025 New story: Dune Goddess · 9:13pm Oct 14th, 2014
025 New story: Dune Goddess
I like Sunset Shimmer. I really do. Perhaps not as much her human form as the pony one, but nonetheless I think she's a character worth telling a story about. Two stories, actually, because I've chosen her for a certain sequel to another one of my projects. Then I realized that I need to learn more about her, that I need to flesh out my headcanon on this ex-student of Princess Celestia. In order to do that, I decided to write Dune Goddess, this [Adventure] piece rated T for Teen. If you don't mind sand, if you're interested what kind of character Sunset Shimmer is, what is she capable of and what kind of relations can she maintain with her teacher, then this story is for you. I hope you'll enjoy it!
Have a short description:
Travel along Princess Celestia and her not-so-faithful student Sunset Shimmer to the land of sweltering heat, undiscovered temples and ancient beliefs! Oh, and sand. A lot of sand.
Reading it as we...I...speak
2532805
I shall answer to you to make the usage "we" appropriate!
Let me know if you liked the story once you read it.
2533765
I do!
I particularly like the take on Sunset Shimmer; I can imagine her like that as a filly...Not quite 'there' as the movie, but I can see her getting there from here given a few years.
I think there is one of the comics on her already as Celestia's student but I didn't really read it. Was it based off that?
If NMM can control entities from the moon, I do wonder why she didn't try that on Celestia though hehe. Or did she...?
2533815
There's an 8-page comic "The Fall of Sunset Shimmer" which shows Sunset at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns and how did she find herself in the humanverse (I highly recommend it, by the way). It's safe to say that my take on Sunset was influenced by it, plus I gave her a set of skills because of an old comment in a forum thread. And the teacher/student relation is probably inspired by Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars.
As for NMM, there are several ways I see here. Perhaps she tries every time Celestia raises the moon. One thousand years of constant battle against a corrupted sister would be pretty tough. Of course Celestia can have a plot armor-like immunity for the Nightmare.
Or, let us not forget that we don't get to see Celestia during the events of S01E02. Perhaps her defenses failed, the Nightmare was taking over, she had to lock herself away in order not to endanger her subjects, and only hope that Twilight would activate the Elements of Harmony and fix everything?
Seriously, maybe there's a story to write in that.
2533847
[Regarding the NMM business...]
Hmm yes, there is much that can be explored in that direction. Maybe you'll take up the task? I was wondering quite a bit about Princess Celestia during S01E02. I figured NMM somehow trapped her with magic (thus she was freed when NMM was defeated) but that's just a theory. Of course, Celestia could have just being lounging around watching her loyal subjects conquer obstacles while she finally gets a break from defeating evil time after time. Gotta get old after a few millennia...
Back to Dune Goddess, I do like it quite a lot. The action was fine too; not too much yet brings in adequate suspense. It seemed like you got a version of Sunset Shimmer I like because I really can see her progressing into the villain from EQG . She's got the attitude I definitely recognise. I'll probably read the 'Fall of Sunset Shimmer' to take a look if I find it somewhere. Thanks for the recommendation
2533942
I have to admit, the idea of writing the events S01E02 from Celestia's perspective is growing on me. Just like you, I also think that she was somehow trapped by NMM, because I refuse to believe that she was just sitting idly waiting for her subjects to fix everything. In fact, the series often presents her as less than capable of doing anything just for the sake of the plot, the fight with Chrysalis being the best example. I don't like that. I demand a full episode about her! Luna got one!
I'm wondering if I could/should weave this whole imprisonment thing somewhere into the continuity of Dreamlocked (the premise itself would be pretty obvious, though). With the Dune Goddess done I can finally get back to its pre-sequel (first chapter(s) - November).
The Fall of Sunset Shimmer, for your convenience.
2533954
Thank you very much!
Yeah I am aware that Celestia doesn't seem to do enough. She's often presented as totally helpless despite being (one of) Equestria's God. Also I dislike the way she presents this "totally knows how everything would turn out" kind of things. Which is why – as much as I dislike it – I'm not dismissing the idea of her just watching idly.
Long before she was a pretty capable hero though (Discord, Sombra, NMM v1.0...etc.) as I mentioned, after a few thousand years she probably got tired of pulling her subjects out of harm time after time. However, I'd like to believe her character cares enough for her subjects.
For Chrysalis? Well I follow the version I like better: She held back in fear of blowing Canterlot to oblivion. She can pretty much pull the sun down on Canterlot if she wanted to, I'm sure