Chapter 9

As The Forgemaster and Rarity walked through the streets of Ponyville, they didn't see another pony, other than those 3 colts, it was as if the town was deserted. The Forgemaster thought the lack of ponies had something to do with the celebration. As they arrived at Sugarcube Corner, he could hear whispers coming from inside and all the windows were blackened. So he spoke.

"Rarity, there are a lot of ponies inside, but they are quiet…. This is supposed to be a surprise celebration isn't it?"

"Well, yes, dear."

"They're awful at surprises."

She didn't respond to that and continued walking. As he stepped in front of the door to Sugarcube Corner he heard, "He's here!" from inside. Then he was struck with an idea; a mischievous idea. Before Rarity could open the door for him, he used his magic to transform. With his magic, he became Princess Celestia, ruler of Equestria, and then he made his clothes disappear with more magic, and stepped inside before Rarity could react.

As he entered, all the ponies in Ponyville screamed, "SURPRISE!", but then just went silent as they realized who they thought they were speaking to.

"What is the meaning of this?" Celestia asked, for she was at the back of the party, on a small raised dais.

He spoke, in a perfect Celestia impersonation, (Imponyation?),"My goodness! Who are you?"

All the other ponies in the room were silent in shock at the spectacle before them; 2 Princess Celestias, arguing, in front of them.

"Forgemaster, is that you? This is supposed to be a welcome party for you! Undo that spell and be sociable!" Celestia said.

"Forgemaster is the name of a human I encountered in the Everfree Forest; I am not he, as you can plainly see. However, I would know who you are!" the fake Celestia replied.

"I'm Princess Celestia, co-ruler of Equestria! If you are really Princess Celestia than you would know the name of my sister!"

The Forgemaster knew he was beat. He had yet to access Celestia's memories and doing so know would be time-consuming and expose him. He was also unconscious when the smaller blue Nightmare Moon was introduced, who he assumed was her sister for they both had wings and horns, but no-pony else did. So he just did what any politician who was losing did: lie, lie, lie.

"I could ask the same of you! If you think yourself the true ruler of Equestria then you would know her name as well!"

"This is getting annoying Forgemaster, I know who you are! Just drop it. It's not funny anymore."

He had to agree with her there. It was getting rather tedious. Then he noticed Celestia's sister was giggling and holding her hoof to her face to stop herself. So he decided to take the ruse further still: he worked his magic and created a smoke field inside the confectionary, blinding all inside. Then he worked his magic once more before turning into Rainbow Dash!

As the smoke cleared, the ponies gasped; the 2nd Celestia had disappeared! After a few moments of searching high and low, it was determined through the yells of shocked ponies that, while there was only 1 Celestia now, there were in fact 2 Rainbow Dashes.

The Forgemaster decided to take the initiative this time by pointing and yelling, "Imposter!", at the real Rainbow Dash.

The entire crowd of ponies erupted into an uproar instantly. Half of the room was on his side, along with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. While the other half was on the Real Rainbow Dash's side, along with Applejack, Rarity and Twilight Sparkle. Both sides were yelling back and forth, trying to yell down the other and prove which the true imposter was. Celestia had to use magic to restore some semblance of order to the store.

She then turned to The Forgemaster, seeing him through his guise, and said, "Now look what you've done. Get out of Rainbow Dash's body, and mine, NOW!"

As it was a demand, not a request, of the highest authority in Equestria; he was compelled to agree. So he had his clothes reappear then his true self reappear. But, The Forgemaster did have a rarely noticed flair for the dramatic. As he was changing, he made smoke appear around him, blinding all to the sight of him until he stepped out of the smoke; a human once more. The ponies gasped at the sight of him; this giant had been the one to impersonate both their princess and Rainbow Dash?

Celestia spoke over the murmurs, "My little ponies, this is The Forgemaster. He isn't usually like this. He is usually silent; I had to struggle to get him to answer simple questions. Anyway, he is not from Equestria but I expect you to welcome him just as you would any other pony. He will be staying here in Ponyville until we can get something else for him set up. Now please, Forgemaster, I'm sure these ponies have questions. Please come up here and answer them."

The Forgemaster did so; he mounted the dais and was immediately assailed with questions, many from Twilight. He stood at the podium and put up his hand for silence… after that failed; he stomped the dais underneath him and caused a small earthquake. This immediately silenced everypony and allowed him to speak.

"I am The Forgemaster. I am human. I am a smith. I can use magic. I am immortal. Raise your hooves to ask questions. One at a time. No talking."

All the hooves in the audience raised one of their hooves. He looked behind him and even saw both Princesses doing the same. He pointed to somepony in the audience.

"What is your real name?"

"I refuse to answer." He pointed to another.

"Where are you from?"

"Azodious." He pointed to another.

"What kinds of magic can you do?"

"All kinds." Then he noticed Twilight, jumping and flailing to get his attention, he pointed to her.

"How are you immortal?"

"Don't know, don't care. Curse to me, anyway." He noticed Celestia's sister was also raising her hoof and pointed to her next.

"Do you want to go home?"

"I can't." He was about to point to the next pony when she called out to him once more.

"Why not?"

"I didn't come here willingly; I don't know how I can get back." Turning to the audience, he said, "Final question." He pointed to the last pony.

"Why did your personality change when you changed bodies?"

"The game."

With that, he stepped backwards into the shadows and stood there. He watched Celestia and her sister leave. He watched as the rest of the ponies began partying in earnest; drinking, eating, and dancing.

As he was watching, Pinkie Pie walked up to him with a drink and, handing the drink over, said, "Comeon! Let's party!"

He took the drink then took a sip. Then he said, "Interesting. Aged 6 years, daffodils and grass, tastes bad, 60 proof, I miss whiskey already." He turned to Pinkie Pie and yelled loudly, "I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL OF THE DRINK!"

At this she smiled happily. He looked up to see that the entire mass of partygoers had stopped and were staring at him; the music had even stopped playing. He looked back to see Pinkie Pie sitting at a small table with 1 empty chair, 2 shot glasses, and several bottles of liqueur on the table.

She spoke, "You're on!"

*6 hours and 12 bottles later*

Pinkie Pie was just barely lifting the last shot to her lips when… she collapsed! This was the final round; if The Forgemaster could drink one more shot he was the champion! With no shaking, he calmly reached out; poured a shot, than drank it all in one go! As he did so, the entire room erupted in applause. The Forgemaster had beat Pinkie Pie at her own game! 97 shots to 96, with The Forgemaster winning! He stood up from the table, as steady as a rock, and looked at the ponies. Not one had left after the 20th shot, for that was the old record, and they all stayed to see the outcome. Everypony was staring in awe; nopony had ever beaten Pinkie Pie in any sort of party challenge! He sat down on the couch but spoke once more before falling asleep.

"Twilight, may I sleep here?" but fell unconscious before she could respond.

(A/N- I've been procrastinating a lot recently, if you've an idea of where the story should head, leave a review. I've gotten some things lined up for the future, but probably the far future.)

(Spoilers- He will get a house complete with a forge, magical creations, the Gala, and probably a war. Some future events that are definite.)