The winds were warm, the sun was kind, the whole day was absolutely perfect, wonderful for anything, really. The hills and grass rolled by at such a speed, that Black could easily rival the Wonderbolts themselves. Speed, agility, even without magic, he could easily perform as well as they could, or better. He was confident, he has the skill, and he's not even a dare devil.
A few houses dotted the emerald grass below, whisking by as Black sped on. He flew low to the ground, took a moment to slow down, and circle the small town, then hurried back to his previous route, snapping at the air with every wing flap. It was a small, humble little town, Ponyville. Just like every newspaper and story about it, save for the muck rakers. So many things he heard of the place, especially of Princess Twilight herself, soon to be married and what not.
A few familiar sights soared next to Steel close enough for them to each pass on a silent message to Steel. First, he'd seen the most peaceful location in Equestria, then got doffed to by the Wonderbolts. It was a good day indeed. As they broke away from Steel, Spitifire called aloud to the Alicorn, "I like your speed!"
It brought a chuckle out of Steel, and he straightened his wings, jerking backward into a hard rise, cut a backwards loop, then shot straight for the mountain ahead. It took only moments to reach it's grey base, and as he climbed, he swaggered left and right, arcing back down to the city.
Flaring his wings, he came into a hard halt, slamming onto the hard cobblestone of the street. The old road didn't so much as crack against his shattering force, but the very amount of force which did travel through tripped a few nearby ponies. After giving a chuckle, he began his way towards the castle, leaping from the street onto the nearest rooftop, then the next, making larger and larger jumps, guided by his massive wings.
Approaching the old construct, a few guards hailed before him a small distance from the doors, stopping him from entering the castle's own gates. Magic grabbed him, and he was slowed to a stop, placed in front of the two. One's ear flickered, and he huffed silently.
"State your business, stallion."
"I am Black Steel, World Wandering alicorn. Today is my annual return to Canterlot."
"Black steel, good to see you return once more, sir!", the stallion smiled.
"As always, it's a pleasure to be back. Is Princess Celestia still waiting?"
"Indeed she is, continue on, sir.", the guards stepped by.
He leapt forward, and with another leap, began his quick flight through the gates, front doors, then the halls of Canterlot Castle until he came to rest in front of the Throne room doors. As usual, they were open, and the room alight with many colored glass murals decorating the walls. It was a sight worthy for a queen, the very pony that sat in her throne, dealing with a thickly rolled scroll.
"Black Steel!", she addressed the stallion.
Steel took his place at the foot of the stairs before her throne and bowed respectfully, "Your highness."
"I was thinking you'd be late, but as you said, high noon."
The king himself strolled through the throne room doors, and Celestia gasped.
"Oh, I don't think I've introduced you to my daughter."
"I don't believe you have.", Steel admitted.
"Well. You are considered a respectable visitor every time you meet me here. I'm not all for favorites and giving others privileges, but...lately it's been an issue that everypony wants to meet my little filly."
A cute giggle sounded from behind Steel, and he turned to face the mare mentioned, spotting first the beautifully aglow mane she had. Mane and tail. Like the golden rays of sunlight in the happy mornings were captured and used to dye her hair.
"Like the golden rays of sunlight in the happy mornings were captured and used to dye her hair?", she giggled, "I've never had it put that way before."
Steel looked at her oddly. Had he said that aloud?
"I'll admit, thats jsut about the cutest thing anypony has ever said to me."
Celestia chuckled as she approached the two, making a swift motion as she passed by her king, "Well, this is Aura. My heir, and the first known Earth-pony able to use magic. Aura, this here is our special guest, Black Steel. He's a world traveling stallion."
Black Steel bowed respectfully to the princess.
"Well, if he travels, then why are your cutie mark and name both relative to the trade of blacksmith?"
"I had a father who taught me the art of smithing, and I did perfect a specific trademark of my hence, the name. It's not something I pride myself much on, and I find it much more wonderful to create something beautiful for somepony over everything else."
"Really?"
"To see someone appreciate me for creating something so delicate, intricate, or even masive of metal...", he shivered, "The thought makes me shiver with excitement."
"Really? Well...I have an idea, but I am unsure about it. I have a fascination with gems. Rubies specifically. Do you think you could make aset of fake wings, of which each feather is cut from the beautiful red gem?"
"I have actually done something with precious gems before. I have a fascination with emeralds, and making a chain length of it granted me the needed knowledge. After several days of many attempts."
"So, you can do it?"
"Of course! But, I don't have a forge to use."
"I'm sure I could get permission from my mother and father."
Aura turned to Celestia, and ebfore she could ask the question, Celestia nodded in approval.
"I don't see a reason why not to allow it. You'd have to clear with our blacksmith as well. Taking the forge would be a rather rude, and more than likely unsuccessful event.", the king said.
"Understood your highness.", Steel nodded.
He turned to Aura, and she was positively beaming with what looked like excitement. Albeit, much less than Steel.
"Shall we begin?", he asked, holding his hoof ahead of him as to motion for her to lead.
"I'm practically beaming with excitement."
"What should
I use for the metal needed to create this master piece?", Steel asked.
"Why no show me how good Black steel looks?"
Steel smiled widely, "Gladly."
Tehf orge was a large one, sitting right in the caste yard, next to an archery range and training court. The forge sat int eh center, surrounded by everything that was required to work it. the bellows to the right, the stockpile of material metal on the left, and the anvil set to the side for working the heated metals.
The stallion who ran the forge was hard at work, hammering down hard on something that glowed white hot. He was large, burly, and on his back, flapping with nearly every swing of his hammer, was a set of large grey wings.
"Good day to you, Blacksmith.", Aura called.
He immedaitely perked up, and turned to his side, peering down at the princess with a bit of surprise, "Princess! What are you doing here?", he asked.
"Actually, we are here to request permission to use your forge."
"Well...", the pegasus continued his work, "That depends on what you need me to make."
"Oh, I don't think you understood me. I'm requesting to use your forge to make something myself."
"Hm?", the blacksmith turned to his side again.
"I have a project idea that the princess here ahs requested of me to take on. So, would you be kind enough to lend us the use of this forge?"
"Hmmm....", the pegasus rubbed his chin.
He lifted the blade from the anvil with his bare hoof, and nodded, bringing his hammer up one last time, high above his head as he set the blade down. Within a few more hard hits, he nodded, satisfied, and tossed it into the trough of water next to the solid chunk of metal.
"I say have at it, though, what's your name?"
"Black Steel. I am a magic-smith."
"Hahahhh! Well, It's good to finally meet one. I consider myself a sky-smith. Only place to find the right kind of metal is to make it from the clouds themselves. Makes a wonderful white metal that never rusts, enver gives in easily, but it's a stubborn one."
"A sky-smith. Well, I'd love to comapre our work soem time."
"Well, I've filled in the necessary orders for the next few days, she's all yours.", he tosed the hammer to Steel.
After he cought it, he smiled, "Ia ctually won't be needing this. Brought my own tools."
After he tossed the hammer back, he reached into his under carriage bag, and dug around, pulling out a smooth green length of chain. After swinging it over his neck, it connected at both ends once they met, wrapping closely around his neck.
"As I had mentioned, Aura, I made a length of emerald chain links. Then I imbued them with magic to carry around Anti-material tools."
Aura smriked, "Show off."
"Hey, it works!", he retaliated.
"Well, then.
