"But if it's that important, I'm sure I could be of use," argued Twilight Sparkle as she flew through the air on vast wings rippling with purple feathers.

Princess Celestia was adamant, "You must understand, dear, that Violet requested this to be private."

The majestic alicorn of white fur with a mane and tail composed of shimmering blue astral energy flew alongside her student and young friend, the desert winds blustering past her finely toned body which was lithe with powerful muscles.

A deep connection to and reliance upon magic had not prevented the immortal Celestia from attending to care of her physical health. Nor, for that matter, had she ever allowed her unimaginable archive of knowledge to slip.

Celestia broke the silence by saying, "My sister and I, in all honesty, do not fully understand the mechanisms of the ancient magic. We only know that it has been reliable thus far. Prithee, be patient along with us."

"Fine," spoke up an unconvinced Twilight, "I will."

Celestia glanced over at her young student lovingly, with a lugubrious tinge of sadness poorly veiled. Twilight seemed exhausted, bitter, stressed, divided. She didn't need to carry that kind of weight, and Celestia could not convey this to her.

"In times such as these," Celestia said, trying anyways to convince Twilight, "There are two battles. One against the corporeal threats. One which is fought at home, in peacekeeping and the support of friends."

This, at least, got through to Twilight who responded, "Right, and I'm the ambassador of the peace. I get it, I really do. It's just..."

"A hard thing," Celestia filled in for her, "Life holds many of those. Come now, it is my understanding that your role as ambassador is needed in Ponyville."

"What? Why?" asked Twi in a startled voice.

In response Celestia smiled. Her horn flared a brilliant yellow like sunlight, the rays of magic shimmering the air ahead into a portal. It did not go unnoticed by Twilight that the yellow energy also refracted through a number of crystals worn on a necklace by the Princess.

If Celestia, of all ponies, needed a boosting artifact just to travel... then she must be incredibly exhausted in both mind and body. Twilight chose not to comment on this, and instead followed her beloved teacher and leader through the portal and into an entirely different region of Equestria as though they had trespassed through a painting.

A glance at the "painting" behind them before the portal closed. Twilight supposed it could be called a rustic slice of life. Farm house, dormant winter wheat fields, orchard, a few half-sentient goats and feral chickens here and there.

The portal closed entirely, the last few sparks of yellow magic crackled away like lost embers, and the duo began a peaceful descent to the town of Ponyville. The sunset framed the town in silhouette, and Twilight found the wherewithal to smile faintly despite all she had been through.

Home, hearth, and friends. Yonder, the Apples' orchard. Opposing, the rising puffs of dust from dirt roads where Fluttershy's neat cabin was kept. This, oddly enough, seemed to be the direction Celestia was taking her.

Twilight glanced North, towards the cobblestone markets, pristine and painted wooden buildings, and incongruous crystal castle. Within the various rooms of that castle, Twilight had offered plenty of counsel and settlements to help keep the peace and foster friendship as was her role in the world, as was her given purpose for being made into an alicorn. It was an incredibly rare and venerable honor.

Why, then, were the princess and she now alighting upon the soft dirt and sawdust of Everfree Lane? What great disruption in civic life could possibly exist in the home of the soft-spoken Fluttershy?

Celestia's voice broke her reverie, "It shall be clear what is needed here. I need to return to Equestria and manage some rather boring political matters."

"Ugh, have fun with that," jested Twilight.

Celestia stuck out her tongue at Twilight and took off into flight, her experienced wings bolstered by a magic updraft which rustled the gardens nearby. She flew off into the distance, not in any great hurry to meet with bickering officials.

Twilight brought her gaze back down to earth, where the comfortable cabin of Fluttershy nestled in the midst of flowers, fruits and vegetables.

A knock on the door was swiftly answered by the light yellow pegasus in question. Fluttershy wore an evening gown. A squirrel was curled up on top of her head, asleep in the soft pink mane and looking for all the world like the crown of some nature deity.

Twilight pictured Fluttershy as some stern and graceful ruler of a close-to-nature fantasy kingdom and couldn't help but giggle.

"What?" asked Fluttershy in a surprisingly irked voice, her eyebrows raised.

"Nothing, nothing," said Twilight, who fought to suppress further giggles, "Um, the princess said you needed assistance here?"

"Oh my, yes," Fluttershy responded in her usual quiet, soft tone, "Come right on in. By Celestia but you look tired, Twilight."

"That's more accurate than you would believe," commented Twi as she strode into the cabin. Fluttershy helped her unequip her saddlebags, the numerous charms on them jangling like the wind chimes outside. Deep lines were pressed into her fur and hide from how long she had been wearing the equipment and sleeping with it on. Deep lines could also be seen beneath Twilight's eyes.

The two old friends retreated to the living room and talked for a time over tea. During Twilight's second cup and while she was in the middle of saying that the reckless danger of gathering herbal ingredients in Everfree seemed almost relaxing to Celestia, another visitor entered the cabin. Twilight stopped talking and began staring.

Fluttershy spoke up as the deer had a seat next to her on the sofa, "This is Rosepetal. Um, she's probably why Celestia asked you to stop by."

Twilight continued staring, one ear down. The expression on her face clearly showed the gears turning in her mind. Fluttershy explained the situation.

A purple light filled the living room and gently caressed the deer. When it faded, the deer tried speaking, "Did it work? Can you hear me?"

"Yes, yes we can," muttered an amazed Twilight, "Where do you come from, anyways? Some land far outside Equestria's borders?"

"Um, I assume so... I just have a hard time remembering. It's strange," replied Rose the deer.

Twilight gathered her wits and took a moment before speaking, "So from what Fluttershy told me, your kind had a run-in with dragons and you were one of few survivors. Sky met you while out exploring and brought you here."

The deer answered her, "Yes. But, I only remember my name, Rosepetal."

A nod from Twilight, "Shock can do that to you. Try to take it easy Rose, you're among friends here."

Fluttershy entered the conversation, "She can't speak to us without magic, and she really loves the garden."

"Alright," said Twilight calmly, "The first issue sounds like a job for a teacher. Once Rose can speak and read Ponish, we can help her find a place where she will be happy."

Fluttershy commented, "One of my good friends is a schoolteacher here, and she's usually still awake at this hour. Let me go talk with her. Oh, and if you two are hungry, help yourself."

Twilight and the deer did so, perusing the kitchen for a plant-based late supper. Fluttershy left her cabin and trotted into a skipping gallop, using the lamp-bordered dirt lane as a runway.

With her eyes kept on the receding lamps for direction in the dark as she rose into the air, Fluttershy almost ran into another flier passing by. They narrowly avoided each other in a great rustle of feathers.

"Oh, excuse me," apologized Fluttershy.

"It's quite alright, I wasn't paying attention myself," responded the messenger pegasus. Fluttershy continued on her merry way into town, flying towards the well-lit main street where a few shops were still open. That main road would lead her to Cherry Jubilee's house.

The messenger used her mouth to tighten the strap of her satchel and then charged off to the Northwest. Navigating in the dark by the aid of the moon and stars was a mere matter of habit for her, as a night mail runner.

It was an important role, and Night Flight was proud of her job (if her name change was any indication). Her sleek silvery fur blended into the moonlight as owls hooted and some dangerous timber wolf howled far below, well beyond hope of reaching her up here.

Some pegasi may complain about being alone all the time or only returning home once every couple weeks. For Night Flight, the perks outweighed that: She could make her own schedule and visit all of Equestria, as long as the long-distance mail was delivered on time.

The mail guild of Corn Hills, an already small town, had sent her a request from Dodge Junction of all places. Only the second time she had been there.

On arrival at the ghost town, Night Flight had met a rural-looking pony who wore a faded brown cloak. This gal, named Lightning Ridge, had a simple letter delivery.

Since there wasn't even a specific building for mail in Dodge Junction (just a place in the tavern where mail was received), Night Flight had bought an ale and moved on. With the incredibly light load, she was able to bring more food and supplies than usual on her trip.

It certainly was an oddity of a delivery. Where her usual mail routes might have her towing an aerial cartload of letters and packages along a busy flight route between major cities, this run was a single letter from the middle of nowhere to... the middle of nowhere.

Night Flight saw a river below reflecting the moonlight and began her descent for a lunch break.

She lie couchant in the snow and refilled her canteen from the river, which was too swift to freeze. After her meal and before takeoff, she checked the delivery instructions again just to be sure:

'Iron Haycart, rice farmer just north of the Smokey Mountains. Sorry I can't be more specific, we haven't been on the best of terms.'

Night Flight shrugged as she galloped back aloft on the winter winds. The nice country gal had paid double the usual rate for a single letter and it was nice to spend time out in the peace and quiet of nature rather than the bustling city.

It took the agile young pegasus mare two and a half days to reach the Smokey Mountains region and another day of searching and asking around before she found the acres of currently frozen rice fields.

Place was a mess. Beer cans everywhere, weeds flourishing, cabin had two boarded-up broken windows. The grumpy pony who emerged from the dimly lit cabin began cussing at Night Flight in a drunken stupor as the pegasus landed.

Night unbuckled her satchel and mouthed the letter over to him. Iron Haycart responded by spitting on the ground, releasing acrid breath ripe with tobacco juice into the nostrils of Night Flight.

Iron then slurred, "Nice of ya to finally show up. Can't be arsed to help the folks, can't be arsed to help me when the farm's going all to shit."

There was an awkward pause. Iron kicked the dirt and apologized,

"You ain't my bastard brother. Sorry bout that. Can I help ya?"

Night Flight replied in a wavering voice, "Uh, letter for you... sir?"

Iron took the letter from her, turned his back, and entered his dilapidated cabin without a word. The door slammed hard enough to rattle the remaining windows. Snow slid off the porch roof right onto Night Flight, who shook it off and snorted in agitation.

The mail pegasus faded into the moonlit winter sky until Iron's failing farm was once more at peace.

The exterior detritus was pristine compared with the interior of Iron's cabin. Rotting food sat on stacked plates, empty cans and broken bottles of beer lie strewn. The air in here was so fetid that the stench was almost a physical presence.

Iron clambered back into a protesting bed with sheets that had not been white in moons. He set the letter on a nightstand covered in chewing tobacco spit and took the hilt of a knife in his mouth. The knife was pulled from where it was stuck in the nightstand and the letter was torn open.

It was read in the dim light of a soot-stained kerosene lantern as Iron had a chug of old beer kept cold by the harsh winter night. His hard, angry, drunken eyes softened a little as he read the page, the brilliant white of the paper an obscene contrast to the filth and dirt that could be seen in every other corner.

The letter read,

'Iron, your dad and I miss you. Please come visit us on the farm. A lot has changed of late, we have an orchard now and brought in some goats and chickens. A granary has been partially built, and we could use your help in completing it.

Your little sister has been healed and we plan to celebrate. There will be a feast and party in one moon from now, which should give you time enough to travel. Zecora, an alchemist who lives in the forest, made a medicine which cured all of her ailments.

We've invited all the family over and would love it if you attend, as well. We can also give you some foodstuff and bits to assist you with whatever expansions you have planned for your own farm.

Love, mom.'

Iron gently picked up the letter in his mouth. He stomped into a kitchen where the majority of counter and floor surfaces could no longer be seen beneath encrusted filth and neglected dishes. He placed the letter on his icebox with a magnet, where it could be on one of the few clean surfaces in his entire home, and then he hit the hay.

Ponyville, the next morning. The weather was brisk and clear, with only a few unnaturally low clouds in the sky. Birdsong reverberated in the winter air as sunlight warmed the snowy streets.

Fluttershy, Twilight, and Rosepetal walked together into town. Some ponies stopped to gawk at the deer and talk with her. With Rose's strange memory issue, there wasn't much to say.

In the vibrant Ponyville market, where chatter and mercantile bustle filled the air with sound, the three met up with Maud and her sister Pinkie. Together they enjoyed a well-deserved day of rest, and introduced Rose to aspects of their culture.

The deer, who came from a much simpler society, was thoroughly impressed by everything. She enjoyed a variety of exotic fruits, browsed shops full of luxury, met with the schoolteacher to arrange times for lessons, and finally walked with her new friends to the most amazing thing she had ever seen in her life:

A whole castle made out of opaque crystal, with ponies leaving and entering freely. Twilight Sparkle spoke up with pride,

"This is the library, town hall, forum, and guest home for Ponyville now. Oh, by Luna's mane but I do miss the old tree though..."

She told Rosepetal about the former library, a tree hollowed out by magic, as they navigated the corridors of the present crystal castle. Rose observed that Twilight was a bit ashamed of how gaudy this castle was, and cozy, homely decor was up all over to offset that.

In the company of good friends, the echoing chambers felt more like the nostalgic home of one's grandparents. This was true of each room except, of course, for the map room.

If Rosepetal thought the castle was amazing, then the map room was truly unreal. She spent half an hour simply looking out over the land, with Twilight and company talking about the various places they had been.

As the sun eased over its zenith, the small company settled in the library for afternoon tea and snack cakes. Rosepetal wanted to read all of the books and was piqued by everything.

For now, she was content to enjoy a game similar to billiards, but on a table set directly on the ground so each pony could lie couchant and strike the cue ball with one front hoof.

Applejack joined their gathering with a friendly "Howdy, y'all" and promptly went over to meet the deer, offering her a place on her land if she so desired. They returned to their billiards game, AJ and Rose teaming up against Maud and Pinkie.

Fluttershy and Twilight watched from overstuffed lounge chairs, lying relaxed on their sides facing each other with their wings sprawled out over the backs of the chairs.

Fluttershy asked about an odd burned spot in the middle of one shelf, which was surrounded by damaged books. Twilight answered,

"Vandalism and arson, I think it was somepony's idea of a prank."

From the pool table Pinkie shouted, "That's not a prank silly, that's just mean!"

Twilight, trying to ignore Pinkie as usual, continued, "I don't like to cast blame but... we did have an interesting situation just a few days ago. The new queen of the dragons met up with the new leader of the changelings, it was this whole peaceful delegation thing and yeah."

Fluttershy looked up from behind her tea, smirked, and commented, "Looks like they both had a fiery temper."

Twilight gave her an annoyed smile back. She nodded yes and said, "Well, Ember is one of the best-behaved dragons I've ever known and I really can't believe she would do a thing like this. What's strange, though, is that I don't know all the books I lost."

"Huh?" inquired Fluttershy.

"I got the fire contained really quickly, rushed in soon as I saw the smoke. Only lost three books. One was poetry, one was a collection of old fables, and somehow I actually forgot to list the last one."

"Well, everypony makes mistakes," offered Fluttershy gently.

"It wouldn't be so bad except the lost book was just... burned to ashes. I have no idea what it might have been and it's the craziest thing, I love old fables to relax with. I just can't seem to remember what went in that spot."

"You'll figure it out, Twilight."

"Thanks, Fluttershy."

From the pool table came a "Yes! I win!" in Pinkie PIe's voice. Maud and she smacked their front hoofs together as a bemused AJ setup a new game.

One week later, en route to the Haycart family farm, aboard the Equestria Express.

Light rain pattered onto the roof of the train as it steamed on towards Dodge Junction. A gruff and sturdy draft pony sat in a booth of the dining car, nursing his coffee and nearly falling back asleep with the hypnotic sounds of the freezing rain as it drained down the windows, leaving trails of ice and slush. He sat back up with a yawn.

Iron Haycart was the splitting image of his father. He possessed dark brown fur the color of fertile, tilled soil and a platinum gray mane and tail which made him look as old as he felt rather than as young as he was.

In truth, Iron was less than a decade older than his youngest brother, Skyblazer Haycart.

A tattered and sweat-stained straw hat, the band of which was snakeskin from a rattler that had tried to get at his chickens, sat atop his head as a memento of the dismal homestead he had traveled from.

For the first time in forgotten moons Iron had bathed. He had even bothered to brush down his fur and mane. For this journey, he only brought a single, small flask of whiskey rather than a whole bottle.

Outside the train windows, rolling winter scrub-brush hills swept by; inside the train, a hostess swept by with a cart of breakfast. A tray of oatmeal, scrambled eggs and fried potatoes was set down in front of Iron.

He gently pushed the tray back and said, "Can't pay. I'm broke."

With a stern look, the attractive and curvaceous female unicorn nudged the tray of food right back in front of him by use of greenish magic. The magic from her horn then extruded several coins from her apron pocket and deposited them into the change-box she wore at her side.

Iron smiled grimly as the unicorn of emerald fur walked to the next table with a few haughty swishes of her blueish tail.

He ate in silence, sipped his coffee in silence, peered out the window in silence until the train began to slow as Dodge Junction approached. As he left he said a quiet "Thanks" to the hostess.

Iron looked around, his one suitcase held in his mouth. Yup. Dodge Junction was the same.

On second thought... was it better? Iron could swear the row of tidy log cabins wasn't there before. The general store looked to have a new facade and fresh paint under the snow. Somepony had bothered to plow a few side alleys and a dining patio was swept clear.

Walking further into town, towards the hazy tavern, Iron Haycart observed the cleanliness. No rotting boards and broken glass lying around. The stack of busted wagon wheels was gone. In its place a heavy clay planter containing a frosty pine sat by the swinging tavern doors.

What about the interior of the ol' watering hole? Iron Haycart stepped inside and shook off the snow. None of the patrons bothered to look at him. It was cleaner than he remembered in here. The tables, chairs and bar were all brand new, looking to have been made by some local carpenter, and there was a piano now. Otherwise, it was the same ol' place.

There was the same heavy smoke in the air. Smell of ale and whiskey in his powerful nose. Sounds of old ponies talking at the bar and young ponies gambling at their tables. Still the usual shady characters by the wood stove. Monster hunters, scarred and weary. Armored and dangerous.

Iron smiled. This tavern was where he had drunk his first beer with his pa. Where he and his best friends hung out once upon a time. Where he learned how to count cards and how to win a fight if he was caught doing it.

One of the hunters, an earth-pony like himself, sat alone with his back to the wall and nothing on the table. From the incredibly grim, sallow expression on his face it was clear that his only dinner was the warmth from the fire.

Iron sauntered over and spoke in the pony's ear. The pony nodded. Iron's suspicions were correct. Of his meager thirty two bits, Iron set four on the table. Enough for ale and a simple bowl of beans. He thanked the hunter for his hard work.

Unknown to Iron, the bartender had observed this exchange. The tired monster hunter, sore and cut up off a fresh failure, would have an extra helping of beans tonight, and cornbread with honey.

It was also unknown to Iron that his brother Sky had become not only a monster hunter, but a venerable bounty hunter. And so, Iron eased his tired frame onto a barstool and had a tankard of ale with a side of dark thoughts directed towards his flighty youngest brother.

The Haycart Farm, a day and a half later. Iron Haycart had assistance removing himself from the covered wagon he was hitched to. The old farmer riding in the wagon, a unicorn with grayed and mangy fur and a gray beard, got back into the yoke and thanked Iron again for lending a hoof with pulling the wagon back home.

The wagon creaked and rattled on down the snowy lane. Iron left the lane and walked through a gate, beneath a sign which read 'Haycart Farm' in crackling white paint and 'Orchard, Granary, Dairy' in fresh white paint.

Dormant winter fields stretched to the horizon. Vast, promising acres that would hold rotated crops once more come summer.

The way to the farmhouse was up a moderate incline. Ahead, Iron could see a pony approaching him. This was Violet, on a sled, laughing and having a great time.

Iron Haycart smiled broadly, causing the lines on his face to wrinkle. Violet ran up to him, pulling the sled by a rope. The snow puffed and scattered as she bounded through it.

She shouted on approach, "Big bro! You made it! We ain't seen you in a coon's age."

Despite the blanket of white snow all around, Violet was perfectly healthy. Her lavender fur was coated with a powdered sugar dusting of snow and she was breathing hard from running and it didn't affect her one bit.

Violet and Iron stamped through the snow towards the house. The rest of the family was all here, crowded in the dining room. There were presents for Violet from distant relatives and the home had an atmosphere of goodwill.

Lightning Ridge Haycart--a pegasus of golden fur and feathers, black mane and tail, and a missing left wing which was currently veiled by a wool robe--trotted over and hugged Iron. She spoke,

"We haven't seen you in forever, Iron! You never respond back to letters, I was worried the messengers couldn't find you."

"Well," began Iron, "I didn't want to be found."

"Don't talk that way, you know we love you. Your dad's missed you, Violet's missed you, so has Piney and Hayseed and Sky."

Barley Haycart lumbered into the room and roughly sat in a chair at the table. He nodded at Iron and asked, "Now, where the 'ell were you this harvest season? Did ya get the letters, we needed help out here."

"Uh, I was busy with my place," Iron lied.

"Alright, fair enough," relented Barley, "Well, important thing is you're here now. Whole family came down to visit. Violet is all better now, it's a miracle."

Iron asked, "Ma wrote that a zebra potion-maker cured her. Where's she at so I can thank her?"

"Back in her woods," said Barley, "she doesn't get along well with other ponies."

"Yep, I can relate. Heya Piney, long time no see," Iron spoke to the earth-pony who entered now.

Like Lightning and Sky, Piney had golden fur. Unlike either, he was an earth-pony. Piney spent some time talking with Iron about his mining expansions, town renovations, and future plans.

Hayseed Haycart was still living here on his folks' farm, and was even now hard at work with planning and measurements for the in-progress granary. Hayseed finally came inside and shook off the snow, dropping a satchel of tools and measures onto a side table.

Iron walked over and hoof-bumped Hayseed while looking for any sign of Sky. In the living room, by the blazing wood stove, could be seen a pegasus in the dim candlelight.

The pegasus turned around as Iron approached. He had dark blue feathers, not golden ones. Puzzled, Iron asked, "And you are?"

His mother spoke from behind him, "This is Windbreaker, old friend of mine from the Bolts."

Windbreaker curtsied to Iron and said, "Good to meet ya, lad."

Iron nodded, turned around, and went back to the dining room. His pa read his mind and spoke gruffly, "Yeah, I don't see 'im either."

Iron took a seat beside his pa and leaned in to whisper, "Must think he's better than us. Like he always does. Special little jackass."

Barley whispered back conspiratorially, "From what I gather, he's off somewhere with his griffon girlfriend."

"Griffon?! What in Celestia's name..."

It was at this moment Lightning Ridge walked in and revealed her own motherly display of mind reading by saying, "I don't need to hear y'all to know what you're saying over here," she had a seat at the table with an irked expression on her face, "If Sky's not here, it means he's out on a bounty hunt right now. Y'know he risks his life protecting ponies from monsters and outlaws? Y'know he and Cobalt are licensed bounty hunters?"

Across the table from her, both father and son were quiet. Barley replied in a low voice, "Ye, I reckon it slipped my mind."

Lightning shook her head and responded, "You can't stay mad at him, Barley. He's his own colt, he has a whole life to live his own way."

Iron spoke up now, in a surprisingly polite tone of voice, "I-I reckon I have to apologize too. Nopony even told me Sky was out hunting monsters, and I reckon if he's friends with a damn griffon that makes him a badass."

Lightning got up from the table, saying on her way out of the dining room, "I don't mind the occasional swear, Iron, but please watch the racism while you're in my house."

"Right, sorry ma," conceded Iron, "Ahem, that makes him a braver pony than me, is that better?"

Lightning nodded as she walked off to catch up with her other family members.

For a time, father and son sat quietly at the table and ate their fill. As they began on desert, Iron spoke up, "Well, if Sky's off on adventure, I reckon I could stay here and help y'all out. Big projects to work on and stuff."

"Hmmph, we could use the help if you actually want to stay on this little patch of dirt," responded Barley over coffee.

They ate pie made with cherry preserves in silence. In between bites, Barley Haycart spoke under his breath, "The princesses, Celestia and Twilight that is... they ain't so bad as I thought. Ye have them to thank for Violet's well being."

"Is that so?" replied Iron, "Well. How about that."

"Now if ma asks, I didn't say a thing like that. Anyway. Ah reckon there's some fence mending to be done out on the chicken pen, don't want no damn foxes getting in."

Iron Haycart nodded and ate his wonderful pie as his pa stepped outside.

Author's Note

I am taking a break from writing to rewatch My LIttle Pony: FIM and develop some of my story arcs. I haven't actually finished Season 7-8 yet and, without spoiling anything, it will be relevant to my story since the Elements of Conflict are the yang to the yin of the Elements of Harmony.

Here, so far, I've explored some ideas of the ancient history and longevity of Luna and Celestia as implied by canon and gave them my own origin story. It's clear they also have some history with Discord and the other villainous creatures. Before the Elements of Harmony were found they no doubt had to defend Equestria by themselves--which explains their alternate forms quite nicely.

With that said these final seasons have actually surprised me and gone into some of the deeper lore and obscure stuff in the world of Equestria, which was neither expected nor necessary in a kid's show. Maintaining a character depth, great story writing, fantastic dialogue, animesque art and magic, satiating comedy and art, and unexpected action-packed finales is quite wonderful as it is. And for any cartoon or anime series for any age, developing a lush world full of possibility and unexplored aspects is a difficult accomplishment.

With respect for an excellent, well-designed series I'd like to make sure to properly incorporate the more recent aspects of canon while repairing such plotholes and adding such addendums as interest me in my fan work. Two villains catch my eye the most: dark wizard Sombra and the changeling queen. Where other villains were actually given a good backstory and some of them weren't even all that evil (looking at you, great and powerful Trixie) these two characters came across to me more as Saturday-morning-villains-of-the-week. I'd love to develop a solid storyline and motivation for these two.