This is the story of a young earth pony named Projector, and how he achieved stardom in the City of Wings
Projector was a young, small time filmmaker in the city of Vanhoover, but he no longer makes them.Instead, he delivers movies for the theaters. One day, an old friend offers Projector the chance of a lifetime: to travel to Los Pegasus and finally make the movie he has been desiring to make. Now Projector finds himself in the City of Wings, up against the most powerful stallion in the film industry and must fight for the film of his dreams.
It was the early morning hours, and a light snow fell over Vanhoover.
Most ponies would either still be in bed or had just gotten up, but Projector didn't have such luxury, as he needed to get the newly released movies to the local theaters.
Putting the last of the reels onto the cart he used for deliveries, Projector wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead.
Taking a short break, Projector took a look around his home- a room on the second floor of a apartment complex near downtown Vanhoover.
The apartment wasn't anything special, with the carpets being slightly stained, a kitchen with basic tools, and essentially everything in the apartment was cheap.
As for Projector, well, he himself may not have seemed too remarkable at first, with his hazel brown eyes, yellow body, mane, and tail, plus his film projector cutie mark, and the fact that he was a earth pony.
Taking a deep breath, Projector commented out loud, " alright, let's go make our delivery".
Five minutes later, Projector was out in the snow, wearing a red scarf and brown winter coat along with a dark blue beanie, making his way down the street at a steady jog. For the next hour, he took the film reels to the different theaters across town, each owner giving him a small bag of bits and a "thank you".
At last, he reached the final stop on his trip, Vanhoover Cinemas, home of the Vanhoover Grand festival and, coincidentally , where Projector had his first job.
Stopping at the back entrance, exhausted and out of breath, Projector stood at the door and began to pant heavily.
"Come on, Projector, just one last delivery, and you'll be done for today," he said to himself, his words exasperated with his heavy breathing.
A few minutes passed and having recovered enough, Projector knocked on the door, taking a step back after it swung wide open, revealing a red stallion in glasses, wearing a blue dress jacket and a red bowtie.
"Ah, Projector, here with today's delivery, I see. It's mighty chilly out here, please do come on in," the stallion stated, his tone sounding slightly annoyed.
"Thank you Mr. Producer", Projector replied, relieved that he could now take off his heavy clothing and cool off.
The two made their way to the film vault, and Mr. Producer motioned to one of the medium level shelves, saying, " place the reels over there, please".
"Yes, Sir", Projector replied, placing the reels in a neat row on the shelf.
Minutes later, Projector was outside and on his way home, the snowfall turning heavy, when a mysterious figure approached him.
" Hello, Projector, my old friend", a male voice called out to him.
"w-who are you", Projector asked, placing his hoof over his eyes in an attempt to make out the unknown male figure.
The figure chuckled and replied, " Projector, don't you remember me", he moved forward, revealing his actual form, "it's me, Finalcus, your old friend".
Finalcus, now in full view, smiled and said, "yes, it has been a long time, hasn't it"?
Finalcus was Projector's old friend from way back in their early days as students at Vanhoover's Film and Video arts school. Perhaps the oddest part was merely the fact that Projector was a pony and Finalcus was a gryphon, which weren't too common in Equestria anyway, even in the far North.
"Yeah, yeah it is", Projector replied, shocked that his old friend was here.
Chuckling heartily, Finalcus replied, "come, let us have some coffee and waffles, just like old times, eh"?
Unlike the dark, cold streets outside, the local cafe was brightly lit and warm, with an aesthetic similar to that of diners from 50 years earlier. Taking a seat at one of the booths, Projector and Finalcus were approached by a smiling waitress, who automatically recognized the two.
"Projector, Finalcus, hadn't seen you two here since the morning of your graduation, how are you", the waitress asked, her slightly Southern accent still showing through.
"Oh I have been doing great, Caffina, I see you're still as joyful as ever", Finalcus replied, folding his talons on the table.
Caffina smiles and asked, "so, what can I get you boys, coffee"?
"That'd be wonderful, thanks", replied Projector.
After getting their cups of coffee and breakfast, the two began to converse.
"So, after two years, you finally stop by," Projector began, sipping his coffee.
"Well, yeah, life's been busy. It's not like you get too much free time in Los Pegasus," Finalcus replied.
"But what about you, Projector, have you gone to making movies just locally", Finalcus asked, his tone cordial.
"Well..." Projector looked down at his cup, ashamed.
"Well, what", Finalcus asked, raising an eyebrow.
Lowering his ears and looking back at Finalcus, Projector replied, " no, no I haven't".
Eyes widening from shock and disbelief, Finalcus replied, " well, what have you been doing all this time"?
Projector rubbed the back of his neck, embarrassed, and answered, "you see, I've been delivering newly released movies for all the theaters in town. Nopony wanted to hire me to make movies after a really bad flop I made".
This caused Projector to flash back to two years ago, shortly after graduation. He had just finished writing the script to a big project, one which he hoped would allow him to finally move to Los Pegasus. But, the movie was deemed a failure and he was laughed and mocked at by the studio execs he had showed it to.
"Face it, you're never going to make it, Kid, not with this quality of work and really awful ideas", one of the execs had said to his face and Projector was forced out of the office, defeated and had thrown in the towel.
Remembering all of this brought tears to Projector's eyes and he felt nothing but sadness and shame. Suddenly, he felt a clawed hand on his shoulder and he saw that Finalcus had reached over to comfort him.
"Projector, it's alright, but can you please tell me why you've given up on filmmaking," Finalcus asked him, his tone caring but firm.
Returning his arm back the table, Projector told the story of what happened, and during this time the waffles arrived.
After finishing the story, Projector watched as Finalcus chewed thoughtfully on the waffle slice. Finally, after giving his words some thought, Finalcus says, "so, you gave up on your art because some goons in office suits thought your work and ideas too ridiculous".
"Yeah, that's what happened in a nutshell", Projector replied, his ears lowering.
Finalcus felt a twinge of pain in his chest. Seeing his friend like this, so downtrodden and clearly defeated and feeling hopeless, it made him feel awful for net being there for him.
Clearing his throat, Finalcus asked, "well, what if I told you that I know a way to get you a second chance, to finally do what you love"?
"Come on, Finalcus, you can't be serious. I gave up a long time ago and I most certainly can't make anymore movies", Projector replied.
"Who says you can't make anymore movies? Projector, you can't beat yourself up over what some studio execs say, they're just in it for the money," replied Finalcus.
"Yeah, but it's not as simple as that. That was a big project, the one you and I dreamed of, and it got turned down and spat at, and I felt more foolish than ever", said Projector.
"So what if some execs laughed at you, you shouldn't just give up on your dreams," retorted Finalcus.
Sighing, Projector replies, "I'm sorry, but there's no future for me in the industry".
This silences Finalcus and a uncomfortable silence forms between them, and after several minutes pass, Finalcus passes a card to Projector.
"Just in case you change your mind," Finalcus says quietly, getting up from his seat and, after paying the bill, he took one last look at Projector and left.
Returning back to the apartment, Projector began to mull over what Finalcus had told him and whether or not he should accept the offer.
Taking the card out of his pocket, Projector saw what was written on it: a phone number, which was to one of the nearby hotels. Setting the card on his kitchen counter, Projector paced back and forth across the living room.
"Well, I dunno, should I take it, should I make that risk again. I mean, I don't want to be mocked again," Projector murmured to himself. At that moment, Projector remembered the old script he had kept in a folder in his room.
Walking into his room, which was full of movie posters and other forms of nerdvana, Projector opened his closet and using his hooves and mouth, brought down a yellow folder marked:Celestial Wars.
Placing it on his bed, Projector stared at it for a few moments, unsure as to whether or not to open it. It had, after all, been two years since he had even seen the script.
Finally mustering up the courage, Projector opened up the folder and inside, was the 200 page script, its pages having slightly yellowed over the years.
A wave of nostalgia filled him and memories of how he and Finalcus came up with the story, characters, and included in the back was some concept the art the two came up with.
Reading the script again, Projector smiled as he remembered creating a fantastic new world, and how excited he was to present his dream project to the world.
"Maybe... I should call Finalcus, see what his offer is all about," Projector thought.
Heading to the kitchen, Projector looked at the card to see what the phone number was and made the call.
After three rings, a female voice picked up.
"Hello, Vanhoover Grand Hotel, how can I help you", the voice asked.
"Hello, may I speak to Finalcus Goldfeather please", Projector replied.
"Hold just a moment, I'll get him for you", the voice, a receptionist, answered. A couple of minutes later, a new voice picked up.
Surprised, Finalcus said, "Projector, it's really you! So you changed your mind about whether or not to go to Los Pegasus"?
"Maybe, but first, how about you explain your deal", Projector asked.
Finalcus paused for a moment before he began.
"Well, when I moved to Los Pegasus, I met this guy, Film Reel. See, he's been helping young filmmakers get a hoof-hold in Applewood and many of the ponies he has helped went on to stardom, and when I saw how badly things were for you, I felt it was the right thing to offer you help and I knew Film Reel was the only one who could help", Finalcus explained.
After a few moments of silence, Projector asks, " okay, I may not be totally confident, but I am willing to give it another go. When do you go back to Los Pegasus"?
Finalcus let out a sigh of relief and replied, " tomorrow at 9:30 in the morning".
"Alright, then, 9:30. See you there," Projector replied.
"You too, Brother, and remember, film buddies forever", Finalcus said.
The next morning, Projector packed his saddlebags and made several phone calls to cancel his delivery job.
Afterwards, he made his way to the Vanhoover terminal. Fortunately, it was actually a semi nice day, with cloudy skies and snow covering the streets and sidewalks.
Upon reaching the terminal, Projector found Finalcus, who was waiting for him at the terminal entrance.
" Hey Finalcus", Projector shouted to his friend. Looking up from examining his talons, Finalcus waves.
" Mornin' Projector, glad to see you here", Finalcus replies.
"Totally, it'd be just like old times, eh", Projector said, chuckling.
Chuckling in return, Finalcus replies, "just like old times. Now come, let's get our tickets and we shall be on our way".
30 minutes later, the two friends boarded the 9:30 train to Los Pegasus, a seven-hour long journey.
For the next seven hours, Projector and Finalcus exchanged everything from small talk to jokes to even plans for when they get to Los Pegasus.
"You brought the script, right", Finalcus asked.
Opening his saddle bags, Projector pulled out the folder and gave it to Finalcus, who proceeded to read it.
"Ah, I remember making this, good times", he said, clearly nostalgic.
"Yeah, it's a shame you didn't get to see the finishes I put in it", Projector replied jokingly.
"Well, now, WE get to see this thing finally made", Finalcus states, smiling.
Eventually, the train arrives at the Los Pegasus terminal, with the bright afternoon catching Projector off guard.
"Ugh, it's so bright", Projector groaned.
Chuckling, Finalcus said, "welcome to Los Pegasus".
Other than the sun almost blinding him, Projector had to admit, being in Los Pegasus, it filled him with so much excitement and determination.
"Here, wear these," Finalcus said, handing (or should it be "taloning") Projector a pair of dark sunglasses, which Finalcus was also sporting.
"So, where do we go from here", Projector asked as the two walked outside of the terminal.
"Well, Film Reel operates from his home in Applewood, and the quickest way there is taxi", Finalcus replied thoughtfully.
Fortunately, taxis weren't too hard to find, as they were always out in the busy streets, especially on a summer afternoon. In fact, one was coming right at that moment.
Finalcus waved to the taxi driver, and when the taxi carriage stopped, Finalcus and Projector boarded.
"where to", asked the driver, a scruffy earth pony stallion.
"4403 Star Lane, please", Finalcus requested.
With a grunt of approval, the driver moved once again, taking the two to their destination.
After about 30 minutes, the taxi stopped in front of a house overlooking Applewood.
"Wow", Projector said in awe as he climbed out of the taxi.
The house was a very fancy two story home with a dark brown exterior, well kept bushes surround the exterior except for the entrance, for which there was a walkway that led to the door.
"So, this is where the legendary Film Reel lives", Projector said as he and Finalcus walked to the front entrance.
"Hmm-hmm, but I must warn you, he may be a little... what's the right word... eccentric", Finalcus says, rubbing his chin with his fingers thoughtfully.
"Well, he can't be that bad", Projector replied as he walked to the door. As he went to knock, the door swung wide open and a party streamer went off.
"SURPRISE", a dark green unicorn with a bright green mane that has streaks of light blue in it shouts with a huge grin on his face.
Finalcus chuckles and replies, " hi Boss, I see you're up to your old tricks again, eh"?
Projector, who had been knocked down by the door, looked up at the pony that had just walked out. His teal eyes saw Projector laying on the ground and he went to offer him a hoof up.
" Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't see you there, Mister, I'm Film Reel", the pony said, offering a apologetic smile.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Projector accepted the hoof and got back on his forelegs.
"So, Finalcus, who's your friend", Film Reel asks?
"This is Projector, he's a friend and a fellow filmmaker, I'm hoping you can help him", Finalcus replied.
"Ooh, another client? Well this should be fun, follow me please", Film Reel replied, trotting back into his house going " la la la la la la la".
Projector turned to look at Finalcus.
"Well, I warned you, he CAN be eccentric", Finalcus said.