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! :)