20 days remaining
The Church of the Heavens. A towering structure in the far west edge of Canterlot.
While Canterlot was being constructed, a group frequently approached Celestia and Luna about constructing a monastery. The group insisted that it was to worship the sisters as gods despite Celestia’s and Luna's protests that they were not. Their protests, however, were to no avail as the group grew and earned rapid support. Not being able to deflect the attention, the sisters granted them permission to build the monastery in a remote area, so it would not be a focus of attention.
As time went on, the number of followers dwindled until the grand building wasn't much more than a tourist attraction and a Canterlot monument. Every once in a while though, a follower would come in and pray or sit in comforting silence.
Twilight stood outside, staring up at the building. Nearly a thousand years old, the Monastery was in surprisingly good shape, but that was not why she watched. She was steeling herself for what awaited inside. She'd been outside for a few minutes and decided that the less she had to be inside, the better off she would be.
After what seemed like hours, Twilight closed her eyes, breathing deeply. She slowly began walking inside.
The inside was just as luxurious as the outside was. She slowly walked across the polished marble floor. Beautiful art, even rivaling those inside the castle, hung from the wall. Drapes, curtains, and carpets made of fine, multicolored silk lined the floors and walls.
She briskly walked through the entrance and into the chapel, anxious to get what she came for and leave as soon as possible.
Rows of pews extended across the massive room. At the end, a large wall of stone rose up. Engraved on it was a beautiful carving of the sun and moon. Surrounding them were the alicorn sisters. Twilight scanned each row as she walked through the chapel.
Finally she found the one she had been looking for. She slowly walked through the aisle, taking a seat behind a lone stallion. He was sitting up, staring at the stone wall only a few rows in front of him, a small smile on his face. It wasn't a smile of happiness but a pitying smile - one given to foals who are so convinced they are right that they won’t listen to the truth.
He was only comparable to a shadow. His fur and mane were a mix of black, dark indigo, and deep purple. His horn was a matching swirl of the three colors.
“Don't you think it's sad?” he asked openly. Twilight ignored him, sitting in silence. He continued on however, not waiting for her response.
“These fools truly think that their rulers are gods. So blind. They are no more than figure heads who claimed the land as their own. They have no right to rule,” he said, chuckling.
Though it was a statement, he was disappointed to receive no response. He turned in his seat, staring at Twilight with eyes so black and empty they seemed to absorb light. “Well? What do you think?” he demanded.
Still not looking at him, Twilight growled, “I think you should give me what I came here for and not play your games with me. I'm not in the mood.”
The stallion gave a wide grin. “My, my. Testy, aren't we? Why don't you relax a bit? Just take a deep breath. Calm down.”
“Stop it.” Twilight shook her head, but his grin still continued.
“Stop what? I'm just trying to make conversation. Besides, you're too tense. Just close your eyes and-”
“SHUT UP!” Twilight stood as she roared. She scowled down at the still smiling stallion. “Don't try to charm me, Penumbra. I came here for something, and I want it NOW. I don't have time to listen to you, and I'm not in the mood.”
Still, he only laughed. “Oh well. Maybe next time. Come now though, have a seat. Calm down.”
“Don't tell me to calm down. The last thing I need to be is calm around you.”
His humoring smile persisted. “You're far too uptight. You could get some of that anger out if just let her off the leash.”
“Oh, believe me, Penumbra, I'm in a good mood right now. If I had an ounce of magic, I would choke the damn package out of you. Now, will you give it to me, or should I let Master know that you stood me up?”
Finally the smile faltered. Penumbra's eyes widened and he put up his front hooves defensively. “Whoa, whoa, calm down. I have the package, but it's not that time yet. It's not yet noon.”
“And what does noon have to do with it?”
“That's when the safe opens up. Just wait a few more minutes.” Penumbra turned around in his seat, staring at the stone carving once more. Twilight followed his gaze.
Minutes later, a colorful spark, seemingly from nowhere, appeared in midair. Soon, another followed, then two more, then four. This repeated over and over again until the air in front of the stone was ablaze with multicolored sparks.
Penumbra rose from his seat and made his way towards the magical light show, Twilight following behind. Still the lights persisted even when Penumbra and Twilight reached them. Penumbra's horn lit, surrounded in dark magic.
He raised one hoof, and the dark magic collected around it. Slowly, he reached into the wall of sparks and lights. Instead of pushing through the lights, the air around his hoof rippled like water. Slowly, his hoof disappeared. He moved his hoof through the “portal” as if searching for something. A moment later, he withdrew his hoof. Balanced on top was a crystal orb, not unlike the one Twilight kept.
With another hoof he beckoned her over, motioning for her to follow him. She had been watching the whole scene from a few feet, and though she wasn't happy about it, she made her way over to the dark stallion.
He pressed his horn to one side of the orb, and Twilight mimicked him. In a moment, they were gone from the Monastery and were now in what seemed to be the inside of a glacier. Ice formed all around them in a large dome. In the center resting on a pedestal of ice sat a large vine covered in small round fruits the size of large grapes.
“Is that manafruit?” Twilight asked in surprise.
Penumbra nodded. “Took us a few weeks to dig up. Found it underneath a few thousand tons of ice.”
“Weight, yield, fruit?”
“About three and a half pounds. 127 fruits. About 8500-9500 ohm per fruit.”
Twilight stared at Penumbra in shock. He only laughed. “Believe me, you're not the only one in shock about this. I had to put a few spells on it to make sure nopony would steal it. This fruit would be enough to buy half of Canterlot. And now…” He grabbed the fruit with magic and floated it over to Twilight. “I would recommend ten to fifteen each day. A maximum of no more than 25 per day if you're really desperate.”
The ice began rumbling, and Penumbra looked at the floating crystal. “We should go. If not, then we'll be trapped here for another few days before the safe opens again. Twilight placed the fruit into her pack before turning back towards the crystal.
A moment later they appeared inside the church again. The sparks began recollecting until they disappeared for good.
“Well, it's been fun, but unfortunately, it's time for me to depart.”
“Oh no,” Twilight said in a deadpan voice. “How terrible. How will I go on without you?”
Penumbra simply laughed. “It's alright. You'll live.”
“Yeah, sure. Do me a favor, Penumbra.”
The shadowy stallion bowed, a playful smile covering his face. “Of course, my dear. Whatever do you need?”
Twilight turned towards him, her face serious. “Stay out of Canterlot, because if I find you here again, I'll rip your throat out.
No. Brad will never be a wonderful character.
He has no substance at all. If you want to make him into a decent character you would do better to create a new one entirely.
Also, Equestria Girls is bad. Don't encourage Hasbro to let it infect the show.
2810441
Even still. Brad may not be the most enthralling character, but it could open up love for Twilight and give her character even more depth. It would expand her character and show more of how she loves and feels love.
2810465
So a differing opinion that is negative in nature should not be uttered by default?
People who have criticism should not say anything and shut up?
We should all be overly positive about everything or be silent?
I thought EQG was a good movie, easily on par with most Slice-of-life episodes. Though I wasn't as happy with the final battle between Shimmer and the humane 6.
2810501
You can have a negative opinion but to come in and slam it and those who spent months working on it for our enjoyment is wrong. Just say you didn't like it and be done. Being critical and being an asshole are different. You didn't come in and say that you didn't like this or that and that it should have been changed. You came in without even considering the possibility of the future of the show and how it could work out. You came in closed minded and I don't think that telling you this will change it.
2810518
By that 'logic' you wouldn't be able to discuss any piece of entertainment. Because people worked on it. So? Does that mean that any mistakes they made should be ignored? We aren't allowed to point them out?
By the way. Don't be naive about what it was they worked for. Your enjoyment? Really?
Let alone the ramifications of this logic in other areas. Copernicus: I don't like the geocentric model! But I should probably shut up. Do you know how much work the church put in 'proving' it? We wouldn't want to be negative!
It's very interesting to see that you are apparently able to determine the state of mind I had when watching it and what possibilities for the future of the show I might or might not have considered.
That's a very impressive gift you have.
You have no arguments. You only accuse others who don't agree of being close-minded and talk about the work the creators might have put in it to excuse everything.
2810565
You can point out mistakes. You can say you didn't like it, but you came in raging against it as a whole. That's what I hate. People can say they hate E.G. but you weren't saying they made a mistake. You simply hated it without reason for us to listen to why you hated.
Also, the writers for the show are doing it for entertainment. It's there job. If Hasbro wants to make their toys then fine. Their a toy company. Don't discredit peoples jobs because of who they work for.
2810507
It was a bit weak. My only dislike about it.
2810441
2810472
It might work if they brought him in and developed him before exploring the relationship between Twilight and him. They're talented enough to make it work. The only problem with having him as a recurring character is that he's a member of the Crystal Empire's guard. Not exactly sure how often Twilight will visit the empire. I'm rather sure their relationship won't move much farther past a crush or friendship in that case.
2810507>>2810565>>2810592
Oh god when did this turn into an eqg thread
2810673
I can tell you it wasn't intended to be
2810590
I basically said it was bad. Does that equal raging?
The reason I said it was bad is because they've made so many mistakes. Based upon reason. You immediately assumed it was 'because I simply hated it'. Be honest with yourself. Would it have mattered had I given you a list with reasons? The result would have been the same. You would disagree, say it's not that bad, and would attribute my reasons as the result of being closed-minded.
See, I also have this gift of guessing people's minds and the way they react to things.
I did point out a mistake already: Brad has no substance as a character.
It's their job: so they are doing it for money. Which is fine.
And if they are indeed doing it for us. So what? Should we be thinking about their feewings?
I didn't discredit their jobs. Nor would I have done it for the fact that they work for Hasbro. I have no problem with Hasbro. They are doing this for the money as they should. They are a company. Does that mean we should love all the crap they, or the people who work for them, put out because of it? No.
2810684
Its not too late to see your mistake.
2810696
Believe it or not it would have mattered if you had stated why you hated. It was raging when you blew off any possibility of the character in the future. Granted Flash may not have much depth to him, but that's not why Griffon opened the poll. He though that the character could expand on Twilight. Besides, if you don't agree you don't have to say anything.
Granted, I most likely would still dissagree with you on why you didn't like it, but that wouldn't have mattered. I normaly pride myself on letting others have their own opinion and not getting in the way of that, and I am to blame for starting this 'fight.' It was my fault and I shouldn't have said anything, but you wouldn't consider that the character could be good for the show down the road. Just because someone starts a poll to change anything doesn't mean it will be changed, but maybe it will be and maybe it will be a good change. That's what I meant when I called you closed minded. I will apologize for that, but I still ask that you not be negative to something that could end up being positive.
2810724>>2810696
Reasons mean a lot to certain people - just giving an explanation about your reasoning is enough to pass an opinion nicely. I'm like that.. same with Seeker, it seems.
Am I the only one who actually read the chapter and didn't just come here to debate Equestria Girls? i'm more curious as to whether Penumbra is a rip off of the character from the Petriculture series, the only evidence being I've never seen that name anywhere else before
plus why cant we just let them make their show however they want? I hate this pretentious idea that they should have to alter their own designs according to the demands of... anyone other than themselves
2810724
You can 'expand on Twilight' with every character currently available not to mention all the new ones you could create. So why Brad? What has you so enamored with Flash? Any character could be good for the show eventually.
Wanting him in future projects because: 'Hell, he can't get much worse so, who knows, he might just get better later on... Maybe.
You're 'fighting' for Brad because of what he could become. But Brad doesn't have any characteristics that would really benefit the show. There is nothing that warrants his inclusion in any future projects. He has no depth. He has nothing of value.
You do know that you can let others have their own opinions whether you have criticism regarding those opinions or not.
You are assuming that I did not consider the fact that Brad could be good for the show. Is it because I came to a different conclusion after this consideration? I considered it and after this consideration I rejected it.
BTW. I do not consider this a 'fight'. I'm sorry if you do. Disagreeing with someone is not automatically a fight and therefore negative. Why do you seemingly insist on that?
2810852
The what series?
2810893 well if you've really never heard of it then there's no chance of it being a rip off, maybe the name has some meaning, I shall have to look into it to avoid future embarrassing situations... anyway, I digress. http://www.fimfiction.net/story/14298/petriculture if you haven't read this series, you should, it's awesome
2810472 or we could find a different character for twi to fall in love with, and leave Brad for Rarity's attentions. also I think Shining would Kill brad if he found out, or at least scare him away.
my Opinion though is keep both events separate, and the Equestria Girls Show out of cannon. unless you want to see Twi eating bacon and beef as a pony. then its mighty okay.
2810913
Cool thanks
2810916
I don't know. Maybe
2810996 straight from the body. Blood and Gore everywhere, enough to make a griffon proud.
2811060
What?
From this, I assume you are meaning a measure of energy output. Ohm is a measure of electrical resistance. You should change it to one of the following units:
Kilojoules - a measure of energy content (Heat, potential to do work).
Food Calories or kilocalories - energy required to heat on kilogram of water 1 degree Celsius. Logical choice for a food. 9500 Calories would be 4-5 days worth of energy for an adult human.
(made up unit) - you called these manafruits, implying magical energy. Make up a new unit for magic.
If these fruits give energy over time, then consider using watts (1 joule/second).
2811081
It was recommended to me. Whoops
I wanted something a bit more uncommon. Watts is to close
I am very much against this Brad character as any true fan of the show knows Twilight is in love with Celestia.
As far as the chapter.....this has potential, but so much build up...waiting on the payout
2811068 Twilight Eating meat. she did it in human form, whats to say she won't do it as something in pony form. that is if Equestria Girls becomes Cannon to the series.
Is there a "you" missing in there?
Need a closing quotation mark.
Well that was a quick chapter which has raised even more questions.
2812093
I doubt it will
2812224 Thank frigging goodness, It would be a nightmare keeping the show tame if the characters "ponies mind you" actually started to eat meat, after learning that other animals were edible. I don't think that would go over too well with an innocent crowd.
Wait, if Twilight gets a canon love interest then that means that all of the shipping fics with her will be an alternate universe though.
2810913
penumbra noun (plural penumbrae /-briː/ or penumbras)
1. the partially shaded outer region of the shadow cast by an opaque object.
• Astronomy the shadow cast by the earth or moon over an area experiencing a partial eclipse.
• Astronomy the less dark outer part of a sunspot, surrounding the core.
2. a peripheral or indeterminate area or group:
an immense penumbra of theory surrounds any observation
2813257
Yup. Or we get tons of Flash-Light (Twi-Sentry?) Clop fics
2810465
>has negative opinion
>don't you dare express criticism!
It's shit like this that's why fanfic writers never get any valid criticism of their stories on this site.
As for Flash, I'm glad McCarthy's confirmed he won't be in S4. As a member of the Lion King fandom, I can testify to how canon relationships kill almost every romance story. There was never any creativity. Any fun. Any clop. It was a dried, dead husk. I don't want that to happen to MLP, which is why canon should butt out of shipping completely. I don't want the Mane Six, background ponies, or secondary characters to get canonized ships because I don't want to see all the great shipping stories die.
There's plenty of other ways for Twilight (and everyone else) to get character development that don't require pissing off 95% of the fandom and causing unnecessary shitstorms.
2810441
Equestria Girls wasn't bad. It had its bad moments, but it had far more good points. Don't get all butthurt because it was about humans and not ponies. It isn't as bad as people say, and I'd honestly go as far as to say it was good.
2810472
The socalled "romance" between Twilight and Brad McClichéPants was nothing but a trick to cater to the intended audience: pre-teen girls, the ones who are at the age where they experience their first crushes, or it becomes more normal to experience such crushes. "Brad" has, as the above guy mentioned, no substance. He is a redundant character that has no reason to be in the movie at all. His part in the movie was so brief that it wasn't of any import and could have been done by any other character.
They could have removed him from the movie entirely and it would have made no difference to the overall plot whatsoever.
But I don't like Brad. He's the only pony that I don't like, though I did enjoy the movie, just not him. Too cliche.