//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Apple Family Engineer // by tatony //------------------------------// The Apple family and Fluttershy sat around the kitchen table enjoying breakfast. Applejack was thinking about what happened to Princess Celestia, there was no reason for Twilight not to have told her, or at least given her a reason why she couldn't tell her. The rest of her family seemed to go on as though there wasn't an alien sleeping upstairs, the excitement must be gone now that they know he'll live. She thought. “Thank you for the eggs Granny Smith.” Fluttershy said as she broke up her toast. “Apple Bloom what are you drawing? If you don’t mind me asking.” “It’s a picture for Mr. Conagher.” Apple Bloom answered. “Apple Bloom, stop that and eat yer breakfast, I don’t want you late fer school.” Granny Smith said. “The way he was actin', mighty rude.” Applejack said. “I still can’t believe he and Mumphy were friends, can you Big McIntosh?” He remained silent. They heard the Engineer come down the stairs. He cleared his throat. “Fluttershy, I’m sorry fer what I said, I, uh, didn’t mean fer it to sound like it did, I wasn’t insulting you.” “It’s okay.” She said quietly. “And I’m sorry to you and yers Applejack, I didn’t mean t’ offend anybody err pony.” “Well, alright mister, seein’ as how you apologized and all, come over here and join us fer breakfast.” Applejack said with a smile. The Engineer walked slowly to the table. “Ya can sit next t’ Apple Bloom, that’s Granny Smith over there. Make yerself at home and I’ll take ya t’ see Twilight afterwards.” The Engineer pulled out the chair; Granny Smith put a plate of eggs in front of him before he even sat down. “You eat up mister, all we been givin’ ya for the last week was water and apple sauce. Do ya know how hard it was t’ feed you? Not t’ mention cleaning you …” Granny Smith began to ramble; Apple Bloom tugged on the Engineer’s sleeve. “Mr. Conagher, I heard you playing guitar, I really liked it.” “I hope it didn't bother anyone..” He answered; I hope these eggs aren’t poisonous He thought as he took a bite. “No sir, not at all.” She answered. “Here, look I drew this for you.” She showed him her drawing. “See, that’s you, and me, and Applejack, and Big Macintosh, but it’s not finished yet.” “It’s lovely darling, thank ya.” He handed it back to her. “Um, Applejack, what is this place called?” He asked. “It was like when Big McIntosh had the runs and we kept jamming…” Granny Smith continued. “Sweet Apple Acres.” Applejack answered, grabbing a piece of toast. “And where is Sweet Apple Acres?” “In Ponyville.” Not very creative he thought. “Where is Ponyville then?” “Shoot, you sure do ask a lot of questions, but I guess that's natural, being from beyond the stars and all. Center of Equestria.” She answered as she finished her plate. “You finish yer food, then we’ll go.” “That’s fine, we can go now.” He said getting up. “Not so fast mister,” Granny Smith told the Engineer putting her hoof in front of him. “Yer gonna waste away, you eat all that food or yer gonna have to answer to me.” He sat back down and started eating. “That’s better.” She reminds me of my granny He thought. ---- “What?! What do you mean you can’t build it?” Mr. Bidwell asked the lead scientist in charge of Research and Development at Mann Co. “I didn’t say can’t, I said won’t. We had to steal, I mean borrow, a lot of technology from that American military base in New Mexico. A lot of alien technology. Those were one of a kind resources; it’s not even possible to build the casing with just any kind of refined metal, not to mention all of its internal components.” “Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear, f@*k! I told Mr. Hale it would be ready before his evening hunt.” “When, tomorrow?” “A week ago tomorrow.” “But he hunts every day ... why are you just coming to me now? He’ll destroy us! No, he’ll challenge us to duels and then he’ll destroy us.” “He forgot all about it when I delivered a new set of phones to his office a week ago. But the administrator called today, asking when it would be ready and it’s only a matter of time before she calls Mr. Hale directly to check on it. “Why don’t you call her back and tell her it’s not possible?” “What?! Are you stupid? Even Hale is afraid of her, I --- “Bidwell! Get over here!” “Oh no, oh no, oh no, crap.” Mr. Bidwell left the lab and started running across the street to Mann Co’s headquarters. He took the elevator to Saxton Hale’s office. He saw Saxton with a yeti sitting next to him. “Hello sir,” He gulped “Did the Administrator call?” “What? No. Why would she call?” Bidwell began to answer. “Shut up, I don’t care. I sensed you say my name and the word afraid in the same sentence, you’ll explain to me while I wrestle Chimp-Chimp here, the winner gets to challenge you to a duel. Talk!” He yelled as he began to grapple with the Yeti. “Is that the same ---” “I don’t hear an explanation.” He said as Chimp-Chimp put his foot on Saxton’s neck. “Well sir, I, you see …” Saxton put the Yeti in a headlock and started counting. “Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten.” The Yeti tapped on Saxton’s back. “Good job Chimp-Chimp, almost broke a sweat that time, a barrel of bananas will be waiting for you in your office. The Yeti walked out of the office “No-holds barred next time.” He yelled out. “Bidwell, send a barrel of bananas to PR.” “Yes sir, I’ll ---” “No. Not you. Reddy! Send a barrel of bananas to PR’s head office! There, taken care of. Explain.” Saxton demanded as he sat behind his desk. “Well you see the administrator ---” “Wait, hold that thought, I was supposed to do something.” “Yes sir, we were ---” “Shut up Bidwell! Oh yes, call the administrator and tell her we have built that Universe destroying sapper she wanted and that if she wants it she can pry from my muscular, magnificent, cold, dead, fingers.” Hale stood on his desk and flexed his muscles. “But sir ---” “Bidwell, at this company people can only get replaced by dueling to the death with their successor. Do you want to have to kill someone to keep your job?” “No sir, I ---” “Wrong answer, now hurry up before I call Chimp-Chimp back in here to do your job, he’s been gunning for it since we liberated him from those hippies.” “Sir, how about I tell her we destroyed it and that it’s impossible to build another one as well?” “Ha, I like it, and when you call her, tell her that I crushed it in my hand.” “Yes sir, I will contact her immediately.” “Good.” Mr. Bidwell left the room. Saxton dialed his phone “Hello Mr. President, my assistant is going to fight a yeti. Right, Mr. Chimp-Chimp. I’m betting the Alamo. No not good enough. The Statue of Liberty and … lets see, Rushmore. Deal? Ha ha, it will be held in my office, get here as soon as you can. ---- “Spike, someone’s at the door, get it.” Twilight told her assistant. “Just because I look... You’re right here, I don’t see why you can’t …” Spike said. He opened the door and saw Applejack and the Engineer with a worried look on his face. There are dragons here too? The Engineer thought. “Twilight, it’s Applejack and the guy from the shooting star!” Spike yelled. “I’m right here Spike, you don’t have to yell. Hello sir, I see you’re looking well now. I’m Twilight Sparkle.” She said offering her hoof. “Hello Ms. Sparkle, I’m Dell Conagher.” “Oh Twilight is fine, um, Applejack can you excuse us for a moment.” “Fine sugarcube, mind if ah help myself to a book?” Applejack asked “Go ahead.” She led the Engineer to her kitchen. “So I guess you’re wondering about the Pyro?” “Yeah, ‘cept I heard A.J call ‘im Mumphy.” “Oh well to make a long story short. My friend, Pinkie Pie, found him and guessed his name was Mumphy, and he just went along with it.” “Then how do you know he’s the Pyro?” “He wrote this letter.” She said passing the scroll to him. He looked at intently. “I can't read this." He said, handed it back. "Anyways, to tell ya the truth, I already knew he was sent home and if it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to be sent there too, I heard your Princess was the one t’ see.” “Oh, um, yes she would be.” Twilight rubbed the back of her neck and coughed. “You see, I’m sorry, this is really difficult to explain, but Princess Celestia can’t help you right now.” “I’ve heard that too, can I ask why?” He said calmly, but he felt his anger building up again. “Um, no.” She answered. “What? Listen critter, I’ve been real patient all I want is t’ get back home and I just want some answers about what's going on.” Applejack walk back into the room. “What’s gonna on here? Are you causing problems again?” She asked getting between him and Twilight. “No, no, I’m not.” He said slowly. “Listen ponies, all I want are answers. Is that too much t’ ask.” “Yes, thank you Applejack, don’t worry I can understand why he’s annoyed.” Twilight put her horn on the Engineers chest. “Listen Mr. Conagher, I’m sorry about your predicament, but please don’t raise your voice to me like that at me again.” “Okay ma’am, put that thing away.” Applejack looked at her friend in disbelief, she had never seen her threaten someone like that before. “What can you tell me then?” “Well, I can give you two some information?” “Excuse me Twilight, why do ah need to know?” Applejack asked “Applejack you’re going to have to help him get back home.” “What, why? Why me?” She asked flabbergasted. “Yeah, why her?” The Engineer asked. “Trust me; we need, I mean you're going to want to have this pony at your side. And I’m going to have to ask you to step into the other room while I speak with Applejack, Mr. Conagher.” “Mr. Conagher is my father; call me Dell if you want.” She nodded, the Engineer left the room. “Applejack, I need you to promise me you won’t tell any other pony what I’m about to tell you. And don’t tell Dell until he needs to know.” “I'm not entirely sure what you mean, but I promise sugarcube. What's with all the mystery?” She asked. The Engineer stood by the doorway and tried to easedrop, it was hard to hear their whispers, too much time surrounded by explosions. “What are you doing?” Spike asked walking by him. “They’re talking about me in there, I want to know why.” He answered. “Dell, right? It really doesn't matter, Twilight wants you back home, probably even more than you do. Want to see what the Pyro taught me?” The Engineer nodded. Spiked clasped his palms together, when he released them a small green fireball appeared. “Idio- I mean Spike! I've told you already, we're staying in a giant tree, don’t do that in here.” Spike walked away grumbling. “Mr. Conagh- err, Dell, I’ve told Applejack what she needs to know and she’ll be telling you on your journey.” “Journey? Where are we going?” “Just outside of town, to the, um, Everfree forest.” She said quietly. “Forest, that all? Alright.” He said with smirk. “Fine with me. You ready to go Applejack?” She nodded. “Move ‘em out then.” The Engineer said, the two walked out of the door. Twilight saw them off, Spike stood next to her. "Do they suspect?" Spike asked. "Apart from you, ponies are the stupidest creatures on this planet. But, I think you should go and tell the herd to prepare themselves, it's time for the queen's plan to come to fruition.