Author's Note

I’m a few episodes behind, and therefore might miss some opportunities of writing in new ponies, places, things, monsters… Anything after episode 100, basically. Also, at the time I’m writing this, I currently lack a proofreader/editor, so if there’s any mistakes or plotholes, or even just something extremely stupid, that’s why. And I’m a huge Big Mac fanboy, so basically everything I write will have him be at least a supporting character. Anyways, enough of my yabbering, read on!

(Also, more pictures will be added soon, including changing the current one)

The Beginning

Big Macintosh came to a stop, the jangling of the small amount of personal items in his saddlebags silenced. He overlooked the large, valley-like depression in front of him. It was almost completely void of trees, instead populated sparsely by incomplete buildings, which seemed to gravitate to the center of the valley. It seemed only two or three structures were fully walled in. Only one or two small, if worthy of the title at all, patches of farmland were apparent, and even then seemed empty of any real crop.

But, then again, this was the reason Big Macintosh had traveled here; for work to help build the town. He’d heard wind of it in Ponyville, from posters scattered across the town; a new colony, named Oak Valley, which had a severe lack of construction ponies, farmers, and political leaders, nevermind residents (But was willing to pay an awful lot to get some). He set off towards the building in the middle of the town, a town hall, most likely. As he entered the colony, the lack of horsepower was obvious. Macintosh counted maybe two dozen workers in the giant minefield of wooden posts and rebar.

I might be the only farmer here, Mac thought to himself, as he pushed open the chocolate coloured door to the city hall. The walls were painted a pleasant, lighter shade of yellow. There was a window on each wall, with them all being open, letting the breeze in. The room was empty otherwise, besides a singly pony sitting at a desk, going through the papers stacked on the table. He had a brown coat, with sunken orange eyes adorned by a thin pair of glasses. He glanced up at Macintosh.

"I haven seen you before. May I assume you're here for work?"

Mac nodded his head.

"Wonderful. You certainly look like someone who could help a lot. Although, that's for Tufts to decide; He's the forepony. You'll find him in the large building to your left when you exit."

Macintosh nodded again, then starts to make his way back outside. Not even does a second step away he gets before the coffee coloured stallion turns to Macintosh again. "Oh, where are my manners? I'm Charlie Inkling, although just Charlie will do. And you are-?"

"Big Macintosh, sir".

Inkwell smiled.

"It's a pleasure, Big Macintosh. Now, I'd better get back to my papers. You should be able see me this afternoon if you have any questions."

"And who might this un' be?" A rough, foreign voice asked. Big Mac looked up at the large stallion. He was similar to Macintosh, strong, well built, tall, but had a Cutiemark resembling a toolbox. He had a glowing gold coloured coat, with strong blue eyes. His mane was short, unkempt and dirty, and had a shimmering profile too. Just as his tail. When Big Mac approached him, to Mac's surprise, he had to look slightly up to see the Stallion's face.

"Big Macintosh".

The stallion's eyes flicked over Big Mac's frame quickly.

"Ya' look quite strong, Big Macintosh. Worker, Ah'd suppose?"

"Eeyup"

"Ya' can set yer stuff down in 'at empty bunk to me right. The one 'at has "Empty" on it's sign. 'En just come back ta' me, I'll get ya' sorted out. Oh, and ya' can just call meh Rickeh'. Rickeh' Tufts, officially."

Macintosh nodded, and headed to his bunk. Or, he was assuming it was his bunk now, given the "empty" sign, which was surely enough there. As he approached it, though, something caught his eye. The bunk behind his had a sign which read "Ditzy Doo". Now, Macintosh didn't know much about her, just the name, and what she looked like, from whenever she came to drop off their mail.

Guess she's here for work, too.

Mac reached around, and grabbed his left pack with his mouth. He had put work related stuff in there- Collar, horseshoes, bit, and some heavy clothes just in case. His other pack just contained some general items. 'Bit of food and water for the road, pen and paper, Mac's favourite brown blanket, a picture of his family, and that was about it.

The posters had said that workers were provided with space, food, water, and basic tools required for the job, so most of the essentials were covered. Mac finally set his saddle down and walked back to the forepony.

"So, what'd ah' need to do, Ricky Tufts?".

Ricky cackled. "Heh, just Rickeh's fine. Now, Macintosh, ah' just need ya' to fill out these er' forms, an we can have ya' on yer way." Ricky handed Mac a few papers. From a glance they appeared to be just the necessary things- Information, to be exact. Name, how old you are, and... There's an important one: Where to send the money. Mac filled the form out slowly; literature wasn't one of his strong parts.

"Look's good. Well then, let's get ya' job sorted out now, shall weh? Construction, farmer, or political? Course, ah wouldn't've think yer lookin' to be the new governor or anything."

Macintosh tilted his head slightly at that, puzzled.

Ricky picked up on the notion. "Well, it's not like politicians stay in the gr'test state. Nevermind any're near yer strength. Ah could see ya muscles from a mile away,"

Macintosh hadn't seen many politicians in his life, but Ricky did have a point.

"Oohup, getting meself bloody sidetracked again. So, what'll it be?"

"Farmer"

"Thought ya' had the look, with yer big kickers 'nd all. I'll getcha hooked up in terms of equipment in an hour or so. Ya may have noticed we aren't exactly drown'in in crop workers er'. Although, it's gettin a wee bit late. Here, I'll get ya yer equipment, ya can set it up to yer know-how, and ya can start work'n the field bright'n' early tomorrow. Till then, do as ya please, make yerself comfortable in your bunk, take a walk around th' town, introduce yaself, whatever."

The forepony headed for the doors.

"And if ya need me, ya can find me in the centa' of town, usually."

Finally, Ricky stepped out, closing the door behind him with his back leg. Left alone in the barn-like structure (Besides a sleeping pony in the back, who Macintosh had just seen) Mac neatly put his things in the cabinets next to his bed, stopping when all was left was his picture of the Apples- Granny, his parents, Applejack, A little baby Applebloom, and then himself. The picture made him smile.

Scrounging around, Macintosh managed to find a nail, and (quietly, to not wake the sleeping pony) hammer it into the wall above his bed with his hoof.