Mind changed on removing the griffon arc from Midnight Rising + teaser · 1:48pm April 5th
After receiving pleas from multiple readers to keep the Enter the Griffon chapters in place, I have decided to do so and go with my original plan, which was to simply offer new readers the chance to skip over them when they come and then write the current chapter to catch anybody who does skip them up on what happened during them.
Sorry for all the flip-flopping on this. 
I promise that this will be the last time. I’ll also have to modify the new chapter I’m writing somewhat to reflect the latest decision making. Expect some of my pathos on all this to leak through the writing in a couple places and be reflected by Sunset’s reactions to Ms. Cheerilee’s critiques, which will reflect those I’ve received from readers.
I emphasize that I am not angry at any commenter who brought those critiques forward originally, including Implausible Deniability and Spike2022. They were all valid critiques, even if I didn’t initially want to hear them. I hope this at least proves that I do listen to my feedback and try to adjust when called for.
Here. Have a teaser in the form of a small snippet of the new chapter:
So, before we restart the narrative, I need to explain a few things for anyone coming into this who skipped over the griffie chapters—I think it’s too late to break it off into a side story; sorry, Ms. Cheerilee.
It was around the third or fourth chapter of the Enter the Griffons arc that my friends started to recover their memories and rediscovered their futahoods, which like I said, popped up when we ponied up during a band practice. Since then, they’ve been reading and commenting on my Googly Docs nonstop, and as a result, it would be a lie to say things haven’t gotten… even more awkward with us a couple times.
But we’re working through those issues and trying to set some boundaries. And now, by their own request, our school heads have joined the peanut gallery. Uncomfortable though that is, I’m relieved to say that they aren’t mad at me for originally wiping their memories or concealing all this from them.
That said, I’m still trying to figure out just why their Midnight-imparted male stallion equipment got restored given I purged all of Midnight’s magic at the end of the event, and if they can be suppressed for all of us when they’re not wanted. But in the meantime, we’re having to be… careful. And for our two Principals, that means staying away from school for a while lest they be tempted by the students they were with. Does that sum it up, Principal and Vice-Principal?
Sunshine: Quite nicely. Though if I could make one additional comment, Sunset?
Daydream: Of course!
Sunshine: I would just ask that you not feel bad about Ms. Cheerilee’s critiques. She’s just trying to help you make this the best creative writing work possible. That doesn’t mean she didn’t like it or appreciate the effort you’ve put into it. Luna and I certainly do!
Daydream: Thanks, Principal Celestia. But after all the work I’ve put on this, criticism like that still stings a lot. Kinda weird, given I only was planning to write this for myself originally, but then it took on a life of its own and everyone else started recovering their memories. So here we are.
Moonglow: That is a good sign! For Ms. Cheerilee herself would say that the best creative writing exercises often start that way.
Daydream: Thanks, both of you. That makes me feel a bit better. But before I continue the story, I have to ask: are you two SURE that you’re okay with me spilling the beans about everything you did? I’m not the old me, and I really don’t want to embarrass you.
Sunshine: … It’s not a matter of being ‘okay’ with it, Sunset. It’s already happened, and we can’t take it back or remove your knowledge of it. All we can do now is ask you to share that knowledge so we can remember everything. Doing so should help us come to terms with it, and then hopefully learn how to control it. Agreed, Luna?
Moonglow: Agreed, sister. You’ve all now seen us at our most wanton worst, students, and thus, there is simply no point in keeping whatever remains to be revealed private. I can only hope that you forgive us for all you saw and understand how very mortified we now are.
Fertile Fields: Think I speak for all of us when I say there ain’t nothing to forgive, Principal and Vice-Principal. We were all swept up in that insanity, and near as I can tell, everybody was affected by it—even now, with our new, uh, equipment making us tempted to do things we would never have considered before.
Crystal Queen: Indeed! If we faulted *you* for your desires and actions either then or now, then we would be—what is the word Ms. Cheerilee once taught us? Oh, yes. Hypocrites.
Hyperdash: What they said. Look, we don’t blame you two for anything you did then. Middie set off a full-blown sexpocalypse and weren’t nobody able to resist it.
Moonglow: ‘There wasn’t anybody’. Proper grammar is important, even in comments, students. And though ‘sexpocalypse’ isn’t a word, I believe I will accept it as a valid description. Despite that, we cannot help but worry what will happen if… those we were with remember these events. Or if we’re around them again.
Fertile Fields: Yeah, you got us there, Vice-Principal, but honestly? You didn’t hurt them or nobody else. Er, *anybody* else.
Sugar High: Yeah! Everyone had a WHALE of a good time! Especially Dean Cadance and the students who were with you two! And even if they don’t remember why, those students will now be more loyal to you both than EVER!
Moonglow: Yes, well… as this discussion is making the minds of my sister and I wander in directions we’d much rather they didn’t, if you would be so kind as to proceed, Sunset?
Daydream: Oh! Of course, Vice-Principal…
I think you get the idea. On a side note, I’ve finally figured out who Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna actually are. You’ll find out their true identities and purpose at the end of Nightmare Night, but needless to say, they’re analogous beings to the pony princesses who are actually as timeless and ageless as their alicorn counterparts, powerful in their own right though they definitely don’t control the sun or moon. And the reason Luna has an interest in the griffons for them being reflections of the Roman Empire is because she was once part of and greatly appreciated the human one.
Chapter will be off to prereaders as soon as tonight, with chapter launch within a week to follow. And after that, I will keep my promise to charge into the long-awaited Lemon Zest chapters. I thank you all again for hanging with me during this rather unpleasant writing ordeal, and will do my best to make it up in coming chapters.
Ooh. I've seen a variety of takes on the princessipals—coincidence, reincarnation, a Nurse Joy/Officer Jenny-esque family line—but having them be as immortal as their equine counterparts is a rarity. I just hope they never have to fight to the decapitation with anyone, especially one another. Really, must there be only one?
And the flip-flopping is understandable, especially given the desperate outcry the initial announcement caused. No one can claim you aren't receptive to audience feedback.
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They’re definitely not Highlanders! I think you’re going to like this take on them, which I’m pretty sure is unique in the fandom. One thing the sisters do have in common with their Equestrian counterparts, however, is a thousand-year schism that was only recently healed.
Appreciated greatly. And thanks again for giving it to me straight.
I'm looking forward to reading the new chapters.
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And I appreciate that greatly, along with all your feedback.