A Faraway Land.

Chapter 21

Taken Prisoner

I turned to look were I came from. I could see a small flickering light. I quickly turn to the castle I was running to. It appeared I was about half way. I was quickly starting to regret my decision to leave at night. The temperature was at least in the 30's. I started to shake as my body temperature started to fall. I continued to run towards the castle.

"You know Spike... I am starting to regret this..."

"Why? What is wrong?" Spike asked as he popped his head out of the bag.

"I am freezing here... Are you doing okay?"

"Yeah I am fine." I heard Spike start to rub his claws together. "Do you want to stop and warm up? I could start a fire for you."

"That would be nice Spike, but I have to keep moving. I don't have time to stop and have you make a fire." I did my best to try and stop shaking. "On second thought... How long would it take you to start a fire?"

"Not long. We just need the wood." Spike quickly pointed out to a large log behind a large rock outcrop. "That looks like a good spot."

"Right." I quickly make our way to were Spike pointed. "Alright Spike; its all on you now." I quickly take the bag odd and pull Spike out with the blanket. "Do your stuff Spike." I quickly pull the blanket over myself.

"You got it!" Spike quickly went to work. He brought parts of the log and placed them in front of me. "Hold on; we need a little more." Spike quickly ran back to the log. "That should do it!"

Spike took a quick breath and held it for a moment. He exhaled and a large green flame shot at the wood. Spike then started to poke the fire with a stick. The flames quickly grew. I quickly sit down in front of the fire and place my hands by it.

"Come here Spike. Sit on my lap."

"You got it!" Spike quickly came over and jumped on my lap. "So why do you get so cold?" Spike looked up at me.

"No fur... Remember?" I started to laugh. "How well does your scales keep you warm?"

"They get the job done." Spike looked up and smiled at me. "It also helps that I can breathe fire."

"This has me thinking Spike... How do you think the Changelings stay warm in this god forsaken land?" I looked down at Spike. "I don't think they could have fires all over the place. Right?"

"I don't know... You should have asked Twilight before we left." Spike grabbed his stomach as it started to growl. "I don't suppose you have any gems on you I could eat. Do you?"

"I'm sorry. I don't; I didn't even bring any food or water for me." I watched as the fire started to die down. "I gravely misjudged the distance. I am regretting it now. I am getting very thirsty."

"Is it too late to go back to Twilight?" Spike looked up at me with big glowing eyes.

"Yes. It is way too late to go back now." I looked up at the skies. "I'm sorry Spike. Maybe you can find something to munch on when we get into the castle."

"You mean it?" Spike started to get excited.

"Yeah. Why not?" I quickly moved Spike off my lap and got up. "It is a castle after all." I spread the blanket out on the ground. "I think I am good for now Spike. Let's get you back into that bag and be on our way."

"Right!" Spike quickly hopped in the middle of the blanket.

"We are about ten minutes away." I wrap spike up and put him in the bag. "So one more good push forward will have us were we need to be." I placed the bag over my shoulder and started to run.

I continued to run to the castle in this frozen wasteland. The temperature continued to fall even faster than before. It had to be in the teens by now. It didn't take long before I started to shake again. This only quickened my running.

"James; how are you holding up?" Spike poked his head out of the bag. "Your breathing is starting to sound funny."

"How can you hear my breathing?" I looked back at Spike while I ran.

"My ear is of your back. It's not that hard to hear something is wrong." Spike gave me a serious look.

"It's nothing that can't be fixed with a big bowl of tomato soup." I smiled at Spike. "Don't worry about it. Everything will be okay." I quickly slowed my pace.

"Why are you slowing down?" Spike asked as he looked on at the castle.

"The wind..." I started to slow to a walk as a warm gentle wind blew from the castle. "The wind that is blowing from the castle is warm." I watched as Spike made his way out of the bag. "Spike! Get back in the bag. If you get caught; this whole thing would be wasted."

"Right... Sorry..." Spike quickly retreated back into the bag.

"From here on in Spike; it would be best for you to stay inside the bag." I jogged up to a building on the outskirts of the castle. "It would also be best if you didn't say a word from here on out."

"You got it."

"Spike... Be quiet..." I said with slight irritation.

"Right... Sorry."

"Shh!" I quickly snapped.

I make my way behind the building. The temperature had to be around the 60's here. I looked in the streets and found no one was here. I looked up in the skies and saw nothing flying around. I figured it would be safe for now to use the streets, so I made my way into the open. I walked up the street to the castle. I was about three hundred yards away until something caught my eye.

The building started to have small holes under the foundation. The holes were glowing a bright red. I walk over to the holes; while making sure no one was around. I reached down at the hole. I was quick to pull my hand back from the burning heat.

"That's impressive..." I said to myself as Spike rummaged around in the bag.

"What is?" Spike said as the blanket muffled his voice.

"This city is Geo thermally heated." I took a few steps back from the vents.

"What does that mean?" Spike said in confusion.

"It means they have a volcano heating the city for them." I looked around as I heard noises. "I'd hate to see how hot it gets during the day time." Whatever the noises were; they were getting closer.

I quickly made my way into the house. I close the door and quickly scan the room. It looks like I just broke into a house. I walk into the middle of the room and look for a back exit. I quickly turn to the door as I heard someone behind it.

"We might have a problem Spike." I quickly run into the closest room and slung the bag off.

"What is it?" Spike poked his head out.

"We need to hide." I see a bed in the middle of the back wall. "Let's hope this works Spike."

I quickly lifted the blanket so I could make my way under the bed. I dragged the bag with Spike under the bed with me. I reached out and pilled the blanket over the edge. With the little space under the bed. It made it very hard to breath. Spike and I heard hoof steps coming closer to us. Spike looked at me and a motioned him to be quiet with my finger.

"Queen Chrysalis is the best!" A young voice said. "She always finds us the best food!" Something hopped up on the bed.

"Yes dear. Now that you had your fill. You need to rest." I female voice said.

"That's right son. We need you to grow up big and strong, so you can join our mighty army." A deep voice said. "Now go to sleep. We will be out here if you need us." I heard hoof steps walking away and a door close.

I stayed under the bed for a while. I was hoping the kid would go to sleep, but he kept moving around. I found out they feed in groups. It might give Celestia some incite she might not know, but I still didn't know what they feed on. I made sure Spike was back snug in the bag. I quickly move out from under the bed. I was expecting the kid to scream, but what I got was the opposite.

"Wow! What are you?" The child looked on in amazement.

"Aren't you supposed be sleeping?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah..." The child looked down at his bed. "You're not going to tell on me are you?" He asked while looking up at me.

"Tell you what. I will tell you what I am; if you answer some questions." I walked up to his bed.

"You're not going to tell on me are you?" He watched as I shook my head no. "Okay. what do you want to know?"

"Where dose Queen Chrysalis sleep?" I asked.

"You don't know?" The child cocked his head. "She sleeps in the largest tower overlooking the city."

"Okay." I thought it was a bit cliché, but whatever. "Does the Queen have a Ruby of Desire?"

"What is a Ruby of Desire?" The child put his hoof to his chin.

"Never mind. Next Question. Does the queen have a room where she keeps valuables?" I looked on as he sat silent. He shrugged his shoulders after a little while. "Okay, so you don't know. Last question; how large is the queens army?"

"It's big!" The child smiled. "Now tell me what you are."

"Shhh!" I put my finger to my mouth. "Can you keep a secret?" I watched as the child quickly nodded his head. I leaned over to his ear. "I am a Human."

"What's a Human?" He gave me a confused look.

"It's a secret." I moved back and gave him a wink. "If you ever decide to join the queens army. Do me a favor."

"Okay." The child gave me the biggest heart warming smile.

"Keep your individuality. You can give your body to your queen, but never give her your mind." I smiled at him. "Just remember to treat other the way you want to be treated and never forget the value of a life."

"What does that mean?" He watched as I walked over to him.

"Never change; be yourself and always keep in mind that any life is important." I pull back the blankets of his bed and pick the child up. I set him down in his bed. "Now get some sleep." I pulled the blanket over him and walked to the window. I look back at him. "Remember what I told you and never forget it."

"I will!" he smiled at me as I jumped out the window.

I quickly run between two large buildings. I took the bag off and sat down with it in front of me. I watched as Spike popped his head out a little.

"Why were you talking to that kid?" Spike asked.

"If you want to change the hearts and minds of a people. You always start with the children." I look out to the streets to make sure no one is watching. "I also found out where the queen sleeps. It might come in handy."

"So what are we going to do next?"

"Now; I get caught... Are you ready?" I stood up and picked the bag up.

"I sure am!" Spike quickly retreated back into the bag.

"Remember Spike. Nothing unnecessary. Go in and get my gun; make it back to Twilight and the others. Nothing more." I slung the bag over my shoulder.

"You got it." Spike said as the blanket muffled his voice.

I took a deep breath and started to stretch. When I finished; I slowly made my way out to the street. I turned and started to walk towards the castle. I looked around at all the Changelings. I was surprised. All they were doing was staring; some were whispering amongst themselves. The peaceful walk was quickly interrupted.

"Stop!" I looked up as a large Changeling flew down in front of me. "By law of Queen Chrysalis; you are to remain in your original form in city limits. Change back; or I will have you arrested!"

I look around as a crowd gathered. I looked back at the large Changeling. I quickly bring my leg up and kicked him on the side of his head as hard as I could. I looked around at the crowd. They gasped as the Changeling in front of me was out cold. I walked up to the Changeling on the ground and bent down.

"I am in my original form." I got back up and the crowd quickly scattered in panic.

I continued to walk towards the castle. I was quickly stopped as six guards surrounded me.

"Stop!" The Changeling in front of me yelled. "You are under arrest!"

"Come on now... How on Earth am I supposed know which one of you is more important?" I laughed. "You all look the same to me!" I said while hoping to get a rise out of one of them.

I watched as all six of them bent their heads down. I continued to watch as all of their horns glowed in a green mist. I looked at my hands and noticed my entire body started to glow green. I quickly closed my eyes and concentrated. I could feel the magic building quickly, so I channeled all I could to my hands. I open my eyes as I felt the magic fade away. I watch as all of them took a step back.

"Alright!" I slowly put my hands up. "I surrender..." I watched as all of them regained the stance they once had when confronting me.

"Drop your bag..."

"Okay... Okay..." I keep one hand in the air and remove the bag with my other. "Not too kind to travelers around these parts are you..." I gently placed the bag on the ground.

"Put your hoofs out straight."

"My hooves?" I raised an eyebrow. "You must be talking about my hands..." I put my hands out and watched at the Changeling in front of me nod to the one next to him. I watched as he put some chain linked cuffs on my wrists. "Come on... At least buy me dinner first..."

I watched as my right cuff glowed green. I then heard the locking mechanism inside lock. I quickly realized they use magic to lock them. As my left cuff started to glow. I gently placed my hand over the cuff. I watched as the green glow quickly turn blue. I didn't hear any clicking, so my nerves were calmed quickly.

"Search his bags." I watched as one of them walked up and flipped it open. He quickly looked up at the guard.

"He only has a blanket. Nothing else."

"Of course." I laughed. "I am only a lonely traveler. So where are we going next? You going to take me to the closest five star hotel?"

"Walk..." A guard said behind me.

"If you say so..." I started to follow the one in front of me.

We made our way to the castle. It was much more intimidating up close. It was much larger than the castle in Canterlot. As we walked through the large double doors. I was quickly impressed. Large grey pillars reached to the ceiling. Large black banners hung on the walls. I didn't even notice the large amounts of guards in the hall until I took a few steps. We made our way to a large empty chair on the back wall.

"On the ground!" One of the guards struck my leg and I fell to my knees. I looked over at the one that hit me.

"You better hope we never meet again." I watch as he started to laugh. "You won't look so smug with a new hole in your head." I turn to hoof steps coming from the side of the room.

It was Queen Chrysalis. I watched as she stared at me while walking up to the chair. She sat upright in the chair and we stared at each other for about a minute.

"I remember you from Canterlot." I watched as the queen smiled at me. "You are that ponies friend; Twilight Sparkle. Yes; that's it, So what brings you to my domain?"

"I came looking for something. I don't suppose you know where I could find it do you?" I watched her face for a response.

"Whatever do you mean?" She smiled. "What could you possibly want here?"

"Don't play smart ass with me. I want my gun back!" I yelled.

"Don't raise your voice to the queen!" The guard yelled while pushing me against the floor.

"So that's what that metal object is called." She put a hoof up to her chin. "So this gun; to my understanding it's a weapon. Yes?"

"How did you..." I quickly realized. "How long have you been watching me?..."

"Long enough to know everything about you." She got up and started to walk around me and the guards. "That incident in the Everfree Forest about a week ago. It was very amusing." She stopped in front of me and smiled. "I also know you are not from this world." It looked like she was watching me for a reaction.

"What was your first guess? The hands, walking upright on two legs, better weapons, or was it my intelligence?" I got back up on me knees.

"I guess it would be all of those, but I am more interested in your kinds lust for war." She started to pace around me again. "The way you fight tells me that your world has a lot of conflict; and I am interested to say the least."

"How do you know how I fight?"

"You broke one of my subjects legs. He is still undergoing healing treatments." She sighed. "He might want to see you sometime. I don't think he will be able to serve me like he use to."

"Yeah?" I laughed. "Tell him that I hope his leg heals, but I am betting it won't."

"Yes..." She stopped in front of me and raised an eyebrow. "I will do that, but I think we should get to the business at hoof. Shall we?"

"For starters; Give me back my gun and I will leave hear with no questions asked."

"That's not what I had in mind." I watched as she smiled at me. "I don't think you came here on your own. Where is Twilight Sparkle?"

"Twilight Sparkle?" I laughed. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

"Ohh?" She gave me an irritated look as she turned to the guards. "You! Go out into the desert." She smiled. "Use our friends look to find his partner."

"Yes your highness." I watched the guard quickly walk out of the room.

"You. Take his belongings to my bed chambers."

"Yes your highness." I looked at the other one as he ran up the stairs.

"The rest of you. Take our guest to a cell. I want to continue our talk tomorrow." I watched as Queen Chrysalis walked away.

"Get up!" The guard next to me yelled.

"Calm down junior..." I said while I got to my feet.

We made our way through a hall. After five minutes of walking; we finally came to a heavy made double door. I watched as the doors glowed green and opened. I was led down a large spiral staircase. I was surprised they didn't have any guards at the door. As I walked down the stairs; I could hear screaming far away.

We made our way to the bottom and followed the hallway. We passed large iron cages on our way. I continued to see cages, but they have all been empty so far. We finally stopped at an empty cell. I watched as one of the guards opened the door with his magic.

"Get in..."

"Not much of a five star hotel..." I said while I walked into the cell.

I turn to watch them close the cell door. With the door closed; the lock started to glow. Shortly after I heard a click. I watched as they walked away. I look around in my cell. I find a large pile of hay. I start to make it into a makeshift bed.

"Well Spike..." I laid down on the hay bed. "You have until tomorrow before I make my escape." I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.