Interesting tidbits · 1:30am Aug 4th, 2014
Hello and welcome my faithful viewers.
Now I know quite a few people are fans of my 'Shimmerverse' so far and I'd like to thank you. (The next chapter is being worked on as we speak. I have the next few days clear so I hope I can finish it soon.)
But that's not what I'm here for. No, I'm here to tell you that 'A Different Sunset' almost didn't happen. For you see, before I chose Sunset as the main character, this story was going to be about Lyra.
Yeah, I know. Weird.
The original story idea was Lyra to be an aspiring Inquisitor acolyte trying to impress her superiors and her goddess, so she can get a promotion to a fully fledged Inquisitor. The story was to take place in Canterlot and follow the events there. (Also, she and Octavia were BFFs.)
In the end, I decided to scrap it in favor of Sunset as the main character, for a number of reasons.
1: To my knowledge, at least when I was making my fic, Sunset wasn't a member of any alternate Elements of Harmony. At the time, I was just looking for a chance to write her as a main character. (Partly because I love her, and partly because to give her a little more love and attention. Some fans don't like her...Heretics!)
2: Lyra was a member of the Element bearers in both 'Lunaverse' and 'Cadanceverse'
3: After I decided to read through some other Alternate Element lists, for some inspiration, I realized something. Lyra's personality that I wanted to write wasn't that different from her other incarnations in those other verses, especially Cadanceverse. I almost felt like it would rip that story off and feel like a copycat.
That and Lyra, while eccentric, wasn't averse to making friends. (Though her wacky personality and being an Inquisitor created a rift between her and a number of ponies.)
It wasn't a decision I was happy to make, because I rather liked the idea, but it was a decision I made anyway. I'm quite happy with the world I've created and Sunset being the main character.
Another scrapped idea I made was a subplot with Acolyte Lyra 'covertly' trailing Sunset in order to keep her safe. Bon Bon was to be giving her a tour....Yeah, I scrapped that idea because it was unneeded and would have stopped the plot just to tell a few jokes here and there.
In the end, I kept Lyra here as an acolyte more as a nod to the original Elements idea.
Ditzy was also going to be a member, but again, she's a member of a few other Element alternates. {She was to be secretly a loyalist chaos cultist who moved to Ponyville to escape prejudice for her beliefs.}
I wanted this story to have more original Element line-up.
Other ponies that I thought about using were
Cloudchaser (Almost used her, until I decided I liked Lightning Dust more so. The choice was made last minute.)
Mane Goodall (It was down to whether I wanted a vet or a nurse....It was a tough choice.)
Rarity (It was odd. I picked Rarity to be an Element Bearer, but the moment I put in Coco, my fingers just typed her as the Element....Sorry Rarara.) Also, how she got her Element was pretty much just like her canon counterpart...Plus she beats up a bunch of night soldiers in a fiery rage after she sees them destroy Stephan's beloved mustache.
I considered using Lady Justice as well, once I included her, but I decided she'd be a good side character anyways.
These were a few changes and options I made while writing this story. They weren't easy, I tell you, but I hope the story I have now satisfies you enough.
Well, guess what? I had occasionally thought of having Lyra be Celestia's protege too.
I find this interesting to say the least, but yes I believe you made a good choice setting yourself away from the cast ponies.