Perseus wasnt messing around.

So, let's clarify something.

Three Steps Back isn't cancelled.

I know I removed it from the Sci Fi contest, that is despite initially stating it would be my entry. That's my bad. It pretty much comes down to this though, it was getting too damn long.

Now, this isn't a problem. In fact I see this as only a positive (*insert Hulk meme here*), but it did mean my chances of actually finishing it in time for the contest closing were non-existent. I was 5k words in and *barely* getting out of the exposition stage of act one, this was by the tenth of march. Which, hey, is normal for some writers, but irl obligations meant that I'd have to sustain some impossible (not to mention dangerous) standards to try and even get close to finishing it.

I like writing, I like ponies, I like Twilight Barkle. I've several fic ideas set in the Reflectionsverse. I don't like the idea of writing for twelve-plus hours a day with little sleep.

I cleared this with Bicyclette early on, aware this could happen, but hoping it wouldn't. Good thing I did.

The next chapter is underway, however, and I have a lot of notes for the stories frame. It will definitely be finished.

With the preamble over, let's get to the blog proper.

Gorgon.

There's an interesting disconnect in pop culture between "Gorgon" and "Medusa" despite their close links. Medusa is a massive figure in fiction, reinvented time and again, currently enjoying a strong feminist reinterpretation based on "Hey, why is the rape victim punished?" and the weaponising of the male gaze. You know her, you've heard of her.

Gorgons are a bit more obscure, usually typified as the race Medusa or Medusa-like species come from. Often mid-level mooks, they're monsters. No reinvention, and no sympathy, they just exist for heroes to have cool kills and interesting encounters.

This leads to Juniper Montage, a character with a... mixed history. I'm a fan of side characters let me be clear. The oddballs and weirdos who usually don't get much attention. Yet even with that in mind Junipers never meant much to me. Which is ironic because I love media, had worked in a running cinema chain for several years, and also turn into an eight-foot-tall rage monster from time to time.

I think part of the problem is she's a bit lacklustre as presented. Which is concerning, especially considering she had two specials dedicated to her. On a slightly separate note, it really does feel like Wallflower Blush was the overall winner of "Best villain introduced in specials". Anyway...

Movie Magic is fun, but it's very much a Scooby-Doo piece. It gives the girls something different to do (Mysteries! Chase Scenes! Funky outfits!) yet Juniper is a weak antagonist, with an even weaker motivation. At least that was how I saw it at first. I mean, how narcissistic do you have to be to think you can use nepotism to get into a multi-million dollar movie, with no brand, and no real acting experience...

Yes, yes, reality check. Haha.

Still, it gave an interesting needle point to her psyche, added by Mirror Magics novelisation which explains her motives a bit more. Fame was a tool, never the end goal. Why?

Juniper is cripplingly, achingly, lonely.

Sci Twi? She was lonely. Wallflower? Very lonely.

Juniper though? She was so lonely that her only logical answer was to become a film star. Not for the money, the power, or the fame in itself, but using the role to make a link with actual human beings. To reiterate, she almost killed her Uncle's million dollar movie because of an overly circuitous scheme to make friends.

Damn girl.

Mirror Magic gives us this and in spades! Showing her as a tantrum-throwing, work-dodging, anti-social, diva. Let's not forget blaming the Rainbooms for her ridiculous plot not working.

Juniper Monstar is a bit lacking as a final boss for the special, unfortunately. If not for sidelining the Humane Seven, I suspect she'd have been more of a threat considering "Big and strong" isn't exactly impressive when you've had Midnight Sparkle. Or you have a team of magical girls able to outmatch her.

Nonetheless, Starlight being her redemptive element is another interesting tag point. Each redemption tends to create strong social bonds. Sunset and the girls, Sci-Twi and Sunset, Vingette and Rarity, Sunset and Wallflower. Yet there's one big difference here.

Starlight doesn't stick around.

Now that, that is interesting and useful material to work with.

I took some liberties in the story of course. We never hear or see Juniper's parents, she introduces herself as "Canter Zooms Niece" but I play with that a bit. Uncle has a lot of different interpretations after all, and what is Hollywood without its secrets?

Her age is another thing that I changed slightly. Yes, she's not Vingette, drawn to distinctly look like an adult. Yet there's something...odd about her. Perhaps it's that both her specials focus on her career, being a Gofer and a Cinema Host respectively, but she gives me the vibe of someone out of basic education.

I can't remember if I lifted Juniper being a Crystal Prepper from another fic, but it feels right. Zoom has some cash, and Sci Twi was oblivious enough that she'd not notice a girl a year above her. Especially one who ran outside of the academic elite. Juniper skated everything but English and Media based education I suspect.

Finally, I intentionally held back from reading anything by Juniper's OG fan, namely Bookish Delight. I didn't want my characterisation to crib off theirs, my Wallflower work has already been influenced heavily by the current series of excellent fics starring her, I'd rather it not happen twice.

Anyway, enjoy Gorgon and hopefully, we can see more Juniper on the site.