Forging Steel

Chapters

Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3

Prologue

The sun peeked out over the treetops of the hayseed forest, the beginnings of a bright summer's morning on the farthest outskirts of Baltimare. Sprawling fields and orchards glistened with thousands of tiny dewdrops as the sun's rays stretched out over miles of forest and farmland.

The smell of fresh, oat pancakes wafted from a solitary farmhouse near the forest's edge. It was surrounded by several acres of unplowed fields and a small apple orchard. A young earth pony mare could be seen making breakfast through the open kitchen window.

Sunrise Apple took the padded handle of the frying pan in her mouth and expertly flipped the two golden pancakes it contained, a skill born of many such mornings. Her namesake amber mane was tied back with a light green ribbon that matched her coat, keeping it clear of the open flame. Her eyes were the warm color of cinnamon baked apples and they sparkled with happiness as she spotted the first morning rays enter the room. She quickly returned the pan to the stove, and after checking the heat she trotted over to the kitchen window and threw it wide open.

Despite her family's adamant discomfort that she and her husband had built so close to the forest's edge, she wouldn't trade this view for anything. Their little orchard and the seemingly endless forest beyond it, the smell of cool morning air, and the sun's warmth on her cheeks were undiluted tranquility. To her, there was nothing quite so breathtaking as first light in the morning.

Being farm-class earth ponies, she and her husband were well accustomed to rising before dawn each day in order to get all their work done, and Sunrise couldn't remember the last time she had missed a sunrise. As a filly, she used to get up early with her mother to help make breakfast for the family and prepare for the day. She had always kept a sharp eye out as they worked, and at the first sign of sunlight she would scamper to the window, watching in awe and delight until the sun fully cleared the horizon. Her mother would laugh and had even named her 'Sunrise' as she watched her sit there mesmerized each morning in front of the window.

Smiling at the pleasant memories, Sunrise waited until the sun had cleared the treetops before leaning forward and sticking her head out of the window. Connected to the house by a shallow dirt path was a barn with a small workshop built into the side. She could see its double doors standing wide open and the low, brick chimney emitting a slow stream of smoke into the chilly morning air. She could hear the familiar sound of a hammer on iron coming from inside, and she waited for a moment until the hammering paused before raising her voice:

"Anvil! Ember! Breakfast!" she called towards the shop before returning to finish setting the table.

A few minutes later she heard the patter of hooves on the dirt path outside, and a dark grey earth pony, his cutie mark an anvil and hammer, entered through the door. His sandy brown mane was unkempt, and he looked as if he had gone to work straight out of bed. He was followed by a colt, about a head shorter than him and whose bed-head rivaled that of his father. He was carrying a package as his dad held the door open for him, it was wrapped neatly in simple brown paper and tied up with a ribbon and bow.

"Happy birthday, Mom!" the colt exclaimed as he entered the kitchen and placed the package on the table.

"Is that for me?" Sunrise asked in feigned shock, her smile egged on by his barely concealed enthusiasm.

"You bet it is," her husband cut in brightly, "and so are these." He placed a small pile of colorful, and all apple themed, cards next to the package on the table before circling around to nuzzle his wife.

"Happy birthday, Sunrise," he said, giving her a quick kiss.

"I thought we were going to wait until tonight for the party, Anvil," she said, raising a questioning eyebrow at her husband.

"I wanted to celebrate a bit while we were all here together," Anvil said, "and before Ember left for school."

"We knew you would rather have it in the morning, Mom," Ember said, sticking out his tongue in annoyance. "You make getting up look like it's fun."

Sunrise giggled and pulled her son into a hug. His ashy coat was a close match to his father's, and he was almost as tall as him now too, but Ember shared his mother's amber mane and eyes, much to her continuing delight since he was born.

"I was surprised to find you already up, Ember," Sunset teased. "How did Anvil get you out of bed so early?"

"We wanted to finish your present so we could give it to you," Ember replied, "and Dad wouldn't let me skip school."

"Don't worry, buddy," Anvil chuckled through a mouthful of pancakes. He flinched at a stern look from his wife and swallowed the bite before continuing, "in a few months you'll be done with school, then you can spend all the time you want with me in the shop. How does that sound?" Ember beamed, and Anvil ruffled his son's already tangled mane with a hoof before turning back to the table.

"The mailpegasus brought you these last night," Anvil said to his wife, motioning to the colorful pile of cards next to the package and flicking through them.

"Looks like you got birthday wishes from family in Fillydelphia, Manehattan... and Ponyville too. I guess old Granny's still going strong as ever. She hasn't missed a single one of yours or Ember's birthdays since they moved her into care... still doesn't remember my name though." Anvil mock scowled at the offending card and Sunrise giggled.

"You know she means well," Sunrise chastised, "and she has so little to do there."

"We'll have to write her back, but later on tonight or Ember won't get to school on time," Anvil said.

"You should open our gift now!" said Ember eagerly.

Sunset smiled at their enthusiasm. "Well, okay then. Here goes." She dutifully approached the package and untied the bow with her teeth. Pushing the cheap wrapping paper aside, she gasped in delight.

The paper fell away to reveal a smooth little box made of varnished wood. It was about two hooves in length and had been sanded and polished to a shine. Carved into its sides were detailed flowers that curled around each corner, and the lid was engraved with an image of an apple tree framed by a golden rising sun.

"It's beautiful!" exclaimed Sunrise, admiring the detailed hoofwork.

"It's a music box," Ember said excitedly. "Dad and I have been working on it for months."

Sunrise opened the lid. Inside, secured to a metal plate bolted to the bottom, was a long steel comb set against a metal tube with lines of little bumps along its surface. Set beside it was a ring housing several springs and gears, all connected to a polished steel lever passing through a slot and out the side of the box.

Sunrise placed her hoof on top of the lever and a series of clicks sounded as she pushed down on it lightly. After several more pushes the clicking stopped and the box's inner workings began to turn. The little nubs rotated and caught the steel teeth as they went by, singing out soft, ringing notes with each pass and weaving a calming, almost dissonant melody.

Sunrise recognized the tune almost immediately as the one her own mother had sung to her each night as a filly. It was also the same one she used to sing to Ember at night when he was small. The soft melody repeated itself multiple times as the little mechanism slowly turned.

"How did you do this?" she asked, mesmerized by the flow of sweet memories that accompanied the chiming sound of her childhood lullaby.

"I saw a merchant showing them off at the festival last fall," Anvil said with a grin. "I figured it wouldn't be too hard to make one ourselves."

"I helped Dad get the right notes while he made the box, and I helped with some of the parts, too," Ember added.

Sunrise's eyes filled with tears. "Thank you, Ember. Anvil. Thank you so much!" she said, giving them each a tight hug in turn.

"How about you go upstairs and get cleaned up for school, Ember," Anvil said to his son. "It's a long walk, and you don't want to be late."

"Sure Dad," Ember replied and headed out of the kitchen toward the stairs, leaving his parents sitting together closely at the table.

"I know it's not much, but I hope you like it," Anvil said hopefully, nodding towards the still-chiming music box on the table.

"It's perfect," Sunrise said as she leaned into his neck. "I couldn't ask for a better gift."

"If business had been better last year then we could afford to travel a bit like you wanted, or at least have the time and bits to throw a decent party." Anvil let his gaze fall to the floor. "You and Ember deserve better."

"That's enough of that," she cut him off firmly, giving his chest a soft jab. "You are a wonderful father, Anvil. Ember admires you. He wants nothing more than to be just like you... and I couldn't be more supportive of that." She pressed her lips softly to his neck, making Anvil's heart leap in his chest.

"Next year I'll be able to get those new fields cleared and planted," Anvil said, "and Ember will be big enough to help me by then. The extra produce and harvest from your trees will give us enough flexibility to throw a proper party for things like this."

Sunrise pulled her husband into an embrace and looked him in the eye. "Anvil, I have everything I could ask for right here. You are very good at what you do, and business will pick up once more farmers buy up the land out here. Then we won't have to worry so much about bits, and you won't have to spend so much time traveling to and from the city for work. You will be home, that is all I want."

Anvil held her close and kissed her once more. "I couldn't ask for a better mare."

The two mates sat in a close embrace, relaxing in the simplicity of each other's company. The dying notes of the music box came slower and slower as the song wound to a close.

From the stairs adjacent to the kitchen door, a pair of eyes watched closely from behind the low railing. Ember watched his parent's exchange, warm feelings rising in his chest. Satisfied that their special gift had gone over well, he quickly crept the rest of the way up the stairs into his room before he could be caught snooping.

Anvil gave Sunrise one last kiss before standing. "I'm going to head back to the shop. There's a bent axle out there that Ember was helping me with. The job goes slower without a second pair of hooves, and I need to get it rolled back into shape before I head into town."

"I'll be working the orchards once I finish cleaning up breakfast," his wife replied, "you can find me there if you need help." With that, Anvil went out the door and back to the barn, taking a few of the leftover pancakes with him.

Ember mulled around his room upstairs, smoothing his mane and fishing his saddlebags out from under the bed. He would rather stay home with Mom and Dad, but they always said how important it was for him to finish school, and he only had one more year.

It was hardly fair. He kept good grades, and the final year felt like it only mattered for finding work or apprenticeships, but he already knew what he wanted to do. He had always been working in the shop with his dad ever since he could remember. He was still a bit too small for the bigger jobs, but Ember loved seeing his parents happy when he did a good job.

Ember grumbled as he packed books, parchment, and a few quills into the waiting saddlebags. The weekend wasn't that far away, and then he would have a few days to work and do whatever he pleased.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by a loud bang from downstairs as the front door was thrown violently open and then slammed back shut. He heard his Mom yelp in surprise, and he ran out to the top of the stairs to see what was happening.

A strange stallion was in the living room. He looked like he had been running a marathon and was covered with so much dirt that Ember could hardly tell what color his coat was. He wore a pair of bulging saddlebags that looked to be quite heavy and abused. He was forcibly leaning against the back of the door, panting heavily. His wide eyes darted about the room as if in search of a place to hide.

"Anvil?" called his mother as she came out of the kitchen to investigate. She had been spooked by the loud noise, and she froze upon catching sight of the strange stallion blocking the door.

There was silence as she eyed the stranger uneasily for a moment and the stallion struggled to catch his breath.

When Sunrise spoke again her voice was stern in spite of her frightened posture. "Excuse me, but is there some way we can-"

"Everyone, quiet!" the stallion cut her off, his eyes continuing to dart around the room. His erratic behavior frightened Sunrise further, and Ember could see his mother shifting her weight nervously from one hoof to another.

"We would appreciate it if you left this instant. My husband is just outside and I will not let a strange stallion just stomp into my home and-"

Sunrise tensed and almost bolted as the dirty stallion flung himself to his knees in front of her, but she held her ground.

"Please don't send me out," he begged as he moved closer to her, "and keep your voices down."

Sunset regained her posture and stood the approaching stallion down, stomping her hoof on the floor in front of him.

"Get out this instant!" she shouted, turning her head back towards the kitchen and the open window. "Anvil!"

The stallion panicked. "Please, please don't shout. I-I can pay," he said, reaching back and frantically yanking open one of the bulging saddlebags with his teeth. It fell to the ground in front of him and glittering gemstones of every color and hue scattered out across the floor. "Just don't send me out," he pleaded.

Ember's eyes widened at the sight of the precious stones. They were enormous, far larger than any he had ever seen. His gaze was drawn to the largest ones, some of which were glowing oddly and throwing multicolored patterns across the floor.

His mother stared, momentarily dumbfounded by the large pile of valuable stones that now covered her floor.

"W-what-" she began, when a terrifying roar pierced the air from outside.

The windows rattled as something heavy struck the ground in front of the house. There was another roar, and Ember heard his mother scream as the entire front wall of the house was ripped away.

Crouched in front of the now gaping entryway, claws bared, wings held high, and its green eyes blazing with an almost insane fury, was a dragon. Its head hung high above them, a bit taller than the small, two story farmhouse. It had a long, muscular body, and its green scales might have been a beautiful sight in the morning sun had the creature not just torn the front off their home.

The creature snarled when it caught sight of the stallion, and it stalked further into the wreckage. The spell of fear and shock that had gripped the room vanished in an instant.

The stallion bolted for the back rooms of the house as the dragon went after him with murderous intent. It snarled and drove its claws through the wood of the doorway in his wake, attempting to grasp the fleeing pony. Had there been a back door then he might have escaped, but the stallion could only cower in the farthest corner of the room, just out of reach of the grasping claws.

The dragon withdrew its foreleg from the doorway with a growl and raked its claws beneath the surrounding wall instead, shattering the bottom half of the staircase and bringing much of the second floor down on top of the hiding stallion.

The wood beneath Ember's hooves groaned and cracked, and he darted back into his room crying out as the floor began to collapse beneath him. The dragon swept its claws again, and the whole room began to slump, tilting towards the living room below. Ember's hooves scrambled against the floorboards, failing to find a grip as he slid towards the door and tumbled out over the banister. He landed in a pile of splintered wood and cried out as something sharp lanced into his side.

There was shouting from outside but the dragon paid it no mind, continuing to slash through the wreckage in search of the stallion with the saddlebags.

All at once, the creature stiffened. It arched its back and roared to the sky in pain and fury.

Ember's father had come galloping from the barn, a miniature scythe held between his teeth. Ember recognized the tool as one he had repaired himself just days before in a job for a neighbor. Having failed to draw the beast's attention, Anvil had leaped up and sunk the blade into the dragon's haunch.

Anvil struggled to withdraw the blade as the dragon whipped about. It thrashed at the spot, knocking the stallion away with a foreleg, and Anvil was sent sprawling out into the yard where he landed heavily.

The grey stallion stumbled and winced as he tried to get up, struggling to orient himself after the heavy blow and landing.

The dragon turned and zeroed in upon its attacker. Not bothering to go any closer, it arched its neck and buried Anvil in a torrent of vicious, green flames.

"Nooooo!" Sunrise screamed. She leapt from the kitchen doorway and charged the fire-breathing creature, desperately trying to draw its attention away from her husband.

Wary of the noise, the dragon ceased its torrent of flames and rounded on Sunrise, who turned and darted back into the kitchen for cover as its tail swept through the room towards her.

The thin walls of the kitchen did little to stop the strong, scaled appendage, and Ember heard his mother's muffled scream of pain as the dragon's tail went completely through the room in a wave of shattered wood.

Sunrise's cry roused Ember from his shock as if somepony had dropped a hot coal on his flank, momentarily dispelling the instinctual fear of the giant predator before him. The pain in his side lost its bite as adrenalin began to shoot through him. It's going to kill mom and dad and I'm not doing anything!

Broken wood crunched beneath the dragon's claws as it turned back towards the yard where Anvil was struggling weakly to get back to his hooves. It arched its neck, filling its throat with flames once more.

Ember's eyes were drawn to the creature's haunch as it turned, where the handle of the scythe was still visible.

The dragon unleashed another wave of green fire as Ember darted out from the pile of wood where he lay hidden.

Ignoring the many splinters in his coat and the protesting wound in his side, Ember leapt onto the creature's back and gripped the handle of the tool between his teeth. He ripped the farm tool free, arched his back and sunk the sharp blade once again into the same spot.

The dragon was at its wit's end when another bolt of searing pain cut through its already screaming haunch. It stiffened and whipped its still-blazing jaws towards the source of the pain. Drawing deeper from the magical core of its fiery belly, it wanted nothing more than to unmake these creatures that continued to aggravate it from behind.

The dragon's fire took on a slightly more liquid quality as it swung in a blazing arc towards the spot where Ember clung, still biting tightly on the handle of his only weapon. The flames crashed over the colt's head, continuing on down the dragon's back and spreading along the floor beneath them.

The shattered floorboards hissed and popped, not igniting, but rapidly disintegrating as the boiling flame spread until it reached a pile of glowing gemstones scattered in the debris next to a torn saddlebag.

There were flashes of light as the flames came into contact with the gems. The dormant stones crumbled while the ones with glowing cores ignited and shattered, feeding sparkling tendrils of light into the gnawing flames. A hissing and crackling sound, like a lit fuse on a firecracker, filled the room as the now-sparkling inferno spread around the dragon.

Ember wanted to scream with everything he had but his body would not move. He felt like something was clawing its way into his side and undoing him from the inside-out. He felt the dragon's fire ripping his body apart as the agony spread, inside and out, until all went dark.

Something was wrong, the dragon knew. Its scales were not repelling the flames as they should and a terrible clawing, burning sensation was knifing its way into it's haunch. The beast snapped its flaming jaws shut, but the already swirling inferno refused to dissipate.

The dragon snarled as the rebellious flames spread beneath the scales of its back, relentlessly breaking its body up into a sparkling green mist that merged with the swirling flames around it. The dragon bellowed, thrashed, and fought until the ripping pain reached the base of its skull and silenced it.

A small scythe, along with several pieces of jagged wood, clattered to the floor of the shattered, burning farmhouse. All was quiet as a large cloud of sparkling green mist snaked its way out towards the forest.

Chapter 1

The happy sounds of celebration filled the streets of Baltimare's farming district. After a long year of hard work, the fall harvest festival was a favorite holiday for all the ponies who labored in and around the city.

The celebration had begun earlier that afternoon, and as the final rays of sunlight disappeared over the horizon the festivities were only just getting started. Lamps and torches were lit, and groups of ponies carried colorful lanterns down the streets, hanging them at strategic spots to guide others along their way to the fairgrounds.

Though the majority of those who lived inside the city itself were not farmers, the excitement of the festival was shared by all. Everypony, businessponies and laborers alike, came out to enjoy the music, lights, and food in the company of their families and neighbors.

A sprawling fair had risen up in the empty fields outside the city's southwestern limits. Vendors and local shopkeepers had set up colorful tents and stands throughout the park. Musicians played merry tunes as hundreds of ponies browsed the many colorful attractions, danced, or simply enjoyed the environment as they wandered about.

The field designated for the fair was bordered by a river running along its edge and separating it from the Hayseed forest. A stone bridge, adorned with hanging lanterns, allowed for access across the river to the forest on the other side. Only the occasional colored lamp illuminated the opposite bank at the forest’s entrance, where couples could wander the starlit paths between the trees in mild seclusion.

One pony sat alone under the shade of the bridge at the river's edge, a short distance away from the bustling carnival. His dark, ashy coat blended with the shadows, and his amber mane was damp with sweat as if he had a fever. The young stallion watched the ponies celebrating happily among the colorful tents with an expression torn between contentment and longing.

Ember felt terrible, but it was something he had long become accustomed to, and he tried to suppress it as he enjoyed the nostalgic atmosphere of the fair. The bright, cheerful music brought him back to the times when his own parents had taken him all the way to the city just for the festival.

He closed his eyes and retreated into his mind as the sounds of music and celebration blended with those in his memory. For just a moment he was a small colt again, darting excitedly among the colorful stalls as Mom and Dad gave chase, pointing out to him all the many exciting performers, fun games, and tasty treats.

His moment was interrupted as a stabbing pain went through his head and down along his spine. Ember shuddered and pressed his forehooves to his temples, more beads of sweat rolling down his coat. Burning claws raked away at his consciousness with an impatient anger, as if furious with his attempts to suppress it.

"Just a little longer... please," Ember pleaded under his breath. "Why can't it wait just one more night." The pressure only continued to increase, intent on crushing him into a corner and sealing him away for his turn in the darkness.

Ember sighed. It was dangerous to have tried to make it until the festival. Having to leave only every other week was a big improvement and had allowed him to live consistently in the city for some time now. But there always came that day when it would wait no longer, and Ember feared to gamble any further tonight.

Hauling himself up from his secluded spot by the riverbank, Ember took one last look before he turned his back to the celebration and set his hooves on the path towards the forest.

The multicolored lanterns cast a dreamy light across his path as he stepped onto the bridge. The moon shone brightly overhead, casting a silvery reflection on the water that mingled with the lantern light on the gentle current.

A mare and stallion passed by Ember as he crossed the bridge. They were pressed close together and walked with their tails entwined, whispering in each other's ears happily. Ember's eyes lingered on them for a moment before lowering again to allow them their privacy. He felt an acute sense of loneliness, as well as a twinge of embarrassment at his likely bedraggled-looking state, and he ran a quick hoof over his mane to straighten out the worst of it once the couple had passed.

Upon reaching the other side, Ember took the first trail leading straight into the shadowy trees. He could hear more couples out walking along the parallel paths. The stallions would mutter and the mares giggled in response as they enjoyed a low-lit nighttime stroll beneath the stars. Ember did his best not to dwell on it all too much, knowing that doing so would only make the coming week all the more miserable.

He angled his way deeper into the trees, taking the most direct route he could in order to put distance between himself and the city. His headache became somewhat easier to bear with the mild physical exertion, and the growing quiet of the forest helped as well as he left the more shallow paths behind.

The farther he walked the quieter it became, until the sounds of the city and fair were barely noticeable, and the steady chirping of crickets and other sounds of the forest surrounded him. The sound was comforting to Ember; true silence in the dark enclosures of the forest was a troubling thing and had spiked cold adrenalin through Ember’s veins on more than one occasion, for it was often followed by the presence of some large predator or other creature that should be avoided.

The last signs of the celebration were fading to silence behind him when the stillness was suddenly broken by the sound of raised voices. Ember paused, ears perked. It sounded like a mare and a stallion were having an argument on the path ahead of him.

"Great..." he grumbled to himself. He stepped off the path and into the undergrowth, intent on circumventing the arguing couple.

As he stepped carefully through the brush alongside the small clearing where the couple stood, Ember noted that it was actually a group of four. One mare and three stallions, all roughly his age or a bit older if he had to guess, stood within the circle of trees. The three males stood against the mare, who was arguing angrily with the biggest stallion, a pegasus. Neither of the two looked very happy at all.

Their shouting match continued, and all at once, the stallion struck out at mare. She turned away in sudden fear, attempting to dart away in the direction of the river, but the stallion leaped over her with a beat of his wings, hemming her in as the other two egged him on.

Ember groaned to himself, and he felt his headache turn up a notch. He had seen disagreements of a similar feel before when groups of upper-class colts came prowling around the market districts... disagreements that were broken up by benevolent passerby.

Ember's head throbbed again and he looked longingly towards the path leading deeper into the safety of the forest. Why now? Why here? I can't afford to do this.

He heard a pained yelp from the mare and turned his attention back to the scene in the clearing. The stallion had struck her again, and he now stood over her as she sobbed and clutched at her head. His friends continued to egg him on as he shouted at her. She tried once to inch around him, but he continued to bear down in her way, stomping at her legs and shoulders.

Ember's temper flared and he steeled his gaze. Perhaps he could risk it.

His decision made, Ember stomped quickly through the several yards of brush separating himself from the group, making as much noise as he could in the darkness. The sound drew the stallions' attention immediately and Ember wasted as little time as possible on words.

"I'm only going to say this once. Get off of her, then get out of my sight." Ember’s voice wavered with his pulsing headache, it caught in his throat and came out much more timid than he had anticipated.

The biggest of the three stepped away from the mare and moved towards him confidently.

"Mind your own business and get outta here, or do you need me to give you a reason." He pawed at the ground threateningly as he stared Ember down.

Ember had grown to a decent size himself and was well built, but this stallion was taller and definitely bulkier. Just my luck with him being a pegasus too.

"Just leave her alone." Ember growled, his voice dripping with impatience, and he pinched his eyes closed as another wave of discomfort washed through his skull.

The other stallion clearly noticed his condition and took it as his cue to strike Ember heavily across the head with a hoof, much to the amusement of his two friends.

Ember's reeled from the blow and felt in his head an intense constricting sensation that turned his previous migraine into an unbearable roar.

The big stallion drew his hoof back again, "I'd shut up if I were you, befo-"

That was all he got out before Ember's own hoof impacted against his jaw, cracking his teeth together and sending him sprawling to the ground where he lay in a daze. Ember quickly landed one more solid hoof to his opponent's left temple before the stallion's friends were on him.

A charging shoulder struck him in the ribs, squashing the air out of his lungs and knocking him to the ground where the two stallions proceeded to trample him beneath their hooves.

As hooves continued to come down, one of the stallions noticed a green glow flash briefly across the curled figure beneath them. He hesitated, just before the air was driven from his lungs as two hind hooves sent him sprawling across the clearing. He struck a tree a few yards away and fell motionless at its roots, unable to take anything more than shallow, gasping breaths.

The other stallion also noticed the odd flutter of light. He hardly took a step back before Ember bucked him in the chest as well, sending the larger stallion head over hooves into the base of another tree at the edge of the clearing.

Ember stood, thoroughly bruised and shaking from a consuming rage that was not his own. Small jets of blistering air came from his nostrils with each breath and his vision darkened as the roaring in his head gained momentum.

He sat down right there in the grass, and taking a deep breath, he grappled with the presence that was tugging him out of his own head. It was excruciating, but he strained and fought back, determined to stick around long enough to see this through.

The presence hesitated for a moment and Ember seized the opportunity. He pushed harder, struggling to secure his senses before opening his eyes again. He shuddered as everything settled for a moment. Finding his vision returning, he moved over towards the frightened mare, doing his best to bury the panic in his chest.

"Are you alright?" he asked as calmly as he could manage, clamping down hard on his shaking limbs.

"Yes," the mare replied, “thank you so much," she tried to sit up but winced as her left forehoof refused to support her weight. Ember leaned in to help her up, shuddering from his own stomped-on limbs as he steadied her.

"Will you be able to walk?" he asked.

"I think so," she responded, leaning heavily on his side. "I'm so sorry about all of this. I've been avoiding him for awhile now, but they wouldn't let up..."

"Hmm," was the only response Ember offered, too strained to be overly interested in how going into the forest alone with said stallion and his friends was 'avoiding him'.

As he led her along the trail back towards the river, Ember could feel the pressure return rapidly to his head, and he fought it down as best he could. He was losing ground, and this poor mare wouldn't be able to move much faster. Ember felt a tremor run up his spine, and he nearly left her right there to find her own way back when something caught his eye.

The silhouette of another pony moved across the forest path a ways ahead of them. Ember called out, and to his relief the figure stopped. After looking towards them for a moment, the pony trotted closer and he gratefully saw that it was a mare. Her light, ocher coat shone brightly in the low light and her blue eyes filled with concern as she approached.

"Are you alright? Oh my... Lily!" The mare hurried forward to help as she recognized her friend.

"Glimmer, is that you?" The mare by his side returned. "How did you find me?"

"After you just left me like that? You're lucky I even went looking," the new mare replied. She looked Ember over critically before turning her full attention back to her friend. "What happened?"

"Well I-" Lily hesitated.

"Can you take her from here?" Ember interrupted, thankful beyond words that the two knew each other but not willing to stay any longer.

"Yes, of course," the mare replied reassuringly, picking up on his urgency and moving to take over at her friend's side.

"Thank you," he said as he turned back towards the forest.

"But what about you?" the mare named Lily called. "You're hurt..."

But Ember was already heading back down the path at a hasty trot, which turned into a gallop the moment he was sure that he was out of sight of the two mares.

Running as quickly as he could down the dark, narrow paths, Ember raced against the overtaking pain, intent on getting as far into the forest as his legs would take him.

Chapter 2

The streets of Baltimare's market district bustled with earth ponies, all of them hurrying about to complete their afternoon shopping and errands. Stallions pulled large carts full of produce along the dirt roads lined with family vendors and stands. Saddlebag laden ponies browsed, bought, and sold as excited foals darted between legs and around displays, all adding to the overall noisy environment. One particular mare worked her way from stand to stand through the busy streets, her smooth, ochre coat a bit out of place among the somewhat rougher farming district residents.

Dew Glimmer smiled as she weaved her way through the marketplace, browsing the fresh fruits and vegetables with a buyer’s eye. It always relaxed her to get out of the stuffy shopping marts of city central. The smell of the freshest food and the earth beneath her hooves put her in good spirits.

She trotted lightly around an overloaded cart and made her way to the other side of the street. The farming district had no lanes or sidewalks like the streets in the business sector. Carts came and went where they pleased and the seemingly endless lines of vendors showed little semblance of order beyond “first come, first serve.” Glimmer found the simple organization relaxing and inviting, and though the ponies here were friendly as often as not, the produce was always fresh.

She approached one of the vegetable stands, stopping to wait her turn as the group ahead of her made their selections. As she stood waiting, she closed her eyes a moment, settling into the lively noise of many conversations floating around her.

"Did you hear about the attack on the southern settlement this week?"

Glimmer’s ears perked, and she turned her attention to two mares running adjacent stands nearby.

"There was another attack?" one mare replied to the other. "Oh, those poor ponies. What was it this time?”

"A manticore, says my niece,” the other continued. “Apparently it made off with a pony from one of the farms."

“How terrible!” the other mare replied in shock, “This has been happening for weeks! Isn't the city mage doing anything to help them?”

"There was a letter written to his office. Said they would send more guards to discourage the attacks.”

“Discourage? Why not just go out there himself and run the monsters off. It is his job, after all. I have family in those settlements!”

"We all have family out there, Rose,” the other mare scolded, “and why don't you try asking a unicorn mage to go live in a dirty farming community with a bunch of earth ponies. Besides, that dolt might miss his match with Manehatan's mage next week.”

"It’s their job to protect ponies from predators," she snapped back, "not to shoot fancy lights at each other for that crowd in Canterlot!”

“What’cha want, ma’am?”

Glimmer’s attention snapped back to the stand and the stallion who now stood to serve her.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Just one bag, please.”

Glimmer shivered slightly as she indicated her choices to the stallion, taking in what she had just heard. Everyone knew about the new settlements springing up on the forest frontiers, it was a big deal for the families of the settlers. But this was the first she’d heard of any attacks, and the thought of ponies being snatched up by predators as they worked in the fields was a thing of nightmares. As a filly, she had often gone on runs through the forest paths across the river, but she had never seen so much as a timberwolf out there. Perhaps they just never came so close to the city?

Glimmer paid for her bag and packed it away as the two shopkeepers continued their conversation:

"What I want to know is why the princesses aren’t doing anything about this. There are three of them again now, after all. If the mages are slacking off and ponies are dying then they should be taking notice.

"But the news articles are blaming the princesses," the other mare replied scandalously. "They say the mages weren't prepared for the extra land they would have to cover for the settlements.”

"Well if they would just do their jobs instead of playing their little magic games then maybe-"

The two mares fell out of earshot and Glimmer shivered again. That poor pony out on the frontier was family to someone, and she couldn't bear the thought of what they must be going through right now. She hurried her pace and tried to put the thoughts of monsters and predators out of her mind.

She continued around the block, and a familiar stand stacked with bushels of apricots came into view. Glimmer immediately brightened and turned her way towards it. Her gloomy memories would just have to wait.

The stand itself was nearly twice the length of the one she had just left, and a family of roan colored earth ponies bustled around behind it as they stacked and sold apricots with speedy efficiency. One of the speckled mares caught sight of Glimmer and smiled as she approached, waving to her excitedly. She had the somewhat stocky build of a farm pony, and her coat was a rough mix of burgundy and white.

“Hi, Glimmer!” the mare called out as she approached. “It’s about time you dropped by. I haven’t seen you in weeks.”

Glimmer returned her greeting, and the two hugged briefly over the counter. “I’m sorry, Blossom. I’ve had a bit of a rough week.”

“More like several rough weeks,” Blossom replied worriedly. “Somepony thought you had finally gotten tired of us. Busy livin’ the city life an’ all that.” Blossom turned a triumphant grin over her shoulder to one of her older brothers, who blushed and quickly went back to unloading bushels from his cart.

“Not that I would blame Miss Glimmer fer wantin’ to move on,” the stallion muttered.

Glimmer frowned playfully. “All those years and you all worry over a few quiet weeks?" she teased. "Looks like somepony misses my little sister and I rattling your windows every morning at dawn.”

The stallion grinned and shook his head as he worked. “Little fillies runnin' in the mornings for fun; still no brains at all in you city mares.”

Both mares laughed with him. “We all missed you, Glimmer,” Blossom said, “and Ma’s really gonna to be happy to see you.” She looked over her shoulder again and called over the noise of the street. “Ma! It’s Glimmer!”

Another mare peeked out from behind the stand's display. Her body was mostly white from the shoulders to the base of her tail, and her features were warm and cheerful, if a little bit rushed at the moment from work.

“Hello, Mrs. Bloom,” Glimmer called with a wave.

“Glimmer! How are you, dear?” She trotted over alongside her daughter and embraced Glimmer, kissing her cheek happily. “You haven’t been by to see us lately.”

“You know I could never stay away for long, Mrs. Bloom," Glimmer replied, holding tight for a moment before relinquishing the motherly embrace.

“Oh I know, dear,” the mare said with a wink. She grabbed a bag and began filling it with some choice fruit from their display. “The children have all missed you, and Blossom has had no one to distract her from her chores... or to snitch the apricots with on orchard duty.”

The two younger mares both blushed and giggled. “Has everyone been doing alright out in the orchards?” Glimmer asked. That conversation between the two mares from earlier came forefront to her mind, and she tried to keep the hint of worry out of her voice.

"Things have been wonderful!" Bloom exclaimed. "We just bought new land near one of the settlements for another orchard. You know we've been clearing out our harvest for years now, but we've never been able to expand, crowded in as we are. Those land sanctions from Princess Twilight were heaven sent; it's about time somepony addressed it.”

“That’s wonderful!” Glimmer responded with genuine excitement. She had been present for several of the family's harvests and was well aware of their frustration over crowded farmland, “just be careful out there, please…”

“Oh don’t worry, dear,” Mrs. Bloom replied knowingly. "The boys can take care of themselves well enough in the settlements, it's their future inheritance that we're worried about. It may be a good bit of work to clear the land but it’s nothing our ancestors haven’t done before us.”

She turned back to Glimmer and placed a sack of plump apricots on the table in front of her. "And what about you, dear?” she asked as Glimmer reached for her bits. “Has your father been getting any better?”

Glimmer paused and hung her head at the question. "Still the same as ever I'm afraid. My sister left for Manehattan last week, so it’s just me now. The apricots are for him, actually, you know how he loves them.”

Bloom's eyes softened. "Hard working stallion that one, bless him.” She frowned and turned back away from the counter. “Well, in that case, how about we round it off to a full dozen, free of charge. I'm sure your father won't object," she leaned over the counter and placed a few more large pieces of fruit in Glimmer's bag.

"Mrs. Bloom! You don't have to do that," Glimmer protested "I've always done just fine on bits."

"They're not for you, dear," the older mare replied seriously, "and if you go snitching any of them before they get to your father then you'll have me to answer to, y’hear?" she added with a wink.

Glimmer relaxed and laughed along with her. "Thank you so much, Mrs. Bloom, it means a lot."

"You take care of yourself, Glimmer,” Bloom replied as she picked up a pair of saddlebags and swung them onto her back. “Now I have my own shopping to do for this lot before the sun goes down.” She gave Glimmer and Blossom each one last hug before disappearing into the crowd.

"So Shimmer finally got up and left then, huh?" Blossom asked as Glimmer handed over bits for the fruit. "Got that job she wanted? I know you've been sayin' she wanted to go."

Glimmer's expression dropped again and she spoke hesitantly. "I don't really want to talk about it, Blossom," she replied. "She's left at a very bad time, and we didn't part on the best of terms... we haven't exactly written each other since she left.

Blossom looked worried but she held her questions. "Well, I can hardly imagine the two of you ever fighting over anything. Just let us know if you ever need somethin', okay?"

Glimmer smiled again. “Thanks, Blossom. And I’ll try to get out and stop by this week. I promise.”

The speckled mare beamed. “We'll plan on it. You just hang in there with your little city job until then. We can all run out to the water hole after the chores are done, just like old times. We'll have you up and chipper again in no time."

"With you lot, I have no doubt," she replied. "I'll see you then." They waved one last time and she made her way back into the crowds again.

Glimmer had only gone a short distance before she froze in her tracks.

Heading down the block towards her was a trio of laughing stallions wearing collars and neckties, looking for all the world like they had just walked off the streets of the business district. They were younger than your usual businessponies, and they moved through the market with a mocking air, as if there was hardly anything in sight worth their time. Leading them was a bay earth pony stallion, his mane artfully mussed and silver cufflinks on his collar.

Glimmer turned tail and darted back to the stand.

Blossom’s eyes widened as Glimmer dove clear over the counter and ducked behind several bushels of fruit. “Sweet harmony, Glimmer! What’s wrong?” she asked worriedly.

“Sorry, sorry. Just don’t mind me for a bit.”

“Do you know them stallions?” Blossom indicated the approaching group.

“Did he see me? Is he coming this way?”

“Think so, but they aren’t so bad lookin’ to me.”

“Oooh, why is he here?" Glimmer fretted, covering her head with her hooves. "It’s bad enough he comes by my work.”

Blossom glanced down at her friend and then back at the approaching stallions. “Why don’t you go on out the back if you want. I’ll keep ‘em here for a bit and you can tell me about all this later.”

“Thank you, Blossom.” Glimmer hugged her friend’s leg then darted around into the stand next door. She apologized to the ponies scolding her as she hurried by, trying to keep herself low as she moved around and behind the displays.

She got two stands over before her progress was stopped by several long rows of empty bushels. She heard a stallion’s voice from the stand behind her, followed by Blossom’s, talking quickly. Glimmer gathered her hooves beneath her and hopped over the stack. She cleared the bushels, only to yelp as she rolled her ankle on another stack just behind the first. She twisted painfully and fell, knocking over the stand’s main display and showering everything in green peppers. The stand's owner cried out in surprise, followed by anger at the mare who had just massacred the inside of his stand.

“Sorry! I’m sorry,” Glimmer tried to calm the angry vendor as she picked herself up. “Here, let me help you.” She began to gather the scattered vegetables and return them to their baskets.”

“No need to pick it all up,” came a voice from the street. “I can pay for the lot of it if you’d like.”

Glimmer groaned at the voice. She looked to see the well dressed stallion standing over the counter with an amused grin on his face.

“That was pretty cute, Glimmer. You actually don’t look half bad covered in vegetables.”

Glimmer blushed and scowled as she pulled herself free of the mess. She crawled out of the stand and trotted away quickly without a word, only to slow to an awkward walk as the pain in her ankle began to work itself out.

The stallion was beside her in a moment, matching her pace easily and completely ignoring the shouts from the vendor behind them. “Really, Glimmer. What's a mare like you doing shopping way out here?" he said, poking invasively at her bags.

Glimmer said nothing, only tried and failed to speed her pace over her twinging ankle. Perhaps he would take the hint and she wouldn't have to deal with him.

“If I didn't know any better,” the stallion continued as he trotted easily beside her, “I might have guessed you’d fallen on hard times seeing you scrounging around the farmer’s market. Is that job as a street corner waitress not treating you well?”

Glimmer's frown deepened. “Please leave, Damian.”

The stallion smirked at her response. “So you will talk to me. Well I was just curious about why you never came back to work for me. I've been missing you.”

“I’m not interested.” Glimmer avoided his eyes and angled her path away from him.

Damian circled around in front of her and planted his hooves angrily. She could see his temper rising and she attempted to ignore it and walk past him, but he blocked her path. “I picked you out of that crummy job to come work in my office and you walked out on me after the first day!"

“I’m no longer interested in being anypony’s secretary... if that's what they're calling it.” Glimmer turned around and began to walk the opposite way. “I’m happy where I am.”

Damian was beside her again. “But you were doing fine. There was nothing wrong!”

Glimmer stopped and turned to face him, her own temper rising in spite of her nervousness. “Nothing wrong? They dressed me in a saddle and heels. You had me walking back and forth in front of your desk all day re-stacking those awful shelves. I've never been so embarrassed in my life!” She turned again and continued on down the street, fighting against her burning cheeks.

The stallion stood for a second, taking in her sudden outburst. He recovered with a scowl and continued after her.

"That just takes some getting used to," he replied easily. "It's what mares wear in the office.”

“Oh, then I’m so glad you thought of me for the job,” Glimmer muttered as she avoided him again. "I saw the other secretaries there and I don't want it." She didn't care which direction she walked now, so long as it was away from him.

“Glimmer, hey, look at me. It's no big deal! Most mares would kill for this job.”

"And there were loads of other mares that applied who actually qualified for the job... I had wondered why I got it."

Damian's frown deepened, and he stomped in frustration when she turned away from him again. "You're thinking about this too much!"

Glimmer sped her pace again. "None of you do enough real work to need a secretary. You just want some trophy mare to show around that office."

He hooked a rough hoof over her shoulder, stopping her. "You can't just walk out after-"

Glimmer gave him a light kick, separating them, and continued on. “Go get yourself a call mare, Damian. I’m not going to prance around an office and wave my tail for you.”

For a moment it seemed like he had finally stopped following her. Glimmer let out a breath and tried to even out her shaky steps. She had rarely ever been so agitated as she had these last few weeks, and she would not be bullied back into working for him, much less after he had lied to her about the job.

Damian appeared next to her again. He walked slowly and brushed up against her side, much closer than she would have liked. “Hey, hey. If you hadn't noticed... I really do like you. This job really isn't any different from being a waitress." His voice softened, taking on a tone that she imagined was supposed to calm her. "I always liked seeing you working at the café, Glimmer. And mares like you can really go far working with the right stallion.” She tensed as he inched in closer to her. “Come back and work for me. I’ll make the pay worth your while. You won't ever have to go shopping around places like this anymore...”

Glimmer’s eyes darted around for some easy way out, but no escape presented itself. Everyone seemed to be either rushing about or looking carefully away from the two of them. Her gaze turned to the path ahead of them again, and suddenly her eyes widened.

“...you would get used to the dress code, and-“

Damian was startled as Glimmer suddenly turned and went nose-to-nose with him, her eyes locked with his and she snaked a hoof up to his chest. His eyes widened but he recovered quickly. He smiled wide and hunched in closer to her, ignoring the sudden increase in noise from the street around them.

“I don’t want the job,” Glimmer said.

Damian's smile lowered into a frown, “Huh? Of course you d-“

“Bye.”

Glimmer leaped and pushed herself away from Damian, who was immediately bowled over by a runaway cart filled with bad apricots. The cart crashed sidelong into the stallion with a loud ‘smack’, flipping over completely and burying him in bruised and smashed fruit.

Glimmer darted behind a nearby stand as a crowd began to form. She sat down heavily to catch her breath. That had gone worse than she had ever tho-

“Did I get ‘em?” Blossom almost yelled as she skidded to a stop beside Glimmer.

Glimmer jumped at her friend’s sudden appearance. “Oh, Blossom! Oh, thank you so much. I couldn't get rid of him. Wasn't that your cart?”

“Yeah, one of ‘em.” Blossom pranced in place, brimming with energy as she looked out over her handiwork. Glimmer followed her gaze: a trail of scattered produce and fallen ponies leading up to a growing crowd where the mangled cart lay.

“Oh, Blossom, your cart is ruined.”

“Yeah, I got him good!”

“Well… I kind of pushed him into it.” Glimmer said sheepishly. “But don’t you need that cart?”

“Nah, that's where we keep all the fruit what goes bad. Pa was tired of fixin' it anyways. That idiot's friends said some nasty things 'bout mah coat. They didn't buy nuthin’ either. Guess they didn't think we’d actually run ‘em off.”

Glimmer couldn't help but snicker a little as her friend spoke. As much as Blossom tried, her accent was always much worse when she got worked up. Her attention continued along the street as the fallen ponies picked themselves up out of the street, gathering spilled belongings and arguing over one thing or another.

Glimmer hesitated as she spotted someone particular out of the crowd. A grey-coated stallion had just settled a dispute with an angry merchant and was now turning back to recover his own fallen belongings. He had a dull coloration and was a bit dirty, but she recognized the amber mane and eyes to match. As Glimmer watched, he bent down and grimaced over a torn bag of briquettes, the contents having scattered across the street where it had fallen.

“Blossom, do you know that pony?” She pointed but her friend didn't respond. It took a light shove to draw her attention away from the crowd by the cart.

“Huh? Which pony?”

Glimmer shook her head and pointed with a hoof. “That stallion, the grey one picking up the coals.”

“Oh, uhh… maybe I’ve seen him a few times. One of them metal workers. Why?”

Glimmer patted her friend’s back as the agitated mare’s attention continued to waver. “I think I’ve met him before. I’m going to go talk to him.”

Blossom was still prancing lightly on her hooves. “Sounds good, now do ya mind if I go kick that creep while he’s down?” She indicated towards the crowd and her ruined cart. “Bet’cha I can get a few solid ones in while the crowd’s still there.”

“Blossom, that’s terrible!” Glimmer scolded her.

“But ya don’t mind?”

Glimmer paused and bit her lip, trying to hide her grin, and Blossom dashed off, elbowing her way into the dense crowd. Glimmer giggled and then grimaced as she walked out into the street, remembering the exact moment when she’d stopped enjoying wrestling with Blossom and her brothers.

Damian’s head spun wildly as he staggered to his hooves. His vision was pressed with faces, all of them talking at once. He shook his head and pushed against the ponies crowding around him, trying to get his vision to settle so he could make out individuals.

“Glimmer?!” he called out into the pressing crowd. There was a dull ‘thump’ and Damian's eyes bulged. His gasp caught in his throat and he promptly vomited in the dirt.”

Ember was making his way back home from the materials store through the crowded streets, two large bags of coal briquettes balanced over his saddlebags, when there was shouting from the road behind him. He turned his head, only to be knocked over in a scuffle as several ponies rushed to push past him. A runaway cart went barreling down the road and Ember found himself lying in a pile of spilled saddlebags among his own day’s purchases. Some merchant began yelling at him angrily, something about not getting out of the way.

Ember lay shocked for a moment, not sure how to respond. It had been one long week since he had last heard the noise of the city, or any noise for that matter, and he had long gotten used to readjusting. But he couldn't remember the last time anyone had actively yelled at him. The hostility made his head spin.

Ember shook himself. He stammered out a timid apology to the pony and moved to help him gather up his spilled wares. The merchant did not return his apology, and he walked away in a huff once his wares had all been gathered. Ember felt a bit frustrated at that but he held his peace, still a little flustered over what had happened. He would rather not get into anything stupid while he could still try to enjoy the better half of his week.

He returned to his own fallen belongings and grimaced. One of the bags of briquettes had torn where he'd dropped it and the little black coals had scattered out into the street. Knowing that he had no way to repair it, he still examined the tear: he would be lucky to get even half of the spilled material home with his saddlebags already full, and having to carry the bag in his mouth would slow him down. Ember groaned quietly and began to gather up as many of the coals as he could. This was not turning into a very good start to his week.

"Here, let me help you with that."

Ember jumped slightly at the voice and his eyes widened as he looked up. A beautiful, ocher mare was bending down next to him, helping to gather up the scattered coals and return them to the bag. She had a simple-cut, sea blue mane, her coat shined with obvious care, and she smiled at him with azure eyes.

It took Ember a moment to find his voice, and when he did it was scratchy as if he hadn't used it all day. "Uh... thanks.” Ember spluttered. “I mean, no, you don't have to do that. I'm fine," Ember quickly snatched a few of the greasy coals out of her reach.

“Don’t worry, I want to help.” the mare said easily, and she continued to gather up the briquettes, her muzzle and hooves quickly becoming smudged with black.

Ember stared sidelong at her as he worked. He had never seen a city mare so willingly dirty her coat like that, and these coals tasted about as bitter as anything he could name. Then again, she wasn't wearing anything, and you rarely ever saw central city ponies around the farming district... but she certainly carried herself like one.

Ember was suddenly very aware of how smudged and dirty he was himself. Of course he had rinsed off out back before setting out to the market that morning, but the materials store was self-serve, and shopping had left him with wood shavings and dirt all tangled in his coat and mane... So much for that...

The mare didn’t seem to mind any of this as she helped Ember lift the torn bag and drag what was left of its contents out of the road.

“My name is Glimmer, by the way,” the mare said as they nudged the last few coals into a pile.

“I’m Ember,” he replied after clearing his throat, still a bit overwhelmed. “Thank you... and I’m sorry about your coat. You didn't have to do that.”

“Oh, I don’t mind at all,” she said, scuffing her blackened nose nonchalantly. “And I think I know you, by the way…”

Ember froze, wracking his memory. When had he ever talked to a mare like her? Certainly he would have remembered that.

Glimmer giggled at his dumbfounded look. “I think it was last week at the harvest festival. You helped my friend Lily in the forest?”

The memories of that night at the festival were still fresh in Ember’s mind: his disappointment at not being able to stay, his stupid decision to fight with those stallions, and a very near miss trying to get the injured mare back to the city.

“You’re that mare who took her home?” Ember guessed hesitantly.

She smiled at the confirmation. “Yes! It is you, then. Lily told me about what happened. She really hasn't stopped talking about you since that night.”

Ember blushed, surprised that this mare had even remembered him. It had been dark, and he was pretty well tramped up by those stallions, making for a particularly uncomfortable night, but it was nice to know that it did some good.

“Thank you,” Ember returned uncertainly. “I mean, you’re welcome. She’s alright, isn't she?”

“Lily's fine,” Glimmer assured him, “and we’re really grateful for what you did.”

“Oh… you’re welcome,” Ember finished lamely. Idiot. I already said that! He felt like his tongue was made of lead and he wanted to crawl away and hide, but he also didn't want her to go.

Glimmer looked around at the still-loose coals, and then at Ember’s already overfilled saddlebags. “You’re going to need something else to carry all of this,” she said. She turned her head and removed her own saddlebags. She moved all of her groceries over to one side with room to spare and then started filling the empty side with the loose briquettes.

Ember protested and moved to stop her, "No, you really don't have to do that. It's not that important..." She pushed his hooves away and continued to fill the bag to the top with briquettes, thoroughly ruining the material's color.

Glimmer finished packing away the last of the coals, just barely fitting all of them. "There we go." She slung the blackened bags over her back and started down the street at a trot. "So where are we heading?" she called, shooting a playful look back at him.

Ember stared for a moment before jumping and moving to follow her. He tied off the torn bag so as to carry it without any more coals falling out. Returning everything to his back, he trotted quickly after her.

The crowds of busy ponies gradually thinned out as Ember led the way out of the marketplaces and towards the industrial district. The atmosphere calmed, and the streets faded into loose dirt roads lined with workshops and storage barns.

The two chatted lightly as they walked, and Ember gradually found himself relaxing around Glimmer. She didn't seem to mind at all how dirty and smudged her coat had become, or how he still stuttered and hesitated sometimes as they talked. She seemed to truly be enjoying herself, and Ember saw no reason to continue fretting over it.

He couldn’t help but look at her as they walked. Glimmer reached to about his nose in height and was very attractive. She knew her way around the lower districts surprisingly well, considering she had none of the rough walk or features of a farmer. She carried herself lightly like a city mare, minus the fancy clothes and makeup. Ember grinned. Makeup. Those black smudges on her cheeks did kind of bring out her features.

Ember chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease as they walked. “Thank you again, by the way... for the help."

Glimmer laughed: a bright, cheerful sound that made Ember's insides melt involuntarily. "I told you, it's fine. I want to. Besides, knowing what you did for Lily, we owe you a big thank you. Things could have been so much worse if you hadn't found her.

“I was actually wondering why you ran off so soon that night,” Glimmer continued. “Lily said that you were hurt, and you just went running right back into the forest.”

Ember tensed, thinking hard for some kind of acceptable answer. He could think of none. “Sorry I left like that," he finally said. "I… had somewhere to be that night.’’

“Some other mare waiting for you out there?” Glimmer jabbed playfully.

Ember stuttered and blushed. “Umm, no. No other mare.”

“Lily will be happy to hear that,” Glimmer teased as they turned another corner. Ember blushed even deeper.

They approached the city limits, near where the farming district merged with the industrial, and they turned down a street lined with a number of private storage barns. There were farm workers unloading a wagon full of hay bales into the loft of one of the buildings, where it would stay dry during the winter months.

"This is it," Ember said, motioning to one of the many identical structures. It was a bit smaller than the other barns and a bit newer looking, too. The raw wood of the doors swung wide as Ember pushed his way through and Glimmer followed.

The inside of the little barn was spacious and simple. The ground floor had been cleared and converted into a small blacksmith's workshop occupied by a brick furnace and anvil in the far left corner. One wall of the room was lined with hammers, tongs, and other tools which hung on pegs above a sturdy work table. The ceiling was a bit low, making room for the large, open storage loft above. On the right wall was a wooden stepladder leading up through a trap door. It was all relatively tidy and well kept.

Ember dropped the bags of briquettes by the empty furnace. He thanked Glimmer again as he took her saddlebag and emptied its contents into a barrel in the corner. The rest of the bags followed, and Glimmer took the opportunity to look around.

She nosed curiously at the different tools on the walls and the unfinished projects lying on the worktable. There were whetstones, molds, as well as some odd little boxes lying among a scattering of small metal parts. She hadn't been inside many blacksmith shops in her life, and she loved the warm, rustic atmosphere and the smell of new wood that came off the walls. In one corner was a stack of what looked like iron wagon axels, many of them bent out of shape, and in the other, next to the empty furnace, was a trough of water and some barrels full of scrap wood and metal. She poked around delightedly as Ember threw the last of the briquettes into the furnace along with the torn bag.

As she continued to look around, Glimmer noticed a lot more signs of life around the little barn than one would normally find in a workplace.

"Do you... live here?" Glimmer asked, a bit hesitantly.

“Yeah, actually,” Ember replied casually as he worked. “Made a deal with the owner who won’t be needing the storage space this season. I sleep in the loft... warmer up there.”

“Oh,” Glimmer said, slightly troubled as the little barn took on a different light for her. More questions rose to her lips but she held her tongue, not thinking them quite appropriate at the moment. Well, it's warm and looks clean enough.

"It's nice," She replied with a sincere smile.

Ember returned Glimmer's saddlebags to her and then retrieved some flint and steel from the table. He grabbed a mouthful of tinder from his bags and set to work lighting the furnace with a patient and practiced ease.

Glimmer watched the process closely, and Ember agreed to let her take a few tries, enjoying her genuine interest. Getting a decent enough pile of sparks was difficult, and Glimmer found her neck hurting after a number of attempts. She gave up with a frustrated snort, and Ember laughed as he took over again.

"I wanted to ask you..." Glimmer began as he worked. "Would you consider meeting Lily and I tomorrow for lunch? We usually get together at the Garden Park Restaurant during our break, and she talks about you so much I know she would be really grateful for a chance to meet. You wouldn't have to stay long if you didn't want to," she added quickly.

Ember paused in lighting the coals. He hadn't expected Glimmer would want to meet again. Spending more of his time farther in the city was a bad idea, but all the same, he wanted somepony to talk to very badly sometimes. Maybe with some more time? He bit his lip as he struggled with the decision. The last few years had definitely caught up with him, and he had really enjoyed just being able to talk freely with somepony for once. He would sooner bite his tongue than tell her he didn't want to meet again.

Ember looked over at Glimmer's asking eyes. She said he wouldn't have to stay if he didn't want to, plus it was the first day of the week, and there was little chance that anything would happen so long as he was careful.

"Well, I don't see why not, I guess," Ember replied uncertainly after a moment. "You’ll have to tell me how to get there. I don't really get out all that often."

"Oh, thank you so much," Glimmer exclaimed, cantering in place happily. She briefly explained to Ember where he could find the place and what time he should come. "We'll treat you to lunch and Lily will get the chance to meet you."

Ember couldn't help but crack a large smile as he watched her, and a warm feeling shot through his chest. "So, I guess I'll see you both tomorrow then?" he chuckled.

Glimmer gave a smudged smile and turned her head away as he laughed at her, a bit embarrassed. "Alright, we'll see you tomorrow!" she said, giving him one last grin before turning and trotting out the still-open doors.

Ember stood in a daze after she had gone, a stupidly happy look plastered on his face. That warm feeling grew a bit stronger, even the slightest bit uncomfortable at the thought of seeing her again tomorrow. Of course he wanted to see Glimmer again, and Celestia knows he wanted something to do besides work.

Upon thinking of work, Ember shook his head and trotted back over towards the furnace to pick up where he had left off. Earning enough bits in a month to pay rent was a challenge when you had to work independent, though it was worth the much needed flexibility.

And nothing ever got done by sitting around daydreaming.

Ember grinned at his Dad’s old motto and attacked his work with far more enthusiasm than he’d had in a long time.

Author's Note

So the first stage for this story is set. I have been mashing chapter drafts together and overall trying to speed this story up. This chapter is a good example of that and it's pace feels good to me I think.

The main cast will remain all OCs (all of whom are earth ponies so far until the setting expands a bit). I am taking my favorite trope here and trying to give it a solid-paced, down-to-earth, enjoyable feel. I am a bit tired of shallow takes on the concept, as well as everything just having to be about the main MLP 6. Comments on how I'm doing so far are appreciated.

Chapter 3

Ember's discomfort only grew the further he walked. He had set out for his lunch date eagerly enough that morning, but the further he followed Glimmer's directions from the previous day the closer he got to the heart of the city and the business districts. He supposed he would have recognized the addresses and street names had he ever taken the time to really explore the city, but it was too late to turn down the invitation now.

The business district took up most of the area surrounding city central. The cobblestone streets were barred to common wagons and carts, with taxi carriages being the only traffic permitted to circulate. This allowed ponies to walk freely among the rows of polished brick high-risers and office buildings, all interspersed with small parks, fancy shops, and eateries, each tailored to catch the more spendy eye of the city's entrepreneurs and businessponies who frequented the area. But it wasn't the scenery that had Ember so on edge.

He brushed past yet another group of well-dressed mares, the most conservative among them wearing full business saddles and collars. Every mane and tail was carefully groomed and styled. Several of them shot disapproving glances as they passed the unkempt, grey earth pony, and Ember turned his eyes to the ground, his insides tightening a bit further.

He had gone through his usual morning routine of rinsing and scrubbing, but now he wished that he had at least thought to get a manecut, or a trim, or something on his way out this morning. He wore no clothing either, having never had any need for it. His mother had owned several dresses she'd kept in the closet now that he thought on it, but he couldn't recall having ever seen her wear them. He caught another dirty look and hurried his pace. It didn't take much to know his presence wasn't wanted here, and all the hostile looks sent his head buzzing. Glimmer had said that he didn't have to stay, but he told her that he would show up, so he would do at least that.

Ember recognized the sign he was looking for, and his anxiety heightened as he came to a stop in front of the much-nicer-than-he'd-expected restaurant. The Garden Park was a fancy outdoor deal located just outside Center Street Park, and it looked quite busy. The tables were lined out into the street, and a knee-high wall of greenery kept the many passerby from disturbing the eating guests. Waitresses scurried about to and from the open bar, hurrying to keep up with the tail-end of the midday rush. A stern looking mare in a sharp collar and tie stood at the entrance behind a small pulpit, checking off arrivals and departures in a large reservation book.

Ember immediately regretted his decision to arrive a bit early. He fidgeted as he sat down, his back to the barrier, and watched the clean-cut patrons in hats, ties, and suits pass him by on their way in and out of the airy restaurant. He had never truly felt naked before, and he felt very foolish as he stood there waiting for Glimmer to arrive. There were too many looks to ignore now, and Ember seriously considered walking up to the mare at the entrance, just so they could turn him away and be done with it all.

"Hi Ember," came a voice from the restaurant behind him. Ember jumped and turned around to see Glimmer smiling at him from the other side of the barrier. She was dressed in a waitress' saddle and collar, and she was carrying a tray stacked high with used plates on her back. "You're early," she said cheerfully as she deftly cleared the plates off a now-unoccupied table.

"Hi," Ember returned with genuine surprise. "Umm, sorry about that, I didn't realize you would already be here." He ran a bewildered hoof through his mane as he took in her appearance.

"It's fine," she laughed, "but I'm not quite done with my shift yet. Just give me a minute and I'll get you in.”

Before Ember could respond, Glimmer turned and trotted back towards the kitchen, the tray of plates still balanced lightly over her back. Ember fidgeted as he watched her go. He really didn't want to be crowded in with all those ponies, but she seemed so eager, and he didn't want to disappoint her by leaving. Maybe if he just focused on her then he could get through this.

Glimmer returned and re-set the table. She then beckoned Ember over towards the restaurant's entrance. He wilted a bit as she talked with the older mare at the podium, who gave him a long, critical look, tracing from his untrimmed mane all the way down to his fetlocks. She looked back at Glimmer, who smiled eagerly. The mare sighed and turned her eyes away as she let Ember through.

He followed reluctantly down the isles and into the open building. He avoided all the looks he was receiving by keeping his eyes on Glimmer, who was happy as ever and didn't seem to be bothered in the slightest as everyone else was at his appearance. Her cheerfulness did wonders to ease his own discomfort. She didn't seem worried at all, and he was able to relax a bit as he watched her. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad after all.

In focusing on her, Ember also couldn't help but note Glimmer's uniform: the collar and saddle she wore matched the theme of dark, flat colors, with a simple headband to keep her mane back. She also wore leggings of the same color, reaching just below her knees and tapering down to little black horseshoes that tapped lightly as she walked. The image was professional (minus a few frills) and very attractive. Ember couldn't help but blush a little, and that warm glow in his chest from the day before returned full force.

"You didn't tell me you worked here," Ember started as Glimmer led him on.

"Lily and I both do, actually," she replied over her shoulder, "but her shift ends a bit earlier than mine. We're turning in a worker's discount, so don't worry about paying."

He nodded in understanding as they approached the back wall where a long counter top cut through to the kitchens, allowing workers to pick up orders and drop off dishes. The tables nearest the back looked like they weren't often used for customers, each lacking the usual vase of flowers and substituting a detailed tablecloth for a simple flat one.

Only one of the tables was occupied, with a single mare looking at a menu. Ember had no trouble recognizing her as the one from the forest a week prior. She was not dressed as Glimmer was; her own uniform was sitting neatly folded on the seat next to her. Her eyes brightened as she noticed the two approach, and she stood to greet them.

"Hi! You're Ember, right?"

Ember gave a somewhat nervous smile. "Yes, and you're Lily? Glimmer told me you wanted to meet."

Lily glanced down to her hooves, a bashful grin on her face. "Yes, that's me. I, umm... yes..." She shook her head and let out a restrained giggle. "Would you like to sit down?" She plopped herself back down to the table eagerly.

Ember nodded and sat down across from her.

"I'll leave you two for a bit," Glimmer said with a grin. "Let me know what you want to eat and I'll grab it for you when they let me off."

Ember watched with some reluctance as Glimmer left them. He suddenly felt very exposed again.

"So," Lily spoke, and he turned to look back across the table at her, "...how are you?"

Ember blinked. "Oh. I'm doing good, I guess." He shifted uncertainly.

"That's good."

There was silence for a moment. Lily looked like she wanted to talk but she just smiled and looked at him expectantly. It made Ember more than a little uncomfortable.

"So.. I'm glad you two were alright that night, after what happened in the forest," Ember said, wanting to break the pause.

"Oh yes, we've been doing fine. Glimmer got me home alright..." She trailed off into silence again, just looking at him.

Ember shifted, and his attention was drawn as he noticed Glimmer making another run to the kitchen: she transferred several decanters of drinks from the counter to her back and then trotted quickly over to a nearby table. She greeted the guests with a gentle smile and tilted her head expertly to pour the drinks as they each recited their orders to her.

Lily's head appeared, craning in from the side of his vision. "So... What do you do in the city?" she asked quickly.

Ember's attention snapped back to her. "Oh. Well, I'm self-employed. I work in the industrial district... doing metalwork."

Lily's eyebrows raised. "Ooh, that sounds exciting." She put a thoughtful hoof to her chin. "Glimmer told me that she met you in the farmer's market. I've never been there myself, so I thought you might be a farmer. I never really thought about a metalworker, though. That sounds interesting, too." She stared off into space with a dreamy expression on her face.

Ember's eyes had wandered back to Glimmer, who was trotting back to the kitchens. She bumped her side up against the counter, easily sliding the tray off her back with a flourish while reciting a slurry of orders to the cook. The list was long, and Ember doubted he could have memorized so many things that quickly.

Lily moved to draw Ember's attention again, and he turned back to her apologetically. "Sorry. So, do you know Glimmer from anywhere besides work?" he asked.

Lily nodded. "We're housemates, actually," she answered. "We were working together and she needed a new place to stay. We don't talk a whole lot, but she's a lot nicer than my last neighbor."

Ember nodded appropriately. Glimmer had picked up the orders from the kitchen and was now trotting them back over to the table. He marveled at how she balanced that large tray so effortlessly.

"You were really good that night, by the way," Lily began, then continuing at Ember's questioning look. "When you stopped those stallions for me in the forest?"

"Oh, yeah," Ember recalled. He shuddered a bit at the thought of that night after he had left them, but he smiled for her nonetheless. "I'm just glad you two were ok."

Ember heard the click of horseshoes, and they looked up to see Glimmer heading back to their table. "Ok, I'm done for now." She carried three drinks, one of which she placed in front of Ember: it was a pinkish-red color, and he looked at it critically.

"That's a Strawberry Guava," Glimmer said with a grin at his confused expression. "Most places here don't bother with it because you have to order it from off-coast. You'll like it."

Ember looked back to the oddly colored drink and leaned in to take a sip. It was delicious! It had a very sweet flavor. Different, but maybe even sweeter than the apple cider. That thought brought back memories. "That's really good!" he said.

"I told you you'd like it," Glimmer said with a smile as she turned to look at Lily. "Do you two know what you want to eat yet?"

"Oh, sorry," Lily started, "he hasn't looked at the menu yet."

"Lily!" Glimmer scolded her. "It's ok. We have time, and I can cover the start of your shift if you need it." She sat down next to Lily and pushed the menu towards Ember. "Pick whatever you want."

Ember didn't recognize most of what he saw. The menu had multiple sections for drinks, desserts, different times of day...

"I don't know where to start," he confessed sheepishly, almost turning the menu upside down. He had never been anywhere that served like this. He had mainly stuck to the stands at the farmer's market and lots of hay for the winter time.

"That's ok," Glimmer assured him gently. "I didn't really know how often you've bothered to go to a place like this." She leaned over and began pointing out things on the menu for him.

The sound of more horseshoes, and a pony appeared beside their table. "Ending your shift a little early today, aren't you, Glimmer?" Ember looked up to see two stallions standing next to the table. They were dressed in suits and ties, and the one who spoke had a piercing in his left ear. "You were right," the first pony said, indicating to Ember as he turned to the other, "he does look like some street sweeper."

Glimmer jumped in surprise at their arrival. She then smacked the menu back onto the table with a hoof. "Damian, what are you doing here?" Her sudden change in tone shocked Ember a little, and he guessed that this stallion probably wasn't her boss. He didn't look any older than her, actually.

"Hello to you too, Glimmer, and to you as well, Lilly," the stallion said smoothly. "You're looking very nice today."

Lily giggled when he winked at her, and she pushed a hoof through her mane. "Hi, Damian."

Glimmer wasn't having any of it, only watching him angrily. "What do you want, Damian?"

The stallion's demeanor changed almost instantly "You're asking me that?" he responded with equal anger. "After you treat me the way you did, and then just leave me behind to run off with some dimwitted farm worker!" He looked Ember over with disgust. "Bringing someone like him here is a bit overkill isn't it? If you want to impress-"

"I'm not interested in whatever you have to say! I told you that before. Now leave us alone."

"You're not interested in me but you are with him?!" The stallion jabbed an angry hoof at the confused looking Ember. "I doubt he'll be the one paying for his meal, much less yours. He looks like he lives in a barn!"

Ember bristled, and he felt a familiar stir in the back of his head. He quickly looked away from the threatening gesture, forcing his head to calm. He had no idea what was going on here, but getting worked up over it was a bad idea, and they were starting to attract a lot of attention.

The stallion bristled further, not caring about the attention he was drawing. "I'll be damned if you run off with some stupid farmpony!"

Glimmer looked at him evenly. "We'll have you thrown out of here if you don't leave us alone."

"If she wants you to leave, then I think you should," Ember added. He didn't know who this stallion was, but it was clear he was only looking for trouble.

The stallion turned on him. "And what makes you think you can have her?! Look at you! She deserves far better than whatever you are!"

Ember froze at those words, suddenly very aware of himself. Whatever you are. His mind flashed back to screams in a shattered farmhouse... countless nights in sudden pain and then darkness. Ember glanced across the table at Glimmer, only to turn away quickly, suddenly very afraid to look at her.

Damian continued to argue with Glimmer until they were interrupted by a worker who came out of the kitchens. He placed a large hoof on Damian's shoulder. "Sir we need to ask you to leave. You are disturbing the guests."

"Just put the damages on the family tab," Damian muttered angrily.

The stallion was undeterred. "You misunderstand, sir. We cannot not allow you to harass our workers or disturb our customers. Please move down the isle." He proceeded to herd the two stallions away.

Ember heard a few last, choice words from the stallion as he was escorted out. There was a painful silence at their table, made worse by the many stares now directed their way.

The worker returned from the front entry and walked back to their table.

"Miss Glimmer. I have to ask that you not bring in any more ponies who will disrupt the guests." He cast an indicating look towards Ember. "We can't stand to lose customers this way."

"But Ember didn't do anything," Glimmer protested.

"It's alright," Ember said. "I can find my own way out." He stood from the table and Glimmer stood with him.

"Ember, I'm so sorry about all this." she began, looking at him worriedly. "Please don't go. We could meet again after our next shift."

Ember's eyes stung, and he avoided her gaze. "It's fine. I should get back to work anyways."

He stepped around her and headed towards the bar leading to the kitchen. He asked the pony over the counter what the price was for a strawberry guava drink. The pony blinked a few times in surprise before giving him a figure. Ember placed the correct number of bits on the counter before turning to walk towards the entrance.

Glimmer dropped back into her seat as Ember exited the restaurant. She buried her head in her forehooves and groaned. "I'm such an idiot! I knew he'd be uncomfortable here... and then Damian had to show up!" She slumped her head to the table. "I feel awful. I just wanted to treat him to something nice."

"Well, he obviously liked you a lot," Lily pouted from across the table, resting a cheek against her hoof. "He would hardly even look at me when you were around."

Glimmer blushed. "I'm sorry, Lily. I knew you liked him... I just wasn't sure what he thought of me yesterday." She reached out a hoof and gently placed it on top of her friend's. "You don't mind, do you?"

Lily grumbled and looked away from her. "At least Damian and his friend noticed me..."

Glimmer frowned. "Lily, you just got out of a bad relationship. I don't think you should go rushing into another one," she scolded. "And Ember seems like a simple, honest stallion... unlike most around here," she added. "We should find some way to make this up to him."

"All the good stallions notice you first," Lily grumbled, glaring across the table.

"Lily, you've had plenty of interested stallions," Glimmer returned with exasperation. "You just need to stop throwing yourself at the first ones to flirt with you."

Lily turned away and pouted in silence for a moment. "What happened with you and Damian, anyway?" she grumbled. "He was always so nice to you when he came here."

"Well he sure wasn't when I told him no," Glimmer said, rubbing her temples "and I don't want to think about that right now." She stood from the table and picked up the drinks. "My break is over. I'll see you later, Lily."

The mare slumped low in her seat. "You, too," she said.

Glimmer softened, and she nosed her friend's shoulder gently. "I'm sorry about Ember," she said. "You could come and go by there with me later."

Lily sighed heavily, but she didn't pull away. "No, it's okay, Glimmer" she said, giving a weak smile. "You go ahead."

Glimmer gave her shoulder another nuzzle before pulling away, hating to leave her like that. I'll have to talk to her again later.

Ember left the business district and sat down on the first park bench he could find. He slumped and covered his face in his hooves. What you are. He reached out tentatively, feeling that threatening presence stirring inside him again... unpredictable... always waiting. He shuddered, and several tears fell through his hooves to the dirt.

Ember stomped his hooves and quickly stood back up, walking determinedly in the direction of home. He was not going to dwell on it! ...on a life he may never have. Maybe a few more years and he could figure out something, but he was not going to let himself be torn to pieces over it now. He stomped his way through the tears before they fell, willing them away with the effort of his steps.

Author's Note

This one didn't come out as clean as the others, but I want to keep things moving along. The next chapter will take some more time, as it doesn't have a complete draft yet (my mind decided to focus on material in chapters 7 and 8 the other day instead) plus I just got a long review request from WRITE. Give me a week or so and the chapter will get done. I'm just happy to finally be posting this story!