Zero Blogs: Home Again

This is a rather unorthodox blog, but I wouldn't be writing this for just any sort of decision.

As the Shineverse's second entry draws closer to its end, my thoughts have turned toward the future. Ever since Shine set the groundwork, I've been trying to make the transition from source material to my own original work as smooth as possible. In retrospect, that makes Spark's conclusion VITAL for the rest of the works. It's essentially the diving board that all future works will draw from.

That said, an issue has come up with my progression. One that I feel I can't solve on my own. As such, I decided to call upon you, my fellow...Infernities...to aid your comrade Zero.

Rose: Do you have any idea how silly that sounds?

Well if you don't like it, PinkieLunaShy's dubbed them Shineversers. I need some sort of title for my recurring fans.

I'm digressing. The issue I need help with is the portal.

Obviously, the portal from Equestria to the Human World would have a very drastic effect on the Verse depending on how I decided to use it. It's where the Equestrians come from. It's arguably the source of all magic in the Human World. And the desire to return there was/is a key goal for Sunset in Shine and Twilight in Spark.

So if the Shineverse continues, two options present themselves with the portal.

Option 1: The portal ends up destroyed, shut down, or otherwise rendered inactive at the end. Cutting off the connection from Equestria would further establish the Shineverse as its own entity apart from the source material, as I would be forced to make the conflicts human rather than Equestria. On the downside however, it might come across as a cheap attempt at drama or unnecessary destruction of potential story elements. While I don't plan to go beyond Twilight and Sunset as our focus characters at the moment, the idea of other Equestrians encountering the mirror has crossed my mind.

Option 2: The portal stays open. This, I think, would be the standard option. Allowing Sunset and Twilight to switch between horse and human as they please. Keeping it open would allow more interaction between Equestria and Earth, letting more aspects from one world slip into the other and vice-versa. Also, it lets me draw for more than one source for my conflicts; I could switch back and forth between human and Equestrian. On the other hand, the tension with an open door is a lot more lacking. Rather than be forced to figure out problems for themselves, the girls could just call Equestria for help. And I don't mean the journal. And it decreases the value of going home if it's always there. Plus, it would naturally become a target for anyone wanting to cripple the Rainbooms.

Now neither one of these theories is complete by any means. But there are enough pros and cons on both sides to leave me stumped. Hence, why I've asked you.

In which of these scenarios can the Shineverse thrive most? Open portal or closed portal?