MY LITTLE PONY: EQUESTRIA GIRLS—FRIENDSHIP GAMES

Executive producers: Stephen Davis, Kirsten Newlands, Sarah Wall

Produced by Devon Cody

Written by Josh Haber

Consulting direction by Jayson Thiessen

Directed by Ishi Rudell

Transcribed by Alan Back (ajback@yahoo.com)

Notes:                The breaks between acts are somewhat arbitrary, and have been chosen so that

                each act (or the prologue plus Act One) has approximately the same running time

                as a typical episode.

                Background song lyrics are in square brackets; any marked with an exclamation

                point are shouted rather than sung.

                References to this film’s prequel shorts and the Rainbow Rocks encore shorts are

noted. Reading those transcripts is not necessary to follow this one, but doing so may be helpful regarding minor characters and clothing changes.

As a group, “the Rainbooms” refers to Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Sunset Shimmer.

Prologue

(The sound of running footsteps is heard for several seconds before the view fades in to an extreme close-up of two feet pounding along a sidewalk. They are clad in short, dark gray, high-heeled boots with black buckles and orange chevron stripes, and the legs to which they are attached are covered by blue-green tights—part of the outfit that Sunset Shimmer changed into for the “Friendship Through the Ages” and “My Past Is Not Today” encore shorts of Rainbow Rocks. Her shadow casts itself against the front wall of a house, the long hair streaming behind it, and the feet stir up the leaves scattered on the sidewalk. Cut to a close-up of the rearing-horse statue on the front lawn of Canterlot High School, the camera aimed upward at it and tilting down to frame the front entrance. It is late afternoon, and Applejack and Rainbow Dash are already at the steps, the latter kneeling over her guitar case, as Fluttershy and Rarity walk up. Here comes Sunset, the corner of a backpack peeking out from under the wild curtain of hair.)

Sunset: I got your text, Rainbow Dash! Did something come through the portal? (Stop.) Is Equestrian magic on the loose? Did Twilight come back with a problem that only we can solve?

(Pinkie Pie appears out of nowhere, holding a cupcake in each hand and grinning hugely.)

Pinkie: Has a giant cake monster covered all the cakes in the world in cake? (She wolfs down both treats in one bite.)

Rainbow: (standing up, lifting guitar from case) Um…not exactly.

Sunset: Uh…I don’t understand.

(Applejack crosses to Rainbow, who has shifted her grip on the axe to clearly show a popped string.)

Applejack: (testily, poking at it) Well, Sunset, I was just tellin’ Rainbow Dash here that a broken guitar string doesn’t really qualify as an emergency.

Rainbow: It totally does!

(Here comes Rarity—reading glasses on, measuring tape around shoulders, pincushion strapped to one wrist.)

Rarity: Really, Rainbow Dash! (Close-up.) I was in the middle of sewing a very complex appliqué on my latest frock. (Zoom out; Fluttershy steps in, petting this world’s version of Angel the rabbit.)

Fluttershy: And I was just about to tuck everyone in for the night at the shelter. Now we’ll have to start stories all over again.

Sunset: Why would you send all of us an emergency text for a guitar string?

Rainbow: Well, I was going to pony up and show our fans some awesome guitar licks…

(On the end of this, pan from her to the fans in question—the Cutie Mark Crusaders, who wave to her from their seats at the top of the steps.)

Rainbow: (pulling at broken string) …but I kinda need all six strings to do it. (Embarrassed smile.) Got any extra?

(What she gets in return is a mix of sighs and groans from all but Sunset, who un-slings her backpack to reveal the red/yellow sun emblazoned on the fabric as a match for her pony self’s cutie mark. A quick bit of fishing around, and the camera cuts to an extreme close-up of her hand holding out a coiled string.)

Sunset: (from o.s.) Here. (Rainbow takes it; back to Sunset as she continues.) But everyone finished practicing for the day. (She shoulders the pack.) I’m pretty sure all the music rooms are locked.

(Back to the cocksure blue teen, who wastes no time in making the change-out.)

Rainbow: No problem. The acoustics in the hallway are perfect for power chords.

(She cranks one off while dropping to one knee—loud and clear despite the fact that the instrument is connected to absolutely nothing—then stands up.)

Rainbow: Come on! (Cut to Sunset; she continues o.s.) Let’s go!

(Their onetime foe allows herself a humoring little smile and head shake as the others enter the front doors. Applejack, at the back of the group, stops to address herself back down the steps.)

Applejack: You comin’, Sunset?

Sunset: I’ll catch up in a bit.

(The door swings shut; now alone at the foot of the steps, she sits down, sets her backpack between her knees, and pulls out her magic journal. Opening it and resting it in her lap, she fishes up a pen and begins to write.)

Sunset: (voice over, dictating) “Dear Princess Twilight: How’s life treating you in Equestria? Any cool new magic spells?” (Zoom out slowly.) “It’s been pretty quiet here at CHS since the Battle of the Bands. We still pony up when we play music, which Rainbow Dash just loves to show off, but I still can’t quite grasp what it’s all about. I would love to hear what you think about it when you get a sec. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer.”

(A reference to the events of Rainbow Rocks. By the time she finishes, the camera has backed up past the statue and stopped just beyond the curb. A bus pulls up, hiding the entire school from view; cut to a close-up of the lower portion of its doors as they open. Standing at the exit are two legs, framed from the knees down and sporting sneakers and jeans with turned-up cuffs. When they step down to ground level, the hem of a light blue-green garment comes into view; tilt up as the bus pulls away. This individual has light violet skin and is wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sunglasses; hood up, hands in pockets, hunched down to disguise itself as much as possible.)

(One hand brings out a boxy device, holding it up by a handle that extends straight down from the bottom, and an antenna flips up from either side as the free fingers adjust a dial. The new arrival aims the unit at the statue and begins to walk toward it; a close-up of the panel shows an oscilloscope signal and a dial gauge split into two regions, green and red. The pointer wavers back and forth across the border, then veers firmly into the green once this person is standing right at the statue’s base. A few steps bring the side facing the school under scrutiny; now the needle swings hard into the red zone and the oscilloscope signal goes wild. A touch of fingers against the vertical stone surface sets off the characteristic ripples of the portal between this realm and Equestria. Sunset glances up from her writing with alarm.)

Sunset: Hey!

(The interloper regards her with surprise, lowering the probe, and Sunset stands up.)

Sunset: What are you doing? (Figure runs off.) Wait! (She gives chase.) Stop!

(The escapee makes it across the street, but Sunset is forced to stop short at the curb in order to avoid being hit by a passing car. Hooking a hand around the nearest lamppost, the escapee cuts a tight turn that very nearly drags the sneakered feet out from underneath; a bus pulls up, perfectly timed for the figure to jump on. Sunset reaches this side of the street, only to get a faceful of exhaust fumes as the bus pulls away.)

Sunset: Who was that?

(Onboard, the figure stands looking out the rear windows for a moment before sitting down. The unit has been returned to one of the sweatshirt pockets, and the violet hands push the hood back to fully expose the face—it is this world’s Twilight Sparkle, as seen in the post-credits scene of Rainbow Rocks. The “sunglasses” are actually her black-framed glasses, whose lenses had been shadowed out by her hood. The hair is still in its bun, but high on the back of her head instead of at the nape of her neck; it is more neatly combed than before, and her face is framed by two slightly curled locks that hang down past her chin. A small clip is fixed to the strands above one temple—the familiar six-pointed pink star overlaid on a white one. She voices a quiet sigh of relief at making a successful getaway, and the camera cuts to behind the bus and tilts up into the sky as it rolls toward the urban center of Canterlot.)

(From here, the view dissolves to a head-on shot of a rather different-looking building. It has three stories constructed of dark red brick, as well as dormer windows set into the roof, with light blue crystal on its central rooftop, peripheral eaves, and the columns that stand at both ends and to either side of the front entrance. A clock is mounted just below the eave that stands above these doors. This is Crystal Prep Academy, identified by Rainbow as Crystal Prep High School in the “Pinkie Spy” prequel short. As the camera zooms in slowly, the bus pulls up for a moment and then departs, leaving Twilight to walk toward the imposing structure, whose central façade is liberally decorated with well-tended climbing vines as well as the crystal features.)

(A dissolve shifts the view to a close-up just behind the intrepid girl, the camera following her to one of the pairs of closed double doors. These are pushed open, the view flaring brilliant white for a moment and then clearing to show her approaching a classroom door; this is shoved open, another flash, and she comes to a third closed door. Throughout this sequence, the crystal motif is seen at work inside the school as well as out.)

(When Twilight opens this door, the screen does not flare again; instead, a darkened laboratory can be seen beyond the threshold. She reaches in around the edge and flips a switch, bringing up the lights. Once she enters, the camera cuts to the note/chart/string-covered bulletin board she had been studying in that post-credits scene. Zoom in slowly as she lifts a small drawing, ready to tack it up, then cut to an extreme close-up of a bare spot. The paper is stuck on, showing a sketch of the statue’s base and a question mark in the center of one side, and the thumbtack already has a string tied to it. A spark of purple energy travels along its length as the credits begin.)

OPENING CREDITS

(Fragmentary vocalizations and drum beats float through the ambient chords, gradually coalescing into a background in D major.)

Rainbooms:                The Friendship Games

Rock, brisk 4 (D major)

Electric guitar intro for four beats, then joined by bass and drums

Rainbooms:                We’ve come this far and we’re not going back [No way!]

                        Prepare yourself, ’cause we’re on the attack [Attack!]

                        Won’t have to find us, we’ll be tracking you down [Right now!]

                        And when we’re finished, we’ll be taking the crown

Horns in

                        All the way [all the way], all the way to the Friendship Games

                        Na, na, na-na-na, oh, na, na, let’s go

                        All the way [all the way], all the way to the Friendship Games

                        Na, na, na-na-na, oh, na, na, let’s go

Horns out

                        Hey! Ho!

                        Hey! Let’s go!

Horns in; sustained background vocalizations beneath lyrics

Rainbow:                We studied hard and we’re here to win

Applejack:                We’re only tellin’ you once

Sunset:                Our magic comes from the inside out

Vocalizations end

Rainbooms:                What you see’s what you get, don’t you ever forget

                        All the way [all the way], all the way to the Friendship Games

                        Na, na, na-na-na, oh, na, na, let’s go

                        All the way [all the way], all the way to the Friendship Games

                        Na, na, na-na-na, oh, na, na, let’s go

(The color and peripheral elements disappear from the main title as the camera zooms in quickly through the outline of the M in GAMES, leaving the screen black. From here, fade in to a close-up of a note tacked onto the bulletin board’s calendar and zoom out slowly. The paper is prominently marked “FRIENDSHIP GAMES,” and an o.s. light source sputters fitfully in the dim lab.)

Rainbooms:                Na, na, na-na-na, oh, na, na, let’s go

Gradual diminuendo in music and vocals

                        Na, na, na-na-na, oh, na, na, let’s go

                        Na, na, na-na-na, oh, na, na, let’s go

Song ends

(By this point, the camera has backed up far enough to bring Twilight’s bent head and intent eyes into view in the foreground. The flickering glare is concentrated on her face, suggesting a bit of electrical rewiring being done. A series of fade-out/fade-in transitions presents the following. One hand, emerging from a lab coat’s white sleeve, removing the front panel from the device she used to scan the statue…she takes a screwdriver to it with the help of a large magnifier on a desk stand…she fits a cover onto a round purple device that resembles an oversized makeup compact with a small hole drilled through the hinge…one last tweak brings the item to life, with a strobing light making its way around a central black window…seen from behind, she hooks up a circuit and is rewarded with a crackle of sparks…holding the device open, she smiles triumphantly as the cover slowly shuts by itself. The screen fades to black around it as the strobe begins to circle the window, in which a star appears. It drifts to a point slightly above the center of the screen.)

Act One

(Fade in to an overhead view of Canterlot High, seen from roof level, the library’s glass dome superimposes itself over the device as the latter fades away. It is now the following day, and muffled conversations can be heard from within. Zoom out slowly, then dissolve to a slow pan across the library’s busy central rotunda. The camera cuts to a couple of students looking through the stacks on the upper level, then to a group at a study table, and finally to all the Rainbooms save Rainbow clustered around a different one. Applejack leans back in a chair, feet propped up; Fluttershy sits on the floor near her backpack and Angel; Pinkie sits on a rolling ladder intended for reaching the top shelves; Rarity pulls a book from one of the lower ones; Sunset paces the floor. The first three are already reading, and Rarity has disposed of her glasses, measuring tape, and pincushion. Zoom in slowly.)

Sunset: She was definitely doing something to the statue, or was going to. (Cut to Fluttershy.)

Fluttershy: (petting Angel) Do you think she came through the portal from Equestria?

Sunset: (stopping next to her) No, I-I’m pretty sure I woulda noticed that. I think she was from over here.

Applejack: (from o.s.) Well, that’s a relief. (Cut to her.) The last thing we need is another magical so-and-so bent on world domination comin’ over from Equestria.

(She sets her book on her knees during this line, then puts her arms behind her head and winks at the end of it. Sunset responds with a smirk and a cocked eyebrow, taking with good humor the jibe at the crises of the two previous movies, the first of which was her doing.)

Rarity: Agreed. I have no interest in another fight against the powers of evil magic. The wear and tear on my wardrobe is just too much to keep up with. (Zoom in slowly on Sunset.)

Sunset: Still, a mysterious figure snooping around the portal? (smiling) Don’t you want to know what she was up to? (Fluttershy stands up with a shudder, holding Angel.)

Fluttershy: I don’t even want to guess.

(Rainbow chooses this moment to make her entrance, stepping into view from around the corner and holding a book marked with the Canterlot High logo. She no longer carries her guitar as in the prologue.)

Rainbow: Well, you don’t have to— (running in) —because I’ve totally figured out who it was.

Pinkie: Ooh, ooh!

(She leans out of view, holding a different book into view on each of the first two guesses that follow.)

Pinkie: (from o.s.) A nighttime statue cleaner? A magical portal maintenance maintainer? (leaning into view) A gardener? (Rainbow is not amused.)

Rainbow: (pushing Pinkie away on the ladder) Seeing as how they got off a bus from the city and got back on a bus headed to the city, I’ll bet they go to…

All but Sunset: (wearily; Applejack taking feet off table) …Crystal Prep.

Rainbow: Yep. With the Friendship Games starting tomorrow, they’d totally try to prank us by defacing the Wondercolt statue.

(This is the first time in the film series that the statue on the front lawn has been referred to by a specific name.)

Sunset: Why would anyone take a bus all the way from the city for that? (Applejack is now standing.)

Applejack: (sourly) Because the Crystal Prep Shadowbolts are our biggest rivals?

Rarity: Because that’s just what the students at Crystal Prep would do?

Rainbow: (holding up book, now open; zoom in) Because even though they beat us in everything…

(The zoom reveals that she has procured a yearbook. She shows a different page on each of the next three mentions. Every one depicts three students in the magenta/dark-blue athletic wear favored by Crystal Prep in “Pinkie Spy.” They stand on a three-level medal podium, holding trophies for the relevant sport; meanwhile, the same three defeated Canterlot High athlete stand off to one side, becoming increasingly despondent from one shot to the next.)

Rainbow: (from o.s.) …soccer…tennis…golf… (Cut to Sunset, unimpressed; the book is shoved into her face.) …they still have to gloat!

(Close-up of another page, which captures the statue dressed up in a clownish mishmash of colors, topped with a red rubber nose and a fluffy purple wig studded with bows. Back to Sunset.)

Sunset: (pushing book down) Seems kinda silly to me.

All others: (from o.s.) SILLY?!? (Cut to them.)

Rainbow: So I guess you think the Friendship Games are silly too.

Sunset: Well, it’s not like we’ll be fighting the powers of evil magic. (Fluttershy crosses to her.)

Fluttershy: (touching Sunset’s shoulder) No, we’ll be fighting against a school full of meanies. Not everything has to be magical to be important.

Sunset: (smiling, scratching back of neck) You’re right. I’m sorry. I know it’s a big deal.

Rarity: (sighing, crossing to them) That’s putting it mildly, darling. They’re still revamping the playing field in preparation.

Sunset: I just don’t understand why there’s this big rivalry. Aren’t the Friendship Games supposed to be about our two schools getting along?

Applejack: (lifting book in Rainbow’s grip) Well, it’s kinda hard to get along with someone who beats you at everything.

Rainbow: (throwing it aside) Not anymore! This time, things are gonna be different.

Sunset: What do you mean?

Rainbow: (knowingly) Oh, you’ll find out.

(She smirks and throws a sidewise glance across the library. Dissolve to the stage in the gym; rows of chairs are set up in front and occupied by students, and Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna stand at a microphone. The younger sister has a clipboard under her arm, and a curtain has been drawn closed behind the two. Zoom in slowly. Throughout the following, lines spoken by characters on the stage are amplified by the sound system.)

Celestia: As I am sure you all know, tomorrow Canterlot High School will be hosting our fellow students from Crystal Prep Academy, as we join together in the spirit of excellence, sportsmanship, and fidelity to compete in the Friendship Games.

(During the first third, cut to a brief pan across one set of bleachers. A glum Fluttershy, a bored Rarity, and a slightly worried Sunset are among those seated up here, and the tops of Applejack’s and Pinkie’s heads are visible at a lower level. Fluttershy no longer has Angel or her backpack with her. The camera returns to the stage for the final third. Students from all social groups respond with dull cheers and applause that would be more appropriate coming from an audience of zombies.)

Celestia: Since the Games only happen every four years, I’m sure you’re all curious what goes on.

(Flash Sentry stands up in the bleachers and cups his hands to his mouth to make sure his words come through clearly.)

Flash: YOU MEAN, OTHER THAN US LOSING? (Luna aims a dirty look at him.)

Celestia: And that is exactly why I’ve asked Rainbow Dash to come up and give you all a little… (Rainbow steps up.) …um…context.

(The microphone is yanked out of the stand, setting off a short whine of feedback.)

Rainbow: Thank you, Principal Celestia. (Clear throat; pace the stage.) I know a lot of you might think there’s no way we can beat a fancy school like Crystal Prep at anything.

Pinkie: (hands cupped to mouth) UNLESS IT’S A “LOSING TO CRYSTAL PREP” COMPETITION, ’CAUSE WE’RE REEEEEEALLY GOOD AT THAT!

Rainbow: (groaning) And I know that CHS has never won the Friendship Games even once.

Four-beat count-off on drumsticks

Rarity: (to Sunset) Oh, dear. I hope this speech isn’t meant to be motivational.

Marching-band drum cadence with horn accents, energetic 4 (D major)

(Zoom in slowly on the stage.)

Rainbow: Crystal Prep students are super-athletic, super-smart, and super-motivated. But there’s one thing they aren’t. They aren’t Wondercolts!

(The stage lights dim as the curtain opens to reveal a row of seven students in band uniforms, marking time and playing instruments under the spotlights that pick them out. Trombone, snare drum, trumpet, baton-carrying majorette, bass drum, sousaphone, flute.)

Rainbow:                We’ve fought magic more than once and come out on top

Band:                        Oh-h

Rainbow:                There’s other schools, but none can make those claims

Band:                        Na, na, na-na-na, oh

Rainbow:                Together we are Canterlot, come and cheer our name

Band:                        Oh-h

Rainbow:                This will be our year to win these Games

(She jumps off the stage and begins to march through the crowd, followed by the band members.)

Rainbow, Band:         We’ll always be Wondercolts forever

                        And now our time has finally arrived

(They peel off to alternating sides of the gym.)

                        ’Cause we believe in the magic of friendship

(DJ P0N-3, in the bleachers, yanks up a cord from foot level and plugs it into the mobile deck on her lap. A surge of pale blue power races away along it.)

                        And you know at the end of the day, it is we who survive

(The surge reaches an overhead speaker and brings it to thundering life, sending out a wave of electricity that washes out the screen.)

Horns out; electric guitar/synthesizer in

(The view clears to show a sound signal dancing on a screen; this in turn becomes a burst of energy, from which a seven-colored rainbow streaks upward. Its hues are the signature colors of the original five Rainbooms, plus Princess Twilight’s violet and Sunset’s red. The spectrum becomes a fader control on DJ P0N-3’s rig, which slides up to maximum in an extreme close-up and sends a blast of juice over to one of the turntables as she sets it spinning. The view dissolves to a close-up of a blue shako—cylindrical cap—that is part of a band uniform, lowered to present its crown to the camera. The wearer is Rainbow, who lifts her head as the camera zooms out quickly to frame her standing in front of the bleachers. Two three-by-three sets of giant flash cards are being held up to show the school’s C-horseshoe logo.)

Guitar/synth play accents similar to horns in first verse

Rainbow:                [Hey!] We’re not the school we were before [Before!]

                        Yeah, we’re different now [Hey, hey!]

Band:                         Oh-h

(The cards to her right are flipped to show a picture of Sunset in her demon form and the tiara that held the Element of Magic at the time.)

Rainbow:                We overcame the obstacles we faced

(Now the ones on her left flip to reveal the reptilian form of the Sirens.)

Band:                        Overcame the obstacles we faced

(The students’ school spirit is beginning to perk up quite a bit now.)

Rainbow:                [Hey!] We’re Canterlot united [Unite!]

We’ll never bow [Hey, hey!]

Band:                         Oh-h

Rainbow:                So get ready to see us in first place

(She flings the shako across the gym; a dissolve turns it into a baton, which drops into the majorette’s upraised hand. At her gesture, the other band members throw blue/yellow Wondercolt ears and tails into the crowd, and the first two to catch the items are quick to put them on.)

Rock groove; horns in

Rainbow, Students:                We’ll always be Wondercolts forever [Three, two one, go!]

(Two pairs of ears tumble down the screen; behind them, the view wipes to several other students donning them, including Scootaloo.)

                                And now our time has finally arrived [Our time is now!]

(Rainbow puts a set on Trixie’s head, getting a smile, and the rest of the Rainbooms beam at the outcome.)

                                ’Cause we believe in the magic of friendship [oh-h, oh]

(She and the majorette lean toward each other, then turn to stand shoulder to shoulder.)

                                And you know at the end of the day, it is we who survive

(Zoom out slowly, then faster, to frame first the rest of the band and then the entire gym.)

                                At the end of the day, it is we who survive

Handclaps accompany percussion; all other instruments out

Students:                         Na, na, na-na, na-na

Rainbow, Students:                Wondercolts united together

Students:                         Na, na, na-na, na-na

(Up onstage, Celestia claps along and Luna taps a foot, having put away her clipboard. Photo Finish stands up to snap a picture of the spectacle.)

Rainbow, Students:                Wondercolts united forever

Horns/guitar/synth in

(Rainbow leads the band on another march through the throng. The previous lines are sung as background, two of theirs to one of hers—first two, last two, first two.)

Rainbow:                        We’ll always be Wondercolts forever

                                And now our time has finally arrived

(Having reached the edge of the stage, she hops back up onto it.)

                                ’Cause we believe in the magic of friendship

(A familiar blue glow surrounds her form, and her pony ears/tail/wings materialize—she has “ponied up,” as she put it during the prologue. Background vocal lines stop at this point.)

Rainbow, Students:                And you know at the end of the day, it is we who survive

(Her five friends are surprised and elated at this new development. With the band now onstage, the majorette gestures to the players on one side, then the other, and tosses her baton high overhead.)

                                At the end of the day, it is we who survive

Song ends

(The winged blue teen catches it at the top of its flight, setting off a round of wild cheering and applause among the student body. Dissolve to her, standing backstage and with her transformation reversed, and no longer holding the baton. She throws a wink and a thumbs-up to the majorette out on the floor, who waves and walks off across the gym, and starts for the exit only to find the rest of the gang waiting for her.)

Fluttershy: Oh, Rainbow Dash, that was amazing! Even I feel like we can win!

Rarity: I feel like my school pride is at an all-time high!

Applejack: Is anybody else wonderin’ how Dash ponied up without playin’ her guitar? (She pretends to hit a riff on the end of this.)

Rainbow: I know, right? It’s probably because I’m so awesome!

Sunset: (uncertainly) Maybe. (smiling) I mean, you are awesome, but there’s gotta be more to it that that, right? It just seems so random.

(The voice that cuts in catches her off guard; on the start of the next line, the camera tracks slightly around to bring Luna into view, standing directly behind her.)

Luna: Well, it would be nice if you girls could get a handle on it. We’d like to keep magic as far away from the Friendship Games as possible. We don’t want to be accused of cheating.

(Cut to Fluttershy/Pinkie/Sunset, worry and bemusement showing in various proportions on the three faces, and pan/zoom out to frame all six girls on the start of the following.)

Rarity: We don’t need magic to defeat those hoity-toity Crystal Preppers. (Assorted assent from all others but Sunset; cut to her and Luna.)

Luna: Still, the Friendship Games are serious business. We don’t want any surprises, especially the kind that could cause us to forfeit. Sunset Shimmer, you came here from a world of magic. Perhaps you can get to the bottom of our magical development.

Sunset: (smiling) I’ll do my best. (Luna nods and walks off.)

Rainbow: (from o.s.) Okay. (Cut to her.) Anybody have any guesses what the events are gonna be? (Here comes Pinkie, a pie in one hand.)

Pinkie: Pie eating? (She pulls a cake from her hair with the other.) Cake eating? (Big gasp; she smashes the desserts together, splattering them both.) Pie-cake eating?!?

(Cut to Applejack/Fluttershy/Rarity; the first two have been hit by the goop and get to work brushing themselves off.)

Applejack: They won’t even let us see what they’re doin’ to the field. You’d think they’d at least tell competitors what they’re competing in.

Fluttershy: It could be anything.

Rarity: (shocked) Anything? How will I ever pick the right outfit?

Sunset: I really want to help— (scratching back of neck) —but I think I better go focus on figuring out why Rainbow Dash ponied up. See you later!

(She heads for the door; now Pinkie and Rainbow have cleaned themselves up as well, and Pinkie has cleared away the remains of the pie/cake collision.)

Pinkie: Seems like she’s got everything under control. Nothing to worry about.

(Cut to the library rotunda. Sunset sits near the far wall, at a table piled with books; zoom in slowly on her, then cut to just behind her chair. She has filled several sheets with notes, which she regards with obvious frustration and disgust before sweeping them aside with a groan. After a moment hunched down over the table, hands pressed to temples and elbows supporting her weight, she straightens up with a sigh and retrieves her journal and pen from the mess. A moment’s thought, and she begins to write; zoom in slowly.)

Sunset: (voice over, dictating) “Hey, Twilight. Haven’t heard back from you yet. I guess you must be pretty busy with your role as Princess, but I could really use your advice right now. You see, I’ve been given the job of keeping magic under control here at CHS, even though I still haven’t quite wrapped my head around it.” (Longer shot; slow pan.) “And now, after seeing Rainbow Dash pony up the way she did, it makes me think our magic might be…changing. Everyone is looking to me to figure things out—” (Close-up.) “—and I really don’t want to let them down, but I’m not sure I have enough experience with friendship magic to solve this.”

(She stops writing and glances uncertainly up from the pages. Cut to a long shot of Crystal Prep, zooming in slowly to the sound of a school bell, then cut to a close-up of two legs walking along a hallway inside. Seen from the knees down, they are attired in long purple socks trimmed with pink ruffles, and the feet sport darker-hued loafers with chunky heels and buckles styled as small crystal shields. The feet stop, framed in a longer shot that shows the light violet skin of Twilight’s exposed legs above the socks, and the camera tilts up to reveal the rest of her. Pleated skirt, reaching about halfway to her knees, in a dark magenta plaid pattern; pale blue shirt with long sleeves that end in broad gray cuffs secured with tiny diamond-shaped buttons; dark purple necktie; book held to chest. She grimaces slightly, the camera cutting to just behind her and tilting up slowly over a hallway full of students. Some converse, some go to their lockers, others walk past, and none take any notice of the bespectacled girl in the middle of the floor. The girls wear skirts/shoes/socks/shirts like Twilight’s, but with dark purple ribbon bows at the collars; the boys wear light blue dress shirts and dark purple pants/neckties, with shoes that match the girls’ except in the heel height. All wear dark blue belts and magenta blazers, darker than the skirts, with light blue buttons and gray sleeve cuffs. In addition, all of their blazer and cuff buttons are round, and the girls’ blazers have light blue piping. Twilight’s upper-body wear is an exception: vest rather than a blazer, with the same piping and a dark blue outer belt.)

(In close-up, her glasses slide down her nose; she nudges them up, takes a deep breath, and starts walking again. The first student she passes elbows her roughly aside.)

Twilight: Excuse me. (Another one does the same.) Sorry.

(A little bob-and-weave takes her past three more, after which she gets one more elbow from a disdainful Fleur. Same white hue, lavender-shadowed violet eyes, and two-tone pink hair as her pony counterpart; gold fleur-de-lis hair clip. Her clothing differs from those of the other girls in that her blazer and shirt both have short sleeves and no gray cuffs.)

Twilight: Pardon me!

(She walks gloomily toward the camera as the view fades to black.)

(Fade in to a slow pan across a desk in her lab: microscope, rack of test tubes, computer whose monitor displays a picture of her dog Spike with his jaws clamped on a dog biscuit. Two more cuts frame the bulletin board, the camera tilting slowly up to catch all of it, then the pooch himself napping on a swivel chair. One ear flicks up at the sound of footsteps, and in no time he is fully awake, panting happily, and jumping down to set the chair spinning and rolling away. He reaches the door and begins to scratch at it just before it is flung open, tossing him aside with a yelp. Twilight enters and walks to the chair, no longer carrying her book. Now one more peculiarity of her uniform can be seen: the buttons on her vest are not round, but diamond-shaped.)

Twilight: Spike! (Sit down.) SPIIIIIKE!

(He sticks his head up from an overflowing trash can with a cheerful bark and jumps out to climb onto the desk where she now sits, which stands opposite the one seen a moment ago.)

Twilight: (giggling) There you are. (He licks her face and yips; she laughs and pets him on the head.) Okay, okay!

(To which he responds by turning around on her lap and presenting his wagging tail. Instead of putting fingers to work on his back, though, she reaches past him; cut to a close-up of one desk drawer as she opens it.)

Twilight: (from o.s., pulling out her round device) Last night’s field test confirmed it, Spike.

(The thing has gone quiet. Cut to the girl and her dog.)

Twilight: (tapping center window to activate it, flipping it open/closed) With this device, I can track and contain the bizarre energy coming from Canterlot High! (He barks and snarls angrily; she scratches his head to calm him down.) I know you didn’t like me going over there, but I just couldn’t wait.

(He jumps down to the floor.)

Twilight: (rolling over to other desk) And soon I’ll have all the time I need. (She picks up some pages from a stack.) All of Crystal Prep is gonna be there for the Friendship Games. I just hope all that rivalry nonsense doesn’t get in the way of my research.

(Cut to Spike, who becomes more interested in a ladybug flying past than in her words.)

Twilight: (from o.s., with growing excitement) If I can collect enough data on these EM frequencies— (He snarls and waits for it to land, pounces, and misses.) —I should be able to extrapolate the waveforms to determine their origin! (Back to her.) That would practically guarantee my entrance into the Everton Independent Study Program!

(Her high spirits cause her to lean too far back in her chair and overbalance.)

Twilight: Whoa!

(Down she goes; now there is a knock at the closed door, which swings open to admit this world’s counterpart of Princess Cadence. Light blue blouse; blue-green skirt; deep blue blazer with one gold diamond-shaped button, lapels that match the skirt, and light gold trim at the sleeve cuffs; a gold-trimmed pin of a light blue heart-shaped jewel that matches her pony self’s cutie mark; same eyes, three-color hair, and gold heart necklace; light blue eyeshadow; gold-colored shoes. Her eyes pop as she takes in the tableau of one prone teen genius getting her face licked by one dog amid one scatter of notes. Cut to Twilight, who pushes Spike away.)

Cadence: (from o.s.) Twilight— (Cut to her.) —you know the rules against pets. (She pulls Twilight upright.)

Twilight: Well, Spike isn’t a pet, Dean Cadence. (She picks him up.) He’s the focus of my research project. (holding him forward) Human/canine cohabitation—effects and implications.

Cadence: If you say so. (picking a loose hair off Twilight’s shoulder) But Principal Cinch is highly allergic, so I suggest you put on a clean shirt.

Twilight: Why? (She sets Spike down.)

Cadence: Because she wants to see you.

Twilight: Ooh! Maybe she has news about my application to Everton! (Cadence rests a hand on her shoulder.)

Cadence: I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that. Are you sure that’s what you really want?

Twilight: Why wouldn’t it be? A program that allows me to focus all my attention on my own advanced math and science projects? What a dream come true!

Cadence: But there aren’t any classrooms with other students. You’ll be doing everything on your own.

Twilight: That is why it’s called an independent study program.

Cadence: I just don’t want you to miss out on anything, that’s all. (The hand finds the shoulder again; she smiles.) Being around other people isn’t a bad thing. Sometimes it’s how you learn the most about yourself.

Twilight: (uncertainly) I guess.

Cadence: Meet you in Principal Cinch’s office in a few minutes?

(Getting a nod from Twilight, she exits and pulls the door closed.)

Twilight: What’s she so worried about? (Cut to Spike, worrying a chew toy with gusto; she continues o.s.) Everton is exactly what I need right now.

(He stops and aims two wondering green eyes up from the floor, cocking his head; her sigh floats down to him, and the camera cuts to frame the entire room. Zoom out slowly.)

Twilight: It’s not like I have anything left to learn at Crystal Prep.

Quiet acoustic guitar melody, moderate 4 (D major)

(Outside the lab; she emerges and closes the door behind her, then steels herself for a walk down a mostly-empty hallway, dodging two passersby.)

Twilight:        I’ve walked through all these halls before

(She turns to look in through the window of a closed classroom door.)

                I’ve been in and out of every door, whoa

(Zoom in on the pane; a math class is in progress.)

Piano/synth in

                There’s nothing in this school that I don’t know

(Fleur leans into view on the other side and pulls down a shade to block Twilight’s view. The latter’s surprised reflection now appears, and she walks past a nearby trophy case.)

                In every class my grade’s the best, the highest score on every test

(The fingertips she runs over its glass front curl into a fist and pull away.)

                I think that means it’s time for me to go

I know there’s more that’s out there, and I just haven’t found it yet

(smiling)        I know there’s more that’s out there, another me I haven’t met

Strings/drums/bass in

(Turning a corner into the lobby, she does a little fancy footwork to stay out of the way of other students on the move.)

Twilight:        This school is full of people, but still I don’t belong

(now standing still; two girls glare at her and she hurries away)

                They only dream of winning, look at me like something’s wrong

                Maybe I’m better off alone

(glancing up a staircase, starting to climb it)

                Will I find what I’m looking for if I just do it on my own?

Intensity builds

                I know there’s more that’s out there, something to fill this hole inside

(She stops on a landing to gaze out the window; cut to outside it and zoom out, framing it in one of the blue crystal towers that flank the front entrance.)

                I know there’s more that’s out there, and I’m not afraid to try

(Back to her, climbing the stairs again.)

Horns in

                There’s only so much this school can offer, and I’m not saying that it’s wrong

(She reaches a broad rotunda at another landing and leans against a lustrous wall.)

                But I know there’s more that’s out there, ’cause I’ve been searching all along

(Now she steps farther onto the floor, the camera tracking slowly around her.)

Twilight:        Beyond these rooms, beyond these walls

(Overhead shot; zoom out slowly.)

                So much to learn, I can’t see it all

(Floor level; she starts up the next flight of stairs.)

                There’s something out there calling me

                And it’s a mystery that I can’t wait to see

Stoptime

                ’Cause I know there’s more that’s out there, another place, another way

(Reaching the top, she faces a broad closed door flanked by benches and steps toward it.)

Stoptime ends

                And I know there’s more that’s out there, and I’ll find out someday

                I’ll find out someday

Song ends

(Cut to an extreme close-up of the brass knob as she grasps and turns it, revealing a sliver of a very dimly lit space beyond, then to a point a few feet up. The door creaks open to expose a close-up of a single round overhead fixture casting its light almost straight down from a high vaulted ceiling, and a slow tilt down picks out an identical one several yards back. Bookcases and cabinets are set up along the side and back walls, and a high bookshelf runs the full circuit of the room. The farther of the two lights shines on an imposing desk; an ornate, high-backed chair is placed behind this, its back to the camera, and each far corner of the room sports a pillar topped by a brass spheroid set with a mosaic of blue crystal pieces.)

(Cut to inside this room, the camera pointing out at a very nervous Twilight. Cadence stands off to the side opposite the door, in front of a group of shelves loaded with plaques and trophies, and two more pillars with the odd brass/crystal creations are placed in these two corners. Twilight hesitantly steps across the empty expanse of floor, the camera zooming out slightly to frame the front edge of the desk and a sliver of a figure seated in the chair. Blue-clad shoulder, multi-toned purple hair arranged in a bun at the nape of the neck.)

(The teen seats herself on a stool in front of the desk, whereupon the camera cuts to the door as it is pushed shut by a figure concealed behind it. This one is male, with blue eyes in a white face and slightly unruly, three-tone blue hair—the human version of Shining Armor. He wears a violet sweater set with his pony self’s cutie mark over a light gray shirt and dark gray necktie, medium gray pants with a dark blue belt, and two-tone gray shoes.)

Twilight: (from o.s.) Shining Armor? (Zoom out to frame her.) Why is my brother here?

Cadence: As an alumni [sic], Principal Cinch thought he could provide some unique perspective.

[Note: The correct term for an individual graduate is “alumnus” for a male, or “alumna” for a female.]

Twilight: Perspective on what?

(The chair swivels to present all of the figure sitting in it, Abacus Cinch, as the camera zooms in. Older woman; very pale blue skin; hair carefully arranged; dangling pearl earrings; pale pink-violet eyes with pale lavender shadow, behind half-moon glasses; beauty mark on left cheek; purple blazer with lapels and diamond-shaped buttons in lighter hues; medium blue, high-collared blouse; deep red lipstick. Resting her elbows on her desk, she holds her hands folded at throat level. Her face is set in a patrician expression of aristocratic haughtiness, accented by one raised eyebrow, and her voice is a perfect match for it, with an occasional roll on the R’s.)

Abacus: Why, the Friendship Games, of course.

(She stands up, exposing a sliver of dark purple skirt and a gold-framed red brooch at her collar.)

Abacus: You competed in the Games, did you not… (Cut to the door; Cadence and Shining trade a little smile and she continues o.s.) …Shining Armor?

(A surprised little blush hits the white cheeks; zoom in on him. He clears his throat.)

Shining: I did.

Abacus: And do you happen to recall who won?

Shining: (chuckling) Crystal Prep did. We always win.

Abacus: “We always win.” (She begins to pace.)

Twilight: Why did you ask to see me?

(Now the principal has circled around to a group of trophies on display at a side wall.)

Abacus: Twilight, I’ll be honest. (plucking one from the shelves) It doesn’t matter whether or not Crystal Prep wins or loses.

(Up comes a cloth, which she rubs over the surface until it reflects her severe countenance.)

Abacus: The important thing is that we are expected to win because Crystal Prep has a reputation. (The trophy goes back on the shelf; she crosses back to Twilight.) And it is that reputation— (leaning down to her) —my reputation—that is responsible for everything we have here. For everything you’ve done here. (circling around desk) And you’ve done quite a lot, haven’t you?

Twilight: (nervously) I don’t know. I guess.

Abacus: Oh, don’t be modest. (Sit.) You’re the best student this school has ever seen. (Toy with a pencil lying free.) What I can’t understand is why my best student wouldn’t want to compete.

Twilight: In the Friendship Games?

Shining: Look, Twilie. I know it’s not really your thing, but representing the school is kind of a big deal. Plus, they could really use your help.

Abacus: It seems Canterlot High is undergoing something of a renaissance. (She pulls a paper from a drawer and eyes it.) Test scores are up, grades, even athletics are on the rise. You see, they are developing somewhat of a reputation. This cannot happen!

(On “cannot,” the camera zooms in to an extreme close-up of her eyes and she narrows them menacingly.)

Twilight: Principal Cinch, I can’t possibly participate in the Games! My work here is very—

Abacus: Ah, yes. Your work. Cadence, could you and Shining Armor find my contact sheet for the Everton Independent Study Program?

Cadence: Of course.

(Shining opens the door, lets her exit first, then follows her out and pulls it shut.)

Abacus: I understand you’ve applied.

(Now she brings up a file folder from another drawer and assumes the smug manner of someone who has an adversary backed into a corner.)

Abacus: (leafing through it, setting it down) You see, one of the advantages of having a reputation is a certain amount of influence in such things. So, let me offer you a deal. In return for contributing your agile mind to these Games— (touching folder) —I will use my influence to guarantee your application is approved.

(On the end of this, the camera cuts to her side of the desk, framing her fingers as they inch the paperwork toward the unsettled egghead. The next shot frames the two in profile; Twilight reaches out for the folder, only for Abacus to pull it back.)

Abacus: Though I suppose I could also have it… (Extreme close-up of her eyes, the brows lowering.) …denied.

(Cut to a head-on shot of the fearfully hunched Twilight and zoom in slowly.)

Abacus: (from o.s.) What do you think I should do?

(Zoom in slowly and fade to black.)

Act Two

(Fade in to a slow pan across the lab. Twilight kneels on the floor, gathering papers and loading them into a backpack while Spike sits nearby. An athletic jersey lies among the disorder; when she picks it up, the little canine snatches the tail in his jaws and pulls at it with a growl.)

Twilight: Come on, Spike! I was always gonna go to Canterlot High for the Friendship Games! (The jersey is released to snap back into her face.) The only difference now is that I have to compete. (Pack it away.) Besides, it’s not like Principal Cinch gave me much of a choice.

(Close-up of Spike; he gives a piteous little whimper and lies down, earning a consoling pat on the head. This brings him up off the floor with a panting smile.)

Twilight: (from o.s., scratching under his chin) I know, Spike. I don’t like it either. (Cut to frame both.) I probably won’t be able to collect anywhere near as much data as I thought.  

(Picking up her souped-up compact, she lets a calculating smile steal across her face.)

Twilight: But maybe I can still get some.

(A second later, she has run a cord through the hole cut in the hinge and knotted it around her neck as an oversized pendant. Spike whimpers again.)

Twilight: (picking him up, hugging him) Spike, I wouldn’t leave without you!

(Close-up of the open backpack.)

Twilight: (from o.s., tucking him inside) Just remember to be quiet. (Cut to frame both again.) And try not to shed.

(Zipping and shouldering the bag, she strides out of the lab and closes the door behind herself. Dissolve to the parking lot just outside the front entrance of Crystal Prep; she walks out toward two buses parked here. Six female students stand lined up at the doors of one of them, along with Cadence, and two men in school colors are at the other. A close-up of the first bus picks out Cadence by the doors, clipboard in hand, and the first three girls in line as Twilight approaches. All are framed from the knees up. One girl is Fleur, checking her cell phone. Another is Sunny Flare: light blue-gray skin; red-violet eyes with dark blue shadow; short, medium violet hair shot through with lighter pink-violet streaks and cut/clipped back in a slope to hang past her cheeks and ride high on the back of her head; orange/yellow sunburst hair clip; dour expression. The third is Sour Sweet: light yellow skin; freckles; blue-violet eyes with green shadow; long, deep pink hair with streaks of lighter pink and gray-green tied in a high ponytail; bored expression. She wears a vest instead of a blazer, in a slightly different design from Twilight’s, and her shirt has short sleeves without gray cuffs and is not tucked in. Twilight walks right past all three of them and up to Cadence. Behind the group, the side of the bus displays a cluster of dark purple diamonds trailing yellow streaks; the largest of these contains a winged magenta S whose ends trail off into lightning bolts—the Shadowbolt logo.)

Twilight: Dean Cadence? (Sour gapes at her back; Sunny glares.) I’m not really sure where to go.

Cadence: (walking off) One second, Twilight.

Sour: (very snarky) You could try the end of the line?

(The violet brainiac turns around, nudging her glasses up when they slip.)

Twilight: What did you say?

Sour: (dripping fake sweetness; Sunny smirks) Just that someone as smart as you should definitely go first.

(This shot frames a dark blue patch sewn onto Sunny’s right sleeve cuff, and a lightning-bolt crest on her blazer. Cut to Twilight as Cadence returns.)

Twilight: I…I didn’t mean to. I was just asking.

Cadence: This is the right bus, Twilight. Go ahead. (Off she goes.)

Twilight: But…I didn’t mean to cut in front. (Scoff from the o.s. Sour; pan to her and Sunny.)

Sour: Well, it’s too late now.

(Sunny adds her own facial measure of contempt as Twilight steps through the doors. She has not even made it up to the driver’s seat before another girl’s face thrusts itself toward hers from the front seats. Pale cream-colored skin; orange-brown eyes; swept-back, shoulder-length dark blue hair with streaks in lighter blue and blue-green; multiple ear piercings, including gold lightning-bolt earrings; round-lensed goggles propped on forehead. This is Indigo Zap, whose voice carries a grating, fierce enthusiasm. As she leans forward during the following exchange, the motion exposes the cardigan she wears instead of a blazer, rolled-up sleeves, an unbuttoned and turned-up shirt collar, gray wristbands with dark blue lightning bolts, and a half-untied collar bow.)

Indigo: Are we gonna win?!?

Twilight: I…I don’t know.

Indigo: Wrong answer! Try again! (Twilight’s perspective of her; lean closer, emphasizing every word.) Are we gonna win?!?

(Back to the new arrival, climbing the rest of the way up the steps.)

Twilight: Um…I guess? I-It’s just…I mean, I heard that CHS is doing well now, with their reputation, and, I mean…it’s not better than ours, of course. But we can’t let them do it, you know? Win, I mean? Right?

(Another cut to her perspective picks out a bus half-filled with students who are giving her their own versions of the old hairy eyeball. Among them are human versions of Jet Set, Suri Polomare, Trenderhoof, and Upper Crust. Eyes are rolled, glasses adjusted, and Indigo throws in a gesture and a tiny head shake that might best be translated as “where did they dig her up?” Back to Twilight; now the bus driver sits down behind the wheel and regards her irascibly.)

Driver: You’re gonna have to take a seat!

(She starts off down the aisle; cut to her perspective yet again. One student after another blocks her access to the empty seats by either shifting toward the aisle seat or setting a bag in it. As she closes in on the back row, the camera cuts to these seats and she removes her backpack so she can sit down opposite a bored-looking girl with light blue-violet skin, violet eyes behind orange-framed glasses, and two-tone pale blue hair gathered into two long pigtails that extend to either side from behind her head. She wears a cardigan marked with the same lightning-bolt crest as Sunny’s blazer, and her sleeve cuffs are not as broad as Twilight’s and are patterned differently. This is Sugarcoat.)

Twilight: Hi, Sugarcoat.

(The latter speaks in a rapid-fire cadence and a matter-of-fact tone, turning her head just enough to reveal a bright pink barrette shaped as a piled-high measuring spoon.) 

Sugarcoat: That was a really bad speech. You should consider not speaking in public.

(As the bus engine revs up, Twilight smiles to herself and opens her pack; cut to her perspective, with Spike putting his head out.)

Twilight: (softly, petting him) Well, Spike, at least I’ve got you with me.

(A faint blare of rock music causes him to glance off to one side with a whimper. Cut to a close-up of a girl in another seat, Lemon Zest. Light reddish-pink skin; very pale yellow-brown eyes with light blue-violet shadow; long, unruly hair in three shades of yellow-green; short-sleeved shirt/blazer with unbuttoned, turned-up shirt collar; headphones marked with slices of pie over ears—the source of the disturbance. Her voice carries a tone of raucous, abrasive cheer.)

Zest: (voice raised) Dude! You have gotta hear this!

(On the end of this line, she leans over Twilight and transfers the phones to the violet ears. Now the music comes through all too loud and clear, prompting her to shudder and moan softly with one eye squinched shut against the assault. The bus starts to move; cut to behind it as it rumbles toward the street.)

(Dissolve to an overhead shot of Canterlot High, zooming in slowly as Zest’s raucous track is replaced by a different rock beat. Cut to a music practice room, where the Rainbooms are running through a song. All six have ponied up, but the extra features disappear as the final chord dies away. Rainbow stands up from the kneeling position she has assumed.)

Rainbow: I hope the Friendship Games have a music competition, because we would totally rock it! (She hits a chord on the end of this.)

Sunset: Um, we’re supposed to keep magic out of the Friendship Games, remember?

 (Rainbow rolls her eyes and sighs wearily. Cut to an extreme close-up of Rarity’s face, reflected in the mirror of her open compact; she is touching up her makeup.)

Rarity: Easier said than done, darling. (Longer shot; she leans against the room’s piano and closes the compact, having shed her keytar.) I’m sure in Equestria, magic does whatever you want. But…

Sunset: (pacing, no longer carrying her guitar) …this isn’t Equestria.

(Applejack and Fluttershy have put away their own instruments, and Rainbow is returning her guitar to its case.)

Applejack: (patting Sunset’s shoulder) Well, when it comes to magic, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. (Back to Rarity, who has stowed her compact.)

Rarity: And while Sunset works on keeping the magic out of the Games, I have been working on what to put in! (Giggle; cut to an incensed Applejack.)

Applejack: Rarity, what did you go and do?

(Zoom out slightly to frame Fluttershy and Sunset to either side as a rack of clothes is shoved into view before them. Half of them are athletic outfits in school colors; the rest are dresses in a variety of other styles.)

Rarity: (from o.s., very giddy) Well— (Laugh.) —I had a little time on my hands, and since we don’t know what the Friendship Games events are…

(During this line, more racks are pushed over to Pinkie at her drum kit—who pushes her head through and comes out wearing a pirate hat and eyepatch—and then to Rainbow, who has now squared her six-string away. Here, the prolific designer shoves aside the hangers from behind and squeezes through with a blue/white/yellow jersey/shorts combo.)

Rarity: …I made a few options for uniforms!

(She shoves the lot down over Rainbow’s head, instantly replacing her usual threads and even switching out the athletic boots with dark blue knee socks. The athlete is very much caught out at the quick change.)

Rainbow: You really didn’t have to do that.

Rarity: (beaming) I know.

Applejack: (from o.s.) No…

(Pan quickly to her, Fluttershy, and Sunset puzzling over the other racks. Pinkie stands up behind them, having switched to a wizard’s robe and starry hat and a fake pink beard.)

Applejack: …you really didn’t have to.

Rarity: (beaming wider) I know!

(She laughs. Cut to a long shot of Canterlot High and zoom out slowly. One of the Crystal Prep buses is parked at the curb, and Luna stands in front of it on the grass. A cut to the sidewalk frames Celestia and Abacus here as well. Seen from head to toe for the first time, the primly dressed principal wears magenta stockings and purple pumps that match her skirt, accented by light blue straps across the toes. Zoom in slowly on the pair.)

Celestia: Vice-Principal Luna can help your students get settled, if you’d like me to show you around, Principal Cinch. There have been quite a few changes since your last visit.

Abacus: (feigning interest, adjusting glasses) Oh, yes, Principal Celestia. I’m sure that would be fascinating.

(Pan from her to the open bus doors, where the students are stepping and out and Luna and Cadence share a warm embrace. The dean no longer carries the clipboard she had when checking everyone onto the bus.)

Luna: Oh, it’s always such a pleasure to see you, Dean Cadence— (grimacing) —even if it means another defeat.

Cadence: Thank you, Vice-Principal Luna. (touching her shoulder; they walk off together) But I hear it’s not going to be so easy this time.

(Only now does Twilight put her head out through the doorway, her backpack slung up and closed and no longer wearing Zest’s headphones. After a tentative flick of the eyes back and forth, she draws herself up, adjusts her glasses—and promptly gets shoved aside from behind by the pumped-up Indigo. Her knee socks have puddled around her ankles, and she has eschewed the standard shoes in favor of dark purple combat boots decorated with blue bows and lightning bolts. In addition, the hem of her cardigan has a slightly different cut from Sugarcoat’s.)

Indigo: (running o.s.) Comin’ through!

(Twilight loses her balance and topples off the steps, taking the nearby Sunny down with her. This shot brings the latter’s footwear into view—the usual chunky-heeled loafers, but the socks are only ankle-length instead of going to the knee—and the dark blue patches on both sleeve cuffs, not just the right. Standing next to Sunny is Sour, whose standard loafers have had their shield buckles replaced by bows and hearts. As she stares in surprise, the two fallen girls sit up back to back; Twilight adjusts her glasses again and Sunny rounds on her.)

Sunny: Seriously?

Twilight: (fiddling with hair) Oh, sorry! (Sunny gets up and walks away.) I didn’t mean to.

(Sighing at the other girl’s curt response, she stands up and very nearly gets run into by Sour.)

Twilight: Oh, sorry. Why don’t you go ahead?

Sour: (fake sweet tone) You are such a sweetie! (viciously, softly) I am watching you!

(Away she goes to join the others. Twilight starts to walk toward them, but Zest bounds out to the doorway, inadvertently cutting her off. Her blazer is now seen to have two lightning-bolt crests low in front, and she has the standard shoes and socks and is wearing her blaring headphones again. She mimes playing guitar, adding a round of enthusiastic grunts and laughs with a “yeah” and a scream mixed in, and charges off while throwing a set of bullhorns with one hand. Behind her comes the blasé Sugarcoat, who wears ankle-length socks and dark purple tights under a skirt that is rather shorter than those of the other girls.)

Sugarcoat: (to Twilight) You are kinda being a doormat right now.

(As she too walks away, the lone violet girl gets a surprise when the high-tech pendant around her neck winks to life, its perimeter strobe indicating the general direction of the school. She lifts it for a closer look and, after a quick glance around herself, aims it toward the building. Cut to her perspective—the indicator is pointing directly at the front entrance as she lowers the device—then back to her. Making very sure that no one else is paying her the slightest mind, she grins and jogs toward the doors, Spike putting his head up from her backpack. As she climbs the front steps, Bon Bon and Lyra—see the “All’s Fair in Love & Friendship Games” prequel short for full description—stop on the way down.)

Bon Bon: (waving) Hi, Twilight.

(Not even the slightest break in stride; she becomes puzzled and Lyra shrugs. Cut to inside the lobby; one door opens and Twilight steps in, eyes fixed on her detector. She moves into one of the hallways, passing a green-haired rocker girl.)

Rocker 1: (waving) Hey, Twilight!

(This time, the budding scientist does pause her steps for just a moment, one eyebrow lowering in mild befuddlement. She continues on her way, encountering a few other students going the other direction.)

Eco-kid 1: (waving) Hi, Twilight.

Rocker 2: Hi, Twilight. (Micro Chips flips a thumbs-up.)

Techie 1: (waving, gesturing at own glasses, winking) Hey, you! Looking good!

Twilight: Um…hi!

Drama: Hey! What’s happening?

Fashionista: (waving) Really nice to see you. (Another techie waves.)

Techie 2: Twilight! How you doing?

Eco-kid 2: (waving) Twilight! Yo!

Twilight: (turning to face her, walking backwards) Hi! Hello. Uh…good.

(Micro is the male techie who appeared in the “All’s Fair in Love & Friendship Games” and “A Banner Day” prequel shorts. As Twilight continues her awkward reverse perambulation, she collides with Flash, sending herself, him, and the cased guitar he carries to the floor. The impact knocks her glasses off to land nearby.)

Flash: (standing, helping her up) Twilight? I almost didn’t recognize you.

(She, on the other hand, shifts into the classic squint and hands-extended grope of a person in search of missing corrective lenses. One hand finds its way to the fabric of his T-shirt by chance; he glances toward floor level, and the camera cuts to an extreme close-up of the dropped specs. Zoom out to frame him looking at them.)

Flash: When did you start wearing glasses? (He reaches down for them.)

Twilight: Um…like, since forever. (Chuckle.)

Flash: Oh! So how long are you here for? (He straightens up.)

Twilight: Just for the Friendship Games.

Flash: Right! Of course! (extending glasses toward her face) We’ll totally win with you here.

(Cut to her perspective on the end of this, framing his face as a blur of blue and pastel yellow-tan that slowly comes into focus as he settles the lenses in place. The camera then shifts to her wondering expression, zooming in slowly before a tiny flash of purple zings across the lenses—her detector is picking up something again. A close-up from her perspective shows that it is indicating a right turn.)

Twilight: Uhhhh… (Back to the pair.) …I gotta go! (And she does so at speed. Zoom out slowly.)

Flash: (puzzled, calling after her) Uh…okay! Bye?

(It should be abundantly clear by now that he, and everyone she has encountered, believe her to be the Twilight who helped save Canterlot High in both Equestria Girls and Rainbow Rocks. Flash groans quietly, covering his face with his hands, as Derpy Hooves walks up behind him and gives him a “there, there” pat on the shoulder.)

(Cut to Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rainbow in the practice room, all having changed into some rather unorthodox outfits. Fluttershy: hockey goalie in full padding and helmet decorated with butterflies and flowers, holding the special stick used by players in that position. Pinkie: cowgirl dress/hat/boots, sitting on the piano. Rainbow: the classic long, dark blue tunic of a British police officer, with black pants, white dress shirt, and black necktie; she holds a nightstick. Rarity zips into view to take a measurement on Fluttershy and plunk a round-crowned helmet, decorated with a checkered band and gold star/wings, onto Rainbow’s head. Sunset stands a bit farther back, garbed in a long shirt and pants in two shades of blue and wearing a welder’s mask, protective gloves, and work boots. Rarity’s next move takes her to the other side of the room, the camera panning to frame Applejack and Sunset. Applejack is suited up to play jai alai, including a wicker “cesta” basket for catching the ball and an apple-decorated helmet in place of her hat. Her jersey has ridden up slightly to expose a patch of midriff, but Rarity tugs at the hem to cover it up.)

Applejack: Uh, Rarity, these outfits are great, but why would you put so much time and effort into clothes we might not even wear?

(The pale girl gets an idea and whisks away on the end of this.)

Applejack: You’re gonna exhaust yourself before the Games even start!

(Cut to Rarity, standing amid other racks of clothes. She sputters out a reaction of disbelief.)

Rarity: Don’t be silly, darling. (She hangs up a dress; zoom in slowly as her enthusiasm builds.) Putting effort into clothes is what I live for, and spending time on my friends fills me with energy!

(The camera zooms out quickly on this last word as she rises a foot or two into the air. A sparkly blue-violet glow surrounds her, edged by a corona of white, and she ponies up without any warning and strikes a joyful midair pose. Cut to a slow pan from Rainbow to Pinkie to Fluttershy, all murmuring in surprise and delight, then to Sunset with her welding mask raised.)

Sunset: (smiling, but glumly) And magic too, I guess.

(She lets the mask drop back over her face. Cut to an extreme close-up of Twilight’s detector, held in her hands as she roams the school. The direction finder begins to zero in on a heading; once it gets a lock, the device snaps open and circular panels in both halves begin to glow magenta. Twilight stops short, her glasses sliding down and getting a quick tweak; cut to inside the practice room and zoom in slowly on Rarity. A streamer of purple energy is now wafting from her back and through the slit between the not-quite-closed double doors; out in the hallway, it wavers for a bit before being drawn into the detector. Rarity’s gusto and aura fade away and she sinks back to the floor, slumping on her feet.)

Rarity: (tired) Actually, Applejack, now that you mention it, I suppose I could use a tiny break.

(During this line, cut to a worried Applejack/Rainbow/Sunset, the farmer moving to help as the would-be welder cringes a bit with mask raised, then back to her, reverting to her usual appearance. She crumples with a sigh, saved from cracking her head on the tiles due to Applejack catching her under the arms.)

Applejack: I told you!

(Twilight enters, closing the detector, and finds six amazed, smiling faces turned her way.)

Rainbooms: TWILIGHT? (Twilight lets her detector hang from its cord, now silent.)

Twilight: (hesitantly) Uh…yes?

(Applejack/Fluttershy/Rainbow/Rarity gather around her; Fluttershy has removed her goalie helmet.)

Applejack: Well, I’ll be! (throwing arm around her shoulders; Fluttershy pats her on the back) You shoulda told us you were comin’!

(Cut to Pinkie and Sunset. The red/gold-haired girl makes to move closer, relief and elation written all over her face, and grins as she tries to think of what to say. Rarity, however, beats her to it.)

Rarity: (from o.s.) Darling— (Cut to her, Applejack, and Twilight.) —those glasses! (Cringing little laugh.) What are you wearing? It’s so…severe.

Twilight: (hesitantly) My uniform?

Fluttershy: Your uniform for what?

Twilight: For Crystal Prep. But why does everyone at this school know who I am?

Rainbow: Did you just say “Crystal Prep”?

(Spike chooses this moment to break the instant tension by poking his head out of Twilight’s backpack and barking.)

Fluttershy, Rarity: Spike! (Fluttershy pets him.)

Twilight: (gasping, recoiling a step) You know my dog’s name too?

(The others have no immediate response. Cut to Celestia and Abacus walking along a hallway, the camera following them to the practice room.)

Celestia: And our music program has especially taken off.

(They stop at the door, Celestia pulling in a little gasp of surprise upon seeing Twilight from behind. Abacus, on the other hand, just cocks one eyebrow.)

Celestia: Twilight?

Twilight: This is getting ridiculous!

Abacus: (crossing to her) I must apologize for the curiosity of my prize student.

Celestia: Your student?

Abacus: (arm across Twilight’s shoulders, hunching down to her) The smart ones are always curious. (straightening up, escorting her away) I’ll return her to check in with the rest of her classmates.

(Six Rainbooms and one principal stare after the departing pair in total confusion that lasts for some moments before Celestia speaks up.)

Celestia: I didn’t know Twilight had a twin sister.

Pinkie: (rapid fire) She doesn’t! That Twilight is obviously the Twilight from this world, since it couldn’t possibly be the Twilight from the pony world, since the Twilight from the pony world doesn’t go to Crystal Prep or wear glasses!

(If Celestia’s mind had slipped out of gear upon first seeing the visitor, this high-speed—and, of course, entirely correct—explanation causes it to belch up its entire transmission. Long pause.)

Celestia: Never mind.

(She walks off, grimacing mightily. Wipe to the front lawn; the rest of the Crystal Prep team is gathered at the statue, and Abacus and Twilight walk toward them from the front entrance.)

Twilight: I’m sorry, Principal Cinch. (Close-up of the pair.) I was just following these strange readings. Actually, they led me to those girls and I—

Abacus: Twilight— (Both stop.) —what you do in your free time is of little interest to me, but while you’re here, I—all of Crystal Prep, in fact—require your complete focus.

(She lifts Twilight’s chin with a finger to lock eyes for a moment, then walks off toward the statue.)

Twilight: But why does everyone at this school seem to know me? (Abacus stops and turns back to her.)

Abacus: Perhaps they’re trying to confuse you. Perhaps they’re trying to lure you away.

Twilight: It didn’t feel like anyone was trying to lure me.

Abacus: I don’t know what they’re playing at— (sweeping a hand toward the curb) —but I guarantee it isn’t to help us win.

(Twilight takes the cue and moves in the indicated direction, albeit reluctantly. Wipe to a hallway that gives onto the lobby; the Rainbooms, having changed back to their civvies, walk toward the camera.)

Rarity: I can’t believe our world’s Twilight goes to Crystal Prep!

Rainbow: You’re saying that Twilight’s gonna play against us? She’d never do that.

Fluttershy: Our Twilight wouldn’t. (All stop.)

Sunset: (incensed) Our Twilight is a princess in Equestria— (turning to face others) —and an expert in friendship magic. And if she was here, we’d have already figured out why magic is randomly popping up during pep rallies and costume changes!

(The outburst stops as suddenly as it began, and she takes in the deeply concerned expressions on the five faces before her. A deep breath, and she slumps a bit on her feet.)

Sunset: Sorry. I’m just frustrated that I haven’t heard back from her.

Applejack: She’s a princess in Equestria. Probably got problems of her own to deal with.

(Cut to a chastened Sunset, then to a slow zoom in on the others on the start of the next line.)

Rarity: We certainly can’t expect her to drop everything and pop through the portal whenever— (stepping forward) —especially if it’s to deal with something as minor as a few random pony-ups.

Sunset: But they aren’t minor. Magic came into this world when I stole Twilight’s crown. It’s taken a lot for me to earn everyone’s trust. If we have to forfeit the Games because I can’t think of a way to keep it under control…

Fluttershy: Oh, Sunset, I’m sure you’ll be able to figure things out.

Applejack: You’re the one who helped us understand what was goin’ on with the Sirens, remember? (Cut to Sunset on this last word.)

Sunset: I guess. But Twilight was the one who really figured out what we needed to defeat them. (Rarity crosses to her.)

Rarity: But don’t you remember, darling? (She rests her hand on a forearm and brushes a red strand back from Sunset’s eyes.) What we needed to defeat them was you.

(Reminded of the role she played in that face-off, Sunset smiles and sighs quietly.)

Sunset: All right.

(Words—and in Pinkie’s case, squeals—of encouragement all around.)

Rainbow: (leading group away) Come on, guys. Let’s see if we can find any info about the events— (Sunset stays put; cut to her. Rainbow continues o.s.) —and come up with a strategy!

(The former unicorn’s newfound resolve begins to evaporate; she turns away from the lobby, about to bite a nervous thumbnail, before Rainbow doubles back.)

Rainbow: You coming, Sunset?

Sunset: I’ll…catch up with you guys in a bit.

(The blue teen gives her a thumbs-up and hurries away as Sunset begins to think. The contemplative frown flicks up into a smile soon enough, and the eyebrows lower over the blue-green eyes as she begins to walk back they way they all came. Cut to the front entrance; she steps out, journal in hand, and opens it for a look. Her perspective: she runs one set of fingers over the blank pages and lets go with a soft sigh.)

Sunset: Still no reply.

(The book is lowered, giving her a clear view of the Wondercolt statue and the Crystal Prep buses. In close-up, the downcast girl shuts the covers, wondering what to do next about these magical mysteries. Twilight, standing by the buses, gets a new surprise when her detector begins to pick up a signal. Her eyes narrowed in determination behind the thick lenses, she follows the pulse straight ahead to the side of the statue’s base that faces the street. Glasses are nudged up, and the case flips open just as it did when it picked up on Rarity’s transformation in the practice room. On the opposite side, the one facing the building, Sunset walks up with a smile.)

Sunset: Maybe there’s another way I could reach her.

(Recall that in Rainbow Rocks, Princess Twilight was able to reconfigure the portal so that it could be used at any time. Having evidently decided to take advantage of that modification, Sunset puts a palm to the smooth surface. Instead of setting off the ripples, though, a ring of yellow flame blazes up around her hand and wisps of red energy start to disappear into the stone. Unable to pull away immediately, she drops the journal and wraps her free hand around the wrist.)

Sunset: (straining) Hey! Let go!

(A slip leaves her with both palms stuck fast, and a longer shot reveals that the magic is passing from her side to Twilight’s and being sucked into the detector. The intrepid investigator finally manages to force the thing shut, cutting the flow, and both girls are flung backward with a yell to hit the deck on their backs. After a final crackle of sparks from the case, both sit up; a panicked Sunset is first to find her feet.)

Sunset: What did you do? (Now Twilight gets up.)

Cadence: (from o.s.) Twilight… (Pan to her, clipboard in hand and standing by the bus doors.) …you have to check in with the others.

(Twilight runs off; Sunset makes to follow, but checks herself and turns eyes back to the base of the statue. She reaches behind one corner to touch the side facing the school and is horrified to hear only the touch of fingers against solid stone. Cut to an extreme close-up of her hands as they grope wildly across what is now a perfectly ordinary surface, then zoom out to frame her.)

Sunset: Where’s the portal? (Head-on view; she stammers a bit before continuing.) Where’s the portal?!?

(Snap to black.)

(Fade in to a “Welcome Crystal Prep” banner strung up amid balloons and streamers, and zoom out slowly to show it hanging above the stage in the gym. It is flanked by two vertical banners, Canterlot High to the left, Crystal Prep to the right. Groups of students from the two schools are scattered about the floor, staying to their respective sides and giving each other funny looks. Tables loaded with refreshments stand near the stage, but no one is paying them any mind.)

(Close-up of Bon Bon, Flash, and Lyra, who put on a trio of tentatively welcoming smiles, then pan quickly to Sour and Sugarcoat across the way. Sour grins over the cup she holds, then twists her mouth into a feral scowl while crushing it. The remains are flung down and mashed even flatter under her shoe, bringing hostile glares to the three Wondercolts’ faces.)

(Cut to a hallway. The Rainbooms walk along—or skip, in Pinkie’s case—having changed into party dresses or top/skirt ensembles that prominently feature each girl’s signature mark. All six have traded their usual boots for lower-profile footwear: short cowboy boots for Applejack, platform heels for Fluttershy, sneakers for Rainbow, standard high heels for the other three. Applejack and Pinkie wear tights under their dresses, and Rarity—wearing her reading glasses—touches up Fluttershy’s hem a bit. Pinkie’s dress includes a necktie.)

 Applejack: What do you mean, the portal’s gone? (Sunset stops at the closed gym door.)

Sunset: I mean, it’s gone! It’s closed! It’s not there anymore! (Push it open; they walk through.)

Rainbow: How’d that happen? (Inside the gym; they stop.)

Sunset: I don’t know— (pointing) —but it has something to do with that Twilight.

(Pan quickly across the floor to “that Twilight,” completely absorbed in her detector’s readings as she walks. So much so, in fact, that she fails to notice a bunch of balloons tied to a brick until she has walked into them. The thump of inflated rubber against skull knocks her glasses askew; pushing them into place, she starts to back up.)

Applejack: (from o.s., softly) What in tarnation is she up to? (Bump into Indigo, causing her to drop her cup of punch.)

Indigo: Huh?

(She growls and glares daggers at Twilight, and the boy with whom she was talking adds his two cents with a scowl as Twilight backs away. Behind them, DJ P0N-3 stands at her turntables and listens to a track playing in her headphones. Back to Applejack and Sunset.)

Sunset: (softly) Leave this to me.

(She begins to cross the floor. Cut to the whiz kid, whose detector readings are tuning in on one particular direction.)

Sunset: (from o.s., sternly) Twilight.

(With an almighty grimace of shock, she whirls to find Sunset now on this side of the gym.)

Sunset: What have you been up to? (Applejack and Rainbow join them.)

Twilight: Me? Oh, I-I was just, uh— (Indigo leans into Sunset’s face.)

Indigo: Who wants to know? (Rainbow leans into hers.)

Rainbow: Um, we do?

Applejack: (inserting herself between them; zoom out slowly) All right, everyone. Let’s not get too competitive before the Games even start.

(The camera motion continues in zigzags to frame each new speaker in turn.)

Sugarcoat: The Games aren’t really competitive, since we’ve never lost.

Fluttershy: That’s not a very nice thing to say.

Sunny: Sorry, dearie, but these Games aren’t about being nice.

Rarity: Well, you might use a little tact.

(She has put away her glasses now. Sunny’s line, the first complete sentence she has spoken up to this point, is soaked with contempt and snobbishness. Cut to an extreme close-up of Twilight, lower lip caught in teeth as she fearfully backs away from the camera—and right into the waiting Pinkie. A step aside allows the two girls to look each other straight on. The detector has gone cold.)

Pinkie: Hi! (holding out a hand to shake) I’m Pinkie Pie.

Twilight: (waving timidly) Oh. Hi! (grasping Pinkie’s hand) I’m Twilight.

(The two arms degenerate into a pink/violet blur as Pinkie pumps them frenetically up and down. When she lets go, Twilight’s glasses slide down so far that they might fall off at any moment.)

Pinkie: I know.

(Close-up of the reluctant Shadowbolt. Now the specs drop to her chin and her hair tumbles out of its bun, turning her into a dead ringer for Princess Twilight.)

Pinkie: (from o.s.) You look just like my friend. (Glasses go back on.) Her name is Twilight, too.

Twilight: (fixing hair back) That’s, uh, weird. (Zoom in on the detector.)

Pinkie: (from o.s.) What’s that?

Twilight: (holding it up) It’s sort of a spectrometer. (Cut to frame both.) I built it to track EM frequencies— (To Pinkie’s grinning face; she continues o.s.) —but it can also contain anomalies.

(No response except for a few blinks of the big blue eyes. Back to the pair.)

Twilight: It measures things.

Pinkie: (pointing past her) Like the party?

(Which is still pretty dead, judging from cuts to the refreshment spread and the students sitting dully near the turntables. One has gone to sleep, and DJ P0N-3 slumps over her decks.)

Twilight: (from o.s.) Yeah, though it doesn’t look like much of a party to me.

Pinkie: (from o.s.) I know. (Back to the pair.) Something is definitely missing. (She beams as an idea hits her and links her arm into Twilight’s.) Come on!

(Twilight gets yanked bodily away by the peppy pink girl, leaving behind nothing but a startled yelp. Cut to a long shot of the stage, where Celestia now stands behind a microphone, and zoom in slowly. Her next three lines are amplified by the sound system.)

Celestia: Hello, everyone. I’d like to take this opportunity to greet all of our visitors from Crystal Prep Academy and welcome them to CHS.

(Two large, wrapped gift boxes start to make their way into the gym, pushed by Twilight and Pinkie.)

Twilight: (with effort) What in the world is in these? (Stop.)

Pinkie: Party cannons, of course!

Celestia: And lastly, I would like to recognize the twelve students that CHS has elected to compete.

(On the end of this, cut to Derpy, Micro, and Sandalwood at the snack tables; they wave to the crowd. Sandalwood is the eco-kid who appeared in “All’s Fair in Love & Friendship Games” and “A Banner Day.” The next shot is of Bon Bon, Flash, and Lyra lounging in the bleachers; the two girls wave, and Flash smirks and throws an index-finger gun gesture. During the next line, the camera cuts to behind the other five Rainbooms, who turn and start to wave but let it drop at Sunset’s disapproving look.)

Celestia: (from o.s.) I don’t think we could have chosen a better group to represent the excellence, sportsmanship, and friendship the Games stand for.

(The missing magenta-haired goofball puts her head up from behind a table. Finding it set with trays of vegetable pieces and cheese cubes, she whisks them away and sets a large bundle in their place. The wrapping is quickly undone to become a new tablecloth, and the contents prove to be tray upon tray of cupcakes frosted in a multitude of colors. Fleur, standing nearby, is first to notice the quick change and be greatly perplexed by it. Next Pinkie seizes a large circuit breaker switch and throws it, knocking out all the lights except for a spot that shines on a disco ball suspended from the rafters. She then hangs into view from the banner over DJ P0N-3’s booth, passes her a CD, and yanks herself up and away again. The turntablist slots it home and works the controls, starting a light, lively dance beat that sets faces from both factions to smiling. Bon Bon, Flash, and Lyra perk up in the bleachers, and very soon the gym is abuzz with conversation as the two groups of students begin to mingle.)

(Now back at the two large boxes, Pinkie pulls them away and tosses them aside as an incredulous Twilight watches. Sure enough, inside each one is a bright pink cannon with a light-up bar gauge on the barrel. The support mounts are painted light yellow, and each one shows a balloon and a burst of confetti. Their owner/maker gets to work priming them.)

Twilight: Um, are you sure this is a good idea? (Extreme close-up of the half-crazed pink face.)

Pinkie: Absolutely!

(Zoom out quickly as she tilts them upward and pulls a string on each breech to set them both off at once. The resulting double blast of confetti and streamers sends Twilight diving for cover and brings cheers from the crowd. Once the geeky girl recovers her senses, she looks up to discover a party far livelier than it was just a few minutes earlier. People talking, laughing, dancing, with no regard to school loyalty or rivalry—if a man were selling ice cream, it could be the setting for a Chicago song. As Pinkie smiles ear to ear at the rescue she has just pulled off, she becomes wreathed in a sparkly pink glow and ponies up, rising clear of the floor.)

Pinkie: Oooooh! Floaty!

(Twilight stands up, picking a loose streamer out of her hair, and her detector flares to life. This time, it not only indicates a direction but floats that way as if drawn by a magnet. She reels it in and holds on as it opens for the third time, drawing in the insubstantial pink streamers that are Pinkie’s magic. As it leaves the party planner’s body, she loses her cheer and sinks down, reverting to normal as the corona fades.)

Pinkie: Awwww…

(Feet touch boards, and the suddenly enervated Pinkie moans softly.)

Pinkie: I am party-pooped.

(Perhaps the very last thing that might be expected from either this girl or her pony counterpart, but the hand she drapes over her forehead speaks to their truth. The siphoned magic crackles at the heart of Twilight’s detector, throwing a spark that shoots through an opening between the rows of bleachers. Spotting its tiny glow on the other side, she leans in for a better look—and sees it grow into a pink/purple-edged swirl whose center opens to show something very different from the gym wall. Namely: a stretch of gnarled, vine-covered tree trunks that look very much like the old growth in Equestria’s Everfree Forest. Twilight’s mouth falls open in pure shock, and she manages to slam the detector closed after a moment’s struggle. A second look into the bleachers shows her that the strange view is quickly shrinking away to nothing, and the detector shuts down as well. She can only scratch her head, absolutely confounded by this bizarre turn of events.)

(Out on the gym floor, the party continues until Abacus taps the microphone, generating a feedback squeal. The lights come up, startling DJ P0N-3 into a record scratch that sets off an even worse whine. Dancing and conversation stop just as quickly, leaving the place dead silent; she speaks into the mic, her next three lines amplified.)

Abacus: (removing/polishing/donning glasses) I’d like to thank Principal Celestia for her unconventional welcome. It’s been four years since the last Friendship Games, but it feels as though nothing has changed.

(Cut to a mixed group of students, all taken aback by her vibe-killing words.)

Abacus: (from o.s.) Canterlot High continues to pick its competitors in a popularity contest— (To the table Pinkie set up; Fleur and Jet walk away.) —and Crystal Prep continues to field its top twelve students.

(Longer shot of the stage; Celestia and Luna watch from one side, and the two groups start to re-segregate.)

Abacus: It is a comfort to know that even after so many years of losses— (Close-up of the sisters’ scowling faces on this last word, then back to all three.) —your school remains committed to its ideals, however misguided they may be. I wish you all the best of luck, regardless of the inevitable outcome.

(Cut to a long shot of the stage, zooming out slowly, then to Pinkie shambling over to Applejack with a moan. A few hairs have sprung loose from the frizzy magenta mop atop her head.)

Applejack: I’m sorry, Pinkie. I thought your party additions were really swell. (Pan to Fluttershy and Rarity.)

Fluttershy: They definitely broke the ice.

Rarity: Yes, if only that Principal Cinch hadn’t frozen it again.

Pinkie: Yeah, she’s awful. (Here come Rainbow and Sunset.)

Sunset: Wow, Pinkie, what happened to you?

Pinkie: I don’t know. Everyone started having fun after Twilight and I fired the party cannons and I ponied up—

Sunset: (dryly) Of course you did.

Pinkie: —but then the magic just drained right out of me.

Sunset: Wait. What do you mean, “drained out of you”?

Applejack: Hey. Where is that other Twilight?

Pinkie: (pointing across gym) Oh. She’s right…

(Longer shot of the Rainbooms. There is nothing in the direction she has indicated except for a patch of confetti-strewn gym floor.)

Pinkie: …uh, well, she was right here.

(Dissolve to a patch of peaceful daytime sky, seen from ground level with the camera pointing up past the roof and dome of Canterlot High. A tilt down frames the lawn and a few students hanging out around the Wondercolt statue. Throughout the following, all pairs of eyes turn toward the nearest loudspeaker; each cut that follows is accompanied by a slow pan through the area. Each of the next three lines is heard over the intercom.)

Luna: Good morning, students.

(A hallway; some hit their lockers, while others head to class.)

Luna: I’m sure you’re all thrilled to start the first day of the Friendship Games.

(A classroom next, with a cut to the library during the following; Cheerilee sits behind the circulation desk.)

Luna: Our competitors will face off in every aspect of the CHS curriculum, culminating in the Elimination Equations finale.

(Cut to all four school officials standing in a line in the lobby. Sunny is visible past the left end, next to Abacus, while Sunset and Micro are past Celestia on the right. Each of the Rainbooms will be back in her usual clothing when seen next, and Pinkie’s hair will be back in order.)

Cadence: Welcome to the first event…

(Zoom out to frame the entire lobby. Both twelve-member teams have assembled, along with quite a few Canterlot High onlookers.)

Cadence: …the Academic Decathlon! (Slow pan across the Shadowbolts; she continues o.s.) You’ll be scored on chemistry, home ec, and everything in between. (Ditto for the Wondercolts.) But remember, only the six students from each team with the most points will move on to event number two.

(The camera shifts to frame the entire gathering on the end of this.)

Cadence: Good luck!

Aggressive rock with electric guitar and bass drum, stoptime, moderate 4 (D flat minor)

Sunset’s voice rides above the others for first four lines

(The screen tiles itself with two vertical panels—Sunset on right, Sour on left, glaring at each other with open hostility. Sour hip-checks Sunset’s panel away, and the other five key players on her side fall in behind as she smugly crosses her arms.)

Wondercolts:                                [Ho!] We’re gonna take you down

(Two horizontal panels; Indigo, on top, pulls her goggles over her eyes, and Zest on bottom dons a pair for lab safety.)

                                        [Ho!] We’re gonna take you down

(Extreme close-up of a Bunsen burner being lit. Behind it, a chemistry lab fades into view; pan quickly along the benchtop, framing the Rainbooms in lab coats and goggles.)

[Ho!] We’re gonna take you down

(Snap to black, against which five vertical panels of dimly lit Shadowbolts slide into view from top/bottom: Sugarcoat, Indigo, Sour, Zest, Twilight—the last of these being the only one wearing neither goggles nor lab coat as they work.)

Sunset:                                Take you down

Wondercolts: (under previous)        [Down, down, down]

(The view splits horizontally into three sections, which swivel 180 degrees to give close-up of three rubber-gloved hands snapping fingers. These belong to a dimly lit Rainbow, Pinkie, and Applejack from top to bottom; each pulls on a pair of goggles.)

Closed hi-hat cymbal in

Sour’s voice rides above the others for next four lines

Shadowbolts:                [Ah-h] We’re here to take you out

(The ceiling of the lab, tilting down to Fluttershy at work among the glassware. Celestia, Luna, and Cadence smile and take notes on clipboards.)

                        [Ah-h] We’re here to take you out

(The screen tiles itself with six panes, each showing a flask filled with solution; they change colors in unison, and the panes rotate to show the Rainbooms holding test tubes.)

                        [Ah-h] We’re here to take you out

(Pan to the other six Wondercolts, similarly shown, and zoom in on Derpy just in time for her tube to explode in her face. She grins sheepishly through the resulting layer of soot and her blown-back hair.)

                        [Ah-h] Take you out

Stoptime ends; bass and full drums in, guitar drops back

Double-time feel to lyrics and hi-hat

(Split screen close-up of oven mitts being slid onto two different hands, one of which is Pinkie’s. Fullscreen: she turns to the camera, now wearing an apron and two mitts in place of her lab gear, and throws a couple of punches before ingredients are measured and mixed and an oven adjusted. All competitors have changed into similar gear for this round.)

Wondercolts:                We’re not about to let you win, so get out of our way

                        Think you’ve got us beat, but we’re here to stay

(Flash rolls out dough; Fluttershy puts a cake into an oven; Suri narrows her eyes while icing a cake; Upper carefully applies a Shadowbolt S to its side.)

                        United, strong, yeah, we’ll take you down

(Pinkie lays down some icing on a cake of her own and squirts a shot into her mouth, licking the excess off her lips and smiling.)

                        You’re not so tough, now you’re in our town

(Celestia, Luna, and Cadence work their way down a counter and jot notes about four culinary offerings produced by pairs of students from alternating schools. Some are in rather better shape than others; the worst of the bunch is a misshapen loaf of bread made by a truly embarrassed Bon Bon and Flash.)

Wondercolts:                All of the times we lost before

                        Not about to give up, we’re only bringing it more

(Suri and Upper smile smugly and hold out three pieces of their Shadowbolt cake on a tray. The judges try a bite and are impressed; now the camera cuts to Fluttershy and Pinkie with their own towering creation.)

                        We can smell your fear, we can see you sweat

(Pinkie cuts the whole thing in half from top to bottom and pushes the front section aside with a smirk. Visible on the cut surface is a better-than-average reproduction of the Mona Lisa.)

                        Hope you didn’t spend money, ’cause you’re losing this bet

Full guitar in; second and fourth lines shouted in rhythm

(Jaws fall open and forks hit the floor; Suri, carrying the trumped cake, and Upper find Abacus in their way.)

Wondercolts:                You’ve got nothing on us, na, na, na-na-na, na

(A shot of the home team slides into view, all set for a throwdown; zoom out to frame the Wondercolts name above them, the C drawn as a horseshoe.)

                        Let’s go, Wondercolts!

(Close-up of Abacus’s displeased expression, zooming in slowly; Suri’s hands tremble so much that she drops the cake, and Abacus removes her glasses and pinches the bridge of her nose wearily.)

                        You’ve got nothing on us, na, na, na-na-na, na

Let’s go, Wondercolts!

(Fade to white.)

Guitar drops back

(Snap to a vertically split screen. A gloved hand catches a hammer on each side; the lightning-bolt stripe on the right one marks it as Indigo’s. Another fade/snap frames her fully, twirling the tool overhead and wearing a long-sleeved shirt, overalls, earmuffs, and safety goggles in place of her custom pair.)

Shadowbolts:                Talk a little too much for a school that never wins

(The Wondercolts unroll a blueprint that shows a crude, question-marked drawing of a birdhouse, while the Shadowbolts spread one that goes into much more detail.)

                        Maybe you should just stop ’fore you even begin

(Wood pieces are measured and marked and a circular saw is put to work.)

                        We are Crystal Prep High, and we have a reputation

(Hammers pound in nails, and cut sections are quickly stacked up.)

                        Every little moment is about our education

(A paint roller is drawn across the screen in broad strokes, covering the view in blue. From here, fade in to a slow pan, following Celestia/Luna/Cadence along a counter in the wood shop classroom as they inspect birdhouses assembled by alternating pairs. All are back in their civilian clothes or school uniforms. Micro and Sandalwood have the clunker this time, and it falls to pieces at one tap from Luna’s pen.)

Shadowbolts:                Put your ear to the ground

                        Listen to that sound, you’re a house of cards

                        And it’s about to fall down [fall down]

(Indigo and Sugarcoat, identically suited up, uncover a two-story house with an upper balcony and a flame paint job. They are the only ones still in overalls and protective gear, and both have removed their usual eyewear. All three officials’ clipboards drop from surprised hands.)

                        About to fall down [fall down], hit the ground

Full guitar in; second and fourth lines shouted in rhythm

(Micro dejectedly picks up a fragment of the wreck, and Sandalwood gives him a consoling smile and an arm across the shoulders. The two walk off together.)

Shadowbolts:                You’ve got nothing on us, na, na, na-na-na, na

(A shot of this team slides into view, with Twilight as the only standout due to her knock-kneed, scared posture. Zoom out to show the Shadowbolts name above them, with the winged lightning S as its first letter. All are back in their uniforms, with their normal eyewear and accessories.)

                        Let’s go, Shadowbolts!

(As the two boys cross the shop, Indigo and Sugarcoat pass them, having changed back to their normal ensembles. Indigo bumps them apart, and Sugarcoat flicks the wood out of Micro’s grip. Applejack and Fluttershy are quick to pat the shoulders of the trounced pair.)

                        You’ve got nothing on us, na, na, na-na-na, na

                        Let’s go, Shadowbolts!

(Fade to white, then snap to a hexagonal sign with “BEE” printed in large capitals. The first E is styled as the light stripes of a simplified bumblebee. Two panels slide into view, separated by a diagonal line, each showing six competitors sitting in a row of box seats. Top: Sunny, Sour, Zest, Sugarcoat, Indigo, Twilight. Bottom: the Rainbooms.)

Wondercolts:                Pressure’s on, now we’re gonna beat you

(Fade to white, then snap to Rainbow stepping up to a stage microphone and adjusting it.)

                        Step aside, it’s time that we defeat you

(Zoom out; she faces all four officials, who sit facing her behind a table. A desk bell is between Luna and Cadence. Rainbow spells a word, which is typed out across the bottom of the screen, only to register shock as a large red X superimposes itself on the view. This is a spelling bee, and she has tripped up. Three others—Zest, Applejack, Sugarcoat—are quickly struck out on words of their own, with the last of these girls showing very little visible reaction.) 

                        Crystal Prep yourself , ’cause you’re about to go

                        Down, down, down, down

(Fade to white, then in to Fluttershy at the mic. The focus shifts from the background to her and back again as she turns her eyes fearfully from her teammates to the Shadowbolts at the opposite end of the stage. The two factions glare daggers at each other.)

Shadowbolts:                Pressure’s on, you know we’re gonna take you

                        Just give up before we have to break you

(She faces front, the camera re-focusing/zooming out and the screen splitting vertically to show a smirking Sunny up to bat as well. They and their words are X’ed out in turn, replaced by Indigo and Rarity, then up comes Twilight—who does not get the axe. Her word—“ISOSCELES”—is the only one of the lot that is correctly spelled.)

                        Canter-not-a-lot, you’re about to go

                        Down, down, down, down

[Note: See the appendix at the end of this transcript for a full list of words used in this event.]

(Fade to white, then in to an extreme close-up of Sunset’s booted feet climbing a set of steps. The rest of the Rainbooms gather behind her, having donned Wondercolt ears, as she saunters across to the hot spot.)

Horns in; double-time feel ends (A flat minor)

Wondercolts:                Take it up to the top

                        ’Cause we know we can win

(Twilight’s loafer-clad feed are framed similarly at the other end, but there are no teammates to back her play.)

Shadowbolts:                Maybe you should just stop

                        ’Cause we’ve seen you give in

 (Long shot, framing the stage, the contenders atop it, and the rest of each crew on the steps in silhouette. The other five female Shadowbolts are now visible, their backs turned to the face-off. Zoom in slowly, then cut to a track around the two girls in full color-close-up as a breeze toys with their hair.)

Wondercolts:                We believe in ourselves

                        And we’ve got what it takes

(Cut to a grid view of mixed Canterlot High and Crystal Prep students; they disappear one by one as the camera zooms out slowly.)

All:                         And we’re not gonna stop                        

All instruments out for two beats

Quiet acoustic guitar/string melody (B major)

(A lone spotlight snaps on within the blackness to illuminate Twilight. Her back is to the camera, which tracks around to frame her head-on.)

Twilight:                I can’t wait ’til this is all over

(The beam angles itself to pick out a blackboard off to one side; she turns toward this.)

                        There’s so much more that’s going on

(Dissolve to a long shot of Sunset, under a spot of her own and facing away; the camera tracks to frame her head-on as well.)

Sunset:                And before these Games are over

(The spot swings onto a second board, this one already marked with a geometry problem involving triangles.)

                        I’ll find out just what she’s done

(Fade to white.)

Urgent rock feel, electric guitar/bass/piano/pounding drums

Slightly faster 4 (E flat minor)

(Snap to a long shot of the stage. The two girls stand at their boards, each set up with the same problem, and get to it as the camera zooms in and the four judges watch. A stopwatch ticks off the seconds.)

All:                        Can she do it? Will she make it?

(Cut to a close-up of Twilight, then fade to white and in to one of Sunset.)

                        Who will win it? Who will take it?

Slightly faster tempo; horns in (G flat minor)

(Split screen of the audience: Canterlot High on left, Crystal Prep on right, followed by a slow zoom in on Abacus’s grim face and slowly rising eyebrow. She has put her glasses back on since the bake-off.)

                        Can she do it? Who will take it?

(Fade to white, then to Twilight chalking intently away, then cut to Sunset doing likewise.)

                        Did she win it? Did she make it?

Still faster; strings in (A minor)

(Two crossing strokes are drawn in Twilight scowls in fierce concentration, poring over her calculations, but a trace of fear steals into Sunset’s mind as she keeps writing. Sweat dribbles down the violet and yellow-orange faces.)

                        Who’s the winner? Who’s the reject?

(Split screen of the two opposing quintets.)

                        How did she answer?

Song ends with a stinger

(Cut to an extreme close-up of the back of Abacus’s head, the camera jumping back in two steps to frame her looking over both competitors’ work. She does not speak until the stingers have died away.)

Abacus: (pointing to Sunset) Incorrect!

(Sunset slumps resignedly on her feet, but the view is quickly lost under the harsh burst of a flashbulb. It clears to show Photo standing up in the audience, having captured this moment with the camera she holds. As the students in the immediate vicinity shoot her a salvo of nasty looks, she sits down with an embarrassed little grin, realizing that she has let enthusiasm for her work get the better of her. At the judges’ table, Celestia and Cadence look over Luna’s shoulders as the vice-principal makes a note on her clipboard.)

Luna: That means the winner of the Friendship Games’ first event is… (standing up) …Twilight Sparkle and Crystal Prep!

(As Abacus leaves the stage without a word, Twilight’s schoolmates in the audience offer up incredibly unenergetic cheers and a sorry excuse for a round of applause. Sunset, on the other hand, nearly gets plowed off her feet when Rainbow bum-rushes the stage to give her a crushing hug. Applejack and Fluttershy are already up here.)

Rainbow: That was awesome! (Rarity walks on, then Pinkie.)

Rarity: Truly amazing!

Sunset: But we didn’t win!

Applejack: (leaning an elbow on Sunset’s shoulder) That was as close to winnin’ as Canterlot’s ever been.

(Long shot of the stage, with Cadence now standing between the two boards.)

Cadence: After a careful tally of the points, we’d like to present the students moving on to the Friendship Games’ second event.

(On the second half of this line, the five Shadowbolts who have antagonized Twilight in their various ways file onto her half of the stage. They make no move to include her in their gathering, or even to show much camaraderie toward each other, as the audience applauds. The Rainbooms are at the other end of the scale, cheering and whooping in high spirits; pan from them to a close-up of the lone math whiz, glancing in their direction with perhaps a hint of longing. She turns away, quietly letting out a long-held breath, only to find that the other five are already leaving the stage. Surprised, she hurries after them only to find a smiling Flash stepping into her path.)

Flash: Congratulations! You were really great. (Her detector chimes in right about now.)

Twilight: (staring at it, walking away) I’m sorry. ’Scuse me.

Flash: (deflated) Okay, then.

(He lets off a sigh—“foiled again”—and slumps a bit where he stands. Dissolve to the Rainbooms arrayed near the base of the Wondercolt statue: Pinkie seated atop it, Rainbow sitting on the walk, the others standing. The party girl hops down, the guitarist stands up, and all but Fluttershy walk off together as the camera pans slightly to frame Twilight watching them from her vantage point behind a column in front of the school entrance. She hastily pulls herself behind this cover, plastering her back against the marble, and lets her eyes flick back and forth before risking a peek to the side opposite the statue. Her detector has gone silent again, and she is wearing her backpack.)

(This look gives her a clear view of Fluttershy walking by herself and carrying her backpack in her arms. In close-up, she kneels on the grass and unzips the bag, from which a small gray kitten pokes its head out. It nuzzles her cheek happily, but a rustle in the bush behind them draws the attention of both. Zoom out to frame all of this bit of shrubbery; Twilight pushes her head through from behind, holding her detector.)

Fluttershy: Do you want to give her a treat?  

(Twilight looks at the unit, then at them, and stands up out of the bush with a smile. Removing her pack, she crosses to the pair.)

Twilight: Guess I’m not the only one to smuggle her pet into school. (She kneels on the grass.)

Fluttershy: (laughing softly) Not just one.

(As soon as she opens her bag the rest of the way, the kitten emerges fully, followed by Angel, a bird, and a hamster. She pets the white fuzzball as Twilight eyes the hovering avian with some trepidation.)

Twilight: Oh, wow. (unzipping her bag) All I have is Spike.

(Who wastes no time in sticking his head up and panting happily—which is all the prompting Fluttershy needs to lift him out.)

Fluttershy: It really is uncanny. Does he talk?

Twilight: Um… (Spike hops out of Fluttershy’s arms and bounds away; she leans after him.) …not that I know of.

Fluttershy: (rubbing his belly) Congratulations on winning, by the way. (The bird perches on her finger.) Though it didn’t seem like anyone on your team was very excited about it.

Twilight: No one at my school gets excited about anything they didn’t do themselves. (Bird flies away.)

Fluttershy: That sounds awful.

(Twilight cuts her eyes away in silent, sad assent. Fluttershy looks around herself for a moment and smiles; cut to the down-in-the dumps egghead and pan slightly to frame Fluttershy standing before her, framed from waist to knees.)

Fluttershy: Here. (Twilight’s perspective; she is holding Angel.) Hold this.

(The white rabbit is extended toward the camera. Cut to a profile of both girls, Fluttershy squatting down to put him at Twilight’s level.)

Twilight: Um… (She takes Angel.) …why?

Fluttershy: Holding a bunny always makes me feel better.

Twilight: Well, that’s ridiculous. (He snuggles up to her chest.) But…

(The smile that curves her lips suggests that she may have spoken too soon.)

Twilight: …ooh…it actually kind of works. (A worrying idea occurs to her.) I’m on the other team and you just lost. Why are you being so nice to me?

Fluttershy: You looked like you needed it.

(A yellow glow suffuses the squatting teen, stretching her back to full height and floating her up off the lawn. She ponies up, the camera zooming out to frame Twilight now standing and gasping in wonderment, having set Angel down.)

Twilight: (softly) Whoa…

(Just as it did during the party, the detector rises under its own power and locks in on Fluttershy. It opens up and begins to draw in streams of yellow magic from the animal lover, spitting out a few stray sparks along the way. These widen in midair to become pink/purple-edged apertures similar to the one that temporarily opened under the bleachers in the gym. A rabbit with both ears and antlers hops out of one of these, landing in front of Spike; his threatening growl sends it back the way it came, and he jumps barking after it .The two dive back into this world through a second opening, then out through a third.)

Twilight: Spike!

(The chase continues through another pair of space-time rips, after which Spike emerges alone from a single one and hurtles directly into the path of the yellow magic being siphoned from Fluttershy. It stops him in midair with a confused yelp, and the interruption in the flow causes both of them to sink, with Fluttershy collapsing to her knees and Spike landing in her arms.)

Twilight: Spike!

(Darting over, she kneels down before them and forces the detector shut. The draining ends, the light fades from the suddenly weary Fluttershy, and she holds the dog out for Twilight to take before going the rest of the way to the turf with a shuddery moan.)

Twilight: Spike! Are you okay?

Spike: Um, I think so.

(He sounds exactly the same as his dragon counterpart in Equestria, who ended up in this form when he and Princess Twilight made the jump. Owner and pooch smile at each other in relief, which lasts as long as it takes for both brains to fully comprehend the full implication of those four words. There follows a unison cry of fear, and Twilight tosses Spike to the ground before falling backward to it herself. Fluttershy’s pony features have now vanished. Twilight scrambles to her feet and runs off, unable to do more than gibber in fear.)

Spike: (running after her) Twilight! Wait!

Fluttershy: (weakly, moaning/waving) Bye.

(Fade to black.)

(Fade in to the lobby. One of the front doors bursts open and a borderline-unhinged Twilight sprints in, followed by Spike as she takes a sharp right.)

Spike: Twilight! (Cut to her; clapping hands to sides of head; he continues o.s.) Come on! Wait for me!

(She skids to a stop, having veered into a dead end. Turning around, she starts to edge away along the wall as the dog with the unexpected power of speech moves toward her.)

Spike: Why did you run away like that? (Twilight stops, hyperventilating like mad.)

Twilight: Um, oh, I don’t know. Maybe it has something to do with the glowing girl! Or the hole in space! Or my talking dog!

Spike: (smiling, scratching at ear) Yeah. Weird, right?

(That gets her to downshift from twelfth gear, and she squats down to face him.)

Twilight: Are you okay? (scratching his chin) How do you feel? What happened? Where did you go? (He licks her face; she scrubs drool away onto her sleeve.)

Spike: Hey, one question at a time! This is pretty new to me too.

Twilight: Sorry.

Spike: All I know is, I chased that pointy rabbit through the glowy thing, and then I was somewhere else. (Cut to Twilight; he continues o.s. as she starts to think.) Next thing I knew, I was back in that nice girl’s arms and I could talk. (Back to him.) I don’t really understand why I couldn’t before. I mean, it’s so easy.

Abacus: (from o.s.) Twilight…

(Spooked good and proper by this summons, the girl sees the principal coming around the corner and reaches to the nearest locker.)

Twilight: Quick! (opening it) Hide in here!

(She shoves the canine in, slams the door, and gets her back to it just as Abacus steps up.)

Abacus: Who are you talking to?

Twilight: Um… (Big dopey smile.) …myself. (playing with a lock of hair) It’s a nervous habit. Were you looking for me?

Abacus: Indeed I was. (pacing, adjusting glasses) Quite a coincidence that the CHS students moving on to the next event are the same “nice” girls who were so interested in you, don’t you think?

Twilight: I’m not sure.

Abacus: (still pacing) Perhaps you should get to know them after all.

Twilight: But I thought you didn’t want me to.

Abacus: Let’s just say I’m covering my bases. Who knows? (stepping to her, hands to shoulders) Perhaps they will reveal to you the secret to Canterlot High’s newfound success.

Twilight: I don’t know. Spying feels kind of…wrong.

(The very pale blue face hardens by about two places on the Mohs scale, and Abacus removes her hands and re-positions her glasses again.)

Abacus: Well, it’s your decision, Twilight. (walking away) It’s not as if your application hangs in the balance. (She stops, keeping her back to Twilight.) On second thought—yes, it does.

(She resumes her departure, leaving her student to goggle at this continuing coercion; now the locker opens and Spike steps out.)

Spike: Man, she’s awful. What are you gonna do?

Twilight: (sighing, turning to him) I don’t know, Spike. (leaning against lockers) I don’t know.

(She lets herself slide down the green-painted metal to end up in a huddle of indecisiveness and worry seated on the floor. Zoom out slowly as Spike runs over and nestles up against her side to offer whatever bit of solace he can.)

(Dissolve to the other five Rainbooms walking along a hallway. Fluttershy no longer has her backpack.)

Fluttershy: All I did was hand Twilight a bunny. Then I ponied up.

Sunset: I just don’t get it. Rarity’s magic came out when she made us outfits, Pinkie’s when she fixed the party, and now Fluttershy. (Close-up of Fluttershy.)

Fluttershy: And then Twilight’s pendant thingie just pulled the magic right out of me. I couldn’t even stand up. (Pinkie leans in next to her.)

Pinkie: Like me at the party! (Zoom out to frame Rarity.)

Rarity: Or me right before we met Twilight. (Cut to the lobby; all six stop.)

Sunset: So she’s stealing magic?

Applejack: (skeptically) I don’t know. (scratching head) She doesn’t seem like the magic-stealin’ type.

Sunset: Yeah, but she had something to do with closing the portal. (scratching head) If her pendant can pull in magic, maybe it stole the portal too.

Fluttershy: How? (Cut to Applejack and Sunset.)

Sunset: I don’t know. (voice shaking a bit) And the pony or person or Princess who could help me figure this out is completely unreachable now.

(The tension goes out the window when Pinkie pops up behind the two girls and sweeps them toward herself with both arms. Applejack gives her a very funny look.)

Pinkie: Which is too bad, because Twilight knows everything about magic, and portals, and magical portals, and portable magics!

(Accompanied by the following sequence of shots. “And portals”: cut to Rainbow and Rarity as Pinkie emerges from behind the former. “And magical portals”: a locker opens and she leans halfway out. “And portable magics”: a ceiling air vent opens and she lets her upper body hang down through it, tossing out streamers and confetti. After she finishes, the camera cuts to just outside one of the school’s side doors, which swings open; she leans out, only to hit the sidewalk face first. Rainbow is there a moment later, seen in close-up.)

Rainbow: (pulling Pinkie up) For now, let’s just focus on beating the Shadowbolts. And as long as this event puts me at a playing field, I don’t think we’ve got anything to worry about.

(Zoom out slightly to frame Applejack staring off toward the rear of the school, her eyes wide with awe.)

Applejack: (pointing) Oh, it puts you on a playin’ field, all right.

(Blue and red-violet eyes turn to follow the finger, and the mouths beneath them fall open in pure shock, Pinkie sucking in a shrill gasp to underscore the point. Cut to a long shot of what used to be the Canterlot High soccer field and tilt up slowly; the bleachers still stand alongside, but the whole facility has undergone some extensive—and extreme—redesign work. The field itself has been covered with turf, and two identical lines of obstacles run down its long sides. Far end to near: two hay bales, a rope swing over a mud pit, and a high curved backstop of bales wide enough to encompass both lanes. Around the field is an oval wood track with banked curves at both ends and a checkered start/finish line. Encircling all of this is a track constructed from dirt hills and wooden jump ramps. A pit of water has been placed as an obstacle to be jumped, and a tall ramp runs alongside the bleachers as an entry section that joins the track. The Rainbooms have gathered at the end nearer to the building and opposite the camera; a pavilion has been set up here, displaying banners with both schools’ logos. They are visible only as specks from this distance, one standing separate from the others; zoom in quickly on the five, absolutely dumbstruck by this amalgamation of whacked-out sports. Applejack is not with them.)

Sunset: Am I the only one who thinks this is overkill?

(Cut to a close-up of the farm girl’s legs next to a spot of the dirt track. One brown boot kicks a couple of clods loose; on the start of the next line, tilt up to frame the rest of her as Rarity comes across.)

Applejack: I don’t suppose you made motocross outfits.

Rarity: (dismissively) Oh, don’t be ridiculous. (grinning, pulling out two loaded hangers) Of course I did!

(One has a short, blue-green tunic with purple shoulder/knee pads, magenta collar, and yellow wings on the chest; the pants are magenta and marked with yellow flames on each thigh. The other one consists of a long-tailed, yellow/white jacket with shoulder pads designed as white wings and a jagged blue-green swatch on the front whose edges are cut to resemble lightning bolts; its pants are blue-green and unadorned. Both tops have long sleeves and are secured with dark purple belts that sport the school’s C-horseshoe: forward and gold for the first outfit, reversed and silver for the second.)

(Cut to Abacus addressing Indigo and Sugarcoat, near another section of the track.)

Abacus: You will race in pairs. (pacing; camera pans to follow) Indigo Zap and Sugarcoat will handle the motocross.

Indigo: (pumping a fist) Yes! (She stops before Sunny and Zest.)

Abacus: Lemon Zest and Sunny Flare have requested the short track. (They trade a high five; she continues on to Twilight and Sour.) Since archery is a standard requirement at our school, any of you should be able to do it.

(The ponytailed girl glares at the one with the bun. Close-up of the latter, not even slightly at ease, then cut back to Abacus and the other two pairs on the start of the next line. None of these four look too thrilled at what is about to come down the pipe next.)

Abacus: Twilight and Sour Sweet will start us off. (Sour whips over to stand behind her.)

Sour: (fake sweet tone) Well, that’s just marvelous! (bitterly, under her breath) If you want to lose before we even start!

Abacus: Given that Twilight won the last event singlehandedly, I have every confidence that she will be able to pull her weight here…  (leaning to stare Twilight down point-blank) …won’t you?

(The recipient of these words can only stick on a shaky smile and nod while stroking one of the locks of hair hanging down past her ears.)

Act Three

(Wipe to a long overhead shot of the bleachers, now full of lively spectators and split down the middle into two banner-marked sections. A scoreboard has been set up behind the top row, showing double-zero scores for both teams. At ground level, Photo hoists her camera and snaps a few pictures; zoom in past her to the end-field pavilion, under which Celestia, Luna, and Cadence have taken seats on their respective sides. A fourth chair stands empty, but not for long once Abacus steps smoothly into the pavilion and claims it. Cadence stands up, adjusts a microphone placed before her, and addresses the crowd. All of her lines from now until immediately after the relay are amplified by the track’s sound system.)

Cadence: Welcome, everyone, to the Friendship Games Tri-Cross Relay! (Cheers from the crowd.) In this event, our qualifying competitors will face off in archery…

(On the end of this, cut to the hay-bale backstop at the other end and zoom out quickly. Set up in front of it are four moving bullseye targets—a circling one at either end, two going in opposite directions on horizontal tracks in the center. The camera stops on Applejack, Fluttershy, Twilight, and Sour all standing on a platform some distance back from the other obstacles. All four have changed into short loose dresses, tights, boots, and forearm guards that sport their respective symbols; Applejack and Fluttershy have tied their hair back, while Sour’s is done into two small buns high on the back of her head. She and Twilight wear their school colors, with lightning-bolt patches on their outfits, and Sour has added a pair of short gloves. Applejack does not wear her hat, and Twilight’s detector still hangs around her neck.)

(From here, cut to a stretch of the wooden track and tilt up to frame four more girls behind its start/finish line: Pinkie, Rarity, Sunny, and Zest. Close-fitting outfits, elbow/knee pads, gloves, helmets—with pony ears for the two Rainbooms and lightning bolts for their opponents. Sunny and Zest have goggles, full-length sleeves/tights, and no knee pads, and are decked in Crystal Prep colors with lightning bolts down the chest. Zest has shed her headphones to accommodate the helmet and bound her hair in two thick pigtails; Pinkie and Rarity have also tied theirs back into ponytails. A red light on a pole stands at either end of the line.)

Cadence: (from o.s.) …speed skating…

(Cut to a slow pan across the last four girls, all astride idling motorcycles at the top of the entrance ramp to the outermost track. A post with a red light stands at each end. Sunset wears Rarity’s blue-green-topped outfit, Rainbow the yellow/white one; their bikes are painted red/orange and sky-blue, respectively. Each wears dark blue, knee-length boots marked with her symbol, which also appears on her winged purple helmet whose swept-forward design resembles a driving cap. Indigo and Sugarcoat both have purple/blue bikes marked with yellow lightning bolts, as well as purple jumpsuits, boots, and close-fitting starred helmets. All four wear padded gloves, and Indigo and Sugarcoat have belts with gold S-buckles. Indigo and Sugarcoat have removed their usual eyewear in favor of the eye shields built into their helmets.)

Cadence: (from o.s.) …and finally, motocross! (Indigo revs her engine; back to Cadence, raising an air horn.) So, if the competitors are ready…

(As Abacus claps hands to ears, a piercing blast sends Fluttershy and Sour out of a crouch and down the course, with Applejack and Twilight moving quickly to take their places. The two runners charge toward the hay bales, Sour easily vaulting over them and pulling ahead as Fluttershy slides across the tops.)

Cadence: (from o.s.) Each competitor must hit a bullseye before their teammates can start the next leg of the relay.

(During the previous, Sour snatches up one of two full quivers of arrows without breaking stride and climbs up to a platform at the edge of the mud pit. Swinging easily across on the waiting rope, she rolls across the shooting platform on the other side and scoops up a bow that has been placed on it so she can fire off three arrows at once. Fluttershy, meanwhile, has picked up her quiver and barely gained the launch platform on her side. All three of Sour’s arrows hit one of the horizontally moving targets, one nailing it dead center for a bullseye, and it comes to a stop. As the Crystal Prep crowd goes wild, she throws a cocky smirk and cuts her eyes back toward the starting line. Pan quickly back to a wide-eyed Applejack and a positively floored Twilight, who takes a moment to realize that she needs to get moving along the course.)

(At the target range, Fluttershy has made it across the mud pit and taken up the bow waiting for her, but her shaky stance gives away just how foreign this sport is to her. The first arrow she nocks pops off the string and clatters off the edge of her platform; as she reaches into her quiver, Sour glares impatiently back the way they both came, having put her own aside. Here comes Twilight over the first hay bale, only to trip and go face-first into the turf, earning a frustrated growl from her teammate. Fluttershy gets off a shot, but it sticks in the dirt a few feet short of the targets.)

(Now Twilight comes across the rope swing, having collected the second quiver on the Shadowbolts’ side. She loses her balance on the landing and ends up dangling over the mud, one foot caught at the edge and both hands gripping the rope for dear life. Instead of making a move to help her, though, Sour just stands pulling at her cheeks as if to say, “How did I get saddled with this incompetent clown?” She has now set down her bow as well. Across the way, Fluttershy pulls back her bowstring, takes a deep breath, and closes her eyes before letting this arrow fly—scoring a center hit on the other horizontal target. Cheers from the Canterlot High section as it stops; Sour gapes at the unlikely deadeye, who grins and flips a thumbs-up in Applejack’s direction. Pan quickly back to the blonde, who has no trouble clearing the first hay bale in her path. On the Shadowbolt side, Twilight has fumbled her way up to the shooting platform, still with no help from Sour, and begun to reach for the bow that the scornful archer has laid back down. Pan quickly to the Wondercolt platform; Fluttershy has set her team’s bow down and stepped aside, and a quiver-carrying Applejack effortlessly touches down from the rope swing to grab it.)

(With only the circling targets to either side in play, Applejack lines up her first shot and fires: outer ring, earning a bit of applause from Fluttershy. Twilight’s shot is much less sure and thunks into the wooden planks into which her target’s track is cut. Sour snarls through clenched teeth at this botch. Readying her next arrow, Applejack pulls in a deep breath and lets it out slowly; the target trundles around its orbit for a long moment…she draws the string back a hair farther…a little more air hisses out through the lips…and then the fingers release their grip. The missile leaves the bow in slow motion, but normal speed resumes almost instantly as it homes in on the target. In the red for a bullseye; more cheers from the Wondercolt supporters.)

(Cut to the speed skating line. The red light near Pinkie and Rarity goes green, and they zoom off along the track as Sunny and Zest glower impotently after them. This shot picks out a large yellow bow holding Pinkie’s hair back, not previously visible due to the camera angle. As they take the first turn, the camera tilts up to the four officials in their pavilion.)

Cadence: And Canterlot is off to an early lead!

(A second arrow from Twilight hits wood instead of target; her third is no better, and a cut to her feet and tilt up speak eloquently to the full-body jitters that are now plaguing her. Arrow number four sings across the open space and hits just inside the target’s track: a near-perfect shot, except for the fact that the target has already moved on. It breaks the arrow shaft when it comes around again. Sour fumes silently in Twilight’s direction, but the sound of skate wheels on hardwood prompts her to look resignedly toward the passing Pinkie and Rarity. The pink nut squats down and extends one leg ahead of herself just to show off.)

Sour: (shrugging exaggeratedly) Well, that’s just fantastic!

(Twilight looks helplessly over at her. Cut to Applejack and Fluttershy, standing on their shooting platform; the former still holds the team’s bow, and both have put their arrows down.)

Fluttershy: (to Applejack, toying with hair) I’m sure glad I don’t go to Crystal Prep.

Applejack: You said it.

(Behind them, the two skaters glide by to complete a lap, Pinkie now rolling backwards.)

Pinkie: Wheeeeeeee!

(She whirls past the line as Rarity waves to them. Tilt up quickly to the scoreboard, which already shows 01-00 in Canterlot High’s favor; another point is quickly ticked up for the home team. On the start of the next line, cut to an extreme close-up of Twilight’s grimacing face, then to a longer shot of her trying madly to nock a fresh arrow.)

Cadence: (from o.s.) If CPA can’t hit another bullseye soon, they’ll be out of this race!

(It slips from her grasp; she bends to get it and tries again, still getting no shred of support from Sour. Cut to the motocross starting line.)

Sugarcoat: (calling downward) You’re really bad at this!

Applejack: (snarling softly, passing bow to Fluttershy) I can’t take any more!

(She jumps down off the platform and strides across. Cut to a close-up of the hapless violet archer; on the start of the next line, zoom out to frame Applejack stepping up next to her.)

Applejack: You have to stop aimin’ at the target.

Sour: (from o.s., sweetly/sarcastically) Oh, that makes perfect sense! (Cut to frame all three.) Don’t aim at the target. Thanks so much.

Applejack: (to Twilight) You have to stop aimin’ at where the target is and aim at where the target’s gonna be.

Sour: (giving thumbs up, shifting to shrill tone) Yeah! Definitely take advice from the person YOU’RE COMPETING AGAINST!

Applejack: (dryly, to Twilight) Do you want to hit the bullseye or not? (Tiny nod; Applejack smiles.) Then trust me. (She puts her hands on the bow to steady it.) Take a deep breath… (Twilight does so, in and out.) …and let the arrow go…

(Cut to the circling target, then to an extreme close-up of the fingers tightening on the bowstring during the following drawn-out word.)

Applejack: (from o.s.) …riiiiiight…

(The green eyes narrow above the freckles dotting her cheeks in silent, swift calculation, then pop wide.)

Applejack: …now!

(Twilight does so, framed in a head-on shot so that her arrow flies directly toward the camera. Once its point fills the screen, snap to the Crystal Prep crowd and then the Canterlot High crew, every eye and mind focusing through the instant dead silence. Abacus stares over her half-moon glasses—and then the arrow strikes deep into the exact center of the target, which cranks to a stop. Hearty cheers greet this achievement, and the other red light on the speed skating start/finish line goes green to get Sunny and Zest rolling. Spike hoists himself up to the edge of the shooting platform.)

Spike: Yeah! That’s my girl!

(Twilight sets the bow down and kneels to pet him, completely oblivious to the thunderstruck look on Sour’s face or her ever-so-cautious retreat from the platform. Applejack smirks after the departing Shadowbolt, then turns a full smile toward Twilight when the latter straightens up. She raises a hand in preparation for a high five, but is entirely unprepared to get a hug from the bookworm instead. The orange-tan face, however, quickly shifts into a warm smile as she rests an arm across Twilight’s shoulders.)

Applejack: See? I was tellin’ you the truth.

(For the fourth time, a Rainboom becomes suffused with a magical glow—yellow-orange, in this case—and ponies up. Twilight backs away hurriedly, her detector instantly locking in and pulling away from her body on its cord before it opens. Try as she might, she cannot reel the thing in; it begins to vacuum up the energy.)

Applejack: (straining on every word) What—are—you—doing?

Twilight: I-I don’t know!

(The transformation is swiftly undone, and the blond archery ace half-collapses as the magic flows away and her aura diminishes. Twilight slams the detector shut, but while stepping backward, she trips over Spike and goes down hard to the fringe of grass between the archery course and the speed skating track. The detector falls off its cord and goes skittering across the wood, where it reopens and sends out a pink-tinged shockwave in all directions across the field. Tiny spots of light form on the ground and in the air and begin to widen into sparking openings, the tip of a tentacle-like growth emerging from one of them. Twilight gapes in horror at this most unexpected major malfunction.)

(Cut to a long overhead shot of the Tri-Cross Relay course. Pinkie and Rarity still have the lead over Sunny and Zest, but the latter two are beginning to close the gap. In close-up, the two Wondercolts skate frantically on; during the next line, cut to the scoreboard—initially 04-03 for Canterlot High, but quickly ticking up one more point on each side—then to both pairs rolling through a turn.)

Cadence: (from o.s.) Canterlot only has two laps to go, but it looks like Crystal Prep is making up for lost time!

(Sunny and Zest pull ahead, the scoreboard ticking to 05-05, and it is the Shadowbolt side’s turn to raise a ruckus as their counterparts across the center rail yell out their dismay. One of Zest’s skates grazes the dropped detector, knocking it to the edge of the track near the motocross run; as Twilight makes a move toward it, the Shadowbolts finish another lap and the tally goes to 06-07 in their favor. Zest throws a smirking grin back over her shoulder, but here come a grimly determined Pinkie and Rarity. The detector spits another spark, opening a fresh rift as Twilight lunges for it, but an absurdly thick and flexible length of vine snakes across to block her approach. She ducks under its strike just before Canterlot High picks up another point, its seventh. Close-up of Rarity.)

Rarity: (over her shoulder) Come on!

(Longer shot: she has addressed the lagging Pinkie and is extending a leg back toward her. Once the pink fun-lover has seized that ankle with both hands, Rarity whips the leg around in a semicircle to catapult her ahead. The resulting acceleration sends her neatly up between Sunny and Zest to finish another lap: 08-07, and all four coast past the bleachers—the end of the speed skating leg. The disappointment is all too clear on the outpaced Shadowbolts’ faces.)

Cadence: (from o.s.) What a finish!

(Photo rushes up to get a shot of them after they have passed. The four motocross racers rev their engines and watch the red lights on their starting line; as soon as these go green, they hurtle over the edge and drop onto the entrance ramp in a cloud of exhaust. Almost immediately, they charge up one side of a dirt hill and down the other; Rainbow starts to pull away, but the other three close the distance and Indigo buzzes straight toward the camera until her front tire fills the screen to black it out.)

(Snap to Twilight, on her knees and reaching toward her detector. She gets her legs yanked out from under her and thuds down on her belly; zoom out to show that a vine has reached through a gateway and snagged her ankle. A second one ends in a toothy maw similar to a Venus flytrap. She cries out and scrabbles uselessly against the hardwood as the flipped-out flora hauls her inexorably backwards. Now Rainbow catches some serious air as she jumps the water pit.)

Rainbow: AWESOME!!

(Touch down, then straight into the next jump, bringing cheers from both factions. She goes up, Sugarcoat close behind, and hits the dirt landing well before Sunset and Indigo can go airborne. After all four have cleared it, a rift begins to form in the gap—and then another one manifests on the dirt dead ahead of Rainbow, ravenous plant life and all. She flips her cycle down to one side, barely keeping it and herself clear of the surface as she skids under a kink in the vines, and expertly comes back up without missing a beat. None of the four officials can believe either this bit of heavy-duty stunt driving or the arboreal idiocy that led to it.)

(Sunset opens her throttle and begins to close in on Sugarcoat, whose attention is definitely not focused on the track. The draw turns out to be another wild vine, which lunges down so suddenly that Sunset has to duplicate Rainbow’s move; however, she takes it too far and her bike slides out from under her. The Canterlot High supporters gasp in fear and shock, and Indigo finds herself driving straight up along another growth toward the mouth that has chomped down on Sugarcoat’s bike. The pigtailed racer has wound up dangling from the front tire, but Indigo hits the gas and launches herself off the end rather than stop to help her teammate.)

(Her trajectory brings her down in front of Rainbow; as the two zoom through a series of humps, the blue girl looks back and spots Sunset kneeling dazedly alongside her dumped cycle. With a glare that might translate as “to heck with the race,” Rainbow brings herself to a stop through a dirt-chewing U-turn and doubles back to assist. Sunset gets the sense scared back into her when one of Sugarcoat’s wheels bounces off the slope nearby; looking up, she sees the Shadowbolt now hanging on by one set of fingers. The remains of the cycle are within the fanged green maw, which chomps them to pieces and dislodges Sugarcoat’s tenuous grip. She bounces her way down the twisted green weeds, finally dropping into a slide that deposits her on the dirt. As she somehow manages to stand mostly upright, Rainbow rockets past in a multicolored blur. Sunset stares helplessly at the head that rears up and lashes toward her; cut to an extreme close-up of Rainbow’s gloved hand reaching out for a desperate grab, then to Sunset being swept up and carried away an instant before the jaws slam down into the hardpack. She ends up riding behind Rainbow.)

Sunset: (smiling with relief) Dash, you saved me!

Rainbow: I wasn’t about to let my friend become plant food.

(She becomes enveloped in blue light as she says this, just as during the Act One pep rally; wheeling to a stop, she then pulls off her helmet and ponies up, the change lifting her off the track. Abacus stares openmouthed at this twist, then cocks an eyebrow and glares skeptically toward Celestia; the latter gapes at first, but does her best to recover with a dopey “don’t look at me” grin and shrug.)

Rainbow: We can still win this!

(Sunset, still on Rainbow’s bike, gets it in gear and speeds ahead with the half-pony girl following on wings. As Twilight strains to throw off the vine snarled around her ankle, another one creeps out toward her from a different opening; it is promptly beset by Spike, who sinks his teeth into the tip and drags it down to the track. Indigo, meanwhile, keeps right on motoring with no regard for anything but the finish line—at least until she comes down off a ramp and finds a vine head digging into the earth directly in front of her. It pulls loose, leaving a king-size pothole that she falls gracelessly into, and prepares to chow down on a course of Shadowbolt tartare.)

(Here comes Rainbow, her magic glow gone; she pulls up in front of the head menacing Indigo and hurtles past it as a distraction, barely keeping ahead of the striking jaws. Sunset keeps rolling, but her heart is clearly no longer in it even as she takes a jump without any trouble. Once she passes Indigo, the wiped-out gearhead revs up and powers her cycle out of the crater in a spray of dirt to get back in the race. Rainbow sees the two peeling out, as well as the head lancing after them; as they leap a row of tires half-buried in the path, she lays a flying tackle on the crazed plant and slams it to the ground, throwing up a screenful of dust. The view clears to show it embedded deep in a patch of grass, and Rainbow pulling herself up to glare down at it.)

(The race continues, with Sunset and Indigo trading a razor-thin lead—but it is the red/gold-haired rider who breaks the tape at the finish line.)

Cadence: (from o.s.) Canterlot wins!

(Wild cheering from that half of the bleachers, after which the camera pans to the other half filled with incredulous, indignant Shadowbolt supporters. At the pavilion, Abacus is on her feet and trying to bore holes into the course with the sheer ferocity of her glower. Shifting her focus to Cadence causes the dean to quail a bit; zoom in on her as she stands, microphone in hand, and the cheering dies away.)

Cadence: Attention, students! Please proceed to the gym!

(The vines have paid no heed to the end of the race, and the one Spike pinned has now lifted him up and begun to thrash about, trying to fling him loose. Twilight hurls herself over its bulk and rolls across the track to snatch and close the detector; as soon as she does so, the vine disappears as if burning away and Spike drops like a rock. All over the course, the other intruding plant life disintegrates and the rips in reality seal themselves, leaving one very puzzled girl and her dog alone on the grass. Having re-strung the detector around her neck on its cord, Twilight regards it with clear unease and hazards a glance back across the field, teeth sunk so far into her lower lip that she might bite through it at any moment. All of the Rainbooms converge on the speed skating track, with the exception of Rainbow. Applejack’s magic has now completely faded away from Twilight’s accidental draining, and Fluttershy has put away the team’s bow.)

Applejack: Is everybody all right? (Rainbow drops in among them.)

Rainbow: Better than all right! We won! (Sunset removes and discards her helmet.)

 Sunset: Yeah, we won, but somebody could’ve been seriously hurt! The magic is going haywire, and I have no idea how to fix it!

Twilight: (from o.s.) Um, excuse me.

(Cut to her and Spike standing a short distance away, the camera aimed at her between Applejack and Rainbow.)

Twilight: I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. I just wanted to learn about the strange energy coming from your school. I-I didn’t know that it was magic or how it works. (Rainbow crosses to her.)

Rainbow: That’s okay. (Detector fires up.) Neither do we.

Twilight: Oh, no! (It strains toward Rainbow on its cord.) No, no, no! (Rainbow’s aura reappears.) Not again!

(The gizmo pops its top and Hoovers up the mojo, causing Rainbow to groan loudly. Sunset hurries over to keep her from completely crumpling to the ground as her pony features vanish.)

Twilight: I’m sorry! It just started absorbing energy on its own! (trying to close it)  But I’m not sure how!

Sunset: What do you mean, you don’t know how?

(This time, all four hands are not enough to shut the thing down; the accumulated magic at its center shoots off a spark, which creates a rent overhead that widens to show a star-filled night sky and crescent moon over Equestria. As all seven girls—Rainbow’s aura now gone—and the talking dog stare in complete shock, Abacus steps out from the pavilion and presses herself against one of its supports so that she can covertly watch these goings-on.)

Twilight: It also causes these corresponding rifts to appear! (Cut to her and Sunset.) I don’t know how that works, either!

Sunset: (really fed up) Is there anything you do know? Like how to get our magic back, or how to fix the portal to Equestria?

Twilight: (hopelessly confused) Equestria?

Sunset: You’re supposed to be so smart. But did you ever think that you shouldn’t be messing around with things you don’t understand?

(She slams the detector shut on the end of this line, causing the rift to shrink and vanish.)

Twilight: But I want to understand!

Sunset: But you don’t! And worst of all, you’ve put the lives of my friends in danger!

Twilight: (voice breaking) I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to… (She runs off in tears, Spike following.)

Spike: Twilight! Wait!

(A visibly worn-out Rainbow rests a hand on the shoulder of the unicorn-turned-teenager, snapping her out of her rage so that she claps a hand to her face in disgust and regret for her harsh words. Cut to Abacus, whose lips curve up into a cruel little smile that disappears in an instant to the sound of the o.s. Celestia’s throat-clearing. Zoom out to frame her, Luna, and Cadence standing behind her.)

Abacus: You can’t possibly call that a fair race!

Celestia: Principal Cinch, we all saw what happened. You can’t think CHS had some kind of advantage.

Abacus: Can’t I? Even without your trained attack plants, your students have wings!

Celestia: Well, the race certainly had some…extenuating circumstances. Perhaps we should end the Games now and declare a tie.

Abacus: A tie? Was this your strategy all along? (The Rainbooms cross to the officials.) To force us into accepting you as equals? I think not! The Games will continue and Crystal Prep will prevail despite your antics and whatever performance-enhancing regimen your students are on!

(She walks off, still ramrod-straight despite this outburst; only after she has gone does Sunset address Celestia, stepping over to her.)

Sunset: I’m sorry I couldn’t stop all this from happening.

Celestia: (gently) It’s not your fault, Sunset.

Sunset: Isn’t it? I should know how to control the magic I brought here, but I don’t. I let everyone down. (bitterly) And now Principal Cinch thinks we’re cheating.

Celestia: (hand to Sunset’s shoulder) It doesn’t matter what Principal Cinch thinks. (Sunset pulls back.)

Sunset: But it does. The students here at CHS don’t just want to win, they want to beat Crystal Prep. It isn’t gonna count if the other side doesn’t really think they lost. Crystal Prep is never gonna believe we won fair and square if there’s magic around— (softly) —and that magic is only around because of me.

(She stands with downcast eyes and spirits sunk into her boots as the view fades to black.)

(Fade in to a close-up of the Wondercolt statue, seen from the side nearest the curb. Behind it, two sets of banner-marked bleachers have been set up facing each other across the central courtyard: Canterlot High on the left, Crystal Prep on the right. The sky has gone a foreboding dark gray with a sudden pall of clouds, and cheers and whistles ring out across the space from the packed house. Cut to the Rainbooms, all back in their civilian clothes and hairstyles—including Applejack’s hat—and gathered on the Wondercolts’ side. Of the six, Rainbow is the only one fired up as the camera pans slowly across them. The next four lines are amplified by the sound system.)

Cadence: (from o.s.) Since the score is tied—

(To the Shadowbolts, in their uniforms and usual accessories; Sour and Zest have resumed their original hairstyles.)

Cadence: (from o.s.) —the final event will determine the winner of the Friendship Games.

(Extreme close-up of two pennants being held aloft, one for each team. On the start of the next line, they are lowered and the camera tilts down to show them in Luna’s grip. She has taken over at the microphone.)

Luna: Somewhere on campus, a pennant from each school has been hidden. The first team to find their school’s flag and bring it back wins. (She backs off to make room for Cadence.)

Cadence: And as soon as our teams are ready, we’ll begin. (Cut to the dispirited trio of Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie.)

Fluttershy: But I don’t feel like playing these Games anymore. (Close-up of Rainbow.)

Rainbow: Well, we have to play! This is the last event! (Zoom out; she is flanked by Rarity and Sunset.)

Rarity: (sighing) It’s a little hard to focus with all the magic-stealing and portal-opening.

Sunset: And I feel awful about what I said to Twilight.

Fluttershy: Especially since she obviously didn’t mean to do all the stuff she did. She’s actually really nice.

(Another stab of remorse goes through the mind under the tumble of red/yellow hair, and she covers her face with her hands as Fluttershy finds herself on the wrong end of searching looks from the other four girls. The wordless scrutiny is enough to make the animal lover hunch into herself and sidestep away ever so slightly.)

Applejack: (crossing to Sunset) Let’s just get through this last event and prove we’re not a bunch of cheaters. (hand to shoulder) Then you can go over and apologize.

(That suggestion brings up a grateful smile. Across the way, very nearly the full complement of Shadowbolts has gathered to listen to what Abacus has to say—but Twilight’s attention is focused on Spike, hiding in the bushes at the back wall.)

Abacus: I know I’m asking you to beat a team that isn’t playing fair, but Canterlot High must be made to understand that even with magic at their disposal, beating Crystal Prep is simply not an option.

(During this line, Twilight waves discreetly but frantically back toward the bushes and the camera cuts briefly to the pooch as he retreats from sight altogether.)

Sugarcoat: What if they grow wings again?

Abacus: (passing her, approaching Twilight) A fair question, though I believe we can now fight fire with fire.

(The purple eyes behind the thick lenses flick up worriedly.)

Abacus: I’ve seen what your device can do, Twilight. Containing magical energy is fine, but have you considered releasing it?

Twilight: But I don’t even understand how it works! (The other students fall in behind Abacus.)

Abacus: But you’d like to. And since our opponents have already used it to stay competitive, I see no reason why we shouldn’t do the same— (pointedly) —unless, of course, you have no interest in Everton? Though honestly, I think there’s more knowledge packed in that little device than any independent study program could offer.

(On this last sentence, the camera cuts to a most apprehensive Twilight and zooms in slowly as she clutches the detector.)

Quiet, sinister harpsichord melody with low woodwinds, stoptime, moderate 4 (B flat minor)

(Abacus paces slowly and deliberately—toward Twilight, circling, back to the rest of the team.)

Abacus:        I realize that you’ve always been an outcast

                It’s not everyone at school who likes to think

                To find a student that’s like you, I’ve had one or maybe two

                But the good ones disappear before I blink

Stoptime ends; light percussion, strings in

(She snaps her fingers on her last word; now the others advance a step.)

Shadowbolts:                Oh-h-ah, oh-ah, oh-h, oh-h-ah, oh-ah

Percussion out

Abacus:        Now I understand you have your reservations [oh-h]

                It’s hard to have a brain as large as yours [ah-h]

(Twilight nudges her glasses back when they slide down her nose; now Abacus leans into her face and lifts her chin with one finger.)

                But if we don’t win these Games, well, I think I’ve made it plain [ah-h]

                What will happen if we have the losing scores [oh-h]

Light percussion, muted trumpet in

Shadowbolts:                Oh-h-ah, oh-ah, oh-h, oh-h-ah, oh-ah

Trumpet out; higher woodwinds in

(The others begin to circle slowly around Twilight, leaning in toward her with hands clasped behind backs.)

Shadowbolts:                Unleash the magic, unleash the magic

                        If we lose, then you’re to blame [ah-h]

(In close-up, Sunny gestures toward the Canterlot High crowd; Zest moves up next to her, and the camera zooms out as all five girls form one hard-eyed line. The background fades to purple behind them.)

                        They all have used it, maybe abused it [oh-h]

                        So then why can’t we do the same?

Muted trumpet in; harpsichord out

Shadowbolts:                Oh-h-ah, oh-ah, oh-h, oh-h-ah, oh-ah

Stoptime; trumpet out

(The display on Twilight’s detector strobes briefly as Abacus appears in a spotlight behind her and leans over to stare her down and put a fingertip on the case.)

Abacus:                                        Call it power, call it magic, if we lose, it will be

     tragic

Shadowbolts: (whispered, under previous)         [Power…magic…tragic]

Abacus:                                        More important is the knowledge we’ll have lost

                                                     [Ah-h]

Stoptime ends; harpsichord in

                                                A chance like this won’t come again, you’ll regret

     not giving in

                                                Isn’t understanding magic worth the cost?

Muted trumpet in

Shadowbolts:                Oh-h-ah, oh-ah, oh-h, oh-h-ah, oh-ah

Trumpet out

(The other five girls form a semicircle around Twilight and slowly back her up toward the impassive principal.)

Shadowbolts:                Unleash the magic, unleash the magic

                        We’re not friends here, after all

                        Our only interest in this business [ah-h]

(Zoom in slowly past them; the Wondercolt statue appears in the purple blankness and crumbles to dust.)

                        Is seeing Canterlot High School fall

Muted trumpet in

Shadowbolts:                Oh-h-ah, oh-ah, oh-h, oh-h-ah, oh-ah

Half-time feel; percussion strengthens; trumpet/harpsichord out, low brass in

Sustained background vocalizations under Abacus’s next lines

(The haze clears to give a close-up of Twilight. Abacus’s hands reach out from behind her, landing on both shoulders, and the pale patrician face leans out into view.)

Abacus:                                What I’m suggesting’s very simple

                                        And since it’s win-win on all scores

(She touches the device again; Twilight cringes away and shields it in her hands.)

                                        You only want to learn about the

                                        Magic that you have stored

(Abacus guides her past the others.)

                                        And as for me and all the others

                                        We only want what we deserve

(Extreme close-up of Abacus’s narrowed eyes; now she shoves Twilight ahead.)

                                        That our school will clinch the win

                                        And my legacy will endure
Shadowbolts: (under previous)         [Legacy will endure]

Percussion strengthens again; electric guitar, bass in

(The courtyard fades into view behind them; after an internal struggle, Twilight starts to walk ahead and Spike darts out from the bushes.)

Shadowbolts:                        Unleash the magic, unleash the magic

                                If we lose, then it’s a crime

                                But we can win it if you begin it [ah-h]

(On the Canterlot High side, Sunset pivots to follow Fluttershy’s pointing finger.)

                                It’s up to you to not fail this time

(Twilight pulls the detector’s cord up and off her neck.)

Male Shadowbolts:                Unleash the magic, free the magic now

(Spike’s mouth falls open in disbelief once he gets to a clear patch of ground.)

Female Shadowbolts:        Unleash the magic, free the magic now

Previous two lines are repeated under each of Twilight’s next four lines

(The unit is slowly raised.)

Twilight:                        Imagine all I’ll learn by setting it free

Luna: (at microphone, amplified) If both teams are ready…

(One violet finger touches the center window as Sunset stares aghast and Spike slaloms through the Shadowbolts’ legs. A breeze begins to blow through the courtyard, toying with hair.)

Twilight:                        And now winning these Games depends on me

D flat minor, modulating to A flat major

(The device’s reflection appears briefly in her lenses, and her pupils flash pale violet for a split second.)

                                And what doors might open if I try to use it?

Cadence: (at microphone, amplified, raising hand) …the last event of the Friendship Games begins…

(Fierce cheering from both sides.)

Twilight:                        But the magic’s what I really want to see

(The “now” is left off the female Shadowbolts’ line sung under this one. As Twilight slowly opens the detector, a horrified Sunset gets her feet moving and Abacus shows just a sliver of teeth between grimly smiling lips. The action shifts to slow motion for just an instant of Sunset’s last-ditch leap toward her opposite number.)

Female Shadowbolts:                Unleash the magic, free the magic…

Spike: (rushing out) Twilight, no!

(He hurls himself into a dive toward her, the action again shifting to slow motion for a split second before the camera cuts to Luna and Cadence. The latter’s hand drops.)

Luna, Cadence: (amplified) …NOW!

Song ends abruptly (“now” is delivered in time to complete the final line)

(Once Twilight has the case fully open, the ball of magic inside goes pure white, throwing rays everywhere. It contracts to a point before sending out a blinding shock wave that momentarily whites out the screen. When the view clears, her glasses have been blown off, her hair is loose, and everyone else who had been standing up is on the ground amid clouds of dust; two rings of pink energy slam into the dirt and disappear, centered around Twilight. A front in this same color materializes and contracts into the detector. As both groups stare bug-eyed, faces and tongues completely locked up, the paranormal investigator-in-training finds herself being steadily, inexorably lifted off the grass. The detector drops from nerveless fingers and clinks on the concrete, now only an inert chunk of electronics, but the magic it had contained continues to rise with Twilight. It begins to expand, crackles of yellow-orange playing across the pink/purple-tinged white surface, as the entire courtyard is bathed in its unearthly glow. Abacus rises to her feet, but can only manage a couple of terrified steps back toward her now-upright students as Twilight trains two freaked-out purple eyes on her. Spike manages a gasp as his owner’s arms disappear into the brightness, but there is not a sound from the other twelve throats—five Shadowbolts, one principal, and six Rainbooms, now also standing.)

Twilight: (straining) Heeelllp…meee!

(She manages to yank one arm free and reach blindly toward any shred of aid, but none is forthcoming and she utters a tormented cry as the expanding radiance consumes her. Only her hazy silhouette can be seen for a moment before the view fades to white.)

(Snap to a long shot of the courtyard, with both groups staring up at the bookworm as she floats helplessly within the ball of multicolored magic. It flickers black, then shifts into a black-edged white sphere that explodes with another screen-blanking flash; against this, Twilight’s image fades into view, seen in full color and with eyes blazing white. A point of pink light ignites in the center of her forehead, quickly spreading to encompass her entire form and touching off a radical transformation. Her skin has gone a darker violet than before, and long, winged, deep pink boots with large holes and pale green feet materialize on her legs, starting from the ankles up. A long purple dress train burns into view behind them; next an elbow-length, fingerless, ragged-edged glove forms on one arm in extreme close-up and two black-edged, deep purple wings unfurl, each with a single pinstripe of pale-glowing green. The next shot is an extreme close-up of Twilight’s face, eyes closed under lowered brows, hair blown upwards with the deep-pink and purple streaks set against black instead of dark blue, mouth set in an unnerving little smile. That spot of light still burns on her forehead, and it extends to form a long, jagged, translucent, pale-green-glowing horn that tapers to a cruelly sharp point. A zoom out frames an eight-pointed pink star on a purple ribbon around her neck, as well as the upper edge of a strapless pink/purple dress. Another such zoom as she opens her eyes and spreads her wings to full extension, and the entire garment is revealed as the surrounding luminescence dies away: two shades of purple with pink accents; knee-length, star-marked skirt in front; lighter pink waistline that matches the jewel accents on the boots’ insteps; gloves on both forearms; hair clip gone; eyes shrunken to pale violet points within glowing blue-green whites and ringed by matching auras, a slightly different hue from her horn and boots’ feet, that call to mind her lost glasses. The sight of her is enough to start Abacus backing ever so slowly away through her other prize pupils.)

(Cut to Spike, who hunches down with a very scared little whimper as this new being’s crazed laughter drifts down from overhead, then to Twilight. A wild, unhinged confidence surges through her voice now.)

Twilight: You were right! I didn’t understand magic before—but I do now!

(Channeling power through her horn, she extends a palm toward the Wondercolt statue and hits it with a wide-angle beam that blows it to powder. The Rainbooms shield their faces against the shower of debris and look up to find that there is nothing left except the base and the two hooves rooted onto it. Cut to this; in the space where the stallion had so proudly reared up, a gash opens to expose Ponyville’s town hall beyond.)

Sunset: (from o.s.) Equestria!

(At a flick from Twilight’s eyes, a glowing crack forms in the sidewalk near the base and starts to zigzag its way along the surface. Twilight warms up a hand as it makes its way toward the Rainbooms, and the blast she uncorks gives them almost no time to break for cover. It forms a pathway that gives onto an overhead view of the village of Rainbow Falls. As the stands empty and screaming students flee, Twilight throws shots at several cracks that have formed above them. The first one she hits becomes a jump to the hot-tub room in the Ponyville Spa; the second, to Sweet Apple Acres. Two more open on their own, creating passages to Cloudsdale and a stretch of train tracks in a desert. Twilight just grins madly as another spark hits the air over a few classmates’ heads, creating a route to somewhere outside Ponyville proper. As Canterlot High students flee from a pair of portals, one to a snow-capped mountain range and the other to Manehattan, Abacus takes advantage of the major-league distraction to start edging quietly away. However, she does not escape Sunny’s attention.)

Sunny: Hey! (Abacus stops short.) Where are you going?

Abacus: Anywhere to avoid that…monster! And I suggest you do the same!

(She peels out. Two scared red-violet eyes turn up toward the source of all this devastation, then toward Sour, Sugarcoat, and Zest standing nearby. Cut to Twilight.)

Sunset: (from o.s.) Twilight! (Cut to just behind Twilight’s shoulder, framing her below.) You can’t do this!

Twilight: Why not? There’s a whole other world right there— (charging up) —and it’s just filled with magic!

(This beam hits a rift at the front entrance, Celestia ducks inside, Luna sidesteps, and Cadence dives for cover just ahead of the hit, which opens a way to a Ponyville street. Zoom out quickly to put Sunset in the fore.)

Sunset: But you’re destroying this world to get it!

Twilight: So what? There’s more magic there. (backing away, charging up) And I want to understand it all!

(Now both hands come into play, punching a beam into the sidewalk as Sunset hurls herself clear. A broad swath of concrete goes purple and fractures, and the centermost pieces go flying to expose a patch of sky beneath. As students run for their lives, the fragments around the edge collapse into the new hole. Sunset slides across the grass, fetching up next to the silent detector off its cord, and gets a hand to it. Meanwhile, the ground beneath the feet of a Canterlot High student at the edge gives way; she starts to fall through, but Applejack is there in a twinkling to grab one wrist and start pulling her up.)

Applejack: (grunting) Don’t let go!

(As she reels the teen back up to solid ground, Pinkie does the same for a Crystal Prep student. Sugarcoat has a prime viewing spot to watch Fluttershy nearly take a tumble; her glances toward Indigo and Zest, then Sour and Sunny, trigger a determined five-way nod and get all ten feet into gear. At the scene, Rainbow is hauling in one of her classmates. Rarity strains to hoist both Fleur and a Canterlot High student, but their combined weight drags her over the precipice. She gets one hand hooked on with a cry of panic, using her other to support the two.)

Rainbow: Hang on!

Rarity: (very snarky) Obviously!

(The well-manicured fingertips slide slowly to the lip, the camera cutting to an extreme close-up as they finally give way. Two hands—one light reddish-pink, one pale cream-colored with a blue/gray lightning-bolt wristband—snap down to snatch hold. Zoom out to frame Indigo and Zest on the job.)

Indigo: We’ve got you!

(Ground level. Zoom out from these two rescues to put Sunset in the fore. The detector in her hands comes to life and homes in on a signal. As her eyes narrow in determination, the camera pans quickly to Sour giving Pinkie a helping hand and Sunny pulling Fluttershy back from the brink. The yellow girl begins to glow with the same magic power that was stolen from her during Act Two; another pulse from the rig, and Sunset turns to point it at Rarity, whose blue-violet aura reasserts itself as Indigo sees to her. Pan quickly to Applejack and Sugarcoat, both comforting the student Applejack caught; the former starts to glow yellow-orange. Cut to an extreme close-up of the detector in Sunset’s hand, the screen quickly tiling itself with five panels that each show one of the other Rainbooms with their old magic coming back. Left to right: Rainbow, Pinkie, Rarity, Fluttershy holding Spike, Applejack. The camera then cuts back to Sunset, whose eyes widen at the sight of this restoration; after a moment, she snaps back to herself, glares at the detector, and whirls to face Twilight.)

Sunset: This isn’t the way! (Cut to Twilight; she continues o.s.) I know you feel powerful right now— (Back to her.) —like you can have everything you want! I’ve been where you are! I’ve made the same mistake you’re making! I put on a crown, and just like you, I was overwhelmed by the magic it contained! (To Twilight; recoiling slightly; she continues o.s.) I thought it could get me everything I wanted!

Twilight: (smirking) Oh, you’re wrong. Unlike you, I can have everything I want! (Back to Sunset.)

Sunset: No, you can’t! Even with all that magic and power, you’ll still be alone! (holding up detector) True magic comes from honesty! Loyalty! Laughter! Generosity! Kindness!

(As she mentions each Element of Harmony, the camera cuts to the girl embodying it, her hair being blown straight up from her head and a rivulet of magic shooting skyward from it. Applejack’s hat falls off in the process. After Fluttershy, the camera cuts to a long shot of the entire gathering; the five streams retract into the five heads, then redirect themselves into the now-open detector and slowly pull Sunset off the concrete.)

Sunset: I understand you, Twilight, and I want to show you the most important magic of all!

(Cut to an extreme close-up of the gadget on the end of this. She snaps it shut, cutting off the flows, and hurls it down. It shatters below her feet, releasing an explosion of pure white light that blanks out the screen and clears to show the same dust clouds and two rings of pink energy that marked the first stage of Twilight’s metamorphosis. They slam to the ground and the same ball of light grows to envelop her—but unlike her counterpart, Sunset puts up no struggle against the encroaching glow and simply lets it take her. In a parallel to Twilight’s change, she acquires winged, gold-colored high-heeled shoes marked with her red/yellow sunburst and flame-like projections that extend up the shin from the instep. A long white dress train materializes behind them. A short, white fingerless glove appears on a hand, a sun-marked bracelet on an upper arm, and a point of burning yellow light flares up in the center of her forehead in extreme close-up. Zoom out as it elongates into a long, straight horn. Her hair is blowing up from her head, and there are red markings around her eyes to resemble a domino mask. The dress is strapless, in shades of white, light yellow, and pink, and the skirt is knee-length in front. She wears a white choker set with a sunburst, gloves and bracelets on both arms, and two immense wings of golden light stand out from her back.)

Sunset: The magic of friendship!

(Now Twilight’s face registers genuine fear. Cut to a three-way split screen that frames a smiling Applejack, Fluttershy, and Pinkie; their magic has faded out, Applejack has her hat on, and Fluttershy has put Spike down. A two-way split captures Rainbow and Rarity similarly, after which the camera cuts to a slow pan across the physically and spatially shredded courtyard and the two teens floating above it. In close-up, Sunset crosses her wrists in front of her chest and focuses herself; un-crossing them, she fires beams that seal one rift after another without leaving a trace.)

(Voicing a short groan of frustration at seeing her handiwork undone so easily, Twilight swoops down toward Sunset and gathers power in one hand. The other flyer charges herself up and starts onto a collision course; when the two amped-up hands touch, the sky flashes white and all the onlookers shield their eyes from the intensity. The two back away from each other; now each goes for a two-handed blast and the beams cancel each other out midway between them. Sunset pushes her energy toward Twilight, who shoves back just as hard and laughs crazily as the backwash comes perilously close to making contact with the yellow-orange face. Students from both schools stare in mingled fear and awe at the cataclysmic showdown raging above their heads—and then Spike, who has climbed back into Fluttershy’s arms, jumps to the sidewalk.)

Spike: Twilight!

(His call shakes her out of her insane reverie. Cut briefly to her slightly hazy perspective of him, zooming in slowly as he stares up with big, wide, terrified green eyes, then back to her. A blink returns her constricted pupils/irises and glowing whites to their normal appearance.)

Twilight: (softly, normal voice) Spike?

(The distraction gives Sunset the perfect opportunity to bulldoze her beam toward Twilight, widening it at the same time. As it surges into the violet girl’s face, she blinks her eyes back into their transformed state, but it does not a lick of good.)

Twilight: NOOOOOOOOO!!

(The glare washes out all of her color before the view fades to white. Fade in to a full-color close-up of her, miserably huddled into herself within the formless, trackless void. She straightens up and risks a look behind herself, opening her eyes to show them back to normal. Cut to a longer shot, framing Sunset hovering in this space as well. The latter floats slowly toward the former, extending a hand.)

Sunset: (echoing) Take my hand, Twilight. Let me show you there’s another way—just like someone once did for me.

(Twilight cowers away from the proffered fingers and squinches her whole face up in a silent internal war, which ends when she reaches across the space with tears filling her eyes. Cut to an extreme close-up of the two hands clasping each other; a wisp of yellow energy appears and snakes back along Twilight’s arm, making its way to shoulder and hair. Twilight closes her eyes with a tremulous smile, a tear drifting away on the wind, and the view fades to white.)

(Fade in to the courtyard. The broad pillar of light begins to shrink and dim, exposing the silhouettes of the two girls within as they slowly descend to the sidewalk. When it winks out, all of the rifts Twilight created—including the one she blew open in the walk—have been closed and she and Sunset stand side by side, holding hands and back to normal, if rather disheveled. Her hair having come loose from its bun, she removes her hand once she is sure that both of them are still alive and human. Applejack has her hat back on.)

Twilight: I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. (She looks away, closing her wet eyes.)

Sunset: I know. (smiling) And going by my own experiences, they’ll forgive you.

(The two yellow-orange hands close gently on the neckline of Twilight’s vest, bringing the purple-eyed face up and around in a weak smile. A bark from the o.s. Spike spooks Sunset into backing off, and he jumps up toward Twilight with her glasses clamped in his mouth. The impact of dog against teen sends both to the grass, and she laughs gently over his antics. Pan quickly away from these two to one end of the Crystal Prep bleachers; Abacus steps into view from behind, takes a cautious look around the area, and rounds the corner with a sudden burst of indignation. Out come Celestia, Luna, and Cadence from the front entrance, only for the opposing principal to cut them off.)

Abacus: Principal Celestia! On behalf of Crystal Prep, I demand that you forfeit the Friendship Games! (Luna and Cadence back Celestia up.) Clearly CHS has had unfair advantage for quite some time, and it’s certainly obvious that your students have been using magic for their own benefit!

Celestia: (smirking) I’d like to think that saving the world benefits us all. (Cut to Sugarcoat and zoom in slowly.)

Sugarcoat: At least they didn’t manipulate Twilight into releasing all the stolen magic and turning into a power-crazed magical creature that tried to rip the world apart just to win a game.

(Cut to a longer shot that frames all parties involved. There is a long, tense silence.)

Pinkie: Wow. That’s a lot to take in when you say it all at once.

Abacus: That’s ridiculous! (Close-up of Spike, held by Twilight. She has her glasses back on.)

Spike: Nope. That’s pretty much what happened.

(Zoom out quickly on the end of this to put Abacus in the fore. Her reaction to hearing this dog talk is very similar to that of a person who has just shoved a fork into an electrical outlet.)

Sour: Actually, we’re all to blame.

(Spoken without a trace of false sweetness and plenty of real contrition.)

Sour: (viciously) Mostly it was her!

(“Her” being Abacus, who rounds on Celestia with newfound fury.)

Abacus: Obviously my students have been infected with your magic! But I plan on taking all of this up with the school board! (Cut to Celestia.)

Celestia: Good. I’m sure they would be very interested in hearing all about the magical students with wings. (Pan to frame Luna stepping up next to her.)

Luna: Oh, and the portals to different dimensions. (To Cadence, doing likewise.)

Cadence: And don’t forget to tell them about the talking dog.

(Each woman infuses her line with a healthy dose of mockery, cocked eyebrows, and/or condescending smiles. Cadence ends hers with a light giggle, but a cut to Abacus shows that she has clamped her teeth so tightly in frustration that they might shatter at any instant. On the start of the next line, cut to Twilight, Sunset, and Spike, all of whom aim their A-game smirks at her.)

Spike: (very snarky) Because that would never ruin your reputation.

(Abacus glances uncertainly around herself, but finds only dirty looks and “gotcha” smiles coming back from the top Wondercolts and Shadowbolts alike—and, mixed in with them, a dazzling white grin from Pinkie. Realizing at last that this is an unwinnable battle, she trembles in place from supreme frustration, as if ready to take a swing at anyone who might even look at her funny. Instead of doing anything stupid, though, she draws herself up, tugs at the hem of her blazer to straighten out any invisible wrinkles, and walks off toward the curb.)

Celestia: (stepping toward others; cut to behind her, panning across the group) Well, I know these Friendship Games haven’t been what any of us expected, but given what we’ve all just been through— (Close-up.) —I think it’s fair to declare us all winners.

(Cut to just above ground level. Hands and fists shoot toward the gloomy gray sky as cheers float up and Applejack’s hat is tossed after them. Fade to white.)

(Fade in to the front entrance, now illuminated by sunlight that suggests a clearing of the overcast sky. Bon Bon, Lyra, and Micro stroll away talking, and the focus shifts from them to the background as they move o.s. DJ P0N-3 and Zest talk off to one side, Cadence is speaking with Sour and Upper, and Twilight sits on the steps with Spike in her lap, having put her hair back in order. Each student who took part in the Games has a medal around his/her neck. In close-up, Twilight and Spike trade a smile and she pets him.)

Cadence: (crossing to them) I guess that was one way to finish up your time at Crystal Prep. (sitting) Pretty sure Cinch will be fast-tracking your application after all of that. (Close-up of girl and dog.)

Twilight: I’ve been thinking about it, and— (Zoom out to frame all three.) —I’m not so sure now is the time for me to apply to Everton.

Cadence: Really?

Twilight: I may know about a lot of things, but friendship isn’t really one of them. And I’m definitely not gonna learn more about it by being alone all the time.

Cadence: So…you’re staying at Crystal Prep?

(Long shot of the area, framing two girls greeting a third in the fore.)

Twilight: Well, it seems the students here at CHS know an awful lot about the subject. (They move off; back to her and Cadence.) I don’t suppose…?

Cadence: (catching on) You could transfer to this school instead.

Twilight: Really?

Cadence: You’d certainly be missed at Crystal Prep, but— (arms around Twilight’s shoulders) —I think that’s a great idea. I’ll be sure to speak to Principal Celestia about it right away.

(Cut to the base of the destroyed statue and zoom in on the Rainbooms, all with medals of their own. Fluttershy pets Angel; Applejack and Rarity are talking, as are Pinkie and Rainbow, and Sunset leans against the base to look up at the sky, holding her journal to her chest. She has fixed her hair, and Applejack has her hat back on. A close-up of the girl in the leather jacket clearly picks out the satisfied smile on her face as Fluttershy turns to her.)

Fluttershy: Still no word from Princess Twilight?  (Sunset opens the book and checks a page.)

Sunset: Not yet. (smiling, closing it) But I think I may have figured out how magic works in this world.

(Cut to a slow pan across Applejack, Pinkie, Rainbow, and Rarity.)

Sunset: (from o.s.) We pony up when we’re showing the truest part of ourselves. (Back to her and Fluttershy.) I was so busy waiting for someone else to give me the answers— (Close-up of the cover; she runs a hand over it and continues o.s.) —that I gave up looking for them myself. (To her again.) I’m sure there will be more magical problems that pop up in this world, but like Applejack said, Princess Twilight has her own problems to worry about in Equestria. We can’t expect her to always be around to help us.

Twilight: (from o.s.) But—

(Cut to her, stepping up with Spike in arms and Celestia’s hand on her shoulder. The principal has a clipboard in her free hand.)

Twilight: —maybe I can be?

Celestia: It seems we have a new Wondercolt here at Canterlot High.

Twilight: I’m not sure how much help I could be, but I’d like to try—if you would all give me a chance.

(Cut to a slow pan across the Rainbooms, all of whom trade smiles at varying levels of excitement, then to Celestia. The setting sun is now visible over the hills in the distance.)

Celestia: I’m sure I can count on you girls to help her feel at home.

Sunset: (throwing arm around Twilight’s shoulders) You sure can.

(All six girls gather around the new arrival and her pet as the camera zooms out slowly, Sunset winking and Pinkie cranking off a squeaky grin. Cut to a longer shot of the gathering and zoom in on the hills; as the sun sinks slowly from view, a gleam of red-orange light traces its way along the land contours and the rest of the view fades to black. The streak shapes itself into a pair of wings, then a glowing star, and a second, smaller purple one flares into existence near it—one transplant welcoming another into this strange new world. Fade to black.)

(The main title forms on the screen from the center out, and the color and elements disappear as the camera zooms in quickly through the outline of the M in GAMES. The screen is left black again, but snaps to the base of the statue during the following day. Pinkie lies on top of it, a juice box within easy reach, and the rest of the gang—including Twilight—has spread out a picnic blanket in front. Twilight watches Fluttershy pet Spike; Applejack drinks a glass of juice; Rarity is working on Rainbow’s hair; Sunset eats a sandwich. None of them are wearing their medals. A picnic basket and other juice boxes are arrayed around the girls on the ground. Applejack and Pinkie watch a couple of butterflies flit past, after which the side of the base ripples with energy—the portal has finally been reactivated after Twilight sealed it—and Princess Twilight emerges, sliding to a quick stop and in a tizzy. Unlike her two previous trips to this side, she manages to stay on her feet this time. Close-up of her.)

Princess Twilight: I’m so sorry I didn’t get here sooner! I didn’t get your messages until just now because I was caught in this time travel loop and honestly, it was the strangest thing that’s ever happened to me!

(Finally stopping for breath, she looks straight ahead of herself and lets her eyes bug out so far that they might be in danger of entering low earth orbit. Cut to frame the entire gathering; Sunset is now standing, as is Twilight, and the two violet girls goggle at each other from opposite edges of the picnic blanket. The one native to this world manages a tentative grin and wave as Pinkie sucks noisily on her juice box. After a couple of incredulous blinks, the one who was born a quadruped works her face into a weak grin.)

Princess Twilight: Make that the second strangest.

[Note: The time travel loop to which she is referring takes place in the Season 5 finale episode “The Cutie Re-Mark.” Due to a lengthy break in the middle of the season, this film premiered nearly two months before the episode did.]

CLOSING CREDITS

Lively rock groove with electric guitar/synth/drums, fast 4 (D major)

Synth drops out and all other parts drop back at start of first verse

(The credits are interspersed with photographs that slide onto the screen. Up first is a series of shots taken during the pep rally, with the vast majority of students in them wearing Wondercolt ears. The Crusaders whoop it up…Snips and Snails get funky…two pictures show different groups of student goofing around in their own ways…Flash sticks his tongue out, Micro checks his phone, Sandalwood gives a thumbs-up…Luna sings and dances onstage as Celestia throws her an embarrassed smile.)

Twilight:                I spent so much time searching, looking for something more

                        Digging holes too deep and opening every door

Synth in; other parts come back up somewhat

                        And when you stand too close, yeah, the picture’s never clear

                        And when you look too far away, it all but disappears

Full intensity

Half-time feel for every line except the third

(The photos continue. The seven band members who played accompaniment for Rainbow at the rally smile for the camera…in the library, Snips puts finger to lips as Snails gets ready to pop an inflated paper bag over the heads of Bon Bon and Lyra, asleep at a study table…a techie takes a “selfie” photo with an annoyed Cranky Doodle and three waving students in the background.)

Rainbooms, Twilight:        And it was right [right] there in front of me [oh-h, oh-h]

                                Just too close for me to see [oh-h, oh-h]

                                Sometimes the things you want are not the things you need

                                And it was right there in front of me

Half-time ends

Guitar drops out and drums/synth drop back at start of next verse

(In a hallway, Bon Bon holds her phone up for a selfie that includes Derpy, Lyra, and Micro…the entire Canterlot High team stands on the school’s front steps, flanked by Celestia and Luna; Applejack is asleep on her feet, while Bon Bon makes a goofy face…a similar shot for the Crystal Prep team on their steps, with Twilight’s face showing the only smile…Luna and Cadence laugh themselves silly as they stand outside one of the Crystal Prep buses and Sour and Sunny stare in disbelief from a few yards back…in the Canterlot High practice room, Pinkie and Rainbow stand back to back, wearing the cowgirl and police outfits Rarity designed; Rainbow twirls her nightstick.)

Sunset:                There was a time before, I didn’t know where I belonged

                        I thought I needed more and that I couldn’t get along

Sunset, Twilight:        But who I am was all I ever needed

                        And when I faced that test, I finally succeeded

Full intensity

Half-time feel for every line except the third

(Fluttershy and Sunset smirk at one another, fully suited up in hockey-goalie and welding gear, respectively…during the pre-Games party, Featherweight glances fearfully over his shoulder toward the camera as several Crystal Prep students stand across the gym…Upper and Trenderhoof do not quite know what to make of Pinkie’s party alterations and the instant camaraderie they have touched off…Zest gets down on the dance floor with a classmate.)

Rainbooms, Twilight:        And it was right [right] there in front of me [oh-h, oh-h]

                                Just too close for me to see [oh-h, oh-h]

                                Sometimes the things you want are not the things you need

                                And it was right there in front of me

Half-time continues

(Micro and Sandalwood smile over the hovel of a birdhouse they put together in the wood shop portion of the Academic Decathlon…Celestia, Luna, and Cadence gorge themselves on slices of the Mona Lisa cake made by Fluttershy and Pinkie in the preceding bake-off…Pinkie and Sunny jockey for the lead in the speed skating leg of the Tri-Cross Relay, with Rarity behind them and ahead of Zest…Indigo powers through a turn on the motocross course, trailed closely by Sunset…the jubilant Rainbooms gather on the front steps, clustered around Twilight and Spike. This last picture fades to black in order for the credits to finish.)

Other Rainbooms:                [Oh-h, whoa, oh-h, whoa, oh-h]

Sunset, Twilight:                And it’s all I’ll ever need

Other Rainbooms:                [Oh-h, whoa, oh-h, whoa, oh-h]

Sunset, Twilight:                And it was right there in front of me

Other Rainbooms:                [Oh-h, whoa, oh-h, whoa, oh-h]

Sunset, Twilight:                And it’s all I’ll ever need

Other Rainbooms:                [Oh-h, whoa, oh-h, whoa, oh-h]

Sunset, Twilight:                And it was right there in front of me

Song ends

APPENDIX: WORDS IN THE ACADEMIC DECATHLON SPELLING BEE

Contestant                        Incorrect spelling                        Correct spelling        

Rainbow Dash                        HIPPOPOTAMAS                        HIPPOPOTAMUS
(A large, herbivorous, semi-aquatic African mammal)

Lemon Zest                        MUNCHOUSENISM                        MUNCHAUSENISM

(An extravagant fictional account of an adventure)

Applejack                        ONOMATOPEIA                        ONOMATOPOEIA

(The use of words that imitate the sounds they represent)

Sugarcoat                        CYMOTRICOUS                        CYMOTRICHOUS

(Having wavy hair)

Fluttershy                        IMIGRATION                                IMMIGRATION

(Movement of persons into one country from another)

Sunny Flare                        RHOMBOS                                RHOMBUS

(A four-sided plane figure whose sides are all the same length)

Indigo Zap                        CHAUFFUER                                CHAUFFEUR

(A hired driver of a privately owned car)

Rarity                                ESCHUARY                                ESTUARY

(A meeting of ocean tides and river water)

Twilight Sparkle                (Correct)                                ISOSCELES

(Describing a plane figure that has at least two sides of equal length)