Author's Note

This is a fast paced story, here's your warning

James

Light slowly crept its way through the thick heavy cumulonimbus clouds as a gentle light rain fell like teardrops slowly sliding down the face of a windowsill. A young man with blond hair stared out of the window with a sad frown, gently fiddling with a Jade and Emerald pendant around his neck. The pendant was small with golden carvings and runes wrapped around a small Jade and Emerald jewel that were fused together into a yin yang symbol with the gold wrapped around it like an atom, a small smile forming on his lips as he thought about the young girl… no. The young dragoness that gave it to him.

Eighteen years ago.

James sat with a small smile as he watched the sky, a crisp winter breeze blew through his snowy home in Alaska. Small flakes of snow falling gently to the ground as snow clouds roamed over the tundra like lions on the Savannah.

"James! It's time for dinner! Go get your father!" A woman's voice echoed from the house a good distance away.

"Yes mom!" James called back, rushing into the woods where his father worked to trap game, and where he in particular loved to explore. While he ran, jumped, and swung through the forest with a wide smile on his face, James noticed a glowing light coming from a cave.

The young adventurous boy rushed into the cave with a smile, thinking it was his dad. However, after three steps into the cave a patch of dark ice forced him to lose his balance and fall down the cave becoming surrounded in the bright light.

After a few moments of waiting for his head to stop spinning he started to hear a voice. “Hello? Are you alright?”

"My head hurts… and why does it feel so warm?" He asked in confusion, slowly sitting up as he rubbed his head.

When he looked at his hand he saw blurry red splotches before hearing a gasp. When he looked up he saw a purple blur in front of him as his eyes couldn't focus. “Oh my gosh! You are bleeding!”

"I-i am?" He asked, slowly reaching his hand up to his face.

He felt a firm grip on his hand, it was both soft but also scally. “Come with me, you can stand, right? My big sister Twilight will be able to help you.”

"U-um.. ok… but my mom says I'm not supposed to go with strangers… so my name's James." He said with a soft smile as he slowly stood up.

The purple blur let out a soft giggle. “She sounds like a smart mare, my name is Barb.” She then helped James onto his feet.

"Mare?" He thought to himself in confusion, as Barb slowly helped him walk. "Barb huh? That's… a unique and cute name."

Barb was quiet for a moment before shyly asking. “Y-you think so?”

"Um, yeah? It's not like any name I've heard before." James said with a small smile, trying to wipe away the blood from his face.

Barb blushed bright red and shook her head. “You must be dizzy from blood loss!” She started pulling him.

"Huh? What are you talking about!" He asked, in surprise as Barb pulled him faster.

“Let’s just get you to my sister.” Barb said as they left the cave and the bright sun blinded James.

"Gah! My eyes, where are we!?" He asked in shock, tripping a little as Barb pulled him along.

“We are just outside Canterlot.” She said while pulling him towards tall white and gold blurs.

"Canterlot?" He asked confused, tripping and falling on his face. "Ow…"

“Oh I’m sorry.” She helped him up.

"It's alright." James said, rubbing his face more as a regal voice called out.

"Barbara, what are you doing?" It asked.

“You highness! I found this…guy in a cave and he is bleeding.” Barb said to a tall white blur.

"Oh my, are you alright young one?" The voice asked, as James' eyes slowly began to clear up.

"Y-yeah ma'am, d-did Barb just call you your highness?" He asked in confusion, rubbing his eyes.

“Yes, I am Princess Celestia.” The voice said as James suddenly started to float in the air. “Allow me to take you to my infirmary.”

"W-whoa! What's going on!?" James asked in shock, his eyes slowly focusing to see a tall white pony with a horn and wings staring at him with a gentle smile. "Uhhh…."

“You can relax, I have a hold of you with my magic.” The white pony said with a gentle smile as she started walking.

"Magic!?" James asked in shock, his eyes rolling into the back of his head as he passed out.

A small purple dragon walked up to princess Celestia. “Oh no, is he alright?”

Celestia smiled a little. "I'm sure he's fine Barbra, but how about you tell me what you were doing in a cave?"

Barb blushed lightly and tapped her claws together. “I was looking for some gems.”

Celestia smiled softly as she gently laid James down on a bed in the medical wing. "And where did he come from?"

“I don’t know, I saw a flash of light and when I went to check it out I found him on the ground bleeding.” Barb said with a small shrug.

"I see… would you be ok with me using a spell to read your memory to make things easier?" Celestia asked Barb with a gentle smile.

She nodded her head. “Of course, I trust you always Princess, but shouldn’t Twilight be here too?”

"Twilight is studying and you know how she is." Celestia said with a giggle as her horn began glowing and gently set it to barbs forehead. As she watched Barb’s memories she saw the strange being introduce itself as ‘James’ and complement Barb's name.

Celestia grinned slightly at Barb with a giggle. "He likes your name huh?"

Barb blushed bright red. “It had to be from blood loss.”

"Barb, from what I've seen he hasn't lost enough for that. Besides, just because he likes your name doesn't mean anything." She said with a gentle smile.

Barb continued to blush and looked away. “Ok.”

Celestia giggled a little bit more as James groaned as slowly began Opening his eyes. "Mom? I just had the weirdest dream…"

Celestia smiled a bit while staying out of his sight for now. “Oh? What was the dream about?”

"I fell down a cave and met a talking horse…" He said rubbing his head

“A what?” Celestia asked, shocked to be called such a thing as Barb gasped and covered her mouth.

"A horse, it could talk and had a horn and wings." James said again, rubbing at his eyes and blinking them slowly.

Celestia was confused and a bit upset. “That isn’t a very nice thing to call somepony young colt.”

James made a confused look as he blinked his eyes more, looking at Celestia in shock as his mouth dropped open. "You're real… I must be dreaming."

“No you are not dreaming, and where did you learn such vulgar language?” Celestia asked with a small frown.

James just blinked at her in confusion, before glancing around for a moment and raising an eyebrow at her. "Vulgar language?"

“You called me a whorse.” Celestia said with her frown growing.

James looked even more confused. "But… you are? You're a horse, you have hooves and trot around."

Celestia blinked a bit. “O-oh you mean…I am sorry I misunderstood what you meant.” She blushed lightly at her mistake.

James tilted his head in confusion as Barb walked over. "What do you mean Princess?"

Celestia coughed into a hoof. “That is…uh…not something young ones need to know about.”

James blinked again and shook his head a bit, before turning his head and staring at Barb for a long time in shock.

Barb blushed and hid behind Celestia. “Stay still and let me take care of that cut.” Celestia said with a soft smile as her horn started to glow.

James blinked a bit as he stared at Celestia in worry. "Um… two things, first off it won't hurt will it? And second… is that a dragon!?" He asked in excitement before looking at Barb again.

“In that order, it shouldn't as I am casting a healing spell, and yes she is a dragon.” Celestia said with a soft giggle then placed her horn on his forehead head the cut was and it began to heal.

James still simply stared at Barb in awe. "This is so cool! I've always wanted to meet a real dragon! Can you breathe fire? How strong are you? Do you eat people-"

Barb blushed a bit more as James started asking her questions. “I…I can breathe fire, I am not that strong, and I would never eat somepony!”

James blinked a bit before smiling. "Wait you're the one that found me right? I recognize your voice… um… Barb right?"

She nodded shyly before hiding behind Celestia’s hind leg. “Y-yeah that's me.”

James looked confused at her reaction. "Why are you hiding? I just wanted to say thanks for helping me."

Celestia smiled softly and stepped to the side. “I believe Barbara is a bit shy after your little compliment about her name.”

James blinked for a moment. "About it being cute? Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

Barb blushed more and looked down shyly. “I…I am not uncomfortable, just not used to ponies complimenting my name, or anything about me really.”

"Ponies? I'm not a pony." James said, blinking in confusion.

“I can see that, but that is what everypony says.” Barb said with a brighter blush.

Celestia giggled a bit. “Would you mind telling us what you are?”

"Um, human?" James said as if it was obvious.

“A human?” Celestia asked in surprise and tapped her chin in thought. “I see…well do you know how you got here?”

James frowned slightly and shook his head. "No, I was looking for my dad when I saw a light in a cave. I thought it was him so I went to look and… I slipped, next thing I know Barb was trying to wake me up."

“Strange, there was a flash of light before I found you too.” Barb said, also confused.

Celestia hummed a bit, tapping her chin more. "I see… there is an old legend of a portal opening up occasionally from another world, one of ice and snow."

"Ice and snow? That sounds like my home! Alaska!" James said with a smile.

“Alaska? It must be very far.” Barb said before she did a double take and looked at Celestia. “I’m sorry princess, but did you say another world?!”

Celestia giggled with a nod. "Yes, another world where ponies are mere animals from what I remember. Do you not remember the old legends I once told you?"

“The story of the humans?” Barb asked.

Celestia nodded with a smile as James looked confused. "There's a story about us?"

“Yeah, it was said that a human once came to our world and saved the world from a great evil!” Barb said with a lot of excitement before she blushed and down at the ground.

James smiled a little. "Really? That's cool!"

“Yes, while it sounds cool, the story has some dark implications.” Celestia said with a small frown.

"What do you mean?" James asked with a frown.

“The story said that the great evil may return one day.” Celestia said with a frown as she looked out a window. “It was just a legend even when I was a filly.”

James' eyes widened in shock. "What does that mean?"

“Most of the legend has been lost due to time.” Celestia said with a sigh.

James looked down a bit and nodded slowly, before wiping some sweat off his forehead. "It's so hot here…" he said, unzipping his large black and red coat, letting the two ponies see a black shirt with a red spider symbol on its front. "Um… when can I go home?" He asked them with a slight frown.

“We will have to look for the doorway to your world, but there is no guarantee the portal will be open.” Celestia said sadly.

James' eyes widened in shock, his breath slowly quickening. "W-what? N-no…"

Barb saw this and slowly came closer and placed a hand on his knee. “H-hey you could probably stay in the castle till the princess can find you a way home.”

James teared up as he shook a little. "B-but that could take a long time… m-my mom, my dad…"

Barb frowned a bit as she gently rubbed his knee. “I am sure the princess will work hard to find the door…do um…do you want to meet my sister maybe?” She asked, trying to cheer him up.

James rubbed his eyes a little, looking at her with a small sniffle. "Y-your sister? Twilight right?"

Barb nodded her head. “She is a bit of a bookworm but she is nice…most of the time.”

"M-most of the time?" James asked worriedly.

Celestia giggled a bit as she helped James off the bed. “Twilight is my personal student and she tends to…obsess with her studying. Perhaps you can try and become her friend.”

"Studying? S-she isn't a mad scientist is she?" James asked worriedly, hugging his coat to his chest.

Barb giggled and covered her mouth. “Don’t call her that but sometimes she has to know how something works.”

James nodded slowly as Celestia smiled gently. "Come with me, I'll show you the way. And Barb, don't let Twilight study him."

“Yes ma’am, can I say it is an order from you?” Barb asked as they started to follow her.

"Of course." Celestia said with a gentle smile, as James shook more.

"St-study me?" He asked fearfully.

Barb patted his back. “She would just try to find out what you can do and what kind of magic you have.”

James blinked a bit as he looked Barb in the eye. "Magic? Humans don't have magic."

“You don’t?” Barb asked, confused. “But everypony has magic.”

"Humans don't, we only have fake magic." He said with a sad look.

“Hmm, interesting.” Celestia said softly as she looked James over.

James blushed a bit at the attention, moving behind Barbra to hide slightly. Barb blushed slightly but put an arm around James. “It's ok, the princess is very kind, she won’t hurt you.”

James blushed more as Barb put her arm around him. "O-ok… i-i've never been away from home before… I'm… scared."

“Do not worry, you have my word, I will find a way for you to return.” Celestia said to him with a gentle smile.

James nodded slowly as they continued to walk, a few ponies giving James confused and slightly disgusted looks making him shrink in on himself. Barb instinctively got closer and made soft growls at the ones who glared at James.

Celestia blinked a bit as she glanced back at the two, smiling softly as they walked up a tall tower. James stared at the ground with a frown as he began humming a tune while a maid walked past them, glancing at James in disgust. "What a horrific creature." She mumbled, making James freeze up a bit.

Barb hissed a bit. “You don’t look so pretty yourself, I mean that mane style with your coat color? Not to mention your overuse of makeup, who are you trying to impress?”

The mare gasped in shock as Celestia smiled gently, putting her wings around Barb and James as the three walked into the room in the tall tower. Barb crossed her arms and huffed some flames. “The nerve of that mare, saying so mean about somepony she doesn't even know!”

Celestia walked forward a bit while looking around with a nod. "Indeed, ponies can be very rude to things they don't know. Especially the nobles." She said as James knelt down and hugged his legs to himself.

Barb saw this and walked back to him. “Hey don’t worry, Twilight is nothing like that mare.”

James sobbed a bit as he hugged his legs to himself more. "I-im a freak here…"

“No you’re not!” Barb said as she gently shook him. “You are my friend.”

"Uh-huh?" He asked, looking at her with a teary and confused look. "B-but we just met…"

“So?” Barb asked with a light blush. “You seem nice and I don’t see why we can't be friends.”

He stared at her for a moment before whipping his eyes a little and resting his head on his knees. "T-thanks…"

She smiled and rubbed his back. “It's what friends are for.”

James sighed a bit as he looked away a little. "What… What if it's years before I can get home? They'll think I'm dead…"

“If it comes to that, I would be willing to come with you to explain.” Celestia said with a gentle smile as she wrapped a wing around his back.

James sighed a bit as he looked up at her with a frown. "That isn't a good idea… There's not much to do where I live, so I go to the library all the time. And all the books say the same thing. The leaders of my world will see you as an alien and attack without a second thought…"

Celestia frowned sadly. “I see…it seems humans have changed quite a lot.”

James hung his head as he sighed a bit, nodding slowly. "Yeah, that's why I prefer to read comics…"

"Comics!?" Barb asked happily, before blushing red in embarrassment again and looking down.

“Yeah, I always read comics whenever I get a new one.” James said with a small smile. “I know most girls don't like comics but they are cool.”

Barbara blushed a bit as she kicked her foot shyly, while Celestia giggled. "Barb loves comics." She said as a young pony with a purple coat and mane walked in with a book in her face.

“She does?” James asked in surprise before he was bumped into by the purple pony.

"Huh?" The pony asked, moving the book as she stared at James in shock. "What in the world is this thing!?"

“Twilight! He isn’t a thing, he is my friend!” Barb said as she held James’ hand.

Twilight blinked in surprise as Celestia giggled, while James looked at the hand Barbra was holding with a small blush. "Twilight, this is James. A human."

“A human? I am sorry princess but that is ridiculous, humans are just an old mare’s tail.” Twilight said as she set the book down.

James frowned and looked down a little, hanging his head slightly. "Twilight! You're upsetting him!" Barb said angrily, still holding James hand.

“How do we know he is a human? He could be something else saying he is human.” Twilight said.

James teared up and whimpered a bit as Barb glared at Twilight. "Twilight, you're making him cry!"

"Twilight, James here explained in detail the same phenomenon as from the human story." Celestia said before smiling. "Every detail was the same, even some things that the story doesn't say."

“R-really?” She gasped as she looked at Celestria. “I am sorry I didn’t believe you princess.”

Celestia smiled gently as she nuzzled Twilight's cheek, as James sadly walked over to a corner and sat down. "It is alright my faithful student, I would like you to take care of him. I need to try and figure out a way to send him home."

“Me? But…I am just a filly!” Twilight said and looked back at her book. “Plus I have so much to study.”

"Just look after him, he needs company right now." Celestia said with a smile. "He's lost and away from his family…"

Barb frowned a bit as she looked at James, sitting in the corner sadly. Twilight sighed and lowered her head. “Yes princess, anything else?”

"Yes, do not pry or study him too much. Not until he is ready to open up." Celestia said, looking at James as he sat silently crying and humming a tune.

Barb was sitting next to him and rubbing his back as Twilight nodded. “Ok Princess, I will do my best.”

Celestia smiled softly and nuzzled the filly again, before she and Twilight slowly walked over to Barb and James. "James, this is Twilight."

"Hi…" James said softly as he stared at the ground still, unable to comprehend what was fully going on.

Twilight nervously rubbed her leg. “Um…do you like books?”

James glanced up at her and nodded a little bit. "Y-yeah, I like adventure books."

“Adventure books? Hmm.” Twilight looked around her library. “Barb, do we have any of those?”

Barb smiled a little and nodded, getting up and running over to a section of the library. "Yeah, over here with your daring doo collection."

"Daring doo?" James whispered in confusion.

“It is a nice series, even though there's only two books in it so far.” Twilight said as she used her magic to lift the books over and out of Barb’s claws. “Here you go.”

James blinked a bit as he looked at the large books in front of him. "What's wrong?" Celestia asked, confused.

"Um… My teacher says I only have a third grade reading level despite being in fifth grade. I can't really understand some of these words…" he said looking at the massive texts of writing. "Do you have any comic books?"

“I have ton…I mean…I have some.” Barb said with a soft blush.

"How many is some?" James asked with a small smile. "I have a whole closet full."

Barb lightly kicked the floor. “Um…I could show you if you promise not to male fun of me.”

"Why would I make fun of you?" James asked confusedly as he stood up.

“I don’t know…” She said shyly before she started walking. “Follow me.”

James followed her with a small smile as Twilight looked confused. "I… don't understand."

“Twilight, I believe Barb has a crush on mister James.” Celestia whispered with a giggle.

"What!?" Twilight yelled in shock. "But they just met!"

“From what I saw it is just a fillyhood crush, let her have some fun Twilight. After all, he is the first colt to complement her name.” Celestia said with a soft smile.

Twilight still looked confused as she watched Barb and James walk away. "But… do we even know how old he is?"

“We don’t…but I believe he is a child.” Celestia said as she nuzzled Twilight.

Twilight sighed a bit and frowned. "I still want to be sure…" she mumbled.

“I know Twilight, would you feel better if I asked Cadence to come help you watch him?” Celestia asked as she stood up fully.

"Cadence!? Yes, yes, yes!" Twilight said, bouncing up and down with a smile.

Celestia giggled a bit and used a wing to stop Twilight’s hopping. “Calm down, Twilight.”

Twilight blushed and hung her head slightly. "Y-yeah your majesty."

Barb and James walked back over with a handful of comic books each, while James smiled widely at Barb. "I'm so jealous! You have thirty mint condition comics!! I only have two! Those are gonna be worth a lot of money in the future!"

Barb was blushing and shyly looked down. “Thank you, but I don’t think I would sell them.”

James smiled wider. "Of course not! Everyone that collects stuff knows it's the sentimental value that means the most!"

Barb smiled a bit more. “That is true, I hope you like my comics.”

"I'm sure I will, they seem almost just like the ones from back home. Just pony themed, like Spider mare, that's similar to Spider man from my world, he got bitten by a radioactive spider!" James said, but he and Barb finished the last line together with smiles.

“And after her aunt’s death she dedicated her life to using her great power to uphold her great responsibility!” Barb said with a smile.

"Yeah! But for Spiderman, it was his uncle. Though personally my favorite version is Miles Morales, he has this cool ability to turn invisible-" James said before Barb interrupted him.

“And has venom shocks?! He sounds just like Marble Muncher!” Barb said with excitement.

James smiled widely as his cheeks turned a little pink, nodding with enthusiasm. "What about green lantern?"

“Hmm what does her powers do?” Barb asked.

James grinned. "He uses a ring forged out of pure willpower that lets him fly, breathe in space-"

"And make hard light constructs!?" Barb asked with a broad smile as her eyes sparkled. "That's just like Radiance! But her color is pink!"

“That sounds like the Star Sapphires, they're basically the same thing as a green lantern but they are pink and powered by love.” James said with a chuckle.

Barb blushed slightly at that. "l-love…? U-um, what about Filly second? Running really fast like so fast she leaves a streak of color behind her."

“Sounds like the Flash or Quicksilver.” James said while tapping his chin. “Does she have lightning around her when she goes really fast?”

Barb nodded a little as she kicked the ground slightly, her arms behind her back making her look beyond cute. James blushed lightly after noticing how cute Barb is, then he looked away. “O-oh th-then she sounds like a Flash, maybe she can tap into the speed force.” His eyes suddenly widened as he gasped.

"What's wrong?" Barb, Twilight, and Celestia asked.

“The speed force!” James said with joy. “If this world exists, that means other worlds exist as well! The speed force is connected to every world! If we can tap into it I can get home!”

Barb looked down a little at the ground, kicking it again as Twilight tapped her chin. "how would we do that?"

“It's simple we…we…” James' smile fell as he started losing hope. “We would have to run so fast we break the sound, light, and time barriers.”

Barb frowned a bit before she gently put a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, it'll be ok, I'm sure the princess can get you home."

“Ok.” He said weakly as he sat down and looked at the comics. “Sorry for being bothersome.”

Barb frowned and walked over sitting with him. "You're not a bother." She said with a gentle smile, making James blush a bit again. "Can I read the comics with you?"

“S-sure, these are your comics after all.” He said shyly.

Barb smiled shyly as well as the two started to read together, making Celestia smile as she and Twilight walked away. “I will send a message to Cadence before heading down to the caves to investigate where young James entered our world to see if I can find the door.”

Twilight nodded slowly as she glanced at Ken and Barb as they read together. "Barbs… growing up so fast…"

Celestia smiled a bit teasingly. “Well all foals have to grow and leave the nest someday, all mothers go through this feeling.”

Twilight blinked a bit and blushed slightly. "I'm not her mom…"

Celestia giggled more. “Are you sure? You seem to be going to the momma bird blues.”

Twilight huffed. "She's like a little sister to me…"

Celestia rubbed Twilight’s head. “I know Twilight, I am just teasing.”

Twilight nodded a little as she glanced at Barb and James again, noticing the two had fallen asleep on each other's heads. “Please hurry princess, I…don’t think it is a good idea to keep James around too long.” Twilight said softly.

"What do you mean?" Celestia asked with a sad frown.

Twilight walked over to her books. “He is going to leave eventually, he should go before Barb gets too attached and he breaks her heart.”

Celestia looked down slightly and nodded slowly. "You're right… but I don't believe it would only be her heart broken." She said looking back at James and Barbara.

“Maybe…” Twilight said as she sat down and started reading.

Celestia sighed a bit as she summoned a piece of paper, and began writing on it before it vanished in a puff of smoke. "Cadence will be here soon."

A few days later Barb and James have gotten closer, sharing their love of comic books and harmless pranks, though they did end up getting pranked by Princess Celestia herself at one point. Today is a special day as it is Barb’s hatching day.

"What am I gonna do…" James muttered to himself as he walked around thinking about Barb's birthday, as Celestia walked by.

“Is something wrong James?” Celestia asked as she turned to face him.

"Huh? Oh, I um. I was hoping to get something for Barb for her birthday, but I don't have any money and I just learned it's her birthday!" James said with a whine.

She smiled warmly. “That is very sweet of you, I am sure she would be happy with just you being there.” She then looked side to side very suspiciously making sure that they are alone before she leaned in and whispered. “But if you really want to give her a gift I could give you some bits and a guard to keep you safe so you can get her something.”

"Wait really?!" He asked in surprise.

She nodded with a wink. “Yes, I was meaning to give you a bit of an allowance to help you get some things to make you feel more comfortable until I can find a way back for you.”

"T-thank you ma'am!" James said, bowing.

Celestia smiled softly. “You don’t have to thank me, I am sorry I haven't been able to find the portal home yet.”

Zack frowned a little as he looked down. "I-its alright, I understand you're busy. But it is partly a good thing I get to hang out with Barb more…" he said with a smile, before blushing slightly. "A-and Twilight of course!"

Celestia giggled a little. “Of course, follow me and I shall get you the bits and a guard.”

James blushed more and followed her, standing outside of a doorway with a guard as Celestia passed the guard a piece of paper. "Take this and young James here, and help him get whatever he needs."

“Yes ma’am!” The guard said with a salute.

"Thank you, oh and captain. It's for Barb." Celestia said with a giggle as she trotted away.

The guard’s eyes widened slightly. “Barb?”

James blushed a bit as he looked down. "James wants to get her something for her birthday!" Celestia called back before turning a corner.

The guard looked at James. “You know Barb? wait…James…you are the human I have heard about!”

"Y-you've heard of me?" James asked, confused.

“Yeah, my sisters talk about you a lot, mostly Barb though.” He said before rubbing his leg. “So where are we going?”

"B-barb and Twilight are your sisters!?" James asked in shock as he hung his head shyly. "T-the comic bookstore sir…."

“Alright, follow me, and yes they are my sisters, my name is Shining Armor.” He said as they started walking.

"I-it's nice to meet you sir." James said nervously as he followed the stallion.

“You can relax James, unless you plan on dating my sister Twilight, I won’t hurt you.” Shining said with a chuckle.

James blushed a bit but looked confused. "Huh? U-um… why didn't you include Barb in that? N-not that I'd try to date her! I just find it strange…"

Shining frowned a bit and looked down. “I…am not sure, I guess I see Twilight as my baby sister but Barb…she has always been more like…um…I don’t know how to word it.”

James frowned a little as the two walked, while ponies stared at James in disgust. The human whimpered a bit, hugging himself as the two turned a corner and bumped into a pony. "Oh, what in Celestia's name is this? Sir, you should really consider your pets better." The pony said to Shining Armor as James whimpered more, tearing up.

“Sir, this is not a pet, he is a guest of the princess and will be shown respect.” Shining armor said while stomping a hoof.

"This thing? A guest of the princess? How revolting." The pony stuck up his nose with a snort, as James hung his head and slowly began walking past the pony. "See? It doesn't even argue back, it knows it's a freak! Just like that dragon."

James' eyes widened as he slowly turned around to the pony, glaring at him causing him to flinch at the look. "Say that again, and I'll rip your mane out."

“This thing just threatened me! I demand you put it in the dungeons where it belongs!” The pony said but Shining stepped towards the pony.

“No, you need to apologize and leave.” Shining said with a frown. “Not only did you insult a guest of the princess, but you also insulted my little adopted sister.”

"Fine I will apologize to this creature, but that dragon is still a freak of na-" The pony began, before suddenly a splash of muddy water hit his coat.

"Oops." James said, crossing his arms angrily standing in a puddle. "My bad."

“Why you excellent little-!” His horn started to glow.

James backed up a little as Shining Armor stepped between the Pony and James. "If you continue I shall arrest you, you are attempting to assault the guest of the princess."

“That brat just ruined my suit!” The pony shouted.

"And it was an accident, or are you so foalish you will attack a child?" Shining questions as James smirked from behind him.

The pony growled and glared at James. “I will make sure you pay for my suit!” He said before stomping off.

Shining Armor turned to James who looked down a little, before the stallion smiled and ruffled his head. "Nice job kid, you defended Barb."

James shyly looked away. “I…I don’t know what you mean.”

Shining Armor smiled a little as they entered the comic book shop. "Sure, now pick out the gift."

James blushed slightly and slowly walked over to the glass castle, pointing to a rare untouched first printed copy of the power ponies. "T-that one…"

Shining let out a whistle. “Buck, are you getting a gift or a marriage proposal?” He said slightly teasing and slightly jealous that his gift for Barb won't be as good.

"W-what!? N-no!" James blushed red, as he fiddled with his fingers. "S-she said she wanted it when we came here the other day… and she was worried someone else would get it first…"

“I am just messing with you, just be careful you don’t go overboard. Fillys will get the wrong idea and think you want to date them.” Shining said with a chuckle.

James blushed more as he kicked his foot a little. "N-no…" he mumbled as the shop owner walked in.

“Hello sir, we are here to buy that.” Shining said while pointing at the comic.

"Are you sure? That comic, while being the last one in existence, is very expensive." The owner said as James kicked his foot.

"H-how expensive?" He asked worriedly.

The owner looked down at James. “Over a thousand bits.”

Shining Armor smiled a little as he walked over, passing the owner the piece of paper. "This is from Princess Celestia herself, to pay for anything he picks."

The owner’s eyes widened. “O-oh wow..um…would you like anything else?”

James' eyes widened as he looked around a bit more before he paused, staring at a rare and exclusive figurine of Marble Muncher. "That's the Rarest figurine I have, it came with that comic you're buying. There were only ever two made." The store owner said.

James was quiet for a moment before asking Shining. “Can I afford that too?”

Shining Armor smiled a bit and nodded as the store owner shook his head in surprise. "The princess is really giving a lot for a few souvenirs."

James kicked the ground shyly. "T-they aren't souvenirs, they're for a friend's birthday…"

“Must be one heck of a friend.” The owner said as he started to get the figure and comic.

"They're for Barb." Shining Armor said with a smile, making James blush.

“A cute little dragoness?” The owner asked with a raised eyebrow.

James blushed a bit more as Shining Armor chuckled. "My adopted baby sister, yes that's her."

“Good for her finding a coltfriend.” The owner said after boxing everything up.

James blushed red as he stuttered. "W-what? W-we're just friends!"

The owner smirked and set the boxes down. “Listen colt, you don’t go spending thousands of bits on a filly unless you really like her.”

James blushed redder and kicked at the ground. "I-i don't live here… anywhere near her and when I go home I'll probably never see her again…" He said looking sad. "I… just want to make her birthday as special as I can…"

Both stallions look sadly at James. “Well, with as big of a comic fan that she is, she will love these.”

James blushed and took the bag as Shining Armor paid for them. "T-thank you…"

“Not a problem, I hope to see you again kid.” The owner said with a smile.

James smiled softly as he and Shining Armor left, heading back to the castle. “You are a good friend, I am glad Barb met you.”

James smiled a little as he looked down. "I'm grateful to have met her… I miss my mom and dad but… there's no other kids my age back home… it's been nice spending time with someone around my age…"

“There isn't anyone?” Shining asked, confused.

James' smile fell slightly as he shook his head gently. "No… I live in a small town and I'm home schooled… I'm the only kid…"

“Oh man, I am sorry to hear that.” Shining said before rubbing James’ back.

James shrugged a little with a small smile. "It's ok… I'm used to it, but I will miss Barb…" He said softly as they walked into the castle.

Shining hummed and was deep in thought as he followed James. "James!" Barb's voice called as she ran over with a wide smile, followed by Twilight and Celestia. "Where have you been!"

James quickly put the present behind his back with a small smile. "Just exploring with your brother."

Shining was looking distracted as he almost walked right into Celestia. "Everything alright, captain?" Celestia asked, giggling as he bumped into her.

He stumbled back a bit before he stood at attention and saluted. “Princess! I am sorry I didn’t mean to bump into you.”

"It's alright, are you ok?" Celestia asked with a smile, noticing the bag in James' hands behind his back. "And I see everything went well?"

“Yes ma’am everything went well, and…I am ok ma’am.” Shining said weakly.

Barbara giggled a little at Shining Armor's actions before looking at James. "Do you um… want to come to dinner with us? Our parents always take us out on my hatching day."

James blushed lightly before slowly nodding. “I…I would love to.”

Barbara blushed and smiled widely. "Yay!"

“I will need to get cleaned up first though.” James said shyly.

"That is fine, their parents won't be here for a few minutes." Celestia smiled gently at him.

“Ok, um I guess I will head to my room.” James said as he started to skirt around Barb, keeping his back out of her sight.

Barb raised an eyebrow at his actions, while trying to peek around him. "What are you hiding?"

“Nothing!” He shouted before turning and running down the hallway.

Barb pouted and crossed her arms. "What's he hiding?"

Celestia giggled a bit. “I am sure he is just worried about spoiling any surprises he may have.”

"S-surprises?" She asked surprised with a blush.

Shining coughed into a hoof. “I am sure when James learned today was your hatching day he got you a gift. Probably something small.”

Barb looked down a little as she kicked her foot. "H-he didn't have to do that…"

“Is he not your friend/coltfriend?” Shining and Celestia asked at the same time, one encouraging and one teasing.

Barb's face turned bright red. "Y-yeah he's my friend."

Celestia giggled and continued to walk. “Sure he is Barb.”

Barb pouted a bit more as James came back with a large bag in his hand, as he nervously pulled at the brim of his shirt. “I…I’m back, did I miss anything?”

"Just my brother and Celestia calling you Barb's colt friend." Twilight said, her muzzle still in a book.

James’ face turned a bright red. “Wh-what?” He squeaked out.

Celestia giggled a little as another pink Alicorn pony walked up. "Hello, what's going on?"

“The princess and my brother are teasing James.” Twilight said before her ear twitched and she looked up from her book and gasped. “Cadence!”

"Hello Twilight." Cadence smiled, nuzzling the filly with a smile. "What are they teasing him about?"

“T-they keep calling me Barb's colt friend…" James said very shyly.

Cadence giggled softly. "That's so adorable!"

Barb blushed just as red as James. “No it isn’t! We are just friends! Why do adults have to make things weird!?”

James covered his face with his hands. "I feel like when my mom shows people my baby pictures…"

"I know right!?" Barb asked in exasperation, just as two ponies trotted up the steps.

“What was that about baby pictures?” The gray mare of the two ponies asked with a smile.

"Mom, dad!" Twilight, Shining Armor, and Barb said as they all hugged the two.

James smiled softly as he watched the family, turning his head slightly to look in the direction of the spot he was when he got there. Celestia placed a wing over him with a soft smile. “Are you ok?”

James sighed a little and nodded, not noticing everything watching him. "Yeah, it's just… I wonder if my parents even notice I'm gone… my dad is always in the woods and my mom isn't that thoughtful…"

Everyone frowned and Barb walked up to him and hugged him. “It's ok, w-why not stay here?”

James blushed a bit and glanced at her for a moment, before looking away sadly. "I-if I did that… my newborn sister would be all alone…"

Barb’s eyes widened. “You have a sister?”

Everyone watched the two more with small smiles as Shining Armor had a look of respect for James' decision. "Y-yeah… Emily, she was just born last month. and I promised my dad I'd always look out for her."

“I see…well I hope you get to see her again.” Barb said softly.

James nodded a bit before smiling at her. "Anyway come on it's your birthday right? It's not a time to be sad!"

The stallion with a blue coat and mane smiled a little. "He's right, let's get going!"

Present day.

James blinked a bit as he was pulled out of his trip down memory lane, looking up at the sky as the rain slowly turned into snow. A bolt of lightning surging across the sky in the direction of the woods he had once found that magical portal, the portal that led him to his first and only best friend. "Could it be?" He thought to himself, hope filling his heart before grabbing his coat and a long silver blade with a dragon shaped hilt and rushing out into the snow and ice.