Chapters Chapter 1: The wind's howl
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."
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.
chapter 3: A Dark Winter Night
Steel looked down at the table, tears falling from his eyes. The years of failure and torment brought to the front of his mind hit him hard.Twilight looked at Steel with shock and sadness. 'H-how could have this happened to him?' thought Twilight. Twilight walked over to Steel and hugged him tight, trying to get the sadness out.
"Steel I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." said Twilight holding Steel to her like a mother and her foal.
Steel looked at Twilight, tears starting to dry from his eyes. " Twi it's alright I had to get it out."
'I should ask her if I could stay here for a while.' thought Steel.
"Twilight..." Twilight looked into Steels eyes.
"... I have no where else to go, I'd hate to be a burden but..." Steel looked away afraid of the verdict.
Twilight knew the answer in a heartbeat. "yes."
Steel felt all the stress and depression lift from him, "Oh thank you Twilight!" Steel said before hugging his friend once more.
Twilight blushed slightly but excepted the hug. 'Why am I blushing like this? thought Twilight. could he.... no, it was just a one time thing. Twilight pushed the thoughts back as Steel gave her a questioning look.
"Do you have to get back to studying?" asked Steel.
Twilight immediately sprang out of her seat. "OhmygoshOhmygoshOHMYGOSH!" How could she forget her study time. Before Twilight went completely berserk, she turned to Steel scolding herself for not considering her company. Steel spoke first.
"Just go study I'll go get situated in my room." Steel said calmly.
Twilight smiled at his understanding then pointed upstairs as she said " The second door on the left."
Steel gave a mock salute then trotted up to his room.
The room was decent size. the room was well kept, there was no dust whatsoever in... anywhere really. The bed was good for one pony though could probably fit three ponies if necessary. The sheets were a light blue that reminded Steel of his mother.
She was a light blue earth pony with a dark aquamarine mane, tail, and green eyes that glowed with care and love each and every day. Anything blue made Steel think of his mother in a world as dark and depressing as his, he was glad to have a caring mother like her. Her kind and gentle voice would soothe him to sleep on many restless nights. He felt safe around her no matter where they went. Even in the rougher parts of Canterlot. Steel got out of his daze and continued browsing around his new home base.
The layout was simple enough. The bed in the far right corner with a nightstand with a lamp on it to the left of the bed. The walls were shaped by the tree, a window looking at the back of the library overlooking the back streets of Ponyville. The snow kept falling with no signs of letting up. Many ponies rushing into their homes.
"I'm glad Twilight stood by me." Steel said to himself.
Steel looked at his bed." I don't think Twi would mind if I went to sleep." Steel crawled into bed and sleep overtook him in seconds.
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Twilight read though her books trying to make up for lost time. As Twilight read her thoughts wondered from Spike to her friends to Steel. I feel so bad for bringing up memories that probably should have stayed forgotten. thought Twilight whose thoughts went to a other matter. Why did she feel embarrassed from that hug Steel gave her? Twilight set down her last book as she yawned and went to her room,tired from the strenuous studying. The hug still fresh in her mind. Why am I so focused on that one moment!? Why not how will Spike react, Would he need a job here, what if he's a changeling disguised as him! Twilight flopped onto her bed and buried her face in the pillow, trying to force the thoughts committing war on her mind to calm down. Twilight would've looked into a book but her eyes started to droop. That's when the wind howled. Twilight shivered at the cold wind that.. was leaving from her open window. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? screamed Twilight in her mind, silencing the war in her thoughts.
Twilight hurriedly shut the window using her magic, thankfully no snow blew into the room. Twilight shivered again as the winters breath stuck to her room like mold. Twilight could practically see her breath! "You have to be joking." Twilight hissed to herself. Twilight crept back to bed after gathering a heavy blanket to stall the cold that hung. Twilight tried to sleep but her thoughts along with the ghastly fog clouded any chance of sleep. Twilight groaned as she threw the blanket off herself. Twilight considered her options
I could sleep here. No chance that will happen.
Sleep down stairs. No spaces to sleep, could set up a bed. Tried as it is.
... nothing.
"errrrrr" Twilight was beyond annoyed, she cursed the weather for causing this problem. Twilight decided to walk around the house to hopefully warm herself up. Twilight did a few laps up and down the stairs. After six laps Twilight wandered to find herself in front of Steels room. Twilight considered this her last option, she took a deep breath then entered the room.
The door creaked lightly as it swung open. The moonlight filtered though the window and lit the bed. Twilight cautiously walked into the room and made it to Steels bed. Well it's now or never. Twilight thought as she scooted into the bed.
The sheets were somewhat warm from Steels presence in the bed. Twilight felt so guilty she almost backed away... No it's this or her cold room, Twilight took the former. Twilight continued to slip under the covers. "Keep it slow" She whispered to herself as the blankets coated her with warmth. Steel took the far right so no worries, that was until Steel turned over and grasped Twilight in his grip.
Twilight let out a "epp" as she was brought closer to Steel. Twilight had to use all willpower to keep from thrashing in his grasp. Steel gripped Twilight close, one fore leg around her waist and the other snaked around her shoulder. Twilight was wrapped in a cocoon of of warmth her eyes felt heavy the longer she laid there, Twilight could just lull to sleep there. NO! she had to get out, Twilight tried to get out of his Iron grip.(pun intended) but it did little. Twilight gave up just staying there, the warmth almost hypnotic as Twilight felt her muscles relax. He's so warm... Twilight thought. She unconsciously snuggled closer to Steel. Steel hummed in his sleep, the tune soon becoming a surprise to Twilight. "Winter Warp up, Winter Wrap up! Let's finish our holiday cheer" Darn now that song is stuck in my head again. Twilight's thoughts turned to the spells she learned in the books. A specific spell came to her mind. A spell that can allow entry into dreams, how amazing... I want to test it, but on who? Twilight then looked at Steel. NO! no I-I can't. Twilight thought for a moment and her conscious was forgotten as she brought their horns together. The dream then took shape as Twilight fell asleep.
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Twilight opened her eyes, completely surrounded by darkness. An empty void of nothingness, Twilight felt uneasy as the world began to take shape? The endless black formed into a ally way drenched in shadow, Voices started to materialize out of nowhere. Twilight followed the voices and saw Steel and his parents? Twilight stood by one end of the ally as she listened to the conversation.
"Dad, I got a lot of..." Steel stopped horrified of what he saw. The bag of bits Steel held dropped from his magic grasp. His father was coughing up blood! Steel rushed to his fathers side and held him close. The brown unicorn had been diagnosed with tuberculosis before Steel was born, it never got this bad. The dying stallion spoke up.
"S-Steel than-k-k Celestia your okay."
"Dad I can't let you die like this!" yelled Steel, tears flowing from his eyes.
"S-Steel I don't have long left" The brown unicorn cringed in pain. "P-p-promise me something."
"Anything dad, what?" Steel asked, his sadness put at bay.
"I need you t-to-" he coughed up blood."care for your-r mom, alright."
"B-b-but dad you'll still be here, I just have to fix you up and..." Steel knew it was hopeless but he had to try.
"I will be with y-you in a way. Just not here. I-I love you son." The stallion's chest stopped, all signs of life gone.
"D-d-d-dad?"
"DAD!"
Steel broke down and wept over his fathers corpse, he heard noise behind him. Steel turned quickly to see his mother sobbing, her ears pulled flat to her head, eyes red from the grief. Steel ran to comfort his mother, wrapping her in a hug. The blue mare excepted the hug.
"I-I'm sorry mom I couldn't save him. What are you talking about? you didn't even try and save him! Steel said in his mind.
"W-what did he say?" His mother asked, her gentle voice choked with tears and sobs.
" He told me to care for you, which is exactly what I'll will do." Steel said calmly, attempting to act like his father would in a situation like this but to no avail.
Steel felt his mother loosen her grip." Mom whats wrong?" Steel looked to see his mom slowly fading away.
"NO! First dad now you!?" cried Steel the weight of losing both parents crushed him.
Steels mother was trying to talk, her voice silenced as she faded.
The blue mare was gone. Forever.
Steel fell to the ground losing all will to move. His ears flat to his head. He sobbed for what seemed like hours until a light began to appear growing brighter every second.
Twilight felt her connection with the dream began to weaken. She was too shaken by the events that occurred within Steels mind to move. The light then consumed her as well. The darkness flooded he vision once more.