A long silence between Zargan and Celestia hung in the air for what felt like an eternity. It wasn’t until the dwarf stepped out from the tower shield he had hidden behind that he pointed an accusatory finger at her “Oi, ya listenin? You gotta be more careful when it comes to makin’ ya landins’. Otherwise ya are gonna cause trouble for everyone involved. And I don’t think ya want that, lass.” he said as he now stood in front of her, his eyes gazing up into hers as he didn’t seem phased by her rather staggering height one single bit.

Celestia continued to eye him before crossing her arms under her rather large bust. The alicorn looks over his foreign features before she begins to speak “You will have to forgive my rather abrupt entry, sir. I was told by a certain individual that a rather large and terrifying monster levied around in this area. And that their employees were nearly killed by this so-called monster. Though, from what I see, you appear to be no taller than a foal… height-wise anyway. Your physique however seems rather impressive.” she said in a matter of factly tone

Zargan blinked a few times “A monster? Nearly killed them? What do ya-...really? I prevented some thieves from makin’ off with some of my work and they go and complain to their boss who then complains to ya? Spineless bastards.” he said as he spits on the ground before turning his attention back to Celestia “If ya must know, they sent their folks into my home to steal from me. And if ya want the proof, I got it for ya right here.” he said as he jumped up and grabbed her hand, yanking her down to his level before he reached into his bag and pulled out what appeared to be a smooth crystal slab of sorts.

The princess arched her brow in curiosity as she was about to interrupt him from what he was doing since he was being a little rougher with her than how most would even dare. But, it wasn’t until he clicked on a few runes on the slab that moving images came upon the crystal. And just as he had said, she was watching four hooded ponies running around in his home taking whatever weapons and armor they could carry. She could even hear the audio coming out of the slab. It wasn’t until she heard the loud bang of his revolver and the scream of pain from the first pony he shot that she came out of her focus.

“What did you do to them…?” she asked as she watched the magic bullet put a hole in the pony’s hand. “I do believe I was protectin’ what is mine, lass. Ya don’t break into a man’s home and try and steal his valuables. Ya know?” he said as he continued to show her the footage before he cut it off whenever they ran out of the underground lair. He places the slab back into his bag and then turns his attention back to the princess once more before lifting his arms up in a shrug ‘Well, there ya have it. Undeniable proof. Now, can I go inside my home and get some shut-eye? It’s been a long day and I am ready to sleep if ya don’t mind.”.

He had Celestia in a rather tight spot. She had come here to get his side of the story. And boy, did she get it. She literally saw the event play out from his point of view. As the screen showed what had happened from his eyes, most likely a form of memory view magic. While she was rather impressed with that kind of technology mixed with magic, she had what she needed for now and nodded to him “Thank you for showing me this, sir. The pony in question was someone of high nobility I had trusted greatly…seems that I must deal with them accordingly. And as you were defending your home, you will not be charged with injuring those who wrongfully tried to take from you.” she said as she bowed her head slightly “I am sorry for my subjects’ behavior.”.

Zargan blinked a few times before he took notice of the crown on top of her head as she bowed her head. He placed his hands up in front of him before chuckling nervously “Its no problem at all, m’ady. Sorry I was so rough with ya earlier. Its just been a long day and I’d like to get back to my home where I can find a bit of peace for the evenin’ is all.” he said as he looked back at the trap door entryway.

Celestia nodded multiple times in understanding “Yes, of course. But before you go. Could I…maybe as a favor?” she asked as she fidgeted with her hands in front of her as he turned his head up at her with an arched brow “Hm? What’s on ya mind?” he asked in response. “Would…you let me come in sometime and see what was so impressive that they went to such lengths to take? If your craftsmanship is that superb, I’d like to see for myself. If that is okay with you, of course.”.

Zargan stroked his beard in thought as he looked her over “Well, while I have no issue with ya comin’ to take a look, gettin’ in might prove difficult for ya. Ya aren’t exactly short enough to fit through the corridor that leads into the main chamber. Though, I suppose I could drill a bit more so ya could wiggle ya way down.” he said as he continued to stroke his beard. “It would also give me time to clean the place up a bit. Never had royalty visit my home after all….”

Celestia formed a smile upon her muzzle as she was containing excitement, keeping her royal poise “How does…four days sound? Will that give you plenty of time to prepare?” she asked. Of course, she would give him more time if he needed it. “Aye, that'll be enough. Come by the fifth mornin’. I am usually up bright and early anyways.” he said before making his way to his door and opening it “Nice meeting you by the way, princess. Even though it was rather sudden.” he said before he descended into the darkness, the door slamming closed behind him before the lock was heard sealing it shut.

Over the next few days, Celestia had kept her word in taking care of the noble in question along with their employees and locked them up in the dungeon under the castle. While it only took Zargan just a couple of days to do his planned expansion, he was spending the rest of those days mainly enjoying the peace and quiet while also working on a rather big project of his that he couldn’t wait to complete. It was a weapon of great power, at least something that this world had never experienced anyway.

The morning finally came when Zargan had expected company. While he did clean up MOST of his dwelling, there were things he couldn’t move, or rather chose not to as he preferred a little organized chaos. He was standing at his workbench where he had his more modern tools set up, wrenches, streamline gammers, screwdrivers, a blow torch, anything that could havdle his more technological creations. He even had a smithing visor over his face.

He was in the middle of using his blow torch to weld something together, the sparks flying about as he was rather engrossed in his work. It wasn’t until a chime went off and a crystal was on the wall that started to glow and flicker slowly. Seems that there was someone at the door, a little something he whipped up for a bit of added security in the time between visits. He placed the blow torch down next to his project before running his hand along its smooth long barrel “Daddy will be right back, Ignia.” he said before hanging up his smithing visor on the workbench and began to make his way toward the door.

As he unlocked the door and flipped it open, he was greeted by Celestia who was accompanied by several of her royal guards. Zargan arched a brow in confusion before looking up at her “Ya can come in, but they stay out here. I don’t trust them.” he said as he stood firmly on this decision. While the guards weren’t happy with his words, Celestia held up a hand with a nod “It is his home after all. Please wait here until I return. I will be fine.” she said as she began the descent into the darkness, the door slamming once more and locking. Her guards really didn;t like that.

While Celestia had to duck a little bit to make it through the corridor, she was able to get into the main chamber with no issue. “I am afraid I don’t have much in the ways of proper hospitality. But, I can get ya some water and sweet bread if ya get hungry…unless you’d like to try some mead instead. Though, I don’t think ya could handle such a strong beverage. Dwarven mead hits folks pretty hard.” he said as he then pointed to the large wall of weapons and armor “Feel free to browse till ya heart’s content. If you wish to view my finer work, that is behind the forge on the wall there. But DO NOT try to lift any of those on that wall, you will not be able to.” he said before he went back to his workbench and resumed working.

Celestia listened to his words carefully before nodding and making ehr way over to the wall rather excitedly as the greatswords are what caught her eye first. Never before had she seen such long and broad blades in her entire life! She wasn’t even sure if she could lift one. She brings up both hands to the large hilt before trying to lift it off the hooks that held it up on the wall. While she was able to hold it, lifting it up properly;y was a challenge all of its own “Hmmm, definitely not for me…” she said as she carefully placed the sword back onto the wall.

While she was gazing at the other weapons, Zargan had finally finished his new creation, a smile forming across his lips as he wiped the sweat from his forehead “You are finally finished, my dear Ingia. Let’s see what you can do with that runestone and extra range I put on ya.” he said before he grabbed the weapon with both hands. He then turned around to reveal a heavy flamethrower. A sleek futuristic design but is also very fantasy-looking at the same time. He squeezed the grip hard as he pushed the mana through and into the tank, the weapons lighting up and making a ‘wrrrrrrrr’ sound as he made his way over to the firing range that he had created.

Celestia’s gaze shifted to the dwarf as she heard the sound from..whatever that monster was in his hands as he now stood in front of a pole which had some rather banged up armor sitting atop it. Once he was ready, her slowly but firmly squeezed the trigger, the flame at the end of the barrel spitting to lift before the runes on the weapon glowed brightly as the near thirty-foot length ice-y blue flame roared out of the barrel. He smiled a large, toothy smile as he yelled with excitement, laughing almost manically as he continued to absolutely demolish the armor in front of him. “Yes, yes! Burn it down, Ignia!” he said as he praised his weapon like it was his own daughter.

Celestia’s eyes widened in shock and horror at the display of power that this small being had created. It was literally like having the power of a dragon in his hands! The shock had been so great that she fell back onto her rear and scooted back against the wall. “If he can create things like that…Faust only knows what else..” she whispered to herself. “I MUST Have him. He’d make an excellent addition to my forces. If I don’t get him…sompony else might.” she said to herself again before slowly making her way back up on her hooves.

As he emptied the tank of mana, the weapon slowly died down before it went silent. He makes his way back to the workbench before looking at the even further destroyed armor which had a massive hole burned into its side and front. He placed a hand on his weapon and gently stroked it “Ya did wonderful, lassy. Ya will serve me quite well. Daddy will give ya a nice clean here in a little bit when he doesn’t have guests over. For now, I will put ya in the weapon space.” he said as he placed a hand on his new toy before it disappeared into a soft blue light.

Once he had finished cleaning up his workbench, he noticed that Celestia had finally made her way over to the wall behind his forge. He walked over to her as he noticed her eyes were on a rather particular sword. A large broad sword with runes carved into the blade all the way down to its tip, the hilt carved out of elderwood which was excellent more magic conduction and the metal being nothing less than mithril. While the blade itself was simple in design, the hand guard was decorated heavily with jewels and gold that shone brightly in the forge light, the guard itself a curling pair of feathered wings.

“Aaaah, ya like that one, do ya?” He asked as he came up next to her and pulled it off the wall like it was light as a feather. “This little beauty here was my first real masterpiece when I was much younger. I call her ‘Garuda, Maiden Of The Wind’. Let me show ya why.” he said as he then forced some mana into the hilt, a whirlwind forming around the blade before he swung it firmly at the armor he had burned, the sharp wind flying forward and completely splitting what was left in two.

Celestia watched in utter amazement as she saw the display happen before her eyes. It was definitely settled now. She had to get in this dwarf’s good graces and make her his. Well, as in her blacksmith for her forces anyway. “My goodness…I can see why they were after your work now. Though, if you consider the superb work on the wall behind us your less finer work…I can only imagine what you have here. And that weapon you had earlier..I have never ever seen anything like it. It was like…you had the power of a dragon in your hands. Terrifyingly impressive.” she said as she could feel her heart beating heavily in her chest.

Zargan chuckled before placing the sword back onto the wall with great care. Celestia continued to stare at the other weapons before she let out a huff, placing her hand over her chest before squeezing her fist tight ”Just ask him..the worse he can say is no!” she thought to herself. She then turned to him, giving him a serious, but hopeful look.

“I have a proposition for you. One that could benefit both of us, if you will hear me out. Please.”

Author's Note

Alrighty, back to The Voodoo King now!

May the darkness grant you peace.