Author's Note

Hello everypony! This is an AU I have been working with for years, and I'm delighted to finally be sharing it with the fandom! Before reading, I ask that you keep a few things in mind.

***This prologue takes place long before the events of the 2017 film, and also long before the Vow of Silence is taken by the kirin.

***Discord is a different character in this universe. He did not have his redemption arc. He's instead under agreement with Celestia that he is allowed his freedom, so long as he doesn't do harm to anypony.

***Tempest Shadow is not alive in this story, and Twilight Sparkle is turned to stone like the other three princesses. With Twilight unable to help, I couldn't realistically see a reason for Tempest to survive when the Storm King was through with her. This is no shade towards Tempest! I honest love her, but logically I couldn't see her sticking around after that betrayal.

Anyways, I hope you enjoy this story of mine. It's been my passion project for years.

Part 1 - Prologue

The kirin village was bustling with life as usual. The warmth of the sun was felt on every scaled back, soaked up within their manes—a much more pleasant feeling than the embers that flickered deep beneath the surface of their friendly faces. A cool breeze blew through the canopy overlooking the small village. The wooden bridges connecting the huts built in the trees swayed lazily. On the wind was the smell of the plants and fruits being grown, sold, and traded between various mares and stallions. It was a simple routine witnessed day in and day out. But there was one thing that was going to be different that day. Something big was about to happen.

An ivory colored mare with a dark and light purple mane stepped out of her hut and into the sunlight. The curls in her mane softly flowed in the breeze, her gray cloven hooves stepping out into the dirt road that embraced her as lovingly as the sun above. She took a deep breath, soaking in the tranquility of her home before she went to go meet with their leader. She considered herself lucky to have convinced Rain Shine to agree to having an audience with her. Now she just needed to play her cards right in order for Rain Shine—and the rest of the kirin in the village—to listen to what she had to say.

”He-ee-ey, Wintertide!”

A usual cheery voice chimed out behind her, causing Wintertide Frost’s ear to flick. Her head turned, pale purple eyes falling on none other than Autumn Blaze. Wintertide smiled at her friend. “Hello, Autumn.”

Autumn bounded up to Wintertide’s side, grinning wide. ”Today’s the big day, huh? You nervous?”

”Not in the slightest. I think I’m plenty prepared for this.”

”You sure you can’t tell me what this is all about? We’re friends after all!” Autumn had leaned in close, nudging Wintertide with a foreleg eagerly.

Wintertide chuckled warmly but shook her head. “Sorry, but you have to wait just like everypony else.”

Autumn Blaze pouted, but followed after Wintertide in silence.

The word had spread about Wintertide’s meeting, and curiosity had swept through the entire village. So when the sight of the mare making her way to the performing stage was seen by the rest, other kirin started making their way over as well. Wintertide knew they were following, but she just held her head high with confidence. The fact that the others wanted to witness this only filled her with more determination. She did not look at any of them, keeping her focus on her destination that was quickly approaching. Rain Shine was already there waiting for her. She stopped several feet in front of the stage. The rest of the village encircled the pair and waited eagerly in silence.

”Thank you for meeting with me, Rain Shine.” Wintertide bowed her head respectfully.

”It was my pleasure, Wintertide Frost.” Rain Shine smiled warmly at her subject. “I’ve been wanting to hear what this is all about.”

”And you will. You all will.” Wintertide gave a brief glance to the kirin around her. Her attention was back on their leader soon enough. “I ask that you keep an open mind with what I have to propose.”

This peaked Rain Shine’s curiosity further. “Go on.”

”For centuries, our kind has hidden ourselves away from the rest of Equestria. I wouldn’t be surprised if nopony knows who we are anymore. Which is unfair to us, our ancestors, and to our future kirin.”

”We secluded ourselves from the others for a very important reason, Wintertide.” Rain Shine said back.

”Yes, I know, which is what brings me to my next point.” Wintertide continued. “I believe it's time we stopped suppressing that part of ourselves, and instead learn to embrace it.”

As Wintertide spoke, Rain Shine’s expressions were slowly changing. What was once an inviting and warm expression was morphing into what Wintertide had expected to see upon proposing these thoughts—Complete shock, even a bit of disgust. Rain Shine was appalled at what she just heard. ”You can’t be serious.”

”This is the most serious I have ever been.” Wintertide stood her ground, addressing the others next. “Why must we hide the nirik away? They are an important part of us. They help define who we are.”

The rest of the village exchanged concerned looks. But it was Autumn Blaze who cautiously stepped forward and whispered in Wintertide’s ear. “Uh, Winter… I don’t think this is a good idea…”

Wintertide ignored her. “Why must we force ourselves to suppress what is simply part of our nature?”

”The nirik is dangerous, Wintertide Frost. I thought you were as aware of that as everypony else.” Rain Shine was starting to grow angry with this whole ordeal—insulted that one of her own would have such audacity to challenge something that was so important to their way of life.

“Only because we allow it to be.” Wintertide argued back. “We could learn to control it and its power. And then we can join the rest of Equestria. We can have them see just how powerful we are.”

”Powerful? Is that why you are asking for this? Because you want power? The kirin are a peaceful race!”

”We weren’t always. There was a time when the kirin were great warriors. Why shouldn’t we be like that again?”

Rain Shine stomped her hoof. “The nirik is a force of destruction and death. We fled to the Peaks of Peril to save the rest of Equestria, and ourselves. We are here to be better than we once were—to atone for past mistakes and bloodshed. Everything my ancestors have done was for our safety. And it is my duty to ensure things remain that way now.”

“Safety at the cost of our pride. In exchange for cowardice! What sort of life forbids us to embrace natural emotions like anger? To push it down and pretend it doesn’t exist? We must utilize our gift, can’t you see?” Again Wintertide looked to her fellow kirin, but this time they all avoided her gaze. Some took a step back—Autumn Blaze being one of them.

It sunk in that Wintertide Frost was completely on her own.

“I think you have your answer.” Rain Shine said, keeping her head high as she looked down at her. “The cowardice you describe is something our ancestors—your ancestors—agreed upon for all our sakes. Had they not, who knows where we would be now.”

“Our ancestors were fools,” Wintertide’s eyes pierced through Rain Shine and she bared her teeth—teeth which had grown sharper in her growing fury, “and so are you.”

That was all the leader needed to hear. “Get out, Wintertide Frost. Leave this village, and don’t ever come back.”

Wintertide’s hooves were rooted in place. Again she looked to the others in some vain hope that at least one of them would step forward. Yet none dared to oppose their leader. Their heads were turned away from her, even those she had once considered her closest friends. Her leonine tail whipped in her anger and she turned to walk down the very path she came from.

She did not stop at her home. To her, there was no need to grab any reminders of what she once had. She followed the dirt road straight to the village entrance which transformed into the heavy lush greens of the jungle-like forest surrounding their home. Not once did she dare to look back. Despite the circumstances she had thrown herself into, she would not let guilt or shame overtake her.

They are all fools, she thought, closed-minded cowards. The very magic within her was beginning to burn on the inside, but all that formed along her mane and coat were small embers that died as soon as they were born. Her eyes were locked on the forest as it slowly engulfed her in shadow. She didn’t know where she was going, but she knew one thing for certain. No matter where she went, she would be free from the shackles that restrained her before.