Public service announcement #1 ~One year later.

So… A year to the day since posting was officially halted. What do I even say? What can I say? I suppose I could start with some heartfelt apologies, fall to the floor and beg forgiveness for my transgressions.

I could, but what would be the point? It would be nothing that you all haven’t heard before right? Me, shamefaced and delivering yet more news no one wants. That does seem to be the norm around here huh.

Well, turns out that I’m just as sick of it as you lot, month upon month of nothing but disappointment and bitter failure. No more I say! No more of this stagnant lacking despair!

I’ll admit, there was a long time where I sincerely played with the idea of just throwing in the towel, tossing this whole endeavor aside and let it die. Lord knows I could use the free time…

Only, the blasted thing just won’t stay dead. Lose the original version of a chapter? Find the flash drive a week later… Forget a super important plot detail? Apparently I wrote it down in an old note book… Lose my will to write for a month? Random internet friend asks about the project completely out of the blue…

See what I mean?

So, I sat down and really asked myself what this thing was worth to me. Turns out, quite a lot. That and at least one of you seem to really like it. Smiley face.

With the interest rekindled I set about with figuring out how best to go about rebuilding this thing, little realizing just how much more work there was needed to tell this story properly. In my original efforts to reduce my own work load I had essentially shot myself in the foot, I cut corners and left out things that I simply couldn’t continue on without.

In effect, I had managed to write myself into the proverbial corner. It was dark in there… hence why I had basically elected to start over, salvage what I could and move on.

Which is basically where we are now. I have spent the last half a year wrestling with this self made monster, never really gaining an upper hand. Now though, I think I might be on the right track, maybe…

I am still offering that apology, if anyone wants the dingy thing, pretty sure it’s gone stale. The difference this time however, I have a little something for you, if you want it that is. See, after a year of waiting I thought it only fair to offer a token of good will, proof, if you will that I haven’t been completely idle.

Now, for those of you who absolutely hate spoilers with a passion, please skip to the last two paragraphs. Thank you.

Most of this is new material, so, light spoilers ahead beyond this point, you have been warned. I tried to keep this limited to avoid anything to sensitive, mostly it’s just expansions and re-writes to existing scenes, deleted sections making their return, some new content, and a few other little bits. Also, please note that none of this is final draft, it has not seen final edit and as such is subject to change. Enjoy.

Caution, potential spoilers ahead. Ye be warned!

Infinity’s End: Times Gone By

Scene: Prologue.

Cold. A fitting word to describe the ancient and unyielding spire that arose from the gale swept plains that surrounded it, sturdy and un-breaking as the rock upon which it was constructed, built to be a lasting sentry in a land that offered so little to those few that remained. The few who still held true to a duty long since forgotten by most through the ages, a duty, a solemn promise made at the side of a fading light, that all it held dear would forever be.

So it had been, and so it remained. For countless generations, more years than many deities cared even remember, the guardians stood firm, forever vigilant, forever waiting. They lingered here, in this monolith of crystal, awaiting the day the Timeless Heart would thaw, bringing about fulfillment to all things.

Upon this night however, their wait, would be over…

Infinity’s End: Times Gone By

Scene: Prologue.

Blackened, shapeless, concealed away in the darkness brought by the raging storm, a dozen cloaked figures continued a perilous climb. They scaled the mighty frozen jewel with not aid of rope nor tackle, their mere physical prowess and mental fortitude being all that was required.

These twelve, masters of combat and finest warriors their lands had left to offer, a thousand strides they had ascended, yet not even one dared falter. A miss- step now, would surly spell doom to any unfortunate enough to take it. Still they persisted, their final goal now within sight, a single glowing orifice carved into the side of the grand structure.

At such length now was the groups exposure to the elements, fur clumped together in solid lumps under cloak and armor, hampering motion and adding to the ever growing risk. Feathers lay flat along their wings and chests’, frozen into unmoving layers that bound already useless wings, wings that would have been helpless against the torrent of winds still vigilant in attempts to pry the trespassers from their ascension.

It was to no avail, even as the world itself seemed against their presence here. For, these twelve were Griffons, proud warriors of the mountain realms in the far distant east. An entire lifetime spent training through trial and experience had hardened each of them against the harshest punishments nature could hurl their way, the cold little more than a mild discomfort, serving only to further motivate the mind in its efforts to will the flesh.

Steadily they climbed, Claw and talon digging into any hold, no matter how miniscule. They would not be denied this, not on the lives of their flocks would this honor be kept from them. The call had sounded, and they had answered. The great lords of old had stirred, waking, clawing back the shroud time had draped over them, ready to take up the task unfinished.

Infinity’s End: Times Gone By

Scene: Griffon ambush: Re-write.

Blinking away the blurred spots in her vision she found herself near the bottom of an expansive cavern, the space being sparsely lit from a central point down further near the middle of a shallow crater filled with a shimmering pool of reflective liquid, boiling and rippling in time with the wavering light above.

Shifting to a wobbly attempt at standing, the mare squinted in the purple violet light, a slight haze hung in the air making the details of the space swim and blur. An ear flicked, catching the muffled sounds of the struggle still taking place above. “Shadow…” She began, glancing around for her blade. Her partner would never last on her own; she needed to get back to the fight.

Infinity’s End: Bonds Undone

Deleted scene.

Three weeks after Lunas return, Canterlots upper district…

Sliding slightly on the slick cobble street, the highly embellished coach from the castle guard division came to an abrupt stop, rocking on its axles as the pulling stallions found their stances. The pouring rain pelting their coats and armor with icy drops while the load behind them shifted, casting long deformed shadows in the late hour, the sun’s rays just reaching them through the towers of Canterlots upper class business district.

With a clunk of heavy brass locks, the door of the carriage swung open to reveal the already scanning face of one of the royal guards finest. Stepping down into the rain he immediately moved to the side, nodding subtly, the attendant readily produced a large black umbrella for the elderly stallion now climbing down to the street, unfurling it and proceeding to escort his charge inside the highly decorative structure nearest them.

“Why, thank you kindly,” the graying stallion said crisply, nodding appreciatively of the door now being held open for his egress, stepping into the Gilded Leaves, one of the most renowned tea shops in the upper city. Positioned a mere ten minutes from the castle, and directly on the shortest route to the train station made it the perfect location for the old general to tend to his most treasured, addiction.

General Ballista, the third longest serving general in equestrian history, was well known for attending to his habit at any opportunity to arise. Currently en route to attend yet another summit of nations set to convene on the subject of her majesties sister, Luna, and her blatantly unannounced return.

Infinity’s End: Deleted scene. Re-write.

Tillook stood with his back facing the approaching Unicorn, beady little eyes staring out over the barren landscape from his perch atop the rock, “This place has held many names, given over the ages by many tongues,” he replied quietly, so hushed the pony nearly missed them over the wind. “Those whom have called these lands home, know it fondly as, The Domain,” clasping his bony fingers behind his back he turned to face the first mortal to puzzle him for a very long time, “And it is the only place in existence, where we can truly be alone.”

Twilight was momentarily taken aback by the newts change of tone, completely gone were his brash mannerisms and snide undertones. It may just have been Applejack rubbing off on her, but some part of Twilights mind reasoned that Tillook was being honest. And, if that were the case, what reason would he have to harm her. Then again, she reminded herself, he may as well have been another Discord.

As if sensing the mares internal deliberations Tillook suddenly turned and hopped down to the pony’s level , arms falling to his sides as a serious expression settled over his face. He stood that way for a long moment, eyes narrowing to slits as they seemed to scan every inch of the pony before him, “Attack me,”

Buck that part of her mind, this guy is nuts, “Um, Excuse me?” Twilight managed after a moment spent trying to process the request, absentmindedly taking a step back to gain herself some distance. It didn’t help matters any that his stare only seemed to deepen, feeling now as though it were boring directly into her soul.

Bony fingers beginning to twitch at his side Tillook grumbled in annoyance, “Did I stutter?” He asked pointedly, his stance shifting into a subtle yet defensive posture, “I said. Attack me. Show me why Celestia saw fit to choose you. Prove you have earned the right to that blood I see flowing through your veins.”

Infinity’s End: New scene, Re-write.

The Griffon kingdom: Two and a half years before Luna’s return…

Nary a hint of birdsong nor rustling of leaves could be heard on this flawless summer night, a slight tinge of salty sea air mixing with dry mountain pine anyplace it found refuge from the ocean breeze in amongst the craggy canyons and fissures. A near unnatural silence had taken hold, the cliffs and gullies having gone deathly quiet some time ago, even as the great castle further inland had so violently awakened. Even now, klaxons and shouting could be heard from deep within its walls.

It was through this star lit silence that two figures flew, one, fleeing for its very life, a brutally effective attack having been portrayed by his hooves. The other, a proud Griffon warrior eager to bring his peoples retribution down upon the murderers’ head, to make that cur bleed. For miles now they had flown, hills and gorges flashing by in an unending blur, each smear of darkened landscape taking them closer to the edge of the mountains, and the great sea beyond. As they passed over the summit of the last peak, the pony tucked in his wings and dove, his pursuer following suit moments later.

The fury of vengeance pushing him forward the Griffon warrior depend the angle of his dive, speeding along mere inches above the gnarled trees dotting the cliffside, breath quickening in anticipation as the distance to his target lessened with every second. So close now was he that the pungent smell of equine sweat filled his avian nostrils, guiding predatory eyes that zeroed in on the motion ahead, shadow moving amongst shadow, the dark doing nothing to conceal the fleeing figure.

With a smirk the Griffon reached a talloned hand along his back, taking great care not to upset his delicate balance at such great speed, the wind carrying the sounds of his wounded prays struggled breathing, causing his smirk to widen all the more as predatory instinct took hold. Retrieving the repeating crossbow from its sheath the warrior took careful aim at the figure before him, lining up the shot with practiced ease.

The twang of the bolt being released went unheard over the rushing wind as their speed continued to increase, the deadly spike of finely crafted steel sliced through the air, traversing the roughly fifty meter gap in a heartbeat before effortlessly punching through Equestrian armor, lodging itself deep in the fleeing pony’s flesh. Cursing his luck the Griffon checked the remaining rounds in his bow, the self cycling weapon already having primed the next bolt into place. He growled, the last shot had been low, slowed by the wind and had buried itself within the stallions lower back left leg, piercing clean through the bone with just the tip of the serrated point being visible on the other side.

With a slow exhale to steady his aim the avian warrior lined up his next to last shot, drawing a bead over the sunken fleshy area just between the pony’s wings, a small gap between armored shoulder plates his target. A shot here would completely destroy the primary flight muscles and eliminate the pony’s ability to fly; a crippling blow to any creature of the skies. As the distance separating the two continued to bleed away the Griffon tensed on the release mechanism, caulking it back a notch and setting the hair trigger, biding his time for the perfect moment to fire as the turbulent wind continued to buffet him.

SAFE ZONE

Well, I hope that was worth something to those who read it. If not, well, I’m sorry. Either way, I am back in the saddle so to speak. We don’t have a sure date yet for when posting should start, hoping for late summer, early fall. Until then, keep an eye open for additional P.S.A. updates, there should be at least one per month until the first chapter goes up.

Thanks Again to all of you, a big part of the driving force keeping me going on this project is you viewers, so, feel free to drop us a line telling us your thoughts. Cheers.

~Dollars