Chapter 2: Nails gets an Acquaintance

"Wow, this is a really nice town!" exclaimed Nails as they walked through the streets, "but there is one thing that I need to ask. Don't you ponies have a metal smith around here?"

"No, most metal stuff has to be shipped here." replied Applejack.

"Well I'm pretty good at metal-working. In fact, that knife you tried to stab me with Twilight was made by yours truly."

Twilight blushed at this. She had remembered when they had tried to sneak into the military and assassinate Nails, who had been Talon at the time, while he slept. Of course, Nails had led them to do that as a trap and they had fallen for it. "I, eh, I remember that." said Twilight uttering a fake sounding laugh.

"It's perfectly fine that you tried to kill me. In fact, I remember saying that I didn't think any of you had the guts to do it. And then you tried to throw the knife at me."

Twilight blushed again, Nails sure was bringing up a lot of strange things to talk about. "Could we please change the subject?" asked Twilight wanting to avoid further embarrassment.

"Ok, we can get back to me talking about my abilities. That sounded pretty arrogant didn't it?" asked Nails

"Yup." replied Rainbow Dash.

"Well, anyway, a lot of my old equipment I made myself. Besides that knife, I also made my gun belt, my stew pot and frying pans, my canteen that I lost in a card game, Oh! And my lighter, I am really proud of my lighter!" he said as they reached sugarcube corner.

"Speaking of your gun belt, you left all of your weapons at the library, right?" asked Twilight.

"Yeah, why?" said Nails as he opened the door.

"SURPRISE!" yelled Pinkie Pie as he walked inside.

"Ah!" Nails reached for his gun only to feel nothing. "ohhhhhh, that's why you asked if I left them at the library." Nails said looking back at Twilight.

The room was heavily decorated with balloons and streamers spread throughout. In the middle of the room was a banner that said "Welcome to Ponyville" the word Talon was crossed out several times and was illegible to anyone that didn't already know what they were reading. It had been replaced with the word Nails. "Thanks." Nails said to Rarity seeing how she had told Pinkie Pie

The party went on throughout the night. At one point a certain red stallion that identified himself as Big Macintosh came up to him and starting talking to him. Nails, who was tired and losing focus, perked up as soon as he heard Big Macintosh say, "and then a few bad apples fell from the tree."

Nails tilted his head indicating another room in the house. The two ponies went into that room where Nails locked the door.

"You know who I really am." he said turning to Big Macintosh.

"Eeeeyup." replied Big Macintosh.

"There are only three groups that know about special forces: special forces themselves, royal guard, and Militia captains. Since you aren't special forces and you're not a royal guard."

"That would make me captain of the Ponyville militia. That's the reason that I'm usually so secluded and quiet. I just have to be honest with ponies and that makes me feel uncomfortable about keeping secrets."

"So you're telling me to relieve some of the pressure since I know Equestria's state in the world. Well, you don't have to worry about that as soon as Luna gets back from the Griffon lands they will execute Iron Foot."

"Good, that colt is a problem that this world needs solved."

"I agree, now let's get back to the party. Ponies are probably wondering where we went."

Big Macintosh nodded and the two re-entered the room. It seemed that nopony had missed them. Applejack noticed them coming into the room together and that the two talked all through the night. It made her happy to see her brother making friends for himself. He had always been so secluded and he really didn't associate himself with her own friends. He just treated his life like the only thing he could do was work on the apple farm. As the party winded down to a close Nails and Big Macintosh stayed afterwards talking to each other about his old battles and what it was like to live in a town.

They were finally forced to leave when Pinkie Pie kicked them out. Even she had a limit apparently. Deciding that it was getting late anyway the two parted ways. Suddenly, Nails turned back around.

"Hey Big Macintosh!" Big Mac turned around acknowledging Nails, "Do you have a hammer I could buy?"

"Eeeyup, I'd give it to you for free if you really wanted it." replied Big Macintosh

"I wouldn't feel right just taking it, and about money, let's just say I'm rolling in 'bounty'."

Big Macintosh chuckled, "It's a little late now so come by tomorrow and then we'll talk."

"Got it!" said Nails as he headed towards the library. As soon as he got that hammer he would start on his own home and workshop. He had announced at the party that he was going to be opening his own workshop in the town and that he could help anypony with anything from metal to wood.

As soon as he reached the couch in the library he collapsed onto and instantly fell asleep. He had a big day tomorrow.

The next day Nails woke up and left before Twilight woke up. He made his way to Sweet Apple Acres to see that Big Macintosh and Applejack were already working. Both Big Macintosh and Applejack saw him and both approached him.

"Well, what can I do ya for Talo-uh I mean Nails!" said Applejack eyeing Big Macintosh carefully to see if he had noticed.

"Relax Applejack, he already knows who I really am." said Nails

"What! How? Did you tell him last night at the party? You're just throwing that secret to the wind and letting it scatter aren't ya?" she said sounding a little angry.

"I already knew." said Big Macintosh calming his sister.

"How?"

"You never told her?" said Nails.

"Told me what?"

"I didn't think she needed tah know."

"Know what?"

"It's kind of important, and besides, she knows about me."

"WILL YOU TWO QUIT KEEPIN ME OUTTA THE LOOP AND TELL ME ALREADY!" yelled Applejack.

"Applejack, your brother is the captain of the Ponyville Regiment in the Equestrian Homefront Militia." said Nails.

"What?" said Applejack.

"It's the army that Equestria would use to fight a guerilla war should special forces ever fail. That's why I was asked to go to Canterlot for that 'special education'. They were just training me."

"And you agreed to this? You left me to work on the farm to try and become a hero!"

"Actually, he was drafted." said Nails.

"What's drafted?" asked Applejack.

"Well, when a pony gets drafted, he or she doesn't have a choice whether or not they want to do it. They get selected to do it. Your brother got chosen because he was able to keep a level head in stressful situations. And he wasn't supposed to tell anypony outside of other soldiers, and now I guess you count as a soldier." said Nails.

"Oh, well then, I guess I'm sorry fer gettin mad. It's just I get back from a foreign country to return to what I think will be a normal life and mah brother turns out to be the leader of a militia here in Ponyville. Speakin of which, who else is in the militia?" asked Applejack.

"He is not authorized to say. Only the individual soldiers can reveal themselves. And I just remembered why I came here in the first place. Big Macintosh, do you still have that hammer I asked about?"

"Eeeyup, just lemme go and get it." he said walking off towards a shed.

"So I guess that's why you two got together so well at the party last night. So why do you need the hammer?" asked Applejack.

"I'm gonna build myself a house then start on the workshop."

"Wow, that sounds like you got a lot of work to do today."

"Yeah, I expect to be able to put a roof over my head by tomorrow then I'll start on the shop." replied Nails as Big Macintosh returned with the hammer in his mouth. Nails pulled out a few bits and paid Big Macintosh, before leaving and heading towards an outer part of the town he had picked out on his way to Sweet Apple Acres. It was far enough away that the loud volume of his smith work wouldn't be heard, but close enough to where he was a few minutes walk from the center of town. It was time for him to get to work.

I am really proud of myself I only used Talon once this time. So anyway please review because right now I really need advice.