A Faraway Land.

Chapter 22

The Deliverance of Twilight Sparkle

I open my eyes and I see a beautiful blue sky. I crawl out of my sleeping bag and walked over to Applejack. I sat down next to her and started to nudge my hoof against her.

"Hey Applejack. Could you wake up and help me start a fire?" I watched her as she opened her eyes.

"Sure thing Twilight. Just give me a second." Applejack crawled out of her sleeping bag. "You know Twi. James was right on about those rocks. I was warm all night." Applejack rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

"Yeah." I smiled at Applejack. "I am going to go find some wood for us to burn. I will be back soon." I started to walk off until I remembered. "Hey Applejack. could you hide the food and water in that hole over their?" I pointed to a hole in the rock. "I forgot to do it last night."

"You betchya Twilight. I will hide the food and water." Applejack smiled and walked over to her bag.

I turned to walk off in the desert. The sun barely peeking over the mountains. The skies glowed in gentle blues, yellows and reds at the sunrise. It was still a little cold, but I don't have any doubt  it will warm up soon. This is the first time ever being in the Badlands. For the first time here; it's not so bad if you have enough food and water.

"That should do it!" I said to myself as I smiled. "This wood should last us some time before it gets warmer." I quickly trotted back towards the camp site.

I was still a little worried about James and Spike. I remembered seeing a fire way off in the distance, but I couldn't see it too well. I could only hope that my Spike and James made it to the castle safely. I could only hope that his plan was going accordingly. I could see Pinkie Pie off in the distance bouncing around Fluttershy, so I hurried back.

"Did something happen Pinkie Pie?" I asked hoping she would say no.

"No silly... Nothing happened." Pinkie Pie said as I gave a sigh of relief. "I was just talking to Fluttershy about James's welcome home party. "What kind of music do you think James would want?" Pinkie Pie quickly bounced up in front of me and gave me a big smile.

"I don't know Pinkie Pie. I think he enjoyed his first party here, so why don't you throw him another like it?" I gave Pinkie Pie a smile.

"I know right!?" Pinkie hopped over to Rarity. "What do you think I should do?"

"I am sure what you decide. James would love it all the same." Rarity smiled at Pinkie Pie.

"Your right, but something needs to be different." Pinkie Pie puts her hoof to her chin. "Look everypony! Its James!" Pinkie Pie yelled excitedly.

"Where!?" I yelled as I looked around.

"Over there..." Applejack pointed with a hoof. "Just wait here for him. Remember to act normally. He might be one of the Changelings."

"Right..." I sat down and watched him come closer.

It looked just like him. He had the same clothes and walked normally. I waved a hoof at him and he waved back. I watched as he started to run towards us. I turned to Applejack and she nodded at me. I gave her a nod back and ran towards James.

"I missed you James! Are you alright!?" I yelled while I ran to him.

"Yes... I am just fine." He smiled at me and we walked towards the camp site.

"So did everything go well with your plan?" I looked up at James for him to mention anything about the plan he had.

"Yeah. It all turned out good" He smiled at me.

"So where is your bag?" I looked at both of his hands and couldn't find my hair on either.

"I lost it a while ago." I watched as he rubbed the back of his neck.

"Oh... That's too bad. I guess I will have to buy another one." I looked at him for another response.

As James didn't respond; we continued to walk to the camp site. I still had to try one more time to see if it wasn't the real James. We got to the camp site and I looked at Applejack. She smiled at me and I understood what I needed to do next.

"I am glad you are safe James." I rubbed my head on his hand. I quickly looked up at him. "Why are your hands so cold?"

"I don't know..." James smiled at me. "They are always like that I guess..."

"Oh... Well..." I looked him over. "You are all dirty... Let me help you with that." I used my magic to lift his arms up straight. I watched as my magic's aura stayed purple. "You have to keep clean in the desert." I smiled at him and got up on his chest to brush the dirt off.

"So Twilight. How is he? Are we gona go home?" Applejack walked up to me.

"Looks like we are going to go home Applejack." I smiled at her and turned to the others. "Let's get going Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Rarity and Fluttershy. The train won't wait for us forever." We all quickly packed up our camp site and started to make our way home; before it got too hot.

We were all quiet during the walk. We all knew that this James was an imposter. I bet we were all wondering if he was catching on to us. Fluttershy has been hiding behind Rainbow Dash this entire time, so I know she was scared of him. Applejack has never left his side. I am guessing she is there to make sure he doesn't leave. Pinkie Pie and Rarity continued to act normally. We walked to the Dodge City train station. I went up to the ticket seller and got seven tickets.

"Let's get on the train." I said to the others. "The sooner we get home; the sooner we can relax."

"Oh I know what you mean darling." Rarity smiled. "This heat is devastating for my mane. I just have to go to the spa today."

"How bout we just get home Rarity." Applejack looked at me. "We have a lot on our hoofs right now."

"Yeah I just want to get home." Rainbow Dash said with a smile. "I haven't been able to practice flying all this time." Rainbow Dash stretched her wings. "I need to stay in tip top shape if I am ever going to join the Wonder Bolts."

"I am getting a little hungry." James said. "Could I get something to eat when we get home?" He asked while we boarded the train.

"Yeah. I can make you something when we get home." I smiled at him.

"That sounds great. Thanks Twilight." James smiled at me and looked around. "So where is everypony? You would think you see more ponies on a train."

"I don't know James. Something big must be happening somewhere. When we were on the train yesterday. Not very many ponies were riding it too." I put my hoof up to my chin.

"It's probably nothing Twilight." Rainbow dash said.

I sat down next to James for the ride home. I just hoped that he wasn't on to us. I don't know what would happen if he found out we know he is a Changeling. All of us kept quiet for the entire trip. I just hoped my brother was ready for us. After all they only had a day to get ready, but I believe it will go well. Celestia seems to trust James enough to do something like this. I just hope it is worth all of this.

"We are slowing down." James said while he looked out the window. "Let's get going. I need to stretch my legs." He held a hand out to me.

"Thanks." I smiled and held out a hoof. He helped me up from my seat. "Let's go get something to eat." I smiled at him.

"Can I come too?" Rainbow Dash asked. "You know... for the company." She smiled at me.

"Why don't we all go? We can have a party!" Pinkie Pie said while hopping off the train.

"That sounds like a wonderful idea." I smiled. "Let's all go to my house."

We started to walk into town. No pony said a word as we made our way to town square. I stopped as I saw my brother. He started to walk towards us.

"Hey Twily!" Shining Armor said with a smile on his face. "I am happy to see you are doing well." He looked at James. "So this must be your friend?"

"Yep. We came back as soon as we could." I smiled.

"So are you ready Twily?" Shining Armor said with a serious look on his face.

"I sure am." I nodded and looked at the others. "We all are."

"Okay then. Let's do this." Shining armor looked to the side. "Now everypony!" He yelled.

I quickly backed away from James as Applejack tackled him to the ground. I looked around as the royal guard started to swarm around us. James quickly threw Applejack off of him. I jumped in to try and hold him down with my magic, but before I could. He changed back into a Changeling. He turned to me and fired a blast of magic that knocked me back on the ground.

"Rainbow Dash! He is trying to fly away!" I yelled.

The Changeling Jumped into the air and tried to fly away. Rainbow Dash went quick in pursuit with half of the royal guard. I watched as the changeling started to glow yellow. He was thrown to the ground and with enough force to make a large crater on his landing.

"I don't think you will be going anywhere."Princess Celestia walked out from behind a building. "Will you?" She looked down at the Changeling as it started to hiss at her. "Shining armor. Get this thing out of my sights."

"Yes Princess Celestia." Shining armor looked at the guards next to him. "Cuff him and tie his wings down. He is not going to get away this time."

"Yes sir!" The guards quickly ran over to the Changeling and restrained him.

"What's wrong Twily? We captured the changeling. James's plan worked like a charm." Shining armor gave me a smile. "You should be proud you have a friend that is so smart."

"It's not that..." I wiped the tears away from my face. "James and Spike are still at the Badlands. We just left them there."

"Hold on Twilight." Shining Armor gave me a smile as he put his hoof around my shoulder. "I will go talk to the Princess. I will be right back."

"Settle down Twi. I just know James and Spike will be just fine." Applejack walked over to me. "I don't think James would want Spike in harm's way. Spike looks up to James like a big brother; I am sure James thinks the same way."

"Yeah I guess you are right." I sat down and looked at the ground.

"Guess what Twily!" Shining armor started to walk towards me with a smile on his face. "Let's get going; we are going to find James. Celestia is demanding we find him."

"You mean it!?" I stood up in excitement. "Are we really going to go find him!?" Celestia cut in on the conversation.

"Yes Twilight." Celestia smiled at me. "I will not let his efforts go to waste. If we lose James now; we will lose a valuable ally and a good friend."

"Thank you princess!" I quickly run over to her and give her a hug. "Thank you so much!"

"Come on Twily. We better hurry if we are going to find him." Shining armor said with a smile. "Besides; I like James. We can't let him go now right?"

"Right." I smiled at my brother and ran up next to him.

"I will tell the train conductor to hurry. You need to get to Dodge City as fast as you can." Celestia smiled and flew off in the direction of the train station.

"What are you all waiting for!? Let's get going!" Rainbow Dash yelled.

"Right!" I smiled. "Let's get moving." We quickly made our way to the train station. We see Princess Celestia talking to the ticket man.

"Twilight. They are ready to go." Princess Celestia smiled. "Go get James back."

"Okay." I smiled. "Thank you again." We all quickly board the train. Shortly after; the train left in a hurry.

"Don't worry Twily. We will get them both back to Ponyville. Just you watch." Shining armor sat next to me and put his hoof around my shoulder.

"We are coming, so both of you better hold on." I looked out the window.