Why Twilicorn isn't bad

(This was originally going to be a video, but I might make it one after this)

Twilight Sparkle: From unicorn and student to alicorn and princess, she certainly has shown that anybody can become a princess. But why do so many people not like this new change? Why do so many people not realize that this was "her destiny"? For those of you who are not in-the-know, let me explain what made this change happen and how it was meant to be whether or not bronies actually got involved or approved of it.

First: Hasbro and the show

For starters, let's talk about the show itself, and the creator Hasbro Studios.

Hasbro Inc. has been in the toy and board game business for a very long time, but My Little Pony actually didn't start until the early 80's, when Hasbro introduced My Pretty Pony in 1981. They decided to make the 10-inch toy smaller and rename it to My Little Pony in 1983, and it sold much better than the original so the name stuck. In 1984-1985, two standalone episodes were created, and then an animated series was made on September 15, 1986. The series, originally titled My Little Pony 'n Friends, aired alongside other short segments and was created to sell the toys that it was based on. The show lasted until late 1987.

Many generations, and yet still the same pony.

On July 3rd, 1992, they decided to reboot the show and released My Little Pony Tales. It lasted less than a year and had a total of 26 episodes.

"From 2003-2009, many ponies were featured alongside direct-to-VHS/DVD shorts and feature-length films." This started the Generation Three ponies, and thus new ponies. This time period includes the Generation 3.5 release of My Little Pony: Twinkle Wish Adventures and included at least 12 shorts and films, with the main ponies being sold alongside them. Twinkle Wish Adventures was the last of Generation 3/3.5.

Now, we move on to this generation: Generation Four. As is the norm, it includes new characters and new places. What Hasbro didn't realize was that a new demographic would surface: Bronies. However, the goal of the show remains the same: to sell the toys the show was created on and sell them well. Nothing changed except that there were many more eyes watching the show. This isn't out-of-the-norm though, since shows like Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh were done in the same way, and still do to this day. This never changed, and probably never will. Just thank the crew of FiM for making such a great show based on what they had.

Now, we move on to the pony of the hour: Twilight Sparkle.

Aspiring to greatness

Twilight Sparkle has always been known to be something greater than she originally was, ever since the first episode. She was the protege of Princess Celestia, she was the first character to show in the show, and she was made the main character for a reason. But, let's not get ahead of ourselves. First, let's list some reasons as to why this was intentional:

Magic

I'm going Super Saiyan!

First off, her magic. As demonstrated in many episodes, specifically The Cutie Mark Chronicles, she has been told that she "[has] a very special gift," and even Princess Celestia commented that she doesn't think she's "ever come across a unicorn with [her] raw abilities." In The Ticket Master, she even uses a teleportation spell and says "I didn't even know it was gonna happen." In Boast Busters, Spike and Twilight have a conversation about the special talents of unicorns and what magic they possess. Have a quote:

Spike: I thought unicorns were only supposed to have a little magic that matches their special talents.

Twilight Sparkle: True, for ponies whose talents are for things like cooking or singing or math. But what if a unicorn's special talent is magic?

Spike: Like you, Twilight, and you know a ton of magic.

Twilight Sparkle: Oh, Spike, stop. I'm sure there are lots of ponies right here in Ponyville that know just as much magic as me.

Spike: Are you kiddin'? I don't think there's another unicorn in all of Equestria with your kind of ability, Twilight.

How can she read that many books?!

Reread that last line. That's another hint towards her aspiring to something greater than what she is and what she will become, since there is a slight difference between unicorns and alicorns and it's not specified to include the princesses. Also, in A Dog and Pony Show, it's shown that Twilight can learn magic from other unicorns as she learned the gem-finding spell from Rarity, ultimately allowing them to find her in the caves. It's also shown in The Crystal Empire - Part 2 when Twilight uses the dark magic that Celestia used in the previous episode.

Even without viewing other unicorns, Twilight is very knowledgeable with magic, reading through books of them at the same time and being able to cast many spells on the spot. She's even been able to perform spells made by Star Swirl the Bearded as seen in It's About Time and Magical Mystery Cure. However, she has messed up spells from time to time, and sometimes it can turn into a drastic problem.

"Aww, don't worry, Fluttershy. Twilight's magic has gotten a lot better since she accidentally crushed me and Applejack with a giant snowball."

— Spike comforting Fluttershy in Magic Duel

She has been shown to practice magic many times throughout the series, such as Boast Busters, Feeling Pinkie Keen and Too Many Pinkie Pies. She knows her limitations, and constantly strives to overcome them. She even knows magic that's much greater than what she knows, such as in Magic Duel when she describes that age spells are "only for the highest-level unicorns." She's also humble, and rarely tries to show off her magic unless it's needed or she just wants to teleport.

Next, let's discuss the Elements of Harmony.

Elements of Harmony

Guess what? Her element is a crown. Much different than a necklace.

The Elements of Harmony are "six supernatural artifacts which are arguably the most powerful force in Equestria", and are made to reflect the pony they represent. Each one has a specific trait and a specific quality, but Twilight was the one that didn't make much sense.

"Yes, Twilight Sparkle, and yours is the most powerful and elusive element, magic."

— Discord in The Return of Harmony Part 1

Each element represented a quality that is necessary to have friendship; honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, and loyalty. Twilight represents magic, which, as the title suggests, Friendship is Magic. But it wasn't really correlated as to what magic was until Magical Mystery Cure, when Princess Celestia lists off the qualities of each element.

"Since you've come to Ponyville, you've displayed the charity, compassion, devotion, integrity, optimism, and of course, the leadership of a true princess."

— Princess Celestia

Seeing as friendship is magic, and the other ponies are the representations of friendship, it makes magic the combined elements and, in turn, the leader of them. Seeing as how magic was represented by a crown and the other elements were necklaces, it shows the distinct difference between her and the others. This doesn't mean Twilight is higher in persona, since she is humble and loves all her friends, and she even states that "[she] wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the friendships [she's] made with all of [them]."

Finally, let's talk about protege.

Protege

Protege?! I just wanted to get into the school!

When she was just a filly, Twilight wanted to get into Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, but she couldn't necessarily pass the entrance exam. Rainbow's sonic rainboom passed at that point, and Twilight went into a massive magic state. Princess Celestia saw this, and after calming Twilight, she says she wants "to make [Twilight her] own personal protege here at the school."

Many, if not all of the episodes are based on this concept of Twilight being Princess Celestia's student and her having to write reports every time she learns a friendship lesson. Beginning with season two, all of her friends write the reports when it arises, but it's still based on Twilight learning them and experiencing them. She's even had an episode where she stressed about making the report because she didn't want to be tardy.

On the topic of Princess Celestia, she's known about this ever since she first saw Twilight. In the first episode, she "saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return and [she] knew it was [Twilight] who had the magic inside to defeat her." In Magical Mystery Cure, she states that "the lessons you've learned here in Ponyville have taught you well. You have proven that you're ready, Twilight," and that Twilight needed to "fulfill her destiny."

Conclusion

"Yes, everything's going to be just fine!"

This was planned from the very beginning for Twilight to become something much greater than she is. Her becoming an alicorn might've been something Hasbro wanted so they could sell more toys, but in the end it was inevitable for her to at least become a princess. Even Lauren Faust stated that she wanted Twilight to become Celestia's successor and has been dropping hints since season one. Overall, everyone needs to stop focusing on the mountain and instead make it an ant hill. This was her destiny. True destinies can't be changed. Just enjoy the show for what it is: an animated show.

Well, this is a lot of writing, and I've spent too long on this. Hope y'all enjoyed reading, and as Princess Twilight Sparkle said: "Everything is certainly fine."

Later edit

Here is a write-up of the writer's panel at Unicon 2013. All of this justifies what this blog has discussed, from Hasbro stating what they want to sell to how alicorn Twilight was planned from very early on, at least to her being a princess.