This story is a sequel to Past Sins
When pursuing Starlight, Twilight and Spike experienced variances of Equestria, and saw how the river of time could have been different. Now, Starlight has moved in with Twilight, Nyx, and Spike and has begun her studies in friendship. To thank those who have helped her embrace friendship once more, Starlight has created an enchantment that allows the castle’s map table to let anyone glimpse other variances of reality.
The power to ask “what if,” can be a source of great amusement… but for some, the hypotheticals are haunting reminders of what could have been.
Chapters (6)
Oh now this will be interesting. Past Sins was the 1st big MLP fanfic I read many years ago and seeing it get another sequel is quite nice. Cant wait till I have time to read it.
Yay, new sequel, coverart showing alternate Nyx variants, this gonna be good.
img.pandawhale.com/82872-this-is-gonna-be-good-gif-jaso-qrkC.gif
IT NEVER ENDS
Huh. This looks interesting... however, I'll wait until it's completed before reading it.
7514058
You won't have to wait long. All chapters will be posted and available by the 31st of August (in five days.)
7514062 Great! I look forward to that!
7514062 Well, I know what I'm binge-reading in September
Yay! A sequel!
Past Sins is my first MLP fanfic ever, and I just love reading it when I got nothing good to do. Now I know what I'll be reading on my September break.
I would bring up the Infinite Loops, but incompatible multiverses probably applies. Still, can't wait for more.
Pen Stroke uploaded a new story... In my lifetime?
Well, time to delve in and see if it's worth it.
*Reads story description*
: "Now I can see what it would be like if I'd invented the Hoof-longer!"
Me:
7514094
You say that like it's been years since I posted a new story.
Months, yes, but it hasn't been years. 
7514124 Pen Stroke replied to my comment... In my lifetime?
Whoa.
What i really meant, though, was that i joined this fandom really late, and read Past Sins only a year ago. So, for my fandom lifetime, I never thought I'd see the day of a new Stroke story.
Thinking on that, though... that makes no sense.
That last part of this chapter is so cute.
media.giphy.com/media/uqPDIEPMODKne/giphy.gif
Dis gonna be good.
Well written and intriguing. The idea one could see the 'what ifs' of life is absolutely terrifying. Looking forward to see where this leads.
Reading all the 'thank yous' was awesome. It's great to see how many lives and people have been inspired by Nyx.
A good rule of thumb to follow, in the case of Slice of Life stories, is to take the familiar and make it new, and take the new and make it familiar. Start with an idea, an idea that you are fairly certain people have done before; use said idea; and add your own interpretation. A common misconception, in my experience, is that all writers make things up, and that all that they write are completely of their own imagination, without influence from others.
Mark Twain said it best, I believe:
Essentially, a story is filled with the truth from the author, the truth from the inspiration, and the truths from the reader; but, not necessarily in that order, or equally prevalent or obvious.
Is not the concept of alternate timelines something akin to being cliche? Has it not already been done to death, both inside and outside of this fandom? How can authors challenge this ancient genre of story?
In answer, I present Glimpses. Or, better yet, the genre of Slice of Life.
"What ifs" are fascinating questions. Marvel has done its fair share of What If comics that range from hilarious, to thought-provoking. Science continually asks that in the face of an incoming future. Statistics calculate based on previous data. The idea of there being something else to answer—a "what if"—is nothing new, then. It's ingrained in society's mindset and flows throughout all consciousness.
What if I read this story? What if I don't? What if I read something else?
What if I choose to buy milk instead of eggs? What if vice versa? What if neither, or both?
"What ifs" are questions that need not be answered. They simply present the idea of choice being a sacred vow among all creatures that have it. Being able to choose between option A, and option B, is one of the most important things we have.
But, then again, maybe choices would be easier if we could pick immediately the best choices that would set us down our ideal course. Would not all the problems of humanity be assuaged and solved, if we knew which choices would lead to which ends?
It's an argument worth having, even without the mention of time travel and time-meddling. What is the difference between the ideal world born of perfect choices, or the ideal world built on top of perfect mistakes? What makes one outcome better than the other?
Perhaps, in Glimpses, we won't receive an answer. But it's my belief that we don't have to. Interpretation is just another matter of choice, and it always involves more than one perspective. Whether or not such issues that I have presented are addressed is both a matter of grave concern; and not.
To me, the ideal story questions and answers, but mostly questions. It leaves questions to be answered. Finished, but not truly. If it were finished, would it last as long? A story asks, then begs the reader for an answer, while simultaneously providing its own.
Give and get back, I suppose. Ask and ye shall receive.
A glimpse into the possibilities of possibility.
That's what I think this story could be.
My inconsistent rambling aside, I do look forward very much to reading this story as it progresses. If you can't already tell, I am already enchanted by the premise, but also by the unsaid quandaries that are posed. I'm already asking questions, as you can tell. Will you answer them?...
Yay! Been curious to see what new story you've been brewing upon us, now you can pan the whole Brony community twice! (In a good way of course.)
A giant pillow fight between the princesses? That could never... um...
fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2012/185/e/8/royal_pillow_fight__by_elenafreckle-d55znr9.jpg
(Elena Freckle at Deviant Art)
".... I want my question to be… what if you were married?” Well, there is this magic tutor...
At least we know that Princess Celestia will always love tea, no matter the universe.
...you know, I'm pretty sure I finished that story and there weren't four of her by the end of it.
Past Sins' new sequels by Pen Stroke? Count me in! *Dives into the fanfic with trepidation.
7514286
The variations of Nyx will be seen in the Variance chapters that will be released over the next few days. There are 5 variances to be posted, and all of them will be posted by the 31st of this month.
Time to crack open my hard copy for a reread.
7514298
Well, that answers that. Thanks. You don't really see a lot of story art here that actually plans ahead, small wonder it didn't seem to make any sense.
Hey it is a honour to be Batman! Or in this case would it be Batmare?
7514325
Vampire Fruitbatmare.
Is it just me, or did none of the Deviant Art links from the first two paragraphs of the Art section work?
7514361
Oops, like the google doc import gorked up the links. Will get to work fixing them right now.
Personally, I refer to Twilight’s Castle as “The Amicitia Palace” or "Amicitia Hall", amicitia being the latin word for Friendship.
7514361
All the links have been repaired. The doc import added a lot of junk before and after the actual meat of the links. Sorry for the error.
And for anyone else having this issue. Please try refreshing the webpage.
I've always wondered, "what if Nyx first appeared full grown, and Twilight by extention, fell in love with her instead?"
Anyway, super excited for updates. I may have only read Past Sins this year, but I still enjoyed it as most when it was still being written. Cheers!
I don't understand why people dislike Nyx? I LOVE the dynamic between her and Twilight, as a mother to a daughter. It's so adorable.
And I'm definitely looking forward to this fic.
Thanks again Pen Stroke.
Ok, i am sorry for posting this, but how do you pronounce Nyx? Is it, Nix? Nighx (night, but without the t, and a x added on)? Somthing else?
Anyway, thanks for posting this, I always love hearing more about our favorite alicorn filly!
Wow what areally the odds?
I finished writing my Past Sins parody around the time you posted this story
Any who, I guess one story I would recommend for a Nyx related fic would be A Mothers Warmth also by Chaos Phantasm
7514431
I said it the weirdest way myself for a long time, but the way I pronounce it currently is the Nix.
7514445
Thanks for clearing up my confusion.
And thanks for replying to me.
Excellent. Just the thing I did not realize I needed in my night. This is going to be good, I think.
(On a sidenote, might want to recheck the last section, as the links to deviantart in particular seem to go not to the deviations/artists as intended, but have a bunch of gibberish at the end of the links.)
7514489
Refresh the page and the links should be repaired
7514493 Yup, that did it. So many art links to look at now. (Dare I say I sort of distantly wished my art was there too? Nah...) *grin*
That was a wonderful chapter. I sure did not expect the intruder to be AJ. I can't wait for the variance chapters!
I've been saying that forever! Take note Hasbro!
There was one question that I never thought of asking until now,,,,,,,Is Luna by chance Nyx's Biological Mother? And what link I don't see a link
Wait......you're writing another tale with Nyx?......
Well, this is the best bit of news this week!
"And I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids!"
Can't wait to see what one of the best MLP fan authors has cooked up this time.
Congratulations, Pen, on publishing what is sure to be a big hit in the fandom! I see that it has already risen to the Feature Box.
This was a really fun project, and I appreciate the opportunity to edit the story. Everyone involved learned a whole lot, and it was awesome to be a part of a project that will be seen by so many!
Thanks as well, for the kind shoutouts in the acknowledgments section!
Oh, also and... 7514241
img03.deviantart.net/66cd/i/2015/269/2/3/royal_sketchbook__sept_26_by_silfoe-d9b1a0s.jpg
Hehe.
Yaaaaaay!!!!
More Nyx!
Also I do have the question, Why do you always set stories as sequels to Past Sins and not the most recent story of Nyx? Like I would think that this story would be a sequel to The Road Home.
7514155 XD!!!