Two very different ponies meet at the Grand Galloping Gala. Will they fall in love or will it be all for nothing?
A stallion, who's well known for making metallic artwork and steam mechanics, is invited to the Grand Galloping Gala. Not only is it his first and best night ever. He meets and falls in love with a mare who runs an apple orchard in Ponyville. However, she doesn't notice his feelings for her, so he'll stop at nothing to get her attention.
Was rated E, but changed it to T because some parts are more difficult to understand for younger readers.
Copper Finish, a beige earth pony stallion with dark brown hair and two small gears and wrench for a cutie mark, was the royal metallic artist and chief mechanical engineer. He was famous for some of his work, especially for the armor the Royal Guard wore. However, he wasn't a Canterlot stallion at heart, even though he lived there. He dreamed that one day, he could get away from high-society and settle down with the mare of his dreams. Unfortunately, to him, no such mare existed. So, he stayed in his workshop making steam powered contraptions, repairing and polishing armor, and making grand metal statues for special events.
One day, Copper Finish was working on one of his contraptions, that had been giving him trouble. It had been a busy day and all the ponies who worked with him had gone home. He was enjoying the peace and quiet.
"I hope this thing works after I get this last pipe secure." he thought as he adjusted the pipe.
He was so busy working, he didn't notice that someone had entered his workshop. After he put the pipe in place and secured it, he pushed and held a valve inside the machine and a soft whistle sounded on the top of the machine. Then another, and another, and another.
"YYEEE HHAAWW!" he exclaimed, "IT WORKS! IT WORKS!" He stopped shouting, let go of the valve, and smiled.
"That is a very impressive and ,not to mention, musical machine." said a kind voice.
"AAAHHH!" shrieked a startled Copper Finish, knocking over a tool box. Tools fell all over the floor and Copper Finish landed on his back.
Copper Finish wasn't hurt, but his workshop was a complete mess.
"Oh my goodness! Are you alright?" said the voice.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Just fine." Copper Finish said in an angry tone.
He got to his hooves and turned to face his surprise guest. As soon as he saw who it was, his facial expression changed from angry to stunned and embarrassed. Standing in front of him was Princess Celestia.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," she said, "I noticed that you had not left yet and was wondering, why? Now I know. I'll leave you alone now." She started to leave.
"NO!" Copper Finish said sternly.
Celestia stopped and looked at him.
"I mean... Uh... No, please, stay as long as you like, your highness." he said in a much softer tone, bowing to her.
She smiled and accepted his invitation. She looked around at the mess of tools and spare machine parts.
"I'm truly sorry, again, for frightening you like that," Celestia said, "I should've announce myself earlier."
Copper Finish grinned "Oh, don't worry about it, princess." he said, "Besides, those tools weren't supposed to be there and I should've been paying more attention anyway." He started to pick up his tools and putting them in they're proper places.
"Would you like any help with those?" Celestia asked.
"Nah, it's not as bad as looks. It'll only take a minute." Copper Finish said.
Celestia then looked at the large machine that Copper Finish was working on.
"That would be good for this year's Grand Galloping Gala." She thought "I wonder if he'll be interested in bringing it if he's invited."
Copper Finish put the last of his tools away and saw the princess looking at his machine.
"What is it?" She asked.
Copper Finish walked over to the machine. "Well, I don't have an officially name for it yet." He said, "But, as you saw, it can play music using steam whistles."
He looked at the machine then he looked at the princess. "Would you like to hear it again?" Copper Finish asked.
Princess Celestia smiled, "Yes, please." She said, "That would be nice."
He nodded. "Alright, one moment please."
He went to his workbench to get his special hoof gauntlets.
"I have to were these or else I might get burnt by the heat inside the machine." ,he said.
She understood and patiently waited for the whistles to blow a soft melody. Copper Finish walked back to the machine and pushed on the valve that started the music. Almost instantly, the first whistle blew, making a low tooting sound. Then another made a high peeping echo. With each different whistle making it's on unique sound at a certain time, it made a beautiful melody.
After the music stopped, Copper Finish released the valve and looked at Princess Celestia. He noticed that she had her eyes closed and a small tear rolling down her cheek.
"Princess? Are you alright?" ,he asked, somewhat surprised.
"If... Uh..." he wasn't sure what to say, "I didn't mean..."
"It's perfect." Princess Celestia said softly, interrupting Copper Finish.
"Um... Thank you, your highness." he said, confused.
Silence fell over the room.
"Copper Finish..." Celestia said, still speaking softly.
"...you are hereby royally invited to this year's Grand Galloping Gala." she said in a firm, but calm voice.
Copper Finish looked at the princess, stunned at what he had heard.
He spoke nervously, "Uh... Um... Th-Thank you. W-Would you like me to bring my machine?"
He waited for an answer.
"Yes," said the princess, "and I think I have a name for this musical machine."
She was looking at him. Copper Finish was nervous as ever now.
"Name it the Calliope." she said.
Copper Finish was relieved and confused. But he wouldn't dare question her about the name.
"Ahm!" clearing his throat, Copper Finish spoke, "As you wish, your highness."
At that moment, Celestia's horn lit up and a gold ticket appeared out of thin air. It levitated over to Copper Finish, hovered in front of his face, and into his hoof.
Princess Celestia turned to the door, "I suggest that you be prepared, the Gala is in three days and I want you looking your best."
She stopped and said softly, "Who knows, maybe what you're looking for is there. I'll see you at the Gala, and thank you."
Before Copper Finish could say anything, she spread her wings and flew to the castle.
He stood outside his workshop and thought,"What did she mean by what I'm looking for?"
He thought for a moment, then went inside to put the finishing touches on the Calliope.
The day of the Grand Galloping Gala had arrived. Copper Finish had shown up early with the Calliope on wheels and eight of his strongest assistants, to help haul it to the Gala. The Calliope was brightly polished, with engravings on the sides, a firewood catch, a small pedal to open the valve inside, and four small buttons for music selection. Copper Finish, himself, looked nice too. He was wearing his favorite top hat, with polished brass goggles, a tailored suit jacket with a black bowtie, and his polished special hoof gauntlets.
"Excuse me..." he said, approaching one of the castle guards, "...could you tell me where the grand ballroom is?"
The guard looked at him, "A little early for the Gala, aren't you?"
The guard then looked at the Calliope, in amazement.
"What, in the name of Princess Celestia, is that?!" said the guard.
Copper Finish grinned, "It's called the Calliope, it plays music using steam whistles."
The guard, trying to figure out how this machine worked, walked over to inspect it.
"It's interesting," Copper Finish continued, "Princess Celestia personally invited me and requested that I..."
"Wait," said the guard, interrupting Copper Finish, "did you just say, the princess invited you personally and asked you to bring this?"
He looked hard at Copper Finish and couldn't understand why the princess would ask somepony like this, to bring such a strange looking contraption. But, he chose not to question it.
"The ballroom is at the end of the hallway," said the guard, "try to be careful, they're still decorating inside."
"Thanks," Copper Finish said, happy to get moving again, "we will, come on guys." Motioning to his assistants, they went inside.
They moved slowly down the huge hallway, it was lined with red silk ribbons, and lovely flowers of every colour. They entered the ballroom and were greeted with a brightly polished marble floor, with a red carpet leading toward the grand statue on the other side of the room. Some ponies were still working on the stage for the musicians on one side of the room, when they entered.
"Excuse me," said a stern voice, "are you supposed to be here?"
Copper Finish turned to face the voice. A unicorn pony, levitating a clipboard, was standing in the middle of the room looking at him. She was the planner for the Gala and she wasn't to happy. On her clip board were several pages of lists, diagrams, and notes needed for the party.
"Um, I think so." Copper Finish said, "But, I'm not really sure. Could you help me?"
"What's your name?" asked the planner, rolling her eyes.
"Copper Finish." he answered instantly. He waited as the party planner flipped the pages of her clipboard.
"Copper Finish, Copper Finish." she said, as she looked through the pages.
"Aha, yes, here you are," she said, "go set up next to the stage." She pointed to a spot that had a sign saying "Reserved."
"Thanks," he said, "okay guys, lets park the Calliope and get some food." He lead the group over to the spot, where they untied their harnesses and set the wheel brakes. Afterward they left to get something to eat.
About three hours later, the Grand Galloping Gala started. Copper Finish returned to the castle alone. His emotions were all confused, he was nervous, excited, and afraid. But, since it was his first time being at the Gala, it was to be expected. He approached the greeters with a small grin.
"Good evening," said one of the greeters, "will you present your ticket, please?" Extending his hoof to Copper Finish.
Copper Finish reached into his jacket and pulled out the gold ticket he was given. He gave it to the greeter and was shown inside. The foyer was busy with ponies from all parts of Equestria. Ponies from The Crystal Empire, Manehatten, Cloudsdale, Fillydelphia, Appleoosa, and Ponyville. There were many celebrities and VIPs (Very Important Ponies), including Prince Shining Armor with his wife Princess Cadence, Discord, the Wonderbolts, Princess Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia, and her sister Princess Luna.
"Wow," Copper Finish thought, "I knew it was big ,but I never imagined it would be THIS big!"
He was so overwhelmed with excitement, that he didn't notice that Princess Celestia walked over to greet him.
"Hello, Copper Finish. Having a nice time?" she said softy.
Copper Finish turned to face her and instantly, humbly, bowed to her.
"Oh," he said, still bowing, "hello, princess. It's nice to see you again."
He returned to a normal stance and looked at Celestia. It took a moment for him to answer her question.
Finally, he spoke, "I can't tell you how happy I am to be here," he had a very big smile on his face, "thank you for inviting me."
Celestia smiled back, "Would you be so kind, as to have your Calliope start with the music?" she said kindly.
"Of course, your highness," Copper Finish answered, "I even have the perfect intro and opening number for it." He then realized that, the fire, needed to make the steam, wasn't started.
He bowed, excusing himself from the princess, and raced to the ballroom. When he reached the ballroom, it was crowded with ponies. He moved quickly through the crowd and accidently bumped into a young mare. They both fell to the floor, Copper Finish landed face down, while the mare fell backwards. He picked himself up and turned to the mare, who was brushing her hair away from her eyes.
"Oh my gosh," Copper Finish said, walking over to help her, "I'm so sorry, miss, I guess next time I'll..." He stopped talking and looked in awe.
The young mare was a light orange earth pony, with a blonde mane, done up with an apple shaped jewel and curls. She had three freckles on each cheek and olive green eyes. The dress she was wearing had different shades of pink, a diamond pattern in the skirt, and a small transparent train/liner at the bottom.
Copper Finish stared at her for a moment and realized that he still had to help her up. He extended his hoof out to her, she took hold and he brought her to her hooves.
"My apologies," Copper Finish said, "you're not hurt, are you?"
"Nah," the mare said, in a country accent, "I'm guessin' ya'll were in a hurry. Where ya tryin' to go?"
He had almost forgotten about the fire in the Calliope. He was about to say where he was going, but instead he started to babble and sputter.
"I... Go... Music... Everypony..." Copper Finish stuttered. He turned red with embarrassment and quickly corrected himself.
"I-I mean, I'm going to try to start my machine for everypony," he said, pointing to the Calliope, "excuse me."
He walked away from the mare and toward the Calliope, still feeling foolish. He reached the Calliope without anymore drama. Grabbing some firewood from the wood catch on the side of the machine, he loaded the small firebox and lit the fire. There was water already in the boiler, but it would take a moment to build enough pressure for the whistles to play. At that moment Princess Celestia got on stage for announcements.
"Fillies and Gentlecolts," she said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "Mares and Stallions, I'm pleased to see that all of you could attend this year's Grand Galloping Gala."
The crowd roared with cheers, whistles, and hoof stamping.
Celestia spoke again, "This year, we have a special treat for you." she paused.
Copper Finish, who knew what she was going to say next, began to tremble with fear. The Calliope had built enough steam for the whistles now, but he wasn't sure if he had enough steam for himself.
"This year I invited our royal metallic artist and chief engineer, to astonish you with his extraordinary machine." she continued.
Then, she looked at Copper Finish.
"Copper Finish," Celestia said, " would you like to say anything before you begin?"
Copper Finish nodded, nervously and proceeded to the stage. He got up and stood next to her.
"Ahm!" he cleared his throat and spoke, "Thank you, your highness."
She nodded and let him have the stage.
"Good evening, everyone." he said, trying not to be afraid, "Tonight, I hope to impress and amaze all of you with my Calliope."
The crowd murmured and spoke quietly. They were wondering and waiting to see what this strange machine could do.
"And now," Copper Finish spoke again, "without further ado, I will start the music."
He stepped off stage and walked over to the Calliope and pushed one of the four buttons. A light clicking sound came from inside the machine and then a whoosh of steam went through the pipes. Then silence came from the machine. The crowd started talking again.
"Is that it?" one pony said.
"Maybe, it still needs some work." said another.
Copper Finish grinned and thought, "They have no idea, about what comes next."
He pushed down on the pedal, which opened the valve, suddenly the whistles came to life with sound. The whistles started playing a fast and happy tune and soon everyone at the Gala was dancing to the Calliope's music. Everyone was having so much fun, except Copper Finish. He couldn't stop thinking about that mare he met earlier. When the music stopped, Copper Finish released the pedal. The crowd cheered for Copper Finish, who was happy the Calliope worked, but sad that he never, properly, introduced himself to the young mare.
"Thank you," Copper Finish said, "maybe later on in the evening, I'll start the Calliope again. But, for now I have to give it a rest."
The crowd groaned with disappointment. They wanted to hear it again.
"I'm sorry, everypony," Copper Finish said, "but if it doesn't rest, the pressure in the pipes could cause too much stress and could be damaged."
Princess Celestia spoke out to the crowd, "Don't worry, we'll still have music and fun. So enjoy the rest of your evening."
The crowd disbanded into their own groups and Copper Finish stayed by his machine. Princess Celestia noticed that he looked upset and walked over to him.
"Is everything alright?" she asked.
Copper Finish looked at her and said, "Well, that depends on what you mean, your highness."
Then he looked passed the princess and his heart beat quickened. There, on the over side of the massive ballroom, was the young mare he met earlier. She was standing with Princess Twilight and four other ponies, talking and laughing. Princess Celestia noticed that Copper Finish wasn't paying attention to her and turned to see what he was looking at.
The princess smiled, "Why don't you go talk to her?" she asked.
Copper Finish was wondering the same thing, but he found the reason very quickly. He was frozen with fear and couldn't move. His legs felt like rubber, he could hear his heart pounding in his ear, and thoughts were racing though his mind. He tried to calm down, by taking deep breaths.
Finally, he calmed down enough to speak, "I'm afraid of doing something dumb." he said.
"Well," Princess Celestia said, in an assuring tone, "you could start with a proper introduction. Come on." She started walking toward the group.
Copper Finish, wondering what to do, decided to follow. As they got closer, he got more nervous about what to say. Should he say his name, start a conversation, or just say "Hello."
"Hello," Princess Celestia said to the group of ponies, when they reached them, "it's nice to see you all again."
The group looked at the princess and smiled. Copper Finish, however, was shy and hid behind her.
"Twilight," Celestia said, speaking to the princess of friendship, "this is Copper Finish."
She surrounded Copper Finish with a magical aura and levitated him to the front of the group. He stood in front of them, trying to calm his nerves.
"Um, H-Hello," he finally said, still nervous, "it's nice to meet you."
Then Celestia spoke, "Would you mind if he joined you and your friends for the evening? He doesn't know anyone here and it would be nice for him to make new friends."
"Of course," Princess Twilight said, now looking at Copper Finish, "you're welcome to join us."
"Um, thank you, princess." Copper Finish said accepting her invitation.
"Please," Princess Twilight said, "just Twilight is fine."
Celestia took her leave and went back to her place in the ballroom. Leaving Copper Finish, Twilight, the mystery mare, and the others to introduce themselves.
"We've already been introduced," Twilight said, "these are my friends."
Before Copper Finish could say anything, an energetic pink earth pony jumped in front of him.
"Hi," said the pink pony, "I'm Pinkie Pie and I thought your super strange machine sounded super duper, I can't stop smiling!"
"Pinkie," said the mystery mare, "when do ya ever stop smilin'?"
"I don't know," Pinkie said, "I'm usually having too much fun to stop." She started laughing.
"I'm Applejack," said the mystery mare, "I gotta say, the only thing that machine reminds me of is that weird new fangled thing, the Flim-Flam Brothers had."
Applejack looked hard at Copper Finish.
"Y're not with them, are ya?" she said.
Copper Finish had heard about the Flim-Flam Brothers, their machines, and what they tried to do in Ponyville. Now he had to be careful about what he would say next.
Feeling backed into a corner, he said, nervously, "N-No, no. Th-They actually sold their cider machine to me and I used the some of parts to make that." He pointed at the Calliope. Copper Finish could feel himself falling apart inside, the more he spoke to Applejack.
"Hm, good use for 'em," she said, smiling, "better for music than cider."
"Yeah," said a blue pegasus with rainbow hair, "awesome work. I'm Rainbow Dash, the best flyer around."
"Oh, stop bragging, Rainbow Dash." said a white unicorn with a violet mane, "Try to be more discreet, if you please."
Rainbow Dash looked hard at the unicorn, who paid no mind to her. Instead she was more focused on Copper Finish.
"Ahm. My name is Rarity and might I say, your outfit and your machine are quite unique." said the unicorn.
"Well, thank you, Rarity." said Copper Finish, feeling a little confident, "You mean that in a good way, right?"
"But, of course," she answered, quickly, "I don't see any reason to say anything bad about it."
Copper Finish looked and saw a face hiding behind the group.
"Fluttershy," Twilight said, "don't hide, come say, hello."
"No, no," Copper Finish said, kindly, "if she doesn't want to say anything, then she doesn't have to."
Fluttershy stepped out from behind her friends. She was a light yellow pegasus with long, light pink hair.
"Um, hello," she said, softly, "I'm Fluttershy, I noticed that some of your whistles sounded like bird chirps, or, um, maybe I was imagining things."
"No, you weren't imagining anything," Copper Finish reassured her, "what you heard was a special kind of whistle. They're called bird whistles, mostly because they're small and sound like birds. They're hard to find."
Fluttershy smiled and felt less afraid inside.
For most of the evening, the seven ponies all talked about where they lived, what their favorite pastime was, and favorite jokes. They were so busy having fun that none of them noticed someone slithering through the crowd. Copper Finish, who was still nervous, was looking down and talking about his hoof gauntlets, when he noticed that his reflection on the polished marble floor moved when he wasn't moving.
"BOO!" said the reflection.
"AAAHHH!" shouted Copper Finish, jumping backward and falling to the floor, "Why is my reflection moving and talking?!"
"I'm not your reflection..." said the reflection, in a chuckling voice.
The reflection then came to life and transformed. It was Discord, playing one of his mean tricks.
"Discord!" Twilight yelled, "What are you doing?"
"What's wrong with having a little fun?" Discord said, laughing.
Fluttershy spoke up, "You know better than to scare ponies you don't even know."
Discord stopped laughing and felt bad now, he turned to Copper Finish and apologized.
"I'm sorry," he said, "sometimes I can't help myself."
Discord extended his lion paw out to help Copper Finish back up. Copper Finish was a little sceptical, at first. But, he accepted Discord's help anyway. After he was back on his hooves again, Copper Finish looked at the strange creature, that stood in front of him.
"I've never seen anything like you before." he said.
Discord replied, "That's because no other thing exists, I'm the only one."
That made Copper Finish wonder if, being so different bothered him. But, before he could ask, Discord turned away to leave.
"Well," Discord said, "I'm off to see if I can liven up the party outside. Ta ta." He then disappeared in a flash.
"Don't worry about him," Fluttershy said, "he can actually be very nice."
"Yeah, right," Rainbow Dash said in a doubtful voice, "I still have some doubts."
At that moment, the musicians started to play a nice country tune. Copper Finish and Applejack looked over at the stage. They both knew that tune and liked it very much. Copper Finish then looked at Applejack. He was more nervous than before, but calm.
"Applejack..." he said, still trying to keep calm.
She looked at him, wondering what he had to say.
Copper Finish started to shake with fear.
"Dance... You... Want..." he said, babbling in broken words again.
"What?" Applejack said, giving him a confused look.
"I-I mean..." Copper Finish stuttered, taking a deep breath and putting a hoof to his face.
"...Would you like to dance?" he asked, even though his legs went back to feeling like rubber.
"Uh.." she said, somewhat confused and a little embarrassed.
She then looked at her friends, who were motioning her to accept his invitation.
"Uh, alright," Applejack said, with a small, nervous smile, "but, I'm warnin' ya, I'm not the best dancer here."
"Oh, don't worry," Copper Finish said, feeling a little better, "neither am I."
They both walked over to the dance floor and began to dance to the rhythm of the song. They were actually better than they said they were. The other ponies looked and were amazed at how well they moved with each other.
"Now that is simply wonderful." whispered Rarity to Twilight.
"Yeah," Twilight whispered back, "I knew Applejack could dance. But, I never thought she'd be this good, especially with a partner."
Fluttershy started whispering, "It's almost like they were meant for each other."
"Yeah," said Rainbow Dash, also whispering, "but, we all know Applejack isn't one for relationships."
Pinkie Pie thought for a moment, then said, "That's true, but, you know the old saying: look before you leap."
"Pinkie Pie," Rainbow Dash said in a normal, but confused voice, "what are you talking about?"
"I don't know. Hey, what's that on the table?" Pinky Pie said, walking to one of the food tables.
A moment later, the song ended and everyone went back to their own groups. Everyone, except Copper Finish and Applejack. They stood in the middle of the huge ballroom, facing each other, in silence. Copper Finish was the first to break the silence.
"You're actually not that bad of a dancer." He said, kindly and feeling a little foolish.
Applejack took a moment to think of something to say. She finally found a reply.
"Well, thank ya, ya'll ain't so bad y'rself." She said, smiling.
Copper Finish, then looked behind her and saw Princess Celestia waving him over to her.
"Um... Needed... Have... Go... Bye..." he said, shaking.
He, then, started walking toward the princess and Applejack went back to her friends. She didn't fully understand why he spoke like that, but she understood what Copper Finish meant.
"You're such an idiot." he thought to himself, "You're lucky, she didn't laugh at you."
For some reason, as Copper Finish got further away from Applejack, the more hurt he felt inside. He didn't want to leave, but, when you're part of the royal staff, duty comes before anything else. At least that's how he was taught. He approached Princess Celestia slowly and bowed humbly.
"Yes, princess," he said, returning to a normal stance, "how can I serve you?"
She smiled and said, "The evening is coming to a close. Would you be so kind as, to play your Calliope one more time?"
Copper Finish nodded his head and said, "Of course, I even have to perfect closing, too."
He walked over to the Calliope and checked on the fire, which was nothing but ambers now. He, then, got the last pieces of firewood and put them in the firebox. After the fire got going again, he went to the side of the Calliope to check the water in the boiler. He still had enough water for steam. He, then, got on stage next to Celestia, who was about to announce the evening was coming to a close.
"Fillies and Gentlecolts," she said, "I want to personally thank each and every one of you for attending this years Grand Galloping Gala."
The crowd cheered and stamped their hooves.
"Unfortunately," Celestia continued, "it's time to bring it to a close."
The crowd, then, started to groan and mutter in disappointment.
"However," she said, "Copper Finish has offered to start his Calliope one more time."
The crowd started cheering again, they were happy to hear the Calliope again.
Celestia motioned to Copper Finish, to take the stage. He took the stage and was about to say, thank you, when he stopped before saying anything. He looked into the crowd and saw Applejack looking back at him. She was smiling, but she was patiently waiting for the Calliope to play, like everyone else. He quickly realized that he had to hurry and start the music.
"Ahm! Thank you, princess." he said, clearing his throat.
"Well, everypony," Copper Finish chuckled, "I did say that I would start my Calliope for you later on. I guess, now is as good of a time as any."
The crowd chuckled and giggled as he walked back to the Calliope.
"Let's try something a little different." he said, pushing on of the buttons.
Like, before, a small clicking sound came from the machine. Steam whooshed through the pipes, then, silence. Copper Finish pushed down on the pedal and the whistles came back to life with sound. Only, this time, they played a soft, slow, happy tune. Some ponies in the crowd began dancing to the tune, others stood where they were and just listened. After the music ended, Copper Finish released the pedal and bowed to everyone, as they cheered.
"Thank you very much, everypony," he said, feeling proud of himself, "I hope to see you all next year. Good night."
Everyone started making their way out. But, Copper Finish stayed behind to think. He wanted to say goodbye to Applejack, but he lost her in the crowd as they left. After everyone left, Copper Finish stood, alone, next to the Calliope.
"Well," he thought, "that was fun, while it lasted."
He found it hard to smile and thought for a long time. Copper Finish decided to leave the Calliope, at the castle, until morning. He finally started walking to the exit, he knew he was the last to leave. But, he couldn't get Applejack's face out of his mind. Her smile, her hair, her eyes, all burned into his mind.
"What does this all mean?" he said, quietly, to himself. He thought about her all the way home.
When he got home, he took off his goggles, hat, gauntlets, and jacket. Copper Finish put his outfit away and got ready for bed. As he pulled back the covers and climbed into bed, another image of Applejack crossed his mind.
"I hope we meet again." He thought as he went to sleep.
A week after the Grand Galloping Gala, Copper Finish was in his workshop. He and some of his assistants, were working on a grand statue, made of several different kinds of metal. The statue, itself, was going to be an alicorn, when it was finished. The wings and horn were made of aluminum, because they needed to be a lighter material than the base. Otherwise, they would be to heavy and would bend. The body was made from a special and rare kind of metal. This metal was called, diamond steel, because even after it was melted down, it shined like diamonds and stayed strong, but it was a lot heavier. It was perfect for the body. However, they were about to run out of diamond steel and there was only one mine, in Equestria, that had this metal.
"Copper Finish." one of the assistants called.
Copper Finish was at his workbench, looking over the plans for the statue. He was slightly tanned and dirty from standing near the forge. He was wearing his brass goggles, which were also dirty, a black cape to protect himself from sparks, gray cowboy hat, and his hoof gauntlets.
"Yes," he replied, still looking at the plans, "what is it?"
"Um, we've run out of metal, but the body is only half complete." stammered the assistant.
Copper Finish turned away from his bench and started climbing to the upper platforms. The body was going to be one piece, so they made a very big mold. When he reached the top platform, he looked into the top and saw the mold, only half full, with molten metal.
"How much more do we need?" Copper Finish asked, hoping that they only needed a small amount.
The assistant thought for a moment and then came up with his best answer.
"About, two tons." he said. "But, for all the other orders, we'll need ten tons, total."
Copper Finish looked in disappointment and shook his head.
"Great," Copper Finish said, sarcastically, "just great. The deadline is in four days and we're not even close to finished yet."
"Not to mention," he continued, "we have other projects that need this metal."
As he climbed down from the platform, he thought about all the things that still needed to be done.
"The wings still need to be properly cleaned and detailed, the horn isn't shaped correctly, the emerald eyes aren't in yet, and now, to top it off, there isn't enough diamond steel to make the biggest part." he muttered to himself.
When Copper Finish got back to his bench and got a scroll from one of the drawers. He opened the scroll and looked, hard, at it. The scroll was a map, on this map were locations to mines and quarries. He soon found what he was looking for. According to the map, the only diamond steel mine was two miles south of Ponyville, at the edge of the Everfree Forest. Copper Finish then called for his second in charge.
"Fire Bolt!" He called.
At that moment, a gray pegasus stallion with black hair and a flaming bolt, on his flank, flew down from one of the upper levels. He landed, gently on the floor and walked over to Copper Finish.
"Yea, Coppa," he said in a Manehatten accent, "you called?"
Copper Finish and Fire Bolt had been friends since they were colts. Only once, were they separated. That was when Fire Bolt had to move away with his family. But, he moved back to Canterlot years later and started working with Copper Finish again.
"Yeah, Bolt." Copper Finish said casually, "Is it possible, to get to Ponyville via airship?"
"Yea," nodded Fire Bolt, "why'd ya ask?"
"Well," Copper Finish started, "we need to collect ten tons of diamond steel and the airship is fast enough to..."
"Woah, woah, woah!" Fire Bolt said, interrupting his friend, "Are your goggles on too tight or somethin'?"
Copper Finish looked at Fire Bolt, confused.
Fire bolt continued, "The airship can only handle half that and it still has trouble, not to mention the strong winds up there."
"Then, there's only one option." Copper Finish said sighing, "We'll have to take our locomotive, two flat beds, and the steam wagon."
Copper Finish walked over to a door, on the side of the workshop, and opened it. Through the door was a small train shed. In the shed was a black steam locomotive, three flat bed cars, one passenger coach, and a wagon with a steam powered engine. Each had their own place in the shed. The locomotive had, four small wheels on the front, six big drive wheels in the middle, and two more small wheels under the cabin. The boiler had three steam stacks, two whistles, and six pipes on each side. The coal tender only had six wheels and, "Little Puffer," painted on the side.
"It's been awhile since we used this." Fire Bolt said, looking at the dust on the steam wagon.
"Yeah," Copper Finish said, "but, it's better than trying to drag the metal back to the train."
Copper Finish went over to the big doors to open them. He lifted the latch and pushed open the door for the locomotive. Then, he went over to the locomotive, to start it's fire.
"Hey, Bolt." Copper Finish called, waving Fire Bolt over to him.
"Yea," he said, "what do ya need?"
"Could you open the other doors and get the steam wagon ready, please?" Copper Finish asked as he climbed into the cab.
Fire Bolt nodded and went to unlatch the doors. As Fire Bolt did what he was asked, Copper Finish opened the door to the firebox to clean it.
"Holy flying gears!" He exclaimed, "When was the last time anyone cleaned this thing?"
The firebox was blackened by the soot and charcoal, that was left inside. Copper Finish reached for a steel brush and dust pan, hanging on the side, next to the drivers seat. After he finished cleaning, he started to put small pieces of wood inside to start the fire. But, before he started the fire, he noticed that the water level was low. Then, he grabbed the water hose and began to fill the boiler.
"So," Fire Bolt started, "I've been meanin' to ask ya about the Gala."
Copper Finish was half done with the boiler, when he replied.
"Oh," he said, "it was nice."
"Nice?" Fire Bolt said, walking over to the steam wagon, "That's all your gonna tell me?"
Copper Finish filled the boiler and went back to start the fire.
"Well?" Fire Bolt continued, "Aren't ya gonna tell me more?"
Copper Finish looked at his friend. "What do you want to know?" he asked.
"Tell me details," Fire Bolt replied, preparing the wagon, "I want to know how it went."
"Alright, alright," Copper Finish said.
He started to tell Fire Bolt all about the Gala as he waited for the fire to start heating up the boiler. He started with how he got invited, then went on about how wonderful the place looked. Copper Finish was about to talk about the Calliope and how well it played. But, instead he stopped mid sentence. He suddenly had an image of Applejack in his mind. He was about to go into a daze, when Fire Bolt interrupted.
"Hey!" Fire Bolt said, loud enough to get his attention, "Is everything alright?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah, everything's fine." Copper Finish said, returning to reality, "Why'd you ask?"
"Well, you zoned out on me for one." Fire Bolt replied, looking at his friend, curiously.
"Normally," he continued, "ya don't do that. Unless, somethin' else is on ya mind."
Fire Bolt looked hard at Copper Finish, trying to find out what was bothering him.
"Aha!" Fire Bolt said, after a moment, "Ya met someone, don't ya?"
"What?!" Copper Finish blushed, "No!"
"Oh, really?" Fire Bolt said, raising an eyebrow and smiling, "Then, what were ya thinkin' about?"
"Uh... Um..." Copper Finish stammered, trying to find an excuse. Finally, he thought of one.
"Apples." he said, feeling somewhat stupid.
"Apples? Really?" Fire Bolt replied, with a blank expression.
"Um, yeah." Copper Finish said, looking at a clock on the wall, "Hey, what do you say we get moving? I don't want to be later than we already are."
He pushed a lever and the locomotive started moving forward. Fire Bolt, still doubting what his friend said, loaded the steam wagon on one of the flatbeds. Copper Finish got to the other side of the switch and changed it towards the flatbeds. Then, he backed the locomotive up to the flatbeds, with Fire Bolt guiding him. After they were attached and Fire Bolt climbed aboard, they started toward the main line. When they reached it, the tracks were switched and they headed for Ponyville.
Copper Finish was still thinking about Applejack as they left Canterlot. Fire Bolt picked up on this very quickly.
"So, what's her name?" Fire Bolt asked, grinning.
"Applejack." Copper Finish said softly, still daydreaming.
Realizing what he just said out loud, Copper Finish turned and glared at Fire Bolt in disbelief and was instantly frustrated with his friend. Fire Bolt, however, started laughing and stamping his hooves on the metal cabin floor.
"Oh!" Copper Finish exclaimed, "Oh, that was uncalled for!"
"I knew it!" Fire Bolt said excitedly, "So ya did meet someone!"
Copper Finish groaned and said, "Alright! Alright, yes, I did meet someone." Then he went quiet.
Fire Bolt was still excited for his friend, "So tell me. Tell me about, Applejack." He said, "What's she like?"
They entered a tunnel, which echoed with the sound of the pistons pumping and wheels grinding. It was to loud to talk so Fire Bolt waited for an answer. When they exited the tunnel, Copper Finish spoke again.
"Well," he said, trying to remember everything, "she was very kind."
"And?" Fire Bolt said, trying to get all of the information he could.
"She was an earth pony like me." Copper Finish continued.
"Okay," Fire Bolt said, now becoming annoyed, "and?"
"She smelled like freshly picked fruit in summer." Copper Finish said, regretting ever mentioning her name out loud.
"Oh, come on!" Fire Bolt said, completely fed up with waiting, "You're killing me here, Coppa!"
"What?!" Copper Finish said in an annoyed tone, "What do you want to know, Bolt?"
"I want to know if she kissed ya." Fire Bolt said, looking hard at Copper Finish.
"Oh, for the love of Celestia." Copper Finish said, trying not to yell at his friend.
"Well, did she?" Fire Bolt said impatiently.
Copper Finish raised his voice, "No! No, she didn't."
"The only thing we did, together, was dance." He continued, starting to calm down, "She's actually a pretty good dancer."
Fire Bolt stared, in amazement, at Copper Finish. He was amazed at the fact that Copper Finish, his oldest friend and the most quiet pony he had ever known. Somehow managed to dance with another pony and enjoy it.
"I didn't know ya could dance." Fire Bolt finally said.
"Yeah," Copper Finish said under his breath, "neither did I."
For the rest of the trip, the two ponies didn't say anything else. The only sound that was heard was the train going along the tracks. Copper Finish pushed in the throttle and slowly applied the brakes. They started to slow down as they reached Ponyville. The tracks were switched and they pulled into a siding, just past the station. When they came to a stop, Fire Bolt flew over to unload the steam wagon. As Copper Finish climbed out of the cabin of the engine, he heard a small voice.
"Wow! I've never seen a train like this before." said the voice.
Copper Finish turned to face the voice. In front of him stood three small fillies. A light yellow earth pony with a pink bow in her hair, a silvery-white unicorn with a two-tone mane in curls, and a light orange pegasus standing on a scooter. They were all looking at the locomotive in amazement.
"Hello there," Copper Finish said to the three fillies, "I'm guessing, you've never seen a steam engine like this before, have you?"
They all looked at him and shook their heads.
"Did you build it yourself?" asked the little pegasus.
"There's no way he could've built it himself." said the little unicorn, before Copper Finish could answer, "Do you see how much stuff is on it?"
"Actually," he started, "I had a little help putting it together."
The little earth pony was looking at the name on the tender.
"Little Puffer," she said in a country accent, similar to Applejacks, "that's an interestin' name."
"Yeah," Copper Finish said, "we decided to call it that, because we wanted it to be a little ironic and funny."
"Speaking of names," he continued, "mine is Copper Finish and that's my friend, Fire Bolt."
He pointed at Fire Bolt, who was almost done unloading the steam wagon.
"Hi," said the unicorn, "I'm Sweetie Belle, it's nice to meet you."
"I'm Scootaloo," the little pegasus said, "is it easy to drive?" She pointed to the levers and gauges inside.
"It's fairly easy," Copper Finish said, "but it took some time to figure out."
He then turned his attention to the little earth pony.
"And, what's your name?" Copper Finish asked.
"My name's Apple Bloom," she said, "Are you stayin' in Ponyville for a while?"
"No." he said, "Just came to get some supplies."
"Hey, Coppa!" Fire Bolt called.
Copper Finish turned to look at Fire Bolt. He was finished unloading the steam wagon and waiting for Copper Finish.
"Okay, hang on!" he called back. Copper Finish turned back to the fillies.
"Got to go, girls." he said as he turned and started walking to the wagon, "It was nice to meet you, goodbye."
Copper Finish climbed in the wagon and pulled the throttle lever. The wagon jerked forward and began to roll away. Leaving the three fillies next to the locomotive. Copper Finish steered using an old valve for a steering wheel. Fire Bolt flew alongside, he wanted to stretch out his wings after the long train ride.
As they went, ponies stopped to watch this strange vehicle pass by. But, Copper Finish and Fire Bolt didn't mind the attention, they actually welcomed it.
Soon, they reached the edge of town. In the distance, Fire Bolt noticed an apple orchard and smiled.
"Remind ya of anythin'?" he said to Copper Finish, pointing at the apple orchard.
"Oh, be quiet!" Copper Finish snapped, "That's not funny anymore."
But, it did remind him of something. He just wasn't going to say anything. They reached the mine shortly after. As they waited to be loaded, Copper Finish decided to go for a walk near the Everfree Forest. Fire Bolt stayed by the wagon to supervise. As he walked, Copper Finish came to the top of a small hill and looked into the distance. He could see all of Ponyville, Twilight's castle, and the apple orchard. Copper Finish stopped and stared at the apple orchard for a moment. From where he stood, he thought he saw Applejack kicking a tree. But, he was to far away to be sure. Copper Finish wanted to go down and see if he was right, but was interrupted.
"Come on, Coppa!" called Fire Bolt, "We're losin' day light."
The sun had gotten lower and Copper Finish had to be back in Canterlot before dark. He rushed back to the wagon, released the brakes and pulled the throttle. The wagon jerked forward and began to roll away from the mine. It creaked under the weight of the metal, but it was reinforced to handle such weight. As they passed the apple orchard again, Copper Finish looked to see if he had seen Applejack earlier.
"If ya want to see her so badly, why don't ya stop?" Fire Bolt asked, in a nice tone this time.
Copper Finish thought for a moment, but decided to stay quiet and keep going. When they reached the station, they noticed that their train was missing. Copper Finish stopped the wagon and rushed inside to see the station master.
"Hey!" He said, bursting into the station, "Have you seen my train?!"
"Yes," said the station master, in a panic, "it left five minutes ago, with three fillies in the cabin! I tried to..."
"Wait," Copper Finish said, interrupting the station master, "did you just say, three fillies?!"
Copper Finish's face changed to pure terror. "Which way did they go?!" he asked desperately.
The station master pointed in the direction they went and Copper Finish ran out of the station. A crowd had gathered to see what was going on. As he ran along the tracks, he realized he wasn't going to catch them. Suddenly, Copper Finish felt himself being lifted off the ground. Fire Bolt had come to help. He was very strong, so he managed to pick up Copper Finish easily.
"What's wrong? Where's the train?" Fire Bolt asked, flying as fast as he could down the tracks.
"We have to catch it!" Copper Finish said, "It took off with three fillies in the cabin and we have to stop it before someone gets hurt!"
"Good enough for me," Fire Bolt replied, understanding the situation, "let's go!"
Fire Bolt flew as fast as he could, with Copper Finish hanging underneath. Soon they saw the train up ahead. As they got closer, they both realized that the steam was to hot over the engine. Then Copper Finish got an idea.
"Put me on the flatbeds!" Copper Finish said, still terrified for the fillies inside.
He knew it was the furthest away from the cabin, but it was the only safe spot to land. Fire Bolt nodded and lowered Copper Finish down. As soon as Copper Finish landed, Fire Bolt let go and flew ahead to fly alongside the engine. Copper Finish raced over top of the empty cars with ease. As the train thundered along the line, Fire Bolt scouted the horizon for hazards. He looked in the distance, and was horrified by what he saw.
"Coppa!" Fire Bolt called, pointing at the problem, "We're not the only ones out here!"
Copper Finish was on the tender and looked at what Fire Bolt had seen. There, in the distance, was a passenger train coming straight at them.
"Bolt!" Copper Finish called, "Try to stop them and hurry!"
"What about you?!" Called Fire Bolt, concerned for his friend.
"Don't worry about me!" Copper Finish called back, "Just stop that train, now get moving!"
Fire Bolt nodded and flew ahead to warn the other train, leaving Copper Finish to deal with his. He climbed down into the cabin, where he found the three fillies. They were screaming and holding each other with their eyes closed in fear. The gauges and firebox doors were all red, sparks flew everywhere, and one of the pipes started hissing with steam. Copper Finish still had his black cape and threw it over the girls.
"Cover yourselves!" He exclaimed, "Quickly!"
They took the cape and pulled it over their heads. Copper Finish, now exposed to the sparks and steam, reached for the emergency brake and pulled hard.
"AARRGGHH!" He screamed as he was blasted with steam and sparks.
The brakes were set and the wheels locked up. But they were still being pushed by the weight of the train. Even though, the locomotive and flatbeds were empty, they still weighed quite a bit by themselves. Fire Bolt, who managed to stop the other train, heard the screeching wheels and watched as the "Little Puffer" came to a stop, inches from the other engine. He raced over to see if everyone was alright. As Fire Bolt approached the engine, he saw the small fillies climb out wearing Copper Finish's cape. They weren't hurt, but Copper Finish didn't follow.
"Where's Coppa Finish?!" he cried, fearing for his friend, "Where?!"
"It's alright," Apple Bloom said, "he's still in the cab."
"But," Sweetie Belle said, concerned, "he got hurt pretty badly."
Fire Bolt raced passed them and to the cabin, to see what had become of his friend. He looked inside and found Copper Finish frozen to the brake with fear. Copper Finish was covered with sweat, ash, and had burn marks from the hot ambers. His hoof gauntlets were blackened with soot, his goggles were broken, and his hat was burnt around the edges. The cabin, itself, was a mess of swollen pipes and broken gauges. Fire Bolt climbed aboard to help Copper Finish.
"Hey." Fire Bolt said softly, "Hey, it's okay. The scary part's over."
He removed Copper Finish's hoof from the lever and helped him out of the cabin. As they climbed out, Copper Finish was in shock from everything that happened. He found it hard to walk, but managed to get to the other train. Fire Bolt helped him aboard and went to talk to the conductor. Some of the passengers helped Copper Finish to a bench and brought him some water.
Meanwhile, Fire Bolt was talking to the conductor about what to do.
"Could you bring us and our train back to Ponyville, please?" he asked, still worried.
"Of course." said the conductor, "After everything you two did, you could use a break."
"Great," Fire Bolt replied, "I'll get our train hooked up and then we can go."
As Fire Bolt attached the two locomotives, he saw the fillies looking at him with worried faces.
"Is he going to be okay?" Scootaloo asked.
Fire Bolt knew that she was talking about Copper Finish. He turned to the three fillies and gave a brave smile.
"Coppa." Fire Bolt said, reassuring them, "He's the toughest pony I know." he paused and thought for a moment.
"He's not gonna let some burns stop him." Fire Bolt finally said, "I'm sure he'll be alright."
Then the four of them made their way back to the passenger coach. As they entered, Apple Bloom, who was still wearing his cape, walked over to Copper Finish and sat on the bench next to him. They felt the train jerk and they started back to Ponyville. It was dark when they pulled into the station. As they exited the train, Copper Finish was exhausted and having trouble standing. They were greeted with applause and cheers from the crowd.
"You're a hero!" one pony said.
"Well done! Well done!" said another.
Copper Finish could only smile, weakly, as he was complimented and praised. He stood on the platform and didn't move, fearing he would fall.
"Apple Bloom!" said a voice.
Copper Finish recognised the voice and looked to see who was there. From the crowd raced Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. They were all so happy that the fillies were safe. They didn't notice Copper Finish still standing on the platform.
"What were y'all doing on a train?" Applejack said, hugging Apple Bloom.
"Yeah," said Rainbow Dash as she flew over to Scootaloo, "you could've gotten hurt."
Rarity was more worried than happy, but she gave Sweetie Belle a small hug and straightened her hair.
"Just look at you all," Rarity said, "you're a complete mess."
The three fillies were a little dirty, but happy that they were safe.
"We were trying to get our cutie marks for train driving," Scootaloo said, "but we didn't know how to stop."
"We thought it would be easy," Sweetie Belle said, feeling sorry, "I guess we were wrong."
"We're sorry." all three fillies said.
Then, Applejack saw that Apple Bloom was wearing a black cape.
"Where did ya get that?" Applejack asked, pointing to the cape.
Apple Bloom looked at the cape. She had almost forgotten that she was still wearing it.
"Oh," Apple Bloom said, remembering who gave it to her, "We got it from the driver, when he saved us."
Apple Bloom pointed at Copper Finish and smiled. Copper Finish started walking over to them. Every step he took, his hooves ached and trembled under his own weight. But, he managed to reach the group.
"Hey," Rainbow Dash said, looking at him with a thoughtful expression, "don't we know you?"
"Well," Copper Finish replied, smiling, " the last time you saw me. I was wearing a top hat, polished brass goggles, and a nice suit jacket."
"What are you doing here?" Rarity asked, looking at the dirt on Copper Finish.
Copper Finish coughed and said, "I'm here, because I needed to collect diamond steel from the mine."
He could feel his legs starting to give way, but remained standing.
"But," he continued, "I think, I'm going to be a little late."
The sun had gone down and the locomotive was going to need some repairs.
"Well, at least you're not to badly hurt, are ya?" Applejack asked, looking at the burn marks on Copper Finish.
Copper Finish was about to answer, but his legs finally gave out and he fell to the ground.
"Oh my goodness!" Rarity exclaimed, "Are you alright?!"
Fire Bolt was talking to some other ponies when he saw Copper Finish fall. He raced over to his friend to help.
"Hey!" Fire Bolt exclaimed, "Hey, you okay, Coppa?!"
Copper Finish looked, weakly, at Fire Bolt and bravely smiled. "I'm... I'm alright, just a little tired."
Copper Finish looked at Applejack and said, "Applejack, this is Fire Bolt."
"Nice to meet ya." She said, more concerned for Copper Finish.
"It's nice to meet you to." Fire Bolt said looking at her, but holding Copper Finish.
Copper Finish awoke near a dirt road. He was confused and had no idea where he was. The road went for a mile in both directions, but it was possible to see what was at each end. In one direction, there was a small town. In the other, a farm. Both ways looked promising, but there were no signs saying what they were or how far. Copper Finish wasn't sure what to do.
"Okay," he said to himself, "I've got know idea where I am, what to do, and I'm alone."
After thinking for a moment, Copper Finish decided to go to the town.
"Maybe," he said, "I'll find somepony who can help me."
As Copper Finish walked, he tried to remember how he got there. Could he have gotten lost and decided to sleep there. He couldn't remember anything, before waking up, except a face. Copper Finish thought as he continued walking towards town.
"Who is she?" He asked himself. "Why do I remember her and not anything else?"
Copper Finish reached the town shortly after. The town was busy with ponies. There were a lot of shops and houses, there was even a workshop. From a distance the town seemed smaller, but it was huge. Copper Finish was now more confused than before.
"That's strange," he thought, "when I first saw the town, it looked five times smaller."
Copper Finish walked over to a pair of ponies to ask for help.
"Excuse me," he said politely, "could one of you help me?"
The ponies looked at him and smiled. They seemed excited to see him, even though he never met them.
"Oh... My... Gosh!" One pony said. "It's you!"
Copper Finish wasn't sure what this pony was talking about. But was more concerned with where he was.
"Um..." Copper Finish stammered, "Where am I?"
"Don't you know your own home?" The other pony asked.
Copper Finish was now more confused than before. He still didn't know the name of the town or why he was there. But he was smart, he knew how to get information without anyone thinking he was strange.
"Sometimes I forget," Copper Finish said, "because I'm so busy."
From what Copper Finish figured, from the first pony's reaction, he was well known. But he was only playing along, because he only wanted to know what was going on.
"That's true." The first pony said. "Sometimes when you come back to Ponyville, you're usually busy."
"Yeah," the other pony said, "because you're either in Cantorlot, attending to royal requests or you're here working in your workshop." The pony pointed to the workshop.
Copper Finish was relieved to know where he was. But he wasn't sure why they thought he was famous. Copper Finish knew that he had a workshop in Cantorlot and that he was a royal chief engineer. But, he was never this well known. Also, why would he have a workshop in Ponyville?
"Well, it's good to be home." Copper Finish said feeling a little foolish. "Thanks for reminding me."
"No problem," said the first pony, "anything to help the Mechanical Hero."
Copper Finish was confused by what the pony had said. He had never been called a hero before.
"Okay then," Copper Finish said in confusion, "I'm just going to go to my workshop to relax, good bye." He started walking over to the workshop.
As he went, he heard the two ponies talking to each other again.
"Wow!" Said the first pony, excitedly, "We actually talked to Copper Finish! Awesome!"
"I know!" The other said, "I can't keep calm!"
Copper Finish entered the workshop and was amazed by what he saw. On the walls were posters and pictures of him. They were all different, each one showed how he had saved ponies and fought monsters. One poster showed Copper Finish and seven other ponies leaning against a big machine that had four crane hoists, a sliding door on the side, and six wheels. The poster was titled "A Vertical Rescue, Done Right." Copper Finish kept looking at all of them, trying to figure out how he did all this. He stopped and looked at two dusty pictures on a workbench. Copper Finish walked over to the bench and blew off the dust. The first picture was a photo that showed Copper Finish dancing with another pony at the Grand Galloping Gala. The other was a newspaper clip with three fillies standing in front of a steam locomotive. After looking at them for several minutes, Copper Finish started to cry.
"These were taken back when I was happy," he sobbed, "but why do I feel miserable now?"
"Are you sure you were happy?" Said a voice.
Copper Finish turned to face the visitor. He was surprised by who he saw. Standing in front of him was Princess Luna.
"Oh, Princess Luna." he said as he wiped the tears away. "Why are you here?"
"I am here to help you out of this dream." She said softly.
Copper Finish didn't understand what she was talking about.
"Dream?" He asked. "This doesn't feel like a dream."
"I can assure you that you are dreaming, observe." Princess Luna said.
She created a small circle that showed the real Copper Finish sleeping in a hospital bed. His special hoof gauntlets and hat were replaced with bandages. There were big bandages covering his neck and torso. He was a mess, but alright. Fire Bolt was asleep in a chair next to the bed. He made a big snore which made "dream" Copper Finish chuckle. Then Luna closed the circle and turned her attention back to Copper Finish.
"From what I can understand," she said, "this dream has two versions."
Copper Finish wasn't sure what she was talking about.
"What do you mean two versions?" He asked.
"In this version," Luna said, "you see yourself as a famous hero. However, you are alone, correct?"
Copper Finish looked around the workshop. All he could see was a room full of posters, tools, and metal.
"Actually, princess," he said as he lowered his head, "I don't care if I'm famous or not."
"What do you want, then?" She asked.
"I want to fall in love with the mare of my dreams and live peacefully." Copper Finish said as he lifted his head back to a proper stance.
Princess Luna smiled and stamped her hoof on the floor. The room began to spin and change. After it stopped, Copper Finish looked around. He saw a dining room table, where the workbench was. On the walls, the posters and tools were replaced with family photos and decorations.
"Where are we now?" He asked.
"This is the second version." Luna said. "What do you think?"
Copper Finish thought before he answered.
"It's nice," he said, "but it's still not what..."
Copper Finish stopped talking when he saw who entered the room. To his surprise, Applejack walked in, carrying a big apple pie. Copper Finish watched her place the pie on the table and go back through the door. They followed Applejack to the kitchen, where they found her making apple cider on the stove.
"What I do not understand," Luna said, "is why you did not come here first."
They stayed focused on Applejack as she poured the cider into some cups.
"It seems to be what you wished for." Luna continued. "And yet, you chose to go to the town, why?"
"I..." Copper Finish stammered, "I thought that the town was a better choice because there were more ponies."
He paused and thought for a moment.
"But," he continued, "even though, there were more ponies, I had no one to share my life."
"Yes," Luna said, "and here you have just that. So what are you intending to do?"
Copper Finish thought for a moment. The first version was what he pictured if he was anything more than what he was. However, the second version had everything he wanted.
"Well," he said, "I think it's very clear what I should do."
"Then," Luna said, "it is time for you to awake."
She stamped her hoof and everything disappeared in a flash of light.
Copper Finish awoke in the hospital bed and smiled.
As Copper Finish laid in the bed, he thought about what he had just seen. As he thought, Fire Bolt, who was still in the chair, woke up and looked over at Copper Finish. He was excited to see his friend awake and smiling.
"Oh, thank Celestia!" Fire Bolt said, "Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting?!"
Copper Finish just smiled and said, "It's nice to see you too, Bolt."
Copper Finish wanted to sit up straight, but every time he moved, pain shot through his body. Fire Bolt saw what his friend was trying to do and helped him.
"So," Fire Bolt said, "how do you feel?"
"Well," Copper Finish answered, "other than the fact that I'm in a hospital bed, covered with bandages and in some pain, I'm good. You?"
"Better, now that you're awake." Fire Bolt replied with a small grin.
Copper Finish looked around the room and was a little concerned.
"Hey, Bolt," Copper Finish said, "where's my stuff?"
Copper Finish's hat, cape, hoof gauntlets, and goggles were missing. He hoped that they weren't thrown away, because they were gifts from his grandparents. Each one was carefully hoof made and were special to him.
"Don't worry, Coppa." Fire Bolt reassured him, "Rarity took your hat and cape to her place to fix them."
"What about my goggles and gauntlets?" Copper Finish asked.
"I sent them back to Canterlot, to get them repaired." Fire Bolt replied, "They'll be there when you get back home."
Copper Finish thought for a moment and remembered his dream.
"Actually," Copper Finish said, "I've been thinking."
"About what?" Fire Bolt asked.
Copper Finish started telling Fire Bolt about his dream and what he thought it meant. He told him about the town and about how he felt afterward. Then he told Fire Bolt about Princess Luna visiting him and showing him a better choice. Fire Bolt was trying his best to understand what Copper Finish was saying to him.
"So," Fire Bolt said, "what are you saying?"
"What I'm saying is, I'm going to move to Ponyville and try to get Applejack to like me." Copper Finish said.
Fire Bolt looked at his friend in confusion. Before he could say anything else, the door opened and a unicorn doctor entered the room. He was levitating a clipboard and looking at it very carefully.
"Ah, Mr. Finish, " the doctor said, "it's good to see you awake and up right."
"Thank you, doctor." Copper Finish said, "I don't mean to be pushy, but when can I leave?"
The doctor looked at his clipboard and flipped the pages.
"We'll have to run some tests on you first and see how well you recover." The doctor said, "But judging by your charts here, it shouldn't be too long. The injuries you acquired aren't severe and your medical history shows that you are a fast healer."
"Okay, thank you, doctor." Copper Finish said with a small smile.
The doctor nodded and left the room. They both watched as the doctor closed the door. Then Fire Bolt looked back at his friend and stared hard at him.
"Don't give me that look, Bolt." Copper Finish said, still looking at the door.
"What look?" Fire Bolt asked.
"That look you give me when you think I've got no idea what I'm doing." Copper Finish replied.
"Well," Fire Bolt said, "you don't."
Copper Finish looked back at his friend and was a little offended.
"Really?" Copper Finish said, "Why is it a bad thing, huh?"
Fire Bolt didn't want to upset his friend, but he knew what he would say next, wasn't very nice.
"Coppa," Fire Bolt said, "think about it, you only met her twice, you don't have much experience in romance, not to mention, you're part of the royal staff."
Copper Finish thought for a moment, before he spoke.
"And your point is what?" Copper Finish said, "That I just let my dream not come true? That I keep working and not enjoy life with the pony of my dreams? Is that what you're saying?"
"No!" Fire Bolt replied in a stern tone, "That's not what I'm saying at all."
Copper Finish and Fire Bolt stared at each other, trying not to get angry.
"What I'm saying is," Fire Bolt continued in a low voice, "I don't want you to get upset if this doesn't work out."
"The keyword in that statement is "if," my friend." Copper Finish said.
Just then, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Twilight entered the room. They each had something for Copper Finish. Applejack was carrying an apple pie, that smelled amazing. Rarity had Copper Finish's hat and cape, but the cape had a flaming red rose stitched on it. Rainbow Dash somehow managed to catch a lightening bolt in a jar. Pinkie had a red balloon and a card that said, "Get well soon," which made Copper Finish chuckle. Fluttershy was holding a small silver pin that looked like a spider. Twilight brought a book that was titled: "Building Steam: Going West."
"Thanks, everypony." Copper Finish said. "How did you know I was awake?"
Fluttershy smiled and said, "A little bird told us."
As if on cue, a robin chirped outside the window. Copper Finish looked and everyone laughed.
"Feelin' any better?" Applejack asked as she set the pie down on a table.
"I'm doing alright, you?" Copper Finish said as his face blushed.
Copper Finish caught what he had said and thought, "Of course she's alright, why would you ask if SHE was alright? Idiot."
"Well," Applejack said, "me and the family are mighty grateful for what ya did."
Rarity walked over to the bed and placed his cape and hat on the headboard.
"I hope you like the rose I stitched into the fabric." She said. "As lovely as it was, your cape looked so plain, so I made a small detail."
"No worries," Copper Finish said, "It actually looks better than before, thanks for fixing my hat too."
Rarity nodded and walked back to her friends. Pinkie Pie tied the balloon to the bed and placed the card on the table.
"After you get out of the hospital," Pinkie said with a smile, "I'm going to throw you a hero's party, sound's super, right?"
Before Copper Finish could answer, Twilight spoke.
"Pinkie," Twilight said, "I think he just wants to relax after all this is settled."
"Okay," Pinkie said, still smiling, "I heard Mayor Mare talking about an awards ceremony planned for you anyway. I might be able to do something with that."
This caught Copper Finish's attention, because he never got an award before.
"Well then," Copper Finish said, "that's a first."
Twilight put the book on the bed and smiled.
"I wasn't sure what to give you." She said, "So I got you this book, it's a very good read."
Copper Finish picked up the book and looked at the cover. It had the illustration of a train going towards a bright orange sunset.
"Believe it or not," Copper Finish said, "I've actually been looking for this book."
"Really?" Twilight said in a joyful tone.
"Yeah," Copper Finish replied, "I like the Building Steam series, they've always got good adventures. I have them all, except this one. Thanks."
"You're welcome." Twilight said.
Fluttershy was the last one with a gift. She slowly made her way to Copper Finish and put the pin on his cape.
"Thank you." Copper Finish said, "It goes well with the rose too."
Fluttershy nodded and went to the back of the group.
Copper Finish looked at Fire Bolt and noticed he never got anything.
As if Fire Bolt knew what he was thinking, said, "I didn't think of anything, so I asked for nothing."
"We weren't sure if you wanted anything either," Twilight said, "so we just brought these anyway."
Fire Bolt smiled, "It feels nice just to help, with or without a reward."
"Well, actually..." Rainbow dash said, "I brought this lightening bolt for you, Fire Bolt."
She hovered over to Fire Bolt and gave him the jar. The lightening flashed and shined brightly. Fire Bolt was caught a little off guard, because he wasn't expecting to get anything.
"Uh, thanks." Fire Bolt said as he took the jar.
"You're very fast." Rainbow dash said, "Maybe later, if you're interested, we can race."
Fire Bolt wasn't sure how to answer and remained silent.
Rainbow Dash, being her competitive self, raised an eyebrow and smiled, "Or are you afraid to lose to a girl?"
Fire Bolt, not one to back down from a challenge, smiled back and said, "Saturday at noon, first one to the Wonderbolt Academy and back."
"You're on." Rainbow Dash said in a confident tone.
For most of the day, they all talked and laughed. Copper Finish could almost feel his strength returning and the pain slowly leave. But he knew he'd have to wait until the doctor said he could go home. One by one the girls left, Applejack was the first to leave the room and Rarity was the last. But before she could leave, Copper Finish motioned for her to stay for a moment longer.
"Bolt," Copper Finish said to his friend, "could you give us a minute or two, I want to talk to Rarity alone."
Fire Bolt nodded and closed the door as he left the room.
"Why do you want to speak to me?" Rarity asked, a little confused.
It took Copper Finish a moment to answer her question.
"I need your help." Copper Finish said in a nervous tone.
"With what?" She asked.
Copper Finish told Rarity everything and she understood what he was saying. However, she was a little confused at the same time.
Copper Finish sighed and answered, "Life changes, I guess."
"I don't quite understand what you mean." Rarity said.
"I've lived in Canterlot my entire life," Copper Finish replied, "after a while, it got to a point where I thought that I would be stuck in that workshop. Be like a machine and only have one purpose. Then I created this small dream of a simple life away from high-society, with the pony I love."
Copper Finish paused and closed his eyes. Rarity patiently waited for him to continue.
"After I met Applejack and all of you at the Grand Galloping Gala," Copper Finish continued, "I knew that I had met the pony of my dreams."
"Why didn't you walk her to the train station, or say anything?" Rarity asked, burning with curiosity.
Copper Finish opened his eyes and answered in a soft tone, "I was afraid, because I've never felt this way about anypony before and I don't know what to do. That's what I need your help with. So will you?"
Rarity raised an eyebrow and smiled, "After what you did for Sweetie Belle and since you don't seem to be the kind of pony to give up easily, of course I will help you."
Copper Finish felt a little relieved, but he knew that this was something that required a lot of effort on his part.
"Thank you, Rarity." Copper Finish said, "Oh, one more thing, could you keep this between us, please?"
She nodded and left the room, leaving Copper Finish alone with his thoughts.
"Hopefully, this all works out." Copper Finish thought to himself, "But I can't rush this, otherwise she'll think I'm a creep."
After a few minutes of silence, Fire Bolt entered the room with a curious look on his face.
"What were you talking about with Rarity?" He asked.
"I was asking for her help." Copper Finish answered.
Fire Bolt was somewhat confused, but he didn't question it.
"Well," Fire Bolt said, "at least, now, you have a plan."
"Yeah." Copper Finish replied in a relaxed tone.
Before Fire Bolt could say anything else, Copper Finish changed subjects.
Fire Bolt gave a confident smile and said, "I think I can beat her."
Copper Finish chuckled, "Oh buddy, I've got faith in you, but I think you're getting in over your head here."
"Says the pony who can't even have a full conversation with her friend." Fire Bolt said with a grin.
"Hey," Copper Finish replied in a stern tone, "that's not fair. That's a personal matter, not a competition."
Fire Bolt's grin faded after he heard that. He knew he went out of bounds and spoke without thinking.
"I'm sorry, Coppa." Fire Bolt said, "I guess I got a little caught up in the moment."
Copper Finish took a breathe and smiled, "It's alright, we've all got our moments."
Fire Bolt smiled back, feeling less guilty about his comment.
"Well," Copper Finish said, "what do you say, we have some pie? I don't know about you, but I'm hungry."
Fire Bolt agreed and brought the pie over to the bed. He found some trays and cut the pie in half and they ate. After they finished eating, Fire Bolt took the trays and pie tin away. Copper Finish looked outside to see a fantastic sunset. The sky was a bright red and orange with small wisps of clouds. To Copper Finish, it was one of the best sunsets he had ever seen. It made him feel special inside, like he could get out of that bed and start running. But he knew that he would have to wait until he was strong enough. Copper Finish watched as the sun disappeared below the horizon.
Fire Bolt came back, looking a little tired. He walked over to the window and closed the curtain.
"Well," Fire Bolt yawned, "I'm going to find a place to stay the night."
"You're not staying here?" Copper Finish asked, "Why?"
Fire Bolt smiled and said, "Since you're feeling better, I think it would be best for you to have a quiet night."
Copper Finish chuckled, "Yeah, I guess you're right, since you snore a lot."
Fire Bolt didn't say anything, the only thing he did was smile and nod his head.
"I'm gonna go," Fire Bolt said, "I'll see you later."
"Oh, before I forget," Copper Finish said, "could you let Princess Celestia know about what's going on?"
"Already done, Twilight already got Spike to send a letter." Fire Bolt said in a reassuring tone, "I'll send her another in the morning."
"Good." Copper Finish said with a relaxed tone again.
After Fire Bolt left, Copper Finish laid in the bed thinking about the best way to get Applejack's attention.
"Maybe I could send her some flowers." He thought, "No, that's too much and too soon."
He continued, "What if I helped around her farm. No, she's smart, she'll catch on quick."
Ideas flooded into Copper Finish's mind. But none off them sounded like they would work. He stayed awake for a while, before he started to feel tired.
"Hopefully, Rarity will be able to help." Copper Finish said as he drifted to sleep.
The sun had disappeared completely as Fire Bolt left the hospital and wandered through the town, he couldn't stop thinking about what Copper Finish had said.
"Maybe," Fire Bolt said to himself, "I shouldn't have been so negative. Maybe Coppa might actually get Applejack to like him."
Fire Bolt didn't notice that someone was watching him.
"Well, that's interesting to hear, Fire Bolt." A familiar voice said, "Care to say anything else?"
Fire Bolt stopped and looked to see who was around, but he couldn't see anyone.
"Who's there?" Fire Bolt asked as he looked for the voice, "Where are you?"
"Why don't you try looking up?" The voice said.
Fire Bolt did what he was asked and looked up. Hovering over one of the buildings, in front of the moon, was Rainbow Dash. She was looking directly at Fire Bolt with a smug grin on her face.
"Let's pretend you didn't hear that and go our separate ways." Fire Bolt said, feeling a little ashamed for not being quiet.
He started to walk away, until Rainbow Dash landed in front of him, blocking his path.
"Where do you think you're going?" She said still grinning. "And what's this about Copper getting Applejack to like him?"
Fire Bolt, feeling cornered, only answered the first question, "I'm trying to find a place to sleep for the night. Now, if you'll excuse me."
He tried walking around her, but Rainbow Dash stepped in front of him again.
"Hang on," Rainbow Dash said, "you didn't answer my second question."
"If you want to know so badly," Fire Bolt said as his face changed from shame to confidence, "then you'll have to catch me."
In that same moment, Fire Bolt spread his wings and took off with great speed. Rainbow Dash took off just as fast and started chasing the stallion through the night sky. She quickly caught up to him, however. Fire Bolt flapped his wings as hard as he could, but Rainbow Dash kept pace. Then Fire Bolt had an idea, he started to pitch and roll as he went into a dive. He folded in his wings and started using gravity to his advantage.
"What's he doing?" Rainbow Dash thought as she followed him.
Fire Bolt dived for several seconds before opening his wings again. Just in time to stop himself from hitting the ground. Instead, Fire Bolt flew just five feet above the ground, using the speed he built in the dive. Rainbow Dash was impressed, but didn't stop chasing him. As Fire Bolt raced above the ground, the grass parted and bent. He flew with aggression and skill, clearly he wasn't just a metal worker.
"You won't give up, will you?" Fire Bolt called.
But there was no answer. Fire Bolt slowed to a stop and landed. He looked around to see if he had gotten away.
"Phew." Fire Bolt sighed in relief, "That was close. Now I'm re-OOF!"
Before Fire Bolt could finish his sentence, Rainbow Dash tackled and pinned him to the ground.
"Caught you." She said as she looked down at him, "Now, talk."
"Fine," Fire Bolt sighed, "deal's a deal."
As Fire Bolt spilled the beans, Rainbow Dash stayed focused on her catch. But she didn't completely understand what Fire Bolt was telling her.
"So," Rainbow Dash said in a confused tone, "your friend is in love with my friend, but she doesn't notice, right?"
"Yeah," Fire Bolt said, "that's about it."
"And how is he going to get her to notice him?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I've got no idea," Fire Bolt answered, "but he asked for Rarity's help. Now, can you get off me, please?"
"Oh, right." Rainbow Dash said.
She had almost forgotten that she still had him on the ground. She stepped off to the side and helped Fire Bolt to his hooves.
"Why would Copper ask for Rarity's help?" Rainbow Dash asked after Fire Bolt was back on his hooves.
"Don't know." Fire Bolt said as he dusted himself off, "What I do know is, Coppa won't give up easily. When that pony sets his mind to something, nothing can stop him."
"Good to know that's a common thing." Rainbow Dash said with a smile.
Fire Bolt yawned and spread his wings, but before he could take off again, Rainbow Dash made him an offer.
"Wait a minute," Rainbow Dash said, "would you like to spend the night at my place?"
Fire Bolt wasn't sure about that, "You don't mind a complete stranger at your house?"
Rainbow Dash thought for a moment before answering him.
"Well," she said, "I could leave you wandering aimlessly through town, again. But, what good is that? Plus, my place is close by."
Fire Bolt thought for a moment and said, "Alright then, lead the way."
Rainbow Dash spread her wings and took off, Fire Bolt followed close behind. As they flew, Fire Bolt realized that they weren't going toward Ponyville.
"Hey," Fire Bolt said, "where are we going?"
"I told you," Rainbow Dash said, "we're going to my place."
Fire Bolt was a little confused, "But I thought you lived in Ponyville."
"I live in a cloud house," she said, "that circles the outskirts."
"Oh, okay then." Fire Bolt said.
Shortly after, the cloud house came into view. Fire Bolt was impressed, because he had never seen anything like it, outside of Cloudsdale. They approached the front porch and landed. Rainbow Dash opened the door and motioned for Fire Bolt to come inside. He accepted her invitation and entered. It looked smaller on the inside, than he expected.
"How did you manage to get a cloud house, this close to the ground?" Fire Bolt asked.
"I built it," Rainbow Dash answered with pride, "using some clouds I squished together."
"Very cool." Fire Bolt said with amazement.
"Thanks." Rainbow Dash said.
Before Fire Bolt could say anything else, Rainbow Dash yawned and stretched out her wings.
"Now," she said, "the guest room is upstairs, second door, right side. If you're hungry, kitchen's down the hall, bathroom is down that way, also. But it's the first door, on the left."
"Alright, thanks." Fire Bolt said.
"Any questions." Rainbow dash said mid yawn.
"No, I'm good." Fire Bolt said in a low, tired voice.
"Good, I like simple house guests." Rainbow Dash said as she turned and flew up to her room. "Good night."
"Good night." Fire Bolt said as he made his way towards the guest room.
He entered the room and found a small bed, a bookshelf, and closet made out of fluffy clouds. Fire Bolt made his way to the bed and laid down. It was the softest surface he had ever been on and it felt very nice.
"This is going to be the best sleep, ever." Fire Bolt thought to himself as he slowly drifted to sleep.
Chapter 6: Awards, Racing, Bitter Friends, And... A Warm Night?
Copper Finish was checked out of the hospital, after the doctor said he was fully recovered. It had been four days and Copper Finish was happy to be moving again. But he had some new scars. He put on his hat and cape, as he left through the front entrance. Fire Bolt met his friend and escorted him to the town square, where the awards ceremony was being held. As they walked, Fire Bolt reached into one of the saddle bags he was wearing and presented Copper Finish's hoof gauntlets and goggles. They were fully repaired and polished.
"Thanks, Bolt." Copper Finish said as he stopped to put them on.
"Don't thank me." Fire Bolt said, "Thank everyone back at the shop. I even had some of them come out here to fix the train."
Copper Finish smiled and continued walking.
"Did you send that other letter to Princess Celestia?" Copper Finish asked.
"Yeah," Fire Bolt replied, "I even mentioned the part about you wanting to move down here."
"Did you tell her why?" Copper Finish asked, feeling a little worried.
"Actually," Fire Bolt said, "I was going to send a second letter explaining why, but she replied, saying she knew why."
"What do you mean, she knew?" Copper Finish asked, a little curious.
Copper Finish thought for a moment and remembered something.
"Oh, right." Copper Finish continued, "She introduced me at the Grand Galloping Gala, when I met Applejack. I guess she might have a sense about it or something."
"Can't fool her, that's for sure." Fire Bolt said with a grin.
As town square came into view, they could see that it was decorated with ribbons and flowers. There were red ribbons and white flowers on the lamp posts. On the surrounding buildings were blue flowers in orange pots, wrapped with yellow and green ribbons. Town Hall, itself, had blue ribbons around the front entrance and several different coloured flowers. Altogether, they looked almost as good as the decorations at the Grand Galloping Gala.
"They're here!" A pony called as they reached the square.
Ponies cheered and whistled as they made their way to Town Hall.
Copper Finish and Fire Bolt smiled with pride as they walked. They had never experienced anything like this before and they liked it. They entered Town Hall and were surprised by what they saw. Standing on the stage was Princess Celestia, talking to Mayor Mare. Then she looked over at the two ponies and motioned for them to come up.
"Good to see that you're in good health, Copper Finish." Celestia said as they got on stage.
"Thank you, your highness." Copper Finish said as he took off his hat and bowed.
She turned her attention to Fire Bolt, who was also bowing.
"From what I understand," Celestia said with a smile, "you've been Copper Finish's closest friend for the longest time. Is that correct?"
"Yes, princess." Fire Bolt replied as he returned to a normal stance, "Friends 'til the end."
"I'm very happy to hear that, Fire Bolt." Celestia said with a smile. "Because I have a request for you after the ceremony."
Fire Bolt wasn't sure what the princess wanted from him and was a little curious, but didn't question her. Copper Finish was just as curious and looked at his friend.
"Don't worry," Celestia continued, "it shouldn't be difficult."
"Can Coppa help me?" Fire Bolt asked.
Copper Finish smiled at his friend, happy to know that Fire Bolt would always want his help.
"Actually," Celestia said, "you'll be helping Copper Finish."
Copper Finish turned his attention to the princess, confused by what she said.
"What is she talking about?" Copper Finish thought.
Copper Finish thought for a moment, before hearing Mayor Mare start the ceremony.
"Fillies and Gentlecolts." She said, loud enough for everyone to hear, "I'm happy to see that all of you could make it here today, to honor these two ponies for their heroics and bravery in a dangerous situation. And now, please welcome our beloved Princess Celestia, to introduce these heroes."
The crowd cheered loudly with whistles, shouts, and hoof stomps.
"Thank you, Mayor Mare." Celestia said, taking center stage and directing her attention to the crowd, "For quite some time, these two ponies have been working for the royalty and nobility of Equestria, always doing their best and never asking for much. And it has been an honor to have them in the Royal Canterlot Staff."
Celestia paused and smiled proudly at the two of them and they smiled back.
"Now," she continued, turning her attention back to the crowd, "please give a warm welcome to Copper Finish, our chief engineer and metallic artist, and Fire Bolt, our best forge master."
The crowd roared with cheers as Celestia presented two gold medals. One was a star with a blue oval shaped gem in the center. The other was a pair of wings with a red heart shaped ruby. Copper Finish and Fire Bolt bowed their heads, waiting to be bestowed with the medals.
"To Copper Finish," the princess said, "for being brave while others were in danger, I present to you, the star of courage."
The crowd stomped as she put the medal over his head and around his neck.
"And to Fire Bolt," she continued, "for your quick actions and devotion to those around you, I present to you, the wings of loyalty."
Celestia bestowed the medal on him and the crowd shouted proudly.
"SPEECH! SPEECH! SPEECH!" the crowd demanded.
Copper Finish looked at Fire Bolt, who motioned for him to speak. Celestia stepped aside so he could take center stage.
"Uh," Copper Finish said with a nervous voice, "thank you, princess."
Celestia nodded and he turned his attention to the crowd.
Copper Finish cleared his throat and began to speak.
"Hello, everyone." Copper Finish began in a strong tone, "I'm really honored to be here and happy to see you all. To think, just a few days ago, me and Fire Bolt came out here on a simple supply run. Now, we're getting metals. I'll be honest, I never thought that would happen."
Copper Finish paused and thought for a moment, before continuing.
"Just goes to prove, no one can predict the future." Copper Finish continued, "But we can plan for it. So, recently I had Fire Bolt send a letter to Princess Celestia about me wanting to moving down here."
He turned his attention to the princess. "You did receive the letter, right?" He said, even though he already knew she did.
"Of course." She said with a smile, "And I think it would be good for you to have a change of scenery, anyway."
Everyone chuckled before Copper Finish continued.
"Well, Ponyville," Copper Finish said, talking to the crowd again, "it looks like you've got a new neighbor. If you'll have me."
The crowd cheered and applauded. Copper Finish smiled proudly. He stepped back and stood next to Fire Bolt again. Mayor Mare took center stage again.
"Now," Mayor Mare said, "before we end the ceremony, I would like to have the Cutie Mark Crusaders come up to the stage."
Copper Finish looked to his left and saw Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and Sweetie Belle climb the stairs to the stage. It was the first time he had seen them since the incident. They saw him and smiled. Copper Finish smiled back and gave a small wave.
"I believe, you three want to say something to Mr. Finish and Mr. Bolt." Mayor Mare said in a gentle, but stern tone.
They already apologized to them before. But they asked the mayor, earlier in the day, if they could make a public apology. From what everyone could figure, she agreed.
"We're sorry." All three of them said, more to Copper Finish than Fire Bolt.
"We didn't mean to take your train." Sweetie Belle said.
"Yeah," Scootaloo said, "we just wanted to blow the whistle and, maybe, get our cutie marks. But we accidently hit one of the levers."
"We tried to find the brake," Apple Bloom said, "but we didn't know which one it was, so we panicked. Can ya forgive us?"
Copper Finish looked at the three small faces in front of him and smiled. Then he looked at Fire Bolt, who gave him a small nod.
"We forgive you." Copper Finish said, "But, I hope you've learned to be patient for some things, especially cutie marks. Don't try to rush, otherwise, somepony might get hurt. I'm living proof of that."
"We're sorry about that, too." Sweetie Belle said, "So, we're prepared for whatever punishment you think is fair."
The room fell silent. No one was expecting such a remark. Even Celestia was astonished. After a moment, Copper Finish spoke.
"Punishment?" Copper Finish said in a confused tone, "There's no need for a punishment, what happened was an accident."
"Maybe." Apple Bloom said, "But we're the cause of that accident and ya got hurt because of it."
"Think of it as, returning the favor." Scootaloo said.
Copper Finish thought for a moment, then he had an idea.
"Alright," he said in a confident tone, "if you want to return the favor, then all three of you can help me move. I'll even get you to move some of the heavy stuff. That sounds fair to me, what about you, Bolt?"
Fire Bolt grinned and said, "That'll do."
The fillies smiled, in relief, at the two ponies and they smiled back. The crowd gave a small applause before Mayor Mare spoke again.
"And that concludes the awards ceremony." She said, "Thank you for coming out."
Before they left the stage, some reporters wanted to take some pictures.
"Hey, everypony," one of the said, "how 'bout a photo for The Stampeder?"
Copper Finish looked at the other ponies around him. They seemed fine with that.
"Sure, why not?" Copper Finish said.
"Ya don't mind if we're in it too, do ya?" A familiar voice asked.
Copper Finish looked to see Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity standing off to the side.
"Who are you?" the reporter asked.
"We're the older sisters of these sweet little fillies." Rarity answered, patting Sweetie Belle's head.
"Well, in that case," the reporter said, "you're welcome to join."
Everyone gathered in a group and got in as close as they could to each other. Copper Finish stood next to Applejack and Applebloom, Fire Bolt stood next to Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo, and Rarity and Sweetie Belle stood in the middle with Celestia behind them. The Reporter set up his camera and stood behind it.
"Alright, everyone." He said, "Smile."
They smiled and the camera gave a blinding flash, that quickly wore off. He packed up his camera and smiled.
"Thanks." He said and walked away.
Copper Finish pulled his hat down over his eyes and bit his lip. He was trying to hide his shyness from Applejack. Rarity caught on to this and went over to him.
"Copper Finish," Rarity said in a kind tone, "may I have a word with you, please?"
"Um, okay." He said with some relief.
They exited through the front and walked around to the side.
"What are you doing?" Rarity asked in a stern tone.
"What do you mean?" Copper Finish replied, unsure what he did wrong.
"You're trying to hide your emotions and making it very obvious, I might add." She said.
"Well," Copper Finish said, "what can I do?"
"For now, just relax." Rarity said, "That's the best course of action."
"Okay," Copper Finish said, "but what if I'm too nervous?"
Rarity gave him a hard stare, which made him a little more nervous.
"You're trying to rush this." She said, "Some things can't be rushed, you have to be patient."
Copper Finish raised an eyebrow and had a smirk on his face after he heard that.
"Using my own words against me, huh?" Copper Finish said.
"Yes I am." Rarity said, "You should consider listening to the words you say and learn from them."
Before Copper Finish could say anything else, the doors opened and out came the others. Rainbow Dash and Fire Bolt were talking and laughing. Applejack was being followed by the fillies. Mayor Mare and Celestia came out last.
"As much fun as it was to attend," Copper Finish heard Celestia say to Mayor Mare, "I have to return to Canterlot, there are other matters to attend to."
She spread her wings and flew away, leaving Copper Finish and the others by themselves. After a moment, Rainbow Dash looked at Fire Bolt with a small grin on her face.
"So," she said with confidence, "are you ready to race, or what?"
Fire Bolt just smiled and said, "Oh, I'm ready, but are you?"
Copper Finish was about to ask Fire Bolt what the princess wanted him to do. But before he could, both Fire Bolt and Rainbow Dash launched into the air and took off with great speed. They disappeared from sight in seconds.
"Best of luck to Fire Bolt." Scootaloo said. "Rainbow Dash loves to race and she always wins."
"I don't know," Applejack said, "she's fast. But seein' Fire Bolt take off like that, makes me wonder if she's met 'er match."
Copper Finish just smiled and thought, "You'd be surprised by how hard that pony works, when he puts his mind to it."
Fire Bolt and Rainbow Dash flew high in the sky, matching each other in speed and skill. Neither one slowed and neither one could pass the other. They were almost perfectly matched, but Rainbow Dash was about to discover something about her opponent that HE didn't even know.
Faster and faster they flew, then Fire Bolt felt something warm on his head. He raised a hoof to his head, without slowing down. He didn't feel anything unusual, just his mane.
"Why am I getting warmer?" He thought as they reached greater speeds.
Rainbow Dash didn't notice, because small bolts of lightening formed around her. With every wing flap, Fire Bolt and Rainbow Dash felt power building inside of them. Fire Bolt's hair started to flame up, but it didn't burn him. In fact, it wasn't hurting him at all, there wasn't even a smoke trail. Rainbow Dash still hadn't noticed, because she knew if she got distracted, she couldn't preform her favorite move. Fire Bolt, however, started to get scared, but he didn't slow down.
"Okay." Fire Bolt thought, "Maybe, if I go faster, I can put out the fire and take the lead."
Fire Bolt sped up, keeping perfect pace with Rainbow Dash, who was still charging up. But it only made the flames bigger and the power stronger. In seconds, the Wonderbolt Academy was in sight and getting closer, fast.
"Remember!" Rainbow Dash called, "To the academy and back to Ponyville!"
They made a wide turn around the academy and back to Ponyville. They were still going extremely fast. Fire Bolt's flames grew bigger, so did Rainbow Dash's lightening bolts.
BOOM!
Suddenly, a loud boom and crackling sounds erupted and both ponies shot forward. The sounds echoed as far as Manehatten and two large shock waves sailed through the sky. One of the waves was rainbow coloured, while the other was red, orange, and yellow. The waves demolished small clouds and rattled windows.
"WWWWWHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAA!!!! HA, HA, YEAH!!!!" Fire Bolt exclaimed with surprise and joy, having never gone this fast in his life.
Rainbow Dash took noticed and was amazed by what she saw. Fire Bolt had become a shooting ball of fire with a smokeless trail and long flames behind him. Rainbow Dash had a rainbow trail behind her. But she was too busy trying to figure out what was happening. Then she realized what Fire Bolt was doing and started to worry.
"Fire Bolt!" She called to the fireball beside her, "You have to stop! Now!"
"Why?!" Fire Bolt called back, confident he was going to win, "Are you afraid of losing?!"
The flames started to pulse and sway. Fire Bolt noticed this and got scared again. Rainbow Dash sensed that Fire Bolt was in trouble. Fire Bolt tried to stop by folding in his wings, but it didn't work. Then he tried fanning out his wings and dropping his hooves for drag, but that didn't work either.
"Whao! Hey, what's going on?!" Fire Bolt asked, hoping Rainbow Dash would have a solution.
"It's Phoenix Fire," Rainbow Dash called, "I thought it was just an old mares tale!"
"Well," Fire Bolt called back, realizing he was trapped, "what can we do?!"
"I don't know how it works!" She replied.
Rainbow Dash had to think fast, then she had an idea.
"Hang on!" Rainbow Dash called, "I'm going to try something!"
Rainbow Dash moved away from him and then charged back, with speed.
BOOM!
Rainbow Dash slammed into him, causing the Rain-boom and Phoenix Fire to explode. Sending both ponies falling to the ground. They weren't seriously hurt, but they were very dizzy and falling fast. Fire Bolt was the first to regain control. However, Rainbow Dash still fell, showing no signs of regaining control. The ground was getting closer and Fire Bolt knew he had to do something, quick.
"Alright," Fire Bolt said, looking at his medal, "let's see if I deserve this."
He dove straight down and caught up to her. He wrapped his hooves around her and pulled up, just in time. Rainbow Dash was still a little dazed, but alright. She found herself moving just above the ground.
"Ow, remind me to, not, do that again." Rainbow Dash said, as Fire Bolt slowed down to land.
"Well, if you didn't, I'd still be a ball of fire." Fire Bolt said, setting her on the ground first.
She laid on the ground and waited for the world to stop spinning. He landed and sat next to her.
"Why weren't you knocked out?" Rainbow Dash asked, coming back to her senses.
"When you work around metal all day, you're bound to hit your head on a couple things." Fire Bolt replied.
Rainbow Dash slowly stood up and looked at Fire Bolt. He stood up too and walked around her, making sure that she was fit to fly.
"Wow." Rainbow Dash said as she watched him, "I didn't know Phoenix Fire was real."
"Phoenix Fire?" Fire Bolt asked, lifting one of her wings, "What's that?"
"I'm... Not really sure," she shrugged, "but I'll bet Twilight might know."
"Well, alright." Fire Bolt said, concerned about what happened, "Let me finish looking you over and we'll head back."
"Why are you looking? I'm fine." Rainbow Dash insisted.
"Yeah, but that was quite a hit you took." Fire Bolt said as he released her wing, "I'm just making sure you're alright, which you are."
Rainbow Dash nodded and they made their way back to Ponyville, at a steady speed. Rainbow Dash ended up winning, with Fire Bolt close behind. But he was still worried about the Phoenix Fire and what would have happened if he didn't stop. Everyone gathered around them, wondering what happened.
Copper Finish approached his friend. He had seen the shock waves and didn't know that the second wave belonged to Fire Bolt. But Copper Finish wanted to hear all about it.
"Hey ,Bolt," Copper Finish said, "what happened up there?"
"I don't know." Fire Bolt replied, "But, whatever it was, it needs to be checked out."
Then Rainbow Dash approached the two of them.
"Alright, Fire Bolt," she said, "let's go talk to Twilight."
Fire Bolt nodded and started walking with Rainbow Dash. Applejack and Rarity joined them, while the fillies went home.
"Hey, wait up." Copper Finish said, trotting forward, "I want to hear this."
He caught up with them and the group made their way through town.
"Where'd that other blast come from, Dash?" Applejack asked as they walked. "Ya know, the one that came after your Sonic Rain-boom."
"Oh, that was Fire Bolt." Rainbow Dash said without hesitating.
"FIRE BOLT?!" the other ponies said in amazement.
"Yeah," Fire Bolt said, "I did something called, Phoenix Fire."
"What, in the wide realm of Equestria, is Phoenix Fire?" Rarity asked, somewhat curious.
"I thought it was just an old mares tale." Rainbow Dash said, "But, I'm not sure what it, really, is."
"We're hoping Twilight might be able to figure that out." Fire Bolt said, a little worried.
Shortly after they reached Twilight's castle and knocked on the door. After a moment, the door opened and a small dragon's face appeared from behind it.
"Hi, Spike. Is Twilight home? We need her help." Rainbow Dash said.
"Yeah, she's in the library." Spike said, "Come on."
Spike lead the group to the library, where Twilight was organizing her books.
"Twilight, our friends are here." Spike said.
Twilight stopped what she was doing and hovered over to them.
"Hey, you guys, what's going on?" Twilight asked as she greeted them.
"Do you know anything about Phoenix Fire, your highness?" Fire Bolt asked, humbly.
They explained what happened, which made her curious. Twilight thought for a moment and then remembered something. She flew up to one of the shelves and pulled out an old book. She flew back down and placed the book on the table, in the center of the room. The book was titled: "Equestrian myths and legends. VOL. IV." Twilight opened the book and began flipping through the pages.
"I think it's in here somewhere." She said as she scanned the pages.
Copper Finish was still trying to figure out what Princess Celestia wanted Fire Bolt to do, but this was a little more important.
"Bet ya didn't know yer friend could do somethin' like that, did ya?" Applejack said to Copper Finish, giving him a small nudge.
Copper Finish tighten his muscles and avoided eye contact.
"Um, yeah, I mean, no." Copper Finish said in a nervous tone, "You'd be amazed by what a lot of ponies don't know about each other."
Rainbow Dash gave a small snicker, but stopped when Fire Bolt made a cautious groan. Rarity, however, just rubbed her eyes and slowly shook her head.
"Aha," Twilight finally said, "here it is."
Everyone had their attention on her and listened carefully.
"Okay," Twilight continued, "Phoenix Fire is much like the Sonic Rain-boom. However, when it's at full charge, it will emit an extremely bright light and causes the flyer to lose consciousness or cause temporary blindness."
"Hang on." Rainbow Dash said in confusion, "If it's like the Rain-boom, why can't I do it?"
"Well," Twilight continued reading, "if you've had physical contact with an actual phoenix for an extended period of time, plus very fast speeds, then it's possible."
Copper Finish remembered something that would help explain.
"Hey, Bolt?" Copper Finish said, "Do you remember when the princess's pet phoenix was at our workshop?"
It took Fire Bolt a moment to recall what Copper Finish was talking about, but he remembered.
"Oh yeah," Fire Bolt replied, "Princess Celestia asked us to make a bigger and more decorative birdcage."
"But we couldn't leave her in her old cage." Copper Finish said, "So, we let her out and she stayed perched on your back until the new cage was finished."
Twilight thought for a moment, before saying anything.
"How long did it take to make the new cage?" She asked, trying to get all the facts.
"Um, about ten to eleven hours." Copper Finish replied, "Some of the materials, we needed to build it, were hard to get."
"When did you build the cage?" Twilight asked.
"Three weeks ago, I think." Fire Bolt answered.
Rainbow Dash wasn't convinced, because she never heard of anything being affective after three weeks.
"I'm having a hard time believing that, Fire Bolt." Rainbow Dash said, raising an eyebrow.
Twilight read further, trying to find out if it sounded accurate.
"Actually, Rainbow Dash, " Twilight said, "The effects of a phoenix touching somepony will last until they preform the Phoenix Fire."
"Really?" Rainbow Dash said, "Let me see that."
Twilight stepped to the side and let Rainbow Dash re-read that part of the page.
"Since you stopped him from reaching full charge," Twilight continued, "Fire Bolt can still preform the Phoenix Fire."
Rainbow Dash stopped reading and looked at Fire Bolt, who had a nervous grin on his face.
"Anything else?" Twilight asked.
"Yeah," Fire Bolt said, "why couldn't I stop on my own?"
Twilight looked back at her book and read further.
"When Phoenix Fire is near full charge, it will have built enough momentum to fly on it's own. However, it will only last until full charge." Twilight said, "But Rainbow Dash interrupted it and stopped it from reaching full charge."
Rainbow Dash smiled with relief.
"Oh good," She said, "I though it was something dangerous."
"No," Twilight said, "it's still dangerous, but not life threatening."
Twilight looked back at Fire Bolt, who had a worried look on his face.
"The good news is," Twilight continued, "you can only do it once."
Fire Bolt began to calm down, but Copper Finish was still not fully convinced on how safe his friend was. Rarity looked at a clock on the other side of the room and made her way to the center of the group.
"Yes, well, this has been a fascinating evening," Rarity said, "however, I do believe it's getting late and we should all be going home to rest."
Everyone agreed and started to leave the library. Rarity and Copper Finish were just about to leave, when Rarity thought of something.
"Copper Finish," Rarity said, "wait a moment, I just had an idea."
She turned toward Twilight, who was putting the book back on the shelf.
"Twilight?" Rarity asked, "Would you happen to have a book on romance advice?"
"Sure," Twilight said, grabbing another book, "it's right... Wait a minute."
Twilight gave Rarity a curious look, then looked at Copper Finish.
"Why do you want this book?" She asked, suspiciously. Then a thought flew into her mind and she big smile on her face.
"No! Really!" Twilight exclaimed, "Do you two like each other?"
Copper Finish had a shocked and confused look on his face, while Rarity stared at Twilight in surprise.
"What?!" Rarity said, "No! Well, we do like each other. But not in the way you're thinking."
"Really?" Twilight said with a smirk, "Then, by all means, tell me why you want this book."
She playfully levitated the book in the center of the room. Copper Finish and Rarity both knew that they would have to tell her the truth, in order to get it.
"Alright," Copper Finish said with a sigh, "we need the book, because I like Applejack. And Rarity is going to help me."
Twilight was surprised by what she just heard. She sensed something like this at the Grand Galloping Gala, but didn't think anything of it. Now, she burned with curiosity.
"We're also trying to keep this between us." Rarity said softly, "We don't want Applejack to find out yet, otherwise, Copper Finish might lose his chance at something he's always wanted."
"Which is what?" Twilight asked, letting Rarity take hold of the book.
"A quiet and peaceful life with the pony I love." Copper Finish said as a small smile formed on his face.
Twilight approached Copper Finish and put a hoof on his shoulder.
"Well," Twilight said in a reassuring voice, "if you need extra help, don't be afraid to ask."
Copper Finish nodded and had a bigger smile on his face, relieved to hear that she would be willing to help.
Then Twilight put her hoof down. Copper Finish and Rarity made their way outside, where they found Fire Bolt and Rainbow Dash. Applejack had already gone home, which was good for Copper Finish. He grabbed the book from Rarity and tucked it under his cape, even though the book was too big for the pockets he had. He managed to put it on his back and cover it with the cape. But you could tell there was a book there, still.
"What took you two so long?" Rainbow Dash asked in an impatient tone.
"W-we... Uh... We were..." Copper Finish started to stutter.
"I stopped to fix my mane." Rarity said, saving Copper Finish, "I noticed that my curls didn't look right and asked Copper Finish to wait for me."
Fire Bolt focused on Copper Finish and noticed something under his cape.
"What's that?" Fire Bolt asked, pointing to the bump on Copper Finish's back.
"What's what?" Copper Finish asked, trying to avoid embarrassment.
"That." Fire Bolt said, "Under the cape."
"Um, nothing." Copper Finish insisted, "Nothing at all."
Fire Bolt remained unconvinced and blankly stared at his friend.
"You know where this conversation's gonna go, so let's get it over with." Fire Bolt said impatiently, "Show me what you got there."
Copper Finish sighed and got the book out from under his cape. The book was titled: "Romance Tips and Hints for Beginners."
Rainbow Dash saw it and burst out laughing.
"HA, HA, HA!" Rainbow Dash laughed, "You think that's going to help you with Applejack. Oh, that's rich."
Copper Finish had a confused and embarrassed look on him.
"How did you know about that?" Copper Finish asked.
Rainbow Dash stopped laughing as shame washed over her.
"Uh-oh." she said.
"Rainbow Dash!" Fire Bolt said, clenching his teeth.
"Sorry!" Rainbow Dash apologized, "I didn't mean to say that."
Copper Finish began to feel shock and anger take hold of him. It made Fire Bolt nervous and he knew he stepped out of line.
"What did you tell her, Bolt?" Copper Finish growled, "What did you say?"
"Look, Coppa, I can explain..." Fire Bolt stammered.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY, FIRE BOLT?!" Copper Finish roared as he threw the book to the ground.
Fire Bolt knew Copper Finish was beyond angry, because he called him by his full name.
"Everything, alright!" Fire Bolt said, "I told her everything!"
Copper Finish frowned and clenched his teeth.
Rainbow Dash started moving forward, but was stopped by Rarity.
"I think, it's best for you to just stay out of this." She said in a stern tone.
By now, tears formed in Copper Finish's eyes.
"Y-You... You unbelievable... Low-down... Back-stabbing... snake in a pony suit!" Copper Finish cried, "I knew I shouldn't have told you anything!"
"Look, Coppa, I know you're a little upset..." Fire Bolt began to say.
"Upset? Upset?!" Copper Finish said, feeling betrayed, "Why would I be upset, after finding out that my best friend, who doesn't have a clue what a secret is, told a pony, he doesn't even know, about a private dream of mine?!"
Fire Bolt didn't say anything because he knew he'd crossed the line. Rainbow Dash and Rarity watched as Copper Finish began to turn bright red.
"So tell me, Fire Bolt." Copper Finish said, "How'd she get you to talk, huh?"
Fire Bolt remained silent.
"What? Did you feel the urge to spread rumors?" Copper Finish asked, burning with anger.
"No." Fire Bolt replied.
"Oh, so you were thinking out loud and she heard you. Did you have a megaphone?!" Copper Finish said, feeling the anger build.
"Not really." Fire Bolt said softly, accepting the verbal beating.
"Then, how?! I want to know!" Copper Finish cried.
Fire Bolt looked at the ground and said nothing. Copper Finish stared at him and a thought crossed his mind. Then he looked at Rainbow Dash, who was looking back at him.
"Oh, now I get it." Copper Finish said in a low voice, "You fell for her, didn't you?"
"That's enough, Coppa Finish!" Fire Bolt said in a stern voice.
Copper Finish stared at Fire Bolt and Fire Bolt stared back. But now, he was angry with Copper Finish.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anypony." Copper Finish said and looked back at Rainbow Dash, "Hey, Rainbow, get this..."
"I SAID, THAT'S ENOUGH!" Fire Bolt roared before giving Copper Finish a punch in the face.
WHACK!
"OOF!" Copper Finish exclaimed as he hit the ground.
Fire Bolt looked at Copper Finish, then he looked at his hooves. Rainbow Dash stared in shock, while Rarity cover her mouth and gasped.
"What did I just do?!" Fire Bolt exclaimed, staring at his hooves.
Then he walked over to Copper Finish a tried to help him to his hooves.
"Get off me!" Copper Finish growled, pushing Fire Bolt away.
The two ponies stood and stared at each other. It had seemed like hours before either one said anything to the other.
"I guess you beat me to the line." Copper Finish said.
"What do you mean?" Fire Bolt asked.
Copper Finish tipped his hat in defeat.
"If you like somepony here, then you can stay here." Copper Finish said, "But I won't."
"Why?" Fire Bolt asked in confusion, "Why not?"
Copper Finish rubbed the spot on his face, where Fire Bolt punched him.
"I think it's obvious at this point, Fire Bolt." Copper Finish said.
It took Fire Bolt a moment to understand what Copper Finish meant. But, he got the point and he didn't like it.
"But, you already said that you would stay down here." Fire Bolt said, "And Princess Celestia asked me to stay here with you and help you with Applejack."
"Is that right?" Copper Finish said, "Well, you can tell her why I changed my mind."
Fire Bolt fell silent.
"Good-bye, Fire Bolt." Copper Finish said began to leave.
Copper Finish walked around Fire Bolt and stopped to look at the book on the ground. Then he walked over to Rarity and Rainbow Dash.
"Tell the fillies, that they don't need to come to Canterlot." Copper Finish said, "And give the book back to Twilight, please."
Rainbow Dash and Rarity looked at the bruised faced pony.
"Can't you forgive him?" Rarity asked, "I'm sure neither of you mean all those awful things."
"Yeah," Rainbow Dash said, "friends forgive each other."
Copper Finish looked back at Fire Bolt, who still wasn't facing him.
"Perhaps," Copper Finish said, "but true friends don't stab each other in the back or punch each other."
Big dark clouds formed over them, making it rain heavily. Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Copper Finish, and Fire Bolt weren't bothered by it.
"Good-bye, friends." Copper Finish said as a tear rolled down his face, "If you're in Canterlot, look me up."
Copper Finish started walking away, leaving the others in front of the castle. He made his way to the train station, where he found the Little Puffer and two loaded flatbeds. On one of the flatbeds, was loaded with some of the diamond steel that still needed to be taken to Canterlot. On the other, was the steam wagon and several different sized boxes. They were all labeled for Canterlot, but Copper Finish didn't care. He climbed into the cab and started the fire. It took a while for the boiler to heat up. While it did, Copper Finish decided to check over and make sure everything was ready.
"Alright," Copper Finish said as he crawled under to check the brakes, "let's see if these are still any good."
Rain rattled and tapped on the boiler as Copper Finish inspected the under carriage. Then he heard the sound of hoof steps approaching.
"Urgh!" Copper Finish groaned angrily, "I've said all there needs to be said. I'm done and I'm going home."
"That's fine." A very familiar and unexpected voice said, "I'll do the talkin'."
Copper Finish was surprised by who answered. He crawled out from under the big locomotive and looked to see who was there.
"Howdy." Applejack said.
She was soaked from head to hoof and the lights from the station gave her a shimmering outline. The only thing she was wearing was her hat, which drooped from the weight of the rain.
"A-CHOO!" Applejack sneezed, which made Copper Finish take off his cape and wrap it around her.
"Here," He said as he gave her the cape, "this'll keep you warm."
"Thanks," Applejack said, "but I think it's a little late for that."
Copper Finish looked around and saw the glow of the fire coming from the cab.
"Then, please, climb aboard." Copper Finish insisted, pointing to the cab.
"Mighty kind of ya," Applejack said softly, "thank ya."
She climbed aboard and sat in front of the firebox. Copper Finish climbed aboard and closed the door to the cab. Then he sat in his drivers seat and stared at Applejack.
"What's she doing here?" Copper Finish thought as he stared.
The fire glowed bright red and crackled loudly, it was almost romantic. Aside from big levers, gauges, and pipes, it felt very peaceful. It made Copper Finish think long and hard about what he was going to do next. Seeing Applejack wrapped in his cape and sitting in front of a fire, helped him think more clearly. After a minute or two, Applejack finally spoke.
"Copper Finish," she said without turning away from the fire, "what happened to yer face?"
Copper Finish had almost forgotten about what happened earlier. He was quite surprised that she even noticed.
"Oh, that," Copper Finish said, "well, I was working under-"
"Ya don't have to lie to me." Applejack said, turning her attention to him, "Be honest, please. It suits ya better."
Copper Finish knew that he would have to tell her the truth. But, how could he, when it started with her. Then he thought of something.
"I tell you what," Copper Finish began, "I'll tell you what happened to me, if you tell me why you're here."
Applejack went quiet, to Copper Finish, that meant she had something important on her mind. But, he wasn't sure if he would like it.
"I-I wanted to talk to ya." Applejack said, "I wanted to thank ya for savin' my sister and her friends."
Copper Finish got out of the seat and sat next to her.
The fire illuminated their faces and cast their shadows on the coal tender doors. Rain tapped softly on the roof of the cab and steam clouds swirled around them. To Copper Finish, it was the most peaceful moment in his life.
"I-If you hadn't stopped this train," Applejack said as a tear rolled down her face, "I (sniff) I-I might've lost (sniff)..."
Applejack's voice trailed off as she started to cry. Copper Finish moved closer and put his hooves around Applejack, trying to comfort her.
Applejack started to calm down and wrapped her hooves around Copper Finish. At first it caught him by surprise, but then he felt a warm embrace and it was very nice. Copper Finish could feel his heart beat a little faster, but It wasn't from fear. It felt like something stronger, more powerful. Almost as if his heart was replaced with a steam engine and somepony set it to low gear. And nothing seemed more beautiful than the pony he was holding. Applejack rested her head on his chest and heard a very soft beat.
"Music to my ears." Applejack said and closed her eyes.
Copper Finish smiled and was about to tell her how he felt. But, instead, he remained quiet and watched the fire burn. As Copper Finish stared at the dancing flames, he start to think.
"Maybe," He thought, "I pushed Fire Bolt too far."
He rubbed the bruise on his face and looked at Applejack, who looked like she was ready to fall asleep.
"Who am I to judge what somepony does, when they're in love?" Copper Finish thought, realizing that he did more to Fire Bolt, than just yelling at him.
"In theory, he had every right to punch me." He continued, "I probably would've done the same, if I was him."
Copper Finish's thoughts were interrupted, when he heard soft breathing. To his surprise, Applejack had fallen into a deep sleep. He would've woken her up, but decided not to.
"I guess, I will be moving down here, after all." Copper Finish thought as he took off Applejack's hat and gently stroked the top of her head.
The rain had stopped and the clouds parted, revealing the stars and the moon. Moonlight flooded the cab and shined brightly on the two ponies. Nothing could ruin this moment and Copper Finish knew that.
Knowing that Applejack couldn't hear him, Copper Finish lowered his mouth to her ear and whispered, "I love you, Applejack."
After a few minutes, Copper Finish laid down on the floor of the cab and drifted slowly to sleep. With Applejack's head resting comfortably on his chest.
The sun peaked over the horizon and shined into the cab as Applejack opened her eyes. She blinked slowly and heard an interesting sound.
Ba-bum, ba-bum, ba-bum.
To her it sounded like a slow, steady, and strong heartbeat. At first, she thought she was dreaming, then she lifted her head and the sound died away. The fire was reduced to ambers and glowed dark red.
"That was a good sleep." Applejack thought, "But what am I..."
SNORT!
Her thought was interrupted, when she heard a loud snort come from behind her. Applejack slowly turned her head to see what made the sound. To her surprise, she saw Copper Finish laying on the floor, exactly where her head would've been. A wave of shock washed over Applejack as a thought crossed her mind.
"We didn't... No, we couldn't have... Right?!" Applejack's mind frantically thought, "Did we?!"
Applejack wanted to start yelling and screaming, she demanded to know what happened. But, instead, she remained quiet and stared at the stallion on the floor. Copper Finish remained in his deep sleep, undisturbed and breathing softly.
"Alright, Applejack," she thought, "just breath and try to relax. Maybe, I can remember what happened last night."
Applejack breathed deeply and started to piece together what happened the night before. She started from when she was leaving Twilight's castle and walking home, but then something made her turn around and go back. But it started to rain and she saw somepony walking in the distance.
"That doesn't help much." Applejack thought, "Why am I here?"
Applejack skipped to where she found Copper Finish under his train and talking to him. She remembered being cold and Copper Finish wrapping his cape around her. Then he invited her into the cab, to get warm by the fire. Then Applejack remembered crying and hearing a combination of a heartbeat and rain, then falling asleep.
"That makes better sense, as to why I feel asleep, I guess." She thought, still looking at Copper Finish, "But why was I cryin'?"
She wasn't upset anymore, but she was confused. Then Copper Finish stirred and Applejack grinned.
"Actually," Applejack thought as her mind returned to a calm sense, "now that I think about it, it's probably not important. Besides, he looks kinda cute like that."
Then Applejack stood up and looked around the small cab. She saw two hats on the driver's seat, a pair of hoof gauntlets in front of the firebox, and a pair of goggles hanging from a lever. Applejack, also, noticed that she was still wearing the cape and that it had the letters, "C.F." monogrammed on the collar. She took it off and draped it over the owner, then grabbed one of the hats and opened the door. Cool morning air rushed into the cab as Applejack climbed out and gently closed the door, trying not to wake Copper Finish.
Click.
Applejack heard the pin click into place and started walking. A light mist greeted her as she walked past the station and into town. As she walked, she saw shop owners and other ponies starting their day. Applejack had things to do too, back at Sweet Apple Acers, but she wasn't thinking about them. Instead, she thought about Copper Finish's actions. It didn't bother her, but it did make Applejack wonder why he had acted like that.
"He could've told me to go home or woken me up," Applejack thought as she walked home, "but he didn't. Why?"
Applejack thought about it, until she got home.
"Home, sweet home." She said as she entered the homestead.
Applejack was greeted by Apple Bloom, Big Macintosh, and Granny Smith.
"Where, in Equestria, have ya been? We've been worried sick." Apple Bloom said, running up to Applejack and giving her a hug.
"Ya didn't come home after goin' to that big festival, for that feller, what's-his-name." Granny Smith said, slowly moving toward her.
"Eeyep." Big Macintosh said, standing in the doorway.
Applejack didn't say anything, making Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom curious. She went into the kitchen to get some breakfast.
"Applejack, what's wrong?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Um." Applejack stammered, trying to think of an answer, "Nothin'. I've just got a lot on my mind."
Applejack flashed a fake smile. Neither one of them were convinced, but they didn't want to make her feel pressured. Applejack ate her breakfast and went outside to start her chores. There were plenty of things to do. And, as usual, applebucking was at the top of her list. As Applejack made her way to the nearest tree, Apple Bloom ran up to her and walked beside her.
"Do ya wanna talk about it?" Apple Bloom asked, wanting to know what her sister was thinking about.
They were only a few feet from the tree, when Applejack stopped and looked at Apple Bloom.
"Can ya keep a secret, Apple Bloom?" Applejack whispered.
Apple Bloom had a curious look on her face. But, she nodded her head and looked around, to make sure that no one else could hear them. Applejack did the same and lowered her head to Apple Bloom's ear.
"I was with Copper Finish last night." Applejack whispered.
Apple Bloom looked at her sister, which made Applejack believe that she didn't understand.
"Don't worry, you'll know when y're older." Applejack said, giving a small reassuring smile.
Apple Bloom smiled back and gave Applejack another hug.
"I ain't gonna tell nopony, I promise." Apple Bloom said, letting go of Applejack.
They continued walking toward the tree and started to work. As they worked, Apple Bloom noticed something.
"Hey, Applejack," Apple Bloom said, "why does yer hat look different?"
Applejack stopped to take it off and look at it. On the hat, the letters, "C.F." were monogrammed on the brim. The inside and the brim of the hat were lined with black velvet and a group photo tucked inside. But what Applejack found most interesting, was that this hat was shaped slightly different, than her hat.
"Because it ain't my hat." Applejack said.
She put the hat back on and started to leave.
"Why didn't I notice that earlier?" Applejack thought, leaving for the train station. "Now I've gotta go back and pretend that nothin' happened. Hopefully, he won't see through that."
WOOO! WOOOOO!
"Whoa! Alright, okay! I'm up, I'm awake!" Copper Finish said, startled by a passing train whistle.
The sun was high in the sky, and the sounds of ponies talking and steam hissing could be heard. Copper Finish rubbed his eyes and looked around. He saw his goggles on the throttle, a hat on the seat, and his gauntlets near the firebox. His cape was draped over him and the fire, he made the night before, had gone out. All that was left in the firebox, were ashes. Copper Finish looked around the cab and saw that he was alone.
"Yeah, I knew it was too good to be true." Copper Finish said to himself.
Copper Finish got to his hooves and got dressed. He put on his gauntlets, hat, and goggles. But there was something different about his hat. It didn't sit right on his head and it didn't have his initials on it. But it did have the letters, "W.A." stitched onto the brim. He took it off and looked at it.
"Okay, so it wasn't a dream." Copper Finish thought, "But who's W.A.?"
Knock, knock, knock.
Copper Finish heard a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" He asked, putting the hat back on.
"It's me and Rainbow Dash, Coppa." Copper Finish heard Fire Bolt's voice say, through the door.
Copper Finish went to the window and rubbed the bruise he got from Fire Bolt.
"What do you two want?" Copper Finish asked, looking out the window.
"We want to apologize for what happened last night." Rainbow Dash replied.
Copper Finish thought for a moment, before opening the door and climbing out of the cab. He gave Fire Bolt an unsettling glare.
"I'm sorry for overreacting last night." Fire Bolt said, "I didn't mean to hurt you, Coppa."
"You punched me in the face." Copper Finish said, feeling less angry, "I think you did what I would've done, if I were you."
Fire Bolt had a curious look on his face.
"I got angry because you went behind my back." Copper Finish continued, "You should've told me, instead of trying to hide the truth. We've been friends for years, you'd think that we could trust each other. But what happened, was the opposite of trust."
"We're sorry that we did that, but we thought that you would be angry if we told you." Rainbow Dash said.
"Well, I'd be a little upset." Copper Finish said, not angry anymore, "But I wouldn't have been nearly as angry as last night."
"So, do you forgive us?" Fire Bolt asked, hoping to earn his friends trust again.
It took Copper Finish a moment to answer, because trust was very important to him.
"Alright, I'll forgive you." Copper Finish finally said, "But you have to promise, not to pull a stunt like that again."
Fire Bolt looked at Rainbow Dash and smiled. Rainbow Dash nodded at Fire Bolt and smiled back.
"Deal." They both said.
Copper Finish was happy again and wanted get passed everything, as fast as possible. Then he had an idea.
"What do you say we get some breakfast?" Copper Finish asked, "I'm buying."
"Sure, but I think it's closer to lunch." Rainbow Dash said.
"Hey, if you're buying, I'm always hungry." Fire Bolt said, glad to have his friend back.
The three ponies laughed and started walking into town. As they walked, they saw other ponies either doing their daily jobs or playing games. It reminded Copper Finish of when he and Fire Bolt were colts, playing and talking about working together someday. Always wanting to be in the Canerlot Royal Staff. They got their wish and swore to always have each other's backs. But after last night, Copper Finish wasn't sure if their promise was still any good. It did bother him, but there wasn't anything to do about it now. Both of them knew that, but they knew it was best to look passed it and move on.
"Here's a good place." Rainbow Dash said.
They stopped in front of a restaurant and went inside.
"Hello," A waiter said, "table for three?"
"Yes, please." Copper Finish replied.
The waiter nodded and lead them to a big table.
"I'm sorry. All we have available, is this table for six." The waiter said.
"That's fine." Rainbow Dash said.
They sat down and he gave them their menus.
"Anything to drink?" The waiter asked.
"I'll have a pineapple juice with a lemon wedge, please." Fire Bolt replied, "It's something I've wanted to try for a while."
"And I'll take a banana and orange punch." Rainbow Dash said.
"Of course." The waiter said, writing on his notepad, "And for you, sir?"
"I think I'll just have a chocolate milkshake, thanks." Copper Finish said, looking at the menu.
"Alright then, I'll be right back." The waiter said, before leaving.
The waiter walked away, leaving the three of them to decide what they wanted to order. Copper Finish was looking at his menu, when his hat started sliding over his eyes. He took it off and started looking at it. Fire Bolt took notice and looked up from his menu.
"You could never leave that hat alone, could you?" Fire Bolt asked, "You rarely take it off."
"Well, what if I told you that this wasn't my hat?" Copper Finish said, inspecting the initials on the brim.
"Then who's hat is it?" Rainbow Dash said, looking at her menu.
"I don't know, but it has the initials, W.A., on it." Copper Finish replied, "Does that sound familiar to you?"
Rainbow Dash looked up from her menu, with a concerned look. She slowly put her menu down and sighed deeply.
"That hat belongs to Washington Apple." Rainbow Dash said in a low voice, "Applejack's dad."
Copper Finish gave a worried look, because the way Rainbow Dash said that comment. It made Washington Apple sound like a very important, or dangerous, pony to meet. Not to mention, he was Applejack's father, that made Copper Finish even more nervous.
"Where can I find him?" Copper Finish asked, "So I can give him, his hat back."
Rainbow Dash looked down at her menu and didn't say anything.
"What's wrong?" Copper Finish asked, wondering if he had done anything wrong.
Ding, ling.
Before Rainbow Dash could answer, the doorbell to the restaurant rang. They looked over to see Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo enter.
"Hey, you guys, come sit with us." Rainbow Dash called, waving them over.
The three of them came over and sat in the remaining chairs. In that same moment, the waiter returned with the drinks.
"There you go." The waiter said, "And what can I get for you three?"
"I will have a grape and raspberry punch, thank you." Rarity said.
"I'll have a lemonade." Scootaloo said.
"Make that two, please." Sweetie Belle said.
"Of course." The waiter said, writing on his notepad, "I'll be right back to take your orders."
He walked away and the six of them started talking.
"Hi, Rainbow Dash, what's up?" Scootaloo said, greeting her role model.
"Just playing it cool, how 'bout you?" Rainbow Dash replied, rubbing Scootloo's head, "Have you mastered that cool trick, yet?"
"You mean, the Fire Trail Flip?" Scootaloo said, "Well not exactly, it's hard to do it without getting enough air on the jump. I almost had it this morning, but then Sweetie Belle decided to readjust the ramp. Even though, I told her not to."
"You did not!" Sweetie Belle said, "You said, make sure that the ramp was at the right angle!"
"Yeah, but you moved it, right before I jumped!" Scootaloo said, "Besides, I don't think the ramp was big enough, anyway."
"I'll bet I can help you with that." Fire Bolt said, "After all, I am a metal worker and very good with angles."
The two fillies stopped talking and looked at Fire Bolt as he took a sip from his pineapple juice. It tasted very sour, causing Fire Bolt to make a funny face. Which made them laugh.
"Wow! Okay, note to self: don't ask for a lemon wedge, when ordering a pineapple juice." Fire Bolt said, squinting one of his eyes and puckering his lips, "It makes it way too sour."
"Ha, ha, ha!" Rainbow Dash laughed, "You should see the look on your face! It's priceless!"
Copper Finish smiled and hung the hat on his chair.
"I'll return it, after lunch." Copper Finish thought, not as worried about it as before.
Rarity looked over at Copper Finish and flashed a small grin. Then the waiter returned with drinks on his tray.
"Here you go." The waiter said, "One grape and raspberry punch and two lemonades."
"Thanks." Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle said.
"Thank you, good sir." Rarity said elegantly.
"Now, may I take your orders?" The waiter asked politely, notepad at the ready.
"Yes, I'll have steamed carrots and mashed potatoes, please." Copper Finish said.
"I'll take the Greenfield Salad with zesty Manehatten dressing." Rainbow Dash said.
"Better make it two, please." Fire Bolt said.
"Carrot and pea soup, will do." Rarity said, still being elegant.
"Hay fries, please." Sweetie Belle said.
"Hay fries for me, too. But make mine extra crispy." Scootaloo said.
"Alright," the waiter said, writing on his notepad, "I'll be back as soon as they're ready."
Then the waiter walked away. Rarity looked back at Copper Finish.
"I see that, both you and Fire Bolt, have gotten passed your little, ahem, dispute." Rarity said, "And might I say, you look rather dashing without your hat."
Copper Finish brushed his mane to one side and smiled.
"Thanks, but that's not my hat." Copper Finish said, "According to Rainbow Dash, it belongs to Applejack's dad."
Rarity's face changed from mildly happy, to unsettling dread. Making Copper Finish feel like he had said something wrong.
"How did you get it?" Rarity asked, staring at the hat.
Copper Finish started biting his bottom lip. He knew that if he told the truth, it could be taken as something else entirely. Plus, with the fillies within earshot, it was a topic not meant for them to hear.
"Actually, Rarity," Copper Finish said in a low voice, "perhaps that's something we should talk about, when there aren't younger ponies around."
Rarity gave Copper Finish a look that made him uncomfortable.
"Very well." Rarity said, "We will discuss it, after lunch."
Copper Finish started to feel guilt wash over him. Then the waiter arrived with their food and they ate. But Copper Finish wasn't as hungry as before. He stirred his potatoes and poked at the carrots, eating only a little of it. Copper Finish wanted to know why that hat was so important, but he didn't want to tell anypony about how he got it. But he knew it was the right thing to do.
"Copper Finish!" Applejack called as she reached the door to the Little Puffer, "Copper Finish, ya in there?"
Knock, knock, knock!
She knocked on the door, but nopony answered. Applejack wanted two things from Copper Finish. The first, was her hat. While the second, was information about the night before. Both seemed very important to her, but since Copper Finish wasn't on his train, they would have to wait. Applejack also wanted to sound convincing, but how could she be? She wasn't very good at lying or pretending.
"Great, just fantastic." Applejack thought sarcastically, "Copper Finish ain't nowhere nearby and I don't even know where he could be."
Applejack still had Copper Finish's hat and looked at the photo inside. The photo showed Copper Finish standing with four other ponies. Two middle aged ponies standing behind Copper Finish, a young mare, and another young stallion. The young mare was a light green unicorn with blue eyes, a brown mane, and looked to be a year, or so, younger than Applejack. While the other young stallion was a tan earth pony with green eyes, a black mane, and looked to be two or three years older than Copper Finish.
"I get the feelin'," Applejack thought, starting to calm down, "these ponies are his family."
Then she looked at the two middle aged ponies.
"Well now," she thought, staring at the photo with interest, "that's something ya don't expect."
The mare was a light green unicorn pony with rectangular glasses, green eyes, and a brown mane with silver streaks. But the stallion looked very different. He was a dark red earth pony with brown eyes, and a thin black mane. It confused Applejack, because of how different they were. It wasn't what she was expecting to see. Because Copper Finish was from Canterlot and most of the ponies from there were unicorns.
"Makes one wonder how ya'll met." Applejack thought, smiling down at the photo.
She put the hat back on her head and was about to leave, when she saw Twilight standing on the train platform.
"Howdy, Twilight." Applejack called, waving to her friend.
Twilight looked over to where Applejack was. She smiled and walked over to her.
"Hey, Applejack, how are you?" Twilight asked.
"I'm doin' alright, yerself?" Applejack replied.
"Not bad." Twilight said, "Have you seen Copper Finish? I need to talk to him about those crates."
She pointed at the loaded flatbed. The crates were stacked on Copper Finish's steam wagon, because there wasn't anywhere else to put them. Applejack looked at the crates with curiosity.
"What's in 'em?" Applejack asked, "Somethin' for Princess Celestia?"
"Actually," Twilight said, "only two of them are for her. The others are for Copper Finish. But I don't know what's in them."
Applejack moved closer to the flatbed. She noticed that one of the crates had a crack in it.
"Maybe this one'll give ya a clue." Applejack said, looking at the crate.
Twilight hovered over to the cracked crate and peeked inside. From what she could tell, there were several different metal pieces. But she couldn't quite tell what they were, without opening the crate.
"I'll bet Copper Finish is going to try and make another Calliope." Twilight said.
"Another Callio-what?" Applejack asked, confused by the sound of the name.
Twilight landed and faced her friend.
"You know, that big musical machine he had, at the Grand Galloping Gala." Twilight said.
Applejack thought for a moment and remembered what Twilight was talking about. Then she remembered dancing with Copper Finish and started to blush.
"Yeah, I remember that night." Applejack stammered, "One of the best nights of my life."
Twilight noticed the look on Applejacks face and grinned.
"Yeah, it was." Twilight said, "It got even more interesting, when you started dancing with Copper Finish."
"I've never danced that good, before." Applejack said in a normal voice, "I don't really understand how I got that good, so fast."
"I've got a theory," Twilight said, still grinning, "but you'll probably think it's dumb."
Applejack looked at Twilight, curious to know what she was thinking.
"No, I won't." Applejack said, "Why would I think it's dumb?"
"Because you wouldn't believe me." Twilight said.
"Yes, I would." Applejack said as suspense began setting in.
"No, you wouldn't." Twilight said, enjoying the moment.
"Why not?!" Applejack asked, almost as if it would free her from a dungeon, "If it involves me, then I wanna know!"
"Are you sure?" Twilight asked, smiling at the amount of concentration on Applejack's face.
Applejack put a hoof to her face and sighed heavily.
"Oh, for the love of..." Applejack groaned, annoyed by the game Twilight was playing, "Just tell me, already! What's y're theory?"
Twilight moved closer to Applejack and put a hoof on her shoulder.
"You like him, don't you?" Twilight asked, smiling confidently, "You want to make him your special somepony."
Applejack's face changed from annoyed to embarrassed and ashamed. She did like him, but she didn't want to show it. Applejack had been pretending not to be attracted to Copper Finish, since the Grand Galloping Gala. She wanted to see him again after that, but she didn't because of what Copper Finish was. At first, Applejack believed that he was an uptight, high-society loving pony from Canterlot. And that he would only see an apple loving, dusty farm pony. That's what she was afraid of. But, after the incident, involving the fillies and his train, Applejack realized that Copper Finish wasn't afraid of getting his hooves dirty or putting himself in harm's way. And after hearing Copper Finish say that he was moving to Ponyville, made her even more happy. But she still wasn't entirely sure about him.
"What?! No, I don't!" Applejack said, brushing Twilight's hoof off of her shoulder and trying to sound convincing.
"Yes, you do. I can tell." Twilight said.
"R-Really? How can ya tell?" Applejack asked, shaking a little bit.
"Because, you're wearing his hat." Twilight said, pointing to the hat, "And you look nervous being around his train."
Applejack took off the hat again and looked at it.
"How'd ya know this was his?" Applejack asked, looking at the photo for a second time.
"I've seen him wearing it." Twilight replied, "Plus, it's hard to miss the initials 'C.F.' on the brim."
Applejack put the hat back on and looked at Twilight.
"I suppose y're wonderin' how I got it, right?" Applejack said, hoping Twilight would say, "no."
"Yeah. Actually, I am." Twilight replied as a big grin appeared on her face.
Applejack took a deep breathe, because she knew that she couldn't hide the truth. But she knew that Twilight was trustworthy and, hopefully, won't overreact. However, Applejack was afraid of what Twilight would think of her after.
"Alright, here's the honest to goodness truth." Applejack began.
Copper Finish lead the group out of the restaurant and started walking down the street. Rarity walked next to him and nudged his shoulder. Causing him to look directly at her face, which appeared to be impatient. Copper Finish knew what she wanted from him, but didn't feel like he had the heart to tell the truth. But he stopped walking and looked at Fire Bolt and Rainbow Dash.
"Could you two take the fillies and give us a moment, please?" Copper Finish said as dread began to settle into his mind.
"Uh, yeah, sure thing, Coppa." Fire Bolt replied.
"We'll catch up with you later. Come on, girls." Rainbow Dash said, waving to the fillies.
Copper Finish waited until they were out of earshot. Then he motioned for Rarity to follow him and continued walking in the opposite direction.
"Are you sure, you want to hear this?" Copper Finish asked, trying to avoid eye contact.
"Yes, I'm very curious as to how you got Applejack's hat." Rarity said, growing more impatient.
Copper Finish took a deep breathe, but at this point, Rarity seemed to be the only pony to talk to. He was only hoping that she wouldn't think of him as some kind of creep.
"She, uh... I..." Copper Finish stammered, trying to find the right words.
It took him a moment to calm down enough to speak clearly.
"We slept in the train together." Copper Finish said quickly.
Twilight was bewildered by what she just heard. Her jaw dropped to the ground. Making Applejack believe that she was thinking of something different.
"No, it wasn't anythin' like that!" Applejack exclaimed.
"Then what would you call it, then?!" Rarity replied, looking squarely at Copper Finish's ashamed expression.
"I don't know, but I couldn't just leave her in the pouring rain!" He said, trying to defend himself, "I had to do something!"
"So you accepted his invitation, without asking any questions?!" Twilight asked, still bewildered, "Applejack, you don't even know him that well."
"He seems nice enough an' I woke up this mornin', thinkin' the exact same thing!" Applejack replied, starting to get angry, "So don't tell me, what could've happened and tell me what I should do about what did!"
"Well, you've got to tell her, now." Rarity said, "I think you've made it very obvious and there's no possible way of covering this up."
"What?! No, I can't do that!" Copper Finish exclaimed, "Do you have any Idea what might happen if I do that?"
"Do you?" Twilight asked, getting back to her senses.
"Well... Uh..." Applejack stammered, lowering her head to the ground in defeat and tears forming in her green eyes.
Copper Finish stopped walking and leaned against a brick wall. Rarity walked in front of him and lowered her head, looking up at his drooping face.
"Look at me." Rarity said, trying to sound comforting.
Copper Finish didn't look up.
"Copper Finish, look at me, please." Rarity repeated, more sternly.
Applejack looked up at her friend, tears rolling down her face.
"Do you like him?" Twilight asked, trying to comfort her.
"Y-Yeah, but he's from Canterlot." Applejack said, wiping away the tears, "And he works for royalty. How can I top that?"
"Yes, it's true, " Rarity said, putting a hoof on Copper Finish's shoulder, "she is an element bearer. However, I am too. Yet, you don't mind having me as a friend."
Copper Finish's ears perked up at the sound of that.
"In reality," Rarity continued, "you don't have to 'top' anything. Because, she's a lot like you."
"How do ya know that?" Applejack asked curiously.
"Let's look at the facts." Twilight said, "You both are hard working, always ready to help a friend, the things you both make are loved by all, you both have a hard time telling ponies how you actually feel, you both prefer open country surroundings, instead of crowded cities, and you're both very brave."
Copper Finish cracked a shy smile.
"So, when are you going to tell her?" Rarity asked.
It took Copper Finish a moment to answer, but he found the right words.
"I'll tell her when I'm moved in."
Rarity smiled and was about to walk away, to find the others, when she remembered something important.
"Oh! And there's one more thing you should know." Rarity said.
"What is it?" Copper Finish replied, feeling confident.
"Applejack!" Big Macintosh called from the station.
Applejack looked over at her brother. She almost forgot about her chores at home.
"I've gotta go, Twi." Applejack said, giving Twilight the hat, "Can ya give this to Copper, the next time ya see him?"
"Sure." Twilight said, taking hold of the hat, "Hey, you only used his first name."
Applejack flashed a confident smile and walked back to her brother. Leaving Twilight holding Copper Finish's hat and waiting for him to come back.
"O-On second thought, Rarity, could you take the hat back?" Copper Finish stammered, after hearing about Applejack's big brother.
He took the hat off and held it in front of her, waiting for her to take it.
"Oh, don't worry." Rarity assured him, "Big Mac isn't going to hurt you."
"That's not a chance, I'm willing to take right now." Copper Finish insisted, still holding the hat, "Just, please, bring it back to her."
Rolling her eyes, Rarity surrounded the hat in a magical aura and took it from him.
"At least you're willing to tell her." Rarity said, "Now, go find Fire Bolt, go home, and pack your things. I expect see a steam mechanic in town, soon."
"Well, a steam mechanic/engineer needs a workshop." Copper Finish said, feeling less nervous, "I'll ask Princess Celestia if she'll have her best builders make it."
After that Copper Finish shook hooves with Rarity and left to find Fire Bolt.
"Bolt!" Copper Finish called, "Bolt, where are you?"
It had been nearly two weeks since Copper Finish saved Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo from crashing his train. To him it was the shortest two weeks that he ever had. He had been so busy working and preparing to move, that he lost track of the days. Copper Finish knew that 'moving' day was getting closer, but he was nervous. Not because he was leaving his hometown, but because his dream was one step closer. Even with Rarity stopping by, whenever she wanted to check on her new boutique and give him romance advice. Copper Finish felt frightened by how much this could change his life. It frightened him so much, that Copper Finish would jump at anything that made a sudden movement.
"Here I am." Fire Bolt said, dropping down from an overhead platform.
"AAAAHHHH!!!"Copper Finish shrieked, jumping backwards and crashing into a workbench.
CRASH!
Tools and blueprints scattered all over the floor. And poor Copper Finish was under the bench, shaking uncontrollably. Fire Bolt looked at his friend and slowly shook his head.
"If you keep doing that," Fire Bolt said, approaching the shaken stallion, "do you really think Applejack's going to like you?"
Fire Bolt helped Copper Finish to his hooves and they started to clean up the mess.
"Besides," Fire Bolt continued, "you should be more concerned about finishing our second locomotive, if you want it to come with us."
"I know. I know." Copper Finish said, putting some wrenches back in their proper places, "But I can't help it. I mean, we're running out of time and there's still so much to do."
They finished cleaning and both ponies looked each other in the face. They both knew how much they had to do and how long they had to do it. But panicking wasn't going to solve anything.
"Look, Coppa," Fire Bolt began, "the way I see it. We've got two more days until we're out of this place."
Copper Finish listened carefully, trying to absorb as much advice as he could.
"Which means," Fire Bolt continued, "we've got two days until the new workshop is built, find somepony to run this place after we're gone, and put the finishing touches on the new locomotive."
"Okay," Copper Finish said, "but how are we going to pull all this off in two days?"
Fire Bolt thought for a moment before saying anything. Then he had an idea.
"What if we had your brother take over and we can finish up the locomotive?" Fire Bolt said with a confident smile.
"What?! No!" Copper Finish said, not impressed by Fire Bolt's idea.
"Why not?" Fire Bolt insisted, "He'd be great at it. Plus, he knows just as much as you do."
"Yeah. And he would try to convince Princess Celestia into changing this place into a factory." Copper Finish argued.
"Look around, Coppa, it pretty much is." Fire Bolt said, pointing at the work floor, "We're just working for the royalty and nobility of Equestria, not the average community."
Hoists, conveyer belts, and vats of molten metal moved throughout the work area. Copper Finish started to feel his heart sinking, because he knew that Fire Bolt was right. But there were so many memories invested into this place, that it was hard to let it go. Especially, to somepony who only saw bits and not the beauty in a steam engine.
"You know Chrome will try to alter our dad's dream, right?" Copper Finish said, looking down at his hooves, "He never had the same vision as Dad and me."
Fire Bolt put a hoof on Copper Finish's shoulder and sighed.
"My pop used to say, 'never follow somepony else's dream, make your own and run with them.'" Fire Bolt said, trying to put Copper Finish's mind at ease, "And those words have gotten me this far. So, who says you have to follow your pop's dream?"
Copper Finish turned his head and looked at some of the pictures, hanging on the wall. Several of them showed Copper Finish standing with Princess Celestia or some other important pony, next to something he built. But his favorite pictures were the ones showing Copper Finish and his father. One showed Copper Finish as a colt, being taught how to read pressure gauges by his father. Another showed him watching his father build a steam clock.
"I don't know, Bolt." Copper Finish said, turning back to face his friend, "Dad taught me everything he knew, before he passed. I can't just leave all that behind."
"Well, if you don't," Fire Bolt began, "than how are you going to run two workshops at the same time?"
Copper Finish didn't answer.
"And what about Applejack?" Fire Bolt added.
Copper Finish's ears perked up at that. Hearing that made the decision for him, but he didn't like it.
"Alright," Copper Finish said with a sigh, "I'll talk to Chrome."
After that, the two ponies got back to work. They worked until the sun had set and all of the other workers had gone home. Fire Bolt was the last to leave. While Copper Finish stayed behind to lock up the shop and think about what the future looked like for him.
"I hope this goes as planned," Copper Finish thought, "otherwise, this'll be one of the most pointless things I've ever done."
He went home and climbed into bed. It took him a while to fall asleep, but he managed to enter the dream world, after counting steam clouds.
The next morning, Copper Finish found it hard to wake up and get ready for the day. He slowly slid out of bed and stumbled into the kitchen. He was surprised by what he found. In the kitchen was Copper Finish's little sister, Pearlescent Finish, making breakfast for two. Though it smelt like bad coal and burnt metal. Copper Finish yawned loudly, making Pearlescent turn around to see what made the noise.
"Oh! Hi, Copper." Pearlescent said, stirring what could be pancake batter, "I wanted to surprise you with something."
"Surprise me?" Copper Finish groaned as he rubbed one of his eyes, "Why would you surprise me? Also, how did you get in my house?"
Pearlescent smiled shyly and giggled.
"Well, you forgot to lock your door, for starters, silly." She said, pointing to the front door.
Copper Finish walked over to the door and noticed that the pin wasn't locked.
"Okay." Copper Finish said, locking the pin into place, "But that doesn't explain why you're here."
Pearlescent's giggle turned to laughter.
"I'm here, because it's your birthday!" She said, laughing at how forgetful her brother could be.
Copper Finish looked at the calendar, hanging from one of the cupboards and gasped. He had been so busy, the last few days, he'd forgotten about his own birthday. Pearlescent poured the batter onto a pan and turned to look at her brother. She noticed a smile on Copper Finish's face. She walked over to him and put a hoof on his shoulder.
"Happy birthday, big brother." Pearlescent said softly, giving him a warm hug.
"Thank you, Pearl." Copper Finish said, turning and giving her a hug, "Your the best sister in Equestria."
"I know." Pearlescent said in a cheeky voice.
Both ponies ate their breakfast, even though it wasn't very good. But Copper Finish didn't mind, because he always appreciated what Pearlescent did for him. Copper Finish knew she looked up to him and it made him feel proud of her every accomplishment. Growing up, the two siblings were rarely seen separated from each other. While Chrome Finish, on the other hoof, was rarely seen with his younger brother and sister. But the two younger ponies didn't mind that. They were just happy being themselves and playing games at their father's workshop. As they grew up, however, they changed. Copper Finish was appointed chief engineer, while Pearlescent traveled to far away places, making beautiful paintings that shone brightly in the light.
"I know I'm not a very good cook, but at least I tried." Pearlescent said, finishing her dark pancake.
Copper Finish finished his pancakes and took their plates to the sink.
"Come on, Pearl." Copper Finish said, gently putting the dishes in the warm water, "At least they were better than that cherry pie you made, when we were still foals."
"Yeah." Pearlescent said, grabbing a towel and drying the washed dishes, "But I didn't know that some of those weren't ripe yet."
Both ponies laughed at their old memories. After they finished cleaning the kitchen and dining room table, they went for a walk towards Chrome Finish's house. But Copper Finish sensed something was out of place and it felt very close. Almost as if it was walking beside him. He looked at Pearlescent, who looked like she was hiding something. He even noticed that she was walking a little slower than usual.
"Hey, Pearl?" Copper Finish said, feeling a little uneasy, "Is everything alright?"
"What? Oh, yeah, everything is A-Okay." Pearlescent said, putting on an obviously fake smile.
Copper Finish could see right through the smile and tell that she was afraid of something. He stopped walking and looked at his younger sister. Pearlescent stopped walking, but she didn't look at Copper Finish, making him suspicious.
"Be honest, Pearl." Copper Finish said softly and moving closer to her, "Please, tell me why you're not your usual self."
He put a hoof under her chin and raised her head, so she'd look him in the eyes. And what Copper Finish saw, almost broke his heart. In Pearlescent's eyes, tears had formed and slowly ran down her cheeks. But they weren't tears of sadness, instead they were tears of fear. Which Copper Finish recognized, almost immediately. Clearly, this was something Copper Finish couldn't just leave alone. He gave her a hug as she buried her head into his shoulder and sobbed.
"I'll always be around for you, little sis." Copper Finish said, brushing her mane with his hoof, "You can tell me anything and I'll always listen."
After a moment, Pearlescent lifted her head from his shoulder and looked him in eye.
"D-Do you promise not to tell anypony?" Pearlescent asked, wiping away the tears.
"You have my word." Copper Finish replied.
Pearlescent took a deep breathe and closed her eyes.
"I-I'm... I'm..." Pearlescent stuttered, trying to get the words out.
Copper Finish waited patiently. Clearly, this was something important, if she couldn't speak properly.
"I'm having a baby!" Pearlescent finally blurted out, opening her eyes to see what her brother's reaction looked like.
Copper Finish just stood still and stared at his sister in shock. His mind frantically started to think of responses. But how could he just simply respond to something like that.
"Y-You're..." Copper Finish stammered, trying not to shout.
Pearlescent nodded her head.
"W-Which means, I'll be an..." Copper Finish continued, feeling his heart racing, "...uncle?"
Pearlescent nodded her head again.
Copper Finish put a hoof over his mouth and gasped. He stared at his sister with wide eyes.
"Y-You're not upset, are you, Copper?" Pearlescent asked, looking at her shocked older brother.
"Up-Upset? Up-set?" Copper Finish replied, still trying to contain his emotions, "Are you kidding?!"
Pearlescent stepped back, expecting to hear that he was angry.
"I feel like the luckiest pony in Equestria!" Copper Finish exclaimed joyously, "No! In the universe!"
Pearlescent cracked a smile and Copper Finish gave her the biggest hug he had ever given her.
"H-How far along are you?" Copper Finish asked, trying to calm down.
"About five weeks." Pearlescent said, sitting on a nearby bench.
Copper Finish sat next to her and held his face in his hooves. Then something crossed his mind, that scared him.
"Um. Wh-Who's the father?" Copper Finish asked lifting his head and turning to face Pearlescent, "I don't recall you having a coltfriend or being married, unless I missed something."
Pearlescent blushed and turned away from Copper Finish.
"I met him while I was traveling." Pearlescent began explaining, "I was painting a beautiful view of Las Pegasus at night, when he came up to the roof of the hotel, I was staying in and set up his painting tools next to mine. I wanted to tell him to find a different spot, but he was so handsome and I didn't want to be rude. So I let him paint alongside me."
Copper Finish listened carefully, hanging onto every word she said.
"After I had finished my painting," Pearlescent continued, "he asked me if I wanted to go for dinner. Normally, I would say, 'no.' But, instead, I accepted his invitation and we went to a restaurant just a few blocks away. Part way through the evening, we came back up to my hotel room and... Well, the rest is self explanatory."
"What happened after that?" Copper Finish asked, starting to feel a little concerned.
"Well, I woke up alone and tried to pretend it never happened." Pearlescent said as the tears returned, "But a few days after I came home, I started to feel strange. Almost as if something was wrong with me, but I didn't think it was overly important. Then I realized, a few days after, that whatever was happening, wasn't going away. So I went to see the doctor. That's when I found out about the baby."
Copper Finish shuffled closer to her and put a hoof around her.
"Does anypony else know?" Copper Finish asked, trying to comfort his sobbing sister.
"No." She replied, "Just you and the doctor."
Pearlescent rested her head on Copper Finish's shoulder again. Tears ran down her face and Copper Finish could tell that she was scared.
"I-I don't know what to do, Copper." Pearlescent sobbed, "I don't know anything about raising a foal."
Copper Finish didn't say anything. He just started rocking back and forth, making Pearlescent calm down.
"I-I'm scared." Pearlescent sniffled softly, "What if I'm a terrible mother?"
"Oh, hush." Copper Finish replied, "You're one of the best mares I know. I doubt you'll be a terrible mother."
Pearlescent looked at Copper Finish.
"Really?" She asked, looking at her older brother's kind expression, "Do you really think that?"
"Heh, heh." Copper Finish chuckled, "I know it."
Pearlescent smiled and rested her head on his shoulder again.
"However," Copper Finish continued, "you're cooking is going to need some work."
Both ponies chuckled quietly at that. After a while, they got off the bench and continued walking towards Chrome Finish's home. Chrome Finish was the oldest of the three siblings, but not the nicest. He always had ideas that either, Copper Finish didn't like or had nothing to do with an original plan. But considering the current events that have been taking place, Copper Finish would have to make the hard decision of asking for Chrome's help.
"Alright." Copper Finish said as they reached the front door, "We're here, now, let's get this over with."
Knock, knock, knock.
Copper Finish knocked on the door and waited. After a moment, a face appeared in one of the windows. It didn't look happy to see Copper Finish, but cracked a friendly grin at Pearlescent. Copper Finish glared back at the face.
"Chrome, let us in." Copper Finish said.
"Why would I do that, Copper?" the face replied, "The last time we saw each other was after Dad's funeral and you took off without a single word to me."
"Grrr!" Copper Finish growled.
Pearlescent stepped forward and looked inside at the face of her oldest brother.
"Please, Chrome." Pearlescent pleaded, "Can't you just look past it and let us in?"
After a moment, Chrome Finish opened the door and let them inside. Pearlescent was the first to enter, while Chrome and Copper Finish exchanged glares. Then Chrome Finish lead them to the living room and sat in his chair.
"Take a seat." Chrome said, gesturing to the couch.
Obediently, the two siblings sat down and looked at their older brother.
"Happy birthday, Copper." Chrome said, not showing any emotion towards Copper Finish.
"Thanks, Chrome." Copper Finish replied, sensing tension in the room.
Then Chrome looked at Pearlescent, who was fussing with her mane.
"How are you, little sis?" Chrome asked softly, paying no attention to Copper Finish.
"Just doing what I've always done." Chrome said with a smile, "Make things and making them shine."
At this point, Copper Finish was getting impatient and wanted to got everything out of the way, quickly.
"Look, Chrome," Copper Finish began, "I'll cut to the chase."
Chrome's smile faded away and was replaced by a scowl.
"Okay, so cut to it, Copper." He said, glaring at his younger brother.
"I believe you've heard of me moving away?" Copper Finish continued.
"Yeah." Chrome replied, "And what does that have to do with me?"
"It has to do with you, because I need somepony to run the workshop here." Copper Finish said, feeling annoyed by his brother's arrogance, "And the only pony that knows as much as I do, is you."
Chrome didn't say anything and stared at Copper Finish. Finally, he spoke.
"After all this time," Chrome said, curling his eyebrows, "after all the years of bickering and fighting with each other, you want me to help you?"
Copper Finish leaned forward and glared.
"Will you do it?" Copper Finish asked impatiently, "Or am I wasting my time?"
The two brothers stared at each other, showing no respect or care. Until they heard a sound that could stop a war.
"Chrome, please." Pearlescent pleaded.
Hearing his sister's voice, made Chrome decide very quickly.
"Alright," he said, "I'll do it."
Copper Finish nodded his head and they stood up. They made their way towards the front door. However, Copper Finish wasn't fully confident in his brother.
"You'll start tomorrow." Copper Finish said before leaving.
"Fine." Chrome replied, "But I'm running it my way, not yours."
"Fine." Copper Finish groaned, regretting asking for Chrome's help, "Just remember to ask Princess Celestia, before you do anything."
Copper Finish and Pearlescent left Chrome's house and proceeded towards the workshop. Then they started talking about the baby again.
"So, do you have a plan?" Copper Finish asked, "Or not yet?"
"Like I said before, Copper, I don't know what to do at all." Pearlescent replied, leaning on him as they walked.
Copper Finish thought for a moment, then he had an idea.
"How about this," he began with a small grin, "what if you came with me and Fire Bolt?"
Pearlescent looked up at her brother, surprised by what he said.
"But what about my friends and my things?" Pearlescent said, feeling concerned, "I can't just pick up and go."
"Your friends can visit you whenever you want." Copper Finish added, "And we'll take your things with us. Even if I have to haul it all down in trips."
"Well, what about Mom?" Pearlescent asked, "She never liked the idea of Ponyville. And I don't want to upset her."
"Look, I'm not saying you have to come along." Copper Finish said, trying to help her think clearly, "But I am telling you that, both you and the baby, might be better off in a town that's less crowded than Canterlot."
Pearlescent listened very carefully to her brother's words and hung on to every single one.
"Besides," Copper Finish continued, "you never know. You might actually like some of the views, wide open spaces, and ponies there. You might make new friends too."
The word, "views," made Pearlescent's ears perk up and a grin appear on her face.
"Alright," Pearlescent said softly, "I'll go. But only because I know you really want me too."
Copper Finish smiled at her and she smiled back. Shortly after, they reached the workshop and entered. Several ponies were helping Fire Bolt to mount and secure parts, pieces, and bolts to the new locomotive. It was almost complete, the only things missing were a whistle, a headlamp, and the plow. The whistle and headlamp were already waiting to be tested, but the plow still had to be made.
"It's massive!" Pearlescent gasped, amazed by the size of the locomotive.
It had four small wheels in the front, two sets of six bigger drive wheels, another four small wheels under the cab, and fourteen wheels under the mammoth sized coal tender. Pipes, panels, and cylinders lined the bottom of the boiler. While on top of it, sat two large steam domes. But the funnel was no where to be found.
"Where's the funnel?" Pearlescent asked, looking at where the funnel should be, "Did you forget to put it on?"
Copper Finish looked at the front and smiled at what she was looking at.
"No, it's up there." Copper Finish replied, pointing at where the funnel actually was, "It's only because this thing is so tall, we had to lower it and make it look like part of the boiler."
Then Copper Finish climbed into the large cab and helped Pearlescent aboard. He showed her all the levers and gauges, which were all set to zero.
"In size, it's three times bigger than the Little Puffer." Copper Finish said triumphantly, "And is going to be eight times stronger."
The both of them looked around and smiled.
"Coppa, are you in there?" A voice called out, "The whistles and headlamp are ready for testing."
"I'll be out in a minute, Bolt." Copper Finish called back.
Pearlescent grinned at her brother, which told him that she wanted to see them.
"Come on, Pearl." He said as he climbed out to help her down.
They went to the other side of the work floor, where Fire Bolt was waiting. On a workbench behind him, were several different whistles and a big headlamp. The whistles varied in size, shape, and design. But they all looked very fitting for the new locomotive.
"Let's take these outside." Copper Finish said, "I don't want anypony to become deaf."
Fire Bolt nodded and helped Copper Finish move the bench outside, while Pearlescent followed behind them. They brought it around to the side and connected an air hose from the wall to a small pipe attached to the bench.
"Cover your ears, Pearl." Copper Finish said, putting his hoof on an air valve, "It's going to get loud."
Pearlescent covered her ears, while Copper Finish and Fire Bolt stuffed earplugs into theirs.
"CLEAR!" Copper Finish yelled, turning the valve and releasing the air.
WOOOO!
HOOOOOT!
WAWOOOO!
PEEEEEEEP!
TOOOOOT!
One by one, the whistles sounded off, creating a loud racket and shaking the ground slightly. Finally, Copper Finish closed the valve and the whistles fell silent.
"Well, that was an experience." Pearlescent said lowering her hooves.
Copper Finish and Fire Bolt took out their earplugs and looked at the whistles. Each whistle had a number and a name in front of it.
"So," Fire Bolt asked, "which one sounds the best?"
Copper Finish looked at his options very carefully. Finally, he spotted the one that would fit the best, both in style and sound.
"That one, there." Copper Finish replied, pointing at the one he wanted, "Number seven, the Five Chime Plain Echoer."
Fire Bolt nodded and then plugged the headlamp into a power box on the wall. He turned and pointed it at an old shed. Then he flipped a switch and the light beamed brightly into the dark and empty building. It wasn't evening yet, but it was dark enough inside to notice how bright it was.
"Light checks out nicely." Fire Bolt said smiling, "If you can't see this thing in the night, then you've got a problem."
After they finished testing and choosing, Pearlescent, Copper Finish, and Fire Bolt brought the bench back inside and got to work. Copper Finish climbed to the top and started fitting the whistle. Fire Bolt attached the light to the front, while Pearlescent started getting cans of paint. Copper Finish noticed this and realized something.
"Pearlescent, stop!" Copper Finish called, climbing down the side, "Don't open those cans!"
Pearlescent stopped what she was doing and looked at her brother.
"Why? What's wrong?" Pearlescent asked, unaware of the danger that could happen.
Copper Finish ran over to her and looked at the cans.
"This paint is dangerous, if you don't know how to properly use it." Copper Finish said, tapping one of the cans.
"But I've dealt with paint before." Pearlescent insisted, "It's kind of how I got my cutie mark and part of my job."
She pointed at her flank, which displayed a pink pearl being painted purple.
"Yeah, but that's artist paint." Copper Finish said, "This is industrial paint, which has toxic fumes that could make you very sick, or worse."
Copper Finish gestured to her midsection, which made her realize her mistake.
"If you want to help, that's fine." Copper Finish continued, pointing at one of the cabinets, "There's some protective gear in there."
Pearlescent looked at the cabinet and saw a mask with a face shield and a full bodysuit with a hood.
"Just remember," Copper Finish said, after she turned back to look at him, "next time you want to do something, think before you act. Otherwise, it could cause trouble for you both."
"Okay, Copper." Pearlescent said, giving him a hug, "I'll remember."
They exchanged hugs and Pearlescent went over to the cabinet. Copper Finish watched her, to make sure she did everything right. She came back shortly after, fully dressed in a white suit, yellow boots, a black mask with special filters, and a scratched face shield.
"How do I look?" Pearlescent asked, her voice muffled by the mask.
"Like your ready to paint a train." Copper Finish chuckled.
They brought the paint cans over to the tender and Copper Finish took a few steps back. He wasn't wearing any protective equipment other than his gauntlets, goggles, and cape. Which were made more for heat, than toxic fumes. His hat was more of an accessory, than protection. As Copper Finish watched her open the first paint can, he reached for a lever and pulled down. As he did, several vents opened and air flowed through the work area. Some other ponies put on their protective equipment and grabbed brushes, to help Pearlescent paint the tender and locomotive.
"Alright, Bolt." Copper Finish said, "Let's go see how that plow is coming."
Fire Bolt nodded and followed Copper Finish into a separate room. They found six forges, all were glowing hot. And in the center of the room was a big black plow, being filed down and hammered.
"How's it coming, Steel Plate?" Fire Bolt asked, addressing the pony with a hammer.
The pony stopped hammering and stepped back.
"It's almost ready." Steel Plate said in a deep voice, "We should have it on the engine, before quitting time."
"Very good." Copper Finish replied, inspecting the plow, "Because we're shipping out tomorrow."
Steel Plate looked at his supervisor, in confusion.
"Tomorrow?" He asked, "When?"
"Hopefully, by noon." Fire Bolt added.
"Then who's gonna be running this place?" Steel Plate asked, hoping it was somepony he knew and liked.
"My brother, Chrome Finish." Copper Finish groaned.
Steel Plate turned away, put his hammer down on a bench and bit his lip. Copper Finish could tell that he wasn't thrilled by what he said.
"I didn't want to ask him, Steel." Copper Finish said, "But I had no other options."
"You know what he might do to this place, right?" Steel Plate said, grinding his teeth.
"That's why I'm appointing you as second in charge." Copper Finish replied, "Because I know that you can keep an eye on him for me."
"You know we aren't friends anymore, right?" Steel Armor insisted, "He'd probably try to fire me, the first chance he got."
"He couldn't if he tried, Steel." Copper Finish said in a reassuring voice.
Steel Plate looked at one of the forges and watched the flames burn bright red.
"Why not?" Steel asked, "You gave him the authority to do so."
"Actually," A kind voice said, "it's my decision, whether to you stay here or not."
All three ponies turned to see who the mystery guest was. To their surprise, Princess Celestia was standing in the doorway to the work floor. But her attention was more on Steel Plate, than Copper Finish and Fire Bolt.
"Your highness." The three ponies said, bowing respectfully.
Celestia moved closer to Steel Plate and put a hoof on his shoulder. He raised his head and looked up at her.
"Princess," Steel Plate began, "I'm just worried that..."
Celestia raised her hoof off his shoulder and held it in front of him, signaling him to stop talking.
"I heard everything, Steel Plate." She said, putting her hoof on the ground, "And I think I'll keep you here."
Steel Plate smiled and Celestia turned her attention to Copper Finish.
"May I have a word with you, Copper Finish?" She asked.
"Um, of course, your highness." Copper Finish replied.
The two ponies left the forge room and proceeded to Copper Finish's office.
"What did you want to talk about, Princess?" Copper Finish asked as they stepped into the small room and closed the door.
"I sense that you don't trust your brother." Celestia replied, "Is that true?"
Copper Finish sat down at his desk and anxiously rubbed his hooves together.
"It's not that I don't trust him," Copper Finish began, "it's just whenever he does something, it either makes no sense or is completely useless. But in his mind, he thinks it's the greatest idea ever. Meanwhile, I'm trying to make the things that ponies requested. But with him changing the design or being lazy, it delays and adds pressure on me."
"If he really is that much of a problem," Celestia said, "then why did you ask him for help?"
Copper Finish looked down at a drawer on his desk and opened it. He reached into the drawer and pulled out an old picture.
"Because he did this for me." Copper Finish said, turning the picture towards the princess.
The picture was cut from a newspaper clipping that was headlined, "Fire claims one, family mourns." Celestia stared at the picture, which showed Copper Finish and Chrome Finish standing outside of a charred building, their bodies covered in black soot. The sign that used to be above the door read, "Iron Finish's Finest Metal Creations."
"I remember hearing about this place." Celestia said, still looking at the picture, then at him, "How did it happen?"
Copper Finish looked at the princess and sighed.
"It was just supposed to be a regular day at the shop." Copper Finish began explaining, "Dad had asked me and Chrome to help him finish this new steam engine, he was working on. Naturally, I didn't hesitate to help. But Chrome wasn't so eager. Dad eventually convinced him, even though he would've rather been sleeping at home."
Celestia listened carefully, trying to understand Copper Finish's history with his brother.
"Anyway," Copper Finish continued, turning the picture towards him, "we started to test the steam engine, when suddenly, one of the pipes burst and came flying off. I ducked my head down just in time to avoid being hit by it, fully. Unfortunately, it still got me and hit the big forge we were using to make some of the parts and caused it to spill molten metal all over the floor."
"I get the feeling that you were afraid." Celestia said, looking at Copper Finish.
"You're sure right, I was." Copper Finish said, putting the picture back in the drawer, "I was afraid that I could've died that day. But as I laid on the ground watching the liquid metal and flames spread, I heard Dad call to Chrome. I didn't hear what he said, but I know it had to do with the fire. Then I see Dad point at me and say something to Chrome. After that I blacked out."
"What do you remember when you woke up?" Celestia asked, intrigued by his story.
"I remember waking up on the other side of the street and watching the shop burn." Copper Finish replied, raising his hooves to his head, "I looked around and saw Chrome sitting beside me, but Dad wasn't there with him. I stood up and called for him, but there wasn't a reply. And as I turned my head back to the flames, I realized that our father wasn't going to answer. Because I realized that he never came out of that shop. Chrome told me, after he got me out, that he tried to go back in to get Dad. But didn't because he heard..."
Copper Finish stopped talking, because it had started to hurt his soul. Celestia didn't need to hear the rest of the story to know what happened to Copper Finish's father. She knew very well that it was a subject that caused him more pain, the more he talked about it.
"I'm... I'm sorry, Copper Finish." Celestia said in a soft and sympathetic voice, "I'm sure that your father would be very proud of you."
Copper Finish wiped away a tear from his eye and looked at the princess.
"I don't blame Chrome for what happened." He said, "But I do wish that he had tried harder to save Dad."
"I'm sure if there was more time," Celestia said, "he would've done that. But he only had time to save one of you."
Copper Finish took off his hat and looked at the photo inside.
"This was the last time we were all together." He said, holding the hat in front of him.
Using her magic, Celestia took hold of the hat and looked at the photo. Then she looked back at Copper Finish.
"You look just like him." Celestia said, levitating the hat back to him.
Copper Finish grabbed the hat and put it back on his head.
"Back to the point." Copper Finish said, clearing his throat, "I asked Chrome for help, because he knows as much as I do and I want to replay him for saving my life. But what I'm worried about is that he'll try to convince you to turn this place into something that it's not."
"Which is?" Celestia asked, listening carefully to Copper Finish's words.
"A place of profit, not beauty." Copper Finish replied, "That's why I'm not too keen on having him here, while I'm in Ponyville."
Celestia raised a hoof to her chin and thought.
"You don't have to worry, Copper Finish." Celestia said, putting her hoof back on the ground, "As I said to Steel Plate, it's my decision as to what happens here."
Copper Finish had almost forgotten about that. Feeling better about his decision, Copper Finish stood up and they left his office. They went back to the work area where Pearlescent and the other ponies were painting. The tender had already been primed and painted a light grey with a black stripe stretching along the sides. On the black stripe, Copper Finish noticed that Pearlescent had already given the new locomotive a name.
"Grey Ghost?" Copper Finish asked, looking at the white lettering.
Pearlescent heard him and walked over to admire the paintwork.
"I never thought that you'd give it such a name, Pearl." Copper Finish said, still looking at the name.
Celestia even found the name rather intriguing.
"Why would you name it such a thing, my dear?" She asked the young unicorn.
Pearlescent blushed at the alicorn and grinned shyly.
"Well, your highness." Pearlescent began, "If you look at it from any angle, you'll notice that it looms over you like a big ghost. Plus, it looks almost haunting, which actually suits it very well."
Celestia turned her attention to Copper Finish, who was looking back at her.
"I wasn't aiming to scare anypony, I swear." Copper Finish said, expecting to hear that she didn't like the appearance.
Celestia grinned at the engineer and giggled.
"Don't worry, Copper Finish." Celestia giggled, "It's rather beautiful, while still being fierce looking."
They were about to walk away, when they heard something heavy being dragged along the ground.
SSSCEEEEAAAAARRRRRCH!
The three of them looked, to see what was making the awful sound. To their surprise, they saw Fire Bolt, Steel Plate, and several other ponies pushing and pulling the plow to the front. Thankfully, some unicorns went over and used their magic to pick up the large piece of metal and secured it to the front of the Grey Ghost. Then Copper Finish noticed that the boiler, cab, wheels, and connecting rods still had to be painted. But the day was coming to an end, so they had to work fast.
All the ponies stopped what they were doing and circled around Copper Finish, Pearlescent, and Celestia.
"I need all of you to put on some gear and help Pearlescent." Copper Finish ordered, pointing to the bare metal boiler, "We have to finish this, as soon as we can. Because, Fire Bolt, me, and Pearl are going to be leaving tomorrow and we want to be going by noon. So right now, we're going to try and finish painting, letting it dry overnight, and first thing in the morning is when we'll be loading."
"But who's going to be in charge while you're gone, boss?" A pony asked.
"My brother, Chrome Finish." Copper Finish replied.
Several ponies groaned and muttered amongst themselves. Copper Finish knew that his brother wasn't popular with his crew, but it was something that had to be done.
"I know some of you aren't very friendly with him." Copper Finish continued, silencing the grumbling ponies, "But make no mistake, he knows as much as I do and you will show him the respect that you've shown me. Anypony who has a problem with that, speak up now."
The room fell silent for a moment, before anypony spoke.
"Does this mean you're resigning from the Canterlot Staff?" Another pony asked.
Celestia spoke up before Copper Finish could answer.
"Actually," Celestia began, "Copper Finish will still be part of the staff, but he won't be called upon as often as before."
Copper Finish was planning on talking to Celestia about it. But since it seemed that she still had use for him, Copper Finish felt relieved to know that he wouldn't be forgotten.
"Alright, enough talking." Fire Bolt said, "Let's get to work."
All the ponies disbanded and started to put on protective equipment. As they did, Fire Bolt walked over to Copper Finish and tapped his shoulder.
"Why are you bringing your sister?" He asked as Copper Finish turned to face his friend.
"I'll tell you when we leave." Copper Finish replied.
Then he turned his attention towards Celestia.
"I did tell you that I wanted to live in the new workshop, right?" Copper Finish asked, hoping that she received his letter.
"Of course." Celestia replied, "I recently received word that the architect, changed the design slightly."
"Did he say how many ponies could live there?" He asked.
"I believe he said, seven could live there comfortably." Celestia replied with a grin.
Copper Finish's eyes widened. He knew that this new shop/home would be bigger than where he was now. But he wasn't expecting it to be big enough to fit seven ponies. Clearly, whoever Celestia asked to build it, took great pride in their work.
"I have to go now." Celestia said, "The day is coming to an end and the sun must rest."
She turned and left her chief engineer to supervise his crew. After Celestia was out of sight, Copper Finish put on some equipment and started painting. They worked until they heard a loud whistle sound off.
TOOOOOOOOOT!
"Quittin' time!" Copper Finish called out.
Everypony stopped painting and removed their equipment. The Grey Ghost was fully primed and painted, ready to leave the shop. Which made Copper Finish happy.
"Good work, everypony." Copper Finish said, smiling and scanning the new paintwork.
After a short applause, everypony made their way out of the building and headed home. Copper Finish was the last to leave.
"Tomorrow," Copper Finish thought as he locked the door, "everything changes."
The next morning, Copper Finish woke up early. He wanted to get started on preparations, without having to rush. But as he left his house and started walking towards his shop, he heard a familiar voice.
"You're not leaving without having breakfast, are you?" The voice asked, in a Canterlot accent.
Copper Finish turned to see who was talking to him. He smiled when he saw who it was.
"The last time you asked me that," Copper Finish began, "I was running late for school."
Copper Finish was talking to a middle aged unicorn mare with silver streaks in her mane and glasses. He approached her and gave her a hug.
"How are you, Mom?" Copper Finish asked, letting her go.
The mare adjusted her glasses and smiled.
"I'm doing well." She replied, "And, yourself?"
"I'm alright, considering the fact that I'm moving to Ponyville today." Copper Finish said.
Copper Finish's mother looked at him with a face that he knew very well.
"I still don't understand why your going to such a place." She huffed, "It's rather... Uncouth."
Copper Finish just smirked and raised an eyebrow.
"I'm mostly going, because of somepony I know." Copper Finish replied, feeling somewhat foolish at that statement, "Besides, it's not as bad as you think, there."
His mother changed her expression and smiled. Clearly, she only caught onto the first part of that comment.
"You don't say." She said, grinning, "I assume this 'somepony' has a name."
Copper Finish hesitated, fearing what his mother would think about what this pony was like. But how could he lie to his own mother.
"Applejack." Copper Finish said hesitantly, "Her name is Applejack."
The mare's grin faded away as she adjusted her glasses again and leaned forward, looking squarely into her son's eyes. Copper Finish knew that whenever she did that, she was making sure that he was telling the truth. Which he was. Thankfully, she didn't just do that to Copper Finish.
"Apple-jack?" She asked, leaning back to her normal stance, "A rather interesting and very country name."
"She's a very interesting and very country pony." Copper Finish replied humorously.
His humor wasn't recognized by his mother as she stared at him.
"Why wouldn't you want any of the young mares running around Canterlot?" She asked, watching two very well dressed mares walk passed them, "Their far more beautiful and polite than anypony you'll find in Ponyville."
Copper Finish knew what his mother was trying to do. Which was try to convince him into staying in Canterlot. But it was already too late, he had already made up his mind. However, he still had to give her a reason.
"Don't get me wrong, Mom." Copper Finish began, "Their nice and all, but their not like me. Their not hard working, they hate getting dirty, and they constantly worry about what their wearing. But Applejack's different."
"Different?" She asked, "How so?"
"It's hard to explain." Copper Finish continued, lowering his head, "When I'm around her, I feel warm and welcome. Like I belong. And when I'm away from her, I feel like a broken machine in need of repair."
Copper Finish remained in his low stance as his mother approached him.
"I believe, I've heard that story before." She said, putting a hoof under his chin and raising his head.
"Really?" Copper Finish asked, thinking that Fire Bolt didn't keep his mouth shut again, "From who?"
The mare smiled proudly at her son.
"Your father told me that at our wedding, before you were born." She replied as a small tear formed in her eye.
Copper Finish leaned forward and gave her a warm hug.
"I miss him." He sniffed, letting go.
"I miss him too." His mother said, "And if I knew him correctly, he would've wanted you to be in Ponyville already. He came from there, you know."
"Really?" Copper Finish asked, wiping a tear away from his eye, "I thought he always lived in Canterlot."
His mother shook her head and sat down at a table, outside of a restaurant. Copper Finish sat down as well and listened to the story of his parents. As she told him, Copper Finish noticed several similarities, between his romance and theirs. Such as his father being very shy and nervous around his mother. And she told Copper Finish that she even thought about him almost everyday. But the biggest and most interesting point, was when his father finally got the courage to tell her about his feelings. They talked for an hour, before looking at a clock and realizing what time it was.
"Oh, thundering hooves!" Copper Finish exclaimed, "I've got to go. Will you come to see us off?"
"Us?" She asked, confused by the word, "I thought you were going on your own."
"No, Mom." Copper Finish replied, preparing to make a mad dash to the shop, "It's me, Fire Bolt, and Pearlescent."
"Pearlescent's going with you?!" She called as he started running, "Why?!"
"You'll have to ask her!" Copper Finish called back, breaking into a fast gallop, "See you there, Mom! Bye!"
Before she could say another word, Copper Finish was galloping down the street towards his shop. It wasn't far, but he knew that he had to get everything ready, if he still wanted to leave by noon. Shortly after, the workshop came into view. Steam clouds billowed from the stacks, which told him that there were ponies working inside. As he got closer, he saw the Grey Ghost hooked up to two boxcars and the old passenger coach he had kept in the train shed. Copper Finish reached the doors and threw them open. He saw Fire Bolt, who was boxing up some tools from his work station and rushed over to him, panting and gasping for air.
Fire Bolt set the box down and looked at his friend.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Coppa." Fire Bolt said, approaching his friend, "You look like you've just finished first in the Running Of The Leaves. Take it easy, buddy."
"Sorry, got stuck talking to Mom." Copper Finish apologized as his heart rate returned to normal, "Is Pearl around?"
"Yeah, she's in the coach." Fire Bolt said, pointing to the old railcar, "You still haven't told me why we're bringing her."
"I'll tell you later." Copper Finish said, walking towards the door on the coach.
He reached the door and pulled on the handle.
Creeeaaak!
The door opened with a loud creak and Copper Finish entered. He found his sister sitting on one of the bench seats and sat down beside her. Copper Finish looked closely at her face and saw that she was thinking deeply. Obviously, about the baby.
"Are you sure that this'll be as good as you think it'll be, Copper?" Pearlescent asked, turning her head towards him.
Copper Finish thought for a moment, before saying anything.
"Look, if you're not comfortable with this..." Copper Finish began.
"No!" Pearlescent interrupted, "It's just that I'm afraid that I won't fit in anywhere, down there."
She looked out the window at the small town in the valley. From where the shop was located, it was very easy to see Ponyville and beyond. And Copper Finish was one of those ponies who enjoyed a breath taking view. He was also, one of those ponies who would do anything to make somepony else happy.
"When I went down there," Copper Finish began, putting a hoof on her shoulder, "I saw all sorts of different ponies, doing what they did best."
"And what was that?" Pearlescent asked, facing her brother again, "Doing their jobs?"
"No." Copper Finish continued, "I saw them be themselves. Whether it was doing their jobs, playing games, or just hanging out with their friends."
Pearlescent's ears perked up, telling Copper Finish that he had made her feel better.
"So, I can paint beautiful pictures and don't have to worry about anypony disturbing me?" Pearlescent asked, grinning slightly.
"I think they'll just tell you how beautiful it is and go about their business." Copper Finish replied.
Pearlescent leaned over and gave him a hug.
"I love you, big brother." She said, softly squeezing him.
"I love you too, sis." Copper Finish replied, brushing her mane.
After a moment of bonding and family embrace. The two siblings got out of the seat and proceeded towards the door. Copper Finish reached for the handle and opened the door, just as Fire Bolt was about to enter.
"The fillies are here, along wi-" Fire Bolt began, before being cut off.
"Along with us." A familiar voice interrupted.
Copper Finish looked to see Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity standing with Scootaloo, Apple Bloom, and Sweetie Belle. But there was something different about the fillies.
"Hello, my friends." Copper Finish greeted them, "How are you?"
"We got our cutie marks!" The fillies called out joyously, turning sideways to show him their new features.
Copper Finish looked closely and was impressed. But what he found most interesting was that they looked almost identical. They all had shields on their flanks with different images in the middle of them. Apple Bloom had an apple, Sweetie Belle had a music note, and Scootaloo had a lightening bolt crossing over a wing. He wanted to ask why they looked the same, but chose not to because he didn't really have time for a long explanation.
"Congratulations, you three." Copper Finish said with a proud smile.
"Who's that?" Applejack asked, raising an eyebrow and looking at the young mare behind Copper Finish.
Copper Finish motioned for her to step forward, which she did, hesitantly.
"Um. Hi." Pearlescent said shyly, introducing herself, "My name's Pearlescent Finish. But you can call me, Pearl."
"You look awfully familiar." Applejack said squinting at her, "Have we met before?"
"I don't think so." Pearlescent replied, "If we did, I'm sure I would've recognized you almost immediately."
Copper Finish sensed something awkward in the area. As a result and a way to get rid of the awkward tension, Copper Finish spoke up.
"Hey, sis." He said, jumping in to the conversation, "Why don't you go get your stuff together? We'll probably be still loading by the time you get back."
"Okay, Copper." Pearlescent said, walking away, "I shouldn't be too long. See you later."
After she left the shop, Copper Finish turned to face the group. As he did, Rarity approached him, mid-turn.
"May I have a word with you, Copper Finish?" Rarity asked in a sweet tone.
"Um. Sure." Copper Finish replied, before looking at Fire Bolt, "Go ahead and get started. I'll be along in a minute."
Fire Bolt nodded and started directing everypony to their jobs. Leaving Copper Finish and Rarity to talk.
"Why didn't you say that you were bring your sister?" Rarity asked in a stern voice, "I almost thought she was your marefriend, when I saw her."
"I'm bringing her along, because she has a..." Copper Finish hesitantly said, trying to think of a better term, "...certain condition. I can't just leave her behind. And why did you think she was my marefriend?"
"Well, for starters, she stood awfully close to you. And did you notice how Applejack reacted when she saw her?" Rarity asked, looking hard at his expression.
"She only stands that close, when she's afraid or shy." Copper Finish replied, "And no. No, I didn't notice. But I did sense tension close-by, that's way I broke up the introductions."
"You should really start paying attention more often." Rarity huffed.
Before Copper Finish could say anything else, Rarity walked away to help load a cabinet into a boxcar. Copper Finish followed shortly after trying to put the equation together and giving up. He just wanted to get loaded and get moving.
"Alright, you three." Copper Finish said as he approached the fillies, "I need to move that bench over there and I need some help."
"We'll help ya." Apple Bloom said, walking over to the bench and being followed by Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.
"That's what I like to see." Copper Finish smiled proudly, "Ponies ready to help at any moment."
Several hours went by as they loaded the two big boxcars. Boxes and furniture were stacked like building blocks and puzzle pieces. Pearlescent returned twenty minutes before noon, levitating three suitcases, a duffle bag, and a big trunk. But she was straining, slightly, under the amount of energy she was putting into the spell. Copper Finish noticed this and raced over to her, taking the trunk and duffle bag. They were quite heavy, but he managed to get them onboard, with the help of the fillies.
"Wow, Pearl!" Copper Finish panted, putting the trunk down on the floor of the first boxcar, "What's in this thing?"
Pearlescent just smiled and placed the suitcases on top of the trunk.
"You've got your tools, I've got mine." Pearlescent giggled.
Copper Finish knew that she was referring to her painting tools. Such as, her paint brushes, jars of paint, blank canvases, and stand. Then they heard Rarity say something, but they didn't hear what she had said.
"What was that?" Copper Finish asked.
"I said, who painted the engine that shade of grey?" Rarity replied, repeating herself.
"That was Pearl's idea." Copper Finish said, walking over to admire the gleaming paintwork.
Rarity looked at Pearlescent, who was blushing bright red.
"Well, it's simply a magnificent choice." Rarity beamed at Pearlescent, "But why does it have the words, 'Grey Ghost,' on the side?"
Pearlescent told her the whole reason. Much in the same way she explained it to Princess Celestia. And like Celestia, Rarity saw and understood how that would be a fitting name.
"So, I'm guessin' yer a painter, then?" Applejack spoke up, not trying to be intimidating anymore.
"Most ponies call me an artist, but yes." Pearlescent replied, cracking a shy smile.
"How 'bout that." Rainbow Dash said, cutting into the conversation, "So am I."
"Yeah, Fire Bolt told me about you." Pearlescent smiled.
"Fire Bolt? Really?" Rainbow Dash beamed, looking at the stallion as he helped the fillies pick up and move things to the second boxcar.
Obviously, Fire Bolt didn't respond, because he wasn't paying attention to the group of mares behind him. Which was a good thing for Rainbow Dash, because she didn't want him to hear the full conversation they were having. Copper Finish wasn't paying attention to them either as he climbed into the cab and started the pressure build. Slowly, the gauges started turning, showing him that there were no air leaks or loss in pressure. He wasn't alone for very long, until Applejack climbed into the cab and joined him.
"It's fairly big in here." Applejack said, looking around the large cab.
"I made it to fit the size of the rest of the engine." Copper Finish replied, staying focused on the gauges and turning a valve wheel.
"It almost reminds me of the last time I was in one." Applejack said quietly, but loud enough for him to hear.
Copper Finish felt his muscles grind to a halt as something flew threw his mind. And he knew very well what she was talking about. He slowly took his hoof off the valve and turned to look at the apple farmer.
"I guess, I owe you an explanation, huh?" Copper Finish said, rubbing the back of his head.
Applejack nodded her head and sat in one of the seats as Copper Finish told her everything that happened that night. But he did leave out one part, that she didn't need to know about yet. To be fair, Copper Finish still hadn't built up the courage to tell Applejack how he felt. But it felt like somepony was stabbing him, the longer he hid his feelings.
"And that's all that happened." Copper Finish said, feeling somewhat relieved.
Applejack stared hard at him, trying to determine if he was lying or not. Then she stood up and approached him. Copper Finish, however, took a step back and fell into his driver's seat.
"I believe ya, Copper." Applejack said, looking into the stallions frightened eyes, "But why did ya let me stay, instead of sendin' me home?"
Now Copper Finish felt cornered, with no possible escape. He couldn't run, because Applejack was blocking his exit. But he couldn't lie either, because he couldn't think of anything that would sound convincing. Finally, Copper Finish realized that the only way out, was to tell the truth. Taking a deep breath, Copper Finish opened his mouth, ready to give a quick sentence.
"Hey, Coppa!" Fire Bolt called out, saving Copper Finish, "Your mother and Princess Celestia are here!"
Applejack eyed Copper Finish before leaving the cab. And Copper Finish released a lungful of air and slumped in his seat before answering.
"Alright, I'll be out in a second!" Copper Finish called back, feeling his heart pounding.
After a moment of pulling himself together, Copper Finish climbed out of the cab and bowed to the alicorn in front of him. Then giving his mother a hug.
"I understand you'll be leaving soon." Princess Celestia said, giving him a warm smile.
"Yes, your highness." Copper Finish replied, "We hope to be leaving in ten minutes."
"Well, I brought you something that you might like." His mother said levitating a big box towards him, "I want you to have it."
Copper Finish looked at the box, before opening the flaps. Inside was a polished brass steam whistle. But what Copper Finish found most interesting was that this whistle had a heart etched on the face.
"What kind of whistle is it, Mom?" Copper Finish asked, taking the whistle out of the box.
"I believe your father called it, a Three Chime Heart Caller." His mother smiled, setting the box on the ground.
Copper Finish looked at his mother, when she mention that his father named it. But why would he name it quite a thing? And how did it work? There wasn't any place to tie a rope or chain, but he could see the valve flap inside, which was closed.
"How does it work?" Copper Finish asked, inspecting the whistle.
"It's a magic whistle that your father and I made, before we were married." She began, "He put it together, while I put a spell on it. And it only works when two ponies are in love with each other. But, it has to be a love so strong that nothing can break it.
"Did you ever hear it?" Copper Finish asked, running a hoof over the polished metal.
"Unfortunately, no." She said, lowering her head and drooping her ears, "It never sounded at our wedding."
Before Copper Finish could say anything else, Applejack approached them.
"We're ready when-" Applejack started to say as she got closer.
Click!
"What was that?" Applejack asked, after hearing a loud click come from Copper Finish.
Copper Finish looked down at the whistle and saw that the valve was now open. If it had been attached to an engine or anything that blew large amounts of air, it would've deafened him.
"Oh. It was just this." Copper Finish said, holding up the whistle, "Probably a loose valve."
Copper Finish grinned as Applejack turned away to join the group by the coach. Then he turned his attention back to his mother and the princess.
Click!
The valve closed with another loud click. Making Copper Finish look at it again.
"It looks like you may have some use for that." Celestia grinned.
"I knew it could work." His mother said beaming, "And she's better than what I was expecting."
Copper Finish didn't say anything as he blushed a bright red.
"Did you ask Pearl why she's coming with me?" Copper Finish asked, putting the whistle back in the box and putting it in the railcar.
The mare nodded her head as a very big smiled crossed her face. Copper Finish smiled back and gave her another hug as tears of joy rolled down her cheeks.
"Take care of her." She sniffed, "And my grandchild, please."
"You have my word." Copper Finish said, letting her go.
She smiled and put a hoof on his cheek.
"You're so much like your father." She said as he leaned his head on her hoof, "I'm so proud of you."
Copper Finish looked at a clock hanging on the wall. It showed that it was quarter past noon. Saying his final farewells and bowing to the princess, Copper Finish climbed back into the cab and reached for the whistle's rope. Taking hold of it, he pulled down.
HAAAWOOOO! HAAAAAAWOOOOOO!
The whistle sounded loudly, signaling everypony to climb aboard. The girls climbed into the coach, while Fire Bolt climbed into the cab. When Fire Bolt was seated, Copper Finish pulled the throttle lever. The mighty metal monster jerked forward, before smoothly rolling towards the mainline.
"Pearl told me, already." Fire Bolt grinned, "Congratulations, Uncle Coppa."
"Thanks, Bolt." Copper Finish replied, pulling the throttle further.
The tracks were switched and they made their way to Ponyville.
"DARN IT!" Copper Finish yelled as a pipe fell from it's place.
He was settled into his new workshop/home, along with Fire Bolt and Pearlescent. It had taken longer than Copper Finish hoped, but they finally managed to get all their belongings down to Ponyville and in the proper places. It almost felt like home. But now Copper Finish was facing a different problem.
"What's wrong?" Fire Bolt asked, picking up the pipe.
Copper Finish looked at the pipe, then at the place it had fallen from and shook his head.
"The main keeps building too much pressure and the release valve isn't working." Copper Finish groaned, "Every time I try to reroute the pressure, something comes flying off."
Copper Finish had been working on steam powered mining equipment. Trying to build new designs for the mines and quarries of Equestria. Unfortunately, his latest creation was causing more trouble than it was worth. Which, in turn, caused him stress.
"I don't mean to change the subject, Coppa." Fire Bolt said, placing the pipe next to some other parts, "But didn't you say, after we moved here, you'd tell Applejack that you like her?"
Copper Finish shot a look at Fire Bolt, which meant, "That's not your problem, leave it alone."
"I'll tell her," Copper Finish replied, "when the time is right."
Fire Bolt rolled his eyes and sighed.
It had been three days since Copper Finish moved to Ponyville. But he still had so much to do, including, telling Applejack that he liked her. Working late into the night, wasn't helping him. If anything, it caused more problems and stress. Both were things Copper Finish would rather leave him alone.
"Look, Coppa," Fire Bolt yawned, "I'm going to bed. Just try to keep the noise down, alright?"
Copper Finish just nodded and went back to work. Fire Bolt turned and made his way to a door on the side of the work area.
Two hours had gone by and Copper Finish still couldn't fix the pressure problem.
"Alright, fine!" Copper Finish growled as he grabbed a bucket of water, "I'll deal with you later."
Psssstsssshhhh!
Copper Finish threw the water out of the bucket and into the firebox, extinguishing the fire inside. Then he put the bucket on the ground and made his way to some stairs that lead to the roof. Copper Finish climbed to the top and opened the door. As Copper Finish did, he felt a cool breeze rush passed him. He stepped into the moonlight and looked up at the stars.
"Princess Luna must be very proud of her work." Copper Finish said to himself.
"Indeed, I am." A voice said in a gentle tone.
Copper Finish whipped his head around in surprise and found Princess Luna sitting comfortably in a lawn chair, that he had left on roof.
"Your highness." Copper Finish bowed, respectfully welcoming his surprise guest.
Luna didn't say another word as her horn began to glow and a second chair appeared.
"Have a seat, my friend." Luna said, motioning for him to sit next to her.
"Did she just call me her friend?" Copper Finish thought, returning to a normal stance.
Copper Finish obeyed and sat in the chair. He looked at Luna, expecting to hear that she wanted something from him. But Luna wasn't looking back at him, because she was looking up at a group of stars.
"I wish to show you something." Luna said as her horn began to glow again, "Look up."
Cooper Finish looked up and saw several stars begin to move. Only two of them remained still, which made Copper Finish curious. Both stars were on opposite sides of the group, but Copper Finish couldn't understand why Luna would leave those two alone. After a while, Luna's horn stopped glowing and the stars stopped moving. From what Copper Finish could tell, the stars formed a big maze.
"Do you see that star, there?" Luna asked, pointing to the star on the right.
"Yes." Copper Finish said, looking at the star in confusion.
"Good." Luna replied, moving her hoof towards the star on the left, "Now, do you see that one?"
"Yes." Copper Finish replied, still confused, "Why?"
Luna's horn began to glow again and the star on the left began to flicker.
"This star wants to be with the one on the far end." She said, moving the star close to the entrance of the maze, "I'm going to move it and you shall direct me to the other star."
Copper Finish wanted to ask what she was trying to do, but instead, he chose to just follow along and direct her. The maze wasn't easy to beat, because every so often, Luna would block a path and cause Copper Finish to change course. But he managed to guide her to the end. After the two stars were beside each other, Luna started moving the stars back to where they had been. The two stars, however, remained exactly where they stayed in the sky. Then Luna's horn stopped glowing and the only light that remained was from the stars and moon.
"Forgive me for asking, princess," Copper Finish said in a humble voice, "but what was the purpose of all that?"
"Those two stars represent two ponies I know." Luna replied, still looking at the stars, "A mare and a stallion, to be precise."
Copper Finish turned and looked at the princess of the night, sensing that this was important.
"Both have very much in common," Luna continued, "but he is very shy and she is very stubborn. However, neither one of them know the meaning of defeat and do their best."
"Have they met before?" Copper Finish asked, eager to know about these two ponies that Luna knew.
"As a matter of fact," Luna replied, "they have. They met only a few weeks ago, but they don't see each other, often."
"Did they ever have a romantic moment?" Copper Finish asked, burning with curiosity.
"I've looked into their dreams." Luna said as a small grin formed on her face, "So far, the best moment that they have ever had, was sleeping in the driver's cabin of a small train. Along with that one time they danced at the Grand Galloping Gala."
Copper Finish felt his face blush the deepest shade of red after she said that. At that moment, Copper Finish realized who Luna was talking about and his eyes widened. The two ponies were him and Applejack, because that's exactly how their relationship was. If it had been Fire Bolt and Rainbow Dash, than he wouldn't be sweating. But he was and for a good reason. Luna caught onto this and looked at the shocked stallion.
"Why haven't you done what you said you were going to do?" Luna asked as her grin slowly faded away.
Copper Finish pulled himself together and leaned back on his chair.
"Because I'm afraid of what she'll think of me." Copper Finish sighed.
"You don't know what she'll think, unless you ask her." Luna said, "Why not do it tonight?"
"I can't ask her in the middle of the night." Copper Finish said, rubbing the back of his neck, "She's most likely sound asleep, by now. And it wouldn't look good for me to just wake her."
"What if she was already awake?" Luna grinned.
"If she was awake, sure." Copper Finish replied.
Then he turned to look at Luna again, only to see that she was levitating a pair of binoculars and looking at something in the distance. Copper Finish turned his head towards whatever she was looking at and saw a flickering yellow light. The light seemed to be somewhere near Sweet Apple Acres.
"Look and tell me what you see." Luna said, letting Copper Finish look through the binoculars.
Copper Finish adjusted the focus and looked at the flickering light. The light belonged to a lantern, but that wasn't all he saw. Next to the lantern, he saw Applejack sitting on the ground, under a big tree and looking up at the stars. Then Copper Finish felt his heart speed up.
"I can see Applejack." Copper Finish said, feeling his muscles tighten.
"And she appears to be awake." Luna replied, taking the binoculars back.
Copper Finish's ears drooped as he lowered his head.
"I guess I should go and tell her, huh?" Copper Finish gulped, feeling some regret.
"It is not my place to make that decision, 'tis yours." Luna replied, getting out of her chair, "I trust that you shall make the right choice."
Before Copper Finish could say another word, Luna spread her wings and took to the air. She disappeared into the dark night, leaving Copper Finish on his roof to decide what his next move should be.
"I've never seen the stars do that before." Applejack thought.
She had just seen several stars move and form what looked like a big maze. Then Applejack watched a star navigate it's way through and meet up with another star. After that, the stars went back to their original places, except two. Which were the two stars that were at the end of the maze.
"I'll bet Discord was tryin' to mess with Luna's night and got yelled at for it." Applejack chuckled to herself.
There were some nights when Applejack would come out to her parent's tree and think. But for the past few nights, she's been going out to it almost every night.
"I wonder if Copper saw that, too." She thought as her eyes dropped towards a very big building, near the railway.
From where she sat, Applejack had a good view of Ponyville. And the moonlight made it easy to see Copper Finish's workshop. The whole building was three structures, mashed into one. Applejack could see the roundhouse for locomotives, the steam stacks for the work floor, and a reasonable sized wing for living space. It was an interesting place, not to mention the biggest.
"Nah." Applejack said, shaking her head, "I'll bet he's already dreamin'."
"Who's dreaming?" A familiar voice asked.
Applejack turned her head in surprise, not expecting to see Copper Finish standing just outside of her lantern's light.
"What are ya doin' here?" Applejack asked, "I was just about gonna throw this at ya."
She held up her lantern, so she could see him better. Copper Finish just stood there, wearing only his hat and a nervous smile.
"In a way," Copper Finish replied, "I wish you did."
"Why?" Applejack asked, lowering her lantern to the ground.
Copper Finish lowered his head and closed his eyes.
"Because I came here to see you." He sighed, "And now I feel like an idiot."
Applejack had a curious expression on her face as she set the lantern down.
"You know what," Copper Finish continued, turning away to leave, "maybe I shouldn't be out here. I'm just gonna go back-"
"No!" Applejack protested, cutting off his sentence, "Don't go!"
Copper Finish turned back towards Applejack, somewhat surprised by her sudden outburst.
"I mean," she stammered, correcting her tone, "I didn't say ya'll had to leave."
Copper Finish, being the gentlecolt he was, accepted her invitation and cracked a small nervous grin. They sat together, under the big tree and looked at the stars. The stars gleamed beautifully in the night sky.
"This is a very lovely tree." Copper Finish said, admiring the stars through it's branches.
"Thank ya. It was my parent's tree." Applejack sighed, lowering her head, "It's actually where my dad proposed to my mom."
"Is that right?" Copper Finish said, feeling nervous and expecting her father to jump out from the darkness, "It just occurred to me, I've never met your parents. I mean, I've met your brother, sister, and grandmother. But not your parents."
Copper Finish turned his head towards Applejack, but what he saw wasn't what he was expecting.
"The reason why ya'll have never met them," Applejack sniffed, tears forming in her eyes, "is because they died just a few months after Apple Bloom was born."
Feeling a sharp pain slice through him, Copper Finish took off his hat. Respectfully honoring the love and respect Applejack had for her departed parents. Then Copper Finish remembered his own father and how much he missed him. He moved closer to Applejack and put a hoof on her shoulder. Applejack felt his hoof and leaned in closer to him, letting Copper Finish wrap his hoof around her to comfort her.
"I'm sorry, I know how you feel." Copper Finish said softly, "I lost my father too."
"I'm sorry too. How'd it happen?" Applejack asked as a small tear rolled down her cheek.
Copper Finish told her the story of his father and the fire. As he told the story, Copper Finish noticed that it didn't hurt as much as before. And he knew why, because he was telling somepony who felt the same way. Which made him feel more confident inside and it felt odd.
"At least ya'll know how it happened." Applejack said as the tears slowly went away, "I was too young to know what happened to mine."
Then Applejack looked up at Copper Finish, who had tears in his eyes and a smile on his face.
"How can ya smile at all that?" Applejack asked, slightly confused, "Nopony should smile after a story like that."
Copper Finish looked into her green eyes and wiped away a tear in his.
"I'm smiling because of all the good times me and Dad had before he died." Copper Finish said, grabbing his hat and looking at the photo, "That's how I stay happy, when I should be sad."
Applejack grinned and placed her head back on his shoulder. Then Copper Finish looked up and focused on the two stars, that he and Luna had put beside each other.
"Hey, Applejack?" Copper Finish said, pointing at the stars, "Do you see those two stars?"
"Yeah." Applejack replied, looking at the two stars that he was pointing at, "Why?"
"There's an interesting and short story between those two stars." Copper Finish smiled, feeling braver.
"I suppose y're gonna tell me about it." Applejack said with a smirk.
Copper Finish started telling the story. But the story he told was altered slightly. Applejack listened carefully to the story and put the pieces together. Applejack was smart and she had a feeling, she knew where this was going.
"So, has he told her how he feels, yet?" Applejack asked, after Copper Finish stopped telling the story.
"No." Copper Finish sighed, "Because he's afraid of what she'll think of him if she doesn't like him."
Applejack took off her hat and put it next to his.
"What if she gave him a sign?" Applejack asked, turning to face him and moving closer, "To show that she did like him."
Before Copper Finish could complete his sentence, Applejack kissed him right on the lips. Caught off guard, Copper Finish's eyes went wide in surprised. He could feel his heartbeat gallop and pound in his chest. But he didn't try to get away. Instead, he closed his eyes and embraced the best and most beautiful experience of his life. Then he felt Applejack pull away and opened his eyes.
"How does he feel, now?" Applejack asked, breathing softly as a smile crossed her face.
"Now, he feels like the happiest pony in the world." Copper Finish grinned as his heartrate slowly returned to normal, "Like somepony just started a fire in him and now he feels like nothing can stop him."
Applejack smiled as she looked into his eyes.
"You want to hear something interesting?" Copper Finish asked, "I've had this feeling since that moment I crashed into you."
"I'll tell ya somethin' interestin' too." Applejack smiled, "After we left the Gala, I felt a little empty inside. Because I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye."
"Well, you'll never have to say goodbye," Copper Finish chuckled as the fear left him, "because I'm planning on staying."
Applejack moved in closer ready to give him another kiss.
"I love you, Applejack." Copper Finish said before Applejack kissed him again.
"I love you, too." She said, locking lips with the engineer again.
Both ponies embraced each other, unaware that they were being watched. Behind some trees and hiding in the shadows, Princess Luna watched from a distance.
"I knew he would make the right choice." Luna whispered to herself.
"No!" Copper Finish protested, cowering in the cab of the Grey Ghost, "You can't make me!"
It had been nearly a year since Copper Finish and Applejack had their first kiss. And since then, they've built a relationship so strong, even Princess Cadence and Shining Armor would come from the Crystal Empire, just to have lunch with them sometimes. They would even bring their daughter along. But lately, Copper Finish had been stressing and straining over something he said to Applejack, recently. However, the response he received, made his bones shake and his blood run cold.
"Oh for the love of everything green." Fire Bolt grumbled as he climbed into the cab, "Don't even try to escape."
"I'm not escaping." Copper Finish said, frantically trying to start a fire, "I'm just trying to collect my thoughts."
Fire Bolt stared hard at Copper Finish, because he knew what Copper Finish was trying to do. Then he left the cab and returned shortly after, with a bucket of water. Just as Copper Finish got the fire started, Fire Bolt threw the water onto the fire and extinguished it.
"Why'd you do that?!" Cooper Finish asked, waving the steam away from his face.
"To stop you from doing something stupid!" Fire Bolt growled, setting the bucket on the floor, "You can't run from this and you know it. So why even try?"
Copper Finish lowered his head, drooped his ears, and closed his eyes. He knew Fire Bolt was right, but he was too scared to think clearly.
"Because I don't know what else to do." Copper Finish sighed.
"Look, Coppa." Fire Bolt said, putting a hoof on Copper Finish's shoulder, "I might not be in the same position as you, but I do know that if you don't go through with this, you'll regret it for as long as you're breathing."
Copper Finish raised his head and looked at Fire Bolt. Trying to pull himself back to a calm sense of mind.
"But, Bolt," Copper Finish groaned, "how can somepony, like me, be a good husband?"
"You won't be," Fire Bolt grinned, "because you'll be a loving husband, instead. And that's what counts, especially for you two."
Copper Finish grinned slightly, feeling a little braver.
"So, are you going to be there for her?" Fire Bolt continued, "Or, am I gonna have to drag you?"
"I'll be there and I'll walk." Copper Finish smiled, "But first, I've got to get something from my room."
"Good." Fire Bolt said, "Do you want me to walk with you?"
"No." Copper Finish replied, heading towards his room, "Rarity already dropped off my suit. I shouldn't be too long."
Fire Bolt nodded and made his way to the exit.
"Remember," he called out, before leaving, "you've got an hour! If you're not there, I'm coming back and dragging you!"
"I'll be there, don't worry!" Copper Finish called back as Fire Bolt closed the door.
Copper Finish entered the room and walked over to his desk. He opened the drawer and inside he found a star shaped medal, a gold neckless, and an old picture. Then he went over to his closet and found a white tux with a black bowtie and a top hat. Copper Finish got dressed, put the neckless around his neck, pinned the medal to his chest, and looked at the picture. It showed the first time Copper Finish and Applejack danced together. Then he turned and looked at his reflection in a mirror on the wall.
"You've changed quite a bit, since then." He said, talking to his reflection.
At least this time, his reflection didn't come to life and frighten him. Then Copper Finish put a hoof over his heart and was surprise by what he felt. To his surprise, Copper Finish felt a steady and strong heartbeat. It surprised him because, whenever it came to doing something he wasn't sure about, his heart would pound, but it wasn't.
"Well," Copper Finish said as he started to leave, "I guess this is something that I'm supposed to do."
He step out into the bright sunlight, Copper Finish felt confident and scared. But he calmed his nerves and made his way towards Town Hall. It was the only place in Ponyville that felt appropriate for a wedding and it was exactly in the middle of town. Shortly after, Copper Finish saw Town Hall come into view and felt his heart speed up.
"Oh, no you don't." Copper Finish said, breathing deeply to calm himself, "This is happening and fear isn't invited."
He approached the door and opened it. Inside, Copper Finish saw almost all of Ponyville and some ponies he knew from Canterlot. On the bride's side, the first faces he saw were Granny Smith, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack's old friend Coloratura. But she preferred to be called, RaRa. On the groom's side, Copper Finish saw Chrome, Fire Bolt, Steel Plate, Celestia, Luna, his mother, and Pearlescent. In Pearlescent's hooves, Copper Finish saw his niece, only a few weeks old, sleeping peacefully in her mother's hooves.
"How is she?" Copper Finish asked, looking at the small filly.
"She's just fine." Pearlescent replied, "But I'm wondering how her uncle feels."
"Well, I haven't freaked out yet." He replied as a nervous grin appeared on his face, "So, I guess, I'm doing alright."
"That's not what I thought, when I came to get you." Fire Bolt chuckled.
Copper Finish glared at Fire Bolt, but then felt a smile cross his face. Before Copper Finish could make a cheeky remark, Twilight spoke up.
"Copper Finish, it's time." She said, motioning for I'm to come up.
Copper Finish nodded and slowly made his way to the alter. Behind Twilight, Copper Finish could see the heart whistle attached to a small steam engine, then he turned his attention towards everypony. As he passed the rows of ponies, Copper Finish looked from side to side. Everypony smiled proudly at him and he smiled back. Copper Finish could feel the warm embrace as he took his place next to Rarity, who he asked to be his best mare. He took off his hat and held it in one hoof.
"How do you feel?" Rarity whispered, adjusting his bowtie with her magic.
"To be honest," Copper Finish said as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of his face, "this is probably the scariest thing, I've ever done."
"More frightful, than saving my sister and her friends?" Rarity asked, using a cloth to wipe the sweat off his face, "Or asking Big Mac for permission to marry Applejack?"
"Those were Sunday train rides to Canterlot, compared to this." Copper Finish said, feeling another smile appear on his face, "But, I know I'm probably not the only one."
Dum, Dum, Da, Dum. Dum, Dum, Da, Dum.
Copper Finish felt his heart lurch as the music began to play. He stood up straight and focused on the doors, where the bride was supposed to enter. At that moment, the doors parted and everypony in the room turned to watch the bride walk the aisle. The first to enter the room were, Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. They each had baskets of flower pedals and spread them as they made their way down the aisle. Then Copper Finish's jaw went slack as he watched Big Macintosh walking down with Applejack, who looked very beautiful. Applejack was wearing a white wedding dress with a red trim, her mane was tied back with wavy curls, and her face beamed with joy. But Copper Finish could recognise the fear in her expression. Not sure what else to do, Copper Finish winked at her. Then he saw the fear leave her face as they reached the alter. Big Macintosh gave her away to Copper Finish and took a seat with tears in his eyes. Then Twilight began the ceremony.
"We are gathered here today," Twilight began, "to celebrate the union of Copper Finish and Applejack Apple. Two very different ponies, whose love and spirits are impossible to break, whose pride holds no bounds, and whose bravery can be matched by very few."
Copper Finish and Applejack smiled at each other, their eyes shimmering like stars.
"The rings, please." Twilight requested.
Rarity levitated a gold ring on a silver chain to Copper Finish. He gave her his hat and she gave him the ring. Then Rainbow Dash held out a silver ring on a gold chain to Applejack. She took the ring and looked back at Copper Finish. They placed the rings on each others necks and waited.
"Do you, Copper Finish, take this mare to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?" Twilight asked.
"I do." Copper Finish replied, trying to keep calm.
"And do you, Applejack, take this stallion to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, 'til death do you part?" Twilight repeated, directing the question to her friend.
"Twilight, ya know I can't lie." Applejack chuckled, "Of course I do."
Everypony chuckled and snickered at that. Twilight just smiled at Applejack.
"Then as a princess of Equestria, I now pronounce you, husband and wife." Twilight said proudly, "You my kiss the bride."
Copper Finish took Applejack in his hooves and swept her off hers. Then he knelt down and they shared the most beautiful kiss they had ever had.
WOOOOOOOoooooooo!
The whistle sounded loudly and everypony cheered happily.
"Hey, Fire Bolt." Rainbow Dash said, "That's your cue."
"Oh, right." Fire Bolt said before running outside and taking off, "Babe, spot me!"
"I thought I told you not to call me that, when there are other ponies around!" Rainbow Dash called, taking flight and catching up to her coltfriend.
Copper Finish, Applejack, and everypony else went outside into the early evening twilight.
Twilight looked up in the direction they had gone and raised a hoof to her chin, "I wonder what-"
KA-BOOOOM! BOOM! WHOOOOOSH!
Before Twilight could finish her sentence, two explosions sounded and two streaks sailed through the sky. One was rainbow coloured, while the other was red, yellow, and orange. The red, yellow, and orange streak grew brighter and brighter, until it reached it's full potential. Creating a spectacular shimmering light that could be seen from Canterlot. Then the rainbow streak began circling the light, until it went dark. Shortly after, Rainbow Dash and Fire Bolt returned, looking somewhat dazed.
"What did you to think you were doing?" Twilight scolded, "You two could've gotten hurt!"
"We wanted to do something awesome for the newlyweds." Rainbow Dash grinned.
"And I think we did just perfect." Fire Bolt said, his eyes closed, "But you were right, I'm having a hard time seeing anything."
"Good thing that the blindness only lasts twenty four hours." Twilight replied, rolling her eyes at the dare devils, "Just don't pull a stunt like that again, okay?"
"Sure thing." Rainbow Dash replied, guiding Fire Bolt over to a bench.
Copper Finish and Applejack just watched and smiled at the two of them as they passed by. Rainbow Dash smiled back and winked, meaning that she'll probably do something crazy in the future with Fire Bolt.
"Our friends." Copper Finish said, shaking his head and smiling.
"Our family." Applejack replied, giving her new husband a kiss.
Then they heard music and looked over to see some musicians and RaRa on stage. They were playing a beautiful tune, which Copper Finish and Applejack really liked and knew well.
"Shall we?" Copper Finish asked, taking her by the hoof.
"I'd love too." Applejack giggled, allowing him to guide her to the center of the dancefloor.
They held each other close as they danced to the slow song. Soon, other ponies joined in and it was quite a sight. Even though Fire Bolt was partially blind, he managed to keep in rhythm of the song as he danced with Rainbow Dash. Pearlescent gently swayed, holding her daughter proudly. Chrome and Fluttershy slowly moved around the crowd, while Steel Plate and Rarity stayed in their own little area on the floor. Then Copper Finish looked around at all the ponies that surrounded him and his new wife.
"Our family." He said proudly, "That fits perfectly."
"What if I told ya, it's gonna to get bigger?" Applejack asked in a tone that caught Copper Finish's attention.
He looked at Applejack who had a triumphant smile on her face. After closely examining her expression, Copper Finish's eyes went wide and a big smile formed on his face.
"Really?" Was the only word Copper Finish could usher out of his mouth.
Applejack nodded and pressed her lips against his.
