A Faraway Land.

Chapter 17

Wedding in Canterlot

"Hey Spike. You ready to get going?" I walked downstairs and saw spike running around the room. "Something wrong Spike?

"No nothing is wrong." Spike quickly looked around the room. "I am just finishing some work before we go." Spike quickly stopped as I walked next to him. I watched him as he grabbed his stomach.

"You positive Spike... You don't look so good." I continued to watch Spike.

"I'm fine." Spike then let out one of the biggest belches I have ever heard.

"What was that spike!?..." I look down at the paper Spike just burped up. "Is that normal for you?" I asked while picking up the paper.

"Ya; its normal. It's how I send and receive letters from the Princess." Spike watched as I opened the letter.

"Princess Celestia cordially invites you to the wedding of Princess Mi Amore Cadenza and Shining Armor. It is hoped that you and your friends will be joining us tomorrow at the Canterlot Ball Room. We graciously await your Arrival." I looked at Spike. "Oops... I just opened Twilights mail. You think she will be mad at me?" I rolled the letter back up and handed it to spike.

"No. I read her letters all the time and I am fine." Spike took the letter.

"I think you should hurry and get this letter to Twilight."

"Right!" Spike ran to the door. "Wait... Do you know where they went on the picnic today?" Spike asked.

"I don't... Sorry little man; you're on your own on this one." I looked at spike. "You might want to find her fast. Canterlot is a while away from here."

"Right!... Wait; how do you know where Canterlot is?" Spike looked confused.

"I found an atlas over on that shelf." I pointed to the books closest to the door. "I wanted to know where the Badlands where, so I looked for some maps." I gave Spike a smile. "Now hurry Spike."

"Right!" Spike quickly ran out the door to look for Twilight.

"Now I have some time to finish Daring Do." I walked up the stairs and laid on my bed. I cracked open the book and started to read.

I hear the door open down stairs some time after I started my reading. I looked at the page number and placed the book on the shelf. I get up to go see who came in.

"Hey Spike, Twilight." I looked at Twilight. "What's wrong Twilight? The picnic not go well?" I made my way down the stairs.

"No it was nothing like that..." Twilight looked down at the ground. I looked at Spike as he tried to wave me down close to him.

"Twilight just found out about the wedding. She is upset that her brother didn't invite her himself." Spike whispered.

"Oh." I looked at Twilight. "So Shining Armor is your brother?"

"Ya; how did you know?" Twilight looked up at me.

"Ummm... About that..." I rubbed the back of my neck. "I kind of opened that invitation and did a once over on it. I hope you didn't mind. I didn't know what it was." I laughed. "It was the first time I ever saw Spike burp up paper."

"Its fine... I am just so upset he didn't invite me himself!" Twilight walked around in anger.

"Twilight; I am sure he has his reasons. He might be dealing with something important himself. He probably couldn't get the chance to visit you." Twilight cut me off.

"And I'm not important!?" Twilight looked at me in anger.

"No I didn't say that. I am just saying he might have a lot on his mind. I bet he just hasn't had the chance to tell you; that's all." I gave Twilight a smile as she calmed down.

"You're coming too right?" Twilight asked.

"I don't see why not. Let me just get some stuff." I ran upstairs and grabbed my gun and my money. "I'm ready to go now if we are leaving."

"Okay. Let's get going to the train station. The others will be waiting there for us." Twilight looked at my side. "James. Why are you brining your gun?" Twilight cocked her head.

"To be honest. I don't feel comfortable leaving it here alone for too long." I smiled. "Besides. It's only a paper weight now. It has no ammo, so I can't fire it."

"Oh. Okay then." Twilight smiled at me. "Let's get going to the station." I opened the door for Twilight and watched as her and Spike walked out.

I had to be honest with myself. I was bringing my gun because I didn't trust everyone in Ponyville. I haven't met many of the ponies. Putting that aside; I had no idea if they had crime. I was sure they didn't. It is a very quiet town after all. I would say I was being overprotective.

"James. could you wait here with Spike while I get the tickets?" Twilight asked.

"Sure thing." I looked down at Spike as Twilight walked off. "Spike..." I pointed at him. "Don't you move from that spot..." I watched him as he crossed his arms. I started to laugh a little. "Relax Spike I am just playing."

"It's not fun when you play like that..."

"Don't worry Spike. I know you can take care of yourself." I smiled. "Nothing to worry about right?"

"Ya I guess."

"Here James, Spike." Twilight levitated the tickets to us. "Let's get on. The conductor told me the others are already on the train." Spike and I followed Twilight on the train. Shortly after the train departed.

"Come on Twilight. Cheer up. I am sure you will get this solved when we get to Canterlot." I watched her as she looked out the window. I jumped as Pinkie Pie yelled something about the wedding.

"You might be right." Twilight sighed. I walked off and sat across from Twilight. I overheard Spike ask Rarity what a bachelor party was. I watched as everyone laughed at spike. "Hey Spike come here." Spike quickly ran over to me.

"Ya James?"

"A bachelor party is when you take the bachelor to a strip club." I whispered in Spikes ear.

"What's a strip club?" Spike asked.

"Ehh..." I shrugged my shoulders. "I duno."

"We're  here! We're here!" Pinkie Pie yelled as the train slowed down.

I pinkish wall quickly moved throughout the train. As it passed through me. It glowed blue around me and continued down the train.

"Well that was a odd feeling..." Spike walked up to me.

"What was?" Spike asked

"Whatever that pink wall thing was..." I pointed to the back of the train. I looked out the window as the train stopped. "That's a lot of..." Rainbow Dash interrupted.

"Wow! What's with all the guards?" I watched as Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Rarity popped their heads outside.

"I'm sure there just taking the necessary precautions." Rarity looked around at the guards. "Royal weddings do bring out the strangest ponies." Rarity smiled.

"Aahhhh choo!" Pinkie Pie looked on as confetti flew in front of her. Spike and I watched as all six of them walked off.

"Looks like it's just you and me kido! You know any place to get a drink? I am thirsty... I will buy." I smiled at spike.

"Do I! I know the perfect place! Follow me!"Spike quickly ran off with me following him.

Spike took me to a large white building. It had a few tables outside with some comfortable looking pillows on the ground. They had flowers hanging from the sun guard. The windows where lined in gold trimmings.

"Spike... this place looks expensive... I'm not Bill Gates..."

"Who is Bill Gates?" Spike looked at me confused as we walked in the building.

"Never mind. Just tell me this place won't cost me an arm and a leg..." I raised an eyebrow at Spike.

"Don't worry! This won't cost you an arm or a leg." Spike smiled and turned to the blue pony behind the counter. "I would like a Strawberry soda please." Spike smiled as the pony looked at me.

"Make that two Strawberry sodas please." I smiled.

"That will be four bits please." The blue pony smiled.

I placed four bits on the counter and the pony brought two cups full of red soda. I followed Spike outside and sat down with him at one of the tables.

"Wow. This pillow is very nice. It's a lot better than a pile of hay." I moved around on the pillow.

"I know right! The soda is also the best in Equestria." Spike took a drink. "Go on James. Give it a try." I take a drink of the Strawberry soda.

"Wow. You're not joking." I smiled. "I could live in this town all my life without a worry. They seem to have a lot of nice stuff here."

"So do you have stuff like this in your world?" Spike asked while taking another drink.

"We do, but it doesn't taste as good at this." I quickly finish of the drink. "I was also surprised to see you have trains here. Looks like this world has a lot of impressive things to show me."

"You don't have trains in your world?" Spike asked.

"Oh no we have trains. They are ten times faster than the train we rode on." I looked at spike as he gave me a shocked expression. "We have had a lot of time with trains. So we made them better and better as the years passed. Before the train; I only saw carts."

"I guess I could understand that." Spike finished off his soda. "What do you say on finding Twilight. I am hungry." Spike grinned.

"You know where Twilight is?" I got up while giving spike a confused look.

"I have a good idea on where she is." Spike got up and started to walk towards a large castle.

"I think I need to get me a Twidar too." I laughed as spike lead the way.

We quickly made our way to a large building. The smell of baked goods got stronger as we came closer. I bet it didn't help that the doors of the building were open.

"Hey Spike. You think you can go in and sneak me some food out? That cooking smells grate." I asked.

"Why don't you just come in?"

"I don't want to be in the way, so I will just stay outside. Tell you what! You get me some food and I will buy you a gem of your choice." I smiled. "Fair trade?"

"Any gem you say?" Spike started to drool. "You have a deal." Spike held his hand out.

"Just don't tell them you are getting me food." I shake spikes hand. "I don't want us getting busted." I smiled.

"You got it. They won't find me out." I watched as Spike ran into the building.

I turned around to see a large horse walking towards me. It was pink. It started to stare at me as it came closer. I could only guess it was a girl. She had a crown on top of her head.

"Afternoon Princess." I looked at her as she stopped.

"Call me Princess Mi Amore Cadenza." She replied

"As you wish." I was slightly shocked about her tone. "Princess Mi Amore Cadenza." I looked up at her. "Congratulations on the wedding."

"Thanks." I looked at her as she gave me a smug smile. She walked off into the building spike ran into

"What a bitch..." I said when I was positive she couldn't hear me.

Shortly after I saw the Princess walk out of the building. As she walked towards me. She continued to look at me. I could only give her a smile as she walked by. I looked back to see Twilight walking out the door.

"Hey Twilight. What's up; you look mad. Something wrong?" I asked.

"Ya. Something is wrong. Princess Cadence is not the same as I remembered. Something is wrong about her and I am going to find out!." Twilight yelled while storming off.

I looked back to see Spike running with a brown bag in his hands.

"Spike! My man! What did you get?" I asked while spike caught his breath.

"I got you apple fritters." Spike was still short of breath. "Now let's get going to a gem shop." Spike quickly ran off as I followed.

We quickly found a shop with what looked to have hundreds of gems on display in the window. We walked in and saw even more gems in display cases, the walls and even the chandeliers. It was amazing. I had never seen so many gems in one place. Spike quickly looked around.

"I want that one!" Spike said to the tan pony behind the case.

"That will be 19 bits." The tan pony looked at me.

I placed the money on the counter. As i did the tan pony placed a large sapphire on the counter.

"Holy hell Spike! That thing is as big as my fist!" I watched at Spike took a large bite out of the sapphire. "Why would you want to eat it?..."

"Because it's delicious." We walked out of the gem store.

"If you say so..." I looked up in the sky. "Hey Spike. It is getting dark. Why don't you go find Twilight. I am going to a walk."

"Sure thing James! See you later." Spike quickly ran off.

I walked around town for a little bit. I saw a large tower, as I looked to the top. I saw Princess Celestia. I has to ask her something important, so I rushed to the castle. I was surprised to see how low the military presence was here. They had a lot more when we got into town. I quickly make my way up the spiral stairs. I stopped half way when I saw Princess Celestia walking down.

"Hey Celestia. You mind if i ask you something?"

"I had something I wanted to ask you too James. I am glad to find you." She smiled.

"Oh. Well go ahead you first."

"I wanted to know about your sleeping arrangements." She looked at me and gave me a big smile. "Are you going to be sleeping with Twilight while you stay here? Or will you be getting your own room?"

"Umm... That depends... How much do the rooms here cost a night?" I asked.

"They cost 100 bits a night."

"I only have 50..."

"It's okay." She laughed. "I was only kidding. I will show you to your room. Now you had something to ask of me?"

"Ya. I wanted to know where Luna was. I had to ask her about something."

"She will be busy tonight, so today will not be a good time." Celestia smiled.

"Oh. How about tomorrow?"

"Luna is going to Baltimare tomorrow. She is helping them establish trade with the Griffon Kingdom." Celestia stopped by a large door in a hallway. "You will be sleeping here tonight. Twilight is the room next to you. I hope you have a good night's sleep." She walked down the hall and turned the corner.

"Well... It looks like I am going to bed now." I sighed while I opened the door.

I threw my boots off and took my shirt off. I put my bag of money and my gun on the table next to the bed. I sit down on the bed. I was surprised. It felt like the bed was made of clouds. I pulled the blankets back and hopped in. I relaxed and quickly fell asleep.