MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC EPISODE 1 FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC: PART 1

Written by Lauren Faust Unofficially Transcribed By Louis Badalament My Little Pony and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic is copyright Hasbro, Lauren Faust, Hub Network, etc.

FADE IN: ACT ONE INT.

STORYBOOK - DAY

A leatherbound book sits on a grassy field. As our camera PANS IN, its front cover opens, revealing the first page which simply reads, ‘Once upon a time…’ STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria… What follows is a colorful series of illustrations; beautiful, but very olden-style, as though they were painted by a medieval illustrator. The animation is minimal. First, pushing through the clouds, a majestic establishing shot of the glorious pony kingdom of Equestria. STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) …There were two regal sisters who ruled together and created harmony for all the land. A pair of winged unicorns stand regally atop a cloud. On the left, the lighter-colored elder sister, CELESTIA. On the right, the darker-colored younger sister, LUNA. STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn. The younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Celestia is shown raising the sun; Luna the moon. STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects; all the different types of ponies. The unicorn sisters are shown circling around each other in a perfect yin-yang symbol; the sun and moon serving as the yinyang’s ‘dots.’ STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) As time went on, the younger sister became resentful. Luna hangs her head, bitter at the brilliant sun.

2.

STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth… In the bright sunshine, a crowd of ponies gambol about. STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) …but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. Under the veil of evening, the same crowd of ponies are all fast asleep, some on the grass, others in houses. STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. With the moon high above, Luna stands on a dark cloud. STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) The elder sister tried to reason with her… Celestia stands on Luna’s cloud, facing her. STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) …but the bitterness in the young one’s heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon! Luna turns away from Celestia. A close-up on her eyes shows Luna’s pupils have tuned to fierce, reptilian slits! Pan out, displaying Luna’s new persona of NIGHTMARE MOON; shadowy and armored: something an evil sorceress would ride. STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) She vowed she would shroud the land in eternal night. The ponies down on earth awaken in confused alarm at finding the moon still looming overhead, where the sun should be. STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony! In some church-like sanctum with stained-glass windows, six glowing jewels float around a pedestal.

3.

STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister and banished her permanently in the moon. Celestia fires a rainbow beam from her horn at her sister, who dissipates into vapor that solidifies into the moon. The next picture shows both the sun and moon floating over Celestia’s shoulders as she flies over her kingdom. But then, a new voice melds with that of our Narrator; that of TWILIGHT SPARKLE, who finishes the story. STORYBOOK NARRATOR (V.O.) The elder sister took on responsibility for both the sun and the moon…

EXT.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE (V.O.) (taking over) …For both the sun and the moon, and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since.

CANTERLOT PARK - DAY

Pan out, showing the illustrations in the storybook Twilight has been reading. The book is open on a patch of grass. We also get a good first look at our heroine. Twilight is an indigo unicorn; smart and studious, and currently pensive. TWILIGHT SPARKLE “The Elements of Harmony…” I know I’ve heard of those before… but where? CUE OPENING EXT.

CANTERLOT WALKWAY - DAY

Twilight walks along with several books stuffed inside her saddlebags. Suddenly, a trio of other ponies step in front of her. CANTERLOT PONY There you are, Twilight! Moondancer is having a little gettogether in the west castle courtyard. You wanna come? All three smile at Twilight hopefully, as she recoils.

4.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE Oh… sorry, girls, I’ve got a… lot of studying to catch up on! In a blur, she gallops off past them. CANTERLOT PONY (annoyed, to her friends) Does that pony do anything except study? I think she’s more interested in books than friends. The Canterlot Pony leaves with her friends as Twilight continues to gallop. TWILIGHT SPARKLE I know I’ve heard of the Elements of Harmony! Twilight gallops past two other friendly ponies. One waves at her, but she ignores it completely, racing up a set of winding stairs of a castle tower. INT.

CANTERLOT LIBRARY - DAY

SPIKE, a purple bipedal dragon baby walks towards the exit door holding a wrapped present. Right then, Twilight, entering from the other side, opens the door hard in Spike’s face, slamming him backwards to the floor. Spike?

TWILIGHT SPARKLE Spiiiikke! Spike?

Twilight finally looks down and sees Spike; his dazed eyes spinning in opposite directions. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) There you are! She hurries past Spike towards a set of long bookcases. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) Quick! Find me that old copy of Predictions and Prophecies. Twilight sees that Spike’s gift has been impaled on his tail. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) What’s that for?

5.

SPIKE (regretfully) Well, it was a gift for Moondancer, but… He pulls the gift off his tail. A ruined teddy bear falls out of the bottom of the box with a squeak. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Oh, Spike! You know we don’t have time for that sort of thing! SPIKE But we’re on a break! Glowing magic alights on Twilight’s unicorn horn. She points it towards a bookshelf, lifting books off with telekinesis, and levitates them close to her face to examine their covers. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (with growing frustration) No, no, no, no, no, no! With each consecutive ‘no,’ she draws more and more books over, until she’s surrounded by floating literature. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) (GROWLS, then shouts) SPIKE! SPIKE It’s over here! Spike has climbed a ladder, holding the book she needs. Seconds later, he and the book are telekinetically YANKED off the ladder. He LANDS face-first on the floor. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Ah! She releases her telekinetic hold on the ‘wrong’ books, which all drop, as she trots over with Predictions and Prophecies. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) (flipping book pages) Elements, elements… E, E, E… She’s found the right page. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) Aha! Elements of Harmony! “See Mare In The Moon?”

6.

SPIKE “Mare In The Moon?” But that’s just an old pony’s tale! TWILIGHT SPARKLE (flipping pages again) Mare… Mare… Aha! (quits flipping, reads) “The Mare In The Moon: myth from olden pony times. A powerful mare who wanted to rule all of Equestria, defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon.” Meanwhile, Spike has climbed to the topmost rung of his ladder, returning books to their shelves. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (O.S.) (CONT’D) “Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal!” His ladder teeters off the bookcase as he punches one book back in, threatening to spill him back to the ground. Still, he tries to shelve yet another book. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) (GASPS, then says) Spike, do you know what this means? SPIKE No… WHOA-OHH!!! Spike overbalances completely, landing on Twilight’s back. SPIKE (CONT’D) OW! Twilight holds a quill and scroll in her mouth, which she passes to the dragon. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Take a note, please. To the Princess. SPIKE Okeydokey! Twilight straightens her tail, and Spike uses it like a playground slide to slide off her back. From here, Spike writes out every word Twilight says.

7.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE “My Dearest Teacher, My continuing studies of pony magic have led me to discover that we are on the precipice of disaster!” Hold on!

SPIKE “Preci… preci…”

He shoots her a confused look: how is ‘precipice’ spelled? TWILIGHT SPARKLE Threshold? SPIKE (noise of uncertainty) Braahh? TWILIGHT SPARKLE Uh… ‘brink?’ This time Spike doesn’t even speak. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) Ugh… “That something really bad is about to happen!” Spike transcribes this down in earnest. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) “For you see, the mythical Mare In The Moon is in fact Nightmare Moon, and she’s about to return to Equestria and bring with her eternal night! Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true! I await your quick response. Your Faithful Student, Twilight Sparkle.” SPIKE (finishing letter) “Twilight… Sparkle!” Got it! Great!

TWILIGHT SPARKLE Send it. SPIKE

Now? TWILIGHT SPARKLE Of course!

8.

SPIKE Uh… I don’t know, Twilight, Princess Celestia is a little busy getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration, and it’s, like, the day after tomorrow! TWILIGHT SPARKLE That’s just it, Spike! The day after tomorrow is the thousandth year of the Summer Sun Celebration! It’s imperative that the princess is told right away! She stares Spike down. He takes this as a word to be written down; scratching his quill against the parchment. SPIKE Impera… Impera…? TWILIGHT SPARKLE IMPORTANT! So forceful is her shout, it knocks Spike into the bookcase. Okay!

SPIKE Okay!

Then, holding up the letter, Spike takes a deep breath and exhales dragon flame on it. The letter transforms into a wisp of lavender smoke, which drifts out through the open window. SPIKE (CONT’D) There! It’s on its way. But I wouldn’t hold your breath. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (confident and proud) Oh, I’m not worried, Spike. The princess trusts me completely. In all the years she’s been my mentor, she’s never once doubted me. Suddenly, Spike’s cheeks puff out, like he’s about to vomit. Instead, he belches out more of that lavender smoke, which coalesces into a new letter that drops at Twilight’s hooves. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) I knew she would want to take immediate action! Spike takes Celestia’s letter, clearing his throat.

9.

SPIKE “My Dearest, Most Faithful Student, Twilight, you know that I value your diligence, and that I trust you completely…” TWILIGHT SPARKLE (basking in the praise) Mmm-hmm! SPIKE “…But you simply MUST stop reading those dusty old books!” Twilight GASPS in shock. FADE TO BLACK.

10.

ACT TWO EXT.

ROYAL CHARIOT - DAY

Spike and Twilight are now inside a chariot pulled by two winged PEGASUS CHARIOTEERS, flying over the lands of Equestria. Spike is continuing to read Celestia’s letter. SPIKE “My Dear Twilight, there is more to a young pony’s life than studying, so I’m sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year’s location: Ponyville.” Ponyville is just up ahead: a cheerful, pastoral pony hamlet. SPIKE (CONT’D) “And I have an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends!” Spike’s face clearly says, “See? See? I tell you this all the time!” For her part, Twilight looks bummed, and MOANS. SPIKE (CONT’D) Look on the bright side, Twilight; the princess arranged for you to stay at a library. Doesn’t that make you happy? TWILIGHT SPARKLE Yes! Yes, it does. You know why? Because I am right! I’ll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library to find some proof of Nightmare Moon’s return! EXT.

PONYVILLE - CONTINUOUS

Around this point, the chariot pulls into Ponyville proper. A few ponies watch them as their chariot descends. SPIKE Then… when will you make friends, like the princess said?

11.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE She said to check on preparations. I am her student, and I’ll do my royal duty, but the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends! The chariot has landed.

One of the Pegasi WHINNY.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) (she’s disembarked) Thank you, sirs. Both of the Pegasi make that equine PUTTERING noise. A pink Earth Pony, (no wings, no horn,) with three balloons as a cutie mark and a cottony mane trots up to Twilight and Spike, stopping in front of them. She is PINKIE PIE. SPIKE Maybe the ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about. Come on, Twilight, just try! TWILIGHT SPARKLE Uh… hello? PINKIE PIE (LONG PROTRACTED GASP!!!) DAAAAHHH!!! Pinkie reacts as if she’s encountered a space alien; leaping in the air, HOVERING for two seconds, with a HUGE GASP and shooting off like a bullet! VERY old-school cartoonish. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (wryly) Well, THAT was ‘interesting,’ all right. Spike SIGHS. EXT.

SWEET APPLE ACRES - DAY

Twilight and Spike walk towards Sweet Apple Acres. dragon holds a pencil and checklist. SPIKE “Summer Sun Celebration Official Overseer’s Checklist. Number One! Banquet Preparations: Sweet Apple Acres.”

The

12.

They’re entering a prosperous, flourishing farmland; rows of cornstalks, chicken coops, and ESPECIALLY apple trees. APPLEJACK (O.S.) Yeee-haa! They stop short at the sight of APPLEJACK; a real ‘cowgirl’ of an Earth Pony, born and bred, complete with Texan drawl, cowboy hat, and rustic sensibilities. Applejack canters up to an apple tree. Empty baskets have already been set up underneath the tree’s branches. Using both back hooves, she kicks the tree’s trunk soundly, knocking all its apples off its branches into the baskets. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (SIGHS, then says) Let’s get this over with. Twilight approaches Applejack. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) Good afternoon. My name is Twilight Sparkle. Applejack grabs Twilight’s front hoof, “shaking hands” with unrelenting gusto. Both ponies’ limbs wag up and down like super-speedy windshield wipers. APPLEJACK Well, how-dee-do, Miss Twilight! A pleasure makin’ yer acquaintance! Ah’m Applejack. We here at Sweet Apple Acres sure do love makin’ new friends! The ‘handshake‘ has NOT EVEN STOPPED yet, so when Twilight answers, there is a wobbly quaver in her voice. Friends? yi…!

TWILIGHT SPARKLE Actual-lee-yee-ee, I-yi-

Finally, Applejack drops her front hoof, winking. So!

APPLEJACK What can Ah do ya for?

Twilight’s foreleg is still swishing back and forth even without Applejack’s hoof there. Spike has to grab it and hold it still to make it stop. He GIGGLES.

13.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE *AHEM.* Well, I am in fact here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you’re in charge of the food? APPLEJACK We sure as sugar are! care to sample some?

Would yew

TWILIGHT SPARKLE Ah, as long as it doesn’t take TOO long! Applejack dashes off, ringing a rusty triangle with a longhandled spoon. APPLEJACK Soup’s on, everypony! Applejack’s HERD of relatives stampede on the scene. When the dust clears, Twilight and Spike find themselves at the head of an extra-large tree stump that a tablecloth’s been thrown over. Applejack pops in by their side. APPLEJACK (CONT’D) Now, why don’t I introduce you all to the Apple family? She sweeps a hoof out.

There’s MANY of them; mostly mares.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE Thanks, but I really need to hurry… One relative zips up, presenting Twilight an apple fritter. APPLEJACK This here’s Apple Fritter. Another Apple girl pops in, with caramel-dipped apples. APPLEJACK (CONT’D) Apple Bumpkin. The next one brings a cupcake with an apple slice on top. APPLEJACK (CONT’D) Red Gala. In RAPID SUCCESSION, the army of relatives SHOWER their two amazed guests with plates of apple-liciously yummy treats.

14.

APPLEJACK (CONT’D) Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Caramel Apple, Apple Strudel, Apple Tart, Baked Apple, Apple Brioche, Apple Cinnamon Crisp… BIG BREATH before Applejack introduces her closest kin. APPLEJACK (CONT’D) Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, and… She shoves a green apple into Twilight’s mouth. APPLEJACK (CONT’D) Granny Smith. Up’n at ’m, Granny Smith! We’ve got guests! GRANNY SMITH’S a senile old mare, snoring in a rocking chair. GRANNY SMITH (snorts awake) Wha? Wha? Soup’s on? Ah’m, uh, here Ah come, Ah’m com’n… As Granny Smith hobbles over to join the party, Applejack places a companionable hoof on Twilight’s shoulder. APPLEJACK Why, Ah’d say they’re already part of the family! Mortified, Twilight SPITS OUT the apple, then gives a FLUSTERED LAUGH. TWILIGHT SPARKLE OKAY! Well… I can see the food situation is handled, so we’ll be on our way. Every pony in the APPLE CLAN is visibly HEARTBROKEN by this announcement; none more so than… APPLE BLOOM Aren’t cha gonna stay fer brunch? …Applejack’s kid sister, APPLE BLOOM; affixed with the SADDEST, IRRESISTIBLE puppy-dog eyes a pony can muster. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (regretfully, guiltily) Sorry… but we have an awful lot to do…

15.

APPLE CLAN (ALL disappointed) Awwww… It’s as if Santa Claus forgot ALL their presents on Christmas Day; so bummed and glum are they all. Twilight caves in. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (grudgingly) Fine. APPLE CLAN YAY!!! Santa came back! EXT.

Gifts for all!

(Metaphorically speaking.)

PONYVILLE - DAY

Spike has his checklist out again; he and Twilight are walking towards a new part of Ponyville. SPIKE Food’s all taken care of. weather.

Next is

He glances at a GROANING Twilight, whose belly sags. really stuffed her face on the Apples’ home cooking!

She

TWILIGHT SPARKLE Ugh… I ate too much pie. Spike looks upward. SPIKE Hmm… there’s supposed to be a pegasus pony named Rainbow Dash clearing the clouds. Twilight has her own gander at the cloudy sky. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Well, she’s not doing a very good job, is she? SHWOOM! A airborne streak of speed rockets in from the side, ramming Twilight Sparkle flat into a large mud puddle. Twilight is now THOROUGHLY muddied, as is RAINBOW DASH, the rainbow-haired Pegasus who just now collided into her. Dash pulls herself off Twilight with a shamefaced CHUCKLE.

16.

RAINBOW DASH Heh heh heh… uh, excuse me? Twilight MOANS as Dash flies overhead, feather-wings beating. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) Let me help you. Swiftly flying off-screen, Dash quickly returns with a small gray storm cloud, positioning it right above Twilight. Then Dash flies atop the cloud, hopping up and down like a kid on a bed. Rainwater soaks Twilight, cleaning the mud. Dash SNICKERS again, from the cloud, at the bedraggled pony. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) Oops! I guess I overdid it. Um, uh, how ‘bout this? Looping around Twilight at INCREDIBLE speed, Rainbow Dash whips up a small RAINBOW-COLORED WHIRLWIND to dry her. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) My very own patented… Rain-blow Dry! No, no, don’t thank me. You’re quite welcome. Dash looks over. Twilight’s dry, but her usually straight hair has been cycloned up into so much purple cotton candy. Dash can only suppress her tears of laughter for a SECOND, before throwing herself, GUFFAWING, to the ground. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) BAH HA HA HA!!! Spike has his own look, then falls, LAUGHING, atop of Dash. SPIKE AH HA HA HA HA!!! TWILIGHT SPARKLE Let me guess: you’re Rainbow Dash. In a snap, Dash is back on her feet, throwing Spike off. RAINBOW DASH (smugly) THE one and only! She flies up in Twilight’s face.

17.

Why?

RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) Ya heard of me?

TWILIGHT SPARKLE I heard you’re supposed to be keeping the sky clear. (she SIGHS) I’m Twilight Sparkle, and the princess sent me to check on the weather. Rainbow Dash now rest atop the (now-white) cloud, facing away from Twilight; like a lazy teenager dismissing her nag mom. RAINBOW DASH Yeah, yeah, that’ll be a snap. I’ll have it done in a jiffy, just as soon as I’m done practicing. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Practicing for what? Facing Twilight again, Dash points at a building’s wall. RAINBOW DASH The WONDERBOLTS! Our camera pans over to a poster of the WONDERBOLTS; a team of super-awesome Pegasus ponies wearing matching goggles and full-body uniforms, soaring majestically into the sky. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) They’re gonna perform at the celebration tomorrow, and I’m gonna show ‘em my stuff! Dash does a double loop-the-loop, landing on a second cloud. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (smiling slyly) THE Wonderbolts? RAINBOW DASH Yup! TWILIGHT SPARKLE The most talented flyers in all of Equestria? RAINBOW DASH That’s them!

18.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE Pfft! Please! They’d never accept a pegasus who couldn’t keep the sky clear for one measly day! RAINBOW DASH (scowls at Twilight) Hey! I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat! TWILIGHT SPARKLE Prove it. Miffed, Dash rises to Twilight’s bait. The cloud she’d been settled on BURSTS into thin vapor as Rainbow Dash TAKES OFF, shooting THIS way and THAT, to every cloud and kicking them all to nothing. From below, Spike and Twilight watch her go at it in awe. RAINBOW DASH Loop-the-loop around and… WHAM! She headbutts through the last one. The skies are now completely clear. Dash lands smugly on a bridge. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) What’d I say? Ten seconds flat! I’d never leave Ponyville hanging! Twilight and Spike continue to gawk with wide awestruck eyes. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) Ha ha! You should see the look on your face! You’re a laugh, Twilight Sparkle! I can’t wait to hang out some more! This finally brings Twilight out of her funk. loops away… upside-down.

Then Dash

SPIKE WOW… she’s amazing! Twilight’s windswept snarl of hair distracts him. He bounces a ball of in his hand with an amused little SNICKER. Annoyed, she trots off towards her next destination; the Town Square… which is just in sight. SPIKE (CONT’D) Wait! It’s kind of pretty, once you get used to it!

19.

INT.

TOWN SQUARE - DAY

Spike scratches another item off his checklist. SPIKE Decorations! From the ceiling, our camera PANS DOWN for us to marvel at the gorgeous banners and floral arrangements extending along all the high-vaulted walls and from balcony to balcony. SPIKE (V.O.) Beautiful… TWILIGHT SPARKLE Yes. The décor is coming along nicely. This ought to be quick. I’ll be at the library in no time! Beautiful indeed! SPIKE Not the décor… her! Spike points forward at the interior decorator: RARITY, a debonair white unicorn with elegantly fashioned mane. One by one, she magically levitates a series of ribbons; yellow, green, and blue, trying to select the right color. RARITY No, no, no… Hearts have replaced the pupils in Spike’s eyes. RARITY (O.S.) (CONT’D) Oh goodness, no! Spike pats himself down self-consciously. SPIKE How are my spines? straight?

Are they

More hearts float off his body like steam off a steak. Rolling her eyes, Twilight walks to Rarity. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Good afternoon. RARITY Just a moment, please! zone,’ as it were.

I’m ‘in the

20.

Rarity’s been levitating more ribbons over for examination. Finally, she settles on a large, sparkly bow, tightening it to a pole via her magical powers. RARITY (CONT’D) Oh yes! Sparkle always does the trick, does it not? Why, Rarity, you are a talent! Now, um, how can I help you… WHOOHHOOAAAAHH!! Turning around, Rarity is rendered AGHAST by the state of Twilight’s dishelved hair. RARITY (CONT’D) Oh my stars, DARLING! Whatever happened to your coiffure? TWILIGHT SPARKLE Oh, you mean my mane? Well, it’s a long story. I’m just here to check on the decorations and then I’ll be out of your hair! RARITY Out of my hair? What about your hair? For lack of hands with which to grab Twilight, Rarity instead shoves her head - gently but firmly - into Twilight’s side, shepherding the poor purple pony in some all-new direction. Wait!

TWILIGHT SPARKLE Where are we going?!

Help!

Instead of helping, Spike floats after Twilight and his new crush, dopey and lovestruck, tail gyrating like a helicopter. EXT.

CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE - DAY

An establishing shot of the Carousel Boutique, Rarity’s fashionable dress shop, and usual place of work. No! INT.

No!

RARITY (O.S.) Uh-uh.

CAROUSEL BOUTIQUE - DAY

Rarity has fixed Twilight’s hair, but now has her standing before a mirror, trying on a series of dresses, (MONTAGE AHEAD.) First, she dresses her as the Statue of Liberty.

21.

RARITY (O.S.) (Statue of Liberty) Too green! (yellow sundress) Too yellow! (flamenco-style dress) Too poofy! (plain dress) Not poofy enough! (Elizabethan noblewoman) Too frilly! (sporty jogging outfit) Too… shiny! At last, she SETTLES on a dazzling gem-encrusted saddle of some kind, with corset strings and an emerald necklace. RARITY (CONT’D) Now, go ON, my dear! You were telling me where you’re from! Grabbing the corset strings in her mouth, Rarity pulls back, TIGHTENING the corset to a rib-crushing constriction. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (STRANGLED, eyes bulging) I’ve… aeh… been… sent from… Canterlot… to… Rarity has actually climbed atop Twilight, rear hooves dug in her back, heaving with full force, like a tug-of-war game. Upon hearing “Canterlot,” Rarity’s eyes widen, and she lets go. Twilight is shot forth like a rock from a slingshot. RARITY Huh?! Canterlot? Oh, I am so envious! The glamor! The sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can’t wait to hear all about it! She nuzzles up affectionately by Twilight Sparkle. RARITY (CONT’D) We are going to be the best of friends, you and I! Twilight stiffens in alarm. Immediately afterwards, Rarity turns her critical eye upon the necklace Twilight wears. RARITY (CONT’D) Emeralds?! What was I thinking? Let me get you some rubies!

22.

Rarity trots away. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Quick! Before she decides to dye my coat a new color! Twilight gallops for the exit. a smiling smitten slouch.

Spike just stands in place in

SPIKE [SMITTEN SIGH] EXT.

PONYVILLE - DAY

Next scene in, Spike still has the same lovey-dovey look, but now he rides on Twilight’s back. He slumps back against her. SPIKE Wasn’t she wonderful? TWILIGHT SPARKLE Focus, Casanova. What’s next on the list? At this point, Twilight has removed Rarity’s outfit, and is completely unclothed again. Spike checks his list. SPIKE *AHEM!* Oh, uh, music! last one!

It’s the

They both stop short at the lilting trill of BIRDSONG; impeccably orchestrated birdsong. EXT.

BIRD CHOIR TREE - CONTINUOUS

Drawn by the chirping, Twilight and Spike poke their heads through some bushes. They see a VARIETY OF BIRDS perched on the branches of a tree, singing in a harmonized choir. Their ‘maestro’ is a demure yellow pegasus named FLUTTERSHY. One BLUE JAY twitters a little off-sync from his fellows. Oh my!

FLUTTERSHY Um, stop, please, everyone.

Fluttershy flutters up to the blue jay, who hops back on his branch with a STARTLED TWEET.

23.

FLUTTERSHY (CONT’D) Excuse me, sir? I mean, no offense, but your rhythm is just a teeny-tiny bit off. She flutters back to where she’d been positioned in midair. FLUTTERSHY (CONT’D) Now, follow me, please. She swishes one front hoof rhythmically. A one!

FLUTTERSHY (CONT’D) A two! A one, two, three! TWILIGHT SPARKLE (O.S.)

Hello! FLUTTERSHY AH! Twilight’s greeting has spooked not just Fluttershy, but all her birds. The entire choir scatters in all directions. Looking down, Fluttershy sees Twilight on the ground. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Oh my! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to frighten your birds! I’m just here to check up on the music and it’s sounding beautiful. The pegasus lands, averting her eyes from Twilight, kicking at the ground limply with one leg in a timid equine way. Twilight offers a VERY UNCOMFORTABLE grin in the silence. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) I’m Twilight Sparkle. Fluttershy quickly looks away from Twilight again. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) What’s your name? FLUTTERSHY Um… I’m…

Fluttershy.

The smaller font size you’re seeing is deliberate; Fluttershy speaks her name in an almost imperceptibly faint murmur. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (kind and friendly) I’m sorry, what was that?

24.

FLUTTERSHY Um… my name is Fluttershy.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE Didn’t quite catch that. Fluttershy cringes away with a timorous, daunted little SQUEAK: Twilight is almost too much for her to deal with! FLUTTERSHY [FAINT-HEARTED SQUEAK] She looks to see if the big scary Twilight has left yet. About now, her bird choir has returned to its branches. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Well! Um… it looks like your birds are back, so I guess everything’s is in order. Keep up the good work! FLUTTERSHY [STIFLED FRIGHTENED NOISE] TWILIGHT SPARKLE Oookay… Twilight steps away from Fluttershy, facing Spike as he comes out fully from the bushes. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) Well, that was easy. Upon spotting Spike, all of Fluttershy’s meekness disappears. GASPING, she lifts into the air, wings flapping excitedly, not even noticing that this scares half her birds away again. FLUTTERSHY (GASP!) A baby dragon! She rushes forth, knocking Twilight aside like a bowling pin to coo and fawn over the sweet, adorable widdle dragon. FLUTTERSHY (CONT’D) Oh! I’ve never seen a baby dragon before! He’s soooo cute! Hands on hips, Spike turns a self-satisfied smirk on Twilight, who lies flopped on the ground, ‘bowled over.’ SPIKE (SOMEONE appreciates me!) Well, well, WELL!

25.

FLUTTERSHY Oh my! He talks! I didn’t know dragons could talk! That’s just so incredibly wonderful, I…! Eyes shut in delight, Fluttershy lifts into the air with the sunniest of smiles. But then, Spike is encompassed in an aura of Twilight Sparkle’s magic, which levitates him abruptly onto her back. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Well, in that case, we’d better be going! EXT.

OPEN ROAD - CONTINUOUS

She tries ambling off, but Fluttershy ambles right behind. Wait!

FLUTTERSHY Wait! What’s his name? SPIKE

I’m Spike. FLUTTERSHY Hi, Spike! I’m Fluttershy. Wow, a talking dragon! …And what do dragons talk about? SPIKE Well, what do you want to know? FLUTTERSHY Absolutely everything! Twilight’s eyes POP, before she MOANS in ‘here-we-go-again’ disgust. The other two seem not to have heard. SPIKE Well, I started out as a cute little purple and green egg… EXT.

TWILIGHT’S HOME - DUSK

Hours have passed, and Twilight’s grown surly. She walks with her head hung as Spike blathers on to Fluttershy. SPIKE …And that’s the story of my whole entire life! Well, up until today. Do you want to hear about today?

26.

FLUTTERSHY Oh, yes, please! SPIKE WHOA!!! Twilight wheels around, affecting a smile of fake apology. TWILIGHT SPARKLE I am so sorry! How did we get here so fast? This is where I’m staying while in Ponyville, and my poor baby dragon needs his sleep! They have indeed arrived at Twilight’s new home: the town’s library, which is also a hollowed-out tree. SPIKE No, I don’t… WHOA! To cut off Spike’s protests, Twilight bucks him off her back. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Aw, wook at that! He’s so sweepy, he can’t even keep his widdle bawance! The compassionate Fluttershy sweeps in, scooping the baby into her… well… ‘arms.’ FLUTTERSHY Poor thing! We simply must get him to bed! She enters Twilight’s home. Not liking that one bit, Twilight dashes after and shoves Fluttershy back outside. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Yes, yes… we’ll get right on that! Well, good night! She SLAMS the door on the yellow pegasus. INT.

TWILIGHT’S HOME - DUSK

It is pitch dark. Huh.

We can barely make out Spike or Twilight.

SPIKE Rude, much?

27.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE Sorry, Spike, but I have to convince the princess that Nightmare Moon is coming and we’re running out of time! I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time! Now where’s the light? Someone flips the light on. Twilight finds herself surrounded by a slew of friendly PARTY PONIES. PARTY PONIES

Surprise! Confetti and balloons are released. Twilight Sparkle GROANS wearily.

Party horns are blown. FADE TO BLACK.

28.

ACT THREE INT.

TWILIGHT’S HOME - MOMENTS LATER

Up pops Pinkie Pie; the pony who GASPED at Twilight earlier. PINKIE PIE Surprise! Hi, I’m Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh? Huh? Huh? Pinkie is hyperactivity on four legs; springing around while gabbing nonstop super-fast on a perpetual sugar rush. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quiet. PINKIE PIE Well, that’s silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, borrring! Twilight tries to walk off; Pinkie follows right after her. PINKIE PIE (CONT’D) You see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all “hello!” and I was all “AAAH!” Remember? You see, I never saw you before, and if I never saw you before, that means you’re new, ‘cause I know everypony-Twilight GROANS.

It doesn’t slow Pinkie’s prattle one iota.

PINKIE PIE (CONT’D) --and I mean everypony, in Ponyville, and if you’re new, that means you hadn’t met anyone yet… They’re at the refreshments table. In the manner of one intending to drown her woes, Twilight grabs a brown bottle, mixing its contents into the punch bowl. PINKIE PIE (CONT’D) --and if you hadn’t met anyone yet, then you must not have any friends, and if you don’t have any friends, then you must be lonely and that made me so sad, and I had an idea, and that’s why I went “AAAH!”

29.

Twilight pops a drinking straw into the punch bowl and sips away whilst Pinkie skips about in place. PINKIE PIE (CONT’D) --‘cause I had an idea! I just throw a great, big ginormous superduper spectacular welcome party and invite everyone in Ponyville! In a flash, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Applejack are all at Pinkie’s side, all five radiating camaraderie. PINKIE PIE (CONT’D) See? And now you have lots and lots of friends! As with every other time today that friendship’s been offered her, Twilight’s eyes bulge in alarm. But when she turns to face the others, her normally purple face has reddened. Sweat pours, tears fall, her cheeks balloon as if holding back barf. All with the cartoon sound of a BOILING TEA POT. APPLEJACK Are yew alright, Sugar Cube? Legs kicking, Twilight leaps into the air. Steam shoots from her ears; her tail and mane have turned to FIRE, all with the toon noise of a TRAIN WHISTLE. She RUNS OFF. PINKIE PIE Aw, she’s so happy, she’s crying! As Twilight races up to her bedroom, Spike examines the brown bottle she’d poured in the punch. Its label shows fire. SPIKE Hot sauce! PINKIE PIE Ooh! Reaching over, Pinkie tips the bottle Spike holds over a nearby cupcake, soaking the pastry in hot sauce. Then she tosses it in her mouth, chewing with relish. other four friends behind her are astonished. PINKIE PIE (CONT’D) (speaking through cupcake) Whah? Iff’s good!

The

30.

INT.

TWILIGHT’S BEDROOM - NIGHT

Twilight lies with her head under a pillow, trying to block out the pounding BEAT of party music from downstairs. She glances over at a clock; it’s after eight. Spike enters with a lampshade over his head.

She GROANS.

SPIKE Hey, Twilight! Pinkie Pie’s starting pin-the-tail-on-the-pony! Ya wanna play? TWILIGHT SPARKLE NO! All the ponies in this town are CRAZY! Do you know what time it is?! SPIKE It’s the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration. Every pony has to stay up, or they’ll miss the princess raise the sun! You really should lighten up, Twilight, it’s a party! Eyes rolling again, Twilight mocks Spike’s words childishly. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Bee-bee-BEE-be-dee-dee! She lies back on her pillow. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) Ugh! Here I thought I’d have time to learn about the Elements of Harmony but - silly me! - all this ridiculous friend-making has kept me from it! She rolls over, facing the window. The sight of the full moon fills her with worry. She walks over to gaze at it. Whereas on Earth, we humans have our “Man in the Moon” formed from the lunar surface, Equestria’s moon is darkened by the shadowed visage of Nightmare Moon, horn and all. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) “Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year,” She consults the book she first read the legend in.

31.

TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) “The stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night!” She lowers the book. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) I hope the princess was right! I hope it really is just an old pony tale! SPIKE (O.S.) Come on, Twilight! Twilight turns; Spike and his lampshade are back. SPIKE (CONT’D) It’s time to watch the sun rise! EXT.

TOWN SQUARE - NIGHT

Every pony is heading into the Town Square. INT.

TOWN SQUARE - NIGHT

The place is packed. Some of the Pegasus Ponies are obliged to fly in place, over the Earth Ponies. Pinkie Pie zips up to Twilight Sparkle and Spike. rides on Twilight’s back.

The dragon

PINKIE PIE Isn’t this exciting?! Are you excited ‘cause I’m excited, I’ve never BEEN so excited, well, except for that time I saw you walking into town and I went, “AAAH!” but really, who can top that?! Up ahead, Fluttershy’s BIRD CHOIR whistles out a marvellous approximation of TRUMPET FANFARE. On center stage, a spotlight falls upon the old gray MAYOR OF PONYVILLE. Who is a mare, by the way. MAYOR OF PONYVILLE Fillies and gentlecolts, as Mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!

32.

The whole audience CHEERS! MAYOR OF PONYVILLE (CONT’D) In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! Twilight looks skyward. Only she sees several stars converge around the moon… and then the figure of the ‘Mare In The Moon’ vanishes from the moon’s surface in a bright glimmer. MAYOR OF PONYVILLE (CONT’D) And now it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land… the very pony who gives us the Sun and the Moon each and every day! The good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria…! The Mayor’s certainly gotten her citizens chomping at the bit; they can barely contain their glee! FLUTTERSHY (whispered, to Bird Choir) Ready? MAYOR OF PONYVILLE …Princess Celestia! Up on one of the balconies, Rarity bites down on a long rope, pulling back the curtains just behind her. The spotlight shines on where Celestia OUGHT to be standing… but ISN’T. RARITY Huh?! Uneasy MURMURING ripples through the audience. TWILIGHT SPARKLE This… can’t be good. MAYOR OF PONYVILLE Remain calm, everypony! There MUST be a reasonable explanation! Pinkie Pie hops up and down, sprightly as ever. PINKIE PIE Ooh! Ooh! I love guessing games! Is she hiding?

33.

Pinkie bends straight down, as if she’ll find Celestia on the floor. Rarity speaks from the balcony. RARITY She’s gone! COLLECTIVE GASP from everypony else! PINKIE PIE Oooh, she’s good! Next second, Pinkie spots something that makes her scream! PINKIE PIE (CONT’D) WAAH! Plumes of dark miasma roll up from Celestia’s balcony, spreading higher and thicker! The crowd GASPS in fright! TWILIGHT SPARKLE Oh no… The cloud of miasma rips apart from the middle, exposing the dreaded monster of myth herself… TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) NIGHTMARE MOON! SPIKE Hwwahh! Spike FAINTS dead away. With disdainful delight, the exiled princess addresses the throng. Each syllable of hers drips with sinister irony. NIGHTMARE MOON Oh, my beloved subjects, it’s been so long since I’ve seen your precious little sun-loving faces! Her presence fills all with visible dismay. cower under the table.

The younger ones

RAINBOW DASH (angrily) What did you do to our princess?! Rainbow Dash makes to launch herself at Nightmare Moon, but is held back by Applejack, who clamps down upon her tail. APPLEJACK (Dash’s tail in her mouth) Whoa there, Nelly!

34.

Nightmare Moon LAUGHS WICKEDLY. Why? you?

NIGHTMARE MOON Am I not royal enough for Don’t you know who I am?

PINKIE PIE Ooh! Ooh! More guessing games! Um… Hokey Smokes! How about… Queen Meanie? No! Blacky Sooty! Black Sooty! Applejack shuts her up by shoving an apple in her mouth. Meanwhile, Nightmare Moon rears upon Fluttershy, who can only recoil fearfully as her birds disperse. NIGHTMARE MOON Does my crown no longer count now that I’ve been imprisoned for a thousand years? Next, she veers upon Rarity. NIGHTMARE MOON (CONT’D) Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs? TWILIGHT SPARKLE (O.S.) I did! Nightmare Moon and Rarity glance over at Twilight, surprised. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) And I know who you are! You’re the Mare In The Moon: Nightmare Moon! This revelation prompts another GASP from the other ponies. NIGHTMARE MOON Well, well, well! Somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I’m here. TWILIGHT SPARKLE You’re here to… to…! Twilight GULPS, unable to bring herself to say it. Moon LAUGHS. NIGHTMARE MOON Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. (MORE)

Nightmare

35. NIGHTMARE MOON (CONT'D) From this moment forth, the NIGHT will last FOREVER!

Coils of dark haze swirl over Nightmare Moon’s head as she belts out an unbridled, witch-like CACKLE OF VICTORY. NIGHTMARE MOON (CONT’D) AH-HA-HA-HA-HA! AH-HA-HA-HA-HA! LIGHTNING cracks and THUNDER booms, as Twilight and all the other ponies behold the triumphant tyrant. CUT TO: TITLE CARD: To Be Continued… FADE OUT. ROLL CREDITS.