I was startled awake by someone banging on my door. I sat up and rubbed the sleep out of my eyes. I took off my headphones, placing them around my neck. Looking down at my desk I saw a half finished puppet, 'I must have fallen asleep while working again.' I picked up the doll, 'I hope Mrs. Love's granddaughter likes it.' The banging on the door stated up again. I stood up and made my way to the bathroom, wetting my hair and fixing it. I looked over myself in the mirror. (Does have the gun and goggles. Left arm is a metal prosthetic.)
The banging on the door started pounding with more force. I quickly rushed out the bathroom and down the hallway. It took a little bit because bits and pieces of metal and other projects were littered about the place. I reached the door and took a deep breath and relaxed. Opening the door I got multiple spears pointed at my throat. I quickly put up my hands to my shoulders in surrender. I looked up at my attackers. They were all pony-human hybrids, wearing gold armor. Looking behind them I saw eight more females. Two had both horns and wings and we're taller than everyone else. Everyone rose a brow at me and the spears lowered slightly, but still pointed at my neck.
One of the guards spoke up, "It's just a stallion? Where's your mare?"
It was my turn to be confused, "When you say mare you mean female right?" She nodded, "Ok... There isn't one. I live alone and currently not dating anyone." Everyone's eyes widened and the spears lowered. I put my hands down and let out a breath of relief.
The white alicorn walked over to me, "What is your name young stallion?"
"U-Uh, It's Isaac, but my friends call me Hephaestus."
"Hephaestus?" She asked me.
"Yeah, Hephaestus was the Greek god of fire, metalworking, stone masonry, forges and the art of sculpture. I always like to build and create things so they started calling me that."
She nodded her head, "You said you like to build things?"
I switched seemed to flip in my mind, "Yes! Yes! Please come in I'll show you." I walked back inside and everyone followed me. They all looked around with slight wonder and awe. A white unicorn with purple hair and a black dress however looked around in disgust. "Sorry for the mess. I wasn't expecting visitors. Make yourself at home." I went over to a box in the corner where I keep some of my smaller completed projects. I pulled out a small clockwork rabbit and turned to everyone.
"I can make just about anything in any style or form. I prefer the clockwork style of creation." I set down the rabbit and turned the key a few times. It's eyes fluttered open and stood up. It used its paws to rub its head before moving around. It hopped around to each person, the nose wiggled a little as it "sniffed" their hooves. It returned to the yellow pegasus with pink hair. She crouched down and held out her hand. The rabbit put a paw in her and was about to jump into it. Before it did, it laid down and closed it's eyes. It's ears flattened, and the key on it's back stopped spinning as it died.
"Aww," her voice was soft and hard to hear. I walked over and picked it up. I placed it back in the box, everyone having a look of awe at what they witnessed. The white and blue alicorns looked at each other for a few seconds before nodding.
The white alicorn turned to me, "Isaac, who have proven yourself to be a great inventor and metal worker. I, Princess Celestia, and my sister, Princess Luna, would like to hire you as the royal blacksmith. A carriage will be here to take you to Canterlot Castle tommorow. May you have a good day." Everyone was starting to leave when I spoke out.
"I don't want to work as a royal blacksmith." Everyone stopped and turned to look at me. While most were shocked, Luna looked mad.
"What do you mean 'you don't want to work as the royal blacksmith.' It is the best work one can find in your field. You will live in a life of luxury and wealth. All the mares you could ever want fawning over you. Are you just going to pass that up?"
I looked her dead in the eyes, "There is nothing wrong with a life of peace and prosperity. I stay with the people because I connect with them, not the high class. So yes, I will be passing it up." Everybody just stared at me. Eventually she backed down and just sighed before leaving.
Celestia turned to me, "Please forgive her, she is still not used to things after returning to ruling Equestria."
"It's quite alright princess, I don't mind one bit." She nodded and everyone left. I went around the house and checked everything. Water, electricity, AC, heat, and plumbing, it all looked like it was working. I looked outside and saw a town not to far away. I gathered some paper, pens, a blanket, and the box of small projects and set out for the town. I also grabbed my tools and the doll I was working on. On my way there women kept asking me if I needed any help. I always said no however.
After I reached the town square and found a nice spot out of the way of everybody else. I placed down the blanket and took out the kids toys and small trinkets. I placed a empty piece of paper in front of each of them. I took out the doll and tools. I put on my headphones, one ear out so I could hear, and started working on it when a woman came by. Everyone near by tried to look inconspicuous while listening in but I didn't pay attention to them.
"Um, I would like the little car, but I don't see a price on it. How much does it cost?"
I gave a smile, "That's the thing, you write down the price you want to pay and put your name next to it. If someone else has a price on it already then you can just cross it out and put a higher one. Come back at sunset and if your name is not crossed out them you pay what you put down and take it home."
Her eyes, along with a few others, widened, "So I can just pay what I want and come get it later?"
I nodded, "Yes, but keep in mind that someone can cross off your name to pay more and get it instead." She took out a pencil and put down her price and name. Soon a bunch of people came to write down prices. I noticed most of them were women. There were guys but they were few and far between.
It's been a few hours. I finished up the doll and even added wings that let it fly. I was about to put it up for sell when I heard sniffling. I got up and turned into the little space between two buildings. Sitting on a cardboard box was a little girl.
"What's wrong little one? Why are you crying?"
She looked up at me, "People keep making fun of me because I can't use magic. I'm 12 but I can't even use the most basic spell. I'm never going to learn how to use magic." Her eyes started to water up.
"When you try using your magic how do you imagine it?"
"I imagine my magic being pushed out my horn and casting the spell."
I chuckled, "Well that's your problem. You're trying to manipulate and control it. Here, follow me back to my little set up and I'll teach you." I helped her up and walked back to my little area. I crossed my legs and told her to do the same. People started looking at us again, not even trying to hide it this time.
"How does sitting down like I'm in second grade again going to help?"
I brought my hands to my stomach, palms facing upwards, "The stomach is the source of energy for the body. It is called the sea of chi. Just like the physical sea you cannot force it to move. You must let it flow through the entirety of your body and keep it in balance. If you can keep it balanced and just let it flow, you can do many things." I tilted my head back and opened my mouth. Flames spewed out and into the air for several feet. I stopped it and looked back down to her, "Like so."
She, along with the others, looked at me with awe. She quickly took up a look of determination. She closed her eyes and focused. She slowly grew a smile on her face. 'She must be getting the hang of-' I was cut off by a blast of cold water. It stopped and I heard the girls voice.
"I'm soo sorry! When I was focusing I felt some other spell and tried it out." I wiped off my face.
"It's quite alright. At least we know your natural element is water, so that's good."
"My natural element?"
"It's the element of magic your more aligned to. Magic of your element is easier to use and more powerful than ones that aren't." She nodded her head, "I don't think I ever got your name."
"It's Dinky. What's your name?"
"It's Isaac, but you can call me Zack. Or Hephaestus, it's my 'artist' name." I handed her the doll and pointed to where I carved my name. She tried to give it back but I pushed it away, "Keep it. It's free. If you ever need anything I live at the house that appeared on the outskirts of town."
"Thanks Mr. Zack." She got up and jogged off. The sun began to set and everyone came by to pay and get there items. I sold out and earn nearly a thousand bits as they call them. I walked back home and saw Dinky at my door.
"Hey Dinky! What are you doing here?"
She looked up at me, "Mr. Zack, I wanted to talk about my element."
I put down my stuff, "What about it." I sat down on the bench I keep on the porch.
She sat down next to me, "It's so lame! I'm mean water? I looked into water spells but most of them are small blasts or shields. Why couldn't I have a cool one like yours. Fire would be so much better."
I looked down at my feet, "I wouldn't think that. Fire isn't much better, if anything it's worse." I heard multiple people walk closer but I didn't look up.
"How could fire be worse than water?"
"Water brings healing and life. Fire only brings destruction and pain. It forces those of us burdened with its care to walk a razors edge between humanity," and rose my left arm, looking at it with pain and anguish, "And savagery." I looked up to see the pink mare from earlier and a gray pegasus with cross eyes.
"Hi, Mr. Zack. I'm just here to get my daughter." Dinky stood up and slowly walked over to her, glancing at me as she did.
The pink one spoke up, "And I'm here to take you to... A PARTY!!!"
I looked up at her, "That actually sounds nice. Where are we going?"
"We're going to Sugar Cube Corner." I stood up and the four of us walked to town. I looked up at the now rising moon.
'I guess it won't be so different here. I wonder I could even find love. I guess I'll just have to find out later huh?'
Author's Note
Huge thanks to b300mussolini for editing this chapter and possibly future chapters as well
Chapter - 2
Me, Ditzy, Pinkie Pie, and Dinky started talking on the way to the party. It was nothing more than name's and a few interests. Pinkie Pie apparently likes to throw party's for anyone new to town. Ditzy is the mailmare and likes muffins; also everyone calls her Derpy because of her eyes. Dinky is in seventh grade and manages to get at least B's in all her classes.
We talked about a few other topics when Dinky suddenly got a look of inspiration and started whispering to Ditzy. While they were doing that, I looked at the town as we walked. It certainly wasn't modern but not old either. It had a rustic charm that only towns in the country could have; or as the high class would say, "Backwater trash that could be something."
I shook my head, 'No, I'm not around them anymore. I don't have to think like that. I can just be me now.' I felt a small tug on my shirt. Looking down I saw Dinky with puppy dog eyes.
"Mr. Zack. If it's ok with you can you help me with my magic on Saturdays. Mom says it's ok if you agree."
"Why do you want me to teach you and not any of the other unicorns?"
"Most unicorns here in ponyville have affinities with earth and air. The few that do have a water affinity only know the basics and can't really teach me."
"And what makes you think I can?" I rose a brow.
"You taught me how to control my magic when no one else could," her eyes grew slightly and began to sparkle, "Please teach me magic Mr. Zack." I felt my body stiffen as a memory came flooding forward.
"Please teach me magic big brother." My sister was begging me to teach her magic for the millionth time. She was on a white dress and groomed blond hair. I was about to say no again but was interrupted.
"Anastasia! What have I told you about talking with it!" We looked over to father. He had on a suit that all high class nobles wear with a thick blond mustache and beard, "You are not to be talking with it again! Do I make myself clear?"
Anastasia looked down, "Yes Father."
"Good, now let's go. You can't be late for your lessons."
"Yes Father." As Anastasia walked off father looked at me. His face twisted into anger and malice. He walked up to me and stood there for a few seconds.
He back handed me across the cheek, "You are to never speak to her again. Understood?"
"Yes Father." He glared at me before simply waking off. 'I will get my revenge one day.' I thought to myself as I watched him leave, clenching my fist.
I was brought back to the present. I was shaking and in a cold sweat. I looked down to see a slightly scared Dinky. I rubbed my face and looked away.
"I... I have to think about it." The rest of the walk was spent in silence.
We made it to a three-story building that looked like it was made of candy. The first two stories of the building looked like a gingerbread house, with gumdrops and frosting on the roof. On top of it and making the third story was a giant cupcake. The weird thing was that the lights were off, like all of them.
"Are you sure this is the right place Pinkie Pie?" I looked over to her
"Yep! This is the place. Just go right on in." She started bouncing in place. She seems to be very energetic. I walked up to the door and opened it. It was pitch black and I couldn't see anything inside.
"Pinkie Pie are you absolut-"
"SURPRISE!" The lights turned on and everybody jumped out. Some set of a few party poppers. I jumped slightly but easily calmed down. I walked inside the small bakery, Pinkie Pie rushed past me and started up the party. The DJ started playing some kind of dubstep and people danced to it. The place was covered in streamers and confetti. A food and drinks table were placed in the back. I smiled and went straight to the back. I haven't eaten all day and could use something to eat.
I grabbed a few cupcakes and some punch and sat down in a booth no one was using. Dinky was off talking to a few other kids who showed up. I looked down into my drink and stared at my reflection.
I was thrown onto the ground, my suitcase landing next to me. I looked up at mother and father. Mother wore a silk dress and had her hair up in a bun. They looked down at me with disgust.
Father spoke, "You are a disgrace to this family! You are stripped of the Heavysteel family name and forbidden from returning!"
I stood up, "Why!? Why are you doing this to me!?"
"A filthy Fire aspect child has no place in the Earth aspect Heavysteel family. You are banished from any place that belongs to this family and will be killed on sight if caught trying to enter. Now leave, before I change my mind and kill you now."
I felt my anger reach a boiling point, "AHHH!" I threw my left arm forward, palm facing them, and let out a torrent of fire. Letting it wash over mother and father. No.... My birth givers.
I was brought back to the present by a gentle shaking. The cup I had was crashed in my palm and melting. I looked up to see Ditzy was the one who brought me back.
She sat down across from me, "Are you ok? You looked really mad and started melting your cup. Luckily I caught you before anypony else noticed."
I sighed and cleaned up what I could of the mess, "Thank you for that."
She gave a soft smile, "No worries. I do want to talk to you however."
"Is it about Dinky?" She nodded, "Honestly, I'm surprised your trusting me to train her."
Her look hardened, "Truth is, I don't trust you. The only reason I'm letting you is because you help her to control it. If anything happens to her, I'll have your head."
I felt a shiver crawl down my spine, 'Damn she's scary.'
"Noted. I should tell you however, that my training will be difficult. It'll start out simple enough but it will get very difficult. Cuts, bruises, even broken bones are a possibility. I'll do my best to treat her but I'm not a doctor. Is that alright with you?" She took on a thoughtful look for a few moments.
"No, it isn't, but I also know that she'll have to go through it at one point or another. Please take good care of her."
I chuckled, "It's not like I'm taking her away from you. I'm only going to be training her from noon to sunset once a week."
"Does that mean your going to train her?"
I stopped for a moment. The way I was talking it was like I already decided to train her. I smiled to myself.
"Yeah, but that's if Dinky is ready for it. HEY DINKY!" She turned to me and I waved her over. She came running over, "I'm going to teach you how to use magic." Her smile spread from ear to ear, "But it won't be easy. Cuts, bruises, even broken are a strong possibility. Are you ready for that?" She squirmed a little but held a determined look.
"I'll take anything you throw at me."
I chuckled and messed up her hair, "That's the spirit. Now let's party!"
Me, Dinky, Ditzy, and everyone else had a great time. A rainbow haired girl and a girl wearing stetson hat got into a drinking contest. Dinky introduced me to her friends Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo. Apple Bloom was the younger sister to the woman in the hat, Applejack was her name. Sweetie Belle was the younger sister to Rarity Belle, the one that was disgusted by my home. Scootaloo was the number one fan of the rainbow haired girl, Rainbow Dash. We had fun and the party eventually came to a stop. I was walking back home while looking up at the night sky.
I was standing in main hall in the mansion. Most rooms were collapsed or on fire. Explosions from another part of the mansion went off, shaking the whole building. My male birth giver was across from me, most of his body was covered in burns. I wasn't fairing much better, bloody and bruised. I ran forward and tried to punch him. He brought up his arms, catching my arm in earth. He threw a uppercut but stopped half way through, causing a pillar of earth to strike me in the chest. He slowly raised his arm, pushing the pillar further. My arm was still trapped and was slowly being pulled from my body.
"AHHHHH!" My arm was staring to tear from my body. My shoulder dislocated and the muscle started to rip apart. As I screamed in agony I looked my birth giver in the face. He wore a smile that went from ear to ear. My flesh tore apart and my arm was ripped off. I landed on my back and screamed, holding onto my wound. I used my fire to cauterize the wound and stood back up. His smile never left his face. I looked up and saw the ceiling start to crumble.
"I guess this is the end birth giver." He chuckled and started walking forward. I sent a fire ball at the ceiling. The ceiling collapsed and crushed him. His blood seeped from under the stone. I walked out the mansion and looked back. Anastasia, I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye.
I shook my head, 'I won't let the same thing happen to Dinky.' I entered my house and walked in my room. I took a quick shower and crawled into bed. I closed my eyes and slowly fell asleep