Sterling Sprocket Finding His Cutie Mark in Neighagra Port

The fleeting distraction of honest work evaporates crumbling to dust as the monotony is shattered by a disgustingly optimistic cheering voice intruding into his cubicle. “Hey buddy, just making some rounds, just want to let you know you’re doing an excellent job. Did you get that email about the…oh perfect, you did. Pretty easy, key notes on the next operations meeting, can I have you knock that out for me before you go?”

The question hardly stirs Matt from his thought; the false praise and empty corporate speak fail to trigger any sense of duty in him. “I’m no Mozart but I think I can handle a couple notes, Mr. Patel.” Matt jokes with an irreverent smile.

“Oh, you’re such a joker matt, and remember, just call me Dhruv, nice talking with you, I’ll let you get to those notes, let me know if you need anything.”

The resentment builds to a breaking point, for too long have I stayed silent, Matt thinks to himself. The flood waters break free as he opens his mouth to break the corporate script. “Hey, Dhruv, think you have a minute to discuss a plan to move me to a hybrid schedule?” Matt asks with the impact of a drop in a puddle.

Dhruv looks at his watch as Matt slumps in his chair. “You know, I’ve been putting a lot of thought into that Matt, I have to run it by HR and payroll and make sure everything is copacetic there. Remind me after the operations meeting and I’ll get you an answer. I’ve got to run, have a good weekend, remember, we work hard and we play hard.”

Matt runs his hands through his manicured brown hair like many times before, the excuses run through his head, every scripted dodge and avoidance corporate speak. He has heard it all, for over a year, he chased the dream of escaping the office, but like many times before he lay back in his chair quietly sobbing in his little cell. Do I even matter? What is my purpose, why am I here. Why do I even bother living? The fear burns through his body and manifests into quiet rage. I’ve done everything they’ve asked me to do, I've stayed late, I’ve never messed up my work. His mind starts to conjure images of running away, starting a new life, somewhere new flipping the birds as he struts out the front door. His heart pounds with a determination he can scarcely summon in his darkest hour. In a flurry of rage fueled actions he shuts down everything packing up and leaving. The feeling of freedom walking out the door fuels Matt’s pride as he finally takes charge of his life. Hopping into the car and driving away.

Laying on a blanket in the grassy meadow with the cold breeze tugging at his button up, Matt’s fantasized moment basking in the idyllic sheen of rebellion becomes a restless anxiety riddled state of remorse. Each notification of an angry text sends a knife plunging into his heart. Mr. Patel is going to be pissed, matt whines to himself. The flurries of thoughts, possible excuses, potential scenarios cloud his mind, even deep in the forest with the stream behind him and the pine trees rustling, his spirit cannot escape the mental prison. What if I lose this job, what will my parents think. The clouds of anxious thoughts calm to a simple mist the questions become clearer, who am I really keeping this job for, my parents, my boss? Do I really matter to anyone. The uncomfortable silence in his own head overwhelms him as he already knows the answer. Covering his face and letting out a quiet sob, he resigns himself to the meadow.

“Oh, but you do matter.” A majestic voice whispers on the wind

Matt jolts to attention whipping his head side to side trying to find the source of the voice in his ear. “Who was that!” With an intense gust of wind, he recoils keeping the dust from his eyes. As he opens his eyes, he is met with an unsettling stillness as the trees sway without the whistle of their needles, the stream falls to the pond below without as much as the sound of a drip. The color fades as a rainbow supersedes its surroundings beckoning him to it like a siren’s call.

“Everypony deserves a purpose.” The rainbow calls embellishing its very surroundings with its magic touch.

Matt’s body shivers hearing the celestial call of the rainbow on his ears. Enthralled, he feels the magic guide him, leading him by the chin, step after step, as the grassy meadow fades away to darkness. Matt embraces the rainbow like a long-lost lover feeling its caress up and down his body. “I want to matter, I want purpose.” Matt cries to the void eagerly craving its response.

“I can’t wait to see what you become, my little pony, you are destined for great things.” The voice answers before consuming the human in its loving glow. The rainbow washes over him like a hot shower cleansing his negative thoughts and sweeping him off his feet. Cradled like a precious child, his hands fade to hooves, the bare skin grows to a luscious mane, and a tail fluttering in the quiet cosmic breeze. Redemption, rebirth, these feelings comfort the little stallion as he drifts off to sleep dreaming of what is to come.

Matt wakes to find himself in the forest rejuvenated with enough rest and mental clarity to take on the world. The birds are singing the flowers are blooming, the stream is running, all seems well till he looks to see his car is missing. Forgetting how to breathe, he tries stumbling up to where he last parked it to see if it may have rolled away, but he immediately falls on his face like a toddler taking its first steps. Wiping the dirt off his face he freezes in horror, a hoof? The disbelief only gives him a few moments longer to process as his eyes collect the few mental images needed to get a full picture of what happened. Hoof connected to arm, connected to pony body with pony tail and pony legs with more hooves. His heart stops as he stumbles over his ill-fitting human clothes to gaze upon himself in the pond. The pony staring back at him makes Matt sick to his stomach. His insides heaving like a stormy sea as the denial sets in. Rolling around in the grass, Matt screams out in anguish attempting to rationalize what he has seen.

“Ok, I must have eaten a wrong mushroom or something, maybe I smelled the wrong flower, bit by something, I’m hallucinating!” The attempts to explain away the reality fail as with every step the grass and dirt below feel as real as it did yesterday.

“I’m a pony! Why am I a pony? What is happening?!” Matt screams into the sky feeling like he might vomit from the stress. “Come on out you stupid rainbow! Change me back!” The cries echo through the forest to no avail as he angrily stomps his hooves.

Before he can begin to think about where he is or where home is, if it exists at all, the roar of a bugbear silences the forest around him. The trees seemingly part ways for the beast as it enters the meadow locking eyes with his menacing fangs and claws ready. Matt’s shrill scream of terror is met with a roar as the bugbear presents its stinger and attacks. Galloping away into the forest hearing the snapping of trunks behind, making a pace fit for the Kentucky derby, it’s not enough to escape the pursuing bugbear. Hearing its roar behind, he manages to dodge a strike from the bugbear but with unyielding persistence the bugbear hones in on its victim. Is this it? Matt asks himself, is this where my life comes to an end, some magic hellscape far away from home? He glances to the side to see the bugbear’s stinger on collision course. With no fancy hoof work to be done, the stallion gazes on with disbelief at his impending doom.

“I got you!” a voice yells out before snatching up Matt and hurtling through the trees at dizzying speeds.

The blur of motion and flying leaves breaks as he rockets through the sky tumbling like a fledgling learning to fly. As the forest below and the sky above whiz by in a flurry of blue and green the stallion hurls another blood curling scream as the ground, and his impending doom comes closer to view. With a crash the Pegasus catches Matt and they both tumble across the bare field.

“Wew! Did you see that, you were all like! Oh no, a bugbear! And I was like, no problem, I got you! Then you went flying, screaming, and I caught you. That was wicked!” The Pegasus proudly struts as the earth pony stallion recovers from his ordeal.

With an agonizing moan, Matt manages to shake off the tumble across the field. He starts to process what happened at a speed that’d make the earliest computers blush. “Wait, you can talk, and fly?” The confused look from the Pegasus makes his two braincells click and realize that talking, flying ponies must be common in this strange world.

“You must’ve hit your head hard dude, are you sure you’re alright, what's your name?” The kind Pegasus asks taking a quick look to make sure her new friend didn’t get a lump on his head.

“I’m fine I just uh, I’m lost, confused, and far from home, do you know someone who can help me?” Matt asks with his wispy dazed tone looking at the luscious green landscape around him. “Because, this sure doesn’t look like California.”

“No problem, dude, you can totally stay at my place! Just follow that road till you get to the town of Neighagra Port. Ask for Fury Spark and somepony will point you in the right direction. You should be able to get there before sun down if you keep up a good pace.”

The stallion’s smile glows bright; a little shred of kindness gives him some hope that he might just survive this ordeal. “You mean it? Thank you! I promise, I’ll make it up to you somehow.”

The Pegasus takes flight filling the stallion with awe as her wings flutter through the air. “No problem, I’ve got to fly though. Oh, since you’re not from here, just a little reminder: never go in the Everfree forest, its super dangerous dude and a bunch of weird stuff happens in there. I’ll catch you later dude, good luck!” The Pegasus cheers before flying away in a flash of magic glitter as the stallion gallops after her trying to get some more answers.

“Wait! Come back, I, uh…and you’re gone.” The disgustingly gorgeous scenery around him with bunnies hopping through the meadow and happy birds flying through the air gives Matt a brighter disposition. Well, she seemed nice, maybe she knows a magician or someone who can turn me back maybe this kind of thing happens every day, he tells himself with a smile before realizing he has an all-day journey ahead of him, if he wants to find answers. With a groan and what remains of his tattered clothes, he sets down the winding path to civilization.

 

With aching hooves and barely enough energy to hold his head up he traverses another hill. Every step he trembles, so beautiful yet so empty he whines to himself, aside from the occasional farm dotting the landscape, there hasn’t been any evidence that anyone lives in this world, does the town she’s talking about even exist. Is it more fairy tale nonsense? I can’t stand this place, “I want to go home!” he whines to the sky as he crests the hill. His hooves stamp with disbelief, a riverside town nestled in the valley below a dam. Picturesque brick buildings and the faint sounds of a city at work fill his soul with joy as he brings himself to a joyous trot down the hill. It’s not too far! He tells himself getting himself hyped for a chance to see civilization in this magic world he has found himself in. As he gets closer into town, he begins passing ponies in their day to day lives hauling carts, shopping, colts, and fillies galloping through the streets laughing and playing. The activity on the streets fills him with childlike wonder as he casually trots through the street taking in the sights, the smells, and the lovely music played by the band. As he reaches the center of town, he hears steam whistles. With an explosion of passionate glee, he gallops to the riverfront to watch the steamers load barges into the canal locks. Each little toot of the whistles causing him to tremble with excitement. Matt nearly breaks down into tears, leaning against the wall gazing across the bustling port. Soaking up the surroundings and seeing everypony’s happy faces as they go about their daily business seems like a foreign concept to him. in his reality, work is a means to pay your bills and live to suffer another day. Just as he starts to finish his thoughts the street lights flash with a brilliant spectacle of light shimmering in his tears of joy. If he didn’t know better, he’d think this was all staged for his amusement.

“Oh, hey it’s you!” The Pegasus cheers landing next to the exhausted earth pony. “Glad you got here in one piece. Just remembered, I never got your name.”

“I’m Matthew, I uh” The chuckle from the Pegasus causes him to blush and trip on his words. “Why’d you laugh? it’s a common name.”

“Matthew? You guys sure have some weird names in California.” With a hoof slap to the back Fury Spark pulls Matt along. “You’ll have to point it out on a map, I’ve flown all across Equestria, and I’ve never heard of a place called California.”

Considering how common magic is in this world, watching unicorns simply move items with their horns, he starts to believe that trans-dimensional travel must be a regular occurrence. “Well, I don’t think California will show up on any map, I’m a human and I got transported to this place by a rainbow. I was hoping if you knew someone who could help me get back home.” Matt explains with total confidence in his new friend but his confidence is shattered by another laugh.

“Are you good dude, I think your head is still all fuzzy from earlier, we need to get you in bed.” The annoyed scowl from the earth pony causes Fury Spark to give a nervous chuckle. “Oh, well, if you’re serious, then you’re gonna be looking for a while dude. I think the only ponies with that level of skill with magic would be the princesses and they’re all the way in Canterlot.”

Matt groans with annoyance hearing that help may be possible, but far away. He can’t help but notice Fury Spark’s confusion and withdraws with shame. “Yea, it’s a little crazy, I know. Maybe I’ll feel better with a good night sleep.” He yawns as Fury Spark opens the door to her house. With a step over the threshold, he finally takes a breath and relaxes finally feeling safe after a long grueling day.

The door opens to the cozy home with a unicorn carefully examining her plant specimens. She sees Matt in his tattered oversized human button up shirt and the happy Pegasus behind him. Annoyed by yet another guest she sets her research aside. “Fury Spark, where did you find this pony, looks like you dragged him out of the forest”

“Oh hey Ruby Blossom,” Fury Spark let’s out a mischievous giggle, “Funny you say that, I was just doing a delivery and he was in the Everfree forest. He got chased by a bugbear and got a nasty whack on the noggin. I know you said no more guests, but he really needed some help.”

Matt, about to collapse from exhaustion, eyes a comfy looking rug, with a dreamy sigh as the roommates bicker, he fantasizes about shutting his eyes and praying that this was all just some strange dream. Soon ill wake up in that meadow and go home, and this nightmare will be over. As he flops himself down on the rug he feels the gravity around him seem to disappear entirely as he flails around in the air.

“California? Never heard of it, you’ll have to tell me all about the flora there! But first, a bath you mongrel.” The unicorn happily trots with her glowing horn taking him up to get a bath with her note book in tow.

“Sorry Matt, that was the only way she would agree to let you stay.” Fury Spark shrugs and smiles watching the exhausted stallion let out the most pathetic groan before disappearing from view.

 

Matt finally stirs from his well-deserved slumber cuddling the warm blanket tight. All he remembers is nodding off while being barraged with questions about plants in California. “That’s all I know.” He sleepily whines before the fear sets in. He opens his eyes to see the cozy pony home before throwing the sheets off in a frenzy to check himself. He falls back down onto the pillow defeated seeing he is still a pony. In another vain attempt to see if he’s back in his own reality he takes a look out the window and watches the townsponies go about their morning. Feeling hopeless and dejected, he ends up laying in the window bench letting the time pass.

Ruby Blossom trots down the stairs with her roommate close behind. Seeing Matt’s melancholy face looking out the window tugs at what few heartstrings she does have, with a shared glance with Fury Spark, she goes to cheer up their guest. “Good morning, Matt.” The lack of so much as an acknowledgement blunts even Ruby’s optimism as she approaches the subject with extreme care. “I know you’ve been through a lot and I want you to know that Sparks and I are right behind you! You can stay here as long as you need till you can afford to make the trip to Canterlot. I’m sure one of the princesses would love to help you get back to California.”

Matt begins to question if trying to get to Canterlot is even worth the effort. A princess taking time out of their day to help some random pony that got dumped here by a magic rainbow? Like that will happen, he tells himself as he stirs from the window bench. Can’t stay here forever he tells himself as he puts on a smile to make his hosts feel better. “Thank you, your generosity means so much to me but are you sure there’s work for me to do?”

“Totally dude, Auntie Sweets is looking for a baker, the port is always looking for strong stallions to pull the carts, the Tailor is looking for an assistant, there’s so much to do dude just go out there and strut your stuff you’ll get enough bits for the trip to Canterlot in no time!” The Pegasus explains trying to get matt pumped and ready to hit the town.

“Even without a cutie mark, you’ll find something to do.” Ruby chimes in trying to further encourage the stallion.

Matt starts to get excited about going out into the world to see what he can do but Ruby’s remark catches him off guard. “What’s a cutie mark?”

Ruby feels embarrassed forgetting their guest wasn’t born a pony, “Oh, right, here in Equestria, everypony gets a cutie mark when they find their special talent. I got mine when I discovered a rare flower in the bogs.” Ruby shows off her flank with a rose and a quill and Sparks shows off her crossed scroll and lightning bolt flank. “It’s magic, even with the transformation you should have got one, what was your job in California?”

With demanding parents telling him you’ll be happy doing this, get a good job, make lots of money, Matt knew it was no accident he didn’t have a cutie mark. His blank flank, something that he originally paid no mind to suddenly made him feel naked and exposed. “I’m a corporate life insurance account manager.” He admits in shame watching both the ponies wince.

“With a job like that, I don’t think id have a cutie mark either.” Sparks jokes before slapping her hoof on Matt’s back. “Things are different here, I’m sure your special talent is out there waiting to be found, what do you like to do?”

Matt perks up, the situation might not be so bad, this could be more like a vacation than anything if he gets the right job. “I love machines, I see the locks work all day long, maybe I can work there.” Matt proudly explains getting himself hyped for the job before realizing the two ponies are giving each other a look. “What, what’s wrong with the locks?

“Oh, nothing really, it’s just the old stallion that runs it, Silver Stream can be a bit, er, temperamental.” Ruby mutters under her breath trying to be polite in her assessment of his character.

“Yea, more like Salty Stream. That pony is a massive jerk. He’s always whining about how he needs an apprentice but says every apprentice isn’t good enough.” Fury Spark stretches her wings and stamps her hoof in frustration remembering the last time she had to interact with the old stallion.

Matt, feeling discouraged by the negativity of the two ponies, tries to judge Silver Stream fairly. He imagines the old stallion is probably upset that he has never had an apprentice who knew about the machines. “I haven’t met him; I think if you two take me up to see him, I might have a good chance of making a good impression on him.” Matt explains with a beaming smile before watching the two ponies flip a coin.

 

Trotting through the town with the Pegasus casually flying overhead they make their way to the dam, they can hear the stallion roaring before they can even get to the control house. Seeing the gears whirl and hearing the whine of electric motors as the locks move barges like clockwork distracts Matt as the Pegasus chimes in.

“You know, its not too late to just get a job at the bakery, you can have a share of the muffins if you ask nicely.” She explains as they get on the dam and within earshot of the raging Earth pony.

“He can’t be as bad as you say he is, surely he’s just frustrated that there is so much to do and no one to help him.” Matt explains as he cautiously approaches Silver Stream and a Pegasus arguing. He waits off to the side not wanting to attract attention to himself.

“You lazy Pegasi are the worst! All I’m asking you to do is make it rain a little bit every couple days to make sure the reservoir stays full! Instead, you all sit on your rumps playing games in the clouds like a bunch of foals! Do you know how much cargo moves through this canal? It’s the only inland water route between Manehattan and Canterlot so you better believe I’m gonna be on your hind end if I don’t have enough water to run the locks! Now get up there and make it rain feather brain!” Silver Stream bellows at the top of his lungs to the uninterested Pegasus stomping his hooves.

The Pegasus having enough of the old pony’s ranting starts yelling back. “You make it sound so easy, ‘Just go up there and make it rain’.” He says in a condescending tone mocking the earth pony, “If you want rain, you’re gonna get some rain.” He storms off flying away into the clouds

Despite his introduction to Silver Stream being exactly what he was warned of, he looks to Fury Spark for support. Much to his surprise, he catches a glimpse of her far away up in a tree waving not wanting to have any part of this interaction. Turning back around, he’s startled by the menacing earth pony. “You must be...”

Silver Stream returns to his rounds to see a nervous young stallion waiting for the right moment to talk to him. He groans to himself wondering who they’ve sent up to the locks this time. The last apprentice ran off not being able to handle the pressure and the one before was no good for pulling carts. Given his backlog of work to do and already being fired up over the argument, another potential apprentice to waste his time was the last thing he wanted to see. “Hey you, get off the dam, working ponies only.”

Matt almost gives up but considering the alternative is probably being a baker, he pushes on. “Oh, that’s, actually why I’m here sir, I hear you were looking for an apprentice and I…”

“Oh, you want to be an apprentice? They will just send anyone up here won’t they, you’re just a good for nothing blank flank, don’t waste my time, get out of here.” Silver Stream explains with every word spitting venom that nearly destroys Matt’s will to persist.

“Yes sir, I know I may not seem like much, I don’t have any experience, but I really want to help out, and I’m a hard worker!” Matt explains following the earth pony as he makes his rounds.

Silver Stream sets the levers for the next lock position before giving Matt a brutal stare down. His unusual persistence stirs some interest but given how many other times he has heard those very same platitudes he shakes his head and walks past Matt without so much as a glance in his direction. “I’ve heard it all before. The answer is still no, now get off my dam!”

Matt’s hooves tremble as he brings up the courage to ask again. “Sir, I beg you, I really want this job, I want to make a difference.”

“I don’t care, get off my dam before I throw you off!” Silver Stream yells one last time before storming off to tend to other business on the dam.

Heartbroken, Matt’s hooves go from a nervous tremble to a defeated stillness. As he starts walking off the dam Sparks flies on down to get the news. A single glance into the defeated stallion’s eyes tells her all she needs to know as they go back down the road to the town.

Coming down to the road to walk by the side of her new friend, she trots next to matt trying to raise his spirits. “Sorry dude, don’t beat yourself up over it, I won’t say I told you so, but he’s just a big jerk. Auntie Sweets on the other hoof, she’s the nicest pony you’ll ever meet. You’ll like her a lot!”

 

After a long day of failing to get jobs he reflects on his failures, making the lumpiest batter ever conceived, burning the cakes, not being able to pull an empty cart at the port, being immediately rejected from the tailor for not being able to tell the difference between basic fabrics. He had had enough; Why did I get sent to a magic world where ponies fly or can use magic yet I’m just a regular pony, it’s not fair. He thinks to himself trying desperately to not be negative. With a heavy sigh, he found himself content just watching the storm roll in as the two ponies consider other jobs he can try tomorrow. Feeling guilty about letting his hosts down he decides it’d be best to join in the conversation as the thunder and lightning get more intense.

Ruby pats the spot next to her at the table as she uses her magic to pour him a drink. “So Matt, Sparks and I were thinking, maybe we can see if one of the ships are willing to take you aboard, normally they do their hiring in manehattan, but I’m sure one of the captains would love to take a hard worker like you.

Taking a sip of hot tea fills him with a comforting warmth that gives him enough positivity to look on the bright side again after all the brutal disappointment. “That does sound like fun actually, I’ve always loved boats. Going up and down the rivers of Equestria sounds like it’d be a wonderful adventure.

“Otherwise, there are a lot of farms that always need help, or maybe Ruby’s apothecary might need some work” Sparks teases adding another option to make sure the job search docket is nice and full. “Anything to help get you to Canterlot and back to your home.”

Matt, exhausted by the emotional whiplash of the day, holds his tea up for a little toast. “Today may not have been great but, its just one day. I’m sure with your guys’ help I’ll have a job in no time.”

With a cheer and a clinking of glasses, a particularly powerful lighting strike rattles the town and the electric lights fade to the glow of their red-hot filaments. After a brief scream from surprise, Ruby’s horn glows to illuminate the room as Fury Spark lights a few candles. The Group of ponies look outside to see the howling wind and fierce lighting as the rain drenches the town.

Sparks realizing something is horribly wrong, looks out the window arousing fear in the other two ponies. “Oh, that’s not good. I think the weather team got too carried away with the rain. I don’t think they can control it anymore!” Sparks explains with her worry starting to panic Ruby.

Ruby groans with worry as she lights more candles, the only thing that keeps her anxious thoughts at bay. “What do we do then, do we just stay in place. It’ll eventually dissipate on its own will it not?” Ruby asks trying to gauge if she needs to prepare for the worst.

“I don’t know dude, but I think the other Pegasi will need all the help they can get. Should be no biggie, I’ll probably get a little wet is all.” Fury Spark boasts trying to calm the anxiety in the room as a frantic Pegasus beats on the door.

The Pegasus opens the door and lets the fury of the storm blow its cold moist air into the house. The pale look of despair instantly scares any semblance of calm from the ponies in the house. “Silver Stream says the dam is going to fail! Everyone needs to get to higher ground!” The stampede of townsponies running for the path up the hill behind him shatters any illusion of safety as Ruby dons her cloak and Sparks takes flight to help the Pegasi with the weather.

Matt, blindsided by the news freezes unsure of what to do as Ruby puts a cloak over him. Collecting his thoughts, Ruby tries to get through to him with no avail. With effectively no way to get home, and the town likely to be destroyed anyway, matt decides to take bold action with disregard for his own life. “Ruby, I’m going to help Silver Stream! If anything can be done, I want to be there to help!”

Ruby, throwing on her saddle bags can’t comprehend what he’s trying to do. “What! No, just evacuate with us, it’ll be fine.” She pleads as she leads them both out the door into the maelstrom.

Braving the rain, matt looks out to the blacked-out dam and stamps his hooves on the soaked bricks. He grunts and thinks to himself how many times he has let other people dictate his fate for him, just letting things happen without his input and going with the flow. No, this time will be different. He tells himself. I won’t take no for an answer; I will do everything in my power to make a difference! “I’m sorry Ruby, I’m going to help Silver Stream. If we don’t meet again, thank you and Fury Spark for everything!” He gallops into the storm ignoring the pleas. With his hooves slipping in the mud and bumping into ponies galloping for their lives he keeps the dam in sight.

 

Matt looks across the dam struggling to keep his hooves planted as the wind howls across the reservoir at gale force. In the faint glow of the lantern, He finds Silver Stream opening some valves near the locks. Galloping over and catching his breath, he helps the struggling old pony to open the valve.

Shocked to see anyone on the dam, much less the blank flank from that morning, Silver Stream yells to the pony. “What are you doing here blank flank! The dam is going to fail. Save yourself!” He yells trotting down to the next valve.

Matt, following close behind meets him at the next valve and helps him get it open. “I know! that’s why I’m here, I want to help!” The stubborn old earth pony continues to the next valve not saying a word as Matt finally lets the old pony get a piece of his mind. “I don’t care about dying I’m going to help you save this dam or die trying, nothing you can say will stop me! I will die tonight if I need to, to save this dam and keep that promise. Now you can either let me help or we can die together!

Silver Stream is taken back by the determination of this young stallion standing firm in the face of certain death. It takes him back to his own younger days sailing across the seas clinging to the mast trying to secure the rigging in the fierce storm to earn the respect of his crew. Seeing such reckless abandon for his own self-preservation nearly brings a tear to the old earth pony’s eyes. With a course choked up voice he looks Matthew in the eyes. “If that is what you wish, then you’re a fool, but I will gladly accept your help!”

Matt’s heart swells with joy hearing the old pony finally accept him. With another grunt the final valve is opened and the first set of locks locks drain into each other. “Okay! Tell me what we need to do!”

With a nod, Silver Stream trots over to the other side of the locks to open the valves in the locks. “The lighting strike took out the turbine room and a hydraulic line, I can’t open the emergency spillways without hydraulic power. We need to repair a generator and the hydraulics to get it open, if the dam gets too full, it will flood over the top and topple the dam. It’ll flood everything from here to manehattan!

The full scope of how grave the situation at hand is makes Matt tremble in his hooves. Looking across the port to the Town of Neighagra port and all the friendly ponies who have helped him, a random stranger, in his time of need fills him with a sense of duty. “I won’t let you down, tell me what I need to do!

“I need you to go to the end and open all the valves so that all the locks drain. It won’t be much, but the locks draining will buy us some time and help more ponies get out of Neighagra Port. I’ll get started in the turbine room and see what can be salvaged.” Silver Stream yells over the howling wind before retreating to the shelter of the turbine room

Understanding the gravity of the situation, matt takes a breath and gallops to the next valve. “You can count on me Mr. Silver! I’ll come find you when I’m done!” Feeling a strength well inside him unlike anything he had been able to muster to that point, he opens valve after valve effortlessly till the last valve starts draining into the river below. With his task complete, he fights the pelting rain to find the Turbine housing. Expecting shelter, he finds himself horrified to find Silver Stream attempting to clear the collapsed ceiling debris from the machinery

Silver Stream, grunting and dragging away debris, locks eyes with the young stallion with a breath of relief and an almost friendly smile before yelling out in his typical aggressive tone. “Don’t just stand there, get over here, I need to get to the control panel!”

Snapped back to attention, Matt gallops past the generators to help clear a path to the control panel. With both of their efforts the large debris gets cleared. Exhausted with adrenaline pumping to keep him upright, he stumbles over to Silver Stream as he troubleshoots the panel. “What do you need me to do now?” He desperately asks in the limited shelter the corner of the turbine room provides.

Examining the state of the hydraulics he’s finally able to answer his apprentice. With a smile and a cheer of joy he forms a plan of action. “The hydraulics will take some time to fix, I have a busted valve and a smashed section of pipe but I have replacements. What I don’t have is power. The roof collapsed on the two good generators, the third one wasn’t working, try and figure it out while I fix the hydraulics. It just wasn’t putting out any current when I shut it down last week.”

Matt’s brain starts to process the information. He tries summoning any knowledge he may have accumulated in his time reading books on how these machines work. “I have an idea of what could be wrong with the generator.” With a saddle bag of tools thrown at his hooves, he looks to Silver Stream for guidance.

“There’s no time for dilly dallying, just do it! If it doesn’t work, I’ll get done with the hydraulics and help you out.” He orders tossing the broken valve across the room.

His hooves feel numb as he picks up the saddle bag and putts it on before walking over to the good generator to inspect his most likely culprit. Trying to orient himself with the construction of the generator, he takes a breath to calm himself as the parts start to make sense, there are the windings, the magnets, they should be on the shaft near the top. He tells himself as he finds his smoking gun, a set of thoroughly worn-out brushes causing poor contact with the slip rings. Frantic, he digs through the saddle bags to find the tools he needs. He can feel the relief start to well inside him as he starts to loosen and remove the worn-out brushes. He looks to the crushed generators and prays the brushes from the other two generators will be good enough to use.

Finishing up the last connection on the hydraulic circuit, Silver Stream checks on his apprentice to see him clearing more roof debris from the generator. “I told you, those two are destroyed, don’t waste your time! We need power, and fast!” He bellows to his apprentice as a small section of roof debris slides off the generator.

Seeing the fresh set of brushes in the second generator, Matt releases out a resounding cheer loosening up the brushes and taking them to repair the first. “It’s the contact brushes! They were worn out!” He yells returning to the first generator to get them installed.

Silver Stream can’t believe his eyes as the blank flank without flinching gets dirty flinging in the brushes and getting them tightened down. He shakes the water off his hat before rushing up to help his apprentice. “Make sure you have the tension set right! We don’t need these brushes to burn up.” With his heart pounding and hooves trembling from the stress and exhaustion, Silver Stream adjusts the tension on the brushes before putting his faith in his apprentice’s diagnosis. “Open up the turbine inlet and I’ll flip the breaker.” He orders going down to the control panel once more.

Without hesitation he searches and finds the valve. Hearing the waves from the lake slosh over the top of the dam, he flashes white with fear, knowing that he doesn’t have a second chance to get it right. With a Squeak, the crusty manual opening valve creaks open allowing the water to flow over the turbine. Closing his eyes, not able to watch the scene before him, he listens as the bearings pick up speed and the crack of a switch. He hears the glorious whine of a hydraulic pump as he opens his eyes to see the lights of the room brightly illuminated. He hears the thunder of the emergency spillway opening as he collapses to his knees.

Silver Stream cries out in joy as the spillway opens, unable to contain his energy! “We did it, I can’t believe it, we did it!” He Screams out into the stormy weather through the hole in the roof as thunder roars through the room. His apprentice bolts across the room to tackle him and give him the tightest hug he’s ever gotten before they both collapse from the exhaustion the relief has brought them.

Wanting nothing but a warm dry bed, matt lays next to the old stallion. Listening to all the machines humming with efficient precision, he relishes in the satisfaction of doing honest work. Suddenly overwhelmed with joy, infused with magic and a flash on his flank, he scrambles and looks under the cloak to see his cutie mark, a wrench superimposed over a gear emblazed on his side.

“Heh, I’ll be. I didn’t think you’d ever get a cutie mark.” He shares a look with matt before putting a hoof around him. The old pony tries to remember the last time he truly admired somepony. With his cynical mind stuck in the past, he struggles to think of anypony recently that comes to mind. “You know, you showed true grit today. I don’t think anypony in Equestria aside from me would be dumb enough to risk their life for this place. How about you come work here with me, I’ll show you the ropes and teach you everything you need to know. What do you say?”

Matt gazes in disbelief at the outstretched hoof, he always wanted to make a difference and seeing the grumpy old earth pony turn into a good friend and now, possibly a mentor, he gladly shakes his hoof knowing he’s about to become a dam worker and a pillar to the community. “I’d love to sir; you can count on me! You’ll see me bright and early to help clean this mess up!”

Silver Stream belts a boisterous laugh. “Oh no you don’t, none of those ‘bright and early’ shenanigans, look at this place, we're working through to sunrise to clean this mess up.” With a groan he gets up to his hooves to get to work before stopping to give a confused look to his now official apprentice. “Oh, blank flank, what’s your name? I don’t think I gave you to opportunity to tell me.”

Matt freezes, He knows his name is quite a novelty and even a point of ridicule to some. In his mind, it carries a connection to the human world. With the bleak soul crushing world seemingly behind him at this point, he looks forward to his new life as a pony with a name to fit. Scrambling for ideas, he looks to his new cutie mark, gleaming with pride he finally answers. “My name is Sterling Sprocket, I don’t know how long you’ll be able to keep me awake but I’ll work as long as you do Mr. Silver.”

With a pull of a hoof to get Sterling Sprocket off the floor, the Master and Apprentice get to work. “Attaboy Sterling, I’m gonna need an attitude like that around here.” With a mountain of work to do to get the dam back into full operating condition. They set about their rounds to get things moving in the right direction.

 

 

After a few months, Sterling Sprocket settled into his new life fixing up a little house near the dam. He became well known for being a hardworking handypony and a dam worker, ready to lend a hoof to anypony in need, as a result, he couldn’t be happier. Today especially as the town prepares an elaborate festival to celebrate Princess Celestia herself coming to Neighagra Port. Trotting through the town with a precious cargo in his saddlebag for his mentor, he weaves through the banners and tables being moved around as everypony makes final preparations for the special day. Taking a moment to listen as one of the paddle steamers come into port playing music on its whistles, he straightens out his uniform before carrying on to work. The hustle and bustle of the town fades away as he gallops up the road up to the dam past the trees and birds scarcely remembering the bumper-to-bumper Los Angeles traffic he used to tolerate. With his mentor in view, enjoying the sunrise in his rocking chair waiting for the boat traffic to start coming through, he interrupts his contemplations to give him a gift. “I got you a box of apple fritters Mr. Silver. Nice and hot, Auntie Sweets was pretty busy with the festival but she made these just for you.”

With a warm smile and a gleaming twinkle in his eye, he takes a bite of the warm delicious treat. “Thank you, Sterling, you’re so kind.” He has to wipe another tear from his face before taking another bite.

Seeing Silver Stream emotional over a trivial act of kindness raised some suspicions with Sterling as he wasn’t sure what to make of it. Expecting fierce denial, if he tried to address it anyway, he decides its best to just leave well enough be. “Oh, it’s nothing sir I thought I’d do something nice given the festival and all. Well, what’s on the agenda today.

The old earth pony cannot recall a time where nothing really had to be done, with Silver Stream free to manage the locks and make parts orders, and Sterling completing all the maintenance for him, he had nothing to think about. “All 3 generators are operational? The hydraulics have been fully bled? Roofers took care of the turbine hall?”

Giving his uniform jacket a tug of pride, Sterling answers. “Last generator was tested last night, bled the hydraulics a couple nights ago, and spent most of yesterday making sure the roofers did what they needed to do. So, yep, yep, and yep.”

With a flop back into his rocking chair, he munches down on apple fritters. “Well, I’ll be. In that case, I really don’t have anything for you to do today, Sterling. Maybe I can show you how we go about collecting tolls on the locks and how they work.”

“Awesome, I get to get out of the dungeon!” Sterling jokes looking at all the lock control levers excited to see what the lazy old pony gets up to while he’s working his tail off.

“Don’t you go thinking the locks are easy street, they need to be maintained too. Just like the turbines and generators, they…” Silver Stream stops midsentence as Princess Celestia’s chariot rides overhead pulled by her Pegasi guards.

Sterling Sprocket gallops to the railing to watch the majestic sight catching a glimpse of the princess’s flowing mane as she comes to land in the town square to the roar of thundering applause from the townsponies. Hearing some muffled sniffles behind him he looks to see the old earth pony sheading another rare tear. While he appreciates the beauty of the princess and the fanfare of her arrival, he just can’t believe it has managed to bring this calloused old pony to tears like this. “Oh, come on now Mr. Silver, quit being so dramatic.” He teases as the music echos through the valley and across the port.

Wiping his lone tear away, Silver Stream rocks out of his rocking chair and with his head low, he turns to his apprentice with a warm, genuine smile. “I just want you to know, you’re the best apprentice I have had the pleasure of working with. Go to town, have a great time. Enjoy the festivities.” He tells the young stallion before trotting off to make his rounds at the dam. Sad that he may never see his apprentice again.

Crazy old pony, Sterling Sprocket thinks to himself with a smile more than happy to enjoy the festivities from afar, leaning against the railing before he feels a presence behind him. Initially the feeling can be ignored but his curiosity gets the better of him and he turns around. Nearly floored by the sight of the massive alicorn princess, he can’t even utter a single word admiring her glow in the sunlight as her mane flutters in the wind.

Princess Celestia, finally setting her eyes on the hero pony, steps forward. “Hello, Matthew, I’ve heard so many good things about you. You’ve certainly made an impression on the Ponies here in Neighagra Port. They all signed a letter for me to come see you.” She explains using her horn to open the letter

Initially stunned she knew his real name; Sterling musters the courage to ask some questions even as her guards in golden armor stand close behind. “How do you know my name, and…what are you doing here?” He sheepishly asks, hardly able to maintain eye contact.

Princess Celestia presents the letter to the confused little stallion as she explains herself. “I got this letter from a very special Pegasi named Fury Spark. She told me all about your plight. Must have been a very tough experience turning from a human to a pony. Despite that, you became a hero and saved this town.”

Skimming through the letter, he sees signatures from all the townsponies singing their praises for the good deeds he has done for them and at the very top he reads Sparks entry begging the princess to help him return to the human world. Brought to tears by the kindness of the townsponies, he turns away to lean on the railing and overlook the port. “They all signed it to help me?

“That’s right my little pony; they care about you so much that they are willing to let their hero go if it means bringing you happiness.” She explains, rolling up the scroll and placing it neatly in Sterling’s saddle bag. “I have the power to do just that, you’ll be back in the human world, with the humans who care about you just like the ponies here in Neighagra port. I’m sure they miss you very much.

When he first arrived here, Sterling would have leaped at the opportunity to return home, but now he leans on the railing contemplating his choice. He knows the princess, as nice as she is, is not at his beck and call, so returning to the human world will be now or never but he still can’t seem to make up his mind. One part of him craves the familiarity of the human world with his body that he has known from birth, but looking across the bay to the townsponies partying and having a wonderful time, he feels at home in this strange magical world, even if its in a different body. Here he feels as though he matters instead of being a vehicle to satiate other’s desires. With a pounding heart he once again takes control of his destiny and turns to the princess. “Princess, I know the ponies in town went through so much effort to get you to come such a long way to send me back to the human world, but. I want to stay!” Sterling proudly states giving his hooves a stomp. “I found my home here, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. I feel as though I finally have a purpose.”

With a chuckle and a smile, she looks down on her cute little pony. “See, I told you, you do matter, it was just a question of where, and you figured it all out for yourself. I’m very pleased to see what you have become my little pony.”

Hearing the princess’s oddly specific phrasing prods Sterling’s mind till he finally connects the dots and even recognizes her majestic voice from the rainbow. “Wait, the rainbow, the transformation, it was all you?” He asks unable to comprehend the power of the mighty alicorn standing before him.

Blushing as her not so well kept secret had been revealed, she moves to reassure the pony, that she isn’t some grand puppet master. “Yes, I saw the great potential in you, and gave you the environment to thrive. You found your passion, your purpose, your cutie mark, and a whole town of ponies who’s lives you’ve made better to show for it.”

Sterling perks with pride and looks across the port to the town below, after everything he has done for the town and the ponies around him, he swells with joy at the opportunity given to him and wipes his tears. “Thank you, Princess, I’ll never forget what you’ve done for me.” With a shudder of surprise, he feels the alicorn embrace him in a hug which, one his surprise wears off, he enthusiastically reciprocates.

With the embrace over she leads the young earth pony over to the chariot. “Well, my little pony, I see a wonderful party over there full of ponies who would love to hear the news, shall we?” She asks as the excited earth pony takes a step onto the chariot.

Sterling freezes briefly realizes what Silver Stream was sad about. He hops off the chariot with his hooves trembling with adrenaline. “Wait, I have to tell Silver Stream first, I’ll be right back!” He gallops away to find his mentor.

Princess Celestia watches with joy knowing she made the right choice when she brought him in to this world. Seeing his commitment to his friends makes her heart glow with joy, knowing the town has a real gem.

Entering the turbine room, Sterling finds Mr. Silver inspecting the generators, using the hum of the generators to sneak up on his mentor. Deciding to be a little cheeky, he teases his mentor. “What, don’t trust my work?”

Whipping around, surprised to see his apprentice, Silver Stream gives a regretful smile. “I guess you’re here to say goodbye. I know you want to go home back to the human world; I should have said goodbye earlier but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.” Another tear manages to wrench itself from the old earth pony before he wipes it away. “I hope for the best, and will always remember what you did for this town.”

“Mr Silver, I’m not going anywhere. I told the princess I want to stay here in Neighagra Port. This place IS my home now; there is nowhere I would rather be.” Sterling explains touching the freshly painted generator case feeling its glossy paint with his hoof. “In the human world, I struggled to find my purpose but here, I have a purpose. I have a job I love surrounded by ponies I love as well.”

Silver Stream gives his apprentice a hug before breaking and giving him a friendly hoof slap on the shoulder. “I’m so glad to hear that. Go on, take the day off, there’s a whole town worth of ponies who will be happier to hear that news than even I am.” Sterling explains sending his apprentice on his way.

Troting in place excited to see the festivities, Sterling makes his way back to the princess’s chariot. “I’ll see you tomorrow then Mr. Silver! Come down to the party when you have a chance.” With a cheery canter he makes his way to the chariot and the majestic Princess. Stepping up onto the chariot and holding on, the armored Pegasi unfold their wings and launch the chariot into the sky. With the princess unfazed, he holds on for dear life soaring over the port and valley giving him a view of his new home he will never forget. With a low pass circling over the town, he can see the ponies waving and cheering to the passing chariot before they gently land in the town square. The festivities were already well under way with music, carnival games, sprawling tables with food, many dressed to impress. He steps off the chariot as Princess Celestia addresses the crowd.

With her mane flowing in the sunshine, the townsponies all stand at attention and eagerly await their ruler’s address. “My dear ponies of Neighagra Port, I came here today for a very special reason. A letter made its way to me that told the tale of bravery in the face of all odds that saved this town and doubtless many lives, The two ponies that we honor today, Silver Stream, and Sterling Sprocket, have moved me with their bravery and duty to their fellow ponies.” She gently nudges Sterling to the front stage as the ponies give a resounding cheer, and bestow upon him a medal. “In that letter, I was also informed of Sterling Sprocket’s plight, being far away from his home in California and a plea for help to get him back to his home, as a thank you for everything he has done for this town and Equestria. I stand before you ready to bestow such a reward upon him, but first, I think Sterling has a few words to share with everypony.”

Admiring the medal covered in the symbols of Equestria, he takes a look at the crowd as Princess Celestia takes a step to the side and give him the stage. He can hardly look at the ponies as he holds the medal. “Hello everypony, I just want to start by saying, I’m extremely grateful for what you have all done for me. A few short months ago, I was just some lost stranger and you all gave me a place to stay, and tried your best to help me get on my hooves and find my way home. When the storm came through and threatened the town, I knew I had to do something, anything to repay your kindness to me in my time of need. We saved the town and little did I know, you all reached out to Princess Celestia to help get me home. When I learned about this, I was deeply moved, but, I learned something very important in my time here. I wasn’t lost, I didn’t need to find my home, because I am home. My home, is right here in Neighagra Port, with all you ponyfolk. I want to thank everypony so much for your kindness and generosity and I’m glad to be one of you!” With an enthusiastic cheer Ruby and Sparks rush the stage and give their friend a tight hug as the music and festivities resume.

Princess Celestia’s heart swells with joy as she sees her little pony mix into the crowd grinning ear to ear. Climbing onto her chariot and seeing the town bustle with activity makes her look on with pride knowing she made the right decision to bring the human to Equestria. Knowing he had found his place and was happy, she leaves for Canterlot. With the chariot lifting off she leaves the town happy to know all is well. You did well my little pony, she tells herself as she flies through the clouds.