Winter night

            I looked over Canterlot in all it's glory. The light fall of snow marked the city's high towers to the streets below. The angelic light from the sun gave the snow a look of glitter. Many nobles passed through the streets not giving a care to the poor begging on the sidewalks, I could relate.

            I was born to a poor family just barely getting by with a few bits. Our home was a small shack by a butcher shop. The smell of rotting meat hung in the air like a fog, those damn nobles only wanting the "best". Only a few kind ponies gave us any bits, most just passed them with fear or anger. Many nobles thought me and my family were just scum keeping the great city down. They can go to hell for all I care... I getting of track.

          Anyways... the grave started to be dug a few weeks ago. I was working like any other day. Many guards passed by giving me a greeting or two. Some of the guards held small conversations while I worked, I could probably work in my sleep if I tried. I just finished a order of six swords. One sword having a gold hilt with a amethyst embedded into the hilt, fit for a captain. A friend in the guard needed to talk to me in private. We went behind the store after I closed shop.

"Okay Steel I'm going to be blunt here-"

"I'm not fired am I?!" I said, panic seeping into my mind.

"NO you are not being fired." he said.

"ooookay?" I was confused beyond belief.

" Alright, due to all the resources that go towered your swords and other weaponry. The training armor for new recruits has been dwindling,  along with metal shortages in general. The generals along with the princesses believe that you should take a "hiatus". The guard finished with with a look of sincere sadness and regret.

         I felt my heart fall like a stone. w....w....what? WHY!?  my vision was blurry due to the tears at the corners at my eyes. I felt the good life I had shatter and burn by this revelation. I felt the shock and sadness turn into anger, now I don't get angry easily but if I do... all hell breaks loose.

" Now, I understand this is very hard to take in but..." The guard stopped as my frustration reached its breaking point. He started to back up as the fear bloomed onto his face.

""why..."  I hissed, my anger growing even further. "How could they do this to me? Ever since my father died I promised him I would live well. I was until now..."

" Okay Steel I know you're  really upset but we shouldn't let your feelings-"

"NO you listen to me, my life is ruined! This is one of the few jobs I've been able to hold for more then a few days!" I cut.

"S-steel there is nothing I can do!" the guard said trying to keep his cool.

"Please-leave-now!" I said attempting not to rip his throat out.

          The guard rushed out of the shop, nearly hitting a few ponies walking by my shop. The next few days were clouded by fury and depression. I just sat at home wallowing in my feelings. I was eating little and becoming less social, then thoughts surfaced of my future.

"What the hell am I going to do now" I asked myself. My house giving no answer. The house was unkempt due to the depression the rushed though my body.

           I decided to go on the open road after that. Hoping that a could find another job fit for a blacksmith. While i was on the open road my thoughts turned to somepony I hadn't thought of in a while, Twilight Sparkle.

         It's been a long time since I spoke to her. The memories for our times together brought a light into the darkness that surrounded my life that moment. Twilight and I met while on one of her field studies, our first encounter was pleasant enough. I was at a street corner hoping to get a few bits that's when we first met. Twilight was walking through the streets looking for a library when she bumped into me. She apologized then asked what I'm doing here. I told my situation and Twilight gave me a hefty bag of bits then went along her way.

         I was so excited, I rushed to our home. The sight there scarred me for life. My father had gotten sick and was on the verge of dying. He died in my arms telling me to care for mom and live. I struggled to hold everything together after dad died. We were able to get a decent house then I took odd jobs. One of those jobs being a blacksmiths apprentice. Thats how my cutiemark came to be, my mom soon died after that. Twilight stood by me after my mom passed.

          I decided to go to Ponyville. Twilight got me out of these situations before, she can do it again. I just hope she has a spare room in her library. I walked over the hill and Ponyville soon came into view. I was filled with happiness as well as a severe nervousness. How would Twilight react to seeing me again, would she even recognize me, would she care about me after all this time. Well... there's only one way to find out. I walk down the path toward Ponyville, unsure of what to expect.