Hammer & Anvil

Current time: 1:31 PM, Thursday

Jackboot emitted a large burp as he and Pinkie Pie walked out of the Hay Burger.

“Pardon me.” He said, covering his mouth.

Pinkie Pie laughed.

“That was weak.” She said before emitting a louder belch.

Jackboot laughed at Pinkie’s burp just as she did at his.

“I thank you again Miss Pie.” He said. “Although I could’ve payed for our meals.”

“It’s alright Jacky.” Pinkie said. “After all, we’re friends now.”

That word again.

“We are friends right?” She asked.

Jackboot then smiled and nodded.

“Yeah, we are.” He said.

Pinkie giggled.

“Well, I got to get back to Sugar Cube Corner now.”

She then latched onto Jackboot like a pair of vice grips.

“I’ll see you later new bestie!”

“I’ll see you as well.” Jackboot said, almost gasping from breath.

Pinkie then let go and went on her way, but not before giving her new friend a quick but friendly smile.

“New bestie.” He said, repeating what Pinkie had said. “I like the idea of that, but why does my gut say otherwise?”

He then paused.

“But yet I already know the answer.”

As Jackboot walked through town, he looked up at Twilight’s castle.

“I wonder where the castle is.” He asked himself jokingly.

As he looked at the castle, he looked down at the street and saw a familiar purple dragon, who appeared to be carrying something.

The dragon saw Jackboot and waved over to him.

“Hey Jackboot!” He said. “What’s up?”

“Hello Spike.” Jackboot said as he approached the young assistant and saw that he was carrying a bag filled with unknown contents.

“What have you been doing all day?” Spike asked.

“Well I helped Applejack and her big brother pick apples, two carts worth at that, I met a pegasus named Rainbow Dash, discovered what was left of the library, and had lunch with a very energetic pony. I think her name was Pinkie Pie.”

“That’s good.” Spike said. “Nice to see you’re having fun.”

Jackboot then took more notice of the bag Spike is carrying.

“What do you have in the bag there?” He asked.

“It’s full of Owlicious’s feathers.” Spike explained, patting the cloth bag. “Rarity is making a dress for a client and needed feathers for it. Fluttershy is bringing some feathers too.”

“Who’s Fluttershy?” Jackboot asked. “Friend of yours?”

“Yep, she’s probably at the Boutique right now.” Spike said. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

The two found themselves at Rarity’s Boutique. The decorative looking building interested Jackboot. It reminded him a lot of some of the businesses in Canterlot.

As they approached, they spotted a yellow, pink haired pegasus touch down in from the building carrying a bag similar to Spike’s.

“Hey Fluttershy!” Spike said, calling over the mare.

The mare turned around a smiled upon seeing the purple dragon.

“Hello Spike.” She said quietly.

She then looked over at Jackboot.

“Hello, who are you?” She asked.

“This is Jackboot.” Spike said, introducing the well-dressed stallion. “He’s here to help out with the Summer Sun Celebration.” He then looked over at Jackboot. “Jackboot, this is Fluttershy. If you want help with any animal, you come to her.”

Jackboot then extended his hoof in greeting.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Fluttershy.”

Fluttershy gently shook Jackboot’s hoof.

“And you too Jackboot.”

Spike then knocked on the door before entering with Jackboot and Fluttershy in toe.

Jackboot looked around the inside of the boutique. It looked rather similar to the boutique his mother owns back in Canterlot, but Rarity’s was a tad pinker than his mother’s.

“Rarity we’re here!” Spike called.

“Coming!” Someone answered from another room.

Jackboot heard hoof steps coming from the stairs, assuming that this pony is Rarity he heard so much about. Upon seeing who came down the stairs, it seemed that for Jackboot, time slowed to a complete halt as her hooves made contact with the floor.

Time may have stopped, but Jackboot’s heart didn’t get the message. At this point, one wouldn’t need a stethoscope to see how high his heart rate was.

“Beautiful…” He thought as the ponies perfectly styled, indigo mane bounced as the mare strode across the floor to Fluttershy and Spike.

Fluttershy and Spike? That’s right, he didn’t come alone.

“Oh thank you such much darlings.” Rarity said as the yellow pegasus and the purple dragon gave her the feathers.

“You’re welcome Rarity.” Fluttershy said.

“Anything for you.” Spike added, bordering on another love sick trance.

Rarity thanked her friends as she began to notice the third pony in the room.

“Oh hello there…” Her welcome was cut off by the sight of Jackboot’s clothing.

“Oh my goodness!” She shouted.

She then raced over to Jackboot. Suddenly, time seemed to almost fast forward.

Jackboot backed up a little as the white mare got close to him.

He looked into her eyes, which resembled sapphires and glistened in the light as she looked up and down.

“I absolutely love your outfit!” She said with glee. “I must know who designed it. Can you give be the ponies name?”

Jackboot didn’t know what to say at this point. The most beautiful mare he’s ever seen was several inches away from his face.

Suddenly, Rarity produced a look of concern.

“Are you alright?” She asked.

Finally Jackboot snapped out of it.

“Oh, yes!” Jackboot said, unintentionally answering loudly. “I’m sorry, what were you asking?”

“I was asking who designed your outfit.” Rarity said. “It’s absolutely lovely! Especially those boots!”

Seeing that mares smile made Jackboot almost melt into his boots. But he didn’t want to melt just yet, as he had to answer her question.

“Actually, I designed them.” He finally answered.

Rarity’s eyes almost popped out of her head, much Jackboot almost did several times before, upon hearing his answer.

“You made them?” She asked.

“Yes, ma’am.” Jackboot said. “Boots and all.”

“That’s incredible.” Rarity said. “I must say, you and I will get along perfectly.”

She then stuck her hoof out.

“I’m Rarity.”

Jackboot shook her hoof as gently as he could.

“Jackboot.” He said. “Pleasure to meet you ma’am.”

Rarity smiled. Again, causing Jackboot to almost melt.

Rarity’s smile faded as she seemed to remember something.

“What did you come here for again?” She asked. Before anypony could answer, she then remembered. “Oh of course, the feathers!”

She then turned to the two others in the room.

“Thank you again for the feathers.” She said. “I really appreciate it.”

“If you don’t mind me asking…” Jackboot said. “…what are you making exactly?”

“Oh, I’m making a lovely feather boa for an outfit I’m making.” Rarity answered happily. “But…” Her smile disappeared yet again. “…but I can’t make anything right now.”

Jackboot grew concerned.

“What happened?” He asked.

“I accidently knocked my sewing machine over.”” Rarity explained. “It didn’t explode or anything, thankfully. But something is wrong; the feed dog just doesn’t want to move. Now I can’t make anything now. It is the WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!”

Jackboot understood.

“Wait here.” He said. “I’ll be right back.”

Before anypony can say something, Jackboot turned around, ran towards the door, and there was bright flash, and Jackboot was gone.

“Where did he go?” Fluttershy asked.

Before anyone could answer, the bright light returned and so did Jackboot. This time, Jackboot had a saddle bag of tools.

“How about I have a look at it?”

Rarity led everyone into her room, which she also used as her work room. Jackboot saw the sewing machine. It looked to be alright, but then again, Rarity said earlier that it didn’t explode.

“The feed dog won’t move.” Rarity explained. “I can’t seem to figure out what’s wrong.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Jackboot then positioned the machine to where he can work with it. He took out his screw driver and began to unscrew the screws which kept the shell of the machine closed. After removing the last screw, he carefully opened the machine, revealing the inner workings of the machine. He then used his horn to light the interior, making it easier to see. As he examined the inner workings, he saw the problem.

“Bingo!” He said.

He then waved for Rarity to come to him. Spike and Fluttershy did the same.

“You see this part here?”

Rarity looked and recognized the part Jackboot pointed at.

“That’s the mechanism that helps the feed dog work.” She said. She then saw that one of the rods was dislodged. “Oh, I see.”

Jackboot then took hold of the rod and reconnected it back to its rightful place.

“There we go.”

Jackboot then put back part of the shell of the machine. As he put back the screws that held it together, Rarity got his attention.

“I thank you so much, darling.”

Darling. That one word almost caused Jackboot to drop his screw driver. But fortunately he was able to maintain his composer and continue his task.

“It’s no problem, ma’am.”

He then put the last screw in place and put his screwdriver into the bag.

“What do I owe you?” Rarity asked.

“Oh please. You don’t owe me anything.” Jackboot said.

“But darling, I must give you something in return.” Rarity beckoned.

Suddenly, Rarity had an idea.

“Wait here a moment.”

She then trotted over to a chest in the room and opened it. From within the came a series of shining lights.

This caused Spike to almost drool.

What was in the chest?

Rarity then retrieved something from within it before closing the chest.

She then trotted over to Jackboot, took his hoof, and placed something in it. Upon Rarity removing hers, Jackboot that what she gave him was a large blue crystal. It would make Spike’s claws look tiny if he were to hold it.

Suddenly, the image of silhouette of a grown stallion lying on the floor came to his mind.

Jackboot gasped, letting the crystal fall to the floor.

“What’s wrong?” Rarity asked with a worried tone. “Do you not like it?”

Jackboot looked and saw a look of sadness on Rarity’s face.

“Oh, no.” Jackboot said as he picked the crystal up from the floor. “I thought I saw a bug on it. Guess it was my imagination playing tricks on me.”

Rarity’s face returned to her pleasant smile.

“But still, though.” Jackboot continued. “You really didn’t have to.”

“But I insist Darling.” Rarity said, putting a hoof on his cheek. “You deserve it.”

Jackboot, again, almost melted upon seeing that wonderful smile of hers, combined with those two shining eyes.

“Alright then.” He said. “I’ll accept it. Thank you, Miss Rarity.”

Rarity’s smiled continued.

“Well anyway, I got some work to do.” She said as she approached her repaired sewing machine. She then turned again to Jackboot. “And again, thank you so much Jackboot. I hope I see you again.”

Jackboot nodded.

“I hope to see you again as well, Miss Rarity.”

Rarity grinned before she began on her work.

“Well, I’m going to head back home now.” Fluttershy said. “Angel Bunny is probably wondering where I am right now.”

“I’ll walk out with you.” Jackboot said. “I’ll see you later Miss Rarity.”

“And you as well, Jackboot.” Rarity said as she waved at him.

Jackboot and Spike strolled down the road together.

Jackboot still had Rarity on his mind.

“Such a pretty mare.” He thought.

As he thought of Rarity, he felt the crystal rattled in his pocket.

“She really didn’t need give me the crystal.”

“Well, she is the Element of Generosity.” Spike said.

Suddenly Jackboot stopped.

Spike noticed this and stopped as well.

“What’s wrong Jackboot?” He asked.

“Could you repeat that please?” Jackboot asked.

“She’s the Element of Generosity.” Spike said.

“Are you telling me that I was speaking to an Element of Harmony the whole time?” Jackboot asked. “Who are the other Elements? I know that Twilight is the Element of Magic.”

“Well, you have Fluttershy who is the Element of Kindness.” Spike explained. “Then you have Pinkie Pie, the Element of Laughter, Apple Jack, the Element of Honesty, and then you have Rainbow Dash, the Element of Loyalty. Since you were Celestia’s student, wouldn’t you have known this already?”

“Well, my memory is a little weak sometimes.” Jackboot said. “When I was a colt I fell off a ladder and hit my head pretty hard.”

“Ouch. That must’ve hurt.” Spike said. “Are you okay now?”

“Well sometimes I do remember things, sometimes I don’t.” Jackboot explained. “It’s pretty on and off sometimes. I get so annoyed when I forget something important. Like not setting my alarm clock.”

“Well it could be worse.” Spike said. “You could end up forgetting an entire day when you go to sleep.”

“Well thank Celestia I don’t have that problem.” Jackboot said. “With that out of the way, what’re you going to do now that you gave Miss Rarity those feathers?”

Before Spike could answer, they heard someone calling over to them.

“Spike, Jackboot!” They heard.

The looked and saw Twilight Sparkle flying to towards them. Who of which landed in front of the two.

“Hey Twilight, what’s up?” Spike asked in greeting.

“Just got back from the Hay Burger.” She said. “I got a little hungry.”

“I was there earlier.” Jackboot said. “I was there with Pinkie Pie.”

“Sounds like you’ve been having a good day.” Twilight said with a smile. She then turned her attention to Spike. “I’m glad I found you Spike. It’s about that time to reorganize the Library.”

“Oh man.” Spike groaned.

“Mind if I help?” Jackboot asked.

“Of course you can.” Twilight said happily. “Maybe while we do that you can tell me about your time as Celestia’s student.”

“Sure. But there’s something I’d like to know.” Jackboot said. “What happened to the library? Was there an accident or something?”

Twilight sighed, knowing very well of what happened.

“It’s a long story…”