Showoff

Sunny: Darn ponies, they drive me to alicorning!

This confirms what was seen in C2 ep.4, back then it was seen that the ponies could not, even if they wanted to, avoid paying attention to an alicorn in their midst. Their behavior that was observed suggests underlying instincts that in our own world with horses, as herd animals they are attracted to the strongest and most dominant who can protect them. Here in TYT ep.42 it is clear that an alicorn can make the ponies instinctively submit or pay attention, as seen with us and charismatic alpha humans. Their instincts told them that an alicorn has more power than them.

So it is more or less impossible for alicorns to avoid responsibility and empowering influence on surrounding ponies as a trait of their race, no wonder the G4 alicorns had to have royal titles like the princess title. And Sunny may have realized at this moment - she has grown into a leadership role in TYT - that Opaline as the fake Sunny has a point; it is not possible for an alicorn to avoid having power and responsibility in the face of the ponies.

And Sunny may also have gotten an inkling that the future unification of all pony tribes is not possible without the presence of alicorns. Celestia and Luna had become regents when they were just foals, to keep all the ponies together.

This is important; for Sunny may have taken the first step towards becoming a permanent alicorn and perhaps princess for the Ponykind in a world that is about to become more dangerous.

Magical mare Sunny!

Good to know ponies still are attracted to an alicorn (･ω･|

Silence and listen to your goddess!

The way this transformation scene is animated has strong magical girl vibes. And I’m kinda diggin’ it. ^^