Les Mareables

by AuthorQuill

Rating: everyone
Tags: Sad, Romance, Crossover
Length: 3568

Twilight and the Gang, along with Aurora Borealis, make a movie based on Les Miserables and most of Ponyville gets in on it.

Aurora Borealis returns to Ponyville with an idea for a new movie that she wants Twilight and her friends to take part in. Join them as they go from auditions, to filming, to the premiere and see how the message and themes in the movie will work with them in their everyday lives. Aurora takes it upon herself to direct this adaptation and help her friends make this the best performance in all of Equestria. Read and enjoy Les Marebles

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2013-12-18 13:49:42 UTC

%1% Aurora's Return

I hadn't been back to Ponyville for so long, but I had gotten an idea for a movie and I needed to find Twilight to see who wanted to participate. As I entered the village, a quiet hush fell over it. They hadn't seen me for so long, that it must have come as quite a shock to all of them. I ignored all the shocked stares, passed Sugar Cube Corner and headed to Golden Oaks Library. Knocking on the door, Spike, Twilight's charge, opened the door.

“Hey, Aurora! Long time, no see,” he said, smiling. I grinned.

“Hey there, Spike. Is Twilight here?” I asked. He nodded and allowed me in.

“TWILIGHT! YOU GOT A GUEST!” he called. I chuckled, walking inside the library and taking my hat off. I could see the form of my purple unicorn friend coming down the stairs. She lit up when she saw me.

“Aurora! You're back! It's so good to see you,” she said. I grinned. Reaching into my saddlebag, I pulled out the script for the new movie I wanted to work on. I passed it to Twilight, who levitated it with her magic. She read the title.

“Les Misérables? That's french for 'The Miserables, right?” she asked. I nodded.

“This is your new movie?” I nodded again.

“And I want you and your friends to be in it,” I said. She gasped.

“W-what would we have to do?” I smiled.

“It's just going to require singing,” I said. Twilight grinned. She skimmed through the script a bit and her eyes widened.

"This is the best story I've ever heard! I've got to tell the girls about this, they'll love it!" she squealed. I grinned. Spike made us both some tea as Twilight and I talked about the script and giving our individual thoughts on the story.

~o0o~

A few hours later, Twilight's five friends were gathered in the library to see the script.

“So, you want us to be in your movie?” Applejack asked. I nodded. Pinkie Pie jumped up and down, squealing with delight.

“WAHOO! We're going to be in a movie! WHOO!” Rarity smiled and said,

“Oh, this will be splendid. We're going to be on a movie screen, seen by all.” I could see Fluttershy  began looking very nervous, so I went to reassure her.

“Don't worry, Fluttershy, it's not that bad. Besides, when we're filming it, there won't be a lot of ponies there,” I said. She nodded and smiled very small.

“Now, there will be auditions, but not for you all. I have parts all picked out for all of you, but if you could get some of your other friends to come to the audition, that would be great. Now here are the parts that you all have. For Applejack, you'll be playing the part of Enjolras, the leader of the Revolutionaries,” I said. The country pony grinned and tipped her hat.

“For Rarity, you'll be playing the part of one of the Revolutionaries, named Prouvaire.” Rarity grinned. She said the name to herself, letting it bounce off the tongue and being very pleased with how it sounded.

“For Rainbow Dash, a role that greatly suits you, you'll be playing Applejack's right hand mare in the Revolution, Grantaire. It's going to require you to drink a lot of cider,” I said. Rainbow Dash grinned, thinking of how many cups of cider she could down during the filming.

“For Pinkie Pie, you'll be playing the part of Monsieur Thénardier, the vile innkeeper who had young Cosette under his care until Jean Valjean comes to get her. I'll cast your special somepony during the auditions,” I said. Pinkie gyrated with excitement, turning an even brighter shade of pink. Chuckling, I turned to Fluttershy and smiled.

“Fluttershy, you've got the best part in the movie. You'll be playing the part of Fantine, the tragic woman who has to go through so much to save her daughter, Cosette. You've got one of the biggest songs in it and you've got one of the saddest endings to your character,” I said. Fluttershy turned her head but I could see the hint of a smile. I turned to Twilight and smiled.

“Twilight, my best friend, the part I am going to cast you in is one of the most important parts in the movie, and possibly one of the main parts, second to Jean Valjean. You will be playing Inspector Javert, the remorseless police inspector who pursues Jean Valjean throughout the entire movie to bring him to justice, no matter what it takes. It's a part that is going to require a lot of singing, and a lot of glaring. I'm sure you'll do great. The rest of the parts will be given in the auditions,” I said. All the girls looked to be satisfied with their parts, when I felt someone tap me.

“What about me?” Spike asked. I smiled.

“Don't worry, Spike, I wasn't about to forget you. You're going to be playing the part of Courfeyrac, another one of the Revolutionaries. Now, in order to make this unique, I'll be adding all your names into it instead of the characters actual names. I have to talk to the Mayor to see where we can hold the auditions, but everything should go according to plan,” I said. All were in compliance and were, in general, very excited about the movie. Now, I needed to get permission from Mayor Mare to use Ponyville as a backdrop and to hold auditions somewhere with good echo quality, somewhere that would be good for singing and I also realized that I had a slight problem. Jean Valjean, in the play, is supposed to be able to do a wide range of notes, and I don't really know anyone in Ponyville who has that type of range. Twilight and the others could probably help, but I know that if I don't cast a Valjean, then this is going to be very, very hard. But, I'd worry about that tomorrow. For right now, I'm just going to enjoy my time back in Ponyville with my friends.

Auditions

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.

First Read Through

After contacting the cast and getting them together, I then had to schedule a read through of the script. Twilight volunteered to have us read at her place, which I was very happy about. I got the entire cast to Twilight's and decided the best way to start would be to have everypony introduce themselves and say the name of their character. Everypony looked at their scripts and we began.

“I'm Applebloom and I play Marius,” she said. I nodded and then looked to the next pony in line.

“I'm Scootaloo and I play Gavroche.”

“I'm Lyra Heartstrings and I play Madame Thenardier.”

“I'm Pinkie Pie and I play Monsieur Thenardier.”

“I'm Sweetie Belle and I play Eponine.”

“I'm Applejack and I play Enjolras.”

“I'm Rainbow Dash and I will be playing Grantaire.” We all looked at Fluttershy, waiting for her to say something.

“Imfluttershyandiplay...” she mumbled. We smiled.

“There's nothing to be afraid of, Flutters. You're surrounded by all your friends. Go ahead, try again,” I said. She nodded.

“I-I'm Fluttershy and I play Fantine,” she said, and smiled when she got through it. I grinned then looked to Rarity.

“I'm Rarity and I am playing Prouvaire.”

“I'm Spike and I play Courfeyrac.”

“I'm Twilight Sparkle and I play Inspector Javert.” We all looked to Dinky to speak next.

“I'm Dinky Doo and I play Cosette,” she said. We all smiled. Our front runner grinned and said,

“I'm Derpy Hooves and I play Jean Valjean.” Then they all looked to me. I smiled and said,

“I'm Aurora Borealis. I'm responsible for all of this.” Everypony chuckled at that. We then began the readthrough.

~o0o~

We all had gotten through most of the first half of the script, we just needed to sing One Day More. I turned on the music and had Derpy start.

One day more

Another day, another destiny

This never ending road to cavalry

These mares who seem to know my crime

Will surely come a second time

One day more

Applebloom then began.

I did not live until today

How can I live when we are parted?

One day more

Derpy chimed in.

Dinky and Applebloom harmonized.

Tomorrow, you'll be worlds away

And yet with you my world has started.

Applebloom and Dinky continued, and Sweetie Belle joined.

One more day all on my own

(Will we ever meet again?)

One more day with her not caring

(I was born to be with you)

What a life I might have known

(And I swear I will be true)

But she never saw me there!

The music got a bit more powerful and Applejack jumped in along with Applebloom.

One more day before the storm

(Do I follow where she goes?)

At the barricades of freedom

(Shall I join my sisters there?)

When our ranks begin to form

(Do I stay; do I dare?)

Will you take your place with me?!

Everypony harmonized, preparing for the next verse.

The time is now

The day is here!

Derpy came right back in.

One day more!

One day more to revolution

We will nip it in the bud

We'll be ready for these school girls

They will wet themselves with blood

Twilight harmonized as Pinkie and Lyra continued.

Watch them run amok

Catch them as they fall

Never know your luck

When there's a free for all

Here a little dip

There's a little touch

Most of them are goners

So they won't miss much!

Every cast member in the room then harmonized together.

One day to a new beginning

(Raise the flag of freedom high)

Every mare will be a queen!

(Every mare will be a queen!)

There's a new world for the winning!

(There's a new world to be won!)

Do you hear the ponies sing?

Applebloom grinned.

My place is here

I fight with you!

Derpy began the amalgamation of verses that was going to start.

One day more!

Then, everypony sang their parts.

I did not live until today

(One more day all on my own!)

How can I live when we are parted?

We will join these ponie's heroes

We will follow where they go

We will learn their little secrets,

We will know the things they know

(One day more!)

Tomorrow you'll be worlds away

(What a life I might have known!)

And yet with you my world has started

One more day to revolution

We will nip it in the bud

We'll be ready for these school girls

Watch them run amok

Catch them as they fall

Never know your luck

When there's a free for all!

Tomorrow we'll be far away

Tomorrow is the judgement day

Tomorrow we'll discover

What our God in Heaven has in store!

One more dawn

One more day

One day more!

The music ended and everypony cheered. All of them did a spectacular job, and I knew I picked the right mares for the job. We then continued with the read through.

~o0o~

After a tearful read through of Javert's Suicide by Twilight, we all had come to the epilogue. I could see tears in the eyes of all the cast, but they all didn't let that hinder them. Derpy closed her eyes and quietly sang.

Now you are here

Again beside me

Now I can die in peace

For now my life is blessed

Dinky was tearing up, but she sang her part nonetheless.

You will live,

Mama you're going to live!

It's too soon, too soon to say goodbye

Derpy smiled and nuzzled her daughter as she sang.

Yes Dinky, forbid me now to die

I'll obey, I will try

On this page, I write my last confession

Read it well, when I at last am sleeping

It's the story of one who turned from hating

A mare who only learned to love

When you were in her keeping

Fluttershy smiled and softly sang.

Come with me

Where chains will never bind you

All your grief at last, at last behind you

Lord in heaven, look down on her in mercy

Derpy smiled and sighed.

Forgive me all my trustpasses

and take me to your glory

Fluttershy and Sweetie Belle, who was taking the Bishop's part for the time being, sang along.

Take my hoof, I'll lead you to salvation

Take my love, for love is everlasting

And remember the truth that once was spoken

To love another pony is to see the face of God!

I paused the music to address something to the cast.

“Okay, I want everypony to keep this in their minds. These last verses are the finale of the movie and they are the ones that are going to get everypony in tears, so I know that this is just the first read through, but I need as much emotion as you can. Got it. And Twilight, you are in this song. I've got an explanation. Okay, let's do this,” I said. They all nodded and began to sing very quietly.

Do you hear the ponies sing?

Lost in the valley of the night

It is the music of the ponies who are climbing to the light

For the wretched of the earth, there is a flame that never dies

Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.

We will live again in freedom in the garden of the Lord

We will walk behind the ploughshed, we will put away the sword.

The chain will be broken and all mares will have their reward!

Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me?

Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?

Do you hear the ponies sing? Say do you hear the distant drums?

It is the future that we bring when tomorrow comes

Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me?

Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see ?

Do you hear the ponies sing? Say do you hear the distant drums?

It is the future that we bring when tomorrow comes

Everypony did the last harmonization and then gave the big finish.

Tomorrow comes!!!

The music turned off and everypony congratulated each other on a successful first read through. I smiled. Filming, here we come.