<<>>

First thing Twilight knew she needed to do was to make sure all the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration were in order. And afterwards she would go to the library and see what more she could look up on the Elements of Harmony. Making friends could come after saving all of Equestria, not that she needed them anyway.

She had Princess Celestia, Cadence, her parents, her sister, and Spike. She doesn’t need anypony else! She just wished the Princess understood that!

Though admitted she did sort of feel bad for not going to Moondancer’s birthday party.

Sitting across from her was her assistant/adopted brother/quasi-son Spike, a baby dragon with purple and green scales. He was currently engrossed in the latest issue of some comic, Power something Twilight vaguely recalled. She had a lot of important things on her mind so the name slipped her mind.

She just sighed quietly and dug into her saddlebags for a book on Equestrian legends, maybe something in here could give her a hint to defeating Nightmare Moon?

“Okay. So what’s first on the agenda?”

Spike, who was resting on Twilight’s back, unfurled a check list and looked over it for a few moments.

“First we’re going to Sweet Apple Acres to check to make sure the catering is in order.” Spike said licking his lips faintly, which got an eye roll from Twilight.

“Okay. Now… how do we get there?” She muttered under her breath.

“Sorry Mr. Cavalry your order from Appaloosa hasn’t arrived yet.” An apologetic mare said.

“It’s fine Ms. Doo, probably foolish to expect it so soon.” A giant of a stallion rumbled his voice surprisingly deep, “How has little Dinky been? I haven’t seen her in a while.”

“Oh she’s a little angel. My other daughter is foalsitting for me while I work.” Ms. Doo, a rather cute pegasus with a case of wall-eye that somehow made her cuter, said with a smile.

“You know I could watch Dinky. I know Sparkler is a busy mare herself.” The stallion offered with a smile.

“It’s fine Mr. Fixit.” Ms. Doo cheekily retorted, “Now I gotta get back to work! Bye!~” She added before giving the stallion a nuzzle before flying off.

“Damn touchy-feely ponies…” The stallion muttered though clearly not really upset.

Twilight understood honestly, she hated when her personal space was invaded by strangers. Though the two seemed pretty familiar with each other so perhaps it’s just a quirk of his perhaps?

“Hey, perhaps we could ask him for help!” Spike exclaimed, drawing the stallions attention.

He tilted his head and approached, making Twilight’s eyes widen as he seemed to be a lot bigger. His coat looked soot gray and possessed a natural ruffled look that seemed to suit him, and his mane was black with streaks of gray peppered throughout it as did his tail. Actually as he got closer Twilight noticed the odd marks all over his face and couldn’t figure out if they were natural or not.

“You two need some help?” The stallion asked, “Oh, allow me to introduce myself. Steel Cavalry, local Mr. Fixit.”

“Oh. Um, I’m Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight said rather surprised by the giant's manners, “And this is Spike. We’re here to make sure the Summer Sun Celebration is running smoothly.”

“Hmm? Well then an important guest then.” Steel said with some amusement, “Never understood the fuss myself but whatever. Where do you need to go first?”

Twilight and Spike stared at him when he said he didn’t understand the fuss, and wondered just how deep a cave had this stallion been living in to NOT understand the importance of today!? Shaking her head Twilight marefully repressed her urge to lecture the giant brute from the sounds of it, his surprising manners be damned!

“Sweet Apple Acres actually.” Twilight said.

“Huh, food I suppose. Well if you’re having the Apples cater you’re in good hooves.” Steel said, “Sure I’ll show you the way, I need to see if they need any help anyway.”

Twilight nodded and followed Steel, though she quickly sped up to a trot when she accidentally got an eyeful of his rather large testicles. Just from a glance she could tell they were ovid in shape like enlarged eggs and were probably around the size of cantaloupes, though she could be wrong in that regard.

And if Steel noticed he didn’t comment, but then again why would he? With the exception of nobility nopony really wore clothes unless their respective job required it.

Spike however snickered and got a telekinetic dobe-slap for his trouble.

Sweet Apple Acres was a very impressive apple farm Twilight realized as they stood on top of a hill and overlooked the massive fields of trees. Steel chuckled faintly at Twilight’s expression making her blush faintly at being caught.

“The Apples were one of the founding families and have worked this land since day one.” Steel explained, “And the land has been very good to them.”

“I see.” Twilight said, “It’s a very impressive plantation. Is it family operated or do they hire others to help?”

“It’s family owned and operated for the most part.” Steel answered, “Though they’ll never turn down a helping hoof and they’ll always pay you for your troubles. They were certainly kind to me when I first moved in. Now I mostly just do repairs and help during large harvests if they ask.”

Twilight nodded as Steel led them towards a large homestead. When they got closer Steel cracked his neck.

“Oi Jack! Got a mare here to check on catering!” He called sounding more country than he did before, “Get your flank over here!”

“Oh you shush up Mister!” An orange mare with freckles and a cowpony hat retorted as she trotted over and focused on Twilight, “Howdy there! I reckon yer here about tha catering like the big lug said?”

Steel just snorted before trotting off towards a rather large red stallion, though nowhere near as big as Steel himself. She watched for a few moments before she shook it off and looked at the cowmare.

“Yes. I’m Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight said, “I’m just wanting to make sure the catering is taken care of- are… those two wrestling??”

“Oh, that’s just those two being overgrown foals.” The mare said rolling her eyes as Steel and the other stallion rolled around wrestling, “Big Mac was tha strongest pony in Ponyville till Steel showed up. Not sure when they got started with this foalishness though. Oh, and I’m Applejack! Pleasure ta met ya partner!”

“Err yeah.” Twilight said, “Well I need to go. I need to make sure everything else is in order.”

However she was stopped by Applejack grabbing her tail.

“No doing their partner. Ya can’t just come to Sweet Apple Acres without tryin’ tha vittles now.” Applejack said.

“Don’t try to argue.” Steel said from behind the cowpony, “Apples are extremely stubborn and when they set their minds to something they rarely change it.”

“Yer just hankering for mah famous apple pie!” Applejack retorted eyeing him.

“Guilty as charged.” Steel said, “I would love some of your pie. The whole pie honestly but I’m not that greedy.”

Twilight was just glad Spike was too young to understand innuendo, and she’s pretty sure that was innuendo judging by Steel’s smirk and Applejack’s bright blush.

“Sure!” Twilight said, deciding to break the awkward silence, “Lead the way Applejack!”

Steel just snickered as they all headed inside the homestead, though Steel had to crouch a little to get through the doorway.

<<>>

I watched as a pleasantly stuffed (giggity) Twilight slowly trotted off with a near comatose dragon on her back. I was actually surprised and hadn’t really kept track of the time, so the fact that the beginning of “canon” had snuck up on me it’d left me rather at a loss.

I could just leave her alone to do her thing and the day would be saved regardless, and I could stay in town to try and keep order. Though realistically I knew that wasn’t an option due to my very presence changing things, Butterfly Effect is a bitch to deal with.

So, I think I might have to keep Moonie occupied to let the mares get the Elements so they could hit her with a Rainbow Laser of Friendship to exorcise the Nightmare spirit from Luna.

“You know what this means bud.”

[Understanding]
[Worry]

“I know bud. I know. But I might have to keep Moonie occupied. Just make sure the Beacon is ready okay? And possibly have the Auto-Doc or Rejuvenation Chamber prepped and ready depending on how messed up I get. If the worst happens, have one of the Androids dump my Core into a New-Life Tub.”

[Alarm]

“I don’t like it either but it’s possible. I’m about to throw myself at an Alicorn. And no matter how weakened she is from a thousand years banishment she’s still a powerful entity. I might have to lower my [Restrictions] to %25 so I can keep up.”

[Query]

“I don’t care! Better to overestimate than to underestimate an opponent. And while she’s weakened Moonie still has access to Luna’s experience. She was considered the Warrior Goddess for a reason.”

Deciding that arguing with my CPU was a waste of time I decided to head home, I needed to finish the construction of the generator that will finally allow my shop to actually fully activate. And I also needed to prep the Auto-Doc, the Rejuvenation chamber, and a New-Life tub though I really hope I don’t need the tub.

I really have no desire to experience childhood, er foalhood again.

Although if I did have to grow up again my dick would probably be more manageable… no. Never mind!

Shaking my head I made my way home. I’d probably get my androids to get me off, wouldn’t want to pop a boner in front of Moonie after all!

… Though that alone could lead to some amusement… and I could check off “Cockslapping a Goddess” off my bucket list… hmm…

[Exasperation]

Author's Note

Some Q & A

Q: What do you mean by Entity? You don't mean like a Worm Entites right?
A: No, Luna and Celestia (and other Alicorns) aren't Entities like in Worm. It this case entites is used in a technical sense as while alicorns hold many similarities to ponies they aren't actually ponies. Maybe genetically they're connected but in the same manner as Humans are related to Primates. No one really knows what alicorns really are except they possess an connection to magic and their respective aspects (Celestia's aspect is the Sun and Light, Luna's aspect being the Moon and Dreams, and so on) that no other species could hope to possess barring Eldar Dragons and even that's a stretch.

Q: What about the Goddess thing?
A: They're not legitimate gods in a pure metaphysical sense however in a physical sense they're godlike. Their connection to Magic and their respective Aspects just makes them seem more godlike then they actually are. Alicorns are virtually immortal but ultimately they are still mortal, and thusly they're not perfect.

Q: How do the New Life tubs work? It sounds like they're basically a restart button to life
A: You're not wrong as they could be used like that. However what Steel was implying that in the coming fight against Nightmare Moon he might suffer so much damage that his body is unsalvagable and that his Core (basically Steel consciousness) is to be put in a New Life tub and have his body regrown.

Q: Moonie? Where's that from?
A: A reference to a cute little fic over on FiMfiction where Nightmare Moon is a foal and being adorable.