Final Letter
I've been thinking long and hard on how I was going to write this. So many times I would rehears it in my head, and a lot of times it just got tangled up in a huge mess. I realized I was trying to inset FIVE YEARS worth of ideas, explanations, apologies, thank yours and everything into one letter. But, I also realized a lot of these were more personal than anything, so rather than leave them out in the open, I'm going to focus more on why I'm retiring from anymore Little Pony Legend Projects, Why it's become precious to me and how it all started.
I think I can't start with how it began without explaining more about the two shows this saga focuses on. And that's My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic and The Legend of Korra. There is no hiding my love for MLP. From the very first time I saw "Dragon Shy", I was hooked. Legend of Korra was a show I eagerly awaited ever since I first heard about it and I will admit that book 1 was my favorite season overall, alongside book 3 and the second half of season 2. (Not gonna lie, season 2 was a mess!)
In full honesty, I wasn't aware that I was making a "Fix Fic" at the time. I just saw myself playing around with the idea of the two shows meeting, and with the interactions between characters. I didn't have wireless internet until my second year of college so throughout my life I had a telephone line that I used to connect to the internet. It was so slow I had to wait TWO HOURS for a YouTube video to upload. I wasn't active on social media until I moved to my grandmothers and THEN I had the wireless internet… in 2013. Needless to say, I was way more naive about the internet world and fandoms back then.
Over time, I just grew to love the idea of the two shows combining. There was so much to chew on and since it was a personal project to begin with I focused more on what I wanted to see and how I wanted things to work out. The first chapters of the story were in script format (Yeah, I know), but thanks to the support and generosity of my best friend Atea1793, I started writing the story more like, well, a story. I got inspiration from my favorite books and references wherever I could.
It was during my early stages, so please forgive me for the naive and at times REALLY stupid mistakes I had made at the time. I was still new and learning as I went, thankfully Atea helped me through it.
In fact, a mayor part of the Legend's story is because of her. She contacted me via YouTube and suggested Avatar Wan being accompanied by somebody from Equestria, like maybe the leaders of the four tribes or Celestia and Luna's parents and a connection to the Tree of Harmony. That's how White and Leilani and the AU version of the origins of the Tree and Elements of Harmony came to being! Yes, book 2's history of how the two worlds were connected wouldn't have been possible if not for her. Words can't express how much I still treasure our friendship, Atea. All the fun moments, laughs and tears we shared will forever hold a special place in my heart. It's why I ended the saga with Leilani in the forefront.
In honor of you.
From then on, Atea and I worked on the story as the episodes kept coming in, working around certain things in cannon to make the pieces fit, and leaving a HUGE gaping hole open in between "The Great Change" and "Balance of the Heart" to insert season 5 of MLP (A Kingdom of Friendship). I'm still surprised so many ideas managed to remain and fit into the story.
The experience I had in making this fanfic, meeting Atea and all of you guys has made me realize I wanted to try out writing. It became a way for me to self reflect on myself. I wanted to get better, and I wanted to continue making stories. RE-writing an already existing material simply for fun and to share with friends, old and new, was a nice way to practice.
I know I wasn't the perfect writer, and yes I made a ton of mistakes, some of which I still cringe upon looking back or want to slap myself in the face for it, but I'm glad I was able to learn from them as well.
It's funny, I did always intend for LPL to have positive, heartwarming messages, inspired by my Christian faith (out of all the things that don't make sense to me in this world, Jesus was always the one thing that ever did.), but I never knew that this saga had, unexpectedly, transformed into my own personal allegory.
It was during season 3 of Korra, if I'm not mistaken, where I discovered Shady Oak Ministries. A YouTube Brony Bible study, using illustrations from MLP and other form of media to explain the Gospel. Animation is used as a tool to explain scripture and opened my eyes to things I never even knew before. Now I know why I was so drawn to MLP to begin with.
No, LPL did not start out as the tried and true Christian inspired crossover it is today, at least not as completely. Yes, I did intend for it to have Christian based morals, but I learned over time it takes a lot more than pretty words to make a good Christian message. Looking at the story now, so many moments and events have taken on an entirely new meaning than they did when I first started.
LPL started out as something small. Something I never imagined would go farther than a script document on my computer. And now, five years later, it became that "One Small Thing" that inspired me to try writing, make new friends, learn and grow, and exercise the lessons I learned from scripture. Of course, I still have A LOT more to learn.
That's why the Little Pony Legend means so much to me. What started out as just some fun idea to past the time had grown into a five to six year long project, and through it I met so many beautiful, amazing people who inspired me to continue doing this. You guys are all so incredibly amazing, I really don't know how in the world someone like me was lucky enough to meet all of you.
I also included Chi and Nadare into the finale as a shout out to my friends, blueblur and Ginga, because if not for them, the Guardians of Harmony wouldn't even exist! You two are the coolest dudes I've ever met!
I'm not perfect. FAR from it. I'm still short-tempered, impatient, sometimes impulsive and my emotions tend to flare and I do succumb to sadness every once in a while, and yes I can even be lazy and scatterbrained and oblivious at times. I'm not perfect, none of us are. But, you know who else wasn't perfect?…. Korra and Twilight, and look where they are now. ;)
Friendship(Jesus's Love) never failed them, even when times got really tough… so it won't fail you either. Remember, my entire island took a massive blow from Hurricane Maria, but I found traces of Hope even in the smallest of places.
Which leads me to my final conclusion. Why am I retiring from the series? Well, just as Korra and the Mane Six aren't the same teenagers they were back in book 1, I'm not the same college girl anymore. I'm not drastically different, but after graduation, and moving to Florida for a while, experiencing life on my own, and growing more and more interested in story writing, I realized it was high time for me to be more independent on and put my experiences to the test to focus more on my original projects.
Yes, I know I've said this before. "This is the last chapter!" No, "This is the last chapter!" That's because I was trying to force myself into something my heart wasn't ready for just yet. I will always love this saga and I will always look back on it, and visit the old chapters and update them whenever I feel I have some time to just relax and rekindle all those memories to begin with and talk about it with my friends. The nostalgia no doubt will inspire my future projects, I'm sure of it. But, to make another epic story, and another, and another about the exact same thing… I just don't have the same energy as I once did.
I'm not retiring from writing fanfiction as a whole, I'll still make one here and there, but it just won't be a massive part of my life anymore. I've spent years playing with characters I adore but I know they can never truly be mine. I want to create babies of my own.
Writing this final chapter was a serious tearjerker. I couldn't type two words without crying. There might not be anymore new stories of LPL, at least not from me, I've got a couple of good friends who I've allowed permission to write in between stories. But, that doesn't mean the saga is dead. At least, for me it never will be.
Nothing stays the same for long, but when it changes doesn't mean it's gone. Things may come and things may go. Some go fast and some go slow. Few things last, that's all I know. But Friendship, carries on through the ages.
Words can not express how thankful I am to all of you for joining me on this fun ride. The story may have been about Korra, Twilight and their friends, but you guys are every bit a part of their story as much as I was.
You all became a part of the legend too…. The Little Pony Legend.
I love you guys. God bless, *kiss, kiss*
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You know. Maggie, this ride has been fun. I'm glad that I first stumbled on this story and joined in on this fun trip, if not for that I'd probably would've have been as deep into crossovers as I am now, and wouldn't have been able to meet such a good friend like you (and probably won't be able to put songs into stories as easily since I didn't know how to until I read this
). But yeah, it can be a bit of a hard time to find a ending point for some big projects you're having fun with, and once you do end up finding that point it can feel a bit jerking on some emotions, knowing that you reached your point where the series is finally done, one way or another. But you know what? Memories of something like this are hard to get rid of, and I'm sure the Little Pony Legend series will live on, surely. And as for these original projects, well, I can say this: with your inspiration and creativity on the stories so far, from what I see, you got a bright future ahead. 
God bless
Thanks, Hermano! I'm so glad I got to meet you through this series. It truly will forever hold an important place in my heart, as will your friendship. I'm sorry we never got to do that collaboration, but if so, trust me when I say that you have a whole bucket of creative and downright AWESOME ideas!! Don't ever doubt that. I've definitely learned something from this series, and it's that a story really can come from anything, even from fanfics. After all, it was this fanfic that pushed me to travel into new territory and explore my original works, so don't ever stop writing or creating. What you make for a fanfic today, might become an original epic adventure tomorrow! The borders beyond Equestria may look scary, but if you keep your chin up, much like the Mane Six, not only will you make new friends along the way, but even learn something new about yourself.
Never stop creating my friend, and thanks again for everything. God Bless!
Welp. Here we are. The final adventure. You know I still can’t believe that its been almost THREE years since stumbling across this series. This has truly changed my life. I made new friends, got back into fanfic writing, Even created my very first OC’s. Two of which I never regretted making. This has been one heck of a ride and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for your next adventure. (jeez im tearing up already heh XD) It will be hard to let this go always remember the good and the bad. mostly the good that this came out of. Thank you for making this saga my favorite fanfictions of all time (no exaggerating here) and here’s to hoping hearing from you soon.
God Bless and Always Write On!
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AWWWW! Back at ya, Hermano! As I told Ginga, never stop creating and take risks to see where the future takes you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to but ten boxes of tissues just to clean my tears! Take care, buddy!
All that is needed is a cover, and I can't wait to start reading it.
Heya. So, I'm definitely going to TRY...key word being try....to give some of the other stuff reviews/comments later on, but it's late, we're out of time, and I guess I have a few start up thoughts I want to get down before I get lazy.
First off, there is definitely some good stuff in this story. Trying to balance out your own notes and style with the source. Particularly in trying to give Tempest...sorry, Fizzlepop Berrytwist, er, I mean, Rosalyn, something of a deeper stake in what's the end of your story. Actually though, this does also give me some...interesting ideas for my work. Particularly on some of the side conversations I'm planning to work in. And it seems that Iris is alike her mom in one way. Somehow, the family has a bad habit of falling for strays. Although, I do wonder what their children will turn out like. A mixture of spirit, alicorn and human? How would the kids even land on the power scale?
I also enjoyed that you took Akari in a different...yet still understandable direction for the story. As well as that whole thing where in each spot, one member got to element it up. At least a little.
And it was good how you tried to keep incorporating the whole family in for the final battle, even if just in hand to hand. Really a fine attempt to make this your conclusion to what's going on.
Now, as the creator on the fim legend story page, I'm not going to be done trying to get a few non-canon stuff in now that the legend is over. I won't let anyone add anything new to the core page, but if you're walking away, I can still say that I want to see what other creative things others might be able to do with the setting, ideas, and magical crossover stuff with what you created. Cause let's face it. Nobody's done with something until it's forgotten. And I'm going to do my best to ensure this saga is never forgotten. Because no writer on fimfiction has quite managed to have a commitment to this setting the way you've done for linking 2 stories. (now original work is another story, but I digress) And that deserves at least a little recognition.
I'm sorry that I was only truly be passionate in feeding back for Balance of the Heart, but don't doubt that I do see something unique in this series. Not just the Christian perspective, though one brother to his sister that was still rather enjoyable. But the hunting for some sort of creative uniqueness that goes beyond putting new characters into old settings. Digging for new ways to see things unfold.
Thanks for all this, and thank you for finally getting me to commit to finishing a story I started. Cause I don't want to let you down by leaving my part of the legend hanging.
Thank you, and God bless.
8613823
and thank you, my friend
It's funny... The first LPL story was what brought me into this series, and now... It's finally finished. I mean, yes, there will be stories that will be inspired by it and even based in it, but even then, they won't stand up to the original.
Maggie, you have done an amazing job, and I have enjoyed this series immensely. I'm sad to see it end, but even I know that every story has an end, no matter how long it is.
And as a Christian, I liked how you incorporated verses from the epistle readings throughout the series, showing that there's a deeper meaning behind the scenes.
So may you keep doing an amazing job, and may God be with you always...
Hay maybe this doesn't have to end now that you've finished here with writing it you can do an audio version on YouTube that way we here and others can enjoy it more.
What do you think
8667135
Oh ok and what about my YouTube idea
8667194
It sounds like a good one, and one I have considered in the past. I will take it under consideration, but seeing as I'm trying to focus more of my creative energy into my original projects, and I do plan on editing older chapters it may take a while. However, I do plan on posting more artworks of the series when I open up my Patreon.
8669149
Good for you and thank you
So it's MLP movie but with Avatar.
Okay..
So..
*Takes a deep breath*
Okay, Maggie, I really do like your stories.. but I feel like some chapters should be addressed.
Now this rant was BEFORE we talked. Like about a few years ago, before we met, so I don’t want you to get the wrong idea. I just need to get this out because it’s been festering inside of me for about 2-3 years..
Okay.. ready..?
Alright, here I go...
First off, the story is really great, as usual. The characters are fleshed our and I like Hozu’s character.
Now onto the cons and oh boy.. I have a lot of problems for some of the chapters.. in my opinion that is.
Also I might add my OC there because he is based off of my negative emotions..
Okay.. Here I go, because this is going to be long..
First off, let’s start with these quotes from the chapter, Space Between:
Kage (My OC): Mai.. let’s not do anything rash.. *Slowly grows frustrated.*
Kage (My OC): That’s it!! *Kage punches her hard* If he wanted to do that, he would’ve done it by now! Has it ever occurred to you that some people are trying to redeem themselves, or are you so stubborn to understand that?!”
Then this quote below:
This is why Mai is my least favorite character! I at least like to listen first and not jump to conclusions, because it happened to me many times. She CHOSE to let her emotions get the best of her!!
If my OC (Kage) was there, he would’ve told her this:
“Mai, let me give you some advice. There’s nothing wrong with showing concern for someone, but that does not give you the excuse of being ignorant of what’s going on around you.. especially to those that are important to you.
Forgetting what is really important, blinds you and makes you easily prone to anger and frustration. I think you will find that the things we say that we end up regretting the most, are the things that we say in our anger and frustration..
..because they’re often the last things we ever say to someone..”
Now this.. here’s something interesting I found out about this paragraph:
When Akari tried to steal the Pearl, I think she offended just about every single one of the Elements of Harmony.
Examples:
As a result, Hozu was blamed for something he didn’t do! “Why Akari?” indeed.
That goes for everyone else. Including Mai. I don’t mean to be negative, but like I said she’s one of my least favorite characters of this story series.
The fact that she just jump to conclusions and antagonize Hozu, all because of a mistake that he didn’t cause, when all he was doing was trying to keep from getting in trouble.
Jeez, this is like Shadow of Ronin all over again..
And if anyone else tells me to be quiet and just get over it, well I got news for them (not you because you are understanding):
I don’t care. I did get over it. But every time, this keeps coming back like the plague.
And another thing: I tried to get over it when I read “Amending Fences: Part 2,” but the fact that Korra used some sort of ankle bracelet or whatever it is on her old friend, it really rubbed me the wrong way. But I eventually got over it, but still has bitterness deep down.
Then when “Shadow of Ronin” came out and they treated Nova like he’s beneath them, that was strike two for me. Now that made by someone else, so it’s different.
Now when this story came out, and Iris did the same thing that Korra did—which was performing that spell to keep Hozu in line and treat him like a dog—I grew even more bitterness, and was on the verge of exploding in rage.
Then when the chapter of trying to steal the petal and Hozu had to take the blame for it, I finally snapped and wanted to strangle/beat up the entire team (sans Hozu) for their own recklessness, ignorance, and stupidity.
Who the **** do they think they are?! Just because they are the children of the Team Avatar doesn’t mean they can do whatever the **** they want!!
I don’t ****ing care if Iris is the new princess or new Avatar!! I know this is fiction and it’s not supposed to be real, but still, in my opinion, she’s being a Mary Sue. A story about her wielding a sword of ancient power, realizing she’s the new Avatar, AND finally getting her cutie mark at the same time?!
Yeah, I’m sorry but.. I don’t buy that...
Now onto a quote from the chapter, Open your eyes:
Now, this part with Tempest Shadow getting her horn broken because of Twilight’s pregnancy?
*Takes a deep breath*
Maggie.. I’m going to tell you this very personally. That part was the main reason why I hate pregnancy. The part where she got her horn broke off because of a magical pregnancy or some s***. Yes, you writing that was the reason why I despise pregnancy.
You’re not at fault.. this is just how I perceived it.. I find that to be unfair for Tempest, so it’s my fault for perceiving that, because I always sympathize with tragic villains.
But I’m not done yet, back to Hozu’s “betrayal,” what gives them the right to treat him like this?! Just because these children are related to the Princesses doesn’t make them special! I’ve heard little about their children.
To quote someone: “Titles create expectations. They do not bestow qualities.”
I was honestly hoping that they might have learned something from experience or from their parents, if everything I’d heard about was true, but their display of actions just now tells me they haven’t. Their nothing but a bunch of reckless kids!! They remind me of myself when I was like that, which I don’t like.
And another thing: just because they are like their parents, they’re no different than them. These children are no better than their parents when they encountered Nova for the first time!!
*Breathes heavily*
So yeah, that’s my rant... I needed to get it out because I’ve been holding it in for so long that I drove me to bitterness..
I’m so sorry.. I just needed to get this out because it’s been festering inside of me for a few years..
This is the true reason why I wanted to make stories that connect to every one else’s story worlds.. To teach them a lesson.. to bring them the harsh truth...
I just wanted to tell you this because.. this is why I’m always frustrated, cynical and full of doubts... Because whenever I voice my opinions on how I perceive things, some writers are too full of themselves and act like they are above everyone else.
But you.. you’re different than everyone else.. and I respect that...
So again, I’m sorry if I hurt you with my rant... *Looks down*
10352592
Honey, I’ve been beaten down by harsher critics than you and those words left me in tears and even beating myself up over it. I’ve grown past it since.
Though, I don't understand how a fictional pregnancy involving a magical cartoon horse can make you hate pregnancy in general. What does that have to do with real life pregnancies? I just did not understand that part, if I am being honest.
10354645
I don’t know Maggie...
Maybe I just have an inferiority complex.. the fact that I can’t get over that people are better than me no matter how hard I try to be good..
The pregnancy part is like this: Imagine that you are alone and have no friends because you are different.. then you have a friend that actually understands and respects you.. and you started hanging out and have some memories to make...
Then one day you have to depart...
Then a few years later, your friend has a happy family.. and you are just a broken, depressed, person who is full of regrets..
Regret for not starting a family
Regret for being consumed by work and loss..
Regret for just.. not moving on..
That’s how I see myself.. I’m a person who is bitter and cynical, but deep down.. I’m just a person trapped in a cycle of depression and regret..
That’s the thing about regret: It doesn’t go away.. it exists in a constant loops of “what if’s,” and alternate choices...
So that’s why I despise pregnancy.. I don’t hate it.. I’m just envious that they get to be happy..
I’m sorry if I sound selfish...
Hi, Maggie.
I came back to say.. thank you.
Rereading this story again, I started to see it in a more positive light.
And I.. um.. (clears throat)
Listen, I misjudged you, and looking back, I was a jerk for bashing your stories like that, and I’m really sorry. I just didn’t want to admit that you write really good. Probably better than me.
A few years ago, I read your stories and I just really felt so envious that you along with everyone else can write this good. I didn’t think that I could do that too if I wanted to.
So if you’re reading this, I just want to say thanks for letting everyone read your wonderful stories, I hope you enjoy your life outside of this Internet. I feel grateful that I get to read your stories.
You’re a wonderful person! 👍🏾
10838597
Awww, it’s okay, hon. No hard feelings. I’m happy to hear you’re doing bette and thank you for being honest. All is forgiven, so no need to worry. I’m just sorry it took me a while to respond back. The day I saw your message I was out spending the day with some friends and when I got home I was too tired to type.
I admit I’m actually pretty surprised you think so highly of my works. Looking back I have noticed a lot of the very early mistakes of my younger days, but at the same time I’m grateful for those mistakes because they made me a better writer, and in a way, a better person.
Which is what I hope you can take away from this: There is no such thing as the perfect story. No matter how much passion and love you put into something there will always be those who will not see it, or choose not to, or simply don’t understand. I know that doesn’t sound comforting but hear me out. What I’m really trying to say is that it doesn’t matter what strangers think. You know the hard work you put into your work and those closest to you know was well. Those are the people who’s opinions truly matter. Always find the difference between hecklers and constructive advice. Make mistakes, learn from them, and move forward. Writing takes practice but the ride is always worth it.
I know you have it in you to write fantastic stories from your heart. You just have to be patient, learn to switch off the outside voices and just write. Ask yourself who are you writing this for. My answer is that I write for God and myself. Once you find your reason for writing, trust me, the work will speak for itself.
You don’t need the entire world to like what you do, only a few good, honest people. Because they will now the real you, and thus, know your story.
Good luck my friend, and God bless you.
