A Faraway Land.

Chapter 12

The End Game

Twilight and I made our way back from Rarity's place with my partially dry clothes. I brushed off my boots. I set my boots to the side and looked in the bag with my clothes.

"Hey Twilight. Do you have a towel?"

"Ya hold on a sec." Twilight levitated  a large towel next to me.

"Thanks Twilight." I started to dry myself off. "So do you have anything to eat here? I am kind of hungry and I don't much like walking in the rain."

"Ya hold on a sec." Twilight turned to her pouch on the floor. Two apples floated out of the bag. One went to me and the other to Twilight. "I figured I would get some more apples. After I saw you eat more than bread. I thought it would be a good idea to get some fruit."

"Thanks Twilight." I gave her a smile as I grabbed the apple.

When I grabbed the apple. Something strange happened to it. When Twilight uses her magic on items. It glows purple. It was glowing purple when I grabbed it, but the purple glow quickly turned to a blue. The blue glow didn't last long. I hardly saw it glow blue and it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"Did you see that Twilight?" I asked with slight hesitation.

"See what?" She gave me a puzzled look.

"Never mind." I looked around the room as I finished drying off. "So Twilight... Do you have any books you'd recommend I read?"

"I do!" Twilight smiled and walked over to a book shelf. Twilight scanned over the books and found what she was looking for. "Here we are. Daring Do and the Quest for the Sapphire Stone." She levitated the book next to me. "I have all of the series." She gave me a smile.

"Thanks." I carefully observe the book. No mistake; it was glowing purple. I reach my right hand out to grab the book. There was no mistaking it this time. The glow quickly turned blue. I saw what happened next very clear. The blue glow seemed to be absorbed into my hand. I quickly dropped the book. "Tell me you saw that this time!?"

"What are you talking about? James are you okay?" She gave me a worried look.

"It's nothing. I am fine. I think I am going to go get some rest."

I made my way to the stairs while I stared at my hand. I was almost at the stairs until I got a splitting headache. I stopped and turned to Twilight.

"Hey Twilight. Do you have any kind of medicine for headaches?"

"Headache? I think I might have something. Follow me."

I turned to follow Twilight. About three steps in. My body started going numb. I stopped and watched Twilight. She turned and looked at me.

"James?" She watched me carefully. "Are you sure you are fine? You don't look so good."

"I don't know. I have never felt a feeling like this before." I looked at my hands one last time before my sight started to go blurry. Next thing I knew. I was looking up at the ceiling of Twilight's house.

I open my eyes slowly. It felt like my head was just split open. My eye sight was still a little blurry, so I rub my eyes. My eyes slowly come into focus. I look around and find myself in the same hospital room I awoke the first time. I tried to sit up in the bed. It took a lot of effort. It felt like my body weighed a ton. It didn't help that I had a burning sensation in my shoulder blades. I turned to the door as it opened.

"Oh. James, you are awake." Nurse Redheart gave me a smile as she walked in. "How do you feel?"

"It feels like I was hit by a truck."

"A what?" Nurse Redheart looked on in a confused stair. "What is a truck?"

"It's something I would use for transportation." I continued to watch her as she looked at a clipboard. "So why am I here? What happened?"

"I don't know. Nothing seems to be wrong with you." Nurse Redheart looked at the door, as we both heard a frantic voice arguing with someone.

"What it going on outside? Someone sounds pissed." Nurse Redheart gave me a confused look once again. "Someone sounds mad..."

"Oh. Twilight has been frantic ever since she and Rainbow Dash dragged you here."

"I was dragged here? Twilight didn't use her magic?" I looked on in surprise.

"Well... That is wh..." Nurse Redheart was cut off by a loud bang.

"James! Are you okay!?" Twilight yelled while she slammed the door open.

"Ya ya ya. I am fine. What happened?" I quickly said before Twilight fired more questions at me.

"Well... When you collapsed. I rushed over to see if you where okay. You weren't responding to anything I said. You just looked at the ceiling. I tried to use my magic to bring you to the hospital, but you where absorbing it. I ran outside to find help."

"And that's where I came in! You seem to be very popular today." Rainbow Dash interrupted. "You have more company." Rainbow Dash gave me a smile and walked into the room.

"Hey Luna!" I looked and saw another horse walk in behind her. I continued to observe her. She was white and the same species as Luna. "If I were to guess your friend behind you is also royalty too?"

"Yes. This is my sister; Princess Celestia." Luna smiled.

"If I where to guess." I looked at Luna's sister. "Princess Celestia doesn't look to happy to see me."

"Please don't confuse my anger with the worry I have for my subjects James." Princess Celestia continued to look on at me. "I am mostly worried about you. It seems that you have been the one that is causing this. Luna has told me all that has happened. You have been through a lot and I need to know your intentions."

"My intentions? So this is more about trust..." I asked.

"No. I just want to make sure my subjects are safe.

"All in all it is about trust... You basically are asking if you can trust me in a manner set for a child." The irritation in my voice is very noticeable, as I continued to watch Celestia.

"No James... I just..."

"No!" I interrupted. "You can't trust me! And you know why?! I don't even trust any of you! Luna is probably the only one that I can trust in this twisted world!"

"Please James. Calm down. I understand how you feel." Celestia tries to calm me in a soothing tone.

"How the hell could you possibly understand how I feel. Have you ever been betrayed like I have!?" I continued. "I served my country with honor and dignity. All I got for that was to be used like a lab rat!"

"Yes." Celestia replied. "One thousand years ago. A evil force filled my sisters heart just like you are now. I had little choice, but to banish her to the moon."

"She looks fine to me!" I interrupted once again. "I was forced to leave my friends behind. They seem to all think I am dead!" I continued while raising my voice even louder. "My country betrayed me and left me for dead! They don't seem to give a shit whether I am alive or dead!"

"Please James..."

"No!" I cut off Celestia. "My entire family died when I was a child! You still have your family and you talk down to me like I am that same child!" I grabbed my head as a sheering pain shot through. "You treat me nothing more than a stupid and arrogant child!" Luna and the others started to back away from me as the room started to shake. "You dare question where my loyalties are when I have done nothing wrong! You claim you know how I feel when you have lost nothing!" By now the shaking in the room was very noticeable. "Get out! Get the hell out and leave me alone!"

The room stopped shaking when I was left alone. I could hear talking outside the door, but I couldn't hear what was being said. I didn't imagine it was anything good. I threw the blanket to the end of the bed. My clothes were resting on the chair next to me. I got dressed as quickly as I could. I found my belt and my holstered gun in the drawer next to the bed. I walked to the door and I could still hear talking.

I opened the door and the talking was quickly quieted. I looked at Twilight and noticed she didn't even make eye contact. I looked at Luna and only saw heartbreak. I looked at Rainbow Dash and only saw sadness. The nurse was nowhere in sight. Princess Celestia looked on at me with a neutral expression. I made my way past all of them and was confronted by Dr. Stable.

"James... Is everything alright? I heard a lot of yelling." The doctor looked on in worry.

"Move."

"What?" He cocked his head at me.

"Move..." I watched as he moved out of my way. I continued down the hall to the door.

"James wait!" Twilight yelled as I continued to go out the door.

I didn't know where I was going to go. To be honest with myself. I had no place to go. I guess I was going to the place where I felt closest to home. I made my way to the Everfree Forest. By this time it started to rain again. I always hated the rain. It always seemed to make me feel like crap. It just made me feel worse than I did at the hospital. I don't think a lot of people would be able to know how I feel. I am sure there are people that have had thing like this happen, but for someone who has everything mock me like that. I just didn't know what to think.

I made it to the clearing in the forest about ten minutes after leaving. By now I felt a little better. I wasn't as mad and my headache was gone. I stood about fifteen feet away from my wreckage. I looked around at all of the broken parts and continued to walk closer. I didn't know the time. I had to guess it was mid afternoon. I walked around and arranged large pieces of steel against the wreckage. It wasn't pretty, but it would slow the rain down. I was already soaked and I needed rest.

"We have to find him!" Twilight said in a panic.

"Why? He doesn't even like us. You heard him." Rainbow Dash said with confidence.

"He didn't say that Rainbow Dash." Twilight gave her an irritated look. "He is just confused. He has only been here for a week and he doesn't understand how things work here."

"I agree with Twilight." Celestia said. "At the very least we need to find him."

"I think..." Luna stopped and looked up at the ceiling. Everyone looked at Luna.

"You know where James is?" Celestia looked on at Luna.

"Yes..." Luna continued. "He is in the Everfree Forest. I think I should be the one to talk to him. He is still mad."

"Okay." Celestia said. "We will be at a safe distance behind you." Luna made her way out the door as the others followed.

I suddenly awoke to a loud thunderous noise. I look out from under my makeshift shelter. I saw a white aurora shimmering in the clouds above me. I made my way out to get a better glimpse of the sky. I walked away from the wreckage as I got a clear view of the sky. This was different from the last time. Before it was only in a small area. This was all over the sky.

"What are you doing here James?" Luna asked while landing close besides me.

"I don't know." I looked away. "I guess I came here to end this." I put my hands in my pockets.

"I didn't tell my sister everything about you. That is w..." I interrupted Luna.

"I know. I guessed that a while ago. Some things are meant to be kept privet." I looked up at the sky. "I guess you are going to have to apologies for me."

"What are you talking about?"

"Celestia was right. I am what is causing this." I pointed up to the sky as Luna looked. "I can't think of anything else that would be sending a signal. Maybe we have a way on tracking this dark magic that you told me about."

"I don't think so. The magic merely resides within you." Luna looked at me with concern. "It has seemed to grow inside since we last talked."

"What about that other magic you talked about?"

"It has also grown, but I don't see any connection between the two." Luna smiled trying to comfort me.

"So I am guessing you didn't come alone?" I awaited an answer.

"No. The others are over there." She pointed at the tree line as I looked. "We are all worried about you."

"Why? They don't even know me." I walked around the wreckage so I wouldn't be seen. "Can you tell me that?"

"I can't, but can you tell me how you plan on ending this?" Luna backed away slowly

"No... I can't." I turned away.

"James; Relax. The dark magic is building inside you. Please stay calm." Luna stated as I ignored her.

I looked up at the sky. It was a sight to behold. White whirling lights appeared in random places and quickly vanished. On occasion a lightning bolt shot out of the clouds. It made the clouds glow even more.

I reached for my gun. I put it against my head. I could hear talking and yelling, but it all seemed to slur together. I couldn't make anything out of what was being said. I slowly started to pull the trigger.

Suddenly a cloud quickly formed around me. The wind picked up and the cloud seemed to reach to the sky. I put the gun down to look around me. The cloud was different from the clouds in the sky. The clouds in the skies where almost black. The cloud that quickly formed around me was a white. It almost looked like the mist in my dreams. I tried to reach out to touch it, but it seemed to move away. I could hear screaming and yelling, but the wind blowing around me muffled it. As sudden at the wind came. It quickly vanished while the clouds continued to spin around me. It was dead silent.

"Your death here is not convenient for me human." A loud and deep voice echoed around me.

"Who are you?"

"I am the only one who understands how you feel." The voice continued. "I know you feel hate for the people who betrayed you. I know you are confused on them picking you. I also know how you feel about being here. You are alone and you desire to return."

"You didn't answer me... Who are you?" I asked again.

"I am someone who can grant you power beyond what you currently poses. I can send you back to your home."

"What's the price of this power?"

"Nothing you haven't already given me. What I have now is more than enough." The voice continued to talk as I dropped to my knees. The voice started to go quiet as my vision darkened.

I quickly brought my hands to my eyes and rubbed them. I found myself standing in a dark field. I looked up and saw no skies. It was just black. I looked around and saw only black. As far as I could see. I started to walk forward. It didn't take long before I see a light in the distance.

I continued to make my way to the light. Soon after I could see that is was a small fire. I could see someone sitting next to the fire. I slowly approached it from behind. I could clearly see that it was human. It looked to be a man. I continued to approach him. Then he spoke to me.

"Hello James. It's been a long time hasn't it?" This voice was familiar to me.

"Dad?" I asked.

"Yes. Why don't you come closer and sit down?" He waved for me to come closer.

I cautiously move around so see his face. I was surprised to see that it was him. I made my way to him and sat a couple feet away from him.

"So how old are you now?" He broke the silence.

"I am Twenty-two Years old."

"Wow. Twenty-two huh? You have grown up to be a fine young man." He smiled at me. "I am proud of you son."

"What is this place?"

"I don't know. I just woke up one day next to the fire." He placed his hands next to the fire.

"So how long have you been here? "I asked.

"Well you are Twenty-two now. I am guessing I have been here for eight years."

"So then why am I here?" I asked while bringing my hands up to the fire.

"I believe your friend Luna is helping you." He gave me a smile.

"How to you know about Luna?" I asked with a confused look.

"It's the fire. I see some kind of visions through the fire. I don't understand how. I guess it's just how it is."

"So how much do you know?" I asked.

"I know the way you are trying to go is the wrong way. The path you have chosen is the wrong one."

"What are you talking about?" I interrupted.

"You have made a lot of new friends. You might not see it now, but those animals care for you. They worry for you." He gave me a smile and laughed. "It seems strange that horses can talk, but then again you are not on the Earth we know."

"What should I do? I don't understand." I waited for an answer.

"I believe you told Twilight about the gun you have. You told her that it was in the past and you are over it. How can that be true if you still are angry at me?"

"Because... You left me when I was 14. You left my alone when I was a child! You took a coward's way out and killed yourself!" I yelled as loud as I could.

"Yes... I did. I couldn't handle what I did in life. Now I regret it in death. It is the same mistake you are going to make now. Only when you let go of the past. The solution will be clear to you as it is so me." He gave me a smile.

"What is the solution?" I asked

"They won't let me tell you. It is something you need to find out on your own." I observed my father as he looked around. "It appears Luna can't keep you here for long. She is getting tired. Be sure to tell Lune thanks. It has been too long since I have seen my son face to face."

"Wait!" I watched as my father stood up from the fire. "It might be hard to be leave, but I have forgiven you."

"I know son... I know" My surroundings quickly changed. I heard a faint voice as i came back to reality. "I love you son."

I open my eyes to find myself once again in the whirling cloud. I could hear the same deep voice speaking, but I couldn't understand it. I continued to stay on my knees as I thought about what my father said to me. By now I firmly believed that I was not the signal. It also made me think about the new friends that I have made.

Twilight, Applejack and Spike took me out of the forest and got me the care I needed. Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie visited my in the Hospital with Twilight. Pinkie Pie even threw me a party and she hardly knew me. Rarity made me some new clothes. Luna has been with me since the start. She understood me the most. She even somehow allowed me to speak to my father one last time.

I stood up on my feet. All of the voices I hear are still jumbled. It gave me time to think. I couldn't be the signal. No one here could be an informant. My Hornet was completely destroyed. I looked down at my leg as I felt a gentle wind. I started to laugh. The voice within the mist suddenly became clear once again.

"So what will you chose human?"

I reached my arm out to see if the mist would move. It didn't seem to pull away like last time. I started to slowly walk towards the cloud.

"Tell me human! What will you chose!?"

I continued to ignore the voice as I passed through the cloud. I opened my eyes on the other side and looked behind me. I saw what looked me be like a small tornado. It seemed to quickly recede into the clouds in the sky. I looked to where Luna was before I was enveloped by the cloud. I saw Luna was laying on the ground with Celestia standing next to her. Twilight and Rainbow Dash looked to be seeing if Luna was okay. I quickly made my way to the group.

"Rainbow Dash!"

"Uhh umm Ya!?" She gave me a surprised look.

"Listen to me carefully! I need you to fly to Twilights house as quick as you can. Look along the wall for a black metal box. It is next to a small stand and is the only thing that stands out in the room. I need you to bring it here as fast as you can!" I made my case as serious as the situation was.

"Right!" Rainbow Dash spread her wings and quickly zipped off in the sky.

"Twilight!"

"James! What is going on?"

"No questions Twilight. Just listen to me. When Rainbow Dash gets back with the black box. I need you to destroy it. Leave nothing of it unscathed."

"But isn't that the thing that will help you find out why you are here in the first place?" Twilight gave me a confused look.

"No! It is the only thing left that can send information to where I am from." I looked around in the skies for Rainbow Dash.

"I'm here!" Rainbow Dash yelled as she landed. "I got it." Rainbow Dash dropped the box on the ground and backed away.

"Now Twilight."

"But..." Twilight still has a confused look on her face.

"Just do it!"

I looked on at the box as it started to glow. It slowly started to rise off the ground. Shortly after it exploded into a million pieces. I look up to the skies to see if it had any effect. Twilight, Celestia and Rainbow Dash all looked up at the sky.

"I don't get it. What are we all looking at?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"I am looking to see if the storm will dissipate." I replied.

"Hu?" Rainbow Dash sounded confused.

"He is seeing if the storm will go away." Twilight jumped in.

Sure enough the rain slowly stopped. The lights in the clouds started to fade. The thunder and lightning stopped. Shortly after the clouds started to break. A small beam of the sun shined where I was standing before the cloud enveloped me. I made my way to where I was standing. The sun light slowly started to expand.

"Where are you going James?" Twilight asked.

"I left my gun over there." I gave Twilight a smile as I continued to walk. "I have one last thing I need to do."

I was now standing in the same place where the clouds where. I looked down and saw the gun. I bent down to pick it up. I used my shirt to clean the mud off of it. I stood in that spot for a few seconds. I turn the gun on its side to read what was engraved on it.

" I am the punishment of God; and if you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you." I read aloud. I walked over to the crater on the other side of the wreckage. I slide the action back to retrieve the last bullet. "Thanks dad." I tossed the bullet into the crater and watched the splash.

"So what now?" Twilight asked while she walked up next to me.

"Now?" I asked while looking up at the sun; using my hand to block the light. "Can we go home?"

"Yes!" Twilight yelled excitedly while giving me the biggest smile I have ever seen.

I walked over to Celestia and Luna. Luna looked at me and stood up.

"Celestia. I am sorry. I said too much at the hospital and I..."

"No. It is I who should be sorry." Celestia interrupted. "I jumped to a conclusion when I didn't have the important information. Luna didn't tell me the personal side of your story for good reason. And for that I am sorry."

"Already forgiven." I put my gun in the holster. I gave Celestia a smile and held out my hand for a shake. I looked at Celestia as she looked at my hand then back to me. I looked down at her hoofs. "Right..." I turned my hand and closed my fist. Celestia looked at my hand once again in a confused look. She brought her hoof up and gently tapped my fist. I laughed. "I guess some things are universal." Celestia continued to look at me confused. I turned to Luna and quickly gave her a hug. "Thank you."

"You're welcome James."

"My father thanks you too." I gave Luna a smile.

"What's with all this kissy kissy face stuff!" Rainbow Dash cut in.

"What's wrong Rainbow Dash? You want a hug too?" I looked at her and opened my arms.

"Nope! Can't do it." Rainbow Dash quickly opened her wings and flew off as quickly as she could.

"That's too bad." I started to laugh as Twilight joined in. "I am guessing this won't be the last I will see of you two?" I asked while turning back to Luna and Celestia.

"Seeing how often you get into trouble after being here a week. I don't think it will be." Celestia gave me a smile as her and Luna took off.

"So Twilight. Do you have a bakery in Ponyville?" I asked at we started to make our way out of the forest.

"Ya. Why?" She looked at me with a curious face.

"To be honest. The food you have here is horrible." I looked at Twilight as she glared at me. "Don't get me wrong." I gave Twilight a smile. "But I think you might have the materials to make some really good food."

"Sure." Twilight smiled. "I can take you over to Pinkie Pie's place tomorrow."

"Thanks Twilight. Tomorrow will be just fine."