Long ago, before Discord terrorized Equestria, before the Crystal Empire vanished, or a princess fell from favor: legends were told and songs were sung...
Of a city far to the southwest. A city that gleamed like the the sunlight. A city that stood tall above mountains, and was only accessible from the clouds. A city forged with the power of steam and refined with the efficiency of clockwork.
When Metronome, a simple farming pony with an affinity for efficiency heard of these tales, he knew it was his destiny to find this city. What adventures await him there? What trials of cogs or mysteries of the steam? And will they be for good or for ill?

My first fic and hopefully magnum opus! The first few chapters will be almost exclusively pure build-up to the main plot and exposition dumps. I really wanted to create a new world for the ponies to play in, so if you're willing to bare with me for a little while I just set up the characters and setting, I'm sure you'll it to be well worth it. =) If you think anything was not clearly explained, please feel free to point it out, but I plan to explore much more via flashbacks further in. constructive criticism is welcome, so long as it's respectful; and illustrators are wanted!