My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic - Bronies Thread

[Sol-Blackguy]

http://cdn.derpiboo.ru/media/W1siZiI...-swirl.jpg.jpg

[Corrderio]

Well I can't really get into the finale like everyone else did since after watching it 2 more times I still say it was rushed and next to no development.

On the other hand, hearing Rarity sing again was nice. Definitely need more Rarity/Flutterhsy songs.

[Kachiko]

@ Sol-Blackguy

Discord was in Season 3: Episode 10 - "Keep Calm and Flutter On". Your observation, on the Hourglass, is interesting though.

Episode was rushed but it was nice to see Twilight finally turn into an Alicorn. I really wonder now at the direction of the show and how things are going to change.

[Whogie]

Where is that scene with the book in the end of that pic?

Because if they're talking about Discord:
"Something even a great unicorn like Starswirl the Bearded was not able to do."


Also: "...because he did not understand friendship like you do."
Friendship was a theme of Discord's last episode.

[Corrderio]

At the end of the S3 premiere.

[Niya]

Where is that scene with the book in the end of that pic?

It's from Crystal Empire part 2, end of episode.

No idea where i read it, but someone had the theory that Starswirl was in love with Celestia and got rejected. And because of this he got so bitter/crazy that his magic turned him into Discord...

[Whogie]

Okay, I watched that scene: After passing that test at the Crystal Kingdom, Twilight and her group leave on the train. Luna and Celestia are watching the group leave when Luna materializes that book. They both look at each other and nod.
I suppose the scene is Luna suggesting Twilight is ready for the test that occurs in the latest episode. Doesn't really say much for Discord, though.

As someone mentioned on GAF, the spell Twilight dealt with was chaotic. If SS is Discord, then he might have accidentally corrupted himself up trying to make spells like the one in that episode. And that may be why Celestia mentions that the thing that separates Twilight from SS is her understanding of friendship.

[Corrderio]

Yeah, I really wish Discord had some invovlement in this episode. As much as I liked it I have to consider it a pandering ep for now.

[Kyreth]

This is just speculation on my part, but I think there might be more than meta involved with the "Everything is going to be fine." theme of the episode. Might be setting up for a huge ass checkov's gun at the start of season 4. I've had yet to see a fictional character ever say something like that without the shit hitting the fan later.

Considering we know the finale is a "3-parter" and what happened at the BEGINNING when Twilight was singing about everything being fine...that was actually sorta twitch-inducing.

Although I think the whole episode could be seen in meta as a "everything will be fine". Derpy isn't gone (winking Derpy FTW), Twilight being an alicorn isn't going to fuck up the interplay between characters, etc etc.

[Sol-Blackguy]

The fanon theory that Discord is a corrupted Star Swirl the Bearded isn't exactly a new theory. There's actually a collection of fan art and comics that cater to that idea dating back to early season 2. But that image does make things pretty interesting with all the star swirl references circulating around Discord and the bits of lore mentioned in the finale. Add that to why Celestia wanted to reform Discord and her "history" with him and you got a pretty convincing argument. If the writers go this route all the little references have paved the way for an interesting story. But at the end of the day it's still wild mass guessing.

So, a little over 36 hours and it looks like fan reception of Twilight becoming a princess is pretty positive. People liked the episode and the ones that didn't have at least accepted the change. It doesn't really affect fanfiction since stories and their settings aren't directly affected. I probably won't be writing any serious Princess Twilight anytime soon until we get some info on what her role is going to be. Besides, I have more than enough on my plate as is. (Externals is going to be more interesting now)
One thing that really stood out to me was the current trends of Princess Twilight fanfics circulating. When I say that, I mean there aren't any. Aside from a comedy about Twilight's first wingboner, the fanfic community looks like they're going to ignore it for now. I know it's barely been a day and a half hours since the episode, but these people are usually foaming at the mouth for new material. After the Gala and the wedding there were an avalanche of fanfics based on both finales. (some are still being written by the way) Hell, there are still changeling stories getting featured. Not sure what this means, but kind of interesting. When I do find an Alicorn Twilight fic (that isn't a clop) I'll link it here.

On the topic of fanfiction, the winningverse series and their spin-offs have been updating like crazy today. If you haven't read any of them let me put it this way: Cloud Kicker = Charlie Sheen and the entire town of Ponyville is caught up with her antics in some way or another. Most of the spin-offs show a different perspective to what's going on in her life or the story's main character with parallels to Cloud Kicker while working around events that happened in canon. In fact, the major focal point of the universe is based around the Hearts and Hooves day episode the same way the 1920's was the central hub in Back to the Future. (just without the time travel) If you haven't noticed, I've been going all-in on this amazing series. Here's some of the newest additions and updates:

The Lesson Plans of a Winning Teacher -by Fangwarden
http://www.fimfiction-static.net/ima...jpg?1351829821

Cheerilee loves teaching. Despite all the trials and tribulations it presents, it's worth it in the end when her students learn something new. Not even a letter from the Ministry of Education reminding her about the impending teacher evaluations can sway her. But tack on her new relationship, the constant 'help' of the Cutie Mark Crusaders, and some strange behavior from Dinky and Sparkler, and her life is about to become a lot more complicated.

Takes place a few weeks after Hearts and Hooves day and parallels with the beginning of Life and Times of a Winning Pony through Cheerilee's perspective.

The Symphony of a Winning Lyrist - by JJ GingerHooves
http://www.fimfiction-static.net/ima...png?1356308982

For Lyra, life is pretty swell. She has the best fillyfriend anyone could ask for in Bon Bon and she doesn’t need to worry about work or any complicated drama. Overall, she can live her life at her own tempo.

If only things stayed that simple.

More of a side story than a spin-off since Lyra doesn't have a very major role in the winningverse. One thing to point out is the Lyra here isn't the popular overused human obsessed version we've all seen. She's still a bit quirky and comical, but without overused fanons being forced in your face.

I'll post some more recommended fanfics and my own story updates over the off season. I still have a bit of writing to do myself, but my read later folder has 500+ fanfics I've been waiting to read until now. Time to do some early spring cleaning.

[Corrderio]

Sol, what was the name of that Luna fic you said I should check out? Might check out tomorrow.

[Sol-Blackguy]

The one with the lunar mare OC? A Slice Of Life

EDIT: Found a blog post I thought was interesting.

So Long, Sparklefree

by *BookishDelight, 1 day, 1 hour ago

I am not a preteen girl. And if you're reading this, I'm pretty sure you aren't either.

(Though if you are, uh, hi.)

I mention this because I initially considered prefacing this entire writeup with how silly I know everything that you are about to read is. But let's be honest with ourselves: we're all in the same boat to some extent here, no matter how much we try to cover it up and act "smart" or "above" certain things. So here I go, and you're welcome to join me if that is your desire.

http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/...psb40c69d3.png

For nearly three years now, I have genuinely identified with and looked up to Twilight Sparkle of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. I saw her character arc and went, "oh God, this is my life." I adored her. In my more vulnerable moments I'd consider getting a custom plushie so I'd have a version of her to hug; then I'd come back to my senses. Still, as I write this, I think I have something close to ten different plastic renditions of her floating around my room. I carried her tiny blind bag thingie around wherever I went, sometimes clutching her in my hands for inspiration or much-needed courage. Those were scary, scary times, but I needed to go through them, because it was either that or stay in a bubble of self-consciousness and self-doubt forever.

I didn't really see characters quite like her growing up--barring the occasional She-Ra/Rainbow Brite, in the '80s and '90s, you were either a bookworm or an extrovert, and until sometime in the early '00s, the former were exalted and the latter villified unless you were the main character (Zack Morris, Ferris Bueller, et al). There wasn't much of a middle ground. As far as nerdy heroines went, Daria Morgendorffer, Velma Dinkley and Lucca Ashtear were probably the best we had. Two of those were fairly socially adjusted, but were also cast background players. Meanwhile the former's entire series centered around how she was unsatisfied with how the world worked--a sentiment I could certainly sympathize with when I watched her (years late--cable wasn't really in our budget). She constantly pushed the world away. And when she mellowed out enough (JUST enough, mind you) to take on life and a brighter future, the series ended. This made sense to me.

Anyway, Twilight Sparkle came around just as I was learning to come out of my cynical-yet-supremely-awkward shell in real life. In the near-three short years since her character entered this world I've learned so much from her. I've learned to come out of that shell at will (but also know the value of taking out time for myself) and take pride in who I am. At the same time I've been able to take solace whenever I felt I did something wrong simply by way of being myself, because one of the greatest lessons the existence of Twilight Sparkle teaches is that you can be a little quirky, you can be a little nuts, you can be a little eccentric, you can be flawed, yet still aspire to do great things and measure up to those above your current station--sometimes, even teach them a thing or two.

And you don't need an upgrade in social standing or status to so do.

---

I didn't like "Magical Mystery Cure."

STOP.

I see you there. Put down the flamethrowers for a second. I promise I'll stand in front of them once this is all over, so long as you hear me out.

I didn't like "Magical Mystery Cure," but not for the reasons that get bandied around. If you've read my writing, you already know I love fast-paced plots, even in my longer pieces--so if anything I thought this episode was a little too slow in places! What I can I say, I live in the Speed Force. I also thoroughly loved the musical aspect. Daniel Ingram always comes out swinging with his music, and while I think I more prefer his work on Littlest Pet Shop by this point, he rises to the task of making a musical here with aplomb. With regards to the final act which desperately did its best to tie up and justify Twilight's sudden whiplash coronation, I thought we could have done a whole lot worse. Then again, I'm a sucker for "reflection in an endless void" scenes, so hell, I'm jealous the show beat me to it, 'cause you can be damned sure the ending to Polaris involves one.

But even with the episode being not bad technically, it just rubbed me in all of the wrong ways. The first act was utterly dark in its handling of cutie marks, turning the concept into a metaphorical prison for the ponies. Write all the "grimdark" fanfics you want, but nothing hurts more than a shock to the heart coupled with the blatant revocation of the concept of free will. It's always the slow torture that's the most effective.
The second act was much better for me but raised far too many questions that won't get answered for a year (why would Celestia even SEND such a dangerous spell to Twilight without a warning of any sort? Was Star Swirl's being such a grumpity-grump seriously the only thing preventing him from making so much magic happen? How was any of Twilight's magic "new"? She finished a spell that was 80% done already and the Magic of Friendship was already solidified in the Elements of Harmony, merely waiting to be unlocked for a new generation of bearers!) or are just best just not being thought about at all.
And then we have the final act. Despite what I said a couple of paragraphs above, I... nearly lost it during the final act. I won't dwell on it.

(They bowed to her. I... I just...)

In all, this needed a two-parter badly. As it stands... oh gosh here I am dating myself again... does anyone remember the first printing of the 50th issue of the Sonic the Hedgehog comic? Never thought I'd have that feeling again, but wow here we are. Here's an idea for a direct-to-video release, guys: the uncut version of this thing.

That's the very short list of objective criticisms I have, however--and that is my dilemma. If I were to ever meet Mitchell Larson at a convention, I would walk up to him, smile, hug him, and paste this on his shirt. Because Lord knows HE DID. This isn't on him (or any of the staff). This is on me. And maybe Hasbro a tiny bit. But mainly me.

---

http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0754a661.jpg

So Twilight Sparkle's a princess now. I'm still getting used to the wings--I think they're too big on her and make her look weird. Dumb, even. God, I hope I get used to them. Right now the design genuinely repulses me. If she had normal-sized pegasus wings, I'd probably actually buy one. That's the least of my problems, though.

Unicorn Twilight is the Twilight I fell in love with, and the main failing of the episode in my eyes was that it provided perhaps five seconds worth of insight to what Princess Twilight would be like as a character in the midst of all of its justification of the transpired events. There was even time to do that, but instead we got a big-budget coronation, Celestia doing all the hoof-waving she possibly could, and Luna still looking as worried as all get out (which, honestly, is the only hook that leaves me intrigued about where all of this is going). So I still can't trust the notion of Princess Twilight yet, because there's almost nothing for me to latch onto.

So now she's a princess... and has thus ironically outgrown me and all I've learned from her. It's like I'm by myself again. And in turn, to boil it down to the simplest of notions: I am scared.

I have been dealt change that I did not ask for (and, to be fair, was never in my right to ask for) to something that has meant the world to me for quite some time now, and all this affords me is fear of the unknown which won't have anything even approaching closure until probably next winter. Until the show proves otherwise, she's lost just about all of her relatability for me, and that's utterly crushing and scary. That's where my distress comes from, and I'd wager that's where a lot of other folks' distress comes from as well. It is also why telling me "but she's still the same inside" absolutely does not work. It doesn't matter. Even if she's the same inside, based on the lives of the alicorns we've seen so far, it changes so many dynamics of the show I've thus far loved that... pah. Again, I don't want to think about it.

I fully acknowledge that I could easily be scared for nothing. Everything really could be just fine. There are lots of great potential scenarios that have been put forth during my talks with close friends over the last 24 hours that I would really enjoy if they took place. But again, there's no way to know until Season 4 rolls around in the year 201X.

(What was that I said about slow torture?)

But I won't take this away from her. She deserves it. As for me... well, there's now a huge, super-giant unicorn-shaped hole in my heart now, and I honestly have no idea what I'm going to fill it with.

[link]

Unicorn Twilight, I don't want to let you go. I'm not ready to let you go. But I will. You've got to go live life. Be the princess I always knew you were going to become but that I foolishly, selfishly hoped you never would.

Nothing is forever.

Life goes on, and our stories and journeys continue. As Friendship is Magic continues, I will watch from afar and root for you as always, but I'll never forget the first three seasons we shared, where you helped me while learning to help yourself.

Thank you so much.

And for all of you who liked the episode and/or the concept of Princess Twilight in general: first off, shine on, you crazy diamonds, and have your fun. Secondly, a request:

Please be courteous to those venting their disapproval of the episode/concept. That's all they are--venting. If they're not venting at you by name, then please don't jump down their throats. Everyone needs an outlet. It took me a long time and hours of discussion before I could even think about writing the coherent sentences which make up this essay. Not everyone will share the same opinion on this, and in this case, positive or negative, zero opinions are "wrong." Zero. (Of course, if they've singled you out, all bets are off, but even then, ask yourself if it's still worth the energy.)

This also applies in reverse.

Think of it this way--there's going to come a time when your positions are switched. Think of how you might want to be treated then. Take the high road.

---

I leave you now with some very wise words said to me the previous evening:

"It's nothing that will change your mind about the episode, and that's not really my goal, but you cite the fact that the show could've changed anything, but they changed Twilight. I posit that Twilight NEEDED to change.

"[Friendship is Magic] started out with a smart, talented unicorn who was the personal protege of the ruler of all Ponykind (far as we know). Celestia sends her off to the backwater, ostensibly to prepare for an annual celebration, but also to make some goddamn friends already 'cause there IS more to life than being a smart, talented unicorn.
So that's what she does, and ends up saving Celestia's sister Luna in the process with the help of some nice ponies she met in Ponyville, and the rest of Season 1 is all about her getting to know these folks better, and reporting back to the Princess everything she learns about friendship.

"Roll on Season 2: all the girls are good friends at this point--so much so that Twilight has kinda run out of things to report (Lesson Zero). Friendship's a two-way street, though, so now it's ALL the girls' mission to report to Celestia, which they do for the remainder of the season--Twilight included.
This season... we got, what, two letters to the Princess? Twilight barely figured at all, because at this point, what's left of her original mission? She and her friends have saved Equestria with the power of friendship four times over! (Unless I'm misremembering, none of the letters this season were even from Twilight.) "So she HAS to change; arguably, she's still the central figure in the show, and its core conceit kind of falls apart if her arc's completely done.

So now she's got a new station with new responsibilities and new challenges. There are a LOT of unanswered questions--we don't know what she's the princess OF, even (Celestia = day, Luna = night, Cadance = love, Twi = BOOKS?), and unfortunately, we aren't going to get answers anytime soon. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of it, myself.

"She's still Twilight- practically her first words as an alicorn were 'Is there a book about being a princess I should read?!'. She's just... a little more, now.

"I agreed at first that this feels a lot like a series finale. I still think it was probably written as one--it was one of the first episodes worked on this season (certainly the first that was scored, if I remember my Ingram tweets correctly), and at the time they probably didn't know if there was a Season 4 coming. In retrospect, I'd probably be a little let down if it were the finale--it's the closing of Twilight's arc thus far, but there are so many other threads that'd be left dangling! Apple Bloom still hasn't gotten her heavy industry cutie mark, even!"

---

The above are the words of my longtime best friend, who had an epiphany in the face of my supreme distress following this weekend's episode. He's a bit naive, though--truth be told, he just saved me from dropping the show (look, when your lynchpin's been fundamentally changed, sometimes you harbor thoughts, okay) by allowing me to step back and think about all of this from a wider point of view. His favorite pony is Pinkie Pie and thus he has no horse in this race, pun intended. :D You should probably thank him in the comments.

Even given such a huge change, the future of Friendship is Magic is rife with potential. It's just that this is the first time I've been worried for it on such a personal level. We're lucky to have ambitious and talented writers, animators, musicians and voice talent on board. Were they left to their own devices, I'd be less worried than I am. Take that any way you wish.

Please, be excellent to each other, everypony. Now's not the time for judgment and vindication. No time was ever the time. Of all the fandoms where negativity towards our peers is a bad idea, this fandom will always be where it's the worst idea.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to hug one of my Twilights.

Yours Truly,
~Bookish Delight

[Corrderio]

Thanks, after reading the next chapter of Dusk Shine, my IQ dropped.

[Sol-Blackguy]

So, it begins...

[Corrderio]

When I went through all of that, I was wondering if you'd post that vid.

[Sol-Blackguy]

Didn't even know it existed until I stumbled across a screencap of it on Derpibooru. Personally, that was a little overkill. Until otherwise, I'm going to assume Twilight and Cadence are like acolytes to their respective schools of magic: Cadence=Love and Twilight=Friendship and most likely still mortal. Kid of wish we can get some more backstory on Cadence at this point too. Something tells me she wasn't originally an Alicorn either and went through a similar change to Twilight.

[Kyreth]

Of course, you also want to know if Celestia/Luna were ever "mortal" too. We know there's a time before they're part of the three tribe's lives (ie, pre Equestrian emigration), but there's zero pre-history outside of fanon for the bunch. Who built the Castle of the Sisters? Why did it end up abandoned in a wild magic zone (the Everfree)? and exactly when?

[Zumi]

Alicorns can cast age spells so you would think they wouldn't have to deal with that out living their friends thing. lol

[Corrderio]

Well it's hard to tell. Since Granny Smith has to be roughly 500 years old if she was one of the founders of Ponyville.

BTW Sol, odd question but have you seen any "action" fics? Friend and me were discussing if it was possible to pull off something like that in the MLP Universe.

EDIT: And I just found the greatest Flash ever:
http://renaissancebrony.deviantart.c...mack-355007397

[Kyreth]

Well it's hard to tell. Since Granny Smith has to be roughly 500 years old if she was one of the founders of Ponyville.

BTW Sol, odd question but have you seen any "action" fics? Friend and me were discussing if it was possible to pull off something like that in the MLP Universe.

Despite the depressing amount of endless bad gore/sex fanficition, yes. All it takes is focusing on things blowing up vs. who's going to the Grand Galloping Gala when you've only got two tickets.

(I can remember a hail of Escape From New York parodies when they did the Twilight time travel episode, for example.)