Orchestra of Death

A Canterlot Symphony
Act 1

(ost)

I've been staying in Appleloosa for about a week now. Even met a couple of buffalo, which was pretty cool. They almost fainted at the sight of me though. Kinda disheartening, but understandable. After all, I was a supposedly extinct race. Death said that tracking Hamlet would take anywhere from a week to a full year and that I shouldn't worry myself. So instead of worrying I would normally spend my time helping around the fields and performing small light shows with the powers that I got from Carlos. Heck I could stare at the sun now like it's a light bulb under water. The foals would get a kick out of it every time I made a ball of light bounce off of somepony's nose, it would always be a random pedestrian too.

Braeburn's had a interesting past two days himself. Just yesterday he got a letter from his cousin, in reply to his own about me, saying that she knows a human that lives in her hometown of Ponyville named Dean. He even had been given some time off for stopping the bandits (Even though it was mostly my doing, but try telling that to a sheriff who's still miffed about getting tazed in the crotch. I mean it's not like I knew it was him!) and was relaxing next to me under some trees just watching the sunset. Of all the ponies that I had met I found a friend in him and him alone, but that's what happens when you meet someone who resembles your family.

'Family........I hope they're doing okay after what's happened.' I thought to myself. I stared at the sun as it was setting in the distance.

"Ya okay there James?" I tore my gaze from the celestial light and noticed Braeburn's concerned eyes staring at me.

"Yeah, just thinking of home."

"Missin' yer family?" I gave Braeburn a nod. He didn't press further and got up to pop his back before sitting back on his haunches. We sat there for the rest of the afternoon staring at the sun as the final rays pierced the darkening sky.

"Mr. James! Mr. James!" Or at least we probably would have if a certain young colt hadn't started running up to us. That's right, yesterday afternoon during a light show, the kid from the caves declared himself my number one fan. The kid's name was Chocolate Apple. He was brown with a red mane/tail, and no cutie mark. He had a scroll in his saddlebags and was headed right for me. I also noticed a very unhappy, off-yellow pegasus chasing him. Chocolate skidded to a stop and was panting as he grabbed the scroll.

"Mr......James.......Ah have......a letter...... fer ya......phew." The pegasus had caught up and snatched the letter back.

"Finally caught you you little thief!" I stood up and walked over to the pegasus. His eyes went wide for a moment before he cleared his trout. "Y-you must be this 'James' I was told about. I have a summons for you from the castle" He tried to handover the letter, but I stood there refusing to accept it. "Is there a problem sir?"

"Yes, could you care to explain to me what all the fuss over that letter was about?" The pegasus snorted and looked at Chocolate.

"This colt here snatched my letter away while I was asking for you location." Chocolate blushed and started rubbing the back of his head. I raised a brow and started tapping my foot after directing my gaze to him.

"You care to explain?" Chocolate was kicking the ground with a hoof.

"When ah heard the letter was fer you. Ah thought ah could get my cutie mark in mail delivery by bringing it to you. I guess it wasn't such a good idea, was it?" My expression softened as his ears fell. Kneeling down to his height I rubbed his head, tossing his messy mane everywhere.

"No it wasn't. The next time you get a crazy idea like that, ask if you can help. 'kay?" His head moved faster that then I could see as it turned into a blur. "Good, now I think you owe somepony an apology." Chocolate turned around to the pegasus and hung his head.

"I'm sorry." The pegasus gave a nod and Chocolate smiled before running off. I turned to the guard and took my letter. He took off at blinding speeds as I opened it up to see some beautiful calligraphy on the blackish blue side of the paper done in silver ink.

Dear James,

After hearing of your endeavors in Appleloosa from our dear sister's pupil Twilight Sparkle, and her friend Applejack. We would like to request thine's presence in Canterlot for an audience.
We would be ever so pleased if thou could attend post haste.

Her Royal Majesty,
Princess Luna

Braeburn was looking up at me after I finished reading. "So what's it say?"

"Apparently I have an appointment with Princess Luna..." Death popped into my head right about then.

'I suggest heading for Canterlot immediately, it would be easier to start your training over there.' He left after I gave him a mental salute.

"...Braeburn do you know the fastest way to Canterlot." Braeburn stood there with his mouth hanging open before shaking his head clear (heh, man is that a funny sight) before looking at the sun's position.

"There's a train that leavin' fer Ponyville in about half an hour. If ya stay on board when it gets there it should take ya straight to Canterlot." I gave him a big thumbs up and called over my shoulder as I ran into town.

"Thanks! I'll be back as soon as I can!" I ran for a while and the town was dead ahead. I decided to walk the rest of the way, just cause I had time to kill. I was passing the saloon (Yes you heard right, saloons exist in a land of colorful ponies) when some of the local kids stopped me.

"Mr. James! Can you show us some tricks!" "Yeah! Do that one with tiny humans fighting each other!" "No, do that one with the tiny ball! Make it bounce off Sheriff Silverstar's nose this time!" I cringed internally at the last one of those but gave a smile to the kids.

"I'd love to guys but I have a train to catch." All of them voiced their disappointment, mostly in the form of 'Aawwwwww'. One little filly pushed her way to the front and looked up at me.

"But where ya goin'?" I smiled and gave her a pat on the head.

"I just have to go to Canterlot for a bit. Then I'll be running back here as fast as I can!" They all cheered and ran off to do whatever they were doing before I showed up. I saw one troublemaker look around before grinning like a fox as he pulled out some fireworks from behind a barrel. I just shook my head and walked to the train station. Right as the train pulled in, I felt a tug on my leg. The little filly from before was there with a letter.

"Could you please give this to the Princesses?" I picked up the letter and was about to open it when she bucked my shin. "No peaking! That's for the Princesses eyes only!" I just chuckled and apologized for trying to read the royal mail as I placed it in my pocket. She smiled and ran off to join the others yelling 'Thank you' as she went. I hopped into the train after paying for my ticket and found a nice car to rest in. I leaned back on one of the seats and thought that a nap was well deserved. It didn't last long as a food trolley came out and knocked on my door. It opened to reveal an elderly mare with her hair in a bun.

"Would you be interested in something deary?" I looked over the cart and noticed some cupcakes. She followed my gaze and handed me one before I even asked. I just smiled and handed her the money as she left. I ate my cupcake over the course of the trip, and it was pretty uneventful other that it going from desert to plains. When the train reached Ponyville I was amazed at the size of it. I mean it looked like such a small town from a distance. The train had stopped at the station and the elderly mare came round again.

"Excuse me, I hate to be rude, but when will the train continue on to Canterlot?" The mare just gave me a friendly smile before answering.

"The train will be stopped for about...oh....another 40 minutes before we head on to Canterlot. Until then you can either wait here on the train or step off for a moment to tour Ponyville. Have a nice day now." I decided to wait on the train and enjoy the privacy that came with that decision.

'I've been needing some rest for a while now. Especially after helping the Apples for a week with all those....well, apples.' I leaned back on the cozy seats and slept for the rest of the trip.

for real this time.

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