Qilxing, capital city of Chimina, land of Chimeras, Third POV

I was walking down a small market place in a simple robe and a straw hat for shade. I was quite happy today. I had just set up my second company for Alloy International roughly three weeks ago. The first one was in Bullingrad. Both of these companies were producing products to make life easier for the people, and the workers were actually treated rather well. I did not want the horrific dark side of the Industrial Revolution to happen in this world. I saw a small shop. On display was a decent sized wicker basket. I picked it up. A small creature came out from behind the counter, he was a mix between a large lemur and a lion. He then said in Chinese “If you are looking for one for a romantic picnic, then might I suggest this purple one.”

“Oh no, this is not for a romantic occasion, but the sentiment was nice.” I answered back in the same language before tossing him a small coin as payment. Before I left though, I noticed a small wilted flower with long, yellow petals, and small green leaves. I pushed it into the shade and it then blossomed into a beautiful flower. “The moon blossom only blooms when in partial shade.” I got a small nod as thanks, and continued on my way. I then walked over to another stand that was selling instruments and bought a decent trumpet. Afterwards, I heard a small child crying next to an annoyed mother. With a small amount of compassion, I picked up the instrument and played a small song to get the child to smile. The chimeras around the child were also smiling. I then heard sounds of playing and proceeded to go there. Four children were playing something that was so similar to soccer that I might as well call it that. The ball was kicked from the goalie to a kicker and into a window. The children rushed behind me. “Most of the time, it is best to admit your mistakes and then try to gain back honor.”

A large, angry, camera that was part bear and part bull walked out and yelled, “When I am through with you kids, the window will not be the only thing that’s broken!”

We each had a look of fear, “In this case however, I think that we should run!” Faster than most would register, we all ran in different directions. I ran quickly into an ally to be surprised to find a small, familiar, grey pegasus mare with an eye patch sulking. I sat down next to her and asked, “What’s wrong?”

She turned to me and said, “It’s nothing.”

I smiled a bit, “No one sulks about nothing.”

The mare sighed and said, “Fine. Just so you know, this never leaves here. I have been trying to track down a fugitive who escaped Canterlot a couple of months ago. I first tried Neighpon, but he wasn't there. I then got a tip that he was in Moscow, but that was a dead end. I also got a tip four weeks ago that he was heading towards this place, but I can't find him. Add that to the fact that Hearth's Warming is coming up and I can't spend it with my family, and you can see why I am so down in the dumps." Already knowing the answer, but hoping for the best, I said, "Who is this scoundrel called? Perhaps I saw him."

Derpy brightened up at this. "He is called Iron Man." I grimmaced a little at this.

"Well then Miss, " I said, hoping for an answer.

"Mrs. and it's Hooves" she replied.

Starting over, I said, "Well Miss Hooves, I happen to know this man that you are talking about a lot. You could say that we're family."

Derpy stared at me, though I couldn't tell if she was being serious or not. "Where is he."

Deciding to chose my words carefully, I simply replied, "How about this, a few hills eastward, my airship is currently disguised and invisible. This should help with any tracking issues." I handed Mrs. Hooves a scanner that beeped when the ship was close.

"Well, seeya." I said before dashing away in a comical fashion.

"Wait, I have so much to ask you." said Derpy before flying after me while avoiding sight by using disguises, barrels, and a cardboard box. She finally saw me on a small hill with a tree in front of me.

I took out the items in the package. There was a small stone, a picture of Surprise, two cupcakes, and a small sack of gold coins. I placed them all in a specific order, took out a lighter, lit the candles, and said, "Happy Birthday, my friend. No, sister." Tears were present on my face, "If only I could have protected you."

I put the trumpet to my lips and started to play. Music from other instruments seem to flow through the wind.

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom, for me and you.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

I see skies of blue, that miss you.
Celestia's blessed day, and Luna's sacred night.
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.

The colors of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky.
Are also on the faces, on the creatures going by.
I see friends shaking paws, claws, or hooves, saying "How do you do."
They're really saying, "I love you."

I hear foals cry, I watch them grow.
They'll learn so much more, than I'll ever know.
And I think to myself, yes I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."

The song ended with two rivers of tears running down my face. I picked up one of the cupcakes and blubbered, "Cheers, I wish that you could be here now." I then took a bite, and finished my cupcake in silence. Just sitting there for the thirty minutes that I had left.

I wiped my face free of tears and frosting and walked to my ship to find Mrs. Hooves sitting on the top deck. "What took ya?" she asked while munching on a muffin that she got from a nearby dispenser.

I just smiled, "Just remembering family."

"Cool." said Derpy. "What do you know about Iron Man?"

We both walked into a hallway in the ship and I turned to Derpy, who was marveling at the technology on the ship. "It kinda reminds me of Time's workshop."

Finding that knowledge amusing, I started to go into, "negotiation mode." "I know everything that you could ever want to know about Iron Man because I am Iron Man. Before you start abducting me and dragging me back to Canterlot to be turned into a garden gnome, how about we make a deal instead. I will pay you my entire bounty for four weeks, as well as stay in the general Ponyville area, in exchange that you make three things happen. The first, In one month, there will be a wedding in Canterlot. I want you to take me to Celestia five days before then. Next, I want a retrial with a lawyer of my own choosing. And finally, I would like to have you and your family over for a huge Winter feast/ party at my Ponyville base of operations." I reached into a knapsack, and gave Derpy a large bag filled with bits. "I learned from our conversation that you were tight on cash. Why else would you go after an escaped fugitive. I promise that I will not run away, pinkie promise." I then ran through the motions. "I will go make some calls, while you decide on the mater." I walked into a room and said, "Jarvis, contact the board and tell them that they are in control for a month. Also tell them that if they screw up my company, I will find a way to fire them."

"Yes sir." said Jarvis over a loud speaker.

When I walked out, Derpy had a pistol pointed at my head while sitting on a large bag of coins. Even though one of her eyes were covered, I could feel her glare at me with both eyes. She said, "I'll agree on one more condition."

"What's that?" I asked in curiosity.

"Don't show this ship to my husband, he will freak out." Said Derpy.

"Alright then, let's go." I exclaimed before running with Derpy to the control room and sat on the captain's chair. "Jarvis, I want to have this ship back in home base in thirty minutes. Is that understood?"

"Activating cloak and warp drive. Please strap yourself in." said Jarvis calmly.

We began to fly as I sorted through my tokens. Jason's Unitrix, Kat's Diamond, Jeff's phone, Dox's die, Buttercup's hammer necklace, Wayde's golden sand and Blossom's notebook were glowing and radiating a spiritual energy of some sort. But Solveik's token, which is an ice cube with three icicles, was grey and unresponsive. It started to form cracks all over itself before exploding into a mass of grey snowflakes. This either meant that some void crap happened, or Solveik is dead. The later seems more believable than the former, so I'll go with that. In that case, rest in peace Solveik, rest in peace.

The rest of the flight back was silent. When we landed back in the mountain base hangar, we got off and went our separate ways. Derpy to her family, and me to my tokens. I held up the golden sand. I then thought. "If I'm am going to invite people, then I better make amends with Wayde first."

Author's Notes:

This is meant to pay respect my favorite western cartoon series. It is my top third animated series with the other two being Fullmeatal Alchemist: Brotherhood for it's outstanding characters and backstory and Cowboy Bebop for it's subtly, feels, backstory, kick ass intro, and interesting character development. I need to do a list for this someday.

In unrelated news, authors that I have worked with, you know what is coming up.
The next chapter will just be a direct follow up to this.

I also do not own what a wonderful world. Those rights go to Louis Armstrong himself. If you have a complaint with me using most of his lyrics, then you can calmly submit a letter to the complaints department.