A Faraway Land.

Chapter 9

A Learning Experience

As Twilight awoke that same morning. Twilight walked over to Spike's basket. She stood over Spike and nuzzled him awake.

"Wake up Spike." Twilight said in a quiet voice. "Wake up. It's time to get up."

"Five more minutes Twilight." As Spike pulled his blanket over his head.

"Come on spike... Get up..." Twilight grabbed his blanket with her teeth and gave it a good pull.

"Aright, alright I'm up..." Spike said with irritation. As Spike tried to climb out of his basket. He tripped over the brim. "Oof... You see Twilight." Spike helped himself up. "This is what happens when I miss five minutes of sleep..."

"Don't be silly Spike. Five minutes wouldn't have helped you get out of bed." She gently pushed Spike along. "Come on. I need you to tell Pinkie Pie that I'm ready for his party.."

As Twilight and Spike made their way down the stairs. Twilight heard a gentle knock on the door. Twilight walked to the door, as Spike made his way into the library. As Twilight got to the door. The handle glowed a gentle purple then opened.

"Hey Fluttershy. What are you doing here?" As Twilight smiled.

"I was wondering if I could barrow some quills? If that's alright with you." As Fluttershy finished. Angel jumped off her back. Angel crossed his arms and tapped his foot while looking at Fluttershy. "Ohh; and to ask how James is doing."

"James is doing just fine." Twilight smiled and floated a stack of quills towards Fluttershy. "You're going to come to James's party; right Fluttershy?" As Fluttershy grabbed the quills and placed them in her bag.

"Of course I'm coming." Fluttershy said in her excited voice. As she looked down at Angel. He was once again; looking at her with arms crossed and thumping the ground with his foot. "Ohh... I'm sorry Twilight I have to go right now. I forgot to feed Angel."

"Oh. That's okay Fluttershy. Just don't forget the party today."

"You bet I won't." As Fluttershy walked out closing the door behind her.

Twilight walked over to Spike. She bent down to whisper in his ear.

"Spike. When we leave. I need you to go to Sugar Cube Corner. Tell Pinky Pie everypony is ready."

"You got it Twilight." Spike winked at Twilight. "When will you be back?"

"I am going to bring him to Rarity. She is going to help him with some new clothes. Rarity will be with him most of the time, so I will drop him off and come back." Twilight walked up the stairs and walked over to where James was sleeping.

Twilight sat down next to the bed. She watched him for a few seconds and brought her hoof up to the bed. Twilight started to poke at James's shoulder.

"Wake up James." As she continued to poke at him. "Come on James. We have to go to Rarity's"

As I felt something poking my shoulder. I opened my eyes and turned to the irritating poke. As my eyes focused on Twilight. As I was able to see her clearly. I jumped back in panic. I fell off the bed and hit my head.

"Damn it!" I yelled while grabbing the back of my head.

"Are you okay!?" As Twilight jumped on the bed looking down at me.

"Ya I'm fine." While I rubbed the spot that I hit. "I hit the same spot when I was in the hospital. It is still a little tender." I stood up and brushed myself off.

"Oh..." Twilight jumped off the bed next to me. Twilight started to walk off towards the stairs. She stopped at the edge of the stairs and looked back at me. "Are you coming?" She asked with a smile.

"Ya. Let me get ready." I walked over to the bed to get my boots. As I got my boots on and tied them; I stood up and reached for my belt on the shelf. I took the holster and the gun off and started to walk towards Twilight. "So how far is Rarity's place?" I asked while I followed Twilight down the stairs. While I simultaneously put on my belt.

"Well we are going to get breakfast, before we go to Rarity's." Twilight walked over to the door as it magically opened.

"That never gets old..." I said while walking out the door.

"What never gets old?" Twilight stopped to look back at me closing the door.

"Your magic..." I turned to follow Twilight. "Luna talked about a magic in my dreams." I selected my words carefully. "It would be nice to have magic like yours."

"So humans can use magic?" Twilight asked while we walked down the road.

"I have heard a saying where I come from." I scratch my head trying to remember. "Magic is only technology we don't yet understand. In coming to Equestria; I found out that it's a load of garbage." I laughed. "What I am trying to say is; I don't understand the magic you have here yet."

"It's okay." Twilight giggled. "You have only been here for a few days. You seem to be getting along with all the ponies you met with."

"I haven't met very many people here. Remember, I wasn't able to see much when I was in the hospital."

As Twilight and I got to the restaurant. She took her seat in the hay. I made myself comfortable as the waiter came up with our menus. I look over the menu expecting it to be different. The waiter came back shortly after.

"Are you ready to order?" The tan pony asked.

"Yes." Twilight said with a smile. "I will have a Daffodil and Daisy Sandwich and an apple."

"And you sir?" He asked while he turned to me.

"I will have a loaf of bread and some water." As I gave the waiter the menu.

"So Twilight... What is Fluttershy like?"

"Well... She is kind. She is a little shy around new ponies. She also absolutely adores animals."

"So what does she look like?" As I interrupted.

"Ohh... Well... She has a yellow coat and a pink mane and tail. Her eyes are a greenish blue. Her cutie mark is 3 butterflies."

"Is that her?" I point over at a pony that matched the description. As Twilight looked over to where I was pointing.

"Yep. That's Fluttershy." Twilight turned back and gave me a smile.

"I am guessing that the other pony in front of her is Pinky Pie." As I look on at the pink pony. She was somehow suspended in air with only 4 balloons.

"Ya! how did you know?"

"Lucky guess. I have been meaning to ask... What is that mark on their leg?" As I looked back at Twilight; awaiting an answer.

"That's the cutie mark. Everypony has their own unique talent and when they find out what it is. A cutie mark will appear on their flank." Twilight smiled. "Do humans have cutie marks?"

"No one that I know has a cutie mark." I stood up from the table and started to walk over to Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie.

"Where are you going James? "Twilight asked while watching me walk away.

"I am going to help Fluttershy out. It looks like she bit off more than she can chew." As I watched her almost fall over from the stack of boxes on her.

"No! She will be fine. She does it all the time!" As Twilight gave me an awkward smile.

"If you say so..." As I made my way back to the table. The waiter came out with our food. I sat down as he placed the food on the table. "Thanks." I said as he smiled and walked off. As Twilight went for her sandwich first. "Look! what's that!" I yelled pointing off in a random direction.

"What! What is it!" Twilight turns to look at whatever I was pointing at.

I reached over to her plate and grabbed an apple slice. I quickly brought my hand back with the stolen goods and took a quick bite. As I see Twilights ear flip back to listen. She turned quickly.

"Hey! what was that for!?" She asked while I was chewing on the apple.

"That's for scaring me half to death this morning." I gave an evil grin.

"You didn't have to take it. You could of asked." Twilight played it off and continued to eat her sandwich.

"By the way Twilight..." I finished off the apple slice. "We are going to need a couple more apples. I told you that I would show you my gun today. I think today will be good. I don't want you to get too curious and finding out on your own..."

"Okay, but I don't understand. What are you going to use the apples for?" Twilight asked while taking another bite of the sandwich.

"We need something to shoot at. You will see what I am talking about when we do this."

"Okay." Twilight smiled. "Oh no! I forgot! I have a lot of stuff I need to do today. Can it wait until I finish?" Twilight looked at me with a panicked expression.

"Sure. Do what you have to do." As I finished off my loaf of bread. "So why don't you tell me about Rarity."

"Rarity? Well she is the best clothe designer in Ponyville. She is also a unicorn like me. She has a white coat. Her mane and tail are purple." As twilight finished off her sandwich; she continued on her apple. "If you need any clothes; she is the pony you need to know."

"That's good to know." As I observed Twilight; waiting for her to finish her food. "So how long will it take you to finish all of your work?"

"Oh it won't take long. Rarity will be keeping you company until I am done." Twilight smiled as she finished her food. "So are you ready to go?" Twilight asked as she stood up.

"Ready when you are." I watched as Twilight levitate five gold coins to the table. She turned and looked at me.

"Okay lets go to Rarity's." Twilight walked off as I followed.

"So Twilight. What kind of stuff do you have to do today. If you don't mind me asking."

"Oh you know... Pony stuff! It's all kind of boring." Twilight panicked.

"Are you okay Twilight?"

"Yes why wouldn't I be?" Twilight gave me a creepy smile.

"Okay then..." I looked off in the distance to see a wall of clouds getting closer. "So tell me Twilight. Dose that look like rain to you?" As I pointed to the clouds.

"That's strange. Rainbow Dash is suppose to be keeping the skies clear today." Twilight continued to look at the clouds.

"Who is Rainbow Dash?"

"She is the Pegasus in charge of the skies in Ponyville. Its suppose to be sunny today." Twilight raised an eye brow. "No matter... We are here!" As Twilight knocked on the door.

"Coming!" A voice said behind the door. "I'm coming." As the door swung open. "Ahh... Twilight." She turned to me. "This must be your friend you told me about; the one you helped in the forest."

"You see that Twilight." I looked at Twilight. "I'm already famous!" I turned back to the white pony. "Rarity I presume?"

"Why yes darling. I am Rarity." As she scanned over me. "Twilight was right. You do need some new clothes. Their all dirty and torn." She gave me a disgusted look. "Well come in darling come in."

"I'm going to let you go James." As Twilight gave me a smile and turned to walk away. "Take good care of James for me Rarity." Twilight's walk quickly turned to a gallop.

As I walked into Rarity's boutique. It wasn't hard to notice she loved to make clothes. As I looked around. A lot of things caught my eyes. It wasn't the clothes she made, or the weird pony manikins. It was the stuff on the clothes. Blue being my favorite color. The deep blue sapphires stood out the most. Then the rubies and diamonds.

"Where in god's name did you get all of these gems?" As I continued to find more and more gems. "This stuff must be worth millions if not more... How am I expected to pay for this kind of stuff?"

"What ever are you talking about James?" Rarity continued as she levitated a measuring tape by me. "Now stand still while I get your measurements."

"Where did they come from... Gems like this can be found were I'm from, but the size and perfect clarity is hard to come by. It would take me all of my life to get the money for a single gem like the ones you have here." I continued to look on in amazement, as Rarity continued with my measurements. "You have to take me to where you got these."

"Maybe later darling." As Rarity finished with the measurements. "So what kind of colors would you like?"

"How about milky white for the bottom and gray for the top." As I started to walk around the shop.

"Okay darling, but is fashion always so dull where you come from?" Rarity asked with an appalling look on her face.

"No... I guess I just have a dull sense of fashion." I said while shrugging my shoulders. "Fashion is different all over the world where I come from. Some are different from others."

"Why don't you tell me more about your world's fashion." Rarity asked with an interest. Rarity walked over to a table with the measurements and some cloth. "It sounds interesting." Rarity started to work on the clothing.

"I'd rather not. It sways from relaxed to wild. It's something I just can't explain." I scratched my head. "It's more or less something you'd have to see for yourself."

"That's rather disappointing." As Rarity sighed. "Do you think if you had more time. You can tell me a little."

"Ya maybe later if I have more time."

Rarity made her final touches on the shirt she was making. When she started to make my pants. She kept quiet the whole time. That gave me some time to look at the gems on her clothing line. It took about ten minutes, before Rarity broke the silence.

"All done!" Rarity said with a smile, as she levitated the clothes next to me. "Why don't you try them on. I have a changing booth over there." She pointed with her hoof at a small booth with a curter.

"Thanks." I said while grabbing the clothes. I walked over to the booth to try them on. "I don't have any money for these, but if you need help with anything. You can count on me."

"Don't worry James. Its fine." As I heard Rarity rustling with something behind the curtain. "Oh James. When you are done with changing. We are going to go back to Twilight's."

"Sounds good to me." As I finished with the clothes and stepped out of the booth. "Not bad Rarity! They fit perfectly."

"That's good to hear." Rarity gave me a smile and started making her way to the door. "Are you ready to go?"

"I sure am!" I said while following Rarity out the door, closing it behind.

About half way to Twilights house. Rarity broke the silence.

"Oh darling can you do me a favor? It seems I have forgotten a piece of paper I had on my table. Could you go back and get it for me?

"Sure. I will be back in a second." I turned to head back to Rarity's

"I am going to make my way to Twilight. Can I meet you there?"

"Sure!" I yelled while waving back at Rarity.

I walked in to Rarity's. As I made my way to her desk. I shuffled in the small mess of papers. I opened a drawer in the middle. While shifting in the papers. I found something. It looked to be a ruby. It seemed to have a faint blue glow on the outside. I picked up the gem to investigate. As I lifted it up into the light. The blue glow around it became more noticeable. I was about to put it back in its place, but I felt a small vibration from the stone. I held the stone in the palm of my right hand while I continued to watch it. The blue glow started to grow brighter and envelop my hand.

"Shit! What the hell is that..." As I dropped the rock back in the drawer. "Get off!" I yelled while violently rubbing my hand on my pants. As the gentle blue glow faded. I saw a neatly folded paper sitting on the corner of the desk. "Damn it..." I grabbed the paper and put it in my pocket while I shook the tingling out of my hand.

As I made my way to Twilight's house. I notices that something was wrong. As I got closer to her house. I saw that all of her curtains where closed. As I walked slowly up to the door. I listened carefully for any noise. I heard faint noises through the door, but I couldn't tell what they were. I knocked on the door while I reached for my gun. I felt around an noticed I didn't even have my holster.

"Grate... I left it on the shelf." As I realized no one was going to answer the door. I opened it slowly and found myself in the dark. As I closed the door. I put my back agents the wall. I moved to the right while feeling for anything that would give me light. As I was stopped by a table. I was blinded by a wall of light.

"Surprise!" A bunch of people yelled as loud as they could.

I gasped while almost falling to the ground. As my eyes quickly adjusted and I realized what was going on. I heard it again.

"Surprise! Ohh darn it..."

I looked in the direction of the second noise.

"I think you're a little late Pinkie Pie..." I smiled then looked at Twilight. "That's 2 times today..."

"I'm sorry James... Did I scare you again?" Twilight said with a frown.

"Ohh its okay... I will find out how to get back at you..." I said while I looked around the room. "Dang Twilight... It looks like you managed to fit the whole town in here..."

"Ya. The party was Pinkie Pie's idea. She has a thing for throwing parties for new ponies who she meets." Twilight smiles. "She did the same for me when I came to Ponyville."

"I see..." As I was about to make my way to the food. I heard someone yelling. Shortly after the yelling I heard music. More importantly; I heard a deep bass. The kind of bass that only subwoofers can make. I turn to look for Twilight. Hoping she might be able to help me with something. "Hay Twilight!" As I looked for her. A pink pony jumped at me out of nowhere. "Hay Pinkie Pie! Thanks for the party!" I tried to make my voice heard over the music.

"You're welcome! Hey James... This is your party! Why aren't you dancing!?" Pinkie Pie yelled.

"I'm not much of a dancer! I'm more of a drinker!" I laughed.

"A drinker!? Well I can help you with that! Follow me!" Pinkie Pie said, as I followed. "Here we are! We have plenty of punch to go around! It's also Gummies favorite!" Pinkie Pie gave me a big smile.

"Thanks Pinkie Pie." As I laughed. "I am going to look for Twilight. I will get back to the punch later!"

"Okay silly! Just remember to have fun!" Pinkie Pie gave me a smile as she walked off.

I continued to walk around looking for Twilight. Around five minutes I gave up looking for her. I made my way back to the table with the food; after all I was still hungry. I grabbed a cupcake off of the table and started to eat it.

"Well howdy partner! You seem to be doin better!" A familiar voice said.

"Applejack?" I turned to see Rarity and an orange pony next to her.

"Yes siry! You are looking much better!" Applejack smiled. "You should come bobbing for apples with us! It will be fun!"

"No thanks, I am fine." As I finished off my cupcake.

"Come on now... I'm not taking no for an answer!" Applejack walked behind me and started to push me.

The party continued for two hours, before ponies started to leave. To my surprise; I had a lot of fun. I went apple bobbing with Applejack and Rarity. I played pin the tail on the donkey with Fluttershy. Pinkie Pie seemed to dance and indulge herself with sweets. Twilight seemed to have vanished at the start of the party. I haven't meet Rainbow Dash yet, so I don't even know if she was here. I stepped outside to get some fresh air. As I closed the door behind me. I saw Twilight talking towards me.

"Hey Twilight! Where have you been!?" As I waved at Twilight.

"Hey James. I just went out to get some of the apples we needed." Twilight looked at me with excitement.

"And that took you over two hours?"

"Well no... I also went to look for Rainbow Dash. She was going to come, but she never did." Twilight started to look worried.

"Well she probably had something to take care of. How about I go get my gun and show you how it works." As I pointed at the door. "Its inside. Let me go get it. I will only be a second." I made my way up the stairs to get my gun. I put my holster on and slid the gun in the holster. I made my way back outside to Twilight. "I am ready when you are. It will be best to go in the forest to do this."

"Okay. We can go back to that small clearing where you crashed." Twilight smiled.

"Sure. That's a good place." I followed Twilight into the forest. As we made our way to the clearing. An eerie feeling came over me. It might have been the skies. The overcast seemed to turn darker as we progressed. "Twilight. You mind giving me the apples?" As we passed the tree line into the clearing.

"Sure." Twilight smiled while levitating the apples out of her bag.

"Thank you." I grabbed some apples. "Wait here. I will go put them on the wing so we can shoot them." I made my way to the wing and gently placed the apples down. As I made sure they would not roll off. I made my way back to Twilight. "Okay. I am going to do a little safety lesson for you. So just listen."

"Okay!" Twilight sat on the ground and gave me a smile.

"This is nothing more than a tool." I released the magazine and put it in my pocket. I slide and lock the action back to retrieve the chambered round. "This is a bullet. In short a small explosion propels the projectile out of the barrel." I looked at Twilight to make sure she was listening. When I was satisfied; I continued. "Never point the business end of the gun towards anything you don't want to lose." As I pointed to the end of the barrel. I walked close to Twilight and showed her the gun. "You line up the front sight with the back. When you are comfortable in its position. You may fire and hope you hit your target." I place the bullet I had in my hand into the barrel. I let the action slide forward. "Now cover your ears Twilight and watch the apple." I pointed the gun towards the apple with both hands. As I flipped the safety off; I placed my finger over the trigger. I gently squeeze the trigger and BANG! The apple shattered in a million paces.

"That was amazing!" Twilight started to clap her hooves together. "Can I try!?"

"Sure." I locked the action back and pulled the magazine out of my pocket. I slide a round out of the magazine and put it in the chamber. I released the slide and held the gun to Twilight. The gun glowed purple as it floated in the air.

"Okay..." Twilight said with a stern look on her face. "Line up the front sight with the back." Twilight waited for a few seconds. She looked at me with a sad face. "Nothing is happening..."

"Squeeze the trigger." I said while I laughed.

"Right!" Twilight turned to the gun. Again lining the sights. Her magic gently pulled the trigger. She fired the gun. "Ahh!" I could only watch as my gun flew backwards in the air.

"Close..." I tried my best not to laugh at her. "This time don't let it fly off like that. You now know what to expect from it." I slid another round out of the magazine and chambered it. "You where close. You showered the apple in sparks. Try again."

"Okay." Twilight once again levitated the gun in front of her. She took aim again and fired.

"Nice shot!" I looked on at the apple, as it spun around and fell off the wing.

"Can I do it again!?" Twilight started to clap her hooves again. "That was fun!"

"No... No more. I don't have much ammo for shooting." I watched as Twilight floated the gun closer to her. "Hey James... What are the markings on the side of this say?"

"It is a quote from a man in our history.  I am the punishment of God; and if you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you. My father had it engraved after that gun saved his life." I gave Twilight a smile.

"Can you tell me more?" Twilight continued to look at the gun.

"I'd rather not... It's not the best of stories in my life that I'd like to share." As I walked towards Twilight. I was interrupted by loud roar. I looked in the direction of the noise. "Twilight! Get down and cover your ears." I said while I grabbed the levitating gun. I pulled the magazine out of my pocket and slit it into the gun. I slid the action to chamber the round and aimed it towards the noise. As the bushes started to move more and more. I aimed the gun at the ground and fired two round. I aimed back towards the trees.

As the noise got closer. A large animal jumped out and started to charge at me. Time seemed to grind to a halt as adrenaline filled my body. I quickly observed while time seemed to stop. I realized that whatever that thing was. My 9 millimeter was not going to stop it. At that moment I realized. I quickly aimed my gun at my wreckage. I fired a round. It grazed the Sidewinder on the wing. I fired again and hit my target. My world then went blank as I rag dolled in the air.

"James! James are you okay!?" Twilight yelled franticly. "James!"

"I'm fine!" I yelled while opening my eyes. With a loud ringing in my ears. "What happened. What was that thing?" I asked while I sat up on the ground.

"It was a Manticore. It ran away when that fireball appeared. Next thing I knew. You where flying in the air!" Twilight continued to watch me. "Are you okay?"

"Ya I am fine. Just a little sore... "I stood up as every bone in my bode ached. "It seems to be getting late. Can you help me get back to my bed?"

"Sure. "Twilight walked over to me. As I put my hand on her back to stabilize me. I heard a voice behind me.

"That was so awesome! How did you make that ball of fire!?" The voice said. I turned to see a light blue pony with a rainbow colored mane and tail.

"Rainbow Dash?" I asked

"Ya! Howdya know?" Rainbow Dash had a puzzling look.

"The mane and tail are a dead giveaway." I laughed.

"Hey..." Rainbow Dash looked at my with a worried look. "Do you need help?"

"That would be great." I gave Rainbow Dash a smile as she helped me as best as she could.

We made our way back to Twilight's. Both Twilight and Rainbow Dash helped me into bed. I took off my boots and laid back in the bed. I dozed off to sleep while hearing Twilight and Rainbow Dash talk about what happened. My world went black as I fell asleep.