Ponyville Engineering Firm, March 21 2013, Tuesday 4:10 PM

"You done for the day Tink?" Blaze Draft inquired.

Its quarter past 4 in the afternoon, and that means that our day in the job has ended and we can go home to come back here for the next day.

As to where I am, I'm in a place where I, Tinker Gear, work in.

There's nothing interesting to say about this place. It's pretty much like a brick building with the outside walls with steel - like colors, and a big wrench and a pencil on the top of the building to signify our profession, right next to the big "Ponyville Engineering Firm" sign.

After moving my goggles above my eyes with my violet hoof, I looked at Blaze Draft, a blue unicorn with a darker hue of blue of a mane and tale, probably colbat, and a suitcase as a cutie mark to indicate that he is the manager of this place.

"Yeah Blaze, Let me clean my desk first before I go alright?" I replied as I grabbed my brush and started to clean my table from used eraser bits, pencil dust and more of the like.

While I was sweeping the rubbish off my table, Blaze had more to say.

"All right Tink, but do you want to come with us for a drink? It has been a week and we've been working our flanks off with our projects" Blaze said with excitement in his voice.

He's one of our managers but he wants us to consider him as a friend. He is actually fun to be with considering my time here in the workplace, which has been 2 years. In my experience he does not yell at us when we are troubled, he helps us by teaching us what to do, he hangs out with all of us sometimes, and there's probably more to what he does to us than what I can think of right now. That's one of the stuff the he does that makes me like his jovial personality.

"Sorry Boss, I'm kind of busy when I get home," I said as I pointed at the projects that where not done behind me, like some designs of a machine in the weather factory that needed some modification and "repair".

Apparently one the manager of the weather factory thought that the clouds in the cloud machines where broken because the clouds look more "Stubby" and "Unusual", being the only pegasus here he hired me with some other pegasus engineers to help and fix the machine. It was funny because the last time I checked, the clouds where just fine!

"I would only make it weird because I don't drink that much anyways" I continued as I looked down, frowning at my incompetence.

Not trying to be rude by denying an invitation, but if I am to describe myself. I am an awkward pony by nature. Being bullied back when I was in school made my self - confidence dwindled little by little till I lost most of it.

When I am with ponies that I don't know, who are new to me or some ponies that I didn't warm up to yet will make the butterflies in my stomach crazy and make me nervous. I'm not much of a drinker anyway so I don't want to be inebriated because of such activity.

Its also because of my family reunion thing in canterlot that transpired a few days back, is the reason why designs that I am supposed to work on were moved to next week. So I have to hurry up and finish it fast.

"Aw, don't worry about that, I mean sure we drink but that doesn't mean we can have a little chat am I right?" Blaze said reassuringly,

I thought about it, after returned my little happy broom back in my desk drawer. I look back to see Blaze's anticipating smile.

With a reluctant sigh, I nodded. He smiled, but I said something before he went out.

"But I won't drink anything tonight alright? I don't want to have hangover tomorrow, or better yet, living with a migraine for the whole day" I explained, he then chuckled and continued to go out the door then after.

"I'll wait for you out the exit, take your time okay" Blaze said, before walking out the door and gently closing it. I then stood up from my chair and walked to my office mirror.

I observed the room once more to see if it is clean enough, from the carpet floor, the white cement walls with some paintings here and there, some of them are pictures of gears that are installed in some sort of machines and some of them are just nature and trees and such, and a couple of windows just to my right. They weren't big, but they where big enough to give me some cool air to blow in.

Putting my projects and tools in my saddlebag. I was adamant on keeping my brown safety glasses on but not in front of my azure eyes, I let it rest on my dark magenta mane, I wanted to look smart and I didn't want to scratch my glasses in the bag anyways. I walked to the other side of the room to see myself in my standing mirror. Taking off my clothes, I hung them on the coat racket beside it.

I checked myself out just in case if I need some "self - fixing", I did sit in an office for a whole day so I was bound to be with sweat. From my dark magenta tail, Gears Cutie mark, violet coat, azure eyes, and Equally magenta mane, both the tail and mane has a darker hue of the color.

My mane is a little messy and I am a little sweaty for being cramped in an office for some time, but I looked fine enough.

I grabbed my saddlebags and I strapped them on me, I opened the door to my office and closed it. Locking it with my key I had and placed it back in my saddle bags. Some time later, I saw Blaze just near the office entrance eagerly waiting for my arrival.

Blaze led me out of the workshop where I was greeted with a shining dusk, ponies closing their shops and ponies ushering their foals to go back home for it was close to evening. I looked up to see the clouds reflecting the colors of the setting sun, dark red and orange with a bit of dark purple and lavender can be seen in the sky I don't know but I enjoy Twilight more than dusk, just the bright vibrant colors makes me want to smile everytime I see it. Don't get me wrong, I still like dusk, bit it's more melancholy than what twilight is.

I was woke out of my train of though when Blaze was walking ahead of me. Noticing this, I immediately rushed to go near Blaze, walking on par with him. We now walked for minutes straight in awkward silence.

"How's your projects going along?" Blaze asked, trying to initiate a conversation to break the awkward silence. I looked at him, Still cringing at the inside because of that silence.

"It's been fine, I must admit that some needs to catch - up because of my trip for a family reunion in Canterlot, that's why I have to work on those tonight" I answered pointing on the scrolls spilling out in my bag, Blaze's head rose with confusion.

"Tink, the deadline's up until next week monday, you can always do those on the week ends" Blaze suggested.

Heh? Does he even know me? I would do it on the weekends, but I just want to do nothing at that time and rest for the entire day, nothing but sleep. Sleep was good, Sleep was the best. I am now longing for my bed.

"Sorry Blaze but the earlier done the better, plus I have to tutor some kids on Friday in Ponyville school house about some basic math so I have to prepare some books for me to read for them in the Library" I answered, I am a mechanical engineer after all. Blaze was caught off guard about my last sentence and looked surprised. What? He never thought that I liked to teach?

"Huh, since when did you get that job?" Blaze questioned, we're getting close to our destination.

"I saw in the flyers back in Ponyville main hall that the school house needs a substitute teacher in math and basic algebra, Ms. Cheerliee has something to do in that time apparently, she didn't tell me what and why, she just wanted a substitute" I explained thoroughly.

Blaze was still in thought for a few moments, but then nodded to himself. A few more idle chatter ensued then some time later, the bar could be seen in the distance

A slightly big hut Named "Village's Tavern" with a large beer mug filled with, well beer with some of it spilling over.

We then step at the door of the bar, it looked like something from apoloosa, But I didn't think of it too much because Blaze and I decided to enter the place.

~~~~~~~~~~

Village's Tavern, March 21 2013, Tuesday 4: 23 PM

When we entered, it was just like the western saloon, wooden chairs and tables everywhere, a bartender behind a wooden counter and no windows. The place has not that much ponies in it, but enough to make a slight buzz of conversation go aroujd the place, Blaze and I found 3 of our co - workers, holding filled beer glass in their hooves and where talking with each other until they saw Blaze and I by the door.

The grey earthpony with a slick mane is Architectural Design, The orange Unicron with brown mane is Tick Tock and The red stallion with a yellow mane is I guess Working Wrench? I really can't be sure.

They cheered for Blaze being present in the bar with them, ordering a glass of beer for 5 bits, I don't know what kind of beer though, I just call it beer.

As for I, I "gracefully" took a seat with them beside Blaze as they conversed with each other.

Damn, I'm being shy again. Calm down will you, or not they will think that you are wie -

"Hey! How's been going Tinker?" Design asked me with a full beer glass in his hoof and a stench of alcohol in his breath. Breaking my reverie and snapping me back to reality.

"Oh, it has been fine" I answered clumsily, and he engaged a conversation with me. They grey pony took a chug at his beer, then he looked at me again.

"Why don't you have beer with us?" He asked in a tipsy manner, he had a smile on his face that was goofy. I know that I couldn't blame his because he is slightly intoxicated.

What was that? the question, right.

"Well, I'm not the much of a drinker" I replied again, the nervousness was still visible, but albeit slightly.

Then a blue hoof then went on for my right shoulder and rested itself there, I looked to see Blaze wrapping his hoof around my shoulders, he is tipsy, but still able be able to control himself. Then he offered me a glass of beer.

"Come on, just one pint?" He asked, I know I told him that I don't drink much, but I didn't say that I don't drink. So a cup wouldn't hurt.

I grabbed the mug and I gave it a one chug. Then everyone around me shouted "hooray" for my courage to drink the concoction.

I was getting dizzy too.

Ponyville streets, March 21 2013, Tuesday 7:47 PM

It was going for 3 hours and another cup of beer. They talked with me, I talked back to them. I was getting Sober, they where getting drunker. We were laughing, sharing experiences, stories and such. They were not bad and I was actually enjoying my time here with them.

Then I realized that the more I talked with them, the more noticeable my fatigue was. It was a full day with me using my brain doing calculations and some measuring on different types of machinery so it was tiring.

I excused myself early and went home with them saying goodbye.

Stepping out the taven's doors, I didn't notice the time running until I knew that it was dark out, the sun has already set and Luna's brilliance has been showcased in all its glory in the night sky.

I found myself staring at the sky for a few minutes until I continued walking. It was dark out, but the moonlight was bright enough for me to see where I'm going. A random though passed, I don't know why Luna was jealous, the moon is better than to sun!

At least I don't get blinded when I look at it with my bare eyes.

Walking around the corner of the road, I continued to walk until I noticed a faint blue glow somewhere in the corner of my eye, turning my head to see the same glow in some alley I was facing between to house of ponies I don't know.

Being the curious pony that I am, I felt adventurous and went in there to discover it, I went in following the glow until I found the source. After turning around a corner, I found the glowing object. It was in a dead end in an alleyway, with a garbage can on the right and dumpster at the end.

It was nothing I have ever seen before, it is a blue round stone with a glowing light around it with the same color, it glowed over the walls between two the two house's brick walls. The designs around are vague, it was three lines spiraling around it and a circular shape in the middle with some weird characters on the top of it as well.

Grnvgizevo Hglmv 6000

KILGLGBKV

Was the writing I found.

I circled around it with a hungry look of curiosity in my eyes. Like how a predator is with its prey, it was something that I can tinker with and learn about, perhaps give to the princess.

Questions began to pop in my mind like a broken cloud dispenser.

What is this?

Where did this come from?

What does this do?

How did this get here of all places?

Who would own this?

More questions came to mind until I realized that I was close to the thing, I subconsciously walked there when I was mentally questioning it.

I stared at it for what seem like hours until I got the courage to touch it. To get a hold of it and test it back home to see what it was, decode the cipher on top.
I rose my hoof, I tried to pick the strange enigma up, but the second my hoof touched it, the stone shined so bright that it blinded me. I could also hear something when I was being blinded.

Thank you for the participation

I heard something say with a bit of delay in it's voice. I can't correctly describe it because I was to focused on the blinding light that was attacking my retinas.

Then everything went black.

~~~~~~~~~~

????? ?? ????

Tink

uhhhh....

Tink, wake up

huh?

I stirred awake, blurry vision and an aching head. I looked up to see a worried Blaze looking down at me as my bleary vision started to clear up.

"You okay dude? Are you sick or something?" Blaze asked me as my head slowly rose, I took in my surroundings. Expecting the a brick wall from the alley. Instead, I saw my workplace in the workshop, rotating my head to see all my tools, my projects and some drool on my table. Then my blue carpet floor, to the white cement walls.

Problem is, the pictures are gone?

huh?

"Where am I?" I asked trying to confirm my location, Blaze looked at me with a flummoxed expression.

"Well, you're in the workshop" He answered with a perplexed look. I was shocked when he said that, We just drank together a couple of hours ago!

With three of your friends remember!

"Huh? wasn't I just at some alley in ponyville?" I questioned, and Blaze got more confused.

"You were in the workshop for an entire day, You never went outside. Tink, are you sure you're okay?" Blaze questioned, getting more worried by the second. I was incredulous about his answer.

"Wait, wasn't it the end of the day and we went to Village's Tavern for a drink with some of your friends there?" I questioned to Blaze desperate for him to say yes. Blaze was still really worried, but still answered.

"Tinker, that was the thing that I was going to ask you, but I saw you sleeping so I thought you were sick and woke you up to check on you. So, um. You want to go out and drink?" He asked with some of his excitement starting to fill his voice as he awaited my response.

What was going on? One second I was seeing a strange glowing object, then next I'm back here in the workshop at dawn. I'm guessing it was night considering the time I left the tavern was early evening.

I'm guessing that Blaze carried me all the way here right?

No, he saw me sleeping on my desk, how did this happen?

What is going on?

"Yeah sure, I could use some alcohol to kill some of the stress in me" I said, fatigue visible in my face. The answer for that can come later, now I need to drink a little.

"Yes! Thanks Tink, I'll wait for you in the front door. You go and clean your place alright? Take your time" Blaze said, then walked out of my workplace and went for the front door with an anticipating smile on his face.

There has to be an explanation to this.

I returned to my desk and started to wipe off the drool, then grabbed my brush and started to clean my table from the used eraser bits, pencil dust and more of the like.

Then while I was cleaning, my brush stumbled on a rock like thing on the table, hitting it and clattering on the floor.

I turned to that noise and observed that, it was the rock that I touched last night.

But it is dull now, it lost it's bright blue sheen it had when I first saw it. Like it was signifying that it's used has been consumed.

After the thought, I picked up the enigma and quickly placed it in my saddle bag.

Then I went to the mirror and -

"Wait, this was the same thing that I did a few hours ago!" I exclaimed when I realized what I was doing, but not too loud or the entire workshop would be disturbed.

The realization hit me just as I was about the check myself in the mirror and see the same engineer clothes I wear everyday at work.

thought I took these off before I left, why is this still on me?

After removing my vest and putting it in the coat racket, I took a look at myself, but I saw a scared look at my face. I shook my head and kept my face straight, there will be an answer to this.

Alright, after another round of drinking with Blaze tonight then home I go for answer hunting.

Getting my project - filled bag, I walked till I saw Blaze near the exit door. Walking out to see that

It's still Twilight!

"Tinker, you're acting weird today, are you sure you're okay?" Blaze asked me again after seeing my horror filled face. Turning my head to see him, I quickly calmed down and breathed slowly.

"I'm fine Blaze, just shocked at how late it is" I replied as I collected my emotions and looked forward,

Then started walking forward without him, much to Blaze's Chagrin.

He slightly shook his from the shock and quickly walked up to me.

Then the awkward silence has begun.

"Have you heard that a new pony disappeared lately?" Blaze said, trying to start a conversation to alleviate the tense air. But I was shocked at what he asked and beckoned my curiosity to press on it.

"Disappeared? What do you mean Blaze?" I asked Blaze, what was this about now?

"You mean you don't know?" - I shook my head in response -"you really are weird today."

"Anyways, the abduction of these ponies started last year November, one by one with no pattern. Just one day the pony was there, then the next they are never found. Right now, four ponies are missing and they were last found here in ponyville. The perpetrator who is the ponynapper gets them one by one has no specific target, arbitrary apparently."

"But even though, the royal guards are looking in to this so there should be nothing to get worried about now." He explained.

I've never heard of this before. This must be a load of ponyfeathers, no one was missing in ponyville. I have to confirm this.

"So, where did you hear of this?" I asked Blaze

"Well, the missing ponies are in the bulletin board in Ponyville main hall, you can check that out if you'd like" He answered,

Good thing we pass by main hall by going with Village's Tavern direction, because I have to confirm this for myself. This has to be false, last time I was there to apply for substitute teacher in ponyville school house, there was no such thing.

"Well, you go on ahead, I have to check on something" I said, as I ran towards main hall. Hearing disappointed Blaze's audible "Okay" was enough for me to go back to the bar later, but for now important stuff was happening and I need to check it out. Seeing the main hall, I ran for the bulletin board, where Mayor Mare pins latest news, job applications etc. I quickly scanned the board for those posters.

Missing : Lilly Cloud, Date last found : February 25 , 2013, Race: Pegasus

Missing: Sweet Tooth, Date last Found : March 20, 2013 Race: Earth Pony

Missing: Flower Bloom, Date last found : November 13, 2012 Race: Earth Pony

Missing: Blue Snowball, Date last found : January 7, 2013 Race: Unicorn

There they were, Blaze wasn't lying when he said that those missing posters existed, but why didn't I see this when I applied sub teacher for for Ms. Cheerliee? It somehow just poofed there just like magic! This is getting ridiculous! Thinking that it would be pointless to think about this right now, I walked away. I took another look, before I continued towards the bar, instead thinking about what will happen and what is going on?

I took another look at the bulletin board, then continued on my way

~~~~~~~~~~

????? ?? ??? ???????

"Which pony will I have fun with next!" ??? excitedly said, putting its hooves through a basket filled with strips of paper. Moving its hoof in a wavy manner, strips of paper move as the hoof moved fishing for a certain strip.

It stopped and pulled the strip up and it read what the strip was showing.

"25, that is Tinker Gear! Oh, Tinkier Gear! I remember him, he's that pony who came here from cloudsdale to be in some kind of engineer pony job! Well then, Tinker Gear it is" It said before, ripping the strip in half and started to plan under the innocent building.

Author's Note

Kamusta my friends, I've been gone for a while but here I am editing this.