Lights, Camera...

by Smoking Gun

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Main 6, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Soarin, Romance, Original Character, Spike, Comedy
Length: 92085

The Mane Six and the rest of Ponyville get caught up in production of the newest superhero movie

When the "Super-Stallion" movie franchise is destined for a reboot, the crew of the film, led by their director; Final Cut, relocate to Ponyville, seeking out the newest talent to act and help out in the film.

When the Mane Six and the rest of Ponyville catch wind of this news, they all decide to get involved... some in more helpful ways then others. Friendships are tested, morals are questioned and uncomfortable tights are worn as everypony gets ready to be a star.

This story will track the entirity of the film. From announcement to the reviews.

Lights, Camera, Action!

Cover image by Rainy Meadows.

Published 2012-07-09 05:04:02 UTC
Last updated 2012-08-24 01:19:23 UTC

Prologue: Announcement

Prologue: Announcement

When it came to towns one may associate with being the centre of news and trends, Ponyville would probably be at the bottom of the list (if on the list at all). While the last two years have brought a different kind of attention to the town (usually involving monsters), Ponyville was never considered the hub of culture. That honour was reserved for Canterlot or Manehatten. It varies from pony to pony. Ponyville is just another town, with nothing happening.

“Collect Snacks?”Twilight sparkle exited Sugar Cube Corner, holding a box with her magic. By her side, as always, was Spike, carrying his trademark quill and scroll. “Check.” He replies happily. Twilight was planning to throw a get-together at her library. Pinkie was always the pony who threw the parties in Ponyville. Usually because she would beat everypony to the punch. Twilight was up for a change of pace, so she decided to host one herself. Celestia knew she had nothing else to do. Ever since her Brother’s wedding in Canterlot, there wasn’t any major crisis to solve, bad guys to fight or friendship lessons to learn. Mostly because ever since the wedding, Equestria’s mythical baddies had gone into hiding.

“So what’s left?” Twilight asked. “Well, we set up the decorations earlier. I guess that means we’re done. And just in time. We just picked up a bucket of ice cream with my name on it.” The little dragon licked his lips with anticipation. “That’s because you’re the one who put in the order, Spike.” Twilight was all too aware of Spike’s sugar craving, border lining on addiction.

Is this really all I have to worry about anymore? Twilight was never a fan of fighting or conflict. However, there was a distinct feel of boredom she had been feeling since the post-wedding hype had calmed down. It was the reason she was throwing the party in the first place. Ponyville wasn’t exciting, so she had to make it exciting. At least as exciting as a librarian could.

“Remember folks, cheering is encouraged!”

The Cloudsdale stadium echoed with the announcer’s words of wisdom. On the launching pad, was Rainbow Dash. She inhaled and exhaled as she looked at the obstacle course laid out before her. All eyes were on her. Everything was riding on this. Her reputation, her place in the Wonderbolts, everything! She stood up on her hind legs, spread her front legs and dipped over the edge of the pad, plummeting towards the earth. She then spreads her wings and swoops back up towards the stadium field.

With great elegance and speed, she swooped up and down, in and out of the obsticles laid out over the arena. Backflips, barrel rolls, you name it, she was doing it. Leaving a vaguely rainbow coloured after image in her wake, she finished the course and swooped up into the air, in sight of the whole arena.

The stadium burst into cheers, so loud that all of Equestria shook with the sound of hoofs stomping on the seats. Rainbow Dash waved her arms in the air, soaking in the applause.

“Allow me to present to you, the newest member of the Wonderbolts: Rainbow Dash!” The announcer raised his voice, making sure it was clear to everyone in the world. “Thank you. Thank you all!” Rainbow was sure to give some praise back to the audience, just to make sure it didn’t look like she was a glory hound. It was the greatest moment of her life.

Too bad no one was actually in the stadium. There were events scheduled for the day, so Rainbow took the liberty of using the stadium “grounds,” And why not? No one else was using it. As the excitement wore off, Rainbow came back to reality, remember there was no announcer or audience cheering her on. She had hoped pretending she was at her actual try-out for the Wonderbolts would improve moral, but she had been wrong before.

“Go me... ” the rainbow Pegasus said softly as she hung her head, landed on the same ledge she took off from and walked into the dark interior of the stadium.

“Welcome to Carousel Boutique. Where everything is chic, unique and manific!” The now trademarked greeting for Rarity’s place of business echoed through the nearly empty shop. “Now you try it darling.”

“Welcome to Carousel Boutique. Where everything is chic, unique and man—mani—umm” Sweetie Bell struggled to pronounce this fancy word she had never heard before. It all sounded like gibberish to her.

“It’s pronounced ‘manific’ darling.” Rarity gave an encouraging smile to her little sister. Sweetie Bell was hoping to earn an allowance, unfortunately, that involved helping Rarity out at the boutique.

“Urgh! Words are stupid. Why can’t I just say ‘Hey’ like I do to everypony else?” Sweetie Bell asked honestly. Rarity took a step back, almost offended by the question. “Because the ponies who shop at Carousel Boutique are not just ‘anypony’. They are our customers and that makes them special.” Rarity’s pitch made her feel very proud of herself. Sweetie Bell was just perplexed.

“But they’re just anypony when they leave” Sweetie pointed out.

“Exactly.” Rarity gave her a knowing wink. “When our customers feel more important in here then out there, they’ll be more inclined to come back.” Rarity’s words did make sense. But Sweetie kept thinking that something was wrong.

“Well, when you live in Ponyville, anywhere else by comparison could make you feel like a Queen.” Rarity looked away awkwardly.

“Perhaps. But we’re still the no.1 dress designers in Ponyville. And it’s our job to bring whatever class we can. We bring the trends to us!” Rarity felt rather special giving such a speech, hoping to inspirer her little sister. Judging by the look on Sweetie Bell’s face, it didn’t work.

“Sorry sis. But I think speaking in fancy is about as classy as Ponyville is going to get.” Sweetie Bell turned away and began to head up stairs. She stopped after the first few steps and turned back to Rarity. “If it makes you feel any better, it looks like you won’t need me around to get in the way.” Sweetie then continued her journey upstairs. Rarity looked back at the boutique, populated only by ponyikins and the latest in fashion that she had to offer.

I don’t think anypony is going to need either of us anytime soon, thought Rarity as she slowly walked over to her work bench, toiling away at some paper work she had yet to file.

“Knock ‘em down, Sugar Cube!” Applejack watched as Applebloom raised her hind legs and bucked the apple tree as hard as she could. Unfortunately, you filly ended up shaking more than the tree did, stumbling to the ground in a daze.

“Hehe. Yall got less kick then a one-legged mule.” Applejack extended a helping hoof. Applebloom reluctantly took it. “Hadn’t we establish applebuckin’ aint my talent?” Applebloom felt a little embarrassed having to bring that up again.

“Sure as sugar have” Applejack said jokingly. “Unfortunatly, Big Macintosh just had to bang ‘emself up again. And I can’t clear this field by myself. You’ve got apple in the name. Meaning you’re the best mare for the job until I say otherwise.” Applejack had learned better then to bite off more then she could chew the hard way two years ago. Applebloom wasn’t the best when it came to the family business, but she couldn’t ask her friends to help this time.

“Why cain’t you ask your friends?” Applebloom wondered. Applejack’s eyes wondered. “Ah reckon they’re probably busy with their own work. Just like we’re busy with ours.” Applejack put a reassuring hoof on her sister’s head. “Besides, just because you didn’t get it right the first time, doesn’t mean you can’t do it the next. Nopony earns her cutie mark the first time around. It takes practise.”

Applebloom shot up with her eyes wide as a canyon. “Yall mean you can be good at something the second time around?!” Appleblooms epiphany restored her morale she lost bucking the apple tree. “Ah have to find the cutie mark crusaders. Maybe we can make our tight rope routine work after all!” Appleblooms little legs ran as fast as they could as she ran could. Applejack runs in front, stopping here.

“Hold on there. Ah still need yall to help me with these trees.” Applebloom casually walks past her.

“Seriously? Did you not see me buck myself right there?” Applebloom had accepted that she wasn’t going to be the best apple bucker in the world a while ago, but she still didn’t like admitting it.

“Just take a break sis. Don’t yall have nothing better to do?” Applebloom resumed running off to join her friends. Applejack looked off to the road that lead up to Sweet Apple Acers. It wasn’t cider season, so the best cider wasn’t going to be available for another few months, although they still had some lower case stuff in the back. They had enough business to keep the farm going, but they haven’t exactly seen rush hour come by the farm for a while now.

“Afraid ah don’t, Sugar Cube.”

“Ohmygosh, come here Mrs Cake!” Pinkie was known for being easily excitable. She was one of the many draws to Sugar Cube Corner. You could grab a donut, a cup of coffee and just sit back and watch her. Some even placed bets on what she would go nuts about next. Mrs Cake ran through the door.

“What’s wrong Pinkie? Are the little one’s alright?” Mrs Cake had grown to trust Pinkie with Cup Cake and Pound Cake, but she couldn’t help her maternal instincts kicking in every now and then.

“Nah, they’re fine. I tucked them in all ready.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong. In fact, everything’s right!”

“Pinkie…?” Pinkie runs up to Mrs Cake, grabbing the sides of her head, getting up in her face as much as she could. “I’ve made discovery Mrs Cake. One that science and magic will fail to comprehend!” Pinkie raised her hoof in the air as though she had found the Celestia particle. Pinkie pulls Mrs Cake over to kitchen bench and points down onto the slab she had been working on. Pinkie is smiling ear to ear.

…

“Those are sprinkles Pinkie”

“Not just any sprinkles!” Pinkie takes a pair of tweasers and delicately picks up one of the sprinkle flakes. On closer inspection, the sprinkles were multi-coloured.

“Two, three, sometimes even four colours on each of them! I was fiddling around with sprinkles and I came up with this! Think of the possibilities… apple and orange… Blue AND red berry!” Pinkie’s head rolled back, her jaw slacked and her tongue hung out of her mouth and she gargled in delight. Mrs Cake didn’t look amused.

“Pinkie---“

“Oh, oh, oh! What if we could do seven colours in one? We could could call it the Rainbow Dash topping! You know who would love that? Mrs Cake paused before answering.

“Rainb---“

“Rainbow Dash!” Pinkie closed her eyes and stood tall and proud. “So, when are you going to be able to arrange the party in honour of this momentous occasion?” Mrs Cake didn’t look amused.

“Pinkie, you really need to get out more.” Pinkie’s smile went upside down.

“But Mrs Cake, there hasn’t been a lot to celebrate lately. With no celebrations, there’s no parties, with no parties, there’s no Pinki---“

“No, seriously Pinkie. Get out.”

Pinkie, hanging her head, wondered out of the store. She was the party pony. When there are no parties, there’s no Pinkie. For the past couple of months, Pinkie had been searching in every nook and cranny for a reason to party. They were fine for a while, but when you’ve got nothing to celebrate, parties just don’t have the same feel to them. Just then, a unicorn shaped shadow stood over Pinkie. She looked up to find…

“Twilight!” Pinkie shot up and gave the unicorn a hug. Twilight was a little shocked.

“Umm, hey Pinkie. What’s up?”

“Ah, the usual. Parties, sprinkles, playing Celestia with confectionary. Same old same old.” Twilight wasn’t sure about that last one, but she just chalked that up to Pinkie being Pinkie.

“That’s good. Pretty much the same with me, I guess.”

“You make sweets now?” Again, Pinkie being Pinkie.

“I meant I was doing nothing special, except for the party I came to invite you to.” Pinkie failed to grasp what she had just heard.

“Y- Your party?”

“Yeah. I was board so I thought ‘why not?’”

“Oth... other ponies can have parties?” Pinkie had thrown so many parties ever since she came to Ponyville that she had completely forgotten what it was like to be at a party where she hadn’t planned everything down to the fold of the napkins.

“Oh… that’s great! It’s just…”

“Yes Pinkie?”

“Well, I’m just not sure you know… the science behind it.” Pinkie felt bad having to bring that up, but she hadn’t been in that position before.

“Pinkie, there isn’t a party science. It’s just…” Suddenly, Pinkie rolled back, bursting into laughter louder then she had heard before. All the ponies around couldn’t help but stare. Some in confusion, the others in horror.

“Oh Twilight, you silly billy” Pinkie wrapped her hoof around Twilight. “You have no idea what madness you have stepped into, have you?” Pinkie’s tone was a lot more condescending then usual. It even came with a raise eyebrow and smile.

“Pinkie, I just thought I would have some fun.”

“Who said planning parties was supposed to be fun?”

“You do. You’ve sang songs about it.” Pinkies face returned to its usual happy appearance.

“Oh yeah! Silly me.” Pinkie giggled as she started to bounce away. “Well, let’s go. I don’t want to be late to the first non-Pinkie-Party.” Twilight caught up to her and smiled.

“Wow, you’ve really had nothing to do haven’t you?” When you’ve been friends with somepony for long enough, you learn to see straight through them, even if they were Pinkie Pie. Pinkie nodded.

“Do… Do you ever get the feeling that you’re just not needed or wanted?” Twilight’s suddenly serious question didn’t even phase Pinkie.

“Well, I know Mrs Cake tells me I’m not needed, like, a lot, but I stick around anyway. Why do you ask?” Twilight looked sad as she thought about her answer.

“Ever since the wedding, there hasn’t been anything to do. I hang out with you guys, read… and that’s it!”

“Didn't you used to do that anyway?” Pinkie pointed out Twilights life prior to moving to Ponyville.

“That was before. Then, I would have been fine with nothing to do. But, I haven’t sent a letter to Princess Celestia in months, I haven’t had a monster to fight, I haven’t even needed a new dress.” Twilight started to become frustrated. “This boredom is driving me crazy! I don’t care anymore. I just want something to happen. Anything!”

As if on cue, a stampede of ponies run past Twilight, knocking her over as they charge. Once they passed, Pinkie helped her back up. “What’s with them?” Pinkie hoped along with the crowd. Twilight doing her best to keep up, still in a daze from being trampled.

The crowd had formed outside Town Hall, all of them seemed to be on the edge of their metaphorical seats. Twilight and Pinkie worked their way up to the front. Mayor Mare took to the podium.

“Mares and gentlcolts. It is my great honour, to introduce to all of you one of Canterlot’s greatest film directors. You may remember his works such ‘No Country for Old Colts’ and his award winning ‘The Sisterhood Social Network’. Please welcome, Final Cut!” The ponies in the crowd stomped the ground as Final Cut took to the podium. He was a brown unicorn with a grey main. Twilight was the only one who didn’t stomp. She had no clue who in the hoof this ‘Final Cut’ was. She read books. She didn’t have to go see movies.

“Thank you. Thank you all. It is my great… pleasure to be here in Ponyville for my next project. A project that will eclipse all others!” The ponies in the crowd started to wonder, ‘what could be bigger than any other film ever made?’ But the more important question was being thought by one, lone unicorn; ‘Why should Twilight care?’

“I have been put in charge on helming a film about a small character that most of you may never have heard off. He’s kind of B-list.” Any pony with half a brain knew that he was building to some big reveal.

“Super-Stallion” the director said with a cocky grin on his face. The entire crowd gasped. The only noise that could be heard after that, was Pinkie’s jaw literally hitting the floor. Even Twilight knew who Super-Stallion was. He was only the single most iconic character in all of Equestrian history. He even predates Daring Do. He was a Pegasus who wore a red and blue outfit, with a custom cutie mark on the side; A horse shoe. Inside the shoe, was a stylised ‘S’.

“As you all know, it’s being over 9 years since the last Super-Stallion film, but that’s why I’m here today. Celestia herself has given me the honour of rebooting the Super-Stallion film franchise! And she has selected Ponyville to be the place that the legend is reborn!” The ponies stomped and cheered louder than ever.

Super-Stallion started out as a comic book superhero, dating back to when Celestia and Luna were just fillies. Over the hundreds of years, the character grew in popularity in all mediums. Films, radio plays, action figures, even clothing.

“Later today, my crew will arrive in town and we’ll begin hosting auditions for the star roles. We’ll also be looking for any helping hands we can find. If you’re cutie mark is calling you to join Super-Stallion, come find us later!” The ponies in the crowd all scattered in excitement. There was plenty of talk of ‘Who will play Super-Stallion?’, ‘Who will the love interest be?’, ‘How much of the old continuity were they keeping?’. But one other question stood out amongst all of them; ‘Why should Twilight care?’

Twilight and Pinkie were the only two ponies left after everypony else has left. Pinkies eyes were wide with wonder and possibilities. “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh…” As Pinkie continued on her train of thought, Twilight used her magic to lift her off the ground and carry her to the library were she expected to forget about a pointless movie announcement.

But she had been wrong before. The library had been decorated, floor to ceiling for the party. There were cupcakes, chips and punch spread out over room. Joining her where her closest friends; Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie and Fluttershy had also joined them. Instead of partaking in the carefully organised dancing and games, all that she could hear them talk about was Super-Stallion.

“What is the big deal?!” Twilight shouted out, silencing the room. The other ponies looked at her with confusion and bemusement.

“What’s the big deal?” Rainbow Dash repeated. “He’s only the coolest Pegasus character ever!” She then cleared her throat. “You know, second to Daring Do, of course.”

“Hay yeah!” Pinkie interjects with enthusiasm. “Super-Stallion is awesome-sauce! He wears cool clothes, saves the fillies, he’s a stud and he flies around the sky like this!” Pinkie then proceeded to run around the library on her hind legs. Her front legs are extended in front of her. She made a ‘whoosh’ sound with her mouth every time she made a lap. As she continued, Twilight turned back towards the others.

“You do have to admit Twilight, it is kind of a big thing to happen to us Ponyville girls.” Fluttershy raised her head with a smile. Twilight seemed confused that Fluttershy would be excited about anything that didn’t concern woodland creatures for her to take care of.

“You’re a fan of Super-Stallion, Fluttershy? Or just the movies?”

“Oh heavens no. Movies and comic books get too violent and scary for me. But I do remember reading one issue where he saved a kitten from a tree. That was really nice of him.” Fluttershy didn’t quite understand the full level exploits that Super-Stallion was used to getting himself into, but it was fine. Big action wasn’t exactly her style.

“You have to admit darling; maybe you’re just not the kind of mare that can appreciate this news.” Twilight knew right away something was wrong with what Rarity just said.

“Sorry Rarity. But I just don’t buy you as the type who’s into Super-Stallion” Twilight knew that anything remotely geeky was something Rarity would often go out of her way to avoid. Even if it was something as big as Super-Stallion.

“That… may be true dear. But this is a movie. Being made right here. On my doorstep!” Rarity’s eyes began to glitter. You could almost see visions of her on the silver screen reflected in them. “Cinema has been the pinnacle of culture for years. The glamour, the fame, the awards, the red carpet dresses!” Rarity used her magic to pull the nearest couch to her so she had something to faint on. Twilight just rolled her eyes.

“Would it be stupid to ask if you’re excited, AJ?”

“Eeenope.”

“Yeah I bet… wait, what?” Twilight was shocked that Applejack didn’t seemed excited for the flying mare flick. “Super-Stallion wasn’t exactly big on the farm. We were more into ‘Spider-Colt’ when ah was a filly. And even then, that was Big Mac’s thing.” Applejack’s thoughts seemed to wonder off for a second.

“Although…”

“Although what?” Twilight asked with trepidation

“Ah wonder if the production crew are looking for some product placement…” Applejack smiled with a grin you only see supervillians use.

“Oh, I want to know who’s playing Super-Stallion.” Rainbow Dash grabbed one of the libraries laptops and put it on the table. Each of the ponies gathers around, except for Pinkie, who was still ‘flying’ around the room. Rainbow Dash then stood to the side.

“Hey Twi… I don’t suppose a big egg-head like you could take a look on the pony-net who’s playing Super-Stallion?” Rainbow asked with some embarrassment.

“Not a techie, huh Rainbow?” Twilight asked giving her a chuckle and wink. Rainbow grabbed her and shoved her in front of the laptop. “Just do it egg-head.” Twilight used her magic to type the keys in. She examined the page closely.

“Well?” Rainbow asked impatiently. “Who is it?” Is it Thunder Lane?”

“It looks like they haven’t announced it yet. Insiders seem to say that they’re waiting until they cast the leading mare for the role of ‘Sweet Wings’ before they reveal who it is.” Rainbow began to sink to the ground in disappointment. “Although…” Rainbow shot up.

“Although what?

“There are a ton of rumours saying that they’ve already cast him.” Rainbow started shaking Twilight like a rag doll. “Who?! Tell me now!” Twilight was so dizzy she almost threw up.

“How about you let me read the whole article first?” Rainbow dropped her to the ground. “Sorry Twi.”

Twilight began to examine the article. Reading it from top to bottom.

“I just hope they gave him the strong, masculine stallion he deserves.” Rainbow had a bit of secret shame that Super-Stallion was her filly-hood waifu.

“Ah don’t know, ah reckon you could pull it off.” Applejack had a smart-ass smirk across her face, waiting for Rainbow’s response.

“You know it!

…

“Hey!”

Applejack burst into laughter.

“Sorin” Twilight said with a little confusion. Rainbow Dash and Rarity’s jaws literally hit the floor, leaving dents in the wood. Applejack walked up.

“The Wonderbolt? Ah didn’t even know he could act.”

“Me either. But I haven’t really seen him do much outside of fly in circles. Rainbow, Rarity, you two met him before. What did he---? Rarity? Rainbow?” Twilight turned around to find that both Rarity and Rainbow Dash had vanished. All that was left was the front door flapping in the wind.

“This is going to take a while.” Final Cut looked outside the window of his trailer. Nearly every single mare in Ponyville had lined up to try out for the role of ‘Sweet Wings’. He was dreading it, knowing that 99.99% of these auditions were going to be like hoofs on a chalk board. He turns back to his casting director who is sitting at a table, looking a bunch of head shots of the mares that were lined up.

“Why did Celestia have to put me through this horse sh---“ Without warning, a blue blur charged through the window, tackling Final Cut to the floor. Dazed by the crash, Final Cut slowly regained his wits and looked up, to see Rainbow Dash standing on top of him with a cocky smile.

“Your search is over Mr Cut!” Rainbow spoke as though she already had the part. And why not? What other pony was as cool, awesome and as radical as she was? Why wouldn’t see get the part?

“Right… And who are you?” Final Cut was still in shock from the crash, trying not to anger the Pegasus who has just broken into his office and attacked him. Suddenly, the door slammed open.

“Wake up mares and gentlecolts, the actress of your dreams has just stepped in!” Rarity steps in with all the elegance she can muster, closing the door behind her with her flank as the icing on the cake. Final Cut quickly got up from under Rainbow Dash, dusting off the glass on his body.

“Before I have security drag you two idiots out, would you care to explain who in the hoof you are?” Despite Final Cuts clear anger, Rainbow Dash and Rarity both said in unison…

“Your leading mare!” The two swiftly turned to each other, realizing what the other had just said.

It. Was. On.

Next: Show, Don’t Tell!

Chapter 1: Show, Don't Tell

Chapter 1: Show, Don't Tell

“Ladies! Ladies!” Final Cut’s words failed to reach Rarity and Rainbow Dash, who were already wrestling on the floor. As the mares outside tried to get a view of the action, Twilight, Fluttershy, Spike and Pinkie Pie run up to the trailer with Twilight using her magic to push everyone else aside. As they made their way into the trailer, Fluttershy grabbed onto and held back Rarity. Pinkie did the same for Rainbow Dash.

“Both of you calm down!” Twilight scolded. Even being held back, Rainbow and Rarity were still throwing hooks. “Help me Twilight. I don’t know much more I can hold her.” Fluttershy began to cry as Rarity started to break loose of her. “Oh let me at her ref! I can take her!” Rarity shouted as she glared at Rainbow. Rainbow Dash returned the look, spreading her front hoofs wide open. “Come at me sis!”

“Fight! Fight! Fight!” Everypony paused and turned to Spike, who was shaking his claws with a devilish smile. Twilight stared daggers at the dragon until he dropped his smiles, his fists and finally left the trailer. Twilight returned her attention to the fighters.

“Both of you, you’ve been friends for years now. You’re seriously going to get into a fight over a silly movie roll?” Rarity and Rainbow reluctantly stopped squirming as their holders released them. They pouted as they turned away from each other.

“She just wants the role so she can prance around in front of the cameras. The role should go to someone who actually deserves it.” Rainbow was quick to go back on the offensive, even if it was just with words.

“Hmmp”

“Got something to say Princess?”

“Oh nothing” Rarity retorted without batting an eye. “It’s just if we’re discussing questionable motives, maybe we should bring up your inclination towards the Wonderbolts.” It was never a secret that Rainbow Dash would do anything to get in the Wonderbolts good graces. “Or should we say: Their star performer?” Rarity turned her back with the last comment, smirking back at her opponent. Rainbow looked away and blushed.

“No… It’s just… I want to do the character justice” Rainbow retorted defensively. “Besides, I actually care about the movie.” Rarity got up in Rainbow Dash’s grill. “You only care about one part of the movie! Or is it just one part of that one part?” Twilight telekinetically pulled the ponies apart, lifting them into the air and turning them upside down.

“My sincerest apologises Final Cut” Twilight lowered her head in shame. “My two friends are just excited that you could bring such an important project to our town.” Twilight began her path towards the door, dragging her friends in the air. “We’re sorry to have bothered you.” The casting director, named 'Refined Taste' placed a hoof on Twilight’s side, stopping her from leaving.

“On the contrary Miss-“

“Twilight Sparkle.”

“Miss Sparkle, this is just the enthusiasm-“

And insanity

“That we were hoping to find.”

In confusion, Twilight dropped Rarity and Rainbow on the floor of the trailer with a loud thud. The two ponies staggered to their knees. “I’m not sure I understand you” the purple pony iterated.

“You see, we need actresses who are prepared to fight for a role. This is just the first time we’ve ever seen it literally.” Refined Taste and Final Cut couldn’t help but beam when they realised the kind of attention this was bound to draw.

“But Miss-“

“Refined Taste”

“Miss Taste, I don’t understand why you’d come here of all places for a movie that’s this… important.” Twilight still had trouble taking the idea of a movie based on funny books seriously, but she played along to avoid getting dragged into Rarity and Rainbow’s brawl.

“It was… at the request of Princess Celestia” Final Cut answered. “She was greatly impressed by my skills she assigned me to the project personally. Why she chose this piece of… paradise to be our shooting grounds, I have no clue.” Twilight did find it strange that the Princess of all ponies would care about a movie about a Pegasus who wore tights. She would have to writer her about that.

“But I’m sure that Canterlot has tons of talented, veteran actors and actresses to choose from” the unicorn said with a forced smile.

“You would be 100% correct about that Miss Sparkle. And that’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid.” The whole room went silent after Cut’s last sentence. Rainbow Dash poked her head up.

“Come again.”

“You see, studies have shown that the youths of Equestria are the ones that watch movies the most. They’re the ones who spend all the bits.” Final Cut was doing his best not to look as depressed as that last sentence made me feel. “The same studies have also shown that the same colts and fillies who see said movies, want actors and actresses we can relate too. Someone that they feel like has walked a mile in their horse shoes.” Pinkie raised a hoof.

“Hold on a second! You wanted a castseses that the kids can relate too…?”

“Yes”

“So you picked one of Equestria’s biggest and highly paid fliers?” Pinkie wasn’t exactly considered the brains of the mane six, but when she had a point, she had a point.

“Well-“ Refined Taste looked away, awkwardly smiling and scratching the back of her head. “He’s someone who had to earn his place in the Wonderbolts. He’s someone the kids can look up to. He seemed like the perfect candidate.”

“I thought we hadn’t announced that yet” interjected the frustrated director.

“Oh yes… Miss-“

“Pinkie Pie.”

“Miss Pie, we trust you and your friends can hold onto that little piece of information for us?”

“Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my-“

“Whatever” the casting directed interrupted Pinkie before she could finish her trademark promise. “Ultimately, what I’m trying to say is; these two clearly represent the everypony. Starving for fame, willing to do whatever it takes to get the role, the fillies will love them.” Refined Taste put her hoofs around Rainbow Dash and Rarity, the two glaring at each other the entire time.

“Miss Taste, while I’m sure my friends are ‘grateful’ for your time, I think we’ve already taken up enough-“

“Comin’ through everypony!” Attention was turned towards outside as Applejack arrived, carrying behind her the same fold-out cart that she had brought to the Grand Galloping Gala just over a year ago.

“Mr Cut, the name’s Applejack and ah believe ah have a proposition that may interest yall.”

“Oh Celestia, not again!” Final Cut face hoofed as he tried to sleek back. Applejack kicked the cart, causing it to open. Instead of treats and healthy snacks, there were now several pamphlets, publicity shots of the farm and the Apple family as well as several Sweet Apple Acers products, including apple cider, apple juice and apple pies, all of which were christened with the Sweet Apple Acers logo. Laying in the middle of the cart was a contract and single quill with ink. Applejack bolted past her friends, stopping right in front of the movie producers. Now that she was closer, you could see she was wearing her finest duds (it was just her dress from the gala).

“Ah represent the farm ‘Sweet Apple Acers.’”

“Really? I couldn’t tell…” the director replied dryly.

“Sure as sugar! We’ve got it all. Apple pies, apple juice, apple cider, apple pies, apple fries…”

“We get the point the fruity hick!” The director was just too fed up with the stupidity around him to care about what came out of his mouth. Applejack was too caught up in her sales pitch to notice the insult.

“So ah figured, it would most likely be a mutually beneficial arrangement if your production outfit and my apple outfit, worked together to help bring ‘Stallion of Steel’ back to the silver screen.” Applejack looks at the director with a warm smile. Final Cut didn’t return it.

“Look Miss-“

“Appleja-”

“Whatever. The point is, we already have royal funds backing the project. We have all the funding we need, though we… appreciate your enthusiasm.” Final Cut was starting to notice a recurring theme among the ponies in this backwards-plot town.

“Ah’m sure you do. The Stallion of Steel deserves no less. However-“Applejack now was standing by his side, with one hoof around him and the other hoof extended outwards. “Just think about it; a product that all of Equestria is familiar with, being enjoyed by the Stallion of Tomorrow! Apples! Apples everywhere!”

“Again; thank you Applejack, but we’re quite fine with the money we have. Should we reconsider, we’ll let you know, first thing.” Using his magic, Final Cut slammed the door. You could still hear Applejack from outside.

“Call mah agent! His names Macintosh! He’s quite agreeable!”

…

“Moving on…” said Refined Taste. “I’d love to have one of these two fine mares play the role of Sweet Wings!” Twilight was doing her best to figure a quick was out of the situation.

“I don’t know. How could you possibly decide between these two?” Refined Taste’s eyes beamed.

“Maybe we don’t have to! We’ll have a huge audition with these two in front of all of Ponyville at the local theatre. We’ll have them both show off their acting prowess and the crowd will decide. We’re making the movie for them after all. Why shouldn’t they get to choose?”

“I can think of a few reasons” the director grumbled under his breath.

“We can’t give you two the script yet… it’s not done. But, we’ll let you come on and do whatever you want to.” Twilight stepped forward.

“Hold on. I’m not letting my friends compete against each other when they’ll just end up fighting again.” Twilight didn’t like to play mother with her friends, but in this case, it seemed necessary. “If you two make up, we’ll do it.” Rarity groaned as she spoke up.

“Fine, but not because you say so. I’m a grown Mare and I can make my own decisions. However, I’m not sure I can say the same for Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow Dash shot around at her.

“I can out-act you in 10 seconds flat. Fair and square.”

“So, do we have a Mare’s agreement?” Rainbow paused for a moment as she considered her answer.

“Deal!” The two shook hoofs with competitive grins on their faces. “May the best mare win.” Rarity withdrew her hoof as she left the trailer.

“Don’t worry. She will.”

Twilight groaned with exhaustion as she and everyone else left the trailer. Final Cut collapsed on the coach while Refined Taste began working on the press release for the audition. After leaving the trailer, Rainbow Dash saw Applejack packing up her cart, preparing to leave.

“Hey A.J. You feeling alright?”

“Don’t worry about Rainbow, it’s all about persistence. Anyway, what can I do for you?” Rainbow Dash grew a grin across her face.

“I’m going to need to borrow some of your cider.”

“Slow down gentlecolts, there’s room for everypony!” Refined Taste stood outside the local Ponyville theatre as waves of colts stepped through the main doors. On the sides of the doors, where long pictures of Rainbow Dash and Rarity. Hanging over the entrance was a large banner that said ‘Super-Stallion: Sweet Wings Audition Final Round. Crowd Decides!’ Under the instruction of her sister, Applebloom had snuck a smaller, messier looking banner on top of the main one that said ‘Sweet Apple Acers Presents.’

Inside the theatre, the stage had several different props set up around it, including fake trees, bushes, swords and pony skull. Off on stage left, Refined Taste, Final Cut, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity were waiting for the audience to settle down. Rarity stuck her head out the side to see how many ponies had shown up. The entire house was packed… and they all had one thing in common.

“Umm, excuse me Miss Taste”

“Yes Rarity?”

“I couldn’t help but noticed that our audience was… predominately male.”

“Of course! They’re the core fans of the series, they’re the ones who will want to know that the role of Sweet Wings is in good-“

“They’re the ones that want to see a bunch of attractive mares prance around?”

“Hoofs…” Refined Taste awkwardly looked away. “Well, physical attraction is a key aspect of marketability in any field.” Rainbow Dash got up in Rarity’s face.

“What’s wrong Rarity? Getting stage fright?”

“Of… Of course not! I’m a fashionista and I fully understand the importance of attraction.” Using her magic, she assembled a costume out of the spare ones hanging around the stage. “But, I am a firm believer that acting talent transcends all that. Now allow me to prove it.”

“Go Acting!” Pinkie wasn’t sure who to cheer for, so she just made up her own one. She, Twilight, Spike and Fluttershy were sitting in the front row. Fluttershy had two novelty foam hoofs. One on each hoof. One for Rainbow Dash and the other for Rarity.

“Oh, I hope this doesn’t get too competitive. They should both be proud of the fact they made it this far.” Twilight groan at Fluttershy’s naivety.

“All they did to get this far was fight like children in front of the casting director.”

“I know that’s something I could never do. I’m so proud of them.” Twilight face hoofed.

Final Cut dragged himself onto the centre of the stage, mumbling under his breath “Let’s get this over with.” He eventually reached the edge of the stage. “Ladies and gentlecolts, it is my honour to introduce our first candidate for the role of Sweet Wings, please welcome, Rarity!” All the colts in the audience hooted and hollered at Rarity as she gracefully made her way onto the stage. She used her magic to take hold of the prop skull that was sitting on the stage.

“To be, or not to be…”

As Rarity continued her performance, which took up the better part of an hour, captivated the entire audience. She used every prop to her advantage, taking that drama queen aspect of her personality and putting it to good use. We she finally finished, she took a bow and the entire audience erupted into cheers and stomping. Pinkie did neither cheer nor stomp, but only let a single solitary tear roll down her eye. Out of nowhere, Spike ran up besides Rarity and handed her a bouquet. Where he got the bouquet remains unknown. When she was down receiving praise (which took up the rest of the hour) she joined the other ponies on stage left, disassembling her costume.

“Looks like all those years of high school drama paid off.”

“You are the queen after all” Rainbow Dash mumbled to herself.

“You’re up next Rainbow.”

Back on the stage, several stage hands removed the props that Rarity had brought with her from the stage and replaced it with the one prop that Rainbow Dash had brought: A single, solitary piece of rope hanging from the ceiling. Back stage, Rainbow Dash took a deep breath.

“Good luck sweet heart. Just remember, it isn’t a competition.” Rarity put a reassuring hoof on Rainbow Dash before she began her walk towards the stage.

“You’re right. It isn’t.” With a cocky smirk, Rainbow started walking. Rarity went down to the front row seats and sat next to Spike.

“Now presenting; Rainbow Dash!”

The audience cheered as Rainbow took the stage, although she paid them no mind at all. She eventually made it to the centre of the stage, where the rope was hanging. She took another deep breath, tilted her head towards the audience, smiled, tilted it back to the centre and pulled the rope.

Upon pulling the rope, a large keg that was hanging over the stage tilted over. The keg had a printing on it; ‘Sweet Apple Cider.’ The cider poured out of the keg, drenching Rainbow Dash. The audience gasped (mostly in confusion). When the cider stopped pouring, Rainbow Dash was completely soaked. She then shook her head, tossing her main in an alluring manner and turned towards the audience with a sultry look on her face, something you didn’t normally see Rainbow giving.

“Good evening boys…” She gave with a seductive wink.

“Oh buck me” Rarity pouted.

“I heard you were all looking for the right gal to play Sweet Wings. You’re looking for the perfect mare to play her and you won’t settle for anything less than the best” It was safe to assume the audience wasn’t giving all their attention to what she was saying. “And why shouldn’t’ you? She’s the most iconic mare in history!” Rainbow then began to turn her backside towards the audience, but not so much that it was obvious what she was doing. “No, from what I’ve been told, the ‘plot’ is in good hands, hehe. But it’s going to be up to all of you to pick the perfect Sweet Wings. So please…” Rainbow turned her attention towards a group of teenage colts in the front rom. “Won’t you vote for little old me?” She blew the boys a kiss, causing them to fall over in their seats. Twilight was not amused.

“When has she ever talked like this?” Rarity shared Twilights distain.

“So unbecoming of a young woman, wouldn’t you agree spike?” Rarity turned to Spike, to find him with a hypnotised expression on his face, holding several bits in his claw.

“I have this strange urge to put all these bits in her mouth.” Rarity hoofed him upside the head. It still didn’t snap him out of his daze, only knocking the bits out of his claw.

“I’d like to thank Sweet Apple Acers for giving me all this delicious Cider. So good I have to shower in it.” From off stage, Applejack ran up, put her hoof around Rainbow, slapping a ribbon on her that had a picture of Applejack on it that said “Applejack approved!”

“Thanks again for your time boys. It’s greatly appreciated.” Giving a small giggle (something else you didn’t see Rainbow Dash do), her spot ended. The audience cheered so loud it threatened to deafen the audience. The stomping was so hard, Fluttershy jumped up in fear, landing in Twilight’s hoofs. Final Cut retuned to the stage.

“I’m not even going to bother asking you who won. Your new Sweet Wings is Rainbow Dash!” Final Cut raised her right hoof in the air while Applejack raised her left. With the feeling of defeat, Rarity silently crept out of the theatre. Rainbow Dash caught a glimpse of her friend before she left. She couldn’t help but feel a tinge of guilt (among other things) for what she did.

“Look sis, I’ve been practising.” Rarity was too depressed to full listen to her sister who had just entered her room. “Welcome to carousel boutique, where everything is shic, unique and minfic.” Rarity didn’t respond.

“Come on Rarity. I’ve been practising for hours!” Rarity woke up.

“Oh, sorry sweetie, I’m just not feeling 100%” Sweetie Bell nuzzled her sister.

“I’m sorry you didn’t get the part sis. I think you should have gotten it.” Rarity did her best to keep any tears from running down her face.

“Thank you sweet heart.” She gave her sister a kiss and sent her out. Ding! Rainbow Dash entered the boutique. She didn’t look as pleased with herself as she usually did.

“Yo.”

“Rainbow Dash”
…

The two ran into each other’s hoofs. “I’m so sorry for fighting with you Rarity. And I’m sorry for stooping so low to get the part too.”

“I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have pushed us so hard for something so stupid and trivial.” They both smiled warmly, struggling to keep the tears back.

“So… we’re cool?”

“Most definitely cool.” The two stepped back. “Besides, you’ll need as many friends as you can get if you have any hope of handling all the attention you’re bound to get.” Rainbow Dash stood perplexed.

“What?”

“Haven’t you realised yet darling?” Rarity pulled the curtains back, revealing hundreds of colts outside the boutique. Some of them holding signs professing their love for Rainbow Dash, others just shouting out crude cat calls. For the first time in a long time, Rainbow looks genuinely scared.

“You’re playing the lead heroin in a superhero film. Millions of… strapping young men all over Equestria will be vying for your attention.” With a pat on the back, Rarity stepped away, with a smirk on her face.

“Good luck dear!”

…

“Buck me…”

Next: CameraShy!

Chapter 2: CameraShy

Chapter 2: CameraShy

“He’s late.” Final Cute, Refined Taste, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie and Twilight were stand around the group of trailers that the film crew had set up since they moved to ponyville. Final Cut was pacing back and forth, checking his watch multiple times.

“He’s always been late.”

“Give it a rest Final.” Refined Taste put her hoof around the flustered director. “These actor types tend to work on their own schedules. You should know that by now.”

“He’s. Not. An. Actor!” Cut’s problems with Refined’s casting methods had never been a secret, why should he start caring now? “Ever since this whole thing started, you’ve brought me nothing but no-acting-no –names.” He coughed and tried not to look Rainbow Dash. “No offense.”

“None taken.” Rainbow Dash didn’t want to get the director any more agitated then he already was. Twilight stepped forward.

“Maybe you should rethink the decisions going on with all this before you open your mouth and offend somepony.”

“Maybe you should put your hoof in your mouth and be grateful your friends with the female lead, which is the only reason you’re standing here right now. Although I imagine Rarity won’t be wanting to see me or Refined anytime soon.” Fluttershy poked her head up.

“Umm, excuse me Mr Cut, but, what about Applejack? Security didn’t let her in.”

“Because if I see her or another apple before production is over, I’ll be tempted to beat her with a bag of oranges.”

“Ah think it’s safe to say our apples are much sturdier then any apples ‘round these parts.” Cut was horrified to see Applejack, hiding on the roof of one of the trailers surrounding them. The security Pegasi were quick to lift her off the ground and remove again.

“Celestia I need a drink…”

“We can help with that toooooooo” Applejacks echo was faint, but still audible, even from all the way off the set.

Everypony’s head turned to the distance as the sound of a loud ‘whoosh’ was heard. Descending quicker than anyone could keep up with, Soarin, not sporting his tradition Wonderbolts uniform, descended in front of the impatient ponies. All he was wearing, was a saddlebag that look more then full.

“Sorry I’m late guys.” Final Cut wasn’t amused by the tardy star. He wasn’t amused by much these days.

“Only I could hire someone who was one of the fastest in equestrian AND can’t keep an appointment to save his life.” Soarin couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Maybe you’ll turn that frown upside down when you see that I’ve come bearing gifts.”

“That’s my job bub!” Pinkie was quick to interject. Before Soarin could empty his saddle back, Final Cut used his magic to remove its contents; several copies of the Super-Stallion script.

“I remember a day when you didn’t start shooting or casting a movie until the story was done.”

Looking past the director, Soarin noticed Rainbow Dash behind him, who was doing whatever she could not to make eye contact. With a welcoming smile, he stepped passed Final Cut and approached her.

“Long time no see Rainbow.” Dash was a little shocked that Soarin would go out of his way to talk to her, considering the only way she ever got to speak with him before was to either save his life or his pie.

“Oh yeah… Nice to see you too.” Rainbow hoped her blush didn’t show too much. Although against a blue coat, you could only hide it so much. Twilight rolled her eyes, while Pinkie and Fluttershy couldn’t help but feel the ‘Dawww’ factor. The moment was interrupted by Refined, who began to push them towards a podium that was set up outside.

“You two can flirt later. We’ve got a public to address right down.” The other ponies walked with the two actors, Fluttershy however, noticed that Soarin had dropped a copy of the script. She picked it up and put into her saddle bag before running to regroup with the others.

“Welcome to dawn of a new era, mares and gentlecots.” Final Cut was always great at warming up the crowd for something he was working on, even if he could see that it was destined to turn into a train wreck at some point.

“Today, the Super-Stallion will be reborn for your generation!” The crowd stomped the ground in anticipation. Behind the stage, the other ponies were waiting for their cues.

“Who would have thought a bunch of nerds could stomp so hard?” Rainbow’s joke was enough to make Soarin and Refined Taste laugh, Twilight however felt the burn. Refined called over a make-up-mare over to do Soarin’s mane. She combed it back, pulling a small part of it forward over his head, making a spit curl.

“Introducing, your new Stallion; Soarin of the Wonderbolts!” Soarin touched down onto the stage, causing the crowd to explode. The spit curl he was sporting, made him look like they had used a spell to life Super-Stallion straight out of the comics.

“It’s been my life-long dream to play Super-Stallion and now, thanks to Final Cut, I have that chance. And I don’t plan to let any of you down!” Actually, getting into the Wonderbolts was his life-long dream, but playing Super-Stallion was… somewhere on the list.

“And reintroducing the fan favourite choice for Sweet Wings; Rainbow Dash!” Rainbow Dash mimicked Soarin’s entry. The crowd gave her the same warm welcome, just with a few extra lude comments thrown in for variety. Rainbow had flash backs to her audition in front of the same ponies a couple days ago, she still wasn’t proud of what she did, but hey, she was standing next to Soarin, that counts for something right?

The photographers for various papers and websites, stepped forward to take pictures of the two. Soarin wasn’t new to the cameras, but Rainbow was still a little new to all the attention. Not to say she wasn’t enjoying it. Soarin then placed his hoof around Rainbow Dash. Dash started to blush and shake.

“You cold Dash?”

“Something like that.”

“Angel, I’m home.” Fluttershy entered her cottage, carrying a bag of carrots that she had picked up at the market on her way home. “I picked up your favourites.” Angel was lying on the couch. He was awake, he just couldn’t be stuffed getting up to address her. Angel wasn’t exactly known for being the most supportive pet, often taking advantage of the yellow Pegasus.

She joined him on the couch, having to push him aside so there would be enough room on her side. She took off her saddle bag and started rumbling through it. “I also got the new Sudoku book. I was hoping you could help me- Oh goodness.” Fluttershy was shocked to realize that she had pulled out the Super-Stallion script that she picked up before. “Oh dear, I was supposed to return this to Final Cut. I’d take it back now, but the director said he’d rather be beaten by a sack of apples then deal with me or the girls again for the rest of the day.” Angel still hadn’t moved a muscle.

“I should just put it next to the door so I don’t-“ Fluttershy stopped and started to exam the front page of the script. It read ‘Super-Stallion, written by Insipid Plot.’ “Well, I don’t suppose reading a few pages would hurt. It’s just a script, I doubt it’ll be that scary.” It’s not like she could expect Angel to comfort her if she did get scared.

Fluttershy was a surprisingly fast reader when she was focused enough. She ploughed through the script; page 1, page 6, page 23, page 52, page 127. She eventually reached the end of script. She had a look of horror on her face with sweat rolling down it.

“Oh my.”

Angel didn’t move.

“They should both be form fitting” Refined Taste dictated to Rarity as she took Soarin and Rainbow Dash’s measurements. Final Cut and Twilight were also in the boutique. Final Cut approached Rarity as she wrote down the measurements.

“Rarity… I appreciate you doing our costumes. It means a lot that there’s no hard feeling.” Final Cut was very careful not to let slip that Rarity was going to cost a thousand times less than an industry veteran from Canterlot.

“Oh that’s quite alright darling. Any help I can give to such a wonderful project is enough for me. That and my usual fee.”

“Of course-“

“Sure-“

“Oh! And my name in the credits and-“

“Whatever! We’re cool.” Final Cut walked away before Rarity could add an executive producer credit to her list of demands.

“Hey Rarity…” Rarity turned to Twilight, who was staring out the window at something. “Have you been skinning any woodland creatures to make your dresses?”

“Heavens no!”

“Have you been using illegal Zebras to sew all your stock?”

“Twilight… why are you asking questions you already know the answer to?”

“Because there must be a reason there’s a protest group outside the boutique.”

Everypony in the boutique was now huddled around the window that Twilight was looking out. Coming closer and closer, was a mob of creatures, each of them holding signs chanting inaudible sounds. The eventually reached a clearer distance, the crowd was made up of several woodland creatures, from Badgers to Snakes. In the front of the pack was Angel. The signs had various different slogans on them including; ‘Think of the fillies’, ‘Keep it clean’, etc. Somepony had forgotten Iron Will’s catchphrases.

Final Cut stepped back from the window and face hoofed with a huge groan. “Not one of these nuts!”

“Care to explain?” Asked Rarity.

“Every single time we get a movie off the ground, we always have to deal with some foal coddling stuck-ups who want everything to ‘nice and clean’ and ‘family friendly’. The script hasn’t even been shown to anyone yet. Who could possibly feel the need to rain on our parade?”

Fluttershy descended in front of her mob of animals. “Final Cut! I have a few words to say to you Mister!” Final Cut turned to Twilight.

“Have I mentioned I hate all of you?”

“Fluttershy, what do you think you’re doing?” Rainbow Dash flew straight out the door with the other ponies following her out. They stopped a few feet before Fluttershy and her posse any pony that saw the sight, could have easily mistaken it for the lamest stand-off in pony history.

“Excuse me girls, but I’d like to have a word with Mr Cut.” She was a hair away from pulling out the stare, but she knew better than to pull it out on a pony that she was having a disagreement with.

Final Cut stepped forward. “Look, Fluttershy. I can understand it if you would disagree with some of the contents of the scripts, however, I have just the thing to say to make this all go away.”

“And what’s that?”

“Imma do what I want.” Feeling confident, Final Cut turned around and began walking towards the boutique. Fluttershy was quick to swoop in front of him.

“Hold it right there! I here because I read your script and I’ve got quite a few issues with it to discuss with you.” Fluttershy reached into her saddle bag and threw the script on the ground in front of him.

“Then you’ll just have to make time.” Twilight jumped between the two.

“Fluttershy, calm down and tell us what’s wrong.”

Fluttershy takes the script back in her hoofs and begins leafing through the script. “Well for starters; it’s way too violent. He’s punching criminals in almost every few pages.”

“Fighting in a superhero film… you’re absolutely right Miss Fluttershy, Celestia should banish me to the moon for thinking of such a heinous concept!” Twilight was quick the glare down the director, who wisely took a few steps back.

“Also, this character right here; Mayhem Mistress, she’s just a big meanie who bullies everypony.”

“She’s the villain you insufferable-“

“Both of you, shut up!” Twilights shout quickly shut everypony up, including the chanting animals in the background. Rainbow Dash and Soarin took a place next to Twilight while Refined stood with Final Cut.

Twilight put a reassuring hoof around Fluttershy. “Fluttershy, I know that this sort of thing isn’t your bag, but I think you’re taking things a little too far.” This was one of the few times in her life that Fluttershy didn’t back down.

“Fluttershy, I’m not a big fan of these movies either, but don’t you think we should just let them do what they want?” Fluttershy paused for a second.

“But… little fillies and colts will be seeing this.”

“There parents will be with them though.”

“Smart parents wouldn’t take their kids to see this.” Rainbow Dash finally stuck her head up.

“Wait a second. You’re saying you don’t want this sort of things in this movie?”

“Yes!”

“The same movie you said last week that you had no interest in seeing?”

...

“Well, it’s just-“ Rainbow put her hoofs on Fluttershy. Rainbow could see that her eyes were starting to water.

“Fluttershy, I can understand that you don’t like everything you see. Now granted, I haven’t read it, but I think if it’s their movie, they should be allowed to do what they want.”

“But-“

“Let me ask you something; the things that you saw in that script, were they worse than the stuff we used to deal with on a weekly basis?”

“Well… with one exception-“

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I just… It’s just now that you’re in it, I want to see it and I don’t want to see you put in a position that you wouldn’t feel-“

“Thank you so much Fluttershy… but I’m a big girl now and I can make my own decisions. But I’m lucky I’ve got a friend like you looking out for me.” And then the tears came out. Fluttershy grabbed a tight hold of Rainbow Dash. Getting caught up in the moment, Rarity and Twilight join in. Soarin didn’t join in, afraid of getting the hey smack out of him for hugging a bunch of mares he barley knew.

“It’s alright dear. Why don’t you come inside I’ll make you some-“Before Rarity could finish, Fluttershy broke free of their hold, ran over the Final Cut and gave him the tightest hug she could.

“I’m so sorry for barging in on your business Mr Cut…” Not being able to see it through her tears, Final Cut had the single biggest ‘WTF-Look’ in history. Refined Taste was giving him the ‘go with it’ look as several photographers started to take pictures.

“It’s… it’s alright dear. Maybe the script could use a clean-up…” Final Cut also took the opportunity to mumble something under his breath.

“You freaking nutjob”

“That should just about do it.” Rarity put away her measuring tape and Soarin and Rainbow Dash stepped down from the stand. Fluttershy and Twilight were in the corner drinking tea. Final Cut had to excuse himself on the grounds that he needed his ‘Daddy Medicine.’

“Well ladies, it’s been fun, but I’ve got to head home.” Soarin flew out the window, Rainbow Dash was quick to follow him out.

“Wait, Soarin. I just wanted to thank you for putting up with Fluttershy.”

“It’s alright. I’m proud of you for being so adult about it.”

“Aww thanks.” The two shared an awkward moment.

“Look, I’ve got to head off, but tomorrow, you want grab some cider and talk about the movie? Or something…?” Rainbow knew she had to answer before the blush rushed to her face.

“Yeah! Yeah sure!”

“Great…” Awkward moment number two.

“See ya” Soarin waved as he took off. Waiting till he was outside, Rainbow Dash hoof pumped into the air.

“Hey yeah!”

“Umm, Rainbow?” Rainbow Dash turned around to see Fluttershy hovering behind her. “I know we agreed I would keep quiet about this, but I think it’s only fair you should read the script yourself.” Fluttershy hoofed over the script to Rainbow Dash.

“Umm, thanks Fluttershy, but I don’t know if I should read it before Final Cut gives me a copy.”

“Well, you have it if you want to read it.” Fluttershy gave her friend one last hug before flying off with all her animals behind her. Examining the script, Rainbow placed the script under her hoof and flew off to Cloudsdale.

“Thanks again for being an adult about that casting stuff before” Twilight thanks Rarity.

“Oh it’s nothing darling. It’s disappointing that I won’t get to be in the movie, but, a lady does not need big screen fame for vindication.”

“Don’t be so sure.” Twilight and Rarity turned to see Refined Taste hovering in the doorway.

“Miss Sparkle, Miss Rarity. If you two have a spare moment, I have a proposition for the two of you.”

Rainbow Dash crashed through the door of Cloudsdale house, something she was used to doing. She threw the script onto her bed, kicked back and started reading. Her time spent reading Daring Do books had made her a quick reader when she focused. She started blitzing through the pages; page 1, page 6, page 23, page 52, page 126. She seemed to be enjoying it so far. Lots of action, good character interaction, she could see how Fluttershy might not enjoy it, but it was coming across like a kick ass movie to her.

Page 127.

When she finished the page, Rainbow Dash lowered the script, with the same horrified expression Fluttershy had earlier.

“L…L…L…Love scene?”

Next: Call of the Casting!

Chapter 3: Call of the Casting

Chapter 3: Call of the Casting

“This is our chance, Crusaders!” The official clubhouse of the cutie mark Crusaders wasn’t new to schemes and plots and Applebloom’s latest proposition was no different. Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo leaned in on the promotional poster for the Super-Stallion movie that was being handed out at the casting conference the day before. The poster was a minimalist but colourful drawing of a Pegasus, in the Super-Stallion outfit, soaring through the air. On the top of the poster, the text was ‘From the director of ‘The Sisterhood Social Network’ and ‘War Pony’ comes….’ At the bottom of the poster, it simply had the Super-Stallion logo.

“No chance!” Sweetie Bell knocking the poster away from her and Scootaloo. “Remember what happened the last time we tried putting on a production? We were called ‘The comedy hit of the season.’

“Sweetie Bell’s right.” Scootaloo was usually the most adventurous of the Crusaders, taking after her idol; Rainbow Dash. Unfortunately, she remembered their performance at the school talent show just as vividly as the next pony. Applebloom hoped off her chair and picked up the poster.

“Ah reckon yall just need a new perspective.” Applebloom proceeded to put the poster up on the wall, next to all the photos of the Crusaders doing what they do best; try to find their cutie marks. The pictures all had one thing in common; no cutie mark as a result. Although tree sap was a recurring theme.

“Ma big sis told me that somepony can still be good at something, even if they aint good at it the first time.” The other Crusaders stared at Applebloom, failing to comprehend what she just said.

“There are words coming out of your mouth, but they fail to make sense.” Scootaloo and Sweetie Bell had come to believe that when a pony discovers their talent, it would be instantaneous. It just didn’t sound right; getting better at something as you go. Or maybe they were just choosing not to understand, realizing that if Applebloom is right, they would be obligated to go through all their old schemes again.

“Think about it; if we find a way to join in this movie someway, we’ll have an entire town helpin’ us out.” The crew had started building set pieces earlier that day. Practically, all the carpenters in Ponyville had showed up to lend a hand. “We’ve got a director that’s been doin’ this for a while, maybe we could get him to show us how it’s done.” Sweetie Bell suddenly clicked.

“Are you saying-?”

“Eeeyup!”

“CUTIE MARK CRUSADER FILM MAKERS!” The battle cry of the Crusaders was absent one voice.

“Thanks, but no thanks.”

“Aww, come on Scootaloo” Sweetie Bell pleaded. “We could be the biggest movie makers of all time. Imagine having celluloid as a cutie mark.”

“Making movies is fine. But look at the poster and tell me what you see.” The other Crusaders examine the poster again.

“Images?”

“Super-Stallion!” Scootaloo said with a sigh.

“What’s wrong with that?” Applebloom and Sweet Bell didn’t grow up with the Stallion of Steel, but it was hard not to know he was. Too bad there isn’t a cutie mark for that.

“He a comic book. Blah!” Scootaloo made a rather unbecoming gesture of putting her hoof down her throat. “Comic books are for nerds. They’re like… the egg heads of egg heads!”

Applebloom and Sweetie Bell just looked at each other in confusion. “Scoot, don’t you know that-?”

“I don’t want to know anything about this. I’ve got better things to do then read on the internet about movies for dorks.” Scootaloo Crossed her hoofs as she looked away from the poster.

“You want to know nothing about this?” Ask Applebloom.

“Nnnope” Sweetie Bell just smirked.

“So I guess you don’t want to know that Rainbow Dash is involved.

…

“What?”

“Oh yeah” interjected Applebloom. “In fact, ah do recall something about her playin’ the leading mare. But you wouldn’t want to have anything to do with--- Scootaloo?” Sweetie and Applebloom looked around the clubhouse, only to realize that Scootaloo was no longer there, only the door to the clubhouse flapping in the wind. The two poked their heads out the door to find Scootaloo on her scooter. Attached to the scooter, was a wagon that the other two would often ride in.

“Get your blank-flanks down here!”

“I insist you reconsider darling.” Rarity pleaded to Twilight as she continued to reorganize the books around the library. “Doing it would be fun, but it would be so much more fun if you would just buck up and accept Refined Taste’s offer.”

Twilight took a break from the books and turned back to Rarity, looking exasperated. “I’m sorry Rarity, but I just don’t want to do it.”

“But why not?”

“Because I’m a librarian, not an actress.” Twilight seemed extra agitated with that last comment.

“Neither am I darling. But we’ve been given an offer. It’s not like we’ve had much else to do.”

“That doesn’t mean we should just jump at the first thing that comes our way.”

“I hope I’m not interrupting.” Twilight and Rarity find Refined Taste standing in the door way.

“You have a habit of showing up ponies doorways, don’t you?” Refined Taste invited herself in.

“I make a point on following up on ponies I leave with offers. Have you considered it?”

“I can’t speak for my friend. But I’m afraid I’m going to have to dec-“ Before Twilight could finish, Rarity was quick to run up behind her and put her hoof around her mouth.

“Haha, you’ll have to excuse my friend. She’s new to showbiz and doesn’t know that when someone offers you immortality, you say yes.” Rarity was sure to dictate the last part of that sentence to her purple captive.

Teleporting out of Rarity’s grip, Twilight recomposed herself. “Sorry to disappoint you Miss Taste, but I just don’t really feel comfterble acting.” Refined Taste was now on her knees in front of Twilight.

“Please! You must! We’ve tried other mares for the role and they were all… well…”

“Okay Miss Hooves, let’s try it again.” In the Refined Taste’s trailer, a grey Pegasus, with a yellow mane and wall eyes was standing before her, examining the script.

She cleared her throat with a cough before reading. “Verily I’d be-“

“Stop! This a superhero movie Miss Hooves. Who gave you a Shakespeare script?”

“You’re making a movie?”

“I’m sorry Refined, but that’s my final answer.”

Refined Taste hung her head as she walked to the door. “Well, it’s just, the character that you’d be playing; Meekly, you’d be perfect for-“

“Yeah, I… I did my research on her. I’m sorry.”

“If you do change your mind, come find me.” Refined Taste closed the door behind her.

“Well, I on the other hand will gladly take the offer.” Rarity said that almost as though she was trying to inject some guilt into Twilight.

“A shocking development, I’m sure.”

Following in Refined’s steps, Rarity headed out the door. “Darling, ever since the wedding, we’ve barely seen you outside of this library. I’m just saying; getting outside your comfort zone every now-and-then wouldn’t hurt.” Using her magic, Rarity closed the door behind her.

“Spike!” As always, Spike came quickly to her calls, with a quill and scroll in hand. “Take a letter.” Spike was ready.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I’ve been meaning to ask you a question; why did you bring the Super-Stallion movie to Ponyville? The people working on the movie aren’t very nice, it’s beginning to bring out the worst in my friends and now they want me to get involved. I know I can’t rely on you for advice every step in the way, but your guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Your faithful student,

Twilight Sparkle.

Before Twilight could resume her duties, Spike had already coughed up her response.

My faithful student, Twilight,

What else do you have to do?

“Stop! Just stop!” Final Cut has gotten used to yelling with his crew from all his years of experience, but there was something about this that may have cracked him. “I don’t want any more damage then you’ve already caused!”

A grey and yellow Pegasus stood with complexion in front of the city set that had been constructed. The city looked like a battlefield, with buildings that had crumbled to the ground. If this was the climax they were about to shoot, that would be fine. “I’m sorry sir. I don’t know what went wrong.”

“I told you to plant flowers in the garden. How did this happen?” Feeling another aneurism coming on, he knew he had to act quick. “Just… just go to the crafts services table.”

“Muffins!” Derpy soared to the platter of muffins laid out before her. So many choices to choose from.

“Surprise!” A pinkie pony busted through the door, knocking Final Cut a good few feet back. “Get of your back silly. You’ve got a party to get ready for!”

“Not one of you freaks..”

“Yep. Pinkie Pie, professional party freak at your service.” Pinkie gave a little curtsie while Final Cut tried his best to run away, only for Pinkie to reappear right in front of him. “If you’re gonna be making the biggest bestest movie ever, we need to throw the biggest, bestest bash ever! And then when the movies done, we’ll throw another one.”

Just think about it, an entire evening with Ponyville’s ‘best and brightest.’ It’s enough to make you want to drown yourself in Cider. “Thanks, but no thanks. My crew is very busy and they won’t have time to-“

“Oh, they already RSVP’ed.” Final Cut shot around to find most of the crew were standing around, discussion party invitations that were draped in confetti. “Plus; it wouldn’t be much of a party with the guest of honour.”

Those words made a little bit of Final’s soul die, being surrounded by the freaks show known as Ponyville, giving him all of their attention. Before he could refuse, Pinkie had already left, leaving behind his personal invitation. “This day is about to get worse in 3…2…1."

“Mister Director, meet your new crew!” Final Cut looked around, to find no one standing by him.

“Down here sir.” Final Cut looked down to find the crusaders standing right in front of him, looking up at him with their disgustingly cute smiles.

“Girls, I don’t know how everypony seems to be getting past security, but I don’t have time to-“

“That’s exactly why we’re here.” Interjected Scootaloo. “We know how busy you are, so we came here to be your personal film making apprentices.

“…What?”

Applebloom stepped forward. “We are the cutie mark Crusaders! And we are here to work our flanks off so we can put something on them. We’re Ponyille’s best and brightest. You won’t be disappointed."

…

“Hehe.. hehehe… hahahahHAHAHAHAHAHHA!” Anypony within ear shot, could hear a faint snapping sound from Final Cut’s head.

“Maybe comedy really is our bag, girls” Scootaloo was having flashbacks to the talent show again.

Final Cut stopped laughing, just long enough for a mad man’s grin to extend over his face. “Oh it must be, ‘cause let me tell you something; that is the funniest thing I’ve heard since I came to this backwards plot, mud hole of a town!” The Crusaders didn’t know what ‘backwards plot’ meant thankfully. “I’m working with adults, who can barely plant a garden, a casting director who will cast anyone, except actors and I’ve got to deal with the ‘heroeins of equestria’ who so far have brought me nothing but wasted time and a dagger to put in my career! What makes you think I… what makes you think anyone would want to deal with you juvenile, talentless, worthless little punks?!”

While the speech went on, the Crusaders backed away, little tears rolling down their faces all the way. Before Final Cut could personally kick them out, he looked up to find his crew awkwardly walking away, doing their best not to make eye contact. Sweetie Bell raise her hoof.

“Mister Cut… you’ve got a little nose bleed.” In all his career, Final Cut had never had a nose bleed, and these little kids had broken him? He wiped his face and ran off.

“I need a drink.”

“How did I know this would happen?” Refined Taste had seen the whole thing from her trailer. She then saw the Crusaders slowly track away, hanging their heads in shame. When she walked away from the window, she heard a knock at the door. Opening it, she found a purple unicorn.

“May I come in Miss Taste?”

“Sure.” Twilight came in, closing the door behind her. “I’m sorry you had to see all that.”

“Me too.”

“So… what brings you to our little slice of heaven?”

“I’ll do it.”

Taste’s eyes beamed. “Really? Fantastic! We’ll have to get the contracts for you.” Refined ran around the room, looking for her contracts.

“I appreciate this opportunity Taste, but I just don’t see why you need this… particular character.” Twilight awkwardly rubbed her hoof into the wooden floor. “She seems somewhat unnecessary with Rainbow Dash’s character around.”

“That’s exactly the point Twilight. You’re the alternative love-interest.” Twilight’s research hadn’t brought much to light as she would have hoped, but the character she had been offered to play; Meekly was a love interest from the Super-Stallion comics, but only when Sweet Wings wasn’t around, her occupation; librarian. “Fillies eat up that sappy, love triangle stuff. I promise, it’ll be fun.”

Refined placed the contract in front of Twilight. She couldn’t help but get the feeling she was signing away more than her free time, but that didn’t stop her.

“They drive me to drink” Final Cut said as he finished the last swig of his cider. Next to Sweet Apple Acers, there was a smaller building built right next to it; a cider bar. The interior was warm and welcoming, despite that Final Cut was the only customer in it at the time. On the opposite side of the bar, was Big Mac, cleaning all the used mugs.

“Eeeyup.”

“When the Princess gave me this assignment, she neglected to mention that all these ponies were crazy!” He began to feel the depression coming on. “And that it makes you worse then you know you are.”

“Eeeyup."

“I mean… how do you deal with these nut cases? They think they’re doing the right thing. But it’s beginning to be too much. Like it’s weighing me down.”

“Eeeyup.”

“Wait a minute. I see what you’re getting at there. It’s like my movie, Law Abiding Pony; give into the madness. If I just go with them and suck it in without letting it get to me, I can get through all this. And who knows, maybe not all of them will make me want to run off into the Everfree forest.”

“Eeeyup.”

It was fairly clear to Big Mac that Final Cut was drunk. “You… I like you.” Cut heard the door open, only to find a sad looking Applebloom. She took a seat next to the director.

“Enjoying the Cider sir?”

“Yeah… it’s good stuff.”

“Thanks, Ah helped make it.”

“Huh? Well… it’s good. Be proud.” Neither of them were in the best of spirits, but neither were most people who drank alone.

“Mr Cut, Ah'm sorry about-“

Cut raised his hoof before she could finish. “Don’t even think about finishing that sentence. I exploded on you and your friends. What kind of colt does that?”

“An angry one?”

Cut couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s… that’s true I suppose.” He rubbed her main. “Maybe you Ponyville folk aren’t quite as horrible as I thought.”

Applebloom beamed. “Glad I could help!”

Cut finished his drink. “There’s still no chance in Tartarous that I’m letting your sister get her apples in the movie.”

“Yeah, Ah’d probably do the same if I were you.”

Cut chuckled as he began to walk away. “Maybe I should have you deal with these people for me. I… I could use some help.”

“Does that mean you'll take the Crusaders as your apperentices?”

“I’ll… take it into consideration.”

“Yes!” Applebloom proceeded to do a jig on the table. Final Cut laughed as he stepped out the door. “Wait mister! Where yall going?”

Cut turned back to her with a smile on his face. “I don’t want to be late to my own party.”

Next: All the Weirdos in the World...

Chapter 4: All the Weirdos in the World...

Chapter 4: All the Weirdos in the World...

"Welcome to Sugar Cube Corner! The hippinest, hoppinest joint in town!" Pinkie had been experimenting with different greetings for customers who had come to Sugar Cube Corner. At the very least, she could consider this one more appropriate than 'Sugar Cube Corner: We're so sweet, you'll walk out with Diabetes.' The shop was now packed to the brim with the film crew and actors. Most of them were ponies from Canterlot who had come with Final Cut, although there were a few locals that had since joined the team. Twilight was sitting in one of the booths, away from the loud crowd. Spike was sitting opposite her, typing away at his laptop.

"Remind me why I agreed to do this." Twilight had nothing against the party atmosphere, unless it was full of ponies she didn't know. She thinks she recognizes the florist, or maybe that was her mail mare.

"I think it was because the Princess called you out."

"Yeah, that's it." When Twilight received a letter from the Princess, it would have something to do her studies or a task she had to complete, but earlier that day, she received the first letter that trolled her into submission. Whether or not that was the Princess intention, remains unknown.

"Come on, Twilight. Loosen up!" Pinkie strapped a party hat on top of Twilight's head, with a celluloid imprinted on it, and then slapped a ribbon her side that labeled her as an actor (actor spelled 'Akter'). "You're in the movie too. You have just right to get crunk just like everypony else." Twilight took the opportunity to absorb the other activities going on at the party. A group of ponies had taken the dice from the board games and were using them to play craps (where the craps table came from remains unknown). One suspicious colt was attempting to sell some of his extra 'sugar pulls'. Pin-the-tail-on-the-pony had been converted to a dart board. The board in question had been tattooed on the back of the key grip. The other ponies were either making out or dancing to the tunes being spun by local DJ; Vinyl Scratch. Twilight didn't recognize the song, only that it's lyrics were questionable at best.

"Pinkie... don't you get the feeling that maybe this party is... not in your wheel house?" Pinkie looked back at the rowdy ponies, not dropping her trademark smile.

"Silly Twilight, this party is for them! Sure they can be a bit-"

"CANNONBALL!" One drunk Pegasus flew up to the ceiling and dived head first into the punch bowl, spilling it everywhere.

"- Rough. But hey, it never hurts to try new things."

"It looks like it hurt him" Spike interjected as Mr Cake stepped out from the back with a broom as he swept up the broken glass... and the Pegasus, pushing them out the back door. Spike returned to typing.

"I don't know Pinkie. Do either of us know any pony would want to hang out with a bunch of rowdy, loudmouths?" Right on cue, Rainbow Dash trotted through the front door, with Soarin by her side.

"Somepony call us?" Everypony who wasn't already caught up in something else ran over to the main stars, dragging them over to a booth on the opposite side of the shop. Loving the attention, Rainbow went a long with it, Soarin on the other hand didn't look quite as thrilled. Twilight didn't look proud of Rainbow, nor did she looked surprised.

"Did we forget any other pony with a fame complex?"

"I have arriiiiiiiiiiiived!" Twilight, Pinkie and Spike turned their attention outside to find a red carpet leading up to the door that wasn't there when they arrived. Walking down the carpet was Rarity in one of her best dresses. She was waving as she stepped into the establishment, her eyes closed the entire time.

"Should somepony go out and tell her that there aren't any photographers?" Asked Pinkie.

"No need my dear." Rarity trotted over to join Twilight and Pinkie, Spike was still typing. "While I am a little underwhelmed by the presses turn out, I consider it good practice for the real red carpet affair."

"So, now that you've practiced your trip down the cat walk, what's your plan for the rest of the evening?"

Without saying a word, Rarity held out her empty hoof towards the party. "3... 2... 1..." Right on cue, several colts ran over, each with a different drink in hoof. "I'll see you later darling." Following Rainbow Dash's example, Rarity allowed herself to be swept up by the crowd as she was taken over to an empty booth (or one that had the least amount of ponies making out in it).

Spike turned back to Twilight. "Hey Twi, what role was Rarity playing?"

"I think it was somepony called... 'Mistress Mayhem' or something like that."

"Thanks." Spike resumed typing.

"What are you doing on the-?"

"Email."

"Oh... aren't you going to enjoy the party?"

"Aren't you?"

Twilight turned back around, just to remind the kind of atmosphere she was in. This time, she noticed a group of ponies with red noses, taking turns 'smelling the sugar'. "I won't lie, it's going to be a challenge."

"Just try talking to somepony. I bet they're not all... rowdy." Pinkie pushed Twilight into the mosh pit. The bouncing ponies engulfed her like Daring Do slipping into quick sand.

"Pinkiiiiieeeeee..." It was too late, she was gone.

"Yeah, I'm a total 'S-S' freak. Like hardcore." Rainbow Dash had been droning on for a while now to all the colts who were, all to clearly, not giving 100% of their attention to her words. Soarin on the other hand, hadn't looked this bored since he had to sit through the junior fliers try-outs for the Wonderbolts club.

"So are you two mounting or what?" The colt who shouted that out was lucky he wasn't in Rainbow's field of vision. She blushed as she searched the crowd in front of her. Soarin was just doing his best not to be seen.

"Who said that?! Show yourself!" No one moved forward. The colts just looked at each other and laughed. Meanwhile, the Mares whispered to each other. And judging by the way they were looking at Rainbow at the time, she could tell it was nothing good. Being able to almost smell the awkwardness, Soarin shouted "Look! Somepony's giving away free sugar pills!" Rivaling the speed of Super-Stallion himself, the crowd cleared the booth, running out the door that Soarin was pointing at.

Rainbow chuckled and turned to Soarin. "Does that always work?"

"Never tried it before. I suppose I just had a feeling they'd go for it" said Soarin with a smirk on his face.

Rainbow blushed as she raised her cider mug. "My hero."

Soarin raised his in return. "My damsel."

Rainbow socked Soarin playfully. "I am no damsel, thank you very much."

"Really? 'cause it sure looked like you needed saving?"

"Let's not forget I've saved your plot more then twice. You think getting a couple of freaks away from us makes us even?"

"No. Me saving your pie, on top of this, will make us even."

The two shared a laugh until Rainbow caught site of a pony that looked like somepony she knew. But this pony was covered in bruises and couldn't open her left eye all the way because it was dark and swollen. "Twi?"

Twilight's head was still ringing, making it hard to hear Rainbow. Soarin reached over and pulled her into the booth. "Twilight? What the hay happened to you?"

"Well... Pinkie threw me into a mosh pit... everything went dark... and I'm pretty sure I can't remember where I live. Also, there's three of you now."

Soarin reached into his cider mug, pulled out a few cubes of ice, putting them over Twilight's eye. "Wait here. I'm going go get a first aid kit. Wait here miss Sparkle."

Soarin hopped up from the booth and went back to talk to the Cakes. "Heh, 'Miss Sparkle?' At least one pony here is half-civilized."

"Yeah... I'm gonna admit, this party's kinda lame. Want to bail?"

"Sure, let's just wait for Soarin.

"Yeah... sure."

....

"So... how are things? You know, with you being a big celebrity and all"

Rainbow had to pause and think about her answer. "Meh."

"- and I assure you that Photo Finish wouldn't be able to grasp avant garde if it bit her in the haunches. But that's just little old me." On that note, all of the ponies surrounding Rarity had been repelled, leaving her with a table full of untouched drinks.

Pinkie arrived just for the last one to leave. "Umm, Rarity, I think you scared off your new friends."

"Friends? Bah! Just a couple of ruffians who couldn't take a hint. Look at how many drinks they've shoved under my nose. Last time I had that many was in college. I woke up 2 days later in Fluttershy's cottage.

"That doesn't seem too-"

"I didn't know her at the time."

"Oh... well that would have been fun!"

"Hardly. All of these ponies, this atmosphere... it's just not me. A true lady like myself requires a more..."

Rarity noticed of two mares making out. When one of them stopped for a drink, the other had another mare waiting on the side. "A more refined environment."

Pinkie leaned over so she was close to Rarity. "You'll never hear me say this again; get out of here!"

Rarity was taken aback. "Did you just recommend that I leave a party?"

Pinkie pulled Rarity close so that their eyes were touching. "These are the worst ponies I've ever thrown a party for. They're tearing Sugar Cube Corner apart. I can't leave, but you can. Go. Save yourself!" With that, Rarity took one last cider shot before sneaking out the back.

"There you go. Good as new!" Soarin finished applying the last bandage to Twilight, she was covered in ice packs and band aids at that point. Rainbow Dash was still at the booth, watching Soarin tend to the unicorn. She knows he doing the right thing, but there was a strange feeling she had in her gut watching him take care of her. She wasn't sure what it was, but she knew she didn't like it.

"Thanks again hero. I can take it from here."

"At least let me walk you outside." Soarin took Twilight's hoof and escorted her out. Yep, Rainbow Dash was certain she didn't like this feeling.

At the front entrance, Soarin helps Twilight down the steps. "Well, I should probably get back to my cage."

"At least you've got decent company."

"Yeah... well, if you need anything, let me know." The Pegasus brushed a rough spot on Twilight's mane as he walked back in the shop. Twilight turned to the streets, hoping to find a cab.

"He's a real hero, aint he?"

Twilight squeaked a little to find Final Cut, kicking back on a lawn chair, looking up into the night sky. "How long have you been here?

"Long enough to tell I really don't want to be here. Besides, looks like you've enjoyed it enough for both of us."

"Thanks for noticing."

Final Cut sat up as he turned to Twilight, purching himself on the edge of the chair. "Look, Sparkle, I know I've been... easily frustrated by the ponies here. That's because Ponyville really isn't my town."

"I'm sure once this is over you and your crew will be back-"

"Let me finish. Even though I'm not Ponyville material... I don't want you to think I'm like them. When I came to Ponyville, I thought I was going to a place full of nutjobs and weirdos. Turns out I was living with them the whole time."

Did he really say that? Was Final Cut acting... reasonable? "You definitely sound like you don't fit in with them."

"And thank Celestia for that."

...

"If it's any consolation; I think you're going to do a good job."

"What?" She had only known Final Cut for a few weeks now, but she knew she was seeing something other ponies didn't get to see very often.

"You're a good pony. Hard working. You're... alrightish."

Just then, a cab rode past the two ponies, Spike walked out the front door and hailed it for Twilight. She struggled to make her way up onto the cab, but Final Cut was gentlecolt enough to give her a helping hoof. "Thanks. You're alrightish too. Wait a minute, I thought you didn't like any of us."

"I said I hated you. I never said I didn't like you." Final Cut gave the driver a hoof full of bits and sent them off, waiting until the cab disappeared into the darkness.

"You're still crazy."

Next: Superhero Shape!

Yeah, I know this chapter was a bit short, but the next one will be bigger, pinkie promise!

Chapter 5: Superhero Shape

Chapter 5: Superhero Shape

"Why didn't I specialize in healing spells?" It hurt to talk. It hurt to breath. It hurt to think. It hurt to not do anything at all. Twilight had to be the first pony in history to not drink anything at a party, but still wake up with a hangover. She had also discovered that walking hurt as well. The only welcoming thing about that day was the scent of peppermint emanating from the kitchen. "Spike, you are my hero."

Twilight entered the kitchen, but it wasn't Spike at the counter. "Sorry to disappointing you darling. Wait a minute, you don't think I'm scaly, do you? Tell me I'm not flaking!" Rarity's frantic shaking hadn't been helping Twilight's current state. "Oh, sorry. Does that hurt dear?"

"At this point, extra pain is like throwing a pebble on top of a rock slide."

"Don't talk that like that. If you want to get better in time for principle photography, you're going to need a positive attitude. And what's more uplifting then a cup of peppermint tea?"

"Good point. But... what's principle photography?"

Rarity stood perplexed, wondering if Twilight was serious of if she had a concussion from last night. "It's how the gentlemen of the industry refer to filming, dear. Honestly, if you want to keep up with the rest of us, you need to learn the lingo."

"Us? You were cast yesterday. You've never been in a movie."

"Perhaps, but this is a fast moving industry. The only way to keep up for us to be faster."

"Spike's been 'catching you up' hasn't he?"

The two looked over at Spike, who was chilling in the main section of the library, typing away on his laptop. "Well, for all the time he's been spending on the net lately, I figured he could do something that benefited the both of us."

"You gave him the eyes again, didn't you?"

"I simply asked my favorite dragon for a favor. I wasn't counting how many times I batted my eye lashes."

The two shared a giggle as they looked on at the purple dragon, not paying the girls any attention at all. He seemed completely enthralled in whatever he had been doing. Contempt one might say. Twilight looked back to Rarity with a somewhat less happy expression on her broken face. "He cares about you, you know?"

"Twilight, please. A lady doesn't go through life without learning to pick up on something like that."

"Then just promise me you won't hurt him."

Rarity looked back at Spike, she smiled at him warmly. "I'd never dream of it."

Knock knock! With a sigh, Spike hopped off his stool and headed to the door. Twilight began to back deeper into the kitchen. "Spike, whoever it is, send them away, I'm really not in the mood to talk to anypony else."

"As opposed to the rest of the time?" Twilight's plea had come too late. Final Cut had already been escorted into the room. "Luna's flank, Sparkle! We have a good make up team, but they're not Gods." Cut chuckled as Sparkle stared blankly. "I'd re-cast you as the villain if the contracts hadn't been signed already."

Spike returned to his laptop. Twilight roller her eyes at the mean director. "Is making fun of me the only reason you came by?"

"Well, it's a reason..." Cut cleared his throat. "That and... I wanted to check up on my actors... make sure you're in fine shape."

"How thoughtful," Rarity interject. "But we're fine. Maybe you should focus your attention on Soarin and Rainbow Dash.

"Can't. They're busy. And not as easy to make fun of."

"What do you mean by 'busy'?"

"They're... at the gym."

"The gym? Why?"

"Despite their athletic occupations prior to me and my band of merry men showing up, we need them in top physical shape, they'll need to be able to preform stunts they couldn't do other wise-"

"And look fit on camera?" It was hard to distinguish through the cuts and bruses, but Twilight had her eye brows raised in a questioning manner.

"Don't forget posters."

"Heh, so they're just working out together? Alone?"

"Celestia, no! Putting those two together in a hot and sweaty environment, alone? I might as well inject teenage rabbits with red bull."

Twilight looked away. She didn't know why, but thinking about Soarin and Rainbow together wasn't putting a smile on her face. "Then... who's with them?"

"The best celebrity fitness trainer I could find."

"With how long he's taking, you and I could have shot the whole movie by now." Soarin and Rainbow Dash looked around the gym as Soarin's words echoed through the halls. The only company the two had were dumbbells, treadmills and a vending machine full of protein shakes. The idea of making the movie with just the two of them was tempting to Rainbow, although the love scene she found in the script a week ago hadn't done much to help her nerves around the super-star.

"Yeah... Hey, have you, by any chance, read the script yet?"

"Nah. Cut said he wanted to do a rewrite before anypony gets a look at it."

"A rewrite?"

"Yeah, apparently when you hire a guy called 'insipid plot' to write your story, it comes out with more holes in it then Swiss cheese."

Would Final Cut... cut the love scene? Was there a point of keeping it in? How would Soarin feel about it? These questions and more; Rainbow Dash simply didn't want to think about right now "Yeah, that's probably for the best." .

Awkward silence flooded the room as they struggled to make eye contact, despite their smiles and occasional giggling. "Hey Rainbow, you remember when I asked if you wanted to grab a drink?"

Rainbow had to gulp before she could respond. "Umm, yeah?"

"Well-"

BOOM! The slamming of the gym's front door was loud enough to levitate the two Pegasi off the ground, stopping Rainbow Dash's heart cold. She wasn't certain, but she may have just seen a monster strut into the gym. "Who are-?"

"You were cast as zeroes, Iron Will is here to shape you into heroes!"

"That... and there's something I wanted to ask the two of you." Final Cut approached one of the spare computers in the library with Twilight and Rarity behind him. He opened the browser and brought up '. Taking after the super hero, the site was predominantly red and blue with white text (sloppily designed at best). The text under the banner read 'The pony net's no.1 source for the latest news, rumors, spoilers, behind the scenes photos and forum discussion on the reboot of the Super-Stallion franchise'.

"This is great, Cut, but what does this have to do with anything?"

"You wouldn't happen to know who put these up, would you?"

Twilight took the keyboard and mouse from Cut. She scrolled to the most recent blog post, titled: 'Pre-Filming Party. Exclusive Photos After the Jump!'. Clicking on the article, she found several photos from the party the night before. Nearly every moment had been captured. Everything from the arrival, to Rarity and Rainbow getting swarmed by the crew, to Twilight's trip into the mosh pit.

"I... I would have no clue."

"Besides darling, what's the problem? If somepony want to take pictures of our beautiful cast and crew-"

"Beautiful in quotes" Twilight mumbled.

"-I don't see what the issue is."

Cut rolled his eyes. "You really need to start catching up." Rarity looked away with a slight blush as Twilight chuckled to herself. "The issue is that someone is putting out information before we can."

"Is... is that a major issue?"

"If you consider getting fired and blacklisted major, I suppose it is."

"Why would you be blacklisted?" Twilight asked. Every step further she took into this industry, the sillier it got.

"Because studios are very protective of information. Information is everything now. If the studio wants the public to know who's staring in it, they'll let you know. If they want you to know the budget, they'll let you know. If they want you to know who's catering..."

"We get it."

"The point is; they're very obsessive about their news cycle. If things keep coming out about the movie without their approval, it's my head."

Twilight stood perplexed. "That's-"

"I said it was major, I didn't say it wasn't asinine." He turned his attention back to the site itself. "I've been trying to get in touch with the admin, but he hasn't responded yet.

Spike subtly, closed a tab on his browser. Twilight glanced back at him briefly. "I'll see what I can find."

"Honestly, Cut, I don't see the issue. So somepony wants to take pictures of us and show them to the world. Aren't we going to let them at the red carpet anyway?"

"Yes, but would you really want pictures of that party online?"

"Perhaps it got a little out of hand, but I'm sure if we look in the comments, there will be plenty of ponies admiring our-"

Faster then a speeding bullet, Cut ran in front of Rarity, stopping her from scrolling down to the comments. "You really don't want to go there.

"Oh, I'm sure it's quite all right."

"No... don't. Just don't."

"Very well... Twilight, would you be a dear?"

"Yeah, sure."

"Sparkle! Don't!" It was too late, she had already started reading. After a brief moment of examining the comments, she had to take a few steps back.

"Well... they're certainly... umm-"

When did mares this ugly start getting movie roles?

Look at Rarity, she's hot!!!!!!111 but she's too easy, look at her milking drinks out of those losers.

Soarin is clearly mounting Dash. Shame really, he's way out of her league!

Look at how beat up that Sparkle chick is. She must have forgotten to make Cut a sandwich.

You figure if they weren't going to give us anypony who can act, they could at least give us one mare who was easy to look at.

I used to watch it for the plot. NOT NOAWW~!!!

"How dare they!" Rarity hadn't spoken so loudly and with so much movement since her audition for Sweet Wings. "Of all the- It's just- GAH!" Rarity stormed away. She reached for an unused chair, but paused mid-grab. "Twilight, my dear, would you mind if I-?"

"Go ahead."

Rarity grabbed the chair and threw it against a wall that luckily had nothing on it. "It's just so- Who would write something like that? Who do they think they are?"

Final Cut cautiously approached Twilight. "Sparkle... I'm sorry you had to-"

"They misspelled 'now'."

"Come again?"

"There isn't an 'A' in 'now' and only one 'W'. Also, they lifted their finger off the 'shift' key, so they typed '1' instead of an exclamation point."

...

"What?"

"Iron Will's dead grandmother can do better wing push ups then that!"

"I bet she knows how to shut up too!" This had to be the 10,000th push up Rainbow and Soarin had been forced to do. Enough sweat had come off them for the gym to dig a second diving pool around them.

"Keep up the cracks, Dash." Iron Will took the opportunity to casually sit on Rainbow's back, sipping from his water bottle. "I'm sure they'll get you into shape faster then working."

"I'll have- grrr- you know that I'm one of Equestria's fastest fliers!

"Oh I'm sure you are. That's why the wonderbolts haven't let you in yet. Aint that right, Soarin?"

Soarin refused to answer, focusing on the push ups. Rainbow was stunned, slowing down her push up progress. "I- oommph- I'm not in the wonderbolts because I'm not ready. Soarin doesn't have to explain himself or his teams decision to you."

"So, you admit you're not ready?"

"I-" Before Rainbow could finish her though, her wings gave way, causing her to fall straight onto the hard floor. Thankfully, Iron Will had hopped off her just in time.

"It's OK, squirt. Iron Will's my name-"

"I hadn't noticed."

"-and training ponies is my game! We'll have you two in superhero shape in no time." Iron will examined Soarin, who's mind was still in one place. "That should be enough for today." Soarin gave his wings a rest, letting himself hit the ground the same way Rainbow had. "Be back bright and early tomorrow morning." And with that, Iron Will crashed through the front door as loudly as he did when he arrived.

Soarin helped Rainbow to her feet. "He's actually nice when you get to know him."

"You know him?"

"Who do you think trains us when Spitfire is too busy? He's just doing his job."

"Yeah, sure he is." Rainbow walked away with a slight limp in her legs from the hours they had spent on the treadmill while Iron Will snacked on fruit. She was drained both physcally and emotionally.

"Look, about the whole Wonderbolts thing. It's not that you're 'not ready' or 'not in shape'... we're just in a state of transition right now. Don't let anyone tell you that you're less then you are."

Rainbow couldn't help but notice that Soarin was sounding more and more like Super-Stallion everyday. "I... appreciate it, but I said you don't have to explain anything to me."

"I know. But I want you to know that you have nothing to worry about. Did you really think we'd forget about the Pegasus that saved my pie, did you?" The two shared a little laugh. They would have laughed harder, if laughing didn't hurt so much.

"Thanks Soarin. I'd stay but I'm exhausted. I'll... see you tomorrow?"

"Sure." Rainbow limped to the front door, wondering in the back of head how she was going to make it back to Clowdsdale with her wings in the condition they were in. "Wait, Rainbow!"

"Yeah?"

"About that drink..."

"It's not bothering me, Cut. I'm fine."

"That means it's really bothering you." Final Cut followed Twilight into the kitchen, walking past the Rarity shaped hole in the wall where she stormed out.

"I told you, I'm fine."

"I've lived with enough mares to know that means this is driving you crazy."

"Why would you think a couple of words on a website would bother me?"

"Because I know it hurts."

Twilight stopped what she was doing for a moment to soak in what she just heard. "Do you?"

"I've been a public figure for decades. Insults at my talent and physical appearance might as well be written on my paychecks." He was careful not to get to close to the emotionally unstable mare, who was already aching enough as it was. "They may just be words, but words can still hurt. And I know that seeing it for the first time can be hard for anypony. Especially somepony like you..."

Twilight turned to Cut in confusion. "What do you mean 'like me'?"

Cut knew he had to be extra cafefull with his phrasing. Good thing he's won awards for his way with words."You're somepony who clearly surrounds herself with good ponies. Ponies that would never think of saying something like that. You're lucky."

A few drops of tears started to roll out of Twilight's swollen eye. It hurt to cry. "Thank you... This really shouldn't be bothering me, but-"

"If it didn't bother you, that would be a problem." He whipped the tears from her face, careful not to touch her marks. "If it's any consolation..." The rest of sentence was inaudible to the unicorn.

"Care to speak up?"

"I said it's not true."

...

"You're not that bad. Nothing a good make up team couldn't fix." He gave her a wink, just to be extra clear he was joking.

"You really do have a way with words, don't you?"

"I am a writer." The two laughed for a little bit before slowing down. "Besides, those comments are written by a bunch of losers with nothing better to do. All they do is post angry comments, then go to write crappy fan fiction where they type so fast they misspell every second word.

Spike subtly closed the other tab on his browser. The two ponies looked at him as he kept typing away. "You know that he doesn't know any better, right?"

"Yeah, yeah." Final Cut leaned in on Twilight, whispering in her ear. "But everything else he wants to post, goes through me, go that?

"You're a lot nicer then you like ponies to think."

"Maybe I'm just giving into the madness."

The two ponies headed to the front door. Cut patted Spike on the back as they left. Twilight opened the door for Cut as he walked away.

"Wait a second. If you knew that Spike was the one that put up those photos, why did you ask me if I knew? Did you just want an excuse to see me again?" Twilight's blush did not go unnoticed. Cut looked back and grinned.

"Careful, Sparkle. You've seen how quickly rumors can spread."

Next: Interlude: Top 5 Things we Want from the Super-Stallion Reboot!

Every so-often, I plan on writing an 'interlude' where we get to see the rest of Equestria's reactions to the film as well see elements that are cool, but not crucial plot points.

The rest of the main six, Refined Taste and several others will return in the next full chapter! There may even be a few surprise guests...

Interlude: Top 5 Things we Want From the Super-Stallion Reboot

Interlude: Top 5 Things we Want From the Super-Stallion Reboot

While Twilight still groaned in pain, tossing from side to side in her bed, Spike was still at his laptop, monitoring the Super-Stallion fan site. Looking at the 'recent activity' tab near the banner, he noticed that he had over 100 items. Upon opening the page, he found that they were all responses to one forum post. The post was titled: 'Top 5 Things we Want From the Super-Stallion Reboot'. The author of the post was tastefully named 'SalpDatFlank'. He didn't want to read it, but as the admin, it was his job to keep an eye on this sort of thing. He opened the post and started to read the rant inside.

Look, I've been a fan of Super-Stallion since I was a colt. He deserves the best possible treatment if he's going to be rebooted. Have they given him such? So far, it's hard to say yes. They've attached a has-been director and a bunch of no-names to the lead roles. But, there's always hope, so I thought I would compile a list of the top 5 things this movie needs to be saved...

5. Mistress Mayhem, Done Right.

It's been announced that Mistress Mayhem is going to be the main villain and that she's going to played by some unicorn named 'Rarity'. For those of you unaware, Mistress Mayhem is one of Super-Stallions oldest villains, her costume consisting of several leather straps, a whip and heels. Odds are, she'll be easy on the eyes no matter what, but the Mistress is one of those characters that's incredibly easy to screw up. For confirmation of that, look no further then Horseshoemalcher's abomination 'Super-Stallion and the Robot Spider or Tartaros'. Final Cut needs to know when to dial it back and when to let M.M cut loose. It's not going to be easy, but then again, nothing in this movie will be.

4. At Least One Pony That Can Act

As I alluded to earlier; there doesn't seem to be anyone attached to this thing that has any acting experience at all. Let's do a headcount. We have the Wonderbolts second in command, a flight school drop out, a librarian and a dress maker. Now, I may be old-fashioned, but when you want a pony who can act, you get and actor! It's pretty clear that the ponies financing this want young, no name ponies that they don't have to pay much, but come on! Where there not any young, hungry actors in Canterlot? Had they all found jobs on soap operas? I may consider Final Cut a has-been, but maybe he's got enough juice left to get at least one good performance out of his actors.

3. Action Packed Excitement!

The last Super-Stallion movie; 'Super-Stallion' returns is a bit of a sore sport. Some ponies love it, some hate it. However, the one common criticism of it is that there was absolutely no action. It was a bunch of talking and moping. Oh yeah, and I think he flew once or twice. The point is, give us some action, have him punch something, fly through an explosion or two. I'm not saying make it dumb, I'm saying; make it fun!

2. The Costume

There have been little variations here and there, but Super-Stallion's suit has always been the same; red and blue with the worlds most iconic cutie mark. I don't have to remind you about the abomination of the see-through suit that contained a bunch of knives on it. We were lucky enough never to actually see it on the silver screen, however, that doesn't mean there isn't a chance they could screw up the costume here. Let's all join hoofs and pray to Princess Celestia that they've got a good costume department.

1. The Song

I'm not even going to bother typing in the lyrics. You all know them. Everyone knows them. We've gone several movies with them never so much as hinting at the song. Super-Stallion has one of the most recognizable songs in pop culture. There's not much else you can say about this except; put it in!

Despite the flame war that engulfed the comments, Spike couldn't find anything wrong with the post outside of opinion. He closed the tab and continued his Nyan Pony marathon.

Next: Chapter 6: Principle Photography!

This is the first interlude I've done. I have plenty of ideas for more. If you'd like to see more, let me know in the comments!

Chapter 6: Principle Photography

Chapter 6: Principle Photography

"And... Action!"

"Thou hast-"

"Cut!" Final Cut's shout echoed throughout the set. "You're supposed to ask Soarin for his name. Who gave you Shakespeare lines?"

"Who's Shakespeare?"

The other sound that echoed through the set was the sound of Final Cut face-hoofing. "Pinkie, I'm still wondering how Sparkle convinced me to give you a part in the movie." Truth be told, Final Cut had a rough idea of why he would listen to Sparkle. "Don't tempt me to booting you off the set."

"Come on chief." Final Cut, Pinkie and the rest of the crew turned their heads to find Soarin, dressed in civilian clothes, complete with a button up shirt, blue tie and huge-plot glasses. "We're all a little nervous. I'm sure she just needs a minute." Even in his costume, it was still clear that his and Rainbow's month long training session with Iron Will had paid off.

The scene they were shooting took place in the 'Daily Daylight', the workplace of Super-Stallion's alter ego; Mild Mannered. Pinkie was the receptionist for the Daylight, who was also dressed in civilian gear, consisting of; a work dress, glasses and her curly pink mane done up. She leaned towards the star, "Thanks handsome. So... come here often."

"Heh, thank you Miss Pie."

Final Cut wasn't exactly amused by the banter. "A true thespian, this one..."

"You say something Mr Director?"

"I said reset, Pinkie. Now, you wait until Soarin comes in, then you ask him for his name. That's it! Don't go all 'royal theater' on us."

Pinkie hung her head. "Yes, sir."

"Good. 3... 2... 1... Action!"

The scene had begun. Pinkie's character was sorting paper work as Mild Mannered walked up to her.

"Umm... excuse me m- miss. I'm Mild Mannered. New Re- New recruit and-"

"Pinkie! Stop looking into the damn camera!"

"She's late." Refined Taste paced the field on the opposite side of the studio lot, back and forth. "She's always late."

"You've known her for over a month and you're only just picking up on that?" Thanks to the unicorns at the Ponyville hospital, Twilight's bruises had vanished, despite still being sore underneath.

With a 'whoosh', Rainbow Dash touched down in front of Twilight and Refined, carrying a saddle bag. "Let me guess; late?"

"We had to shoot other scenes we weren't ready for, waiting for you."

"Maybe you'll chill when you see I've come bearing gifts." Rainbow removed a brief case from her saddle bag. The case was labeled with a 'Top Secret' stamp on the front with a number lock that kept it from being open.

Refined's eyes shot open. "Is that what I think it is?"

"Not sure. The studio just told me to drop it off to you guys."

Without warning, Refined swiped the case from Rainbow. "I'll show you once we get our little 'news hound' out of sight.

The girls turned to find Spike, hiding in the bushes, unaware that his tail was sticking out the side. Twilight looked at Refined with a motherly smile on her face. "Just let him have his fun."

Not being a mother figure to anypony (thankfully), Refined just sighed and rolled her eyes. "You're lucky you're mounting Final Cut-"

Rainbow's ears perked up. "What?"

"-Otherwise, your little pet would be getting thrown into a trash compactor by security."

"Okay, first; he's not my pet. He's my assisstant. Second, I'm not mounting Final Cut!"

"Really?"

"Yes."

"You don't start shooting for another two weeks. So, why are you here?"

...

"I'm here to cheer on-"

"Whatever. I've got to take this case to Cut. Just make sure you're 'assistant' doesn't see something he shouldn't." Picking the case up with her mouth, Refined ran off, muttering somthing through her full mouth. "I'll tell Cut you said 'hi'!"

"Wha... I'm not... grr!" Twilight turned to find Rainbow staring at her, with one cocked eye brow and a wise-plot grin on her face. "Don't. You. Dare-"

"So when did it happen?" Twilight groaned as she walked away. Rainbow just trotted up to her side. "I didn't peg you to go for the artsy... self-absorbed, arrogant, jackass type." Rainbow quickly turned to donkey who was working the cables. "No offense."

"None taken."

"Anyway... I didn't expect you to start mou-"

"I am not dating Final Cut!" Rainbow had seen Twilight's crazy eyes twice in her life. Once when she failed to deliver a letter to the Princess. The second time being that moment.

"Twilight, please. I wasn't saying that."

"You... weren't?"

"You don't have to date someone to mount them."

"And on that note, I'm out."

Rainbow cracked into laughing as Twilight started to walk away. "Wait... wait. I'm sorry. I'm just having some fun."

"If you want fun, why don't you just talk to Soarin?"

Rainbow wasn't laughing any more. "How dare you insinuate I would date a Wonderbolt to get in the team! I, ma'am, am offended!" Rainbow crossed her hoofs and looked away, hoping her blush wouldn't catch on.

"Hehe, calm down, Rainbow. First, I never insinuated that you would date Soarin to get in the Wonderbolts."

"You didn't?"

"Yes. And second; you don't have to date someone to mount them." Twilight started laughing herself. Rainbow forced a chuckle as best as she could. Twilight wasn't laughing anymore. "... oh Celestia, you didn't!"

"We didn't!" Rainbow paused as she searched for the words to gt her out of her quick. "We grabbed a cup of cider, that's it."

"Sure, Rainbow." Twilight replicated the wise-plot look the pegasus had given her earlier. "Let's just call it even. Deal?"

"Yeah..." The two awkwardly hoof-shaked on it. "So..." Having decided that she couldn't be bothered finishing the sentence, Rainbow took off, flying to the other side of the set.

Spike, now dressed in a press hat and a trench coat, walks over to Twilight, looking at the Rainbow colored after image left by the pegasus. "Twilight?"

"Yeah?"

"What's 'mounting'?"

"Get yer Apples! Can't reboot an icon without apples in yer belly!" Applejack was standing on top of a cart being pulled by Big Mac. The cart was moving through one of the sets that was still under construction. "Aint that right, Big Mac?"

"Eeeyup!" The two of them rolled the cart over to the center of an unfinished city set. All of the construction ponies stopped what they were doing to check out the display of apples that the cart had to offer.

"I can see all you boys are just dyin' for a taste. So how's this? What if I told yall you could have all these fine apples for nothin?"

"I have dealt with prima donna's." Applejack, Big Mac and the rest of the crew turned to find Final Cut approaching them. One of his pupils was much smaller then the other. "I have dealt with internet trolls. I have dealt with idiot interns who though 'cinematography' was something you had to go to the doctor for, every 6 months after they turned 40. And yet, it is you that is making me want to have our pyrotechnics expert strap the bulk of his load to my plot and hit the switch!"

"Sounds to me like Sweet Apple Acers is having quite an impact you and yall crew!" Being in the apple business for as long as she had, Applejack new how to dance around an angry customer.

"That... is certainly one way to put it, you-" Final Cut was struggling to find an appropriate insult for the country pony, considering that her sister was working on the set. It was like for everypony he could half stand to be around, there was a planet's worth of nutjobs and idiot waiting for him around the corner.

"Don't even think about finishing that sentence mister. I know exactly how it's gonna end."

"Do... Do you, now?"

"Eeeyup! You were gonna swallow that pride of yours and accept the help that Sweet Apple Acers is offerin' you and your fine crew." The crew members cheered at the prospect of free lunches, instead of having to bring their own.

Final Cut swallowed his rage, at the cost of a drop of blood running down his nose. "As much as I would love to shut you up by signing that deal, the answer is no."

"But we could-"

"The answer is no you stubborn... worker. So how about you pack up and get off my set. And on your way out, tell my bouncer's to shove their cool looking sunglasses straight up their plots!"

"Nnnope."

"Mac, you're in my good books. Don't ruin it now!"

"Nnnope."

"Now, I know you and your sister are trying to make a living, but you don't really think I can just squeeze you in now, do you?"

"Eeeyup."

...

"Well, maybe if we... NO! You're a smooth talker, I'll give you that, but I want you off my set, now!"

From behind Final Cut, a yellow hoof emerged and tapped him on the shoulder. "Umm... Mr Cut...."

Cut turned around to find Fluttershy, whimpering behind him. "Normally I'd ask how you got in, but at this point, I'm just going to assume there's a stargate that sends ponies to the most inconvenient space they could possible be at that given moment. What do you want Fluttershy?"

"Oh, it's nothing. I can come back... never if that's what you like."

"If there's even a remote possibility of dealing with you now, I'll take it." Cut wanted to avoid another melt down. It was bad enough having one before filming had started, but now everything seemed to be pouring on him at once.

"Well, it's just. I have a group of dancing squirrels that I taught myself that said they would just love to be in the movie."

Final Cut looked over at the fence behind Fluttershy, to find on the other side; several squirrels dressed up 50's era candy-man costumes, complete with striped hats, matching vests and canes. He could have sworn he saw two traveling salesmen wearing similar outfits while he was on the road. He stood dumbfounded by the image in front of him. "I... don't even-"

"Yo, Cut!"

"What fresh hell is this?"

Before he could fully turn around, Refined Taste threw the brief case at his face, giving an 'oomph' on impact. "We got the 'package'. Dash just dropped it off."

"Does anypony...?"

"Nope. After the party leaks, we've taken every precaution to make sure nopony knows-"

"That it's the new super-suits?" Cut and Taste's eyes shot open in shock in horror. They slowly turned their heads to Fluttershy, who was still cowering in the grass. "I... I mean, that's just what I read on a blog. I didn't mean to get anypony angry. Please don't hate me!" Fluttershy covered her face as though she was about to get a hoof upside the head.

Taste rolled her eyes. "Well that's just great. Another piece of the news cycle.... Cut? Are you crying?"

"Come one, Twilight! You've got to tell me!" Spike and Twilight had stopped for a coffee break in the green room (which , ironically, was more brown then green, by nature of how hastily it was built). Twilight was using her magic to pour a cup of coffee from the machine.

"I told you Spike, let's wait until we get back to the library. I've got a book we can read together."

"Oh no, I'm not falling that one again!"

"It has pictures."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Whether you like them or not, we'll just have to find out." Twilight took a long sip of her hot coffee.

"Ha! Figures that you would drink lesser coffee from a machine, Sparkle!" Twilight opened her eyes. In shock, she spit out the coffee she had in her mouth, all over spike and the floor around him. Before Spike could respond, he noticed something blue and gaudy reflected in Twilight's eye. He turned around.

"Wha-?"

"Be careful were you spit, Sparkle! You'll ruin The Great and Powerful Trixie's new cape!"

"T... Trixie? Wh-?"

"I took you for a simpleton, Sparkle, but I thought you at least had the ability to compose a coherent sentence." Trixie's smug smile was the exact same as Twilight remembered it. Her eyes were even arched the same way.

"Trixie-"

"You forgot 'Great and Powerful'."

"What are you doing here?"

"Hmm. Unlike you, some of us ponies are here to work."

Twilight almost couldn't believe it, half convinced this was just another one of her tricks. "You're working on the movie?"

"Off course! What other pony in all of Equestria could fill the role of 'practical effects artist' better then The Great and Powerful Trixie?" Translation: Trixie's job was the create the illusion of explosions, sparks, crumbling buildings, whatever the script called for.

"So, it's your job to make a bunch of cheap 'smoke and mirror' tricks happen? That sounds about right." Twilight didn't normally throw insults back at those that came at her, but come one, that one was begging to be used.

"Some of us know how to contribute our talents to the creative arts. But that's not the reason you're on this set, is it?"

Twilight saw where that was going. "Anything you've heard about me and Final Cut is false. You're a lot of things Trixie, but I didn't take you for a gossip."

Trixie didn't even bat an eye. "I didn't mention the director."

"Oh..."

"But now that you've brought him up, I have seen you around the set more often then then the production designers and Final Cut is always on the set at the same time."

"He's the director!"

"A likely excuse! Is that why he cast you as Meekly, as well?"

"He cast me because he said I fit the role. I bet you probably just wanted the job yourself. Knowing you, you probably wanted to play 'Super-Stallion' himself." Twilight didn't know why, but she just seemed extra snippy. Not exactly something she was used to. She left the quips to Rainbow Dash or Rarity.

"Funny. But now that you mention it, you're right! You do fit the role."

"Is that so?"

"Just think about it for a second. Meekly is the ugly, nerdy, insecure, weak, pathetic unicorn that Super-Stallion only pays mind to when his much hotter, pegasus isn't around." Trixie leaned in so she was right up to Twilight's ear. "Sound familiar?"

Spike wasn't certain, but he thought that he may have seen a golden shimmer in Twilight's eyes. She pushed Trixie out of her personal space bubble. "Back off, you hack!"

The little dragon looked shocked that Twilight would ever say something like that.

"Or what? You'll call daddy Cut on me?"

"Or else I'll-"

"Sparkle!" The two ponies and dragon turned to Final Cut, who was standing in the doorway. "My trailer! Now!"

He slammed the door behind him. The irony of the situation was not lost on anyone in the room.

"Trix-"

"Oh, don't let me hold you two love birds up. With all the time he spends on the movie, you need whatever alone time you can get."

"You have no idea how bad your timing was in there." Twilight entered Cut's trailer. It was a total mess. Storyboard pages, empty cans of Red Bull, messages from the studio and prop boxes were strung all over the room. All over the wall, were script pages that had notes written on them. Some of the worst written pages had diagrams of Cut hanging himself.

"I couldn't care less. I just need somepony to yell at."

"Why me?"

"Cause I need somepony who doesn't have an excuse to yell back."

"What?"

"Ever since I came here, I've been surrounded by wackos. I've done my best to just go with it and let things happen. But everywhere I go, there's an apple cart, there's a cupcake, there's an information leak. It never ends."

"So you called me in here because you're angry at us?"

"It's not that I'm angry. It's that I can't get angry."

...

"You're going to have explain."

"You've seen the kind of ponies I work with. The Canterlot film crowd is full of self absorbed, arrogant jackasses." Twilight could practically hear Rainbow from the other side of the set yell 'told ya!'. "With those ponies, all you have to do is be a bigger jackass then them, tell them to stop or get off the set. Usually that solves all your problems. That won't work here."

Twilight smiled when she realized what he was getting at. "You know they're not like that."

"No. They're... too good for me."

"Come again?"

"They may be crazy or straight-up idiots, but at least they're good ponies. They're doing everything for the right reasons. They're being honest and welcoming and here I am-"

"Acting like an arrogant, self-"

"Shut up." The two shared a small chuckle. "I can't hate them. No matter how hard I try to."

"Well... there's always Trixie."

"HA! Yeah... you bring up a good point. Even the Canterlot ponies are looking at her, going 'damn bitch!'" Twilight and Cut cracked up laughing.

"If you don't like her, why do you keep her on?"

"Well, that was before I got this..." Cut went over to the briefcase from earlier, opened it and pulled out a letter. "Here's one little detail your snoop didn't find. We got a letter from the studio. We're going to be receiving a guest soon. And she'll be bearing gifts. Gifts that shall, unfortunately, render Trixie's position void."

"What time is this 'guest' coming?"

"What time is it now?"

"3:25."

"We've got about 5 minutes. Let's go outside and get ready to greet her."

"One quick thing."

"What?"

"Why are you so against Applejack sponsoring the movie? It wouldn't be that bad."

Cut shuddered with a sigh. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"I could say the same for half the things I've done in my life. Just say it."

Cut took a deep breath and exhaled. "When I was still in film school, I needed a sponsor to finance my film that I wanted to get into the Canterlot film festival. I kept failing and failing, but then, I found one. A local nut shop."

"That doesn't sound too bad-"

"The name of the store was 'Deez Nuts'."

"How is that... Oh." Twilight started to giggle.

"Don't laugh yet. It was the owners actual name." Twilight just laughed harder. "You haven't heard the best part yet. The trade-off to them paying for the movie was that their name had to be at the begginning of the title. Do you have any idea what it's like to walk up to a film festival commity and give them a film reel, where the title starts off with 'Deez Nuts Present...'?"

Twilight exploded with laughter, having to lie on her back. As Cut looked on, he started to laugh as well. "You see? Ponyville is putting a smile on your face already."

Cut helped her back on her feet, he had a smirk across his face. "Careful, Sparkle. It's bad enough that ponies think we're mounting, last thing I need is you turning me into a sentimental."

Twilight playfully gasped. "And what would be so bad about the two of us?"

"Come on, Sparkle. The director of 'Deez Nuts Presents; Ponyback Mountain' is obviously out of your league." With that, Cut opened the door and the two left.

"She's late, isn't she?" Twilight looked at Final Cut with a smile. Cut was too busy looking off into the distance to notice the smile.

"She's allowed to be late." The rest of the cast and crew all came out, looking off into the distance with Final Cut. They all stood in confusion, wondering what the hoof they were supposed to be looking at.

"Mr Cut!" Cut turned away from his gaze to the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who were tangled up in a big ball of celluloid. "We were trying to load the camera, but things didn't work like we hoped."

Cut smiled as he pulled the celluloid apart with his teeth. "Girls, when we win the Oscar for this, I want the three of you on stage with me."

The girls beamed with excitement. "You mean it?" Asked Scootaloo.

Cut leaned down to the girls level. "Let's face it kids, you're the most confident crew members we've got. Were would we be without you three?"

Twilight grew a snarky smile. "What was all that about not wanting to be 'sentimental' before?"

Before Cut could use his witty retort, a flash of light blinded everypony in the field. Shielding their eyes, they didn't realize who the guest was until Cut spoke up.

"Welcome to the set, Princess!"

Next: What's so Funny About Love, Tolerance and the Equestrian Way?!

Chapter 7: What's so Funny About Love, Tolerance and the Equestrian Way?

Chapter 7: What's so Funny About Love, Tolerance and the Equestrian Way?

"Princess! If I knew you were coming, I would have-"

"That's quite alright, Twilight." Thank goodness Celestia spoke up. Twilight wasn't quite sure how to finish that sentence. "I know my apperance here is a little impromptu, but it's quite urgent."

"Urgent?"

"Yes."

"A superhero movie is urgent for the Princess?"

"Hey, he's a big hero." Celestia smiled as she turned towards Final Cut. "Final, before I begin, I'd like to have a word with you."

"Of course, Princess." Celestia led the way to a small back area behind one of the unused sets. Cut nudged Twilight on his way over. "You're coming too, Sparkle."

The three entered the secluded area, Cut looking around to make sure nopony had followed them. "Thank you for allowing me to do this discreetly, Final."

"If by 'discreetly', you're referring to your flash of light entrance, no problem."

"Oh, shush." Celestia giggled a little and rolled her eyes. Twilight wasn't certain that what she saw just happened. "I'm just trying to thank you for not shouting to the heavens what's happening here."

"No need to thank me. We've got a little dragon on set, throwing the secrets of movie on his blog anyway."

"Excuse me," Twilight interjected. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have to know; why are you here? You. Here. Of all places." Final Cut snickered to himself, Celestia joined in. "And just what is so funny?"

"You didn't read the script, did you?" Twilight's librarian responsibilities had kept her from doing much else. "It doesn't matter. The point is; Celestia has a scene to shoot."

"What?!"

"Calm down, Sparkle. She's just shooting a quick 'passing of the torch' and then she's out of here."

"And that other small matter I have to attend to," Celestia added.

"Yeah, that too."

"What is a 'passing of the torch?"

"Rainbow has her first scene as Sweet Wings coming up. And what better way to welcome her to the franchise, then by having her interact with the original Sweet Wings?"

Twilight slowly moved her eyes towards Celestia. "You... were the original Sweet Wings?"

"When I was a teenager, I volunteered to be in the movie and... well, Final knows how hard it is to say no to a Princess."

Doing his best Celestia impression; "One of these days, Cut. Bang! Zoom! Straight to the moon!"

Celestia playfully punched Cut. "Oh, shut up."

Did... did the Princess just say 'shut up'?, thought Sparkle, her jaw hanging loose after seeing that. "I, had no idea you were-"

"It's fine, Twilight. Most of those films have been damaged and lost in time. I would have returned for the role, but Cut think I'm much too old for it."

"Nonsense, Princess! Now, please, don't let us keep you. You've got somepony to talk to as I remember."

"You're right. Talk to you two soon!" Celestia took off, flying to the other side of the studio lot.

Cut leaned in towards Twilight. "She really is."

"Excuse me! But where you flirting with the Princess?!"

Cut looked at Twilight with a smile and one cocked eyebrow. "Sparkle, haven't we established that I'm way out of everypony's league?"

"Can you believe it? I'm gonna shoot a scene with the Princess!" Rainbow was dancing in the air around Soarin, who was still in his 'Mild Mannered' costume. "Best. Movie. Ever!"

"I'm sure it'll be in the highlight reel, Rainbow."

"Are you making fun of me?"

Soarin started to shake and sweat. "No, I- I wasn't- I mean- It would be-"

Rainbow rolled her eyes. "I'm messing with you, man. I know you're in character, but you're starting to turn into a real dork."

"And what would be so wrong with that?! Hmm?"

Rainbow started to shake and sweat. "No, I- I wasn't - I mean- It would be-" Rainbow stopped when she noticed Soarin smirking. "Oh, buck you."

"Buck you too."

"I hope I'm not interrupting." Celestia touched down in front of the pegasi.

"Princess! This is gonna be awesome! I can't believe we're doing a scene together! We're gonna be zipping over the sky, blowing stuff up, and we'll be like 'whoosh', 'boosh'. 'crackcoom'!"

Soarin reached up put a hoof in Rainbow's mouth. "You'll have to excuse her, Princess. She, like the rest of us, are very excited that you're here."

"That's alright. But, I'm actually here to speak with you, Soarin."

...

"What?" Rainbow's words were muffled by Soarin's hoof.

"You're trailer?"

"Umm... yes. Yes, of course, Princess!" Soarin flew to his trailer and opened the door for Celestia to enter. Her stature made it difficult to squeeze through the trailer door, but she made it in. Soarin followed, closing the door behind him.

"So, what can I do for you, your highness?"

"I'd like you to answer a question."

"Anything."

"What do you know about Super-Stallion?"

...

"I... beg your pardon?"

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh! Rainbow Dash and the Princess are gonna shoot a scene together! They're gonna be zipping over the sky, blowing stuff up, and we'll be like 'whoosh', 'boosh'. 'crackcoom'!"

Rainbow extended a hoof straight into Pinkie's mouth, shutting her up. "We've covered that part, Pinkie."

"Oh my. the Princess, being here is quite an honor. I'm giddy with excitement." Fluttershy let out a weak little giggle, not quite 'giddy with excitement', but that was Fluttershy.

"I'm sure she's just here to bask in the glory of fame and glory, as I'm sure we're all going to be soon." Rarity was trying to use the industry-standard mane curlers. Although she was struggling to use the needlessly complicated gadget.

"Yes, the Princess of all the land, needed a movie, to get attention." Twilight rolled her eyes in exhaustion. She a long enough day already. The Princess was always welcome around her, but she had enough of today.

"Seems ta me like that's the case. Ah, on the other hand am quite happy to let you guys handle the big publicity stuff." Applejack spoke as though she wasn't wearing a giant apple costume, with 'Sweet Apple Acres' written across it. Her hat had been moved from the top of her head, to the top of the apple.

"Oh laidies!" The girls turned to find Refined Taste with the 'Top Secret' case from earlier.

"Let me guess; you come bearing gifts?" Twilight asked.

"Hay no! These are you assignments!" Refined Taste opened the case. In it were several slots. Each of the slots had a suit bag folded up inside it. One of the slots was noticeably vacant.

"Are those supposed to be our costumes?"

"I don't know why we have to wear bags in the movie," Pinkie thought out-loud.

"That cotton candy mane of yours has started reach into your brain, Miss Pie." Refined lifted each of the bags out and threw it to the girls who were going to be acting. "Take care of those under penalty of death!"

Twilight unzipped her bag to find a pair of spectacles, a red tie and a white, button up shirt. "I have to protect this with my life? I could buy about 20 of these in the market right now for very little."

"That was tailor maid by the studio specifically for you and the rest of the cast. I'd tell you why it's so special besides that, but only the loser fan-boys will get it."

"How did they even get my measurements?" Rainbow snickered to herself. "What?"

"Maybe-"

"Don't even-!"

"- Final Cut gave it too them."

The rest of the main six, even Refined started laughing. Twilight, on the other hoof, just pouted. "You girls really need some new material."

"Aww, cheer up, Twi. Once this movie's over, you two will have plenty of time to 'film' yall antics." A bit raunchy of a joke for Applejack, but she knew an opening when she saw one. "It'll probably win more awards then this here picture show."

Twilight looked back down at her costume. "Not that I'm admitting to anything, but at least it would have more imaginative costumes. What do you think Rainbow?... Rainbow?"

The girls saw Rainbow, staring down at her costume through the unzipped back. In the reflection of her wide eyes, you could see the custom cutie mark on the flank; a stylized 'W' made up entirely of feathers. "It's. So. Awesome." A single tear rolled down her eye, landing on the cutie mark.

"I'm simply curious how much you actually know." Celestia had taken a seat on the floor of the dusty trailer. Soarin was still standing up.

"Well, he's Super-Stallion. Everyone knows about him."

"Then refresh my memory, please."

"Um... well, his birth name is 'Pon- E', he's secret identity is 'Mild Mannered', he's a reporter, he can shoot flames from his nose, lift a truck over his head with one hoof, he can generate great winds with is wings, he can't tell a l-"

"I'm afraid I may not have made myself clear, sorry about that." Soarin gulped with nerves. The Princess was known for being kind and fair, but he still had never interacted with her before. He had no idea what he was in for. "Let me ask you a different question; who are you?"

"I'm certain you know who I am Princess."

Celestia chuckled. "I mean, what kind of stallion are you, Soarin? What makes you so special?"

"I'm... I'm me."

"A perfect start. Keep going."

"I'm... I'm about fair play. I'm an athlete, it's all about fairness and equality and sportsmanship."

"I see. Please, continue."

Soarin searched for what to say next. "I hate bullies. Growing up as the athlete in high school, I was the biggest bully flight academy had ever seen. I didn't care who I stepped on. I took kids money, stuffed them in lockers and I didn't think twice about it. And then I made it to college. And when I tried that stuff there, I nearly got expelled the first day. When I took a minute to step back and look at it, I realized how horrible I was to the ponies I used to know. How I could have been better."

"Hmm?"

"So yeah, I hate bullies, but I'd never hurt one."

"What are the two greatest virtues of Equestria?"

"Love and tolerance?"

"Do you know why I chose love and tolerance?"

"Because 'mean and bitchy' was taken?"

Celestia couldn't help but laugh. "Please, sit." Soarin sat in front of Celestia, smiling. "When I was a filly, my Father gave me copies of Super-Stallion comics that he found in Canterlot. I read them and I saw what kind of pony Super-Stallion was. He was a hero, he stood up to those who do the world harm, he would treat everyone equel and give even his worse enemies a fair chance at redemption. When my Father sat my Sister and I down, he asked what kind of rulers we wanted to be. I showed him one of the Super-Stallion comics he gave me. The story was about Super-Stallion never giving into the villains and sinking to their level. And just when it looked like the end, all the ponies he inspired rose up, saved him and nursed him back to health. I wanted to be Super-Stallion more then anything. He was the greatest pony anypony could be. Not a hero, not a savior... but a symbol of hope. An inspiration to us all. And that's what I've always tried to be."

Soarin wasn't sure what to say to all that. "That sounds like something I could never live up to."

Celestia smiled warmly. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear. Nopony can 'live up to' Super-Stallion. It's all about inspiration and being the best pony you can be. It sounds like you're grasping the true gravity of what you're doing on this set." Soarin started to choke up, letting tears pour down his face. Celestia wiped the tears from his face with her hoof. "I knew Final Cut would make the right choice."

Overcome with humility, Soarin bowed. "Thank you, your highness."

"Come outside. I have something to give you."

"Oh... ok."

"Wait, before you go, get dressed." Soarin looked over at the couch in his trailer and saw the closed costume bag on his couch.

"Sure thing."

"I should be used to them being late, but I'm not!" Refined paced the open field next to the studio lot. Everypony, including Princess Celestia was waiting in the field.

"He just needs a minute. It's going to be worth the wait, my dear."

"I'll take your word for it."

Twilight and Rainbow Dash approached the Princess. "Hey, Princess. What exactly are we waiting for?"

WHOOSH!

"That, Rainbow!" Soarin flew majestically from the studio lot, over to the open field... wearing the Super-Stallion costume. It fitted him perfectly in every possible way. It felt like they were looking at the actual Super-Stallion. And to top it off, there's was a beautiful sunset right behind him. "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!" Rainbow's eyes widened in disbelief.

Celestia approached him. "Consider this a gift from you're no.1 fan."

Soarin bowed his head and closed his eyes.. Celestia lowered her horn until it tapped him on the top of his head. A small, yellow light illuminated from her horn before dying down. Celestia stood back. Soarin raised his head, but didn't open his eyes. Everypony stared in confusion as nothing happened. Twilight turned to the Princess.

"Excuse me, Princess. But what-?"

"3... 2... 1..."

Soarin's eyes shot open, but his pupils were gone. In their place, was the Super-Stallion cutie mark. He flapped his wings as he started to hover in the air. Suddenly, several small tornadoes started to generate behind him, they were coming from his wings. He took the deepest breath he possibly could, and exhaled fire from his nostrils, burning the grass he was standing on a moment ago. He's wings stood still...

SLAM!

He slammed on the ground beneath him, cracking the earth around him and shaking the foundation of all of Ponyville. The whole cast stood in awe. Rainbow started to cry out of awesomeness. Final Cut, however, just stood and smiled. Celestia approached Soarin, now having his pupils restored. He looked up at her and smiled.

"My Princess."

"My hero."

Next: The Face That Launched a Thousand Shippers!

Chapter 8: The Face That Launched a Thousand Shippers

Chapter 8: The Face that Launched a Thousand Shippers

"What, exactly, is 'Super-Wings'?" Inside the library, Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Applejack looked at one of the free computers, which was currently viewing the Super-Stallion movie fan site that Spike had developed. They were in the sub-forum marked 'All of the Ships!'.

"Silly Twilight, that's shipping."

Twilight looked at Pinkie in confusion. "And what exactly is 'shipping'?"

"You can't be serious, darling!" Rarity's voice could be heard from Twilight's bathroom. "Shipping is how you declare what relationship you prefer- oomph!"

"You need some help, Rarity?"

"I'm quite alright, darling. I have this- arrgh! Where does this even go?"

"What's the point of shipping?"

"There's isn't a point! It's just something ponies do, it doesn't mean anything in the end. It's quite romantic in it's own way."

Twilight entered the forum and examined the posts. "No one understands the life of solitude more then a fellow superhero," Twilight quoted from one poster named 'SweetWingsorGTBO'. "Those two tortured souls were made for each other," said another poster. "OMG, team Super-Wings FTW?" Twilight stood back in confusion. "Who makes this stuff up?"

"Actually, Twilight, you have a few routing for you too," said Fluttershy, who was at a computer of her own. "There's a 'Super-Meekly' thread I've been posting in for a week now."

Twilight leaned in on Fluttershy's monitor to find several, long rants, proclaiming 'Super-Meekly' as the end-all-be-all of Super-Stallion's relationships. To Twilight's shock and horror, the posts went from simple, respectable and too the point, to long, curse-ridden diatribes against anyone who disagreed with her. There were curses that Twilight hadn't even heard of before. To top it all off, the posts were in all caps.

"Wow... umm... these are certianly... forward, for you I mean."

"I'm sorry, it's just sometimes, when I don't have to confront another pony, I can get a bit carried away sometimes. I'm sorry."

"I can see..." Twilight examined Fluttershy's user page, specifically her activity log, which stated all the recent posts she had made and what kind they were. "What... what exactly is 'clopfiction'?" Fluttershy quickly closed turned off the computer. She looked away with a blush and a squee.

"I'm done!" The girls turned to find Rarity in her Mistress Mayhem costume. The costume itself consisted of several leather straps, a matching domino mask and a whip to complete the ensemble. "I know what you're thinking; smashing! I know, it's quite stunning, isn't it?"

The other ponies were stunned, but not in a good way. "Umm... Rarity?" Applejack had trouble maintaining eye contact. "Not that Ah know much 'bout fashion and all, but..."

"But what, dear?"

"Ah believe Ah've seen subtler costumes in adult toy catalouges."

"That's the point, Applejack. It's about sex appeal. And nothing says 'sex appeal' like leather."

Twilight stood in confusion. "But still... why that of all things?"

"It's called 'fan service' for a reason, Twilight." The ponies turned to the door way to find Refined Taste, standing in the door way. Twilight was hoping she would have gotten used to that by now.

"Who let you in?" Asked the annoyed unicorn.

"You did when you signed your contract Miss Sparkle. You allowed us to use your home as a set, meaning we're allowed to waltz in whenever. I'll roll out the red carpet if I want to."

"You will do no such thing without giving me fair warning," Rarity interjected.

Refined was quick to notice Rarity's change in wardrobe. "What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm getting into costume for my scene, Ms Taste."

"Yeah. You're scenes aren't until tomorrow. Why are you in costume now?"

Well, to have an outfit like this and to not wear it would be a crime against fashion."

...

"That and it's quite difficult to get into. Even harder to get out. So I thought I would put it on now and just keep it on until we were done shooting."

"That's asinine and you know it." The other ponies couldn't help but notice that Refined was beginning to sound more and more like Cut when he first arrived.

"I know I wouldn't mind." Twilight turned to the sound of Spike's whispering. He was standing by her side all of a sudden. "Look at her, Twilight. She's gorges!" Something vaugly resembling hearts had replaced Spike's pupils. Twilight leaned in on her young assitent.

"You know she's naked every other day, right?"

"Don't ruin this for me."

"The person who should be in costume, is you, Sparkle."

"Wha- Am I on?"

"Did the equipment not tip you off?" Twilight and other ponies absorb their surroundings. There are several wires and cables hanging from the ceiling. Work ponies trotted around the room, carrying LED lights, cameras and make-up kits.

Twilight blushed in embarrassment. "Oh yeah, right."

"Honestly, Sparkle. I have no idea how Cut puts up with you."

"Hey! That stuff is getting old."

Pinkie leaned into Rarity. "Maybe we should make ship 'Final-Sparkle'. Sparkle shot around and glared at her friends, however, her blushing didn't help get her message across. Fluttershy, out of nowhere, leaned into Pinkie's face, her eyes filled with rage and her teeth showing.

"You wouldn't bucking dare!"

Refined Taste paced over the room in frustration. "Where is Cut? He's late! Sparkle, where is he?!"

"I. Don't. Know. Where. Cut. Is!"

"Ah reckon ah do." The girls and Taste turned to Applejack, who was looking around with a smug smile on her face. "Ah have this ol' hunch that he's discussion our new business venture."

The girls eyes widened in disbelief. Taste pushed through the equipment on ponies, walking right up to Applejack. "What do you mean 'business venture'? The one thing he insisted on while were here, was that we don't get any corporate sponsors."

"Well, it took a lot of persistence, but Ah finally convinced him to spend a day with the farm's top negotiator."

"Now, let's review." Final Cut leaned in and examined the contract laid out before him. "In exchange for all the apples my crew can eat, as well as your promotions, all it will take is a few scenes of the characters enjoying your products. No messing with the title or creative direction?"

"Eeeyup."

"Pleasure doing business with you my friend!"

"It's like Ah told Rainbow; all it takes is persistence!"

"Actually..." Twilight just realized that she hadn't seen a lot of Rainbow since Soarin was granted his powers by Princess Celestia, two weeks ago. "Where is Rainbow and Soarin?"

"Hmmm..." Refined recalled. "I would say it's one of two things. A; he's enjoying his new powers when he shouldn't be...."

"Or...?" Twilight asked with trepidation.

"Or she is."

"You want to be a Wonderbolt, yet you can't keep up with little old me?" Despite how fast Rainbow Dash flew, Soarin was just that little bit faster. "Maybe I should tell Spitfire to reconsider your Wonderbolts admission."

"Oh. It. Is. On." Pushing herself to her upper limits, Rainbow soared through the air as fast as she could without causing a sonic rainboom. "You remember what Celestia told you! If you keep using your powers outside filming, you're gonna- oomph!" Without warning, Soarin had stopped, mid-air, causing Rainbow to slam into his back. With his super strength and invulnerability, it felt like hitting a steel wall. Thankfully, she had flown into harder things in her life. "What's the big i-"

"Shut up!"

"Wh-?"

"Just listen."

Super hearing, one of the many abilities that Soarin now had at his disposal. He closed his eyes and let the vibrations of the world come to him. Rainbow just looked confused.

"I think those powers are starting to make you hear things."

"Exactly." Soarin began to filter the noises until he found the one he was searching for.

CRRRKKKT!

No other pony could hear the sound of the steel girder's bolts begin to bend. Not even the construction workers who were several stories underneath the bar.

POP! POP! Two of the three bolts popped loose. Soarin's eyes opened. "Found ya!"

WHOOSH! Soarin soared with super sonic speed towards Fillydelphia, which was several miles away from them at the time. A little stunned by his speed, Rainbow took a brief second to catch her wits before flying after him. The construction workers turned upward when they noticed the last of the bolts had fallen on their heads. The girder was already in free fall, ready to land on the unprepared ponies.

"Don't mind me, gentlecolts!" Soarin swooped under the girder, catching it with ease with just one hoof. "Where would you like me to set this one down?" The workers looked up in shock and awe, one letting the bagel drop from his mouth. "How about I just put this here and you guys can decide what to do later?" Without the workers able to respond, Soarin took it as a 'yes' and gently laid down the girder. "Anything else I can help with?" Soarin asked with a welcoming smile.

"Daddy!" The workers and Soarin turned to a young filly, wearing a little hard hat like her father. "Super-Stallion saved you!" The young filly ran up to Soarin, hugging his leg. "Thank you so much, Mr Stallion!"

Rainbow had arrived just in time to see the filly hug Soarin. He looked down at her, smiled and wiped the tear from her eye. "No need to thank me ma'am. I'm just doing what any good pony would do."

Is this guy perfect? That was the only question that ran through Rainbow's mind as she floated overhead. Soarin started his ascension.

"If there's nothing else, you gentlecolts have a great day!" Soarin soared into the air, pass Rainbow who followed his trail. The two of them stopped several thousand feet over Fillydelphia.

"That. Was. Awesome! You totally saved those guys!"

Soarin blushed. "Rainbow, please! If you had heard the bar and were fast enough, you would have done the exact same thing."

"Don't sell yourself short. You're a hero."

"You're... you're too kind. I'm just like anypony else."

Soarin wasn't this modest as a Wonderbolt, what made him so shy? thought Rainbow. "You're a hero, Soarin. Be proud of yourself."

"Well, I do have to admit, I feel amazing! Being able to help ponies, being Super-Stallion, it feels like a dream. But still, I was just doing the right thing."

Rainbow smiled with a blush. "I think I see what Celestia gave you these powers. Even if for a limited time." Rainbow and Soarin remembered back to shortly after Celestia had granted Soarin his powers.

"Now Soarin, giving you these powers is a strain enough as it is. The only way I could maintain any power for myself was to put a limited amount of energy inside you. There's plenty of power to finish filming, but using it outside of filming and you could loose them before you're done."

Soarin looked up at the Princess, understanding the gravity of this responsibility. "Yes, Princess."

Celestia leaned into his ear. "But I trust you of anypony here to do the right thing."

"Yes princess."

"I'm sure she would understand." Soarin looked long into Rainbow's eyes. The both of them started to giggle and smile. "So, Rainbow?"

"Yeah?"

"I was reading the script... and I found this scene we're probably going to have to shoot at some point soon."

"SEX!"

...

"Yeah..." Soarin looked a little startled at her yell. Rainbow's entire face turned a bright red and she turned away.

"I'm sorry... it's just-"

"You've been worried about it too?"

"Well, yeah and... wait, 'too'?"

"I'm a little concerned about it."

Rainbow became worried. Did he not want to be with her, even if it was just a movie. "Really...?"

"Since you've been thinking about it too, you probably know what I'm worried about."

"Soarin, it's not-"

"You're uncomfortable about it."

Rainbow floated in confusion. "Umm... a little..."

"I knew it!" Soarin looked away form her in embarrassment. "I knew you would be uncomfortable with it. What I was hoping to ask you was if there was anything I could do to make this any easier for you."

Suddenly, a huge weight was lifted of Rainbow's shoulders. "Aww, you don't have to worry about that. I'm sure we'll... be professional about it." The other thing Rainbow wanted to say didn't seem appropriate at the time.

"Oh, phew! I thought you were going to be angry at me for bringing it up or something."

"At you... nah! I wouldn't want to risk my spot in the 'Bolts by yelling at ya."

"Ha! Good... good point."

...

"We should probably head back to Ponyville."

"Yeah, sure."

As the pegasi built up speed, Soarin turned to Rainbow.

"Hey, Rainbow. One more thing."

"Yeah?"

"When we're shooting the scene... you'll have to forgive me if I stare." With a wink, Soarin took off at super speed, with Rainbow following as best she could. Upon close examination of her after-image, her blush was still visible.

"Hey, Rarity. Can I ask you a question?"

"Be my guest, my dear." Rarity stood in one of the few free rooms left in the library. Using one of the spare manikins from the prop department, Rarity was practicing using her whip, which, for some odd reason, was real. "Hiyah!"

"Well, it's about Cut."

Rarity paused for a moment and looked at Twilight with understanding smile. "Ah yes. Please, continue." Rarity resumed her whipping. "Kiyah!"

"It's not what you think. It's just that I have difficulty understanding exactly what kind of pony he is."

"Colts will have effect on us. Go on."

"Well, a couple of weeks ago, he told me that he's starting to warm up to Ponyville and we've been pretty cool..."

"But you don't know how he feels."

"Rarity, it's not like that." Rarity stopped whipping and turned back to Twilight with a straight face. "OK... maybe a little. I don't know. It's just-"

"You like the idea you changed him."

"Isn't that a selfish of me?"

Rarity looked stunned by that last question. "Of course not! It's a lady's prerogative to change a colt. Not so much that he's a completely different pony, but enough to know that we can."

"Well... when you put it that way-"

"You think you're on the right track."

"I guess you know me better then I thought."

"I'm a little bit more experienced in this department then you are, my dear. Now, I can't say for certain yet, but if you want to know how Cut feels, I'm going to need to see him interact with you."

"Well, he should be here soon."

"Hey, Twilight!" The two unicorns turned to find Spike in the doorway to the room they were in. "Is it cool if I talk to you for a second?"

Twilight turned back to Rarity. "You go to him, darling. This is probably going to take a while." With that, Rarity returned to her whipping practice.

Twilight followed Spike into the other room. "What's wrong, Spike?"

"I'm just gonna ask it; what can I do to get Rarity to like me?"

"Spike, you know-"

"Look at her Twilight! She looks better then ever. I've had a crush on her since we arrived in Ponyville. Please help me!"

Twilight smiled as she knelt down to his level. "Spike, I'm honored you would ask for my help with something like this, but I love you too much to let you think it would work out between you and Rarity."

...

"What?"

"Well, ignoring the fact that you're a dragon and she's a unicorn, you're still a baby. Rarity is kind of..." The two looked back at Rarity, using her whip in her tight leather outfit. "She's more of a 'full grown colt' kind of gal." Spike lowered his head in disappointment. "I'm so sorry, Spike. But I think you need to be prepared to move onto something more realistic."

Spike looked up at Twilight with a smile. "You're right."

"I know I-"

"I have to do something to make myself an adult in Rarity's eyes!"

"Oh brother..." Spike turned away from Twilight, looking more determined the ever.

"The question is; how do I become an adult?"

"Hmm... stop playing with your doll collection?"

Spike raise a single finger on his claw, not turning back to Twilight. "Don't talk crazy."

"Sparkle! Get dressed!" Twilight turned to find Taste just as she threw the suit bag at her, which she caught with her magic. "Cut just walked in the door, head upstairs, get changed and get back down here, ASAP!"

With a whip of her hair, Taste left the room. Groaning, Twilight headed upstairs.

"Is everypony set?" Final Cut looked on as her crew ponies arranged the last of the lights and cameras.

"Everypony except your girlfriend." Taste was chilling in the green room next to the room that was being used for filming. "Not a single pony here knows the meaning of 'punctual'. Kind of ironic since she's the librarian."

Cut rolled his eyes. "I never thought I'd be the one telling you this, but chillax! You're getting worked up over everything."

"I'm caring about the project. Remember when you used to do that? Before you started mounting the town geek."

Cut leaned in close to Taste. "Firstly, Celestia assigned me this. I may not be digging it 100%, but I'll be damned if anypony tells me that I don't care about what we're doing." He leaned in closer. "And if you ever insult Twilight... or any of my employees, you'll find it'll come to bite you in the haunches."

"I'm ready!" Cut left the green room and entered the set.

"Sparkle, you rea-?"

Cut stopped when he saw her. Twilight, now her Meekly costume, consisting of a button up shirt, red tie and matching glasses smiled at him. "Is everything OK?"

...

"Cut?"

"Yeah... yeah sure."

"I should probably hit the make up chair before we get started."

"Don't."

"Don't?"

"That won't be necessary. You're... you're fine. Let's just get started."

Cut walked off, hoping behind the camera so he could set the shot. Twilight turned to find Rarity smiling at her. "Rar-"

"I don't think I need to see any more."

"Geronimo!" The ponies in the room cleared the path from the window and Soarin and Rainbow Dash crashed through it. Crashing straight into a book shelf.

Soarin was the first to get up, helping Rainbow as he stood. "Sorry everypony. We were racing and we got a little carried away."

Twilight stepped forward. "That's alright Soarin, it's nothing I can't fix a minute."

"Please, allow me." With lightning speed, Soarin rearranged all the books on the shelf, in order no less. "My apologies, again." He examined Sparkle in her costume. "Sorry if I sound forward Miss Sparkle, but you look lovely."

Twilight turned away, blushing and smiling. "Why, thank you."

Rainbow and Cut mumbled under their breaths. Spike and the other girls looked in confusion.

"Well, since everypony is here, I suppose I can make the announcement now." Cut waved all the cast and crew to come in. "Eveypony, come here. I want you all to get packed. In a couple of days, we're going to be heading to Triple C!"

...

"Canterlot Comic Con!"

"Ah!" said the whole cast and crew in unison.

"Don't get excited yet." Cut walked back over to the camera, with all the other ponies returning to their previous positions. "You think it's hard working for me?"

"Yep!" said the whole cast and crew in unison.

"Wait till you meet your fans."

Next: Canterlot Comic Con!

Chapter 9: Canterlot Comic Con

Chapter 9: Canterlot Comic Con

"The things you do for those nerds." Refined Taste looked on at Final Cut at his editing bay. His eyes were bloodshot, he looked like he hadn't eaten since he told the crew they would be going to Triple C. The light from the monitor had drained almost all the moisture from his eyes. Refined couldn't recall the last time he had blinked.

"You know what would help the process, Refined?"

"What?"

"You being a bitch. Could you keep doing that?" Cut didn't even turn to her. He was too far gone into the editing realm. Adjusting audio levels, removing clips in the footage, rending special effects he had to do himself, he was just too busy to pay Taste any real mind. With a scowl, Taste left the editing compartment.

The mane six as well as several members of the crew were traveling in a special train cart, made especially for traveling film makers. The cart was huge, allowing for bunks, a green screen, a writers lounge and the aforementioned editing bay. Taste entered the kitchen compartment, where the mane six where chilling.

"At this rate, Cut's going to work himself to death before we get there. I'll have 'dedicated to' card on standby."

Twilight had a twinge of concern on her face. "What do you mean?"

"Every movie panel has to have something to show. A trailer, a clip, something. These cosplaying losers could make or break our movie. The only way to get them on our good side is to show them we know what the hell we're doing."

Twilight looked through the doorway to Final Cut, looking completely drained. "Maybe we should give him something to eat."

"Well, you're his Mare, Sparkle. You do it." The two Mares glared each other down.

Pinkie stepped forward. "Back off. Who Twilight mounts is her own business!"

Twilight laid a hoof on Pinkie. "Pinkie, it's fine. If anypony needs me, I'll be in the editing bay." Using her magic, she picked up a platter of food, a hot cup of coffee and trotted into the editing bay, making sure not to make eye contact with Taste. She gently closed the door behind her.

"If anypony need me... don't." Refined stormed into her private cabin, slamming the door.

"What got in her britches?" Asked Applejack.

"Maybe she's just stressed," interjected Fluttershy. "I know I wouldn't be able to handle all of this movie convention stuff. I'm proud of them for working so hard." The other ponies stared blankly at Fluttershy. "But... but she doesn't have to be such a meanie about it."

"She's just being a jerk about it. I say we take a trip into her cabin and give a big serving of-"

"Cider, anypony?" Before Rainbow could finish, she turned to see the pony who so rudely interrupter her.

"T... Trixie? What are you doing here?" Trixie was carrying a platter of cider with her magic.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie is simply trying to offer her co-workers some cider. Is that so wrong?"

Rarity stepped forward. "Perhaps. I thought Cut fired you. Why are you on this train?"

"The Great and Powerful Trixie... needs whatever work she can get."

...

"I need the money, OK? Just let me do the best job I can. Now, can I give any of you ladies cider?"

The ponies stood in bemusement. "No thanks. We're good... but thanks," Rainbow said, doing her best to laugh.

"Very well." Trixie turned around and headed into the other compartment, where most of the Colts were staying.

Rainbow started to laugh. "Is it bad that I think that's kind of hilarious?"

"In all honesty... a little." Applejack looked away, not trying to make Rainbow feel too bad. It didn't work.

...

"I'm gonna go hang with Soarin. Cool?"

"Ya, cool." Rainbow trotted into the boys compartment. Leaving the other ponies behind.

"Ah aint liking where this is going."

"What do you mean, dear?"

"Look at what's going on. Ever since this movie started, everypony has been on edge."

Fluttershy raised her hoof. "I do believe I touched on that."

"No. No I mean, everypony is starting to crack. With all the rumors about Twilight circulating, she could go nuts at any second. Rainbow's fling with Soarin is taking time away from us. Rarity is still dressed like a dominatrix-"

"I simply do not wish to start the lengthy process of getting this thing off me."

"- Fluttershy tried putting the smack down on the movie-"

"Sorry about that."

"And.. Ah will admit, that maybe Ah was a bit forward with pushing the farm on Final Cut."

"What about me? Am I on edge?" Pinkie's face lit up with excitment.

"Pinkie, you're always on edge."

"Yahoo!"

"That point is, what happens when one... or two of us, goes off?"

"You looked hungry, so I thought I'd bring you a snack."

Cut rotated his eyes to Twilight, who hand an entire platter with her, complete with a cup of Joe. His eyes returned to the monitor. "You and I must have different definitions of the word 'snack', Sparkle."

"Well, I didn't know what you like to eat, so... yeah." Twilight laid the platter next to Cut.

"You've known me for almost 2 months and you don't know what I like to eat? I'm hurt."

Twilight chuckled as she tried to get a glimpse of what Cut was working on. "So... whatcha' doing?"

Cut used his free hoof to keep Twilight from seeing what was on the screen, still keeping his eyes on the task at hoof. "No. No. No. No. You have to wait like everypony else."

"Come on. Why not?"

"Because that wouldn't be fair to the others."

"Aww, please! Not a even a little-?"

Cut quickly used his free hoof to turn off the monitor entirely. He turned to Sparkle, the first time he had pried himself away from the view of a bright screen for days. "Please. We have our panel tomorrow. I promise it'll be worth the wait." Twilight smiled as she stepped back. Cut turned the monitor back on. "Thanks for the food, Sparky."

...

"Sparky?"

"Sparkler. Sparkle. Whatever. I'm tired."

Twilight giggled as she left the room. Before she shut the door, she looked back the director. "Don't work too hard."

"I never have too."

"And then we broke the sound barrier... again!" Soarin had learned to move past the bragging stage of his powers, but when he was just hanging around with the Colts, he couldn't help but cut loose a little. Rainbow entered the room. "Hey Rainbow, come here. I'm telling the guys about the race we had last night."

The other colts started laughing. "Was it so quick you had to call it a race?" Even Soarin couldn't help but join in laughing.

Rainbow was not amused. "Hey!"

"Got something to say, Rainbow?" Asked one of the crew workers. Rainbow kept her mouth shut.

"Rainbow, come here." Rainbow took a seat next to Soarin, he wrapped his hoof around here. "So, what are you gents going to do when we get to the con?"

"I'm going to the 'Dragonfly' reunion! They've got the whole cast back," one colt proclaimed.

"I'm checking out the autograph booth. Tara Stranger will let you take a picture with her for $50."

Soarin turned to Rainbow. "How about you, Rainbow? You going to check out anything?"

Rainbow roller her eyes. "Pfft! Nah, that nerd stuff isn't really my bag."

"Well... it's not really ours either, but we're still checking it out," another crew member pointed out.

"Well... yeah. But still, it's not something I care enough about."

Soarin looked more then a little disappointed at Rainbow. "You know you really should."

"Since when did you start caring about geeks?"

"Well... we are making this movie for them. And, I admit I've been delving in the field a little bit."

Rainbow raised an eyebrow. "Since when?"

"When you can do anything you want at super-sonic speed... you have a lot of free time on your hooves."

The colts laughed again. "Seriously, dude. You can't just leave yourself wide open like that and not expect us to take the opportunity."

As Soarin rejoined the laughter, Rainbow pushed his hoof away and got up. "I'm hitting the hay. See ya."

Soarin followed her to the door of her cabin. "You feeling alright?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't I?"

"You just seem, less you then you. You've seemed like that for a while."

"Sorry that the rest of us can't have the energy needed to do whatever he wants, whenever he wants!"

...

"That's it. Tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong. I don't know what's up with me."

"We both know that's not true. Just tell me. What's making you this way?"

"Cider, anypony?"

Soarin and Dash found Trixie standing behind them, carrying the same platter of cider that she had before. "No thank you miss Trixie. Could you please give us a moment?"

"Yes sir." Trixie left the two alone.

"Look, I'll give you a chance to rest, but please try to have some fun tomorrow. Geeks aren't less then you. Everypony is equal." He looked at her with a warm smile. "And who knows? You might enjoy yourself."

Rainbow smiled as she shut the door. "Night, Soarin." The door closed.

"Good night."

"Hey, Cut. I made a sandwich and-" Twilight entered the room, carrying the freshly made sandwich on a spare platter, only to find Cut had passed out at the keyboard with drool running down his jaw. The monitor had one thing on it 'Export: 100% complete'. Twilight smiled as she turned off the monitor and pulled a blanket over Cut with her magic.

"Wow. You love him, don't you?" Twilight shot around to find Rarity (still in costume) watching over them.

"I was just making him comf... that was just going to sound worse, wasn't it?"

"Relax darling. I promise this will work out, just wait until he gets a minute to think about something other then the movie. I'm sure you'll be able to talk then." The two looked back at Cut, sleeping like a foal. "You know how I can tell you like him?"

"How?"

"You don't seem to mind the fact that his drool is all over your hoof."

Twilight's eyes shot open as she realized her hoof was drenched in saliva. "Giiiii-"

"It won't matter, darling. You'll get used to it."

"That's the best you can do?" Twilight looked less then impressed at Spike's costume for the con; a purple dragon costume that was only slightly bigger then he was.

"It's not like we had anything else. I'm surprise you didn't show up in your Star Swirl costume." Spike exited the train cart, the other ponies all filing out behind him. Applejack came out in her giant apple costume that she had a few weeks back.

"Let me guess; marketing?"

"A bunch of ponies waiting in lines that go on for hours, they'll be begging for some refreshing apples!"

Pinkie was next to come out, dressed in a giant gum drop costume. "Wow, Pinkie," said Twilight. "That's a great costume. Who exactly are you going as?"

"What costume? I just thought I dress up."

"Now that's something we can agree on." Out came Rarity.

"Rarity, are you sure that wearing your costume around the show floor is a good idea? Won't ponies recognize you?"

"Darling, look at your surroundings." The train station was full of cosplayers and walking advertisements that have arrived just in time for the con. "I'm practically in formal attire. No one will recognize as an actual cast member until after the panel. Speaking of which, when is it?"

"The panel is in three hours! Be there or be fired!" Refined Taste stormed out of the cart. "I've got to go to the ushers and get us sorted."

"What about Cut?" Asked Twilight.

"He'll be awake before long. Just be at hall H before long." With that, Taste trotted off to the convention, carrying a single flash drive. Fluttershy was the last one out of the cart. She was wearing a nice hat that Rarity had made for her.

"OK, girls. I'm ready to- Oh my, are you sure you girls are going to be OK in those costumes. The weather ponies said it would be hot today."

"Ah hooey, how hot could it get?"

"Oh Celestia, it burns!" Applejack struggled to make her way through con, bumping into several sweaty, overdressed nerds. It wasn't helping that the air conditioner wasn't reaching the whole of her body because of her costume. "I hope the other girls are alright."

"Oh my, that's a long line." Fluttershy couldn't help but feel intimidated by the sheer length of the line for the Super-Stallion panel, which looped several times around the central block of the building. "Pinkie, do you think we'll be able- Pinkie?"

Fluttershy was horrified when she saw Pinkie, lying flat on the ground, still in her costume, literally smoking. The sun had been beating down on them the whole 3 hours there were in the line. The sun had turned her pink skin a bright red. "Does anypony else smell bacon?"

Fluttershy turned to the colt in front of her. "Excuse me, sir, but do you know much longer we're going to be in line?"

"HA! Lady, haven't you seen how long this line is? The 100 or so ponies in front of me and in line for next year."

Fluttershy started to quiver. "Oh my- What have I done?"

"What in Celestia's name are these lovely ladies doing in this line?" Fluttershy and Pinkie found Final Cut standing in front of them. "Get out of there. I'll get you in right now."

"Oh Celestia! It's Final Cut," one nerd screamed out. The crowd started to cheer and shout.

"Gentlemen, please. You'll get to see what we have in store soon. Now ladies, please come."

Pinkie slipped out of her suit, making her apperance even funnier when others could see that her torso hadn't been touched by the sun. Final Cut lead them past the screaming geeks. "I usually don't ask this question; but what's got you so happy?" Pinkie couldn't help but be curious in regard to the huge grin on Final Cut's face.

Cut looked back at her with a confident smile. "Because I'm about to make the world stop!"

"Wow... look at them." Rainbow watched from downstairs as the fans took their seats. There had to be easily five thousand.

"Since when do you get stage fright, Rainbow?" Twilight on the other hoof, didn't seem to feel intimidated at all.

"That's when they were watching me preform. They're hear to listen to me... talk."

"Rainbow, you talk big game all the time. I'm sure you'll be fine."

The pegasus looked back out at the crowd with a gulp. Soarin joined her in looking at the audience. "Wow... look at them."

"Not you too, Soarin."

"Well, they're usually watching me preform... not talk."

Twilight laid a reassuring hoof on his shoulder. "I'm sure you're going to be fine. You're the leading stallion for a reason."

Soarin returend a smile. "Thank you Ms Sparkle. I think you may have to hold our hooves out there." When Soarin looked back at Rainbow, he thought for a moment that she saw a golden shimmer in her eye. "You OK, Rainbow?"

"Yeah... yeah I'm fine."

"30 seconds everypony!" Trixie was now running around back stage with a clipboard, frantically searching the area. "Where's Cut? Where's Taste?"

"Calm down. We're here." Taste and Cut reared up on them. Whereas Taste looked drained and boared, Final Cut looked ecstatic. "Let's just get this over with." Taste took to the podium. The audience applauded her arrival.

Twilight turned to Cut. "You look happy."

"I feel happy."

"Before we go on, is it OK if I ask you why you didn't me to see what you were working on?"

Taste looked at her with the most genuine smile he ever had. "Because I want you to see why Celestia chose me for this."

"What's up, losers?" Taste's tired voice made the audience think she was joking. "I guess you want to see some footage or something?" Still going with her, the geeks laughed as she inserted the flash drive into the laptop on the podium.

The house lights dimmed...

The audience smiled...

The projector lit up...

Next: Interlude: Coming Soon...

Interlude: Coming Soon...

Interlude: Coming Soon...

"What am I?" A young colt version of Mild Mannered, floated in the sky, with nothing to keep him company, except miles worth of clouds. In his hooves, he held a cylindrical object with strange, alien symbols all over it. On the top of the cylinder, was the Super-Stallion cutie mark.

Fade out.

"You are going to be amazing." On an planet that seemed to be covered entirely in clouds, an older pony dressed in white, with the Super-Stallion cutie mark on, laid his son into a basket. "You will become Equestria's greatest become of hope."

Fade out.

"You are going to be the greatest son a Father could ask for." The voice over from the elderly pony carried over as a young Mild Mannered pony toiled in the farm for his adoptive earth pony parents. "You will travel far. You will carry the legacy of your people on your back."

Fade out.

"Equestria is full of ponies that wish to be better then they are. For this, I send them you, my only son." The voice over continued as the footage returned to Mild Mannered floating in the field of clouds. The cylinder in his hands lit up, illuminating all the clouds. "Take flight, my little Pon-E."

Fade Out.

"Who am I supposed to be?" Once Mild Mannered's voice over ended, the cylinder stared to spin at an astonishing speed. The clouds around the colt were sucked into the cylinder as it spun around. Eventually, all the clouds in the sky were gone. They objected flew several miles away from Mild Mannered, before exploding with clouds that took the shape of a fortress. Mild Mannered floated in awe.

"You are going to be a hero, my son."

Fade out.

"The greatest there ever was."

Mild Mannered walked through his new fortress. In the center, laid a red and blue body suit.

Fade out.

"I am just like anypony else." A shot from the back, Mild Mannered looked into a mirror, now standing in his new suit.

"Exactly," responded his father.

Fade out.

"You'll make those around you better!"

The studio credits started to roll: Celestial Entertainment. Sweet Apple Acres. HC Comics.

Mild Mannered, now a Stallion, approached the Daily Daylight, now dressed in a suit with huge glasses. He walked up to the pink maned pony at the desk.

"Excuse... me miss. My na- name's Mild Mannered and...

BOOM! Outside, an explosion is set off on top of a nearby building.

"Excuse me ma'am."

Cut to.

Mild Mannered made his way into an alley, ripping of his glasses and shirt, revealing the suit underneath.

Cut to.

"Duck!" One pony cried as a large chunk of the building came falling towards them. As everypony did their best to run away, one filly stayed, looking up at the block as it came towards her. Until it stopped. Super-Stallion had swooped up to catch it.

The ponies around them looked up in shock and awe. Super-Stallion looked around at his onlookers. "Umm... hello?"

Cut to.

Text started to appear on screen:

The Stallion of Steel.

Is Reborn.

"So... he's made his move?" Mistress Mayhem, slinking around in the darkness as she watched the footage of Super-Stallion footage. "Good."

"I've made the decision to come out of hiding and help people." Super-Stallion soared through the streets of Canterlot, people looking up at him in fear. "What have I done to scare them?"

"A pony doesn't have to do anything to earn fear." Now in the farm that Mild Mannered grew up in, his adoptive mother laid a reasurring hoof on him. "A pony does have to earn love." He looked back at her with an unsure look on his face.

"How do I do that?"

"I don't know."

With a somber look on his face, Super-Stallion flew over the skies of Canterlot. Only for a Rainbow maned pony to come crashing into him at top speed, knocking his wits out. He looked up at the rainbow pony, more then a little smitten. "Who are-?"

WHACK! A clean hoof knocked Super-Stallion down to the ground.

"None of your business, freak."

"Mannered!" Angry Chief shouted from his desk, echoing throughout the office. Mild Mannered ran into the room, his cheek still red from the hit. "What the hell happened to you?"

"Umm... bad date?" Mild smiled nervously.

BOOM! The ground shook as Canterlot began to crumble. The only pony not running and screaming, was a white unicorn, dressed in leather.

"Do you know what a pony is?" Mayhem's voice over asked. "I'll tell you what. A pony is an animal. A mindless, corruptible, lying, angry ball of hate."

"But fear not." Super-Stallion was now in a dark lair, chained to a brick wall, with Mistress Mayhem looking down at him with a smile. "I'm here to make it right. I'm here to fix all them."

The footage changed to a montage of Super-Stallion and interacting with various other ponies with his voice over passing by. "It's not about fixing anypony. It's about making then want to do better."

"You can't expect better from them. And we certainly can't expect better from a freak like you!"

Mild Mannered, now standing in the streets as the other ponies run away from the danger in the sky, looked up in determination as he removed his glasses. His voice over played, "I've said it before, I'll say it again. I'm not a freak. I'm just like anypony else."

The footage returned to Super-Stallion in chains. "The only difference between you and me is that I have a sense of fashion."

The music swelled as the action montage began. There were brief glimpses of Super-Stallion preforming amazing feats. He caught carriages in the air. The stopped buildings from falling. As the montage continued, Super-Stallion's Father returned for the voice over. "You will need to be a great Stallion."

...

"A Super-Stallion!"

The screen went black for a moment... before returning to an extreme close up of Mistress Mayhem. "I surrender. But first, you'll have to make it through my friends!"

Out of nowhere, the skies turned to a dark red as an army of dragons flew up from out of nowhere. Looking up at the field of dragons, Super-Stallion took off with amazing speed, ducking and dodging the fire balls being hurled at him.

The screen turned black for a moment, before the Super-Stallion logo took up the entire screen. The title slowly formed underneath.

The Stallion-of-Steel

Coming Soon

Next: Chapter 10: Fan Service!

Chapter 10: Fan Service

Chapter 10: Fan Service

Chapter 10: Fan Service

"So... what'd you think?" Refined's question was met with wild applause and stomping on the ground. The entire venue for the con shook. Backstage, the cast were left speechless with slack jaws. Final Cut on the other hand, was just smiling, prouder then ever.

Twilight slowly turned to him. "Final... that was-"

"Breathtaking? Exhilarating? Exciting? Awesome-sauce? Yeah. I know."

Twilight had seen him smile before, but it was usually the result of him making a wise-plot joke or laughing at another ponies expense. This was the first time he look truly happy, with a lust for life he didn't seem to have before. "You wanted to keep that from me? Why didn't you show me that earlier?"

"It wasn't done... and I wanted you to see me at my best. This is what I love. And I wanted you to see it in it's purist form. This right here, this my soul, wearing red and blue tights."

Rainbow, standing next to Soarin', had tears dropping from her eyes as a smile grew across her face. "That. Was. Awesome!"

Soarin' looked more humble then anything else. "It certainly does look exciting."

Rainbow punched him. "Are you kidding me? That looked like the best thing ever! You... looked great."

"Not as much as you do."

"You barely saw me in the trailer."

Soarin' looked into her eyes and smiled. "I wasn't talking about the trailer."Rainbow and Soarin' looked away and blushed. "Look, Rainbow... I know it's been a while since we went out... it's just with these powers and the movie... it's a lot to manage, you know?"

"Yeah, totally."

"What I'm getting at is... I had a great time... would you like to do more often?"

Rainbow looked into his eyes, smiling. "Soarin'..."

"Save it, you two. We're on!" Cut ran past the pegasi and took the stage, the crowd giving him a standing ovation. He bowed back. "Who's ready for the Stallion of Stell?!" The crowds cheering magnified after the question. "Then let's get started. Introducing the Stallion of the hour; Soarin'!" Soarin' flew up to the stage, taking a seat behind his name plaque. The audience gave him a warm welcome. "And now, for his leading lady... Rainbow Dash!" Rainbow flew up to the stage and hovered over the the crowd and posed for the cameras.

"Thank you! Thank you! It's an honor!" Twilight couldn't help but roll her eyes, letting a small golden glint in her eye shimmer for a brief moment.

"And now, playing Meekly, the lovely, brilliant, Twilight Sparkle!"

"You hear that? 'Lovely'," whispered Rarity in Twilight's ear as the audience started clapping. She took to the stage with a cute little blush, causing some of the more sentimental members of the audience to go 'aww'. She took a seat next to Rainbow, who was sitting next to Soarin'.

"And now, the devilish Mistress Mayhem; Rarity!" Rarity took to the stage with mixed reactions. Some of Colts in the audience couldn't help but hoot and holler at the leather costume she wore to the panel. Others just burst into laughter. Both of which, Rarity welcomed.

"Thank you all! It's a pleasure to be here!"

Refined returned to the podium. "And my name is Refined Taste."

...

"I'm the casting director and I'll be moderating the panel. So, what do you say you raise your hoof if you've got a question?" Taste searched the audience for the first question. "Yeah, you! Nickleback!"

A pony with a long, blonde mane and matching goatee stood up and walked over to the free mic. "Thanks for coming guys. I just wanted to ask Mr Cut, what are you favorite Super-Stallion stories?"

Cut leaned into the mic with a smile. "Well, it all goes back to 'All Star Stallion for me where..."

As cut trailed off into his answer, Rainbow leaned over to Twilight. "Hey Twi, hope you're not getting stage fright."

"Oh, I'm fine. I don't think anypony is paying a lot of attention to me anyway."

"That sounds about right."

"Yeah... wait. What did you say?"

Before Rainbow could answer, the audience applauded the end of Cut's answer. Refined dragged herself back to her mic. "Yeah, yeah. Who's next?" The young ponies in the audience raised their hooves. Taste noticed a young filly sitting in the front row. "Yes, you sweet heart?"

The young filly trotted up to the mic, pulling it down to her level. "Umm... hi."

Cut leaned into his mic. "Hello there."

"I... I have a question for Ms Dash." The audience 'awwed' at her.

"What can I do for you, squirt?"

"I... I heard on the internet, that you and... and Mr Soarin' were boyfriend/girlfriend. Is that true?"

The audience was taken back by the strange question. Soarin' blushed and looked away. Twilight squirmed in her chair. Taste didn't look like she was amused by the question. "I'm sorry young lady, but we're only taking questions about the movie."

While the audience was distracted, Rainbow turned and stared at Soarin', who wasn't looking back. The longer she stared at him, the more her eyes started to flicker back and forth between golden and magenta. "Hey, Soarin'."

"Ye-?"

Before he could finish, Rainbow Dash grabbed Soarin', pulled him and gave him the biggest, loudest kiss she had ever given. The audience gasped and slipped into silence. Twilight, just stared, in confusion and... was that a hint of jealousy rattling in the back of her head. Awkwardly, she turned to Cut, who was sitting two seats down from her. In between them, was Rarity. When Cut realized that Twilight was looking in his direction, he turned away, keeping contact to a minimum. Twilight looked down at her name plaque, saddened and disappointed. Rarity just rolled her eyes.

"Oh dear."

Rainbow eventually released Soarin', who now had a massive grin on his face. Rainbow turned to the young filly in the at the question mic. "We're working on it, kid." The audience irrupted into cheers, giving a standing ovation to the couple. Rainbow soaked up the praise, while Soarin' turned, trying not to let his blush show.

"So..." Refined searched for the right phrase to get them back on track. "Next question?"

"I've got a question; What the buck was that?!"

"Sparkle... chill." Backstage, the Super-Stallion panel participates assembled as the 'Bat-Mare' panel took to the stage. Cut laid a hoof on Twilight's shoulder. "It's fine."

"Yeah, dude," interjected Rainbow. "What's got your haunches up in a bunch?"

Spike, standing by Twilight's side, looking more worried then ever, saw that same golden twinkle in the corner of her eye. "What's got them in a bunch is your publicity stunt back there."

Rainbow wasn't sure what she just heard. Thankfully, Soarin' stepped in front before she could say anything. "Ms Sparkle, I know what happened was a big impromptu and... distracting, but we didn't mean anything negative by it. In fact, I'm not entirely sure why you're so angry."

Sparkle leaned in with scowl. "Celestia gives you all those powers and she forgets to give you common sense?"

Rainbow stepped forward. "Don't talk to him that way!" The other ponies looked away, Fluttershy starting to whimper as she watched her friends fight. "What's gotten into you?"

"Final Cut came all the way out here, bringing us with him, to show all of Equestria something we worked hard on. And what do you do? You kiss your boyfriend so you can steal the spotlight!"

Rainbow chuckled in disbelief. Cut didn't know what to think about this. "You... you really think I'd do that?"

"You've done it before, haven't you?"

Rainbow and Twilight stared each other down. The golden shimmers in their eyes matched each other in movement. They looked like the light that bounced of water in moon light. The two stepped towards each other. "You insecure-"

"Self-absorbed-"

Soarin' grabbed Rainbow while Cut grabbed Twilight, both shouting in unison "Enough!" That didn't stop the two ponies from glaring, although it did shut the up.

Cut turned to the other ponies. "Get back to the train."

"But, Cut-" Refined objected.

"Who am I?"

...

"The di-"

"The director, that's right. So here's a direction, get out of here and head back to the train." Refined swallowed whatever she was about to say and leaded the girls out the door. Pinkie comforted Fluttershy as they left. Rarity looked back over her shoulder, even through her domino mask, you could see nothing but worry for her friends face.

"Perhaps The Great and Powerful Trixie can-"

"Shut the buck up and get her gaudy, Las Pegasus looking plot back to the train? Yes, you can do that." Trixie swallowed whatever she planned on saying and slinked away, shutting the door behind her.

Soarin and Cut released the two girls. "Sparkle, Dash, what the buck is wrong with you two? Since when did you two start acting like school fillies fighting over a doll?"

Twilight and Rainbow stepped back, taking a deep breath as the golden tint in their eyes faded away. "Rainbow... I'm-"

"Out of here." Rainbow flew off into the sky via the skylight above her. Soarin' watched as she took off into the sky.

"Mr Cut, I'm sorry."

"About what?"

Soarin' sighed as he took off. "Everything." He disappeared into the blue sky, his blue coat and main blending into it.

Twilight and Cut stood in silence for a brief moment before Cut opened his mouth. "Sit."

"But-"

"Sit."

Twilight and Cut took a seat on one of the few empty benches, watching several of the costumed ponies walk past.

...

"So, what's up?"

"I don't want to talk about it."

"I'm afraid that doesn't matter." Every time Rainbow thought she had alluded the super pony, she would always find him floating right in front of him. "If you don't talk, it will only get worse."

Rainbow finally came to a halt, looking up at Soarin'. "I... I don't know why I would do that." A couple of small tears started to roll down her face. "I would never treat Twilight like that."

"I know you wouldn't. Which is why it seems strange. You're better than this. You're both better than this. Please Rainbow, if you can't talk to them or me, who else is there?"

"I know I can talk to them. I've known them for years. It's just... I've never felt so-"

"Angry?"

"Yeah. And I have no idea why."

"That's where the talking part comes in." Soarin' leaned in and kissed her. "We should probably get started if we want to catch that train."

"I think we may be late."

"Why?"

Rainbow pointed her hoof behind Soarin'. He turned to find a certain, sunny Princess hovering behind them. Sorry to inturrupt you two, but I'd like borrow Soarin' for the evening."

"Maybe I don't want to talk about it."

"Sparkle, this is the movie business. What we want, doesn't matter. What we need is what matters. And what you need is to start talking."

"Just talking to you is going to fix everything?"

"Well, it's a start. Just think of me as your employer and we're dealing with a simple workplace disagreement."

"Just as employer..."

"Well, that is what I've been for the past couple months." Twilight looked away in disapointment. "Twilight, please tell me how you feel."

"You called me Twilight."

...

"Umm... I-"

"I have no idea why I did that. I just saw them together and taking the stoplight from you and- and it just made me jealous. I've never felt like that."

"And how do you feel now?"

Twilight inhaled and exhaled deeply. "Actually, I feel much better now. I feel calm now."

"See, talking has already gotten it halfway out of you. Maybe I should fork out some money for one of those couches you can lie on and charge you eighty bits an hour."

Despite her emotionally drained state, Twilight couldn't help but chuckle. "Why do you always have something cruel and funny to say?"

"Working in this industry, you have two choices; laugh or scream."

"And...?"

"I chose both."

"When you say borrow-"

"I mean I'd like to have a discussion with him." Celestia flew gracefully in front of the two pegasi, her mane flowing as beautifully as it always does."

Soarin' did the best he could to kneel, which wasn't an easy task for somepony mid-air. "What can I do for you, Princess?"

"Well, I'd like have dinner with you. It's been a while since we last spoke, I'd just like to catch up. Over tea, perhaps?"

"I don't suppose this would take the whole evening?"

"It might. Assuming you don't get board of me," said the Princess with a chuckle.

"Never, your highness." Soarin' turned to Rainbow, kissing her one more time. "Tell the guys to head back to Ponyville, I'm probably going to be here for a while. We'll talk as soon as I get back. I promise."

"Yeah... sure." Rainbow watched as the Princess and her stallion flew off towards the palace.

Celestia leaned in towards Soarin', whispering in his ear. "You do actually drink tea, don't you?"

"Look at that one!" Final Cut leaned into Twilight as he pointed out an overweight mare dressed in a 'Wonder Mare' costume. "Last time I saw a fat Wonder Mare was in an elseworlds comic."

Twilight knew that what he just said was mean and cruel, but that didn't stop her from laughing. Nor did it stop her from laughing at the last few, poorly attempted cosplaying ponies. "Shut up!" Twilight nudged him as they continued trotting towards the exit.

"Nah. It's too much fun."

"Making fun of other ponies is fun?"

"Only when some other pony is there to laugh with you."

Twilight gave him a warm smile as he opened the door for her. "Hey, Final, would you ever consider, sticking around in Ponyville after you're done shooting?"

"Of course, we're gonna have the premier there."

"No, I mean-"

"I know what you mean, Sparkle."

"You... you do?"

"You've been blushing brighter then a strawberry the last few times we've been talking. I can take a hint." Giving her a wink, Twilight blushed even harder.

"Now you're at apple level redness."

"Hehe... yeah... apples..."

...

"Oh, Celestia! Applejack!"

"Please..." Applejack, steaming in her apple costume, laid on the ground, her legs twitching every so often. "Please... somepony... kill me."

"Ah still think death would have been better." Twilight and Final Cut carried Applejack into the train cart, having undressed her back at the convention center.

"Nah, you're little sister would hate me for that." The two ponies laid her down on the bunk she left behind.

"That's all right.... Ah'll hate you instead."

"That's the spirit!" Using his magic, Cut brought over several bottles of water, to A.J's bed side table.

Twilight brushed A.J's mane. "The girls are here for you A.J. You're going to be fine."

"Don't touch me... it burns.,,"

"Oh, sorry."

"Ah think Ah just need a bit of a snooze, you know."

"Of course. Just call us if you need anything."

Cut and Twilight left the room, keeping the door open so the breeze could roll in. "Thank ya kindly..."

The two ponies entered the main cart, where Spike, Refined and the other ponies were waiting. "Hey guys... if Applejack calls for anything, let me know."

The ponies in the room awkwardly looked away as hey hummed 'mmhmm'.

Cut stared at Refined for a brief moment before looking back at Twilight. "Look, I need to take care of something, go talk to your friends, I'll be a while."

"Yeah... sure." Cut escorted Refined into the editing bay.

Twilight looked around at her friends, even her young assistant couldn't make eye contact. "Girls, I'm-"

"We know, dear." Rarity put a hoof around Twilight, the leather costume chafing her. "We're just worried about you."

"I hate seeing you and Rainbow fight. It just doesn't feel right." Fluttershy tried to be strong, but even that couldn't keep her eyes from watering.

Pinkie hopped towards her unicorn friend, but with a more understanding smile then a happy one. "We love you, Twi. And we love Rainbow too. We were just worried that you two were acting like a couple of nutty nut nuts."

Despite Pinkie's limited vocabulary, Twilight knew she wasn't wrong. "Pinkie-"

"He's gonna be late." The girls found Rainbow walking into the cart. "He's meeting with the Princess. Not sure why."

Twilight forced a chuckle. "Hey, I think he's allowed to be late at this point." Rainbow returned the awkward chuckle.

The other ponies left the room. "Umm... we're going to go check on Applejack. You guys need us, we'll been in there." The girls and dragon shut the door behind them.

Twilight and Rainbow had to muster all their power to look at each other. "Rainbow-"

"Twi-" The two stared each other for a brief moment.

"All I wanted to do was make a movie about a Stallion in tights. How did things get so messed up?" Cut wiped away the sweat from his face that he built up from lifting Applejack across Canterlot.

"If I recall correctly, you were given the job. You didn't want to do any of this," pointed our Refined.

"Well, yeah. I guess I just warmed up to the project."

"The project or the ponies?"

...

"I-"

"Save it. What happened to you Cut? You used to be about doing the best job you could and getting out. Now I see you getting all lovey-dovey with that unicorn and you start going soft."

"First, what I do with other ponies has never been any of your business. Second, what do you mean 'soft'?"

Refined checked her surroundings, making sure no other ponies were hear in the room. "There are rumors, in the twittersphere about that little rumble backstage. They're saying that the little love triangle from the movie is bleeding into real life. We're about to get more media attention then ever before."

"You aren't seriously suggesting that they play along with that?"

"I'm suggesting they do their job."

"What?"

"They may not have been actors before, but they are now."

"What does that matter?"

"We both know that Sparkle is yours... but the rest of the Equestria doesn't have to know. This is what actors do; the pretend."

"I don't know what came over me," Twilight and Rainbow said in unison.

"I'm so sorry, Rainbow. It's just, seeing you and him made me feel so-"

"Twilight, it's alright. What do you say we just not talk about it?"

"But... shouldn't we talk about it?"

"Do you really want to?"

...

"I suppose we don't have to."

"Let's just shake hooves and forget about this."

"How about a drink instead?" Trixie's sudden appearance startled the two. "To call it even?"

Even at the worst, Twilight and Rainbow couldn't say no to a fresh cup of cider. "Why not?" Rainbow asked.

Trixie gave each of them a cup. The both smiled and raised them together. "Too friends."

"To friends."

Twilight and Rainbow downed their cider in one long gulp. They couldn't see it, but a golden aura started to trickle down their throats. The corners of Trixie's mouth turned upwards.

"Bottoms up, friends."

Next: The Setup!

Chapter 11: The Setup

Chapter 11: The Setup

Chapter 11: The Setup

"Well, I think that you forgot to take the camera lens off!" Scootaloo's shouting could be heard over ponyville, no doubt annoying all the nearby ponies trying to get some sleep that night.

"Well, ah think we just found out you couldn't render footage 'less it was ya cutie mark!" Applebloom's retort was almost louder.

Sweetie Bell walked along side them, wearing a saddle bag that was clearly designed for a camera. "Umm, girls, I think our first movie is going to going to be 'Escape from Ponyville' if we keep shouting so loud. I think we're waking up other ponies."

"What makes ya say that?" Asked Applebloom.

CRASH! From the distance, a photo frame just barely missed Appleblooms head.

"See! They're so mad, they're throwing junk at us."

Scootaloo turned the frame over to find a picture under the shattered glasses. "Is... is that Rainbow Dash?"

"Yeah... and that's Twilight," added Applebloom.

Sweetie Bell looked up in confusion. "Where did it come from?"

"Umm, Sweetie, I know that we gave up trying to be Cutie Mark Crusader Detectives, but my powers of deduction are telling me that it's coming from there!" Scootaloo pointed at the closest building to the three fillies; Twilight's library. The windows were pulsating purple, even the wood itself was starting to light up. Towards the side, they could see the window that the photo frame flew out.

"Oh... yeah. What's going on in the library?"

"We should film it!" Applebloom was always considered the genius of the Crusaders. "Final Cut would love that!"

"Great idea!" Sweetie pulled the camera out of her saddle bad, carrying it in her mouth. The Crusaders began their approach.

"RUN!" The girls were startled by the voice. "What are you waiting for?!" The shouting pony ran in front of them, it was Final Cut, except there was a loud huge scar stretching across his face with blood running down and dripping off his jaw.

"Final Cut? What are you doing here? And why are you shouting? You're gonna get photo frames thrown at you!"

"Also, why are ya bleeding?"

Cut looked more fearful then ever before. "Did you not hear me?!"

...

"What?"

"RUN!"

"From what?"

KABOOM! The library exploded outwards, blowing pieces of wood and paper outwards as the top of the tree toppled backwards with nothing in the middle to support it. When Cut was blown back, he made it a point to shield the Crusaders from any wood that was blown their way, unfortunatly, that meant his back had the biggest, most painful splinters he had ever had. When the girls and Cut regained their wits, they saw a blue, purple and gold blur fly out of the remains of the tree.

"TEN! SECONDS! FLAT!"

Earlier that day...

"I don't mean to disrespectful, but what the buck are you doing?" Twilight had awoken from her nights sleep on the train to find Final Cut in the main compartment, meditating.

"I am trying to clear my mind and clear my soul of material desire," said the director without opening his eyes.

"Remove the need of material desire?"

"Eeeyup."

"Said the blockbuster movie director sitting in a train cart that no doubt cost hundreds of thousands of bits!"

...

"I never said I was good at this."

Twilight trotted past him. "Want me to make you breakfast?"

"That would be a material desire."

"Have you ridden your mind of desire?"

...

"Scrambled grass with a side of apples and some orange juice." While not opening his eyes, Cut did make a point of smiling. Too bad he didn't see Twilight's smile in return. She entered the food compartment, finding Taste.

"Sparkle."

"Taste."

Twilight went to the fridge, pulling out the ingredients to Cut's breakfast. Taste reared up. "So, how are things with you and the Rainbow Wonder?"

"Fine."

"Sure. Sure."

...

"What do you want?"

"I want you to not date Final Cut."

Twilight turned around in disbelief. "Come again?"

"Look, after you and Rainbow had your little cat fight, the entirety of Equestria's young fillies are paying more attention to this movie then ever. They think you two are fighting over Soarin'."

"Well, that's a shame, because we both know that's not true."

"Who said it had to be true? All I'm saying is if you don't date Final Cut, we can milk this a little more. You and Rainbow won't actually have to fight each other, we get more money at the box office, Final Cut gets more good press and Soarin' is seen as a ladies man. It's a win for everypony."

"Yeah, sounds great... except that sounds absolutely vile. I'd never play along with something like that. Neither would Rainbow or Soarin'. Now, let me make my breakfast in peace please. And try not sell somepony out on your way back to your cabin." There was that golden flicker again, this time it was bigger and brighter.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie agrees." The two ponies turned to Trixie, who had entered the kitchen from the other side.

"R... really?"

"Doesn't matter, Sparkle. You're under contract, and I'll move heaven and Equestria to make this happen."

Twilight leaned into Taste's face. Her golden shimmer starting to scare her. "Good luck...."

Taste, too scared to say anything else, slowly backed out of the kitchen, closing the door behind her. She trotted past the meditating director. "Cut."

"Bitch."

Back in the kitchen, Twilight gave a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness that's over. And.. thanks Trixie. I never thought I'd say that."

"Do not mention it. The Great and Powerful Trixie may not consider you an ally... but she knows horse crap when she sees it."

Twilight smiled. "Thanks."

"I said don't mention it." Trixie walked past Twilight, grinning to herself. "But if Trixie says so herself; you are definitely prettier then Rainbow Crash." Trixie shut the door behind her, leaving Twilight in pause for a minute. Her eyes were a solid gold but eventually returned to their normal color. Twilight assembled the breakfast and rejoined Cut. He kept his eyes closed through his meditation.

"Did you that Taste want-"

"You and Rainbow to fight over Soarin'? Yeah. She told me herself last night."

"Then why didn't you come and tell me?"

"I wanted you to have the honor of telling her to stick it up her plot yourself."

"Well... thanks. Hehe."

"See, I am a generous pony. This meditation is working after all."

"Yeah... about yesturday-"

"You want to go out on a date?"

...

"Well-"

"Sure."

...

"What?"

"Come to my trailer tonight, I'll take you out to the restaurant district in Ponyville. You'll have to show me where it is, but I'll be able to take it from here."

Twilight was stunned how casual he was. Needless to say, she wasn't exactly the most experienced pony when it came to this... subject matter. "Wow, that's very... welcoming? I don't know."

"You're welcome." He smiled as he continued to meditate.

...

"So... how's the meditation going? Gotten rid of those pesky desires yet?"

"That depends..."

"On what?"

Cut's eyes opened with a cheeky grin. "What kind of desires are we talking about, Sparkle?"

"I'm talking about being left alone!" Rainbow pouted in her bunk as Rarity and Fluttershy looked on.

"Look, darling. We know that you don't want to talk, unfortunately, this isn't about what you want. Applejack made a point to us the other day; she said that this film is putting a lot of stress on us. If we don't talk, things are just going get out of hoof at some point. I'm sure if Applejack were capable of higher brain function at the moment, she would come and tell you that herself." Applejack was still dazed from her heat stroke yesterday. Pinkie was still in her bunk, recovering from her sun burn.

"Rainbow, we're worried about you and Twilight." Fluttershy walked up to Rainbow in her bunk. "Please, we hate to see you like this."

"If you're worried about both of us, why don't you get started on her?" Rainbow hopped out of bed and left the cabin, closing the door behind her. Once she shut the door, she sighed and banged her head against the window.

"What's wrong with me?"

"Nothing."

"What do you want Trixie?"

Trixie approached with caution. "The Great and Powerful Trixie simply wants to see you succeed in your conquests. All of them."

"Yeah, right. Buzz off."

"Before Trixie leaves, let her show you something." Trixie levitated a smart phone in front of Rainbow, the twitter app was open. All of the tweets where about nothing but 'Super-Wings' and 'Super-Meekly'. "The whole world knows that Sparkle is after your Colt. And Trixie believes that your smart enough to see that too. That's all. Have a great day." Trixie left Rainbow alone with her thoughts... and golden eyes. She shook her head, returning them to her normal color.

"Have a great day, everypony! We hope you enjoyed your trip on the Friendship Express!" The movie ponies slowly hopped of the train. All of the having trouble looking at each other. Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow Dash found the Crusaders waiting for them on a nearby bunch.

"They're back," shouted Scootaloo. The three mares opened their hooves, ready to welcome their youngers... only for them to run past them, straight into the hooves of Final Cut.

"Hey girls! Thanks for meeting me here." The three mares stood in shock and confusion. "Oh, right! I forgot to tell you girls, I promised to take the crusaders for the day to give them a private film school lesson."

"Can we stay? Please?" The Crusaders had the cutest smiles in all of Ponyville and this time is was no exception.

"Whatever. I'm not the one who has to worry if you're gone." Rainbow tossed her angry head as she took off into the sky, leaving Scootaloo hurt.

"Just... just promise me you'll make it back to the boutique by eight."

"Sure... and Rarity?"

"Yes?"

"Why are you still wearing the same outfit."

Rarity looked down at herself, having forgotten she still had the silly suit on. "I should probably get around to removing this. I'll see you at home Sweetie." Rarity blew her a kiss and left the station.

"Come on, Sis!"

"You a... demon lemon... and dragon..." Applejack's heat stroke was still having a negative effect on her brain.

Fluttershy and Pinkie caught her just before she collapsed. "We'll take her home for you. You have a great time girls!" Fluttershy waved as she and Pinkie carried A.J. out of the station. Twilight looked back at Cut before leaving.

"See you tonight?"

"Definitely!"

"Oooh" The Crusaders started skipping around the two ponies. "Twilight and Final, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G!"

Twilight rolled her eyes, blushed and left. Spike following her. As the two left, they passed Trixie. "Hey Trixie... you have a good day."

Trixie watched them walk off into the distance, allowing a massive grin to grow across her face. "It'll be the best."

Cut put his hooves around the girls. "Now, who's ready for a real film course?"

"Excuse me, Final?"

"Yes, Scoot?"

"What's a real film course?"

"One where your money will actually go to good use."

"But we're not paying you."

Cut winked at them as they left the station.

"Spike, I need to see your website." Twilight poked Spike on the shoulder as he edited posts on the blog.

"Why?"

"I need to see what ponies are saying after the panel."

Spike started to sweat. "Oh, I wouldn't worry about that... just a bunch of cool stuff about the trailer. People are really excited about it."

Twilight turned Spike around so they were eye to eye. "Spike, we both know that's a lie."

"But you said they would be talking about the... Twi? What's up with your eyes?"

Without warning, Twilight shoved Spike out of the way, examining his monitor. Her suspicions had been correct. Every single post was something about her and Rainbow fighting over Soarin'. "I knew it! Everypony is hung up on this! I am not in love with Soarin'!"

"Then why does it bother you so much? Also; ow!" Twilight steamed at the screen, her eyes flickering back and forth between their usual color and gold. "Hey, Twi... what's wrong with you? You seem... I don't know, out of it.... Twi?"

"No, I'm not out of it at all, Princess. I had a great time last night." Soarin' and Celestia strolled down the palace corridors, letting the sun light warm them as it beamed through the stain glass windows.

"I'm so glad to hear that. I haven't talked so much since I was in high school."

"You went to high school?"

"Well... no, but I did talk a lot at that age. Most fillies did."

The two chuckled as they continued down the hall. "Princess, thank you again. I had a great time, but I should probably head back to Ponyville."

"I agree, but before you do, I want to show you something."

Celestia brought them to the end of the corridor, the sun was shinning directly through a new window; one of Soarin' as Super-Stallion.

"Princess-"

"What do you think? I thought I'd put it to... commemorate the trailer."

Soarin' looked at Celestia with a cheeky smile. "Princess... you didn't watch the bootleg version of the trailer, did you?"

Celestia looked around nervously. "... Maybe."

The two started to laugh in the light of the new window. "Thank you, Princess. This is a true honor."

"In that case, I don't suppose I could persuade you to star another few hours while we have some pictures taken? Maybe a few interviews?"

Soarin' smirked. "You're beginning to sound like one of my fan girls."

"... Maybe."

"Maybe we could make one of those 'triple X' movies! I don't know what the X's mean, but they make it sound intense!"

"Maybe you could shut up and listen to your teacher." Cut's words settled the crusaders as they took seats in front of Cut, inside his trailer. "Now, the first thing you need to understand is the first thing you need to understand about movies is that the single most important component is the story. If you don't have a good story, the whole thing fall apart."

Applebloom raise her hoof. "I thought it was all those pretty explosions! Like the one in your trailer!"

"Applebloom... you didn't watch the bootleg trailer online, did you?"

"... Maybe."

"Well, yes. Effects are important... sometimes. But the story is the key. Now, every story is broken into a three acts."

Sweetie Bell raise her hoof. "Why do you need three axes? Wouldn't be one enough?"

"He said 'acts', you dummy!"

"Don't call me a dummy, dodo!"

"Acts are the parts of a movie. Act one is where you set up the characters, the conflict and give the audience hints at what's coming. The best kind of hints are the ones that you put straight under their noses and yet, they still don't know they're hints."

"What happen's in act 2?" Asked Applebloom.

Cut looked around the room. "Do... do you guys mind if I swear?"

"Umm... I don't see the harm." The crusaders did everything they could to contain their excitement that a grown up was going to talk like a grown up around them.

"Act 2... that's when the horse $%@* hits the fan."

"Don't talk like that, Twilight!"

"But it's true!" Twilight's shouting bounced off the walls of the library. "Rainbow has seen these and she was dumb enough to think that I would actually want Soarin'! Why didn't I see this coming?"

"Twilight, you do understand how stupid that sounds, right? Also, what's up with your eyes? They keep chan-"

"She's going to do something rash. Something stupid... she always does."

Spike ran up to his surrogate mother, looking into her ever changing eyes. "Please, Twi. Calm down. I know you don't act or talk like this... please... stop." Twilight shoved the little dragon aside and headed for the door. "Where are you going?"

"For a walk... and then, I'm going to speak to the director."

"All right girls, I think you're ready to be directors now!"

The Crusaders jumped and high-hoofed in the air, warmed by the sunset. "CUTIE MARK CRUSADER FILM MAKERS GO!"

"Now remember, the job is to tell a great story. Explosions mean nothing. Promise you'll remember."

"We promise!"

Cut leaned down to the girls, giving them one last hug. "But a couple of explosions never hurt anyone." He gave them a wink as they hopped on Scootaloo's scooter and rode off into the sunset.

"Maybe we should have put a few explosions on the window."

Celestia giggled at Soarin's lame joke as the press took photos of them standing in front of the Super-Stallion window.

"Hehe. I'll have to have a talk with my designers."

"Girls, we need to have a talk." Rarity (still in costume) had assembled a dazed Applejack, Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie in the boutique. "We have to take matters into our own hooves. Twilight and Rainbow are going at each other like never before. And that doesn't make sense."

"In what way?" asked Fluttershy.

"We're the Wielders of Harmony. We're the best friends in all of Equestria. And all of a sudden, one stallion comes in and they're fighting? Does that sound like it makes any kind of sense?"

"Hmmm...," thought Pinkie. "That does seem a little sussy.

"What are ya proposin' we do?" Applejack had a little trouble standing up straight.

"I'm proposing we have a talk with a certain pony. I couldn't help but notice that there was one pony always around when things got tense between those two."

"Refined?" asked Fluttershy.

"No. Call it a unicorn's intuition, but I think we need to have a word with The Great and Powerful Trixie."

"You wanted to speak with The Great and Powerful Trixie, sir?" Trixie was standing outside of Cut's trailer, with him at the door.

"Yeah, I'd like you to make a list of all the best restaurants in Ponyville. I... have a date tonight."

"Trixie sees. She will do this... however, I wouldn't get too attached to your plans." Trixie began to trot off.

"Why do you say that?"

"Plans tend to change."

"Change of plans, everypony! Let's head into the main foyer. I want to have a feast!" Celestia lead the press and Soarin' to the main foyer where a buffet was set up. Caught up in the excitement of the conference, nopony noticed strange, green crystals attached to the support pillars of a giant statue of Celestia and her sister, Luna. "I hope you're all hungry, we may be here a while."

"Have a seat Trixie, we're going to be here a while." Staring Trixie down in her cabin on the other side of the studio lot, was the four members of the mane six. Trixie smirked.

"Come in and pull up a chair."

"I think we're comfortable standing up."

"No. Once Trixie finishes explaining herself... you will need to sit down."

"Wow... you look... angry. Why don't you have a seat?" On the opposite side of the studio lot, Twilight stormed into Cut's trailer.

"I'm fine, thank you. I need to talk to you about Rainbow."

"... What about her?"

"Do you see her as the jeleous type?"

...

"What?"

"I realize now that she's insanely jealous. She has Soarin', she has the leading mare role and yet, she still jealous of me. Guess I shouldn't be surprise."

"Sparkle...?"

"What?"

"What in the seven levels of Tartarous are you talking about?!"

"I'm talking about the mind of The Great and Powerful Trixie, of course!" Trixie was now sitting on a chair in her trailer, with the four mares staring her down. "You see, Trixie didn't join the crew of the film until she heard you simpletons were involved. Then I knew there was a chance for what I deserve."

"And what do ya think you deserve, exactly?" asked Applejack.

"Revenge."

"Revenge? You think Rainbow is looking for revenge on you?"

"What other explanation is there?"

"Any other!" Cut stepped towards her. "Sparkle, something is effecting you. I don't know what's gotten into you, but you're acting insane."

Her eyes turned into a solid gold. "Are you doubting me?!"

"I'm doubting you're in the right frame of mind." He laid a hoof on her shoulder for her horn to light up in his face.

"Step... back..."

"You need to calm down." He put the other hoof around her.

"I SAID BACK OFF!" Twilight swiped her horn at the director, sending him back into the wall with a blast of magical energy. The attack scared him across the face and knocked him out cold. Twilight's eyes returned to there normal color. Seeing the director on the floor, she ran out the trailer an headed away from the studio lot.

"Trixie knew that after her first experiment was a failure, she had to back off and re-examine."

Pinkie raise a hoof. "What experiment, Ms Fany Cloak?"

"In my travels, I learned a new spell. There are many names for it, but to sum it up, it's job is to take a pony's negative emotions and enhance them, making them an animal. Taking the smallest bit of anger and jealousy and magnifying it. All it takes, is a little push."

"I swear, Rainbow has pushed me too far this time!" Twilight ran up to the front door of the library, busting in. "Spike! Get my- You."

"Hey, egghead." Rainbow was sitting with Spike. "We need to talk."

"Slow down and talk in English!" Proclaimed Pinkie!

"Hmm. Trixie should have known that you would need help understanding. Trixie used a charm on herself that caused anypony Trixie interacted with or stood near would have their negative emotions charged as long as Trixie concentrated. However, Trixie discovered that the spell only worked when she was around the ponies in question. So, Trixie realized, all she needed was a more effective method of delivery.

Fluttershy took to the air. "We'll stop you before you have a chance to hurt them! You big bully!"

"HA! Do you take The Great and Powerful Trixie for a cartoon super villain?" Trixie thought back to her serving the two mares the cider on the train. "She has done it already!"

"You've already done your worst, Rainbow. Leave my house." Twilight and Rainbow began to circle each other as the nigh sky cover Ponyville.

"Done my worst? You're the one who's trying to make everything about her!"

"Hello Pot! I'm kettle!"

...

"What?"

"You're the biggest attention seeking, glory hound I've ever met. You have nothing! And now that you have Soarin', you feel the need to rub it in my face and show it off to all of Equestria!"

"Oh listen to you on your high horse! You've been eye banging Soarin' ever since he got his powers! You always had to be the golden girl! The student to Celestia! The leader of the wielders of the elements! It always has to be you! Rainbow's eyes were getting closer and closer to becoming a full gold.

The two mares's eyes flickered back and forth to the gold color they had before. Spike ran between them. "Guys! Please! Listen to yourselves! You're not making any sense! Somethings wrong with you!"

"Back of you little freak!" Rainbow smacked Spike into the nearby bookcase.

"You've had this coming for way too long, Rainbow..."

"That's it! You've had this comin' for way too long!" Despite her state, Applejack knew she could buck the hay out of Trixie.

"What does it matter? It's done. Nopony can stop it now. And you know what the best part of all this has been?"

"You explaining your plan to us like an idiot?"

"That... and the fact that in the end, Trixie didn't have to start anything. They had those feeling inside them the whole time. But no! You wielders of harmony just had to be so perfect and prim and proper, you'd never let things like jealous and pride take over. I just had to help them along. In the end, the best chaos, is not the chaos that you cause, but the chaos that you watch unravel in front of you."

"I will unravel you if you try anything, you egghead."

"What does that even mean?"

"You want to find out?!"

The two stared each other down, Twilight knew that no matter how angry she was, she was no match for Rainbow in a fight. She lowered her head, letting Rainbow float past her.

"Heh. Ugly loser."

Twilight's eye's turned a solid gold, hardening into what looked like a golden nugget.

"Well, I think that you forgot to take the camera lens off!" Scootaloo's shouting could be heard over ponyville, no doubt annoying all the nearby ponies trying to get some sleep that night.

"Well, ah think we just found out you couldn't render footage 'less it was ya cutie mark!" Applebloom's retort was almost louder.

Sweetie Bell walked along side them, wearing a saddle bag that was clearly designed for a camera. "Umm, girls, I think our first movie is going to going to be 'Escape from Ponyville' if we keep shouting so loud. I think we're waking up other ponies."

"What makes ya say that?" Asked Applebloom.

CRASH! From the distance, a photo frame just barely missed Appleblooms head.

"See! They're so mad, they're throwing junk at us."

Scootaloo turned the frame over to find a picture under the shattered glasses. "Is... is that Rainbow Dash?"

"Yeah... and that's Twilight," added Applebloom.

Sweetie Bell looked up in confusion. "Where did it come from?"

"Umm, Sweetie, I know that we gave up trying to be Cutie Mark Crusader Detectives, but my powers of deduction are telling me that it's coming from there!" Scootaloo pointed at the closest building to the three fillies; Twilight's library. The windows were pulsating purple, even the wood itself was starting to light up. Towards the side, they could see the window that the photo frame flew out.

"Oh... yeah. What's going on in the library?"

"We should film it!" Applebloom was always considered the genius of the Crusaders. "Final Cut would love that!"

"Great idea!" Sweetie pulled the camera out of her saddle bad, carrying it in her mouth. The Crusaders began their approach.

"RUN!" The girls were startled by the voice. "What are you waiting for?!" The shouting pony ran in front of them, it was Final Cut, except there was a loud huge scar stretching across his face with blood running down and dripping off his jaw.

"Final Cut? What are you doing here? And why are you shouting? You're gonna get photo frames thrown at you!"

"Also, why are ya bleeding?"

Cut looked more fearful then ever before. "Did you not hear me?!"

...

"What?"

"RUN!"

"From what?"

KABOOM! The library exploded outwards, blowing pieces of wood and paper outwards as the top of the tree toppled backwards with nothing in the middle to support it. When Cut was blown back, he made it a point to shield the Crusaders from any wood that was blown their way, unfortunatly, that meant his back had the biggest, most painful splinters he had ever had. When the girls and Cut regained their wits, they saw a blue, purple and gold blur fly out of the remains of the tree.

"TEN! SECONDS! FLAT!"

Next: The Punchline!

Chapter 12: The Punchline

Chapter 12: The Punchline

Chapter 12: The Punchline

Dear Princess Celstia,

I'm writing this letter to you in shame.

I've failed as a servant.

I've failed as a leader.

I've failed as a friend.

"Let me at her! Let me at her!" Fluttershy struggled to hold back Pinkie as she threw her hooves towards Trixie, who was sitting in front of them, smiling.

"Go ahead Ms Pinkie 'Element of Laughter' Pie. Wipe this smile of The Great and Powerful Trixie's face." Remembering that violence wasn't exactly her thing, Pinkie lowered her hooves. Fluttershy releasing her. "Honestly, if Trixie knew that it would have been this easy to tear you morons apart, she would have done it sooner."

Applejack stepped forward so that she and Trixie were mere inches away from each other. Trixie still did not grant her the courtesy of standing up. "Even if we can't save 'em. Soarin' will have no problem handlin' this."

Trixie didn't bat an eye. "Do you honestly believe The Great and Powerful Trixie would forget about that detail?"

"Mares and gentlecolts, I'd like to propose a toast." Celestia levitate a glass of champagne front of the members of the press that had joined them for the conference. "To Soarin' and to the Stallion of Steel!"

The guests all raised their glasses and took their sips. Soarin' turned to Celestia with great humility. "Your highness-"

"Celestia is fine."

...

"Celestia, I really should-"

KABOOM! The crystals that had been planted around the base of the Celestia/Luna statue suddenly exploded, causing the statue to topple.

"Soarin' that's your cue!" With that, Soarin' flew as fast as he could to the statue, catching and holding it over his head. The audience applauded wildly while the press took the opportunity to take the iconic photo first.

"Well done, Soarin'! You truly are a credit to the name of-"

"HMMMPH!" Soarin' started to grunt in pain, his muscles straining as sweat ran down his body. He couldn't even remember the last time he had to sweat.

"Sorain'? What's wrong?"

"This statue... grr... it's... too... heavy!"

The statue slid off Soarin's hooves, landing on the ground beneath him, cracking the floor as well as shattering the statue. Soarin' crashed to the ground, grunting in pain. Celestia ran to his aid. "Soarin'? What happened?"

"I think... your gift just expired."

I found the gift of friends. I found ponies to care about and take care of.

And I failed. I let them down.

No matter how hard I tried.

"All those powers and Celestia failed to give him common sense." Trixie's grin was no less irritating then it was moments ago. "Between the movie and showing off to Rainbow Crash, he really should have been watching his fuel gauge."

Rarity stood tall. "It doesn't matter! We'll be here to save our friends. And we'll handel you when we're done."

"Sounds excellent... Except the part about you stopping your friends."

"Hows so?"

THUMPBOOM! The girls turned towards out the window of Trixie's trailer to see a bright blue, purple and golden comet land on the opposite side of the studio lot. "Look at that. Right on time."

"Come at me, sis!" Rainbow hovered over Twilight, spreading her hooves wide apart.

"If you insist!" Twilight teleported to Rainbow's level in the sky, blasting her in the face with a bolt of magical enegery, sending her flying into a cardboard building that had been built for the city set. "By the way, meme jokes are the lowest form of humor."

Rainbow, still lying in the debris, rubbed her head, smiling the whole time. "You never could take a joke, could you?"

Rainbow looked up to see Twilight, mid air, with her right hoof wound back for the punch. "But I can deliver a punchline!"

"We have to get there now!" Rarity led the girls out of Trixie's trailer, looking around for the quickest route around the set. "We'll need to take the long way around. Onward, ladies!"

Applejack stared at the back of a set wall that was near the trailer. "That won't be necessary, sugar cube."

"How so?"

At top speed, Applejack plowed through the set wall, head first, plowing through the other props and set ups. The girls followed in amazement and confusion. "Ah've got a shortcut."

"Celestia... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to waste your gift." Celestia helped him to his feet.

"You did no such thing. I'm sorry I couldn't make it last longer. And that I could do it twice."

Suddenly, a group of guards charged into the room, heading straight for the Princess. "Your highness! There's a situation in Ponyville!"

Soarin' and Celestia's eyes shot open in horror. "What do you mean a 'situation'?" asked the Princess.

"Reports have come in that two of your element wielders are destroying the town, fighting each other. They say it's Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash."

Soarin' looked through the Super-Stallion glass, where Ponyville was visible in the far distance. Celestia turned back to her gaurds. "We have to leave now. Assemble to men."

Soarin' turned back to Celestia, reeking of desperation. "We don't need an army. We just need to get their as fast as we can!"

"Soarin' without your powers, this is as fast as we can go. I'm sorry."

Soarin' looked back out the stain glass window, being able to barely make out the energy emanating from it. "Buck it." Soarin' charged for the window.

"Soarin'! You won't make it in-"

"Then stop me!" Soarin' shattered the window as he flew it, heading to Ponyville as fast as he could.

No matter how fast I ran. No matter how hard I thought. I couldn't keep them safe.

It was my duty to keep them happy. I was their leader and I let them down.

Friendship is a wonderful thing. But nothing is more hurtful when you realize that you've let your friends down.

"You could never take a punch, either," said Rainbow as she hovered over Twilight, having just socked her in the jaw. The unicorn found her way to her feet.

"That was just a warm up. Let's go!"

"You two do hear yourselves right now, right?" The two golden eyed ponies found their friends, bursting through the last of the set walls. "I think we all just need to calm down and talk. Tea anypony?" suggest Rarity.

"Sure, just let me pumple this nerd into dust!" The saner members of the mane six stood dumbfounded by the sloppy quip. Normally Rainbow was known for her trash talking.

"Oh shut up!" Twilight magically generated purple chains that generated out of thin air, wrapping around Rainbow. Her wings, however, were able to escape the snare of the chains.

"Chains? Heh... you're funny, egghead."

BOOM! With a single flap of her wings, Rainbow took off at an astonishing speed. Shattering the chains, sending them back into the ether. "What? When could she reach that speed so quickly?"

Fluttershy approached Twilight. "Umm, I... I think it's because she's angry..."

Twilight stared down Fluttershy, her eyes and even darker shade of gold. "So am I!"

Fluttershy withdrew. "I can see..."

"Hey ladies, I don't mean to interrupt, but... RAINBOW MISSILE AT 12 O'CLOCK!" Pinkie's warning drew attention to Rainbow, who was flying straight at the mares. Twilight quickly formed a bubble around her and the girl. When Rainbow collided with the bubble, she sent it and the mares inside crashing out of the studio lot and into the streets of Ponyville.

"You know that club house of yours?" asked Final Cut to the Crusaders, he was standing over.

"Umm... yeah?" Scootaloo was fearing for Final Cut, who was in obvious pain.

"You run there as fast as you can. Stay there, get Big Mac and wait until we give you the all clear."

"Why?"

"Because Ponyville is the worst possible place you can be right now. Get out of here." Final Cut ran off towards the lights and loud sounds, leaving the Crusaders standing in front of the broken tree.

Applebloom turned to her friends. "Yall saw Twilight and Rainbow Dash going at it. You know what that means..."

"Yeah... CUTIE MARK SUPERHEROES!"

I was supposed to protect the little ones.

I failed.

"And there goes the spa! This has gone too far!" Rarity was not pleased that Rainbow's latest attack had knocked the bubble, with all of them in it, straight through the down spa, bringing the roof down.

"WEE! Pinkie didn't seem to mind, enjoying her ride in the purple bubble, even if it was being used for a fight between her two closest friends.

CRASH!

"And there goes half of Sugar Cube Corner," Rarity added.

"Aww."

Twilight, doing her best to keep the bubble from cracking, turned to Applejack. "A.J. I need you to get out there and stop her."

"Me? You do see her, right?"

Twilight shot around, eyes pulsating. "That wasn't a request!"

Knowing the only way to get her friends back to normal would be to stop them, A.J. looked around for anything that could be used to help. After Rainbow's next attack knocked them to a construction site, A.J. spotted a free length of rope. "Fine. Let me off here." Twilight opened a gap in the bubble for A.J. to slip out. She ran to the rope, tied a lasso and using her world renowned rope skills, she was able to get the rope around Rainbow, trapping her wings. "Let me give yall some breathin' room." A.J. pulled the rope as hard as she could, sending Rainbow into a spin, disorienting her. With all her might, A.J. ran up to the spinning pegasus and bucked her into the construction site, sending her through some beams that had yet to be used.

The bubble came to a stop. Twilight degenerated the bubble, freeing her friends. She was nearly drained after using the shield for so long. Fluttershy ran up to Applejack. 'Applejack! Don't you think that was a bit too hard?"

"Sugar cube..." Rainbow flew out of the debris, now looking straight at her. "Ah don't think Ah kicked hard enough."

"You want to dance, country girl? Let's dance."

It is our responsibility as decent ponies to protect our friends.

But when I arrived, I realized that I was too late to save them.

I used 'breathing room' as an excuse in my head to not deal with their problems at first.

And by the time I stepped in, the damage was done, with only more to come.

"Coming through!" The panicking ponies ducked as Soarin' flew past them, straight to Final Cut, who was running through the streets. "Final!"

Cut couldn't believe what he saw. "Soarin'? What happened?"

"I lost my powers and apparently Twilight and Rainbow are brawling in the streets."

...

"Yep, that sounds about right."

"I'll help the girls soon, but right now I need to go talk to the mare who did this to them."

"You... you know who did this?" Talking hurt. The blast from the tree had taken too much out of Cut. It was hard enough standing up straight.

"I can't say for certain, but I can't help but think Trixie had something to do with it."

...

"Yep, that sounds about right."

"I'm tired and my wings are soar-"

"Aww, poor you, I just took an exploding tree to the back!"

...

"- but I can still make it to Trixie faster then you. Leave her to me for now."

"What should I do?"

"You should be brave." Soarin' pointed towards the families of ponies cowering in the street. Looking on in fear at the lights in the distance. Flinching at the sound of explosions and building crumbling. "You need to keep them safe. Get them somewhere safe. Tell them they're going to be alright."

"I... I can't. I'm too weak."

"No, you're not. You're a director. Direct them. Lead them."

Cut swallowed his fear as he looked back up at Soarin'. "Okay. Don't be late again."

Soarin' smiled at Cut before taking off. "Who? Me? Never."

There was a threat that I failed to stop.

It was threatening their friendship from the very start and I ignored it.

"Nice lights." Trixie watched out the window of her trailer as she saw the battle slowly break the structures around Ponyville.

CRASH! Trixie flinched as Soarin' punched through the window. Trixie regained her wits and grinned up at Soarin'. "Ms Trixie, would you care to step outside?"

"The Great and Powerful Trixie is quite comfterble right were she is."

"Very well." Soarin' touched down in the trailer. "I'm going to give you a chance to save yourself. Tell me what you did."

"All Trixie did was put a magnifying glass over what was already there. It isn't her fault if the element wielders are less then they claim to be."

"What are you talking about? They've never said they were better then anypony."

"Yes they have! They say it every time they save Equestria. Every time they help out another pony in need. Every time I see them look into one of Cut's cameras and smile. Every day, one way or another, they say they're better than the rest of us."

"Trixie-"

"Trixie used a charming spell to enhance their negative emotions. It fed on their true natures; as self-absorbed, self-rightious, envious back stabbers. If only you still had your super hearing. You'd be able to hear them shouting bad comic book dialogue at each other as they pound each other into a pulp, over a little rumor that a couple of worthless nerds on the internet said."

"Trixie, you clearly aren't well. Please, let me help you."

"Trixie does not need help. Look! Everything Trixie could want is happening. Those over-glorified simpletons are finally exposed to Ponyville and the rest of Equestria for what they truly are; flawed, angry little fillies."

"But you know that they wouldn't be doing this if you hadn't gotten involved."

"Yes, but only because they've learned to hide their true feelings from the world."

"What they've learned is how to ignore what makes them angry ponies and learned to embrace what makes them strong, caring friends. They're not better then anyone Trixie. They're just trying to be the best ponies they could be. And I plan on making sure things are back to being that way."

"How so?"

"First, you're going to tell me how to fix it."

"Certainly. Get them to talk."

...

"What?"

"It feeds on their negative emotions, get them to talk it out. Although..."

CRASH! Looking out the window, Trixie and Soarin' saw Rainbow Dash throw Twilight through the roof of town hall. "I don't foresee it being an easy task."

"Trixie, please. You can help me."

"She knows, but she won't."

"Trixie, you are better than this. You can be a great force for good. But I need you to make the effort. Don't take the hateful way out."

"But where's the fun in that?"

Soarin' began to understand that he couldn't save everypony, some ponies needed help from ponies better then he was. "I can't let you get away with this." Soarin' wound his hoof back...

"We both know you would never hit a lady. Would you, Super-Stallion?"

Soarin' closed his eyes and lowered his hoof. "You're right." Soarin' turned towards the door... and bucked Trixie into the trailer wall, knocking her out cold. "Too bad you don't act like one."

"Everypony, please stop!" Fluttershy ran into the town hall. The inside of hit had been torn apart from Twilight and Rainbow's fight. As the two ponies stared down each other, the yellow pegasus flew between them."Please. You're scaring everypony in town. They're afraid of you. And so are we." The other mane six members ran into the hall. Fluttershy began to cry. "Please... stop. For them. For me, stop!" Fluttershy had to be brave in many-a-situation, but this was different.

Rainbow looked deep into Fluttershy's watering eyes. For a brief moment, her eyes returned to their natrual magenta. "Flutter-"

ZAPP! Twilight blasted Rainbow, sending her flying away. "Thanks for the distra- what are you doing?"

Using the whip component of her whip, Rarity rapped the length of the whip around Twilight's horn, pulling it towards her. "Sorry darling, but that gold looks tacky on you anyway. We're going to do whatever we have to do to get you and Rainbow back to normal."

Twilight pulled on the whip, throwing Rarity into a desk. "You couldn't go two seconds without a fashion joke, could you?" Twilight slowly approached Rarity. "You have to be the most vapid, insecure little-"

"STOP!" Twilight turned at the sound of Fluttershy's shout. "I used to sound like that. I tried to be assertive and I ended up yelling at everypony. I said horrible things like you are right now. Please stop, Twilight. My friends saved me from going to far. We can help you and Rainbow."

Twilight's eyes flickered back to their original color for a moment. "Flutter-"

WHOOSH-CRASH! Rainbow flew from outside, tackling Twilight outside.

"Everypony run!" Final Cut ran towards a crowd of ponies that had gathered together on the other side of town. "If you follow me, I can get you to safety."

"Why should we trust you?" Mr Cake stepped forward, holding his infant son in his hooves. "You did this somehow! Didn't you?!"

"I can't explain right now. You just have to trust me."

"How can we? The girls were fine before you showed up. Ponyville was fine. But then you showed up and everything just so happened to go south at the same time." Cut took a few steps back from the angry father. "Stay away from us. Deal with this yourself."

"Sir, I-"

WHOOSH-CRASH! Twilight and Rainbow flew past Final Cut, clipping the side of his head as they passed by, knocking him senseless and into a nearby fruit cart. "Sparkle... stop..." Twilight blasted Rainbow away from her, putting her on the other side of the street. The two stared each other down for moment. If Cut didn't make some kind of joke, he knew he would lose his mind. "Things are about to get worse in 3... 2.. 1..."

"CUT! THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS ARE HERE TO SAVE THE DAY!" Cut looked up to find the C.M.C charging down the middle of the street, putting them right between the two fighting ponies.

"No!" Cut saw that Twilight and Rainbow were winding up for their next attacks. They were so far gone, that they hadn't noticed the fillies. Cut ran to the girls, grabbing hold of them as tight as he could. The four other mares ran out to the street. Applejack and Rarity were horrified when they saw their sisters.

"Sweetie Bell! Get out of there!"

"Cut, what do ya think ya doing'?"

Twilight and Rainbow started their charge. Cut couldn't move the fillies, his wounds had taken hold and were too painful for him to save them. He leaned into them, whispering in their ears. "Shut your eyes and stay close. As long as I'm with you, you'll be safe. I promise. I'll never let anything happen to you..."

Twilight and Rainbow were only a meter away from the fillies and Cut...

"I'm so sorry."

"ENOUGH!" Out of nowhere, Soarin' flew between Twilight and Rainbow Dash, knocking both of them down the street. He touched ground in front of Cut and the girls. Cut looked up at his savior, who was smiling down at him. "I knew you could be brave." He helped Cut to his feet, the C.M.C also got up, running to Applejack and Rarity.

Twilight and Rainbow shook off their daze, finding Soarin' staring them down. "Soarin'? asked Rainbow. "What are you doing?"

"Saving you. You're welcome, by the way."

"Pfft! The only one who needs saving is this egghead."

"Oh don't worry. I'm saving her too. As well as the rest of Ponyville."

Twilight stood her ground. "You can't save anypony. You're not Super-Stallion."

"I don't need to be. Look at yourself, Twilight. You're Celestia's greatest pupil. The element of magic. You're supposed to be a leader. And Rainbow, you're the element of loyalty. What exactly is loyal about attacking your friend?"

"She-"

"I'm not done yet! You're the wielders of the elements of harmony. Now, I'm not the brightest stallion, but I can tell you for a fact that this is not harmony." Soarin' drew their attention to all the destruction they caused, buildings turned to rubble, roads torn up, ponies left homeless. "You two, talk, now! It's the only way to get any of this out of your systems. Be better then this. Be the ponies that Celestia knew you could be."

Twilight and Rainbow turned to each other. Twilight struggled to open her mouth. "You... you made me feel like I was nothing."

"Me? You're the one who came all the way from Canterlot. Big hot shot pupil of the Princess."

"Me? You're calling me the hotshot? You were the big shot around here. You took the spot light, everypony looked up to you. No pony looked up to me."

"You didn't need anypony to. You were happy. Happier then I was."

The two started to cry. "Why are we talking like this? When have we ever thought this way?"

"Because you've been poisoned. It's making you less then you can be. Less then you are. Please, look back whatever you burred and see each other for the ponies that you are." Soarin' slowly stepped towards them. "Rainbow... I love you. You have no idea how much it hurts to see you like this. And Twilight, do you know what it's like for Cut to see you this angry?"

Twilight looked past Soarin' to Cut. He looked more distraught then ever. "Sparkle... please talk to her."

Soarin' continued his approach. "And your friends! Look at them! All six of you came together to be something greater then the sum of your parts. You made each other stronger. You saved the world together. You can't let a sassy blue mare who talks in the third person to tear you apart." Soarin' started to stagger. "Be... better then this... do... the right thing." The fatigue set in as Soarin' collapsed in the street.

Twilight and Rainbow approached each other. Each time they blinked, they shed a golden tear, slowly draining the gold from their own eyes. Twilight spoke first. "Rainbow, I never hated you. I never tried to steal your spotlight or Soarin'. You're... my best friend... I'm-"

"Shut up. I never meant for us to be like this. Ever!" The two openly cried in front of each other. Rainbow started to chuckle. "You do have to admit... it was a cool looking fight. Hehe."

Twilight pulled her close. "I'm so sorry!" The two tearfully embraced, creating a golden pool beneath them. The citizen of Ponyville couldn't help but shed tears at the site. Cut on the other hand, just stared straight ahead. "I... I shouldn't have let this happen..."

When the two had rid themselves of the golden light in their eyes, the gave into the exhaustion and collapsed in the golden puddle. All eyes were suddenly on Cut.

"That's... a wrap." Cut closed his eyes as his landed on the hard concriet.

I should have saved them. It was my responsibility to protect them and somepony else had to do it for me.

Consider this letter my resignation from the Super-Stallion film.

Your subject,

Final Cut.

Next: Interlude: Bad Press!

Interlude: Bad Press

Interlude: Bad Press

The following is a recording from the late night 'Horse S--T!' radio show. The show is hosted by Loud Mouth and his co-host 'Wise Crack'. Every Thursday at 11:00 pm, the two sit down with a special guest as they discuss local events and funny stories that have happened in the week prior in a crude manner. The stories often involve tangents and long segway's, many of which lead to the hosts forgetting the original topic. The following is a transcript from the episode entitled 'Super-Bitches', recorded July 20th, 2012.

Loud Mouth: Wise Crack!

Wise Crack: What is up, my brother?

L.M: Nothing much, boy. Nothing much... except that a bunch horny chicks nearly burned Ponyville to the freaking ground!

W.C: Oh yeah, how could I forget?

L.M: Well, it may have had something to do with the fact you and I tend to stay away from crazy bitches.

W.C: I know, have you ever seen mares at a shoe sale?

L.M: Hehe, yeah. In fact, I'm fairly certain that fight was over a pair of shoes.

W.C: Nah. If it was over shoes, they would turned all of Equestria into Fallout: Canterlot.

[Laughter]

L.M: We have got a LOT to talk about this week, bro. But before we get to that, we have a special guest!

W.C: I know man! We're talking to each other when there's a mare right here in the room!

L.M: Why don't you hop on mic and introduce yourself?

Vinyl Scratch:I'm only getting on the mic now to tell you guys that I am deeply offended by these 'crazy bitches' comments and the shoe stuff. I am appalled and I expect better from both of you.

[Silence]

V.S: Pfft! I'm yanking you, mate. Thanks for having me on.

L.M: You Bitch! You had me goin' for a minute.

V.S: Realy?

L.M: No. Sit your ass down.

W.C: Vinyl Scratch, everypony! What's goin' on?

V.S: Lots of stuff, man. Ever since the wedding a couple months back, I've been getting jobs left and right.

L.M: That reminds me, Vinyl, do not take this as an insult to your skills-

V.S: I like where this is going.

L.M: But since when do they bring in a DJ for royal events?

W.C: Was Skrillex marrying the Living Tombstone?

V.S: Now THAT would have been a royal event! But nah, it turns out that Shining Armour is a fan so he asked me spin at the reception. He's really cool and so is his special lady.

L.M: Wait a minute... The captain of the royal guard listens to your stuff?

V.S: I know, right?!

L.M: Now, do you reckon that he marches his soldiers to your beats?

V.S: Nothing would get done in that army.

W.C: Dude, imagine the bride walking to one of your remixes.

V.S: I can't tell if that would be the fastest wedding ever or the slowest.

[Laugher]

L.M: Anyway, before we get on to the topic dejour-

W.C: Main topic.

L.M: That's what I said.

W.C: It's called the main topic. I'm taking your use of fancy words as an insult. It's called the main topic.

L.M: Well excuse me for making this mother bucker classy!

V.S: You two are the biggest dumb-asses I've ever met. I could throw a grass sandwich in front of the mic and it would say smarter things to the ponies.

L.M: Love you too, babe.

V.S: Bite me.

W.C: Before you kill us, you want to plug anything?

V.S: Yeah, man. I've got another gig at the Manehatten Musical Culture Garden Party. Me and bunch of other musicians are getting together and mixing styles together. I'm going to be on twice. The first time will be laying some beats to Octavia's cello.

L.M: Octavia? Wasn't she at the Grand Galloping Gala?

V.S: Yeah. Despite being stuck up at times, she can actually be pretty cool. Especially when you realize that she's connected to all the high society hot shots. I think she actually may have had something to do with me getting that job at the wedding.

W.C: They brought a DJ in, but didn't think to bring in a classical musician?

V.S: Yeah... I'm hoping no pony has told her the wedding has happened yet.

W.C: They had a chior of singing birds, but not a cello player?

V.S: The birds would have been easier to work with. There would have been less fine champagne needed to get to loosen up at the after party.

L.M: You saying you know how much it takes to get Octavia to 'loosen up'?

V.S: Hey, who I roofy at a the Canterlot Garden Party is no pony's buisness.

[Laughter]

V.S: I love you Octavia! That night meant the world to me! Even if you don't remember it! I hope I don't get you guys sued.

L.M: We've said much worse without getting sued.

W.C: What about the other performance?

V.S: Huh?

W.C: You said you were playing twice, what's the second one?

V.S: Oh yeah. That thing.

L.M: That thing you're supposed to plug you idiot.

V.S: Shut up. I'm also spinning with with one Equestria's biggest Church of Celestia musicians.

W.C: You're laying down beats for a religious musicians?

V.S: Yeah man. It's all about sharing the music with whoever you can.

L.M: What would that sound like? "We've got Celestia on the walls, who's sweat comes off her balls!"

[Laughter]

W.C: Now we're in trouble.

V.S: I'm totally going to work those lyrics into the song and dedicate it to you guys.

L.M: And I'll fly over there and shove Octavia's cello up your plot.

V.S: You speak as though I haven't tried that yet.

[Laughter]

L.M: Girl, you are nasty!

V.S: That's what Octy said.

[laughter]

W.C: Octavia probably hates you now.

V.S: Nah. When you make a pony scream, they can only hate you so much.

[Laughter]

V.S: Oh wow, I've bucked up.

W.C: Don't we have a topic?

L.M: Oh yeah, that thing!

V.S: That thing you get paid to talk about.

L.M: I already talked to Wise about this a tiny bit at the beginning, but have you heard about this, Vinyl?

V.S: Sort off. I heard that it happened and saw some picture online, but I haven't read the details or anything.

W.C: Didn't you play for the crew?

V.S: I played at the pre-filming party and... actually, I think I may have something to add to this, but pull up the story first.

L.M: Okay everpony. I'm pulling the story up now for us to read. If you want to follow along, go to 'Equestrian Daily' who has the story we're reading now.

W.C: You're going to love this, Vinyl.

V.S: I can tell.

L.M: Okay, I've got the story here. Vinyl, Wise, have you guys been keeping up with this Super-Stallion thing?

W.C: I was a big fan of Super-Stallion and all the movies when I was a colt.

L.M: Me too.

V.S: I played at the party, that's about it.

L.M: You never read Super-Stallion as a kid?

V.S: Nah.

W.C: Not even the movies?

V.S: He just never interested me. Not sure why.

W.C: Not enough wubs?

V.S: Exactly! I can't believe I never saw it before now! If he shot wubs out of his plot, I would watch that.

L.M: You need to write the sequel where he gets that power.

V.S: Final Cut, if you're listening, give me that job! You'll reach a whole new demographic!

W.C: And only that demographic.

L.M: Long story short, two of the Mares from the movie went crazy, fought each other and nearly crushed Ponyville in the process. Do you guys know why?

W.C: Nope.

V.S: Nah.

L.M: Then you guys are going to love this... Remember everypony, I'm pulling this story up from Equestria Daily if you want to read along. [Clears Throat] Last night, Ponyville suffered over 200,000 bits worth of damage when Twilight Spakle and Rainbow Dash attacked each other, resulting in a violent altercation that eventually brought their friends into fight.

W.C: Aren't those the element wielders?

L.M: Yeah, I forgot that.

W.C: I didn't realize the elements of harmony could make you crazy like this.

V.S: Maybe this was part of Sparkle's friendship training.

L.M: Now what lesson would be covered with this?

V.S: "Dear Princess Celestia, friendship is a wonderful, magical thing... but if you touch my stallion, Twilight will have to choke a bitch. You're faithful student, Twilight Sparkle."

[Laughter]

L.M: Friendship is magic, but buck those bitches!

W.C: You reckon Shinning Amour will still be a fan after this?

L.M: We'll have to record your next your next guest spot from the moon.

W.C: Let us know when you're getting sent up so we can give you a bunch of satellite pieces for you to assemble.

L.M: Equestria will be the only planet to have a moon that vibrates.

W.C: It'll be the best radio show that you can't hear.

V.S: Buck both of you!

L.M: Back on topic; while it is not known what the cause of the outburst was, but many fans have speculated that the two mares were involved in a love triangle with the star of the film; Soarin', This theory has spread like wildfire over the internet after Rainbow kissed Soarin' at the film's panel at Canterlot Comic Con, which many fans pointed out that Sparkle reacted negativity to the incident.

W.C: Dude, that's hilarious to me.

V.S: Why?

W.C: Because they're playing alternative love interests in the movie.

V.S: Are you serious right now?

W.C: Yep!

V.S: Oh that is awesome! And I think it's true.

L.M: Why?

V.S: Okay, you remember how I played at the filming party?

L.M: Yeah?

V.S: When I was taking a break, I saw Soarin' putting the moves on both of them.

L.M: Are you kidding me?

V.S: Sparkle got hurt in the mosh pit and Soarin' started patching her up, but right before that, I saw Soarin' flirting with Rainbow at the booth. And top it all off, there was a point were it looked like he was moving on them both at the same time.

W.C: That dude is pimp!

V.S: I know, right?!

L.M: Since they're pushing the romantic triangle aspect of the movie, I'm wondering if they'll take the news footage from the fight and just splice it into the movie.

W.C: Just cut back and forth to Super-Stallion, watching them and eating a bowl of popcorn?

L.M: The movie just builds up to a big threesome.

V.S: Best. Movie. Ever.

W.C: Only thing that would make it better would be wubs.

V.S: Exactly!

L.M: Make a foursome and stick Rarity in there.

V.S: Was that her in all the leather?

W.C: That's her costume from the movie. She's playing Mistress Mayhem.

L.M: Is it 'Mistress Mayhem' or 'Mayhem Mistress'?

W.C: Who cares? She's hot!

V.S: She looks good in leather, I'm not gonna lie.

W.C: I don't know if I can go with you there.

V.S: Why not?

W.C: Leather is hot... but it just seems weird on her. I'm not sure.

V.S: Hmmm... now that you mention it, she does kind of look like the dominatrix from 'Equestrian Horror Story' had sex with a marshmallow.

[Laughter]

W.C: That needs to be her new origin story!

V.S: Seriously! Final! Call me! We'll make this happen!

L.M: You would just end the movie with a threesome.

V.S: Threesome's make everything better.

L.M: Pop quiz! If you and Octavia could have a third, who would it be?

V.S: Luna.

W.C: Luna?

V.S: Have you seen that flank?

W.C: You know what? You would be put in charge of directing the Super-Stallion movie and the end product would be a sex tape with you, Octavia and Luna.

V.S: And you'd watch it, wouldn't you?

W.C: I didn't say I wouldn't.

L.M: I've already bought my tickets.

[Laughter]

V.S: Back to the story!

L.M: [Clears Throat] Behind the scenes, Princess Celestia granted Soarin' the actual powers of Super-Stallion, that would last long enough for filming to be complete, however, his arrival on the scene indicated that these powers have since expired.

W.C: What was he doing to burn through those powers so quickly?

V.S: Mounting Celestia? That would take it out of anypony.

L.M: I don't remember much from the comics, but I do remember that Super-Stallion gets his powers from the sun. How would mounting Celestia take his powers away?

V.S: Maybe it was so good it made his powers explode!

W.C: Like All-Star Super-Stallion.

[Silence]

V.S: What?

W.C: It was a story were he flew to close to the sun and it made him sick and killed him.

V.S: NERD!

W.C: BITCH!

L.M: Moving on; The site has since settled and Sparkle, Rainbow, Soarin' and Cut have been admitted into Ponyville hospital for recovery. The Super-Stallion film is due for a release later this year.

W.C: This stuff is crazy man.

L.M: The name 'Final Cut' sounds familiar. What else has he done?

W.C: I pulled up his IMDB page and his first film was called 'Deez Nuts Present: Ponyback Mountain'.

[Laughter]

L.M: Please tell me you're telling the truth.

W.C: The absolute truth.

V.S: If Deez Nuts presented this movie, I would be first in line.

L.M: I wonder what other movies those guys have sponsored. 'Deez Nuts present: Equestrian Beauty'.

W.C: Deez Nuts Present; The Bat-Mare Rises'.

V.S: Deez Nuts Present: Vinyl, Octavia and Luna. A Night to Remember'.

[Laughter]

L.M: You should direct that movie.

V.S: If anypony listening to this has a bunch of money to blow, please finance this project!

W.C: Make a kickstarter for it.

L.M: I will finance this today!

[Laughter]

V.S: I swear I'm not like this in real life.

L.M: Don't lie. By the way, it didn't say this in the story, but I heard that the two girls were shouting quips at each other back and forth.

W.C: What do you mean?

L.M: They were shouting stuff like 'You can't take a joke', 'I can deliver a punchline'.

W.C: Oh lord!

L.M: Was there a moment when Rainbow shook her hoof and said [Deep Voice] I'll get you next, Sparkle! Next Time!"

W.C: [Old-Timey Voice] Will Sparkle beat Rainbow? Will Vinyl get that threesome? Will Soarin' tap dat ass? Tune in next week! Same pony time! Same pony Chanel!"

[Laughter]

V.S: Wow, this has been fun.

L.M: This is the raunchiest thing we've ever recorded.

W.C: I had a lot of fun tonight, man.

L.M: Me too. How about you Vinyl?

V.S: This has been a blast! Thank you so much for having me on.

L.M: Anytime. Before we move onto email, do you want to plug that thing again?

V.S: Me. Playing music in Manehatten. Octavia. Luna. Three-ways. Be there!

W.C: I've already bought my tickets.

L.M: Do you we have any fan emails, Wise?

W.C: Hang on, I'll check.

Next: Chapter 13: Contractual Obligations!

Chapter 13: Contractual Obligations

Chapter 13: Contractual Obligations

"How long does it take to diagnose 'knocked out'?" Final Cut paced the halls of Ponyville Hospital. Watching was Spike, Fluttershy and Applejack. Applejack grabbed a hold of Cut, who still had a scar across his face.

"Final, Ah'm just as worried as you. But you pacing the room isn't exactly making me... or Spike any better." Cut saw Spike, curled up on a chair, with bandages wrapped around his head from Rainbow smacking him against the book case before she and Twilight nearly tore Ponyville to shreds.

"Still... I've been told that the doctor has been in there for hours. How long does he really need?" The door shot open as a pony in a medical uniform. The pony turned around, revealing it to be Pinkie, wearing a spare uniform she found earlier.

"Well, I think I can safely say that she is definitely knocked out." Cut pushed her to the side as he and the others ran into the room. Twilight was lying peacefully in the bed. The window was open, letting a cool breeze come in, blowing her ruffled mane. Cut took a seat next to the bed with Spike by his side.

"Why the hay didn't you let us know it was you in here? Also, what the hay were you doing in here?"

"They said only nurses and doctors were aloud in. So I became one. Duh!"

Applejack took Final Cut's foreleg, leading him out of the room. "Look, Cut, Ah know you're upset, but I think you may need to give them a moment.

"What are you talking about?" Cut looked back in the room and saw Fluttershy and Pinkie looking down at Twilight with worry. Spike as clasping her hoof, bawling his little eyes out. Cut took a step back. "Oh, yeah..."

"Just give us a minute with our friend. You can see her when we're done."

"Yeah... sure."

Cut turned to find a nurse looking directly at him. "Final Cut? You have a visitor."

"Since when do visitors get visitors?"

"Since you were admitted here. You took a nasty fall. As well as that scar-"

"I'll deal with that later. Who wants to see me?"

The nurse led Cut down the hall towards a large room at the end of one of the wings. "It's better if you just go see her. Also, one of our uniforms went mission, have you seen anything?"

...

"I'll let you know if I find it." Cut entered the spare room, leaving the nurse outside. After shutting the door, he glared straight at his visitor with a very unwelcoming look on his face. "Heh... I'm surprised you were able to fit through the doors."

"I don't believe that's how you address a Princess, Final."

"Breakfast!" Soarin' entered Rainbow's hospital room, making her put down her book; 'Daring Do and Atlantis of the Sands.

"I was wondering when you'd show up." Soarin' laid the platter of food on Dash's bedside table.

"I grabbed you some apple pie. Consider it pay pack for the time you- Dash?"

Soarin' was a little flustered by Dash's look. She was staring deep into his eyes, blushing with a warm, beautiful smile. "You said you loved me."

Soarin' looked away. "I'm an actor. I say lots of things." Dash took Soarin' by his chin, pulled him in and kissed passionately. The first kiss they had without Dash being influenced by something. Eventually, she let him go. "But... yeah, I guess I did say that."

"Did you mean it?"

Soarin' laid his hoof over hers. "You bet. I'm sorry we didn't deal with this earlier."

"Let's face it, neither of us are in a place to mess with the other."

"Yeah... I suppose." The two chuckled for a brief bit.

"That was very brave of you."

"What was?"

"Getting in the middle of me and Twi. You risked your plot to get us to calm down. That was very heroic of you." Half-jokingly, half-flirty, Rainbow batted her eyes at her stallion. She didn't pull that one out unless she was really head-over-heels for a colt.

Taking the opportunity to mess around, Soarin laid back in his chair, putting his hooves behind his head. "Yeah... I guess it was."

"No!"

"No?"

"You're supposed to be all like 'I'm just doing my job, ma'am' and then I'll be like 'Oh, how can I ever repay you?' Then you go 'You'll never have to.' Then I pull you in-" She pulled him in. "Then I say 'Oh, I think I can change your mind..." Soarin's face turned a bright red. Eventually, Rainbow let him go. "You really are turning into Mild. You couldn't figure out that a mare was coming onto ya!"

Soarin' stuttered, looking for a response. "Well- I knew- I was just-" Rainbow sighed as she crossed her forelegs.

"Well that's just great! I fell in love with a dork!"

"You never had a problem with the way I talked to you before." When Celestia looked at Final in the past, it was usually as a friend, this time, she had a much more serious look on her face.

"Maybe I wasn't in the position that I am now before." Celestia pulled out a letter with her magic. "I received this letter earlier this morning."

Cut rolled his eyes. "You're the Princess. You get lots of letters, I'm sure."

"Cut, sit down." Celesia took a seat on the floor. Like a child pouting, Cut sat next to her, grunting as he took his spot. He refused to look at her. "Now, I know you blame yourself-"

Cut turned to the Princess with a very condescending look plastered across his face. "No! What gave it away, Sherlock? Was it the letter that I sent that said 'It was my fault'? Or was it the news footage of the Ponyvillians yelling at me, saying that it was my fault? Please, pass down some of that royal wisdom to-"

WHACK! Celestia didn't even let Cut finished before smacking across the cheek.

"Thank you sir, may I have another?"

"Cut... you think you deserve to be hurt?"

"Why not? I nearly kil- leveled Ponyville to the ground." Cut struggled to maintain his sardonic exterior.

"No, you didn't. You know that Trixie did this to her."

"And... what does that mean?" Cut's eyes started to water. "I'm a writer."

Celestia failed to grasp what exactly Cut was getting at. "And... what does that mean?"

"It means I'm supposed to see it coming. In every story, there are hints, seeds that tell you what's coming. It should have been obvious that Trixie was the one causing this. I shouldn't have let it go by. If I had intervened, I could have saved them both and kept Ponyville safe. I'm their leader. It's my fault. I nearly got three little fillies killed. You can't tell me that's not my fault."

"Yes I can." Instead of slapping him again (a tempting option), Celstia pulled him close, wrapping her foreleg around him. "It's true that you have a responsibility, but you can't let one pony's actions make you feel any less."

"And why not?"

"How do you think I'd feel?" Cut started to realize what she was getting at. "I'm Twilight's mentor. I'm the Princess of all of Equestria. Why didn't I step in and help? Why didn't I keep a closer eye on the element wielders instead of letting the fan-filly in me take over and focus on Soarin'?"

Cut hung his head. "I... I just wish I-"

"Didn't see her like this?"

"Yeah... what's the deal with that?"

Celestia smiled. "That's one of the side-effects of being in love."

"Huh... so this is love... I don't like it."

Celestia giggled. "Most ponies don't until they find that right one." Cut's expression started to brighten. "Now, about your resignation..."

"What about it?"

"I refuse it."

...

"Come again?"

"Everypony should be in ship-shape soon enough. And... I'd still like to see that movie."

"Princess, we've been through a lot. I'm not sure if I can keep going with this."

"That's exactly why you have to do it. Show them that you can push forward and be strong. Don't let this get to you. Be strong. Be the-"

"Best pony I can be." Cut's heard those words way too many times. "I'm beginning to sense a recurring theme around this movie."

"Hey, it's a good theme. That and..."

"And what?"

"You're still contractually obligated to make the movie, I'm told."

"HA!"

Celestia wasn't sure if Cut was laughing or if he finally snapped. "What's so funny?"

"You... you really are a bitch, you know that?"

...

"Maybe."

"It's just really starting to chafe." Rarity sat inside one of the examination rooms with her doctor examining her. She was still in he leather costume. "It's become really uncomfortable to take wear and it would take to long for me to deconstruct this monstrosity, so it would be greatly appreciated if you could remove this for me, doctor."

The doctor levitated a pair of scissors off a slab, a pair he typically used for cutting umbilical cords. "Absolutely, Miss Rarity." The doctor started slicing through the costume. "May I ask, if it's a monstrosity, why did you put it on in the first place?"

"In my defense, it wasn't a monstrosity when I put it on," said Rarity, batting her eyes at the doctor, who was far to concentrated to pay any attention to her.

"I'll take your word for it." After a few minutes, the doctor cut the last connecting piece of the costume, removing the components with his magic.

...

"Oh dear..."

"The mirror."

"Miss Rarity, the leather has-"

"MIRROR!" Rarity grabbed a full lenght mirror with her magic, pulling it in front of her.

...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Make it stop! Make it stop!" Pinkie was rolling on the floor with her hooves to her ears. Rarity's shriek could be heard all over the hospital. Deaf patients were putting their heads under water and coma patients were telling them to 'turn down the racket'.

At one point, the screen for Twilight's hear rate monitor cracked. Windows shattered and bags of plasma began to boil. Spike shot up, his eyes still red from crying. "Rarity?"

CRASH!

The ponies ran to the window, as they saw a purple and white blur run through the wall of the hospital, heading straight for Ponyville. Applejack's eyes followed the blur in confusion. "What in tarnation?"

"I know that screech anywhere." Spike looked back at her adoptive mother. Applejack laid a hoof on his side.

"You can go check on Rarity. I think you've looked after Twi enough for one day."

As Spike woddled past Twilight's bed, he noticed that his tears had stained the sheets cover her. He stopped for a brief moment before leaving the room to look back at Twilight. "Get well soon... Mommy."

Spike headed down the hall, only to bump into Rainbow Dash and Soarin'. "Hey squirt... sorry about that bump on your head."

"It's alright... I guess I'm just upset that I missed the big battle." Spikes smile did little to hide his fear for his mother. Soarin' laid down to his level.

"Hey, you're being very brave, Spike. But look at Rainbow. She's better then new, I'm sure Twilight is going to be just fine. It's a Super-Stallion guarantee!" Soarin' gave him a wink as he left the two pegasi in the halls.

...

"I don't remember a 'Super-Stallion-guarantee' from the comics."

"That because I just made it up."

"You made it up?"

Soarin' shifted his eyes defensively. "It's my character, I can do what I want with him!"

"Umm... Rarity?" Spike crept into Carousel Boutique. He noticed all the mirrors had been smashed, all the shattered glass made him feel like he was in a house of horrors. Off to the side, he saw a pile of clothes shivering. He walked over and pulled them aside, finding Sweetie Bell, who was now sporting a thousand-yard stare.

"Sweetie Bell? What happened?"

"The horror..." Spike waved his claw in front of the filly's eyes.

"Sweetie, what happened?" She shot up, grabbed the dragon and pulled him close.

"RUN!"

"What's wrong with Rarity?"

"It's... just run. If anypony needs me, I'll be at the club house..." Sweetie bolted the door, keeping her look of horror on as she ran down the streets of Ponyville, creeping out many of the foals she past.

Spike slowly mounted the stairs, step by step, moving closer to Rarity's door. He cautiously turned the knob and pushed forward...

"DON'T LOOK AT ME!"

A bolt of magical energy slammed the door shut, startling Spike. "Rarity! It's OK, I'm here to help."

"You cannot help me! Nopony can! Now be gone! Nopony can ever see me again..."

CREEK!

Spike casually strolled through the cat door the Boutique had for all of it's doors. "You know those cat doors don- Umm... Wow."

Spike gazed on the site before him; Rarity, covered in red marks that perfectly resembled the skin-tight outfit she had been wearing for the last couple of weeks. The bright red parts of her flesh covered strongly contrasted her white coat. "So, now you have seen the horror! Leave, before I make your eyes bleed!" With that, Rarity pulled her fainting couch over so she could collapse.

"Umm, Rarity... you know those go away, right?"

...

"Then there is hope!" Rarity leaped off the couch, and pulled over all the powder she could find, smacking it all over her body. The powder created a sold cloud around her, some of it getting on Spike.

"Rarity, I think that's too- Umm, wow." The cloud cleared, revealing that Rarity was now an even brighter shade of white, including her mane. She looked into the one mirror that wasn't completely smashed with sigh.

"I look like a minstrel show in negative."

"Please tell me you have some more ear buds left." Cut leaned over the counter of the nurses station. Around him, there were employees frantically running around, trying to attend to all of the ponies who's ears had nearly been broken by Rarity's screech. Cut's ears were bleeding as well.

"Sir, we're busy enough as it is. I'm sure you'll be able to find a few spares, but at the moment, we're swamped." Cut left the desk, franticly pacing the hall. He did his best not to look at Twilight, who was still out cold.

Inside Twilight's room, Soarin' and Rainbow have joined the other mares. Rainbow examined the unicorn. "How is she still asleep?"

Fluttershy laid a hoof on Twilight's head. "I think it's because she's not as... athletic as Rainbow Dash. I've seen this happen with my animals. When they push themselves too hard, they can go into a very deep nap. They always wake up, but it never stops me from worrying and now it's Twilight. I don't know if I can-"

Soarin's stepped over to Fluttershy. "Be brave, Fluttershy. Just like did during the f-"

"Stop saying brave!" Rainbow was starting to get sick of the boyscout personality he had taken on. "You're starting to repeat yourself."

Soarin' wanted to glare at her... but he couldn't. Looking at Rainbow Dash made him want to smile non-stop. How could she not?

Raibow turned her attention back to Twilight. "I can't even imagine how Cut is taking this."

"I can." Soarin's sudden, somber tone took the room by surprise. "I woke up a little bit before you and Cut did. I had to watch you lie in that bed with machines hooked up to you. Seeing somepony you love hurt and in pain is the worst possible thing you can go through."

"She's just unconscious."

"That's supposed to make it better?" Soarin' and the girls looked out the window at Cut. "That's the face of a stallion who's afraid he's lost everything he cares about."

"You can see her now." Cut turned to see Soarin' and the ladies leave Twilight's room. "We think we've worried long enough. It's your turn."

Cut approached Soarin'. "Thanks... thanks for saving us."

Soarin' glanced at Twilight. "She's a special girl. I know you'll be good to her."

Walking past the pegasus, Cut gave him a sardonic expression. "Let's not set standards for me to reach." With that, he shut the door behind him. Not changing his expression, he took a spot next to the unconscious unicorn. At the window, the girls and Soarin' subtly poked there eyes over the bottom of the glass, looking like a comedy skit.

Cut contemplated laying a hoof on her, but opted not to. "So... how's things?" He received no response. "You know, the contract you signed covers your medical expenses... so there's that." No response. "I was thinking, when you wake up, I would show you all my old movies. They're horrible. You're... you're making me suffer right now... so I figured that will make us even."

Still... nothing.

"You... you bitch! What did you do to me?" Tears began to trickle down the directors face. "This was supposed to be another job. I make the geeks happy, I win a few awards, make some bits, everypony's happy. But NO! You had to come in and activate my feels... is that what the kids call it these days... feels?"

Back at the window, the onlookers turned to each other in confusion. "What in tarnation are 'feels'?"

"You and your friends bucked my whole world up! I want to do my job and here you guys come in... being all friendly. Why? Why me?! Everywhere I go, I'm surrounded by adorable idiots and you... why are you doing this to me? It's not worth seeing you like this..." Cut laid his head on Twilight's stomach, letting his tear stains merge with those that Spike had left earlier.

"Sparkle... please... come back to me."

"Maybe you should act in the movie instead of me." Cut's eyes shot open as he lifted his head to find Twilight looking straight at him, smirking. "You're crying more then Meekly does." Cut didn't say a word, he just stood there in shock. "We'll have to get you fitted for a dress, but I think you'd look pretty cute in a red tie an- MMPH!"

Cut kissed Twilight harder then he had ever kissed anypony in his life. Tears running down his face, he was just glad to see Sparkle awake. He let her go and looked into her eyes. He tried to look angry... but he couldn't. He was smiling, but his face twitched as he tried to scowl.

"Cut... why are your ears bleeding?"

"B- Buck you, Sparkle!"

Twilight wiped the tears of his face. "Buck you too, Cut." The onlooker ponies leaned their heads through the door.

"Called it!"

Next: Jumping the Shark!

Dedicated to Rainy Meadows, my artist.

Chapter 14: Jumping The Shark

Chapter 14: Jumping the Shark

"I swear, does anypony know how to knock?!" Cut still couldn't let his smile go, despite his understandable frustration with all the ponies who had been eavesdropping on his moment with Twilight. Pinkie ran up and hugged Cut, squeezing him as hard as she could. Cut's eyes started to bulge out his head.

"Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh, you guys are so cute! Let's party!"

"Pinkie! No!" Cut's pleas didn't reach Pinkie in time. She pulled out her party cannon (from where remains unknown), and fired. All the ponies in the hospital, including Pinkie grabbed hold of their ears in pain. They were all still suffering from Rarity's screech.

"Or... maybe we'll wait till everypony is feeling better." Pinkie kicked the cannon out the door. Attention returned to the new couple, Fluttershy gently hugging Twilight and Rainbow giving Cut a noogie.

"Come here, you dog!"

"A noogie? You sure a weggie wouldn't be more appropriate?"

Rainbow, still with a hoof around Cut, took a spot between him and Twilight. "So, if you're mounting the director, does that mean you're getting paid more then me?" Twilight's face turned red, Cut's turned an even brighter shade. "Or are you getting paid 'under the table'?" Rainbow raised an eyebrow towards Twilight with an elbow nudge for good measure.

Cut pusher her off him. "You won't be getting paid at all if you don't get out of here. All of you." One-by-one, the ponies left until Soarin' was the last one left.

Soarin' looked back with a smile. "I-"

"If you say you're 'proud' of us, I'll have you begging for your invulnerability back!" Soarin' slowly stepped out of the room, trying not to let his fear show. Cut looked back over at Twilight, his smile fully restored.

"So... now what?"

"I think we still have a movie to make."

"Oh yeah... remember when we used to just be doing that?" Twilight giggled. "This whole thing got messed up, didn't it? I just wanted to make a movie about a pony in tights and I nearly burn this town to the ground."

Twilight hopped out of her bed and placed a hoof on Cut's face. "It worked out, didn't it?" Cut had an expression that Twilight had never seen before. He was smiling, but not with a hint of sarcasm and didn't come from making a movie. He was just... happy. His eyes watered as he looked into her beautiful eyes. As ironic as it was, Cut thought love was just something that happened in the movies.

"I reckon I broke even."

"Who's next? Fluttershy and Refined Taste?" Pinkie had entered fully shipping mode after seeing two of her best friends find stallions of their own. "RefinedShy? FlutterTaste? Give me a minute and I'll come up with something." Fluttershy increased speed to get away from the pink cupid, only for her to chase her down the hall.

"Whatever happened to Refined?" Rainbow didn't recall seeing her after the train arrived in Ponyville. But then again, she was preoccupied. "I figured she would have at least stopped by for a visit."

Soarin' knew that Refined wasn't the sort of pony that would visit them, but he had become to nice to say something like that out loud. "I'm sure she's just busy. She's a very important pony."

"Then why am I here?" The two pegasi were shocked to find Celestia coming around the corner. The two bowed quickly. Celestia raised a hoof with a smile. "No. You bow to no one." Soarin rose up, looking his Princess in her eyes. Rainbow rose after him. "Umm, I wasn't talking to you Rainbow."

...

"Gotcha!" Rainbow nervously laughed off the Princess's joke, not letting on that she was scared for a minute.

"What can we do for you Princess?" asked Soarin'.

"Nothing. I was just here to check on Rainbow and Twilight... but it looks like you and Cut have that covered." Celestia's 'yeah boy' smile drew blood to Soarin's cheecks.

"What about the rest of the Ponyville?" asked Rainbow.

"I already have my men repairing the damage." Outside the hospital, several ponies from Canterlot were attending to the buildings as well as the ponies who were left without homes as a result of the battle. "Rainbow, I want you and Twilight to know that no one blames you. It's been made public that Trixie is going on trial for poisoning you."

"She going where?"

"Tomorrow, she'll be standing before the Canterlot court for treason. Poisoning the wielders of harmony is a very serious offense." Rainbow and Soarin's hearts sank. They weren't fans of Trixie, but they knew if Celstia was handling her punishment personally, it wasn't going to end well. "Before I go, Soarin', you're going to be awarded Equestria's highest honor. You saved a lot of lives last night. You really are a hero."

Soarin' smiled with humility. "Please, Princess, I was only do..." Soarin' dropped his humble expression. "You were expecting me to say that, weren't you?"

Celestia giggled as she headed to the front door. "See you two at the premier!" After stepping through the doors, Celestia took to the air. Rainbow kissed Soarin' on the cheeck before following her out. "I'll be back tomorrow. I'm pretty sure most of my scenes are done anyway."

"Wait, Rainbow. Where are you doing?"

"I've got a court date." Rainbow flew off, following Celstia into the sky. Soarin' gulped as he watched his mare disappear from sight, not entirely sure what she was planning.

"You better hope your costume wasn't torn up in the battle." Cut and Twilight reared up behind Soarin'.

"Cut? What's happening now?"

"What we're getting paid to do. Let's hope some of the sets are still usable."

"Order! Order!" The next day, the court was packed with ponies, ready to see the defendant punished. Trixie sat in her chair, doing her best not to let the chants against her break her cocky exterior. Celstia returned her attention to the blue unicorn. "Trixie, you have been charged with treason again Equestria. You poisoned two wielders of the elements of harmony in the hopes of causing discord between the them. How do you plead?"

Trixie rose, clearing her throat. "Not guilty!"

...

"No, seriously. How do you plead?"

Rainbow facehoofed as she watched Trixie strut the court floor. "You see, Trixie has exposed a flaw in Equestria's element wielders. She has shown their flaws that can be exploited against this land and it's ponies. Therefore, Trixie submits to this court that she has done Equestria a service and should release from custody immediately."

...

"No, seriously. How do you plead?"

"You'll just have to pretend the tornadoes are there." Cut and his film crew, had returned to work. Soarin' was floating above a city set that had been assembled from the remains of the sets that hadn't been destroyed.

"Isn't that kind of... wierd?" Soarin' may have adjusted to the role, but acting as a whole was a concept he still had yet to grasp to its fullest.

"Look at that! An actor being asked to act! So how about you just look pretty for the camera and say your lines?" Next to Cut was Twilight, who brought him his favorite breakfast.

"You know, Cut, you don't have to be a jackass to everypony." Twilight turned to a donkey that was opperating the lighting equipment. "No offense."

"None taken."

Cut chuckled as he leaned away from the camera. "Sparkle, I don't have to be anypony. That's why it's so fun when I get to do it." Cut searched the room, "now where's my camera mare?"

"Ah'm here, Cut!" Applebloom ran up to the director, wearing a home made badge that said 'Camira Mare'. Cut lifted her up with is magic so she could look through the view finder of the camera.

"Whenever your ready, Applebloom."

"And Action!"

"And cut!" The whole crew went silence as they turned their heads to Refined Taste, who was glaring directly at Cut. "That'll be it for the day."

Cut lowered Applebloom, passed Twilight and trotted over to Refined, staring straight into his eyes. "What are you doing here, Taste?"

"You tried to quit."

"Yes and as it turns out I'm not aloud to. Plus, I changed my mind." Cut glanced back at Twilight with a warm smile, the unicorn winked back.

"You're not capable of running this. You can't even keep your employees from fighting. I'm here to assume your responsibilities as director until this is all over. You'll still get credit, but you duties fall to me."

...

"No, seriously. What are you doing here?"

"Thank you, very much, Ms Trixie," said Celestia with a sigh as Trixie put her props back into her cart. "Your defense speech was most... enlightening. But, for future reference; the puppet show wasn't necessarily."

Trixie bowed towards Celestia. "Thank you, Princess. I'll gladly receive your verdict now."

"I'll gladly deliver it," murmured the Princess. She rose from her pedestal. "Does anypony have anything to say before I deliver the verdict?" The room echoed. Nopony stepped forward (they weren't that stupid). Trixie began to sweat, the fear rolling down her face.

"I do!" Rainbow Dash flew over to the pedestal, standing between Celestia and Trixie. Celestia stared blankly at Rainbow.

"No, seriously, does anypony have anything to say?"

Rainbow chuckled nervously. "I swear I do, your highness."

Celestia searched the room, nervously. "Very well... it does make sense that one of the victims should speak. Say what's on your mind, Rainbow."

Rainbow cleared her throat. "I erg you to be lenient with the defendant."

...

"Come again?"

"I'm said I'm taking over." Refined stood her ground as she store straight into Cut's eyes. He stared back. Slowly, the corners of his mouth turned up. His teeth shined through and he exploded with laughter. "And what is so funny?"

"You... you have no idea how stupid what you just said is. Do you?" Cut's laughter began to spread around the set, other members of the crew joining in with chuckles.

"And just what is so stupid about it?"

Cut struggled to stop himself from laughing. "The fact that anypony would want to follow you. Hell, you probably would have let Trixie po-" Cut and Twilight's hearts sank.

...

"You bitch!"

"I didn't let Trixie do anything. I did what you did, Cut."

"And what was that?"

"I chose to ignore the problem."

"I said I'd like you to go easy on Trixie." Celestia, along with the rest of the court, stood in confusion at Rainbow's proposal, even Trixie was flabbergasted.

"Rainbow Dash... you do understand that Trixie poisoned you and your friend and endangered the lives of lives of Ponyville's inhabitants?"

"Better then you do." Rainbow knew that if she wasn't an element wielder, that last comment may have won her an all expenses paid trip to the dark side of the moon. "But we need to give Trixie a chance to prove that she's better then this." Rainbow stared straight at Trixie. The blue unicorn wasn't certain, but she saw what looked like sympathy in her wine colored eyes. "I don't know if you're going to send her to the moon, trap her in ice or what. All I know is that despite the fact she acts like a grade A jerk, I know she can do better. Soarin' said it himself." Celestia leaned back, absorbing the bizarreness of Rainbow's plea. "I don't like her. Let's face it, nopony does. But it's her job to change that. It's her responsibility to make herself something more then what she is now. And tossing her into space isn't going to the job."

...

"So, yeah. That's it for me." Rainbow stepped back, so she was standing next to Trixie. The unicorn was couldn't comprehend what just happened and neither could Celestia, but that didn't stop her from speaking.

"After Rainbow Dash's... words. I feel that I will need more time to determine a proper punishment for Trixie. Perhaps something more suited to rehabilitation would be better suited for this case."

Not contempt with Rainbow's defense, Trixie stepped forward. "And what punishment did you originally have planned for The Great and Powerful Trixie?"

"It may help you sleep better if you didn't know," said Celestia with a straight face. "Take her to my office. I will speak with her there." Two gaurds took Trixie past Rainbow Dash. The unicorn stopped in front of the pegasus and glared.

"You think you're better than me, Rainbow Crash?"

"That's not up to me, Trixie." Without another word, Rainbow flew out of the court via a sky light, dissapearing into the sun.

"I thought-"

"No, you didn't." Cut was starting to feel the guilt he felt at the hospital come back. As much as he hated to admit it, Taste was right. He ignored the problem. "The only difference between you and me is that I saw an opportunity. You were just distant and lazy. This film is going to be the biggest thing ever and it's thanks to that little cat fight your employees had. I saw a chance for us take advantage of those internet losers, but I never thought it would be this big!" Cut wasn't sure how to describe what he was feeling, until he looked over at Soarin', who was watching with the look of a dissapointed Father. "You and your girlfriend should be thanking me."

Cut's face was turning red, but not with a blush. "You... arrogent... self-absorbed... selfish-"

"Hello Pot. I'm kettle."

"I am this close to-"

"I forgive you." Cut and Refined shot around to see Twilight standing right behind them. She had a small smile that didn't disguise her pain... but it was still a smile.

"You forgive me? You think I owe you an apology?"

Twilight shed a small tear. "You don't owe me anything. You betrayed ponies who trusted you. You caused a lot of damage and scared a lot innocents. You owe it to yourself to be-"

"Oh shut the buck up!" said Refined with an exhausted eye roll. "Don't give me any of that 'be-a-better-pony' crap. You think you're better then me?"

Twilight shed anther tear. "That's not up to me, Refined. But on the topic of taking over, Celestia herself told Cut to come back, so I think you're just wasting your time here, when you could be out there, doing something nice. Giving back to the community that needs as much help as they can get." Soarin' looked on, with the look of a proud Father this time. "Good luck, Refined. I hope we'll still see you at the premier." Without another word, Twilight turned around and trotted to the break room. Refined slowly backed out the way she came in.

"Sparkle! I can't believe you... Sparkle?" Cut's words were cut off when he saw Twilight, openly weeping in the corner of the green room.

"Do you have any idea how hard that was? Too look at... her and just forgive her? I felt horrible the whole time I did it."

Cut lent down to her level, brushing away her tears. "Then why did you do it?"

"Because it was the right thing to do, I guess. I never thought doing a good thing could hurt so much."

Cut smiled as he lifter her up onto her feet. "If the right thing were easy, things would be a lot brighter then they are now."

Twilight smiled at Cut. "I think Soarin's starting to rub off on us."

"And I think I know who's been rubbing off on him." The two shared a small laugh. "I'm proud of you, Twilight."

"You called me Twilight."

"Don't get used to it." Cut leaned in and kissed her, pulling her in as close as he could. From the open door, Soarin' smiled as he walked away.

WHOOSH! Rainbow Dash touched down in front of Soarin' giving him a quick kiss. "Sup, handsome."

"Nothing special. How was your court date?"

"Nothing special." Rainbow walked over to the crafts services table to stuff her face.

"Hey guys, there's something I want to show you." Soarin', Twilight and Rainbow joined Cut in the green room, who had a large monitor set up for them. The only thing lighting the room was the moonlight. "I finished one of the scenes from the movie today, I figured you three should be the first to see it."

"What is it?" asked Twilight with a yawn.

"It's when Mild Mannered finds the recording his father left for him. I thought it would be fun if we all saw it."

Rainbow extended her forelegs with a yawn even louder then Twilight's. "Cut, we've had a big day, I honestly don't know if I can stay awake for another minute."

Cut put on his best puppy dog eyes. "Please?" drawing out the 'e' as long as he could. Rainbow roller her eyes as the four of them took a seat on the couch in front of the TV. "OK, now there are still a couple of background effects I haven't- Guys?"

Soarin' and Cut found their mares, fast asleep, "I think they've both earned a rest," said Soarin'.

"In that case..." Cut hopped off the couch and brought over two mugs of cider. He gave one to Soarin' as he sat back down on the couch. Before Cut could hit play on the remote, Twilight and Rainbow snuggled up to stallions, nuzzling them as they drifted away into their dreams. "Sometimes I can't tell if we're lucky or if they are."

Soarin' wrapped his hoof around Rainbow. "Us. Definitely us." The two raise their mugs and Cut hit play.

On the screen, a holographic projection of Mild Mannered's biological Father appeared. "My son, listen well, for this is the reason you are here. Our world may have no hope, but Equestria does. The planet is populated by those who wish to be better. To be greater. You will be their example. You will give them something to strive towards. You are not perfect my son, but nopony truly is. Your powers will make you a beacon of hope for the future. You will lead by example. You will make them the best ponies they can be."

Cut turned to Soarin', smiling. "Thank you."

"Thank you." The two turned back to the screen, watching the rest of the scene play out as they slowly joined their mares in a well deserved rest.

"Take flight, my little Pon-E."

Next: Some Days You Can't Get Rid of a Bomb!

Don't forget to check out the actual Man of Steel Trailer!

Chapter 15: Some Days You Can't Get Rid of a Bomb

Chapter 15: Some Days You Can't Get Rid of a Bomb

"Mares and Gentlecolts, that is a wrap!" The set erupted into applause and cheers. Soarin' who was in the air and carrying Twilight (in her Meekly costume) lowered her down, gently placing her on her four hooves. The crew began packing away everything. "Once you're done packing, go home and rest. I'm sick of looking at ya."

A make-up pony gave Twilight a wet towel to wipe the dust from her face. Soarin' started to remove his costume as he headed to the change room. "Pleasure working with you, Ms Sparkle."

Twilight smiled as she continued to clean herself. "Likewise. What are you going to do now?"

"Well, we've got some time until the premier and filming has taken up a lot of our free time. I suppose-"

"You want to catch up with Rainbow?" asked Twilight with a cheeky grin. Soarin' just blushed. "It's all right. If it makes us even, I haven't exactly had a lot of time to be with Cut."

"How much time?"

...

"None."

Soarin's eyes widened. "None? Really?"

Twilight looked back as Cut directed his crew as to where to take the equipment. "He's the director. I'm not even sure his body remembers that it needs sleep."

Soarin smiled. "Well, I'm certain that you two will have plenty of time now. See you at the premier, Ms Sparkle!" With a flap of his wings, Soarin' took to the air, heading straight for Cloudsdale. Twilight felt a nudge as Cut walked past her.

"Sparkle, you're with me."

"I know that part already." Twilight smiled with a little blush, on the other hoof, Cut just rolled his eyes.

"You make me sick, you know that?"

"Maybe," Twilight said, drawing out the 'e' as long as she could.

"You don't have to do that," said Cut with a straight face.

"I don't have to do it, that's why it's so fun." Even if it took her almost 3 months get it, Twilight was starting to learn how to dance with Cut, much to his dismay. "So what's up?"

Cut took her into the green room. "Remember that promise I made you in the hospital? Probably not because you were... dying or something."

Twilight scoffed. "Don't pretend you didn't care. You know you did."

"Oh, believe me, I did. Without you, we would have had to re-cast you."

The unicorn stepped closer to the director with a devilish grin. "Really?" drawing out the 'y' as long as she could.

"Yes," drawing out the 'e' as long as he could.

"Because, I seem to remember you crying like a foal when you came to visit me." Cut's face started to turn red. "There were tears everywhere. You were going crazy."

"You must have me mistaken for you assistant/blogger dragon... speaking of which, where has been? I keep expecting him to take a picture of a half-eaten sandwich and call it the 'surprise cameo' of the movie."

"I believe he's still atteneding to 'Ms Rarity's' needs," she said, rolling her eyes.

"I swear... she's lucky we got her scenes out of the way early."

"Anyway, I believe you had a promise for me?"

Cut walked over to a group of boxes that were stacked in the corner of the room. "Let's wait until we get back to your place. But I think you're gonna like what I've got here."

Twilight scoffed again, trying to keep her smile from showing. "Who do you think you are? Thinking you can just say you're going to walk into my house."

Cut returned her grin from earlier. "I don't know if you've noticed, Sparkle, but you kind of fell in love with a pimp."

With a blush, Twilight laughed. "I guess we'll just have to fix that."

"The buck you will!" said Cut with a forced laugh. The two left the green room, carrying the boxes with Cut's magic. "If you ever want to help, I won't say no."

"EYE LINER!" screamed Rarity. And like a flash, Spike was there, holding the biggest case of eye liner he had ever seen. The unicorn took the liner and applied it with haste. Usually it would take time and with a delicate stroke for a lady to properly apply it. However, Rarity hadn't been the most Lady-Like of conditions. Even after two weeks, the strap rashes where only just starting to fade away.

"Rarity, should you only put on a little?"

"Spike, the amount of powder I've put on requires as much mascara as I can manage." She examined herself in the mirror. "Now I need to even this out. BLUSH!" Spike ran as quick as he could to grab the blush. Before he could run all the way back, Rarity levitated Spike and the blush of the ground, dropping the dragon as she slapped it on. Once the blush colored cloud has settled, Rarity stared intently into the mirror. The final product was... less the desirable. The blush was spread too thick, the mascara was already running, and white powder was stuck in her mane. "This won't work," she said with a sigh.

Spike got back to his feet. "Does that mean-?"

"Shower then we try again. SHOWER!"

...

Rarity turned to find Spike with a blank expression, pointing to the bathroom that was a few steps to Rarity's left. "Oh... yes." She ran in, slamming the door, leaving Spike by himself, hearing the water run.

"Mares..."

"Citizen Neigh?" Twilight was sifting through the boxes of Cut's movies, pulling them out, one by one. Cut was cooking in the kitchen.

"Yeah, that was the first movie I ever did. I couldn't afford a color camera, so I had to shoot it in black and white."

Twilight continued to rummage through the old film reels and DVD's. "War Pony... The Sisterhooves Social Network..."

"I won awards for those two!"

Twilight shot around with a huge smile. "Best picture?"

Cut poked his head out the kitchen entrance. "Umm, no. I won best screenplay. That translates to 'You should have won, but it was too edgy'. I'm still proud of it though."

Twilight's eyes widened at the site of one film towards the bottom. Ironically, it looked the newest out of all of them. "You... you directed 'John Trotter'?!"

Cut slowly slipped back into the kitchen. "Maybe..."

"I love Jon Trotter." Inside the kitchen, Cut had the biggest 'WTF' look on his face.

"Seriously?"

"Yes! That book series redefined the science fiction genre for all time. That series is even older than 'Super-Stallion'. " Twilight's excitement wasn't shared by Cut, who's nervous expression grew. "I had no idea they made a movie out of it," Twilight said as she ran into the kitchen with excitement. "Why didn't you tell me you made this?!"

Cut began to sweat. "Well, you didn't strike me as the 'action-adventure' type."

"We. Have. To. Watch. It. Now!" Twilight grabbed Cut, a big bowl of popcorn and sat them down on the couch. She threw the limited edition blu-ray into the player. As soon as the logo for the menu appeared, Twilight shot up and cheered. Almost bouncing of the couch. Cut was more then a little frightened.

"Bitch... chill. It's just the menu."

"First; I'm aloud to be as excited as I want to be. Second; if we're going to date, you're going to need to tone down your language, mister."

"Yes mother..." said Cut with a roll of his eyes. Twilight did not look amused.

"Press play..." The two leaned back as Cut hit play, the studio credits rolled and Twilight was already squeeing. "This is going to be awesome!" Cut looked away, still sweating and now with a look of dread.

"Yeah... awesome."

"That's awesome, Rarity," said Spike with a deadpan voice. He sat on the edge of Rarity's bed as he half-heartedly watched her apply make up to herself. She was wet from her shower and had two towels, one wrapped around her body, the other around her mane.

"Well, I don't know about 'awesome', but those new shapo's I was planning to have the girls wear to the premier are simply marvelous!" Normally, Spike being in Rarity's bedroom with her, alone, would have strongly resembled some dreams he's had. But he had been with her for almost two solid weeks. He liked her a lot, but every dragon has their limits. His face was was rested on his closed fist as he continued to 'watch' Rarity get ready. "Oh, Spike, would you be a dear and run down stairs? I'm feeling a tad peckish."

"That's awesome, Rarity," said Spike with a deadpan voice.

Rarity turned back to Spike, his face didn't change. She walked close to him and stopped her hoof on the ground as hard as she could, snapping him out of auto-pilot. "Would please be a gentlecolt, Spiky..." Despite Rarity's nice phrasing, Spike knew an order when he heard it.

"Yeah, sorry." Spike hopped off the bed and headed out the door.

"Now see, was that so hard?" Spike stopped for a brief moment before exiting her bedroom. She couldn't see it, but he wasn't amused.

"A little..."

"Here comes the ground pound!" With a loud 'thoom', John Trotter crushed the white martians beneath him, also shattering the ground beneath him. Twilight jumped off the couch, screeching like a teenage filly. "Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh, that was so cool!"

Cut was almost horrified by the way Twilight was acting. "You... you think it was cool?"

"Hay yes! I wish you had shown me this sooner!" She hopped back on the couch, snuggling up to Cut. "Are you OK, you look a little nervous? Never had a mare this close to you, before?" she cooed.

Cut tried not to make eye contact. "Hey, I've had plenty... and that sounded pretty bad, didn't it?"

Twilight giggled as she turned back to the screen. "Well, you are the director of this masterpiece, so I think I can let it go." The sense of awe never left the purple unicorn as she continued to watch John Trotter preform amazing feats. Cut wasn't looking fearful anymore, now he appeared to disappointed then anything.

"It's a masterpiece, alright..."

"WHY WON'T YOU DIE!" Rarity's screams at her rashes proved fruitless as they stayed as bright as they were ten seconds ago. Spike stepped back in fear. "Oh, sorry dear, I'm just getting frustrated. It's been two weeks and still nothing."

"Well... you did have that thing on for... how long?" asked Spike with a condescending tone. Rarity turned and glared.

"Excuse me, mister?" She slowly advanced towards him. Spike stood his ground. "I'll have you know a gentlecolt does not speak in that tone to a lady. He is respectful, attentive and he listens. Something you have done very little of. Maybe you could redeam yourself by running down to the chemist and purchasing a case of heavy duty lotion for me."

...

"No."

...

"Excuse me?"

"I said no." Rarity's eyes widened with disbelief.

"Spike! A good friend would-"

"Boss them around for two weeks straight without a break. Make them listen to every word you say... or shout, fetch every thing you want, cook anything you want cooked and make them clean up after you without so much as a thank you?" Spike started to shed tears. "I may do those things for Twilight, but she's nice! She raised me, she takes care of me, she respects me. You needed somebody to hang out with you because you've got a couple of rashes. You've turned into some prissy, demanding Canterlot mare and I don't like it. I know you that you know I like you, but I guess that why you think I'll stay. I've attended to every need you've had with you just getting more demanding without a single bit of gratitude. Is that something a friend would do?"

...

"I'm out of here! I'm sick of you! BUCK YOU!"

...

"Rarity... please stop crying."

"That's it?" asked Twilight as the closing credits started to roll.

Cut took a deep breath. "Yep..." Twilight slowly turned to him with a blank look on her face.

"That... was... AMAZING!" She pulled Cut of the couch, hugging him way tighter then she should have. With him in her forelegs, she twirled around the room. "I never thought I'd see the things in that book on the screen done so perfectly. I loved it, Cut." She loosened her grip and gave him a kiss. "You should feel proud."

Cut didn't seem to proud of himself at that moment. "You don't watch a lot of movies, do you?"

"Well, no. Why?"

Cut broke free of her grip. "John Trotter made me the laughing stock of all of Canterlot. It's not that I didn't want you to see it, it's that I didn't want to remember that I made it."

"Why?" asked a heartbroken Twilight.

"Do you have any clue how old this series is? In case you don't; it's old! Over the years, ponies beat other film makers to the punch when it came to adapting elements from that Jon Trotter series to the screen."

"What does that mean?"

"It means that nopony actually needed to see the real John Trotter. It tanked. It tanked hard." Cut sat back on the couch, hanging his head.

"How hard?" asked a cautious Twilight.

"It cost six hundred million bits."

"I'm not sure how mu-"

"It made back two hundred million bits." Twilight's eyes widened in shock. "I poured my heart and soul into that project, everypony did. Nobody saw it and the studio blamed me. I was turned into the the butt of every joke for at least a good year. I couldn't get another project with 'Deez Nut's' attached to it. I was jobless for so long. I failed."

"The movie I saw was great. I'm sure it did well with the critics." Twilight tried to sound sincere, but she had a feeling about what was going to happen next. Cut used his magic to pull over a laptop.

"According to Rotten Apples, it has a 42% It was a total failure." He started scrolling through the 'top critics' posts. "Equestria Daily said 'With all the pointless effects, it looks like someone dropped a camera into a toilet and flushed it'. Manehatten Weekly referred to it as 'a castrated version of Ponytar'. Shall I go on?" Twilight shook her head.

"What happened after it tanked?"

"Well, I was jobless for a year, I lost my house, I lost all the ponies that I thought were my friends... I had nothing." Cut inhaled and exhaled with shakiness. "And then I got a letter from Princess Celestia, requesting that I do Equestria the honor of rebooting the Stallion of Steel! Because I'm such a fantastic story teller!"

Twilight laid a reassuring hoof on Cut. "It all worked out, didn't it?"

"Do you have any idea how similar John Trotter and Super-Stallion are? They're both dudes from other planets that gain powers when they arrive on the new world... It's like fate is playing Whack-a-Cut."

Twilight scooched closer. "Cut, are you worried about Super-Stallion?"

Cut's eyes started to water. "Sparkle... I'm scared. It's one thing for ponies not to agree with the movie you made, that's life. But when the whole world lifts you up, throws you down and humiliates you when you only tried to make them happy, do a great character justice... it's too much. If it happens again-"

"I saw you at Comic Con. You made something great. You said it yourself," said Twilight doing her best to comfort him.

"I was happy, but seeing John Trotter again just reminded me of the truth; it doesn't matter what you do, because it's in the hooves of everypony else. If it bombs... I don't know what I'm going to do."

"Sorrysorrysorrysorrysorry!" Spike's voice could barely be heard over Rarity's open weeping on her fainting couch. He winced as he watch the tears flow like a river, staining the couch. "I... I'll go." Spike hung his head as he pulled the door open, only for it to be slammed shut by Rarity's magic. He rotated his head, prepared to see his last sight before he died. But he wasn't faced with anger or rage. Rarity hugged him gently, pulling back enough for him to see her mascara stained face.

"I'm so sorry Spiky Wikey." She wiped a few tears away. "When I saw the rashes, the first thing that I thought was 'what will I look like on the carpet?' and 'what will other ponies think?' The whole reason I joined this was so I could be a part of the film world, only to be terrified what it would think of me. And I took it out on you," she said as pulled the dragon close. "I'm so sorry my little Spiky. I was always afraid that I wouldn't act like a lady and I forgot to act like a friend." She stepped back so he could see her clearly. "Can you ever forgive-?"

Rarity didn't even have to finish her sentence for Spike to hug her as tight as he could. "I'm sorry I yelled at you. It's not something a friend would do."

"It's what a friend would do to another when they're acting like... less then they can be."

"Sure. Let's say that," said Spike with a chuckle. Rarity's face went to a more serious state as he sat him down on the couch.

"Now, I think it's time we talked about... well, us."

"Oh crud."

Rarity couldn't help but laugh. "Spiky, you're a handsome, brave and wonderful little dragon. But that's the key word; little. I'm not sure how the whole 'dragon' thing would work, but ignoring that, I'm simply too old for you darling."

Spike stood up on the couch. "I know that, but I can get bigger. I can be an adult for you!" With a gentle hoof, she brought him back down to his seat.

"Spiky, you are an adult. It's not your age that makes you a grown up, it's the way you act. And very few stallions can say that they are as wonderful as you. But it simply can't work between us, sweet heart. I'm so sorry."

Spike was visibly upset, but not that upset. He kept a brave smile as he look into her eyes. "I guess I knew you would say that. Thank you for being honest with me."

Rarity kissed Spike's cheek, leaving a stain on it. "You're going to make some dragon... or pony very happy one day Spike, but I think they need to be in your age bracket first."

DING! Sweetie Bell cautiously entered the boutique. "Is the war over?"

"Sweetie Bell, come here, darling!" Rarity waved her little sister over and the two embraced. "Spike here taught me a valuable lesson about treating your friends. I think we owe him some dinner."

Sweetie shot up. "Right! Come on Spike, we can make some late night s'mores!" The little unicorn ran into the kitchen. Spike hopped off the couch to follow her, but was pulled back by Rarity, who whispered in his ear...

"If you even think about it, I'll send you to the moon myself."

"After putting you and Rainbow through everything and nearly ruining Ponyville, I couldn't bare the idea of this movie failing." Cut had several tears on his face now. "I can't lose everything again. I'm not strong enough. I couldn't take t- mmph!"

Twilight leaned in and kissed Cut, holding it as long as she could before pulling back. "Cut, you will never lose us. I know the Canterlot crowd has proven to be worse then can look like on TV, but you told me months ago that you made real friends in Ponyville. You know we'ed never abandon you just because you made a movie ponies were too dumb to see. You will always have a place with us... and I have no plans on going anywhere."

...

"Buck you," said Cut with a smile. "You really are too good for me, you know that, right?"

"Yeah, you're right. I should probably give Soarin' a call."

Cut started to laugh. "Oh, you want to go for a round two with Dash?"

"Yeah! I can take her."

"Pfft! You couldn't even handle me!"

Twilight grew a cocky grin, one that Rainbow would normally have. "Prove it!" Cut tackled her to the floor where they play wrestled. Laughing as the music of the John Trotter main menu played.

Next: A Real Red Carpet Affair!

Chapter 16: A Real Red Carpet Affair

Chapter 16: A Real Red Carpet Affair

"When they tell you about how long it takes for mares to get ready before they go out, I always chalked that up to being something from the movies," said Cut as he paced the bottom floor of the library, wearing a nice tuxedo. "Can we activate a montage if that will make you go fast?"

Cut turned to the stairs as he heard the sound of trotting. At the top of the stairs, Twilight was garbed in an elegant, sparkling dress. Her mane was done up and she had just enough make up on. Cut was quick to shut up as she journeyed down the stares. "So, was it worth the wait?" He gestured his hoof by wobbling it side to side.

"Meh." Twilight roller her eyes as she strutted past him.

"Well, you look pretty 'meh' yourself." The librarian peaked out the window, on the opposite side of town, she could make out the light beams that were advertising the 'Stallion of Steel' premier. If she listened, she could make out some faint cheers. "What time does our carriage arrive?"

The director checked the clock on the wall. "About 10 minutes ago."

Twilight noticed that Cut was starting to sweat. She levitated a handkerchief over to his face, dabbing his face so the perspiration didn't reach his nice suit. "Hey, it's going to be great. Don't worry about the whole 'John Trotter' thing. I'm sure the movie will be great." She gave him a reassuring kiss for good measure. It definitely worked, although not as effectively as she hoped.

"I've calmed down about that," he said with a smile.

...

"So how many times have you vomited?"

"Lost count," said Cut as he looked out the same window that Twilight was a moment ago. In the reflection of the window, Twilight saw a look of distress and fear as he gazed up into the night sky that was being lit up in celebration of the premier. "Don't worry, the movie isn't a concern at this point."

Twilight face took on a confused expression. "Then what's wrong?"

"The paparazzi," said Cut with a shudder. "It's like watching vultures fight over a teen debutante's corpse."

The unicorn winced at that last comment. "Do you have to be so morbid, all the time?"

"I don't ha-"

"Have to be morbid," said Twilight with an exhausted eye roll. "You boys need to expand your vocabulary."

Cut gave Twilight a confused look. "Vacu-what now?"

...

"I'm not even going to dignify that with a response," said the mare with a straight face.

"Now your learning how trolling works," Cut said as he wrapped a hoof around his date. "Don't feel bad about not getting it right away. I did learn from the best."

"Who?"

"I'll tell you later." Cut checked the clock again. "Are you sure you couldn't teleport us to the premier?"

"Hmmm, now that you mention it-"

"And could you send the paparazzi to the moon?"

Twilight rolled her eyes again. "They're just doing your jobs, I don't see how you can hate them so much." Cut returned her an evil grin.

"I have such things to show you!"

"Ready, Mac?"

"Eeeyup." At the Ponyville Megaplex, a long, red carpet was unfurled, leading to the entrance. Keeping fans and journalists at bay were two lengths of velvet rope. The board on top of the entrance read 'Stallion of Steel Premier'. On top of the board, Applejack and Bic Mac unfurled a large banner that sat on top of the text that read 'Sweet Apple Acres Present'. On the sides of the banner, were Applejack and Big Mac, smiling and holding different apple products.

PING!

"There they are!" yelled one photographer as he turned to a purple ball of energy that dissipated as quickly as it appeared. In it's place, at the foot of the red carpet, was Twilight and Cut, standing together and smiling as they started to trot down the carpet. Several fans lent over with a pen and paper for Cut to give them his autograph, only for the paparazzi to shove them out of the way, calling out Twilight's name as she waved to the few fans that weren't getting trampled.

"Yo, Sparkle! This way!" called out one photographer.

"Hey, hot stuff! Shake it towards this side!" yelled another. Twilight's smile was becoming harder to keep up. She backed up to Cut so they could speak.

"I'm beginning to see what you were talking about..."

"Trust me, Sparkle, you ain't seen nothing yet."

Twilight turned Cut so they made eye contact. "Firstly; if you're going to date a librarian, please use proper English," said the mare as Cut groaned. "Secondly; are you saying it gets worse?"

"No. I'm saying it gets scary."

"Twi! Cut! From the opposite end of the carpet, Applejack and Big Mac approached the couple, both in formal attire. A.J. gave Twilight a kiss on the cheek. "Suger cube, you look fantastic."

"Eeeyup," agreed Big Mac.

Cut approached Mac with his forelegs open. "Give me some love, brother." The two shared a stallion-hug. "Why didn't you two get a limo?"

"We would've... except we found out before we could call one that the Sweet Apple Acres logo was no where to be found anywhere nears this party."

"Nnnope."

"So we snuck up to the roof and unfurled the banner," A.J. said as she directed their attention to the board above the entrance. A.J. had trouble making eye contact with Final. "Cut... I know that this may seem a bit-"

"It's fine, A.J. You haven't been anywhere near as intrusive as my previous investors."

"Nnnope."

Cut approached Mac. "And you have this magnificent bastard!" Cut wrapped one hoof around Big Mac and another around Applejack. They turned to the crowd of 'journalists' forcing smiles as best they could. Twilight leaned up to Cut's ear.

"Shouldn't we be avoiding these creeps?"

Cut turned his head back towards Twilight, keeping his smile up. "If we give them just enough courtesy shots, there won't be a rumor tomorrow morning about me shouting at my Mother that paints me as angry prick."

...

"When we're done, you've got some stories you need to tell me."

"Fat chance, Sparkle."

"LOOK!" One paparazzo directed everypony's attention towards a limo that pulled up to the carpet. Out of it, came Pinkie, Fluttershy and Rarity. Thankfully, Rarity's rashes had died down enough that a little bit concealer was all it took to hide them.

Rarity waved to the crowd. "Yes, everypony! Photos are encouraged!" Behind her, Fluttershy hid from the army of cameras.

"Not really..."

Cut leaned into Twilight. "Remember when I said things would get scary? Keep your eye on Rarity and watch what happens." As Rarity and Pinkie struck poses for the camera, the white unicorn saw Cut standing near by, grabbed him and pulled him into the view of the cameras. Rarity wrapped her hoof around Cut. "This gentlecolt here is the true mastermind behind this work of art! All the praise goes to Final Cut! The genius behind the Stallion of Steel!"

"If I deserve all the credit, why are you still posing?" whispered Cut.

"Shut up and smile!" Rarity returned. The two awkwardly waved to the camera ponies, Rarity choosing to ignore some of their cruder cat calls.

"So... how did things with Spike turn out?"

Rarity kept a happy face. "Quite well, thank you. We sat down and discussed the situation as adults."

"So... you don't know where he is right now?" asked Cut, turning his head to her.

"No... why?" Cut turned his head back to the photographers, now with a s#!@ eating grin.

"No reason..."

"Hey, Twi, you haven't seen Applebloom anywhere, have ya? Ah aint seen her all day," asked Applejack as she glanced around, hoping to catch site of her little sister.

"I think Cut said she would be here, Sweetie Bell and Scootaloo, too."

"Speak of the devil!" Everypony turned towards a huge limo (easily twice the size of Rarity's) pull up. Cut stepped in front of the door.

"Mares and gentlecolts, allow me to present the true masterminds behind Stallion of Steel!" Pulling the door open, the Crusaders jumped out of the vehicle. Sweetie was wearing a dress, similar to Rarity, as was Applebloom. On the other hoof, Scootaloo was wearing a pair of sunglasses that were obviously too big for her and a backwards cap. She pulled her fillies close to her as they smiled for the cameras.

"That's right, everypony! The Stallion of Steel just go 20% radder!"

Rarity waved to Sweetie. "They look so cute together. Thank you for giving them a chance in the spotlight, Cut." Cut didn't respond, he just continued grinning. "Cut?" asked Rarity, drawing out the 'a'.

"3... 2... 1..."

"Come on out, Spike!" called Sweetie Bell. Jumping out the door, wearing a top hat, was everypony's favorite dragon. "Thanks for taking us, Spike." The girls crowded around Spike as they waved to the fans.

...

Rarity slowly turned to Cut as he returned the gaze. One of her pupils was significantly smaller then the other. While she was not amused, Cut very much was.

"Problem?"

"Thank you! Thank you!" shouted Spike as he and the girls entered the theater. Rarity, who was already inside with the others, pulled Spike to the side as hard as she could.

"Spiky Wiky, I do believe we discussed the idea of spending... time with Sweetie Bell, didn't we?" Rarity's forced smile had plenty of madness seeping through, making Spike sweat.

"If by 'discussion' you mean 'threats' sure. But to be fair... she asked me." Rarity's face didn't change at all.

"I swear!" shouted the frightened dragon. "The Crusaders just wanted somebody to take them. Rarity, I promise, there is nothing going on between me and Sweetie."

...

"You promise?"

"Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my-" before Spike could finish, Sweetie grabbed him, pulling the dragon next to her as they stood in front of the screen door. Pressed up against the screen door, was all the members of the paparazzi. Some of them even had their faces were so close to the glass that they fogged up the window. The lights of the camera flashes were blinding to Spike. Sweetie stepped forward with a smile.

"Behold Cantelot's newest power couple!"

"Wha-" Sweetie pulled Spike close and kissed him on the lips for the cameras to see. When Spike listened hard enough, he could hear the sound of glass shattering coming from Rarity's brain. After Sweetie released him, Spike immediately turned to Rarity, who, it appeared, had no emotion on her face at all.

"Now, I know what you're thinking, but here's the thing..." Without another word, Spike dashed off, leaving a Spike shaped cloud in his place.

"Yeah, yeah. Late. We know." Everypony turned their attention to the skies as Rainbow Dash and Soarin' whooshed through the front door as fast as they could. The crowd outside hootered and hollered loudly as they pegasi trotted in, heading straight for Cut and Twilight. Both of their manes were tossed.

"Twi, Cut," greeted Rainbow Dash.

"Rainbow, Soarin'," returned Twilight.

Cut examined the two. "So... You two been up to anything special?"

Rainbow and Soarin' nervously shifted their eyes. "Nnnope."

"Really?" asked Cut with a straight face.

"Eeeyup."

"Is that why your dress is inside out?" Rainbow and Soarin's eyes shot open as they saw the seems of Rainbow's dress. "You should have told me. I would have brought a camera and we could have spliced it in at the last minute," said Cut with a smarmy look.

Before running to the little fillies room, Rainbow stared daggers at Cut. When she was gone, Cut's blush covered almost his whole face. "So... yeah."

Cut gave him a smile. "Relax, dude. Twilight had the same idea earlier." Twilight's eyes shot open as she turned to Cut.

"Cut... I didn't-"

"OK, OK, fair enough." Cut turned back to Soarin'. "She was begging for it but I said-"

THWACK!

Cut's head vibrated for a moment before he opened his eyes, still grinning. "Totally worth it."

THWACK!

"Somewhat worth it."

THWACK!

...

"It's gone."

"STAY BACK, YOU MONSTERS!" As Rainbow Dash exited the restroom, she noticed Rarity, lifting Sweetie Bell above her head as the Paparazzi pressed on the glass, causing it to creek and crack. "BACK I SAY!"

Rainbow ran to her aid. "Rarity, what's going on?"

"They're animals!" retorted Rarity.

"Rarity... I'm scared," squeaked Sweetie Bell. Rainbow stood between the unicorns and the glass, staring down the flesh crazed ponies.

"Show some coat, Rarity?"

"Where did all the leather go?"

"Hey Rainbow, get Soarin' over here and give us a sneak peak of you-know what!"

Rainbow glared at the freaks. "If you even think of coming any closer, I'll mop the floor with all of you in ten seconds-"

CRRRKT!

"Flat..." The cracks in the glasses crew bigger. The windows started to bend as more and more ponies, fans and photographers alike pushed up against it.

CRRRRKKKTT - CRASH!

The glass gave way, shattering all over the carpet of the megaplex. Rainbow backing up in time to move Sweetie Bell and Rarity far enough to avoid being cut.

Cut grabbed hold of Twilight. "Sparkle... get the theater."

The reports and fans quickly shuffled to their feet, extending free hooves towards the cast and crew. They demanded autographs, locks of manes and a variety of other creepy things. Pinkie raise her head.

"EVERYPONY, RUN!" The girls, Cut and Soarin' all headed towards the theater entrance on the opposite side of the megaplex. They made it through just in time to slam the doors behind them. The unicorns ripping off hoof rests from their chairs to barricade the door.

"Relax, everypony. I'll call secruity and get them cleared so the other members of the crew can get in," shouted Cut. Twilight caught him before he snuck out the fire exit.

"Does this always happen?"

"Only when the movie's going to be good!" With that, Cut left, leaving the girls to decompress.

In the corner, Rarity sat down, hanging her head. She looked at the end of her dress, which had been torn by a rabid fan, she only just realized it though.

"Why the long face?" Rarity looked up to find Rainbow smiling down on her. She then took a place at her side.

"Why didn't I see this coming?" Rarity turned so she and Rainbow were facing each other. "The whole reason I wanted to join this movie was so I could have the fame and attention I've always wanted. Remember how jealous I was when Fluttershy became a model?"

"That's nothing," said Rainbow with a chuckle. "Remember Mare Do Well? Not to mention the fact I was this close to putting on a peep show for the fans back when we auditioned for the movie." The two ponies both felt a wave of guilt wash over them. "I suppose we've both let the fame go to our heads more then once."

"But Rainbow, we've dealt with these problems before. Shouldn't this no longer be an issue?"

"I think it's safe to say that just because you've learned a lesson, doesn't put you above making mistakes every now and then." Rainbow quickly glanced at the barricaded entrance, which was still being banged at. "Some mistakes being bigger then others."

"It's more then that, Rainbow. This nearly cost me my friendship with Spike, I nearly lost you and Twilight. And Sweetie Bell..." Rarity looked over at her sister, who was sitting with Spike and the other Crusaders. He was wiping her tears away with his coat-tails while her friends comforted her. "She probably picked up that camera seeking behavior from me." Rarity continued gazing at her sister as she started to cry. "Being a important has been my number one goal in life... but not if it puts through my sister through something like this."

Rainbow brushed some lose bits of Rarity's mane away from her face. "Maybe you should tell her that." The two hugged and Rarity walked over to Sweetie Bell, sending the others away for a moment. Rainbow watched from afar as the two sister lovingly embraced.

"Mind if join ya?" Before she could answer, Twilight joined Rainbow on the floor.

...

"So, how's your evening?" asked the unicorn.

"Everypony, please do me the honor of shutting the buck up!" In the empty space between the front row of seats and the screen, Cut stood, holding a microphone. The entire cinema was packed. The whole cast and crew had shown up. Sweetie and Rarity sat next to each other, the Apple family was bunched up on the side, Rainbow Dash and Soarin' were wrapped around each other in the far back and Twilight had Cut's seat in the second to last row, waiting for him to finish talking. Entering at the last second, was Princess Celestia, taking up several seats on the side, giving Cut a wink and a smile as she settled. "We've spent months on this. We've spent hundreds of thousands of bits. We nearly turned Ponyville into a smoking crater... Let's pray it was worth it!"

The audience applauded as Cut took his seat with Twilight. "Whatever the movie turns out to be... I want you to know it was worth it." She pulled up the hoof rest that separated them, cuddling up to him. The gazed lovingly into each others eyes. "I love you, Final."

"I know."

The houselights dimmed....

The audience smiled...

The projector lit up...

Next: Stallion of Steel!

Chapter 17: Stallion of Steel - Act 1

Chapter 17: Stallion of Steel - Act 1

Deep in the vacuum of space, a solitary planet floated. The planet appeared to be completely covered in clouds, the few gaps showing nothing by an ocean beneath it. Behind the cloudy planet was a giant red sun that grew brighter with each passing second.

"You will travel far, you will see wonders, you will perform wonders," said a single solitary voice. "You're going to insipre others to succeed where we failed. You will save lives. You will give them a reason to keep going. You will represent the best that sentient species can be." The red sun reached its breaking point. "Take flight, my little Pon-E."

Suddenly, the sun collapsed in on itself before exploding outwards, taking the cloudy planet with it. Leaving nothing but an empty void of black.

Celestial Entertainment Presents

In Association with Sweet Apple Acres

A Final Cut Film

"Mild! Earth to Mild Mannered! Wake up!" In his bedroom, a teenage pegasus, named Mild Mannered slowly opened his eyes, rolling them with frustration. He rolled himself out of bed, landing on the floor like a bag of sand, his wings clutched firmly to his side. His mane was rough at best, with a single curl hanging over his face. "Get your butt down here!"

Mild slowly stepped down the stares to find his father, 'Honest Labor', an earth pony, toiling away in the kitchen. "Somebody call me?"

"Don't sass me," spat his father as he finished cooking. He laid out a grass and hay breakfast in front of his son. "Eat. We've got a lot of chores to do." Next to his plate, Honest laid out a piece of paper with chores on it. The list was almost longer than the table. "You'll need to get started on the fence before the school bus get's here-" as his father trailed off, Mild got of his seat and casually walked off, leaving the house. "And when you get back, you'll need to paint the barn- Mild?" Honest searched the room for his son, only to hear a faint 'whoosh' from outside. He ran out to find his son casually walking towards the farm and behind him, all of the chores that were on the list had been done (even chores that weren't on the list). "You forgot to have breakfast first."

"You know I don't need to eat," retorted Mild as he headed back to the farm he was raised in. It wasn't large by farm standards, but was still decent. Honest stood in front of his son.

"Mild, you still need to eat."

"Since...?"

"Since everypony has always needed to eat."

Mild scoffed at his dad, walking past him. "We both know I'm not everypony." Honest ran in front of him again.

"Son, we need to talk."

Mild bent down and leaped straight over his father, landing behind him like it was nothing. "Talk about what?" he asked as he headed back to the house.

"You seem... off," Honest said walking besides his son. "I know you haven't been talkative since your mother passed, but not talking only makes your problems worse."

"I don't have any problems. I'm above that and you know it," Mild said as he shot a small glare back at his father.

"Nopony is above having problems, Mild. Especially you and me." Mild just rolled his eyes. "Just because you can do things that others can't, that doesn't mean you're better than them."

Mild stopped and turned to his dad. "You're right, I can do things that other ponies can't. For example, I could fly. But you won't let me."

Honest looked weary. "Son, you know how fast you could fly if you pushed yourself. If somepony found out, they could take you from me. Your mother was worried about the same thing." He laid a hoof on his son.

"Please, dad, just let me go to flight academy. We both know they could train me. Even if I am faster then all of them already."

"You know I don't like Cloudsdale, son. Your place is down here, with me and the farms problems for now."

"What have you got against Cloudsdale anyway?"

"There's a problem with having your head in the clouds, Mild. When you're too busy looking up, you forget about the problems down below."

"It's not so bad when there's something to look up to," returned his son. "Dad, one of these days, I'll have to leave and you'll know I'll just fly away."

"You might change your mind before then." The school bus pulled up at the front of the farm. Honest slicked back his sons hair neatly, much to his dismay. "Now go on, you're friends will miss you if you're late."

"I don't think anypony cares about me that much."

Honest smiled. "I do."

Feeling more then a little guilty, Mild hugged his dad. "Th- thanks dad. I'll see you when I get back." He started trotter towards the bus.

"Mild! Same-"

"Same deal as everyday! No showing off. I've only been doing if for 15 years!" shouted back Mild with an eye roll. "I think I get it by now." With a worried expression, Honest turned his back and entered the house. Mild turned only to find the bus driving off without him. He ran, at normal speed, trying to catch up, only to reach the gate in time to see it disappear from site. Mild took a deep breath, checked to make sure nopony was looking, smiled and started running through the corn field next to the road.

"At least I won't be late." With a 'whoosh' Mild took off at high speed through the field, passing the bus in a few seconds, reaching Ponyville high in a matter of seconds. Standing on the lawn outside, he smiled bigger then he had in a while. He checked to make sure nopony was looking as he started laughing, feeling proud of his incredible speed.

In a dark, dank place, a sonar screen lit up. A pony drapped in dark clothes examined it. "It's about time..."

"Mild Mannered wasn't late! Prepare for the return on Nightmare Moon! The end is upon us!" shouted Sweetie Pie as she strolled down the busy hallways of Ponyville high with Mild.

"Let her come, I'll take her down easy," scoffed the ground-bound pegasus.

"Nah! You'd never hit a lady, would you know," she teased Mild. The pagasus just looked around awkwardly. "I didn't think so, you've got too much of that 'country boy' in ya to do something ungentlecolt like," she added, doing her best-worst country accent.

"Please, keep talking like that, I'm sure to be the coolest stallion here with an image like that." Mild searched the hallways, looking out for any unwanted attention.

Sweetie blushed. "I don't know... a couple more nice stallions around here wouldn't be so bad. Besides, my name's Sweetie Pie. That's about as country-bumpkin of a name as you can get."

Mild dropped whatever smile he had. "Speaking of which..."

"Hey! Country Bumpkin!" yelled a deep voice from behind

"3... 2... 1..." Mild was picked up and thrown against his locker by a muscular earth pony, wearing a football jacket.

"Mild Mannered."

"Horse Power, I see... or smell rather that you forgot to brush your teeth... again."

The bully shoved him against the lockers, even harder then before. "Really funny, punk. Listen I was hoping to get your opinion on something."

"You call me a punk and then ask for my opinion? You may want to think before you speak. Or would that be too much for you?" Mild retorted with a smirk.

"You see, I was thinking I would call you 'book worm' form now on, considering how much time you spend in the library. But you see, that kind of conflicts with the other view of you everypony here has... an inbred, backwards-plot, country hick!"

Mild smiled. "I'm actually adopted."

...

Horse Power punched Mild in the gut as hard as he could, winding him. Over the years, Mild had learned how to take a punch (in other words, turn off his powers when necessary). Other school ponies gathered around, watching Mild get kicked as he was down. Sweetie ran up and tackled Horse into the lockers.

"Back off, you meat head!" Horse Power laughed with bemusement as she looked at the other ponies, who just watched Mild struggle to his feet. "Somepony! Help him!"

"Nah. They know better," said Power. "They know a lost cause when they see one." He crept up on Sweetie with a very 'hostile work environment' level smile on his face. "Much like yourself, Sweetie plot."

"POWER!" Everypony turned to find the principle glaring down the school bully. "My office, now!" Before walking off, Power gave Mile one last kick for good measure. "NOW!" Power left Mild to be picked up by Sweetie.

"Mild, did he hurt you?"

"Well... he threw me against the metal lockers and kicked me several times... so no, I'm good," he replied with a smile, letting blood run down his lips.

"Look at you! You're bleeding."

Mild pushed her away. "It's OK... I'll go the nurses office. But thanks." Mild, still smiling, ran off in the other direction. Sweetie turned to find the lockers that he was thrown up against were damaged with a Mild Mannered shaped dent. Something she hadn't seen before. Looking around, Mild ran outside into the rays of the sun, soaking them up, which cause his lip cut to heal. "Thank Celestia for... well, Celestia!"

"Isolate point of origin," commanded the darkly dressed pony, sitting in her dark lair. The computer monitor in front of pin pointed a location on the map; Honest Farms. "At last... we'll be together."

It was 3 o'clock and everypony was running out of class as fast they could, some of them cheering in the process. Mild waiting until everypony had left so he could dash home. He didn't normally use his super speed to get around, but today called for it, he supposed. Checking one last time, he stepped out onto the field, preparing to run. "Hey, blank flank!"

Mild rolled his eyes and turned. Thankfully, it was just Sweetie Pie, teasing him. "Keep your voice down. You might give Horse Power some ideas."

She giggled. "I doubt it. One: he's not smart enough to develop ideas. Second, if the principle keeps to his guns, you'll probably be in the clear till we graduate in a few months.

"Yeah..." his voice trailed off in thought. "Hey, Sweetie?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you ever felt like that you're... I don't know. Better?"

"That we can do better things?"

"No. I mean that feeling when you look at everypony around you and you can say 'I'm better than you'."

Sweetie looked shocked. "Mild... I'm gonna be honest. I don't like hearing that kind of stuff from you." He rolled his eyes in return. "Just because you have a bully - and guess what: so does everypony ever - you can't walk around, thinking you're better then everypony else."

"But it's true," he said with a smile. "I can do these incredible things and I'm stuck here."

"Of course you can do incredible things. And with the right education, you can do those things."

"No, not like that. Tomorrow, there's something I want to show you, but right now, I've got to get home. Chores and stuff."

"Mild, wait!" Mild turned to Sweetie, who was looking deeply hurt. "When you say that you're better then everypony... does that include me?"

...

"Sweetie- oomph!" Mild was tackled to the ground by Horse Power, who then kicked him further down the field.

"Ready for the second and last round, you hick!" Mild struggled to his feet, doing his best not to turn his powers back on. "I got expelled because of you!" Mild couldn't help but smile as the bully made his approach. "Guess what that means; nothing to lose!" Horse Power kicked him again, sending all the air out of the pegasus... but Mild was still laughing.

"You have nothing to lose?"

"Yeah!"

"Good... neither do I."

Horse Power approached the pegasus. "You're probably right about that. You're a worthless pegasus who can't even fly. Although I bet that's what you can expect from a couple of inbred, dumb-plot parents like yours!"

...

Horse Power grabbed him by his mane. "Come on, big blue! Stand up!"

Mild looked up at him with an evil glare. "Sit down!"

THWACK! With one punch, Mild sent Power flying back, just bearly missing Sweetie on the way. He landed on the ground with a large 'thump'. Sweetie looked horrified.

"Mild... how did you-"

"GGGGYYYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" Power stuggled back to his feet, clutching his left foreleg. "You broke my foreleg!"

"Foreleg... wow. That's a big word for you," he said as he slowly trotted towards his would-be bully.

"What the hay are you? Made of steel?"

"That's one way to put it." Mild raised his hoof, ready to punch again, only for Sweetie to run between them.

"Mild! What are you doing?!"

"I- I'm giving him what he desrvse! They way he treats us-"

"Mild, you're better than this." Power nodded in agreement. "You don't need to do this." Mild took a few steps back, looked around and ran straigt into the corn field near the school, Sweetie chasing him. "Mild! Please don't-" It was too late. Mild had dissapeared into the field, leaving nothing but a 'whoosh' behind.

Mild ran up to the front door of the farm. "Dad! I think I need to hide out here for a little while." Cut opened the door to find his father right there, glaring straight at his adoptive son. "Actually, I think I'm gonna head back to school." He turned and started to walk away. Honest followed him out.

"I saw you run to school today."

"I missed the bus, I had to," said Mild as he started to pick up speed.

"MILD MANNERED! Don't you dare run away from me!" Mild came to a stop and faced his father. "No less then ten seconds after I tell you not to use your powers - something that you've been doing for 15 years - you go ahead and do it! What's wrong with you?" Mild had a response, but didn't use it. "Honestly son, ever since your mother passed away, you've turned into a completely different stallion." Mild mumbled something under his breath. "What did you say?"

"I said she wasn't my mother! And you're not my father."

"Mild..."

"You haven't told me where my real parents are. How you found me. Where I came from. How I can do all these things. Do you know what that's like for me?"

"Mild..."

"Normal pegasi can't lift trucks over their heads. They can't run faster then a bus. They can't shoot fire from their noses!"

...

"Since when could you shoot fire from your nose?"

Mild eye's shrank when he remember he hadn't told his old stallion that part. "It... just recently. Not that it's your business."

"Mild, you're better than this!"

"You're right." He stomped on the ground as hard as he could. It shacked so hard that honest fell on his back. "I am better than this. I'm better then Horse Power! I'm better then Sweetie Pie! And I'm sure as hay better than you!"

Tears began to run down Honest's face. "Son... you're mother and I... we were afraid."

"Of what? These?" asked Mild as he extended his large, blue wings.

"Mild, put those away before you do something you'll regret."

"Or... what?" Mild kept his wings open. "Are you gonna shoot me with your shotgun, dad? You know they'll just bounce right off me and hit you.. if I'm lucky."

Honest was openly weeping. "Mild... please stop..." His son raised his wings. "I love you."

"Look up in the sky and you might see me one last time!"

"MILD-"

WHOOSH!

At an astonishing speed, Mild rocketed off into the air, penetrating the clouds with ease. His father watched on as his son broke the sound barrier, disappearing into space. Mild eventually reached an alltitue where it seemed like he could see all of Equestria, he leaned back and absorbed the peace and quiet. He smiled as the rays of the sun beamed over him. "Now this is who I am."

A dark portal appeared before Honest Labor. Out of the portal stepped the darkly dressed unicorn. She examined the area around her. "Where is he?"

Honestly climbed back to his feet. "Who?"

"I know it's easy for you Equestrian's to play dumb, but I'm no fool." He walked up till she was right in his face. Honest could make out a white face with a leather domino mask over her eyes. "Where is Pon-E?"

Honest shrugged her off. "Sorry, ma'am. I don't know who your talking about. And for future reference, you might want to rethink your taste in fashion." Deep beneath her cloak, rage was boiling. "Celestia guide you."

THWIP! A leather whip wrapped around one of Honest's hooves. "I will not ask you again, where is he?" Honest glared in return. "Very well." With a blast of magical energy, she sent him flying into his house, knocking the door down. Honest staggered up, Only for the mysterious mare to grab hold of him and throw him against the wall.

"You... really need to work on your manners, missy."

She tightened her grip. "Don't even consider pointing out flaws, you Equestrian filth."

Honest started to smile. 'Ma'am. You have entered my house, uninvited, and demanded to know the location of a stallion I don't know. Now please leave. We can walk away from this like civil ponies."

She leaned into him. "I'm above that." She dropped him on the ground, taking a few steps back. Using her whips razor tip, she slashed his gut, causing blood to come pouring out. Honest cried out in agony. "I will have to track him again. Farwell, cretin." She opened another portal, stepping through it and vanishing.

Honest stepped out of the house, clutching his gut, trying to keep the blood from leaking. He looked up into the sky. "MILD!" No response. "MILD!" his cry echoing throughout the valley.

Mild enjoyed his time in the upper limits of the atmosphere. Suddenly, he heard the cries of his father, all the way down below. Mild had never heard something from that far away before. "Pa?" Without a seconds hesitation, he soared back towards Equestria just as quickly as he took off earlier. He looked in horror as he touched down, seeing his father in pain. "Dad! We've got to get you to the hospital!"

"No... not until you see this..." Honest trotted as best he could to the barn, Mild helping him along the way.

"Dad, we need to get you patched up."

"Son... I've held this away from you for too long, before I go, you need to see this." He went to the work bench and pulled a metal box out of one of the draws. He opened the box to reveal a metal cylinder. Over the cylinder were several unfamiliar symbols. "Your mother and I... we found you in a patch of clouds... clouds in the shape of a ship." It hurt to talk. "The only things that weren't made of cloud were you... and this," he said as he shoved it into his sons hooves. "Son, don't blame yourself for this. I know you're angry-"

"Dad-"

"But I forgive you... I love you so much... I'll never stop loving you." He kissed his son on the forehead. Both of them were crying. "You're going to be a very important pony... I know you'll make the right choices. Just remember... be the best pony... you can be." With one last breath, Honest faded away, joining his beloved wife in the next life.

"Dad? Dad, wake up! WAKE UP!"

The next morning, Mild sat on the edge of the veranda of his house. A doctor stepped out the door. "Son... I'm afraid I couldn't save him. He really should have come to the hospital. I've called the city morgue and they'll be here to pick him up. I'm sorry."

"No where near as much as I am..."

The doctor reached into his coat and pulled out a card. "I have the number for a grieving counselor. She can help you, Mild." As he laid the card in Mild's hoof, the young pegasus cried.

"Nopony can. Could you please leave?" Without another word, the doctor left, Mild making sure to wait until he disappeared from sight. Mild pulled out the cylinder that his father gave him before. At a much slower speed, he levitated into the air, taking off into the clouds above. Once he reached the altitudes of the clouds, he examined the cylinder closely, noticing that on the top, there was a symbol that looked like a horse shoe, with the letter 's' in the negative space. Mild started to break down. "Dad... Mom... I failed you." He dropped the cylinder, letting it fade into the distance.

SHOOM! The cylinder flew back up to Mild's eye level. Hovering in front of him, Mild tried to touch it, only for it to fly away. Now at a considerable distance from Mild, the cylinder started to spin around and around, sucking the nearby clouds into it. Mild wasn't sure if he was in wonder or if he was horrified. Once all the clouds were sucked into the cylinder, it stopped for a brief second before shooting the clouds back out. The clouds took the form of a giant fortress in the sky, with a door that had the 'S' symbol at the front. The door opened, and Mild slowly entered.

He examined his new surrounding closely. There were statues of pegasi he didn't recognize. There were pools of rainbows as well as several terminals that looked like science labs. He saw that one hall led to what looked like a library. He found glowing 'S' symbol at the end of one hallway. He pressed down on it and the jumped back, afraid of what would happen. A holographic display of a pegasus appeared. He looked like Mild, except much older and his coat was whiter. "My son... welcome home."

Mild was slack jawed. "What?"

"Be at ease, my son, for you will not remember me. I am Kon-E. You're father. You're true name is Pon-E, you're mother was... is Raya-Zon-E. She is spending her last moments with you as I record this message. You are the last son of Cloudtopia. A planet at the farthest end of the galaxy. We were a race of pegasi that lived in peace... only for our self-absorbed nature to blind us from the fact that our sun is going to explode and take our planet with it." Mild couldn't believe what he was hearing. "I sent you in a ship of my own design to the one other planet with sentient equine life; Equestria. They are young, but brave. Once exposed to their magical Sun, you will be granted powers that they will not have. You will be stronger and faster then anypony else." Mild dropped to his knees, overwhelmed with all this new information. "Son... you're going to have to decide what kind of stallion you are going to be, but I know you'll do the right thing."

Behind the hologram, a compartment opened. Mild walked around the hologram to find a blank, suit that could cover his whole body if he had put it on. "This fortress is all that is left of our home world. You will find digitized copies of all of our literature, scientific discoveries and culture. That suit is DNA ready. Meaning it will change color once you wear it. It was the last piece of clothing I had left to give you. Consider this a father's last gift to the love and joy of his life."

Mild took the suit, letting his tears run over the alien piece of clothing. "My son, listen well, for this is the reason you are here. Our world may have no hope, but Equestria does. The planet is populated by those who wish to be better. To be greater. You will be their example. You will give them something to strive towards. You are not perfect my son, but nopony truly is. Your powers will make you a beacon of hope for the future. You will lead by example. You will make them the best ponies they can be." The young pegasus remembered another stallion who spent his life trying to impart that lesson to him before. "I love you my son." Kon-E shed tears while smiling. "Take flight, my little Pon-E." With a flicker, the hologram disappeared, leaving Mild alone in his new fortress.

He checked out the fortress again, this time he found a statue of his mother and father, both of them together and smiling. Mild brushed his mane away from his face, leaving a single curl over his face. "Dad... I won't let you down again."

Five years later.

The outside of Canterlot was very different from the inside. Every entrance was blocked and protected by armed guards. Near the gates were several ponies, crying because the guards wouldn't let them in. But there was a new pony approaching the gate. He was wearing thick specs, a button up shirt and a tie. One of the guards stepped in his path. "Halt! Who goes there?"

Mild jumped back in fear, whelping a little as he landed back on the ground. "I'm- I'm... M- Mi-"

"Speak peasent!"

"Mild Mannered... I'm a reporter- I just received a job offer from the Daily Sunshine... please see my credentials." His hoof shaking like a drink mixer, he handed the guard a press pass with is picture on it. The guard couldn't help but shake his head as he saw the pegasus shake in fear.

"Whatever... I'll open the gate for you."

"Gee, thank you sir. That would be grand," he said with a goofy smile. The guard gave him a 'WTF' face before signaling the guards controlling the gate.

The gates creeked open like they hadn't been open in years. Mild turned back to all the poor ponies who didn't get the same pass he did. They looked at the gate like it was a gateway to heaven. "Enjoy your life in Canterlot, weirdo."

"Actually, my name's Mild- oomph!" The brute guard shoved Mild towards the gate, trying to get him to pick up the pace. The second he was inside the city walls, everything was different. The streets were clean, the ponies were prim and proper and everything seemed to be in order. With a happy-go-lucky smile, the adjusted his glasses and happily skipped down the street, several ponies giving him the 'WTF' look in the process. While looking up int the sky, he knocked into a very well-to-do looking mare unicorn. "Oh my... I'm so sorry ma'am," apologized Mild as he extended a hoof to her, only for it to be slapped away.

"What the hay is wrong with you, freak?"

"I'm sorry- I'm not sure-"

"You come into Canterlot - a rare pleasure for anypony - and you just skip down the street, looking up in the sky for... what reason exactly?"

Mild kept his smile as he searched for an answer. "I- I just like looking up."

"Well you might want to stop." The mare picked up her bags and walked away. "There's never been a reason for anypony in this town to look up." The pleasant unicorn disappeared into the crowd.

"Have a great day!" Mild continued on his journey, but opted to stop skipping. He eventually found the Daily Daylight, a tall building with a sun rotating on the roof. "Wow, that's high," he spoke aloud, making some of the other ponies around him wonder if he got lost on his way to the short bus.

He made his way to the top floor, finding himself in the bullpin. Journalists and photographers ran frantically around the room, trying to keep up with their deadlines and making sure everything was spell-checked. Mild made his way past everypony as best he could without bumping into them (not that it worked) and arrived at a receptionist desk. The receptionist in question was a pink earth pony, who started blankly ahead like nothing was there. "Excuse me, Miss? My... my name is Mild Mannered and- and I'm here- I'm here for the-"

"Huh? Sorry, I didn't notice you there," she said, clearly not interested in a single word this dork had to say.

"That's quite alright. You look very busy today."

"That's the Daily Daylight," she said with a forced smile.

"I'm sorry, I forgot to ask for your name."

"Call Waiting."

"That's a lovely name," he said with a warm smile. "My name's Mild Mannered." He extended a hoof towards Call, only for her to just stare at him. "I'm here for the job offer I received."

"You got a job offer?" In case it wasn't clear, Call didn't think much of Mild Mannered.

"Oh yes! I know I have the documents in here somewhere..." he frantically searched his shirt pockets for the papers. "Oh goodness... I seem to have forgotten them. I'm so sorry! I'll have to-"

"Stop," she said with a raised hoof. "I trust ya. Go on in. The chief will be expecting you."

Mild breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh thank you so much. Celestia bless you. I'd love to chat more later."

"I bet." Call returned to her previous state of 'deep thought'. Mild creeked the door to the chief's office open.

"DAMN IT! WHERE'S MY COFFEE?!" Mild winced as the shouting, still keeping his smile up.

"Good morning, sir. My name's-"

"Mild Mannered. I know. AND WHERE'S MY COFFEE?!" Angry Chief was a brown earth pony, who clearly had been at this job for a while, letting some of his grey hairs shine through is brown mane.

"Then you must be Angry Chief. It's a pleasure to meet you sir-"

"WHATEVER! LOOK, MANNERED, YOU WERE LUCKY TO GET THIS JOB IN THE FIRST PLACE. IF YOU DON'T WORK HARD AND KEEP MOVING, I'M GONNA-"

"E- Excuse me?" The two stallions turned to find a sweet, little mare poke her head in the door. She was a purple unicorn in a white shirt, red tie and glasses. She was clearly scared, but that didn't stop her from sharing her beautiful smile. Mild's heart stopped for a brief second, only to resume what Chief starting yelling again.

"MEEKLY! DO YOU HAVE THE REPORT READY FOR THE PRESSES?!"

The sweet mare searched her saddle bags with her magic. "I'm so sorry- I mean- I- I- I do. It's in here somewhere... I think."

Chief rolled his eyes. "GREAT! NOW THERE'S TWO OF THEM! MILD MANNERED, MEET OUR OFF-SITE INVESTIGATOR; MEEKLY!"

"Must you shou-"

"YES!"

Meekly turned to the new stallion, blushing when she realized how handsome he was. "I- I'm sorry- Cheif is..." her voice trailed off as she blushed and turned away, still smiling.

"Oh... that's alright ma'am... I'm sure- I'm sure he's..." Mild mimicked Meekly sweet gesture as they struggled to maintain eye contact. Chief looked like he was about to vomit.

"YOU MAKE ME SICK! GET OUT OF MY OFFICE AND GET BACK TO WORK! WELCOME TO THE TEAM, MANNERED!"

"It's a pleasure to-"

"OUT!"

Meekly and Mild ran to the door, only to awkwardly bump into each, giggling like school children as they left. "I'm sorry about Chief," said Meekly. He's a really sweet guy when you get to know him." Her blush grew brighter.

"I'm... I'm sure. Miss-"

"Meekly. Just Meekly." The two awkwardly giggled and blushed like teenagers with Call Waiting looking disgusted.

"There's two of them now..."

"EVERYPONY! LISTEN UP!" yelled Chief as he charged out of his office. The shout frightened Meekly to the point of jumping into the air, only to land in Mild's hooves. "I JUST GOT WORD OVER THE WIRE! THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THE GRAND UNVEILING OF A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE MUSEUM, LATER TODAY. MANNERED! I WANT YOU DOWN THERE FOR YOUR FIRST STORY!"

"Why are you shouting at everypony?"

"TO REMIND THEM I WANT MY COFFEE!" Chief slammed his door and the employees returned to work. Mild gently lowered Meekly to the ground.

"Thank you.. such a gentlecolt," she said while batting her eye lashes.

Mild turned a bright red. "Oh it's-"

CRRRRRKT! Mild's super-hearing picked up the sound of something crumbling. He searched the nearby area for other sounds. He picked up the sounds of unsuspecting ponies near the sound. He looked out the window, using his X-Ray and super-vision to see the source of the sound. He found a large, stone pillar about to crumble on top of a group of ponies. Suddenly, all the blood left his face, almost like he could control it. "You'll have to excuse me, ma'am."

"What?" Mild ran into the crowd of reporters, vanishing from sight. Meekly looked back at Call. "Who was that?"

"Who cares?"

Mild ran into the abandoned alley next to the Daily Daylight, throwing away his glasses and ripping his shirt off, revealing a red and blue uniform underneath. It only covered the same part of his torso that his shirt was covering, but the alien technology extended the uniform over the rest of his body, leaving his wings free. Over the flank and chest, the 'S' symbol from the cylinder was christened. As the uniform created a mask over Mild's face, he extended his wings and took off.

A stallion looked up to find the giant stone pillar tumbling over. "RUN!" The ponies around galloped away from the pillar as fast as they could. When they turned back, they noticed a young filly looking up, motionless. "What are you waiting for? Run!" The filly did nothing, she just looked up and waited...

WHOOSH! A red and blue blur appeared out of nowhere, catching the pillar above his head. Mild hovered triumphantly over the crowd. All the ponies looked up in amazement. Mild took the opportunity to look around, giving friendly smiles to everypony. He finally looked down at the little girl he just saved. "Ma'am..."

"AAH!" screamed the filly. He parents ran over, picked her up and bolted out of sight. Everypony else ran away as well, screaming at the top of their lungs. Mild looked in confusion as everypony seemed terrified of him.

"No... please... I'm here to help." It was too late. He was alone. Mild dropped the pillar on the ground like it was nothing. He took to a higher altitude to see where everypony ran. When he flew high enough, he could see everypony in Canterlot running away in fear. He hung his head in shame.

"I think I've made a mistake."

Next: Act 2!

Chapter 18: Stallion of Steel - Act 2

Chapter 18: Stallion of Steel - Act 2

All at once, a group of computer monitors lit up, bringing light to the dark hole they were set up in. A familiar unicorn examined one screen, showing a pegasus in a red and blue suit. She noticed the 'S' symbol emblazoned on him. "Finally... you're mine." She got off her chair and walked to a large platform connected to her work station. "Computer! Ready the portal! Destination: Canterlot."

Mild Mannered hovered above the city of Canterlot, keeping his ears open for all the gossip being spread about his arrival.

"Did you see that?!"

"He lifted it like it was nothing!'

"Where did he come from? How did he get into Canterlot?"

"What does he want from us?"

"Mommy... I'm scared."

Mild sighed. "What did I do wrong?" His hearing picked up again as he heard a great whooshing sound coming towards him. He turned his head just in time for the collision, knocking him back several meters. After re-aligning himself (as best as he could, considering he was in the air), he saw what crashed into him; a blue pegasus with a rainbow mane, wearing a blue suit that covered her torso. The cutie mark was a 'W' made up of feathers. "Excuse me...? Miss?"

The rainbow pegasus gathered her wits, examining the stallion before her. "What the buck?! You made of steel or something?"

"Not exactly. Are you OK?" He tried to lay a hoof on her, only to be smacked away. She wasn't as strong as he was, but she had some serious muscle on her. "Who are you?"

Rainbow examined the suit Mild was wearing. When she noticed the 'S' on his suit, her eyes windned. Suddenly, she flew off to the distance, only to come back at ramming speed, plowing into Mild with both hooves. She flew up in to the sky and came back down, slamming Mild on the head. As he plummeted to the streets of Canterlot, the pegasus shook her hooves. She may as well have been punching the same steel as the doors that blocked off Canterlot. "None of your business... freak."

CRASH! Mild landed straight onto the air condition unit on the roof of the Canterlot palace. He was in a daze from that last hit. It's not like he had ever met somepony who could hit him back before. "Did anypony catch the number of that train? It had wings..."

BOOM! A bright light appeared before the pegasus, blinding him for a quick second. When the light faded away, he found a white unicorn, draped in a dark cloak. It didn't take X-ray vision to know she was wearing something leather underneath that cloak. He stood over Mild before offering a hoof. "Pon-E. At last we meet." Mild took her hoof as he got up.

"Thank you, ma'am... that's an interesting outfit you have there."

"It's more practical then you think." She took a step back and sized up the Cloudtopian, smiling the whole time. "You have no idea how long I've waited for you-"

"Twenty-three years?"

...

"How did you-"

"That's how long I've been in Equestria... and it's also how old I am. I assume you know where I'm from since you called me Pon-E." Mild, in return, sized up the unicorn. Maybe it was his good old-fashioned, wholesome upbringing, but her leather suit wasn't sitting well with him. "Are you from Cloudtopia too?"

"I wish," she responded with a chuckle. She started to circle the red and blue stallion, looking into his eyes with what looked like crazy lust. "You... look even stronger then I imagined. And you were that suit with such pride! I can see it!"

Mild started to back up. "Ma'am... I usually ask mares out before this part happens. Perhaps we could sit down and have a grass sandwich sometime?" he said with a nervous smile.

"But you don't have to eat, now do you?" she cooed. She approached him with a 'come hither' smile. "You're above that. You're above all of this. That's what makes you great!"

Mild finally backed up to the edge of the roof. "Actually, I'm not. Who doesn't enjoy a hardy meal? Especially breakfast. It's the most important meal of the day... at least that's what my mother always said."

The unicorn seemed confused. "They... really did a number on you, didn't they? I was afraid this would happen." Mild wasn't used to fighting, but he had a feeling that this wasn't going to end well. "You are going to be a great stallion. And I'm going to help you. We're going to make this world a better place."

"I think we should leave that up to the Princess... I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name."

The unicorn's eyes wondered off as she searched for an answer. "I... haven't thought of one yet."

Mild now knew he was dealing with a nutcase. "I'm certain your mother came up with a nice one."

The leather clad unicorn burst into laughter. "That name is no longer important. I was looking for a replacement, but I suppose I was sidetracked in my search and forgot." She tried to touch Mild, but he gently moved her hoof away. "I'd like to take you home..."

And with that, Mild took to the air, hovering over her head. "Wow, look at the time! I'm very sorry ma'am, but I have other engagements today. Celestia guide you!" Mild flew into an alley on the other side of town. He was traveling so fast that nopony even noticed him.

"You won't escape again." A small squad of guards flew onto the roof that the unicorn was standing on, readying their weapons. The white mare did not look back.

"Hault! You are trespassing on Royal Canterlot soil! Identify yourself!"

...

"I really should have thought of a name by now..." mused the unicorn.

"Look at us when we talk to you peasant!" shouted the guard. "Who are you?!" The mare looked back with a bone chilling smile, causing the guards to shake in their boots.

"I am many things. I am the future... I am perfection..." She started to advance towards the soldiers. "I am what is needed to give this world a fresh start."

"W-what?"

"I am mayhem!" The unicorn reached under the cloak, pulled out a dark whip, and lashed it at the guards.

Now dressed in his civilian gear, Mild stumbled into the bull pin. "I'm sorry, everypony. I was had milkshake that disagreed with me and... hello?" There was nopony left. Computers and T.V's were left on, papers were scattered everywhere and the office parrot was left unfed.

"Here!" Mild turned to have a can bird food bounce off his head and hit the ground. "Do me a favor and feed the little guy. He gets loud when nopony feeds him." Call Waiting power-walked past Mild, carrying poorly organized documents in her hooves.

"Sure thing, miss Waiting."

"It's just Call."

Mild poured the food into the parrots bowl, patting him a little before turning away. "So... where is everypony?"

"That red and blue dude. They saw him on the T.V. and the next thing I know, everypony is running out screaming. Some of the pegasi were flying out the windows." She started going to random ponies computers and started typing away, bouncing back and forth around the room. "So now it's up to me to save the day. I've got to do everypony's work for them until they come back from where ever they're hiding."

"But you still stayed. You must be very brave," Mild said with a smile.

"Actually... I was kind of asleep when it happened. I just woke up when the reporters started flying through the glass," she said with a blush.

"Well... it's brave of you to take on their work, for them... or would that be 'considerate'?"

Call dropped everything she was doing and stared at Mild. "Are you for real?!"

"W-W-W-What do you mean, Miss Waiting?" he stuttered.

"You come from out of nowhere-"

"Honest Farms, outside of Ponyville, actually."

"And you just trot in here, talking like the straight man from an Abbot and Costello routine. And to top it all off: you smile."

"I'm... sorry?"

Call walked straight up Mild, looking deep into his eyes. "Nopony in Canterlot ever smiles. They're not friendly. They're not nice. You're just so... different."

Mild adjusted his glasses. "Well... different isn't so bad. Right?"

She eased up on him. "I didn't say bad. I said different."

"Well, that's awfully nice of you to say."

"Please, stop. You'll give me diabetes if you keep yapping like that." The two shared a small laugh.

"To be fair, you're fairly different too. You don't seem quite as... occupied or scared as the other ponies in Canterlot."

Call looked away with a blush. "Thanks... Oh, I just remembered! Angry Chief wants to see you."

"He didn't run off?"

"Are you kidding me?" she scoffed. "A Super-Stallion shows up out of nowhere and you expect the editor of the Daily Daylight to just run away?"

"Super-Stallion?"

"He got really angry when everypony left."

...

"He can be angrier then he was this morning?" Mild started shaking.

"Trust me, he was in a jolly mood this morning."

"If he's so angry, why can't we hear him from his office?"

"There was a nasty lawsuit last year. His screaming shattered a ponies glasses and temporarily blinded them." Mild winced. "So we had some unicorns come in and magically sound proof his office."

"That seems... wise." He took a deep breath and straightened his tie, advancing to the door of Chief's office. "Well then, this looks like a job for-"

CRASH! A full glass of coffee was mere inches from Mild's face, colliding with the wall behind him. "Somepony else."

"MANNERED! GET IN HERE!" With great reluctance, Mild closed the door behind him, taking a seat at the end of Chief's desk. "GOOD TO KNOW THERE'S AT LEAST ONE PONY IN THIS CITY WHO KNOWS A STORY WHEN THEY SEE IT!" Thank goodness Mild had learned to turn off his super-hearing. "FORGET THE MUSUEM! I WANT A WHOLE NEWSPAPER'S WORTH OF SUPER-STALLION GOODNESS!"

"Super-Stallion, sir?"

"DIDN'T YOU SEE THE NEWS FOOTAGE?! HE HAS A GIANT 'S' FOR A CUTIE MARK!"

It's my family crest, thought the pegasus. "I think 'Super-Stallion' might just be pushing it a bit, sir. He was just doing the right thing."

...

"ARE YOU BLIND, MANNERED?! HE FLEW IN FASTER THEN A SPEEDING BULLET AND CAUGHT A STONE PILLAR IN HIS HOOVES! IF THAT ISN'T THE DEFINITION OF SUPER, I'M GETTING A NEW DICTIONARY!"

"Well sir, if you want a story about Super-Stallion, maybe we could hit the streets together. Keep an eye out together."

"ARE YOU COMING ONTO ME, MANNERED?!"

Mild just looked confused. "Sir... I just meant-"

"I HAVE TO STAY HERE! IF I'M NOT HERE, WHO'S GOING TO YELL AT ALL THE PONIES WHO WENT A-WALL TODAY?!"

"You raise an interesting point sir." Mild hopped off his seat and saluted his boss. "I won't let you down. Mild Mannered is on the case!"

"WHY ARE YOU SALUTING ME?! YOU WANT A MEDAL?! OUT! OUT!"

Mild dashed out of the office, almost resorting to his super-speed. Call chuckled as he saw the pegasus stumble out. "I suppose you're in charge of Super-Stallion?"

"He's not Super-Stallion," he replied bluntly. "He's just like everypony else."

"Really? Because..." Call jestured to a T.V. that had the footage of him saving the little filly on repeat. "That certainly looks super to me." She took a seat at her desk. "I suppose you're wondering where your girlfriend is."

...

"I beg your pardon?"

"Meekly. Don't you want to know where she is?"

Mild broke out into sweating. "She- I mean- W-W-W-Well - We're co-"

"Shut up. Seriously." Call started chuckling. "She volunteered to take your museum gig. You'll find her there."

Mild's face turned a bright red. "We're- we're not dating."

"You should," she gave him a little smile. "I saw you two earlier today... and it was like chocolate and peanut butter... if it made you want to cut your ears off and gouge your eyes out while you toss your lunch."

"Well, that's... creative."

"I can tell you're kind of shy... a lot shy. So just relax and be your usual... disgustingly charming self."

"I'll keep that in mind." Mild flew out one of the open windows. "Nice talking to you." Once again, Call was left alone in the bull pin.

"There goes the nicest weirdo I've ever met."

Mild touched down outside the museum. The steps leading up to the entrance was completely abandoned. He entered to find the museum was deserted as well. Using his super-hearing, he picked up the sound of a single pony totting deep in the 'unexplained mysteries' exhibit. Entering the exhibit, he found Meekly examining carvings of an alien ship. "H- Hello Meekly."

Meekly smiled and blushed a little at Mild. "Hello Mild. I didn't expect to see you here. In fact, I didn't expect to see anypony here."

"Well, with the arrival of this red and blue pegasus, I can imagine that the regular visitors would be home."

"Ha!" Mild was shocked by her scoff. "You really are new here. Nopony comes to museums unless it's for some charity ball or something."

"Actually... that reminds me of something. When I arrived, there were guards protecting the entrance. There were all of these poor ponies that weren't aloud in."

Meekly's cute smile disappeared. "You know how Princess Celstia rules over Equestria?"

"Yes."

"Apparently Canterlot isn't included in Equestria. This town belongs to all the rich and corrupt ponies in high society. They sealed off the city from ponies who weren't rich enough to pump money into making the city better. The only way to get through those gates is for you to have a job here. Thankfully you had one."

"Thankfully?" Mild and Meekly shared a cute giggle.

"Well, yeah. It's nice to know there's at least one nice stallion in this city."

"Oh, I'm sure there's-"

"Mild. You're too nice to this city. Everypony here has lost all incentive to be nice and helpful. They think that money makes a city great. It's not. It's the ponies."

Mannered gave her a warm smile. "That's very wise. I'm glad I have a friend here."

"Me too."

...

"So..." said Meekly. "How's your stay in Canterlot going? You haven't even been here a day and this city has already gone insane."

"I suppose that's one way to put it."

"So, how has it been?" she asked, looking directly at him.

"I- it's alright," he mumbled quickly. "What do you think of the new guy?"

"You mean... you?"

"No," he chuckled. "I mean this... this..."

"Super-Stallion?" she said, drawing out the 'super'.

"Yeah... him."

"I don't want to say," she returned.

"Why?"

"I don't like to judge ponies before I meet them. Don't you think it was really mean for everypony to just run and fly away when a hero comes into town?"

Mild nervously adjusted his tie. "I don't know about 'hero'-"

"Yes. Hero. He saved a little girl and everypony ran. I'd like to get to know him better first."

"Oh, yeah... sure."

...

"So, how's your time in Canterlot been?" she repeated. Mild tried not to let his suspicion show.

"Oh, well, everypony is very... busy. Very productive I imagine. They're quite energetic, considering how fast they run. Also they're-"

Meekly giggled and rolled her eyes. It's like every time she made a noise, Mild's heart raced. "You're too kind to them. I like that. I like you."

Mild struggled to maintain eye contact. "So... you're covering the new exhibit, huh?"

"Huh? Oh yeah, that. That should be starting in a few minutes. I came earlier just so I could enjoy the exhibit. I've always been fascinated by the unexplained." She pointed towards a painting of strange symbols. "This was picked up by several computers about 23 years ago. They've never been able to translate it."

Mild examined the symbols... they were Cloudtopian. He noticed his symbol appear more than once. "That's definitely strange," he said as he looked away.

"Very strange." She grabbed his chiseled jaw and turned his head towards the symbols again. "Especially when you consider that particular symbol looks a lot like the one that Super-Stallion has on his suit."

Mild started to sweat. "Yep... that's definitely..." The two stared at each other for a moment, Meekly having the corners of her lips turned up.

...

"Look at the time! We're gonna be late for the unveiling!" She happily skipped down the hallway. Mild giving her the biggest 'WTF' look he had ever given anypony.

Before a large group of fold out chairs, a podium with a microphone was set up. Since there was no other pony in the museum, Mild and Meekly were the only ponies in there at the time. Hangingover the podium, was a banner that read 'Unexplained Mysteries: Grand Unvieling!' Out from the back, the mayor of Canterlot walked up to the stand. "Good evening mares and... da' hay is this?" A rhetorical question of course. He didn't expect the only two idiots in the audience to answer that.

"We're reporters from the Daily Daylight, Mr Mayor!"

But then again, they were idiots. "I knew I shouldn't have bothered coming outside! With that monster running... or flying the streets, I'm surprised Canterlot has anypony left."

Meekly glared and jumped off her seat. "Well, maybe if you would do your job and greet the new guy, ponies wouldn't be so frightened of him!"

"Ms Meekly... this isn't the first time you mouthed off to me."

Mild stumbled off his seat and crashed into Meekly, sending them tumbling to the ground. "Oh goodness, sorry Meekly!"

"What are you doing?" she whispered to him.

Mild got onto his feet, adjust his glasses. "M-Mr Mayor, I'm quite sure that this 'Super-Stallion' as ponies are calling him is quite approachable and is more then prepared to answer any questions the ponies may have." The mayor just stood there in confusion. "I'm M-Mild Mannered and I- w-w-would be more then ha-"

"Oh, just shut up."

"I'm... sorry, sir?"

"Let me guess; just like Meekly, you got a job. That's the only reason you're in this city. Am I right?"

"Absolutely!" said Mild with a huge smile. Meekly face-hooved.

"Well, Mannered, let me give you a welcoming piece of advice. Stay where you belong; at the bottom of society. You were lucky to get in here. If you or your girlfriend ever think about printing, speaking or even thinking something negative about my office or this city, I will personally tear down the Daily Daylight, brick by brick, then throw the two of you back into the gutter you crawled out of.

"Well, that's not very welcoming at all."

...

"Are you for real?!"

"I beg your pardon, sir?"

"Just get out of my face. And if you run into Super-Stallion, do me a favor and give him this message: Nopony wants him here.

Meekly and Mild reached the bottom of the museum steps. "Well, Meekly, I've had a great time, but I'm afraid I have to see my ear doctor. I've been having this-"

"Whatever you say, Super-Stallion!" Mild stopped dead in his track like somepony hit the pause button. He slowly turned to see her giving him a sly smirk.

"W-W-What do you mean, Meekly?"

"Well, where do I start? You just so happen to show up the day the Super-Stallion does. Just when the pillar started to fall, you ran away from. You and Super-Stallion have the same coat, mane and eye color. Shall I go on?"

"I-"

"Oh yeah, and you missed on of the buttons in the middle of your shirt." Mild looked down see loose button, revealing a piece of the red component of suit. He hastily closed it. "I'm shy sometimes, but I'm not stupid."

Mild looked around with a cold sweat. "I- I never said you were."

"Mild..." she laid a hoof on his face. "I can tell you're a good guy. I'd like to get to know you better. Your secret's safe with me. I promise."

Mild knew a lie when he saw one. That wasn't one of them. "I'd like to get to know you better too... but I have other commitments tonight."

"Cats stuck in trees?" she teased.

"Not exactly, but if you see one of those let me know." Mild dashed into the rotating door of a nearby dress store, coming back on in his super suit. He hovered over her, looking down on her with a smile. "Thank you for being a good friend."

"See you tomorrow." The two ponies waved as he flew up, passing the windows of the high rises around him.

Mild examined the apartment buildings around him, noticing several ponies slamming their windows and balcony doors shut. Eventually, Mild found a familiar figure watching him out an open window. It was the little girl he saved this morning. She looked upset just seeing him.

"Are you going to hurt me?"

Mild started to get choked up. "Never." He hung his head as he flew off into the distance, Canterlot guards with their weapons ready to go if he turned around. He looked back on Canterlot. Based on all the magazines and internet pictures he had seen when he was a colt, Canterlot was known as a city that never turned its lights out. But now, every single light was dark, afraid that this red and blue monster would come back to conquer them. The stallion shed a single tear. "I'm sorry I scared you."

With the moonlight beaming down on him, Mild arrived at his cloud fortress, flying through an open window. As he touched down, his costume retracted to its more compact form. Unbeknownst to him, a rainbow colored pegasus stealthily followed him in.

Mild entered the central room, activating the computer console inside. The mysterious mare peeked her head in. "Pon-E log: 2243. I did what Kon-E wanted me to do. I put on the suit and I revealed myself, saving a little filly... it didn't go as planned. The ponies ran. They're afraid of me." He slumped into his chair. "I can understand their concern, but it hurts to see ponies you want to do good by, hate you. The citizens are selfish, greedy and just plain rude at times." The mare wasn't quite sure how to feel about what she was eavesdropping on. "I know my Dad wanted me to make this world a better place... but how can I when they won't give me a chance?"

The rainbow mare took off as quietly as she could, examining the halls of the cloud fortress. She couldn't help by be in awe as the size of the place. She traveled down one corridor, finding a pulsating 'S' on the wall at the far end. After examining it briefly, she pressed it, generating a hologram behind her. Instead of Kon-E, this hologram was one of a mare pegasus, with a white coat and pink mane. "Pon-E... sweet heart, I hope this finds you well."

Pon-E must be this Super-Stallion guy, thought the pegasus mare.

"Your father told me there was just enough time for me to record one last message for you. He's actually laying you down in the ship right now."

Ship? Is this guy an alien?

"I wanted to let you know that I'll always be with you. I'll always be proud of you... I know your father has told you why your in Equestria, but there's something I want to talk to you about."

Yep, definitely an alien.

"I want you to know to find a mare that will love you for who you are. Love every kind of pony you want to be. Every kind of pony you need to be. Call it me just being a protective mother, but you know what? I'm your mother, I get to protective of my baby." She started to cry. "I love you darling... I love so mu-"

The recording suddenly cut off. "Call me old fashioned..." The mare shot around to find Mild, in his full outfit, standing right behind her. "But guest should always knock before they come in."

She dashed a step back. "What are you gonna do? Fight me?"

"I don't hit mares. I will ask you a few question, however."

"And what makes you think I'll answer?"

...

"Good question. How about we just sit down and talk?"

"Why?"

"Well... it would be more preferable to our last encounter, wouldn't you say?"

The mare casually strutted past Mild and into what looked like a lounge with a fire place in the center of a circular couch. "Yeah, you getting your flank whooped twice too much for your ego." She laid down over the cushions. "But sometime tells me your ego is pretty untouchable. Am I right?"

Mild scowled to himself as he poured two mugs of cider. "I like to think my ego is fine the way it is, thank you." He gave her a mug and sat next to her. "Can I have your name?"

"I don't know. Can you?"

...

"It's Sweet Wings, doofus."

"Sweet Wings?... Doofus?"

"Yeah, the names Sweet Wings. What's yours?"

"Super-Stallion apparently," he said rolling his eyes. Why am I going with that stupid name?

She gave him a straight look, wiping the foam from her lip. "Your real name."

"Pon-E, that's my birth name."

"Really funny."

"But... it's true."

She rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Look... I'm kinda sorry about handing your plot on a platter."

"How sweet," he said in a monotone voice.

"And I'm sorry about breaking into your palace thingy."

"Fortress, actually." Even when sipping his cider, he kept a watchful eye on his guest. "So, Sweet Wings, why did you attack me?"

"I already answered a question. It's your turn to answer." He shrugged in return. "That recording... was that your mother or something?"

He took a deep breath, staring into his reflection in the cider. "Yeah. I found that recording after I 'inherited' his place. She seemed like a lovely mare, doesn't she?"

Sweet Wings couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the guy. "What happened to your parents?"

"Planet exploded," he stated bluntly. "I'm the last son of a planet called 'Cloudtopia'. This suit I'm wearing is actually formal wear that changes color based on who wears it by reading their DNA." As Sweet Wings 'examined' the suit, she couldn't help but stare, no that he noticed as he was staring into the fire place. "It's your turn now. Why did you attack me?"

...

"Call it a reflex?"

"It's a reflex to slam pegasi into the ground from hundreds of miles in the air?"

"Old habits die hard," she said before downing the rest of her cider. "My turn. What do you do outside of... this?"

Mild searched for something that wouldn't be a straight up lie. "I'm... a journalist. Reporter kind of deal."

"On T.V?"

...

"I'm on T.V. at the moment, yes."

"Cool. You're turn."

"OK, Sweet Wings... does anypony know where you are?"

The rainbow pegasus rolled her eyes. "Pfft. I'm a grown mare. I don't have to tell anypony where I am. And please don't ask me questions like that. You're not my mother." Mild gave her a very sympathetic smile. "Will you stop doing that? You're gonna give me diabetes."

"Do you have a place to sleep tonight?"

"It's not your turn to ask a question."

"One second." Mild dashed to the other side of his fortress, coming back with blankets and a sleeping gown with his family's logo.

"You can have the main bedroom. I don't use it anyway."

...

"Are you for real?!"

"Why do I keep getting that question?" He tossed over the garments and blankets to her.

"I attack you, sneak into your home and you offer me a place to sleep? What kind of stallion are you?"

"I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoyed the company." He looked at his feat, kicking the clouds like a nervous school colt. "This fortress has kind of been a solitary one for me. It's nice to have some other pony to chat to. Even if they are kind of rude."

She scoffed. "You're so desperate for a mares company, you'll take it from a complete stranger?"

"Not a complete stranger. I know your name at least," he retorted with smile. "There's plenty of cider over there and if you need me, just shout. Odds are, I'll here it." He started flying to the skylight above them. "You have a nice sleep."

"Wait!" He waited. "Thanks. I appreciated this... but, you do realize how stupid this is, right? You're letting a mare you don't know into your secret base."

"Fortress. Besides, it sounds like you don't have anypony to tell."

Did he just make a joke? thought Sweet Wings.

"That and I don't think you and I are that different. So... yeah, good night." He flew out the skylight and disappeared at super-speed.

"I don't know about that."

The next morning, Mild, wearing his super suit, entered the master bedroom of his fortress. "Morning Sweet Wings! I have to go to work, but- Sweet Wings?" The bed was empty and un-maid. Tossed on the ground were the sleeping garments that had obviously been used. There were several empty cider mugs on the bed side table and there was steam still coming from the bathroom. He found a note lying on the pillow.

Gone flying.

See ya, maybe.

He laid the letter down, put on his civilian gear and flew off to Canterlot. Watching from a distance, was Sweet Wings, hiding behind a cloud.

"I'm sorry about this."

Mild touched down onto the streets of Canterlot. Thankfully he was flying fast enough for the guards at the wall not to notice him sneak into the city. Most of the ponies had returned to their daily business, but everything his super-hearing picked up was about him and how scared they were of him. I need to fix this up as soon as I can, he thought as he entered the Daily Daylight.

The bull pin was no where near as empty as it was the day before. But nopony was running, shouting or throwing anything. They were very quiet and self-kept. How does one stallion show up do this to everypony?

"Mannered! Over here!" shouted Call Waiting.

"Good morning, Call. Things seem... very quiet today. Everything OK?"

She rolled he eyes in exasperation. "Nope. Everypony is scared as hell of this guy. They won't even so much as look up in the sky."

"I'm sure once my exclusive interview with him is read, they'll change their mind about him."

...

"You managed to land an exclusive with Super-Stallion?" Her eyes widened in disbelief.

"Not... exactly. But since nopony seems brave enough to approach him, I'm sure I can get a few words out of him."

"I'd like to see that." Meekly had now joined the two, smiling at Mild. "That is, if you don't mind me tagging along."

Call made the vomit gesture before getting off her seat. "I'm going to eat some lunch so I can throw it up. You two have fun."

Mild escorted Meekly to the elevator. "So, you want to see my interview with Super-Stallion?"

Meekly blushed. "I'd like to get to know him better."

"In that case, you'll need a pair of goggles."

...

"Come again?"

WHOOSH! Mild Mannered, with Meekly clutching onto his back for dear life came out of super-speed into a field of clouds. "Bet you're glad we picked those up, aren't you?" asked Mild, slowing down to more of a leisurely cruise speed.

Meekly spat out several insects, some of them giving her rude gestures before flying away. "Maybe we should have picked up a mouth guards while we were out." Meekly gasped when she saw the gigantic cloud fortress, deep within the cloud field. "Is that were you live?"

"Nope." Mild started to decend. After parting through the last of the clouds, Meekly saw that below them was a farm. He gently laid her on the ground, right in front of the house.

"A farm?"

"Eeeyup. Honest Farms is still the number one corn supplier in all of Equestria. This is were my adoptive parents lived. This is where I grew up. I went to the high school down the road." He opened the front door for Meekly as she entered. The took a seat at the breakfast table.

"So... you still live here? Why don't you live up in your giant cloud palace? Isn't that what your parents left for you? And how has nopony ever found that thing?"

Mild put two glasses of water on the table. "I don't like to have my head in the clouds for very long. You can forget about the problems down below. As for how nopony has found it; it's equipped with advance Cloudtopian tech. It's impossible to detect unless you look out a window."

"That's very wise. Did you dad teach you that." Mild's mind trailed off, his eyes started to water. "Mild? Earth to Mild?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry. Yeah, that kind of stuff came from my dad. My mum was more of the cuddling type who made chocolate chip cookies just because she could. She was the best mother I could have asked for."

"Mild? Are you OK?"

The stallion rubbed his eyes. "Yeah. Sorry, it still hurts to think about them sometimes."

"This may sound insensitive; but why do you act the way you do?" Mild raised an eyebrow. "It's just, you seemed like a really shy goofball when we met. When you were Super-Stallion, you seem very comfortable around anypony. And now, you just seem... I don't know, different."

"I know I can come on a bit hard with the whole 'goofball' aspect of things, but this pretty much is me." He chugged the rest of his water. "When my mum died, my disposition took a turn for the worse. I acted like an arrogant, self-absorbed, jerk. In fact, acting like that got my father killed. Before she died, I was a really happy, nice kid. Even when I was getting bullied. When I started my training in the fortress, I began to realize what kind of pony I wanted to be. Whether I'm Super-Stallion or Mild Mannered, I want to be a good pony. One who does the right thing, one who never looks down on anypony else. I use the stammering act to keep my identity a secret, but I am Mild Mannered. I'm... well, me."

Meekly gave him a loving smile as she laid a hoof on his. "I knew you were one of the good ones."

"Everypony is a good one. We just get confused and angry at times."

Meekly laughed. "Wow, you really are a cheese ball, you know that?" The two laughed for a brief moment before staring into each other eyes. "If you're protecting your identity, who are the ponies you care about?"

"I don't have any yet, unfortunately." The two inched closer.

"That's so sad." And closer.

"Don't feel sad. It's just the way things turned out." And closer.

"We'll just have to fix that." The lips parted as they moved in for the-

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The ground shook, breaking the glasses that they were drinking out of. After the vibrating stopped, the two ran out of the house and looked up the cloud field. Hovering over the fortress, was a giant monstrosity. A floating, metalic airship. Around the ship, there were several mounted turrets, missile launchers and underneath the ship where spotlights, all of which were aimed at the fortress. Meekly started to shake.

"Mild, I don't suppose that's one of yours?"

The stallion removed his glasses and clothes. "Definitely not." He folded up his civilian cloths and gave them to Meekly. "Hold onto these for me."

"Oh... kay."

"Can you teleport back to Canterlot?"

"I- I guess if I tried. Why?"

"Something tells me you're going to be a lot safer there then you will be here." His suit formed over his body. "I'll see you later." Giving him a worried expression, she summoned all of her magical skills to vanish into thin air.

Mild rocketed off into the air, leaving a red and blue blur in his wake. He charged into the main chamber. "Who's here?! Show yourself!"

BOOM! A familiar whit light appeared before Mild, and when it cleared, a familiar mare stood on the cloud floor. "So, this is what Cloudtopia was like?" The cloaked unicorn soaked in the alien arcitecture. "I have to admit, I'm a little dissapointed."

"You? What are you doing here? And how are you standing on clouds?"

"Nothing a little bit of magic can't fix. As for why I'm here; I'm here to finish our conversation from yesterday."

"I told you, I'm not interested in whatever your selling. Now, I'll thank you to take your airship and leave this place immediately."

Ignoring his request, she started to walk around the room. "At least wait until I'm finished. I want you to join me in fixing this world. I need you to join me."

"I don't need to do anything."

"Actually, you do." She magically pulled out a scroll from her cloak. Unraveling it, she showed Mild the same symbols that he found at the library. When you arrived on Equestria, this message was broadcasted to anypony with the technology to receive it. It most likely came from your ship. It took me several years, but I was eventually able to decode the message."

"And what did it say?"

"This is Pon-E of Cloudtopia. The stallion destined to be the hero of your world. Please keep him safe and protect him for evil." She gazed at him with the same lustful look she had the other day. "After I decoded it, I couldn't help but wonder why an alien world would think that we needed a savior. And then it hit me; Equestria was doomed before you arrived." She advanced towards Mild, who was not backing down this time. "Everypony on this Celestia forsaken planet needs to be re-educated. Cleansed. Saved. And you're going to be the pony who does it! And I'm going to help-"

"Stop right there." Mild glared at the menacing unicorn. "I know where this is going and I'm betting you and I have different definitions of the word 'save'."

"I doubt it. This world needs to shown that we are superior and know what is best for them. And there is no better way to do that, then to level Canterlot to a smoking heap."

"Aaaaand right there, you lost me." Mild advanced towards the unicorn. "Miss, you're obviously not well. We need to get you calmed down so we can get you the help you deserve-"

"I DON'T NEED HELP!" Her screech echoed throughout the fortress. "I'm above that. And so are you. I know for a fact that the two of us are perfect beings. I wasn't before, but I learned and dedicated all of my resources to preparing for our conquest of Equestria. Your parents would have wanted you to save the world."

Mild's rage started to boil. "You didn't know my parents. You don't know me."

A sinister grin appeared on the unicorns face. "Actually, I know your father more intimately then you or your mother ever did."

...

"What did you say?"

"Five years ago, I tracked you using your super-speed and I followed it to your farm." Mild's pupils started to shrink. "You see, when a pony is in their last moments of life, they reveal who they truly are. He died trying to protect you. You should have see him cry as he bled out. You should have seen him as-"

"I did..." Blasts of extreme heat shot out of Mild's nostrils. "He died telling me how much he loved me. How much effort he and my mother put into raising me. He died telling me the truth." The stallions eyes turned a bright red. "He died an hero."

The unicorn chuckled."Not likely. You don't know how to read ponies the way I do. The way you describe it, he was probably a coward."

"Shut up."

"He had a worthless life, but tried to delude himself by telling himself that raising you was-"

THWACK!

With a mighty punch, Mild sent the unicorn flying through several walls. When she stopped, she looked up with a massive smile. "Now that is the power I was hoping to feel."

In a fit of rage, Mild pinned her to the wall. "MURDERER!"

"I freed you. He was holding you back from your destiny. He tried to make you weak."

"You want to see weak?!" Mild pulled his hoof back, ready to land a killing blow... but stopped, throwing the unicorn to the ground. "You're going to be taken to the Canterlot high court. My father will be given justice!"

The unicorn broke out in a fit of laughter as she got up to her feet. "They have no authority over me. And neither do you. This will be my last offer; join me and help me burn Canterlot to the ground." Mild didn't respond. She sighed. "I'll admit, a part of me was hoping you would decline."

ZAPP!

A blast of magical energy sent Mild into the wall. She pulled on her cape and threw it off, revealing a skin tight leather outfit underneath, complete with ship. "Now I can prove to all of Equestria that I have the power to kill any resistance."

Mild lunged at her, only for her whip to wrap around his neck and throw him to the side. "This whip was constructed especially for slaying you if necessary. You can't stop me."

"Watch me!" He fired a bolt of flames at the unicorn, only for her to teleport behind him, zapping him with another energy blast. "I... I won't let you get away with this! I won't give up!"

"I don't expect you to give up. But unfortunately, I'm on a tight schedule, so we'll have to end this now." She raised a hoof. "Sweet Wings!"

...

"Wha-"

THWACK!

Out of nowhere, Sweet Wings flew into the room, socking Mild in the jaw, making him spit up blood. He skidded along the ground until he hit the foot of a statue of his father. "Did you really think I wouldn't come alone?"

Mild looked heartbroken at Sweet Wings. "Why?"

"To be fair, I did say it was a stupid idea to let me in."

THWIP!

The unicorn wrapped her whip around Mild, trapping his forelegs. "This fortress was impossible to detect. I needed somepony to be able to follow to this place." Using her whip, she began tossing him around the room, causing the various structures he hit to break and collapse. "Don't you see it? Everypony has hated you ever since you showed up! They despise you, and all you did was save one of their worthless offspring!" Sweet Wings couldn't bring herself to watch. "You knew that they were beneath you, and you still try to save them! You've been corrupted. You've been poisoned. Now it will be my job save you. But only after I save the rest of Equestria!"

Finally giving up on the tossing of Mild, she released him from the whip. He laid on the floor of the fortress, slowly drifting out of conciouness. "You asked me who I was before. I have an answer for you now. I am what is nessicary to save this world. I am a representation of what the this world has braught on itself. I am Equetrias new mistress!"

Mild extended a hoof to Sweet Wings... who didn't do anything. "Please... be better than..." Mild finally slipped away.

"I AM MISTRESS MAYHEM!"

Next: Act 3!

Chapter 19: Stallion of Steel - Act 3

Chapter 19: Stallion of Steel - Act 3

Mild slowly opened his eyes to find he was in a very different place. The walls were steel (or at least some kind of metal). It was cold and dark and there was almost no light (not including the bulb above his head). He tilted his head, still dazed, to find that his four legs were chained up against a wall. The chain bore a resemblance to Mistress Mayhem's whip.

"Look at that. The god finally woke up." Speaking of which, the leather clad unicorn was standing a few feet before him. Standing behind her was Sweet Wings. "I was worried you wouldn't grace us with your consciousnesses."

"Huh... wa?" Mild had never been knocked out before. He had no clue what the hay was going on.

"So, how does it feel?"

"It feels like... I have no idea actually," he replied with a chuckle.

"Exactly! You don't know pain, Pon-E. But you will soon." Mild finally regained his wits. He realized that he was naked and that his suit was in a glass container at the other side of the room he was in. "Soon, you'll know what Equestria truly is."

Mild slowly examined the room and his host. Slowly, he grew a small smile. "Leather outfit... chains.... dark room. Are you sure you're not just a little 'frustrated' at the moment?"

Sweet Wings cracked a small laugh out before Mayhem shot her the death glare. "I hope you're proud of that last joke. It's the last you'll make."

"Wait, I think I've got more."

"Silence."

"I knew if I didn't watch my cider, I would end up in this kind of situation.. again." Mild hadn't made jokes like this since he was a stupid little colt in high school.

"I said silence!"

"Just promise me you'll be gentle."

ZAPP! Mayhem shot up Mild with a blast of magical energy. He let out a bloodcurdling scream with his eyes rolling back into his head. Sweet Wings couldn't watch, the guilt of what she had done was bad enough. "Was that gentle enough, hero?"

...

"Are you alive?"

"Well... I gave it a try and didn't like it. I guess we're not compatible," he forced out through his bloody smile.

Both Mayhem and Wings looked stunned. "How can you still be joking after that?"

"Well, in desperate situations, it's either laugh or scream. No reason I can't do both." Mild did his best to hold back his tears. That last blast hurt a lot more then he was letting on.

"You won't be doing either in a moment. Computer! Bring down the screen!" A monitor from the roof lowered itself down to everypony's eye level. "Let me ask you something, Pon-E; Why Canterlot? Why did you choose Canterlot of all places to reveal yourself?"

"I- GLACK!" Mild spat up a disturbing amount of blood. Sweet Wings felt like she was ready to join him. "I... I wanted to make it a better place. And after that, make all of Equestria better."

"And why do you want to make Equestria better?" She moved in so close that they were nearly touching noses.

"I'm an Equestrian. It's my responsibility as one of this planets inhabitants to make this world as bright as I can."

Mayhem's face lit up with glee. "Then why are we fighting?"

"Because anypony with a 2-digit IQ can tell you're not entirely right in the head."

SLAM! The unicorn head butted Mild, smiling as she did it. "You're funny. It'd be a shame to kill you with the rest of Canterlot."

"Why do you think destroying Canterlot will make Equestria better?"

"Because they're beneath ponies like us." She trotted back to the monitor. "I always knew I was destined for greater things. I had the intelligence, the cunning, the resources to do something, but I never knew what I had to do. But then I found out about you. When it said that Equestria had a savior, I began to wonder why Equestria would need one. And then it hit me; Equestria is destroying itself!"

"What are you talking about?"

"They're fearful. They're angry. They're greedy. They're stupid."

"And you're not?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Correct!"

...

"Are you for real?"

"You've been to Canterlot-"

"No, seriously, are you for real?"

"The rich have sealed Canterlots resources from those who need them. The put guards at the entrance. They've even threatened to kick out those who already live there, just so they can keep it in the status quo. Canterlot is the symbol of the poison that has infected Equestria!"

"OK. Clearly you're not."

"Once Canterlot is ashes, as well as all the ponies who live there, the rest of Equestria will see that their sinful, fearful ways are at an end. I will take control of this planet and do whatever it takes to make sure the other ponies can reach my level of perfection. There will be no war. No conflict. No more flaws." Her pupils dialated as she threw her front hooves into the air. "And the world will know true harmony!" Sweet Wings had to bite her tongue from laughing at how goofy Mayhem looked.

...

"Is that leather tight?"

"W-Why would you ask that?"

"Because something is obviously keeping the blood from reaching your brain, you psychopath!"

ZAPP! Mayhem fired a steady stream of magic straight at the stallion. He winced in pain, grinding his teeth together. "You- ggkk - need to learn how tooooyyyyaaaaaaaaahhhhh!" Mild spouted out even more blood then last time, crying as soon as he was done. Sweet Wings started to tear up as she vomited a little bit in her mouth.

"We both want to fix Equestria. It's time you see what happens when you try to fix it your way." She turned on the T.V...

In the streets of Canterlot, hundreds of angry ponies were sitting before a podium. At the podium was the mayor of Canterlot. "Citizens of Canterlot, I am here to address an issue that many have been afraid to address. We have been infiltrated by this 'Super-Stallion'. He hasn't made his intentions clear, he hasn't stepped forward and he hasn't taken his mask off. Naturally, many of you are afraid of this new menace!"

Angry cheers egged the mayor on. "Well, acting as an embassedor for Canterlot, allow me to officially distant our fair city from Super-Stallion! He is not trust worthy. He is a keeper of too many important secrets. He cannot be trusted. He will not be trusted. And you have my word that the next time he appears, I will have the brave mares and stallion of the city guard ready to shoot him out of the skies!"

The crowd errupted into cheers, throwing their hooves in the air. Some of them were holding signs that said less then kind things about the red and blue pegasus. Even the little children where helping their parents hold up signs with the 'S' logo crossed out with red paint.

Milds heart sank. All happiness left his face and the tears flowed like a water fall. Mayhem brought herself back over to the stallion. "You come to Canterlot, offering it salvation, and they turn on you. They declare you a menace to society. An outcast. You tried to save them your way and it didn't work. It saddens me to see you so hearbroken, Pon-E, but this is what Equestria has become without our guidance. Join me and we can save it together."

Mild stopped his tears long enough to look into Mayhem's eyes. "It's OK. They don't know what they're doing."

"What?"

"I'm something they haven't seen before. Ponies are scared of what they don't understand. I would probably be scared too if I was them."

"But you're not them! You're better than them! You're their salvation!"

"Stop using that word. I'm noponies savior. I'm just a concerned citizen, doing everything in his power to make Equestria a better place. They're flawed. I'm flawed. You are flawed. Everypony has room to improve themselves and improve the world around them. If you want to save Equestria, set an example for them and do something good in the world. Let me go and we can help those in need." Mustering all his strength, he smiled at the unicorn. "I know you can be a force for good."

Sweet Wings couldn't believe what she was hearing. How can he still talk like that after everything he's been through? she thought to herself. "You should have two different kinds of vision and yet you are still blind! Just look at her!" She extended a hoof to Sweet Wings, startling her. "You let that mare into your home. You shared a cup with her. You gave her a home after knowing for a few minutes, out of the goodness of your heart. She sold you out to me and you STILL haven't lost faith.

"Nope."

"You feel no contempt for these ponies?"

"Not one little bit," he replied with a smile.

"What about me? Do you hate me?"

"More then anything." Mayhem was taken back by the bluntness of his answer. "Nothing would make me happier than killing you. But I know that's not something my parents would be proud of. It's not the right thing to do. The right thing is to help rehabilitate you. You're not well. But you can be saved... even if my father can't."

This guy really is something, isn't he? Sweet Wings was more then a little touched by the stallions attitude.

"So... you admit to hating me?"

"Yes."

"And you admit to being an Equestrian, equal to everypony else?"

"Yes," said Mild with a smile.

"Then you'll die with them." Mayhem headbutted Mild again, this time drawing blood. "I wish you could have been a part of this." Without warning, Mayhem kissed Mild on the lips (tongue included). When she released him, he saw some of his blood around her lips. "Your blood... it tastes so sweet."

...

"And you think my parents did a number on me?"

"Goodbye, Super-Stallion." Mayhem set the monitor to show multiple angels around the city. "You're going to watch Canterlot crumble. You're going to see my work unfold right before your eyes. Maybe then you'll see the light. But before I go, I have one last matter to attend to." She turned to Sweet Wings with a smile. "Computer! Restrain Sweet Wings!"

Several chains flew out of the wall, wrapping themselves around Sweet Wings hooves. The pulled her back to the wall, pinning her right next to Mild. "What?! I helped you!"

"Yes, you did. But you betrayed Pon-E in the process, didn't you? I can't have a pony like you running around in the new world," she said with an evil smirk. "Pon-E may yet live through all of this if he sees the light. You, on the other hoof, will not." The unicorn took a few steps back. "Computer! Take me to the roof!" The teleportation light engulfed her before she faded away.

On the roof of her airship, Mistress Mayhem looked over the city of Canterlot. "Today, Mayhem rules!" The ponies in the Canterlot streets looked up to find the airship hover not too far away from their walls. Everypony looked up in fear, even Meekly, who was standing outside the Daily Daylight.

"Mild? Where are you?"

Back inside the airship, Mild was franticly chewing at his chains. Sweet Wings was in a state of depression as she watched the stallion. "Super-Stallion... I'm-"

"Regret it later. Fix it now." He stopped chewing the chains when he realized he wasn't even leaving teeth marks. "If I can get in the sun light, I can heal and stop her."

"You can't." Sweet Wings started crying. "Give it up. She's going to kill everypony."

"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Mild started to inch further and further from the wall until the chains started to struggle. Once he reached a certain point, the chains sent a magical charge on energy into his body, causing extreme pain. Mild cried in agony, but he kept going.

"Stop! You're going to die!" yelled Sweet Wings.

"No... I won't!" The chains started to crack, making the charge even stronger. Mild screamed so loud it threatened to deafen Sweet Wings.

"Please! Why don't you just give up?!"

"Because... I'm above that!"

CRACK-CLANG!

The chains finally gave way and snapped, ceasing the painful magic. Mild dropped to the ground, smoking like a piece of bacon. He was about to slip away until he saw his suit again, inspiring him to his feet. "I've got to get outside."

Sweet Wings was in awe at Mild's persistence. He started punching the glass container his suit was being held in. "I bet she left this here just so she could remind me of how I failed. She's in for a surprise, isn't she?" With every punch, the cracks on the glass grew bigger and bigger. She didn't say anything, but Sweet Wings was cheering him on in her head. With one last punch, Mild shattered the glass, bits and pieces of it being lodged in his hoof as a result. He pulled the costume out and put it on, letting it form over him.

"Come on, let's get you out of there."

"Don't."

"Don't?"

"Mayhem's right, I don't deserve to live."

Mild brought them eye to eye. "Never say that! There's always a reason to keep living. And right now, yours is to help me stop Mayhem."

Sweet Wings started balling. "I don't deserve to help you. I'm not good enough."

Mild laid a hoof on her side. "Sweet, why were you working with Mayhem?"

She inhaled and exhaled deeply. "When I was a little filly, I kept flying around like I was the fastest there was. I was always moving. At that age, my parents will still fast enough to catch up to me. This one time, I got into a fight with my parents over something meaningless... I don't even remember what it was, so I flew off. They chased me all over Cloudsdale until I flew past an oncoming moving truck. I flew past it... just in time for them to take the hit."

Mild couldn't help but remember a certain situation that sounded too much like this one. "Sweet Wings, I know how-"

"No you don't. When I saw them plummet to the ground, I flew off. I hid in the mountains for a week before Mayhem caught me moving on her radar. She offered me a place with her. She fed me, clothed me, taught me how to fight. I owed her everything."

"But she wanted something else?"

"When I was with her, she kept talking about finding you. And that I would help her when that day came. After you ditched her in Canterlot yesterday, she told me to follow you back to your base. If I had known she was going to kill everypony, I would have-"

Mild shushed her. "Don't say anything else. I understand."

"How could you possibly understand?"

Mild shed a tear. "Because I got my father killed." Sweet Wings eyes widened. "I used my powers when I shouldn't have and Mayhem tracked me to the farm I grew up on. I got into a fight with my dad and I flew away. When I was away, she showed up looking for me. He died protecting me." At this point, Mild was almost crying as much as Sweet Wings was. "After that day, I found the fortress. I knew after that what I was going to do with my life. I was going to use my gifts to be a better pony. To make Equestria a better place. And nothing is going to stop me from doing that. And it shouldn't stop you."

"How do you do it? How do you find it so easy to do the right thing?"

"I don't. If doing the right thing was easy, the world would be a much brighter place then it is now."

Sweet Wings started to let a smile shine through. "I don't suppose I could get a little help?" Mild and Sweet Wings started tugging at the chains, causing the painful energy to flow through both of them. "This- had- better- be- worth it!"

CRACK-CLANG!

Even from the roof of the airship, Mayhem could see the guards mobilizing, readying for the attack. "Computer! Get the signal charged. We don't want to keep our friends waiting." She watched the guards with amusement. "I know you can't here me, but don't bother. You can't fight me."

"Then we'll fight you on their behalf." Mayhem found two blue pegasi floating behind her. Mild was now fully healed, having bathed in the sunlight. "And when we win, you're going to deliver you to the Canterlot court."

"Hehehehahahahahah!" Mayhem started rolling on the floor, laughing her plot off. She eventually got back up.

"Are you finished?"

"Sure. You first, Super-Stallion!" Mild flew in first, only to be knocked back by her whip. Sweet Wings attempted to flank her, but a magical charge sent her back. "Honestly, Sweet Wings. I could have sworn I told you how to fight better then that-"

THOMP!

At incredible speed, Mild charged into Mayhem, tackling her to the ground. As the rolled on the roof of the base, she was eventually able to throw him off. "You don't know how to fight. Do you?"

The two ponies climbed back to their feet, ready to go again. "Why do you think I'm a reporter? The pen is mightier than the sword... and a lot easier to lift."

"It's funny. You have all this power and you can't even fight your enemies." Before Mild had time to react, Mayhem teleported right behind him. "It's sad really."

ZAPP!

With smoke coming off him, Mild was sent back into one of the defense turrets. "Normally I'd turn the guns on you, but this is much more gratifying."

THOMP!

While not as fast as Mild, Sweet Wings was still fast as she charged Mayhem from the back. Unlike Mild, however, she was quick to kick her while she was down, sending her skidding across the roof. "You're right. This is gratifying."

Mayhem's horn lit up with magic. "I've had enough of-"

THWACK!

Mild socked the unicorn in the jaw, sending her into a turret, returning the favor from earlier. "Give it up, Mayhem. You can't take us both on at once."

She wiped the jaw from her mouth. "For once, we agree. Computer! Fire all missiles at Canterlot!" All at once, a countless number of missiles were released from the hull of the ship, hurtling towards the bright city. She smirked at the stallion. "Good luck."

Mild started galloping across the airship, passing Sweet Wings. "Keep her busy! I'll be back in a flash!"

"Really?"

"Probably not."

WHOOSH!

Mild quickly passed the missiles as he flew towards Canterlot. Sweet Wings turned back to Mayhem. "Now, where were we?"

The citizens of Canterlot ran under whatever cover they could find. The few that poked their heads caught a view of an amazing sight. Mild flew directly in front of a cluster of missiles, using his fire breath to set them off at a safe distance. A bunch down, a bunch to go... yay, he thought to himself.

His powers gave him time to assess the situation of where the missiles were heading. He identified several that were heading towards abandoned buildings and carriages. He then found the ones that were actually heading towards the inhabitants. OK, Mild, you've just got a couple thousand lives depending on you, no pressure.

The few ponies that were brave enough to look up saw Mild bounce across the city, bouncing missiles, redirecting them with his super-strength and just take the hit in some cases. Meanwhile, several other missiles destroyed uninhabited buildings and vehicles. With a few flame contrails coming off his body, he flew past a small pegasus girl that was watching him. "YEAH, SUPER-STALLION!"

Mild picked up the sound of another missile heading towards one last carriage that just so happened to be full. But it was too late. The missile impacted on the ground in front of the carriage, making it flip back in to the air, tossing around the ponies inside. "Don't worry folks, I've got ya!"

Mild swooped under the carriage, catching it over his face. Unbeknownst to him, a red maned colt was taking pictures of the iconic moment. He gently laid the vehicle down and opened the door. Out of the carriage came two scantily clad mares. Behind them, was another mare with crazy blue hair. She was dressed in a large rimmed hat, with a feather in it and a fur coat. She examined Mild red and blue duds. "Say, Jim! Whoo!"

"Excuse me, ladies," he said before taking back off into the air.

"That's a bad outfit!"

Mild hovered over the city and closed his eyes, keeping his ears open to find any last missiles. But he heard something different...

"MILD! SAVE ME!"

He X-Rayed through a group of buildings to find Meekly backed up against the wall of the Daily Dayligh as two missiles traveled down the street, heading straight for her.

WHOOSH!

Mild dashed in front of her, but before he could fly towards the oncoming projectiles, the movement of his wings generated what looked like a miniature tornado. The high winds sen the missiles off-course and striaght into each other, only damaging a couple of nearby buildings. Mild stood there, dumbfounded by what he just did. "I can do that now?"

"MILD!" Meekly ran up to the stallion, giving him a big hug. "I thought you were gone."

"Really? You didn't have more faith? I'm hurt," he said, giving her a teasing smile.

"Oh shush!" Forgetting their problems for that brief moment, the two let out a cute giggle. "So, care to let me know what's going on?"

"Long version or short?"

"Fast version."

"OK... A crazy unicorn in a S&M outfit, calling herself 'Mistress Mayhem' wanted me to help her destroy Canterlot. It turns out she was the one who killed my father as well. When I said no, she chained me up in her dungeon, but me and my new friend, Sweet Wings, who used to work for her, broke out and now we're fighting her on the roof of a giant airship and I also think I heard her saying she was bringing in some 'guests'. But then she launched a bunch of missiles at the city which brings us to this moment.

...

"You're seeing another mare?" she asked while staring daggers.

"She's only a friend!"

"Who betrayed you?

"Would you believe she was just... confused and upset?" She didn't respond. "It's not what you think and this really isn't the time."

"I agree with that last part."

"Hooves in the air! Back away from the mare!" The two ponies were suddenly surrounded by what looked like the entirety of the royal guard. "I said step away from her!" Mild recognized him as the guard that let him in when he first arrived.

He let go of Meekly and trotted towards him. "Sir, we need to get the ponies to safety. I have no idea what Mayhem is about to throw at us next."

"Who's Mayhem?"

"Long story. You just need to trust me."

"No chance in Tartarus!" The soldiers made their advance. "How do we know you're not working with this 'Mistress Mayhem?"

Mild stared blankly at him. "Yes. I'm working with the mare just tried to kill thousands of innocent ponies and I just stopped by getting in the way of hundreds of missiles. That's exactly what's going on."

The soldier rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I get it." He signaled his men to lower their weapons. "I know that we need to protect the civilians, but there's no way to get them out of hiding. They're too scared."

"Then we'll have to fix that." Mild flew high above the city. "Citizens of Equestria! Listen to me! You're going to be just fine!" He used his super-strength to project his voice all over the city. Even the fighting mares on the airship could hear him. "I know you're scared of me and of that airship. You know what? I'm scared too. But I will never let anything happen to you or your families!" Slowly, the ponies crept out of their hiding places. "The guards will keep you safe, but you all need to go get out of the city. Head to the south gate and rendezvous with all the ponies outside! The guards will protect you as best they can, but you need to keep each other safe! There's strength in numbers! You need to brave! For your friends! For your children!"

Mild's morale was lifted when he noticed several ponies smiling and nodding along, but that didn't make the situation any less dire. "What are you waiting for?!" Right on cue, all the ponies started heading south, making sure that all the fillies, colts and mares were pushed to the front. Meekly stayed behind, watching the red and blue hero hover in front of the sunlight.

"Way to go, Super-Stallion."

Back on the airship, Sweet Wings smiled as she heard the end of Mild's speech. "Way to go, Super-Stallion."

"How nice of him. He's rounded them all up for me," cracked Mayhem.

LONG. RANG. SIGNAL. READY. FOR. ACTIVATION. MISTRESS. MAYHEM, spouted the airship computer.

"Perfect timing."

"What the hay was that?"

Mayhem started to circle Sweet Wings. "What do you know about dragons, Sweet Wings?"

"I know that there aren't any in Equestria for one thing."

"You're 100% correct," she said with a devilish grin.

"Then why did you bring it up," asked Sweet Wings, with trepidation in her voice.

"You see, when you've had 23 years to plan your triumphant moment, you start thinking of back-up plans. It would be impossible for me to take over Equestria on my own. Without Pon-E at my side, the next best thing would be an army of fire breathing monsters. Wouldn't it?"

"How do you plan to-"

...

"Oh, buck no."

"Oh, buck yes. Computer! Activate the signal!"

Mid touched down with at front of a small group of royal guards that stayed behind. "Mayhem is under your authority, gentlecolts. You need to be the ones who arrest her."

"Look at that, something else we can agree on." The guard leader raised his spear in a rallying manner. "Come, soldiers! Come with me and help take down this crazy bi-"

THOOOOMP!

The airship suddenly expelled what sounded like a strange gong. Chills were sent down everypony's spine at once. Mild super-hearing started to pick up something big coming this way. Whatever it was, it was loud.

Mayhem ran to the edge of the airship, standing up on her hind legs. "Pon-E! I know you can hear me!" Mild's ears started twitching, even though the guards couldn't hear a thing coming from the airship, hundreds of kilometers away. "I surrender! But first, you're going to have to make it through my friends!"

The lead guards shook Mild out of his super-hearing. "What the hay is she saying up there?"

"I was hearing something else at the same time, but I believe she said she was surrending," he said with a thankful smile.l

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Then what's that?" The guard pointed towards a group of red gold figures flying in over the mountains. It was an army of dragons heading straight for Canterlot. Mild's zoom-vision saw that they were already licking their scaly lips.

"She may have hinted at that as well."

Sweet Wings watched the oncoming horde of dragons fly straight past the airship and straight for the city. Veins became visible on Mayhem's forehead. "I told you I would burn Canterlot to the ground!" Snapping out of her fearful state, Sweet Wings saw Mayhem grinning straight at her. "If you were planning to run, now would be the time."

"Like hay I am." Even if it was only a little bit, Sweet Wings' morale shot up.

"I'm not going to lie; I was hoping you would say that."

THWIP!

Mayhem's whip constricted around Sweet Wings torso, ensnaring her wings and forelegs. She tossed Sweet Wings around like a rag doll, throwing into anything remotely hard or sharply edged. Over and over again, Sweet Wings kept getting slammed over and over again. "But then again, it's not like you had ever made smart decision, prior to this."

"I trust you gentlecolts have my back?" asked Mild.

"At least those of us that can fly."

Mild nodded right before taking off towards the dragon army with twenty-or-so pegasi guards right behind him. "Up, up and away!"

...

"That's your big battle cry?"

"Give me a break. This is my first."

The dragons at the head of the pack expelled several all of fire towards Mild and his impromptu army. "Evasive maneuvers!" shouted the leader as they dodged the balls of fire. The extreme heat was getting to the brave stallions behind Mild.

"I'll move ahead and clear a path." Mild shot past the ball of fire, ducking and dodging each of them. After they were clear, he slammed straight into the lead dragons jaw, knocking him unconscious as he plummeted to the ground. I hope I didn't break it's jaw. One by one, Mild slammed into the other dragons, doing anything he could to stop them in their tracks. He grabbed one by its tail before throwing it into three others. "I think I'm starting to get the hang of this fighting thi-"

THWACK!

A golden dragon smacked Mild, sending him hurtling across the sky. When Mild correct his flight path, he found the guards, charging the dragons head on. "Get Mayhem! We'll handle our guests!"

Mild zipped past the other dragons, now hover in front of Mayhem. "I heard you say something about surrending?"

"Absolutely. Here's my peace offering!" Still entangled in her whip, Sweet Wings was hurdled towards Mild, knocking him out of the air. "Computer! Send me to Canterlot!" With a flash of light, she was gone.

Mild caught Sweet Wings in her hooves. "Wake up!" No response. "Come on! We're almost out of this!"

"A-actually, dragons just showed up s-so I wouldn't say we're almost out." Mild breathed a sigh of relief as she took to flight. "But it is getting fun, finally."

Mild looked back at the soldiers fighting for their lives against the dragon horde (and losing). "I think you and I have different definitions of the word 'fun'."

Her eyes started to trail down his suit. "Hmm, I think I could help to change your-"

"Fate of the world at stake, Sweet Wings!"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. Right."

Mild rolled his eyes."I heard Mayhem teleport to Canterlot. You need to get down there and stop her. Whatever you do, don't kill her."

"What? Why not?"

"Because you're better then that," he said as he smiled. "I know you are."

Sweet Wings mimicked Mild's eye roll. "You're gonna give me diabetes if you keep talking like that." Sweet Wings started flying towards Canterlot, but turned around. "Hey? Kiss for good-" He was gone. Already back with the soldiers. "Heh. Next time."

Meekly dashed through the streets, running into the cluster of guards that were left behind."Ma'am! What are you doing here?" shouted one soldier. "You should be outside the walls with all the other ponies."

"I'm not leaving until M- Super-Stallion is back."

"Lady, I don't know if your glasses are broken," he said as he raise his hoof to mountain range, "but he's kind of busy right now. And so are we. We can't escort you back. You'll have to do it yourself."

"I'm not going anywhere. Besides, it's not like there's anything down here to worry about."

BOOM!

"But I have been wrong before."

As the white light faded, Mayhem stood with a 'you're totally bucked' grin, plastered across her face. "No, please, stay. You can get your death out of the way now."

The soldiers surrounded the white unicorn. "Mistress Mayhem! You are under arrest!"

"Really? It doesn't feel like it." She reached for her whip.

"Put the whip down... can't believe I said that."

Her eyes narrowed. "As you wish."

THWIP-SPLISH!

With lightning speed, Mayhem raised the whip into the air and brought it down on the soldier, driving it down into his skull. Meekly yelped and jumped back at the goring sight. "Next?" Without another seconds hesitation, Mayhem slashed another guards throat, cutting through his armor. Two guards attempted to jump her at once, but they, along with all the other guards were blow back by a force field that expanded from her horn. The guards were knocked through brick walls and various sharp objects. Even Meekly felt the field push her back.

She turned over and found the leather studded unicorn right on top of her. "You're a fan of Pon-E?"

Meekly glared into Mayhem's domino mask. "It's Super-Stallion to y- ggkk!"

Mayhem pressed her hoof down on her throat, watching the purple mare gasp for air. "He's dead to me. And so are you."

"Yougggkkkt- you're insackkk!" It hurt to talk. It hurt to breathe.

"I'm not the one out of their mind. You ponies have ruined this once great planet with your greedy and selfishness. I'm restoring peace to this world, you moronic dolt!"

"Your nameggkk- is Mistress Mayhem, for Celestia sake!"

...

Releasing her neck from her hoof, she levitated Meekly into the air. Mayhem readied her whip. "Are you afraid, unicorn?"

"I'm afraid of a lot of things... but not of you!"

"You should be." She raised the whip. "You really sh-"

THWACK!

Sweet Wings cocked Mayhem in the temple, sending her into an alley, knocking over several rubbish bins. Meekly fell to the ground and looked up at her rainbow maned heroin. "I've done a lot of dumb things in my life, but you sticking around here has got to be up there." She extended a hoof to Meekly, but she got up on her own.

"I'm sticking around for somepony. What's your excuse?!" she snipped back.

"Oh, nothing important. Just helping Super-Stallion save the world." She opted not to add 'you idiot' to that last remark.

"What a coincidence. That's who I'm sticking around for," she said with a snarky smirk.

"And how do you know S-S? You a fan girl?"

"Oh, I'm a friend," she answered, stepping closer and closer to her. "A very good friend."

"Heh, oh I'm sure you guys are close." The two glared at each other a lot longer then they should have.

"Maybe we should worry about his safety," suggest Meekly through her teeth.

"You're right. I'll head back and help him. You stay here and do whatever it is you do. I'm sure you have you're own things to worry about."

"Actually..." Mayhem stepped out of the alley (with a rotten banana peel over her head). "You both have something to worry about, now."

Mild bounced around the field of dragons, knocking them out of the sky, one by one. "We're doing great, gentlecolts! Keep it up!"

"We're doing well?" At this point, the guards were floating as they watched this red and blue blur bounce of the dragons like a pin ball. "If we knew you were this good, we would have brought cider and popcorn!"

Mild searched the sky for any more dragons. It looked like they were done. "Well, I say that's the last of it. Great work every-"

CLAMP!

The golden dragon that Mild knocked down at first had flown back up and clamped Mild between his giant claws. The strength of the dragon matched Mild's, if not exceed it. The stallion gritted his teeth as struggled to break free. The dragon brought the puny pony up to his eye level.

"We. Not. Go. Down. Easy."

"Maybe not.... but you will go down!"

The guards hurled their spears and swords into the dragons eyes, painfully blinding him. The dragon released Mild from his grasp, as his hands were busy trying to stop the bleeding. The squad of guards flew up into the air and came down on the monsters head, sending him back were he came from. Mild winced at the bloody sight.

"Did you have to be so violent?

...

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"That's funny. 'cause the way I heard it, it sounds like you betrayed him," remarked Meekly as Sweet Wings bucked Mayhem through a glass window.

"Really? Did he use those words?"

"Well... no. But that's only because he's such a nice guy that he would never say something like that... out loud that is."

Sweet Wings shot her the death glare. "Yeah, he's swell. But, it's interesting to know that he's mentioned me, 'cause I've never heard a single thing about you... what was your name again?"

"Meekly," she stated bluntly. "For the fifth time."

"Sorry, I can be forgetful sometimes," retorted Sweet Wings with a smirk. "It's a little hard to understand why somepony as awesome as S-S would hang out with a sweet little nerd like you."

"A what now?"

"A nerd. You know. It's not like you can fight or any-"

"Oh shut up!" Mayhem jumped out the window she had just been sent through, covered in cuts and bruises. "I would end this campaign right now if it meant you two would be silent?"

"Seriously?" wondered Meekly. Sweet Wings faced hoof and groaned. With a screech, Mayhem raised her whip.

ZAPP!

Meekly shot out a blast of magic, straight into Mayhem's face, knocking her off her feet. She grinned at Wings. "You were saying?"

"Don't be a smart-ass."

"You're right. The smart part would be too much for you, wouldn't it?"

...

"Bitch I will-"

ZAPP!

A duel blast of magical energy caught the mares off-guard. Sweet Wings flew back into a brick wall, sending her into a daze. Meekly skidded along the concrete. Before she could barely keep her eyes open, noticing blood from her forehead rolling over her eyes. Mayhem stood over her, now with the left half of her domino mask burnt off. "Any last words, simpleton?"

Meekly grinned. "Five: Look up in the sky!"

When Mayhem turned around, she wasn't pleased with what she saw. "Oh buck m-"

THWACK!

Mild came down and socked Mayhem in the jaw. She bounced across the street, leaving splotches of blood on the ground. "Hooves off her!" The stallion offered a hoof up, but she jumped up on her own and embraced him. "Think we could save the hugs till after we save the day?" he asked with a huge grin.

Sweet Wings regained her sense just in time to see the two in each others forelegs. She was not amused. "S-S, I didn't realize you had a... 'friend'."

"Oh... w-w--we're co-workers." Meekly glared at the heroic stallion. "Very close co-workers, of course." Then Sweet Wings glared. "She was- I-I... Fate of the world!" He didn't receive a response. "Give me a break, I just punched out an army of dragons."

"Pon-E, just in time," said Mayhem as she staggered back up. "You were just in time to see your girlfriends give up."

"These mares will never quit as long as they can still draw breath. And neither will I."

"Then the three of you can die together. You know what? I'll do you a favor. I'll let you decide which one gets the quick death."

Mild shot a serious look at his mares. "Ladies, you've done good. But I need to deal with her myself."

"Like hay!" shouted back Sweet Wings. "As long as you're right here, we're staying."

Mild smiled. "I had a feeling you'd say that. Which is why I'm going to have to ask you to excuse me." Sticking his forelegs in front of him, he plowed straight into Mayhem at incredible speed. "I need to have a private word with Miss Mayhem."

The hero and villain charged through several buildings until Mild finally let up and threw against a 'Sweet Apple Acres' cart. Before Mayhem returned to the fight, she was quick to down a huge mug of cider. "Ready for round two?"

"Round two implies that there'll be more. This ends now."

Mayhem grew a Cheshire grin. "Something else we can agree on!" She tried to use her whip, but Mild's super-speed gave him an edge over it. He ran up to and gave her an uppercut, causing her to hurdle upwards, landing on the roof of the building they were fighting in front of.

"I've got to say, I think I'm getting the hang of this whole 'fighting' thing."

"And how are you taking it?"

"Not my thing. So I'll give you one last chance to stand down."

THWIP!

Her razor sharp whip wrapped around the stallions neck. "Right. What was I thinking?" The unicorn trotted towards him, using her magic to tighten the grip around his neck as she came closer.

"Come on, hero. Stand up!"

"Sit down!"

THWACK!

Mild punched the unicorn in the gut, making her finally let go of her whip before flying off the edge. Mild ripped the whip off his neck and ran to where she landed; right outside the museum. "You dare-"

THWACK!

"I do." Another punch put Mayhem at the top of the steps, a mere few steps from the front door.

"You have no right to stop me! I'm saving Equestria! It's my destiny! I have what it takes to correct this world."

Mild dashed right up to her face. "And that's why you'll always fail. Equestria doesn't need to be 'corrected'. It needs more ponies who are prepared to do the right thing." TWHACK! The unicorn spat out a good bit of blood after that last punch. "Anypony can make Equestria better. But it's not about what they want." THWACK! "It's not about what's on your cutie mark." THWACK! "It's not about the costume you were." THWACK! "And it's not about the mistakes they've made." THWACK! Mayhem started spitting out teeth. "It's about what you do..." Mild wound his right hoof back. "It's about action!"

THWACKOOM!

Mild's last punch sent Mayhem through several exhibits, eventually coming to a halt in the 'unexplained mysteries' exhibit, damaging several of the displays. When Mild entered the room, he found Mayhem kneeling down on her hind legs. They both knew that this fight was over. "I didn't enjoy having to fight you. I don't like hurting anypony... even if I hate them."

It hurt for Mayhem to look up at the red and blue stallion. "H-How can you have the strength to not kill me?" she asked with a few tears running down her blood and broken face.

"Because I'm above that. You need help. You're sick. I can help you. You can make amends for what you've done. It's never too late to be a better pony."

When she opened her mouth, Mild couldn't help but be disturbed by the image of a mare without a good chunk of her teeth. "Why don't you just go back where you came from?"

The stallion turned to the display of the message that was broadcasted the day he arrived in Equestria. He felt sorry for his Cloudtopian ponies, even if he never knew them. "Because I can't. And even if I could, I wouldn't. This is my home now and I'm not going to let you ruin it anymore."

"I just wanted to do the right thing... what's the real difference between you and me?"

Mild knelt down for the unicorn. "Including or not including the bondage?" Her eyes flared with rage as she used the last of strength for one last punch... that he caught. "You've been looking at Equestria from the viewpoint of a dark, dank fortress, looking only for the negative." He pulled her in close and restrained her. "It's time you saw it from my perspective."

Mild, carrying Mayhem took off into the sky, going higher and higher. "There's one benefit to having your head in the clouds from time to time." He finally reached his destination; the upper atmosphere. The two could see the curvature of the planet as well as the stars beyond. "You get the best view." The air was getting to thick for Mayhem to breathe. "Equestria is beautiful. Why would you want to destroy it?

Mayhem started to loose her consciousnesses, using whatever air she had left to ask one last question. "What are you? An alien... or a stallion?"

...

"I'm Super-Stallion."

The citizens of Canterlot returned to their city, examining all the damage that had been done. They all gathered outside the museum, where Sweet Wings and Meekly were looking up, waiting for Mild to come back. The eyes lit up like the stars when the saw a red and blue stallion descend from the heavens, carrying a white unicorn in his forelegs. The entire city was silent as he gently laid her in front of the guards. "Citizens arrest?"

"Sure, let's call it that," the guard said with a smile.

"Su-pe-stall-ion!" chanted one pony. Slowly but surely, one by one, everypony joined in, chanting his name and stopping on the ground in rhyme. He flew a few feet into the air, letting his ego take over for a brief moment as he soaked in the moment.

Meekly looked up with tears in her happy eyes. "I'm so proud of you..."

Sweet Wings (knowing an opportunity when she saw one), jumped up to Mild and open kissed him in front of the entire city. Whereas MIld's eye dilated, Meekly's constricted, her smile leaving her face in less then a second. When Wings released him, she saw through his mask that he turned a bright red.

"What's wrong, stud? Never kissed a girl before?"

...

"Wow! You really are a dork."

His eyes turned to Meekly. She was not amused, but she knew an unexpected kiss when she saw one and smiled anyway. Mild looked over the crowd one last time before taking off to the sky. "You folks have a great day!"

The next morning, Mild (in his shirt and glasses) exited the back door of his farm house, heading to a small garden full of daffodils. At the end of the garden, sat two tombstones. He knelt down to them and smiled. "Hey guys. I just wanted to give you an update. It's been difficult, painful and more then a little confusing. But I finally did. I became the pony you wanted me to be." He smiled as he cried. "I hope that where ever you are, I've made you proud."

"I think it's safe to say you did," said Sweet Wings as she touched down. "You did something incredible yesturday. You're the biggest hero Equestria has ever seen. Rumor is that the mayor wants to give you the key to the city today."

"I'm not a hero, I was just doing my part."

...

"But you have to admit; I looked cool doing it." They shared a small laugh.

"So... about the kiss, I'm sorry about, you know, not warning ya."

"I'm the one who's sorry. I may have sent false signals... or something. I'm new to this."

"You're new to a lot of stuff, aren't ya?"

"I've been training in a cloud fortress for the last five years. Everything's been a learning experience for me." He pulled something from his shirt pocket, but didn't show what it was. "Sweet Wings, I don't suppose you've found a home in the last twenty four hours?"

"Well... not exactly."

"Good." He tossed her a small, golden key. On the handle of the key, was the 'S' symbol of his family. "Now you won't have to sneak in."

The rainbow maned pegasus started to get chocked up. "Wow... that's-"

"It's cool. Don't worry about it."

Mild flapped his wings, levitating off the ground. "Where are you going?" asked Sweet Wings.

"I've got to go to work. I've got an exclusive interview with Super-Stallion to hand in for proof-reading."

"Go get 'em! Hey, one last thing!" Mild stopped and turned back to her. "The symbol... if it's not an 'S', what does it mean exactly?"

Mild winked as he took off to Canterlot. "It means hope."

"MANNERED! GET YOUR PLOT IN HERE!"

Mild stumbled through the door of Angry Chief's office, taking the opportunity to trip over himself. "You bellowed?"

"I WANTED TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT YOUR SUPER-STALLION STORY!"

"Ah, yes. I've got it right here for you."

"WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?! MEEKLY DROPPED IT IN THIS MORNING?"

"Meekly?"

"YES!" Chief tossed a several page document onto the table. The title read 'Stallion of Steel. Written by Meekly and Mild Mannered'. "DOING A DOUBLE INTERVIEW! BRILLIANT IDEA! AND THE INTERIVEW ITSELF: BRILLIANT! I EVEN LOVE FONT!"

Mild wasn't used to taking credit for something he hadn't done, but he noticed the article was made up of bits and pieces from their conversations. I guess I can go with this, he thought. "I'm glad you like it chief. I'm hope I'm one step closer to earning my permanent place here at the Daily-"

"THEN WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR! STORIES DON'T WRITE THEMSELVES! GET OUT! OUT!"

Mild zipped out of the office, exhaling with relief. "Hey, weirdo!" shouted Call Waiting.

"Hello, Call. How have you been?"

"Eh, I almost died yesterday, but so did a lot of ponies, so I guess it's nothing special."

"That's one way to look at it."

"Hey, I didn't see you anywhere yesterday. When Super-Stallion sent everypony out of the city, I went looking for you but I couldn't find you anywhere."

Mild forced a blush to keep his character up. "Y-you were looking for me?"

"Don't flatter yourself, I was just looking to hang with as many ponies as I could."

"Oh yeah, sure."

"So... where were you?"

"Um... I-I-I had this ham and cheese sandwich that didn't agree with me, so I spent the day sick in bed, I kind of fell asleep."

...

"You slept through all the explosions and screams of terror?"

"W-W-Well, I'm not proud... I-I mean-"

"Of course you did," she mumbled, rolling her eyes as she slumped back into her seat.

"I-I should probably get back to work, you have a good day!"

"Mmmhm." Call drifted back into the same day dreaming state that Mild found her in when he arrived a couple of days ago.

Mild walked over to Meekly's desk, but only found a single note.

Meet me on the roof.

-M

Mild opened the door to roof and found Meekly, perched on the edge of the building. "You know, sitting there is very dangerous. You might fall."

"Nah. I know you wouldn't let little old me fall."

...

"Sure, why not?" The two laughed as Mild joined her on the edge. "I couldn't help but notice you put yourself first in the bi-line."

"Yeah. I wrote the story."

"But it's about me."

"OK, we'll make a trade. I'll take second billing and you can have your identity made public."

...

"Permission to speak freely?"

"Granted."

"You're a bitch." The two cracked up, letting their laughs echo over the city. The two soaked in the moment before Meekly opened her mouth again.

"I hear the mayor wants to give you the key to the city."

"Yeah, so have a lot of ponies, apparently." The two looked off to the part at the center of the city. There was a huge stadium set up with a full orchestra stationed next to it. In front of the stage, it looks like every single pony in Canterlot showed up.

"Let me take a wild guess; you're not going to accept it?"

"No I am. Just not personally... and not for myself."

"Come again?"

"Watch."

Down at the park, the mayor took to the podium. "Mare and gentlecolts. It is my great... honor, to bestow this city's highest honor to it's newest resident! Allow me to officially present the key to the city to Super-"

An assistant pony ran onto the stage and handed the mayor an envelope. He snatched letter and read it out loud.

Citizens of Canterlot,

It's come to my attention that you've decided to grant me the key to the city. While I'm flattered beyond words, I'm afraid I can't accept it. I did nothing that no other pony wouldn't have done if they had the powers I do. The real heroes are the ponies who were brave enough to keep their loved ones safe in a dangerous time. So instead, allow me to accept the key on behalf of the ponies outside Canterlot. Let Canterlot's doors never be closed to anypony who wants to make their life better a place. Let anypony, no matter how rich or poor, come to Canterlot and make it better for everypony.

Regards,

- S.S

The mayor searched the crowd for their opinion. He noticed that while the majority of the citizens where nodding in approval, the rich and powerful ponies that were responsible for his position in office, giving him a very subtle message of their opinions on the matter. He broke out in a sweat, struggling to reach a decision. Eventually, he leaned into the mic. "Well... who am I to say no to Super-Stallion?"

The crowd stood up and gave a thunderous applause. The guards opened all the gates to Canterlot, letting all of the ponies that had been waiting outside finally come in. Why the hay did I just do that? he wondered.

"Well, this is a little awkward... our royal orchestra had worked up a little something for him. I suppose we could play it anyway.

"Wow... that was very cheesy of you," said Meekly, giving him an approving smile.

"I grew up on a farm, I'm aloud to be cheesy." He looked at the mayor from, feeling warmth in his heart. "I knew the mayor would do the right thing."

...

"I hoped he would do the right thing."

"That sounds about right." Meekly leaned in close to the nerdy looking stallion. "I'm glad you came." The two kissed in the light reflection off the golden sun on top of the Daily Daylight.

"Me too."

"SOMEPONY! SAVE ME!" Mild turned with shock, hearing the cries of mare in the far, far distance.

"What did you hear?" asked Meekly.

"Trouble. Sounds like it's coming from Manehatten."

Meekly started shoving him. "What are you waiting for then?"

"I'm going! Can you just do me one last favor?"

"What?"

Mild took off his glasses and placed them in Meekly's hooves. "Hold onto these for me."

The pegasus started running across the rooftop, just in time for the band to play a very special piece of music. He pulled open his shirt and threw it to the floor, jumping off the edge of the building. Meekly's eyes lit up to find Super-Stallion, in all his red and blue glory, soaring off into the sky, shouting a phrase that would echo throughout history...

"Up, up and away!"

STALLION OF STEEL

Directed, Screenplay and Edited by
Final Cut

Story by
Insipid Plot

Executive Producer
Princess Celestia

Producers
Applejack
Big Macintosh

Starring

Mild Mannered/Pon-E/Super-Stallion - Soarin'
Meekly - Twilight Sparkle
Sweet Wings - Rainbow Dash
Mistress Mayhem - Rarity
Angry Chief - Himself
Call Waiting - Pinkie Pie
Kon-E - Fancy Pants
Raya-Zon-E - Princess Celestia
Honest Labor - Veteran Thespian
Mayor of Canterlot - Stunt Casting
Voice of Golden Dragon - Iron Will
Horse Power - Type Casting
Sweetie Pie - Up and Comer
Pony Pimp - Vinyl Scratch
Little Filly - Sweetie Bell
Fan Girl - Scootaloo
Mean Canterlot Mare - Fleu d Lis
Guard 1 - Ready Blade
Guard 2 - Command Chain
Guard 3 - Shinning Armor
Guard 4 - Himself

Cinematography
Perfect Shot

Original Score
Octavia Philharmonica

Casting by
Refined Taste

Lead Lighting
Handsome D. Jackass

Special Effects Supervisor
Slight of Hand

Practical Effects
Trixie

Key Grip
Scootaloo

Cameraponies
Final Cut
Sweetie Bell
Applebloom
Scootaloo

Consultant
Fluttershy

Choreography
Fluid Movement

Costume Designers
Rarity
Photo Finish
Sapphire Shores

Catering
Granny Smith
Applejack
Big Macintosh
Applebloom

Set Doctor
First Aid

Fitness Coach
Iron Will

Set Designer
Stage Setter

Special Thanks
Shinning Amour
Princess Luna
Princess Cadence
The Mares and Stallions of the Royal Guard
Cherilee

Shot on Blue

No Ponies or other animals were hurt in the making of this film (on the outside).

Super-Stallion and all related characters are propriety of PC Comics. All rights reserved.

One Year Later

"Houston, we have landed." A small space craft touched town onto the surface of the moon. Two stallions in space suits exited the craft, embracing the majesty of Equestria. Now nothing but a blue ball to them. "Let's make it official!" One of the stallions lifted up the Equestria flag and planted it firmly in the ground. "What do you say we break out the cider?"

CRACK!

From the base of the flag, as large crack appeared in the ground. As the crack grew, it led to a giant crator a few miles from the astronauts. Skipping in the low gravity environment, they followed the crack to the creator, noticing that it was significantly darker than the rest of the moon. "Houston... do you have the date?"

CRACKOOM!

The crater exploded outwards, sending moon rocks flying off into space, as well as the astronauts. A black mist crept out of the crater. Emerging from it, was a dark alicorn, dressed in black armor.

"What a beautiful night..."

Next: Interlude: The Reviews Are In!

Interlude: The Reviews Are In

Interlude: The Reviews Are In

The following is a recording from the late night 'Horse S--T!' radio show. The show is hosted by Loud Mouth and his co-host 'Wise Crack'. Every Thursday at 11:00 pm, the two sit down with a special guest as they discuss local events and funny stories that have happened in the week prior in a crude manner. The stories often involve tangents and long segway's, many of which lead to the hosts forgetting the original topic. The following is a transcript from the episode entitled 'Latex and Leather', recorded September 20th, 2012.

Loud Mouth: Shh! Everypony, be very quite. We just snuck got out of the premier of Stallion of Steel.

Wise Crack: The premier that we kind of weren't invited to.

L.M: So yeah, we snuck into the premier through the staff entrance.

W.C: And unlike those real critics, we don't have an embargo on our review for the movie.

L.M: So, we thought we would be the first to bring Equestria the first spoiler-filled review of Stallion of Steel.

W.C: And what better way to keep it a secret then by bringing in two of the ponies that worked on it.

Vinyl Scratch: Knowing you two idiots, you probably invited the director before me.

L.M: In case you couldn't tell by the extra manly voice, Vinyl Scratch has joined us again.

W.C: Welcome back Vinyl.

V.S: Aren't you forgetting something?

L.M: That's right! Ponies, we normally have one special guest. This time, we have two!

W.C: We established that already.

L.M: Buck you. So anyway, we-

W.C: Well forgive me, for correcting your dumb ass.

L.M: Weren't you the one who didn't know what 'topic dejour' meant?

V.S: Weren't you both acting like idiots last time I was on?

W.C: Yeah, we were the idiots, you were talking about drugging and having your way with Octavia.

L.M: Speaking of which..

Octavia Philharmonica: I haven't even spoken into the microphone and I'm already regretting this.

[Laughter]

L.M: Don't worry. Based on Vinyl's stories, you probably won't remember any of this.

V.S: Oh I plan to make sure she remembers this. Don't I babe?

O.P: Have as much fun as you can Vinyl. You won't be grinning much longer.

L.M: Oh, it's on!

W.C: We should probably explain the reason you're here.

O.P: First bright idea of the night. A couple months ago, Vinyl said some less than flattering things about me.

L.M: And you're here to clear them up?

O.P: No. I'm here to get even.

W.C: Nice!

V.S: You know we were just bucking around, right?

O.P: Of course. I'd like to join in.

L.M: All of you at home can't tell, but Octy has her super-villain grin turned on.

W.C: Her Mistress Mayhem grin.

L.M: That reminds me, ponies, here's how we'll do things tonight. We're gonna start off with a quick spoiler-free review, catch up with our guests and then we'll do the big spoiler-filled review.

W.C: So you can't yell at us for spoiling the thing on pTunes.

L.M: Or you know, tell the producers.

V.S: Relax guys, I won't squeal. Octy on the other hoof-"

O.P: Your secrets are safe with me, gentlecolts. Although, I do have to wonder, are you sure that Vinyl and I can deliver fair reviews?

V.S: Yeah. We both helped make the thing.

O.P: Ha!

V.S: Something funny?

O.P: Yes. Your definition of help.

W.C: Guys-

L.M: Wait. This is hilarious.

O.P: If 'helped' equates to your contribution, I may as well have directed, stared and ran the projector.

W.C/L.M: DAMN!

V.S: You're just jealous that they wouldn't let you on camera. They only had room the best lookin' ponies in Equestria so they picked me to join the high life.

O.P: And what better representation of the high life then playing a pimp with one line.

L.M: Ah $&*@! Ah $&*@!

V.S: Swag this perfect cannot be denied! And what better way to show swag than pimp?

O.P: An actually respected member of society?

W.C: SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! SNAP! SNAP!

[Laughter]

V.S: You two are enjoying this way too much.

L.M: You can't enjoy a cat fight like this enough.

W.C: I'll get the kiddie pool, you go get the baby oil.

[Laughter]

O.P: Truly, radio has become the pinochle of culture.

V.S: Guys, seriously?

L.M: What's wrong?

V.S: You forgot the bikini's.

W.C: Of course! How could we forget?

O.P: Ignoring the stupidity of this conversation for a brief moment... why? We're naked the rest of the time.

L.M: Don't ruin this for us.

W.C: Besides, you were that bow everywhere and Vinyl always has her glasses on.

L.M: Take it off!

O.P: What have I walked into?

V.S: The deepest levels of hell!

O.P: That sounds about right.

L.M: What's the chance of you two making out angrily on the floor.

O.P: Absoltuetly-

V.S: Guaranteed to happen!

W.C: You heard it here folks! We've got some filly-fooler action right up in the studio!

O.P: Celestia, kill me.

V.S: If you're so uncomfortable, why are you blushing?

O.P: I am not blushing!

L.M: Bitch, you look like a mahogany table.

W.C: Bend over and we can use you to record on the go.

V.S: I didn't hear anything after 'bend over'.

[Laughter]

L.M: Octy's giggling, folks!

O.P: I'm enjoying being the smartest pony in the room.

V.S: She does that everywhere, but now it's actually true.

W.C: Bitch, you gonna take that?

O.P: Please don't call me that.

W.C: Sorry.

L.M: Well, these two ladies need to get oiled up-

O.P: I'll do no such thing.

L.M: So we'll give our quick, spoiler free reviews of Stallion of Steel. The reboot of the Super-Stallion film franchise. And I've got to tell you... I didn't love it. But I liked it a lot.

W.C: I'm right there with you man. The good out ways the bad in it. The acting was good. The action was great.

L.M: They got Super-Stallion himself right.

W.C: A great villain.

L.M: Oh, I can't wait to talk to you about her.

W.C: So yeah, if you're listening, please, go see Stallion of Steel. It's not perfect, but a hell of a lot of fun.

L.M: Girls, I know you're kind of biased in this, as Octy mentioned, but tell us as best you can, what you think about this.

V.S: Forgetting I was in the movie for about 10 seconds, I really enjoyed it. I knew nothing about Super-Stallion going into this so this kind of popped my cherry. It was cool and the action was great.

W.C: Sounds like the kind of movie you wouldn't enjoy, Octy.

O.P: On the contrary. I found it quite thrilling.

W.C: Thrilling?

O.P: Well, I don't find myself in these types of films often, so, like Vinyl, this was quite a learning experience for me.

L.M: That's good. I didn't know if you would even consider liking this kind of movie.

O.P: To be fair, I was already a fan of Final Cut. I absolutely loved the Sisterhooves Social Network and was quite flattered when he offered me the job to score the film. I didn't know if I could do it, but I fell in love with the process and I found myself loving Stallion of Steel.

L.M: You loved it?

O.P: I suppose I did. I know it doesn't mean much coming from somepony who worked on it, but yes, I loved it.

W.C: I don't know if the rest of us can go that far, but it's definitely enjoyable.

L.M: Let's save the rest of the movie discussion for a later. We have some catching up to do.

W.C: Last we talked to you Vinyl, you were heading to Manehatten Musical Culture Garden Party. Weren't you two going to preform a set?

O.P: Well, that's one word to call it.

L.M: What?

O.P: Let's just say it didn't turn out the way we had planned.

V.S: It was the greatest show of all times!

L.M: You've got to tell us now!

O.P: Something tells me I don't have a choice.

V.S: OK, so we head out to stage and, of course, the crowd goes nuts as soon as they saw me.

O.P: You were my warm up.

W.C: I'm loving this already.

V.S: The way the sets work is that one of us steps out, and does a sample of their music. I come out and I'm laying the bass down! The crowds minds exploded!

O.P: That was because they were shooting themselves.

V.S: Love you honey!

O.P: Love you, too.

L.M: Can you make out now?

O.P: Let's wait till Vinyl finishes butchering this story.

V.S: Butchering? I'm creating an energetic retelling of our concert.

O.P: No wonder this show is called 'Horse S--T'.

V.S: So, after I'm done, it's Octavia's turn on the stage. She brings out the over-sized ukulele-

O.P: It's a cello, you twit.

V.S: And sure enough, the crowd falls asleep.

O.P: They did no such thing! They were embracing classical music.They lent back in their chairs and let the music woft over them.

V.S: As they slipped into death.

O.P: Just because I don't sound like Skrillex on PCP, the doesn't mean I bore ponies.

V.S: Do you even know who Skrillex is?

O.P: No, but the name already inspires distaste.

L.M: Are you sure two aren't married?

V.S: Wait till the story ends.

C.W: Does this end in a bedroom or a dungeon?

O.P: Neither thankfully.

V.S: Baby! You're starting to hurt me.

O.P: OK, I'm going to finish this story and I want you stop me when I lie or exagurate.

V.S: Sure.

O.P: So after-

V.S: Stop.

[Laughter]

O.P: As I was saying, it time for the two of us to play music together... apparently Vinyl took that phrase the wrong way.

V.S: You mean the right way.

O.P: I honestly don't see how I'm surprise at you anymore.

L.M: What happened?

O.P: We had to move our stations closer and- Vinyl, stop laughing.

[Laughter]

V.S: You're so cute, you know that.

W.C: We could just let these two take over the show, couldn't we?

O.P: So started playing and over the course of our number, I notice Vinyl etching closer and closer to my station.

V.S: I was making myself comfortable.

O.P: Oh, I believe that much. I brush it off as I didn't know if you had to move around a computer station-

V.S: Mixing board, fuddy duddy.

O.P: So I just brushed it off. The lights made it difficult for me to see most of the ponies in the audience, but I could see some of them in the front few rows laughing. Some of them were pointing at me. I was so focused on the music at the time that I didn't notice anything else, until the music finally slowed down. I started to feel something.

V.S: Yeah, she did.

O.P: I felt some sort of- I'm not quite sure what the words are.

V.S: A sensation?

O.P: That's the last thing I'll call it. Whatever it was, I looked down... and as it turns out, Vinyl had been rubbing her flank up against mine.

[Laughter]

V.S: Admit it, there was a spark!

O.P: That was static electricity!

L.M: Holy Celestia- HAHAHAHA!

O.P: I couldn't move from my position on the stage, so I couldn't move. I just stood there... and so did she... grinding me for ten straight minutes.

W.C: Why were we not there?!

V.S: You loved it!

O.P: It was humiliating! Ponies kept asking me to sign pictures of it.

L.M: That doesn't sound too-

O.P: They were all nerdy teenagers.

L.M: What if I ask for a picture of it?

V.S: Make it two.

O.P: I hate you all

[Laughter]

V.S: Look, I know we're screwing around a lot, but I think we should clear a few things up.

O.P: Second bright idea of the night. Did you two gentlecolts get a lot of fan mail regarding Vinyl's last appearance?

W.C: Sure did.

O.P: And what were they about exactly?

W.C: Well, a lot of them were ponies coming to your defense actually. They said that what Vinyl was doing was slander.

V.S: I got a couple of those, too. I don't know how ponies got e-mail.

O.P: One of the reasons I came onto the show tonight was to let everypony know that Vinyl and I have been friends since high school. Vinyl meant no disrespect.

V.S: The thing at the concert was just a joke. I wouldn't have done it if I knew it was going to weird her out.

L.M: So you just came onto the show to have a laugh about what happened?

O.P: Yeah. We've been close friends for a good chunk of our lives. We get on each others nerves every not and then, but so do the best of friends.

V.S: If the element wielders can have a Dragon Ball Z fight and still come out OK, we can buck around a little bit and be perfectly fine.

L.M: I had a feeling you'd be fine, but I'm glad to here it, you know?

V.S: It's like I said last time I was on; Once you make pony scream, they can only hate you so much.

O.P: The scream in question came from when I found out she'd be playing with at the concert.

V.S: Love you, Octy.

O.P: Love you too, Vinyl.

L.M: Aww, there's hugging now.

W.C: More tongue!

O.P: Honestly Vinyl, how did you find these idiots?

V.S: I have tendency to attract idiots. It's curse really.

L.M: I can't help but feel that includes you, Octy.

O.P: Of course I'm an idiot. I agreed to be on this show, didn't I?

[Laughter]

W.C: This has been a lot of fun.

L.M: We're not done yet. We've still got a movie to talk about.

W.C: Boy, do we.

L.M: If you girls don't want to stick around-

V.S: We've stayed this long, right?

O.P: I suppose there's no point in leaving yet.

L.M: Sweet. Now, everypony, we're about to go into full spoiler territory here, so if you don't want to be spoiled, tune out now. You gone? OK. Wise?

W.C: Yeah?

L.M: What did you think of Stallion of Steel. In detail this time.

W.C: Like I said before, I liked it, didn't love it. But I will say this; Soarin' really pulled it off.

L.M: I know right!

W.C: For some pony who couldn't act, I was shocked by how convincing he was.

V.S: I never thought I would dig the nerdy, goody too shoes type, but I liked him a lot.

O.P: I thought he was very charming.

V.S: You should have seen her. Every time Mild Mannered was on screen, she blushed and started giggling like school filly.

L.M: Why does that not shock me?

W.C: Did you take the opportunity and go for the reach around, Vinyl?

O.P: She did... for my popcorn.

[Laughter]

V.S: She had it buttered.

W.C: I bet she did.

[Laughter]

O.P: Well forgive me for preferring the sweeter gentlecolts.

L.M: The same 'sweeter gentlecolt' that spent the whole third act of the movie hitting another mare?

V.S: Maybe that's what she into. Right babe?

O.P: I'm surprised you didn't go for the leather fetish joke.

W.C: Oh we'll get to that.

L.M: Twilight and Rainbow were pretty good too.

W.C: I thought Rainbow was OK. Twilight was actually decent.

V.S: I was just shocked he ended up with Meekly at the end.

L.M: Well, in the comics, he did. I think Final Cut was just trolling the fan boys.

W.C: Wouldn't be funny if the troll face popped up at the end?

L.M: Problem, nerds?

V.S: Speaking of which, wasn't there supposed to be a sex scene in the movie?

L.M: I guess they must have cut it.

W.C: Good thing. Octy would have exploded.

O.P: Only if it was with Meekly.

L.M: You used to be Meekly in high school didn't you?

V.S: You have no idea. She even had the same glasses.

W.C: The Buddy Holly, catch-me-buck-me glasses?

O.P: They were quite fashionable at the time.

L.M: That makes me wonder. Octy, what was Vinyl like in high school.

O.P: The same essentially.

V.S: I wasn't as hot back then.

O.P: She had so many pimples, the called her moon face.

[Chuckling]

V.S: Not true!

O.P: They thought Nightmare Moon was going to come bursting out of your pours with the rest of the goop.

[Laughter]

L.M: So you were the cool one back in high school?

V.S: By proxy only!

W.C: Did she play any instruments back then? The mixing board couldn't have been available to her back then.

O.P: Hmmm... does the skin flute count?

[Laughter]

V.S: You bitch!

L.M: Did the school supply that or did your parents have to pay for it?

W.C: Did you have a saddle bag compartment for it?

V.S: Buck you.

L.M: I keep having this image of you skipping down the hallways like the pied-piper.

W.C: With that gay-ass hat.

[Laughter]

L.M: Epic burn, girl!

O.P: I had actually been saving that one for a public forum.

V.S: You back stabbing-

O.P: Love you, Vinyl.

V.S: Bit me.

L.M: Let's wait till after we cut the mics off for that. What did you guys think of the effects?

W.C: Can you call them effects when a good chunk of them were actual super powers?

L.M: The point is, they looked pretty.

V.S: I would love to drop some acid and watch it again.

O.P: You say that about everything.

V.S: And I always mean it.

L.M: Plop plop, fizz fizz, oh what a trip it is.

[Laughter]

V.S: Imagine watching that red and blue blur go across the screen while you're high as a kite.

L.M: Is it too late to go back and see it?

W.C: Knowing our luck, it would be great, right up until Mistress Mayhem shows up and then it would turn south. We'd think he had descended into Tartarus or something.

L.M: Speaking of which...

W.C: Oh! Dear! Celestia!

L.M: Rarity as Mistress Mayhem stole the show. And I can't decide if it's in a good way or a bad way. I'm not even sure how to describe it.

O.P: One description came to mind as I was watching her.

L.M: And that was...?

O.P: To speak rather candidly; the bitch was crazy.

[Laughter]

W.C: It was like watching a Shakespearean actor read lines from 50 Shades of Grey while dragging kids to her dungeon.

[Laughter]

L.M: I don't think I can top that.

V.S: Same here.

O.P:Mmhmm.

L.M: For those of you who don't know, Rarity plays the villain of the movie, 'Mistress Mayhem'. She spends the whole movie in a dominatrix outfit, talking about saving Equestria through violence.

W.C: I loved that! "I'm going to make Equestria peacefully, by killing everypony horribly."

L.M: She was every single Final Fantasy villain wrapped up into one.

V.S: Nerd.

O.P: She was quite entertaining.

L.M: I kept expecting her to look into the mirror and go 'Would you buck me? I'd buck me'.

W.C: I would.

L.M: Even if those dragons were involved?

W.C: Especially. Speaking of which, how cool did that look?

V.S: It looked like a Rhapsody album cover.

W.C: Which is awesome!

L.M: The scene was awesome... until you realize it makes no damn sense.

W.C: How so?

O.P: I believe I know what Loud is referring to. Mistress Mayhem using a signal to attract dragons to Equestria. Somehow, the dragons were able to fly all the way to Canterlot in a matter of seconds.

L.M: Exactly!

O.P: It was physically impossible.

V.S: Yeah... you know what else is impossible?

O.P: What?

V.S: A stallion that can fly at the speed of sound and punch missile with his bare hooves.

O.P: You don't have to be so mean about it.

V.S: We're not even close to being even for the skin flute crack.

W.C: I think what Vinyl is trying to say is that you've got to suspend your disbelief for a lot of things.

L.M: Especially the high school stuff.

W.C: Yeah... that stuff was pretty weak.

L.M: A lot of the dialogue was lame too.

O.P: I just took that as things Super-Stallion would say. Wise, you're the... connoisseur of all things Super-Stallion. Isn't that true?

W.C: Well, yeah. It's just, they laid it on so thick. They could have been a bit subtler with it. Maybe give a bit more of a dark edge.

O.P: I don't think that would worked. He was fine the way he was.

V.S: Define 'fine'.

O.P: Every definition.

[Laughter]

L.M: That's what I'm talking about!

O.P: I may have had a few glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon before I came on.

W.C: I can't pronounce that, so you know it's good stuff.

O.P: I have a few cases in my carriage.

V.S: Drink on Octy tonight!

[Cheering]

W.C: We should probably wrap this up.

L.M: Yeah. OK, to summerize, I loved the action. The characters were good. Soarin' was great. Rarity was bucking hilarious and I'd go see it again. It's really good. Not great.

W.C: Same here.

V.S: Well, we really can't add much to that considering we worked on it.

L.M: Thanks for reminding me! We need to talk about your cameo.

W.C: Super pimp!

L.M: You were on screen for 10 seconds and you had the best line of the movie.

V.S: Like I said; Swag.

L.M: As for you Octy. The score was great, but that ending piece... holy Celestia! That was brilliant!

O.P: They said they wanted something heroic, so that's what I did.

L.M: It was beautiful. We're not just kissing your flank, you did an amazing job.

W.C: Although, It a little disappointing that they didn't use the old theme. It had horrible, silver-age style lyrics.

L.M: It wouldn't have fit.

W.C: You can tell a lot of fan boys are gonna be pissed.

L.M: Like you?

W.C: Well hell yeah!

L.M: Well, I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm feeling thirsty. Octy, do you wanna stick around for a while and share some of that fancy wine with the rest of us?

O.P: Sure, why not?

Next: Chapter 20: Obscurity - Finale!

Don'f forget to check out Club Harmony!

Chapter 20: Obscurity

Chapter 20: Obscurity

"Encore! Encore!" shouted the audience as the houselights came up. They stomped on the ground, causing the whole theater to rock. On the other hoof, Pinkie sat there, in silence, shedding a single tear.

Twilight had pride beaming from her eyes as stood up for her applause. "Final, that was- Final?" Twilight looked around when she realized that her beau was not where she left him. Looking down, she saw him in the gap between the front row and screen, shuffling to the tunes that played in other the closing credits. She just chuckled at the site. It wasn't the greatest movie in the world, but Cut had plenty to be proud of. They all did.

"TWI!" Twilight didn't have enough time to duck before Rainbow Dash charged into her. "THAT. WAS. AWESOME!"

"Yeah. It was, wasn't it?"

Rainbow helped her to her feet. "You were great. I can't believe we actually pulled this off."

"Me either. Rarity was- where is Rarity?"

The two turned to the isle, where Rarity was standing and waving to the ponies around her. "Thank you! Thank you! I couldn't have done it without my wonderful wardrobe!" Pinkie started throwing roses at the white unicorn (where the roses came from remains unknown).

"Let's just pray she doesn't win the Oscar. Who knows what she would do then?" the two shared a giggle. "Soarin' was fantastic. Why aren't you with him now?"

"Why do you think?" Rainbow pointed to the front of the theater, where Soarin' was shuffling with Cut. "He may have turned into a nerdy sap ever since we started making this movie, but he still knows when he did a good job."

"Hey girls," said Fluttershy as she joined her friends.

"Hey, Fluttershy. What did you think?" asked Rainbow with trepidation. Everypony remembered how vocal she was about the movie before.

"I... I liked it." Twilight and Rainbow stood slack jawed. "The violence wasn't to my taste, but I liked how nice Super-Stallion was and that the Mistress Mayhem lost. I know that's how it was going to end already, but it was still nice to see. You two were great. Really." That was probably the best praise the two world receive from the shy pony. The brought her in for a group hug. "I hope the princess enjoyed it."

"I think it's safe to say she did." Twilight brought their attention to the princes... who was shuffling between Soarin' and Cut.

"Up, up and away, mother buckers!" yelled Cut as he kicked in the door to the library. Twilight was in such a good mood that she was going until the next day before giving him the bill for the damage. Pouring in behind them was the rest of the cast and crew, filing up the library that Pinkie had taken the liberty of ~~breaking in~~ letting herself in and setting up a premier after-party.

"So what happens now?" asked Rarity.

"We get so drunk that we forget that opening weekend will either make or break us!" Cut poured himself a cup of cider, but before sculling it, he found himself gazing into its reflection. He dropped his smile and laid down the glass, hoping that somepony else would enjoy it for me.

"Something wrong, Final?" asked a concerned Twilight. She gently laid a hoof on his back. "This is probably the only time I'm going to let you get drunk in the library."

"Trust me, I will. It's just that I realized that I'm going to need my wits for a little longer."

"What for?"

"Firstly, I just remember some radio show wants to talk to me. After that, I want to speak to a few ponies. Just need to get some stuff off my chest."

Twilight turned Cut so that they were facing. "Is everything OK?"

"I guess we'll find out." He pulled her in and kissed gently. "That'll have to hold you over until I get back."

"Congratulations!" The unicorns shot around to find Celestia standing behind them. "I'm so happy for the two of you."

Twilight squeed and blushed. "Thank you, Princess."

"And Final, you did an amazing j-"

"We both know it wasn't amazing," he interjected, "but it was still awesome."

"It was pretty coo-"

"Hey, princess!" shouted Pinkie from the other end of the room. "We're doing cupcake shots!"

"That's my cue. You two have a great night," said the alicorn as she turned from them. Suddenly, she stopped and turned back around. "A mare-to-mare piece of advice Twilight, Cut may chew on your mane when spooning, so you'll need to get a special sort of conditioner to help with that."

Time stopped. Every muscle in Cut's body tightened. Twilight's pupils constricted, with a few hairs in her mane suddenly splitting out.

...

"Come again, your highness."

"PRINCESS!" screamed Pinkie, holding up what looked like cupcakes in shot glasses.

"Sorry, my little ponies. I'll see you soon!" she said as she trotted away.

Twilight slowly turned her pupils in the direction of the director. Cut had the biggest, nervous smile anypony had ever seen, letting sweat run down his face like a waterfall. "Final..."

"Rrrrrember when I said that Celestia chose me personally for this movie? Well... she may or may not have had a biased towards me..."

Twilight turned her whole body, making sure she was aimed at Cut like a gun. "When were you two-"

"Exit: stage left." Cut dashed out of the front door. "Don't want to keep the radio show waiting!" he shouted half way down the street.

Twilight ran up to the front door, glaring at the Cut colored blur. "The door was to your right!"

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS CIDER SHOT DRINKERS! YEAH!" The CMC raised their hooves, each on holding a jello shot that matched their coats. Watching in the doorway, was Rarity and Applejack. Using her magic, Rarity snatched the glasses out of their hooves. "Aww" groaned the girls.

"Now girls, you're lucky enough to be up past your bed time. Let's not push it," said Rarity as she put the glasses away.

"Sorry girls," interject Applejack. "Big and Ah will be in a lot a trouble if we were caught selling yall cider."

"But ah helped you make it!" moaned Applebloom. Applejack shook her head and left the room, taking the cider drinks with her. Before she closed the door, the girls inside could hear the princess shouting.

"Where do you think you're going from those?!"

Rarity turned back to the girls. "Besides, wouldn't you rather be sober when you give Cut your present?"

"Excuse me, Rarity," said Scootaloo, "but does it count as our gift when you're the one that made it for us?"

Sweetie Bell nudged the pegasus. "He doesn't have to know to that, dodo."

CRRKT~

Spike slowly pushed the door to the room open and stuck his head in. "Oh... don't worry. I'll come back later." He closed the door a lot faster than when he opened it.

Sweetie Bell looked up at her big sister with a pair of puppy dog eyes. Letting the guilt take over, Rarity ran out the door, following the baby dragon. "Spike! Wait!"

Against his better judgement, Spike stopped and turned to Rarity, sweating bullet. "Rarity, please, I didn't-"

"Spike. I'm sorry. I'm very protective of Sweetie Bell and I almost took it out on you. But you should know that I talked to her earlier, she regrets kissing you."

Spike looked away with a blank expression. "Gee, that's great."

Rarity put her foreleg around her friend, letting out a little giggle. "Spike, you're young. You've got plenty of time and there are plenty of ponies... or dragons just waiting for you."

"Didn't we cover this already?" asked the purple dragon.

"What do you say we just pretend this didn't happen and shake hooves... or claws?" The two friends awkwardly shaked their respective appendages before Rarity returned to the CMC.

Twilight, noticing Spike in his depressed (and somewhat confused) state, carried over a plate of cupcakes and brought them over to her young assistant. Taking a seat on the couch, the two casually snacked on their treats, sitting in silence as they watched everypony else enjoy the party. "Thank Twi."

"Anytime, Spike."

The following is a recording from the late night 'Horse S--T!' radio show. The show is hosted by Loud Mouth and his co-host 'Wise Crack'. Every Thursday at 11:00 pm, the two sit down with a special guest as they discuss local events and funny stories that have happened in the week prior in a crude manner. The stories often involve tangents and long segway's, many of which lead to the hosts forgetting the original topic. The following is a transcript from an extension of the previous episode that was recorded an hour previous.

Loud Mouth: We're still doing this?

Wise Crack: Apperintly.

L.M: Ponies, we're recording this little add on because we have an exclusive interview right here.

W.C: Somepony that we really shouldn't be having on.

L.M: We've done much dumber things on this show and you know it. Everypony, please welcome Final Cut!

[Silence]

Final Cut: Bitch, whatchu looking at?

[Laughter]

L.M: Hey! You can't talk to us like that on our own show!

F.C: Actually, since you broke into our theater and spoiled the movie with two ponies that worked on it, I think I'll say whatever I want. Thank you.

L.M: Y-you know about that?

F.C: Yeah, I saw you two in the theater. That and I found Octy and Vinyl, drunkenly singing in the other room.

W.C: I told you to move them!

L.M: Have you tried dragging two mares? The alcohol just makes them heavier.

F.C: You should have seen Octy in the recording room. She composed the dragon fight scene while doing a keg stand.

W.C: I had no idea that Octy was such a drunky.

L.M: Who would have thought Vinyl would be the more relaxed one.

F.C: She was high when she shot her scene.

[Laughter]

L.M: Are you serious?

F.C: She was so high that she brought that pimp costume herself. She was just supposed to be a normal mare.

W.C: Why did she bring it?

F.C: When I asked, she said was 'for the lol's.'

[Laughter]

F.C: I just said 'screw it' and wrote some new dialogue for her.

L.M: So, you knew we snuck into the movie?

F.C: I've been at this for a while. I'm fairly certain the damn thing has been leaked already.

W.C: You come prepared. Did you used to be a colt scout?

F.C: For about two weeks.

[Laughter]

W.C: Did they kick you out that quick?

F.C: No exactly.

L.M: What happened?

F.C: I had been going for a little while, but then they told me I needed to buy the uniform or else I couldn't come anymore. I told my dad that the uniforms were sixty bits. He told me "Well, better say goodbye to you friends."

[Laughter]

L.M: Dude, that's some cheap crap right there.

W.C: Did he lean into you and say "you know these green skirts are cheaper."

[Laughter]

W.C: And you can make your money back, by selling these cookies!

F.C: We're gonna sell them on the side and mark them up a dollar or two. That's how you make money! A stallion aint a stallion if he aint go no hustle!

[Laughter]

F.C: Didn't we have a movie to talk about?

W.C: Oh yeah. That thing.

L.M: Well, let me just say right now, we both enjoyed the movie a lot.

W.C: We really dug it.

F.C: Thanks guys. I'm really proud of everypony who worked on it. Even those two idiots out back.

W.C: I almost wish you were here for the first part.

L.M: You really should have seen those two.

F.C: Ah yeah. I hear they have a history.

L.M: You have no idea. There was this great bit where Octy said Vinyl played the skin flute in high school.

F.C: She was playing it on the set.

[Laughter]

F.C: If you listen really closely, during the big song at the end, you can hear Vinyl playing one in the background.

W.C: So when you actually play the song at the Oscars, will she be there?

F.C: Front and center.

[Laughter]

L.M: Back on topic, there's something about Super-Stallion that I've never been able to figure out.

F.C: What?

L.M: How does he fly at night?

W.C: Seriously, dude?!

L.M: I don't know!

F.C: It's fine. His skin cells store the energy. A few minutes of sunlight can keep him going for a while.

L.M: Oh, good. I was wondering, if he lost his powers, would he have to beg Celestia to get it back?

W.C: He'd look like a crack addict.

[Laughter]

F.C: That would put the movies rating up a notch.

L.M (Huggy Bear Voice): You got any of that U.V. s--t baby?

F.C: Hook a stallion up, Celstia!

W.C: Com on, baby! I'll suck your &%#@!!

[Laughter]

F.C (Celestia Voice): I was going to raise it in like, 10 minutes.

L.M: Can I do it, anyway?

[Laughter]

F.C: Maybe you guys should write the second movie.

W.C: That leads to my question. I know it's very early, but do you have plans for the sequel, should you get it?

F.C: You did stay till the end of the credits, didn't you?

L.M: No... we had to book.

[Silence]

F.C: You bucking idiots.

W.C: I told you that we should have stayed!

L.M: Whatever. Now we have an excuse to go back and watch it. In D-Box this time!

W.C: Now Cut, what was your favorite part of making Stallion of Steel?

F.C: Well-

L.M: Twilight?

[Laughter]

W.C: Com on, baby! I'll suck your &%#@!

[Laughter]

F.C: The funny thing was, that was me talking to her.

[Laughter]

F.C: In all seriousness though, the best part had to be the ponies. Meeting everypony her was a real trip. I met my girl, I made friends. I never had friends before this.

W.C: I still don't have friends.

L.M: Buck you, bitch.

F.C: That and Rarity getting rashes from her outfit.

L.M: Wait. What?

F.C: The costume took too much effort to put on, so she just kept it on for weeks while we shot her scenes. She even kept it on during the panel at triple c.

W.C: I remember seeing that.

F.C: As it turns out, wearing skin tight leather for weeks on end isn't the smartest idea. When she finally got it off, she looked like relief map.

[Laughter]

W.C: She got stretch marks and she didn't even have a kid.

L.M: Sounds like making the movie was a blast.

F.C: And it was. It really was.

W.C: A very literal blast at one point.

[Silence]

W.C: Cut?

F.C: Yeah, yeah. I guess that did happen.

L.M: You OK, dude?

F.C: Sorry guys. It's still kind of a rough spot I guess.

L.M: We should move on. Wise, bring up the emails.

F.C: No, don't. I suppose I should put this out there while I'm here.

W.C: Put what out?

F.C: The studio told me not to say anything and to just agree with whatever public statement they put out. I don't care anymore. I know that all the damage has since been fixed and that nopony outside of the girls, Soarin' and me were hurt, but this still needs to be said by me. I'm sorry. I bucked up.

L.M: Dude, it wasn't your fault-

F.C: Yeah... it was. When I was trying to get everypony to a safe distance, this one stallion stepped forward and blamed me for everything. I'm certain he was right. I was going to announce this later, but I'll just do this now. Part of my contract includes that on top of my salary, I'm entitled to box office and home release royalties. All royalties I receive will go back into Ponyville. Every bit I make is going to make Ponyville that much better. Make the schools better, improve the hospital, etc. I hope it helps.

W.C: Wow...

L.M: That's very generous of you.

F.C: I should probably give more. But that's the best I can do for now. Now if you'll excuse me.

[Cut leaves his chair]

L.M: Cut! Where you going?

F.C: I've got a party to get back to. Thank you very much for having me.

"CUT!" screamed Octy as Cut left the recording room. "Where you going?"

Cut would have normally felt sad to just leave a drunk Octy on her own, but she did have her best friend with her (albiet, passed out). "I've got some friends to meet. I'll call you tomorrow, OK?"

"CUT!"

...

"Have a great night." Taking one last swig of her wine, she stumbled over to her unicorn friend and passed out, making sure she was cuddled up next to her.

"You too," said Cut with a smile. Cut trotted towards the door, extending his hoof towards the door.

"Those are two are adorable, aren't they?" The voice sent shivers down Cut's spine.

"Refined?" The director shot around and found the casting director step out of the shadows.

"You've always said my name the same way. Astonishment, mixed with a hint of dread... but with hopeful finish."

"Another cupcake shot," slurred Celestia as she threw down her empty glass.

Pinkie looked with concern at her princess. "Umm, your highness, I think you've had enough."

"I'LL TELL YOU WHEN I'VE HAD ENOUGH!" Celestia's rare use of the Canterlot royal voice was enough to send Pinkie running to grab more.

A wary Twilight took a seat next to her teacher. "Wow, I didn't even know you could get drunk."

"I can adjust my metabolism when I choose. I thought I'd enjoy myself tonight." The two waited for a moment, hoping the awkward silence would leave on its own. It did not. "Twilight, I'm sorry about Cut."

Twilight put on her best dumb face. "What do you mean sorry? We're quite-"

"Twilight, shut up." Celestia downed the cupcake shot that Pinkie placed in front of her. "I know you're angry at him for not telling you about us. If it's any constellations, we broke up years ago."

"But he said that you were biased towards him,"

"That's because we were still friends after the fact. I assume you don't know how we met?" Twilight shook her head. "It was back when he was a freshman in film school. He didn't have any friends, so he spent most of his time studying in the library. By 'study' I mean, watch movies on the projector. One day, I was in the library and I saw him staring blankly at this book he had. I lean over his shoulder and I saw that it was a Super-Stallion book." Twilight's face made it clear that the irony was not lost on her. "I remember which book it was; What Ever Happened to the Stallion of Tomorrow. He loved that book, but this time, he was just staring at the art. I take a seat at the opposite end of the table and start trying to talk to him about it. Have a friendly conversation, that type of thing."

"And that led to you dating?"

Celestia just started laughing. "You should have seen him. He was awkward enough around other students, seeing a princess turned into Mild Mannered. He was stammering, sweating and at one point he fainted." Twilight broke out into laughter. "He was such a loser. It was kind of cute in a way. When he came to, we started talking, getting to know each other and that's how I found out he had no friends. So, I took him under my wing and taught him how to make them."

Twilight's eyes widened. "So... he was a-"

"Student of friendship. Just like you are, Twilight. After he built up some confidence, we started going out. It was fun for a while, but things just... didn't work out. We wanted different things."

"What did he want?"

Celestia took a deep breath and smiled at her pupil. "He'll never admit to this, but you can tell that he wanted somepony... 'down to earth,'" She laid a hoof on the unicorn. "He wants you, Twilight. He may have lied by omission, but don't hate him for it. I did the same thing by not telling you. But that was because I assumed he would have told you himself."

Twilight couldn't look at the princess. "I don't hate him. I guess I'm just frustrated."

"My advice: forgive and forget. You've been through so much, are you really going to let this ruin it for the two of you?"

"Shouldn't you be on Saturn's second moon by now?" Cut and Refined started circle each other like they were sizing each other up for a fight.

"Thankfully, negligence isn't a crime when you don't have any responsibilities. I'm just the casting director, remember?"

"Were."

Refined started chuckling at the sight of the overly-cautious director. "Cut, you can stop circling me. I'm not going to beat you up. Word on the street is that you've done enough of that yourself. The two ponies stopped, putting them on the opposite ends of the room. "Trixie on the hoof wasn't so lucky. I hear she's doing some kitchen work for the homeless."

"Considering that she nearly got several ponies killed, I'd say that she deserves a lot more." Cut's frustration and anger was starting to reach boiling point. "Same goes for you."

Refined's face didn't carry any positive emotion. She just stared at her former boss. "Look, Cut. I... I'm sorry."

Cut stared in disbelief. "Come again."

"I said I was sorry. I've been thinking about what Twilight said. And... I'm not proud of what I did. Unfortunately, the studios were." Cut seemed confused. "It turns out the uppers at the studios love mares that see an opportunity and go for it, regardless of the ponies involved. They've offered me a job with them back in Canterlot. My interview for the role is tomorrow morning. I've got to catch the train to Canterlot tonight so I can catch it."

...

"Heh... hehehahahahhahahahahh!" Cut tumbled onto his side, laughing his plot off. Refined did not look amused.

"What's so funny?"

"You... you can't be serious," he said whipping the tears from his eyes. "You come to me after everything is over and serve up the biggest cliché in the book? You have to make the train or go to the ponies that need you? That's bucking hilarious to me."

Refined's angry face started to twitch as she stepped towards Cut. "What do you mean 'go to the ponies that need me?'"

"That's your alternative. Either you can go to Canterlot or you can come to the party and make amends. If you're truly sorry, that should have at least passed through your head at one point."

Refined's eyes shifted back and forth. "I've apologized. I don't have to go."

"You apologized to me. Good first step. Now how about you apologize to the ponies you allowed to get drugged. And after that, apologize the citizens who nearly lost their homes."

"I- I- I need this job. I don't think I'm going to be able to get another job outside of this."

"OK, let me ask you something, have you given anything back to the community of Ponyville?"

"No."

"Have you sent Twilight, Rainbow or Soarin' a letter with an apology on it?"

"No."

"Does this new job of yours pay more then mine?"

...

"Yes."

Cut extended a hoof towards an empty corner of the room they were in. "In that case, please choose from one of the many bucks I have to give. You can have anyone you want. Except that one."

Refined stared with confusion at the blank wall, not certain what to say. Cut trotted past Refined, heading straight for the door. "Goodbye Refined." Closing the door behind him, leaving the casting director alone in the room with nothing but the sounds of the snoring musicians to keep her company.

"Girls! He's here!" shouted Scootaloo as she gazed out the window. In the distance, she saw Cut trotting up to the library. Grabbing a white box, the girls charged out the library, Applejack and Rarity following them at a distance.

"Hey! How are my little producers doing? Isn't it past your bed time?"

Once the girls came closer, Cut could make out the dark circles under their eyes. As energetic as they were, they were still fillies. "We wanted to stay up long enough to give you a gift!" Sweetie Bell laid out the white box in front of Cut. Engraved on the box was the Carousel Boutique logo. "It's chic, unique and minific!"

Cut chuckled as he opened the box. "Oh I'm sure it-"

...

"Is this a cloak?"

"Not just any cloak," said Applebloom. "Pull it out."

Gently grabbing a red piece of fabric, he found that the cloak was red on one side, while the other side was sparkling gold. One the red side of the cloak, there was a small insignia towards the bottom that looked like a filly with a cape on. However, taking up the majority of the space on the red side was a black outline of the Super-Stallion logo.

"Now you're an honorary crusader!" Scootaloo proclaimed. "It took some intensive discussion, but we decided it was right to let you into- Cut? Don't you like it?"

Cut certainly didn't look happy at his present. In fact, he looked sad. His eyes were watering, his mouth was turned downward and it sounded like he was crying. He gazed up Rarity and Applejack who both gave him an approving nod. Without a seconds hesitation, he pulled the girls in, giving them the tightest hug he could.

"Cut... yer hurting us. Did we do somethin' wrong?" asked Applebloom.

"SWAG!" yelled Cut as he bursted into the library, draped in his new coat. The guests chuckled slightly, but Cut looked happier then he had been in a long time. "Ladies," he said turning to his crusaders, "you'll have to excuse me." The director trotted up to Twilight, he welcomed him with a warm smile. "Hey."

"Hey," she returned. "I don't suppose you'd like to talk?"

"I'd love too,but I've got one other pony to talk to first. Have you seen Soarin'?" he asked as he searched the room. Twilight pointed him towards the balcony on the upper level. Looking up, he saw the star gazing up at the stairs with Rainbow Dash, cuddled up next to her. "I'll be back soon."

Cut knocked on the side door that led to the balcony, grabbing the attention of the two pegasi. "Rainbow, mind if I borrow Soarin' for a minute?"

"Only if it's for that minute." Rainbow pecked her stallion on the cheek before entering the library. "So... what were you two up to?"

"I was showing Rainbow all the constellationsin the sky, telling her their names and who found them."

"Nice. Did she know that you were full of crap?"

"I certainly hope not," he said with laughter.

"Look at them," said Twilight as Rainbow joined her in the library. They two stood and watched Cut and Soarin' chat away like they had known each other for years.

"Sometimes I can't tell if we're the lucky ones, or if they are," pondered Rainbow.

...

"Them. Definitely them," joked Twilight. "So, what were you two doing out there?"

"Oh, he was showing me all the constellations and who found them."

"Really? Did you know he was fully of crap?" asked the unicorn with a smirk.

"He thought he was impressing me. I didn't want to ruin his fun."

Back on the balcony, Cut turned to Soarin'. "Mate, I just wanted to thank you for everything. I knew I made a right choice picking you."

"Didn't Refined pick me?"

"Don't spoil this. You saved a lot of lives, including mine and Twilight's. You were the best part of the movie for a reason. You are Super-Stallion. You are a hero."

Soarin' blushed. "Thank you. But you really should be thanking the girls. The two stallions looked back at the party, watching the mane six have a blast together. "Those six tend to have an impact on ponies. Friendship is magic, I guess."

"I don't know if it's magic, but it's definitely something special." The two shook hooves. "Thank you, my friend."

"Anytime. Hey, while you're here, I trust it's safe to say we'll all be back for the sequel."

"Contracts. If didn't come back, we'd be sued all the way to the moon."

"You still wanna talk?" asked Cut as he entered the library.

"Definitely. My room?"

"Anytime," he said with a wink. She playfully smacked him as she pulled him into the bedroom. "Sparkle, you already know how I felt about Ponyville when I came, so I'll just skip to the good part." He pulled her in and kissed her gently. "I love you. I love you more than anything. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. You've given me friends, a new lease on life and a kick ass movie. Thank you for everything."

Twilight hugged her new beau. "I love you too. Oh and you left something off your list."

"What?"

Twilight levitated a metal key over to Cut. Engraved on the handle was her cutie mark. "Now you won't have to kick the door in. You're paying for that by the way."

Cut's eyes widened in surprise. "Twilight... are you really letting me-"

"Duh!" Cut's face was one of pure joy. "We'll just have to get you your own futon to sleep on." And it was gone.

...

"Gotcha!" Cut didn't share Twilight's laugh.

"Real funny, Sparkle." He waited for Twilight to finish laughing before opening his mouth again. "I suppose I'm obligated to tell you what was going on with Celestia and I."

I should probably let him tell his side of things, she thought. "Pray tell."

He cleared his throat. "Well, back in uni, I had to sneak into the library to keep the mares off me."

Oh this should be good...

"One day, I'm just readying a book on quantum physics, when all of a sudden she rears up on me. She's all over me but I'm playing it cool, right? One thing led to another and we were a couple."

Twilight used all of her strength to keep herself from exploding with laughter. "Go on."

"So, over time, she starts getting clingy and weird. Plus, I wanted to do other things, she wanted to be royal, so I broke it off. We're still cool though."

"I see."

...

"She already told you, didn't she?"

"Maybe."

Cut's head dropped. "Well, don't I look like an idiot."

"Cut," she said as she wrapped a hoof around him, "you looked like an idiot when you first showed up."

"Look, I just want to say one last thing to everypony, then I'm yours." Cut and Twilight entered the main hall of the library, which the party ponies had completely trashed.

"Cut, look!" Twilight pointed towards a large bean bag. Sleeping on top of the bag was the three crusaders. Cut pulled off his cape and draped it over the girls. Using his magic, Cut pulled a glass of crystal cider and fork over to him. Before he could ding them together, he and Twilight saw somepony slowly trot through the entrance. It was Refined.

Twilight stepped forward. "I'll handle this." The two ponies met in the hallway.

"I would have used the door, but it was broken."

Twilight extended a hoof to her guest, shaking it with a smile. Refined returned the expression until Twilight pulled her in close. "You're late."

"Shut up." As Twilight went back over to Cut, Rainbow offered Refined a mug of cider, which she gladly took.

Cut dinged his glass. "Everypony! I've got something to say!"

"Don't you always?!" heckled the wasted princess.

"I just wanted to let you all know that we did good! I can't say if we'll make any money, if we'll get a sequel- hell, they'll probably just reboot us!" The crowd chuckled. "But there is one thing I can say. I know that despite what happened, I can't think of any other time I've been this happy. I thought Super-Stallion brought out the best in all of us. Then I realized it was our friends. The ponies that we spend our time with are the ones that define us. They're the ones that shape us into who we are." He glanced over at sleeping fillies. "The ponies we take under our wings." He then turned to Refined, "The ones that we help back up after they fall." His gaze returned to Twilight. "The ones we love. Ponyville is where my friends are. Ponyville is where my heart is. It's not the most exciting town or the most glamorous, but with ponies like you, I can't think of anyplace I'd rather be. Thank all of you! You've made me better then I ever though I could be!"

Rainbow leaned into Soarin's ear. "Hey, you wanna get out of here? It's getting a little sappy for me."

"Yeah... just a little." The two trotted out the door and onto the front lawn.

"Race you back to Cloudsdale? We should be even now without your precious powers!" she said smirkingly.

Soarin' grew the cockiest expression he had since he joined the cast. "You're on!" Before taking off, the two looked back to see Cut and Twilight kissing in front of everypony, who clapped and cheered on. "Yep, definitely too sappy."

Releasing Twilight's lips, Cut chugged his bubbly. "So, any last words before we fade into obscurity?"

Rainbow and Soarin' nodded to each other before taking off into the beautiful nigh sky.

"UP, UP AND AWAY!"

The End

Author's Notes:

That was fun, wasn't it?

This was the story that inspired me to get off my ass and write something. Why you ask? Well, apart from the idea of the mane six making a movie being hilarious, it occurred to me one day that both Friendship is Magic and Superman have the exact same message behind them; be good people and make the world a better place. It's cheesy and the most generic message there is, but sometimes the simplest lessons are the ones that are the easiest to forget.

I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Despite my occasional errors (side effect of being a fast writer), I like to think I pulled off something decent here.

I want to thank all the people that kept up with me, commented and faved this story along the way. Special shout-outs to Possibly Dominator, my pre-reader, as well as Rainy Meadows, my wonderful, hard working artist.

I hope to see you all in comments for Club Harmony, and Only Human: A Lyra Heartstrings Production
Peace out!