Drakkon

Hm, it's a tough question. A Canterlot Wedding Twilight's Kingdom Return of Harmony Princess Twilight Sparkle The Crystal Empire Friendship is Magic

The fandom is definitely not smaller (especially not 2014 -> 2015 anyway, however I can get why some people might think 2011 or 2012 -> 2015, because back then everyone was concentrated in several sites, and now we have dozens and dozens of communities). I can see why you might feel like things are less active in the land of ponies, but this is because we are well into our annual pony drought between seasons. Though I'm unfamiliar with any websites that became mainstream from late 2013 to now. Perhaps someone else could be of help here!

In Dragon Quest, the teenage dragons are not surprised that a letter came flying out of Spike's mouth, laughing at how he is "pen pals" with a princess. It definitely looks like some sort of dragon magic, but it's never explained in the show and to my knowledge it has never been explained in the comic books either. It's quite curious how Celestia is replying, though. No doubt the letters are sent to her study (as that is where she is every time we see her in the context of the letters); it does bear a fireplace. Perhaps it's enchanted, Harry Potter style? Some might say Spike's throat is indeed a sort of chimney!

If it weren't for its community, I would have no doubt not watched livestreams of the show or even the episodes as they came out. I may have not even watched any season past Season 1 at all. I would have possibly never watched it, as I found it because a person on a forum I frequented had a Pinkie Pie avatar. But as I went through the episodes these past few weeks for a rewatch, I know for a certainty why I watch it. It's not really perfect; the animation is good but there is better. The story is standard, it's not exactly ASOIAF. It has a children's narrative; as watchable as it is for adults the conclusion of most episodes is obvious. So what compels me to watch it? To keep connected to it? The colors: bright and happy. The characters: With a smile on their face and diverse kinds of personalities. The songs: Cheerful and cannot but bring me joy whenever I hear them. The message: Strong, clean and innocent. The atmosphere: So cute and I can't help but smile at many things as they unfold in the show. The community: an amazing, positive force unlike any other in which I participated! The community's own fan creations keep me entertained and connected to the show between seasons. Its websites remind me that not all—far from it—communities these days have adopted the 4chan mentality. Its diversity and the opportunities that lie within have given me a blessing: Friends, a chance to feel like I'm helping, and a chance to not only improve my skills but to improve myself. That is why it is important for me to stay in touch with the show.

The only time I saw ponies before watching the show was an avatar on a web comic forum of Pinkie Pie's hiccup-laughter scene. I thought she was the cutest thing ever!

...and takes it back!

You even replaced the spoiler, I am impressed! It doesn't change the fact that Luna is quite clearly outmatched: Edit: Luna is in the lead?! To arms, Rarifans! Push this army of darkness back.

This is looking awesome. I can't wait!

I'm sorry but I simply must disagree. Just look at this fabulous pony: Rarity has grace, glamor, beauty and all the defining features of a true lady. Luna is quite a fair pony, but she cannot match our lovely fashion pony!

You can't do this to me, MLPForums! After Celestia's agonizing defeat at the hands of Sunset Shimmer for the emoticon spot, you can't make Rarity lose a tournament called the most attractive pony tournament! Push on!

I respectfully disagree. The idea that Twilight will become the princess was clear-cut obvious to everywhere I've been to prior to Season 3 (even during Season 1!). The ideas of when and how were the subject of debate: final episode in the show? Celestia's peer? Celestia's replacement? There were many fan-theories, but her exceptional magical abilities, and she being Celestia's personal student all pointed to her being a very special pony, though most people I've interacted with imagined her as Celestia's successor, rather than a peer. Even Lauren Faust had admitted at some point that this was indeed her goal, if I remember correctly. Twilight becoming a princess was not unexpected and the show makers had imagined it from the beginning; it's just the climax and build-up to it were not really R+L=J kind of buildup. The "official" buildup started and climaxed during the shortest season ever - half the size of the standard season - so it is indeed quite sad that there was not more to it. It did, however, spur people who considered the idea of Twilicorn to be pure myth into intense worrying when a strange poster of Alicorn Twilight was leaked around the time of Season 3's release, and they claimed that if this is true it would herald the decline of the show. In my opinion, it did not. In the end though, in large, show-changing events such as these, there is little the writers could do considering their target audience. You will note that all of these kinds of changes (Shining Armor, Twilicorn, Twilicastle, to name a few of the big ones) were not "up-to-snuff" for many people, leading to their controversial status. Magical Mystery Cure didn't really struck me as a particularly 100%-satisfactory way to develop core factors of the show, but I didn't find it disappointing as the writers have never been able to pull something like that off. And I personally think Magical Mystery Cure in its current state is superior to a super-serious one-episode finale; the second is doomed to fail as well, but it would not have the redeeming qualities of a musical episode. I understand that incorporating elements, new major characters, and other matters is difficult for a show for little girls with adult critics. It bears very, very little matter with me how they incorporate; the importance for me is how they use it. Cadence and Shining Armor, let there be no doubt, were shoved in. Twilight suddenly has a brother? Another princess, of what now, Love? (Hasbroooo!) However, from the comics detailing how they met, to their appearances in Crystal Empire episodes, I find them to be a strong, good addition to the show. Similar arguments for Twilight Sparkle's ascension to Princess, as it has created a new source for content and prevented the show from becoming stale.

My headcanon has been "Discord is Starswirl" for a long, long time. However, ever since I caught up with the comics, I realized the timeline is all wrong. Discord is defeated before Celestia and Luna's coronation and Starswirl was present there, so RIP my previous headcanon. Discord is the spirit of chaos and disharmony, and I'm curious as to what is a "spirit" in the world of Friendship is Magic. Normally, it is a more formal word for a ghost, the essence or soul of a person come to the physical plane. But he's the spirit of chaos and disharmony, which makes it sound like he's some sort of avatar or embodiment. Are there other embodiments? Is Twilight the embodiment of Friendship and Cadence the embodiment of Love? Or are they more minor characters in that role, and an embodiment is a figure come to life that is solely based around his source and has great, demigod or godlike powers? I would say his origin lies in the question, what is Discord? If we were to understand what he was, we might be able to understand why he exists, and how he does. It is likely that he is either some kind of demigod that existed since creation, possibly the legacy of the absolute chaos that was before, or otherwise the result of terrible research into magic. Possibly by Starswirl?! (likes that idea)

I've never honestly had a problem with Cadence, on the contrary I really, really like her. While her flaws haven't had the chance to be explored, which is what I think leads some people to dislike her, I still find her to be more "real" than, say, Celestia. I also love her color scheme. When I first saw it I thought all those different colors in her mane were odd, but who can look at this cute little pony and not say d'aww?

I think Rarity. I believe the others would adapt, like most moms do before they become moms. However, there's a hint that Rarity can't stand children in Baby Cakes, where she was the only person who didn't have an excuse for not helping, she just said "no no no" or something of the sort.

She's cute in her lighter blue scheme with her regular hair. She's regal and majestic with her Season 2 scheme and hair. I think I like the latter better since it is more apt for her as a princess.