//------------------------------// // The Adventure Begins // Story: Filmatic Escapades: The Pagemaster // by Toonwriter //------------------------------// This series I am about to start is made in inspiration to the Cinematic Adventures made by extremeenigma02. Before we begin, I'd like to give a message to a few good people. Mr. Enigma, let me be honest. You are kind of a trailblazer taking on huge writing projects as well as dealing with some huge hardship. I know what I did was no excuse, and I know I have zero chance of getting my old job back and no roleplaying... Nevertheless, I am going to move on from all that, stick with being a reader and commenter like everyday people, and enjoy your stories. In fact, I hope you would do the same for my series here because this is made in inspiration and dedication to your Cinematic Adventures. Dinodisneylover1, this series is dedicated to you because it's also inspired by your Disney Chronicles. I must confess, I thought it doesn't interest me at first, but a few chapters later in your Snow White Disney Chronicle, I checked it out, and I fell in love with your series. And now I am a big fan of it. I can't wait to see more of it, starting with the end of Fantasia! Phantom-Dragon, your Game Quest series is awesome as well, I love reading and reviewing it! I just wish you could unban me so I could keep reviewing it. I fell in love with your Game Quest series like I did the Disney Chronicles series. Who knows? Maybe you could do commentaries on Filmatic Escapades. But I understand if you won't. Nevertheless, thank you for picking up the slack of doing Discord's Theater. Even though I started it back in Willy Wonka, you have made what it is today. I just wish I could join back with it today, but what's done is done. Thus, I willingly pass the torch to you. But please, please unblock me so that I could read and review your stories. I beg you! Dramamaster829, I’m not gonna sugarcoat about our relationship. I get on your bad side more times than I can count, even though in the past I was a bit childish, but looking back, I realized that you are teaching me about being mature and not being a baby. I know what I did was wrong, and no apology can change your mind about me. With that being said, I’m also dedicating this series to you because since you are a co-writer (or at least, an editor) of the Cinematic Adventures, you have every right to check this out, too. With all that said, on with the show! Three weeks have passed since a very special event had happened. Grackle and Dyre, granddaughters of the witch Hydia, wanted to finish what she failed to do: Destroy all pony-dom! And they wanted to do it eagerly, seeking revenge on the ponies who banished their family to the volcano ever since Hydia tried to destroy Ponyland with the Smooze long ago. So Grackle and Dyre created three new ponies- known as Violet Shiver, Shadow Storm, and Black Belle- to cause havoc. With the School of Friendship overloaded with students, Starlight Glimmer and the Mane Six reached out for help. That's where Violet Shiver, Shadow Storm, and Black Belle came in, joining the school staff. But as time went by, friendships began to fall apart thanks to the antics and teachings of the three new ponies. Shadow Storm interferes with a Wonderbolts flying show by mind-controlling Spitfire's subordinates and turning them against her. Black Belle destroyed the Hay Burger restaurant and implicated the management of the Ponyville bowling alley, causing animosity between the two establishments' staff members. Lastly, Violet Shiver froze the Apple family's crops, ruining their harvest for an upcoming festival and causing arguments among Applejack and her family. Meanwhile, back at the school, students have been using their new teachers' lessons to pull frightening and meanspirited pranks on each other. Violet Shiver, Black Belle, and Shadow Storm were pleased with the chaos and antagonism they have been causing around town, but Grackle and Dyre's pet Trench told them to go even further in their schemes. Starlight Glimmer and the Mane Six tried to fix things up by arranging one of Pinkie's parties, but the Smooze-ponies sabotaged that effort, causing Twilight and Pinkie to argue with each other while putting up Violet Shiver's streamers in the trees when Zecora arrived. Twilight explained that the streamers gave off a foreign magic that was unaffected by her own, and Zecora believed the magic comes from another dimension. After some inconclusive scientific testing, Twilight theorizes that the magic coming off the streamers is what caused her and Pinkie to argue earlier, and she attempted to absorb the magic into her to determine where it came from. When Twilight did that, however, her body was suddenly possessed by a sinister entity, and she attacked Pinkie Pie. Before this entity could consume Zecora's magic, Pinkie used Zecora's potions to knock it into the river, whereupon it exited Twilight's body and Zecora captured it inside a test tube. Twilight recognized the strange, parasitic lifeform as being similar to the Smooze, but instead of craving gold and jewels, it wants to cause chaos and destroy friendship. She also sensed that this creature's intended target was not the ponies of Equestria, but similar ponies from elsewhere. Through some research, Zecora discovered a method by which they determine this Smooze's weakness and how to stop it. Later that night, the Mane Six and Starlight Glimmer gathered outside Zecora's hut, where Zecora brewed a potion using the Smooze they captured to create a magical doorway into another world. Upon stepping through the doorway, the ponies found themselves in the world of Ponyland, inhabited by ponies very similar to themselves. Upon arriving in Ponyland, the Mane Six and Starlight Glimmer were greeted by Galaxy, Minty, Lofty, and others. Pinkie Pie, in her overexcitement, injured herself in her attempt to say hello. At Galaxy's house, Twilight Sparkle explained to their new friends what was going on in their home world of Equestria. The Ponyland ponies told them of their own previous encounter with the Smooze – how it was created by the evil witches Hydia, Reeka, and Draggle and was eventually defeated by the ponies' human friend Megan with the magical Rainbow of Light. The Ponyland ponies gave the Mane Six the locket containing the Rainbow of Light and offered to travel back to Equestria with them to help defeat this new Smooze, which North Star believed the witches sent to Equestria by mistake. Meanwhile, back in Ponyville, Violet Shiver, Black Belle, and Shadow Storm continued scheming to ruin the party the Mane Six had planned to rid the town of its recent negativity and restore friendship. They used the magic-infused decorations that Violet Shiver created to spread even more chaos around town. Despite the Smooze-ponies' efforts to destroy friendship, however, their students at the School of Friendship adored them and showered them with praise, which was reflected in their homework assignments. Grackle and Dyre's pet Trench seized some of the students' homework to bring back to his masters. During some of his spying activities, Trench ran afoul of Rarity's pet cat Opalescence, who mauled him and bit off some of his fur before he escaped back to the Volcano. The Mane Six and Ponyland ponies returned to find Ponyville in its worst state yet, and they took shelter from an angry mob inside Carousel Boutique. There, they tried to find a way to combine the Rainbow of Light's magic with that of the Elements of Harmony but to no avail. When Rarity discovered a piece of Trench's fur in Opalescence's mouth, North Star recognized the familiar sulfuric smell of the Volcano of Gloom emanating from it. This gave Twilight the idea to channel the Elements of Harmony's power through sulfuric crystals and focus it into the Rainbow of Light's locket. This greatly intensified the Rainbow's power enough to eradicate any evil thing it touches. Back at the Volcano of Gloom, an injured Trench reported his findings to Grackle and Dyre, and the witches were enraged to learn that Violet Shiver, Black Belle, and Shadow Storm have become popular among the ponies and were even helping them organize their party. However, upon realizing that the Smooze-ponies—having been created from the witches' magic—were able to use their powers in Equestria, Grackle and Dyre realized that their own powers would work in Equestria as well. With this realization, the witches prepared to invade Equestria personally. Meanwhile, the Mane Six tested the combined magic of the Elements of Harmony and the Rainbow of Light on a sample of the sinister Smooze that was currently wreaking havoc across Ponyville, using their new friends Minty and Lickety-Split as test subjects. Twilight Sparkle split the Rainbow of Light's power into six pieces and created compact forms out of them for her and her friends to control more easily, and the test is a success. As for Grackle and Dyre, after entering Ponyville via an interdimensional portal, they were immediately drawn to the tasty smells coming from Sugarcube Corner. However, the presence of two strange-looking, bipedal humans in Equestria sent ponies into a crazed panic, and they chased after Grackle and Dyre as an angry mob. Black Belle and Shadow Storm find them, and they all went to find Violet Shiver so that they could cause some real destruction together. Elsewhere, Pinkie Pie found Violet Shiver still decorating for the "Bestie Festie" party, and Pinkie was so pleased with Violet's efforts that she thanked her with a shirt – one of a pair to match Pinkie's – to wear to the party. Violet felt guilty about her and the other Smooze-ponies' scheming and started to have second thoughts, but the streamers she created suddenly take hold of her and possess her body as they did Twilight's. As Grackle, Dyre, Black Belle, and Shadow Storm made their way through town, passing many angry and arguing ponies along the way, they saw Ocellus fleeing from the destruction they were causing. Black Belle, out of uncharacteristic concern for Ocellus' safety, escorted her to the party. Unable to enter the party without drawing unwanted attention, Grackle and Dyre stopped at Carousel Boutique and make a two-person unicorn costume. Once everyone has gathered at the Bestie Festie, where Rarity introduced the Ponyland ponies in fashionable outfits, Twilight tried to convince the divided townsfolk to come together again in friendship. However, the party quickly came under attack by the evil Smooze and the possessed Violet Shiver. Twilight and her friends attempted to fight back with the Rainbow of Light, but it was not strong enough, simply bouncing off of Violet. Even Grackle, Dyre, Black Belle, and Shadow Storm were overcome by the Smooze's unexpectedly immense power. The Smooze ensnared everyone around it and caused general misery, taunting Grackle and Dyre as it had transcended their original desire for revenge. Realizing what she and Dyre had created, Grackle said she never truly wanted revenge on the ponies; she wanted freedom from her volcano prison and to make her and Dyre's mothers proud. She stood up to the Smooze, and the ponies stood alongside her. Channeling the Rainbow of Light through her own magic, Grackle destroyed the Smooze and freed Violet Shiver from its control. The Rainbow's magic spilled over onto Black Belle and Shadow Storm. Violet Shiver, Black Belle, and Shadow Storm started fading out of existence; having been created from Smooze themselves, they were unable to maintain their physical forms due to its destruction. As Grackle, Dyre, and the ponies shed tears over this, the Smooze-ponies' bodies suddenly become solid again, as accepting the magic of friendship had turned them into real, non-artificial ponies. They accepted Twilight's invitation to stay on as teachers at the School of Friendship. With their newfound freedom, Grackle and Dyre decided to explore before settling down in a new home, and the Ponyland ponies decided to stay in Equestria for a little longer. Right now, Twilight Sparkle's adopted daughter, Nyx, and her pet Moon Dragon, Phobos, were walking along the streets of Ponyville. Both of them love making new friends, and they were in the middle of shopping at the Ponyville marketplace, which is busy, full of ponies going around to get what they want or need. "Boy, this place sure is packed!" Nyx exclaimed. "You said it!" Phobos agreed, "I wonder what we could find here at the marketplace?" "Hopefully, some new Power Ponies comics! I love those!" Nyx remarked. Just then, Phobos spotted something out of the corner of his eye. “‘Ey, Nyx?” "Hmm? What is it, Phobos?" Nyx asked. “Did ya know that Hope Hollow announced a new movie theater in their town?” He asked, his eyes on a billboard advertising a movie theater in said town. Nyx turned towards the billboard on hearing this news, "A theater in Hope Hollow? Cool!" She exclaimed with a smile. “We oughta tell Twilight and the others!” "Yeah! They'll be surprised!" "Hi, Nyx and Phobos!" Two voices greeted the duo, getting their attention. They came from Toola Roola and Coconut Cream, two earth ponies about Nyx's age, walking up to them. "Toola Roola! Coconut Cream! Hi!" Nyx greeted happily. "What's up, you two?" Phobos asked with a smile. "We were getting some potions from Potion Nova's booth." Coconut Cream replied. “How about you guys?” Toola inquired. "We were looking around the marketplace, hoping to find some Power Ponies comics, but then, we found this!" Nyx explained while pointing towards the billboard. Toola and Coconut looked to the billboard advertising the new movie theater in Hope Hollow. The two looked immediately awestruck at that. "A new theater?!" The two asked in unison and awe. "Yeah, in Hope Hollow!" Nyx replied. "Wow!" Toola and Coconut exclaimed. "Wait till Twilight and the others hear about this!" Toola remarked. "That's exactly what we're planning to do: Tell them about it!" Phobos stated. "We'll come with you!" Coconut said, "We love movies!" And with that, the four rushed off to go tell Twilight and the gang. They could barely contain their excitement as they ran through the square. Over at Twilight’s castle, the Alicorn in question and her faithful assistant Spike were going about their day how they usually would be. Twilight was busy reorganizing her books while Spike occasionally would help her do so while reading one of his old issues of the Power Ponies. "You know, I'm so glad things have been peaceful lately," Spike remarked as he kept reading his issue. "It's like we deal more with fighting baddies instead of friendship." "It isn't that bad. At least we get exercise out of it." Twilight commented. Suddenly, a pair of hooves covered her eyes. "Wha....?" "Guess who?" A familiar voice spoke mischievously. "Hmm, handsome voice, brown hooves, good fur." Twilight spoke, pretending to guess. "I know! Big Mac!" "Very cute." The pony smirked as he turned Twilight around and kissed her. "Ben!" Yes, it was Ben Valorheart, Twilight Sparkle's foalhood lover, coltfriend, and the adopted father of Nyx. He's also Princess Celestia's adopted son who disappeared for a while after a mean prank set up by his rival, Boris. He lived in the library with Twilight and Nyx before it was destroyed by Tirek. Now they live together in the Friendship Rainbow Castle. Spike smiled, “Hey, Ben! What brings ya by?” "Well, last time, it was a car. but then I forgot that we never have one." Ben joked a bit. "But I digress. What are you doing?" "Putting the books in place," Twilight explained as she put a book into place and sighed. "Honestly, I am concerned how almost nopony comes by anymore." “I can’t imagine why, darling.” The three turned their heads to the entrance at hearing the sound of that familiar posh-sounding voice. In walked their fashionista friend Rarity, followed by a familiar timid Pegasus by the name of Fluttershy. Twilight smiled, “Hey, Rarity and Fluttershy. What brings you two by?” “I wanted to see if you have anything that could help me with an idea for a new fashion line,” Rarity answered simply. “And I was hoping you had any books on red pandas.” Fluttershy added, “Oh, they are so cute!” “You planning to get some for the sanctuary?” Spike asked. "Oh, yes!" Fluttershy nodded in reply, "My Sweet Feather Sanctuary is so successful, I might think of expanding it a bit!" "I think that's an excellent idea, Fluttershy!" Twilight remarked with a smile. "You know, we could expand on the library," Ben spoke, scratching his chin in thought. "I mean, why only one library in Ponyville when we can have more?" Twilight smiled, “That’s actually a pretty nice idea!” “MOMMY!!! MOMMY!!!” That got the attention of the four ponies and dragon present. "Nyx?" Spike asked in surprise. At that, the little filly in question came rushing in followed by Phobos, Toola, and Coconut. From the looks on their faces, Twilight and the others could tell they had something exciting to share. "MOMMY!! DADDY!!" Nyx cried as she and the others ran up to her parents, Spike, Fluttershy and Rarity. “Hey, Nyx sweetie. What’s got you so excited?” Twilight asked, smiling at her daughter. "Mommy! Phobos and I were shopping at the marketplace, and we saw a billboard announcing that there's a new movie theater in Hope Hollow!!!" Nyx explained excitedly while trotting in place. Spike shot up from his seat, looking just as excited. “A new movie theater?!” "Yeah!" Phobos replied while nodding eagerly. "Oh, well, that's good. What is its name?" Ben asked his daughter curiously. "The Grand Palace Cinema!" Nyx replied excitedly. "Ah, we should see it sometime," Twilight spoke as she goes back to putting books on the shelves. "Why not now?" Nyx asked her mother hopefully. "Nyx, I got to put these books back into place which may take all day. These books are like movies where they can take you to a world of imagination." "Come on, Twilight. How about it, please?" Toola Roola pleaded to Twilight. "Yeah, you have been here long enough." Coconut Cream agreed. "Well, she does have a point." Rarity spoke out thoughtfully. "You need to get out more." “Can we go there, mommy? Pretty please??” Nyx asked, putting on the cutest pleading face. "No, I...." Twilight yelped as the other foals gave out cute puppy dog looks and pouty looks. "Oh no, please don't. No...." "Pleaaaaaaaasssseeee?" The foals asked in unison, giving out shiny looks in their eyes. Twilight yelped as they leaned forward, causing her to fall backward onto the ground. "Ugh, you kids know I can't resist that." Twilight groaned out in defeat. "Okay, okay! We can go now." “Go where?” Every pony and Spike turned at the sound of a certain cowpony’s unmistakable Southern accent. In walked Applejack, flanked by their fellow Pegasus friend Rainbow Dash. "There's a new movie theater now open in Hope Hollow!" Nyx explained excitedly. “A new theater? Sounds awesome!” Rainbow cheered excitedly. "I know, right?! It's called the Grand Palace Cinema!" "Help, I'm a cute pony and I can't get up." Twilight spoke meekly, having a bit of trouble getting back up. "Come on, Twiley." Ben said in an amused tone as he helped her up from the ground. "Well, all right, we're here. Where's...." Twilight spoke, noticing a certain pink pony is missing. "You called?" A familiar voice called out as a book opened and out popped Pinkie with a squee. "Pinkie, you are so random," Rainbow commented in amusement. "Did my Pinkie ears hear right? Are we going to...." Pinkie spoke, making a gasp. "....the movies?!" "That's right, Pinkie." Twilight confirmed with a nod, "We're going to the movies, in Hope Hollow!" "Cool!" Pinkie spoke playfully. "I haven't been this excited since I heard about the new Rifftrax: The Game! Coming soon to gaming consoles May 5th!" "And besides that, we haven't been to Hope Hollow since we helped bring color back to it and all its inhabitants!" Rarity remarked with a smile. "With Mayor Sunny Skies proposing to and marrying Petunia Petals!" Fluttershy added happily. "And some other stuff and we will miss more unless we get going!" Phobos exclaimed eagerly. "Well, all right, but we better bring some books to read on the way." Twilight spoke with a shrug as she puts some books into a saddlebag. May as well get something to read on the way, right? "Right, Twilight." Ben agreed, "I'll go with you, too." "Oh boy, I can't wait!" Toola exclaimed excitedly. "Me too!" Coconut agreed. "The Cutie Mark Crusaders would be so jealous!" Nyx remarked. "All right, Little Nyxie, if you think that way, invite them." Twilight spoke to her daughter with a mischievous grin. "Invite us to what?" A familiar young voice asked in a Southern accent. "New cinema in Hope Hollow." Nyx explained to her friends happily. "New cinema?!?!" The Cutie Mark Crusaders asked excitedly in unison. "Hoo boy, we done going 'ta need a bigger trailer." Applejack remarked with a slight chuckle. "The new cinema is called the Grand Palace Cinema!" Toola explained to the three foals. "Cool name!" Scootaloo exclaimed. "I wish I was dressed for this, but still..." Sweetie started with a smile before she started trotting in place as she squealed, "The Grand Palace Cinema!" Rarity smiled in amusement but placed a hoof on her little sister’s back. “Calm yourself, Sweetie Belle.” "Come on, Applejack, let's go!" Apple Bloom cheered while raising her hoof. "Whoa, whoa, whoa!" A familiar voice spoke as a light grayish heliotrope unicorn with a purple mane came in. "You're letting me out of this one?" "Oopsie! Almost forgot ya, Starlight." Pinkie said. "And where Starlight goes, the Great and Powerful Trixie follows!" A familiar azure unicorn announced boldly as she came in from behind her best friend with a grin. "Hey girls! Long story short? We're going to the movies!" Pinkie announced to Trixie and Starlight happily. “Really? Whereat?” Starlight asked, looking very curious. "The Grand Palace Cinema in Hope Hollow!" Toola and Coconut replied in unison. “Well, then what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Trixie urged with excitement. "Yeah! Glad to have you two with us!" Nyx said happily. And with that, all the ponies and dragons present headed off to begin their trip to Hope Hollow, not knowing that they were about to begin the greatest adventure of their lives. Moments later, while Twilight, Spike, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and Nyx flew to Hope Hollow, the rest of the group followed in a hot air balloon. "Oh, I can't wait till we get to Hope Hollow!" Starlight exclaimed in excitement. Trixie shared her friend’s excitement. “I heard the town is literally brimming with color.” "You have no idea." Applejack remarked with a wink. "How long until we get there?" Toola asked. "Could be by nighttime, darling." Rarity said, "It happened the last time my friends and I went." "That long, huh?" Ben asked. "Yep. That long." Twilight replied. "Guess we'll have to wait for a few hours." Starlight said. "Aww, but that's a long time!" Apple Bloom whined. Sweetie looked to everyone else in the balloon. "Anybody brought a game we can all play to pass the time?" Pinkie reached into her mane and pulled out some playsets and figures as she suggested, "How about Tails of Canterlot?" Yes, I'm including Pony Life references, too! "Great idea, Pinkie!" Rarity exclaimed with a smile. "It's a good thing I modified Twilight's game so that the amount of rules isn't extensive, and that gameplay is tolerable for everypony." Ben remarked. "I appreciate the help in fixing the game, Ben." Twilight said, "That way, anypony can play my game!" "It's fitting since it's gonna be a long time to get to Hope Hollow!" Nyx remarked. Unknown to the traveling Equestrians, they were being observed by a mysterious figure who was viewing them from a big globe of light. "Not as long as you think, my little pony." The figure spoke. Then its horn started glowing. Just as Pinkie was about to set the game up, there was a bright rainbow glow ahead of the group. "Huh? What the--?" Twilight asked in confusion as she shielded her eyes upon noticing the glow. "What in the name of Celestia?" Rainbow asked in surprise and confusion, also shielding her eyes. "What's going on?" Spike exclaimed in confusion and surprise. "This didn't happen on our first trip to Hope Hollow!" Applejack remarked in confusion. "What is it, Rarity? What's happening?" Sweetie asked in concern. "Everypony hang on!" Twilight shouted as the rainbow glow flashed really brightly, enveloping her and the rest of the group. A moment later, as the flash subsided, as the group unshielded their eyes, they slowly opened them and saw, to their surprise, that they were at the rainbow arch of Hope Hollow. "Whoa. How did we get here so quickly?!" Spike spoke in surprise. "I don't understand!" Twilight exclaimed in confusion, "We were in the sky for almost an hour, but then, somehow, we ended up here!" "It feels like a teleportation spell happened with us!" Nyx remarked. Rainbow looked to Twilight, "Twilight, did you have something to do with that?" "No, I didn't do it at all!" Twilight replied as she shook her head, "My power is not that strong to teleport us to Hope Hollow!" "Then... how did we get here so fast?" Scootaloo asked, rubbing her head in confusion. "Sounds like a mystery!" Apple Bloom exclaimed. "And you know how we solved some mysteries before!" Sweetie said with a wink. "I know what you mean, Sweetie Belle." Nyx giggled. "Just the same as Rarity solved a couple of mysteries herself, and so did Twilight!" Pinkie added with a smile. "As fun as that sounds, we shouldn't forget the reason we dropped by here." Twilight reminded the CMC and Pinkie. "Right. We gotta see the new theater!" Starlight agreed. Spike noticed a nearby pony and walked up to him. “Hey there. You know where that new movie theater is?” "Why, yes. The new movie theater is right ove--" The pony started as he turned towards Spike, but he cut himself off when he saw the group and recognized a few of its members as he gasped. "Oh my gosh! It's you! The Mane Six!" “Yeah. It’s us.” Twilight replied with a nod. "Hey, everypony!" The pony called out, "The Mane Six are here!" This announcement got the attention of almost all the residents in Hope Hollow. They almost immediately gathered around them as they cheered for the Mane Six, welcoming them. Spike smiled to Twilight, “Guess you guys built a big reputation here, huh?” "We sure did, Spike," Twilight said proudly. "Princess Twilight!" The group turned to see the source of the voice; the Mayor of Hope Hollow, Sunny Skies, along with his marefriend-now-wife, Petunia Petals. "It's so good to see you and your friends again!" “Good to see you too, Mayor Sunny!” Pinkie replied ecstatically, shaking his hoof. "And it looks like you brought some more friends with you!" Petunia said upon noticing Spike, Ben, Nyx, and the rest of the group. "Yep! This is Spike, my coltfriend Ben Valorheart, my adopted daughter Nyx, and Phobos the Moon Dragon." Twilight said as she introduced them. “‘Sup?” Spike replied with a wave. "Hey there." Ben greeted with a smile. "Hi!" Nyx said as she waved. "Yo!" Phobos greeted. "This is mah little sister, Apple Bloom." Applejack introduced Apple Bloom. "Howdy!" Apple Bloom greeted. "This is Sweetie Belle, my little sister." Rarity introduced Sweetie Belle. "Hi!" Sweetie greeted with a cute smile. Rainbow pulled Scootaloo next to her. “This little squirt is Scootaloo.” "Hiya!" Scootaloo said with a wave. "My name is Starlight Glimmer." Starlight introduced herself. "I am the Great and Powerful Trixie!" Trixie bragged. "And this is Toola Roola and Coconut Cream." Starlight introduced the two foals in question, who waved at Sunny. "Nice to meet all of you," Sunny Skies replied happily, "So what brings all of you here to Hope Hollows?" "We all heard that there's a new theater in town," Twilight said. "Ahhh, the Grand Palace Cinema!" Sunny said with a knowing smile, "Yes, it opened just a few hours ago after a generous donation by a new friend who owns the place." "We all pitched in to help him build it," Petunia added. "Especially me!" Torque Wrench added with pride. “We’d just heard about it not too long ago thanks to Nyx and her friends,” Fluttershy replied, gesturing to the filly in question. "Oh, good!" Sunny exclaimed with joy, "The word must've quickly spread to Ponyville just as our new friend said it would!" Twilight looked curious, “Oh? Who’s this new friend?” "Why, he's the owner of the Grand Palace Cinema!" Kerfuffle said with a grin. "He's as smart as all get out!" Moody Root remarked. "Oh, he's amazing!" Pickle Barrel added. "He's magical!" Barley Barrel said. "And... he wants to meet you!" Sunny said. “RIGHT NOW?!” Pinkie exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement. "Yes, right now!" Petunia replied with a nod. “What’re we waiting for?! LET’S GO!!!” Pinkie shouted in excitement, practically picking up her friends in her excitement. "Follow us!" Sunny said as he and Petunia headed off in a particular direction, and the group began following them. On their way to the Grand Palace Cinema, everyone minus the Mane Six looked about their surroundings in absolute awe and amazement. Everything looked so peaceful and literally colorful to them. It was practically breathtaking. "This place is beautiful!" Nyx cried. "Look at all the colors!" Apple Bloom exclaimed excitedly. Sweetie squealed as she cheered, "I'm in color heaven!" Spike was amazed himself. “It’s almost like a living rainbow.” "Wait till Sunburst sees this!" Starlight exclaimed. "And Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, too!" Scootaloo remarked with a grin. "Not to mention the students at the School of Friendship!" Trixie added with a smile. "Especially Sunburst, Ocellus, Yona, Gallus, Silverstream, and Smolder!" Apple Bloom finished. "Don't forget about Black Belle, Shadow Storm, and Violet Shiver!" Pinkie said with a wink. "And our Ponyland friends! Great Grandma Megan and King Spykoran are in for a surprise when they see them!" Nyx said happily. “Here we are!” Upon hearing Sunny's announcement, the group looked up and gasped in amazement. What they saw before them was the Grand Palace Cinema. But unlike any movie theater they had seen, this particular one looked nothing like a theater. In fact, it actually resembled a castle straight out of a fairy tale. The bricks at the base were gray while the rest of the walls were colored cream. The roofs on the spires were blue while the tallest one's roof was golden. "That's the Grand Palace Cinema?!" Ben asked in amazement. "It's gigantic!" Twilight gasped. "It's huge!" Rainbow exclaimed. "It's gi-huge-ic!" Pinkie remarked in amazement. "You said it!" Applejack agreed. “It looks almost like a castle!” Spike said in awe. "Not even Princess Celestia and Luna have ever heard of this!" Starlight commented. "If you think the outside is amazing, wait till you see the inside!" Petunia said to the group with a wink. “Well, what’re we waiting for?!” Rainbow asked in excitement. Then the group headed towards the big red castle doors, where two unicorn guards dressed in armor the same color scheme as Rainbow Dash's were standing. "Welcome to the Grand Palace Cinema." The two guards greeted in unison. “Thank you,” Twilight greeted with a bow. "The master has been expecting you." One of the two guards spoke. “So we’ve been told.” "Then guards, if you kindly open the doors for our guests, they shall go see the owner of the Cinema," Sunny said. "Of course, Mayor Sunny Skies." The second guard said with a bow. With that, using their unicorn magic, the guards opened the big red castle doors behind them. Once it was done, the guards spoke to the group in unison, "The master will see you now. Enter as you please." The group then entered through the doors and they looked about the lobby in awe. The lobby was like the court of a castle, but with the front desk, ticket booth, and concession stand of a movie theater. Along the walls, posters for all types of films were on display. Colorful banners hanging on the ceiling decorate the place along with a stained glass window that gave a rainbow light from the sun shining through it. "Even the interior of the cinema is beautiful!" Rarity gasped. Spike was practically hypnotized by the look of the interior. “It sure is…” "Shining Armor, Princess Cadance, and Flurry Heart would never believe this!" Twilight remarked in amazement. "And neither would Grandma Celestia and Princess Luna!" Nyx added. "We better stick together." Ben suggested, "Don't wanna get lost in a big place like this." "You're right, Ben." Twilight said, "We gotta find the owner of the Grand Palace Cinema." “But where do we start to find him?” Applejack inquired. Just then, Apple Bloom noticed something that made her gasp in surprise. She turned to her sister as she said, "Hey, Applejack, look!" What she pointed at was a spotlight shining on an area and a set of doors opening within the area. “What’s the matter, Apple Bloom?” "There are some doors opening by themselves!" "What?!" Twilight asked in surprise as she turned her head towards the direction Apple Bloom was pointing at. "Apple Bloom's right! Look!" Toola gasped as she and the other foals saw the doors now fully open. "Those doors are opening by themselves!" Coconut said, "Either they're automatic, or they're opening by magic!" "Nonetheless, that's a good place to start." Starlight remarked. “Come on,” Twilight urged the others as she headed for the doors. "Right behind you, Twilight," Rainbow said as she and the rest of the group followed Twilight to the open doors. After getting in the doors, the group was looking about in awe again, for inside was a majestic auditorium with rows of seats everywhere. The auditorium even had a mezzanine hanging over part of the general seating area. A huge golden curtain with a red lining on the bottom was seen down the front. “Wow… this looks amazing!” Fluttershy spoke in amazement. Twilight scanned the auditorium for any pony else. “Yeah, but there’s no pony else in here…” "Come in. Come in, my little ponies." A mysterious voice spoke, getting the attention of the group. “Huh? Who said that?” Rainbow asked, looking around frantically. "Don't be frightened, Rainbow Dash." The mysterious voice said, "I've been waiting for you, and your friends." Twilight took her turn to speak. “Are you the owner of this theater?” "That's correct, Princess Twilight." The voice replied. Then the curtain raised up to reveal a theater screen with a stage and stairway. On the stage was the source of the mysterious voice: a dark blue unicorn stallion about Princess Celestia's height with blue eyes, and a purple mane and tail whose style is equal to that of the pompous Prince Blueblood. He wore a dark violet cloak with a magenta braid along the turned-up collar. A purple sash is wrapped around the chest area. “Oh. Hello there,” Twilight greeted, a smile suddenly on her face, “You must be the owner of this theater.” "Indeed I am." The unicorn spoke in a wise and kind tone, "My name is Bethesda. Welcome to my theater." "Bethesda," Nyx spoke, repeating the name to herself. "Interesting name. Is that mystic?" "You could say that, yes," Bethesda replied with a nod. "Right. My name is Twilight Sparkle...." Twilight started. "Yes, I've heard of you, Miss Sparkle," Bethesda spoke as he interrupted. "I also know of your friends, their exploits, their past, present, and futures." "Really?" Trixie asked eagerly. "What does the future hold for Trixie?" "Well, if I tell you that, it wouldn't come true, would it Miss Lulamoon?" “…touché,” Trixie replied. "So... if you know about our pasts, you even know about me?" Nyx asked in wonder. "Yes, Nyx." Bethesda replied, "You are Nightmare Moon resurrected as a filly. However, after some problems with a cult, you changed for the better, deciding to become Nyx once and for all, and as 'punishment' for your actions, even though you defended Equestria from creatures of the Everfree Forest- which gave you your Cutie Mark, you became the daughter of Princess Twilight Sparkle, and ever since then, you've been living together like a happy family." "Wow!" Nyx exclaimed in amazement and disbelief. Bethesda really does know everything about her! "He's good!" Scootaloo remarked. Spike excitedly came up, “Can you tell me about my past? Before I got adopted into Twilight’s family?” "Your grandfather is the original Spike, the first one to become friends of the ponies," Bethesda recalled correctly. "Your uncle was another Spike who is living with another set of ponies." "AKA the ponies of Gen 3." Pinkie spoke happily to the camera. "Collect them all!" Applejack looked to the 'fourth wall' in confusion, then back to Pinkie. “Who ya talkin’ to, Sugarcube?” "To the people watching this." Pinkie spoke happily. "Including JusSonic who is writing this. And this, and this, and this. Oh! And JediPony just wrote what you just said AJ!" “Anyways, we were surprised that news of this theater spread so quickly,” Twilight said, turning back to Bethesda. "That's because I used my magic throughout Hope Hollow and any area close to it, including Ponyville, to post advertisements about my new theater," Bethesda explained. "Hmm... I see." Twilight said in intrigue. "And speaking of quickly and magic," Bethesda added, "I bet you're wondering about how you were brought to Hope Hollow in only an hour instead of having a very long flight to nightfall." “Now that you mention it, yes. We are.” Fluttershy replied, still baffled by how they got there so quickly. "As a matter of fact," Bethesda gave a chuckle before he continued, "I teleported you here." "No way!" Rainbow exclaimed in disbelief. "That's really advanced magic!" Rarity remarked. "I mean, I've teleported myself and Spike before, but the longest range I went was from an alley in Ponyville to the old library," Twilight added, putting a hoof to her chin. "Well, I guess you could say I've studied magic for a very long time." Bethesda said, "Even under Star Swirl the Bearded." Twilight gasped at the mention of Star Swirl the Bearded. She had always seen the great unicorn as a role model and a lifelong hero and to hear Bethesda mention that name made her light up like a candle. The lilac alicorn quickly zipped over to the stallion with the widest smile on her face as her eyes sparkled. "YOU STUDIED UNDER STAR SWIRL HIMSELF?!?!" She asked excitedly. "Yes, I did." Bethesda said proudly, "The trials were hard, but I'm as great at them as you are at your spells." "Thank you, Mr. Bethesda," Twilight responded, feeling very humbled. "I was saddened when he and the rest of the Pillars of Equestria sacrificed themselves to seal the Pony of Shadows to limbo." Bethesda explained, "But then, you and your friends freed them from limbo along with the Pony of Shadows, whom you reformed and freed Stygian. For this, I am eternally grateful." "It was nothing," Rainbow replied as if it was no big deal. Applejack took her turn to speak. "I gotta say, this theater looks different from any other theater I've seen." "Your words are as honest as you are, Applejack." Bethesda remarked, "The Element of Harmony fit for an Apple pony." Applejack smiled with pride as the stallion unicorn continued, "Indeed, this theater is not like any other theater, not only because it's designed to look like a castle. This is no ordinary theater. It's a magic theater!" "Magic?" The CMC asked in unison and amazement. "Yes, Cutie Mark Crusaders. Magic." Bethesda replied. He motioned to the big movie screen as he spoke, "The screen you see right here is not just a mere screen. It's also a magic portal into the movie." "A magic portal?" Starlight asked in wonder. Everypony, Spike, and Phobos looked amazed to hear that. Never before had they ever heard of a movie theater where the screens could act as portals into any film. But now that they had, the whole idea seemed very intriguing to them. "How do we know it's true, and what it's like?" Ben asked in curiosity. "I'm glad you asked, Ben." Bethesda replied, "Your first experience shall be in the film here." “You mean we literally get to go inside the movie?” Spike asked in astonishment. "Exactly," Bethesda confirmed with a nod. Twilight suddenly looked concerned, “I just hope us being in the movies won’t cause too much interference with the stories.” "Do not worry, Twilight." Bethesda said, "It won't cause interference with the stories at all. It's not time travel, you know. In fact, there are certain movies that will need some changes for the better." “Changes?” Fluttershy repeated in curiosity. "For instance, if you want to see karma happen to an antagonist who gets away scot-free, do something," Bethesda explained. "Oh, like if we were in a bad movie like Manos, where the Master made Michael his slave as well as making Margaret and Debbie his wives, and Debbie is a little kid, which is reeeallly gross?" Pinkie asked randomly. "And we can make sure he's punished???" The others looked oddly....as well as uneasy by the last part. "Yes, sure, why not?" Bethesda remarked with a shrug. "But lucky for everycreature, there are no bad movies in my theater. Not even Manos: The Hands of Fate." "Thank goodness. Let the guys at Rifftrax handle them." Pinkie spoke happily. "Let us handle the goody-good movies." "And the movies that Toonwriter picked," Nyx added. "Okay, then. Let's begin, shall we?" Bethesda spoke with a smile. "The movie you are about to enter is something I know you will like, Miss Sparkle." “Really? What is it?” Twilight asked, raising an eyebrow. "It's called The Pagemaster," Bethesda replied, "And it has one thing I know that you're very fond of... books." “What, is it about books that come to life?” Spike couldn’t help but jokingly ask. "As a matter of fact, it has a couple of those," Bethesda replied. “… huh.” Spike managed. "So, Twilight, Ben Valorheart, Nyx, Phobos, Spike, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, step on stage and get ready to start your first film adventure," Bethesda instructed them. "What about us?" Apple Bloom asked. "Yeah, we wanna go, too!" Scootaloo complained. "Don't you worry, my little ponies." Bethesda said, "There is a special part arranged for the rest of you." “There is?” Sweetie asked, going doe-eyed. "Absolutely." Bethesda nodded in reply, "You'll find out what it is soon enough. Until then, you can take your seats and watch the film." "Oh, I can't wait!" Toola cried eagerly. "I don't know what the part is gonna be like, but I have a feeling we're gonna love it." Starlight remarked with a smile. Doing as instructed by the theater owner, Twilight, Ben, Spike, Nyx, Phobos, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow, Rarity and Fluttershy stepped onto the stage. While some of them seemed hesitant at first, they were willing to oblige. “Is… is it going to hurt?” Fluttershy inquired nervously, “Us going into the movie, I mean.” "Fluttershy, you won't feel a thing," Bethesda assured the shy pegasus. "O-Okay," Fluttershy said with a nervous nod. The ten got to the front of the movie screen and faced it for a moment. "Now what?" Rainbow asked. "Step through the movie screen," Bethesda explained. Hesitantly, Twilight reached her hoof towards the screen. To her surprise, along with everycreature else new to the theater, her hoof went through the screen in the same manner as when she first entered the magic mirror to the human world. “Hang on, shouldn’t we wait for the movie to start before we enter?” Spike asked hesitantly. "As a matter of fact, when the movie starts, that's when you enter," Bethesda replied. The young dragon smiled, “Cool.” "So when does the movie start?" Nyx asked. "Right about... now," Bethesda said as the lights began to dim. And just as soon as the lights dimmed, the projector in the booth began to roll. As the countdown on the screen began going down from '5' while Starlight, Trixie, and the foals took their seats, Twilight turned back towards it as she took a deep breath before she said, "Let's go, guys." Then, as the countdown went to '1', the ten slowly walked through the glowing movie screen. Fluttershy was one of the last ones to enter the screen. Despite Bethesda telling her it would be safe, the magenta-maned pegasus was still very hesitant. Just then, she felt a hoof wrap around her shoulder and she saw it was Applejack, giving her a reassuring smile. “C’mon, Sugarcube. We got this.” The farm pony said to her timid friend. Feeling comforted at this, Fluttershy smiled before nodding, and then the two followed their friends into the screen. "You be careful, guys. And good luck!" Starlight said. And so, the adventure of our Equestrian friends has begun. And there you have it, the prologue of my first ever Filmatic Escapade. I'd like to thank JediPony and JusSonic for helping me in co-writing on this. I'm so excited about making this series because this is gonna be loads of fun! Keep watching for more chapters on Filmatic Escapades!