A Faraway Land.

Chapter 19

Preparations

I couldn't get much sleep last night. I was haunted by nightmares. I found myself in a position that no man should find themselves in. I had to find a way to explain myself to Princess Celestia. I lost something that could mean the fall of a peaceful nation. The worst part about it. I might have to put my friends lives in harm's way. I knew I didn't want to lose anymore of my friends. I knew I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened.

When I did my research on the Badlands. I found out it was similar to deserts on earth. Burning hot in the day and bone chilling at night. The land is completely void of plant life, so water is nonexistent there. The Changelings must rely on underground springs. I was still curious on what they eat, but I might find out later.

"James?" I turned as I heard knocking on my door. "James its Luna. May I come in?"

"Ya, Come on in Luna." I said while I sat on the edge of the bed facing the window.

"You didn't get much sleep." Luna closed the doors and walked in front of me. "Will you be okay today?" Luna sat down on the floor.

"No. I won't be okay. It is my fault." I leaned forward.

"I am here if you want to talk about it." Luna smiled as I looked up at her.

"Before I came here with Twilight. I took my gun. Twilight asked why, but I didn't tell her the truth." I took a deep breath.

"What truth?" Luna asked.

"The truth about why I took my gun. It is the only thing that reminds me of my father. To be honest I don't trust very many of the ponies in this world. If i would have left my gun at Twilight's house. None of this would be happening. I am putting my new friends lives in danger."

"I know how you feel James." I looked at Luna as she smiled. "Remember; I went to Baltimare yesterday. If I hadn't of gone. None of this would have happened. My sister and I would have defeated the Changelings in a heartbeat."

"I guess you are right, but it is still eating me up. If I had more trust; none of this would be happening."

"You are right." Luna stood up. "I have faith that this will turn out as good as the wedding did." Luna walked to the door. "Shall we go? They are all waiting on us now."

"Ya. I am ready to go." I get up from the bed and followed Luna.

We made to a large room. I saw Twilight and the others sitting in front of Celestia. As Luna and I came closer; Celestia was watching me. It made me wonder if I am on her bad side now. I guess it didn't matter too much. At the very least I had Luna on my side.

"Luna has told me about the situation we are in James." Celestia looked at me with a neutral look on her face. "I understand how this can worry you; because it worries me. That being said. Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash will be accompanying you with the Elements of Harmony." I interrupted Celestia.

"No. That's not what I had planned." I watched as everyone looked at me in shock. "I don't mean to be rude, so please don't get me wrong. Something like this; you don't need to show a strong hand. You only need a swift hand."

"What do you have in mind?" Asked Celestia.

"I am sorry, but I don't think it would be best if Twilight and the others heard about this. I am going to have to ask them to leave." I turned to Twilight and smiled. "Twilight can I talk to Celestia and Luna alone for a moment?" I watched as Twilight looked at Celestia. Celestia nodded her head and they all walked out of the room; closing the door behind them.

"Why would James not want us to hear his plan Twi?" Applejack asked.

"I don't know Applejack." Rainbow Dash interrupted. "Something fishy is going on! You sure we can trust him?"

"Yes Rainbow Dash we can trust him." Twilight stated.

"I sure hope everything is okay." Fluttershy looked at Twilight. "Do you know anything?"

"I don't..." Twilight ears went down. "I wish I did."

"Do you think James doesn't like us?" Pinkie Pie gave Twilight a sad look.

"I don't think it's anything like that Pinkie Pie." Rarity said. "That just isn't like him."

"That's good!" Pinkie Pie quickly perked up. "So..." Pinkie Pie stopped as soon as the door opened.

"You may come in now." Luna popped her head back in the door. I watched as everyone came back in the room

"It appears James has done his homework." Celestia smiled. "James has told me his plan. I have to say I don't like it much, but you will be out of harm's way." Celestia looked at me. "You will need to ask Twilight about your plan too."

"Why didn't you want to tell us all at the same time?" Twilight looked me in the eye.

"I needed Celestia's approval before I passed it on." I said while puting my hands in my pocket. "It's going to involve Spike."

"What about Spike?" Twilight asked while the others started to talk amongst themselves.

"I am going to be taken as a prisoner. I have no doubt the queen will remember me." Twilight interrupted as the rest went quiet and looked at me.

"What! That's a stupid idea..." Twilight looked at Celestia. "You're going to let him do this!?"

"I told him about the dangers. I do believe I wouldn't be able to stop him if I wanted to."Celestia looked back at me. "Please continue James.

"As the changelings take me as there prisoner. I will be able to find out if they are planning another attack. We will also have a small chance of getting a changeling as a prisoner in return." I smiled. "I have no doubt he will have a vast amount of information."

"How you figure we do that?" Applejack asked. "A changeling wont just let us take him prisoner..."

"Yes it will." I smiled. "That's one of the beauties of this plan."

"I don't follow..." Applejack raised an eyebrow.

"The changelings can take my form. They might come looking for you." I scratched my head. "I know they will think I had help getting here. After all I am new to Equestria." I looked at Celestia as she gave me a nod. "Twilight will find out if I am the real me, or if it is a changeling."

"But how?..." Twilight interrupted.

"With this..." I pulled my shirt down and showed everyone my ruby. "It is full now, so I will be getting help from Celestia and Luna. They will teach me how to use it. You will use magic on me. If I absorb is; then it is me. If not... You will leave me."

"What!?" Twilight yelled. "What kind of plan is that!?"

"Twilight is right." Rainbow Dash flew up to me. "How would leaving you help?" Rainbow Dash landed in front of me. "I don't think you are as smart as Twilight said you were. That is a stupid idea..."

"I have no doubt that I will be fine." I crossed my arms and looked at Rainbow Dash. "You six will be escorting our little friend into Shining armors hands..." I smiled as Rainbow Dash cocked her head. "At that time you will have your changeling prisoner."

"But where will we capture it?" Rarity asked.

"At the Ponyville train station." Celestia cut in. "The royal guard will be standing by with Shining Armor."

"But isn't that dangerous?" Twilight looked at Celestia.

"Not at all." I stepped in. "It will be overwhelmed. It won't be able to escape; remember humans don't have wings." I smiled.

"So where will Spike come into the picture?" Fluttershy Asked while looking at me.

"That's right. I don't see how Spike fits into your plan." Twilight started to give a worried look to me.

"I was going to have him hidden in a bag that I will bring. When I get captured. They will no doubt take the bag away." I rubbed the back of my neck. "I am hoping that will give him a chance to retrieve the gun. He might have to look for it, but I have faith he can find it."

"That is a horrible idea!" Twilight yelled. "What if Spike gets hurt!? I am not going to allow that!"

"Twilight..." I said in a relaxing tone. "You of all people should know how reliable Spike is." I gave her a smile. "All I am asking for it your trust. When we were at the wedding. No changeling paid him any attention. They just left him alone." Celestia interrupted.

"Perhaps it would be best to ask Spike himself." Celestia gave me a smile and looked at Luna. "Could you go get him Luna?"

"Alright." Luna turned and walked out of the room.  Shortly after Luna returned Spike.

"What's up needed me for something?" Spike said with a confused look on his face.

"A Spike I was wondering if you would like to help me out."  James asked while he kneeled down. "It is a little dangerous, so I need to know if I can count on you."

"What is it?" Spike passed with a confused look on its face.

"I need you to hide in a bag while I am being taken prisoner." James said.

"Who's taking a prisoner?" Spike asked.

"The changelings. I believe they have my gun and I needed back." James said as he looked if Spike. "I will need you to look for my gun. I do not think you will be in harm's way, but there's always a risk to this."

"That doesn't sound too hard.  I think I can do that."  Spike said while he nodded.

"Are you sure spike. What if something goes wrong." Twilight said with a concerning look on her face. "You're going to be alone. No one is going to be able to help you if you need it."

"It's okay Twilight.  I think I can sneak around without being seen." Spike said as he looked up the Twilight.

"Then this matter is settled. I will have the guards prepare your supplies. You will leave tomorrow for the badlands." Celestia said. "Luna and I will help James control his ruby. You may go now." I watched as Twilight and the others left the room.  "Please James; follow us." I followed Celestia and Luna into a small room. "We will now begin to teach you how to use your ruby.  Are you ready?"

"I am ready." I said while nodding.