Friendship is Magicite? Let's Play Pony Fantasy 6!

There was that one episode where Applebloom tried to cheat the system and ended up with more talents than she could physically perform.
A partially controlled Cutie Pox as a means of class change would be an effective gameplay conceit.
They can't achieve their goal as blank ponies, so they get Zecora to whip up a cutiemark potion that lets them change class via some old relic. I'm basically describing dresspheres at this point.
Alternatively, they have no goal but get the potion as a "cure". Doing so somehow involves them in unexpected events in a typical JRPG (or just basic storytelling, really) fashion.* [The potion requires an alicorn sneeze as an ingredient, but Celestia sealed up something bad so long ago she forgot it even happened, or how she did it. The shenanigans that make Celestia sneeze make her horn do something funny, ancient evil is released, relevant plot details are revealed as the princess remembers more of what happened. Maybe the epic quest is to recover the elements of harmony, as they were stolen or scattered by explosion as the thing was released.]

*Spoilered because this reads like bad pony fanfiction and I'm embarrassed to have written it.

Not much has changed in Manehattan. Sparkler is a unicorn from waaaay back in the beginning of My Little Pony. Sparkler was first released in the 1984-85 set of toys. She's the same blue-on-blue as Trixie but with a red streak through her mane.

At least I assume that's the pony we're referencing here. Sparkler was also a possible name for Rarity and a fan nickname for some other unicorn. Sparkler from early MLP is the only one who really matches Trixie in appearance.



Las Pegasus was a location mentioned in the show but never visited, and fans had some disagreement on whether it was "Las" or "Los." Essentially whether it was meant to be the Los Angelus or Las Vegas of Equestria. A writer later tweeted clarification that Las Vegas was the intention.



Fluttershy tries to leave my party three times as I traverse this stupid city. Thank goodness for save states. Fluttershy coming up with excuses to ditch the party when things get scary is certainly appropriate.



Pony with power tools!



Boss fight time. Really silly boss fight time. Since Trixie just picked up Screwy and Dadaluma is susceptible to Imp I decided to give it a try. Guess they didn't bother changing that sprite either.

Weird thing: Healing items working by percentage instead of flat values seems to have screwed up Dadaluma's healing script. Normally he'll use potion or tonics once he hits a certain point? Did 3000+ HP healing, boosting him back to full.



Drat! Ramuh is still Ramuh. Sprite unchanged. Dialog mostly unchanged, except for occasional pony substitutions. Oh and he still says "Sometimes we live here, taking the shape of humans." ... What's a human?

So what was I hoping for here? There is a unicorn from before the founding of Equestria named Star Swirl the Bearded. Twilight Sparkle dresses up as him in Luna Eclipsed and there's a section of the Canterlot library named after him. That's who I wanted Ramuh to be. Ramuh is an esper who passes for human, so Star Swirl would be an esper who passes for pony.

Alas, another opportunity lost.



Trixie has Trixie's own dialog. Isn't Trixie special?

The super generic dialog in this scene is pretty awkward. The dialog/actions default to Locke but since in his absence it can go to anyone, Apple Bloom's accent is conveniently dropped.



Celestia: The Empire is torturing espers to extract their magic...
Luna: Is this the truth? Trixie...?
Trixie: Trixie does not remember because they knocked Trixie out. But it's probably true...
Applejack: That's horrible! We just gotta go there and help...
Celestia: We'll have to split up into two groups. Neighshe still needs our help.
Applejack: Ex-actly!
Trixie: Trixie must go. Trixie has many scores to settle...
Luna: Thou must not go alone!



Trixie is getting some of the best dialog. Mostly because the contrast with Celes is so great.

Applejack: Y'all oughta let some of us help too!
Fluttershy: I can't go with you... I'm scared of empires... and espers... and dragons...

Silly Fluttershy, that's not until the second half of the game!



Looks like esper stat bonuses really have been removed. Works for me. I never paid attention to them the first couple times playing FF6 anyway.

Who should come along for the next segment? Celestia/Luna for coin related dialog? Or some other combination?

Also, this:

Huh. I was under the impression that robots typically couldn't cast spells in RPGs like this.

Magitech.

Hereby name Elfir in charge of the next FF6 MLP hack. Because much better casting choices all around.

Is Pinkie/Gau's exclusive dialogue changed?

Nothing popped up from her. I looked it up after the fact and it sounds like Gau only had special dialog if he went through that section solo?

I suspect the hackers didn't even know that dialog was there to change. I certainly didn't have a clue how to get it.

It would be worth a shot. I understand if you don't want to play back through the game to reach that point, though.

Edit: Nevermind. Results pending.

And one last "Oh no...!"

Thank Celestia for savestates and Dark Wind/Break.

Awesome. The "other side of the screen" comment in particular.

I just played through the Opera House scenario today on the Virtual Console, with this being the first time I ever took Gau with me to Vector, and I noticed he didn't have any dialogue on the airship when the party met Setzer either.

I don't know if just taking him would do anything, since Locke and Celes have to be in the party, I'd wager that he just doesn't have any dialogue there.

I think only Edgar and Sabin have dialog here, since it's only really relevant to them.

Gau has unique dialogue at this scene if he's alone? I guess I know what I'm doing next time I play through VI.

Adding Safe to both Kirin and Siren is strange, though I wholly approve of upping the learn rate on Cure 2, especially with the inherent limitations on magic use, and also considering Trixie might well be the only magic user along for the ride. However, if Trixie ends up being the only Pegasus in tow that means the Magitek Factory with one caster, and the mine cart sequence with no caster. Even with jacked up stats that's sounds... not especially pleasant.

So basically what I'm saying is take AJ and Pinkie along with you IF YOU DARE.

I wonder if they dropped the physical resistance for some of the monsters in case you don't take enough casters. Also keep in mind the stupid high strength stats some of them are sporting now. They might be just find in the factory.

I think that may have been because the hacker wasn't able to change the in-battle summon sprites, so it would have been awkward to change Ramuh's out-of-battle sprite if he looked the same way when summoned in battle.

Most characters' skillsets have some way of piercing defense.

Tools: Drill, Chainsaw
SwdTech: Dispatch
Blitz: most if not all moves; early on, Aurabolt

And Terra, Celes, and Gau have access to magic. This notably leaves out Locke, which is one reason he's not a fantastic character in the WoB.

Pinkie is a controllable Rage machine who doesn't seem to ever not use the special, remember. (Unless I missed something, after her intro, of course, in which case I suppose I'll look like an idiot here.)

Trixie: We can't fly, and one does not simply WALK into Stalliongrad...
Apple Bloom: We should head back down south to Manehattan, somepony there might have some connections...
Trixie: Apple Bloom.
Apple Bloom: What's up?
Trixie: Why do you insist on coming?
Apple Bloom: That's easy! There's gonna be tons of treasure there. Besides, I need to keep a close eye on everything, includin' you! Y'know, make sure you'll be on yer best behavior an' all!

Also she hasn't tried for a terrorism cutie mark yet.



Ingram: Sorry... my mistake. Wow, you could pass for Sparkler in a heartbeat! Hoo boy, now I really am in trouble...

So much for those assumptions Octavia would be taking over as Impresario. Daniel Ingram is the composer/songwriter for Friendship Is Magic. The sprite looks like the ponified version of him I found on Google, but he's not as common a target for such fanart as Lauren Faust and that other chick who works on the show and appeared as a background pony that one time.



Letter: Sparkler! Your show is WAY too boring... I'm gonna ponynap you and replace you as the star! ~Rainbow Dash~
Apple Bloom: Who's this "Rainbow..."? whats's-her-name?
Master: You born on a farm, filly?
Apple Bloom: Um, well... yeah?



Master: That's Rainbow Dash! Owner of the world's only airship.

Shocking, I know...



Rainbow Dash is the most popular pony. She's cool, gets cool lines, has the second-coolest pet, and does cool stuff all the time. She's also arrogant as hell and really image conscious - she once refused to read a book because she didn't want to be seen as an "egghead." She's a perfect fit as a flying/racing enthusiast.

I'm hoping she won't have the gambling abilities though. There's no reason for it and I don't like using them.



Lil role reversal there...



Apple Bloom: Right! That's when we'll grab 'em!
Ingram: Oh no no no no no! I already have one strike on me from that "Winter Wrap-Up" debacle, this could ruin me!

I have no idea what he's referring to.

Trixie: Then you're history!
Ingram: This is a rough choice... I have a lot of pressure from this unexpected audience, but I need to keep Sparkler safe too...
Apple Bloom: So we LET her kidnap Sparkler... Trixie can take her place! After she's abducted, Ah'll follow 'em right to her airship!
Ingram: Are you crazy?! I can't ask Sparkler to let herself get abducted!



Ingram: Come again?
Apple Bloom: You said SHE looks like Sparkler, right?
Trixie: What are you TALKING about, hayseed?
Apple Bloom: Trixie will be our Sparkler! She'll lead us to the airship!
Ingram: Brilliant!
Trixie: Hold your horses! The Great and Powerful Trixie is the MASTER of magic and showmanship. She does NOT lower herself to singing in gaudy costumes about... love stories!

Of course not. You'd never prance about on stage in a gaudy costume. How dare they even suggest such a thing!





Nothing changed except Draco being turned into Blueblood. Prince Blueblood is supposedly Princess Celestia's nephew, a self-centered snob unicorn. Considering Celestia and Luna are well over a thousand years old and have no known offspring, any relation is distant. Similar deal with Celestia's "niece" Cadance.



Going to pretend everypony got to come along. Oh, sorry to interrupt you, Pinkie Pie.

Pinkie Pie: my sisters went to the Ponyville theatre to see this show called "Manos, the Hooves of Fate" it was soooooooo boring and creepy but these guys in the front row kept making fun of it so it wasn't quite so bad after all but it was still a long sit and afterwards we got ice cream but they were sold out of strawberry so...
Apple Bloom: Pinkie! What the heck does this have to do with anything?
Pinkie Pie: Nothing, I just love to talk! But everypony's so grimdark all the time I never know what to say...
Apple Bloom: Next time, just try a joke or somethin', geez...

I'm quite certain she said all of that in a single breath.



Trixie: Hmph, whatever. You still never told Trixie why you rescued her.
Apple Bloom: Ah guess I got tired of doin' nothing... when somepony needed help...
Trixie: Trying to make up for some "past sins", no doubt.
Apple Bloom: Somethin' like that...

So yeah that was awkward... Celes is so pretty in this scene, it's a shame Trixie just looks less goofy.



Apple Bloom: You'd better check the score one last time.
Trixie: As if Trixie needs to read that rag!
Apple Bloom: Uh, Trixie, you're not gonna ad-lib this, are ya?
Trixie: You want a show? Trixie will GIVE YOU a show!
Apple Bloom: (I've got a bad feelin' about this...)

Like anyone playing this won't have the score memorized already. And yes, it's the same. Bah.

Wait, what?

And now, it hurts to smile...
Filled with darkness,
a sky without stars
My heart is colder than
the moon
For as I can see,
there can only be,
one chance, that's opportune
I'll go without you...
Find my own way...
And seek out what I'm
search-ing for
What else can one do?
It hurts without you.
Speak to me once more!



There is room in my heart,
for one last new start
though it hurts, I will try
I am stronger,
for having known you
But some scars will never heal
I almost gave in,
but I found hope within,
I'll remember your love,
always...

Chancellor: Prince Ralse is looking for a dance partner. Leave the past behind! Our kingdom is adopting the spirit of the East...!

So yeah, the score was unchanged, yet Trixie "improvised" her own version anyway. I'm impressed!



Apple Bloom: Don't worry Trixie, I'll keep my promise...



The rest of the play (and Ultros's antics above) are the same. Guess nopony else has Trixie's initiative!



Thought they forgot about her lack of cutie mark!



Pinkie Pie using Bolt 2 constantly (for free!) was the star of this show, though I probably should have looked up a monster that wouldn't turn her undead. Ghosts are hard to heal. Ultros attempting to Drain her was pretty hilarious though (and probably the only reason she survived!)



Spinning Trixie back into the appropriate costume is extra impressive considering she's been naked through the entire first act. Where exactly were you hiding that cape and wizard hat...?



Apple Bloom: But seriously, we gotta talk her into helping us now! ... Where's Dash?
Trixie: She'll be back any second.

"Ten seconds flat" is from the first episode. T-shirts like merging that with her "20% cooler" quote, which actually reduces the coolness factor. We eventually found a pure "20% cooler" t-shirt at Sears of all places.



[i]Trixie: We need to get to the capital, and Trixie needs your ship to do it!
Rainbow Dash: listen, if you're not Maria, then you're not cool enough to be on my ship! I was planning to turn your BOOOORING opera into an AWESOME show about my adventures! I call it "The Rainbow Dash Show!"

The spy line is from the second episode. The writer seems to be stumbling with this "Trixie playing Sparkler playing Maria" silliness.



Apple Bloom: And what could be more excitin' than a daring raid on the empire!
Applejack: If'n y'all could find it in yer heart to fly us over there, we promise to make the world a safer place for everypony!
Rainbow Dash: Hm, ok, let me think about it.
Trixie: Don't think TOO hard, you might hurt yourself...
Apple Bloom: (Trixie!)
Rainbow Dash: Don't get me wrong, it DOES sound like a big adventure, and I AM tempted to go. But I wonder...

I'm just going to assume what Applejack said makes sense. I'm not that fluent in Applenese.



The Wonderbolts are the pegasi of sport celebrities. Rainbow Dash is a fangirl and obsessed with joining them even though she's one-upped them every episode they've appeared in.

Apple Bloom: The Empire's more rotten than a two-week old apple with a worm in it! Do ya know how many ponies they've hurt and killed just to get what they want?
Applejack: Ah'm here because these are the only friends Ah have left, the empire killed everypony else...
Rainbow Dash: Rainbow Dash, freedom fighter?
Trixie: Nopony has the right to tell Trixie what to do! That's why...
Rainbow Dash: You know... you're WAY cooler than the Wonderbolts!
Trixie: ????
Rainbow Dash: Okay! If you all agree to come join me when we're done, I'll help! I'll rename the show "Rainbow Dash and Friends!"
Apple Bloom: WHAT! Are you stupid!?
Trixie: We accept.
Rainbow Dash: Yes! Best, day, ever!
Trixie: Trixie will make a bet with you. We'll decide with a coin toss. If it's heads, you'll help us. If it's tails, we'll go with you. How about it, Rainbow Dash...?
Rainbow Dash: Psh, easy peazy!
Apple Bloom: Listen to yourself! Trixie... you can't waste our time on that!
Applejack: That pony sure is fickle...
Trixie: Ready?



Trixie: It's your fault for not checking the coin first, so deal with it!
Rainbow Dash: Boy, you sure have guts to pull one over on me like that! All right everypony, I'll have you at the capital in a snap! I SHOULD keep this, but I won't fall for it again. Let's go!



Apple Bloom: Ok now keep yer distance, but don't LOOK like you're keeping yer distance.
Rainbow Dash: Right! I'll list lazily to the left so nopony thinks we're up to anything suspicious... I'll wait on board so nopony tries to steal the ship!

Coming soon: Vector! Or... Stalliongrad? And I find out just how painful having only one caster (except Pinkie Pie because she's different) in the Magitek Research Facility is!

It's a double pun because Setzer is so dashing.

The extra lightning sword stolen from Tunnel Armor should help a lot there, too.

I've always thought of them as more like the pony Blue Angels.

I'm guessing one of Rainbow Dash's commands is going to be Jump? Would certainly make sense.

Thinking about it, I'm kind of surprised there hasn't been an official MLP games yet. The fan overlap with gamers is so huge and we've seen so many fan games that you'd think Hasbro'd at least attempt it. The result would almost certainly be terrible, of course.

I think they've had a few interactive storybooks but that's it so far. All on itunes exclusively so I haven't looked into them further.

Did the universe really need a MST3K reference in the middle of a MLP romhack?

...more to the point, does the universe really need a MLP FF6 romhack?

Okay, this seriously made me laugh for a stupid reason. Locke does actually say that the empire is "rotten" here, but in a completely different part of the game he says the empire's "rotten to the core." That they decided to make this later bit a long "rotten to the core" riff just made my head hurt a little.

I think I pretty much always take Edgar and Sabin with me here because I usually see the bit where Sabin says something about the two-headed coin. I wonder how Luna would have reacted to that!

Wait a minute, does Celes use the same coin Edgar uses?

Yep. If you bring Edgar and Sabin along, Celes borrows the coin from Edgar and Sabin has an "a-ha" moment when Setzer examines the coin. If neither sibling is along, Celes just happens to have a double headed coin.