//-------------------------------------------------------// Cerebral Sparkle -by Joseph Raszagal- //-------------------------------------------------------// //-------------------------------------------------------// Act Two: The Waiting Game //-------------------------------------------------------// Act Two: The Waiting Game Cerebral Sparkle A pony stage production as performed by the fine actors and actresses of the Raszagal Troupe ~ Act Two: The Waiting Game ~ //-------------------------------------------------------// Act Three: Just as I Feared //-------------------------------------------------------// Act Three: Just as I Feared Cerebral Sparkle A pony stage production as performed by the fine actors and actresses of the Raszagal Troupe ~ Act Three: Just as I Feared ~ //-------------------------------------------------------// Act Four: My Own Worst Enemy //-------------------------------------------------------// Act Four: My Own Worst Enemy Cerebral Sparkle A pony stage production as performed by the fine actors and actresses of the Raszagal Troupe ~ Act Four: My Own Worst Enemy ~ [Enter Twilight from stage left to stand at center stage, the lights dimmed as she shuffles nervously in place. Two staccato violins plays at a high and breakneck pace, their rhythm accented by the low rumbling of a lone cello.] The mirror I can see myself in the mirror But it's not me The voice I can hear myself screaming in my head But it's not me I'm not my own worst enemy [Enter Dark Twilight from stage right to join the original in center stage, her features drained of all color. Taking Twilight's hooves in her own, Dark Twilight stands on her rear legs and begins to lead the two into a blindingly fast pirouetting dance.] The things she says I would never say I'd never give those thoughts The time of day And who is she to point hooves, Anyway? No matter what she shouts I'm not a failure I won't let her distract me No matter how right she seems I know I can do this I won't let her consume me No, I'm not my own worst enemy [The two Twilights continue to spin and twirl in time with each other all about the stage, a running piano joining the maddening pace set by the strings.] I'm smarter than this These problems are simple to solve I'm better than this She can't break my resolve Wait a second Did that one come out right? No matter, that's fine I still have all night She starts laughing But I don't listen She's just trying to confuse me My head starts pounding But I don't pay attention It's not enough to discourage me Because I'm not my own worst enemy! [The two mares part hooves and dace their way to opposite ends of the stage, gracefully spinning on their rear hooves and dipping into a low dive forward to return to each other. Standing on their hind legs, they both take their partner's hooves in their own once more and resume their duet dance.] Another equation wrong I hate it when my quill slips I go to scratch it out And the whole paper rips Slamming a hoof in frustration I tip over my inkpot The black fluid drips down on the carpet To form a dark blot Her laughter doubles Echoing loud in my head But she won't get the best of me She might be in my mind Dominating my thoughts But I control the rest of me AND I'M NOT MY OWN WORST ENEMY! [As the music builds to a sharp screech, the sound of a pane of glass shattering echoes throughout the theater. Dark Twilight twirls the original Twilight one final time before letting go in mid arc and sending the purple mare sprawling to the floor at center stage. Impacting harshly, Twilight touches a hoof to her muzzle and winces in pain, pulling it away to find it bloodied. Six additional Dark Twilights enter from stages left and right.] I flail a hoof and smash the mirror The glass cracks and splits seven ways The mocking then multiples septuple times A crowd of shrill, giggling brays I clutch my head and close my eyes My heart pounds a marathon in my chest The hyenas' laughter drowns out every thought Despite all of my efforts best In between their howls They all sing aloud Joining hooves, delivering a prophecy I curl into a ball Blood running cold As they roar my life's destiny THAT I'M MY OWN WORST ENEMY! [Bowing her head, Twilight sinks to her haunches and begins weeping quietly as the lights dim to total darkness.] I can't I'm not I won't [Amid the shadows, the Dark Twilights all form a circle and surround the crying mare. Their voices quietly reverberate across the theater as one.] You can You are And you will... [End scene.] //-------------------------------------------------------// Intermission: Slipping Grades //-------------------------------------------------------// Intermission: Slipping Grades Cerebral Sparkle A pony stage production as performed by the fine actors and actresses of the Raszagal Troupe ~ Intermission: Slipping Grades ~ I used to be the student at the peak And now my grades are slipping It's been happening all week In every class, my grades keep slipping Mental gears slowed to a creak I can't stop my grades from slipping Down, down, down The steepest slope With nothing to gasp at No steps, no rope And the creeping feeling Devoid of hope That maybe more than my grades are slipping //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue: Hard Homework //-------------------------------------------------------// Prologue: Hard Homework Cerebral Sparkle A pony stage production as performed by the fine actors and actresses of the Raszagal Troupe ~ Prologue: Hard Homework ~ The teacher's voice echoes in my head "I want this by tomorrow morning," he said But this problem I can't seem to finish The sun sets with no answer in sight Scratched out scribbles filling the page My writing devolving into chickenscratch Eyelids betraying me, drooping down tiredly And before I can even think The sun's back up the next time I blink //-------------------------------------------------------// Act One: Exhausted and Incomplete //-------------------------------------------------------// Act One: Exhausted and Incomplete Cerebral Sparkle A pony stage production as performed by the fine actors and actresses of the Raszagal Troupe ~ Act One: Exhausted and Incomplete ~ [Twilight Sparkle, apprentice to Princess Celestia, enters from stage right and begins pacing back and forth as she approaches front stage. Muttering to herself, the purple mare tries and fails several times to smooth out her shocked and frazzled mane.] I approach my classroom slowly The first bell ringing lowly Ironic that it's to be my death knell The other students all watch me All too clear that they can see My unfinished work, yes, they can tell A migraine surges through my head My limbs carrying the weight of lead Impromptu sleep offering no real rest