Chapters Many years ago, when the magic started to weaken, Queen Marelyn ordered that Everfree Forest be cut down. This order was carried out even though Everfree was not technically a part of Equestria. After clearing the forest, the queen declared that a city was to be built where the forest once stood. The city was to be named Everfree, after the forest on which it would stand.
The city’s purpose was to manufacture parts for the machinery that scholars had dreamt up. These mechanical devices would be used for many purposes. They would provide transport, medical care, and would help with a concept called science. Most ponies were unhappy with the queen’s decision but had no say in the matter.
Science had been around for quite some time, yet it had almost been forgotten by the scholars. The first scholars had decided to study magic instead, yet there were still notes of their scientific studies. With these notes, our scholars continued these studies, and Everfree became the first scientific city.
I was just a foal at the time, so I can only recall what was told to me by my parents. But as the study of science advanced, more cities sprung up from the ground to help advance the current sciences. Thus, between Everfree and Ponyville lies an invisible border. The border between the scientific and the arcane.
It was six in the morning and the clock in the hall was announcing the time.I got out of bed and slowly walked down stairs. As I started towards the door, my right front hoof caught the loose floorboard. I twisted my ankle as I fell to the floor. Grimacing in pain, I stood up. Today was going to be a long day.
Heading or the door, I grabbed my coat and hat. Although the forest was now gone, The weather still changed without the help of the pegasus ponies. It was a cold, windy day, with dark clouds promising rain. Adjusting my hat, I headed into town, to my favorite tavern.
By the time I had reached my destination, it was 7am. The Golden Hay Bale was the tavern’s name. It was warm in the winter, and cool in the summer. They also carried the best cider in Equestria. “Welcome back Flank!” Called the bartender. His coat was a rusty red color, and his cutie mark was a foaming mug. “What can I get you today?”
“I’m not sure." I said. “A cutie mark perhaps?” Did I mention that I’m a blank flank? That’s where my nickname comes from.
“Fresh out.” the bartender said smiling, “I can however recommend the cider if yer’ thirsty.”
“Well, you drive a hard bargain. I’ll take a glass of cider and a plate of hay.”
“Commin’ right out,” he said, and went to the kitchen. Minutes later the barkeep appeared from behind the kitchen door, carrying a cool glass of cider and a plate of golden hay. In the next half-hour I ate, drank, and talked to the patrons of the bar. “Well,” I said, noticing the time. “It would appear that I should leave. I’ll be late to work if I don’t start walking”
“Wait Flank,” Said the bartender. “What about me money?”
“Just put it on my tab”
“This tab o’ yer’s, do ya’ ever plan on paying it off?”
“I do.” I said, grinning and putting on my hat. “Just as soon as my invention is finished,” With that I walked out the door.
At precisely 8 o’clock, the whistle to start production blew. The factory equipment sputtered to life, coughing up soot and ash. Everypony went to their stations and started work. So far, so good. “Flank!” yelled the floor manager. His coat was brown, and his cutie mark was a clipboard.
“Yes sir?” I call back.
“Get to machine 16. She won’t start and the boys on the floor can’t seem to figure it out.”
“Right away sir.” I say as I head down the aisle to machine 16. Passing the equipment, I was covered in clouds of soot and ash, and almost showered in sparks.
“What seems to be the problem?” I asked.
“The machine just won’t turn on.” said one of the workers. “Didn’t see anything stuck in the gears or anything like that.”
“All right, let me take a look. Could take all day since I don’t have any idea what’s wrong with it.”
“The floor manager won’t be happy about this. We’re already behind in production. Be quick about it.” The ponies then went to inform the manager. Moments later, I heard yelling. They were right. The floor manager wasn’t happy at all.
You may recall tales of the Equestria of old. This tale is of a new Equestria. A world now fueled by coal, and run by mechanical devices. Our people are consumed by a thirst for power that cannot be quenched. Our current queen, Queen Marelyn, has fallen victim to this thirst. She spends most of her days, locked in a tower, trying to find a way to become stronger in her magical abilities.
Although magic was used for many reasons in the past, it is now used for few. Our magical powers have weakened over the years, and now there are few powerful enough to use magic without assistance. Those who do posses a magical talent are sent to the school of magic known simply as "The School" to become scholars. Then there are those who don't posses magical talent: most unicorns, pegasi and earth ponies.
Those unicorns who cannot preform magic are simply treated as earth ponies. Earth ponies are the workers in factories, bar-keepers, and stall owners.We pegasi are given the choice when we reach our teenage years whether to take on the training required to be a royal guard, or to become a regular worker.
Unfortunately, flight is very limited these days. The main cities are blanketed in smog and ash from the factories. The clouds are toxic and you can't fly through them without getting sick. This Equestria may not be the one of legend, but it's the Equestria we all live in.
It took me three and a half hours to disassemble the machine, examine the parts, and find the source of the problem. A rat had gotten in and lay on an exposed wire. When the machine was turned on, the rat was electrocuted. “Poor thing,” I whispered.
“Flank!” called the floor manager, looking to find me.
“Yes sir?” I yelled back.
“Come to my office when you’re done there. There’s something we need to discuss.”
“It may be a while sir. I had to take apart the whole machine.”
“All right. But make it quick.”
“Of course sir.” With that I went back to work. I had removed the corpse and redone the wiring when the lunch whistle blew. I grabbed my lunch and walked to the covered entryway. The air was cool and smelled fresh. It was about to rain, so I went out from under the metal cover. I shook the soot and ash from my white coat and grey mane. Somehow soot had found a way under my vest. “Hey!” Somepony called. It was the worker from machine 16.
“Oh hey. How goes it?” I asked
“It doesn’t go. That’s the problem. How go the repairs?”
“I found the problem. A rat had gotten in and died when the machine was turned on.”
“However sorry I feel for it, it cost me and my whole line time we could’ve been working”
“Yea. I suppose so...” I said, suddenly sickened by the thought of a life cut short.
“That really bothers you doesn’t it Flank?” Said the worker, picking up on my tone.
“I guess it does. Its always tragic when a life is cut short. Makes you think, doesn't it? You don’t get a second chance at life. Yet we break our backs, working jobs we hate, instead of doing something we actually enjoy.
“And why? Because we need the job for the money. We need the money to support ourselves and our families. So we work for meager pay, at any hour we can get, whenever we can. Yet in the end, we’re unhappy with life. Makes you wonder what life would be like if you didn’t have to deal with all of this.” I paused to take a breath.
“Wow Flank...” said the worker. “I see what you mean, but I never thought you felt that way for lack of better words.”
“Well, sorry for going off on you like that.” I apologized. “I’m not hungry anymore. I’ll get back to work.”
It was just after 3pm when I finished with the machine. Two hours and one meeting to go, I thought. I then returned my tools to their proper place and walked up the catwalk to the manager’s office. I knocked on the door with my uninjured hoof. “Come in” came a voice from behind the door. “Ah. Flank, how can I help you?”
“You wanted to see me sir.” I said.
“Yes. Sorry I almost forgot. Have a seat.” There were no chairs, so I sat on the floor. “Listen here, this is the company’s choice, not mine. We’ve received budget cuts, this means less money for parts and employee’s. Surely you’ve noticed a slight decline in running machines and in your pay.”
“Yes sir, I have” was my reply.
“Well,” he said, “I’m sorry, but we’re letting you go. Like I said, It was the company, not me. It’s just that everypony else seems to have a family to support. You however do not. So it was the logical choice. Yet again, I’m sorry.”
I could see the logic behind their choice. Everypony else had a family to support and thus needed more money.However, I now had no source of income, and I was struggling to get by as it was.
“Well sir,” I said shaking his hoof, “Its been a pleasure working for you” I turned to leave.
“Wait Flank” The manager said. “Here’s your last month’s pay. Good luck out there”