdale, the highest cloud buildings sticking out on the flat horizon to the north. Jack felt Daring lean on him gently, her eyes in a trance, gazing out into the open sky. Jack wrapped a hoof around her and stroke her mane gently with the other.

Time flew when the two leant on each other and felt content, truly a rare moment in time. Daring was used to the rough life, living in jungles. She loved that, she couldn’t deny but she just wondered, what she loved more. Feeling the rush of adrenaline while exploring a jungle or sitting next to loved ones. The sun rose steadily as the train flew across the lands, but starting to incline, due to the fact that Canterlot was on a mountain. The air started to get colder in the carriage as the altitude increased steadily.

Daring suddenly hopped onto Jack’s lap without warning. Jack tensed as he wasn’t expecting it. “Well, you didn’t have to stop,” whispered Daring in Jack’s ear. Jack hesitated before caressing her mane again. Daring was a significantly smaller pony, so Jack did not protest when she hopped on. Daring locked Jack in a tight embrace as they travelled further and further up the mountain, the air becoming colder and colder. Jack felt Daring shiver from the cold, and embraced her back, his head hanging over her shoulder.

That was the time, of all times that Twilight decided to have a bit of a ‘stretch’ by walking once up and down the cabin. She saw the companions and started to walk more briskly up and down the cabin, not wanting to disturb them, quickly rushing back to her seat next to Spitfire. Daring sensed the presence of another pony and quickly jumped back into her own seat, but still leaning on Jack nonetheless.

Thirty minutes later, the train arrived in the grand Canterlot train station. Twilight announced a bit earlier that they were expected to go see Celestia the moment the arrive at Canterlot to provide her with the details of the engagement outside of the hospital in Ponyville. The group of ponies stepped out of the cabin and found themselves in bustling pedestrian traffic. They walked slowly through the sea of ponies until they all reached the outside of the station, next to one of the enormous marble pillars.

“Ok guys, everypony here?” asked Twilight. She was answered with nods as Spitfire looked at her flight of four other pegasi. “Ok, let’s get to the castle then!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The majestic castle stood before them, marble gleaming purely and gold shining richly in the sunlight. The Canterlot Castle was always an attractive sight; no matter how many times you’ve seen it, It’s just one of those things in life. Twilight entered through the gilded doors followed by the rest of her companions. She treaded up the large arcing marble staircase and turned a corner into Celestia’s wing of the castle. Banners and paintings of the sunrise and sunset were hung on the walls and ceilings.

To everypony’s surprise, Celestia was standing elegantly in the doorway to her study, waiting for them. “Hello, Twilight and friends,” she said gently, “Do come in and make yourselves comfortable.”

Twilight followed by her group came into the study and found a large amount of cushions, stools and chairs lining the walls. They each brought one of personal preference to the desk behind which Celestia was sitting. The room was painted white with gold accents on the walls with a golden hanging chandelier that was adorned with delicate carvings and candles. Over to the right side of the room relative to Twilight was a glass door that opened out to a balcony. The view even from inside was astounding. Since Canterlot is stationed at the top of a mountain, you could see for miles on end from this high perch.

“Can you good ponies please explain what happened to my sister, we’re not getting anywhere closer if you’re staring out of the window,” she said with a shadow of a grin on her face.

“Oh… alright,” said Twilight snapping out of her trance, “Jack, you may want to explain this part.”

Jack nodded, “Well, your highness.”

“Call me Celestia or princess, Mr. Wanderer. We have no use for such formalities in this environment,” interjected Celestia.

“Sorry, princess. As you recall, I met you in the library a few weeks ago…” Jack started explained.

The rest of the ponies in the room got comfortable and ready for a long explanation. They knew how thorough the princess could be, especially about topics that were close to her heart. The sun gradually sank down under the horizon from its apex. They have been trapped in the room for more than a few hours. They arrived at around noon and now it was sunset. Celestia went through every little detail carefully, listening intently.

“…and I was knocked out cold for that part. I think Twilight or Daring knows more,” Jack finished with a sigh.

“Well, Mr. Wanderer. That was quite a detailed recount and explanation. I congratulate you on hanging on so long. Alas, it is night-time. We shall discuss further on this topic tomorrow. I grant you guest quarters in the castle, inform me of your sleeping arrangements and I shall grant those wishes,” said Celestia as they walked out of the study, “I shall host supper tonight.”

Celestia led the group into the castle’s massive dining hall, where a merry fire was cackling in the far side. The room had the same design as Celestia’s study but at a much larger scale. A small amount of dishes of food were laid on the long table. It was modest for a princess. Celestia gestured for the group to join her, and they took seats around the end of the table, next to Celestia, who was sitting at the end. They ate heartily and even conjured a light heartedness felt by Celestia. After the initial dinner, dessert was served in the form of crepes drizzled with caramel. A few beers and wines were passed around as well, to ensure the high spirits. It was another great night. Celestia revealed her true self as being a bit of a troll and prankster. Blaze was sleeping while drinking again, everything was back to normal.

“I think it is time to hit the hay, don’t you?” asked Spitfire with a slight slur. She never really allowed herself to drink, especially because she was captain of the Wonderbolts but such an occasion with royalty cannot be missed.

“Yeah, I think so,” replied Jack warily.

“You still have not told me of your sleeping arrangements yet,” said Celestia softly, in the middle of downing her second glass of wine.

“Ok, so each Wonderbolt is going to need their own room, Dash will share a room with Soarin,” said Twilight, which caused Celestia’s eyebrows to raise.

“Found your special somepony, Dash?” she remarked, “Ok Twilight, go on.”

Dash who was currently tucked in Soarin’s wings sat up straight for a moment, a blush creeping onto her face.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Celestia chuckled.

“Jack will be sharing a room with Daring and I’ll take my usual room,” finished Twilight.

“I will get that sorted straight away,” said Celestia while she lifted herself out of her chair and turned to walk out of the dining room, “You ponies can stay here.”

A few minutes later, Celestia returned. “You can go to your rooms now, the six rooms you requested are ready. They are in the guest wing. Go up the stairs on the left hand side this time. Turn to your left at the first intersection and you should be there.”

An out of sync “thank you” were muttered by the tired ponies as they headed up to their rooms. It was a tiring day, especially for Jack who had to recount his experiences for the past few days. Jack pushed open his bedroom door and trotted inside, followed by Daring.

“You are going to have a shower mister!” she said sternly like the night in the inn.

“Only if you hop in with me.”

“Uhh… Ok I guess…” Daring trailed off as Jack tugged her into the bathroom.