The Blacksmith's Apprentice

by Cinnamon Roll

Rating: teen
Tags: Discord, Violence, Slice of Life, Alternate Universe, Sad, Applejack, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Second Person, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie
Length: 2646

A down-on-his-luck Alloy Carbide comes back to his shop one day to find a surprise waiting for him in his blacksmith shop.

Alloy likes his reclusive life. Nopony bothers him unless they have work for him to do in his blacksmith shop close to Ponyville, and he likes what he does. Unfortunately, an unexpected intruder into his shop turns his life upside down, and a quiet little filly manages to uproot a whole host of painful memories from a past he'd rather forget.

Published 2018-10-14 22:30:02 UTC
Last updated 2018-10-14 22:30:02 UTC

A Broken Anvil

CLANG!!! ting ting ting... CLANG!!! ting ting ting

A shadowy figure outlined by the glow of the forge swung a hammer, shaping the red-hot metal currently being held in his magic, the glow of his horn lighting the area in an odd purple hue.

CLANG!!! CLANG!!! ting ting ting... CLANG!!! ting ting TINK.

A soft curse filled the confines of the smithy, and the figure lifted the length of metal to eye-level, inspecting it. The metal appeared to have lines similar to veins forged into it, though not by design.

“Sunnuva...”

The figure examined the anvil, tapping it experimentally with his ball-peen hammer. It did not ring as it should, but instead produced only a dull ‘tink’ sound.

“Of course. Cracked anvil.”

The figure unceremoniously dropped the red hot metal in the quench barrel, oil inside bubbling urgently as the heat was dissipated from the piece of iron. The metal cracked from the sudden change in temperature, but the stallion paid it no heed. It was useless to him now anyways.

The figure turned away from the forge, and made his way over to the rack where he kept his tools. His body came into view, revealing a unicorn stallion with a pure white coat- now stained grey from his time working in the smithy- and a bright orange mane with white streaks.

He abhorred how he looked. He considered his appearance... childish, not to mention the amount of work it took to keep himself clean. A black or grey coat would have been much easier to maintain. He kept his mane cropped short for convenience purposes, and kept his face clean-shaven for the same reason.

“Mornin’ Alloy. Ah got some wheel hubs for y’all to repair.”

Alloy didn’t respond, instead waiting until he’d placed all his tools in their proper places; Each one had a designated spot.

Applejack didn’t say anything else, but patiently waited for a response. She’d known the gruff stallion for quite a few years now, and had become accustomed to his peculiar mannerisms and abrasive personality. The stallion easily did better work than any other blacksmith in either Ponyville or Canterlot, so Applejack was willing to deal with a little bit of inconvenience if it meant her tools would last longer. Besides, he wasn’t a bad pony, just a little blunt.

The unicorn stepped closer to Applejack, and examined the wagon hubs she held in an offered hoof. “I won’t be able to get them fixed today, Applejack. I’m in need of a new Anvil.” He considered this for a moment. “I’ll have them done in a week.”

Applejack winced. “Any way ya could put a rush on that? Ah kinda need ‘em fer a trip mah family’s takin’ soom.”

Alloy stared up at Applejack, his face completely neutral. “I don’t rush work, Applejack. It only produces shoddy results. You of all ponies should know this by now.”

“Ah know... but a week? It’ll take ya that long to get yerself a new anvil?”

Alloy sighed, and rubbed his forehead. “I need a few days to get there and pick out the best anvil I can possibly find, then I need to get it transported here to my shop. After that there’s the setup, and then I need a few days to get those wheel hubs repaired. A week is how long it’s going to take, and that’s final.”

The orange mare blinked. “Yer puttin’ me in a mighty high bind ‘ere, Alloy, but if y’all say it’ll take a week, then ah guess that’s that.” She dropped the metal pieces into Alloy’s outstretched hoof, and turned to leave, but stopped abruptly in the doorway. “How many bits?”

“Fifty.”

She whistled at the high price, but didn’t argue. You get what you pay for, after all, and Alloy was the best at what he did... despite what the other blacksmiths in Canterlot said to the contrary. Applejack was no fool. The gruff stallion may have had a bad name among his peers, but in her experience, his work was head and shoulders above the rest.

“See y’all later, Alloy. Ah’ll be here to pick up mah order in a week.”

Alloy waved idly to the disappearing Applejack as he checked the sun’s position. It was still early in the day, so he quickly doused the forge, and began to clean up. He retrieved the cracked piece of metal from the quenching barrel with his magic, and tossed it into the scrap bin, checking to make sure it was competely cool before doing so. The stone floors were swept up, and the broom stowed away in its designated spot.

“Now... what to do with you.” Alloy regarded the old cracked anvil. It had been his constant companion over the last five years, and he’d grown fond of it. It was his first major purchase after having set up shop near Ponyville, and he was rather proud that it had lasted for as long as it had. His father was right; Having high quality tools was worth the investment. As he saw it, Alloy had two options: 1- He could keep the anvil and use it for either smaller projects or for decorative jewellry, or 2- He could sell the metal for scrap and make a few bits off it.

It was an easy decision.

Alloy grunted as he wrestled with the anvil. He left it mounted to the chunk of wood, and slowly dragged it with magic over to the other side of the forge, where he made most of his jewellry. Wheel hubs, nails, and tools may be what brought in the most income, but Alloy was truly skilled in the art of jewellry. He had personally crafted the current regalia for Princess Celestia, and had gained much prestige because of that, but had been quickly shunned by his fellow Blacksmiths who apparently thought his usage of magic in blacksmithing was an unfair advantage. He’d been kicked out of their guild, and unpleasant rumors had been spread about him. Shortly after, his business saw a drastic drop in sales, and he was forced to leave Canterlot for Ponyville.

He, of course, had been angry, but that was business sometimes. Not wanting to dwell on the past, he quickly found a new customer base in Ponyville- whose inhabitants were far less concerned with his reputation- and his life had settled down into a routine. He still took commissions from Celestia from time to time- Twilight’s crown being his biggest achievement- but had insisted on remaining anonymous. He liked the work, but he’d learned his lesson about fame.

His father would be ashamed.

Screw his father.

Alloy surveyed his Blacksmithy, double checking to make sure everything was in its place. Satisfied, he closed and padlocked the double-doors, placing the key in one of the saddlebags he’d prepared. He levitated said saddlebags over his back, and trotted down the path toward Ponyville.

His shop was a good five- minute walk from Ponyville, but he didn’t complain. After the hustle and bustle of Canterlot, having a little solitude suited him just fine. The little village was a crazy place, but at least the inhabitants were a decent bunch.

Alloy entered into the town proper, and turned toward the train station. A few of the ponies in the streets waved to him, and he waved back politely, though he avoided eye contact. He’d learned that in a place as social as Ponyville, eye contact was synonymous with striking up a conversation, and that was the last thing he wanted to do right now. He was a stallion on a mission, and nopony was going to interrupt it.

“Hi Alloy! I haven’t seen you in, like, forever!”

Pinkie Pie. Dang. He’d forgotten about that pink aberration. He didn’t hate Pinkie Pie; In fact, Alloy enjoyed Pinkie’s upbeat and joyful nature, but only in moderation. Right now, he didn’t have time to entertain her, so he politely avoided the bouncy party planner, greeting her as he continued to trot toward the train station.

“Oh, where you going, Alloy? Because it looks like you’re heading to the train station. Am I right? I am right! Race you there! Threetwoone GO!”

The pink mare zipped away, and Alloy sighed. He’d have to apologize to her later for ignoring her, but he needed a new anvil so he could finish Applejack’s request as early as he could, and to do that he needed to get on that train before it left. He picked up his pace, beginning to canter, only to almost run smack dab into a light grey pegasus wearing a black jacket and a... helmet?

Whatever. Alloy quickly apologized to the stallion, not bothering to listening to the response before dashing off again toward the train station. He could see a bouncing Pinkie Pie standing on the platform, no doubt celebrating her victory.

Alloy skidded into the station just in time, and bought a return ticket to Canterlot for one.

Business Class.

...He was a business man, after all.

He breathed a sigh of relief when the ticket vendor handed Alloy his ticket and change, only to get a face full of confetti from Pinkie’s party cannon when he went to turn around.

“Plegh! Pinkie, was that really necessary?”

“Of course, silly! Who doesn’t love confetti blasted into their face at inopportune moments?”

Alloy raised a hoof, but found he actually had nothing to say to Pinkie. How does one reply to a statement so ridiculous?

A whistle sounded through the station, and Alloy quickly extricated himself from a suddenly very clingy-huggy Pinkie Pie, who pouted until a random balloon floated by, distracting her from her temporary unhappiness.

Alloy scratched his head, but decided to not question the random appearance of a balloon, and instead stepped onto the train, showing his ticket to the attendant, who showed him to his seat. He let out his breath as the train finally began to move, leaving Ponyville behind, and moving him toward a city he’d prefer to avoid if he could.

Three days later, a tired and slightly disheveled-looking Alloy stepped off the train in Ponyville. After cinching up his saddle bags to secure them, the tired stallion flagged down a train station employee.

“I have a large package in the hold. Can I get it unloaded on the platform, please?”

The attendent nodded, and Alloy flipped him a coin in thanks. He watched as a team of workers unloaded his anvil from the luggage car, meanwhile debating on how he would get the heavy item to his home.

“Well, if it isn’t my favourite recluse.”

Alloy facehooved. “Hi Discord. What are you doing here?”

The serpentine creature coiled himself around Alloy’s barrel, much to his discomfort. “Why, I simply heard that a certain somepony needed help to get a heavy item home, and so here I am.”

Alloy raised an eyebrow. “And how did you know I would need help to get my anvil home?”

“Is spying on others not how you’re supposed to find out their secrets?” Discord smiled impishly, and snapped his fingers, making him disappear and reappear on the platform beside Alloy.

“How... you know what, forget it. Yes, I could use a hoof... or claw in your case.”

Discord raised his hand to snap his fingers, but was stopped by a hoof. He turned to Alloy who had a stern look on his face.

“Discord... no funny business now.”

“Aw, but what fun is there in that?”

“Just teleport it in front of my shop. No more, no less. I don’t want it to be funny colours or turned into cheese or anything like that. Just. To. My. Shop.”

Discord pouted. “Oh, phoo.” But he reluctantly snapped his fingers, and the anvil disappeared. He smiled at Alloy, who regarded him suspiciously. “Aw, you don’t trust me?”

“No.”

Discord put on a mock hurt expression, raising a paw to his chest. “Well, I never! I decide to help a good friend, and what do I get in return? Suspicion and distrust. Well, see if I ever decide to help you again.” He crossed his arms and turned away with a mocking huff, but a grin remained on his face.

Alloy sighed. “Fine. Thank you... Happy now?” Discord twisted his head around on his neck, which creeped Alloy out to no end, and smiled wider.

“Why, Alloy, you are very much welcome! Now I would stay and continue chatting with you, but unfortunately I am a busy draconequus, and there is much chaos to sow. Ta ta!” And with that, the mismatched creature disappeared, only to reappear a second later, much to Alloy’s discomfort. “Whoopsie! I almost forgot. Fluttershy wanted me to tell you that she has something that she wants you to build. She’ll pop in sometime later on today to discuss the details with you.” Discord poofed a top hat onto his head, and tipped it to Alloy before magicking a door into existence, and disappearing through it.

Alloy shook his head, but managed to shake off Discord’s... strangeness. It was just another quirk of living in Ponyville to him. The fact that the draconequus had taken a liking to Alloy was yet another one of life’s mysteries, and he decided not to dwell on it in the same way that he didn’t question Pinkie Pie’s ability to break the fourth wall.

Realizing that daylight hours were rapidly diminishing, Alloy quickly trotted off the train platform, and toward his home, a vague feeling of nervousness lending an urgency to his steps. He couldn’t quite put his hoof on it, but something didn’t feel quite right, and he was worried about his shop. Thankfully Pinkie didn’t make an appearance this time around, and the trip to his shop went quickly and uninterrupted.

The knot in his stomach only grew, however, as the shop came into view, and Alloy broke into a run. His fears were confirmed when he saw the broken padlock on his front door, and he quickly ripped the door open to see what damage had been done by the thieves...

...Except there was no damage. Alloy scanned his shop, looking for anything that might have been taken. Everything was there, including the anvil he’d just bought. Nothing had been stolen. He breathed a sigh of relief, wondering who would break in but not take anything, until his eyes settled on a dark shape. It looked like a furry lump of... coal?

Alloy frowned, and squinted at the shape, only now making out a the dark blue messy mane and the dirty spots all over the...

Filly?

Author's Note

Hi everyone! Yep, this is a new story that I’ve been working on for the last year or so, and am now finally putting it into words. Oddly enough, it started as a dream, and morphed into this story from there. Hope you guys liked this chapter, and let me know if you see anything that I missed while editing this. As a side note, I included the deviantart link in the picture of the filly because I used a base from that page, and it was requested of anyone who uses that base to provide a link to the original artist. I know, I know, I suck for using bases :twilightsheepish:, but I’m not much of an artist. I’m more of a photoshopper. This is more to help show what the characters look like. Maybe some day I’ll commission someone to make proper illustrations of my characters, but for now you guys will simply have to make do with my best efforts.:twilightsmile:

I am Motodrop, and a unique...

No. No, I’m not doing that for this story! :flutterrage: That’s for my other story, dang it! Y’all will have to suffer without those for this one. :trollestia: