• Published 5th Feb 2018
  • 4,537 Views, 327 Comments

A Study on Chaos Theory - Amber Spark



Harmonic bonds aren't the most predictable of spells. Sunset learned this the hard way with Twilight. Involving Moon Dancer will make things either extremely complicated, or extremely simple. And that has nothing to do with harmonic bonds.

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Epilogue: Sequence Halt

The snow drifted down in lazy flakes, but Princess Celestia couldn’t find it in herself to slip back under the patio umbrella. Philomena sat beside her on the railing, enjoying the sensation of the tiny flakes of white bursting into steam upon contact with her feathers. Only Raven remained beneath the umbrella, clipboard floating in a field of pale red magic. At least she had the sense to not stand out in the snow.

“Princess…”

Celestia didn’t respond. She watched as Sunset, Twilight and Moon Dancer triggered the Spire. She watched as Sunset’s friends touched the thin streams of Harmony that curled upward from the device. She watched as they spoke after, their expressions ones of wonder and awe.

She watched as Sunset walked away.

Raven finally joined her and peered down at the group of friends just as Sunset paused and looked up at the balcony.

Celestia didn’t look away. She owed Sunset more than that.

Then, her young student turned and disappeared into the castle.

“Your Majesty, I am concerned.”

“For whom, Raven?” Celestia asked. Her eyes slid back to the ground of friends.

Moon Dancer gave Twilight a little nuzzle and Minuette laughed at something Cheerilee had said.

“Both of you.”

Celestia smiled wanly, though she didn’t turn away from the scene of camaraderie and friendship playing out below her. “You do tend to worry, Raven.”

“I think I have good cause.”

“I never said you didn’t.” Celestia twitched as a particularly cold snowflake brushed against one of her ears. “Tell me, Raven… when I am together with Sunset, what do you see?”

“Your Majesty?” Raven shifted slightly, apparently surprised by the sudden change in topic. “What do you mean?”

“It’s a simple enough question,” Celestia replied smoothly. Her eyes slid to the door through which Sunset had disappeared. “How would you define my dynamic with Sunset Shimmer?”

Raven hesitated. Celestia couldn’t blame her. After all, the first answer likely to have come to her aide’s mind had rather far-reaching implications.

As Coloratura tried to drag a protesting Coco Pommel out onto the ice, Celestia wondered if Raven would attempt to hide her instinctual reaction.

After a long time, Raven finally said a single word.

“Family.”

Celestia smiled again. “You’re disseminating a little, Raven. We both know it. Speak your mind.”

Raven sighed audibly. “Why are you asking this, Princess? It will only hurt you.”

“Because I wish to hear it from the pony in all of Equestria who knows me best. Indulge me.”

Raven didn’t seem happy about it, but she did indulge her. “When I look at the two of you, I see a mother and her daughter.”

Celestia nodded slowly. Below them, both Coco and Coloratura went down in a heap. Philomena chuckled.

“You’ve said as much in the past,” Raven pointed out. “I reminded you of it that night in the Equestrian Secret Service when we discovered the Cloudsdale Report.”

“Indeed,” Celestia replied easily. “What do you think Sunset sees?”

This time, Raven didn’t hesitate.

“She sees you as the mother she never had. Somepony who accepts her for what she is, instead of what she should be.”

Moon Dancer and Twilight joined their friends on the ice, much to Twilight’s consternation.

“And therein lies the greatest irony of all,” Celestia replied. She shifted her wings and two sheets of snow slid to the balcony’s surface. “I accept Sunset wholeheartedly. Both because of who she is and because of who she will become.”

“Then why are you staring at her friends like that, Princess?”

Celestia paused. This issue must concern Raven a great deal for her aide to be so frank with her. Some might call her attitude disrespectful. Celestia knew better.

“I have seen Equestria go through many phases. In days long forgotten, ponies often believed I could cure all their ills. Fix everything from mane loss to a stubbed hoof. When I was far younger, I wanted to. I wanted nothing more than to make life as easy for my little ponies as possible. But, to do such a thing…” Celestia shook her head, remembering the faces of those who had passed beyond. “Creatures cannot grow if they cannot learn. And there is no better teacher than failure.”

Celestia let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding as Raven considered her words.

“With all respect, Princess Celestia, I know all of this.”

“Of course you do, Raven.” Celestia chuckled wryly. “But sometimes… it’s helpful to remind myself. Sunset has a hard road ahead of her in the coming years. I’ve said that the secret of Cloudsdale must be kept from her at all costs. But… now I wonder if my concern over her expected reaction to the Cloudsdale Report has… clouded my judgement.”

“Regarding Sunset and Twilight’s relationship?” Raven asked.

Celestia admired Raven for many things. One of them was her ability to speak to her in whatever manner Celestia needed at the time. While Celestia didn’t especially enjoy admitting it, sometimes she needed a direct approach.

“Yes.”

“With respect, Princess, you didn’t do anything,” Raven informed her.

Minuette spun figure-eights around her friends, her peals of delight softly echoing through the snow.

“Yes,” Celestia sighed. “Yes, I did. I allowed all three to remain under the false impression that the heightened emotions of the unified harmony magics were still upon Twilight and Sunset. As soon as I realized dear Moon Dancer’s feelings toward her oldest friend…”

Celestia closed her eyes. She had felt the pain in her beloved student’s voice as she spoke of her fears. Of the healing power of time. Of doing the right thing.

Every word had felt like a buck to the chest.

“I knew what would happen the moment Sunset discovered it for herself,” Celestia said in a soft voice.

“It was Sunset’s choice,” Raven insisted. “Even knowing that the heightened emotions should have faded, I believe she would have made the same choice.”

“I have little doubt she would have,” Celestia conceded, opening her eyes once again. “But I forced her to walk that path with my silence. And now…”

Celestia’s eyes drifted from the frolicking friends to a shadow of a unicorn in the doorframe below her.

“I had a choice, Raven. In one hoof, I had the happiness of one member of my family. In the other, I had the salvation of another. And we both know how many will pay the price if she is not saved.”

Raven didn’t seem to have a response to that. Ironically, Philomena did. She let out a couple soft chirps and Celestia glanced at her beloved companion.

“You are right, Philomena. After, that happiness can be restored. And yet, I fear my actions to ensure Sunset remains on the path just may be the very thing to drive her from it.”

“You can’t know that,” Raven said quickly. She shifted uneasily beside Celestia. “Sunset is one of the strongest ponies you’ve ever taught. She’s become a completely different pony from the one you took on all those years ago.”

Raven paused for a long moment, as if considering her next words carefully. “In truth, Princess, I had feared she would slip into darkness long ago. I was wrong.”

“I did not save her from that fate.” Celestia watched the six friends play, laugh and live on the small frozen lake below. She wished she could join them. “Her friends did that. And my actions—or inaction—may have just drove a wedge between them all.”

“You can’t be sure of that, Princess.”

Finally, Celestia looked up. She peered through large black glasses and into the worried brown eyes of her aide. Spots of snow dotted her brown mane and red cravat. Real fear burned behind Raven’s eyes. Fear not only for Sunset, but also for Celestia herself.

A faint sense of warmth reignited in her chest at the sight, though it did little to quell the cold that had burrowed into her bones.

“Sunset has surprised me before,” Celestia said, placing a comforting hoof on Raven’s shoulder. “She may yet surprise me again. At this point, any action I could take would make the damage irreparable. As I told Sunset, I make mistakes. I am unsure if this was truly one of them, but I will not make it worse. They must decide their own fate. Their hearts are their own and they deserve to follow that path, wherever it may lead.”

Celestia’s eyes returned to the shadow in the doorway.

“I’ve interfered enough as it is.”

“So… what do you intend to do?”

“The only thing I can do, Raven,” Celestia sighed. She allowed a little of the melancholy in her heart into her voice. Raven deserved as much. “Be there for them all. No matter my feelings on the subject, the stakes have not changed. If Sunset Shimmer fails…”

Raven nodded slowly. She knew the cost all too well. A bit of snow fell onto her glasses, forcing her to take them off to briefly clean them.

“Is there no other way? I know there is little time left, but if something were to happen to Sunset…”

Raven trailed off. She didn’t seem inclined to finish her sentence. Celestia was grateful for that.

Celestia took a deep breath and looked out over the snow-wreathed city of Canterlot. Her home for the last thousand years. The beautiful white structures, the golden spires, the colorful banners… all frosted white. The very city itself was a testament to the Princess of the Sun.

She wondered what it would look like if she hadn’t been alone for close to a thousand years. If she hadn’t manipulated certain things. If she had stopped certain myths from getting out of hoof. If she hadn’t taken certain steps to protect the memory of her family.

She looked forward to the day when she saw her family again.

She also dreaded that day more than any other.

Celestia looked up through the clouds. Though none could see it, she could feel the Moon up there. In her mind’s eye, she could see the shadow.

Then, Celestia’s eyes fell onto Twilight Sparkle.

“I do not know,” Celestia admitted. “The pictures we saw seem to indicate that there is another way, but I fear that path is closed to us. I once told them never to sacrifice the present for a questionable future… but our future is anything but questionable.” She let out a low, long sigh. “I must proceed as I believe is best. Just as Sunset did.”

“Princess, I didn’t mean to imply—”

Celestia waved away Raven’s objections. “All I mean to say is that Sunset is our best hope.”

“But, Your Majesty, if you are to prepare her, you will have to interfere.” Raven said. She frowned and used her magic to brush away some of the snow from her mane. “You can’t have it both ways.”

“A forced spark will never work,” Celestia reminded her with a sigh. “It is as true for love as it is for Harmony. Sunset must walk this road without me forcing matters. She must take her place naturally. I will continue to try and guide those steps… but in the end, it will be up to her.”

Raven looked toward the doorway in the palace as snow began to fall in earnest. Even Celestia could barely make out the shadow in the doorway now.

“And what if you’re wrong?” Raven asked in a voice muffled by the blanket of white all around them. Now, she did not speak as an aide, or even as one of Celestia’s subjects. She spoke as a friend. “What if… your actions have driven her from that path?”

To hear anypony address her as a friend was a rare gift. From Raven, it meant so much more. It was a gift Celestia treasured with all of her heart. Even if that heart twisted at the words.

She closed her eyes and fought down the small knot in her throat. Licking her cold lips, she managed to keep any trace of the tremble in her heart out of her words.

“Then I pray she one day forgives me. Both of them.”

Celestia offered Raven a brittle smile—one she knew did a poor job of hiding the unshed tears in her eyes—then turned her gaze back to the doorway where the shadow of Sunset Shimmer had been watching her friends.

The doorway stood empty.

Author's Note:

Theme for A Study on Chaos Theory:


And so ends the first book of the Dreamers Arc with A Study on Chaos Theory. This story has been... exhausting. Not only for Sunset, but for myself and the Wavelengths Editing Team as well. Most of us got into it pretty intensely during the course of this story. I'm still learning about that whole "taking feedback with grace" thing (and I have a long way to go). But they, as always, help me take the story I originally wrote to the next level. Thank you, all of you!

I'll be doing a Retrospective on this story to go into depth about the development of this story this week, but I did want to say a couple things here.

First of all, I've read every single comment you've written. I've honestly squealed with glee over the comments regarding just what Sunset, Moon Dancer, Twilight and especially Celestia should be doing, should have done or should do in the future. While I won't reveal what the endgame for all of this is, I do want to emphasize the message of this chapter: Celestia knows. And it's not something she takes any joy in.

But Celestia reminds us of something very important: the stakes are far, far higher. As we discovered in The Cloudsdale Report, there are things in motion. Things that can't be stopped easily... or stopped at all.

This isn't the end. This is the start of a new beginning. But I'm happy to say that the Dreamers Arc will not be as emotionally brutal as this story turned out to be. The next story is going to involve a fun, whirlwind adventure that sends Sunset and Twilight to the most dangerous places in Canterlot: used bookstores.

Seriously. Those places are crazy.

I'm eager to hear your closing thoughts on this chapter in Sunset's life! Let me know what you think! See you folks soon for the next story!

-Novel

If you come across any errors, please let me know by PM!

Comments ( 52 )

This story was really good. Painful, but good. Like a beautifully crafted dagger, that any man would envy. But, in reading it, we have truly experienced it, plunging the dagger into ourselves. And we do so to truly experience the beauty of the dagger, but not killing us, for we are too sensible for that, for we, then, would not experience yoir beautiful creations to come.

9006796

This story was really good. Painful, but good. Like a beautifully crafted dagger...

I have rarely received higher praise. Though it was a hard--and often brutal--journey for all involved (characters, authors and editors), I am thrilled beyond measure to get such a response in a reader.

I did what I intended to do. There is nothing more painful than a desperate promise... and an empty doorway. But don't worry... while the wounds remain... they shall heal.

In time.

There's a quote by Sun Tzu which applies here:

Victory is reserved for those willing to pay its price.

I have a feeling that Celestia should consider what price might be too high. Regardless of what she knows, there comes a point where the means can't be justified any longer. Perhaps others disagree that she hasn't approached that point yet, and it's quite possible that the problems of one little pony doesn't amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world. If so, I hope that's how it plays out.

I might take flak for that statement and I'm okay with that, but I've always believed the narrative needs to play out the way it should play out based on the choices of the characters. If Sunset is sacrificing her happiness for the greater good, then let that sacrifice be meaningful and let it stick. I'd personally prefer a happy ending for her, but what a story needs and what I want don't always sync up. I guess it's a little bit like harmony magic that way.

I don't know. I guess a part of me rebels at the possibility that someone can muck about with the hearts and minds of others (and let's not kid ourselves because that's exactly what happened) and have it just work itself out for the best making it okay. I'm not saying I want Celestia to pay for her "crimes" or to suffer or anything like that. I'm definitely not saying that. But it needs for me to matter especially after this installment of the story, and it's hard for me to accept it matters without recognition. Celestia's words at the end that she will guide but not interfere are... naive at best. Or maybe that's just what she needs to tell herself to get by.

I guess we'll see.

9006810

I have a feeling that Celestia should consider what price might be too high.

There will be a price to all of this. And everypony's going to feel it.

I'd personally prefer a happy ending for her, but what a story needs and what I want don't always sync up.

Sunset's story is far from over. The same goes for Twilight, Moon Dancer and Celestia.

But just remember, the stakes are far higher than Sunset's happiness.

Yup, it was Celestia's viewpoint just like I thought. Which is good, because it's exactly what the story needed to finish it up - Celestia realizing that interfering with Sunset's love life was maybe not the best idea. I honestly can't blame her for her fears regarding Sunset and Twilight; she can't know or predict everything, after all. I don't think there were any truly 'good' choices for Celestia to make, not that it really matters all that much now that the choice has been made.

I am, as always, deeply interested in seeing what comes next. In the long run, I'm predicting this wedge will mean the end of Moon Dancer and Twilight as possible Element bearers, assuming that Sunset is still central to the group.

I had this whole multi paragraph comment loaded up a few minutes ago, but I feel like I should keep this one simple. Or simpler, anyway.

This was a bit of a heart-wrencher at times, but appropriately so all things considered. I really enjoyed this Wavelengths entry and I'm excited as always to see where Sunset and the others go from here. Well, I certainly have an idea where they'll end up, but the stuff in the middle (and the result of so-and-so actions of certain individuals) is something you'll manage to surprise me with, I'm sure.

Aaaaand I still kinda let that get away from me. Oh well. So; used book stores, huh? If we don't see some scribbles and doodles on at least one important book I'll be shocked.

9006954

Which is good, because it's exactly what the story needed to finish it up - Celestia realizing that interfering with Sunset's love life was maybe not the best idea.

I had to admit, when people were screaming for Tia's head, demanding to know if she knew what she had done, I was cackling. Oh yes, Celestia knew what happened... and it isn't what she wanted at all.

I don't think there were any truly 'good' choices for Celestia to make

When you have a massive looming threat, a question to your existence... and all your hopes hinge off of one pony... the pony you consider to be your daughter... well, it's hard to figure out the right decision.

9006987

I had this whole multi paragraph comment loaded up a few minutes ago, but I feel like I should keep this one simple. Orsimpler, anyway.

Awwww! I love those, though!

This was a bit of a heart-wrencher at times, but appropriately so all things considered.

Well, I won't lie: that was sorta the goal...

9007003
Well, I sure hoped it was intentional, but now I know for sure!

What I meant, I guess, even though I don't think I really worded it well (story of my life) is that in the context of having a bunch of impossible choices to make, it was heart-wrenching but not so intense that I -- as a very softhearted fool -- couldn't deal with it. I think? I don't know, this is why I like keeping it simple, I can't always put my thoughts into words effectively.

Novel.

You...horrible, heart wrenching madpony.

While I figured that Celestia had a feeling of how much her word weighed with Sunset, I don’t think she realized till now just how much weight. I have a very real fear that Sunset now (mentally) balances upon the edge of a knife and wonder just what will happen when you give her the nudge I know you are.

The question I had the other day about the seeming disconnect between a statement in Tactics and this was also answered, so I get the answers that I found and trust that they were intentional.

Why don’t get the feeling Sunny will find out about the Cloudsdale report?

Anyway, An excellent ending despite how battered Sunset wound up.

Mah feels.
You found them.
Repeatedly.
With a freaking baseball bat.
...
Good show.

Runs off to read other parts in the series

I’m going to make a prediction now: When all is said and done, Celestia loses.

I believe that all of you can figure out why, no matter which side of the coin comes up, she loses.

9007094

Novel.

You...horrible, heart wrenching madpony.

While I figured that Celestia had a feeling of how much her word weighed with Sunset, I don’t think she realized till now just how much weight. I have a very real fear that Sunset now (mentally) balances upon the edge of a knife and wonder just what will happen when you give her the nudge I know you are.

You'll see. It'll all fun and games until the thing that happens.

9007110

Mah feels.
You found them.
Repeatedly.
With a freaking baseball bat.

If it helps, Sunny hit me first. Sorta.

I admit, after that first date, I chose to let the story finish before reading any further. If I was going watch Sunset eviscerate herself emotionally, I wanted to get it over with in one fell swoop.

And this... This was good. This was very good. But in the midst of the adorkable nerd horses, one mare is quietly self-destructing and refuses to let anyone help her. I don't see this ending well. The question is whether the final implosion will happen before or after Nightmare Moon's return. After all, the Cloudsdale Incident still looms over this world. Twilight never encountered a happy future.

All said, thank you for this.

9007483

I admit, after that first date, I chose to let the story finish before reading any further. If I was going watch Sunset eviscerate herself emotionally, I wanted to get it over with in one fell swoop.

I don't blame you one bit. If it helps, I'm pretty sure I burned through writing most of the story after that scene.

The question is whether the final implosion will happen before or after Nightmare Moon's return.

I'll tell you one thing... there's definitely a link.

Well, this was a great look at Celestia's view point in the final chapter. Yeah, as others have already said, this is one of those situations where there ARE no real "good" choices (and worse, KNOWING there are no real good choices). No matter how many want to help Sunset and have already forgiven her for her past, she won't accept help until she learns to at least partially forgive HERSELF (as other reviewers have ALSO said in previous chapters).

Odds are that things will get worse before they get better, but here's hoping that they WILL get better - eventually.

Anyway, as usual, excellent job on the exchanges, characterizations and future story set-up in all the right places.

So, yeah, I'll certainly be looking forward to the next story in this series.

9007737

she won't accept help until she learns to at least partially forgive HERSELF

The greatest demons are the ones we create ourselves.

If you're happy and you know it... skip this comment. It ain't designed to improve your mood. It may not help, but keep in mind this is the edited version.

Huh... I made a joke a couple chapters ago about feeling nothing, I think on Discord rather than here... but this time it's real. There was no resolution here, so rather than 'not knowing how to feel' I simply realize no feeling is required of me. It was demanded... and as such I refused. That sounds odd, but what I mean is that, after considering why it is this left me indifferent, I understood that it's just trying too hard to get to me. I suddenly remembered that this is just a love triangle... and not even close to the most dramatic one I've come across. It's rude to meta a story like that... but I reached that point here.

You take too much pleasure in hurting your readers... the number of times you bragged about that didn't help any. I'm reminded of far too many... people... I spent my high school years with, so long ago. As such, I pull away, close off, and shrug. I remind myself to keep Death of the Author in mind, and yet... at the end of the day...

Either Sunset will get better, or she won't. Twi and Moon Dancer will work out, or not. Celestia will do.... whatever you're going to have her do that particular paragraph. Is it 'let them make their own choices' or 'guide them with vague warnings girded with meaningful silences'? Who knows? I'm tired of speculating on the matter. So I guess you accomplished that much. I'm done defending her. Congratulations.

Definitely a foreboding sign of things to come. As always, you are an excellent character writer, of whom I owe a lot of my own writing style to. This has been an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish, and it's easy to see the complexities of the characters in question.

What I will critique, however, is that I felt the ending came too abruptly. We have one scene with Sunset being in an emotional slump, where even Minuette can't cheer her up. Then after one talk with Celestia, we skip forward to see her back to her usual self. Given the weight of her own turmoil, it's rather sudden for her to come to terms with Moonie's and Twilight's relationship.

I found this fic interesting because it's much more character driven than story. Of course *most* of your stories are character driven, but the goal towards the whole unified magic thing felt like a secondary, or even tertiary goal when compared to the romantic conflict. This isn't a bad thing, just noteworthy for me.

Keep up the good work! I hope that through analysing your prose, I can become a better writer myself.

9008858

Then after one talk with Celestia, we skip forward to see her back to her usual self. Given the weight of her own turmoil, it's rather sudden for her to come to terms with Moonie's and Twilight's relationship.

She's not even close to being back to her usual self.

I would cry out for an encore. That is if I weren't busy crying. I need to go to the store, I need a snuggie and some ice cream.

Well that was quite entertaining, and intense.

And yes, used bookstores are among the most dangerous places in the world. :)

Ah, finally Celestias perspective. Turns out we were right, all of her meddling had the goal of preventing a romance between Sunset and Twilight. But either she really doesn't understand Sunset enough to do such meddling, or she was blinded by whatever bad thing could have come from the romance that she missed the bad thing that could happen from breaking it. Or both.
(I still don't see what problems the romance could bring. Can anyone spell it out for me?)

And i really don't like her "I'll do nothing" approach. She should go down there and fill the "Mother and Daughter" words with actions. Maybe then she will finally understand enough of Sunset to be more helpful.

Now excuse while i feel bad for all of them. :pinkiesad2:

9039389
I'd agree there. I think she was trying to prevent them from getting too attached for if Sunset ever found out that she fell in the main timeline or that Twilight stole it or similar. Maybe she thought that Twilight was the one to shatter time instead.

Maybe she was worried that if they got ... involved, it could damage their friendship and prevent them from gaining the Elements.

The problem, of course, is that Sunset is now feeling even worse than she was and is hiding it. Going by what Twi theorized the opposite of Harmonic magic is, it looks like Sunset will end up with it for her actions -- either because she's working against herself or because she's now unhappy with her friends. I'd say there's a fair chance this will cause her fall more surely than if they had just admitted it.

Not to mention, when she finds out that her own mother in all but fact has betrayed her AND her friend for what are at least partially selfish reasons, I think Luna might not be the biggest danger to Tia's continued health.

Well..... I have just read the whole of the Wavelengths Arc from start to present and your writing and story telling only gets better and better, the last time I felt this emotionally drained was after finishing Cynewulf's The Night is Passing.
Put it down???? Some times the only reason I had to stop reading was because the batteries in my laptop went flat!

Interesting approach though I wonder if we are on the path that leads to that dead Equestria we see at the end of the canon timeline before Starlight's redemption.

I want to say, WOW. Amazing book, but there are quite a few things I don't get since I just read this without reading any other book from the series...

And from the AN at the end there are a lot of books in the series and I am quite scared to read them all because I might get bored and leave it half read like so many others...

Either way, well done! To all who have made this book possible! And congrats on finishing another book!

This is probably my favorite fic in the series. A lot of serious conflict and tearjerkers. I love me some tearjerkers. The awkwardness during the date and the reactions of Minuette and the rest as they watched it were great. I would've liked to have seen Sunset's thoughts afterward, though, but instead all that time was skipped. Then again, that's probably just a variation on the same thing I've felt about all the fics in the series: they're all too short. I feel like each of them could be made into a fic that's far larger and more in-depth than they currently are. Doing that would likely make covering as much ground as this series is impossible, though, so I guess it can't be helped.

Well we know this is going to fail the dice have been thrown and this world got snake eyes a shame really all that is left to be known if this is going to be Chrysalis incident or The Nightmare one.

I have to say you make me want to give this Celestia the doomed prophecy just to make her truly realize just how deep the hole is that buried herself in, ah if only she had kept her mouth shut instead of poisoning the truth with her fears.

9006954

Yup, it was Celestia's viewpoint just like I thought. Which is good, because it's exactly what the story needed to finish it up - Celestia realizing that interfering with Sunset's love life was maybe not the best idea. I honestly can't blame her for her fears regarding Sunset and Twilight; she can't know or predict everything, after all. I don't think there were any truly 'good' choices for Celestia to make, not that it really matters all that much now that the choice has been made.

There are still plenty of choices to be made by all concerned. Some for good, some for ill.

9013498

I would cry out for an encore. That is if I weren't busy crying. I need to go to the store, I need a snuggie and some ice cream.

Get me a snuggie and some ice cream... and an ice pack because all three of them have been whacking me with baseball bats for half a year...

9132242

Not to mention, when she finds out that her own mother in all but fact has betrayed her AND her friend for what are at least partially selfish reasons, I think Luna might not be the biggest danger to Tia's continued health.

Oh? And what exactly did Tia do?

9144147

Well..... I have just read the whole of the Wavelengths Arc from start to present and your writing and story telling only gets better and better, the last time I felt this emotionally drained was after finishing Cynewulf's The Night is Passing.

Thank you! I remembering telling a couple friends of mine (Mono and Jyki) about your comment regarding Cyne. They both told me explictily NOT to read that story because it's way too brutal for me (and I trust them)

Put it down???? Some times the only reason I had to stop reading was because the batteries in my laptop went flat!

I'm going to post this on a wall somewhere. :twilightsheepish:

9210987
Well, if you find this book to be amazing (and I assume not boring), you should at least try the others! You should definitely enjoy Alchemy and Prerogative!

9234035

Well we know this is going to fail the dice have been thrown and this world got snake eyes a shame really all that is left to be known if this is going to be Chrysalis incident or The Nightmare one.

9146742

Interesting approach though I wonder if we are on the path that leads to that dead Equestria we see at the end of the canon timeline before Starlight's redemption.

My favorite part of this entire series is people guessing which timeline this is.

9214676

This is probably my favorite fic in the series. A lot of serious conflict and tearjerkers. I love me some tearjerkers. The awkwardness during the date and the reactions of Minuette and the rest as they watched it were great.

They're so adorkable!

I would've liked to have seen Sunset's thoughts afterward, though, but instead all that time was skipped.

This is an old storyteller's trick: allowing the reader to fill in the moment with their imagination. After all, all you saw was the end of that scene. You can take a wild guess on what she's thinking (here's a hint: I doubt she got any sleep that night)

Then again, that's probably just a variation on the same thing I've felt about all the fics in the series: they're all too short. I feel like each of them could be made into a fic that's far larger and more in-depth than they currently are.

I'll make sure to let you know when I unleash my enormous fantasy novel. :raritywink:

Doing that would likely make covering as much ground as this series is impossible, though, so I guess it can't be helped.

This is part of the reason. The other one is that I often choose very specific character perspectives for the stories in question (this one in particular, with me using on Celestia, Sunset, Moon Dancer, Twilight and finally Raven). I'm don't think that would work really well as a master book. Think of them all as TV episodes. A lot of the information you seek will almost certainly be revealed... in due time.

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I'll make sure to let you know when I unleash my enormous fantasy novel. :raritywink:

novel pls

*sniffed the story, tastes it a little* mmm yes faint hints of polyamory. Hmm perhaps polygamy. Yes this ship is most likely to get quiet crowded. Twill be most interesting to see how it turns out, or if I am indeed wrong.

Seriously loving this set of stories, just breezed through from Alchemy to present in about a week. I am looking forward to more. I can't wait to see how Starlight comes in and if my predictions for who's bearing which elements is right. Currently I'm thinking Moony is loyalty, Rare is honesty, Coco is charity, Minuette is laughter, Cheerilee is kindness and I think the Element of Magic is going to need both Sunny and Sparky.

There's a lot of ponderings I'm looking forward to finding the answers for right now. What's Sunny's deal with cotton candy princess being a big one tthats only hinted at. There's also a chance Spike is somewhere in this verse and I'm curious as to how and where if he actually is.

Anywho, loving this series and I'm ssuper psyched for more.

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It was something to do with her actions regarding the secret (which we know is that their world is an AU, world thanks to Starlight) she's keeping. I was thinking that she'd cause more problems by not telling them to do something they really should have, or by telling them not to do something for reasons that were false. I forget the details at this point, though, so I was actually planning a re-read, but I have a lot of stories to go through.

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You'll have to wait and see how crowded (or complicated) this ship becomes. While it'll be a while until the next book comes out, I do intend on doing the next one!

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It was something to do with her actions regarding the secret (which we know is that their world is an AU, world thanks to Starlight) she's keeping. I was thinking that she'd cause more problems by not telling them to do something they really should have, or by telling them not to do something for reasons that were false. I forget the details at this point, though, so I was actually planning a re-read, but I have a lot of stories to go through.

Interesting. When you re-read the series, drop me a line. I'd love to know if you think a secret should have been shared or not.

Hmmm... Looking back I maybe was overdramatic with what I said, that still doesn't change the fact that I want to apply a great amount of force in a hoof sized area repeatedly possibly ad infinitum to Celestia.

Good story though it makes me anger.

“And what if you’re wrong?” Raven asked in a voice muffled by the blanket of white all around them. Now, she did not speak as an aide, or even as one of Celestia’s subjects. She spoke as a friend. “What if… your actions have driven her from that path?”

I have a feeling this is the most important passage of this chapter.

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Now that is the question, isn't it?

...Can’t help but notice that Teahouses is absent from most, if not all, of the chronologies, barring its own... Egregiously, this one.

"You’re disseminating a little" - I think you meant to write "dissimulating".

I feel like screaming.

I don't think I can look at this story and smile until that rift is truly healed.

That was a 50/50 rock and a hard place that just can't be solved. The only answer is pain, but that's just another nest of questions. "Why me?" "Does it really matter?" "Is it okay to hurt myself like this for the sake of another?" "Is life unfair?"

It's numbing, but in a way that leaves room for freedom. Will Sunset choose the path of ascension or the path of despair?

Yeah, this one earned its place on my favorites list.

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