Amethyst had popped her head into my office with a cheerful smile and told me Jackie and the girls were back, and at the castle. So I slid the gun from the drawer into my holster, grabbed my hat off the hook near my office door and headed out.

Thinking nothing off it, I walked right in, turned right and headed to the map room door. Pushing it open things happened fast. A bellow of anger, a flash of light, pain, my hand flew to the peacemaker…

I found myself sitting on the floor of the map room. Smoke slowly rose from my chest where my shirt smoldered in a near perfect circle. My chest hurt and I could feel the blisters starting to form. My back was up to the wall and my legs stretched out.

Smoke drifted from the barrel of the Colt Peacemaker, my thumb having yanked the hammer back again. My finger was on the trigger as I glared across at the pony that put me here. The idiot in the blue pointed hat with all the bells, his eyes were wide. A hole was in his hat just inches above his skull and chips out of the crystal wall behind him.

Jackie had a look of pure hate in her eyes. She was currently held in a purple magical field, her right leg extended with her hoof an inch from the bearded stallion’s skull. Rainbow was held in the same field; her hoof not as close, but you could tell she had been coming in fast and hard before the magic cast by the pissed off princess stopped everypony in their tracks.

It was Starlight who bellowed out, “Enough! Stop, all of you!” Bringing even the rather large blue stallion with the shovel to a stop in his half charge across the room at me.

Twilight spoke up next. “Back off, everypony!” Then I heard her address me, but I was not willing to take my eyes off Mister Bells and Beard yet.

“Ranger McDonald, stand down and let fluttershy look at you. That is an order.” She commanded, then continued. “Applejack, Rainbow, I will let you go if you promise to back off. That goes for everypony here, you will all back down, now!”

The stallion that shot me, and I shot back, cleared his throat. “I will not stand down while that vile creature contines…”

Cutting him off, Jackie’s tone was dark and angry. “You finish that sentence and Ah’ll buck ya inta the next century.”

A very loud exhale came from the rather ancient looking unicorn with the curved horn. “Perhaps the princess is right, we should hear her out.”

He was followed up by a comment from the almost Egyptian looking pony. “I agree, we will stand down, won’t we, Starswirl?”

I watched as the bearded prick slowly unlit his horn and gave a nod. “I will listen, for now. However, I demand to know what is going on, why that creature is here, and what that thing in his hand that spat fire and thunder is.”

Pinky Pie shook her head and kept stretching her jaw side to side. “Maap, ma~ap, does anypony else hear bells? Maaaapp”

I lowered the hammer slowly, then slid the big iron back into the holster on my side. Hearing a odd almost cajun tone speak from my side. “Fluttershy, bring your kit, we have somepony hurt.”

—

Laying as I was on a sofa that Spike had dragged into the map room, I had the Element of Kindness and the earth pony I had come to learn was Mage Meadowbrook working on my chest.

“Now Shane, let Meadowbrook finish up, please.” Flutters admonished me as I complained for the twelvth time.

I have to admit that whatever the foul smelling goop the blue earth pony mare was using on my burned chest was, it had cut the pain. I did keep shooting looks over at the bearded prick, and he did the same to me.

Twilight had filled him in on who I was, my place in Equestria, and the fact I was a crown appointed officer of the peace. He, in turn, had yelled at her, almost making her cry. That didn’t sit at all well with me, top that with the fact that Jackie kept muttering under her breath about kicking his teeth out; things were a bit tense in the room.

The big blue earth pony named Rockhoof was trying to distract Jackie by asking her about me and our relationship. Anything to keep her from flying off the handle again at Starswirl. Not that he didn’t deserve it, but things were not going to get solved by her removing his head from his neck.

Flash Magnus and Rainbow streaked in through a window and landed near the sofa. Flash tugged out some bandages while Rainbow was pulling out some odds and ends from her bag.

“Here you go, Meadowbrook; Flight Lieutenant Dash found the aspire bark you asked for.” Flash Magnus said proudly as he set the bark on the table near us.

“Perfect. Thank ya so much, Flash.” Meadowbrook responded as Rainbow grumbled and poked the solder pegasus in the side.

“Dude, call me Rainbow, how many times do I have to tell you?” Rainbow admonished.

I chuckled and let the ponies around me do what they needed to do to help me. I glanced over again at the others, making sure Beard Boy was not laying into Twilight again. Rainbow fluffed up a tad and muttered, “He had better watch his mouth when he talks to Twi.”

I put my hand out and patted the rainbow maned mare. “Easy, Dash. A dust up is the last thing we need now. I don’t like him much either, but Twilight says he is important.”

It was Magnus that spoke up next. “You are far more forgiving and calm than I would be, Ranger McDonald. I admire that.”

—

I had been moved via wagon back to the farm. This was likely for the best as I had threatened to remove Starfucks horn with my bare hand and shove it up his ass after he started admonishing Twilight again. Getting the two of us apart was likely for the best. The others in his crew seemed to be level headed I had no clue why they put up with that bearded asshole.

Jackie had gone back to the castle after she had given me a rough rundown of a shadow pony, something or other and a danger to all of Equestria. I didn’t like the idea of her in danger, however she had a job to do and this was it. This was not something I could stop, and that kind of frustrated me, too.

Currently I was laying on my bed, shirtless with bandages over my chest. My bird, Red, was perched on the headboard above me, giving little peeps now and then of concern. Why, one might ask? Because I had three adorable, if not dangerous, little nurses helping me out.

“Scoots, quit trying to do a flip off the ranger’s bed, and stay out of his things, Apple Bloom.” Sweetie Belleadmonished her best friends.

“Ya’ll need to let Shane get a nap,” Applebloom said in a soft tone.

Scootaloo snorted. “But I’m boooored.” She drew out the word. None of them knew I was awake and listening in.

“Now, Scootaloo, we all promised to take care of Shane, ya can’t go back on your word,” Apple Bloom started, then her tone took on a kind of teasing edge. “Rainbow Dash would never go back on her word.”

After a few seconds of silence, I heard Scootaloo with a kind of defeated tone draw out “Fiine,” in a semi whine.

It sounded like they were all at the foot of the bed and trying to talk quietly but had no clue how loud their whispers were. “Now, we got to do our part, we promised to take care of Shane. Granny Smith said he can’t be moving around for two days, on account of the bandages and that pol- uh poultry, no that ain’t right, po...” a pause. “On account of the medicine stuff on his chest.”

I heard the door open and a soft voice whisper came in. “Will you three come out of there, you are going to wake him up.” Ah, the voice of reason, hard to believe that little pink filly was the same as the bully of months before.

Another voice followed it. “Is he doing ok?” Pip. I could hear the stress in his tone, but it was Sweetie Belle that answered as the door clicked shut cutting her off.

“Yea, Pip, he is going to be just fine, don’t you worry.”

I tuned out after that, as they went back to whatever it was they did. I opened my eyes just enough to see Red tuck his head in under his wing nap time for everyone, I think.

—-

Took me almost a three days to recover enough to be up and around without the dynamic trio fretting and following me around. I knew Jackie and the girls were off at all corners of Equestria trying to track down this shadow thing. They had been gone almost two weeks now and I was a bit stressed with worry, but I was holding it together.

Cort was currently out on a one week patrol to the outskirts of Manehattan and back, and had LD with him. It was good they worked so well together, and LD was shaping up to be one hell of a good law officer. She had her first collar on her own too, about two weeks ago. Drunk mare, smacking her stallion around at a bar out in Dry Creek. Another of the tiny mining towns near Appleloosa.

Currently I was sitting at my desk catching up on paperwork when I heard the front door open and close, then a few seconds later, Amethyst’s voice called out. “Ranger, you got a visitor.”

Standing up, grabbing my hat and sliding the peacemaker into my holster from the drawer, I walked out into the main room to see two of the Caribou species and one of the Deer tribe that I didn’t know, standing there looking a bit out of place, scared, and clearly not used to being in town.

The deer spoke up. “Forgive, P-ponish not best how I speak, but friends come news and no spoke Ponish at all.” I tilted my head and gave a nod to the stag.

“Please, be at ease, you are all safe. What is going on?”

The deer turned and translated to the two Caribou, who both looked at me then at each other and relaxed a little. They spoke back in that same odd kinda clicks and throat noises. The Deer, in turn, gave a nod and looked back at me.

“Three moon ago, creature was found near the lands of plentiful sunflower,” he paused and thought for a bit, clearly trying to find the right words “Strange creature, hurt. Caribou find way help, but no know what else to. Creature huge, like Goddess of Sun; perhaps bigger, but not pony. Look like pony, but not. Whitetail tribe say to find you, you have much honor and trust, to come look.”

I frowned, but gave a nod. “How many days out?”

The caribou looked at the deer who translated then both looked at me and smiled, giving the clicks and growls. “They say two day walk to them land.”

I gave a nod again. “Okay, tell them I will take a few hours to pack my gear up, and we can start off. If they will lead me to the place?”

Once again the deer translated for them, then looked at me with a smile “They are honored, and ask,” tapping his chest a couple time, “Little Stick come, speak for you so understand words.” He looked rather proud of this.

“Sounds good. Hey, Amy, can you get them a snack and let Golden know when she comes in and send a messenger out to Cort and LD, to let them know where I am going?”

Amethyst smiled and gave a nod. “Can do, boss.” She said and I rolled my eyes.

—

Back at the farm, I had sat Pip down on the bed as I packed things up, talking with him. “You really have to go, sir?” He asked with a slight tone of worry in his words. “Applejack isn’t back yet.”

I turned and smiled warmly to him, reached out and put a hand under his chin. “Pip, this is important, it’s part of my job, just like Jackie is doing her job. Can you stick around, keep a eye on things here; help Granny as I know you will?”

He perked up a bit and gave a stern little nod, a far too serious look on his face. “I won’t let you down, Ranger, Sir.”

I exhaled and turned back to packing my small backpack. “Pip, you have lived here what, three, four months? Call me Shane when we are not at the station, okay?”

He gave a little nicker that I have learned to associate with frustration. “But, Si-” he stopped himself, “Shane, it, well, it doesn’t feel respectful.”

I turned and glanced at him. “Kid, I have wiped your snotty nose and held you when you cried, we are far beyond just respectful, okay?”

A warm smile offered up from me as I said that. He blushed, but then gave a nod. “I will do my best to keep a eye on things.”

Tucking some extra rounds into my bag and picking up my rifle, I smiled at him. “Thank you, Pip. And don’t give Big Mac a hard time when he says it’s time for Diamond to head home, alright?”

He gave a grimace, but nodded. “Ok.”

—

The first night we camped, the two Caribou who I had learned were named Grass Hill and Round Stone made some kind of meal. I was not sure what it was made of, but after Little Stick explained I could not eat grass or unprocessed grains they assured me it was safe, and I will say it was rather tasty.

I earned bonus points by exchanging a lighter I got from Time Turner as a thank you for a favor I did. Grass Hill gave me a flint knife that was rather well made. I had found a way to carry it at the back of my gun belt, it made a nice backup and something others could touch without the properties of things from my world. The three had been surprised by my need to roll a blanket and pad out under me then cover up with another. However I had explained about the lack of fur and understanding came with that.

Morning came quickly and we packed up. We hiked out and day two saw us coming up over a hill to overlook a small village. I could see cloth teepees formed around a large fire ring. Remembering that they were a nomadic species, I took note of how well cared for everything was.

I was keeping my rifle in a scabbard along the side of my pack. I didn’t feel the need to carry it openly. There wasn’t any real danger out this way that I knew of and I did have the Peacemaker on my right hip and the heavy as hell Walker on the other side of the belt in its holster.

Walking down into the small village of teepees, I was greeted by many curious Caribou, both male and female. Little ones hid behind a parents leg or peaked out of open flaps. I made sure to always offer a toothless smile and a genuine nod of my head to everyone I made eye contact with.

I was brought before a rather large male, his horn rack nearly as tall as my throat. I dipped my head and glanced at my escort and back to him. He dipped his head to me and spoke in pretty darn good Ponish. “It is time we finally met, Ranger Shane McDonald. I am Walks Wide Stream, Elder of this clan.” He gestured about with his hoof.

I dipped my head to him again. “The pleasure is mine, Walks Wide Stream.”

A much smaller female next to him seemed to be translating for all the ones listening. He gestured to her. “This is my daughter, Hops Over Ponds.” And again I dipped my head to her.

“I am told you found something, or some creature, you needed me to look at?”

He gave a nod and gestured. “Come, we shall go and see the creature. It is not tame, but it is not aggressive or trying to hurt others. I think, it is scared.”

I exhaled and turned to follow, wishing I had some backup here. But, as the saying goes: One riot, one Ranger.

Looking at the creature in the distance, I knew what this was, who this was right away. My mind was frozen for a moment. How… how could she have? How is she here? I had so many questions.

I could see the fence erected made of logs to keep her in the area. I could see scars as we got closer. I could see a new scar along her ribs. It looked very new and just healed. Her hooves were in rough shape, her mane tangled.

This was my horse, Gypsy! The Palomino Appaloosa was right there, right before my eyes.

It’s not possible. She was out in the far paddock the night the cabin was torn from my world to here. She can’t be here, unless…she had come up near the water trough; the odds were slim. Then the question was how had she survived three years on her own.

I could see she had gone somewhat mustang. I made no attempt to approach her, I just slowly took my backpack off and slid my gun belt off to lay on top of that. Speaking in a very soft tone, I said “Can someone fetch me some sweet oats, or some kind of high sugar grasses?”

One caribou took off after a few clicks and a hum. I eased myself through the fence, but stood with a hand out. I didn’t look at her, I could hear her make noises and run from one side of the paddock to the other at the far end.

So I stood there, head turned away, arm out, hand flat and fingers to the sky. Many of the Caribou and our Deer translator watched on in silence.

I stood there for what felt like an hour, staying silent, before I heard a noise coming closer to me. Finally, I spoke in a very quiet tone. “Easy now girl. Gypsy, it’s me.”

She bolted again and I exhaled, but when I snuck a peak her way. I saw she was standing still and watching me, ears up. Good, I had her attention now. She kept watching me, tail swishing a little. Clearly my voice tone had hit some memory for her.

I crossed out of the fence again and took the sweet grass brought to me by a Caribou. Laying it near the fence on her side I then had everyone back off. This was not going to be a fast fix and I let the clan leader know I would be sleeping out here tonight near the fence.

The next morning I opened my eyes to see Gypsy watching me as she chewed on the sweet grass. She was still ready to bolt, but her ears were up, not down, so this was a good sign. I very slowly sat up, but didn’t stare at her or even look her way. I just talked as I went about rolling up my bedding.

“So what do you say girl, think you remember me? It’s had to be a crazy three years; you look a bit banged up, but healthy.” I kept talking with no harsh words.

About twenty minutes later I extended my hand as I had before. This time she bolted but only a few feet. Again not looking at her, five minutes later I felt a nose touch my hand then pull back. I took my chance and turned my head, and she pulled back a bit, then leaned in and again nosed my hand.

“That’s my girl.”

—

It took me nearly four days of that before she let me start inspecting her. Once she figured things out she wouldn’t leave my side at all when I was in the paddock. She stayed plastered to me as close as she could.

I made a makeshift halter from hemp rope and some cloth strapping the Caribou helped me with. No way I was going to be able to ride her, not yet. We would have to break her back into that, but she was trusting me.

I used the new flint knife to trim her hooves, she seemed ok letting me do that. I inspected her scars, checked her over. Other than being a little malnourished, she was in great shape.

I also spent a lot of time explaining to the Caribou and Deer that had shown up to see just what she was. At first they were confused why she didn’t speak as any pony did, but slowly then came to understand she was not quite like creatures here.

I had sent my bird, Red, on our second day here with a note tied around his leg to Canterlot. The note was for Celestia and Luna and explained everything going on. Red had just shown up, circling back to land on my shoulder with a note around his leg.

I pulled it and glanced at it. “Understood, project Gypsy is a crown secret, for now. Troops sent to SAA to build a fenced area, GS contacted and alerted. Return at your speed.”

Then under that it said.

“Applejack is safe, we are in touch, they have stopped the Pony of Shadows and are bound for Canterlot, estimate three days. - Luna and Celestia”

I exhaled, folding the note and tucking it in my pocket. “You hear that Red, Jackie is safe.” he bent in and rubbed his beak on my cheek.

—

Getting Gypsy home was not too hard, but it took us three days because we had to avoid the main roads and towns. Little Stick helped guide me, the Caribou having been left back at their village.

I had thanked them a million times, some of it had gotten emotional because, well, truth is, I was not alone here anymore. Gypsy was here, and that meant I had some touch of home.

I spent the walk home pondering just how the ponies, and especially Jackie would react to the fact I had a domesticated horse in my life again. Come to think of it, how would Gypsy react to Jackie, and knowing my scent was all over her. I hope horses don’t get jealous; well at least I hope Gypsy didn’t.

—

They had done a great job setting up a paddock for the horse. I got her in through one of the two gates and let her run around it and explore. I walked over to the barn, tossed my backpack into my room and was going to walk for the house before I noticed a littlecolt, an Apple filly, and Granny all standing near the fence, eyes wide, watching Gypsy, who was watching them back.

I walked over and said in a soft voice, “Granny, Pip, AB, this is Gypsy.” The horse nickered and took a few steps closer to the fence.

It was Granny that spoke up in a soft tone. “Now, big girl, ain’t no one here going to bring you one bit of harm.” It took the horse another few minutes to get close enough to bend her neck over the fence and I watched as she and granny touched noses. I had never seen Gypsy act in such a way, so I just watched.

AB and Pip watched, then granny gestured. They moved closer, and once again Gypsy lifted her head, watched, then lowered it again, all the way down and kind of huffed and nosed each of them, making them giggle.

“She can’t talk or nothing, Shane?” Bloom looked up at me, Pip was listening; I could see from his ears, but he had his little hoof out and he was petting Gypsy’s muzzle very lightly.

“No, Bloom, she is not like ponies here. She is, well, a horse.” I made damn sure to not make the ‘W’ and long ‘H’ inflection before it. “She is smart, but still an animal, a lot more like the creatures Fluttershy helps than a pony like you or granny are.” I exhaled. “Granny, I need to head up to Canterlot and make sure things are ok.”

She cut me off. “And check on Applejack, I suspect.” She said, giving me a smile.

I huffed and nodded. “Can you and Mac feed Gypsy here. I will leave notes on how to. Pip,” I said, looking down at him, “I’ll need you to clean up her paddock and make sure her water trough there is filled up all the time. She can’t clean up after herself and needs to be treated like a newborn or old pony.”

I chucked at the scrunched up nose Pip made. “So she just… goes on the ground?!”

I gestured to one of the small piles. “Use a shovel, toss it in a pile over there.” I pointed. “I’ll spread it around once it dries out, it makes good fertilizer.”

Granny gave a snort. “Ain’t like Ah had a bathroom or outhouse as a little foal. Why, Ah recon most older folks done the same.” looking at Pip.

He still had a look on his face but gave a nod “Ok, its icky but ok”

—

As soon as I walked in the main hall of Canterlot Castle I could see all the girls, plus Star Idiot and his crew. He was up talking to Luna and Celestia. I, however, was knocked over by something orange, very powerful, and almost moving as fast as a bullet. I landed on my butt with a huff and found pony lips shoved to mine. It went from surprise kiss to way too steamy for young folks to see in a heartbeat as we wrapped hooves and arms around each other, pulling one another closer and deeper into a passionate kiss. It ended when there were a couple hoots and hollers at us.

One voice, the rather Egyptian one, spoke out. “Are they always like that?”

Twilight nickered in good humor. “Usually when they think nopony is looking.”

Jackie broke the kiss and looked in my eyes. “Ah missed ya.”

I smiled right back, putting my arm around her neck. “I love you, too.” I said softly as I pressed my forehead to hers. A few coughs brought us out of it.

Standing back up as a snickering Rarity handed me up my hat, I took it but didn’t put it on as we were inside.

Luna spoke up. “It is safe to talk. They have all been brought up to speed on your history, Ranger McDonald. We have also taken the liberty to bring everypony up to speed on Project Gypsy, as much as we know.”

I gave a nod and looked around. However, It was the blue hat wearing idiot that spoke up, clearing his throat. “Ranger McDonald, it seems, I have had to issue many apologies today. One most of all to my dear friend, Stygian, here.” He said, gesturing to the gray pony I didn’t know yet. He looked back at me, then his ears dropped and he approached me. I was tense, but didn’t draw my weapon or get in a defensive stance.

Looking me right in the eyes, he said, “I was wrong. I was wrong for judging you. I was wrong for attacking you, and I was wrong for not hearing you out. I was, am, a nold fool, and I do not expect you to accept my apology, but it is offered in genuineness.”

I looked down at him silently, but a hoof smacked my boot and I heard a low, under the breath country toned voice mutter, “Don’t be as stubborn as a rock.” A saying that Jackie had used quite a few times with me. I knew she meant well and was looking out for me.

Exhaling slowly, I gave a nod of my head. “Apology accepted, Mister The Bearded.”

He blinked and others chuckled.
“Please, just call me StarSwirl, if you would. I would like very much to sit and talk with you about a great many things. However, I know this will take time, and there is something more important to Equestria and you now. This… creature you have found came with you, an actual horse?”

It was the gray and blue maned pony that walked over. “In our far ancient past, such creatures existed, millions of years ago. Could it be true, you have found one?”

I had everyones attention now so I gave a nod. “Her name is Gypsy and she was, is, my friend; my transportation, and companion. I think it’s going to take a bit to help you all understand the differences. She isn’t really sapient like you all, but, sort of is?” I struggled to explain.

Fluttershy hovered over and put her hoof on my shoulder. “I think I understand, Shane. She is a lot like the animals, not quite wild, but not quite like a pony. Sort of like your bird, Red, and Angel bunny, or even Tank.” She said with a smile on her muzzle. “Perhaps more like Harry?”

I gave a nod. “That, yea. I think you get what I mean.” I looked over at Celestia and Luna. “I will need to go out to my cabin to get some stuff I left in storage there.”

There was a sparkle to the white pony’s eyes as she gave an amused smile. “I will be sure to let them know you are coming.”

I blinked, why would a couple dozen soldiers keeping watch need to know I was coming?

Author's Note

Again I am so sorry it took me so long to get this chapter out. I really am already working on the next one, that will lead into the movie timeframe.