Why Twilicorn Works: Insight on the Supporting Side

[Veylon 255]

I'm personally against Twilight Alicorn, but I think a lot of people are overreacting. Twilight Alicorn isn't going to burn the show to the ground and sow salt on the ashes, any more the unnecessarily-alicornized Cadance did.

 

I think fans grossly underestimate how willing writers are to casually upset some cherished piece of fanon for the purposes of moving the plot along. If there's an issue with Twilight = Alicorn = Princess = No more friends, you know that it'll take five seconds for Celestia to grant her student an exemption. And the bowing thing? It just won't happen or Twilight will make a short speech about how bowing to her is awkward and unnecessary and then it just won't happen.

 

Now, I'm mostly against Twilight (like Cadance) being an Alicorn because it's unnecessary. There's no real point to it. Graduating her studies and becoming some sort of assistant or adviser to Celestia would make sense, although that'd be more likely to separate her from her friends than turning Alicorn.

[Modphase 1,271]

I can't post anything here, as I have quite an unchanged opinion when it comes to the matter. However, I can recommend any of you with a "knee-jerk" to read this blog entry. Hopefully it will help you be less hostile toward this change.

 

http://mlpforums.com/blog/544/entry-2664-why-i-dont-worry-about-things-i-cant-control/

[Winged Anomaly 47]

My knee-jerk reaction was actually a positive one - though I'm biased, because I'd been working on a Twilight's apotheosis type fic before the rumors started circulating.

If executed properly, the concept could be fantastic.  It could address concepts of duty, loyalty, godhood, and personal sacrifice for a gift that you never asked for - all excellent topics that could have a poignant impact on both the target demographic and bronies.

But it would have to be handled with discretion.  There are an awful lot of ways it could go wrong, and this is probably why most poeple are reacting so negatively.

Also, people hate change.  That's the unfortunate truth.

[WWAPD 126]

Wait a second here. Why would Twilight becoming an alicorn make her more powerful? The difference between an alicorn a unicorn is the wings. I can't imagine Twilight would be that great of a flyer. Everyone is acting as if becoming an alicorn immediately triggers this huge on-rush of power. I think becoming an alicorn just gives you the potential to become powerful.

 

And also, not all alicorns are immortal. Only Luna and Celestia have been confirmed to be immortal, while Cadence is only a few years older than Twilight.

[Sunny Fox 5,950]

Wait a second here. Why would Twilight becoming an alicorn make her more powerful? The difference between an alicorn a unicorn is the wings. I can't imagine Twilight would be that great of a flyer. Everyone is acting as if becoming an alicorn immediately triggers this huge on-rush of power. I think becoming an alicorn just gives you the potential to become powerful.

 

And also, not all alicorns are immortal. Only Luna and Celestia have been confirmed to be immortal, while Cadence is only a few years older than Twilight.

Well, considering that the item that turned Trixie from Blowhard to Boss was called the "Alicorn amulet" and that it gave her the ability to effortlessly perform spells that only really powerful unicorn mages can manage, it's not too far a stretch to assume that becoming an alicorn provides a magical power-up. I'm currently assuming it's like a supersaiyan equivalent for unicorns. Of course, we won't know until later which is correct. It might be an increase in potential, like upgrading from a nearly fill 1l bottle to a 5l bottle, with the amount of water staying the same, but the capacity for holding water increasing.

 

Right, conspiracy time: Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns was created specifically to find those unicorns with the ability to transcend their limits and become alicorns. Celestia, upon seeing Twilight's burst of magic (which included, hint hint, an age-changing spell) knew that she had found the one prophesied to become the Imperial Twilight Princess (name shamelessly stolen from Mahou Sensei Negima), just as Celestia is princess of the day and Luna princess of the night. And so she started to set into motion all the events that would power up Twilight to the point where she could unlock her true potential and become the alicorn she was always destined to be. (If even half of that is true, I'd be really surprised.)

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

Personally, I've been hoping for Alicorn Twilight since those images in the episode one, season three. Twilight has already advanced to readily teleporting any time she wishes, and actually managed to travel through time. I can see her becoming the star princess, to work hoof in hoof with Celestia, princess of the sun and Luna, princess of the moon, with the ruling of Equestria! Besides, I can't help wondering if some great evil is approaching. Why else would Celestia be so obviously prepping Twilight, and then have Discord reformed so his magic will also be on hand?

[SBaby 660]

I'll say this about 'Alicorn Twilight' right now.  If it does indeed happen, if she turns Alicorn or becomes a 'Princess' somehow, there is a 50/50 chance that the season ends on a cliffhanger.  13-episode seasons are known to do this (end on cliffhangers).

[Jemboi 127]

Twilight is my favorite character and part of me thinks it would be really cool to have her become an alicorn but the other part of me fears the unknown - all the possible ramifications. I am going to trust in the writers and producers of this wonderful little show, and hope for the best. They haven't steered me wrong so far. I think the best thing to do is to keep a positive outlook and wait to see what happens before you declare doomsday. 

[pinkiefan1287 610]

First off, I hate that stupid image of Celestia, Luna, and Twilight with their cutie marks in the background. What proof is there of her turning into an alicorn from that? I know Celestia say's after this you will be ready for your next level of training, but I just don't see how that equals to alicorn. That could have just been put in for dramatic effect and nothing else.

 

As for the question, I feel like it would be away to right her out of the show and not use her any more. It could also mean less time with her friends and I just don't want to see that. Also there just seems to be no real reason for her to become one. If it's to save the world than fine. I just don't know.

 

Maybe it will work out and maybe it won't. Just have to wait and see.

Edited January 22, 2013 by pinkiefan1287

[hawkflame 3,310]

Personally, I've been hoping for Alicorn Twilight since those images in the episode one, season three. Twilight has already advanced to readily teleporting any time she wishes, and actually managed to travel through time. I can see her becoming the star princess, to work hoof in hoof with Celestia, princess of the sun and Luna, princess of the moon, with the ruling of Equestria! Besides, I can't help wondering if some great evil is approaching. Why else would Celestia be so obviously prepping Twilight, and then have Discord reformed so his magic will also be on hand?

 

I would love that... *if* it were the final episode of the series. 

 

But since we're likely (confirmed?) going to have a Season 4, I'm not a fan.  It changes too much of the series, and frankly if that scenario played out, Twilight would be too much of a Mary Sue for my tastes to carry the series.  She would leave the rest of the cast in the dust.  Maybe if Twilight became an Alicorn *and* Rarity becomes the world's top fashion designer, *and* Dash becomes a Wonderbolt, *and* Applejack became Equestria's top Rodeo pony... but even then, what about Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie?

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

I would love that... *if* it were the final episode of the series. 

 

But since we're likely (confirmed?) going to have a Season 4, I'm not a fan.  It changes too much of the series, and frankly if that scenario played out, Twilight would be too much of a Mary Sue for my tastes to carry the series.  She would leave the rest of the cast in the dust.  Maybe if Twilight became an Alicorn *and* Rarity becomes the world's top fashion designer, *and* Dash becomes a Wonderbolt, *and* Applejack became Equestria's top Rodeo pony... but even then, what about Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie?

Twilight would need her friends even more if she became an Alicorn. I see them as becoming her official advisers. It won't be easy trying to become a princess overnight. Besides, everyone here is forgetting something. The Brony following is strong, but it's the little children fans that are the bread and butter for HASBRO. I think they, little girls especially, will LOVE seeing Twilight become a princess! I know I will! 

[hawkflame 3,310]

Twilight would need her friends even more if she became an Alicorn. I see them as becoming her official advisers. It won't be easy trying to become a princess overnight. Besides, everyone here is forgetting something. The Brony following is strong, but it's the little children fans that are the bread and butter for HASBRO. I think they, little girls especially, will LOVE seeing Twilight become a princess! I know I will! 

 

Even still, that's a very different dynamic than what we have so far, and it'll no longer be about the day to day goings on in Ponyville.

[cuteycindyhoney 13,307]

Even still, that's a very different dynamic than what we have so far, and it'll no longer be about the day to day goings on in Ponyville.

Why wouldn't it be? Twilight could still live in the library while learning just what is expected of an Alicorn. I still like the idea of Rainbow Dash giving both Twilight and Scootaloo flight lessons. It would be really fun if Scoot caught on faster, and Twilight could go all "Lesson Zero" over it!

[WildCard 1,037]

Maybe becoming an Alicorn will be temporary for Twilight, probably caused by the power of all her friends combined (Maybe that's why she'll need the friendship of characters like Trixie and Discord)

[Silverwisp the Bard 2,353]

I would love that... *if* it were the final episode of the series.

This pretty much: If they gonna make her an alicorn, I want the change to mean something, as in worldmoving event something.

 

Maybe becoming an Alicorn will be temporary for Twilight, probably caused by the power of all her friends combined (Maybe that's why she'll need the friendship of characters like Trixie and Discord)

I could live with this being a Supersaiyan mode, but still don't really see the need for it.

[Veylon 255]

I'm still in the position that it's not the worst thing, but I haven't seen a good reason for it either.

 

I would hope that if this idea does go forward the writers confront the major issues directly. Anything that can cause a plot hole is also material for a plot point. There are a whole slew of reasons why this would mess with the show's dynamic. Any or all of them can be brought forward right onto the show as issues the characters themselves need to deal with.

[Two-of-Hearts 168]

I really shouldn’t care… I should just turn the other cheek and say, ‘oh well, it’s just a silly cartoon.’ But no… I am butthurt… There I said it, I’m butthurt that there is so much hating going on against alicorn Twilight, and its made me feel… defensive. Like I now have to justify my liking and approval of alicorn Twilight.

…this calls for an essay.

 

It is true…Twilight being both a princess and an alicorn changes the dynamic of the show on a visceral level, it does potentially whacky things to the formula, and there are many that do not want the formula touched at all. For many, alicorn Twilight is that unwanted tab of LSD in an otherwise perfect batch of refreshingly cool Kool Aid on a hot summer day. It just introduces too much weirdness… too many questions… Are we going to see the townspeople of Ponyville kneeling to Twilight now? Are they going to be nervous and awkward around her now? How is Twilight going to go on adventures now? Is she just going to take a phalanx of Canterlot Guards with her and have them sort out all the bad guys for her? Is she overpowered now as an Alicorn? Is she ‘over 9000’ now, and are we seeing Dragon Ball Z like escalation? Is she going to remain ensconced in Canterlot frittering her time away signing tax levies and land reforms? Most importantly of all, how does this affect her friendship with the six? Will they become jealous of her? Will she ever develop a casual aloofness that her friends come to resent as she rides by in her pimp carriage pulled by buff pegasai stallions? Can they ever really truly be equals ever again? Can they ever do normal things ever again? Can they even have a slumber party with a bona fide princess?

 

These questions do (at first glance) seem daunting for the show; they seem like possible pitfalls, a big steaming basket of opportunities for the story tellers to botch the story even more.  But are the ‘alicorn problems’ really so insurmountable? I don’t think so. In fact if you sat down and thought about some of these questions, you would realize that the opportunity for good story telling is still very much there, and that all of this can be harmonized with the last three seasons.

 

Are the townspeople of Ponyville going to bow to Twilight all the time now, and are they going to be nervous and awkward around her? At first I reckon yes. Eventually though Twilight is going to get upset, blow a gasket, and yell at them to stop prostrating to her, which ironically will only frighten them into being more subservient not unlike what happened with Luna’s first attempts to be amongst her people. Maybe Twilight runs away from home. Maybe she earnestly tries to renounce her title. In the end though things come together, and the people remember Twilight for who she really is and though they have set backs, they adjust and go easier on the pomp and formalities.

 

How is Twilight going to go on adventures now? Is she just going to command Canterlot Guards? …wait a minute… command Canterlot Guards? That would actually be kind of cool. But no, I don’t think this is going to stop either her solo adventures or her adventures with her friends. At first Twilight was just Celestia’s student/apprentice/squire, now Twilight is her right hoof, she and the six have proven that they are capable of handling the Elements of Harmony in a tight spot, and Celestia will continue to rely on them when and if the Elements are needed. Likewise, I feel Celestia is shrewd enough to know when to send in the Canterlot Guards, and when to call up the bearers of the Elements. If she is resorting to using the the Elements, than its assumed that’s it’s probably too big for the Guards to handle on their own and will simply send for the six. Sure maybe Twilight will at times command a detachment of Guards…good! Cool! All the more epic says I.

 

Is Twilight over powered? She is an alicorn now, and by the track record alicorns possess deific powers and responsibilities such as controlling the movements of astral bodies. But what about Cadence? Cadence doesn’t seem to have any such astronomical duties. True, it was demonstrated that she was able to exert some power over an entire city, but this left her extremely taxed, to the point of physically collapsing in fact, and the effects of her spell were not absolute. I think there are alicorns, and then there are ‘Alicorns;’ Luna and Celestia are something more than just alicorns, they are in fact alicorn demi-gods and stand apart from even their own rare breed. Twilight I think will be more comparable to Cadence, who I do not view in the least bit as being overpowered. Oh I do think Twilight has gotten a little boost in her power sure enough, but all the more reason to throw more adventurers and craftier foes at her. And keep in mind that the Elements of Harmony are the ultimate trump card anyway, and thwarting the six for the past two seasons has come down to the bad guys (namely Discord) using trickery and cunning to disarm them of that trump card. Future villains will likely follow suit, and also, the six will also continue to have the usual natural strife between them… their friendship still has trials and tribulations to go through (foreshadowing the jealousy here), and this may render the Elements inert at a desperate time and badabing badaboom we’ve got an episode.

Is Twilight going to become a desk princess and languish in Canterlot Castle? Well…maybe that’s good fodder for an episode. Maybe Twilight does have to learn to balance some new responsibilities. Maybe paperwork and deadlines cause her to go crazy again like in Lesson Zero (I’d watch and enjoy that). But even if she did have a few extra duties, I don’t think Celestia would burden Twilight with too much, at least not at first. Just because you’ve grown up doesn’t mean you’re done growing, and Twilight still has growing and learning to do. Celestia knows this and knows that the best way for Twilight to continue growing and learning is by doing mostly what she’s been doing. I know someone on this forum said something to the effect that just because Twilight had an out of body experience and a divine transformation doesn’t automatically make her fit and ready for leadership. Damn right it doesn’t! You’re never ready for the responsibilities of governing a state, and luckily I don’t think Twilight is going to have that thrust onto her… it’ll come to her in small and entertaining doses.

Finally, and key, how will this affect Twilight’s friendship? Will some jealously creep into the others? Will Twilight at times come off as aloof not really meaning to be? …I hope so! Cause those sound like good story turns for beloved yet flawed friends. I can especially see Rainbow Dash eventually coming to blows with Twilight over this, and Rarity too with her tarnished soul. Who knows, maybe even an Obi Wan and Anakin like battle between Twilight and Rainbow, albeit with a happier reconciliation at the end. Being equals from here on out WILL be harder, it WILL be a challenge for them, but I think they will overcome that as true friends will.

 

All of this is just speculative musings caused by randomly firing neurons in my head, but the point is, if I can come up with solutions to the alicorn problem that actually generate possible story arcs then the show writers can do it to. In fact I’m confident they’ve already gone and done this. I do not think the show writers and producers would have taken the step of making Twilight an alicorn without having asked some if not most of the questions I’ve answered, and I’m confident they arrived at similar conclusions… that it can be pulled off, that it can be done well, and that they have the confidence that they WILL do it well.  

We geeks… we’ve been let down so many times, haven’t we? Few of our beloved franchises turn out just the way we want them to turn out. We’re jaded… we expect things to fall flat on their faces when our shows and games take a questionable turn… and maybe experience has proven that gut reaction valid most of the time. But have a little optimism. The writers overall have done right by us, and then have gone into this new venture with enthusiasm.

It will of course be brought up that Lauren Faust is against the idea… even though she isn’t really, she just said that she can’t really comment on the alicorn thing and that her plans are irrelevant anyway because she has stepped down. Now I’ve watched interviews of Laruen Faust and honestly, it’s still very elusive just why she stepped down and just why she seems to be upset in general with the overall direction of the show. I don’t think its fair to say ‘Lauren Faust never wanted Twilight to be an alicorn,’ or ‘Lauren Faust hates alicorn Twilight,’ etc, because she hasn’t shared her inner thoughts with us on that, she hasn’t given us any such answer.

Now, I’m not trying to start an argument. I will try to answer rebuttals as best I can but I don’t expect to change anyone’s mind… just… well… I suppose I just needed to get all that off my chest.  

 

And sorry for the uber long post. I was trying to break it into smaller parts.

 

Edited February 19, 2013 by Two-of-Hearts

[Jammo 986]

I think a lot of people (including people who make children's entertainment) don't understand that kids like twists and character development. Kids are smarter than a lot of writers think, and it's good that the FiM folk understand this. When I was little, I loved when Filbert and Dr Hutchinson had a family in Rocko's Modern Life. Why? Because when something like that happens my young mind thinks "Rocko's on. Maybe I'll see those babies again." So many people in the brony community are upset because they don't know what direction it's going. That's a good thing. That makes us anticipate Season 4 because we want to know. Hook line and sinker... And we're adults. Now imagine how the children who watch this show feel...

Edited February 19, 2013 by Jammo

[Stalliongrad 982]

I think a lot of people (including people who make children's entertainment) don't understand that kids like twists and character development. Kids are smarter than a lot of writers think, and it's good that the FiM folk understand this. When I was little, I loved when Filbert and Dr Hutchinson had a family in Rocko's Modern Life. Why? Because when something like that happens my young mind thinks "Rocko's on. Maybe I'll see those babies again." So many people in the brony community are upset because they don't know what direction it's going. That's a good thing. That makes us anticipate Season 4 because we want to know. Hook line and sinker... And we're adults. Now imagine how the children who watch this show feel...

 

My 5 year old Niece doesn't like Alicorn Twilight. I asked why she said "Because now Rarity is only unicorn". Not saying that other kids don't like it but certainly not all of them. I vaguely remember Rocko's Modern Life but i do remember it was a pretty good show.

[Metemponychosis 1,261]

I've said this before and I will say this again.

No one complains that the Mane Six saved Equestria twice. And no one seems bothered by the fact that the population simply ignores this. Seriously? Blueblood should have been begging for Rarity's attention at the Gala. And after the first episodes of season 2, the girls should have been adored by the general population.

 

The same thing is going to happen to Twilight in season 4. That said, I'd love an episode where Twilight's new status is getting to her head and Luna or Celestia smacks her back to her place. Especially after that bs of her friends and Princess Celestia bowing to her.

[Stalliongrad 982]

 

and Princess Celestia bowing to her.

 

I think the entire episode was tolerable but that Celestia bowing to Twilight really did grind my gears. I can't really explain why but it just looked so wrong.

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

I think the entire episode was tolerable but that Celestia bowing to Twilight really did grind my gears. I can't really explain why but it just looked so wrong.

Everyone bowing to Twilight massively bothered me as well, although if it never happens again and if Twilight bows to her friends at some future date then I would call it good.

 

As for Alicorn Twilight, I recognize it's excellent storytelling potential but something about it has always bothered me and I'm afraid it always will. I'm completely fine with other people liking or even loving the idea, I just personally don't particularly like it myself.

[Stalliongrad 982]

Everyone bowing to Twilight massively bothered me as well, although if it never happens again and if Twilight bows to her friends at some future date then I would call it good.

 

As for Alicorn Twilight, I recognize it's excellent storytelling potential but something about it has always bothered me and I'm afraid it always will. I'm completely fine with other people liking or even loving the idea, I just personally don't particularly like it myself.

 

I can see potential for Alicorn Twilight as well and i agree with you it doesn't bother me that other people like the idea. But ultimately it I would just rather it have never been done. If they can come up with a clever way to make it interesting my opinion on Alicorn Twilight will change.

[Two-of-Hearts 168]

Celestia bowing to Twilight didn't really bother me. In the military, officers always salute one another regardless of who is higher up; a general will always salute a lieutenant. It was a recognition thing, not a rank thing.

[Scootalove 10,689]

I guess I do have faith in Alicorn Twilight. It really does have a lot of potential, I can understand how people hate the episode for the excessive singing.