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Displacement

by hornethead

Chapter 11: A New Ally And Maybe Some Forgiveness

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Chapter 11: A New Ally And Maybe Some Forgiveness

James made the day and a half hike back to town with out much difficulty. He did not stop often to rest and continued through the next night, using his NVGs to help guide him through the forest in the stygian darkness. He encountered the timber wolves again, but they kept their distance, yellow eyes flashing at the edges of his vision before finally moving on. James made good time and eventually came to the edge of the wood early morning. He paused there, wondering what he should do next. He needed to go check on his gear back at the old farm, but he also needed to apologize to the kind mares who had made him feel welcome in this strange and impossible land.

James decided to go to the library and see Twilight, since he knew that's where she was likely to be. Aside from Applejack and Rarity, he had no idea where the rest might be and Twilight was also the closest. He stashed all of his gear into the rucksack, except his pistol, putting it back in his side pocket on his thigh. Entering town, he casually strolled down the street, most ponies not even giving him a sideways glance as they went about their day. He was glad. James never liked attention. Usually, it ended up in him getting shot at.

He entered the market place and watched the bustle of activity around him. He could get used to this if he really was stuck here. It really wasn't so bad. James had left all his bits at home, not having any use for them in the forest, they would have just been deadweight. He could see the top of the leafy library over the cluster of buildings that made up store fronts and businesses so he decided to cut through the alley ways that ran between them. James was about half way through when he heard what sounded like a scuffle coming from around a corner. He flattened him self against the wall and poked his head around the corner. The young warrior saw two pegasi being confronted by two earth ponies and a disgustingly familiar brown pegasus with a yellow streak through his mane.

"Why don't ya just let the little retard give us the package?"

The thug was addressing a matte black coated pegasus stallion, his flank marked with a shield set against a background of translucent green rays, with one eye already staring to swell, and a silvery gray, short cut, mane and tail who was planted defensively in front of a gray pegasus mare with a blonde mane and matching tail carrying some bags. There was something a bit off kilter with her honey hued eyes.

"Why don't you just leave her alone, she's done nothing to you. And where the hay do you get off, ganging up three to one?"

"You're here aren't ya? Seems fair to me. But why don't you step aside and save us the trouble, we can take the package and be on our way."

The blonde mare scowled at the ringleader, "It's NOT yours! I need to deliver it!"

"Why don't you shut up and fork it over, or do we have to force you?!" One of the earth ponies yelled.

"I won't let you lay one hoof on her!" Exclaimed the silver maned pegasus, his good green eye shifting between the gang ponies before him.

"That's it, I don't have time for this!" Lightning, for it WAS that scuzzball, motioned forward with a wing to his subordinates. They started to move towards their victims.

James had seen enough. He stepped out around the corner.

"HEY, ASSHOLES!"

The five snapped their heads in his direction.

"Oh it's YOU again."

"This doesn't seem like much of a fair fight."

"Oh yeah? Well then maybe you would be willing to take his place?"

"Ha, I still don't think that would be fair the way you dickheads fight. Why don't you go get about five or six of your buddies, that might even it out. Hell, you might even land a punch this time. Oh hey! Nice to see you again! How's that healing?" James finished, waving to one of the earth ponies that had a line of stitches down one of his hind legs. The pony flinched at being greeted so casually by the creature that wounded him with his own knife.

"Hmpf, you ain't worth the the time." James stepped aside as the three trotted past him and down another alley.

Now with the threat taken care of, James turned to the other two. "You both ok? Any other injuries besides that eye of yours?"

"N-no I'm fine. How about you Ditz?" The stallion looked to the mare now beside him.

"No, I'm ok. Thank you for helping us sir!"

"Call me James. Who would you two be?"

The black stallion answered. "My name is Emrald Flash and this is my cousin Ditzy." He said, extending a wing over her shoulders. "Ditz, why don't you get that delivered, I'm going to go take care of this eye."

"Ok Emmy, see you later, and be careful please." She took off haphazardly and flew away.

"Is she gonna be ok? I mean, they didn't hit her or nothing, did they?" James asked.

A mask of anger took over the stallion's face. "No, they did not hit her! She had an accident when she was younger...."

James understood almost immediately, "Woah! Calm down, I'm sorry, ok. I understand."

Emrald Flash took some deep breaths before speaking again, "Yeah, yeah... sorry for snapping at you like that. It's just.... people tend to think she's...."

"She didn't seem stupid to me. You're a good cousin defending her like that. C'mon, I'm on my to a friend's place, I'll get ya some ice there Mr. Flash."

"Thanks, my place is kind of a walk from here, and I can't trust myself to fly with this eye. And please, just call me Flash." He extended a foreleg and James grasped and shook it. The two new acquaintances stepped off to the library.

"So, why did those rotten apples take off when you showed up? You stopped them without even fighting!"

"We've met before. Only the last time wasn't so civil."

"You're THAT guy? I heard all about that! Hey, do you think you could teach me?"

"Teach you what?"

"How to fight like that!"

"I dunno. I'll think about it. What do you do around here Flash?" James asked, trying to get off the topic.

The stallion looked a bit down trodden at this. "Uh, right now I'm sorta in between jobs. I still work, but it's just odd jobs around town to get by."

"I see..." he didn't pursue the issue.

Soon, they arrived at the library, James opening the door and ushering Flash inside.

"Twilight, it's James, I need to talk to you!"

"Hold on!"

James recognized Spike's voice coming from the upstairs. Sure enough, a moment later he descended to the main room, claws scritching against the wood.

"Hey James, Twilight went to Sweet Apple Acres with Pinkie. Woah, what happened to your friend?"

"He just got hurt helping someone out. Think I could grab some ice for his eye?"

"Sure thing, I'll go get it." The purple dragon ran into the kitchen in back and after a moment returned with a claw full of ice wrapped in a small towel.

"Thanks," said Flash gratefully. He took it from the scaly assistant and held it against his swollen eye with one hoof.

"Oh yeah, you got a letter from the Princess this morning! Nopony but Twilight's gotten a letter from the Princess like this!" Spike handed over a sealed scroll to James.

James opened the scroll, using his finger to break the seal, and read it.

'James, I hope this finds you in good health. I have authorized the training of three of my Day Guard and three of Princess Luna's Night Guard. They shall arrive in three weeks. In the mean time, I have sent a detachment of Royal Engineers to build a barracks and training facility to your specifications. Fifteen ponies of this company shall arrive in less than six days. Their point of contact will be Captain Iron Horn. They are also instructed to build a private quarters for yourself. I have pronounced you Commander of the newly created Royal Special Tasks Group and as such have made you a citizen of this fine country. You shall answer to, and take orders from myself and my sister, Princess Luna, only. In addition, I shall be providing you with a monthly stipend of five hundred bits. My blessings upon you and your new command.'

- Princess Celestia

'Damn, that was fast. The brass back home could take a few lessons from her. Says she also made me a citizen apparently. I wonder how that's gonna work out.'

James folded up the parchment and stuck it in his pocket.

"Thank you Spike. I'm heading over to Rarity's real quick. If I miss Twilight and Pinkie, please tell them I'm sorry for being harsh with them. I didn't mean it, and they didn't deserve that."

"No problemo dude."

"Flash, you feeling good enough to get back home?"

"Yeah, I should be good now. The swelling's gone down, thanks to you and Spike."

"Hey Flash, why don't you stop by tomorrow morning. I'll be at Sweet Apple Acres, just ask Applejack or Big Mac where I am if you can't already find me."

"Does this mean you'll teach me how to fight?!"

"Maybe. Just come find me and we'll see."

"Alright!"

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*knock knock knock* James softly knocked on the door to Carousel Boutique. After a moment of silence, he tried the door. Finding it unlocked, he entered.

"Hey, Rarity, I wanted to stop by to--"

"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE, RUNNING OFF AND SCARING US ALL LIKE THAT! WE WERE ALL WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOU! NOW WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO SAY FOR YOURSELF, MISTER!?"

James was almost thrown backwards by the loudness of the voice. Standing before him was a visibly pissed off Fluttershy and a Rarity wearing red horned rimmed glasses over an expression of total surprise behind her. All around lay strips of fabric and pieces of different outfits. James tried to shake the ringing from his ears. It was almost like being shell shocked.

"Ahhh, ahhh, damn. Yeah, I'm sorry about that, I was a little messed up and needed some alone time. I'm sorry. Next time, could you please not worry so loudly? Damn, most explosions aren't that loud." He muttered that last sentence to himself while still holding his head.

"Oh, I'm sorry. We just didn't know if you were injured or if you were even coming back, please don't be mad." She was back to her usual subsonic tone.

"It's fine, it's fine. Rarity, are you mad to?" James asked, bracing for another outburst.

"No no, I think we're all cleared up here. On a lighter note, I've completed your new clothes just last night, there is a room in the back where you can try them on."

"Thank you, I will."

James went to the back room she had mentioned, briefly getting startled by a random white cat jumping from out of no where, and saw a neatly folded stack sitting on a table in the corner. He picked up a set and unfolded it, finding a nice red, long sleeve button down shirt with a gray undershirt folded inside. Beneath this was pair of black slacks, almost like dress pants, but more casual. Not bad. He quickly jumped out of his uniform and tried them on, noting that he probably should have washed first. He DID just get back from almost five days in the woods. Needless to say, the clothes fit almost perfectly. They were a little tight in some places, it wasn't as if the talented seamstress had had much practice designing clothes for humans. Still, they were quite comfortable.

He took off the new set of clothes and redressed in his uniform. James bundled the stack up and placed it in his rucksack before returning to the main room. Rarity was on the opposite side now, focused on something, while Fluttershy was frozen in an uncomfortable looking pose, an unfinished dress resting on her form.

Without looking up, Rarity asked, "How do you like them?"

"Love 'em. It's good to have a few extra sets of clothing."

"Yes, and now you don't have to wear that dreadful ensemble all the time."

"Yeah, it can be pretty uncomfortable sometimes. Rarity, do you think you could make another outfit for me? I would pay for this one of course."

"Of course."

"I need a uniform almost exactly like the one I'm wearing. Only instead of these colors," he gestured to the desert camo pattern, "I need it to be in alternating shades of black and green. Maybe even a little brown. Also, I need it made of a durable fabric that can resist wear and tear."

"Ugh, why would you want me to make something so ugly?" Her delicate face showed a slight hint of disgust.

"Please, it's important. I'll also need six other versions of that uniform, but fitted for stallions."

"And how, exactly, would you pay for all this?"

"Can you keep a secret?"

She nodded.

"Seriously, I don't want this going around. That means you too, Sweetie Belle!"

He heard a small 'eep' from the top of the stairs.

"This is for a special task force that your princess is putting together. She asked me to help out."

"You mean I'll be working on Royal commission!?" Her eyes grew wide and a smile appeared on her face.

"Yes, that you're not allowed to talk about."

"Oh, right. Wait, when did you talk to Princess Celestia?"

"That's not important. Well, I need to get going. Thank you again for the clothes Rarity."

"No, thank YOU for the extra business."

James went to leave, but Fluttershy stopped him when she saw two bloody holes in his pants leg.

"James, wait! What about your injury? Doesn't it hurt?"

James threw a smile over his shoulder and lifted the garment up a little to expose the site of his previous injury to show it was healed.

"Nah, I'm good now."

He resumed his step out the door, leaving a rather befuddled yellow pegasus behind him.

*sigh*

Now it was time to head to the farm. James wasn't looking forward to this. He didn't know how the other girls were going to react to him after he had snapped and walked out on them when they had tried to comfort him. It wasn't something he wanted to think about. And if Fluttershy, the quietest person... er, pony he knew was anything to judge by, it was not going to be pleasant.

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He heard it coming before it happened. He was on his way down the dirt road that ran towards the farm when his ears picked up the faint whistling. There was only one pony that could be hurtling towards him at that high velocity. He knew what was about to happen and he deserved it after the way he had treated her. So instead of taking a stance to defend himself, he loosened his muscles, relaxed and removed the rucksack from his shoulders, preparing to take the blow.

*WHUMP*

Something tackled James from behind, sending him into a tumble across the ground. When he came to a stop he was flat on his back and pinned down by an absolutely livid rainbow maned mare staring laser beams at him.

"'Sup."

She responded to him with a smack across his face.

'Fuck, those hooves hurt!'

"Ow."

"What the hay is WRONG with you!?"

"A great many things, Miss Dash."

"I'm not done!" She emphasized this with a hoof to his chest. "What were you thinking taking off like that when we were just trying to help you, when I was trying to help you?" She almost seemed to be on the verge of tears. "Don't you know I- we care about you?"

"Yes, and you all have every right to be upset and I'm sorry. Sometimes I'm just not entirely rational. In my defense, I've never really had good people skills, or pony skills. I guess. Anyway, can you forgive me for talking to you like that? And maybe the running off into the woods as well?"

She huffed, "We'll see."

"Well, at least it's a start. Can I get up now?"

"Fine." She grumbled, moving aside.

James sat up and brushed himself off. Then he picked up his rucksack and cover from where they had fallen. He re-shouldered his pack and dusted off his cap before replacing it on his head.

"Alright. I still have Twilight, Applejack and Pinkie Pie to talk to. Shall we?"

"Fine." She was still upset.

'Three down, three to go. This is shaping up to be quite a day.'

Next Chapter: A Return To Some Normalcy Estimated time remaining: 12 Hours, 35 Minutes
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