stratocumuluscastellanus 
"[@Ereiam":](/2009778#comment_8044388
)
My guess between these relations is how "abusable" a chatacter is.
Applejack has a strong personality, she is not really abusable, while Rainbow Dash, being extremely self-absorbed and proud of herself, is a easy target. Fluttershy has a extremely different personality but is also one easily abused.
Scootaloo is of course a really easy target, not being able to fly as well as the whole blankflank business.
Not to forget the personality of the fans of these ponies and the people that draw them...
It's a pretty interesting subject.
Let the sunset shimmer
My guess between these relations is how "abusable" a chatacter is.
Applejack has a strong personality, she is not really abusable, while Rainbow Dash, being extremely self-absorbed and proud of herself, is a easy target. Fluttershy has a extremely different personality but is also one easily abused.
Scootaloo is of course a really easy target, not being able to fly as well as the whole blankflank business.
Not to forget the personality of the fans of these ponies and the people that draw them...
It's a pretty interesting subject.