Chapters Friendship is Magic: The Movie
Chapter One: A Sign From Above
In life there are many truths, and all are true dependent upon one’s point of view. It was true that on this day it was hot. High up in the sky Celestia’s sun had just finished her climb to the heavenly peak, and after relishing it for a few moments, now leisurely started a slow stroll down the slope that led towards the far western horizon. Her rays shone brightly, lighting and warming the cloudless blue sky. The sunshine fell relentlessly upon the land, the mountains barren of anything but brown grass and stunted scrub. Animals sought refuge in what little shadow existed or took shelter in burrows and holes in the ground. The deathly quiet land baked under the sun, and begged for a cloud to dimish the intensity or for a few drops of water to quench the parched soil. The hours of the long afternoon loomed ahead.
It was also true that on this day it was pleasant and comfortable. Beneath the canopy of a sprawling apple orchard, the trees provided a soft and cozy shade. The branches swayed gently to and fro in the easy breeze, creating a gentle rustle that accompanied the soothing melody of a babling brook that flowed through wood, its cool water inviting the animals out for a refreshing drink. The forest of trees stood tall against the might of the sun, simultaneosly soaking up its golden rays while shielding the flora and fauna below.
A country lane lay through the heart of the orchard. It ran straight and true, without the meanders and bends of the nearby stream. But this path was not cut through the orchard, but rather the orchard was planted around the path. Generations had passed on a yearly migration, for as long as anyone’s memory could reach and even longer than that.
On the dusty country lane two ponies walked together. The taller one, a youthful stallion, proudly wore a matching Stetson and vest, cut short to display the large red apple adorning his flank. He walked with a slight spring in his step, suggesting to strangers his naturally upbeat and positive personality, though his smile definitely gave it away.
His companion was a young mare. Her long golden mane and tail were tied at the ends, playfully bouncing with each step of her trot. A brown cowboy hat sat slightly tipped back. To all who knew the mare, this hat wasn’t something she wore, but an extension of the pony herself. Seldom was she ever without it, so much that never a townsfolk could remember her not wearing it.
The stallion spoke, in his usual western twang, “I sure wish you didn’t have to go Applejack.”
The mare looked over at him and replied her usual country accent, “Ah wish Ah could stay Braeburn. But Ah got to get home to Sweet Apple Acres. There’s a lot of apple buckin’ we ’ave ta do.”
“Well, I feel mighty terrible ’bout the past week. You came all the way out to Appleloosa to visit, and what happened? I came down with the flu and you spent the whole week takin’ care of me,” he lamented, his tone turning a shade solemn upon the reflection.
“It was a good thing Ah was there ta take care of ya,” she chuckled. “Ya were pretty sick.”
“Well, I can’t thank ya enough for what you did,” he responded.
“Now don’t ya go frettin’, that’s what family is for,” she reassured him.
He gave an extra-large smile, “I sure am glad I got a cousin like you.”
“Well, shucks,” Applejack sheepishly replied.
“When’s the next time I can expect you to visit?”
Thinking for a moment, she stated, “I plan on competing in the Appleloosa Rodeo.”
“Well, you do have a title to defend,” Braburn said with a slight laugh.
“I was just filling in for you when ya were hurt.”
“I’m pretty sure the other members will want you to compete.”
“Ah couldn’t take your spot on the team,” she protested.
“I have to do what’s best for the team. And they can win when you’re out there with them,” he insisted.
The two emerged from the apple orchard. “We can argue ’bout this – what the hay!”
Applejack and Braeburn stopped dead in their tracks and stared at what lay before them. Next to the path stood a large billboard, the paint fresh and the wooden supports newly cut. Not only was the presence of the sign unusual for these parts, but the inscription it bore made it totally out of place and left a surreal impression upon the pair:
WELCOME TO PONYVILLE!
EST 945 - POP 2017
Author's Note
My twenty-fifth story!
I've been kicking this story around for months. I wrote the first two chapters weeks ago, and have been trying to find the time to edit and rewrite them since. I've been extremely busy writing a long, complex drama, that I think will be my best work. But in the meantime, enjoy this comedy. As the chapters are relatively short, you get two today!
Dreadnought
BTW, the cover art comes from the episode All Bottled Up .
Friendship is Magic: The Movie
Chapter Two: The Bad News
Most ponies loved surprises. Oscar didn’t. Surprises always caused him problems. Once he found himself a few days from the start of shooting, when lawyers informed him the studio neglected to obtain the film rights to the play. Another time a screenwriter quit without turning in a draft, forcing the director to write the script as he filmed. And on a recent film a heavy door closed on an actor, breaking his leg and delaying shooting by months. The list of the problems he had faced almost read like a big-budget disaster film... fires on sets... torrential rains... sick actors... striking crew members... production going way over budget... the list went on and on.
So why did Oscar continue to work in the film industry? There was the money. Serving as a big-shot Hollywood producer not only paid the bills but provided him with enough bits to lead an extremely comfortable lifestyle. There was also the awards. He appreciated the recognition the industry gave him and proudly displayed his small golden statues in his corner office back in Hollywood. But most of all, he loved movies. Ever since he was a colt all he wanted to do was work for a major studio, and after getting his film merit badge he earned his cutie mark. But still, he would enjoy his job a lot more if he didn’t have to deal with surprises.
Oscar sat in his private trailer looking over the budget for the movie when a knock on the door caught his attention. “Come in,” he commanded.
The side door swung open to reveal a yellow unicorn with a brown mane. “Hello Mr. Oscar,” he said somewhat hesitantly, stepping inside.
“Cast,” he replied cautiously, noting the younger pony’s hesitantancy. “Please take a seat.”
“Thank you sir,” Cast said, sitting down directly across the desk.
“How are things going on set today?” Oscar asked.
Akwardly, the unicorn stated, “Well - very well actually. Spellbound is happy with today’s takes.”
“Good,” replied Oscar. Suspecting there was some bad news coming, he prodded, “So, why are you really here?”
Cast ran his hoof through his mane, unsure how to deliver the news. “It’s about Chestnut Magnifico.”
“Has she arrived from Hollywood?” the producer asked.
“Actually,” taking an extra-long pause, “she’s not coming.”
“She’s not! Why!” demanded Oscar.
“Well, it turns out the rumors we’ve seen in the tabloids are true. She discovered her husband in bed with a younger mare and she’s demanding a divorce. She needs to stay in Hollywood and fight for custody of her children during this process,” explained Cast.
“I don’t care! We have a movie to make and she’s our one of our biggest stars! We have a contract and she needs to be here!”
“Sir, we’ve received word from her agent. He says that Chestnut doesn’t care and will pay all the penalties listed in her contract. But nothing will drag her away from Hollywood until the divorce is finalized.”
“Humph!” Oscar grunted. “Tomorrow Spellbound is going to start filming at the farm. We need to fill that role and fast,” he thought out loud.
“I can take the next train back to Hollywood and hold a casting session,” suggested the unicorn.
“That’ll take too long. No way we’ll get an actress here in time.”
“So what are we going to do?”
Turning his chair around, Oscar gazed out the window thinking when suddenly he was hit by a brilliant idea. Spinning around, he said, “I’ll tell you what we’re going to do. You’re going to get out there and cast one of these locals to play her part.”
“I am?” asked an astonished Cast.
“Yes. Everypony wants to be a movie star. It’ll be easy,” came the reply with a wave of his hoof.
“But what about the actor’s guild? They’ll never stand for us hiring a non-union actor.”
“We’ll pay all the fines. The important thing is to keep our film on schedule. Now get out of here and find me a replacement!” ordered Oscar.
“Yes sir!” said Cast, scrambling out the door.
Oscar leaned back in his chair. He hated surprises. Trying to get a replacement actress so quickly was a major hassle. Yet he had already put together an ensemble cast, so one major star dropping out wasn’t going to ruin the picture. And he had seen far worse emergencies over his long career.
Author's Note
As promised, the second chapter today. I hope to publish a new chapter every week or so, and project this story to be about 15 chapters. But the next few weeks will be extremely busy for me, so I'll do what I can. In the meantime, be sure to check out my other stories (yeah, shameless plug).
Dreadnought
Friendship is Magic: The Movie
Chapter Three: Cast
Normally, Cast had a set process for selecting leading and supporting actors for a movie. Sometimes his job was easy, with sequels comprising an established ensemble or scripts written as a vehicle for a specific actor, allowing him to focus on the supporting roles. But most of the time he worked on new movies, requiring him to assemble an entire cast from scratch. First, he followed the careers of established professionals and scouted promising newcomers. His scope wasn’t limited to just Hollywood but included talent from Briddleway and the music industry as well. He also poured through stacks of résumés, searching for actors that had the right look and credentials. When he had created a list of potential actors, Cast would bring them in for auditions which would further narrow down the pool. Then there were screen tests with other prospective actors, until he produced a well-balanced ensemble with chemistry and talent.
But he didn’t have time for any of that now. Bursting forth from the producer’s trailer, Cast needed to act quickly and decisively. With filming of Chestnut’s role scheduled to begin the next day, he only had the afternoon to find an actress, go through the necessary legal hurdles, and prep them for shooting. Otherwise the whole production schedule and the film’s budget were in jeopardy, along with his reputation and future within the industry.
Standing in the street, Cast scanned the passing townsfolk and examined his options....
What about her? No, way too old. Makeup might be able to do something if we had no other choice.
A pegasus? Wrong species.
A stallion? Maybe. We’ve already rewritten two roles for males. I’ll keep him in mind as an option.
Woe! Way to ugly. I’d never work in the industry again if I hired her!
Too young. Might work in a pinch, though.
Blue? We already have a blue pony.
A unicorn? Could work. Costume department might be able to obscure the horn.
A donkey? No, absolutely not.
She might work. Yes, right age, right species, not too homely, got that country vibe.
Cast strode up to the mare, but just before he could speak, he spotted a pair of ponies, a mare and a stallion, walking into town.
Wait! Earth pony, orange, blonde mane, even sporting a cowpony hat. That’s her! She’d be perfect as a stand-in for Chestnut. I’ll cast her. And if she’s angling for a role for her husband, I could easily put him in as a background pony.
He pushed past the yellow mare he was about to cast and approached the pair. “Hello.”
“Howdy,” they greeted.
“Do you have any acting experience?” Cast asked the mare. It was a bit forward and he didn’t want to come across as desperate, but time was running out.
Pausing for a moment to think, she replied, “Well, Ah was in a play up in Canterlot a while back. And Ah did do a fashion show once for ma friend, if that counts.”
An actress and a model! How lucky can I be! Doing his best to contain his enthusiasm, Cast asked, “How would you like to be in a movie?”
“A movie?” Her eyes narrowed for a moment, before an apparent realization. “Wait. Is that what that sign outside of town is for?”
“What sign?”
Pointing back from where they had come from, she said, “We saw a sign back there that says, ‘Welcome to Ponyville.’ Is that part of the movie?”
Hmm.... Playing dumb. Doesn’t want to come across as too eager. Pretty smart of her. “Yes, it’s a prop we’re using to establish the setting.”
“Why didn’t ya just film it in Ponyville?” she asked.
What the hay does that have to do with accepting a role? “Filming on location is always more expensive. Besides, we got a nice tax credit for shooting in Appleloosa.”
“But it ain’t Ponyville,” she protested.
Having worked on a number of movies set in “Manehattan” or “Chicoltgo” that were really filmed in Vanhoover or Whinnyapolis, Cast knew that audiences never cared even if they learned the truth. “Doesn’t matter. Most ponies have never been to Ponyville, so the audience won’t know the difference.”
“Won’t know the difference!”
“Are you interested in being cast in the movie or not?” If not, I needed to run back to that yellow earth pony.
Hesitating, she said, “Ah don’t know.”
“Why not?” Cast asked.
“Ah got a lot of work back on the farm,” she continued.
Hmm.... Taking this a little far, aren’t we?
“Does it pay well?” asked the stallion.
“Yes. I could arrange a hundred bits,” said Cast.
“Ya hear that? A hundred bits. That would more than cover what you would make on the farm.”
“Ah’m still not sure,” she stammered.
Time to play the ace. “I’m sure I could find a role for your husband too.”
“Husband!” the two replied in unison.
“I’m sorry, you’re coltfriend.”
“She’s ma cuzin,” said the stallion.
“Really?” It’d be a damn shame if she didn’t have a special somepony. “My apologies.”
“How long will it take?” the mare asked.
“A week or two.”
The stallion spoke up, “C’mon cuz. Sounds like fun. Celestia knows ya ain’t had any since ya got here.”
Conflicted, she said, “Well, Ah suppose Ah could do it.”
Finally! “Excellent, we’ll have to get you set up right away.”
“Ma name is Braeburn,” said the stallion, extending a hoof.
“Cast,” he replied, shaking the stallion’s hoof.
“And Ah’m Applejack,” said the mare, extending her hoof.
“Wow, word travels fast,” muttered Cast.
“Beg yer pardon?” she said.
“Nevermind.” So, she did know about Chestnut dropping out. Cast reached forward and received a vigorous hoofshake.
“Braeburn?”
“Yes?”
“Could ya get a letter sent off ta Big Mac letting him know Ah’ll be staying here a little bit longer?”
“Sure thin’ cuz,” he replied. “It was nice meetin’ ya Cast,” he said before heading off towards the town post office.
“So now what?” asked the mare who insisted on calling herself “Applejack.”
“Well, first we need to get you under contract,” Cast replied.
Author's Note
I hoped to get this out earlier. But I had significantly less time the last couple of weeks, especially with BronyCon. I did have this finished last weekend, but spent the past week polishing it before I published it. I hope it was worth the wait.
I'm pushing ahead with Chapters 4, 5 & 6, which all link together. I'm aiming to have them complete in the next week or two, but one never knows with real life. In the meantime, be sure to peruse my latest stories, The Disney Princesses Meet Princess Twilight Sparkle and The Secret Life of... Discord . I'm also rewriting The Secret Life of... Scootaloo , which I also hope to publish next week.
Dreadnought
