The days grow colder. The sun hasn't been seen in the sky for over a decade now. Summer has been lost. Ponies set sail from the old world to the new world. A land where summer still comes, food still grows, and green sprawls where it may.
A colt born in the harsh ice of the old world wishes to see the sun again. In hopes that he might find it, that he might find freedom in the new world, he boards a ship to take him there. He learns much and more in the four months the voyage lasts, but at the same time, he loses something he once held dear.
It matters not where he goes, for even here, the sky is white.
Cover art by SliberSternenlicht. Turn around time was about a day from asking for the art, paying, and getting it back. If you've got some extra cash, give her some work, she's worth it.
Initially written for the Quills and Sofas Speedwriting contest 24: Braided Tails/Sunless Winter.
Most curious. I wonder where you're going with this. I have a few guesses, but I'll need to see more to be sure. Looking forward to finding out.
9991215
Daily updates until the 22nd, so you'll get there. I do love guesses though, so please, guess away.
More hints of Shadow's history, along with two fillies who need no introduction. Hopefully the New World will offer some more upward mobility.
Still, the doctor's blend of aloofness, excitement, and unpredictability is familiar as well. The colors are off, but that's hardly an issue for him if he'll become who I suspect he will...
9992649
Funfact: the doctor's design is based on Hisoka from Hunter X Hunter (2011). The English dub of said series by funimation is effectively where I got his voice from (or at least the speech pattern), and it's hard for me to read some of the doctor's lines without learning that bungee gum contains the properties of both rubber and gum, you see.
It's very prominent in they way I imagine him saying, "And what is your designation, sweetling?"
Suddenly, I think I know what's going on. Consider me intrigued.
Operation: Faerie Gold is go.
It does seem like the less-than-good doctor is encouraging his apprentice in all the wrong ways. For science. The monster. This will definitely get ugly. Looking forward to the fireworks.
9994194
>Just as the doctor says… all lives are equal in the eyes of magic. Yours will fuel my spells just as good as any other…
[Potatochip eating intensifies]
9994119
Do you now? I suppose we'll see about that, won't we?
Yeah, pretty clear who we're dealing with here.
As for the green, a chilling indication of the state of the world, no pun intended.
... As far as you know. Not like there's a robust archeological record to confirm that.
Definitely looking forward to the end of the voyage. This will be quite dramatic indeed.
9995625
>no pun intended
I call shenanigans!
>Not like there's a robust archeological record to confirm that.
I mean. A complete record as far back as 300 BCE/2400 years ago is pretty old.
Ah, but this is the half way point! We still have quite a bit more to the story...
There are slaves on the ship, isn't there?
Yeah, this should be cause for concern right here.
In sany case, you have to feel for Shadow. It says something when he can't even recognize the sensation of love. As for dark magic... Well, at the doctor noted, many fear what they can't understand, and chaos magic isn't exactly intuitive for most ponies... though there could be something he isn't telling his apprentice. We'll see the truth in time.
Hmmm... I wonder what will happen with Sunny and Moon now. I hope there is more to this story. A lot more.
10002266
Possibly. Though this is the story as of now, I did have it in mind for either a two part or a three part story. In the event I do move forward with the idea, chances are I'll call the next part, "A Rising Shadow." It would be a very different story though.
10002266
Probably origins of two future princess which if so add a whole other layer of tragedy
It might be worth adding the right character tags to this so it could be added to more groups and the people who want to read about the characters in it find the story.
10003700
I thought about that and decided against it. You don't know who you're dealing with here until the middle of the story at the earliest, and I'd like to keep it that way.
10003720
Well, there is a tag just called ‘other’ and it’s used for when a character is still canon. I’d at least suggest adding that one instead.
Yup, what I thought. Though it's definitely a fascinating approach to the questions it answers. I do have to wonder what happened between the end of this story and the final conflict, but this was one heck of a ride. Thank you for it.
Excellent story, loved the Doctor character. I'd also love to hear what comes next, if you're ever wanting for more to write...
Something about the phrase "magical release" feels particularly slimy or maybe that's just the doctor.