While reading through her dad’s old history books, Sunny Starscout comes to a horrifying realization: The ancient legend of Nightmare Moon is in fact real, and she’s due to return to Equestria on the eve of the 1000th Summer Sun Celebration to bring eternal night.
To make matters worse, the 1000th Summer Sun Celebration happens to be tonight.
Luckily, there’s a solution: Six magical artifacts known as the Elements of Harmony could be the key to Nightmare Moon’s defeat. But how is Sunny supposed to find them when they’ve been lost for generations? And why isn’t the Princess not doing anything about the danger?
Updates every Friday
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Chapters (8)
Really looking forward to seeing where this goes!
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I’m glad to hear that! And thanks for the favorite!
The better question is where the hell are the proper G4 Elements of Harmony? They're a pony short here. Unless someone doubles up.
So this is an alternate universe where the G5 Mane Five exist, instead of the original Mane Six?
There's just one problem, there's only five ponies compared to the six artifacts!?
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You’ll have to wait and see for those answers~
I bet the unseen sixth member is Misty Brightdawn
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That’s what I was going to say.
If the Main 6 and Mane 5 swapped places.
Then what is Pipp and Zipp's mother then? She can't be a queen as Celestia is the ruler.
And yeah, 6 Elements but 1 pony short.
Gotta say, I really look forward for future chapters. When I heard that G5 was going to be a sequel to G4, this is close to what I'd imagine it to be. Nice!
Small typo:
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Dammit, I’ll fix that. Thanks for the catch.
I hope you’re enjoying the story nevertheless!
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It happens to the best of us. But don't worry, I like what I'm seeing so far. Obviously there have been a few rewrites of the FiM premiere on this site, but combining it with G5 is a unique idea. Also you seem to be doing a good job of making sure that the Mane 5 are there own characters despite the fact that their roles have changed.
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Thanks. I’m glad to hear that. I really wanted this to feel like a true ‘what-if’ scenario, not just the first two episodes with the names changed around. I’m glad to see that I’ve suceeded on that front!
Where's Spike when you need him, right?
Part of me wishes you'd left it set in Maretime Bay even, if just for the full G5 effect, but nonetheless, this certainly seems like it'll be an interesting take on an old favorite.
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I hope so! Misty's probably one of the best things to have come out of G5 so far.
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Unfortunately, that won’t be the case for this story, as it was mostly plotted out before Misty was a primary cast member.
That being said, I do have a few ideas for this AU-verse, and if I choose to continue it, she will be appear. She’s one of my favorite characters too.
(Also, dammit, I wish I’d been that creative with setting. Why didn’t I think of that?)
(Before getting into the story)
Another problem is that there are only 5 main ponies in G5 and there are 6 Elements of Harmony
Hmmm, I imagine if you did more to tell an alt version of G4 with G5 characters and ideas, you might have Princess Twilight in place of Princess Celestia (ruling over the tri-city-state province of Maretime Bay, Zephyr Heights, and Bridlewood), Opaline in place of Luna/Nightmare Moon, and maybe consider tweaking some stories like the founding/reestablishment of Equestria being a more recent undertaking by Sunny herself (and Princess Twilight perhaps) (a version of ANG) (but the Opaline rebellion could still be a 1000yr thing), Maretime Bay being the story's "Ponyville", and more ideas I could think of. . .
But if this way is easier for you to do, that's cool. This is cool.
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So many good ideas! But yeah, I decided to go with this instead. I was considering changing out Nightmare Moon for Opaline, but as we still don’t know much about the latter, I just didn’t feel comfortable doing so.
Plus, keeping Celestia and Luna allows me to do an interesting twist on Celestia’s character which I’m really looking forward to…
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Well, Sunny couldn't have Spike of course. She's not Princess Celestia's personal student. For all we know, he could still be an egg, or was indeed still hatched by Twilight, and is off wherever she is.
major divergence detected
Now THIS is a story!
Im tracking this
I have wondered what it would be like if the G5 characters were in certain G4 episodes.
This defiantly has my interest.
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Well, to be fair, Haven COULD just be a VERY successful businesswoman who just has "Queen" as an affectionate nickname. But this isn't my story, so it's just a guess.
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As for the one pony short, I can think of three different possibilities:
1. Sprout (a MUCH nicer version than in G5) could end up taking up the sixth Element (this one, admittedly, is the LEAST likely).
2. One of the five ends up claiming TWO of the Elements (again, rather unlikely [though MORE likely than the "Sprout" thing], but if it DOES happen, gaining control of two of the six Elements COULD be the trigger that gives Sunny those hard-light wings and horn [aka her "training wheels Alicorn abilities"])
or 3. Celestia herself ends up becoming the sixth Element Bearer (reclaiming one of her three former Elements - this one is the most likely, but I still acknowledge that I could be wrong). If this DOES happen, then it would provide a good reason for her to get more directly involved in the big adventures as well as put her in a good position to train and advise the other five Bearers.
But, as this is NOT my story, I fully acknowledge that all three of my guesses could be wrong.
Have to say, this is a really good start to this spin on the opener. Glad to see you doing so well in keeping Sunny in her own character instead of giving her Twilight's early-series personality. Also liked the slight AU details about Celestia being more reclusive after banishing Luna. And, yeah, Sunny, I have a feeling more of that fantasy of yours than you think is going to be starting to come true relatively soon.
Anyway, on to the next chapter.
Again, you did a really good job on the characters of Hitch, Pipp and Zipp (all three at least TRYING to help Sunny in their own ways [Hitch trying to "reason" with Sunny, Pipp in sticking up for her and Zipp in helping with the investigation]). Definitely looking forward to Izzy's introduction next chapter (as all three of the other main characters have been introduced in this one). I am also glad Phyllis has at least enough Adaptational Nice Guy to actually LIKE Pipp (even if still cross with Sunny, her being respectful to a Pegasus still qualifies as Adaptational Nice Guy in comparison to her G5 counterpart).
And, yeah, as this is, as you already admitted, plotted out BEFORE Misty became part of the main cast, we have to wonder just what we are going to do about that sixth Element.
There are four possibilities I can think of offhand - though I freely acknowledge that all four have the potential to be wrong:
1. Sprout ends up becoming the sixth Element Bearer (extremely unlikely, but not impossible, especially given Phyllis's small degree of aforementioned Adaptational Nice Guy)
2. Zecora ends up claiming the Sixth Element (as the group WOULD need somebody who knows a lot about the Everfree and her talent with potions could definitely come very much in handy). More likely than the first one and the next one, but most assuredly NOT a definite one.
3. One of the Mane Five ends up claiming TWO of the Elements. Again, very unlikely (though SLIGHTLY more likely than Sprout being the Sixth Element Bearer), but if it DOES happen, it WOULD be a good reason for Sunny to gain her "training wheels Alicorn powers" as wielding the power of a second Element might trigger her hard light wings and horn.
and 4. Celestia herself ends up reclaiming one of her three former Elements. This one seems like the most likely of the four possibilities that I can think of but is still only fifty-fifty. However, if it DOES happen, it would be a good reason for Celestia to take a more hooves-on role in the adventures as well as training and advising the other five Bearers.
However, as I am not the one writing this, I, again, fully acknowledge that all four of these could be wrong and profusely apologize for wasting your time.
Anyway, really looking forward to more of this.
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Some really good ideas there. And, yeah, if you can find the time and energy needed to do this (or can find somebody willing to do this) that would be a downright great spin.
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Yeah. But then, if you can find the time and energy to do something similar (or can find somebody who likes the idea enough and DOES have the time and energy to tackle that themselves), it would still be a great spin. Especially if Opaline were imprisoned before she could get ahold of Misty, allowing Misty full freedom to be the sixth Element Bearer.
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Idea 5 is that one of the G4 Mane 6 takes up their Element. Nothing here says they've been removed from existing at all as far as I can see. Just not in the roles FIM gave them in the series premiere.
Going by some of her statements. this isn't the first time Phylis has had to deal with Sunny making a scene. Probably over something she thought was important, but turned out to be nothing in the end.
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Well thought guesses
I liked this story and I'm waiting for the next chapter
99.999% sure a certain tree means Twilight. Elder already took her position in Golden Oaks, and Pinkie's job of throwing a party for each new pony in town.
Again, an excellent job on the dialogue, characterizations and future chapter set-up. Definitely liked Sunny and Zipp's interactions with Elder Flower (definitely a good mix of humorous and informative). And Elder Flower's nods to both Twilight AND Pinkie from the canon G4 were appreciated as well. Sunny's flashback concerning her father was another beautifully bittersweet bit (as well as including foreshadowing for Discord later on). At least Sunny and Zipp have SLIGHTLY more information than Twilight did in canon at this point AND already found the reference guide. Also liked the interaction with Izzy.
Most assuredly looking forward to more of this.
Calling it now, Elder Flower was referring to the spirit of Twilight Sparkle.
Nice fake out with Elder Flower acting like Pinkie.
Or was she? After all, this IS the same mare who (in canon) referred to the Canterlot wedding and accompanying changeling invasion in detail as if she was there.
Dang it, that Tree's absolutely right, it IS important to recycle!
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Yeah, as if she were there. Even though she mentioned enough "greats" before Aunt Moondancer to indicate that it would have still been a century (at minimum) before she was even born (especially since Moondancer's sister, if I remember correctly, was younger than Moondancer). Though, to be fair, Elder Flower's family might have kept records good enough that, combined with hearing that story who knows how many times from her parents or grandparents, she might very well HAVE eventually thought she was there.
Yeah, she is a bit on the dotty side, so her stories should be taken with a grain of salt. But, hey, even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
For example, as you pointed out, it IS important to recycle.
And, before I forget, Happy Halloween/Nightmare Night in advance.
Again, this was a really good job on the dialogue, characterizations and future chapter set-up in this chapter. Appreciated how Zipp and Sunny caught on like that concerning what Izzy was telling them about the Princess. So, now, Zipp and Izzy know Sunny is on the right track, but nobody else does yet. And Zipp also got caught reflecting on how Celestia was forced to banish her own sister and then got really worried about Pipp. And, yeah, Celestia might THINK she knows what she is doing, but she is definitely going to be needing help very soon, one way or another.
VERY MUCH looking forward to the next chapter.
Leaning on that old fanon idea that Celestia let Nightmare Moon escape?
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In my mind, it was more the case that her escape was inevitable, no matter what Celestia did, and she was simply could not find a suitable bearer for the Element of Magic in time. Thus, she’s forced to take matters into her own hooves.
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Yeah. That makes sense. Well, that means Honesty, Loyalty, Kindness, Laughter and Generosity actually WERE already found (though we don't know yet which of those individual elements each of the Mane Five are going to have, but that will be revealed eventually anyway). As for Magic/Friendship, well, that's something else that is going to be found out eventually. But that's all that can be said at this point.
I like Zipp's reaction to finding out about Luna's banishment. Sure, maybe she doesn't have the best relationship with Pipp, bit nonetheless she's mortified at the thought of something happening to her.
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I think there is word of Faust that that actually was what happened.
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Indeed. Makes it fifty-fifty on whether Zipp's going to get Honesty (her drive to help find the truth) or Loyalty later on. Well, that's one of the things we're going to have to wait to see.
I'm already curious to see where this goes. The fact that Sunny immediately thinks of Hitch is also nice since he's probably still the sherrif.
Zipp's attitude is very good especially since doesn't blow off Sunny's warnings. Phyllis is still a jerk in version of Equestria which isn't much of a surprise. I bet that Sprout's even worse since he probably beleives he deserves special treatment.
Elder Flower as the librarian does make some sense. Also it seems that she gets messages from the Tree of Harmony.
I'm curious to see how things are going from here. It doesn't look like Celestia has a plan like she did in canon but there's still the possibilty that she merely pretended not to notice Sunny, Izzy and Zipp and wanted them to hear her.
Well, I admittedly don't have much to say that I haven't already, but Happy Thanksgiving/Harvest and Hugs Day to you and your family and friends in advance.
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All quite well said. Especially the possibility that Celestia MIGHT have known Sunny, Zipp and Izzy heard her and, in fact, was even counting on it.
Hey there. Just saying I hope you and your family and friends had Happy Holidays and I'm wishing you a Happy New Year as well.
I mean, I can respect and understand the facts that inspiration can be extremely fickle and real-world concerns take top priority.