So, A Different Bridal Path, finally done! · 11:55pm Mar 22nd, 2017
If I'd known it was going to stretch to over 70000 words, I might not have started it. But I did it, I finally got one of my stories finished (for a given value of finished). You may have noticed I write very slowly.
I know there are people hoping I'll continue it, and others who think that those three 'epilogues' should have been the start of their own stories. But the way I see it, the main story was Twilight being lost and going through the trials she did, ultimately coming back to rejoin her friends and resolve her guilt. I suspect you could make it fit the classic Hero's Journey. That's where the main story ends. Actually writing the wedding, the coronation and the aftermath would have been filler, and the thing was long enough as it is. My only regret is that I couldn't write Twilight's actual reaction to seeing her statue. But Graglithan The Greater described it almost perfectly.
I just pictured Twilight staring at the statue, jaw dropped, eye twitching, before facing the others and only being able to throw her hooves in the general direction of the statue.
I did the epilogues to resolve the three elements that I felt needed resolution, Garnet Nib, the Caribou, and the Changelings. They didn't really fit the flow of the main story. I wasn't going to leave Garnet Nib stuck in literary limbo for all eternity, the Caribou know Twilight's safe and get a reward and a new trading partner for keeping her safe, and just because I hate Chrysalis with the burning passion of a thousand suns, doesn't mean I was going to commit genocide on the entire race. Besides, it's totally what Thorax and Twilight would do.
I know the last epilogue end rather abruptly, but it made a good, (and I thought funny), cut off point. Twilight keeps picking up the titles purely by accident.
I may do a sequel of sorts at a later date, but right now it's just me rewriting Season 3 episodes in my head to take account of Crystal Princess Changeling Queen Twilight. Trixie won't know what hit her. Even with the alicorn amulet, she's going to be overmatched by a genuine alicorn who's studied crystal magic.
My head canon is that the alicorn amulet was an artifact created by the mages of the Crystal Empire as a power booster, but it proved to be too dangerous. Sombra came along and corrupted it, then sent it to a corrupt unicorn noble in Canterlot, ostensibly as a bribe to have him delay any response from Equestria to Sombra's takeover, in actual fact to cause havoc and distract the Diarchs so they didn't come after him until he'd consolidated his power. It was ultimately lost and ended up in the curio shop. Twilight will recognise it right away, and take steps to neutralise it.
One sequel I'd like to write would be a diplomatic mission to the Griffish Isles, where Twilight is there to show the flag and be a guest speaker at Hogweeds School of Unicorn Magic. My headcanon for the setting is pretty fleshed out, and I could find several interesting encounters for them, from crazy griffon separatists to mysteries to magical mishaps when they get to Hogweeds.
What I'm actually going to do is get on with some of my other, sadly neglected fics, starting with Luna's Return Trajectory. I have so many other ideas though.
Halfway around the Sun (working title) - Inspired by 'Dark Side of the Sun' a fic that has Equis appearing on the opposite side of the sun from Earth, and an explorer being sent out to explore it. The original had an interesting premise, but the tech and backstory made no sense and the main character was... well he was supposed to be a tough as nails ex-military fighter pilot, but he crumples like wet tissue paper when Celestia glares at him. I'm certain I could do some gfood things with the premise.
Rocketmare - First Contact - This was inspired by the short fic Rocketmare, but for completely different reasons. I recommend it, it's a study in emotions, and it hit me strongly enough to write a drabble in the comments. Stellar Lights is a mare suffering from a terminal disease, and an astronaut. The orifginal story had her taking off on an apparently one way trip. My drabble had her arriving at Earth, and I'd like to expand it into a full story, with Rust's permission. A different take on the Pony on Earth fic.
A Little Chaos - A draconequs called Oswald with a swiss cheesed brain, a multiple choice past and knowledge of the series gets dumped in Equestia at the moment of the first sonic rainboom. Except this is one of Starlight Glimmer's alternate timelines and nothing happens. The first pony he runs into is filly Twilight Sparkle (or rather it's the other way round as she's crying about failing her entrance exam and not looking where she's going). Hilarity and cake ensues as Oswald decided to try and get the timeline back on track.
Moon Entangled - I had this idea before 'A Warhorse in Equestria' was posted and thought it original. Maximus, Captain of the Guard for the kingdom of Corona has hunted down the witch who's stolen Rapunzel and Flyn's baby, believing the healing power has been passed down. She tries o escape using a transport spell but he disrupts it sending them both off to random destinations. His is of course Equestria. He'd arrive during the events of Luna Eclipsed and things would progress from there. Possible Luna Maximus romance.
If anyone wants to play with these ideas, just let me know and credit me in the final work.
I hope you do make a sequel to A Different Bridal Path. It's the only "Twilight away from Equestria because of Royal Wedding" story I know of that doesn't have Twilight acting, in my opinion, OoC. On top of that, it's a good story, and I like it very much. Most other stories like that have Twilight angry at her friends and the Princesses, but in my opinion, Twilight just isn't like that. And I congratulate you on getting Twilight's character right. Anyway, whether or not you write a sequel — though I really hope you do — I wish you good luck in your endeavors, and my best wishes.
I'd love to see a sequel too. Your thoughts on an over powered Twilight facing triple with the alicorn amulet sound hilarious. I loved this story, so thank you for writing and sharing it with us all.