Les Mareables

The next day, I made a straight shot to find Mayor Mare. I needed her approval before I could film in Ponyville. Going into the town square, I could see Mayor Mare on the podium of town hall. I quickly went up to the Mayor and greeted her.

“Mayor Mare! It's me, Aurora Borealis! Remember me, I'm Twilight's friend,” I asked. The elder mare smiled and nodded.

“Oh, Aurora! Of course I remember you. How are you?” she asked. I smiled.

“I wanted to ask a favor of you. I'm wanting to film a movie here in Ponyville, I was just wondering if I have your permission to use the town,” I said. Mayor Mare smiled.

“I'd be honored if you would use the town for your movie. Would you mind if I have a part in it?” she asked. I nodded.

“Of course. There's a judge in one of the scenes that you'd be perfect for,” I said. Mayor Mare grinned.

“Is there anything else I can do for you?” she asked. I nodded.

“I need a place with good echo quality that would work for singing auditions,” I said. She smiled.

“Well, what about Town Hall?” I smiled.

“That would be perfect,” I said. She smiled and went back to her business.

~o0o~

The next few days was spent turning the town hall into the audition center. Rainbow Dash and Applejack helped out, with Twilight and Rarity assisting with their magic. Once all was ready, Twilight and I sat at the table and prepared for the auditioners.

“Okay, RD, send them in,” I said. Rainbow Dash nodded and opened the doors. A host of ponies piled in, grinning from ear to ear. Rainbow Dash had to do a little persuading to get them all in a single file line and organized. Soon, the first pony in line stepped up. She was a yellow filly with a red mane and a bow. I couldn't see a cutie mark on her, but she looked to be a bit younger than Applejack. I smiled at the little filly.

“Hi, what's your name?” I asked. She grinned.

“I'm Applebloom,” she said. Applejack nodded.

“She's my little sister.” I smiled.

“Well, Applebloom, before we start the audition, do you know how to sing at all?” I asked. She nodded.

“I can sing really well, ma'am.” I chuckled.

“I'm glad to hear that, Applebloom. Okay, here's how this is going to work. I'm going to give you some sheet music with lyrics on it. Spike will play the music on the piano and I want you to sing along as best as you can.” She nodded. I gave her the sheet music and Spike readied himself. When I gave the signal, Spike began to play. Applebloom took a deep breath and began.

There's a grief that can't be spoken

There's a pain goes on and on

Empty chairs at empty tables

Now my friends are dead and gone

I looked over to see Twilight grinning. Applebloom was doing pretty well.

Here they talked of revolution

Here it was they lit the flame

Here they sang about 'tomorrow'

And tomorrow never came

From the table in the corner

They could see a world reborn

And they rose with voices ringing

I can hear them now!

The very words that they had sung

Became their last communion

On the lonely barricade at dawn

Spike finished playing the sample and we all cheered. I took the music back from Applebloom and smiled.

“Good job, Applebloom. We'll make sure to find you when we make a decision, okay?” I said. She nodded and trotted away. I sat back down and had Rainbow Dash bring in the next pony to audition.

~o0o~

A few hours later, the auditions were winding down. A lot of pony's had shown up, and I had a pretty good idea as to who would be what character. But no one went for Jean Valjean. That was a problem.

“Rainbow, are there any others out there?” I asked. She looked out and nodded.

“There's one more,” she said. I grinned, and hoped that this one would be my Jean Valjean. The pony who came in was a grey pegasus with a blonde mane and bubbles for a cutie mark. There was something peculiar about her gold eyes, but I didn't think anything of it. I smiled at the new arrival.

“Hi there. What's your name?” I asked. She smiled very small.

“I'm Derpy Hooves,” she said. I nodded.

“Okay, Derpy. Do you know anything about what this audition is for?” I asked. She nodded.

“Of course I do. I love this musical,” she said. I was about to ask where she'd seen it, as it had never come to Equestria, but then thought better of it.

“So, Derpy, do you have something you want to sing, or do you want me to select it for you? She nodded.

“I've got something,” she said. She handed me the sheet music she'd brought and my eyes widened.

“Bring Him Home? You want to sing that?” I asked, unsure of what we were about to see. Derpy nodded without a word and I gave Spike the sheet music. I signaled and he began to play. Derpy opened her mouth and what happened next was something I couldn't believe.

God on high

Hear my prayer

In my need

You have always been there

He is young

He's afraid

Let him rest

Heaven blessed

Bring him home

Bring him home

Bring him home.

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Twilight's mouth hanging open. Granted, everyone that was present in town hall was speechless. Derpy sounded beautiful.

He's like the son I might have known

If God had granted me a son.

The summers die

One by one

How soon they fly

On and on

And I am old

And will be gone.

Bring him peace

Bring him joy

He is young

He is only a boy

I could see Applejack and Rainbow Dash smiling, and I smiled too. Derpy would be perfect for Jean Valjean.

You can take

You can give

Let him be

Let him live

If I die, let me die

Let him live

Bring him home

Bring him home

Bring him home.

When Spike finished playing, we all cheered. Derpy smiled and blushed slightly.

“Derpy, that was amazing! You did so well. We'll definitely let you know the outcome once we make our decision,” I said. Derpy smiled and nodded, then took her sheet music, and walked out. I looked at Twilight and grinned.

“She is definitely Jean Valjean,” I said. With the auditions over, I had to now assemble the cast and I pretty much had them all set. I was so happy. Everything was going exactly as planned. With Derpy as the front runner, leading the pack, this will be the best movie Equestria's ever seen.