Magic Man

Actually, the hive-based or hive mined schtick has no canon evidence to back it up. It's just popular fanon. I personally disagree with the hive-mind basis because of how it takes away the ability to show changelings as individuals, which you can get more out of story-wise than a hive-mind

But what of the architecture on the first panel with the clearly Changeling shaped heads? I mean, yeah, there's the Diamond Dog entrance, but we cannot ignore the obvious Changeling based one.

The one on the second page, sure? But about about the one on the first with clearly Changeling shaped heads on top? Surely that serves as a hint?

It's not a good map, those are probably the gates of the kingdom as Twilight says. Latin as in Latin American (you know, Latino, Hispanic) or, alternatively, Latin Europe, which is a loose term for the regions of Europe linked, linguistically or culturally, to the Romance-speaking or Roman Catholic people of the continent.

Okay, I know a lot of you must be thinking, 'Wormtail96, what crap you talking about now?', but after seeing a preview of the second issue of the MLP comic, I'm wondering, are the Changelings and their society Latin? (is that the right term? If not, I apologize) I started thinking this when I took notice of the changeling architecture surrounding the top right panel of the map. That's not much to go on by itself, but also consider the geographical position of the changeling kingdom as seen on the map. It's south to Equestria, which as we've seen, is based heavily on North America (with some elements of Western America). Therefore, are the changelings and their country going to be based on Central and South America? Maybe I'm just talking bull here, have a look for yourselves, what do you think? http://www.equestriadaily.com/2012/12/mlp-comic-issue-2-teasers-on-itunes.html#idc-container

Meh, I'd like Chrysalis to have a role or plot outside Shining Armor and Cadance. As for the baby, well, maybe that could work, but then haven't the royal couple already had their moment in the spotlight?

Whilst Trixie IS an ego-maniacal jerk, that doesn't mean she's totally beyond realizing she's been a total douche. That's what separates her from the true villains in the show.

I can imagine this as one of her nightmares: A giant, fat, monstrous caricature of Queen Chrysalis making her into a meal and devouring her, due to Rainbow Dash's story involving Queen Chrysalis devouring little fillies.

I'd personally like to see the Changelings from their pOV, exploring their society, culture, and kingdom, showing their surprising parallels to the ponies and their strained relationship.

"She'll be that much closer to being ready...", "Next level of your studies" Twilight is going to be going through a lot this season. The main speculations are that she's going to become the Princess' successor, an Alicorn, or both. In terms of the second alone, something about that me as it being along the lines of her going...Super Saiyan! Therefore, she doesn't permanently change, which would then make sense because if she were to become one permanently it could spell a far too early end for the series. Celestia and Luna seem to be born as Alicorns, so it would take a long time before Twilight could permanently become one. Imagine this Crowning Moment of Awesome for the season finale with the villain (either Sombra or Discord, by the looks of it): "I'm a proud pony who calls Equestria home, and I'm here to defeat you. I am the pony you've heard of in legends, pure of heart, and awakened by fury. That's what I am. I AM THE ALICORN, TWILIGHT SPARKLE!!!" Or, for more comedic effect... Sombra/Discord: "You—you're different! What happened?! What in the fiery depths of Tartarus are you?!" Twilight: (smirks) "Can't you tell? It's just like Trixie said..." Discord/Sombra: (at breaking point, knowing what's coming) "No you bucking don't!!" Twilight: "I am the hope of the omniverse. I am the light bulb in the darkness. I am the bacon in the fridge for all living things that cry out in hunger. I am the alpha and the amiga. I am the terror that flaps in the night. I AM TWILIGHT SPARKLE, and I am an Ali- (Sombra/Discord magic blasts her in the face) Twilight: (leans forward unharmed, smirking) "—corn".

"She'll be that much closer to being ready...", "Next level of your studies" Well, obviously, Twilight is going to be going through a lot this season. If I'm guessing right, she's going to learn and access a source of magic far greater than that of the average unicorn, and even some of the most powerful unicorns. She definitely has a destiny of greatness in front of her, and call me crazy, I'm imagining something along the lines of...an Alicorn. Imagine this for the season finale with the villain (either Sombra or Discord, by the looks of it) (And my undying respect for anyone who gets this reference): Sombra/Discord: "You--you're different! What happened?! What in the fiery depths of Tartarus are you?!" Twilight: (smirks) "Can't you tell? It's just like Trixie said..." Discord/Sombra: (at breaking point, knowing what's coming) "No you bucking don't!!" Twilight: "I am the hope of the omniverse. I am the light bulb in the darkness. I am the bacon in the fridge for all living things that cry out in hunger. I am the alpha and the amiga. I am the terror that flaps in the night. I AM TWILIGHT SPARKLE, and I am an Ali- (Sombra/Discord magic blasts her in the face) Twilight: (leans forward unharmed, smirking) "--corn".

In my view, One Bad Apple is most likely going to be the bully themed episode as mentioned a short time back. Here's how I see it going down; a bigger, meaner bully (who is certainly larger than the average filly) arrives at school and starts picking on Diamond Tiara. The CMC at first are glad DT is being put in her place, but pretty soon think the new bully, who is a lot more "in your face" and traditional type of bully, is going to too far but of course, this only results in them and all the other fillies and colts being bullied. It goes so far to the point the bully starts picking on EVERYONE, including the adults. An interesting subplot could be that the CMC go to Big Macintosh for help, but he refuses, stating it will not help anything. It could be revealed, and I do believe it, Macintosh was both a victim of bullying and then/or a bully himself when he was a colt and deeply regrets it. If you bully back, you are no better than the bully. However, near the end, when Big Mac witnesses what a sadistic little (well, big) punk this filly, he finally has had enough and steps in and puts the bully in her place, possibly leading to Big Mac's absolute Crowning Moment of Awesome in the series.

I apologize. I had a feeling that the topic may be a little misplaced, so I do see this a wise decision. Again, my apologies. (sorry, needs to be 100 figures)

I agree with you, that would be boring, but it's just how people then make it the extreme opposite, which then doesn't make a lot of sense in how much it forms the basis of the show. I don't mind there being flaws in Equestria and it not being perfect, but some fanworks go to the absolute extreme opposite.

Of course not, I actually like some of the dark elements that have creeped up, canon or fanon-wise, but what I don't like is how some fans seems to take that darkness as fact and lose sight of what Equestria is in favour of how its interpreted.

"Equestria has more love than any place I've ever encountered." - Queen Chrysalis The fanbase doesn’t seem to agree with you on that regard, Chrysi. This is something that has been bugging for quite a while now. I could not really put it into words until I read about it on Tvtropes on MLP. Equestria, as we know, is supposed to be a land of peace, love and harmony, a near enough utopia ruled over by the benevolent Princesses Celestia and Luna. However, from what I've seen in a LOT of fanwork and what seems to be accepted in the fanon is Equestria being portrayed as this one of the following, if not all: Cruel, Authoritarian and Racist/Speciesist. CRUEL A lot of fans believe Equestria is rampant with bullies and cruelty, including family. A lot of fans seem to believe that when Twilight was growing up studying under Celestia, she was constantly bullied by the other students or other upper-class fillies; Rainbow Dash, whenever she's portrayed as a lesbian, is constantly discriminated against, being called a 'filly fooler'; that Derpy has been bullied as a filly and even as an ADULT by almost EVERY SINGLE pony in Ponyville supposedly for being different (to a lot of people it would seem, being ditzy is equivelent to being mentally retarded, she is the former. People, it would seem, assume the later in an attempt to woobify her as much they can); that Fluttershy had violently abusive parents, the list goes on. Now yes, there is some bullying in Equestria, we've seen it with Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon, the jock Pegasi, etc, but even so, it's shown to not be the norm or seen as acceptable, and what's more, it's never gone to the extreme levels as it has in the human world or in the fanfiction. It's pretty much entirely just name-calling and teasing by KIDS, who are known for being little jerks and having little empathy, pony OR human. Ponies, as a whole, are shown to be loving and accepting of each other, and I do take this as a fact. AUTHORITARIAN Okay, we all know where this is going, so I’ll keep this brief. Princess Celestia has time and time again been thought of by the fandom as this evil tyrant, when it’s been proven time and time again that this is simply not the case. I mean, how many times has it been argued how she banished Luna (Nightmare Moon at the time) because she HAD to, or how she didn’t believe Twilight in ‘Canterlot Wedding’ because she was genuinely fooled? The last one shows how she has flaws like other ponies, but apparently to viewers that is just as bad as showing her as absolutely perfect. She can’t get a break no matter what she does; she even gets guff for turning Discord to stone! Celestia, by definition, is a dictator, but so were a lot of old European monarchs who are looked upon favourably, and what’s more, she’s a BENEVOLENT dictator. She cares about all her subjects like they were her children, Twilight especially. I don’t know what the real basis on the ‘trollestia’ or ‘tyrant Celestia’ lies, but it’s seriously got old and fast, and it seems a lot of people are acknowledging it and letting it die. Only time will tell. RACIST/SPECIESTIST Now this is my biggest problem with the way Equestria is portrayed in fanwork. It’s not as common as with the bullying or authoritarianism, but whenever it does appear, it just infuriates me. Be it with Zebras, Griffins or most commonly Changelings, there are fanworks which portray ponies as a rule as blind, fiery-eyed racist/speciesist bigots. Again, I just want to emphasis this is not the most common element, but in those cases, it’s almost always played up to eleven; I’m talking lynch mobs, executions and pogroms. The species that this is almost always done with is the Changelings. Anyone who knows me on here knows that I have done a lot of discussion on Changelings and their relation with ponies, but as much as I like them, I can simply sick to death of the way they have increasingly been victimized and woobified in fanwork and at the same time, the ponies utterly vilified simply for defending themselves against an invasion. If you want my detailed opinion on the Changeling-Pony issue, here: http://mlpforums.com/topic/31266-can-the-changelings-be-justified-for-their-actions-or-not/ , http://mlpforums.com/topic/29534-speciesism-episode-for-season-3/ , http://mlpforums.com/topic/35967-the-nationality-basis-of-changelings/#entry848925 , http://mlpforums.com/topic/25015-cold-war-scenario-equestria-vs-changeling-kingdom-s3/ but what I’m getting at here is that wherever there is a fanwork that tries to portray the Changelings in a good or sympathetic, in said works the ponies are almost automatically portrayed as the ones in the wrong. Using the aftermath of the Changeling invasion as a basis, the ponies become the most hate filled creatures possible in these works, going as far as instigating a genocide like that in 1990s Balkans against Changelings with CELESTIA of all ponies openly backing or supporting it, again, part of the whole tyrant Celestia schtick, pretty much putting here on line with certain historical figures and warlords I don’t think need to be referenced by name here. If we’re talking realistic, then yes, I can perfectly imagine the ponies of Equestria not being the Changelings’ biggest fans after the invasion, but guess what, that’s entirely natural and justified! The Changelings INVADED their country with every intention of sucking them dry! Of course the ponies are going to be a little peeved. The fanworks really seem to drive home that apparently it’s abhorrent for the ponies to even be the slightest bit resentful on the matter, and show them as the complete opposite of why the Changelings invaded their country in the first place. I mean, these are the ponies of Equestria for goodness sake; kindness, tolerance and love are their whole deal. If it were ever brought up in the show, the most it would realistically be shown as is a justified general distrust that would be resolved within a few episodes. Zebras and Griffins are not as tackled in this issue as much as Changelings, due to less justification canon-wise, but there are still a few. I mean, in the first Zecora episode, it wasn’t even racism/speciesism; they were weary of Zecora because they had never met a Zebra before and unaware of her customs; they weren’t trying to lynch or burn her at the stake simply for being a Zebra, for crying out loud! OVERALL I just don’t get where this dour, horrible portrayal of Equestria in fanworks originates from. I mean, it’s kind of par for course like with the portrayal of other peaceful worlds in their respective fanworks, but what’s the source? A theory on tvtropes which I find myself agreeing with is that many of the writers or creators of these works are portraying their experiences in the world onto Equestria, which is quite plausible and saddening. I doubt this portrayal is ever going to completely cease, but that doesn’t change the fact how irritating it’s become by its commonplaceness and acceptance. I just want to remind everyone here of the quote above by Queen Chrysalis, "Equestria has more love than any place I've ever encountered." Let’s really think about that; why else would Chrysalis declare war and invade Equestria for its love, unless there was a whole lot of love there in the first place? That line alone pretty much emphasises what Equestira is; a harmonious land, free from many of the vices of our own world. Just wish the fandom would agree with that. Update: My main issue is just how people become so used to this portrayal of Equestria in the fandom that some lose sight of what it truly is. Equestria should not be 100% perfect and peaceful, that'd be boring, but then some fans see the remedy to that being to make it the absolute extreme opposite.

OR, and just hear me out here, the writers of the show just haven't thought of any family members for the main pegasi as of just yet. I hardly doubt it is intentional.

Exactly. I mean, what did people who have a go at the ponies honestly expect them to do? The Mosquito comparison is near enough perfect, but I got another one: blaming the ponies for defeating the Changelings is like blaming Allied Forces for defeating the Axis Powers. Were the Russians in Stalingrad just supposed to drop their guns and go, "Oh, okay, they need it more"? I just hate how people, or fans try to spin it around to make the Changelings victims and the ponies the monsters when it really just isn't the case.

Well, Chrysalis I think definitely fits the bill as 'Evil', but the other Changelings, well, that's what this episode would explore. I really think it would be much beneficial for kids; just because a group of people come across as terrifying and their leaders do bad things, it's not right to assume they are all bad without even knowing them.

To answer your question, no, I do not believe they will. One can argue that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few, but when we ourselves are put in that situation with our own friends and loved ones, I doubt we'd be so willing. I can understand the argument that ponies and Changelings can never live together in peace and be equals as the current situation stands. The only way they could then is if the situation DOES change, being the Changelings need to feed off others' love. Well, yes, I suppose I did make a bit of a sweeping statement, even if I did say "most" and not "all". Of course, I do recognize there are many species the ponies co-exist with; I suppose I just failed to mention it and judging by such an extensive list, I feel kinda dumb. I like your ideas for how this could work. With the infant version, it will lead inevitably to the discussion of what will become if it when it grows up; will it be their friend or an enemy? To be honest, I think having them be neutral is probably the best way to go. Just because they're not all evil, doesn't mean they're plucky young go-getters who "just want a chance"...sorry, I've just seen a lot of films. But yes, I agree with you on the possibilities. Changelings would make better allies than they would enemies, considering their powers. Yes, I know. I have since corrected my mistake in failling to mention that. But still, that could serve as a good in-show example to the ponies, in which Spike actually starts defending Changelings, saying how as a dragon he's still accepted despite all the bad encounters the Mane Six have had with his kind. Of course I do accept the possibility that such an episode may not happen, but right now, it's just as possible as the other 89,728,638 ideas like you said. I personally would really like to see it happen, if not just for the very important message it has to teach. Tolerance of people different to us is something that really needs to be encouraged in this day and age.

Yeah...the brave hero attacking a village of innocent women and children who aren't doing anything but living their lives. ...hooray?

That is true. We'll just have to wait and see what Season 3 and the comics have in store for us. I'm mostly just speculating, but I definitely think it would be a good gateway to explore some Asian culture in the show. Well, I can definitely invision a non-capitalistic, socialistic society in which all citizens are treated fair and equally. I just don't like the hive-mind concept because for me, it destroys the ability to portray Changelings as individuals.

In that sense it could be like modern-day Tokyo, so large and overpopulated, it would fit the Changelings. That is true, though how canon it will be is up to the reader. I just think it would be cool to make the Changelings Japanese. Imagine the architecture with an insectoid vibe and better yet, Changeling Samurais!!

I was just wondering, Equestria and the ponies' culture seems to be based off North American and Western European cultures. I got to wondering then, what do you think the Changeling kingdom would be based on? I keep imagining as of late their kingdom and society and culture drawing a lot of similarities to Oriental cultures, like Japan and Korea. I guess this is mainly due to Chrysalis' designer, Rebecca Dart was inspired by the work of manga artists Junko Mizuno and Hideshi Hino. I for one champion this, for if we see the Changeling Kingdom in the show it can really enable the show writers and animators to explore some East Asian art, architecture and culture. And picture this: Changeling Samurais! You tell me that would not be awesome. Now close your eyes as you listen to this music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xY6OSv9KyY&feature=related, picture Changeling children playing in beautiful ornamental gardens with dolls and wooden swords, Changeling mothers laboring in the farms, carrying their babies in satchels on their backs (from many pictures I see of old Japanese mothers), a whole market place full of Changelings going about their business, and finally, in her palace, Chrysalis, sitting crosslegged in her kimono, drinking tea and her child sleeping soundly against her.

Yeah, I mean, it's one thing calling foal, saying how "she's hiding something and I wanna know what", another when you're screaming "EVIL" as hysterical as Mermaid Man!