Sparking a Fyre

A fire is a peculiar thing.  Match some dry tinder with a burning spark, and it erupts into a burning, living thing.  This is a story about Golden Fyre, who's rise in the Royal Ranks was lit by a mere spark of Love.

Sparking a Fyre[Chapter One: Conscription]

CONSCRIPTION NOTICE: EQUESTRIA ROYAL GUARDS

To: Golden Fyre & Quick Sylver, owners and operators of Quickfyre Metalworks

Upon the request of Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence, the two adressed Ponies are hereby conscripted into the Equestrian Royal Guard, to serve personally under Prince Shining Armor and Princess Cadence themselves.  QuickFyre Metalworks will be given a location within the castle work.  Golden Fyre has been assigned as a personal guard for Princess Cadence, and Quick Sylver her Royal Assistant.  Both will be still be expected to provide new designs in armor for the Royal Guard, as well.  A wagon will be sent at promptly 0600 hours, on the third day from the date this notice was sent. Be packed and prepared to leave at that time.  All property of QuickFyre Metalworks will be moved to the castle, where it shall be granted access to state of the art materials and tools.

We thank you for your service, and welcome to the Royal Guard.

Signed,

Prince Shining Armor

Golden Fyre and Quick Sylver stared at the letter, mouths agape.  The guard who delivered the noticed saluted, then left.  Neither of them could believe it.  Shining Armor hadn't forgotten about them, and he actually wants them to serve in the castle, with them!

Quick Sylver was the first to speak.  "I can't believe it!"  She let out a squee  "I get to work for Cadence!"  "The most loving, caring, sweetest pony in all of Equestria!"  She flopped back dramatically, just to be caught by Golden Fyre's deep gold magical aura.  She read and re-read the letter.  She never would have thought being conscripted was a good thing!  Then she noticed the date it was sent.  "Gasp, they sent this two days ago, we have to pack everything tonight!" Sylver exclaimed, before running off to pack up their personal items.

Golden Fyre could only smile to himself as he went to into their workshop to start packing up their metalworking equipment.  He was a big, gruff looking unicorn, with mean gold colored eyes and a matching mane.  He had a soft light coat, that had just a hint of blue in it.  His body was scarred from years working with molten metal.  Most wouldn't mess with him, but Quick Sylver saw something in him that others had not, and it was love at first sight, for both of them.  Quick Silver, a Pegasus, was a beautiful mare to him.  She had a plain grey coat with a shocking pure white mane, and gentle steel blue eyes.  She had cute little freckles, and if one looked closely they could see a blue spot on her forehead, mostly hidden by her mane.  Most found her odd, quirky nature just flat out creepy, as a result most of them stayed away from her.  Which is one of many reasons he loved her.  She knew exactly what she wanted, and wasn't afraid to speak her mind to anypony who would listen, but she wasn't hurtful, and she could almost always put a positive spin on things.  He let out a deep sigh as he looked at the room that was their workshop.  It was actually just the second floor of their home, outside was a stairway that led to a poorly installed doorway.  This would be the last time he would see this room like this, this very building had been his home for years, and it felt like he was saying final goodbyes to a loved family member.  Golden Fyre shook his head to clear out the thoughts, turned on some music, and started packing things away.

It was about twenty minutes before 6 o'clock, and Prince Shining Armor guided two large carts through the dank back streets of Canterlot.  Flanked on both sides by Royal Guards, the small convoy arrived at a run down building.  Prince Shining Armor sighed as a rat skittered past, and into the shadows.  The building had definitely fallen into disrepair since the last time he saw it.

"Poor building, it didn't do anything to deserve this kind of treatment" The Prince thought "I wonder why Fyre let it get so dilapidated, it's a shame."  Shining Armor ordered the guards to open the wagons and to be ready for some heavy lifting, and to not drop anything, as most of it was one of a kind.  He turned and knocked on the door, a grin coming to his face when a specific young mare answered.  "Sylver!"  He exclaimed, obviously knowing her "It's been so long!" He said, getting a hug from the ecstatic grey mare.

"I know, we have so much to catch up on!"  She made a small wink and added "And I heard you got married, I can't wait to meet the lucky lady!" She poked his armored chest playfully, before turning and shouting up to the workshop.  "Golden, sweetie, Shining Armor is here!"

"Coming!" Was the muffled reply, followed by a small clang, and a string of curses.  Shining Armor and Sylver shared a small chuckle as Golden Fyre walked down the stairs, rubbing a lump on his head, only getting another laugh from Shining and Sylver  "Ha ha very funny" spat, his voice dripping with sarcasm, only making Shining Armor and Sylver laugh even harder.

A few minutes later, the Royal Guards had gotten most of Fyre's and Sylver's personal belongings onto a cart, and were struggling to get the cast iron metalworking equipment to the carts, and it was quiet a feat when they finished loading everything.

Fyre mustered up the courage to ask a question that had been nagging him since they received the letter.  "Uh, Prince..."

Shining Armor interupted him "Please Fyre, we've known each other for years, you can still call me Shining, it makes me feel normal, being nearly worshiped everywhere you go gets tiresome."

Golden Fyre nodded, not being one to chicken out of anything.  "Okay, well, I was wondering why you wanted us to move into the castle?" Fyre spilled "I mean, you're a Prince now, you could get anybody else to do it, instead of two poor ponies from the outskirts of the city, I thought you had forgotten about us..." Fyre finished, hanging his head.

Shining Armor sighed, but smiled at his friend.  "I wouldn't forget about a friend, Fyre, especially one in need." Shining told him.  "Now come, we are expected back at Canterlot Castle!" He swept his arm grandly and laughed as they departed for their new home.

Fyre took one look back at his now former home.  "Goodbye, old friend." He thought, before facing ahead.  "No use in looking back, it's not going to do me any good."  With a final, heavy sigh, Golden Fyre followed the small convoy of guards and carts towards Canterlot Castle, and his new life.