FATHER OF THE BRIDLEWOOD
Written by Kelly Lynne D’Angelo
Executive producers: Olivier Dumont, Randi Yaffa, Cort Lane
Story editing by Gillian Berrow
Supervising direction by Will Lau
Directed by Randi Rodrigues
Transcribed by Alan Back (ajback@yahoo.com)
Note: Aside from any previously named characters, all mentions of ponies in
Bridlewood or Zephyr Heights refer to unicorns or pegasi, respectively.
Lines marked with one asterisk (*) are amplified by a sound system.
Prologue
(Opening shot: a stretch of treetops and cheery daytime sky in Bridlewood, the camera angled up from the ground to catch a couple of butterflies in flight. Tilt down to frame Pipp Petals, Zipp Storm, and Queen Haven standing and talking on a path through a clearing, then pan to bring five others into view a short distance away—Sunny Starscout, Hitch Trailblazer, Izzy Moonbow, Alphabittle Blossomforth, and Misty. The big stallion chuckles to himself as the camera shifts to show them all just outside the Crystal Tea Room; Sparky Sparkeroni runs over to Hitch.)
Alphabittle: Oh, I can’t believe it! My daughter Misty has returned! (Whoop; he lowers his voice to address her.) Well, back then I used to call you Misty-Wisty, but we can retire that nickname if you like. (Cut to her as he finishes.)
Misty: Oh! Um, I-I’d like that very much—for now, at least.
Alphabittle: Okay, Misty-Wisty— (catching himself) —I mean, Misty. Ah, there’s so much to catch up on and—oh! Uh, I gotta go get something.
(He pivots toward the shop as the camera pans back along the path in time with Haven’s laughter and stops on the royal family watching.)
Haven: How wonderful is this? (spreading wings) Oh, I wish I didn’t have to fly off so soon to attend to some royal duties.
(An easy flap carries over her to Alphabittle, who has retrieved an open-topped storage bin stuffed with scrolls and is using his magic to set it down before Misty.)
Haven: (landing) I’m so happy for you both. Nothing beats having a daughter—except maybe having two!
(She and Alphabittle chuckle over this, and she hums contentedly and pulls father and daughter in for a hug. Once it breaks up, she turns away to where Thunder and Zoom are waiting.)
Haven: (over her shoulder) Well, I must be off. Ta-ta!
(As the three pegasi lift off, Alphabittle begins to root through the bin.)
Alphabittle: (to Misty, sticking on a red rubber clown nose) Remember when we went to the circus, and you thought this was the funniest thing ever? Huh?
(Cut to her, face frozen and eyes darting fearfully from side to side, as his chuckle floats over to her. In close-up, he pulls off the fake nose and goes digging again; on the next line, he produces and shows a small framed painting—a unicorn clad in an armored helmet, depicted from the shoulders up. The appearance of Twilight Sparkle’s cutie mark in the background pegs the subject as Shining Armor.)
Alphabittle: Oh, and you loved this painting from the Unicorn Art Museum. I must say, you had incredibly advanced artistic taste for such a young filly.
Misty: (from o.s.) Oh! Um… (His face falls; cut to frame both.) …those memories are a little fuzzy for me, Alphabittle. (He returns the art to the bin.)
Alphabittle: Hey, no more “Alphabittle” here. (Zoom in slowly.) From now on, call me Dad.
Izzy: (from o.s.) Okay, Dad!
(Four very puzzled eyes turn in the direction of her voice; cut to her, Sunny, Hitch, and Sparky watching a few steps away. It takes her a moment to realize her fumble.)
Izzy: Oh, you meant just Misty. Got it.
Misty: Sorry, I-I don’t remember, um…Dad?
Alphabittle: We just need to jog your memory, kid. I know! Let’s have the most incredible father-daughter day. Then I guarantee it’ll all come flooding back. What do you say?
Misty: I would love that! Wow. First my cutie mark, and now this! (Pipp and Zipp fly over to their friends; she prances a circle in place.) I’m so over the Luna Moon to be reunited.
(She and Alphabittle smile tenderly at each other; pan slowly across the other five ponies, their reactions below overlapping.)
Zipp: Adorbs!
Pipp: So cute!
Sunny: Awww…
(Hitch sucks in a shuddery breath and dabs at one eye, while Izzy bounds toward the pair with an overexcited squeal. Cut to them, with her popping up alongside.)
Izzy: I am just feeling so many emotions!
Zipp: (from o.s.) Awww…
(Alphabittle’s gentle laughter blends with that of the other o.s. ponies before the view snaps to black.)
OPENING THEME
Act One
(Cut from the title card directly to a close-up of the bin Alphabittle hauled out and tilt up to his face as he nudges it aside.)
Alphabittle: Where to begin with reconnecting and re-membering? You were always better at coming up with games and fun things to do.
Misty: (puzzled) I was?
Alphabittle: Yeah. That’s the whole reason I play games in the Crystal Tea Room—because of you.
(Again the reactions from the other five overlap.)
Izzy, Zipp: Awww…
Pipp: So thoughtful!
Sunny: I can’t take it! (Hitch sobs quietly.)
Misty: I don’t remember that, or the last time I even played a game. (animatedly, pacing) Unless you count the Evil Plotting Game, where you have to strategize and take over the whole world and all of ponykind? Opaline does love that one.
(Uneasy mumbling from her friends, coupled with a very funny look from Alphabittle.)
Misty: (catching herself) Wait. That’s not a real game, is it? (Sunny crosses to her.)
Sunny: We know you’ve been through a lot, Misty. There’s still so much to unpack.
Alphabittle: (chuckling, tapping bin) Seriously. I got another twenty of these Misty memory boxes.
Sunny: I meant more mentally and emotionally, but yeah. Those too.
Alphabittle: Speaking of, mind giving me a hoof, daughter? (He levitates the bin and starts for the doors.)
Misty: (starting after him) Oh! Anytime, Dad-abittle! Heh…I mean, Alpha-dad! Heh. Uh, sorry. Still getting used to it.
(Cut to Sunny watching them go. A silver hoof on the end of a white foreleg reaches into view to tap her shoulder; on the next line, she pivots toward Zipp and the camera pans to frame both.)
Zipp: Did you hear what Misty just said?
Sunny: (giddily) Yes! “Dad-abittle!” (Giggle.) Too funny!
Zipp: (shaking head) No, no, not that! About Opaline taking over all ponykind! Maybe this game they played can give us clues to her plan! Then we can get ahead of her! What are we really doing to protect Equestria? I have to ask Misty right now! (She turns toward the doors.)
Sunny: (throwing out a foreleg to block her) Zipp, you are a brilliant detective. But you should detect that this isn’t the time to interrogate Misty.
Zipp: Sure it is!
Sunny: I mean, your tactics with Misty lately have been a little…extreme.
Zipp: Psssh! What are you talking about?
(Cut to Misty, Sparky, and Hitch’s grandmother Figgy sitting by a window in the latter’s house and taking it easy—looking at a photo album, eating a cookie, and drinking hot chocolate respectively. A shot from Misty’s perspective shows that she has found photos of the doting grandson taken at Winter Wishday at different times in his life. The next line is marked by Zipp pushing the album down to expose herself in extreme close-up, followed by a profile shot that shows just how up close and personal she has gotten.)
Zipp: So, about Opaline…
(Misty shrieks and topples backward. Next she sits in Hitch’s office, building a house of cards with her magic as his “squad” supervises from air and desktop.)
Zipp: (sidling up into view) About that Opaline…
(Her sly chuckle is met by a yell from the would-be interview subject, who loses her balance and topples to the floor, demolishing the entire pasteboard structure with a flailing hoof. Now Misty walks down Mane Street and past Sunny’s smoothie stand, a recently purchased cup bobbing in her aura. This begins to jitter madly on its own, bringing her up short, and the lid flies off in a shower of purple liquid so that one of Zipp’s surveillance drones—last used in “Have You Seen This Dragon?”—can pop out.)
Drone: (Zipp’s voice) Hey, Misty!
(Who screams and whirls away only to find the flesh-and-blood mare standing right behind her and wearing the armored shoulder plate that serves as the drone’s docking station. Unlike the previous two encounters, this time she is all aggression.)
Zipp: Tell me about Opaline right now!
(Cut to Zipp in the present, momentarily stunned from having the point driven home so hard in these flashbacks.)
Zipp: I guess I have come on a bit strong?
Sunny: Right now, she just needs our support. When she’s ready, she’ll tell us everything we need to know. (nudging her playfully; she nods) Maybe we can do some more digging on our own? (Izzy peeks out from behind a crystal outcropping.)
Izzy: Great idea, pals! (She hops out to face them.) We unicorns always say… (deep raspy voice) …“The past is the key to the present!” (normal tone) It’s very important to understand the history of somepony. (dreamy tone, hooves to temples) For everypony’s choices echo in time. (twirling slowly, fading out like an echo) Time…time…
Zipp: Echo in time?
(The eccentric unicorn snaps out of her semi-trance and drops back to all fours.)
Izzy: Yes, time! And I know just the pony you need to talk to. Follow me! (covering nose briefly) Oh! Gather some grass and watch your hooves for stinky weeds along the way. (singsong) It’s in season!
(Off she goes through the grass, using her field to pluck some of the particularly long blades.)
Izzy: Ooh, ooh! And you…oh, and you’re coming with me…
(Cut briefly to/from the other two mares on this line; they follow her lead, threading a path among the trees. The next shot is of a different stretch of the forest, tilting down from branches to ground level on the next words to frame Alphabittle and Misty walking a path. Hitch and Pipp hang back several yards, the Princess holding her cell phone at the ready and Sparky walking alongside the Sheriff.)
Alphabittle: How wonderful to take a stroll with you down Memory Lane today. You used to love this place.
Misty: I did? What’s it called?
Alphabittle: Memory Lane. Oh, and look there.
(Close-up of a heart-shaped patch of exposed wood on a tree trunk, containing stick-figure drawings of Alphabittle and Misty with a heart between them. On the start of the following, zoom out to frame them standing before it.)
Alphabittle: We carved this together—with the tree’s permission, of course. (patting back) I’ve passed it every day since you’ve gone missing. (as they move on) Oh, I can’t wait to start full-time dadding again.
(Zoom in quickly on Hitch/Pipp in the background; Sparky is now on Hitch’s back.)
Hitch: I have never seen this grumpy guy act so happy— (Close-up.) —not even with Queen Haven! (Sparky gurgles agreement; zoom out to frame Pipp on the following.)
Pipp: I’ve never seen Misty this happy either!
Hitch: Maybe we should let them reconnect in peace?
(Their perspective of the screen, showing the view through its camera: father and daughter walking away.)
Pipp: (overjoyed) I can’t understand why we should— (The trio again; Hitch clears his throat pointedly.) What? She’ll want this later. It’s adorable— (catching his gist) —and, I guess, a little invasive. (Roll eyes; tap screen to stop recording.) Fine.
Hitch: (to Alphabittle/Misty) We’re gonna head out so you can have some quality family time together. (He departs.)
Pipp: And privacy! But don’t ask why I brought that up. (easing after Hitch) We’re just a phone call away if you need us!
Alphabittle: (to Misty) Did you hear that? Family time! (touching her cheek) Just the two of us, like it used to be!
(He hops away, voicing a sound somewhere between a giggle and a whinny; she matches the action, but sticks firmly to the giggle end of the spectrum. In short order they arrive at the front door of a house built into the base of a wide tree, similar to Izzy’s. A couple of teapots, one serving as a planter, have been set among the beds of flowers and crystals that fill space on either side of the entrance.)
Alphabittle: Welcome back to your home, kid.
(He opens the front door and moves inside and o.s.)
Alphabittle: (from o.s.) I’m gonna make everything as comfortable as possible for you.
(She gasps softly; cut to him entering a large circular living room within. Three closed doors—single, double, single—stand among wall shelves loaded with books and trophies. The far left door is hung with a triangular pennant, but the camera pans to pick out the far right one as the sound of the closing front door is heard. Misty steps in from the threshold, taking a table set with a cup and a box holding leftover pizza, the vine/flower-decorated trophies, and some of the books; she gasps in close-up.)
Alphabittle: (from o.s.) Oh, wait! (Both reach the far right door.) Wait ’til you see the best part.
(He reaches for the handle; on the other side, it swings open and they step through, Misty’s eyes widening.)
Alphabittle: Ta-da!
Misty: Wow!
(Their perspective: they have arrived at a bedroom meant for a filly. Across from them is a neatly made bed with stuffed dolls propped up among the pillows; a nightstand is off to one side, and two wall lamps glow invitingly through purple shades. Sunlight streams in through a large window; a low table runs level with its sill, set with toys. Others are on the nightstand, a wall shelf above the bed, and the brightly colored circular rug covering the floor; at the foot of the bed are a basket full of toys and a trunk.)
Misty: Is this…?
Alphabittle: Your old filly-hood room. (Back to them; Misty gasps wonderingly.) Left exactly as the day you went missing.
(She moves across the floor, the camera shifting to pick out some number blocks on the carpet, toys on the shelf, a light-equipped fan and string of small bulbs on the ceiling, the head of the bed.)
Alphabittle: (from o.s.) But with more dust bunny-corns now, I guess. (Both again; Misty picks up one of the soft toys as he walks off.) I-I’ll just call up Dusty the cleanup pony and hire her to help out. (now out of view) I promise, it will be in mint condition soon. D-Do you still like mint?
(He puts his head around the doorframe, jolting her out of her happy reverie.)
Alphabittle: Anyway, now that you’re settled, let’s get to the fun stuff. (Step into the room.) I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life!
(As soon as he backs out laughing, she lets her smile disappear and drops to her haunches to address the toy.)
Misty: He has no idea who I am now. (Her perspective of it.) But I have to go along with it. (squeezing it, making it squeak) I want this to be the best day ever for him. (Back to her.) Okay, Misty. You’ve mastered the fake smile, so use it.
(The toy goes back on the bed, and she poises a front hoof at forehead level.)
Misty: And…go!
(The limb comes down, her expression shifting in the same moment to a wide-eyed, toothy grin.)
Misty: (groaning, through her teeth, walking out) Ow! Ow! It hurts!
Act Two
(Cut to a treetop-level view of a house-lined path and tilt down to an overhead shot of Alphabittle and Misty out for a stroll.)
Alphabittle: (loudly, to passersby at large) This here is my daughter Misty! Remember her? (Ground level.) Say hello to my little filly! Hey! This is my long-lost child! Give her a hoof!
(She hesitantly touches hers to the one extended by a stallion.)
Misty: Alphabit—I mean, Dad—could we maybe, uh, tone it down? (Zoom in slowly; they have stopped.) I’m not sure I love all this attention on me.
Alphabittle: (normal volume) Oh! Uh…uh, of course! I’m so sorry. You used to love when I pranced around and did this. I’ll dial back on the shouting, but not on the pride!
(Close-up of Misty, nodding happily, on the end of this, then back to the pair. They get moving again.)
Alphabittle: Oh! I’ve got something really exciting in store! (Chuckle.)
Misty: What is it? Maybe a trip to the Unicorn Library? I’ve never been to one of those before. Or is it, uh… (She freezes abruptly and swallows hard.) …we’re…at a playground?
(Zoom out on this last to show that they have indeed reached just such a facility: seesaws, slide, merry-go-round, swing. A few youngsters have turned out to enjoy the fine weather.)
Alphabittle: Exactly! (Close-up of the two.) We have so many fond memories together here. You used to love the seesaw.
(Pan quickly to one of these—really no more than a plank balanced on a boulder. Two dour-faced colts, one seated on either end, rock it back and forth with a distinct lack of vitality.)
Colt: Whee. (The other one groans.)
(Another such pan frames a filly poised at the top of the slide.)
Alphabittle: (from o.s.) And going down the slide. (She launches herself dully down the chute…)
Filly: Whee. (…and slides off to stop in the grass ) Ohhh…
(A third quick pan brings the focus to the slowly rotating merry-go-round, ridden by Jasper.)
Alphabittle: (from o.s., gasping) And spinning on the filly-go-round! (Back to him and Misty; he nudges her encouragingly as he continues.) How about you give it another old spin, with the old stallion? Pleeeease?
Misty: (forcing a laugh, walking toward it) Of course! (to Jasper) Um, do you mind if I borrow this?
Jasper: Aren’t you a little old to be using this?
Misty: Heh. Yeah, but…wait. Aren’t we the same age?
Jasper: What about it?
(She plants a hoof on the nearest handle to stop the rig, leaving her perfectly positioned to stare him down point-blank.)
Misty: (rapid fire) Listen. After being filly-napped and brainwashed for years, I am feeling so many feelings right now and I just really need this, okay?
(A long pause before the rider speaks.)
Jasper: (sniffling, with great emotion) Feelings. I understand those well. (Misty cocks a quizzical eyebrow at him.) May the turnstile of emotions guide you from eternal darkness to light. (He hops off and walks away; now Alphabittle approaches.)
Misty: Sure! Okay. (She seats herself on the edge.) Ready!
(Her father accommodates her with one good hard shove to the nearest handle, setting the thing to spin at a most ridiculous speed and forcing her to hang on for dear life.)
Misty: Wheeee— (Her cheeks go green and bulge; she begins to gag.) —eeeeee! (The unhealthy tinge spreads to her entire face.) All right, that’s enough!
Alphabittle: Hm!
(Alphabittle stops it dead, allowing her to stumble off with the green having contracted back to her cheeks.)
Alphabittle: You used to have a stronger stomach. Maybe that’s enough playgrounding for today.
Misty: (laughing nervously) I’m fine! Totally fine! That was— (Hiccup; her complexion returns to normal.) —super-fun. Yay!
Alphabittle: Why don’t we try something else?
Misty: Yes. I’d love that.
Alphabittle: I’m between cave exploration or extreme tree-climbing. Or…maybe we can get back into fire swallowing again!
(The green eyes pop open and twitch of their own volition as their owner sighs through a frozen smile that turns into a grimace, starting to realize just what she has gotten herself into. Elsewhere, Izzy approaches a house’s front door set with a triangular mirror and decorated by strings of pastel-colored beads hanging overhead. Sunny and Zipp hang back a bit. In close-up, Izzy knocks gently with an ear cocked for any response; getting none, she promptly shifts to vigorous pounding of hoof on wood.)
Zipp: (from o.s.) Uh, Izzy? (Cut to frame all three.) Where are we?
Izzy: Shh-shh-shh! (levitating two baskets, projecting them at Sunny/Zipp) Also, hold these wild-grass woven gift-basket baskets.
(A knocking is heard from within the house, and the door swings open to reveal its occupant—Elderflower, the old mare who won the final race in “The Jinxie Games.” She steps out into the light, revealing a blue-violet coat and horn, a mane/tail gone pale gray from age, dark gray eyes under white brows, dark gray hooves, a headband under the mane, and two necklaces—a thin gold chain, and a crystal pendant on a beaded cord. Her cutie mark cannot immediately be seen. A pile of baskets is visible in the dimness behind her. She speaks in a cheerful, slightly quavery voice.)
Elderflower: Well, looky who we have here. (waving) Dizzy!
Izzy: Oh, it’s Izzy, Elderflower. (throwing a foreleg around each companion’s shoulder) This is Sunny and Zipp. Sunny and Zipp, meet Elderflower.
(Cut to a close-up of the latter and zoom in slowly; she is dozing off where she stands and snoring loudly.)
Izzy: (from o.s., reverently) The most elderly-est pony in town. (Back to her; hopping in place.) So much so that it’s even in her name.
Sunny: We’re so honored to meet you, Elder— (Izzy cuts her off with a sharp gasp.)
Izzy: That’s not the Bridlewood elder way! Pass her your baskets!
(Each is offered on an extended foreleg, and Izzy’s field plucks them away and settles them in front of Elderflower, who snaps out of her snooze.)
Elderflower: Wild-grass woven gift-basket baskets? (Her magic takes over for Izzy’s and adds them to the pile behind her.) How very thoughtful—and respectful.
Izzy: (to Sunny/Zipp) Elderflower is the storyteller in Bridlewood. She has tales that have been passed down through generations and generations of little ponies. (tapping her temple) Like, all of the past is in her mind! Can you be-lizzle that?
Elderflower: This reminds me of the tale when the raccoon bit the snake!
Izzy: Oh! That is such a good one.
(Cut to Sunny and Zipp, who trade skeptical looks, and zoom out to frame Izzy addressing them on the next line.)
Izzy: (hushed, behind a hoof) I know that some of her stories might not make sense right away— (lowering it) —but I promise she’ll help you understand more about Equestria’s history. (normal volume, to Elderflower) These pals of mine could really use your help. Would you be willing to spin some yarns?
Elderflower: I will—on one condition. (excitedly, waving a foreleg) I want to visit the big city!
Zipp: Zephyr Heights?
Elderflower: That’s the one! Could you take me? (Cut to the three younger mares on this last.)
Sunny: We’d love to be your chaperones!
Elderflower: (gasping, jittering in place) Oh, you will be? Yippee! Ooh, and then I gotta get packing! (turning to re-enter house) Do they still wear poodle skirts there?
(Sunny and Zipp smile at one another in anticipation of hitting the historical mother lode. Cut to a long overhead shot of Alphabittle and Misty approaching the entrance to the Crystal Tea Room, zooming in slowly, then to the interior. Dapple and Onyx are onstage as the zoom continues, the former with bongos at the ready and the latter standing at a microphone.)
* Onyx: The injured cat says, “Meow-ow. Owww…”
* Dapple: “Meow-owww.”
(He slams both front hooves onto the skins, generating a wave of muted applause from the patrons, as Alphabittle steps behind the counter and a preoccupied Misty moves to face him.)
Alphabittle: No doubt this will bring back memories.
(His perspective of her, taking a seat; one of his armadillos brings a teacup on its back, which she takes.)
Alphabittle: A specialty special tea tasting at my Crystal Tea Room. (Back to him.) Now let’s see if I remember.
(He taps out a sequence on the stoppers of three glass bottles in a wooden box; tweaks a couple of teapots on shelves; adjusts the hands on a clock; jiggles two video game joysticks; uses a drumstick to strike several keys on a toy piano. A mechanism under the counter on his side engages, and a panel slides open in a cloud of dust so that a small urn can pop out. It is made of violet porcelain, with a stylized unicorn horn projecting upward from the lid and a cord tied around this, and is held in a brass cup attached to an interior wall of this compartment.)
Alphabittle: Phew! It still works.
(Pick it up, showing a flower pattern painted onto the side, then spin the lid and remove it. Shake a few leaves into Misty’s cup. Whip out a teapot and pour, the light gleaming briefly off its spout. Misty swallows hard as the vapor rises from the surface, matching his anticipatory smile with a big grin, and takes a sip. The moment it hits her tongue, two green eyes bug out to broadcast her utter revulsion at the taste; she swallows, lets her tongue loll out for a moment, but quickly shakes herself back into a big fake smile of approval.)
Misty: Mmmm! Yummy! (Swallow again.)
Alphabittle: (picking up teapot, turning to shelves) I knew it! You still love Misty’s Mys-Tea-Ry! I named it after you and haven’t let anypony drink it since.
(During the previous line, she takes advantage of his diverted attention to cough and sling the remaining contents of her cup onto the floor. Now he pivots to face her again.)
Alphabittle: But I can’t remember for the life of me what’s in it. (noticing empty cup) Done already? (His perspective of her, strained grin back in place and tapping it.) Wow. Looks like you needed another cup.
Misty: (hastily) I’m all tea’d out, Alpha—uh, Dad. Any chance there’s something else, anything else on that list of yours? (Close-up of his face.)
Alphabittle: In fact, there is!
(Tilt down to the floor as he taps one front hoof twice, then pan quickly to the stage, where a spotlight flicks on to pick out Dapple and Onyx.)
* Onyx: “Ow, owl,” says the injured owl.
* Dapple: “Hooo…ow.”
(He plays a quick riff and is met with quiet applause as before, and the two light their horns to reposition their gear as Alphabittle and Misty approach the stage.)
Alphabittle: Slam poetry! Your favorite! Remember when you won the Youth Slam with your performance of “Reflections of a Glowpaz Crystal”? (Cut to an unsettled Misty on this last.)
Misty: No! I do not. That actually sounds awf—
Alphabittle: (leaning close, foreleg across shoulders) Awfully cute? I know. It was. (shoving her toward stage) Here.
Misty: (as she is pushed o.s.) Wait! I—
(She finds herself at the mic, Dapple/Onyx having shifted themselves and the bongos to the rear edge, and the spotlight pins the cringing mare before a staring crowd. Except for the faintest of whispers, the room has gone dead silent.)
* Misty: (slowly standing upright) Uh…um…uhhhhhhhmmm…
(She holds this last wavering syllable out over a whine of feedback, the patrons staring at her with a total lack of comprehension. Cut to a long shot of Zephyr Heights and zoom in slowly as the Marestream hurtles into view to trace a broad arc with its rainbow contrail. Three quick close-ups follow—a tire touching down on a balcony, a wing folding away, the rear door sliding open and a step extending for Zipp’s use—and she, Sunny, and Elderflower are soon out for a walk down one block.)
Zipp: You sure did enjoy that Marestream ride, huh, Elderflower?
Elderflower: Oh, I did! It was just like the time I went hoof-gliding! (They stop.)
Zipp: So, now that we’re finally here, we have some questions for you about the—
(Elderflower utters an ecstatic gasp and steps forward, seeing the full magnitude of the opulent city laid out before her.)
Elderflower: Can it be? (giggling) Shopping on Mane Avenue. (galloping off) What a wonder to finally see such an iconic place! Look!
(She slides to a stop before a shop window that displays a stallion mannequin clad in a flower-patterned cloak with a jeweled gold brooch at the throat. Cut to just inside this, the camera aimed at Elderflower as she withdraws a hoof from the glass and Sunny/Zipp catch up.)
Elderflower: Did you know that style was in fashion when I was a filly? (To the pair, with humoring smiles, on the end of this, then pan back to her in time with her laugh.) It’s incredible to see its return!
Zipp: Riiight. So I was wondering about this ancient evil alicorn, Opaline.
Elderflower: (stroking chin) Hm. (Gasp.)
Zipp: What? You know something?
(Sunny is quick to sit and dig a notebook and pencil from her saddlebag, ready to jot.)
Elderflower: (staring past them) I cannot believe that pegasus!
(A longer shot picks out a passing mare in a broad-brimmed sun hat.)
Elderflower: They’re wearing a vintage Carousel Boutique hat! (Sunny packs her writing tools away and stands up.) Do you know how hard those are to find? (galloping o.s., voice fading out) And look! This music shop is…
(Under these last few words, Zipp pulls Sunny in for a quick private talk.)
Zipp: Sunny, this is going absolutely nowhere! Trying to keep her focused is one thing, but these stories? They’re complete nonsense!
Sunny: Yeah, they’re a little… (A side-of-the-mouth whine and laugh to concede the point.) But remember what Izzy said? Let’s see what she has to say—which sure seems to be a lot.
Zipp: Hmmm…if we get her to the old hangar, maybe she’ll be inspired to spill some of the Opaline beans.
Sunny: Good idea! That could help jog her memory!
(During this exchange, Elderflower takes note of a flying pig, falls flat on her face while trying to catch it, then successfully coaxes it down for a bit of petting and chases it down the street. Only after the finish do they catch sight of her headed out of sight around a corner.)
Sunny: Uh, speaking of jogging… (to Elderflower) …uh, wait up!
Zipp: (grunting, as both race after her) Slow down!
(Cut to the interior of the Crystal Tea Room. Misty is still frozen at the microphone, with no fewer than three spotlights now trained on her.)
* Misty: Uhhhhhhhmmm…
(More feedback asserts itself under this hyperextended utterance, the camera shifting first to the crowd and then to Dapple/Onyx.)
Dapple: (laughing) Rad. Such a dedicated choice.
(His stoic performance partner allows herself the faintest of smiles before the camera returns to Misty, who finally finds her voice after a full eight seconds.)
* Misty: I’m sorry! I can’t do this anymore!
(She bolts from the stage to a round of gasps—which give way to enthusiastic applause and a stallion wiping a tear from his eye.)
Dapple: That was brilliant!
Onyx: I am overwhelmed with emotion.
Alphabittle: What…what was it about? (Close-up of Onyx.)
Onyx: It was a commentary on the loss of identity. (Pan to Dapple.)
Dapple: Imbued with undertones of fear about a newfound fragile father-daughter relationship.
Alphabittle: (clearing throat) You, um, got all that? (Both nod.) I see. (He strides away.)
Onyx: She also could have been saying something about um-brellas.
Dapple: Yeah, that too.
Act Three
(Cut to the living room of Alphabittle’s house, the camera aimed at the closed door of Misty’s old bedroom from ground level. One gray foreleg plants itself in view but advances no farther as the sound of the mare’s soft sobs is heard from beyond. Alphabittle recoils just a hair in close-up, but collects himself and crosses to open the door. Misty is lying face-down on the bed, crying into the pillows.)
Alphabittle: I thought you might be in here. (He enters…) What happened? (…and sits on the end of the mattress.) You love performing.
Misty: (sitting up; crying stops) No! I don’t! At least not anymore. I hate the spotlight! I hated the playground! (hugging a doll) I’m sorry, but this whole day has been a struggle.
Alphabittle: You didn’t like any of the things we did?
Misty: No. I didn’t. The truth is, I don’t actually know what I like, or even who I am.
(She raises her front hooves; cut to her perspective, wiggling them and picking up the doll again. Back to her as she continues.)
Misty: I haven’t really had the chance to figure it out yet.
Alphabittle: Whoa. Onyx and Dapple were right. I just want you to feel at home.
Misty: But I don’t feel at home! I barely know this place! I barely know myself, and you barely know me! So much time has passed, so much has happened. Whatever filly you used to love isn’t here anymore. (voice breaking) I’m sorry.
(She buries her face in the doll she is holding, eliciting a squeak.)
Misty: (muffled) I’m so sorry.
Alphabittle: I didn’t realize. I was just trying to show I cared. But I understand. You want to be alone.
(He climbs off the bed and walks o.s. toward the door, the creak of the hinges and almost inaudible sound of its closure marking his exit. Misty aims wet green eyes after him before huddling back over the toy, lost in her own misery. Outside the room, Alphabittle trudges away with head hung in defeat, but halts when the door bursts open and Misty emerges. She has fully composed herself and put the doll aside.)
Misty: No! I don’t want to be alone anymore! (Cut to Alphabittle, turning slowly back; she continues o.s.) That’s all I’ve ever been and ever felt. (Back to her, crossing to him.) And now I have you! I somehow have you! My dad!
(She covers the remaining distance in one bound and is swept up into a powerful hug, the camera pivoting around them to frame more of the furnishings in the living room. The overall feel is very similar to that of the Crystal Tea Room.)
Alphabittle: Oh…my Misty-Wisty. You’re right. I’ve been holding on to the past. On to the pain of losing you, which made me hard-headed. You just ask anypony in town how grumpy I’ve been all these moons. Let’s start over. My name is Alphabittle, and I am your father.
(Cut to his perspective of her, happy tears pooling in the green eyes as the camera swivels slowly around her.)
Alphabittle: Though I know nothing about you, someday when you’re ready— (She dries her eyes.) —I want to hear all about your life, and experiences— (Profile view of both.) —and who you are now.
Misty: It’s a pleasure to re-meet. (turning in place) I’m Misty. “Tea” for short.
Alphabittle: “Tea”? (Chuckle.) I like that.
Misty: I do too! I just made it up!
Alphabittle: Hey! There’s still a little bit of the father-daughter day left. (Cut to her; he continues o.s.) What would you like to do?
(Her face brightens after a moment’s thought. Cut to an overhead shot of the abandoned transit station to which Zipp led Sunny and Izzy in A New Generation. It has been cleaned up and put in much better order than it was before, with proper lighting, and the jury-rigged fan setup Zipp used to simulate flight has been cleared away. She and Sunny guide Elderflower down the main ramp at the end of the hall with the departure/arrival board; Elderflower has something floating in her field. From here, cut to floor level.)
Zipp: This way, Elderflower. We want to show you something.
(This shot picks out the unicorn’s cutie mark in detail: three flower blooms with blue petals and yellow centers. They descend the ramp; the objects under her control are shopping bags.)
Elderflower: Show me something? (setting them on a bench) Well, then, let me put on these new glasses.
(A pair is magically extracted and settled on her nose—black/silver frames shaped somewhat like an American football, with violet-tinted lenses.)
Elderflower: I went with the classic design. Super-hip. Speaking of hips, I gotta stretch.
(She goes to it with a series of limbering-up exercises that work seemingly every bone and joint in her body.)
Zipp: Wow, she is spry! And chatty.
Elderflower: (still at it) Once I attended a super-fancy, sparkly wedding. But all the ponies kept changing shapes and I almost threw out my hip. Ha!
Sunny: (to Zipp) If we’re hoping to learn something, this has to be the place for it! (Elderflower slides over to them, now finished.)
Elderflower: (propping glasses on forehead) Now, let’s see. (Gasp.)
(Cut to a long shot of the stained-glass windows at the opposite end of the hall—Pegasus and Unicorn Crystals in the left and right panes, respectively, each accompanied by a member of its race, and a horizontal top pane showing Twilight’s cutie mark. The pegasus’ wings and the unicorn’s horn glow; in addition, the Unicorn Crystal piece, which had been found smashed out in A New Generation, has been fitted back into its window. The central vertical portion is still open to the sky. Tilt down on the next line to bring the three mares into view, approaching the display.)
Elderflower: My, oh, my! This hangar is beautiful! It reminds me of when all these lands were united. (Zoom in on Sunny/Zipp as she finishes.)
Zipp: (relieved) Finally! Here we go.
Elderflower: (returning to benches, sitting on floor; Sunny/Zipp cross to her) A long time ago, there was a magical bat named Dawn. She was surrounded by other bats like her—
(She floats her glasses up, along with a fork from one of her bags. The utensil is laid crossways on the bridge to form a rough likeness of a flying animal.)
Elderflower: (swooping it around) —but one of the bats refused to get along with the others. This bat wanted to fly around and eat all the fruit for herself! So Dawn spoke to a spider, who wove a beautiful web to keep the mean greedy bat away.
(Glasses and fork go back in the bags; cut to an utterly confounded Sunny and Zipp.)
Elderflower: (from o.s.) In the end, Dawn was able to protect their nest— (They trade smiles; back to Elderflower on the next words, getting really worked up.) —yet the greedy bat continues to this day to try to break the web! (calmly) Which is why some bats eat fruit and some bats eat insects.
(The two younger mares adopt facial expressions suggesting that a large bucket of sand has just been dumped into their mental gearboxes.)
Elderflower: That’s it.
Zipp: (forcing a grin) That was a beautiful tale!
Sunny: (ditto) Yes! Thank you for sharing your story with us.
(Elderflower nods serenely, stands up, and trots away an instant before Zipp lets go with a bone-rattling sigh of frustration.)
Zipp: It really was beautiful, but it held no clues!
Sunny: Hey, we tried. At least Elderflower has had a nice time here. (She has stopped facing the windows and is smiling gently.) She seems happy.
(Cut to behind the storyteller and tilt up slowly along the height of the stained-glass panes.)
Zipp: (from o.s.) And really, doing something like this for her? That’s a win in my book.
(Cut to a long overhead shot of the Marestream parked on a balcony of Zephyr Heights Palace. Sunny and Zipp are leading Elderflower, who once again has her shopping bags in telekinetic tow, toward the vehicle. Zoom in slowly and cut to them.)
Elderflower: Thank you so much for giving me the trip of a lifetime, fillies.
Sunny: We’re so glad we could.
Zipp: You deserve it.
Elderflower: It’s truly one to remember, especially since I got to see that new Together Tree. (The bags are set down.) So lovely.
Zipp: Uh, sorry. What?
Elderflower: (sputtering a bit, pointing off to one side) Yes, the Together Tree, over there.
(Pan quickly in that direction to a long shot of the garden in which the gang celebrated Misty’s cutie mark in “Cutie Blossom Bash.” The massive, blue-leaved tree they grew from one of Pipp’s saplings is impossible to miss as the object of Elderflower’s attention. Zoom in slowly on it.)
Elderflower: (from o.s.) Just like our beautiful Wishing Tree in Bridlewood.
Zipp: (from o.s.) What’s a Together Tree?
(Fade to white, then in to a scene of Maretime Bay and its surroundings including the Crystal Brighthouse, that looks as if it was assembled from construction paper. A mighty tree towers over the buildings, flowers gleaming among the branches and green roots snaking down through a cutaway view of the layers of earth. Zoom in slowly.)
Elderflower: (voice over) These trees are very powerful—
(Cut to Bridlewood depicted in a similar fashion, the blue roots of its Wishing Tree extending far underground. As Elderflower continues, the tree in the palace garden is shown likewise with off-white roots. Zoom in slowly on each of these.)
Elderflower: (voice over) —created only when ponies come together through true friendship.
(Tilt down into the earth; this set of roots growing to follow until they intertwine with those of the first two and form a heart. This takes on a pastel rainbow gleam and throws beams in all directions.)
Elderflower: (voice over) Together Trees communicate and connect magically to each other through their roots underground. They are our great protectors, and we in turn must protect them.
(The glow intensifies until the view fades to white, then in to the three mares.)
Sunny, Zipp: (Zipp flapping briefly) Whoa!
Zipp: Elderflower, thank you so much for teaching us that.
Elderflower: All in a day’s work, existing with the knowledge of my unicorn ancestors, especially Great-Great-Great-Great-Auntie Moondancer. (chuckling) She sure is a lot! (She cocks her head as if listening to an unseen speaker.) Quit your yapping! I hear you!
(To her credit, the look that Sunny throws to Zipp is one of only mild confusion. Cut to Alphabittle sitting in front of the counter in the Crystal Tea Room, with eyes closed and forelegs folded on the surface. Both of his armadillos stand nearby, and Misty hustles back and forth past all three on what is normally his side.)
Alphabittle: Ooh! I know I said I was a patient stallion— (Zoom out slightly; Misty is preparing tea.) —but I cannot wait to see what you’ve got up your sleeve.
(He sneaks a quick peek on the end of this, but gets the lids back down just before she turns and sets a cup before him.)
Misty: Okay. Open your eyes. (He does so and regards the fresh beverage in close-up.)
Alphabittle: Tea? (chuckling, leaning down over it) Tea! (Laugh.)
Misty: (from o.s.) Not just any tea. (Cut to her; he straightens up.) A new blend, designed and crafted by me. Try it.
(The big stallion empties the cup in one slurp and sighs contentedly, smacking his lips.)
Alphabittle: Delicious! (pivoting slowly in seat) At first it has a bitterness, but then it softened into a warm, comforting cup.
Misty: My tea metaphor for you
Alphabittle: Awww…it’s like poetry! I am so grateful to get this second second chance with you. (patting her hoof) You’re home.
(Those two words mute her joy noticeably.)
Misty: Honestly, I still don’t really feel at home here. I’m not sure why.
Alphabittle: (smiling, standing up) I know just what to do. (walking off) Just need to make a little phone call.
(Cut to the upper portion of the Brighthouse and tilt down to frame these two approaching the front entrance. The hour is not long before sunset.)
Alphabittle: Ta-da-da! Get it? “Da-da”? (Chuckle.)
Misty: Huh? The Crystal Brighthouse?
(He is already moving toward the doors, so she hustles to pull even. Cut to them walking slowly through the shared bedroom; the sound of tiny animal squeaks brings her up short with a popeyed gasp. Before her stands what used to be the couch-lined common area, which has now been remade into sleeping quarters for her. A new bed stands by the window, set with pillows and some of her toys, and a set of bookshelves and a vanity counter with a butterfly-shaped mirror stand at walls lined with framed pictures. The whole is lit by an overhead fixture. Hitch, Izzy, and several critters have taken charge of bringing in boxes for unpacking, and Pipp flies one more into view with some difficulty. Zoom in slowly.)
Pipp: (thudding to floor with it) Hey! Sorry we don’t have everything unpacked yet. (grunting with exertion to move it a fraction) You have some heavy stuff! What’s in this?
(As soon as she undoes the flaps, she, Hitch, and Izzy get a big surprise in the form of Sparky poking his head out. The scaly little stowaway struggles to lift one of the several dumbbells that fill this box as Hitch and Pipp stare with visible bewilderment.)
Hitch: Sparky, put those down! You’ll stub a claw!
(Close-up of the would-be weightlifter on this last; he grumbles petulantly, gets the dumbbell taken from his grip by Izzy, and tips the box over to dump himself out on the floor. A tiny gobbet of fire is spat over the piece of exercise equipment, turning it into a trio of bright red balloons that float away.)
Misty: What is all this?
Alphabittle: I reached out to your pals about living here. They’d love for you to stay, if that’s what you want.
Misty: (overjoyed) Really?
(Nods from the three-pony-and-one-dragon moving crew are all the prompting she needs to leap onto the bed with a bubbly laugh and start bouncing.)
Misty: I do! (Pan to a stricken Hitch on the following.)
Hitch: I just made the bed! (calming down, chuckling) Whatever. (Misty crosses to Alphabittle.)
Alphabittle: You don’t have to live with me in Bridlewood. (sitting) You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. (His perspective, gripping her shoulders.) You’re a grown pony now… (caressing her cheek) …not my baby filly.
(Back to him, eyes shining with clearest pride.)
Hitch: (voice trembling) And…that’s okay. (Sigh; he gets himself under control.) Just…promise you’ll call me every week. Also, I filled the fridge downstairs with healthy meals. (touching her shoulder) Oh, and you were so good at making that tea, I left you a giant box full of dried herbs and flowers so you can make your own blends at home.
(On this last, the camera cuts to a close-up of said box and zooms out to frame Pipp alongside, straining mightily to push a small iron chest across the floor. The box is easily big enough for her to stand in without touching any side.)
Pipp: (shakily) Um, fun!
Alphabittle: (to Misty, voice trembling) I’m gonna miss you so much.
Misty: I’m gonna miss you too, Dad. (They embrace.)
Alphabittle: (confidently, to himself) Still got it. (They are swiftly mobbed by the others, including Sparky.)
Hitch, Izzy: Awww.
Pipp: Now we want in too!
(Cut to the Marestream tearing through the late-afternoon sky, then to Elderflower with her head out a window on the start of the next line.)
Elderflower: North wind, how I’ve missed you!
(Inside the cabin; her purchases are scattered on the seats around Sunny and balanced atop their backrests.)
Elderflower: (closing window, sitting) You know, there’s a story about when the north wind went up against the south wind in a big dance-off that turned into a tornado?
(Zipp smiles from her spot at the controls in the cockpit. She is wearing her sunglasses.)
Zipp: (raising/lowering them) Hm? Dance-off? Sounds like some story.
(Cut to the exterior of the Marestream as she finishes; it starts its final descent toward the Brighthouse. The view dissolves to an overhead shot of the front lawn, the Marestream parked on its patio and its pilot and passengers on their way in. Ground-level view of them during Zipp’s next words; she has removed her shades.)
Zipp: Is there some deep hidden message to decode in this one?
Elderflower: There’s always messages in the wind, dear. If you fly directly into it on a Thursday, you’ll see what I mean.
(The pegasus smiles to herself, having gained a new appreciation for the past and the lessons it can teach. Dissolve to an overhead shot of the side patio of the Brighthouse, last seen in “Hoof Done It?” Five ponies have gathered for refreshments at the table under the glass awning—Alphabittle and Misty on one side, Hitch/Izzy/Pipp on the other. Zoom in slowly as Pipp goofs around with her phone and the others laugh, then cut to the table itself: now Sparky is seen sitting by Hitch and dozing off. Behind them, a door opens so Sunny, Zipp, and Elderflower can join them.)
Izzy: You’re back!
Hitch: Hey, pals!
Pipp: We missed you!
Sunny: Yay! Misty’s here!
Zipp: Hi, Alphabittle! You’ll never believe what we learned! (Cut to Elderflower as she continues.) Elderflower, would you like to do the honors? (Zoom in slowly.)
Elderflower: (ominously) It all starts with a magical bat—
(Up come her new glasses and fork to serve as a stand-in for it, as when she told the tale in the station or hangar earlier. Sunny cuts her off, prompting her to drop the items and throw a dirty look.)
Sunny: I-I think she means the other one.
Elderflower: (instantly brightening) Oh! (Chuckle.) The Together Trees. Well…
(Long shot of the gathering, seen from one side of the patio and tilting down slowly. As she speaks, the view dissolves to a slow zoom in on the tree in the garden of Zephyr Heights Palace, now showing one bright spot of light among the blue leaves.)
Elderflower: …they’re all magically connected.
(In close-up, the source turns out to be a tightly furled bud among the foliage. As the zoom continues, it opens into a flower with broad, vivid pink petals. Fade to black.)