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dSana — Keep Pretending
#mlpmylittlepony #mlpfim #mylittleponyfriendshipismagic #bronybronies #changeling #thorax #crystalempire #crystalhoof #mlpseason6 #mlpseason6episode16 #thoraxthechangeling
Published: 2016-08-28 12:59:22 +0000 UTC; Views: 19454; Favourites: 810; Downloads: 176
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"How can you expect ponies who looks like this...to trust something that looks like this?"WIP:
This time something a bit sad, because I felt really sorry for Thorax I was really impressed, too - animators designed changelings to look creepy and dangerous all those years ago, and now they had to find a way to make one of them look sad and cute - and succeeded at that
Most done in Inkscape with some basic blending in Sketchbook & usual photo filters in Photoshop.
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My Little Pony - Friendship is Magic © Hasbro
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Comments: 50
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It was disappointing that Spike was first too much a coward to stand up for his new friend. But then it was crucial to see Thorax showing the power of forgiveness.
Spike quickly recognized his own treachery for what it was, and he figuratively saved Thorax from the abyss.
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That's the thing with shapeshifters- it's like they're trapped between pretending to be somebody else, which gives them an empty feeling, and revealing their true form, which they fear will lead to fear, mistrust and rejection.
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This picture is really well drawn... and it captures the sadness I felt during the episode for poor Thorax.
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This is probably what he’s thinking. youtu.be/e1lpDMOOp9s
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Now this is very touching and very well drawn.
I drew something similar around the same time, but your try is way better than mine 
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The never ending struggle of being what they want you to be but not being yourself know that all to well from my past love the picture <3
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In light of the S6 finale, things are finally looking about as up as possible for the poor guy.
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Yeah, this ending made me happy
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Thorax/Crystal Hoof has been added to my fav male characters .And this cutesome pic goes to my .
Ifeel so sorry for him
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Deception
Disgrace
Evil as plain as the holes in his legs.
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Very well done!
Many thanks for creating and posting this, it's epic!!! 
Kinda off the subject, but.....
I stated back in 2013 on some live brony chat channels at that time, I believed that a few changelings could be good, that they can't all be bad. Oh that idea didn't go well with the so-called Bronies in 2013(you know, the supposed to be kind, caring, open-minded individuals, were actually cruel, hostile, and close-minded instead). Boy, I'd love to rub that episode in their faces now if they were still watching the show or those chat rooms even still existed. Good to know I was right all along and now it's canon too and my losing arguments at that time were not in vain.
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Thank you! I am sorry you had a difficult time with some bronies in the past. I was never a fan of "all race is 100% pure evil" theory. myself. I am glad that - just like griffons and dragons - now changelings are given a chance.
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This art came from a raw, dark, emotional place. I want more of dark, Key. I like dark Key. I think it would help you to draw your emotions more. I love the sappy stuff Key but don't spare us. If you're feeling down then you should absolutely draw something that makes us feel down. We want you and your art. You already have the talent and technique and style all your own. If you can capture the imagery of your emotions in your work the possibilities at creating more moving, emotional, dramatic art will be boundless.
(P.S. I'm only guessing that this came from a dark place because you mentioned you were sick. Forgive me if I'm throwing around weighty assumptions. I just love where this came from. You made me feel exactly as I'm supposed to feel! And you did that with your mind and digital art software. Truly a magician with a pen! KEEP BEING YOU. DRAW FROM WITHIN. <3)
(P.P.S. Come to think of it where is the real Crystal Hoof? I mean changelings can only duplicate already existing real beings can they not? So where's the real Crystal Hoof? Is his name even Crystal Hoof? What if they met face-to-face? Wouldn't that be weird? hahahaha)
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Glad to hear that, because I have few darker pieces already planned!
As for CH I am not sure of changelings are limited to only copying. Or perhaps, Thorax is generally different?
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I feel so bad for Thorax. 
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I liked how they were able to portray the fact that not all changelings are mindless automatons.
Hugh the Borg from ST:TNG showed that as well. That's who Thorax reminded me of.
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I was never a fan of "all race is evil" thing. Even bugs can love
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I'm pretty the same was true for some Nazis from WW2.
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Well, not exactly. Nazis are not a race and not Nazis were of one race either. Save for braniwashed youth, for adults it was a choice. It would be wrong to say "all Germans were evil, including children". But ALL Nazis who stayed Nazis no matter what they knew and witnessed were evil...
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"If you wear a mask, you can fool the world, but you cannot fool your heart."
At the beginning of our lives, we are given the idea of an identity, and we grow and learn to fit that identity. Jacques Lacan refers to this as "Mirror Theory." We start as a blank slate and slowly establish an identity due to our environment and the laws of our society. Changelings, who are able to copy the physical appearance of anypony or anything, can act in place of another, but they cannot mimic their personality. Queen Chrysalis' cruel and selfish personality dripped through her guise of Princess Cadence, who in contrast is kindhearted and loving.
With Thorax, something more interesting happened. Though the alias of "Crystal Hoof" was an illusion, he and Thorax seemed to be two sides of the mirror rather than polar opposites like Cadence and Chrysalis. Crystal Hoof was, perhaps, what Thorax secretly wanted to be, but something he knew he couldn't. He didn't want to pretend to be a pony, he just wanted to fit in with them and their society and be loved for who he was. And while watching this struggle, I sat in my chair thinking: how often does this happen in real life?
We humans talk about being true to ourselves, but it can be so hard to do that when everyone around you judges you for a number of things — how you look, how you act, what you believe, who you keep as company. Or worst of all, they judge you because of what you are, fearful due to bad experiences or prejudiced information, afraid they'll be hurt or looked down upon for associating themselves with you. That is what made me feel especially sorry for Thorax and his situation. He was the one good thing that came out a large, ugly mess and he wanted to escape and be his own Changeling, but was denied because of where he came from and what he was.
Thorax was an oddball amongst the Changelings. He was less like their wicked Queen and more like a pony. Yet even when he was free from the Changelings after the Royal Wedding, he couldn't find his place among ponies because of what he was born as. It's understandable you have to be wary around someone who's potentially dangerous, but the episode "Times They Are a Changeling" showed how, no matter where you come from or what you are, your identity is not shaped by your appearance or the place you were born. Identity is something we ourselves have to choose and shape; it ours and ours alone. Thorax had to hide who he really was all his life, but thankfully he finally found his chance for the life he wanted, and though Crystal Hoof was merely a costume of sorts, perhaps the spirit of Crystal Hoof lingers within Thorax, part of his being and secretly his new life.
NOW FOR THE ART ITSELF!
Beautiful job with the colors. The monochromatic look is cool and comfortable and is balanced well with the shades and darker tones. The symmetry also plays well with the whole "mirror" aspect. And, of course, it pulls on the heartstrings to see the visual and emotional turmoil Thorax/Crystal Hoof is going through . . . which, in this case, is good when sadness is what you're trying to portray.
I admit, "The Times They Are a Changeling" is not a perfect episode, but it is most certainly a good one. I loved the bond between Spike and Thorax and I really hope we see more of him the future. The song Spike sang was touching and beautiful, too. Also, I loved how Spike, who is admired as a hero to the Crystal Empire, put everything on the line just to protect a friend. As Twilight said, if that's not bravery, what is? That made me love Spike more than I already do: he risked being scorned and losing his reputation to do what he knew to be right. It is SO good to see him finally getting the love he needs and deserves from the creators. Here's hoping he gets more down the road.
Beautiful job, dSana!
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Tears of loneliness, in a cloak of lies, born to be evil, different from all, wanting, needing, acceptance must or will come, it shall soon come for you, but time can be painful, so wait as you may, for your time, will come
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The only thing that I could think of when looking at this.
Crystal Hoof: No, not Spike.
Thorax: Yes, even Spike First they will cheat you, hurt you, lie to you.
Crystal Hoof: No, Spike is my friend.
Thorax: You don't have any friends! Nobody likes you.
Crystal Hoof: 'covering ears' I'm not listening. I'm not listening.
Thorax: You're a liar and a thief.
Crystal Hoof: 'quietly' No.
Thorax: Take the baby. Bring her to the Queen.
Crystal Hoof: 'weakly' Go away.
Thorax: Go away! 'laughs'
Crystal Hoof: I hate you. I hate you.
Thorax: Where would you be without me. 'coughs' I saved us. It was I that survived, because of me.
Crystal Hoof: Not anymore.
Thorax: What did you say?
Crystal Hoof: Spike looks after us now, we don't need you know.
Thorax: What?
Crystal Hoof: Leave now and never come back.
Thorax: No!
Crystal Hoof: Leave now and never come back!
Thorax: 'growls'
Crystal Hoof: LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK!
'silence'
Crystal Hoof: We told him to go away and away he goes.
Spike: Crystal Hoof are you ready to meet the baby?
Crystal Hoof: Yes I am!
I am referencing the scene where Gollum talks to himself from the Lord of the Rings if you didn't get it. Great artwork, Thorax is probably the best new character this season.
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I like it! And yeah, Thorax's great
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It's not good to lie about yourself forever. Slowly they'll learn that like Kevin, you're not such a bad guy and that not all changelings are bad people
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Who do you see whenever you look at the mirror?
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Classic imagery
I'm honestly a bit envious of you.
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It's hard to look in the mirror when you don't like who you see.
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