//------------------------------//
// Chapter 1 
// Story: The Hippogriff and the Mermare 
// by Creativa-Artly01 
//------------------------------//

Ten thousand years ago in Equestria, a young Hippogriff prince named Rubius is out flying over the beach when he hears singing coming from seemingly nowhere. He flies down to take a look out of curiosity. He soon sees from the shore a mermare outstretched on a rock singing. He immediately falls head over hoof for her.

Upon seeing the young Hippogriff gazing her way, the young mermare, Pearl Crystal looks up and blushes. She then jumps off her rock and goes over to investigate as she's never seen a hippogriff before. Once she's on the shore, Rubius walks over to her. "You have a beautiful voice," he says to Pearl Crystal. 

"Awe, thanks," Pearl Crystal replies, blushing. "The name is Pearl Crystal by the way. What's yours?"

"My name is Rubius," replies the Hippogriff prince with a smile. 

The two talk for an hour before Pearl Crystal returns to the sea. As she dives under the waves, Rubius can't help but sigh and smile. He's smitten with the young mermare and he can tell, she's just as smitten with him. Rubius flies back to his castle and tells his father about his new found love interest. Upon him doing so, his father freaks out and lectures him nonstop.

"Rubius, I've told you a million times, we don't go to Mermare Beach. Mermares are tricksters. They can't actually love you," sighs his father shaking his head.

"But Pearl Crystal is different, she's nice and sweet, she's harmless," replies Rubius.

"That's what she wants you to believe," responds his father. Rubius huffs and runs down the hall, tears in eyes, to his bedroom, where he sits on his bed and cries. Pearl Crystal is different, if only his father would see that.