Follow-Up Fun Time: Shadow Play part 2, or, The Most Ambitious Crossover in MLP History! · 9:31pm Jun 24th, 2018
There was an idea... to bring together a group of remarkable ponies... to see if they could become something more...
You're quoting The Avengers.
Yes, thank you, Twilight!
Oh, was I not supposed to interrupt? Sorry, I'm still new to this.
Sigh. Let's check in with Equestria's mightiest heroes... and Sunburst.
"It's fifteen against one! Any last words?"
"Actually, no. How about I borrow some?"
Inhuman screeching!
OW! That actually hurt!
Look what he did to the book! That's sacrilege! That's vile! That's a desecration of historical knowledge!
Don't worry, Sparky, Sunburst is just fine.
It's a family show; of course he's fine!
Pony of Shadows used Dark Pule.
I do like proactive villains. First thing this guys does upon returning: blow up everything that could send him back.
Including the book!
Time to let it go, Sparky.
How can you say that? You're a librarian—
Archivist.
Even worse! That book was ancient!
"Good job. Care to bring anything else back from banishment?"
Twilight seems to have made an impression on old Starswirl. Too bad it was the wrong impression.
"Oh no, it's fine. Four other unicorns here but let me do all the work!"
Is he shooting literal shadows at her, or just darker energy? Actually, is his body really made of shadows, or is he just being metaphorical in some sense? He's standing on the ground and his tendrils broke rock, so he must be physical in some sense.
Long story short, why doesn't someone punch him?
A situation where Starlight can use magic without any repercussions? Yep, she's happy.
Starswirl seems concerned.
That's because one look at her and he already knows she's some kind of sociopath.
If they can't save Equestria, you can be damn sure they'll avenge it.
That's another—
Yes, Twilight, I am quoting Avengers! That's what we do here! We make pop culture references because it's an easy source of humor and I'm lazy!
Beam me up, Scoty!
... We'll work on it.
I thought it was funny!
"I don't want senpai to notice me anymore."
Okay, Starswirl, cut her a break. So she accidentally caused the apocalypse; she just wanted to meet you. You could be a little grateful you're not floating in limbo anymore.
"Yeah, it's not as bad as the time Starlight destroyed Equestria eight times over!"
Meanwhile, I'm being bitter on behalf of Sunset. Someone has to remind Starlight she fucked up.
That's not fair. She apologized for it... I think? Did she ever actually say she was sorry?
"Sit, pegasus. Good girl."
"I'm going to Rainboom you into next week."
Back at the Hall of Friendship!
Already made that joke, Sparky. Several times.
Come on!
She wants da booty!
Pinkie, this is a family show!
Pausing to appreciate best Pillar.
I read the comics after watching the episode. Somnambula, while her name is incredibly hard to pronounce, is the cutest thing to have existed a thousand years ago. Exhibit A:
Exhibit B:
She's just so adorable! And full of hope!
I think we're off track.
Ahem. Right. Twilight, recap.
Well, the Pillars planted the seeds that would become the Tree of Harmony. So they made the Elements. Which means, the Elements might have enough power to banish the Pony of Shadows again, but it would mean sacrificing them and the Pillars again. Now, I have a couple of questions—
And I don't have answers. Next!
"Your hourly reminder that I am disappoint!"
Look into his special eyes, Twilight.
"Not only do I have to rewrite all of my fan-fictions, my idol is a jerk!"
She doesn't have to rewrite them all. That's what AUs are for. Otherwise, I'd have to keep revising my Star Trek and Star Wars stories every time they came out with a new part.
You realize I have to tell Sunset this, right?
Please don't.
"Oh no, she's about to start singing about her love of books."
Oh, I bet that'd be a nice song.
You would. But, as it turns out, Twilight has found a way to banish the pony of Shadows without sacrificing the Pillars.
"Maybe instead of banishing him, we could have a musical montage and reform him?"
"That's dumb. You're dumb."
Are you sure you don't dislike Starlight?
Like I said, taking shots at her is easy and fun.
Hmm. Pony evolution seems to have made them smaller over the centuries.
Nah, Rockhoof is just swol. Kids still use that nowadays, right?
"So, umm, how was limbo?"
"It was peaceful for the most part. Until the end when cardboard models started raining down on us. Twas odd."
"Heh, you don't say?"
Twilight... the other Twilight tries to tell Starswirl her new plan, but he's already dismissing it.
Geez, you cause the apocalypse one time....
Fluttershy is sick of your shit, Starswirl.
But, just like my friends at home, the pony Mane Six come to her defense!
There's a reason you couldn't finish that ascension spell, you old coot.
Steins Gate has chosen!
...Getting better. As Rarity and Rainbow point out, the last time the map called the Mane Six together was to stop Starlight in her village waaaaaay back in season 5.
Don't give me that look. You know what you did.
I don't get why Sunset doesn't like her. They have a lot in common. They could be really good friends.
HAHAAHAHAHAHAHA! ...Oh god, you're being serious.
Senpai noticed her.
One compliment and she's over the moon.
Adorkable Twilight is adorable.
"Have you tried talking to him?"
"Talking to a villain? What nonsense is this?"
In a surprising turn of events, Starlight posits a... reasonable solution to a problem. Uhh... I'm not sure how to handle this.
You act like she's never been reasonable before.
She brainwashed her own friends to get out of a friendship lesson!
Okay, fair point. Maybe it's because Twilight talked to her instead of banishing her that Starlight is willing to do that for others?
Oh, if Sunset were here, she would have words.
"Once a villain, always a villain."
My, Starswirl, that's a very arrogant, and black and white view you have.
On behalf of Sunset, I'm angry.
Wait till he finds out about Luna. Starting to wonder if the Pony of Shadows is the one who needs banishing.
"Try spending an infinity in limbo with him."
Starlight tries to find out more about the pony would become darkness incarnate. I love how Rockhoof is the one to start the narration. If you read the comics, you'd know he knew Stygian the longest and had a really affectionate bond with him.
I hear bitches love canons!
*Retroactively does his in your face dance* Ha! Equestria Girls is canon! Suck it, neighsayers!
You realize you're a year late, right?
Don't care, still celebrating!
Anyway, we get a first hand account of how the Pillars faced off against the Sirens who were terrorizing Stygian's village a thousand years ago. Oh, I wish I was there hearing the story. I have so many questions I want to ask!
Ave—Avengers, assemble!
You know what, I'll let you have that one.
Yes!
"I stab at thee!"
How are they floating? They don't have wings. Are they just swimming through air? I need to know!
Magic.
Grrrrrr...
Even when being serious, she's adorable!
Enjoy your stay in hell!
Wait... So, Starswirl banished the Sirens... did... did he send them to limbo too... or did he just pick a random world to send them to... because either way he sent them to us! He's the reason we had to fight them! He's the reason my friends almost fell apart! Did he even check to see where he was sending them?! I'm mad! I'm really mad!
Yep, that sums that up.
Wait until I tell Sunset!
Aw, happy Stygian.
Aw, ignored Stygian.
I don't like you.
"Uuhh... I can explain."
According to the Pillars, Stygian was jealous of their abilities, and stole their artifacts to gain their powers.
At least, that's what they say he was doing. I'm leaning more and more toward Starlight's skepticism.
And thus, Stygian was voted off the island.
Wow. It's like if the Avengers kicked out Nick Fury.
See, now you're getting it! But, this wouldn't be the last time they heard from Stygian.
YOU KNOW, FOR KIDS!
Einstein's ghost, what the hell is going on!
Oh my god, Twilight just cursed.
Do you see what I'm seeing?
His transformation to the dark side is now complete.
And then he was banished. The end. You know, until Twilight set him free.
The other—
Yes, Sparky, I think everyone knows which one I'm referring to.
"You're invading my personal space."
"Personal space is for not evil ponies!"
Boy, Starswirl has the black and white morality stick shoved way up there.
I really don't like you!
If Starswirl was around back then, would you have banished her, Twilight?
Starlight... really, really makes a good point here. This has been an incredible time for the mare. She knows ponies can change. Celestia was right when she said Starswirl didn't understand friendship.
Further solidifying my dislike of Starswirl. I wish I could introduce him to Sunset. She wouldn't put up with any of this nonsense!
"Wow, we sure are using a lot of deus ex machina today."
"It's the season finale."
"Ooooooh."
Big crown thingy.
Seriously, it's like every mcguffin from seasons passed is being brought back. All we're missing is Rainbow Power.
Welcome to scenic Hollow Shades!
Hollow Shades was an area on the map that always interested me. Quiet, secluded, mysterious. I thought something of interest might be there some day. A little disappointed to find it's just an abandoned ruin.
With an ominous, evil well beneath it.
Seriously, who builds these things?
"You aren't the pizza pony."
"No, but we do have a special delivery for you!"
I'm proud of you, Sparky.
"I don't like where this is going."
Okay... are we sure this is going to limbo? Anyone? Starswirl?
Super Ultra Hyper Mega Rainbow Beam Mark II, Go!
That portal is going to limbo and not my world... right?
Again, for the kids!
Looks like Stygian might not be 100% committed to the whole bad guy shtick.
"Is there really no pizza? I'm kinda starving."
Okay, jokes aside, Twilight dives into the darkness and meets Stygian, who tells her he just wanted to make copies of the Pillars artifacts so he could fight alongside them.
I knew it! I knew there were details missing from the story! Did any of them ask what he was doing? No! They just assumed he was trying to steal their powers!
"So, who done fucked up now, Beardo?"
I'm awarding full marks to Starlight for this episode.
"Hi, Stygian, I'm Starlight. Wanna join the reformed unicorns group?"
Let's count them off: we have Sunset, Trixie to some extent, Starlight of course, Tempest, and now, Stygian. Do I hear six?
Hmm... the correlation between magic users and corruption is... uncomfortably high.
Pull!
Teamwork makes this dream work!
"I thought what we had was special!"
Someone confirm that the portal goes to limbo! I swear, if that thing shows up here...
There's the rainbow!
"I forgot how exhausting saving the world was."
You know, I could make more snarky comments, but I think we're done now.
Starswirl apologizes for being a prick, and Stygian is back home where he belongs. And we still have the Elements of Harmony. So, more deus ex machina to deal with. Have fun, writers.
Princesses being cute.
So, in the whole day and a half the Pillars have been back, did no one send a letter to the princesses to tell them their old teacher was back and they had to fight an evil shadow pony? I feel like they could have helped too.
A cardinal rule of Equestria is: Celestia and Luna aren't allowed to be helpful in a season premier or finale.
That's a dumb rule.
Here because, heartwarming.
That was the season seven finale, and it was great!
It juggled an impressive amount of characters really well!
We finally got to meet Starswirl , gained mountains of new lore, revived the Elements, and reformed another villain. Most impressive. With all that happened, I really wonder what the last two seasons are going to do.
This would have been another good place to end the series. Equestria has over two dozen guardians and three different magical artifacts to defend it.
Well, if my tiny glances at season eight tell me anything, the next finale will involve the Student Six. Leave it to the next generation of heroes. But for now, this was a fun, fantastic episode. Gives season four a run for its money.
I guess that's it then. This was actually a lot of fun. Now I know why Sunset keeps coming back to do these. But, if you ever want my help, I'll be around. For now, I have to go check on Sunset. Goodbye, everyone.
She's a peach. Well, that was Sci-Twi, and this is me, signing off. Until next time, pony people!
You did good, Glimmer butt. You did good.
Oh my dear Twilight do I have a fanfiction for you. Courtesy of someone else who used to have a Sunset Shimmer avatar. And it is AMAZING. Albinocorn probably knows what I'm talking about.
I like to think Hollow Shades only looked like that because of the Pony of Shadows's presence. Of course, I like to think that Hollow Shades is in a swamp.
It's not going to limbo, is it? Which part will it be in though? Hmmmmm.
You know, I'm of an unpopular opinion, but as much of an asshole Starswirl was, I don't think he was entirely wrong. I think he behaved how anyone would've with the exact amount of context and experience he had.
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Exactly, Starswirl was a jerk but his attitude was completely justified. He doesn't know these ponies, the only thing he knows is that they undid their sacrifice and put all of Equestria in danger.
Hopefully when his next appearance happens in season 8 the fandom's view of him will change.
Great follow up and you and Sci-Twi really bounced off one another really well. With all of Sci-Twi's comments in regard to Sunset, I really want to see how having both of them here would be, especially with how she said Sunset and Starlight would get along well. Maybe have both Sunset and Sci-Twi back for Mirror Magic follow up, eh?
This was a great season finale with so much put in and done well. And I like how they did Starswirl's character. They didn't make him perfect and showed how his culture and moral values were different a thousand years ago, as well as giving him some excellent points on his side of the argument, even if he was a jerk about it.
Loved reading through this and I can't wait for the Spectacular Seven Vol. II finale this weekend!
Is it just me, or are the photo links broken for anyone else?
Let me laugh even harder. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And now we need episode recaps hosted by Sci-Twi and Sunset
I enjoy your back and forth with Sunset, Trixie and now Twilight. May I ask if you intend to review Forgotten Friendship? Whether or not is has anything to do with Spectacular Seven, I believe there’s at least one scene that will leave your cohost crying tears of joy. I would very much like to see it, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Long Road to Friendship, and thus far Spectacular Seven. I’m rather conflicted about Moondancer. Has she done horrible things? Yes. Does she need to be stopped? Yes. Is she beyond redemption? I don’t know. I’ve done some rather unpleasant things, some too recently for comfort, so I want to believe that no one is beyond redemption. I believe the threat held over her mother is a large part of what drives her to villainy. If she could be rescued, that would at least make Moondancer far less eager to cooperate with Tempest.
If I had to name my favorite characters, Sunset and Fluttershy would be right up there, as in canon. My favorite OC is undoubtedly Artemis. He’s the perfect balance of egotistical and entertaining, and he is a wise wizard and a good parent. I thank you for all your good work, and I look forward to seeing more of your writing.
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Someday I plan on writing a follow-up for Forgotten Friendships.
Someday.
Oh dear. I just had a very nasty suspicion.
What if Sci-Twi was right, the “Shadow” of the Pony of Shadows was sent to their world instead of Limbo, and that’s how Tempest acquired her shadow powers? Or you know, she just got them from Tirek? It’s some to think about.