My Little Brony: Mateship is Magic

MY LITTLE BRONY: MATESHIP IS MAGIC

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic rule 63 edition

EPISODE SIX: LESSON ZERO

Developed by Rainy Meadows

Cover image by Trotsworth

CHARACTERS:

Dusk Shine: Prides himself on being the star student of Lord Solaris – an antisocial who is uneasy about meeting new ponies.

Spines: Dusk Shine’s assistant – a baby dragon and his best friend/little sister – sometimes feels unappreciated, and occasionally has to prompt/coerce Dusk Shine.

Applejack: Belongs to an extensive family of apple farmers, and is strong and reliable in a bad situation. Speaks with a thick Southern American accent.

Rainbow Blitz: An athletic weather pony who idolizes the Wonderbolts and is renowned for boasting and bragging about his achievements.

Elusive: Speaks with a heavy Mid-Atlantic accent – very critical when it comes to details and fussy about his appearance.

Butterscotch: An extremely shy and easy-to-scare pony who enjoys anything to do with animals, but is not as antisocial as Dusk Shine. His voice is very quiet.

Bubble Berry: Quite possibly the happiest, most energetic, most RANDOM pony in the whole of Equestria – obsessed with parties and finds it impossible to be quiet.

Lesser characters:

Lord Solaris: Ruler of Equestria and Dusk Shine’s mentor.

Mr Cake: Co-proprietor of Sugarcube Corner.

Macareina: Applejack’s older sister, who rarely says anything other than “Eeyup.”

Mayor of Ponyville: ‘Nuff said.

Applebuck: One of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Applejack’s younger brother.

Sweepy Bell: One of the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Elusive’s younger brother.

Scooteroll: One of the Cutie Mark Crusaders.

It is early morning – the sun is just rising. Dusk Shine and Spines are already up, and apparently have been for a while. Dusk is reciting a list of items which he positions neatly on a desk while Spines checks them off on a checklist.

Dusk Shine: Quill.

Spines: (as it floats past) Check.

Dusk: Parchment.

Spines: (as that drifts by) Check.

Dusk: Extra ink?

Spines: Check!

Dusk: Extra extra ink?

Spines: (slightly baffled) Check.

Dusk: That’s everything on the checklist, right?

Spines: You bet!

Dusk: Excellent. Now that we’ve completed the checklist of things we need to make a checklist, we can make our checklist of stuff we have to get done by the end of the day.

Spines: Right! (Quill at the ready)

Dusk: Item one: create checklist of stuff we have to get done by the end of the day.

Spines groans and slams her face into the ground in frustration.

(theme song)

Later: Dusk is leading Spines through Ponyville. Spines is holding a checklist which trails on the ground behind her for at least three feet.

Dusk: How’re we doing, Spines?

Spines: Let’s see... (looks at the checklist) we’ve already dropped off your cape at the cleaners, returned the blackboard you borrowed from Cherry Lee, ordered new parchment and quills from the stationary shop...

Dusk: Huh. You know, it seems like we placed an order a few days ago.

Spines: (looks back at the trailing checklist) Can’t imagine how you go through so many of ‘em.

Dusk: (smiling) Sounds like we’re ahead of schedule. What’s next?

Spines examines the checklist once more.

Spines: Cupcakes!

At Sugarcube Corner, Dusk takes the top off a box of cupcakes and examines the contents critically while Spines drools.

Dusk: Um, I only ordered twelve.

Mr Cake: (taking pastries in and out of the shop) I know that sonny, but I had an extra so I thought I’d make it a baker’s dozen.

Dusk: (pushes Spines out of the way) Well, that was very kind of you, but some of the icing from the extra cupcake is getting all over the one next to it. See?

Mr Cake: (examining the cupcakes) Oh... sure.

Dusk: It’s just that I’m planning on sharing these at a picnic later, and I don’t want anypony to feel like somepony else is getting more icing than them.

Mr Cake: (uncertain) Oh, of course not!

Dusk levitates a spatula over from beside the sink and starts rearranging the icing.

Dusk: Not to worry. I’ll just move some off this one to... (moves icing) Hmm, I think I might’ve scooped too much. Ugh, now those two have more! Let’s just try this again. (He starts frantically rearranging the icing, spraying it everywhere) Hmm, no, that won’t do, let me just put some here and – no, that’s not right. A little more on this one, (starts to look a bit crazy) a little bit – wait, I’ll just... a little bit here, and here, and... Perfect!

The cupcakes are now almost devoid of icing, save for a tiny spot in the centre of each one.

Mr Cake: (nods nervously, causing icing to slide off his nose) Hmm, oh yes, much better.

Dusk: (picks up the box) Righto, let’s tackle the next item on our – oh! Ha! (he has seen Spines covered in icing) Looks like we might have to add “give a baby dragon a bath” to our list.

Spines’ tongue pops out of her mouth and drapes around her body. She spins around in a whirlwind, licking off all the icing in the process, which she swallows upon finishing.

Dusk: (leaving with Spines on his back) Very efficient! And a little bit gross.

Spines: Oh well.

Later: Dusk and Spines have returned to the library.

Spines: Looks like that’s everything!

Dusk: Almost everything.

Spines: (looking at the checklist confusedly) Triple check checklist to make sure we didn’t miss anything when we... double checked the checklist? Um, check. (lowers the quill) Ugh, I’ve been holding that quill so long; I’ve got a claw cramp! (starts bandaging her claw) Good thing we don’t have anything to report to Lord Solaris this week. I don’t think I could write another word!

Dusk: (looks utterly frantic) We haven’t sent a letter to Lord Solaris this week?

Spines: Why, is that bad?

Dusk: Bad? BAD?! ‘Course it’s BAD!! I’m supposed to send Lord Solaris a letter every week telling him about a lesson I’ve learned about friendship! Not every other week, not every ten days, EVERY. SINGLE. WEEK!

Spines: Huh?

Dusk starts ransacking the library.

Dusk: Where’s my calendar? WHERE’S MY CALENDAR?

Spines: (takes out the calendar) Where it... always is?

Dusk grabs the calendar and rushes it over to a nearby lectern.

Dusk: When did we send the last one?

Spines: Last... Tuesday?

Dusk: And today is...? (looks at calendar)

Spines: Tuesday?

Dusk: AHH! Nonononononononono! (He runs over to a window and looks out with a panicky face at the moving sun) If I don’t send him a letter by sundown I’ll be... TARDY!

Spines: What’s that now?

Dusk: Tardy, Spines! Late, I’ll be late! (falls onto his bed) Ugh, how could I have slipped so LOW?! I’m usually so organised: I’ve NEVER been late for an assignment! (pulls a bed cover over his head)

Spines: Oh please! You’re the most studious student ever! (pulls the cover off) I’m sure his majesty will forgive you if you miss one little deadline.

Dusk: I’m afraid to take that chance, Spines. I mean, this is the ruler of all of Equestria we’re talking about; the stallion that holds my fate in his hooves! (His expression descends into outright panic) What if he doesn’t forgive me?

Spines: Yeah, I don’t think he’ll-

Dusk: What if instead he thinks I’m not taking my studies on friendship seriously?

Spines: Why would he-

Dusk: What if he makes me come back to Canterlot and makes me PROVE I’ve been taking them seriously by giving me a test? What if I don’t pass?!

Spines: Why wouldn’t you pa-

Dusk: HE’S MY TEACHER. Do you KNOW what teachers do to students who don’t pass? (pause) They send them back a grade! But he won’t just send me back a grade; he’ll send me back to... MAGIC KINDERGARTEN.

He imagines himself seated at a tiny desk at the back of a classroom, filled with foals that are all laughing at his misfortune... until Spines rolls it up like a blind and reveals Dusk seated in the centre of the room, eyes closed and shivering in fear.

Spines: Dusk... DUSK! (Dusk opens his eyes) That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard! You’re not going to be sent back to magic kindergarten!

Dusk: (pause) *sigh* You’re right; I have no reason to worry. (Spines smiles) Because I’m going to solve a friend’s problem and get that letter to Lord Solaris before sundown.

Spines groans in frustration.

Dusk: Sooo... got any problems, troubles, conundrums or any other sort of issues major or minor that I as a GOOD friend could help you solve? (grins expectantly)

Spines: Huh, er, erm, hmm... I got nothin’.

Dusk: *sigh* Then it looks like I’m just gonna have to find somepony who does. (leaves)

Spines: Ugh, this will all end in tears.

(commercial)

Dusk: You’ve got this, Dusk Shine. You still have plenty of time to get that letter to Lord Solaris. There has to be somepony around here who needs the help of a good friend.

Off screen, Elusive gives a loud scream.

Dusk: Elusive!

Elusive screams again. Dusk hurries over to the Carousel Boutique and thrusts the door open.

Dusk: Not to worry, Elusive! I’m here!

Elusive is lying on the ground, crying.

Elusive: Why me-e-e-e-e? Whyyyy? Why, WHY?!? Of all the worst things that could happen, this is The. Worst. Possible. THING!!

Dusk: (approaches Elusive) What’s wrong? Are you alright?

Elusive: I’VE LOST MY DIAMOND ENCRUSTED PURPLE RIBBON!! I have searched HIGH (motions) and I have searched low (motions). LOW AND HIGH, high and low, (dejected face) but I can’t find it anywhere! (He summons himself a couch and throws himself onto it dramatically) ANYWHERE-E-E-E!!

Dusk looks at the crying Elusive and rubs his front hooves together with a delighted grin (which would look extremely questionable out of context).

Elusive: How can I possibly finish my latest creation if I CAN’T FIND IT?!?

Dusk: Never fear, Elusive! As your friend, I’ll do my best to help you fi-

Elusive: (brightens up instantly) Oh, there it is! (gets off the couch and picks up the ribbon) Isn’t it always just the last place you look?

There is an awkward pause – awkward for Dusk, anyway.

Dusk: So... you... just lost your ribbon?

Elusive: Uh-huh.

Dusk: But... now you’ve found it.

Elusive: Yeah.

Dusk: And nothing else is bothering you? Nothing that I as a good friend can help you with? (waits expectantly)

Elusive: Well, there is one thing.

Dusk: (excitedly) YES?!

Elusive: I think I left my measuring tape under the fabric over there; could you get it for me?

Dusk: (disappointed) *sigh* Measuring tape. Sure.

Elusive: Dusk? Is there something bother- Dusk?

Dusk is gone.

Later: he is walking down the road, heading in the direction of Sweet Apple Acres.

Dusk: No need to panic. Elusive’s just one pony. I’m sure one of my other friends will need me, right?

Rainbow Blitz: HIIIIYAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!

He crashes through one wall of an old barn and smashes out the other side, then shakes himself free of debris and continues to ruthlessly attack the structure. Applejack, wearing a helmet, covers his head and lies on the ground in a ditch. Blitz kicks, punches and even bites the woodwork inside the barn, and throws a piece out of a window, where it almost hits Dusk.

Dusk: What in the hay... (sees Blitz waging war on the barn) Rainbow Blitz must be angry with Applejack! He must hate his guts. Excellent!

Blitz makes another dive at the barn, but-

Dusk: Blitz! Stop!

He telekinetically grabs Blitz’s tail and holds him still: Blitz dangles limply by his own tail.

Dusk: Listen, Blitz. I know you’re upset with Applejack, but don’t worry; whatever it is that has come between you, I’m sure that I as a good friend can help you resolve your problems. (He releases Blitz, who drops to the ground)

Blitz: You- what?

Dusk: Oh Rainbow Blitz, you don’t have to hide your feelings from me! I can tell you two must have had an awful argument!

An indeterminable amount of time later, Dusk has Blitz lying on a bench; Dusk himself is wearing a pair of glasses and telekinetically holding a notebook and pencil.

Dusk: (taps Blitz on the head) Now, why don’t you tell me all about your issues with Applejack?

Blitz: (confused) I don’t have any issues with Applejack.

Dusk: (also confused) You don’t? But... why the hay are you destroying his property?

Blitz: Because he asked me to. Right Applejack?

Applejack: (sits up in the ditch and removes his helmet) Yessir. Ah wanted to put up a new barn, but this one’s gotta come down first. Now get back to it, RB!

Blitz: You got it, boss! (dives into the air)

AJ: (to Dusk) Ah’d take cover if Ah were you.

At a bafflingly huge height, Blitz stops and hovers in midair. Dusk screams and dives into the ditch...

...just as Blitz lets out one final scream of rage and smashes into the barn with such speed and force that he creates not only a sonic rainboom, but also a GIGANTIC rainbow coloured mushroom cloud. Debris flies everywhere, and piles up on top of AJ and Dusk. AJ get out and leaps up joyfully, but when Dusk extracts himself from the rubble his mane is a mess and he looks more dejected than ever.

Later: Dusk is walking down the road once again.

Dusk: Well, I can’t believe I wasted so much time. I should’ve just come here first! Butterscotch always has some fear he’s trying to get over. As his friend, I’ll be able to help him.

He rounds the corner of Butterscotch’s cottage and sees-

Dusk: BUTTERSCOTCH?!

-who is facing a gigantic bear which roars in his face. Butterscotch darts between its legs and kicks it in the back, sending it to the floor, and he leaps onto its back and starts pulling on its leg. The bear thumps the ground, tears streaming down its face, until Butterscotch drags it up and snaps its neck. The bear falls limply to the floor.

Dusk: (horrified) How could this be happening? Of all the days he could have picked to stop being such a scaredy pony he had to pick today! What am I going to DO?!

As he leaves, Butterscotch starts massaging the bear’s back.

Butterscotch: You really should have come to me sooner. You were carrying so much tension in that shoulder.

The bear gives a happy, satisfied moan.

Later, Dusk is lying on a park bench, smiling to himself and stroking his tail.

Dusk: It’s fine! It’ll all be fine! The day isn’t over yet. (sits up and looks at the sun) But it will be over soon! (He moans again and collapses onto the bench, teardrops dripping into a small puddle) It’ll be all over! My time in Ponyville, my advanced studies... (to his reflection) Nono, you’re a good student, you can do this! (punches the air)

Reflection: Awww, but what if I can’t?

Dusk: (to his reflection) You CAN!! You just have to keep it together! (his reflection looks scared) KEEP. IT. TOGETHER!

Spines: (holding the box of cupcakes from earlier) Are you talking to... yourself? (waves a claw in front of his eyes) Dusk?

Dusk sits up, ears twitching, and stares at the silhouettes of three laughing fillies, and hallucinates them laughing at him. Spines pops the hallucination and Dusk falls to the ground.

Spines: SNAP OUT OF IT!!!

Dusk: (shakes his head) Huh?

Spines: Are you okay?

They look over at the laughing fillies, who are actually just having fun skipping rope.

Spines: Look, Dusk, I’m really worried. I mean, this letter thing is really getting to you! Here, (gives Dusk the box) you’ve been so anxious today that you completely forgot about the picnic! Why don’t you just relax and go hang out with-

Dusk: (manic) THE PICNIC! I should go see my friends!

Spines: (as Dusk leaves with the cupcakes) I’m glad you came round.

Later; Bubble Berry hops towards where Blitz, AJ and Butterscotch are setting up the picnic. He is holding a basket, and when he sets it down he pulls the blanket off the top and the basket drifts away, pulled by balloons tied to the handle. Elusive is busy searching through another basket.

Elusive: Puh-LEASE tell me I did not forget the plates! (gets up) *gasp* I did! I totally forgot them! Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!! (summons his fainting couch and leaps onto it, sobbing) Why-y-y-y? Why? WHY?!

Everypony else just stares – even Berry.

Elusive: What? You wanted me to lie on the grass?

Blitz lowers his (bloody awesome) sunglasses and lazes back on the picnic blanket. Dusk drops the cupcake box next to his head and grins at them all manically.

AJ: You alright, mate?

Dusk: NO!! I am not alright! ( :( )

Everybrony else: *various shocked exclamations*

Dusk: It’s just terrible.

Everybrony else: Yes?

Dusk: Simply awful!

Everybrony else: Yes?

Dusk: It’s the most horrific trouble I’ve EVER been in and I really, really, REALLY need your help!

Elusive: Get on with it!

Blitz: Yes, get on with it!

Butterscotch/AJ/Bubble Berry: YES, GET ON WITH IT!

Dusk: My letter to Lord Solaris is almost overdue, and I haven’t learned a single bucking thing about friendship!

Everybrony else: Phew!

Butterscotch: Oh thank goodness, for a moment I thought something really awful had happened.

Dusk: (teleports next to Butterscotch) Something awful HAS happened! (teleports again) If I don’t get him the letter on time, I’ll be tardy! (teleports again) TARDY!!!

Everybrony else: *laughing*

AJ: No offence haystack, but it looks like somepony’s gettin’ himself all worked up over nothin’.

Dusk: This. Is not nothing. This. Is. EVERYTHING. I need you guys to help me find somepony with a problem I can fix before sundown! MY WHOLE LIFE DEPENDS ON IT! (pants)

Berry: Oh Dusk, you are a riot! (falls back laughing)

Dusk: (growls in frustration)

AJ: C’mon now. Have a seat and stop sweatin’ the small stuff.

Dusk groans and growls in anger twice and then teleports away.

Butterscotch: Wow. I’ve never seen anypony so worked up.

Elusive: What a drama queen! (everypony else stares) Relatively... speaking...

(commercial)

Dusk is sitting in his room staring out the window. When he turns around it is clear that he is beyond insanity and has descended into full Cupcakes mode.

Dusk: Clock is ticking, Dusk Shine. Clock. Is. TICKING! (starts pacing) Keep it together. If I can’t find a friendship problem... I’ll MAKE a friendship problem!

He rubs his hooves together in glee as behind him a chest of his belongings cracks open.

Later: a bird lands in its nest, only to be lifted up by an insane looking Dusk (somepony get this guy a straightjacket):

Image by JaquelinAmyRose

Dusk: Hehhehehheheheheehehehehehheheheheehehe...

He looks evilly over at the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who are having fun playing with a ball. The ball hits the ground and Dusk materialises in the middle of it, exploding it and surprising the three foals.

Dusk: Hi BOOOOOOOYS!!! (grin, ear twitch)

Applebuck: Oh, hi Dusk. How’s it go-

Dusk: Grrrrrreat. Just great! (eye twitch) You all look like you’re doing great too! Looks like three friends who obviously don’t need the help of another GOOOOOOOD friend!

He produces a tatty pony plushie and cuddles it.

Dusk: This is Smartacus! He was mine when I was your age. And now I want to give him to YOU!!! (He thrusts the plushie in the CMC’s faces - they are less than thrilled)

Scooteroll: Uh... he’s... great.

Applebuck: Yeah... great!

Sweepy Bell: I really like his... mane?

Dusk: He even comes with his own notebook and quill (presents them both to the CMCs) for when you want to PRETEND he’s doing his homework! (Grins manically and rubs his hooves together) But just remember – he’s not a doll, he’s a plushie!

Scooteroll: That’s um... great!

Applebuck: Yeah, great.

Sweepy Bell: (after Scooteroll and Applebuck nudge him) I really like his... mane?

Dusk: I just hope the fact that there are THREE of you and only ONE of him doesn’t become a problem! I’d hate to cause a rift between such GOOD friends!

Out of sight of the CMCs, he gives another manic grin. Scooteroll rotates his hoof next to his head – code for “the poor guy’s gone Charlie Sheen” – when Dusk shoves the plushie in their faces.

Dusk: Sowhowantstoplaywithhimfirst?

Applebuck: Uh... you should play with him first, Sweepy Bell. You know, since you like his mane so much. (tries to slip away)

Sweepy Bell: Oh, no. I think Scooteroll should play with him first. (also tries to slip away)

Scooteroll: I’d love to but, um, you take him Applebuck. (starts pushing Applebuck towards Smartacus)

Applebuck: Applejack says it’s important to share!

They start fighting, but not for the reason Dusk wants.

Dusk: (thinking) Gotta think of something, THINKthinkthinkthinkthink, Dusk, THINK! *gasp* That’s IT! (speaking to the battling CMCs) Oh, you’re going to LIKE Smartacus, and you’re going to like him more than ANYTHING!

Tiny hearts pour from his horn into the Smartacus plushie, and the CMCs immediately cease their squabbling.

Scooteroll: (heart eyes) I WANT it!

Applebuck: (heart eyes) Ah NEED it!

Sweepy Bell: (heart eyes) I REALLY like his mane!

They start scuffling again, this time over the plushie, occasionally saying things like “I want it first”. Dusk smiles with satisfaction.

Dusk: The Want-It Need-It spell. Works every time! (approaches the fighting ball of doom) Alright, let’s break it up. I think we can all see that there’s an important lesson to be learned here about- (gets kicked away, and seems to regain some sanity) C’mon guys, we’re all friends here! Don’t you think you ought to share?

Applebuck: (looking out of the ball of punches and kicks) NO WAY!

Dusk growls in frustration and dives into the ball of scuffles, but gets thrown out plushie-less and almost hits Macareina.

Dusk: Macareina! Thank goodness. You’ve got to help me get that plushie away from those boys!

Macareina: (stares blankly for a second) ...Eeyup.

She walks calmly over to the scuffling ball, and simply plucks out the Smartacus plushie.

Dusk: Oh thanks. Now if you could just give him to me-

Macareina: (running away with heart eyes) Nnnope.

Dusk: Oh, cud.

The CMCs chase Macareina, who still hangs onto Smartacus, past the Mayor, who up until that point had been enjoying the sunny weather.

Mayor: What’s all the commotion about?

Random background pony #1: (heart eyes) They’re fighting over that doll!

Random background pony #2: (heart eyes) That incredible, amazing doll!

Dusk: (to nopony in particular) How many times – it’s not a doll, it’s a bucking PLUSHIE!

By now a massive group of ponies are trying to get the Smartacus plushie, which is held out of reach by Macareina. Dusk joins the fray, trying to cast the spell to stop the chaos.

Dusk: Can’t... get a clear... shot...

Mayor: (popping up next to Macareina) GIMME!

The Mayor seizes the plushie and starts to run away with it.

Macareina: (throwing off the ponies piled on top of her) Nnnope. (gives chase)

Dusk: Oh Dusk, you moron, what’ve you DONE?

Dusk’s friends are packing up after the picnic. AJ is lazing under a tree when he hears the commotion.

AJ: Y’all hear that?

Suddenly they are all surrounded by the population of Ponyville, who are still battling over Smartacus. The plushie eventually lands nearby: Blitz sees it land, but Dusk appears and pulls him away.

Dusk: DON’TLOOKATIT!

Elusive: Don’t look at what, exactly?

Dusk: (covering Elusive’s eyes) My Smartacus plushie! I enchanted him and now everypony’s fighting over him!

Butterscotch: But why would you enchant your doll?

Dusk: PLUSHIE! And I had to do something! I thought if I couldn’t find a friendship problem I’d just go ahead and make one. The day is almost over!

AJ: Not almost.

They all watch as the sun drops below the horizon. Dusk covers his face and lies on the ground in shame.

Lord Solaris: DUSK SHINE!

He hovers over the scene in a blaze of white light.

AJ: Whoa Nelly.

Lord Solaris casts a spell which disables the botched Want-It Need-It spell and the population of Ponyville stops fighting. They all look at Smartacus for a second, blushing, and the Mayor walks away – treading on it in the process. The crowd dissipates, all except for Macareina, who picks up the plushie and whinnies happily, running away with it.

Solaris lands in front of Dusk, who looks upon him with fear.

Solaris: Meet me in the library. (flies away)

Dusk: (stands up) Bye guys. If you care to visit, I’ll be in magic kindergarten... back in Canterlot.

He walks away.

Butterscotch: Magic kindergarten?

Blitz: Canterlot?

Berry: We’re never gonna see Dusk Shine again!

AJ: What’re we gonna do, y’all?

Elusive: Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING! (whimpers, then sees everypony staring) What? I really mean it this time!

Later in the library, Spines watches fearfully as Dusk cowers before his mentor.

Dusk: But-but I’m supposed to send you a letter about friendship every week! I’m a bad student. I’m... tardy!

Solaris: You are an excellent student, Dusk Shine. I don’t have to get a letter every week to know that.

Dusk: (hopefully) You... don’t?

Suddenly, Blitz, AJ, Butterscotch, Berry and Elusive burst into the library. Blitz and Berry leap between Dusk and Solaris.

Blitz: WAIT!

Berry: You can’t punish him!

AJ: It wasn’t his fault!

Solaris: I’m listening.

Butterscotch: Please your majesty, we all saw that Dusk was upset...

Blitz: ...but we thought the thing he was worrying about wasn’t worth worrying about.

AJ: So when he ran off all worked up, not a single one of us lifted a hoof to stop or help him.

Elusive: As Dusk’s friends, we should have taken his feelings seriously and been there for him!

Butterscotch: (as Solaris raises an eyebrow) Please don’t take him away from us just because we were all too insensitive to help him.

Solaris: (pause) Sounds to me like you all learned a pretty important lesson.

Blitz/AJ/Berry/Butterscotch/Elusive: Mmhmm.

Solaris: Very well. I’ll forget Dusk’s “punishment” on one condition.

Blitz/AJ/Berry/Butterscotch/Elusive: (varying degrees of “What is it?”)

Solaris: From this day forth, I would like you ALL to report to me your findings on the magic of friendship, (to Dusk) when and only when, you happen to discover them.

Everypony cheers except Dusk, who follows Solaris out onto the balcony.

Dusk: Lord Solaris, wait! How did you even know I was in trouble?

Solaris: Your friend Spines made me aware that you were letting your fear get the best of you. (Spines darts out of sight and the others come into view) I commend her for taking your feelings seriously. Now, if you all will excuse me, I must return to Canterlot. (indicatively) I’m expecting some mail.

He takes off, flies into the air and vanishes in a flash of light.

AJ: Y’all heard Solaris! Spines, take a letter.

Spines produces a quill and piece of parchment, but before she can write anything, Dusk pulls her into a hug and gives her a look which says “Thank you”.

Later...

AJ: *ahem* Dear Lord Solaris; We’re writin’ ta you ‘coz today we all learned a little somethin’ ‘bout friendship.

Butterscotch: We learned that you should take your friend’s worries seriously.

Blitz: Even when you think they don’t have anything to worry about.

Elusive: And that you shouldn’t let your fears turn a small problem...

Berry: ...into an enormously huge, entire-town-in-total-chaos, (leaps into the air) sun-god-has-to-come-and-(falls)-save-the-day problem!

AJ: Signed, your loyal subjects.

Spines pauses for a moment, and then starts writing again.

Spines: P.S. Obviously, Spines did not have to learn a lesson because she is the best most awesome friend a pony could ask for! Unlike everypony else, she took things seriously and- (sees the look Dusk is giving her) Uh... yeah... I’ll just, um...

She crosses out the PS, while everypony else just laughs.

(end credits)