Rainbow Dash touched down near the centre of Ponyville. It was early afternoon on her day off, normally the rainbow maned pony would be napping somewhere around town at about this time. Today however, the death defying mare had a rendezvous scheduled at a fancy cafe in town. Dash looked around and was surprised to see Twilight Sparkle approaching the cafe with her saddlebags strung over her back.
“Hey Twi. What are you doing here? Did you get one of those mysterious letters too?”
Twilight nodded and magicked an envelope out from her saddle bag. She removed the paper inside and unfolded it to show to Rainbow Dash.
Meet me at La Trotaria cafe at one pm on August the 23rd. I promise you won't be disappointed. BB
“Do you know who BB is?” Rainbow Dash asked, pointing at the signature on the paper.
“No idea.” Twilight responded.
“Hey Dash, Hey Twi.” A voice with a familiar southern drawl called out. “What are you two doin here?” Applejack trotted up to her two friends.
“Did you get one of these letters?” Twilight held up the paper to Applejack.
“Ah sure did, wait, you two got the same letter?”
The two ponies nodded.
“Any idea who this BB person is?” Applejack asked.
“Haven't got a clue.” Rainbow responded.
“I take it you each received one of those mysterious letters also?”
The three ponies turned to face the new voice. Rarity approached them, wearing a large luxurious hat, with Pinkie Pie in tow.
“Oh my gosh!” Pinkie cried out, “Maybe it's some sort of super secret surprise party?!”
“Well we haven't got a clue what it is.” Twilight said. “Do you know who this BB pony is?”
“I'm afraid I don't Twilight dear. I assumed it was some secret admirer of mine, but it seems I was wrong if all of you received the same letter.”
“Oh... you got a letter to?” A meek voice asked. Fluttershy hovered over to her group of friends and touched down gently. “I'm glad you're all here. I was afraid of coming by myself so I hid over In the bushes there to see who showed up. I didn't want to meet a new pony all by myself, it seemed so scary.”
“So wait, no pony knows the identity of this mysterious BB pony?” Rarity asked.
Her five friends shook their heads.
“Ladies! Ladies!” A stallion's voice called out from nearby.
The six ponies turned to face the owner of the voice. They saw a stallion approaching them. He was a white coated unicorn, wearing a red beret that covered most of his short cropped blue mane. His eyes were hidden behind the round lenses of a pair of sunglasses. The pony wore a multicolored shirt with crazy patterns sewn into it. As he approached the group, they saw that his cutie mark seemed to be a film reel.
“I hope I didn't keep you gorgeous ladies waiting too long.”
“Uhh, are we supposed to know you?” Rainbow Dash asked, one eye cocked.
“That's... That's... That's...” Rarity stammered, unable to find the words.
“Well I see one of you knows me. The name's Block Buster, but you can call me Buster.” The stallion held out a hoof.
“BB... Block Buster. As In the famous movie director?” Twilight asked.
“The very same.”
“Well howdy Mr Buster.” Applejack accepted Buster's extended hoof and shook it vigorously. “What's a big Applewood type pony like you doing in Ponyville?”
“Well I'm here to make you all an offer. But we can discuss that more over lunch. My treat.”
“Oh my gosh I can't believe it!” Rainbow Dash squeeled, “Having lunch with Block Buster! And HE'S paying!”
“Actually it's coming out of the budget for my new film. 'The Elements of Harmony'.”
“Elements of Har...Har...Har...” Rarity stammered. “Rainbow Dash catch me!” Rarity swooned and fainted. The rainbow maned mare leaped under her unicorn friend just in time to stop her hitting the ground, ending up pinned beneath the unconscious white unicorn.
“That happens a lot.” Block Buster commented with a grin.
“Eeeeee! We're going to be in a film, we're going to be FAMOUS!” Pinkie Pie shouted out, gaining the attention of some of the cafe patrons.
“Actually,” Buster responded, “We're going to get professional actors to play your parts, but yes, you will be famous. Look, how about we order some salads and cider and I'll tell you all about it.”
“Sounds.... uhhh, good to me.” Rainbow struggled to say as she attempted to move the unconscious unicorn off her back. The rainbow maned mare collapsed to the ground finally under Rarity's weight. “Can someone... give me a hoof?”
-----
The group of ponies sat around a specially reserved table near a large window. Rarity had regained consciousness earlier, and the seven ponies enjoyed their lunches as Block Buster explained the situation to them.
“So let me get this straight,” Twilight said, “You're going to pay for us to go to Applewood... THE Applewood, where we will stay in a luxurious villa, with servants tending to our very whim, and on top of that you're going to PAY us, for FIVE months, so that we can help you make this film.”
“That's about the gist of it.” Buster said, resting his empty glass on the table. “We want this film to be authentic, we want to tell the TRUE story of the elements of harmony. About how you six saved Equestria from Nightmare Moon.”
“Ah don't know.” Applejack said cautiously, “This all sounds a little to good to be true.”
“Applejack, babe, if this movie goes as well as I hope it does, we're gunna be rollin in bits, I think the studio can afford to put you and your friends up for a few months.”
“Ah still don't know, Granny Smith always said if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.”
“Applejack, dear,” Rarity said, “It's Los Pegasus, the city of angels. Bits flow freely in a place like that, it's not so unbelievable that a big time movie producer would be willing to shower us with luxury to make their film.”
“Yeah, lighten up AJ,” Rainbow Dash added, “It's time we finally started getting rewarded for all the times we've saved the world.”
“And think of all the PARTIES!” Pinkie added, giggling. “Movie Premieres, Applewood shindigs, red carpet socials, ooohh it's going to be sooo much fun!”
“Ah still don't know about this, what about you Fluttershy?” Applejack adressed the timid, yellow pegasus.
“Well ummm, I can't go. I mean, I can't leave all my little animal friends here for that long.”
“Take them with you.” Block Buster suggested. “The villa has a massive garden, there's probably enough room to keep a bear.”
“Well I do have a bear.”
“There you go, no need to leave all yer little critters behind.”
“Well what about you Twi?” Applejack asked.
Twilight thought to herself for a moment before answering. “Well, I'll admit it does seem to good to be true. And I'd hate to leave Ponyville for such a long time.”
“Well there ya go,” Applejack said smugly.
“On the other hand...” Twilight continued, “I've wanted to go to Los Pegasus since I was a little filly, and you guys will all be there with me. Oh wait, what about Spike? My dragon assistant? Can he come. He's in Canterlot now but he'll be back in a week or so.”
“You uh.... you have a dragon?” The smile left Block Buster's face for the first time that day.
“He's just a baby dragon, he doesn't take up much room.”
“Well, he can come to. Don't see any reason why not. The villa has eight bedrooms.”
“Weeeeeell...”
“Come on Applejack!” Rainbow Dash pleaded, “We're talking about a villa! In Applewood, Los Pegasus! We're never going to get another opportunity like this! EVER!”
“Well alright, if you guys want it so much, ah geuss I'll come with, seeing as Apple Bucking season is over anyway. But I'm only coming so ah can keep you girls outta trouble.”
“Good enough for me,” Buster said, “Well since it seems like we're all agreed I geuss I can start making arrrangements, A carriage will be around to pick you up about midday, thursday, you should be in Applewood by friday morning.”
“That soon?” Twilight responded.
“Aha, we wanna get the ball rolling on this film, our release date is already set and we've got a lot of work to do. Anyway ladies.” Buster stood up and pulled a cheque out of his shirt pocket. “I believe this will cover lunch, and I will see you in Applewood on friday!”
“This is going to be SO. MUCH. FUN!” Pinkie Pie exclaimed.
-----
Thursday eventually arrived, though for some of the girls, rarity in particular, it seemed like a lifetime worth of waiting. The carriage arrived at each pony's house one at a time. The carriage itself was quite a surprise. Each of the six friends had been expecting a small, if luxurious, carriage, instead they got a white, glossy monstrosity, easily eight meters long, and drawn by a team of twelve, massive pegasus stallions, with a similarly sized but less luxurious carriage behind them intended for Flutterhy's pets.
The carriage picked each girl up one by one, and eventually made it's way to Los Pegasus. Twilight had made arrangements for Spike to meet her in Los Pegasus in a few days. The ride was a comfortable one to say the least. The carriage came complete with two small televisions, a mini bar, and bunks for the girls to sleep in. Though all of the mares, Applejack included, were far too excited to get any sleeping done. As the sun rose over the horizon, bringing a new day, the carriage finally touched down in Los Pegasus, and the girls disembarked.
It was everything they had dreamed of. Sunny Skies, palm trees, and the famous Applewood sign clearly visible in the distance. Luxurious carriages sped past on the road next to the parking lot that the girls had arrived in. Block Buster and some other ponies were there to meet them, standing next to a smaller, ponyless carriage.
“Welcome to Los Pegasus! City of Angels!” Block Buster called out, “I hope your ride was comfortable?”
“Ummm, excuse me, but... where have my pets gone?” Fluttershy asked, concerned for her animals' welfare.
“They've been taken ahead to the villa. But I want to show you girls around the studio before you go there yourselves, and to start getting your story down on paper. Time is money in Applewood. Come on, the studio's not far from here.”
The pony's all piled into the smaller, open top carriage. To their surprise, it ran on electric power, rather than good old fashioned pony power. The engine whirred as the carriage moved out onto the road and made it's way to the studio.
“Welcome to Warner Sister's studios.” Block Buster announced as the carriage passed a security checkpoint and made it's way into the massive studio complex. The girls noticed that electric carriages like the one they were riding in were quite common within the studio complex, ferrying ponys in all sorts of crazy outfits between the massive buildings. “This is the place where dreams are made and the stars get paid. There's sound stage B, the original Bat Mare was filmed in there.”
“I loved that film!” Rainbow Dash cried out.
“There's the Warner Sister's studio cafeteria, where the stars take their lunch breaks.”
“They must have some mighty fine eats in there.” Applejack commented.
“And there's the OOF!” The carriage halted suddenly, causing Buster to lose his footing.
“Hey! Watch where yer goin!” A gruff voice called out.
The ponies in the carriage could see a group of stallions and mares, dressed in battle fatigues and kevlar vests, running across the street towards the cafeteria, one of them glaring at the carriage driver as they moved.
“Those would be extras from one of our upcoming films.” Block Buster said, pulling himself back onto his seat, “Well no harm done, keep driving. Anyway, there's one of our special effects sheds, that one specialises in water effects.”
“You have a whole building just for water effects?” Twilight asked, intrigued.
“No expense is spared to put that last bit of polish on one of our films.” Block Buster responded with a smile. “And here comes the stage we'll be filming on, sound stage E.”
The electric carriage drove up and parked next to the massive shed.
“Let's head on in.” Buster said as he disembarked.
The ponies entered the hangar, and stared in awe at the massive empty space within.
“This is where we'll be spending most of the next five months, of course it'll look much nicer once we dress it up a bit. Take a seat.” Block Buster gestured towards a round table and some cushions that had been set up In the corner.
“I wanna start getting your story down right now, as I said, we're putting a burner under this one, I want in less than twelve months. So, tell me EVERYTHING! Starting from you being sent to Ponyville Twilight. And right up until you defeated Nightmare Moon.”
Another pony entered the sound stage, a pink coated unicorn mare with a curled yellow mane. Her cutie mark depicted a quill. The mare approached the table and took out a stack of papers and a pen.
“This is Rose, don't mind her, she'll just be taking notes while you tell me your story. Now, why don't you start Twilight, and don't leave out anything.”
“Okay, well It was two days before the summer sun celebration...”
-----
“And then we threw a big party for princess Luna and every pony was as happy as could be!” Pinkie Pie finished the story with a massive smile on her face.
“Wow... just... wow.” Block Buster said, looking over at the massive pile of papers that contained notes on the girls first adventure.
Rose laid the pen down on the table and released it from her magical grip.
Buster looked down at his watch. “Well look at the time, we've been in here for hours. It must be dark outside by now.”
Rainbow Dash lifted her head from the table, “What? It's finished? We can go?”
Block Buster yawned. “Yes. We've done all the work we're going to do today. You girls can head outside to the carriage, the driver will know where to take you, and the butler at the villa will have a printed schedule for you.”
“Well, I for one look forward to getting this movie started.” Twilight said as she rose from her seat. “It's going to be SO exciting. Are we actually going to be on the movie set?”
“Of course,” Buster responded, “The producers want you there every step of the way, from start to finish.”
“Well, thanks for ya hospitality Mr Buster.” Applejack stood up also. “Yer a lot nicer than I expected from Applewood folks.”
“Not at all Applejack, it's a pleasure having you here in Los Pegasus.”
“I can't wait until tomorrow!” Rarity exclaimed. “Oh all the culture this city has! Fine restaurants, musical shows, luxury spas! I think I'm going to enjoy Los Pegasus.”
“Well if there's anything you need miss Rarity, simply ask one of the villa staff.”
The six friends all said their farewells as they left the sound stage, closing the door behind them.
“So...” Rose began after a few moments. “We're not really going to make a script out of this drivel are we?” She gestured towards the papers in front of her.
“Of course not Rose.”
“So what are we going to do?”
“Spruce it up abit, exaggerate some of the facts.”
“The producers are expecting an action film, I don't think a little exaggeration is going to cut it. I mean, the magic of friendship? Really? A manticore with a thorn in it's paw?”
“So exaggerate a lot! Do whatever you have to do to make an action film out of that train wreck. No, bad choice of words, a train wreck would have made a much better action film than this garbage. Just... feel free to take complete creative control of this project. It needs action, danger, suspense, sex...”
“Sex?” Rose raised one eyebrow.
“Find a love interest for one of them, I don't know, Twilight. If you can't find a love interest, MAKE a love interest. And we need to throw some explosions In there.”
“Explosions?”
“Look, you figure it out okay? I need a first draft in four weeks. We need to get this thing moving.”
“Four weeks is NOT enough time to write a story basically from scratch.”
“You're getting paid a lot for this Rose, whatever other projects you have, I suggest you set them aside, this is the only thing that matters, and you and I both know that both of our careers are on the line.”
Rose sighed, “Yes sir, I'll get it done.”
"I knew I could count on you Rose."