“Do you think they are still out there?” Asked a small blue Pegasus filly as she huddled beside a brown Earth stallion, both looking rather bruised and battered from their recent ordeals. The large gray Unicorn she addressed not seeming to have fared any better as blood continued to ooze from a set of deep slashes over one shoulder.

“I cannot say,” he whispered back, eyes squinting through the tiny crack in the stone walls that provided their meager shelter to peer into the gathering dark. Glancing back to the other stallion he caught and shared a grim nod, answering the silent question that met his gaze. They were indeed still out there. Pressing his graying muzzle back to the cold stone, he watched, and waited.

The silence lasted but mere moments before the tiny foal spoke up again, the adjunct terror plain in her tone. “Mister Sombra, I’m scared.”

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

Looking up from the task of sharpening her weapon with a grit stone the nearly all black griffon came to immediate attention as the flock leader approached them through the swirling clouds of snow, her tail flicking in anticipation of the soon approaching action. She tensed, golden eyes tracking his every movement as he landed hard at the edge of their camp at the tower’s base.

Rising to her feet she pushed her weapon aside and approached the grumbling creature before her, his own weapons and armor being immediately thrust upon him by several others of the group. Her eye lingered for a moment along the line of a deep scar across his neck before she bowed low in respect. “With much zeal, we greet thee, Heralder of king’s return, Phalyndil,” she said smoothly, a trace of envy lining her words.

Carefully inspecting a tri-fold sword before sheathing it he finally gave her bowing form notice. “In pleasant acceptance, I receive these greetings, Brigadier, Shindrah,” Phalyndil replied absentmindedly, clipping still more articles to his armor. “Expect that in my absence, finished all preparations have been,” he continued, shrugging his head into a thick leather helmet coated in finely crafted chain mail.

Never breaking her bow the griffin warrior screeched in assent, a primal sound that survived within the culture even to this very day. “As assuredly as our monarchs decree, all are at the ready, for you they await command,” she replied dutifully, eagerness building within her heart as Phalyndil donned a set of vicious claw gauntlets over his lower paws.

Nodding appreciatively as he flexed in his armor, Phalyndils’ beak twisted into a grisly smile, a taloned hand finding his brigadier’s shoulder. “Then, to victory for the king, let them fly,” he stated with all the charisma of a seasoned warrior, his tail curling around to come between them and unfurled to reveal his charge. “By the glory of the timeless heart, our path is made clear, our entry into the divine lands, guaranteed.”

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

Everypony had since gathered inside the control cabin of the glider, pressing together in the confined space as the craft slid into the thick banks of rolling fog and rain. Their ride became rough as the airship wallowed in the now turbulent air, pitching on all angles as Star Swirl fought for supremacy over the elements around them.

Closing his eyes master Luminescent inhaled slowly, almost as if contemplating the very universe around him before his lids shot up, revealing a look of pure determination. “We have arrived,” was all he said before moving closer to the large curved bow window, peering out at seemingly nothing.

Star Swirl was about to question his master, seeing nothing before them but fog when the compass, his only guide in the midst of the blinding squall, twitched. The motion was small at first, so minute he nearly missed it, then, it twitched again. Peering down at it in curiosity the Unicorn nearly jumped when the device began spinning freely in alternating directions, followed shortly by a number of other vital instruments.

Just as the first strings of panic tugged at the back of his mind the craft shuddered violently, a sickening feeling of falling overtaking his stomach even as the craft surged upward on some unseen current of energy that prickled his skin, the altimeter confirming the staggering rate of ascension.

Tiberius drug himself forward across the deck, straining against the forces pinning them down. Coming along side Luminescent the Pegasus forced his way to his hooves and glowered out the window, eyes searching for any definable detail to explain their situation. “What manner of magic is this?” He queried cautiously, his gaze flashing downward sharply as the faintest hint of rock passed by directly below the belly of the glider. “Are we being attacked?”

“Neigh,” Luminescent replied, the faintest touch of a smile crossing his muzzle. “Cromithia has judged us, and we have been invited,” he turned to Star Swirl, the young Unicorn still struggling with his controls. “Let it be, we are no longer the masters here.”

Nodding in submission, Star Swirl released the controls. The effect was immediate, their ride smoothing out considerably as the ship banked gracefully back and forth between massive columns of stone that towered up from the swirling mists below, its bulk riding on a cushion of translucent energy the color of pure gold.

Letting out a low whistle, Silver Spark elbowed Ardarius in his ribs, eliciting an annoyed huff from the Pegasus. “And you wanted to wing your way here,” he said slyly, laying his ears back slightly as Ardarius flashed him a stone faced glare. Clearing his throat the reflective pony instead turned his attention to Star Shine as she sided up next to him. “So, where have you been? I have not seen you all day,” Silver muttered quietly, just above a whisper.

Star Shine leaned her head closer to his, eyes never once leaving the window. “Studying, where I was told to be,” she snorted lightly before raising an eyebrow, their gazes meeting in the reflections on the glass. “Where were you?” She asked, her tail swishing into his flank in a rarely seen playful manner.

A sheepish half grin touched Silver Sparks lips as he shifted his stance slightly, leg twitching from her touch. “I was, studying too,” his grin widened when her eyes tracked to look at him. “In a, manner of speaking.”

The group of assembled ponies fell silent as the glider slalomed its way through the towering pillars of crumbled stone around them, navigating the passes with scant meters to spare as if they had been designed with this very craft in mind. Rounding a final bend the ponies tensed as they passed into a sudden darkness caused by the monolithic walls of rock towering around them, every surface faintly illuminated by the passing craft, revealing them to be etched with glyphs’ long since corroded away by the abuse of time. Rising from the fog filled gloom below, the passage played the senses into the belief of infinite depth, the true scale of it incalculable as it seemed to form a sort of grand hall.

Great smears of color appeared here, remnants of murals the size of entire castles staining the rock once told stories of a world that no longer existed, lost to the eons as time marched ever forward. Below these ran a continuous line of glyphs, a poem written throughout the ages depicted above it. If one could discern their meaning, all of history would be revealed upon them.

Rounding a slight bend the ponies all stared with awe at the sight before them, the chamber opening to reveal a deep mist filled valley surrounded on all sides by crumbled mountains, the giant titans of rock leaning in various unnatural ways as if they had simply been dropped upon the landscape by a careless foal.

Tiberius nearly stumbled over his own hooves as he pressed further forward, muzzle nearly touching the glass before him as his mouth slowly fell open. “What in the Ancients’ creation?” He muttered, eyes locked on the spectacle, unable to blink even as lightning flashed menacingly overhead, the crack of thunder so loud his ears twitched.

“Oh, not theirs,” Star Swirl said in reply, his mouth set in a firm line, eyes following those of the Pegasus warrior. “The Alicorns of old, a display of power for the whole world to see,” the Unicorn added, his own sense of wonder hinting in his tone as the mists rolled along the far end of the valley, blown about by the storm raging overhead. Through the downpour a few of the mountains almost seemed to move in the faded light.

Master Luminescent drew up alongside the pair, the bells along the hem of his robes jingling softly as he moved. “A display, of which they were warned against,” he uttered softly, just loud enough for Star Swirl to hear. “For, when one allows their heart to become boastful, and filled with pride. The hearts of those once thought as ally, may find themselves festering malcontent.”

Ardarius pressed his own way forward, a frown creasing his face as his eyes traced over the broken ground below, the land possessing an uneven jumbled appearance. “You Unicorns speak of this place as though it were once some great power, a kingdom worthy of nothing short of benevolent titles and religious zealotry,” the faintest of snorts escaped his muzzle, a hint of disinterest thickening his tone. “I see nothing short of a desolate waste.”

“True enough, though this city may rest, cast down upon the land by the very beings sworn to its allegiance, do not presume all that resides here to slumber as well,” Luminescent said, stealing a glance at the Pegasus out of the corner of his eye. “Cromithia may have been removed from its place amongst the heavens, but know this, her heart still beats with enchantments more powerful than any this world has seen before, or since.”

Tiberius ruffled his wings, absentmindedly scuffing the ends of his ornate wingblades together, lightning crackling between his wings in agitation at being cooped up for so long. “Forgive my ignorance of such ancient history, master, but I find myself unfamiliar with this place. Tara was not as forthcoming about this, Cromithia, as you seem to be,” he said slowly, careful to avoid the stern glare he was surely receiving from his brother at the words. “What manner of calamity could possibly have befouled such a place?”

Luminescent Star gave him a long pointed stare, an air of contemplation seeming to wash over his features as he regarded the Pegasus. “Cromithia, was an empire, built like no other, and yet it shared many a similarity to those that have preceded it,” he took a deep, almost shuddering breath at this, his eyes working back and forth in their sockets as if searching the deck for something important. “And, as with nearly every empire throughout history it grew in both size, and power. Eventually, with great effort and careful tending the city of the Alicorns became the singular power over all of the lands, there was no nation in all the world that never bore witness to Cromithias’ shadow, nor, its influence. Yet, for all of their combined accomplishments, all of their grand wealth and power, the Alicorns eventually fell victim to that which claims so many in positions of such stature,” the Unicorn paused his thought, the strobe of a lightning bolt forcing the ponies to blink before he continued. “Pride, it hardened their hearts and corrupted their souls, some to the point they became weary of the things Fate had granted them, gifts meant for no others, still, were not enough to sate the lust that took root in their minds. Cromithia fell, like so many Kingdoms before it. In the end the city was torn asunder and rent from its place at the feet of the stars, dashed upon the land to be claimed by any who sought it out. Brought down not only by its very creators, but by those they had named, friend.”

After another twenty minutes of floating through the seemingly endless valley the rune glider began a gentle list to the north, settling on a course between two of the most massive peaks many of its passengers had ever laid eyes upon before venturing undaunted into a bank of swirling cloud and sheets of rain, and all the while, the darkness crept in around them, concealing the eyes that watched from below.

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

Queen Aeterna, Alicorn of the sun and mother to the first foals born to her race in a millennium, rivaling her husband as the most powerful living being, was worried. She worried for her nation, its fledgling borders tested on every side. She worried for her people, time and war had brought much strife to their hearts, and the feuds they carried for each other only seemed to fester, growing stronger with every year passed. Most prominently, however, she worried for her daughters, birthed as they were in such uncertain times.

These reasons and many others are why she found herself treading through the upper halls of castle Canterlot, mane flicking back and forth as her tail lashed out at the air, emotion surging her magic like an ocean squall and dashing it against her own barriers. It had been centuries since Terra had done anything worthy of her anger, but, to bring such troubles down upon foals so young, her foals, exposing them to such horrible truths. That had made her furious; to see how little self control he could demonstrate in the presence of his own children. She once again fought back the urge to vaporize her surroundings in the sun’s unending power.

Coming to rest before a door set into the fine marble wall she took a moment to release a captive breath, raising a hoof to knock even knowing full well her daughter resided within the next room, the familiar magical signature burning like a flare to her senses.
Unable to suppress a smile Aeterna could not help marveling at Lunas’ near infallible ability to bring her happiness, something she deeply treasured, more than she would likely ever come to realize.

Having signaled her arrival with a quick tap of the wood, and receiving no reply in return the Queen gently tugged the door open with a subtle glow of her horn to reveal the chamber beyond, eyes flashing as they adjusted to the near pitch darkness that filled it, the fur of her coat twitching as it met the icy breath of space, a force only known to her kind, summoned by prolonged negative emotion and grief.

“Luna, my darling,” Aeterna cooed as she slipped into the bedroom, her Alicorn body paying the vacuum no mind. The words gaining her no answer she pressed on, coming alongside her daughter’s bed to find the little filly laying atop the blankets, her horn glowing a pleasant blue as its magic manipulated a piece of chalk across a sheet of parchment, a clear picture already well established.

“Luna? I have brought you some supper,” Aeterna ventured, edging closer as to caress her with a hoof, the mare’s smile waning as Luna shied away from the contact. “Please, lulu, you must eat something,” she said soothingly, reaching down to brush a few glittering flakes of frozen tears from her daughter’s cheek.

“Momma?” Luna chocked out through a sob, her magic never faltering as she continued her drawing. “Does father not love me anymore?” She asked quietly, voice low and tense with more seriousness than most children possess.

Aeterna drew back reflexively, her heart threatening to rend in twain as it twisted within her chest, the words no parent could bear. She slowly leaned back in, her warm smile returning as she nuzzled the filly affectionately, imparting as much comfort as she could muster. “Of course he does, my precious Luna. Whatever could sway you to believe otherwise?”

Releasing another muffled sniff Luna leaned into her mother’s nuzzle, returning the gesture as she sought out comfort in the embrace. “No, I know he does,” She moaned into Aeterna’s neck, another shuddering sob a signal of the fresh tears to come. “He loves me, and Cewi, but he was just so mean!” Luna nearly wailed, her magic finally fading as she lost herself to a fit of crying. “Why mommy? Why did daddy do that?”

“Oh, my precious Lulu,” Aeterna said shakily, her own emotions beginning to run rampant as she scooped her daughter up into a hug. “Your father loves you more than anything in this life, I take great joy that you know that, and I hope that you can forgive him for today. I hope that you also know that it was never his intent to go so far,” she gave the child a firm squeeze, her smile growing as Luna nestled further into the embrace. “The two of you gave him a true fright, disappearing from your protectors like that. And, while I may not condone Terra’s actions after the fact, finding you alone with the Draconequus, it scared your father, terrified him beyond reason and clear judgment.”

“Discord,” Luna mumbled, wriggling back from her mothers side to look her in the eye, a surprisingly firm expression growing on her features.

Aeterna gave her daughter an inquisitive look, surprised somewhat by the firmness of the word. “Pardon?” She asked, having of course heard the name perfectly, though none the less caught unawares by it.

“His name, It is Discord,” Luna said succinctly, drawing back into herself as though expecting trouble for the statement, any hint of childlike lisp evaporating in favor of her bravado.

The queen found it impossible to contain her smile at the filly’s bold tongue, reminding the mare of herself, oh so long ago. “So it is,” Aeterna replied after a moment, her smile only growing as Luna seemed to relax at her words. With gentle hooves she carefully placed her foal further across the bed, giving herself a place to climb up beside the child.

“Momma?” Luna’s little voice asked after her mother had settled in, drawing a circle in the blanket with her hoof as she looked away for a moment. “I, know why father hates the old Dracqua… Draaqwu… Dragles, but, they are gone, right?” She said, her voice returning to its innocent and genuine nature. “So, why must he hate poor Dissy so much? He never did anything wrong.”

Aeterna brushed back a lock of Luna’s blue mane, a heavy look setting into her eyes as past pains bubbled to the surface in her heart. “I know Lulu, you are right, Discord is indeed innocent to these things, and is undeserving of such treatment,” she sighed at this, wishing her daughter to have been spared such ancient history, she had moved on, why then could Terra not? “Your father has struggled for many years to move on, Luna, to forget what the Draconequi did to us, to all of us. He sees Discord as not but a reminder of what was taken from us, what was taken from him.”

Luna’s face scrunched into a further look of confusion, the lack of comprehension plainly evident. “What did they take?” She asked, her tiny voice undermining what little armor her mother had left. “Was it special?”

Aeterna closed her eyes, struggling to swallow the lump forming in her throat, the sounds of familiar laughter echoing across the back of her mind. “Yes, my dear, it was without measure. Something so special it meant more to us than our entire Kingdom,” she replied after a moment.

Luna frowned at this, her eyes beginning to mirror the sadness growing within those of her mother. “Did you ever find it again?” Her youthful curiosity blinding her to the pain she awoke.

Forcing a strained smile Aeterna pulled her daughter closer for another hug, turning her head so she would not see the tears forming in her eyes. “We did, Luna, we did.”

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

The glider shuddered onward as its coarse changed yet again, setting the ponies on edge as it drew near the base of the closest peak, the crumbled entrance to an enormous cavern seeming to be their destination. Slowing in its rate of travel the craft descended into the bowels of the mountain, sinking into the darkened depths before coming to rest upon a smooth rocky ledge.

“All according to plan then I trust?” Tiberius muttered, staring out into the inky blackness with a hint of trepidation on his face. Even standing inside the ponies could still detect the faint scraping of stone upon stone as a great door slid into place high above, sealing them within the belly of the mountain. “Outstanding.”

“Fear not,” Luminescent reassured, voice steady and level as a dull blue glow filtered into the cabin, the light cast by towers of crystal set into the walls that began to glow a soft aqua. “We are, after all, invited.”

Star Swirl pulled a scroll from within the depths of his apprentice cloak, unrolling it to reveal a tattered map, the surface of which sported multiple glowing symbols and glyphs. “At least our, hosts, were kind enough to drop us close to our objectives,” he said, a pleased look affirming his words.

“So it would seem, the nearest artifact rests a mere three miles to the east,” Star Shine added, speaking to no pony in particular as they all filled through the door of the cabin, heading down the narrow corridor to a rear mounted hatch that led outside.

Trotting down the still lowering ramp Ardarius was the first to leave the craft, sniffing at the damp musty air as his eyes searched the gloom of the extensive cavern around them, the towers of crystal spaced evenly along the walls lit the interior, disappearing into the distance some miles away.

“Keeping us safe from the Boogie Pony?” Silver Spark snarked as he trotted past, an impish grin taking over his muzzle at the offered glare. “What? It is nice to know you care,” he said, holding up a hoof in a placating gesture, his smile only growing as the Pegasus snorted in reply.

The stallion’s game was short lived however, a vivid yellow hoof sailed through the air, making contact a moment later with the side of his head. “Play nice,” Star Shine said firmly, her own smirk just showing under the veil of ever-present seriousness.

“You waste your time Star Shine,” Shadow Depth stated as she stepped down off the ramp, giving the cavern her own inspecting glance. “He is forever destined to be a colt,” the mare’s eyes settled on the pony, seeming to grow even further distant if one could believe that were possible.

“Do not take such words harshly,” Tiberius interjected as he trotted down next. “There is one in every group,” the Pegasus muttered, raising an eyebrow in curiosity as the blue illumination of the cavern reflected off the pony’s silvery coat, bathing the assemblage with greatly increased light. “Though, I must admit to never having the, privilege, of meeting one quite like you.”

“That would be because there are none like him,” Star Swirl said, following Luminescent closely, a faint glow from his horn saw the ramp slowly ascend back into the belly of the glider. He took pause next to the pony in question, a smile of his own plain for all to see. “Thank goodness.”

Shaking his head in his own mirth, Luminescent Star ambled forward to the head of the group, a staircase leading down into the murky depths being the only likely route of progress. “If all the merriment has been had, I believe our path is laid before us,” he announced over his shoulder, voice firm as he spoke. “Star Swirl, if you please,” Luminescent said, gesturing back at their craft.

Star Swirl bowed for a moment before turning back to point his horn up at the glider, the student’s horn shining brightly in the gloom for a moment as he worked a spell, the Rune Glider slowly dissolving away from view as the magic swirled around it.

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

From high above, gliding silently as an owl on powerful leathery wings did soar a mighty titan of the skies, a creature of true calamity and majesty. Hidden as he was in the maelstrom of cloud and thick sheets of rain, the only hint of his deadly presence being the faint red glow emanating from deep within his eyes, as well as within several clusters of ruby scales along the creature’s sides and chest, thin trails of smoke seeping from them.

“Can you see it yet? Pony who thinks himself master amongst these ruins. Can your lidded eyes spy the fate awaiting you? Cromithia waits to serve none but its true masters, those who truly command the sky, and all who reside below it. So come, little ponies. Come before your master, and receive his judgment, for the King rises this night.”

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

Just beyond the base of the mountain, some six miles from the glider…

Ardarius once again found himself struggling to resist the temptation of simply stabbing this gibbering fool in the throat and carrying on the mission alone. ‘Surely the others would understand,’ he thought inwardly, utilizing an old warrior’s breathing technique to qualm his growing bloodlust. Mayhaps he could just choke the consciousness from him and leave his incapacitated form behind for the wilds to enjoy?
He glanced over at his, ‘companion,’ who was continuing a rather blissful rant of information every school foal already knew, though, at least the lecture kept him from being addressed directly…

“And how does a pony achieve such a level of enhanced durability you might ask? How does one smash into a rock and come away near injury free? Well fret not, for I shall tell you,” Silver Spark beamed, glancing around at the tunnel walls as his horn lit the way in a lively glow. “Now, Ardarius, are you familiar with the concept of auras?”

‘Buck me,’ Ardarius growled internally, swinging his head to look at the glowing equine that was beginning to cross a very fine line. “If I should answer yes, would you at long last be silent? If not, then try to forgive my lack of enthusiasm,” Ardarius commented, pointing his head back to peer into the surrounding darkness. The pair had found themselves in yet another chamber where the ever-present illuminating crystals had ceased to function, remaining blackened and lifeless in their holders.

Forging ahead undaunted, seeming as though not to have caught the scathing tone with which the other stallion spoke, Silver Spark continued his lesson as if reading it from a scroll. “Right then, well magic capsules, or, auras as many have come to call them are a naturally occurring build up of what we call, latent magic, the most basic and prolific form of magic that any magic user can use. Now, technically all ponies are magic users because of the simple fact that all ponies posses magic auras. That said, there are, with few exceptions, only a few races with what is known as, direct aura control, or in lay-pony terms, those who can interact with their auras and use them to direct and control the magical field. Those being the Unicorns and Alicorns, obviously.”

“Ancients have mercy upon my soul,” Ardarius said under the mutterings coming from behind him. “Why, Silver, of all ponies, did I have to be saddled with you?” He growled, ears perking as they passed through an archway that led out into the chill night, finding himself thrilled to feel the wind on his coat once again, even if it happened to be full of rain.

“Not sure Arddie, I think it was just meant to be,” Silver replied with a smile, which quickly dropped into a frown as he spotted the murderous glare on the other stallion’s face. “Alright, if you must know, master Luminescent thought it a good idea for every team to have at least one high level unicorn, that of course left poor Star Swirl as a third wheel,” he finished with a snicker.

Ardarius simply huffed under his breath in response, his eyes scanning what little could be seen of the landscape below, noting the broken lifeless appearance of everything around them. “Not good enough. If I am to be placed in a team, then I require ponies whom I can trust with my life,” the Pegasus said, ruffling his wings in clear agitation. “Not some arrogant colt, who fails to take even the most simple tasks seriously.”

Rolling his head around in an odd shrug Silver Spark sighed, “Look, Ardarius. I know that perhaps you and I, well, we may have gotten off on the wrong hoof, but I just want you to know that I do take things of this nature quite seriously. And, that I in fact have nothing but the greatest respect for you, your brother, and your family” he said, head lowering in a rare show of reverence. “This, this all just gets to me sometimes, you know. The adventuring, the danger, never seeing my family. My real family,” Silver pawed the ground a few times, his seemingly unbreakable grin faltering for the briefest of moments as he spoke. “I, I have not seen them in over ten years, Ardarius, and I guess that somewhere along the way I began to resort to humor as a means to hide myself from it all.”

Silver allowed himself a slight reprieve, locking his gaze upon the ground and bracing himself for the verbal assault to which he was certain would arrive at these revelations. It never came. “Ardarius?” He queried, peeking up at the Pegasus in question. “Ardarius, are you even listening to me? I just poured out my soul for you here.”

Ardarius was standing perfectly still at the very edge of the sheer drop down into the valley, ears parked and swiveling in their sockets. Before Silver could speak out in further protest he shot a hoof out before the Unicorn’s face. “Silence fool,” he hissed, leaning into the breeze, his scowl deepening. “Listen.”

Moving to stand beside the warrior Silver put an ear to the whistling air, tilting his head he strained his senses to the limit. Carried along on the wind came a sound, a sound that chilled his heart, the sound of a filly screaming in terror.
Pausing in their listening long enough only to share a glance, the two stallions took off like a shot through the night, racing down the side of the mountain towards the growing sounds of battle.

Cresting a slight rise in the hillside the galloping ponies arrived in the perfect moment to witness the impact between a beam of concentrated dark magic and a gleaming shield, the resulting explosion blasting the ground apart and shattering the shield into dust. The three equines within were hurled back into the side of a crumbled structure, bringing what little of it remained down upon their heads.

A glimmer of charging energy caught Silver Spark’s attention, his horn picking up on a surge of power unlike anything he had encountered in his years with the order. Turning to investigate he barely managed to conjure a shield of his own before a second blast of energy struck, tearing at his defenses with more force than he thought possible, a spike of worry running through his mind as hairline cracks began to spread across their only protection.

In a final devastating detonation the attack ceased, covering its victims in thick rolling smoke and shimmering heat, the scent of burning ozone filling their lungs as the shield flickered pitifully. Silver Spark let out a captive breath through gritted teeth as he allowed the barrier to finally fall to pieces around their hooves. “That, was too close,” he muttered between gulps of air, a thin wisp of smoke curling up from his horn.

Ardarius, raising an eyebrow as he inspected the melted stone mere inches in front of them nodded his head. “Agreed. But from whence did such an ambush come?” The Pegasus growled, scanning the valley floor below for their attackers, unable to spot them in the deepening darkness and heavy rain.

“Not sure exactly. Looked as though it may have come from that ridge,” Silver Spark said, gesturing into the distance with a hoof before lifting it to his forehead, biting at his lower lip for a moment in apparent pain.

Noticing his fellow’s distress Ardarius was about to suggest moving to cover when something smashed into his side, sending him tumbling down the hill towards the crumbled structures below, a sickly pale orange light trailing in his wake.

Having been spared the attack Silver Spark made to dash forward to his companion’s aid, horn glowing as it worked the straps of his robes in order to draw out his blade. Too late however was the warning from his horn, the spike of unfamiliar magic being detected a heartbeat before a second figure smashed into the pony from behind, hurling him through the air and driving him into a crumbled wall.

Bursting apart the stones Silver rolled to a stop, parrying away a pair of ghostly limbs that pawed at his face with skeletal hooves, a demented howl escaping a mouth that dripped with phosphorous liquid that scalded that which it touched.

The vaguely pony-esque creature strained against the struggling Unicorn, jaws gnashing the air inches above his throat. Acting quickly Silver Spark got a hind leg under his attacker and kicked the beast off, his hoof passing into the glowing form and meeting no resistance till it hit the bleached white bone within. Emitting a surprised screech the ghostly figure sailed back first into a stone column, bursting apart on impact with the weathered rock, its bones falling to the ground in a scattered heap.

Rolling over with a cough to clear his lungs Silver hazarded a glance down at the remains of his attacker. “Well, that was rude,” he muttered before ducking under another of the creatures as it sailed by, minus its head.

Grunting in irritation Ardarius climbed in through the hole Silver had made in the wall, glaring at the creature that had thought it wise to attack him. He spat at the corpse, a hoof rubbing over a few small burns near his neck. “Foul wretch,” he hissed through gritted teeth, blatantly ignoring the hoof raised in request for assistance. “Apprentice, what manner of beast be these?” With a tentative hoof he nudged the pile of smoldering bones, his ears splaying back as hints of their former orange light began to appear along the surface.

Pulling himself to his hooves Silver Spark took a moment to give the bones his own curious inspection, these too were unfamiliar to him. One thing was certain to the young stallion however, these creatures were dangerous, fueled as they seemed to be by very potent dark energies. “I cannot say for certain,” he said, discomfort underlying his tone as he stared closer, a few disturbing details catching his eye. “Though, they appear to be magically vampiric in nature. I would imagine them to be some superior form of ghoul, perhaps,” the pony’s words faltering as he realized too late the regenerative capabilities layered into the creature’s prone form, bones already beginning to twitch and slide together.

Turning with the magic for another shield forming in his mind Silver knew he was already too late as the newly assembled form of the beast he had defeated once before leapt through the air, jaws open wide in order to clamp down on his throat. Time seemed to slow for the unicorn, pain flaring along his chin as a skeletal hoof slammed home, driving his head back to further expose his neck, the soft tissue over the life giving veins the clear target of long dagger like fangs that flashed in the night, orange light filling all sense of sight.

The teeth found their marks, sinking into flesh with terrifying ease, the glowing fiend assured in its victory. So intent was it that the creature failed to notice the other Unicorn that had extricated himself from within the ruble, and never saw the brilliant blast of magic that tore through its glimmering hide, blasting it off its victim and shredding the bones into powder, scattering them to the wind.

Silver Spark stumbled back onto his haunches, a hoof racing to his bleeding throat, a thankful smile passing over his lips upon finding no serious damage. “What, the…” He trailed off as a tall gray Unicorn limped over to join them.

The pony turned his gaze to match theirs, first Silvers, then that of Ardarius. He motioned towards the other fallen creature before blasting that one into nothing as well. “Specters,” he said simply, rubbing at his horn as he did so. “They range amongst the foulest of creatures.”

“Well, you certainly have my thanks, good sir,” Silver Spark said with a nod of his head, wincing as the skin of his neck folded along the punctures.

“Sombra,” the newcomer replied swiftly, his gaze burning over their surroundings as he spoke. “T’was the least I could do, for one of the northern crystal ponyfolk, my kin and myself owe your kind a great deal,”

Silver Spark could barely contain his glee, standing before him was a pony from his homeland, a link to all he had left behind. “Sombra, you do me favor simply by being here,” he said with a warm smile, straining hard simply to avoid tackling the newcomer. “Though, I must ask what could bring a crystal knight so far from the frozen north?”

Sombra’s face turned sour, his eyes narrowing with distaste “My companion and I track a flock of Gryphon marauders, they breached the ancient Citadel and wrenched the Heart from its place among the keepers,” he drew closer, face grim. “there is something of a far worse nature, I fear the gryphons actions are not their own. They are being led, by a Dragon.”

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

Deep within the mountain…

Star Shine wrinkled her snout in frustration as she glanced in Shadow Depth’s direction, the pair had been walking for hours and in that time she had made several attempts at a conversation. All of which had been met with mixed results. Sighing deeply she resolved to make another attempt.

“Please, Shine, can we not continue on in silence?” Shadow said quietly, returning her fellow Unicorn’s glance with a distant look. “I know what you will say, and I have no desire to partake in that.”

“No, I think that this is something that needs to be addressed, Shadow,” Star Shine said firmly, steeling her resolve as the other mare came to a stop next to her, the muscles under her coat tensing. “I have tried near countless times to reach out to you, to understand you, we all have, none more so than master Luminescent. And every time, you pull away,”

“Just as I shall continue to do,” Shadow said, a hint of venom entering her voice as she began to trot ahead, leaving the confines of the tunnel they had been following in favor of a large vaulted chamber, the walls lined with arches that lead to other distant parts of the labyrinthian network.

“You have got to be the most frustrating mare I have ever met,” Star Shine murmured under her breath before hurrying after her companion. “But I promise, I will get you to open up to somepony eventually.” Trotting into the chamber Star Shine slowed to a stop beside Shadow Depth, the mare having already pulled their map from her robe in order to ensure the direction of their path ahead. “Does our path remain true?”

“Verily,” Shadow replied, furrowing her brow as her eyes scanned over the glowing parchment, a look of slight concern flashing over her eyes. “There is something, strange here.”

About to ask what the mare had meant Star Shine nearly missed the sliver of movement from the ceiling above, if not for a tiny glint of armor in the shadows she never would have seen the group of Gryphon warriors that, until a moment ago, had been creeping closer, unnoticed in the dark.

Realizing their element of surprise to be lost the Gryphon’s attacked, a pair of the Chimeras dropping from above and diving for the mares, blades and claws flashing in the light of the crystals spaced around the room.

Screeching as it found it’s target the first Gryphon swung hard, reeling back in surprise as his blade struck another that seemed to materialize from nothing, the superior weapon shattering the sword with ease.

Smirking at her enemy’s failed attack Shadow Depth twirled her blade to intercept another as the Gryphon pulled a dagger from his side, lunging back into her reach without hesitation.

Star Shine found herself somewhat less prepared, her magic having to tug her Telekinesis blade from beneath her robes, gaining the mare a paw to the head as the second Gryphon engaged his unarmed foe. The blow drove her to the ground, eliciting a cry of pain as a sword descended from above her head.

In a flash of magic the weapon slowed, coming to a shaking stop mere inches from her face, the Gryphon struggling to push it down into his victim’s skull. With a grunt of effort she managed to yank the blade to the side, upsetting the avian’s balance and send him crashing to the floor.

Rolling back to her hooves Star Shine caught a glimpse of Shadow as she twirled her own blade, knocking another Gryphon back before slicing at his chest, the beast roaring in pain as it tumbled to the side.

Having gained herself a reprieve Star Shine finally pulled her weapon from its place, the fiery red blade springing to life as its runes lit from within, responding to her magic as she willed it to intercept the sword aimed for her neck. In a heartbeat the blade complied with her wishes, slamming into the masterfully forged Gryphon sword with unrelenting force, shattering its length and driving into the bird’s shoulder.

Shadow Depth spun, placing her blade between her body and the giant claymore that threatened to split her comparatively tiny frame in two, the blade singing out as it bit deep into the Gryphon steel. With well practiced agility she propelled herself under the stunned bird, commanding her weapon to follow, which it did without hesitation, cleaving a path straight through the Gryphon’s body and out the other side.

Turning quickly she nearly lost her head to a taloned hand that raked the tips of its claws along the side of her face, the blow drawing a muffled scream through her gritted teeth. Her rage only growing in wake of the damage Shadow Depth made short work of the brute, spilling his blood across the ground in a wide arc.

Spinning back to check her partner’s position she was disheartened to realize what the Gryphons had managed to do as she could see Star Shine being edged further and further away, the attacks coming faster than the single mare could handle.

Star Shine could see Shadow Depth struggling to whittle away the distance the Gryphons had managed to instill between them, but there were simply to many, nearly a dozen of the winged creatures had engaged, with nearly as many more waiting within the darkness above.

Fending off another blow she found herself losing ground again as a swipe to her left forced her back even further. Glancing at the next Gryphon to rush into her reach she quickly scanned over his armor with her magic, confirming that which she already suspected. These Gryphons wore armor specifically designed for battling magical opponents, their armor being infused with resistant alloys that would render her spells useless.

A shriek of attack from her side broke the mare from her planning however, a pair of clawed fists slamming into her barrel as another Gryphon attacked from above. The blow drove Star Shine into a wall hard enough to make her vision swim as she fell to the floor, barely registering the cracks that formed along the stone under her prone form.

With blurry eyes she watched the Gryphon shove away a smaller one that rushed to finish her itself, taking his time to fully appreciate his victory, never noticing the gleaming blade that hovered directly behind his head.

As consciousness began to slip away, her magical grip going with it, Star Shine pulled on her blade with every ounce of strength she could summon, drawing her weapon clean through the Gryphon’s head, splitting it clean in half before the blade imbedded itself in the wall over its wielder. With barely a sound the dead husk fell to the floor before the downed mare, the impact further splitting the age worn rock.

With great effort Star Shine managed to lift her throbbing head and catch a glimpse of Shadow Depth, the dark mare bravely holding her own, but losing ground fast with every swing. She lowered her head, struggling to get to her hooves even as the blackness swarmed at the edge of her sight. It was then the compromised rock could bear her load no more, it crumbled from below her, dropping away into a hidden abyss below.

‘Star Shine…’

‘Star Shine…Wake.’

Gingerly, Star Shine rose to an upright sitting position on the grime caked stone on which she lay. Running a hoof along the side of her head she cringed at the sight of the crimson smearing the end of her limb upon inspection. Choosing to ignore the dull ache spreading along her face, Star Shine instead began to peruse her surroundings.

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 dark liquid, boiling and rippling in time with the wavering light above it.

Shifting to a wobbly attempt at standing, the mare squinted in the purple violet light given off by the pool, 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.

‘Star…Shine.’

Finding nothing in her immediate surroundings the mare came to the conclusion her weapon remained above ground, presumably having been dropped before falling down the passage. Gathering her wits she took one final glance over her shoulder at the glittering pool, noting how the light of it seemed nearly to be drawn in her direction, almost as if it were reaching for her.

Seeing nothing more of immediate interest, Star Shine made for the exit, a dull shaft of light signaling the presence of her method of ingress, the shaft that, at one time or another, may have contained stairs by the look of it. Setting a firm stance, wanting to be ready for what she might find upon her arrival on the surface, she cleared her mind of thought, calming herself for a precise levitation spell.

‘Star Shine.’

Whipping her head around, Star Shine burned her gaze into the dark corners of the cave, eyes searching out the source of the voice that played at the very edge of her senses. It bounced around the space, echoing off the walls from what felt like every possible angle, yet, felt as though simply whispering in the back of her mind. Just loud enough to be understood, but never truly heard.

‘Peace, be still child.’

Suppressing a violent shudder Star Shine complied, though she found herself questioning why as a hoof shuffled back the way she had come, the limb quivering slightly as though she were resisting. ‘But, why would she do that?’ Her mind questioned.

‘Star Shine, come, behold…Read.’

Before she could even question what she had heard her hoof slid forward, the action seeming so innocent, yet, why had it done that? She had not instructed for such to happen. Had she?

‘Come, Read.”

The voice rang clear now, its tone calm, gentle, and firm. So why did she want to scream? Her other hoof moved forward, then the other, moving more freely this time, deliberately and with no hesitation.

“Become power.”

The voice seemed to fill the chamber now, echoing not only in her mind, but across the pool and off the very walls as well.

“Become, freedom!”

Her skin was crawling now, every fiber of her being telling her to run. She took another step, her body walking freely towards the pool’s edge, its surface rippling as it began to boil, the light intensifying.

“Become, mine!!”

Star Shine could feel her whole body shaking as her hooves found the edge of the pool, the boiling liquid somehow ice cold on her skin as it lapped up her body.

“Read!”

Before the mare’s very eyes a massive book rose from the depths of the pool, globs of liquid falling from its surface as she continued onward, up to her chest when she finally stopped.

“Read, and all you desire shall be fulfilled in my thanks.”

The book opened before her, revealing pages that swam with colors ranging beyond comprehension, swirling and flashing until words began to form from their depths. Words, written in the language of the olden kings. Words, that were never meant to be seen again.
Star Shine could not stop herself, no more than she could stop the sun from rising. With a final tug at her will the presence in her mind opened her eyes to the words, and she read.

“Within thin bindings be shackled the essence of he who would be darkness…”

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

Far side of the mountain…

“Now that, that is impressive,” Star Swirl said, the curiosity plain in his tone as he eyed the appendage spread out in full view for his inspection, a hoof tentatively reaching up to graze the leading edge, only to recoil as a jolt of electrical energy shot through his leg.

“Careful now,” Tiberius warned, chuckling despite the student’s obvious pain. “It is much more powerful that it may at first appear,”
Star Swirl managed a weak laugh of his own. “Apologies, my intent was not to get such a rise out of you,” he muttered, shaking the tingles from his leg as he stared at the Pegasus’s flared wing.

“Oh, believe me,” Tiberius said through fits of barely suppressed laughter. “You would know if you were to get a proper rise out of me,” he said with what appeared to be a flirtatious wink.

“When we return you simply must allow me to study this technique in action,” Star Swirl said, eyes tracking the primary feathers as they wiggled in place, exposing the tiny pieces of thunderhead held between them.

“Perhaps, provided I have time before my king has need of me again, and my family has been tended to,“ Tiberius said, glancing around as they found themselves entering a large open pantheon style structure, the edge of a deep canyon running along the far side just visible in the misty rain.

“Fair enough,” Star Swirl agreed, still paying the wing close attention as it folded back into the pony’s side. “How ever did you come up with such an ingenious use of cloud?”

“Tis nothing all that uncommon really,” Tiberius said in reply, shrugging as he walked. “There simply just are not that many of us interested in going about our daily lives with active lightning stored at our sides, as for myself, I rather enjoy it. Guess you could say we have developed a healthy understanding of each other.”

His brows rising Star Swirl could not help but lean away from the Pegasus, this pony was clearly mad, allowing a force like lightning to inhabit his own body, ludicrous. “You are an odd fellow, aren’t you,” he muttered with a shake of his head, a smirk forming in place of his normally mild mannered appearance.

“No more so than anypony else,” Tiberius stated merrily, an ear flicking to the side as he came to a stop, his expression returning to a more professional looking mask. “Though, to quote my brother, 'You are a troubled rapscallion who never could resist a risqué comment during a tussle,'” his face crumbled into a grin, the memory following the words one of the best shared between the siblings.

“Your brother is not much for socializing, is he?” Star Swirl asked, careful not to sound accusing towards the gruff pony in question, his own ear twitching to the sound of a solitary rock falling somewhere off in the misty distance.

Tiberius gave a snort, another halfhearted chuckle escaping him as he glanced back at the Unicorn. “No, I suppose he is not,” he admitted, eyes scanning their surroundings before continuing further, Luminescent having made up his lagging position.

“True as it may be that he can come across as an ass at times,” Tiberius nodded his head, smiling to himself as they pushed on. “He is also very passionate about his duty, following orders with absolute faith in those that give them. He is kind to those who deserve it, strong for those who need it. And, loyal, to those who earn it,” the Pegasus gave Star Swirl a knowing look. “Give him time, Star Swirl. He comes around to everypony eventually.”

Star Swirl nodded, though a puzzling thought took root in his mind. He turned his own gaze to the Pegasus, intent on confirming something when he noticed the others had stopped, Tiberius scanning the foggy gloom around them. Luminescent however, stared straight ahead.

From the very edge of the arena strode a tall figure, moving through the windswept mist the nature of the new arrival soon became clear as the massive Gryphon slowly took shape, his body gleaming with finely made armor that shown with a dull glow as lightning flashed over head.

With a gleam in his eye Phalyndil marched toward his prey, the equines standing before him having no idea the storm they truly faced, truly, this day would be glorious. With a smirk of his beak he came to a stop a few yards from the ponies, scanning over their faces for the telltale signs of fear.

Finding none Phalyndil could only deepen his smirk as he addressed his foes. “Hail, ponies of the western shores, prepare yourselves. For on this day, you face the Heralder of the Kings return!”

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

Terra loitered in the dim glow of the Lumen Crystals, the blue stones flickering cheerfully in their holders mounted to the marble walls around him, taking comfort in the soothing light. The Alicorn king stood there, waiting, unseen in the shadows as he tried to piece together what he knew needed to be said.

Allowing his own hatred and old wounds to drive his emotions had been foolish, Terra realized this, had become aware of his hurtful actions only after they had been permitted to happen. Actions that had driven a wedge between himself and his own daughter in the process.

~~~~

“You errant child! How can you remain so ignorant in the light of all that I have revealed!? To all the horrors now witnessed, surely you must comprehend these things! No daughter of mine will be so easily coerced by this abomination, you shall see reason!”

~~~~

Steeling his resolve Terra eased from the shadow, materializing out of the dark like a ghost he drifted across the hall, a thick wooden door poised as one final sentry resting in the king’s path, a last reminder to his misdoings.

He would wish them all back, every foul utterance his caustic tongue had spewed, he would take them and smite the words to the far reaches of the void if such could be done. Alas, these things and more had been allowed to become real, burning them into reality for all to witness. A stain that only forgiveness could scrub out.

~~~~

“Then, perhaps I no longer wish to be your daughter!”

With a heavy heart the king pushed the door open on its hinges, the sealing enchantment hastily cast upon the wood barely felt by the pressing hoof before shattering into nothingness, its magic overcome by the Alicorns seemingly unending power.

“Daughter?” Terra spoke softly, his tone low and bearing the thick guilt he carried. “I wish to speak with you,” he carefully stepped into the room, eyes scanning over the devastated state of the chamber, a muffled snort drawing his attention.

“I harbor no such wishes, father,” Celestias voice replied from some place deep within her bedding, the pile of coverings shifting aside to allow the filly to peek out. “I would simply ask to be alone, please.”

Terra lowered his head in shame, his wings falling down his sides as the words cut into him. “No, Celestia,” he managed after a moment, trying desperately to pull the words he needed from countless years of assembled wisdom. “You must allow me to speak, I, I must resolve this, if not for your sake than for mine own. I allowed feelings that have been without just cause for longer than history remembers to surface, and drive my actions. And, for that I am sorry,”

Moving closer to the bedside the Alicorn king knelt down before his daughter, taking the lowliest pose one of his position could display, the normally cold mask of his face waning for but the briefest of moments as he looked into her eyes. “Celestia please understand that, for me, to see you so close to such an object reminisce to the horrors of old,” Terra said, eyes softening as he gazed upon her. “The sight filled my heart with a terror that I have not felt since the night our great city fell, I was, afraid for the both of you.”

“Afraid, truly?” Celestia asked, pulling herself from the depths of her bedding, ears perked in curiosity as she crawled to her father. “I thought you afraid of nothing; you always said that a king has no fear to give.”

Terra gave the filly a half smile, thanking the stars above at his chance for progress. “A king must spare none for his enemy. Fear for his family, his people, they are worth fearing for,” he rose, carefully taking his foal into a foreleg for a hug, an embrace that ended all too soon as he pulled back. “Allowing the fear of one’s past to control their actions however, that can never be acceptable. I hope you can find it within your heart to forgive a fearful fool.”

Celestia gave her father a warm smile, her eyes twinkling brightly in the flickering candlelight as she leaned in to begin another hug. “Of course father, though, I have some conditions,” she said diplomatically, a mischievous grin spreading over her face.

“And those would be?” Terra asked, his own curiosity piqued at the words. He sat the filly back upon the bed before nodding for her to continue, a strange sense of ease lifting the weight from his mind as she smiled warmly.

Celestia stared at her father for a few seconds, eyes searching as though delving into his very core, a trace of hope flashing across the orbs as she began to speak. “My first stipulation, is Discord. Surely you must see the way he suffers here, yet through all your harsh treatment he wants for nothing but your approval, whether you can see it or not. All I ask is that you finally lend him some of your trust. Am I so wrong to say that he has earned it?” She leaned in closer, eyes narrowing in a searching manner as her father glanced away.

Terra found himself unable to look the child in the eye, his teeth grit tight as old emotion once again ran rampant through his mind, until a glance down at Celestia silenced them, allowing him to listen to his heart. “No, Celestia, you are not hindered by any error of your own. The fault for this lies squarely with myself and my inability to let go of the past,” Terra said bleakly, standing straighter and looking down at her. Face set with pride at her resolve for another’s benefit. “What right have I to treat him with such scorn? For acts perpetrated by those long gone,” he nodded somberly, finally allowing himself to realize the full extent of Discords trials at his hoof. “On my word as king, Celestia, I shall try to do right by him from now until my end,” he stated, smiling openly as she tackled his neck and wrapped her slender legs around him. “And the other condition?”

Releasing her father Celestia dropped to the bed and smiled up at him, the tension leaving them both as a feeling of happiness filled the room, the filly pawing the bed a few times as she gazed up with newfound joy in her father. “You tell me the story again, the happy parts this time,”

Terra released a quiet chuckle, nodding in agreement as he made a place for himself upon the bed, nestling himself down next to his daughter and taking comfort in their resolved anger, and at being forgiven of his trespasses. Then, as promised, he began to reminisce to her of better days.

/ / / / / / / / / / / /

Discord sat alone, curled around himself on the floor of his darkened chamber in a most pitiful state. His yellow eyes fixed in the direction of the wall were red and puffy, having no tears left to shed, the fur around them matted down with moisture. He suppressed another sob, the tears not for his own misery, but for that which he undoubtedly caused the princesses, his only friends in this world. The look on Celestia’s face still haunting him.

“Well, Isn’t this tragic,” said a rueful voice from the blackness behind him, the faintest hint of sarcasm ever present within its tone. “A creature of such magnificent ability, brought to his knees by mere Alicorns,” it added, pausing as the child rolled over to search for his addressor. “And you had such potential, so much so I deviated thirty years of my time to retrieve you,” it finished with a deep frustrated sigh.

Discord peered into the dark, his magically enhanced senses unable to locate the new arrival. “Who’s there? I, I don’t want to hurt anypony, stay ba…” The child’s voice died as the mysterious speaker moved closer, seeming to appear as though through a mist. “Who, Who are you?” Discord questioned, fear slowing his words.

What crawled from the blackness at the edge of the room was a small newt, its skin was of a deep purple black and glowed from within as specks of a gray white light flitted about his form, a thin smile growing across the creatures features at the query followed quickly by a mirthful chuckle. “Boy, right now, I’m your new best buddy.”

Author's Notes:

Well, it’s finally here. After nearly six months of head scratching, re-writing, and cursing in tongues, it’s here. My apologies for the wait and I certainly hope it was worth it, I think it turned out okay, but then I’m also my own biggest critic. Just ask Jake.
Anyway, a partial reason for this big delay rests on something of a really long and convoluted series of events that, in the end, will hopefully prove worth it. See, originally this was intended as little more than a quick prequel story for Infinity’s End, but, the more I thought about where I wanted to go with the main story the more I came to realize that this simply wasn’t going to cut it. There’s just to much to cover and to much has been left out already.

So, with all these things in mind I hatched a plan. Some of you may not like it and I’m sorry for that, but in the end things will be a lot better for everybody. Now, what’s going to happen is this, the Star Order Chronicles will be put on a temporary hiatus during which it will be completely finished with most of the current chapters being refinished and further expanded with new content. After that the old version will be removed and the new version will be posted as soon as possible.

In the near future there will also be a few blog posts to help further explain what’s going on, so be on the lookout for those. Apologies for the long wait and I thank all of you that have stuck around for so long, and if you can wait just a little longer, I think you will enjoy it.

~Dollars.

This grand plan is going to take some serious doing, we appreciate all the patience you can spare us.
-Jake