Author's Note

Hello everyone! Before you read this book, I would to say a few words:

I have been writing this story for about 7-8 months. To be quiet frank, I have dedicated most of my free-time editing this fan fiction. And it's been so hard writing this story! It has been mind-numbing to rewrite to the point where my writing style changes, to fixing everything that might contradict any future progress. This has especially been the case for me- and possibly other writers too- when it comes to writing two books back-to-back. Just the amount of time I have put into this piece was exhausting, and I want this to be the best fan fiction it can be.

If you enjoy this fan fiction, more chapters are on the way! I might need to edit this a bit more, but I'm getting there. If you have any thoughts, please feel free to share them. Once again, thank you!- Starsparrow03

Prologue: The Minotaur

There are many stories in Equestria that are written in ink or written in stone, but this tale had been erased for over thousands of years in the days of yore. The Two Sisters had just brought ruin onto Discord, and brought justice and freedom to Equestria under their graceful rule. But then the Centaur Lord, Tirek, came to the realm of Equestria form the East. Tirek came to steal the Equestrian magic from within the Ponies, and their lands. Some had been overcome by Tirek’s ominus power, save for the Wizard. Starswirl the Bearded apposed the Centaur Lord Tirek. Both dueled mercilessly until entire valleys and mountains became battlegrounds. The skies darkened for days as the fighting went on, almost nearly blackening as they reached the great Mountain. At last, Starswirl had just magic to pushed the Centaur Lord back within the Mountain, and plunging him into Tartarus. The day was won.

But wars go on.

His army, the Minotaur Hoard, still waved their banner of ruin over the Frozen North to the Bad Lands. They were proud and wild folk, creatures of wrath and majesty with voices loud as a roaring storm against open waters. Regions of the North and South fell to the malevolence and cunning of their King, as his armies made passage through the blistering lands before them. Fields of crops lied torn, villages became crushed and burnt, and many innocent creatures fleeing to either fen or forest as the horrors of war closed upon them; those who were caught lied dead or bound to the Hoard. Their strength grew boldly through their dark magic of the Centaur Lord, as they had stripped the magic from the Ponies and their beloved land. Though their satisfaction of conquest and dominance was great, the loss of their once mighty leader had brought them an overwhelming shame. In their Centaur Lord’s honor, they moved to strike the kingdom of Canterlot, where they would redeem themselves in smiting the Sisters who ruled there.

As the Minotaur Hoard advanced, the Wizard Starswirl stood fast against the charging forces, whereas the Two Sisters guarded the South. They overwhelmed the Minotaur with the majesty of their Alicorn magic, and the ancient magic of the Centaur Lord’s brother, Scorpan. Driving the Minotaur armies from whence they had marched, far to the plains of the Badlands, as victory was upon the rise. But the fleeing ranks of the Minotaur forces from the North poured over the hills with great speed that made the earth quake from beneath them. Their numbers had overwhelmed the Sisters and Scorpan, but they did not flag.

Using the magic that they both held, it burdened them to only push the Hoard underground in a cold and deeply shaded cavern. The three finally held enough strength to seal the remaining forces of the Hoard away in the cavern of the mountains. To prevent anypony from discovering the cavern, the Two Sisters struck the mountains and brought down a mighty rockslide with their magic, covering the cavern entirely.

When all of the Centaur Lord’s work had been foiled, Scorpan returned to his homeland that lied beyond the East. Peace had been watchful and prosperous; new unity was found once again in Equestria. Although most of the Minotaur had been sealed away, some of the Minotaur were cherished for their valor and service to the Ponies for defending them, and fighting on the behalf of Scorpan. From the goodness, out of the Princesses hearts, they allowed them to prosper in their lands, in memory of Scorpan’s friendship.

Thousands of years had passed, and only few the Minotaur remained in Equestria. The history of the Minotaur became legend. But there was one out of these few. One who was spokes-creature who had traveled Equestria in hopes of spreading inspiration and pride. One who often enjoyed using his positive mantras and high-octane energy to get Ponies moving in his direction. His name was Iron Will. His story played a miraculous role in Equestria’s history, which was during the unexpected events that led to the imminent great War that raised Equestria to the ground. Unlike other stories during these events, Iron Will’s tale began on the 21st of June, the day of the Summer Sun Celebration, on the Vanhoover Express, and during the Great Trade.