Chapter 11


The next morning was a lot calmer for Kurt; he was able to sleep in until around eight in the morning, he had no little fillies to watch, and Applejack and her brother were off into town to sell their latest load of apples. That left just Kurt and his Blazer alone, like it had been for so long. With no ponies to bother him, this gave Kurt a good chance to get more work done. The previous day he managed to accomplish a lot, which really surprised him. The problem now was that the radiator to his Blazer was completely ruined. And Kurt was sure there was no NAPA auto parts store around, so there was nothing he could do about it.

Kurt hefted the radiator with the other twisted Blazer parts he had started to pile in a corner. The plastic grill was destroyed, the right headlight was pulverized, the bumper was no more, and the hood was messed up, but salvageable; a little hammer work and he could probably get it to go back on. Next, it seemed he ruined the right front tire; luckily, he had a spare to throw on. Lastly, all that was left was the smashed windshield, though he could still see through most of it so it was good enough for him as it was.

Kurt stood in front of his Blazer, looking at the mess it had become. It hurt him deeply; he and the vehicle had gone through a lot together, but nothing remotely close to this. If he could really say he was close to anyone, or anything at all after Amanda, it was his Blazer. It never talked back to him, it never called him names, or did anything to offend him. Granted, it would break down on occasion, but that wasn't its fault; it was manufacturing's!

Before Kurt's mind could begin to reel itself on his own mentioning of Amanda, his attention was suddenly grabbed by the barn door sliding open, and a purple unicorn mare sticking her head inside.

"Kurt, are you there?"

Kurt recognized the female voice as Twilight; not to mention the purple and pink stripes in her mane that parted at her horn. He found it strange that he was beginning to recognize the ponies now. Whether that was good or not, he wasn't sure yet. If anything from his previous encounters had taught him: it was bad.

"Yea, I'm here," Kurt stepped from the front of his Blazer, placing his hands at his hips, "Whats up?"

Twilight stepped inside, then paused a moment and turned around, "Come on Spike, he isn't going to hurt you."

Kurt watched the baby dragon, Spike, as he stuck his head around the doorway and looked right at Kurt.

"I know, but still," Spike then whispered, "he gives me the willies."

"Oh stop being a baby Spike," Twilight added, with a little laugh at the end.

Kurt smiled as the two bickered back and forth like a mother and her child. He was finding himself doing that more often: smiling. He never smiled this much back on Earth. Why was he constantly pretending like he was happy? Or, was he not pretending, and he was really enjoying this place? He sure hoped not; for one, he didn't belong here, and he didn't intend on staying long. Last thing he wanted was these ponies to get attached to him, or worst case, he to them.

"Anyway, Kurt, I have some good news and bad news."

"That figures..." Kurt took his hat off, scratching his head as he looked hard at the mare, "Bad news first."

Twilight rose an eye brow, confused, "Why the bad first?"

"Its how I roll, ok?"

Twilight sighed as Spike handed her a scroll. Using her magic, Twilight unrolled it and skimmed the page before stopping at a particular part.

"It seems the princess will not be able today, or for that matter the next two days, to come and visit. She had some urgent matters to attend to in Fillydelphia."

Kurt closed his eyes, and quickly placed his orange hat back onto his head. He knew better than to ask about "Fillydelphia", because quite frankly everything in this world seemed to pun off of his own world, "Ok, I'm stuck here for three more days. That's not too bad. Now what's the good news?"

"Well," Twilight started, rolling the scroll up and handing it to Spike, "She believes she can get you home."

That statement instantly cheered Kurt's mood, if only slightly, as he straightened up and stood tall, "Awesome!"

Kurt didn't find it any bit "awesome" that he was going to be stuck here for three whole days, but knowing the ruler of this world could get him home helped. His mind still raced at the thought; he was going to be stuck here for three. More. Days! If he survived this, he would personally punch the person or pony responsible for his being here.

Kurt noticed Twilight giving him a uncertain look, probably due to the way he had responded. He said the word with absolute sarcasm in his voice; not how he intended to respond, it's just the way it came out. Kurt threw on his fake smile, and walked back around to the front of his Blazer; Twilight curiously followed to see what he was up to.

"So, what is the verdict?" Twilight asked looking at the wreckage.

"Fucked."

Twilight frowned, "Geeze, you don't have to-"

"Sorry, just not too thrilled at the moment. I'm stuck here for three more days, and the radiator is completely fu-" Kurt caught himself, "-messed up."

"What is it specifically? Maybe I could help?"

"Unless you can make me a new one of those-" Kurt pointed to the destroyed radiator amongst the pile of mangled parts, "-my baby ain't going anywhere."

Twilight looked from Kurt to the "radiator", then back to Kurt again. She could see the hurt in his eyes; this creature- no, she knew what he was now- this human was going through a lot, and it wasn't just his Blazer bothering him. There was more to his suffering than he let on; deep down, Twilight could see another part of Kurt. Her suspicions came about mostly from the way he acted with the fillies; he was kind to them and played around, and from the talks she had with Applejack and Rarity about his recent outbursts and apologies he seemed to not intend on being so heartless.

Twilight reciprocated their feelings; she knew he wasn't heartless, but that he was just holding something inside himself, something eating him alive, causing him to act in the ways he did. There was only one remedy Twilight could think of, and if there had been one thing she had learned from her friendships, it was when she needed somepony to listen to her about a problem.

"Kurt, is everything alright?"

Kurt was picking up some tools when the question caught him off guard, but he didn't show it besides a slight pause in his movement. "I'm as fine as I can be, I suppose. Why do you ask?"

"It's just, you know, how you act. It's not my place to ask, but-"

Kurt nearly slammed the tools into a metal box to shut her up, then answered, "Then why are you asking?"

Twilight bit her lip. She was not going to get anywhere with Kurt; she could already tell by his cold response and the anger in his actions.

"Never mind then."

Twilight's attention was caught by Spike picking up the mangled radiator; he had been completely oblivious to the small talk and was looking the hunk of aluminum over carefully, "So, uh, Kurt. What is this thing? Looks kinda funky."

"That thing helps cool down both the engine coolant and transmission fluid by drawing in air. Both liquids are cooled from the air flow through the fins, and that, in turn, keeps the engine and transmission from seizing up."

Spike blinked.

"It keeps the Blazer from overheating," Kurt said, adding a sigh at the end.

It seemed Spike didn't fully understand, and might even not have really cared if Twilight hadn't stepped in.

"Amazing! It works the opposite way that the radiators in our homes do!"

Twilight's words were like an angel singing in Kurt's ears; they had those kinds of radiators?

"Wait, you guys use that kind of technology?" Kurt asked, his mood genuinely increasing.

"Yes, we use hot water to warm our homes in the winter. Do you know of the method?"

Kurt smiled big; he hadn't smiled this big since he got paid for the last job he had done. He had an idea.

"Yes, I do, and could you by chance get me one of those radiator units? I have an idea."

Kurt's mind was in overdrive as he thought of his idea. It was crazy, and probably wouldn't work, but he's both seen and done crazier stuff on his planet. Twilight nodded, and with Spike began to leave the barn.

"Oh, and one more thing, if it isn't too much to ask."

"Sure, what is it?"

"I need some ice. About five pounds of it should do the trick."

Again, Twilight nodded, smiling that she was able to help in some way as she and Spike walked out of the barn. Kurt turned back to the mangled radiator; a devilish smile on his face as the gears in his mind worked with the newly hatched idea. It was a long shot, but he might be able to get it to work. What else was he going to do? If he needed his Blazer to operate for a possible way to send him and it home, then he needed it in working order.

----------

"What do you think he needs that stuff for, Twi?" Spike asked as the unicorn and her assistant made their way back to Ponyville.

They walked the same path they had arrived from. Granted, there was really no other "way" to go, besides cutting through the orchard. But Applejack didn't like it when ponies did that, because they would have a tendency to help themselves to an apple or two. Of course, they would always pay her, but she was sure some ponies wouldn't give her enough bits for the appropriate amount of apples they ate.

"I'm not sure, but I've seen that look before in Rarity; he's got an idea. So if it will help him, then it's ok."

"Why are you helping him? I mean, I know it's the right thing to do... but-"

"Well, you see Spike, he's like a lost puppy in a sense."

"He's one big puppy then."

Twilight groaned, "I mean, he's far from home. Nopony here knows who he is or where he belongs exactly. So, we are doing what we can to make him comfortable until we find his home. Does that make any sense?"

Spike crossed his arms, "I guess so. It's just how he talks to you Twi, as well as the others. Boy, if I was there when he yelled at Rarity like that, I would have-"

"But Spike, you weren't there. You don't know what happened. Rarity attacked him with no proper reason. He had every right to be upset. Yes, he didn't have to be so mean about it, but he did apologize afterwords."

Spike remained silent as the two neared Ponyville; Twilight's words did little to settle his anger towards the human. Yelling at Rarity like that; oh, if he were only a few years older...

Twilight stopped on the edge of town, looking to her assistant, "Spike, could you go and fetch some ice? I will stop by the appliance shop and get a radiator."

"Yea yea, ok..." Spike said, walking towards Sugar Cube Corner. Each step was more of a stomp as he made his way towards the bright building.

Twilight shook her head and walked to her destination. She knew Spike was very protective over his crush, but sometimes he let it cloud his judgment.

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Spike wasn't long inside Sugar Cube Corner; of course, he was distracted by Pinkie Pie's cooking and singing, but what ultimately stopped him was a white unicorn sitting outside with a small group of other ponies. Her elegant purple mane grabbed his attention as Spike practically floated towards the group which consisted of Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie.

"Wait, how did Pinkie get-"

Spike gave up on the thought before he could even finish it. Pinkie Pie was Pinkie Pie; there was no sense in questioning it.

"Ah, Spike darling, so good to see you," Rarity sang, as Spike took a seat beside her, "What brings you here?"

Spike set the bag of ice on the table, making a loud clang as the ice cubes struck the glass tabletop, "Taking Kurt some ice."

"What does he need ice for?" Rainbow Dash asked, taking a bite out of a cupcake.

"I dunno, he asked me and Twi to get him a bag of ice and a radiator."

"Ya mean like what we use ta warm our houses?" Applejack asked.

"Yes," another voice called from behind the group.

They all turned to see Twilight walking towards them; a brand new radiator floating just beside her as she carried it with her magic.

"What's he need that stuff for?" Dash asked again, raising a brow.

"He's trying to fix his Blazer."

"Why would he do that?"

"Well, if I had to guess, I'd say because since he was driving it when he arrived here, maybe he thinks he needs to drive it to leave."

All the ponies remained silent as they digested the thought.

"True, tha' could be it, ah reckon," Applejack said.

"But, since you all are here, I think we need to talk about Kurt."

"What's wrong?" Rarity asked, ignoring the drooling dragon beside her.

"Well, has anypony else noticed how he acts and behaves?"

All the ponies gave Twilight a mixture of surprised and confused looks.

"No, I mean, really looked at him. He's hiding something; I know it," Twilight set her chin on the glass table top, disgusted at her failed attempt to talk with Kurt earlier.

"Why does that concern us?" Dash asked with a humph.

"Because Rainbow, remember what it is we are studying? The magic of friendship? How we should help ponies in need?"

"But darling, he isn't a pony."

"I know, Rarity, but still, he's another living being. He is hurting; haven't any of you seen that?"

The group looked from one another, nodding their heads in agreement as Kurt's actions and words flowed through their heads.

"There is no other reason for how he acts; I can't believe he is truly like that personally. There is something more to him inside, but he is just hiding it. I just wish I knew what to do, or what we could do to help him."

All around the table, the ponies talked back and forth about possible motives as to Kurt's actions. He seemed to constantly switch between a kind and talkative nature, to a rude and obnoxious guest.

"Ah think it got a wee bit worse after Rarity's shock-o-treatement." Applejack stated.

"I apolo-" Rarity began.

"No no, ah mean jus' before yer apology, when he began to wake up he called me by another name. Amanda ah think it were."

Twilight rose her hoof to her chin, thinking once more, "Hm, maybe it has something to do with this Amanda. What else did he do afterwords?"

"Well, he went off on Rarity about the incident. But afterward, tha entire time ah noticed he were real quiet; he kept lookin' around, not focusin' on anythin' in particular."

"M-maybe Amanda was a-a friend of his back on his planet?" Fluttershy asked timidly.

"Possible, but until he tells us anything we won't know."

"Well, ah'm goin' back to tha farm Twi. How 'bout ah take his goodies to him 'n see if he'll talk to me any."

Twilight looked to Applejack, a slight smile on her face, "That would be great, after all I have some more studying to do in the library. It would help greatly AJ, thank you!"

Applejack walked over to Twilight with a tip of her hat, as the unicorn placed the two items on the orange mare's back. Casting a quick freeze spell to keep the ice solid, she helped make sure the two items wouldn't fall off on her trip. With a wave of her hoof, Applejack made her way back towards the farm. She knew her brother could handle the cart on his own for the time being, but also knew she'd have to make it up to him sometime down the road.

The remaining ponies continued to talk with one another for several more minutes. Then, with the chiming of the Ponyville clock tower signaling one o'clock, Fluttershy stood up to leave.

"Um, excuse me everypony, I must be going."

"Oh, where you heading 'Shy?" Rainbow Dash asked with a smile.

"Oh, uh, I have another pony I must be meeting."

There was a sudden blush on Fluttershy's face, but before any of the others could ask the shy, yellow Pegasus she took to the air and flew towards the market place.

"Well now, who do you think she is off to see?" Rarity asked curiously.

Most of the ponies knew that Fluttershy only met with a few ponies; most of which being them five and a possible other couple. So it was rare that she would actually be going off to meet with another pony in this manner.

"Oh, I dunno. Probably off with her coltfriend," Pinkie Pie sang as she devoured a cupcake.

All the remaining ponies' (and dragon's) jaws hit the ground with a loud crash from each.

"You're joking Pinks. 'Shy with a coltfriend? Please. I think we have better odds of Applejack beating me at a flying competition," Dash said, unconvinced.

"Relax girls, I'm sure she is just off to help somepony with a hurt animal," Twilight said.

"I dunno... how she and that stallion, who I may or may not know, talked last night at the part-"

"WHO?" All the ponies shouted, interrupting Pinkie Pie.

"I can't say. I've been Pinkie Pie promised to not tell a soul!" Pinkie said, zipping her lips shut... literally.

"Bah, should have known. Figures when something actually interesting happens, it's Pinks that knows the details and she is P cubed not to tell anypony," Dash jumped into the air with a large amount of vigor, "Don't worry girls, I'll go see who-"

"You will do no such thing Rainbow, now bring yourself back down here this instant," Rarity demanded with a simple stomp of her hoof.

With a pout, Dash landed back to the ground and sat on her rump, crossing her fore legs much like a foal after a temper tantrum.

"Now Dash, we can't go butting our heads in Fluttershy's business. If she does have herself a coltfriend, she'll tell us in time," Rarity said with a smile.

"Yea yea yea, alright. It's about time for my afternoon nap anyway, so I'll see ya all later!" Dash said, taking off into the air once again and flying off.

"Yes, me and Spike need to return to the library and finish another day of organizing, right Spike?" Twilight asked her assistant.

"Yea, I know. Every day I'm always organizing, cleaning, or simply logging books. Why can't anything exciting ever happen?" Spike moaned as he began walking away from the table.

With a small chuckle, Twilight followed the purple dragon, leaving Pinkie Pie and Rarity to talk to themselves.