A Bit Later Than I'd Hoped, But Still On Track

I was hoping to have it at the end of last week, but the rewrite of Dark Shy is past its first draft. Just like with other chapters, I'll give it some time and a few rereads before copying it over. In the meantime, The Three Trials has already had one reread. That means it's a little further along than the Dark Shy rewrite, but the plan is to put up the rewrite first, give it maybe three days for anyone to read, and then post the new chapter.

All told, I expect it to take a few more weeks, but I should have them both up either around or before Christmas. Sure, it's a bit of a wait, but two new chapters and a rewrite is still the most progress I've made on this story in one year in, well, years. And for the time being, I can put up another sneak peek for The Three Trials. Nothing too spoilery if you've already played the game (and believe me, this chapter's got quite a few surprises in store), but I'm hoping you all get a kick out of it.

Soft carpet touched the bottom of Fluttershy’s hooves as the white glow surrounding her began to recede, leaving behind a palatial hall that stretched both behind and ahead of her. A long red carpet lay beneath her and covered the cold, stone gray floor between her and a small set of stairs at the other end of the hall. A high throne sat at the top of the stairs, and in front of the throne stood two ponies, one clad from head to hoof in purple armor and the other wearing a Stetson hat and a faded black leather outfit. The two ponies turned to look at Fluttershy, and the one in the Stetson hat held a massive greatsword in her hoof, propping the hefty weapon behind her shoulder and against her back.

“Howdy,” the pony said in an accent Fluttershy knew all too well.

“Applejack!” Fluttershy said in a tone that lost its enthusiasm as she recognized the other pony. “And… Dark Lord Pinkamena?”

The second pony placed her front hooves against the sides of her helmet and pushed, forcing it off her head with a rubbery plop. A pair of cheery blue eyes looked back at Fluttershy from a vibrant, hot pink face sporting a messy darker pink mane. “Oh please,” the mare said, “my friends just call me Pinkie Pie.”

“Pinkie, put that back on!” Applejack scolded. “You know how dangerous she is.”