Idea Burst: Once Upon a Time in Equestria (Part 1)

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I like to daydream a lot. About shows I like, stories I have in mind, crossovers I'd love to see but most likely never will, etc. I also love listing things I come up with/have a passion for. Whether it be creating episode lists, listing every Doctor/companion team in Doctor Who, studying the chronology of MLP, etc. I just love doing that kind of stuff.

A little while ago, I came up with an idea that I really wanted to make a list out of. MLP in the style of of the ABC show Once Upon a Time. Not an actual crossover but rather told in a similar style. Each episode featuring a character flashback, each episode having a unique title card relating to the events within the episode, half-season arcs, crossover characters, etc. I ended up making a list of episodes spanning three seasons and 78 episodes. It's not a project I plan to ever do (as I'm already tied up enough with my two Doctors Whooves series) but I enjoyed making the list. So, for the heck of it, I decided to share it with all of you. Perhaps somebody out there can take inspiration from my random idea burst and come up with an interesting series of their own. I decided to split this up into a three parts because if I put the entire list in one blog, it would be insanely long. So, without any further delay, here's the first part of the list of episodes I came up with for the idea burst I call Once Upon a Time in Equestria.

Also, quick note, this "series" takes place after the events of Season 4.

Season 1

Episode 1: Welcome to Equestria:
Plot: Twilight Sparkle awakens to find that Canterlot High and its inhabitants have suddenly appeared on the outskirts of Ponyville. Confusion begins to break out amongst the inhabitants of Ponyville and Canterlot High and Twilight must work together with both sets of her friends to keep everyone and everypony calm. In the past, Sunset Shimmer and her friends work on a song for the upcoming Winter Formal.
Character Backstory: Sunset Shimmer, AU Rainbow Dash, AU Applejack, AU Rarity, AU Fluttershy, AU Pinkie Pie, Flash Sentry
Title Card: Canterlot High

Episode 2: A Strange New World:
Plot: Twilight is tasked with bringing the inhabitants of Ponyville and Canterlot High together and the two Pinkie Pies plan a huge party. Meanwhile, old grudges come up between Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Chrysalis and AU Twilight finds herself disoriented from both finding herself in a new world and suffering from slight amnesia. In the past, Vice Principal Chrysalis goes to extreme lengths to keep her job.
Character Backstory: Vice Principal Chrysalis, Principal Celestia, Vice Principal Luna
Title Card: AU Twilight being chased by Timberwolves

Episode 3: Reflections:
Plot: Twilight seeks guidance from her fellow princesses about finding a way to send Canterlot High back to its world. Meanwhile, Sunset searches for information at the Castle of the Regal Sisters with her friends and AU Twilight finds a friend in Zecora. In the past, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna discover one of Star-Swirl the Bearded's oldest inventions.
Character Backstory: Princess Celestia, Princess Luna, Star-Swirl the Bearded
Title Card: The Mirror

Episode 4: The Student:
Plot: Twilight helps Sunset face her fears and meet with Celestia for the first time since she ran away. Meanwhile, Twilight and Sunset's friends become suspicious of VP Chrysalis as she researches Equestria's world. AU Shining Armor also continues the search for his sister. In the past, Sunset questions her worth as Celestia's pupil.
Character Backstory: Sunset Shimmer, Princess Celestia
Title Card: Sunset Shimmer casting a Spell

Episode 5: Double Twilight:
Plot: Twilight and AU Twilight finally meet and VP Chrysalis takes an odd interest in AU Twilight's return. Meanwhile, Discord meets AU Fluttershy, Applejack and Rainbow Dash have an iron pony competition with their human counterparts, and things get awkward when Sunset investigates the Castle of the Regal Sisters with Flash and Spike. In the past, Twilight finds a friend in a new student at Celestia's school.
Character Backstory: Twilight Sparkle, Grayscale/Queen Chrysalis, Spike
Title Card: Twilight and AU Twilight making each other Levitate

Episode 6: The Green Eye:
Plot: VP Chrysalis sets out to steal the spellbook from Sunset while AU Twilight seeks out ways to restore her memories. In the past, VP Chrysalis learns about Equestria from a series of encounters with a mysterious trio.
Character Backstory: Vice Principal Chrysalis, Adagio Dazzle, Sonata Dusk, Aria Blaze
Title Card: The Sirens

Episode 7: The Pony of Shadows:
Plot: VP Chrysalis leaves Ponyville to cast a deadly spell in the Castle of the Regal Sisters. Meanwhile, The two Twilights, Sunset, and Flash investigate some mysterious events happening in Canterlot High. In the past, Celestia faces the aftermath of Luna's banishment.
Character Backstory: Princess Celestia, The Pony of Shadows/King Sombra
Title Card: The Pony of Shadows

Episode 8: Empire of the Changelings:
Plot: AU Twilight begins to regain her lost memories while VP Chrysalis heads into the Changeling Empire and meets her changeling self. In the past, AU Twilight joins Principal Cadance, AU Shining Armor, and VP Chrysalis on a trip to Canterlot High.
Character Backstory: AU Twilight Sparkle, Vice Principal Chrysalis, Principal Cadance, AU Shining Armor, Principal Celestia, Vice Principal Luna
Title Card: Vice Principal Chrysalis surrounded by Green Smoke

Episode 9: Shoot the Moon:
Plot: VP Chrysalis and Queen Chrysalis plan a deadly plot for the Princesses. Meanwhile, the principals and Princesses have their first meeting and AU Twilight starts having visions. In the past, Luna has a heart-to-heart with Celestia after returning from the Moon.
Character Backstory: Princess Luna, Princess Celestia
Title Card: Princess Luna Falling

Episode 10: The Swarm:
Plot: With Princess Luna in critical condition, VP Chrysalis and Queen Chrysalis set their sights on invading Equestria. However, Twilight figures there are darker forces at work and sees AU Twilight's visions as a key to the answers she seeks. In the past, Discord defends his throne against a new and dangerous enemy.
Character Backstory: Discord, Mother Changeling
Title Card: The Changeling Swarm

Episode 11: In the Name of the Sister:
Plot: AU Twilight has been possessed by Sombra, who also influences the wills of VP Chrysalis and Queen Chrysalis. Twilight must find a way to save AU Twilight while the Princesses and Discord work together to fend off the changeling army. In the past, AU Twilight helps someone get a second chance after moving to Canterlot City.
Character Backstory: AU Twilight Sparkle, Vice Principal Chrysalis, Principal Cadance, AU Shining Armor
Title Card: Principal Cadance driving her Car

Episode 12: The Battle of Ponyville:
Plot: The changelings are invading Ponyville and AU Twilight's life force is failing as King Sombra slowly returns to full strength. Principal Celestia goes to face VP Chrysalis head on while Twilight and her friends work to stop the changelings and Sombra. In the past, King Sombra finds a new path to success following his defeat.
Character Backstory: King Sombra, Queen Chrysalis, Vice Principal Chrysalis, AU Twilight Sparkle
Title Card: Twilight Sparkle and Queen Chrysalis clashing Horns

Episode 13: Rainbow Power:
Plot: Twilight and AU Twilight enter a harsh psychological battle with Sombra as VP Chrysalis is forced to make a tough decision as she faces her past. Meanwhile, an ancient power must be released in full in order to save all of Equestria. In the past, Star-Swirl the Bearded discovers a new source of magical power.
Character Backstory: Star-Swirl the Bearded, Princess Sparkle
Title Card: The Tree of Harmony

Episode 14: The Awakening:
Plot: Following the defeat of Sombra and the changelings, Twilight is horrified to discover that the Tree of Harmony has been destroyed. Meanwhile, a mysterious human named Megan Williams has appeared in Ponyville and she has a bone to pick with Princess Twilight Sparkle. In the past, the Williams siblings find themselves flung into another world.
Character Backstory: Megan Williams, Danny Williams, Molly Williams, Princess Sparkle
Title Card: Princess Sparkle

Episode 15: Heart of Gold:
Plot: Twilight agrees to help Megan find her brother and sister but the others are suspicious of her. Meanwhile, Discord investigates some mysterious phenomena in the north. In the past, Megan comes across a pair of bickering brothers while exploring.
Character Backstory: Megan Williams, Scorpan, Tirek
Title Card: Scorpan holding the Heart Locket

Episode 16: The First Human:
Plot: Twilight, Megan, and Spike travel to Canterlot to consult with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna about Equestria's past. In Ponyville, AU Twilight and Sunset take on leadership roles in Twilight's absence. In the past, Star-Swirl the Bearded crosses paths with something he has never seen before.
Character Backstory: Star-Swirl the Bearded, Megan Williams, Scorpan
Title Card: Megan Williams

Episode 17: The Diary of Emerald Spark:
Plot: A trip to the Crystal Empire leads to Twilight discovery a story about one of her ancestors and Megan making a startling discovery. In Ponyville, Applejack gets some help to investigate some mysterious guests in Sweet Apple Acres. In the past, a simple unicorn named Emerald Spark is forced to fight a dangerous woman.
Character Backstory: Emerald Spark, The Gray Witch
Title Card: Emerald Spark

Episode 18: Nameless:
Plot: In Ponyville, Sunset has gone missing and AU Twilight taps into the magic of Twilight's castle to find her. Discord faces off against a mysterious figure from the west and Megan sets her sights on Manehattan. In the past, Danny meets a strange character while out walking with Princess Sparkle.
Character Backstory: Danny Williams, Princess Sparkle, Nobody
Title Card: Danny Williams riding on Nobody's back

Episode 19: It's Always Cloudy in Manehattan:
Plot: Twilight, Megan, and Spike arrive in Manehattan and discover something suspicious. Sunset attempts to escape her kidnappers, Discord has Danny share his life story, and Princess Celestia makes an unexpected trip into Tartarus. In the past, Molly attempts to console an angered Tirek.
Character Backstory: Molly Williams, Tirek
Title Card: Molly Williams Skipping

Episode 20: The Cloaks:
Plot: A sinister organization known as the Cloaks has revealed itself and it forces Megan to face mistakes from her past. Discord and Danny work together to save Sunset as a dark prophecy starts to unfold. In the past, Tirek's search for power and strength reaches its breaking point.
Character Backstory: Tirek, Scorpan, Star-Swirl the Bearded, Megan Williams
Title Card: A group of Cloaks Running

Episode 21: Fear the Smooze:
Plot: Megan puts herself to the test as she faces off against an old enemy in Canterlot and Twilight begins to question her ability to keep those she cares for safe. Danny sets out to reunite with his sister, Discord senses a dark evil approaching from over the horizon, and life continues on in Ponyville with AU Twilight and Flash going on their first date. In the past, Megan and Star-Swirl team up to face off against a deadly duo.
Character Backstory: Megan Williams, Star-Swirl the Bearded, The Gray Witch, The Smooze
Title Card: The Smooze

Episode 22: The Invasion:
Plot: Megan and Danny have reunited but the return of the Gray Witch and the rise of the Cloaks is close at hand. The travelers return to Ponyville in order to prepare for battle. In the past, the Williams siblings and their friends defend Equestria against Tirek.
Character Backstory: Megan Williams, Danny Williams, Molly Williams, Star-Swirl the Bearded, Scorpan, Tirek, Princess Sparkle, Nobody
Title Card: Tirek Charging

Episode 23: Children of Harmony:
Plot: Something is rumbling underneath Canterlot Castle and Canterlot High. Twilight senses a deeper connection between the Williams and the Gray Witch. In the past, a young Twilight and Shining Armor stumble across something while exploring.
Character Backstory: Twilight Sparkle, Shining Armor, The Gray Witch
Title Card: Young Shining Armor

Episode 24: The Witch is Here:
Plot: The Gray Witch has returned and she's set her sights on destroying Equestria, starting with Ponyville. Megan and Danny must face their past and admit their connection to the Witch. In the past, Molly starts changing after the defeat of Tirek.
Character Backstory: Molly Williams/The Gray Witch, Megan Williams, Danny Williams, Star-Swirl the Bearded, Scorpan, Princess Sparkle
Title Card: The Gray Witch

Episode 25: The Dark Rainbow Cometh:
Plot: The Gray Witch starts her attack by using her deadliest creation: the Dark Rainbow. Twilight and the others struggle against her magic as Megan and Danny set out for a way to restore their sister. In the past, the Gray Witch sets out to take Tirek's power..
Character Backstory: The Gray Witch, Tirek, Star-Swirl the Bearded, Scorpan, Princess Sparkle
Title Card: The Dark Rainbow

Episode 26: Road to Dawn:
Plot: Megan and Danny face off against the Gray Witch for the final time. Twilight becomes willing to sacrifice anything to protect those she loves. In the past, Megan and Danny set out to bring their sister back and the effects of their last battle with the Gray Witch will not only affect them but all of Equestria's history afterwards.
Character Backstory: Megan Williams, Danny Williams/Nameless, The Gray Witch, Star-Swirl the Bearded, Scorpan, Princess Sparkle, Princess Celestia
Title Card: Megan Williams, Danny Williams, and Molly Williams Running

Comments

[BioniclesaurKing4t2]

Wow, 78 episodes? And I think that a new story idea of mine potentially spanning 20-some chapters is a lot. These are good ideas, somebody tell me if they actually start writing something based on this.

Also, had a look back into a bit of G1, have you? What's your opinion on what's there? Does it stand on its own, or is it just a place to borrow and rewrite/repurpose lore ideas from?

[MariusIoannesP]

Wow. That looks great! If I weren't writing my own ambitious series of stories, I would totally do this. But I can't.

[Amber flicker]

I'd love to see someone do this. MLP in the style of ouat seems like someone should have thought of it before, but I haven't seen it. I wish I had the time!