• Member Since 6th Sep, 2012
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The 24th Pegasus


Author of the Commander Hurricane series (A Song of Storms), co-founder of the Price of Loyalty universe, and overall world building fanatic. Join my discord!

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Jul
17th
2018

We Survived Sand Island · 6:07pm Jul 17th, 2018

Consider this your warning for spoilers about Surviving Sand Island's ending. If you haven't gotten a chance to read it yet, I'd suggest you stay away. But in any event, now that it's been about a day since it happened, I have a little reflection blog for all of you. Catch it down below.

So.

It’s over.

And rather abruptly, too, don’t you think?

I’ve got a lot to say about this one. After all, I poured more than a year into this, in terms of prepping the story and actually writing it and all that. But now it’s finally over, and I think I’ll start with the obvious:

I know it’s not the ending many of you wanted. But it’s the ending I wanted for it. It was the ending I ultimately was planning for and building towards, even if I tried to delude myself that maybe, maybe, I could find some conceivable way to twist things together to bring them all home in a neat little fashion. But, really, as June beat into July, I slowly came to realize that it wasn’t going to be possible. Not without another several months-long arc. And, to be honest, I simply didn’t have the energy for that. Writing SSI had taken almost everything I had just to keep it updating daily and at the quality you all had come to expect from me. I had always intended for the final battle with Soft Step to be the climactic arc of the story, and as I moved through it, I realized there was no really satisfactory way to resolve it and get the characters home if I were to finish it how I intended. Not without a lot of extra work, at least. And I couldn’t do that; after all, the story had hit its climax and had entered into its denouement. Another fifty chapters of denouement would have killed whatever catharsis I may have pulled through the resolution of the climax. The fic, by the time I concluded it, was running on borrowed time until the sheer impact of the climax had worn off, and the story had faded away into… really, blandness.

So I really had no choice but to end it here. If I made it continue onwards, I feel like it only would have gotten worse. I’m sorry for those that wanted to see it go all the way to the end, but it simply wasn’t the ending you were realistically going to get. Remember, things could have easily gotten much worse for our heroes before they got better. Instead, I leave you with an ending that can let you fill in the sort of conclusion you want. Some might call it lazy writing to just leave the ending not there, but to anybody who says my writing is lazy, well, let me point you to this fic I updated continuously for 340 days…

And I feel I should point out something many of you might have missed or not thought about. The story is called Surviving Sand Island. Nowhere in the description or the title does it mention that they will be going home. Instead, the story is about their struggles to survive on this island, to survive so far away from civilization, to survive pirates and minotaurs and undead and alicorns and the plans of some sort of dark power far above their comprehension. And they’ve done all that. They foiled the dark god’s plans, they defeated Soft Step, they ended their war with the pirates and even came to a sort of truce with the minotaurs. There were no more threats to their continued survival out here other than the mundane. They survived. That was what the story promised. It never promised they would go home, or that help would ever find them. Still don’t believe me? I point you to the first word of the very last line in the story’s description.

If.

Perhaps there will be a time I can reflect more upon the mechanics behind making this story, but right now, I can only focus on the emotions. The first emotion I feel is a sense of peace. This is, without a doubt, the biggest project I’ve ever undertaken. There is nothing I’ve done in my writing career that compares to it. Writing and maintaining a daily fic is tremendous work. There have been many times where I’ve stressed that I won’t have the time to get a chapter written before it’s due. There have been a few times where I came close to missing my daily streak (at least in terms of eastern time). There were times where I had to write multiple chapters a day to buffer my way through a busy weekend where I wouldn’t have the opportunity to write. And I managed to put out 482k words of this story—double that of my next longest story. It was a lot of work, and now that it’s over, I can finally relax and simply enjoy myself. I no longer have a schedule I have to adhere to. I can now write as the mood and inspiration strikes me, rather than forcing myself to sit and write because I had a record to maintain.

The other thing I feel is sadness. This story became as much a part of my life as it did for many of you. I dedicated a lot of my waking hours to writing this thing, and now it’s just… over. I had intended to maybe make it take longer, but as I wrote the final chapter, I realized that… I could just end it all right here. The idea was tempting, and in the face of what I had yet to do if I wanted to get to the ‘go home’ ending of the story, it ultimately won out over my desire to keep pushing onwards with this. But now that it’s over, I can only sit back and reflect upon it. I can’t add any more to it. I can only look at what’s there. As I move on to other projects, this one will remain, preserved in time like all my other fics. I may not have made it to publishing for a full year, but it’s a monument that I did something I once considered impossible for me to do. So I’ll always have that.

For those of you asking… no, there will not be a sequel. At least, I have no plans for it at the moment, anyway. What would a sequel even cover? They’ve already conquered the most dangerous thing on the island. They foiled its plans. I’d really have to stretch to find enough content to write a satisfactory sequel. If I somehow thought of a good plot I could carry through another 300 chapters of a daily fic... then maybe. But at the moment, no. I’m sorry if that disappoints you, but life is full of disappointments, I guess.

So that leaves you with this: the finished fic for SSI. Under the circumstances, I feel this is the best ending I could have given to you all. Do I have regrets about the story? Of course I do. Am I proud of what I accomplished? Of course I am. Am I happy that you all joined me on this ride to the finish, however bumpy it may have been? I think that goes without saying. But I’ll say it anyways.

Thank you, everyone who read along and kept up with the daily updates, or those who binged from start to finish, or those who are merely picking through it at your own pace. Thank you for giving this fic the attention I so desperately wanted for it and giving me the motivation to keep writing. Thank you for showing your support and your passion in the comments, either every chapter or whenever you felt the urge to comment as the story dragged on and on. Thank you for being an awesome set of fans. I couldn’t ask you for anything more.

Thank you for sticking with Rainbow and Rarity as they struggled to survive. I’m sure they would thank you for your support if they could.

My absolute best and kindest regards to everyone.

Your ever faithful author,

The 24th Pegasus

Comments ( 19 )

So the end is a happy ending, yet not a happy ending. A bit of a shame to see that the complete ending is the one you wrote, but alas, you're the author. We readers can only watch what you do and speak our thoughts.

To be honest...it really doesn’t feel like much of a full ending. More of a stopping point. Intentionally or not, and perhaps a bit of my reading too much into things, it felt like you left some points that could lead to more. Such as Rainbow’s instinctual doubt whether they actually defeated the “moon god” or not. Them question about the missing body of the previous avatar. The minotaurs’ understand and knowledge on the papers left behind. All of those points seemed to be pointing to more.

Those points are what lead me to feel this ending as...incomplete.

Honestly? SSI had one of the most satisfying endings that I have read in a long time. I am perfectly okay with that ending. Thank you for giving me something to read after lunch everyday for almost a year. I wish you luck with your next projects.

I have to agree with 4902707 here. I can appreciate open endings, or endings without all the loose ends tied up, but it just didn't work for me.

4902701
Or write recursive fanfic. :derpytongue2:

I, too, have to concur with 4902707's point in that you left it incredibly open-ended, to the point where stopping here feels... somewhat of a letdown.

In my personal opinion, the conclusion you wrote for SSI is good... but unsatisfying, with the context of there being no real plan to move forward with it. Sure, they survived... but from day one, the impression I'd gotten was that they'd eventually get to leave, be reunited with their friends and family, and put a harrowing, adventurous chapter of their lives behind them.

I'm in the boat that this story deserves a sequel, but I'm not the author; you are. As much as I loved this story from start to finish, as much as I admire your dedication to writing this every day—and loving getting to read another, unconscionably rare RariDash longfic—I'm just left with a heavy heart and disappointment. I'm sorry. :fluttercry:

4902737
4902707
I have to agree, at least on some level. There are still a lot of unanswered questions that could make for a good sequel or ending arc. Who and what is Chirp? Is the moon god really defeated? What about his body? Etc.

That being said, I definitely understand why you would end it here. The climax was certainly satisfying, and despite the somewhat sudden ending, the fact that you were able to maintain this fic daily for months on end is nothing short of remarkable. I am a little disappointed that it's over and there's no sequel planned, but I'm still grateful for what you gave us.

Cheers, 24, and I look forward to seeing what you write next.

Looking at all these people who have actually read the story, maybe you can provide an "Author's aside" chapter, official or not, that talks a bit about the world?

Comment posted by Mocha Star deleted Jan 10th, 2019

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I don't want to rule anything out, especially coming fresh off an emotionally charged project, but I will reference that I never 100% strictly said that there wouldn't be a sequel or follow-up of some kind. It's just that there definitely won't be one in the immediate future. Perhaps I might go back and write more of this story (following a relevant timeskip or something; that's really too far out for me to even think about) one day. Perhaps not. And I don't want to either leave people hanging or commit to a promise I can't keep, so I guess I'll put it this way:

There is still more to Rainbow and Rarity's story that can be told, given time and the desire to do so. Right now, I have neither. I'm drained. When will the stars align and I might consider more? Who knows. But I have other projects I want to clear first, and SSI has for the longest time been holding me back on them. Now that it's finished, I can clear my head, write other things, and focus on them.

I know the current ending to the story is disappointing for many of you, but the alternative would be much worse. Perhaps one day I can go back and give it the ending it really deserves. But that day is not today, it's not tomorrow, and it won't be happening for some time, really. That's really all I can promise you. In the moment, I'm just thankful for your passion and your support, and your kindness in keeping your opinions level and calm. Had I been the one reading instead of writing the story, I'm sure I might have felt the same way as many of you do.

But until that day comes... well, I've got a lot of other stories and projects, some completed, some not. I hope you all find pleasure in reading those as well.

24

4902842
I can understand taking a break...but not doing a sequel eventually is jsut a sin in my book.

You want material even them getting back they have to deal with what they have been through, both Dash and Rarity's changes and relationship. Does it need to be as long as SSI? No but a good ending for the arc yes.

4902842
Take all the time you need, dude. You've certainly earned it.

And I do hope you come back to write what happens next, someday. Until then, celebrate a job well done, and I'll look forward to what you have to share with us next. :twilightsmile:

Guess I've got not choice except to Follow you just in case you do post a sequel damn the bad luck.

I was 100% sure that Jolly Rodger's head injury he got from flying into the barrier was going to be a subdural hematoma that would get exacerbated by drinking and cause him to die, and it would count as the final sacrifice.

...

So, uh... I guess it's done! Time to enjoy a break!

I can see how the ending might seem disappointing for those who had been following this story daily, but as someone who had the luck of reading this story all in one go it felt like a really good place to end the story. It wouldn't have made sense to keep the story going after the climax that the entire story was building up to.

The story is called Surviving Sand Island. Nowhere in the description or the title does it mention that they will be going home.

Ahhh you took the words right out of my mouth.

This... Was a helluva journey. I'm sad to see it end, though I know I'll be rereading this more often than not! I hope you do find inspiration for a sequel, or even just a few one-shots regarding their life on the island now that the major threat is over; your writing is an absolute pleasure to read!

Would it be ok if, as time permits, I send you little snippets where things seem clunky or otherwise could be edited to flow more smoothly? They were few and far between, but I had found a few potential typos / errors that interrupted the flow a bit.

I just have to compliment you. It takes courage to end a piece when it's time, rather than when ALL the stories are over. Sure, everybody wants to see the end of all the threads, but there's nothing wrong with leaving folks wanting more. If you do come back to the story later, wonderful, and if you don't, it was a pretty powerful place to end.

The 24th Pegasus
as part of a team i under stand what you mean saying how a story become part of you life / family.
i am only a pr-reader / helper and part time editor but i do understand.

i can see just how much of your life you have pored in to this story and the mas amount of planing, i tip my hat to you sir on your awesome story.
as to the ending it works for this story.
i don't feel the need to pester after a sequel as i know how this story will over time draw you back your muse will find a way.
Again i thanks you for this wonderful story i will be keeping it in my favorite folder to look over as time permits.
Harts Fire

I'm mixed on the ending. In some ways, it clears up some conflict with the pirates and minotaurs but I still am interested to see them go back home if they ever do. But then again, I'm just the reader, following in the steps of someone who has poured hours every day for a year into this story. Leave it there at their point in survival or make a sequel that happens 7 months later if you want to

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