A Faraway Land.

Chapter 24

The Deliverance of James Cross

I was quickly jolted awake by a loud noise echoing down the hall. I laid on my back and stretched out as much as I could. I sat up and crossed my legs. I unlinked my left cuff and reached around to scratch my back. As I scratched my back; I brushed off all of the hay I could. I put my left hand back and cuffed it again.

"That nights rest wasn't too bad for such a crappy bed..." I said to myself.

"It only gets worse from here on out... Trust me." I quickly look to my left and see a dark grey Pegasus in the cell next to me. "So what are you? I haven't seen anything like you before."

"I am a human. My name is James." I smiled. "Could I get your name?"

"My name is Onyx." He walked up to the cell bars closest to me. "I am guessing you just got here yesterday?"

"Yeah. How long have you been here?" I asked while I looked at him.

"Hmm..." He put a hoof to his chin. "I think it has been about seven years."

"So did you do anything wrong, or were you captured?" I asked while I turned towards him.

"They captured me in the Badlands." Onyx looked down towards the ground.

"What were you doing in the Badlands in the first place?" I asked.

"I own a gem... I use to own a gem shop in Manehatten." Onyx looked up and smiled at me. "I was looking for a place that hasn't been dug up for gems. I heard about the Badlands and I had to look. I wondered too far and I found a large city in the distance."

"So you went to the city and you were captured by Changelings?" I asked.

"Well... Yeah; that is the short story..." Onyx watched me as I started to cough. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah I am fine. I might be coming down with a cold. I came here by night and it was a little cold..." I laughed.

"Hold on." I watched as Onyx walked over to the corner of his cell. He picked up a bowel with his mouth and brought it to the edge of my cell. "Here; it is water. This might help you." I watched as he pushed the bowel towards me.

"Thanks." I crawl over to the bowel and pick it up. "So how often do they come to give food and water?" I asked as I stared at my reflection in the water.

"Well it looks like you slept on your food last night..." Onyx pointed at the hay. "They come down to give water to the prisoners every week."

"Then I cant take this..." I put the bowel back inside his cell.

"Please... Just take it." Onyx smiled at me. "I have a vent close to my cell. The steam gives me fresh water when I need it." Onyx pushed the bowel back towards me.

"Thanks..." I picked up the bowel and took a small drink. I placed the bowel back in his cell. "It looks like you are out of food..." I watched as he took the bowel back to the corner of his cell.

"Yeah; I ran out yesterday. They will be coming tomorrow to give us more." Onyx came back and sat at the edge of the cell.

"Well we can't have that now can we?" I walked over to my makeshift bed and picked up all of the hay. I brought it to the edge of the cell and started to push it inside Onyx's cell.

"What are you doing!? That is all of your food!" Onyx looked on in shock.

"Let's call it a trade. Your water for my food." I gave Onyx a smile.

"But you won't have any food left..."

"I am not big on eating hay. It won't set well in my stomach." I watched as Onyx started to eat slowly. "You will have more use out of this then I would. I don't plan on staying here long."

"So how did you get captured?" Onyx asked while he enjoyed the hay.

"I let myself get caught." I watched Onyx as he stopped eating.

"Why!? That is stupid..." He gave me a puzzling look.

"Because I know how I am going to escape." I watch Onyx as he started to look at the ground. "Tell you what; how about when I get out. I will help you escape with me. You never know; I might need help getting out."

"You mean it!?" Onyx gave me an excited look.

"Yeah. Why not?" I gave Onyx a Smile.

"That would be great. I don't know what I would have done if I went through another feeding session." Onyx gave a sigh of relief.

"So Changelings eat ponies?" I watched as Onyx started to laugh.

"No James... They feed off the love."

"What?..." I raised an eyebrow. "How?"

"I don't know, but they do." Onyx looked at the ground again. "It leaves you exhausted and you can hardly move."

"I don't see how..." I went quiet as I heard someone coming down the hall.

"What's wrong James?"

"Shhh!" I motioned Onyx to be quiet.

I watched down the hall. I could see movement, but I couldn't make out what is was. It was too dimly lit, but I could see that whatever it was; it was small. As it came closer; I could recognize the small figure.

"Spike?... Is that you?" I asked.

"James!? Is that you?"

"Spike! What are you doing down here!?" I looked at what he had in his hands. "You have my gun; you should have made it out by now..."

"I know, but there was too many guards. I would have been caught." Spike walked up to the front of my cell. "Are you mad at me?" Spike looked at the ground.

"No Spike... You did the right thing." I looked at Spike and then the bars. "Try to fit your way through the bars."

"Is Spike your friend?" Onyx asked.

"I sure am!" Spike smiled as he put my gun and a piece of paper with something in it on the ground. "Who are you?"

"My name is Onyx." He smiled at Spike. "Nice to meet you Spike."

"Nice to meet you too." I watched as Spike tried to fit past the bars. Spike then looked up at me. "I won't fit..."

"Suck in your gut." I put my hand over my stomach.

"Right." Spike sucked in his stomach and inched his way in my cell. As he got inside; he bent down and picked up my gun. "Here James; It is a lot heavier than it looks you know..." He held the gun up and handed it to me.

"It's a bit heavier when it is loaded..." I laughed while I put the gun on my side. I flipped my shirt over the gun and turned to Onyx. "I am going to need some of my hay back. Do you mind?"

"No. Please; go ahead." Onyx smiled.

"Thanks." I grab a good amount of hay and turned to Spike. "Go in the corner Spike. I will hide you under the hay."

"Right! Oh wait... I have your arrow." I gave Spike a confused look as I set the hay down. I watched as he grabbed the thing he was talking about. "Here you go."

"Where did you get that Spike!?" I took the bullet out of his hands.

"The Changelings had it next to your gun. Is that a bad thing?" Spike then held the paper up.

"I don't know..." I took the paper and opened it up. I gave it a brief read and relaxed. "No Spike; it's not bad. I think this was the bullet I threw in the water a week ago." I folded the paper and put it in my pocket. "I think there is a Changeling in Ponyville."

"What!? How?" Spike asked.

"I don't know, but we need to tell Celestia." I take my gun out and locked the slide back. I quickly put the bullet in the chamber and released the slide. "Now we have to make it out of here today..." I put the gun back under my shirt.

"Somepony is coming James." Onyx whispered.

"Spike get in the corner..." I watched as he ran over in the corner. "Be quite; don't say a word..." I covered spike in the hay and quickly sat in the middle of my cell.

I watched the hall and saw two Changelings walk over in front of my cell. They stood watching me for a couple of seconds before the one on the left broke the silence.

"Get up. The Queen demands to see you."

"Demands? Am I that important?" I slowly make my way to my feet.

"Silence!" I watched the Changeling on the right. His horn started to glow and my cell door unlocked. "Get out and don't make any funny moves."

"I know the drill." I showed them my hands and slowly walked out of the cell. I glanced behind me and saw him close the cell door.

"Walk..." The one behind me said.

"Right..." I started to walk slowly.

I bring my left hand up and un-cuffed the cuff. I slowly bring the cuff and grip it tightly in my right hand. I slowed to a stop.

"Move!" The one behind me yelled as the one in front of me turned around.

I quickly kicked the one behind me and then I jumped at the one in front of me. I started to hit the one on the ground with the cuff in my right hand. I was quickly interrupted when the one behind. He tackled me from the side and arched up as hid horn started to glow. I quickly grabbed his neck to stop him from hitting me. He then brought his front hoof up and hit me in the stomach.

I quickly grabbed my stomach in pain. The Changeling was quick to take his opportunity and tried to hit me in the face with his hoof. I quickly moved to the side and pushed him off of me. We both quickly stood up. I watched as his horn started to glow green. He quickly pointed his horn at me and fired some kind of beam at me. I looked at my chest as the beam made contact. I felt a gentle warmth as the green glow quickly turned blue. He looked at me in amazement and I took advantage of the opening he gave me.

I ran towards him and tackled him to the ground. I grabbed his head and slammed it down as hard as I could. I held him down for a couple of seconds; I watched as he stopped moving. I stood up over the Changeling and grabbed my stomach. I walked over to Onyx's cell.

"Spike; come on out. I need your help." I inspected the lock.

"Coming." Spike jumped out of the hay and looked at the Changelings on the ground. "James... Are they dead?" Spike asked as he slipped past the bars.

"I don't think so..." I looked back and see them both still breathing. "They are fine Spike; they are still breathing. They are just sleeping for now. Now help me with this lock."

"Okay; what do you want me to do?" Spike walked up next to me.

"Use your fire to try and melt the bottom of the bars." I looked at Onyx. "Stand back. We will get you out in a second."

"Right." Onyx smiled.

I watched as Spike used his fire on the bottom of the bars. He spent about thirty minutes on one bar and managed to make it glow red hot. It looked like Spike was getting tired. I put my hand on his head.

"That's enough Spike. I don't want you to get exhausted before we leave." I put the back of my hand on the lock. It was cool to the touch, so I placed my palm on the lock. "Stand back Spike. I don't know what will happen; if anything."

I closed my eyes and concentrated on my hand. I watched as my hand started to glow blue. I could hear something happening, but the door didn't open. I grabbed the lock and started to pull. I put both of my hands around the lock and tried to pull. I placed my foot against the bar for leverage. I started to violently pull on the lock.

"Open damn you!" I yelled as I continued to pull.

"It's okay James. Just leave; you spent too much time here." Onyx said while looking at the ground. "I will be fine."

"Just shut up and let me open this door!" I started to get angry.

"James! What is wrong with your hands!?" Spike pointed at my hands.

"What?" I looked at my hands as the blue glow started to turn magenta in color.

I continued to pull while I ignored the changing color. I watched as the lock started to buckle and bend as I pulled. The glow started to slowly shift to red as I continued to pull.

"James! Behind you!" Spike yelled.

"What is it!?" I looked behind me and saw the Changeling trying to get up.

I let go of the lock and slowly walked up to the changeling. I looked at my right hand and channeled all of the magic I could. I watched as it glowed a bright red. I leaned down and grabbed his neck. I forced him against the wall and used my legs to lift him off the ground.

"You are going to open that cell door." I pointed to Onyx's cell with my left hand. "While you're at it..." I lifted up the empty cuff. "You are going to take this shit off my wrist. If you do anything other than what I told you; your dead..."

I watched as my cuff glowed green; then quickly fall off. I looked behind me and see the lock glow. I watched Spike walk over to the door. He opened the door and Onyx slowly walked out. I look back at the Changeling.

"Good... Now I think you should pick a new career." I throw the Changeling to the right as hard as I could. I turn to Onyx. "Are you ready to get out of here?"

"I am." Onyx smiles as Spike interrupted.

"James... What is wrong with your eyes?" Spike came closer.

"What are you talking about?" I bent down and looked at spike. Spike looked closer.

"It's probably my imagination; never mind." Spike continued to watch me.

"Alright then..." I picked Spike up and placed him on my shoulder. I looked back at Onyx. "Stay close to me Onyx; this is going to be the hardest part."

"Right." Onyx walked up close behind me.

All three of us continued to walk down the hall. We quickly came up on some stairs and quickly ran up them. We walked slowly up to the wooden door. I reach my hand out to the handle and started to open it.

"Do you know where you are going James?" Onyx asked.

"No, but Spike dose. Right little man?" I looked at him on my shoulder.

"I don't know James... There are a lot of guards outside. We are going to have to cross the room..." Spike whispered.

"No we don't... I saw them walk to the hallway on this side of the room." We slowly made our way out from the door. "Shh; just follow me. We will be fine."

We started to walk along the wall and quickly came up to the hall I saw them take Spike through. All three of us quickly ran up the stairs not caring about being seen at this point.

"Why are we not going to hide anymore?" Spike asked.

"We don't have the time. The sooner we get out of here; the sooner I can forget about this place. Besides..." I pointed at Onyx. "I am betting he wants to get out of here too." I watched as Spike looked at Onyx.

"I understand..." Spike sat down on my shoulder.

We continued to make our way down the hall. I saw a Changeling turn the corner with a child. They quickly moved out of our way. As we passed then; I gave them an angry look. As we walked away. I could hear the child talking.

"That's him. That's the Human I saw." The child sounded excited.

"Come on! We need to go..." A female voice said. I could only guess it was his mother.

"James! I know where to go now. Take a right!" Spike pointed.

"How do you know? All of the halls look the same..."

"Trust me." Spike crawled on top of my head and leaned over to look me in the eyes.

"Alright Spike... It's all up to you then." I took him off my head and placed him on the ground. "We will follow you Spike, so lead the way little man."

"Right!" Spike turned around and started to run down the hall.

"Onyx. The first window you see; you can leave. I am not going to ask you to stay anymore."

"Where are you going to go?" Onyx asked.

"I am going to the Queen's room. I need to have a little chat with her."

"Are you sure that's a good idea? She is dangerous..." Onyx sounded worried.

"Yeah. I will be fine." I look ahead and see light shining through. "It looks like you have a window coming up. Now is your chance! Don't get caught again!"

"Right!" I looked back at Onyx. I see him by the window. "Thank you James; I will never forget this!" I watched as he jumped out the window.

"Looks like it's just you and me Spike. Let's get this over with." I gave Spike a smile as he looked back at me.

"You got it!" Spike started to slow down. He started to look at all of the doors. "This is it." Spike stopped in front of a large door. "This is the Queens room."

"Okay little man." I picked Spike up and placed him on my shoulder. "If it gets bad in here Spike; I want you to get out of here as soon as you can."

"But what about you?" Spike asked.

"Don't worry about me. You are more important." I watched as Spike was about to say something. "No buts about it Spike. You need to get to Twilight." I give Spike a smile. "Let's get going now."

"Okay..." Spike smiled. "Just be careful."

I put my hand on the door and pushed it open. I slowly walked inside the room and closed the door behind me. I looked on the balcony and saw Queen Chrysalis. I walked into the middle of the room and placed Spike on the floor.

"Get over on the bed Spike." I watched him quickly run up on top of the bed.

"I never got your name. Do you mind telling me?" Queen Chrysalis asked.

"You're not going to need my name were you are going." I continued to watch her as she turned around.

"And just were might I be going?" She asked.

"You will find out soon enough." I watched as she slowly walked towards me.

"We will see." I watch her as she looked at Spike. I quickly grab my gun from my pants and pointed it at her.

"Try it and you will be dead before you hit the ground." I line her up in the sights.

"Were did you get that?..." She looked at me with an irritated look.

"It's my gun. Why do you care?" I asked.

"I was wondering Human. Would you like to make a deal?" She started to walk around me.

"What kind of deal?" I continued to keep her lined up in the sights.

"I believe I can send you back to your home. I will do this, but I will need your help." She gave me a smile.

"Help with what?" I asked.

"If you help me take over Canterlot; I will have the power to send you home. If you give me your gun; it will only make the takeover quicker." She stopped in front of a desk. "What do you say? Your world for this world."

"Don't do it James!" Spike yelled.

"Silence dragon! You have no say in this!" Queen Chrysalis yelled in a defining tone.

"I am going to advise you not to yell at Spike. It would not be a wise move..." I used my thumb to pull back the hammer.

"So I am guessing that would be a no?" She asked.

"You guessed correct..." I started to slowly squeeze the trigger.

"You know... I had an interesting conversation with a young Changeling this morning." She gave me a smile. "He talked about you. He said you were the coolest thing he has ever seen."

"So what..." I stopped squeezing the trigger as I remembered what I told that child. "Why would I want to know who you talked to?"

"I just found it interesting about the stuff you talked about." I watched her as she sighed. "I am more interested about the Ruby of Desire you told him about. I can only guess that you have one of them. Am I correct?"

"Who knows?" I looked at Spike. "Get behind me Spike."

"So what ruby do you have? I must know..." She started to walk closer.

"Stop moving..." I carefully aimed at Chrysalis.

"I am just curious..." I watched her as she sat on the ground.

"I don't care..." I put my thumb on the hammer of the gun and slowly released it. I put the gun inside my waist band. "You can thank that kid. He is the only reason I am not going to kill you." I turned around and walked towards Spike.

"James! Look out!" Spike yelled.

I quickly turned around and saw that Queen Chrysalis was charging towards me. When she was a couple of feet away from me. I reached my hands out grabbing her horn with my left; and the top of her neck with my right. I quickly pushed her downwards to avoid her from stabbing my chest. I suddenly feel a sharp pain in my stomach. I looked down and saw blood dripping from my stomach.

"You bitch..." I quickly bring my right hand to my gun while I still had a firm grip on her horn. "Now you die..."

I channeled what little magic I had left. My left hand started to glow red as I brought my gun to her head. I watched her as she tried to use magic, but while I had a hold of her horn. She was completely defenseless. I quickly pulled the trigger. Time seemed to slow down as I watched the hammer slowly move back. I continued to watch as the hammer swung back and struck the gun, but nothing happened.

"James! Over here!" I looked back to see Onyx outside the window. "Jump out!"

"Come on James! We have to go now!" Spike yelled.

I quickly looked back at Queen Chrysalis. I bring the gun up and swung down as hard as I could. I pulled back as she fell to the ground. I quickly run towards the window while I put my gun in my pocket. I reach down and grab Spike. I quickly jumped off the balcony towards Onyx. I grabbed Onyx's leg with my right hand and pushed Spike up on his back with my left.

"You are heavier than you look James..." I watched as we started to drop quickly. "I don't know if I can hold the both of you!"

"Just try to slow our descent and try to get us as far out in the city as you can." I made sure I had a good grip on his leg.

"You have to remember that I haven't flown for a long time... I might not make it." Onyx started to struggle with my weight.

"Its fine; just get us close to the ground!" I watched as he tried his hardest to keep in the air. "Just land! Save your energy..."

"Right!" Onyx quickly flew downwards.

I watched as we quickly descended. First 100 feet, 80, 60, 40 and then 20 feet. Onyx started to level out for a landing. I let go at around 15 feet. I quickly bent my legs as I fell. I hit the ground hard and rolled forward for about ten feet. I quickly got on my knees to see if I broke any bones. Onyx and Spike flew up next to me.

"Are you okay James!?" Onyx gave me a worried look.

"I am fine... Nothing is broken."

"That's not what I meant... Your stomach is bleeding badly."

"It's nothing..." I quickly take my belt and shirt off. "Let's go! We need to get out of here!"

"Right! You lead the way." Onyx stepped aside for me.

I started to run down the road. I quickly folded my shirt as best I could while running. I put the shirt in my mouth as I wrapped the belt around my stomach. I quickly placed my shirt over my puncture wound and tightened the belt.

"Are they going to follow us?" Spike asked.

"I don't know Spike. It all depends if Chrysalis can recover quickly." I started to quickly run out of breath. The belt was to tight to get good airflow in my lungs. "Don't get me wrong; I am hoping they don't follow us... That would just ruin my day."

"But you are already hurt..." Spike said in a worried tone.

"Trust me Spike... It's nothing." I looked down as I was still bleeding. "The sooner we get out of the city. The better off I will be."

We continued to run for about five minutes. We finally made our way out of the city, but I continued to run. I looked down at my makeshift bandage. By now it was full of blood. I looked back towards the city. We were about a half mile away. I started to slow down.

"Were are we going now?" Onyx asked.

"Over by that rock." I pointed to a large rocky outcrop. "I have some food and water over there." I grabbed my stomach and put pressure on the bandage.

We walked towards the rock. It took us about an hour to get to it. I walked over to a small hole in the rock. I pulled out two canteens of water and one loaf of bread.

"That was smart thinking James." Onyx gave me a smile.

"Thanks..." I opened the water canteen and took a large drink. I then opened the bandage and poured a little on my wound. "You want some Spike?" I held the canteen out to Spike.

"Yes please!" Spike quickly grabbed the water and took a large drink. Spike then looked at Onyx. "Would you like some too?"

"Would I ever..." Onyx walked over and grabbed the rim of the canteen and finished off the water. "That's the last of that water." I watched as Onyx dropped the canteen on the ground.

"Okay... Let's get going. It is starting to get hot, so we need to make it out of here as soon as possible..." I started to walk north as Onyx and Spike followed.

"So Onyx; do you have a special girl waiting for you at home?" I tried to make small talk while we walked.

"I do." I looked behind me to see him looking up in the skies. "Her name is Cloud Swirl. She is the best mare I have ever found. I just hoped she waited for me."

"I have no doubt she would have waited." I gave Onyx a smile. "So were in Manehatten is your shop?"

"Its next to the south shipping dock." Onyx got excited. "It has the best gem display in the window; and when I say best. I mean best in Equestria!" Onyx ran up beside me. "You should come by and visit some time. I would love to show you around. I also bet Cloud Swirl would love to meet you too!"

"I would like that." I smiled.

I opened the canteen and took another large drink. I handed the canteen to Spike. He also took the largest drink he could get.

"Shouldn't we save the water?" Onyx asked as Spike held the canteen up at him.

"You know... Were I come from; I have heard stories about people in a desert." I laughed a little. "They would have enough water to make them last a few days in the desert, but they wanted to save it. They died of dehydration with a full canteen of water." I motion Onyx to drink. "Best drink it while we got it. Don't be shy."

"Right..." Onyx finished off the canteen. He threw it to the side.

We continued to walk for another hour. I looked at my arms; I noticed they were starting to go pail. I pealed the bandage away; I was still bleeding out. We continued to walk for another thirty minutes before I started to drag my feet.

"James!" Spike yelled as I dropped to my knees. "What's wrong!?"

"It's nothing Spike... Don't worry; I am just tired." I laid on my back and looked up at the blue sky. "I just need a little rest..." I watched as Onyx walked up to me slowly. "Hey Onyx; do me a favor."

"Anything James; what do you need?" Onyx looked down at me.

"Take Spike into Dodge City ahead of me. I will be following close behind." I looked at Spike. "Get on a train to Ponyville. Tell Twilight that I will be home soon..."

"You promise?" Spike asked.

"I promise Spike." I gave Spike a smile and looked at Onyx. "Hurry; Take Spike and get out of here."

"Okay." Onyx smiled. "Stay safe."

"I will." I watched as Spike hopped on Onyx's back. They quickly flew off.

I stayed on my back for some time. I just watched the sky above me. I still had one thing I needed to know. I pulled my gun out and ejected the bullet. I picked it up and looked at the Primer. The primer was struck, so I brought the bullet to my ear. I give it a good shake.

"Well that's just great... I had wet powder..." I put the gun and bullet back in my pocket.

I rolled over to get on my knees. I slowly make my way to my feet. I started to walk towards Dodge City again. After all; I didn't want Spike to see me like this. I continued to stumble for about ten more minutes until I dropped to my knees again. It was too hot out, I lost a lot of blood and my vision started to haze. I looked off in the distance; I see a blue, purple, yellow, pink, orange and white hazes off in the distance. I might be seeing things, but I might as well try. I bring my hands up to my mouth and yelled as loud as I could.

"Rainbow Dash! Help me!" I took another deep breath. "Rainbow Dash! Hurry!" I put my hands on my knees and watched.

I saw the blue blur moving fast towards me. I didn't think I was imagining this. She continued to come into focus.

"James!" Rainbow Dash quickly landed next to me. "Are you okay!? You are bleeding!"

"Rainbow Dash... Calm down..." Rainbow Dash interrupted me.

"But you are bleeding!" I quickly cut her off.

"Rainbow Dash! Let me talk!" I watched as she quickly went quiet. "I need to stop the bleeding...  I need you to fly to Dodge City as fast as you can. You need to pick up water, salt and a lot of bandages."

"Why salt?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Don't ask questions... Just do it..." I looked her in the eye. "If you don't hurry... I am going to die. Now go!"

"Right!" I watched as she flew off.

Shortly after I heard a loud booming noise. I saw a large rainbow like cloud shoot out across the sky. I watched as the other blurs came closer. I could make out Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Twilight, Rarity and Applejack. The other white one looked familiar, but I couldn't see it from this far away.

"James!" I heard Twilight yell "Were is Rainbow Dash going?" Twilight stood still in shock.

"James; are you alright." I looked at the voice.

"Oh hey Shining Armor." I looked down at my stomach. "Yeah I am just fine. Rainbow Dash is getting me some supplies."

"Lay down James. You will be okay." Shining Armor walked up next to my head as I laid down. "Just stay calm." I watched at the others swarmed around me.

"I know the drill Shining Armor." I smiled at him. "I will be just fine when Rainbow Dash gets back. Soon after I heard that loud booming noise again.

"I am back with your stuff James!" Rainbow Dash set the bag next to me.

"Thanks." I looked around at every one. "You might want to look away..." I watched as all but Shining Armor walk away.

I pull a canteen out and started to drink it. I then pulled the salt out of the bag and opened it. I pulled the bandage off and poured water on my wound. I dried it with my bloody shirt and quickly poured the salt on it. I clinch my teeth in pain and slowly sat up. I grabbed the clean bandages and started to wrap myself up.

"What was the salt for?" Shining Armor asked. "Won't you get drunk off that much salt?"

"What..." I started to laugh. "No... The salt helps the blood coagulate." I take another drink of water. "Now let's get the hell out of here... I am starting to hate this place..."

"Right." Shining Armor smiled at me. "Let's get going everypony!" Shining armor started to help me up to walk. I looked at Twilight as she walked up next to me.

"Where is Spike?" I asked.

"He stopped by us with a pony named Onyx. He is probably waiting for us at the train station." Twilight gave me a worried look. "Are you sure you are okay?"

"Yeah." I used my free hand to look at my wound. "The bleeding stopped, so I will be fine now. Let's just get home. I need to rest." I watched as Twilight gave me a smile.