#starlight express fan fiction

[captainmvf]

Been out of touch and busy in-between updates for my Stex fan fics and I’m sorry but it’s going to be even slower soon as I have a lot of busy events and irl stuff going on.

ANYWAY. If you are interested in reading or providing some compliments, feel free to read what I got. [Fair warning, I lean pretty heavy on the Rusted Breaks pairing so much of what I have is going to be there.]

⭐️The Real Me Might be the One that You Want: (One-Sided Rusted Brakes, One-Shot) "A year after the events of the race and everything is fine! Pearl and Rusty are the sweethearts of the train yard and CB can pretend that everything is fine on the outside... Even if he lost his chance to tell how he truly felt for someone who might never trust him fully ever again. Everything is fine!"

⭐️Moon-Lit Eyes: (Rusted Brakes, Non-Canon Sequel to The Real Me..., One-Shot) "Five years after the events of the race have passed and much of the yard has changed. To get away from it all for a night, Rusty and CB stargaze by the oceanside rail. A late night talk can certainly bring out more than the moon and stars..."

⭐️Once Lucky: (Possible Pairings, General) "The age of steam comes to a depressing end to steam trains and railways everywhere. Nothing good lasts forever but those lucky enough can still find peace at hereditary yards. One of the last of his age, Lucky must make do with being a young steam engine and survive against the changing world." [Note: This one is unfinished but a second chapter is largely written out and needs a lot of editing before upload. This might also lean into Rusted Brakes.]

⭐️Rolling into Starlight: (Rusted Brakes, General, Other Pairings, Human AU, Multi-Chapter) “Living in ‘West End’ was never quiet, especially when the hippest place to be was the Apollo Victoria Roller Rink. Rusty, a small sophomore with a crush on ‘New Girl’ Pearl, didn’t plan on life to keep throwing curveballs at him… Even when he then discovers that a piece of jewelry his late grandmother left him is actually magical and grants him the wish to be a more confident self. Now with Rusty being able to transform into his secret alter-ego Starlight Express when he needs to, he can perhaps find a way to fight those curveballs outright!” [Note: This one is also largely unfinished but is half-way done. I don’t plan to drop this and would rather see it to completion. This one just takes a lot out of me and update dates are going to be uneven.]

Thank you! Comments do help to move along updates! ✨

[xxcarnivalheartsxx]

Nothing annoys me more than when people try to police how other people interact with the media they like. Yes, people are allowed to dislike Pearl. Yes, people are allowed to like the show entirely because of Greasedinah or female Greaseball. Yes, people are allowed to prefer whatever production or version of a character they so please. Yes, there are etiquette rules for fandom but this shouldn’t extend to these kinds of opinions!! The point of fandom has always been to have fun!

[thegirl20]

TITLE: You said you caught me 'cause you want me AUTHOR: thegirl20 FANDOM: Starlight Express (London 2024 production) PAIRING: Dinah/Greaseball SUMMARY: After the final race, Dinah tends to Greaseball's injuries and they have a heart to heart. RATING: Teen NOTES: I've written more fic about the trains. Send help.

🎥: @mttztrading

[lia-land]

A Court of Frost and Starlight

3.5/5 stars

Spoilers for A Court of Frost and Starlight*

This felt like A Court of Rhys and His Infinite Amounts of Money. Why were we reminded every few pages that Rhys has unlimited amounts of money? I think the intention was to show us how strange it can be for Feyre to go from hunting for food to being rich all of a sudden, which made sense at first, but after all the times that it was brought up, all this did was make me wonder about the economics of Prythian and not get any answers. Does the Night Court have a Tithe-like system? Do the citizens pay tax? Did Rhys inherit the money? His wealth was mentioned so many times and we never get an answer as to its source. I liked the first time he’d mentioned paying the IC salaries in ACOMAF, as well as the Spring Court’s Tithe because we rarely see that sort of thing in this genre. It’s one of those details that isn’t necessary for readers to acknowledge, and for SJM to acknowledge fantasy economics and then not do anything with it felt unsatisfying.

I wanted to love this because a Feysand fluff book is all I wanted, but it was too good to be true because Feyre came across as a bit annoying and out of character to me. It also seems very sudden that she wants to have a child with Rhys now, even though she expressed earlier that she wanted to enjoy immortality for a while with just him. There's also the situation with the death pact, which causes a paradox because they can either 1. never have kids, and leave the fate of the Night Court uncertain when they both die or 2. have kids and both die at the same time, which can have drastic effects on the child.

This book made me realize that I think I liked evil Rhys more and he just feels too domesticated to me now, but that’s personal preference and not a fault of the book.

The art classes were also a bit random. I know this is a novella and was not meant to necessarily have a plot, but the things that did happen seemed out of place. I did enjoy that certain realistic things were acknowledged in this, such as the age gap between Rhys and Feyre, and the concept of Fae periods. Both were interesting to read about.

The interaction between Feyre and Lucien was odd. I don’t see why she was so rude to him when he was making an effort. He had every right to walk out after that. Feyre seems to be forcing him and Nesta into her group and doesn’t seem to be able to grasp that not everyone wants to be around the IC all the time. She specifically tends to forget the centuries of intricate history between Lucien and Rhys and how that won’t all just be unraveled in less than a year.

It was fun to see them all domesticated and celebrating the winter solstice, but it read like fan fiction and I likely won’t reread this (maybe I’ll just reread chapter 22 because wow). It was a nice bridge to the next book, I just did not like Feyre in this. Though, seeing Mor’s POV was refreshing, and for us to find out that she has a secret estate. I wonder if more will come of that in future books.

A Court of Frost and Three Stars, but 3.5 because we finally got the wall scene.

(Also, annoyed that this was the same price as the other books, but barely even a third of the length)

[ajwinter-is-a-nerd]

Link Click Fan Fiction:

Lu Guang x Cheng Xiaoshi

I have a problem. I started writing Lu and Cheng in little one shots (in a series of one ‘timeline’/‘universe’) and now I’m addicted and can’t stop. I think it’s cute and I love them.

Summary:

Rewind to when Lu and Cheng first started training. Lu thinks it’s best to choose photos that Cheng has taken that Lu is in, that way he’ll have guidance on either side in case something goes wrong.

Cheng is too much of a fluff ball and chooses a picture from a special day.

Cheng crossed his legs happily on the floor while Lu sifted through photos.

“We’ll start simple, something that I’ll be there on both ends to catch you in case you mess it up.” Lu’s jab was low while his eyes kept momentarily flashing chromatic blue.

Energy started to pump through Cheng’s veins. This would be the first time they’d jump through a photo together and Lu was being extremely diligent. Cheng couldn’t help but enjoy how Lu’s lips would curl into a smile at some, reliving a memory behind the photo.

“What? What do you see?” Cheng climbed over, attempting to pull the stack of photos out of Lu’s hands.

Lu, the stoic, was ever undeterred by Cheng’s attack. His expression steeled while he continued flipping through photos as if he didn’t have a black haired menace squishing his face into his palm.

“Pweeaase” Cheng begged, his plea muffled by Lu’s hand. Peeking through Lu’s fingers, he watched as the glimmer of amusement rose in his partner’s face. “Comeooooon, lemme see!” Cheng whined again.

“I want to make sure there’s some form of establishment so that if I’m caught off guard by you I’ll understand what to do.” Lu spoke in a chastising tone one would use with a defiant child.

“Lemme look through a few and you can decide from there!” Cheng licked at Lu’s palm to secure his face squishing escape.

“Gross! Fine, here.” Lu slapped a third of the photo stack against Cheng’s chest.

Giddy, Cheng eagerly accepted the segment. He slid one over before he found the perfect picture.

“LU!” Cheng waved the image in the air. “This one! This one!”

Rolling his eyes, Lu took the picture of himself and Cheng from his hands. It was from their earlier times when they spent their time playing basketball and cramming their way through college. The picture itself was dark, they couldn’t get to the courts until late. Cheng felt that it was essential to mark their dedication by flashing a selfie of the both of them, covered in sweat and reeking of teen spirit.

“Really?” Lu smirked knowingly. “This one?”

“I loved that day!” Cheng pouted, taking offense towards Lu’s question.

“I know, I know. Just… try not to change anything too big, okay?” Lu set the rest of the photos down beside him, smiling at their dark image.

“Shhh, you’ll be there.” Cheng brought his index finger up to Lu’s lips in an attempt to shush him.

“Let’s try not to let me find out though, okay?” Lu raised an eyebrow, reminding him of the mission.

“Yeah, yeah, I get it.” Cheng twitched from excitement. “Let’s go!”

Sighing, Lu brought out his hand. Not even pausing for a breath, Cheng slammed his hand down against Lu’s.

-

Heavily blinking his eyes, he worked to adjust to the dim atmosphere. The sky still helped to light up the night, but only through reflections of starlight against a layer of fog.

“There, are you happy now? Weirdo.” Lu chuckled, running his fingers through white hair.

Do you need a line? Lu’s voice echoed in his head. It was louder than he expected.

What, do you think I’m that bad at impersonating myself? Cheng responded automatically. Huh. That was neat!

Focus, I’m going to start catching on. Lu warned.

Sure enough, past Lu was side eyeing him while he sipped at his water bottle.

Cheng’s heart felt as if it was going to explode. He’d nearly forgotten all of the nerves and the discomfort that spread throughout his body. As if one wrong move would destroy everything they had. Cheng always felt connected to Lu and was perpetually terrified he’d ruin it. It was too easy for people to leave him; and dear god, he really didn’t want Lu to leave him.

Remember, if it’s too much at any point, you can jump out. Lu was a natural at guiding Cheng. He could read him better than anyone. Which didn’t help the anxiety building as past Lu squinted his eyes towards him, knowing that something was off.

I just wasn’t expecting this. Cheng responded, his nerves firing uncontrollably. His body desperately wanted to touch Lu’s, but the other half of him wanted to run down the darkened street.

“Are you okay, Cheng?” Lu screwed the lid onto his waterbottle, sweat dripping around his furrowed brows.

Weren’t expecting what? Lu’s voice, which normally worked as a sedative device, was only elevating his heart rate.

My… body… Cheng set his hand against his chest. Somehow, with all the time past between them, he forgot how sweetly sickening their earlier days had been.

What do you mean? Lu’s concern grew.

My… my heart is going to bruise my chest… and I feel like I’m going to throw up and faint… and my skin feels like it’s crawling off my body.

Lu’s laughter reverberated around Cheng’s ears. Ahh you get to relive the highs and lows of new love.

I didn’t think it would be like this! Cheng lowered his chin, gazing incredulously at his resting hand. His beat was so ferocious he swore his hand would be jumping from its resting place on his chest.

“Is it that hard to deal with the loss?” Lu smirked, eyes gazing forward towards the empty court.

“You cheeky bastard!” Cheng spit out. “I won and you know it!”

I still think I won that game. Lu pitched in.

“Then why do you look like your pride’s about to crumble? Hmm?” Lu’s head slightly dipped, his blonde hair fluttering over his forehead.

The answer caught in his throat. But he didn’t answer it back then, did he? His lips tingled as he scooched closer on the bench. His flight or flight ramping up with each moment.

Holy crap, Lu. You would not believe how nervous I was. It’s hard to even move. Cheng’s eyes dropped down to Lu’s lips. Awwww why are you biting your lip? Are you trying to kill me?!

Lu’s warm laugh played through his mind again. They both knew that Lu’s lip biting was a reflection of the same nerves that were threatening to paralyze himself.

You’ll be fine. Lu mused. He’d not chosen this photo himself for a reason, but was certainly enjoying the consequences of someone who neglected those reasons.

Shhh… Cheng instructed as his body finally clicked into ignition. His fingers danced under Lu’s chin, his eyes lidded in anticipation. The fear of rejection tore at his stomach, but he knew better.

There were little pieces he hadn’t seen the first time. The soft tremble of Lu’s lips while Cheng pulled him closer. The anxious stiffening of Lu’s shoulders while he tried to hold himself back while pushing forward. The deep blush that could barely be seen through the pitch of the night. The nervous flutter of eyelashes, as if Lu was scared Cheng would suddenly pull away too.

Cheng’s favourite reanimated piece of this memory, however, was the hitch of breath against his lips the moment before they collided. His cells rejoiced at Lu’s new yet familiar taste, at his fingers reaching across his face before running through his hair.

Unable to stop himself, a small moan escaped from Cheng’s lips. He’d forgotten how much tension they used to have. Lu’s body responded immediately, pulling harder on his face while trying to close the rest of the gap between the rest of their bodies.

Aweh, new love. Lu snickered as Cheng lost himself in past Lu.

Pausing for a breath, they leaned their foreheads against each other. Silver eyes into brown.

Cheng’s hands were clasped behind Lu’s neck as he let out a slight chuckle. Their lips were a brush away from another as Cheng breathlessly made a proclamation. “I love you.”

You idiot. Lu groaned in his head.

What? I - oh. Yep. I’m an idiot.

Can you seriously not imitate yourself?

Lu’s body stiffened as he leaned back, one hand grasped Cheng’s forearm while his silver eyes darted from iris to iris.

“Sorry…” Cheng whispered, the terror rebuilding in the pit of his stomach.

“Heh.” Lu inquisitively tilted his head before running a finger along Cheng’s cheek. “You’re photo diving, aren’t you?”

It was as if someone cut off the air supply to Cheng’s throat. Holy fuck, were you always this smart?

Hmm… I guess you could say I paid attention to you.

Lu chuckled at the silence, running his thumb along Cheng’s quivering lip. “Can you seriously not imitate yourself?” He bit his lip with a raised eyebrow, thoroughly enjoying himself.

“Hey! You already said that!” Cheng whined in Lu’s hold, both of the Lu’s lowly laughing at him.

“Sounds about right.” Lu kept playing with Cheng’s lower lip. “Hey, Cheng?” His eyes flecked up with a new sense of determination.

“Mmmh?” Cheng was already getting distracted again by Lu’s touch.

“I love you too.” Lu smiled warmly before pulling Cheng closer again.

Warmth spread from their lips as their bond beat between them. No first kiss had ever felt like Lu. No one even came close to melting his brain like Lu. Sometimes, in the safety of their time, it was easy to forget. To forget the fire that once perpetually lived against their skin.

Did you mean it? Back then? Cheng questioned, not wanting to let go of Lu, but knowing there wasn’t much else he could do having already blown his cover.

What, that I loved you? Lu questioned. In their story, they didn’t truly say it for months after their first kiss.

Mmhmm. Cheng dropped deeper into the kiss.

This night was not that hot. Calm down. Lu instructed.

With a reserved smile, Cheng pulled back. Lu was so adorable. His lips still searching for his own, his breath shaking against Cheng’s skin, his cheeks flushed with nerves and desire.

Did you? Cheng asked, keeping his studious eyes on a younger pair of silver irises.

I’ve loved you since the day I met you.

A grin took over Cheng’s face, displaying his elation. Barely a flash of confusion crossed Lu’s expression, him answering his own question in his head. “Time for you to go home?”

“Yeah, I’ll see you soon, okay?” Cheng softly pressed his lips against Lu’s before clapping his hands behind his head.

-

Bright light blinded Cheng as he stood back in the familiar room.

“You’re an idiot.” Lu rolled his eyes as he continued sifting through photos.

Cheng crossed his arms and watched his partner with a reinvigorated interest. “Since the day you met me, hey?”

“Idiot.” Lu shook his head with a smirk.

Dropping back down to the floor, Cheng snagged the photo stack from Lu’s hand and tossed it towards the ground.

“Hey!” Before Lu could continue his protest, Cheng was crawling into his lap, one knee on either side of his hip. “…oh, hey…” Lu exhaled, Cheng’s lips running against his neck, fingers gripping against his body.

“I love you.” Cheng kissed Lu with enough force to push Lu over.

Their heartbeats sang in sync as they kissed surrounded by windows to their old memories scattered across the floor.

[stachehand]

A year later, it's finally time for the follow-up!

Seasons 6 to 9:

Season 6, Episode 1: The Crystalling, Part 1

The pacing at the start, while fine as a reintroduction to Starlight, feels like it's got a ball & chain on it's ankles. Sunburst is BARELY introduced, not helped by his surprising emotional constipation. Also, remember Lesson Zero?

Season 6, Episode 2: The Crystalling, Part 2

Some kingdom folk you saved, Spike. Now, Sunburst's personality proves appealing and advances Starlight's arc through a funny bait-and-switch. Flurry Heart's alicornhood was basically shock value that brought about some dumb choices.

Season 6, Episode 3: The Gift of the Maud Pie

Maud expresses the most powerful emotions through only her words, she practically steals this show by the balls. Also, it's interestingly subversive to see this kind of present-on-present story illustrated through a FRIENDLY rivalry.

Season 6, Episode 4: On Your Marks

It seemed they made an unwarranted slight against the CMC's pre-established hobbies. Besides that, they were close to the finish line, and they made a random plot swerve just to reiterate their revelation and proud declaration from last season.

Season 6, Episode 5: Gauntlet of Fire

Spike was THE definition of a noble dragon in this. One of his finest roles in any episode. Twilight and Rarity brought some welcome levity with their convenient set of disguises, and Ember? What a wholesome sweetheart with a rough exterior!

Season 6, Episode 6: No Second Prances

So, Twilight actually learned NOTHING about controlling her student's friendship education, AND she's a willful liar? Furthermore, is the SCALE of wrongdoings not important to mention? The start of StarTrix chemistry's a small victory then.

Season 6, Episode 7: Newbie Dash

Odd how despite the continuity nods, there's not really an arc of putting aside pride to open up about the "Crash" name's personal effects. Thankfully, the Wonderbolts are all in-character and have some amusing frivolity to their professionalism.

Season 6, Episode 8: A Hearth's Warming Tail

Certainly another feel-good recommendation for a Christmas viewing list. It goes about how you'd expect an adaptation of A Christmas Carol to, and sings it's heart out while giving us TWO song bookends, in two different ways, to boot.

Season 6, Episode 9: The Saddle Row Review

Don't these ponies know about Help Wanted ads? I should figure they especially do. On the plus side, the interview cutaways never disrupt the plot too much. Characters reflecting after the heat of the moment has long passed is also fun.

Season 6, Episode 10: Applejack's "Day" Off

I think the ending resolution would have made a bit more sense if Twilight was shown trying the complicated methods, but then aiming for efficiency, BEFORE opining about Applejack's time management. Feels as slow as the spa day itself.

Season 6, Episode 11: Flutter Brutter

It's GENIUS for Fluttershy to have someone (not villainous) in her regular life who angers her, and by that someone's abuse towards the Harmony concept she stands for. I just wish Zephyr Breeze had more going for his potential for success.

Season 6, Episode 12: Spice Up Your Life

There'd be grounds for Rarity's smug idea with the restaurant, if she wasn't already exposed to THEIR qualities, and clearly feigning her fondness for the fancy fare. Seems like denial that isn't addressed. Nice song and lesson, at least.

Season 6, Episode 13: Stranger Than Fan Fiction

Quibble Pants certainly reflects how mean-spirited some critical fans of fiction can get in their passion, but he avoids being gross or total dead weight in the story. They also get about the maximum mileage out of the convention.

Season 6, Episode 14: The Cart Before the Ponies

One: why are the big sisters so tyrannical AND oblivious? Two: why didn't the CMC just trade sisters for a day from the beginning? Three: have all the competitors had too much to drink before the race? A few giggles aside… lame.

Season 6, Episode 15: 28 Pranks Later

The third act plays out like a G-rated creepypasta! I don't think the moral correlated with Rainbow's exact deeds, where she was showing no signs of restraint for practical joking. But, Pinkie gets to use her townwide connections more. Neat!

Season 6, Episode 16: The Times They Are A Changeling

My only criticism here is that the song number at the end is rather repetitive, which is no good for it's heartwarming message. The rest hits the nail on the head on one thing: fame is well worth sacrificing for what's right.

Season 6, Episode 17: Dungeons & Discords

I mean, Dungeons & Dragons, a game where anything can be done, and a character who CAN do anything with a mere, quick thought? It's like grilled cheese and ketchup! Discord's also kind of precious when he's a little bit pathetic. Y'know?

Season 6, Episode 18: Buckball Season

An unlikely character expansion and promoting the value of curbing worries go a long way. But, I scratch my head at the workings of the training program, and the conclusion wound up downplaying the teaching on skills for different reasons.

Season 6, Episode 19: The Fault in Our Cutie Marks

Gabby, you're too adorable and pure for even THIS world! Better yet, they manage to cleverly tell when victories can be part of failure born of an impossibility. Sadly, Twilight became a premise and setup without a punchline.

Season 6, Episode 20: Viva Las Pegasus

The way the antagonist sows strife between the ponies in his employ is so vague as to make the extent I can hate him… incomplete, I guess? As for Flim & Flam, seeing them doing honest business for a change freshens up their characters.

Season 6, Episode 21: Every Little Thing She Does

Starlight makes THIS big a relapse, and we ain't gonna talk about it? The story's BEGGING for addressment of die-hard habits. Perhaps some tougher love as well. Gotta admit, though, I get a kick out of the pop culture quotations.

Season 6, Episode 22: P.P.O.V. (Pony Point of View)

I'm a sucker for a Rashomon story's meta comedy, so here's a big win. But, the ponies' grudges feel over-the-top when you consider their accounts are tied together by a LIFE-THREATENING INCIDENT they CAN'T blame on each other.

Season 6, Episode 23: Where the Apple Lies

This did NOT need to be an origin for Big Mac's speech pattern. The episode acts like it's all about how much he says, rather than his point. Goes to show that any idea needs the right execution. Could've easily squeezed THAT lesson in.

Season 6, Episode 24: Top Bolt

See? Was putting a usable point on both sides so hard? What really helps the plot along is Rainbow using her observational memorization to aid in the resolution. Besides that, I sensed a "fake friends" metaphor between Sky Stinger and Vapor Trail.

Season 6, Episode 25: To Where and Back Again, Part 1

All setup and no act progression make episode a dull boy! And man, that village scene felt like a passive-aggression assault. Cutting losses feels like a genuinely good tip. Serious Discord and rascally Trixie save the day.

Season 6, Episode 26: To Where and Back Again, Part 2

What a status quo change between creature clans, and it's dropped! Also, they win by just doing something really hard? Oh well, Starlight's arc pays off in an organic full circle, and everyone uses what they have competently.

Film 4: Equestria Girls: Legend of Everfree

Although bits and pieces of this movie seem more born from contractual obligation than legit purpose, nothing breaks the sweet deal of the gang coming to terms with magic fully entering their otherwise normal human lives, or the music.

Season 7, Episode 1: Celestial Advice

I enjoy this expansion on Celestia's character and the equally pleasant and funny scenario for Twilight to discover the warts beneath her clean mental image, parallels and all. Though, it only HALF follows up on the preceding season finale.

Season 7, Episode 2: All Bottled Up

Aside from this episode's odd, cluttered, anthology-like structure, it's a successful test of a recent friendship's endurance. Starlight at the end set a fine precedent for her firm hoof as a hero going forward. The resolution was sweet, also.

Season 7, Episode 3: A Flurry of Emotions

Sheesh, these are pretty dang relatable dilemmas that play out, both on Twilight's end and on Shining Armor and Cadence's side. While the different spin on a babysitting story is appreciated, much of the runtime bores with it's padding.

Season 7, Episode 4: Rock Solid Friendship

There's a good storyline going on here about friends in the making of two worlds, buried beneath odd progression choices. Maud's bonding with Starlight feels disconnected in the grand scheme of things, and Pinkie's a stupid scene thief.

Season 7, Episode 5: Fluttershy Leans In

Genius resolution, but the friends who recommended the experts CONFRONTING them on breaking their trust (or catching the red flags) would've been better narratively. That, and paying mind to the other side of the "artist's vision" coin.

Season 7, Episode 6: Forever Filly

There's the nitpick of the "growing up and interests evolving with time" lesson being lessened only by the show's refusal to update the CMC's designs in physical age, but no BIG gripes. The parallel plotlines click nicely, and are so wholesome!

Season 7, Episode 7: Parental Glideance

They had SOMETHING, but then lost me by treating Rainbow Dash as the bad guy. It's made only worse by her tirade being weak for all the history of her parents being more her overzealous cheerleaders than, well, her PARENTS. Long gags, too.

Season 7, Episode 8: Hard to Say Anything

Pretty amusing for the most part. Big Mac gets over the top for HIS character, though on the other hand, for a repeat nuisance, Feather Bangs could've been a HUNDRED times more obnoxious. A blessing worth counting. Sugar Belle's alright.

Season 7, Episode 9: Honest Apple

A lesson about brutal honesty and how it needs moderating? All good. Not so much attaching it to a story where a character who KNOWS hard effort AND it's value doesn't recognize it in another line of work, and adds nothing of worth to the field.

Season 7, Episode 10: A Royal Problem

It's got everything to make it work. A sense of dread from the sisters' conflict, in-character steps into each other's shoes, a use of established abilities that brings the twists and turns into the plot, and Starlight shutting Twilight up.

Season 7, Episode 11: Not Asking for Trouble

That's subversive; rather than the proud swallowing their pride, it's worked around. It only offers small bits of yak lore, makes their way of living questionable, and is paced slowly, but Pinkie Pie and Rutherford formed a fun bond.

Season 7, Episode 12: Discordant Harmony

A great dive into Discord's insecurities about his friendship with Fluttershy. His change into a common gentleman was a very natural descent, and came with a grim, but interesting catch. It brought quite a creative side out of Fluttershy.

Season 7, Episode 13: The Perfect Pear

Easily the show's best romantic story! The relationship between the Apples' parents makes it all the more tragic we'd never see them speak to their children. Just as gracefully illustrated was the pointlessness of rivalries. Perfect indeed!

Season 7, Episode 14: Fame and Misfortune

Son of a bitch it's more asinine than I recalled! The total lack of savviness in basically making the Mane 6's DIARY public, and the testament to how HIGHLY Ponyville views these gals leaves the bitterest taste in the mouth! Boneheads!

Season 7, Episode 15: Triple Threat

Thorax and Ember trading advice, and Ember's confusion with pony customs, make the episode. The plot of keeping them apart, however, feels like an arbitrary conflict. Annoying to watch nobody take the truthful route, and blame one for it all.

Season 7, Episode 16: Campfire Tales

As far as mythos dumps go, each of the three legends spoken are solidly structured and maintain the appropriate parallels to their respective narrators. The resolution is quite a dumb convenience. Also, Fly-ders are gross and shouldn't exist!

Season 7, Episode 17: To Change a Changeling

Pharynx adds dimension to the changelings' reformation they hadn't shown before, and the mirrored half-dysfunctional relationships between him and Thorax as brothers and Starlight and Trixie as friends are heartfelt and equally funny.

Season 7, Episode 18: Daring Done?

Glad the history lesson about Somnambula was there, or this episode would've sucked outright. It gets confused on lore along with it's OWN backstory, and Rainbow Dash enters weak-dumb-damsel-in-distress mode out of nowhere to contrive a climax.

Season 7, Episode 19: It Isn't the Mane Thing About You

Geez, Zecora, why don't you pay attention while you brew? It's also kind of ludicrous that magic can't surmount the challenge of growing hair, but the journey of regaining confidence is cathartic, and the punk style's cool.

Season 7, Episode 20: A Health of Information

Once Twilight and Fluttershy get to the swamp area, the story's progression from there gets a little messy in places. The moral of taking care of yourself WHILE you take care of others is a strong message, and realistically depicted.

Season 7, Episode 21: Marks and Recreation

Everyone in this episode needs to calm the hell down about Cutie Marks, especially the CMC, who are fanatical and even PATRONIZING throughout! Oh, and it would've helped to know Rumble's background earlier! Thunderlane cannot save THIS!

Season 7, Episode 22: Once Upon a Zeppelin

I can definitely see the appeal when it comes to certain parts. Twilight's struggle and her family's enjoyment are well and good, but some poor discernment and forethought, AND Iron Will's character rewrite sullied what was nearly gold.

Season 7, Episode 23: Secrets and Pies

The whiplash of going from classic Pinkie behaviour to obsessively defining insanity, then just accepting Rainbow's lying, even with the knowledge she let most of her lovingly baked goods go to waste. Some feeling sparing. So dang muddled.

Season 7, Episode 24: Uncommon Bond

They showed the cold reality of how distant Sunburst has grown from years of separation, and gave him plenty to do with the featured side characters. It's quite good, aside from Starlight's narrow vision for pastimes. What even was THAT scene?

Season 7, Episode 25: Shadow Play, Part 1

It's very rewarding to see the legends told earlier this season tied together, but there's too much exposition before the midpoint, some superfluous. The relic hunt ESPECIALLY shows in it's pacing that it wasn't made for half an episode.

Season 7, Episode 26: Shadow Play, Part 2

How satisfying to see something new with the Elements! However, the Pillars and Stygian's story reveals a bit of wrong on both sides, but they act like there isn't. Plus, even the ladies wrote the guy off? Points for the Dazzlings cameo!

Special 1: Equestria Girls: Dance Magic

A pretty nice stand-alone story that gives a fair bit more nuance and likeability to the Crystal Prep students, not to mention some closure to their headbutting with Canterlot High. The titular song's also great beyond the earworm factor.

Special 2: Equestria Girls: Movie Magic

A rudimentary mystery backed by a few extraneous time fillers, and a culprit who has a simple enough goal to empathize with, but confusing motivations, considering their generous position. Human Twilight was the biggest heroine THIS round.

Special 3: Equestria Girls: Mirror Magic

Starlight carried this chapter! Her speech on thinking about the present moment and remembering what you have is wise and reinforces her differences from Sunset AND Twilight. Just one cost: the oversimplification of Juniper Montage's arc.

Film 5: My Little Pony: The Movie

Starting off: every musical number, from the bouncy to the dramatic, hits the correct beats, more than half the main cast plays that static character role effectively, and the energy of the whole movie leaves a feel-good tingle when all is done.

Tempest Shadow's an intimidating and multi-faceted villain, to the point she's like an eerily real symbol of the old and jaded folk. The other celebrity-voiced characters range from fun to just feeling unneeded (Grubber). The Storm King was disappointingly underused.

The pacing's leaps at points convince me that the runtime needed 10 or 15 more minutes. Lastly, the third act breakup is super forced, and Tempest doesn't commit to her pre-reformation ideology, going by the supposed "deal". Overall, warts and all, it's a grand time!

Special 4: Equestria Girls: Forgotten Friendship

Yep. Though it ain't perfect, they NAILED the reunion of Sunset and Celestia! It's a stealthy parallel to Wallflower Blush's grim point of view. Also, this contains what may be Trixie's most likeable usage across the whole series.

Season 8, Episode 1: School Daze, Part 1

Their attempt at saying "higher ups' by-the-book thing bad" was terribly confused by the main character's inane decisions that sharply swerved away from their honest intent. It's a conflict driven by an overall lack of common sense. Geez!

Season 8, Episode 2: School Daze, Part 2

The Student 6 are instant winners in their chemistry, but tragically, they cannot get out of the shadow casted by obliviousness from the adult characters, and the most damn arbitrary two-parter antagonist Friendship is Magic has EVER had!

Season 8, Episode 3: The Maud Couple

"Pinkie Pie is Brain-Dead: The Episode" is an apt title for this, because she can't see past the veil of her hypocrisy, and is portrayed like a spoiled, possessive brat. Mudbriar's gratingly repetitive, but he didn't justify the bad attitude.

Season 8, Episode 4: Fake It 'Til You Make It

On one hand, it's fun to watch Fluttershy get creative with salesperson personas and the raccoons play a large role, but on the other… you can't just give the "pretending" handwave to what are conscious choices. Where's the damage?

Season 8, Episode 5: Grannies Gone Wild

YouTube Poop-ass title aside, there's a valuable note to take here on how seniors are only as old as they feel themselves. Applesauce really concerns me, though. Amusing, but hindered by that "Really? That easy?" kind of cop-out ending.

Season 8, Episode 6: Surf and/or Turf

Go away, Twilight. You're taking too much screen time from the characters in the limelight. Oh well, just a little wrinkle in a heartfelt and entertaining story that speaks of the heart in home, and that choices don't have to be complicated.

Season 8, Episode 7: Horse Play

Why is Applejack the ONLY one stressing the truth solution when Spike, Starlight and Rainbow have been through this type of scenario? Worse, way to get the "no acting talent" memo ahead of time and let the all-TOO-effective fiasco run it's course!

Season 8, Episode 8: The Parent Map

The reconciliation of Starlight and Sunburst and their parental figures is strongly handled by making the harsh honesty nothing to regret, and the perfect reasoning. However, the first half is driven sloppily by poor friendship perception.

Season 8, Episode 9: Non-Compete Clause

Maybe this would've been the time to acknowledge some of the main characters as not belonging in a school job? Applejack and Rainbow Dash didn't do anything but dangerously BUMBLE their way into a test of the students' (fine) cooperation!

Season 8, Episode 10: The Break Up Break Down

A solid misunderstanding-based story that makes me root for the romance, and Discord even gets an arc about mortal matters. They could've progressed the plot without the CMC's mix-up, though. Investigation wouldn't have hurt, either.

Season 8, Episode 11: Molt Down

I welcome Spike speaking with another young member of his species, and the character advancement that comes by the end of this. That's alright. Not so much when the episode brings bits to a point I have to think "Okay, I get it! Move along, guys!"

Season 8, Episode 12: Marks for Effort

The CMC have piss-poor motivation for wanting School of Friendship education, and sudden contempt for THEIR school, Twilight can't tell a student messing around from a genuine effort, and Cozy Glow's betrayal to her coaches is downplayed!

Season 8, Episode 13: The Mean 6

Thanks for making 7+ seasons of friendship look doubtful! Oh yeah, and reducing Chrysalis to THIS, because of implied insanity? I appreciate that, too! I always wanted these good ponies to look like punchable asses compared to the evil clones! /s

Special 5: Equestria Girls: Rollercoaster of Friendship

I think they put too much extra effort into making the antagonist someone who needs to shut up over fine tuning the story. It gets hilarious, but sadly evens that out with some rift contrivance and an unearned reformation.

Season 8, Episode 14: A Matter of Principals

Discord returns to his villainous roots, and WINS (sort of)! It's nonsensical that they don't consider he's just being petty, knowing Spike's past with him, and it's maddening that they present the idea of hiring teachers for nothing.

Season 8, Episode 15: The Hearth's Warming Club

This is the time the Student 6 needed! The recollections of their clans' holiday traditions are really cute, not to mention funny, and the conclusion to the "Whodunnit?" element makes on point use of lore that was long-untouched.

Season 8, Episode 16: Friendship University

Sheesh, this is boring. The oldest trick with Flim & Flam is pulled while their current most interesting aspect is mostly overlooked, Twilight just lets herself get blackmailed way too easily, Star Swirl feels near-extraneous… snore.

Season 8, Episode 17: The End in Friend

Sure is the friendship fallout from The Movie in here, and it's instigated by the lighting of gas! What did Rarity and Rainbow have to prove so badly? Strangely, it takes a clever turn away from the mean-spirited stuff in the second half.

Season 8, Episode 18: Yakity-Sax

They took Pinkie from a brain-dead dope to an egotistical shit! Not helped by how the episode insinuates it's bad for her friends to have called out the bad noise making AT ALL! It's like suffering a screeching child and admitting defeat to them!

Season 8, Episode 19: Road to Friendship

Getting a mixed message. While the close to home depiction of stress by traveling and their doofy antics are something to enjoy, I can't fathom how this duo never felt like they underprepared, or Starlight having friendship entitlement.

Season 8, Episode 20: The Washouts

First a conflict that's driven by Rainbow feeling oddly insecure about a position where she ain't got jack to prove, and then a revelation from Scootaloo based on something the antagonistic force wasn't subtle about. Confusing, yet pretty fun.

Season 8, Episode 21: A Rockhoof and a Hard Place

It hits that personal spot in the sight of everyone Rockhoof knew growing and advancing to great heights in life without him, though the episode could've used more Pillar support and less time-filling gags and delayed epiphanies.

Season 8, Episode 22: What Lies Beneath

An interesting journey through a bunch of common fears, from the childhood frights to the dumb and irrational. If I have any gripes, it's that Ocellus' trial doesn't say much beyond something surface-level. Plus, intimidation tactics much?

Season 8, Episode 23: Sounds of Silence

That whole part before the ending solution needlessly recycled information dumps and came off as a convenience-inconvenience hybrid, but I can look past it for how they handled the anger management plot and the smart bit of Chekhov's Gun.

Season 8, Episode 24: Father Knows Beast

They gave time between Spike and Smolder the shaft to redo the plot of Spike wanting to feel like his species, and at similar levels of incompetence as last time. Spike shouldn't buy into this fat jerk's game when he's been where HE went.

Season 8, Episode 25: School Raze, Part 1

I'll commend the villain bait-and-switch keeping things fresh, and the building on Tartarus. I ain't so generous towards Neighsay proving himself a loser in the hierarchy, or the silent retcon to magic. BTW, screw that one Twilight line!

Season 8, Episode 26: School Raze, Part 2

Horribly waste the CMC's one time to shine in a finale, give the desperate, hateful tool a desperate, dumb redemption, paint one of the show's best villains as a freaking pushover, AND write idiocy by plot demand, will you!? What a mess!

Special 6: Best Gift Ever

What a palate cleanser! They drew a full circle for the storyline and crafted a seamless journey full of charisma, sacrifice, entertaining headbutting and total nerdiness. The few patches of yellow snow have no effect on this intelligent Christmas tale.

Special 7: Equestria Girls: Spring Breakdown

I want to break down at the misplaced regrets and the out-of-nowhere casual pause the story has when there's supposed to be an emergency. Also, they misrepresent The Movie, SOMEHOW. The beginning and ending are better than the middle.

Season 9, Episode 1: The Beginning of the End, Part 1

I don't get making Sombra a hammy villain when three are literally right over there. Or NOT using the Crystal Empire's power again. But, for it's cute trope awareness and exciting cliffhanger, those things can be overlooked.

Season 9, Episode 2: The Beginning of the End, Part 2

They made the stakes higher and more personal than they've EVER been, and gave the Mane 6 a revelation they NEEDED to hear. If only there weren't the issues of the pacing, Discord's implicit ulterior motive and lore muddling.

Season 9, Episode 3: Uprooted

Yona is the perfect voice of reason! The episode constantly wins me over in the transition from the students' appropriately childish plans to their ultimate compromise. The ending also builds off their connection with the Tree of Harmony up to now.

Season 9, Episode 4: Sparkle's Seven

A strong teaching of how the least obvious option is sometimes the most, including what WAS the most obvious at first. Spike's relationship to Twilight's family was finally cleared up for a sweet character arc, and a crafty ending twist, too.

Season 9, Episode 5: The Point of No Return

The message of perfection's impossibility and how much it can leave you feeling stuck is clear and valuable, but what it takes for the story to reach that life lesson is a severe sense of zigzagging with needlessly mean-spirited bits.

Season 9, Episode 6: Common Ground

Quibble Pants maintaining his character development? Cool! A nerd trying only to be seen by a child as more than a joke or inferior replacement to their lost parent? VERY cool! Rainbow's actions and speeches? They leave me a very confused man.

Season 9, Episode 7: She's All Yak

Hmm, maybe if Twilight had told her friends about making the ball an open invite to the outside clans? Seems silly to neglect THAT thought! Yona and Sandbar's thing is cute, but I didn't come out of this fully convinced of their compatibility.

Season 9, Episode 8: Frenemies

No complaints here! Chrysalis, Tirek and Cozy Glow make for a hilarious vitriolic trio. Never a dull moment in witnessing their respective strategies, and deigning to cooperate, only to find themselves enjoying the helping hands. It was humanizing.

Season 9, Episode 9: Sweet and Smoky

What is this, a comedy? Garble's time with Spike feels like they never left Season 2, they try to give the guy an embarrassing (and random) secret, but have him bullied WITHOUT revealing it, and glorify a Chekhov's Gun for a redundant reason.

Season 9, Episode 10: Going to Seed

How do you miss a guy looking so exhausted and in bad need of backup? Applejack would recognize Big Mac's condition. Aside from that and a rushed turn, the Apple sisters are very precious. Rediscovering the child within is a touching journey.

Season 9, Episode 11: Student Counsel

They're really exacerbating the problems with the School of Friendship and actively doing nothing about them. The story, still, does provide an effective deception and a gripping danger dodging scene. Oh yes, and Maud completes this episode.

Season 9, Episode 12: The Last Crusade

Crazy to imagine Scootaloo's goodwill with her long-absent parents, but it's easy to care less about that when the mom and dad are chill, all the emotions spark true, and they pay respects to the Cutie Mark Crusaders' historical importance.

Season 9, Episode 13: Between Dark and Dawn

Celestia and Luna bitching at each other is feeling like imagination bankruptcy by now. Also, I cannot buy that Twilight would give her former mentor so little credit, believing she had no pragmatism in running Equestria for centuries.

Special 8: My Little Pony: Rainbow Roadtrip

Massively wholesome character stuff with a simple story that manages to justify the extra runtime. At the core is an important, wise moral on how when old traditions run dry, it's worth reminding why they were traditions to begin with.

Special 9: Equestria Girls: Sunset's Backstage Pass

A wonderful sub-series closes out on some high-energy insanity, a surprisingly vital-to-the-story decoy, prime cuteness, and "villains" whom, though barely existent for most of the special, deliver one HECK of a banger! Thanks!

Season 9, Episode 14: The Last Laugh

Weird Al's range shined from performing a joyless and desperate Cheese Sandwich, and swapping right back to his usual upbeat and enthusiastic self again. I can appreciate the story all set in a more optimistic corporate environment, as well.

Season 9, Episode 15: 2, 4, 6, Greaaat

See, this is what happens in a story when you write a character around IT. It created a flaw in Rainbow Dash that gaslights us about the years spent establishing her. They also ended this plot on a note that paints an awfully bleak picture.

Season 9, Episode 16: A Trivial Pursuit

As funny as Twilight's lunacy is in theory, it isn't to see her obsess over another trivial (no pun intended) goal, and flaunt this snobby prima-donna conduct to everyone, friends included. Sunburst's repetitive padding didn't help either.

Season 9, Episode 17: The Summer Sun Setback

Twilight's growth hit the ideal spot. If only a visible road there preceded this episode. The villains perfectly performed to their strengths, but they expect me to fathom that the last leg of their trip was free of further obstacles?

Season 9, Episode 18: She Talks to Angel

I'm getting the strangest marriage counseling energies here. It's amusing to hear Angel Bunny speak English when in a pony's body, although I think this conflict comes off as one-sided, especially with an animal character so intelligent.

Season 9, Episode 19: Dragon Dropped

Spike and Gabby feel like an obvious duo; shocking it took so long to put them together. I just dislike how they framed it as some love triangle. Why Rarity is suddenly the one so wanting of Spike makes no sense. It speaks ill of their bond.

Season 9, Episode 20: A Horse Shoe-In

I'm rather amazed that Trixie's stunt near the end didn't raise concerns about the School's safety. It's great how she unintentionally gives some things of worth to the students until that point. The last minutes are where some iffiness is.

Season 9, Episode 21: Daring Doubt

What the actual hell are they talking about?! Why is Fluttershy airheaded about peaceful approaches, and with such petty, unapproachable people? How'd this hole-filled, last minute villain's empathetic background spawn? Rushed redemption much?!

Season 9, Episode 22: Growing Up is Hard to Do

The ONE time the CMC could grow up with their voice actresses! It's a story that's entertaining in it's (familiar) simplicity. Coming of age is an art, in a sense. However, there's that outdated feel to the kids' characterizations.

Season 9, Episode 23: The Big Mac Question

Lots of kicks to get out of this long comedy of errors and in-character Discord shenanigans. They just look kind of silly by TRUSTING Discord with an innocent gesture, not to mention there's a strange absence of some supporting players.

Season 9, Episode 24: The Ending of the End, Part 1

Okay, to start positive: Rarity strenuously throwing debris is charming. So is Pinkie's Party Bazooka. But oh my googly GOD, Cozy Glow's special brand of villainy is gone, and the action feels like it was pencilled while blind!

What they meant to be Twilight making a hard and heartbreaking choice came out more as idiotic and cowardly, knowing her abilities! Plus, did anyone remember who Discord was when they agreed upon that plot twist which, beyond a convenience for the stakes, is WORTHLESS?!

Season 9, Episode 25: The Ending of the End, Part 2

My time watching a cartoon season and appreciating it's developments has NEVER been more fulfilling! /s How OLD is this script?! Why did the villains get great showings before, and then wind up reduced to lackadaisical twats?!

Some bits I WANT to like, but there isn't enough genuine relief to not feel insulted and mortified by all the rapid stupidity, obviously haphazard progression, unearned "payoffs", and those fucking vomitous lines from Applejack and Twilight in the midpoint! I HATE this!

Season 9, Episode 26: The Last Problem

Truthfully, it's a bit of a ways off from a grand masterpiece. I blame some elements that felt meaningful in earlier stories, but pointless here, and those character decisions that stretch the premise of the Mane 6 overworking to absurdity.

Nonetheless, a natural conclusion was drawn finely in this final status quo upheaval, they didn't miss a beat on the poignancy of the change these friends must cope with, everything's still wide open for the imagination, and the outro song? Exceptional. Ideal end point.

My My Little Pony Episode Opinions (Part 1)

Ever since the beginning of this year, i've been rewatching My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, though have been extremely slow in getting to the seasons past the third. I mean, the year's almost over and I still have four more to watch. On Twitter, i've made a thread dedicated to opining about each episode I revisit, which is to include not only the main show, but also all of the Equestria Girls films and specials, the 2017 theatrical film, and the Christmas and Rainbow Roadtrip specials. Currently, I have done everything up to the end of Season 5. Also, I should note that i'm leaving out shorts and music videos for the sake of keeping things streamlined.

Anyway, here's my long list of thoughts i've constructed so far in the tweets, with the character limit Twitter allowed:

Season 1, Episode 1: Friendship is Magic, Part 1

The humble beginnings. It doesn't waste time in providing the foundations of our main characters, and is also an informative preview of what can be expected out of the show besides world-threatening conflicts. Ideal start point.

Season 1, Episode 2: Friendship is Magic, Part 2

Everyone contributes organically to the climax setup, and none of it feels rushed despite the time limit. I can also give Nightmare Moon props for her proactivity. Too bad about Spike being mostly sidelined at the end, though.

Season 1, Episode 3: The Ticket Master

Cute seasonal setup episode with fun visuals, though my favourite part is how one character has the end goal of financially supporting her folks in mind for attending, while the others have reasons more hedonistic or thirsty as F in nature.

Season 1, Episode 4: Applebuck Season

This episode speaks to me louder now than it did way back then. I have to question how much it was going to take for Applejack's friends (besides Twilight) to notice how out of it she clearly was by her actions, but it's a barrel of laughs.

Season 1, Episode 5: Griffon the Brush Off

Pinkie Pie in top form. New person got poisonous attitude? Use a party! Although, I wonder if her "she might give it back" comment about Gilda stealing that apple (and then eating it) was made because Gilda's a bird. Imagine THAT scene.

Season 1, Episode 6: Boast Busters

Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Rarity's attempts to upstage Trixie feel like natural end results, though the episode SORELY overlooks Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy in the matter. Also, Spike gets repetitive. Trixie? Delightfully theatrical entrance!

Season 1, Episode 7: Dragonshy

As our first exposure to dragon mannerisms and power outside of little Spike, it's pretty intriguing. Even better, it took the first big steps in the right direction for Fluttershy's character. Sadly, Angel Bunny's would only get worse from here.

Season 1, Episode 8: Look Before You Sleep

Gotta have an episode to remind me what kind of cartoon i'm rewatching. Seriously though, it never gets too sickly sweet, thanks to the entertaining antagonism. But was staying at Twilight's house REALLY the only option for BOTH ponies?

Season 1, Episode 9: Bridle Gossip

The effects of the Poison Joke flower were the REAL stars of this episode. Also pre-Cutie Mark Crusaders Apple Bloom. I think most of us can agree it's odd how Twilight is skeptical for most of it, then changes her tune at surface-level stuff.

Season 1, Episode 10: Swarm of the Century

Parasprites are terrifying and gross creatures that shouldn't exist. Pretty darn convenient that the Andrea Libman-voiced pony who ISN'T the animal caretaker knows about these things and how to remove them. Proves her intellect well.

Season 1, Episode 11: Winter Wrap Up

The song is still lovely, and the resolution plays to one of Twilight's greatest strengths. Nice use of Chekhov's Gun. However, I can't help thinking the disaster could've been avoided if a moment was taken to remember "Oh yeah, telekinesis."

Season 1, Episode 12: Call of the Cutie

Someone needed to call out Twist for her betrayal. Where's the justice? That aside, this episode makes one thing perfectly clear about Apple Bloom: she ain't her sister, and this road of self-discovery begins by stepping out of her shadow.

Season 1, Episode 13: Fall Weather Friends

A case where Applejack and Rainbow Dash butt heads in the heat of competition, and fun stuff is done with it. I love how it has a dash of The Tortoise and the Hare at the end, just because they could do it. All they need is a rematch.

Season 1, Episode 14: Suited For Success

Art of the Dress is still a masterwork. Twilight and the others are lucky that Rarity didn't hold their "looking the gift horse in the mouth" (as the ending lesson put it) against them. Also, I guess Spike's a ghost here. Do NOT miss out!

Season 1, Episode 15: Feeling Pinkie Keen

I enjoy me a round of cartoon slapstick, and this episode doesn't disappoint there, though I feel the Pinkie Sense could've been handled a bit differently in hindsight. Like, imagine it's a condition Pinkie has that's cured by "doozies"?

Season 1, Episode 16: Sonic Rainboom

It demonstrates one of the fantastical feats one of the heroines can pull off outside of cartoon logic. And Libman's acting chops. One thing i'll say is that you can probably get to the competition with about half the scenes leading up to it.

Season 1, Episode 17: Stare Master

I think Twilight's motivations could've been ANYTHING to get her in the petrified state, but the Cutie Mark Crusaders, like the children they are, are likable in their never-ending activity bouncing off Fluttershy. The Stare's quite an anomaly.

Season 1, Episode 18: The Show Stoppers

An unfortunate aftereffect of this episode is the running gag it'd attach to the Cutie Mark Crusaders for a good while to come. Within the episode itself, the talent show kind of comes off as an element as random as the montage escapades.

Season 1, Episode 19: A Dog and Pony Show

Seriously, what MLP fan doesn't love Rarity getting under the Diamond Dogs' skin with her squeaky whining? One part I find a bit nonsense was Twilight going "But only Rarity finds gems.", and one second later: "Wait, Rarity taught me."

Season 1, Episode 20: Green Isn't Your Color

FUN FACT: this was the first FiM episode I properly watched, so I have a bias in calling it one of my absolute favourites. Fluttershy's situation is why I never want to have celebrity status, but I also identify with Rarity's plight.

Season 1, Episode 21: Over a Barrel

Now Applejack and Rainbow Dash deny others their chance to speak for themselves in a potential compromise, and they aren't called out for it as much as they SHOULD be. Worse: one of the earliest examples of Pinkie being outright brain-dead.

Season 1, Episode 22: A Bird in the Hoof

For a molting bird, Philomena was quite a crafty little stinker, wasn't she? Sure produced some good laughs in the climax. I appreciate the ending revelation making sense of Celestia leaving her sickly pet behind, the conflict's catalyst.

Season 1, Episode 23: The Cutie Mark Chronicles

A wholesome anthology-type episode where everything meets up neatly in the middle. The circumstances are very conveniently coincidental, yet they still defy the whole common "it was your destiny" trope in a strange sort of way.

Season 1, Episode 24: Owl's Well That Ends Well

The beginning's on the nose, and you'd swear that Owlowiscious WAS threatening Spike's position with his 24-hour presence. It gets pretty ridiculous thanks to a lack of desperately-needed communication. Also, this image here, man!

Season 1, Episode 25: Party of One

The story mixes brilliantly deceptive foreshadowing in the prologue, a believable insecurity in Pinkie, a hilarious demonstration of vocal range from Libman, and a great moral on knowing your best friends like the back of your hand. Perfection!

Season 1, Episode 26: The Best Night Ever

Strong start, then it swerves into nonsense country. First season finale: main protagonist is barely in the plot. Fluttershy gave us a funny freakout, make no mistake, but at what cost? Finally, the ending is depressing in numerous ways.

Season 2, Episode 1: The Return of Harmony, Part 1

A magnificent introduction to Discord. What made his plan to corrupt the heroes brilliant is that he did it while their friendship was still young, and they organically behave like how they characteristically would on bad days.

Season 2, Episode 2: The Return of Harmony, Part 2

Spike got to be a plot convenience. Now, one thing I think could've been tweaked in this episode is the memory spell deal. Twilight's friends may have easily had their true selves restored by their unity in the last few minutes.

Season 2, Episode 3: Lesson Zero

Still a hilarious episode, and the funniest Twilight's freak-outs ever got. But besides it's humour, the show wouldn't have moved forward as much without it. Also, those ponies are totally jealous of Spike's purple unicorn friendship seniority.

Season 2, Episode 4: Luna Eclipsed

One has to wonder how much of a break Luna was taking since her previous appearance to have this out-of-touch position here. No matter, though. This episode is interesting for how it shows Twilight, a student, becoming the master for a night.

Season 2, Episode 5: Sisterhooves Social

It's not only cute, but important. First, it goes to show that cutting someone out of your life doesn't simply begin with a declaration. Second, it's essentially every good sibling's childhood fabrication of a good guy & bad guy scenario.

Season 2, Episode 6: The Cutie Pox

Here's a good message: there's no reward in taking the easy way out, because the easy way out doesn't really exist (or at least doesn't have to). Although, if the titular disease is that widely known, shouldn't the signs have been seen sooner?

Season 2, Episode 7: May the Best Pet Win!

I do not get why Fluttershy doesn't object more to Rainbow's snubbing of Tank. He's a good boy, that tortoise. With how present he was, it would've been a plot twist to NOT have him get the win. Pretty strange episode here, I must say.

Season 2, Episode 8: The Mysterious Mare Do Well

My god, the staggering lack of self-awareness of one simple fact they demonstrate: EVERYONE'S got an ego, just in differing sizes. I think they wanted too much for Rainbow Dash to be seen in the wrong by the lengths of her idiocy.

Season 2, Episode 9: Sweet and Elite

I need to pay my respects to this episode for playing with the old "liar is a liar who's revealed as a liar in the end" type of story a little. We got a genuinely charming minor character out of it. Pure wholesomeness permeates the runtime.

Season 2, Episode 10: Secret of My Excess

Growing pains ahoy! Spike got a well-told lesson about giving from the heart over taking because of temptation, but since his species is mysterious at this point, bit of a time waster to consult the local PONY healthcare first, Twilight.

Season 2, Episode 11: Hearth's Warming Eve

Always a good watch around Christmas. It's history lesson on the show's main setting is easily digestible, yet a bit complex, and the in-universe casting is perfect. I think all that's missing is an appearance from Twilight's parents.

Season 2, Episode 12: Family Appreciation Day

So, the entire town of Ponyville, not just that one big apple orchard, owes it's existence to magic fruit? That's oddly specific. Also odd how a more direct rescheduling method stares at everyone right in the face, and no one saw it.

Season 2, Episode 13: Baby Cakes

Isn't it weird how Pinkie seems to have realizations of how in over her head she is, yet basically proceeds with her old strategy anyway, and just never uses what she learns as she goes along for the sake of the obvious end episode moral? Crazy.

Season 2, Episode 14: The Last Roundup

Applejack had a pretty realistic reaction to her failure, and what's more, her skill in loophole exploitation is a devious dimension to her honesty streak. Cartoon antics aside, it's mature writing. Also, something something Derpy's voice.

Season 2, Episode 15: The Super Speedy Cider Squeezy 6000

The fact nobody in town got to know what the Flim Flam Brothers' cider tasted like BEFORE the quality control cancellation lessens their threat a bit. Nonetheless, the ending deconstructed the lesson formula hilariously.

Season 2, Episode 16: Read It and Weep

If you ever need an episode of this show that's a confidence booster when you don't know how to come out about something you've grown smitten with, this is the one. Or just watch Rainbow be likeable while trying to maintain her street cred.

Season 2, Episode 17: Hearts and Hooves Day

Besides how the conflict came about from someone neglecting to mention an important detail to the CMC, and maybe too much of the sugary lover names, this is a funny step outside the Cutie Mark obsession comfort zone. A cute song, too.

Season 2, Episode 18: A Friend in Deed

The Smile Song is still the ultimate feel-good song. The story that follows it has a heartwarming Chekhov's Gun payoff, but the lesson Pinkie should've learned was the importance of minding her personality around someone new and unfamiliar.

Season 2, Episode 19: Putting Your Hoof Down

By the end, i'm left puzzled as to why they'd overlook the detail where assertiveness turned into needless aggression. It should have some slightly bigger repercussions than what happens, as hilarious as Fluttershy's loud rampage is.

Season 2, Episode 20: It's About Time

This is an episode of it's time. The audacity to poke fun at all the bogus doomsday predictions that used to run rampant, and put Twilight in the position of an overanxious believer. So much she forgot that she lived in the royal city once.

Season 2, Episode 21: Dragon Quest

If this episode just had a few elements added on to it, like some female dragon characters, and interactions with the seasoned adults, it'd come off less like a "cute and girly good, rad and boyish bad" story mixed in with the intended message.

Season 2, Episode 22: Hurricane Fluttershy

You can tell the show's beard is growing here. They tactfully handled the childhood bullying trauma and fit it seamlessly into a lesson about even the tiniest things having difference-making potential. Fluttershy really defined courage.

Season 2, Episode 23: Ponyville Confidential

What's admirable about this story is that regardless of anything that compels the CMC to go through with their hurtful journalism, they are still accountable for their actions and need to earn forgiveness. And voice-of-reason Rarity.

Season 2, Episode 24: MMMystery on the Friendship Express

This was specifically written and drawn to give us dessert cravings, I swear. Besides the fun film homages, if they wanted the mystery factor, it was hurt by both the nighttime silhouettes having the distinct pony shape.

Season 2, Episode 25: A Canterlot Wedding, Part 1

There were quite a handful of questions that Twilight could've easily brought up if she were to have any chance of helping her case about "Cadance". Shining Armor needed better explaining, too. But dang, does it strike the heart.

Season 2, Episode 26: A Canterlot Wedding, Part 2

The second half of this two-parter went hard. The song, This Day Aria, went hard. The villain, Chrysalis, went hard. The action went hard. Lastly, it opened the gateway for villain returns and other family stories. What a finish.

Season 3, Episode 1: The Crystal Empire, Part 1

It gets off to a slow start, not helped by a song number, but they nicely pulled off the long-lost kingdom angle with traumatized amnesia victims clashing against the eye candy environment. Nobody feels out-of-character, either.

Season 3, Episode 2: The Crystal Empire, Part 2

King Sombra, for his limited screen time, is a believable threat, like a smart cross between a posthumous antagonist and a cataclysmic force. That aside, parts of this episode play out like novel narration, and it's kind of funny.

Season 3, Episode 3: Too Many Pinkie Pies

Goes to show there's only room for one of any iconic character. They earned points for making not an episode with Flanderization, but an episode that fires a shot at Flanderization. Then points are lost for an overly-elaborate solution.

Season 3, Episode 4: One Bad Apple

Someone I know put it best about the CMC's revenge stunt, long ago: "That's not bullying, that's retribution." The song's serviceable, but what's bothersome in this story is the surprising lack of adult presence, and some bits of underreacting.

Season 3, Episode 5: Magic Duel

There was more smoke & mirrors magicianry than in Trixie's debut, oddly. It's an overall good time with a spectacular antagonist comeback, except for that uncharacteristic display of cowardice from Fluttershy when her friend's life depends on her.

Season 3, Episode 6: Sleepless in Ponyville

Hey, it's an animated look into a child's patterns and emotional weakness, topped with an unofficial adoption on the spot. This is why Scootaloo is my favourite CMC. One note: I never saw Sweetie Belle's sour note as a continuity fail.

Season 3, Episode 7: Wonderbolts Academy

The academy scenes are great, Lightning Dust is a fun foil to Rainbow, but the stuff with Pinkie and co. needed to be shortened, as the ending's a little rushed. Twilight or Applejack could've quickly come up with the care package idea.

Season 3, Episode 8: Apple Family Reunion

I doubt it was at all intentional, but the way I see it, there's a bit of dark comedy to the overtones of Applejack's reunion arrangements, and that's got me feeling uneasy. Worse, not enough Babs Seed time to warrant her reappearance.

Season 3, Episode 9: Spike at Your Service

Many fans hate this episode, but I can't. It's so bad, it's great. Although, it'd be funnier if the Dragon Code was just a shopping list, and nobody realized it. Speaking of what-ifs, surprised Rarity didn't have a big fit of jealousy.

Season 3, Episode 10: Keep Calm and Flutter On

I always found the pacing in this episode fine for such a big shake-up to a character. It worked because Discord had a believable layer added to his chaotic nature, but also, in the end, everyone knows his redemption has just begun.

Season 3, Episode 11: Just for Sidekicks

If Spike was reminded that he could always go digging for more gems, and Angel Bunny wasn't portrayed as unaccountable, despite his clear sentience, I wouldn't scratch my head at this. At least Zecora remembers the threat greed poses.

Season 3, Episode 12: Games Ponies Play

It's too convenient that nothing about inspecting the games or the name "Ms. Harshwhinny" manages to leave anyone's mouth around the excitable visitor they mistake for the inspector, until near the end. Said visitor's likeable, good thing.

Season 3, Episode 13: Magical Mystery Cure

Sure, it feels like there's a missing episode to this plot, but the song numbers are beautiful and Twilight is properly rewarded for her initiative and knowledge. If you can call this an amnesia episode, it actually gets amnesia right.

Film 1: My Little Pony: Equestria Girls

If it isn't dragging it's feet because of obligatory world-building or Twilight forgetting obvious concepts, it's got me questioning some of the characters' awareness. Bop of a song, cute interactions, messy story. Less ideal start point.

Season 4, Episode 1: Princess Twilight Sparkle, Part 1

The episode draws you into the mystery it's setting up, and pulls cunning misdirection. But, something I thought about now: why don't they use Spike's letter-sending fire to try getting a lock on where the Royal Sisters are?

Season 4, Episode 2: Princess Twilight Sparkle, Part 2

Cons: undercooked Nightmare Moon background, and Twilight's friends deciding to send her home too easily. Pros: Discord being a fun stinker in mentor tactics, and the lesson of a friendship lasting beyond where it started.

Season 4, Episode 3: Castle Mane-ia

A serviceable episode that provides a logical follow-up to the retired formula of the past seasons, but otherwise it doesn't do anything of interest with this historical setting but the golden age horror homages as obligatory as the title pun.

Season 4, Episode 4: Daring Don't

The twist in this episode makes sense with the compact in-universe lore of the character in question, and what it comes with is a subversive, but still relatable take on the "never meet your heroes" cliché. Just one thing: remember it for later.

Season 4, Episode 5: Flight to the Finish

This undoubtedly went some personal. psychological places for kids, because for all the right reasons, this is pretty sad to watch, comical bits aside. Nothing to complain about, other than the status quo blatantly butting in at the end.

Season 4, Episode 6: Power Ponies

You gotta laugh at Fluttershy having a rage fit, but if you're gonna paint your story like Spike's friends aren't taking his comic knowledge or instructions very seriously, make more use of that leeway you have with an enchanted book's powers.

Season 4, Episode 7: Bats!

The very real dangers of peer pressure and the very real problem of pest infestations and how to control them, all in one episode. Dang, what a juggling act. That impresses me. Though, you'd expect a balance in the characters seeing sides at the start.

Season 4, Episode 8: Rarity Takes Manehattan

A smart piece of commentary on switching environments and giving out trust. It's easy to understand Rarity almost sacrificing her ethics and devolving into one of the dog-eat-dog city folk, after simple goodness came back to bite her.

Season 4, Episode 9: Pinkie Apple Pie

It exemplifies the best of a family dynamic. When they drive each other up the wall, but nobody gets hurt in any fashion and they resolve the tension on their own, they're functional. Additionally, Pinkie was funny and smart this go-around.

Season 4, Episode 10: Rainbow Falls

Fundamentally awkward story for Rainbow Dash's "key". It shouldn't be that exciting for her to fly with the Wonderbolts. She already does! Yet despite the repeated continuity nod, that detail is conveniently ignored. Plus: that's not Spitfire!

Season 4, Episode 11: Three's A Crowd

If they didn't spend so much time saying Discord had a (fake) problem, Twilight and Cadance's bonding could've been more interesting. Why WOULDN'T Cadance want a fully peaceful day with Twilight after the craziness in the past two seasons?!

Season 4, Episode 12: Pinkie Pride

What an episode to air on my 20th birthday! Cheese Sandwich steals the show, and we see a case of a prideful person who doesn't aim to upstage anybody. The live-action shots are gags straight out of SpongeBob, and I love them for that. Perfect!

Season 4, Episode 13: Simple Ways

Goofy, but meaningful. Goes to show that when you think you can change yourself to someone else, you need an accident for your true character to re-emerge. A love triangle was a useful plot device, even. You wouldn't expect that normally. LOL

Season 4, Episode 14: Filli Vanilli

Plot convenient continuity nodding and a realistic take on facing your fears for the win! As for Pinkie's bit, I can say it was fine for one time, but when it's repeated, especially in succession, it's just writing her as a brain-dead babbler.

Season 4, Episode 15: Twilight Time

And there's our special lesson on how association can possibly be a curse, even if, for a short time, it looks like a blessing. It just could've been heavier on the show over the tell. On another note: how about some justice for Randolph, huh?

Season 4, Episode 16: It Ain't Easy Being Breezies

I find it fascinating to see how an act of goodwill can still come from someone betraying their biggest moral trait. That's a strong message. That said, the ending solution feels comically convenient, and the problem puzzling.

Season 4, Episode 17: Somepony to Watch Over Me

Oh, you poor idiot plot. Applejack can't be bothered to remember outside helpers until the worst moment, and I don't get why they bothered characterizing the chimera. That song cancellation gag and action scene were good, though.

Season 4, Episode 18: Maud Pie

I love Maud. Absolutely adorable in her monotone, and a positive example of how emotions and opinions can come from different reactions than the expected. A few nitpicks in character and scenario writing, but otherwise a lovely, must-see episode.

Season 4, Episode 19: For Whom the Sweetie Belle Toils

Once again, Rarity and Sweetie Belle carry an important story. It's a familiar feeling, seeing the older sibling as a villain, leading to a touching revelation by the perspective shift. An anti-revenge note also don't hurt.

Season 4, Episode 20: Leap of Faith

A balanced take on the matter of well-meant lies versus difficult truths, because while everyone obviously needed to hear the latter, the former brought vital details of body and spirit to light which might've been forgotten about otherwise.

Season 4, Episode 21: Testing Testing 1, 2, 3

I'm all for them passing down THIS kind of knowledge. The idea of how one can achieve it without consciously trying to exercise their intelligence. Not so much for most things that pay off starting as spells of incompetence. Oh well.

Season 4, Episode 22: Trade Ya!

It goes pretty swimmingly for a bit. I'd say the setting had some amusing escalation. But then one subplot seems to skip a beat, and the ending conflict feels too last-minute and easily avoidable to get invested in. Now, who wants chicken dippers?

Season 4, Episode 23: Inspiration Manifestation

The moral of Spike's journey: if you are friends with someone, even love them, and you're willing to call them out for their mistakes (which they recognize), that's a testament of a true bond. The lesson's progression was on point.

Season 4, Episode 24: Equestria Games

Did we necessarily need an Olympics backdrop and episodes building up to the event to tell THIS story? It's simply a (fine) lesson on expectation and celebrity mortality. Also, that dumb, long gag should've had a comedic (and quick) cutaway.

Season 4, Episode 25: Twilight's Kingdom, Part 1

It gets so much right as a first part. It presents the reality of pep talks being great, but not always certain to heal an insecurity immediately, creatively utilizes Chekhov's Gun, and establishes Tirek as a cool force of nature.

Season 4, Episode 26: Twilight's Kingdom, Part 2

The fight had no reason to go that anime, and I love it! Icing on a cake layered by a show-stealing villain, two congruent arc conclusions, thrilling stakes, and how it ends with an unapologetic, radical restructuring! Fecking! A!

Film 2: Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks

What can I say besides that Sunset had a realistic and rewarding redemption, I laughed, they cohesively built drama off a wound from the original's conflict, the villain songs are the sickest beats in this franchise, and more?! It's��� ART!

Season 5, Episode 1: The Cutie Map, Part 1

You wouldn't think MLP would use it's cute image to thinly disguise a light psycho-thriller. Pinkie's uncharacteristic behaviour actually works to a pretty humorous benefit. Though I scratch my head at the town's self-sustainment means.

Season 5, Episode 2: The Cutie Map, Part 2

The heroes pulled some airtight manipulation and deception, and Starlight Glimmer's self-interest reveal is an effective spot to leave her in for what's to come. Her secret is revealed by an odd convenience, but nothing story-breaking.

Season 5, Episode 3: Castle Sweet Castle

Massively poignant episode that respectfully handles the pains of leaving home forever and adapting to a new place of residence, paired with a heartfelt tribute to the show's continuity and previous status quo. Ingenious resolution there.

Season 5, Episode 4: Bloom & Gloom

The first nightmare sequence captures the eerie similarity to reality real dreams have to a T. Babs Seed being mentioned, but absent is strongly felt, though. Like, "should've probably had physical presence" (in dreamland) felt. That's just me.

Season 5, Episode 5: Tanks for the Memories

While I respect this children's cartoon's creative take on the 5 Stages of Grief, they egregiously overplay how much of a change Tank's hibernation really is. "This isn't good-bye. It's just good-bye 'til next time." - remember that?

Season 5, Episode 6: Appleoosa's Most Wanted

Everyone's pointed out how the writer forgot what makes a Cutie Mark manifest, but I found it rather annoying that the CMC weren't quick to stand up for the poor alleged criminal. Also, i'm lost on the comedy of his self-harm. Yipes.

Season 5, Episode 7: Make New Friends but Keep Discord

Following from Discord's redemption arc, it highlights just how little he's been offered a hand in friendship to react how he does. Spoiled, close-minded, and still a fun scene stealer. But, Smooze is gross and superfluous.

Season 5, Episode 8: The Lost Treasure of Griffonstone

Quite a bold twist to take former friends who couldn't possibly ever restore the goodwill between each other, but manage to because of a little hidden nostalgia for happiness they never stopped valuing. Gold among the junk.

Season 5, Episode 9: Slice of Life

It's an insane train ride of fan service, not much motivation behind it but that, but dang does it demonstrate the setting's inherent goofiness and cement it as a lived-in place. Part of me thinks the Mane 6 characters should've been excluded.

Season 5, Episode 10: Princess Spike

Spike really doesn't just come off as a kid enjoying getting cool stuff in this, but uncomfortably tyrannical. Adding on, Twilight being treated as the center of the kingdom, the one with all the answers, is ludicrously sudden and incredible.

Season 5, Episode 11: Party Pooped

I see the aim of the moral, how the journey can mean more than the destination, but I think another message is to be taken away from this episode. That is insanity. Constant, predictable actions leading to predictable, and repetitious, results.

Season 5, Episode 12: Amending Fences

They did a great job resolving the loose end of Twilight's forgotten friends, and stating that the mistake of one shouldn't make others tied to that person accomplices in hurting somebody. If Twilight just wasn't so forward, it'd be perfect.

Season 5, Episode 13: Do Princesses Dream of Magic Sheep?

Besides how creepy it is that Luna's been secretly doing this self-punishment thing ever since she reformed, the reveal behind the Tantabus's origin is handled in such a blasé manner. Points for creative action, though.

Season 5, Episode 14: Canterlot Boutique

The rejected altered dress deserved a happy ending, damn it! I thought that Sassy Saddles was such a self-centered, callous person, her turn at the end was too little, too late. They even confused workplace depression with pride. So dumb.

Season 5, Episode 15: Rarity Investigates!

This is definitely something you watch more for the fun film noir homages than the actual mystery, but it does have value in teaching the importance of heeding details. Very smart use of Rarity's character, and her dynamic with Rainbow.

Season 5, Episode 16: Made in Manehattan

It's hilarious that the problem they needed to mend literally stumbles into them from the sky. Prime plot convenience. But hey, I can respect when they pay respects to the simpler ways to help people. Also Coco Pommel, that cinnamon bun.

Season 5, Episode 17: Brotherhooves Social

The ending makes for a genuine and heartwarming sibling moment. I know that sense of inferiority born from a relation to someone with great achievements. But why put minutes of generic, awkwardness-peppered comedy in front of it, guys?

Season 5, Episode 18: Crusaders of the Lost Mark

They pulled off the most original way they could've closed out the CMC's longest-running plotline. I don't find that Diamond Tiara's abrupt shift in sympathy eliciting hurts that story too much. The songs won me over on it easily.

Season 5, Episode 19: The One Where Pinkie Pie Knows

Boy, was this a heavy allegory for spoilers, and what joys in the world are worth not having spoiled for you. Surprisingly, a scene lasting seconds effectively humanized Shining Armor more than his wife. Hobbies give you life.

Season 5, Episode 20: Hearthbreakers

A good moral on how the important thing about someone's yearly traditions is that they're happy with them, and what does the same for you should harmonize with them. What thwarts it a bit is Applejack's uncharacteristic disregard for consent.

Season 5, Episode 21: Scare Master

Now that's a twist, to say that if you don't want any part in an activity, even if it reveals talent you didn't know you had, you're under no obligation to regularly invest your time in it, even for friends. Also, relevant episode is relevant.

Season 5, Episode 22: What About Discord?

Did this episode WANT things to be left up to viewer interpretation? Whatever the case, it sure paints the ponies (not named Twilight) as oblivious to the comedic Rule of Three, and somehow, Twilight is insane AND sympathetic. Awkward.

Season 5, Episode 23: The Hooffields and McColts

It feels weird to have an environmentalism story sneak up on you when the focus has been so hard on a petty conflict over minor annoyances, but I can roll with it here. What's more odd is a big cake is baked without Pinkie Pie.

Season 5, Episode 24: The Mane Attraction

Rara made me want to joyfully cry, and I would give her all my love and protection! Seamless transition from an extravagant concert parody to a number straight from the heart. Top-tier, without question! BTW, send Svengallop to Tartarus.

Season 5, Episode 25: The Cutie Re-Mark, Part 1

And Starlight's revealed self-interest is brought to the forefront, bringing a finely executed strategy. Aside from that, the exposition gets annoyingly on the nose and long-winded. Could've spared some details. This image, though.

Season 5, Episode 26: The Cutie Re-Mark, Part 2

No point to exploring more than one alternate future when there are no obstacles. It's padding, exacerbated by Twilight being so slow and her telekinesis neglect. And why did young Starlight just stand there all glum? The nonsense!

Film 3: Equestria Girls: Friendship Games

Human Twilight differed from the pony version enough to justify her story. The Shadowbolts are fine rivals, though a few seem to come from a little underuse of the pre-existing character roster, and they get shafted hard at the very end.

[gaycrackheadraccoon]

Fucking Microwaves- America x reader

this is in retaliation for my laptop closing my original fan fiction

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Wrinkled bedsheets lay snugly around two warm bodies. Its creases dipped in soft highlights emitted from the natural starlight and the normal red and bright florescence of the city.

Shifting from underneath the blankets rang through the silent room.

3:12 am

The blonde turned his head away from the neon numbers on the bedside with a sigh. Sleep failed to reach him once again. For the last few nights he lay restless during the dim hours, the occasional drifts of peace only came so often, and he couldn't bear to wait for another minute in this damned bed.

Blue eyes looked from the popcorn ceiling to the other lump under the plush comforter. Their breaths calm and even as they snored on through their partner's troubles. A small smile made its way across his soft pale skin. Amazement always filled him at the fact that they had no trouble falling into a deep slumber.

Quietly, he propped himself up on his muscular arms before pushing him self off the bed and onto the cold wooden flooring, a shiver running up his spine at the feeling.

The hardwood creaked under his weight as he padded to the doorway. His handing reaching for its knob and carefully pulling it open to reveal the darkened hallway.

Staggering tiredly into the empty kitchen, Alfred's feet lead him along the white tiles to the fridge door. Its handle was cool to the touch as his fingers wrapped around its silver exterior. Behind its metal hatch revealed a grease stained bag of leftover McDonald's.

Maybe a snack would help, he thought to himself, taking it out. The soft white light that pour from the appliance, turning to a sliver before shutting off.

The microwave's neon green letter stood out against the darkness, guiding him towards it. Crumpling rappers and the opening of the contraption filled the air, along with the smell of a day old big Mac. Simple beep's came from the grimly coloured box, before whirling and buzzing reached the American's ear's. Satisfied, he turned away from it, staring out the window, into the dark abyss of the sky that was littered with the bright stars of sun's. He swore the same lights were in your eyes when they looked up at him. Shining orbs that were filled with love, care, and adoration for him-

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

SHIT FUCK FUCK FUCK DAMMIT HOLY FUC-

His hands quickly scrambled across the metallic surface to try to stop the loud and annoying alarm.

SHIT GOD DAMMIT WHY WON'T IT SHUT THE FUCK UP-

Its screeching suddenly cam to a stop. He swiftly looked to the doorway. Behind the shadows of the corridor lay no one. Sighing, he gazed back at the microwave, thankful he hadn't woken you up.

“Alfred-,”

“AHHHHHHHHH SHIT FUCK,” hastily he turned to face the sheet draped figure that stood unexpectedly behind him. Placing a had on his hurriedly beating heart, he glanced up to meet a face contorted to an expression of concern ,” Oh babe it's you, haha… sorry about that.”

A tinted blush arose upon his soft baby cheeks, an embarrassed look flashed through his dazzling blue eyes. A warming grasp cupped itself around his visage, pulling his head forward to their lips. A soft kiss graced his forehead. Another arm pulling him closer to their embrace before wrapping him in a hug.

“Couldn't sleep?” an exhausted groan responder to their query.

“… No,” the darkened bags that rested upon his clear skin seemly blacken more at the words.

Silently, they guided their lover out of the kitchen, once again through the dim hallway and into the silent bedroom. They sat themselves down of the bed and pulled their boyfriend onto it with them. Laying down, both sunk comfortably into the cotton sheets. Graceful hands placed the blond haired man's head upon their chest, culling their fingers through his soft matted locks.

The calming beat of their heart lulled his mind into a sense of ease. The soft breaths that caused their rib cage to rise and fall were accompanied by a nostalgic melody. With his eyelids becoming weighted, and the ability to obtain consciousness becoming scarce, he moaned out a quiet thought.

“I love you.”

And before they could respond, Alfred drifted on into a long awaited rest.

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AYO SHIT IS THAT AN UPDATE OH MY GOD

anyway heres some dumb shit non of you fuckers asked for

Imma go disappear for another three months *evaporates*

[ask-de-writer]

SULA’S SONG : Part 59 : THE DARK OF THE MOONS : A World of Sea tale (Work In Progress)

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SULA’S SONG : THE DARK OF THE MOONS        

Part 59

by

De Writer (Glen Ten-Eyck)

144995  words presently written, WORK IN PROGRESS

Copyright 2022

All  rights reserved. This document may not be copied or distributed on or to any medium or placed in any mass storage system except by the express  written consent of the author.

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Copyright fair use rules for Tumblr users

Users of Tumblr.com are specifically granted the following rights. They may    reblog the story. They may use the characters or original characters in my settings for fan fiction, fan art works, cosplay, or fan musical compositions. I will allow those who do commission art works to  charge for their images.

All sorts of Fan Activity, fiction, art, cosplay, music or anything else is ACTIVELY encouraged!

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NEW TO SULA’S SONG?  READ FROM THE BEGENNING.  

PART 1 is HERE

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Dorac fell past the horizon, taking the last of the light that made things easiest to see with it.  All that remained were the pale starlight and the ghostly luminescence of the Long Nebula, laying low in the eastern sky.

Captain Egil drummed, “Launch and fuel your strike craft.  Use no running or mast lights.  Tow the weapon boats close enough to see Corlis mast lights and cast them off.

“We go to our planned strike position to await the results of your strike before launching ours.”

As he ordered the blacked out Coral Reef to set sail for his position, Captain Egil felt both pride and anticipation.  As he paced the after-deck, he automatically scanned his vessel to be sure that all was shipshape.  The only sound was the rush and slap of water under the bows and swirling into a short lived pale blue green bioluminescent wake behind them.

He was thinking, No matter the outcome, this will let the Corlis fleet know the folly of declaring war on Karl and the Boren fleet.

After an uneventful half hour, during which his crews prepared their fire ships for launch, the lookouts reported that the position relative to the Corlis fleet was correct.  All that they could do now was wait for the visible signs that Captain Bendin's strike had happened.

When it came, the fountains of flaming, spreading fire were easily visible! With satisfaction, Captain Egil noted that the wild flames were spreading!  At least four ships were ablaze!

Now commenced the hardest part of any battle.  Waiting to be sure how to strike best!  With no lights of his own and well away from the betraying backlight of the Long Nebula, Captain Egil had edged the Coral Reef and her three deadly chicks in close enough to observe from deck level.

What he saw was a plan working even better than hoped for!  Ships downwind of the ones on fire were fleeing in panic to avoid the dangerous smoke of burning Strong Skin!  In dropping sails in emergency mode, they blocked each other's views of what was happening!  Ships were colliding and fouling each other's rigging!  

With a broad smile, he shook hands with the crews of his own strike force. “Gentlemen!  Look at what has been already done!  If you strike as instructed, this should put the Fear of Karl into those panicked fish!  Go, and Karl's blessing go with you!    

“As soon as you have set your craft as you so well know how to do, set sail straight north towards the Whale's Tail.  As soon as the Corlis fleet is hull down on the horizon, raise sail.  When their masthead lights are out of sight, raise your own so that we can pick you up for our triumphant return to our beloved fleet!”

He watched the long, low sails of the fire boats spread like near invisible wings of death, as the craft sped to hit the tangled mass that the northern portion of the Corlis fleet had become!

After what seemed an interminable wait, fire bloomed with ferocity from three different places on the upwind side of the helpless enemy!  He wa close enough to see the fire fountains of small oil soaked parchment fly up and sail their deadly way down the wind, sticking to whatever they touched!  So many sails had been deployed that the greedy flames leaped from ship to ship on wings of burning canvass scraps!

As Captain Egil ordered the Coral Reef to make sail for the planned pickup point, he counted at least seven ships with major rigging damage from their own reckless panic!  Fire accounted now for at least nine ships.  Some might be able to contain the blazes, but all were in need of major repair if not total rebuilding from the waterline on up!

Soon his lookouts reported the masthead pickup lights of his crews returning.

Far to the south, the Dark Dragon's strike ship was sneaking stealthily up on the building raft and the vessels about it.  She was loaded with a ship killer and the catapult master, Dav, was watching his instruments, kept pointed by trained observers.  Everything lined up!

Dav struck the firing sear with a mallet before things could move more! The whole little ship bucked to the recoil when the massive projectile sailed into the darkness!

Not waiting to see the results, he and Mart, one of the loaders, were grunting as they wound the massive machine back to full cock for the next shot!  Mart was reaching for another ship killer along with Behar, the other loader when they heard the observers call in nightspeech, “Hit her we did!  Took out deck, huge part!”

The two loaders paused to give thumbs up!  Encouraged, they wrestled the heavy round into the catapult and signaled clear!  Dav was scrutinizing his aiming instruments and struck again!

The catapult let go with a massive snapping twang!  The little ship bucked to the recoil again!  Dav and Mart were starting the difficult job of winding the tackle that cocked their monster catapult when Behar put her back into it as well!  The cocking took less than half the time!  Mart and Behar, high on the success of their attack, fought the third ship killer into place!

The nightspeech of the observer/aimers told them, “Close by fall short! Hull breach, two, three meter!”

Almost instantly on the heels of the news, the catapult launched its third round!  The crew, now used to the recoil had no trouble staying on their feet!  They were already working the tackle to cock the machine for its next shot when they got the welcome news from up forward!

“Hit direct!  Raft in two break!  Joining fishes, both parts.”

The next round was a hull breacher.  The observer/aimers up forward, conned the little ship playfully to line up TWO of the smaller boats that the raft had been turning out.  One was being fitted for sails, the other getting masts raised.

Dav concentrated on his instruments and as all came into register, he slammed the release!  The ship's response to the hull breacher was totally different but equally violent.  They were close enough to hear the multiple smashing and crunching as glued Strong Skin failed spectacularly under the force of a projectile designed from the beginning to shatter it!

Both of the lined up ships started to list from water rushing in through holes that ranged from merely large to too darn big to fix!  They rolled onto their sides and plunged to the bottom!

Seeing the large ship that was serving as a worker's dormitory and where reward animals were kept, trying to raise anchor and drop sail, Dav instructed the observer/aimers, “Bow, just under bowsprit give. Must not sink.  Oder of Warrior Lora is.”

The observer/aimers took their time to line up the shot for him.  The jibs were just beginning to fill with wind when the massive hull breacher ripped through the ship!  The bowsprit, shattered at its base and its stabilizing rigging partly gone, simply folded sideways. That broke the mainbrace and much of the standing and running rigging of the foremast!

Aboard the small ship that had done so much damage in so short a time, they turned their attention to the floating hulls of the remaining ships under construction.  Destroying them took very little time indeed.

They set sail for the north and a rendezvous with the Dark Dragon.

TO BE CONTINUED

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[ikefool]

Daylight

Summary: My entry for @delicateikemenmemes​‘ Theo Route Countdown Party D-2: Theo & MC.

Rating: FLUFF, this man is so in love UwU.

Pairing: IkeVamp Theo x Reader

Word Count: 952

A/N: Fluff isn’t really my thing but I tried! Please let me know what you think, hope you enjoy :)

“Theo” 

It’s the first word you speak today. Your voice wraps around it like a caress, like maybe you’ve just taken a breath, or like you've said his name in a dream. But he’s sure you’re awake, because your eyes are already open, sparkling with the diffused light that filters through the curtains. You look like fiction, something soft and glowing he conjured up himself. But you’re real, real and laughing at him.

“Still asleep?” you murmur, touching his cheek softly. 

“Hmpf” He answers, and then launches himself at you, much to your delight.

Your laugh is breathless as he buries you under the blankets, holds you tight in his arms. Tighter, tighter. You plant a kiss -soft, like the kiss of springtime sun, of a lapping shoreline, of a falling petal- right on his naked collarbone and his chest swells with happiness. He loves you, he loves you, you’ll make him burst with it.

-

“Nooo” you complain “the eggs go after the flour, or else the batter will be lumpy.”

“What’s the difference?” Theo laughs at your incredulous expression, going easily when you push him away from the bowl to take his place.

“Alright fine, if you want lumpy pancakes that’s on you” You continue to whisk the batter -it looks perfectly fine to him-, there’s a smudge of flour on your left cheek. He brushes at it quickly with his thumb, charmed by your quick smile. 

“I’ll just wait for them to be done then, since you’re the pancake expert around here.” You scrunch your face at him and Theo chuckles, tugging at the skirt of your dress until you sigh and lean in to kiss him. He doesn’t think he’ll ever get used to it; to the hitch in your breath, the stutter of his heartbeat. When he lets you go you quickly go back to your bowl, clearly flustered. You waggle the whisk at him in an empty threat, Theo just smirks.

The pancakes are delicious.

-

“This is the last shop. Don’t be dramatic, Hondje, keep up.” He walks faster just to spite you, amused at your struggle to match his brisk pace. 

“Well it’s not my fault your legs are so much longer than mine, is it?” You sprint for a few steps, poking his arm when you catch up. “You’re like a pair of compasses” you pant, fanning yourself even though the day is cool, slightly gray.

Theo decides to take pity on you, reaching out with a put-upon sigh to take your hand in his. You go quiet, smiling down at your joined hands, he squeezes softly and raises his eyebrows when you look up at him.

“Fine, one last shop” You seem to steel yourself and he has to reign in a chuckle at your determined expression. In truth, he’s tired as well, but he enjoys having your company while he runs his errands, he’s glad you’re with him.

As soon as you walk outside you start making your way to the main road, where you can finally take a carriage back to the mansion. You’ve barely walked a few steps when the sky seems to open up, the rain falls so quickly and suddenly that you let out a sharp gasp.

“Rain!” You exclaim, like you’ve never seen rain before in your life “ Oh, the flowers will be so happy back at the mansion.” You skip over to him in two steps and pull on his arm until he gives you a reluctant twirl. Your smile is bright as starlight, laugh trailing behind you as you sway happily, face up towards the sky. 

“We have to hurry, we don’t want to get wet. You'll get sick, and I’ll be stuck hearing you complain about it” Despite his stern words, his voice is soft, and he concedes to you another twirl. 

“I promise not to complain, if I do get sick” you hair sparkles with tiny water droplets “but if you’re in such a hurry…” You grasp his hand in a firm hand and pull him along, breaking out into a sprint as he follows in your wake. You’re holding an arm over your head as the rain comes down harder, but it does little to stop you from getting wet.

He considers risking letting Paris see him pick you up and carry you to the main road under his coat.

-

“Isn’t the sky beautiful?” You sigh. The sun is setting, and above you the sky glows bright yellow, orange, purple, fuschia. 

You’re sitting together on the balcony, your cup of tea empty in front of you as you lean into Theo’s side. You’re away from the noise of town, and hidden from the eyes of the other residents, so he allows himself to pull you closer until your head rests on his shoulder. You smell like soap after your bath, and you're warm at his side.

He sighs as well and looks up. Paris stretches out before him, a few lights are starting to twinkle on as the light of the sun recedes. Everything is bathed in orange and purple, streaks of color like the strokes of a brush paint the hills and the houses and you, where your breath puffs against his neck, lips parted in silent contemplation. You shift to get closer to him, snuggling into the crook of his arm. Your lashes flutter closed in content, the waning sunlight making them shimmer. He’s the one with his arm wrapped around you, but he feels as though you hold him in the palm of your hand. When he leans down to touch his lips to your forehead you give him a smile that makes his chest ache.

Yes, theo thinks, the sky is beautiful. But he only has eyes for you. 

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

Consider, mayhaps, leaving feedback?

Taglist: @juminly​

[2o2o-kit]

What your favorite Andrew Lloyd Webber musical says about you

The Likes of Us: You volunteer a lot, maybe a little too much

Joseph and Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat: You’re favorite music genre is Contemporary Christian Music

Jesus Christ Superstar: You’re a Christian but also a hippie

By Jeeves: You like your British humor served dry but with music and pigs

Evita: You like hearing everyone’s point of view, though one is clearly right

Tell Me on a Sunday: You like performing shows in the shower

Cats: You have joined a few cults

Song and Dance: You guys actually exist?!

Starlight Express: You are great at roller skating, and proud of it (and you can still here Moira Rose on tracks 7, 9 and 13)

The Phantom of the Opera: You have strong beliefs of the theatre

Aspects of Love: You wish Hallmark movies were more realistic

Sunset Boulevard: You like things from the Golden Age

Whistle Down the Wind: You from da south aren’t ya

The Beautiful Game: Somehow you were both a drama kid and a jock

The Woman in White: Love triangles are your kink

Love Never Dies: You are mentally a middle schooler, who reads and writes cringe worthy Wattpad fan fiction

The Wizard of Oz: You forget he did not write ‘Over the Rainbow’

Stephen Ward: You have a PHD in British Politics

School of Rock: You Stan Alex Brightman even before he was 🐞🧃

All of ALW’s Musicals: You don’t want quarantine you end because The Show Must Go One will probably end

[captainmvf]

OK I know your marionette sona thing isn't the actual marionette from FNAF but every time I look at your icon I actually DO think that the marionette escaped the pizzeria fire expiremented with their gender and started writing gay Starlight Express fan fiction online and it sends me into hysterics when I think about it.

I'm so sorry this took me a few days to respond to but all I got to say to that is CAHGVJHBFHJAVHBKJFAJVHBKFJNAJVGBFHKJANJVGHBFKJNBVFGHAJBKJVGHCAVJBKNCBVHAFGVJBKNLCHFGAHGVJBKNBCHFGVJBNALKVGHCFHGVJBKNALCHFXGHGVJBAKNKJVGCHFAGVJBNLKCVJHABKNLCVGHAVJBNCAHGVJBKCNAVCHGVJCHBKNKLAGCHVJCHBKANLNBHVJABKJNLAGHJHBKJCNBAVGCVJCHBKJABVGJHBKJAN

[the-metaphorical-jellicle-cat]

Fandom you haven’t written for yet but want to:

This may seem odd but I'd love to write something for either Ducktales (the reboot) or Starlight Express. The Ducktales fandom has some amazing fan fictions and a lot of their writing is fantastic. Many get into the depth of the characters and come up with some creative stories. The STEX fandom would probably be the most difficult to write for (but what am I saying I write Cats fics) since I don't know much about the show but I appreciate those who do write STEX fics. Like, they are so creative with how they take a simple show and give it so much depth.

But yeah, I'd really want to write for these fandoms.

[thegirl20]

TITLE: Surrounded by feelings I hardly recognise AUTHOR: thegirl20 FANDOM: Starlight Express (London 2024 production) PAIRING: Dinah/Greaseball SUMMARY: During Heat 1 when Electra electrocutes Greaseball and Dinah, the repercussions are a little more serious. RATING: Teen NOTES: 1. I am very new to Starlight Express 2. I have no idea how trains work 3. I have even less idea how anthropomorphic trains work 4. I looked up electrical injuries but I don't think they're the same for train carriages 5. So, in essence, apologies for any inaccuracies in terms of accepted fandom lore, train mechanics/medicine or electrical engineering 6. If you know where the title lyric is from, I hope you find it amusing

🎥: @mttztrading

[amethyst-labyrinth]

Star Cats Express

Chapter one

Disclaimer I don't own the musicals Cats or Starlight Express

The two tomcats walked side by side down the countryside lane, which lead to the local village vicarage.

"Are you, quit sure we're going the right way, Rum Tum Tugger?" The first cat asked his companion stopping to rest for a moment and clean his front paw pad.

Rum Tum Tugger sat down too and faced him.

"My dear, Mr. Mistoffelees," He said archly in an over exaggerated tone of great offence. "While I have taken up residence to live with you in a new human home, that doesn't mean I've forgotten the way to my old human home from my kitten hood days, especially since my father still lives there and I visit him regularly!"

"We've been walking an awfully long time," Mistoffelees said shooting him dubious look. "And there's so many humans out and about and the bullocks and sheep are making so much noise and did you see the size of those dogs earlier? I don't like this."

"That's because Old Deuteronomy lives an hour away from us and it's market day, it's going to take us time to get there unless you want to use your powers to get us there quicker?" Tugger suggested.

Mistoffelees scowled at him. "Are you making fun of me?" He asked flatly.

Tugger was actually taken about by this. "Mistoffelees, you know I have the utmost respect for you and your powers!" He said sincerely and any other cat would have been flattered since Tugger only respected the tribe's leader Old Deuteronomy, but Mistoffelees didn't look at all convinced.

"If I've never been somewhere before, I can't conjure myself or anyone else there. I told you that before." The conjuring cat grumbled.

"Well I'm sorry, I forgot, but regardless I still think you're wonderful and clever magic or not " Tugger said in hopes to pacify him. "Now come on let's get going again," He added giving him an affectionate head-butt. But instead the smaller cat stayed put.

"Don't you think it's strange the Jennyanydots ask us to meet her at the vicarage?" Mistoffelees asked.

"Yes, but I'm also curious as to why, aren't you?"

"No!" Misto said suddenly prickling and arching his back. "I want to go home! And I want to go home now!

Tugger quickly pounced on the smaller cat to prevent him from leaving.

"Misto, Misto, Misto," Tugger smoothed. "What is the matter?"

"I have a feeling, bad feeling!"

"What kind of bad feeling?"

"The kind that feels like impending doom!"

"How to you know what impending doom feels like?" Tugger asked matter o-factly slowly getting off the other cat.

"Because I've felt this feeling before and doom has befallen me afterwards!"

"Really?" Tugger asked with wide eyes. "When did that happen? What happened?"

"The day you followed me home!"

"Misto!" Tugger yelled bopping him on the head with his paw.

"You never left, and my precious one."

"Must you always call our human girl that?"

"Took you in and all you do is cause horrible muddles all over the house! My pillow! Why my pillow?" Mistoffelees finished yowling.

"Just wanted you to think of me when you went to sleep."

"Oh, well maybe I should start sleeping in the litter box then?"

If Tugger had not in housecat forum he would have rolled his eyes.

"Oh stop being so melodramatic," He said nudging Mistoffelees up. "Come on let's just go the vicarage and see what the old Gumbie Cat wants. Maybe she found an orphan kitten and wants us to take it in and raise it as our own. We'll be daddies and name it Tuggoffelees," Tugger said happily.

"What?" Mistoffelees said looking at him like he had grown two heads.

"What?" Tugger replied.

"Never mind," Mistoffelees grumbled. "But mark my words, Rum Tum Tugger! Doom will befall us!" He said sitting on his haunches waving his front paws up and down in a mystical fashion.

'He's so cool! Tugger thought watching him.

They continued walking and Tugger would point out various spots of interest. Presently they came upon a much larger cat walking a head of them. From what they could see most of the cat was black, but the tip tail was white as where the back paws. Tugger tensed and crouched low his ears flat, not sure if this cat was a threat or not.

"Uncle Bustopher!" Mistoffelees meowed happily running towards the large cat.

"Quaxo, my boy!" Bustopher Jones greeted him calling him by his second name. Then to Tugger's utter shock the two cats began to playfully wrestle on the road.

'Disgraceful! Tugger thought annoyed that he didn't have Misto's full-undivided attention anymore. Well. you'll never see me doing that. He said to himself before walking away with his tail perpendicular. He had only gone a few feet when he saw another cat this time laying flat and still in the middle of the road. It was Old Deuteronomy and he looked dead!

"Daddy!" Tugger cried running over to him as fast as his tufted paws could carry him.

Old Deuteronomy's ear twitched before lifting up his head and yawning.

"Ah, Rum Tum Tugger, my son! What pleasant surprise!" The elderly cat said sitting up.

"Father, you're alive!" Tugger said happily before pouncing on him.

Old Deuteronomy laughed softly.

"Now, now Rum Tum Tugger, you know I like to rest on the road on market day and the sun was so warm that it lulled me to sleep."

But Tugger overjoyed that his father was not dead just continued to pounce and playfully bite him and soon Old Deuteronomy responded in kind, eventually Mistoffelees and Bustopher Jones finished playing and went in search of Tugger finding him happily wresting with Old Deuteronomy.

"Well, well if this isn't a day for surprises and brings you two here?" Old Grey cat asked.

"Jennyanydot," Nephew and Uncle replied.

"Yeah," Tugger added. "She asked Misto and yours truly to meet her at the vicarage."

"Hmm, asked me as well to meet her there," Bustopher Jones told him.

"Yes I do seem to recall Jennyanydots asking me to meet her today," Old Deuteronomy said scratching his chin with his back paw.

"Why would she want to meet with all four of us?" Tugger question. "Say you don't think she wants to mate with us do you?"

"No son I don't think so," His father answered.

"Best be off to find what she wants," Bustopher Jones interjected.

They found the Old Gumbie cat a sleep in the vicarage back garden. With her was a large bundle of parchment paper.

"Oh wonderful you're here," She cried when she had woken up. "Now I'm sure you're all wondering why I've called you here. It's about dear Skimbleshanks, I'm sure you've all must have noticed how depressed he's been lately?"

"No," Said Tugger.

"Not really," Added Mistoffelees.

"He hasn't said anything to me," Supplied Bustopher Jones.

"He seemed fine when we spoke recently," Old Deuteronomy told her.

"Well he is!" Jennyanydots argued. "And I know why!"

"Unrequited love for me?" Tugger winked.

"Wh-what?" The Gumbie cat sputtered. "No!"

"Ignore him," Mistoffelees begged. "He thinks everyone is in love with him."

"That's not true," Tugger grumble. "I know my father isn't love with me."

"Skimbles is depressed because he believes no one appreciates him."

"And he has told you this?" The Jellicle Leader asked concerned.

"Well no," The Calico cat admitted. "But I can tell."

"Then why don't we sing a song for him at the ball," Tugger suggested.

"That's a great idea Rum Tum!" Mistoffelees agreed.

"Really?" Tugger responded delighted that Misto agreed with him.

"Excellent suggestion, my son!"

"I concur!" Chimed in Bustopher Jones.

"That's a terrible idea!" Jennyanydots yowled. Causing the four tomcats to arch their backs and puff up their tails in fear. "He'll think we want to get rid of him!" She declared.

"You mean like we want to do to you?" Tugger mumbled under his breath.

"The way to cheer Skimbles up and show him that he is loved and appreciated is to preform his play for him in surprise."

"What play?" Bustopher Jones demanded. "Skimbles never said anything to me about writing a play."

"Why are we here?" Misto whined.

"I'll get to that in time," Jenny said. "Now Skimbles's play is called Starlight Express. It's about a little human boy who dreams his toy trains come to life and compete in a race. I found it when I was cleaning out Skimbles's den for him. Here let me read it to you. It's also a musical."

"Is this going to take long?" Tugger asked.

"Yes, is it? Because I have a lunch appointment at, eh," Bustopher Jones paused as he patted his chest with his paw. "I don't have timepiece," He finished forlornly.

Undaunted Jennyanydots began to read and sing the play aloud. Now Jennyanydots is a wonderful singer, her voice is strong and cheerful and she can really hit those high notes and normally under any other circumstances her singing would be fine, but because Skimbles didn't make any notes of tempo or beat of the songs she had nothing to go except her own judgment and whether it was pride or laziness she sung all the song to the tune and cheerful beat of her song The Gumbie Cat Song and that made her singing awkward and jerky as clearly none of the songs were meant to be sung of to the tune of the Gumbie Cat. And the songs themselves they were not bad they were clever and catchy and if they had been sung in the right beat and tempo many of them would have been beautiful and the other songs let me just say there was something off putting about hearing Jennyanydots sing 'You've got no lovers if you've got no wheels.' Come and bite my burgers/ I'm hot cheep and quick.' 'Just cause I smile all the time don't mean I'm not into crime.'

"Well what do you think?" The Gumbie cat asked when she finished reading the play. The four tomcats sit in stunned silence trying to process what they just heard.

"I think I've just been traumatized," Mistoffelees ventured. When Jenny had told them the plot of the play the Conjuring cat had assumed it would be like Rev. W. Awdry's Railway Series books, that his Father, Cat Morgan had read to him when he was kitten. He had excepted the trains in the play to be mischiefs and they were, but thy went beyond that they were murderers, promiscuous, and kind of whiney. He'd never be able to read or watch Thomas the Tank Engine the same way again.

"I think I ether I want Jennyanydots or Skimbleshanks as my partner for the mating dance this year," Tugger joked fully excepting Mistoffelees to bop him on the head with his paw and fully disappointed when nothing happened.

"The Starlight Express is The Everlasting Cat?" Old Deuteronomy questioned trying to understand the religious aspects of the musical.

"I have never heard such rubbish in all my life!" Bustopher Jones yowled. "And includes the time my sister's mate told me he ounce ate a live kraken from the inside out!"

"All of Papa's stories are true!" Mistoffelees shouted in defense of his father.

"Madam I demand to know why you have summoned us here and force us to listen to this utter nonsense! Trains having genders and feelings!"

"Well," Jeenyanydots said with her nose in the air "I can see that it's quite clear that you obviously don't appreciate Skimbleshanks' genius!"

"The only thing that's quite clear is that Skimbleshanks has obviously mixing catnip with his tea and scotch!" Bustopher Jones hissed back.

"That is enough from the both you!" Old Deuteronomy scolded the two adult cats. " Now Jennyanydots, please explain what you have in mind."

"Old Deuteronomy," She began respectfully. "As our tribe's leader I need your permission to preform play and also I want you to be in it."

"Me?" The old cat said astonished. "But I've never acted in all my years."

"But you would be perfect for the role of Poppa the old Steam Engine," She told him.

"Well I don't know…"

"Bustopher Jones," She said in a kinder tone. "You are Skimbleshanks's best friend."

"I see no reason to hold that against me," The Twenty-five ponder said disgruntled.

Undaunted she continued, "Bustopher, please I need you act in this! You're the only one who can play Dustin the Big Hooper!"

"What me, play a Choo Choo Train!"

"No Uncle, a Hooper is a freight car," Misto informed him.

"A common freight car! A cat of my standing?" The large tuxedo meowed outraged.

"But Dustin is a very important character," Jenny told him hoping to sooth his ire.

He just growled in response.

"Rum Tum Tugger, you are the most popular in the tribe," She said through gritted teeth.

"Naturally," Tugger said with pride.

"If you act the play the others will want to be in it too."

"And Quaxo."

"Mistoffelees." He corrected. "I'm going by name the family gave me. It's really Mr. Mistoffelees, but I feel asking everyone to call me Mr. Mistoffelees is a bit much."

"I don't mind calling you Mr. Mistoffelees," Tugger interjected.

"Thank you," Misto told him giving him a head-butt.

"Mistoffelees, your Bustopher Jones's nephew I can't snob you it would offend him."

"What?" The magical cat asked dismayed.

"Well, there's really nothing else about you," She said rather oblivious to fact that she had just hurt Mistoffelees feelings.

"Jennyanydots!" Old Deuteronomy reprimanded her. "You may be a full grown queen with grown daughters, but that dose not give you the right to putting other cats down because you are unable to see their true worth!"

"Well, I'm sorry, but I just don't know what to do with him," Jennyanydots said exasperatedly. "He so shy and not very popular, his singing is so-so though, but nothing special," She finished her criticism thoughtfully.

"You, do realizes that criticizing my nephew which is obviously do to your petty jealousy over the fact that he is the best dancer in the whole tribe meaning he is a better dancer then you especially in tap dancing, that you are offending me," Bustopher Jones told her flatly.

"Oh!" Jennyanydots said completely flustered her tail switching side to side.

"Speaking of snubbing cats," Deuteronomy began hoping to stop the ensuing fight between the Gumbie cat and Cat About Town. "I'm am surprised you did not include Munkustrap in this."

"Well," Jennyanydots answered nervously. "You know I love Munkustrap as if he was own and he has many wonderful qualities, really Mistoffelees you should try to be more like him."

"Ew!" Tugger spat disgusted by the idea.

"But, you see," She continued uncertainly. "Munkustrap he means well I'm sure, but he…"

"Micro manages anything he can sink his claws in,"Tugger finished for her.

"Yes!" Jennyanydots said. "And I have everything all planed out, and knowing Munkustrap he'd want to change things and omit numbers and characters and decide who should play whom, that's why I didn't include him.

"I understand," The old cat assured her.

"So Old Deuteronomy, may we preform the play and will you be in it?" The Gumbie cat asked him.

"Wait!" Mistoffelees implored before the old cat could answer. "Old Deuteronomy, if you give permission to preform this play doom will befall the entire tribe!" The magic cat finished frantically waving his paws up and down in the same mystical fashion he had done earlier.

"I thank you, for your warning," Old Deuteronomy said clearly not believing him, but having the decently not to at least laugh. "But I see no harm in preforming Skimbleshanks play."

"Besides," Jenny chimed in. "Tantomile and Coricopat would be here if there was any real doom to be prophesized. Dose this mean we can do the play?"

"Yes I think it shall be fun."

At that moment somewhere in the nearby village two identical cats woke up from their nap in the sun with a hiss each as a feeling of impending doom crept over them.

[selfship-pride]

Pride Parade Spotlight #2

Today we’ll be spotlighting our dear friend @caboosecoupled​ or the name they go by: Plex! Plex is a nonbinary artist here on tumblr with a soft and heartwarming art style!! They are a friendly person and a joy to talk to one on one! You can find their selfshipping artwork here so be sure to give them support!

They have had fictional crushes since middle school and began selfshipping in 2018! That’s a long time of loving fictional characters! Outside of selfshipping they love to draw and sing as hobbies! Talk about diverse! Plex says they’ll be a class a class of 2020 graduate and are starting college in August! Congratulations on starting your journey towards your dream job! We know you’re gonna be great!

Under the cut is an interview with Plex about pride and about their ships! Let’s give it a look!

Tell us a little bit your main ships! Anything you want!

Plex: “thank you!!! and ok! my main f/o who i'm currently fixating on is teruteru hanamura from danganronpa! he has a bad reputation among the fanbase, but he's so much more than what the fans make him out to be.

he's very romantic, and silly, and we cook together a lot! he's a world-class chef, and i'm proud of him and his cooking ability, but i struggle with the flavors and textures of "fancy" food because i'm autistic, so teruteru modifies dishes for me, which i think is really sweet of him!! he's also a huge mama's boy and his mom is really nice, which i appreciate because my own mother isn't the best person. my other main f/os are wilt from foster's home for imaginary friends and cb from starlight express ^_^”

He really looks out for you !!! That's really good of him and clearly part of his love language <3 Do you have any headcanoned sexualities/identities for your F/Os? 

Plex: “yeah! teruteru is pretty much canonically bi; he flirts with both guys and girls in the game. i headcanon cb as nonbinary and gay, and wilt as a bi trans guy!”

I see!!! Pretty diverse partners you got there!! What does Pride mean for you and your relationships then?

Plex: “pride is something that's been really special to me ever since i first realized i wasn't cishet. i was 13 when i first realized i wasn't straight, and every june since then i've celebrated that. i'm proud to be nonbinary, and i'm still figuring out my sexuality but i'm proud that i love who i love.”

How do you and your F/Os plan to celebrate pride?

Plex: “we're gonna have a lowkey pride. there's a lot going on my life right now, and self shipping is a wonderful way to cope with it, so my f/os and i are gonna be more focused on getting through this than we are celebrating pride. but we're still very aware that it's pride month and very happy about it!”

That's awesome news, I'm so glad you have them to fall back on !! For our final question: Do you find that the selfship community has been open and accepting for the LGBT+ users? Also do you think there are things we can do better as a community? 

Plex: “oh uh! i mean in the corner of the self ship community i usually occupy, pretty much all of us are lgbt in some way, so my experience in that regard has been a positive one! but the community definitely isn't perfect, and we can always focus on uplifting lgbt voices and giving lgbt self shippers, especially trans ones i think, more attention!”

Thank you to Plex for hanging out with me yesterday and answering some questions! I know you must be busy so it meant a lot that you stopped to talk! Everyone out there should give Plex a round of applause and a gander at their blog, they’ve got some really sweet stuff! Thanks everyone and tune in next time for the next spotlight!

[fmdjoosungarchive]

【✧】━━━━━━━ ♥ t     s w i f t     p l a y l i s t ♥ ━━━━━━━【✧】

t swift i say. i mean red. this is sung’s ranking for taylor swift’s red album, since it came up on dash and i was Inspired. this is just the standard edition bc it’s already sixteen songs give me a bREAK. underneath the cut are explanations of why each song is in its position

16. the lucky one

when he first heard it, sung was a trainee, but not Famous. he didn’t get it. and after debuting and becoming some level of Famous... he still doesn’t get it. he doesn’t hate it, but he’d rather hear songs about love than fame

15. the last time

this would have been higher when he first heard the album. the meaning of it would hit, and he’d have liked their voices together. however, as he grew into an idol and producer, he’d come to dislike the pairing of their voices, as gary’s is much stronger, but to combat that, the mix of taylor’s voice in the studio version is much louder. sometimes a skip for him

14. i almost do

as much as sung gets the lyrics, experiences the feeling often, he doesn’t think it’s the best of the bunch sonically, or lyrically. he doesn’t skip the song by any means. he still quite enjoys it, however, if he Had to rank the songs (as i’m doing for him) he would put it here

13. i knew you were trouble

sung vc: pop perfection (for 2012) he loved the goat memes at the time. does he feel super close to the song? no. but it’s a single, and makes him wanna shake his little booty the second it starts

12. state of grace

mosaic broken hearts and achilles heels, sung Feels this song. sonically it’s not his favorite, as it has a bit of a slow middle, but it describes his kind of optimism well

11. we are never ever getting back together

sung vc: pop perfectioner. no, he doesn’t have an ex he will never get back together with, but he feels like taylor’s bestie cheering her on to roast his ass

10. holy ground

the thought of the song makes his heart leap a little, in a nice way. however, he’s not as connected to it as songs above it. the sonic side of it is what bumps it up for him, though, because it’s very easy, pleasant listening

9. everything has changed

this makes his heart pump even harder. as much of a sad sack as he can be, happiness and hope tickle his feathers with the force of she-ra. it’s one of those songs that makes him smile. and he thinks ed’s voice works better with taylor’s than gary’s

8. begin again

in famed, it lyrically doesn’t Hit sung the same as it would in aus, but it Almost does. mostly because sung is an empathetic beech, but it makes him feel so incredibly happy for t swift, and makes him feel Hopeful

7. red

as a dude who has never Actually lost a lover, he doesn’t get it. but damn if red doesn’t make him think he gets it. sonically, very into sung’s likes, And... sung single luver, so red has to have a higher spot because it makes him think of the album overall

6. 22

sung pre-debuted at 22 (intl), so he thinks of that as a pretty good time in his life, and 22 is the right song to celebrate that with. and, as a single lover, the song gets even higher marks. it makes him happy, makes him feel light, and he just loves it. he’ll play it at any friend’s 22nd birthday, don’t Test him

5. sad beautiful tragic

what can i say? boi loves sad shit. if he wants to steep in his sadness he can pull up this song and be like yes. i am sad. this is sadness i’m feeling. taylor swift is agreeing with me. we’re both sad right now, together

4. stay x3

sung probably read taylor saying this was a fictional desire in a relationship and sung would have felt that Hard when the album came out, even, which can’t be said for a lot of the album. the song makes him happy as hew, especially after getting into a relationship that gives him this Feeling

3. all too well

this song really appeals to the sentimental side of sung. he tends to have a bad habit of feeling romantically for every man he develops the slightest connection with, and could Feel a song like this for a dude he spent three hours with. also he has SOME taste and can realize the lyrical masterpiece of you call me up again just to break me like a promise so casually cruel in the name of being honest i’m a crumpled up piece of paper lying here cos i rmr it all too well

2. treacherous

part of what sung loves about t swift is that she expresses his feelings even when the way they each interpret the music is different, and is a religious romantic. and for sung, this song feels like his connection to his sexuality. treacherous, but worth the drive

1. starlight

sappy motherfucker. sung would have thought this song was written by him. he says, who doesn’t want to be dancing like they’re made of starlight? he’s a big fan of star/moon allusions in music, because they Speak to him. he’s also a we could get married have ten kids and teach them how to dream type, especially since getting with a dude that wants six kids. he just wants his little fairytale