So, this chapter was actually written in a day. But it turned out to be pretty lousy, and myself and my editors all had things going on, so it took nearly three weeks to get published I think? That's why Cliff shoots right up as soon as he sees people are watching him - that's how it felt for me, too. OH NO I'M BEING WATCHED BETTER PICK UP THE PACE! And speaking of which...

I guess I was on the featured box last night? Or at least, those three spots at the end of the featured box that I don't really understand how they work? In any case, I came back to 103 notifications this morning, so... thanks for that, everypony!

Based on the comments, things seem to be working as I had intended. Only one comment so far has had a complaint I didn't intend them to have, and that was the comment about the beginning being too much exposition. This is a fair point, but I didn't see much of a way around it. If I were to go back, I'd probably let at least some of that come out later, but I'm not going to start screwing with published chapters until (maybe) I've finished the whole thing. I maintain that the setting of them all meeting up again after quite a while works sufficiently well, even if it's not perfect.

I may hate Applejack the most, but Fluttershy is the hardest to write. If she seems OOC, please let me know. I hope she came across okay here and in the previous chapter, even though she hasn't really had a spotlight scene yet. That should probably be coming in the next chapter, or maybe the one after.

The two scenes I struggled most with were Sadlestia and the scene at the end with Dash giggling and Pinkie screaming. I think the latter worked better in my head, and would have worked better in a visual or auditory medium, where you can have more than one thing happening at once. Hopefully it comes across pretty well, though?

I was a little concerned that the reason behind Luna's rage moment wouldn't come through, but it looks like at least some of you understood. So that's good.

Uh... yeah, I guess that's about it?

I hope you're enjoying the ride! I know I am. My job has picked up quite a bit just now, so I might not be able to write much more in the next two weeks. Then again, I could have a stroke (what?) of GEEENIUS! and slam the whole thing out tonight. Who knows? That's exactly why I don't give ETAs on chapters.