The following day . . . as twilight settles over the land, the smooth-hooved stallions straggle into the courtyard, one by one. Skydancer is the first pony there, naturally, and Moonstone arrives last of all.
Moonstone (lethargically shrugging into his tuxedo):
This won't work. I know it won't.
Skydancer:
Relax--everything will go juuust fine.
Sprinkles (dropping a fresh bouquet of roses by Moonstone's feet):
There are your flowers, Don Juan!
Applejack:
Blossom's?
Sprinkles:
Posey's.
Moonstone growls at Sprinkles and awkwardly wraps his front leg around the flowers. The other stallions watch him with "Boy, I'm glad that's not me!" expressions.
Skydancer:
Great! Now just remember to act charming and polite!
Moonstone miserably clutches at the bouquet as it tries to slip away.
Moonstone (panicking):
What if she says yes? What if she wants to go through with the marriage ceremony?
Applejack:
C'mon, Moonstone . . . what are the chances of that happening? Seriously.
Scoops:
Look on the bright side . . . if she does agree, you can always fake your own death.
Moonstone:
FAKE MY OWN--!!!
Skydancer gives Scoops a reproachful look.
Skydancer:
Don't worry, if she really does want to marry you, just tell her you were drunk at the
time.
Moonstone grumbles, but reluctantly leaves the courtyard, peering wistfully over his shoulder at the Parasol-less environment.
As Moonstone trots towards the waterfall--one of Parasol's favorite places--he sees another blue pony trotting along.
Moonstone (surprised):
Sunlight? When did you get in town?
Sunlight:
Who . . . oh, hi Moonstone. I got here yesterday. I was passing through, so I thought . . .
Sunlight frowns
Sunlight:
Why are you wandering around in a tuxedo at night? . . . if you don't mind me asking.
Moonstone (gloomily):
Oh, it's because of Parasol.
Sunlight:
Parasol??? Err . . . how nice! How long have your two been . . . ?
Moonstone (mumbling):
Yeah, about as nice as stepping on a rusty nail. I've been . . . seeing her . . .
since yesterday. The prophecy, you know.
Sunlight:
The what?
Moonstone:
You haven't heard about it?
His eyes narrow.
Moonstone:
You came here to see Parasol, didn't you? That's why you're in Dream Valley.
Sunlight (embarrassed):
Don't worry, I won't get in your way. I didn't know you two were--
Moonstone's face brightens.
Moonstone:
We aren't!
He drops the roses onto the ground.
Moonstone:
Take the flowers and go find Parasol!
Sunlight:
But . . .
Moonstone (shoving Sunlight toward the waterfall):
I insist!
Sunlight:
Well . . . if you're sure--
Moonstone:
Positive.
The unicorn winks away, leaving Sunlight alone with the bouquet of flowers. The aqua earthling shrugs and picks up the roses, then meanders towards the waterfall.
In the meantime . . . Tex, Slugger, and Quarterback meet with Wigwam.
Wigwam:
NO! I'm sorry, but I am NOT going to join in your little bet!
Quarterback:
C'mon, Wigwam, we really need to win!
Wigwam:
I don't want to marry Parasol!
Slugger:
Oh, and you think we do?
Wigwam:
If you don't want to marry her, why did you . . . No. No, I won't ask.
The orange male rolls his eyes. Engrossed in their discussion, none of the Clydesdales notice Sparkler wandering up through the bushes behind them.
Tex:
Look, if one of us Clydes doesn't marry her, Skydancer is going to humiliate us!
Wigwam:
Correction: Skydancer will humiliate you. I am not part of this bet and I never was.
Sparkler (emerging from the undergrowth):
What bet?
The four stallions freeze, then slowly turn around.
Tex:
H-hi Sparkler.
Sparkler (raising an eyebrow):
What bet?
Slugger:
Nice night, huh? Look at that moon.
Sparkler (irritated):
Okay, read my lips here . . . WHAT . . . BET?
Tex (nervous):
You must've misunderstood, Miss Sparkler. We don't know nuthin' about no bets.
Sparkler:
Don't call me that!
She glares, then gets a thoughtful look on her face.
Sparkler:
You've been betting on bushwoolie races again, haven't you?
Tex, Quarterback, and Slugger exchange panicky glances.
Tex and Quarterback:
NO!
Sparkler (smugly):
Ohhh, is Majesty going to be mad!
Quarterback:
But we weren't betting on the bushwoolies! I swear!
Slugger:
He's right!
Sparkler (pivotting towards Dream Castle):
I think I'll trot over to Dream Castle right now and have a word with Majesty. I'll just
tell her that you guys were--
Quarterback (losing his head):
It wasn't that! It was just a stupid bet about Parasol!
Tex and Slugger gape at Quarterback in dismay.
Wigwam (under his breath):
"Stupid" being the operative word . . .
Sparkler:
What about Parasol?
Quarterback (garbled and panicky):
We have to marry Parasol before one of the smooth-hooved stallions does, or else--mmph!
Tex claps a hoof over Quarterback's mouth.
Sparkler (swishing her tail):
Thank you, I think I've heard enough, Quarterback!
She gallops off.
Tex:
YOU IDIOT!
Slugger (glaring):
Thanks a LOT, Quarterback!
Quarterback:
But . . . all I said was--
Tex and Slugger (in unison):
Shut up!
In the meantime, Sunlight nervously edges towards Parasol, who's sitting on a stone ledge by the waterfall.
Sunlight:
H-hello there, Parasol.
Parasol:
Who--oh, it's you. Hi Sunli--
She spots the bouquet.
Parasol:
Oh, great Rainbow, not you too!
Sunlight:
I just--what?
Parasol:
One proposal--just one--out of you and I'm going to toss you in the river, understand?
Sunlight:
Proposal? Err . . . I wasn't planning to--I mean, it seems a little premature!
Parasol:
Good. Great. Just keep thinking along those lines.
Parasol gazes into the river.
Parasol (muttering):
This is the worst week of my life.
Sunlight (confused but sympathetic):
Is there anything I can do?
Parasol:
No.
Sunlight sits down beside Parasol and both ponies are silent for a long time, reflecting.
Sunlight:
Why did you come here tonight, Parasol?
Parasol:
Oh . . . I'm waiting for the light.
Sunlight:
The light?
Parasol:
I thought maybe if I waited for the sunrise it would make me feel better . . . It'll only be
a few hours now.
(singing softly) Light . . .
As per nature's design
It darts down from the pines;
The sun rolls to its height.
Morn . . .
Flowers reach towards sky!
Despair lightens and dies
And the world is reborn!
Sunlight (catching on):
Day . . .
Like a thief in the night
Sud-denly light
Burns the darkness away!
Parasol looks surprised, then pleased. She nods.
Both (forte):
Dawn!
Like a memory of love,
A hope from above,
An explosion of song!
Sunlight:
Like a hope from above . . .
Parasol:
A memory of love . . .
| Sunlight: | Parasol (harmonizing): |
| The light . . . | Sun light . . . |
The first greyness of dawn lightens the sky, and the two Rainbow ponies lean against each other, looking east.
An hour or two later, Sparkler wanders up and down the river looking for Parasol.
Sparkler (grumbling):
This river is too darn long!
Suddenly, she catches sight of a spot of yellow, green, and blue.
Sparkler:
Ah ha! Finally!
She trots towards the multi-colored hair and stares in amazement at Parasol leaning against Sunlight's shoulder.
Sparkler:
Parasol?? Sunlight??
No response comes from the Rainbow ponies, so Sparkler trots around them.
Sparkler:
. . . both asleep. Hmm . . . well, the news about the bet can wait, I suppose.
They always say to let sleeping ponies lie . . .
She leans back, eyeing the sleeping ponies.
Sparkler:
Besides, they look kind of cute together!
She tiptoes away. A few minutes later, Sunlight opens his eyes against the first strong rays of morning light. As he glances around, Parasol blinks sleepily and drowsily snuggles up against Sunlight's shoulder. A second later she apparently recalls where she is and leaps to her hooves, jumping back from Sunlight and blushing fiercely.
Parasol:
Err . . . good morning.
Sunlight (also blushing):
Good morning, Parasol.
A pause.
Sunlight:
I . . . probably shouldn't have bothered you last night. You wanted to be alone,
and--
Parasol (quickly):
That's okay. I actually (blushing harder than ever)
enjoyed having someone to talk to. (in more of her usual tone)
Someone with a brain, that is.
Sunlight:
Gee, thanks! Oops, I mean . . . I'm sure there are lots of intelligent
ponies in Dream Valley. Like, um, Moonstone . . . ?
He watches anxiously for Parasol's reaction.
Parasol (snorting):
HA! Moonstone? That pony couldn't find his way out
of an empty room unless he had a dirt-smudged piece of parchment showing him the way! He's a complete
idiot! I don't know what Windy sees in him.
Sunlight raises an eyebrow.
Sunlight:
Windy and Moonstone are seeing each other?
Parasol:
Doesn't she wish.
Sunlight:
Oh. I see.
Parasol (still embarrassed and anxious to steer the conversation away from romance:)
Well, I don't know about you, but I'm going to grab a quick shower under the waterfall.
Without further ado, she leaps gracefully into the water (which is chest deep at this spot) and swims underneath the cascading stream of water. (There's actually a series of waterfalls spaced along the river; the biggest one is by Dream Castle, but several smaller, gentler waterfalls appear downstream. Parasol is under one of these smaller falls.)
Parasol (kicking up her heels):
Ahhh! Refreshing! (looking at Sunlight) So are you coming in
or what?
Sunlight (pacing along the bank):
Umm . . .
Parasol (shaking her forelock out of her eyes):
Oh, come on!
Sunlight:
Well, okay . . .
He leaps not-so-gracefully into the water.
Parasol:
Ack! Tidal wave!
Sunlight:
Hey, this is nice!
He playfully splashes water at Parasol.
Parasol (smiling dangerously):
I wouldn't do that if I were you!
She dives underwater (quite a feat for a pony!)
Sunlight (looking around after a minute, slightly worried):
Parasol? Are you okay?
Parasol suddenly lunges up from the water, grabs Sunlight's mane, and pulls him over sideways.
Cut to a shot of Skydancer twitching his ears as he hears a faint echo of a Sunlight's shriek of surprise and delight.
Skydancer:
Hmm . . . I wonder what's up?
He glides into the air and begins soaring towards the waterfall, but checks his flight when he spots a familiar blue unicorn. Moonstone is furtively stuffing his tuxedo under a rock in the wild brambles near the river.
Skydancer (hovering):
Ahem . . . I don't think that's how you treat a dry-clean only suit, Moonie.
Moonstone (startled but defiant):
Listen, you meddling featherweight . . . my name's MOONSTONE! And I'll do whatever the shades
I want with my tuxedo.
Skydancer (with an easy shrug):
Hey, just trying to be helpful. If you want Tex and Slugger to give your sausage curls, that's
not my business.
Moonstone (under his breath):
Maybe with Sunlight around, it won't be needed . . .
Skydancer (landing gracefully):
What was that? It won't be needed?
Moonstone:
I hope not . . .
Skydancer (interested):
Oh? Don't tell me you actually made some progress last night!
Moonstone:
Well . . . Parasol probably doesn't think any less of me than she did
before. Heh heh.
Skydancer:
Hmm, that is good news! Where is Parasol?
Moonstone:
Ahhh . . . I'm not sure.
Skydancer (taking off again):
Well, no problem . . . she's sure to be somewhere near the river.
Moonstone:
Skydancer, wait! I really don't think you should ask her about--
Skydancer (bellowing, as he's almost out of hearing distance):
No fear, Moonie! I'll be the soul of discretion!
Moonstone:
MY NAME'S MOONSTONE! (He watches the pegasus receding in the distance.) Well, Skydancer
probably doesn't care who's courting Parasol
anyway as long as it's not a Clydesdale . . .
Meanwhile, Skydancer glides over the river, scanning the banks. At last he spots Parasol stretched out on a sunny rock waiting for her coat to dry.
Skydancer (cheerfully):
Hey Parasol!
Parasol (a little dreamily):
Hmm? Oh, hi Sky.
Skydancer:
Bad news, I'm afraid . . . Some of my inside sources say the high queen is looking into this
whole Omen business, so--
Parasol:
Well, I suppose it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to marry.
Skydancer (gaping):
EH???
Parasol (irritated):
Oh, don't look so surprised. It would be worth it just to stop all these light-forsaken
proposals. Besides (smiling and stretching) I actually had quite an enjoyable talk last
night . . . with a handsome stallion. You know, you might want to close your mouth before
you swallow a fly. Well, I'm off to breakfast!
Parasol trots towards the castle.
Skydancer:
Parasol had an enjoyable talk with Moonstone? Great Rainbow!
Skydancer is still shaking his head in amazement when Sparkler trots up.
Sparkler:
There you are! I've been looking all over for you!
Skydancer:
Hey Sparky! What's up?
Sparkler:
Funny . . . that's just what I was about to ask you.
Skydancer (innocently):
Oh?
Sparkler:
I appreciate a joke as much as the next pony, Sky, but this time you have gone too far.
Skydancer (reproachfully):
I thought you'd be the first one to appreciate the humor of the situation. It wasn't easy
getting all those bushwoolies under Blade's bed, you know!
Sparkler:
Well, I . . . what? Bushwoolies?
A bloodcurdling scream issues from the direction of the castle.
Skydancer:
Aw, you missed it!
Sparkler (disppointed):
Aww, dang! (recalling herself) But that's not what I was talking about.
Skydancer (cocking his head):
Ohhh? I'm surprised you found out about your mattress already.
Sparkler:
What's wrong with my--No, no, nevermind! It can wait! Sky, I'm talking about your bet.
Skydancer (after hesitating just a fraction of a second):
Bet? What bet?
Sparkler:
The one you made with Tex and Quarterback and light knows who else. The one about Parasol
getting married.
Skydancer:
Oh, that bet. Well, what's the harm in that, Sparky? Surely you don't think anyone
in Dream Valley could actually influence Par one way or another, do you? She knows her own
mind. If she suddenly decides to marry Applejack or Steamer or Rainbow knows who . . . why,
then she certainly would have married him anyway, bet or no!
Sparkler:
Parasol and Steamer??
Skydancer (smoothly):
Hypothetically.
Sparkler:
Granted, Parasol isn't likely to be influenced one way or another . . . but what about the other
parties involved?
Skydancer:
What do you mean?
Sparkler:
Well, let's say Parasol accepts a proposal from a stallion who doesn't really want to marry
her--someone who wouldn't have proposed if it hadn't been for the bet!
Skydancer (uncomfortably):
Ahh . . . well, that would be a slight problem. Of course, when I made the bet I had
assumed that nothing would convince Parasol to actually marry . . .
Sparkler:
That's what I would've said, too . . . up until this morning.
Skydancer raises an eyebrow.
Skydancer:
Why the change of opinion?
Sparkler (glancing around furtively):
Don't tell anyone, but . . . I was looking for Parasol along the river early today. I found
her, all right--snuggled up against a certain blue Rainbow pony. (She gives Skydancer a
meaningful look.) Not to mention any names, but . . . I think you know who I mean.
Skydancer's jaw drops.
Skydancer (incredulously):
You're kidding. Great Rainbow! (He frowns thoughtfully.) Parasol did mention having an
enjoyable date, but I thought maybe she was being sarcastic.
Sparkler:
Look, I just want to know . . . does he really care about her, or is he only involved because of
the bet?
Skydancer (hedging):
Welllllllll . . .
Sparkler (sighing):
I guess that answers my question. In that case I'm going to go tell her the whole thing!
Skydancer (regretfully):
Aww! Just when I was about to win the bet!
Sparkler:
Sky! What if he proposes to her thinking she'll refuse??
Skydancer:
Okay, okay, I see your point. (to himself) Such a shame, though . . .
He sighs as Sparkler trots off to find Parasol.