• Member Since 14th Jan, 2013
  • offline last seen Mar 6th, 2016

ponichaeism


"I've kissed mermaids, rode the el Nino, walked the sand with the crustaceans...."

T

The great wizard Starswirl has journeyed to the farthest ends of the world, met the most unusual and wonderful equines, and seen the most incredible sights. But even though he's borne witness to cities beyond imagination, now he finds himself drawn to the sleepy countryside hamlet of Hollowed Ground, his interest piqued by nothing more than the mere rumor of a sinister presence lurking in the nearby forest.

The earth ponies living there, though, don't take too kindly to unicorns, especially not ones who stick their little horns into matters that don't concern them, such as the feud between two of the most powerful ponies in town and the mysterious accidents that surround the bitter quarrel. And when the fearsome specter of a stallion starts to gallop through the woods in the dead of night, Starswirl must be extraordinarily careful where he puts his hooves, because the next step out of line may bring the paranoid wrath of the townfolk down on him.

Despite that, Starswirl is as undeterred as ever. While lodging with Carmine and his filly Clover, the only two unicorns in town and object of the townsponies' venemous scorn, he sets off to dredge up the secluded community's dark secrets, and perhaps his gracious host's as well. As his quest for the truth wears on, he will find himself confronting the pagan spirit of the forest, powerful enchantments from a master sorcerer, and his own personal demons. And through his ordeals, the only pony he can rely on is young Clover, who has absolutely no magical talent whatsoever.

However, Starswirl remains eternally confident, for he is armed with the mysteries of the universe. But will even they be enough when the fearsome stallion clad in shadow comes for him?

NOTE: Under construction. Highway-style construction, that is, where it may last for years.

Chapters (44)
Comments ( 13 )

...Dear author, you are awesome. I can already tell that this story is going to be freaking incredible.



Also, based on this chapter alone, I'm calling it right now: Starswirl is a Badass.

1984153

Up till I wrote chapter 11, I wasn't sure if I was going to include him or not, so I just left the tag off. I didn't want to disappoint people with an appearance that didn't end up happening.

And thanks for the fave.

This is a fascinating take on Harmony, Discord, Starswirl, Clover, and the rest. I can't wait to see how it turns out.

1988961

Thanks!

I can't take too much credit for the Harmony, though. As you can probably tell by the story image, the show's been dropping Taoism since, like, the first minute of the first episode. I just went to the Tao and the Kabbalah (what the Elements of Harmony were based on) and, ah, fleshed out their application to the MLP universe, let's say.

HOW IN THE WORLD ARE YOU UPDATING THIS beautiful STORY SO FAST?

2005535

Because if I don't write and post a chapter a day, then eventually I'll convince myself it'll be easier to skip two days, then a week, and then I'll probably end up never finishing, or at least not until I pick it up again months later. It reminds of something Robert Smith of the Cure said, about how he had to force himself to work on his music every other day, or else he'd just lounge around and watch TV until the pubs open.

I guess you could say I'm trying to avoid being lazy by being a.... :eeyup: workhorse :eeyup:

:pinkiehappy:

The plot thickens.

Oh, not like that. You know what I meant.

2043481

Yeah, Starswirl really needs to lay off the butter-topped fries.

Hooray for new chapters! I was a bit worried when the updates stopped all of a sudden.

Came for the Mare in the High Castle, stayed for this story.

It's wonderful, and I'll gladly wait for more.

I ran through this in about a week. After two years, I think it can be safely said that there won't be anymore, but I do thank you for what there is.

6337598

Eh, I'll probably finish it one day. I have an outline of what happens, I just need to write it.

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