Fluttersized

by Barrobroadcaster


Alternate Chapter 6: Big Idea

"WHO DOST THOU THINK THOU IS ADDRESSING US IN SUCH A MANNER?!" Nightmare Moon said, assuming the Royal Canterlot Voice. Fluttershy continued backing away from the transformed princess. Even in her altered gray state, she was having second thoughts about taunting the princess.

"You want to see a sizing spell? Allow me to demonstrate!!" Nightmare's horn discharged a pitch-black beam of energy at Fluttershy. It hit the gray pegasus square in the head and exploded around her in a flash of light. When the light cleared, Fluttershy remained the same size.

"What?!"

"Ha-ha!" Fluttershy laughed at Nightmare Moon's failed attempt to return her to normal. She got up and started walking off into the city.

"What is going on here? Why did the counterspell not work?" Luna asked in disbelief as she watched the giant pegasus tromp off. "Where do you think you're going?! Get back here!" she shouted and flew off to follow her.

Meanwhile, at a nearby cafe...

"Michael? Michael!"

"What?" asked director Michael Hay as he gazed out the window, lost in thought. He was sitting at a table in the Clover Cafe eating lunch with his producer.

"Michael, we need to talk about your last movie, "Transformares". You spent over five-hundred thousand bits on effects alone and you broke every tripod on the set."

Michael turned to his producer. "You see this cutie mark? It's an explosion. What do you think that means?"

The producer sighed. "Mike, you don't have to remove ALL the effects, I'm just saying you need to tone it down a little. The studio can't afford all these bits Michael."

"Everypony loves explosions! The more the better I say! How can that philosophy not work? People argue about good and bad stories alike, plot's never perfect. But I've never met a pony who could argue when something blew up." Michael banged a mug on his desk for emphasis.

The producer could tell he wasn't getting through to him. "You need SOME story in your films, I mean... Steve? George? Back me up here?" he asked over his shoulder to two ponies sitting at the table behind them.

The two stallions looked up from their meal. "Well, I enjoyed Transformares but I agree. Sometimes you need to focus a little more on plot rather than action." said director Steven Spielbuck.

"Effects are a good thing, the right effects at the right time can create a truly amazing moment but it can't compensate for lack of story. The most important thing I directors need to focus on right now is continuity." said George Lucolt.

"George, aren't you working on "Star Mares Episode Seven?" the producer asked.

"Well, I'm writing on it but Disneigh's taking over most of the work. We're also working on the new Daring Do movies."

"I don't understand what you mean. I mean, look at Neighmes Cameron. Appletar was incredibly effects driven. Star Trot , most of his movies are effects driven. And hasn't it been like, forty years since you made a Daring Do movie?" Michael asked.

"Well, yeah but it follows the same story line." Steven said.

"You see Michael? Continuity. That's what your films need more of." the producer said. Michael looked outside the window of the cafe again. Michael thought he heard something, like hammer in the distance striking something repeatedly. The noise became louder. The ground began to shake underneath them, the silverware on the table began to jump.

"What's going on? Earthquake?" the producer asked. Michael looked out the window again to see the enormous gray hooves of a beast walking by, each of its legs shook the ground as it strode through the city.

"What is that?!" the producer asked, still sitting. The monster passed the Clover Cafe and continued down the street. Michael got up from the table and trotted outside. He looked around and immediately got an idea.

"Does anypony have a camera?!" Michael shouted as his head twisted back and fourth.

"Oh no, I see where you're going with this Mike." the producer said as he exited the cafe.

"This is perfect! A movie about a giant monster! I've got to call the studio! We'll call it something simple..." Michael looked at the sign above the Clover Cafe. "Cloverfield? Hmm." he thought to himself.

"You still owe the studio for the tripods you ruined. How are you going to shoot this thing?"

"We don't need tripods! We'll get Shakey to do it." Michael began trotting down the street.

"Shakey? But he can't hold a camera! He's always shaking!" the producer called after him.

"That's the point!" Michael called as he turned a corner. The producer sighed heavily and went back inside the cafe and sat down next to George and Steven.

"He wants to make a giant monster movie now. This is going to be wonderful." the producer said sarcastically.

"I think it could be a good idea if he puts some effort into making a good story." Steven remarked.

"Well, when the audience sees a story about a giant monster, they usually expect it to be a little on the cliche side and focus less on plot. I mean, look at Trotzilla." George said. The producer agreed but for some reason, he still had a bad feeling about Cloverfield.