Sunny Flare is an up-and coming unicorn actress in the prestigious theatre scene of Canterlot.

She's also completely missed what was supposed to be her greatest performance yet, and by the time she shows up, her understudy is about to perform the climax of the play. All she can do is sit and watch.

This intermission is meant to be read between Empathy is Magic, Part 1, and the upcoming Empathy is Magic, Part 2, though in terms of timeframe, it takes place over the same night and morning as Stay of Execution. Neither previous work, however, is strictly required to understand Understudy, nor is Understudy required reading for Part 2 of Empathy is Magic.

Rated Mature for death by fire.