Hammer & Anvil

“What?!” Emerald Button asked with horror. “What do you mean my Jacky is fighting a Dragon?!”

Ballpin, Frosted Cookie, Dive Bomber, Rainbow Dash, and the Wonderbolts have arrived back at Twilight’s castle. With Jackboot’s mother were Princess Twilight, Spike, Cadence, Shining Armor, Flash Sentry, Mayor Mare, Blue Collar, and Rarity who had come looking for Jackboot. Dive Bomber explained to Emerald what had happened, from when he learned what had happened; them going to the dragon’s cave to the get the watch, to fighting the dragon, and Jackboot running back into the cave so the cave can be sealed.

“I hope he’s alright.” Cadence said.

“How long ago did he run back into the cave?” Twilight asked.

“Well if one were to take the location of the sun in the sky into account, and add the amount of time it took for us to run here…” Ballpin explained. “…it was about minutes sixteens… …I mean, sixteen minutes. Or twenty one minutes if you add the time it took for us to explain what had happened.”

“Where is this cave exactly?” Shining Armor asked. “Because Flash Sentry and I can assemble a squad to go and help him.”

“I can send for a squad right now.” Flash Sentry said.

Before anypony could say anything else, there was a massive POOF.

“That won’t be necessary.”

In front of the ponies was none other than Princess Celestia herself in all he royal glory, with an unconscious unicorn slouched over her back.

“Jackboot!”

Emerald and Rarity ran over to him.

“What happened?” The former asked.

“Is he okay?” The latter asked.

Celestia gave a calming smile.

“He’s a tad bruised and unconscious from shock.” She said. “Other than that he’s alright. He’s had an eventful day as far.”

“When will he wake up?” Spike asked.

“Soon, Spike.” Celestia answered. “Can you point me in the direction of his room? He needs his rest.”

“I hope he’s alright.” Ballpin said to the Wonderbolts as they strolled through town.

Since Jackboot needed his rest, Ballpin and everypony that was required at the castle were allowed to leave.

“He’ll be fine.” Spitfire said. “Sprained hoof and a little shock isn’t the worst thing the in world. Right, Soarin?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Soarin asked with annoyance, causing Ballpin and the two mares to laugh.

“Anyway, we’d love to stay and chat, but we got some practice to break in.” Spitfire said. “We’ll see you tomorrow. If you have any suggestions for our routine or something, just gives us a heads up.”

“Oh! And before I forget…” Soarin said. “…make sure you head over to the Clover Café at five, tell them you're with "pie party of two".”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” Ballpin said. “See you all later.”

The other two Wonderbolts said their goodbyes and left with their superior.

As Ballpin watched the winged wonders fly away, somepony caught his attention.

“Ballpin!”

He turned and saw a familiar, bowtie wearing mare.

“Oh, hello Octavia.”

Octavia stopped in front of him.

“Are you alright?” She asked.

“Of course.” Ballpin asked. “Why do you ask?”

“Well, after you left my house last night, I saw that you looked a little distraught.” Octavia explained. “Do you; have a crush on me by any chance?”

Ballpin didn’t see this coming.

“Well, yeah.” He said. “But can you really blame me? You are a lovely and talented mare after all.”

Octavia’s cheeks turned red.

“And in regards to me being distraught, I’m alright now.” Ballpin continued. “Noteworthy found me earlier and thanked me for helping you out the other night. So either way, we’re cool.”

“Besides, Soarin is setting up an evening for me with this mare. I'm not sure what her name is, though. Guess there's only one way to find out."

“Oh really?” Octavia said with a smile. “Good for you.”

Octavia then looked up for a moment.

“What else did I come out here for?” She asked. “Oh that’s right. Vinyl and I were talking earlier about our performance and she brought up your singing from the other night. And then we talked about that device you and Jackboot are building.”

Ballpin took full interest.

“Tell me more.”

Emerald, Rarity, Dive Bomber, and Celestia sat in Jackboot’s room. It had been about half an hour since Celestia brought the gray unicorn home.

“I really hope he’s alright.” Rarity said, rubbing Jackboot’s forehead.

“He will be.” Celestia said. “After all he’s only passed out because of the shock.”

Emerald let out a sigh.

“I shouldn’t have been so hard on him.” She said. “Maybe then he wouldn’t have gone to that cave.”

“It’s my fault actually.” Dive Bomber said. “It was my idea to go to the cave in the first place.”

“It doesn’t matter who’s at fault.” Celestia said, cutting into the conversation. “What matters is that Jackboot is alright, and the dragon has been dealt with.”

“What happened to that dragon anyway?” Rarity asked.

“Let’s just say a certain Lord of Chaos has a new play thing.” Celestia answered plainly.

Suddenly, everypony in the room saw Jackboot begin to stir on his bed.

“Uh…” He said as he vocal chords began to work again. “…what happened?”

Suddenly, Jackboot found himself in the tight embrace of his mother.

Emerald looked at her son in the eye, with what looked like tears in her eyes.

“Don’t ever scare me like that again!” She said before embracing him again.

As Jackboot hugged his Mother back, he spotted Rarity and smiled at her, who smiled back and joined in the hug.

“Nice to see you’re alright, man.” Dive Bomber added.

After giving Dive Bomber a hoof bump, Jackboot realized that the Princess of the Sun and his teacher was in the room as well.

“Princess?” He said as Rarity and emerald let go of him. “What are you doing here?”

“She was the one who brought you here, darling.” Rarity said.

“She poofed in after we told everypony what happened.” Dive Bomber added.

Jackboot looked back at the Princess, who maintained her signature warm smile.

“I can’t thank you enough, Princess.” He said.

“I’m just glad you’re alright.” Celestia said as she approached her student. “How is your hoof?”

Jackboot looked and saw that his front left hoof was wrapped in a bandage.

“Oh, right. I remember now.” He said. “By the way, how did you know I was in the cave? Did somepony tell you? And was the entrance to the cave sealed?”

“Let’s just say I was in the right place at the right time.” Celestia said. “In regards to the cave, Ballpin told me that he managed to seal the cave as you told him. Expected nothing less from one of my students.”

The last of what the Princess said caught Jackboot’s attention.

“Student? What do you mean?” He asked. It then clicked in his head. “Are saying Ballpin is…?”

“I just realized that I was in the middle something before I came here.” Celestia said, cutting Jackboot off. “I’ll see you all tomorrow. And Jackboot, good luck with your project.”

Celestia then disappeared in a flash of light.

Before Jackboot could ponder on what Celestia was talking about, he felt Rarity grab onto him again.

“I’m glad you’re alright, darling.” She said.

Jackboot returned the hug.

“I’m sorry for worrying you.” He said.

“I’m the one who should be apologizing.” Dive Bomber said. “If I didn’t suggest going to that cave, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt like you did.”

“Well if I…”

“Let’s just say you’re both sorry.” Emerald said, interrupting her son, causing him and his friend to dodge a cliché.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

“Come in!”

The door opened and a familiar blonde hair unicorn entered.

“Nice to see you’re okay.” He said. “How you feeling?”

“I’m still alive thanks to our beloved sovereign.” Jackboot answered. “What are you doing back here?”

“I come bearing an idea.” Ballpin said. “I ran into Octavia earlier and she mentioned the evening I spent with her and Vinyl when I sang for them, and I came up with a great idea.”

“Well, what is it?” Dive Bomber asked.

“It involves the Electric Pentagon, the Wonderbolts, and Octavia and Vinyl’s music.” Ballpin explained.

Jackboot cocked an eyebrow with interest.

“What sort of music? What do you have in mind?”

“Well we should probably get the Pentagon working first.” Ballpin said. “Come on!”

Jackboot looked to his mother.

“You don’t need my permission.” Emerald said. “As far as I know, you’re punishment is revoked.”