My eye twitched a bit, a sense of dread washed over me that shook me to the core… a feeling of despair that I have not felt for a long time, since when I was a child! I just… can’t believe something like this could be possible!

Everything is so… so… PRIMITIVE!!!

I just… everything is so low tech and slow… the handheld devices, Scrolls I was told, were some items that are basically as high tech they have here but it’s… so not! How could anyone live like this?!? The history books I got were some help on figuring out where I am, a place known as Equestria, and here the place is ruled by a Princess named Celestia… Why a Princess and not a Queen? It was quite odd honestly kinda odd for a Princess running everything but that’s not the crazy part! What was insane was the fact everything here is run on… Magic. Like, actual fairy tail magic… At that point I lost interest in this as things like magic were just silly!

With that out of the way… I was left to wallow in my despair for the state of being I’m in. Normally when I’m like this I would go build something or tinker on something but… THERE’S NOTHING! My bike is so banged up and I couldn’t find anything that I could use to fix it up… It’s just so… depressing.

"Why are you sulking on the floor like that?" The voice of Indigo brought me out of my thoughts as he was peeking into the room with an arched brow. He has been kind enough to let me stay with him for a while until I could… get back. I had to lie, pretend I'm from whatever city he keeps referring to.

“Oh you know… questioning my existence in this depressing place we call a world.” I answered in a monotone voice as I was laying on the floor. Yes It’s depressing but I was depressed! I want to tinker but there’s nothing to tinker with!

"You city folk really are dramatic." He said to me as he was about to walk away. "You could try booking a train, help you get home." He added to which I had to hold back a groan. Locomotive transportation… it sounds so… ancient.

“I… well, sadly I don’t really have any… coin to buy myself a pass onto a train.” I said to him, kinda weak answer but really that’s all I got. He arched a brow when I said this and I sat up from my slump a bit. “Again I lost my coin all those days ago and the coin you gave me was used for my clothes.” I added with a shrug.

"Have you tried looking at odd jobs? The summer solstice is tomorrow morning, maybe there are people still trying to finish up?" He offered with a shrug before leaving me to my thoughts. I had to keep the lie up somehow and I doubt I could just lay around any longer without getting suspicious. Besides, how hard is it to get a small job or a few?

With that said, I got up to my feet and, after brushing myself off a little, I made my way out of the room and then out of the building. When I made my way toward Everfree I pondered on what Indigo said, something about the Summer Solstice. If I remember it correctly the Summer Solstice is a very important event in all the Equestria, so much so that the princess herself would go to one of the many towns within the land and the place had a pretty big party. Supposedly, the royalty of Equestria is modest and humble to her subjects.

I frowned at this as I found this to be a bunch of bull. No way someone in charge is this kind and generous without doing something that isn't. From the books she is depicted as a saint and again, I find that total bull. Even though I hated them, the lessons of being a leader did say there would be times when the leader has to make hard decisions.

I was left to stew with these thoughts before I found myself coming out of the forest and into Everfree. I saw all the townsfolk going about setting everything up for tomorrow. I hummed at this as I didn’t actually know where I could find some jobs I could work at… maybe find a central place there could help me. I glanced around to see if there were any stand out buildings that were a good waymarker… except every building here stood out greatly. My ears flattened on top of my head at this thought so I did the next best thing; go ask someone where I could find some jobs.

Asking around I learned that there was a place, a workshop that’s looking for someone with some knowledge and experience in building. That’s perfect for me so I got some directions and headed over there. I learned that it was owned by a man named Theodore Ironwood, had this shop for quite a while. Using the directions that was given, I made my way towards the shop and upon arriving, I found it quite… cozy. As I made it up to the front door there was a loud explosion from the side of the building and I saw some sort of flier flew off out of control in the air.

“What in the-” I started to say before I heard some coughing from where the explosion was. I went closer to where the coughing is just as I looked back in time to see the glider explode violently.

"Gods above, if I'd known those crystals faulty." Came the older voice of a man. When the dust cleared, I was able to get a good look. The man before me was quite in shape as he wore some coveralls that were stained from use, short black hair with some gray running through it and I saw, and heard, his one arm and legs were mechanical.

“Ummm, excuse me?” I called out towards him, getting his attention.

"Huh? Oh, a visitor. Welcome to my little workshop, Sir Theodore Ironwood at your service." He said with a bow of his head to me, as I was still looking at his mechanical limbs. They're so… so advanced! I shook my head, trying to pull my head away from his arms.

“Uhh, hi there. I’m Viri Mal’kun, I heard you’re looking for someone to work for you?” I asked which made him arch a brow. “I assure you I’m quite skilled in this.” I said with some pride in my voice.

"Not really work for, more looking for an apprentice. I want to pass down my knowledge to someone worthy of it." He said as he began to pick up the scraps of his old double door. Oh? "But yes I am looking for someone who's interested." He said to me and well, the lack of a pay was a downer but his craftsmanship was out of this world!

“Well… honestly I wouldn’t mind taking that apprenticeship. I’m kind of also interested in those prosthetics you have as well.” I said to him, my eyes darting towards him and his prosthetics. He hummed a bit which made me sweat a bit. I hope I didn’t screw myself out of this, I wonder what else he has in his shop.

"Ah, well, made them myself if that's what you're asking. Lost my arm during the Great War and as for my legs… ha, well, a man such as I would benefit more with mechanical legs." He said with a laugh. Did he cut them off? Is that what he's saying?

“I see… well they look very cool, also very advance as well. Haven’t seen anything like it before.” I said to him which got a smile from the man. The way they were designed reminded me of the stuff back home. In fact, they… were a little too close in similarities.

"Well, for me to actually see if you're capable. I'll give you access to my workshop. Wow me and then we'll see." He said to me as he continued to clean up. I looked around his shop, seeing many devices both big and small, some looking to be weapons while others… Well, I guess they were just time killers. I glanced around for a bit, seeing everything before something caught my eye; a small mechanical fox with glowing orangey red eyes… that was staring right at me. I moved to the side and saw it turned its head. Whoa…

"Hey, what's this?" I asked, pointing up at the fox.

"That's Sylph, one of my greatest creations yet. Made her soon after I moved here." He said to me but I didn't really know how long that was. Sylph continued to look at me with fiery red eyes, its metallic body beginning to glow red hot. Uhh. "Duck." Theodore said to me quickly and I did just before Sylph opened her mouth to a jet of hot fire.

"WHAAAAAAAT THE HELL!?" I yelled as this happened as the flame died down and I saw Sylph sitting there, wiggling their ears a bit. "How… did you do that?" I wondered out loud in shock.

"Her core, it's made of Fire infused magic crystals, it tends to generate more than needed and that's the result." Theodore spoke behind me as he continued to clean up. I blinked at this, fire infused magic crystals? He… can’t actually be serious. I looked back at Sylph who was busy brushing itself with its paw.

“I… see.” I said to him as I stood up and helped clean up a bit. I wasn’t sure if he was actually being serious about ‘Magic Crystals’ and all I could go on with it being real was a fire breathing robotic fox. After finishing I went around to see what’s there I could use to prove myself. There was a number of tools here I could use, though honestly I brought my multi-tool with me since, well I never leave without it. I saw a number of these… magic crystals, which looked like small crystals of different colours. I arched my brow at this before looking what else I could work with.

There was a lot to work with but… uhh… I didn't know where to even begin! Or what I should even make! Hell those Crystal's themselves are news to me, how the hell am I supposed to make anything with this?

I glanced back at Theodore and saw him leaning back against the way, idly petting the robotic fox who seems to enjoy it. Part of me wanted to ask for her schematics and take a look at them, figure out how she ticks and everything. It was fascinating to think about what they would show. It reminds me of the schematics of the Weather Cannon. I've seen those a hundred plus times already that I know of it like the back of my hand, every little detail of it. Hell, I've had dreams of them many times over which was somewhat annoying.

Then, I had a thought. A crazy thought, a thought so crazy even I started to question my own sanity if it was possible to do, and that question was simple.

What if I made a Weather Cannon, only smaller?

As much as I thought it was crazy, I looked around at everything around me, even the crystals. This can’t be done in a day, it might take a few at most.

“Do I have to get it done soon?” I asked Theordore who hummed a bit.

"Not really. I don't really set a due date for these sort of tests, I just expect results." Theodore said, which honestly left me more relieved than it should've. I got time then.

“Thanks.” I said as I grabbed a few tools and got to work. With the image in my head of the cannon I had to think of it much, much smaller. Sure some of the force and power of it will be diminished by this but honestly, the fact that the normal cannon had enough power to blast anything down with a shot is nothing to sneeze at. Besides, I could see how it could work in my head. I already started working with some metal to get the frame of it made. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Theodore watching me work as I was folding some parts together. It was odd… never really had someone actually watching me work.

Deciding to push that thought to the side I continue working on this for some more time. It was until I got working on some internals that I felt a hand on my shoulder which made me jump and look at Theodore.

“Huh? What?” I asked him. He didn't say anything and simply wandered off, leaving to my devices. I blinked at this, a bit confused before shrugging and continuing on, getting the first part down I can start on the next part. This one took hours to get it finished.

Hours past and the sun went down just as I finished up about half of the internal stuff of the mini weather cannon. I felt tired as I stood up and stretched a bit. I should head back… Yeah.

"Whatever it is you're making can wait for tomorrow, I need to close up shop." Theodore said, making me yelp as I didn't realize he was back. "Say… where did you learn to make that?" He asked regarding my project.

“Oh umm…” I looked back at the skeleton that is going to be the mini weather cannon. “I uhh, do a lot of tinkering and uhh… read something like it in a book.” I said with a smile. This got him to arch a brow at me. Not only was he staring at me, so was the robotic fox.

"Right, well regardless of where you've learned this, it's certainly unique." He said as he gave the unfinished cannon a good look. "I look forward to seeing it completed." He said to me afterwards. I smiled and nodded at him before I left the shop.

There were other people out and about so late in the night but I simply continued on my way, retracing my steps back towards Indigos place. As I walked I noticed I was smiling a little. I enjoyed myself as I was working on the cannon, it reminded me of back home where I spent the day tinkering away on a project or on my bike… which I have to disassemble due to being a total wreck.

I let out a sad sigh as this was a thing, though I could just use it for parts and use them for something else. Maybe use them for the cannon! Ooo, that would be good since some of the parts that could work greatly. At this thought I quickened my step to get back.

Author's Note

If you see any issues or spelling/Grammar, please point it out.