Following One's Heart · 8:45am Jan 22nd, 2014
In recent days, I have found myself becoming torn over part of The Lost Element's storyline. Namely the relationship between James and Fluttershy.
For those who have spoken to me, you are likely aware that The Lost Element was originally spawned by a roleplay I had with my ex girlfriend some time ago. If one looks closely at the first four chapters, it was quite clear that the original lover James was set to become involved with was Rarity. The original storyline I had in mind is still incomplete on DeviantART and Sofurry. The reason I ultimately decided to rewrite things to have things go with Fluttershy instead was largely because James, and therefore myself, feel closer to her in terms of personality and interests.
However, I recently went back and finished a brief chapter for the original Rarity storyline as a means to give the readers some closure before placing it on hiatus. And in that time, I rediscovered just how precious Rarity is to me. And I now think I know why.
For a time, I felt that I personally had a strong connection to two of the Mane Six, namely Fluttershy and Twilight Sparkle. Fluttershy due to her gentle nature, living area, love for animals, and general lifestyle, and Twilight due to her logical mindset, similar pet peeves, interests, and similar backgrounds. I even must say that of the Mane Six, Twilight is the one I hold the strongest personal connection to and can relate to the most. But with Rarity... There is a deeper reason.
The Mane Six each embody a virtue. And while Twilight's virtue of Magic, which I honestly think is really supposed to be Wisdom, I honestly cannot say I am the wisest of men. And with Fluttershy's virtue being Kindness, I can also say that I am not always the kindest person. While I do try to be as pleasant as possible at all times, I can think very mean thoughts and be very cynical about certain subjects and events. But with Rarity's virtue being Generosity... I feel a much stronger connection.
While my wisdom and kindness are certainly never constant, the virtue of Generosity seems to always remain constant with me. And I feel through this that Rarity just feels......right for me. Like when you share that specific virtue over the other five with that one member of the Mane Six and just know "She is the one."
To that effect, I feel I may have made a mistake by going back and altering the storyline to favor Fluttershy. And to that, I must ask for a second opinion.
Would it be wise for the relationship with Fluttershy and James to not work out in the end so James may find his true special somepony in the bearer of Generosity, the virtue he holds constantly in his heart? I know full well that break-ups are never pleasant and painful to read about. But as shown in Between Rainbows and Butterflies, some relationships are just not meant to be.
So, what is your thought on this? The relationship falls apart, or they stick with it to the very end?
I'd have him stay with Fluttershy and work things out... "Love will find a way"
If you choose to break up with Fluttershy, James may lose the respect of some of his friends. Fluttershy could break down and never recover and many of the others may never forgive James for doing so.
You need to think about what would happen if James left her. Would Rarity forgive him for leaving Fluttershy? Where would Scootaloo stay if Rarity wouldn't take her in? So really, it's not just about what you choose to go with, it's also about how you choose to go with it.
If you choose to stay with Fluttershy you don't have to warry about all of that. But if you choose to move on and join Rarity, be careful about how you go with it. And now my opinion. I think you should move to a romantic relation with Rarity.
I’ll just say that you should do what you feel is the best cause of action, but since that like saying nothing I’ll elaborate.
I think that if you continue to write the story like its going(FSxOC), it might not be bad at all. Also you will probably dodge some hate from all the Fluttershy worshipers.
Still, I think its best if its like you say and you feel Rarity is the better choice. Then do it. I can't say for certain... but if you write the story and there is a small part of you that thinks that you should change it, then you will probably not write it at your best. Makes sense?
Anyway, here is my two bits off opinion/advice...hope its helps.
In the end it's your story. Do what you want with it.
).
Personally I think it would be interesting to see how they handle a break up but at the same time I rather like their relationship and rather not see it end (I don't think I could handle seeing/imagining a sad/heart-broken Fluttershy
You said you have another version on DA so why not make two seperate versions? one with FluttershyxOC (here on fimfic) and the other RarityxOC (on DA) or if you feel up to it 3 versions. The previous two and another either here or on DA where James and Flutters break up and then He hooks up with Rarity. Then again that's just a whole lot more work for you to do that doesn't need to be done to begin with but hey, do what you feel is right.
Anyway that's my two cents time for bed
You're beyond balls deep at this point with the path you chose. It's been a long time since I read the Rarity segments, and quite awhile since I read TLE in general as well. However, you've got 565k down now. It'd probably be a massive headache given the multitude of characterization, interactions, fallout, etc., that would come about from such a major change at this point in the story.
I'm also assuming you ruled out herds as a potential in this story at some point? Like I said, it's been a long time since those early chapters, so I don't recall. It'd be the neatest way to wrap things up though, cause honestly, relationships that fall apart suck to read, even if it may be for the best in the writer's eyes.
Ultimately, it's really up to you. I think you made a decision all that time ago, and now it seems like regardless of the choice, it's going to suck to some degree. Breaks are never clean, after all, and you're going to have a lot of things crop up if you go that route. Keeping them together might be against your interest, though.
And honestly, not truly related, but this is why people who are gung-ho against polygamy in the FIM fanfiction make me laugh at times, because conflicts like this come up and it's a lose-lose scenario to some degree that could easily be avoided with one change in the outlook. This is my personal musing though, so don't mind me here.
Good luck making your choice.
I say stick with the split storylines with one being for Rarity the other being Fluttershy's.
In all honesty mate, you're way too into the story to change anything like that.
It'd be an absolute nightmare to have to go back and re-read the character/relationship building chapters, simply because there's just so much to re-read.
Stick to what you have buddy, if you really wanna do this, then I'd recommend writing a what-if story, perhaps with a chapter or two dedicated to Rarity and James, if not any other characters like Rainbow and Nightmare.
That's my advice anyhow.
If I were you, I'd just make a what-if version or something. Seriously, this story has came FAR too long for even a single soul to have to rewrite that. So it's best you just stick with what's going good right now because it is. I seriously have been with this story from the start and I like it this way. Sure you're going to have conflicting emotions about what you have up to this point but you must still find the good in those decisions you made.
Switching over to rarity now would be difficult and messy, no one wants to see fluthershy cry
I know you have shot the idea down before but ... herd, serously it would be realy intrestting to see how james deals with a herd esspically if he's confussed about how he should feel about the situation.
Also I am glad to see you are still writing, this was the first fanfic i ever read (back on sofury) and what got me intrested in MLP in the first place, so keep up the good work
1746193
The thing is, he already has the Rarity chapters made. He has them posted on a few other sites as their own story. Same characters, but instead of going with the ring he chose for this story, he went with a significantly more expensive ring in the chapter "Ups and Downs". From there, he has about three or four more chapters done for Rarity's version (last chapter was him saying goodbye to NMM for the first time).
I'd recommend doing the same here. If you really want to have the Rarity-version, post it as it's own story. I'd then vote for making a chapter where he's paired with Luna, NMM, Twilight and Dash. A lot of work, sure (though it would be easier given that you already have all of the plot points ready, just different character reactions and interactions). However, I think it would be worth it.
Stay as is. Maybe make an alternate version? Though seriously to change it now especially after all that your OC has done for Fluttershy is a very bad move. I think if you do you will lose a LOT of supporters to this story. I highly disagree with the change after getting so deep in the story. However, as I previously stated you could do an alternate 'What-if' version of the story for the OC and Rarity, or you could do a herd/harem if you so chose. So, changing now is a bad move.
I feel this story has come to far to be changed now so maybe do the Rarity chapters as a what if story line.
My vote is to follow the lines of stories like Xenophilia, and have them adopt a herd mentality; have both Rarity and Fluttershy be in a relationship with James,
Why not both?
But seriously, why not both.
I think I made a contradiction in my previous comment. So, let me try again.
It's true some relationships don't work out in the end... but that doesn't mean all breakups weren't a mistake. When I read your Pokemon stories I was a little unsure about your writing. Yet, seeing what you are writing right now in a style that I haven't seen in a few fics makes this one really unique. The humor, the battles, the mystery, this is truly a good fic. However, if you're so worried about which of the Mane Six to go with, why not complete this fic and make separate alternate ones, like the one you did with Rarity. I know 3 separate stories revolving around the same settings sounds a bit far fetched (no pun intended for the pokemon) but you got a creative writing style and a very good way of putting things into perspective without going out of character with the Mane Six, let alone any other ponies. (I'm correcting the contradiction you pointed out in the comments)
But... If you are planning a breakup with Fluttershy in your fic, then however you do it is fine... I'm just going to feel the same feeling I had when Twilight became a Princess in the series. Happiness and sadness. To be honest, I'm curious to see how the story will go if James was with Rarity, or Twilight. I don't feel like seeing the sweet kind and most gentle mare in all of Equestria, crying.
Bottom line for my opinion, stick with Fluttershy. But this is not my story, and I can't control how the story goes. It's your story, so whatever you decide to do, then it's your boat to float, or in this case, whatever floats your boat.
I'll post my comment here since my DA account is being finicky.
You've already declared you can't go with a harem, so only one will be happy.
heart too, so accepting 
would be...tricky without hurting RD even more. 
hmm...he broke
Not to mention the emotional trauma of poor fluttershy.
but if you managed to make it work out though, the story could easily be 190% cooler.
So in the end the outcomes are:
, and going to
and suppressing your feelings for the others. 
1. break up with fluttershy, leaving her with a kid
2.staying with
3. swallow your pride and accept them all.
But I guess I'm rambling, whatever you decide, I'll continue supporting you regardless of how I feel about your choice.
I would say to be able to keep things good, that you do a separate story where he's with Rarity instead. of Fluttershy. You've gone too far in the story to have Fluttershy break up and it would be too painful to all parties to see that. I would be hard working on another story, but I think it would be the better choice. This is just my opinion.
I'm not sure you should break up with Futtershy man, it's just wrong. I mean, you adopted Scoots as your lil sis and you all are living under the same roof. Plus y'all seem content with how things are working, so if you do that, you're just gonna regret ever doing that. And like Scoots said: you're much like a father to her then a brother. Which in-turn makes Futters the mother, so breaking up is gonna break lil Scoot's heart and you don't want to hurt a little kid do you? NO!!! OF COURSE NOT!!!
So my answer is pretty much a big NO. Don't you dare even think about it man, you mated with her for the love of god, you both own each other's virginity, so there's a little bonus to prove my point.
But if you REALLY want to go through with it, then do it separately. I've seen the one with you and Rares together on SoFurry, I like it but not as much, it's a bit too depressing and grim dark so... Yeah that's basically it.
Can offer my own thoughts but it won't be as long as the others or as explained either, pretty much just to the point and handed to you. My own thought is the matter is to maybe give the herd idea a try. I have been reading the story since chapter 1 when it was first posted on not just SoFurry but Furaffinity as well. I knew that a few people asked about that as well and you said it was something to not likely happen but with the situation you now find yourself in I do think it could be the best course of action to at least TRY. Prevent minimal damage to the characters in the story and with the people that read it while also seeing if you could actually grow to do and perhaps even like a Herd based story. Have some people you know and trust read a chapter before posting it, get their thoughts and see what they think.
1750276 I am considering trying something slightly similar to that, though not as extreme in the next chapter.
1750498 *Nods* I think that it really is worth trying the concept out. You can never know something unless you try after all
Could make it happen paced out and slowly decide who you want with James if you do become comfortable with the idea. That way with it happening at a reasonable pace you could make changes to future chapters just in case it turns out that the idea isn't for you 
I think most people that suggest the herd idea aren't doing it because they just want to see James, to put it bluntly, 'boning everypony' because while this has had the occasional chapter with clop here and there it isn't focused on it. I truly thing that people suggest it because they think that really do want to help steer you away from things that may cause regret or frustration for you in the future and that it could make James and everypony that cares for him happy.
1750588 I'll be honest. I have discovered over the years that writing sex scenes for the sake of inducing arousal has never been a strong suit of mine and that it is a writing style I simply am not suited for. It seems I can only write it in such a way that comes off as soothing and sweet.
1751534 I'm really sorry that I'm going to say this, Humanity... but I simply must vote against the idea of making a herd... hear me out though. The reason I don't see it a good idea is because Equestria is a world full of sentient equines, along with some minotaurs, griffons, etc but that's besides the point. A herd is not something that Equestria does. Even though they're equines, they're not exactly for making a herd. I know it hasn't been decided yet, but I'm just not seeing it as a good idea. Just an opinion from a reader. An animal forms a herd, but not intelligent beings like the Mane 6 and all the equines in equestria... please forgive me if this does offend you. I'm not comfortable with the idea.
1757941 Relax. I'm not one for the herd mentality either. I doubt I would have the integrity for it anyway.
1751534 Of course and just to clear up any confusion, I wasn't saying you should write clop simply for the sake of it. I had meant that I think most people aren't only interested in seeing that when come to read this story. I think that they keep coming back is because of what you've been able to create. Anyway, I am sorry for rambling on
Gave you my thought and I will try not to bother you so much
1757968 I see, that's a load off my chest. I kinda panicked there for a second, and assumed the worst out of you. It's one of those times that I'm glad to be proven wrong.
What was I thinking.
1758030 Thanks for clearing that up. It's good to see the herd not happening anytime soon. I kinda got worried when I've seen the other comments saying start a herd. That ideal reeks with out-of-character(OOC) written all over it, at least to me... And I don't like stories that go OOC. Like that sadistic story, "Cupcakes"...
1759259 Hehe, no worries. I can't speak for others but for myself it was nothing more then a suggestion for him to ponder on. Also...don't ever mention cupcakes...that almost actually ruined the small sugary treat for me
1761217 Sorry... Still, I can't imagine anyone with sick minds making "that" story...
Honestly? Just write whatever you want, sometimes break ups happen. Sometimes they don't happen. Though I've always been a fan of herds. The problem for us is you have given us rainbow, rarity and nightmare as additional love interests. If he broke up with fluttershy for whatever reason, rainbow would be their in a second trying to move in. Nightmare would also be interested, and while she might not see him physically I could see her visiting him every night in his dreams. Rarity showed interest in him early, but hasn't really acted all that in love with him lately. All in all, it's up to you, but I do love me a herd.