Chapter 15: The Reign of Queen Shiva
So, this has an interesting method of how the switch to different timelines in the Cutie Re-Mark worked. Hopefully, it works for you.
Also, I'm not sure if I should add the Death Tag, considering Chrysalis is mentioned to have died in this timeline. And considering what Shiva's about to try and do to Twilight... 
Please let me know what you think. And thank you again for reading.
The first thing Shiva felt was an odd surge in her gut, like someone had dropped her off a cliff. Skippy and Kodo felt it too, looking around in confusion.
“W-What’s happening?” Kodo asked.
“I don’t know,” Shiva admitted, her ears tilting and perking in confusion. “There’s… some kind of disturbance…”
Suddenly, Shiva felt her mind almost… lift away. Memories cascaded into her mind, filling her head like she was having a vision, and taking her away from the cave like she was falling unconscious.
The visions were familiar, yet different all at the same time.
Her memory of landing in Equestria. Her confusion.
Her capture by Beast Breaker. Her escape. Both from him and from Canterlot.
Meeting the Diamond Dogs. Meeting Chrysalis.
Except… Shiva tried to blink. “I didn’t shake hands with her,” she tried to insist. I didn’t agree to help!
And yet the visions disagreed. They showed her storming Ponyville, changelings and diamond dogs together. But… Twilight and her friends… Twilight was gone! Her five friends were scattered. Uncoordinated. They fell so easily to her horde.
Then they reached Canterlot. Finally, Twilight appeared. But she didn’t have her wings. And she was weak! Too weak. Shiva batted her aside with barely a thought.
Luna? Celestia! They all fell as well. In seconds, Shiva and Chrysalis stood facing each other, Celestia’s throne between them.
Chrysalis’ smug grin was fading into shock, as a ball of magic built up in Shiva’s hand. Shiva watched herself hurl it, unable to believe she had been capable of such feats.
She saw… Shiva gulped. She saw Celestia and Luna. Broken. Bowing to her. She saw herself seated on the Alicorn’s throne. More people flashed before her eyes: unfamiliar dragons, diamond dogs, minotaurs… briefly, Shiva’s heart slowed as she saw Princess Scorpio among them…
Then Shiva opened her eyes. She was… She had to blink twice to fully comprehend it. She was seated on Celestia’s throne. Murals depicted Celestia and Chrysalis falling to diamond dogs. All the different creatures uniting in harmony.
And Shiva felt power. More power than she had ever known what to do with before. She looked down at herself.
“By everything sacred…” she mumbled in disbelief.
Her armor was overlaid with royal robes! Her pearls and rubies glittered like stars in the night sky. Her fur pulsated with magic, tendrils of her pack link disappearing through the murals. And when Shiva lifted herself off her throne… she gasped as she felt actual, feather and bone wings extending from her shoulder blades.
She was no alicorn. But she had certainly taken the place of one.
“Queen Shiva,” a voice suddenly called. Not from the front of the throne room. But from the pack link.
Almost on instinct, Shiva let her mind slip towards the voice. In an instant, she found herself in a familiar forest. Nestled next to her was…
Shiva resisted sobbing in relief. It was Kodo. Grown up. With powerful looking arms and armor black as obsidian. His paw was on a purple alicorn that reminded Shiva of Twilight. Rainbow Dash stood in front of him, glaring at a purple dragon that was waving his hands, looking like he was begging something.
Don’t I… know that dragon? Shiva thought, searching her memories. Isn't that alicorn... Twilight? Before she could put a claw on who they were…
“We caught us an alicorn.” With another jolt, Shiva realized that Rainbow Dash was the one speaking. Her rainbow mane was somehow more ruffled and wild, like she had been spending time in the forest. Sapphires studded a sky-blue vest strapped around the pegasus.
“What do you want us to do?” Kodo’s voice asked, pulling Shiva from her thoughts. “The dragon’s just a kid, but the alicorn could pose a problem. She’s keeps acting like she and Rainbow Dash know each other.”
“A-And I don’t!” Rainbow Dash insisted. “I’m loyal to you above all else!”
Shiva blinked at the panic in Rainbow Dash’s voice, but forced herself to stay as calm as she was about to urge Rainbow Dash to be.
“It’s fine,” She said. “Bring them to me; I will question them personally.”
Rainbow Dash nodded. “Understood.” She turned to the purple alicorn, and Shiva felt an odd shudder at the suspicion in the normally loyal pegasus’ eyes. “Looks like it’s your lucky day, kid. The Alpha herself wants to see you.”
“Rainbow Dash, please, listen to me!” Twilight tried to insist, but Kodo yanked her up roughly and shoved her forward.
“Less talk, more walk,” he growled, prodding her forward with his axe.
Shivering, Twilight and her oddly familiar dragon friend started walking. And as Shiva watched them, she inched her consciousness out, trying to figure out where she was.
Her heart jumped into her throat; she was in Canterlot! But… it had changed. Thankfully, it wasn’t ruined or abandoned. But every kind of species walked through its walls. Dragons. Changelings. Diamond Dogs. Minotaurs. Griffons. And plenty of other animals she couldn’t even name!
“How… could this happen?” Shiva thought.
But she barely even had to ask before the memories returned.
The various animals bowing to her… they had been ambassadors of these species. They had come to her, eager to form alliances or eager to test the new ruler of Equestria. And she had passed their tests. Earned their respect! And more… she had extended the offer of friendship to them. In a way Celestia never had.
She quickly started sorted through her pack links, chuckling a bit as she realized they were all sorted by name. And better yet, many of them were names that she was familiar with.
So… Her ears perked. How is everyone doing in this new world?
Quickly finding Celine, Shiva looked into her daughter’s link … and breathed a sigh of relief as she found her working a soup kitchen, handing out bowls of hot broth to hungry workers of every species.
“Don’t crowd!” Celine barked, her pack link tendrils separating a group of dragons that were shoving a familiar white mare away. “There’s plenty for everyone.” Ignoring the dragons, she sent forth a tendril that lifted Rarity up and ahead of them. “Doing okay?” she asked.
“It’s always armor these days,” Rarity complained, accepting a bowl from the diamond dog. “No one wants dresses or even formal attire. Any more requests for armor, and I fear my hooves will be permanently callused.”
“Oh, quit whining about it, pony,” one of the dragons grumbled. “You should consider yourself lucky; at least you know how to work gems.”
Rarity huffed, while Celine just snickered.
“Well,” Celine offered. “I have been thinking about getting a robe for formal occasions.” She winked at Rarity. “Think you can help a pack sister out?”
Rarity eyes’ glittered, and she kissed Celine on both sides of her face.
“Princess… or… Beta…?” Rarity stammered.
Celine waved it aside. “Just Celine, to you,” she said.
“You are truly a life saver,” Rarity giggled, before practically skipping away.
#
Shiva chuckled softly at their antics. It seemed that Celine’s love for ponies crossed dimensions well enough. Turning to the pack link labeled ‘Luke,’ she found her lover gathered in what had to be a war council room. Shining Armor and Skippy, along with a cyan blue dragoness, a darker blue minotaur, a wrinkled old griffon and a couple of other warrior-looking folks, stood glaring down at a map of Equestria.
“Our scouts reported a village of pony separatists out in these canyons,” Skippy was saying, pointing at a section of mountains. “I sent one of my men out there; he talked about them being some sort of ‘equality’ cult.”
Luke chuckled. “Queen Shiva’s going to love that,” he muttered.
“I wouldn’t get too comfortable,” the dragoness noted. “Whoever’s leader down there is probably not going to be eager to bend the knee to someone else.”
The minotaur laughed. “If ponies have a problem,” he declared. “They’ll get a taste of Iron Will and the Iron Paws!”
“Definitely have that as a backup plan,” Luke agreed. “Ember, can you spare a few torchers in case we need to go all out.”
Ember nodded grimly. “If they have one of those stupid pony rebels that want to tear down what we’ve got,” she promised. “You can have the whole flame brigade.”
“Just two should work for this operation,” Luke replied, turning back to Shining and Skippy. “Shining; send one of your men as the negotiator. Shiva would want us to give them a fair shot.”
“You know me well, my love,” Shiva noted coyly. The others jumped, before turning to the link shining above him.
“Queen Shiva!” they greeted, giving quick nods of respect.
“No need for formalities,” Shiva said. “Just stick with everything Luke said. If they work with us, good. If not… you know what to do.”
Ember grinned. “You gave us access to the treasures hidden beneath Canterlot,” she said. “We’re more than happy to make sure that doesn’t change.”
Shiva nodded, noticing Shining wince before she pulled back to her throne. With Skippy already accounted for, Shiva curiously checked the link for Scorpia. She found the changeling princess watching happily as a swarm of changelings slowly built a hive, not far from the Crystal Empire. Cadence stood alongside her, her belly swollen with a slowly developing baby.
“And you’re certain they’ll take to a pony?” Cadence asked.
“A pony that’s given them a steady stream of love,” Scorpia corrected with a grin. “Caritatin Hive will accept you. And I’m quite certain your child, when raised alongside them, will be seen as practially family by the time she's ready to inherit.”
Cadence rubbed her stomach subconsciously. “Sometimes, it feels weird, knowing how we used to be royalty,” Cadence admitted.
“Don’t consider it a demotion,” Scorpia replied. “You don’t see Celestia or Luna in dungeons, do you?”
Cadence pondered it. “Last time I heard from them, they were in Somnambula,” she admitted. “Celestia mentioned she was almost happy Shiva beat her. Took a massive weight off her shoulders.” She smiled. "Though, that's probably just because Shiva beat Chrysalis after the changeling tried to betray her."
Scopria shook her head with a huff. "That changeling was always a power-hungry idiot," she said. "But there's nothing to worry about; she's dead, and Shiva is in charge."
Nothing to worry about… Shiva pondered, slipping out of Scorpia’s pack link. Yet, when she delved back into her son’s link, she immediately saw the nervous looks on the faces of Twilight and her dragon – what was his name? Shiva thought furiously - as they watched the bigger and stronger species striding around through Canterlot.
Rainbow Dash didn’t seem nearly as nervous. She walked alongside Kodo as if she had known him for years (and, as the memories reminded Shiva, she actually had).
“Hey, check it,” Rainbow Dash noted, pointing out Rarity as she bounced into a shop happily. “How long do you think it’ll be before your sister proposes marriage.”
Kodo chuckled. “Aw, be nice, Dash,” he said. “She’s like that to all the ponies.”
Rainbow Dash grimaced as she saw one diamond dog back-hand a peddling unicorn out of his way.
“I don’t know,” Rainbow Dash admitted. “Being nice to them… when they haven’t earned their keep…”
“Like Blueblood over there?” Kodo asked, giving the peddler a disgusted look. “Agreed on that. But, Rarity does an okay job with armor.”
“Like I need armor,” Rainbow Dash boasted.
“Our last two sparring sessions say otherwise,” Kodo pointed out.
Rainbow Dash scoffed. “You know you cheated,” she pointed out.
“Well,” he replied. “You gonna play fair at nine tonight?”
Rainbow Dash grinned. “You’re on.”
Spitting into each other’s hoof and paw respectively, they shook on it, prompting another moan from Twilight.
“You used to do that with Applejack,” she moaned (whom, Shiva discovered with a quick look into her links, was still at her farm. Apparently, there were some things that shifting dimensions would never change).
Shiva smiled at her son’s banter and friend, though, she couldn’t help but notice the somber expressions on the ponies. While plenty of pegasi and even a few earth ponies looked happy, or at the very least determined, there were plenty of unicorns that looked utterly miserable. And it wasn’t hard to see why; every other species towered over the ponies. If it wasn’t for Rainbow Dash’s ten feet of attitude, even Kodo would’ve had her on height.
But, as much as Shiva’s gut throbbed in pity for the ponies, she couldn’t help but notice the good things as well. Her diamond dogs looked so healthy. So, did the changelings. The dragons didn’t look so cranky or irritated. The griffons were actually smiling. Even the minotaurs looked like they were having fun.
And… it hit her just as Kodo and Rainbow Dash entered the palace – Kodo didn’t have to pay for what he did to Filthy Rich! Quickly checking through her pack links, she discovered Filthy Rich’s business up and running, and providing jobs and benefits for minotaurs and diamond dogs.
Meaning Kodo had never set fire to that warehouse. Celine had never been bullied. Best of all… maybe whatever had compromised Kodo’s pack link had never happened! Things were going to be okay! She didn’t have to confront him on any of that!
Things are really okay, she thought happily. We're all gonna be okay!
But then, the doors to her throne opened. And Kodo and Rainbow Dash nudged Twilight and – was it Spike? Shiva wondered - inside.
Twilight’s eyes widened… before she had to avert them due to Shiva’s magic glow.
“S-Alpha Shiva…” Spike whispered. “Did you… how did…?”
Kodo nudged him with his axe. “When talking to the Queen,” he growled. “You kneel.”
“Easy, son,” Shiva said, rising from her throne.
Briefly, she searched through her pack links one last time. But, to her displeasure, Spike was still missing. She could’ve sworn she knew him.
Unless…Shiva’s ears flattened as she gazed down at him. Did something happen in my conquest that hurt him?
But as she searched through her memories, she couldn’t find any record of him. Even her time in the pits… the baby dragon they tortured wasn’t him! In this timeline… it seemed he simply never existed.
Shiva knelt before him. “Where have you come from?” she asked. “Why are you two not linked like the rest of the ponies?”
Spike pulled his way forward. “A-Queen Shiva, it’s me,” he insisted. “Spike! I was the only Equestrian you trusted at first!”
Shiva shook her head. “In another life, perhaps,” she admitted. “But I cannot find my memories of you from that time.”
Spike backed up, covering his mouth in horror, before Twilight stepped forward.
“Of course, you can’t,” she said. “Because this is the wrong timeline.”
Kodo and Rainbow Dash growled, but looked to Shiva for guidance. She motioned for them to wait, settling herself before Twilight.
“Explain,” she said firmly.
Twilight’s gaze didn’t falter. “A pony from my time used a spell to travel back and change the past.” She gave Spike a sad look. “That’s probably why Spike isn’t… with you in this timeline. Among other things… that pony stopped his birth.”
Shiva’s ears flared, and she stared down at Spike with horror and a bit of pity. Spike himself clutched at his heart, looking at his body as if fearing it would turn to steam.
“But…” Spike realized. “You still remember me. How?”
Kodo laughed. “My mother’s pack link cannot be deceived,” he boasted. “She knows all and remembers all.”
But Shiva was deaf to his words. She glanced down, curling her claws.
“The memories are faint,” she admitted. “Like trying to remember a previous life.” She looked up. “But this pony is responsible for… this as well?”
Twilight followed her gaze. “Yes,” she agreed. “Which is why she has to be stopped.”
Shiva paused. “Stopped?” she asked.
Spike paled, giving Twilight a sign to stop, but Twilight stepped forward insistently.
“You see,” Twilight insisted. “In my timeline, Rainbow Dash, myself and four other ponies found the Elements of Harmony, and used them to protect the world. I don't know how much of that you remember, but you need to let me and Spike go back in time and bring that world back.”
Shiva closed her eyes, feeling the memories of that world coming back to her.
“Yes,” she muttered. “The world where Celestia rules. Where…”
“Where you still rule as an Alpha of the Crystal Empire,” Twilight insisted. “Where your children…”
Shiva’s eyes shot open. “My children,” she gasped, standing up. Twilight and Spike backed up.
“Queen Shiva?” Spike asked.
Shiva let a slow breath out, regarding him with pity before turning to Twilight.
“Twilight,” Shiva insisted. “If I go back to that world… everything here will be erased. I don’t know if Celestia would try to find peace with the other species as I did…” She gazed at Kodo with fear. “And my child’s fate is not something I can allow.”
“Your child?” Spike looked back and forth between them before he gasped in realization. “Because he burned Filthy Rich’s home?”
Kodo tilted his head. “I did what?” he asked.
“It’s nothing you need to worry about, Kodo,” Shiva assured him. “It’s a problem from another life.”
“Another life?” Twilight stammered. “Shiva, the ponies are miserable in this world! You may have harmony with the other races, but it’s not harmony for everyone.”
“What do you know about it?” Rainbow Dash demanded. “Harmony works, but only if you got the strength to back it up. Some ponies have that strength. Not all of them, but enough of them.”
“Strong or not,” Twilight vowed forcefully. “No pony should have to suffer for the good of everyone else.”
“An admirable thought,” Shiva admitted. “But one that is ultimately impossible to maintain.” She settled herself back on her throne. “It’s a tough pill to swallow, Twilight Sparkle, but your old timeline is gone.” Her gaze softened. “But it doesn’t mean you have to suffer.”
Spike and Twilight glanced at each other. “What do you mean?” Spike asked.
“Join us.” Shiva extended two pack tendrils, floating like hands before the two. “Aid us in maintaining this new Equestria. We need all the help we can get keeping the peace between the different species. You could even reignite the friendships you had in the old timeline.”
Twilight gazed at Rainbow Dash, who tilted her head back with a scoff. Spike inched his hand out, reaching for the link. However, Twilight sighed.
“I’m sorry, Shiva,” she said, backing away. “But I can’t leave my own world behind. I have to get back to the Cutie Map.”
She turned to the exit… only for Rainbow Dash and Kodo to step in front of her.
“Rainbow, what are you…?!” Twilight stammered, only for Spike to notice the tendril aimed at her turn into a spear.
“Twilight!” he screamed, knocking her out of the way just as the spear jammed into the ground she was on. Both of them turned to Shiva as she rose, her wings spreading and her glow brightening like the sun.
“I was worried you’d say that,” she admitted, before turning to her links. “Ember,” she commanded, remembering a meeting she had yet to go through with the dragon.
“Aye?”Ember asked.
“Somewhere in Ponyville,” Shiva ordered. “There is something called a Cutie Map. Might have appeared out of nowhere. Find it… and destroy it.”
“On it,” Ember replied, as Shiva turned back to Twilight.
“Shiva…?” Spike begged, tears poking at his eyes as she bore down on them.
“I didn’t want to do this to you,” Shiva admitted. “Especially you, Spike.” She sighed. “But if you won’t join us…” Lightning crackled to life in her claws. “Then you must die.”
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you know at this point I have to say Shiva has been one of the stupidest and selfish creatures I've bothered to read about. I really hope she gets a fitting comeuppance for being as short sighted as she is. her dead master really lost out on their transfer if this is how her dog uses her intelligence.
I don't know... Sheva is acting pretty out of character. Is there going to be a mini adventure with twilight trying to rebuild the map and helping the resistance?
10484894
Yeah, Shiva is acting out of character. Maybe the dimension change altered her personality? Also, I'm not entirely sure if the cutie map can actually be destroyed. The Tree of Harmony was destroyed, but only using dark magic. Pretty sure Ember only has fire magic (which would probably not be enough to actually destroy it).
10484837
10484894
10484906
DON'T you remember that "this" Shiva is an Alternate Timeline/Universe of her. And while she is acting like a major jerk to even want to kill Twilight and Spike.
I think I kinda like this one. Because she has more equally with the other Creatures in her kingdom and doing a BETTER job than Celestia. But I still didn't like her to try to kill Twilight and Spike. Maybe knock them out and put them in a special jail cell or something?
How would our Canon Shiva FEEL or her REACTION about her Alternate Counterpart??!!
10484894
10484906
If I may ask, how is Shiva acting out of character?
She's suddenly gained all the power in the world, and more importantly, she doesn't have to punish her son for a crime that no longer exists, and thanks to the time loop, he's no longer possessed by Sombra. Twilight wants to bring that world back, and with it, Kodo's corruption and crimes, all of which he'd have to pay for. Something Shiva, as a mother, would be completely against.
And while Shiva is going overboard for trying to kill Twilight, she did offer for her to join her at first. Shiva's worst moment was in a cell; I don't think she'd really want to bring cages back once she was in power, which means she wouldn't have prisons. And without prisons, her options are pretty limited on what to do with people who go against her rule, especially dragons, griffons and minotaurs, who are far more confrontational and aggressive than ponies.
Was it right for her to kill Twilight after she refused? Of course not.
So, again, please tell me how you think Shiva's acting out of character or how she's stupid and selfish? It's your opinion, and I want to debate on it. Please don't think that this is me trying to put your opinion down or change your mind. You're entitled to your belief, just as I am. And I want to understand your side.
Oh. Almost forgot:
It can't, and even if it can, Ember's not going to be able to do anything to it. Shiva doesn't know that, though.
10484837
You might like what happens in the next chapter then.
10484914
Exactly. This is a Shiva who, as Kodo put it, 'wasn't afraid' of the ponies. Wasn't afraid to act on her resentment to them. Wasn't afriad to accept Chrysalis' deal. And wasn't afraid to take what she felt Equestria owed her.
I am a little worried that killing Twilight is going too far, but, at to be fair, Canon Shiva would already be absolutely freaked out by her alternate counterpart. Because she does all of the things that Shiva felt would - and could - result in their mutual destruction.
PS: Sorry I didn't add you to my first post. I was still working on it when you posted.
This is unfortunately true, Twilight. And it has even greater meaning since it comes from both the ruler of the kingdom and one of her citizens. In fact, ever stop to ask a few of the ponies in Shiva’s kingdom what their lives are like before deciding that the lives they led in the canon timeline were better?
10484926
To be honest....is this NOT a better world? Because PONYS are not on top. Its bad?
Where is twilights perspective?
As in why can she not see this IS a better world! Just not for her? Close mindness and obsession that IS what shes known for. Not just her friendship.
Lets think about this when has twilight REALLY had friend that wasnt a pony....that wasnt spike? Or more accurately from another land? That shes regularly? That THINKS differently then twilight?
Everyone she meets has to at one point...or another. EMBRACE HARMONY.
Open to disussion.
I enjoyed the chapter. And would rather we stay in this world.
How will twilight react to this other world? That shiva may and maybe not know of?
Because if harmony is so real and true? Why is not the other world more like this one? Or...because PONYS...even better?
10484926
This is very in character. If one were have family that is younger then you that you love.
Why inflict on them, a mind raping parasite on her son?
Really?
So a mother is supposed to want that for her son?
And lets not forget celestia and luna are alive?
I hope Shiva will destroy the map and erase that trash timeline for good
10484894
I fucking hope not, this timeline is better
10484971
Exactly. Shiva would not want any of that to happen to Kodo. She loves her children above everything else.
This was a good chapter but I must confess a few things confuse me.
1. If if the rainboom didnt happen how did Nightmare Mon get defeated?
2. Shiva was still captured and she still managed to get away from Canterlot? How?
3. During her reign as Queen of Equestria, did Sunset Shimmer try and return?
10485320
Sorry for the confusion. Let me see if I can help.
I'm assuming the same way how Chrysalis, Discord, Tirek and even the Flim-Flam brothers managed to take charge in the other bad futures; Celestia found another way to beat her, that left her weak and prime for someone else to conquer her. Which ties into question 2:
In this continuity, Shiva still had to deal with Twilight, who would have been even more anti-social due to never learning the power of friendship. Plus, with Celestia weakened by both Discord and Nightmare Moon, she was unable to confront Shiva with the same power play as she did in Howlite Howler 1, making it easier for Shiva to escape, and failing to imbue her with the same terror that she had originally.
This... is admittedly something I didn't consider.
My best offer would probably be that either Shiva found about about the mirror and went through to nip Sunset's plans in the bud, or Sunset did invade, but due to Shiva's alliances with the other creatures, Sunset was defeated. Though, if Shiva beat her, she probably would have also tried to extend an alliance to the humans, which meant humans should've been among the new residents of Canterlot. 
Sorry again for not considering these points. Do you think it might work if I revise the chapter. Maybe have Shiva mention in the visions how Celestia looks more tired and easy to beat, implying that she ran herself ragged taking down her sister and Discord? Or include humans that mention how Sunset used them, only to get beaten by Shiva?
Again, I really appreciate the feedback, and would like to know your thoughts.
thanks again.
10485197
I not sure where your going. Though it would be a interesting aside for twilight. To I am assuming when we go back. Sad sniffles. To have her be conflicted....AFTER the fact. Because if Shiva REMEMBERS. Shits going to get real.
Keep that tension and drama!
Especially, with kobo? Shiva will have reminder of the horror of twilight choosing this shit pony world and kobo possesion over the better world....
Pps.
It would especially juicy if.....kobo bits it?
The guilt, the horror....No?
10485346
Well the first 2 things are fine with me.
With Sunset Shimmer, it is definitley tricky. Since there no elements of harmony I dont see how she cpuld try and bring magic to the human world so she would not need to steal Twilight crown.
I was actually thinking maybe she came back through to see what was happening and was captured by the new forces and brought before Shiva. She could feel conflicted that her mentor was defeated but not before she could show her how powerful she could be? Or she doesnt like how Shiva reduced the ponies status and is part of the resistance?
10485374
I like your idea about her getting brought before Shiva after getting caught looking around and figuring out what happened. Though Shiva would likely try to offer her the same thing she offered Twilight; 'join my new Equestria, or be destroyed, as I think that killing someone is more merciful than keeping them in a cage
'
Considering Sunset's been around humans for a while at this point in time, do you think she would have accepted or refused? And if she refused, what are the odds that Shiva could kill her? Since Shiva would be pack linked with pretty much every magical creature in Canterlot, and everyone respects her power, I don't know how Sunset would survive rejecting Shiva without causing others to doubt Shiva's capabilities.
10485060 For WHO, exactly?
Shiva?
Her Diamond Dogs?
Everyone else but the ponies, who Twilight rightly points out are miserable in this timeline???
And KILLING Twilight and Spike?
Who's the BIGGER tyrant here?
Sombra... or Shiva herself?
She wants to keep this timeline, but it's the WRONG one.
Maybe not for her and her little "empire", but Starlight needs to be stopped, and the correct timeline needs to be restored.
So please, tell me how she ISN'T being selfish in this.
My opinion here.
10485656
Twilight is stupidly selfish here and in the wrong.
-Ponies are just a problem and here, their luck finally run out and was taken from them and forces were evened out
-If ponies are the problem for harmony
between races to exists,
,where they aren't a center of attention, universe, so be it.
They had their chance while being on top and they can still be in harmony but no on top anymore
-like Rainbow Dash said ponies can be happy if they work for once and don't give up, just because it wasn't given to them for free by Celestia.
An example is Rainbow Dash, Shining Armor, Cadence
-Twilight wants to essentially kill everyone in this timeline to have hers back
-Like it was said in story, some creature will have it worse.
When ponies were in charge every other race had it worse but now tables have turn
Also don't fucking compare Sombra who mind-controlled his subjects, thrown his citizens into chains, to Shiva who cares about her subjects but who won't give up theirs perfect world jus beceause of a couple of ponies
10485967 Why?
For wanting to do the RIGHT thing, and wanting to put the true timeline that that bitch Glimmer is screwing with back in place?
So sorry, but I don't see your point here.
Actions have consequences, and Koda should have to face his for what he did in Ponyville in the true timeline.
Is it HIS fault that he has Sombra bouncing around in his head?
No.
It was because Shiva got hit by Old Smoke-puss's magic.
Also not HER fault.
Wrong place, wrong time and all that.
But either way, that fool pup needs to stop listening to that filth.
As to the ponies "time running out", last I checked, the country is named Equestria, not "Canididia", or "Dimondia", or some such nonsense.
And I would say that some of the ponies in the OTHER timelines would vociferious disagree with Shiva and the others on this, and would likely want Glimmer stopped.
No matter the cost.
You do NOT mess with time, Twi knows this, and is trying to fix it back to the CORRECT one.
What happened in the past should stay as it was, BEFORE Glimmer decided to pull her little bitch fit and try to stop the rainboom.
(HATED the Season 5 finale because it made no sense.
ESPECIALLY after her lame-ass reason for hating cutie marks was revealed.)
Okay, I'll give you that last one; she cares, he doesn't.
BUT....!
Unfortunately, for them, OR for us humans, there is No. Such. Thing as a "perfect world".
And the sooner she learns that, the better.
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10486057
1. Koda doesn't have to face any consequences because he newer did it here
2.
Well essentially this timeline can be the correct one now too
Why the "correct" timeline is where ponies are at the top?
What makes it "correct"?
And Twilight trying to time travel again is what's you said,messing with time .So it's hypocritical
3.
I wrote that their luck run out, where they do what they want and win, only by luck
10486046 I was talking about in the true timelime where he's got Ol' Smoke-puss biuncing around in his head.
Something I also thought of: Shiva asked Twi and Spike to join her "perfect" little kingdom... or DIE.
Huh.
That's not something a tyrant would say.
Nope.
Not at all.
So you'll excuse me if I'm NOT overly impressed with her in this chapter.
10486055
1.
She is defending everything they accomplished from a new villain, threat
She can't let them go reverse it, because then they would lose everything they accomplished and their happy ending
She is doing it for her subjects, allies, every race, so no, it's not tyrannical
She would kill anyone to keep them safe.
Twilight wanting to go back is a danger to everyone and if she has to kill her to have this happy ending, so be it, she gave her a chance
2.
Don't you understand that it doesn't matter in this timeline?
10486056 I'll get back to you on the rest of that later on in the morning, but it's nearly 2 AM where I am, and I can't think straight.
Good night.
Oh.
Well that escalated quickly.
In case of TL;DR, you are both right and have very well-thought out opinions. This is just my own opinion on the whole thing, because I'm a bit anal-retentive, and like explaining.
10486055
You're right. Shiva is making a pretty low decision here. But, if I may be allowed to explain; Shiva spent the first part of her life in Equestria behind bars. She was tortured and enslaved, and cages are a big source of trauma for her. Thus, she doesn't want to keep them in her life.
Unfortunately, now that she's queen, there are people that are going to oppose, whether it be ponies that want to go back to the old way of life or even dragons, griffons or minotaurs that want to challenge her authority and test her capabilities as a leader. She can't lock them up in cages or put them in jail; not unless she wants to go back on her 'no cage' policy. And banishment is simply giving them the opportunity to cultivate a resistance and try to take her out later. So, while it's still pretty harsh and - yeah, kinda tyrranical - killing is the only way she believes she can deal with insubordinates without suppressing their freedoms the same way hers were. And if there's another way, she hasn't considered it.
Does that make it right? Of course not. Should Twilight be demonized for wanting to bring back the old timeline? No!
(Beyond agreed with you here; this speech really needed to be dropped on Starlight, and it always made me mad how no one really called her out like Truth does here.)
But Shiva's not a perfect character. I don't want her to be Mary Sue, and I don't want either Shiva or Twilight to be the villain. They are the protagonists of their own stories, both doing what they think is right, and it makes them the antagonists to each other. So, I don't blame you for disagreeing with one of them, because there's no way both of them can be right in this situation.
Which leads to...
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This is also true. Shiva is trying to achieve the very harmony Celestia and Twilight want, and extended the bonds of friendship to other creatures. But these creatures are naturally very territorial and aggressive, which means that Shiva can't be kind and nice like Celestia was. I'll try to cover this in the next chapter, but Shiva's world isn't perfect, and Twilight's not wrong to think that people will be miserable; Shiva has to be willing to get her paws dirty and prove to the dragons, griffons, diamond dogs and minotaurs that she's worthy of respect. She can be generous to them, but only after she's made it clear that they can't take advantage of her generosity.
Also very true. Sombra, from what I can tell, took pleasure and gratification in his conquests and subjugation of others. Shiva sees what she's doing to Twilight as a necessary evil, and takes no pleasure in it:
So, again, in case of TL;DR, you both have some very good points, and are both entitled to your opinions. I just wanted to throw in my own opinion on the whole thing. Shiva was always meant to be a challenge that Twilight hadn't really taken on in the original show; what to do when a foe wasn't just pure chaos or evil. And while I don't want to spoil my next chapter, let's just say that Twilight's not getting out of this timeline without understanding what Shiva's trying to go for, and developing into a much better pony.
Thank you both again for reading and enjoying my story.
10486314 Fair enough.
Thank you for explaining things.
As to this:
Good.
NOT fond of spoilers.
You're welcome, and I intend to keep reading it and enjoying it to the very end.
10486314
Hmm. Interesting, I'm willing to see how this plays out.
10484968
I like this world too. To me, at least here in the previous reality, Celestia and Luna were idiots. Celestia was trying to manipulate Shiva’s daughter and Luna was brash and stupid when she first met Shiva.
A Perfect World is an illusion you strive to get closer to. I want Spike and Twilight to live, but the equality Shiva created cannot be overlooked.
If Twilight and Spike want a future where ponies don't get repressed than they need to be honest about their People's Faults. The Future where all creatures are respected is not unique to this one timeline possibility. Unravel the event that caused pony retaliation which led to the Diamond Dog enslavement for one. Make negotiations between world leaders happen sooner so things like the Changeling Invasion dose not happen.
If we are dead set on Time Travel as a solution than don't just settle for the one sided victory. This is like the stop Hitler question as everyone always thinks assassination is the solution but ignore the history that makes it happen. This paradox however also reminds me of the Star Trek Voyager episode against time weapon as the guy who makes it never finds his optimum solution and is beaten by having his time change chance ended.
At the end this is coming down to a single question. Dose Shiva want to Kill Spike knowing that part of her wants to keep him as her friend?
Tbh I was enjoying this story after Shiva having kids and the massive time jump I'm soooooo out of touch with this story I just want it to be over already I don't hate the story i'm just lost in everything
That's just how I feel and my opinion
And don't let my negative thoughts/feelings get in the way of you completing this story