//------------------------------//
// Prologue: Humble Beginnings. 
// Story: Rise of the Maximals 
// by Jongoji245 
//------------------------------//

Estes Park, Colorado, January 1997

There were once a man and a woman who had been betrothed for a while. But happy as they were, luck was not on their side. The man was recently laid off and struggled to find work. Their only hope for survival was the nearby food drives, but those were often fleeting. Nearby their apartment a splendid garden could be seen, which was full of the most beautiful flowers and herbs. It was, however, surrounded by a high wall, and no one dared to go into it because it belonged to Hydia and her daughters Reeka and Draggle, declared to be the worst of neighbors. One day, the hunger became too much and the woman became ill.

Alarmed, the man asked, "Ember, what's wrong?"

Ember tried to reply, but could only respond with a cough.

Time was now of the essence, if the man couldn't find work, he would have to steal, whatever cost that would be as long as his wife and child could survive.

At twilight, he clambered down over the wall into Hydia's garden, hastily clutched a handful of rampion, and made a salad of it. It tasted so good to her - so very good, that the next day Ember longed for it three times as much as before. If he was to have any rest, her husband knew he must once more descend into the garden. Therefore, in the gloom of evening, he let himself down again; but when he had clambered down the wall he was terribly afraid, for he saw Hydia standing before him.

'How can you dare,' - said Hydia with an angry look - "descend into my garden and steal my rampion like a thief? I should have you arrested!'

"Please," answered the Husband, "let mercy take the place of justice, I only did because my wife is sick and is expecting a child."

Hydia allowed her anger to be softened, and said to him, "If that's what you want, I will allow you to take away with you as much rampion as you will, only I make one condition, you must give me the child which your wife will bring into the world; it shall be well treated, and I will care for it like a mother."

The man in his terror consented to everything before telling his wife.

Estes Park, Colorado, June 16th/1997 

Nine months have passed, and Ember gave birth to a healthy girl. As happy as they were, they still had a deal to keep. 

"I am sorry to hear that you are placing this child for adoption." - Said Doctor Horse - "Do you have a name for her?"

Noticing that it was just before evening, Ember looked at her daughter one last time.

"Shimmer... Sunset Shimmer..." - Ember's tears dripped on her child's nose 

With Sunset put up for adoption, she was left in the nursery with several other children, many of whom will become very important in her life. Hydia watched the innocent child from behind the window as she gave a toothy grin.





Ashley Valley, Utah. November 7th/1999

In the eve of the eighth day of November, a miracle has happened. In the Regional Medical Center, a woman was recovery from delivering her first child, her husband sitting beside her. As they waited for their new arrival to return, they rubbed their heads together. The husband turned to the sound of a door opening. The lead medic, Dr. Lipschitz, held their child, a yellow baby boy with a slight peach fuzz of purple hair. For the first time, Claire held her child in her arms. Clamp Jaw, having to wait quite a while, turned to the doctor.

"So what's wrong with him?" asked Clamp.

"Mr. Thunderfoot, your son has ectrodactyly." answered Dr. Lipschitz

Claire pulled down the sheet to find her son's condition; one each of his hand, his ring-pinky and index and middle fingers were conjoined, giving them the appearance of claws.

"Your son's fingers aren't fused by bone." - The doctor took out a slip and began writing on it - "I can refer you to McNamera/Troy-"

"No." Clamp Jaw interrupted, placing his hand on the slip.

"Sir, if you let him grow with this condition," - "Lipschitz lowered his glasses - "your son may have difficulty writing, let alone grasping a pencil efficiently."

"And if we did surgery now, we'd be bankrupt." Clamp Jaw rebuked.

Having to keep his reputation, the doctor respected his decision with a nod. Clamp Jaw turned back to his wife.

"What will you name him?"

Claire looked at her son as he shuffled in his blue sheet.

"Cosgrove... After my great grandfather."

"Cosgrove..." Clamp Jaw looked at his son before nudging his wife.