//------------------------------//
// Prologue 
// Story: The Other Half 
// by 1000Fights 
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	Stone Hoof trotted down the streets of Canterlot with a spring in his step and a whistling tune on his lips. His golden mane bounced happily on his shoulders as he skipped his hooves across the cobblestone streets. His heart felt like it would burst from his chest. He was just so happy. After  three years, nine months, two weeks, four days, eleven hours, twenty-two minutes, and twenty-eight seconds, he finally found the mare of his dreams. River Runner was going to be his bride. She chose him, over every other unicorn in Equestria, to be her husband. He wasn't anything special. Except one unique feature about him. Since he was a unicorn, one would expect him to have a horn. Well, he does, except it was half the size of a normal unicorn's horn. When he a child, his parents took him to be examined, and it seemed his genes were crossed, giving him the horn from his mother, a unicorn, but it was shortened by the earth pony genes that his father possessed. Although his horn was shorter, he grew to be a larger sized stallion. A small sacrifice for a greater good. In fact, he needed the size, endurance, and strength that came with being an earth pony to work in the Canterlot mines. 
Stone Hoof made it to the gate of River Runner's home. He stopped just short and looked up to the sky. Up above him, he saw a flash of cream and honey dart over head. The blurry figure did impressive barrel rolls and loops through the air. Any pony that was lucky enough to see such an amazing spectacle, looked in awe as the figure went through complex routines that seemed to borderline dare-devil and suicidal. After a few more feats of agility and flying prowess, a cream colored pegasus with a honey colored mane landed softly on her hooves in front of Stone Hoof. Beads of sweat glistened on her fur coat, as the beads of perspiration gave the pony the appearance of a glowing angel, she flicked her mane dry with a short snap of her head and looked into the young unicorn's face. Her smile was so warm that it seemed the Frozen North threatened to thaw and flood all of Equestria. Her orange eyes looked like two glassy orbs of polished diamond. Stone couldn't help but stare into them. He was so stricken with amazement and excitement that he found it impossible to do anything else.
"Hey, honey." the pegasus said in a greeting tone. Her vocal chords put choir singers to shame. "How are you?" 
"Uh, uh, uh," Stone Hoof stammered. River Runner leaned in and kissed him on his lips. He immediately stopped stammering and pressed his lips against his fiancé's in a passionate act of affection. It almost came on reflex to do such a thing. He truly loved this mare, and so, it was easy for him to show it to her. 
"So." River Runner said after releasing the stallion from her mouth's grip. "What did you come all the way out here for?" 
It took Stone Hoof a few seconds to collect his thoughts. He cleared his throat and said "I am here for no less of a reason than to see my bride to be." 
The winged mare giggled and blushed. She still couldn't believe that out of all the mares in Equestria, this hard working stallion, possibly the hardest worker in Equestria, actually proposed marriage to her. She only just realized the fact that a guy like him had asked her out on a date just two years ago. She was such a dare-devil that nopony would even go near her. It didn't matter if she was a Wonderbolt, the stallions in Canterlot found her uncouth sometimes, and preferred mares like Fleur de Lis, who were quiet and just plain sexy. With her adrenaline fueled brain, River Runner was prone to doing extreme stunts and often had outbursts of excitement or anger at the most inappropriate of times. Qualities that most Canterlot elite would label as uncouth, but to Stone Hoof, they were what made her the perfect mare for him. He didn't like frilly fillies. To him they were just plain weak. 
Stone Hoof nuzzled his snout up against River Runner's. She returned the act in full. Both looked deeply into the other's eyes and smiled. 
The large palace clock rang out loudly as it struck mid-day. Stone Hoof's eyes widened. "What day is it?" he asked his lover.
"I think today is Wednesday." she said with a hint of confusion, but then it hit her like mountain stone. "Oh! You gotta go see your dad." 
The colt nodded. "Do you want to come with me?" he asked. His question was met with a warm smile and a nod. They went to the northern part of the city. Towards the Guard Barracks.
It did not take the pair long to reach the destination. Though that's what anypony else would say. It felt like hours to the lovers, but that was because of the heaviness in the air. It was not so easy to see his father anymore. Come to think of it, because of his father' standing in the guard, they rarely saw each other, but now it took a major toll on him. 
When the pair made it to the guard post, everypony gave him looks. Not out of hate or confusion, but out of admiration. One guard who was walking in the gardens gave him a hoof on the shoulder. He was an older, more experienced pegasus guard. "Your father is waiting for you, colt." he said in a knowing tone. "And who is this fine young lady?"
"Sir, this is my fiancé, River Runner." Stone Hoof said. 
"Ah." said the guard. His eyes holding back tears. "You finally popped the question and got yourself, not only a beauty, but a beauty with talent. I see many of your derbies Miss Runner. I can only hope that one day you will beat Fleet Foot." 'and win me back some of that money' the last part he said under his breath. "By the way, my name in Sergeant Gate."
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, sir." River Runner said. 
"Well, I should let you go see him. You know where to go." with that, the pegasus flew off to his post. 
The pair continued walking till they came to the section of the station that was usually off limits to the rest of the populous, except under special request. However, Stone Hoof was a usual in these parts, so personal recognition was what let him and River pass through the well protected gates. The gate closed behind them, and they were left in another courtyard, that housed nothing but a wall. Stone Hoof led the way to his father. When they arrived, he stood in silence before the him before he said, "Good afternoon, dad." he said in a fractured tone. His father didn't say a word back to him. Then again, stone plaques weren't supposed to talk. Before the two ponies was a plaque that read


Here on the Wall of Heroes
We commemorate the loss of Master Sergeant Steel Hoof
of the 200th Earth Pony Division, Detrots, Equestria with not
only this plaque, but with this Celestia's Star of Honor.
He exercised what it truly means to serve by showing bravery
in the face of danger, by holding off a pack of timber wolves
single-hoofed while local villagers escaped to the safety of 
the walls of the city. Though his valiance was strong, he fell 
after everypony was safe inside. 
Though he is gone, he will not be forgotten.
"Fight to your last breath, then fight some more."

Below the script was a symbol of a golden star with a wreath around it and in the middle was Princess Celestia's cutie mark. The sight of one of these was an honor in itself, to receive one is a whole other story, and to receive one while one was still alive, was legendary. 
Stone hoof gazed at his father for a while and said. "I didn't come alone this time. I brought somepony with me, River Runner, and I got great news, she said yes." The two ponies just stood there in silence, both contemplating what Stone Hoof's father would have said. 
"I think we should leave your father to take in what you just told him. I'm sure he is very excited" she nuzzled him, "and proud." With that, the couple walked away from the Wall, both with tears in their eyes.