//------------------------------// // 2 The firepony and the party pony // Story: Ponyville Fire Department // by Rescue Sunstreak //------------------------------// Up just as the moon started to set, as always. He stretched some, looking about the little room he had rented. It was a simple place, bed, a dresser, small mirror and an armoire to hang up clothing. Miss Greenwillow ran a nice place, it would do tell the station was up and running, then he could consider looking for a house to rent or buy. Trotting over to the dresser he lifted off his badge, resting it around his neck on its chain to cover the thin silver chain and medallion he never took off. Next, using his mouth, he tugged over his harness, adjusting it across his back and tightening the strap around his chest, the other around his barrel. Glancing in the mirror he gave a smile and a nod to the firepony looking back at him through the reflective glass and trotted out the door. Down the stairs, he heard the yellow and dark green mare call from the dining room. “Chief Sunstreak, will you be having breakfast with the other guests?” Turning to look at her, “No, not this morning. Thank you, Miss Greenwillow, I need to find this Sugar Cube Corner. I was instructed to contact a... Miss Pie?” tilting his head a bit. The older mare giving a slight grin. “Oh, you can’t miss it. Out the front door, go down Park path, cross the park and you will see it. Trust me Chief, you can’t miss it," how odd that look she gave. Following her directions he found himself standing before, well, it was colorful that is for sure. Somepony had made this place eye catching, in fact it looked like a giant gingerbread house, right down to cupcakes and frosting. Noting the sign flip from closed to open, he gave a nod and in he walked... only to be knocked over! The world spun upside down and he found himself flat on his back in the doorway, with a blur of pink standing over him. No... no the blur was moving, and talking, and, for Luna’s sake he could not make out a word in the barrage of words. “Oh my gosh I saw you come in and I have never seen you before so you must be new and if you are new then I have to throw you a Welcome-to-Ponyville party and…” Reaching up, Rescue planted his hoof on the mares mouth. He had been warned, thankfully in his briefing, of the Elements of Harmony and other pony important to Ponyville. “Miss Pie? If you would let me up, I have come to speak to you about that very idea.” The poofy pink mare let him up and smiled. “Sorry about that, I get kind of excited when new pony comes to Ponyville.” He gave a nod as he got back to his hooves, internal check, no pain, good to go. “I am aware Miss Pie, and--” She cut him off. “Pinkie, please and you are?” The stallion gave a smile “Chief Rescue Sunstreak, but you may just call me Chief or Rescue.” Her hair, by Luna and Celestia it got, poofier? “Okie Doki Chiefaroony!” She grinned big, Rescue groaned inside. “Mi...Pinkie,” he took a calming breath as he sat. “I was informed you are the official party pony for all of Ponyville, and that it is your...” he paused then smiled a soft smile. “Tradition to throw a party for new pony. Well I agree, however I wanted to, make a few requests.” As he watched her eyes light up. “I wish to request we make this a welcome party, but also a introduction to the firepony kind of party,” tilting his head some. “A chance to meet everypony, to let them meet and get to know me me, and to get the word out I will be starting the search for volunteers to staff the station once it is built.” Pinkie could not contain herself, he watched as she shook, then leaped in the air, and out of absolutely nowhere, streamers and confetti sprayed around the room. “PERFECT!” She squealed just loud enough to probably wake the next town over. Poking out from the kitchen a blue, rather portly but not unattractive mare looked out. “Pinkie! You will wake the foals.” The pink party pony calmed some. “Sorry Miss cake,” she gave a nod and went back out of sight, likely back to baking, the firepony thought. “I will set it all up, we can hold it at the castle.” At that, he paused and his ears drooped some “I... would not wish not intrude on Princess Sparkles private…” She cut him off quickly. “Nonsense! Twilight will love it, and she'll have a chance to meet you. I bet she would have a million ideas on organizing the work to build the station.” An hour long meeting, and a chance to eat what had to be some of the best cupcakes he had ever tasted later, Rescue walked out of Sugar Cube Corner and looked about. “Now, where does Mayor Mare,” as if on cue, a dark grey pegasus mare landed before him, well landed isn’t quite the word. More like fell with style into the ground. Jumping to her he offered out a hoof, “Are you okay Miss?!” Noting as she looked up with a smile that was genuine as any smile can be. He took note of her eyes, one looking at him, one looking over to the side. She shook off some dust as she stood. “Oh! Yes, thank you for asking.” He gave a nod, spotting the mail bags. “Ah, our resident mail pony?” The mare beamed. “Yep and, oh!” Getting her eyes to focus for a moment, she tilted her head. “Chief of Ponyville. Oh! You are the new firepony that Twilight and Mayor Mare were talking about! Welcome to Ponyville!” He blinked with some surprise. “Well, thank you miss…” She again blinked “Hooves, but please, call me Ditzy.” He again gave a nod, “Very well Ditzy, and speaking of Miss Mayor, would you be so kind as to point out where her office is?” The walleyed mare gave a happy nod and pointed with a hoof, “Just down that way, turn left at the first road. You can’t miss the town hall.” With that the taller stallion dipped his head in appreciation. “Thank you Miss H--I mean Ditzy,” and turned as she waved, and trotted off in the direction she indicated. Two hours of walking later, he found himself standing in front of a large empty lot at the end road of the town. The latte-colored older mare, standing next to him glanced over. “So, Chief Sunstreak, do you think this will do?” He pondered that. Looking at the land, where it was in town compared to other buildings, it was the best of the four they had looked at. He gave a nod. “Miss Mayor, I think this is perfect. The small pond back there can be used to top off our tanks, there is plenty of land to build the station and a training tower,” he pointed. “We should have room to put in a water tower to have the weather team fill for our main supply,” turning to her. “The price for the land is within the frame Canterlot Command set?” He watched her think about it, then nod. “I can make that work Chief, it will take a little tweaking, we will need to adjust the permitting process some but, yes,” she nodded and held out her hoof, he shook it firmly with his own as he looked down at her. “We have a deal.”