A Ratio Approaching One and G5 - Ideas and Feedback Requested · 5:39am Feb 10th, 2022
In an earlier post, years ago by now I am certain, I discussed some other story ideas I wanted to try out. One of these was what I called "A Ratio Approaching One," where certain scenes/episodes of FiM were re-imagined in an Equestria where the ratio of mares to stallions was closer to 1:1. A different take from the usual Rule 63 story where it's all flipped for everyone. The main point was to explore the different social dynamics that would be brought about if only some of the cast were born as stallions rather that mares. Things like Artemis (Stallion!Luna) tripping every mare's Bad Boy switch while dealing with a now much older sister treating him more like her son than a brother and equal. Or Rainbow Blitz feeling very threatened when AJ (still a mare) is getting a lot of attention from Trenderhoof (meanwhile AJ is Anime Harem Antagonist levels of dense in regards to Blitz' interest in her). Twilight going to the Human World to deal with Bad Boy Sunset,turning the rating to PG-13 out of nowhere. That sort of thing.
With G5 and a pretty clean slate, I am tempted to do a one shot of moments from the A New Generation movie with this approach taken.
For example, Sprout having issues trying to live up to his father's expectations while also trying to assert himself as his own man - er, stallion ("You aren't in charge anymore daddy! I AM!").
Sunny Starscout having feelings that are strange and confusing with Himbo!Izzy Moonbow in the picture (you cannot tell me Izzy would not be a smarter Kronk, I will die on this specific hill - Izzy is already the tallest of the cast, so a due version would be even bigger, and from there it's easy to imagine him being bulky, and he already has the sweet disposition, Izzy just isn't quite as dumb, making 'Himbo' a suspect descriptor), and Hitch's mission to get Sunny back is also paired with concern over her being 'in the clutches' of a dangerous unicorn stallion without anypony around to keep an eye on them, acting like a Hero straight out of Regency and Victorian Melodramas, trying to save Sunny from becoming a 'fallen mare.' The colt has a big enough Hero Complex to fall into that mindset before Zephyr Heights ("THIS ISN'T MY KID!").
One aspect I realized that I find hilarious is that with swapping only two of the Mane 5 to stallions, the group is no longer Hitch's Harem, but Sunny's!
The only character I am uncertain what to do with are the Pegasi Princesses... Okay that's a lie. Zipp stays as a mare for me as Sunny's Gay Option as some way to balance things, because I soon realized that the cast size means that this exercise quickly flips the MLP sex ratio to far in the other direction. No, Zipp stays a Mare, meaning Pipp becomes a stallion.
Now... How to play it?
Because it is super easy to just make Stallion!Pipp (crud I need a name...) to just be a super effeminate stallion. And there's nothing wrong with that take. Steven Magnet alone justifies that in-universe. Plus, it creates a more prominent contrast between the siblings, with the tomboy sister Zipp being balanced by the Metrosexual brother Stallion!Pipp. I envision moments where Zipp is even more exasperated with her brother than canon, calling him "such a fop" (synonyms being equally likely, but I find 'fop' more fun). Plus depending on how effeminate his is, that provides room for fun where Hitch is initially assuming he is a she until the proverbial Bridgette gets dropped on him.
However... Well, Pipp is meant as one-part commentary and one-part stand-in for the modern day Internet Influencer/YouTuber. And unfortunately, the above model doesn't really work in that light. Now, (un)fortunately, I don't immerse myself in that part of social media (I ignore SM like the plague really, and I find my mental health benefits from it), so my pool of "Male Influencer References" are limited. But the best example I can come up with is Markiplier: Masculine, confident, funny. A lot of content is either video game let's plays (I! AM THE KING! OF THREE NIGHTS AT TREEHUGGER'S!), or him and friends/fans doing dumb challenges.
Unfortunately, those qualities quickly turn a Stallion!Pipp into a Himbo, same as Izzy. Now, he would be a different flavor of Himbo, but with less Kindness in the formula of "Dumb*Strong*Kind." Which is fine, but it hits some speedbumps.
1) Pipp is smol. Being a short stack is part of her charm (which she is in desperate need of in this time until the show comes out and gives us more personality). So big buff Markiplier/Himbo basis does not work.
2) Himbo - as established - is Male!Izzy's schtick. Having two Himbo's would dilute that.
So, I am fishing for feedback on this. Which works better for a Stallion!Pipp Petel? Fruitcake Pipp? or Influencer!Pipp? If the latter, how best would it work so that he isn't just parasiting Izzy's thing?
Furthermore, do you have any ideas you'd like to see explored?
Fascinating ideas. I'll note that an artist is exploring a complete gender swap G5, and their work may offer some inspiration. But I do like the idea of selective swapping to even out the main cast of either era of Equestria. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.
(Especially reformed Sunset dealing with human Twilight, who may or may not develop a crush on him after the Friendship Games, but that's my personal bias showing.)
5635160
Hmm... Well, I am both intrigued at what someone else has thought of... And (hopefully) understandably reluctant to look to deep into someone else's work, lest I take ideas without permission. Weird see-saw.
I will say this as I am working on the Sunny/Izzy first meeting and conversation at the light house: Sunny Starscout the thirsty mare desperate for Beefcake Stallions is something I find absolutely hilarious to write, and I hope anyone else I inspire takes up the torch.
Pictured: Sunny and her FO:E-style little pony in her head while thinking about Hitch and/or Izzy Moonbow (male).
i.imgur.com/NgLkctn.gif