Just a little something I wrote for the MLP group I hang around with.
Every since the first Equestria Girls movie, there’s always been something about Sunset Shimmer that made her my favorite character, but I could never figure out exactly why. Was it her lust for power that sometimes mirrors my own? Maybe it was her will to take her own destiny in her hands, or hooves I guess? Watching Rainbow Rocks made me realize what it is: her and I had similar stories.
Growing up, I was never interested in friends. Sure, there were people I enjoyed hanging out with, but no one I’d voluntarily do anything with. I didn’t see them as a necessary part of life, and they could only be a hindrance. I wanted to push my limits, and prove to myself and those around me that nothing could stand in my way. And I didn’t want the possibility of having to choose between my goals and friends.
Around my late teens/early 20s, my life dropped into a dark pit of depression and self loathing. I wasn’t living up to the standards I had set for myself, and it felt like it was me against everyone, even family. To say I was angry would be an understatement. I’d lash out at anyone who dared cross me. Even those that wanted nothing more than to help prevent me from slipping deeper into the dark that was my life. Mercy was not a word I knew.
A couple years later while babysitting my little cousins, I sat down and watched a certain show we’ve all come to know and love. Thinking nothing of it, I went home and watched another episode. Then another, and another. The more I watched it, the more I felt myself climbing out of this hole. How could a cartoon about magic, colorful talking ponies do this? A question I still ask myself. A couple months later, I went to this thing called The Grand Brony Gala (or was it the Grand Galloping Brony Gala at the time?) with someone I had went to high school with. There, I saw nothing but good times, cheerfulness, a common love for this weird cartoon. But most importantly: friendship.
Anyway, back to Sunset. In Equestria Girls, I see myself and Sunset in similar positions. Both of us desired power, and neither of us were going to let something as ridiculous as “friendship” stand in the way of achieving our goal. We were both defeated (in different ways) by this concept that was so foreign to us, and ever since then we’ve begun to understand what it is. Rainbow Rocks comes around, and Sunset is still learning what friendship is about, opening herself up to what it means. But the past still haunts us, and nips at our ankles every so often. Much like myself now that I’ve decided to try it, meeting awesome people from the Grand Brony Gala, and others in the fandom.
So I have to say thank you to everyone I’ve met. You ladies and gents, I can’t put into words the way you’ve helped pull me out from the darkness that was my life. You’ve shown me kindness. You’ve been honest with me. Your generosity is remarkable. You’ve made me laugh. You’ve been loyal.
Friendship truly is Magic.
P.S: I still call dibs on being Tirek.