I was reading Ultimates 2 and found it a good read; not par for course but something I can probably have a good time getting into (Also, Ironman Mk. VI with Drunk!Tony was kind of fun to have) if you can ignore some of the character stupidity. So, taking that aside, I'm posting a mega-idea of a novel-length Ponyverse as per the Ultimate Marvel universe, titled the Ultimate Ponyverse.
Don't get me wrong, I won't be turning any of the characters into superheroes or anything, but I will be trying to turn it into a more "multi-layered" version of the Ponyverse rather than what we're used to in the show itself. So, here's pretty much each part of the story, short and sweet and the inspirations that come from it. It's a massive AU.
Episode I: Stardust
Queen Faust rules over the technological marvel of a Kingdom known as Equestria. Her daughter Princess Celestia is a renowned Sorceress and Scientist, working hoof-in-hoof with her fellow ponies to expand the potential of the ponies, minotaurs, zebras and mules. Faust has ruled for three thousand years without incident for the ponies and their peace-loving comrades, a true beacon of harmony and happiness.
However, all is not well. The Gates of Tartarus, the Ever-Closed Doors of Madness are creaking open... along with the horrors that they contain, threatening to destroy everything held dear. In the fiery South, the Queen Tiamat, All-Mother of the Dragons rises once more from her throne, the first time she has woken in more than ten years, crying vengeance with a roar so terrible, and the reclamation of her stripped powers.
Strange to think that now all of Equestria's future is in the hands of a mare, her six friends... and a teenage dragon.
Episode II: Unfurling of the Wings
It is the darkest hour for the ponies. Queen Faust has been trapped in the Gates of Tartarus, some fear for-ever, after the attack of the malicious Discord. Princess Luna's awakening has far-reaching consequences, as the Second Ever-Closed Door on the moon shakes to receive the Fallen Scion once more. Leading the home front, Rainbow Dash and what remains of the now-split Elements must gather what remains of the broken Wonderbolts and deal with a frail truce held between the now-leaderless Equestrians... and the hungry eyes of the griffins.
In Ponyville, Applejack and Fluttershy race against time to gather what they can to combat the now-released Windigoes that threaten to engulf the land in an endless winter once more. With Twilight and Celestia away, it's all they can do to actually pull off a miracle at the front lines. Tiamat is making her move, her endgame unknown.
Meanwhile, Spike, Celestia and Twilight Sparkle search for the Changeling Queen and the true secret to Twilight Sparkle's past across the deserts of the planet Mars... and the search for Discord.
Episode III: Heir To The Empire
With her sacrifice, Pinkie Pie becomes the new Discord, and as she descends into a spiral of possibilities, the universe moves on. Twilight and Cadance move on their mission to re-seal the Horrors Beyond the Doors once and for all as the ruins of Mars rise above the smoke of Tiamat's wrath.
Shining Armor begins to assemble the changeling armada to counter-attack the double threat of the Dragons and the Windigoes. Spike, now aware of his position as the Scion of the Royal Empress, Tiamat's son, must make a choice whether to stand by his friends... or turn against the only family he has and always wanted.
Princesses Luna and Celestia, now truly bereaved of their mother in the Shattering of the Doors, must find a hold in this brave new world, and make the ultimate choice for the sanctity of their falling kingdom. The griffons have fallen to the titanic forces of the Dragons, with only Equestria on the horizon... These are the last days of the Stardust Wars, and the days where Heroes were made.
Don't get me wrong, I won't be turning any of the characters into superheroes or anything, but I will be trying to turn it into a more "multi-layered" version of the Ponyverse rather than what we're used to in the show itself. So, here's pretty much each part of the story, short and sweet and the inspirations that come from it. It's a massive AU.
Episode I: Stardust
Queen Faust rules over the technological marvel of a Kingdom known as Equestria. Her daughter Princess Celestia is a renowned Sorceress and Scientist, working hoof-in-hoof with her fellow ponies to expand the potential of the ponies, minotaurs, zebras and mules. Faust has ruled for three thousand years without incident for the ponies and their peace-loving comrades, a true beacon of harmony and happiness.
However, all is not well. The Gates of Tartarus, the Ever-Closed Doors of Madness are creaking open... along with the horrors that they contain, threatening to destroy everything held dear. In the fiery South, the Queen Tiamat, All-Mother of the Dragons rises once more from her throne, the first time she has woken in more than ten years, crying vengeance with a roar so terrible, and the reclamation of her stripped powers.
Strange to think that now all of Equestria's future is in the hands of a mare, her six friends... and a teenage dragon.
Episode II: Unfurling of the Wings
It is the darkest hour for the ponies. Queen Faust has been trapped in the Gates of Tartarus, some fear for-ever, after the attack of the malicious Discord. Princess Luna's awakening has far-reaching consequences, as the Second Ever-Closed Door on the moon shakes to receive the Fallen Scion once more. Leading the home front, Rainbow Dash and what remains of the now-split Elements must gather what remains of the broken Wonderbolts and deal with a frail truce held between the now-leaderless Equestrians... and the hungry eyes of the griffins.
In Ponyville, Applejack and Fluttershy race against time to gather what they can to combat the now-released Windigoes that threaten to engulf the land in an endless winter once more. With Twilight and Celestia away, it's all they can do to actually pull off a miracle at the front lines. Tiamat is making her move, her endgame unknown.
Meanwhile, Spike, Celestia and Twilight Sparkle search for the Changeling Queen and the true secret to Twilight Sparkle's past across the deserts of the planet Mars... and the search for Discord.
Episode III: Heir To The Empire
With her sacrifice, Pinkie Pie becomes the new Discord, and as she descends into a spiral of possibilities, the universe moves on. Twilight and Cadance move on their mission to re-seal the Horrors Beyond the Doors once and for all as the ruins of Mars rise above the smoke of Tiamat's wrath.
Shining Armor begins to assemble the changeling armada to counter-attack the double threat of the Dragons and the Windigoes. Spike, now aware of his position as the Scion of the Royal Empress, Tiamat's son, must make a choice whether to stand by his friends... or turn against the only family he has and always wanted.
Princesses Luna and Celestia, now truly bereaved of their mother in the Shattering of the Doors, must find a hold in this brave new world, and make the ultimate choice for the sanctity of their falling kingdom. The griffons have fallen to the titanic forces of the Dragons, with only Equestria on the horizon... These are the last days of the Stardust Wars, and the days where Heroes were made.