//------------------------------// // Ponies I should See // Story: Nightmare Moon over the Republic // by dramatic_spoon //------------------------------// The three stallions stopped in front of a shop, shaped in the form of a large wrench, with piles of scrap metal and other miscellaneous, worn-out items around it. “Well, this is our stop.” Big Macintosh stated, “thank you kindly, both of you.” “No problem, Mac.” The pegasus nodded to the two ponies, “Nice to meet you, Turner.” “You too.” The pegasus took off, leaving the two ponies. Time Turner pushed the door inwards, ringing the bell. “One moment!” A female voice called out. A white unicorn trotted out of a back room. The unicorn’s purple mane was tied back in a ponytail, with oil and grease stains peppering her coat. The mare smiled as she realized who had entered the shop. “Oh Big Macintosh! You’ve com…” the mare’s smile quickly changed to a frown as she noticed his missing leg, “…Again?” “I’m sorry, Miz Rarity.” The stallion blushed. The mare, Rarity, sighed in exhaustion, “Oh Big Macintosh…I told you to be more careful with it….” “I got a good reason.” Big Macintosh protested. “It’s fine, just give me the scraps.” Rarity sighed again. “It’s in th’ bag.” A magical aura surrounded the bag and opened it. The aura surrounded the remains of the mechanical leg levitated out, and towards the mare. “What on Equestria did you do?” Rarity gasped. “…I got into a fight with a buffalo.” The stallion blushed. Rarity opened her mouth to speak and stopped. She closed her mouth and shook her head in disbelief. “I don’t want to know.” “I’m mighty sorry.” The stallion shrunk back. “Can I put him down somewhere?” Time Turner strained, “He’s rather heavy.” “Oh, of course.” Rarity motioned towards a fainting couch. “Place him there if you would. Big Macintosh, I have your normal leg here, Applejack brought it here for a check-up. Give me a moment to finish it up.” Time Turner and Big Macintosh maneuvered towards the fainting couch and with one groan, the Canterlot stallion dropped the farm stallion onto the couch. As he turned away, Time Turner noticed Rarity’s cutie mark: a set of crossed wrenches. “That was more physical activity than I would care to do in one day.” Time Turner groaned. “I’m sorry, I do not believe we have met.” Rarity caught Time Turner’s attention, “My name is Rarity, I am the owner of this prosthetic shop.” “I’m Time Turner, from Canterlot.” “Oh, Canterlot.” The mare inspected a spare prosthetic leg, checking it's size, “what brings you to Ponyville?” “Work opportunities.” The stallion shrugged. “Hm.” Rarity shrugged, “I can’t think of many opportunities in Ponyville, perhaps with the Collective, the school or maybe with the Mayor.” “I believe my father mentioned something about the mayor’s office.” Time Turner responded. “Ah, marvelous.” Rarity telekinetically lifted the leg, and trotted over to Big Macintosh. “Now Macintosh…” “I know, I know.” The stallion grimaced, before turning his attention to Time Turner, “I reckon its best that you be on your way, Mr. Turner. Thank you for all your help.” “Not a problem.” Time Turner answered. “I’ll find a way ta’ repay ya.” The stallion continued, “I never forget a debt.” “No, no, there’s no need.” Time Turner insisted. “No, no. A good deed always needs a reward.” Big Macintosh pushed on. “Well….” Time Turner inched towards the door, “ohlookatthetimeIshouldreallygetgoingBye!” The stallion yanked open the door and left, leaving the two ponies to stare at where he had been. “Interesting fellow, that Time Turner.” Rarity commented. “Eyup.” Big Macintosh nodded in agreement. “Now, anyway….” Rarity turned her attention back to the mechanical leg. --- “I’ve never seen a pony so intent on rewarding somepony.” Time Turner grumbled as he trotted down the street. He suddenly stopped, realizing something. “Wait, I never found out where the Mayor’s office was.” The stallion groaned, “that was pretty stu-” “ON THE SIDE!” a filly’s voice yelled out. “Wha-” Time Turner suddenly found himself staring at the sky. “What the…” An orange pegasus filly with a purple mane atop a scooter suddenly appeared in his view. Behind her, a grey-coated unicorn filly with a yellow mane, another unicorn filly with a white coat and purple and pink mane, and a yellow earth filly with a red mane poked their heads out. Each of them had a protective helmet strapped to their heads. “I think ya killed him, Scoots.” The earth filly told the pegasus. “He’s not dead, look” the white unicorn poked Time Turner’s face with her hoof, “See he’s moving.” “I told him to watch out.” The pegasus grumbled. “Most ponies would give others a lot of time to move.” The grey unicorn grumbled. “Girls!” a new voice, that of an older mare, called out. “Oh no. what did you do?” An older, khaki-coated pegasus mare with a pink mane and a cutie mare of three tornados trotted into view. The mare sternly looked at the fillies, all of which wilted under her gaze. “Scootaloo, what have I told you about this?” the mare scolded the pegasus filly. “Sorry mom.” The pegasus apologized. “I don’t think I’m the one you should be apologizing to.” The mare stated, before turning her attention to Time Turner. “Sir, are you alright?” “Fine, fine. I enjoy being run into by an out of control filly on a scooter.” The stallion grumbled. “Let me help you up.” The mare offered Time Tuner a hoof, pulling him back onto his hooves. She quickly began to brush the dirt and mud off the stallion, profusely apologizing to him. “I’m so sorry, my daughter and her friends don’t always pay attention to where they’re going.” The mare apologized, “Girls, apologize to..” “Time Turner.” “Thank you. Apologize to Mr. Turner here.” “Sorry.” The four fillies hollowly responded. “Now, go on. Just don’t run into anypony else.” The mare sighed. “Right.” Scootaloo nodded, “C’mon, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Dinky! Let’s go!” The pegasus’ wings began to furiously flap, as they took off once again. “Are you alright?” the mare continued. “Fine, fine.” The stallion waved her off, “I’m alright, Miss…” “Missus, actually. I’m Dizzy Twister.” The mare offered a hoof to Time Turner, who took it and shook, “Like I said, I’m so sorry about my daughter and her friends, they’re all very good fillies, but sometimes…” “It’s alright, I’m fine.” Time Turner cut her off, “I just need some help looking for someplace.” “Oh, certainly.” Dizzy smiled. “Where is the Mayor’s office?” “Right behind you.” The mare motioned, “Well, I really must be going now, see you around, Mr. Turner.” The pegasus trotted off, leaving Time Turner behind. The stallion trotted over to the building and pushed the door in. “Hello?” An exhausted-looking maroon earth mare with a pink mane looked up from her paperwork. The mare pushed her glasses back up as she frowned at Time Turner. “What do you want?” the mare inquired. “Mayor Cheerilee?” Once the mare nodded in confirmation, Time Turner continued, “I’m Time Turner from Canterlot? My father sent a-” “Oh right, you.” Cheerilee cut him off, “You should have come here right away.” “I’m sorry?” “Earlier, I got a message from Advisor Discord, saying that he was going to pay a visit to the town.” Cheerilee’s frown grew, “So I’m frantically trying to pull things together for this.” “Oh.” Time Turner blushed, “I wasn’t aware that he…” “Oh, never mind.” Cheerilee snapped, “I want you to check with the collective and Sugarcube Corner to see how the food is going along. Also check the school to make sure that the decorations are coming along. Now go, we’re already a bit pressed for time.” “I don’t know where that is.” Time Turner meekly responded. “I don’t think you can miss the Collective. Sugarcube corner looks like a gingerbread house, and you can ask around for the school. Now get going.” Cheerilee sighed, “I’m sorry, it’s just a bit stressful, between all the paperwork, forms, inquiries, and now this.” “I understand.” Time Turner nodded and left. Sweet Apple Collective Time Turner trotted through an orchard, watching as ponies harvested apple, carrots, and other food crops. “Well, looks like the collective is doing well. I su-” “Oh, Mr. Turner.” A familiar voice caught Time Turner’s attention. Carrot Top, trotted up to him, accompanied by two other earth mares; an orange pony with a blonde mane, apple cutie mark and a stetson hat, and a light yellow pony with a two-toned raspberry mane and a rose cutie mark. “Oh hello Miss Carrot Top. I assume that’s Applejack and Roseluck, then.” “Indeed.” Carrot Top nodded, “Big Macintosh isn’t with you?” “Ah, I left him at the mechanic’s place. I’m actually here for a different reason.” “Oh right, the Discord visit” the yellow mare, Roseluck cut in, “Well we’re getting things together.” “That’s right.” Applejack cut off Roseluck, “Plenty’a apple dishes for th’ boss an’ th’ crowd.” “We have more than just apples.” Carrot Top rolled her eyes, “Plenty of dishes from all of us on th’ farm.” “I trust the collective’s word.” Time Turner nodded, “I suppose I’ll be on my way.” “Don’t want to stay for a sample?” Roseluck smiled, “We have plenty, and you’re new in town. Gotta let you have some of that small town hospitality.” “…I suppose so.” Time Turner sighed, “but just one.” “Well, if it’s only gonna be one, it’s gotta be a good ol’ fashion apple pie.” Applejack grinned. “You and your apples.” Roseluck rolled her eyes. “It’s th’ Sweet Apple Collective for a reason.” Applejack countered. “I’m not actually a big fan of pies.” Time Turner interjected. “We have carrot cake, Rose petal sandwiches, sweet corn cake…” Carrot Top started to list some of the other pastries and treats. “Rose petal sandwich?” Time Turner’s eyebrow rose in interest, “tell me more.” “You’ve never had one?” Roseluck chuckled, “It’s fairly simple, a baguette, some goat cheese, red onions, rose petals, and apple slices. It’s quite good, Applejack likes it even if she won’t admit it.” “I heard that!” the orange mare shouted, as Roseluck chuckled. “Well, Mr. Turner, let us treat you to lunch…” Carrot Top smiled. --- Time Turner trotted through town, stuffed. “That was much more than I intended to eat.” The stallion huffed, “they put something it there that makes it taste so much better than in Canterlot.” Time Turner blinked, as realization hit him. “oh…I still have to go to the bakery.” The stallion began to scan the area, seeking his next destination. “she said it looked like…that.” Time Turner trotted over to a building shaped like a massive gingerbread house and paused in front of it. “Well…never would have seen anything like that in Canterlot.” Time Turner shrugged, “Odd.” The stallion pushed open the door, and trotted in; in front of him was a display case filled with a variety of pastries and treats; to the side were several tables. “Hello?” Time Turner called out. “One moment!” a female voice called out from another area of the shop. After a few moments, Dizzy Twister trotted out of the room, a tray full of muffins on her back. “Oh, Mr. Turner. Nice to see you again.” The mare slid the tray off her back, and into the display case. “Let me guess, here to make sure that everything is going smoothly?” “Yes, actually.” Time Turner blinked, “I didn’t realize….” “I do odd jobs here and there.” Dizzy cut him off, “the Cakes and I are old friends, so I help them when I can. I also do some work at the Bar, the school, pretty much everywhere.” “I see.” Time Turner nodded, “Well, since everything seems to be going fi-” “Who is it, Dizzy?” a plump cerulean earth mare with a two-toned crimson mane trotted out of the room, a platter of pastries perched on her back. “This is Time Turner, the mayor’s new assistant.” Dizzy pointed at him, “Mr. Turner, This is Cup Cake, one of the owners of the bakery.” “Ah, pleased to meet you.” Time Turner smiled. “You too dearie.” Mrs. Cake smiled back, “I assume you’re here to check on how things are going in preparation for tomorrow, yes?” “Yes, but I see that you’re all quite busy, so I’ll be on my way.” Time Turner began to turn around. “You don’t want any samples?” Mrs. Cake offered. “Oh, no, thank you. I was at the Collective, and um, Roseluck and the others treated me to lunch, and I’ve had quite a lot to eat while I was there.” “Well, perhaps next time.” Mrs. Cake politely nodded. “Yes, um…can you tell me which direction the school is? That’s the last place on my list.” Time Turner inquired, slightly embarrassed. “Oh, certainly.” Dizzy smiled. --- Time Turner trotted up a hill towards the door of the school building. “Well, this seems like it should be… nicer.” Time Turner looked around the rustic school grounds. “It’s much more subdued compared to the one Tempest is going to.” Time Turner pushed open the door and trotted in. The school room was filled with simple desks and chairs, a black board, books and other paraphernalia. At the head of the room was a pink earth mare with a drooping dark pink mane. The mare looked up, and pushed her glasses back up. “Yes? How can I help you?” the Mare inquired. “I am Time Turner, the mayor’s new assistant.” Time Turner paused, “She mentioned that you are supposed to be preparing for Discord’s arrival tomorrow, Miss…” “Pie. Pinkamena Pie.” The mare sighed, “Unfortunately, I have to finish this paperwork up before I can do anything, but one of my friends agreed to take care of the preparation for me.” “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t realize that.” Time Turner apologized, “it’s just…” “It doesn’t look like we have that many students, is that what you were going to say?” Pinkamena concluded, “It’s not about them, it’s mostly my own expenses. See, I like to throw little parties for them if they all do well on their exams and that sort of thing. It keeps them happy and makes them try harder. It takes a little out of my income, so…” the school mare shrugged, “Small sacrifices to keep them happy.” “I suppose so.” Time Turner returned her shrug, “In that case, where is your friend, so that I may ask her?” “Certainly, you want to go to the Ponyville Library, just tell her that I sent you there.” Pinkamena instructed him, “Oh, and one more thing.” The teacher smiled, “Welcome to Ponyville.” “Thank you.” Time Turner smiled back, “oh, um…where is the library?” “Look for the tree-house, you can’t miss it.” Pinkamena turned her attention back to her paper work, “Now if you’ll excuse me….” “…alright, thank you.” Time Turner turned around and trotted out of the school. “The tree house? Couldn’t she be a little more specific?” the stallion grumbled, “How many tree houses could there be in this town? Not to mention why would you build a library up in a tree?” --- Time Turner stared up at the hollowed-out tree that held the town’s library within. His face grew red with embarrassment. “Oh. So when she said tree-house, she meant an actual tree-house. Or would this be a house-tree?” the stallion paused to ponder, “Ah, it doesn’t matter.” He trotted into the library and began to look around, inspecting the book collection. “Well, It’s certainly not up to the one in Canterlot, but it seems that they have plenty of useful boo-” “Can I help you?” a female voiced inquired. Time Turner spun around to see a yellow unicorn mare with a curled cornflower mane and a cutie mark in the form of three hearts trot down a flight of stairs. “Ah, Miss Pinkamena told me that you were taking over the preparations for her?” “And you are…” the mare eyed him. “Oh, right, I’m Time Turner, the new mayor’s assistant.” The stallion blushed. “Ah. I’m Lemon Hearts, and as for preparations…they are more-or-less complete.” The mare shrugged. “What do you mean, more or less? Either they are or they are not.” “It is complete, it’s not quite how I would like it, though.” Lemon Hearts shook her head. “I believe it should be fine, how much of it is up already?” Time Turner responded. “None of it.” Lemon Hearts continued, “Seeing that we are pressed for time, You will need to lend a hoof.” “But I need to go report the progress to the mayor’s office.” Time Turner countered, “I ne-” “Cheerilee will understand.” The mare cut him off, “Now grab that banner over there.” Time Turner trotted over to the banner, quickly scanning it, “It says ‘Welcome Adv. Discord’.” “We couldn’t fit it all in.” Lemon Hearts shrugged, “It will have to do, given the time table we were given.” “…I suppose so.” The stallion sighed.