This is turning interesting. I was actually surprised when I came to the end of the chapter, as it didn't seem slow to me.

Spoilered the thoughts that I have, about what happened.
It seems to me, that Rust wants to be a leader, that isn't questioned by anyone. By taking in orphans, he can make sure that they will always look up to him. He is the leader of the group that saved them and cared for them. Then there is the way he uses words, of course.
So any one who isn't influenced by that and says something else, is seen automatically as a threat by him. This will bite him in the ass later, as he actually made Wild Chains start doubting him now, instead of just following him, as Ash Blossom does now.

Looking forward to the next chapter and keep up the good work.

Poor Wild Chains, he has such a big heart for such a cruel world.

Though with Crosshair, she has quite the unfortunate cutie mark. It's been a while since I've read or listen to the original story, but I think there is a scene that talks about what Calamity's cutie mark might be and one of the suggestions was a target. Just makes it hard to resist shooting that flank.

Will you be taking any elements from the seasons that came out after the original story was completed?

9900120
Since this story will only reference the original, it will not be using anything past season 2. I may mention some characters from season 3, but that’s about it.

Well, that turned dark pretty quickly. I am guessing Wild Chains will be exiled within a few chapters?

Oh, and directions in the beginning confused me a lot.

Good story, can’t wait to read more.