A blue Unicorn awoke to a beautiful morning in Ponyville. The weather was usually nice there, but he even enjoyed when the Pegasi scheduled the weekly rains. He could hear his younger brother in the basement, practicing his bass guitar as he often did. The blue Unicorn slowly snuck down stairs to listen.
As his brother finished his solo, Tommy Grey applauded for him. "I swear, you're getting better every day, Theo," he complemented the energetic green Unicorn.
"Thanks, and good morning, Tommy," Theo responded. "I swear, I'm going to make it big someday. I don't know with who, but it's going to happen."
"Keep playing like that and I'm sure of it," Tommy smiled. He had always supported his younger brother and his natural gift for playing music. Unfortunately, although he loved music, Tommy could never get the hang of playing it. He instead stuck to music appreciation. He considered himself a connoisseur of sorts, enjoying and critiquing all types of music. "Well, I'd love to hear you play all day, but I have to get to work. Catch you later, bro."
"Catch you later." The Grey brothers bumped hooves and Tommy left for work. He worked at the Ponyville music shop, and he loved every minute of it. He dreamed of owning the shop one day, but he was working the low-level position of a stock boy, and there were plenty of others that would get the store before he would. But he still enjoyed seeing ponies fall in love with music like he did, and is glad to help them find what music is best for them. He always kept a good attitude and was friendly and helpful.
This particular day went pretty normally, until Tommy overheard a conversation between a coworker and a customer. Trying not to be rude and interrupting, he listened in.
"Yeah, it's South of here and East of Appleloosa. 'Dodge City', I think they're calling it."
"I don't know how these new cities pop up so fast, it's still crazy to me."
"From what I hear, though, they don't have a lot of things there yet. The little town needs a lot of help if it wants to survive. There's a good amount of people there already, but they're going to need some more."
"Well, I hope that they're able to carry on. I'll definitely tell people about it."
After hearing the conversation, Tommy went up and talked to the coworker that was talking. "Wait, what were you just saying about a new city?"
The coworker smiled. "A bunch of ponies from Appleloosa decided to make a new city after this Pegasus showed up and created some sort of 'protection against evil' group. A bit of a stretch, if you ask me, but the city stands to prove me wrong. Why would you be interested?"
Tommy thought. "Well, I've always wanted to own this store… but if there is a city that needs a new music store, there is another possibility for my dream. I could open up a record store in Dodge!"
The coworker laughed. "That sure is a big dream, but it will take more than that to open and run your own business. Are you willing to put in the work? You have to hire employees, get supplies, do your own financing, and promote it outside of the town as well."
Tommy looked away, a bit ashamed. "I, uh- sure," he said nervously. He didn't realize how much work owning a store would end up being.
The coworker smiled. "It's nice to see that you have big ambitions though. If you are willing to work hard, anything is possible." He turned and went back to working
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Tommy thought about that conversation for the rest of the day. When he got home, he told his brother of the idea.
"Dude, that would be sweet!" his brother answered. "You'd be so good at running a record store, you should totally do it!"
"Yeah, but there's a lot of work to do in it too," Tommy countered. "I can't just walk to the town and instantly be a success. It takes a ton of hard work."
"Yeah, but you're the hardest worker that I know!" Theo told him. "I'm sure you'll be able to do it. You just have to do your homework and go for it. Don't doubt yourself."
Tommy smiled. "You're right. Thanks Theo. It's always nice to have someone who supports you."
Theo returned the smile. "Anytime, bro."
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Tommy set out the next day even more determined. He talked to every employee of the record store, asking them for advice or even help. He talked to the manager about what it took to run and operate a store.
"Well, you're going to have to start with an inventory. Something to sell. Get your name out there, and people will come to you. Then you just have to keep them coming back."
"It would be hard to get an unknown name out there," Tommy told him. "What if I were to open a new branch of this store in Dodge? It would get your name out more, and I would have less to worry about. I could even give some of my records to start up the store. What do you say?"
The manager puzzled. "Hmm, not a bad plan. But I don't feel quite comfortable with letting you run a branch of my store yet. If you can prove to me that you're responsible, I'll consider it more, but until then I have to say no."
Tommy saddened for a brief moment, but perked up. "I understand sir. But I promise that I'll become someone that you can trust."
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Tommy continued to work hard for weeks, which turned into months. He was never late to work and always did his job well. When he wasn't working he was studying, learning business techniques and how to survive in the marketing world. He talked to his boss again some time later.
"Well I'll be, Tommy," he said kindly. "You really have proven yourself. You showed me that you're ready and willing to take on this job. I had a new shipment of records coming in, but I'll hold them off until you open another branch of the store in Dodge. Congratulations, son."
Tommy could hardly hold his excitement. He was on cloud nine for the rest of the afternoon, and he told everything to Theo when he got home.
"That's awesome, bro!" Theo told him. "But... does that mean you're moving away?"
Tommy stopped. In all of his business, he had forgotten about home. "Yeah, I guess." Both brothers grew sad. But Tommy turned it around and said, "But I'm sure you can take care of yourself. I trust you enough on your own, you're not that much younger than me anyways. I won't be far, and you can always contact me if you need anything. But this is a golden opportunity for me. I hope you understand."
Theo smiled. "Of course I understand. This is huge for you. I would do the same thing if I were in your position. Just... don't forget to write, ok?"
Tommy laughed. "Absolutely." They shared a hug.
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As Tommy stepped off the train into Dodge, he was amazed. It was incredible how much the town had grown already. It was beginning to look like Appleloosa. He followed the instructions given to him and found Silver Shield.
The Pegasus smiled. "You must be Mr. Grey. Welcome to Dodge," he said with a hoofshake.
Tommy blushed. "Please, call me Tommy. I'm really happy for this opportunity you've given me here."
"Oh of course!" Silver responded. "I'm always happy to expand the town, and a music store is a great idea! Why don't we go and check out where it's located?"
Silver took him toward main street, where most of the buildings and businesses were located. And right in the center of it all was a beautiful store with "Dodge City Records and Music Shop".
Tommy stood in awe. His very own record store was standing right in front of him. "Wow... I don't know what to say! I can't thank you enough Silver! This is a dream come true!"
Silver was happy to see the Pegasus so overjoyed. "I'm glad to hear that. But there's one thing I'd like to discuss with you inside the store, if you don't mind." They walked in the front door.
Silver took Tommy to a back room. "This can be a storage room for you. But this location is special, and there is a favor that I have to ask you while you're here."
Tommy was still in shock. "Sure, anything!"
Silver began to tell Tommy about the Defenders. "It's a defense group that is headquartered in Rambling Rock Ridge, not too far from here. But in order to be adequately prepared, we need things like weapons. Now, I can't just have weapons delivered straight to me, cause that'd seem suspicious to anypony who didn't know. And if I send them to the base, then I risk revealing our location. I discovered that there was a sort of tunnel from Rambling Rock Ridge to the town here. I've fixed it up a bit, and the entrance is right under this building. I'm asking if you could take in the weapons shipment for me and bring it through this trapdoor into the tunnel. I know it's a lot to ask, but this is important for the safety of Equestria. We could even hide it in with a shipment of records. What do you say?"
Tommy thought. "That is a lot to ask..." But what did he have to lose?, he thought. "Will there be someone to take it to the Ridge?"
"I can make it that way, if that's easier."
"Yeah, that would be nice. If you promise that it stays hidden, I would be able to do it."
Silver's face grew bright. "Thank you so much. I'll find some way to repay you, I promise."
Tommy smiled. "I'd do anything for a friend, even a new one like you."
The two new friends laughed and shook hooves once more.