We trotted up to the cart; the mare pointed a hoof down at the wobbly wheel.

“Ah jus’ don’t get it,” she frowned, “my big brother tried fixin’ this dang thing, but he couldn’t figure it out either.”

“Ok, well let me take a look.” I crouched down and inspected under the cart where the wheel met the axle. I recognized the problem immediately.

“Well, there’s your problem ma’am, the bearing on this side is shot.” I stood back up, and met the mare at eye-level. She gave me a confused look.

“Ah guess that makes sense,” she nodded, “ya think ya can fix it?”

I had to stop and think for a second. I put a hoof to my chin.

Sure, I could diagnose the problem, but I lacked the dexterity of fingers to allow me to actually do the job. Not to mention I didn’t have any tools either. I had to come up with an excuse. Ugh, the more I think about it, the harder i can see things becoming. Shiiiiit. There has to be a way home...

“W-Well, if I had my tools handy, I could try and just temporarily repair the bearing,” I paused for a moment, “but even then, and from what I can see, the bearing will need to be replaced altogether.”

“Ah shucks,” She frowned, “well yer a unicorn, can’y ya jus’ use yer magic?” she tilted her head to the side.

“I’m sorry; did you just say ‘my magic’?” I took a step back in surprise.

Whoa... One freaking step at a time!

“Uh, well yeah, ah did!” she raised an eyebrow in confusion, “All ya unicorn folk use yer magic to do all ‘em simple tasks an’ whatnot.”

Ok, I could manage to deal with the fact that I was now in a world of talking ponies, but, fucking magic? C’mon! Dare I even ask what’s next?

I had to think fast...

Damnit, damnit, damnit! Ugh, think Dav!

I silently gasped as I came up with the perfect excuse.

“Well ma’am, even if I used my... magic,” I hesitated on the word and rolled my eyes, “I’d still need a jack to support the frame of the cart.” I pointed to the damaged wheel.

“Ah see, well that’s alright partner!” she smiled and gave me a nudge of her hoof.

“Tell ya what,” she began, “I could give you ‘em couple apples ya wanted before, if y’all could come back later with yer tools and fix this darned thing.” She shrugged and grinned.

“Uh, well yeah I suppose I could do that.” I shifted my gaze between the apples on the cart and the orange mare.

Shit, what did i just agree to? AGAIN! I'm digging myself a deeper hole the more I keep running my damn mouth!

“Darn tootin’! Ya got yerself a deal.” She smiled and shook my hoof, then graciously handed me two apples.

I gratefully took the two plump and delicious looking apples from the mare.

“Thanks ma’am,” I smiled, “forgive me for not properly introducing myself; my name’s Davin.” I grinned as I took a bite from an apple. It was very satisfying... and tasty! Too bad I'd have to make a complete and utter fool of myself for accepting her deal... Ah well. Short term gain, long term loss. Can't say I feel all that great about it though.

“Pleasure ta make yer acquaintance Mr. Davin! Name’s Applejack.” She gave a tip of her hat.

“Nice to meet you too, Applejack!” I said through a mouth full of apple managing a smile.

“Well anyways, I shouldn’t tie you up from making your sales!” I smiled as I swallowed the remainder of one of the apples, “Besides, I got some tools to find.”

“Alrighty! See y’all later!” she called to me as I began trotting off to begin my search for tools.

As I trotted along scanning for places I could pick up a wrench or two, I couldn’t help but think about how I was supposed to use magic. It just didn’t make any sense to me, I didn’t even know where to start. Like, how the hell do you even use magic at all? I shook my head at the thought and pressed on. I trotted past what looked to be a giant gingerbread house, complete with icing and candy decorations.

“That must be Sugarcube Corner that Pinkie Pie mentioned. How fitting.” I snickered to myself as I walked by.

If anyone tried to take a bite out of that place, they’d find themselves stricken with diabeetus, or in a sugar-induced coma.

I laughed to myself. No, not because of the life threatening condition, because of the reference! Comas are not a laughing matter. That’s sick! The hell's wrong with you.

After trotting through town for a while and finished eating the second apple given to me by Applejack, I found myself to a small shack which read ‘hardware’ over the front door. I walked up and opened the door to the sound of a small jingling bell. The store was cramped with isles of various tools and supplies.

Nice. Maybe this place isn't so bad after all.

Perfect! Just need to find a wrench set, rubber mallet and a jack of some sort. I took another quick glance around the store, when something caught my eye.

The store was empty of all, but the clerk and one other customer; a brilliant white-coated unicorn mare, who had a curly-styled purplish-indigo and blue mane. She walked over to the counter from one of the isles, bringing back a set of shears floating affront her in a glowing blue aurora; her horn was glowing the same blue aura until the shears were set down on the counter and the aura disappeared.

It all began to make sense to me now, about the whole ‘unicorn magic’ thing.

“Huh... Magic.” I said aloud, probably a little too loud. Eeyup.

“Did you say something, darling?” the stylish white mare looked inquisitively my direction. The clerk gave me a similar look as well.

“U-Uh, no... Sorry!” I awkwardly and quickly made my way into an isle out of sight of the mare and the clerk, and began looking around for tools, when I unintentionally overheard the clerk and the mare say their goodbyes.

“Ooh, wonderful! Now I can finally complete Fluttershy’s dress I’ve been working, oh, so tirelessly on!” the white mare cooed, “I hope to see you around the boutique sometime soon darling, I’m sure I could find you attire that would look rather dapper on you.”

“Thanks,” snickered the clerk, “take care now, Miss Rarity.” The clerk dismissed.

“Did he just call her-” I paused and looked in the direction of the door, “Nah. Just too much shit on my mind...” I spoke under my breath, and continued my search for tools.

After only a few moments of searching, I came across a wrench set; complete with both imperial and metric. Perfect! Taking after the actions of busy ponies I noticed in the streets earlier, I decided to grab the wrench set and carry it using in my teeth.

Not very sanitary, but all the ponies seemed to be carrying things in their mouths, so whatever.

I shrugged and continued my search. Not long after, I located a rubber mallet on a different isle of the store. Just as I was about to grab the mallet on the shelf with my teeth, I dropped the wrench set, which fell to the floor with a hollow metal clang.

“Whoops!” I sighed as I leant down to pick up the wrenches.

“You finding everything you’re looking for, mister?” the brown clerk pony glanced over from the checkout counter towards me.

“Uhh, yeah,” I stammered picking up the wrenches, “could you tell me where I could find a jack?”

“Yeah, back left shelf on the far isle.” The clerk pointed a hoof towards the back corner of the store.

“Awesome, thanks.” I picked up the mallet as well and trotted to the back shelf.

I walked over to the checkout counter and set the wrenches and mallet down, then walked back down the isle to bring back the small bottle jack and set it down as well.

“Making some repairs to somthin’?” The clerk asked as he looked down at the tools before him.

“Yeah, I was hoping I could ask you for a small favor, if it would be cool with you.” I bit my bottom lip nervously. Having dealt with countless number of parts salesmen, the likeliness of them actually accepting my offer would be more or less, a fucking joke.

“Favor?” he raised an eyebrow in confusion, “What kind of favor?” he looked puzzled.

“Well you see,” I shuffled my front hoof, “I’m pretty much new here, and I don’t have any way of paying for these tools which I need right now...”

The clerk just beamed at me and glanced over my shoulder. Yup, he ain`t buying it.

“I was asking if I could, perhaps, pay for them later?” I continued, dispite the fact that this was going nowhere. “I’ll give you my name and everything in case you-” the clerk raised a hoof and cut me off.

“That will be quite alright sir!” The clerk smiled, “From the looks of your cutie mark, I can tell you’re going to be coming here often in need of tools.” He stared at me with a wide grin.

“My... What?” I tilted my head in confusion. There`s no freaking way he just agreed... What the hell is a cutie mark?

“You’re cutie mark!” He pointed to the image on my flank, “You’re a mechanic aren’t you?”

“Yeah! Actually... well, I guess I should say I used to be, before I came here.” I pointed a hoof to the ground, and lowered my head.

Fuck I miss everything--No, no sense grieving about it right now.

“Well I’d be more than happy to let you borrow these tools until you can pay me back for them, it's no problem.” He smiled at me and placed the wrenches and mallet into a bag, which he set before me.

“Really?” My face lit up, “Thanks man, I really appreciate this! I’ll get the money to you as soon as I have it!” I smiled and picked up the bag of tools.

Holy shit, no freakin' way! Awesome.

“No problem, glad to be of service! See you soon.” He waved me off as I smiled and walked out of the store with the bag of tools in my teeth.

“Hey guys!” The enthusiastic Pinkie Pie welcomed herself into the library.

“Hey Pinks, ‘bout time you showed up!” called a cyan blue pegasus mare with a rainbow-colored mane and tail.

“Hi Pinkie.” Added a voice of a much less enthusiastic unicorn, hidden behind a thick pile of books.

“What took you so long?” the pegasus gave Pinkie a scowl and crossed her hooves, “I’ve been trying to teach Twilight the basics of pranking, and she’s insisting on books to find the answer, It’s soooo boooring!” the pegasus sighed in frustration.

“Sorry Rainbow Dash, I was just on my way here, when I noticed a new pony come into town! I just had to meet him, he looked a little blue.” She giggled, “That’s funny, because his fur is blue!” Ba-dum-tsssh.

“He seemed nice though.” Pinkie added.

“That’s nice Pinkie, what does this stallion look like? Maybe we can go show Twilight how to prank like a pro!” Rainbow Dash’s eyes lit up.

“Umm, I don’t know about that, guys.” Twilight shrugged and shuffled through pages with her magic.

“Oh c’mon Twilight, it's so much fun pranking; everypony can get a good laugh out of it! It’s all in good fun!” Pinkie jumped on the spot in excitement.

“Ughhh! Fine,” Twilight grumbled, “this better be more fun than it appeared to be in these books.” Twilight closed the book she was summarizing, and used her magic to toss it atop a tall pile of others.

“Awesome!” Rainbow Dash hoof-pumped the air and turned to Pinkie, “So, who is this new stallion in town?”

“His name's Davin. He’s a unicorn!” Pinkie smiled wide and jumped in excitement.

“Pinkie, there’s a lot of unicorn stallions in Ponyville.” Twilight said flatly and gleamed blankly at Pinkie. Rainbow Dash just cocked an eyebrow and shook her head.

“Hmm,” Pinkie thought deeply, “his cutie mark is a crossed wrench and screwdriver, and he's dark blue! That should narrow it down!”

“Alright guys lets go find him!” Rainbow Dash opened her wings and flew out the door.

Pinkie followed after Rainbow, bouncing out the door. Twilight just sighed and shook her head as she followed after Pinkie and Dash out of the library.

From above, Rainbow Dash spotted the blue unicorn leaving the hardware store with a bag in his mouth. She flew down to meet up with Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle down below.

“He’s over here! C’mon guys!” Rainbow called out, pointing a hoof towards the center of town.

“Ok Rainbow Dash, we’re right behind you!” Pinkie hopped along.

“I still don’t know about this, guys.” Twilight trotted along skeptically.

“Oh stop being such an egg head, Twilight!” Rainbow smirked, “This is going to be fun!”

Pinkie just laughed at Rainbow’s snappy comment, and was met with a glare from Twilight.

The three mares trotted into the center of town, adjacent to the blue unicorn, engaged in a conversation with Applejack. Rainbow Dash touched down on the ground beside Twilight.

“Looks like he made himself another friend!” Pinkie Pie giggled, taking notice to the blue unicorn conversing with Applejack.

“Well we can’t prank him now!” complained Rainbow Dash, “Applejack is with him.”

“Well why not Dashie?” Pinkie smiled, “We can prank BOTH Davin and Applejack!”

“How the hay are we gunna do that?” Rainbow extended both her front legs in question.

“Twilight!” Pinkie smiled wide and put a hoof around Twilight’s neck.

“What?!” Twilight and Rainbow Dash burst out in unison, looking at each other.

“Oh you guys,” Pinkie laughed, “Twilight can use her teleportation spell to-” Pinkie was cut short by Rainbow’s hoof stuffing her mouth with a honk.

“Say no more! I know exactly what you’re planning, it’s perfect!” Rainbow took off to the sky and came to rest on a cloud above Applejack’s apple cart.

“Ok what are we going to do? I’m confused.” Twilight looked flatly over to Pinkie, who was giggling.

“Ok when Rainbow gives you the signal, you have to...” Pinkie trailed off as she whispered the plan into Twilights ear.

“Pinkie Pie, you’re a genius!” Twilight stood on her hind legs and clapped her hooves together.

I approached the center of town again, still bustling with busy ponies; I made my way for Applejack’s cart.

I sure hope that I wouldn’t need to use magic to repair her cart, and I hope I would be able to at least, use the tools with my hooves. I mean, the repair would be easy, handling the tools without hands however, not so easy.

“Well howdy there, Davin!” Applejack waved to me as I approached the cart.

“Hey Applejack, how’re the apple sales coming?” I asked as I set down the bag of tools.

“Oh, jus’ dandy!” she smiled then looked down at the bag of tools, “Y'all figure ya got everything ya need in that there bag?”

“I think so, it’s not like I’m doing an engine overhaul or anything.” I reached into the bag and pulled out the wrenches and the jack.

“Doin’ a what, now?” she looked at me confused.

“Uh, never mind.” I shook my head and set the jack underneath the apple cart, “I just meant that it isn’t that complicated, compared to what work I’m used to.”

“Um, a-alright then...” Applejack shrugged as she watched me properly position the jack.

I stepped on the pedal on the base of the jack repeatedly, until the jack arose to a high enough height, taking the weight off the wobbly wheel.

I walked over to where I set down the wrenches. I picked them up, and brought them next to the apple cart. I looked up and examined the size of the nut holding the wheel to the axle. I picked up a wrench in my teeth, passed it down to hold it between my hooves. This is when knowing that magic I saw that mare using in the hardware store earlier, would definitely help me out.

The wrench felt awkward in my hooves, but I managed. I fit the end of the wrench over the lug nut and applied turning force with one hoof, while holding the wrench steady on the nut with the other hoof. The nut easily came loose. I set the wrench down to my right, and I spun the nut off the axle with both my hooves. God, it felt awkward needing more than one arm to just take off a fastener. I pulled the now-free wheel off the axle, again with both hooves, and set it aside.

“Ya sure ya know what yer doin’?” Applejack shot me a curious look.

“Of course, this is nothin’!” I laughed in my throat. She smiled and shifted her gaze from me to the cart.

I inspected the exposed bearing. Two of the eight ball bearings were missing from the retainer ring. Luckily enough, the bearings were of an ungrooved, simple design. All I had to do was slide out the retainer ring, remove and replace the ball bearings in an even order, and slide the retainer ring with the bearings properly ordered, back in between the inner and outer rings. It was as simple to say, as it was to do.

*ZAP*

“Ok, well the bearing is-” I was stopped mid-sentence by Applejack.

“Land sakes!” I looked up to her, whose mouth was agape and her eyes were wide, staring at the empty top of the apple cart.

Applejack must’ve been paying close attention to what I was doing; only now to notice that all the buckets full of apples suddenly disappeared from atop the cart.

“What the...” I jerked my head back in confusion as I stood up next to Applejack.

We each took a look back towards the streets of town for any sign of the missing apples. Nothing.

*ZAP*

We turned back around only to find the cart was no longer empty. It was now replaced with all the missing buckets of apples.

“Huh... That’s strange.” I just raised an eyebrow.

“What in tarnation is goin’ on here!” Applejack stomped a hoof in confusion.

I just shrugged and kneeled back down to put the wheel back on the now-repaired cart axle. I placed the wheel back into position and spun the lug nut onto the axle.

*ZAP*

I reached to my right for the wrench I previously used, but there was no sign of it anywhere. Ugh, my biggest pet peeve...

Missing tools.

“Ok, where’s my wrench!” I stood up in frustration and glared around for it.

*ZAP*

“Um, pardon me sugarcube, but ah reckon it's right there.” Applejack pointed a hoof down to my wrench, which was now back in the exact spot I placed it before.

“Oh. U-Um, alright then. That was weird. I swore it disappeared for a moment.” I shrugged and picked up the wrench.

Applejack giggled at my outburst and shook her head as I snugged the lug nut tight on the axle. I placed the wrench back down into the set of wrenches.

“So as I was trying to say before, I just repaired the bearing.” I began again, “It will work for now, but it will have to be replaced as soon as possible.”

I hunched down and tested the solidity of the once wobbly wheel. Solid as rock.

Awesome.

I began to depress the jack and set the cart back down on both wheels.

“Well ah’ll be Davin, thanks a-bunch!” she threw a hoof around my neck and gave me a friendly nudge, “When the time comes ta replace them, what’cha-call-its...” she trailed off as she tried to find the right word.

“Bearings?” I suggested with a smirk.

Haha, I don't know why, but I find it kind of funny when someone doesn't know the proper terminology. Must just be one of those things...

“Yeah, bearings! Ya’ll think I could depend on ya again?” She asked me eagerly awaiting an answer.

“Absolutely! I’d be more than happy to; fixing things is pretty much my special talent, after all!” I couldn’t help but smile wide.

*ZAP*

Just before the wheel came into contact with the ground, the entire cart disappeared in a brilliant flash of purple light.

“What?!” Applejack and I both blurt out in disbelief.

*ZAP*

A split second later the cart reappeared with same brilliant flash of purple light. Applejack and I just looked at each other in total, utter confusion.

“You should see the look on your faces!” laughed a voice from above.

“Ah should’ve known it was yer shenanigans, Dash.” Applejack said smugly as the cyan pegasus descended from above.

“Oh Twilight, you’re such a crack-up!” laughed that energetic pink pony, trotting towards Applejack and I along side a lavender unicorn who was covering her mouth with a hoof.

“Did we just get punk’d?” I asked Applejack as I cocked an eyebrow.

Applejack and the 3 other mares just shared a laugh. I was at a complete loss. Seriously, what the hell just happened?

Author's Note

Ok, I have to admit, I'm surprised at how many people are favoriting this story! I'm having a lot of fun with it, and I don't plan on quitting any time soon! I'll try and have new chapters posted when I find the time between work, family and friends.

Feel free to leave your comments; any feedback will be greatly appreciated!