Title:           Young Steel Becomes a Collector
Author:          xplodingbrain
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/Ce28S1sB
First Edit:      Sunday 4th of December 2016 06:00:15 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Sunday 4th of December 2016 06:00:15 AM CDT

Mom, Im fine, really! Look! Its gone, see?
>You spit the small orb away and grin at your mother.
>Unfortunately, just as it had several times before, the pearl tumbles out of your fatigues and rolls along the floor beside your mother
>Who responds with only a stifled gasp before steeling herself and focusing on the hall ahead.

>She tugs you along in her telekinetic grasp, huffing with annoyance as the pearl continues to tap on the ground, evidently resetting itself on your person with every twenty or so feet.
>Private, Ill be dead before I let you lie to me so blatantly. We are seeing the Princess about this pearl of yours immediately. No ifs, ands, or buts!

>She stamps her armored hoof emphatically and rounds the corner
>The approach to the throne room is lined with gold armored guards of high rank, and they raise their spears in reverence to your mother
>But you, on the other hoof, continue to struggle fruitlessly against your binds
Why are you so mad?! Its just a rock! So what if I cant get rid of it!
>Mad? Whos mad? she asks irately, banging on the large throne room doors with enough force to rattle the hinges
>Mom is scary when shes like this
>Steelie, Im worried honey. Im not MAD. She explains, banging and summarily denting the door with a well-placed buck.

>Aw heck. She stops herself.
>Your father, Steel Ingot opens the door slowly
>>Titania! I had to close the forge when I heard! Are you sure this isnt something else?
>Ing, honey, please, this is Steelie, OUR Steelie! Hes-
>>Dont say it! Maybe its a fluke? We deal with these kinds of things all the time, right?
>Right, but this time- I worry, Ing. I really do! Your mother takes a deep breath and plants you firmly on the floor.
>Her magic grip never leaves though, and presses you firmly on the floor

Whatever I did, I swear it wasnt to an NCO! Really!
>Can it, honey. Your highness! Titania calls curtly
>The princess slowly cocks her head
>Major Rush? Is there a problem?
>She takes a deep breath, and slides you callously towards the princess
>Please check my son out!
>

>Excuse me?
>>Your Highness, what she means is-
>I know what I said!
>>R-right Princess Titania thinks Steel here has a Pearl. Like yours.

>Celestias expression grows grim.
>The air in the room seems to grow heavy
>You tug at your recruit fatigues nervously, your collar still a little too loose for your adolescent body.
D-Did I do something wrong?

>Celestia merely smiles and extends her hoof.
>Show me this pearl, little Steel.
U-Uh Okay?

>You fish it out
>Just as you had done so many times earlier, the pearl seems to appear in your hoof, almost at your behest.
>You lower your head in respect, and levitate the item toward her.

>Celestia looks at it carefully, inspecting every single wave and sheen upon it.
>After some time, she breaks her gaze on the object, and you feel your mother grow tense.
>In an instant, Celestia slams her hoof onto the pearl, sending a fine powder skittering across the floor, bouncing off your hooves
>>Does that mean its fake? your father asks, eager to know the truth.
>Please, please, please your mother pleads to nopony in particular

>Present the pearl again, Steel.
You broke it! How? Every time I tried I couldnt-
>Obey my heed, Recruit. She says simply, extending her hoof again.
>You reluctantly run your hoof along your neck again, and
Woah
>How did it come back?

>You hold the pearl out once more towards the Princess, and her expression darkens, the slight hint of a warm smile leaves her face, and only a faint tiredness can be seen.
>You cant help but feel guilty for some reason
Did Did I do something wrong? you hazard, but before you can get an answer, a pair of thick and strong hooves wrap around you, and your mothers voice fills your ears

>My baby! Oh my poor baby Ing! What happened? Why us? Why him? What did we do?
>>We We cant blame ourselves. It was merely fate
>Its not fair! Its not fair Ing!
>>Titania We need to be strong, okay? For Steelie

>As theyre breaking down for some reason, you cant help but wonder
>What the heck is going on?!
>You try to squeak out some answers amidst the veritable family cuddle pile
Mom, what are you-
>Baby, mommy loves you, okay?
>>No matter what happens, your mother and I love you very much Steelie, okay?

>
>Are you going to DIE?!
Wait, what!? Did I catch a rare disease or something?! Is she going to eat me!? Can somepony PLEASE tell me why everyone is hugging me and crying all of a sudden?!

>Celestia spreads her wings and floats down to your family.
>Your father detaches himself from you, but your mother hangs on intensely, slowly rocking you and petting your head.
>You and Celestia meet gazes, and you feel something else behind it.
>Something like a deeper connection

>You swallow and repeat calmly
Why is my mom acting like Im about to die, your highness?
>Young Steel, you have been granted a great gift, as well as a great curse.
Huh?
>Do you know what a Collector is?
Like, an antique collector?
>In a sense. Major Rush?

>Your mother cranes her head over towards the princess
>She sniffles quietly
>Please Please keep him safe.
>The princess nods
>I will try.

>Your mother releases you, and backs away from you and the Princess slowly and haltingly.
>Celestia pays no heed and continues to engage you
>Young Steel, from this day forward know that you are not bound by destinys call. No more than I.
What does that mean?
>She points to the blue crest on your flank
>That mark no longer binds you, but it also no longer protects you. From this moment on I shall induct you into my personal tutelage, and eventually task you with dire missions that no other ponies can undertake.
>Wait, personal tutelage?
>Did you seriously just score a mega princess scholarship?
>Alicorn Steelie here we come!

>You smile a bit, and Celestia continues to explain
>You are as I  a hunter of the powerful and mysterious. Many dangers lie ahead, and to that end I will be teaching you the greatest secrets this land holds. Prepare yourself, Steel Charge. Your life is no longer that of an Equestrian, but that of something more  a Collector.

>Heck yeah.
>Alicorn status.
