Events to come and User Input

So now that Make Your Mark has reached its apparent conclusion, I have a vague outline for the path that Vlogs of an Ancient Insect may take. That said, I'm looking at concluding things at Roots of All Evil - Part 2 before going into an epilogue. Before I go too far with things, I thought I'd shake some things up with some community input on canon events.

Chime in after the break.

Character Interactions
Aside from Sprout, Rocky Riff, and Jazzy Hooves, whom I've already got plans for, which characters would you like to see Anon have interactions with or form bonds with?

Have You Seen This Dragon?
Does Anon...

1. Intervene completely?
2. Try to talk down Misty?
3. Distract Misty by bringing up the picture from the Crystal Tea Room?
4. Coax Sparky into giving some dragon fire into a jar to ensure Misty doesn't go home empty-hoofed.

Nightmare Night
What should Anon's 'costume' be?

1. Daybreaker
2. Twilight Sparkle
3. Princess Cadance
4. Starlight Glimmer
5. Sunset Shimmer
6. Shining Armour

Winter Wishday
Does Anon...

1. Hibernate for the winter?
2. Go along with the shenanigans?
3. Invalidate the entire existence of the Marestream by leaving anchor-stones in Zephyr Heights and Bridlewood, thus negating some of the urgency?

Bridlewoodstock
Does Anon...

1. Attend the music festival?
2. Perform at the music festival?
3. End up hanging out with Misty and (once more) tormenting Opaline?
4. Sleep through it all?

Sunnyside Up
Does Anon...

1. Join the production staff and make snarky comments?
2. Not get involved and just keep Misty company and find out about the Dragonstone?

Manesquerade Ball
Does Anon attend?

1. Yes, in her natural glory.
2. Yes, in one of her pony disguises.
3. Yes, as a body double to somepony?
4. No, she doesn't attend.

If you chose for her to find out about the Dragonstone, does she go try to interfere with Opaline?

• Yes, but fails.
• Yes, derail the plot entirely!
• No

Off the Mark
Will Anon...

1. Switch out with Sparky when Misty isn't looking?
2. Join the rescue party and reveal that she's known who their enemy was and that Misty was a spy since the Sleepover, staying at Sunny's side while the others save Sparky to make sure that nothing happens to Sunny?

Cutie Blossom Bash
Does Anon attend?

1. Yes, and she kickstarts the events of Family Trees/Father of the Bridlewood.
2. Yes, and she fixes the weather with some absolutely absurd nuclear option.
3. No, she's busy derailing the events of Family Trees/Father of the Bridlewood.
4. No... but why?

Family Trees
Does Anon...

1. Go with them to the Dragon Lands, and completely invalidate the rush to return, leaving an anchor stone while there?
2. Stay hanging out with the other seniors, possibly revealing that she's pretty certain Misty is Alphabittle's missing daughter.
3. Find something fascinating in the Night Market, like some sort of trace of her existence that Twilight missed.

Nightmare on Mane Street
What in the hell is Anon even doing this day?
Does she manage to save poor Posey from that cruel fate?
Or is Anon off searching for the remains of Equestria for a side story?

Everything past this point contains massive spoilers for Chapter 6.

The Isle of Scaly
Does Anon invalidate the point of the map to the Isle of Scaly and the Marestream trip?

• Yes
• No

When the group meets with Spike, does Anon...

1. Have a touching reunion with what may very well be the last of her family?
2. Not get recognised by Spike because the effects of Twilight and Hunger's spell are still wearing off?
3. Ask Spike what happened to Dragon Lord Ember and other dragons she knew?

Roots of All Evil
During Hitch's defence of Maretime Bay, does Anon...

1. Not take Opaline at all seriously, mocking her for the trouble Hitch is giving her with his magic when she's at the near pinnacle of her power?
2. Goad Opaline into an epic stalling battle that doesn't really do more than delay events because of the handicap her oath took?
3. Underestimate Opaline and have her mark taken?
4. Stay by Sunny's side from start to finish, simply watching over her?

Epilogue
In the aftermath of Roots of All Evil, does Anon decide to finally establish her hive?

• Yes
• No

If yes, where should Anon establish her hive?

1. Maretime Bay
2. Zephyr Heights
3. Bridlewood
4. Isle of Scaly
5. The Ruins of Opaline's Castle

If yes, who should Anon use as a donor for her first brood?

1. Hitch
2. Sprout
3. Thunder Flap
4. Alphabittle (thus giving Misty 'siblings' prior to his inevitable marriage to Haven)
5. Rocky Riff
6. Other

If yes, would you want a one off NSFW side-fic covering the conception of Anon's brood?

• Yes
• No
• OH GOD WHY?

Comments

[Dis-Harmony Light]

Make Your Mark is over already!? Da*n that was short. Anyway these are my votes.

Have You Seen This Dragon?
Does Anon...

3. Distract Misty by bringing up the picture from the Crystal Tea Room?

Nightmare Night
What should Anon's 'costume' be?

2. Twilight Sparkle (Mostly becouse Sunny would freak out. XP )

Winter Wishday
Does Anon...

3. Invalidate the entire existence of the Marestream by leaving anchor-stones in Zephyr Heights and Bridlewood, thus negating some of the urgency?

Bridlewoodstock
Does Anon...

3. End up hanging out with Misty and (once more) tormenting Opaline?

Sunnyside Up
Does Anon...

1. Join the production staff and make snarky comments?

Manesquerade Ball
Does Anon attend?

1. Yes, in her natural glory.

Off the Mark
Will Anon...

1. Switch out with Sparky when Misty isn't looking?

Cutie Blossom Bash
Does Anon attend?

2. Yes, and she fixes the weather with some absolutely absurd nuclear option.

Family Trees
Does Anon...

1. Go with them to the Dragon Lands, and completely invalidate the rush to return, leaving an anchor stone while there?
OR
2. Stay hanging out with the other seniors, possibly revealing that she's pretty certain Misty is Alphabittle's missing daughter.

Nightmare on Mane Street
What in the hell is Anon even doing this day?
Does she manage to save poor Posey from that cruel fate?
Or is Anon off searching for the remains of Equestria for a side story?

(Don't really have a storng opinion on this one.)

The Isle of Scaly

no

1. and 3.

Roots of All Evil

1.

Epilogue

Yes

1. Maretime Bay OR 5.

If yes, who should Anon use as a donor for her first brood?

4. Alphabittle (thus giving Misty 'siblings' prior to his inevitable marriage to Haven)
(Mostly becouse I would love to see how Misty would react to this. Also Anon could honestly say "I bucked your dad" from now on. X3 )

If yes, would you want a one off NSFW side-fic covering the conception of Anon's brood?

Hell to the yes! =3

[Cyana Flame]

3.

4.

3.

3.

2.

3.

yes.

1.

1.

1.

Anon off searching for something, make Sunny squeal in happiness

no.

1.

4.

Yes.

4. family or 5. out of pure spite for Opaline

2.

uh idk xD maybe

[Seven Fates]

5756383
5756388
Either of you got character interactions you'd like to see? Maybe Posey getting some love?

[Cyana Flame]

5756389
yeah interacting with Posey seems nice maybe. be rational enough to calm her down and be friends
getting buddy buddy with the Zephyr Royal Guard
( I'm sure after they'll be plenty of other ideas later, but that's spoilers~ MYM isn't over just yet~)

[Dis-Harmony Light]

5756389
I've got no strong opinions on that part. But I'm sure given past experience that anything you come up with will be good.

[Screw]

Oof. You are asking a lot of plot points. But I like being part of the story process so I'll give my two bits.

I'll just write here that my idea of this Anon is a bit more on the passive side on things. Specifically, she's focusing on her things but keeping an ear out for dangers. But her definition of danger is different than this generation of ponies; the dangers are never close to what dangers Ponyville is constantly in. And... Opaline doesn't feel like she'll trigger Anon's alarm, except the mind control or her little sister's physical abuse.

Have You Seen This Dragon?
Does Anon... distract Misty by bringing up the picture from the Crystal Tea Room?*

Anon would eventually bring up about the picture, but it'll probably not be enough to trigger Misty. Maybe it'll distract Misty over the weeks. But mainly, Anon would try to ascertain Misty's well being while trying to coax her to plan something in Opaline's castle so she could spy on her.

Nightmare Night
What should Anon's 'costume' be?

None of them. Personally? I bet these ponies don't really know Nightmare Moon at all. The perfect time to show them the true story of Nightmare Night.

Winter Wishday
Does Anon...
Go along with the shenanigans?*
Invalidate the entire existence of the Marestream by leaving anchor-stones in Zephyr Heights and Bridlewood, thus negating some of the urgency?*

This is also a good time for another Hearth's Warming festivities. Or maybe even hearts. Maybe Anon is distracting enough that Queen Haven has taken some liking to and maybe derailing the Haven x Alphabittle? Anyway, Anon would probably attend and cringe when she finds out that the Wishentine performance is 3 hours long.

The more likely case is that she would find out that she has fans in Zephyr Heights and do a vlog from there, thus getting distracted to follow along their shinanigans. As for the portals, it's extremely convenient when thinking of it as a human. So I don't see why Anon wouldn't do that, assuming distance is a non-factor for powering it.

Bridlewoodstock
Does Anon...
Perform at the music festival?
End up hanging out with Misty and (once more) tormenting Opaline?

If she got some skills and remembers after years of not listening to human music, I don't see why not. Plus, it'll be interesting to see if her changeling biology does anything to the Troggles. Maybe she even passively scares them?

Else, I find Anon hanging out with Misty very sister like. I won't mind this too.

Sunnyside Up
Does Anon...
Join the production staff and make snarky comments?*
Not get involved and just keep Misty company and find out about the Dragonstone?*

I would think Anon is somewhat aware that Opaline has something but isn't sure. So I think she should focus more on Misty. I don't believe Misty would like to reveal more of her secrets yet. This is if Anon doesn't feel like sprucing up the factory and making content on her vlog. Heck, maybe she does the "Magic and You" foal's book into video form.

Other than that, maybe this is also a good time to spend with Sprout since this was his family's building.

Manesquerade Ball
Does Anon attend?

I really don't know about this one. The episode was kinda bland, but it did have its Misty and Zipp moment for a while. Maybe if she attend, she had a discreet but big dispute between her, Zipp and her forwardness, and Misty's fragile self?

If you chose for her to find out about the Dragonstone, does she go try to interfere with Opaline?

I'm not really sure about Anon derailing the plot. Unless you've got some interesting plotline that still remains relatively inline with how G5 is told so far, it could be a point of contention. If not derailed, then Anon is likely to underestimate how much more dependent this generation of ponies are on external magics.

Off the Mark
Will Anon... Switch out with Sparky when Misty isn't looking?*

Anon could miss Misty's dragon-napping, or maybe give her something really serious ultimatum. But in the end, either Anon felt something fucky going on or Anon would stalk Misty after her ultimatum, this seems like it could be a point where Twilight's oath is relaxed. But she has to stay out of sight of Opaline; I don't think Anon could win against her directly even in her weakened alicorn state.

Maybe, when Misty tries to save the mane 5, Anon would drop in and finally confront Opaline. In the end, Opaline would still get her magic, Sparky or not. Maybe Anon had to use all her planted devices to even the playing field for a moment and get her desired punch in, then scoots away with Sparky. They reunite when Sunny and Opaline are fighting.

Cutie Blossom Bash
Does Anon attend?
Yes, and she fixes the weather with some absolutely absurd nuclear option.
No... but why?

Unless Anon likes attending to this kinds of party, she'll probably just be there for Misty. And Queen Haven too if her interest since Winter Wishday is still there. Or maybe it has been redirected to somepony else and she is curious. I can definitely see Anon teaching the pegasi weather magic but overdoes it.

Family Trees
Does Anon...

This is a hard one. Three main things are pulling at Anon. Care about her adopted sister and father? Learn about the history of the dragons or the Night Market? There has been a lot of subtle stuff in G5. But I think the right call is to stick to her new family despite the mystery calling to her.

Like, the Together Trees are there for a reason and they have some odd, innate ability to take cutie marks. That could already explain why everyone only has a mark on one side; Twilight oir her friends must have been desperate.

Nightmare on Mane Street
What in the hell is Anon even doing this day?
Does she manage to save poor Posey from that cruel fate?
Or is Anon off searching for the remains of Equestria for a side story?

Maybe she could join in on Pipp and find what Misty is truly afraid of? Or maybe she could just do a vlog about the history of HUMAN horror. Like the referrence in the name: Nightmare on Elm Street. Show them what a classical and viseral horror is like.

The Isle of Scaly
Does Anon invalidate the point of the map to the Isle of Scaly and the Marestream trip? No.

When the group meets with Spike, does Anon...
Not get recognised by Spike because the effects of Twilight and Hunger's spell are still wearing off?*
Ask Spike what happened to Dragon Lord Ember and other dragons she knew?

I doubt that the memory spell lasted this long. Two Nightmare Nights has already passed. But I think it's the other way round. Spike did mention that the magical hibernation gave him some wicked brain fog. Sparky has Ember's colouration, but I'll leave this up to you. Someone must have fertilized Sparky's egg within the century. Unless there is a dragon flame that messes with time and sent Sparky far into the future?

Oh, and the Dragonlands. What happened to it? It's so tiny now.

Roots of All Evil
During Hitch's defence of Maretime Bay, does Anon... Underestimate Opaline and have her mark taken?

Like said above, Anon hasn't gotten to challenging an Alicorn one on one properly. Unless you count Celestia, the cake, and a box, she still losses. Maybe this could be the reminder that Anon has to trust that fate (no entity or gods attached) or history repeats itself: ponykind will find a way to harmony (no entity or gods attached either).

Epilogue
In the aftermath of Roots of All Evil, does Anon decide to finally establish her hive? Yes.

I don't see why not.

If yes, where should Anon establish her hive? The Ruins of Opaline's Castle.

This is the perfect place. She could try to convince the trapped Alicorn the way to friendship; Opaline does seem to likely to return and she has something that Discord doesn't have: a backstory. The perfect place where they both could come to an understanding. A place where Anon can learn to forgive her, and herself. She has lots of forgiving to make up for lost time.

If yes, who should Anon use as a donor for her first brood?
Alphabittle Hell no.

Unless Anon's relationship to Misty is different, Alphabittle is practically Anon's stepfather now.

I would say to let this stew a bit longer and try a vote then. It'll be interesting to see what kind of love interest Anon has brewed up during his stay with the new Mane Sixes. There are a lot of potential relationships waiting to happen from your "Have You Seen This Dragon" until this point.

If yes, would you want a one off NSFW side-fic covering the conception of Anon's brood?
Yes.

It's always interesting to see if any author is up to it. I mean, just look at all those SFW artists! They eventually dip into the dark side^tm. Though... it can be hard to get out since apparently it pays a lot. Hell, I wouldn't be surprise if this side story shoots up to the feature box; your Anon stories already does.

Will I read it? Eh, it is mood dependent or the premise is interesting.

Damn, you made me get on the computer for this long reply.

[Seven Fates]

5756529
Thing with a Nightmare Moon costume is that in the TyT animation, the first nightmare night (as in what would naturally come before Winter Wishday and the 'second year') has Sunny donning a Nightmare Moon costume. My thought was to have Anon do some illusions on her to make the costume more legit.

At first, I was gonna disagree with you on your assertions that Anon wouldn't be able to stand up to Opaline (even in her weakened state), but I realise that most of her options for direct intervention involve more... lethal means that would either endanger others, or risk breaking the oath. I still think Opaline would not be expecting buckshot. Hamstrung though she is, the Berserker spell she invented as a foal would probably put her on even footing, even if her opponent has increased durability because winged horny.

In the endgame, I think if she were to confront the alicorn, she'd probably pull her into a pocket reality (not unlike her her magic storage) and fight her there, where she could cut loose. I think she'd probably still underestimate Opaline and get her mark taken, maybe stranding her there temporarily. With her separated from the world, her mark wouldn't return to her, so she'd have to have some sort of recall spell left behind, or someone finds some other way to retrieve her.

[Theresa hall]

I do think that she should tell sunny and friends everything that happened in the past and how she was forced into not telling and twilight knew that friendship would sooner or later save the day. And how she did what she did what she could to keep the alicorn mind off her new family and friends . How she hated not being allowed to stop the monster shaped like a pony.