Artwork and Answers

mushroompone #1 · Jun 10th, 2020 · 6 · · Empty Halls and Long, Slow Falls ·

Well.... that sounds pretty final to me.

I'll let y'all take a read and see what you think. Definitely a bittersweet moment for Dashie, and for the mystery squad

This is a really beautiful entry, whoever you are. I can feel Dashie's pain very acutely

EDIT: I stand corrected. Fiddlesticks hardcore called me out in their latest blog, and it looks like we have another installment on the way! Countdown to June 15th!

Also... just noticed that this installment is NOT marked as a sequel to the previous installment. Incherestingk....

Fiddlesticks

Fiddlesticks #2 · Jun 10th, 2020 · 5 · · Empty Halls and Long, Slow Falls ·

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10279880

Also... just noticed that this installment is NOT marked as a sequel to the previous installment. Incherestingk....

i'm only human

Dashie04

Dashie04 #3 · Jun 10th, 2020 · 6 · · Empty Halls and Long, Slow Falls ·

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FIddlesticks being like,”Oops, I made a mistake.”

But, this is so interesting. We got a lot of support for the purgatory theory in this one. Rainbow Dash not giving up, Spike claiming that she has to to make any headway.

But the thing I loved the most about this story is the fact that Rainbow Dash visits all her past places. A mall, a runway, a shop, a park, and an airport.

We also get a callback to the ‘metaphor plane’, as clearly shown is a plane with its wings cut off. It can’t fly onwards, just like Rainbow Dash.

Pins-N-Needles

Pins-N-Needles #4 · Jun 10th, 2020 · 5 · · Empty Halls and Long, Slow Falls ·

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well well well, glad to see my theory hasn't been broken yet, though i will add a small addition: as much as it is about how everything will slowly dwindle from the populace's front-mind, or at least be as overt as it is now, this story is also showing that it doesn't mean that content isn't still loved. even if no one writes mlp fanfiction ever again, generations of fans will still love these ponies and what they mean now and will mean then. they are loved, and they're loved by us, which is definitely important. as rainbow says,

Somehow, she knew that she was being watched, and that she was being loved.

still, I'm very excited to see where this goes! i loved the paintings recalling former scenes, and how it seems that rainbow is struggling to remember those interactions. special shout out to the highway painting, as it's my favorite of the described ones

Airy Words

Airy Words #5 · Jun 10th, 2020 · 6 · · Empty Halls and Long, Slow Falls ·

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I have always loved stories where Rainbow Dash becomes philosophical.

Because she does this so infrequently, it makes what she does say more meaningful.

Eden

Eden #6 · Jun 10th, 2020 · 6 · · Empty Halls and Long, Slow Falls ·

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Intriguing stories.

My theory is more "meta": the G4 end and Rainbow Dash try to accept and move to the next. Those place are all metaphors, linked to something.

DawnOfsnow

DawnOfsnow #7 · Jun 18th, 2020 · · · Empty Halls and Long, Slow Falls ·

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Wow. This one really pulled at my heartstrings. The emotion was written so beautifully, and I feel as though this installment supports the idea of her loved ones knowing where she is and intentionally calling her back. And it looks like she’s more aware of that now, and she’s getting stronger. Again, this was really just...beautiful. I had tears in my eyes toward the end there. (Big ole round of applause for you Fiddlesticks!)

dark-pony

dark-pony #8 · Jul 5th, 2020 · · · Empty Halls and Long, Slow Falls ·

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As the chapters continue, our understanding of the story evolves. I'm sure that the second chapter is the bases for the first chapter. I'm not so sure that this is about death. It might be but, I think it's more fundamental than that. It's about change as we grow older and our fears about mortality. As the world passes us by, it changes us, we no longer can keep up and need to find a new path.

Applejack hasn't changed much but takes change in stride. She might have actually taken up RD's advice and open up a pizza place.

Rarity has changed, at least according to Rainbow. However, Rarity doesn't see it that way. She's mellowed out and no longer high strung for sure but, still the same Rarity. [I think this is where RD starts her travels.]

Pinkie Pie isn't super duper hyper party pony anymore. As she said, "You should slow down! Take it easy! Have some milk and cereal every now and then, stay up late and watch TV". [It's here where we see RD hasn't been home in a while.]

Fluttershy at the airport. Rainbow is second guessing her life and feels unfulfilled. [a death may have happened and both RD and Fluttershy are here when they shouldn't be] Apparently it's enough to cut rainbows career/life short. (or at least to RD)

In the park chill'in out with Twilight she's finally started to slow down. Looking at all the thinks that she never saw until now. But unlike before she's scared now of the changes.

In the museum Spike and her see the famous airplane without its wings. As spike says "Well, isn’t that where things go when we’re done with them? Maybe this plane is a metaphor for someone who doesn’t have a purpose anymore, and they’ve been thrown to the side," Rainbow may be ground bound now or unable to fly, at least like she use to. Which would explain the feeling in the airport. It could be something that happen to her.

Rainbow is probably coming to the end of her career as an active member of the Wonderbolts or it's already ended. She is unsure where to go and if she can't fly would she still be Rainbow Dash any more. I think our Cyan Pegasus is having a mid life crisis.

Dashie04

Dashie04 #9 · Jul 5th, 2020 · · · Empty Halls and Long, Slow Falls ·

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You seem to have done the best analysis.

But, well, yeah, this was fantastic. Aside from the fact that I don’t really get modern art either (modern art sculptures to be specific), Spike’s right. Perhaps that plane is implying something that needs to fly, but can’t, a pegasus with no wings.

But those three words; time changes everything.

I heard a Country song just yesterday that has a lyric I think fits really well:

The only thing that stays the same
Is everything changes.

And it truly does, doesn’t it?

dark-pony

dark-pony #10 · Jul 5th, 2020 · · · Empty Halls and Long, Slow Falls ·

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10317106

Thanks. I'm not sure that I've got Fiddlesticks interpretation though, It's mine. (thanks Spike) I'm just trying to understand all the parts and how they interconnect. If I get some of it wrong or interpret differently its' because I don't have all the facts.*

For example: I think that the Fluttershy and the airport in my first analysis. (you'll see it in the next story with the subway). I'll admit I was flailing around with her's. I think that I should have went with:

coming and going
Because of Flutters animal friends She witnesses lots of lives come and go. Some take longer others a short layover. All of them touch Fluttershy in some way but it doesn't stop her from greeting the new friends she meets. And if avenues in her life close others will open up and she takes it in stride.

I had that thought after I had already posted. I think it's a better description of the airport scene. Particularly after the second chapter in that story. Fluttershy does know about death perhaps more than all her other friends and she's been known to help injured animals from time to time.

But even that could be the wrong interpretation. It's bases requires for Rainbow Dash to be ground bound or injured and/or a death did occur. Which may or may not be the case.

As for time changes everything?
Yes, yes it does.

*(And it doesn't help that, every time I try to make sense of it, the story may change because of what I said previously. :-/ )

Pete100