A Study in Differences

Four ponies share similar backstories, in some sense, a what could have happened had this happened, and different reactions. Many only see them in pairs, such as Twilight and Sunset. Maybe, for some, Starlight. But, Moondancer should also be included in this. Yes, there are times when I feel like an analyst, even though I am a story writer, and perhaps I am partially so, I do enjoy studying these sorts of things.

The four ponies I speak of are Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, and Moondancer.

The first comparison is between Sunset and Twilight. Both were prized pupils of Princess Celestia, gifted in magic. But, their paths diverge. While Sunset turned selfish and prideful, Twilight remained humble enough. However, in her earlier years, she, like Sunset, avoided friendship. Twilight did not see herself as an equal to Celestia, but instead as a student, while Sunset saw herself as able to grow to be as great as Celestia. There are many possible reasons for this, Sunset being Celestia's daughter being a popular theory, but that is for another day. Both mares looked past their studies, while Twilight went for knowledge, Sunset went for power. This could also be because Twilight had Spike to keep her tethered. Sunset is shown to have nopony to confide in, but Twilight has Spike, and a family. But, what Twilight did does not make her the pony she is today, which leads to the next comparison.

Twilight Sparkle and Moondancer. Moondancer had a path similar to Twilight's, a very studious student who loved books. But she, in the end, turned away from friendship. She tried it, and it did not work out, so she turned away. What we see of her is what might have happened to Twilight if Twilight had never had to be sent to Ponyville, but would have been shut it. But, her party was what turned her away. She didn't look to the other friends she had, but focused too much on losing that one friend. I feel as if this may be similar to Twilight's grief about perhaps losing her brother. But, ultimately, Moondancer turned her back on friendship, and went to brave the world alone.

This leads to my Moondancer and Starlight comparison. I have not actually seen anyone make this comparison, but I am sure it is out there. In Moondancer's own words, from Amending Fences, "That was only the first time I put myself out there, and then you didn't even bother to show up! Then you left town without saying goodbye even though we were supposed to be friends! I was humiliated! I felt like I wasn't important! I never wanted to let myself be hurt like that again! Those three finally convinced me that I had value! That other ponies might like me and want to be my friend! And you! Didn't! Show! Up!" That was such a hefty thing to say, and, in my recent rematch, it made me think of Starlight. Starlight was best friends with Sunburst, but, after getting his cutie mark, he left. This left Starlight feeling much the same way Moondancer did. "I never made wanted to let myself be hurt like that again," from Moondancer versus, "I stayed here and never made another friend because I was too afraid another cutie mark would take them away, too!" from Starlight. Both mares had a friend ripped from them, and they were both thrown into grief because of it. But, the way they dealt with it was different. Starlight took the extreme approach, whatever caused her friend to disappear must be evil, and must be stopped, while Moondancer had the more moderate approach of friendship just not being for her. Neither processed their grief the right way, but, they still differed in their actions, and that's what separated them. Honestly, dealing with Moondancer was most likely what allowed Twilight to convince Starlight to stop. Both Starlight and Moondancer are afraid of future friendships, and Twilight had to encourage them both that not every friendship is the same, and one must make an effort to make sure of that. Moondancer stopped trying after Twilight didn't show up, and Twilight had to learn that sometimes ponies perceive things differently. Twilight blamed herself for what happened to Moondancer, but she was not to blame, nor was Sunburst to blame for what happened to Starlight. It felt as if Twilight began to grow in Amending Fences in this aspect, but only truly was able to complete growing in the Cutie Remark, where, through Sunburst, she learned she needed to stop blaming herself. I feel as if Starlight continued to spy on Twilight in Amending Fences, she may have seen some of the light herself. Instead, the only time she saw, at least that we could see, was Twilight with her friends, including Moondancer. And it was not going well. Starlight could see herself in Moondancer's horseshoes, and it only strengthened her beliefs. She did not get to see what happened later with Moondancer.

Starlight and Sunset is my next comparison. The two (former) villains of this group. Sunset's backstory on why she was power hungry is by no means flushed out. We do not even see her motivations from before the comic, The Fall of Sunset Shimmer, which doesn't even feel like it's canon anyways, especially with Twilight's friends from Amending Fences being somewhat supporting cast. But, both did turn away from friendship, and sought power. Sunset's, however, was explicit power, so she could rule, while Starlight was under the influence that everypony must be equal, and it was up to her to make it so. Both became like tyrants, Sunset, as the school bully, and Starlight in her town. I truly believe that Starlight did not want to stay on a pedestal, but believed that even she should be equal. She even goes so far as to say that cutie marks are evil. She holds to her philosophy, and even keeps up the appearance in her own home. As soon as her cutie mark begins to show, she repaints it. Yes, it could be to keep up appearances, but she wants the other ponies to believe her as an equal, not a ruler. Sunset's and Starlight's redemptions can also be compared. Sunset tasted the rainbow, and, found what she did to be awful. Why, we know not. Perhaps she saw what she did, freed from the happiness it appeared to grant, and showed it for what it truly was. But, that, is also a topic for another time. Sunset, you really are the best character to explore. Now, back on track, Starlight was also redeemed by Twilight. She tears the scroll slowly, not for dramatic effect, but because magic is linked with emotions, and she is doubting herself, even though it is hard to see. Twilight could see her doubt through the magic itself, and her last effort worked. Both, after redemption, are prepared for proper retribution for their actions, but instead are granted with friendship. This is where they diverge. While Sunset makes a full 180, Starlight's turn is slower. She still uses her magic to get other ponies to do what she wants at times. She has to grow from bad to good, while Sunset's growth is from her low point, her lack of confidence, to fully embracing who she is now, and proudly showing it. Also, interesting note, Sunset immediately calls for Princess Celestia when her memory is wiped, not her parents.

And now, I only have two comparisons left. I want to save Moondancer and Sunset for last, so onto Twilight and Starlight. Oh, the purple Light ponies gifted in magic and currently both friendship experts who have saved Equestria. Many like comparing them at where they are at currently, but I like to start early on. It is clear that Starlight's family is poor, as they do not send her to Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. Faust knows that she would have gotten in, with her extraordinary talent for magic. Both she and Twilight preclude themselves from friendship at a young age. But, Twilight had Shining, a friend to her. While Starlight's only friend left, Twilight's was her BBBFF. They both have reasons they cut themselves off from friendship, Twilight, because she didn't see any worth in it, and Starlight, because she knew that it would inevitably lead to the friendship ending and her being hurt. However, both decided to develop their magic in some way, though Starlight probably thought that when she got her cutie mark, that it was evil. Starlight took up a philosophy that led her down a road that presented equality as the only way to true friendship. Twilight, however, did not even think about friendship until she moved to Ponyville, and true friendship was shown to her. Starlight had nopony to pick her up, and nopony to show her she was wrong. Inevitably, she came to think that Twilight was holding the wrong philosophy, and that, due to the Princess of Friendship, nopony would ever truly have friendship. This lead her to time traveling. This is seen as a revenge scheme, but I feel as if Starlight is trying to teach Twilight a lesson, that cutie marks are not important. Unfortunately, she is proven wrong, and her own lesson for Twilight turns into a lesson for herself. When they wind up accepting friendship, they also both behave differently. Once they have friends, Twilight tries to work things out, while Starlight, due to her childhood, is still hesitant, and it gives her more room to grow.

Thus, I am left with my last comparison, Sunset Shimmer, and Moondancer. Sunset and Moondancer are both students, at heart. This could also be said of Twilight, obviously. But, these two are similar in other ways. Neither have a firm connection to someone that allows them stability. They both rely on themselves and only themselves, while Twilight has Spike and Shiny to help her. Honestly, these two seem like the least comparable of the four without the either Starlight or Twilight coming in. But, both have a depth to their characters that can be explored together. Novel-Idea does a great job of this. But, that is not what this comparison is about. Sunset fought for power her whole life, while Moondancer sought knowledge. Sunset's interests may be seen as starting out for knowledge's sake, but devolved into her being mad for power. Sunset's flaw was that she thought that with all her knowledge, she then had the power and knew better than Celestia. Moondancer could have easily fallen into this trap. But, Moondancer was not taught by the princess, just at school and by herself. Time with the Princess could have given her an ego such as Sunset's. Both Moondancer and Sunset cared too much about what one pony thought of them, for Sunset, it was Celestia, for Moondancer, it was Twilight. They both wanted attention. Sunset can be seen wanting to be equal with Celestia, perhaps because she wants Celestia to notice her more. Meanwhile, Moondancer completely models herself after Twilight, right down to the mane style. But both, after being rejected, turn away, Sunset to the human world, and Moondancer to her books. Both also think that they can do better. Moondancer becomes more studious, outdoing even Book Horse herself, while Sunset rules the school, as Celestia did Equestria, but in a way she sees as better. When they both find friendship, however, it is a turnaround. They are both lifted up by their friends. I wouldn't be surprised if Moondancer is now like a leader to her friends.

These four ponies start with the same generic formula: A unicorn gifted in magic that turns away from friendship somehow. But, eventually, something comes along and changes their point of view, somepony they can now call their friend. What their motivations are for turning away from friendship are different, but each, in the end, are shown true friendship, and end up embracing it. For Twilight, it is the Mane 6, for Sunset, Twilight begins it, but it is truly the Humane 5 who help her out, before Twilight comes again. For Moondancer, it is Twilight, the original reason she turned away, and her other 4 friends. For Starlight, it was Twilight, while the rest of the Mane 6 helped along the way. A couple others might fight this formula, such as Sci Twi and Trixie, but that is not for today. Honestly, it seems that these ponies have all become leaders, even though we have not seen it for Moondancer. She is so hidden from the spotlight. Each diverge along a different point in the path, but are pulled back to the path by friendship. It's so amazing how characters can be so similar yet so different at the same time. And, the same goes for us, as actual people. There are similarities, but no one is truly the same.