The Forge Master of Equestria.

by Synwolf

Rating: teen
Tags: Dark, Comedy, Adventure
Length: 1320

Equestria has known peace as a constant for a very long time, so much so that even the eldest amongst pony kind are hard pressed to remember that there was ever darkness in the world. Soon... all that will change.

Equestria has long been known as a bastion of peace, a realm where tolerance and kindness preside over it's expanse and in its denizen's hearts.

But sadly, during an age long since obscured by the sands of time, a black smog of darkness once hung low throughout the now tranquil fields and forests. In a time before the founding of Canterlot, before Star Swirl the Bearded, before Celestia and Luna…
there was the dominion of Mord.

A creature of pure darkness, the embodiment of anti life. An Alicorn who's very presence could sew rot and corruption into anything it chose to rest it's hollow gaze upon. It's power over life saw the realm choked with decay for an era that lasted far too long. Ponies of those times called them the Dark Ages.

With wicked intent and malevolence, it sought to extinguish all life using it's twisted powers of undeath. There was no escape from it's touch, a curse beyond the grave that reanimated the corpses of those felled by it's terrible wrath, their bodies no longer their own. Sibling fought sibling, loved ones were dragged away by gnarled hooves… some the most horrific of stories and myths come from those times, many of them bearing a sickening core of truth.

As though the planet itself sought an antibody for it's wretched infection, two special individuals were chosen from the ponies of those times to become great Avatar's of balance, to hold within them the cycle of life and continuity; They became known as Celestia and Luna, the living manifestations of day and night.

Their resolve to free ponies from horrific oppression eventually saw to the demise of Mord. Or at least so it is said… for no pony truly knows where it came to rest upon it's defeat, when it's undead vessels fell lifelessly to the floor like puppets with severed strings. None the less, Celestia and Luna were victorious and the ponies they protected gave praise to the mercy they had been granted.

Canterlot was founded not long after those events, with many wards and means of protection weaved into it's architecture. Should Mord ever return, they would be ready this time… but it never did. It's absence brought about an age of prosperity as Celestia and Luna breathed life and love back into the heart of the land… aided by many champions and one other mysterious pony who was often seen at their side… but little is known of him. As the ever marching motion of time eventually heals all ills, the reign of Mord became forgotten, at least by all save two ponies, yet they had both agreed to never let it's name be spoken again.

Many other ponies fought bravely during those times and throughout the ages also. Heroes and Heroines both, they helped shape their future with strength, will and determination uncommon to most.
With either stoic resolve or an acceptance of responsibility thrust upon them, their stories became immortalised in the great halls beneath Canterlot, their actions a pillar upon which todays peace now rests, when once the eye's of the world looked to them for help.

Now though, those eyes would turn to another such pony… a pony unique and unlike any other in all history. The knights and protectors from ages past might have wrinkled their muzzle a little at just how different he is in fact…
In a world of magic and tradition, this particular pony thinks with numbers and machines. He see's the world as a puzzle, a web work of questions and enigmas to which there is always an answer. His unacceptance that things "just are as they are" is the reason the world may now need him more than any other pony.
He's a trouble maker though, make no mistake… yet in times to come, Equestria may come to learn that it sometimes takes the ponies that think on the outside to make all the difference.

His name is Cogs, a little Engineer from Canterlot who's musings and inventions have carved him a reputation throughout Equestria. Not always in the best way mind, but he is well known none the less.
For in a world so vulnerable to a returning evil, only the one who can see beyond darkness can ever hope to be able to fight it.

This is the story, of the 'Forge Master of Equestria'.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2014-01-08 18:08:52 UTC

The Pony Without a Heart - Part I

The morning sun cast it's new light over the lake beneath Canterlot, dancing from it's surface calmly. It was a serene morning... but perhaps not so for one pony who was very late for class.

Amidst the emerging buzz of pony endeavour the morning normally coaxed, the setting up of stalls and the opening of shops, a young colt of no more than ten winters old weaved between hoof and cart like a salmon swimming upstream. His name was Cogsworth Junior, a pale coated pony with a long dark mane, a frantic worry in his green eyes. His study bag bounced up and down like the wings of a Pegasus at his flank as he bolted through the streets, near breathless from his exertions. Eventually he approached a large building with an open wooden door, beneath the arch of which stood a senior looking orange coated mare who regarded Cogsworth with narrow eyes as he skittered across the cobbled street towards her.

"Late again Mr Rathbone? That's the third time this week, come in!"

wordlessly Cogs trotted past her, too breathless to construct a plausible reason for his lateness this time. He knew he would likely have to later though...

~~~

"Ok class, settle down! Miss Rose, please refrain from clipping the class plant... it is in fact plastic!"

Cogsworth monastically walked amidst the grid patterned desks, all but one of which contained restless fellow students awaiting the days lessons. With Grim resignation he sat at the one empty desk and pulled out a few of his note books, preferring not to acknowledge the chaos around him.

"Ok class, you should all know the drill by now. I read out your name, and you say 'present' in response, that is if you're here of course."

One pupil's hoof shot into the air like a firework. "I have to go to the bathroom!"

The teacher shook her head and let out a small sigh. "Ok, just please be quick."

The excited ruckus simmered down to a low level thrum as the teacher began to read out names one by one. "Cranberry?"

"Here Miss Staples."

"Petulia?"

"Ohh, that's me, yes Miss!"

Cogsworth was sketching out a picture, concentrating hard on the design of something seemingly quite complex. Another pony at his flank was trying to take a look at what he was doing, but his view was obscured as Cogsworth was hunched over his work.

"Miss? Cogsworth is drawing again!" shouted a voice from across the room.

Cogsworth looked up at the mention of his name, a little bewildered. Miss Staples put down her checklist of pupil names and trotted over to his desk.

"Cogsworth, how many times have I told you not to do anything during..."

She hesitated a moment, noticing what he had been sketching out on the page. It was a blueprint diagram for a pair of mechanical wings, a series of complicated calculations for wind resistance and weight ratio scribbled messily at it's side.

Miss staples looked down at the young colt, his eyes staring back up at her, a tousled mane and unkempt appearance betraying what she thought to be a very high level of intelligence.

"...Just put it away for now Cogs please." she asked quietly, then returned to her desk and continued to read out the names of her pupils.

"Did you hear about Cogsworth?" whispered a pale blue colt to a red coated mare that sat in front of him. She wore her mane short and spiked and had a reddened flame cutie mark upon her flank.

"Hmm? No, what?" she whispered hoarsely in response.

"Apparently... he's got a robot heart!"

She stared at him incredulously. "Don't talk silly!"

The colt shook his head, his tone bolstered with a serious insistence despite his hushed tone. "No really! His dad owns that Clock shop, the big one down Mane Street. My dad used to go there often to have his tools fixed. He said that the owners son had heart problems when he was very young and his dad built him a heart from clock parts!"

She screwed up her features and faced Miss Staples at her front once again. "I find that very hard to believe!"

The colt leaned in towards her a little. "I'm telling you it's true, that's why he invents things, he's a robot!"

She burst into a fit of hysterics which unfortunately was quickly met with a glare from Miss Staples.

"Would you care to share the joke Miss Ember?" asked Miss Staples politely.

Ember looked around behind her at the blue colt who was now pretending to have had nothing to do with her, chewing his pencil innocently.

"No.. no it's ok Miss Staples, I'm sorry." she said as she turned to face the front again.

Miss Staples continued on, whilst Ember watched Cogs with great interest from across the room..

"A Robot heart!? ...hmm."

~~~

"That will be all class, homework is to read chapter four and five of your library book with some pony to witness. Don't forget they need to sign your progress book when you have finished!"

Ponies scrambled for the door as though a fire had broken out in the room, a mad dash for freedom ensuing like a many hooved worm fleeing a birds predations.

"Cogsworth... I'd like a word if I may." asked Miss Staples as he slipped down from his desk, last amidst the tide of other students to do so. She trotted over to her door as the last few ponies filtered through, closing it behind them. Cogsworth stood in front of her desk looking sullen, head bowed and expression resigned.

"I... I'm sorry I was late again, I overslept."

Miss Staples sat at her desk and shook her head in response. "Young Cogsworth, your father owns one of the most prolific Clock shops in Equestria. Do you honestly expect me to believe his son is the subject of poor time keeping?"

Cogsworth shifted on his hooves, looking at the floor. He didn't respond in word, but his expression told her all she needed to know. He was hiding something, which seemed to be a trait of intelligent pupils, something she was very familiar with and adept at spotting.

"Please listen Cogs. I have never seen a talent as innate as your own in one so young before. It is very impressive from what I have seen of your sketches and notes, but you must realise that does not grant you exemption from normal class learning."

Cogsworth nodded, still not meeting her gaze. "I know, I just... I get lost in projects. It becomes difficult to concentrate on anything else..."

Miss Staples smiled. "I understand that situation well Cogs, I honestly do. Much like a good book you can't leave alone. But the fact remains you do need to broaden your horizons beyond that of invention and mechanics. Knowledge and lore encompass all things Cogs, not just a single aspect. Being good, exceptional even at only one thing will ultimately limit you in later life. Whatever it is you are working on, it's not important enough to ruin your education. So please Cogs, NO more lateness, do you understand?"

Cogsworth nodded and smiled. "I understand Miss Staples."

Miss Staples smiled again. "Off you go then, enjoy your weekend. Please try not to get into too much trouble."

Cogsworth padded out of the class room and motioned to turn left, unfortunately not quick enough to spot the red mare standing immediately outside of the door. She let out a surprised yelp as they both collided, landing in a heap of hooves and wide eyed confusion. Cogsworth craned his neck to see with whom he was now entangled, only to be greeted by a red mare smiling back at him awkwardly.

"Oh... h-hello. My names Ember...Um, pleased to meet you... Cogs is it?"