Part 1
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6

Before I go on, I'm sure someone out there is wondering why the hay I devoted some of my time creating an EQG rewrite. I mean, I have a long history being VERY negative and sometimes ANGRY towards it.

My hatred for this spinoff is exactly why I planned this concept in the first place. Three bad TV films, the first being worse than Rainbow Falls, got me so fed up, I thought about creating my version of it. Instead of just being disappointed in a poorly organized and lackadaisically set-up world and writing only reviews for it, why not create an alternate EQG that, if done right, can be well-thought-out and engaging. As the old saying goes, "If you want something done right, do it yourself." Of course, this means drafting and coming up with concepts that may never even be used.

Now, to resume. ^^

Sunset's relationship with Pinkie

In my previous post, I elected to have Sunset Shimmer be an adopted sister of the Pie family, for family is one of Pinkie's values. She eccentric enough to be herself, but also understanding of her family. She respects her family and her traditions, and she respects others', too. From the way I see it, I'm thinking of Sunset and Pinkie having a close, sisterly relationship. What do kids do well? Copy some elements of others' personalities, ala Scootaloo flirting with the crowd outside the fast food joint in Twilight Time.

But at the same time, do you think Sunset will try to run from her past in some capacity? In other words, keep her past life as an anthropomorphic pony in Equestria a secret? Given her horrific past, I'd think so.

Solution: Sunset runs away and finds herself homeless in the cool, crisp summer night. Celestia searches for her, yet Sunset continues to hide, particularly in areas where police normally don't visit. Food and water come from areas where she found money and/or stole. A day or two after the portal closes, Sunset returns to the portal's location, only to find out it had been shut. As a result, she's stuck. She huddles under the statue for the night. Next morning, she hears cop cars and immediately tries to flee, but police are able to find her and convince her to come out. They interview her. She tells them her name. They ask her about her parents. She says she ran away from Equestria and not knowing any other family. They bring her to the hospital to have her checked out, not believing her totally, yet also giving her the benefit of the doubt.

As she gets a checkup, the police ask about the registry of a Sunset Shimmer. Nothing. They look at blood records for DNA testing. Nothing; in fact, it's a completely different blood type compared to the rest of society. They start to believe her. They ask who in Equestria did they last see her. Sunset says, "Princess Celestia." The cops are confused, because a Principal Celestia existed, but not a Princess. Sunset talked about the portal, and a nearby cop mentioned the base of the horse statue is sealed and full. They ask her if there was any way they can communicate. Sunset directs to a book, but she can't take them out because she doesn't know how to use her hands. They write to her through the book using a nearby ballpoint pen, but they got no reply for several days. The problem? None of the pens are capable of producing any form of magic to telegraph communication; she left her Equestrian pen behind. In the meantime, once her cuts are cleaned, and she's cleared to leave, she'll be brought to the Pedestria Orphanage in one of the city's middle-class neighborhoods. She'll get free food, clothes, a bed, and comfort, and the staff will help take care of her.

Next morning, she's cleared by doctors to go to the shelter. It was a clean shelter with several rooms and beds. Lunch was prepared for her, but she couldn't pick it up. Some of the kids started teasing, and it hurt her. Others tried to comfort her, but it didn't work. Immediately, the kids who teased felt terrible and were about to apologize, when a trustee came in and announced that the Pie and Flutter families were coming for a soup kitchen drive. Single-file, they all head to the kitchen. Everyone holds onto the tray by hand, but Sunset can't, so she uses her mouth instead. Pinkie Pie (who was there giving them food, milk, and water along with the rest of the Pie family, Fluttershy, and her parents) noticed it and felt horrible. She helped her hold onto the tray and gave her instructions on how to use utensils and hold onto items. Sunset still clasps her hands like hooves, but soon begins to adjust.

Next day, Pinkie Pie decides to go visit little Sunset, and the two begin to form a bond very quickly. After about a month, they become good friends, and Sunset had all but figured out how to eat with her hands. One weekend night, Pinkie suggested to her mom and dad about adopting the kid. Initially, they were hesitant because Pinkie's one of their four kids. But they eventually decided to do so. After screening and writing papers, Sunset was officially a member of the Pie family.

All the while, Sunset's book had been piling with notes from Celestia trying to contact her, only to find them forgotten.

Sunset's relationship with the ReMane Four

Sunset was adopted by Pinkie and the Pie family, but Pinkie isn't alone. She has many friends, whether it's the Pinkie from Equestria or vice-versa. If going by the Holiday Special, Pinkie has thousands of friends worldwide, and she's really popular on MyStable. One of the reasons why she's so well-liked is, well, she's very likeable. In Equestria, she's an actual character. The conflicts we see from her are relatable, and she becomes as real as a real-life human being. Her wit and offbeat characteristics only add to the charm.

Solution: Sunset gets acquainted with Fluttershy first, because 'Shy is a year older than Pinkie and is one of PP's earlier friends. Like Pinkie, Sunset gets acquainted with AJ, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash later. Pinkie's relationship with the rest of the ReMane Four builds over time, starting when they meet in a private Pedestrian academy in the heart of the city.

Lack of communication, and how to solve it?

Take a look at some of the context in Part 1:

Every night, she went to the Reflection Room and try to communicate with Sunset, but got nothing until eight years later when writings of Sunset's adventure appeared, along with pictures of doppelgangers of what would become Twilight's friends in Equestria.

To return from earlier:

Sunset directs to a book, but she can't take them out because she doesn't know how to use her hands. They write to her through the book using a nearby ballpoint pen, but they got no reply for several days. The problem? None of the pens are capable of producing any form of magic to telegraph communication; she left her Equestrian pen behind.

In Rainbow Rocks, Sunset Shimmer admitted to abandoning using her journal to Princess Celestia once she ran away to Pedestria. Rainbow Rocks was the first time using it. But in RR, she can use any kind of pen to communicate with Celestia and later Twilight. But in this rewrite, you can't just use any pen to write back. You need a specific, flat, non-feather quill to create this communication, and according to the text, she forgot it.

But what if that's not actually the case? Instead, why not have her bring it with her, try to find it, but couldn't? When she arrived in the shelter and later adopted, Sunset left her past behind. But not entirely. Sunset looks at her bulging journal, and inside were letters from Celestia and then letters from Sunset, the latter of which she vainly wrote. She looked in it every time Pinkie and the rest of the Pies weren't home. Then, eight years later, as she cleaned up her room, she rediscovered her journal and sack. Memories of her past linger, yet suppressed. She tries to find a pen, but couldn't find the right one. Then, she looks in an old cupboard and finds a quill pen that looks exactly like the one she used. She just needs to find any kind of ink to write. Using ink from a spare gel pen, she starts writing in messages to Celestia. She waits for a few seconds, but no answer. But before she gave up, Celestia writes back, and the two start conversing. But Sunset seems to be happy in her new life. Celestia and her parents are suspicious.

But how come she can see copies of photos in her journal? Simple. Whenever Sunset writes on the paper, anything on it will appear, too.

A better conflict

EQG1's plot is as cookie-cutter, bland, clichéd, and stereotypical as you can make it. In a world like FIM where clichés are — and should be — openly criticized, the whole setting and conflict are supported. Children, especially girls, love to see real conflicts. None of EQG1's conflict feel real in the slightest. In short, the setting is sexist.

So, how to change it? By making the conflict feel real.

Solution: Think about the conflict from Thomas & Friends's Tale of the Brave. A "monster" chugs around the Island, frightening Percy. It turns out to be Gator, who takes cargo around the Island. James becomes the antagonist and plot device to fuel up Percy's fear of monsters. Initially, Percy feared monsters, but started not to when Thomas took the mail train and completed his duty with no problem. But James decides to "show" Percy by shoving a towering scrap monster. Percy was so frightened, he ran back. Thomas didn't believe him, leaving Percy to believe he isn't wanted on Sodor anymore.

Why is Tale's story much better than EQG1's conceptually? It's not the usual garbage you can find today. Percy battles both an external and internal conflict. External by the monsters, internal by admitting his lack of bravery and how his closest friend didn't comfort him at a very vulnerable time. Rather than be the clichéd homecoming story with a whole bunch of filler to produce an hour of garbage, why not make the goal feel more dynamic. And Tale of the Brave is the best Thomas TV film; if you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend it.

What does this have anything to do with the EQG rewrite concept? The high school clichés can lay in the background in favor of a much more dynamic and plausible portrayal of high school. American high school has an awful reputation for so many reasons, and it's earned. At the same time, do you think it makes sense to portray CHS like that? No. For one, it's a massive generalization of the high-school system. In addition, this story is partially about Sunset succeeding in high school, where she couldn't in Canterlot's School for Gifted Unicorns. Not everyone in high school should be a massive stereotype, either. Dynamic characterizations and a dynamic plot.

Fearing she's seen as a massive failure, Sunset runs away into an alternate dimension, is adopted into a different family, finds success in Pedestria, and excels in Canterlot High. During summer break, the portal in between both worlds opens for the first time in several years. Spike, Celestia, and Twilight search for her to rescue her while Luna alerts the ReMane Five and Sunset's parents. But there's a massive problem. Sunset is doing well in Pedestria and has become a close member of the Pie family, especially human!Pinkie Pie there. Her parents wait for her to come home, and the trio only have two weeks to bring her home. But will home be living in a place where bad memories haunt her, and how will human!Pinkie react once she finds out that if Sunset elects to return to Equestria, they may never see each other again?

More to come in later entries.