• Story: The Old Stories

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    Author: Thanqol
    Description: There are stories which define us. Stories that inspire us. And there are stories that damn us.

    The Old Stories

    Additional Tags: Six halves and one whole
    Saturday, August 6, 2011 op
    Labels: , , , , , ,
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    84 comments:

    1. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 6:01 PM

      Hugs?

      ReplyDelete
    2. frostedWarlockAugust 6, 2011 at 6:01 PM

      It would be nice if the title and description actually told me anything other than vague crytpic Egyptian heirogylyphs because now there's no way to tell if I want to read it or not.

      ...might as well read it anyway.

      ReplyDelete
    3. Streek471August 6, 2011 at 6:01 PM

      Hugs

      ReplyDelete
    4. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 6:07 PM

      Where's Rarity?

      ReplyDelete
    5. KShrikeAugust 6, 2011 at 6:11 PM

      Cute image.

      ReplyDelete
    6. EkevooAugust 6, 2011 at 6:11 PM

      SO VAGUE
      @anon - This is a screengrab from Suited For Success. She's elsewhere in the same room.

      ReplyDelete
    7. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 6:12 PM

      >dat image

      o_o

      ...what the **** are you all doing in my bedroom, and why are you all asking for hugs?!?

      ReplyDelete
    8. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 6:12 PM

      @Ekevoo D'oh, this is something I should've known. XP

      ReplyDelete
    9. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 6:17 PM

      So vague.

      ReplyDelete
    10. GypsyAugust 6, 2011 at 6:25 PM

      i dont want hugs...or do i?

      ReplyDelete
    11. jaayroAugust 6, 2011 at 6:26 PM

      THAT PICTURE MAKES ME CREY
      They're soo cute and I would like to hug all of them but they're not real D:

      ReplyDelete
    12. frostedWarlockAugust 6, 2011 at 6:31 PM

      okay, I read it now and it is probably one of the best stories on this site.

      seriously. 6/5.

      ReplyDelete
    13. KShrikeAugust 6, 2011 at 6:40 PM

      You ever notice that the fanfiction for FiM always does something extensive on the Elements of Harmony, while the series mentions them for 2 episodes, and never brings them back?

      Every time that there is something referring to the elements of harmony, it always involves something epic.

      ReplyDelete
    14. Streek471August 6, 2011 at 6:47 PM

      Alright, I read it. Great story. Pony mythology basically, and I loved the ending.

      ReplyDelete
    15. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 6:47 PM

      And that, my friends, is why you pick out an image for your story and not let Cereal pick for you.

      ReplyDelete
    16. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 6:48 PM

      I pick the one WAAY on the right.

      ReplyDelete
    17. SinezAugust 6, 2011 at 6:56 PM

      I... I CANT MAKE UP MY MIND!

      WHO DO I HUG? PINKIE PIE? DASHIE? I DONT EVEN KNOW MAN! WHATS A SPY SUPPOSED TO DO?!?!?!?

      Oh screw it *hugs Pinkie*

      ReplyDelete
    18. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 7:00 PM

      Fantastic. Best story I've read on the ED in a while!

      ReplyDelete
    19. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 7:01 PM

      Well, ponies, to answer your questions: yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes.

      Anyways, This story was amazing. The vague description and title was kind of off-putting, but once I read it, I was glad I did. The fact that everypony had a different narrative style was very novel, and worked out quite well; everypony seemed very much in-character. The stories themselves had a very genuine feel to them; I could very easily see this being Equestria's mythology. They actually kind of reminded me of the Sermons of Vivec from TES: Morrowind, and that's definitely a compliment in my eyes.

      I give you five stars and a salute. Well done.

      ReplyDelete
    20. nifboyAugust 6, 2011 at 7:04 PM

      Also, because the description is a little, uh, vague, here's a more straightforward synopsis:

      It's six Princess Celestia legends, as told by the Mane Six.

      It's good. Go read it.

      ReplyDelete
    21. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 7:19 PM

      I have to say the image was....confusing and in a sense misleading at first but out of curiosity I decided to read.

      I have to say that I have ran into one of the biggest surprises on this site I have ever seen. This is a wonderful little collection of pony mythology and was a really good read from start to finish. I especially loved the ending, that warmed my heart a little and shocked the hell out of me at the same time.

      I am, by far, amazed at how simple yet deep each story is and how it all comes together at the end. For you, good sir, 5 stars definitely.

      ReplyDelete
    22. ThanqolAugust 6, 2011 at 7:28 PM

      @Anonymous

      I totally picked out a picture and they totally ignored it! :(

      Thanks for the responses everyone, sorry about the vagueness of the description ;)

      ReplyDelete
    23. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 7:28 PM

      Read it, loved it. Simple in concept, brilliant in execution.

      Hugs all round :)

      ReplyDelete
    24. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 7:33 PM

      "Six halves and one whole"

      That makes four.

      ReplyDelete
    25. C. Theron VulpinAugust 6, 2011 at 7:39 PM

      Fluttershy wants a hug? Can do will do!

      Story was... pretty cool. You seemed to catch each of the Mane 6 pretty well in the narrations, and I really liked the Celestia clarification at the end.

      ReplyDelete
    26. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 7:49 PM

      luna gets no love :(

      good story 5/5

      ReplyDelete
    27. Cereal VelocityAugust 6, 2011 at 7:51 PM

      @Thanqol

      You did? The email Seth sent me didn't contain it.

      Link me one and I'll replace the hugs.

      ReplyDelete
    28. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 7:55 PM

      @Anonymous

      Luna is SO ovverrated. She spoke 2 LINES in the WHOLE SEASON! It's uncanny how many fans she has! Luna doesn't deserve all the attention she gets.

      ReplyDelete
    29. C. Theron VulpinAugust 6, 2011 at 7:57 PM

      @Anonymous
      It probably means six half-truths and one full

      ReplyDelete
    30. ThanqolAugust 6, 2011 at 7:57 PM

      @Cereal Velocity

      http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/6980/34896artistanadukunecel.jpg This one; but it was in a followup email :)

      Not that I don't like hugs, sir!

      ReplyDelete
    31. Cereal VelocityAugust 6, 2011 at 7:59 PM

      Done. Sorry!

      ReplyDelete
    32. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 8:04 PM

      Soarin's last name is now canonically "von Richthofen."

      That. That's just too awesome.

      ReplyDelete
    33. Streek471August 6, 2011 at 8:09 PM

      No more hugs? :(

      I will say that the new picture fits though.

      ReplyDelete
    34. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 8:10 PM

      I was extremely surprised. This fic is a collection of beautiful well thought out fables that touch the heart. I'm in a much better mood from reading them. I wholeheartedly recommend reading this fic. Now someone draw a better cover.

      ReplyDelete
    35. RekiaraAugust 6, 2011 at 8:16 PM

      That's a straight up 6/5 from me. I love 'old stories' from any culture - even entirely fictional cartoon pony cultures - and these felt 'real'.

      Very cool.

      ReplyDelete
    36. KShrikeAugust 6, 2011 at 8:16 PM

      This could be an episode.
      I mean, imagine. There could be a way to make it fit 22 minutes, and it seems like the kind of thing.
      It could be done by narration by somepony who is interested in history, or another student of Celestia sent by her decree to ask the elements of harmony about stories of history and whatnot!

      Worth noting that Pinkie Pie is spot on. First few sentences, smile on my face, and giggling.
      I love Pinkie Pie.

      ReplyDelete
    37. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 8:18 PM

      @Cereal Velocity

      This is officially a 6 star story. Quick Cereal update it, before its too late!

      ReplyDelete
    38. WhiteoutAugust 6, 2011 at 8:37 PM

      Nice work here, Thanqol! You've done a splendid job of taking the building blocks of myth and spinning them to fit Equestria here, and the characters are spot on.

      Your Pinkie, in particular, had me grinning from her first sentence, and Dash was great as well.

      Keep up the good work!

      ReplyDelete
    39. FenixAugust 6, 2011 at 8:45 PM

      Very well written story. You were able to capture the six ponies' characteristics perfectly, and all the stories had very nice and well thought out messages. I love myth and legend, so this spoke to me quite a bit.

      I give this all five stars that I can. Great story.

      ReplyDelete
    40. DSNesmithAugust 6, 2011 at 8:51 PM

      Wow, that was fantastic. Poor Luna.

      ReplyDelete
    41. lesserpoetAugust 6, 2011 at 8:59 PM

      This... this is a masterpiece. All my stars, monies, etc... Seriously, this story is truly just... beautiful. There is nothing more I could say that would not take away from the brilliance of this fic.

      Thank you for writing it.

      ReplyDelete
    42. Raz_FoxAugust 6, 2011 at 9:03 PM

      Any story that stars me as a vulpine avatar of mischief automatically gets six stars. It's a law of nature or something.

      ReplyDelete
    43. EkevooAugust 6, 2011 at 9:04 PM

      To echo what has been said before, I was very glad I read it despite the vague description and alternate tags. Only the title hinted at mythology, but mythology fics are usually boring and this one IS CERTAINLY NOT. The stories are told a bit too quickly, but, much to my surprise, that only helped bring attention on the amusing way the stories were told, and made the ending a lot better.

      That was great work. And absolutely, spot-on, the VERY RIGHT LENGTH. I've read it two hours ago and it's still echoing in my head, in a good way. Great work indeed!!!

      ReplyDelete
    44. TenchiFreak5August 6, 2011 at 9:09 PM

      My only regret is that I can only give it 5 stars.

      ReplyDelete
    45. ProBronoAugust 6, 2011 at 10:33 PM

      This story is a great example of how to make use of original content in a fanfic. The stories don't take place in the current MLP timeline, but they do make use of the world established by the show and attempt to better explain it. There's several OC ponies, but they're interesting characters, it's clear how their stories relate to themes established by the show, and ultimately they help to better characterize Celestia within the fic. It also helps that the mane six are narrating the stories. The original content isn't there to replace the show; it's there to expand on the show. I think this is something worth keeping in mind for anyone who decides to go the OC route.

      OC lecture aside, this fic is also good just as a standalone story. The bedtime-story style is cute, the morals are good, and just when you think you've figured out the pattern in the chapters, the twist in chapter seven states what the fic is actually about, and paints the other six stories in an entirely new light. Recommended reading, definitely.

      ReplyDelete
    46. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 10:35 PM

      I would give this ten stars if I could. The ending easily blew me away, you ended it off with the perfect line.

      Let's all bring our hooves together and have a round of applause for my sister, our hero, Princess Luna.

      ReplyDelete
    47. AnonymousAugust 6, 2011 at 10:42 PM

      "The old gods fade, the new god arises."
      -- Merlin, Excalibur (from memory)

      ReplyDelete
    48. MushiousAugust 6, 2011 at 11:40 PM

      **SPOILER**

      I clapped for Luna.

      ReplyDelete
    49. DreadedCandiru2August 6, 2011 at 11:45 PM

      The absence of Luna from the old legends and the Mane Six's not noticing why it matters tells us a lot about them. They mean well but it sort of bothers their Princess that her sister gets shafted by History just because of an instinctive dread of darkness.

      ReplyDelete
    50. AnonymousAugust 7, 2011 at 1:43 AM

      Damn. This story was riding a perfect 5.0 for a while. Ah well, it shall still receive a 6-star rating, I am sure.

      ReplyDelete
    51. Specter Von BarenAugust 7, 2011 at 3:00 AM

      Heh. Not bad, not bad at all. As someone else said, this could easily be done as an episode, I imagine that it would have different art styles for each of the stories too depending on who's telling them.

      ReplyDelete
    52. TwixAugust 7, 2011 at 5:07 AM

      This was fantastic. I laughed out loud at both the line "In one transcript I read, Celestia shouted at Starry Notions 'You're not my dad!'" and the magma kraken's defeat at the hands of a mustache. The characterizations were excellent, particularly Twilight Sparkle's, and the writing was wonderful. 5/5 and that's mostly only because I can't give more than that.

      ReplyDelete
    53. TwixAugust 7, 2011 at 5:14 AM

      Also, I liked the references to Fair Feather Friend and Always Sunny in Fillydelphia, two of my favorite fics.

      ReplyDelete
    54. TirothAugust 7, 2011 at 5:28 AM

      If only all the fics on this site were so good...but then, I'd never have time to do anything but read. Ah, well.

      This story really does deserve a six-star rating. The legends, though a little short, were beautiful little stories in their own right that weaved together to form a much wider mythology. There was really only one problem with them - where was Luna?

      And then came chapter seven, which was absolutely perfect. Where was Luna? With her big sister every step of the way. Helping her, supporting her...only to be forgotten by history.

      ReplyDelete
    55. AnonymousAugust 7, 2011 at 8:05 AM

      5 stars from me, damn it. 5 stars!
      God, if I had the time, and the author's approval, I'd love to take a pen to paper and see if I could flesh out these stories. Beautiful work, despite the occasional error.

      ReplyDelete
    56. TwinkiePinkieAugust 7, 2011 at 8:26 AM

      I was impressed by this one. I just got finished reading the update for Past Sins, and I honestly thought that the next story I read would never measure up. I decided to read a short story because of that. Little did I know that this was actually a really good story.
      The concept for the story was really good. I have a soft spot for stories that have a mythic feel to them, and this story exploited that weakness really well. The stories that were told all seemed for the most part original, although it could just be that I'm unfamiliar with what inspired them. Regardless, they had that simple greater-than-reality feel that most good legends have, and I really enjoyed that.
      I really enjoyed the dialogue of the mane 6. Even though they were just narrating stories that really had nothing to do with themselves, I could still feel their presences. The way that they narrated really kept their individual voices, and that was impressive.
      I feel like I must give the final chapter a special mention. I found myself desiring just a story that mentioned the royal pony sisters, not just Celestia. Lo and behold, chapter 7 remedied that splendidly.
      I almost begrudgingly am forced to award this a 5 out of 5 star rating. I usually hate doing so because it kind of cheapens the rating if you give out perfect scores all the time. In all honesty though, I could find nothing truly wrong with it. It was able to accomplish all that it set out to do, and it executed those objectives perfectly.
      Thanqol: my hat's off to you sir. Congratulations on writing a truly fantastic fanfic.

      ReplyDelete
    57. TwinkiePinkieAugust 7, 2011 at 8:27 AM

      @Anonymous
      BLASPHEMY!!!

      ReplyDelete
    58. ThanqolAugust 7, 2011 at 8:40 AM

      @Anonymous

      You have my approval for what it's worth.

      And thank you everypony, thank you so much. I've been sitting on this story for months now because I was petrified of what the community would think of it. I only wound up submitting it because a friend pressured me to do so. I'm very glad he did. Thank you all.

      ReplyDelete
    59. E117August 7, 2011 at 9:39 AM

      @Thanqol

      Lol and you got a story with a perfect rating. An impressive feat. means not a single person out of 147 could find anything to complain about. Btw you should email Sethisto and get him to add the 6 star tag. And someone needs to send this to Hasbro to get this declared as official canon. On a personal note, this story really touched me. I hope you continue writing cause you have a gift my friend.

      ReplyDelete
    60. banjo2EAugust 7, 2011 at 10:01 AM

      HOLY SHIT

      5.0 stars

      I didn't even know that was possible on this site

      ReplyDelete
    61. banjo2EAugust 7, 2011 at 10:08 AM

      @banjo2E

      Seth, I propose you add a [Flawless Victory] tag for fics that go beyond 6-star to a perfect 5.0 rating. That kind of achievement is just too awesome to not be recognized.

      ReplyDelete
    62. VannerAugust 7, 2011 at 10:14 AM

      ALL MY STARS.

      That's how you do mythos there. Not only is this a six star story, but it's probably the best piece of fiction I've read in a very long time.

      ReplyDelete
    63. AnonymousAugust 7, 2011 at 10:45 AM

      Thanqol you rock, woohoo

      ReplyDelete
    64. AnonymousAugust 7, 2011 at 12:51 PM

      TAKE ALL MY STARS!!!

      Seriously, this is a wonderful, wonderful, creative work. I love the mythology you've built,the way it expands the world. I love how each story is told by each character, and how they, as a whole, show how the ponies view their royals. Excellent work!

      ReplyDelete
    65. AnonymousAugust 7, 2011 at 3:26 PM

      I really loved this story! I actually consider this to be a part of the poniverse as it seems to fit so well. :D

      ReplyDelete
    66. DeRockProjectAugust 7, 2011 at 4:40 PM

      This is nice! And look at that, 180 votes and still a 5.0 star average! If there's any other story with that rating with so many votes, tell me.

      ReplyDelete
    67. gryffinpAugust 8, 2011 at 2:41 AM

      Something is clearly wrong on my end, because I see this story as having NO ratings and as a consequence no score instead of infinity ratings and 10/5 score as it no doubt should be. I've added my rating in the hopes of contributing toward setting things right.

      ReplyDelete
    68. AnonymousAugust 8, 2011 at 12:20 PM

      i wonder if fluttershy got pranked by fox at the gala

      ReplyDelete
    69. AugieDogAugust 8, 2011 at 2:52 PM

      Very well done indeed.

      ReplyDelete
    70. AugieDogAugust 8, 2011 at 5:43 PM

      Very well done indeed.

      ReplyDelete
    71. gryffinpAugust 8, 2011 at 5:43 PM

      Something is clearly wrong on my end, because I see this story as having NO ratings and as a consequence no score instead of infinity ratings and 10/5 score as it no doubt should be. I've added my rating in the hopes of contributing toward setting things right.

      ReplyDelete
    72. WierdplatformerAugust 9, 2011 at 1:09 AM

      I don't know what to say. Most of the above comments basically says it all. Hmmm... I guess I'll just give the summary:

      "Hugs?"
      Vague discription
      Amazing story
      This could be an episode!
      6/5


      And yet the one thing that hasn't been said yet is...

      Will you please make more? :D

      ReplyDelete
    73. WierdplatformerAugust 9, 2011 at 3:39 AM

      I don't know what to say. Most of the above comments basically says it all. Hmmm... I guess I'll just give the summary:

      "Hugs?"
      Vague discription
      Amazing story
      This could be an episode!
      6/5


      And yet the one thing that hasn't been said yet is...

      Will you please make more? :D

      ReplyDelete
    74. Cedric BaleAugust 10, 2011 at 3:10 PM

      I am SO GLAD I gave this a chance despite the incredibly vague and uninteresting description. My favorite parts were Twilight's story of how the sun was made, and Celestia's story about how all the previously told stories about her are wrong and she regrets every one of them, then makes the corrections. Celestia's story hit me hard.

      Thank you for writing this.

      ReplyDelete
    75. AnonymousAugust 15, 2011 at 6:17 AM

      And here was me thinking Tangled Up In Blues was hands-down the best fic on the site.

      The strength of this for me is the mythologising of Celestia, her trials in godhood. Brilliant, recalled real creation myths.

      One minor point- during Dash's story Celestia impresses with a sunrise- hadn't the sun already been put in the sky at that point? I may be confused.
      Also although Pinkie demolishing the fourth wall is fun, it felt like a smidge too much for me; maybe that's just because I got enough of her references so she went from 'random' to 'exclusively referencing ED.' Good subtle Phoe reference though, I have to admit :p

      5/5, no question.

      ReplyDelete
    76. richfilesAugust 20, 2011 at 3:15 AM

      I loved this story. i can't believe I never caught it earlier! Must have been during one of my busy periods. Celestia's chapter pulled it all together for me. It made the whole thing coalesce into a perfect emotional point, and put a tear in my eye. Celestia, oh poor Celly... You can feel the regrets and the feeling she let Luna down. You can feel that she cares though.


      Thanqol, you have created a piece of true art. Thanks!

      ReplyDelete
    77. EfferconAugust 30, 2011 at 12:01 AM

      ...4.9 stars?

      GET THE HERETIC AMONG US

      ReplyDelete
    78. AnonymousSeptember 18, 2011 at 1:25 PM

      Exalted? In My Little Pony?

      It's more likely than you'd think!

      Seriously, great mythbuilding there.

      ReplyDelete
    79. AnonymousOctober 12, 2011 at 8:16 PM

      Amazing story. I think it holds up quite well even after the season two opener - it quite capably shows Discord's world, with the elements corrupted and ponies suffering, and brings to life the princess' quest to reclaim the elements and bring about harmony.

      ReplyDelete
    80. The Lovely PenguinJanuary 29, 2012 at 5:47 PM

      I just love mythology like this; amazing story (or stories, as it were)!

      ReplyDelete
    81. kesssandrraFebruary 10, 2012 at 2:15 AM

      Absolutely amazing. Beautiful. The voices are perfect, the mythology taste is just right, and the ending pushes it from brilliant to masterpiece.

      ReplyDelete
    82. DarkApostleMattFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:32 PM

      Wow, I am amazed and I think this can find room in my head-canon.

      ReplyDelete
    83. AnonymousMarch 12, 2012 at 11:18 PM

      Wow... It's been six months and people are still discovering this spectacular piece of fanfiction.

      Anyway, I really like the style put into the characters as they told the old stories. They were able to give out their tales in-character and also provided well-thought out lessons concerning the elements of harmony. Furthermore, the clarification in the end was very well done and gave a nice twist that made Luna an important aspect in the stories.

      I like to point out how this had not only expanded on the history of the MLP universe, but also avoided contradictions from current canon events. For that, you deserve great approval!

      6/5. This could definitely be an episode, given a few minor cuts due to time restraints.

      ReplyDelete
    84. EvyaMay 13, 2012 at 1:51 AM

      This has just became one of my favourite fanfictions, it was an amazing story, and I especially liked the Luna twist. During the first 6 chapters I really felt they are forgetting Luna, where was she? And there comes the 7 chapter to round it all.

      ReplyDelete

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