The Alicorn Question: Four Princesses Living Forever? · 1:13am Feb 27th, 2013
The question of the so-called “species” of Alicorns has always been prominent throughout the airing of My Little Pony Friendship is Magic. Following the Season 3 finale “Magical Mystery Cure,” only one thing was made certain regarding this subject. Alicorns are indeed created and not born, as we witnessed former “regular old unicorn” Twilight Sparkle gain a pair of wings and, through her virtues gained by the power of her friendships, ascended to the role of Princess. It may be one pony’s destiny to become a princess of Equestria, but it is one that must be earned rather than being born or marrying into the Crown. That aspect alone is quite interesting and I am looking forward to seeing it expanded upon in the series.
Which brings me to the topic I want to bring up—a topic that may or may not be chosen to be discussed on a children’s cartoon like Friendship is Magic. I would not be surprised if the staff chose to not bring it up, as it is a heavy idea. A common trend that seems to have arisen among theories and assumptions by viewers is that all Alicorns—all Princesses—are immortal. In no certain terms within the canon of the show itself has this concept ever been proven, although seeing as royal sisters Celestia and Luna have lived for over one thousand years, I can see where the idea arose. Nevertheless, it has not as of now been explicitly stated, and in light of this I would like to present my thoughts on the subject. Bear in mind this is a theory just as much as anyone else’s, yet it is not gleaned from fanfiction or reading anyone else’s ideas and adopting it as my “headcanon.” This is purely going by canon material presented to us so far—and as the series is ongoing into a 26 episode fourth season, is always subject to change (basically saying I am not married to the idea and will not rage if eventually proven incorrect).
Induction into the Equestria royal family is fate. To grow a pair of ceremonial wings is destiny.
Immortality is a choice.
Age Spells
An age spell? But- how could you do an age spell? That's only for the highest level unicorns!
--Twilight Sparkle to Trixie, “Magic Duel”
We get a very interesting development in world building in the fifth episode of Season 3, where Trixie challenges Twilight to a magical duel. Age spells exist. And not just magic plastic surgery to make oneself look younger (Granny Smith can do that just by pulling on her saggy skin), no I mean physically turning back the clock or winding it forward. This is a very dangerous spell to have lying around, and I’m sure there is a reason it is only for a select number of unicorns. These unicorns who can effectively cast the spell must be certain not to abuse its power, using for their own selfish reasons rather than for the good of other ponies. To do so otherwise would be not only physically, but ultimately emotionally draining.
So what do I mean, and why am I bringing up such a small detail only used as a plot device for one episode? Because the fact that this spell exists for the most elite magic doers of Equestria might—just might—have to do with why two Alicorns in particular have lived for an extended number of years. Alicorns are most likely those “highest level unicorns” Twilight was speaking of, as we’ve yet to see any regular ponies as fluent in the study of unicorn magic as they are. I believe we can assume it takes a newly inducted princess like Twilight years and years to reach the aptitude of the likes of the royal sisters.
Celestia and Luna: Choosing Immortality
So going by this evidence, why is Celestia casting age spells on herself? I can think of a few good reasons—one being immediate, crushing regret for the banishment of her sister. Recalling the pilot episode’s opening anecdote, it’s important to note that Princess Celestia harnessed the Elements of Harmony to seal her sister away “reluctantly.” I often see viewers complaining why we don’t see the Elements of Harmony more often in the series, to which I say they are an absolute last resort when reason, discussion, and empathy is not enough. And that is what Celestia did—she tried to reason with her sister. But Luna was too far gone at that point to suddenly reverse her ways, so Celestia did what she had to for the sake of her country. It reminds of the 2001 film The Princess Diaries, where Julie Andrews’ Queen of Genovia is explaining to Anne Hathaway’s Mia the absence of father: …The love he had for one person—or, even two—could never compare with the love he had for his country.
I believe that is the choice Celestia made: the well-being of the ponies of Equestria meant far too much to her to let her corrupted sister roam free. And she kept herself alive all of this time to be the leader that Equestria needed, knowing full well that she wanted to be there for that “longest day of the thousandth year.” And it was her task during all of that time to find the pony (or ponies) that would embody the Elements of Harmony, purify Luna and bring her back to them.
In Luna’s case—well, she is probably making up for lost time. She knows the mistakes that she made and the resentment that darkened her heart and shut herself away for so long. Her power to enter ponies’ dreams could very well be her atonement for the past thousand years—in fact the title “Nightmare Moon” might suggest she was the cause of such unsettling dreams all of that time. Luna is determined to resume her half of Equestria’s reign that has been neglected for so long, and in doing so repair her reputation that has been damaged through years of legends and stories. Are these “selfish” desires? In a sense, yes they could be interpreted that way. But doesn’t any love and devotion come from some sort of personal want? No pony is completely selfless, after all.
So let’s play “this is canon” for one moment: Could Celestia or Luna lift the age spells casted on them at any time? I believe they could, and I will explain why in a bit. For now, let’s leave our seasoned princesses for a moment and move on to the younger members of the regal lineage.
Cadence and Twilight Sparkle: The Choice is Still Theirs
It is very difficult to effectively prove beyond a reasonable doubt if Alicorns are immortal based on the evidence given to us by our two newest princesses. Mainly due to the fact that we have watched them grow and age. If we take the (non-musical) flashback in “A Canterlot Wedding” into account, we see a younger Cadence foalsitting filly Twilight, telling her she is “anything but a regular old unicorn.” Playful compliment, or did Cadence know something of Twilight’s future at that point? But I digress—we can assess from physical size and appearance that flashback Cadence, wings and all, is around the same age as present-day Twilight. So do mares destined for the Crown ascend at a certain age? It’s possible, sort of like a graduation where you demonstrate your knowledge and earn your passage to the next level. Cadence probably had to pass a test like Twilight’s completion of Starswirl the Bearded’s spell in order to assume her status—what that test was is currently unclear (but one I would personally like to see explored in the future).
On the subject of physical appearance, neither Cadence nor Twilight seem to have that “magical aura” (for lack of a better term) infused in their manes like Celestia and Luna do, that keeps them constantly flowing and glittering. This could be a result of an excessive amount of magical meddling—perhaps age spells or perhaps a combination of many, many spells cast over the years. We do get a short glimpse of a glittery-maned Cadence when she and Shining Armor cast out the Changelings, but obviously it was temporary. So Cadence actually may be a lot closer to realizing her full potential.
But what keeps these two mares from accepting both the blessing and the curse of immortality, and with it the power to rule Equestria for countless centuries? It’s quite simple: They are both tied down to mortal beings. While Shining Armor will most likely live to a ripe old unicorn age, Cadence will want to be by his side even in death. Considering what she had to go through to marry him, I cannot see her ultimately abandoning him for the throne. She is the Crystal Princess, bringer of love and light within ponies’ hearts, and she will serve that reign until the end of her days—nothing more.
The fourth Alicorn Princess, Twilight Sparkle, has a similar situation. To be burdened with outliving her very best friends, the five ponies who got her where she is today, without whom she would not have gained her status in the first place, would be tremendously devastating for her. To realize that she would eventually have to watch them pass on while she remained would leave her lonely—and we would be back to square one. The bookish pony who cut herself off from others and buried herself in her studies. I point you to various examples in the episode “Magical Mystery Cure” that prove that whatever path Twilight takes in the future, her friends will be taking it with her side by side:
…they mean more to me than anything. My friends...
From all of us together, together we are friends, with the marks of our destinies made one, there is magic without end!
…I can honestly say I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for the friendships I've made with all of you. Each one of you taught me something about friendship, and for that, I will always be grateful.
--Twilight Sparkle, “Magical Mystery Cure”
This is not to say Celestia did not have loved ones she lost to the passage of time. But her love for Equestria and its citizens clearly eclipsed any emotional attachment to one single pony she would be willing to give it all up for…
Twilight Sparkle is the exception.
Now I once again bring up the question from my last section: Could Celestia release herself from her immortality? I now draw your attention to the recent interview with Friendship is Magic creator Lauren Faust on the extended Brony Documentary interview, where she discusses her ultimate destinies of our main characters:
I had a vision for the destinies of all these characters…I wanted Twilight Sparkle to eventually become Celestia’s successor.
--Lauren Faust, “Bronies: Extended Interviews”
With this knowledge, I would say yes. If Celestia knew she had found a pony who was worthy enough to carry on her vision of a brighter, more hopeful, and more beautiful Equestria, she would relinquish the crown to her most faithful student—and with that, most likely her life.
But if Twilight is unwilling to outlive those she loves, how will she carry on her teacher’s legacy? She will follow in her footsteps. She will take on her own personal protégé and school her in the magic of friendship and harmony. And once that young mare has earned her wings, Twilight will pass the Crown on to her—and the circle of life begins again.
Conclusion
As I stated earlier, this is not a topic I expect the show to tackle—in fact given the show’s general light-hearted and positive message, I fully expect them not to tackle it. But I thought it was important to shed some light on the evidence given to us within the canon of the show itself, all dark “headcanons” and theories gleaned from fanon aside. Immortality is a heavy, heavy burden. Much must be taken into account before one is willing to fully commit themselves to it. And not every pony is going to welcome its pain and benefits with open arms (or forelegs).
Time will only tell what the reign of Princess Twilight Sparkle will bring us—but an assumption of immortal “doom and gloom” is hardly befitting of a show where friendship is magic.
My own head canon is that because Luna and Celestia are essentially bound to their celestial bodies by way of their cutie marks, they share the life span of the Moon and the Sun respectively. This would effectively give them hugely extended life spans but not make them fully immortal.
Now with Cadance, she is a winged unicorn- a trait passed down to her by her parents (perhaps the love-poisoned couple in the Hearts and Hooves book? Or the original Rulers of the Crystal Empire who escaped after Sombra came to power? Can't stress enough how these are just theories btw) which gives her above normal magic capabilities but not to the extent of the True Alicorns.
I'm not sure what to make of Twilicorn yet as we simply haven't seen enough of her to judge anything yet. But I'm sure that will be rectified come Season 4 but until then, I'll hold off on getting some more head canon about her
In regards to the show, they will never touch on this issue. In regards to the fandom, we have already seen a massive influx of mopey all my friends are deaaad fics.
Remember friendship is magic, so this may be a clue to the future of elements.
Personally, my headcanon is the fact that all Alicorns are Gods, (incudling Discord but not King Sombra) and that the fact that they live for a very long time (longer then dragons of course who I believe live up to 10,000 years at most) and as such can not die, unless by two things: One they have childern with a mortal, or two....they fade.
With fading it means that their wings are taking from them by ponies for not worshiping them and granting them faith in which they 'die' by becoming mortal unicorns and turn to ashes and the mortals worship new Gods.
For now Twilght has no followers and is still able to stay a unicorn if she wishes but later on she's not going to have much choice unless she wishes to fade.
Hmmm, yea all I have to add is the main reason my stories are AU is because the main six are immortal, though they say probably immortal because they sensibly are not willing to test it. Well and why they're immortal, plus after I did that I felt there was no reason not to mess with a few other things. The point being the way I see it the only real problem with immortality is being alone, and in a world full of magic there is no reason that has to happen.
That's a really good discussion on this question. Personally I distinguished the Alicorn with the mortal Pegasus unicorn but with twilight's ascension I really have no idea.
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944892 I hope I'm not late to this conversion any way a while back one of the writers said Cadence and Twilight won't live forever.
In my own headcanon, and going off what the show has given us already, unless they decided that the other five of the Mane Six are destined for Alicorn-hood, Twilight will live for thousands of years. In my mind, Celestia and Luna are quite young for Alicorns, but are "gifts from the sun and moon" as protectors of the planet they live on (Having Unicorns use magic to move them I think they would've absorbed a lot of magic being able to create the Princesses as a last resort to protect from Discord), and live for roughly 8,000 years (pulled the number from no where) so Twilight being roughly 20 has a long way to go. Cadence and Shining Armour are a very tricky couple to think about, but I think Celestia would gift her niece with a husband who lives as long (slowing down the process maybe?)