The Barrens of Old Equestria
Chapter One: Ponyville Mechanic
The wind flapped across the desert, kicking up sand in sheets that blew up in the eyes of the curious figure making it's way toward the town of Old Ponyville. As the sun abused him, he stopped in his tracks for a moment to wipe the sweat from his face with a hoof. Upon seeing the dusty town, his first though was how badly he desired a pair of goggles, and that acquiring a pair of them was on the top of his priority list.
A loud train whistle blew as he stepped into the building with a sign on top that read "Ponyville Mechanic". A rustic orange mare turned to him with a look of surprise on her face at the sight of not only a new pony in town, but a customer also.
"Well howdy there," She started in a thick country drawl, still a little wide-eyed. "What can I do for ya?"
Looking around the shop, the beige stallion saw several steam-driven brass limbs laying around on shelves, either to replace those lost out in the Barrens of Old Equestria or simple as utility 'Add-ons'. The shopkeeper had one herself, an old mechanical arm that branched off of her back and was currently holding a finely polished revolver.
"Well hello there, Miss...?" He asked, cocking a brow softly.
"Applejack." She replied with a nod of her head, one hoof reaching up to dip her Stetson politely.
"Applejack." He nodded in return. "My name's Bandoleer, and I need money. So who should I see about doing some odd jobs around town?" This brought a thoughtful look upon her face, and she looked at her feet briefly.
"I do have somethin' that needs doin'." She said after looking back up to meet Bandoleer's gaze. "Ya see, I was buildin' a big 'ol machine to cool it down a mite down here, but it's become too dangerous fer me to travel up the mountainside alone. If you come with me I might just be able to finish that project, and I can pay you purty handsomely fer yer help, too." She looked the newcomer up and down. "Whaddya say?"
He ruffled his dark brown mane up with a front hoof. "Of course I'll help, but why exactly is it so dangerous?" Bandoleer asked, his curiosity piqued. "Why can't you go by yourself?"
"Because," She sighed with aggitation. "There was rumors of some Changlin's hidin' out 'n nestin' in them there caves, so the Princess forbade me goin' 'n' workin'." Her mechanical arm reached out toward Bandoleer. "Here, yer gonna needa take this to defend yerself, hon." She dropped the six shooter in his hoof as she passed him on her way to the door. "Let's go talk to the Princess, she'll be expectin' ya already anyhow." The train whistle sounded again as she stepped outside into the dusty streets.
"Wait, what do you mean she's expecting me?" Bandoleer asked, puzzled as he trotted up beside her, the sand once again lashing at his face as he stepped out of the cool of the shop into the unforgiving sun. It mixed with his sweat and scored his forehead, leaving him with an annoying stinging pain. "I just got here."
"Well yeah, but she knows when there's a newcomer around. She is one of the last unicorns unaffected by the Storm. Her 'n' her sister Luna are the only two we know of." They continued up the street, through the dilapidated town. It had been nine years after the freak sandstorm that tore through most of Equestria and turned it into a baking desert. Just about everypony had managed to carry on, but life was not only made more difficult by the change in climate, but also by the near loss of magic. Ever since the Storm, Unicorns began to become weaker and weaker, to the point where all of ponykind had to rely on science over magic. Now nearly all ponies were equally tied down. A large number of the pegasi were crippled during the Storm, and more still lost their lives or their wings defending their homes from invasions of desert creatures.
"Well that's gotta be great, right? Having two Princesses who can use magic as much as they like right here in town." He said to Applejack, causing her to tense up a bit.
"Now you watch yer tongue." She stopped and looked up to where the thriving, luxurious city of Canterlot used to be, high above current Old Ponyville. It was now New Canterlot, comprised of the royal castle and the rebuilt and intact portions of the city. It had fallen from it's perch above the valley and slammed into the earth below it, both destroying the land around it and most of the city itself. "We all lost somethin' that day. So you'd better show some respect, newcomer. Bits can't replace everything." She turned back to Bandoleer, one eye watery and bloodshot, the other covered with a black eyepatch. Her voice quivered as she spoke, and she visibly shook before him.
His face was red before from his long walk through the sand, but now it's shade deepened as a wave of shame washed over him. He reached up and rubbed the oily stubble on his face and then fixed his own hat. "I'm uh... Sorry about your eye, Ma'am." He apologized awkwardly. Her hat had been in her face before and he'd missed that little detail.
"My eye? I don't give two flyin' bucks about my buckin' eye!" As she swore her drawl became thicker and thicker. Her chest heaved back and forth as she breathed, trying to calm herself down. "Let's just git to the castle." She grunted and turned back toward New Canterlot with a brisk pace. They trudged through the sand for another hour or so until they finally reached the gate to New Canterlot. There were some guard ponies mounted in a crude tower beside the gate, armed with high powered rifles, and two more behind the gate. They were eagerly staring down their sights, and it made Bandoleer uneasy. They were tired, sore all over, and in desperate need of bathing. The stress showed in Applejack when she spoke up. "I got a newcomer here, the Princess'll wanna speak to 'im so let us in!"
As the closest guard pony stepped to the gate mechanism, his full iron helm shined in the white light of the sun. "Oh yeah? What makes you so sure?"
"Are you kiddin' me? Princess Celestia always needs to talk to newcomers. It's her request!" She stomped, aggrivated.
"Well if you want this gate open, you're gonna have to make it worth our while, if you know what I mean." Chimed in a second snooty guard pony.
Applejack turned to Bandoleer with a look of rage on her face that rivaled the heat of the sun. Her green eyes flared with violent intent and he now feared for his life even more than before. She turned back to the guard and sighed. "Alright, you win big guy. Let us in." The tower ponies lowered their rifles and the gate hissed with steam that felt amazing on their faces as it was released into the air. Gears began to grind and clank and the intricate gate parted down it's center.
As soon as the gate had opened enough for them to cross through, all four gate guards grabbed Applejack and roughly pulled her into the guard tower. "Hey, watch them hooves!" She shouted, offended as the door slammed shut. Now Bandoleer stood there, confused and alone inside the huge, empty city.