Tech support: Troubleshooting is Magic

Chapters

Celestia's mission
Luna's realm
Pants, Trains, and Floating Cities
Meet the Belles
Who's the Boss?
The Daredevil and the Farmer
Pink and Yellow

Celestia's mission

Perhaps I should give you some back story first.

I grew up in a little town on the Imbrum coast. I was given the name Zed because of a 'Z' shaped birthmark behind my left ear.

My father is an earth pony named Steam Wheels, a mechanic for the Northwest Railroad. My mother a unicorn named Dawn Star, a gem trader and geologist. I got my daddy's size, My mom's magic, and a strange mishmash of both their talents.

As a foal I had lots of exposure to machinery watching my Dad work, as well as spending a lot of time helping my Mom hunt for gems. I took to it readily and was taking apart toasters and tinkering with 'My first Magitech kit' at an early age.

Eventually, I had built a Fire Ruby powered steam engine, and that's where I got my Cutie mark, A blue hexagonal gem on a gear. Other foals, and some adults considered me a bit of a mad scientist, and I never argued.

I heard it all... 'strange', 'weird', 'Something's not right with that foal'. whatever, I amused myself with my gadgets and gizmos.

My particular affinity attracted the attention of Celestia's school for Gifted Unicorns, and I jumped at the chance.

I studied under Gyro Gearloose, The great earth pony engineer, as well as Crystal Spark, Magitech Theorist, both known for their roles in building Ponyville's hydroelectric dam.

My graduating thesis involved airship engines, applying Solar Sapphires as Celestial batteries, reducing the weight and increasing the efficiency dramatically.

After graduating, I was brought in to the Royal Guard as a Combat Engineer Petty Officer because of my skills.

After serving for three years under Captain Harbinger, taking some scars, some broken bones, I had made a good name for myself.

Then, after a particularly tough mission, where I almost lost my left eye, my unit was called into Canterlot Castle.

Meeting Celestia and Luna up close for the first time was quite the experience.

I remember entering the throne room, flanked by my squadmates all dressed to the nines, looking up and seeing the huge banners with Celestia's sun hanging from the ceiling.

Celestia, sitting resplendent in her gilded throne, Luna in another beautiful throne to one side.

"Presenting Squad Phoenix-Sigma!" called the guardponies on either side of the doors.

Nobleponies and Canterlot Elite on both sides of the room tapped their hooves as we approached the dais.

Celestia rose from her place and stepped before us. She smiled warmly and I could feel the gentle warmth of Her Sun on my face.

"My little ponies, I am pleased to see you before me. Tales of your bravery have reached me. Captain Harbinger tells me you all helped rescue many ponies from a Diamond Dogs slave camp. For that we present you with the Solar Cross." She nodded to a steward with a wooden box who called names as we filed across and Celestia pinned the medals to our uniform shirts with her magic.

Finally my name was called, and I stepped up, but Celestia paused, "Second Lieutenant Gemfire, Captain Armor tells me you were pivotal in the rescue attempt."

"I couldn't have done it by myself, your majesty."

"Perhaps not, but not just any pony would willingly face off against an Alpha dog."

"I did what I needed to do, your majesty, I distracted them long enough for the rest of my squad to empty the cages, then I teleported out."

Luna steps forward, drawing along side her royal sister, "From the reports you did more than that. Something about a cave in, sealing yourself in with half the pack."

"Yes your majesty, It seemed to be the most efficient way to distract as many dogs as possible."

Luna turns and paces slowly around me, eyeing me up and down, "Resourceful, quick to adapt, self-sacrificing. How did you teleport out through a wall of rubble?"

I grin sheepishly, "That was an experiment... A successful one thankfully. I used a charged Solar Sapphire I brought with me as a light. I left it behind at the entrance to the cages. I used my 'Crystal Hunter' spell and teleported right to it." I smile, "You could say I followed the sun."

Celestia's smiling gaze upon me seemed to brighten even more.

Luna's eyes widen slightly, "Impressive. " her eyes traced the along the long healing scar that runs across my nose and down my left cheek. "I see you decided to keep the marks you got from the Alpha."

I nodded, somberly, "That was something I never want to forget, your Highness. Rocktooth The Obsidian is a legend among his kind."

Luna nods, "Well meet, Zed Gemfire." She smiles, then takes her seat upon the dais. If I didn't know any better, I would have thought I saw her wink at me.

Celestia pins the medal to my chest, then looks over to the steward, who brings forth a smaller case, "For your efforts above and beyond the call of duty, You are awarded the Lunar Crescent. For being wounded in the line of duty, You are awarded the Purple Heart. You have also been promoted to Lieutenant."

More hooftapping in the crowd, as she places the new medals, then leans forward and speaks softly in my ear. "You have done well my heroic pony."

I remain still but inwardly I am flabbergasted, "Thank you your majesty."

The Ceremony ended, we filed out, shared a drink with Captain Harbinger, who presented me with my new stripes in his office.

"Zed, you're bucking crazy. We're gonna miss you."

"Huh? Where am I going?"

"I don't know, but the princesses themselves requested you be reassigned. The papers came in yesterday. You are to meet Celestia in the Solarium."

"I don't even... wow... I'm gonna miss you guys."

"Don't worry about us. I'll keep these guys in line, you go be the big bucking hero."

I salute, "Yes sir."

We leave the office, and Harbinger barks out, "Phoenix Squad! Atten-Shun!"

The squad forms up in seconds. Two long rows of statue stiff royal guards, all eyes on the captain.

"Allright Hellions, One of us has been called by our glorious Princess. Z is going on to bigger and better things. So the rest of you are gonna have to take up his slack. But first... we need to give him a proper send off."

The entire squad start stomping their hooves in rhythm. Harbinger joins them.
"SQUAD! Present Arms!"

Long lines of spears angle forward from both lines of troops, the tips meeting in the center forming a tall 'A' shape.

"Who are we?!"

In unison, matching the stomping, the voices of the guards rise in a unified shout. "HELLIONS!!!"

Harbinger grins, "SAAAH-LUTE!"

Standing tall I begin walking down the corridor of spears. I look back and forth to each of my squadmates, each with a huge smile on their faces, as I pass, the spearpoints dip down to horizontal. At the same time each starts chanting.

"Z!... Z!... Z!... Z!..."

I pick up speed, joining in the rhythm as I reach a canter, finally breaking into a gallop.

I clear the lines, sliding to a stop at the end of the barracks, facing my brothers in arms.

The chanting stops, and everypony goes silent.

I rear in triumph with a bellow, "HELLIONS!!!!!!" and bring my hooves down in a hard stomp, matched by all of them roaring with a deep unified "HOOAH!"

I approach the Solarium, One of the many rooms of the Princess's suite, a smile on my face, hooves echoing off the polished floors.

The guards at either side of the door nod and open them to let me through.

I am awed. The marble floors gleam, reflecting the splendor of the candlelit chandeliers illuminating the room, A fountain in the center sounds like bells chiming as the clear water splashes into the ivory pool. Raised planters on each side of the room contain rare breeds of plants, some I don't even recognize.

Celestia is by one of the wide windows overlooking the rolling fields lit by Luna's moon.
She smiles, "Join me on the balcony, Lieutenant." She opens the doors out and steps gracefully outside.

I follow her, approaching, and stopping at a respectful distance, dropping to at ease.

She turns her head toward a small town in the distance, nestled in the valley between the tall mountains "See those lights?"

"Yes your majesty."

"That is Ponyville, home to the bearers of the elements of Harmony. Since I have sent my faithful student, Twilight Sparkle there, it has been nearly destroyed twice, once by an Ursa Minor, recently by a swarm of magically altered Parasprites... The town is still recovering from the unusual damage. The town borders on the Everfree Forest, where wild magical creatures live... They as a group faced down an adult dragon. Twilight herself was turned to stone by a cockatrice, but was rescued by another of the bearers. Another time the bearers were threatened by a Hydra, but were able to escape... narrowly."

"Your majesty?"

"I am concerned for the safety of the bearers. My sister and I also see the need for ponies who's talents would strongly help the town with recovering from the damage recently caused by the Parasprites."

I nodded quietly, "Permission to speak, your majesty?"

Celestia turns her head and looks at me. "Granted, Lieutenant. You may call me Celestia. If I may call you Zed."

I blinked. "Your... Celestia?"

She smiles softly and nods. She did as she always does, contain a tremendous amount of magic in her, I could see her glow clearly, despite the darkness

"You are posting me in Ponyville as part of a 'Repair Corps' dispatch because you've noticed the element bearers have proven to be... a 'weirdness magnet'? And... my talents as a mechanic, magetech, and training as a soldier put me in a unique position where I can both protect and serve... in the background, so to speak?"

She smiles serenely, "Luna was right. You are quick to understand. Your have proven yourself ready and eager to place yourself into the middle of chaotic and strange situations, yet can find a way through. I need a pony who's able to think on their hooves. Willing to take a risk to protect what's important."

I nod, looking down at the small town, "I understand, Celestia. and I accept." I look up at her with a smile.

"Follow me Zed, I have some letters for you to read so you can get up to speed."

Author's Note

This is my second attempt at a story here, The first ended shortly after it began.
Zed has been an OC that's been bouncing around in my skull for several years, in several incarnations.
Feel free to poke at my grammar fails and ask questions. :)

Luna's realm

That night:

I toss and turn a bit fitfully, being used to sleep rolls on hard ground and the occasional cot. My temporary room at the castle has a bed one could sink into.

Reading the reports of Twilight Sparkle had kept me awake for later than I had expected, and I was struggling to relax, mind full of compressed information.

Eventually sleep cast it's veil over me and I went to the dream state. Since before I got my mark I have had an active and vivid dream life, strange and wonderful happennings presenting themselves to me. I got the design for my first magitech device from dreams. I would wake out of the dream state and grab the scroll I keep to one side of my bed and fill pages with drawings and descriptions of what I had seen and experienced. Keeping a record has helped me in my studies in school, and has helped me merge theory with design.

This night was... differrent...

I was deep in diamond dog caves, wandering deeper, I saw the dogs but it was like they were unaware of me. I would pause here and there, observing some unrecognized ponies pulling carts of gems.

I see a dog breaking out some strange drilling apparatus, something to remember... then I would keep going.

Finally I rounded a corner and almost stumbled right into a deep indigo pony with the moon on a patch on her flank.

"Oh there thou art, Zed"

I was so shocked I practically woke up then and there, but something kept me still..

I scooted back quickly and landed on my haunches, mouth hanging open. "P..p...ppp... princess?!"

A little smirk crossed her face, "Yuh yuh yuh yes. It is I, but thou mayest call me Luna."

I bonked myself on the nose with a hoof, making sure I was dreaming.

Yes, yes I was.

She giggled softly, "Surprised?"

I nodded somewhat dumbly, wondering what was going on in my head, was this a dream or was she actually here?

"As princess of the night I also watch over the world of dreams... I must say thou hast been active here for a long time. Dost thou still think I am a figment of thine imagination?"

I nod... and then shake my head, and then nod again... "I... am not sure..."

"Perhaps this will convince thou..." She steps closer and brushes one of her wing tips across my muzzle, I scent lavender, and blueberry and feel the soft tips of her feathers.... I am convinced.

"I am pleased that thou draw inspiration from my night." She smiles elegantly.

I find my hooves, "I find my best work comes from what I see in my dreams. I mean I have to figure out how to do it on the other side, but I see it work here, and I know it can be done there."

Luna pauses and looks around, spotting a guard dog prodding some ponies into a cage "This place still troubles thou, I see."

I nod, "I just wish I didn't have to fight them."

Luna's eyes widen, "Even the one that gavest thou thine scar?"

"Ok, I have a score to settle with him, but that's personal. Overall, I don't hate the dogs, I just wish they didn't need to take prisoners to work for them."

Luna smiles, "I wish there were more who had thine sentiments, Many hate the Diamond dogs for what they do."

"I grew to know a mother and her pups while my mother and I were prospecting. We were a lot alike... we played tag, hide and seek... It's only after they get older that the greed sets in, and that's usually the males. Part of a mating instinct. The ratio of males to females is about five to one, so the competition gets pretty fierce. The dog with the most gems tends to win"

Luna tilts her head, "Thou seems't to know a lot about them."

"Our mothers got along too. It's how we never got captured. I spent a lot of time listening to them talk. they also traded gems to us for medicine and things they couldn't normally get."

Luna digests this for a while, "It is good to know that they can be civil."

"If only they all could." my head dips down. "At least the Imbrum coast pack has a chance at integrating. If my Mom and Vayren have anything to say about it."

Luna gives me a light nuzzle with her velvet nose, tingles run up my spine. "I will ponder what thou hast told me Zed, thank thou for opening up to me."

I look up, her blue eyes meeting mine. "Thank you for listening Princess Luna."

Luna smiles, "Just Luna. Thou shall see me again, Zed Gemfire."

She steps back and taps my nose with her hoof "Boop!"

Everything goes hazy....

And with that, I wake to Celestia's sun streaming into the window.

Pants, Trains, and Floating Cities

After Breakfast, I head to my room and pack up my kit.

I packed light. One saddlebag: A change of shirts, my goggles, some of my favorite gems, including a large solar sapphire, my current idea book, a couple gadgets, some blank scrolls, quill and ink..

That reminds me.

I scratched out a brief message for Mom and Dad, letting them know about my new assignment, rank and what it was like meeting Celestia and Luna.
Mom will be thrilled her boy isn't parked on the front lines of border disputes anymore.
Dad will probably brag about me over cider with the boys.

My orders are to be on the train to Ponyville at 1100 hours. The rest of my gear will arrive by a cargo train the next day. I am issued a tool harness and a basic set of tools, which is loaded into a second saddlebag.

I wander through the districts of Canterlot, spending the time looking at the sights, marveling at the buildings and decorations. Suddenly a cultured voice breaks through my reverie.

"I say, good sir!"

I glance around and behold a suited unicorn stallion, all white with well coiffed blue mane, mustache and tail, approaching me, followed closely by a lithe slim pink maned unicorn mare "I thought it was you. I must say, Good show against those ruffian dogs!"

"Thank you, Sir." I nod to him and smile.

"Fancy Pants, At your service." He glances over my kit, "Preparing for another heroic adventure?" His companion remains silent, smiling and watching me over his back.

"I don't know if you could call it that. Actually I have been assigned to assist with the rebuilding in Ponyville after the Parasprite Disaster."

"Oh dreadful business that!" He frowns slightly, he glances over at the mare, "Fleur dear, Perhaps we should contribute to the effort?"

She rears up and leans on his back, "Perhaps we should hold a charity auction in their favor?"

Fancy Stamps a hoof, "Jolly good! It shall be done!" He smiles back at me, "Sir Zed, is it? Would you be able to attend?"

I shake my head, "Actually I am due on the train in..." I glance at a nearby clock tower, "half an hour."

"Oh well I shan't be keeping you from your duty." He steps closer, "Just to let you know, one of the ponies you rescued was my dear niece. For that I am in your debt good sir." He smiles and bows.

"It is my duty, you don't need... "

"Nonsense!" he cuts me off. "A hero deserves a proper reward. Allow me this indulgence."

I nod, "Thank you sir."

Fancy grins, "I remember my days in the guard well..."

Fleur taps him on the shoulder, "Fancy darling, the gentlecolt has to go, If you start reminiscing he will be late. As will we to the Soiree."

"Oh, Well then, Carry on, Lieutenant Gemfire" he gives me a grin and a salute, and he and Fleur continue on their way.

A small smirk crosses my face, It's been said that every good stallion has a strong mare. I start heading toward the train station, I should have just enough time to check my saddle bags and hop the train.

I settle into my bench just as the whistle blows and the car shudders as the train begins rolling along the tracks.

I look around around and mainly see unicorns and earth ponies. Most pegasi seem to prefer making it under their own wing power, and I assume leaping from the Canterlot heights would allow most of them to glide for a long way before even needing to put any effort into flying...

Glancing out the window, I spot the floating city of Cloudsdale, elegant pillar and cloud architecture, with waterfalls pouring off the heights, dissipating in a chromatic spray. A bright smile crosses my face as I gaze at one of the wonders of Equestria.

Shortly thereafter the train start passing through a series of long curved tunnels as it descends the mountain that Canterlot resides upon. I lean back and take a deep breath, relaxing into the plush bench...

... and wake as the train shudders to a stop at Ponyville station.

Murphy’s law of Combat #62: Never stand when you can sit, Never sit when you can lie down, Never stay awake when you can sleep.

Grinning to myself, I rise and stretch before leaving the train, whereupon I skid to a halt.

I glance around in shock, Much of the station looks like bites have been taken out it. Stepping carefully to avoid holes in the planking, I head back to the cargo car and retrieve my saddlebags. Looks like I have my work cut out for me...

Meet the Belles

My orders are to report to the City Hall, which is a hive of activity:

Ponies on makeshift scaffolding replacing more bitten wood and roofing.
Ruined furniture, carts and boards being carted to a large pile at one side of the town square, where several ponies are sifting through it for whatever can be salvaged.

Looking at the town, I've seen less devastation after a Minotaur stampede, but the townsponies are working resolutely, Even the foals are helping, pulling small carts laden with food and drink.

"HI MISTER!"

I leap about a foot in the air as a sudden loud high pitched greeting startles me out my appraisal. "Gyaah!"

I practically turn around in midair, almost losing my saddlebags in the process as I spot the source, a grinning white unicorn foal with a pink and lavender mane and tail, hitched to a cart carrying bolts of canvas of numerous colors.

"Errm, Hi" I smile weakly. When my heart slows a little I ask her, "Can you tell me who's in charge here?"

She giggles, "That depends on who you ask." She starts moving again, "Follow me."

"What?" Confused, I shrug and match the foal's pace.

"What's your name mister?" She looks over at me.

"Call me Zed."

"I'm Sweetie Belle!"

"Pleasure to meet you Sweetie Belle, What did you mean by depends on who you ask?"

She giggles, "Well Mayor Mare is in charge of the town, but everybody knows Twilight is in charge of the repairs!"

I pause, "Wait, Twilight Sparkle?"

"Yeah, Do you know her?"

I shake my head, "No, Not yet." I pick up the pace and draw even with her.

"Not yet? Oh you're new here, aren't you?"

"You could say that."

Sweetie bounces up and down "Yay! That means another party!"

"Huh?!"

"You'll find out soon enough. Here she is!" Sweetie slows to a stop, and I look up and see what looks a lot like an HQ for a major military campaign.

Maps,of the town, lists and diagrams adorn the makeshift walls of a large open tent, crowded with ponies of all kinds. I hear one voice primarily speaking with the occasional reply, usually "Yes maam!"

Suspended in a haze of purple magic are several long pointer sticks indicating places on the map and apparently duty rosters and repair instructions.

"Wow."

Sweetie giggles, "I know, right? She is really good at taking charge."

"Sweetie belle? Where are you?" a voice calls from another tent nearby, Apparently supplies considering the stacks of wood, barrels of nails and other materials.

Sweetie grins, "Over here, Sis!"

Another white unicorn steps into view, pristine, even considering the conditions, her deep purple mane partially wrapped in a scarf, "Oh there you are, Sweetie Belle. Bring that over here and we'll get it sorted." She pauses a moment, "Who is this fellow with you?" she asks as she scrutinizes me, in particular the dark scar crossing my muzzle and left cheek.

"This is Mr Zed, I found him near the train station. He's here to see Twilight!"

"Just Zed is fine" I nod to Sweetie's sister, "I was assigned to assist with the repairs."

"Oh marvelous! We can always use more help! I'm Rarity, Owner of the Carousel Boutique." She indicates with a hoof a round white building across the town square that, despite the damage, still looks impressively elegant. She pauses in her levitating the bolts of cloth over to a table, glancing back at me "Assigned? By whom?"

I nod, "The Princesses sent me. Lieutenant Zed Gemfire at your service." I bow.

"Oh my, a Royal guard? Are they expecting trouble?"

"Not that I know of. I'm just good at fixing things." With that, I open the second set of saddle bags and fasten the tool harness around my neck and barrel, levitating some of my own equipment, a chainmail and leather pouch attaching itself to the side of my harness as well as some gem embedded gadgets.

Rarity's eyes go wide, "What are those?" Her eyes twinkle slightly as she approaches, "They're gorgeous!"

I blink, "Umm" I lift out the array of tools, "Let's see, Light amplifying measuring device and projection straight edge, need to come up with a shorter name for that.... Rotary drill... Impact multiplication hammer... Air compression unit... " I sift through the pouch and lift out a series of round saw blades, "Diamond tipped rotary cutting blades... respirator mask and safety goggles. Just some of the stuff I invented while in school."

Rarity winces when she realizes that the gold wire inlaid handles and gems in platinum mounts are not made for beauty, instead they are magically enhanced tools. "Well they are lovely.... "

"Oh well, thank you, These are still prototypes." I grin.

Sweetie Belle squeals, "COOL!" She bounces up and down.

Rarity puts a hoof across her chest, "I suppose." She says somewhat dismissively, stepping back and floating the rest of the canvas from the cart and onto the table, beginning to sort them by color.

I blink and shrug, floating the tools back onto my harness "Well, I guess I need to check in with Twilight and see how I can help. It was a pleasure meeting you Rarity, You too Sweetie Belle."

"Bye Mr Zed!" Sweetie calls before she heads back off to the train station.

I wave a hoof and turn back to head into the crowd at the HQ tent.

Who's the Boss?

I move carefully and weave my way into the crowd, where it seems an argument is breaking out between two mares.

"The town hall has to be finished first! How will town business be handled if there are holes in the walls?!"

"Just as well as all other business is currently being handled... We haven't even started fixing the windmills and wells! How will Ponies get water?"

"Ponies need a place to gather, to look to and be proud of!"

"Mayor, you're being unreasonable, Ponies need basic utilities first! We cant just assign everypony to fix the Town Hall! With the numbers we have here they will be getting in each other's way! We already have two teams cutting boards and nailing them up as fast as they can!"

As I approach the center of the crowd which has backed off into a circle around two ponies, One a tan colored mature mare with white and grey mane, dark blue eyes and a scroll wrapped in a blue ribbon cutie mark. Making a WAG, that's Mayor Mare.

The other mare I recognize from Celestia's assignment paperwork as Twilight Sparkle, a purple unicorn with an indigo mane with a violet and pink streak, and a cutie mark of a six pointed star surrounded by 5 smaller ones. Celestia's prodigal student and bearer of the Element of magic

Currently the two were glaring daggers at each other, and nopony else seemed to be interested in getting involved.

I stepped forward and cleared my throat.

"WHAT?!" I got in stereo, blowing my mane back. I would have been intimidated, but after getting dressed down by some of the Royal Guard's best drill sergeants, many of whom were mares, I stood firm.

I pause momentarily to let the ringing in my ears subside, standing at attention, a slight frown on my face as I calmly look at the two. During this the two look at each other, cheeks pinkening as they realize how they've been behaving in front of everypony.

"Lieutenant Zed Gemfire, on special assignment to assist with the reconstruction efforts." I levitate a scroll in between the two. That seems to break them out of their shock of self-awareness.

Twilight's purple magic intercepts the missive and unrolls it, "Princess Celestia mentioned sending some help." Her eyes run down the page, going wide, "The Princess sent you?"

"Not just me. Materials and more equipment will be arriving tomorrow by cargo train. Also a little bird told me there will be a charity auction in Canterlot benefitting the town." A smile crosses my face, "In the mean time, I would be happy to assist in whatever way I can."

Twilight blinks, "Where do we start?" She indicates the map, "Nearly every building has been damaged, some have collapsed. Some ponies are without homes and are living in tents."

Mayor Mare shakes her head, "The City Hall can wait, I will arrange with the weather service to keep the town warm and dry at night for the next week. There should be enough time to get most of the homes repaired."

I nod soberly, "I can take a crack at the windmill and water pumps, I am a bit of an old hoof at machinery. For right now though a rain filled tank should be set up centrally till the pumps are repaired. I can start on that first if you'd like. That will let you focus on the housing situation."

Twilight nods, "Good thinking. There's one on a cart that's not too badly chewed up in the winter wrap up cart parking lot."

I grin and salute, "Yes ma'am. Requesting a good carpenter and a pegasus who can bring the rain."

Twilight grins, "I know just the two..."

The Daredevil and the Farmer

"That was sooo cool! They were all 'nyeh nyeh nyeh" and you stared both of them down!" The prismatic blue mare flew along on her back to my left, using her hooves as puppets of Twilight and the Mayor. Ahead of her a little black cloud floated along being pushed by her wings.

I smirk, "It's a Guard thing..." I was towing a small cart with nails, sealant and plumbing parts.

"Are you kidding!? That was Awesome!"

To my right, A freckled orange mare with a blonde mane, and a cowpony hat was towing a cart loaded with planks. "Well it shore was good that you could get them two to line up and run together. Nothin' was gettin' done with them buttin' heads."

Rainbow Dash, the fastest flier in Equestria (as she told me herself, at least twice), Applejack, Owner of Sweet Apple Acres, and I were heading towards the large fenced in field that contained all the snowplows, water tanks and cargo carts that were reserved for Winter Wrap-up.

Being at the edge of town the carts had been only nibbled on, so to speak. There were still some carts with chunks missing from the wheels, and holes in numerous places.

After arriving, we did an inventory and found the three least damaged ones. After swapping intact wheels with the other carts, we had three rolling tank carts, Now came the plumbing and patching work.

"The one in the Square should be reinforced and enlarged, the easiest way to make it bigger is to build up." I went over to the tank with chewed sides and an intact bottom, pulled out a quill, a scroll of parchment and my Lightamp Measurer(patent pending) and began using it to calculate the wood needed, pointing the red beam here and there as I took notes.

Applejack blinked, "Izzat some kinda fancy magical measurin tape?"

"Got it in one." I grinned at her, "Could one of you two start pulling out the sides of this one and the broken panels on the rest?"

Rainbow Dash rubbed her hooves together, "I get to break stuff? Best project ever!"

I give her a look, "Don't get too excited, we'll take what left that's good and use it to fix the other two."

"I got this." She lands in the cart and starts kicking and pulling off slats.

"What can Ah do?" Applejack looks to me with a smile.

"Could you set up a place where I can cut the boards for the big tank?"

"Shore, But yah fergot to bring a saw."

I grin, "No... no I didnt." I dug into my pouch and put on my safety goggles, then I levitate out one of my cutting disks. "This is my saw."

Dash stops for a moment, "Whoah, that looks wicked!"

"Just watch." I lift up a board with a hole bitten through it and brace it against a damaged cart wheel. I scratch a straight line across it with the quill.

I then brace myself, closing my eyes as I ready the spell. A flash of blue light leaves my horn and strikes the blade, which begins spinning faster and faster, turning into a whirring black blur floating about two feet in front of my face. "Get back, I've only done this a few times. Almost put myself in the hospital once."

The girls give me plenty of room, moving behind a cargo cart. I line up the whirling blade and gently run it across the line I drew on the board. Sawdust flies and the blade screams as the diamond teeth chew quickly through the wood. The job is done in less than half a minute and the board is cleaved in two.

I let the blade spin down and then rest it on the wood cart, "All clear!"

They both come out from behind their makeshift safety shield.

Applejack picks up one end of the cut piece, "That there is the cleanest saw cut ah've ever seen!"

Rainbow lands on the cart looking at the blade. "That... was even more awesome!"

"You should see me playing hoofball, I can put a spin on it that nobody can catch." I chuckle.

Rainbow puffs up and zips over, getting up in my face, "Wanna bet?"

I give her a slightly bored look, "No, I wanna get these carts fixed."

Dash deflates and pokes me in the shoulder, "You're no fun."

"You looked like you were having fun ripping out those boards. Besides, work now, fun later." I chuckle and give her a little nudge towards the carts.

Applejack gives me a grin as she sets up a makeshift cutting table.

I pass my impact hammer to Applejack and she gives it an odd look, "Looks like somethin' Rarity'd make."

"Rarity? I meet her. She did seem impressed till she realized they were tools. Go ahead, give it a try. The head's magnetic so you don't have to fiddle with holding the nail. Just stick one on and bang away."

Applejack's eyes go wide, "Really?" She heads over to the nail bucket and pulls out a hoof full, heading to a cart. She attaches the nail to the X target on the hammer head, leans her head back and drives it into the solid board with two strokes. She spits out the hammer and gives a whoop, "That was dang easy! Ah usually give mahself a headache drivin' nails. Thanks Zed! Ah'll have to buy one a these off yah."

I chuckle. "You got it, AJ."

Work proceeds quickly, Applejack and Rainbow Dash repair, plumb and seal up the other two tanks as I measure and saw up a pile of planks for the bigger tank. Using magic and hooves we get the third tank assembled, nailed together, and sealed. I break out another tool to cut the hole for the water pipe and fit it with a hoof press faucet just at the right height for a bucket.

I wipe the sweat off my brow with a hoof, "Whew! Good work! Time for a test, Rainbow?"

Rainbow grins and zips over to the black cloud, pushing it over each tank and jumps up and down on it a few times, dumping a few gallons into each tank. After making sure there were no leaks each is tested with filling a bucket.

"Great work you two, These are ready to go!" I grin, then realize Rainbow is nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly a torrent of ice cold water is dumped on my head, I give a yelp and a shiver, my white and purple mane plastering itself against my face and muzzle. "AGGH! RAINBOW!"

"You were covered in sawdust, Sugarcube" Applejack snickers as Dash lands on the grass with an empty bucket and rolls around laughing her head off.

I shake my head back and forth flipping water in their general direction. "Pfewh! There's my bath for the day...." I join in the laughter.

Pink and Yellow

Applejack, Dash and I return to the town square, Applejack strutting as she the tows the big tank cart up next to the fountain, followed by Dash and myself with the cargo carts.

Parking the carts, I notice it's mid afternoon, and construction efforts around the town square are in full swing, starting with the least destroyed homes.

Dash flits up to me, gives me a grin and a salute, then zips off to collect rain clouds.

Applejack joins me as we head back to the HQ tent, where Twilight is checking off some of the completed repairs on a long scroll.

"Hey Twilight!" Applejack gives her a shout. "We're back!"

Twilight turns and smiles, "What's up?"

"Reporting in. We have 3 tanks repaired and Rainbow Dash is filling the main one now." I indicate the over-sized one parked in the square.

Twilight smile widens, "That's great! It'll help a lot that we don't have to send ponies to the lake." She turns and looks at the map. "If you can put the other carts here and here" She draws in a wheeled box with a water drop inside it on three places on the map, then adding it to a growing legend at the bottom, "Then that will cover us until the pumps are fixed."

AJ smiles and gives me a hoof bump, "Good work pardner! Ah'll go take care of the other two." She flags down a large red earth stallion with an orange mane and they head back to the cart lot.

I wave as she heads off. Turning back to Twilight I open my mouth to speak when my stomach growls like a caged wolverine. I wince. "Heh, 'scuse me."

Twilight gives me an amused look, "Haven't you eaten yet?"

"Not since breakfast in the castle."

Twilight shakes her head, "Sounds like me after an all night study session. Please, take a break and eat. Sugarcube Corner is giving free meals to all the workers. It's right here." She taps a spot on the map that has what looks like a gingerbread house drawn on it.

I nod, "Thank you, Miss Sparkle." and take a good look at the map, turning and orienting myself. "I won't be too long."

"Just call me Twilight." She gives a little smirk, "Take your time. You've already been a big help."

"Thanks Twilight." I head to the west, past a row of houses, nodding to other ponies, many still hard at work.

Before long I come to what looks like... a shop made of cake and frosting... Sugarcube Corner lives up to it's name so far...

A bell chimes as I open the door and step in to a heavenly smell that makes my mouth water and my stomach rumble again. I step up and wait in line behind a grey pegasus mare with a blonde mane.

"Welcome to Sugarcube Corner!" A light blue earth mare in an apron with a swirly two toned pink mane that resembles frosting on a cupcake greets me with a smile as she carries out a tray of pastries to a table on her back.

I smile and nod back, "Good afternoon!"

A square-jawed yellow earth stallion with an orange mane and a striped bow tie comes up behind the counter with a bag, which he mouths to the grey mare at the head of the line. "Here ya go Derpy, a fresh batch!"

"Muffins! Thanks Mr. Cake!" She said gleefully, grabbed the bag with her mouth and trotted off with a bounce in her step.

"How can I help you?" Mr Cake looks at me and my odd collection of tools, "Oh, you must be one of the construction workers! Feeling hungry?"

I grin, "Yeah!"

He smiles, "Take a seat, and I'll have Pinkie bring out your meal." He gestures over to a booth.

I take off the harness and tools and store it in my saddle bag, then take a seat. placing my bag next to me. Stretching, I tilt my head back and forth, coaxing a couple pops form my neck and sit back.

Mr Cake comes by and slides a tall glass of ice water with a straw onto the table. "She'll be out in little bit."

"Thanks!" I smile and take a drink.

"Our pleasure, ponies gotta eat if they are gonna fix the town. If you need anything just ask." Mr Cake goes back behind the counter to attend to another customer.

I cross my front legs on the table and rest my head, closing my eyes. Certainly a friendly bunch here, so much nicer than the KP ponies in the mess hall. My ears swivel as I half listen to the ambient conversation and kitchen noises...

*poing*

Huh?... poing?

*poing*

It's getting closer...

I open my eyes and sit up, glancing about.

Facing me to my left is a very pink earth mare, light pink fur and a pink mane and tail that looks like it was styled in a cotton candy machine. Large light blue eyes stare at me over a wide grin, she's holding up a platter with one of her hooves.

I blink and sit back realizing I am blocking the tabletop, "Oh, 'scuse me." I pull my legs back.

She sets the tray down in front of me, then chirps "Hi! I'm Pinkie Pie! You must be the new pony in town my Pinkie Sense has been telling me about!" She bounces up and down on her hooves. She's making the 'poing' sound....

"What?! New pony? Pinkie sense?" I tilt my head.

"Yeah! Anytime there's a new pony in Ponyville I get this tingling in my knees, and I just meet you and it stopped! I haven't seen you before so you must be new! Yay! I need to get more ballons! Those meaniepants parasprites ate all the balloons I had before I built the one-pony-band and marched them outta town! You don't know how hard it is to find a trombone in a crisis! I had to run all over town..."

She was still talking nonstop, bouncing like a rubber ball...

"...they were eating all the apples! Then Twilight zapped them with a spell that made them stop eating food and..."

Wait. What? I shake my head again, A spell? I lost it in the stream of syllables and bouncing.

"...the entire Town! I had to hurry so I started playing and..."

By this time I felt my eyes starting to roll around in their sockets.

Then a butter yellow hoof taps Pinkie Pie on the shoulder a few times.

"... and it lands on Princess Celestia and she thought they were cute! Ugh! Gross!" She shudders, then turns her head, "Oh, Hi Fluttershy! I was just saying hi to the new pony in town!"

I shake my head for a moment to clear it, then lean forward to see who my erstwhile rescuer is. To Pinkie's right is a yellow pegasus mare who sees me, squeaks and tries to hide behind a pink mane and tail that is quite possibly bigger than the rest of her.

I tilt my head, "Umm, hi?"

Another high pitched squeak, and she hides behind Pinkie.

Flutter-Shy. I get it. I give her a little wave, shrug, and turn back to Pinkie. "Anyway, thanks for the meal."

"Sure! Enjoy!" She grins, then turns to Fluttershy and they walk/ bounce off.

Two loaded DLT(daisy, lettuce, tomato) sandwiches, a pile of hay fries and a thick slice of carrot cake for dessert.

Oh yeah... I tuck in.