Narrator: Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal alicorn family members who ruled together and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the mother used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn; the daughter brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the family maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies. But as time went on, the daughter became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her mother brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the daughter refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The mother tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of virulence and hate: Heartbreaker.
[lightning crack]
Narrator: She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the mother harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her daughter, and banished her permanently in the moon. The mother took on responsibility for both...
Narrator and Starlight Glimmer: ...sun and moon...
Starlight Glimmer: ...and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since. Hmm... Elements of Harmony. I know I've heard of those before... but where?
Sunburst: There you are, Starlight! Let's have a little get-together in the west castle courtyard. You wanna come?
Starlight Glimmer: Oh, sorry, Sunburst... I've got a lot of studying to catch up on.
Sunburst: [sigh] But you are so reclusive that I have never been hanging out with a childhood friend like you, since my duty as a captain of the royal guard. The only thing you could do is to study?
[Starlight closes the door]
Starlight Glimmer: I know I've heard of the Elements of Harmony.
Thorax: Ow!
Starlight Glimmer: Thorax! Tho-rax! Thorax?
Thorax: [groan]
Starlight Glimmer: There you are. Quick, find me that old copy of Predictions and Prophecies. What's that for?
Thorax: Well, it was a gift for Lyra Heartstrings, but...
[squeak]
Starlight Glimmer: Oh Thorax, you know we don't have time for that sort of thing.
Thorax: But we're on a break!
Starlight Glimmer: No, no, no... no, no, no! [grunts] Thorax!
Thorax: It's over here!
[whack]
Starlight Glimmer: Ah! Elements, Elements, E, E, E... Aha! Elements of Harmony, see: Mare in the Moon?
Thorax: Mare in the Moon? But that's just an old ponies' tale.
Starlight Glimmer: Mare, mare... aha! The Mare in the Moon, myth from olden pony times. A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria, defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about nighttime eternal! [gasp] Thorax! Do you know what this means?
Thorax: No-- whoa!
[smack]
Thorax: Ow!
Starlight Glimmer: Take a note please, to the Princess.
Thorax: Okie dokie.
Starlight Glimmer: My dearest teacher, my continuing studies of pony magic have led me to discover that we are on the precipice of disaster!
Thorax: Hold on. Preci... preci...
Starlight Glimmer: Threshold.
Thorax: Threh...
Starlight Glimmer: Uh, brink? Ugh, that something really bad is about to happen! For you see, the mythical Mare in the Moon is in fact Heartbreaker, and she's about to return to Equestria, and bring with her eternal night! Something must be done to make sure this terrible prophecy does not come true. I await your quick response. Your faithful student, Starlight Glimmer.
Thorax: Star... light Glim... mer. Got it!
Starlight Glimmer: Great! Send it.
Thorax: Now?
Starlight Glimmer: Of course!
Thorax: Uh, I dunno, Starlight, Princess Cadance's a little busy getting ready for the Summer Sun Celebration. And it's like, the day after tomorrow.
Starlight Glimmer: That's just it, Thorax. The day after tomorrow is the thousandth year of the Summer Sun Celebration! It's imperative that the Princess is told right away!
Thorax: Impera... impera...
Starlight Glimmer: Important!
Thorax: Whoa!
[crunch]
Thorax: Okay, okay! [inhale] There, it's on its way. But I wouldn't hold your breath...
Starlight Glimmer: Oh, I'm not worried, Thorax. The Princess trusts me completely. In all the years she's been my mentor she's never once doubted me.
Thorax: [belch]
Starlight Glimmer: See? I knew she would want to take immediate action.
Thorax: [clears throat] My dearest, most faithful student Starlight. You know that I value your diligence and that I trust you completely.
Starlight Glimmer: Mm-hm!
Thorax: ...but you simply must stop reading those dusty old books!
Starlight Glimmer: [gasp]
Thorax: My dear Starlight, there is more to a young pony's life than studying, so I'm sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year's location: Ponyville. And, I have an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends!
Starlight Glimmer: [sigh]
Thorax: Look on the bright side, Starlight. The Princess arranged for you to stay in a library. Doesn't that make you happy?
Starlight Glimmer: Yes, yes it does. You know why? Because I'm right! I'll check on the preparations as fast as I can, then get to the library to find some proof of Hesrtbreaker's return.
Thorax: Then... when will you make friends, like the Princess said?
Starlight Glimmer: She said to check on preparations. I am her student, and I'll do my royal duty, but the fate of Equestria does not rest on me making friends.
Royal guards: [whinnying]
Starlight Glimmer: Thank you, sirs.
Royal guards: [huffing]
Thorax: Maybe the ponies in Ponyville have interesting things to talk about. Come on, Starlight, just try!
Starlight Glimmer: Um... hello?
Lemon Zest: [plays electronic music; prolonged gasp]
Starlight Glimmer: Well, that was interesting all right.
Thorax: [sigh]
Thorax: Summer Sun Celebration official overseer's checklist. Number one, banquet preparations: Seed's Garden and Flower Farms.
Sunflower Seed: Hey there, young'un!
[thump]
Starlight Glimmer: [sigh] Let's get this over with... Good afternoon. My name is Starlight Glimmer--
Sunflower Seed: Well, hey there, Miss Starlight, a pleasure makin' your acquaintance. I'm Sunflower Seed. We here at Seed's Garden and Flower Farms sure do like making new friends!
Starlight Glimmer: Friends? Actually, I--
Sunflower Seed: So, what can I do you for?
Thorax: [snickering]
Starlight Glimmer: [clears throat] Well, I am in fact here to supervise preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration. And you're in charge of the food?
Sunflower Seed: Yeah! We sure as sugar are! Would you care to sample some?
Starlight Glimmer: As long as it doesn't take too long...
[triangle ringing]
Sunflower Seed: Soup's on, everypony!
[thump]
Sunflower Seed: Now, why don't I introduce y'all to the Seed family?
Starlight Glimmer: Thanks, but I really need to hurry--
Sunflower Seed: This here's Dandelion. Red Tulip. Blue Orchid. Anemone, Archived Remnants, Cornflower, Chrysantemum, Bells of Ireland, Coxcomb, Agapanthus, Amaranthus... [deep breath] Sandalwood, the tough-talkin' Babs Seed and Granny Violet. Up'n'attem, Granny Violet. we got guests.
Granny Violet: [snort] Wha..? Soup's on? I'm up, here I come, ahm comin'...
Sunflower Seed: Why, I'd say you're already part of the family!
Starlight Glimmer: [spit] [nervous laughter] Okay, well, I can see the food situation is handled, so we'll be on our way.
Babs Seed: Come on, Ms. Glimmer. Aren't you gonna stay for brunch?
Starlight Glimmer: Sorry, but we have an awful lot to do...
Violet family: [disappointed sighs]
Starlight Glimmer: ...fine.
Violet family: [cheering]
Thorax: Food's all taken care of, next is weather.
Starlight Glimmer: Ugh... I ate too much pie...
Thorax: Hmm, there's supposed to be a Pegasus pony named Fleetfoot clearing the clouds.
Starlight Glimmer: Well, she's not doing a very good job, is she?
[whack]
[splat]
Starlight Glimmer: Nng.
Fleetfoot: [sheepish laughter] Uh, 'scuse me? [more sheepish laughter]
Starlight Glimmer: Nnnn.
Fleetfoot: [laughter] Lemme help you.
[rushing water]
Fleetfoot: [more sheepish laughter] Sorry! I guess I overdid it. Um, uh, how about this? My very own patented Fleet-foot Dry v2.0! No no. Don't thank me. You're quite welcome. [bursts out laughing]
Thorax: [bursts out laughing]
Starlight Glimmer: Let me guess. You're Fleetfoot.
Fleetfoot: The one and only. Why, you heard of me?
Starlight Glimmer: I heard you were supposed to be keeping the sky clear. [sigh] I'm Starlight Glimmer, and the Princess sent me to check on the weather.
Fleetfoot: Zip-zap! Yeah, yeah, that'll be a snap. I'll do it in a jiffy. Just as soon as I'm done practicing.
Starlight Glimmer: Practicing for what?
Fleetfoot: The Wonderbolts! They're gonna perform at the Celebration tomorrow, and I'm gonna show 'em my stuff!
Starlight Glimmer: The Wonderbolts?
Fleetfoot: Yep!
Starlight Glimmer: The most talented flyers in all of Equestria?
Fleetfoot: That's them!
Starlight Glimmer: Pfft! Please. They'd never accept a Pegasus who can't even keep the sky clear for one measly day.
Fleetfoot: Hey, I could clear this sky in ten seconds flat, straight like a bullet.
Starlight Glimmer: Prove it.
[whooshing noises]
Fleetfoot: [sounds of exertion] Loop-de-loop around, and wham! What'd I say? Ten. Seconds. Flat. I'd never leave Ponyville hanging. [sheep baaing] [chuckles] You should see the look on your face. Ha! You're a laugh, Starlight Glimmer. I can't wait to hang out some more.
Thorax: Wow, she's amazing! [laughs]
Starlight Glimmer: Rrgh.
Thorax: Wait! It's kinda pretty once you get used to it!
Thorax: Decorations. Beautiful...
Starlight Glimmer: Yes, the décor is coming along nicely. This ought'a be quick. I'll be at the library in no time. Beautiful indeed.
Thorax: Not the décor, her!
Trixie Lulamoon: The Great and Powerful Trixie welcomes you!
Thorax: How is my hair? Are they straight?
Twilight Sparkle: Good afternoon--
Trixie Lulamoon: Just a moment, please! I'm 'in the zone', as it were. Oh, yes! Magic always does the trick, does it not? Why, Truxie, you are a talent. Now, um, how can I help yo-- [yelp] Oh magnifico, newcomer! Trixie is here to impress you and your drooping mane!
Starlight Glimmer: Oh, you mean my mane? Well, it's a long story. I'm just here to check on the decorations, and then I'll be out of your hair!
Trixie Lulamoon: Out of my hair? What about your hair?!
Stsrlight Glimmer: Wait! Where are we going?! Help!
Trixie Lulamoon: No, no, uh-uh. Teacups! No! Teacups! Wrong! Not good enough to spice my magic for you. Too frilly. Too... shiny. Now go on. You were telling me where you're from.
Starlight Glimmer: [wincing] I've... been sent... from Canterlot... to--
Trixie Lulamoon: Huh?
[crash]
Trixie Lulamoon: Canterlot?! Oh, I am so envious! The glamour, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all about it! We are gonna be the best of friends, you and I... Emeralds?! What was I thinking? Behold the magnificence of Trixie!
Starlight Glimmer: Quick! Before she puts me into a box with a saw in the middle!
Thorax: [sigh]
Thorax: Wasn't she wonderful?
Starlight Glimmer: Focus, Casanova. What's next on the list?
Thorax: [clears throat] Oh, uh, music! It's the last one!
[distant raining]
Vapor Trail: Oh my. Mr. Cloud, please calm down. I am being good to you. [flies down]
Starlight Glimmer: Hello! What's with all the cloud cover here? And a cloud house?!
Vapor Trail: [yelp]
Starlight Glimmer: Oh my, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to frighten your cloud friends here. I'm just here to check up on the music and it's sounding beautiful. [pause] I'm Starlight Glimmer. [pause] What's your name?
Vapor Trail: [very quietly] Um... I'm Vapor Trail.
Starlight Glimmer: I'm sorry, what was that?
Vapor Trail: [even quieter] Um... My name is Vapor Trail.
Starlight Glimmer: Didn't quite catch that.
Vapor Trail: [squeaking]
Starlight Glimmer: [pause] Well, um, it looks like your clouds are back, so I guess everything's in order. Keep up the good work!
Vapor Trail: [squeaking]
Starlight Glimmer: Oookay. [to Thorax] Well, that was easy.
Vapor Trail: [gasp] A baby dragon!
[thump]
Vapor Trail: Oh, I've never seen a baby dragon before. He's sooo cute!
Thorax: Well, well, well...!
Vapor Trail: Oh my, he talks. I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful I, I just don't even know what to say!
Starlight Glimmer: Well, in that case we'd better be going.
Vapor Trail: Wait, wait! What's his name?
Thorax: I'm Thorax.
Vapor Trail: Hi Thorax, I'm Vapor Trail. Wow, a talking dragon! And what do dragons talk about?
Thorax: Well, what do you wanna know?
Vapor Trail: Absolutely everything.
Starlight Glimmer: [groan]
Thorax: Well... I started out as a cute little purple and green egg...
Thorax: ...and that's the story of my whole entire life! Well, up until today. Do you wanna hear about today?
Vapor Trail: Oh, yes, please!
Thorax: Gyah!
Starlight Glimmer: I am so sorry, how did we get here so fast? This is where I'm staying while in Ponyville and my poor baby dragon needs his sleep.
Thorax: No I don't-- whoa!
Starlight Glimmer: Aww, wook at dat, he's so sweepy he can't even keep his widdle bawance!
Vapor Trail: Poor thing, you simply must get into bed...
Starlight Glimmer: Yes, yes, we'll get right on that. Well, g'night!
[door slamming]
Thorax: Huh. Rude much?
Starlight Glimmer: Sorry, Thorax, but I have to convince the Princess that Heartbreaker is coming, and we're running out of time! I just need to be alone so I can study without a bunch of crazy ponies trying to make friends all the time. Now, where's the light?
[light flicks on]
Starlight Glimmer and Thorax: [honk]
Ponies: Surprise!
[kazoo blows]
Starlight Glimmer: [groan]
[music warps down]
Lemon Zest: Surprise!
[DJ M4RBL3 plays music]
Lemon Zest: Hi, I'm Lemon Zest, and I threw this party just for you! [plays a violin] With some music!
Starlight Glimmer: Very surprised. Libraries are supposed to be quiet.
Lemon Zest: Well, that's silly! What kind of welcome party would this be if it were quiet? I mean, duh, bo-ring! Y'see, I saw you when you first got here, remember? You were all "hello" and I was all [deep gasp, remember? Y'see I've never saw you before and if I've never saw you before that means you're new, 'cause I know everypony, and I mean everypony in Ponyville!
Starlight Glimmer: [groan]
Lemon Zest: And if you're new, that meant you haven't met anyone yet, and if you haven't met anyone yet, you must not have any friends, and if you don't have any friends then you must be lonely, and that made me so sad, then I had an idea, and that's why I went [deep gasp]! What party would exist without me playing such fine tunes for you? Right, DJ M4RBL3?
[electronic music plays]
[kettle whistling]
Sunflower Seed: Are you all right, sugarcube?
[train whistle blowing]
Lemon Zest: Aww, she's so happy she's crying!
Thorax: "Hot sauce".
Lemon Zest: Ooh... [with mouth full] What? It's good!
[muffled but loud disco music]
[clock ticking]
Starlight Glimmer: [groan] Make it stop!
[door opens, music gets louder]
Thorax: Hey Starlight! Lemon Zest's starting "pin the tail on the pony"! Wanna play?
Starlight Glimmer: No! All the ponies in this town are crazy! Do you know what time it is?!
Thorax: It's the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration. Everypony has to stay up, or they'll miss the Princess raise the sun! You really should lighten up, Starlight. It's a party!
Starlight Glimmer: [mockingly imitates Thorax]
[door closes, music stops]
Starlight Glimmer: Ugh, here I thought I'd have time to learn about the Elements of Harmony but, silly me, all this ridiculous friend-making has kept me from it! "Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape, and she will bring about everlasting night." I hope the Princess was right... I hope it really is just an old pony tale...
Thorax: C'mon, Starlight, it's time to watch the sunrise!
Lemom Zest: Isn't this exciting? Are you excited, 'cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited-- well, except for the time that I saw you walking into town and I went [deep gasp] but I mean really, who can top that?
[fanfare]
Mayor Mare: Fillies and gentlecolts, as mayor of Ponyville, it is my great pleasure to announce the beginning of the Summer Sun Celebration!
[ponies cheering]
Mayor Mare: In just a few moments, our town will witness the magic of the sunrise, and celebrate this, the longest day of the year! And now, it is my great honor to introduce to you the ruler of our land, the very pony who gives us the sun and the moon each and every day, the good, the wise, the bringer of harmony to all of Equestria...
Vapor Trail: Ready?
Mayor Mare: ...Princess Cadance!
Trixie Lulamoon: Huh?
[ponies chattering quietly and nervously in the background]
Starlight Glimmer: This can't be good.
Mayor Mare: Remain calm, everypony, there must be a reasonable explanation!
Lemon Zest: Ooh, ooh, I love guessing games! Is she hiding?
Trixie Lulamoon: She's gone!
[ponies gasping]
Lemon Zest: Ooh, she's good. [yelp]
[ponies gasping]
Starlight Glimmer: Oh no... Heartbreaker!
Thorax: [sigh]
Starlight Glimmer: Oh, my beloved subjects. It's been so long since I've seen your precious little sun-loving faces.
Fleetfoot: What did you do with our Princess?!
Sunflower Seed: [muffled] Whoa there...
Heartbreaker: [chuckle] Why, am I not royal enough for you? Don't you know who I am?
Lemon Zest: Ooh, ooh, more guessing games! Um, Hokey Smokes! How about... Queen Meanie! No!--[muffled noises]
Heartbreaker: Does my crown no longer count now that I have been imprisoned for a thousand years? Did you not recall the legend? Did you not see the signs?
Starlight Glimmer: I did. And I know who you are. You're the Mare in the Moon – Heartbreaker!
[ponies gasping]
Heartbreaker: Well well well, somepony who remembers me. Then you also know why I'm here.
Starlight Glimmer: You're here to... to... [gulp]
Heartbreaker: [chuckle] Remember this day, little ponies, for it was your last. From this moment forth, the night will last forever and love will crumble to... NOTHING! [laughter, thunder]
[To be continued...]