The Greatest most Powerful Story on the blog -Seth
OH GOD IT UPDATED
Author: GravekeeperDescription: Twilight Sparkle is summoned to settle a legal matter involving The Great and Powerful Trixie... What in Equestria did she do now?All Chapters After the Break!
Google Documents
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 1
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 2
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 3
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 4
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 5
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 6
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 7
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 8
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 9
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 10
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 11
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 12
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 13
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 14
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle Part 15 (New!)
FF.net
The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle (All Links)
Additional Tags: Friendship Lubricant, Everypony, Legal Affairs, Dragon-slaying, Manehattan
HAH! 4.9!
More Stuff
Dramatic Reading (Chapter 4)
Dramatic Reading (Chapter 1)
TV Tropes Page
Alternate All Links
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| Officer Bobby Flathoof and Detective Gummie Horseshoes |
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| Movie Poster |
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| Rarity's New Fashion: Source |
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| Source |
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| source |
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| Holly Diver and Miss Spelling |
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| Rarity's Armor: Source |
514 comments:
Yes! FINALLY! AndTrevor hasn't even been waiting as long as everypony else! Keep working! Do it, or we'll get Seth to tell us where you live! (Because everypony knows that Seth has super special awesome magic skills like thy! XD)
ReplyDeleteWill comment more in the morning, when one is Moe coherent.
~ Magical Trevor, Minstrel of Equestria
GAAAASP! A new chapter!
ReplyDeleteCrap. I have to wait until morning to read this. I can't stay up. ARRGH!
UUUUGGGH GRAVEKEEPER WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME?!!!
ReplyDeleteThis was the first fanfic I ever read when I became a brony. I absolutely adore Twilight but I dislike Trixie very much, and consequently I hate all Twixie shipping with a fiery passion…. BUT DAMMIT THIS STORY IS SO AWESOME!!!!
What makes this worse is that this story was only updated to chapter 10 when I first read it, and chapter 10 legitimately sounds like an ending, or at least it did to me, possibly influenced partially by the fact that I finished it around 3 in the morning….
…Anyhow, the point being that I had faulty relief that the fic concluded without any serious action between Twilight and Trixie. But NO, since it’s still updating, obviously they’re going to make out and get married and defy biology to have kids and live happily ever after and shit like that. And I can ignore it for now, but some night I’m going to be bored with only my phone for potential entertainment, and I’ll be forced to keep on reading….
…I don’t like you.
Boy, first Ponies Play D&D, now this! It seems tonight is a good night for fics I believed dead.
ReplyDeleteLet's see if I can will a few more long-abandoned stories back from the grave...
...eh, oh well. Glad to see this one's come back, at any rate.
Anatomy! HA! So awesome.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE YOU SOOO MUCH RIGHT NOW!!! IF I EVER SEE YOU IRL I OWE YOU MANY BOTTLES OF WHATEVER YOU DRINK!
ReplyDelete@The GREAT and POWERFUL Trevor
ReplyDeleteTo heck with Celestia's SUN! I'm BREAKING LUNA to read this thing NAOW! >X3
*super giddy right now*
Why is it always Rainbow Dash being denied by Applejack? It is never the other way around lol.
ReplyDeleteStupid Sexy Reinstein.
ReplyDeleteThat line completely validated my previous love for this fic.
Please, no details on the anatomy section. PLEASE.
ReplyDelete@The Commander
ReplyDeleteYou know you want them
Great, now I have to read from the beginning to get a feel for the fic again...
ReplyDeleteYAY!
*plows into mailbox in hurry to read an update*
ReplyDeleteSo, this latest chapter really makes me curious about the proposed prequel based around Trixie's missing time, if only because it's the first to really dig into her head, and that was remarkably fascinating, especially since I've been writing some Trixie myself lately. I firmly admit this chapter gave me several things to crib. To wit:
- Trixie enjoys the art of the showman for its own worth. She *likes* swaying people's opinions when they underestimate her. It's easy to see how this would swerve over time into her immense boastfulness seen in canon, but after her slice of Ponyville Humble Pie, Trixie's been brought back down to earth a little. She's still The Great and Powerful, and she will Show Them All, but it'll be head to head, not with lies and made up stories. She's going to win this time, because The Great and Powerful Trixie obviously has nothing to fear from playing fair. She's just That Good.
- Trixie's underlying virtue, while not an Element, seems to be Determination. She *will* learn to teleport. She *will* court stupid, sexy Twilight successfully. She *will* be a success, famous, and loved. Obstacles are delays to Trixie. She can't quite fathom being unsuccessful at something. I half expect she had a plan in the works for going back and defeating the Ursa Minor herself until she actually looked up what its mother looked like....and the definition of "Mama Bear". Thus, The Great and Powerful Trixie of course would not upstage The Nerdy yet Strangely Compelling Twilight by copying her feat. There are no ulterior reasons. None. Pay no mind to the pony behind the cape. But this determination and Trixie's utter seriousness about it is obviously a massive turn on for Twilight.
Anyway, it's great to see some Trixie psychology here, and I'll have to keep an eye out for the next release time so I can hang out on the Gdoc chat. Comparing notes on handling Trixie sympathetically (while not making her less funny) would be interesting.
Overall, it's good to see an update for my #1 favorite fic in this fandom. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to reread the whole thing again.
Excellent update to an excellent story.
ReplyDeleteWorth the wait, for sure. ;)
OHGOD IT UPDATED my body was not ready.
ReplyDeletePffft, "polymath." XD
Trollixie makes a lot more sense than Trollestia.
ReplyDelete"Polymath"... HAHAHAHAHA! It's awesome to see Trixie get that kind of comeuppance, the way she's been generally in control of the situation up to this point. Troll Spelling, though, I didn't expect.
I know where you were going with "Ancient Griff and Pegan", but "pegan" sounds weird. The nominative case of "pegasus" is "pegasus".
"You've never won a round of poker in your life, have you?" That's right, Twilight's thoughts are... an open book. *rimshot*
@LordOfTheWrongs
ReplyDelete... that pun required sunglasses and a Who riff.
Chapter 4:
ReplyDelete"Rarity used her horn to cast an illusion of an endless meadow, thousands of swords stuck into the soil at random angles and distances from one another, as if they had fallen from the skies like rain. 'This is Shield-Maiden Chic!' she beamed, dispelling the fields of unlimited blades."
Rarity confirmed for Archer?
English is not my native language, so... Could someone please explain, what I suppose was a joke, about Celestia being a "Polymath". I understand that a polymath is someone who is skilled in various fields, but why did Trixie and everyone else react so dramaticly when Twilight said it?
ReplyDeleteOH SWEET CELESTIA IT UPDATED! I'm going to read this right now. Maybe even twice. OH YEAH!
ReplyDelete@Bastoff
ReplyDeleteMiss Spelling says "domination of many subjects". While she means that Celestia is skilled in various fields, Applejack takes this to mean that Celestia engages in domination (the sexual kind) with many of her servants.
@Bastoff
ReplyDeleteTwilight said polymath but Trixie was thinking of polygamy, which is to say, to shack up with more than one partner :D
This makes NO SENSE.
ReplyDeleteAND I LOVE IT!
Hello, and welcome to the Ballad Chapter Fifteen. After nine years in development, hopefully, it will be worth the weight.
ReplyDeleteCommented the day it came out over on FimFiction, but it needs all the love it can get because OMG WHY IS THIS SO AWESOME?!
ReplyDeleteChapter 15?! Really?! *looks around* LIES! It might be in the working, but that sounded like it was done! Don't be mean like that, Coffee! Don't get Trevor's hopes up like that!
ReplyDelete~ Magical Trevor, Minstrel of Equestria
@The GREAT and POWERFUL Trevor
ReplyDelete9 years later and word count is OVER *and out of fucking no where PINKIE PIE!* NINE-THOUSAND!!!
@Triforce of the Gods
ReplyDeletebecause it has 3 pages of narration! >XD
Jab Jab -> Short Fierce
*many pummels and flashy effects*
Ballad of Bronyville Podcasts banner flashes across the screen with Victory!
just wanna say can't believe I spent a whole day in the gdocs btw you guys are awesome XD
ReplyDelete@Cátsy
ReplyDelete*crushes his iPhone*
@LordOfTheWrongsNow get a droid =D
ReplyDelete@Anonymous dont worry this is the 37th shipping ive read and i dont feel the slightest remorse for reading a single one.
ReplyDelete@Cátsy
ReplyDeleteI wrote a ten-thousand word chapter in a few weeks.
Your move, Gravey. :P
Every detail of this story is so beautifully absurd. I've certainly seen better writing (Kkat and Somber spoil me so), and the romance may not be particularly believable, but I find myself laughing out loud through practically every scene. You have my 5-star.
ReplyDelete@Mute Justice
ReplyDelete@Gravekeeper
That makes sense. Thank you! :)
I just read all 14 current chapters of this story in 2 sittings.
ReplyDeleteAll I have to say is: How the hell does a fanfiction author manage to get so so right what Hollywood can't hack to save their lives?
Jesus. My face hurts from grinning so much.
"Oh Celestia, I can't believe I cast all over Trixie's face like that!"
ReplyDeleteThis one line. Nothing has quite affected me like this one line. It was first followed by the most delicious sounding facepalm I've ever performed. Then a wave of embarrassment. "Did I really just read that? Did she really just say that?" And then, laughter. I laughed hard and loud. XD
oh god I love this story.
I love this story so much! Its so funny and so romantic! The only thing that I don't get is what Rainbow Dash and Applejack did in the meadow. But the rest I understand. I couldn't stop laughing. XD
ReplyDelete@Blightmare
ReplyDeleteThat was good but it just gets better from there.
@BlazeBreaker
My interpretation is: confessions of mutual feelings, professions of desire, some steamyness but probably not too complicated due to intoxication.
I do hope we're not going to have a month of waiting between every new chapter... or worse. KEEP WRITING!!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm only on chapter 7 so far, but this is amazing. This is amazing, this is amazing, this is so amazing I can't even think of better words to describe how amazing it is. My brain is just full of mushy happy funny good stuff and I'm giggling like an idiot in here.
ReplyDeleteI love it!
OK so when is the next one coming out? cause I dont want this fic to fall over and die just like the other ones that are never gunna be finished.
ReplyDeleteneed moar updates!
ReplyDeleteOut of everything I have read and are currently reading, this is my favorite, I look forward to more.
ReplyDeleteYou like French jets, don't you Gravekeeper?
ReplyDeleteToo many big words, you don't have to replace every second word you write with a massive word you dug out of the thesaurus and super-size the length of your sentences, it kills the imagery and makes the reader have to work to read it (because it becomes pretentious to also use "seem" to describe a situation). I think this story lacks too much imagery right now, and it's a shame because I really liked the story and I really want to read read it.
ReplyDelete@A6P I'd like to pretend I didn't laugh at that.
ReplyDeleteYou realize that some people simply wield a larger lexicon than others, yes? That these people simply remember the rhetorically accurate verbs necessary for a situation?
I think you're the first-and-only person to get the feeling Grave was using a thesaurus. What grade are you in that you feel he's using "big words"?
@A6P
ReplyDeleteWhile it is eminently possible for an author to wax poetic to the point of interminability through the excessive application of verbiage one might deem brobdingnagian or, indeed, even sesquipedalian, a lack of comprehension on the part of the reader does not by necessity imply any culpability in the author.
(I wrote that paragraph without the use of a thesaurus. It's not his fault if you don't know the words. I've seen pretentious writing, and this seriously isn't it.)
Edit: "This" referring to the story. What I wrote was totally pretentious. :)
ReplyDeleteBy definition big words are things that exceed four letters, and by definition I mean a word that describes the meaning(s) of a word, and by that I mean something known as a Dictionary.
ReplyDeleteA dictionary is something that explains big words that can explain/teach one words that can be added to your arsenal of words along your usual "yup" and "ain't".
With more words added to ones arsenal you can better express things like emotions (feelings or that thing you ate last night) and I will express (not the thing I ate last night) that I 'feel' more educated having read chapter 14 and LordOfTheWrongs words. I have now gained 3 levels off just LotW alone xD
Reading is fun especially (like way more) when it's such a fun story as this written for the more grown up crowd <3 If your not of legal age to drink (or can't drink without getting caught) this fic isn't for you! unless you just don't drink and just like good humor and words exceeding 4-6 letters! =D
@A6P
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you feel that way; there's no pretentiousness involved in the way I write the story, at least, not on purpose.
That is my natural way of expressing myself in writing, I wasn't going out of my way to pad the story with big words; if you spot a lot of big-word synonyms to simple words, it's merely because I like to avoid redundancy as much as possible.
About the only place I can really recall that truly big words were used was when I was describing the library, but I was sort of doing that through Twilight's eyes. Had it been Rainbow Dash gazing upon the building, a simple 'Meh' would've been the entire description.
Anyways, thanks for giving the story a chance anyways, sorry the writing style wasn't to your liking!
Now, since I'm here, how about a mass reply? I'll try to keep it short; first, I want to thank all you that had the patience to wait so long and stick with the story; you guys rock! I guess Seth forgot to link it, but the story is also up on FimFiction and is up to date with the GDocs, if you prefer to track your pony shipping there. And I mentioned it before, but someone made a TVTropes page for the fic, so go right ahead and fill it up, cause I shout out ALL THE THINGS in the story :D
ReplyDeleteFimFiction page for the Ballad.
TV Tropes page for the Ballad (yes, I have an addiction to that site. There is no hope for me.)
And now, to the replies!
@Block Comment
The world, or ponies? Seems like an easy enough choice.
@VooDooZecora
Yeah, he mentioned it on the Bronyville podcast that someone tattled on me! *Shakes fist*
@Glomkettle
"yay"
@Volk
Grandiose expectations? Oh snap... *feels the pressure for the next chapter*
@Geekmuffin
Love/hate relationships are always the best! Hmm, how many children should I aim for?
@RBDash
I'm sure there's fics around where it's the other way around... Aren't there? *Looks around*
@Optimal Megatron
You and I are of very like minds when it comes to Trixie :D
You'll be glad to know I've got a few more reveals planned about her past and why she acts like she does. Hopefully, you'll be pleasantly surprised!
@LordOfTheWrongs
Pegan sounds even weirder if you know Spanish :D
And yes, that pun... You're lucky I love terrible puns!
@Mute Justice
She is the bone of her horn.
@Sindri
If you're laughing, then my mission is accomplished :D (don't forget Jetfire, he's awesome too!)
@Blightmare
I'll have you know that line was one of the reasons I started writing the story in the first place!
@BlazeBreaker Listen to @DPV111, he's got a good idea of what went down. I'll be detailing it a bit more down the line... Actually, pretty way down the line.
@Star Pony
Any other time, probably not... But November has Battlefield, Sonic Generations, Skyward Sword, Mario Land... HGNNNN....
@howezat
You sir, get a Fluttershy-shaped cookie for being the first to notice! (Or at least the first to point it out to me!)
All right, I just found out that this story updated!!! I have been very busy...
ReplyDeleteSo, on the chapter, it was nice, really nice, although I cant say I loved it, no idea of why...
Still, It was worth the wait, every single word.
Gravekeeper, thank you, really, for not abandoning us, for continuing this amazing story, and don't worry, even if it takes another 3 months, we will be waiting.
Author! Y U MAKE SO MANY AWESOME REFERENCES. Not to mention this is an exceptional read.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what to say other than your writing incredibly... addicting
ReplyDeleteneed more...... need chapters 15 through, like, say, 20???? just sayin.
ReplyDeletePlease????
damnit now i want a candy bar
ReplyDeleteThis reallly needs to update soon... this is the best story I've read so far, and I don't even like shipping fics much.
ReplyDeleteI'm really hoping this will be updated soon.....
ReplyDeleteA MARVELOUS Read, Darling! PLEASE tell me you're going to continue past chapter 14?
ReplyDeleteThe description should go like this: Humor distilled, collected, and then condensed into words. Also includes spoonfuls of sugary sweetness n cuteness. Read to brighten up day.
ReplyDeleteThere is nothing I could say that has not already been said much more eloquently than I could ever put it. So I shall only comment that spending the last day or so getting all caught up on this story has been the highlight of my day. I've been laughing so hard so much that I had to take a two hour break to breathe before resuming my readings.
ReplyDeleteSo I read through all the chapters in about 10 hours and I think I have stage three Diabetus now AND I LOVED EVERY FREAKING WORD OF THE STORY. SO AWESOME /)^3^(\
ReplyDeleteHey GraveKeeper! There is a serious shortage of good reading material out there throw us a bone we're starving over here Q-Q
ReplyDeleteAlso wtb some Cheerilee CMC craziness, maybe a small comic of what those 4 been up to? :P and maybe some ahrem back story for that Fushia Pony ;3
FELIZ NAVIDAS EE NUEVO ANYO!
Gravekeeper. We need you. So many of the greatest ponyfics are ceasing to update... their authors are abandoning their work and us. Don't be that guy. :< Please help us. We're awash in un-epic and uninteresting fanfiction. We need a hero. WE NEED TWIXIE!
ReplyDelete@Kayriel
ReplyDeleteHolding Out for a Hero?
Sorry, couldn't resist. Anyways, I'm already showing the pre-readers parts of chapter 15. Hopefully I'll have some writing time to finish it and get it out this month :D
Meanwhile, have some WARity I sketched up the other day.
A warning
ReplyDeleteTo the prophet
The liar
The honest
This is Warity
Oh, to the leader
The pariah
The victor
The Messiah
This is Warity...
I'm guessing this is not complete?
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete@Gravekeeper
ReplyDeleteI was holding my laughter in until this line: "Oh Celestia, I can't believe I cast all over Trixie's face like that!"
Then I choked on my lungs.
@Gravekeeper
ReplyDeleteI cannot wait for the. Next update I love this story you kind sir can have all of my stars.. and take as much time as you need you can't rush brillance.
@silentcarto oh gawds I lawled so hard >xD
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete@Gravekeeper
ReplyDeleteI really want to play a Soul Calibur V or V with a GMODed Warity character now! Someone... ANYONE hack any Soul Calibur game and make this happen!
Why you no update this fic! Lol
ReplyDeleteChef-d'œuvre...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJust read this in one sit. My body is yelling at me from laughing so much. XD
ReplyDeleteReally looking forward to an update.
I'd rate this:
ReplyDeleteHumor = 6 star
Plot = 6 star
Grammar = 5 star
Sentence construction = 4 star
Wit = 6 star
Character development = 5 star
Originality = 6 star
Bonus points for using Pinkie Pie as a bartender = +1 star
(6+6+5+4+6+5+6) / 7 + 1 = 5+1 = 6 stars!!!
I approve.
Now update, I wanna read this thing!
Why you no update?!
ReplyDelete*y u no rageface*
Chapter 15 went up this morning! Seth just hasn't posted it yet. Here you go:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.fanfiction.net/s/7032498/15/
It updated! Oh my goodness me, it updated! Let joy be unbound!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!
ReplyDeleteIT UPDATED!!!
*Reads*
Nice to see the time off hasn't effected your skills as that was ace, next one a little faster though please :D
prepare to wait another 4 months for a new update
ReplyDeleteThat Derpy was amazing. I love her behaviour and the police-ponies incredibly out-of-scale assumptions. The part about the cake with the file and the blowtorch made me laugh, along with the supposed justification for the crayon writing.
ReplyDeleteThe mention of Derpy's diet killed me, as did her numerous achievements. I honestly believe our canon Derpy has similar qualifications.
Gummie being horrified then angry with the whole "Your Momma" bit was genius. I love the fancy execution of such a crude joke.
The Balls of Steel joke was well done. I didn't get it at first, but it constantly amazes me how you incorporate crude jokes into such stylish writing.
The Ethics class was a very nice conversation. Reveals character, AND some very interesting Equestrian culture.
The part about the dangerous pop-up book made me laugh. I wonder what poked her in the eye, though I think its best left unmentioned.
The mention of the uses of the teleportation spells were subtly hilarious, most especially the Conjuring spell.
Rarity's "Rainbow Dash always dresses in style" was sweet, hilarious, and an absolutely amazing meta joke.
My thought process this morning:
ReplyDelete"Well I should probably attempt to pay attention in class"
*The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle has updated*
"Fuck paying attention MUST READ NOW!"
Ok, that last chapter was A-freaking-mazing loved the bit with Derpy. So worth the wait!
ReplyDelete@Anonymous
ReplyDeleteSeems like I confused that ''trick'' I once heard, to help remember this...
I should have said :
''its lower frequency, thus low energy, equal a high Wavelength (explaining why Love (an emotion) doesn't need much to exist, and why it can carry so much stuff with little energy required)
Well, damn... haven’t had the chance to read that story in a LOOOOONG while. Weird that I see no comment of mine, -related- to the story, that I normally do ? Not the first time... I’m starting to wonder, honestly...
ReplyDeleteCH.14 :
>as she listened to a seemingly endless list of reasons why Pinkie Pie's magic was not magic.
-Of course it’s not ‘’magic’’... it’s Quantum Physics, which is pretty much the same/equivalent, really. ;)
>meanwhile, a blushing Trixie couldn't help but look up towards the distinctive domed roof of the building and smirk boastfully—Trixie 1, Library, 0.
-Take THAT unanimated building ! ...wait, why am I talking to a building ? That’s just silly... Come on Abacus, we have Taxes to do ! :D (dumb taxes)
>The sight actually made Trixie smile a bit—Twilight was almost glowing with happiness.
-Careful, she’s reaching critical mass ! : http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2009/08/funny-pictures-cat-reaches-critical-mass.jpg
>scientifically thriving race specifically because they could reach any and all books when other pony races could not
-Well, maybe ? After all, we became the dominant race, on Earth, because of our *AMAZING* opposable thumbs ! ;)
>Twilight had entertained a particular fantasy involving her chromatic friend: the day she would get to fill out the form required to grant Rainbow Dash a library card.
-Well, the day her fantasy becomes reality finally arrived ! :D : In the form of the ‘Read It and Weep’ episode. ;)
>I suppose nopony's ever seriously researched teleportation...'
-Huhhh...? I know teleportation ‘MAY’ not be THE most common and/or easiest spell existing in their world, but... seriously... I doubt it exist only since 10years ago, you know ?
It’s still far from anti-magic fields and prismatic shields...
>that made her technically the only normal pony that could cast the spell.
-I call nonsense on that one... Teleportation isn’t ‘THAT’ much of a rare and unique spell... like, in any games or books. It’s not a ‘’bring back to life’’ spell/wish.
>There has never been any mention of it in any book or scientific journal I've ever read—as far as anypony knows, pony teleportation does not exist.
-...really now. This is starting to annoy me greatly... Just WHY ?
There’s just no damn reason to justify that teleportation would be SUCH an *INSANELY* exotic spell ! This does not add anything ‘interesting’ OR ‘funny’ to pretend so...
Aside from the fireball and magic missile, telekinesis and teleportation must be THE most heard of spell EVER ! ...in any realities !
... This darn annoying thing here is seriously dampening the ‘funny factor’ of this chapter ...
>Stupid, sexy Reinstein!'
-... -_- ...
-----
It WAS a rather enjoyable chapter... until the complete nonsensical part about ‘teleportation’ being a Super-Duper-Mega-Ultra-God+++ spell that only 3 beings on the WHOLE planet ever used AND knew about !... yeah, before that.
@Nova25
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't understand what you are trying to say here. Why exactly is teleportation some massively common concept among the Equestrian populace when, in show, only three ponies (Celly, Luna and Twilight) have ever been shown using it?
Surely if teleportation was a researched and understandable topic of knowledge, it stands to reason that there would be more normal unicorns who knew how to do it than just Twilight?
Derpy was hilarious! She really must know everyone in Equestria!
ReplyDeleteI have this feeling that the "watch your eyes" edition was intended not for complete eggheads, but for the really slow ponies who need a life-sized demonstration.
Rarity... what did you do?
(Funny, Fallout: Equestria made me ask the exact same question.)
@TenchiFreak5
ReplyDeleteFor one, you said it yourself here... We only see 1 pony actually teleporting(while the Princesses don't exactly TP, but we could call it that, I suppose) in the series... 1-3 of several millions+ possibly-existing unicorns.
We have no idea what those other several millions+ individuals are doing in their life, how powerful other unicorns really are... frankly, we don't see that many (big) demonstrations of ''magic'' in the series, all things considered. (also, it's not like it's mandatory to TP all the time, if you know the spell)
And so, with so little hard information, we kinda have to default to ''other materials'', such as other series/books/animes/etc... Background material, if you want to call it that.
And, considering many books of adventure, and Sword&magic stuff, series involving magic... ''Teleportation'' is quite often seen as, indeed, a very hard spell to *master* or requiring a lot of magic to perform.
Often seen almost like an objective, a goal to achieve for magic scholars and such 'people'.
But, that's the whole thing.
It is NOT an unknown spell by any definition, just one of the highest ''level'' spells there is... for common magic users, that is.
As a quick -example-, 'teleportation' could be our equivalent in term of difficulty to, say, Genetic Engineering or Nuclear physics.
I have NOT the necessary knowledge to do anything in those 2 fields, yet I still know some minor stuff about them and related things... just not enough to actually BE a scientist in those fields.
Teleportation isn't unheard of, it's just fiction here. Kinda like how it is in the real world.
ReplyDeleteCH.15 :
ReplyDelete>Silence. Pregnant silence. Pregnant with triplets.
-That’s some very heavy silence there. ...*cough*
>“Don't. Get. Cute,” she hissed, jabbing her hoof towards the pegasus with each word.
-On the contrary ! Go on ! :D (Had almost forgotten that Dinky went with the other 3 CMC)
>123 Everfree Terrace, Barnsfield, EQ
-A Simpson reference (which I forgot exactly which episode), I see.
>Almost immediately, Ditzy crawled over the table to watch the very entertaining spectacle unfolding on the floor of the interrogation room.
-Wait... where does she come from ? I mean, I don’t remember her going to this City ? (same thing as Dinky probably... forgot some minor details with time)
>Darling, I don't doubt for a second that Trixie has designs on our dear friend
-Considering the ‘’Blueblood scenario’’, of the Gala... Rarity isn’t the best judge, when it comes to relations, me think ?
>llustrated Guide to Pony Anatomy: Pop-Up Edition (Watch your Eyes!)
-Huh... wait... ‘’Pop-Up illustrated anatomy’’ ? Ohh... *cough*
... Sexy awkward Twilight is being awkwardly sexy ;), ‘’for precision's sake’’ ...
>one didn't become Great and Powerful by giving up on physically impossible goals; besides, she had a girl to impress!
-The last line is so cheesy, yet funny. ;)
>I know we have a canon Derpy now, but her part in this story was actually written well before 'The Last Roundup' aired, so... yeah.
-Soooo...? Derpy/Ditzy. Bah ! An official one, and a secondary one... A *LOT* of people, for real, have more than 1 name or more than one part in their name.
Also, I don’t recall anyone mentioning a possible case of ‘’Pinky Pie-Pinkamena Diane Pie’’, when the episode aired ?
-----
More easily enjoyable than previous part, for a few reasons, but anyway... It’s amusing how much Twilight is awkwardly ‘’thinking sexy things’’.
I agree. I sort of take "Derpy" as a nickname. I will hold to this until they call someone else "Ditzy Doo" on air. :)
ReplyDelete@Nova25
ReplyDeleteTeleportation obviously isn't unknown -- both Princesses have done it on screen -- so it must be merely very difficult. Twilight just does it intuitively. ("I didn't even know it was gonna happen!")
Most ponies only learn a few spells related to their talent, so it's a rare unicorn indeed who even knows spells ranging from scrying to compression, much less has the magical might to cast them all at the same time.
Perhaps a circle of five unicorns working together could pull it off...
@Nova25
ReplyDeleteok let's see if I can make this as clear as possible as to why *I* believe by canon standards that Teleportation is not a widely shared or easily accomplished spell to pull off.
1) Considering Trixie a mare with the talent for Magic and Entertainment couldn't teleport away when she had wanted shows it's probably not something normal unicorns either have access to or able to perform without extensive research.
2) Twilight Sparkle being from Celestia's School of Gifted Foals (who was hoof chosen by the Princess to be her personally student) tells me it stands to reason that magic that can a) dematerialize your body into atoms and travel through space time and whatever other realities, b) STILL somehow manage to reach your destination without accidentally popping some part of your body inside some object as you somehow manage to, c) fully rematerialize yourself without a single part of your body missing or internal organs spontaneously combusting?
Yeah, sorry but just because some 60 year old wizard can pop teleportation spells in his sleep doesn't mean it was like the easiest thing in his arsenal to master!
If ANY normal Unicorn could teleport wouldn't it stand to reason Twilight would of taught Rarity, seeming powerful one might say? seemingly in expert in being able to focus her magic to make spectacular fashion. Why could she not just TELEPORT away from the Diamond Dogs with Spike?
Did not Twilight Sparkle almost fry herself trying to teleport her and spike together in episode 3 s1? sure did it against Nightmare Moon but it showed she really had to plan and buildup for something that could of failed on her.
To say outright the notion of 3 out of millions of unicorns are the defacto only ones that know how... is a stretch. I ain't sure if he rewrote it to say there was no known way in all of equestria on how to teleport?
The theory of teleportation has been a thing Wizards have studied through out all ages in all fantasy. Some stories they simply say "Grats! you can now teleport. Now get me a sandwich!"
Also on that topic "Alicorns" the FANDOM are the ONLY ones that call Celestia and Luna that. They have only ever called them far as I know as Winged Unicorns in the show! Which is interesting if you think back to Babycakes! =D
*ahem* ok got off topic there. I personally think you probably took too much negative emphasis into one or two lines. And idk I haven't had a chance to read the posted version you all read so I yet to see if anything got reworded on the final revision. I doubt that though.
I'll just say maybe you should try re-reading it again with a newer perspective perspective?
I know you say this a lot where you read 10k+ stories 3 times over but well. I don't know what to say really but you really seemed to stretch that last part out a bit there.
Funny how it almost looks like people didn't see those lines here that I wrote :
ReplyDelete«considering many books of adventure, and Sword&magic stuff, series involving magic...
''Teleportation'' is quite often seen as, indeed, a very hard spell to *master* or requiring a lot of magic to perform.
Often seen almost like an objective, a goal to achieve for magic scholars and such 'people'.»
«But, that's the whole thing.
It is NOT an unknown spell by any definition, just one of the highest ''level'' spells there is... for common magic users, that is.»
From those 2 blocks, people can extract some interesting things... Like :
-I say that teleportation isn't unknown or virtually forgotten spell.
-Its *existence* is probably vaguely known by the general (unicorns)public.
-Its *existence* is surely known by magic scholars, and those with interests in the magic arts (maybe like an exotic spell, for those last ones).
-Considering the 'power' and 'concentration' required for teleportation, probably just a handful of *students in magic* might be able to do it, with mitigated success.
-Twilight is her own level of magic, considering her natural affinity with magic, and thus manage spells far more easily than other Unicorns.
This doesn't mean other unicorns CAN'T teleport, just that they will probably only be able to TP to shorter distances, using more quite more energy, and occasionally reappear through walls...
Also, because you can TP, doesn't mean you WILL TP all the time.
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@Cátsy
>Yeah, sorry but just because some 60 year old wizard can pop teleportation spells in his sleep doesn't mean it was like the easiest thing in his arsenal to master!
-Yeeeeeeah ? Never said otherwise ?
Read what I wrote in previous comments (or right above) ?
Still, it doesn't mean other people/unicorns can't know(or that they are prevented to) the spell, and be able to do it... just with less success... for those who can manage to cast it.
>If ANY normal Unicorn could teleport wouldn't it stand to reason Twilight would of taught Rarity
-No, seriously, did you read my previous comments ?
I think there's an error of communication somewhere...
...(sigh)
>Also on that topic "Alicorns" the FANDOM are the ONLY ones that call Celestia and Luna that.
-This has *nothing* to do with the present subject, about a : ''Hard to cast spell, that even if it's really hard, isn't only known and can be cast by just 3 ponies in the world''.
Could be a spell only know by elite unicorns, but on several millions, it would be crazy to believe that only -1- mortal pony can cast it.
...Also, 'Alicorn' is THE quasi-universally accepted and used 'term' for them, whatever the original godforsaken origin of the word. In MLP:FiM, for Us, they are that.
>I personally think you probably took too much negative emphasis into one or two lines.
-I 'may' have, but to my defence, I just can't picture the strange/surreal reason that would have pushed the author to (essentially) write that 'Teleporation' was a spell that virtually no one knew or heard about, and of an almost-god level... while he could have *VERY EASILY* just written that it was a very hard spell for most unicorns to cast, and that it was why very little(still more than 3..) could actually use it, and those who could, wouldn't cast it with has much success as her (due to her affinity with magic and stuff)...
The author just went completely backward, about teleportation, on essentially everything I had ever saw or read in other series and books(and I read and played a lot of that kind of books/games).
lol! finally got around to finishing this one off :P loved the added "WA-HA-HA!" there.
ReplyDelete*reads credits* PFFFFT! *tries desperately to hold in laughter, to no avail* god you actually put that in there! I'm dieing right now lol oh gawd "stream-of-consciousness dialogue to make sure Fifth and I never caught up to the Gdocs chat" oh man lol
New Title Unlocked!
"The Never Ending Streamer of Conscious Dialogue"-Cátsy
*epic guitar rift while throwing head far back*
AAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW YYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH~
P.S. Does ANYONE have a spare Victini Wonder Card Ticket for Pokemon Black/White? saw the movie and I must have one! ;^;
@Cátsy
ReplyDeleteThat was random ?
@Nova25 "The Complete Egghead's Illustrated Guide to Pony Anatomy: Pop-Up Edition (Watch your Eyes!)"
ReplyDeleteSeriously, I almost choked to death because I was eating when I read that. But it was worth it.
Are there going to be more chapters in the dramatic reading?
ReplyDeleteI finally finished reading this adorable tale, and I'm completely addicted. I love it, the shipping is fantastically well-written, and it's *so* funny I wish it would never end. I love every bit of it. I hope you write more soon!
ReplyDeleteIf i can not describe my excitement for this story, i would only be able to say that any of my words may tarnish it's reputation. i would not like to cause such an injustice to a story that has brought me such enjoyment. thank you for being creative.
ReplyDeleteA year already? Damn.
ReplyDeleteHow's everybody doing? Well, I hope. And impatient, most likely! Those that keep tabs on me on FimFiction know that I've been quite busy with a few things, like an injured hand, a trip to Boston, and a second fic (A Lot Like You). Trust me though, The Ballad is still my baby, and no matter how long it takes, I'll keep writing it.
It's become so much bigger than my original scope, and a real labor of love. And as my first real fic of length (as opposed to experimental drabbles many years ago), it's been a tremendous learning tool, and I greatly enjoy writing it (when I have the time) and hearing what you guys have to say.
Anyways, I just wanted to pop my head in here for a bit and say, "I'm alive, and still writing!"
Catch you all next chapter.
@silentcarto
To the right, to the left
We'll be Friends to the death
To the Edge of the Earth
It's a brave new world from the last to the first...
@TheWhitePony
Correct, It is notte.
@Alondro
I want you to know that the entire concept of the Ballad was borne from inappropriate dialogue such as that line.
@Alan Quirino
Marathon read? Like a bawss.
@Francois Bouwer
Man, all those Mario Party memories flooding back!
@DatOneGuyWithCake
Pretty much. I really, really don't have free time in my life to write, but I promise to never actually stop. I write bits and pieces when I can.
Trust me, I hate making you guys wait as much as you guys hate waiting.
@ruff1298
Hey, good to see you again! And yes, it is my life mission to sneak the lowest of brows past people without them noticing.
As for the pop-up book, I find that people's imaginations are a million times worse than anything I could describe.
@Nova25
@TenchiFreak5
@Nova25
@Nova25
@LordOfTheWrongs
@Cátsy
@Nova25
I'm totally invoking Word of Gravekeeper powers here: considering the Jossing of the fic with the second season, it's better to think of the Ballad as being in its own... er, Balladverse. This is especially true as of
Chapter 14 onwards, considering all the back story I'm going to be introducing. In this universe, pony teleportation is the stuff of science fiction, even if the show eventually depict another unicorn teleporting (though I had already
planned for that contingency a long while ago, and it'll be readily apparent towards the end). Also remember that this fic takes place between season 1 and 2, which is why Twi's magic is still whitish.
Either way, I'm flattered that something I wrote warrants discussions, but I just thought I'd set the record straight.
@Alondro
I'll need you to sign a release form that absolves me of any and all legal repercussions in the event that you die.
@Bangor MC 3rd
Yes! Phroexx is a busy man, he's getting to them whenever he has time. The second chapter is linked in my FimFiction blog.
@MattAtTheWorld
And thank you, Gentle Manne, for reading!
@Gravekeeper
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you yet draw breath. :)
What about the 2nd season jossed the fic, exactly?
@Gravekeeper
ReplyDeleteI died, but then I got better!
By far one of the best appropriate shipping fanfics out there. Keep the goodwork up Grave! :) Can't wait for the next chapters! Hopefully you make it long too!
ReplyDelete-Cypher
@Gravekeeper
ReplyDeleteIs there any word on when the next updated is supposed to come out? I've been checking up on this on a weekly basis for quite some time now but nothing seems to come of it.
Happy New Year Everyone!
ReplyDelete@Alexaction
ReplyDeleteGosh dang darn it man! gettin my hopes up that an update got posted.
Don't tempt me to do it again!
ReplyDeleteOh wait, I JUST DID.