MetBoy's Collected Shortsby MetBoyChaptersTo Be Great And PowerfulDear Sage AdviceSeaddle Weather ScheduleDryTo Be Great And PowerfulThere. Yes, there. Ponyville's Clock Tower would be the place, and high noon the time. The timing was critical; after Twilight Sparkle and Rarity had been taken out, the monster was hunting openly, by daylight. Yesterday, the thing had attacked Ponyville Elementary, and most of his unicorn classmates had been drained. The monster HAD to be stopped, even- Yes, even if. He wasn't known for his speed of thought, but he had seen, and brought his slow, carful thoughts to bear on the task. He now knew how the monster could be stopped, and the Clock Tower would provide the means. By now the monster was too hungry to think, and probably didn't realize its own weakness. The storefront had a view of the Clock Tower. Nopony blocked his sight; all were hiding from the beast. It was just past 11:30, the bell just having rung. Figure five minutes to get there, five minutes for the monster to find him... He should leave at 11:50, which was just 5 minutes from now. Snails nodded to himself, gathering what little courage he had. He opened the door, and bolted. On reaching the platform under the clock mechanisms, Snails leaned his head out the window, panting heavily, recovering from the unaccustomed run. Normally this time of day he'd be setting in- Yes. Snails moved to the middle of the room, where he could be easily seen through any of the four arched openings in the walls. "Come on then," he said aloud, struggling. His efforts were rewarded by first flickering, then a full lighting of his horn, to attract the magic-eating monster, "Here I am, today's lunch!" It didn't take long for the monster to show up, climbing the wall of the Clock Tower, its claws digging into the stone. Snails could hear its heavy breathing as it hauled its mass up to the arched opening. He glanced up at the machinery behind the massive clock, the biggest in Ponyville. The black paw surmounted the window frame, causing Snails to back up to one the opposite corners. "Come on," he whispered as the monster pulled itself onto the platform. "COME ON!" This time the words were shouted, and the creature leapt at him, in a combination of hunger and pain. *BOOOOOONG!* At the first striking of the bell the monster's eyes crossed, crashing into Snails, but not tearing into its lunch. *BOOOOOONG!* With the second striking of the bell the monster twitched and spasmed, like it had when Sweetie Belle had yelled at it. Before the monster had recovered, but- *BOOOOOONG!* This time the noises weren't stopping, and the noises were louder still. *BOOOOOONG!* The monster might be screaming, from the way its mouth was open. *BOOOOOONG!* Snails couldn't tell. *BOOOOOONG!* All he could hear was the ringing of a bell, a noise designed to carry all the way to Sweet Apple Acres. *BOOOOOONG!* It took him time to dig himself out from under the monster, so the young unicorn wasn't looking closely at it as it writhed in pain. *BOOOOOONG!* All Snails thought this could do was to stop the monster. *BOOOOOONG!* He had given up hope of saving the first victim. *BOOOOOONG!* So he was astonished to see the pitch black starting to waver. *BOOOOOONG!* Starting to dissolve away, fading, and revealing its former host. *BOOOOOONG!* A unicorn, laying still on the platform Silence. Snails moved over, poking one hoof at the fallen form. He was rewarded with a groan, but... With all that had happened, Snails was too bruised, in body and soul to be charitable. "Oh Snips. I know you wanted to be great and powerful too, but that wasn't the way," he said, weary. Dear Sage AdviceYour Daily Dose of Sage Advice Dear Sage Advice, I’m going to the Everfree Northwest convention for the first time this year! While I’m excited about going to my first convention, I’ve heard something about a ‘Con Crud’ that happens. What is this Con Crud, and how can I avoid it, while still enjoying myself? Thanks, -Social in Seaddle Social- Fear not, my follower, for while the Con Crud can be a formidable foe, just following some simple tips will fend the fiend off, freeing you to frolic with your friends. “Con Crud” is a catch-all term for any ailments picked up at a convention, as well as the physical and emotional exhaustion that is the natural result of intense activity. With so many ponies coming from so many different places they unknowingly bring germs that others haven’t been exposed to before, ready to attack the suppressed immune systems resulting from exhaustion. To avoid this you need to keep your immune system energized, and do your part to stay healthy. Before you leave your hotel room there are three things you should do: •Get enough sleep. Yes, any convention will have loads of stuff for you to do, with so much to see, and you’ll be so excited you won’t want to close your eyes... but those things will still be there in the morning. Eight hours of sleep is ideal, but make sure you get at least six hours in. •Keep your body clean. Either a shower or a quick bath, every day, will keep you smelling fresh and prevent even invisible unhealthy build-up. Your fellow convention attendees will thank you. A summertime convention means you will be sweating more than you’ll notice, but the activity levels of any con mean you’ll perspire. •Take your vitamins. Bring vitamins with you, and take them as directed. This will boost your immune system. Once you get to the convention, there are three more tips to follow. •Remember to eat. Yes, money and time are likely to be tight, but eating something will keep your blood sugar up, and keep you from being tired and cranky. If you can’t carve out the time for three square meals, at least get some healthy snacks, like crackers or an apple or two, that you can carry with you. •Drink plenty of water. Most conventions have plenty of water coolers set up for your convenience, so make good use of them. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty; by the time you feel thirsty you’ll already be getting dehydrated. •Wash your hooves. Whenever you use the necessary, before you leave, make sure to wash your hooves, or talons, paws, or other manipulating appendages you have. This will help prevent the spread of the germs that cause the Con Crud. So just follow these little tips and you’ll be able to enjoy a happy and healthy convention! -Sage Advice Seaddle Weather ScheduleFive Day Weather ARTISTIC DREAMS, WEATHER TEAM FOREPONY Friendsday: Morning rain, changing to scat- tered showers with sun-breaks, repre- sentative of the fickle nature of fate and chance. Clear overnight. Canterday: This day will host a showing of my latest cloud sculpture, featuring an epic rendition of Discord’s fall versus the Elements of Harmony, best viewed from above. Below, grey overcast all day, reflecting the grim nature of finite existence. Sunday: Bight sunshine and achingly beauti- ful blue skies, unless I feel inspired. Moonday: Fog in the Morning, followed by afternoon light drizzle, with an abrupt, five-minute downpour around 2:37PM Hoovesday: In an essay on pony's inequin- ity to pony, before noon will be clear and sunny, followed by a hailstorm for the lunch hour, then clear and sunny until 5PM, followed by a downpour until sunset. Dry“Nopony could remember a time when it had rained so hard.” The words hung in the gloom of the library’s basement. “Ah, that’s horse apples.” “No, the statement is accurate, if misleading.” Twilight Sparkle looked at her friends with a smile. Applejack had evaluated the statement in terms of its honesty, but Rarity generously found something positive to say about it. “Eh, kinda. But not the way I’d describe week three of a dry spell,” Applejack replied. “Well, they should have the cloud machines in Cloudsdale fixed soon,” Twilight added. “And Princess Celesita’s fever broke, so she should be able to control the sun again soon.” “While I’m glad Princess Luna could help, I’m afraid she doesn’t have her sister’s finesse with the sun,” Rarity added. Applejack nodded. “And until we get more rainclouds, we all need to keep cool to save on water we drink.” As if on cue, the alarm clock next to Twilight went off. The unicorn silenced it, saying, “But we still need to drink.” She and Applejack each took a mouthful of water from the bottles next to them. Room temperature, but so good. Rarity shrugged, saying, “I’ll drink if I’m thirsty.” While she had intended to share her water ration, this statement earned her a hot glare from Applejack. “Sugarcube, you can’t depend on that. Drink. Now. I tried that once when I was younger and woke up in the barn, having fainted from dehydration.” Rarity seemed a bit taken back by Applejack’s vehemence, but drank a mouthful from her own bottle. Twilight smiled to herself. The exchange had gotten Applejack off worrying about her farm, and worrying about Rarity. Applejack couldn’t do much for her farm right now, except stand out in the orchard and sweat.
To Be Great And PowerfulThere. Yes, there. Ponyville's Clock Tower would be the place, and high noon the time. The timing was critical; after Twilight Sparkle and Rarity had been taken out, the monster was hunting openly, by daylight. Yesterday, the thing had attacked Ponyville Elementary, and most of his unicorn classmates had been drained. The monster HAD to be stopped, even- Yes, even if. He wasn't known for his speed of thought, but he had seen, and brought his slow, carful thoughts to bear on the task. He now knew how the monster could be stopped, and the Clock Tower would provide the means. By now the monster was too hungry to think, and probably didn't realize its own weakness. The storefront had a view of the Clock Tower. Nopony blocked his sight; all were hiding from the beast. It was just past 11:30, the bell just having rung. Figure five minutes to get there, five minutes for the monster to find him... He should leave at 11:50, which was just 5 minutes from now. Snails nodded to himself, gathering what little courage he had. He opened the door, and bolted. On reaching the platform under the clock mechanisms, Snails leaned his head out the window, panting heavily, recovering from the unaccustomed run. Normally this time of day he'd be setting in- Yes. Snails moved to the middle of the room, where he could be easily seen through any of the four arched openings in the walls. "Come on then," he said aloud, struggling. His efforts were rewarded by first flickering, then a full lighting of his horn, to attract the magic-eating monster, "Here I am, today's lunch!" It didn't take long for the monster to show up, climbing the wall of the Clock Tower, its claws digging into the stone. Snails could hear its heavy breathing as it hauled its mass up to the arched opening. He glanced up at the machinery behind the massive clock, the biggest in Ponyville. The black paw surmounted the window frame, causing Snails to back up to one the opposite corners. "Come on," he whispered as the monster pulled itself onto the platform. "COME ON!" This time the words were shouted, and the creature leapt at him, in a combination of hunger and pain. *BOOOOOONG!* At the first striking of the bell the monster's eyes crossed, crashing into Snails, but not tearing into its lunch. *BOOOOOONG!* With the second striking of the bell the monster twitched and spasmed, like it had when Sweetie Belle had yelled at it. Before the monster had recovered, but- *BOOOOOONG!* This time the noises weren't stopping, and the noises were louder still. *BOOOOOONG!* The monster might be screaming, from the way its mouth was open. *BOOOOOONG!* Snails couldn't tell. *BOOOOOONG!* All he could hear was the ringing of a bell, a noise designed to carry all the way to Sweet Apple Acres. *BOOOOOONG!* It took him time to dig himself out from under the monster, so the young unicorn wasn't looking closely at it as it writhed in pain. *BOOOOOONG!* All Snails thought this could do was to stop the monster. *BOOOOOONG!* He had given up hope of saving the first victim. *BOOOOOONG!* So he was astonished to see the pitch black starting to waver. *BOOOOOONG!* Starting to dissolve away, fading, and revealing its former host. *BOOOOOONG!* A unicorn, laying still on the platform Silence. Snails moved over, poking one hoof at the fallen form. He was rewarded with a groan, but... With all that had happened, Snails was too bruised, in body and soul to be charitable. "Oh Snips. I know you wanted to be great and powerful too, but that wasn't the way," he said, weary.
Dear Sage AdviceYour Daily Dose of Sage Advice Dear Sage Advice, I’m going to the Everfree Northwest convention for the first time this year! While I’m excited about going to my first convention, I’ve heard something about a ‘Con Crud’ that happens. What is this Con Crud, and how can I avoid it, while still enjoying myself? Thanks, -Social in Seaddle Social- Fear not, my follower, for while the Con Crud can be a formidable foe, just following some simple tips will fend the fiend off, freeing you to frolic with your friends. “Con Crud” is a catch-all term for any ailments picked up at a convention, as well as the physical and emotional exhaustion that is the natural result of intense activity. With so many ponies coming from so many different places they unknowingly bring germs that others haven’t been exposed to before, ready to attack the suppressed immune systems resulting from exhaustion. To avoid this you need to keep your immune system energized, and do your part to stay healthy. Before you leave your hotel room there are three things you should do: •Get enough sleep. Yes, any convention will have loads of stuff for you to do, with so much to see, and you’ll be so excited you won’t want to close your eyes... but those things will still be there in the morning. Eight hours of sleep is ideal, but make sure you get at least six hours in. •Keep your body clean. Either a shower or a quick bath, every day, will keep you smelling fresh and prevent even invisible unhealthy build-up. Your fellow convention attendees will thank you. A summertime convention means you will be sweating more than you’ll notice, but the activity levels of any con mean you’ll perspire. •Take your vitamins. Bring vitamins with you, and take them as directed. This will boost your immune system. Once you get to the convention, there are three more tips to follow. •Remember to eat. Yes, money and time are likely to be tight, but eating something will keep your blood sugar up, and keep you from being tired and cranky. If you can’t carve out the time for three square meals, at least get some healthy snacks, like crackers or an apple or two, that you can carry with you. •Drink plenty of water. Most conventions have plenty of water coolers set up for your convenience, so make good use of them. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty; by the time you feel thirsty you’ll already be getting dehydrated. •Wash your hooves. Whenever you use the necessary, before you leave, make sure to wash your hooves, or talons, paws, or other manipulating appendages you have. This will help prevent the spread of the germs that cause the Con Crud. So just follow these little tips and you’ll be able to enjoy a happy and healthy convention! -Sage Advice
Seaddle Weather ScheduleFive Day Weather ARTISTIC DREAMS, WEATHER TEAM FOREPONY Friendsday: Morning rain, changing to scat- tered showers with sun-breaks, repre- sentative of the fickle nature of fate and chance. Clear overnight. Canterday: This day will host a showing of my latest cloud sculpture, featuring an epic rendition of Discord’s fall versus the Elements of Harmony, best viewed from above. Below, grey overcast all day, reflecting the grim nature of finite existence. Sunday: Bight sunshine and achingly beauti- ful blue skies, unless I feel inspired. Moonday: Fog in the Morning, followed by afternoon light drizzle, with an abrupt, five-minute downpour around 2:37PM Hoovesday: In an essay on pony's inequin- ity to pony, before noon will be clear and sunny, followed by a hailstorm for the lunch hour, then clear and sunny until 5PM, followed by a downpour until sunset.
Dry“Nopony could remember a time when it had rained so hard.” The words hung in the gloom of the library’s basement. “Ah, that’s horse apples.” “No, the statement is accurate, if misleading.” Twilight Sparkle looked at her friends with a smile. Applejack had evaluated the statement in terms of its honesty, but Rarity generously found something positive to say about it. “Eh, kinda. But not the way I’d describe week three of a dry spell,” Applejack replied. “Well, they should have the cloud machines in Cloudsdale fixed soon,” Twilight added. “And Princess Celesita’s fever broke, so she should be able to control the sun again soon.” “While I’m glad Princess Luna could help, I’m afraid she doesn’t have her sister’s finesse with the sun,” Rarity added. Applejack nodded. “And until we get more rainclouds, we all need to keep cool to save on water we drink.” As if on cue, the alarm clock next to Twilight went off. The unicorn silenced it, saying, “But we still need to drink.” She and Applejack each took a mouthful of water from the bottles next to them. Room temperature, but so good. Rarity shrugged, saying, “I’ll drink if I’m thirsty.” While she had intended to share her water ration, this statement earned her a hot glare from Applejack. “Sugarcube, you can’t depend on that. Drink. Now. I tried that once when I was younger and woke up in the barn, having fainted from dehydration.” Rarity seemed a bit taken back by Applejack’s vehemence, but drank a mouthful from her own bottle. Twilight smiled to herself. The exchange had gotten Applejack off worrying about her farm, and worrying about Rarity. Applejack couldn’t do much for her farm right now, except stand out in the orchard and sweat.
