//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Flying solo...sort of. (Introducing James) // Story: The Adventures of Leon Nexus // by Leonexus //------------------------------// Chapter 3 - Flying solo...sort of. (Introducing James) Leon sat in the remains of his campsite, saddlebags strapped to his back in preparation to leave. Within his bags he carried some provisions, the ancient artifacts book, and a map of Equestria. I guess this is it. He thought. He rose and turned to exit the forest, and found Luna waiting for him. “Are you certain you wish to do this?” She asked. “It’s not a matter of want, I have to go.” Leon responded. “But must you go alone? Surely your friends must’ve offered to come with you..” Leon chuckled, ”Oh they offered alright.” --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earlier that day ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leon had asked his four friends, Moonlit Chord, Twilight Sparkle, Snow Flash, and Spike the dragon, to meet him in the library for an announcement. The four of them believed he may have found something to help him on his mission. The five of them had sat around a large a table in the center of the library. When he had told them he was leaving, all the excitement seemed to drain from them, leaving an awkward silence.         Twilight was the first to break the silence, “How long have you been planning this?” She asked.         “Ever since Princess Luna told me to come here.”         “So you were planning on leaving, whether you made friends or not?”         “To be honest, I didn’t want to make friends for this exact reason...Makes it harder to leave, and yet it has also further deepened my belief that I have to. Because now, I have something more to protect from Nexus.”         Moon waved a hoof, “Yeah, yeah, whatever. So, when are we leaving?”         Leon blinked, “We?”         Moon gestured to the group, “Yeah, we’re going with you, duh.” The others nodded in agreement.         “Um, no. None of you are coming with me. You saw what happened last night, I can’t afford to let that happen again.”         “But you’re ok now aren’t you?” Snow asked.         Leon sighed, “ Not as long as he’s still here.” Leon pointed at his head.         “Which is why we should come with.” Twilight said. “If something does happen and no one is there to stop you, then what?”         Leon shrugged. “Then I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen anywhere populated.”         Moon slammed her hooves on the table. “Damn it Leon! You know you’ll need help!”         Leon rose up, slamming his hooves on the table, glaring at Moon, “AND YOU KNOW HE’D KILL YOU IF GIVEN THE CHANCE!” Leon let out a shaky breath. “I can’t give him that chance. So, I’ll say it again, I’m going alone.” He sat back down, looking to each of them.         Twilight cleared her throat. “Actually, I think I have a plan for a compromise.”         Leon raised an eyebrow. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         “This is your plan?” Twilight had taken Leon to Fluttershy’s cottage hoping a pet would work as a traveling companion.         “Just give it a shot alright.” Twilight knocked on the door.         There was the sound of some commotion as a voice answered. “Hold on, I’ll be right there!” The door opened revealing a red unicorn with a black mane, and tail. With what looked like a blue ribbon for his cutie mark.. “Hi there.”         “Umm, hi? Where’s Fluttershy?”         “Oh, she went into town to get some more food for the animals, so I’m here making sure they behave.” A loud crash sounded from behind him. He sighs,  ”Anyway, what can do for you?”         “He needs a pet. A good traveling companion.” Twilight said, motioning to Leon. “So, I’ll leave you to it.” She turns around and heading back to her castle.         “Well, if it’s a pet you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place. My name’s James by the way.” He smiles, lifting a hoof.         Leon shook his hoof. “Leon. So, let’s see what you’ve got.”         “Right this way.” James lead them around to the backyard and gestured to wide variety of animals. “I’m sure someone here will be just what you’re looking for.”         Leon looked around for a bit, taking into consideration each animal he came across.         Dog? Nah, to loyal to leave if I told it too. Hmm...Maybe the cat? The cat in question rubbed up against his leg, purring. Nope too lovable. He gently pushed it aside with an apologetic smile. “Say, James.” Leon turned to the pony to find him sitting down in the grass, looking out at the horizon as the sun started to set. “Umm, James?”         James sighed. “Even the sunsets feel the same here, makes me wonder if…” He stopped as he heard Leon approaching. “So, you pick one out?”         “Actually I was wondering if you could give a few suggestions.”         “Oh! Sure, follow me.” James rose from the grass and started pointing out animals as they walked, leaving Leon to wonder just what the mumbling could have meant. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Present time -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         “So, what did you end up with?” Luna asked.         Leon smiled. “I ended up with this little guy.” He reached into his mane, pulling out a small grey bat wearing a hoodie. The bat in question was currently sleeping, curled up on his hoof. “I decided to call him Echo.”         Luna giggled. “A fitting name, although wear did the hoodie come from?”         “No idea, but he likes it, so I’m not going to take it away from him.” Echo slowly woke up, stretching his wings before slowly rising into the air, stopping near Leon’s head. “Whoops look like we woke him.” The bat let out a tiny yawn and perched on Leon’s horn. “Anyways, the last train out of Ponyville is leaving soon, and I don’t want to miss it.” Luna nodded, “I won’t keep you any longer then, but I will ask that you keep me informed about your travels. Speaking of which, where exactly are you headed?” “I’ve been doing some research, and it turns out there’s a pony in Manehatten that just might be able to help.” “Well, I wish you safe travels, and will eagerly await your letters.” Leon nodded, and headed to the train station. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------         Once he arrived at the train station, he noticed four familiar ponies, and a dragon, waiting for him. Twilight, Spike, Moon, Snow, and even James had come to see him off. Although James seemed to be more of giving Echo a send off than Leon.         The two boarded the train as it started to move forward, waving good-bye as they went. Once Ponyville was out of sight, Leon laid back in his seat, glancing up at the bat still perched on his horn. “Well, looks like it’s just you and me from here on out.” Echo gave a small nod, as Leon smiled at him.