Chapter 8
Gathering the party
After Rainbow Dash left, her belly full of a mug of cider, Applejack came back and sat down with Hammer and Tale. "Sorry did you need something, hun?" She asked Hammer, a mug of cider in her hoof.
"I was wondering how much pay I earned with helping buck those trees," Hammer stated. Applejack put a hoof to her chin as numbers went through her head.
"Well, I reckon we were out there for a good hour. I usually give any helping hands five bits an hour. Since we finished it so quickly I'll give you ten." She grinned as she slammed ten bits on the table and slid them over to Hammer. He looked at them for a moment then looked back at Applejack.
"I don't have pockets..."
Glad that he finally had some money to his own name, Hammer and Tale said their goodbye's to Applejack. As they left the Apple family's home, Hammer opened his 'pockets' to look at the bits inside. "This place can get so weird sometimes," he muttered. Tale chuckled at his comment.
"I know what you mean, but I kind of like this place." Tale took a moment to breath in the clean air. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say this place would be paradise."
"True, but I still miss Caelondia sometimes." They continued their way down the path leading out of the apple orchards. From the height of the sun Hammer could guess it was close to lunch time. While he would love to get something to eat, he needed to save it to pay for their rooms. He had enough to pay for the room himself and rucks shared, but he had to find another ten for Zia. Still need to visit Rarity to get payment for my other job.
They soon both found themselves in front of Ponyville's Library. The sign on the door was flipped open so they helped themselves inside. Spike had run by carrying several spiral notebooks and didn't notice them come in.
"Little guy sure is in a hurry." Tale watched the small dragon organize the books like he already knew where each book should go. Soon as he finished that job he turned around and spotted the two ponies who entered.
"Oh, hey Hammer. Didn't hear you come in." He ran by and collected several more books that were laying on a table. "Was there something you needed?" He added while collecting books.
"We actually came to see Twilight," Hammer admitted. "Is she here?"
"She went over to Sugercube corner with her friends." Spike responded as he placed several more books where they should be. Rucks sighed and sat down on the floor.
"You go on ahead, Kid. I think they put something in that cider of there's. Starting to get a mighty fine craving for another batch."
"Alright, see ya back at Applejack's once I get the others." Hammer replied, before quickly leaving the treehouse. He was glad this Sugarcube Corner building was so odd looking, else he probably wouldn't have noticed it in the distance. He wondered how, or more importantly why, these ponies created a abode that looked like dessert.
He reached for the front door when he heard some barely audible talking coming from inside. He would've ignored it and continued through he doorway if he didn't hear them talking about him. Backing away from the door, he circled around the side and found a window cracked open. Sitting below it, he could easily hear the conversation.
"- certainly knows his manners." Hammer knew that voice was Rarity, that prim and proper tone she had easily gave it away. "While we're on this topic," she continued. "Twilight, if he was this human creature before being here, why is he a pony?"
"I'm not entirely sure, Rarity. Equestria has always been full of magic. It's possible his body took in enough to turn into a pony when he got here. If the magic he soaked in was to leave his body, it would most likely bring him back to his normal form."
Hammer was stunned upon hearing this. The thought of being human again almost made him want to run inside and tackle Twilight so she could change him back. However what she said next shattered his dream.
"However, that spell is kept secret by Celestia herself. Letting anypony have such a powerful spell is too risky. Even I'm not allowed to know it."
"You should ask Celestia about it, maybe she could change him back." Rarity said, lifting Hammer's spirits.
"I should, but I haven't thought of a friendship report in what feels like forever. She's probably disappointed with me."
"Darling, I thought you already got over such silly thoughts. You do remember when you went, uh... how do I put it lightly..."
"Turned nuttier than a walnut?" Twilight suggested bluntly. "It doesn't matter. I still feel guilty not writing any letters to the Princess. If I'm going to send a request for the spell to be used, I want to create a friendship report with it."
"Maybe you could ask Hammer to help you," a timid voice piped up. Hammer had to strain his ears just to hear Fluttershy. "If he really is from another world, I'm sure he has something to teach about friendship." He heard a hoof slam on the table after she said that, causing an "eep" from the timid voice.
"You're right, Fluttershy. I should go see him and ask some more questions."
Hammer took this moment to stop eavesdropping and run back to the front door. Soon as he pushed it open, he saw Twilight had already left her seat. Her eyes brightened when she saw him.
"Hammer! what a surprise. I, uh, was just about to see you."
Hammer put on a fake smile. Just relax, its not like they knew you ever listening to their conversation.
"Funny. I actually came over to see you. Spike told me you were with some friends over here." Twilight's ears perked up upon hearing this.
"Really? What did you want to see me for?"
"Rainbow Dash told me you had something that could fly. Tale and myself we wondering if we could borrow it."
"Oh! you mean my hot air balloon? Sure, I don't see why not." She tilted her head in curiosity. "Though may I ask what for?"
"I need it to get to the Bastion," Hammer replied. His head moved back in uneasiness as Twilight's eyes grew wide.
Okay. I know this unicorn has a huge curiosity, but this is just creepy.
"Your Bastion is here in Equestria?" She said, doing her best to keep her excitement in check. "I'm coming with you, and I won't take no for an answer! I just need to get my notebooks from the library and we'll be on our way." Before Hammer could say another word, Twilight was already out the door and quickly disappearing from sight. He let out a sigh and looked back at the other ponies staring at him.
If what Rucks says is true that it's infested with gryphons, I will need all the help I can get. Then again, they might get hurt.
"Did you girls want to come with?"
Rarity's eyes brightened. "Of course, dear. I'd love to see what all the hype is about this Bastion." She said while levitating a cup of tea to her lips.
"I'll go if my friends go," Fluttershy mumbled.
Hammer smiled at the timid pegasus. "Well, Rainbow Dash can't come because she's busy fluffing the clouds or... something."
"Oh, she's very fast at doing her job," Fluttershy explained. "I've seen her clear the skies in ten seconds flat. Applejack even timed her."
"Look out!" A voice yelled behind Hammer. On instinct, he dove to the side just as a blue blur whizzed by and tumbled across the floor. It finally rested against the far wall along with several chairs that decided to cover her. It didn't take long for Hammer to realize who it was once he spotted a Rainbow Mane poking out of the pile of chairs. A muffled "oops" came from under the pile.
Hammer, Rarity, and Fluttershy ran over to help the crazy pegasus from her crash. Rarity and Hammer pulled away the chairs while Fluttershy helped Rainbow Dash to get back on her hooves. Hammer stared at Rainbow and noticed she had no major injuries, except a bruise or two.
She was going fast enough to break bones. How could she survive that kind of crash?
"Hey, Rainbow Dash, you okay?"
Rainbow moaned and put a hoof to her head. "Yeah I'm fine. Sorry about that. I finished today's weather and planned to get a quick bite, but a downdraft snuck up on me."
"Hey, what's going on out there?" The swing door behind the counter opened and Pinkie Pie poked her head out at the group huddled around Rainbow Dash. "Did Dashie go crashie washie again?" She put on a huge grin.
Rainbow got off the floor and walked over to Pinkie. "What? No! I was just, uh, resting. Yeah, just taking a nap."
"Okie Dokie Lokie! Just be sure to put the chairs back when you're done napping under them Dashie." Pinkie continued grinning like she already knew what happened, but enjoyed teasing Rainbow. She succeeded as Rainbow let out a annoyed groan.
Rainbow Dash, with the help of everypony else, fixed the mess she made. Even though Rainbow made it, Pinkie Pie pitched in anyway. As the last chair was put back in place, Rainbow sat down in one of them. "So what are you all doing here anyway?"
"They're going on a super duper exciting over-the-top adventure, Dashie. You should come along!" Saying this, she disappeared in a poof of smoke only to come back with a pair of satchels around her torso. Hammer asked how she did that and she responded with an innocent "Did what?"
"Right now my stomach is empty," Rainbow groaned. "Let me get something to eat then we can get going." Pinkie didn't miss a beat as she walked over and stuffed a cupcake in Rainbow's mouth.
"There you go, Dashie. Okay gang, let's go!" Without another word, she pulled everypony into a hug and zipped away, bringing them all with her.
Ms. Cake walked half-way down the stairs and looked around the empty room. "Now where did Pinkie Pie run off to." She sighed and walked behind the counter in case of any customers.