Hammer & Anvil

Current time: 10:30 AM, Monday

Jackboot entered the throne room where everypony else was having a pancake breakfast.

“Morning Jackboot!” Spike said from his sport beside Twilight. “Want some pancakes?”

“Love some.” Jackboot answered.

Jackboot sat himself down at a chair that was placed between Applejack and Rarity where a plate a waited him. As he got himself a stack of pancakes, Twilight began to speak.

“Thank you all for coming out this morning.” She said. “As you know, the Summer Sun Celebration is next Friday, which gives us plenty of time to set everything up.”

She then turned to Applejack who had a mouthful of pancake.

“Back in Thursday, I spoke with Applejack about supplying refreshments. Isn’t that right AJ?”

Applejack swallowed her mouthful of food before answering.

“That’s right.” She said. “And thanks to Jackboot, for the first time in so long, we actually have a surplus of picked apples.”

Jackboot blushed as he scratched the back of his neck.

“Which also mean a whole lot of delicious…?”

“Cider?” Everypony said, finishing Rainbow Dash’s question.

“And again, we’ll have a lot of cider for the celebration.” Applejack said. “Not to mention a lot of apple pie, apple fritters, apple turnovers, y’all get the idea.”

“Very good.” Twilight said as she turned her attention to Pinkie Pie. “I assume Sugar Cube Corner will be up to date with refreshments as well?”

“You betcha!” Pinkie pie answered as she planted another stack of pancakes on her plate. “They’ll be enough sugar to send you to the moon!”

“Tell that to Luna.” Jackboot said casually as he poured more syrup onto his pancakes.

There was brief silence that was followed by everypony laughing.

“Whoa dude, shots fired!” Rainbow said almost spitting out her orange juice.

“Darling you’re terrible!” Rarity snickered.

Jackboot shrugged as he chuckled at his own joke.

After a full minute, everyone calmed down.

“Please don’t tell Luna I said that.” Jackboot said as he wiped some syrup from his cheek. “Anyway, you were saying, Twilight?”

Twilight cleared her throat, but not before one last chuckle.

“So Pinkie, everything okay for the Celebration?” She asked.

“Yeah, everything’s good.” The pink mare said.

Twilight then turned to Rainbow who was pouring herself more juice.

“I don’t even have to ask about the weather for that day.”

Rainbow gave a smile and a nod as she sipped her juice.

“And Fluttershy, I have no doubt that you’ll keep the moles from tunneling under Ponyville today.”

“They’re more energetic than usual this time of year.” Fluttershy said. “Either way, they’ll be fine this coming Friday.”

“And Rarity, what sort of decorations do you plan on using this year?”

“I’m going to go for dark blue and black for Luna, and yellow and orange for Celestia.” Rarity answered. “A bit symbolic don’t you think?”

“I think it’s a great idea!” Spike said.

“I find it an attractive idea as well.” Jackboot said.

“Why thank you boys.” Rarity said. “Didn’t realize that it was going to be that well received.”

“What are you going to do Twilight?” Pinkie asked.

“Making sure everything else goes okay.” Twilight answered. “Essentially make sure no monster comes and ruins everything.”

That was followed by a quick chuckle from everyone.

“Do you have anything in mind Jackboot?” Spike asked after swallowing the last of his pancakes.

“Yeah, watcha going to bring to the table?” Rainbow Dash asked.

Jackboot thought for a moment.

“What sort of thing do you usually have at a Celebration?” He asked. “Well, other than live music and food. Because I’ve been thinking of something different.”

“Watcha got in mind, Sugercube?” Applejack asked with interest.

“I don’t know yet.” Jackboot said. “All I know is that it’s got something new and original. Something…”

Suddenly, a something sparked in Jackboot’s mind, as if the hammer of his cutie mark suddenly leaped off of his flank and hit him in the head.

“Wait, I think I know something.” He then got out of his chair. “I’ll be right back.”

Jackboot then ran out of the throne room, leaving everypony curious.

Jackboot then ran back into the room with what looked like a book.

“I’ve actually brought it with me!” He shouted.

“What is it?” Rainbow asked as she hovered out of her throne.

Jackboot sat down in his chair and plopped the book down and opened it.

“These are my designs from when I was a colt.” He said as he turned through the pages of sketches. “A bunch of my designs never became anything.” He then stopped on one particular page. “With the exception of this one.”

“Electric Pentagon.” Twilight said, reading the name aloud.

“What is this supposed to be?” Spike asked.

“This is supposed to be the ultimate light show.” Jackboot said. “This is essentially how I got my cutie mark.”

“That’s incredible!” Rainbow Dash said, hovering above the table. “You actually built this?”

“Well with my father’s help of course.” Jackboot answered. Suddenly his face slowly went from smile to frown which was followed by a sigh. “It’s just too bad this is how he died.”

Many years ago...

Iron Girder slammed shut the door of the Electric Pentagon’s core module. He was in a clearing outside of Canterlot. The dark gray stallion

wiped the sweat from his short black mane. He wore a dark brown vest which contained his pocket watch.

“Jackboot, how are the other modules?” He called over to the wagon.

A small light gray colt came out from behind the wagon carrying one of the smaller modules with his magic.

“Ready for action!” The little colt said as he trotted over.

“Good.” Iron said. “Now set it eight feet away from the module.”

Jackboot did so before returning to the cart for a second one. After several minutes, all five of the modules were placed in their proper positions.

“How do you feel son?” Iron asked. “Are you nervous?”

“A little.” Jackboot said.

Iron patted his son on the back.

“Don’t worry son, I have all the faith in the world in you.” He said. “After all, you made it this far, so what’s going to stop you now?”

Jackboot smiled and nodded.

“You’re right!”

“Now get suited up. Fancy Pants and his entourage will be here soon.”

Several minutes after Jackboot disappeared behind the wagon, Iron heard somepony calling over to him.

“Hello Mr. Iron.”

Iron turned and saw a familiarly dressed stallion followed by several other ponies.

“Hello Fancy Pants!” Iron called in return.

The entourage stopped as Fancy Pants introduced everypony. These ponies included, Sliver Frames, Swan Song, and Golden Gavel.

Jackboot appeared from behind the wagon in a full body rubber suit, a pair of boots, and a pair of goggles on his forehead.

“I presume this little colt is the pony of the hour?” Silver Frames asked.

Iron turned his head towards his son.

“Yes it is.” He said. “Jackboot, come say hello.”

The small colt approached the adults.

“Hello young pony.” Fancy Pants said. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”

Jackboot shook the adult unicorn’s hand.

“And you as well, sir.” He said. “I see a lot of ponies came out to see this.”

“Well of course.” Swan Song said. “How could we not after hearing about what this…”

She then looked over at the pentagon.

“…whatever this device is.”

“Why don’t you explain what the Electric Pentagon is, Jackboot?” Iron asked.

Jackboot nodded.

“Would you all follow me please?”

Everypony followed Jackboot to the pentagon.

“As my father said, this is the Electric Pentagon.” Jackboot said. “This is pretty much a light show. As you see, there are five smaller modules surrounded the center one. Each one has a certain colored crystal, a command crystal, and a tube of twittermites. The center one on the other hand, has each of the colored crystals; these colors include red, blue, yellow, green, and pink, and a command crystal which is stationed above a larger crystal.”

Golden Gavel raised his hoof.

“Yes sir?”

“What sort of crystal is the large one?” Golden Gavel asked.

“It’s called a black crystal.” Jackboot explained. “We had to go far and wide for this one crystal. And speaking of the crystals, they all have to be the same shape and the same weight as well. From what father and I discovered, when you combine twittermites with the command crystals, it creates a charge; the required charge depends on the amount of twittermites that are in the tube. Does that answer your question?”

“It does, thank you.” Golden Gavel said with a nodded.

“Speaking of twittermites.”

Jackboot then walked over to the central module and opened it, revealing a total of five tubes of twittermites, all positioned on what looked like a rotating platform in a circle. He then picked up a tube of the twittermites and presented them for everypony to see.

“These are twittermites.” Jackboot explained. “You, see they can get pretty annoyed easily. And when they get annoyed, they charge up so they can zap whatever it is that’s annoying them. The crystals absorb the electrical charge, and then the command crystals transfer this charge to the outer modules, which agitate the twittermites in them.”

Golden Frames raised her hoof with a question.

“Yes, ma’am, what is your question?” Jackboot asked.

“How exactly do the lights go on and off?” She asked. “Is there a switch mechanism?”

“That’s a very good question, ma’am.” Jackboot said. “You see, this device can only be operated by unicorns. You see, when one causes the turntable the twittermites are on to turn, the twittermites start to charge up. The faster the rotation, the higher the charge. And once the black crystal absorbs enough charge, it creates a telepathic link between the user and the device. That’s when the colored crystals come into play. You see, much like with teleportation, you can teleport to a certain location, once you have a good image of that location. But when it comes to the device, you can create any image you want by getting a good look of what you want to make. Whether it is a tea cup, a flower, or a pony if you wish.”

Jackboot then paused to see if anypony else had any questions.

“Now, would anypony like to see this in action, or listen to me talk all night?”

“Before you begin the demonstration, Iron had told me earlier that you had gained your cutie mark during the test run of this.” Fancy Pants said. “Is that true?”

“Indeed it is true, sir.” Jackboot said. “I’d show you, but I would have to put this suit back on.”

“Very well.” Fancy Pants said. “Anyway, I assume you want us to stand back?”

“If you please” Jackboot said. “This electricity is no joke.”

(Cut)

Iron and the guests were stood about twenty feet away from the cart. Iron and Jackboot had told them that it was best if they stood that far away.

Jackboot put his goggles on, and began the demonstration. He used his magic to turn the tubes inside the core module. The light from the glass dome had shown how much charge was being created. After thirty seconds, Jackboot was now linked with the black crystal. He then began to think of images to create with the crystals. The first image he created was a rabbit. The second a tea cup. The third a bird.

“Your son is amazing.” Swan Song said to Iron.

“I knew he could do it.” Iron said. “I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

After several seconds, Golden Gavel got Iron’s attention.

“Iron, I was wondering.” He said. “Shouldn’t his horn be covered as well?”

“It doesn’t have to.” Iron said. “Why do you ask?”

“I was wondering because his horn is the only thing not covered in rubber.” Golden said. “And I don’t know that much about electricity that you two know, but wouldn’t it backfire if the charge gets too high?”

It suddenly hit Iron in the back of the head when he saw the light from the core module grew brighter.

“All of you stay here!” He said. “Jackboot, stop!”

(Cut)

Jackboot opened his eyes slowly as he lied down. His body felt like jelly in some places.

“Where…?”

“Easy there.” Somepony said.

He looked up and saw Swan Song sat down beside him.

“You were out for a while now.” She said. “Are you alright?”

Before Jackboot could answer, he looked over and saw his father lying down on the ground, with Golden Gavel and Silver Frames standing in front of him.

“Father…?”

Jackboot then stood up.

“Jackboot, I wouldn’t do that if I were you.” Fancy Pants said with alarm.

Jackboot ignored him and got passed the two adults.

“Father, are you okay?”

There was no answer.

“Father?”

No answer.

“Papa…?"

The throne room was dead quiet after hearing Jackboot’s story.

“Oh my…” Fluttershy said.

“Jackboot, I’m… …so sorry.” Applejack added.

Rarity wiped tears from her eyes.

Jackboot was quiet as he sat there as a tear went down his cheek.

Suddenly he felt somepony pull him into a hug. He turned his head saw that it was Pinkie Pie who had tears in her eyes.

“I’m so sorry Jacky.” She said.

“You didn’t have to explain what happened.” Twilight added.

Jackboot sniffed.

“No” He said. “It’s alright. I would’ve ended up telling that story eventually.”

He then noticed how quiet the room had become.

“Don’t let my story dampen the mood.” He said as he wiped a tear from his eye. He then took another bite of his pancakes. “These are very good pancakes by the way.”

Everypony else understood that Jackboot didn’t want to continue on with this matter, and focused their attention back on the pancakes, with the exception of Pinkie who was still latched onto him.

“You can let go of me now, Pinkie.” He said. “I think those pancakes of yours aren’t going to eat themselves.”

“Are you sure?” Pinkie asked.

Jackboot nodded.

“If they did eat themselves, I think you’d have a problem on your hooves.”

Pinkie chuckled.

“That would be a problem.”

She then gently let go of him.

As Pinkie walked back to her seat, Jackboot stared down at his notebook, more specifically at the design on the page.

Suddenly a spark went off in his brain.

“I will make you proud papa!” He shouted, accidently aloud.

He then jumped out of his seat.

“Pardon me everypony but I got work to do!”