Chapter 6
After having a 10 minute flight to Canterlot, Jon was finally able to get back on the ground, out of an open-ended carriage.
"Come, let me show you around." Princess Celestia said.
Jon started following after her, looking at all of the tall towers of this royal city. The windows were lined with gold, and the sidewalk was very clean, despite it being autumn and leaves falling off of the trees.
Jon followed the Princess around for a good 20 minutes, mouth agape in awe most of the way.
"And this is the castle, where we have a room prepared for you."
"You-I have a room?" Jon asked, rather awkwardly.
"But of course, you'll be staying here for 2 or 3 days, you'll need a place to sleep."
The conversation continued as they entered the front gates of the castle. Passing the garden, a few butterflies crossed the sidewalk, landing in the flower bed on the other side.
"This place really is something." Jon said, looking left to right at the tall spires of the castle.
"Don't you have buildings like this back on earth?" Princess Celestia asked, looking down at Jon.
"Yeah, we have castles, but I've never seen anything like this, but for the city being built on the side of a steep mountain, it would've collapsed as soon as they laid the concrete."
"I see."
About half an hour later…
After a brief tour of the castle, Jon and the princess walked up a long winding staircase, eventually finding that it led to a room in the top of one of the many spires of the entire castle.
"This will be your room." Princess Celestia said, looking down at Jon.
"Are you sure we have the right room?" Jon said, taking a couple steps in, chuckling.
"Yes, I'm certain" she said, smiling, "Dinner is in 2 hours. Before then, feel free to do whatever."
"Will do." Jon said, staring out the window at the excellent view. Fountains forming a semi-circle just inside the front gate, the garden, in the shape of a diamond, was the best garden he's ever seen. Royal guards are beginning their shift, and others are circling above. Looking hard to the east, Jon saw Ponyville, with the giant tree library, and the 5 windmills standing guard, straight and tall around the town.
A knock on the door made him jump. He turned around and saw that the Princess was standing in the doorway.
"Sorry to frighten you, but I have a scholar here, his name is Fray. He's been reading up on you, and he's found out that you'll be here for only 5 years, and-"
"Hold up! 5 years!? I-What!?" Jon said, not believing his own ears.
"Yeah. But the thing is, the faster you make friends, the faster that time will pass. Anyways, Tek-Halitkus Ra will be here in 7 years."
"So? Bring be back in two years. Problem solved."
"I wish it was that easy. The thing is, is that it takes 5 seconds on your world for 1 year to pass. You'll be gone for 25 seconds on earth, so don't worry."
"That would've been nice to know right before I was struck by the lightning."
"I understand. But, the only way that we could make sense of this is to increase this spell. But, that would increase your time away to 35 seconds, and that endangers the fact of other pon-people stepping right where you were, thus sending them here. The only way to stop that is to send you to a different spot, but that takes a lot more energy."
"I… see?" Jon stutters, still not believing that he has to stay here for more than 5 years.
"So, we'll see what we can do. And when the time comes, we'll try to help you as much as we can." Princess Celestia explained.
"So, could I get some explanation on why I'm here for over 5 years?"
"That's why I'm here." A voice from behind the princess said, "After reading up on it, you're basically radioactive."
"I-I'm radioactive? Why? Doesn't that kill everybo-pony that comes near me?"
"Well, you aren't that radioactive. You have a half-life in this world of 5 years. After that, you just fade back into yours. The amount of radiation is enough to roast a drop of water, but not enough to kill."
"Ok. So… is there any way that you can help me make this time go faster?"
"Make some friends. After you're done with your training, of course." Princess Celestia said, and she walked out and closing the door.
"Make… friends? Is this all a big thing to help me get some friends? I was doing fine." Jon said, laying on the bed, asking if his food could be brought to his room. After eating, he went to sleep.
5 Years
That phrase bounced around in his head for uncountable hours. But before he finally went to sleep, the moon was high in the sky.
In the morning…
The sound of the bugles down below marked dawn. Day 4 in Equestria, day 4 of being a pony, day 4 of wanting to get back home.
"Rise and shine! Time for breakfast." A tall, muscular looking unicorn said while pushing open the door to his room.
"Who are you and –yawn- why are you here?" Jon asked, wanting to fall back asleep.
"I'm your training coach, my name is Shining Armor. I'm here to teach you combat." Shining Armor explained, "Now, let's get breakfast." And he walked out of the room.
"Figures. It's 6 in the morning." Jon estimated in his head. The gray was long gone from the sky.
Jon walked off to training.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
I have a 3 day weekend this weekend, so I'll TRY to get atleast 1 per day there. Stayed up until 11 messing around with everything. And, this is the longest chapter so far. (955 words;not including the author's note)