XIII - An Answer
Chapter XIII
An Answer
Vinyl stared out the window of the Astronomy Room, gazing upon the vast diorama of stars. She counted off the seconds in her head, licking her lips in quiet anticipation.
“Twenty seconds,” Adi said over the radio sitting innocuously on the table.
Vinyl glanced at Luna, who stood at her side. The princess watched the same scene with a small smile. She turned her eyes back to the sky, scouring for any indication of her target.
“There.” Luna pointed in the distance. A second later, a new light appeared, shining like a star in its own right as it drifted swiftly across the sky.
Vinyl’s lips turned up in a grin. “I see you, Adi.”
Adi’s voice was proud. “Pretty neat, huh?”
“That’s one way to put it.” Vinyl traced the ship’s motion with her hoof, trying to imagine that the little moving light was actually a spaceship. It boggled her mind, and she’d already learned so much. “I can’t believe you’ve been orbiting Equestria for two weeks and this is the first time I’ve seen the ship.”
Twilight’s voice rose from the radio. “Fifteen minutes, Adi.”
Adi’s response had a professional tone to it. “Acknowledged. Everything’s ready on my end.”
Luna left Vinyl to watch the passing light in the sky, approaching the table. “Are all the ships in position?” she asked.
“Yesterday’s storm blew a third of our vessels off course,” Twilight replied. “Some of them still haven’t made it back to their proper places, but what we have will be sufficient. I seriously doubt we’ll have any trouble picking up Adi once her drop pod hits the surface.”
The light passed beyond Vinyl’s vision over the horizon, making its way east. Sighing with disappointment, she turned and approached the radio. Sitting opposite Luna, she said, “I still don’t get why you can’t just grab her. It sounds so much simpler.”
Luna sighed. “Maneuvering a small ship at distance is a very different thing from controlling the sun or the moon, Vinyl. They are huge objects millions of miles distant, their motions are of incredible speeds above the comprehension of most, and the sheer difference in mass is beyond description. Attempting to pull The Journey down to the surface using the same magic might end up smashing it like an egg against a brick wall, and that’s a gross under-exaggeration.”
“Yeah, your sister said the same thing,” Vinyl grumbled, “although she compared it to a snowglobe the size of a bit hitting a concrete barrier with all the force of a hundred Sonic Rainbooms.”
“I question her numeric accuracy,” Luna said, “but that’s certainly an appropriate image.”
Adi’s voice chimed on the radio. “Don’t worry, Vinyl, the drop pods are designed for this kind of thing.”
“I’m not worried,” Vinyl replied, scratching behind an ear, “I just don’t get the physics and magics behind the reasons not to do it. Guess I’m too dumb.”
Twilight’s voice rang over the speaker. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re not dumb, Vinyl, you just haven’t the experience of Equestria’s rulers. If they say we can’t do it, I think it’s best we believe them.”
“This will work,” Adi said. “I’m not going to sit up here until I’m old and grey and crazy waiting for some magical alternative. I’m ready to do this.”
“Ten minutes,” Twilight chirped.
“Alright, I’m moving into the pod. Give me a minute.”
Luna leaned over the table. “Sister, are you there?”
“Sorry, Luna,” Twilight replied, “she’s in flight. She wanted to be ready to catch the pod as soon as it enters the atmosphere.”
“Are you sure that’s wise?” Luna asked with a taut frown. “We don’t know exactly where the pod will breach. What if it is right above her?”
Twilight responded, “That’s what I said, but she insists she’ll be okay. I’m inclined to believe her.”
Luna’s frown didn’t fade, but she said nothing else.
Adi’s voice returned. “Okay, I’m in the pod and the seals are all closed. Let me go through all the safety checks on this thing, then we’ll be set. Shouldn’t take more than a minute with how many times I practiced.”
“Take it slow,” Twilight said. “Now’s not the time to make a mistake because you’re excited.”
“Got it,” Adi replied, her tone mildly frustrated.
Vinyl kept glancing out the window, as if she expected to spot Adi’s ship among the stars for a second time. She almost couldn’t fathom that in a few short minutes Adi’s pod would be touching down in the Everfree Sea on the other side of the world. A thrill of energy ran down her spine and she had to fight not to run in place.
“I’m here.” The door to the astronomy room opened to reveal Flash Sentry, without his usual armor. “I’m not too late, am I? Please say no.”
Vinyl’s eyes lit up and she hurried to him. “You’re just in time! Adi’s prepping for launch as we speak.”
“Five minutes,” Twilight called.
“Thank goddess.” Flash accepted Vinyl’s hug before the two sat at the table side by side. He gave a brief bow to Luna. “Princess.”
“Good evening, Flash.” She gave him a warm smile, but quickly turned her attention back to the radio.
“Flight checks done,” Adi said. “Heya, Flash, welcome to the party.”
“Hey, Adi,” Flash replied as he draped a wing over Vinyl. “Ready to join the herd?”
“You bet I am.”
“After four years? I can’t imagine.” Vinyl grinned and leaned against Flash. “I can’t wait to greet you in the flesh. For real, this time.”
“Yes, you’ve said that a dozen times already.” Adi’s laugh had a giddy quality to it.
Twilight spoke up. “One minute. I’ll start the countdown at thirty seconds, okay?” Silence. Vinyl, Flash and Luna shared curious expressions. Just as Vinyl was about to speak up, Adi gave another weak laugh.
“It’s happening. Oh God. V-Vinyl… it’s finally happening.”
A grin spread on Vinyl’s lips at that excited tone. “I know. I know, Adi.”
“This is incredible,” Adi continued, seemingly more to herself than her listeners. “I’m going to be free of this ship. I can h-have a home again.” Another laugh. “Why do all these emotions hit at the most critical time?”
“Starting the countdown,” Twilight called. “Thirty, twenty-nine, twenty-eight…”
“Calm down, girl,” Vinyl said, though her smile had only spread. “You can explode after you’ve pulled that lever.”
Adi barely managed to respond amid her giggles. “It’s a… It’s a button.”
“—twenty, nineteen…”
Luna’s voice was commanding. “Concentrate.”
“R-right.” Adi sucked in a deep breath. “Don’t want to miss the window.”
“Don’t worry, Adi, you’ve got this,” Vinyl said, “It’s just a button.”
“—ten, nine—”
“Just a button,” Adi whispered.
“—eight, seven—”
The three ponies leaned over the radio, ears perked.
“—six, five—”
“One little button, and I can have a home.”
“—four, three—”
Vinyl began rubbing her hooves together. Flash gave her a squeeze.
“—two, one… launch!”
Silence. Vinyl’s heart pounded. She’d stopped breathing. It seemed like a silly response; it was just a button. Even though she told herself that, couldn’t bring herself to pull air back into her lungs. Not until—
“Pod disconnected.”
Vinyl heaved a gasp and collapsed against Flash, who wobbled from the sudden weight shift. Her chest swelled, her heart pounded against her ribs and her grin came back in full force. “You did it, Adi! You’re coming home.”
“Yeah… I did it.” Adi let out a deep sigh. “This is it. There’s no going back.”
“Okay, Adi.” Twilight’s voice was encouraging. “If our calculations are correct, you’ll be entering the atmosphere in four minutes. Set your entry vector.”
“Already on it,” Adi said, but her voice came out as a hoarse whisper.
Vinyl sat up straight, her eyes on the radio. “Adi, you okay?”
“Y-yes.” A sniff rose through the speaker. “I just can’t believe I’m here. H-hold on, I need to work.”
“Sorry.” Vinyl clamped her lips closed, accepting a comforting nuzzle from Flash. She glanced to the curiously silent Luna, who watched the radio with an expression reminding her of a hawk. The princess's manner unnerved Vinyl, but she didn’t dare say anything. Instead, she turned her attention back to the radio.
“Alright, everything’s set,” Adi said. “Now it’s just up to the machine and God.” Static began to rise up from the speaker. “Vinyl… this is it.”
“Yeah.” Vinyl chewed her lip and pressed against Flash. “This is it.”
Adi’s voice became a whisper. “Y-y’know, there’s still a good chance—”
“You’ll make it, Adi.” Vinyl leaned forward once more, trying to force as much confidence into her voice as she could. “Don’t think about the odds.”
“‘Don’t think about the odds,’ she says.” Adi chuckled, a weak sound that barely made it over the growing static.
“Two minutes to radio blackout,” Twilight announced.
Adi spoke up, her voice at last regaining its confidence. “There’ something I have to say, Vinyl.”
“You can say it when we meet face to face.”
“That might not happen.”
Vinyl’s stomach clenched, and she reached over the grab the small white radio between her hooves. “It will.”
“In case it doesn’t,” Adi continued, “I want you to know that I’m happy. I-I’m so happy right now.”
“I know,” Vinyl whispered. Her pulse rose with the volume of the static. “I know you are.”
“No, you don’t.” A sob broke through the speaker. “You helped me find hope. It’s the most precious thing anyone’s ever done for me. Even if I die now, it’s happening on my terms, and I’m not afraid.”
Adi began to weep. “Th-thank you, Vinyl. Thank you for g-giving me my life back.”
Vinyl smiled, even as she felt tears in her eyes. “You… you’re welcome.”
The static began to overpower Adi’s voice. “—you don’t believe…Christian God, but I do. So…vor and pray. We’ll see…gain, that’s a pro—”
“Adi?” Vinyl shook the radio gently. “Adi?”
“Radio blackout,” Twilight said, her voice solemn. “She should come back in two to four minutes.”
Vinyl stared at the radio, tears streaming down her cheeks. She could do nothing else; just sit there and stare that the small white box between her hooves. Her breathing came in a long, quiet rhythm as the static reverberated through the air.
Flash squeezed her with his wing. “It’s okay, Vinyl. She’ll make it.”
“I know,” Vinyl whispered. “I… I know she will, but…” She licked her lips and cradled the radio. Her hooves were shaking.
“We must have patience,” Luna said, her tone neutral.
Vinyl waited, and waited, and waited some more. “T-time?”
“Forty-seven seconds so far,” Twilight answered.
That was all? Vinyl hunched low over the table, the shaking extending to her entire body. “This will work. This will work. Oh please, tell me this will work.”
“It’ll work,” Flash whispered in her ear before nuzzling her.
Luna remained silent. Her quiet manner was almost painful to Vinyl. The static continued unabated.
Vinyl pressed tight against Flash, her heart pounding in her ears. A silent prayer worked through her lips; a prayer to Celestia, to Luna, to the Goddess, even to Adi’s nameless god. It took all her willpower not to call for the time again.
“That’s two minutes,” Twilight said. “Adi, can you hear us?”
Nothing but hissing, horrible static.
“Adi, this is Twilight,” she pressed. “Speak up if you can hear me.”
Vinyl closed her eyes even as she swayed her ears to the radio in her hooves.
“Adi, this is Twilight, come in.”
“She’s okay,” Flash whispered in Vinyl’s ear. “Everything’s gonna be okay.”
“Adi, if—”
Vinyl’s eyes shifted to the radio at Twilight’s sudden silence. The static continued on for what seemed like an eternity. Vinyl didn’t dare breathe.
Twilight’s voice finally rose from the speaker.
“Goddess have mercy...”
Three days of travel on Equestria’s fastest train was not enough time for Vinyl to prepare. Even so, she now stood at the edge of a commercial dock in San Latigo. Her head craned back as she attempted to take in the entire ship. Somewhere up there… She bowed her head and chewed her lip.
Flash draped a wing over her withers. “Are you sure you’re up for this?”
“Y-yeah…” She sucked in a deep breath and raised her head high. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
He worked his lips, appearing to wage an internal battle, but at last he nodded. “Come on, then.”
They moved along the dock, their hooves clopping loudly against the thick wooden planks. Vinyl tried to keep a steady pace, but her hooves shuffled and her head steadily drifted lower. Flash watched her from the corner of his eye, lips in a taught line.
The docks were largely deserted in this area, and the sunlight was held back by drifting clouds. The sound of the waves and ever shifting waters filled Vinyl’s eardrums and an unfamiliar scent wafted through her nostrils, salty and fresh. When at last they reached the boarding ramp, Vinyl paused.
Flash looked back, concern fresh on his face. “Vinyl?”
She raised a hoof, staring at the threshold before her. She opened her mouth to suck in a few breaths, hoping it would calm her churning stomach. It helped… a little. With one last, long exhale, she began to climb.
The ramp felt disturbingly flimsy, and Vinyl was glad for the tall rails. She kept her eyes on her hooves, not daring look up lest she see it before she was ready. The end of the ramp came far more quickly than she anticipated, and she stepped shakily down to the deck. Flash was there to keep her stable, and she leaned heavily against him.
“Vinyl, you’re here.” The purple hooves of Twilight appeared in her vision. “It’s good you could make it. Do you… want a moment?”
Vinyl said nothing; she was too busy trying to keep her breathing steady. After a few long inhales, she asked, “Where is it?”
Twilight’s tone was solemn. “Right in front of you, if you look up.”
Licking her lips, Vinyl closed her eyes and forced her head to straighten. With a lone leg, she pushed Flash aside. It took a long time for her to muster her courage, but at long last she had it, and her eyes opened.
Three large hunks of wreckage sat atop of the deck, the metal along their edges stretched, warped and ugly. They were spaced far enough apart from one another to let a pony pass through, but in positions that suggested an attempt to decipher their proper form before the… failure. When looked at together, there was a distinctly conical shape to them. Black streaks marred their metallic surface.
Vinyl felt her legs drop out from under her; Flash barely managed to keep her from hitting the deck.
“Vinyl!” Twilight knelt before her. “Are you alright?”
Though her legs buckled, Vinyl managed to plant her hooves back to the deck and force herself up. “I’m… I’m okay. Just a little shock, th-that’s all.”
“We should have waited,” Flash said, tone harsh. “You’re not ready for this.”
“I’ll never be ready, Flash.” Vinyl stumbled forward, her eyes locked on the sad remains of the drop pod. She hesitated for only a moment before stepping between two of them. Another couple steps and she was already in the middle of the wreckage. She sat and cast her gaze slowly around, taking in the twisted wires, dark panels and burnt walls. Despite herself, she closed her eyes and tried to imagine her friend sitting inside this thing.
“She came so close,” a familiar voice said. Vinyl glanced over to see Princess Luna sitting between two of the metal chunks, her expression sad. Celestia stood a respectable distance behind her. “She was right there. Perhaps we should have used our magic like you suggested.” The princess bowed her head low. “I am sorry, Vinyl.”
“Sorry?” Vinyl took another look around, a small smile forming on her lips. “No, don’t be sorry, Princess.”
Luna raised her head, an uncertain expression on her face. “But we are responsible, are we not?”
“It doesn’t matter who’s responsible,” Vinyl replied. Through all the pain, a warm sensation made itself known in her chest. “I once told Adi that her story isn’t a tragedy. I stand by those words.”
Luna cocked her head. “I don’t understand.”
“She died, true. But… she died with hope in her heart. I remember your question, Princess: ‘Is the hope worth the trouble?’” She stood and looked around at the wreckage. Despite the tears pouring down her cheeks, she had a warm smile when she looked back at Luna. “It is. It really is.”
“Vinyl?” She turned to find Flash approaching her. Her smile broadened at the sight of his uncertain expression. As soon as he was close enough, she buried her head in his chest and held him close.
She looked to Luna out of the corner of her eye. “Adi was happy, regardless of the outcome. She died happy.
“Her story isn’t a tragedy,” she finished, settling on her haunches and rubbing her cheeks. “She… she overcame her fear and loneliness and despair. She won. This?” She gestured to the wreckage, then turned back to Luna with a sense of pride. “This is a victory.”
Luna approached, her smile warm. “I think Adi would be glad that you believe that way.”
Vinyl’s smile faltered, her eyes dropped to her hooves. “I say all that. I m-mean it. Even so… I wish I could have shown her Equestria.”
“I think you showed her enough,” Flash said, nuzzling her. “I’m proud of you, Vinyl.”
“As am I.” Luna sat and gazed into Vinyl’s eyes. “I believe all of Equestria is proud. Without you, Adi would probably have died alone. She had us. She had you. What you have done is nothing short of a miracle, and I know Miss Longstaff is grateful.”
Vinyl’s cheeks were soaked again. She rubbed them and fought down the urge to sob. “I’ll m-miss her, but… but I’m grateful. For everything. I’ll cherish the past two years. I’ll cherish her.” Sucking down a calming breath, she looked up at the wreckage once more. “W-what will happen to all of this?”
“We’ll study it,” Luna replied without hesitation. “Twilight is already assembling a team for that purpose. In the end, it will probably be made into a memorial.”
“A memorial.” Vinyl considered this, then regained her smile. “A memorial to the human who risked it all for hope. I like that.”
“The Journey is still in orbit,” Luna added solemnly. “We hope that we might find a way to access it. Perhaps, with some study, we can find some way to bring it down here. There’s no telling what we can learn from it.”
“I understand.” Vinyl rubbed her hooves together and took another uncertain look around. “If I may, I think I know a good place to put the memorial.”
Luna’s eyebrow rose. “Is that so?”
“Yeah.” Vinyl looked up hopefully. “There’s a cemetery outside Canterlot. I know a good spot near a willow tree that’s open.”
Luna stared at her for a while, as if considering this idea, then smiled warmly. “I’ll look into it.”
Vinyl nodded, then pushed away from Flash. She looked to each of them, rubbing her eyes once more. “C-can I have a moment? Please?”
“Of course.” Luna nodded.
“Take all the time you need.” Flash turned to follow the princess out.
Left alone, Vinyl examined her surroundings. All the twisted metal, the burned fibers, the cracked glass. Slowly, she walked to the center of the three pieces. Closing her eyes, she saw Adi’s dark face and bright eyes, her pleasant smile. It was a beautiful sight. She sat down and raised her head, opening her eyes to stare at the sky where the three pieces seemed to point at the endless universe between the clouds. Tears formed rivers down her cheeks, but this time she didn’t mind them.
“Hello, Adi,” she whispered with a smile.
“Welcome to Equestria.”
Sometimes, all we need is hope.
An epilogue for Frequency is now available, written by Grand_Moff_Pony. Give it a read here. I wholeheartedly approve and consider it canon to this AU.
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Damn, now that is a sad ending.
And so humanity's time ends as it begun: in a ball of flames and a desperate gamble for safety.
5694544
I called it.
5730203
Terminal impatience.
The feels *sniff* just liquid pride... Just liquid pride
fc00.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2013/051/5/0/cry_liquid_pride_by_potatoevomit-d5vorzg.jpg
Paul, have I ever mentioned that I hate you?
This is just, this story is just...
It's been another wild ride, Paul. Once again, you do not fail to impress me with your storytelling and serious writing attitude. With this sad ending, at least you tied of the loose ends and ended it on at least a bittersweet note. *grabs ice cream and tissues to last for several hours of muffled sobbing*
Sad but sweet. This ending chapter felt almost like a punch in the stomach.
Still an amazing and beautiful story. But too many feels.
The feels man.
*sniff* thee feeeelsss
This was kind of a sad way to end the story. After all this build up. After all the radio talks. She just......dies. I would be happy if there was an epilogue or something that gave me happy feels.
I guess hope does have its effects though. Even after the ending of the first scene, I was hoping she'd be alright, like re-entry just knocking out the radio's power or something. I was hoping for a "Surprise, she's alright" moment during the second.
Damn, this story was too powerful.
Damn.
How did this dust get in my eyes?...
Awwwww. There goes my 100 points.
But seriously, this was such a beautiful and fun story. The penultimate chapter is almost the real ending, in a way. It almost doesn't matter what the final outcome here is, like Vinyl says it's a victory either way, but I still held my breath while reading it because I cared for Adi so much. You pulled that off so amazingly well, it's like magic.
Thanks for creating this.
5730397
I think not enough stories end like this
Most would end with the character surviving or miraculously surviving in a twist ending but this is also a good way for it to end
And like you said it sorta felt like a punch in the stomach
Nevertheless it was still a happy ending
5730252 I'm sure most people called it. No bragging rights for this one.
I won't say I didn't see it coming.
I won't say it didn't hurt anyway.
5730452 I know...it's really windy today...
*sniffle*
A bold ending. I would have preferred it to end differently, but I respect your decision to end it this way.
At least this way no one will be pining for a sequel.
Somehow I saw this one coming,
5730480
It's not a common ending at all. Other than this and one other fic (Shower of Stars), I can't think of any others with such an ending.
Both were very good fics, however, and easily a few of my top favorites. It seems the best stories are always the ones that hurt the most.
...
Damnit, I needed a mood improver. Damnit damnit damnit...
Still, goo story, even if I hate sad endings. Stupid sad endings, always making me sad, too...
5730520
If so many of us could see it then, then why have her come down so quickly. I am sorry but I find that a terminally bad decision, and would have even if she had made it down okay.
You have a ship in orbit. It took 4 years to get there. Okay. You figure out that the odds are somewhere around even, maybe somewhat in favor of her landing working, but no more than say 75%.
Unless you are absolutely certain that you are NOT going to be able to figure out a way to improve those odds, it behooves you to wait a while. Get the best scientists on Equus working on a launch vehicle that can go into (not even orbit) just a parabolic rocket that is designed for re-entry with a unicorn in it. Launch it to meet up with her vehicle, and teleport her onto the re-entry vehicle.
This was simple impatience. You don't tempt fate that way -- it is a waste of hope.
5730576 I'm already pining for an alt ending, and if/when that comes out, I'll be pining for a sequel.
I've got something in my eye, and I'm satisfied with the story, even though I wish it ended on a happier note, and still think it could have ended ambiguously.
5730593
What's the other fic?
ETA: Thanks for adding the link.
5730606 I prefer stories with happy endings, but this is the story PaulAsaran wrote, so he gets to decide. From a meta perspective, if there weren't any stories with bad endings, there would be no suspense. You don't fear for the heroes unless you believe that they really might die.
What.
*Complete*
What?
Might want to add Sad or Tragedy tag because I'm getting that vibe.
How thoroughly disappointing, so much potential wasted.
Unless of course you decide to write an alternative ending, that would be great.
5730653
I have no problem with characters dying in stories, or REAL chances being taken. In one of my stories, Scootaloo took a REAL chance. She thought it was worth it, even if other ponies did not. It is unfortunate when a foolish chance is taken due to impatience. Fate tend to frown on such endeavors just like it did here.
5730520 I most certainly did not call it. I cannot believe the story ended like this. All that suspense about finally meeting and Adi finally leaving the steel coffin only to have the carpet ripped out from under you. Of course since I'm just one person my opinion will likely be hated, ignored or both.
A very bittersweet ending there. Truly a great story.
... but I need to say that if they managed to calculate the density of the atmosphere and many other things like predict her trajectory around their world... How come they didn't calculate a better trajectory for the re-entry? In theory, it should've been easier than in our own planet given that with the denser atmosphere it would be easier to perform an aerobraking maneuver with the proper trajectory. If they did the proper math she probably could just pull the entire ship down to the ground by just gliding (I think it was mentioned that the ship just went into interstellar from the launchpad, so I assume it was an SSTO ship like a space shuttle. Maybe I'm wrong here.)
I'm not saying that there's something wrong with the ending. It was emotive and I know that the outcome of her trip was evident (with a full RUD event or just crashing being the most probable outcomes), but I really think that her odds were way more positive than negative, given the circumstances.
I was ready....I was so sure I was ready! The feels...that ending was just perfect. I loved it.
5730707 There is no fate or luck in stories. Everything happens because the author did it on purpose.
I approve.
Most humans survive a landing like that against impossible odds.
Finally good to see SOMETHING different.
5730853
Sure there is -- and it all comes under genre savvy. Obviously none of the ponies had this quality, hence they did not see their plot armor being rent asunder.
5730904 Yeah, plot armor is only available in adventures, not dramas. Even Vinyl could have died in this story, but she wasn't the obvious choice.
So in the end, she still died. It's just me, but no matter how someone dies, death is death in the end.
She'd never be able to breathe actual air or eat real food or have a home, she never had her dream fulfilled.
Yeah she died happy, and yeah it's a better death than being lost in space forever, but she still didnt make it.
now she's just another casualty in life, like those faceless soldiers who die in combat.
So close.
Beautiful. Just beautiful. Great job on this. Now to cry in a corner due to all of the feels that just happened due to this whole thing.
...My day was crappy enough already.
(And that was without counting Terry Pratchett.)
Well, dying alone would have been worse either way, I guess....
Uh...
Anyone else think that song would have been good for the end of Breaking Bad?
I'm pretty sure this didn't used to have a sad tag. Actually I'm very sure that I bitched about it giving a feeling I was getting in an earlier chapter.
Did someone notice when it was put in?
I was seriously about to rip him a new one but I had to go and double check and sure enough there's that sad tag I didn't think the story had.
Well an amended/edited version of what I *was* going to type:
I don't like sad stories, I didn't want a sad story and I got one anyways.
I put a lot of other things in there but honestly I don't know when that was marked sad. If it really was just plopped on right on this last chapter then all that bile is going to come back up.
I know that you and some others will think this ending is inspirational or moving or whatever.
For me it was just a sad waste of potential and most importantly a waste of my time.
Also now that I'm thinking about seems like the whole premise was set to have this happen. I mean we got people to the moon and back using shit '60s tech, and you are expecting me to believe that the most advanced machine humanity ever created plus two demi-goddesses plus Twilight couldn't have brought her down OK? I'm not willing to suspend my belief that much regardless of this story's framing. Seems like a cheap move to pull heartstrings. But to be fair I think most sad endings are this so that's not your fault really.
Reviewing my list of reading I've noticed that "Gentle Nights" is on there and I've quite behind on it, but given who this turned out I've decided to to unlist it as a favorite -- along with this here story. Sorry bud, I just can't trust your tags anymore.
What can I say I'm a picky consumer.
It was a good story, but I kinda have to agree with some of the others. I felt railroaded for the sake of plot- Teleportation, telekinesis, shields, airbraking, there were just so many options that it felt like there had to have been another way that was ignored.
I realize that this is your AU and the stuff you usually see it in isn't cannon, but I feel shocked that they couldn't have slapped a shield around the ship to give it just a few more seconds of integrity, teleported inside, let it slow down to the point it was falling straight down and catch it with their little pony minds... something.
And yes, today was a terrible ****ing day to post a sad story. Terry Pratchet dying ****ed me up badly, and seeing a story I had great hopes for end so painfully just put the brown icing on the cake. This was missing the sad tag yesterday and that ticks me off.
I hardly think you are about to throw out the wonderful quality story you wrote to give us an alternate ending, but if you do decide to then yes I agree. I would love it. I wanted to see adi's story, the life she lead, whether or not she would use the mirror and whether she'd end up a pony on the way back. Oh well, here's to hoping.
Well, all things come to a end one way or another. Whether or not you continue with this verse or not is up to you.
Awesome story, kudos.
God damnit, first I read that Terry Pratchett died, then I read this chapter. I loved the story, and I can't say that I didn't feel that this kind of ending was coming. But I have to say that after reading this at work, I had to leave my desk to get some tissue from the bathroom. Can't let the coworkers see me crying over horse words. It was a great story, I loved the character development, but I'm sad Adi and Vinyl couldn't hug IRL. Thanks for the great story.
I guess I really thought she was going to make it, because it wasn't until Vinyl was actually observing the wreckage that I was sure that Adi was lost. Just . . . damn. That was well written. I was completely crestfallen when Adi didn't make it.
Well, she didn't lose. She didn't succumb to fear and loneliness, true. She took control of her life again; she had something approaching a livable life again. I don't know if I'd call that a win, though; maybe more of a tie. To win, I think you have to get everything you wanted out of life. If you are betting it all on a roll of the dice and you don't survive, for it to still be a win, you have to feel satisfied that you've accomplished enough; that what you've done stands and there's no more you have to do; that you can die happy. Vinyl's father may have reached that stage - getting his daughter to independence and clearing their debts. I'm not convinced that Adi was there yet. Did she really feel that there was nothing more she could accomplish by staying aboard the Journey? That today was a good day to die? Why not keep talking with Vinyl and the other Equestrians? Why not continue visiting in dreams? I can see that she could have reached that stage, but I don't see clearly that she did. It's a stretch to claim victory here, Vinyl.
The theme was hope. Is hope worth it? Hope keeps you going though bad times. It's only not worth it if the situation is so bad that continuing is worse than stopping, which is rare. The hope that Vinyl gave Adi made her life worthwhile again. There was more pain, yes, but there was more excitement and anticipation too. If anything, I feel that they gave up hope too soon. Hope was totally worth it. While hope can't defeat pain, hope did have a victory over despair. (Hope also seems to have had a pyric Pyrrhic victory over self-preservation.)
Oh.
Well, you never fail to disappoint, PaulAsran. I don't agree with some of the other opinions that this was a poor ending, in fact I believe it was the best option. I very rarely read a story where an integral (?) Character is actually killed at some point. I couldn't tell you the name of the last time I remember it happening, to be honest. I'm glad you did it, I'm not sure where you could have taken it. (And I'm not very fond of HiE's anymore)
That said, something feels a little off. I hate that I can't pinpoint it, but it's kind of a "wait, that's it?" feeling. A fantastic story, nonetheless. Can't wait for more words of pony from you.
You horrible, cruel bastard... Why... Why would you release a chapter like this on the same day that Terry Pratchett died...
I don't care what Vinyl called it, I feel like I just read a tragedy. I hate that feeling. Especially when I'm already sad.
This was good. This was so *sniff* good.
Have you ever started crying without noticing?
You're gonna carry that weight.
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I'd like to start this with an apology. So many people are talking about Terry Pratchett. In my defense, how was I supposed to know that he was going to die the day this chapter was posted? I know it's not my fault, but given the number of people talking about it... yeah.
I'll admit it, from the beginning I always knew that Adi wasn't going to make it. I don't feel guilty about making this decision, for I believed – and still believe – that it is the best conclusion for the story. I understand there are people who can't appreciate that. I knew all along that there would be. I never intended to please everyone, and I'm not going to fret over those who are disappointed or angry. Nor am I going to defend my decisions; if you can't see the intrinsic value of this conclusion in regards to the purpose of this story, nothing I say will convince you. I've made my point. This is where I'll leave it.
And no, there will be no epilogue or alternate endings. I believe alternate endings cheapen the effect and won't indulge that. This is where the story was always meant to end.
What I will apologize for is the Sad tag. I left it out all along because, to be frank, I never saw this story as sad. I firmly believe in what Vinyl has been saying all this time, and I do consider this a victory for Adi. When I finished the last chapter, I didn't feel misery but a sense of calm completion. It was only afterwards, when the complaints started pouring in, that I realized that I may have been mistaken in leaving the tag out. Perhaps it would have been better to leave it off, but after much consideration and internal arguments I decided to apply it. I'm sorry to everyone who feels that I cheated them or was somehow being sneaky about the story; that was never my intention. This only goes to show that picking your tags properly from the beginning is very important.
TL;DR – I don't cater.
My thanks to everyone who stuck through this to the end, including those of you I disappointed.
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I came very, very close to using that line beneath the song instead. I only didn't 'cause I thought it would be too much of a freebie.