Night Sky

Especially of late in the series, Dash's ego had simply been out of hand. She had made progress beforehand, and it's not that she'd taken any steps backwards, but really, bragging is pretty much all Dash has had to do of late at this point in the show. Dash and Fluttershy have been way in the background for a lot of season 5 and 6, so this episode featuring her was a long overdue return to AWESOME and a refueling of Cool, the tank is now 20% fuller. She seems to have gotten it straight in her head, and is able to admit it. Fitting in matters at least as much as standing out does. Life is a careful balancing act between the two. I can relate to acting five different ways just because I thought it would make people like me. The pain of realizing that I'd made a fool of myself is not something I'm likely to forget. But persistence is key, and learning to have the slightest sense of humor about one's self, like say about a nickname like Crash, can be the key. And thus, Rainbow Dash is able to pull herself together and just BE a Wonderbolt, now that she's finally earned it.

A very important episode. It shows that both Trixie and Starlight Glimmer are now decisively on the right side of history. They both still have their issues and past to deal with, but from this episode onwards, now they have each other. It is well and good to have one best friend. But what about when you have two really great friends with some history between them? Or a good person has a bad reputation? It gets complicated. And this episode does a good job of illustrating that. Despite meaning well, Princess Twilight Sparkle is yet to establish a particularly impressive batting average as Starlight Glimmer's teacher. But she believes in Starlight and Starlight believes in her, and somehow they and Trixie manage to keep it together and pull through this critical jam and now they can really move forwards together. Good thing too, we wouldn't want a war with the Changelings without Starlight and Trixie and Discord. It's totally perfect that Cranky Doodle Donkey wouldn't hesitate to speak his mind, or ask Princess Celestia about something he was curious to know. He pays his taxes and has been around.

This episode provides another rare and fascinating glimpse into the world and culture of the Dragons. Spike once again has to walk a line between protecting his pony friends and values with somehow still asserting what is best in himself, as a dragon. No small feat, but Spike, with a bit of help is more than equal to the task. At least you'll always hear every order the dragon lord issues very clearly. If Gen 5 is to be believed, Spike went on to become the dragon lord anyways, despite deferring it in this episode. One wonders how that all may have come to pass.

Note: I ask, which Alicorn Princess would you serve, not who is your favorite, or who do you feel you are most like. For example, I feel that I am most like Princess Twilight Sparkle, but my OC is a sworn EUP retainer of Princess Luna. However, my OC's family stayed loyal to Princess Celestia through all the years of Princess Luna's exile and only returned directly to the latter's service when, thanks to the Mane 6 (that is, Princess Celestia) her banishment ended. Therefore, to truly serve Princess Luna is also serve Princess Celestia. And further, all the world's major religions basically agree that God, the Supreme or the Ultimate Reality is Love. Princess Cadence is certainly a super-powerful Avatara of Love. Is it not true that to serve the Equestrian Monarchy is also to serve Love? What does it mean to serve an Alicorn Princess? Well, there's always the EUP Guards. There are local levels of government all over Equestria that are devolved from Canterlot's suzerainty. There is a vague nobility. There are all kinds of retainers, decorators, dry goods merchants, planners and craftsponies and caterers who all provide their various goods and services to the Princess Alicorns. There are special messengers and envoys. Twilight Sparkle is not Princess Celestia's ONLY student, even if she's the Star (heh-heh). Does your OC serve any of the Alicorn Princesses? Do you? How? And in what capacity? If you are confused or hadn't given it much thought and you want to, go to a place where you will not be disturbed. Put on the music you will find here: Headphones work best. As you listen to the music, sit comfortably, and clear your mind. As you maintain your focus on each of the 4 Alicorn Princesses, using the images provided below, also consider everything that MLP has meant to you, everything FIM has meant to you, and everything that the Mane 6 has meant to you. How does all of that relate to each of the Four Alicorn Princesses, and by serving which of the Four could you best manifest all of that? The group portrait reminds us that the Equestrian Monarchy is composed of nothing but Unity. To serve one is to serve all, but you must serve one to serve all. In the presence of which Alicorn Princess do you find yourself spontaneously becoming your OC? Which Pony Princess gently leads you into Pony Consciousness? Pony Consciousness is Compassionate Consciousness, and we all need that now more than ever.