Alternate Universe Rant · 6:56pm Feb 2nd, 2016
So, there are a lot of 'somethingverse' shared universe stories here on fimfic, right? I should know, I made one. However, here's soemthing that's always bugged me...
SOme things are 'set in stone' as it were, which stifles creativity and uniqueness. Naturally events mirroring the canon-show's original two parter are a given because 1) they're a great starting off point and introduction to these types of universe and 2) the easiest method to making these is wondering what would be different if anothe rprincess or someone else became corrupted and sealed for a thousand years, who would rule afterwards, who the element bearers are and what elements they bear etc.
But then we get to the fact that some characters do not change no matter the universe. Big Mac is a quiet farmer. Mayor Mare is...Mayor of Ponyville. Octavia is a classical musician. Cadance and Shining Armour are a couple.
That last one REALLY gets to me because it's freaking EVERYWHERE. No matter what the alternate universe, how much has changed, Cadance and Shining Armour are ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS a couple if not married.
That's lame, boring and unimaginative. You're creating an alternate universe for goshsakes, surely you could do something interestign with that? Maybe shining marries someone else? maybe cadance does? maybe neither get married? maybe one, the other or BOTH don't even exist? Really, there is a LOT more you could do if you didn't rehash their love story for the umpteenth billion time, because quite frankly, we already GOT their love story. It's time to try something different.
And yeah I mean alternate universe should try more changes to canon characters to, but the cadance/shining armour thing is THE most prevalent problem and it just....irritates me.
But why would the constant change? If Cadence and Shining Armor aren't together, there would have to be a pretty big reason. Changing their relationship just for the sake of changing it is "lame, boring and unimaginative", even more so then leaving it as is.
If one of them doesn't exist, why?
If they never met, why?
If [fill in the blank] why?
Plus, they're one of the show's few married couples (well, eventually married but you get the point), and taking them away without good reason is... damaging. Especially since they play "important"(?) roles in the canon.
Why does the fact that they're a constant bother you by the way? There seems to be more to this.
Maybe you need to look around a little more? I suggest this because while I have not gone searching for it, I do know of at least two series where such does not happen. One is, admittedly, my own series: Friendship is Shining. In it, Shining Armor is the Element of Magic, and Cadance is not even involved in the story at this point. Another is Twilight Sparkle of The Royal Guard created by King of Beggars.
There was another, but I don't remember the title or author. It was a little irritating do to being "completed" even though it was essentially just the first act of the story and ended on a cliffhanger. And none of these include the stories where Shining Armor leaves Cadance to get with Chrysalis.
As for why it may so often be consistent, it could be because it is one of the few relationships we see fully in the series. There are very few of those that are a part of the series. The only other one I can think of off the top of my head would be The Cakes. Meanwhile, most of the other characters are completely single, allowing them to be shipped as someone likes without having to change one of the few canon relationships shown. More so when it is more than likely not a major focus of the story. Why tamper with a set couple that are not of immediate importance when the writer can mix and match various other characters who have no canon confirmation on their relationship status?
3728957 well when I'm reading an alternate universe story, i tend to enjoy it when they split off from canon and change things, since they're an alternate universe story and thus not constrained by canon. I think my problem stems from always seeing characters in the same circumstances and relationships no matter how far reaching the world has changed due to some altered point.I just feel that if you're writing an 'alternate universe' story, you don't HAVE to make certain things the same as in canon.
But yes you do raise some interesting points.