Fine Feathered Friend

Mare Eat Mare

Finally settling into Ponyville shortly after the defeat of Eclipse, Nimbus has started work on his new house. His friends, of course, are eager to help, but when Nimbus makes a simple request, two mares who have long been vying for his attention find themselves in a heated competition…

Nimbus swung his hammer down into the old, cracking wall in his new house’s living room, pulling several large chunks down. Almost instantly, he was enveloped in a cloud of noxious fumes, and began coughing.

“Oh yeah,” his friend, Mecha said, “I kind of forgot about that. Looks like you broke into my private stores of powdered Hydra scale.”

“You *cough* don’t say!” Nimbus hacked, grabbing a drink of water and downing it. “Any more surprises I need to know about in here?”

“Eenope,” Mecha said, as a small explosion upstairs rattled the house. Nimbus raised an eyebrow.

“Well, I guess there might have been some explosive residue left upstairs, and since powdered Hydra scale is volatile, and you just released it into the house…”

Nimbus facehoofed himself. “Right.” Then he began to chuckle. “Well, I’ve got to say- I’ve never taken on a project as… interesting as this one! Thanks for coming out today and helping me out here.”

Mecha shrugged. “Hey, it’s no problem at all! It’s a great time killer waiting for our school visit later.”

Nimbus nodded, absently reaching for something on a small table nearby. Feeling nothing, he looked where he was reaching.

“Huh,” he said, “that’s weird.”

“What’s up?” Mecha asked.

“Nothing,” Nimbus said, “just misplaced something, I guess.” He went over to his toolbox and rummaged through it, looking for something frantically.

“Well, we need to be at the school in a few minutes,” Mecha pressed. “Whatever you’re searching for- can it wait?”

Nimbus looked out the window at the Ponyville clock tower. They were due for their lesson in ten minutes.

“Tell you what,” he said finally, “go tell Cheerilee that I’ll be right there. I just need about five minutes.”

“Okay,” Mecha shrugged, heading out the door, “I’ll see you there!”

Nimbus went back to his frantic search. He desperately needed a wrench, and realized he’d forgotten to tell Mecha about it. The guy probably had several. Nimbus searched high and low, overturning packing boxes, peeking under shelves and tables, and even going as far as to lift up his complimentary Welcome to Ponyville doormat (courtesy of Pinkie Pie). He still, however, found nothing. Dejected, he headed for the door, walking out and shutting it behind him. He had to get to the school soon, he realized. He was about to take off when he spied two ponies coming up the road in his direction. It was at that point that Nimbus had an idea…

…

Twilight Sparkle had been feeling a bit down lately. Since the Gala a few days ago, it had become quite clear that Nimbus and Rainbow Dash had taken a liking to one another. She knew it wasn’t right to be jealous of them- after all, they did go well together- but she couldn’t help but feel upset nonetheless.

She often wondered if perhaps she just hadn’t communicated her feelings well enough. If that was the case, she reasoned, it made sense why Nimbus would initially have skipped over her. For the past few nights, she’d practically tormented Spike with questions on the subject, but the dragon wasn’t much help. He’d just go off on tangents about Rarity. She even tried writing a letter to Princess Celestia, but the only reply she got was to “be herself.” Cryptic as usual, of course. Today, an idea had finally come to Twilight. She was aware that Nimbus was in the midst of “refurbishing” (which, given a house previously used by Mecha actually meant “rebuilding”) his new house. She’d recently acquired a House-Building 101 book from the Ponyville bookstore, and decided to give it to Nimbus as a welcoming gift. He’d love it! At least, that was how she felt.

The previous night, Spike had wrapped the book up for her, and now Twilight was standing in her front door with the book neatly tucked away in a basket, ready to go. Confidently, she started down her stairs, kicking her door closed with great gusto. She was now officially a mare on a mission. Halfway down the road, Twilight ran into Rainbow Dash, heading in the same direction.

“Hi, Twilight!” Rainbow Dash called down.

“Oh, hi Dash!” Twilight replied, “where are you off to?”

“Nimbus’s place,” Rainbow Dash replied, pulling some sort of wrapped object out of her saddlebag. “I figured it’s only polite to give Nimbus a little something as a welcoming present. And this one could actually help him get his house together, too!”

“You don’t say,” Twilight half-growled. Rainbow Dash went on, oblivious as ever.

“I hope I can catch him before he heads over to the schoolhouse! Did you know he bought me a lifetime membership to the Daring Do fan club?”

“How… generous,” Twilight said through gritted teeth.

`”So where are you going?” Rainbow Dash asked finally.

“Same place you are, as a matter of fact,” Twilight replied, “for the exact same reason, actually.”

“No way!” Rainbow Dash said, “that’s great! We can go together!”

“Quite,” Twilight groaned.

The two walked on down the road, with Rainbow Dash practically singing the praises of Nimbus all the way, forcing Twilight into a sort of personal Purgatory.

“I should ask Mecha if Hell’s anything like this,” she thought, “I’m sure he’d say yes.”

Before long, they ran into Nimbus. In Rainbow Dash’s case, the phrase was literal. Rounding a corner, the two collided in midair, both falling onto the street and rubbing their heads.

“Oh my gosh!” Twilight said, running over to Nimbus, “are you okay?”

“Yeah, Nimbus said, standing up and wobbling, “I’m good. Nice to see you here, Rarity.”

“Rarity?” Twilight said, “Nimbus, are you sure you’re okay?”

Nimbus shook himself once. “What just- did I just call you Rarity?”

Twilight’s stare was the only answer he needed.

Nimbus grinned sheepishly. “Ha ha, oh yes… Twilight, hi!”

Twilight presented Nimbus with the basket. “Here,” she said, “this is a present from Spike and me, welcoming you to Ponyville.” Nimbus took the basket as Twilight looked back at the dazed Rainbow Dash. Her eyes told everything. Rainbow Dash understood Twilight’s message perfectly.

“I beat you to it.”

Could it really be? Could Twilight also be interested in Nimbus? Rainbow Dash didn’t know for sure, but to be on the safe side, she sent a glance back at Twilight, that, if translated, probably would have read something like:

“Oh, it’s on!”

“Thanks!” Nimbus said, discovering the book and reading the title, “House-Building 101. This is perfect. I’ll have to see if there’s anything in here about exploding walls.”

Twilight cocked an eyebrow, but decided it was better off not knowing what Nimbus was talking about. Rainbow Dash suddenly came from out of nowhere and cut ahead of her.

“I’ve got a present for you as well!” she said, presenting Nimbus with his gift. Quickly, Nimbus tore off the wrapper, revealing a large, streamlined, hammer-like object inside.

“Whoa,” he said, “what’s this?”

“An airhammer,” Rainbow Dash explained. “You need something demolished, all you have to do is fly up above it and drop this baby straight down into it. Bamo! Structure’s gone in two seconds flat!”

“Sweet!” Nimbus said, checking out the hammer. He then looked jokingly at Rainbow Dash. “I hope this isn’t your way of trying to keep me from rubbing my victory at yesterday’s gorge run in your face.”

“Are you kidding?” Rainbow Dash said, hovering as she tended to do when getting worked up, “I had you fair and square until-“

“Until the avalanche,” Nimbus finished, “yeah, I know. Guess you’ll just have to be better-prepared next time. But seriously, thanks to both of you. Unfortunately, I can’t take these gifts back home. I’ve got about two minutes to get to the school. Do you two think you could drop them off at the house for me?”

“Certainly!” Twilight said.

“Not a problem,” Rainbow Dash added.

“Cool, thanks!” Nimbus turned to walk away, then stopped. “By the way, could either of you do a favor for me?”

“Yes?” both ponies said in unison, glaring at each other afterwards.

“I need a wrench,” Nimbus said. “I’ve got some work to do in the house, and I need a wrench to complete it.”

“You can count on me!” Rainbow Dash said, waving and speeding off, picking up the hammer as she went.

“And me!” Twilight said, with a look of sheer determination. She galloped back, picked up the book, and was gone before Nimbus could say another word. As Nimbus took off and headed for the school, he couldn’t help but wonder: what had he just gotten his friends into?

…

Twilight arrived and set Nimbus’s book down inside his house. Rainbow Dash was already there.

“So,” Rainbow Dash said, “when were you planning on telling me you’re interested in Nimbus, too?”

“I wasn’t planning on telling anyone,” Twilight said, “save for Nimbus.”

“Well you’re a bit late, Twilight,” Rainbow Dash said, hovering over to her, “to the victor go the spoils. I got there first, therefore I stay with Nimbus.”

“Well what about a competition, then?” Twilight asked.

Rainbow Dash’s eyes lit up. A competition? “Go on,” she said, trying to hide her intrigue.

“Well, Nimbus wants a wrench, right? What if we both go out into town and see who can get him one first.”

“You’re stepping on your own hoof proposing something like that,” Rainbow Dash said. “You know there’s nopony who can get around town faster than me.”

“Maybe so,” said Twilight, “but I’ve read up on every store in Ponyville. I know where all the wrenches are.”

Rainbow Dash scratched her chin. Twilight’s idea did sound like a good one.

“Fine,” she said, “you’re on. We start when the clock tower strikes the next hour, which will be in about… ten seconds.”

Rainbow Dash settled to the ground next to Twilight, flexing her wings as Twilight began the countdown.

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1-“

The clock’s bell rang, and both ponies were gone as fast as lightning, racing for town. Rainbow Dash went vertical, to get an aerial view of Ponyville, and in her haste caused a Sonic Rainboom on the way.

“I hope nopony gets freaked out by that,” she thought, slowing down as she reached her target height. “Then again, perhaps it messed up Twilight Sparkle…”

Rainbow Dash dove into town, heading for a building that looked promising. If all went well, she could be in and out before Nimbus even finished teaching his lesson with Mecha.

…

“Hey Cheerilee,” Nimbus said, stepping into the classroom, “hey kids!”

The entire class greeted him with a warm welcome, with the exception of Diamond Tiara, who simply rolled her eyes. Nimbus had brought a flight suit in his saddlebag, and had changed in the school’s bathroom. Now he was ready to teach. He noticed that Mecha had his old scout’s uniform as well.

“Class,” Cheerilee said, “I want you to give Captain Nimbus and Retired Corporal Mecha your utmost attention now.”

All eyes were on the two stallions at the head of the room. Nimbus looked to Mecha, waiting to see if he was going to start, but Mecha nodded at him- the signal for Nimbus to begin.

“Okay,” Nimbus said, feeling his face flush a bit. For some reason, these kids seemed like his toughest audience yet. It would be wise to make a good first impression. “Mecha and I are here to talk about two very different branches of Equestria’s armed forces: the Scouting Division and the Air Force.”

“On the word ‘force,’ a massive booming sound rocked the school. Nimbus nearly shot up into the ceiling from surprise alone. When the noise subsided, the colts and fillies began clapping and cheering.

“Uh, did we plan that?” Nimbus whispered to Mecha. Mecha shrugged.

“Don’t look at me! I was sitting right next to you the whole time.”

Nimbus scratched his head in confusion. Something was going on, and he didn’t know what, but he made it a point to find out later.

“Anyway,” he said, clearing his throat, “Mecha and I are going to explain how, even though our respective branches are very different, they can still do great things working as a team.”

Nimbus looked out over the rows of desks. He had everypony’s attention now. Good. Now the fun parts could begin. He and Mecha began to explain their roles in the armed forces, having no clue about the complete chaos that was going on just outside the school.

…

“Ah ha!” Twilight said, running around a corner and almost bowling over a pony pushing a cart of fresh vegetables, “there it is!”

She had finally found the only hardware supplier in town, with the exception of Mecha’s shop- Sawmill McFlea’s Hardware ‘n More Store. Looking up in the sky, she could see Rainbow Dash rushing around frantically. She’d have to move fast, to avoid being spotted. Quickly, she darted inside, rushing to the wrench section. She located it quickly- it was exactly where it was in the Complete Ponyville Guide. Triumphantly, she picked up a wrench and turned to go- but stopped. If she bought all of the wrenches, Rainbow Dash would have no chance. Using her magic, she picked up every wrench she could find and headed to the checkout counter, dropping all of them down with a tremendous “crash!” Sawmill, the store’s owner, looked at Twilight in confusion.

“Uh, are you sure you want all these?”

“Yes!” Twilight said, frightening Sawmill with her bulging eyes and wide grin.

“Oookay, then,” Sawmill said, coming up with a quick total, “that’ll be eighty bits.”

Twilight rummaged around through her saddlebag, barely managing to come up with the change.

“Thank you, Mr. McFlea. You have no idea how helpful you’ve just been.”

“Take care now!” Sawmill said as Twilight bolted back out the door, heading to the school. It was on the other side of town, but she now had all the time in the world.

Rainbow Dash, meanwhile, saw Twilight exit the store.

“Perfect,” she said, “she’s led me right to the wrenches.”

Dash made a dive for the store, swooping through the front doors and completely surprising Sawmill.

“Mr. McFlea,” Rainbow Dash said, panting and putting her hooves on the checkout counter, “you’ve got to help me!”

Sawmill McFlea regained his composure. “Whaddaya need?”

“A wrench,” Rainbow Dash answered, “just one wrench.”

Sawmill sighed. “Well, miss, I’d like to help you, but another pony just came in here and bought all of the wrenches we’ve got in stock right now. Sorry.”

“It’s… fine.” Rainbow Dash growled. “Have a nice day!”

She jumped into the air and zipped out the door, soaring into the sky. She had one more option to try. She turned and headed for Applejack’s barn. If anyone in Ponyville had a wrench, it would be her.

Applejack was out bucking apples when Rainbow Dash hit the ground like a thunderbolt.

“Yow!” Applejack said in surprise, “what’s the rush?”

“Oh Applejack, thank goodness you’re here!” Rainbow Dash said, galloping up to her friend and shaking her shoulders, “I really really really need a wrench right now!”

“Uh… okay,” Applejack said. “If you let me go, I’ll just go grab one for ya.”

“Oh. Right.” Rainbow Dash released Applejack, and the pony galloped into her barn, emerging with a wrench a few moments later.

“Thanks, Applejack!” Rainbow Dash said, “you’re a lifesaver!”

“Anything for a friend,” Applejack replied good-naturedly.

“Gotta go now!” Rainbow Dash called out, soaring into the sky. Applejack fiddled with her hat for a moment.

“Well, somepony’s in a rush. Oh well.” Applejack went back to her duties, leaving Rainbow Dash soaring towards the schoolhouse. The blue Pegasus landed in the schoolyard and ran to a window, jumping up and down wildly and waving, attempting to get Nimbus’s attention. She stole a quick glance back. Twilight had arrived! Her jumping became more frantic, and now Twilight noticed.

“Oh no you don’t!” she said, magically pulling all of the blinds down on the windows.

“-There we were,” Mecha said inside. “We were completely without torchlight, and the darkness was closing in.”

Suddenly all of the shades in the room closed, leaving everyone in darkness.

“Whoa!” the ponies said, amazed. They hadn’t expected such amazing effects.

“What the hay?” Mecha asked, then went on with his story.  Outside, Rainbow Dash and Twilight were in full quarrel mode.

“I got here first!” Rainbow Dash said, “fair and square!”

“But I got a wrench first!” Twilight said.

“You cheated!” Rainbow Dash argued. “You took all the wrenches from the hardware store!”

“But I paid for them,” Twilight countered, “and besides- it wasn’t cheating. I was just using my resources.”

“I’ll show you using resources!” Dash said, bringing her hoof back for a strike. Twilight shrugged, teleporting to the window and politely knocking on it.

“-I’ll never forget the sound those magic blasts Eclipse fired at me made,” Nimbus said, “every single one went-“

“Rap, rap, rap!”

Nimbus jumped, amazed at the timing of… whatever had just happened. Once again, the class cheered.  Nimbus went to the window and opened it, just barely missing Rainbow Dash tackling Twilight to the ground outside.

“Huh,” he said, “that’s weird.”

Outside, the two ponies lay on the ground, panting.

“Let’s face it,” Twilight said, “there’s no way either of us is just going to waltz in there during class. We’ll only be able to catch them at Nimbus’s house.”

“You’re right,” said Rainbow Dash, “and I’m gonna get there first!”

“Not if my teleport’s faster!” Twilight argued, her horn glowing.

“Bring it,” Rainbow Dash mocked, launching herself skyward as Twilight disappeared in a flash of magenta.

…

“Well, I must say-“ Cheerilee said to Mecha and Nimbus as her class filed out, “those were some amazing effects you two pulled off.”

Nimbus scratched his head in confusion. “Well, I’d like to say we planned it that way, but we didn’t. Right, Mecha?”

Mecha nodded. “Eeyup. It was supposed to be just a talk. No extra features.”

“Hm,” Cheerilee said, “well I guess random chance worked out in your favor today, then. Have a nice day!”

“You too!” Nimbus called back as he exited the school.

“I’ll see you later,” Mecha added, “maybe we’ll head over to Sugarcube Corner later, if you’re up for it.”

“Well, that would be lovely!” Cheerilee said. “Now you’d better get going. I understand you two have some work to do.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Nimbus said, closing the door as Mecha walked out. The two began their walk back to Nimbus’s house.

“Work,” Nimbus said, “that reminds me- Mecha, I sent Rainbow Dash and Twilight out looking for something for me, but in case they don’t find anything, might I ask you if you happen to have a wrench on you?”

“Why didn’t you say so?” Mecha said, opening a compartment on his mechanical leg and taking out a wrench, “I always carry one on me. You should have asked me sooner.”

“Sorry,” Nimbus said, “I guess it slipped my mind.”

“No matter,” said Mecha, “let’s just get back to work.”

They turned down Nimbus’s road, and at the sight of his house, both stopped cold.

“Um… Mecha,” Nimbus asked, “maybe it’s just me, but does it look to you like there are a lot more holes in my house right now than before?”

“Eeyup,” Mecha said simply.

“Geez, you talk just like Big McIntosh,” Nimbus said.

“Well, he’s an old friend of mine. Hang around him for long enough, and you’ll start to pick it up. Trust me.”

“Huh,” Nimbus said, shrugging. “Well, I guess we’d better go inside and see what’s up!”

Nimbus opened his front door, barely stepping out of the way in time to avoid it as it came off its hinges and fell out towards him. Nimbus stared at the inside of the house, slack-jawed. He knew he’d left things in a bit of a mess, but not this much of a mess.

“Mecha,” he said, “this isn’t a threat from one of your mutual ‘friends,’ is it?”

“I don’t think so,” Mecha said. “I’m pretty sure I’ve reached my death threat quota for the month. And besides- if it was a threat against me, your house wouldn’t even be standing.”

“Ah,” Nimbus said. A thump sounded through the ceiling. Nimbus looked at Mecha.

“Upstairs,” he said.

“Let’s go,” Mecha agreed.

Slowly and silently, the two crept up the stairs. Nimbus heard a scuffle and held up a hand. He waited a moment, then jumped around the corner.

“Gotcha, vandalizing scum!” he yelled, then had a complete double take. Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle were sitting in the middle of what was supposed to be his upstairs bedroom, completely exhausted and battered, surrounded by wrenches. Nimbus also did not fail to notice the fact that the roof was practically missing.

“What are you two doing here?” Nimbus asked. They both stood bolt upright.

“I’ve got your wrench!” Rainbow Dash said, holding up the wrench she borrowed from Applejack.

“But you don’t want that one,” Twilight said, cutting off Rainbow Dash, “take one of mine- they’re brand new.”

“Well I really appreciate that,” Nimbus said, “but I already have one. See, Mecha was nice enough to let me borrow one of his.” He held up the wrench for the ponies to see. Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle looked at each other in disbelief, then burst out laughing. Their entire conflict had been over nothing.

“Care to tell me what else happened?” Nimbus said, surveying the wreckage around him.

Rainbow Dash spoke first. “Uh, well, you see, there was a…”

“Scuffle,” Twilight finished for her friend, “a scuffle.”

“Right,” Nimbus said, “a scuffle that pretty much destroyed my second floor.”

“That’s right!” Rainbow Dash said, “it was a pretty glorious scuffle, too! You should have been there!”

“Uh huh,” said Nimbus, sensing more to the story, but not pressing any farther. He turned to Mecha. “Well, since we’ve got all this sunshine on my second floor now, what say we have a little picnic up here?”

“Sounds good to me!” Mecha said, “I’ll go grab the food!”

“Works for us, too!” Rainbow Dash agreed. Nimbus nodded.

“Then let’s have us a little snack.” He gazed around at all the wrenches lying about.

“And, seeing as we appear to have a surplus of wrenches, I’d like to ask both of you to stay behind and help me out fixing some of the plumbing in here. I could use the helping hooves, if you can spare the time.”

“You’ve got it,” Twilight said, looking at Rainbow Dash without a trace of hostility. Rainbow Dash smiled back.

“Yeah, us friends are always here to help!”

“Glad to hear it,” said Nimbus as Mecha came back upstairs, toting a basket full of food.

“Chow’s here!” Mecha called out gleefully, laying out the food on plates. The four ponies then sat down to what was almost certainly the most unique “picnic” observed in the history of Equestria, watching the day pass by through the gaping hole in Nimbus’s roof. Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle then went about assisting Nimbus and Mecha as best they could, until the sun finally began to set and they excused themselves. The house, despite the damage it had suffered in the latter half of the day, looked much better than it had before. It wouldn’t be long now until Nimbus was properly settled in it.

“You know,” Rainbow Dash said, hovering next to Twilight Sparkle, “I think I discovered something today.”

“Oh?” Twilight said, “I think I did as well, but you go first.”

Rainbow Dash sighed. “I learned that we can’t let a ridiculous challenge split us apart. Assuming Nimbus would fall for one of us just by running an errand for him was silly. We should never have let that task turn us against each other.”

“You know what?” Twilight said, “I was just thinking the same thing! Sounds like we’ve both got a letter to write tonight!”

“Aw, come on!” Rainbow Dash said, “you mean it can’t wait until tomorrow?”

“Nope,” Twilight answered, “we have to do it tonight.”

“Fine,” Dash sighed, as the two headed back into town, towards Twilight’s place, friends once more.

…

“Ready to head back home?” Mecha called to Nimbus, who was perusing through Twilight’ book while holding Rainbow Dash’s airhammer. He’d found a section in the book about how to effectively operate the thing, and was trying to read it in the day’s fading light. By now, he was almost done.

“I’ll be there in a second,” Nimbus replied, “I just need to finish this chapter!” He strained his eyes, trying to see the words, but it was no use. There was no light in the house. He’d have to use the last rays of the sun to finish the book. He trotted outside and hovered over his house, tilting the book until it caught the sun’s light.

“Perfect!” he said, relaxing his hold on the airhammer just a little too much, “now I can-“

“Crash!”

Nimbus winced at the noise, and looked down. Mecha currently had his metal hoof planted directly in his face, and Nimbus could see why. True to Rainbow Dash’s word and Twilight’s book, the airhammer had completely demolished Nimbus’s living room.

“It’s okay!” Nimbus called down, “I was planning on putting a sun porch there!”

“Since when?” Mecha called back.

“Since… ten seconds ago,” Nimbus replied, joining his friend on the ground, “but that’s a project to tackle another time. I think I’ve had enough for one day.”

The two shared a laugh as they walked home, ending another eventful day in Ponyville the sort of way only two friends could: with a smile.