Tuesday, February 19, 2013

The Brightest Light Casts the Darkest Shadow

"For it's time for you to fulfill your destiny," Princess Celestia said as she ascended, spreading her wings while a bright light radiated from her body. A surge of magic lanced out from Twilight Sparkle's heart as Celestia's light washed over her. Twilight found herself being lifted into the void as the surge of magic zipped around her and the same bright light began to emanate from her own body

.
The light began to intensify and the magic flew faster and faster. Twilight shut her eyes. She knew she should be afraid, this was all so surreal, but she trusted Celestia, knew she had Twilight's best interests at heart. However, Twilight knew, deep down, something was not right. She should have been terrified when Celestia had revealed that she had been observing Twilight for years and years, but all she had felt was joy. Joy at knowing how important she was to Celestia.

The light and the surge of magic culminated in a brilliant flash as they coalesced into a brilliant image of Twilight Sparkle's cutie mark. Then, there was nothing. Twilight felt herself falling, faster and faster. Stars, planets, galaxies streaked by at lightning speed, blending into beautiful, if terrifying, columns of light. She screamed for help, for Celestia, her friends, her family, the only answer was the pounding of her own heart. Suddenly, the celestial bodies seemed to decrease in speed, and finally came to a stop. Twilight blacked out.

When Twilight awoke she found herself drifting slowly through the astral plane. "Hello?" she yelled. "Princess Celestia? Where are you!"

There was no response. Twilight lay down and began sobbing into her hooves. Princess Celestia wouldn't leave her in this crazy place, would she? Twilight wiped at her tears and stood, "No, the princess loves me, this must be another test."

Twilight began to explore the astral plane. She didn't know what it was that Celestia must want her to find, but she wouldn't, she couldn't, let her teacher down. Twilight found she could use her anti-gravity spell to great effect and began swiftly navigating the endless plane.

Twilight had a sense that some great amount of time had passed, but she had no idea. Twilight paused as she was passing the Unicorn Nebula and sat to admire the view. Twilight used her magic to conjure up a door, then followed up with her apples to oranges spell, creating an edible door. Twilight merrily munched at her magical treat, "Thank you Princess Celestia and Pinkie Pie!"

As she finished up her orange-door, Twilight wiped at her mouth and began to look around her. She gasped as she saw what appeared to be a figure in the distance. Twilight jumped to her feet and began galloping towards it, casting her reverse gravity spell as she ran. Twilight flew towards the figure and began to smile. As she neared, Twilight gleefully cried, "I'm here, Princess Celestia! Did I pass?"

Twilight frowned as the figure came into view - a bedraggled old stallion. He turned towards her, a great sadness on his face, "Twilight Sparkle!? No..."

Twilight tilted her head, "How do you know my name? Who are you? What is going on here? Where is Princess Celestia?"

The old stallion sadly shook his head, "Slow down, Twilight Sparkle. We have plenty of time to discuss things, I'm afraid, for you see, you are dead."

Twilight sat down heavily, she looked down at her hooves, "Dead? B-but how? Wh-why? What?"

The old stallion sighed. "Perhaps 'dead' is a bit too harsh a term, but you might as well be." He paused and stared up into the void, "You'll wish you were, believe me."

Tears began to well up in Twilight's eyes. "I don't understand," she said. "Please, tell me what is happening."

The old stallion pointed towards her flank. "Do you remember that spell that Celestia sent to you?"
Twilight nodded. The old stallion looked away as a tear fell down his cheek, "And did Celestia tell you that it was unfinished, that only you could understand it?"

"Yes, she did. I did understand it, I re-wrote it too," Twilight proudly said.

The old stallion lay down, facing away from Twilight. "I'm so sorry, Twilight Sparkle. It was a lie. It all has been. That spell wasn't unfinished, it did exactly what it was supposed to. I should know, I was the one who created it for Celestia. And now, you are cursed. Just like me. Darkness imprisons us. We cannot live, cannot die. Time does not progress here. Celestia has left you with life in hell, trapped for eternity."

Twilight's ears flopped down as she tried to comprehend what she had just been told. "Your spell...  You, you're Star Swirl the Bearded? Celestia did this? Celestia?! Wha... Why? No. No. No! Celestia loves me..."

As Twilight tried to imagine why in the world Celestia would have done something so horrible, she stared at Star Swirl's cutie mark, the same symbol that had been on the book Celestia had sent her, and something in her snapped. "You! You did this to me!" Twilight yelled as she lunged forwards, her horn sparking with magic.

Star Swirl rolled to the side and quickly cast a protective shielding spell, struggling to maintain the barrier as Twilight flailed against it. Twilight continued to mercilessly attack the magical forcefield until her strength began to ebb and she sunk to the floor in tears.

Star Swirl cautiously approached and began to gently stroke her mane. She looked up at him, her vision blurred by tears, "Why?"

Star Swirl gave her a weak smile, "It all began when Discord ruled Equestria. Celestia and Luna, they were but fillies then, rose up against him and recovered the Elements of Harmony, smiting that chaotic goon. The ponies loved them and elected them to lead us. If only we had known what they would become."

Star Swirl continued, "There are many mysteries to the world, but one thing is certain, everything dies, even the stars will burn out eventually. Celestia and Luna were terrified of death. They delved into forbidden magic, trying to find a way to cheat death. Unfortunately, they did, discovering a dark blood magic ritual that could grant them immortality, for a price. By this time, the ponies had grown leery of the Royal Pony Sisters. Cells of resistance grew across Equestria, but they were too powerful, and the resistance's numbers were too few."

Star Swirl grinned, "Celestia and Luna made one fatal mistake, they used the daughter of a unicorn royal, King Sombra, to fuel their blood magic. Sombra was devastated. He had been a powerful sorcerer, especially talented in crystal magic, and he swore he would get revenge upon Celestia and Luna. He began to research dark magic, and it was in these twisted teachings that he found a way to combat Celestia and Luna."

"Dark magic is fueled by negative emotions," Star Swirl said. "The loss of his daughter and his lust for vengeance enabled Sombra to become an immensely powerful wielder of the dark arts.  He wanted them to suffer as he had suffered, but he needed to draw them out. He marched an army upon the Crystal Empire and conquered it, ensuring the Royal Pony Sisters would come to challenge him."
Star Swirl laughed, "It was there that he set his plan into motion. When they came, he sprung his trap. Despite his prowess the sisters were able to defeat him, but that had been his plan all along. As they bound his spirit into the ice he cast his final spell, cursing Luna and the Crystal Empire. Eventually Luna was corrupted and became Nightmare Moon, forcing Celestia's hoof to use the Elements of Harmony against her, and that was truly when Sombra had his last laugh."

"For you see," Star Swirl explained, "Sombra had used his mastery over crystal magic to set a trap on the Elements of Harmony themselves. When Celestia tried to help her sister, she instead banished her to the moon for 1,000 years. A thousand years without her sister, forced to raise and lower her lunar prison every day, to see the mocking image of her corrupted form upon its surface, to have her haunt her nightmares. Sombra had had his revenge. Celestia was distraught, and I'm afraid that is where you come in."

Star Swirl put his hoof under Twilight's chin and held her head up, "For the last thousand years, Celestia has been scheming and plotting to get her sister back. She's manipulated so many ponies, so many events, to ensure that you and your friends all met on that fateful day to save Luna."

Twilight shook her head, "This doesn't make sense... This isn't the Princess Celestia I know..."

Star Swirl chuckled, then exhaled slowly. "Nopony knows who she is really is, those that know have a strange habit of ending up dead." He pointed his hoof around the area, "Or in this damned place. Think, Twilight. Think upon the history of Ponyville. For hundreds of years the region was unsettled..."

Twilight frowned, "Until Celestia granted the land to the Apple family. One of my best friends is Applejack, their great granddaughter."

Star Swirl smirked, "And the rest of your friends, the other Elements, they live in Ponyville as well."

Twilight nodded, "Yes. But why did Celestia do this to me, we saved Luna, I even helped her get rehabilitated to modern society!"

Star Swirl pointed once more to Twilight's flank, "It was your destiny they were after, Twilight. Destinies are what fuels their unholy rituals for immortality, and yours was a powerful destiny indeed. One they could not let come to fruition on its own. Do you remember last year's Hearth's Warming Eve?"

Twilight nodded, "Yes, the princess invited us all to perform in the pageant at Canterlot. It was a honor."

"More like a humor," Star Swirl said. "You were granted that honor solely for the amusement of Celestia and Luna. The roles you and your friends were assigned were those of your ancestors, Twilight. You and your friends are the descendants of the founding mares of Equestria."

Twilight gasped, "But how... Just... Wow...  Clover...?"

Star Swirl smiled down at her, "You and your friends are the rightful heirs to the throne, you were destined to rule over Equestria in harmony. Sadly, Celestia has stolen that destiny from you. We were all just pawns. She used you, as she used me."

Twilight stood, something in the old wizard's tale had ignited a spark within her. If her friends were in danger, she had to do something to save them. "What do we do, Star Swirl?" Twilight asked.
Star Swirl shrugged, "There is nothing that can be done. It is too late."

Twilight shook her head, "No, if what you're saying is true, then we can not let this happen! I won't let her harm my friends."

Twilight began to pace, "You said she's been stealing ponies' destinies for quite some time, yes?"

Star Swirl nodded. Twilight smirked, "Okay, so first we'll go track down as many of them as we can. If Celestia targeted them as she did me, they must have amazing destinies as well with the talents to match. Together, I'm sure we can find a way out of here."

Star Swirl grinned, "Very well, Miss Sparkle, I am just a crazy old wizard, but my magic is yours, if you wish."

Twilight smiled, "Thank you, Star Swirl. Now, let's go find the other ponies!"

Season Three

Dear Princess Twilight...

Now that feels a bit odd to write. ;) So, Twilight Sparkle has achieved her destiny, becoming an alicorn princess. Yay! In comparison, her friends kind of got shafted, huh? Twilight gets to be an alicorn, which is part unicorn, part pegasi, part Earth(?), so basically the best of everything, plus she was already awesome with magic, meanwhile her friends' destinies include taking care of animals, supervising weather, making clothes, helping to run a farm, and making sure everypony is entertained. I think Twilight definitely came out on top here.
There were some memorable new characters this season. Babs Seed was tragic and cute, Lightning Dust was awesome and got screwed over, Mustangia Mustang was a little eccentric,  I would have liked to see more of Ms. Harshwhinny, King Sombra has an interesting backstory and seems like we'll be seeing him in the future, and we got to see a ton of Apple family members. I think that was everypony that was new, not counting background type ponies like Rainbow's/Dust's Academy class etc.

My top 5 characters, in no particular order:

Rainbow Dash
 
 
Rainbow Dash really impressed me this season, she had a 'time to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and I'm all outta gum' kind of attitude going on. She was my favorite character for most of  this season, losing out to Twilight in the end, but it was really close. She was really zealous about saving the Crystal Empire/helping Twilight and then later gave it her best to try and secure the Equestria Games for them. She had the courage to tell Spitfire off, even if it meant abandoning her lifelong dream of joining the Wonderbolts. (Luckily it worked out for her in the end) She was the only thing I enjoyed in that crappy Discord episode. And, perhaps most importantly, she took Scootaloo under her wing, giving her the big sister she's longed for and a chance to hang out with her personal hero. 
 
She did have some 'negative' moments though: Being oblivious that the one 'sad' Pinkie might have been the real one (and dropping her hard to the ground). Going all out in the joust against Fluttershy, seeing she was crying and essentially telling her to get the hell back up so she can knock her down again. Unfortunately, they brought the PoS pet they stuck her with back, and made her show affection to it despite it being the biggest piece of shit there is.
 
Trixie
 

Trixie came back, and in a big way. I loved her the first time around, and she was pretty awesome the second coming. Unfortunately we don't really know how much her magic skills improved since she was using a cursed Alicorn Amulet to enhance her power, but she was performing some kick ass magic regardless. After she was freed from the amulet's grip, she even came back to ask Twilight for forgiveness and added some flash to Twilight's bland show. Once more, she left in a cloud of smoke. Hopefully next time we see her she will be Twilight's friend, and I can't wait to see her reaction if she sees Alicorn Princess Twilight.
 
Lightning Dust
 
 
 Lightning Dust was committed to becoming a Wonderbolt and was trying to get things done fastest with the mostest possible. Her solution to most problems was to fly faster and harder, and sometimes a tornado, which is why I like her.
 
Scootaloo



Scootaloo cemented her status as my favorite Crusader this season. She got a spotlight episode, and overcame her fears, the result of which resulted in her getting to bond with Rainbow Dash. She was also the high note of Just For Sidekicks. We got to see some more of her awesome scooter skills, including while she was passed out. She is pretty badass.
 I look forward to seeing Rainbow Dash/Scootaloo episode(s) in the future.


Twilight Sparkle


Twilight has consistently impressed me throughout the show, ranking as my overall favorite character (although to be fair I had to choose from a magic wielder), but she has certainly earned a place in my heart, as silly as that sounds to write.  This season was about her fulfilling her destiny, and the way she did so just makes me love her more. Not only did she write her own magic, she also proved what an awesome friend and person/pony she is. As Celsetia said, she is an inspiration for us all, and we can all learn from her. :)

Thoughts on other characters from this season:

Pinkie Pie: Pinkie is always hit or miss, she started out pretty strong, I really liked her interaction with Rainbow pre-clone invasion in Too Many Pinkie Pies, it was super sweet how she got an inflatable boat thingy so Rainbow could relax and she could have fun pushing her around. Unfortunately that love for Rainbow turned a tad obnoxious in Wonderbolts Academy, so alas, she sunk to the bottom.
Princess Luna: She's still pretty cool, but they took away her cute way of speaking with thee, thou, etc. I really liked that part, so unfortunately that wounded my fondness for her a bit. We did get to see her and her sister use some badass magic in TCE, and she showed us she has dream walking magic in SIP.
Rarity: I thought her having Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo pull the cart was kind of messed up, but overall she was pretty good. Had she actually had a spotlight episode, and depending on the quality of the episode, she would be on my list for sure. I really liked her in Magical Mystery Cure.
Mi Amore Cadenza: My old favorite, unfortunately the Cadenza we have now is not the 'evil' Cadenza, and she didn't really get too much opportunity to shine except for in the first episodes. If Games Ponies Play had been about her and Rarity... <3
Fluttershy: KCAFO ruined whatever this character had going for her this season, garbage episode with garbage behavior from Fluttershy.
Applejack: Applejack was kind of meandering about, from her lieutenant role in TCE to Pinkie-esque stupidity in OBA regarding her cousin's bullying issues. She was alright overall I reckon, and had a cute song in Raise This Barn.
Daring Do: Alas, we didn't get any more Daring Do action, but we did at least get to see her again this season/Rainbow is still reading her books. Unfortunately it was the very first book we saw her in, but hey, at least they threw it in there.
Cutie Mark Crusaders: Another season, no cutie marks. We even got a measurement of time in Apple Family Reunion, which turned out to be about 2 years or more having passed since the first episode. Hopefully next season they finally get what they desire. (Although I kind of hope they do something cool with it, or make it be not what we expect i.e. scooter, singing, etc.) They also have expanded past Ponyville and have at least 3 other members in Manehattan.
Babs Seed: I really liked Babs and I was tempted to make Scootaloo be Crusaders on my list to include her as well. Hopefully we get to see her and the Manehattan Crusaders in the future.


Hmm, for the other seasons I did a top 10 episodes list, seems awkward to do one here since there were only 13. I did like almost all of the episodes this season, too, with only one that really stood out as god awful.

My top 5 episodes, in no particular order:
  • Sleepless in Ponyville
  • Magic Duel
  • Wonderbolts Academy
  • The Crystal Empire
  • Magical Mystery Cure
Seems to be a trend here, once again there was only one episode out of the batch that I disliked: Keep Calm and Flutter On. I don't know if it was really that bad, but the experience I had watching it has soured it for me and just thinking about it is enough to annoy me.

Magical Mystery Cure


Dear Princess Luna...

Well, here it is. The final episode of Season 3. Kind of hard to believe, you know? Felt like the season began not too long ago. Thirteen episodes instead of the usual twenty-six will do that though I suppose. Luckily, Season 4 is not only confirmed, but confirmed to have the full 26 again. Yay.

Season 3 was said to have an 'overarching plot' or something to that effect. The only thing that stayed consistent throughout was Twilight Sparkle advancing her magical studies, so it is safe to assume that that was the overarching plotline and should come to fruition in this episode. Trixie proclaimed herself the 'highest level unicorn' in Magic Duel while wearing the Alicorn Amulet (alicorn is what they've decided to call what I originally referred to as the royalty breed, aka Celestia/Luna/Cadenza) so it is possible that an alicorn will be what Twilight becomes, which would make that some kind of Lich-like transformation for unicorns.

The episode begins with a nice zoom-in from the clouds down to the Ponyville Library, where Twilight starts to sing.
Morning in Ponyville shimmers
Morning in Ponyville shines
Semi-new Twilightian use for magic: ripping the blanket off your sleeping dragon servant.
 
 Twilight heads outside and continues singing around the town.
And I know for absolute certain
That everything is certainly fine
Twilight jumps onto a fountain as the Mayor passes with her aides. They ignore the singing Twilight.
There's the Mayor en route to her office
Another little continuity 'nod' as we see the Quills and Sofa shop that was seen in It's About Time, I think it was.
There's the sofa clerk selling some quills

I think this is the bistro(?) where Twilight was trying to eat in The Ticket Master, Twilight sings her way over to a dining couple and freaks them the hell out.
My Ponyville is so gentle and still
Can things ever go wrong?
I don't think that they will
Aww, Twilight starts dancing on their table and instead of being even more creeped out they enjoy it, and the waiter joins her on the other table.
Morning in Ponyville shimmers
 Twilight walks down the street and has picked up some backup 'dancers' as pegasi leap overhead.
Morning in Ponyville shines
And I know for absolute certain
That everything is certainly...
A burst of water dumps down onto Twilight, interrupting her song.
 
Twilight is pissed and immediately starts raging at Rainbow Dash, even though there are tons of other pegasi in the area. I guess Rainbow just has a reputation for douchebag moves like that though, given her fondness for pranks. I think she did that to Twilight in the first episode, too.
"Rainbow Dash, that's not funny!"
Straight ahead of Twilight (so she would have been in line of sight) Rarity is standing on a bridge, her horn glowing aka she's using magic, clouds are meandering about without pegasi moving them. Another semi-new use for magic: Weather magic.  Rarity apologizes to Twilight, saying she's 'not good with the thundery ones.'
We've already seen Trixie using weather magic in Boast Busters and Magic Duel, in the latter it was suggested that it's a big deal. So how can Rarity, who has done a few neat things with magic but should be no where near Trixie's level, be using weather magic? Uh oh, she has Rainbow Dash's cutie mark! (And Rainbow is the pony in charge of Ponyville's weather, so Rarity, having somehow obtained her cutie mark, is able to use weather magic)
Twilight stares wide-eyed at Rarity's flank, and says "Something tells me everything is not going to be fine." On the contrary, dear Twilight, we've already had Twilight singing, and there should be a heavy emphasis on magic, seems this episode should be fine from my point of view. =]
Twilight asks Rarity what she is doing and what happened to her cutie mark. Rarity responds that she's simply doing what she's always done since it appeared. So, you've heard the expression 'woke up on the wrong side of the bed'? It would seem Twilight has woke up in some alternate dimension, or whatever is affecting Rarity has altered her memories as well. Which is pretty crazy when you think about it, because that would mean her entire life from when she was a filly to the present is likely radically different, since instead of having a talent in gem finding/dress making, she is now weather manipulation. She might not even be the Element of Generosity, either, which could mean a radically different personality as well.
Apparently not too radical, as Rarity is making the sky look 'fabulous' and an angry mob surrounds them.
Twilight is confused and wants to know where Rainbow Dash is. Cut to Twilight walking with Spike (whom she woke up) outside of Fluttershy's cottage, where Bizarro Rarity told Twilight that Rainbow lives. Rainbow cracks open the door and sticks her head out to greet them. Aww, she looks kind of depressed or something. :( Noises inside send her darting away and Twilight opens the door to find out what is going on.
Inside, animals are going nuts and Rainbow is trying to control them. Looking at Rainbow's butt, for investigative purposes I assure you, we see she has Fluttershy's cutie mark.
I think this episode is going to be a musical, as Rainbow starts singing. :)
These animals don't listen, no, not one little bit
They run around out of control and throw their hissy fits
Rainbow tries to chase a bird which jukes and escapes into a classic mouse hole, Rainbow slams hard into the wall.
It's up to me to stop them, 'cause plainly you can see
It's got to be my destiny, and it's what my cutie mark is telling me
Rainbow points at her flank after saying the above caption. Rarity/Rainbow's makes sense, since it's got a lightning bolt/rainbow/cloud, so it being tied to weather could be understandable. Fluttershy's butterflies could mean anything, but apparently they mean animal tending. I wonder if the ponies can tell what each others cutie marks mean on sight. Most are fairly straight forward, with side characters usually getting easily identifiable ones related to their occupation, but some are more of a mystery like that one that has a pair of dolphins. I would like to know what Twilight's and Trixie's signify.
Twilight heads to Sugar Cube Corner where we see Fluttershy with Pinkie's mark.
I try to keep them laughing, put a smile upon their face
Oh, good point here, they are saying that doing these things are their destiny. Fluttershy's is to take care of animals, Pinkie's is to entertain, but what about our Wonderbolt hopeful? Apparently hers is weather manipulation. :( A crowd has gathered at the Corner and they aren't amused by Fluttershy.
But no matter what I try, it seems a bit of a disgrace
Remember what Rarity had said, that she's just doing what she's always done, so in Bizarro Ponyville Rarity has always done the weather, yet she said she has trouble with the 'thundery ones.' So I think they may in fact have false memories, because if this is really an alternate dimension it's pretty sad because with the sorta exception of Rarity, so far they all suck at their destined roles. The crowd lights up, but as you can see they aren't looking at Fluttershy.

Spike put on the Groucho glasses and started dancing around, which somehow instantly amused the crowd. Twilight is not pleased and motions for him to knock it off.
I have to entertain them, it's there for all to see
It's got to be my destiny, and it's what my cutie mark is telling me
Next stop, Sweet Apple Acres, so this has got to be Pinkie Pie that has swapped with Applejack, leaving Rarity's for Applejack. Awesome, Pinkie with her hair un-poofed like in Party of One. I think Pinkie is trying to sing with a country-y accent. :)
I don't care much for pickin' fruit
and plowin' fields ain't such a hoot
No matter what I try, I cannot fix this busted water chute!
Damn, "I've got so many chores to do, it's no fun being me." Pinkie isn't necessarily one of my favorites, but she does have her moments here and there that make me really care for her, that line being one of them. :(
I've got so many chores to do, it's no fun being me
Pinkie tries to buck a tree and lacks the precision of Applejack, possibly hurting herself. Then she goes to collect the apples and they rain down on her head, leaving her on the ground.
But it has to be my destiny
So Applejack's destiny is to work on the Apple family farm, not that there's anything wrong with that and not exactly breaking news, but kind of sad since it's a life of chores and no fun according to Pinkie.
'cause it's what my cutie mark is telling me

Kind of neat transition using AJ's cutie mark to buttons on a dress in Carousel Boutique where Applejack is looking panicky as she uses a sewing machine. Hah, I love that, "I think that it's a dress."
Lookie here at what I made, I think that it's a dress
Rarity would seem to have got the best part of the deal here as Applejack is making lousy clothing and knows it.
I know it doesn't look like much, I'm under some distress
Some of these things at least look like she tried, then you get like a potato bag or something turned into a dress.
Could y'all give me a hand here and help me fix this mess?
My destiny is not pretty, but it's what my cutie mark is tellin' me
Awesome, Rarity has summoned a vortex.
Rarity apparently has very little control over her weather magic. She just wants to make pretty patterns with the clouds, but somehow has snow in one side of the town, sun in the other.
I'm in love with weather patterns but the others have concerns
We now know why that angry mob swarmed Rarity earlier. She seared a trio of ponies so bad they turned red and black, I guess, then blasted them with snow.
For I just gave them frostbite over-top of their sunburns

 Aww, despite her failings Rarity says she's got to keep on trying, since it's her destiny.
I have to keep on trying for everyone can see
It's got to be
It's got to be
My destiny
My destiny
And it's what my cutie mark
It's what my cutie mark
Yes, it's what my cutie mark is telling me!
Twilight and Spike return to the Library, and Spike is aware that something is wrong, so it would definitely seem to point towards altered memories, probably for the affected ponies only. Twilight explains what happened, and that it took place during one of Spike's seven-hour bubble baths (a fact I believe was brought up in Party of One), Princess Celestia sent Twilight a package. How nice, Twilight magically slammed the door in the courier's face.
Twilight opens the package, which contains a book and a scroll. The book is not just any book, and is apparently Star Swirl the Bearded's research journal, or something that his research has been transcribed to, as the book contains Star Swirl's secret unfinished masterpiece. Star Swirl could never get it right so he abandoned it, but Celestia believes Twilight is the 'only pony' who can understand it and rewrite it.
Aww. :)
Twilight instantly flips open the book and goes to the spell.
I am calling shenanigans on this. Twilight casts the spell, reading aloud: "From one to another, another to one. A mark of one's destiny, singled out alone, fulfilled." We see the Element of Magic responding to her spell and as it glows the other Elements swap around. Twilight then yawns, puts down the book, leaving it downstairs, and goes to bed. Bullshit. This is the same Twilight Sparkle that, even upon seeing the Crystal Empire and her brother and sister-in-law/friend in serious danger, she kept thinking it was all just some test. (Which it was, but still) The same Twilight Sparkle that dressed up as this Star Swirl wizard, possibly having made the costume herself. The same Twilight Sparkle that went nuts at seeing the library in the Crystal Empire. The same Twilight Sparkle that has spent the majority of her life training in magic. The same Twilight Sparkle that stayed up all night just to research Ursa Majors. Etc.
New use for magic: Changing ponies' destinies/cutie marks.
Twilight says she thought the spell did nothing, but now knows that it changed the Elements of Harmony. We see the Elements, and the colors of their gems have changed to match the pony that they swapped with. Which means although their destinies have changed, they should still be the same Element that they were before.
Twilight is justifiably freaking out, Spike calmly tells her to just cast a counter spell. (A counter spell, for an unfinished secret masterpiece by one of the masters of magic, good one, Spike) Twilight flips through the book, no dice. Spike then suggests she casts a memory spell, like when Discord first attacked. Twilight says that won't help, because its not their memories, it's their true selves that have been altered. Certainly seems like it is their memories if everypony but them knows something is wrong.
Spike suggests Zecora's cure for the Cutie Pox, and Twilight slams the book/binder into him. Hmm, I think this book/binder thingy is what Luna produced at the end of The Crystal Empire Part 2, so the Royal Pony Sisters set Twilight up.
Spike suggests maybe her friends will grow to like their new lives, Twilight tells him they're not who they're meant to be anymore, and it's all her fault. Her eyes watering, Twilight goes up to her bed. Luckily I'm in the mood I'm in right now or I might be shedding a few tears at this part, poor Twilight. :(
I have to find a way
Yep, definitely looks like a tearjerker song.
To make this all okay
Sweet Apple Acres has gone to hell, despite Pinkie being an Earth pony as well. Oh, so others have almost got to be affected by this as well. I find it hard to believe no one, especially the families of Applejack/Rarity or any of their friends in the town, wouldn't have noticed that suddenly Applejack has Rarity's cutie mark and is in her shop etc.
I can't believe this small mistake
Could've caused so much heartache
Rarity is drenched in town looking miserable, an angry pony scowls at her and slams her shutters.
Oh why, oh why?
That's... really freaking depressing. Applejack looks on in sorrow at Carousel Boutique and boards it up.
Losing promise
I don't know what to do
Rainbow is just sitting there extremely downhearted as animals run around batshit,

Seeking answers
Fluttershy just lies on the fountain, despondent as ponies argue and look unhappy around her. So, there was probably a damn good reason Star Swirl gave up on this thing.
I fear I won't get through to you
 Geez, the song ends with Twilight sobbing into her hooves. :( That almost got me. Twilight continues to put the blame solely on herself. This has almost got to be a Celestia plot. Sure as hell looks to be the book Luna pulled out to signify Twilight was ready for the next level.
Oh why, oh why?
Spike tries to get Twilight to cheer up, telling her he knows she will find a way to fix it, they're her friends. They really captured a sense of despair and grief on Twilight here. :(
 Twilight goes to look at a photo of her and her friends.
 Saying 'My friends..' gives Twilight an idea, and a magical aura.
Her cutie mark lights up her eyes for some reason. Interesting that there are six stars around the big star, I had just looked at her mark the other day and noted that there were only five. Not sure what it means, or just an error.
Twilight's plan is to show her friends not who they are, but what they mean to each other. So I guess she will show them how miserable the other one is and that will trigger some magics to fix it. Twilight loads the Elements of Harmony into their chest, dons her crown-thingy, and heads out.
Geez, Fluttershy was going to run away from town, hiring the aviatrix pony to take her away on the hot air balloon.
Fluttershy says she's moving back to Cloudsdale because she can't make anypony laugh. :( Twilgiht tells her to wait, that Rainbow needs help with her animals. Fluttershy says she doesn't know anything about animals. Twilight counters that she does know something about Rainbow Dash. It would be interesting to see how events played out in the Bizarro Ponyverse, since apparently they all are still friends. As we know, Rainbow Dash performed a sonic rainboom that not only helped them all get their cutie marks, but also was a sign that they were pre-destined friends. Did the rainboom happen in the Bizarro timeline?
Fluttershy says she knows Rainbow is a true friend, and she'll do anything she can to help her.
The three arrive just in time, as the animals have decided to boil Rainbow alive and eat her. Not a joke, that's actually what is happening.
 Fluttershy asks Twilight if she has a spell she can use to get Rainbow out of there. Twilight says no. Shenanigans again, Twilight. We know you can teleport others, or even just lift her up. Twilight tells Fluttershy she has to do it.
Fluttershy goes in and starts talking to the animals, they eventually line up to listen to her and she gets them all food. It turns out that Rainbow Dash decided not to feed them and they were going to murder her over it.
The bear hugs Fluttershy and she begins to glow. She says she can understand them, can feel like this is who she is, and then realizes it's her destiny.
Twilight uses her magic to put on Fluttershy's Element, and memories of her true life flash before her eyes.
Fluttershy dazedly asks what happened, and Twilight smiles and points out her cutie mark.
 Twilight is overjoyed and bounces around, leaning up against Fluttershy.
Aww,,,
Twilight says she is so happy Fluttershy is back to normal, and now they need her help. Uh oh, might be another tearjerker song.
A true, true friend helps a friend in need
A friend will be there to help them see
A true, true friend helps a friend in need
To see the light that shines from a true, true friend
I wonder if there was a failure to communicate between the writers and animators, as it seems like Rainbow should have been 'trapped inside' something else. I mean, Rainbow Dash is awesome, she has pretty good physical strength, yet she can't bust out of these ropes? Or there was food in the house but the critters were sure as hell looking to be boiling her up to eat instead? I could see her being trapped in the closet instead, hiding from the rampaging animals. Especially with what Rainbow says, as seen below. Rainbow interrupts Twilight and Fluttershy's singing to tell them to get her the hell out of there.
"Um, hello! Friend trapped inside, remember?"
Fluttershy and Twilight get the ropes off of Rainbow, and Twilight sings/tells her she needs to help Rarity. I'm kind of sad, I liked weather spell Rarity. She looked pretty cool with Rainbow's mark, too.
Rarity needs your help
She's trying hard doing what she can
The weather is continuing to be out of control in Ponyville, and with a little encouragement, Rainbow takes to the skies and starts cloud busting. There were tons of pegasi in Ponyville, we know for a fact that they all help with Winter Wrap Up, why didn't any of them help?
Would you try, just give it a chance

You might find that you'll start to understand
Rainbow clears the skies and descends, and the magical aura envelops her, Twilight slaps on her Element, memories flash by her eyes.

A true, true friend helps a friend in need
A friend will be there to help you see
A true, true friend helps a friend in need
To see the light that shines from a true, true friend
Rainbow gets her mark back and asks what happened. Twilight says there's no time to explain (she could have just said "I cast a weird spell and screwed everything up"), and says Applejack is trying to make dresses!
It sure looked like Applejack was closing down the shop, but I guess she was just trying to cover the windows so no one could see her lousy clothing.
Applejack needs your help
Aww.. Applejack is still trying to make dresses and she just can't, and she's crying.. :(
She's trying hard doing what she can
 Rarity takes over and is back into her own routine, using magic to help her make a dress. Twilight shoves all of Applejack's work out of the room.
Would you try, just give it a chance
You might find that you'll start to understand

Rarity triumphantly holds up the dress she made (which took like 30 seconds), and gets the magic aura, Twilight slaps on her Element, and memories flash by her eyes.
A true, true friend helps a friend in need
A friend will be there to help them see
A true, true friend helps a friend in need
To see the light that shines from a true, true friend
 Rarity is apparently presenting herself to the mirror, and her mark returns.
"Oh my, what a terrible dream I had. Or, maybe I'm still having it."
Rarity thinks she must have been having a terrible dream, and when she sees one of Applejack's designs still on the clothes horse, she thinks she may still be having it.
Twilight tells her that Pinkie is about to lose the apple farm, and that they need Applejack's help. Rarity says they can't let that happen.
Rarity grabs Applejack and they all head out to the farm.
Pinkie Pie is in trouble
We need to get there by her side
We can try to do what we can now
Pinkie is still struggling with that water spout, which Applejack fixes by pushing up on it. I guess she's taller/stronger than Pinkie? Taller, maybe, but stronger? Pinkie has Pinkie Strength.

For together we can be her guide

Applejack and the others help Pinkie with the various chores.
A true, true friend helps a friend in need
A friend will be there to help them see
As with the others, Applejack gets a magic aura, Twilight puts on her Element, memories flash by.
A true, true friend helps a friend in need
To see the light that shines from a true, true friend
 
 Applejack, instead of being confused like the others, immediately seems to know what's up and asks what's next. Twilight says they need the old Pinkie back, because the townspeople are furious.
"Yee-haw! Now that's more like it, what's next?"
 Applejack says she's on it, she knows just the thing!
The townspeople need you, they've been sad for a while

They march around, faces frown and never seem to smile
 And if you feel like helping, we'd appreciate a lot
Twilight puts on Pinkie's Element, Applejack slips on her Groucho glasses, and Pinkie's aura pops on and memories flash by as she jumps onto the fountain.
If you get up there and spread some cheer from here to Canterlot!
Back in the saddle once more, Pinkie tosses her glasses aside and shouts, "Come on ponies, I wanna see you smile!" So apparently Pinkie's destiny is to make every pony happy, or else they will be miserable. Although, they might have been miserable just because of Rarity fouling up the weather on them.
"Pinkie!"
 The restored friends begin to parade down the street and all the ponies come out and join in the celebration.

A true, true friend helps a friend in need
A friend will be there to help them see
A true, true friend helps a friend in need
To see the light (to see the light)
That shines (that shines)
From a true, true friend!
 Aww, Twilight grabs them all with her magic and holds them close. :)
 The continue embracing each other as Twilight gently sets them down.
The last words of Star Swirl's spell echo in Twilight's mind and she gasps.  She says she understands now, and knows how to fix the spell. What exactly was the spell meant to do? Swap destinies/marks? That's what it would seem to be about, anyway.
"A mark of one's destiny, singled out alone, fulfilled."
Twilight and her friends head back to the Library and she grabs the book. I don't think she's even explained to the others what the hell just happened, either, although I guess they can probably deduce it was her fouling up a spell.
She begins to write the fixed version of the spell: From all of us together, together we are friends, with the marks of our destinies made one, there is magic without end!
 
As finishes the spell and closes the book, her Element of Magic begins to glow. Magical auras surround her friends' Elements as well, and beams of arcane energy begin to shoot out.
The beams are all hitting Twilight and she finds herself in a swirling sphere of energy.
 She looks sad. :(
"Star Swirl, I trusted you. How could you betray me? You were my hero, Star Swirl..."
 The energy intensifies, bright light emanates from the windows of the Library.
Just as suddenly as it had appeared, the energy is gone, and all that's left of Twilight is a smoking scorch mark, suspiciously looking like her cutie mark.
Twilight finds herself in some kind of astral plane.
 What a surprise, Princess Celestia is there. Gee, she totally didn't orchestrate all of this or anything.
Celestia congratulates Twilight, says she knew Twilight could do it, and they hug. Twilight doesn't understand what is going on. Which is a pretty rational response when she gets blasted by energy and ends up in some crazy astral plane.
Celestia explains: "You did something today that's never been done before, something even a great unicorn like Star Swirl the Bearded was not able to do, because he did not understand friendship like you do. The lessons you've learned here in Ponyville have taught you well. You have proven that you're ready, Twilight."
Twilight asks ready for what, and Celestia starts to sing! :) The pair walk through a 'corridor' where 'view screens' are replaying scenes from past episodes. Instead of being creeped the fuck out that Celestia has apparently been watching her at all times and probably doing things behind the scenes to make sure whatever the hell it is she's wanting out of Twilight happens, Twilight just looks on in wonder. New uses for magic: Creating/teleporting to some kind of astral plane. Recording events and replaying them on 'view screens.'
You've come such a long, long way
And I've watched you from that very first day
To see how you might grow
To see what you might do
To see what you've been through
And all the ways you've made me proud of you
Celestia sings that it's time for Twilight's 'new life' and time for her to fulfill her destiny,
It's time now for a new change to come
You've grown up and your new life has begun
To go where you will go
To see what you will see
To find what you will be
For it's time for you to fulfill your destiny!
 A clump of magic comes from Twilight's heart and begins to fly around her body as she lifts into the air, a bright ball of energy coming from her torso. The magic begins to fly rapidly around her.
 
 
The light intensifies and it transitions from Celestia's astral plane to the real world, where Twilight's cutie mark (with the sixth star) shines bright in the night sky.
 
 The cutie mark descends and sets down before Twilight's friends.
 
They can't believe their eyes as the light fades to reveal Twilight Sparkle, who triumphantly spreads her new wings!
New use for magic: becoming an alicorn!

 Aww, Rainbow is overjoyed that Twilight has wings. :)
 Rainbow gives her friend a hug. :)
Rarity says that Twilight has become an alicorn, and that she didn't even think that was possible. So, whatever is known about alicorns in the Ponyverse, they are apparently a rarity?
Pinkie screams ALICORN PARTY and swings past on ropes connected to who knows what, disturbing everyone.
Fluttershy says Twilight looks just like a princess, and Celestia descends, saying that is because Twilight is a princess. Is this confirmation that all prince(sses) aren't alicorns, but all alicorns are princesses?
 Twilight, and everyone else, is confused.
 Celestia explains that since Twilight came to Ponyville, she's shown the Charity (Rarity), Compassion (Fluttershy), Devotion (Rainbow Dash), Integrity (Applejack), Optimism (Pinkie Pie), and of course, Leadership (Twilight herself) of a true princess.
 
Twilight just became an alicorn, she just learned that Celestia has been watching her every move, and that she is a princess, and the first thing on her mind is if she will still be Celestia's student.
 Celestia says not in the same way as before, that she will still be there to help and guide Twilight, but she (Celestia) and everyone else are all Twilight's students now. Celestia says Twilight is an inspiration to us all. Hah, this is sounding similar to the musings I had about Twilight when I was deciding on my favorite overall character after watching the first two seasons. I believe I wrote something akin to 'the world would be a better place if we could all be Livin' Like Twilight' and that Twilight encompassed the ideals of the Elements of Harmony. Oorah.
Twilight begins to get a little panicky and asks if there's a book about being a princess. They all giggle at her and Celestia says there will be time for that later.
The next day, there is a big ceremony for Twilight going down in Canterlot. Celestia, Luna, Mi Amore Cadenza, and all of Twilight's friends are dressed up for the occasion.
 
 Celestia explains what is going on, again: "We are gathered here today in celebration of a momentous occasion. My most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, has done many extraordinary things since she's lived in Ponyville. She even helped reunite me with my sister, Princess Luna. But today, Twilight Sparkle did something extraordinary. She created new magic, proving without a doubt that she is ready to be crowned Equestria's newest princess. Fillies and gentlecolts, may I present for the very first time, Princess Twilight Sparkle!"
So, because Twilight created new magic (which was fixing a spell, the purpose of which we don't really know), she is ready to be a princess, apparently. New use for magic: It gives you the right to rule!
Twilight's parents must be pleased as can be. Their son was Captain of the Royal Guard, now a prince after his marriage to Mi Amore Cadenza. Their daughter was Celestia's chosen apprentice, and is now an alicorn princess.
Princess Twilight Sparkle makes her grand entrance, complete with her cutie mark on banners and a chorus of blonde mare handmaidens and royal guards.
The Princess Twilight cometh
Behold, behold
A Princess here before us
Behold, behold, behold
Spike presents Twilight's crown, not sure if it is the Element of Magic, since we know they can transform their shape, or if it just resembles it.
Behold, behold (behold, behold)
The Princess Twilight cometh
Behold, behold (behold, behold)
The Princess is

The Princess is here
 Twilight, Luna, and Celestia head out onto the balcony where the citizens await.
Aww, Twilight is so happy. :) Celestia tells her to say something, and Twilight gives a little speech: "A little while ago, my teacher and mentor Princess Celestia sent me to live in Ponyville. She sent me to study friendship, which is something I didn't really care much about. But now, on a day like today, I can honestly say I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the friendships I've made with all of you. Each one of you taught me something about friendship, and for that, I will always be grateful. Today, I consider myself the luckiest pony in Equestria. Thank you, friends. Thank you, everypony!"
Shining Armor congratulates his little sister and has tears in his eyes, which he says is liquid pride, a totally different thing.
Twilight's friends congratulate her and Fluttershy tells her they love her. Twilight says she loves them too and they cuddle together.
 Twilight has her own chariot/throne thingy and goes out in front of the adoring crowd.
Life in Equestria shimmers
Life in Equestria shines
And I know for absolute certain

Celestia and Luna look on, proud that their plan worked.

That everything (everything)
Yes, everything
Yes, everything is certainly fine
It’s fine
Twilight flies out and loops around Canterlot, while saying: "Yes! Everything’s going to be just fine!"

The episode ends as Twilight flies into the 'camera' as it were.
<3
 What I learned from this episode:
  •  So Celestia 'pulls back the curtain' and reveals that she's been watching Twilight all this time. I've kind of figured she's been manipulating things to fulfill her own agenda, this pretty much proves it. Question now is, why did Twilight need to fix that spell, and why did she need to become a princess to fulfill Celestia's desires?
  • Star Swirl was unable to complete his spell because he couldn't understand friendship the way Twilight does. I think this falls along with the above, in that Celestia was likely grooming Twilight from a young age, aka making her not value friendship, so that when she did get friends (also Celestia's will), she would really fall in love with them.
  • Magic once again is proven to be the ultimate force in the Ponyverse, as not only can it alter the very destinies and way of life for the ponies, writing your own magic qualifies you to be a princess and possibly an alicorn. In  any case, magic is responsible for making (some) alicorns.
  • I really liked Rarity in this episode, shame she got screwed over and didn't get a spotlight episode this season, but this almost made up for it. Loved her using weather magic.
  • I had been making a rough draft of the Season 3 wrap up post, and I knew what four out of 5 for my favorites would be. Twilight had been consistently on my list, and made my overall favorite, but Rainbow Dash had been wowing me more overall this season. I wasn't sure if Twilight was going to make the list, although I'm not entirely sure who would beat her out, but after this episode, she's definitely on there. :) I like Twilight, of course, and yeah, this episode was awesome for her. That scene of her sobbing into her hooves..
  • The alicorn part makes some sense, an alicorn sort of represents every type of pony. The princess part felt a little odd with Celestia coming down 'yep she's a princess!' and bowing to her, although the coronation was pretty cool. Perhaps it would have been better if the Celestia in Ponyville part didn't happen, and have Spike scroll belch up an edict from Celestia about the coronation and Twilght becoming a princess.
  • Man, how long until Season 4? I really want to see what is to come of Princess Twilight! :)