The reason behind Sunbutt's weakening?

[ManaMinori 4,146]

Many have been wondering the reason why Sunbutt has been being portrayed as getting weaker. The JotTS provides enough evidence that it's not the constant raising of the sun (like many assume) that is depleting her. On the contraty, it seems to rejuvinate her magic. But episodes still have many concerned. But was this weakening forseen by Sunbutt? When did it first occur, and what is the cause of it?

 

Short answer- I believe dark magic to be the cause.

 

Long answer- This likely began with the AU mirror that Sunbutt helped Starswirl build, and adventured with him many times through. I don't know why, but in "The Fall of Sunset Shimmer", details of this mirror were hidden within the dark magic archives of the Canterlot Castle's library. It's possible that multiple trips through the mirror (far more than Starswirl himself had gone through, if -according to the "Reflections" arc, she was travelling unsupervised, behind Starswirl' back, to rendezvous with Sombra) led her to aquiring small amounts of dark magic with each trip into the mirror. this was after the events of her banishing her sister and no longer being recognized as worthy to w weild the elements, no longer in harmony with Luna, so being in an emotional state of sadness and regret could've been what attracted the dark magic of the mirror to he, each time she went through.

 

As time passed, she probably knew that she would eventually fall to it, as it grew within her. This could be why she could be seen knowing and using dark magic, in "The Crystal Empire" part 1. This could explain why Twilight knew where the gates of Tartarus were, in "It's about Time" Sunbutt, likely forseeing her own fall to darkness, perhaps as Nightmare Star- could've informed or taken Twi there, as precaution, feeling safe that her protoge would know where to send her, when the time came. Perhaps her reasoning for allowing the mane 6 to free and befriend Discord to "use his magic for good", is so that he could warn them of the magical imbalances when the dark magic consumes her, and they have to fight against her. Dark magkc could explain her bickering in public with Luna in "Slice of Life", a complete change of attitude than what she normally displays to her subjects. It could also explain her unenthusiactic behavior in "No Second Prances", and the many times she has been shown weakened against the plunder vines, Chrysalis, Tirek, the frozen North, even NightMare Moon, who she can't subdue with her own power.

 

That, or Sunbutt is a become a changeling, after being trapped in a cocoon, in "A Canterlot wedding". Chrysalic did say that their race not onl feeds on the love of others, but that thos under Changeling magic "grow weaker every moment, and have their spells/magic weakened", also. It explains Shining Armor's weakening magic, and Sunbutt's.

 

Opinions?

[Jeric 46,869]

 

I believe that the Season Six finale will reveal Celestia to be Chrysalis in disguise, and possibly have been her for a while.

 

[Concerned Bystander 2,904]

Celestia has never really been portrayed as particularly powerful, all of her greatest victories in the past were achieved when she had external assistance from the Elements of Harmony.

 

When her and Luna encased Discord in stone, they did so with help from the Elements, When Celestia triumphed over Nightmare Moon, it was because of the Elements.  I don't think we are seeing her getting weaker, but rather being at her normal, unaugmented, level of power.

[ManaMinori 4,146]

 

I believe that the Season Six finale will reveal Celestia to be Chrysalis in disguise, and possibly have been her for a while.

 

hope so. It only makes perfect sense, with what Chryssi said (and did) at the wedding. Why just stop at impersonating 1 princess,if Equestria is abundant in love, and has 4, now 5 princesses, all who are loved to varying degrees?

[cider float 2,539]

Celestia's greatest triumphs were when she possessed the Elements of Harmony with her sister. So I would say the EoH was what gave her so much power. If it wasn't for the EoH Nightmare Moon could have defeated Celestia.

[Guest]

 

I believe that the Season Six finale will reveal Celestia to be Chrysalis in disguise, and possibly have been her for a while.

 

 

That would be an incredible twist!

 

Regarding my own opinion concerning the titular question, remember that Celestia's almost omnipotent reputation came from a time when she wielded the Elements of Harmony. However, the show starts at a point where Celestia's bond with the Elements has diminished, thereby inevitably reducing her strength. Furthermore, at one point in Equestrian history, Celestia appears to be the sole guardian of Equestria which elevates her position and augments her image of strength. Without the Elements and with a new team of guardians, maybe Celestia's strength is being seen with a fresh perspective. 

[ManaMinori 4,146]

Celestia's greatest triumphs were when she possessed the Elements of Harmony with her sister. So I would say the EoH was what gave her so much power. If it wasn't for the EoH Nightmare Moon could have defeated Celestia.

you make a valid point, but Sunbutt had to have power of her own- enough to raise both sun and moon, herself,both before she and Luna made use of the EoH and after

[Castle Bleck 19,390]

Even without the Elements, she's been able to do things like instantly breaking Twilight's "Want It, Need It" spell at the end of Lesson Zero and casting some kind of enchantment that even Discord couldn't break at the beginning of Keep Calm And Flutter On.