So....

Yeah, it's been a while since I last checked in. Is anyone out there still checking here? Anyway, to let you know what's going on. Despite appearances, I have not given up on the story. Have I hit a major road block? Yes. Honestly, the idea I had for chapter 9 sounded great as an idea, but I just couldn't write it. The concept worked better in my head than it did on paper. In other words, it just came across as boring. So, I stepped back and took some time to work on a short story for a contest (it may or may not make its way onto the Internet) and clear my head. Then, a few weeks ago, I was struck by a vehicle while crossing the road to go into work. In addition to striking me, the driver also crushed my laptop. Now, the hard drive is okay, but I haven't managed to get the files off of it yet, meaning that what I had written of chapter 9 is now temporarily unavailable. I've taken this opportunity to start from scratch on the chapter and try a whole new approach. So far I'm finding it more enjoyable to write, but the catch is that I had the original idea fleshed out in my head. I'm sort of winging this new idea. So... yeah, that's where I'm at. Sorry to be such a let down, but I'm still hanging in there with it.

HE'S ALIVE!!!

Yeah, I'm alive. Sorry, but you guys aren't getting rid of me that easily. :P

Anyway, Chapter 10... yes, it's being worked on. No, I'm not happy with how it's going. I've worked it, re-worked it, and re-re-worked it, and I'm still not completely happy. At this point, I'm running with what I have, because I honestly don't think I can please myself with it. It's frustrating, but sometimes it happens. Other than that... there's not much else to say. I just wanted everyone to know that I haven't fallen off the face of the Earth, and that I haven't stopped writing.

Chapter 9 Submitted + End of Chapter Notes

Chapter 9 has been submitted to Fanfiction.net and Equestria Daily. I recorded a sound bit for a section of this chapter. I hyperlinked it into the appropriate section, but if you read the chapter on FFNet then you won't be able to hear it in the context of the story. If you're curious about the music, it can be heard here:

http://soundcloud.com/robert-miller-1/iron-fist-cover


Anyway, onto my notes. A lot of the content in this chapter had been decided on a long time ago, so I thought it would make it faster to write. The problem is that it was written based on old ideas, and I have made a lot of changes as I've written this story, so some of the events I originally wanted in this chapter just wouldn't work. I originally had no intention of making Spike trigger Twilight's abilities, but when I decided that it would make a much better ending for chapter 8 than what I had first planned. Plus, it served as a better precursor for the events that happened later in chapter 9. So what did I keep? Basically everything from the track meet onward followed my original template. Everything before that was essentially new. Personally, I think the chapter was better off this way.

You can all probably tell that this story is drawing closer to a conclusion. Initially, I didn't think it would even last this long, but as ideas were changed and added the story grew. I don't think that will be the case anymore. From here I only have three other chapters planned. It feels weird thinking that it's almost over--especially when I've been working on it for the better part of a year--but everything must end eventually, right? Anyway, I hope you all have enjoyed (or will enjoy) chapter 9, and I hope you come back for the rest.

Brave New World Chapter 9 Complete!

Another chapter down. I have emailed it to my pre-readers for review. Thank you to everyone for always being patient with me.