"You know, it's funny how wrong an artist can be about his own work." Deems Taylor said with a bit of a chuckle. "Now, the one composition of Tchaikovsky's that he really detested was his Nutcracker Suite, which is probably the most popular thing he ever wrote."
"It's a series of dances taken out of a full-length ballet called The Nutcracker that he once composed for the St. Petersburg Opera House." Mr.V replied. "It wasn't much of a success and nobody performs it nowadays, but I'm pretty sure you'll recognize the music of the suite when you hear it."
"Incidentally, you won't see any nutcracker on the screen." Deems said in honesty. "There's nothing left of him but the title. But that doesn't stop our heroes from finding another instrument for their big concert." The scene changes to show our heroes passing the portal back to the concert room.
"I must say Rainbow, that violin is really good." Rarity said. "And you play it quite well."
"I know!" Rainbow Dash replied in suprise. "I never thought of myself as a violin person."
"Well, that's one down." Sunset said before turning to Louis. "Where do we go now?"
"Next up, we'll go to The Land of Faries, a world made from the music of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite." Louis said with a grin. "The magic there will certainly guide us to another good instrument."
"Oh, I love The Nutcracker Suite." Fluttershy said in excitement. "I think the music is just so calming and sweet when it needs to."
"So do I." Louis said before turning to the conductor. "Hey, play The Nutcracker Suite for us."
The conductor nodded before leading the band. And as the music began to play, the room started to disappear and a forest appeared it's place, all lit up by small lights flying around.
(Pause at 0:11)
"Wow!" Rainbow Dash said in suprise. "I got a feeling that is going to be amazing everytime." Just then, a light zoomed past Rainbow's nose. "Whoa, what was that?"
"I don't know." Spike said before another light landed on her nose, revealing itself to be a little person with wings. "Hey, who are you?"
"I'm Sprinkler, a dew sprites." The little person said. "We provide dew to all the plants in the forest following the evening mist. What are you?"
“We are visitors to your land, looking for instuments for a big concert." Sunset said. "Do you think you can help us?"
"Sure I can!" Sprinkler said in excitement. "I can guide you to the Kingdom of the Mushrooms. They'll know where you need to go in order to find an instrument."
"Okay, Sprinkler!" Pinkie said. "Lead the way."
(Resume Video)
Sprinkler then motioned to the group to follow her, all the while providing dew to many of the flowers. Many other dew sprites joined in from near and far to provide light to the group.
(Pause at 0:55)
"Hey, I want to introduce you to my friends." Sprinkler said before making introductions. "This is Dripper, Mildew, Goldy, Auroran, Brightly and Shelly."
"Hello!" The dew sprites all said in unison.
"Hello!" Our heroes replied in pleasure.
"It's nice to meet you all." Sunset added. "I'm Sunset Shimmer. This is Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Spike, Jiminy Cricket, Trinity and Louis."
"So, how do you guys get dew to all the plants here?" Rainbow Dash asked.
(Resume Video)
"Like this." Sprinkler said before she and the other dew sprites spread out, distributing dew to all the plants. Many of them worked like lightning, moving from one plant to another at super speed. Before toolong, they transformed the entire field into a gleeming glen of glimmering grass.
(Pause at 1:25)
"That's amazing." Fluttershy said in awe.
"Thanks." Sprinkler replied in modesty. "But if want to see something really good, then follow us."
(Resume Video)
The dew sprites led our heroes down a small trail that let the group to a small area surrounding a tree with a small spider web on a high branch. Sprinkler herself started work on the spider web, putting dew drops on each intersection, making it a fine example of natural jewelry, while the rest of them decorate the rest of the area in dew, transforming it into something from a wonderful dream. Upon complition of their work, the dew sprites flew off in multiple directions with Sprinkler landing on Fluttershy's head.
"It's so pretty!" Flutterhsy said in amazment.
"Thanks, we do our best." Sprinkler said in pride before pointing at an area full of mushrooms. "And over there is the kingdom of mushrooms, just like I said. Just pass on through, head up the river of the reed flutes, tread through the arabian pond, cross the Trepak bridge, and go to the land of eternal snow through the golden forest and you'll find what you seek."
"Thank you Sprinkler." Jiminy said as the dew sprite flew off.
"You're quite welcome." Sprinker said in pleasure to have met our heroes. "Goodbye my friends."
"Goodbye, Sprinkler." Our heroes replied in equal pleasure to have met the dew sprite.
They then entered the kingdom of the mushrooms, and were greeted by the residents with a dance. The mushrooms do a few bows and marches around our heroes all without saying a single word.
(Pause at 0:21)
"Uh, hi there." Sunset said. "My friends and I are just passing through. We won't be any trouble."
(Resume Video)
The Mushrooms bowed their heads before continuing to dance their welcome dance. Then the mushrooms formed two straight lines on either side of our heroes.
(Pause at 0:36)
"I guess that means they'll let us pass." Applejack said in relief.
"We should problably get going." Louis replied.
(Resume Video)
The group walked down the trail as the mushrooms continued to dance a line dance, making the group feel comfortable. As they reached the end of the trail, the group turned to their large group of hosts who gave them a unanimous bow.
"Thank you." Twilight said as she and her party gave a returning bow. "We are truly grateful for this." The mushrooms gave another bow as if to say goodbye before returning to their domain.
"Each one of those mushroons sure was a fun guy." Pinkie Pie said with a grin.
"Yeah, but we better get going." Applejack said. "The river of reed flutes is just up ahead."
Our heroes soon walk down a trail before reaching a big river that was always filled with flowers falling from a long line of trees.
(Pause at 0:18)
"This must be the river of reed flutes." Jiminy said.
“And Sprinkler said we need to go up the river in order to reach the Arabian pond.” Spike replied.
“So what are we waiting for?” Pinkie Pie asked before bounding ahead. “Let’s go!”
(Resume Video)
The group walks up the river while watching several flowers fall into the river in multiple colors, creating beautiful designs in the water. Then a single white flower landed into the water gently and caused the other flowers gather around it, making our heroes curious.
(Pause at 0:46)
"Ooh, I wonder what's going on?" Rairty said.
"Shh, let's watch and see what happens." Sunset replied.
(Resume Video)
The flowers then danced a strange beautiful dance around the singular while flower as it spun around like a top inside the circle. Then all of the flowers continued going down stream, with the white flower going last, looking as if it was bowing to the small audiance it had.
(Pause at 1:30)
"Now that is quite a performance." Applejack said.
"I agree." Tritity said in agreement.
"Look!" Pinkie said in excitement. "The Arabian Pond is just up ahead. Come on!"
(Resume Video)
The group followed Pinkie Pie to a large pond that was srrounded by grassland, and on the other side is a fine looking bridge with flowers all over it.
"Here it is!" Louis said. "The Arabian Pond."
"Now all we gotta do is get across it." Applejack said.
"But I don't see a boat we can use to cross it." Twilight replied.
"Who needs a boat?" Rainbow Dash said as she approached the lake. "We can swim across." But just as she set one foot onto the water, she dissapeared with out a trace.
"What the..." Sunset said in suprise. "Where did she go?"
"I'm down here!" Rainbow Dash said, suprising everyone in showing that she had transformed into a blue fish with rainbow fins. "I guess this is one way to swim. Come on guys, let's get swimming." Soon, the others join Rainbow Dash in the lake and were transformed into brightly colored fish. Sunset turned into a red fish with yellow fins, Twilight turned into a purple fish with magenta fins, Applejack turned into an orange fish with tangerine fins, Fluttlershy turned into a yellow fish with light pink fins, Pinkie Pie turned into a Pink Fish with lightblue fins, Trinity turned into a golden fish with yellow fins, Louis turned into a white fish with red fins, Jiminy turned into a green fish with black fins and spike turned into a purple fish with green scales.
The group only swam a little ways before seeing a pair of eyes peer at them from the darkness of a tunnel for only a moment only to dissaprear shortly after seeing the group approach.
(Pause at 0:16)
"Hey, wait!" Sunset said. "We won't hurt you. Come on guys, we better catch up."
“Okay, but we’ll need to be slow so as not to scare him.” Twilight replied.
(Resume Video)
They then swam into the tunnel to see what looked like some transpartent plants swaying gently in the water, but is revealed to be a couple of fish who swim off upon seeing the group.
(Pause at 0:34)
"My, everyone certainly is nervous around here." Rarity said.
"Let's keep going and see where their going." Applejack said.
(Resume Video)
Then as the approach a small spot bathed in light, they see another fish swimming around admiring herself before she sees the group and swims behind some plants. Then when she sees the group approach, the fish swims into a cave.
(Pause at 1:00)
"He went into that cave." Fluttershy said.
"Well let's go!" Pinkie Pie replied.
(Resume Video)
The group then entered the cave and saw shadows of fish swimming on the wall. A rather dapper looking fish then swam forward and began to speak.
(Pause at 1:11)
“Ladies and gentle fish, it is my distinct pleasure to present the Moroccan minnows.” He said.
(Resume Video)
It was at that moment that the shadows are revealed to be goldfish with sparkling tails. They swam around the area as gracefully as ballet dancers, gliding around our heroes with style and finesse. They then formed a ring in the center of the area as the dapper fish prepares to speak again.
(Pause at 1:55)
“Ladies and gentle fish, it is now my honor and privilege to present to you, Madame Goldeen, the Mistress of the Deep.”
(Resume Video)
Six black fish then meet up at the bottom of the floor and use their tails to form a pod that opened soon up, revealing a beautiful gold fish with a tail and fins decorated in stars. She began to dance an exquisite dance of grace and beauty that has not been seen in many years. With each movement, she seems to make the stars on her tail sparkle and shine like little diamonds. Then the time came for her performance to end as the black fish make their tails into a pod around Madame Goldeen as our heroes applaud the it, causing bubbles to form around them. The bubbles then took the troupe to the surface on the other side of the pond, where they all reverted back to their normal forms.
“Now that was a truly riveting performance.” Rarity said in awe.
“Indeed.” Trinity replied. “And look, we’ve reached the the Trepak bridge.”
“It’s smoothie sailing from here on out girls!” Pinkie Pie concluded as the group entered the bridge.
But just as soon as the entire group got onto the bridge, everyone started bouncing up and down as the bridge started to dance wildly. Some of the steps spun, the ropes shook up a storm, and the beams swayed back and forth. There were times when our heroes thought they were going to fall off, but the bridge seemed to catch them and put them back on. Then, as the music reached it the end, our heroes reached the other side one by one, starting with Sunset Shimmer and ending with Trinity.
“Well that was pointless.” Rainbow Dash said.
“Yeah, but it gives an opportunity to use one of these.” Pinkie Pie said as she snapped her fingers and a voice saying
Was heard. The group just shrugged and continued down the trail to the golden forest.
Upon entering the forest, The group soon noticed some wings appearing from a bush, and upon closer inspection, sees a small group of fairies gathered in the bush. The fairies see Fluttershy and gather around her in curiosity.
(Pause at 0:32)
“Oh, hello.” Fluttershy said. “We are looking for the land of eternal snow. Do you know where it is?”
(Resume Video)
The fairies did not say a word, but they nodded their heads to say yes. A large group of them banded together to form an arrow pointing in a certain direction.
(Pause at 0:51)
“That’s got to be the way to go.” Applejack said.
“Then let’s get going.” Spike replied.
(Resume Video)
The group followed the fairies across the forest as all the leaves turned red, orange and yellow all around them. Some of the leaves fell down from the trees as the group enjoyed the tranquility of nature. Soon, the fairies stopped as some strange plants.
(Pause at 1:42)
“What do those do?” Trinity asked one of the fairies.
(Resume Video)
The fairy made a small gust of wind and sent to feather like seeds flying before grabbing one of them and riding it to a pod like plant. Then with a wave of her hand, the pod opened up to reveal umbrella like seeds that just float in the wind
(Pause at 2:13)
“Wow, now that’s pretty amazing.” Rainbow Dash said. “But do you guys could make me fly in the wind.”
(Resume Video)
The fairies nodded before flying around Rainbow Dash in a circle, causing her to fly in the air. She soon found her self flying across the air like an eagle in the clear warm skies up above. With the rest of the group close behind, she soon lands in a snow covered forest while their clothes turn into winter clothes.
(Pause at 3:03)
“Wow!” Trinity said in wonder. “This must be the land of eternal snow.”
“You’re right.” Fluttershy replied. “One of us is sure to find an instrument here.”
(Resume Video)
The group traveled just a little ways down the snowy trail before seeing a leaf land in the water of a lake. Then, some new fairies landed on the water and started skating on it, turning the water into ice behind them. As our heroes followed the fairies, Fluttershy felt a strange aura growing stronger and stronger inside her soul with each step she took. And when they reach the other side of the lake, Fluttershy noticed a yellow light in the middle of a clearing.
(Pause at 3:42)
“Hey, there’s another light.” Rainbow Dash said. “It looks like it’s for you, Fluttershy.” Fluttershy became nervous, but toughened up knowing that it will be okay.
“Well, here goes.” Fluttershy said.
(Resume Video)
Fluttershy walked up toward the light and upon reaching it, saw it transform into a golden flute with pictures of butterflies and birds decorated on it.
(Pause at 3:55)
“Ooh, this is a beautiful flute.” She said in awe. “Let’s see if I can play it.”
(Resume Video)
And as snow flakes fall all around her and fairies dance a marvelous dance, Fluttershy began playing her flute like a master, playing each note with grace and finesse. She soon played as the fairies danced around her like ballet dancers. Then when the music reaches it’s end, Fluttershy too reaches the end of her performance to the awe of her friends. When her performance ends, the group applauded for their friend, who blushed upon seeing them.
“That was amazing, Fluttershy!” Louis said in amazement.
“Thank you.” Fluttershy said. “I guess I was able to play a good flute.”
“You sure do.” Sunset said as the portal opens up. “Well everyone, I guess we better go.” The group entered the portal as it closed behind them.