//------------------------------// // Gifts and Corruption // Story: Prince of Equestria // by Chlumpy //------------------------------// Prince of Equestria Chapter 2 Gifts And Corruption 'Shadowblaze.' Twilight thought. The name sent chills up her spine. 'How could a stallion be so angry to harm anypony?' She shook her head, banishing the thought deep into her head. “Come with me girls,” Celestia said. “It's time for your gifts.” “Oh!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. She was literally bouncing off the walls. “I love presents!” “Not that type Pinkie!” Twilight said. “The type that could be life or death!” They descended down the tower's spiraling stairs, walked through several grand hallways, before exiting the castle and walking through the city of Canterlot. Several vendors attempted to sell various goods to the girls but quickly bowed respectfully under a stern glance from Celestia. The princess led them to a secluded part of the city where small houses and shops sat either abandoned or in disrepair. “These houses look so sad,” Fluttershy whispered. Celestia nodded. “The poorer part of Canterlot. I've tried sending funds, but they've disappeared under mysterious circumstances.” She stopped in front of a shop, two royal guards standing by the door. “Your Highness,” one said. “Does he know we are here?” Celestia asked. The guard shook his head. “We wanted to wait for your arrival.” “Very well. Let's knock.” She stepped up to the door and rapped it with her hoof. “I told ye I don't want any!” a gruff voice shouted. “Ironmallet,” Celestia said. “This is Princess Celestia and the six Elements of Harmony, let us enter.” There was the sound of a chair knocking to the floor, a soft curse, and the sound of many locks clicking out of their sockets. The door opened to a stout, caramel colored earth-pony with a long beard and shaved head. He also had an eye-patch over his left eye. “Well what can I do ye for, your majesty?” he said. “I need to ask for your services once again.” He sucked the inside of his cheek. “I'm sorry, but you know I gave up that art long ago.” “Please Ironmallet. Your kingdom needs you.” Ironmallet raised an eyebrow. “He's back 'aint he?” Celestia nodded grimly. Ironmallet sighed. “Alright. I'll help you.” “Thank you.” They stepped inside, and the girls quickly realized that this wasn't a shop, but a smithery. Various tools and weapons decorated the walls. “Okay,” Rarity said. “I give up, just who is this stallion and why are we here?” Ironmallet chuckled. “Ah, where be me manners? Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Ironmallet, the greatest blacksmith who ever lived. That's not me bragging, that's a fact.” He glanced at the princess. “I assume that's why she brought you here.” “To make us,” Fluttershy gulped. “Weapons?” Celestia nodded. “And to train you.” “Train us?” The girls said. “Not everything is always what they seem lassies,” Ironmallet said. “I'm not only a blacksmith, but a weapons-master. I've been training Equestria's finest champions since Blackjack was a colt. That was before my retirement of course.” He motioned at his cutie mark, an anvil with a red-hot sword being forged into shape by a hammer. “Whoa, whoa, whoa!” Rainbowdash said. “Back up. Wouldn't that make you, like centuries old?” The old stallion laughed heartily, tears coming out of his eyes. “Oi, yeah I suppose you could say that.” “My father granted him with powerful magic,” Celestia said. “He cannot die of old age.” “Well enough of that,” he replied. “Let's get to work.” He went behind a wall, and when he returned he was in his bipedial form, thick gloves, an apron, and leather pants on his body. “Well he looks the part” Applejack said. “Follow me lassies,” Ironmallet said. He took them through a thick door. They entered a large room. An anvil and a blazing furnace sat in the room. A lonely forge took up the majority of space. “Excuse me Ironmallet,” Twilight said. “But why does your furnace have those hot coals in it? I mean, you couldn't have lighted it just now, we just got here.” “What can I say lass?” he replied. “It gets cold at night.” he chuckled, waving his hand at Applejack. “You mind stepping up?” “Uh, me sir?” she asked. “Of course, Honesty comes first in the cycle.” Applejack stepped beside him, gazing into the forge, the coals glowing warmly. “So, how are you 'gon make a weapon without any material?” This was true, as not even a bowstring was beside him. “With magic of course,” Ironmallet replied, matter of factly. “But earth-ponies can't use magic...” “Is that what ye think?!?” he yelled, shocking everypony. “For two-thousand years I have sat in here, dust gathering on me. And now you, the Elements come here for help, and I get a chance to practice me art. But you do not believe that I can do the job that I am destined to do! Shame on the lot of ye!” “Ironmallet...” Celestia tried to say. The old stallion roared at her. “Do not try my patience Celestia! You may be Princess, but you do not command me!” “That's it!” Rainbowdash shouted. She flew at him but was slammed into the wall by an invisible force. She noticed that her necklace felt extremely heavy. She looked at Ironmallet, who's hand was extended out. “What...the...hay?” “So,” he said. “You think you can take a weapons-master?” He chuckled. “You'll need more than brute force to fight me.” The girls were too shocked to move, and were staring, mouths agape at the scene. “ON YOUR KNEES!” Ironmallet yelled, his voice strangely metallic. Rainbowdash was then forced into a kneeling position, her necklace weighing her down. His eyes were now sliver, like steel and he smiled cruelly. “Uncle!” Celestia shouted. Suddenly, Rainbowdash was free and Ironmallet looked shocked, his eyes returning to their lime-green color. He fell onto a stool, shaking, his eyes full with tears. “I-I'm sorry!” he said. Celestia was by his side in a heartbeat, hugging him. “Shh,” she cooed. “I am here. “How could I do this Celestia? How could I have brought myself to attack these fine young fillies?” “It's alright Uncle, you felt you had to defend what you stood for. There is no shame in that.” “Oh, my dear Niece, you have no idea how much I've missed ye.” The girls stood silent. Uncle? Niece? How could this pony be the Princess' Uncle? Fluttershy flew over to him. “There there,” she said. “You're okay.” Ironmallet sniffled. “Thank ye my dear, your kindness is appreciated. But that will not bring back all those innocent lives lost by my hand.” “Don't say that!” Celestia scolded. “Shadowblaze is the one who attacked, not you!” “But I trained him in the ways of the warrior...” “Please Uncle, dry your tears. We need your help. I need your help.” He nodded. “Yes, yes! Very well Highness, you have a blacksmith!” He got up and went back to the forge like nothing happened. “Now tell me lass,” he said to Applejack. “What is Honesty?” She snapped out of her shock and looked at her necklace. “Honesty can cut through the thickest deceit. It can let ponies know that you are full of integrity, that you can hack through the thickest brambles in their heart. Every one of us lives life just once; if we are honest, to live just once is enough.” Before she knew it, her necklace was glowing, and flew into the forge. The coals suddenly burst into flame, the necklace melting. She was about to reach in and grab it, but Ironmallet stopped her. “No lass, look.” An object rose out of the forge and landed into Applejack's firm grasp. It was a battle ax, swirling designs engraved onto the blade. She turned it over and her element was serving as a sort of pommel. “It's beautiful,” she said in awe. “Well, don't be shy lass, give it a go.” She stepped aside and twirled it around. It was perfectly balanced and seemed to be part of her. Ironmallet threw a log at her and she sliced it perfectly in half. He gave out a low whistle. “Oi, that seems to be quite the ax.” Celestia nodded. “A fine weapon, it will be of great use.” “One more thing,” Ironmallet said. “Press the pommel.” Applejack looked at it, unsure. But she brought up the courage to do so, and the apple-shaped jewel glowed. She was then engulfed in light, the air smelling like a fresh apple pie. When it died down, she was dressed in bronze armor, green cloth covering what the armor didn't. She stepped up to a mirror, examining herself. “Hoo-wee, I look like I got gussied up for a masquerade, yes sir!” “I see we won't have to worry about protection,” Celestia said. “But we shall see how well it holds in training.” Ironmallet grunted in reply. “Why don't ye go back to the castle lass? Take a wee little walk in the grounds. We'll join ye once we finish up here.” She nodded and left, Ironmallet beckoning Fluttershy to step up. She did, shaking violently. “W-w-what are y-you g-g-going to make?” she stammered. “That depends lass,” he softly replied. “What makes Kindness such an important Element?” She took in a big breath then slowly released it. “Kindness is a language that the deaf can hear and the blind can see. Kindness lets everypony know that you care. If you can be kind to just one pony, you would've done a great deed.” The same thing happened to her. The element flew into the forge, the coals alight, and a weapon landed in her hand. Fluttershy let out a squeal of surprise. It was a dirk, her element embedded into the blade, an engraving of a bird's wing on either side. “I-It's beautiful...” Fluttershy sighed. “Just like every lass I've met,” Ironmallet replied. “Inside and out.” “Excuse me,” Celestia sharply interrupted. “But we have a schedule to keep. Show me what her armor will look like.” Ironmallet gave her a dirty look but proceeded. “Now lass, with your dirk, touch your symbol and we'll see what you'll look like.” She did so, pink tendrils swirling around her body. When they faded, she was clothed in a light-green suit of linen. The only armor she had were bronze bracers. Celestia nodded her approval. “Let's get her down with Applejack. She's done here.” Fluttershy looked at the old stallion for conformation. He smiled and nodded. “I'll see you soon lass.” With that she left, her soft hoofsteps padding through the streets. “Alright,” Ironmallet continued. “You're up next, angry one.” Rainbowdash stepped up, a scowl on here face. “Just get it over with, I need to get to those training grounds fast as I can. I have to protect this kingdom.” Ironmallet cocked an eyebrow. “Oi, I didn't even have to ask about your element, ye explained it all on your own.” Rainbow's necklace glowed and fell into the forge as well. Her weapon flew into her hand. It was a bow, a leather grip in the center. On the ends, two blades extended out. “Um hello,” Rainbowdash complained. “Arrows?” Ironmallet rolled his eyes, going over to a work bench. In no time at all, he had put together a quiver, filled to the brim of arrows. “Here ye go,” he grouched, tossing it at her. “Try it out.” She notched an arrow, aiming it at a leaf that flew by the open window. The arrow hit its mark, dead center. “Got it, can I leave now?” she asked. “Not until you get your armor on.” Rainbow rolled her eyes, touching the element's symbol in the center of the grip. Nothing happened. “What's wrong with this thing?” she said, hitting it. “Each element reacts differently if ye haven't noticed,” Ironmallet said smugly. “Start spinning it.” she did, twirling it faster and faster till a multi-colored tornado swirled around her. When it died down, she was wearing light, gold armor, a red loin cloth serving as the pants. She also had a helm, golden wings spreading out from behind her ears. She too looked at herself in the mirror, nodding with satisfaction. “Okay, maybe this isn't as worthless as I thought.” “Get out of here!” Ironmallet said, chuckling. She did, absently raising a hand goodbye. “Stubborn one, that lass.” Ironmallet noted. “She is Loyalty after all,” Celestia said. “She will do whatever it takes to stay by her friend's side.” “Aye. Alright come cheer me up, laughter.” Pinkie Pie bounded over, bouncing excitedly. “Ooh I wonder what my weapon will be! Maybe a whip. Ooh! Or maybe a spear!” she began laughing hysterically. Her element glowed, and it too leaped into the forge. Another weapon flew into her open hand. It was a mace, the head seeming to smile. Her element was embedded in the end of the handle. “Ooh!” Pinkie said. She looked over at Ironmallet, who was smiling ear to ear. “Well, ye seem to like it lass,” he said. “Twist yer element, see what you'll be wearing.” She did, blue sparks springing up around her. They faded just like the others did, and Pinkie Pie was dressed in blue armor. “Celestia?” Ironmallet asked. She nodded. “Good enough.” “Alright lass, go on.” Pinkie bounded out, her laughter bouncing off the poor neighborhood. “Generosity, step up.” Rarity walked over to him, wrinkling her face when she stepped in ash. “Honestly, darling! You really should sweep up this floor, my hooves are covered in soot! And that stove needs to get polished and all of its dents removed. Its not like royals to leave their chambers a mess.” Ironmallet clamped his hand around her mouth. “Now ye listen to me lass. I may be royalty, but I never liked the posh ponies. And how else would me chambers look? It's a blasted smithery!” He let go, Rarity massaging her jaw. “Well at least let me tidey up the place for you.” She magically picked up a broom and began sweeping up the ash and tossing it into the furnace. She put the broom away, ducking as she heard something whistling towards her. She picked two objects up, the items unfolding as she did. They were war fans, white with her element serving as blades on the ends of them. Rarity gasped, her eyes sparkling. “They're beautiful! Oh, if only we weren't at war, they'd be such wonderful decorations above my bed!” “Aye, but we are. Scrape the ends together, we'll see what you'll look like.” She did, being engulfed by purple mist. When it cleared, she was dressed in black armor, black bracers and shin-guards covering her arms and legs. Her black breast plate stopped short of her stomach. “Well? What do you think?” Ironmallet stared absently, a smile on his face. “Kind sir?” she began waving her hand in front of his eyes. He shook his head, his eye widening. “Oi, I'm sorry I was thinking about something else. Ye look.......” “Charming,” Celestia said. “I'll try to get him focused again, you should join the others.” Rarity stepped daintily out the door, snapping her tail. Celestia rolled her eyes. “Uncle I know you like tricking ponies but honestly?” The old stallion started laughing heartily. “And last but certainly not least, the element of Magic. It's an honor to finally meet my niece's student.” “You're too kind sir,” Twilight replied. “Aye, I am.” he suddenly lost all cheeriness. “Far too long I have ignored the fact. But, now is the chance for me mind to be cleansed of the guilt all those years ago, eh?” “Certainly.” Ironmallet grinned. “Now, let's get this over with. Your element is going to be the most difficult to describe to get it to change into something ye can use against me nephew. So if ye don't mind going into that overload of magic ye did for your exam---” “I don't think so uncle,” Celestia interrupted. “That 'overload' as you call it almost destroyed the school, and she was just a filly!” “Besides,” Twilight added. “I don't even know how I did it, so I highly doubt I can do it at will.” Ironmallet huffed impatiently. “Alright, alright. I suppose just a spark of magic would do the trick---” “Spark!” Twilight exclaimed. “Oh, yes I know just the way to describe my element!” “What do you mean Twilight?” Celestia asked. “Princess, that spark I felt when my friends were coming to help when we rediscovered the elements. The spark that made me feel like I could go on forever and never tire. The spark that let me know that with friends, I would never be alone. That is the magical harmony of Friendship!” Her element flew into the forge, the flames rising high as the room. When they died down, the final weapon was grasped in Twilight's hand. Her spear's head was the element itself, its magneta coloring giving a triumphant feeling. “Now let's see what ye look like lass,” Ironmallet said. “I believe that a wee bit of magic will do this time. Literally.” Twilight's horn glowed as did her element. She was engulfed in magneta wisps that swirled around her like parasprites on a feeding frenzy. When they disappeared, she was clothed in a white dress, silver gauntlets and boots adding protection. “Not bad...lassie?” “Yes sir?” “Your done here, but there's one thing I need ye to do for me.” “Okay.” Ironmallet reached into his pocket and pulled out six shiny objects. “Are those,” Twilight said. “The Elements?” “More or less. No, these are just mere decorations that I forgot to give to ye and your friends.” he handed them to her. “I'll see ye later for ye training.” '-' Luna sat in Canterlot Tower, resting. She had just finished her training with Ironmallet and the Elements of Harmony. The girl's training was coming along very nicely. 'Most likely because of the fact that they're the elements,' she thought. 'Those elements made me feel like I could raise one hundred moons.' She sat there, looking at she and Celestia's triumph over Discord. She felt no joy over this, she rather liked the dragonesque before he-no. Luna shook her head, this was not the time to reflect on past sins. Look towards the future, she always told herself. “Yes, you keep telling yourself that, Luna.” She turned around, picking up her scythe. “Who's there?” she said. “Luna...Luna...Lunaaaa,” The voice continued. “Show yourself!” “Tell me, have you seen the old part of this tower?” She lowered her scythe, confused. “Yesss, another story your dear sister has refused to tell...” Before her eyes, the end of the hall warped, revealing another part of the tower. She stepped into it, dazed. She saw the windows and paintings from the beginning. A newborn filly, two foals playing together. “Is this,” she began. “Celestia's beginning?” “Yes, and no. look past the cheerful bits. This is your beginning, as well as...mine.” She saw herself in a stallion's arms, a coffin being lowered into the ground. She saw Celestia being crowned and... “No.....No!” A black stallion was burning everything in his path. The room seemed to spin around Luna, and she began to puke, her arms shaking on the ground. The spinning stopped and she looked up, seeing a painting of a black stallion, who's eyes glowed like the blood moon. “W-what are you?” “The master of chaos, Lord of destruction! I am Shadowblaze!” “You are the one we are at war with! You are the one responsible for Discord's release!” “Yesss....and I am the one who created...Nightmare Moon!” Shadowblaze began cackling manically. Luna's eyes widened in fear. “N-no!” This was the monster that had made her a tyrant. She felt an enormous amount of pain in her head, and she cried out in agony, shaking violently. She breathed heavily, sweat beading on her, her eyes closed. She suddenly stopped shaking. A guard ran up to her. “Your highness,” he said. “I heard you scream, are you alright?” Luna opened her eyes. They did not belong to her. “Oh I am quite alright, in fact I fee wonderful. It is you and the entire kingdom of Equestria that should be worried, you little....FOAL!” '-' “Good job lassies,” Ironmallet said. “Applejack, quicker swings, Rainbowdash, your getting sloppy, Pinkie Pie, stop eating the mint patties!” Celestia put a hand on her uncle's shoulder. “You used to say that to me.” Ironmallet chuckled. “Aye I remember you costing me a small fortune. In fact-” Ironmallet was interrupted by the sound of glass breaking. A royal guard suddenly landed on the ground. Everypony rushed over to him. He was cut and bruised, one of his wings lopsided. “Soldier,” Celestia said. “What happened?” He groaned, looking at her. “N-Nightmare....M-Moon.” His eyes closed. He was dead.