Still in the midst of a Sunset Shimmer reading marathon. Currently going through a longer one that is okay. I had a shipper moment were in the first couple of chapters I totally expected Rarity and Sunset Shimmer to hook up during the story. Based on like a unfounded assumption from two brief moments during the first three chapters. Anyhow, at the moment the story is going through Sunset Shimmer’s backstory. Poor family, focused on studies, met Cadance and hated her. Somewhat typical. This is the second or third story where Sunset Shimmer hates Cadance for being an Alicorn and generally being happy and cheerful. So I had this thought about a story idea. Cadance/Sunset romance piece. Where Sunset and Cadance get along great, Sunset develops a crush, then Shining Armor steals Cadance away (from Sunset’s perspective) and that is what drives Sunset into maniacal evil. Can even have a scene where the previous lunar alignment has Sunset Shimmer coming back to Equestria for a weekend to see how things have changed, tries to meet Cadance and maybe mend some fences. Which just so happens to be during the time Queen Chrysalis has replaced her so the meeting goes very poorly and is the beginning of Sunset plotting to steal the element of magic and conquer Equestria.
Hm. The more I think about it, the more ideas I come up with it. Instead of Sunset Shimmer being jealous of Cadance being an Alicorn we get her inspired by someone else attaining that status and setting it as a goal for herself. I mean, given that the kingdom only has had one Alicorn Princess for a thousand years it wouldn’t be crazy to assume that it isn’t something that can be earned. Fold in that we could have Sunset Shimmer and Celestia be close enough for Celestia to tell her about Luna, so Sunset gets romantic ideas about Cadance and her being a pair together as well. Ruling Cadance’s kingdom (whatever it turns out to be) as diarchs like Celestia and Luna did for Equestria in ancient times. Which in turn gives Sunset Shimmer a bit more character in that she’s a romantic of the older times. Not getting along with other ponies not because of studying too hard, but because she romanticizes and idealizes the ancient past. Modern things are just too flimsy and frivolous. Which makes her less of a mirror of Twilight Sparkle but I consider that a good thing. Have the thematic tie between the two be Princess Celestia instead of a close similarity in their own characters. Something about how Princess Celestia shines so bright that if you spend time around her the rest of the world fades in comparison. Not anything she does on purpose. Just that a millennia old demigod whose will moves the heavens is a bit of a hard act to follow for anypony. That only by getting away from Princess Celestia can her students really come into their own. Sure, for one it was turning into a demon and almost conquering two worlds and the other was moving to a small town and making friends. The point would be that if they had stayed in Canterlot studying (or working with) Princess Celestia they would never have accomplished great things and the few things they did manage to accomplish would be remembered as Princess Celestia’s work.
Once again I’m annoyed that I’m pretty good with ideas and themes, but I still lack the experience and skill to actually build a story out of what I come up with. Maybe I should attempt to devour one of the better writers in a occult ceremony to gain their powers? …..No, wait, that’s a bad idea. Pretty sure Cold in Gardez can take me in a fight.
The City of Doors 