MY LITTLE PONY: FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC EPISODE 2 FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC: PART 2
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 TITLE CARD:
Previously, on My Little Pony
We begin with a RECAP MONTAGE of the previous episode. INT.
CANTERLOT LIBRARY - DAY
Twilight Sparkle looks through the book of predictions. TWILIGHT SPARKLE “Elements Of Harmony…” see “Mare In The Moon?” SPIKE But that’s just an old pony’s tale! JUMP CUT TO: TWILIGHT SPARKLE She will bring about nighttime eternal! It’s imperative that the Princess is told right away! JUMP CUT TO: Spike BURPS!
Celestia’s letter appears!
TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) I knew she would want to take immediate action! JUMP CUT TO: EXT.
PEGASUS CHARIOT - DAY
Spike’s reading Celestia’s letter. SPIKE “My dear Twilight, there is more to a young pony’s life than studying!” JUMP CUT TO: SPIKE (CONT’D) “Make some friends!” JUMP CUT TO:
2.
EXT.
PONYVILLE - DAY
Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle have just met!
PINKIE GASPS!
JUMP CUT TO: INT.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE’S BEDROOM - NIGHT TWILIGHT SPARKLE All the ponies in this town are CRAZY! JUMP CUT TO:
Twilight Sparkle looks at the Mare In The Moon. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) I hope the princess was right! JUMP CUT TO: INT.
TOWN SQUARE - NIGHT
The spotlight shines upon the Princess, missing in action! RARITY She’s gone! JUMP CUT TO: Nightmare Moon has appeared! Oh no!
TWILIGHT SPARKLE Nightmare Moon!
NIGHTMARE MOON AH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA! CUE OPENING INT.
TOWN SQUARE - NIGHT
We pick up where we left off last episode; Nightmare Moon on Celestia’s balcony, CACKLING beneath a swirling vortex. NIGHTMARE MOON AH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HAH!!! MAYOR OF PONYVILLE Seize her! Only she knows where the princess is!
3.
A trio of Armored Pegasi take to the air, flying at Nightmare Moon, who rears on her hind legs. NIGHTMARE MOON Stand back, you foals! Her eyes glow bright white as she LAUGHS again. NIGHTMARE MOON (CONT’D) AH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA! Bolts of lightning strike every Pegasus down. Then the dark vortex cocoons Nightmare Moon. From within it, she billows out the front door as a dark gush of fog. The other ponies are in a PANIC; except for RAINBOW DASH, who finally pulls free of Applejack biting on her tail. RAINBOW DASH Come back here! EXT.
TOWN SQUARE - NIGHT
She chases after the Nightmare Wisp, but it’s far too fast to catch. Dash is left flying in place, watching it speed away. RAINBOW DASH Nighttime… forever? She looks downward at the sound of CLOPPING HOOVES; Twilight is racing purposefully out the door, Spike on her back. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) Where’s SHE going? INT.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE’S HOME - NIGHT
Spike has been placed in his bed; a basket with a pillow and blanket. He’s having troubled dreams, and fidgets in bed. SPIKE (comes awake) We gotta stop Nightmare! Just as suddenly, he falls back asleep, MUTTERING INDISTINCTLY. Twilight tosses another blanket over his body. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (tenderly) You’ve been up all night, Spike. You are a baby dragon, after all.
4.
As he SNORES SOFTLY, Twilight exits, shutting the lights. Then she causes something to CRASH in the next room over. INT.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE’S LIBRARY - NIGHT
Twilight is levitating books all over again, frantic to find the correct one. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Elements… elements… elements…! Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?! Next second, she’s nose-to-nose with a scowling Rainbow Dash, flying in her face like an angry bee, even as she backs away. RAINBOW DASH And just what ARE the Elements of Harmony? And how did YOU know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you a SPY?! WHOA!!! Rainbow Dash is jerked backward. She glares over her shoulder, finding her tail back in Applejack’s mouth. APPLEJACK Simmer down, Sally. She ain’t no spy… Behind Applejack comes Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity. All five converge around Twilight. It’s time for answers. APPLEJACK (CONT’D) …But she sure knows what’s goin’ on. Don’t cha, Twilight? TWILIGHT SPARKLE (after a pause) I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon. Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don’t know what they are… where to find them… I don’t even know what they do! PINKIE PIE The Elements Of Harmony: A Reference Guide. They look over; Pinkie is at a bookshelf, reading the title of the book they need! Twilight knocks her over to get it.
5.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE How did you find it?! Pinkie SKIPS ABOUT blithely. PINKIE PIE (singsong) It was under E! TWILIGHT SPARKLE Oh. She levitates it over and opens it using magic. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) (reading aloud from book) “There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery.” Our camera suddenly PANS BACKWARDS, through a shut window. EXT.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE’S HOME - NIGHT
Turns out there is a spy: Nightmare Moon, still in the form of that spectral WISP, listening and watching at the window. TWILIGHT SPARKLE “It is said that the last known location of the five Elements was in the Ancient Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters.” Like a grim ghost, the Wisp whisks away. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) “It is located in what is now…” A shaky tremble comes to Twilight’s voice. MATCH CUT TO: EXT.
EVERFREE THRESHOLD - NIGHT ALL SIX …The EVERFREE FOREST!
The six ponies now stand at the border of the Everfree Forest. Behind them: safe, flowery Ponyville. Ahead: spooky, twisted, untamed wilds.
6.
Whee!
PINKIE PIE Let’s go!
She steps forward a few paces, but stops at Twilight’s voice. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Not so fast! Look, I appreciate the offer, but I’d really rather do this on my own. APPLEJACK No can do, Sugar Cube. We sure ain’t lettin’ any friend of ours go into that creepy place alone. We’re stickin’ ta yew like caramel on a candy apple. Everyone EXCEPT Pinkie trots on ahead of Twilight. RARITY + RAINBOW DASH + FLUTTERSHY Mmm-hmm! PINKIE PIE Especially if there’s candy apples in there! A beat as Twilight gives Pinkie a blank look. What?
PINKIE PIE (CONT’D) Those things are good!
Then she trots into the forest.
SIGHING, Twilight follows.
PAN UP, showing the starry sky.
PAN DOWN showing…
EXT.
EVERFREE FOREST - NIGHT
All six, walking down a forest path. TWILIGHT SPARKLE So… none of you have been in here before? RARITY Heavens, no! Just look at it! It’s dreadful! APPLEJACK And it ain’t natural! At this very moment, the six ponies are walking along the top of a STEEP MOUNTAINOUS DROP.
7.
Unseen, the Wisp that is Nightmare Moon seeps into the cracks of the rock face under their feet, like some malevolent gas. APPLEJACK (O.S.) (CONT’D) Folks say it don’t work the same as Equestria! TWILIGHT SPARKLE (O.S.) What’s that supposed to mean? Back above, a grinning Rainbow Dash flutters out of the shadows all ooky-spooky, as though telling ghost stories. RAINBOW DASH Noooo-pooony knoooows! Fluttershy, Pinkie and Rarity all freeze up. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) Ya know why? Rainbow!
APPLEJACK Quit it!
Surprisingly catlike, Dash treads up to the other three, slinking up stealthily, with a impish grin. RAINBOW DASH ‘Cause everypony who’s even come in… has never… come… OUT! Dash finishes on a jump scare - literally jumping in front of their faces - and then the ground breaks away underneath! Being winged, Dash and Fluttershy are okay. FALL DOWN THE MOUNTAINSIDE, SCREAMING.
The other four
The Wisp floats away, unseen. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) Fluttershy, QUICK! She dives down to her friends’ rescue. FLUTTERSHY Ohmygoodnessohmygoodness! Fluttershy follows. EXT.
CLIFFSIDE - NIGHT
The four wingless ponies are all sliding down the slick, rough, rocky, slanted surface; none are in ‘free-fall.’
8.
RARITY WAAAAHH!! Rainbow Dash lifts Pinkie Pie, flying her up towards safety. Fluttershy grabs Rarity by the tail. Applejack manages to halt her fall by clamping down upon a thick root poking out of the rock wall. TWILIGHT SPARKLE AAAAH! Twilight’s not so lucky; she slides further down, only JUST stopping herself where she’s dangling over a sheer precipice. EXT.
SHEER PRECIPICE - CONTINUOUS
Applejack releases her root. Hold on!
APPLEJACK Ah’m a-comin’!
She slides over to Twilight, who tries kicking herself back over the precipice’s edge with her back legs, to no avail. Applejack!
TWILIGHT SPARKLE What do I do?!
They’re both holding onto each other as best as their front hooves can manage. Applejack glances at something above her. APPLEJACK Let go. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Are you crazy?! It is a long, LONG drop to the bottom. APPLEJACK No Ah ain’t. Ah promise you’ll be safe. TWILIGHT SPARKLE That’s not true! APPLEJACK Now listen here! What Ah’m sayin’ to yew is the honest truth: let go and you’ll be safe. Applejack’s earnestness wins out over Twilight’s pragmatism. Twilight’s eyes swim with emotion. She lets go.
9.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE Yaaah! In seconds, she’s caught by Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) Phew. Then she almost slips from Fluttershy’s shaky grasp. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) Waahh!! FLUTTERSHY Sorry, girls! I’m not used to holding anything more than a bunny or two! Rarity and Pinkie Pie are already at the bottom. Twilight sees Applejack’s doing fine by herself: leaping from rock ledge to rock ledge to join her friends. The Wisp, seeing them alive, coils through the air and imbeds itself into the body of a large, monstrous beast, further ahead. It ROARS in pain. FADE TO BLACK.
10.
ACT TWO EXT.
EVERFREE FOREST - DAY
The six ponies are walking, while Rainbow Dash is reliving her most recent moment of glory. She starts off-screen. RAINBOW DASH (O.S.) And once Pinkie and Rarity were safe - WHOOSH! From behind the other five, Dash weaves through the air, flying to the head of the line by Twilight’s left side. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) Me and Fluttershy looped-the-loop around… She flips herself, like a coin, over by Twilight’s right. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) …Then WHAM! Caught ya right in the nick of time! Dash lands proudly, walking alongside Twilight. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Yes, Rainbow, I was there. And I’m very grateful. But we gotta… The Monster slams its heavy paws down in front of the ponies! TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) (she GASPS) A manticore! The MANTICORE is a lion with a scorpion’s tail and bat wings. It ROARS, claws spread wide! TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) We’ve got to get past him! Fluttershy looks distressed. The Manticore jumps at Rarity, swiping at her. and counters with two back hooves in his face.
She ducks,
RARITY Take that, you ruffian! The beast ROARS in her face so powerfully, that her mane is ruined bad as Twilight’s, back when they both first met.
11.
RARITY (CONT’D) My hair! Rarity hears the thunder of galloping hooves, sees the Manticore up-close, and gives a scared little jump. RARITY (CONT’D) Wah! Rarity sprints away and the Manticore gives chase. FLUTTERSHY (rather faint) Wait! Fluttershy’s voice comes too faint to be heard. She’s such a truly soft-spoken thing, it takes her real EFFORT to yell. The Manticore suddenly stops, with a roar of surprise. Applejack has climbed atop the beast’s head. Yee-HAW! doggies!
APPLEJACK Git along, little
The Manticore hops around, trying to buck her like a Bronco. FLUTTERSHY Wait! After a few hops, it succeeds in throwing Applejack off. APPLEJACK Whoa! While in midair, Applejack spots Rainbow Dash. APPLEJACK (CONT’D) All yours, pardner! RAINBOW DASH I’m on it! Saluting Applejack, Dash whizzes towards the Manticore. FLUTTERSHY (ever-so-slightly louder) Wait! Zooming right past Fluttershy, Dash whips a rainbow tornado around the Manticore. But it lashes out at JUST the right moment with its great scorpion tail…
12.
RAINBOW DASH Yah! TWILIGHT SPARKLE Rainbow! And she’s swatted to the ground. Twilight snarls at the Manticore. It GROWLS, dragging its claws challengingly across the ground. Applejack and Twilight each slide one front hoof across the dirt as well; an equine show of aggression. Twilight snorts out a thin line of steam. Twilight leads the charge, four of her friends her, all galloping… save Pinkie, who hops like after a fleeing pussycat. [NOTE: The Pepe Hop Pinkie Pie just DOES, every now and then. Get
right behind Pepe Le Pew is something used to it.]
FLUTTERSHY WAAAAAIIIITTT!!! Fluttershy throws herself between the beast and her friends, who all stop, flabbergasted. Smiling, she approaches the SNARLING Manticore, who lifts his claws to strike. The other ponies shut their eyes. FLUTTERSHY (O.S.) (CONT’D) (soothing and motherly) Sssh… it’s okay. Warily, the ponies each open one eye. Fluttershy nuzzles the Manticore’s other paw. He flips it over, showing a rather large THORN embedded within it. FLUTTERSHY (CONT’D) Aww, you poor, poor little baby. RAINBOW DASH “Little?” FLUTTERSHY Now, this might hurt for juuust a second. She bites down on the thorn and pulls it out. The Manticore PICKS HER UP in its arms, ROARING in her face. OTHER FIVE PONIES Fluttershy!
13.
Then the Manticore is licking Fluttershy’s mane affectionately, while PURRING. She GIGGLES. FLUTTERSHY Aw, you’re just a little ol’ baby kitty, yes-you-are! Yes-you-are! Seeing that the Manticore’s lost interest in fighting them, the other ponies trot right past. Twilight waits for Fluttershy, whose mane has been slicked back by the licking. TWILIGHT SPARKLE How did you know about the thorn? FLUTTERSHY I didn’t. Sometimes, we all need to be shown a little kindness. PAN BACK TO: The thorn. It spins around, transforming back into the Nightmare Wisp to glide ahead past its enemies. EXT.
EVERFREE FOREST - NIGHT
They’re in a murkier part of the forest.
Rarity shudders.
RARITY Ewww! My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck! EXT.
DARKENED WOODS - CONTINUOUS
As they walk on, the sky and moonlight vanish under a shadowy canopy of tree branches, plunging the ponies into darkness. RARITY Well, I didn’t mean that literally. TWILIGHT SPARKLE That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces and we wouldn’t even know it! The Wisp undulates right under all their feet, as they all break out into confused hubbub. ALL SIX (overlapping, ad lib) Well, I didn’t see you there! / I’m sorry! / Ugh! / Whoops, my apologies! / I’m here! / etc, etc.
14.
The Wisp trails up, sinking itself into the trees. APPLEJACK Oh, wait… Ah think Ah stepped in somethin’. She lifts a foreleg, coated in mud.
Fluttershy SCREAMS!
FLUTTERSHY AAAAIIIEEE! APPLEJACK It’s just mud. Then Applejack sees what she really screamed at: a tree that’s GLOWING, its bark looks like ANGRY EYES, and it has GAPING MOUTH HOLES with SHARP WOODEN TEETH in them! APPLEJACK (CONT’D) Yaah! Applejack leaps away! But in every direction the six ponies look, they see more monster trees! THEY SNARL with great TOOTHY MAWS! They COMPLETELY SURROUND THEM! ALL SIX AAAAAHHH!!! FADE TO BLACK.
15.
ACT THREE EXT.
DARKENED WOODS - MOMENTS LATER
We return from our commercial break with Our Heroines packed together, SCREAMING their little pony lungs out! OTHER FIVE PONIES AAAAAAAHHH!!!
PINKIE PIE (O.S.) Hee hee ha ha ha!!!!
OTHER FIVE PONIES Huh? Except, inexplicably, for Pinkie Pie, who GIGGLES at the trees like they were dopey props at a Halloween party. She pulls several SILLY FACES at the trees. PINKIE PIE (pulling faces) Bleh! Pwooo! Blulululu! ha, ha, ha!
Ha, ha
TWILIGHT SPARKLE Pinkie, what are you doing?!
Run!
A strand of MUSIC kicks in as Pinkie BREAKS INTO SONG. PINKIE PIE Oh, girls, don’t you see? (singing) When I was a little filly and the sun was going dooowwwwwn…! TWILIGHT SPARKLE Tell me she’s not… PINKIE PIE (singing) The darkness and the shadows they Would always make me frooooowwwn! RARITY She is. Pinkie HOPS about behind her other five friends. PINKIE PIE (singing) I’d hide under my pillow From what I thought I’d saw! But Granny Pie said That wasn’t the way To deal with fears at all!
16.
RAINBOW DASH Then what is?! Pinkie hops up to one of the monster trees. PINKIE PIE (singing) She said, “Pinkie, You gotta stand up tall, Learn to face your fears! You’ll see that they can’t hurt you Just laugh and make them disappear! Ha, ha, ha! And in a pink POOF, the Monster Tree is just a regular tree! OTHER FIVE PONIES [GASP!] PINKIE PIE (singing) Sooo… Giggle at the ghosties! Guffaw at the grossies! Crack up at the creepies! Whoop it up with the weepies! Chortle at the pukies, Snortle at the spookies… With each line of the song, each one of Pinkie’s friends LAUGHS at a monster tree, changing it back to normal, until the ponies are all doing it as a group. PINKIE PIE (CONT’D) (singing) And tell that big dumb scary face To take a hike and leave you alone And if he thinks he can scare you He’s got another thing coming And the very idea of such a thing Just makes you wanna… HAHAHAHAHA! POOF!
POOF!
POOF!
POOF!
The Monster Trees are all gone.
PINKIE PIE (CONT’D) (singing) LAAAUUUGGGHH!!! Overcome by hilarity, all six fall to the ground, just yuckin’ it up in merry peals of madcap LAUGHTER.
17.
EXT.
SERPENT’S RIVER - NIGHT
Pinkie and the others emerge from behind a bush, still GIGGLING… up until they reach the banks of a LARGE VIOLENTLY TURBULENT river: they can’t laugh this away. PINKIE PIE How are we gonna cross this?! RIVER SERPENT (O.S.) OOOH-HOO-HOO-HOO-HOO! PINKIE PIE Huh? Following the noise of HYSTERICAL, EFFEMINATE SOBBING, they find a giant SERPENT, (like a Chinese dragon) in the river. His luxuriant hair has been gelled back lavishly… but one half of his equally dandy mustache is just a stump! RIVER SERPENT Boo-hoo-hoo! What a world! world!
What a
He THRASHES about with the whole of his gargantuan body, CHURNING the river up to a raging FRENZY. As long as he’s upset, the water will remain too dangerous to cross. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Excuse me, sir, why are you crying? RIVER SERPENT Well, I don’t know… I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off! He bends and points so the ponies can see the mustache stump. RIVER SERPENT (CONT’D) And NOW… I look SIMPLY HORRID! FLOUNCING back onto his river, the distraught Serpent splashes a huge wave over them all. Now they’re sopping wet. RAINBOW DASH Oh, gimme a break! APPLEJACK That’s what all the fuss is about?
18.
RARITY Why, of course it is! be so insensitive?!
How can you
Nose lifted at her boorish companions, Rarity goes to the Serpent, who lays with his head plopped dourly on the shore. RARITY (CONT’D) Why, just look at him! Such lovely, luminescent scales! The Serpent smiles as Rarity pats his scales. RIVER SERPENT (sniffles) I know! RARITY Your expertly coiffed mane! The Serpent sits up, slicking back his hair with a hand. RIVER SERPENT Oh, I know, I know! RARITY Your fabulous manicure! RIVER SERPENT (sharp breath of delight) It’s so TRUE! RARITY All ruined without your beautiful mustache. RIVER SERPENT (upset all over again) It’s TRUE! I’m HIDEOUS! Rarity’s eyes narrow in resolution. RARITY I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulousity go uncorrected! Then she reaches over, BITING OFF one of the Serpent’s scales. OW!
RIVER SERPENT What’d you do THAT for?!
Rarity lifts the scale: long as a machete and just as sharp.
19.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE Rarity, what are you… SHINK! We do not see the blade descend, only the wide, thunderstruck eyes of Rarity’s friends. RIVER SERPENT (swooning) Oaaaooaaaahhh!!! The River Serpent faints.
Rarity has chopped off her tail.
With her unicorn magic, she levitates the tail to the Serpent’s face, binding it to his mustache stump. RIVER SERPENT (CONT’D) (exultant) OOH-HOO-HOO-HOO-HOO! My mustache! How WONDERFUL! RARITY You look smashing! TWILIGHT SPARKLE Oh, Rarity! Your beautiful tail! RARITY Oh… it’s fine, my dear! Short tails are in, this season. Besides, it’ll grow back. RAINBOW DASH So, with the mustache… They look over.
The river’s gone still and placid.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE We can cross now! Let’s go! (beat) WHOA! She starts treading through the waters, but SHOUTS in shock as the Serpent’s body rises up from under her hooves. RIVER SERPENT (gracious as can be) Allow me! He’s offering his body as a stepping-stone bridge. The ponies make good on the offer, hopping from coil to coil to reach the river’s other side.
20.
EXT.
BROKEN BRIDGE - NIGHT
Twilight spots the Ancient Castle, just up ahead! TWILIGHT SPARKLE There it is! The ruin that holds the Elements of Harmony! We made it! She happily charges ahead. Twilight!
APPLEJACK Wait for us!
TWILIGHT SPARKLE We’re almost there…! WHOAA!! For the second time tonight, she finds herself dangling over a precipice. There’s a wooden-plank bridge she needs to cross to reach the castle, but it’s BROKEN. Rainbow Dash pulls Twilight back by the tail. RAINBOW DASH What’s with you and falling off cliffs today? PINKIE PIE NOW what? RAINBOW DASH Duh! Fluttering her wings at Pinkie, she flies down the chasm. PINKIE PIE Oh yeah! Below, Dash grabs the broken end of the bridge, then flies over to the chasm’s opposite side to reattach it. SHADOWBOLT (O.S.) (ghostly voice) Rainbow… The Wisp wafts past Dash’s feet as she turns to hear who’s called her. Mysterious FOG builds around her. RAINBOW DASH Who’s there?! SHADOWBOLT (O.S.) Rainbow…
21.
She rears on her hind legs, punching the air with her front hooves like a shadowboxing boxer. RAINBOW DASH I ain’t scared of you! Show yourself! SHADOWBOLT (O.S.) We’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flier in Equestria! RAINBOW DASH Who? SHADOWBOLT (O.S.) Why, you, of course! RAINBOW DASH Really?! I mean, “Oh yeah! Me!” Hey, uh, you wouldn’t mind telling the Wonderbolts that, would ya? ‘Cause I’ve been trying to get into that group for, like, EVER! SHADOWBOLT (O.S.) No, Rainbow Dash, we want you to join US. Three Pegasus ponies gallop out from the mists. does ALL the talking for the other two.
One of them
SHADOWBOLT (CONT’D) The Shadowbolts! The Shadowbolts are darker versions of Dash’s beloved Wonderbolts. Dash frowns in confusion… who’re THESE guys? SHADOWBOLT (CONT’D) We’re the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in ALL EQUESTRIA. But first, we need a captain. Rainbow Dash GRINS in goofy glee, eating it all up. The Shadowbolt circles her slowly like a low-flying vulture. SHADOWBOLT (CONT’D) The most magnificent… RAINBOW DASH Yep!
22.
SHADOWBOLT Swiftest… RAINBOW DASH Yes! SHADOWBOLT …Bravest flier in all the land! RAINBOW DASH It’s all true!
Yes!
SHADOWBOLT We need…! (whispers in Dash’s ear) …YOU. Dash leaps ten feet into the air, wings beating. RAINBOW DASH WOO-HOO! Sign me up! Just let me tie this bridge real quick, and then we have a deal! She lands by the bridge, but the Shadowbolt BOLTS over.
NO!
SHADOWBOLT It’s THEM or US!
Dash flinches away from their venomous glowers. Rainbow!
TWILIGHT SPARKLE What’s taking so long?
Spotting the Shadowbolts, Twilight figures out what’s amiss. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) Oh no… RAINBOW! The lead Shadowbolt turns, eyes GLOWING, and Dash’s friends are all ENSHROUDED in fog, voices muffling beneath it! TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) (voice fading) Don’t listen to them! SHADOWBOLT Well? Dash weighs her options. RAINBOW DASH You.
23.
The lead Shadowbolt smiles coldly. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) Thank you… for the offer, I mean. She zips to the bridge, securing the rope. RAINBOW DASH (CONT’D) But I’m afraid I have to say no. Rainbow Dash flies off to rejoin her friends. Thwarted, the three Shadowbolts turn into Wisps, which all merge together into one larger Wisp that drifts towards the castle. On the other side, Dash strike a pose as her friends CHEER her return. OTHER FIVE PONIES (overlapping, ad lib) Yee-haw! / Yeah / We’re almost there! / Good job, Rainbow! Dash flies beside Twilight as they head across. RAINBOW DASH See? I’d never leave my friends hanging! Twilight smiles brightly: this ‘friendship’ thing is actually pretty sweet! They all head for the Ancient Castle. INT.
SANCTUM OF THE ELEMENTS - NIGHT
They enter a dusty, time-ravaged room where five stone globes sit upon a very high altar of some sort. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Whoa… APPLEJACK C’mon, Twilight, isn’t this what you’ve been waitin’ for? TWILIGHT SPARKLE The Elements of Harmony! We’ve found them! Fluttershy and Dash fly up, each bringing an Element down to Twilight Sparkle, grabbing them awkwardly in all hooves. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) Careful, careful…
24.
PINKIE PIE One, two, three, four… there’s only five! Fluttershy brings the last Element down to Twilight. RAINBOW DASH Where’s the sixth? Twilight goes down on her haunches. TWILIGHT SPARKLE The book said when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth Element to appear! APPLEJACK What’n the hay is THAT supposed to mean? TWILIGHT SPARKLE I’m not sure, but I have an idea. Stand back. I don’t know what will happen! Her eyes shut. back away.
Magic alights atop her horn as the others
APPLEJACK C’mon, now, y’all, she needs ta concentrate. Twilight’s friends leave the room. This is when the Nightmare Wisp makes its moves, snaking itself around the Elements, spinning itself into a high furious tornado that lifts them into the air! TWILIGHT SPARKLE (opens her eyes) AAH! INT.
SANCTUM ANTECHAMBER - CONTINUOUS
From the next room over, her friends hear her yell. OTHER FIVE PONIES Twilight!
25.
INT.
SANCTUM OF THE ELEMENTS - NIGHT TWILIGHT SPARKLE The Elements!
She jumps into the tornado after the Elements and they all DISAPPEAR, teleported to who-knows-where. Her friends rush into the room, finding it empty. OTHER FIVE PONIES (overlapping, ad lib) What? / Where did she go? / What happened? / What’s going on? / Huh? FADE TO BLACK.
26.
ACT FOUR INT.
SANCTUM OF THE ELEMENTS - MOMENTS LATER
Several of the others race around the room in blind panic. Twilight!
APPLEJACK Where are yew?! RARITY (O.S.)
Look! From a window, Rarity sees LIGHT BLAZING out of every window and doorway of another part of this castle: the Throne Room. APPLEJACK Come on! They charge out. INT.
LUNA’S THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
In a sphere of light, Twilight materializes on the floor. TWILIGHT SPARKLE [COUGHS A LITTLE] (looks up) [GASP!!] It’s Nightmare Moon, back in the flesh. held aloft in her phantasmal mane.
The Elements are
NIGHTMARE MOON AH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA…! Lightning cracks down from all sides. Twilight GASPS… then iron resolve fills her. head… STAMPING her hoof in building fury.
She lowers her
NIGHTMARE MOON (CONT’D) (you pathetic insect) You’re kidding. You’re kidding, right? STAMP. STAMP. Twilight CHARGES, horn shining brilliantly! Nightmare Moon lowers her own head. Like jousters, the two ponies RACE forward, horns aimed at one another! A shimmering ball of magic CHARGES UP on Twilight’s horn, brighter and brighter, bigger and bigger!
27.
The magic SWALLOWS Twilight Sparkle, and she disappears! Nightmare Moon halts in surprise, and turns. Twilight has teleported herself a few feet away, over by the Elements! She GROANS in discomfort, then lowers her horn. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (whispered) Just one spark! Come on! Come on! The Elements all glow in tandem with Twilight’s horn. The furious Nightmare Moon transforms back into a Wisp, reforming by Twilight. Electricity CRACKLES between the Elements, and into Twilight, who gets SHOCKED. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) AAAH!! Nightmare Moon stands in the middle of the Elements… which seem to be reactivating! NIGHTMARE MOON No!
NO!
Twilight smiles… but then the Elements power down. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (GASPS, then says) But… where’s the sixth Element?! NIGHTMARE MOON Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Rearing back high, Nightmare Moon brings her hooves down with POWERFUL FORCE. The shockwave SHATTERS the ancient globes. NIGHTMARE MOON (CONT’D) You little FOAL! Thinking you could defeat ME?! Now, you will never see your princess or your sun! Nightmare Moon’s mane rises up like a great blue bonfire. NIGHTMARE MOON (CONT’D) The night will last FOREVER!!! AHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!! The vortex reforms over the fiendish mare. OTHER FIVE PONIES (O.S.) We’re coming, Twilight! / We’ll be there! / Don’t worry! / Etc.
28.
Twilight’s ears perk as her friends’ approaching voices reverberate through the throne room’s entrance. TWILIGHT SPARKLE [GASP OF REALIZATION!] Her pupils first contract… then EXPAND TO THEIR FULLEST. telltale SPARK of epiphany flashes in her wide pupils.
A
TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) (turns on Nightmare Moon) You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that?! Well, you’re wrong! Because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here! BOOM! Her friends are there. The stony shards of the broken Elements shudder with life and float around Nightmare Moon. NIGHTMARE MOON WHAT?! FLASHBACK TO: EXT.
SHEER PRECIPICE - NIGHT
Twilight remembers Applejack helping her on the precipice. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (V.O.) Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of HONESTY! INT.
LUNA’S THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
Back in present day, some of the floating Element shards encircle Applejack. FLASHBACK TO: EXT.
EVERFREE FOREST - NIGHT
Twilights remembers the Manticore licking Fluttershy. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (V.O.) Fluttershy, who tamed the Manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of KINDNESS!
29.
INT.
LUNA’S THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
Fluttershy’s quite surprised when shard circle her, as well. FLASHBACK TO: EXT.
DARKENED WOODS - NIGHT
Twilight remembers Pinkie Pie pulling faces at the Trees. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (V.O.) Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of LAUGHTER! INT.
LUNA’S THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
Pinkie jumps for joy as she receives her shards. EXT.
SERPENT’S RIVER - NIGHT TWILIGHT SPARKLE (V.O.) Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift represents the spirit of GENEROSITY!
INT.
LUNA’S THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
Rarity just smiles down at her shards. EXT.
BROKEN BRIDGE - NIGHT
Twilight remembers Dash turning down the Shadowbolts’ offer. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (V.O.) And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart’s desire, represents the spirit of LOYALTY! INT.
LUNA’S THRONE ROOM - NIGHT
Elemental shards now orbit all of Twilight’s fine friends.
30.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE The spirits of these five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us! NIGHTMARE MOON You still don’t have the sixth Element! The spark didn’t work! TWILIGHT SPARKLE But it did! A different kind of spark! I felt it the moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you! Tears pool in Twilight’s eyes as she faces the others. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) The spark ignited inside me when I realized you all…! She turns back upon Nightmare Moon again. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) …Are MY FRIENDS! A sixth, unbroken stone globe forms over Twilight’s head. Nightmare Moon must shield herself from its glow with a wing. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (CONT’D) You see, Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are united by the… the ‘spark’ that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the sixth element: The Element of MAGIC! Shining with the radiance of a sun, the Element of Magic engulfs the six friends! The other shattered Elements fuse together into jeweled necklaces around the five friends’ necks, while Twilight’s element reforms into a crown upon her head! The Elements gleam with power, then DISCHARGE a double helix rainbow, which spirals up, conjoins near the ceiling, and descends upon Nightmare Moon! NIGHTMARE MOON NOOOOO!!!! The Rainbow beam swirls around her; she rears back, kicking her forelegs in despair as the rainbow builds into an impenetrable cyclone.
31.
Twilight’s friends all float angelically, eyes shut, power coursing through their necklaces. Twilight opens her eyes: a surreal, godly glow…! FADE TO WHITE. INT.
LUNA’S THRONE ROOM - MOMENTS LATER
The six friends lay haphazardly upon the floor.
They awaken.
RAINBOW DASH Ohh… my head! APPLEJACK Everypony okay? RARITY (O.S.) Oh, thank goodness! Rarity’s tail is back!
She’s pleased as punch!
FLUTTERSHY Why, Rarity, it’s so lovely! I know! again!
RARITY I’ll never part with it
FLUTTERSHY No, your necklace! It looks just like your cutie mark! They’re all still wearing their necklaces, as well. RARITY So does yours! Fluttershy GASPS in delight.
Pinkie hops to Applejack.
PINKIE PIE Look at mine! Look at mine! RAINBOW DASH Aw, YEAH! APPLEJACK Gee, Twilight, Ah thought yew were just spoutin’ a lotta hooey, but Ah reckon we really do represent the Elements of Friendship! PRINCESS CELESTIA (O.S.) Indeed you do.
32.
INT.
LUNA’S THRONE ROOM - DAWN
Day breaks. As the Sun rises past a window, PRINCESS CELESTIA appears. Twilight’s friends drop to a kneel. TWILIGHT SPARKLE (jubilant) Princess Celestia! PRINCESS CELESTIA Twilight Sparkle, my faithful student! They snuggle up to each other in a pony equivalent of a hug. PRINCESS CELESTIA (CONT’D) I knew you could do it. TWILIGHT SPARKLE But… you told me it was all an old pony tale! PRINCESS CELESTIA I told you that you needed to make some friends, nothing more. I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon’s return, and I knew it was you who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart. Now if only another will, as well. The armor of Nightmare Moon lays broken and smoldering on the floor. Nightmare Moon has diminished into her smaller, vulnerable original self: PRINCESS CELESTIA (O.S.) (CONT’D) Princess Luna! LUNA comes awaken with a dismayed GASP as her elder sister walks up to her. PRINCESS CELESTIA (CONT’D) It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this. Luna clenches her eyes, expecting Celestia to put her to death. Instead, her elder sister goes down on her haunches. PRINCESS CELESTIA (CONT’D) Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister.
33.
TWILIGHT SPARKLE + FRIENDS “Sister?!” Celestia stands. PRINCESS CELESTIA Will you accept my friendship? Twilight and her friends lean forward, anxious to hear Luna’s response. Pinkie leans a bit too far and topples forward. PINKIE PIE Whooah! At last, Luna rises and embraces Celestia. between the royal sisters.
Tears fall freely
PRINCESS LUNA I’m so sorry! I missed you so much, big sister! PRINCESS CELESTIA I’ve missed you too! Then comes the FLATULENT noise of a nose being blown in a hanky. Pinkie’s weeping is like two gushing water hoses. PINKIE PIE [BAWLING] (BRIGHTENS immediately) Hey, you know what this calls for? EXT.
PONYVILLE - DAY
Pinkie Pie tosses confetti. PINKIE PIE A party! The ponies of Ponyville race joyfully through the streets. Luna and Celestia descend on the Pegasus Chariot. Spike pushes through the crowd, hugging Twilight wildly. All of Ponyville bows before Celestia. A pair of baby pegasus place a garland of roses over Luna’s neck. Luna smiles at Celestia. Only Twilight looks unhappy.
34.
PRINCESS CELESTIA Why so glum, my faithful student? Are you not happy your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot? TWILIGHT SPARKLE That’s just it… just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, I have to leave them. Celestia smiles down as her student looks forlornly at her newfound friends. Parting is such sweet sorrow. PRINCESS CELESTIA Spike, take a note, please. With quill and parchment, Spike proceeds to write. PRINCESS CELESTIA (CONT’D) I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn, Twilight Sparkle, shall take on a new mission for Equestria: She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report, to me, her findings from her new home in Ponyville. Twilight’s friends are ecstatic, bunching around her. OTHER FIVE PONIES Oh wow! / This is great! / Etc. TWILIGHT SPARKLE Oh, thank you, Princess Celestia! I’ll study harder than ever before! OTHER FIVE PONIES Yay!!! We pan out from Ponyville, closing on an IRIS WIPE, but then, Pinkie Pie pops up again through the circle. PINKIE PIE (speaking to our viewers) Isn’t this exciting?! Are you excited, ‘cause I’m excited, I’ve never BEEN so excited, well, except for that one time where I went AAAH! But really… FADE OUT.
