We walk out of the school as bells ring to dismiss us. Apple Bloom speaks up, “So, Raven, what was that about a cannon?”
I smile, “Ah, yes, almost forgot about that. You want to learn, lead me to a blacksmith.”
Scootaloo smiles, and points towards a nearby building, “Oh, it’s actually right over here!”
I nod, and start to trot to the store, “Say, why do you know where the blacksmith is?”
Scootaloo shrugs, “We need help with some school projects sometimes. The Applewood Derby metal pieces have to be build by somepony.”
Sweetie Belle also speaks up as we step in, “Rarity has to order needles from him all the time. In fact, we have a good customer discount!”
A coal black earth pony peaks his head over a counter, with warm red eyes, and he speaks with a strangely Scottish accent, “Aye lass, that’d be ‘cause your sister buys a lot. Now who’s these with ya? Miss Apple and Miss Scoot, but who’s this fine young lad here?”
I smile, finding his personality enduring and his accent... strangely comforting, as if it should remind me of someone. I nod back, “Name’s Ravens Breath, Sir Smith.”
He smiles back, “Aye, Ravens Breath, fitting name. Me names Black Smith. Ain’t to hard to guess what I do, is it?”
I walk up to him, “Well, maybe you could help us with that namesake of yours.”
He leans back on a wall, “Depend on what ya need. Spokes for a wheel? Hooftacks? Cmon lad, say it.”
I smile, “A machine, never before seen. A portable cannon.”
He perks up at what I say, “Portable cannon, eh? Never before seen? Now’ve got me interested.”
I quickly think up of everything I need to make it, “Step one, build a mold. Step two, complete the mold. Step three, profit.”
He nods along, “Aye, simple a plan as any. Well, since you got the knowledge on the shape and all that, I’ll take care o’ the smithing.” He smiles, “Considern’ you know how to make such a weapon, I assume you can make a mold?”
I nod, “Yes, that I can. Never was good at the whole smithing part, but I nailed molding perfectly.”
He nods, “Very well then, I’ll get me forge a ‘runnin.”
I smile as he hands me a block of iron to make the mold out of. I focus around me, and pick up bones out of the surrounding streets. I make the bones into the shape of the gun, and think for a bit, “Hmm... what to name it? I know. Raven’s Talons.”
I quickly manipulate the bones to indent on the side, forging the name on the side. I then summon a bit of pyromancy, and surround the pistol with hot fire. With the fire set at just the right temperature, I press it into the block of iron. It hisses painfully as the fire melts it, and forces the pistol in. After a while, I remove the fire, allowing the iron to cool with the pistol’s shape.
I carry the mold over to Smith, and present him with the complete mold. He pours his molten metal into it, and we wait for about an hour.
—(1 hour later)—
I take the completed pistol in my magic, and smile at it’s polished finish. You might ask how it was polished and finished with just the mold. Magic, that’s how.
Smith smiles at the finished product, “It looks good. Now, let’s see if it works.”
We trot out to the training grounds, where dummy’s stand to test bows and swords. The Crusaders follow behind, all eager to see the end result of their waiting.
I create a ball out of bone, and add a bit of pyromancy to it for effect. I aim down the range, seeing a ponyquinn about ten yards away. I make sure my aim is sturdy, before pulling the trigger.
*Boom!*
The pistol fires with such force it sounds like I fired a howitzer. My eardrums would’ve been damaged, if not for two things. For one, Magic seems to strengthen ears against loud noises. Two, I don’t have eardrums.
The ponyquinn is sent flying in every different direction, the force of the ball hitting it is equivalent to getting hit by a jet going Mach One.
I stare in awe at the weapon I carry, “Oh... fuck yes.”
Smith stares at it in awe as well, “Hot damn, that’s powerful. Mind if I create a few more?”
I nod unconsciously, “Yeah, do what you will. This baby, however, is mine.”
Smith nods, “Aye, can understand why. Well, we’ve made some great discoveries today, but tis getting dark. Best be time you children be headin’ home to bed.”
I look into the sky to see the sun setting in the background. I nod politely to Smith, “Good night, Smith.”
He nods back, “Good day, Raven.”
The Crusaders and I walk out of his shop. Apple Bloom instantly turns to me, “Can you build another one? Please? Pretty please?”
I hold Talons back from them, and even decide to store it inside my empty body, “You are children, not to be trusted with a weapon of this caliber. However, I could show you more shots.”
They all nod together, “You know what this calls for? A Cutie Mark Crusader Sleepover!”
I smile at their enthusiasm, “Now, you do need to wait for a second. Miss Sparkle does hold legal guardianship over me, as such she must approve of such a Sleepover.”
Scootaloo shrugs, “Then lets go ask!”
I smile as they push me to Twilight’s, where she is peaking her head out from her door. She instantly sees me with the Crusaders, and sighs, “Raven... can we talk in private for a second?”
I pull myself to my own steps, and nod. I walk in, and turn to face Twilight, “You really, really shouldn’t’ve mentioned they caused mayham and destruction.”
Twilight just sighs, “You know, I tell you one thing, and you don’t do it.”
I shrug, “I’m my own Necromancer, I can make my own decisions. Well, except for right now. Can I do a sleepover with them?”
Twilight runs her hoof down her face, “You know what? Fine, go ahead and do that. Just remember that I will question you even harder because of it.”
I smile, and rush out the door, where me and my new friends head for our ‘clubhouse’.