A Broken Clock

by ThatGirl2147

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Sad, Original Character, Tragedy
Length: 9052

A heart is the hardest machine to fix. That won't stop a master artificer's apprentice.

Broken Heart is a reclusive master artificer. He and his friend, Rhyme Buster, own a small machine shop in Bittsburgh. All Heart wants is to be left alone to his own machinations, But Rhyme doesn't think that's any way to live. Follow them as they rediscover what it means to be alive.

Co-written with TheCookieWookiee (http://www.fimfiction.net/user/thecookiewookie) Go check him out.

Published 2014-02-25 22:30:04 UTC
Last updated 2014-03-14 08:31:50 UTC

Prologue

It was a cool spring day in Bittsburgh. The sun shone brilliantly and the wind was warm. Ponies welcomed the warm weather as a healthy change of pace from the frigid Winter months.

A light tan Unicorn Stallion, trotted down the sidewalk. A microphone and cord adorned his flank, and a similar design decorated his saddlebag. His braided mane of white and blue moved with the breeze and his jade eyes gleamed. He sang as he walked.

“Hoof, hoof, steppin’ on the concrete. Click click clack, as I’m goin’ down the street. Passing greets to the ponies on the way. Oh my me, what a wondrous day. Here we are, whoah that was fast. Home sweet Home, I’m here at last.”

He stood before a small, two-story building near the street corner. The ground floor was a small shop, its windows and doors constructed from steel-reinforced glass. Painted on a window was “Tick Tock Teck,” the shop’s name. Surrounding the name was a small list of things sold by the shop: Clocks, Watches, Steam Engines, All manner of technological marvels. The door was painted with the store’s weekly hours and a sign that read “Come in, we’re Open.”

“Hey, B!” Shouted the stallion as he entered the store, his baritone voice resonating throughout the room. The walls were lined with clocks and shelves which held standing clocks. The counter was glass, and in it were displayed models of much larger steam engines and other power sources. Behind the counter was a steel door. “B! Where are you?”

A few seconds later, the door swung open to reveal Broken Heart, a slate gray Earth Stallion with a long, wavy black mane and tail to match. His hazel eyes were hidden by a pair of glasses with circular lenses, and he wore a rawhide leather coat that covered his back legs. On his left forehoof he wore a watch with a platinum band. “I’m here as always, Rhyme,” said he in a low tone. “What’ve you got for us today?”

The tan stallion’s horn began to glow green as a small cylindrical gemstone floated out of his saddlebag to the counter. “Straight from the Crystal Empire; power that old stallion’s clock for centuries.”

As if on cue, the bell rang as an orange Pegasus Stallion in a pressed pinstripe suit entered the store. His short gray mane was greased back and his face bore a small gray goatee. “Good day, Gentlecolts,” greeted he in a high, classy voice.

“Right on time, Moneybags,” said Rhyme. “We were just finishing up your order. B?”

Heart trotted through the steel door, and re-emerged moments later, pushing a large, wooden grandfather clock on a cart to the counter. He removed the back plate of the clock and placed the crystal into a terminal that held the the pendulum. The crystal started to glow as he closed the clock. The pendulum then began to move back and forth, bringing life to the mechanism.

“It’ll last for years or more, if taken care of, Sir,” stated he as he moved the clock toward the front door. “1250 Bits sounds like a fair deal.”

The Pegasus reached into his pocket and produced a pocketbook, quill, and ink can. He wrote the necessary information on a cheque, tore it away, and gave it to Heart. “There you are,” said he, “though I must know, what exactly was that stone you put into this clock to power it?”

“Magic crystal,” answered Heart. “Imported from The Empire. Their crystals emanate an energy similar to Unicorn’s magic. Scientists have discovered that it can be used as a power source for just about anything.”

“It’s a valuable commodity in the modern marketplace,” added Rhyme. “But we’re still the only shop in town who actively works with it.”

The Pegasus nodded. “Fascinating,” mused he. “I thank both of you gentlecolts sincerely. Say, can you assist me in getting this to my carriage?”

The ponies agreed and carted the clock outside and loaded it into Moneybags’ stagecoach. “Thank you, once again,” repeated he. “I’ll be in touch. I may consider franchising your little shop. Good Day!” He then boarded his carriage and his chauffers set off.

As they watched the carriage, the ponies idly conversed. “You think he was serious about wanting to franchise?” asked Rhyme.

Broken Heart shrugged. “Probably just wants us to be nice to him. You know, give him discounts and all that. I’ll be back; I gotta go cash this.” He then went to put the cheque in his pocket.

“Don’t worry about it.” Rhyme took the cheque and placed it in his own saddlebag. “I’ll take care of it. I’ll bring back some take-out.” As Heart nodded, the tan stallion trotted off down the sidewalk. “Goin’ to the bank in the nice Spring heat,” rapped he. “Gonna get some cash then get somethin’ to eat. Thinkin’ ‘bout what we’d like for lunch. Somethin’ quick, somethin’ good to munch.” His musical thoughts were then interrupted by a high, raspy voice behind him.

“There’s a sandwich shop a block from the bank; best egg salad hero I’ve had in my life.”

Startled, Rhyme turned to see a light emerald green Earth Mare with royal blue eyes, freckles, and a gray dew rag covering her short, rose pink mane. Her smile faded as she saw the stallion’s face. “Sorry,” apologised she, blushing, “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

Rhyme sighed, then smiled again. “No problem, My Friend. Gotta pay more attention to my surroundings, I guess.” The pair then began walking beside one another. On the mare’s flank was a steel rivet gun and a few rivets. “Got a name, Miss?”

“Rosy Rivet,” answered she. “I’ve seen that shop you hang out in front of before, but never had the nerve to go in. Who owns that place?”

Rhyme snickered. “Would you believe me if I said I own it with a friend?”

Rosy shrugged. “Can’t assume anything, so I’d believe it. What do you do?”

The stallion began to sing again. “I guess I’m the mascot of the store. That’s what I perform in front of it for. Bustin’ rhymes, it’s my favourite game. Makes sense ‘cause Rhyme Buster’s my name.”

The pair continued to converse as Rhyme cashed the cheque at the bank, and entered the sandwich shop Rosy recommended. “Order yours to go; we can eat at the shop,” said he. Carrying the three sandwiches on his back, the pair set for Tick Tock Teck.

“So,” began Rosy nervously, “since you own the place, are you, you know, the boss?”

Rhyme Buster shook his head. “I do more of the day-to-day stuff: sales, advertising, customer service. The real brains of the operation is my buddy, Broken Heart. He builds everything, allocates the cash, and more or less runs the place. He’d be the one to talk to. Why?”

“Well, umm, I’ve been seeking an apprenticeship. Yours is the best machine shop in the city, so I figured I’d try there first.”

Rhyme laughed. “Came to the right place; B is the best there is with technology. Goin’ straight for the gold, that’s good. Ambition, Rosy; that’s what you need to thrive in this modern economy.”

As the pair talked, they reached the shop and entered. “Hey, B!” called Rhyme. “Got some great news, B!”

Broken Heart emerged from the steel door behind the counter. “What is it, Rhyme?” As he saw the green mare, he felt his heart skip a beat. “Who is she?” demanded he.

“This is Rosy Rivet,” answered the tan Unicorn. “A young aspiring artificer. She wants to learn from the best, so I brought her here.”

Heart shook his head. “I don’t do students,” said he flatly.

Rosy’s mood dropped as she asked, “but, but why?”

“It’s nothing personal,” stated Heart. “I just don’t teach. Sorry to waste your time.”

“Sorry,” apologised Rosy in tears as she took her sandwich and left the shop, head hung low.

Chapter 1

“Now just what in the hay was that all about, B?!” Rhyme Buster threw his hoof in the direction of the door as Rosy Rivet walked away from the shop.

Broken Heart’s expression remained unchanged. “I don’t teach,” stated he, “I never have. I can’t.”

“Well why not? You the best there is,” shouted Rhyme. “It’s just selfish keepin’ all that knowledge to yourself. Plus, what happens when you gone? Will everything you know die with you? Nopony last forever, you know!”

Heart ran a hoof through his black mane. “What does it matter?” asked he. “Somepony, somewhere, probably knows all I know and more right as we speak. Why won’t ‘Rosy’ go annoy him?!”

A look of confusion and disgust covered Rhyme’s face. “Is that all she is to you, B? An annoyance?” He shook his head. “That’s ice cold. You heartless, B; straight heartless.”

“I guess I’m heartless in both senses, then,” answered the gray stallion, venom in his voice. “That reminds me: I’ll be back.” He then retired to the store’s back room.

Rhyme rose a confused brow. “Both senses?” repeated he. “What you talkin’ ‘bout, B?” He thought for a minute or two before his eyes widened in realisation. He then began pounding his hoof on the door while shouting, “B! I’m sorry, B! I forgot about that!”

His knocking went unanswered until, after five minutes, he gave up. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, B!” Shouted he through the door. “I gotta take care of some things, so I’ll be takin’ the rest of the day off.”

The next morning, Broken Heart woke up in his bed, on the second floor of the shop. The walls and carpet of his bedroom were a light tan colour. The room was clean and everything seemed to have a place, from his books on their case to his notes and written projects on his desk. The only sound in the room was the ticking of a clock, though no clocks were visible.

He slowly got up and walked out of the room into the hallway. The carpet and walls of the hallway matched Heart’s room, and only two doors stood on either side, with a staircase at the end. Heart went down the stairs and opened the steel door at the end, onto the store’s main floor.

Rhyme Buster stood before a Pegasus Mare, telling her about a watch that was extremely impact-resistant. “Drop it from a roof, it’ll be okay,” rapped he. “Keeps tick tick tockin’ the seconds away. Couldn’t break the thing, even if I tried. It’s always along for the ride.”

“You’ve swayed me,” replied the mare to the song. “I’ll take four; gotta equip my whole Weather Team with these.”

Rhyme nodded. “Cool, cool,” said he. “We got two in stock right now. We can have two more for you by tomorrow. In the meantime, two hundred bits for the two we got.”

The mare agreed and paid for the two watches. “I’ll be back around the same time tomorrow. Later!” With that, she departed.

Broken Heart sighed. “I’ll get on that,” said he half-heartedly.

“You a’ight, B?” asked Rhyme, clearly concerned for his friend.

“I’m fine,” replied Heart with a snarl. “I can get those watches done in a couple hours. But, we need to go pick up some more of that shock-absorbing foam, as well as some other stuff; we need to restock.”

As Heart spoke, two more ponies entered the store. “Look, B,” said Rhyme, “I’ll take care of orders for today if you can get a list together of what you need. Cool?” The gray stallion agreed and went back up the stairs while Rhyme talked to the customers.

In the hallway, the room across from Heart’s bedroom was the stockroom. The stallion entered the room and sat down at the table in the centre. Surrounding the table were countless plastic drawers filled with various metals, plastics, and tools, each drawer labeled precisely. On the table lay a green notebook labeled “Inventory,” a few assorted notepads, several quills, and an ink can. As heart looked through the inventory book, he scrawled numbers and materials on a notepad to denote what was needed.

After twenty minutes, Heart was finished with his list. He went back to the shop floor to see that Rhyme had done a list of his own. “Got another order for a steam engine for a boat. Customer needed it by next week.”

“Next week?” questioned Heart. “I can’t build a steamboat engine in a month if that’s all I focus on. He’ll have to wait longer.”

Rhyme shook his head. “You too overworked all by yourself, B. We need to hire some ponies, help you out.”

“No we don’t” replied Heart. “I can take care of it; it’ll just take more time than the customer thought possible.”

“If we told every customer walks in here that, we’d be out of business before you could make your bed.” Rhyme put his list down and began to sketch on it as he explained. “Now, think about it. The more ponies we have working here, the quicker we can work, thus increasing our efficiency and output. The more efficient we are, the more customers we can serve at a time, and the more money we can make per day. Now, take into account the average wage of a full time employee, and we still making a decent profit.”

Heart nodded in understanding as Rhyme explained to him. “How many would we have to hire to make the additional cost of salary negligible by the additional revenue?”

“Depends on the revenue,” answered Rhyme Buster with a shrug. “No real way of accurately predicting how efficient an employee will be; too many variables. What say we just start with one worker, part-time, and see where that goes?”

Heart gave a shrug as well. “I guess,” agreed he. “Can’t lose too much from one part-time employee, I guess. Who are we going to hire?”

“I got somepony in mind,” answered Rhyme. “Hey, trade me lists. I’ll do the shopping while you do what you can with those watches and engine.” As they exchanged lists, Rhyme left the store.

Rhyme trotted around the shop to the back alley where a small cart lay, chained to a steel bike rack. Using a key from his saddlebag to unlock the chain, Rhyme hooked himself up to the cart and towed it out into the street.

He purchased the metal on the list in the form of scraps from a local junkyard. He stopped by a hardware store to pick up bolts, rivets, and other small fasteners. He placed a tarp over his cart to hide its contents as he stopped outside a sandwich shop. “Could use a drink,” mused he to himself as he entered.

The shop was clean, and modestly populated. Rhyme walked up to the counter at the far end of the store where he was greeted by a red Unicorn Mare. “How can I help you, Sir?” Said she with a smile.

“Tall glass of iced tea,” requested Rhyme Buster. He placed two bits on the counter and slid them to the mare.

“Right away,” replied the waitress. She filled a glass with fresh tea and ice, then gave it to Rhyme Buster. “Enjoy!” She then approached another customer.

The tan stallion ran a hoof through his mane as he took a drink from his glass. “Drinkin’ drinkin’ tea, that is ice ice cold. Refreshin’ as it’s goin’ right on down my throat.”

“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” asked a voice Rhyme recognised as belonging to Rosy Rivet.

Rhyme turned to see the green mare standing next to him at the counter. “What can I say? I’m a natural. What you doin’ here, Rosy?”

Rosy shrugged. “Just hanging out, I guess. Might see if they’re hiring here.”

With a smirk, Rhyme Buster replied, “so you lookin’ for a job?”

“Yeah, why?” The green mare rolled her eyes. “That other stallion already said he doesn’t need an apprentice.”

“True, true,” agreed Rhyme. “But, the shop could use some extra hooves if you’re interested. Nothing stopping you from watching him while the both of you work.”

Rosy nodded. “That makes sense. When can I start?” asked she with a bright smile.

“Today, if you’ll have it.”

Rosy’s smile widened. “I’d love to!” She shook the stallion’s hoof rapidly. “You won’t be sorry!”

“Awesome,” said Rhyme with a nod. He finished his drink and led Rosy out to the parking lot. “And, your first task as employee is to help me cart this back to the shop.”

The pair hooked up to the cart and were off, reaching Tick Tock Teck in less than fifteen minutes. They secured the cart at the back of the shop and carried the supplies in.

Inside the workshop sat Broken Heart, assembling several watches at once. The stallion looked up and saw the pair. “Glad you’re back,” said he hurriedly. “Rhyme, can you pass me the foam, and then put away the various scraps and things?” He then pointed to Rosy. “You? You know how to assemble a fob watch?”

“No problem,” answered Rosy as she sat down across from Heart, who slid her a couple cases with several gears and screws.

Chapter 2

“Here’s the engine you commissioned, Sir.” Rosy Rivet rolled a steam engine out to the floor on a cart to Merchant Marine, a faded blue Earth Stallion with a gray mane, tail, and beard. “We can deliver it to the marina for you.”

“That would be excellent,” replied the stallion with a smile. He produced a pocketbook and pen from his saddlebag and filled it out. “Here you are,” said he as he placed the cheque on the counter. “Three thousand, five hundred and fifty bits, as agreed upon.”

Rhyme Buster placed the piece of paper in the cash register. “Thank you for your Patronage, Mr. Marine,” said he gratefully.

Rosy looked to Rhyme. “I’ll bring the carriage round, and we’ll load it up and get moving.” Rhyme nodded as the green mare trotted out of the store.

The pair loaded the engine onto the cart and were on their way to their destination, Bittsburgh Marina, with the buyer leading the way. “Say, Rosy,” said Rhyme as the pair trotted. “This has been a real productive week with you around. I’m gonna talk with Big Boss B about gettin’ you on full-time.”

Rosy looked at Rhyme, her face beaming a large smile. “Really?” said she in disbelief. “That’s great! You won’t be sorry!”

The three ponies soon arrived at the marina. Boats of all shapes and sizes occupied the docks, and many were out on the lake. The ponies made their way to a boat shed on the foot of the lake. “I’ll get the door,” said the blue stallion. He unlocked the large garage door and pulled it open, revealing an empty dry dock, save several tools and a stack of lumber.

“Nice place you got here,” commented Rhyme Buster. “But where’s your boat?”

Merchant tapped his hoof on the stack of wood. “Right here.” said he with a smile. “I’m going to build the boat around the engine, right here in dry dock.”

The tan stallion nodded. “Lofty choice of action, but a pretty solid plan.” He and Rosy then placed the engine where Merchant Marine directed, bid him farewell, and headed back to the shop.

The floor of the shop was empty. “I’ll go check on Heart if you can watch the counter,” said Rosy to Rhyme as she trotted through the steel door.

In the workshop, Broken Heart sat, working on a large pile of watches. “Glad you’re here,” stated he, not looking up from his work. “We got 27 different orders for watches, and then we have to go to the train yard and upgrade an old steam engine.”

“Train yard?” questioned Rosy with a raised brow. “Doesn’t the train yard have engineers that can do all that stuff?”

Heart shrugged. “Apparently they aren’t up to par on modern steam power,” answered he. “So, we need to go up there and educate them.” He then picked up a partially-assembled watch. “In the meantime,” continued he, “we should get these done.”

Rosy nodded. The pair worked in silence for several hours, the only sounds in the room being their tools on the metal, and one ticking clock, each stroke amplifying in volume in Rosy’s ears. “Is one of these things on?” asked she, mildly frustrated.

Heart shook his head. “I didn’t wind any of them,” said he without looking up.

“Well, do you have a watch or something?”

As Rosy finished her sentence, Broken Heart slammed a hoof against the steel table, causing everything on it to jump, along with Rosy. He threw off his leather coat, revealing a freshly stitched scar over his chest. He took a small blade and cut the stitches and pulled the scar open with his hooves, the ticking getting louder as he did so. Underneath, where his sternum would be was instead a brass plate with screws on either side. “Take a good, long look!“ screamed he. “I got sick, and now I’m a monster! A heartless machine!”

The green mare stood in shock for a few seconds. She shook her head rapidly to shake off nausea. “A mechanical heart?” asked she as she observed the brass piece. “That’s brilliant!” She walked around the table to get a closer look. “Who put it in?”

“It doesn’t matter,” answered the gray stallion. “It’s late; you should go home and get some sleep.”

“Don’t you need help with that?” Rosy pointed at the stallion’s open wound.

Heart shook his head. “I can handle it; I’ve handled it for years. Go on; get out of here.”

The following morning, Rosy Rivet awoke in her bed. Her room was a drab tan colour. She pushed her mane out of her eyes as she looked about her room. Beside her bed was a box of books, and near her window was a stereo, a stack of records, and headphones.

She got out of her bed and walked to a small wooden vanity next to her closet. She tied her mane behind her head with a black band, and donned her gray dew rag. She put on her saddlebags and then walked out into the main room.

The living room was the same colour as Rosy’s bedroom, but much larger and more sparsely occupied. A small couch stood in the centre of the room with an end table on either side, one of which held a radio. Four doors covered the walls, and the kitchen was connected to the living room by a small wall.

On the sofa sat a lavender Earth Mare with a short, straight, blue mane with a few gray streaks. Her eyes were a deep magenta colour, and she sat resting her head on her hoof, listening to classic rock on the radio.

“Morning, Mom!” greeted Rosy with a smile. “Want some breakfast before I head out to work?”

The mare turned to Rosy. “Oh, no, thank you,” replied she a tired, soprano voice. “I’m just going to pick up some coffee on my way to work. You can make something if you want, though.”

Rosy shook her head. “I’m not too hungry; just wondering if you were.” She then walked out the main door, saying as she left, “I’ll see you later!”

The walk to Tick Tock Teck was short, and Rosy arrived in less than half an hour. Rhyme Buster stood outside the shop, rapping to a small crowd of ponies.

“Tick Tock Teck is the place to go,” rapped he, “when you aren’t too sure, but you want to know. ‘Bout technology that is, common or unique. This place is modern science, at its current peak.”

A couple Unicorn Stallions decided to walk into the shop. Rhyme led them in, singing to them all the while. “Come right in, I’ll show you around. Best deals, best tech, best in town.”

Rhyme finished talking to the ponies and then greeted Rosy. “What’s good, Rosy?”

“Just about everything,” replied Rosy. “Say, is Heart here?”

The tan stallion shook his head. “Left for the train yard ‘bout half an hour ago. Told me to tell you to join him soon as you could.”

Rosy nodded, and then turned towards to door, but stopped before she left. “Before I go,” said she, turning to face Rhyme, “I just wanted to say that I had the weirdest dream about Heart last night.” She then continued, “Well, I was here working in the middle of the night with him, and there was this loud ticking noise, like from a big clock. I asked about it, and he just ripped open his own chest and revealed some kind of mechanical heart.” Rhyme nodded as she spoke. “Weird dream, huh?”

“Weird indeed,” replied the stallion, “but not a dream.” Rosy turned her head in confusion. “I came in early this morning, and he told me that exact story.”

Rosy’s eyes went wide. “So his metal heart’s real?!” questioned she, completely aghast.

“Real as you and me,” replied Rhyme.

“Well what happened?”

Rosy’s question caused the Unicorn to shrug. “All’s I know’s what he told me, and what he told me was that when he was younger, he came down with some crazy serious heart disease. His death was assured until he, being the tech whiz he is, came up with that device to replace his failing heart. That may or may not be all to the story, but it’s all I know.”

The mare nodded, musing out loud. “I see. That’s horrible, but cool at the same time.” She shook her head to clear her thoughts. “Uh, I should get going, help him out at the train yard. See you later, Rhyme!” With that, she was out the door.

Rosy arrived at the train yard in little over twenty minutes. The tracks led into a massive warehouse, where the sound of welding and other tools drowned out most other noises.

The mare entered the warehouse and saw Broken Heart in a small room with two other ponies in hard hats, all of whom stood around a table covered with blueprints. Rosy entered the room, and was greeted by the ponies.

“Rosy; good to see you,” greeted Heart. “Come over here; go over the plans with us.”

After a few minutes, Rosy understood the project fully. “Right,” said she, observing the blueprints. “Should I grab a welder and get to work?”

One of the other ponies led her out to the train engine and gave her a rivet gun. “Know how to use one of these?”

Chapter 3

“Three weeks, and we already doubled net gain for the shop!” Rhyme Buster looked up from the stack of cash he was counting. Rosy Rivet and Broken Heart stood before him, the former smiling brightly.

“That’s great!” beamed the green mare. “What are you going to do with all that extra money?”

Rhyme laughed. “I think a bonus is in order for the pony whom we can thank for this increase in revenue. Don’t you think so, B?” When Heart nodded, the tan stallion slid a stack of money to Rosy.

Rosy counted the money before her, her expression growing more and more aghast. “That’s a thousand bits,” said she in disbelief. “Are you sure that’s right?”

“Yeah,” answered Rhyme. “With all the work you’ve put in these past few weeks, you’ve earned it. Go on home, Rosy; it’s late, and we can take it from here.”

“Wait,” said Rosy. “Why don’t we all go out for a nice dinner? I’d be more than happy to cover it.”

The two stallions nodded. “Sounds good, Rosy,” said Rhyme, “but there’s no need for you to pay all round. In fact, we should be treating you.”

“I agree,” added Heart. “We do owe it to you.”

Rosy shrugged. “I guess we can discuss this at the restaurant. I was thinking The Boat House?”

Rhyme Buster shrugged. “Lofty choice,” remarked he. “Not many ponies get a table without a reservation, but it’s worth a shot.” He gave Heart a stack of the money, and put the rest in the iron cash register, locking it as he closed it. “I got a suit I’ve been looking to break in.”

Rosy nodded. “I’ve got to get something from home, too. Meet up there?” Everypony agreed, and went their separate ways.

Rhyme Buster arrived at his apartment in very little time. His apartment lie on the third floor of the complex, with two windows overlooking the street. The apartment’s layout was standard, with standard wall and carpet colours, and almost no decor. His bedroom was completely different, though: posters of various famous rappers covered the walls and doors, and a large stereo system covered the parts of the walls that had no posters.

Rhyme opened his closet door and got dressed. He donned a black undershirt, a dark gray, pinstripe suit coat, matching cape, a white tie, and a white fedora with a black band. He looked in the mirror inside his closet and nodded. “I should be a Pegasus,” said he to his reflection, “because I am fly!”

The tan stallion walked at a leisurely pace towards the marina, where The Boat House stood. He arrived in about an hour’s time. The restaurant had two floors and many open-air areas full of tables, including the roof. The building offered an excellent view of the lake, which was dotted with reflections of stars and lights from the surrounding city.

He was met by Rosy Rivet, who wore a white work shirt with the sleeves up, a black vest, and a long black coat. She looked over Rhyme’s outfit and commented, “you look like a mobster.”

The stallion gave a chuckle. Before he could reply, he noticed Broken Heart approaching the restaurant. His outfit was no different, save a red rose in his right lapel.

He looked at the two ponies, then turned his attention solely to Rosy. “You clean up nice, Rosy.” He then turned to Rhyme. “You look like a mobster.”

“That’s what I said!” replied Rosy with a laugh.

The trio shared a laugh. “Well,” began Heart, “we should get in; see how long the wait is.”

The three ponies entered through the main door, where a pale orange Pegasus Stallion stood at a podium. “Three,” said Rhyme to the pony. “How long’s the wait? Hour? Two?”

The Pegasus shook his head. “You came at a good time,” said he. “The wait for a table’s only 35 minutes. In the meantime, the bar’s open.” He then pointed a hoof in the direction of the bar, in the far corner of the restaurant.

“You are old enough to have a few drinks with us, right Rosy?” teased Rhyme Buster with a smirk.

Rosy hit Rhyme’s side with her hoof. “I’m twenty-six!” replied she with a laugh.

The ponies sat down next to one another at the bar, where the bartender, a blue Earth Mare, greeted them. “What’s your poison?” asked she with a smirk.

“Brandy, all around.” Rhyme Buster didn’t miss a beat as he replied.

The mare nodded and prepared three glasses of the dark golden spirit. Rhyme paid for the round. “Go ahead, Rosy,” said he, “it don’t bite, too much.” He then laughed at his joke.

Rosy looked at the liquid in the glass. She then gave a shrug and took a large gulp of it. In a second’s time, her eyes widened and she coughed. “Whooh!” shouted she. “That’ll clear your sinuses!”

The tan stallion laughed. “It’s 120 proof, Rosy,” said he between breaths. “You sip it.”

Broken Heart gave a small smirk. “You okay, Rosy?”

The mare nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine,” replied she. “Just wasn’t prepared for a glass of paint thinner.” The trio shared another laugh. When they finished their brandy, Rosy paid for a round of drinks. “Porter, all around,” said she to the bartender.

Broken Heart admired the flavor of the dark beer. “Nice and rich,” commented he. “Good choice, Rosy.”

“And it won’t buck you in the chest,” said she in response.

Heart nodded. “Brandy’s good, but it’s not to be taken lightly. Now it’s my turn for a round.” He thought for a few seconds. “How about hot toddies, all around?”

“Ooh, a mixed drink,” said the bartender playfully. “Classin’ up the place. Coming right up.”

The spicy drink brought a tear to Rosy’s eye. “That’s pretty good,” said she, taking another sip. “Never had a drink with spices before.”

As the ponies conversed, the maitre’d approached them. “A table just opened up on the patio,” said he. “I’ll show you where.”

The table stood just a few inches from the banister facing the lake, and offered a great view. Rhyme, Rosy, and Heart each ordered a glass of porter. “What can I say? It’s good,” said Rhyme defensively.

As they ate, round after round of drink was poured. With their meals finished, they continued to drink. “We’re doin’ good,” said Rhyme with a smile. “We be doin’ pretty well for ourselves. Look at us, chillin’ at the hottest restaurant in town, didn’t need a reservation or nothin’ like that! Just walk in, like we own the place.”

As Heart listened, he started to laugh heavily. “What are you talkin’ about, Rhyme?” asked he. “We DO own this place. This whole city is ours!” He continued to laugh as he threw his hooves outward, facing the lake and city.

As the gray stallion turned back to his friends, Rosy giggled. “I’ve never heard you laugh before,” said she with a blush. “It’s cute.” she then poked his muzzle with her hoof.

“Well,” began Rhyme, “it seems that we are sufficiently full and sufficiently wasted, so let’s bounce.” He set down a large tip on the table and stood up, as his friends did the same. They paid their bill at the front and left the restaurant.

Using his bright white hat, Rhyme Buster hailed a taxi to ferry the ponies home. The carriage was pulled by a large red Unicorn Stallion wearing a yellow hat and coat. “Wheel Spin, at your service,” greeted he as the trio boarded the carriage. “Where to?”

“Apartment complex on 8th,” said Rhyme.

“Apartment complex on 15th,” said Rosy.

“Tick Tock Teck, 22nd Street,” said Heart.

The cabbie nodded. “8th is closest, so we’ll go there first.”

As the stallion pulled the cart, the trio discussed many things. “You know,” began Rosy, looking at Rhyme, “I never asked why you like to rap so much.”

The tan stallion gave a chuckle. “I rap,” said he, “because I can. Not everypony’s born with the skill to rhyme. I was, so I do it when I have the time. Girl, that’s all that rap’s about. So go ahead, why don’t ya try it out?”

Rosy scratched her neck with her hoof as she thought. “Uh, I guess I’m sitting in a taxi cab,” began she slowly. “I just ate a meal that wasn’t too drab.”

“That’s good, that’s good,” said Rhyme encouragingly. “Keep on goin’ Rosy; you got this.”

Rosy smiled. “Thanks, Rhyme Buster, that means a lot. You could teach rap in Canterlot.”

As Rosy rapped, Wheel Spin stopped. “We’re here, Apartment complex on 8th Street.”

Rhyme exited the carriage. “Good work, Rosy. Keep workin’ on that. I’ll see you two tomorrow.” With that, he entered the building.

“Next stop is Tick Tock Teck, over on 22nd Street,” said Wheel Spin as he regained motion.

“So, Heart,” began Rosy Rivet again. “What do you think about that apprenticeship now? I work at the shop full-time, with you, no less.?

Heart drew a sigh. “Based on my observations,” said he, “I don’t think it’s really necessary. I mean, you’ve learned perfectly fine on your own just by watching me, and you’re doing well.”

“But there are still things I don’t get,” replied the green mare. “Things that I need explained. When I can’t figure something out, you just say to give it to you; that’s no good. I’d learn more from a book, if you’d write one. You know so much, and it’s almost selfish to keep it all to yourself.”

Heart shook his head. “Rhyme gave me that same speech weeks ago,” said he blankly. “I’ll tell you what I told him. As we speak, somepony, somewhere, most likely knows all I know and more. And if not now, then the chances are slim to none that nopony will figure it out within a few years. Who know’s? That somepony could be you, Rosy.”

“Then why not just teach me, if I’m going to just figure it out anyway?”

Heart put up a hoof. “You know, we’re not in our right minds; we really shouldn’t be discussing this right now. When we’re both sober, then we can talk.”

As if on cue, Wheel Spin arrived at Tick Tock Teck. The gray stallion dismounted the carriage. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Rosy,” said he as he entered the shop.

“Apartments on 15th, right?” asked Wheel Spin. When Rosy nodded, he carried on in the direction. “He seems nice,” said he, sarcasm in his tone.

Rosy nodded. “I know he seems like a jerk,” replied she, “but I know there’s a kind, sweet, stallion in there somewhere, under that miserly, reclusive shell.”

“Ah, I see,” said Spin with a nod. “You’re an optimist; try to see the best in ponies. I get where you’re coming from. It helps to think that the pony robbin’ you has to feed himself and get by.”

“Heart isn’t robbing anypony,” replied the mare defensively.

Spin scoffed. “Robbing you of a teacher, robbing you, and all of Equestria of all that knowledge. Sounds to me like he’s doin’ plenty of robbing.”

“I guess you’re right,” admitted Rosy with a sigh. “This is my stop.” She paid the stallion generously, thanked him, and entered the building. She entered her room, threw off her formal attire, hung her dew rag on the bed post, and lay down. “Maybe Rhyme and I can talk some sense into him in the morning,” mused she as she closed her eyes.

Chapter 4

The sound of a ringing alarm clock filled Broken Heart’s bedroom. The gray stallion slowly stirred awake, and deactivated the alarm with his hoof. He donned his leather coat and sunglasses as he trudged out the door, through he hallway, and onto the shop floor.

The shop’s floor was empty, which Heart found unusual for a work day. He looked out the door to see Rhyme Buster, rapping to a couple ponies.

“Hey, Rhyme!” shouted Heart through the door to get his friend’s attention. When Rhyme turned to him, he continued. “Did Rosy come into work this morning? Is she out on an errand?”

The tan stallion shook his head. “Nah, B,” replied he. “Haven’t seen her all morning. Think she’s a’ight?”

Heart shrugged. “I’m going to go over to her apartment and check. Can you keep an eye on the store?”

Rhyme nodded, and the gray stallion trotted off.

Heart wove through block after block as he followed the path to 15th Street, where Rosy Rivet’s apartment was. As he approached, the sound of blaring fire sirens clouded his hearing. He moved more quickly and turned the corner to 15th, and what he saw shocked him.

Three fire engines stood outside the building where Rosy’s apartment lay, blasting jets of water into three burning windows, all of which Broken Heart knew were part of his friend’s apartment. Ponies of all kind stood and looked on from the other side of the street

“No, no, no,” shouted he to himself as he ran at full gallop towards the entrance to the building. He was quickly stopped by a large Pegasus Mare wearing a yellow firefighter’s jacket and helmet.

“Don’t come any closer,” ordered she, her voice booming.

Heart shook his head in disbelief. “Don’t tell me there was somepony in there,” begged he frantically to the mare. “Please, Celestia, tell me there was nopony in there.”

She put her hooves on Heart’s shoulders to calm him. “We don’t know yet. Paramedics are en route just in case, and we’ve got three of our best in there looking.”

As the pair talked, a white carriage bearing a red cross and blaring sirens arrived at the scene. The fire engines ceased to pump water into the building as the fire was finally defeated. Three ponies in similar dress to the mare exited the building as the fire died out.

The three firefighters who emerged from the building came to the mare and said something to her that Heart couldn’t hear. She motioned to two Earth Mares with a stretcher, and they ran at full gallop into the building.

“No,” denied Broken Heart. “No, don’t tell me...”

The firefighters held their heads down as they removed their helmets. The mare said to Heart, melancholy in her tone, “they found one body: Female. The Paramedics are fetching her now. We’re sorry.”

The two mares exited the building carrying somepony on the stretcher, covered by a thin blanket. Heart turned his head. He couldn’t bring himself to look upon his friend’s corpse. “I have to go,” said he as he ran off. He trudged toward his shop, getting there in an hour.

Rhyme Buster was inside, talking to a customer. The tan stallion wrote the customer’s order down and then saw Heart. “What’s up, B? Rosy coming in?”

Heart bade the customer leave, and when the pair were alone, he drew a heavy sigh as he removed his sunglasses. “Rosy’s dead,” said he flatly.

Rhyme’s eyes went wide as his expression shifted from inquisitive to shocked. “What?”

The gray stallion sighed. “Her apartment was on fire when I got there. The Fire Department did what they could, but they were too late. Her body was found, and taken away by paramedics.”

Rhyme shook his head slowly. “Words cannot express the sorrow I know we both feel. Come on, you should sit down.” He slowly walked through the steel door, followed by Heart.

The pair walked into the room next to Heart’s bedroom, which was the kitchen and dining room. The combined two rooms were small, but well-kept and had enough room for a four-seat dining table, stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator, freezer, sink, and several cabinets.

Heart sat down at the table. Rhyme Buster’s horn started to glow green, as did one of the cabinets above the stove. The door opened, revealing several bottles of various alcoholic beverages. The door ceased to glow as a bottle of brandy glowed green and levitated to the counter. The tan stallion fetched two glasses from another cabinet, and filled each with a generous amount of brandy. He set one glass in front of Heart, and began to drink out of the other.

“Thanks, Rhyme,” said Heart, not looking up from his glass.

“No problem, B,” replied Rhyme. “We in this together. She was our friend.”

Heart took another drink. “She was just a kid, Rhyme,” said he.

“She was twenty-six, B,” said Rhyme. “You aren’t but thirty-three. I’m thirty.”

“Kid compared to us, Rhyme,” replied Heart, taking another drink. “She was just starting out on a career. She was bright, gifted with mechanical things, and enthusiastic about everything she did.”

Rhyme nodded. “She had the makings of a fine mechanist. Probably didn’t even need our help to become the best they’s ever been.”

“She was already the best,” retorted Heart. “Just needed a hoof to get her started. That’s all she wanted, was a little help realising her potential. I saw it as she worked: she didn’t just build, she created.”

“Well, what we gonna do now, B?” asked Rhyme, concern in his tone. “We need to think about the future. I know it’s hard, B, but we gotta keep going.”

Heart slammed his hoof onto the table, denting it and toppling the drink glasses. “What?!” Shouted he. “Is she suddenly unimportant now?! Should we just keep hoofin’ along like she never existed?! Is that what you’re saying?!”

Rhyme took little offence at his friend’s words, and merely shook his head. “I ain’t sayin’ that in the slightest, B. I’m sayin’ that that’s what she’d want for us, and for the shop.” He then picked up the two spilled glasses and prepared to clean the mess.

Heart stared into the puddle of brandy on the table, silent, for about a minute. As Rhyme brought a rag over the drink, Heart closed his eyes and gritted his teeth.

Rhyme noticed Heart’s behaviour, and left the rag on the table. He put his hoof around his friend. “It’s okay, B,” said he in a calm, soothing voice. “It’s alright. Let it out.”

Heart’s control left him as he buried his face into his friend’s chest, sobbing loudly. He didn’t say anything; his thoughts were too flustered for him to form words.

Rhyme stood motionless for several minutes, holding his friend. Heart managed to regain his composure. “I never seen you like this, B.”

Heart cleared his eyes with his hoof. “I haven’t been like this in years,” said he. “I’ve always seen sorrow as such a waste of time. Never seemed to make sense to me to just break down and fall apart.”

The tan Unicorn shook his head. “Sorrow ain’t breakin’ down and fallin’ apart, B. Sorrow is taking the hit and absorbing it, dispersing the force. Sorrow’s what we do to avoid breakin’ down and fallin’ apart. You doin’ good.”

“Thanks, Rhyme.” With no hesitation, Heart embraced his friend.

Rhyme Buster patted the gray stallion‘s back gingerly “Let’s take today off, B,” said he softly. “Looks like you need it.” With that, he trotted out the door and down the stairs, re-emerging less than a minute later. “Come on; just chill out for a while.”

Chapter 5

“Hey, B, wake up.” Rhyme Buster nudged Broken Heart’s shoulder. Rhyme had stayed with his friend the previous night, and slept on the floor.

The gray stallion stirred from his sleep. He turned and say the tan Unicorn by his side. “Rhyme? You’re still here?”

“Stayed all night,” replied Rhyme. “I gotta go to the Tribune, put a want ad in the paper. Want some coffee or something?”

Heart shook his head. “No, I’ll be alright. You go ahead.” The stallion stood up and stretched. “I got some orders to work on.”

Rhyme nodded. “A’ight, B. Take it easy, though. I’ll see you later.” With that, he trotted out the room and down the stairs. Before he left the building, he dusted off a sign behind the counter and put it in the window, its bright red words visible from the other side of the street: Help Wanted.

Rhyme Buster trotted at a leisurely pace toward the headquarters of the Steel Tribune, the local newspaper. “you were a good friend, yeah that’s so true,” rapped he in a somber tone. “A friend and a sister, we do love you. Taken down, such beauty and youth. Much too early, that is the truth. Only knew you for a month, and somehow yet, you somepony we’ll never forget.”

As he rapped, Rhyme arrived at the building and entered. He sat down at a table to fill out the form for the advert. A copy of the day’s paper lay open before him, and a page’s headline caught his eye. He read it, and then charged out the building at full gallop.

The front door to Tick Tock Teck burst open as Rhyme Buster ran through the doorway and stopped, almost tripping over his own hooves.

Broken Heart felt his heart skip a beat as the door crashed open. “What the hay, Rhyme? You almost gave me a heart attack!”

“Sorry, B,” apologised Rhyme between heavy breaths. “But we gotta go somewhere, fast. No time to explain. Come on!” As he finished the statement, he was back out the door.

Heart followed, albeit much more slowly. “Slow down, Rhyme!” called he to his friend, a few metres ahead, “I can’t keep up!”

After several strenuous minutes of running at full gallop, the pair arrived at the destination. Heart was too worn out to look up as he followed his friend through the main door. Slowly, a loud ringing noise filled the stallion’s ears, and he began to feel light-headed. As he fell backwards, he felt Rhyme’s hooves catch him.

Heart couldn’t hear what his friend said through the ringing, and his eyes were blinded by the light above his head. He felt Rhyme hoist him up onto his back and carry him off, through a few doors, into and out of a lift, and through another door.

As they moved, the ringing in Heart’s ears dulled, and he could make out some of Rhyme Buster’s words. “Take.. time, B... Wake... Be fine.. Okay?” He couldn’t help but nod as he felt fatigue get the better of him and he fainted.

“Hey, B, wake up.” Rhyme Buster’s voice faded into Heart’s perception. He slowly opened his eyes, and his friend’s face was inches from his own.

Heart put a hoof on his aching forehead. “Where are we, Rhyme?” asked he, looking around. The pair were sitting on a bench in the corner of the white room. In the centre of the room lay a bed with several monitors on either side. As his vision was still blurry, he couldn’t identify the pony who lay in the bed.

“We in the hospital, B,” answered Rhyme. “We visitin’ a friend.”

Many thoughts crossed Heart’s mind at the answer. “Which friend?”

As Heart finished the question, the pony in the bed began to stir awake. “I think you about to find out, B.”

“Huh, what?” said the pony in a faint, almost inaudible voice.

Heart’s ears perked as he heard the voice, and recognised it instantly. “It.. it can’t be...” He stopped mid-sentence as he hopped to his hooves and trotted to the side of the bed and looked upon Rosy Rivet, her coat messy and covered in soot. Her gray dew rag was gone, showing her short, straight rose mane.

“Heart?” questioned Rosy as she opened her royal blue eyes and looked upon the gray stallion.

Heart’s eyes filled with tears as he embraced the mare. “Rosy!” shouted he. “You’re alive! I can’t believe it! I absolutely cannot believe it!”

As Heart calmed down, Rosy shook her head rapidly. “What.. what happened?”

Heart shook his head, still completely awestruck. “I.. I don’t know.”

Rhyme Buster chimed in as he trotted to the mare’s bedside. “Perhaps I can enlighten you,” said he. “You were in the paper, Rosy. Your apartment caught fire early yesterday morning, which I’m sure you knew.”

“Yeah,” said Rosy as she nodded, remembering the events. “I.. I.. my mom was still in her room. I tried to wake her up, but she.. she..” Her eyes began to well with tears as she remembered.

“You got out while you could,” said Rhyme, putting his hoof on the mare’s shoulder.

“Wait, your mom?” questioned Heart.

“I didn’t know either, until I read the article in the paper.” Rhyme shrugged.

Heart rested his head on the bed’s rail. “I had no idea,” said he, sorrow in his tone. “When I saw the body bag, I thought... I’m so sorry, Rosy.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” said Rosy reassuringly. “I should have mentioned that I lived with her. I’m the one who should be sorry.” Her voice trailed off as she began to sob silently.

Rhyme stroked the mare’s mane. “Hey, hey,” said he in his calming tone, “it’s okay, Rosy. Now seems like a better time than ever to tell us about her.”

Rosy dried her tears with her blanket. “Her name is Diamond Eye,” began she. “Her Cutie Mark was a jeweler’s glass and a diamond, and her talent was jewelry. She was an expert jeweler, and absolutely loved her job. The one thing she loved more than that was her daughter.” She began to tear up again as she continued. “She was the best mother a pony could ask for. She cheered me on my whole life, and fully supported every decision I made. She picked me up when I fell, helped me up when I was down, and, most of all, she loved me.” Rosy lost her composure, sobbing openly into Rhyme Buster’s chest. “She loved me, and I loved her!” cried she.

Broken Heart embraced his two friends lovingly. As the trio stood there, the door opened. They looked to see a dark gold Unicorn Stallion with cyan eyes and a green and red striped mane. He wore a white lab coat, and a clipboard levitated in a cyan glow next to his head.

“Rosy Rivet,” said the doctor, looking at the chart. “The tests came back, and, other than a few bumps and bruises, you’re completely healthy. You are free to go.” With that, he left.

The green mare looked down and sighed as she got off the bed onto her hooves. “Free to go?” mused she aloud. “Go where? I’m homeless now.”

Heart smiled. “You’re not homeless, Rosy," said he. “You’re welcome to stay at Tick Tock Teck with me.”

“And my apartment’s got a spare room,” added Rhyme Buster.

Rosy smiled half-heartedly as she looked at her friends. “Rhyme Buster,” said she, her smile brightening, “and Broken Heart. My friends. I love the both of you.”

The trio embraced again. “I love you, too, Rosy,” said Rhyme Buster, “like a sister.”

“Likewise,” said Heart. “And, remember when I said we have things to discuss?” When Rosy nodded, he continued, “no need to discuss it. I’d be honoured to have you as my apprentice.”

“Really?” Rosy’s eyes and smile beamed brightly.

Heart nodded. “With my help, you’ll be the best artificer Equestria’s ever seen.”

The three ponies walked out of the room together and exited the hospital. The bright midday sun shone on them as they looked around them at the city.