My Little Pony XXIX: The Spoilers have been DOUBLED!

[Athaniar]

Pony is now back in spoiler boxes where it belongs.

Spoiler

Show

"You know this isn't over yet."

Spoiler

Show

Interesting. That would mean Celestia gradually liberalised Equestria after NMM's banishment. Either that or she mellowed considerably over the years and could not be bothered with the rigours of such tradition. Heh heh. That'll make for great origin stories.

Spoiler

Show

A personal theory of mine is that the friendship lesson letters Twilight (and in the future also the others) send are partly for Celestia's benefit as well, to make her become a better and more considerate ruler. Note that "commoners" are still rather fearful of her at times (like in Bird in the Hoof), and that she doesn't appear to be very fond of it.

Does that make sense at all?

[Neoseanster]

Why do I ever sleep? It just means I need to spend more time catching up. Three pages this time.

I watched episode 4 again, and still loved it, but no new theories to share or tidbits to point out that the rest of you haven't covered yet.

And, I came to the realization that I've taken to sometimes accidentally mentally replacing "-pony" for "-body" even when in contexts outside of Ponythread. Specifically, I read a line from the most recent page of Dr. McNinja as this, before I caught myself and realized what I had done. And then I had to DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT:

(minor Dr. McNinja spoilers, I guess?)

Spoiler

Show

It didn't really come out quite as clean as I hoped, but that's what happens when your only tools are IrfanView and Paint. I should've flipped one of the two Lunas, and done a better job of getting the colors to mesh. Credit for the original image goes to Chris Hastings of Dr. McNinja and to Kadjule for the happy dancing Luna gif, both used without permission.

It was for the greater pony.

minor Ep4 spoilers

Spoiler

Show

Maybe Luna got her batwinged ponies from Dracula! That would explain everything.

And yeah. Flashpoint = Deadpool.

Deadpool is best Canadian.

Hah, I knew I recognized his cutie mark from somewhere.

Marshmallow FIGHT!

Spoiler

Show

There is a resounding crack of thunder, as dark clouds swirl overhead, and the sound of distant 'fwmp fwmp fwmp' like hooves in deap snow can be heard... and the titanic Stacy Puft towers over the pillow fort, blinking down at it, before bending close, her titanic, pale blue eyes blinking, as she fidgets gently.

"Umm... did somepony summon me? I'm fairly certain I was summoned for a marshmallow fight..."

Spoiler

Show

* Stacy Puft blinks, and then puts her head in her hooves watching Starry Notions introduce the various incarnations of Starry Notions, her head tilting slightly. "You're kinda a silly pony, aren't you?" She finally states, before giggling. "But I love cuddling ponies. ^^" She grins, and then flicks the pillow fort with one of her large, puffy hooves, in order to knock down the pillowy walls with all the indominable might of a gigantic kaiju marshmallow pony!

Cuddlefort

Spoiler

Show

InkBLOT is distracted from his stream of questions outside the fort by the tremendous pony... "By Celestia's mane, what is that thing!? It's so... white and fluffy and huge!" He cowers against Nightmare as Stacy attempts to topple the pillowy walls, fear of being crushed (or possibly cuddled?) by the gigantic marshmellow beast at least momentarily eclipsing his fear of her!

Edit: Argh, fixing typos.

[Rappy]

Good miss with the crazy face, you have inspired me. I think I'm going to watch the episode again, provided my eyes don't turn to dust from all the light I've been staring Into.

EDIT:
Only technically spoilers

Spoiler

Show

LUNA IS BEST PONY.
AND SECONS BEST PONY, TIED WITH CUTE PIRATE PIP.
ALL OTHER PONIES VIE FOR THIRD.

Ohmigosh ohmigosh ohmigosh. I have this episode. I have it. I won and can watch it whenever I want. Oh wow. Sweeeeeet~

I would say "just as planned", but this is a nice coincidence.

[Kris Strife]

I absolutely hate being paranoid sometimes. I really feel like I let everypony down in this thread a lot, and I know on an intellectual level that I'm not. But if I can convince myself of that, then I'm suddenly paranoid that if I'm not letting everypony down in here, that must mean they don't like me, and I generally flip back to the first mindset.

This is me. All the time.

Titanium is right, I think we all are around here. I think it's required. Except for maybe the lich.

Yeah, I legitimately can only think of one or two ponies who don't enjoy cuddles.

Who?

Sadly, I can't find the clip of KND where that Rainbow Monkey that was stealing all the others keeps saying "Unlovable! Unlovable!" so I could use it for Leo.

EDIT: Also, I should note that this isn't the end of the Cuddlefort RP, it was just the end of the little bit me and Titanium were doing on the side that wasn't a part of it. Cuddlefort is still going.

By the way, Leo did respond to Nightmare, but I got 503ed again.

"Are you ready for the birds and the bees ...
... and a whole lot of foolin' around"

How did they slip that past the censors?

It's not the worst thing they've missed.

Apparently there's something called Pink Pony Party Suplies and a Pony Tales near to us! Go figure!!

Um... I don't know about there, but "The Pink Pony" is the name of a "Gentleman's club" around here...

I suspect Pony Tales is much the same.

Also Dan vs. MLP crossovers.

I'd watch the hell out of that.

We couldn't even get a Dan Vs. thread going on this forum. I know, I tried.

[EsperDerek]

*Laughs* And that's all we'd be breaking? I think close to everypony in the thread would snap a little bit. XD

Yeah, you're probably right.

HEY EVERYPONY, Midnight and Mask have dressed up for Nightmare Night!

Spoiler

Show

Adorable.

(Alternate:

Spoiler

Show

Eeee! So adorable indeed!

Oooh, I got down Mom Trixie's expression, too. Go me!

Spoiler

Show

Interesting. That would mean Celestia gradually liberalised Equestria after NMM's banishment. Either that or she mellowed considerably over the years and could not be bothered with the rigours of such tradition. Heh heh. That'll make for great origin stories.

Spoiler

Show

Yeah. Over the years since Nightmare Moon's banishment, the stress caused her to eventually say "buck that" to the old traditions, which I would personally believe is exactly what ushered in the social change from old tradition to the social climate we see in modern Equestria without any of the technological changes that came with a similar societal change in the real world. It's how their world can be so socially progressive but technologically essentially somewhere between the 1600's and 1800's.

Random note: I still haven't slept yet and it's 9 AM EST!

Spoiler

Show

Well, after freeing the world from Discord way back when, they probably needed to take a very firm hoof to things just so that they could rebuild. Plus, they were probably essentially having to make things up as they go along, from what little we know of that time, they essentially had no training or practice. They probably defeated Discord, and went, whoop, now we're in charge. What now?

Celestia has had a 1000 years to be able to mellow out, and was always probably a little more graceful than her sister was. Luna uses the Royal Canterlot Voice in this episode very much as a defense.

And geez, Titanium! Don't burn yourself out!

* Stacy Puft blinks, and then puts her head in her hooves watching Starry Notions introduce the various incarnations of Starry Notions, her head tilting slightly. "You're kinda a silly pony, aren't you?" She finally states, before giggling. "But I love cuddling ponies. ^^" She grins, and then flicks the pillow fort with one of her large, puffy hooves, in order to knock down the pillowy walls with all the indominable might of a gigantic kaiju marshmallow pony!

Cuddlefort

Spoiler

Show

Inkwell is distracted from his stream of questions outside the fort by the tremendous pony... "By Celestia's mane, what is that thing!? It's so... white and fluffy and huge!" He cowers against Nightmare as Stacy attempts to topple the pillowy walls, fear of being crushed (or possibly cuddled?) by the gigantic marshmellow beast at least momentarily eclipsing his fear of her!

Spoiler

Show

*Nightmare is about to answer Inkblot's various questions, when she's suddenly interrupted by his cry, and turns to look at the giant marshmellow pony starting to kick down the walls to her Cuddlefort!

"Stay here for a moment." She says, gently releasing Inkblot, before extending her wings, and flying up to meet the kaiju-sized monster! "HEY! What are you doing? That's Midnight and mine's fort! Who told you you could smash it?!

[Deadly]

Yet more thoughts on Luna

Spoiler

Show

I've come to realize that even if the Royal Canterlot Voice is maybe a little out of style, or a lot, I would still be really sad to see her stop using it entirely in case she shows up again (and she had better! *shakes fist at the show writers* If this is her only appearance I'll be really, really depressed)

I think that loud, emotional voice fits her very well. It fits the whole lightning/thunder/storm theme she appears to have going. Luna simply is rather loud when she gets emotional, and I love that. She's not just Princess of the Night and the Moon, but also a storm goddess. And can you imagine a quiet storm goddess? I find it hard, at least.

I also think she's more "war-like" than her sister. I think she would feel much more at ease at the front of an army than her sister would, and I wouldn't be surprised if she takes a more direct interest in the royal guard too. I like to think she's pretty bad ass when she needs or wants to be. Obviously she can be a very commanding presence. Perhaps this is part of why she maybe finds it harder than her sister to be out among common ponies.

I love Luna more than ever, I think!

[Aotrs Commander]

Right, got to dismantle the dining room to dump the carpet, so this means internet will be now down until sometime tomorrow.

Given how things pan out, you may not hear from me until sometime tomorrow evening (when my birthday will be mostly over...) of course, depending when the carpet arrives verses when I have to go out .

[Dexam]

Okay, back to my Fetlock Equinari avatar now that Nightmare Night is over.

And I finally slogged through (most) of the backlog of posts... everypony has pretty much covered everything I was going to mention.

Still... S2E4:

Spoiler

Show

Luna is best pony. Seriously.

For me, I was a little confused at what they were doing at first, then I realised they had the character spot on. I just wanted to hug her all the way throughout the episode. I'm sorry Twilight, but I'm afraid you've been supplanted by the Princess of the Night as my #1 Best Pony.

Things I've picked up on that I didn't notice any comments about (but I might have missed:
- Big Macintosh is dressed as an undertaker? Awesome.
- Carrot Top in the devilpony costume: OMG so cute! And getting into a lot of the background shots, you sneaky little filly!
- Seafoam (lavender pony with dolphins cutie mark) is dressed as a knight with a freakin' tail mace!

On sounds:
- When Twilight goes into Fluttershy's cottage to have a little "chat" with her about her mistaking Luna for Nightmare Moon, among the clashes and clatters we hear sheep bleating and a live horse whinny. What?!
- The background sound effects in this episode were just fantastic. Crickets chirping; constant background noises of people having fun at the festival; the wind softly blowing when everypony falls silent. Just amazing.
- The background music was just perfect, too. Hit the right spots every time. Also, when Luna declares the fun to be doubled, and asks the Ponyville villagers to call her Luna, the music is "Trixie's fanfare".

I am awesoming all over this episode.

Clockwork:
Also, has anyone commented on this yet? (Ep. 4)

Spoiler

Show

Spoiler

Show

So I wasn't imagining it!
Hmmm... apparently the fandom has named her Violina.

A couple more observations about ep 4

Spoiler

Show

I hadn't caught it before, but after Luna jumps down from the chariot her cloak turns into a wave of bats and flies away.

Spoiler

Show

I caught this on the second watch-through, and had a "... that is just so awesome" moment.

Excuse me while I go watch this episode again...

[Gadora]

Yet more thoughts on Luna

Spoiler

Show

I've come to realize that even if the Royal Canterlot Voice is maybe a little out of style, or a lot, I would still be really sad to see her stop using it entirely in case she shows up again (and she had better! *shakes fist at the show writers* If this is her only appearance I'll be really, really depressed)

I think that loud, emotional voice fits her very well. It fits the whole lightning/thunder/storm theme she appears to have going. Luna simply is rather loud when she gets emotional, and I love that. She's not just Princess of the Night and the Moon, but also a storm goddess. And can you imagine a quiet storm goddess? I find it hard, at least.

I also think she's more "war-like" than her sister. I think she would feel much more at ease at the front of an army than her sister would, and I wouldn't be surprised if she takes a more direct interest in the royal guard too. I like to think she's pretty bad ass when she needs or wants to be. Obviously she can be a very commanding presence. Perhaps this is part of why she maybe finds it harder than her sister to be out among common ponies.

I love Luna more than ever, I think!

Spoiler

Show

I rather like the idea of Luna as a storm goddess. Give me a bit more time to think on it; it may just enter my personal fanon.

[Gamerlord]

This is awesome, My Little Avengers.

[Vent Reynolt]

But that involves not having self esteem issues! WAAAAH.

But... how in Equestria can you have self esteem issues? You're like one of the five awesomest people I know!

Seriously, pretty much everything I know about you exemplifies everything that I wish I could be. Not only are you successful and daring, you're also a fantastic writer and roleplayer to boot!

Even if this does nothing to help your self-esteem, at least take some comfort in the fact that you can channel you self-esteem issues into improving yourself. The exact opposite of what I do, which is to just dwell on how useless I am.

(Plus, y'know you totally earned a fade to black with Midnight. I'm so jealous! )

Dictionary -> Sweetie Belle
Big sister of above -> Rarity
Rarity -> Marshmallow



LOGIC

Huh. But I... What? (Just imagine it said with much less anger and more confusion)

Yet more thoughts on Luna

Spoiler

Show

I've come to realize that even if the Royal Canterlot Voice is maybe a little out of style, or a lot, I would still be really sad to see her stop using it entirely in case she shows up again (and she had better! *shakes fist at the show writers* If this is her only appearance I'll be really, really depressed)

I think that loud, emotional voice fits her very well. It fits the whole lightning/thunder/storm theme she appears to have going. Luna simply is rather loud when she gets emotional, and I love that. She's not just Princess of the Night and the Moon, but also a storm goddess. And can you imagine a quiet storm goddess? I find it hard, at least.

I also think she's more "war-like" than her sister. I think she would feel much more at ease at the front of an army than her sister would, and I wouldn't be surprised if she takes a more direct interest in the royal guard too. I like to think she's pretty bad ass when she needs or wants to be. Obviously she can be a very commanding presence. Perhaps this is part of why she maybe finds it harder than her sister to be out among common ponies.

I love Luna more than ever, I think!

Spoiler

Show

She's not only blue, but a storm goddess as well?! Luna, You're my favorite princess ever!

[EsperDerek]

Random Episode 4 Thought

Spoiler

Show

An interesting thought: While this episode certainly had it's fair share of problems for our Princess of the Night (who is nowhere near as quiet and graceful as the night is, I loved that), in the end, she actually ended up in a better position with the Ponyville folk than Celestia is. Compare what happened at the little montage in the end, with her playing games and playfully pranking the ponies, with the brunch in A Bird in Hoof. They end up a lot more relaxed around Luna, and treat her more casually, than they do her elder sister in that episode!

[Deadly]

Spoiler

Show

I rather like the idea of Luna as a storm goddess. Give me a bit more time to think on it; it may just enter my personal fanon.

Luna

Spoiler

Show

That's how I see her now :)

I always had this idea that she might be head of the Equestrian equivalent of the Secret Services, but now I think it's more like head of the army as a whole, including such special forces. She makes a fine general, I think.

My greatest disappointment in Past Sins was that I thought it would have been so much more awesome if Luna had to go underground and form a Resistance movement to bring down Nyx/NMM with her sister and Twilight gone, probably recruiting the remaining five of the Mane 6 into her service.

I always felt she would fit the role of Resistance leader perfectly. That's basically what I always wanted to do with her if I were to write another story about her. And I may yet, once I finish all my other stories.

[MCerberus]

Luna thoughts:

Spoiler

Show

I used to think there can only be one best pony.
Then Luna showed me how fun can be doubled.

Luna/Pinkie best ponies

[Grif]

Luna

Spoiler

Show

That's how I see her now :)

I always had this idea that she might be head of the Equestrian equivalent of the Secret Services, but now I think it's more like head of the army as a whole, including such special forces. She makes a fine general, I think.

My greatest disappointment in Past Sins was that I thought it would have been so much more awesome if Luna had to go underground and form a Resistance movement to bring down Nyx/NMM with her sister and Twilight gone, probably recruiting the remaining five of the Mane 6 into her service.

I always felt she would fit the role of Resistance leader perfectly. That's basically what I always wanted to do with her if I were to write another story about her. And I may yet, once I finish all my other stories.

Spoiler

Show

Hey, that's exactly my thought on Luna too! Princess of the Night, striking from the dark where she makes her home! Glorious! Celestia strikes me as the more socially aware and politically inclined of the two. Perfectly adequate as a ruler, not so much as a general, when more ruthless decision might have to be made.

[Deadly]

Spoiler

Show

Hey, that's exactly my thought on Luna too! Princess of the Night, striking from the dark where she makes her home! Glorious! Celestia strikes me as the more socially aware and politically inclined of the two. Perfectly adequate as a ruler, not so much as a general, when more ruthless decision might have to be made.

So it's not just me? Awesome!

[Forum Explorer]

Random Episode 4 Thought

Spoiler

Show

An interesting thought: While this episode certainly had it's fair share of problems for our Princess of the Night (who is nowhere near as quiet and graceful as the night is, I loved that), in the end, she actually ended up in a better position with the Ponyville folk than Celestia is. Compare what happened at the little montage in the end, with her playing games and playfully pranking the ponies, with the brunch in A Bird in Hoof. They end up a lot more relaxed around Luna, and treat her more casually, than they do her elder sister in that episode!

Spoiler

Show

Princess Celestia never decreed that she should be called Celestia unlike Luna. Also Luna isn't three times their size. Its a surprisingly big deal.

[Kindablue]

This guy rocks:
Pony Piano - Twilight Sparkle's Mind is a Curious Place
Pony Piano (and Orchestra!) - The Grand Galloping Overture

[Neoseanster]

Random Episode 4 Thought

Spoiler

Show

An interesting thought: While this episode certainly had it's fair share of problems for our Princess of the Night (who is nowhere near as quiet and graceful as the night is, I loved that), in the end, she actually ended up in a better position with the Ponyville folk than Celestia is. Compare what happened at the little montage in the end, with her playing games and playfully pranking the ponies, with the brunch in A Bird in Hoof. They end up a lot more relaxed around Luna, and treat her more casually, than they do her elder sister in that episode!

Spoiler

Show

That's a very good point, I hadn't thought of it. It seems very true, though, Pip aptly demonstrates this. Have we ever seen anypony acting anything even resembling casual around Princess Celestia, even briefly? Twilight might have, but as Lesson Zero shows us, she still thinks of her as somepony to be deeply respected and on some level feared, even if she does love her. She'd never resolve to go lecture her like with Luna.

[Thrawn183]

So I thought Rainbow Dash would be my favorite pony forever. I'm afraid Luna had something to say about that.

[Neoseanster]

That's embarrassing... I just realized that in my last Cuddlefort post, I wrote "Inkblot" as "Inkwell," because I was just looking at Inkwell's name. D:

Fixed now. Accursed brain... please don't eat me!

[Tectonic Robot]

Also, has anyone commented on this yet? (Ep. 4)

Spoiler

Show

Spoiler

Show

I like to think that's costumed Octavia! And it's awesome.

And Neoseanster, I wouldn't eat you if someone paid me too. Your on my buddy list.

[Deadly]

On Luna and "Fun"

Spoiler

Show

It just occurred to me that her "what is this 'fun' thou speakest of?" is not because she doesn't know what the word "fun" means, but she's essentially just asking what they have in mind that might be fun. And they go on to show her some examples of what they do for fun. She knows what "fun" means, but not what the ponies of Ponyville considers fun to do.

Does that make sense to others than me?

[Rappy]

So I thought Rainbow Dash would be my favorite pony forever. I'm afraid Luna had something to say about that.

Yeah, Luna's edging up on my popularity scale as well, to say the least.

[Athaniar]

Cuddle-thing

Spoiler

Show

Paladin raises an eyebrow at the... weirdness going on. He's not quite sure if this is a serious threat or not, but he still approaches it, prepared for fighting despite unarmored.

Spoiler

Show

Have we ever seen anypony acting anything even resembling casual around Princess Celestia, even briefly?

Spoiler

Show

Well, Pinkie, of course, but that's completely in character for her.

Also, Pinkie is still best pony for me, with Fluttershy and Celestia close behind.

[Dexam]

S2E4 Image dump! Spoileriffic!

Spoiler

Show

... this fandom works fast!

[Kurgan]

Right, got to dismantle the dining room to dump the carpet, so this means internet will be now down until sometime tomorrow.

Given how things pan out, you may not hear from me until sometime tomorrow evening (when my birthday will be mostly over...) of course, depending when the carpet arrives verses when I have to go out .

Happy early birthday! Don't know if/when you'll see this, but I know I'll forget by tomorrow... (considering I forget most everything)

1) She's invisible so no one's going to swerve either way 2) Practising force fields, man. Gotta do something about the occasional car that'll swing across the middle. 3) If New Yorkers don't bother with as basic a concept as 'stay on the proper side of the road' then jesus christ.

Also the roads must be differently designed. See, I'm talking about an intersection like this:



These roads tend to have median strips down the centre though.

Ah, see, we only have medians in a few of the busier roads, and those are the roads that actively annoy people due to having to wait until a certain point to make a u-turn when a simple left would have gotten you where you wanted to be half a mile ago.

Most of our roads simply have the double yellow lines that say "one car on this side, the other on the other."

Also, we drive on the right side of the roads here.

But yeah, you'd be surprised. Driving down a country road, 2 in the morning. You are more worried about deer and animals than other cars, so staying closer to the middle actually helps: more swerve room should something jump in front of you.

no, that's what I'm talking about. And that little space isn't As sacred here in the states. I wish it was, though

Also what he said. Though a tiny little space in the middle of the intersection doesn't need to be super sacred by my books, so long as two or more cars aren't gunning for it at the same time.

[byaku rai]

Luna has always been best pony for me. Close runner-up is Fluttershy, then Pinkie.

"Why not Rainbow" you ask? I have a rather upsetting tendency towards arrogance. This is something I have worked long and hard to overcome. RD has the same problem, but routinely does nothing to overcome it. She grates on me because I see in her a trait that I dislike in myself. So, despite her awesomeness, she just can't be best pony for me.

In unrelated news, hangovers are a Gilda. Not drinking again for a good while.

[Kris Strife]

In unrelated news, hangovers are a Gilda. Not drinking again for a good while.

Did you have pony-themed drinks at least?

[byaku rai]

Did you have pony-themed drinks at least?

I wish. Drain-cleaner quality vodka, drunk straight.