Winter night

             The snowflakes danced and spun in the air as they descend to the ground and crashed into the ground. the first snowfall of the year fell onto Ponyville like a silk blanket covering the land. Ponies trudged though the snow, colts and fillies built snow forts and snow ponies, snowballs soon flew over all of Celestia's sky. The Ponyville library was coated with snow, the tree flexed it's arms and reached for the falling snow to save it from the ground. Inside the library, Twilight Sparkle sorted though her study books as Spike was away for a important royal business.

Its nice to have some alone time. thought Twilight.

        Twilight continued to sort through her study books, excited for the new information the books with contain. The winter wind howled and blew against the library, the snow falling faster and thicker then before. "At this rate we could get a blizzard!" said Twilight to no one in particular. Twilight wished she was able to have more alone time for her studies Spike was a great assistant and friend but the opportunity to study and not disturbed was a decent idea.

"I should get to studying" said Twilight.

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                The library was eerily quiet, besides the flipping of pages from Twilight's books. The wind howled as the snow fell then crashed to the ground. The falling snow battered against the tree, falling and mashing into the bark.

Well that's four out of nine books thought Twilight, she looked around the library. The main foyer of the library was well organized aside from her study books piled one on top of the other. The fireplace was lit and feasting on the wooden logs for a longer life span, the warm orange light from the candles and the fire illuminated the main lobby. Twilight thought about Spike and what he was doing, Twilight was afraid for his safety during this blistering weather. The library was very quiet with Spike gone, Twilight realized how lonely the library can be with no one to speak to.

As if Celestia was watching over her, a pony entered the library.

Twilight looked up in surprise and... confusion? I feel like I met this pony before. thought Twilight, The pony removed its coat. Twilight was then able to get a better look at the pony.

        The pony was a stallion, a horn protruding from his head. His coat was a light gray like dust, his mane and tail was a dark brown about as brown as the library's trunk. His eyes were a bright gold that shimmed in the light of the candles and fireplace.He seemed well-built though not as much as a royal guard or Big Mac. What struck Twilight the most was his cutiemark, It was a nicely detailed broadsword with a golden hilt and a beautiful diamond shaped blue stone carved into the hilt over a field of fire. Why is this ringing a bell? thought Twilight.

         The stallion looked up to see a old friend he hasn't seen for a very long time. She was a mare he grew to know for most of his life. In a time when his life was but loneliness and darkness, Twilight was there to reel him back to reality.

           " Twilight..." he started, Twilight flinched at this mystery pony knowing her name, sure she was famous being the princesses pupil does do that. Ponies are usually more formal then this 'Does he know something I don't? Has he stalked me or something?!' Twilight's mind going on overdrive with fear and questions.

           The stallion looked in  confusion then realized his mistake. 'WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME! *THAT** is not how you greet a old friend!'* "um... sorry" he said trying to break the awkwardness that filled the room. Twilight looked in fear, that odd feeling of familiarity of this stallion was washed away by fear and impossible confusion.

'Celestia strike me down, she will send the guards after me if I don't say something.'

The stallion spoke to Twilight. "Twilight I'm sorry for scaring you like that." She flinched again

" You don't recognize me do you?"

"..."

"I guess not..." The pony scolded himself for being so stupid.

" Twilight it's me, Steelhammer."

           Twilight felt the fear and confusion increase then leave? 'I-It can't be?!  thought Twilight. She stood there dazed at this new development.

"Um... Twilight?, are you okay-aah!" Steel fell as Twilight tackled him onto the floor, hugging Steel tightly. "Oh my gosh, how have you been!" said Twilight, crushing Steel.

"T-Twilight I c-can't breathe." Twilight then got off her friend .

"Sorry." Twilight gave a sheepish smile.

"Anyways... to answer your question I've been well." said Steel.

          Twilight smiled at her old friend then went to pick up the books she was reading. Stacking the books on top of one another Twilight turned to face Steel once more. "So what brings you to Ponyville?" asked Twilight.

" I've just been traveling on the open road."

Twilight looked at Steel with confusion, " What happened to that house you purchased before I left for Ponyville?"

Steel averted his eyes then looked back, "... finical problems."

" There's more isn't there?" said Twilight. She was perplexed how this could have happened. Steel was a superb blacksmith in Canterlot. Many guards needed swords repaired or new ones, business was good. How could just financials cause him to move out?

Steel nodded

Twilight motioned to the kitchen.

           Twilight lead Steel to the kitchen. The kitchen was a well furnished room. The middle of the room housed a simple table and four stools, a place mat set at each end. A icebox set beside a counter at the far right of the room. The walls were a calm beige with cute wooden arches covering the top half of each wall.

           Twilight lead her guest over to the table and took a stool, Steel did the same. The tension was there but not as much as some would think. Twilight looked at Steel intently wondering what he was hiding.

"Okay..." started Twilight, "Start from the beginning."

Steel just sat there, unsure of how to start, if he wanted to start.

Twilight looked at Steel with care and concern. Every lesson she learned in Ponyville came flooding back to her, the happiness, sadness, adventure, and fun she had in Ponyville hit her like a train. Twilight wanted to help her old friend.

"Okay" Steel finally said, "It started like this."