Something That Needs To Be Said · 3:49am Apr 27th, 2017
So, as I was working on the altered timeline and figuring out when each episode should happen chronologically, I realized I completely and utterly forgot to account for something... or rather, a group of someones.
The Cutie-Mark Crusaders.
Now, I have nothing against the group, and they have in fact grown on me over the seasons, so much so that I cried during Crusaders of the Lost Mark. Ever since the Crusaders have gained defining personalities I have seen a variety of stories where they are doing increasingly dangerous things to get their marks... such as designing and crafting firearms during a particular HiE story. In another they storm Canterlot in a makeshift wooden tank of all things to depose Nightmare Moon. Thankfully, she had long since abandoned true evil at that point, but still.
But one thing people seem to easily ignore, that I cannot in good conscience ignore, is that the Crusaders are children. Even if you account for my caveat in Tartarus Forged that once you got your Cutie-Mark you were all but an adult... It wouldn't help, for the simple fact that canonically the Crusaders are still in the equivalent of Elementary/Primary School. They've barely touched their teenager years. The only reason I let all that happen to Twilight in Tartarus Forged is because 16 was my personal minimum regarding ages for this kind of thing.
I'm not going to rip on other Authors who make use of the Crusaders as heroes and stars of a story, as I have seen some very well done stories where this is the case, but I just don't have it in me to stick children into situations where they have to fight for their life, even if it is fictional children. After all, if I can become desensitized to doing that to characters that have a very life-like characterization and personalities... how many steps is that from being okay with it being done to real children? I know there's a difference, but in my eyes, being willing to bend even a little is the beginning of a downward spiral.
The Crusaders will be a part of my story, but they will not have Hero Souls, they will not Have Villain Souls, and they will not play any sort of directly important role to any of the plots, at least none that require them fighting something that's out to kill or maim them. Considering where I'm going to take this story... I'm sorry to say the Crusaders will be background characters here.
I'm sorry if you were all looking forward to the Crusaders... but no. Just no. I may later find a way to incorporate them in non-lethal situations, but this story will fast become incredibly lethal for any character that's not an Alicorn-level entity or Hero Soul. I just don't see how I can do it.
As always, I will listen to suggestions and ideas... but it'll have to be really exceptional to move me on this.
Good Call...! here, as soon as Crusaders of the Lost Mark happens I will personally Finance "Cutie Mark Crusaders Inc." where they will help me finding talent that have the mark for Interuniversal research, development and travel... when they aren't polishing their secondary talents or being ambassadors to the safest universes I can find...
Yeah I get what your saying, while I'm not against putting the crusaders into dangerous situations (they've done alot of dangerous things after all) it's much different with comic book levels of violence and I've only really read 2 stories that put any of the crusaders into that sort of situation MLDC: SHAZAM, Equestria's Mightest Mare! (if you're familiar with shazam it makes sense why it works here) and A Dark Knight for Equestria (it's been awhile since I've read it but at most Scootaloo played a support role and that wasn't until close to the end). So it can work but I get why you wouldn't want to do it in this story.
Good call. I would suggest that Call of the Cutie should happen before Rarity and Applejack's souls awaken, but around the time Rainbow Das's soul awakens. The elder sisters could elect to have the CMC put into protective custody somewhere together, away from them so no one goes after them. They would be in essence protecting them from what will be happening to our heros. That way they can occasionally visit for family fun and be shooed away when trouble arises. Plus it fits with Applejack's soul.
maybe you can put the crusaders of to side maybe in portective thing self defence that slowly grows in to a teen titan type thing even then they stay back and work on helping the commonpony there would be no safe place if it get that bad
I also agree that you should not introduce CMCs as one of the Hero Souls. One, you already stated the legitimate reasons. Second, it will be too many Hero Souls in a small town like Ponyville. (sounds irrational, doesn't it?)
I think there are several ways that CMCs could tribute to our Hero Souls to accomplish their missions. They are not necessary to be full-time sidekicks or anything. I think something like 'accidental accomplices' or 'lucky bystanders' are more to their characters.