Canterlot throne room.
The late afternoon sun illuminated Eight royal griffins who sat in front of Princess Celestia's throne. The eight bore themselves tall and proud, each as regal and commanding as the alicorn they surrounded. In the deafening silence they stood, the air like an impending storm and none there dared break it. Despite the lack of support, Celestia felt safe in the presence of the carnivorous sky dwellers.
"Welcome, Griffin representatives," Celestia said with calm sincerity. "I invite you to speak as freely as you wish. Please, do tell me what ails you, and I shall listen. It has been many a year since I was last graced with your presence and as I'm sure you know, I am delighted by your presence here today."
Chief Grandeur stepped forward. Not only did this griffin wear a small crown to show he was the leader of the council, but he also appeared well built from years of fighting. The scars on his face and sides made that last part clear enough. He was a keen, ruthless ruler in both stature and intelligence.
"We here have come to bid thee greeting Princess." The mighty griffin paused for a moment for added effect. "My fellow council griffins and I have asked to meet with you regarding the treaty between our two species."
A look of mild surprise filled Celestia's face. "Oh... I remember our treaty. Please go on."
Chief Grandeur stood as if in thought for a few moments before he replied. "The council and I have decided that with our two ageing empires we should attempt to rebuild the strong bonds we once shared."
"That does indeed sound like a sensible idea," replied Celestia with a slow nod of her head. "Yet I sense this is not the only matter you wish to speak to me about."
"It is indeed." The chief replied with the beginnings of a smug look upon his face. "But I would like to send my daughter as my species selected student. You have a few weeks to find a young foal from your own kingdom to send as the exchange student. It might be a stepping stone to greater things between us."
At his words, the other council members glanced at one other in surprise. Clearly, this was an unexpected turn of events for them, though none were bold enough to stand their leader up over it.
For the first time since the group had walked in, Celestia regarded them a careful glance. She had no idea what their leader had in store. He was turning out to be more than just the regular violent griffin councillor.
Celestia hoped that maybe this griffin's daughter had wished to be the one to travel to Equestria. Because if so, such a griffin could give her a chance to show just how kind and caring all ponyfolk were. Maybe for the first time in well over a thousand years, she would have the chance to show the griffins a better way of life. "Well, I for one agree with you so far. I would be happy to find out who is willing to travel to your lands. I trust your kingdom is where it has always been?"
"That it is," confirmed Chief Grandeur. "And my chick Gilda is quite eager to see your Equestria. So please don't delay for too long."
"That does sound promising." Celestia allowed a smile to escape onto her lips, there sure did sound like there was hope for a better connection between the two species.
Chief Grandeur stepped forward as if to further intrude upon the princess's personal space. He flicked his wings as if ready for action as he slowly but surely advanced upon the lone mare in front of him. He knew what he had to say next would rip the smile right off her muzzle. And he knew he would enjoy every moment of it.
"Celestia. We feel the treaty is breaking up. Not just some minor threat that you can cover like your other problems. It is nearing a time for a change in leadership, we need somepony who will listen to us... and not just us. There are other creatures out there too. What happened to your Zebra friends? Or the old alliance with the dragon folk? Or even the changeling problem? All factors point to thou... the ruler of Equestria." The powerful griffin's talons drummed a steady, impatient beat upon the stonework under claw as he talked.
Before Celestia could answer, one of the other elders in the small group of griffins spoke up to add further detail to his leader's point. "Yea. You've held the throne for thousands of years... and all by yourself too I might add. That's a lot of power for one pony to hold in their hooves. Too much." This caused a murmur of agreement to ripple through the group.
"It was not of choice, Griffin Elders." Celestia's voice became stony, yet somehow still remained it's calm. "I had to do so for the good of my subjects and Equestria. However, that is not of this topic. I wish to know in what way I am denying the treaty and what can be done to remedy the problem. I have negotiated with the dragons and have obtained one of their eggs. It recently hatched for one of my pupils too."
"What you can do is step down before we are forced to resort to more... extreme measures..." The calm tone of the lead griffin held nothing but contempt for the alicorn in front of him. "We feel we can not do business with your kind like we used to. Don't you notice a distinct lack of interaction between pony kind and all the others who dwell both inside and outside Equestria's borders?"
Celestia regarded the Griffin Leader with calm, curious eyes. "While I have noticed this lack of contact and I miss it, It would not be suitable for me to remove myself from my current position. Why do you believe it be best that I abdicate the throne as the Princess of the Day, Chief Grandeur? Please, explain."
With a cunning grin upon his face, he gladly obliged her, kneading the stone under claw with pleasure as he delivered his message. "Your ponies are weak and poorly managed. Friendship is magic you say... yet I remember the stories of the days of yore when we relied upon our mighty armies to survive. I'm sure you remember the days of my forebears... the everlasting days of Warbeak. Or the times when the divided pony tribes each had their own armies to match our own. Equestria is not just the nice place you paint it to be. Out where you little fillies do not venture is a dangerous land. It creeps closer slowly, beyond the border. To both our land and yours. Yet you do not take action. We feel that your interests have turned inward from your empire to yourself."
This did raise an interesting point Celestia had not quite thought of and nodded. "I see. Your reasonings are not entirely off the mark, Chief Grandeur. I understand your intentions and I do not fault you for the way you perceive this. There was indeed a time, before the founding of Equestria and even times thereafter in which wars raged upon ponies and other sentient inhabitants of the world. We are indeed none prepared for such invasions and wars, that indeed is true. However, times have changed no such occurrences have come to be in over a thousand years. There is no need to worry about such matters, and the times of war training have passed. It is an old practice that of which very few ponies alive even know."
The soft clack clack of claws on stone was the only sound in the room for a few moments as the wise griffin contemplated his move. "What of this impending arrival of your sister from her moon prison I hear of? How will your little ponies defend themselves from her? We all know she houses a great deal of...dislike for you."
"While I do not know how you know such things, how my sister feels of me is her own business...however, that may be. We also have the Elements of Harmony to defend Equestria should any kind of danger befall it." Celestia spoke calmly, though with an edge in her tone. "The Elements bring upon the power of friendship and overcomes true evil."
"But thou haven't wielded such items since her disappearance. This leaves more allies than just us wondering if you are still capable of utilizing such items of power yourself. We can't afford such objects to fall into the wrong hooves."
The royal alicorn gave a curt nod. "That much is true. I nor my sister are no longer connected to the Elements. They must be awakened by the new wielders should the time come. Whoever those ponies might be. Thankfully as of yet, there has been no need for the elements of harmony." She glanced out the window for a brief moment before turning her attention back to the griffins. "I understand you may not trust nor believe my judgement, but I hope you will at least see my reasoning."
A younger griffin stepped forth, unable to contain himself any longer within the bounds of the proceedings. "What if we all do not? You have grown old Celestia. It is time for a change... just like the tales of when your parents stepped down to allow you to rule. Such a time has come again."
This made Celestia stand from her throne, regarding the Griffins with a calm, cool expression. "It is true that I have ruled Equestria as the Princess of the Day for many a time, and the past thousand years was done so by myself. I raise the sun and the moon. It is not something I am incapable of. Such a day in which both I and my sister will pass down a successor has not yet come to pass."
"Do you have... foals...? Young to pass your throne to?" The grand master of the griffins once again spoke, highly interested in the alicorn's answer.
The Princess of the Sun shook her head slowly as if there were a deep sadness within that she refused to acknowledge or dwell upon. "I do not have any offspring to speak of. At least none of whom are still with me... I have only my young student, Twilight Sparkle. She is some way off becoming a fully grown mare, let alone one who is sufficient to take my place."
"It would appear you have not planned for certain... unfortunate events. Is this...student worthy to take the throne, should you pass on?" Pressed Chief Grandeur, his cruel voice unveiling some small portion of his dislike for the kind ruler of ponykind.
Without hesitation, the grand alicorn responded, "I have sensed a great power and potential within her. She will know of it when she's truly ready. Though she is still a filly, time and again, my faithful student has proven her worth."
"Then we respectfully request that you prepare your prodigy for all outcomes. You used to have everything covered." Chief Grandeur waved a dismissive claw at the alicorn, "but now we fear you are not who you once were." He slowly turned to lead his fellow council members off, prepared for one last parting comment.
For a moment, Celestia would have refused but paused a moment to think it over. While the training and knowledge of war may have been outdated and no longer needed, perhaps there would be room to at least inform Twilight of it to a certain level. She looked up toward the griffins and gave a single, curt nod.
"Very well. I shall heed your request and see that my faithful student learn the ways of war." She stated simply.
"It's not just that Celestia... Should our longest standing ally fade, we need somepony strong who can rule. Both on the fields of death and glory and in her kingdom at home. Since you refuse to allow others to govern alongside yourself, we require that you prepare your special student for when their time comes." The lordly griffin began to strut out.
"I do dare say that I cannot argue with that," Celestia replied calmly as she slowly rested upon her throne.
"A queen needs her king... such a shame you never found that... I would so like to deal with a more practical thinking leader." He grinned a cruel beaky grin back at the lone princess.
Celestia frowned but made no response to that remark. "Unless there is anything else, you are dismissed, Chief Grandeur. As are the rest of you. I shall take all you said into consideration."
"Then I take it the treaty is still on for now...?" Chief Grandeur continued to grin at the lone alicorn, wings quivering in anticipation.
"Yes. It is," nodded the Sun Princess. "Of course our treaty still stands."
"Delightful... I shall send my chick in a few weeks time. You have till then to sort your side of the bargain out." With his parting comment, he departed, delegates in tow.
In the quiet of her throne room, Celestia sat back with a sigh. "I did almost have a king once... when I was young... It's my fault he's gone. But I somehow doubt that he would match your vision of a practical thinking leader." A light smile played across the princess's muzzle at her final comment. It took little effort for her to suppress the tears. It had been over two thousand years since she had been forced to seal away the one she had loved. The one who had helped banish Warbeak. Since that time long ago, she had learned to move on, despite the small reminder of her past love.
Cloudsdale, the outskirts.
Two fillies about the age of eight played together on the clouds without a care in the world. The smaller athletic filly dashed off, out in front and her companion followed to the best of her somewhat less athletic abilities. They leapt from cloud to cloud, laughter and cries of joy rent the air as they did so. After a while Dash smirked at her companion. She ground to a halt and allowed the surprised yellow filly to smack into her.
As they lay in a heap together, with grins that matched the others' bright smiling muzzle, they stared into each other's eyes. Young eyes that shone like the first summer sun. Nothing else in Equestria mattered at the moment. The lanky, taller filly of the two, a creamy yellow pegasus, reached up to gently touch the cheek of the other filly. A cyan pegasus with a wild rainbow mane, serving a stark contrast to the yellow filly's light pink mane. Teal eyes meet magenta, both sets of lips still curved into sweet smiles.
The cyan filly lay on top of her yellow companion, happy to remain nestled in a heap, a warm, loving embrace.
"Hey, Fluttershy. Are we friends?"
The yellow filly's face lit up at the offer. "Yes!" Her soft voice almost cracked with joy as a squee of glee escaped her and she hugged the smaller filly on top energetically.
With a bright smile, she nuzzled the other filly's nose. "Friends forever?" Tentatively asked Fluttershy.
"Forever," Dash confirmed, hugging her friend back. For once, this cyan speedster did not care who might be watching, or that she was doing something 'uncool' and sappy.
Tears pooling in her eyes, Fluttershy continued her strong but still gentle hold on the smaller filly in her hooves. She nuzzled the colourful, messy mane, loving its soft feel, giggles escaped her as she relished the moment.
When Rainbow Dash looked to her again with a big grin, Fluttershy beamed as well before leaning in to kiss her on the cheek, then the other cheek, nose, and forehead. "Yay!" The shy filly cheers.
"Gotcha!" Rainbow Dash yelled out happily as she tackled her filly.
"Noooooo!" Fluttershy squealed as was she found herself knocked to the cloud ground, giggling madly, "Not again, Dashie! Let me go!" The pair rolled around in the midday sun with not a care in the world, enjoying each others contact.
"Never!" Dash laughed, tickling her sides with her hooves.
"Nooooooo!" Laughed a squealing Fluttershy, giggling and wiggling beneath her. "S-Stop! I surrender! Hee hee!"
"Then say it! Say I'm the best!"
"You're...you're the best! The best in Equestria!"
"Now you're talking!" Dash laughed triumphantly. She licked her companion's cheek. Happy in her success, the bold filly extracted herself from her larger friend.
"Well well well, if it isn't Fluttercry her fillyfriend Rainbow Crash!"
The two turned to see none other than the two regular bullies they dealt with just about every day. It was no secret that the two fillies were indeed social outcasts among their peers, given that Rainbow Dash was a daredevil troublemaker, and Fluttershy was a weak flyer and very shy. In all, they really had only each other to count on.
Said spectrum maned filly immediately leapt into a defensive stance. "I'm not her fillyfriend!" Rainbow Dash glared at the pair who had just insulted the coolest pegasus ever.
Hoops and Billy, the two bully pegasi colts, simply sneered at the pair as they prepared for further insults. The duo wandered forward, seemingly unable to notice the brilliance of Celestia's day. Instead, they snickered as shy yellow filly hid behind her daring cyan protector.
"What's the matter, Klutzershy? Gonna cry? You're gonna cry?" Billy jeered as further laughter burst from the rude colt.
"Yeah, I bet she's gonna whine and cry like a big foal!" Hoops nudged his friend. He laughed as if he had just made a hysterical joke.
"HEY! You leave her alone!" Dash snarled with anger, pawing at the cloud beneath her.
"Or what, Rainbow Crash?" Taunted Billy. "What are you gonna do about it?"
"Keep making fun of her and find out!" Dash took a step forward, "If you mess with Fluttershy, you're going to PAY!"
Whimpering, Fluttershy continued to hide behind her defender. She shook with fear and distress. Despite the angry filly being smaller than herself she still managed to use the rainbow-maned pegasus as a living wall of defence. Dash stood protectively in front of her friend, not one to allow the bullies to get an inch.
"All right, Rainbow Crash...here's the deal. We challenge you to a race!" Hoops said, stepping toward her with a sneer.
"You're on!" Rainbow replied. Here was one decision that certainly did not require a second thought.
All that mattered was that she could defend her friend from the bullies who had plagued them day in and day out for what seemed like forever.
The small group quickly found their way to the start line of the school's racetrack. Alongside their enemies, Rainbow Dash was ready. Ready to win this race, ready to defend her best friend's honour. She grinned and slowly licked her lips. Young Rainbow Dash could already taste victory.
It tasted quite good.
Fluttershy waved the flag with a timid motion. The speedy youngsters took off. Dash blazed past her timid friend, knocking her off her small cloud as the determined filly flew toward victory.
Fluttershy fell toward the ground below, screaming. But nopony could hear or see what had happened or stop the imminent impact with the ground. The vertigo was getting to her greatly, the wind drafted, everything around her fell lower and lower as she went.
This was it, her young life would be over, no cutie mark, no purpose. She hadn't even found somepony special to love. Rainbow Dash would probably win this race, but wouldn't have anypony to share it with. This scared her even more. If she died, then Rainbow would all alone! She couldn't abandon her best friend like this! But what else could she do? She couldn't fly to save herself, and nopony noticed what happened. As tears begun to pool in her eyes she readied herself for the inevitable end. She closed her eyes, limbs flailing desperately yet uselessly in the wind.
No such rude cut off happened. The frightened filly opened her eyes to find she was perched upon a small swarm of butterflies.
Amazingly, they appeared to have the strength to hold up a filly her size. Yet it didn't matter, because this was a mind blowing moment she never would have even dreamt was possible. Not only was her life saved, but the youngster found herself in a whole new environment.
The ground below.
Growing up as a filly in Cloudsdale who couldn't fly, she was told to be very careful to not fall off the clouds and crash-land on the hard ground below. But now, here she was, closer to the ground than she ever had been. It was more than just an ant-sized expansive wonderland. It was a real place, far beyond the clouds, with so much to see, so much to offer!
And she owed it all to the Pegasus Race.
Fluttershy was gently set upon the ground on some grass, to which she eagerly allowed herself to recline upon the surprisingly soft surface. All around her were sweet woodland creatures, which studied her curiously as they gathered. Amazed, she beamed at them in awe, unable to believe that here she was able to see all kinds of wonderful animals! She'd only ever read about them in books! But now here she was, on the ground, close to all kinds of creatures.
"Wow! What a place filled with so many wonders!" She gushed, taking it all in. "The sights, the smells, they're everywhere and all around! I never felt so good before! This empty place inside of me is filling up, I can't get enough of it! I want it, oh yes, I want it! If I'd had known that I was missing all of this here on the ground... I would have come sooner and never left!"
Her eyes drifted up back to Cloudsdale, where she could still see the rainbow streak coursing along the race track. Unable to breathe she watched as the trail exploded into all the colours of the rainbow. The breathtaking sight zoomed along the track and easily passed the finish line. Her new animal friends, however, were scared from the explosion. It set Fluttershy to work, to comfort them, to let them know it was all going to be okay.
As she managed to console her new little friends, she briefly checked herself out to ensure she was okay too. Down, down, down her eyes travelled, coming to rest at the sight of a cutie mark on her flank! Three small blue butterflies with pink wings. Her little wings fluttered with joy! She buzzed with excitement, after such a poor start to her first ground-based expedition, she had all the animals she could imagine and her cutie mark!
Fluttershy beamed and glanced around again before she allowed her vision to drift skyward, hopeful to be able to make it back up to Cloudsdale and thank her best friend! If not for her, this would never have happened!
She spotted a certain cyan filly flying toward her at great speed and her heart soared. It was Dash! But as the speeding rainbow of a young pegasus drew nearer, and nearer Fluttershy's heart flittered with a sudden pang of fear. Her friend was clearly moving at such a speed that any impact at all could seriously hurt both of them. But just before her reflexes could enable her to cower properly, the triumphant filly plucked the surprised Fluttershy off the ground and carried her off in style, with the speed of a waning Sonic Rainboom toward home.
"Rainbow!" Fluttershy gasped, looking to her best friend with shock. "That was...it was a Sonic Rainboom!"
"I know!" Dash grinned widely, holding her friend protectively in her forelegs as if the shy filly were her bride, "I was out there defending your honour, and then THAT happened! It was wicked awesome! I performed the first Sonic Rainboom EVER!"
Fluttershy gasped "You have your cutie mark too!" The excited filly almost quietly screamed with joy.
With a confused look, Dash turned to check the news. "Awesome!" Rainbow yelled happily, grinning from ear to ear, her own cutie mark was better than she had ever imagined. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have done this! Thanks, Fluttershy!"
"N-No...Rainbow...it was all you!" Fluttershy hugged her around her neck, nuzzling her mane, "I didn't even do anything...all I did was fall... But you...you performed a legendary feat nopony thought possible! And you earned your cutie mark! I'm so proud of you...!"
The heated young athlete grinned at her friend. She softly caressed the back of her head with as much care as her shaking, adrenaline filled hooves could manage. "I guess this proves it. We are made to do everything together."
This brought a delighted squeal out from the shy filly and Fluttershy nuzzled her best friend again, thankful for everything.
The two fillies touched down on a low cloud, further away from Cloudsdale and the rest of their class, but still fairly high in the sky.
"Are you sure you don't want to go back and see the other foals? I'm sure they would love to see their champion."
"No way. All I need is you, Fluttershy. Everypony else here is just...uncool. Like summer heat uncool. You...your subzero awesomeness!"
"...Rainbow..." Gratitude filled tears pooled in Fluttershy's eyes in response to her best friend's words.
"You're my best friend, Fluttershy! And friends stick together to the end!" Rainbow declared, grinning. "C'mere, you!"
The two fillies interlocked in a tight embrace, holding each other tightly. All the while butterflies and woodland creatures surrounded them from far below, observing the sweet scene between them.
As their eyes met, still remaining in their embrace, the two fillies leaned in and kissed each other on the lips. A very strange action, but at the moment, neither of them cared. If there was one surefire way to seal their friendship, this had to be it. They held the position for a small eternity, relishing the touch of each others lips. Fluttershy eventually pulled away from her best friend, she grinning like a filly on Hearths Warming morning who had just discovered the biggest present ever.
Fluttershy gazed into the stunning rosy pink orbs before her and without thinking took a deep breath and leaned in once more to meet their lips. The shock on Rainbow's face quickly faded into enjoyment as she kissed back. The bold cyan filly eased her friend down into the soft cloud, further melting into the enjoyable and sweet kiss.
Grinning, the two fillies pulled away, both with slow heavy breaths and light, matching blushes. "How was that, Flutters?"
"...Wow..." Fluttershy uttered breathlessly, staring up at her best friend in wonder. "Hee...oh Rainbow...that was quite a kiss...!" She giggled a bit, utterly delighted and also... also something she could not put her young hoof on, not that it mattered at all right now. "Um...thank you..."
The bold pegasus gazed happily at the pony who was her world, mind abuzz with happiness. "No problem, Fluttershy. It was awesome!"
The shy filly pulled back a little, a mix of hope and fear written across her young face. "Um... Dashie?"
Without giving a second thought, the speedster replied, grinning. "Yes, Fluttershy?"
"Are we going to be... together forever?" Uncertainty took over and Fluttershy slowly withdrew further.
With a grin upon her muzzle, the bold youngster donated one last kiss to the timid filly, a light kiss on the nose before she replied, "Yes. Forever."
Beaming brightly, the young yellow pegasus gently ran a hoof through her little angel's prismatic mane. If there was ever a moment that she just adored her friend so much more, it had to be now. She nuzzled their noses sweetly before she bestowed a final kiss of her own upon the other filly's lips.
"Forever, Rainbow Dash... forever."
Mighty Wing, the capital city of the griffin folk.
Far away from the two young happy pegasi, stood the once noble and strong capital of the griffin kingdom, Mighty Wing. The city stood tall and brooding. Strong like an ancient fortress, yet still clearly in use. The tatty, beaked turrets around the outer wall left little to the imagination as to who resided within. One such southern tower held two griffins. The young energetic female hopped on the spot, eager for the upcoming trip whilst her much older father appeared to be happy to leave all the energy with the young. The Grand Master of the griffins stood, silent and watchful over the land. His mind was on the mighty success of a meeting he had recently endured with Celestia. He knew he had full access to their land and his meeting with said annoying ruler had proved she was as weak minded as ever.
Even if the rest of the council were yet to know it, here now he, Chief Grandeur had a chance to return their kingdom to its former glory.
"Dad."
"Dad!"
"Daddy!"
The cries from his teenaged chick rudely brought the ruler back from his own thoughts.
"Yes, Gilda?"
"Oh good! I thought you were ignoring me there for a second."
"I was... thou was being a pain in the flank." Grandeur replied, aloof, with a cruel smirk upon his face.
"But dad... that's totally uncool." Insisted Gilda as she glared at her father.
"Not for me. I'm allowed to do what I like. And if our mission doesn't go to plan, I will lose my seat at the council of elders."
Despite the risk, she knew her father was taking over her journey into enemy territory, the young and eager Gilda wasn't about to allow for any of his problems to bother her in the slightest. "But this will be awesome!"
"My darling pain-in-the-flank chick. Please pay attention for a moment, or I'll bash your skull." A claw slowly clenched, raking the stone it rested upon.
Gilda scoffed at her father's threat but did as she was bidden.
Gratified by his daughters' silence, the ruler of the griffin territories continued. "Beyond here, is the land of the ponies... Equestria as they call it. I want to you go. Learn their ways... then come back to me as the greatest griffin who ever lived. I know what we seek is out there... And I am certain you will be the one to find it."
"Yes, dad." Obediently replied Gilda. She tilted her head to get a better glance up at her mighty father. "I'll miss you, dad."
"As will I, miss you too my girl. Now... who's my coolest chick?"
"I am!" Eagerly replied Gilda.
"Right you are. Now, I'll race you to Cloudsedale!"
"Ohh! So you can take me to where the dweebs live! I thought I had to fly there all by myself." The young griffin lifted a few feet off the ground, filled with anticipation at the impending fun with daddy.
"Well... I decided we can do this together. The council can eat their own beaks as far as I'm concerned." This caused his daughter great mirth and the young griffin rocked unsteadily about in the air above him.
"Now that would be funny!" Gilda decided her best course of action was to land once more, rather than potentially embarrass herself in front of her own father. The last thing she needed was to appear uncool in his eyes.
Chief Grandeur waited for his prized offspring to land. He lifted off, his mighty talons snagged the younger flier on his way past. A shriek of joy rent the air as Gilda enjoyed the speedy sensation as her father carried her effortlessly through the sky.
After Grandeur felt he had gained enough altitude, he relinquished his hold and allowed his daughter to spin out of control as she slipped out of his slipstream.
"Hey! No fair!" The annoyed cry caused Grandeur to smile. He knew nothing would stop his chick catching up with again. She was the fastest youngster he had ever come across. The only problem for her now he knew would be for her to make enough friends to pull the secret mission off.
Author's Note:
I hope everypony enjoyed this, the first of may chapters in this rather huge fanfic. I'm keen to hear what people think of it so far.
To those who have read this before, I've gone through and made a lot of small changes to this chapter on 19 Nov 2018. I'll be rolling out the rest of the chapters in their updated forms as soon as I can... then I'll be continuing on with this epic tale.
Hopefully, this makes it a bit more enjoyable & with a stronger pace.
