Should I feel bad for Lighting Dust?

[Scootadress 361]

I do not feel bad for her, and neither should you. Lightning Dust was totally out of line by being reckless, not caring for the safety of others, and pushing herself to the limit only to the point of putting others in harm to get what she wants. If you feel bad for her, good for you but I just feel that putting others in danger especially in the Wonderbolts is something against their protocol.

To be technical, the Wonderbolts Academy is a military academy. The elements were also in the wrong. Regular ponies aren't supposed to be on the base, they weren't announced. Excusing the "tornado" portion that seemed forced (RD is not as fast as Lightning Dust, its been proven) its like what they did with Discord to make time for the ending. If you notice, they were typically surrounded by something that cushioned their falls like clouds.

 

That's the problem. Circumstances surrounded each event. While she's a total jerk on one end there are circumstances that I understand. Then again, even with the tornado scene, it wouldn't make much sense. She's shown to handle almost anything, a tornado going as fast as Rainbow shouldn't be a big deal. Then again, I also feel bad for Gilda....

[Scootalove 10,689]

To be technical, the Wonderbolts Academy is a military academy. The elements were also in the wrong. Regular ponies aren't supposed to be on the base, they weren't announced. Excusing the "tornado" portion that seemed forced (RD is not as fast as Lightning Dust, its been proven) its like what they did with Discord to make time for the ending. If you notice, they were typically surrounded by something that cushioned their falls like clouds.

 

That's the problem. Circumstances surrounded each event. While she's a total jerk on one end there are circumstances that I understand. Then again, even with the tornado scene, it wouldn't make much sense. She's shown to handle almost anything, a tornado going as fast as Rainbow shouldn't be a big deal. Then again, I also feel bad for Gilda....

I don't feel bad for Gilda to be honest. But, I see what your getting at.

[Scootadress 361]

I don't feel bad for Gilda to be honest. But, I see what your getting at.

Well, its mainly because I felt that Pinkie Pie invaded Gilda's space before she was shown to be a jerk. Pinkie Pie should have let both of them be. It was the lesson she learned in Too Many Pinkies almost. She's intruding in something that should have been only Gilda and Rainbow time. Yeah, she did so (rudely) but Pinkie Pie was equally as rude and selfish as Twilight pointed out. If it wasn't for Pinkie's intrusion, then the big blow with her in the end wouldn't have happened. (Or she wouldn't have totally pinned Pinkie for it.) 

[Scootalove 10,689]

Well, its mainly because I felt that Pinkie Pie invaded Gilda's space before she was shown to be a jerk. Pinkie Pie should have let both of them be. It was the lesson she learned in Too Many Pinkies almost. She's intruding in something that should have been only Gilda and Rainbow time. Yeah, she did so (rudely) but Pinkie Pie was equally as rude and selfish as Twilight pointed out. If it wasn't for Pinkie's intrusion, then the big blow with her in the end wouldn't have happened. (Or she wouldn't have totally pinned Pinkie for it.) 

Pinkie Pie's jealousy basically lead to Gilda getting upset at her, and totally changing her attitude completely. Pinkie Pie isn't exactly a pony that knows something about personal space.

[Scootadress 361]

Pinkie Pie's jealousy basically lead to Gilda getting upset at her, and totally changing her attitude completely. Pinkie Pie isn't exactly a pony that knows something about personal space.

That's why I feel ssorry for Gilda. People consider her very rude, but they end up forgeting Pinkie is JUST as rude as Gilda. If Gilda was to be viewed in a situation without Pinkie, would she be as bad as she is? I don't honestly think so. She does things just for RD that would be viewed as dorky.Thats why I feel that the situation was the whole problem. Gilda might not always be nice, but she's not the type like they described. I would equally blow if a pink pony just wouldn't stop badgering me.

[Scootalove 10,689]

That's why I feel ssorry for Gilda. People consider her very rude, but they end up forgeting Pinkie is JUST as rude as Gilda. If Gilda was to be viewed in a situation without Pinkie, would she be as bad as she is? I don't honestly think so. She does things just for RD that would be viewed as dorky.Thats why I feel that the situation was the whole problem. Gilda might not always be nice, but she's not the type like they described. I would equally blow if a pink pony just wouldn't stop badgering me.

I guess this is reminding me of when Pinkie was being annoying to Luna, preventing her from trying to get out of her comfort zone to make some friends. I'm agreeing with you anyway.

[Lunetiz 4]

In one form of thinking about it, it's based on how you or anyone would see in that episode. 

Lightning dust saw herself as a superiority among the rest of the pack (excluding Rainbow Dash) and felt that she would become an elite flier. She has the skills, talent, and personality similar to RD, but with the exception to her loyalty towards others. So making remarks to her might be like if it did the same to RD since they're really just the same (with only a small change and life choice decisions) . They never given her a back story, so it's hard to figure out where she came from and why she so desperately wants to be a Wonderbolt... they only showed that her mind set was placed on, "Only a few have what it takes to be a Wonderbolt!" So she might want to prove she is the best by doing anything she can to show that. In the end of the show, when it shows her almost flying off, but at the last moment decides instead to walk off, like if it shows a sad scene right there about her losing her dream, her thinking, "What's the point in flying?"

Maybe if she realize her ways, then maybe one day... they might let her back in and try again.

You may chose to decide whether you should feel bad about Lightning Dust, but it would be up to her (*the show*) to decide whether to change her ways (ex: The Great and Apologetic Trixie) or remain the same (ex: Gilda).

[FNGRpony 658]

That would be AWESOME! You've given me something to hope for in the next season!

Now that's going a bit too far, to say she did NOTHING wrong at all. She had as much attitude as Dash, but none of the compassion behind it. You can't call it a lie, because all the rest of the Mane 6 and all the cadets could corroborate her story. You're making her far too blameless.

 

 

See, I don't mind G.E's response entirely,

imagine diamond tiara and silver spoons telling lightening dust that exact same thing.  Forming a big sister roll.

 

I mean hay Lightening dust is out of a gig, and those two jack asses have lots of money.  SO IT BEgins lol. 

 

The elements of disharmony.

[Doc. Volt 2,561]

I understand that concept, I totally agree with her going out of her way to give rainbow dash a hard time.

 

but I think when she decided to go go with rainbows call, I would liked "we're even" and a wink. 

and yeah i understand why Lightening dust is arguably one of the evilest villains on the show.

(totally elements of disharmony mater rail)

but Spit fire doesn't have this moment of "oh shit." even to herself "I almost really screwed up."

"Or i learned something."

cause that should been her lesson.  Dash already knew what to do.

it looks that i am the only one a bit sorry for her... honestly? i would do the same if i were her.. showing off and don't give a fuck... btw the decision to ban her is right.. and spitfire still is an "english officer"... 

[skylights 127]

it looks that i am the only one a bit sorry for her... honestly? i would do the same if i were her.. showing off and don't give a fuck... btw the decision to ban her is right.. and spitfire still is an "english officer"... 

Nah it's not just you. Equestria is a place where everypony can learn from their mistakes, even if they're training to become Wonderbolts. If Discord and Trixie can get second chances, there's no reason Lightning Dust couldn't. She got kinda railroaded in the end there (even if she did bring it upon herself).

[PlunderSteed 1,252]

A couple aspects of the episode were made somewhat implausible for the sake of storytelling.

 

First, Spitfire and her staff completely dropped the ball as leaders. They should have set clearly defined expectations of personal conduct, and they should have emphasized safety from day one. They should have noticed the dangerous trends that Dash noticed, and nipped that shit in the bud.

 

Second, (as somebody else already mentioned) the other Mane 6 should never have flown into military training airspace without permission. In real life there are very clearly defined "Military Training Routes" and other areas where civilian traffic is either prohibited or strongly urged to exercise extreme caution due to live fire artillery, missiles, lasers, etc.

 

Both of these common sense practices were ignored so that the conflict could fully develop. *shrug*

As for Dusty herself...I don't know if I feel bad for her because we don't really know what actually happened to her.

[FNGRpony 658]

A couple aspects of the episode were made somewhat implausible for the sake of storytelling.

 

First, Spitfire and her staff completely dropped the ball as leaders. They should have set clearly defined expectations of personal conduct, and they should have emphasized safety from day one. They should have noticed the dangerous trends that Dash noticed, and nipped that shit in the bud.

 

Second, (as somebody else already mentioned) the other Mane 6 should never have flown into military training airspace without permission. In real life there are very clearly defined "Military Training Routes" and other areas where civilian traffic is either prohibited or strongly urged to exercise extreme caution due to live fire artillery, missiles, lasers, etc.

 

Both of these common sense practices were ignored so that the conflict could fully develop. *shrug*

As for Dusty herself...I don't know if I feel bad for her because we don't really know what actually happened to her.

 

wellllllllllllllll,

we could assume twilight went through the right and proper channels off screen to get permission to come in.

She's twilight bucking sparkle.  When ever does she fly by the seat of her pants?

 

What's more they'd know who she as at least if they were in fact military.  Is wonder bolts achedmey boot camp?  Yes, yes it is.

Is it officially sponsored by the crown?  It sure sounded like it was (pretty sure it is).

 

But is it a military thing just cause the training is military like?

 

Wouldn't they have been at a canterlot wedding?  Or called in to assist in the crystal empire?

 

I know they came out to stop spike but i think they might have personally taken that as a civic duty but  not requited of them.

it looks that i am the only one a bit sorry for her... honestly? i would do the same if i were her.. showing off and don't give a fuck... btw the decision to ban her is right.. and spitfire still is an "english officer"... 

 

OH the ban is right.  It's just it should have been spit fire's move.

I think this is an example of the main six needed to make the right move and not a supporting character.

 

The problem with that is, what happens when the supporting character is something major?

Like a high ranking wonder bolt,

a captain of the canterlot guard,

so for and so on,

 

Yes I get the main six are important but the rest of Equistria shouldn't be grossly incapable just so the main six can have episodes.

 

I gotta ask is spit fire suppose to be a dumb ass?  there's this episode and where she decides to stand there all princess Celestail like during hurricane flutter shy.

 

Maybe she's just a douche.

Edited November 19, 2013 by FNGRpony

[Ianpiersonjdavis 513]

Well, I do.

 

She was promoted and praised by Spitfire for pushing herself, yet Spitfire immediately tears off her badge and kicks her out of the academy for doing exactly what she was promoted for.

 

Spitfire didn't even care about any of this until Dash chewed her out and threatened to leave before punishing Lightning Dust.

 

And in the original ending, Lightning realizes her mistake, admits that she was out of control and was simply demoted instead of kicked out-but, it had to be cut for time constraints leading to the ending we got where she comes across as a complete sociopath.

[Pastel 7,630]

No.

She almost killed the mane 5, as Rainbow said, they could have been "smashed to pieces".

Edited August 2, 2014 by Blobulle

[Hive King 2,001]

@@Ianpiersonjdavis,

But we didn't get the original ending, did we?

 

You can't use drafts of a story as basis for something, otherwise, Elsa has pixie hair and is an utter douchebag. You admitted yourself that LD acted like a sociopath 

[Ianpiersonjdavis 513]

 

 

You can't use drafts of a story as basis for something

 

Yeah, I guess that's true-my mistake. 

[---- 85]

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Edited June 10, 2018 by ----