New story up: End of the Crusades · 9:12pm Jun 26th, 2012
Hey everyone, I've finally come through and posted the beginnings of a brand new story. It's a multi-part Slice-of-Life story about how the Cutie Mark Crusaders finally earn their cutie marks, made with the trappings and tone of a normal episode of the show.
Now I apologize if you had been expecting another second-person romance, but there's a good reason for why I chose to make this into my next big project. Much of my writing has been about things and characters that I felt somewhat empathetic for during an episode. My first story, A Story in All of Us, happened because I was enamored with Fluttershy early on in my days as a brony and, having found the Sensual Fiction General over on Ponychan, decided to express my fascination with her through a second-person romance. The Way to a Unicorn's Heart and its sequel happened because of how sorry I felt for Twilight throughout the entire episode of "The Ticket Master" as well as the season 2 opener in general. Good Clean Fun happened because I wanted to show Sweetie Belle in a more positive light than the fandom normally casts her in, and because Sweetie is best filly. The Beat Stream happened because... well, when you're not quite awake, you think of some weird-yet-oddly-pleasing stuff.
The same line of motivation also, no, especially applies to End of the Crusades. Ever since discovering the Cutie Mark Crusaders, I've always dreaded watching an episode that focused on them. It had nothing to do with the characters so much as it did the unfortunate circumstances they are in. Due to the non-linear and relaxed nature of the show, it's easy to see that the CMC's efforts to obtain their cutie marks as we witness them will always be for naught. Though they always grow a little wiser at the end of each episode, they are perpetually trapped as children. It's especially painful to see this at the end of "The Show-Stoppers," where we learn what they will eventually grow into, but it's immediately dashed as the CMC show they're not quite old enough to put the pieces together themselves.
Now I understand there are good reasons why the CMC can never be seen earning their cutie marks in the show itself. Their main reason for existing is to teach the younger audience to enjoy being young and that it's okay if you don't quite know what makes you special just yet. Still, whenever I see another failed crusade, I can't help but feel something inside me that wants to see them succeed and be happy.
One day, I decided that perhaps the only way I'll ever see this happening is if I make it happen. I wouldn't be surprised if "CMC gets their cutie marks" is ridiculously played out in the fandom by this point, but I want the story to happen in my own way. Something akin to watching an episode close to the end of the show's run, maybe even like a two-part special.
What I have in my mind isn't perfect. Save for a few key points, most of the story is still a very big grey area in terms of what could happen. I get the feeling I won't know how the story will turn out until I've written it, but I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. In the meantime, I'll attempt to stay focused enough to get upcoming chapters out in a timely manner without attempting to sacrifice quality in the process.
Speaking of upcoming chapters: I already have chapter 1 finished and ready to post whenever I wish. It may be anywhere from tomorrow to next week, depending on if I wish to go back and make any last-minute adjustments. Chapter 2 is about 40% complete, but as long as I stay focused, I should be able to get that done about 2-3 weeks after I post Chapter 1. I've even gotten a head-start on Chapter 3, managing about a 1,000 words on it already. It may take some time between updates - I've had several days this summer where I have not been able to force myself to write - but I promise to one day finish this story. I've seen the CMC left hanging long enough. I don't want to doom them to the same fate.
And now, I'm going to take a break and then try to get more finished on upcoming chapters. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy what I have created thus far. Thank you all for reading not only my story, but also this blog post. Enjoy, and don't be afraid to talk to me or let me or others know what you think of it!
-TimeBomb0
You didn't give your motivation for the Pinkie stories, and now I'm curious as to what it was.
197899
That was more of a random thought I had one day. It was something like "What if there was an avid video gamer in Equestria?" I don't quite remember how, but that eventually evolved into the stories you all know and (hopefully) love.
dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/Applebloom_lolface.png dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/Sweetie_Belle_lolface.png dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/Scootaloo_lolface.png dl.dropbox.com/u/31471793/FiMFiction/emoticons/shrug_Queen_Chrysalis.png
Sounds fun - count me reading!