What the deuce, chapters that aren't 15k+ words long!?

>>897910897910 I agree, I was expecting mmore.

Huh, sounds interesting. Does this tie in with any other of your stories?

I LIKE CARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111

Trolls already with the -1...

What did I say SS&E, what did I fucking say about posting new fics with The End of Ponies STILL on hiatus.

Also, top 10 comments, thats the equivilent of first for a SS&E fic.

Apparently people are already rating you by the fics you wrote, and not the author you are. Anyways, 15k+ chapters aren't always needed, and good job on this.

>>898015898015

Also, top 10 comments, thats the equivilent of first for a SS&E fic.

QFT

>>898099898099 I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOOOUUUU

Also, NINTH!!!!

QFT = Quoted for Truth

FUCKING TEARS

FUCKING TEARS

SHORT SKIRTS AND EXPLOSIONS, I GIVE YOU MY TEARS

This chapter made me cry

Now that I read this, it's definitely worth of the silver nugget it won.

Still haven't cried yet though. I came close, with a trembling lip, but no fic is yet to make me cry. Can't tell if that's a good thing.

Once more, I am surprised by how fast you can write.

this.. this is looking fairly epic right now

..................... wow

Dat was hard on my tear ducts bro

My face is leaking all over the goddamn place now SS&E.

That was freaking beautiful, thank you so, so much for writing that.

You seriously are, hands down, my favorite author on this site.

I'm gonna get back to reading EoP now.

Quite good. A few grammatical errors, but they certainly didn't detract from the story.

Oh Celestia, you almost fell in your own trap again...

...I don't know why I came here expecting a short story.

20k+ words?  Fbomb.  I don't have time for this right now.  I'm certain it'll be awesome, but I've got to come back to it.

Aww... Celly...

Scootalove

Alright, finished at 8:15am.

A couple things. First off. It's concise. It's punctual. It didn't wast any of my time.  It didn't drag me around on a whimsical, boring exodus with vague, broken rules.  And it managed to have a bucket full of angst that didn't keep me from liking it.

What has happened here?

Something pretty fabulous, I'd have to say.  It even made me do that thing, where my eyes got painful for a bit while i refused to cry like some whiny pansy, and pressed onward in my never ending pursuit of plot progression.  In fact, minus the couple (read, like 3) grammar errors, this was incredibly solid.  

A couple times some details were withheld near the beginning, that would have served to more immediately ground the reader into the universe. Give us a couple more descriptors when bringing up a character for the first time, or say the start of that chapter with "They and they" with no mention of the eyes you were talking about until a sentence or two later, were my only problems.

That and the "..." format.

Yes it's effective. Yes it made me continue on with a fervor that would have been less strong had each chapter begun and ended on a solid mechanical click.  I didn't mind it terribly, but as the story wore on i found the use to be weaker and weaker, and was actually calling out for a solid CHAPTER END. CHAPTER BEGIN to break it up.  The jumps in time help, but it was that thing you have such a boner for with the

it's like max payne three. When he's stumbling through his apartment, and suddenly in the same camera take he's now stumbling through a burning building during some other point in his life. The character action goes on, repeated from past to present, in a linear translocation.  It's good, but i don't want to see you overusing it. It's that spice that can make something BRILLIANT, and would be the best framing device ever, but i fear you're getting a thing for it, like most of my compositions have a slow verse, a buildup, and a fast repeat with additions verse. IT sounds good, but after a while it's all going to sound the same, and you don't want that. ESPECIALLY with the volume of content that you output.

So, i wish the chapters had slightly stonier walls between them.  BUT, if this is what it takes to get your chapter length down to something more manageable than 'a billion fucking words', then i support it.

Also fuck you for making me almost cry at a stupid spoilarz deathscene, you prick.

Overall i have no big qualms. I skyped you the grammar problems. Thanks for the reads, you verbose thing you.

Hm.

Not sure if I could have expected anything less from this author.

Lovely.

>>898350898350 My little dashie. Your lips will quiver and you may even cry. It's beautiful.

I don't cry often, but I came close here.

I never cry at sad, but true emotions can pull it.

I don't really know what I can say to do this justice, in spite of my massive vocabulary, but it is simply beautiful

That said, I hope the loyalist Changeling Hives start policing the rowdier ones that seem to have gotten it into their collective heads to attack pony kind. They're a crying shame to all our kind.

Will read this later. Still have chapters left to read on broken spirit.

Excellent.

Hell, even if it didn't really add anything new to the whole immortal/mortal divide theme, everything was executed beautifully, as per usual.

>>900924900924

I've actually read that and a lot of other sadfics, but none of them have made me tear up yet for some reason. I'll Fly Higher is probably the one that came closest, though.

I want something that will make me cry, dammit!

>>902251902251

Because I felt it was necessary.

Image: http://data.whicdn.com/images/18363458/watch-out-we-got-a-badass-over-here-meme_large.png

I have a feeling we're going follow Celestia as she attempts to understand death. I could be entirely wrong, though :/

Welp, you did it again Skirts. Another fantastic tale with a whole crapton of depth. I'd say more, but long comments from me are few and far between. That said, very well done... again.

Hehe, yay, moar Scootaloo and airships!  Even if it wasn't a major role.

Also, tears.

Reading

I LOVE THIS CHAPTER.

Out of the mouths of foals...

It is our burden to bare as immortals, after all. --> bear

>>900353900353

It's concise. It's punctual. It didn't wast any of my time.  It didn't drag me around on a whimsical, boring exodus with vague, broken rules.  And it managed to have a bucket full of angst that didn't keep me from liking it.

What has happened here?

Something pretty fabulous, I'd have to say.  It even made me do that thing, where my eyes got painful for a bit while i refused to cry like some whiny pansy, and pressed onward in my never ending pursuit of plot progression.  In fact..., this was incredibly solid.

I agree with you.  This is destined to become a classic of the fandom.  Though I still don't know what the amniomorphic spell is...  Whatever it is, it sounds impressive.

Also: Scootalike.

Ahh, should have known who the admiral would turn out to be.

Another excellent story, instant spot next to Background Pony on my user page wall of epic stories. Well, once I get home, user page editing is a tad painful on my phone.

Awesome. Made me really think about the hardships Celestia really has to go through.

Amazing story well, is say that this a good story is and i found this trollestia story in my dream, and i found this up internet up FIMFiction! Here! This story is my dream! Amazing!

Amazing story well, is say that this a good story is and i found this trollestia story in my dream, and i found this up internet up FIMFiction! Here! This story is my dream! Amazing!

You should know that in 'ye olde'-speak, 'thou' is informal and 'you' is formal, so Luna would most likely address Celestia with 'thou,' but most other ponies with 'you.'

This is very good.

Why can't I hold all these feels

why must you make me cry?

beautiful story. once again, thank you for sharing your art.

Personally, I think some of your other works have been stronger. I think this is still a good story, but there are few things with it that held it back from being on the same level as your others.  I wasn't entirely convinced by the first few chapters to be honest.

As Spotlight mentioned, a few more details in the beginning would have been nice, but it makes up for it in a big way as the story progresses. Maybe it is just late, but I didn't pick up what the problem of the story was until quite a few chapters in.  I knew it had something to do with Celestia because of the flash backs, but for while it seemed like it could have to do with Nova, or some other events occurring in the world. They were in a hurry to get back in Canterlot to the point they were skipping visiting other nobles, and the changlings were apparently in full on shenanigan mode, There was also a lot of exposition regarding the Alicorn's father.  Any of these things could have been what the story was going to be about, but I really had no idea which one, or how current event really related to them. I think this is what I felt caused the feeling of "lack of grounding" early on. Basically the exposition seemed like it lasted for too long and wasn't focused enough.

However once the story picked up, it was great. Chapter 9 really stood out in my mind as a great chapter as it becomes clear Celestia was making bad choices, but still seemed like the right thing to do in many ways.  The reveals with Scoot and Twilight were great, and the last few chapters really tied the entire story together with was going on with all the different elements in the beginning, and why they were included.

Thanks for writing and posting SS&E.  

On a side note, I would love to see another fic set in your Tartarus universe. I really enjoyed TLTIT and all the interesting ideas you introduced.

I read this when it was all ONE SINGLE 20K WORD CHAPTER, so I know of it. I know of its flow, its miseries, joys, uncertainties, triumphs. I've felt all the feels. I cried. That's something your stories do to me, SS&E: make me cry (well, I've only read EoP, but still, two for two)

So have my like, and have my favorite as well, in the off-chance I'm presented the opportunity of showing off the fandom's best. Cuz seriously, how do you make so much, so neatly, in such little time? Either you had written part of this ahead of time, or you have godlike levels of concentration and organizing. In that case, take a break from ponies and better the world of literature. Like, right now.

Anyway, cheers and best wishes on your endeavors (and perhaps finish up EoP... unless it's already finished?)

>>897910897910

It's a oneshot story that's 15,000 words long... split into fourteen chapters.

Touche, shortskirtsandexplosions. Touche

Lonely Is The World - Black Sabbath

Damn...Solid as always Shortskirts...well written, emotional, deep...Very good....Very good indeed...

Well done. I feel like this really points out the pain that comes with immorality. I don't really feel there's much else I could say...

Well done. Very, very well done.

Beautiful.

Excellent story. Even in the vast array of the infinite depth of magic, an immortal can still find fresh perspective through her students.

>>897916897916

Same existentialist themes - magic as a blip of light in the dark universe, etc - but given Admiral Scootaloo, it's not in the same universe(maybe a related one).

Everypony knew it! A super long writeoff fic = Has to be SSNE!

Anyway, great story. Lots of cool background, just what I love. And so much sad. Yet still great.

I see that you have taken some of the inspiration for Celestia's father from the Deer God/Lord of the Forest/Night Stalker. Always glad to find a fellow fan of Princess Mononoke!

>>908104908104 I doubt it. She's an immortal regent the same as Celestia. She wouldn't talk up to her subjects. They would talk up to her.

Celestia is such a great tool to explore death. She can't understand death because she can never experience it. But really, we can't experience death either. Once you're dead, there is no longer anything left to have the experience.  People don't normally like to think that way, but you trick them into thinking it with Celestia. Great work!

This chapter is powerfully written. I like the back and forth In the narrative. Keep up the good work!

I'm not sure if what she just did to the admiral was terribly kind or terribly mean....

Doing it wrong: you're doing it right.

she just had to check....

my eyes, they are doing this leaking thing that I don't understand. what have you done to me?

I love this last chapter, in fact, I love it when it was six other chapters interspersed amongst the rest too. The balance of progressive storyline with flash vignette was beautiful. Also, I love how you hinted that the admiral was Scootaloo. I thought it was her, but my mind was rebelling. I had the idea that this story was set in the past, and I couldn't get over it until we've reached the scene where Twilight and Celestia had to part ways. From there on, of course, the direction of the story with fairly obvious, but it was a fun ride all the same. Thank you for writing this and sharing it with us.

huh, thanks for putting this in your blog, for some reason I didn't get a notification for it

Yeah, I had a feeling this was going to be excellent.

You did not dissapoint.

Wow! Really, really nice. I also enjoyed the "...and then" sort of format. It was interesting and sort of disorienting in a good way, keeping me on my toes.

Great story!

Been a while since I actually cried while reading something, even though I read so many stories like this.

This deserves so many more views and recognition that it currently has, it was rather magnificent. I particularly loved the way you jumped in time between chapters, even making the words blend while so.

To those that might be complaining about the size of the chapters, I happen to find them perfect. Higher word count is not necessarily better, and what is here tells a rather perfect story. I only wished I could upvote this more than once.

once celestia started going to ponyville my reaction was. NONONONONONONONONO

I will say this; This is amazing.

I love the writing style, and more specifically the going in between the past and present, however getting closer and closer to the present with each flashback.

No doubt that I now have several new head-canon ideas from here, including the whole ceremony regarding their deaths.

The ending really made me smile after all the sadness we were given in all the flashbacks and such.

Really loved it, 10/10

>>923879923879 It isn't talking up to them - it's a display of distance. Only those particularly close to a monarch would be honoured with informal address.

Well, I finally got around to reading this. I must say, this was both what I was expecting from you and not what I was expecting. Your works have never shied away from loss and death; indeed, often they concern the bulk of your narratives about these colorful equines we all love. However, I must admit to wanting a stronger sense of time from this story. Partially due to the decision to split it up into a series of vignettes/chapters that were loosely tied together (which made them more easily digestible, but made the collection weaker in total, I would say) and partially due to how free you were with the timeline, I occasionally had a bit of trouble sorting out the timeline. I realize this was written on a deadline, but nevertheless, you obviously put enough thought into this that it's worthy of critique.

Somewhat curiously (considering it's you, oh aficionado of Dostoyevsky's style), I often didn't have a strong sense of setting in these chapters. The Dawnmist, for being such a large presence in the story, never was assigned a strong image in my mind. I realize here that the focus was on the characters, not the setting, and while I applaud an experiment like that, I feel you lost something important that your style generally utilizes.

My most whiny bit of annoyance would likely be that for all this talk of students, all the obvious buildup to Celestia's relationship with Twilight Sparkle, Twilight's actual presence in the narrative was rather weak. I realize she isn't the focus here, but for what you were aiming for here, there'd be no better character to use to act as a foil to Celestia and show how she's grown since her first student.

I'm also curious about Celestia's father, but hey, creation mythos is outside of this story's scope, and to your credit, splitting off on a wild tangent about alicorn blood being sealed in stones or something would have only weakened the narrative, so while I say kudos for not diving into that area, I was left curious.

All in all, this is a thoroughly haunting tale with a surprising amount of depth and polish given the short timetable it was written on. A fine read to pass the time with, Skirts.

...Now I just need to screw up my courage and check out this human fic you posted.

Who's-Who's Prisim Shine? ........................................ Oh I can't take it anymore! WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!

WHAT???????????????????????????????????????? WHAT IS THE COLT? WHO IS THE COLT! I DEMAND TO KNOW!

Never. Is this all about alicorns and their immortality making them all sad and stuff?

It doesn't matter how long your chapters were. This was beautifully written and the message brought me to tears. You're a brilliant writer and don't let anyone tell you otherwise

i actually finished this story in under an hour..... WHO ARE YOU, AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH SS&E???

These comments are funny.

People are asking why it's only as long as a single chapter by SSnE standards, and that's because it IS a single chapter.

Okay, color me impressed. That ending was way better than I had expected. Short skirts never fails to impress, and with this one, He's reached new levels. The moral was way different and better than what I had expected, and I think it was absolutely true. I don't do this often, but mustache Spikes too you sir!

*roars in a homicidal rage*

WHY AM I GETTING THIS UPSET OVER PONIES?! WHY?!

Seriously though, I do not like fics like this.

It makes me realize how fleeting life's light is...

First chapter and I am hooked. It's rare to come across a creation myth in the FiMdom, and even rarer to find one that it actually readable. I can't believe I let this rot on my RiL list for so long!

Celestia forcing herself to let go was actually harder than her watching another student dying. Kudos, that was a painful chapter to read.

Quite the role reversal of the two sisters. I like this.

Admiral Scootaloo? Wow. Didn't see that one coming.

This story has been an emotional punch from the get-go, and I congratulate you. Solid four stars.

This set of 14 chapters read in succession evoked more sadness than anything I have read.

Probably my favorite story of yours, this one. As much as I absolutely love love love Background Pony...this story was tugging on my heartstrings and tear ducts like precious little else has. Simply amazing and beautiful.

If every really sad story I read breaks 1/1000th of my sanity, this one just smashed the other 9/10ths.

>>13633111363311

Damn. Now I have to read the story again 'cause I don't even remember it nor why I made that comment

Well, not a problem, I like reading !

>>13633111363311

I don't really see how you got all this out of my "it's a trap" comment, but that's not what I was referring to (furthermore, I agree with your analyse and direct you to this story).

What I was talking about is the personal trap in which Celestia fell time and time again : taking a new young apprentice under her patronage, knowing full well that he will die of old age long before her, and the pain waiting for her.

Is the pain outweighted by the pleasure of guiding a new soul ? I don't know, for I am neither Celestia nor immortal (yet). But since she's hesitating, and she sent Twilight in Ponyville and seems to be cutting emotional ties with her, Celestia doesn't want yet another repeat of her personal history.

Also, from the discussion with her father, immortality our little ponies' destiny.

>>13663781366378

ow my Im sorry, this is a little embarrassing.    it was 3 am and I was a bit cracky.   

(Damn. Now I have to read the story again)

Now I'm glade the chapters aren't to long. >.>  other wise I might have felt bad.

I also put most of the links up for every one else to read.

Confound this author, he gives me all these feels.

Holy crap, this is so good. Made me tear up in this chapter, Skirts. I love your take on Celestia. Love it.

Hhhhhhholy f*squee*.

Damn it, Skirts!  You... you keep making me cry, you big meanie!  You big, talented, amazing, deceptively deep meanie!

I loooove Celestia, and this is the very best, realest, and most touching portrayal I've ever seen of her.  I love the scope of this fic, especially in comparison to how intimate and dear it gets in scenes like this.  Wow, how did this not win, like... everything??

But... but I thought she learned her lesson!  Frickin' Celestia, that's not at all what Luna said!!

Image: http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/307/4/f/_ponkymad____mini_by_pianoponky-d5jvsaf.jpg

Gah, fetch.  I'm bawling.  I didn't even cry this hard in "Last Tears in Tartarus."

...okay, yeah I did, but... nyeugh.  Wow.  That was amazing, Skirts.  I don't know why it hit me so hard, but it did.  This is my favorite from you.  It even pushed Background Pony out of its place (which is still waaaay up there).

Ooaah, man.  That blew me away.  What a story, what organization, what characters and feeling and dialogue... and what a lesson.  What a sad, powerful lesson.

Absolutely beautiful.  I'm stunned and blessed to have read this story.  Ponyfics can be so much more than just cute entertainment, and this is the crowning jewel of that truth.  I don't care how you feel about it, this story is a masterpiece.

Would it kill you to write something that isn't depressing and/or dark?

My parents practically kicked my door down, they thought I'd gotten hurt when they heard the massive: "WAAAAAHAHH"

This fic was very well written.  I especially liked how you transitioned from one chapter to the next.

>>15635281563528  i still get tears invmy eyes and cringe inside whenvi thinkvof that fic. *shudders*

This is simply a masterpiece!