The Mechanical Mare

        Within a glen beyond Equestria’s borders, there was a large wooden house that was home to a old unicorn stallion named Tinker Tock. He was sitting at a table eating his oatmeal alone for the second summer in a row. Tinker looked across the table at the empty seat which he hadn’t moved in two years. He remembered the mare that sat there and the time they spent together.

“Oh father the new gears and springs are here!”

“That great news, Lily Bell, let's bring them into the shop and get started on the projects.”The unicorn and earth pony both carried a large box into the wooden cabin with smiles on their faces.

The two ponies were inventors and philosophers who lived outside of Equestria in the small kingdom of Hoofalot. Originally Tinker Tock was a solitary pony, spending his days as a wondering toy crafter until he found Lily Bell in a basket on the side of a dirt road. He raised her as his daughter and taught her everything he knew of technology and higher thinking.

The two ponies lived very comfortably as they invented toys and side projects that helped the kingdom prosper. However one foul night Lily Bell became sick with a deadly sickness that took her life. Tinker Tock was depressed for a year before he decided to try something.

‘Hello father...are you well?’ a mechanical voice said to the Tinker Tock.

“Yes, Bell...Just reminiscing.” Tinker said to the the machine

This was Bell. The Mechanical Mare, a steam and magical powered metal pony, with synthetic brown skin and dark brown mane and tail covering her mechanical parts. Tinker Tock knew when Lily Bell died that he couldn’t replace her, but he could build something that could give him comforted in his old age and be a reminder of his precious daughter. Tinker and Bell worked to create toys for the young ponies of Hoofalot.

.        .        .        .

WIthin the Court of King Jade Star of Hoofalot, the king gave most his wealth to his most trusted friends so that they could find a cure for his depression. One day the Queen of Hoofalot, who was his sister,left the kingdom to go Equestria to be with her new beau who she was seeing behind the kings  back. Because he believed that he was wrong for her, he was very depressed and had his high advisor do most of his duties.

Meantime his friends were discussing him.“So far the king did not like the candy or pies we gave him.” one friend said to another.

“Or the gold and jewels.”

“And don’t forget that time he got mad and burned the new suits we got for him.”

One of his friends suggested that they see Tinker Tock and his inventions in the hopes of that making the king happy again.

.        .        .        .

“How are the gears working in that clock Bell?”

‘They are working great father...very good craftsmanship and quality.’

“Good..is that somepony knocking at the door?” the knocking alerted the ponies to visitors outside, Tinker climbed up from the basement with Bell to met ponies in royal outfits.

“Yes, who are you all?” Tinker said.

“By order of the King of Hoofalot, we are to take you and your working inventions to the castle...that includes that ‘mare’.” said a knight in shiny armor.

“Oh my...ah Bell it looks like we are going to the castle.”

‘Oh joy. I always wanted to travel to the castle.’ Bell was excited.

So  over glen and through the village , Bell was fascinated by all the ponies and other folk who were living there lives. The idle chatter of the town’s ponies and the clacking of hooves on the cobbled stones of the little town's streets were the only sounds that permeated the air.  All around where little houses with thatched roofs, brick and stucco walls, and happy ponies in the doorways. Vendors called to ponies from behind their stalls and in front of their carts. The smell of baked goods and fresh produce wafted from every corner.

Over the moat, and into the great castle hall the two ponies climbed an impressive golden staircase. Tinker and Bell met the sad king, a stallion in royal garb with green coat, brown mane and tail. The king looked upon the two and his face smiled as he saw Bell and her beauty. When the king laid eyes upon the mare, he was delighted. Yelling aloud for all the world.

"I'll take her for my queen!" Said King Jade Star.

"Please don't take my child!” Tinker Tock screamed

The knights grabbed him by his tail and threw him in the moat. Tinker tried to get back inside the castle but to no avail at his age, so he traveled alone back home.

There was a lovely wedding and reception as the ponies of the kingdom celebrated their new queen and there kings happiness. Later that night in their wedding bed The king was shocked to see a tender kiss upon Bell’s cheek caused something odd to happen. Bell transformed in mere moments in a flash of light into a large metal dragon and ate the king with her mighty metal jaws. When the High Advisor and Knights came to check on all the noise they found the King was gone, a window was open, but the king left a note saying the kingdom was now to be ruled by the High Advisor.

Tinker Tock was sad for his lost of another daughter until he heard a knock upon the door, It was his daughter Bell, safe and perfectly  fine.

“Bell! I’m so glad you're safe and home!” Tinker hugged his daughter who hugged back.

‘It’s fine father...we won’t have to worry about the king or anyone again...I love you.’

“I love you too Bell...but how did you escape the castle?”

‘Oh..i had giving myself a few upgrades last summer.’ Bell giggled.

.        .        .        .

So you see, the moral of the story is: Never take a child away from a loving parent.

Especially not children who can transform into metal monster dragons...

The End