//------------------------------// // Chapter 1: Show, Don't Tell // Story: Lights, Camera... // by Smoking Gun //------------------------------// Chapter 1: Show, Don't Tell “Ladies! Ladies!” Final Cut’s words failed to reach Rarity and Rainbow Dash, who were already wrestling on the floor. As the mares outside tried to get a view of the action, Twilight, Fluttershy, Spike and Pinkie Pie run up to the trailer with Twilight using her magic to push everyone else aside. As they made their way into the trailer, Fluttershy grabbed onto and held back Rarity. Pinkie did the same for Rainbow Dash. “Both of you calm down!” Twilight scolded. Even being held back, Rainbow and Rarity were still throwing hooks. “Help me Twilight. I don’t know much more I can hold her.” Fluttershy began to cry as Rarity started to break loose of her. “Oh let me at her ref! I can take her!” Rarity shouted as she glared at Rainbow. Rainbow Dash returned the look, spreading her front hoofs wide open. “Come at me sis!” “Fight! Fight! Fight!” Everypony paused and turned to Spike, who was shaking his claws with a devilish smile. Twilight stared daggers at the dragon until he dropped his smiles, his fists and finally left the trailer. Twilight returned her attention to the fighters. “Both of you, you’ve been friends for years now. You’re seriously going to get into a fight over a silly movie roll?” Rarity and Rainbow reluctantly stopped squirming as their holders released them. They pouted as they turned away from each other. “She just wants the role so she can prance around in front of the cameras. The role should go to someone who actually deserves it.” Rainbow was quick to go back on the offensive, even if it was just with words. “Hmmp” “Got something to say Princess?” “Oh nothing” Rarity retorted without batting an eye. “It’s just if we’re discussing questionable motives, maybe we should bring up your inclination towards the Wonderbolts.” It was never a secret that Rainbow Dash would do anything to get in the Wonderbolts good graces. “Or should we say: Their star performer?” Rarity turned her back with the last comment, smirking back at her opponent. Rainbow looked away and blushed. “No… It’s just… I want to do the character justice” Rainbow retorted defensively. “Besides, I actually care about the movie.” Rarity got up in Rainbow Dash’s grill. “You only care about one part of the movie! Or is it just one part of that one part?” Twilight telekinetically pulled the ponies apart, lifting them into the air and turning them upside down. “My sincerest apologises Final Cut” Twilight lowered her head in shame. “My two friends are just excited that you could bring such an important project to our town.” Twilight began her path towards the door, dragging her friends in the air. “We’re sorry to have bothered you.” The casting director, named 'Refined Taste' placed a hoof on Twilight’s side, stopping her from leaving. “On the contrary Miss-“ “Twilight Sparkle.” “Miss Sparkle, this is just the enthusiasm-“ And insanity “That we were hoping to find.” In confusion, Twilight dropped Rarity and Rainbow on the floor of the trailer with a loud thud. The two ponies staggered to their knees. “I’m not sure I understand you” the purple pony iterated. “You see, we need actresses who are prepared to fight for a role. This is just the first time we’ve ever seen it literally.” Refined Taste and Final Cut couldn’t help but beam when they realised the kind of attention this was bound to draw. “But Miss-“ “Refined Taste” “Miss Taste, I don’t understand why you’d come here of all places for a movie that’s this… important.” Twilight still had trouble taking the idea of a movie based on funny books seriously, but she played along to avoid getting dragged into Rarity and Rainbow’s brawl. “It was… at the request of Princess Celestia” Final Cut answered. “She was greatly impressed by my skills she assigned me to the project personally. Why she chose this piece of… paradise to be our shooting grounds, I have no clue.” Twilight did find it strange that the Princess of all ponies would care about a movie about a Pegasus who wore tights. She would have to writer her about that. “But I’m sure that Canterlot has tons of talented, veteran actors and actresses to choose from” the unicorn said with a forced smile. “You would be 100% correct about that Miss Sparkle. And that’s exactly what we’re trying to avoid.” The whole room went silent after Cut’s last sentence. Rainbow Dash poked her head up. “Come again.” “You see, studies have shown that the youths of Equestria are the ones that watch movies the most. They’re the ones who spend all the bits.” Final Cut was doing his best not to look as depressed as that last sentence made me feel. “The same studies have also shown that the same colts and fillies who see said movies, want actors and actresses we can relate too. Someone that they feel like has walked a mile in their horse shoes.” Pinkie raised a hoof. “Hold on a second! You wanted a castseses that the kids can relate too…?” “Yes” “So you picked one of Equestria’s biggest and highly paid fliers?” Pinkie wasn’t exactly considered the brains of the mane six, but when she had a point, she had a point. “Well-“ Refined Taste looked away, awkwardly smiling and scratching the back of her head. “He’s someone who had to earn his place in the Wonderbolts. He’s someone the kids can look up to. He seemed like the perfect candidate.” “I thought we hadn’t announced that yet” interjected the frustrated director. “Oh yes… Miss-“ “Pinkie Pie.” “Miss Pie, we trust you and your friends can hold onto that little piece of information for us?” “Cross my heart and hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my-“ “Whatever” the casting directed interrupted Pinkie before she could finish her trademark promise. “Ultimately, what I’m trying to say is; these two clearly represent the everypony. Starving for fame, willing to do whatever it takes to get the role, the fillies will love them.” Refined Taste put her hoofs around Rainbow Dash and Rarity, the two glaring at each other the entire time. “Miss Taste, while I’m sure my friends are ‘grateful’ for your time, I think we’ve already taken up enough-“ “Comin’ through everypony!” Attention was turned towards outside as Applejack arrived, carrying behind her the same fold-out cart that she had brought to the Grand Galloping Gala just over a year ago. “Mr Cut, the name’s Applejack and ah believe ah have a proposition that may interest yall.” “Oh Celestia, not again!” Final Cut face hoofed as he tried to sleek back. Applejack kicked the cart, causing it to open. Instead of treats and healthy snacks, there were now several pamphlets, publicity shots of the farm and the Apple family as well as several Sweet Apple Acers products, including apple cider, apple juice and apple pies, all of which were christened with the Sweet Apple Acers logo. Laying in the middle of the cart was a contract and single quill with ink. Applejack bolted past her friends, stopping right in front of the movie producers. Now that she was closer, you could see she was wearing her finest duds (it was just her dress from the gala). “Ah represent the farm ‘Sweet Apple Acers.’” “Really? I couldn’t tell…” the director replied dryly. “Sure as sugar! We’ve got it all. Apple pies, apple juice, apple cider, apple pies, apple fries…” “We get the point the fruity hick!” The director was just too fed up with the stupidity around him to care about what came out of his mouth. Applejack was too caught up in her sales pitch to notice the insult. “So ah figured, it would most likely be a mutually beneficial arrangement if your production outfit and my apple outfit, worked together to help bring ‘Stallion of Steel’ back to the silver screen.” Applejack looks at the director with a warm smile. Final Cut didn’t return it. “Look Miss-“ “Appleja-” “Whatever. The point is, we already have royal funds backing the project. We have all the funding we need, though we… appreciate your enthusiasm.” Final Cut was starting to notice a recurring theme among the ponies in this backwards-plot town. “Ah’m sure you do. The Stallion of Steel deserves no less. However-“Applejack now was standing by his side, with one hoof around him and the other hoof extended outwards. “Just think about it; a product that all of Equestria is familiar with, being enjoyed by the Stallion of Tomorrow! Apples! Apples everywhere!” “Again; thank you Applejack, but we’re quite fine with the money we have. Should we reconsider, we’ll let you know, first thing.” Using his magic, Final Cut slammed the door. You could still hear Applejack from outside. “Call mah agent! His names Macintosh! He’s quite agreeable!” … “Moving on…” said Refined Taste. “I’d love to have one of these two fine mares play the role of Sweet Wings!” Twilight was doing her best to figure a quick was out of the situation. “I don’t know. How could you possibly decide between these two?” Refined Taste’s eyes beamed. “Maybe we don’t have to! We’ll have a huge audition with these two in front of all of Ponyville at the local theatre. We’ll have them both show off their acting prowess and the crowd will decide. We’re making the movie for them after all. Why shouldn’t they get to choose?” “I can think of a few reasons” the director grumbled under his breath. “We can’t give you two the script yet… it’s not done. But, we’ll let you come on and do whatever you want to.” Twilight stepped forward. “Hold on. I’m not letting my friends compete against each other when they’ll just end up fighting again.” Twilight didn’t like to play mother with her friends, but in this case, it seemed necessary. “If you two make up, we’ll do it.” Rarity groaned as she spoke up. “Fine, but not because you say so. I’m a grown Mare and I can make my own decisions. However, I’m not sure I can say the same for Rainbow Dash.” Rainbow Dash shot around at her. “I can out-act you in 10 seconds flat. Fair and square.” “So, do we have a Mare’s agreement?” Rainbow paused for a moment as she considered her answer. “Deal!” The two shook hoofs with competitive grins on their faces. “May the best mare win.” Rarity withdrew her hoof as she left the trailer. “Don’t worry. She will.” Twilight groaned with exhaustion as she and everyone else left the trailer. Final Cut collapsed on the coach while Refined Taste began working on the press release for the audition. After leaving the trailer, Rainbow Dash saw Applejack packing up her cart, preparing to leave. “Hey A.J. You feeling alright?” “Don’t worry about Rainbow, it’s all about persistence. Anyway, what can I do for you?” Rainbow Dash grew a grin across her face. “I’m going to need to borrow some of your cider.” “Slow down gentlecolts, there’s room for everypony!” Refined Taste stood outside the local Ponyville theatre as waves of colts stepped through the main doors. On the sides of the doors, where long pictures of Rainbow Dash and Rarity. Hanging over the entrance was a large banner that said ‘Super-Stallion: Sweet Wings Audition Final Round. Crowd Decides!’ Under the instruction of her sister, Applebloom had snuck a smaller, messier looking banner on top of the main one that said ‘Sweet Apple Acers Presents.’ Inside the theatre, the stage had several different props set up around it, including fake trees, bushes, swords and pony skull. Off on stage left, Refined Taste, Final Cut, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity were waiting for the audience to settle down. Rarity stuck her head out the side to see how many ponies had shown up. The entire house was packed… and they all had one thing in common. “Umm, excuse me Miss Taste” “Yes Rarity?” “I couldn’t help but noticed that our audience was… predominately male.” “Of course! They’re the core fans of the series, they’re the ones who will want to know that the role of Sweet Wings is in good-“ “They’re the ones that want to see a bunch of attractive mares prance around?” “Hoofs…” Refined Taste awkwardly looked away. “Well, physical attraction is a key aspect of marketability in any field.” Rainbow Dash got up in Rarity’s face. “What’s wrong Rarity? Getting stage fright?” “Of… Of course not! I’m a fashionista and I fully understand the importance of attraction.” Using her magic, she assembled a costume out of the spare ones hanging around the stage. “But, I am a firm believer that acting talent transcends all that. Now allow me to prove it.” “Go Acting!” Pinkie wasn’t sure who to cheer for, so she just made up her own one. She, Twilight, Spike and Fluttershy were sitting in the front row. Fluttershy had two novelty foam hoofs. One on each hoof. One for Rainbow Dash and the other for Rarity. “Oh, I hope this doesn’t get too competitive. They should both be proud of the fact they made it this far.” Twilight groan at Fluttershy’s naivety. “All they did to get this far was fight like children in front of the casting director.” “I know that’s something I could never do. I’m so proud of them.” Twilight face hoofed. Final Cut dragged himself onto the centre of the stage, mumbling under his breath “Let’s get this over with.” He eventually reached the edge of the stage. “Ladies and gentlecolts, it is my honour to introduce our first candidate for the role of Sweet Wings, please welcome, Rarity!” All the colts in the audience hooted and hollered at Rarity as she gracefully made her way onto the stage. She used her magic to take hold of the prop skull that was sitting on the stage. “To be, or not to be…” As Rarity continued her performance, which took up the better part of an hour, captivated the entire audience. She used every prop to her advantage, taking that drama queen aspect of her personality and putting it to good use. We she finally finished, she took a bow and the entire audience erupted into cheers and stomping. Pinkie did neither cheer nor stomp, but only let a single solitary tear roll down her eye. Out of nowhere, Spike ran up besides Rarity and handed her a bouquet. Where he got the bouquet remains unknown. When she was down receiving praise (which took up the rest of the hour) she joined the other ponies on stage left, disassembling her costume. “Looks like all those years of high school drama paid off.” “You are the queen after all” Rainbow Dash mumbled to herself. “You’re up next Rainbow.” Back on the stage, several stage hands removed the props that Rarity had brought with her from the stage and replaced it with the one prop that Rainbow Dash had brought: A single, solitary piece of rope hanging from the ceiling. Back stage, Rainbow Dash took a deep breath. “Good luck sweet heart. Just remember, it isn’t a competition.” Rarity put a reassuring hoof on Rainbow Dash before she began her walk towards the stage. “You’re right. It isn’t.” With a cocky smirk, Rainbow started walking. Rarity went down to the front row seats and sat next to Spike. “Now presenting; Rainbow Dash!” The audience cheered as Rainbow took the stage, although she paid them no mind at all. She eventually made it to the centre of the stage, where the rope was hanging. She took another deep breath, tilted her head towards the audience, smiled, tilted it back to the centre and pulled the rope. Upon pulling the rope, a large keg that was hanging over the stage tilted over. The keg had a printing on it; ‘Sweet Apple Cider.’ The cider poured out of the keg, drenching Rainbow Dash. The audience gasped (mostly in confusion). When the cider stopped pouring, Rainbow Dash was completely soaked. She then shook her head, tossing her main in an alluring manner and turned towards the audience with a sultry look on her face, something you didn’t normally see Rainbow giving. “Good evening boys…” She gave with a seductive wink. “Oh buck me” Rarity pouted. “I heard you were all looking for the right gal to play Sweet Wings. You’re looking for the perfect mare to play her and you won’t settle for anything less than the best” It was safe to assume the audience wasn’t giving all their attention to what she was saying. “And why shouldn’t’ you? She’s the most iconic mare in history!” Rainbow then began to turn her backside towards the audience, but not so much that it was obvious what she was doing. “No, from what I’ve been told, the ‘plot’ is in good hands, hehe. But it’s going to be up to all of you to pick the perfect Sweet Wings. So please…” Rainbow turned her attention towards a group of teenage colts in the front rom. “Won’t you vote for little old me?” She blew the boys a kiss, causing them to fall over in their seats. Twilight was not amused. “When has she ever talked like this?” Rarity shared Twilights distain. “So unbecoming of a young woman, wouldn’t you agree spike?” Rarity turned to Spike, to find him with a hypnotised expression on his face, holding several bits in his claw. “I have this strange urge to put all these bits in her mouth.” Rarity hoofed him upside the head. It still didn’t snap him out of his daze, only knocking the bits out of his claw. “I’d like to thank Sweet Apple Acers for giving me all this delicious Cider. So good I have to shower in it.” From off stage, Applejack ran up, put her hoof around Rainbow, slapping a ribbon on her that had a picture of Applejack on it that said “Applejack approved!” “Thanks again for your time boys. It’s greatly appreciated.” Giving a small giggle (something else you didn’t see Rainbow Dash do), her spot ended. The audience cheered so loud it threatened to deafen the audience. The stomping was so hard, Fluttershy jumped up in fear, landing in Twilight’s hoofs. Final Cut retuned to the stage. “I’m not even going to bother asking you who won. Your new Sweet Wings is Rainbow Dash!” Final Cut raised her right hoof in the air while Applejack raised her left. With the feeling of defeat, Rarity silently crept out of the theatre. Rainbow Dash caught a glimpse of her friend before she left. She couldn’t help but feel a tinge of guilt (among other things) for what she did. “Look sis, I’ve been practising.” Rarity was too depressed to full listen to her sister who had just entered her room. “Welcome to carousel boutique, where everything is shic, unique and minfic.” Rarity didn’t respond. “Come on Rarity. I’ve been practising for hours!” Rarity woke up. “Oh, sorry sweetie, I’m just not feeling 100%” Sweetie Bell nuzzled her sister. “I’m sorry you didn’t get the part sis. I think you should have gotten it.” Rarity did her best to keep any tears from running down her face. “Thank you sweet heart.” She gave her sister a kiss and sent her out. Ding! Rainbow Dash entered the boutique. She didn’t look as pleased with herself as she usually did. “Yo.” “Rainbow Dash” … The two ran into each other’s hoofs. “I’m so sorry for fighting with you Rarity. And I’m sorry for stooping so low to get the part too.” “I’m sorry too. I shouldn’t have pushed us so hard for something so stupid and trivial.” They both smiled warmly, struggling to keep the tears back. “So… we’re cool?” “Most definitely cool.” The two stepped back. “Besides, you’ll need as many friends as you can get if you have any hope of handling all the attention you’re bound to get.” Rainbow Dash stood perplexed. “What?” “Haven’t you realised yet darling?” Rarity pulled the curtains back, revealing hundreds of colts outside the boutique. Some of them holding signs professing their love for Rainbow Dash, others just shouting out crude cat calls. For the first time in a long time, Rainbow looks genuinely scared. “You’re playing the lead heroin in a superhero film. Millions of… strapping young men all over Equestria will be vying for your attention.” With a pat on the back, Rarity stepped away, with a smirk on her face. “Good luck dear!” … “Buck me…” Next: CameraShy!