• Member Since 6th Apr, 2012
  • offline last seen May 11th, 2021

Jay911


Firefighter, 911 operator/dispatcher, racing & anime fan, onetime prolific fanfic writer (in his own mind)

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This story is a sequel to The Coming Storm


Sequel to The Coming Storm, side-story to The Last Pony on Earth and Founders of Alexandria, both by Starscribe. Swift Quill, Sudden Storm, Jeff Reynolds, Karin Simonsen, Rich Leroy, and George "Serge" Coutts are the first settlers of Ponytown, in the ruins of Pickering, Ontario, Canada. They've banded together and established a community, and this is the story of that community's growth and involvement with other groups as life begins to return to normal - or as normal as it can be after the Event.

Chapters (8)
Comments ( 121 )

I don't want to set the world on fire... oh wait. Wrong DJ.

"You're insane, you know that?"
"Thanks for noticing!"

Welcome back Stormy, true to form!
Off to a great start.

"We... can stay?" Jenn asked. "There's a choice?"

No, I was kidding, nopony leaves Ponytown, nopony. Bwhahahahaha.

+3 population to the Kingdom of Storms.

6441071 Yes, wrong DJ. Stormy might more be a Three Dog-ish character. Heeey, maybe she can play old tunes while she's not talking. But instead of Danny Kaye and the Andrews Sisters, we get Van Halen. I'm all for it.

6441186 You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. *guitar solo*

Hey, both comments are musically slanted. Interesting.

Gah! Read this and totally forgot to like/comment/fav! *quickly remedies*

I like Randy's character. Well, the little family unit as a whole. Heart warming how they pretty much adopted Randy as their own in lieu of what happened.

Good to see Ponytown growing again. I am looking forward to seeing who else joins up in the future. I must admit to being curious how my OC would fit in (she's a professional fiction writer!) Anyway, I'm happy to see more of Stormy and company. Keep up the good work!

6441186
No one leaves the Kingdom of Storms. Stormy Croft the reboot, 2013.

6441220
That was Van Halen with Lighting Up The Sky...
And this is Sudden Storm, your favourite DJ coming to you loud and proud from Ponytown!
Now listen up ponies...

Can we have some dragons?

I'm not usually one for unofficial sequels and/or side stories, but this is something that stands well enough on its own, and while it doesn't go so far in detail as Starscribe's did/does, that doesn't detract from this, as this is more character-based and driven story. Instead of being adventure, and having a defined plot that leads somewhere, with a well-defined villain and high stakes, this is more slice-of-lifey. And I mean that in a good way! After finishing off Founders of Alexandria, and pulling myself back off the edge of my seat, it's refreshing to see something that takes a slower pace. Congratulations, you're writing a good character-driven slice of life story, with a well-defined niche in the original's following.
I really like Storm as a character, she strikes me as your typical, reckless, thrill-seeking pegasus, but without making her come off as uncaring, or overly prideful. I find she's quite similar to Rainbow Dash in that respect (boastfulness notwithstanding) in that she like to have a thrill and a good time, but knows her responsibilities and answers for them admirably.
And now she has her personal Scootaloo... I like, I like...

"I listen for at least a half an hour after each 'cast to make sure I don't miss any replies. I'm here, Ponytown's here, and we're waiting for you."

Must have been getting pretty depressing for Stormy, listening for replies that weren't coming for the last month. Knowing that someone was listening and inspired by the transmissions must have really made all that effort seem worthwhile.

"Due to the highly intense and sinister nature of this program...." Nah.. that would freak out too many ponies :)

Def Lep - Promises might work as a happy and upbeat show starter :D

Loving this man!

6442877
We'll have to see. It might come in handy; after all, winter is com- *Jay911 gets bludgeoned to within an inch of his life*

6443235

That's something I wondered if people liked or didn't about The Coming Storm - the lack of an actual, physical enemy. It's difficult to find a "bad guy" in a universe like this, in my opinion. I discussed this in the Skype chat yesterday. My theory - right or wrong - is that those who "come back as ponies" most soonest after the Event would tend to be good, based on the rules as I understood them. I wouldn't consider someone inherently "bad" to be "ready to come back". Now maybe that's not the way it was intended, but that's how I took it. So that limited my adversaries for the story. As for After The Storm, well, who knows?

And Stormy's attitude? It didn't occur to me that she was becoming a 'typical pegasus' but I can see that now. I was writing her as someone who had to discard all of their old life and was thus free to enjoy the new one, with its added bonuses like flight. And "her own personal Scootaloo", that's gold.

6443409

It'd be tempting to give up, or say "Are any of you listening out there? Come on, show me a sign!" Especially for someone who knows about radios and knows that by the very nature of the machine, it has to be reaching far enough for somebody to hear something, especially if they knew the ratio of how many people still exist (Stormy currently doesn't, but has a guess based on how many people have shown up at Ponytown).

6443441

Oh man. I'm sorely tempted to try to cast a girl to record lines and make an audio recording or ten to make something like the Galaxy News Radio soundtrack.

For the others, what Lionheart is talking about is a clip that (used to) start off the morning show at 5am on my local radio station: here is a sample.

6443235

I find she's quite similar to Rainbow Dash in that respect (boastfulness notwithstanding) in that she like to have a thrill and a good time, but knows her responsibilities and answers for them admirably.
And now she has her personal Scootaloo... I like, I like...

Took the words right out of my mouth. :scootangel:

6443856

It's difficult to find a "bad guy" in a universe like this, in my opinion.

That's the thing really. In a universe like this, where there are so many tales told in a common area, you can't have too many world-threatening villains, because it just doesn't work. It starts raising questions like "Why don't they ever meet?", or "Why not work together?"

Nice start. :twilightsmile:

6443856

Oh man. I'm sorely tempted to try to cast a girl to record lines and make an audio recording or ten to make something like the Galaxy News Radio soundtrack.

Sorry can't help you there. My mic sounds like crap, worse than a tincan on strings in a bathroom.

6443856

I actually enjoy your stories quite a bit more than the what is apparently the original universe that these are spun off of. Disclaimer, I did find yours first so that may color my tastes. Honestly in what amounts to a Man Pony vs Environment setting having the Alexandria stuff just seems odd and pointless to me. If having evil cults and crazy super bads is your goal why even leave the already established canonish setting of Equestria. Bottom line keep on flying or trucking the way you are.

Randy thrust a hoof in the air. "Her lackey brought it over from the book store!"

More truth revealed. The Queen of the Kingdom of Storms is indoctrinating the youth. :rainbowdetermined2:

Next time: Stormy decides to follow the practices of birds and teach Randy to fly by tossing him off the roof. Wait, what do you mean I can't use that?

I predict some clouds above a lake is in Randy's future.

I vote with my non-existent vote, to toss him off the roof, and have Swift below, hiding, but ready to catch him when he fails to fly. Then Stormy can be like, "See, I told you that you weren't ready yet." :trollestia:

And, nice chapter. :twilightsmile:

Randy's just a little ball of energy.. it's awesome :)

Nice use of the Mall too. That thing could definitely turn into a community place, so long as it is somewhat maintained ^^

Loving everything so far :D

Is it bad that i enjoy this and it's prequel more than the main series?

And the big, empty world gets just a little bit smaller, because Ponytown is in contact with Alexandria! :yay:

Still living Stormy and Randy's interactions. They're so adorable together! :rainbowdetermined2::scootangel:

I've read both The Coming Storm and this story in under 2 hrs. It was that good. This is probably the bestest LPoE side-story I've ever read!:pinkiehappy:

6443856

Oh man. I'm sorely tempted to try to cast a girl to record lines and make an audio recording or ten to make something like the Galaxy News Radio soundtrack.

I and my better half made a little something based on Stormy's final broadcast in TCS (it's not the entire thing, that would have been a bit much for us amateurs).
The mp2 quality is mediocre of course, but mp3 filters out all the static which is counterproductive here. wma gave the best result when compressing from wav, but tumblr doesn't accept that one.
Anyway: here it is
Hope you like.

or bottle caps

:pinkiehappy:
Your description of Randy is beautiful and so very close to the real thing, including Jenn being relieved when she can de-stress by working her flank off undisturbed the whole day. I know the feeling. "I just asked her if she was awake". Oh yes, an international multicultural classic.

more like snapped at me

Moriah? Could have been worse, could have been Joe.

So yeah, real life. Could read about it forever, but you already knew that.

6481479 That's awesome! Thanks for sharing it :)

I'll try to have another chapter out by the weekend.

6482230 You're welcome! :raritywink:
Whatever it takes ;)

:rainbowlaugh: I was literally just putting together information for a prospective water management project for Robin to add to his pile today and you come out with this chapter!

Actually, how is there relationship with the dog pack? Do they get halfhearted threats if they venture into the area?

6494977 Other than being there, I haven't really intended to dwell on them much. Buddy put them in their place during The Coming Storm, and they keep their distance now. If somebody tried to take over their home, or steal their food, they'd surely defend it, but otherwise they leave one another alone.

And to think you wrote about writer's block yesterday...
I'm not complaining!
A babycarrier for a pegasus colt? That's brilliant, good thinking Stormy.
So... the first chapter with real thoughts about the future. Ponytown, possibly one of the first citystates.

I see that Stormy has enticed Randy over to the pegasus side. Join me and together we can rule the mall...

I was going to comment how they better enjoy that chocolate (cake) as the supply is surely going to dwindle. Then it hit me, earth ponies and pegasi can likely grow things from very different climates locally.

I love the way "the cows didn't kick me when I did it" is described as being supportive. It kind of implies that there's some kicking going on whenever the cows aren't co-operating. Probably just as well they've got earth pony endurance, though I hope they're mostly just being sensible enough not to stand where the cows can easily kick them...

Pretty neat though that Jeff involved the cows in Karin's birthday celebrations.

6495080 I actually had a lot of this in my head all weekend, but a hard time getting it out "on paper". What I found helped out was arranging the scenes in notes written into the chapter where I wanted to put them, and writing some of it out even if I hadn't written the stuff before it yet. So if you ever see anything I write peppered with {curly brackets}, that's what's going on.

6495342 Now there's a thought... trying to grow tropical plants in the medium latitudes.

"Hey Stormy, do you like mmmbananas?"

Come to Ponyville, we have donuts

Ponyville might be a little tricky to get to at the moment. Probably better off advertising Ponytown.

6495750 Whoops! I don't suppose I could handwave that away as a translation error from Quebecois to English, could I? :twilightsheepish: Fixed, thanks.

What I most like about this group is that they are coming together like a family rather than just individuals banding together for the purposes of survival. I think that this will be a source of great strength in times to come. They also have a great responsibility as future ponies won't have the same resources to scavenge any more, and therefore there has to be stuff put into place for them by these pioneers. It's quite an awesome task, so to be able to work together so well will help ensure their success.

I'm rather envious. :raritywink:

And later that night, Stormy had to take Randy on a sudden late night flight, and many months later a foal was born to Jeff and Karin. :rainbowwild:

Anyways, nice chapter. :twilightsmile:

Were the sum total of my sins worth only two days in the 'penalty box'?

*Blows whistle* Minor Penalty, Toronto, #5, Serge, 2 days for Too many men on the Earth.

(Sorry if the # is wrong. I'm not sure 100% sure if Serge was introduced to them 5th or 6th, so coin toss gave him #5. Get gets Toronto since that's the town where he worked, and I assume lived)

Dammit! I just realised my ship with Stormy and Serge may have hit a reef.
Serge is pretty religious and gay stuff is a big no no, and Stormy was a guy! Does this mean no Sergeant-Stormy D: I guess she'll be demoted to Private-Stormy :(

My favorite part of this story is when Serge comes to term with being a Pegasus. That God told him to embrace it. As a Christian I know it's all too easy for people to go the cheap rout, and put us in as crazy/hateful/etc. I just want you to know you did a FANTASTIC job of portraying Serge as a good Christian. That although he had struggles, he has not abandoned God.

So thank you for including a religious character done RIGHT! <3

6498005 I've always been slightly envious of people who can draw strength from their faith in God (or any other god, deity, or deities or whatever). The concept of adhering to any religion is utterly alien to me, but as long as there is nothing bad committed in its name my stance is live and let live.
Now portraying Serge as one of those who can draw real strength from their faith suddenly gave him a lot of character depth and made him feel real. Hadn't really thought about it until you brought it up, but you're spot on with it.

So now that I've read through the first story and this: Yes. This is great. More? Also, Stormy is best Three Dog

I guess the caller must have been listening to Stormy's broadcasts for a while already? Otherwise, she'd surely have had to get directions. The radio broadcasts really seem to be working out well.

"That reminds me, there's some stuff we should look up, hm?"

Subtle, guys. I wonder are congratulations in order?

I won't bore you with the gory technical details, but many ham radios around the time of the Event had a data mode that allowed you to communicate short messages via text on a side-channel separate from voice communications. They also offered GPS tracking capability over the same mode, which could be shared with anybody else on the frequency - including to a computer, to plot those points on a map.

Stormy has upgraded her empire building capabilities. I see her with a Settlers of Catan Ponytown board tracking the location of ponies headed her way.

I'll -e -n --ur d-or-t-p by th-s --me --morrow

:stormy: *claps hooves* Excellent.

Yessssssss more story!! Though it's a little sad that our leader pony has yet to teach the others to fly, Poor other Pegasi, all the other pony types are learning how to use their magic, except you guys T_T

Yes, new chapter! Thank you!:pinkiehappy:

"-f -ny-ne c-n ---r me, pl--s- -esp-nd,"
"- -m -n north --w y-rk -tate, o- the la--si-e sta-e p--k..."
"-o s-ve my b-t--ry. -f I'm l-ck-, I'll -e -n --ur d-or-t-p by th-s --me --morrow. W-sh -e l-ck. Out."

If anyone can hear me, please respond,
I am in north New York State, on the lakeside(?) state park...
to save my battery. If I'm lucky, I'll be on your doorstop by this time tomorrow. Wish me luck. Out.

Enjoying the story as always. Sooner or later though, they're going to have to bite the bullet and clean out some of those refrigerators!

I'm curious how they got into the bank vaults though. The Event happened overnight when they would have been locked, so how did they unlock them? Are the unicorns that skilled yet?

There are a few mapping programs out there that don't need a constant net connection once installed

6543591 That's true, but the one that Stormy is talking about fetches maps from OpenStreetMap, so unless OSM's servers survived the apocalypse... :twilightsheepish: There's probably a way to force in a static map, but eh, it's just a story.

What's described in the story is a real service called APRS. Amateur radio operators use it to communicate, send short messages, track one another, etc. Here's a sample of realtime data from the Pickering area. Well, Pickering and part of the lake and upper New York, which I zoomed out to fit in the shot for some reason.

6544942 Most of the current mapping systems people use rely on data connections to pull in the latest information. just saying there are a few options GPS units have preloaded maps. Maybe they'll get a chance to upgrade in the future.
MS trips and streets, Garmin Base Camp all have full maps

6497667 Depends, it's fairly commonly held among liberal Christians that the "homosexuality" and "effeminate"ness condemned in the Bible is more accurately translated from the Hebrew version as two specific types of ritual prostitution, not two people of the same gender in a consensual loving relationship. Avoid the "Bible belt" like the plague and you'll find people are really quite accepting (especially in Canada where "being nice" is the default).

I commend the author on inserting religion into a story like this: it's a brave and difficult thing to do well (so easy to cop out with "simply not true"), and this author is so far pulling it off fantastically.

Stormy is totally going to bring them up to the roof, and buck them off. While Swift will have learned a basic cloaking spell, to hide the catch net below. :twilightsmile:

Oh, and nice chapter. :twilightsheepish:

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