TV has an all time low of pony stars, Lauren is hired to get an all pony cast to change that.
TV always had humans with the occasional pony added to the show. Sometimes a show had no ponies added at all, resulting in having ponies as TV stars at an all time low. Other species even lower. An all pony show was tried multiple times and ended in failure because they weren't well made or thought out. People at Hasbro Studios wish to change that failed history, and hires Lauren Faust to create an all pony cast for a new TV show. Watch as the cast gets to know each other and become good friends on set, and off.
Hasbro Studios By Pen Brush Season 1 episode 0: Interviews
There are so many TV shows in the world today, and they all started as an idea in an office, this show started the same way, but a bit different. The office was light brown and had light filtering through it as two people sat on either side of a desk, one a woman and the other a man.
The redhead woman was the first to speak, “So, you want a show with just ponies instead of humans and ponies together or just a human show? That’s new.” she said.
The man sighed and rubbed his head, “I realize this, Lauren, this is a much better deal than the animated show you wished to make. All you have to do is find the cast for the main characters in an audition and be the executive producer of the show.” he said.
Lauren put a hand on her chin as she thought about the offer, “Alright I'll do it, I will find the ponies for the show.” she said after a minute.
“Thank you, my dear.” The man said smiling as Lauren walked out of his office.
Lauren sat at her desk and sighed sadly, having to turn down an actor from the element of kindness role. Alas a human trying out for a role that was only for ponies, as well as how she screamed and tried to hurt the mouse that Lauren had shown her, said everything.
She closed her eyes as the door slowly opened again only to feel something soft touch her leg a minute later. She opened her eyes and looked down to see who was touching her and smiled, seeing a small brown collie looking up at her.
“I’m sorry to say, but I don’t think you can have the part for this, even if you are cute.” Lauren said as she rubbed the dog’s head.
“Um...” A sudden quiet voice made Lauren look up at the door to see a butter yellow pegasus with a pink mane and butterflies for a cutie mark standing there with other animals, including a big brown bear and a ferret. “I’m sorry about Winona, she likes new ponies and people...” the pony explained as she looked at the floor and scuffed a hoof against it. Winona got off Lauren’s leg and walked back to the pony wagging.
Lauren smiled thinly as she looked at the bear, who stared intently at her as if waiting for her to do something before she looked back to the pony, “No harm done. So, what is your name?” she asked.
The pegasus looked back up from the floor, “Oh, I’m Fluttershy, and um, you can probably see that I love animals and I am a vet who works part time for an animal shelter that takes care of all animals, including endangered ones, and taking care of animals is my special talent so I thought that since you need kindness for that I would be good for this role, please.” Fluttershy said as she smiled cutely as she answered all the questions Lauren was going to ask her.
Lauren took another glance at the bear next to Fluttershy then smiled as she looked back to the pegasus, “I believe you have the part.” she said.
Fluttershy was overjoyed, ‘Oh yes! I am so happy I could shout!” she took in a big breath as Lauren watched, “Yay!” she yelled quietly before walking out the door with all of the animals except the bear. The bear stayed a second longer and smiled at Lauren, before leaving along with the others.
“...I am so magnificent you would be stupid to not hire me.” The blue unicorn with a blue magicians cape and hat proclaimed.
“Trixie.” Lauren said as she leaned over her desk on her elbow as she listened to the mare.
“Yes! The great and mighty Trixie shall be the best in the business!” The mare boasted.
Lauren sighed, “Trixie.” she said a little louder.
“I even vanquished a...shark!” Trixie shouted as fireworks suddenly went off behind her.
“Trixie!” Lauren shouted, startling the blue mare.
“What?” Trixie asked.
Lauren sighed and sat back in her chair, “Is this how you really act? A boastful liar?” she asked as she looked Trixie in the eye.
“Of course not...but what am I trying out for again?” Trixie asked, smiling awkwardly.
Lauren rubbed her head, “For a main character who is the element of magic.” she explained.
Trixie's eyes widened, “Oh...I thought I was trying out for one of the villains, I mostly specialize in villain acting and not the good guy, sorry!” Trixie said before running out of the room.
Lauren looked at where Trixie had ran off too, “I will see what I can do, now where is that pony Twilight Sparkle's number...” Lauren said to herself as she looked around for the number.
“Ok, so your name is Applejack, you're an apple seller, and you're a very stubborn pony, sometimes painfully so.” Lauren said as she looked at the orange earth pony, noticing her three apples cutie mark.
Applejack nodded, “Yes, that is correct, although I’m not an experienced actor, I think I can do this part of element of Honesty.” she said as she sat on the other side of the desk.
“Ok.” Lauren said nodding. “The catch about this role as a main character, specifically the element of Honesty, is that she is supposed to have a southern country accent because she is a farmer, so if you get this part you will have to buck trees and talk in an accent, do you think you can do that?” she asked.
Applejack paused, looking deep in thought for a second before she smiled, “Ah do believe ah can try ta do that Sugarcube.” she said.
“Welcome to the show then Applejack.” Lauren said as she shook Applejack’s hoof before she walked out the door.
Lauren stood at the refreshment table and watched as the set designers created the set for the first episodes. She was halfway through finding the main cast for the show and was already regretting it after so many interviews with so many different, candy colored ponies. She felt a tug on her pants and looked down to see a pink earth pony with a fluffy pink mane and blue and yellow balloons as a cutie mark. “Are you alright?” The pony asked, “You seem sad.”
Lauren smiled, ‘I’m fine, just a bit tired. I assume since you're here you want to try out for a part?” she asked.
“Oh yes, I was hoping to get any of the parts, maybe the element of generosity or the others, I am actually not really sure which to go for.” the pony said.
“Well, I don't know if the element of generosity would have party elements as a cutie mark, it all really depends. What is your name by the way, if I may ask.” Lauren asked, thinking about asking the producer about the specifics of cutie mark to element of harmony issue.
“My name is Pinkie Pie, and I think I can see how that might be a problem. I’ll go for laughter instead then, probably works better for a party planner like me anyway. Wanna hear a joke? Pinkie asked as she smiled widely.
Lauren shrugged, “Sure.” she said.
“Knock Knock.” Pinkie said.
“Who's there?” Lauren asked, smirking.
Who.” Pinkie said.
“Who who?” Lauren asked.
“Hello Mr. Owl!” Pinkie exclaimed before laughing loudly, getting Lauren to laugh as well.
“I needed that Pinkie, thanks, I got to get back to work now.” she said as she walked away and over to one of the set designers who was making sure the colored lights were working, “Tell the producer not to send anyone looking to be the element of laughter.” she instructed before continuing to walk back to her room.
“...Do you not think that the pony who should be playing the element of generosity should be beautiful and elegant?” The tall pink unicorn asked as she looked at her hoof.
“I don't think you understand the element Flur.” Lauren said uncertainly.
“Of course I understand it, I understand it a whole lot more then my only competition, if you can call her that, considering she is going to try a petty trick and bribe you with some gems. I will let you think about this and wait for you to call me.” Flur said as she opened the door with her magic and walked out with her muzzle held high, “Good luck.~” Lauren heard Flur say as a pure white unicorn with a purple mane and blue diamonds as a cutie mark walked in holding a basket full to the brim of blue gems in her magic.
The unicorn put the basket on Lauren’s desk before speaking, “Hello, my name is Rarity, and as you probably know by that lovely mare before, I am trying out for the element of generosity.” Rarity said a bit bitterly.
Lauren nodded and looked at the gems, “Where did you get these gems? Did they cost a lot?” she asked.
“Oh no no.” Rarity said as she shook her head, “I mined them, it took a bit of work but I wanted to give them to you as a present, it seemed like a nice thing to do, give extra gems to the person who might give me the job.” she said as she smiled.
“That does seem nice, but I don’t think I have a use for these to accept them.” Lauren said as she picked up a smooth gem from the basket.
Rarity waved a hoof, ‘It’s fine, consider it a gift to a friend.” she said.
Lauren put the gem back into the basket, “Alright, but what was with Flur saying that you were going to bribe me with them, because you seem like too nice a pony to do that.”
“Oh.” Rarity frowned, “She is my half sister, she will do anything to get something I want even if she doesn't want it. She thinks she is better then everypony and that she can get anything she wants, usually lying to get her way.” she said disgustedly.
“Well then, I don’t think she would be a very good element of generosity, now would she?” Lauren asked smiling.
“No, I do not think...Oh goodness, you're saying I have the part aren't you?” Rarity asked hopefully.
Lauren smiled, “Yep.” she said.
Rarity hopped from hoof to hoof in excitement, “Oh thank you, thank you, you have no idea how happy that makes me.” she said.
“No problem, you seem to fit the role better then your sister.” Lauren said.
Rarity walked behind the desk and hugged Lauren quickly before letting go and walking out of the room with a skip in her step and a huge happy smile on her face.
It was later in the day and Lauren was getting ready to head home for the night after she finished casting for the element of loyalty and decided a nice pegasus mare named Lightning Dust would be good for the part when a rainbow maned, cyan pegasus with a rainbow lightning bolt and cloud cutie mark quickly flew through the door.
The pegasus mane was messy and unbrushed as she stopped and looked at Lauren, ‘I’m sorry I’m late!” she exclaimed.
Lauren sighed, “I am sorry as well, you missed the auditions, you should have been here sooner because I already decided who to cast.” she said, deciding silently to herself to give this mare a chance and sat back down in her chair to hear what she had to say.
“I know, I know, I’m sorry but I was busy playing a videogame with my sister as I foalsat her for my parents and I promised her that I would play any game she wanted. I lost track of the time and it was late and I had to bring my sister Scootaloo with me because our parents hadn't gotten home yet.” The pegasus rambled quickly as she started to pant. Lauren looked over to the open door and saw a small orange pegasus with no cutie mark standing under the threshold of the doorway, fluttering her wings as she looked at the older pegasus.
“Lauren leaned back in her chair, “You promised your sister, Scootaloo, that you would play together and didn't abandon her at your house to come here to try out for a part you wanted. Do you always keep promises to others?” She asked, a small smile on her lips.
The pegasus nodded, “Yes, I never leave anyone or anypony hanging if I promise them something, that is totally not cool of others to do.” she said. Lauren saw out of the corner of her eye that Scootaloo had a knowing smile on her face, like she knew exactly what Lauren was doing to her older sister.
“Alright, and what is your name?” Lauren asked.
“Names Rainbow Dash, the best gamer in the world as well as the fastest pegasus to ever live!” Rainbow said.
Lauren nodded, “Well then Rainbow, welcome to the show.” she said.
Rainbows mouth dropped open and Scootaloo ran up to her and clung to Rainbow as she hugged her. Rainbow shook her head and smiled as she looked at her little sister and hugged back. Lauren stood up and walked to the door before looking back and smiling warmly, “Come back tomorrow and meet your castmates.” she said before continuing to walk away from the hugging sisters.
A purple unicorn mare with white saddlebags on and a six star cutie mark walked into the studio the next day reading the script in her magic for the first episode. She looked up from the script and saw the first set she would be in; tall blue towers next to a patch of bright green grass and a small brown tree. She sighed unhappily, knowing that she would be doing most of the show alone for the first episode.
“Oh hello,I assume you are Twilight?” a voice asked from behind the purple unicorn. She turned her head to look behind herself and saw a brown unicorn stallion with a scruffy short blue mane and tail, who was walking up to her. She noticed his cutie mark was a white megaphone.
“Yes, I’m Twilight, hello Mr...” Twilight said, hoping he would give his name.
The stallion smiled, “Director, my name is Director, nice to meet you Twilight. Now would you like to go and meet your co stars?” He asked.
Twilight shrugged and neatly put her script into her saddlebags, “Better now then later during the recording.” she said.
Director nodded, “Alright, thats good. They are already in a room getting to know one another. Follow me please Twilight.” he instructed as he walked in front of her.
Director led Twilight to a large brown wooden door with the word ‘Breakroom’ emblazoned in black in the middle of the wood.
Director turned to look at Twilight, “Well, here you are. I will leave you to get to know them.” he said as he walked away, leaving Twilight alone by the door.
Twilight sighed, wondering if it was a good idea for her to let her grandmother and great aunt to persuade her to try out for the part. Her horn glowed a light purple and the magic glow covered the doorknob completely as she opened the door and looked inside. What she saw inside the room confused her. The walls of the room were painted a light yellow, while the floor was a soft gray carpet. There was three big fluffy brown couches against the far wall, a shiny new computer and chair on the left side of the room, a white mini fridge between the middle and the right couch, A brown food table on a far wall, and a small brown fan on the ceiling. The contents of the room wasn't what confused her, it was the unprofessional looking ponies inside of the room that did.
A cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane and rainbow lightning strike with a cloud above it for a cutie mark was lying on the middle couch, playing on a blue gameboy, not paying any attention to anypony else in the room. An orange earth pony with three bright red apples for a cutie mark was standing next to the food table, watching with deep concern as a bright pink earth pony with a cutie mark of three balloons practically inhaling large amounts of candy and chocolates from the table.
In one of the corners of the room, a butter yellow pegasus with three pink butterflies as a cutie mark was sitting around different types of household animals, including a tortious, a white persian cat, and a small brown collie puppy. The last pony in the room was a pure white unicorn with three light blue diamonds as a cutie mark, lying on her side on the left couch, fast asleep with a small happy smile on her face as she dreamed.
Twilight slowly walked into the room and closed the door as she walked into the center of the room. Everypony except the sleeping unicorn turned their attention to her as she sat down.
“Hay.” the cyan pegasus said smiling.
“Hello, my name is Twilight Sparkle, its nice to meet you.” Twilight said.
The pegasus rolled on the couch and sat up, “That’s cool, I’m Rainbow Dash, I think the pink pony on a huge sugar rush is named Pinkie Pie, the sleeping unicorn I think is named Rarity or something along those lines.” Rainbow said, turning off her game boy and jumping off the couch to walk over to Twilight. “You also might want to be careful around the yellow pegasus over there, I heard she has a huge bear!” she exclaimed.
“Don't be so dramatic Rainbow.” The orange earth pony said as she walked hesitantly away from the visibly shaking Pinkie Pie and over to Twilight and Rainbow. “Fluttershy is a very nice pony, I don't think she would make her bear attack us. Anyway, it is nice to meet you, Twilight, I’m Applejack.” she said, shaking Twilights hoof.
“Good to meet you as well, now has anypony actually read or remembered the script yet?” Twilight asked.
Rainbow rolled her eyes, “There is time for that later, right now its time to enjoy ourselves right now.” she replied.
Twilight huffed, “We are going to be on set in a few hours, we have to rehearse!” she exclaimed.
“I have to agree, Rainbow, this is actually important.” Applejack said as she walked over to where Rarity was sleeping and took out an orange saddlebag out from behind her, before she pulled out her own script and walked back over to Twilight and Rainbow.
Rainbow frowned, “Fine, I guess we are going to practice.” she muttered as she took out her own script.
Halfway through practicing, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity who had finally woken up had joined in to read and remember their lines as well.
They were almost finished reading the script when a knock came at the door and Director walked in. “Its time to start recording the show, come on Twilight.” he said.
“Ok, I'll see you girls soon.” Twilight said as she followed Director out of the room.
Twilight was having a problem, and the camera wasn't even rolling yet. She held a book prop in her magic as she stood in the fake grass of the castle school set, “The book does not have words, at all, just pictures. How exactly am I supposed to read a book and make it believable with no words!” she yelled angrily.
Director sighed as the camera man paused the camera, “Twilight, you read the script, you know what you are supposed to be saying, the book does not matter.” he said.
“I know it doesn't matter, but it is the principle of the matter that it needs words!” Twilight exclaimed as she looked at the pages, “Also, these ponies look familiar...” she muttered.
“Can we please, just start, and stop worrying about the words, please?!?!” Director pleaded.
“Fine.” Twilight said as she lied down in the grass and opened the book as the camera started.
“Pinkie...” Director sighed, “That isn't in the script either, you aren't supposed to jump into the air and gasp when you meet Twilight.” he instructed.
Pinkie pouted, “But just walking over to her then running away without a sound isnt fun!” she said, shaking rapidly.
“Is she ok?” Director asked Twilight.
“I think she might still be on a sugar rush, I think we should just go with what she is doing.” Twilight suggested.
The dragon beside Twilight huffed, “Oh you think you could have said that sooner? We have been at this for an hour, doing the exact same thing, and now you say this!” he grumbled.
“I will admit that I should have said something sooner Spike, but I didn't expect it to take this long.” Twilight said.
Spike frowned, “I didn't think I would have to be hit in the face with a door multiple times by you either, but I guess we are both unhappy.” He said as the scene started again.
“Rainbow, you have seen her mane that way three times already, there is no need for a huge laugh attack like that.” A blond human named Jerry said as he stood in for Director, who was taking a short break.
“I didn't...mean to make it so...bad this time! Its like a bad guys evil chipmunk!” Rainbow said as she rolled around laughing on the ground.
Jarry sighed, “Now I know why Director took a break...” he said as someone brushed Twilight's mane to start the scene over.
“Darling, whatever happened to your...acho!” Rarity sneezed, causing the streamers in her magic to go flying.
“Bless you.” Twilight said as she got back into place for the next take.
“Is there a lot of dust in here? She has done that every take. How am I supposed to be in love with her and how will it be believable? Not even that pretty.” Spike grumbled.
Twilight looked worriedly at the prop tree that Fluttershy’s birds were perched on, “Are you sure these birds are tame?” she asked.
“Oh yes, completely tame.” Fluttershy said as the camera started rolling.
“These birds are not tame at all!” Twilight yelled, running in circles around the set as she got mercilessly attacked by ten different types of exotic birds.
“I’m sorry! They are just tired!” Fluttershy apologised as she tried to subdue her birds.
“Can someone tell me why we are doing this scene now if it shows up at the beginning?” Applejack asked as she stood next to a prop apple tree with buckets under it.
Director shrugged as he played with a megaphone, “It will be easy to edit the part into where we want it, also, it was hard to get so many ponies for your family at the time.” he said through the megaphone.
“You also somehow managed to get my cousin Applebloom.” Applejack said, looking over to the fake barn and waving when her cousin looked at her.
“Yep.” Director said. “You ready now?” he asked.
Applejack nodded, “Yes, I’m ready.” she said.
“I have been ready for an hour!” Spike yelled from the bottom of the hill set.
“Why did we pick a dragon?” Director muttered as the scene started.
Twilight flinched as Applejack continued to hit the tree with her back hooves, not getting anything to fall, “I don't think continually hitting the tree is going to help anything.” she said.
“The apples don't fall down! Fall down you stupid apples!” Applejack screamed as she kicked the tree.
Spike snorted, “Of course they are not falling, you're weak.” he said.
Applejacks eyes opened wide before turning into slits as she stared hard at the baby dragon, “What did you call me?” she asked.
Spike began to feel like he was going to regret saying that to Applejack, “You're weak, you are not strong.” he said again, with less vigor.
Applejack blinked at him then smiled angrily, “I'll have ya know that ma family has been doin apple buckin fer generations, ah am stronger ‘en you know.” she said, before kicking the tree hard and smiling as apples fell into the buckets.
“Well, that works too.” Twilight said as Spike stared at Applejack in terror.
“Pinkie.” Applejack said, “Did you replace the prop hot sauce filled with dyed water with real hot sauce?” she asked.
“She didn't look convincing, and it worked!” Pinkie replied.
Applejack sighed, “So you decided to burn her taste buds, as well as her insides, with burning hot liquid?” She asked. Pinkie shook her head and scuffed her hoof on the floor as Director walked over to the group.
“I think we are going to take a short break, I think you earned it for all that hard work, and that Twilight is a bit sick now...” He said.
“Thats a great idea!” Rainbow said as she flew quickly away to the break room, the others following behind.
“It occurred to me that we never actually got to know each other that well before we started recording for the show, so lets get to know each other a bit better.” Rarity suggested. “My normal job before this was that I was a miner and I kept half of what I found. I also developed a gem finding spell to help with what I do to make it easier.” she said.
“Sounds like a nice job.” Applejack said, “I’m an apple seller, so I’m not really that different from my character I guess.” she shrugged.
Rainbow rolled her eyes, “Those are interesting, but my job is awesome! I get money, by making Youtube videos!” she said proudly as she lied on the carpet.
Pinkie smiled happily as she hopped around Rainbow, “That does sound cool! I’m just a party planner.” she said.
“Ok?” Rainbow said uncertainly.
Rarity looked at Fluttershy, “What about you Fluttershy? What do you do for a living?” she asked.
Fluttershy smiled, ‘Oh, I’m a vet, I care for every animal big and small as well as help out part time at an animal shelter.” she said.
Rainbow looked at her curiously, “Have you ever made your bear attack anything?” she asked.
Fluttershy shook her head, “No, I would never ever let my animals hurt others!” she exclaimed.
A grunt came from the middle couch and all five ponies looked at it, “I am an astronomer, if anypony actually cares.” Twilight said, lying down on the couch as she held a bucket.
“Of course we care! Also, are you alright now?” Applejack asked.
Twilight sighed and got off of the couch, “I’m fine now I think, yes.” she replied.
“Sorry.” Pinkie said.
“Its alright, just...don't go and replace a prop again with a real thing ok?” Twilight asked.
“I promise.” Pinkie said.
Twilight smiled warmly, “Ok, lets practice reading the rest of the script again, then go back to recording, does that sound good to you?” she asked, getting nods from everypony else in the room.
Twilight stared incredulously at Nightmare Moon, “The bad guy is my great aunt and my grandmother is her princess sister?!” she exclaimed.
“Your relatives are Celestia and Luna? The raisers of the sun and the moon?” Rarity asked.
“Yes.” Twilight said.
“Why aren't you an alicorn like them then?” Rainbow Dash asked.
Twilight sighed, “The alicorn gene skips a generation...or two.” she said sadly.
Nightmare moon walked over to Twilight, “I should have told you we were in the show as well before making you try out.” she said.
“Its alright Luna, I am not mad, just really surprised.” Twilight said.
Pinkie laughed, “Well you learned after we finished the first episode about this, so you can talk about it once you leave for the day!” she said.
Luna smiled as she got out of her costume and spit out the fake teeth, “Well? What do you say Twilight? Want to talk about it as we walk home?” she asked as she draped a wing over Twilight.
Twilight took a deep breath before she answered, “Ok, I would like that. See you girls later.” she said as she walked away with Luna.
Director walked up to the others once Twilight had left, “Great work today girls, I will see you girls tomorrow so we can finish up the episode and start up on the second part of the pilot so we can actually put it on TV next week.” He said smiling, before he too walked away and let the girls quietly leave after saying their goodbyes to each other.
Over the course of the next few days, everypony read over the script and worked even harder to make everything work out with the recording sessions, with surprisingly very little mistakes compared to the first day they recorded.
“The night will last forev...oh.” Luna said as the fake fangs fell out of her mouth and landed on Spike’s head.
Spike looked up angrily from his place next to Twilight, “Come on!” he yelled, throwing the fangs off of his head.
Director stood terrified as he watched Fluttershy not do anything about the animal terrorizing everything and decided to get her to do something, “Fluttershy! Subdue your manticore!” He yelled as the rest of the cast was being chased around and through the set by the angry monster.
Fluttershy shook her head and stamped out of her stupor once Director yelled at her, “Oh dear no, Muffin! Get over here and leave my friends alone! Bad Muffin!” she yelled as she quickly flew after the manticore.
Luna walked silently over to Director as he watched Fluttershy go after the manticore, “I did not mean to anger him to that much of an extent, just make him howl.” she said sheepishly.
Director sighed and turned to look at the alicorn, “Next time, we don’t hit a manticore with a huge needle off screen.” he said.
Luna nodded slowly, “Agreed, I have a better idea of what to use to make him howl so we can show Fluttershy’s element though...” She said.
As Nightmare Moon was about to make the Elements of Harmony disappear into oblivion, Twilight trotted forward hurriedly in an attempt to grab them in her magic, accidentally tripping into the spell herself and ruining the scene.
“That was less then ideal for the shot...” Twilight muttered as she stood up and shook herself off of the dust on the floor.
Director tapped his chin in thought with his front hoof, “I think we may be able to work with this, we just have to change the script a little bit to do so.” he said smiling.
“You're kidding. You are kidding right?” Nightmare Moon asked incredulously as Twilight prepared to charge her, head held low.
“No, I am not.” Twilight said as she cantered towards Nightmare, forcing her to charge to keep her enemy away, head held low as well.
Twilight charged her horn so it glowed a bright purple, but she did it a little too late, resulting in Twilight and Nightmare Moon colliding headlong into a painful head butt, hurting them both and stopping production by a few hours.
Director smiled as the cast and crew started to leave, “Alright, this was a great recording week! Come back in two weeks so we can record the third episode!” he said as he waved at all the happy actors leaving the studio before he walked over to the camera and started to edit the tapes so he could send it to be put on TV.
The pilot episodes had been a complete success and the cast and crew of the show were allowed to continue on the track to the third episode of the series. The cast had successfully finished almost all of the episode, except for one crucial part of it, the very beginning of the episode. They had to postpone doing the the start of the episode due to being unable to acquire the necessary apples for it, as well as an unhappy, uncooperative dragon not willing to pretend that he was holding an apple in his hand if they didn't have one.
Once they had gotten a shipment of apples, they started to do the first scene, “Why do I have to throw the apples anyway? How does that make sense or help anything.” and was promptly stopped by the baby dragon questioning everything about the scene.
Applejack shook her head as she looked at him, “You just do Spike, its a part of the script, it doesn't need to actually make much sense.” she sighed, turning back around.
Spike rolled his eyes in annoyance and crossed his arms across his chest, “Whatever.” he said, looking definitely behind him.
Spike smiled evilly as he looked at Twilight. “I’m just gonna continue to eat these beautiful tasty shiny apples while you starve to death.” he sung as he ate the basket of apples on Twilight’s back after being informed that she hadn't been allowed to eat anything so her stomach would actually growl for the whole episode.
“Your just really cold aren't you?” Twilight growled as she stared at the dragon.
Spike laughed, “Yes I am, it is part of my physical biology to be cold, I am a cold blooded an-i-mal!” he sung some more, dancing around Twilight as he continued to eat.
Applejack shook her head as she watched Spike walk away, “Don't worry nothing of it Twilight, you will be able to eat soon, this will just take a few minutes.” she said as she glared at the back of the smirking dragons head.
Pinkie ran excitedly around Director, “Director! Director! Director! Listen to meeee!” she yelled as was getting wrapped up for the night.
Director looked at Pinkie confused, “Er...yes Pinkie Pie, what is it you need?” he asked as Twilight and the others walked over to them, interested in what was happening.
“Can we have a sleepover in the breakroom? There is enough room and a whole lot of space and stuff in there to sleep in so we can have a sleepover and get to know each other better!’ She exclaimed as she hugged all the girls at once. Still on the sugar rush as well it would seem to everypony present.
Rainbow dash sighed, “Really Pinkie Pie? A sleepover at the set of the show? That is so...actually there is a computer in there...and we can roll in one of those TV’s and watch a movie as well as eat a lot of junk food...” she said, continuing to ramble on and on about what they would have.
Director bit his lip in thought before he sighed, “Usually...you are not allowed to go and have a sleepover or sleep over night at the set...but I guess I can allow it this once, but only this one time!” he clarified strictly as Pinkie Pie whooped happily and ran to the break room.
Twilight looked worriedly at Rainbow as Director rolled his eyes and walked away, “We are not going to let Pinkie Pie have any more candy.” she said, getting a firm nod from Rainbow and the others as they walked to the break room silently.
By the time the group of ponies got to the break room door and walked inside after opening the door, Pinkie had already set out color coded sleeping bags accordingly matched to their fur and big brown fluffy blankets laid on the couches in case anypony wanted to sleep on a couch.
Rarity blinked, rather confused by the sight as she walked in, “Not that I don't like what you did to this room Pinkie, but where exactly did you keep the sleeping bags in here?” she asked.
Pinkie smiled widely, “I hid them behind the couches on the off chance that Director would let me have a sleepover in here.” she said happily as she walked over to a bright pink sleeping bag with balloons engraved on it.
“I guess it is always a good idea to be prepared...for some really odd situations...” Twilight said as she sat down while Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity and Rainbow Dash found their sleeping bags and sat down, wondering about what they should do.
They had figured out, that since they still didn't know each other that well, to talk to each other about themselves a little bit more.
Fluttershy couched quietly as all eyes were on her, “...Its also um...really hard to take care of all of the animals in my protection because of some special treatments and other things, but I enjoy it and I love what I do.” she said, finishing her story with a smile.
Rainbow sighed silently as she looked around at all of her new friends and around the room in boredom. Sure it was fun to listen to Twilight talk about finding some fancy new star constellations, Rarity getting new types of gems, Pinkie having fun at a party she had planned and then later invited to in the process and Applejack talking fondly about her business, but listening to Fluttershy talk about taking care of animals and fixing them up kind of bored her into tuning out the whole conversation and wasn't her cup of tea. Not like she enjoyed tea anyway.
After awhile though of tuning everything out she noticed that the others were looking at her, apparently waiting for her to respond to something they had said to her.
She looked at all of her new friends sheepishly, “Can you say that again please?” she asked.
Pinkie smiled, “We just asked you what you do for your job in videos and how many subscribers you have on your channel Dashie! she explained.
“Oh...” Rainbow said, perking up a little bit, “Well, I mostly talk as I play the games and I only have about twelve subscribers, not many people or ponies are interested in me honestly.” she said sadly, before smiling as she got an awesome idea.
Rainbow quickly got up from the floor and walked over to where the computer was, seeing the microphone she had left there on the first day, she turned it on and turned on a recording program for the computer as she entered into it.
“What are you doing?” Twilight asked, walking over to Rainbow Dash with the others.
Rainbow sat down on the computer chair and pushed herself in, “I’m going to show you what I do.” she said, turning the microphone’s sound on and signed into Minecraft to start the game before hitting record, “Hello, Rainbow Dashers! Its Rainbow back again, playing at a special time!” she proclaimed.
“Is this how Youtubers talk in their videos?” Twilight asked herself quietly.
Pinkie laughed at the silly name, “Rainbow Dashers?” she asked, the mic picking up her voice.
Rainbow sighed, unhappy at having to explain this to somepony else and turned to look at Pinkie, “I had no other awesome names, I went with what I had, which was the first thing that came to mind.” she explained.
Pinkie tapped her chin, thinking. “How about the name Sonic Booms? That sounds cool, or something.” she suggested, trying to think of other names.
“Or you can just call them Rainbooms, instead of Rainbow Dashers.” Applejack said.
Fluttershy smiled when she got an idea, “How about animal critter...friends.” she said, realizing in the middle of saying the name that Rainbow probably wouldn't like it.
Rarity couched into a hoof, “Or you can shorten the name to just Dashers. I think that sounds better.” she said. Twilight just stayed quiet, not interested in trying to give Rainbow Dash a new name for her fans. That and she didn't have an idea for a name in the first place.
Rainbow smiled, thinking about the name Applejack had suggested, “That sounds awesome Applejack, I think I will use it. Sorry I can't use any of the others.” she apologized before turning back around to the computer screen, “Well, Rainbooms, as you can probably hear, I am with a few new friends I have made recently. I also have an awesome announcement. I am on a TV show with them! Its sort of made for little kids...but I still think you would enjoy it, because it is awesome!” she exclaimed before thinking of something,
“I can only imagine how weird you all find this and the conversation you heard in this video, but I wanted to update you all on what was happening, and I hope you enjoyed it. Catch you later!” she said, stopping the recording and uploading the video to Youtube before jumping off the chair and smiling at her friends.
“Thats a nice job you must have had, I can't really imagine doing that for a living though.” Applejack said.
Rainbow shrugged, “You get used to the oddness after a while and it's kind of fun to be partnered, even if I do get ads nopony or no one likes...” she replied.
Pinkie looked around tiredly, “This was a lot of fun, but I think it might be time for the actual sleep of the sleepover, considering that Twilight is sleeping already and has been a while.” she said, the others looking behind them at the sleeping bags to see, Twilight in fact was already asleep in her bag. She had left during the middle of the recording, too tired to stay awake long enough to wait for the end to go to bed.
“Yes, it probably is a good idea right now.” Rarity said, walking over to her own sleeping bag and lying down inside of it. Applejack walked over to her own and lied down in it while Fluttershy slowly and quietly flew to her own so that she wouldn't wake anypony and lied down. Pinkie Pie ran and literally jumped, hooves first, into her own sleeping bag.
Rainbow sighed sadly, thinking about what has happened in her life these past few weeks since getting in the show as she looked at the computer, then to her new friends, before smiling as she flew to her own sleeping bag to outlast the night.
Applejack stared at the set while she stood atop a hill overlooking the whole thing, her older brother Big Mac beside her. She looked behind her at where the crew was setting up, “How did you get so many apple trees here?” she asked.
“As well as the zoning laws for the whole land.” Big Mac added.
Director looked around the orchard before he turned back to Applejack, “I...actually don't know. All I know is we got it from somepony who said we could keep it if we need to.” he said, confusion clear in his voice.
Applejack frowned, “That was nice of him, if a bit weird.” she said.
Director nodded slowly, “Yeah, he also only gave me the first letter of his name on the note he sent me, called himself Mr. D.” he muttered.
“Well that isn’t suspicious at all.” Applejack said sarcastically as Big Mac nodded.
Rainbow Dash silently stared at the cows in front of her, “ I dunno...they don't look much like a stampede.” she said as she flew down in front of Director.
He sighed, exasperated, “And why is that?” he asked.
Rainbow smiled, “There are only two of them.”
Director rolled his eyes, “I know! I could only get ahold of two of them.” he said.
“Still, that doesn't even make much of a threat to a village, in a game or real life.” Rainbow grumbled.
“If I may.” a white cow with light brown spots said, “I can get some more cows for you if you wish, my pleasure to help.” she said.
Director smiled, “Thank you Mooella, that would be helpful.” he said, before he turned back to Rainbow, “Is that good enough for you now?” he asked, frowning at the Pegasus.
Rainbow smiled, “Yep!” she exclaimed as she shot up into the air.
“I can't jump high enough to look like the ground is shaking a lot.” Pinkie complained
Twilight walked over to her, “Can you at least try a bit more Pinkie? You were able to do it before.” she said.
Pinkie sighed and looked down at the ground, “Because I had a lot of chocolate before.” she said.
Twilight sighed, “Right, the sugar rush thing people assume is a part of your character now...” she muttered. A growling came from off set as the sound of something behind hit hard against another object could be heard as Director screamed.
Pinkie frowned sadly as she thought she was the reason for Directors anger and Twilight hugged her, “It's alright, soon you will get used to chocolate and won't go crazy like that anymore, then you will be able to act like your hyper without it.” she said comfortingly.
“This is such a long list of absolute nonsense...” Twilight muttered as she stacked the pile of cards onto the podium.
Director walked over to Twilight and looked them over, “Some of them aren't for you.” he said, “Some of them have the others lines so if they forget their lines they will be there if they need it.”
Twilight looked back down at the index cards, “Well that explains why they seem to have a case of MPD.” she muttered.
“So many trees, so many trees, so many trees...” Applejack muttered as she walked slowly around the orchard.
Director looked worriedly at her as Twilight thought about if she should intervene or not, “Are you alright Applejack?” he asked.
Applejack nodded, “I'm fine, not used to so many apple trees and having to buck them though.” she said.
“Do you need a break?” Director asked worriedly.
She shook her head, “No, I’m fine.”
Director looked at her oddly with a small frown, “Ok...” he said, before he walked away.
A brown Pegasus whose cutie mark was two hooves interlocking looked at Rainbow and Applejack, “Are you sure you both don't need a stunt double for this?” she asked.
Rainbow scoffed, “Yeah right, Assistant! We don't need stunt doubles. We are tough enough for this, right Applejack?” she asked, looking at the earth pony.
Applejack rubbed her bloodshot eyes with a hoof, “Sure, I guess.” she said tiredly.
Assistant frowned, “Are you completely sure you're ok Applejack?” she asked.
Applejack nodded, “Yes I’m sure! What could go wrong?”
“Gahhagghaghsghsshssgklkljfdure.” Rainbow grunted out loudly as she landed hard onto the balcony against her barrel.
Twilight looked at her slightly terrified for her, “Are you ok?” she asked.
When Rainbow spoke it came out as a high pitched squeak, “I want the stunt double, I want it now. I thought it would be like a videogame, its nothing like a video game. This is worse then COD.” she said as she fell off the balcony and onto the ground with a hollow thud.
“I think making her continually hit herself with a branch is going to scar her forever sometime in the future.” Twilight observed.
Director nodded, “I think we have enough takes of it then. We will use one of the takes we already have. Besides, I think we are making her go a bit crazy.” he said.
“Yeah...” Twilight said, watching as Applejack weaved around the trees, her whole body shaking from exhaustion as she muttered to herself.
Spike crossed his arms across his chest, “You need all the help you can get, you say, yet your supposed to be the doctor. Why would a doctor need help from a unicorn with no qualifications whose talent is magic and not doctoring?” he asked.
Director sighed and looked at the sky, “Because it is a part of the script AND ITS A KID SHOW AND THEY WON'T QUESTION THE LOGIC!” he yelled, tired of explaining to the dragon.
Spike stared at Director in surprise, “You didn't have to yell at me dude, I was just asking a simple question.” he said, unaware of the Directors eyes twitching violently.
Applejack struggled against her constraint as Twilight stood beside her, “I really cant get out of this thing!” she yelled, attached upside down to an apple cart stuck in a small hole, unable to go to the next set.
Twilight looked confusedly at her, “Can't you just wiggle out of it?” she asked.
Applejack sighed, “No, I can't...” she said sheepishly.
Twilight raised an eyebrow, “Why?” she asked.
“I tightened it around me so it wouldn't slip off me and now I cant get it off.” Applejack admitted.
Twilight facehoofed and looked up at her, “Alright, I’ll help you down.” she said as her horn glowed and a purple aura surrounded the crate.
Rainbow huffed and crossed her hooves across her chest while she hovered in the air, “I don't see how bunnies could possibly count as a stampede, or why I have to say the same thing I did before for the cows. Just use the same clip twice or something.” she instructed.
Director rolled his eyes, “Alright, fine, but they might just notice that.” he replied.
Applejack, turns out you actually didn't do all the trees.” Big Mac said as he pointed to the right side of the orchard.
Applejack stared at the trees shocked, “I could have sworn I did all of the orchard before! Something is going on here...How did this happen?” she muttered.
Big Mac shook his head, “The good news is we don't have to go to a new orchard to finish the shoot now.” he said.
Applejack nodded, “Yes, less moving and hassle. I guess that is a bit of a bonus.” she admitted.
Rainbow shook out her wings and flew into the air, “I don't know about you, but I never want to see another huge apple orchard in my life again!” she exclaimed, drinking the apple juice Applejack had given her.
Twilight walked to the entrance of the orchard, “Chances are we probably will have to at some point, but probably not at this level.” she said.
Rainbow shrugged, “Probably. Anyway, I gotta get going. Scoots, me and Pinkie Pie are going out to see a movie.” she said, before flying away.
Twilight rolled her eyes as Applejack sidled up next to he, ‘I know you have an astronomy thing you want to do today and stuff, so would you like to go bowling with me, Rarity and Fluttershy tomorrow? Pinkie and Rainbow seem to be having a movie marathon going on this week and won't be able to go.” she asked, bags under her eyes and bumps clearly visible on her head after a long day of pain.
Twilight shrugged, “Sure, it has been awhile since I went bowling anyway.” she said, watching Rarity and Pinkie run into a limo waiting outside the orchard.
Applejack smiled, “Great, then lets get going to that limo before they leave without us.” she said. Twilight nodded and walked beside her, leaving the orchard behind together.
