That sneak peek I didn't mention in my post! · 9:09pm Aug 24th, 2013
Yes! My running theme of unimaginitive titles returns with a particularly obvious description of today's contents! Because I've got literall nothing else to talk to you about, and I mentioned to a friend of mine in a comment that I might have been revealing some information in an upcoming fic, I thought I'd go ahead and do just that! So... Swallowing my pride and unveiling a secret... Here goes.
So, despite what is quickly becoming a vast, complicated mess of characters and locations and all sorts of vaguely interesting occurances, 'Tales from an unquiet Equestria' does have a central storyline, and it is the basis of that that I will share with you.
Two years before the story begins, as previously mentioned, Equestria was sort of devastated by a mysterious genocidal aggressor that will not be really delved into much, but it is mentioned as a reason why Equestria is, by and large, fucked. Lots of towns ruined, standing army decimated and all sorts of unpleasant stuff. All mentioned before, but kind of important.
Now, a very long time ago, in a similar time of strife, Luna had the idea of combining ancient technology with body alteration spells to create warriors that were as close to unstoppable as ponies could become. It was discussed several times, but the capability simply didn't exist. Time passed, the danger passed, and the project was filed and forgotten.
Fast-forward more than a thousand years, Luna's back and the 'Phoenix project' can now be done! But it isn't her that's pushing for it to go forward, it's Celestia. And she's going behind everypony's back to do it... Except for her sister, who refuses to go along with her own idea. But, let's be honest, for narrative reasons, it's going to go ahead, and the rest of the story loosely follows the next 38 years of their lives.
Now... Once I wrote that down, I realise that that doesn't sound as good as it felt... I dunno. Actually, I guess it's not so bad, but i can't help but cringe as I write it. Any ideas or thoughts that you guys have on the subject? The readers are technically just as important as the author.
hmm will it delve into the endless pit that is moral dilemmas?
maybe throw in a human? maybe hes been summoned by luna to stop celestia from royally fuckin up with her super soldiers? maybe a full on war with a power hungry celestia? maybe a V-like senario were the civilians are represed under matial law, and luna is secretly the benefacter for the resistance?
if you dont know what V is, its an awesome movie were britain is under a cruel dictatorship and the people are under constant watch and control by their goverment. then the mysterius V comes along and stirs the people into a revolution. and its awesome.
Morals and ethics are supposed to be a pretty important theme, but I don't know quite how far I'll take them. But a worse problem than power-hungry dictators and rulers, are those that believe they were doing what was best. Some of the worst things imaginable have been done with the best possible intentions, and Celestia's always been the same. Whether it was the right choie or not, she imprisoned her own sister for a thousand years... Not for herself, but for Equestria. In that sense, she's a brilliant ruler. Whether she makes the right choices remains to be seen.
I'm afraid to say that I won't be including humans at any stage, man. It's just personal preference on my behalf, but I do not want to be including any pan-dimensional tunneling and including humans... Leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Not to mention it brings up all sorts of questions, and I just don't like humans very much. I can't explain why I feel so strongly against HiE, but I simply do, and I couldn't much face reading one, much less writing one.
I do know about V, by the way. I've not seen the wholething, but I know what it's about and all. nd it's an interesting point. I guess I'll have to see how it could relate. Thanks for the suggestion, though! I really appreciate it!
Luna's original plans actually remind me of your steelhoof story ^^ and of Catherine Halsey from the Halo series with her Spartan 2 project.
The question I'm most looking forward to seeing depicted in the story is the change in opinions that occurred over time. Why is Luna now against her initial plans. What changed? One would expect that now of all times Equestria would need a close to unstoppable defense. But at what cost? Is Luna, no longer under the influence of nightmare moon, more aware of the consequences of, or risks involved with, project phoenix, which she now no longer thinks outweigh the potential benefits? And why does Celestia after a thousand years think that cost would be worth it now, yet consider it important to keep the project hidden from everypony. And what exactly is project phoenix?
With this being set roughly 8 years after the start of the show I'll be very curious to see how much Equestria has changed in it's aftermath. It'll be interesting to potentially read about familiar locations and characters and learn both what changed for them or potentially how they view the recent times of strife or even project phoenix. The princesses appear to be getting a large role and I'm going to assume that since the project will go ahead for narrative reasons, it's "volunteers" will likely become the focus of the main storyline. I am curious to see any potential new characters you'll be introducing and how they will develop over the 38 years your story will be spanning.
Will the mane six be making an appearance? And how was the great evil finally beaten? Did the elements of harmony not work? What would they think of phoenix? And of course, what might have happened to the wonderbolts throughout it all.
But well, so many questions and so many possible ways to go. And don't worry, I don't necessarily expect answers. Part of the appeal of stories is the desire for answers one hopes to find within the chapters to come. A need to understand. On top of that world building is something I personally find most interesting and thus look forward to the context you've created.
I truly am that excited to read your coming epic when, and only when, you feel comfortable enough sharing it.
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Heh, well... They are technically supposed to take place in the same universe, but I've managed to lose all love I ever had for Steelhoof and his story, so... Don't expect any updates being thrown in that direction... And yes! Unsurprisingly, the glorious Halsey was actually some level of inspiration for two of my characters... I don't think you'll struggle to identify them.
Of course, I want to answer as many of your questions as I can.I can't answer them all, for spoiler's sake, but I'll do what I can. Really, what changed for Luna is to understand the long-term implications of things. Becoming nightmare moon taught her what can happen to somepony that isn't accepted for what they are, especially when they wield vast power. Which is the cornerstone of her defence. Aside from the really questionable ethics involved in the project. Celestia understands that the many are more important than the few, but Luna would prefer that the needs of all are addressed.
And the phoenix project is... All about heroes. Equestria has always provided heroes in the time of need, but to go forward with the Phoenix project is to create heroes that can stand against any number of foes with unstoppable wrath. Of course, that's in theory. But it's as much their image as it is their deeds. But! I shan't say more. you'll have to wait for the sience and details, I'm afraid...
The changes to Equestria really won't be noticeable until about halfway through, when the recycling of the ancient technology has been revealed to the general public, and technomancy starts to become a viable solution to traditional magical sources. What I would love to do would be to include as many canon characters and locations as I can, if to do nothng but keep the story grounded in the right universe. It will be fun to watch my characters age as the story goes by, though. One in particular who has really stolen my heart, and I enjoy to write like few others. Her story is important to herself, but her impact on the story will be largely in the ackground, apart from two specific events.
And that great evil... that's for the reader to work out, if they even care. The clues will be there, man. Maybe some of my ancient readers from my days on fanfiction will get it straight away, but even then I doubt it'll take you lot long.
And boy, am I excited as well! This has been my passion for months! I only hope I'm met with similar nthusiasm across the site. I doubt my name would parlay much in the way of automatic views, and I never really advertise myself... So we'll see.