Why draw my own characters doing dynamic things and interacting when I can constantly draw 3/4 still poses and explore things not needing exploring.
Let's talk about the Crystal Empire Rulers.
Prince Shining Armor Sparkle
Prince Shining Armor Sparkle belonged to an ancient but modest unicorn line in Canterlot, the Sparkle family. Members of this family always achieved fantastical feats: from writing best selling books to discovering new constellations, Sparkle unicorns placed themselves in history going back to Old Equestria. Shining Armor Sparkle, or simply Shining Armor, grew up fascinated with the stories of his ancestors, especially those unicorns that helped protect the Equestrian Crown such as his Uncle Valor Sparkle. While his sister Twilight Sparkle dedicated her life to learned study, Shining Armor dedicated his life to his physical and magical strength in combat. Eventually the young stallion's determination and hard work landed him a position with the Canterlot Royal Guard, serving to protect Princess Celestia. For the next decade, Shining Armor proved himself valiant and powerful, often leading his own command. Shining Armor's work did not go unnoticed: Shining Armor's retiring commander appointed the white stallion as Captain of the Royal Guard, becoming the youngest stallion to do so in Celestian Equestrian history. Life went well for the white stallion: he held a prestigious position, he was engaged to his foalhood crush Amore Cadenza, and he placed his own mark on the Sparkle family history. However, Shining Armor's world changed during the final moments of preparation for his wedding.
Princess Mi Amore Cadenza
As most know, Princess Cadence was not always an alicorn princess, instead being ascended by Princess Celestia. Amore Cadenza shares a name with her most ancient ancestor, Princess Amore of the Crystal Empire. However, with the disappearance of the Crystal Empire in Old Equestria, the family lineage became muddled and almost disappeared with only Princess Celestia truly knowing of Cadence's heritage. Cadence was born simply a pegasus to two ordinary ponies in a small village outside Canterlot. Much to everypony's surprise, Princess Celestia took in a young Cadence as a "faithful student", seeing an epic magic within the pink pegasus. Through her studies under the sun princess, Cadence quickly grasped the philosophy of love magic, spreading love of all kinds wherever she ventured. However, not everything was harmonious with the pink pegasus: as the only pegasus "faithful" student under Princess Celestia, Cadence experienced the looming jealousy and even rage of the ponies of Canterlot. When not under the gaze of their celestial ruler, ponies harassed Cadence in the streets, damaging the already frail confidence of the pink pegasus. Although Princess Celestia tried to stop these actions, Cadence decided to believe the harsh words of other ponies and left her position as a "faithful" student. Cadence left Canterlot for a short while, returning only at the request of her previous mentor to foal sit for her newer "faithful" students such as Twilight Sparkle and to fall in love with her old school friend Shining Armor. Cadence remained by Shining Armor's side through it all: military academy, guard training, and his eventual succession to Captain. The young couple eventually announced their engagement, much to the spectacle of Canterlot. However, Cadence's world changed during the final moments of preparation for her wedding. --
All seemed according to plan: the Royal Canterlot Castle venue, roses lining the aisles, and every invitation with an yes RSVP. However, behind the satin facades was bubbling trouble. Under the darkness of night, the changeling queen, Queen Chrysalis, sensed a powerful aura of love from Canterlot, and so decided to disguise herself as the most publicized bride, Cadence, and hide away the true pink pegasus in the Royal Canterlot catacombs. For weeks, the changeling queen feasted on love from the handsome groom Shining Armor, and no one suspected a thing until the eve of the wedding when Twilight Sparkle fell prisoner to the catacombs where her friend Cadence lay, the pink pegasus clinging to life. Miraculously, the two ponies escaped the catacombs and reveled Queen Chrysalis. Upon seeing Shining Armor weakened by the changeling's thirst, Cadence offered herself to Queen Chrysalis in return for Shining Armor's freedom. After seeing how powerful Cadence's love was in defeating even Princess Celestia, Queen Chrysalis accepted her new prisoner, foolishly looking away to her changeling army attacking Canterlot. In one moment of blindness from the changeling queen, Cadence ran to Shining Armor and embraced her fiancй, her tears sparkling under a mysterious unknown glow. That mysterious glow suddenly became an incredible flash of light, shining all throughout Canterlot and forcing all the changelings, including Queen Chrysalis, to retreat. When the light faded, the loving couple regained their strength to find that Cadence gained a unicorn horn. Princess Celestia embraced Cadence, knowing this whole time that through her love and sacrifice, Cadence would ascend as the Princess of Love. After a few days rest, the wedding went on as planned, followed by a coronation for Equestria's newest princess, Princess Mi Amore Cadenza.
More story to come!
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Yes, I AU canon that Cadence became an alicorn at her own wedding, not when she was a filly. I honestly debated this for a while, but I decided that if other people can make their AUs so radically different than the established canon, than f* I can too!
So what do you all think? I like hearing everyone's opinions. Feel free to comment below!
--- MLP (c) Hasboro
Dawnverse Characters (c)
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Please do not post this picture anywhere without my permission.
Live model drawing session at local studio. 10 minute graphite pencil sketch on large format recycled brown paper. Much appreciation for the model's time for this session.
Here is another Mental Oemga research report, this time on the Foehn Revolt's Lancer. I've often imagined what it would be like if MEC Troopers could fight as regular infantry without the use of their MECs. I believe that the technology behind the Lancer could improve their base augments and allow them to do just that. As always, feel free to provide comments on this. Thank you.
Ca fait encore un moment que je n'ai pas post'e... ^^ Voil`a un dessin que j'ai fait pour l'anniversaire de il y a quelques mois. Il s'agit de la superbe Nahini!