Worlds collide

Light snow fluttered around the castle of friends as winter set in for the year, small specks of white littered the ground as a tall purple dragoness with green frills walked to the steps of the castle. She smiled softly when she opened the door, her thick purple and black jacket wrapped around her body like a vice showing off her hourglass figure and slim curves. A white unicorn stallion walked out of one of the rooms and smiled warmly at her, tossing his purple mane back as he strutted over to her. "Barb darling, what were you doing out in this weather? You could have caught a dreadful cold!"

“I was just…checking on an old friend.” She said softly with a small smile.

"Ah I see." Elusive nodded with a smile. "By the way, I went to your room to see if you were there and I found such a mess! I cleaned up some of the things for you, and even threw away an old ragged toy of Marbled muncher-"

"You what!?" Barb yelled angrily, baring her teeth. "Did it have a comic book next to it wrapped in plastic next to my favorite necklace!"

“Um…I think so..what is the big deal? I thought you outgrew-” Elusive started to say.

Barb rushed past Elusive, nearly knocking him over as she rushed to the trash. “What is the big deal? It is an old toy you never play with.” He said as he followed her.

Barb had tears in her eyes as she dug through the trash wildly. "That's not the point! I don't care about that! That Marbled muncher figuring is a one of a kind figuring worth thousands of bits, that my old…" she paused for a moment, holding the figuring close to her as Twilight saw the toy. "M-my old friend gave it to me before he left…"

“Your old friend?” Elusive asked, confused.

Twilight smiled gently, as she walked over and rubbed Barb's back. "Her first friend… the first colt who ever showed her kindness and would speak and play with her… he was also her first colt friend."

“Oh my.” Elusive said, covering his mouth. “And when you said he…went away…does that mean he is…”

"No!" Barb yelled looking at him. "A-At least I hope not… h-he…"

Twilight smiled softly as she looked at Elusive. "He was a human, like the ones I told you about from canterlot high. But he had to go back to his world and…"

“If he is in his own world why not take Barb through the mirror to look for him?” Elusive asked.

Twilight sighed a bit as she looked at Barb. "He was from a different human world, the one on the other side of the mirror… well… he didn't resemble them at all…"

Barb sadly stood up and slowly walked to her room. Elusive sighed and shook his head. “I wish I had known.”

"It's ok, she just needs time." Twilight smiled sadly as Barb sat on her bed, thinking about her last day with James.

18 years ago

Twilight, Celestia, Shining Armor, Cadence, Night light, Twilight velvet, James and Barb all sat at a restaurant in canterlot smiling and chatting with each other. James was smiling softly as he ate some soup, while Shining Armor passed Barb his present from him. "Here you go Barb."

Barb smiled as she opened the present and giggled as she pulled out the newest power ponies comic. “Thanks, Shining.”

Shining smiled a bit as he glanced at James. "I know we normally don't give out too many gifts because of your dragon greed, but James got you some stuff too."

James blushed a bit as Barb looked at him. “You didn’t have to get me anything.” She said softly with a smile.

"I-i know… but I… wanted to give you something to remember me by when I go home…" James said shyly, passing her the bag with her presents in them.

Barb looked at him sadly but smiled as she opened the bag. Her eyes widened in shock as she stared into the bag, her head slowly turning to look at James with tears in her eyes before she slowly pulled out the comic and figurine. "T-these are…" she helped a little. "These are the limited edition Marbled muncher figuring and the comics with it… these are worth thousands of bits!"

James blushed and looked down. “I..um…I had some help paying for them.”

Barb teared up as she looked at the gifts, before suddenly hugging James tightly. "Thank you! This is the nicest thing anyone has given me!"

James blushed and hugged her back. “You are my friend, I want to make you happy.”

Celestia and Cadence giggled softly as Barb smiled and pulled away from the human with a blush. "Thank you so much James." She said, blushing more as she kissed his cheek.

His face turned bright red as he froze. Everyone gasped a bit as Barb blushed more and looked down shyly. "Oh my…" Cadence said with a smile. "That's so cute!"

Twilight Velvet grinned as she used her magic to lift up a camera and took a photo.

Barb blushed more and covered her face as James shyly looked away. "Mom!" Barb yelled.

Twilight Velvet giggled and smirked. “This is going in the scrapbook.”

Barb groaned a bit as James smiled a little, secretly holding Barb's hand under the table. "This is so cute!" Cadence said with a giggle.

“Indeed, though I do hope Barb’s new coltfriend treats her right.” Her father said with a teasing smirk.

James and Barb blushed a bit more as James looked down and slowly let go of Barb's hand. "W-we aren't an item… we can't be…"

Barb looked at James sadly. “I…I wish we could be.”

James blushed redder as his eyes widened, as he looked at her before looking down. "I-i do too… b-but I have to go home…"

“I know.” She said sadly.

Twilight smiled a little. "Hey, at least you two will have the time to be together while Celestia finds it."

“Yes, and when James is ready he can return home.” Celestia said with a smile.

James' eyes widened in shock as he slowly looked at Celestia. "Y-you found the portal?"

Celestia flinched back a little. “Um…yes.”

James' eyes filled with tears. "W-why didn't you tell me?"

“You…you seemed to be enjoying your time here and…” Celestia started weakly.

"And what!?" James asked. "What about my family!?"

Celestia sighed and closed her eyes. “We need you here if that great evil returns.”

James stared at her in shock and hurt, tears filling his eyes. "I-is that the only reason you've been so nice to me…? I'm eleven! How do you expect me to fight!"

“I don’t know, I thought maybe you would grow to be very powerful or something, the stories aren’t clear.” Celestia said with a sigh. “I wish I hadn't found that portal.”

"Y-you were just using me!?" James asked as tears fell down his face.

“No! I just wanted you to grow attached to somepony here so you would want to defend us.” Celestia said.

James and Barb both looked at her in shock. "You were using us both!?"

“No! If I was using you I would have forced hou two together, but your connection is natural.” Celestia told them as she stood up. “We will need James one day, and if he goes home there is no guarantee he will be able to return.”

James frowned and looked away. "I wanna go home."

Barb had tears in her eyes but put a hand on his shoulder. “B-before you go there is something I need to give you.”

James looked at her for a moment and nodded slowly. "i-im sorry to ruin your birthday."

“You didn’t.” She said before frowning at Celestia.

Celestia hung her head slightly as James sighed a bit, looking away. "If I am able to return I will…" he said softly.

Barb rubbed his shoulder. “Ok… before you go I want to give you my gift.”

James nodded a little but smiled softly at her. "I'll… I'll wait until after your birthday dinner is done."

Barb nodded and looked down at her food. “Thanks.”

James smiled softly as he looked at Celestia. "Um… what are the chances of me coming back?"

“We don’t know.” Celestia said with a sigh. “If you go home, you may never return.”

James looked down a little as Barb teared up, rubbing her eyes a little. "Barb… I promise I'll find a way to come back one day." He said to her with a gentle smile.

“Thank you.” She holds his hand.

James smiled softly as Cadence giggled a little. "So are you two officially a couple now?"

James blushed more as he looked at Barb. "U-um… i-i've never had a girlfriend before…"

Barb looked at him with a blush of her own. “And I never had a coltfriend before.”

James scratched his head childishly. "What's the difference between us being friends and more? Wouldn't we still just do the stuff we usually do together?"

Cadence giggled with a soft smile. “Yes and no. love is…complicated to explain, but by being filly and coltfriends you two are saying to each other, you don’t want anypony but each other. You want to see them happy no matter what, and of course later when you are ready, you can get married and have foals.”

Barb and James looked at each other for a moment before moving away from each other quickly. "Ew!" They both yelled, making the others laugh.

Cadence smiled softly. “You two may feel that way now, but you both care for each other a lot.” Her horn lit with magic and strings appeared, each coming from a pony and connected to others. “These are your connections, the brighter and thicker the string the stronger that connection is.” She pointed at the strings flowing from Twilight's parents to each other, then at the strings coming from James, most were thin and dim but one was bright and connected with Barb.

James and Barb blushed brighter as they glanced at each other shyly. "O-oh…" James said with a slight smile looking nervous. "U-um… i-im ok with it if Barb is…"

Barb blushed and fidgeted in her seat. “I…I would be ok with being together as long as we don’t have to worry about having kids.”

James blushed and nodded slowly. "O-ok, but… h-how would we do that… the relationship… from different worlds."

“I don’t know.” Barb said as she looked down.

James frowned a bit and nodded slowly before smiling a little. "At least we can enjoy our time together… while we can."

“Yeah.” She said softly. “What do you want to do before…before you go home?”

James looked down a little before smiling at her. "The same things we've been doing the whole time, I just want to be with you."

“Aww.” Everyone said before Twilight Velvet took another picture.

James and Barb blushed more as Barb pouted. "Mooom!"

Twilight Velvet smiled and giggled. “Just getting a picture of my daughter and her first coltfriend.”

Barb blushed redder and covered her face as James smiled softly, holding her hand as Velvet took another picture. "S-she's just happy." James said with a smile.

“I know, I just don’t understand why she is focused on me when Shining and Cadence are right there!” Barb said, making both the named ponies' eyes widen.

"Barb!" The two shouted as Velvet and Night Light's eyes widened.

"You're dating!?" The two asked as James smirked a little.

“Wait n-no um I mean we…uh..” Shining started to say.

James snickered a bit as he and Barb sat together, smiling softly at each other as James held her hand under the table. “I can't believe my baby boy has been hiding the fact that he has a fillyfriend!” Twilight Velvet said overdramatically.

"Mom!" Shining Armor said, covering his face.

James and Barb laughed as James glanced at Barb for a moment, before looking at Celestia. "U-um… princess? D-do you know how long the portal will… stay open?"

“I do not, I am sorry, but I can have a guard stand guard of it to let us know when it starts to close.” She said softly.

"T-that isn't the problem really…" James said, looking down a little. "I-i thought it might be neat if… I showed Barb my world a little bit…"

“Y-you can’t.” Celestia said weakly.

Barb looked down a little. "W-why? I… I'd like to see it…"

“The moment somepony passes through the portal it will close.” Celestia said with a frown. “If you go with him…you’d be stuck in his world till the portal opens again.”

Barb's eyes widened as she looked down sadly. "O-oh…"

James frowned a bit as well and rubbed Barb's hand gently. "Alright… thank you for your honesty…"

“I have never lied to you.” Celestia said softly.

James looked down to the side a bit, but nodded slowly. "I-i know… i-im sorry…"

Barb got up. “I will be right back.” she walked off.

James looked at the direction she went wand raised an eyebrow, before looking at the table shyly and awkwardly. “Don't worry, she will be back.” Cadence said with a smile.

"I-i know… it's just um… awkward now." James said looking at the table more.

“Why?” Twilight asked, confused.

James glanced at them, flinching a little as they were all staring at him. "Y-you're all staring at me… a-and for the last few days the only one I've actually talked to is Barb… Twilight has always had her nose in a book and… I uh…just met the rest of you aside from Celestia…"

Twilight velvet and Twilight's father smile sadly at James. “It is fine, we are not mean.”

James' eyes widened. "I-i didn't mean that! I-i just…" he said, poking his fingers together. "I-i don't know what to say…"

“Why don’t you tell us about yourself dear.” Twilight Velvet suggested.

James rubbed his arm a little. "T-there isn't much to say… i-i like reading comic books… exploring the forest around my home… cooking with my mom before she and my dad started arguing all the time… o-oh! I'm learning how to sword fight."

“You are learning how to use a sword?” Shining asked.

James nodded a little and rubbed the back of his neck. "My dads side of the family were once knights in an ancient order… or something. He said everyone learns it…"

“An ancient order?” Celestia asked with a small frown.

“That is cool! Maybe we can spar before you go home.” Shining said with a smile.

James blushed a bit as he looked down. "I-im just a beginner… a-and yes my dad told me it was once our family's job to protect the innocent people of our town from things that they couldn't stop themselves."

“Hmm, do you know the name of the order?” Celestia asked.

“That's fine, I will go easy on you.” Shining said with a smile.

James smiled a little as he looked down at his feet. "Um… I think it was called the… Dragons circle or something."

Celestia’s eyes narrowed as she was deep in thought. “Hmm.”

“I bet Barb would like to hear that name.” Shining said with a smile.

James blushed a bit more as he smiled a little, frowning again as he sighed softly. "I-i should go home as soon as I can… i-it'll be bad if my dad or someone came looking for me…"

“I don’t understand, if the portal has opened twice before this, that means there must be a pattern and we can find when the next time the portal opens if it closed.” Twilight said.

"Not necessarily Twily, it could only open a few times every few thousand years." Shining Armor said with a smile, as Celestia gasped softly and glanced at James.

James’ eyes were wide with fear and sadness. “Th-thousand?”

"What's wrong?" Twilight velvet asked with a frown. "How long does your species normally live for?" She asked as Celestia stared at James.

“I don’t know but I never heard of anyone over eighty.” James said with tears in his eyes.

"Oh… dear." Twilight velvet said sadly. "You seem to be able to live the same amount of time as most ponies…"

"So he'd… probably never see Barb again." Night Light said sadly as Celestia looked off to the side a little.

James looked down as he started to cry. “Why? Why do I have to choose between my family and my first friend?”

Cadence frowned a bit as she trotted over and gently wrapped a wing around him. "Life is hard, but it's the hardest decisions that make it worth wild."

James continued to cry. “But I don’t want to hurt Barb or my family.”

Everyone looked at him sadly as Cadence rubbed his back gently. "It'll be ok, just… have hope."

“I guess so.” James said weakly.

Cadence frowned slightly and gently nuzzled him as Barb came back. “What's going on?” Barb asked, a bit upset seeing Cadence nuzzling James.

"Your coltfriend is having a little meltdown." Shining Armor said with a small smile.

Barb walked over and hugged James before letting out a soft hiss at everyone. “What did you all say?”

Everyone blinked in surprise at her reaction as James shook his head. "I-its ok, i-i was crying because I have to choose between you and my family…"

Barb rubbed his back. “It's ok, I won’t ask you to choose.”

James nodded a little. "I-i know… I just wish we could keep the portal open all the time or make it like a one way mirror or something, so we could see each other and talk and… everything."

“I know me too.” Barb said sadly.

Everyone frowned sadly at the two sadly as Celestia paid for dinner. "How about we get going so you two can spend more time together."

“Ok.” James said as he held Barb’s hand.

Barb blushed red and smiled a little, shyly kicking her foot. “Come on Barb, we don”t want to just sit here and shyly look at your coltfriend.” Cadence said as everyone got up.

"A-alright." Barb said as the two started to walk with everyone while holding hands.

"What a revolting sight." A pony said sneering at Barb and James.

Barb’s eyes widened and she looked at who said that, but James hugged her.

"I know right?" James asked, making Barb's eyes widened in shock and pain. "I mean look at that hairdo, who did it for you? A tornado? It looks better on the end of a wort hog."

The mare gasped and put a hoof to her chest. “What!?”

"Oh I'm sorry, did I stutter?" James asked with a glare at her, keeping Barb behind him. "Your hair looks like a warthog's backside! Maybe instead of being so insecure about yourself you have to bully others, try going to a hair salon to get that mess to look decent!"

“You insolent little brat I am going to-” She started to say before Celestia clears her throat.

"What exactly? You started this, or can you not handle a taste of your own medicine?" Celestia asked with a smile.

“Y-your highness, I uh…” The mare starts to back up.

"You insulted this colt and his filly friend, and he was defending her. I believe you owe them an apology." Celestia said as Barb blushed while behind James' back.

“B-but it is unnatural!” She said while pointing at them.

"What is?" James asked with a frown. "The fact that two people like each other? Get your head out of your butt!"

“You need to watch your tongue brat!” The mare said.

"How about you take your own advice!" James said angrily. "I bet you're just jealous seeing us happy since no one wants to be with you!"

The mare gasped again. “You little mongrel, I don’t know what you are but you can be sure I will make sure you never set hoof in this city again!”

The adult ponies and Barb all smiled a little at James, before Celestia stepped forward. "He is a visiting dignitary. So I would appreciate it if you showed him some respect."

The mare’s eyes widened in shock. “This…this thing is with you your highness?”

James glared at the mare a bit as Celestia giggled. "Yes, in fact he has been in my and my students' care since he got here. He is like family."

The mare stared at Celestia for a moment before she turned to James. “I…apologize…for my rude behavior.”

James growled a bit more at the mare angrily as Barb held his hand, making him grumbled. "Fine… arguing with a child. How pathetic."

The mare frowned and turned to leave. “I believe I shall go.”

James frowned more as Barb hugged his arm and smiled at him. "T-thank you for protecting me…"

“You truly have the makings of a noble knight.” Cadence said with a giggle.

James blushed red and looked away shyly as Everyone giggled/laughed. "Come on love birds, let's get going." Night light said with a small smile.

“Yes, we want you two to have as much fun as you can.” Celestia said as the group moved on.

James and Barb frowned a little again, glancing at each other as Barb leaned her head on his arm.

Twilight Velvet moved in front of them and took another picture. “Perfect!”

The two blushed more as James slowly wrapped an arm around Barbs back. Barb blushed more and looked down shyly. “You are so nice James.”

James blushed redder as Velvet took another picture, before gasping. "You two should go to the grand galloping gala together tomorrow!"

“But…my home…the portal…” James said before looking at Barb. “I want to make Barb happy but..”

Barb smiled softly as she looked at him. "If going home makes you happy… it's ok…"

"Awe." Cadence smiled with a giggle.

James looked down, deep in thought before he looked at Celestia. “If…if I stay for this…gala thing…can you promise me I will be able to go home?”

Celestia smiled softly. "A guard will let us know if the portal begins to close, and if it does you will know."

James looked between everyone then looked at Barb. “I’ll stay.”

Barb looked at him with a blush as she smiled tearily. "R-really?"

“Just for the gala thingy…what's a gala?” James asked.

"A dance." Celestia said with a gentle smile. "I hold it every year, where ponies from all over come to socialize."

“O-oh.” James said with wide eyes.

"Are… are you ok?" Babe asked.

"Y-yeah… I… um… I do know how to dance because of my mom but I've… never danced with someone else…" He said nervously.

Cadence smiled and walked up to him. “I can give you a bit of practice before the big dance if you’d like.”

Barb pouted slightly and crossed her arms as James blushed a bit. "I-i don't mean to be mean or rude but um… how would that transition? I mean… your quadrupedal and we're both Anthropomorphic." He said gesturing to himself and Barb.

Cadence giggled a bit. “I have seen two legged species dance before, and I can do this.” Cadence’s horn began to glow before a projection of James appeared in front of him, although it lacked any features it was his exact body shape.

James blinked a bit. "So I'll be dancing with myself?"

“More or less, it is like a puppet I can control.” Cadence said with a smile.

James nodded slowly as Barb looked worried. "Are you ok Barb?" Twilight Velvet asked with a smile. "Would you like me to help you learn how to dance?"

Barb blushed lightly and nodded shyly.

Velvet giggled and nuzzled Barb. "Of course, we don't have a lot of time. So we should get started."

Barb nodded her head before whispering into her ear.

Velvet giggled softly and nodded with a smile. "Of course, Shining go with James as well to get a suit."

"A… suit?" James asked, confused.

“Of course, the gala is a fancy party, suits and dresses are required.” Shining said with a smirk. “I have heard of a good shop we can go to, but we’ll have to leave now.”

James blinked a bit and paled. "Oh… oh no… the last time my mom had me in a suit she nearly killed me because I couldn't breathe…."

"Don't worry son, that won't happen here." Night light said with a smile as Twilight read her book.

“Yeah, the pony I heard of does amazing work.” Shining said before he looked at Cadence. “Sorry but I need to take him now if he wants his suit on time.”

Cadence nodded as Shining lifted James onto his back. "I'm starting to regret this… wouldn't a simple picnic be a better first date?" James asked before Shining Armor dashed away.

Shining chuckled and smirked. “You saying you don’t want to make Barb’s first date special?”

James blushed redder and covered his face. "This is all moving so fast for me… b-but I do want to make Barb happy."

“Then we will get you a suit and you can enjoy the dance with her.” Shining said before he looked back at James. “Just watch where you put your hooves.”

James raised an eyebrow in confusion. "My what?"

“Your…uh…claws?” Shining guessed with a small shrug.

James blinked again in confusion as he looked at his hands. "You mean my hands? I don't understand what you're talking about, my mom told me when you dance with a girl to put one hand on her waist and the other like… on the side of her torso or something."

“I guess that is fine, just don’t go any lower buster.” Shining said with his big brother voice.

James just looked at him confusedly. "I still don't get it…"

“Hmm, I guess you are too young for that then.” He muttered to himself.

"I'm eleven… what exactly am I too young for?" James asked, confused.

“Nothing.” Shining said with a chuckle.

"Why are adults weird?" James asked with a frown as the two reached a clothing shop.

“Hey, I may be older but I’m not an adult yet.” Shining said with a roll of his eyes before opening the door,

"You have a job and you're weird, to me you're an adult." James said, looking around the shop.

Shining chuckled a bit. “I suppose by that logic I am.” He walked up and rang a bell.

"Just a moment." A gentle voice called from the back, while James looked around the shop a little. He noticed dresses and suits of all colors, shapes and sizes while taking note of a small white unicorn with a purple mane and tail that was looking at all the clothes in awe.

“It's me, I have a rush job for you, Sharp Fit.” Shining siad with a smile.

"Shining Armor? I'll be right out." The voice said as James noticed the white unicorn staring at him.

James looked away, trying to hide but as he was on top of Shining’s back, there wasn’t much he could do to hide.

"Excuse me." The little Unicorn said trotting up to the two. "But… I was just wondering who designed your clothes?"

James looked at the young unicorn. “Um…I don’t know, my mom bought them.”

"Oh, I've never seen anything like them. Apologize for simply walking up to you, my name is Elusive." The unicorn said with a smile.

“M-my name is James.” James said shyly.

"Pleasure to meet you, if I may, what are you?" Elusive asked as a mare with a dark green mane and black coat walked out of the back.

“I am a human.” James said while looking at Elusive.

"A human? Like from the old ponies tale?" Elusive asked in surprise.

"Elusive dear, leave the poor colt alone. Now Shining, what can I do for you?" The mare asked with a smile.

“This guy needs a suit for tomorrow night.” Shining said with a smile. “Think you can handle it?”

"Tomorrow night? Wait, isn't tomorrow night the gala!?" Elusive asked in shock. "Oh I am so envious! I've always wished to go!"

"Elusive, what have I said about butting into other lives?" The mare asked.

"O-oh, apologies aunty." Elusive said, hanging his head a little.

“It…it’s ok, I don’t get to talk to others my own age often.” James said shyly.

"You don't?" Elusive asked, arching an eyebrow.

"The two of you can chat while I take his measurements." Sharp fit said with a gentle smile as she slowly levitated James onto a pedestal.

“This still feels weird.” James said as he was lifted then he shyly looked at everyone.

"Oh I'm sorry dear, now what colors would you like the suit to be?" Shart fit asked with a smile, taking his measurements.

"U-um… p-purple and… g-green… they're my two favorite colors…" James said nervously.

“Purple and green?” Elusive asked in shock. “Well…that is a…bold choice.”

Shining Armor grinned a bit. "Oh I bet it's because his filly friend is also purple and green."

"N-no!" James said blushing. "T-those have always been my favorite colors… i-i have a jacket back home that's purple with green lines that have black borders…"

“I see, well I will do my best for you young sir.” Sharp Fit said with a smile.

James blushed more and nodded, shyly looking at the ground. "T-thank you…"

Elusive walked closer. “Where did you come from?”

"U-um… Princess Celestia said another world… a portal opened and I fell through…" James said, kicking his foot.

“Another world?” Elusive asked before he got stars in his eyes. “Just imagine all the different fashion styles.”

James looked down a little as he shrugged. "I-i wouldn't know, m-my home town is secluded in the Arctic. We don't get a whole lot of 'new' stuff. And I'm the only kid there…"

“Still, there must be so many new fashions to see, oh please tell me I can visit this world!” Elusive said as he was dancing on his hooves.

"Sorry, no. Celestia said the portal will close again once someone goes through." Shining Armor said, with a slight frown causing James to look down.

“Oh…” Elusive said as he lowered his head. “I am sorry to hear that.”

James nodded slowly as he sighed. "I-i'm probably gonna be leaving the day after tomorrow…i-i…"

Elusive tapped his chin. “I see, well…how about a gift to remember this world?” He said as his horn lit.

"Huh?" James asked in confusion.

Elusive pulled a gem out of his bag and floated it over to James. “This is a rare memory stone. Hold it close and it will preserve an important moment in your life as a photograph in the crystal itself.”

James slowly took the crystal and stared at it in awe, before looking at Elusive for a moment. "W-why would you give me such a rare gift? We just met."

Elusive smiled and tossed his hair. “Well dear, I want you to remember your time in this world.”

James looked down at the gem in his hands as tears started to well up in his eyes. "T-thank you…"

Elusive lifted a leg nervously. “Did I do something wrong?”

Shining Armor looked at James with a worried expression as the human tried to while away his tears. "N-no… e-everyone here is so nice… i-its nothing like back home… since I'm the only kid there… i-i've tried talking to the adults. B-but they just look at me weird and the older kids pick on me…"

“That isn't right.” Elusive said while stomping a hoof. “Everypony deserves compassion in their life, especially in their foalhood.”

Shining Armor nodded with a frown. "He's right, why would you go back to such a life?"

James stared at the ground as tears fell from his eyes. "M-my sister… I can't let her go through that like I did… she's gonna need me…"

“A true gentlecolt.” Elusive said with a soft smile.

Shining sighed a bit and smiled softly, before wrapping a hoof around James shoulders. "Well, if you ever do return one day. You'll always have a home here… and I'm sure my sister would be happy to see you again."

“Which one? The pretty one or the one with her face in books all the time?” James asked with a small smile.

Shining Armor grinned a little. "So Barb is Pretty huh?"

James blushed bright red. “M-maybe.”

The guard chuckled softly as Sharp Fit began working on the suit. "This will take a while. And I need to concentrate, everypony out."

“But I am not a pony.” James said before Shining used his magic to lift James onto his back.

"You know what I meant." She said with a shake of her head.

James looked down at Elusive. “Um…are you busy? Maybe you want to hang out?”

Elusive smiled a little. "That would be fun, what should we do?"

“I don’t know, I haven’t been here before.” James said sheepishly.

"Well, how about we go see the fair?" Elusive suggested.

“There is a fair in town?” James asked.

Elusive nodded with a small smile. "Yes, I saw it on my way here."

“Cool, can Barb come?” James asked Shining.

Shining chuckled a little. "I'm sure she'd love to, but she is learning to dance right now."

“Oh…ok, I guess we can go then.” James said, a bit sad Barb isn’t coming too.

Elusive raised an eyebrow. "Is Barb the name of your filly friend?"

James blushed and fidgeted. “M-maybe.”

Elusive giggled softly before clearing his throat and trotting down the road. "Come along dears, it's this way."

Shining raised an eyebrow but followed Elusive. “So are you a local or are you visiting somepony in town?” Shining asked Elusive.

"Yes, my aunt Sharp Fit." Elusive said with a small smile.

"Didn't he say that in the shop?" James asked as Elusive giggled softly again.

"O-oh, I wasn't paying attention…" Shining Armor said with a blush.

James chuckled and relaxed a bit. “It’s ok, everyone has a brain fart from time to time.”

"Brain fart?" Shining Armor asked in confusion.

“When you say or do something silly by accident or forget something.” James said with a shrug. “I heard it alot at home.”

"Interesting term." Elusive said with a slow nod.

“I think it's a little funny but-” James shrugged as he looked ahead. “-I don’t use it often.”

"Why not dear?" Elusive asked with a small smile.

James shrugged a bit. “I mean, I don’t really have a chance to say it often and when I do the adults usually scold me or ignore me, even though they use it on me all the time.”

Elusive frowned a little. "If… if the portal could stay open longer, why not get your sister and live here? From what it sounds like dear, that place is horrid."

James sighed and looked down sadly. “I would if I could, but princess Celestia said once I pass through it, it will close.”

Elusive and Shining Armor sighed a bit. "We get it, maybe Celestia could use magic to hold it open for longer?" Shining Armor suggested as they grew closer to the fair.

“Maybe, but would anyone be able to help raise my sister? I don’t know how to take care of a baby.” James said sadly.

Elusive and Shining Armor frowned slightly. "My parents might be able to help, they'd probably love to help try and raise another baby."

“Well…I can try, but getting her away from my parents won’t be easy…unless they have me watch her while they go out hunting.” James said while scratching his head.

"It's… better than nothing right? And if you do stay you'd be able to stay with Barb." Shining Armor said with a small smirk.

“That is true.” James said with a smile.

"Oh look there it is." Elusive said with a smile, pointing to the fair.

James looked ahead and smiled. “Wow, so many ponies.”

"Yes this is quite popular. I heard a rumor that the flight school is hosting a field trip here." Elusive said with a smile.

“Flight school?” James asked as he looked at Elusive.

"Yes, for the pegasi ponies." Elusive said with a smile, pointing to two fillies. One was yellow with a pink mane and the other a cyan blue and a Rainbow mane, as they slowly flew through the fair. "See?"

“Whoa, I saw a few but never saw them fly before.” James said as he watched the ponies. “I thought their wings would be too small to fly.”

"What's that supposed to mean!?" The Rainbow haired pony asked angrily, flying over to him. "I heard that remark! You think Pagusai are weak!?"

James yelped and fell off of Shining’s back. “Ow.” He rubbed the back of his head. “N-no miss…I…I just thought pegasi wings are too small for your bodies for flight, at least that is how it would work back home.”

"Back home? What the buck are you-" She started to say, before the other filly flew over.

"R-rainbow! Language!" She said softly.

James shied away from the angry filly. “I…I am a human from another world.”

"Another world?" The shy filly asked quietly.

"A human?! Like from the fairy tail?!" The Rainbow pony asked in shock.

James nodded slowly. “Y-yeah I guess so, I don’t know the legends myself but I am a human.”

"That's awesome!" The Rainbow said with a grin. "The fairy tales said humans can do all kinds of awesome stuff! What can you do!?"

James flinched as the rainbow filly shouted. “Um…I can use a sword, some basic hand to hand, I can dance…um…I have some basic tracking skills.”

"A sword!? That's so cool!" The filly said excitedly as a guard pony walked over.

"What's going on over here? You're disturbing the peace!" He said gruffly.

“Huh?” James asked as he stood up.

"Captain!" Shining Armor said saluting.

"Deputy, now young filly, I've already spoken to you about your loudness. I'm going to have to take you in." The guard said as James looked surprised.

"Over her being a little loud? Do you not hear how loud those ponies are?" He asked, indicating a couple of unicorns that were even louder than their group.

“This isn’t any of your business…sir.” The guard said to James, pausing on me for a moment. “So back up and let me handle this loud delinquent.”

"U-um… C-captain…" Shining Armor started to say.

"Delinquent!? I'm just excited! You're just like this because I'm a pegasus!" The Rainbow pony yelled.

“Is that a thing? Testing others differently because of their body parts?” James asked with a confused frown.

"Like you wouldn't believe." Elusive said with a mumble, as the captain drew the sword from his side, catching James' attention at how feebly he was holding it in his magic.

"You're coming with me." The captain said about to grab the rainbow pony.

James rushed into action, grabbing Shining’s sword and smacked the captain’s blade away. “Stay back! She didn’t do anything wrong.”

Everyone's eyes widened in shock as the captain stared at James, a cruel smirk forming on his face. "You wish to duel huh? Very well, if you win I'll let her go. If I win, you're never allowed back in canterlot."

James’ eyes widened as he thought of Barb, then he looked at the two pegasus ponies. “Fine…” He said slowly as he looked back at the captain.

"Captain! Challenging a minor to a duel is against regulations! And it is illegal!" Shining Armor yelled in shock as ponies backed away from the sword welders.

"This… thing is the one that started it. Now I shall show him his place." The captain said, smirking at James before he swing his sword clumsily.

James easily blocked and deflected the captain’s blade. “I didn’t start it, I stepped in when you were being a racist to these two innocent fillies.”

The captain's eyes widened in surprise as he tried to swing his sword again, however James easily ducked under the swing, using the pommel of his sword to hit the captain's nose. “Gah! You little bastard!”

“Whoa, the human has skills.” Rainbow said.

"Indeed…" Elusive said watching with growing interest as James blocked another swing of the sword.

"Aren't you a captain? Why are you fighting like an amateur!" James asked, deflecting another strike and suddenly spinning on his heel to kick the Captain in the chest. "I'm still a beginner according to my father, and I'm kicking your butt!"

The captain growled and charged his sword with magic, electricity sparking around the blade. “I will show you amateur!”

“Sir, that spell is for killing monsters, not sparring matches!” Shining shouted as he lifted a hoof to help.

"Quiet deputy!" The captain said with an angry growl, glaring at James who quickly got into a new fighting stance.

"Um… what's the spell do exactly?" James asked Shining Armor while keeping an eye on the captain.

“It shocks anything the blade touches with a lethal amount of electricity!” Shining said, his horn lighting up, ready to cast a shield spell.

James blinked for a moment before he grinned as the captain charged at him, however just before Shining Armor was going to cast the spell James lept into the air. In a single fell swoop, James threw his blade straight down into the ground against the Captains, causing the electricity to surge through one blade to the other and into the ground harmlessly while James kicked the Captain so hard he flew back and landed on the ground in a heap.

“Holy Celestia! That was bucking awesome!” Rainbow said before her friend started to scold her.

"Rainbow Dash! Language!" The filly said, as Elusive stared at James with a light blush on his face.

"Holy…, you said you were a beginner!" Shining Armor said in shock and James landed, fumbled a bit before he grabbed both swords from the ground.

"Uh… I am?" James said, confused.

“That…that is a super advanced move! I think only the princess could pull it off!” Shining said in shock.

James looked bewildered at him as the captain stared at James in fear and shock as well. "Huh? My dad taught me that move when I was seven."

“When you were…holy Celestia…kid, if you are this skilled as a child, I fear how good you’d be as an adult.” Shining said with a small frown.

James looked completely confused, as the Captain snarled a bit. "You win, return my blade." James tossed the sword to the captains feet and passed Shining Armor his sword as every pony around cheered and applauded.

James blushed and looked at the ground shyly. “I…I didn’t do much, please no cheering.”

Elusive smiled as his blush deepened. “Breave, strong, and modest? He seems like the perfect colt.” He said softly to himself before his eyes widened and he put a hoof to his cheek. “O-oh dear, am I…”

"That was so cool!" Rainbow said with a grin. "How'd you do all that!?"

"O-oh, I um… I used the jumping motion to avoid the attack and used the momentum to force the blade into the other one. That caused the second blade into the ground where the electricity would harmlessly go into the dirt since it isn't conductive. While at the same time I used the momentum from the throw to add more power to my kick, I kicked him in the center of his chest because that was where he had his center of gravity, allowing me to knock him into the dirt." James explained with a smile, making Elusive blush even more at his intelligence.

“Yeah yeah you are a bucking genius at combat, just get out of here with your two feather brained fillies.” The captain said, making a lot of the crowd gasp.

The little yellow pony began to whimper and tear up as Rainbow Dash as her friend called her turned best red in anger, with her feathers ruffling. "I take it that was a very bad insult." James said with a frown.

“One of the worst for pegasus ponies.” Shining Armor said with a frown, then he whispered to James. “If I arrest him, will you help me take him down if he fights?”

"You know his name right?" James asked Shining Armor, getting a confused nod. "Good then let's just report him to Princess Celestia directly."

"Ha! You think the princess will listen to a freak like you?" The captain asked, shaking his head with a devilish grin. "Besides it takes weeks if not months to get an audience with the princess. You think she'd take your word over mine?"

"I mean, ever since I got here she's been taking care of me." James said with a slight shrug. "So talking with her won't be an issue."

“He is right, he is a personal guest of the princess.” Shining said as he stepped forward. “So you can either surrender now or wait until I tell the princess everything.”

The captain's eyes widened in shock. "This thing is a personal guest of the princess!?"

“Yes HE is, now stand down captain.” Shining said with a frown.

The captain glared at them with a snarl, before looking at the ground and letting Shining Armor arrest him. "This isn't over…" the captain mumbled, as Shining Armor took him away.

"I'll meet you back at the shop in a half hour." Shining said to James as he walked away with the captain.

James watched him go and hugged himself. “O-ok…I…I guess I will wait here.”

“Buck that! Let’s hang out!” Rainbow said as she bit James’ shirt and pulled him further into the fair.

"Rainbow! Don't just force somepony to follow you!" The yellow filly said following them, with Elusive right behind them.

“Oo ome on uttershy, ee is cool with it.” Rainbow said with her mouth full of shirt, as she walked pulling James along.

James blushed a bit. "U-um, I'm not ok with this… i-i don't even know you."

"See! Rainbow Dash put him down right now!" The yellow filly yelled.

Rainbow pouted and let go of James’ shirt. “Aw come on, I just wanted to help you have fun after you stood up for us. What, you don’t want to hang out with fillies or something?”

"I-it's not that…" James said shyly as he looked at the ground. "I-im not used to others actually… wanting to hang out with me…back home usually they just yell at me and tell me to go away…"

The yellow pony gasped softly and covered her mouth. “Not cool!” Rainbow said with a shake of her head. “You are awesome! Er…not as awesome as me of course.”

James blushed a bit and scratched his cheek a little, looking down at the ground as he kicked his foot. "T-thank you… but like I said I'm still a beginner compared to my dad…"

“If you are a beginner then an expert must be super awesome!” Rainbow said with a grin.

The little yellow pegasus nodded softly as she smiled kindly at James. "I-i agree, and t-thank you for helping us…"

James blushed lightly and looked away from them. “I…I was trained to protect others, I couldn’t just stand by while he got you two in trouble for no reason.”

"My, you are quite the colt. Fillies must flock to you." Elusive said with a grin and a slight blush.

“Well…I don’t know, like I said back home I have no one my age to be around, and here I met…someone so nice…” James said and started to blush.

The two fillies gasped a little, one smirking while the other giggled. "Someone's got a filly friend."

James blushed more and looked down shyly before nodding. “I…um…yes.”

"Then it's even better timing you're here." Rainbow said with a grin. "You can win her a prize!"

“A…prize?” James asked, confused.

"Yeah, from the game booths." Rainbow said with a smile, pointing to the different games.

James looked around and his mouth opened in awe. “Wow, so many games, I have only seen them in movies and tv shows.”

"Movies and Tee vee shows? What are those?" The yellow filly asked confused.

“You don’t have those here?” James asked before rubbing his chin. “Well, I don’t know how it works but basically a ton of moving pictures are shown really fast to make it look like the image is moving.”

"That sounds dumb." Rainbow said as she flew over to a game.

James sighed and slowly followed her. “How do you play this one?”

"You just gotta make the ball go into the hole." The carnie said, gesturing to a single hole behind a few moving parts.

James looked at the game. “Can I play?”

"Of course, three bits." The carny said with a smile.

“Bits?” James asked before his eyes widened. “Oh…right I already used my money.”

Rainbow rolled her eyes before putting down a hoof full of bits. “Here, but I want them paid back with interest.”

James blinked a bit as he took a ball, looking at the hole and the moving pieces before throwing it. The ball bounced around a bit, and off of the moving and rotating pieces until it slowly rolled and landed in the hole.

“We…we have a winner?” The carny said, not believing what he saw. “You don’t have magic do ya colt?”

"Um… no sir. My species doesn't have magic at all." James said looking confused.

The carny looked at Elusive with narrowed eyes before sighing. “Alright colt, you win a prize, now you can choose anything from the first shelf or forfeit that prize for a chance at winning something from the second shelf.”

"D-do I have to pay again?" James asked worriedly, looking at the giant teddy bear on the second shelf he wanted to get for Barb.

“Nope, just have to give up the first shelf prize.” The carny said with a smirk.

James looked worried for a moment, before sighing softly and looking at the big bear and then back at the game. He nodded his head to the carnie after a moment of seemingly staring at the game, but smiled softly as he spoke. "I'd like to try to win that large bear there please." He said pointing at the bear.

“Ah, to win that you need to win three games in a row.” The carny siad with a smirk.

James took a second ball and looked at the game, noticing how the hole was now slightly moving as well. His eyes darted over the game before tossing the ball into the center at the hole, causing it to bounce out and around the booth a bit. Everyone watched in confusion as the ball bounced around more as the carny focused on Elusive, the ball bounced around more before accidentally hitting a hidden button and making the game pause. The ball bounced high into the air before falling back onto the counter a few times, and back into the game. It bounced roughly six times before landing dead in the hole, surprising everyone.

“Wow! That was cool!” Rainbow said with a grin.

“Congratulations dear.” Elusive said with a smile to James, making the carny look at the game.

"What the?" The carny asked himself as he scratched his head, but looked at James for a second. "Congratulations kid, you can pick out something from the second Self or throw again for that big bear you wanted."

“I really want that bear.” James said with a small smile.

"Alright, last throw." The carny said with a smile.

James took the ball and looked at the game again, not noticing Barb and Twilight Velvet walking past and spotting him. "James?" Barb asked quietly as he threw the ball, replicating the exact same thing it did the last time. Except this time the ball bounced out of the game entirely and began bouncing around the whole area, eventually hitting a sign and launching back into the game and getting jammed in the hole right as a hatch was about to close over it.

The carny stared at the game in shock. “Here, take the bear and leave.” He took the bear down and gave it to James without looking.

James smiled a bit as he took the bear that was bigger than him, as Rainbow and Fluttershy were clapping and cheering for him. Barb frowned a bit as her eyes teared up at seeing them being so nice to him, grabbing at her chest before Elusive smiled at James. "I'm sure your filly friend will love it."

“I know, and it is her birthday too, I know I already gave her a gift but…I am probably leaving tomorrow so I want to make her as happy as possible.” James said with a smile, struggling to keep the bear up.

Twilight velvet smiled softly and whispered in Barb's ear. "Barb sweetie, he won that bear for you."

Barb gasped softly as her ear fins perked. “He did? S-should I go talk to him or wait till the dance?” She asked nervously.

"You're going to wait a whole day to talk to your coltfriend?" Velvet asked with a gentle smile. "Go on, you're allowed to be with him."

Barb smiled before she walked up to James and tapped his back, getting the attention of everyone in James’ group.

"A dragon!?" The filly asked fearfully as James turned around, his smile widening as he hugged Barb.

"Barb! What are you doing here?" He asked her.

Barb blushed and hugged him back. “I was coming back from…um…getting something, when I saw you and your…new friends?”

"Oh, right. Barb, meet Rainbow Dash Elusive and… um…" James started to say before looking at the yellow pony.

"F-fluttershy…" The filly said timidly and quietly.

"And Fluttershy." James said with a smile.

Barb looked at them before slowly holding her claw out while hugging James tighter. “N-nice to meet you.”

"You as well dear, your coltfriend is quite the colt." Elusive said with a smile, shaking her claw. "He was able to defeat a guard captain in a duel."

Barb’s eyes widened before she looked at James. “You fought a guard captain!?”

"Buck yeah he did!" Rainbow said with excitement. "And he WON! The captain even used a spell on his sword to electrocute it and James used his sword to drive the captain into the dirt and kicked him into the dirt!"

James blushed as he rubbed the back of his neck, shyly looking down. Barb gasped and covered her mouth. “You did that?” She asked James.

James nodded slowly. "I-i was raised to keep the innocent safe, a-and the guard was harassing Fluttershy and Rainbow…"

Barb’s eyes widened before she hugged James harder. “You brave idiot.”

James smiled a little and hugged her back. "S-sorry."

Rainbow made gagging sounds. “Come on, do you have to be all…lovey dovey?”

Elusive giggled a little bit. "What's wrong dear? Jealous?"

Barb and James looked at them as Rainbow blushed a bit. "No!"

“Sh-she is a tomcolt.” Fluttershy said shyly, hiding behind a lot of her hair.

"What does that have to do with anything? One of my old friends is a tomcolt and has a coltfriend." Elusive said with a smirk.

Rainbow rolled her eyes. “Yes well, I just don’t like the lovey dovey stuff.” Rainbow said while looking away.

"A-anyway. B-barb, this is for you." James said offering the dragoness the giant teddy bear.

Barb’s eyes widened as she hugged the bear. “Oh my gosh it is adorable!”

James smiled softly as Elusive sighed gently. "Against all odds he won it for you, you're quite the lucky filly." Elusive said with a grin.

Barb blushed and hid behind the bear. “Th-thanks, but James is one of a kind.”

"Literally, I've never seen anything like em." Another voice said as an orange colt with a yellow mane walked over. "Howdy, mah family is selling apples here and ah saw that fight. It was cool."

James rubbed his arm. “Th-thanks I guess, sorry I don’t have any money on me.”

The colt waved it off. "Ah ain't here ta try and get y'all ta buy any, actually mah ma and pa wanted me to give ya this." She said, slowly taking an apple fruit basket off her back. "We all saw the fight and they heard ya were winning that bear fer yer filly friend. They said there ain't a lot of good colts like ya around anymore and wanted ta do something nice fer ya."

James blushed at the complement as he took the basket. “Th-thanks, but I didn’t do much.”

"Are you kidding!?" Rainbow asked in surprise. "You were awesome!"

Barb frowned at Rainbow while hugging James’ arm. “Yes he is, he even got me a super rare comic along with the figure to go with it.”

James blushed more as Elusive chuckled a little more. "Looks like someone is the jealous type."

Barb blushed and looked away. “I am not.”

"Yeah right." Rainbow said with a grin. "You're all over him."

James put a hand on Barb’s back. “She is just fine the way she is.”

Barb blushed and smiled at him, hugging the bear more as a pink colt bounced around. "Hiya! Anypony know where I can find joe doughnuts?"

“I believe it is down that road dear.” Elusive said while pointing down a road. “But why would you want to go there when there are so many fine dining establishments?” He asked the pink colt.

"I'm looking for my parents, we said we'd meet there." The colt said with a wide smile.

“Oh, I see.” Elusive said while nodding.

“Do you need some help getting there?” James asked.

The colt looked at James and smiled. "I appreciate that, but I should be ok."

“Ok, I hope you find your family.” James said with a small smile.

"Thanks! That was a cool fight by the way! Someone should give you a medal!" The pony said, bouncing up and down excitedly.

James smiles weakly. “I don’t need a medal.”

"Maybe not, but it'd be cool!" The pony said, bouncing around. "I'm Berry Pie!"

“James.” James said as he held a hand out. “Nice to meet you.”

"You too!" Berry said with a smile shaking his hand wildly.

“Whoa!” James said as he was shook.

"James!" Barb said worriedly as Berry let go of his hand.

"Sorry, I get over excited." Berry Pie said with a laugh.

“I-it’s o-ok.” James said, still shaking from the handshake.

"Are you ok?" Barb asked worriedly.

“Yeah, I am fine.” James said as he stopped shaking.

"Well I gotta go, see you all later!" Berry said, bouncing away.

“Bye.” James waved as the colt left. “He seemed nice.”

"Yeah, I've never seen him before." Rainbow said with a shrug.

“Of course you haven’t, you and I live in cloudsdale.” Fluttershy said softly.

"That's a good point." Rainbow said with a shrug.

“What's cloudsdale?” James asked Rainbow and Fluttershy.

"The city Pegasus ponies live in." Rainbow said with a grin.

“Cool, but also a little sad.” James said.

"Sad?" Elusive asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yeah, a city of just pegasi? Seems sad because no other ponies can go to it.” James said.

"Well, it is made of clouds. So if another pony tried to step on it they'd fall through." Rainbow said with a grin.

James blinked at her. “Clouds? H-how is that possible?”

Rainbow grinned a bit. "Pegusai can make stuff out of clouds, we can also walk on them. It has something to do with our magic."

“Really? What do clouds feel like?” James asked.

"Kinda like-"

The present.

Barb snapped out of her daydreaming by the sound of thunder erupting through the city, so loud it shook the castle as a bolt of magically lightning surged across the sky in the direction of the portal to James' human world. "C-could he be back!?"

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