The Maya Were Right. It's the End... · 5:57pm Dec 21st, 2012
...of Duel Nature, anyway. They were pretty crafty, predicting that so long in advance.
It's honestly a little hard to believe I'm actually done with it. I typed up the first chapter in Google Docs about a year ago, January 25th according to my revision history. I worked on it off and on (mostly off, judging by the gaps between some of the updates) since then and it's fascinating for me to go back to earlier chapters and see how I've changed and (I hope) improved over the last year. I might go back and polish those earlier chapters at some point, or I might just leave them as they are so I can look back on them.
I just wanted to thank everyone who read, liked, and commented on the story. It wouldn't have been half as good without your input and encouragement.
Anyway, since it's holiday time I'm planning to mostly disappear for the next few weeks. I'll pick up writing again in January. I have far too many story ideas to stop. I might as well share some previews and get your input on what you'd like to see.
First priority will probably be the Optimalverse. I've got one story in motion and the seeds of ideas for two more and it's just a fun sandbox to play in.
There's another "Twilight is a total badass" fic, with no direct connection to Duel Nature. It's probably best summarized as Ponies meet Die Hard meets Groundhog Day.
A Pinkie/Rarity shipfic set during the post "Last Roundup" handcart ride
Some CMC comedy
A dark Daring Do fic, built around some Lovecraft-ish psychological horror
Or I guess I could just abandon all my artistic integrity and start writing clop or something.
Let me know what you guys think, and happy Hearth's Warming Eve to all.
Duel Nature was a great read hope you do a sequel to it eventually
Duel Nature was the fic that made me follow you... Still haven't quite finished it but thank you for writing it!
You know what is funny. I remember you writing Dual Nature as a quick short, and we had to practically beg you to expand it. So score one for the mob!
Dual Nature? Sounds like I have another fic to read.... eventually.
Bye-bye blip.
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I don't recall you guys having to beg that hard, but I'm glad you did. The entirety of the first story is only a third of the word count of all the Pensacolta chapters.
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Never rule anything out. If I did I would probably follow up on Reinolds and Ample Booty/Golden Heart doing guard stuff, sort of a pony Pratchettian Night Watch sort of story, with Luna and Twilight reduced to at best supporting roles. I'm happy with where their relationship ended up over the course of this, so they could just pop up every once in a while as adventuring buddies. It would actually be funny to write completely bizarre out-of-context exchanges for the two of them.
Twilight finished explaining to the assembled guards the timetable for their weekend potluck team-building exercises. She had just begun to go around the room jotting down who would be bringing what dish when Luna burst into the room.
"Twilight! We have been fools this whole time! 'Argent Map' is an anagram for the word 'pentagram!'"
Twilight furrowed her brow. "But that would mean-"
"Precisely!"
"And so the translation would be-"
"Yes!"
"But really? With an enchanted spatula?"
"It is the only rational explanation"
Twilight groaned. "Don't tell me. Where's this one? Hidden in a mad scientist's laboratory? Somewhere deep in the Amarezon?"
"Inside a volcano, actually," said Luna, having the good grace to look at least a little sheepish.
"Damn it, Princess, had nopony ever heard of a wall safe back then? I'm not fire proof"
"Fear not, I will do the actual retrieval of the artifact. After all, it is our turn after you retrieved the pearl from within that giant fish. However, we will need support in fighting off the mutated Diamond Dog cultists. I fear they may have cross pollinated with the porcupines by now."
"But I have finals next week," said Twilight, "I won't have enough time to study."
"Twilight. What is more important? Your midterms, or the fate of Equestria?"
"..."
"Um... Twilight..."
"I'm thinking!" Twilight sighed and resigned herself to the adventure ahead. "Fine, let's go. The sooner we get started the sooner I can start copying my notes onto flashcards." She hopped up on to Luna's back and the Princess turned, taking off into the sky as soon as she cleared the front door."
Golden Heart turned towards her new partner. "Does that kind of thing happen a lot around here?" she asked.
"Newbie, you have no idea."