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WAs worth the wait for me. I hope you are safe, Somber.
I know it's hard Scotch Tape, but self-defense is never a bad thing. Sometimes, you have to take a life to safe another Still, to me, you are a good and brave filly, something your family can be proud of.
great chapter my dude.
So this takes place before the epilogue of Project Horizons? While Rampage is still on the moon?
Censored because not sure if even spoilers at this point.
Love the story, been waiting and still loving it.
Your work is always worth the wait. I love this and cant wait for the next chapter
Another very enjoyable chapter. Well worth the wait. It was good to see old friends again. I hope the year gets better for you. Like you said I too am afraid it will get worse before it gets better.
Always a treat seeing your work updated. Spirits are confusing as always. Got me wondering if Rocky will ever be satisfied with being "somewhere else" given what the Stone King said. I'm guessing the Moon? Hope Tempest will listen and go back home, if I followed that correctly.
10410594
This one said it best. Though I loved the bit where scotch was talking to spirit BJ and the gang. I am assuming this was before BJ woke up in stable 99 at the end of PH? Or is BJ there because she's asleep and already existing in her blank body. Urg so many questions.
The terrific 12. Getting the band back together.
I always have to read the previous chapter again to refresh my memory in what is going in with each chapter release but i am still happy to do that. Love the story and i am happy to see every update.
That was one hell of a lesson Scotch just learned there. I hope she can bear the weight she keeps piling onto her back.
Looks like the bad guys are still closing in. I wonder what stake Tanit has in keeping the eye closed.
Keep it up Somber! It's always great to see that you're still pushing through!
Oh excellent. I am rereading Project Horizons and approaching half way. I met Precious a while ago and now her presence makes more sense seeing that she is no longer a 'background pony' after reading Homelands.
Always happy to see an update! They sneak up on me when I least expect them, and always become a highlight of my day.
Take care!
"As did her mother when she came home."
"As had her mother when she came home."?
"I know she was should have told you about it"
"I know she should have told you about it"?
"It would take much for them to be against her friends too."
"It wouldn't take much for them to be against her friends too."?
"She stopped complaining once mom was gone."
"She stopped complaining once Mom was gone."?
"side of those door closing and that"
"side of those doors closing and that"?
"went down stairs to one"
"went downstairs to one"?
"storage lockers were they kept food from"
"storage lockers where they kept food from"?
"once I started when would I stop"
"once I started, when would I stop"?
"on her mane and reached up to see his smile"
"on her mane and looked up to see his smile"?
"and that ws the most oninous of all"
"and that was the most ominous of all"?
"Blackhack had said she’d"
"Blackjack had said she’d"?
"Maybe if you kept it, you’d do"
"Maybe if you'd kept it, you’d do"?
"need to do now.” Dealer said as"
"need to do now,” Dealer said as"?
"clasping his hands together as"
"clasping his forehooves together as"?
"rolled like a angry sea"
"rolled like an angry sea"?
Also, checking, but did you mean "roiled"? I could see either working.
"announced as the blood spattered zebra stepped"
"announced as the blood-spattered zebra stepped"?
"that enough!?” She begged him."
"that enough!?” she begged him."?
"I just want…” but I failed. What did she want?"
What, or where, was that "but I failed" meant to be?
"her eyes moved across them,"
"her eyes moved across them."?
"she saw a golden glow lingering, washing"
Lingering on the card, or her hooves?
"being pulled into position back when time"
"being pulled back into its position when time"?
"Some stay in shadows of our minds."
"Some stay in shadows in our minds."?
"zebra now pulling all her weight forward on two hooves"
"zebra now putting all her weight forward on two hooves"?
"If they had a kid would that be compound"
"If they had a kid, would that be compound"?
"aren’t the way you always thought they are"
"aren’t the way you always thought they were"?
"The stone building of military base became"
"The stone building of the military base became"?
"Pillars that’d once held up roofs."
What about them?
"thrown them from her feet as well."
"thrown them from their feet as well."?
"It cocked it’s head."
"It cocked its head."?
"been copiously, maiden.” His smile"
"been copiously, Maiden.” His smile"?
"phenomenon you are, maiden. I’ve felt your"
"phenomenon you are, Maiden. I’ve felt your"?
"Scotch asked and he gave a very sober nod."
"Scotch asked, and he gave a very sober nod."?
"met eyes with Pythia and asked. “Stone"
"met eyes with Pythia, and asked, “Stone"?
"send the maiden on her way"
"send the Maiden on her way"?
"the statue pulled back returning to its"
"the statue pulled back, returning to its"?
"and the whisper if ‘is up’ resumed"
"and the whisper of ‘is up’ resumed"?
Also, which whisper of "is up"? That wasn't quite what the talisman or the gravity equation spirit were whispering before, looking back, if that's supposed to be it. Or am I missing something?
"and rubbed her Temples hard."
"and rubbed her temples hard."?
"A lone zebra drug himself along"
"A lone zebra dragged himself along"?
"From the ceiling overhead, tendrils of black slime slithered overhead, oozed"
"From the ceiling overhead, tendrils of black slime slithered, oozed"?
"Doctor Z started back at that shadow"
"Doctor Z stared back at that shadow"?
Well, a variety of interesting things in this chapter; thank you for writing. :D
And thanks to the editors!
I'm glad you're keeping yourself together; good luck, as things carry on.
...Man, that last bit is foreboding...
10410463
Most of PH’s epilogue takes place at least a century after the story. When BJ and LP travel to the Moon, all of Littlepip’s friends have passed away and a lot of pre-war technology has been lost.
So Scotch Tape, Pythia, Majina and everyone else from Homelands will be long death before Blackjack get's Rampage back.
Happy to have ruined your mood.
could fight did?
Person?
Pretty sure it was intentional, but I will put it here anyway
'with each other' to avoid repeating 'together'
We are getting to develop Scotch's character. Pretty late in the story, but I must say switching between the fight scene and the flashbacks both kept me entartained at the same level, without one overshadowing the other. Is 'be good' going to be new 'do better'? In Horizons BJ was inspired to 'do better' by the AJ statuette, here... I dunno even. Maybe if it was introduced in the beginning of the story. The more a character speaks, the less mysterious he becomes. In here the dealer pulled something so wicked. Good to see old crew even if for a moment. During the fight I was suprised Scotch did't use S.A.T.S at all, I have no idea if it works with just hooves or not, but still she can 'slow down time'. Scotch after the fight drunk a healing potion and hugged her friends with what I understand is a broken rib, isn't it like healing potion rule nr.1? I have no idea what is going on with Doctor Z, these unexplained events are so great, they build so much suspense and mistery, maybe we will even have an explanation for 'the Dealer'. It is so good seeing an Homelands update. Screw my sleep schedule I needed to read this now.
Always worth the wait. Good stories are a real boon this year.
So Chapter 23 didn't being with a bar brawl or a beaten-up Scotch crawling back to her bunk. Instead we have a 1 vs 1 Deathmatch. A Zebra legionary with years of combat experience vs Scotch Tape with years of plumbing experience.
Yep Scotch is royally screwed. Maybe she should've actually thought about step two of her plan before smahing a chair onto that Zebras head. Sure, Blackjack often didn't plan that much ahead either. But Blackjack - self-proclaimed worst Security Pony of Stable 99 - is extremely good at hurting and kill others. Scotch isn't.
Every time I think Stable 99 can't get any worse. Something like this happens. No friendships, nor care outside of mother-daughter relations. Just work and casual sex. I’m surprise suicide wasn’t the most common cause of death. Seriously, fuck that place. I now understand more than ever why Duct Tape was clinging to the illusion of having a perfect little family with P-21. It was the only thing that prevent her from going crazy.
Hello early childhood trauma.
So way back in Chapter 1 of PH, when Blackjack found her crying, Scotch just had witnesses her mother’s death body getting recycled.
Fuck that place!
Looking at all the future than doesn’t end with a death Scotch Tape? Probably aren't many of them.
Has any of the Legions you encounter on your travels, actually looked like they gave a crap about right and wrong? A Legionary only cares about his/her fellow legionaries. Everyone not part of their Legion is fair game. At these are the "nicer" Legions. In the Blood Legion backstabbing and killing each other is probably a common occurrence.
Yeah, that’s not how it works Scotch.
Watching her mom’s corpse getting recycled basically saved her life.
At this point I'm full on board with burning the place down. If only more ponies could’ve been saved. If Stable 99 had a Spirt, it probably would make the one inside the Black Book wetting it’s not-existing pants.
Time again to mention, how much I like P-21. Such a great character.
If Precious is allowed to fighter for her, Scotch really should take her up on that over. Either her or Skylord. Better losing the respect of the Legion than losing your life.
Talk about convenient timing.
He’s just her for the ride. And because he really enjoys messing with people who hang around with Blackjack.
Have to agree with Scotch Tape. Haimon may think that the end justifies the means, but everything he has done so far has only caused more death and misery for countless innocents.
No!
No, no, no, no…
Don’t you dare!
Bad Somber! Bad! How dare you play with people’s emotions like this?
As much as I want them to be the real deal, I believe these were just Scotch’s memories of them. They didn’t said anything Scotch didn’t already know. So this was basically her subconscious telling her what she needed to hear. Besides I doubt that Riptide, Haimon and Co. would act like they did, if they had suddenly be pulled into Scotch Tape’s mind.
Of course, I would be more than happy to be wrong.
First time I saw Dealer actually losing his cool.
Keep that in mind, Scotch! Next time he annoys you, just threaten to take his cards and pee on them.
Smart Pony. Instead of letting others – like creepy ghost horses with a card fetish – telling you what you do, you chose your own path.
The epic adventures of Precious hoard continues. When will get the spin-off story?
Oh come on Charity. You’re such a joy kill.
Somehow I find the thought of an Equestrian version of Isaac Newton assuming.
What happens if you make a deal with a spirit and the spirit really likes you and realizes that it’s not your fault that you can't fulfil the deal? Could he decide not to censure you, is he forced to do so because of the rules or does he censure simply because it’s part of his nature?
After everything you saw in the last few months, do you REALLY believe that’s the case Charity?
ih1.redbubble.net/image.855014692.0261/flat,750x,075,f-pad,750x1000,f8f8f8.u1.jpg
She’s learning. Good.
Can you blame them? Wherever the Greene Menace shows up, things get interesting.
Yay Rocky is back!
So there are things out there that make pacts with people with the intention off exploiting them and screwing them over. Sounds a lot like demons.
Zebra TV is off the air permanently.
Also Tanit job seems to be going around killing side characters, so they don’t have to show up during the interlude chapters. Honestly, I don’t envy Somber, having to keep track of tons of characters, with whom they are and what they are currently doing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frist of all: Thank you Somber, for making Dealer get off his ghostly ass and do something. This is something that has been bothering me for a long time.
Scotch’s seeing her family and friends again was great. It would’ve been nice, if her Duct Tape had been part of the spirits encouraging her, but I can understand behind her absence. Scotch always compared herself to the rest of Blackjack’s group, trying to figure out what they would’ve done in her situation. It makes perfect sense that only members of the group would show up to help her realize, that she should make her own choice instead of thinking about what somepony else would’ve done.
Another interesting thing that happend is the spirit calling Scotch Maiden. Blackjack was called Maiden of the Stars. Based on that I’m going to concluded, that Maiden is a title for someone who was either touched by spirits or has a very close connection to them. Even more than a shaman, who aren’t called Maidens. So a Maiden is more like a Chosen One. Now why the spirits would chose Scotch Tape out of all ponies is still a mystery. Maybe something that happened to her during her travels with Blackjack, made her special in the eyes of a powerful spirit?
This also puts the New Empire into a different light. Presumably they are more than a group of power-hungry/ visionary Zebras wanting to establish a new Caesar. This is all connected to the spirits. There’s probably some evil spirit-like entity in the background pulling the strings. My comment about Riptide working for the Zebra version of the Eater of Souls suddenly feels a lot closer to the true than I thought.
You guys know what would be a real twist: There’s no evil spirit. Instead the real villain behind everything is an Equestrian A.I. pretending to be a spirit and fooling everyone.
(Before anyone get's angry: That’s not a critic of the plot or me telling Somber he should change whatever ending he has planned. It’s just a silly little thing, stuck inside my mind. I’m perfectly fine with the true villain being a spirit. )
The king has sent us a gift.
I'm so glad this was here today. I needed nostalgia to kick my ass out of a breakdown and came to find the excellent writing and character development I have missed for so long. Going to be rereading Horizons in full. Somber the chapters keep being amazing and are great golden mote in this years inky well.
Wow this was certainly an interesting chapter
Not sure how long ago this was released, but damn if I'm not glad to see it! Poor Z TV... they just happened to be caught in the crossfire between Scotch and her friends, and some great... power that wants her dead, or captured or... something for some reason. I'm used to Lovecraftian-esque monsters and such at this point though... and the whole... THING of hopefullness clashing woth hopelessness! It's a dichotomy that's an amazing experience to... er... experience! It's addicting... and it'll keep me focussed on the story for AGES!
Bravo. Holy shit bravo. I haven't felt this invested in a story since Project Horizons itself!
And the ideas... everything is just incredible! So much world-building... so many things happening off-screen. It's a truly unique and expansive... I'm not sure if it's a world, a universe, or a multiverse you've built...
I love how Scotch is growing up though. It's a truly fantastic sight! And the amount of loyalty she inspires in her friends... I don't know what it is, but the girl's definite got charisma! And a helluva a lot of it! I'm even finding myself inspired by her... felt similar feelings with Blackjack. Only a few other characters have inspired me to the extent of these two. So, congratulations!
I am SO eagerly awaiting the next chapter! NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES!
ONWARD!
Gotta be honest though... fuck 2020. This story and a few others here on FIMFiction are the highlights of my days, in all honesty.
Glory to the stories that keep me up until 5 in the morning!
Some of the best writing I've had the pleasure of accidentally stumbling into. Got introduced to PH about... damn, 5 years ago now. Through Google Docs. Completely by accident, just happened to see a certain animation by Herostrain, which led to me finding Fallout Equestria, which THEN led me to PH.
And wow... these stories have become such pivotal pieces of my life now. Seriously, the man I am today is on no short due to inspirations from you, and to a slightly lesser extent, KKat.
So thank you, for helping me shape myself into the man I am today. Thank you.
Alright, enough with the sappy stuff, on to more waiting eagerly for the next chapter!
And after a week of reading, I am caught up with Homelands. I simply can't wait for what comes next.
I just noticed that he wrote this, or started it in 2015, at the end of the year, he still had one year left till he finished ph.
Huh, I wonder when he will finish it.
That's interstingly timed exposure for Scotch past's effect on her.
It feel like an answer to a question appered on writing panel.
Tanit remind me of demonhound form of Alucard <.<
10435155
- Somber stated that this story will be under 500k words.
- There are only 87122 words left until we reach the 500k.
- The average word count is 17,100.7857 words per chapter.
- Based on the average word count, 87122 words would be five to six chapters.
- Somber currently writes two chapters per year.
So Somber is going to finish Homelands in 2023.
(Just in case it's not obvious: That was a joke. And Somber, if you're reading this - which I hope you don't - please, please, please don't feel bad about it. I'm not complaining or anything. I'm just a guy who likes to makes dumb jokes all the time. )
10435971
Gods I hope it dont take that long, Might end up with a printed copy of ph and read it by then.
I welcome getting to see Scotch’s perspective of 99 and what led to her avoiding the contamination, and especially of how Scotch reacted to her mom’s death and how she feels about Blackjack and Blackjack’s friends. ‘watch the machine eat’ gives a good sense of the emotionless humour to go with her seeing her maintenance life as a detached dream not worth complaining about.
Charity said this in the previous chapter as well. Is it intentional?
It’s that pony persuasive burst into song magic again, no creature can resist forever the call to a greater cause!
Following what StrangeReasoning went into, and considering the Stone King's gift and what he said about the unknown fear that 'concerns us all', it would be interesting to eventually find out whether he is actually invested in this mission of Scotch's.
doors?
was
I think 'one' is unnecessary
of
Every time Somber has chosen to talk about the shaman stuff has been excellent and exciting, as is learning more about the Storm Legion: it’s history, how it handles itself, the very base they live on. I really appreciate getting to read this story.
That was a beautiful chapter
Hey Somber.
Only one addition to the story in a year? What? did you write yourself into a corner? I've seen other authors do so.
I do hope you keep up on this. You, Meep, and Crazyperson, are on my 'writers I watch closely' list. Keep on keeping on.
Rhymer, the Frank Pony (er Thestral) :)
I wonder if Blackjack might make a small reference in this.(yeah yeah I know wouldn’t make sense but hey stuff happens)
But hope you get past any writer blocks or get a good burst of energy to write the next chapter it’s amazing to read
10557008
2020 has really sucked for me. A lot of the energy I used to be able to put into writing was just eaten up by anxiety and annoyance. I know the story and what I'd like to do next. It's just that I have lots of other focuses for me.
10561708
I do understand. All this Covid stuff has us all on edge. I know I am careful due to being 60 yrs old and not in the best of health at the best of times. So, I can understand others being edgy about all this.
Do what you have to, and eventually get back to writing. I really like your stories, and I really want to see this one to the end.
Rhymer, the Frank Pony
Hey Somber, what do Mendi stripe patterns look like?
10567388
broad, wavy stripes like bandages, not as thin and swishy as atoli.
10569410
Oh thank you, I've been wondering for a while. Though it also makes me wonder which tribe Zecora and Xenith belonged to...if at all.
10570735
Zecora was a Zencori (and may have inspired the name). Xenith was an Achu.
10571474
Ohhhhhh. Sweet.
10571474
One last thing. Is there a big document where you have all this information about zebra culture and tribal traits? Is it a part of your Patreon rewards or are you keeping it close to your chest? I ask because I'm pretty invested in the world you're building here.
10572186
It's mostly in my head.
10571474
I’m surprise that she isn’t a Mendi whose thing is being healers. Of course, it’s always nice to see Zebras who don’t behave like your typical member of tribe X. A seasick Atoli, a disorganized Logos or a Zencori who really hates telling stories could be interesting characters.
10573510
And there is great shame in that. Vega is an example. He's a Logos that WANTS to know the future. The more the better. He's not a Proditor though. A Proditor would reject the great equation all together. He's pragmatic enough to know Tchernobog can do this thing reliably, it's stupid not to use it. He's also totally gay for Tchernobog, but that's an aside.
10572798
Oh I see. Thank you.
10574002
ask questions if you like. I'm just bad with replying to folks.
Since we’re talking about Zebras, there’s something I’ve been curious about for a while: Zebra names. Some of them have names that sound African, others haves names from ancient Greek/Rome and then we also a Zebra called Gordon. Is there some logic behind these names? Like members of tribe A having Swahili names and members of tribe B having Roman names?
10574537
Tolish names are polynesian. Tori names are japanese.
Orah and Romani names are greek and latin.
Carnelian names are iberian.
Zencori names are central and western african.
Propoli names are largely made up but start with X.
Achu names are chinese.
Tappihani names are SE asian.
Mendi names are basque.
Sahaani names are finnish and sami.
Eschashik names are indian.
Starkatteri names are based on animals or mythology.
Logos are largely mathematical.
10574211
Sure thing. If I have one more question it would be related to Achu traditions. What do those entail?
10575398
Achu traditions are based on the myth of the five children of Achu. Achu was the child of the sun and mountains, and he was so strong his footsteps shook the ground and split the earth. He was so strong just walking caused devastation. He was a great hero against primordial monsters that threatened the tribe... but caused terrible collateral damage with his every step. It wasn't until he was wed to the meekest of Carna's daughters that he sat down beneath a tree and remained there for 999 years, granting peace to zebrinica before passing into the spirit.
Achu's wife had quintuplets and, like their father, they were extremely competitive. Achu, sitting under his cherry tree with his wife, was tired by their constant boasting and arguing and decided to settle which was the strongest. Horo, the mountain, lifted a giant rock and threw it at his sister, Meili, the river, but she was so swift she dodged handily and mocked him. Meili tried to grapple and smother her sister Zhu, the flame, but Zhu was so furious in her fighting that she was untouchable by her sister. Zhu then tried to furiously pummel her brother, Yingjie, the valiant knight, but Yingjie blocked and parried her blows with his fabulous golden sword. When Yingzie attacked the heaviest brother, Changpu, the fat, Changpu absorbed his attacks with blocks until he was exhausted. However, when Changpu tried to beat Horo, Horo lifted him despite his bulk and threw him aside.
The five children squabbled and argued on who was winning and should be considered the winner, until their mother called the five to them together for tea.
Achu philosophy, after being told this fable, is based on the question: who is strongest? There are many different outlooks on what 'strong' entails. Is it mere physical strength? Is it swiftness and speed of action? Is it the will to act and push on? Is it the skill to execute your goals? Is it the ability to weather adversity? The arguments of this question show the heart of the Achu tribe. The masters of the tribe will generally end the debate that point out it was their mother who defeated them all with respect. This generally lasts about five minutes before the arguing starts again, and many Zencori say that Achu went into the spirit just to get away from his children, for whom a winner was never declared.
Most heroes of Zebrinica claim to be either descended from one of Achu's five children or later children he sired. There are some versions of the myth were the first Starkatteri started the bickering watching the five children practice before asking who was strongest.
Prior to the war, the tribe was mostly situated in monasteries that taught martial arts related to which child they revere.
The way of stone taught physical strength above all else was most important. They focus primarily on building their bodies to their peak performance. The way of water taught that speed, maneuverability, and striking points of vital weakness was best. They focus on quick maneuvers, perceptiveness, and ending a foe decisively. Xenith, I believe, would belong to this school. The way of fire involves in never giving up and coming at your foe until you overcome them or are defeated. They prize inventiveness, tenacity, and fury above all else, and Blackjack would be an honorary member. The way of steel focuses on skill and knowledge to prevail over your foes, by knowing more you act to your victory and their defeat. And finally the way of wood emphasizes patience, minimizing damage, and pressing forward when your foe is exhausted.
Most Achu are either born into the tribe or convert by joining a school. The process is designed to be difficult and frustrating, to weed out those that break and leave early. After a person joins, there are five levels of growth: infancy, childhood, adulthood, elder, and wise. If an Achu achieves the third rank, they're generally respected as a member of the tribe. If someone can't get out of the first or second rank, they're generally only tolerated. Earning the final two ranks are difficult, and the fifth rank involves a trial invoking spirits of the zebra's greatest weakness for them to overcome. Some elders are so broken and harrowed by the trial that they take a vow of silence so to never speak of it again.
Finally, and most annoying to the Achu, there are zebra who insist on trying to master all 5 ways. This is because of the Zencori myth of Wei, the perfect student, who was a student so bad that he failed to learn anything, yet some how learned the most vital aspect of whatever he studied. He often vexed teachers to the point where they either gave up or became better teachers, and was more a cautionary tale for educators. However, Wei did exist, he was born Achu, and he did enroll in all five schools before dropping out to study at a Zencori academy. For the Achu, he's more a cautionary tale, as no one mortal has enough lifetimes to become wise in all five ways... but that didn't stop some from trying.
Unfortunately, the war broke the Achu. They weren't big fans of it in the first place, since trying to be stronger than a pony is just foolish. However, in participating, they simply weren't able to react to the realities of modern weaponry. A machine gun doesn't care how much you can bench. Artillery doesn't care how fast you run when the shells fall. It doesn't matter how fast you are if the rest of the unit isn't. One expert is useful, but not when thousands of generalists are needed. And just waiting for the enemy to come is a recipe for disaster. Worse, all recruits and aspirants who would have joined the schools were sucked up by the war effort. After 20 years, the Achu were little more than empty monasteries and old zebras with no one to teach.
After the war, they passed on what they could before the Legions butchered Zebrinica in the name of saving it. What remains of the Achu are scattered remnants barely remembered by the Zencori. They are arguably tied with the Eskashik for second most likely to go extinct, after the Starkatteri.
The Starkatteri are going extinct? They need to establish a Starkatteri breeding program ASAP! Otherwise they'll have nozebra they can blame for everything bad that has happened and will happen.
Since you’re in the mood of answering questions, can I ask you something about the PH or would you perfer to talk about Homelands lore only?