The Origin of Princess Luna's Mysterious Dark Power?

[@smorey2631]

my theory: luna has a skin disease edit: Tysm for pinning my comment! I really appreciate it! :)

[@diceonvenus]

*proceeds to get unpinned*

[@Natalie-hr3pv]

X

[@Multi476]

Cantersoft when a user edits a comment it gets unpinned, and unhearted

[@derpylimeaj6350]

It’s part of her cutie mark

[@Multi476]

Derpylime AJ did you not watch the video UwU

[@coytax]

It’s not an error when they switched cutiemarks celestia has white skin and luna’s moon cutie mark is white so animators added the black splotch so people can see the moon.

[@NotSoChillDude]

Kinda Makes sense

[@eralavellan7297]

Well they just could have made the moon blue/black bc of the white 🤷🏼‍♀️ but had the same thing in my mind for a sec

[@Stupendous.ideass]

You have a true point

[@Stupendous.ideass]

It really makes sense

[@joanadinis1047]

@@eralavellan7297 could've also outlined it with black

[@niko8006]

It's a theory, but that black spot allows Luna to enter the dream world

[@cultofkiwis9421]

It's a nice idea, but then that would mean she wasn't able to in the past, but in a way that explains a bit more if you were to go into depth

[@abilikes_blu3191]

Which is actually plausible, since when Celestia had to do it she got the black spot too

[@bronxx4817]

Abi Likes_Blu true

[@KuK137]

@@abilikes_blu3191 Celestia only got black spot because otherwise white moon would look blank on her butt. The spell was only supposed to swap marks.

[@SquishyMain]

@@KuK137 I think if the black part didn't go to Celestia then they would make the moon have a yellow or purple tint to it.

[@ramashraykumar9110]

My theory: The black spot represents the anger, jealousy while the moon represents the dreamwalking and raising the moon. In an episode when the princesses transfer their magic into twilight the black spot didn't go, while in another episode when starlight changes their cutie marks, the black spot goes with the moon causing the anger/jealousy change Celestia into daybreaker........ We also know that luna was guilty about damages/sadness she caused, so when she transferred her magic she didn't want the jealousy to go into twilight (making her idk)..... but when starlight changed the cutie marks, the black spot/jealousy went with the moon without luna noticing but when she noticed it was too late and therefore it affected Celestia.......

[@raindows0152]

Oh thats a great thoery. this should be canon

[@midnightsun829]

@@raindows0152 In that episode actually- Starlight shouts "Im not the one dreaming this up!" But Luna was there. I wonder if that was a manifestation of Luna's fears if this is true?

[@touyatakami3374]

Thats a good theory but I thing it was done because Celestia has white fur and the moon is white sooo the black spot moved too so we can see the moon also Day Bracker was a dream not reality

[@FlameSlayer123]

I'm pasting the comment with the answer because I don't want to write it again I would like to point out the fact that when they switched markings in season 7, when Celestia appeared in Starlight's dream, this darkness from her temporary cutie mark could manifest as Daybreaker, but this theory conflicts with the Halloween episode where Nightmare Moon keeps her form under control, so this one theory doesn't make sense. In the comics, Nightmare was a separate entity and, for example, took control over Rarity, which explains why in this movie, when there was a screenshot of a fragment of the comic with Stygian and Luna, there was another power saying that it had been a long time since they had seen each other (generally, comics have a more extensive lore ). But if we stick to the series, maybe because of the depression that Luna had, and most importantly, who she was, i.e. an alicorn, this grief and depression could manifest into her individual darkness, which gives her magical strength, and Luna, under the influence of bitterness, thought that if she used this power, she would have it. what she wants, besides she was jealous so having such power and being in a weak mental state made her go crazy and wanted to kill Celestia. Yes, it was probably not a second evil personality (now there will be a part that may be difficult to understand). Even if the people in the songs were as if Nightmare Moon was a separate entity, it makes sense with the comics, but not with the TV series, but if we combined it with the TV series, I would say that Nightmare Moon's personality is seen and heard only by Luna. What I mean is that she is not real in terms of being and personality, and it can be said that when Luna was depressed, her brain unconsciously accumulated this darkness and in order to artificially "help" Luna, he invented Nightmare Moon, which was as if her conscience, common sense, which told her that you can do it differently and "better". Even after the transformation, she was not controlled by any personality, rather she was obsessed with the desire for revenge, which explains why in season two, in the Halloween episode, she easily changed into her "Evil" form and vice versa. This theory still makes sense in season five, when Luna tells Tantabus that let's do it as soon as possible or something, which suggests that her laughter after the transformation was fake, and when Tantabus escapes from Luna's dream, Luna behaves really normally and reacts with panic. To sum up my theory, Luna does not have a second personality in her head, she only has a dark power that enhances the effects of her magic. Someone will say, but if she can easily turn into Nightmare Moon, why doesn't Luna use this power. The reason is simple, it is simply that this power is a dark and rather unfriendly power that can be difficult to control or bring back bad memories or cause the user to go mad.

[@unsolvedmystery9687]

hey, look at celestia's cutie mark she also had stains there when she transformed into daybreaker, yet its color was orange, and had a fire like shape.

[@tiarun392]

This theory can explain Luna's stain behind her cutie mark where her choice has altered herself but from season 4 to season 7, she may have come to accept this as part of herself. Then Nightmare Moon and Luna would just be one. It is similar to Daybreaker as Celestia's fear of being tempted by dark magic is reflected through Daybreaker and that cutie mark is also influenced. So maybe this shows temptation can make the good princesses become bad and if they change again, traces of what once affected will always remain like a scar.

[@raisin1160]

If luna can be imprisoned in the moon why not celestia in the sun?

[@AlienMadeFromSoda]

When!?!?!

[@AlienMadeFromSoda]

And what about Twilight? Will she get a stain?

[@abelmagezi3361]

@The Girl with Magic wings ,neither did Luna before she became nightmare moon

[@bananaberry3591]

If u look at the episode where day breakers existence was made her cutie mark has a orange spot. It was because of her transformation. So it could have the same explanation on Luna. She turned into nightmaremoon and that had a side effect on her cutie mark.

[@Stupendous.ideass]

True makes sense

[@phosyphos5192]

Actually good point 👍

[@Nothingtoseeasmyname]

But in the past scene we saw she already had the black spot so maybe when the jealousy and anger was arising within her it then spawned and not just when she turned to nightmare moon

[@AnkaChannel8395]

Well, yeah, that does make sense. That dark spot in her cutie mark could be formed when she was filled with jealousy and transformed into wicked, evil version of herself. And after she was reformed the mark becomes a symbol and a reminder of what she used to be. And now the splotch is staying on her flank with her, forever. Along with her guilt of becoming Nightmare Moon... Welp, I escalated it pretty quickly.

[@BlooMonkiMan]

Stains of Corruption... Neat...

[@lunaracolyte8683]

With how the black spot is described, it almost sounds like a representation of psychological scarring. Something so deeply rooted could've effected the destiny of her cutie mark

[@Blue-rz1cv]

Imagine waiting 1000 years for revenge just to get a brief cameo

[@shaifalibhatnagar4697]

I live over here for 1000.😉😉

[@hannaxxsia3380]

I live for 1000 Rounds of roblox ragdoll LOLZ

[@foxwolf7775]

I would scream Ree for another thousand years

[@foxwolf7775]

@Amy Cheang (571amychea) ok... i didn't say anything about that...

[@Vember_codyisunderrated]

I demand you to watch my video

[@Mel-it5uk]

In A Royal Problem, I think the only reason why the splotch moved with the moon is because you wouldn't be able to see just the moon on Celestia, since she is practically white. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@Therealrutile]

Bro why are all celstia toys pink. SHE'S WHITE NOT PINK HHHHHH

[@prettylion4836]

@@Therealrutile well actually, if you were to look even closer, or use an eyedropper in an art program, you'd see that she's an incredibly light shade of pink.

[@maxzapsgamingzepzeap2337]

No 1 likes that, it's to boring

[@yurigacha-san1367]

@@prettylion4836 yeah, but the toys make it way too dark most of the time. It's often a similar colour to the colour that Celestia's mane had when she was younger. I have seen some that are even darker than that

[@prettylion4836]

@@yurigacha-san1367 😂😂Yeah. They probably do that so you could see the eyes or something like that.

[@jacobsamuel6279]

when Celestia was doing Luna's duties when she turned into daybreaker she also had an orange spot too maybe Luna's black spot shows her old destiny where she becomes into Nightmare moon and when she has the black spot she can turn into nightmare moon whenever she wants too

[@dragonire_dino0856]

Yeah to me it seems like the marks represent their evil sides

[@AmberAugustReal]

I’m starting to think when starlight gave the moon and splotch to celestia by swapping them, that created daybreaker

[@cassandrawinther]

Ye

[@g1jetfireandrainbowdash798]

Ja

[@GoodFortuneEquine]

Yea

[@Hyacinthie.]

That's what I thought too

[@janericcosme4899]

This is the most logical thing ever

[@Jeffthecreepyastafan]

I believe nightmare Moon was never distoryed only pushed back into the darkness of Luna's mind. Nightmare Moon is a part of Luna made from her jealousy, anger, doubt, and her goal for anypony to love her like her sister simmer to Celestia for daybreaker for Celestias deep lust for power, control, domination and a desire to be loved by all. I believe all alicorns have this side to them as a way to test themselves to hold back the dark emotions inside of them and focus on the friendship and harmony of equestria and the world.

[@Jeffthecreepyastafan]

@@Cantersoft yep

[@LunaWCUE]

Jack Sexton I beileve That Luna is a part of the mind of Luna she’s me and that I’m the way she’s a Princess

[@maxzapsgamingzepzeap2337]

@@Cantersoft True, and we know there's multiple ways to do this because- (Spoilers for MLP late season 9 dead ahead) When Chrysalis, Cozy Glow, and Tirek learned Grogar was really Discord they used 'Grogar's' bell to absorb his chaotic power and then transferred some of that power to themselves, meaning there might be multiple other ways to absorb someone else's power

[@dxwnplays7116]

Jack Sexton well in the episode Do princesses dream of magic sheep? The thing got bigger depending on her guilt

[@Notknown00]

:OOOOOO omg what would Cadence and Twilight's dark side look like :O

[@salty-nova6767]

Bruh the damn shadow is like William afton- he’s always flipping coming back

[@ThomasloveRE]

Yesh

[@va6Luna]

Lol-

[@ZainabMunawar-ql2fk]

Oh god not him...

[@UmbraMG]

Daybreaker has the same splotch, but orange, welp that confirms this theory.

[@Katzluvs]

i didnt even notice that!

[@BlckLia]

YES CORRECT!!! IF CELESTIA TURNS INTO DAYBREAKER ONE DAY THEN SHE WILL HAVE A DARKNESS SIGN WHICH IS JUST SHE COULD TURN INTO DAYNREAKER IF SHES REALLY MAD!!!!

[@darkmoonplayz9077]

Absolutely true

[@aycxia3065]

The other thing is, when we see Daybreaker, theres also a mark there similar to Luna’s that looks like fire. This suggests that If Celestia turned into Daybreaker and back she also would have the mark.

[@dragonire_dino0856]

I'm pretty sure the marks are a representation of their other sides. Like a constant reminder that,that was who they used to be, or can become again.

[@collinsfarley]

I agree with aycxia

[@MarianGolfita]

good because they can’t get along

[@souleater1466]

My theory is she has "2" cutie marks becase shes like the moon, who has to phases/faces..... the white part representing when the moon is full and the dark part reprrsenting when there is no moon.

[@dragonire_dino0856]

Then why would daybreaker (Celestia's evil side) have the same exact mark just a different color? To me it seems like that the marks represent their other sides.

[@Cantersoft]

My theory is that all this video did was confuse people.

[@lunatheunknown1558]

😂😂😂 True

[@teachmepianoplease8667]

Lol

[@choco9217]

Lol xD

[@AncientWindsFlutes]

Cantersoft LOL

[@BlckLia]

Yessss!!!YOURRRR RIGHT!!!!! THAT BLACK THING FROM LUNA IS LIKE A DARKNESS!BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT CELESTIAS CUTIE MARK SHE DOES NOT HAVE A THING IN HER CUTIE MARK BECAUSE IF.. YOU WATCHED WHEN NIGHTMARE MOON AND DAYBREAKER FIGHTS YOU CAN SEE THAT DAYBREAKER STRONGER VERSION OF CELESTIA HAS A MARK LIKE THAT THING LUNA HAS TO! ITS THE ROYAL PROBLEM!LOOK AT DAYBREAKERS STRONGGER VERSION OF CELESTIA HAS A 5HING LIKE THAT TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@Cookiethekitty-xl7cz]

i honestly think that the black splotch on luna's flank was just to make her character design more interesting. and it was intended to be a birth mark. but when starlight did the spell the editors realized that the moon on luna would blend in with celestia bc their both white. so they added luna's birth mark onto her.

[@jos-josradvanji6203]

@@Cantersoft I think a reason why it's not in the book is because like in our world,books usually don't contain everything,they just summarize stuff.Like..in the bible it doesn't say if Jesus has any weird markings on his butt either . +I don't know if it was revealed who wrote the book but if it was a generic pony,they might never have met Luna personally and therefor the heritage only mentioned things that were widely known about the princesses,like what they did and what cutiemark they have. (Especially because Celestia is quite incorrect there too,her wings are rose coloured instead of white,her mane is rose instead of rainbow-ish and there is no height difference between the two even though Luna is significantly smaller than Celestia)

[@maxzapsgamingzepzeap2337]

Celestia's coat is a very light Shade of pink

[@Cookiethekitty-xl7cz]

@@maxzapsgamingzepzeap2337 same thing XD

[@maxzapsgamingzepzeap2337]

@@Cookiethekitty-xl7cz Anyways both the splotch going to her to make the moon noticeable and it being her inner darkness could be true, and transfering that darkness to Celestia in A Royal Problem could've created Day Breaker

[@Cookiethekitty-xl7cz]

@@maxzapsgamingzepzeap2337 day breaker was a dream that starlight had. starlight made up day breaker. and i think that nightmare moon isnt a part of luna, its darkness, hate, anger, and insecurity looking to infect somepony. i think that when luna and celestia banished sombra, some of the darkness that made him evil, transferred to luna and slowly built up enough with luna's insecurity and feeling unnoticed brought out nightmare moon.

[@lukasschumann4900]

It could represent her added duty for watching the dreams to night after she learned this from the dreamcreatures on the moon. She currupted and nearly destroyed them all. After beeing good again she had to take care of the dreams, but never before she was Nightmare Moon. I think it was told in the MlP: FIENDship is Magic Series of the Comis.

[@dragonire_dino0856]

If that's the case then why did daybreaker have the same mark? I think it's a representation of their evil sides (even though daybreaker was only a dream it's still a pretty good image of what could happen if Celestia was the one to go evil)

[@soulslvr9562]

Due to how Nightmare moon has a simular splotch. Id have to say that the splotch represents a different side of Luna's coin when the other isnt present. When Luna is there the splotch is black representing Nightmare Moon and when Nightmare Moon is present her splotch is purple which represents Luna. And since Nightmare moon and Luna have the same talent of them raising the moon its possible that when Starlight switched the cutiemarks and the talents and the rolls of the sisters it could be possible that she accidentally also placed Nightmare Moon's talents into Celestia as well. Which aslo explains why Celestia seems so familar with Daybreaker despite her being in Starlight's dream. Its because instead of Nightmare Moon it was Daybreaker or an entity that is simular to Daybreaker was in her head during the day which is why Celestia was saying how it was so hard to keep an eye on the dreamrealm. Not because it was hard no she could handle the dream realm it was the thoughts that were truely hard to overcome

[@Proud_Knight]

@@Cantersoft That Yin and Yang reference really makes me feel like this is a form of split personality enhanced by magic. It feels like the dark magic of the Pony of Shadows latched onto the more negative feelings Luna was having and fragmented her mind into a negative half and positive half. What if neither can truly destroy the other but the dormant one cannot force their way into control? Because if you think about it, its implied that Luna had to give in to the darkness willingly to become Nightmare Moon. This would mean that the Elements of Harmony didn't destroy Nightmare Moon but rather restrained her and forced Luna back into control, but Nightmare Moon fully remains in Luna. Like you say, its like Yin and Yang; one cannot exist without the other and so neither can truly be destroyed. So if Luna were ever to be convinced to give in to the darkness again, she could easily release Nightmare Moon once more. (though that's unlikely to ever happen) This kinda seems like a parasite of darkness. The magic finds a host and forms a symbiotic relationship with it, creating a new personality with power greater than either one had on their own. Add to that that it cannot easily be contained, escaping in some form both times its host was banished from the world, and this has to easily be one of the most dangerous lifeforms in the world. Right up there with the Parasprites..

[@Proud_Knight]

@@Cantersoft You're welcome, and thank you as well! If it wasn't for this video I wouldn't have given this as much thought, tbh. I never really even considered the idea that the splotch was something more as I'm not so eagle eyed as the fans that spot stuff like the splotch remaining when her magic was drained but being swapped with Celestias cutiemark. This video and these comments are what opened up this whole line of thought for me in the first place, so I'm just happy I could contribute :D I've Subbed and turned notifications on, and I look forward to your next video on the subject if you decide to make one after all.

[@g1jetfireandrainbowdash798]

Pony Two Face

[@soulslvr9562]

@@g1jetfireandrainbowdash798 basically

[@nightmareflurry8637]

This is probably the reason why we see Daybreaker in that episode with Celestia dark side.

[@ev9702]

Theory : when she was night mare moon all her skin was black and her splotch was purple , so maybe they switched colours

[@kittyjade16]

Luna is blue tho, not purple, but that is interesting to think about

[@ev9702]

Thank :3

[@evangelineventanilla7273]

Boooooooo, 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@fornitepy6468]

@@ev9702 I said something along those lines too

[@moon_wolf3334]

True....

[@nehka_6438]

It’s actually explained in the less known Mlp comic books, The Nightmare Rarity series specifically, you should read it, and it answers the question in a way

[@zac8707]

theory: the magic of plot convenience allowed the black mark to move onto celestial for the sake of the white moon being visible.

[@LordCthulhuTheDestroyer]

Remember the dream episode? I think the splotch is the darkness she still holds within her. Even though she let go of it her guilt and need to punish herself, the shadow and its darkness remain. Or perhaps it really is just a scar of sorts... A symbol of how she's grown, but of the burden she still continues to carry from what she did. This is similar to something you said in your video, and it could be the right path if not the first thing I mentioned, which makes the most sense to me personally. But this is definitely quality entertainment right here.

[@ellienugent2000]

And could explain the same for Celestia who probably felt the same too.

[@sciiwizard5739]

My thoughts: Luna as nightmare moon has a purple splotch. My theory: The purple splotch may say that Luna still had light in her at the moment. ;)

[@blazwings1021]

YOu my friend helped me with my Theory. I noticed the NMM had the Purple Cloud, and Luna has the Black cloud. that akin to matching tatoos. This shows a bit more that Luna and NMM ARE NOT the same pony but connected as BFFs or something

[@meggamiauw4266]

I think as Luna it represents the darkness that once was part of her since daybreaker also had a stain around her cutie mark in Starlight Glimmer's dream.

[@hannaxxsia3380]

YASS

[@fallenfrostspirit]

Like Yin and Yang

[@ellienugent2000]

So it's the Cutie Mark of her Ying and Her Yang.

[@Boo_2720]

*-Bear with me this is gonna be long-* My theory was that the black splotch on luna's flank represented Nightmare moon so in the episode where starlight switches Celestia's and Luna's cutie marks Luna was also temporarily shed from having nightmare moon still apart of her. But because Celestia got the black splotch this lead to Celesta's evil side, Day Breaker trying to convince Celestia that she didn't need Luna and could rule the world on her own witch (as I thought) would mean that Day Breaker may have also wanted to rule Equestria but in the day rather in the night as Nightmare Moon wanted to rule in darkness so I thought it would make sense that Day Breaker would want to rule in the day rather than having any night at all as did Nightmare Moon. -This was really long, wasn't it? Soooowwwwwyyyyy-

[@sarahportula9436]

👌 👍 Ok

[@dragonire_dino0856]

It also makes sense because daybreaker had the same Mark that Luna/ nightmare moon has

[@snekpideoh]

This should have more than 129 likes

[@nabstablooktheghost721]

About the "Some of the shadow could have escaped Starswirl's spell" thing, it would make sense because of it possibly getting weaker over time, but would it just sit in a spot until it felt Luna's need to be recognized, or would it move in a way nobody could see?

[@ellienugent2000]

Maybe both...

[@fallenangel_899]

If you didn't notice, Daybreaker also has this marking behind her cutie mark

[@thesnowysidez452]

As you said day breaker has a mark and Luna does too, I think in the part where they switched not only did magic, but evil too causing a reaction making day breaker possible. This might be the reason day breaker existing but it might means she can possess the POWER TO GIVE PONIES THE DARK MAGIC. It's like an illness.

[@blazwings1021]

True but Daybreaker is not real and was not real. Daybreaker was created during Starlight Glimmer's dream

[@fallenangel_899]

@@thesnowysidez452 I feel like its like a corruption mark. Showing that that pony is corrupted or under in the influence of dark magic. With Luna, she returned to her normal self but the blob was still there and it could just be a scar. So like a cuttie scar lmao

[@j.c.2240]

The "splotch" is the magical equivalent to a battle scar. As in, Luna battled and tried to resist the temptation, and tried to suppress her dark emotions of loneliness and anger. She may have been doing that for years, but for whatever reason, she eventually failed. This "dark magic" then convinced her to use her natural magic (or cutie mark magic) for selfish purposes instead of selfless ones. We can safely assume that Luna didn't always have the ability to monitor dreams, otherwise she wouldn't have felt unloved and unwanted, and we know from the comics that nightmare moon could mess with pony's dreams. So, what if that dark magic gave her that ability as she slowly turned into nightmare moon. Then 1000 years after banishing, she's released, the dark magic now dead or expelled or something. Regardless, the dark magic no longer holds sway over her. But that blotch is a scar, and she uses it to teach others now, guiding them away from the darkness that took her. The dark magic itself is gone, but its effect will be remembered forever. Eh, that's just a theory.

[@scarletttodd1335]

When Celestia sent luna to the moon her hair turned rainbow from the gem things her hair was pink so what really happened is it similar to luna's transformation or not?

[@Lyokoheros-KLPXTV]

but turning her hair into different color is just a fan animation in canon she has 4 color (4 color isn' a rainbow BTW, true rainbow has 7 colors) also before banishing Luna.

[@therealtheauthenticjotarok1585]

My theory: The splotch is a corruption (or a part) of her dark magic, and it's still inside of her. But, it can be transported to pony to pony if given her marking, like in a royal problem, Celeste became day breaker, which could've resulted in Luna's corrupted splotch to spread to her briefly. I call the splotch a 'corruption' because it's still dark magic, but corrupted so it can't do anything because it's too weak.

[@blazwings1021]

you can't use Daybreaker, she was never real. Starlight Glimmer's dreaming mind created her. NMM was real in the pysical world of Equestria.

[@silhouette3865]

@@blazwings1021 But she's canon

[@VioletEmbersBand]

Him: Makes this really detailed video Me: Or.....we could just say that the animators forgot to put the black splot there

[@L3VEL3UGHL3VE]

What

[@eelio8469]

There is dark magic almost everywhere. It can corrupt ones who feel negative emotions. Not all dark magic has to be in the pony of shadows or princess Luna.

[@Unicorngirl-wo4pm]

I can prove this theory of the patch as left over evil. Remember Celestias evil form in the series? That form had a patch over the sun, so the evil we are talking about would be the same evil that turned Celestia.

[@meggamiauw4266]

Yeah!! I also noticed that!!

[@deet0109mapping]

In A Royal Problem, if the blot wasn’t included in Luna’s mark, then we’d have no way to see it on the white coat of Celestia.

[@violettethekawaii9417]

ikr?

[@dahliam77]

^thank you for looking at this realisticly

[@mali5136]

They could’ve easily outlined it. Though I will say it is very likely a continuity error or something of the sort, it’s just a theory to explain the lore and if a show is gonna be lazy or have continuity errors, you get these theories that could’ve been easily explained instead with “well, it could’ve been to make things easier/they forgot” But.. you have to understand that it’s reasonable to make these theories if it goes against the story’s previous logic.

[@aliviafaline9983]

If you look closely, you can see that she is actually light pink not white

[@deet0109mapping]

Alivia Faline close enough, the moon would’ve been hard to see anyway

[@masugeti]

"I'd be giving too much away for what I had planned" G4 ended and we still know nothing

[@queenorat5645]

Here's a theory: It's literally just apart of her cutie mark. It represents the night sky with the moon, as she is the princess of the night. It's just apart of her cutie mark.

[@BlueFox394.]

But why did she originally only have a moon cutie mark? Cutie marks dont just change over time.

[@moonxzai]

cutie marks don't change over time, at first it wasn't there.

[@Stupendous.ideass]

But she did not make the sky go dark it celestia who make sky dark beacause when she sets the sun the sun goes so when there is no light properly it will be dark such a simple explanation it does not make sense

[@luivjeslay4803]

Daybreaker also had a mark like luna. But it was orange

[@KittKatt_Misty]

@@BlueFox394. EXACTLY!

[@framwinkle]

Not a bad theory. The Pony of Shadows could help explain Luna's shift into Nightmare Moon. I might be able to go with that. However, I do like to think that the dark splotch is actually part of Luna's cutie mark, and that it was just an error that it remained when she gave up her magic. Even if the writers intentionally left it, I don't think they should have. But on the other hoof, maybe that represents a part of her magic that she couldn't just give up willingly? In my own headcanon, the moon represents her connection to the moon, obviously, but the splotch represents her connection to the night and all that's in it, both the night sky with all the stars, and especially the dream world. That's why Celestia could dreamwalk when they swapped cutie marks, because she got the splotch. So perhaps Luna's dream magic wasn't part of what she gave up? Also, a white moon on a white pony wouldn't have worked, so they had to move both to Celestia for contrast. And Starlight is OP.

[@mickey36910]

Also if you go and look back when Celestia and Luna first fought discord, her dark splotches were still there and that would’ve been before she became nightmare moon

[@allannamorning7718]

Yes it could be possible since changelings do feed on love tyreks magic is kinda related to gluttony and how moony's amazing ability to controll and manipulate dreams is amazing. But honestly why are we still surprised celestia likes to keep nightmare moon herself almost permanently trapped in a state that's exactly like torture 24 four hours a day?! To get information from her is difficult frustrating not to mention extremely painful!!!

[@allannamorning7718]

Pretty much but everyone are so deadset in their tragic beleif to just put down the vague idea that tia is not a saint far from it in fact nightmare moon's bactstory is a tragic and painful one.

[@maxzapsgamingzepzeap2337]

Actually Celestia's coat is a very light shade of pink

[@mayu0512]

My theory: Luna's cutie mark wasn't having that black spot before she became nightmare moon so when the mane 6 defeated nightmare moon Luna turns back to normal and has the black spot on her cutie mark so it might be nightmare moons power still in her

[@iclynnx]

I imagine the black splotch represents her ability to enter the dream world, so maybe that's why Celestia got not only the moon, but the black splotch too. When Luna gave up her magic to Twilight, she just didn't transfer her dream world ability to her, maybe? And Luna might not have gotten this ability until later, which would explain why Luna in the... comic-like style(?) doesn't have the black marking. Or it could represent her dark side, who knows. Both theories work.

[@youssefsameh6402]

Nice theoies....

[@voilet-the-non-violet-vulpix]

That would actually be really cool, if some ponies had multiple phase cutie marks, representing multiple talents and/or multiple pieces to their destinies.

[@iclynnx]

@@voilet-the-non-violet-vulpix Now that you say it, yeah!

[@PurpleRozy]

I think its because she became nightmare moon?

[@iclynnx]

@@PurpleRozy The splotch was there before she was Nightmare Moon though

[@antisimptrooper4635]

1:25 but you are ending the series..

[@melsgutz]

lol it’s probably for generation 5

[@starrynight5730]

It was answered in the comic nightmare rarity

[@dracopug]

@@starrynight5730the show often discredits the comics

[@youssefsameh6402]

*ended* ;-;

[@maxzapsgamingzepzeap2337]

@@starrynight5730 How? Also the show apparently often discredits the comics so that comic explanation could be a part of some alternate timeline

[@sushfourliifer]

don’t you just love MLP theories they’re the best ngl

[@angela-chanm5168]

Aside from the cutie mark theory, I have another one: After nightmare moon's defeat and transformation back into princess luna, the effects of the elements of harmony caused luna to revert into a younger age when reuniting with her sister and later season 2 onwards, she became older and mature (the one with a flowing mane), since she had her powers restored.

[@dragonire_dino0856]

It was like she was put into a stasis pod, she looked just as she did when she was first put into the Moon (before she turned into nightmare Moon) but when she was freed her age caught up with her as the days went on and so did her magic.

[@yeshiboo]

I have a theory. So in the episode “Do princesses dream of magic sheep?” (Well i think it’s what it’s called) She said she said she created a blue smoke to punish herself. I think that might be it actually.

[@irishuisman1450]

Like I said to a different commenter who theorized the same thing: That’s not possible considering the timeframe though. Luna herself said that she created the Tantabus, and I quote: “to punish myself for the evil I caused as Nightmare Moon.” If that’s the case, then she must’ve created it after she was turned back. However, she already has the dark blotch in the earliest memory we see of her, which is the one of Discord’s first defeat. Discord was turned to stone before Luna was banished, so the dark blotch being the Tantabus wouldn’t make any sense.

[@clairerenae312]

That’s what I was thinking. I thought maybe it was the tantapus still connected to her

[@collettemaurice7970]

Yes the episode was called "Do Princesses Dream of magic Sheep?"

[@Itsnicole5]

I thought of that too! I commented it after I saw this though. I DID NOT COPY YOU

[@diamondsky8430]

Yah me too

[@Jesse-iq8cw]

When day beaker and nightmare moon fight you can see a red patch on day breaker kinda like luna and nightmare moon it’s like the same patch 😐 you can do a video on that ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Kawaiitwo]

I think the black splotch is a natural body marking (like Sunburst’s hooves and muzzle), but it had to be transferred to Celestia along with the cutie mark because the latter would probably blend in too much with Celestia’s coat if the former hadn’t been transferred, too.

[@cas4018]

*Grown man talks about a mystery of fake ponies* Edit: Some of these replies are actually stupid wtf can you guys take a joke ever?

[@MoskusMoskiferus1611]

_Yeah_

[@mikaela-gw8lz]

IFlied True no offense but LOL thats werid

[@Scranoma]

Its true. I reaaally love mlp, and I'm 18. But he is really overthinking everything 😂 like the show is actually just a computer drawing. And when something is not logical, they just say "nevermind. Kids won't care" and than we start to think about a solution.

[@Lyssa_Is_Me]

I can’t watch season 9 still :c

[@AlienMadeFromSoda]

IFlied Rude >:(

[@willow4605]

Theory: when celestia got lunas cutie mark and the black spot that made her take lunas duties,then she messed up and became day breaker

[@winterglow7578]

When daybreaker was introduced, I noticed that her cutie mark had a sun-like version of Luna's dark spot on it. It's probably not a shadowy darkness, but an evil that can whisper in other's minds, making them jealous.

[@azumiyumii4260]

My theory: Her crescent moon was HER Cutie mark,In the royal problem,She was representing celestial,plus celestia was representing nightmare moon too and, the black splotch is shown that she is also nightmare moon because nightmare has the exact cutie mark.Maybe,When she was sent to the moon for 1000 years (Idk the years) she gained power from the moon and that black splotch enables her powers to become night mare moon.Also, maybe the moon’s powers gave her the black splotch after living on the moon.Because,In Season 1 ep 2 when she was defeated,She had her decent cutie mark , maybe she was undefeated and escaped so that’s why when she was young,she didn’t have the splotch. This is a long Theory XDD Anyway I hope it’s solved

[@uhmjax4668]

I guess when Luna was sad that no one...(you know the story) the splash thing appears and then she transformed. Then, when she became good again she knew it’s a part if her.

[@velvety2006]

maybe it's some kind of magical scar

[@DrNachtschatten]

the idw comics speak of the nightmare forces. i agree on the black splotch theory that it's related to the nightmare (moon) character.

[@58jharris]

The IDW comics are not canon so they are not reliable as a source of information.

[@cassandrawinther]

Nightmare moon would be perfect in fnaf 4

[@cyberfaunix6920]

1:30 Its the end if the series Lauren, where tf is our explanation

[@PDD555]

She stopped working on the show after season 2 but I think she had planned a Grogar kind of final villain who was responsible for all the villains she had made

[@willowthegamrthedrowned6351]

Yeah, where is our explanation?

[@-irumean-3919]

When Daybreaker is revealed a orange flame shaped splotch surrounds her cutiemark just like Luna's. I think that when alicorns turn evil their cutiemarks get altered. Having the position of alicorn takes a lot of power, turning evil is betraying that power. So as punishment they get the splotch. Its a sign that even after being reformed they'll never truly return to their former selves.

[@princesssia8838]

What if the black spot on Luna's flank represents her darkness (nightmare moon)? If a pony's Cutie Mark represents their destiny, then maybe it's to show the duality of Luna's darkness/personility. The gental night being the honest,loyal, fun loving side represented by 🌒, and the inner darkness (nightmaremoon) represented by the black spot under the crecent moon. Too show that Luna's destiny was altered along with her personality. And how she will always have that inner darkness. So concludes my rant and I won't include tantabius 'cause that would involve another rant.

[@allannamorning7718]

That makes a lot of sense considering that no matter what moony is a part of luna and moony is far more capable of snuffing out light.honestly moony is a nightmare and nightmares dont go away they just kinda get bigger the more you acknowledge their presence accelarating still I would love to see if nightmare moon's reign could last forever

[@celiammwl3115]

I do think the black spot is part of Luna and that it was transferred to celestia as the Cutie Mark itself just because the Moon is white and celestia is white so it couldn't show up and they made it so that It was visible😂

[@allannamorning7718]

Yeah thats my entire point

[@faronkay6545]

Yeah. It was specifically a visual tool and nothing else.

[@cookierosestudio4682]

Smart

[@daisedskyzleteacher7819]

Very very smart never thought of that

[@herlinagamutia4619]

I just thought that Luna's black spots give her powers to dream walk allowing her to connect to ponies in a more emotional way ,cause in the beginning it didn't mention that she can walk through dreams allowing her to think that ponies didn't care about her bringing the night.

[@wildunicorn426]

Notice how we only see the black in king sombra, stigeian

[@BedrockGateBreaker]

I don't follow

[@violettethekawaii9417]

"the dark mark" VOLDEMORT ARE YOU THERE?

[@t.krum.9815]

aight, this made me snort too loud😂😂😂

[@violettethekawaii9417]

@@t.krum.9815 lmao I'm glad it made someone laugh

[@stevepommerenck4965]

I think luna just has a few flaws

[@stupidgirl4889]

😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@bellemaria4116]

There is always a balance of light and dark, I think Luna had to confront that dark aspect of herself. Like everyone does, but some people fear confronting that aspect more than others.

[@eg51728]

My theory: She was stained by the dark magic

[@daisy5057]

THIS IS RIGHT BECAUSE WHEN WE SEE DAY BRAKER SHE HAS A SPLOCH LIKE LUNA’S :O But celeste would use something different maybe light that wanted the darkness away

[@xXGloomuraiXx]

Holy shit youre right

[@ellienugent2000]

Yeah. Because her magic would be same as Dark Magic and Destructive but uses the powers of "good" negatively. There's many shows and series to support this and also there's a video game series (Mario)

[@TheOriginalScribbleStudios]

The splotch may be a scar. Maybe the reason it transferred to celestia means that this scar serves as a burden to Luna, something that doesn’t let ponies forget who she used to be

[@owo2600]

I'm not a brony, and I have no idea why this was recommended to me. I still like the video, though!

[@guiajimenez7026]

Lol!

[@xxthat_weird_enbyxx2438]

I’m not a brony, but I still love MLP at 13 :/

[@itzdreamiiemoonp2012]

@@xxthat_weird_enbyxx2438 um that IS A Brony.......

[@naimaahmed9730]

“Due to their only twice daily intercepting shifts” legit killed me

[@Cantersoft]

Yeah that was really weird wording. Seems like even I had a hard time _saying_ it.

[@zq1na_b972]

i think that the black spot or whatever it is is a reminder of luna being nightmare moon ... cause the ep ''a royal problem '' reveals day breaker who is celestias bad side as when the black thing was transferd to celestia when starlight glimmer switched the cutie marks up was one of the only eps we saw day breaker while when luna gave her magic to twilight the black thing wasnt gone to her... mabye that thing is an evil reminder of nightmare moon

[@KalijahAnderson]

Problem with the theory, when Twilight has the flashback, Luna had the black splotch already before she becomes Nightmare Moon.

[@meow6335]

Probably animation errors..

[@meow6335]

Or possibly, it could’ve been because it was showing us our perspectives on how we see them, while maybe actually they didn’t looked like that.

[@topbrony6865]

I think you’re right. The splotch is her past self, her evil. When Starlight switched them the same night in her dreams Daybreaker. Became evil, is this because she had her cutie mark?

[@dragonire_dino0856]

I think so too

[@BombMan1]

I think when starlight switched the cutie marks, the black spot (also know as the transformation of nightmare moon) caused celestia to turn into day breaker because of the black spot

[@samlemons8053]

i think that the splotch is a scar from when the darkness over took her

[@pnttrathayake6166]

U know what popped into my head when you talked about darkness consuming Luna and Stygian? Hawkmoth and his Akumas The akumas are sent by Hawkmoth to people who are feeling negative emotions (sadness, anger, lonliness, etc) and then darkness engulfs their bodies and turns them into a villain with powers. Almost the same thing, right?

[@jelenakrkajlic5905]

I love how you mixed Miraculous ladybug with this XD

[@violettethekawaii9417]

YES! Also "the dark mark" like Voldemort you there bruh?

[@pnttrathayake6166]

@@violettethekawaii9417 Exactly. Wow, there are loads of famous series that have many things in common. 🤔 Hmmm...maybe it's those things that make them famous.

[@jadehensel-price]

Well I may found some proof of how Luna turned into Nightmare Moon, in the song "wings on darkness " Luna was isolated during royal meetings while trying to show the civilians her beautiful Night, she went outside for a fly and a purple glow followed her to befriend Luna and she followed it and revealed that it was a mare of darkness, this is confirming that Luna and Nightmare Moon are not the same pony, Luna had the marking long before she became Nightmare Moon.

[@christinealmeda3490]

I think that when Twi saw the battle Luna already absorbed all the bad power.

[@benberlin57]

An interesting hypothesis and I love how you laid out your evidence, I think you might be on the right track, I never entirely bought into the idea of external forces turning her evil (ala the comic book shadow ponies from the moon or some of the similar things) but I never considered that the black marking had anything more significant than a splotch, but come to think of it, in a fanfiction I read recently, Twilight was explaining to someone that using dark magic can leave a residue of sorts on the soul of the user. That being said, Lauren has had next to no involvement outside of the occasional hello and various fan conventions since the end of season 2 so, unless there is something in s9 that ties everything together well, I guess this will be something that we will never know for certain. Still great job, and I loved the bit towards the end read like one of the old legends with that epic narrator kind of voice.

[@kyawthu7516]

May be the black mark is the dream walking ability she gained. If she was able to dream walk before she turned, she wouldn't turned because the the dream walking ability helped her interact with other ponies. And she gained the black spot after she turned into nightmare moon.

[@pyramidnose]

it's also interesting that in starlight's dream Daybreaker has what seems to resemble flames on her flank. it is most likely referencing the black spots on luna's flank. What I'm saying, if celestia ever turns into daybreaker, would she end up getting the flames daybreaker has? Hmm....

[@invaderloveruwu1918]

Ponies: Friendship is magic Humans: FREINDSHIP IS NOT MMAAAAAGGGGIIIIICCCCCC

[@DivinePlayz16]

I thought that too, But when it said "not all her dark magic went with her" I thought that dark magic created The Pony of Shadows.

[@Book_Thoughts]

I believe the black splotch mark represents her darker side. Nightmare Moon is, in a way, Luna's own "obscurial." It grew from what Luna felt was "in the absence of love as a dark twin, an only friend." The dark mark reminds her of this dark twin she once have into for, at the very least, justice for herself... "The Pony of Shadows" may have gave that part of her power to help get, at the very least, Luna her justice.

[@張敏-h2r]

When I was a kid I never paid attention to this untill now I just went along with it and never questioned it lol 😂

[@frowny_brow]

HAHAHAHA

[@ayla6513]

If (and only if) you consider the IDW comics to be canon, then the magic that transformed Luna into Nightmare Moon is and entirely separate entity that resides in what is referred to as the Nightmare Dreamscape, which is supposedly located somewhere on the moon (See the Nightmare Rarity comic for more on this). These "Nightmare Forces" supposedly gained power from the new moon cycle in the comic in order to return. While it is stated in the comic that Luna had hoped these forces would die off with Nightmare Moon, it could be safe to make the assumption that these forces existed and hid somewhere beforehand, and possible were even responsible for Stygian's fall. In the comic it is also made apparent that these forces exploit the weaknesses of those they target - both Luna's and Stygian's jealousy of those who were better known and respected, and Rarity's fear that her friends may one day turn away from her (although, this may have been fabricated by the shadows themselves). The most notable consistency to support this theory is that in all three instances the elements of harmony were required and used in order to defeat the dark forces involved, however considering that much of the series was built upon the elements being an all powerful weapon, it may not be a reliable link.

[@katherinereed]

Great video, but for the theory to work, Luna would have already gained the black part before turning Discord to stone the first time as Luna's cutie mark appeared as normal in the Season 4 premiere.

[@badigglebass]

My theory: she just played bendy and the ink machine too much!

[@beancanneedstherapy8998]

Bootifully underrated

[@k4zikaze]

oh wow? How cool.

[@jaatelojaateloannos3499]

SimplyMeh bruh batim is dead

[@willowthegamrthedrowned6351]

HA

[@kimTinbrebee29511]

In my theory: I think the pony of shadows infected Luna but maybe waiting until more Jealousy grew that’s probably how the black spot grow until the black spot got bigger and bigger it probably made Luna into Nightmare moon

[@kellojelllo]

You know in the episode when we see Celestia's dark side that's when the cutiemarks were changed? What of it's like when Luna was evil, it's now Celesta?

[@chymoney5094]

yea basically, celestia’s dark side (daybreaker) is basically nightmare moon but it’s celestia that’s why she got the black spot I think it’s just a theory sorry if I don’t make sense

[@floodkevin4716]

Uhm yeah that's an obvious one 😂😂

[@milchbrotchen2930]

what I really want to know is , why was Luna a small filly when she turned back to good and one episode later she is a grown up

[@ricejuice8982]

She had no magic or well... Her magic was drained

[@ricejuice8982]

If youve finished the series in the last episode Twilight turns into a God mode alicorn like Celestia and Luna and I wreckon if her magic was drained then she'd turn back for a short while

[@borkmaster7832]

Another thing to consider is that when Celestia became Daybreaker in the dream her cutie mark was changed in a similar way. Although we can only take that with a grain of salt because it was a dream, it’s still interesting to think about.

[@cloudiibearsmlp4385]

in season 8 episode 7 luna was laughing at the kids costumes, and when celestia raised the sun luna was frowning. any explanations? maybe ;w;

[@doondad101]

The black spot is a mark of despair let me explain: the magic used on Luna to turn her into Nightmare Moon was in fact Hopeless magic you see in the special Rainbow Roadtrip we get a magic lesson from Twilight: Hopeless magic is representation of negative emotion removed the color from the whole town, Discord also used this on his rampage in season 2. Poor Luna lost all hope of who she was and her importance in question was she needed? she was scorned hated left alone in the dark. A void started to form within her. despair had flooded through her like an ocean crashing upon the shore and instead of turning grey her anger changed her despair into hatred shifting her coat not to grey but black as empty as her heart.

[@WyvernLP]

Honestly, it seems negative emotions and lack of friendship can change a pony. Look at the pony of shadows as an example.

[@funnaibunnai9917]

Anyone else randomly found this video even though they haven’t watched My Little Pony in ages?

[@Providingemergencycare.456]

Yep i just taped on this vid i havent watched my little pony for years

[@meggamiauw4266]

Ehjup

[@zotearalte2486]

I love Nightmare Moon everyone says she's evil, but what i always see inside her is a pony who just wants love,so she raised the moon to show every pony that she is also like her sister

[@wezmannengineering7949]

Nice reply because I think so she is really beautiful that's why I love her because she is very is that Ku because I think so where she is very in the that colour at shider is very beautiful she is also my favourite Pani nice reply

[@thomasabramson100]

Nailed it Stigions story was a way for the writers to finally reveal what happened to Princess Luna the black splotch represents the "Pony of Shadows"

[@erinbuxton8438]

My only question is, after luna got banished and Celestia took over who watched over ponies while they slept? Luna does this, Celestia cannot and even is she did while luna was in the moon, why would she worry when their cutie marks got switched wouldn't she already have taken that responsibility before? No I think that luna still saved ponys in slumber from bad dreams because not all of the had gone bad she still cared for everypony and wanted sweet dreams for them.

[@theberrby6836]

Celestia never roamed through people's dreams like Luna, she only raised the sun and moon while Luna was in the Moon.

[@everythinggirly916]

I also found it strange how Celestia acted when taking on Luna's duties in the episode. Like when she raised the Moon and said: "It's even easier than raising the Sun!" Wasn't she doing it for a thousand years? Than again, she seemed to know how to open a portal to the dream realm.

[@58jharris]

@Everything Girly She was probably trying to show off for Starlight

[@jadeuwu9860]

0:30 "As the only nocturnal pony" Bat ponies: Am I a joke to you?? that was a joke lmaoooo, don't hate plox

[@jadeuwu9860]

@@Cantersoft :))))

[@avaostenfeld6059]

Maybe Luna's cutie mark was a moon and Nightmare moon's was a Black spot. Nightmare moon's Destiny was to give ponies nightmares. But Luna use the monsters power to save ponies from nightmares. So She actually have 2 cutie marks, 2 destinies, She is 2 persons

[@randomgamer7193]

That actually makes sense.

[@Star-qf1ot]

I think its a part of the pony of shadows (or the darkness power that help Luna transform ) still stuck in her (Or it represent the moon after her sister defeated her )

[@sarabolji7286]

we even saw that luna punished herself in her dreams and when it was trying to be free from the dreams it took the shape of Luna may be that was the little dark magic left

[@christiantwist3360]

3:34 also interesting thing. Nightmare moon has the same spot just blue while the rest of her is black. It’s like all the corruption and blackness drained out of that spot when she became nightmare moon

[@radioactiverat8751]

I've been wondering for a long time about this too, and your theory is very interesting. I've always imagine before, that Light and Dark Magic in Equestria were in a way similar to The Force in Star Wars. Now, the original movies played this power in the story out as a classic retelling of Good Vs Evil, and that the Emperor, his Imperial Empire, and Darth Vader were just dark forces interested in nothing but evil while the Jedi were the peaceful Good guys. But I've seen some people recently suggest that the Light and Dark sides of the force are just two sides of the same coin. I've been thinking for a while that Equestrian magic is likes this, each type requiring a trade off to wield it. Say for instance, Dark magic on it's own has more raw power, but if not carefully controlled it can warp the mind. While light magic isn't likely capable of doing such a thing at a cost of not being anywhere as powerful as Dark magic, with some exceptions like the elements of Harmony. I point to King Sombra's actions in Season 9 and how powerful he was until faced with Friendship magic. Now... what does this ultimately mean? Well, I like to think that Magic in Equestria follows both concepts that you and I are suggesting. What I took from your video was that the Dark powers that corrupted Luna and Stygian are sentient and came from someone or may even be their own entity; while my idea is that it is simply tye power of the magic itself, hence why I made the comparison to The Force in the Star Wars universe. Now I can't think of any example where this could be supported, while you have evidence to suggest your point from the show itself. So I'm guessing until I notice anything that supports my argument, it'll remain something along the lines of a headcannon for now. But please let me know wuat you think of this idea? If anything wasn't clear let me know and I'll clarify.