Have you ever...

...changed a small detail from the canon and then hoped someone would leave a comment saying "Hey, this isn't right" just so you could say "It's not a mistake" ?

Comments

[Metemponychosis]

I hope that people won't mind the changes that I make!
Well, there is a reason I write alternate universe.

[Hotel_Chicken]

Sometimes, though you usually only get those in the first change. Every change afterwards will usually be expressions of sadness but not outright displeasure or surprise and a desire to see how else the universe is different.

[ShiningBeacon]

5526794
Oof, I feel that. That being said, the series takes place in the background of the main show up to the end of season nine, so the changes should be minimal

[LightningChaser04]

Heh. Yeah!

[Kiernan]

I've done that. No one noticed, because no one was interested in reading that one. Rather, if anyone did notice, no one said anything.

I changed how cutie marks work.

[ShiningBeacon]

5527257

What change did you make?

[Kiernan]

5527261
So, when the show talks about cutie marks, they like to connect it with destiny, or skill, or an important event that redefines their life. There's also magic that can make your cutie mark appear, but only for an instant, because it's not really you. And then there's a magic that can change your cutie mark, and by extension, who you are.

This is all well and good, but something seemed off to me, especially in the song "What my Cutie Mark is Telling Me." Hear me out on this:

• We know Fluttershy's cutie mark is about listening and understanding, not about taking care of animals. But that's what Rainbow thinks it is.
• We know Rainbow Dash's cutie mark represents her desire to be the very best, like no one ever was. So why does Rarity think it's about arranging the weather, a thing Rainbow just does halfheartedly as a job while she spends most of her time trying to be a Wonderbolt?
• We know that Rarity's goal is to make Equestria beautiful, whether through dresses, decorations, or simply improving the lives of those around her. Applejack could probably see this if she looked past the ribbons and bows. If, instead of trying to make pretty dresses, Applejack made utilitarian clothing, she might have found a middle ground, and she certainly tried to. Come on, fashion designers! Pockets are wonderful!
• Next would be Applejack. Her cutie mark came when she realized just how important her family was to her. She'd do just about anything for her family, including making sure they make enough profits to keep their family in their home. That may be why Pinkie thinks of Applejack as just a stick in the mud who focuses too much on doing chores and doesn't take enough time to enjoy herself. After all, how can you have a smile on your face when everypony needs you to keep the place running?
• Finally, we come to Fluttershy, a quiet, reserved pony who doesn't like having a lot of attention on her. Pinkie is the exact opposite, so you can imagine that she would have some trouble understanding that Pinkie's cutie mark isn't really about making other ponies laugh, like a clown. Sure Pinkie would do just that, but moreover, pinkie's cutie mark is about making other ponies happy in whatever way you can, such as with Cranky. And sometimes, the best way to make ponies happy is to put some space between yourself and them. She was right to end the goof-off against Cheese Sandwich.

So, with all of that information in mind, we can determine that Twilight was wrong when she said that it was their true selves that changed. Everyone was still themselves, but they thought they were somepony else, and through a poor lens. And to fix it, before they even have their cutie marks back, they're acting like themselves. Fluttershy listens. Rainbow shows off her skill and plays it off as if it were nothing. Rarity makes everything more beautiful. Applejack works hard so that those who depend on her are in the best shape they can be. And Pinkie Pie makes everypony feel better. Their true selves didn't change at all, they just saw themselves as somepony else.

This all leads me to believe that cutie marks are not a representation of your true self, but rather your perception of yourself. If you have a bowling cutie mark, you may not be the best bowler ever, but you certainly think you're good. That means that if you change your perception of yourself, you can change your cutie mark. That's why magic can't make a cutie mark appear. As soon as you question what the cutie mark means, and you realize that it's not who you are, it fades away. And if you brainwash everypony into thinking they're all equal, and not special, you're not really taking away their skill, but rather their confidence.

So, yeah, not really changing the canon, per se, but instead just making every show explanation wrong. If there is a change from canon, it was that you can change your own cutie mark. It's not easy, but you can totally do it, if you really wanted to.

If you have more questions about this, let me know.

[Kiernan]

Oh, and I also changed the magic system. Earth Ponies and Pegasi can also perform some degree of magic, though it's not quite the same.

[HN-]

Not a small detail, but I completely ignore and never address some details of the show that I didn't like...such as the Friendship School...