Where things are going from here. · 9:10pm Mar 16th, 2020
I dont trust Silver's poker face...
So here we are. We've finally finished Arc 3 of Piercing the Heavens. So what happens now? For starters im going to take a few days off from anything writing related, probably through next weekend. This (year long) finale sequence was DRAINING, honestly. it was way longer than i thought it would be (who didnt see that coming) and as much as i incorporate action into my work, it isn't always my favorite part to write. So you can imagine the amount of smoke rising from my ears after all this.
After ive had a few days to simmer down i'm going to immediately address the outline/roadmap for arc4's events and major plot points. As i've explained in the past, i have a major outline where everything important in the story and everything that needs to happen in the story is written down and recorded so my idea is there and coherent. Since this is a new arc, i need to sit down, piece together what will happen where, and then fill in the blanks with what will be relevant to each event including addressing character arcs, unanswered questions, so that every event has exactly what it needs in place before it occurs. But boring technical stuff aside... tl;dr: im working on the outline of arc 4 before anything else because the story is fresh in my mind and i'll know exactly what to start with among my arc 4 points.
im personally looking forward to arc 4, because there is going to be considerably less action compared to arc 3. there will still be some, sure, but things are going to be slowing down in order to address many things such as character development, bonding, fun occurrences, humor, and unsolved mysteries that will begin to finally unravel. The kinds of things that i felt made this story great over the first two arcs that at times I felt didnt get as much time in arc 3 due to how nuts everything got.
Once i finish that outline, im going to turn to my little Thunderlane interlude, a 'sequel' to Weight of Responsibility that is less about being a sequel to that story and more about briefly detailing what happened to Thunderlane after he left at the end of arc 2. There are no grandiose plans for this, i have a simple, fun, meaningful idea that will likely be shorter than Weight of Responsibility itself. I dont anticipate that taking me long at all, and i want it to be part of my break from PTH to write for some different characters in a different setting.
Once that's done, it's back to the grind and PTH arc 4 will officially be in production. So for the time being, i hope you all have enjoyed arc 3 and thank you all for your continued support. this has been an extremely long ride for me to say the least and i no doubt would have given up by now had it not been for there being so much interest. You're as much a part of this as i am and i hope you contine to enjoy it as we head into the final stretch 
Thank you all very much! We'll be back before you know it.
i'm so excited for this new arc
Fantastic arc, and I can't wait to see what you have in store for us next!
Also looking forward to the Thunderlane side story, I enjoyed your version of the other characters and it's been a little bit.
I can't wait to see everyone's reaction to Alicorn Soaring.
Yay character development.
I'll be honest Arc 3 was wildly inconsistent in quality across the board.
The part where the HQ is stuck in the snow is great, Fleetfoot, Silver, Squall and Star's character arcs are fantastic, and twister is hilariois as usual.
But there is a lot of unnecessary fight scenes. The one with the black dragon and everything following that is the only one I'd describe as enjoyable to read past the first 2 shadowbolts encounters.
It's probably just because of the length that makes the fight scenes so grading to read, both individually and overall. I recently read the infamous chapter from FoE and it was far better than your longest chapter despite being longer. I know that you dislike that chapter anyways though.
Overall can't wait for the next arc and the first arc that I'll be actimely waiting for.
5221811
cant disagree with any of that. ill never claim pth to be a perfect masterpiece and arc 3 is a great example of that. it does have certain moments to it including what i believe to be the best in the story so far (Silver's moment) but theres too much action and all the things that made the story great for me and everyone in the first place were less prevalent. and yes, in retrospect, chapter 129 was a massive judgement error on my part
Two questions if you don't mind
1: Is this the final arc? Please say no!!
2: Will Dash end up pregnant at some point in the story? I know that's random, but I'd love to see you wright that. I absolutely love how you wright love scenes and pregnant Dash with Soarin would give me a cuteness heart attack. Again, random question!
LOVE THE STORY!!!
Ehrmagawdz MORE PLOT!
MORE MORE MORE!
After the long action packed Act 3 I'm looking forward to some down time in Act 4.
5221886
1. i hate to say it, but yes, Arc4 will be the final arc. But considering how long arc 3 took me i dont think you need to worry about it being over quickly
2. i cant make any promises on that, but i can promise you there will be lots of cute
5221901
5221910
oh you have no idea. I've wanted to get to this point for a while now, i had no idea all the action of arc 3 was going to last as long as it did.
5221934
Well I am looking forward to it, keep up the good work.
is thunderlane gonna get some from applejack in the 'meanwhile' story?
5221933
I've got the popcorn if youve got the snacks and the drinks
5221934
THE GRIND DONT STOP!!
THE WORK DONT STOP!!
inb4 Thunderlane second story is 150k words with 30k word chapters.
That aside, WHEEEE!
5221937
Well he HAS been gone for a long time
5222121
No, i've taken precautions to ensure its short. one idea, a little bit of fun, short path to conclusion.
Don't even joke about that
5222128
heh heh
Hmm... about that Thunderlane story... I wonder if you remember which pony should have a certain fetish that is connected to certain sort of attire
5221932
1. Awwww! Are you going to make another story after this one?
2. I knew it was a long shot
5221886
I’m kinda hoping for an epilogue scene 10-15 years in the future, with Dash and Soarin telling this crazy story to their children.
5222579
when this is all done i plan on starting a collection of short stories/oneshots about life in the Wonderbolts. I may do a few that take place post PTH, but many i plan to write will happen in the middle of arc 2 during Dash's days as a recruit for more fun and silliness, giving some spotlight to other characters among the Wonderbolts and such. i dont know if ill do a longer story again, but i definitely want to keep playing around with all my characters, mostly in their state before things went wild in arc 3.
Whyyyyyyy can't I find the motivation to catch up?
5222993
Also good to see you 
It's here for whenever you want it dude.
5223167 Oh I'm still here, mostly lurking, mostly procrastinating on my own stuff.
5222129
Right right, my mistake. 200k words, still 30k a chapter though.
5222121
Agreed, let's not do that
Yeee I'm so excited :D
You're just amazing! Friendship is magic ended but your work is still here! Thanks for it and stay awesome
5229730
(I mean, Dragon Ball Z's fandom lasted long enough to get a new show 25 years later 
)
Shows end, but fandoms don't
This has become something far bigger to me than the original show itself, so i have no intention of leaving it incomplete
5229790
Glad to heard that