Hammer & Anvil

Current time: 7:08 PM, Wednesday

Jackboot looked out the window of the train car as it raddled down the track towards its next destination, the destination being Ponyville. He wore his brown suit jacket with a white handkerchief in the pocket, which completed his outfit. He looked at his watch and saw that it was eight minutes after seven. The renovation of the train tracks going out of Canterlot took longer than expected. Once he got the track finished, he rushed home as quickly as he could, packed what he could, and then caught the first train out. But not before he and his mother had a little conversation before the train arrived.

“Making friends.” Jackboot said to himself. “Mother, I hope you’re right.”

Several hours earlier…

Jackboot stood on the platform of the Canterlot Train Station with his mother, Emerald Button. Between the mother and son was a large black suitcase. As they waited, Emerald decided to spark a conversation to pass the time.

“How do you feel?” She asked.

Jackboot looked at his mother.

“A little nervous.” He answered. “But overall, I feel fine.”

“That’s good.” Emerald said. “Do you have everything with you?”

“Yes ma’am.” Jackboot said as he tapped the large piece of luggage. “Everything I need.”

“Good very good.”

Emerald turned her attention back the crowded platform. She then returned her attention to her son who stood quietly by her side.

“So Jacky, what do you plan on doing once you arrive at Ponyville?” She asked.

Jackboot thought for a moment.

“Well, help plan for the Celebration if I were to state the obvious.” He answered. “Other than that, I’m not really sure.”

“Maybe while you’re there you could… …well… …make some friends.”

What Emerald said, it was as if the anvil on Jackboot’s cutie mark fell on his head.

“Make friends…” He said with what seemed to be anxiety in his voice. “…okay.”

Jackboot half looked away.

Emerald, noticing her son’s anxiety, put her hoof on his shoulder.

“Sweetheart, look at me.” She said, getting Jackboot to look at her. “I know making friends might be a tad bit frightening, but you’re a grown stallion and it’s about time you made some. I get so worried when I see you sitting by yourself with your head in a book. There’s nothing wrong with that, but I really think you’ll be happier if you had a couple friends to talk to, or play with, or, heck, find a book with.”

Worried. That word always hit Jackboot hard. He hated the idea of worrying his mother, whether or not he did something wrong or not. Just the word itself stung more than a bee.

“I’m sorry.” Jackboot said as he looked down at the platform. Those two words were the only thing he could think of when he made his mother worried.

Emerald sighed. She knew how sensitive her son can be, but she most certainly wasn't going to baby him. Especially at his age.

“Don’t apologize.” She said. “You can’t keep beating yourself up like this. If you had some friends, you wouldn't feel so down like this.”

“It’s not that I’m against making friends.” Jackboot said. “It’s just… …what if I have another…”

“Incident?” His mother asked, knowing what he was going to say.

Jackboot nodded.

“Well, that’s not going to happen.” Emerald continued. “Especially not in Ponyville. Celestia told me that it’s the friendliest town in all of Equestria, so you won’t have any trouble.” A thought entered her mind. “And may I remind you that Twilight Sparkle is there. You know, the Princess of Friendship?”

The spirit in Jackboot’s face returned.

“You’re right.” He said. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I keep on doing that.”

Emerald smiled at her son.

“It’s alright.” She said. “But still, I would absolutely love it if you made at least one friend or two. And I’m pretty sure your father would love that too.”

Jackboot took hold of his pocket watch and smiled at it.

“Yeah he will.” He said.

“Maybe while you’re in Ponyville, you could also find a nice mare and…”

“Mother!” Jackboot said, cutting his mother off.

“I’m only joking.” Emerald laughed.

Suddenly they both heard the loud whistle of the train, followed by the loud screech of its brakes.

“Ponyville!” The Conductor shouted. “All aboard for Ponyville!”

Jackboot then turned to his mother.

“I guess this is goodbye mother.” He said. “I promise to write when I can.”

Emerald then hugged her son tightly.

“I’ll miss you so much.” She said before giving the young stallion one final peck on the cheek.

The train came to a screeching halt at the station.

“Ponyville!” The Conductor shouted. “All out for Ponyville!”

Jackboot immediately grabbed his suitcase and got off.

“Here we are.” He said as he stepped onto the wooden platform. “Ponyville.”

He looked around the platform. Celestia had told him to keep an eye out for somepony named Spike.

“Okay Spike, where are you?” Jackboot asked. “More importantly, who are you?”

As Jackboot looked around the platform, he felt somepony poke him from behind. He turned and saw the somepony who poked him, was no pony, but a short purple dragon.

“Oh hello.” Jackboot he said with surprise. He then stuck his hoof out in greeting. “Jackboot, at your service.”

“Spike, nice to meet ya.” The dragon said, shaking Jackboot’s hoof.

Jackboot emitted a chuckled that was a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

“I just shook a dragon claw.” He said. “My first time out of Canterlot and I meet a dragon.”

Spike smiled at the newcomer’s excitement.

“I kind of like this guy.” He thought.

Spike then looked up at the sky, seeing how the setting sun turned the sky a pretty red hue.

“It’s getting a little late.” He said to Jackboot. “You want to get to the castle?”

“Of course.” Jackboot answered. “Lead the way.”

Princess Twilight Sparkle sat in the throne room of her castle. She was reading a list of what festivities will be present at the Summer Sun Celebration. This list included the names of food vendors, the Apple Family being one of them of course, what sort of decorations will be displayed, the entertainment, and a series of suggestions that several ponies had made. This year’s Celebration would no doubt be a success as the chances of something bad happening three times in a row are rather slim.

As she continued reading the parchment before her, she heard the sound of her loyal assistant calling her name.

“Twilight!” He shouted. “We’re here.”

Twilight’s attention to the list vanished upon hearing those two words.

The doors of the throne room opened and the familiar little dragon entered, followed by a very well dressed unicorn carrying a large suitcase with him.

“Hello there!” Twilight said in greeting.

She then got off from her throne and approached the gray stallion.

“You must be Jackboot.” She said. “Celestia told me a lot about you.”

Suddenly, Jackboot put the suitcase down, removed the cap from his head, put it to his chest, and bowed before Twilight.

“It is an honor to meet you, Princess Twilight Sparkle.” He said formally. “As Celestia is my witness, I will not fail in the planning of the Celebration. I solemnly swear.”

Twilight was surprised by the young stallion’s action. Celestia had informed her that Jackboot was very well mannered, but didn’t expect him to be this formal. And it was also a surprise as he had referred to her Royal Title, as it has been quite a while since any pony referred to her in that way.

Twilight merely chuckled.

“It’s alright, Jackboot.” She said. “You don’t have to be so formal.”

Jackboot’s head sprung up to look at Twilight. Realizing what he was doing, the rest of him sprung up as well.

“I apologize, dear Princess.” He said as he put his cap back on. “Other than Celestia and Luna, I don’t often meet Royalty.”

“It’s okay.” Twilight said. “Anyway, how was your journey?”

“It had gone well.” Jackboot said. “It was rather crowded. Especially with the track leading out of Canterlot under construction. I would know because I helped repair it.”

Twilight’s interest increase. He was that hard of a worker?

“And I must say it’s really nice to finally meet you, Princess.” Jackboot continued. “I've been dying to meet you ever since your coronation. Congratulations by the way, despite it being however long ago it was.”

“Why thank you Jackboot.” Twilight said. “And it’s nice to meet you too. Celestia told me a lot about you. We’re going to get along well, you and I. Isn't that right Spike?”

“That’s right.” Spike agreed. “We’ll be good friends by the time the Celebration gets here.”

Friend. That word brought Jackboot back to that conversation he had with Emerald before he left.

“I bet so.” Jackboot said, successfully hiding his anxiety. “So anyway, is there something like a temporary cottage prepared for me, or a room at an inn?”

Twilight and Spike looked at one another, both with a confused look on their faces.

Twilight then looked back at her guest.

“Inn? Cottage?” She asked.

Jackboot was just as confused as the Princess and her dragon friend.

“No silly.” Twilight said. “We actually have a room prepared for you here in the castle.”

Jackboot’s eyes immediately popped out of his head and his jaw hit the ground.

“I get to stay here in the castle?” He asked with surprise in his voice. “That’s not going to be a problem is it?”

Twilight smiled. Celestia had informed her of how humble the stallion before her was.

“It’s no problem at all.” She said. “In fact, it was actually my idea for you to stay here.”

If Jackboot’s eyes popped out any further, they’d be on the floor at this point.

“I…” He said, trying to get his words out. “…I’m forever in your debt, Princess Twilight. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Twilight said.

Twilight then took noticed of the attire Jackboot was wearing. Being a Canterlot pony herself, Twilight wasn’t at all surprised by it.

Jackboot took noticed that Twilight was examining his clothes.

“What is it?” He asked. “Do I have something on my jacket?”

“Oh it’s nothing. I was admiring your clothes.” She said. “Especially those boots of yours. They’re really nice.”

“Thank you.” Jackboot said. “I made them myself, along with everything else you see before you.”

If a stallion from Canterlot wearing clothes didn’t surprise her, the fact that somepony at his age had made all of those clothes, including the boots, most certainly did.

“You made all of that yourself?” She asked with excitement obvious in her voice.

“Indeed I did.” Jackboot said. “You think they’re that good?”

“Are you kidding, they’re amazing!” Twilight answered excitedly. “I bet you and Rarity will get along just fine.”

That name caught Jackboot’s attention. Who was this Rarity?

“I’m sorry but who is this Rarity?”

“You don’t know?” Twilight asked. “She’s owns that boutique in Canterlot, as well as runs the one here.”

“I’m sorry, but don’t really pay that much attention to stuff like that.” Jackboot explained.

“Don’t worry about it.” Twilight said assuring her guest. “You’ll probably meet her tomorrow. With that out of that way, Spike, why don’t you show Jackboot his room and we can get dinner started?”

Spike didn’t answer.

“Spike?”

The two unicorns looked at the young dragon and saw that he was in what appeared to be a love sick trance.

“Rarity…” He said. “…beautiful…”

“Is he alright?” Jackboot asked with concern.

Twilight rolled her eyes and tapped her assistant on the shoulder.

“Spike. Spike!”

Spike snapped out of it.

“I’m sorry, what we’re you two saying. Something about boots?”

Twilight sighed but followed it up with a smile.

“I was asking if you could show Jackboot his room and then we could get dinner started.”

“Oh, okay. I’m on it!” Spike said. “Want me to take you bag Jackboot?”

“It’s alright, Spike.” Jackboot said as he picked the suitcase up with his magic. “I got it; you lead the way.”

Spike nodded and waved for Jackboot to follow him. As they left the throne room, Twilight got Jackboot’s attention.

“Yes, princess?” Jackboot asked.

“Welcome to Ponyville.” Twilight said.