A solitary unicorn was making his way through the Everfree Forest towards Ponyville. He had recently left Fillydelphia in the hopes of finding more work in Ponyville. His name was Ironworks. He was a contractor. While Fillydelphia was expanding, more of the well paying jobs had been given to companies that had a history in the business. He was the first in his family to have a cutie mark of construction. So when he heard that the small town of Ponyville was thinking of expanding he packed away some of his things and made his way toward the quiet town in an attempt to find more than the occasional renovation that somepony had thrown his way.
"I hope I'm not wasting my time here." The unicorn muttered to himself. He was small for a stallion. About the size of most mares. His coat was a light brown with a cutie mark of a hammer beating in a nail to a board. His mane and tail were hay colored. The mane laid flat against the top of his head and neck while his tail was strait. Despite his small size he appeared rather well built. It was easy to tell that he was strong. And while he wasn't a model he was certainly rather good looking.
The trip had been a long one. Not simply because of time but rather dragging his cart across Equestria. He had thought of buying a train ticket but decided against it seeing as he was low on bits and decided he could handle the trek there himself. Fortunately the road was always clear of obstacles such as fallen trees or potholes. The guards did a good job keeping the road clear and safe despite it running through one of the most dangerous places in the kingdom. So while it had been hard work to trudge all the way here, he was at least able to enjoy the nice scenery if nothing else.
Checking his map he quickly noticed that at the rate he was going he should arrive in Ponyville soon and be able to find a place to set up shop before nightfall. Tucking away the map back in his cart he continued on enjoying the quiet of his trip.
"HELP ME!" Suddenly he heard what sounded like a mare's voice calling out somewhere to his right. Unhooking himself from the cart he quickly rushed that way, only stopping to think when he had actually seen who had called. It was a rather cute mare. Her coat was purple while her mane and tail were more pink than anything and had a much lighter stripe running through the middle of it. Her cutie mark was three smiling flowers. And her eyes were the most brilliant shade of green. And at that moment, filled with fear and trained on the three timber wolves that had backed her up against the tree.
Not wasting time, Ironworks fired a bolt of magical energy that struck the wolf that was closest to the mare square in his side, sending him rolling for a little ways. The other two quickly turned their attention towards the new threat and snarled at him before charging the unicorn. Not having the time to charge another bolt Ironworks wheeled around and planted a firm buck on the first wolf's jaw. Snapping it and sending it stumbling back. Unfortunatly he wasn't quick enough for react to the third and it tackled him, biting into his front left leg causing him to yell in pain.
Using his magic he opened the timber wolf's mouth before rolling away and charging his horn again. This time the bolt shattered the wolf's front paw, causing it to howl out in pain. Using this opportunity, Ironworks trotted over to the mare and thew up the most powerful shield that he could muster. By now the other wolves had recovered and were helping their comrade, whose arm was reconnecting itself, try to break through the golden barrier. After several minutes of trying and failing to get through, the wolves simply growled at the two ponies before slinking off deeper into the forest.After several minutes of silence Ironworks lowered the shield and turned towards the dirty, afraid, but otherwise uninjured mare.
However, Ironworks wasn't feeling good. The blood loss was getting to him. His vision, where it wasn't blacking out was blurring. He felt lightheaded and constantly trying to keep a shield up with 3 timber wolves attacking had been very draining.
"You..okay?" He managed to get out before collapsing to his knees.Just before he blacked out however, he heard a beautiful voice say...
"Hold on!"
Ironworks woke hazily. Checking around the room he quickly realized he wasn't anywhere he recognized. Panicking slightly, he quickly sat up only for a pain that felt like his brain was in a vice to shoot through his head. Slowing down he looked around the unfamiliar room. The walls were a plain white same as the sheets he was in. The bed itself had several strange buttons on a nearby control pad by his right hoof. There was also the sounds of things being rolled around outside and the commotion of ponies talking. From the few bits he could make out seemed to be medical related.
I'm in a hospital. the stallion thought. Before he could do anything else though a nurse trotted in. Her coat was pure white while her mane was pure pink. Her cutie mark seemed to be a red cross with four pink hearts around it. This also seemed to be the same mark on her tiara. Her eyes were also a very deep blue.
"Oh. You're awake." She said walking up and began to change the bandages on his leg.
"How did I get here?"
"Miss Cheerilee brought you here. She said you saved here from several timber wolves. I'm surprised this bite is all that happened to you." She said bringing up fresh gauze.
"Is she OK?"
"She's fine. In fact she's just outside. Would you like to speak with her?"
"Yes, please. Miss..?"
"Redheart. I'll send here right in." She said turning back towards the door after applying the fresh bandages.
In walked the mare he had saved from those timber wolves. She had a few bandaids covering some cuts and looked a little dirty but otherwise no worse for where.
"Are you feeling OK?" She asked looking concerned.
"Yes. Thank you for bringing me back here." Ironworks responded with a smile.
The mare looked down and blushed slightly. "It was the least that I could do after you saved me like that." She looked rather cute when she blushed.
"So your Ms.Cheerilee?" He said enjoying the rather good view the cute mare in front of him made. "I'm Ironworks."
She looked up at him and smiled intently "Hello Ironworks. Nice to meet you."
"I owe you one." He said before something dawned on him. "What happened to my cart?"
She looked at him with those emerald green eyes. "I told some of my friends who stopped by what happened and they volunteered to go get your cart."
"Again, thank you." He said before changing the subject. "So what were you doing in the Everfree like that?"
"I'm the teacher around here. We're covering botany for a few weeks and I needed some examples of more exotic plants." She took a seat in the nearby chair before continuing. "So what are you doing in Ponyville anyway? It's not often we get new faces around here."
"I'm a contractor. Buisness was being taken by all the companies with a history back in Fillydelphia. So when I heard about this place needing ponies who could help expand, I packed up and headed out here."
She smiled looking a little hopeful. "So do you think you'll have a lot of free time?"
"Probably once i get released from here and can set myself up. Why?"
She looked away blushing a little bit. "Well I just wanted to treat you to dinner for saving me like that. Maybe even show you around the town."
"Like a date?"
She blushed a little deeper. "Sure."
"Sounds like a good time to me." He said, causing her to beam with excitement. "On one condition." She looked a little crestfallen but looked inquisitive. "I get to pay for dinner. I wouldn't feel right letting you pay for it." Her smile returned and looked like she was about to start bouncing in her seat. Just then the nurse entered.
"Visiting hours are over. I'm sorry but you'll have to leave." Nurse Redheart said holding the door. Cheerilee looked a little sad at this but turned back towards Ironworks.
"Well, I guess I should let you get some rest." She said getting up to leave. "Get better soon."
"I will. See you soon." He said before Cheerilee left.
Maybe I didn't waste my time.