Chapter 6: A Few Good Ponies

Gearhead’s second day of training did not bring any improvement or new insight: he could internalize ambient magical energy, but once it was there he could not send it back out. He could send his own magical energies into objects, but could not affect them in any way. He could shape and process external energies, but could not change them into anything but other forms of energy that they already contained – and he certainly could not make more than two shots using the Princesses’ high-level energy. Gearhead also could not do anything at all unless it was through his dagger.

Princess Celestia told him to keep trying, and not to get discouraged. Of course, given the other ponies who had supported him throughout the years, Gearhead could never give up on finding his potential. Princess Luna seemed very interested in finding out what he could do.

When Gearhead exhausted his magical energy, apart from a reserve he kept ‘just in case,’ he went to the library to conduct more research. With some help from the librarian and from whichever princess was not currently on-duty, he found books and scrolls far faster than he would have otherwise. On his second day, Gearhead met Princess Cadence near some books on advanced spells. He could tell immediately that they could get along well with each other, because the pink Alicorn radiated a powerful aura of compassion. They did not say anything to each other then, but Gearhead watched as she gently took several books off the shelf with her magic. Her aura was blue-green, like the gemstone heart on her cutie mark.

Gearhead delved more deeply into the collection, but even after his third day in Canterlot he had not looked at everything in the open collection. He could only imagine how long it would take before he explored everything he could in any of the restricted wings!

Like the young Alicorn princess, another member of the royal family who was a contemporary of Gearhead and the Elemental Six visited the library. This was a white Unicorn stallion, Prince Blueblood. Gearhead did not get the usual sense from Blueblood’s aura, although he did see what colour his magic aura was. The prince was studying a book on heraldry and the royal bloodline, although Gearhead expected that such things were included in his lessons from a very early age.

Gearhead stayed in Canterlot through a fourth night, and in the morning, with a farewell from Princess Celestia, Princess Cadence, and Captain Armour, he departed to return to Ponyville. While he had spent his time productively, and met some very interesting and powerful ponies, three days and four nights was a long time to spend away from the shop and his friends. Gearhead looked forward very much to getting home.

When Gearhead arrived in Ponyville, he intended to go right to his shop. Instead, he paused when he saw Pinkie Pie riding in the back of a little wagon that Scootaloo was towing on her scooter, with Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle between the mare and their driver.

“And that’s how Equestria was born,” Pinkie Pie was saying. “Maybe on the way back I’ll tell you how I got my cutie mark. It’s a real gem!”

“Huh?”

“Relax, Scootaloo,” Sweetie Belle said.

“Yeah, that’s just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie,” Apple Bloom said.

So even the fillies just dismiss her behaviour like that, Gearhead thought. He parked his wagon and, moving quickly, managed to catch the girls at the doors to Sugar Cube Corner. “Oh hi, Gearhead. We’re looking for—“

“Rainbow Dash!”

“Hear you’re looking for my cutie mark story,” Rainbow Dash said. “But why don’t we go for a full set and save the most awesome for last. What d’ya say, Gearhead? Up for telling yours?”

“If you are interested,” he said to the fillies. If they had already heard stories from five mares, they were probably already at the ends of their patience ropes. But Gearhead was a new addition to Ponyville, and everypony was interested in knowing more about him.

It is traditional on my family’s farm for a foal to be brought to the fields for the first time at the age of three. And there were three of us out that day: My father, my oldest brother, and my older sister. I was in awe of the fields and all the various crops, running and inspecting at top speed, the widest smile on my face. I was excited with the thought that soon I would be lending a hoof in the harvest.

Then, suddenly, while I was along the high corn stalks, crazy sparks started to fly from my hooves. The ground bent and buckled, boiled and baked underneath me. I got thrown to the ground, and tried to get back up, but I just got thrown again. Then my father was there, lifting me onto his back and running me back to the house.

When I woke up I learned that the land was ruined for a five meter diameter around where I had been standing. I tried going outside, to prove that it was just a big mistake, but no sooner did my hooves touch ground then it happened again, and my father had to rush me back inside. We did not know what was wrong with me, just that I could not go outside. I would not be able to lend a hoof.

My father spent all his free time during the next half-year trying to find methods of bringing my odd affliction under control. He consulted other Earth Ponies, nearby Unicorns, and even the Pegasi. He went to the local library and brought many books back, and we conducted further research together.

After six months of research, my father and I finally developed the sort of horseshoe I wear now. It insulates the earth against the effects of what I have come to call my ‘knack,’ but it does not provide me with greater control over it. Also, none of the research we conducted pointed to any similar cases. I was unique.

Once I was able to step outside to prove the efficacy of the insulated horseshoes, the family elders told my father, in no uncertain terms, to allow me to find my place on my own power. He returned to the fields full-time, while I continued with my research. Most of the time I checked out library material to read at home. I got good at reading quickly. I learned magic theory. That is where I really began.

My brothers and sisters, even those younger than me, found their places far more easily than I. Everyone had specific tasks they could do to make themselves useful on the farm, except for me. Because I was a walking disaster, they had to pick up the slack. When I was three I knew that the most important thing was to be useful to my family, but there was not anything I could do to help. Not until I was five. That was when the plough broke.

I am certain it was my oldest brother’s idea to put the plough in the section of the house that had become mine – equal parts study and laboratory. It was the only place I did not have to wear my shoes and worry that everything would fall apart under me. So I, the broken Earth Pony who could not farm, looked at the cracked plough that could no longer farm. I got close enough to touch it, and when I did… that was when I understood.

In putting my hooves to the metal and wood, I saw and felt the whole structure behind the thing. I knew how it all fit together, where it was broken, how it could be fixed, and even how to make it better. From there it was a simple matter to make those connections, and when I opened my eyes, it was all done. My mother and my older sister came, attracted by the light that my hooves made on contact. They saw that I was beside a plough that was better than new, and soon that tool, which I had reinforced, was back in the fields, farming as never before.

Suddenly there was far more I could do: Silos, roofs, hoes and shovels. I made everything on the farm so strong they were unlikely to ever break again. But I also knew I could go further. I thought up ways in which to improve the tools to make them easier to use, and to make everything more efficient, without losing any of the quality that was expected of us.

When ponies came to buy from us, they saw our tools. They saw the quality of those tools, and the quality of what they helped to sew, maintain, and harvest. These ponies wanted to buy what I reinforced and made, and so I made more and sold them. I went out into the town, looking for more things to reinforce and make, just to make the townsponies’ lives easier. And every time I used my ‘knack’ I got better at it, with more control than ever before. Naturally I wanted to learn more about my 'knack,' and went to the Pegasi and Unicorns for more information, just like my father.

I was six when I built my first forge. I learned the skills of a blacksmith so I would have a greater understanding of what I was doing through my ‘knack,’ and so I would not have to rely on it entirely. It was in the rush I felt while creating something that had not existed before that I created Gearhead’s Gadgets. I broke three hammers and seven anvils doing it, but it was worth it to have such a clear way with which to contribute to my family’s well-being and wealth.

And, while I was happily innovating and inventing devices, I discovered that I relished the thrill of discovery for its own sake. That was when I got my cutie mark, although I had always thought I would never get one at all, because I was not good at anything at all.

It was my father and his persistence that taught me never to give up, least of all on myself, because if I did I would be making a mockery of all of his efforts and all of the sacrifices he had made on my behalf. My mother, too, was patient, and held hope even when I was at my lowest point. My oldest brother is an example of arrogance and intolerance, thinking that there is no place for anyone who cannot prove his or her use, yet he still only wanted what was best for the family as a whole.  My older sister balances him out with her compassion and ability to sooth even the sorest of hearts. I owe my family everything I am because they have taught me about everything I am.

When I was eight my devices had saturated the town to the point where I was no longer making the big sales that contributed the most to the farm. I asked my parents for permission to strike out on my own, and find my future in the world. Although they did not want to see me go, they granted permission and saw me off with tears – them and my big sister. I made some repairs on some of the things I had sold, then I took Gearhead’s Gadgets on the road.

I have been on the road ever since, selling and researching. Searching for the mastery of the skills I once considered a curse, and never staying very long in any one place. That is, perhaps, until now. You see, I have much to learn, both about myself and about others, here in Ponyville. Until I have studied all that I can, I dare not move on, for fear of leaving something critical, something crucial to my own being, behind.

When I have found what I am looking for, I can return home, and show my family that they can be proud of me – although, most probably, this will not happen for some time.

“I have told you about my efforts, even when they pass the point when I got my cutie mark, because I see some of myself, and the lessons I have learned, in you three. You are persistent. You are searching for yourselves and your true worth. You have much to prove. I hope you can learn, as I have, to keep going no matter how hard the going gets, and to find in your abilities that you are worthwhile. There are, after all, things you can do that nopony else can. Your goal may be a short way off, and it could be far in the future. As long as you persist, you will achieve it.”

There was a pause, and then Rainbow Dash stepped right in. “Enough of this Namby Pamby touchy-feely stuff! Here’s the right way to get a cutie mark.” And she launched into the story of how she performed the first Sonic Rainboom, winning an airborne race and defending Fluttershy’s honour.

And, apparently, helped the other four friends assembled find their destinies by pulling off the Sonic Rainboom.

“You see? The only way to know what you can accomplish, in your and in others’ lives, is to keep on trying,” Gearhead said, heading back out to his wagon.

“What did you think of Gearhead’s story?” Twilight asked the others, after the Cutie Mark Crusaders had left on their latest attempt. They were certainly no less motivated than before, although the six friends’ stories had all been brought to fullness through Rainbow Dash’s Sonic Rainboom. This indicated a deep and fated connection between the six of them.

“He didn’t have a Sonic Rainboom,” Rainbow Dash said. “It also took years to unfold. Boring!”

“I had no idea he’d grown up on a farm,” Applejack said. “Shame he can’t actually farm.”

“Do you have any idea which farm, Applejack?” Twilight asked.

“Sorry, I’d have to ask Granny Smith, and her memory’s not the best even on her best days. Whichever one it is, though, it sounds like it has a lot of traditions.”

“I’m a farmpony too: a rock farm!” Pinkie Pie said.

“I’m just glad he turned out okay,” Fluttershy said. “If I had a bully like his brother…”

“But you were bullied,” Rainbow Dash said.

“Oh. Right.” Fluttershy made herself very small, while the others glared at Rainbow Dash.

“I certainly do admire his persistence, building a business from scratch on his own and continuing to support his family,” Rarity said.

“Even though he’s an Earth Pony it sounds like he’s studied magic theory for about as long as I have,” Twilight said. “I wonder, if he was a Unicorn, could he use different types of magic the way I do?”

“He mentioned Unicorns in his story,” Rarity said. “Maybe they helped him with his control issues. It would be nice to know who they were.”

“Come to think of it, he didn’t name any names at all,” Applejack said. “We know he still has both parents, and older and younger siblings, but none of their names.”

“I wouldn’t want to seem to pry,” Fluttershy said.

“You’re right: he’ll tell us when he’s ready,” Twilight said.

“I’m just happy to know some more about our newest friend!” Pinkie Pie said.

The first thing Gearhead had to do to get back on track was to make deliveries on the orders that had been made before his trip to Canterlot. While he made the deliveries, he also tried to keep up with the demands they made on his resources. In some cases he was able to make deals to trade a device and its attendant services for wood or gemstones, which were often used instead of bits anyway. Gearhead still had to scour the nearby areas for more wood, metal, and gems to augment his supply, but not as much as before.

Gearhead also had to keep a good supply of tools and other devices in the shop for his normal sales. While the flow of sales to ponies who lived in Ponyville was slowing down, Gearhead still got some customers from the towns he had already visited, and those who heard about his work by visiting those towns. Business was also starting to pick up because ponies in Canterlot had heard about him during his visit to the princesses. Gearhead was not surprised, since he had parked his wagon in the main courtyard, where it was highly visible. Perhaps there was something to Rarity’s suggestion to advertise and attract more customers so they would come to him. Gearhead knew he could take it further, but he decided to hold that off until later.

At the moment, Gearhead’s foremost concern, aside from keeping the Cutie Mark Crusaders from putting themselves into the hospital, was his progress on the core system project. He needed to make more adamantine for the manufacturing process, but also to build the frame for the core itself. While he was slowly coming to understand more about adamantine, it was still far too little for his needs. By comparison, he was gathering far more pure gems, and making more progress fitting them together for the core itself. Gearhead was trying to work on all seven rings at the same time, so they would have consistently high quality material and workmanship. While he had not completed the sphere forge, he was doing whatever he could using his geomancy.

Gearhead had just placed the third ring back into its safe storage shelf when he heard the summons bell ring. He quickly made his way back up through the elevator system, and using a peep hole to ensure the area was clear first, entered into his primary workshop. He ensured the stairway was covered before moving upstairs to the shop’s main floor.

Upon reaching the shop’s main area, he found Pinkie Pie there in an elaborate costume. She immediate launched into a song as a ‘singing telegram.’ Gearhead was very impressed with her efforts. “Will you come?” She asked, her voice getting raspy.

“Well, one only becomes one year old once. And while I am working on a very important, top-secret project, it is currently in a stable phase. I would be happy to attend Gummy’s Party, Pinkie Pie.”

“Hurray!” Pinkie Pie coughed a bit.

“Lozenge?”

“Thanks,” Pinkie whispered, accepting the candy-like object from the tube.

Pinkie Pie was in fine form for the party, as was Sugar Cube Corner, Gearhead saw. Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Twilight Sparkle were all in attendance. Applejack and Dash were bobbing for apples, while Fluttershy and Twilight danced and Rarity sampled the punch – the birthday gator was floating in it, but since Pinkie was right there, Rarity could not just get rid of the drink. Gearhead was amazed at the lengths to which she would go for her friends.

Gearhead joined in the games and sweet eating. He had little practice dancing, but watching the others it seemed actual skill did not matter much, so he also danced in his own subdued manner. This party was similar to the welcome party Pinkie had thrown for Gearhead, but also quite different. For one thing, there was far less of a crowd, and Gearhead enjoyed that. The one thing that did not change was Pinkie Pie’s apparently boundless energy.

At the end of the party, while everypony was going home, Twilight was clearly trying to get Gearhead’s attention, so he diverted in the direction of the library. “We’re gonna throw Pinkie a surprise birthday party tomorrow. If you wanna lend a hoof, could you help get some of the supplies?”

“With a chance to ‘give back’ to the original party animal herself? I would be happy to.”

“Great! Bring what you can to Sweet Apple Acres tomorrow afternoon. Make sure Pinkie doesn’t find out, no matter what.”

“Understood,” Gearhead said, giving a half-mock salute before moving discreetly off. It felt natural, given that Twilight was Shining Armour’s sister.

“This afternoon?” Gearhead asked Pinkie Pie, who stood outside the shop’s door with a basket of envelopes on her head.

“Yes! ‘This afternoon’ this afternoon. Gummy’s birthday party was such a blast that I just had to throw an after-birthday party too.”

“I am sorry, Pinkie Pie, but unlike yesterday I am in a really tricky stage of my experiments at the moment. Being away for five minutes is a risk where blowing up twice really would not be terribly extraordinary. I apologize that I cannot promise I will be there, but maybe next time?”

“Oh yeah, I definitely wouldn’t want anypony to blow up, not even once. Although it was kinda funny when Twilight did it.”

“Have fun,”

“Yeah! I’ll definitely save you some cake,” Pinkie said.

Gearhead closed the door and went back down to the secured forge as quickly as he could. He really did have to stabilise the fourth ring before it caused some sort of explosion, and so he was relieved that all that happened due to his absence was a slight puff of green mist. He switched the fan on higher to ventilate, and worked on switching out the damaged stone for a fresh one. Looking at the damage, though, he got an idea as to what to bring to the party. He would need some more gemstones, though. Fortunately they did not have to be of highest-grade, like the ones he was using in the core.

When Gearhead pulled his wagon up in front of the barn at Sweet Apple Acres he was surprised to see Pinkie Pie already there. “What is going on?”

“Everypony’s acting all suspicious and trying to avoid me!” Pinkie Pie used her head to rap on the barn door.

“Oh, hello there, Pinkie Pie,” Applejack said. “What can I do ya for?”

“I know Rainbow Dash went in there. What are you hiding from me?!”

“Oh, that? Rainbow was just bringing me some supplies for… the barn. Yup, we’re doing a lot of construction here. That’s what we’re doing. Construction. Oh, Gearhead.”

“I have brought you that second plough for Big McIntosh, but… is this a good time for the delivery?”

“Just unload it in the back, would you? I’m sorry, but we’re a mite busy over here.”

“Will do,” Gearhead said. He guided the plough from the extended truck bed of his wagon, then hopped aboard to drive it around back. He raised the plough so it would not run over the ground and create a trough by accident, then peddled it around to park in back as instructed – where Twilight was waiting for him. Gearhead took the two saddlebags out from their hiding place on the plough and quickly moved over to the Unicorn, so she could teleport both of them inside the barn. “You do realize that by acting suspicious all day you are probably making Pinkie Pie think some very strange things, right?”

“Aw, but she’ll be alright once we’re done and everything’s straightened out,” Rainbow Dash said.

“The sooner the better: Pinkie’s very scary right now,” Fluttershy said.

Gearhead zipped his front shoes up. “Then let us get this done,” he said.

Gearhead helped to get the party ready just a little earlier than the mares would have without him, then they sent Dash to find Pinkie and bring her back. She was, after all, their fastest member. The friends started to get worried when it took longer than expected, but the reason soon became obvious, as Pinkie looked like she had resisted the whole way, making Dash tired enough that Gearhead believed she had pulled her friend the whole way, too.

And Pinkie Pie looked distinctly unlike herself, all grumpy and with her hair completely straight. She did not perk up until she read the icing on the cake, and incredibly her hair puffed right back into its usual style. The pink Earth Pony’s mood also was restored, and she was greatly pleased that her friends would throw her a surprise birthday party.

She was even more pleased and surprised when Gearhead dropped the diamond dust from the ceiling. “This is amazing!”

“So pretty,” the others chimed.

“I got the idea just this morning. I had to tweak it a bit, though.”

“Why’s that? It’s so sparkly!”

“To make it edible, of course,” Gearhead said.

“Really? Ooh, minty!”

“The ruby dust is strawberry,” Rarity said.

“I like the pink lemonade,” Fluttershy said.

“Hey, I’m supposed to be the one eating gemstones,” Spike said.

“You can eat them normally,” Gearhead said. “Ponies can only eat them when they are processed like this.”

“Oh, I get it. Hm. Not bad, but not very crunchy. Half the fun’s in the crunch, you know.”

“I shall try to remember that,” Gearhead said.

“Alright, we’re finally here!” Spike jumped into the cabin, looking ahead of the cyclic wagon to Canterlot’s city gates. Earlier, Spike had received a summons from Princess Celestia for Gearhead and Spike, with instructions to bring a wagon full of wares for sale. Gearhead figured there was more to the trip than that, but even Twilight would not question her mentor on her choice of ponies.

As Gearhead drove to the main courtyard where he had parked the last time he was in Canterlot, he noticed that there were a lot more guards. There were also castle functionaries putting up decorative ribbons and moving tables and statuary. “They must be getting ready for the Grand Galloping Gala,” Spike said.

“That does make sense,” Gearhead said. The decorations in the main courtyard came close to Gearhead’s previous parking space, so he nudged the wagon over slightly, manoeuvring to make it fit into the space so he could still safely lower the tail. A pair of Royal Guards were waiting as Gearhead and Spike got down from the secured wagon.

“Princess Celestia is waiting for you in the Throne Room,” one guard said to Spike. “Her Royal Highness has granted you permission to view another wing of the library,” he said to Gearhead. “Please see the librarian immediately.”

Again, Gearhead was convinced there was more to the situation than met the eye, but he was not in a mood to ask questions of a guard who probably did not know what was going on anyway. “Understood,” he said instead, pushing his goggles so they hung from his neck.

Gearhead and Spike walked together until the intersection where one hall led to the Throne Room, while the other led to the library. “Good luck,” Gearhead said to Spike.

“Yeah, you too.” Happy to have his own assignment, the purple dragon moved along. Gearhead watched until he was out of sight, then continued on to the library. The librarian was waiting for him, and indicated that he should move toward the back of the library. Gearhead nodded his thanks, and silently moved on.

Gearhead came to a section of the library marked ‘Clover Wing.’ While it had been locked during his previous visit, this time it opened at his touch. As soon as he was inside, the doors closed again. When the stallion’s vision had adjusted to the candlelight, he saw that Princess Cadence was waiting for him at a nearby table that was practically covered in books and scrolls. “Welcome back to Canterlot Castle,” she said in hushed tones.

“Thank you, Princess.”

“I told you, just ‘Cadence’ is fine. Now, Aunt Luna and I found some things that we think you might find interesting. Unfortunately it’s not so much about unusual ponies as it is about unusual magic. Want to have a look?”

“Certainly,” Gearhead said, and Cadence indicated a book already open before an open seat at her side. The book was, as Cadence had already mentioned, about a different type of magic, which Unicorns very rarely used. When Unicorns casted spells they usually willed something to happen while focusing the necessary energy. As long as they had any needed material with them, the spells usually worked. Rarely did a spell require an incantation or gestures, yet here was a type of magic that even used a phrase of power to unlock the pathway to magic, a so-called ‘activation key.’

Gearhead considered his efforts at using magic so far. Yes, he was an Earth Pony, but he was increasingly capable of using geomancy, or a similar type of magic, to get a read on what was in or along the ground. He could extract materials from the ground, and incorporate them together, or separate them into their individual elements.

Gearhead’s previous session with the princesses had taught him that by using some of the same methods to ‘read’ what was in the air, he could manipulate residual energy fields to empower objects like the geargem dagger, or to imbue himself with a greater level of power – temporarily, if the energy he was using was of a higher quality.

While Rarity and Twilight possessed magic that allowed them to find gemstones, a particular target, buried in the ground, neither could do what he could do, and Twilight was exceedingly powerful for a seemingly-ordinary Unicorn – seemingly, because no normal unicorn would have an Alicorn princess for a foalsitter! Both of the types of magic that Gearhead could do seemed to be unique to him, if the material he had read was anything to go by.

The books and scrolls that Princess Luna and Cadence had found for Gearhead to browse were certainly of a unique variety, at least as far as contemporary magic was concerned. Given the number of volumes, it seemed that it was quite a diverse set of spells, capable of handling many situations. It was fortunate that whoever had penned them had thought to include complete instructions on their casting, because the spells themselves were in an older language.

Fortunately, Gearhead had learned a fair bit of that language during his studies with the Unicorn Conclave that had made its home near Hoofington. The language hailed back to a time before Princess Celestia and Princess Luna rose to power, possibly in the infancy of Equestria itself. Fortunately as well, this Latin language used a similar alphabet to modern Equestrian. The older languages some of the other spells were in used entirely different alphabets, and would be indecipherable without a dictionary. Who knew when Gearhead would have time to translate even a single volume of one of the older books?

Still, Gearhead was interested in the possibility that these old spells represented, and started copying the ones in Equestrian and Latin into a blank spellbook primer that Cadence had thoughtfully brought along. The two of them passed a significant amount of time just like that, until Shining Armour came to get them.

“Hey, you two. Hope you’re both ready for a bit of an adventure,” Shining Armour said, coming close so they could whisper.

“What did you have in mind, Captain?” Gearhead asked.

“As you know, we’re getting ready for the Gala, so we’re heightening security and checking everything to ensure it all goes smoothly. Princess Celestia wants us to check out the mountain behind Canterlot, specifically the cave system that starts halfway up. We’re to take Spike, and report back immediately on anything we find.”

“So it would be just the four of us?” Gearhead asked.

“A smaller party does make a certain amount of sense,” Armour said.

“If you two and Spike are prepared for what we may encounter, I do not have any objections – especially if I can gather some materials for my gadgets.”

Cadence giggled. “You see? I knew he would say something like that,” she said, nudging Armour.

“Okay, you win. I owe you five bits.”

“The two of you made a bet?”

“Yep,” Armour said.

“And I said you weren’t the type of pony who’d insist I stay behind and wait like some damsel just because I’m a princess,” Cadence said.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” Armour said. “Not between us two, strong stallions.” He and Cadence had a good laugh at that, too.

The mountain was too steep to climb using a wagon, so the small exploratory party departed Canterlot on hoof. Shining Armour and Gearhead both had two normal saddlebags and one backpack. Princess Cadence had two normal-sized saddlebags as well, but instead of a backpack that was sized to her back, she had two hip-bags for about the same capacity with the ability to split the load. Spike had a single backpack sized to him, and they all had some food in case they got separated.

Shining Armour had a spear and a sword, but would rely on his magic more if they encountered anything they had to fight. Cadence was not carrying a weapon, but Spike had his gemstone lance, while Gearhead had the geargem dagger and the carbon-alloy dagger he had forged. Each member of the party had a pair of Gearhead’s goggles so they could see in low light as long as there was any ambient light at all, although Armour and Cadence both had light-evoking spells.

As they made their way up the mountain, Gearhead kept up his practice of a few simple incantations that he had memorized. Cadence listened in interest, but Armour and Spike kept most of their attention on the trail.

“Uh-oh, guys,” Spike said. “We wanna go in that cave, right?”

“Finding another would definitely take more time, and we have limited provisions, which we’ll likely need once we’re inside,” Armour said.

“Too bad those Mountain Lions aren’t likely to just let us go,” Spike said. There were indeed three Mountain Lions lounging on an outcrop just above the cave. Even in that moment, they were lazily watching the approaching group. “What should we do?”

“I would prefer not to have to fight them,” Gearhead said, “but leaving them at our back certainly is not an option. It is extremely unlikely we can get past without dealing with them, in any case. I wonder if there is a way to intimidate them so they let us pass? Show them that our teeth are larger than theirs, perhaps?”

“What do you suggest, other than a direct battle?” Armour asked.

“We need them not to want to engage us, especially as they have the high ground, and their weight would bear us down the mountain when they pounce on us. That may be why they can rest so easily over there: they know any approaching threat will have to deal with all of that.”

“You speak from experience,”

“Yes, but those were Timberwolves in a forest. These are flesh-and-blood beasts. It is just too bad Miss Fluttershy is not here to tame them, but given that she is not, we must rely on other resources.”

“I could probably take one down before they got to us,” Armour said.

“I’m sorry there’s not much I can do in this situation,” Cadence said.

“Well, you’re not the only one who’s out of balance,” Spike said. “These guys are several times my size and weight, so I don’t know if I’ll be much use either.”

“Our respective sizes may not be as large an issue as all that. Spike, would you feel more comfortable if you were riding with Armour?”

“Uh-huh. I can use my lance from horseback, exactly like a knight!”

“In that case, Armour, could you circle to flank from the right, and engage any of the Lions that come your way?”

“Absolutely,”

“Wait, won’t that be dangerous?”

“Spike will be covering for Armour, and Armour will cover for Spike. It is a case of mutual defence. Also, it is mostly to buy me some time to build up for the main thrust. I have a whole mountainside to work with, so I had better succeed.”

“What should I do?” Cadence asked.

“Support us, of course. If any of us does get hurt, we will need your healing magic. And any one you cannot heal is one who is out of the battle.”

“Okay,”

Gearhead zipped up his shoes, then nodded to Armour, who was carrying Spike. The white stallion reared in show, while Spike brandished his lance, making sunlight glint off it and light up its gemstone structure. Then Armour was off, circling to the right and high, with the Lions, now on their feet, following horse and rider visually.

Gearhead discreetly touched his forehooves together, then placed them back on the ground. Blue-green lightning shot out, disappearing into the ground.

“Did it work?” Cadence asked, peering over his shoulder.

“Shh. Still working on it,” Gearhead said.

Shining Armour was almost perpendicular to the Mountain Lion’s spot when two of them decided he and Spike were getting too close, and jumped to close the distance. Armour charged his horn and shot the lead lion before it could take a third step, causing it to stumble. While that lion recovered, Armour charged up his next shot a bit more. The second charged at him, low to the ground, and when Armour fired on it, the lion evaded up the mountain three steps. The first lion had recovered, and pounced. Panicking, Spike swung his lance – and the impact sent the lion rolling down the hill, to come to a stop halfway to Gearhead and Cadence. The second lion leaped at Armour, but this time he had a full charge ready, and the lion did not have a way to evade. The shot sent it flying backwards, and when it hit the rock it fell unconscious.

The first lion turned on Gearhead and Cadence, only to face a rock gargoyle golem that suddenly grew from the mountainside. The lion took a hesitant step backward, but then looked suspicious as the golem did not move. “I cannot animate it convincingly,” Gearhead whispered.

“Oh, is that all?” Cadence asked, recovering. She sent her blue magic into the golem, and its eyes lit up. It opened its mouth and roared at the lion, flexing its wings. Even the third lion, still above the cave entrance, sat up and took notice. The golem took a step forward, menacing the first lion with its claws. Quickly reconsidering their position, both conscious beasts fled up the mountainside, then to the left, opposite the direction Armour was holding.

The gargoyle strode over to the outcrop atop the cave, and stood there so it was overlooking Canterlot. It folded its wings and took a pensive pose before the light faded from its eyes, and it became immobile once more.

“Nicely done,” Armour said, rejoining the others.

“It takes a bit of doing, plus I had help,” Gearhead said.

“Now we can go inside the mountain,” Cadence said.

“It’s just a good thing we don’t have to take him along,” Spike said, indicating the golem.

“For one thing, it takes more magic to sustain his animation,” Cadence said.

“And for another,” Armour said, “he would wake up the whole mountain.”

“If that earlier roar didn’t,” Spike said.

“Only time and exploration will tell,” Gearhead said.

“We’re going in,” Armour said, taking the lead, with Spike once again walking beside Cadence. Gearhead zipped down all but his front right shoe, and took the right-hand side of the cavern, just a couple steps behind Armour. Next Chapter: 7. Into the Darkness Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 5 Minutes