//-------------------------------------------------------// Much Ado About Friendship -by gaitiem- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// MAAF Part 2: The Elements of Harmony //-------------------------------------------------------// MAAF Part 2: The Elements of Harmony ACT 1 SCENE 1, a town hall Enter MAYOR, TWILIGHT, SPIKE, NIGHTMARE, RAINBOW, Guards, Crowds MAYOR Oh seize her fast who hid our Princess! Guards! The guards approach her NIGHTMARE A foal’s courage, so misguided. Stay back! Exit NIGHTMARE in a cloud of smoke RAINBOW Return! Nighttime? And forever? Exit TWILIGHT and SPIKE You go? Exeunt SCENE 2, a library Enter SPIKE and TWILIGHT SPIKE She must be stopped… TWILIGHT You have not slept, my Spike. A babe you are, despite the task at hoof, So rest, infant. [Aside] Exit SPIKE Now, elements, I need… She scans through the books on the shelves Oh elements, oh elements, where found? How shall I stop that Nightmare Moon without The Elements of Harmony in hoof? Enter RAINBOW RAINBOW What are the Elements of Harmony? Wherefore you know of Nightmare Moon, lady? Might do you spy for such wicked forces? Enter APPLEJACK APPLEJACK Make no false witness, Iago! This mare is no spier, but, perchance, She knows what passes in these dark days. Could you say you did, madam? Enter PINKIE, RARITY, and FLUTTERSHY TWILIGHT I read foretellings all about that mare, The Nightmare Moon of legends many made. These so named Elements of Harmony, Objects of mystery, are needed things To subdue her. I yet know not of them. What is their nature? Where are they? More still, What point they serve? Only reference have- PINKIE She points out a book “Elements of Harmony: Reference” Just the same you make reference hereby? TWILIGHT How do you make objects appear like that? PINKIE Index! Know that? See, the “E”s had it here. TWILIGHT Oh. [Aside] Yet she sings to mock me. Why so cruel? She reads from the reference guide “The Elements of Harmony are six, Though only five are known by name; these are Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generous Enactment, followed by Loyalty. Last, The sixth, is known by none. Their place of rest Was in the ancient castle where once lived The royal pony sisters, in what’s now…” ALL The dark and dreaded Forest Everfree! Exit all Enter NIGHTMARE [Aside] This information very much intrigues. Oh curse the weakened state that I am in. These ponies might precede me there. For that, I shall lay traps to halt them on their path. Though tortoise true I be, our hero shall Soon see how slow great Achilles can go. Exeunt SCENE 3, the Everfree Forest Enter TWILIGHT, PINKIE, APPLEJACK, RARITY, RAINBOW, and FLUTTERSHY PINKIE Whee! Let slip the dogs of hunt against her! TWILIGHT Hold fast! I am obliged that you would try, Yet it behooves me not to acquiesce. I rather must undertake this task alone. APPLEJACK We must deny that request, Sweet. That you are our friend, we mustn't part In this dark time and this dark place. Like honey upon an apple's skin, Or honeys upon their honey’s skin, It is become for us to stay with you. PINKIE More especially should there be honey Glazed upon an apple's skin. ‘Tis lovely. Exit all but TWILIGHT TWILIGHT [Aside] The time since feasting certain longer be, Yet talk of food is still affront to me. Exeunt ACT 2 SCENE 1, the forest Enter TWILIGHT, PINKIE, APPLEJACK, RARITY, RAINBOW, and FLUTTERSHY TWILIGHT I hoped that one from out the lot of ye Would have a knowledge of this place in least. RARITY By heaven, no! Fair not to know such dread! APPLEJACK Nature herself dare not enter. Her very will becomes contorted. TWILIGHT Contorted will? What measure finds that so? RAINBOW No measures took. No facts are known. And why? APPLEJACK Oh hold your tongue, Rainbow! Try not to cause a fright. RAINBOW For none who enter ever have returned! Enter NIGHTMARE, invisible NIGHTMARE [Aside] Then none shall take issue with your demise! An earthquake breaks off four from six, to leave But two, as once there were, to take our prize. Now fall, my ponies earth and unicorn, And leave but pegasi to trap besides. The ground shakes RAINBOW Haste, Fluttershy! Take hold of one to save! Exit RAINBOW, pulling aside PINKIE FLUTTERSHY Oh goodness, swift I must decide to grab one. Exit FLUTTERSHY, pulling aside RARITY The rest fall down, TWILIGHT does so over the edge of the stage APPLEJACK I happened upon a branch, and so am well. Are you well below, Twilight? TWILIGHT Oh, nay! I fear I shall soon fall to death. APPLEJACK Keep hold! I will come down for you. APPLEJACK slides over to hold on to TWILIGHT TWILIGHT What action could correct my course from this? APPLEJACK Simply you could be released at this time. TWILIGHT You say that? Have you lost your reasoning? APPLEJACK On my honor, I guarantee your salvation. TWILIGHT Your honor set aside, your words are false. APPLEJACK Doubt truth to be a liar, but doubt not this: I tell you truth! Fall, and you will be safe. TWILIGHT falls off stage Exeunt SCENE 2, a darker forest Enter RARITY and PINKIE RARITY I hope our new acquaintance has survived. Enter TWILIGHT, being carried in by RAINBOW and FLUTTERSHY FLUTTERSHY I’m sorry for my weaker flying, maiden. At most I usually carry rabbits. RAINBOW We were a vision! We had perfect form! Once Pinkie, Rarity, then finally, Through feats unknown to acrobatics, WHAM! You thus were saved. Without a moment spare! TWILIGHT You say as though I was not present then. I’m ever grateful, yet we must proceed- Enter a Manticore A manticore! He blocks the way from us! They fight FLUTTERSHY [To the ponies] Oh, wait. Hark wait. Oh simply listen. Wait! They stop fighting [To the Manticore] No need to stir, ‘tis well. Present thy ills, dear. The Manticore presents the thorn in its paw You poor and little infant babe. RAINBOW How “little”? FLUTTERSHY Now trust my medicine. A moments pain pass… She removes the thorn, the manticore roars in pain TWILIGHT [Aside] Observe, it roars to strike against our kind Compatriot who served to doctor him! The Manticore embraces and grooms FLUTTERSHY in thanks Foretelling now has failed again, it seems. FLUTTERSHY No lionheart are thee, but lambkin kitten! Oh yes you are, oh yes you are, my lambkin! Exit RARITY, RAINBOW, APPLEJACK, PINKIE TWILIGHT You well foretold a thorn inside his paw. How came you such a sight? FLUTTERSHY No vision had I. There comes a time when kindness must be paid so To all, those big or small, sweet or fearsome. Exit FLUTTERSHY, TWILIGHT Exeunt SCENE 3, a forest, darker still Enter the six RARITY My eye grows weary viewing scenes as these, And yet I do despair to see it fade. TWILIGHT In darkness such as this our goal could meet, Yet still we would not know the truth of it, Quite even if we were facade to face. They stumble in the dark RARITY I saw thee not, my error please forgive. RAINBOW Right here. No error made in voice. ‘Tis heard. APPLEJACK My hoof is besmirched with something unknown to me. Enter NIGHTMARE, hidden as a cloud of smoke NIGHTMARE [Aside] A manticore will look upon as friend The one who does him kindness howe’er small, Yet woods shall look upon any act made And register no help nor injury. Hereafter, let them fall into the shade Of death, to fear my evil, sans their sun! Enter fearful Trees APPLEJACK Fluttershy, look not in fear, ‘tis only mud or such. All cower in fear of the Trees but PINKIE, who laughs TWILIGHT [To PINKIE] What foolery is this? Oh run away! PINKIE Ha! Oh girls, but don’t you see solutions? Sings When I was a little filly and the sunsets looked so fair TWILIGHT Pray, tell me that she does now not- PINKIE Sings The darkness and the shadows, they would fain make me despair RARITY She doth. PINKIE Sings I’d hide beneath my pillow From what I thought was truth But Granny Pie said that wasn’t the way To counter fear, forsooth RAINBOW You have some sounder known? What is this way? PINKIE Sings Quothe she, “Pinkie, thou must maintain thy ground, Lean to face thy fears. Thou shalt see that they are harmless Just laugh and they most shan’t appear. Lo I gave a merry chear: ha ha ha! Exit a fearful tree The rest gasp in amazement So, muse about the moan-y’s Take joy in the groan-y’s Crack up at the creepy Make merry with the weepy Chuckle at the crazed Heckle at the raised And tell that unsightly fool to banish himself and leave you to your own affairs and if he thinks he can frighten you then he has another fate pending and the mere idea of such an altercation just gives a pony such as I such rousing cause to... Laugh! Exeunt Enter SCENE 4, a river Enter the six PINKIE Fair maids, though I lead thee without fear long, Now we are left facing something harsher. Now how shall we make way through this river? Enter DRAGON, weeping DRAGON Oh, I am fortune’s fool! TWILIGHT Why do you weep? DRAGON In sooth, I know not why I am so sad. I merely sat a moment's idleness, With thoughts about my days befitting works, When came an ugly purple haze of smoke, And, although smoke it be, it made a tear, Thus rending twain the beard upon my lip. My outward visage thus is rendered so, I seem a horrid sight to look upon. RAINBOW This fateful journey have I tired not. And yet I find this story most exhausts. APPLEJACK It is much to do about this? RARITY And well he would be troubled by this fate! Are now thy senses fit for mutes alone? Oh, look upon those scales so luminous! DRAGON No flattery is this, but truth, I know. RARITY Thy hair made up with such deliberate care! DRAGON What care I know about the best of all. RARITY Thy nails, honed more for beauty than for war. DRAGON Thy vision grants thee truth in abundance. RARITY And yet thy lip, half-bare, becomes thee not. DRAGON The truth is evident! I’m hideous! RARITY A crime so witnessed my correction begs! For one of thy own skales, I shall return Myself a piece in greater scale indeed! DRAGON Wherefore hast thou done that while I despair? TWILIGHT I too am lost to your intent Rari- RARITY removes her tail with the scale and offers it to DRAGON DRAGON With that is my visage restored again? Thy arts are wonderful in their result. RARITY It smites a ladies heart to look upon. TWILIGHT But even at the cost of your own tail? RARITY It is the fashion of the season, dear. And sooth, ‘tis hair, such will return with time. RAINBOW Of him, the Dragon, could one say the same. TWILIGHT The time has come to ford the flowing straight. DRAGON Oh let my hide provide a bridge to thee. Exeunt SCENE 5, A felled bridge Enter the six TWILIGHT Our journey here has born us fruit at last. Those ruins hence are said to hold our aim, Those Elements of Harmony. We’re there! APPLEJACK Hold your excitement and permit us to keep your pace. TWILIGHT Why hold when we have nearly… plummeted. RAINBOW To fall from cliffs is thy design? Or not? PINKIE Yet another impasse blocks our journey. How in timely fashion do we cross this? RAINBOW Need I explain? I lift to fast the bridge! She flies to the other side. PINKIE How? With what? Oh yes, thy wings. Obvious. NIGHTMARE [Aside] The weakest mind has left from out the herd, And so shall fall into my trap by means Of foalish, wasted, sweet ambitions. Lamb, Come now and join your flock of tricks and lies! Enter Shadowbolts, 1, 2, and 3 SHADOWBOLT 1 Rainbow... RAINBOW Who’s there? SHADOWBOLT 1 Rainbow… RAINBOW I fear thee not! Reveal yourself or face my ire, coward! SHADOWBOLT 1 We mean no harm. We want to meet with she Who flies the best in all Equestria. RAINBOW And that is who? SHADOWBOLT 1 Why you, of course. RAINBOW Really? That is, indeed, the truth. I am the best. Mahaps you could relay the news to those Who call themselves the Wonderbolts, would you? SHADOWBOLT That’s not our aim, Rainbow Dash. We want you To join with us, the Shadowbolts. We are the best Of those who fly in Everfree Forest, And soon in all Equestria. Yet first Do we require a voice to lead. The most Magnificent- RAINBOW ‘Tis fair. SHADOWBOLT 1 And furthermore The swiftest- RAINBOW Yes. SHADOWBOLT 1 And bravest flyer known! RAINBOW I must confirm, this is the truth in full. SHADOWBOLT 1 For this we now request your joining us. RAINBOW Oh joyous day! Relay my full consent. I leave at once with you. That is, but wait, For first I must make haste to tie this bridge. SHADOWBOLT 1 Nay, stop! It’s them or us! You must decide. TWILIGHT Rainbow, what has bewitch-ed you? Oh no. Do not believe the words they say to you! SHADOWBOLT 1 [To RAINBOW] And so? RAINBOW [To the SHADOWBOLTS] To you... Thank you! To offer so, I mean, and yet I fear I must decline. She fixes and crosses back over the bridge Exit SHADOWBOLTS 1, 2, 3. See that, Twilight? I’ll not abandon friends. Exeunt ACT 3, SCENE 1, a ruin Enter the 6 APPLEJACK Do not hesistate now, Twilight. Is this not what you had anticipated? TWILIGHT The Elements of Harmony, at last. They have been found. Take care in moving them. PINKIE Counting one, then two, then three, then four, yet… Numbers fail to reach above but five here. RAINBOW Where’s six? TWILIGHT To quote the book, when five are here, A spark alone shall make the sixth appear. APPLEJACK By the fruit of the afterlife, what does that mean? TWILIGHT I am not sure, yet wager this idea. Some distance make you from this place, pray thee. I do not know what trouble may unfold. APPLEJACK Come, friends. Leave her to a hermit's focus. NIGHTMARE [Aside] For all the efforts I have spent, has been This just some jest? They all arrived, but then Depart from that which they protect. Alone, Her power only pales against my own! She steals the elements away in a tornado Exit TWILIGHT The Elements! I must save the from her! She jumps in the tornado Exit ALL Twilight! APPLEJACK Twilight! Where art thou Twilight? RARITY But soft, what light from yonder tower breaks? APPLEJACK Let us make haste to her side! Exeunt SCENE 2, the tower Enter TWILIGHT, NIGHTMARE TWILIGHT [Aside] I have been blown aground to stranger points, And now the point of Nightmare’s horn does bode A wicked fate, yet I must not succumb. A harsher fate than that may fall my state Should I permit her wicked hooves to break Or use against the rest those instruments, The Elements of Harmony themselves. I make a joust against her, feigning that, That I might fain take back my hope again. NIGHTMARE You jest in aiming so. Oh please do not Disgrace thyself in playing not the fool! They joust, but Twilight slips behind her TWILIGHT A single spark alone should break the seal. My magic should not fail, but once at all! A spark, a spark, my kingdom for a spark! NIGHTMARE Oh no! With this the foal could yet prevail! TWILIGHT What wicked light of Zeus! My mane doth stand! And yet there is no mean result at hoof! NIGHTMARE She destroys the elements beneath her hooves You little foal! Had you some hope at fruit? The East shall bear no fruit as well. The sun That was consum-ed by the West shall have No resurrection ever, nor shall your princess See mercy nor redemption for her acts. Enter the five ponies THE FIVE Anon shall we beside you be, Twilight! TWILIGHT [Aside] And so I see the light at last. Eureka! [To NIGHTMARE] The Elements of Harmony o’erthrown With ease that one might break a brittle branch? What hubris! These were not but vessels here Which you have crushed as pots of kilned clay. Forsooth, the soul of virtue lives in us! NIGHTMARE What? TWILIGHT Applejack silenced my doubt, and so Befits the very soul of Honesty. Maid Fluttershy has tamed a manticore Without the use of force, and so she best Befits the very soul of Kindness too. Pinkie Pie banished our fear with mirth, And so befits the element of Laughs. Rarity has calmed a woeful beast Through charity and heart, and so befits The very soul of Generosity. And Rainbow Dash retained our company Despite her greatest wants, and so befits The very soul of Loyalty. At last, The souls of these five ponies saved Against every design you had for us! NIGHTMARE Whether your claim can hold or not, you’ve failed! You still are left with want for number six. Your spark has not caught flame from this kindling. TWILIGHT The fire rises! Not from my magic, At least apart from that I understood. [To the five] I felt this flame at once when I felt joy From hearing, seeing, caring for you mares. The spark caught pitch when I felt sure at last... That you are all my friends! You see, Nightmare, When Elements ignite through contact with... The spark within the soul of each of us, It burn but not consumes. Instead, increase Abounds by this, the sixth of elements Appears: the Element of Magic! NIGHTMARE No! NIGHTMARE is transformed in a rainbow tornado into LUNA SCENE 3, still the tower RAINBOW The lights have strained mine eyes and pained my head. APPLEJACK Does anypony harbor a greater injury? RARITY So not, but au contraire. My tail regrown! FLUTTERSHY Without compare, oh Rarity, ‘tis lovely. RARITY Forsooth, I hope we shan’t part ways again. FLUTTERSHY My aim was on the jewelry you wear. It most resembles well your cutie mark. RARITY I’d yet to make a note… yet so does yours! PINKIE Look! I wear the same! I wear the same! RAINBOW Oh joyous pendant! Lightning like myself! APPLEJACK By the first letter of a name, Twilight! I was sure that your musings were but playful fantasies Or veiled deceit, but hereupon I am struck with the reckoning of a greater destiny; Forsooth we are each the patron of an element from friendship. Enter CELESTIA CELESTIA In truth, I would have told you just the same. TWILIGHT It is the east, the princess of the sun! CELESTIA Twilight Sparkle, faithful student mine, I knew you could do this for all this time. TWILIGHT But you dissuade my studies that lead me hence. CELESTIA I did persuade that you had need of friends. Thy studies held no bare upon the ends. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon’s return, And knew that you would greater magics learn, If you let these friends into your heart. Another here must play a matching part. [To Luna] These thousand years have been in great despair, So sister, take our throne again to share. TWILIGHT What, so these warring rulers… RAINBOW ...sisters were? CELESTIA May we be friends once more, little sister? LUNA I’ll fain repent what I have done before, If now I need not miss you anymore. CELESTIA Forsooth, I missed thy warm embrace as well. At last I hold thee, free of envy’s spell. PINKIE Cries, then suddenly stops [Aside] Do you know what now becomes? SCENE 4, Ponyville Enter ALL PINKIE A party! CELESTIA [To TWILIGHT] Do not today despair my clever one, Thou shouldst be glad to see thy task is done. TWILIGHT Ay there’s the rub: that now I do possess A group of friends, and all the same I must Return and be without their company. CELESTIA Oh Spike, I ask that you prepare a note. I, Princess Celestia have wrote, That Twilight Sparkles mission has been changed, To study friendship’s magic, so arranged That she shall send to me so oft a letter, While she’s to stay in Ponyville for better. TWILIGHT Oh Princess, for this thank you ever the more! I shall take steps to learn as ne’er before! Exit all but Pinkie PINKIE [Aside]Isn’t this exciting? Be you roused, for Cause I am fain roused, I’ve never been Just so excited, save that hour she Entered into town and let I one gasp, Truly, though- Exeunt Author's Note This half required a little more creativity, as there's no really Shakespearean way to portray a cloud of black smoke doing everything, so I had to give Nightmare some evil monologues to the audience to explain what she was doing. I probably won't continue this, but I am very happy with the results. Oh, and one Shakespearean thing to note about this episode: when Luna is in Ponyville, she is given a wreath of red and white flowers. The Tudors used those flowers as a symbol of peace, specifically an end to the civil war that had previously raged in England, the War of the Roses (white against red). It's a neat bit of symbolism for the two sisters, and certainly within Shakespeare's wheelhouse to have made if he actually were to write this in his day. Stay tuned for: The Master of Tickets Apple Harvest’s Tale A Friendship Gilded in Error Boasted and Bested Taming of the Dragon Dispatched in Sleeping Gossip in Bridledness The Swarm Winter’s End’s Tale Much Ado About a Cutie Mark The Friends of Fall Weather Fitting for Fittings The Comedy of Senses The Rainbow of Loudness The Master of Stares The Ceasing Players A Pony Fit for Hounds The Unseemly Hue of Green The History of Thunderhoof, Chief of Buffalo The Tragedy of Philomena, Bird of Celestia The Cutie Mark Tales Owl’s Well that Ends Well (How do I make a Shakespearean pun out of a Shakespearean pun?) Party As You Like It and Best Night Coming out probably never //-------------------------------------------------------// Much Ado About Friendship Part 1: The Mare in our Moon //-------------------------------------------------------// Much Ado About Friendship Part 1: The Mare in our Moon ACT 1 PROLOGUE CELESTIA Two sisters, both alike in royalty, In fair Equestria, where lay our scene, From ancient grudge break to new mutiny, Where sister’s strife makes sisters hooves unclean. One blessed us with day, that most revered Of times, so she too fain in thought was kept; One blessed us with night ponies so feared, for this the younger sister nightly wept. Resentful then became she, so she did Deny her duty and refuse her name; Her sister's words unheeded, true self hid, Through “Nightmare Moon” she cursed pitious fame! Eclipsed was dawn and day to draw, yet our Celestia, choice made reluctantly, Took arms with things that ponies say held power, Harnessed, “The Elements of Harmony!” Thence twas that “Nightmare” locked long in her own fair moon, lost permanently royal post, And ponies seldom even make a moan Of her among the daily horde or host. “What then became of her position?” ask. The eldest, rightful on the throne and right To bring about the sun, took up the task Of raising her lost sister’s moon at night. TWILIGHT Hark, tis familiar, yet I do not know Where, by curiosity, I shall go… SCENE 1, A Bridge Enter TWILIGHT right, TWINKLESHINE, LEMON HEARTS, and MINUETTE left TWINKLESHINE There you are, Twilight! We pray you to join Moon Dancer and ourselves in the courtyard. A get together, nothing more. Prithy come? TWILIGHT Oh, sorry, girls... I have a lot of care To give to these, my studies mine, forsooth. [Aside] “The Elements of Harmony” I know... Exit TWILIGHT TWINKLESHINE Lo, tis a common scene. For her intents In going back to school in her tower, It is most retrograde to her friendships. Exeunt SCENE 2, Twilight’s Tower Exit SPIKE, with a present. Enter TWILIGHT, cutting the exit of SPIKE, slamming the door in his face. TWILIGHT Oh, Spike! Where art thou Spike? Oh, there thou art. Make haste at once! Predictions and Prophecies Is just the thing I need and you must find... Prithy, that box? SPIKE A gift. At least, it was. TWILIGHT Oh, Spike! Our hours are best not spent on frills. SPIKE But we are said to be at rest! TWILIGHT She shuffles through the books Nothing. Nothing! Nothing. Nothing will come of nothing! Ugh, Spike! SPIKE Merry, tis o’er here! TWILIGHT Ah, Elements… Aha! The Elements of Harmony! “Thou seeketh ‘Mare in our Moon’, scholar!” The same? SPIKE The Mare in our Moon? That old pony’s tale? TWILIGHT Aha! The Mare in our Moon, eureka! To quote the book: “The Mare in our Moon Is a myth of times long since past, A pony of great and terrible powers Whose intent on empire was For not, for she was bested by the Elements of Harmony. The moon Was made her prison, yet on the Day most lasting of the year Fifty score hence, the mare will Be loosed of her bridle, and her Time nocturnal will be made Perpetual. The stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about an everlasting night.” My Spike, you know the rub? SPIKE Not I, lady. TWILIGHT Then scribe my words as I do dictate them. To her, our princess, this note goes. SPIKE Ready! TWILIGHT My dearest teacher, studies continued And knowledge sought have led me to a dire Discovery. To this precipice, toward Disaster, we- SPIKE Nay, hold! Preci-? TWILIGHT Threshold? SPIKE Thresh- TWILIGHT Brink? Simply... that something wicked this way comes! In truth, “The Mare in our Moon” masks the name Nightmare Moon, who is prophesied to bring Night to no end. To action, I plead, make haste To make assured this terror goes undone! Thy quick response is my humble request. Thy faithful student, Twilight Sparkle. Spike, yet finished? SPIKE “Twilight Sparkle”… finished ma’am! TWILIGHT Tis well! Away with it! SPIKE At once? TWILIGHT Of course! SPIKE I dare not, Twilight! Princess Celestia Makes preparations for the Summer Sun Hours of Merriment. The days are twain. TWILIGHT Ay, there’s the rub! The days are twain and so The years are counted at one-thousand all! It is imperative she know at once! SPIKE Imper… imper… TWILIGHT Important! SPIKE Oh! Fair. It is sent. Hold not thy breath long. TWILIGHT No doubt! No doubt have I for my princess, nor her For me. Our faith is undeterred. How now? Has she replied so soon? What haste! SPIKE Huh. Quote the princess: “My most dear student, Twilight, my dusk, my dawn, my faithful one, I prize thy diligence, my trust complete, But those old books corrupt thy reasoning.” Exeunt ACT 2 SCENE 1, Ponyville Enter TWILIGHT, SPIKE, and two charioteers, with a chariot SPIKE “My dear Twilight, thou need to know my thought: A young pony’s hours are precious gems. Thou cast too many at swine o’er studying. Thou fail to rest, then be my agent, yet, Though thy task is preparation made For Summer Sun day yet to come, instead, Consider thee thy mission to be thus: That Ponyville is thy ends, go make friends!” Her royal highness, et cetera, end. Take brighter view, Twi. Thank Celestia, Thy living space shall be a library. May thou be mirthful? TWILIGHT Yea, I may. And why? Because I’m right! The preparations swift Shall be done, then the library with haste To find some proof of Nightmare Moon’s return. SPIKE Prithy... and making friends? TWILIGHT Duty only. These preparations need check from me, Celestia’s student I am, yet this Consideration over making friends Holds not Equestria in sway of fate. [To the charioteers] O, farewell, honest souldiers, duty done. Exit soldiers, Enter PINKIE SPIKE [To TWILIGHT] Perchance these ponies speaketh well. TWILIGHT [To PINKIE] Um… hail? Exit PINKIE with a gasp TWILIGHT Tis diverting for certain well enough. Exeunt SCENE 2, in Sweet Apple Acres Enter TWILIGHT and SPIKE SPIKE Our Summer Sun Day letter of request At once requires a trip to make notice Of Sweet Apple Acres banquet prepared. Enter APPLEJACK APPLEJACK Hey, nonny nonny! TWILIGHT [Aside] O, Mercy, may this be most brief… Good day, And you may give my name as Twilight Spar- APPLEJACK Well, hail and good morrow, Maid Twilight! Tis a jolly acquaintance made! I am Applejack, sincerely yours! Not only I, but each of us at this Sweet Apple Acres are anxious to become friends. TWILIGHT My friend? To this I am most contrary- APPLEJACK What ask you of I, your humble servant? TWILIGHT Well, I am fairly here to ensure your Readiness made for Celebration hence, Of Summer Sun, to be on mark as well. And you are charged to ready food, Maiden? APPLEJACK No less than truth, as sugar’s sweet. And sugary sweets are our provision Which will prove it to be true, and no less. We could lick our own hooves, Or give you some to judge yourself! TWILIGHT May Brevity invited be, tis well… APPLEJACK Everypony, come in from thy labors! For festive treats in festive flavors! Enter BIG MACINTOSH, APPLE BLOOM, GRANNY SMITH, and assorted apple family members It is my honor and custom to introduce My kinsmares to thee. Tis well I do, savy? TWILIGHT My thanks, and yet for haste necessar- APPLEJACK May I present: Apple Fritter. Apple Bumpkin. Red Gala. Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apples, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp... [Aside] I catch my breath, but these three you must know…. Big MacIntosh, Apple Bloom and Granny Smith. Rise from thy slumber, Granny Smith, And break thy fast with these strange folks we host. GRANNY What? Supper this hour? I draw near to take my place… APPLEJACK Stranger though thou be, thou are as kin already! TWILIGHT Alright, tis well, the realm of food is fair, Tis best that we should journey on our way. BLOOM Prithy, thou will not stay to eat? TWILIGHT Oh, sorry, yet our labors beckon us... [Aside] What mournful cry they make… oh fine, we stay! Exeunt SCENE 3, Ponyville Enter TWILIGHT and SPIKE SPIKE Food is readied, then next is storm. TWILIGHT Oh, pain! That pie should go from sweet to sow despair… SPIKE A pegasus pony, Maid Rainbow Dash, Is said to cast away the clouds. TWILIGHT ‘Tis said, And yet I see these vapor puffs of white That do corrupt the air; how banished they? Enter RAINBOW, colliding with TWILIGHT RAINBOW [Laughing] Uh, kindly pardon me? Too late for that? TWILIGHT [Aside] Though I am coated with this mud, I feel So strangely lighter than I was before. RAINBOW So how about you let me help. SPIKE [Aside] Observe! She pours forth rain from out a cloud. RAINBOW [Laughing] Now wet? I over showered you, it seems. No worry! I shall string you up with my Own “Rain-Clothes-Line.” She causes a tornado over Twilight No thanks do I desire. ‘Tis well. Oh, any time would I… your hair… [Laughter] TWILIGHT I do presume to address Rainbow Dash. RAINBOW The same. And me so much renowned to you? TWILIGHT “Renowned” for task assigned to clear the sky. Renowned is she the Princess, by her reign I, Twilight Sparkle, oversee your work. RAINBOW Simplicity itself. A moments work. For now, I practice. TWILIGHT Practice? Why? What for? RAINBOW The Wonderbolts! I mean to impress them During the Celebration soon to come. TWILIGHT The Wonderbolts? RAINBOW The same! TWILIGHT Equestria’s Most skilled of all who fly in t’air? RAINBOW The same! TWILIGHT I scoff at this! Your work remains undone. They can not trust the greatest work to one Who fails to even clear the sky all day. RAINBOW Let turn the minute glass! Let fall the grains! You mark when one of six have fallen down. The sky at then is cleared! TWILIGHT You say, then act. RAINBOW She clears the sky With ease, I cast away these clouds from sky! The time I gave myself sufficed in flat. Deny I Ponyville its light? Never. Your face is struck with awe, Twilight Sparkle. What jest! Your company I’ll ever enjoy. Exit RAINBOW SPIKE I will admit to awe. TWILIGHT [Aside] “I will admit?” He has no qualm! SPIKE Hold fast, thy hair looks well! Exhuant SCENE 4, Town Hall Enter RARITY, then TWILIGHT and SPIKE SPIKE Such decorations found! Beauty… TWILIGHT Indeed, The decking carries on surpassing well. Assuredly this will be done in brief. So done, we take our leave to library. Beauty indeed. SPIKE The decking? No! ‘Tis her! RARITY She examines fabric. [To herself] With neither this, nor that, oh goodness no. SPIKE [To TWILIGHT] My spines had best be straight. Are they? TWILIGHT [To RARITY] Good day- RARITY A moment, prithy, as I do my work! I am astray within the task at hand. [To herself] Eureka! Sparkle always does the trick. Not so? Oh, Rarity, a talent thee! [To TWILIGHT] May, now, I help you- Fie! Oh stars, Darling! Whatever happened that thy locks are so? TWILIGHT My mane? You might prefer I hold my tongue. I’m merely here to look upon your work. I’ll play the bat but briefly in your hair. RARITY A bat set on my hair, yet look at thine! TWILIGHT Nay, hold! Where do you shove me toward? Nay, help! Exeunt SCENE 5, Carousel Boutique Enter RARITY, TWILIGHT, and SPIKE RARITY I’ll try to find the dress that suits thee best, Yet each, it seems, carries some flaw against. Too green, too gold, too puffed, too flat, too frilled. Even thy name betrays this shininess… Continue, dear. From whence came thee, prithee? TWILIGHT [Gasping for breath] I have been sent to here from Canterlot. RARITY Huh? Canterlot!? I sway with envy, dear! What great allure, what cultural impart! I lay my head to sleep and I am there! We two shall be the best of friends indeed… What? Emeralds? That will not do. Rubies! Exit RARITY TWILIGHT Let us depart, before she paints my coat In unfamiliar hues against my want! Exeunt SCENE 6, A Wood Enter SPIKE and TWILIGHT happening upon FLUTTERSHY SPIKE I burn, I pine, I perish... TWILIGHT Romeo, Prithee lose thyself in work as well. What next have we to do? SPIKE Last is… music. FLUTTERSHY She conducts the birds [To the birds] Oh my. Prithee, halt thy musings. Pardon me? I don’t pursue injury on thy pride, but Thy rhythm, by a hair's small width, is off, sir. Onward, prithee to play to my instruction. On count of one, of two, of one and two and- TWILIGHT Hello! Pardon the fright I gave your birds. I am to judge your music, lovely sound. I’m Twilight Sparkle. And your name is which? FLUTTERSHY I go by name of Fluttershy, my lady. [Aside] Oh, no. I am too soft of voice. She’ll ask more… TWILIGHT Sorry, I heard you not. What was the name? FLUTTERSHY My lady, call me Fluttershy the pony. [Aside] It is most retrograde to end our speech, yet I can not summon strength to speak more loudly. TWILIGHT I do not catch your gab, I fear. Again? [Aside] Oh, what a suttle shriek she maketh now. I right shall say some parting words and leave. Your birds return, so all is well for me. Your work maintain and worries part for us. [To SPIKE] Most well, ‘twas simple task for once at least. FLUTTERSHY Oh, do my eyes behold a baby dragon? In all my life I never saw such sweetness! SPIKE What flattery... FLUTTERSHY Oh my, he speaks? I knew not That dragons had the gift of speech. What wonder! My words evade their use at this juncture. TWILIGHT ‘Tis for the better that we do depart. FLUTTERSHY Less haste! What, may I ask, is his name given? SPIKE I’m Spike. FLUTTERSHY Hail Spike, I’m Fluttershy. Amazing! How do dragons their words employ? SPIKE What questions Might be desired to know? FLUTTERSHY All things absolute. TWILIGHT [Aside] Oh fie, this story too familiar is! SPIKE At first I was a green and purple egg… TWILIGHT [Aside] Oh let us close this act before that tale. Exeunt ACT 3 SCENE 1, A Library in a Tree Enter TWILIGHT, SPIKE, and FLUTTERSHY SPIKE …And thus concludes the story of my life. That is except today. Hear of today? FLUTTERSHY Oh yea, a pleasure it would be for certain TWILIGHT What pitiable luck: have we arrived? This is my final stop, my dwelling now And so my baby dragon’s resting place. SPIKE I tire not-- whoa! Twilight subtlety knocks him over TWILIGHT Oh look, how sleepy he Can not so much as stand on little feet. FLUTTERSHY Poor thing, he simply must be cast to cradle… TWILIGHT I shall accept your sage advice at once. Goodnight! Exit FLUTTERSHY SPIKE Huh. Rude performance, right? TWILIGHT Sorry, And yet I need convince the Princess soon That Nightmare Moon anon makes her return. I need to be alone to study with No interruption. Maddened ponies sue For friendship, yet there is no time for that. Prithee, the lights? This room is dark as pitch. These words I say in confidence might be Absorbed by sponges of the library, But surely these few lights are from our eyes And each for t’other. Where is light? Enter PINKIE and a host of ponies hiding in the shadows PONIES and PINKIE Suprise! TWILIGHT [Aside] Oh fade to black again for mercy’s sake. PINKIE Hi, I’m Pinkie Pie! I brought this party About just for you! Surprised? You are, huh? Were you? Where you? Won’t you tell me so, huh? TWILIGHT Surprised, yea… libraries are quiet, true? PINKIE Well, that’s foolish! It’s a sorry party With no ruckus and revelry. Bo-ring! See, I saw you when you first arrived here, Remember? You said “Um… hail?” I let a Gasp, you remember? You see, I never Saw you before. If I never saw you Before then you’re surely new, because I Know fain everypony Ponyville holds. TWILIGHT [Aside] Among such ponies these, I take to cups. PINKIE If you’re new, that meant you hadn’t met a Soul quite yet, and if thus, faithfully, then Loneliness you carry with you only, So I much distressed was to think of, So instead I had a thought that made me Gasp, a great idea whose results you See! A stately pleasure-dome decreed I, Welcoming you alongside all ponies Now made neighbor to you. Shall you witness? Now you are possessed of friends, oh many! Enter APPLEJACK, RAINBOW, RARITY, FLUTTERSHY TWILIGHT [Aside] Oh cruel bottle, thy taste is hot as fire! APPLEJACK Are you well, lady? Exit TWILIGHT, full-steamed PINKIE In her joy, mistaken tears she let fall! SPIKE Mistaken she was, having drunk hot sauce. Pinkie Pie eats the hot sauce on a cupcake PINKIE No objections shall I hear. ‘Tis good food! SCENE 2, A bedroom Enter TWILIGHT, half-enter SPIKE hovering in the entrance SPIKE Twilight, that pony Pinkie Pie has called A game of “tails return to pony.” Play? TWILIGHT Nay! All the ponies living here are mad! You know what hour it is, or do you not? SPIKE It is the Celebrations eve, Twilight. We stay awake to watch the sun arise With Princess guiding it, those resting miss. Raise not thy ire so, Twilight. ‘Tis a fair! Exit SPIKE TWILIGHT Ugh, here believed I that I would have time To learn the Elements of Harmony’s Significance, yet, fool I was, I found The insignificance of friends acquired. “The stars will aid in her escape, and she Will bring about an everlasting night.” I pray the Princess had the right idea. I pray I am a fool to think it true. Enter SPIKE Onward, Twilight, the time has come to watch The sun as it is made to rise today! Exeunt SCENE 3, A Town Hall Enter crowd of ponies, including TWILIGHT, SPIKE, APPLEJACK, RAINBOW, RARITY, FLUTTERSHY, PINKIE, and MAYOR PINKIE Isn’t this exciting? Be you roused, for Cause I am fain roused, I’ve never been Just so excited, save that hour you Entered into town and let I one gasp, Truly, though, what claim could be the greater? MAYOR Fillies and gentlecolts, lend me your ears! Fair Ponyville, I am thy mayor proud! It is my pleasure great to declare start To Celebration of the Summer Sun! Our town shall witness sunrise, magic’s work, And celebrate the longest day this year! And now, it honors me to introduce The ruler of our land, so good and wise, The sun and moon her gifts to us each day, The bringer of the harmony to all Who live in peace in great Equestria… FLUTTERSHY [To the birds] Prepare thy song, my lovely ones, for here’s she. MAYOR Our Princess Celestia! [To an empty stage] Princess, your cue… TWILIGHT [Aside] Oh surely some misfortune hath befell. MAYOR Be not alarmed, everypony, for sure It is to be reasoned and short explained! PINKIE Make a guess then? Does she hide in playing? RARITY Darlings, I fear she is simply gone. PINKIE Playing with such skill as that impresses. Enter Nightmare Moon, at which all ponies gasp in fear TWILIGHT [Aside] ‘Tis Nightmare Moon! ‘Tis what I had so feared! NIGHTMARE Oh, my beloved subjects. Too long we have Been kept apart, you who so loved the sun. RAINBOW What have you done? Our Princess make return! APPLEJACK Be restrained! My mouth I may employ To hold thee back. It does no good to charge Straight toward such wicked fate. NIGHTMARE I am not thought to be as royal? You’re Too ignorant to know who I may be? PINKIE Make a guess again! How’s “Cleopatra”? Cross that... try “Queen Mab”! Again not rightly? Oh, right! “Titania”, “Titania”! NIGHTMARE These thousand years have tarnished black my crown? You did not know the legend? Did you not see The signs of who I am and what I’ll do? TWILIGHT I did. I know you are the Mare in our The Moon. What’s more, you are the Nightmare Moon. NIGHTMARE Somepony who remembers well my name. You must then know my cause in being here? TWILIGHT [Aside] I know, but speech has failed me at this time. NIGHTMARE Remember today, little ponies, well, For ‘twas your last. From now until the end, The sky turns not to day, the night shall stay! Author's Note For those who read this, I would like your opinion: should I continue to add to this series by adding more chapters to this work, or should I present each reworked episode as it's own entry? I learn toward the former, but I don't have to make the decision until after I post the next one (which might be in a long time, by the way, just a heads up) and I would like to get your opinion.