"We've collected all the pieces we could find," field supervisor Hazmat explained as he handed over the clipboard to Trixie. "They're ready to be transported and destroyed."
Trixie nodded as she read through the notes, yet again thankful for how quickly a hazardous materials disposal unit was able to get there. After she had recovered from her laughing fit, she had sent Princess Luna an all clear and got to work making sure the remains of Grindings Gears' invention were taken care of responsibly.
She then paused when she noticed something in the report. "You didn't find the head?"
Hazmat shook his head. "We scoured the area but couldn't find a trace of it. We're assuming it fell in the lake but it's too cold to send in divers to check." He explained. "Usual protocol is to bring in a unicorn team to dredge the lake but your report to my superior said to avoid using magic on the metal."
Trixie paused for a moment as she weighed her options. Finally, she signed the clipboard and handed it back. "We'll leave it for now. If there's any life in it, the ice water will keep it dormant. Get the rest destroyed and when spring comes, send a team of divers to check the lake."
"Will do." Hazmat replied as he took back the clipboard. "ALRIGHT TEAM! MOVE OUT!"
As the field supervisor left, Trixie was joined by Cheerilee.
"So that's everything?" The teacher asked.
"Almost everything." Trixie turned to look at Gears, who was watching his hard work being carried away. "I suppose you want me to go easy on him."
Cheerilee shook her head. "I still consider him a friend so I'm not out for his blood," She stated. "But he built something that hurt one of my other friends and almost hurt one of my students, so I'm not going to defend him."
Despite the situation Trixie gave Cheerilee a smirk. "And the fact he had forgotten to mention that he was married?"
"Irks me to no end," the teacher replied bluntly. "But that is for him and Mrs. Gears to sort out."
Trixie rolled her eyes but didn't press the matter. She approached the Detrot inventor. When he noticed her, he took in a deep breath.
"So there's no more putting this off is there?"
"No there isn't." The representative replied. "We don't need to go over how dangerous and downright stupid this was."
"You're absolutely right, but before you say anything more, please know that I am really sorry about all of this and that I take full responsibility for what happened." Gears interjected. "Lumos would not have done any of this if I hadn't told him to so the blame lies with me."
Trixie blinked a couple of times before speaking.
"That is very noble of you." Trixie remarked. "However, Princess Luna has given me the duty of discerning where the blame for today's events lies, not you."
"I understand." Gears said solemnly.
"And after reviewing all the facts of the matter, it becomes clear that blame lies with the Everfree forest."
For the first time, Gears look genuinely confused. "What?"
"The corrupting of influence of the Everfree forest is well documented." Trixie said matter of factly. "While most accounts focus on the effect it has on weather patterns as well as the local flora and fauna, there have been incidents of it corrupting other forms of magic. While in hindsight there are more precautions you could have taken to prevent this, there is nothing to indicate that your intentions were malicious and we have no way of knowing how the Automaton would have acted had it not been corrupted."
The inventor stared while the representative continued.
"Now there will be a hundred-bit fine for not seeking permission from the local authorities before commencing your little 'test run'. It could have been worse considering how dangerous your project turned out to be but the state has decided to be lenient." Trixie handed over a form outlining the fine and how to pay it. "I have also taken the liberty of speaking to both Raindrops and Big Macintosh. Both have agreed not to press charges, provided you are on the next train back to Detrot."
Gears stood, looking quite dumbfounded.
"So...I'm...not...in trouble?"
"You're being let off with a warning." Trixie stated. "The Automaton is now on record as a potential threat to public safety. You try to build another one and you will deemed an enemy of the state and punished accordingly."
Gears nodded. "I...understand."
"Do you?" Trixie asked. "You know, if you ignore everything wrong with building a golem, I can sum up why this little project of yours failed so spectacularly with one mistake."
Despite himself, Gears felt the need to ask. "And what mistake is that?"
"You were so focused on the potential benefits of using magic that you didn't stop to think of the risks."
"I researched magic extensively before even beginning construction." Gears argued.
"Don't kid yourself." Trixie chastised. "You researched enough to get what you thought was the desired result and ignored basic fundamentals. Your focus was entirely on the end goal, not the path you were taking to get there. I know cause I've been there." The representative stated. "I plunged head long into Zebra magic, focusing on the benefits of understanding the art and as a result turned my friend into a hominan."
"A homi-what?"
"It's this hairless, monkey looking thing." Trixie explained. "Mostly harmless but still kinda freaky looking. Sure part of the cause was the fact I'd been given a shoddy translation, but I had still been the one who put my friend in that situation."
"Why are you telling me this?" Gears asked.
"You're not the first pony to set their sights high and have it blow up in their face." Trixie explained. "And you won't be the last. The only difference between you and most two-bit hacks out of their depths is that you some skill to back it up."
"Um...thanks?"
"It wasn't a compliment, it was a warning." The representative clarified. "When a smart pony does something stupid, they tend to do a lot more damage than a dumb one. And you seem to be a really smart pony that's really good at doing really stupid things."
"So you're saying I should give up experimenting with magic?"
Trixie ran a hoof through her mane as she made sure to phrase the next part carefully.
"I'm saying that when entering new territory it's better to plan twice, build once and have somepony making sure you're not missing something." Trixie took out a piece of paper, "Here's the name and address of a Canterlot professor that's been exploring new ways of using magic to improve machinery. Hasn't got the experience in building things that you do but he knows more about magical empowerment than anypony else in the field. Put your heads together and you might just create something that will change the world."
The representative then handed over a sealed envelope as well as a list. "Here's a letter of introduction, can't say that it will get you a definite yes from him but at the very least he'll hear you out. The list is the names of some nobles I know who might consider investing in this kind of thing if you manage to come up with something useful."
The inventor looked the pieces of paper and then up at the representative. He opened his mouth to speak but Trixie raised her hoof to silence him.
"I haven't completely thrown out the Tarturus idea so how about you avoid saying something that will ruin the moment and go catch your train."
Gears nodded dumbly and, after saying a brief farewell to Cheerilee, scampered off with Lumos.
The teacher turned to her friend. "Not that I'm complaining but you let him off easier than I thought you would."
"Well prosecuting him would probably result in him getting community service and the thought of him staying in town to repay his debt scares me more than the Automaton did."
"Good point." Cheerilee admitted. "Though that was still a nice thing you did for him."
Trixie gave a half shrug. "Well, it's not like I could have talked him out of using magic. This way at least means that we might not have another disaster. I mean I still think he's a few party hats short of a cute-ceañera," she remarked. "But he did build an impressive machine. If he focuses that talent on something a little less golem-ey, who knows."
Cheerilee seemed to be genuinely impressed. "Trixie, you have been amazingly mature about all this."
"Well not entirely." Trixie admitted. "The mature thing probably would have been not telling Applejack who had built the thing that beat up Big Macintosh."
"'Scuse me. Yer Grinding Gears, aintcha?"
Grinding Gears turned to see an orange mare wearing a Stetson hat.
"Why yes I am." The inventor replied. "Sorry I can't chat for long. I've got to be on a train in fifteen minutes."
"Dat's fine." Applejack replied as she cracked her neck. "Ah'll be done in ten."
Satisfied that they were alone, Cheerilee turned back to the Representative. "Okay let's hear it."
Trixie tilted her head slightly. "Hear what."
"You warned me that if this thing with Grinding Gears turned out badly you'd find the most obnoxious way to say 'I told you so'. So let's hear it."
Trixie gave a thoughtful pause. "You know what, I'm not going to say it."
Cheerilee raised an eyebrow. "Really."
"You didn't know Gears had already built the Automaton, and rubbing your nose in the fact that I had known this was a bad idea right from the start would be childish. Besides, I've lead you and the others into enough crazy stuff that I can't really act too high and mighty." Trixie placed a foreleg over her friend in companionship. "The day is saved, the crisis is averted and no more bourbon was lost so let's just savour the moment."
The ram quartet suddenly appeared around the two mares.
There was a mare who told you so
And Trixie was her name-o
Yes she told you so!
Yes she told you so!
Yes she told you so!
Yes Trixie told you so!
As the rams started their second verse, Trixie let out a content sigh.
"Just savour the moment."
With the disposal unit finally gone, a hooded figure quietly stepped out of hiding. Confident she was alone, she took a moment to admire the spoils of what had turned out to be a surprisingly successful reconnaissance mission.
"What a remarkable combination of machine and magic." The hooded figure commented as she ran an appraising hoof over the slightly battered head of the Automaton. "To let such a tool go to waste would certainly be tragic."