It's been a long wait for Grey Tiercel, ex-Manehattan Police Department detective, but soon he'll be back in the game of chasing criminals and solving cases. Just as soon as his investigator's license arrives.

Too bad nopony told the criminals to wait.

It's just a cutpurse, but Grey Tiercel has been cooped up for too long to stand by and do nothing. The chase reminds him why he took up the badge. The streets call out for his return.

But this simple chase of a simple thief will turn out to be just the beginning of the legend, so closely whispered amongst the forgotten of the city. And so angrily cried by those who would hide in the city's darkness.

This is when the Hawk takes flight.

A part of my Manehattan Chronicles: Breaking Ground and Building Blocks series of shorts.

The city of Manehattan is home to an endless number of stories--some good, some bad; some long and some short; some filled with joy and others the unfortunate victims of tragedy. This is what some call Life, but others a joke. The day by day activities of the players that inhabit this city of opportunity are just as varied. Anypony can have a good day that makes them or a bad day that breaks them.

These are the excerpts of just a few who--by their choice or by Fate--are forced to live and survive in Equestria's shining, ebon jewel.

Grey Tiercel cover by Spaced.

We've all heard barely the vaguest of details describing the earliest days of Luna and Celestia--that they defeated Discord before ruling Equestria in Harmony; that eventually Luna grew jealous of her sister and the day; that Celestia defeated Luna-turned-Nightmare Moon. But what happened really?

Where does a being like Discord come from? Why are Luna and Celestia so different from everypony else?

Celestia, Luna and Discord may be the only ones alive today who know. In light of the recent near-tragedies that have befallen Equestria, Celestia has endeavored to make a record of this history, her memories, to be delivered to Twilight Sparkle when the time is right. This is result of her efforts.

This is the truth.

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This story will present a (hopefully) canonically safe origin for Discord, Luna and Celestia--where they came from, how they got their powers, why Luna and Celestia are immortal/larger than other ponies/etc. The plan also includes an explanation/detail of Nightmare Moon--the hows and whys.

Furthermore, it will tell the stories of the interactions between these characters, including a bit of CelestiaCord. That portion inspired directly by the excellent song "Monster" by Aviators and Omnipony.

It will also examine the early history of Equestria (though still several hundred years after the founding).

Or at least, that's the plan. (Edit: Tags will be added as I get there--that's probably a more proper way to be. But fully expect this to hit Tragedy and a bit of Romance, eventually.)

Request: Hey, did you read this story and enjoy it? Are you a generous artist with some time on your hands? Or perhaps you'd accept a trade of art for fiction? I'd really like to commission a cover page for this story. Hit me up if you're willing or interested in talking trades.