Author: Fistful of Apples
Description: Twilight Sparkle finds herself disenchanted, having delved into all the knowledge the ponies of Equestria have to offer her, but finding it lacking. In her despair, a spirit calling itself Mephistopheles appears before her offering her all the knowledge of her world, wanting nothing in exchange.The Tragic Story of Twilight Sparkle, or, Twilight
Prologue
Alpha
Beta
Gama
Delta
Epsilon
Zeta
Eta
Theta (New!)
Iota (New!)
Kappa (New!)
Additional Tags: Tragedy, Hard Sci-Fi, Faustian, Alternate Science
44 comments:
Hard Sci-Fi?
<_<
I don't know it's kind of hard to beat the fact that we already have a Doctor Faustus story but with Lauren Faust.
I'm on Alpha, and as much as i want to really like this, I'm finding it sorta.... bland... so far.
Can't tell if misspelled Gamma or part of fanfic.
For there is no greater mischief than giving out information that others shouldn't have...
Immediately googled,"Mephistopheles" and read this on the wiki page:
"demon featured in German folklore. He originally appeared in literature as the demon in the Faust legend, and he has since appeared in other works as a stock character version of the Devil himself."
Faust legend. I see what you did there.
I really really really hope Twilight doesn't have to die to be redeemed.
Read it... Meh.
In her despair, a spirit calling itself Mephistopheles appears before her offering her all the knowledge of her world, wanting nothing in exchange.
I fail to see how this could possibly go wrong.
this story is great, so far. There aren't enough sci-fi fanfics of this calibur out there. seriously. 5 stars.
This is a Very Bad Idea. Magic only works as long as you don't try to figure out how. Once you start applying the sledgehammer of Science, it all falls apart.
Mephistopheles... Sounds like Mephisto. Former probably came first, but this can't be good.
I'm liking this, it's very intriguing and complicated. I can't decide whether this is a horrible train wreck waiting to happen, or the beginnings of the Utopia that Twilight is imagining. I'm eager for more.
This reminds me of the Epica and Black Halo albums from Kamelot.....
Rational!Twilight... This is very definitely not good. As in, Pony singularity levels of not good.
@mycutiemarkisagun
Yup. Totally. Because boundless knowledge will totally not make everything so unimportant.
We needs more content... We are the malcontent...
I don't know what everyone else is talking about, I liked it. Twilight seems to be forgetting about happiness in all of this. Also, why didn't Celestia just plain ASK her where she learned all of this, if she's so worried about it?
@nemryn
Huh... Not at all.
Ever heard of the 3rd law of *Clarke's three laws* ?
« Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. »
Though magic isn't **really** explainable, since it's, well, magic... It's still entirely possible to advance various theories and concepts using actual knowledge and theorical-science, in order to provide a range of interesting explanations about 'what is magic' and what magic involve.
Magic will always be magic, even if someone come with an, hopefully, well made and detailed theory.
Well, it's very interesting, but I have a few questions.
First would be - what is the shipping?
Second: where from the concept of theory is derived?
Third: is that Xi - from the Killing field, from barion or from (again) the Hub's ARG?
The equation Luna was speaking of, there's a mistake. It should be Phi multiplied by the power of 12 divided by six-pi-r squared to the eighteenth power where Phi equals six point eight two five hertz over fifty three........
Nah, I have no idea what is going on here. Doctor Faustus turned pony is quite interesting though. Never did get around to reading the original but I like how there was no demon summoning and evil intent in this version.
Seems like someone by now would wonder where Twilight was getting her information, and while Luna's red flag is in the raised position, that might just be because she sees Twilight as a threat to her royal rule. Seems that one of the manes would put together that weeklong coma + knowledge of everything means that something has happened to Twilight Sparkle, and she's getting outside help, or at least show concern that she's flying too close to the sun.
Maybe it's just my expectations, but I figured that Twilight's sanity would be further gone by now, or that someone would be at her door to put her head on a wall by now. She almost seems to taking the whole thing well, kinda like a pony Reed Richards, except her discoveries are not being thrown away the second they stop serving the plot, and unless the reset button is hit, there would be consequences no matter what happened when it's all said and done, and as much as I like sci-fi, I can't help but dread the ending where the magic is gone and the pony singularity is in full force, and there's no going back from that. I guess I skipped to the end, and now I don't want to read the rest of the book.
I still want to read it. Very enthralled, I'd like to read more please! I'm not a fan of Twilight's "technobabble", but the inventions she makes and the impact it has on Equestria has me fascinated.
Thanks for writing! :-D
I think my brain is oozing out of my skull after reading thus far. It's really awesome though, just very confusing for one who knows absolutely nothing about equations or anything being explained in this story. Keep up the good work!
I'm also unsure where the shipping is. Sorry.
I do really love the story, though.
Eee, I am really enjoying this story. It's not often I get to read a brilliant sci fi story :D
10/10 so far :D
Cant wait for more
1. I do wonder who is going to be shipped with who?
2. Ugh I'm not looking forward to what will happen to Twilight in the long run.
3. Are there really going to be 17 more chapters?
This story probably isn't for people who don't like to hear about the science and like Metapsionic said the technobabble behind the inventions. However, for someone who does like this kind of thing it's a perfect story. Especially because of the possible dystopian ending. So far I love it and I hope you update again soon.
It's hard science fiction. One of the hallmarks of the genre is people getting really specific about the details. I can't really change that without changing the genre.
This is a Faust story. Twilight takes the place of Johannes Faust. In the stories, Faust always goes after a girl, usually named "Gretchen." So it should be clear that the ship will involve Twilight, as she's Faust. Faust also has an assistant named Wagner. That's Spike. So check the tags. Who's specifically listed by name? The one who's not Twilight or Spike is probably going to be the "Gretchen."
Also look at the latest chapter. Twilight has specific unusual feelings for one of the ponies she speaks with that only crop up with that pony.
Just give it time. The ship will be there.
When is the next update coming. It's been quite a while now. Not that i'm trying to rush you or anything, just checking to see if you still planned to write more chapters.
^this
Just tell me that you are not going to "you know what" Gretchen.... T_T
Oddly enough, I think that IF I went back and read the basic explanation twilight gives on Xi and such, I'd probably get it....Oh Faustian Science, what fun.
But seriously, Don't stop writing this, it's just now getting really good. I read this in under an hour, I like it that much.
So, xi is pretty much like energy?
Amazing that this updated, but where's Kappa? The link's not working for me.
I'm stupid and forgot to make Kappa viewable to everybody. It's fixed now.
@Fistful of Apples
Eeeeeee! Thanks. I really love your story, and I'm glad you're continuing it. I started reading it a week or two ago, and I was worried it had been abandoned.
I re-read the first 8 chapters just yesterday, wishing there could be more to this tale...and this morning there is! /GLEE
I'm so glad you're still updating this. I devoured the chapters, and I wish there would be more already. It looks like Twilight's encountering some official resistance, and there's hints of the power going to her head a bit. But she still means good and she's working for the betterment of all Equestria at a world-shattering pace...I can't wait to see where this is going.
Thank you so much for writing and sharing!
Aaaaaand, now I'm addicted.
I regret nothing.
Well, so much for my homework.
This is very nice. I actually haven't read much of any "hard science fiction" before, but I like it. I've always been interested in explanations. Although, I'd like to think I'm reasonably smart, and some of the more complicated things still go over my head. But I understand the basics well enough.
Anyways, I'm not surprised that Twilight doesn't want to listen to the Princesses' restrictions. Her actions can make her seem like she's growing cold and cynical to some extent, but she's really just impatient and trying to be as efficient as possible.
I really love this story, and have been following it since it was first posted. Actually, it was one the very first ponyfics I ever read. I wish the update breaks weren't so long, but you make it well worth the wait. I look forward to your next installment.
I was a bit iffy on this story at first....
But wow, the further in I read the more hooked I became. Hard science fiction is one my reading pleasures and this internally consistent story is very interesting.
Though, I have to voice concerns that Twilight is going to end up with a redemption equals death ending. She is already at "The ends justify the means" stage. It won't be long before she starts killing people who gets in her way.
Sure, she will beat herself up about it at first. But the "Greater Good" will keep her moving forward.
Keep up the good work Fistful of Apples!
And now I wait another three months.
It would be nice if this had a ending... or at least an idea of if it ever will.
Almost a year after last update: Still waiting semi-patiently.
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