The Hand That Takes

A bit of an experimental video. Sometimes I like to imagine music videos for songs I find and decided to actually try my hand at it. Took about a week. I feel I got a bit more comfortable with colors and zoning out making backgrounds so was worth it!
The original song is called "O Superman" and was produced by Laurie Anderson in 1981. You can find it here • Laurie Anderson - O Su... .
I edited the song down and cut a few lines I felt didnt fit.

[@Valarieeexx]

Think about how granny must feel as an old pony out living her youngest grandchild..

[@Briselance]

This must hurt.

[@applepieofdeath]

We see Apple Bloom being silly and sneaking out again, and once again possibly threatened by some entity taking advantage of her youth. Only for the twist to be that the entity is not here to steal her life, but that it was already gone and she was only here to guide her at the end. The fact she doesn't resist, hesitate, or have any concerns of her mortal attachments showed she was truly gone. But while we may mourn one who has passed, be it too soon, just right, or too late, we are reminded that they have joined the ranks of those before in peace, a fate all will share eventually not matter how increasingly long some of us can stave it off. I still can't fully comprehend how I feel...but I am reminded once again the curiosity of how a show meant to sell toys to 5 year olds can inspire such beauty. -Then TJ returns to lewding and shitposting in a matter of days.-

[@tjpones]

*in a matter of hours

[@zozupskystar8639]

​@@tjponesyour video was very intresting! I enjoyed it a lot! I say...experiment success!

[@ThatSillySquirrelGirl]

The little apple tree blooming flowers too showing that even when gone applebloom is still around in spirit

[@augustday9483]

There is something about Friendship is Magic which attracts profound art. I don't really know what it is. But I can feel it in my bones. Beautiful work.

[@bonbonpony]

It was sparked by a bunch of talented people, and their talent sparks another.

[@MrSpartan993]

The message as well promotes kindness and a sense of giving BACK instead of taking

[@kingjules8744]

It appeals to our humanity in a way humanity sometimes fails to do

[@Milk-ck1wv]

Have you seen the show?

[@TheCentriole]

It captures the 'faustian spirit' of western european folklore and culture and reconnects it with a long forgotten reverence and love for animals and nature we forgot to maintain in ourselves, and the archetypes of the divine monarchs ruling a proud green country of beautiful, strong hearted people, kind of a combination of earthly folksy hobbits and fey-ish nature-kindling magical elves as well all captured in a way that elegantly blends the best, most appealing aspects of anime and disney animal character aesthetics in a beautifully simple style that nearly anyone can pick up a pencil and draw, and strongly compels many to, almost not realizing why they feel so compelled, it was and is just a cultural treasure we do not even fully still grasp the value and significance of in our culture. It feels like home again, a feeling little other modern entertainment can do. The characters are beloved and each one given such an unique and unforgettable personality and soul you yearn to know them more. It will continue to inspire for decades to come.

[@ericzahn274]

I have no idea what I just watched…but I need a hug…

[@Cocolulumon]

Same 😢

[@Faker.account]

Applebloom

[@michaelk5976]

Me too! 😭 Let's hug! 🤗

[@quinnhouk5369]

@@michaelk5976let me join in

[@gemboss4093]

Here🤗

[@voidwalker5784]

I gotta say the fear of losing a sibling is one of my worst fears so um.... That got me

[@bapiivxx8868]

No yeah I wasn't expecting to cry

[@lunatheluma3804]

Same for me, i have a twin sister and my biggest fear in the world is something happening to her that i couldnt help with

[@Arrowsoftime24]

....and along the way, I met Death, and although she wasn't very scary, and kind of funny, I protested, "no! I am too young!" and she replied, "You got what everyone else gets, a lifetime..." Neil Gaiman would like this, I think

[@extenduss]

Nice reference to Sandman.

[@TheBlackQueen]

FOR WHAT YOU DID TO ME! AND FOR WHAT I'LL DO TO YOU! YOU GET WHAT EVERYONE ELSE GETS! YOU GET A LIFETIME!

[@AzureEnigma1003]

@@TheBlackQueen It's Not A Fashion Statement*? Based.

[@RedPineaplleStudio]

Who knew you can make a tragic MLP video with subtlety and without overly excessive dark elements.

[@josephverde219]

True, i still Shock

[@vbrony7763]

3:42 those two hearts instead of three. ouch

[@tjpones]

Glad to see the little things getting noticed!

[@TalonMerlin777]

1 out of 4 hearts was removed at that doorway with the lantern, but all 4 remain in Apple Bloom's bedroom. I assume this is because they never went back in the room to spare themselves more grief. Makes sense, and hurts. Edit: Now I realize that' the door to Apple Bloom's bedroom, DUH. Yeah this is some serious sh*t.

[@SergeantSniper]

my heart 😭

[@gnoot50]

i think the hearts represent the crusaders, so one heart being gone probably symbolizes that applebloom died, but the 3 remaining crusaders are alive

[@onekingdom1955]

I wasn't ready

[@Delphox_Pistola]

No one was (;-;)

[@oceanbytez847]

Based on the area i think AB had an accident possibly at the tree house. The hoofprint trail was messy and abnormal. I wonder if this intended to imply a bad fall to a studious eye, which due to the nature of the short walk following and her subsequent collapse, was likely a serious head injury. AB usually keeps to herself outside while her family works after she finishes chores, so no pony suspected a thing until after dark and by that time the damage was done and it was too late. Tragic, but a very realistic story. I could also just be completely overanylizing subtle details that were not intended to imply a cause.

[@mistystars5980]

Well, near the end, you can see that Applebloom has a mar under her forelock for a few moments. I’d say it’s a great theory. :)

[@josephverde219]

@@mistystars5980 where, I'm blind to details

[@Kajimityphoon]

Your right

[@adolfodef]

_"What are Hands® ?"_ said the naive pony. -> And Death answered, with touch.

[@twelvepigeons]

I’m not into MLP but this fandom is wild, christ.

[@yummydragon8533]

they have a lot of good content, and the community is nice.

[@gowongodmom4851]

Accurate was here sense I was a kid

[@justinwescott8125]

@@CYAN_TOP_HAT Guys, nobody tell him that most of us are furries.

[@WeebsArePathetic]

​@@CYAN_TOP_HAT That's how it is with most fandoms and people in general. The good, the bad, and the cringe.

[@adeer87]

@@CYAN_TOP_HAT Bronies are usually furries, yeah… sorry 👉👈🥺

[@MrSpartan993]

“That’s…not…fun…” -Discord

[@consumetm]

The fact that watching this at first you could mistake 1:54 as her looking at her flank (could still be doing that) but at 2:10 it's clear what she could have actually been looking at, didn't expect to be crying tonight❤ The blossom tree growing next to her parents trees really got me good 😭

[@josephverde219]

I hadn't seen it like that in the first time! Her looking at her body before entering....... I'm crying and screaming in this fragment 1:54 -- 2:10 RIP Apple Bloom

[@TheCentriole]

You owe us several shitposts now to make up for this deeply heart-wrenching priceless work of fandom art.

[@KIFFLOM_IS_PEACE]

I'm not really an emotional guy, I am one of those guys that kinda shrugs most things off like: ' ' Oh yea, this is cool. ' ' or ' ' Nice animation. ' 'But for the first time in like while I've been coming back repeating this video since it strikes a chord with me, and I haven't even watched the damn show!

[@Pennywise12528]

Putting aside the heavyness for one moment: I find it kind of amusing the fanbase has seemingly decided that, if Ponyville Schoolhouse had a yearbook, the text under Applebloom's picture would be "Most likely to die alone in the Everfree forest"

[@waffie6785]

TJ Pones animation Style + "O Superman" = A WORK OF ART!!!

[@gowongodmom4851]

I think she knew where she was going and that it was time.

[@SquatchLord]

I just realized the shot at 2:13 is her dead. There’s two tiny blood spots near her head that I didn’t see the first time through. I don’t know how I feel, but I need a hug. 😭

[@gnoot50]

at 2:12 near her mane and bow, there seems to be a bit of blood. i think she probably fell from somewhere, as there isnt any scars indicating that she was attacked

[@octaviusmadu1990]

This was surreal and a bit ominous and there's questions, but gosh you got feelings with this. Bittersweet and soft and so very well done.

[@banquo0]

TJ you really can do it all. One minute funny haha horse memes, the next minute i'm a blubbering mess on the floor. Haunting, eerie, but also somehow bittersweet. Brilliant.

[@kowhaifan1249]

3rd minute he is drawing porn

[@Xidnaf]

the first 20 seconds of this was like someone grabbing me by the throat and throwing me in a chair and saying "pay attention, this one is gonna be amazing." and it was right.

[@playdoh658]

The "hi mom" always gets me

[@chara5]

I was NOT expecting to hear Laurie Anderson when I clicked on this video.

[@islanddrone1643]

After death is an intersting concept I find, when a person dies many things happen. A thing that somewhat saddens and disgusts me in a solemn way is how calm and fine evrything is when you are on the otherside. There is no questioning, there is no struggle, only those who have passed and now you may see them.

[@ArtfulTaurus]

This was beautifully direct but discreet at the same time, I could see this being very popular back in the 2010s!

[@huehuehue1155]

Why cant this be popular now !? :C

[@ArtfulTaurus]

@@huehuehue1155 Idk, I feel like the algorithm might hit right and it could get popular because it has that vibe and people still love grim mlp content even to this day so there’s a chance!

[@otaku-sempai2197]

[raises hoof] What's a hand?

[@RinTheSpaceAce]

I- I DON'T KNOW

[@user-bx3kz9sp8p]

@@RinTheSpaceAce We may not know, but there's a Llama named Carl that apparently likes to eat them.. so... I'm assuming it's a type of fancy food?

[@RinTheSpaceAce]

@@user-bx3kz9sp8p oooooooh, I would like to try these "hands"

[@FM_1819]

Sweet, mare-made horrors beyond my comprehesion!

[@TheRandomDudeIsVeryCool]

I feel like I understood every second of the animation without even having to explain. It’s beautifully done, and really captures the “show don’t tell” system. I love animation since we can express what we want to show or say in many different styles.

[@PunkTacticts]

If this video were to be an apple... It would be bittersweet.

[@Tar_Pick_Piano]

My chest hurts and I’m on the edge of crying 😢

[@poofieq]

don’t cry because she’s gone, smile because she was

[@andystephon871]

Extremely effective usage of runtime and frames. Obv, not the most impressive animation, but each frame was extremely efficient in conveying the story and emotions of the character. It suited the music very well and was a great contrast against the normally very light hearted feeling of mlp. Tbh, I was a brony back in my teens because of the fan contant. Some of the stories and the way they were expressed through ponies always felt particularly enchanting. Maybe it's how cute the chars are and how any serious situation felt magnified. But I really did feel the pit of my stomach lowering as this continued and I already knew what the outcome was maybe less than halfway through but I kept suspending hope that it wouldnt be the case. It's not often that something brings me back to that kind of enchanted disbeliefe that the pone fandom used to give, and I always felt it strange, just how stuck you are within the pony fandom. Maybe it's tricky to compete elsewhere , but genuinely this is a peice of that old gold. I was in a rush to get to work and hearing the music and glimpsing the scenes made me stop and just, sit down and watch. Those music videos stuck in your head? It's art. You're an artist, no doubt. An artist with pony shaped brushes. I guess I knew that ever since the never more video that i love so much, but I am happy that I decided to watch this and now I feel sad so screw you but have a good one!

[@WeebsArePathetic]

I'm not even a brony, but I watch this a lot. A work of art.

[@Sour_lemon_gum]

This is such a weird comment but that first part where Apple Bloom was wondering off into that dense forest reminded me of the tale of the blank flanks for some reason

[@BeezieBuggz_Official]

Before I clicked the video, I had a feeling it was related to Story of The Blanks too. But no, just heart-wrenching sadness

[@TheBird..]

This is a wonderful example of how something profound can come out of anything, any setting, even a silly pony show originally intended for children. A truly lovely work you have created.

[@appledashponi]

I only favorite videos that truly change my life for the better. In ~15 years of KZbin I've gotten about 20. I know I'm nobody and my opinion doesn't matter, but I'm very pleased to count this one among them as of today. Thank you, TJPones, this is absolutely amazing. Easily in my top 10 pony videos. Probably even top 5.

[@ariam.7987]

Wonderfully eerie... great work!!

[@derpyman3716]

Man, this is some heavy shiz right here. i love it Beautiful job shifting the message of the song and using visuals and symbolism to represent the passage of life. Like the anubis symbol on the neck of the shadow pony, and the apple blossom tree growing near the marriage tree. Just what we needed.

[@bribrimon348]

This is one of the saddest mlp vids I've watched in a long time. Great work on making a sad and dark yet wholesome-ending mlp vid.

[@AlejandroGonzalez-ej4lp]

You won't believe what happened to me, Applejack. I received an invitation from a sorceress with a voice like a fan. I went with her to the portal of a magic cave and I could see our mother in a temporary spiritual limbo or some nonsense like that. The thing is that it took me 3 months to get out of that place. They told me that I'll come back when I die. Wait, why? Why are you crying?

[@-wellthen-]

WOO LAURIE ANDERSON update: oh MAN

[@widgity]

Damn, this reminded me how amazing the fanfom used to be. I still listen to my pony music playlist regularly, and keep up with people still making pony content, but this just hits differently!

[@V_MC]

There's something calming about this video. Backgrounds with the eventual few characters passing by frames, and that unnerving song. This is what a lot of homemade-horror tends to miss, showing and not telling. We aren't explicitly told what's happening in the story, having to watch and come up with an answer for ourselves by just listening to the voice in the song and looking at the art. Very pretty.

[@MLPDymos]

Holy crap. This is incredible. Amazing work.

[@FearfulCereal]

It took me a few watch through to truly understand what was going on And I love the artistry in that though I'm not really into mlp anymore I can still Appreciate originality

[@generalyoder]

I actually cried. No sarcasm. It just hit me..

[@SquatchLord]

Same, just hits you right in the feels… 😭

[@MarxistMomentum]

This video better get a lot of attention and likes, because this was beautiful!

[@nyloaf]

Never realized it before but I just noticed that applebloom starts lacking eyeshines past the scene at 0:56 which means she must have died at some point in the night I think :(

[@sodilemonlime]

The little apple tree blooming blossoms next to the entangle tree really tugged my heartstrings, this is such a beautifully creative video. 😭🫶

[@BMALCINE364]

Been seeing this in my recommendations, but I'm happy to have experienced! A tale of joy and sorrow, with a reminder... things come and go, there's no denying that fact. And while it will vary from one to another, we will wilt away one day... Yet even so, much like AppleBloom, we won't die, we'll blossom into something new, something beautiful! Joy and sorrow! The hand (or hoof in this case) that takes, but also gives. (And guides) Good work sir!

[@BeaglzRok1]

Man, I feel bad for Apple Bloom always getting caught up in these deadly stories.

[@thepokemonguru75]

...this made me cry. the way the singer says "hi mom!" right as Pear Butter appears, coupled with the apple blossom tree sprouting beside the entwined apple & pear tree...god, it just broke me. You have a gift.

[@renamon5658]

Did applebloom go to the afterlife?

[@Heliomation]

I think so

[@basedimperialism]

No, she's just at Wal-Mart.

[@KenkuRogue]

They told you, bro They told you about that Everfree Forest, Applebloom

[@IGIBAB]

Well that gave me some fanfiction ideas. Thank you for the inspiration. It was nice and subtle, I like the atmosphere.

[@TheCentriole]

TJ, You've just accomplished a timeless work of art for the fandom here, but a VERY emotionally heavy one.

[@Ozymandias2x]

Gotta say, I didn't go into this expecting you to punch me in all of my emotions. Ouch.

[@heretichazel]

genuinely, thank you for making this. I think art like this is helping me come to terms with death Also, I absolutely love when people are able to recontextualize another piece of art to tell their own story like this

[@KingofJ95]

This paired perfectly with the song. I know it was probably built around the song, but it was built around it well. The way everything is shown with the audio at the beginning makes this unsettling vibe that persists and intensifies.

[@edvard-zerone-nigma]

Well.....R.I.P. Apple Bloom😮😮😮😮

[@MafuyuOribe]

this is so sad, the representation of death was beautiful though

[@cow1816]

Bro the Apple family *cannot* catch a break

[@Pluciarz]

This video is a masterpiece it made me actually cry

[@consumerofworlds2273]

The shot at 3:53 got me crying immediately, you should totally do more stuff like this TJ.

[@Wii4a11]

Holy shit...This was hauntingly beautiful. From the weird, yet catchy melody to the conclusion of the subtle story that unfolded. And now I have a new song to listen to. Kudos to you, TJ...

[@Pseudowolf]

This was well done, but damn I was not expecting it. Hit me like a truck once I realized what was happening.

[@gold_dynamo]

ill be so real this video made me tear up like a Lot because i was Actively listening to this song during a really low point of my life. this video made it so i was able to kinda separate this song from a pet loss. thank you so much for making this video ;__;

[@WeebsArePathetic]

Pretty good ngl. Speaking about the song, I can't believe how it's essentially in human nature to destroy each other, and we've been doing it since our inception. There's always mom until there isn't.

[@Alex-lz9py]

I'm so glad the hand that takes is a cute horse or else this would be a whole lot more depressing.

[@ZephyrMoon666]

The timing of this couldn't be more important. Thank you for making this.

[@xfallenspartan]

holy crap man. this is just... amazing. it hurts. and yet i keep coming back to watch it. it haunts me. it is a good haunt.

[@oldbruce6532]

I really appreciate that you did something different, less silly. It definitely paid off, thanks alot for introducing me to this song.

[@GingieHonkHonk]

I can’t wait to see how the next generation will turn out

[@hawthornrabbit]

The visual storytelling is masterfully done. Loved it!

[@whatifgaming1661]

This is what will probably come to mind now when i think of something haunting and serene

[@superrloca]

That song made me anxious.

[@AoiUsagiOtoko]

i saw the title and was hoping it'd be this song, ohmygod i absolutely love this 💕 makes me want to cry, but in a way i really like i'm glad people are still making quality FiM content like this even after so long...the way this show resonates with so many people is kinda beautiful

[@awesomepawn2]

well that was needlessly and brutally sad

[@MrUser324234]

we are crying all the way to Equestria with this one 😭💀

[@IAA2152]

I love this, it's great, BUT GODDAMN IT MAKES ME SAD! I HATE SAD!

[@GCTubaTim]

This made me tear up. Really, beautifully done.

[@SpyderLondon]

Ah, yes, murder me with angst. How dare you. It was really fun to watch tho

[@Makakaka]

zamnn

[@islanddrone1643]

I agree man..

[@Danny-zb7nz]

astonishing...

[@Wissle]

What did I just watch, this is insanely psychedelic - and pretty damn well made, even if I'm not sure I got it

[@bannanasmoothie]

got me emotional on the toilet 😭

[@Bee_Tea_Sea]

Dude nooooooooo you turned applebloom into a mf tree DDDDDDD': (In all seriousness this experimental shiit is so dope to see from you especially this it was very moving strangely, i imagine music videos for songs sometimes too lol and i luv the look of the backgrounds in this one)

[@benjaminlannstrom8312]

Mmm... the symbolics in this... of them all i really loved the small apple tree blooming. ❤❤❤

[@Random11111]

3:11 bro really said 🤫🧏🏽

[@jiado6893]

I was wondering if this would turn out to be one of those Infection videos. But in the first half, it was definitely scary. Then it just turned sad.

[@lauravturner]

Wow, that took a turn. A lovely animation though. It's nice to see some genuine MLP love like in the fandom days.

[@WarKing76]

TJ hitting us with the emotional damage.

[@Xx3nxX]

THE BLOOMING TREE IM CRYING

[@mm3200]

Wonderful animation, sad story well made.

[@NessaTheBat1]

Wow that was weird and scary. The vocie doesn't sound at all comforting and still I'm interested.Applebloom's dead hit me hard.

[@bkam9794]

Of all the people that I could think of to make something as hauntingly beautiful as this, I definitely wasn't expecting you TJ, great job though.

[@FinalAspex]

I couldn't move a muscle while watching o.o I must say this was so captivating. The song brings a lot to the story and vice versa. I loved how it was told ! Amazing job !