//------------------------------// // Ponyvilles Antiques Roadshow // Story: An Extended Holiday // by Commander_Pensword //------------------------------// Extended Holiday Chp 27: Ponyvilles Antiques Roadshow Act 3 There was a groan as Shawn pulled his hand up from the side of his bed and put it next to his head as he gave a small push up. After a couple of blinks he looked to his arm to see his coat still on, and to his left, a wall. With a grunt he flipped himself over and sat up at the edge of the bed. He hunched over and placed a hand on his head as he took a couple of breaths before standing up. After a moment he removed his coat and put it onto a chair next to his desks. After a thought he leaned over the desks and checked them over, making sure nobody had messed with his papers, using moonlight to guide his eyes. There was a gentle knock at his door. “You up yet?” Grif asked. “Yeah.” He called out. “Good grief, I was out awhile, wasn’t I..?” He mumbled as the door opened. “Twenty four hours, twenty nine minutes, give or take.” The gryphon shrugged. “Yeah, figured it was a long time, I feel sluggish and exhausted.” Shawn replied as he stood up, stretching. “What did I miss today?” “Oh you know the average, time at the shooting range, letter from Blueblood, meeting with the mayor, visit from Celestia and Luna and the forming of your very own changeling hive.” The gryphon shrugged. “So nothing special really.” He smiled sarcastically. “What did Blueblood want?” Shawn groaned. “He wanted you to turn over your currently acquired staff, likely for punishment and wanted to arrange a meeting with you about things that make me guess he intends to try and make House Strike an underling of House Blueblood, I sent him a reply for you, there is a copy and the letter on your desk there.” With a sigh, Shawn pulled out the seat and sat down. With a glance over he grabbed the letter and pulled it to himself with a muttered, ‘Wonderful.’ After a minute he gave a small chuckle and put the letters down. “Good grief, how did you even think of that many titles? We’re you just challenging his title count?” “What can I say, upstart shouldn’t try to out do the great Lord Hammer Strike.” He smirked. “Not like you’d consider going into business with him anyway.” “Yeah. And he isn’t getting them back. At least here with us they can have an easy job, I just feel sorry for the ones that had to replace them. Good grief, they wouldn’t even sit down until I told them to! On a train.” Shawn sighed as he put a hand on his forehead. “Anyway you have a hive.” Grif said. “Not sure how to feel about that myself.” “And here I thought my hearing went out.” Shawn said as he sat up. “So, what about that hive?” “Me-Me and Mutatio got away from us, they found a cave system and well by the time we got there….” he shrugged. “Hive” “Wonderful. I don’t even know what I’m dealing with.” Shawn said putting a hand to his forehead again. “Good grief, one day, we’re at home, normal days, relaxing, work, etcetera. Next day, the three of us are sent here, I’m a lord, you’re a Griffon, Matthew is stuck as a pegasus, we’ve fought in two wars…” He leaned back in his chair. “Good grief we pretty much have an army following our orders!” “We also own a lumber company, have the paperwork going through for a mining company and a quarry.” Grif noted. “Yeah. I remember hearing about that.” Shawn replied. “Just spent a while talking with Luna. Kinda got a lot on my mind, if I snap at you, please ignore me.” “If you can’t yell at your friends what good are they?” Grif shrugged. “Anyway apparently Celestia and Luna have something they want to talk to you about, no idea what it is and I’d wait till morning anyway.” Shawns left arm seized up for a second before he sighed, relaxing his arm. “Alright. I should be calm by then.” “At least you got some sleep.” Grif noted. “You were starting to worry me.” “That sadly seems to be something I’m good at.” Shawn sighed. “Even Luna pointed that out.” It was here that Pensword walked into the room and he just smiled. “Well, who here thought that Christmas this year would have been so, well crazy?” he asked as he looked to his friends and paused and looked to his side as he extended a wing. He just studied it a little bit before talking. “Or find a way to enjoy Vitamin K again at any amount I want.” “It was certainly interesting.” Shawn said from his chair. “I’m still just happy we’re not in the Equestrian Wasteland.” Grif shrugged. “Uh, Fallout reference?” Pensword as as he lowered his wing and tucked it back to the side of his body. “I agree, at least we did not show up there.” The Navy blue pegasus shivered as he closed his eyes. “I would have lasted a week tops more than likely.” “How about we head away from this topic?” Shawn said as he leaned forward in his chair and messed with some of the papers on his desk. “Sounds good for me.” Pensword replied with a chuckle. His bright blue eyes twilighting in a little mirth. “Yeah…” Shawn mumbled as he picked up Bluebloods letter. “So who’s your entourage going to be?” Grif asked. “I don’t even know. You two of course, but… Anyone else?” He looked to the two. “Depends what kind of image you want to pull off.” Grif shrugged. “I’d say make him hilariously uncomfortable find some sort of ‘low-born’ unicorn and act like she’s your fiance, but I’m saying merely for my own entertainment.” “Screw it, lets go for it.” Shawn said. “Who now…” He paused for a moment. “Oh, you cheeky bugger.” He said looking to Grif. The gryphon simply whistled innocently, in which Shawn replied by raising his left hand, middle digit pointed towards him. “Ha, ha.” He said, with a smirk on his face as he lowered his hand. “Alright. I’ll send the invite in the morning.” He paused. “And send another letter to Blueblood so he doesn’t bother me again.” Pensword only shook his head. “Do you wish for me to wear the armor of the Crystal empire times to just show who you are?” He smirked. “Complete with dents and scuffs. Show that you make things to work, not for ceremony.” “I forgot to repair that…” Shawn mumbled. “At least let me fix the major ones that hinder movement and breathing. If there are any.” “You planning on wearing the big sword, the really big sword, or the massive sword?” Grif asked. “...Yes.” Shawn said, looking at Grif. “Intimidation will definitely be there.” Grif whistled. “Good.” Pensword muttered. “We may speak softly and strangely but we have big sticks.” “Yeah, one of them is twice my size. Human, size.” Shawn said looking to one of the wrapped objects in the corner of his room. “We meet him here or in Canterlot?” Grif asked. “I don’t want to torture this town.” Shawn replied. “Canterlot then.” Pensword replied with a smile. “Then we can have Grif go to Joe’s afterwards to end the day and meeting.” He paused. “Where do we stay?” he asked with a confused look. “I’ll bring money for a place I guess.” Shawn shrugged. “What about with House Pants?” Grif asked. “I’m sure Fancy Pants wouldn’t mind us staying for a night.” “Ah, I wouldn’t want to bother him.” “You want to spends the bits don’t you?” Grif asked. “I still got over half a bloody chest full!” Shawn said throwing his arm out towards the chest in question. “I need to get rid of it somehow, and I’ve run out of things to buy that have use.” “Indeed, but think of what will happen when we are fully settled. that Chest would be nothing.” Pensword offered. “My advice, save it and invest it. Rainy days may come in the future.” He only smiled a little. “Oh, uh sorry, just… I like saving money.” Shawn pointed towards the chest with an expression on his face. “Please, open the chest, and try to tell me there isn’t that much in it.” He chuckled. Pensword walked to the chest which was about the size of a footlocker and using his wings opened the chest up and looked into it. IT was half full, and the chest came up to the lower part of his barrel. “Oh, enough to take care of medical costs for a good amount.” Was all Pensword muttered with a look into the chest. “About half of this would cover all my last two surgeries.” He looked up and closed the lid and turned around to look at his friends. “If that was just one or even ten dollar coins… I had ten thousand dollars out of pocket for both surgeries, that is a combined total of twenty out of pocket, that was with insurance.” He smiled as he looked behind him and back as his friend. “Perspective my friend perspective, be grateful that you have a large nest egg.” He started to walk to the door. “I was going broke and scared to death how I was going to pay the last two thousand on my bills.” “If you both want money to spend, take some, I don’t need it for the most part.” Shawn said. “I’m making expenses.” Grif shrugged. “Still I know where to go if I ever need a loan.” “Agreed, I am getting a small profit as part owner of the New Mountain Logging Company, as well as the General, seems that Luna left this on my pillow.” he drew from under his wing a letter. “Seems that Canterlot is reimbursing me for being a teacher for the troops. I will be seeing funds deposited into the Ponyville Bank in my name this week. I think I am okay at the moment. No meds, no medical, only food and bills for living which, at the moment is low. I am actually happy about money for once, not stressed.” “Oh yeah, there’s a bank here.” Shawn said. “Perhaps I should put some away…” “Well thats about all I got at the moment, I got some research to do, a few letters to write, see you guys later.” “And I’ve got to work on some armor it seems, please leave both your sets outside of your room, I’ll fix the major damages.” Shawn said to the two. “Will do, I shall see you in the morning, I am going to get some sleep and you both take care of yourselves.” With that Pensword left the room leaving only two now in the room, A human and a Gryphon. Grif gave Shawn a nod before heading out. “Well I’ve got my work planned out.” Shawn mumbled to himself. The next morning Taze in human form walked out of his room to find Pensword sleeping on the floor as Moonshade continued to keep watch with a smirk. She looked to Taze. “He tried to stay up all night, fell asleep about three hours ago.” “Ok first thing, why?” Taze asked. “He wanted to try a thestral watch rotation. So he could understand more about Thestrals.” She replied with a chuckle. “You said first, what is the second?” “If he wakes up at any time in the next four hours confine him to his bed until he gets a full seven hours worth of sleep.” Taze ordered bluntly. “Very well sir, I shall maintain those orders.” She replied with a salute. “Anyone else left yet? Shawn head out this morning? or Lord Hammer Strike?” he asked. “Left a half hour after you entered your room, he should be in the Forges by now, also the forges did expand to allow three masters their room and staff.” She smiled. “They arrived this morning, along with some architects for building the actually castle and city around it.” “It’s really happening huh?” Taze smirked. “How’d Shawn take it?” “He seemed to look at all of them for a minute, no words, then turned towards the doorway to the forge and walked in.” She paused. “After a moment one of them walked in, and walked out less than thirty seconds later, headed to where they were to be located.” She smiled a little. “They are being housed in the officer barracks. Seems Pensword was not happy about that, seems he is wanting to not to be hot bunking or hot rooming with a female officer.” “Why? You won’t do anything unprofessional will you major?” Taze smirked to the side as he asked. She looked utterly horrified at that question. “By Luna’s mane no. It is just it seems for Sir Pensword it is the image that it would send to the troops. Frankly it just funny as most ponies don’t see this as a problem. Most of the troops are seeing this as a way to make sure if any changeling replace Sir Pensword.” “Major you really need to learn to take some ribbing.” Taze facepalmed. “We’ll I’m going out, see you later Major.” “See ya,” Moonshade replied while she looked a little red from the response from Taze, as she was unsure of what to think at the moment. So felt a little conflicted. Shawn, or at this point, Hammer Strike, was working on one of the sets of armor. After getting all the sets there, he dealt with the new influx of workers, sending them where they were supposed to go. He had earlier checked each set of armor, Grif’s, Pensword’s, and his own, which were thankfully clean at the moment, and found several problems, one of them being that his own as well as Pensword’s, had a dent near the chest that would interfere with breathing, and would cause irritation. “Great.” He mumbled as he looked the sets over for serious damage. “I don’t remember you arriving with the other journeyponies or apprentice smiths, who are you and what in bloody hell are you doing with that armor?” Storm Hammer asked as she stood at the forges entrance a sizable pile of new steel levitated in her magic. “I am Hammer Strike, and I am currently trying to asses the damage on my set of armor, which mainly seems to be located on the chestplate.” He sighed, turning it over. “Oh.” The unicorn stopped as her eye’s widened. “Please forgive me my lord, things have been stressful with the new smiths moving in.” “Oh, I know that, I had to tell one of them off, what was his name… Wrought Iron.” He smiled a little. “You’re the first one not to go off about how I can’t be here, or calling me a liar, good, good.” He mumbled the last part to himself as he moved onto Pensword’s set. “In all honesty I don’t think many ponies could carry out a lie like that.” Storm Hammer answered. “Taking on that name would automatically force a certain expectation of skill not many smiths could replicate, your style has always been…. unique in it’s design if a little lacking in it’s after thought.” “Well excuse me, I only had three days to make weapons and armor.” He sighed. “Yeah, but honestly though, why haven’t any of the armor sets I’ve seen use a swivel set on the ear, you still have the full range of movement and hearing ability, and you wont have it cut off in the midst of a battle.” “It’s an expensive touch.” Storm Hammer answered honestly. “Few if any smiths could come up with a workable replication of what you made and they were stiff and uncomfortable and the house of lords wouldn’t pay for the extra, the palace guards design was decided to be workable enough and any modifications needed to come from the guards own pocket, most of these guards have families and such and cannot afford to modify their armor.” she answered. “Well I’m going to have to fix that at some point. How many guards, who have been in a fight, have a damaged ear, or are both sides of the fight considerate and think to avoid it.” He sighed. “I’m a smith not a general, I don’t get access to those kind of records.” Storm Hammer shrugged. “I’ve tried to come out with cheaper stronger armor but my designs have never been approved.” “You’ll have to show me some of these designs sometime.” Hammer said as he moved onto the third set. “Think you can do me a favor?” “Yes my lord?” Storm Hammer asked. “Take my helmet… Wait I didn’t have one when I fought…” He paused for a second. “Take Pensword’s helmet and could you draw out the design for the helmet, specifically the ear joint, I want to make sure that these guards will have it on their armor.” “Certainly.” She nodded grabbing the helmet in her magic. “And if I may offer a suggestion for those breastplates?” “And that would be?” “When you get the dents out, secure it with some chain mail on the inside, that will give pressure a second outlet when it hits, minimizing the damage of heavy impact.” She noted. “I was thinking about that, but I couldn’t when I first made the set… Doesn’t help Starswirl had sent the others away and I was working by myself…” He paused, thinking. “You worked the bellows, tempered the metal, hammered it, and heated it…. all by yourself?” Storm Hammer asked. “Yeah.” He said as he finished looking at the third set and turned towards her. “Thats amazing.” She said. “I don’t think I could run a forge by myself nearly that long.” “It was do or die.” He replied. “I either got it done or we were underprepared.” “All smiths are expected to accomplish a project while running the forge alone to become a master, but to run it for three days straight without stopping seems like it would be impossible.” “You just got to get use to the lack of sleep.” He chuckled. “it is still incredible.” She said. “Was there anything else you needed?” she asked. “Nothing much, but I guess I could show you something so I don’t get bothered by it later…” He replied. “Oh and what would that be?” She asked. With a shrug he grabbed the bracelet on his wrist and gave the gem a turn. With a flash of light he was standing there as a human, specifically Shawn. “Hi.” With the crash of falling metal, Storm Hammer fainted onto the floor. After a moment Steel Weaver walked into the room, gave a look to Shawn and then one to Storm Hammer. “Aw, I was hoping to see the reaction. I take it the las’ took it well.” He said with a smile. “Well, good luck fixin’ those sets of armor.” He said, walking out. “Well then.” Shawn said, turning the gem again and continuing his work. Taze knocked on the library door loudly as he stood in front of the door after a quick walk in the morning air to said library, with any luck luna would be able to see him now. To his surprise it was a Lunar Guard who opened the door at the Library and without a word he stepped back. “Princess Luna was expecting you, she is currently residing in the basement, please watch your steps as no lights are on currently.” “Uh thank you” Taze said as he walked in. “Convenient.” he mumbled under his breath as he walked. heading into the basement and carefully making his way. “Uh, hello Princess Luna?” he called out. What he found took his breath away as he stepped on the floor of the basement. As if waiting for him to finish his descent the ceiling lit up with a thousand pinpricks of light as a small orb hung off to the side showing the cratered surface of Luna’s charge, in the middle of the room surrounded by faint blue glowing rings and spokes with images of some arcane manner Princess Luna just sat there smiling, a second later a second Luna appear by the stairs. “My apologies for not meeting face to face, I am just dealing with the end of the night shift and my duties as guardian of the dreams of Equestria. At which point I too shall rest.” She smiled a little. “You have something on your mind, doest thou wish an audience with the Lunar Court?” “It is my understanding princess that you once learned to fight amongst the gryphons?” Taze asked. She smiled. “I shall teach thee in your dream, it shall be your duty to practice what you dream in the waking world. So yes, I shall teach thee both modern and the ancient battle techniques of your feathered form.” “Thank you.” Taze nodded “From what I’ve read Grif is far from a popular figure in gryphon history, aside from being considered an outcast he was also called ‘the egg smasher’ I’m hoping that is some term for traitor to the people and not actually what the name implies.” “That has two meanings.” Princess Luna began with a smile. “Seems your lessons begin this morning.” She spread her wings and a drawing of a Gryphon in the style of the artwork shown at the intro of the very first episode of Friendship is Magic appeared in the air. “The first meaning was that you killed a small enclave nest of Changelings.” She dropped her wings. “However the term was usurped by those who were blinded by their own hate towards us, and turned the phrase to become a traitor, one who if ever allowed into the homes of any children would rend their children apart.” She fully dropped her wings to her side a sad look on her entire form. “You apparently have met me in your past and my future, was I that bad?” Taze asked “The books I’ve gotten so far have been mostly on the culture, references have been to the fact that Grif is to be spurned, they even attempted to erase the name from history”. “A fact that was stopped within the treaty that my Sister and I forged with them.” She muttered darkly and seemed to poof from irritation. “As for what thou didst and shall still do?” She smiled. “To keep the spoilers down. You live to the code of a warrior, both of the Gryphons and of Pokke.” She seemed to beam. “Within my ranks, to this day, it is symbolic now, but one guard in my personal guards always wears a metal feather painted like your own. We shall not state the reason behind that, but know this… It is still held in high regard by myself and my guard reformed.” “That’s comforting to hear.” Taze sighed. “Probably the scariest future I could imagine is becoming a monster.” He said then he realised how that could be taken. “I uh, didn’t mean that at you….” Princess Luna only chuckled, “None taken, we know we were not exactly sane nor of the best example.” She narrowed her eyes. “Know this, you do become a monster,” She held up a wing before Taze could speak a single word. “You become a monster that is feared by those that are the real monsters as you remind them of how far they have fallen. To us, you are a hero, to those that you fought against, they villainized you, and tried to erase your name. You asked and we, I, answered, from both the side of Equestria, and the side of the Gryphons.” “You’ve given me a lot to consider.” Taze noted. “Thanks for your help and i look forward to training with you, but i think i’m going to need to ponder all of this now” he gave a short bow “thank you princess luna” “You are welcome Grif, Warrior and Champion of the injured.” Luna replied. “However, before I go.” She looked to the sky and then back to Taze. “How is my Major holding up having to spend time with her foal hood hero?” Taze laughed loudly. “Princess, there may be a time where I may need to request from you that the sky be perfect for a night, she is as hopeless as he is and I fear nothing but a major push or the rise of he who must not be named well break the wall they’ve set.” he laughed again “I hope with your aid we’ll bring that wall down for them” Princess Luna only smiled as she nodded her head. “I do think this New Years Eve will do nicely, already planning a perfect evening for many couples in Ponyville.” She actually smiled. “Tis been ages since Tia hast let me play matchmaker.” She looked to Taze, “Doest thou have plans already? Still, a Military union between House Strike and House Galaxia might be good, and one on actual feelings.” She smiled sadly. “I wish this could not be political, alas, with Pensword captain of House Strike’s military whatever number they may be… it would be best to prevent any houses, and only House Galaxia as she is an officer in my Guard, an officer I am willing to give to lead as a second in command so they do not spend time apart…” She paused and laughed. “My apologies Sir Taze, I did not mean to ramble about the workings of the noble houses in front of thee.” “Oh plans I have, but with your help now I have means.” Taze laughed. “And don’t worry I ramble alot myself, so here’s what we’re going to need…” And thus the two began their conspiracy. Hammer Strike pulled open the door to the tavern with a bag on his back. As he walked a soft clinking of metal could be heard. By this time Berry Punch just looked up, smiled, waved and went back to doing some ledger work, or actually this surprised Hammer Strike inside his neutral facial expression, she was teaching one of the staff members accounting, as he also noticed that the Tavern eating area was also the cleanest it had been the entire time they had been staying here. He hummed in thought for a second before turning towards the stairway. Where he ran right into Polished Brass who looked at him with a concerned look. “Milord, are, are you well? You wish for one of us to carry your supplies to your room? You did not need to go shopping you could have left a list for us to gather the items you wished to procure.” After a second Hammer began his reply. “Yes I am well. No, I can carry this upstairs, and it isn’t for myself, it is Penswords armor, which I just repaired. I didn’t go shopping, but thank you for reminding me because I was thinking about checking if the market had anything interesting available.” Hammer Strike passed a stunned Polished Brass as he registered that his new Lord was carrying a sack of armor for a pegasus. Second later he was smiling. “Well, at least take Dust Bunnies with you, she is getting a little antsy to do something, so take her shopping.” “Welp, I guess I’ll be headed to the market next…” Hammer mumbled to himself as he continued upstairs, finding Moonshade in the hallway. “Hello Moonshade.” “Lord Hammer Strike, how are you doing, is that Pensword’s armor?” She asked as he noticed that Pensword was not in the hallways as well. “He is currently sleeping in his bed, he woke up long enough to get into his bed and is sleeping at the moment.” She frowned a little. “I did receive some troubling news from Princess Luna, other houses may try to unify their military with yours by a marriage union between a guard and your Captain.” After a moment, Hammer Strike put the set of armor carefully outside Penswords room, making sure to keep the sound down. “I am sure that isn’t as big as a worry as you may think.” He chuckled as he turned towards her. “I’m sure you two will do well.” Moonshade just looked at Hammer Strike in confusion. “Excuse me?” She seemed to be taken aback by the comment. “Explain because that can be taken a few different ways.” “You and Pensword. As long as it’s you two, I at least know you both and that doesn’t seem like an issue.” She took a breath. “He is already taken, by one Lunar Fang. A Thestral from the past. Even if I could or was given clearance by Princess Luna, I would not destroy history for my own happiness. I swore to protect Equestria and the Crown. If it means living single, I shall do so.” She stood and stared pride and a slight stubborn look in her eyes now. “So I shall follow my orders and keep him safe till Lunar Fang appears and then I shall bow out.” Hammer only took a breath in before shaking his head. “Just remembered something. When you have the time, bring me your set of armor, I need to upgrade a couple of things on it.” She only widened her eyes in shock. “Free, you, You will need to speak to Princess Luna about the armor and what might be acceptable and not with Lunar Armor. Still, I shall get it to your room, I shall wear my second set while you work on my first set if you do not mind.” “Welp, now I need to add that to my list of things to do today.” He paused for a second. “Also, would you like to come with Myself, Pensword, Grif, and possible others, to Canterlot as I have to deal with Blueblood, and other possible things. You can bring your armor as all of us will be as well, because I don’t honestly care what the other nobles think.” Moonshade just looked at Hammer Strike and smirked. “Even if you did not invite me, I would be going, I still have orders to protect the humans and now Princess Luna is worried of the other houses wishing to tie militaires together.” She paused and moved her head to the right. “Also, why do I get this feeling that you will become the dread of all the noble houses when you visit them, or the chambers when we have sessions?” “I don’t think I would mind that.” Hammer Strike mumbled with a slight positive tone in his voice as the only change to his outside features. Moonshade nodded. “That is actually still legal, Princess Luna showed up for her first time in full armor, minus her weapon, no weapons allowed within the chamber nor the halls. Armor is allowed.” “No weapons…” He paused for a second. “No weapons that they can see.” He hummed in thought as he smiled slightly. Moonshade only laughed. “Yeah, I think that is a given, then again Princess Luna is the master at hiding blades so talk to her to bring in any weapons.” She chuckled. “Still with you three showing up, I think it would be agreed that they ignore your stances, since you three could use even the quill pens as weapons.” “I could work with that. Then again, I think a punch is good enough from me.” He chuckled. “Perhaps if I bring the weighted gauntlets… I mean, they are part of my armor…” Moonshade just looked at him. “I do not know if you are joking or not, or if I should be proud that I get to be associated with your house or not.” She replied bluntly before realizing something. “I, you, you broke me of calling you and showing the respect you deserve.” She glared. “I shall not be doing this in public, you know that.” “I honestly don’t mind if you do it in public, because I don’t really care, you can disrespect me if you even want to, I’d most likely laugh.” He smiled a little. “Trust me, I don’t deal with formalities often, nor do I care to, the first thing I typically say to Celestia is what’s up.” Moonshade just looked like if she could not pick if she should be scared, shocked, or laugh at the situation and so she did a three of them in a row and mixed and finally settled into a combination of all three. “What? She likes a casual approach every now and then, and the only reason I do it is because if she wanted me to stop I’m sure she would have told me by now.” The Thestral just blinked and shook her head. “No wonder one of your titles is Strike the Crazy… That must be where it comes from.” She laughed at the look on the Earth Ponies face. “So, that does get your carrots.” She just smiled and looked a little pleased. “I, really do not look forward to being transferred from this post when Lunar Fang shows up.” “Why do I have this many titles…” He sighed. “And always get reminded of them.” “With most of Canterlot, the titles are rather important and, they love saying what their title is. doesn’t help that a few ponies have tried to memorize them. Usually they become honor guards for royal events so as to announce who is arriving or leaving.” “I honestly don’t know what to think about the whole noble house thing.” He sighed. Moonshade just stood and stared as she thought about it as well, after a minute she finally spoke something. “Maybe use it to make reforms in the nobility? You are technically one of the oldest house names still around other than Galaxia.” “Who would listen to a crazy guy like me, you already said it’s apparently one of my titles.” He replied. Moonshade laughed. “You run into battle without a helmet, fight on little to no sleep, still work in a forge even while being head of a house, have the ears of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna,” She took a breath. “I think crazy is just them trying to describe just what you do normally.” After a moment he finally replied. “I have no counter argument to that, though that little to no sleep thing isn’t just during fights.” Moonshade just stared and blinked. “I,” She paused. “I am going to get my armor now.” She replied ending the conversation. “Next on the list of things to do…” He mumbled to himself. “Get armor, take to forge, talk to Luna about armor modifications, then to the market, then I need to finish repairs…” He paused. “By tonight, need to get this over with…” From behind him and from the upper floor an Earth Pony mare stepped into the hallway, she had on a small cap over her grey mane, over her tarnished brass colored coat was a grey trenchcoat that looked more at home in the streets of london then the streets of Ponyville. She smiled and when she spoke, Hammer could tell it held a slight accent similar to what Grif’s form usually spoke in. “Good day my lord.” the maid bowed her head respectfully. “Ah. Hello there.” Hammer strike replied in his usual tone of voice which was a natural everything. “I was instructed to accompany you to the market?” She clarified what she’d been told. “It appears so. So it’s been a bit of a bore around here to you?” He questioned. “It is unnerving for someone of my occupation to have so little to do.” Dust Bunny noted. “Sadly, there isn’t much to do for the time being, soon of course we will be headed off to the Everfree Castle, which seems like it will require quite a bit of maintenance.” He replied. “But honestly, don’t expect many orders from me, I am still adjusting to having workers, or servants.” “I hope I will find somewhere to be useful then.” She said. “Shall we head off then?” “Just waiting on one last thing.” He said as he moved towards his room. “Let me grab something, and by then I’m sure Moonshade should be here.” He said, opening the door to his room and entering. “Of course my lord.” She echoed. A moment later she saw the inside of his room through the open doorway “Your room is filthy.” She stated with a slight glare at Hammer Strike. “Yeah, I am told that often.” Hammer replied. “But I have not had time to put everything in order, and if it was just cleaned I think I would lose track of everything and most likely make an even worse mess trying to find everything.” He sighed as he walked up to one of the chests in the room and opened it. “Shouldn’t you have a workshop for these kinds of things?” She asked. “I should, but I didn’t bother with getting one because the stay here was supposed to be shorter than it turned out.” He sighed. “I still remember us planning to get moving, the next day we said…” He chuckled pulling out a small pouch and placed it into one of the pockets on the inside of his coat. “I hope things change when you reach the palace.” She noted. “I already know it will still be a mess, but I’ll keep it more tidy at that point.” He looked around his room. “Not the biggest of rooms to keep everything.” He said with a gesture to a couple of chests. “Now I just need to wait for Moonshade…” “Is there anything you need while we wait?” She asked. She did not get a response as he heard some clanking and there at the floor in a neat pile was the Lunar Guard armor complete with a scroll that had been attached to wooden rods at the top and bottom of the parchment. “The armor and relevant information concerning the modifications of armor by any blacksmith.” “Welp. I guess it’s time to go.” Hammer said as he packed everything on and turned towards the two. “Shall we go? Or do you want to stay here Moonshade?” “I think I shall stay and keep watch over Pensword your Lordship.” Moonshade replied with a bow of the head. “I would not feel right leaving my post unless something attacks the town.” “Alright then.” He replied as he shrugged a little. “Let’s go then Dust Bunny.” “Yes my lord.” She nodded and followed after him. “Alright, lets see.” He said as they walked down the steps. “Need to drop this off, stop by the library and talk with Luna letting me modify this set of armor.” He gestured to the armor on his back. “I mean, I could just do it, but Moonshade seemed to really want me to request it so I guess I shall. Then we are off to the market.” He said, as he gave Berry a wave as they walked out the door. Berry waved back with a smile as she returned to talk to of all ponies, a blue mare with white mane and an hourglass cutie mark. Hammer Strike was sure for a second he heard the name Colgate being mentioned. “Constants and variables…” He muttered to himself as he continued to walk. “Did you say something my lord?” Dust Bunny perked up. “Nothing, nothing.” He replied. “Just muttering to myself.” He gave her a smile as he turned back and continued on his path towards the forge. “So, how are things?” “Everything is fine.” She said. “Well as fine as things could be given the last few months.” “Things have been complex recently…” He replied. “Specially within the last few months…” “At least we won’t have that pompous, arrogant, piece of work, ordering us around anymore.” Dust Bunny said. “That bad, huh?” He asked. “I don’t know much of him other than my short meetings, in which I now have a full meeting with him tomorrow…” He sighed. “Concerning all of you and apparently a few guards that I didn’t notice.” He paused. “Like the two that have been trailing us for the last five blocks.” “Protocole sir.” Blast Shield called from behind them. “And based of voice, it is the Shield brothers.” He turned towards Blast. “Hello there Blast and Tower.” “Hello sir.” They called back in unison. “Well, what started as a small trip by myself, turned into a small group with a couple of tasks…” He said as they continued walking. “So where are we headed to first sir?” Dust Bunny asked. “The Forge. Need to drop this off.” He replied. “Then we are headed towards the Library to talk to Luna.” “Why do you not use the proper title Lord Hammer Strike?” Dust Bunny asked. He hummed in thought for a second. “I honestly don’t use titles often, and in fact, if you dropped my title I wouldn’t be bothered by it.” “Thats a unusual standpoint for a noble.” Dust Bunny noted. “You’ll find out soon that I’m very different from most nobles.” Hammer replied as they arrived at the forge doors. “Alright, let me drop this off and we’ll be off again.” He said as he walked in. “Of course.” Dust Bunny said. Luna only nodded as she slowly rolled up a scroll and turned it into a burst of blue flame that vanished to a destination. “We believe that this conversation has comes to a satisfactory conclusion.” “So you’ll have everything ready for then?” Taze asked. “We shall.” Luna replied with a nod of her head. Only to have a guard appear on the stairs. “Ah, yes?” She asked the guard. “Lord Hammer Strike is at the door requesting your presence with a conversation and questions.” The Thestral only blinked. “What shall I tell him? He appears to be holding a stack of armor at the moment as well your highness.” Luna only smiled. “Very well, tell him that we shall be up shortly.” She paused and yelled up. “Royal We.” She sighed and looked at Taze. “Where has the use of language gone so wibbly wobbly?” She asked with a shake of her head. “If the Doctor gets to say it, so can a Princess out of time and her element.” He spoke right at Taze showing she was serious, not making a joke. “Well there are worse things than a new accent.” Taze shrugged. “Mares first.” he gestured with a hand. She only nodded. “Thank you, though it is Princess,” She replied before walking up the steps as the basement turned pitch black. Soon they were reaching the door to the basement as Luna paused for a moment to fix a glare at her guard who only blinked in sign of some unspoken conversation before he moved to open the door to the rest of the house. “Maybe, but I have a feeling a bit of familiarity isn’t unwelcome for you princess. And as I am, I am technically not a citizen of Equestria, so you’ll forgive me if I drop the term from time to time” Taze replied right before the door was opened. He thought he caught what might have been a small smirk coming from Luna’s muzzle. “Well it’s only the next four chapters Twilight, so you have up to chapter five or so. I’ve read more, and it seems fine, so I’ll finish translating the rest later.” They heard Hammer Strike say. “I can’t wait to read it.” Twilight happily took the chapters in her magic and set them down on her desk. “A whole new field of magic to explore.” Luna, Taze saw, raised and eyebrow and spoke aloud. “May I read some of this when you are done Twilight?” She asked sounding a little curious about this. “Also, you wished to speak to me Lord Hammer Strike, head of House Strike.” Turning towards her, he gave a nod. “Yes I did. I’ve noticed something about Moonshades armor, some matter of its defense.” He paused for a second. “Essentially, I want to modify it and she said I should check in with you just to make sure.” He shrugged. “Well, tell me what you have in mind. We might find it as acceptable addition to the armor code.” She replied looking a little interested in the idea of this concept from one who created three sets of armor in three days. “Please, continue.” “For an example, the ears. I’ve noticed that there is not much to protect them, it just seems to be a hole at the top for it to fit through.” He commented. “I am not sure if you saw it, but I made something to protect the ears without restricting movement, so you would not be stuck to one direction hearing.” Luna raised an eyebrow. “Interesting, and you wish to… recreate this on one of my guard’s helmets?” Princess Luna asked. “As long as it stays the same color as the helmet when you are done, then you may proceed. I shall judge the product when it is complete. Sounds fair?” “Certainly, and I shall have blueprints made in case you want to try adding it to other sets or modifying it yourself.” He replied. “Changing Equestria day by day Hammer Strike?” Taze laughed. “Certainly.” He said in reply. “Well I have some things I need to arrange, see you later Twilight, Hammer Strike, Princess Luna.” He nodded his head at each before leaving. “And I have to get going as well…” Hammer Strike said. Luna only smiled. “Then it seems this is good evening till later, I shall read what has already been read by Twilight so I too may understand just what it is that is happening with you three humans.” She paused. “Have Pensword get a magic checkup from me later, I wonder, how his magic field will handle the idea of Pegasus magic.” “I’ll be sure to tell him when he is awake…” He paused. “And when I finally get back to the tavern. Have a good day Twilight, Luna, Guards that just stared at either us or the walls.” Luna only response was to Shawn’s eyes, to have a twinkle in her eye at the joke. “You take care yourself Lord Hammer Strike, may you find a good inspiration.” In response he gave a smirk. “I have a good idea of what I want to try, now that I have more time to work on it.” With that Hammer Strike walked out. “Alright, lets head to the market shall we Dust Bunny?” “Well we’re going to need more food to feed everyone, and I don’t think Mrs. Punch would like us eating out of her cupboards.” “True… Wait, what happened to the bag of bits I gave to Polished Brass now that I think about it… Was it all used?” “Well yes we bought food for the staff and other necessities.” She said “Well then… It is a good thing I brought a decent pouch this time, because I think we’re going to be spending a majority of it.” He replied as they continued walking towards the market. “Was there anything you needed my lord?” Dust Bunny asked. “Nothing really, but you never know what we may find. At one point I remember finding some rare metal in a market.” Hammer replied with a small smile. From the bed that Pensword had been placed, after a good nap and sleep and approaching noon. Pensword opened his eyes and yawned before he suddenly bolted up in the bed. “What time is it?” He yelped. “Shouldn’t I be checking on the fort? or Paper work? Finding housing for ponies?” “Everythings being looked after.” A familiar voice spoke up as Moonshade entered the room with a tray. “That’s what you get for trying to challenge a Thestral to a who can stay up later contest.” “Sorry, I just, My family if push comes to shove will stay up all afternoon, all night, all morning and crash around ten. Use to.” He shook his head. “Then again we have been burning the candle at both ends for a few nights already.” He rolled off the bed and realized something. He was having them less and less, but at the moment he had one at the moment, a panic attack at being only in fur with Moonshade present. He locked up a little. “Where did my uniform go?” He paused. “Why are you not wearing armor at the moment?” “Lord Hammer Strike came by and took it for maintenance.” Moonshade noted. “Taze ordered me to make sure you got your sleep so I figured my armor wasn’t necessary at the moment” “But, wasn’t I wearing a uniform last night? I, I am not wearing it now.” Pensword muttered as he was trying not to let synapses connect but, connect they did and he found that without the armor she had a, cute, look to her. He just paused and thought over that thought. He found a pony cute, as in an attraction manner. He moved his eyes in his mind, to look at the brain wondering just how much was human and how much was pony, and what might be the distinction in the mind. Was he a pony? Or a human? Was Moonshade a pony? Or mentally speaking a human in that she could communicate, use tools. He finally blinked twice quickly as he continued to think. Without her armor Pensword realized that first, her mane, Her mane and tail were a stray color and short. Yet it seemed to be silk from the light in the room. Her form was strong, yet at the same time slime, akin to how the build of a bird of prey might be. Her wings matched the same color as her fur, that of a light bluish grey color and she was staring right back at him with a strange expression, which Pensword was not sure if it was a smile, or anger at, he realized he had actually been staring at her and he quickly looked down in fear, and embarrassment. “I wish I didn’t learn about this Lunar Fang.” he muttered. But not before he had seen her cutie mark,  which had been hidden by the armor all the time till that moment. It was a full moon with a black parasol outline in front of the moon. He did not know that subconsciously he moved a little so she could see his cutie mark better. He was really, really scared at what he was thinking. “So you must be hungry.” She broke the silence by offering him the tray, a plate of hayfries resting on it. He looked up a little sheepish. “Yeah, a little.” He smiled a little. “Thank you.” He muttered as he sat down to eat a little from the plate. “I hope your sleep was restful.” She said. “Oh right your uniform, I removed it from you so it wouldn’t be damaged as you sleep” Pensword only looked up and blinked and finally spoke a question. “May I ask what… if any, meaning is placed behind that?” he mentally hoped it was closer to the idea of a father helping a child into be bed after falling asleep. “Why would there be a meaning?” She raised an eyebrow. “You had a uniform on when you fell asleep, you wouldn’t want it damaged and it would likely disrupt your sleep so I removed it like any sensible pony would.” Pensword only nodded his head. “Okay,” He shook his head. “Still learning the customs of not just Equestria, but of the Pegasi culture as well.” He shook his head. “I just wonder how long till ponies forget that I was one of the three humans.” “I don’t think anyone of this generation well forget that.” Moonshade said, “And then there is the princess’s they’ll never forget and they’ll never die so therefore you're technically immortal.” Pensword only nodded his head. “I, I think, That is very, interesting.” He replied. “Yet over time Matthew will become the hidden human, the one unseen.” He looked to the plate of food. “While Pensword already has, and will continue to be in the news.” He frowned a little. “I haven’t had one of my bad days for a long time.” He spoke softly. “Just, the techniques that kept me alive, made me love life, but knew that if my civilization fell, or anarchy occurred like in other places in the world. I would be numbered, I may stand tall, but what saved me would bring me low.” He put a hoof to where he knew his heart had moved. “Yet here, I am alive.” he spoke, “Different but alive and actually realizing with a strange sense of fear that, I can do anything I want. I can slam my hoof on the desk in anger and not be worried about bruising, or…” he looked back as he spread his wings in the room. “Fly, actually fly.” He folded his wings. “Sorry,” he realized he had rambled in front of Moonshade. “I, You have gained enough trust that I feel comfortable actually be this open in front of you Moonshade.” She smiled. “I am glad to hear that.” She turned away so he couldn’t see her blush. Pensword did not see her blush and sighed. “Maybe after food I could go for a fly around or something. Might be good to clear the mind,” he paused. “Try napping on a cloud or even standing on one again?” He smiled a little at the memory from yesterday. “That was so weird standing on an actual cloud.” “I can’t imagine how you’d react to lightning.” Moonshade laughed. “Why?” Pensword asked in confused. “What’s the big deal with lightening? I lived in a place that had daily thunderstorms in the spring and early summer that would create light shows in the sky and shake the home with the rumblings.” “Have you ever touched it?” Moonshade asked. “Held it in your hooves?” she smiled “Holding lightning is exhilarating for a Pegasus or a Thestral, the energy makes your fur tingle with excitement.” She saw a reaction that she knew was coming. One of shock and mind trying to comprehend the concept. Something that was every day and somewhat ordinary dangerous was to see. She could only say it was like seeing a Foal see snow for the first time. He did not say anything for a while. “When?” he asked, just one word. “I don’t think you're ready for Cloudsdale yet.” Moonshade said. “But we’ll see if the weather team gets any extra storm clouds this month” All Pensword did was nod his head. His face just wondering just what that would be like. “That sounds cool.” he just was smiling now. “I figured you’d like the sound of that.” She said grinning. “You're like a foal in a candy store” Pensword only laughed. “I wish I could show you some of my world, I am sure there would be things that would make you act the same way.” Pensword teased back. “I mean… you, you do not know how truly lucky you are, flying and controlling the weather… you, this is just amazing to watch and see.” “Well how about you finish eating and calm down, then we’ll see when the next weather shipment arrives ok?” She asked giving him a grin. Pensword only nodded his head and began to eat the meal before him. Which thankfully was small portioned. “That means seeing Rainbow Dash unless their is something higher  then Captain of the Weather Team.” “Not in Ponyville.” Moonshade shook her head. “I am going to see about my spare set of armor.” She said. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.” Pensword only nodded his head to agree. “Okay, see you later, be safe.” He looked down and shook his head in just, how he was able to now eat and even digest hay. Which he found was actually a little bland, but with spices or other foods it became actually rather tasty. Meanwhile at the moment that this was happening, a few guards were gathered in one of the new buildings a library was half complete. However one pony was looking out the window. “I cannot believe we gave up the officer barracks for even more ponies.” The Stallion looked up and turned his head as he heard a door open and close. “Hey Straight Nail, any idea when more barracks will be built?” “It’s going to take some time, at this point it might not be worth the resources.” The pony noted. “By the time we get more buildings done it well be time to move.” The guard at the window only nodded his head. “Yeah, just, it feels strange not having the actual brass on base.” He shook his head. “Then again.” He trailed off. “I do not know what to think with these characters, their are rumors that the three humans are in fact those heroes that showed up before Hearth Warming, and,” He paused as turned around suddenly unwilling to finish the sentence. “This just, I thought moving to a place like Ponyville would be a normal retraining, yet… we are building forts, towers, walls, scouting the edge of the most dangerous forest in Equestria with outright plans to travel into it. What did we get into?” “We’re breaking ground, we could be famous for this.” Straight Nail shrugged. “Besides, we’ve been doing relatively well.” “Yeah, for how long?” He asked with a little worry. “I was reading the newspaper clippings on one of my leave days, and, did you know how many events happen in this town?” The Earth Pony clip clopped to one of the tables. “I am just waiting for the horseshoe to fall.” “Your being pessimistic.” Straight Nail shrugged. “I mean we could have been border guards.” Straight Nail shivered at the mention of it. “I wonder if we are.” the Earth Pony muttered. “Still, this thinking has kept my family alive.” He sat down and looked at the pile of newspapers. “Still, when you expect the grey clouds, you can enjoy the weather.” “But it makes it hard to enjoy the sun.” The other pony laughed. “Still, it never gets too cold or too hot.” He shot back with a quip that showed that he was just teasing a little. He paused for a second. “Also, what do you think about those new folks in the barracks? Or that we have one of those Master Smiths back from the dead?” “I wonder what the new armors going to look like when we’re getting it designed by a living legend.” Nail said “Even the solar guard gets there armor from the castle forges.” “No clue,” Grey Skies muttered with a glower. “But I wonder if we are going to be living guinea pigs for new armor or items.” “Seriously we’re getting custom made armor designed by a legend, weapons which if are even half as good as the legends say can cut through STONE!” Nail said. “Is there no pleasing you?” “I like the same, and what is comfortable. Because I know what is comfortable is safe, I like being safe. I, I signed up for the fact to help my family.” He admitted, “Still, if I can get a normal guard job after retraining, that would be fine by me.” “I was put on the bench because I couldn’t get the hang of a spear.” Nail shrugged. “If this guard offers me the chance to pursue something different I’m all for it.” Grey Skies only nodded. “Well, then I might ask to be in charge of supply or something, something nice, relaxing, and where I know I can do a good job, when I am not fearing for my life.” “After what happened in Canterlot, I’d rather do my part to keep ponies safe.” Nail said “My sister was in Canterlot when that happened, the look on her face afterwards was haunting.” Grey Skies shivered. “Don’t remind me about that.” He seemed to look haunted himself. “I, they almost got me and you know what happened when I tried to strike one? My father yanked me back and lectured me to keep my head down and don’t go after any trouble.” He looked at the table. “I washed out a week later or almost washed out when I tried to join, you know how hard it is doing this when you hear your mom and dad always telling you not to do anything don’t move the herd, always be submissive and you’ll survive.” He looked up. “Kind of hard to feel the fear of a Sergeant Major when you already being chewed up by just the glare your mom gives you if you tried to keep your lunch money from a bully.” “Well look at this as a chance to start over.” Nail said. “You're miles away from canterlot, getting training from legends of history, food, shelter, equipment, bits, what's to hate?” “Getting a letter to call me home?” he asked, He only smirked at him. “Today is a better day, I am outside of my room after training and shift, so that is better than the last week.” “I don’t think your parents would risk insulting House Strike.” Nail noted. “I really don’t know, my folks, are a bit, I once saw the same thing happen to them and they reacted one way, the next time, the opposite way. How do you get a bearing in life if you do not know what will set off anger or compliments?” “Sorry to hear that skies.” Nail shrugged. “But you know essentially you gotta leave the nest right?” Skies only nodded his head. “I just feel like I won’t make it.” He admitted, blinking as he wondered if this was friendship. “I mean right now I can hear my mom saying that I am going to make you mad, you are going to leave the room and then where will I be? Heading home a failure in life and showing to my parents that they are right, that I should just do what my dad did, who did what his dad did, because any deviation from that path will just lead to failure.” Nail walked over and laid a hoof on his friends shoulder. “Then maybe you need to prove them wrong.” He smiled. “Come on lets go get a cider tonight.” He blinked and stiffened for a second. “Uh, o, okay.” He stammered a little. “Uh… can I get transferred to your group? I, I never asked where I was suppose to go, and no one told me. I, I might need a little help in getting better.” “We’ll talk to the major tomorrow, for now you need to relax my friend.” Nail grinned. “Come on it’s on me tonight.” Grey Skies actually smiled for once. “Thank you, that sounds like a nice plan. Let’s hope it survives the actual night.” “Skies I promise you we will enjoy this night, and that will be the end of it.” with that nail got to his hooves “now come on, i hear they got the best cider in equestria here” “Oh?” This caused a small perk in the ears. “That sounds interesting. Lead the way, but can we avoid the Officer’s Tavern?” he asked, referring to where the group was saying. While the name was known, it had that nickname now. “I think so, let’s go find out.” Nail smiled as he headed towards the door Hammer Strike and Dust Bunny were currently walking through the market once again while wearing his armor, which he was going to fix up. They had purchased supplies already and now Hammer just walked to walk through for any neat things they may have missed while they were on their way to the forge. He was currently just passing by each of the shops just giving a quick look into each one. “...passed down in my family, this was owned and made by Hammer Strike himself.” Upon hearing that he stopped on a dime and turned full 180 towards the shop with only two words said to Dust Bunny. “Hold up.” Dust Bunny stopped hard. “What is it?” “I heard my name, and something I apparently owned.” He replied to her as he walked into a nearby shop. The shop currently had a number of ponies inside surrounding the front counter. The mare running the shop was brown with a white light grey mid length mane. Her brown eyes looking at the ponies in the room looking at what she was showing off a little. Hammer Strike saw that their above her head and on the back of the tent wall was a symbol that looked like something he recognized. However it was what was below the symbol that really caught his attention. On the back wall in a case was something that he had nearly forgotten about, one of his swords, specifically, one of the ones he made at the Crystal empire, after all, he made two, and only used the greatsword. The crowd up front was blocking the shopkeeper from seeing him as he just looked around, but some of the crowd seemed to not believe her, and some even voiced their opinion on it. “Yeah right, who what is the other horse shoe? You have the toys that Princess Luna or Princess Celestia played with as children?” Hard Shell muttered as he glared at her. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t get some of my friends and have you pack up and leave, I don’t like tall stories about myths bantered about in front of my child.” “Because it’s true.” Hammer called out. Hard Shell and a bunch of others from the front turned around to stare at the rather large imposing Earth Pony that was standing in the doorway. A few moved a little and the shop owner got a good look at her new visitor who had been blocked by a few Pegasi that had been hovering in the air. “A pleasure to meet you.” He paused and gave a smile. “I am Hammer Strike, at your service.” his smile changed into a more amused smirk at the reaction. The rest of the tent building just stared wide eyed, every pony even the shopkeeper were just slack jawed. Amazingly it was Hard Shell who reacted, first with a snort. “Likely story bub, I was not born yesterday, Hammer Strike is a myth and a fairy tale, he could never, nopony could do all that he did.” “You know, I already dealt with a thick headed fool already. I shouldn’t have to prove myself more than the obvious notes.” He replied looking to the sword sheath on his back. “It is certainly interesting when you have to prove who you are.” He said, looking back at him. Hard Shell just looked right at him. “Fine, then why don’t you look at that relic, and tell us that you didn’t make it. You said you made things, then show that all the important stuff is in museums and not laying around in the homes of Ponies.” “Because that right there.” He said walking forward towards the counter, ponies moved out of his way as he moved forward. Stopping in front of the counter he gave the blade one last look before smiling a little. “Seems to have been passed down through time. Would you give up a family relic?” He looked towards Hard Shell. “Honestly, I lost that during the battle of the Crystal Empire.” He paused and thought for a second. “I think it was during my fight after blowing out the walls. Not sure, couldn’t tell as I was surrounded and dealing with them at the time.” Hard Shell just stared, unable to speak for a bit before looking in some way to redeem, or salvage this moment. “So, you going to press charges for stealing your property?” He asked. “Reclaim what was taken from you?” “I think I’ll let her keep it.” He smiled at the shop keep before turning towards Hard Shell. “It’s traveled a far way from when I lost it, and I think its destination is somewhere I accept.” He shook his head. “It’s an aged blade, one I made so long ago.” He paused thinking for a second. “How would you feel if you had a family relic from a thousand years ago, and one day, the one who made it just came by and took it? I wouldn’t like that, and that is why I shall not do it.” A moment later and the silent glares from the other ponies Hard Shell just turned around. “Humpf, things like that belong in museums for all to see, not just a select few.” With that he just left the tent. “Now.” Hammer continued. “Who needs more proof?” He smiled. Seconds past before he felt that no more would ask who he was. That is till a little earth colt with blue mane and tail with a goldish yellow coat without a cutie mark spoke up. “Is it true you launched a dummy’s head into space?” The foal asked wide eyed. “Wow that story traveled around.” He chuckled in response. “I guess I did, either that or it is in a location that we haven’t found yet.” Hammer Strike slowly moved to the back and after a while the tent was for the moment empty. In fact the mare moved to place a sign in the front saying she was on break. She turned around and Hammer Strike saw that her cutie Mark was the same as the one above his sword. It was the symbol he recalled from Ocarina of Time. The Lens of Truth symbol. This only caused one eyebrow to rise as questions swam a little into his mind. “Sorry if I bothered business with that stunt.” Hammer said. “I heard my name and I followed the voice.” The Mare only shook her head. “Not a problem, if anything it stopped a rather difficult customer that might have ended my time in Ponyville before it could start.” She gave a small bow of her head. ‘Thank you as well for allowing me to keep the relic. One of the reasons I came here was to return to the item actually.” “As said, it had traveled far, through time and location. I couldn’t take it back now, for it is now a part of anothers life.” He smiled. She smiled a little, “Well, I guess, why not look around. Since I know your name, fair that you know mine. Epona.” She stated matter of factly as she moved to stand behind the counter in her shop. “A pleasure to meet you.” He replied, taking a look around the shop. Near the front of the store, just as he started looking, something already caught his attention. “An Ocarina?” He said aloud looking at the small blue object in front of him. Epona only smiled a little. “You interested in this musical instrument?” She paused a little. “Although it is to be honest considered either a Pegasus or Unicorn instrument.” “Or another…” Hammer mumbled to himself. “It looks interesting in all honesty.” She only smiled even more as she move it to where he could look at it better. “Well, maybe you would like it or you have a friend who might be able to play it.” “I know a friend who should be able to play it.” He replied with a smile. She smiled a little more. “Then shall we discuss a price?” While this is happening Taze had since switched back to Grif in order to reach areas more quickly. as he was gliding across the stands looking for certain ponies on his list he couldn’t help but stop as his ears picked up an interesting sales pitch. “This is an extraordinarily rare piece, the ebony claw worn by none other than Grif son of Graf in the battle for the Crystal Empire.” A blue earth pony stallion told his currently starry eyed audience as he held his hooves over a glass case. Contained within was a gauntlet made of black a black metal. The ends of each of the four fingers was tipped with a razor sharp end and the whole thing was lined with gold and a large ruby in the back of the palm. Grif lifted his eyebrow as he landed just behind the crowd. “It’s said that in all the gryphon kingdoms there is not a more feared instrument of war then this gauntlet.” “How do you know it’s his?” Grif asked from the back of the crowd. “Grif was known for his talons, they were larger than most gryphons.” The pony explained. indeed the claw was rather large, but grif looked at his talons with a raised brow, they didn’t seem that large, as a human his hands were thin, his fingers where just long and honestly they didn’t seem that big right now. “Seems a bit… gaudy for a simple griffon.” Grif altered his voice slightly. “Well those are stories spread by the historians of the Crystal Empire to amplify his strengths and minimize his weaknesses.” The sales pony kept up his pitch. “Actually no.” Grif sighed walking to the front of the group. “Honestly I wouldn’t wear that thing if my life depended on it. And even if I did want to I couldn’t.” The gryphon held out his talons. The merchant blinked and shook his head. “Well of course not, the Legendary Grif was the biggest Griffon around. No Griffon before or since has been as big. Though it is admirable that you are trying to live up to the only Griffon to side with Equestria during one of the many wars in the past.” Grif raised an eyebrow as he unsheathed one of the blades from his back. “Grif carried unique blades in combat didn’t he?” He asked unsheathing the other blade. “Designed by Lord Hammer Strike, depictions showed them to be smaller thinner, each had only one equal in the world and that was it’s twin? Please take a look.” He held the blade out. “Forged by the hoof of Lord Hammer Strike during his three day sprint. Forged in the fires of the formerly missing empire and tempered in the blood of those that followed Sombra.” The audience was silent and Grif noticed something as well, even the merchant seemed surprised. He looked to the crowd and smiled a little, speaking before anypony could speak. “It appears that even a humble merchant can,” he could see the swords, they looked real and he sounded convincing. “Be hoodwinked. I apologies for even carrying a fake, to all present and only till you leave, a one time discount of ten percent for anything bought, except for the fake gauntlet, I shall turn that into the authorities as a forgery.” He was really, really hoping he was not run out of town for selling fakes. “Be sure you do that” Grif re-sheathed the blades with a little more flair than necessary. “And I don’t want to hear anymore stories about being, ‘bigger than any other gryphon’ or ‘having a weakness for the finer things’, You got that?” He stared at the merchant with his raptor eye’s. “Of, of course.” The merchant stammered. “I, I guess we had some of the mist of time be dispelled today.” He muttered as Grif saw that he was having a bit of his world shift in perspective. “Uh….” he looked a little sheepish. “I guess I might have to see what to do with the gauntlet. Might sell it as just an ornamental griffon gauntlet or something.” He looked to the case. “It really is old, no pony due to the stories behind it dared risk getting the age checked on it. Might,” He paused. “You know of any ponies that might like to test how old an artifact is?” “I might.” Grif said. “But for all I know it could be laced with dark magic, it certainly has a dark look, I wouldn’t hand it over to a friend without getting it checked first.” He noted. “I’ve seen what dark magic can do to ponies.” This caused all the ponies even the merchant to step away from the artifact. “Uh..” He looked to a pony. “Could you please get a guard.” He replied with a grimiched. “Would,” He looked to Grif, “Uh stay so they don’t arrest me for this.” He asked with a look of fear. “I really, really don’t want to go to jail.” “I’ll stay if only to get this mystery solved.” Grif noted. “Whatever this is it looks like it was made for a gryphons talons” It seemed that the market was a popular event today as Moonshade and Pensword were now dressed in some armor  and walking through the stalls as well. Moonshade was actually letting Pensword take the lead and the first thing in his mission was to find anything Equestrian Military or railway related. Well that was what it started as but by the time they got to the market, it has just fallen into the general category of, is it an antique. she did get to hear something though. “Well,” he kept his voice low. “Back on earth is was usually the females that liked to go shopping or to thrift shops and etc. I, that was what I loved to do, one time it was my grandmother, my mother, and I all out for a day looking at antique stores and the like. That was a fun day.” he laughed a little as he just kept his ears perked for any keywords that he might hear while he browsed. “Every pony has things they like.” Moonshade said. “I’ve heard of weirder hobbies, there was a pony who once was obsessed with collecting gryphon silverware.” She shrugged. “I still am not sure what he was saying about a ‘shrimp fork’ and a ‘dessert spoon’ myself.” Pensword she noticed had a slight hitch in his step. “I know about those items.” He admitted. “I, I liked the study of the high life, and at times I felt if I was in another era in history I could have pulled of the concept of a new money upper class lifestyle and manners. The good ones mind you. Not all upper class wealthy folks are like blueblood.” “Ponies for the most part only have the necessary silverware, tea spoon, butter knife, we don’t really use too much silverware, gryphons are much more into showing off there dexterity.” Pensword only nodded his head as he continued to split his attention. He paused and looked at her. “Wow.” he finally spoke after a few seconds of surprised silence. “I, I am actually processing the background noise correctly this time around, you are talking the merchants are talking but, I am filtering it and handling it a little more… amazing.” “...Was Pensword’s officer blade, forged by Lord Hammer Strike, and used in the battle for the Crystal Empire!” He heard one merchant call out. He paused as he turned his head. “Was wondering if that was going to happen.” he muttered as he slowly walked towards the crowd who also heard the comment. They were soon standing and looking as a Unicorn Merchant was holding a case with the sword secured inside it for all ponies to see. “As you can see, this blade is quite aged, and has seen some battles. The price for this item is only four hundred bits.” Pensword blinked as he looked at the blade, then to his side where his own sheathed blade was, he looked up at the handle and back down to his handle. He looked between the two a little before raising a wing. “Excuse me, but that does not seem to help with the story that Pensword could cut down his enemies with his wings, that does not look anything like a wing.” He looked to Moonshade and smirked happy to hear her little story. “It is unknown if it was true that he had Wing Blades back then, as they didn’t come around for another couple hundred years, but he did have a blade with him, some say that he fought in the air, and that is where the misconception must have happened.” Pensword only smirked a little. “May I take a closer look?” He asked as he stepped forward. “I consider myself a little bit of a passing interest of Lord Hammer Strike’s work.” “I don’t see why not, you can look but not touch.” The merchant replied. “Very well, I shall not touch the weapon, as it is still in the case.” Pensword replied feeling a little nervous as a lot of eyes were on him. He looked to Moonshade. “Come on, lets take a look.” He walked up to the front of the crowd and looked at the case and the weapon inside. He just took on an air of study before looking up. “Imitation, and a poor one at that.” He replied. “Pensword never fought with an officer blade in the Crystal Empire.” “What else could he have possibly used then?” The merchant replied in a mocking tone. “Well, the wing blades is a possible fit, the stories that I heard from the smiths is that they wing blades were an attempt to mimic his work, also you think a Smith Lord would not know the actual dimensions of his own Captain of the Guard? Those wing blades were made for only one Pegasus to wear, and wore them he did.” He looked to the merchant with a steel in the eye. “Also how can Pensword’s officer blade be here when, especially in that era, it was tradition to bury the officer with his blade. If that blade is real, then somepony found the lost tombs, and raided it.” “Uh.” The salespony stammered. “It’s because when Pensword was fallen in battle, his blade was used by another and it had transferred down the line until the one who attempted to return it couldn’t find him.” Pensword only nodded his head. “Most interesting. Tell me how much do you know about the Hammer Strike artifacts?” He paused, “Also, what line? Surely you are not suggesting that it was family, the war, well records are incomplete but his wife vanished, supposedly with foal, but she vanishes, Pensword ‘died’ in the Crystal Empire, are you talking about an officer line? Because I see a few Pegasus here who might know that you never use the blade of a fallen officer unless you absolutely need to.” “Nopony can tell as it was so long ago, that some information has been lost on this artifact. As for what I know of Hammer Strike artifacts, I know that he had created several pieces of armor, weapons, and tools in short amounts of time and with high skill.” “Did you know he left a mark in every single one of his works? Double marks when it was for either Grif or Pensword.” He asked as he moved a wing to his side. “Tell me, do you know what those two marks are?” “The marks left are a horseshoe and a snake next to each other while the second one was a sword with a set of wings wrapped around the hilt.” The merchant said, sounding certain of his answer. “Really?” With one fluid motion that caused gasps from the crowd, and another motion had the blade on the table. “Tell me what you see, also see how clear the lines are, unlike the crude stamps on your blade.” “Uh…” The merchant stammered for a second as he looked clearly at the stallion before him, after a second he looked back to the blade. “It-it’s a sword will the wings… flared out, the blade upright. The second one looks to be, a horseshoe, a… dot, a snake, and another dot…” Pensword only nodded and looked to the side and guided the blade back into the sheath. “Also the metal is wrong, the hilt is built for a Unicorn not a Pegasus, and the work is done by Zebra, not Earth Pony.” He stepped around so he and the ponies could see the cutie mark on his flank. “Finally I would recognize Lord Hammer Strikes work. I depend on it for my life.” The reaction from the crowd was mostly shock while the merchant could only attempt to stammer out a response, though he didn’t get far. Pensword only stopped the stammer rather quickly. “Honestly. You are,” he sighed and put a hoof to his forehead. “I am disgusted by you, taking my name, and tried to actually make a profit, if it was say, a throwing knife or something small you could have gotten past some things, but an officer sword. Pegasi in the past have been known to put you in jail for forging or stealing officer blades from any of their past heroes. You wonder why no one tries to claim items for Commander Hurricane or the founders? Harsh penalties if found out.” He looked back at the merchant. “Be lucky I am not giving a feather challenge.” Before the merchant could say anything more, a couple of guards came through the entrance and gave a quick look around. “What’s going on in here?” One of them questioned. “So yeah I doubt he actually suspected anything about it.” Grif explained to the investigating guard. “But looking at that thing you never know so I figured it would be best to get it scanned.” “Understandable, but who will be the one to scan it?” The guard questioned. “I don’t know, my best guess would be to get Lord Hammer Strike or one of the Princesses.” Grif shrugged. “How would Lord Hammer Strike be able to scan an object? Isn’t he an earth pony?” “You're really asking that?” Grif raised an eyebrow. “Just take a second and think about who we’re talking about.” “He may be a master smith, but I don’t see how he could scan an object for dark energies.” The guard responded. “Oh yee of little faith.” Grif shook his head. “I second that.” They heard a voice call from the entrance of the shop. Turning towards it they found Hammer Strike, walking in towards them. “Now what was this about? I was purchasing some things and next thing I know I am being called out over here.” He questioned. “Well I found this merchant trying to sell a rather strange gauntlet claiming it was mine, the things looks evil so I figured out of safety get it looked at.” Grif shrugged. “You don’t have gauntlets… Wonderful, are we getting fake things in the market?” Hammer said, walking up to them. “Alright, got your sunglasses? I don’t have my coat so I don’t have any clear gems.” Grif retrieved his sunglasses from there pocket and handed them to Hammer Strike. “We’re such a popular band we got knock offs, not sure if we should be proud or annoyed.” “A little of both.” Hammer replied as he grabbed the sunglasses. “Remind me to give you the book, after Twilight reads it. It’s in the second chapter how to ‘scan’ things…” He said. Grif showed Hammer Strike where the case was. “Look at this thing, I could probably fit both talons inside it.” Grif noted. “Got that right…” He said looking at it. “This thing is pretty big…” He sighed. “Alright.” He said, putting on the sunglasses, keeping his hoof on it. “Thankfully you haven’t gotten these things scratched, otherwise I would need the gem. Alright… Energy flow.” He commented as a light surrounded the sunglasses. “And….” He looked at the gauntlets. He remained silent for a second, then suddenly. “It’s…” “Yes?” Grif asked. Meanwhile all the other ponies leaned in a little to catch the answer, worry, fear, and other emotions were spread out among them, all of them hanging on the next words. “A normal gauntlet…” Hammer said pulling off the sunglasses, the glow around them vanishing. He held out the sunglasses to Grif. “And a shoddy one at that.” He finished.