Forged of Gold

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     The sound of hammers on metal echoed throughout the streets of Canterlot as the sun rose, bathing the royal city in warm sunlight.  Ponies were waking and going about their morning tasks.  "Good Mornings" and "Hellos" were exchanged amongst the working classes, while silent nods and huffs were given by some of the snootier, upper-classed ponies.  The early morning quietly crept as the minutes passed, it was almost a picturesque scene of harmony; That was, until an explosion erupted from the nearby Silver Guild Smithy.

BOOOOOOOOOOM

     An explosion rocked the entire mountainside as smoke rose from the smithy.  "ANOTHER explosion from the Silver Guild?" One pony asked.

"Yep, sure looks like it."

Another let out a sigh, "Looks like Gold is getting an early start today."  Yup, It was a regular morning in Canterlot. The racket from the Silver Guild became a regular thing for many of the denizens of Canterlot.  But despite the constant disturbances, the smithy would never close due to the quality of the equipment and vanity items they made on a daily basis.

     Silver Guild Smithy's products had almost no rival, save for the Bronze Guild Smithy.  The headmasters of the Guilds have a long standing rivalry that has spanned several generations.  And of which, the two smithys are constantly trying to beat each other out with their levels of quality.

     The staff of the Silver Guild consisted mainly up of Earth-ponies, save for one unicorn who apprentices there.  Who constantly hampers the guilds progress with his practicing of magic. "WHAT IN THE HAY!?" A deep voice roared  "GOLD YOU GET YOUR FLANK DOWN HERE!! NOW!!"

     "Agh...crap... I forgot to take that potion out of the fire last night..."  A slate grey unicorn with a strikingly blonde mane and short manecut muttered to himself. "I'M COMING CHIEF!" He yelled back.  He definitely took his time though, he was used to being yelled at first thing in the morning, so he wasnt in much of a rush.  Trotting down the stairs and into the main room of the smithy, Gold heaved a sigh, "You called for me chief?"

     An older, but quite muscular Earth pony turned to face Gold, "WHAT IS THIS!?" He motioned to a furnace that was smoldering and in pieces.

     Gold let out a puff, "Well... that looks like a furnace to me chief" he said nonchalantly.

     The chief let out a growl. "Well even I can see that you smart mouthed little punk! In the name of Celestia," he continued, "Can't you go three days without blowing something up with your magic!?"

     Gold shrugged, It wasnt ENTIRELY his fault that his magic would backfire and destroy his surroundings.... The reason that he kept blowing things up was due to spending long nights at the smithy, constantly forging throughout the morning and evening hours.  It was oftentimes midnight when Gold would pick up a book and start to study magic into the night. Upon finishing his studying, he would then put his newfound knowledge to the test and attempt to use the spell.  More-often-than-not, his magic would end up destroying something in the smithy, getting himself scolded and extra work given to him.  His saving grace would be the quality of his craftsmanship.  Most of the items Gold has forged ended up being showcased by many high-class art lovers in Canterlot, but the one thing he is most famous for (Besides blowing up the smithy), is a piece of jewelry forged from Moonstone for a contest to make a piece for the Royal Princesses of Equestria.  His piece won by a landslide, and I've heard that Princess Luna still wears the piece today.

     But there were more pressing matters at hand, the chief was furious and looked like he was about to throw Gold into a raging furnace. "GOLD!" The chief snared, "MY OFFICE...NOW!"

     Heaving a sigh, Gold followed the chief into his office. The chief stood in front of his personal furnace, "Gold... ... ..."

     Gold took a step closer, "Yes chief?"

     "You are aware of the rivalry between the Silver and Bronze Guild, and the contest we hold to determine which guild is the better, correct?"  The chief said without budging.

     Gold nodded, "Yessir! The contest is held every year before the Winter Wrap-up."  Gold has participated in this contest every year since he began apprenticing at the Silver Guild, so he understood the gravity of this battle of masters.  "The contest is in a couple months is it not?"

   The chief didnt budge, "You are correct Gold, and I'm planning a very special piece for it..." He sighed, "But alas... the piece requires magic as well as the proper materials to forge...And I dont know any unicorns who could possibly do this job..."

    Gold waited, mulling over the chiefs words for a moment, before speaking up.  "Chief?" He began, "I would be honored If you let me take upon the task of forging this item for you..." Bowing as he spoke, he wasnt too sure on what the chiefs answer would be. Especially considering the fact that Gold has wrecked the smithy several times over.

     The chief suddenly gained a wicked grin, "Are you sure Gold? Its a big responsibility, but if you can do it... I'll graduate you from apprenticeship and directly into a Master."

     Gold's eyes lit up.  Graduation!  It was everything he was waiting for! Access to the storehouses, better pay, better tools, and he would'nt have to bend to every whim of the staff!  He wanted this more than anything else.  "Yessir! I can do it!"  He responded enthusiasticaly, "What are the details?"

     The chief let out a cackle, "It's simple, there are these objects called 'The Elements of Harmony', they are powerful magic items. A piece that could be worth millions if a piece was forged with them." Gold had whipped out a notepad and was jotting this all down as the chief continued, "I want you, Heart Gold, to go down to the town of Ponyville, find the Elements, and forge a piece out of them before the Winter Wrap-up."

    Gold placed the note book into a saddlebag he had place on himself as the chief finished, "Ponyville, Elements of Harmony, forge before the Winter Wrap-up," he said as he looked at the chief, "Correct?"

     The chief turned and faced Gold with a malicious grin, "Yes my apprentice, the train to Ponyville leaves in three hours, I suggest you get ready..."

     Gold saluted, "Yessir! I'll get right to it!" And with that, he hurried up to his room to prepare for the trip. "Ponyville... I cant WAIT..."

((This is my first attempt at a fanfic so far, constructive critisicm and any thoughts you may like are helpful to me so go ahead and speak your mind))