Before you begin reading this story, please read this to understand what this fic is and the history behind it.
On Feb 27, 2022 popular MLP fanfic author and friend of mine on the site, Darth Link 22 passed away. I learned about his death through a blog from another user and friend of his: https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/981527/remembering-darthlink22-and-plans-for-the-future. I did make sure to see if this wasn't another person hacking into the account of a friend and lying about them being dead (It's happened to three people I know personally) but upon seeing his obituary I was horrified and heartbroken to learn it was real.
His passing is a sudden shock to us all for those who knew him and the community has lost a great writer. DarthLink22 and I have known each other for years and we've helped each other on our stories with ideas, suggestions, and edits. He loved writing and I hope those of us who read his work will remember his stories such as Post Nuptials, Families, About Last Night, and many more.
DarthLink22 was working on a story that I was helping him with called Journey to the First Flame which is a story in which Smolder has been chosen by Ember to accomplish an ancient dragon tradition and she chooses Fluttershy, who is reluctant but agrees, to accompany her. With DarthLink22 gone, I felt that I could honor him by continuing the story by posting the chapters he completed but didn't get a chance to post while also finishing the story personally since I was helping him with it and knows what happens next.
Since reading this story requires you to read the original chapters, please read the fic and all its chapters before continuing to the first chapter in this one which will continue where the last one went off. The following chapters coming up will be the ones Darth finished but never published. I'll let you know when the last one has been posted and when I'll be continuing the fic from there personally.
I would like to also thank TheAncientPolitzanian for their offer in editing this fic and doing so. Thank you again.
Once again, we will miss you DarthLink22. I hope you are happy up there in heaven my friend.
I think that's actually pretty cool what you did for him and it was very devastating knowing your friend passed away and I'm very sorry for your lost I kind of wish I knew about his stories but I'm sure he was a nice person he will be missed I'll probably read his other stories. And I'm sure he'll be appreciated that you honor him.
Darth Link 22 still has other stories that aren't finished yet. I won't tell anyone to finish writing any of them in his place, but it may be an honor to help carry out his legacy in posting them as sequels or continuations.
11181120
I don't have any access to his other work documents since I never played a role in helping make them. Plus I had no idea what his plans were for future chapters so I'm unable to do anything regarding that. This is the only one I can do because I had actual involvement with it in the planning states.
Well... I don't consider myself the best when it comes to delivering this kind of message, but I will do what I can, and apologize it is coming off so late after this story started, both this continuation and the early part in Darth Link 22's account.
First of all, massive respect to you for this. You're being a great friend to Darth Link 22, and I'm sure he is very touched that you're continuing his work for him and giving a conclusion to this story. I wish you the best of lucks in this endeavor.
And Darth Link 22, if you see this, I just want to say once more that I hope you're experiencing all the happiness you deserve. Thank you for everything you gave us.