Jackboot never saw himself as anything special, despite what others have told him. He was a chocolate maned stallion with a gray pelt and a pair of blue eyes. His cutie mark was that of a hammer striking an anvil, of which he had gotten after helping his father complete a big, urgent order at his father’s metal shop. Still just fresh out of graduating from Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, he lives with his parents, Emerald Button and Iron Girder, in Canterlot, but has sworn to save up enough bits to find a place of his own. The Iron family has defined themselves by their strong work ethic, sense of self-reliance, and a firm mindset of individuality. Jackboot may have inherited these three aspects from his family; there is one he has barely grasped. Social skills.

Jackboot may have been an excellent student in school; he has never been that good at making friends. He was that one colt that was in the corner of the schoolyard with his muzzle in a book. Celestia at one point said that he reminded her of her student, Twilight Sparkle. His parents have tried many things but nothing could get Jackboot out of his shell. The closest he ever came to friends were a group of “cool” fillies and colts during his days of elementary school, which didn’t end well in the end, and caused Jackboot to go further into his shell. Now working at his father’s metal company in Canterlot, Jackboot couldn’t find actual time to make friends. That is until one day, he is sent to a small town called Ponyville.

The workshop of the Canterlot Metal Shoppe and Forge was alive with activity. Earth ponies were banging away at metal with hammers while unicorns were welding. Jackboot was one of these unicorns, blasting away with his horn in the process of forging an order of horse shoes, while the other employees were working on other orders. Horse shoes have begun to come into fashion with many teenaged fillies and young mares, so they were in high demand. While his father, Iron Girder, was shaping the shoes themselves, Jackboot’s job was to carve the grooves and holes for the nails. Iron Girder’s hide was a darker shade of gray with a black mane, red eyes, and the image of an, well, iron girder, as his cutie mark.

“Last one!” His father shouted with relief has he set down the hammer. “Thank Celestia!”

“You’re telling me.” Jackboot said as he blew on his horn.

Jackboot then put the last horseshoe in one of the boxes, which held two dozen shoes per box.

“What’s next on the agenda?”

“Well we need to get all these shoes delivered and then we can break for lunch.” His father explained as he removed his leather apron, revealing a brown vest. Everypony who worked at the Canterlot Metal Shoppe was required to wear this as a uniform.

He then turned to the other work ponies.

“Can you all take care of things from here?”

“Don’t worry, we got it!” One of them said. An Unicorn named Ballpin. He was white with a short blonde and tail, violet eyes, and a cutie mark which consisted of a ball pin with a brown handle and wore a red bandana around his neck.

“Good.” Iron said. “Come on, Jackboot. Can’t waste time.”

“Right behind you, father.”

Jackboot removed his apron, revealing his brown vest. Unlike the others, his vest had a golden pocket watch in one of the pockets.

After grabbing a cloth cap on their way out, the two stallions loaded all forty boxes of horse shoes onto the store’s delivery wagon. Iron then hitched himself while Jackboot sat on the seat with a clip board in hoof.

“Where do we start, son?”

Jackboot looked at the clipboard.

“Our first stop is A Filly’s World.”

“Very well then, hold on tight!”

The workroom of The Pin Cushion boutique was filled with the sound of a sewing machine going at full speed. At the helm was a mare named Emerald Button. She had a green pelt, a puffy green mane a tail with pink streaks, silver eyes, and a cutie mark that consisted of a needle a thread next to two green buttons. She also wore a red ascot on around her neck.

She was currently working on a commission for a well-known mare by the name of Fleur Dis Lee. The commission in question was a light pink dress that had white frills around the short sleeves with a white popped up collar. The dress is to be worn at the annual Grand Galloping Gala that is to take place next spring. When asked why the commission was asked for so early, Fleur merely answered that it is best to plan ahead.

“And finished!”

Emerald took her hoof off of the peddle and stood up. She then used her magic to lift up the dress to take a firm look at it for any abnormalities.

“Absolutely, perfect!” She said enthusiastically. “Good job Emerald. Why thank you.”

After a good chuckle she set the dress up on one of the mannequins in the room.

“Now what else.”

She then brought over a clip board from the desk.

“Okay, I repaired that blazer for Miss Harshwhinny; she picked it up earlier, Upper Crust’s order of sweaters is complete, Golden Gavel is happy with the suits I had made for him, Blue Moon and Chocolate Sun’s commissions are finished, the cuffs on Royal Pin’s jacket are restored (Is his cutie mark an hourglass or a safety pin? Anyway…), Swan Song’s hat is now in better condition, and Fleur Dis Lee’s dress is now finished.”

She then looked around.

“It appears I’m completely caught up.” She said. “Now to wait for Iron and Jack to get here so we can go for lunch. What should I do till then?”

Her answered was met with the sound of the bell at the front entrance caught her attention.

“Be right there!”

She then set the clip board down, checked herself over in the mirror, and walked out into the show room.

“Welcome to the Pin Cushion!” She said as she approached the front counter. She sounded almost mechanical while she said that, evidence of how long she had said these words. “What can I do for… …oh, hello Perfect Pace.”

The pony she was addressing was a blue Earth Pony stallion with a stylized blonde mane and tail, golden eyes, and an hourglass for a cutiemark. She was very familiar with this stallion as he is one of the brother of one of her husband’s co-workers, Ballpin, and was the coltfriend of her niece, Sophisticata.

“And hello to you, Miss Button.” Perfect Pace said in a gentlemanly matter. “I must say, you look lovely today. That’s not surprising.”

Emerald chuckled.

“Thank you, Perfect, you’re looking good as well.” She said. “Anyway, is there anything I can help you with?”

“I am merely here to pick up Sophie’s dress.” He said, using his marefriend’s nickname. “I assume it is ready now?”

“You assumed correct.” Emerald answered. “I’ll be back in a moment.”

Emerald trotted to the backroom and returned in what actually felt like a moment like she said.

“Here we are.” She said as she set the large box down on the counter. She then punched in buttons into the cash register. “That will be a total of fifty five bits.”

Perfect retrieved several bits from his pocket. Two of them were twenty five bit coins while the third was a ten bit coin.

“And please keep the change.”

“Why thank you.” Emerald said. “What was the dress for exactly? I think Sophie told me, but I had forgotten.”

“It is for when we go to the Summer Sun Celebration.”

“Oh the Summer Sun Celebration.” The green mare said reminiscently. “I absolutely love watching Celestia raise the sun!”

“I agree it is a site to see.” Perfect said. “Anyway, I’m meeting Sophie for lunch over at the cake plate.”

Emerald’s mind clicked.

“That’s actually where I’m going to have lunch with Iron and Jack.” She said. “How about we all eat together?”

“Good idea, I’ll see you there.”

Perfect Pace then left the shop with the box, leaving Emerald alone.

“What else is there to do?”

As Emerald walked into the back, the bell at the entrance rang again. Sighing, Emerald returned to the show room.

“Welcome to the Pin Cushion!” She said. “How can I help you?”

She saw that the newcomer was a delivery pony.

“I have a delivery for ya.” The delivery stallion answered, presenting Emerald with a clip board and pen. “Sign here please.”

Emerald performed the ritual and returned the clipboard and pen.

“Thank you very much; I’ll just bring in the boxes.”

“Boxes?” Emerald asked herself. “What did I order?”

The delivery pony brought in four boxes on a hooftruck and then put the boxes on the counter.

“Have a good one.”

The delivery pony was then gone as quickly as he came.

“What are these?”

Emerald then took hold of a box cutter and opened one of the brown packages. Upon looking into the box, she was surprised by the contents.

“Ribbon?” She asked with surprise. She then picked up one of the large spools of brightly colored fabric. “When did I order this?”

She then took hold of the box and looked at the delivery address.

“Where is the Carousel Boutique?”

“The Carousel Boutique? Yeah, I’m familiar with it.”

At one table at the Cake Plate Café sat Emerald, Iron, Jackboot, Perfect Pace, and Sophisticata. Sophisticata was a light green unicorn mare with light orange yes, a brown mane that was tied in a bun, and a cutie mark that consisted of a golden star within a white circle.

“It’s over in Ponyville. The delivery company must’ve really messed up.”

“You can say that again.” Emerald said. “Now I need to spend a bunch of bits to get it forwarded so this Rarity mare can get package.”

“Rarity, that’s a nice name.” Iron said. “What do you think Jack?”

Iron turned to his son and saw that his head was in a book. A book that he didn’t recognize.

“Watcha reading, son?”

That’s when Jackboot looked up from the book.

“I’m sorry, what were you saying?”

“I was asking what you were reading.”

Jackboot then booked marked the page he left off and handed it to his father. Iron skimmed through the book, careful not to cause the bookmark to fall out.

“It’s about Predictions and Prophecies.” Jack explained. “I thought I’d have a look when I read about the Elements of Harmony the other day.”

Almost everypony at the table cocked an eyebrow.

“I’m sorry, the what now?” Iron asked.

Jack sighed. His horn glowed, causing a book to materialize. He then opened the book to a bookmarked page before laying it on the table for all to see.

“The Elements of Harmony.” Jack explained. “The elements represent Laughter, Generosity, Kindness, Loyalty, Honesty, and Magic. All of these were used to banish Nightmare Moon one thousand years ago.”

Perfect Pace looked over the page in the book.

“That is interesting.” He said. “But what does that have to do with the other book you were reading?”

“Simple…”

Jack then made the book on the Elements disappear before returning attention to the other book.

“…since Celestia used the Elements to banish Nightmare Moon to, well, the moon…” Jack continued as he opened the other book to the bookmarked page. “…that is what led to the creation of the so-called ‘story’ of the ‘Mare in the Moon’. Have a look.”

Everypony looked at the page.

“The Mare in the Moon…” Sophie read aloud. “…myth from olden Pony times. A powerful pony wanted to rule Equestria. Defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that one the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape and she will bring about night time eternal.”

“This is interesting and all…” Emerald said. “…but why are you so interested in this all of a sudden.”

“The longest day on the thousandth year.” Jack said, repeating what was said from the book. “It’s the day after tomorrow.”

That’s when it clicked in everypony’s heads.

“That’s the day of the Summer Sun Celebration.” Iron said. “You think that something bad might happen?”

“Not just something, father.” Jack said. “The return of Nightmare Moon.”

“If it concerns you so much, why not just send a letter to your grand…” Pace paused before continuing. “…I mean, the Princess?”

“I already did, but I’ve yet to get a reply.” Jack answer before taking a sip of his water. “Hopefully she’ll take some sort of precaution.”

Almost on que, a pegasus guard trotted into the café. The ponies at the table watched the guard. It wasn’t often they’d see one of them out in the open unless it is something important. The white stallion approached the unicorn mare working at the counter and handed her a small scroll and told her something that was inaudible from where Jack and his family were sitting. It almost looked like the guard glanced over to them before leaving.

The mare from the counter trotted over to the table. This mare’s name was Frosted Cookie. Her hide was a chocolate brown with green eyes and a mane and tail with white and light blue stripes that almost looked like frosting. Her cutie mark was a piping bag making a line of frosting. If her mane wasn’t stylized like it was, she would look similar to Celestia’s student, Twilight Sparkle.

“Hey Irons, everything okay over here?” The brown mare asked. After everyone said yes, she continued. “That’s good. Anyway, this scroll came to Jack. With the seal on the ribbon, it looks really important.”

“Thank you, Cookie.” Jack said, taking the scroll with his magic.

“Is anything I can get for any of you?” Cookie asked. “Refills?”

“We’re good, thank you.” Iron said to Cookie, who smiled and left to grab their check.

“Aww, you’ve got to be kidding me!” Jack said suddenly, causing everypony at the table to turn.

“What is it, Jack?” Sophie asked.

“Have a look.”

Jack passed his cousin the scrolled.

“My dear Jackboot…” Sophie said, reading the scroll aloud. “…I have received your letter and had taken care to look it over. I must say that you mustn't listen to some old stories you find in a book. You must understand that there is much more to living than having your head in a book. I can assure you that nothing bad will happen. Thank you for writing to me, and I hope to see you again soon. Signed, Princess Celestia.”

Sophie rolled up the scroll and returned it to her cousin.

“I guess she thinks things will be okay. Besides, she’s the most powerful being in the land, she’ll be fine.”

“Yeah.” Jack said, with uncertainly. “But I just can’t shake the feeling that something might happen.”

“What might happen?”

They all turned and saw a white unicorn with a short red mane and tail, the same color as copper, green eyes, and a cutie mark that consisted of a kettle with a flame coming out of the spout.

“Oh, hello Hot Kettle.” Iron said. “We were just discussing the Summer Sun Celebration.”

“Oh yes, the SSC. Cookie and I have thought about going.” Hot Kettle said as he set the check down on the table. “Our folks said we could after we complete these cake orders later. We keep telling them that Cookie and I will get it done, but they’re very insistent that they’ll come down here and see to it themselves.”

Suddenly, Hot Kettle felt a hoof being planted on his shoulder. He looked and saw that the hoof belonged to Jack.

“Jack, what…?”

“Hot Kettle you’re a genius.” Jack said, confusing the baker. “If Celestia won’t see to it, I shall see to it myself! Tomorrow I will set hoof into Ponyville! It’s the perfect plan!”

Before anypony could say anything, Emerald spoke up.

“That’s a good idea Jack. In fact, Sophie and Perfect are going tomorrow as well.” She said, drawing a nod from the couple. “Maybe while you’re there you can deliver those packages that came to me by mistake. Might as well kill two birds with a single stone.”

“Perfect idea!” Jack said as he got up from his seat. “If you all will excuse me, I have some planning to do!”

Iron turned to his wife after watching his son run from the table with a spring in his step.

“Don’t you think you’re being rash in encouraging this?” He asked. “He’s getting all hot and bothered by an old pony’s tale.”

Emerald took a drink from her drink.

“You see, if I let him do this, he will be out and about.” She explained. “And if he is out and about, he won’t have his muzzle stuck in a book and might actually make some friends. It’s the perfect plan.”

Iron thought for a moment.

“You know…” He said as he put a foreleg around his wife.. “…I’m reminded of why I married you.”

Author's Note

Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the chapter and see you next time!