Moonlit Eternity

Hello, everyone! This is my first ever story on FIMFiction.net. I’m sure that by reading the summary, you gathered that it is about my OC, Steel Anvil and his romance with Rainbow Dash. But Steel is hiding something… So, y’know, I’m kind of a hopeless romantic. I’m glad to post this finally, because I have been planning it for quite a while. So, I hope you guys enjoy it!

Moonlit Eternity

Chapter 1

Rainbow Dash was, in every sense of the word, tired. She had just spent nearly the entire day on weather patrol, trying to contain the heavily clouded weather, as was her job. But it was hard. Nearly a third of her staff was off sick with the Pony Pox. Even working at their full strength, the pegasi of the weather patrol had barely kept a torrential downpour off of the roofs of Ponyville. A heavy layer of gray clouds blocked the sun as far as the eye could see. The clouds were moving away, however, and Rainbow Dash and her crew had done their job well. She huffed as she flew down from the sky into Ponyville, due to the fact that she had promised Twilight Sparkle and the others that she was going to be there for a little get-together they all had planned. Even now, it was probably already underway. She touched down in front of Golden Oaks Library and gave three firm raps on the door. Twilight answered and smiled warmly.

“Rainbow! So great to see you.” She said happily, her face quickly changing to minor concern after seeing Rainbow’s worn expression.

“Good to see you too, Twi. Sorry if I’m late. Weather patrol was murder today.” Rainbow responded, brightening up to show that she was okay.

“Oh, only about half an hour or so. Come on in.” Twilight said as she stepped to the side to let Rainbow Dash into the library. Rainbow walked into the common room and found all of her friends. Applejack was speaking to Fluttershy, seemingly reassuring her about something, as usual. Spike was sitting in a chair, shooting small looks over at Rarity every five seconds or so. Pinkie Pie was talking incredibly fast about a prank she pulled on Lyra Heartstrings and Bon Bon earlier that day, believing Rarity to have been listening to her, but Rarity appeared to have toned her out sometime before then. Rainbow felt the innate urge to run when she saw Pinkie notice her presence and brighten up considerably.

“Dashie! Where have you been?!” Pinkie said, shooting toward the cyan Pegasus at near super pony speed and pulling her into a tight hug.

“Working, Pinkie…” Rainbow said, nearly out of breath from the embrace. The hug continued for a while. Rainbow then started to push Pinkie away. “Alright, Pinkie…you can let me go now.”

“I just can’t help it, Dashie! I just haven’t seen you in such a long time!” Rainbow applied more force and managed to get the pink party pony off.

“Pinkie, it’s been two days!” Dash said, half laughing.

“She’s got a point, though, sugarcube.” Applejack said while walking up to her. They did a quick hoof bump and a one hoofed hug. After several greetings and socializing, they all prepared to leave.

“Well, shall we leave to get dinner, then?” Rarity said. “I’m simply famished!”

“Oh, yeah!” Rainbow exclaimed. “Read my mind, Rarity!”

“I agree…if it’s not too much trouble for everypony else…” Fluttershy said, looking to the side and blushing. Applejack leaned up to Fluttershy and whispered something in her ear. Fluttershy looked as if she had realized something, and said

“Oh! Right, yeah, we totally should go now!….I mean, if it’s okay with everypony…” The poor mare was trying to look self-assured, but was failing miserably. Applejack just sighed heavily and slowly shook her head.

“We’ll get ya there some day, Fluttershy.” She said as she put an arm around Fluttershy’s shoulders.

“Well, I have no qualms in leaving now.” Twilight said with a smile. “You guys want to go to Sugarcube Corner?”

“We always go to sugarcube corner.” Said Applejack. “Let’s go somewhere else.”

“How about the Café du Mane?” Rainbow Dash suggested. “They have good stuff.”

“Oh, yeah!” Spike agreed. “I love that place!” Everyone seemed to agree in some way, shape or form.

“Alright, it’s settled then. Let’s go.” Twilight said as she opened the door for her friends. Applejack continued to talk to Fluttershy about her meekness problem as Pinkie bounced happily along saying “Café du Mane!” in an extremely strange accent. Rarity just sighed and threw her nose up into the air as she walked out of the large library. Twilight left the library with Rainbow Dash, who yawned.

“So…what exactly are we doing today again?” Rainbow asked. “I kinda forgot.”

“We’re going for an early dinner at the Café,” Twilight said. “Then, after that, we’re going to the spa for a relaxing beauty day.” These words struck a small chord of fear in Rainbow Dash. Whenever she went to the spa with the other girls, they would try to make her get a pedicure and massages. To tell the truth, Rainbow Dash didn’t mind the massages all that much, but the pedicures bothered her to her core. Twilight noticed Rainbow’s expression and giggled.

“You okay, Rainbow?”

“Wha? Oh, me? Hay, yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking about something.” She quickly said in her nervousness. She smiled a fake smile and laughed lightly.

“Are you sure it’s not because you don’t want a pedicure?” Twilight said, raising an eyebrow and smirking heavily.

“Oh, Celestia yeah, I…no.” Rainbow said plainly. Twilight laughed as they approached the Café as Rainbow’s stomach growled. She was always the hungriest she ever was right after a big job.

_____

After the delicious and filling dinner of a daffodil sandwich with hay on the side, Rainbow and the girls all went to the spa and got their individual special treatments. It didn’t take much convincing to get Rainbow Dash to accept a back and wing massage. She even got into the hot tub. But the girls just couldn’t swing a pedicure. Even with the help of Lotus Blossom and Aloe, they couldn’t restrain Dash long enough to get a full pedicure. They all teased Dash about it on the way back to the library.

“Rainbow, Ah just don’t get it! Why won’cha get a pedicure? They feel really nice.” Applejack said, lightly nudging Rainbow Dash.

“I just don’t like other ponies touching my hooves, okay?” She said, a little irritated. “Besides, I took the massage and I got in the hot tub. Isn’t that enough for you?”

“Hey, Ah’m just lookin’ out for ya. You’d like it if ya gave it a try.” Applejack retorted.

“I’ll take my chances.” Rainbow said plainly. They all continued to walk, a few words thrown back and forth between them before the library actually came back into sight.

“Does anyone want to stay the night?” Twilight asked before they reached the library. “It’s pretty late.” She looked up at the sky and saw Luna’s full moon in the sky, surrounded by millions of stars. The clouds from earlier that day had largely dispersed, yet a few still stayed in the sky, hanging on by a thread, fading away as moments passed.

“Ohmygosh I would love to!” Pinkie exclaimed, putting extra emphasis on the word love. Twilight smiled and looked at everypony else. Fluttershy smiled back.

“I suppose I could, but Angel will be kind of angry when I get back to the cabin-”

“Wait up a second, sugarcube.” Applejack said, looking at something in the distance. “Anyone know who that pony is?” They all turned in the direction in which Applejack was looking and saw who she was talking about. A short distance away, there was a rather large, dark red stallion. He was an earth pony with a slightly scruffy coal black mane. He looked to be about Big Macintosh’s size, if not a little smaller. He was pulling a large cart behind him into Ponyville, which looked like it required a decent amount of strength just to pull. This stallion was pulling the cart uphill. Pinkie brightened up heavily and gasped.

“A newcomer?! We have to go welcome him!” Pinkie exclaimed.

“I agree.” Rarity said, with a small smile. “Let’s go meet this new stallion.” Applejack rolled her eyes and scoffed at Rarity’s trance-like state over the large stallion. Rainbow Dash, in all honesty, couldn’t blame her. Even with her proud attitude, if one of the others had asked her what she thought of the newcomer, it would be extremely difficult to say that he wasn’t drop-dead attractive.

“Alright, fine. Let’s go meet ‘im.” Applejack said, nudging Rarity heavily, earning her the death stare from the prim white unicorn. They all walked up to the Stallion, who did in fact notice them. He smiled warmly and walked over to them. Pinkie Pie reached him before any of the others did. The stallion recoiled a bit, but smiled. Pinkie took in a huge breath and sang-

“Weelllllcooooommmeee-” before Applejack ran up behind her and muffled her before she could begin one of her spectacular musical performances.

“Howdy there, stranger!” Applejack said happily, waving to him. She stopped for a second, noticing his red eyes.

“Hi.” He said in a deep, smooth voice. “I’m Steel Anvil. But you can call me Steel for short.”

“Name’s Applejack, friend.” Applejack said, tipping her stetson at him.

“I’m Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight said. “I’m the local librarian.” Pinkie Pie broke free from Applejack’s grasp and smiled very widely at Steel Anvil.

“I’m Pinkie Pie!” She exclaimed. “Welcome to Ponyville!” Steel laughed heartily and smiled at Pinkie.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Pinkie Pie.” He said warmly. Applejack pushed Fluttershy up to the large red stallion. She ducked down and shivered a little.

“I-I’m….Fluttershy….” She said, blushing and putting her hooves over her face.

“Hey, hey…It’s okay, Fluttershy…” Steel said soothingly. “You don’t have to be afraid. I’m here to make friends, not enemies.” His smooth, soothing, kind voice led her to move her hooves and look up at him. She got on all four hooves and smiled and blushed. She giggled lightly.

“My name is Rarity.” She said, flipping her mane stylishly. Her heavy blush visible through her white fur. “And may I just say, your eyes are simply fascinating.” Steel smiled.

“Why thank you, my dear.” He said, giving her a suave look. “It’s only like this in the light of Luna’s beautiful moon.” Rarity nearly fainted, and was caught by Applejack, who slapped her lightly.

“Snap outta it, Rarity.” She whispered as quietly as she could. Rarity’s eyes returned to normal as she nodded slowly and composed herself and laughed nervously.

“And who is this?” Steel said, cocking an eyebrow and looking at Rainbow Dash, who stood there, a light blush on her face. Rainbow puffed out her chest and smirked, her bravado showing through her thoughts.

“I’m Rainbow Dash.” She said, unfurling her wings and standing proudly, raising a hoof up off the ground. “I’m the one who won the Best Young Fliers Competition. I’m sure you’ve heard of me.”

“Umm…nope. Can’t say I have. Sorry.” Steel said with a small smile on his face. Rainbow‘s eyes widened slightly and her wings sunk to her sides. Steel noticed this. “But it’s good to meet you all the same. I wouldn’t doubt that you won that thing, though. You sure do look the type.” He said. “Perhaps you can give me a demo of your skills some day.” He finished. Rainbow, while deeply flattered to have been complimented in such a way by a complete stranger, couldn’t let it show. Her bravado returned in full.

“Perhaps…” She said with a smile, unable to hide a blush on her face. ‘What the buck? Control yourself Rainbow Dash.’ She thought to herself.

“So, where did you come from?” Pinkie asked him. “What are you doing here in Ponyville?”

“Well, I came from Manehattan. I was a blacksmith there for quite a long time, hence my cutie mark.” He said, gesturing to his flank. It was adorned with an anvil and a hammer. “I worked the forge there for a while, but now they don’t really need me there anymore, I was out of a job for a while. But one day, I heard that Ponyville needed a blacksmith, so that’s why I’m here.” He finished.

“Oh yeah. The forge is there, but it hasn’t been used in a really long time.” Twilight said. “It’s good to know that someone will be operating it from here on out.”

“I’m glad to be here…Twilight Sparkle, is it?” He asked. She confirmed with a nod.

“Just call me Twilight.” She said with a warm smile.

“Will do.” Steel said with a nod. “And what exactly do all of you do around here?”

“Well, Ah run a farm on the outskirts of Ponyville called Sweet Apple Acres with mah family.” Applejack said. “Fluttershy keeps all the critters around Ponyville in check, Rarity runs the local boutique, Pinkie’s a baker, and Rainbow Dash-”

“Is the captain of the weather patrol!” Rainbow interrupted Applejack. “I’m responsible for clearing the skies above Ponyville, or making it rain when we need it.” Rainbow threw her head up proudly.

“Wow.” Steel Anvil said. “That’s pretty awesome.” Rainbow Dash, not expecting that reply, lost her bravado and blushed. She quickly gained it back, however and straightened up again. She looked at Steel who was just smiling at her. She wanted to melt. He was by far the most attractive Stallion she had ever seen. He was on par with Soarin of the Wonderbolts, even. Her bravado dropped, yet again, with a look at his red eyes, his muscular body, his smooth, yet slightly messy mane. His charming smile. At that moment, she realized that she was staring at him like a complete idiot, while earning the stares of all her friends and an amused smile from the stallion before her. Rainbow Dash, yet again, straightened up and nodded at him, before she moved to the side. Spike walked up to his front hoof. Steel looked down at him.

“Well, hey there, little guy. What’s your name?” He said, looking down at the tiny dragon.

“I’m Spike. I’m a dragon.” He said with a proud look on his face.

“You’re just a baby right now, right?” Steel said with an understanding expression.

“Yes! Finally somepony who understands!” Spike exclaimed. Steel Anvil laughed out loud.

“Well, it’s kind of obvious. You’re gonna grow up to be a large, terrifying dragon. I know it.” He said and smiled.

“Twilight, I like this guy.” Spike said. Twilight giggled.

“Why yes, Spike, I do too. I think he’s going to be a great addition to the population of Ponyville. So welcome, Steel Anvil.” She said, offering him her hoof. He shook it.

“Thank you very much, Twilight. I’m glad to be here. It’s a welcome change from the bustling streets of Manehattan.” He said.

“Ah look forward to seein’ ya do your work, partner.” Applejack said. “Expect mah patronage sometime in the future. Ah’m a sucker for some good metal work.” Steel nodded. He walked up to Fluttershy and got down to her eye level.

“Fluttershy, it was great to meet you.” He said calmly and sweetly. The saccharine tone of his voice bringing Fluttershy just a little bit more out of her shell.

“It was good to meet you too, Mr. Steel.” She said with a small smile. Steel could not deny it. The yellow Pegasus was unbearably adorable, but the cyan Pegasus standing to the side grabbed his attention more than the rest. Pinkie Pie jumped up and grabbed him in a tight hug.

“I’m so glad to have you here!” Pinkie said happily.

“It was good to meet you too, Pinkie.” He said, lightly hugging her back.

“So kind.” He heard Rarity mumble through another one of her trance-like states. He walked over to Rarity and smiled and nodded at her.

“Ms. Rarity.” He said. “It’s been a pleasure.” Rarity giggled.

“The pleasure is all mine.” She said, blushing heavily. Rainbow Dash was doing no better. When Steel walked up to her, she nearly melted again.

“Rainbow Dash, I really look forward to seeing your talents in the sky.” He said with a warm smile. Rainbow smirked and stomped her hoof. Years of bravery and toughness could not prepare her for this stallion. She was suddenly happy she decided to go to the spa with the girls.

“It was good…” Rainbow cleared her throat. “meeting you too, Steel.” She said, the inherent blush still on her face, but the confident expression that had made it’s home there so many times in the past was, in fact, present.

“So…Could one of you kindly hook me back up to my cart and point me in the direction of the forge? I’m sure you guys are wanting to get to bed. It’s pretty late.” He said.

“Oh, yes, that reminds me. Why are you moving into Ponyville at night? It’s a lot harder to find things in the dark.” Twilight said.

“I left Manehattan this morning and the journey took me all day. I just wanted to get the trip over with.” Steel responded.

“Well, I can’t argue with that. Pinkie, would you mind helping me hook him up?” They hooked the cart to his sides as he nodded to them all.

“I’ll be seeing you guys later, I suppose.” He said before he started off in the direction Twilight pointed him in. When his back turned to leave and he got far enough away, Rainbow exhaled and looked after him as he left with half-lidded eyes. She felt an elbow nudge her side. She snapped out of it and looked to her side, seeing Applejack smirking at her.

“Looks like somepony’s got it for the new Stallion in town!” Applejack half-laughed. The girls, save for Rarity, giggled and smiled at her. Rainbow blushed heavily and got a look of defiance on her face.

“What, are you kidding me?” She said. “I just met him!”

“It’s nothin’ to be ashamed of, sugarcube.” Applejack said with a smile. “We’re only teasin’ ya.”

“So…” Twilight said. “Who still wants to come spend the night at the Library?”

Obligatory end-of-chapter Author’s Note: Well, guys, that’s my first chapter. I remembered that there was a restaurant other than Sugarcube Corner in Ponyville that Twilight ate at in one episode of Friendship is Magic. But I couldn’t, for the life of me, find a name for that restaurant. I then remembered that the waiter at the restaurant had a very French-like appearance, so I made up a French-sounding name- Café du Mane. I would really appreciate it if you would leave a comment and tell me what you think so far. Thanks, you guys!