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                    What is Friendship?                    
                     -by Extra Cheese-                     
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                         Chapter 1                         
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Chapter 1
Chapter 1 The Arrival
The sun was rising in the world of Pyromania. Morning began to peek from the green hills as the sun gave it's slits of a bright orange glow that would soon grow larger. Kane was looking over the town square of Pyromania from his room in the Pyromanian Castle that ruled over the land. Kane watched the villagers slowly move around as they awoke from their slumber and began to do their daily chores and jobs for the day. Kane observed these people. He's been protecting them for at least 7 years now.
Kane was always reminded of his past and how he hurt his fellow people. Kane tried constantly try to forget what he'd done back then and focus on the now. But when you go through what he went through, it's hard to forget something that gruesome. The sun was now over the hills and shining down on the town squaer, revealing everyone walking in different directions.
Kane was still at his windowsill when a knock came from the door to his room.
Knock knock
"Enter..."
The door creaked open with a high ranked soldier of the Pyromanian Army entering the room.
"General, your father wishes to see you." Said the soldier. The soldier immediately took his leave after saying this.
Kane's Step-Father, known as Baal, is the king of Pyromania. Baal is the sun, and can take the form of a Pyromanian. Baal is also the creator of all Pyro Energy, which is used in combat to defeat the Pyromanians enemies. Kane was the second most powerful Pyromanian to hold Pyro energy while Baal, his father, is the source of Pyro energy. After a few seconds, Kane turned from his window and closed his door as he left his room and began to walk down one the many halls of the Pyromanian castle.
Kane was usually called by Baal to be informed of his duties, but lately he's been given full day breaks for the past three weeks now. Kane absolutely despised taking days off as his duties were the most important to him. Controling the Pyromanian Army also meant protecting his people from danger. And if he were to even take a 60 second break, it would upset him. He would always stay up at night watching from his window down unto the town square in case he noticed unusual things. He never slept as he always reminded himself that he was on duty. Always on duty.
Kane came across the Throne room doors. The two Pyromanian Royal Guards standing there opened the double doors for him. And across the room was Baal, sitting in his throne. Baal may be able to take the form of a Pyromanian, but he had no features. He was just a yellow glow, you would not be able to see any of his face's features. Kane walked down the big wide room. No one else was in there but Baal and himself. But one thing caught his attention that he has never seen before.
"I was expecting you Kane."
Kane reached the end of the room and stood before Baal.
"Yes, father?"
"Do you know why I sent you here?"
Kane looked at his surroundings. Nothing except for what seemed to be, a green swirling hole right next to the throne.
"No father."
"Do you know why I've been keeping you off duty for three full weeks?"
"...No father."
Baal was pleased to hear that. Baal has observed Kane over the years and saw all the hate that Kane has gone through all of his life. Kane without his relatives because of a fire, and all the rest of the pain that has been put on him. He also noticed that even though Kane wears a mask, he is always with an angered expression, though he can sound calm, he never has a tone of happiness or joy. He never cares about anything other than protecting Pyromania. That's all Kane can even ever bring himself to do until he dies, since he felt that it is what he must do to pay for all the years of slaughter he put on the Pyromanians in the past. It wasn't healthy for him. He never got to fully experience the love of a family. Kane couldn't even care less about making friends that Baal has tried so hard to do for Kane.
But all those memories and images would soon leave Kane after he is given an assignment that he has never been given before. And this should be the most difficult task yet for Kane. Baal was completely sure of this.
"Kane... I'm sending you away."
"You-... you are abandoning me?"
Baal chuckled.
"No, no Kane. You know I would never do that to you. What would make you think I'd send you away forever?"
"..."
"Kane, from what I've seen from you, you've been the most effective General Pyromania ever had in all of Pyromanian history. You've helped us fend off our most dangerous rivals yet in the bloodiest battle we've ever had. And ever since the war, you've always been looking down to the ground while walking through the halls. You're in pain Kane. It's clear that you need help. You've dodged everything that I tried to send your way that could help you. I know you don't want to change and that you feel you should keep at this pace so that the people will forgive you. If you keep moving on like this, you'll surely end up back where you began years ago. And if that happens, then you would no longer be able to perform your duties as a General. And I really don't want to see you break down again Kane. It'd not only hurt me, but it'd also hurt the people of Pyromania. Do you really want that to happen?"
"...No...father..."
"I'm sending you off to another dimension Kane. It hurts me to always see you in pain. You've never been able to fully enjoy the gift of life! And the way you're going does not help you any better. I found this new dimension that took me almost the whole war to find, and I've been working on creating a portal to this dimension for a year since it is so far away from ours. And from what I have seen from this place, it is the most peaceful place I've seen in years. I have studied its ways as I created the portal and it is beyond what I have ever imagined! This place Kane will truly help you! Please, give it a chance. I know you hate change, but I strongly dislike seeing you like this. Please take this offer Kane. If you do not, you are putting the people of Pyromania at risk. Will you do this for the sake of yourself?"
Baal was right. There was no denying it. Kane did not want to go to this "new place" whatsoever and he has no intention of learning of its ways. But what will he prove if he turns it down? It was true, he felt himself getting weaker by the day as he reminded himself of the past. What will he prove if he turns this down? All he will do is expose his people to harm in a matter of years. What choice did he have. All he could do now, is accept.
"...Yes... father..."
"Are you sure you're doing this for yourself Kane? This is entirely up to you if you want to change. I am giving you an optional mission. You can choose to do this, or you can choose not to do this. As much as I want you to go, it is till entirely up to you. Are you completely sure?"
"I have no choice..."
"There is always a choice Kane. But do you really want to do this? If not for your sake?"
"... I have...no choice."
"I can see what you're getting at Kane. You're doing this for your people?"
"...Yes father."
Baal smiled as he heard those words.
"Kane. I am proud of you for making this decision. Thank you Kane for your honesty. Now go, step through this portal and learn the ways of it. It contains what you have been missing ever since you were five years old. That is Love, Joy, Happiness, and friendship. If you ever need to talk to me, you know where to look. I will be there every step of the way Kane. Farewell."
"Farewell Father." Kane said. Before leaving, Kane quickly checked his pocket to see if he still had his music box that he recieved from his parents when he still had them. He felt the music box, then removed his hand from his pocket and stepped toward the portal.
Kane looked at the swirling green portal. He was not going to enjoy this. But this is for his people and his step-father. Even though Baal said this was his choice, it was not an option. Kane had to go through with this wether he liked it or not. But what Kane did not know, was that he was going to be in the biggest stride for survival ever. For an evil spirit had followed through the portal with him that had somehow gone completely undetected by Baal, and Baal would know that spirit anywhere. Kane would definitely know the feeling love and happiness after what he will go through. This is the beginning of a new war.
Kane entered the portal, and when he took his first two steps, the entrance behind him closed and another entrance opened before him across the portal and shone it's blinding white light in Kane's eyes. Kane put his arm over his eyes as he walked closer to it walking through the void green of the portal as it shined on him like the shining ripples that dance in a swimming pool.  The white light became brighter and brighter as Kane came close, and when he had reached it, everything was a white light.
The light slowly began to slowly fade and then came to focus. Kane squinted his eyes after being blinded by the light. Kane was standing in the middle of a grassy green field on a windy day. The wind caught Kane's hair making it flow in the pattern that the wind created. Kane looked at his surroundings, to his left, right and back a fortress of trees that lead into a forest. In front of him however, was a dirt road that lead uphill.
Kane walked up the trail but immediately fell flat on his face when taking the first step. But his mask prevented any real damage when hitting the ground. Confused, Kane attempted to get up but ended up slipping and fell over again. Kane, completely bewildered, looked down at his legs trying to figure out what in the world he was doing. When he looked down, he was even more confused. Instead of the usual arms and legs that he always had, he now had...
Hooves...?
Kane wasn't aware that he would change form when he entered this dimension. But to take the form of a horse was... very strange. Kane slowly got up, trying to master this new walking technique step-by-step. Shortly, Kane got the hang of it and continued down the dirt road, and a village was slowly coming into view. Once the village was in full sight, Kane noticed a sign that said, Welcome to Ponyville.
...Are you kidding me...?
Was THAT really the reason why he was a horse? Or pony... or whatever? Because he was in a world full of ponies? And exactly what intelligence was there in ponies? Kane wasn't even in this dimension for more than 10 minutes and he's already annoyed. How were ponies going to help Kane in any way possible? Well, that's what Kane had to find out. Kane took a deep breath and let out a frustrated sigh and carried along the dirtside road which turned into marble stone while walking down the path to... Ponyville where Kane would soon meet his first aquaintance.
Twilight was in the library as usual going over all her checklists. Twilight put her checklists away and put on her bags as she was about to go outside to check how the decorations were going for the arrival of Princess Celestia.
"Spike! We're leaving!" Twilight shouted.
"I'm coming!" Spike replied.
Spike came downstairs quickly and rushed to Twilight's side. A purple aura surrounds Twilights horn and the library door as magic is used to swing it open. Twilight and Spike walk out of the library and into Ponyville.
"Where are we going anyway? Spike asked Twilight.
"We're checking the Town Square to see how the other ponies are doing on the decorations. Everything has to be just right for Princess Celestia's arrival. I also need to go buy some more checklists at that..."
"Twilight, you're bag is about to burst open because of how many checklists you keep in there."
"No it won't, it's a brand new bag that I bought yesterday that can carry twice as many things. Check it." Said Twilight as she unhooked the bag and checklists flew out everywhere. Spike groaned as he knew he had to clean this up soon.
"Heh... sorry Spike." Said Twilight. After that being said, Spike and Twilight left the treehouse and left the mess to be cleaned up later as they headed to Ponyville's Town Square.
Kane crossed the bridge that lead into Ponyville. After crossing, an orange pony was trotting within sight. Kane saw she had a blond mane tied up into a ponytail or whatever, had freckles, wore a cowboy hat, and had emerald green eyes. Wait a minute... as far as Kane could recall, ponies are not colorful and they did NOT wear hats, or have freckles, or have Pyromanian pupils and green eyecolors! How could this all even come close to possible...? Kane wore an expression that he kept on for years, and that is the angry expression. When looking at this unusual pony, it looked startled and Kane could hear a small muttering coming from her as it passed by.
"What in tarnation...?"
Woah, woah, okay, pause the fire. Kane stopped in his tracks and tried to recapture that short moment. Did that pony just TALK? This was seriously confusing to Kane. Was Kane really going through with this? Why oh why did he have to say yes to coming here? If he'd known that this is what this world was gonna be like, then he would not ahve come here. He likes the sanity that he has now and he would much prefer to keep it this way. None of this made sense to Kane, but still. This was for Pyromania. Kane wouldn't want his people at risk for his actions. Even if this involved things that would clearly mess with his head, he had no choice. Whatever he had to do, had to be done. Kane continued into the village of Ponyville to unwillingly discover what it contained within.
Twilight and Spike were in the Town Square checking on the ponies working on the decorations for the welcoming of their princess who would soon visit. Suddenly, a huge banner that was being brought was accidently let loose which surprised attacked a few painters on ladders working on another banner which caused them to fall over with the cans of paint they had next to them and make a huge mess on not only the ground, but the banner that flew away caught onto a house and smeared colorful paint on it. Twilight looked up to see Ditzy Doo in the middle of the air giving her innocent derp face.
"Sorry!" Shouted Ditzy.
"Ugh... can't Ditzy do anything right?" said a frustrated Twilight.
"I'm telling you, she's going to end up dropping something on somepony."
"Uh... didn't Ditzy already do that to you?" Asked Spike.
Twilight gave a frustrated sigh and started checking things off her checklists for the arrival party. Twilight still holding the checklist and quill with her magic pink aura, she looked up to check on the other ponies. Thunderlane and the crew are getting rid of the clouds for today as ordered, Roseluck was planting the flowers in order, and then something catches Twilight's eyes. One of the colts were just standing there, looking around with his back turned to her. A big red one at that.
"Oh come on...we can't have anypony standing around on the job... Spike, keep checking on everypony else, I have to go deal with somepony." Said Twilight and Spike gave a silly salute as he recieved the checklist and marched off toward the painters to deal with their problem.
Kane was looking around the town square studying all the colorful ponies and decorations for some welcoming event in bewilderment. This is just impossible to Kane. There was more ponies in this small village than he thought. The last thing he should expect is a rainbow colored pony. Oh, how upsetting that would be if he saw one. Suddenly his ears perked as he heard someone yelling. A female voice it sounded. He ignored it thinking that somebody was just talking to another pony. Well, he confirmed that these things did talk as he saw the ponies tongues and lips move and fill the town square with chatter as he entered.
As Twilight got closer to this red colt, she noticed that he was getting much taller and bigger as she neared him. She started become hesitant, but really had to remind this pony to get back to work. Princess Celestia would be here today, and if someone is slacking off every second, that's another wasted second for work. She neared a bit closer and noticed this colt had a strange red and black suit on, covering his entire body except for his left for-hoof which the fur color seemed red too. Odd. She was right behind this colt and called for his attention.
"Hey! I'm talking to you! You need to get back to wo-..." Her voice trailed off.
The colt turned around to look at this purple unicorn. This was not an every day colt you would usually see in Ponyville. This big red stallion was MASSIVE! He was taller than Princess Luna but shorter than Princess Celestia as it seemed. And from the looks of this stallions muscle, he would put Big Macintosh to shame. He wore a red and black suit that covered his entire body except for his left fore-hoof. He also had a glove and his right fore-hoof and had a mask on his face. And Twilight also noticed that this stallion's eyes were different. He had a normal left eye that was colored blue, but his right eye had no color to it. All it had was the black pupil and that was it. Jeez, this guy was intimidating to confront. She noticed that even though this colt was wearing a mask, he was frowning. She DEFINITELY had never seen this pony in Ponyville before, and practically knows everyone in Ponyville. As much as she wanted to turn around and leave as soon as possible, she had to tell the guy to get back to work which was not going to be easy to do.
This pony is especially strange to Kane. This one has a horn on its head. Is this really what he was going to experience? Ponies and Unicorns? Unicorns is what Kane did not expect to see at all. Now to see a Unicorn, he wonders if he's going to see a Pegasus. This pony was lavendar colored and had an image of stars on the side of her hind leg with purple eyes. He could tell this pony was intimidated by him. He wasn't suprised to see this. He was much to used to this back in Pyromania. Yes, all the people cheer for him now that he's a General who stopped a threat that he caused. But to meet him in person was absolutely terrifying since they could feel the stregnth of his pyro energy. He isn't called the second most powerful Pyromanian for nothing. Kane has massive pyro energy that can grow to catastrophic levels. It's no secret.
But it wasn't the pyro energy that Twilight was intimidated of. In fact, she couldn't feel any of that at all since she isn't a Pyromanian. The only way she'd be able to feel the pressure of the enerygy is if it was visibly released. And that can only happen when pyro energy is being used for attack. It wasn't the pyro energy that Twilight is just intimidated of how this colt looks. She has never seen a stallion like this before, and he looked absolutely menacing and unfriendly due to his appearance.
"Y-..you... ned to.. to g-..get back to work. Heh, heh..." Twilight managed to squeak. But the big red stallion did not reply.
Twilight was shaking a little bit, but gained a bit more confidence and said
"You need to uh... get back to work." Said Twilight again. Again, no response. Kane isn't very talkative to people. The only time he would say things to others is when he has short answers. The only person he ever even really talked to was his step-father Baal.
"Look, you really need to get back to work, Princess Celestia is going to be here in about 30 minutes, I suggest that you finish up your assignment and wait for the arrival." Said Twilight fully regaining her confidence as she figured this colt would not do anything harmful since he just stood there. Though she was still a bit creeped out that he kept his same expression and didn't blink at all.
Still no reply from this stallion.
"Can you even hear me?" Asked Twilight as she began to grow annoyed at the silent replies. The stallion blinked but still kept his same expression.
"...Do you even know where you are?"
"No." Finally replied Kane. This alerted Twilight.
"Hang on, are you new here?" Asked Twilight curiously.
"Yes." Replied Kane.
"Oh! Well, why didn't you just say so?" Asked Twilight with a smile.
The colt just stood there unresponsive to that question which caused Twilight to remove her smile and clear her throat.
"My name is Twilight Sparkle and welcome to Ponyville! When did you arrive?"
No reply.
"Er... well, this is the town square as you can tell where Princess Celestia will be arriving in 20 minutes. The town isn't really big, so do you need to be shown around."
This excuse for a town has a Princess? thought Kane. Kane nodded once.
"Well, we do have enough time, so follow m-" CRASH!
Twilight flinched and looked behind her while Kane unblinkingly looked ahead to see what had caused a big racket. A piano was on the ground with purple arms and legs flailing around with a muffled "HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME!." Above the piano was a flying gray pegasus with golden eyes that were crossed together doing another innocent derpy face.
Oh great. A pegasus. My thoughts came true. Thought Kane
"Ditzy!" Yelled Twilight. She turned around to Kane and said,
"I'll be... right back." And ran to the piano using magic from her horn to lift it and free Spike from underneath.
Kane let out a sigh of annoyance signifying that this indeed was going to be the most annoying thing he has ever done in his entire life.

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                   Return of the Author                    
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Return of the Author
Hey those who favorited 'What is Friendship?'. I'm posting this to let you know that I am going to attempt to start writing chapters for the story as it is now summer vacation for me, and I should be able to muster up some inspiration to start writing again. I've been thinking for a while, and I've decided to try and get started on Chapter 2.
I wanna try to keep at a pace though, as I recognized that I can get easily discouraged and stop writing the chapters for a long while. I'm going to try and write Chapter 2 daily, and given that my Inspiration can go by FAST, I'm going to write the chapters slowly so I can fix small/big mistakes put in that don't fit very well for the story. I might get some messages regarding questions on how long will it take me to write or whatever, so just in case, let's get this over with.
Q: How long is it going to take for you to write a chapter?
A: It can take up to maybe 3 days, a week, a month, or 4 months. Maybe longer.
Q: Why does it take so long for you to write the chapters?
A: Well, I'm not that good at writing out the story specificly the way I want it to be written and to get it written the way I need to be, I'm gonna need lots of time to scratch off a sentence and replace it and repeat. It's very difficult due to my lack of creativity and I want to improve, but right now, the best I got in me is going to take a while.
Q: Are you okay with criticism?
A: As long as it doesn't involve grammar issues which I am fully aware of. But what I do want is criticism on how good the story is so far. It's confusing right now because I never written a Prologue for it mainly because I had a hard time writing it out. I just need comments on what people think of it, and see what I should change to make it better, and if I should continue because It'd really help me keep going with moral support. Plus, liking it or disliking it would give me a good idea of what people think.
Q: Do you need help?
A: Actually, I do. I did have an editor that helped me, but overtime I guess the person lost interest in me, or is ignoring me for reasons. (I'm not going to name him/her for respect of their privacy.) That person helped edit grammar mistakes, changed some sentences, and communicated with me on how to make the story seem more interesting. So if there are any editors out there, I would appreciate your help. It would make the story move along faster, thus it would help if you could cheer me on to keep writing the story. It would greatly help me.
Q: Are there going to be times where you'll have to put the story on Hiatus again?
A: Yes. In fact, on June 28th or the first week of July, I'm moving from California to Texas, and it's going to be a three days drive given that we're going to be driving through two states to get there.
Q: Are you going to keep us updated about sudden changes?
A: Yes, that is the most important question of all. I will be keeping you updated on how things are going and when you can possibly expect the next chapter to come out and when there will be delays or if I'm in danger and I need Superman to save me, I will keep you updated so that you know what's coming when and where.
Well, that should about do it. But if there are any other questions that you need to ask, (I dont know what you could possibly ask next.) just send me a message and I'll reply as soon as I see it. Thanks!