ZStrike37

The thing is, the ponies criticize Trixie for being a loud mouth and a bragger, which isn't that big of a deal, because Trixie is a show pony. If you have ever seen a magic show, a stage show, or even a wrestling show, you get these kinds of people, because they play role.

 

The ponies should have been a bit smarter and just let her do the show, instead of getting angry by her kayfabe.

I suppose they're a bit hot-headed, but I think it's because Trixie has been to Ponyville before and may have caused some upsets or something.  We know this isn't Trixie's first show ever.  We also know she's quite famous.  But my biggest reason for thinking this isn't her first trip to Ponyville is that Pinkie always greets a newcomer to the town, but was no where to be seen for Trixie's show. 

OK, so I may be reading a bit deep into, but hey, it's just what popped in my head.

So is it just me or is the general consensus that people don't really like Boast Busters too much?  Trixie aside, I always hear complaints on the episode.  It's up there with Mare do Well, which I don't understand the dislike for either.

Dont' get me wrong, I'm not angry or anything because "U NO LIEK EPISODS I LEIK!!".  I just would like to know why people seem to dislike Boast Busters.  I thought it was pretty interesting and fun.  But maybe I am crazy and it's just a small population I've heard that don't like it.  Possibly

Applejack episodes!!  More of them!!

Ideally, I want an episode to touch on her parents being gone.  It's a heavy topic but I don't think we should shy away from it just because "for kids".  Plenty of children go through the hardship of loss and having a show demonstrate healthy coping skills in a tasteful manner would be nice to see. 

If not parents, then I want to see Applejack go back to Manehattan and visit her aunt and uncle again.  I'd like to see more of the city and we'd get to see some interal characteristics of AJ and not just stick to the comfort zone of "Apples" and "Farm life".

**For those who have not seen the season finale, dont' worry.  I don't plan on there being spoilers.**

And so it ends.  Season 4 is done and went out with a bang.  And it was pretty beastly.  I watched it on Youtube (in HD of course!)  Then the credits started rolling after all was said and done.  I scrolled down to check the comments and see what others thought of it.  Comments were mostly along the lines of "OMG EPICNESS!!!"  and "HOLY CELESTIA BEST SEASON FINALE EVAR!!1" and you get the point.  But one comment stopped me and started getting me thinking.

"That was so awesome!  How can they possibly top this!?"

This comment made start thinking about the expectations we as a fandom have for this show.  Now don't get me wrong, I'm well aware the fandom is comprised of multiple people all with different perspectives and ideas of what constitutes a "good" episode.  So I know there is no unified/unanimous voice of the brony community but I'm coming from a majority side of things so bear with me. 

Season 4 and its finale was great.  But does season 5 necessarily have to exceed it and do we as a fandom naturally expect it to be grander and more epic in scale?  And does it really have to?  This kind of thinking seems to occur in any kind of series, whether it be TV, movie, video game, or book.  The next one in the line should be better than the last, right?  Isn't that the general feel?  And if it isn't as good, then there's mass disappointment that it didn't reach our self-set goals of awesomeness, even if the episode or finale or whatever is good on its own merit.

Take Boast Busters or Mysterious Mare-Do-Well for examples.  I think it's generally accepted by most that these episodes are "bad" or at least "not good".  To start, I am NOT telling you that you are wrong for thinking so.  We all like and dislike different episodes for different reasons.  But I still enjoyed them just fine.  Maybe I'm not as refined or deep-thinking as others are, but I still re-watch those episodes from time to time because it still made me smile to watch them, despite some characters acting a bit "out there". 

That brings me to my main point of this long-winded... whatever you call it.  I enjoyed those no-so-popular episodes.  And it's just because it was still the same show.  They may not have been as good as others or as epic or deep or whatever!  But I don't care.  I love the show the staff has created.  And even if season 5 does "fall short of expectations", it won't bother me.

As long season 5 still brings me Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Spike, Twilight, and (my personal fav!) Applejack; as long as the art style is still charming and sweet; as long as the music is fun, lively, and (at times) deeply moving; as long as it's My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, I will enjoy it. 

I guess this wasn't much of a question, but I just wanted to voice my thoughts on this.  Brony on, you fine ponyfolk, brony on.

Maybe I'm the only one that is seeing this (or at least I think it's there anyway), but has anyone else noticed that the ponies are becoming more and more anthropomorphic?  Like, does it seem that the ponies are doing more and more on their hind hooves than previously?  I remember the first two seasons and I can't recall when the ponies would "stand" up often.  But with S3 and even more now with S4, it seems like they "stand" up pretty regularly now.  I mean, with Pinkie Pride, There was a ton of hind-hoof-standing, not to mention dancing.

I dunno, maybe I'm just seeing something that really isn't there.  But I wanted to ask if anyone else had this kind of thought or saw what I'm seeing (again, or at least what I think I'm seeing).

And don't get me wrong.  I'm not angry or raging or anything.  Just curious about it, that's all.  No need to get your saddle in a bunch.

So after browsing for a few days on here, I've come across many a topic.  A couple of 'em were talking about the ending of the show.  Whether they posed questions such as "How many seasons will MLP have??" or "What will the final episode be like??", it's something that has at least been around. 

My question to you fine polyfolk is similar in nature.  Let's say MLP is coming to an end and Hasbro wants to end with something special.  They decide to take EVERY brony's name and put it into a gigantic hat.  They pick a name at random and it turns out, it's YOU (aka, whoever is reading this). 

You are then brought to Hasbro HQ, tossed on a stage, dozens of lights shine and numerous cameras are all up in your business.  You see, it's your honor to give a "farewell address" of sorts to the show. 

Essentially, I'm asking what you would say to the world about the end of MLP.  Would you talk about the shows roots and how the brony thing all started?  Would you go on and on about the endless music, art, stories, and not to mention charities the bronies have contributed to?  Would you go on an epic lecture about why "X" is best pony????  Or maybe you just say "Eh, it was alright I guess" and leave it at that.

Regardless, you have complete freedom to say whatever you want.  So, what will your going-away speech entail?

An interesting idea to be sure.  Will there be a second rising?  Probably not.  Here's my reasoning.  I think in the past Luna allowed herself to be overcome with her sorrow.  She began to teach herself that it was easier to hate others than to forgive.  The night was viewed as something to be feared by the ponies, when the monsters would come out and it was time to sleep in their locked-up homes.  She fell into despair and let that sorrow turn into bitterness and rage.  It consumed her and she felt it was everypony else's fault she felt that way. 

Now I think she sees another choice she didn't consider in the past.  Instead of hating the ponies and blaming them for how they see the night, she intends to try and interact with them and show them the calm, serene night as she sees it.  That is to say, instead of allowing ponies to be afraid of the dark, she's going to show them it's nothing to be afraid of.  And she's already on her way with what we saw in Nightmare Night.  Although a little haphazardly, she earnestly attempted to befriend them, albeit in her own way.  Even though she was skeptical of Twilight's plan, she went along with it, showing she would not give up the hope she can sway the ponies to accept her as they do Celestia. 

That's how I see the change and how she won't become the Nightmare again. 

So I re-watched Canterlot Wedding, I mean it's an awesome two-party or at least it is in my book.  However, one part got me thinking that I just kind of missed on the first... ok, well this isn't the second time I've seen it ok?  But regardless, after this run, I found myself wondering about something.  Name, why is Princess Cadance foal-sitting Twilight??? I can't wrap my head around it! 

She is PRINCESS Cadance during the Canterlot wedding, meaning she's already a princess over some kind of land/kingdom/barony/whatever.  We find out she's princess of the Crystal Empire.  But the Crystal Empire didn't come back until S3, meaning she was its princess even before it returned.  And the Crystal Empire was gone about 1000 years so either Cadance is very long lived as Celestia and Luna, or they gave her that title at some point (and no, I haven't read Crystal Heart Spell so do tell me if that's explained in there). 

Basically, I'm curious as to why a princess is a mere foal-sitter.  I tried to reason it and I think I actually found a reason.  You see, being a Princess without a kingdom is a bit of a downer.  Why?  No taxes.  So she's broke.  She tried being a waitress, but it didn't work out as colts kept hitting on her.  She tried being a lifeguard, but it didn't work out as colts kept hitting on her.  So she gave foal-sitting a try and it worked I guess because she got paid a lot and there weren't any colts hitting on her (Shining was totally at the Canterlot Guard Academy).   

What do you fine ponyfolk think?  Why did Cadance resort to foal-sitting as a princess???

Discord should make the entire episode play backwards.  We start out with the credits and start with the resolution to the problem and we get to find out where it all began in the beginning which is now the end.  Cue opening sequence then done!

I'm liking this!  I am going to check this out on FiMFiction.  I loved Homeworld and look forward to seeing how you develop the story further.  As I know the game very well, I'm interested to see how the characters perceive each of the events.  The Bentusi will be fun I bet to read about.  Also, I wonder who the Taidan Imperial will be.  Changelings?  Guess I'll have to wait and see!  Great work so far!

An interesting question to pose most definitely.  As is sad to think about yet as you say it is inevitable.  So how would I end the show you ask?  Let's just see here...

Princess Celestia and Princess Luna hold a large festival for the Mane 6 but the reason is unclear.  They then bring the girls in for a private audience.  Celestia reveals everything is set for their farewell.  Twilight questions what she means.  Luna reveals she and Celestia are planning to leave not just Equestria (as I think Equestria to be just a kingdom), but the world itself.  Gasps elicit from the girls as they begin to panic and frantically ask questions.  Both princesses laugh a bit.  Celestia says they will not be leaving immediately and to calm down.  Luna goes on to say there are other worlds beyond their own and she and Celestia are going to traverse the heavens to find other beautiful worlds.  The questions of course becomes "Why?"  The answer is simple.  They no longer need to stay in Equestria.  Celestia explains that Twilight is now more than able to handle the throne and she and Luna would teach her magic regarding the sun and moon.  Princess Cadance of course, will also assist her with this task.  Twilight begins to panic at having to become the sole ruler of an entire kingdom.  Luna assures her she will not be alone. 

Celestia asks each of the others to come forward one by one and present to them an opportunity. 

Applejack is given the opportunity to become the Lead Agricultural Counselor in Equestria.  She will manage all the earth pony settlements that produce food and oversee distribution of resources. 

Rainbow Dash is given the opportunity to become th Executive Weather Forecaster, a position that is the head of all weather management in the entirety of Equestria.  Celestia appreciates Dash's speed, but also states RD has a quick mind as well and has good intuition.  She knows Dash wants to be a Wonderbolt and offers to give her time to think.  Dash immediately accepts, throwing Celestia off-guard, and simply agrees with Celestia about her good insticts and quick thinking so she didn't need time to think about the offer.  Dash isn't too sad about not becoming a Wonderbolt because she knows she could be one, but this opportunity would give her a lot more ability to assist Twilight, whom she will always be loyal to.

Rarity is given the opportunity to become the Voice of Equestria.  Celestia laments the fact she is not always able to hear the plights of every pony in Equestria and she is not always able to hear what others have to say.  This role will allow Rarity to change all that since Rarity will have the best interests at heart for every pony.

Fluttershy immediately declines the offer before Celestia even tells her what it is.  However she changes her mind when Celestia "accepts" her refusal.  Fluttershy is given the opportunity to study the Everfree Forest and be allowed all access to it (some headcanon here, but I'd think since it's so dangerous Celestia probably has an "off-limits" decree on the place, or at least the deeper portions of it).  Celestia acknowledges Fluttershy's ability with animals, but Celestia thinks Fluttershy has a talent for understand all life in general, not just creatures.  Ponies fear what they do not understand and nothing is less understood than the Everfree Forest.  Fluttershy will be able to learn about it, both the creatures there and forest itself. 

And finally Pinkie Pie.  Pinkie Pie would be given the opportunity to become the Royal Ambassador to other countries.  She would make the perfect spokespony for Equestria due to her unparalleled ability to connect with others. 

Whether or not any of the girls accept their role is completely up to them.  However, I would think they would all accept as in some way, they would be helping Twilight out.  In the end, although they'll be further apart, they've never been closer together. 

You really don't look to hard lol there are a LOT of Applejack fans, although there are more of the other mane six, related fans.

 

 

But yes Applejack is the best pony, she is honest and down to earth and very kind (a lot more but i am very lazy right now and don't feel like hurting myself. But Fluttershy is close to second just becuase of the adorableness.

I see a lot more AJ love now after S3 than I used to at the end of S2.  I dunno, maybe it was just me and I wasn't looking hard enough.  I think S3 really helped her out by giving her more to do than hang around a farm, even though her star episode was her hanging out on her farm.  But hey!  She sang her first song!  I actually started out not liking it too much, but as I hear it more and more, it seems to be growing on me.  It gets my blood pumping with its fast paced rhythm and pure energy. 

Also, Rarity has replaced Pinkie on my fav list.  Strange since she didn't get much love from the show staff for S3, but she still had her moments. 

Spike shipping, eh?  Let's see... ah, yes!  I do have one here for you that you may be interested in.  Ship between Apple Bloom and Spike.  A bit strange to hear, but the story has it make sense.  It's not focused entirely on the shipping aspect, but it's there and I think it's well written.  Hope ya like it!

http://www.fimfiction.net/story/62331/to-change-a-heart

Geeze it's been waay too long since I've last been on.  Let me ask you fine ponyfolk a question that's been bugging me.  Remember in Magical Mystery Cure, Twilight changed the cutie marks of her friends.  This completely changed them; it changed their destinies or their "true" selves as Twilght put it.  If this is true, then I also wonder if while their destinies were swapped, their respective elements also changed.  Of course, this had absolutely no effect on the story of the ponies, but hey it's fun to think about stuff sometimes I guess. 

What are your thoughts?  Did that spell changed their respective elements?  Or are the elements a force greater than destiny itself and cannot be altered?

Hmm.  A fight, eh?  I see a lot of mare v mare here so I'll throw in something a bit different.  Let's have a Big Mac vs Shining Armor! 

Big Bro Beatdown!

I think we need more love for the two stallions we rarely see much of.  We need a dudebro episode, full of dudes being bros.  Big Mac, Shining, and I guess Spike cuz he's a guy too I guess.  Maybe the girls (including Cadance, after all she did say she needs to get together with Twilight when Equestria isn't facing certain doom) are having a big sleep over and Spike wants to just get out of there.  So he rounds up Big Mac and Shining to have an awesome dude-venture. 

Holy hay!  It has been too long since I've lasted anything on this whole site.  Well, I wrote me another piece of fiction.  Huzzah!  And I figured, heck, I've shared my other two stories with you fine ponyfolk, why not share this one to?  So here it is, Ready to Go.  Gotta say though, I tried to make this a sad one.  Betcha can't guess who it's about!!  

Ok, if anyone knows me at all, which most probably won't anyway, then you should have a good idea.

(Or they could just look at the tags <_< ) 

... shut up.

Sooo, here it is!  http://www.fimfiction.net/story/82724/1/ready-to-go/ready-to-go

OK, so, you're writing this as if it were to be a play, correct?  I am curious, have you actually gone and read through a script of a play?  I really hope that didn't sound mean.  But I am referring to the idea that every scene starts out with a block of text detailing the set.  The first scene can have up to an entire page devoted to explaining the time period and mood of the story.

We are thrown straight into a conversation with no idea of when this takes place, the time of day, the ponies around, the scenery, nothing.  Try delving a tad into where they are and how they are speaking.  You know how they sound and what they are doing, but the reader does not and needs a helping hoof understanding.  Now, I'm not asking for a huge amount of text, but I do need some kind of idea of the environment for me to get a picture of anything that's going on. 

Let me take a piece out.

--

Luna- Don't worry Tia im not lieng to you at all.(Today is the day you get got big sister)

--

Perhaps a personal matter, but play or no, I do prefer quotes when characters speak.  And perhaps another personal matter, I prefer italics for thoughts.  However, in plays, it is pretty strange to include a character's thoughts.  That's because in plays, we can see the character's body language and hear the way they talk which clues the audience to their motives.  In writing, though, we can't so being able to know what a character thinks helps with the imagery, at least it does for me.  Also, I find it rather odd that you use "im" and not "I'm" here.  But later with other characters, you use contractions just fine.

Also with that line "im not lieing to you at all" is rather... simplistic, I'd say.  Anyone, and I mean, anyone who would say to my face "Don't worry, I'm not lieing to you" would immediately raise my suspician levels to over 9000 even if it was my sister or another person I trusted.  Maybe just have her play it off?  I don't know, but I really do recomend replacing that line with something else.

--

Other NLR ponies-(silently) Yea!

--

Sorry, but it is rather hard to silently speak.  I think you may be going for more of a "quietly" or "shushed" there.

Then you let the reader know that the Lunar Republicans beat up the guards.  I, as the reader, am wondering right now how there was no noise to alert Celestia to foul play being afoot.  And I'm rather curious as to why they also cry out "mooooooooon" for so long.  Also, that part is in caps making me think they are screaming it.  Why does Celetia not hear them?  I understand you want this to be a play, but try and imagine how this would be happening on a stage. 

Oh yeah, and then this.

--

^Dat Acting.^

--

I just don't even know what that is.  I mean, what is it's purpose?  Please understand, I'm not trying to be mean but I cannot understand what you intended with that.  Reading that just threw me for a loop.  I'm not getting what you want me to get.  Maybe it's me, but I'm just not sure.

Anyway, I've never tried to write a fic as a play before, nor have I ever had the idea so props for thinking of something unique.  I highly suggest, if you are serious about this, getting a pre-reader to help with grammar.  Flesh out your story, give it some exposition, let the characters talk for a bit while explaining what they are doing and how they are doing it.  Through their banter, give us an idea of what's going on. 

I hope that I have been some help. 

I would love a flashback episode to where Celestia and Luna first encountered Discord.  I want to see more founding-of-Equestria stuff!  Another Applejack episode with another song.  Not because Reunion was bad nor that I didn't like Raise this Barn.  I just want more Applejack cuz she is best pony. 

I want to visit Pinkie's rock farm.  It sounds like the best trip ever.  I mean, who wouldn't want to check out a rock farm!

Obligatory body-swap episode could have some good potential and lead to the classic lesson "You really don't know somepony 'til you take a trot in their horseshoes". 

Also, I want to hear the scary story of the prissy ghost who annoyed everypony with her unnecessary neatness.  AJ has thus far disappointed me with not telling it.

To be honest, I didn't think it was that awesome the first time I heard it in the episode.  I mean, this was me.  "It's nearing the end of the episode, her song has gotta be coming up soon!"  She starts to sing.  "YEESSSS."  I listen and throught the number, my grin is fading a bit.  I liked it, don't get me wrong.  I guess it was so, how should I put this?  Stereotypical?  Expected?  I mean, she's a farmer.  She's country.  We get it.  And what's her song about?  Raising a barn.  I guess I just wanted a nice song about something non-farmer related.  I REALLY wanted a song about her parents.  A nice, somber tune.  What we got instead, was a decent hoe-down (spelling?). 

However, after listening to it over and over and over again, it's growing on me.  Now, I really like it and enjoy it's up-beat rhythm.  So while it took me a little bit and a few replays, it's grown on me.  I can safely say that I really like it now.

To be fair, the person who wrote this episode had never written an episode for the show before, so he's not used to writing the characters. Usually every writer has a character they write the best or worst, and maybe this writer is skilled at writing a character like Rainbow Dash but struggles with prissy characters like Rarity. 

 

Even so, I thought she was in-character when she acted all snobby about camping. She's just the kind of person who would hate being outdoors. And about Sweetie Belle. she could have volunteered off-screen to pull Rarity's cart for her. I doubt Rarity would just force Sweetie Belle to do something like that. 

Yeah, you make a good point.  To be fair, I didn't even think of that.  Thanks for letting me know.

And to be clear, please don't think that I didn't enjoy the episode or anything, it was great!  I'm just thinking that Rarity was a little "too" much.  And I really do mean "a little".  My friend just talked to me about how he thought Rarity was acting just a little over the top and that got me thinking about it, too, so maybe I'm just seeing a ghost where there is none. 

Anyway, as I stated, this still was a great episode and I enjoyed it very much.  S3 is really looking great so far.  Now all we need is Applejack to sing and I'll be all set.

So is it just me or is Rarity a bit more shallow and fashion-diva-y than what I was used to from the past seasons? 

I mean, she's pretty much just talked about appearances and dresses, not to mention in Episode 6 she was a complete slavedriver to Sweetie Bell.  Of course I'm well aware of it being mostly for comedic effect, but the degree to which she was fussy kind of surprised me.  I do like that she's a bit more sisterly with Sweetie, something I'm glad we can see grow and develop. 

Maybe I'm just weird and she's acting like usual and it's more me than her.  I don't know.  Does anyone else think she's being a bit too.. prissy?  A little bit is fine, that's her character, I just think maybe the writers are really laying it on a little thick.  I did like her camping outfit though.

On another note, did anypony else get diabetes from Sweetie's super sad face near the beginning?

Thank you for those kind words, Snow Shadow.  I truly do appreciate them.  Seeing that others are enjoying my work makes the whole process worthwhile. 

Mua ha ha ha!  I have created another story for you all to relish in.  Behold my greatness and fall into despair that you can never match my glory!  Ha ha ha! 

Yeah, I recently woke up and I think I may have had one too many cups of coffee so I'm a little wacky right now. 

Anyway, I did indeed, write another fanfic.  And before you ask or roll your eyes, no, there is no Applejack.  WHAT?!

Yup, no AJ story this time.  Kinda hard to work her into a story that takes place, what, a thousand years in the past or something?  I dunno. 

I liked the idea of Sombra.  I still do.  He was a legit villain.  There was just no real backstory on him or his time as ruler over the crystal ponies.  That's what I wanted to write and gave it my best shot with how I imagined it.  Of course, taking place so long ago with no known ponies of today existing, I had to create a few OCs.  I never thought I would ever create an OC, but I did. 

Ugh, is this post supposed to be its own story or something?  Post the dang fimfiction link and stop typing!

http://www.fimfiction.net/story/66849/Under-the-Shadow%27s-Rule

There.  Happy?  Yes, yes I am.

To begin this topic, I want to get something out of the way. This is not, and I repeat NOT, about or has anything to do with shipping. So yeah, understand that first.

After watching (and re-watching) the two-part intro of S3, I began thinking about how the mane 6 interact with one another. Mostly, I began thinking this at AJ's awesome "Good things are better when they're a Rarity" line. It was nice to see them talk to, and interact with, one another of their own accord, as in, not needing Twilight to bring them together like she did in Look Before You Sleep. Yes, yes, I know that was back in S1 when it was Twilight-town, but you get what I mean, I hope.

S2 took a step in the right direction with allowing each of the mane 6 to have their own lives and not needing Twilight involved somehow. Hurricane Fluttershy and Sisterhooves Social are prime examples of what I'm referring to. Two characters of the mane 6 having good, solid character interaction and not needing Twilight at all because we got plenty of her in S1.

So we've already had some decent AJ/Rarity & RD/Fluttershy interaction. My question to you fine ponyfolk is what combos of the mane 6 would you like to see develop more in S3. Rarity/RD? Pinkie/Fluttershy? Also, you could tell me about the combos we've already seen, such as AJ/Rarity, and how you liked/didn't like them.

To get something straight, it's not that I don't like Twilight. She's just already had plenty of interaction with each of the others that we're already certain how she interacts with them and there's not many more mysteries to uncover that can be solves via simple character exchanges... did that make sense?

Edit: I included Fall Weather Friends in the third paragraph. That wasn't S2. It was in S1. Sheesh

At least it did showcase good character interaction that didn't involve Twilight, even if RD was totally the one at fault

Humans? Humans! Like the witches that start all that mess. A human villain would be cool, but it might drift away from ponies somehow :S

 

Although I doubt it would happen anyway, I for one, would not want humans or anything human-like to appear. Why you may ask? One reason. No one would ever remember the focus of the episode. The plot? The character development? The conflict? All would take a back seat to the simple fact of there being a human in Equestria. Not to mention all anyone would ever talk about is how Lyra and the human would be best friends or Lyra annoying the human so badly with questions and imitations that the human leaves or just some other Lyra-and-human-related discussion. It would essentially turn into another Derpy-talks episode.

Me - "Hey, remember that episode where Derpy talked??"

Other - "Yeah! I loved that episode! Derpy ftw!"

Me - "OMG I know!"

as opposed to

Me - "Hey, remember that episode in S2 about Applejack?"

Other - "Eh, I really didn't think that cider episode counted as an AJ episode"

Me - "No, I mean the other episode about Applejack, The Last Roundup."

Other - "There was another AJ episode?"

Me - "..."

Know what I mean? That's all I think would happen.