(Twilight Sparkle, Marx and Applejack in the Sweet Apple Acres orchards. It is daytime. Each has full baskets of apples on their back; Spike rides atop Twilight’s as she catches up to Applejack and they begin to walk together. And Marx who obviously didn't want to be here. )

Spike: (tossing away apples) No…nope… (He continues to do so under the following.)

Applejack: Thank you kindly, Twilight, for helpin’ me out. And even you Marx. (jostling her own baskets slightly) I bet Big Macintosh I could get all these Golden Delicious in the barn by lunchtime. (close-up; giddily) If I win, he’s gonna walk down Stirrup Street in one o’ Granny’s girdles!

Marx:(complain) Why did I have to come? I wanted to stay in the treehouse until I died.

Twilight: Because you have to learn to become a better pony. And helping someone in need is a good example.

Marx: I'd rather fly to the sun to cure my suffering.

Twilight: However, all this help made me a bit hungry.

Spike: I know, right?

Marx: Shut up. All you did was to sit down.

Twilight: He's right Spike, You’ve been lounging on my back all morning while we worked.

Spike: Exactly! You three are taking so long, I missed snack time.
(That made Marx hit Spike with his hind legs and then fall)

Marx: (glare at Spike) It would be faster if you help too!

Spike: Okay, okay, calm down.

Twilight: I guess we better get some food.

Spike: ( checking apples again) Nope…worm… (finding a bright red one) Aha!

Twilight: (licking her chops) Oh, Spike! That looks delicious!

(Before Spike devoured the apple, Marx grabbed the apple from him)

Spike: Hey!

Marx: Don't look at me like that. You were going to devour it without giving us something of the apple!(He divided the apple into three pieces, although his piece was larger. And forced them into their mouths to eat)

Twilight: (smile) Thanks Marx.

Marx: Whatever. (roll his eyes)

(Spike suddenly makes as if to vomit, but instead lets off a belch of green fire that materializes into a scroll. It floats down to the trio.)

Twilight: It’s a letter from Princess Celestia! (Spike takes it, clears his throat, and unrolls it.)

Spike: (reading) “Hear ye, hear ye. Her Grand Royal Highness, Princess Celestia of Equestria, is pleased to announce the Grand Galloping Gala, to be held in the magnificent capital city of Canterlot on the twenty-first day of…”

Spike: …yadda-yadda-yadda… “cordially extends an invitation to Twilight Sparkle plus one guest.”

Twilight, Applejack: The Grand Galloping Gala!

(The two ponies, now jumping in place with excitement.)

Twilight, Applejack: The Grand Galloping Gala!

Marx: (In his mind) That stupid thing still exist?

(Spike, meanwhile, is having none of it. As they carry on, he makes a disgusted face and sticks a finger toward his open mouth as if to make himself vomit. The real gag reflex kicks in again; this time; his flaming belch resolves into a pair of gold tickets that float down toward him.)

Spike: Look! (Cut to Twilight; he holds them up and continues o.s.) Two tickets!

Twilight: (as he pulls them back) Wow, great! I’ve never been to the Gala. Have you, Spike?

Spike: No, and I plan to keep it that way. I don’t want any of that girly frilly frou-frou nonsense.

Twilight: Aw, come on, Spike. A dance would be nice.

Marx: I was there in the past.

Applejack and Twilight: You were!?

Marx: Yes, and it was boring! Looking at paint drying is more fun that that.

Applejack: Boring?! I’d love to go. Land sakes!

(Line of ponies stretching across the grounds of the royal palace. Pan toward the head of it as Applejack continues; they are passing a concession stand she has set up and are buying her wares in abundance.)

* Applejack: If I had an apple stand set up, ponies’d be chawin’ our tasty vittles ’til the cows came home!

(One customer takes a basket of apples and tosses several coins onto the counter, which are quickly scooped up.)

* Applejack: Do you have any idea how much business I could drum up for Sweet Apple Acres? (She carries the money in her teeth and drops it into a full box.) Why, with all that money, we could do a heap of fixin’ up ’round here. We could replace that saggy ol’ roof!

(Evidently she is exaggerating the state of things a bit. A flash, and it has been put right. Dissolve to Big Macintosh, another Apple family member, straining to pull a rusty plow in a field.)

* Applejack: And Big Macintosh could replace that saggy ol’ plow!

(A flash, and it becomes a gleaming new farm implement. The next dissolve frames Granny Smith near the barn. She is up on her hind legs, with slippers on those hooves and an adult walker gripped in the front two, and is looking somewhat disheveled. For her, getting around on two legs is as slow a business as it is on four.)

* Applejack: And Granny Smith could replace that saggy ol’ hip!

(Unfortunately for Applejack, her dream ended when a gong was heard. In reality, we see Marx with a gong to be heard. )

Marx: Sorry for crushing your dreams but you won't make any money at the Gala.

Applejack: What?! Why not?!

Marx: That place is full of snobs. And they won't want to eat anything if it's not sophisticated enough for them.

Applejack: You don't know what you're talking about, my apples will sell. I’d even give my left hind leg to go to that Gala.

Twilight: Oh! Well, in that case, would you like to—

Rainbow Dash: WHOA!!

(The two mare have just enough time for one scared look up before she plummets to the ground, throwing dust and apples everywhere. When the view clears, all three ponies have wound up in a heap, with Spike looking on.)

Rainbow: Are we talking about the Grand Galloping Gala?

Applejack: Rainbow Dash! (She stands up.) You told me you were too busy to help me harvest apples! What were you busy doin’? Spyin’?

Rainbow: (dismissively) No, I was busy…

(Quick tilt up to a tree in which a pillow and blanket have been placed.)

Rainbow: …napping.

Marx: If you were paid for this, you would have been rich.

Rainbow: Hey! (offended) So Twilight I just happened to hear that you have an extra ticket?

Twilight: (uneasily) Yeah, but—

Rainbow: (backing off, doing a loop) YES! This is so awesome! The Wonderbolts perform at the Grand Galloping Gala every year. I can see it now.

(WD: a crowd at the palace, looking skyward. Three pegasi streak past as she continues, leaving gray thundercloud trails and lightning sparks in their wake.)

* Rainbow: Everyone would be watching the sky, their eyes riveted on the Wonderbolts. But then… (Something slashes across the three trails.) …in would fly…

(The streak of her tail marks her arrival; she does a sharp U-turn, knocking a cloud apart, then stops.)

* Rainbow: …Rainbow Dash!

(Gasp from the crowd; the three Wonderbolts are speechless. In close-up, they are two mares and a stallion, all wearing goggles and blue/yellow full-body jumpsuits decorated with lightning bolts on each hoof. The stallion has a dark blue mane/tail, while one mare shows yellow and the other bright orange. Each jumpsuit has a winged lightning bolt where a cutie mark would normally go, and the garments leave manes/tails/wings/ears/snouts exposed.)

* Rainbow: I would draw their attention with my Super Speed Strut. Then I would mesmerize ’em with my Fantastic Filly Flash. And for my grand finale, the Buccaneer Blaze!

(For the first of these moves, she flies so low that she can touch the ground with her hooves, making it appear as if she is trotting normally. Cheers from the crowd. The second move finds her swooping into a nose dive straight toward them, only to pull out of it just above their heads. Finally, she gains speed before the camera cuts to ground level and a sudden blast of brilliant light washes over the audience. More cheering; the Wonderbolts’ mouths drop open.)

* Rainbow: The ponies would go wild! (She descends to ground level before the trio.) The Wonderbolts would insist that my signature moves be incorporated into their routine.

(She shakes hooves with the stallion on the end of this. Close-up of her broadly grinning face.)

* Rainbow: And then…

(Another dream interrupted by gong)

Marx: Yea, you will definitely not accept it only after a few tricks.

Rainbow: (annoyed) Oh yea why?

Marx: You know that your idols have done special training to become legends. So you won't be accepted as a member just for some cheap stunts.

Rainbow: You have no idea what you're talking about. They will beg for me to join them. (she smiles proudly)

Marx: (roll his eyes) Sure.....

Rainbow: So now you understand why you have to choose me Twilight? 

Applejack: (pulling her back, tail in teeth) Hold on just one pony-pickin’ minute here! (Spit it out.) I asked for that ticket first.

Rainbow: So? That doesn’t mean you own it.

Applejack: Oh, yeah? Well, I challenge you to a hoof-rassle. Winner gets the ticket.

(At a nearby stump, they lock left forelegs and go to it—the pony equivalent of arm-wrestling. Marx looked at the camera with a "really? " face.)

Twilight: Girls! These are my tickets. I’ll decide who gets it, thank you very much. (Pan to the other two as she continues.) Whoever has the best reason to go should get the ticket, don’t you think?

Applejack: Drummin’ up business for the farm?

Rainbow: A chance to audition for the Wonderbolts?

Applejack: Money to fix Granny’s hip!

Rainbow: Living the dream!

(Back to Twilight, who starts to realize what she has gotten herself into.)

Twilight: Oh, my. Those are all pretty good reasons, aren’t they?

(Her half empty stomach speaks up again.)

Twilight: (laughing nervously) It seems that I'm still a little hungry. (backing off) I don’t know about you, but I can’t make important decisions on an empty stomach. (as Spike hops on her back) So I’ll, uh, think about it over lunch and get back to you two. Okay?

(She heads off as she finishes, leaving two dejected ponies in her wake.)

Applejack, Rainbow: Okay.

Marx: (Going to Twilight) Your dreams will not become true at the Gala.

Applejack, Rainbow: (annoyed) Shut up!

(Twilight is taking her time with a stroll. With Marx following her.)

Spike: So who are you gonna give the ticket to, Twilight?

Twilight: I don’t know, Spike, but I really can’t think straight when I’m hungry. What is your opinion Marx?

Marx: I really don't care about Gala.

Twilight: (frowned) Thanks for help. So where should we eat?

(The top half of the front door bursts open and Pinkie Pie rockets out through it for an impressive flying tackle. Dust clouds clear to reveal one supine unicorn and one prone earth pony, mixed up with an unconscious baby dragon as the two gold tickets flutter to the ground. They land on Pinkie’s nose, startling her awake with a scream.)

Pinkie: (zipping back and forth) Bats! Bats on my face! Heeeelp!

Marx: (stop her) Will you stop it's just this tickets.

Pinkie: Tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala?!?

* Pinkie: It’s the most amazing, incredible, tremendous, super-fun, wonderful, terrifically humongous party in all of Equestria! I’ve always, always, always wanted to go!

Light calliope melody, brisk 3 (G major)

(Now she hops against a background of assorted sweets, hearts, and balloons, in addition to the confetti and streamers.)

* Pinkie: Oh, the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Oh, the Grand Galloping Gala is the best place for me
Hip hip hooray, it’s the best place for me
For Pinkie
(spoken) With decorations like streamers and fairy light and pinwheels and piñatas and pincushions! With goodies like sugar cubes and sugar canes and sundaes and sunbeams and sarsaparilla! And I get to play my favoritest of favorite fantabulous games, like Pin the Tail on the Pony!

(During the spoken interlude, she takes in more of the scenery and swings a club in her teeth to shatter a piñata, then hops over to a table loaded with the snacks she has named. The sunbeams are represented by a sun-shaped piñata hanging over the table. Finally she plays the game, blindfolded and trying to pin a paper tail to the right spot on a pony drawing. When she pulls the blindfold down, she is surprised to find her own tail stuck to the wall and the paper one attached to her rump.)

(As the singing resumes, Pinkie sees her distorted reflection in a funhouse mirror—which stays put and waves when she gallops off—then leaps into a photo booth to get several crazy pictures taken. Her next stop, with a clown filling helium balloons, gets her a big enough bunch tied to her midsection to float her up among the shower of treats and party favors.)

Marx: It's just a party, it's not a difference.

Pinkie: If it's a Gala party, then it has to be the best party! Thanks Twilight that you will take me! It’s the most wonderful-est gift ever!
(The two pairs of eyes and up a fraction of an inch apart when she stops, but Twilight soon backs off a bit. As she speaks, cut to the tickets, which Spike gathers up.)

Twilight: Um, actually…

(A sharp gasp from Rarity)

Rarity: Are these what I think they are?

Twilight: Uh…

Pinkie: (jumping in place) Yes, yes, yes! Twilight’s taking me to the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot!

Rarity: (gasping softly) The Gala? I design ensembles for the Gala every year, but I’ve never had the opportunity to attend. Oh, the society, the culture, the glamour! (toying with her mane) It’s where I truly belong, and where I’m destined to meet…him
!
Pinkie: Him! (Puzzled looks from her and Twilight.) Who?

Rarity: (dreamily) Him.

Marx: (roll his eyes) A Love fantasy. Great. (sarcastically)

( A cloth lifts to expose Rarity; other party-goers turn toward her, surprised.)

* Rarity: I would stroll through the Gala, and everyone would wonder, “Who is that mysterious mare?”

(Ground-level view of her hooves, shifting up to expose the rest of her; now she wears an ornate, gold-colored dress with roses at the neckline. She tosses her head coquettishly.)

* Rarity:  They would never guess that I was just a simple pony from little old Ponyville.

(The throne room: Celestia’s seat of power rests atop a three-level dais, with fountains set in the lowest level on either side and spilling into recessed pools in the floor. The red carpet leading up the center is flanked by planters filled with flowers, and two stoic white pegasus stallions in gold armor are on sentry duty as the majestic mare stands on the topmost level. Tapestries and stained-glass windows line the violet walls, which lighten in hue toward the floor. Rarity  approaches the throne and kneels, and Celestia moves aside to expose a white unicorn stallion behind her. He wears black tuxedo lapels with a boutonniere and a blue bow tie over his light gray dress shirt front, his mane and tail are dark blond, and his cutie mark is an eight-point compass rose. This individual looks every bit the future ruler of Equestria. When he tosses his head and opens his eyes, they are seen to be the palest blue.)

* Rarity: Why, I would cause such a sensation that I would be invited for an audience with Princess Celestia herself. And the Princess would be so taken with the style and elegance that she would introduce me to him, her nephew.

(Her eyes pop as he flashes a dazzling smile. They touch horns and foreheads, then share a dance on a ballroom floor that has been cleared for them as Celestia and the party-goers watch. Next he kneels before her, revealing a diamond ring on his horn; once she recovers from the shock of seeing it, her eyes pop even wider as she reacts ecstatically.)

* Rarity: The most handsome, eligible unicorn stallion in Canterlot! Our eyes would meet, our hearts would melt, our courtship would be magnificent. He would ask for my hoof in marriage, and of course I would say YES!!

Marx: (off screen) Stop this weird fantasy!

Rarity: Why did you interrupt my fantasy?!

Marx: I'm sick of what I've heard, and you're very stupid.

Rarity: (angry) Excuse Me?!

Marx: Do you really think he's going to marry you in just a few seconds? And he will surely think he is superior to you because you are not of the same rank as him.

Rarity: (get in his face) And why do you think that?

Marx: That's how Canterlot ponys behave with those who aren't like them. (smirk a little) And if you want to marry your prince I suggest that you to not get so close to me anymore because you have a little more and kiss me.

(Rarity blushes a little and turns to Twilight a little angry)

Rarity: Twilight! I simply cannot believe you would invite Pinkie Pie so she can… (disdainfully) …party… (normal tone) …and prevent me from meeting my true love! How could you? (turning away) Hmph!

(A small white male rabbit zips out and snatches the tickets out of Spike’s hand. He does a quick U-turn.)

Spike:  Hey!

(The rabbit scampers up a long pink tail, along a yellow back, and stops on top of Fluttershy’s head to hold the tickets before her eyes. She gasps at the sight.)

Fluttershy: Angel, these are perfect. (Back to Twilight, Pinkie—jumping in place—and Rarity.)

Twilight: Uh, listen, guys. I haven’t decided who to give the extra ticket to.

Pinkie (irritated), Rarity (eagerly): You haven’t?!?

Fluttershy: Um…excuse me.

(They look behind themselves and find Fluttershy and Angel, the rabbit, close by; the latter is back on the ground and holds the tickets.)

Fluttershy: Twilight, I would just like to ask…I mean, if it would be all right…if you haven’t given it to someone else…

Marx: Great now Fluttershy want to go too.

Rarity: (disbelieving) You? You want to go to the Gala?

Fluttershy: Oh…no. (Angel kicks her leg; she thinks again.) I—I mean, yes…or, actually, kind of. You see…

(She flies along a path lined by flowering shrubs and trees loaded with birdhouses.)

* Fluttershy: …it’s not so much the Grand Galloping Gala, as it is the wondrous private gated garden that surrounds the dance. The flowers are said to be the most beautiful and fragrant in all of Equestria.

(She stops at a flower and buries her face in it to inhale its scent, then flies to another clump of trees.)

* Fluttershy: For the night of the Gala, and that night alone, will they all be in bloom. And that’s just the flora! Don’t get me started on the fauna.

(A swarm of butterflies zips past; behind them. The first three jays she names land on her head, the two birds after them on her back.)

* Fluttershy: There’s loons and toucans and bitterns, oh my! Hummingbirds that can really hum, and buzzards that can really buzz! White-bluejays, and redjays and greenjays, pinkjays and pink flamingos!

( Fluttershy has gathered Angel into her front hooves and is hovering just in front of Twilight.)

Marx: (In mind to the readers) Didn't you expect me to interrupt her fantasy, right? And that's why I'm not going to tell her that the animals there aren't very social with strangers.

Twilight: Gee, Fluttershy, it sounds…beautiful?

Rainbow:  Wait just a minute! (Quick pan to her, perched on a roof.)

Twilight: Rainbow Dash! (Back to her.) Were you following me? (Rainbow lands.)

Rainbow: No—I mean, yes—I mean, maybe—look, it doesn’t matter! I couldn’t risk a goody-four-shoes like you giving that ticket away to just anybody. (Applejack walks up.)

Applejack: Wait just another minute!

Twilight: Applejack! Were you following me too?

Applejack: No, I was followin’… (pointing at Rainbow) …this one, to make sure she didn’t try any funny business! Still tryin’ to take my ticket.
Rainbow: (floating off ground) Your ticket?! (Pinkie approaches.)

Pinkie: But Twilight’s taking me!

(Twilight finds herself on the wrong end of a quintuple verbal fusillade when Fluttershy and Rarity join in on the argument.)

Act Two

( Twilight against a pink background, in the bottom center portion of the screen. The remaining area is quickly tiled in with squares that contain the faces of the other five ponies, who are still directing their abuse her way. Marx is already irritated by all this noise so he stopped them. And he pulled out an air horn)

(These made the girls shut up and so Marx could be heard)

Marx: At last you have all silent now. (shouts) I really don't care what your reasons are for going to the Gala, but it won't help you if you yell at Twilight. It's her tickets, she decide. (Twilight's stomach hears) And at least leat her to eat something before you talk to her. Come on, Twilight. (picks her up and Spike with his magic)

(Twilight and her friends were amazed at how Marx reacted. And as he said they started to leave)

(The others disperse with much reluctant grumbling. Now Twilight, Spike and Marx are at a restaurant for Twilight to satisfy her hunger. )

Twilight: (wearily) Ah, Marx, Spike what am I gonna do? (levitating a flower) All five of my best friends have really good reasons to go to the Gala. (pulling one petal at a time) Applejack…or Rainbow Dash or Pinkie Pie or Fluttershy, Rarity …oh, who should go with me?

(Yet another grumble from down south; her face falls, and she sticks out her tongue to round up the petals and eat them.)

Male voice: Have you made your decision?

(A longer shot reveals that the speaker is the waiter, Horte Cuisine.)

Twilight: I CAN’T DECIDE!! (The other diners stare at her.)

Marx: He refers to food.

Twilight: (sheepishly) Oh. I would love a daffodil and daisy sandwich.

Spike: Do you have any rubies? (Funny look from Horte.) No? (tossing menu over shoulder) Okay. I’ll have the hay fries—extra crispy.

Horte:(to Marx) And you?

Marx: Everything. (Horte raised a frown of confusion) You heard me.(Horte leaves them.)

Twilight: What do you think, Spike?

Spike: I think we have to try another restaurant. I mean, I like grass just fine, but would it hurt anybody to offer some gemstones?

Twilight: I mean, about the Gala and the ticket and who I should take!

Spike: Oh. You’re still on that? (Twilight leans angrily over the table, knocking the vase away.)

Twilight: Spike, listen! (settling back down) How do I choose? And when I do choose, will the other four be mad at me?

Twilight: I mean, I could give up my ticket and give away two, but that would still leave three disappointed ponies. What if I—(Marx puts a hoof on her mouth to shut her)

Marx: Can you panic after eating? (takes his hoof out of her mouth)

Horte: Ah, your food. (Cam he served Spike their food and even Marx)

Twilight: Oh, thank you. This looks so good. I’m sure everything will be much clearer once I eat. And by the way, Marx, how will you be able to eat it all?

Marx: Watch. (He threw all the food in the air with all the plates and when the food started to fall he swallowed everything whole. Twilight is shocked) Excuse me for a moment.(Then he burp loudly and when he did this he also took out all the plates from his stomach.)

(Twilight was left speechless so she turned her attention to eating her sandwich, but a small stampede past the table gets her attention first.)

Horte:  Um, madame?  Are you going to eat your food in the rain?

Twilight: It’s not raining.

Marx: Look at the sky.

(He point to show that her table now sits in a spot of tranquil clear sky at the heart of an instant thunderstorm.)

Twilight: (looking up) What’s going on?

(Tilt up quickly to the clouds; Rainbow cheerfully pokes her head through a hole in them.)

Rainbow: Hi there, best friend forever I’ve ever ever had! Enjoying the sunny weather?

Twilight: (suspiciously) Rainbow Dash, what are you doing?

Rainbow: (innocently) What do you mean? I just saw the smartest, most generous pony about to get rained on so I thought I’d kick a hole in the clouds to keep her dry so she could dine in peace. That’s all.

Marx: (He has a bored expression) Ok, I'm leaving. (teleported back to the library)

(Marx teleported back to the library in his own bed to rest from this crazy day.)

Marx: This day was one of the worst. And I've had even worse days in the past. (he started to fall asleep and hope he wouldn't be disturbed anymore)

(A few minutes later Marx woke up when he began to hear noise and saw that the source was Fluttershy and her animals cleaning the library.)

Marx: Fluttershy what are you doing here?!

Fluttershy: Oh hey Marx. I.. am sorry if I deranged you.

Marx: Why are you here? Are you also trying to win that ticket?

Fluttershy: What... n-no. I am just doing a little spring cleaning.

Marx: (Unconvinced) Yea, sure.

(The door opened through which Twilight enters and is shocked what Fluttershy is doing)

Twilight: Fluttershy, not you too!

Fluttershy: Oh…well, hello, Twilight. I hope you don’t mind, but we’re all doing a little spring cleaning for you.

Twilight: (dryly) It’s summer.

Fluttershy: Oh…well, better late than never, right?  It was Angel’s idea.

(The white bunny has donned a chef’s hat and is tossing a salad with a happy squeak and wave.)

Twilight: You’re not doing this for the ticket, are you?

Marx: Yes she does.

Fluttershy: (descending to floor) No! I’m doing this because you’re my very best friend. Right, Angel?

(Angel gives her a disgusted look.)

Fluttershy:  Oh.  Yes. We are just doing this for the ticket.

(Angel proffers the salad, Twilight’s stomach grumbling in response; her words come with enough force to blow food and chef backward.)

Twilight: No, no, NO! (heading for door, magically opening it) Well, this was all very nice of you and Angel, but I am not accepting any extra favors until I’ve made my final decision. (pointing out) So I’m going to have to ask you to leave.

(A burst of confetti and streamers comes flying in.)

Pinkie, Crowd: (from outside) SURPRISE!!

(Party noisemaker horns are blown at Twilight, and the pink goofball reaches in to yank her bodily onto the lawn. Outside, the group repeatedly tosses her upward during the following; each of her spoken lines is in midair.)

Pinkie: Twilight is my bestest friend, whoopee, whoopee

Twilight: Pinkie…

Pinkie: The cutest, smartest, all-around best pony, pony

Twilight: Pinkie…

Pinkie: I bet if I throw a super-duper fun party, party

Twilight: Pinkie!

Pinkie: (hopping around) She’ll give her extra ticket to the Gala to me

Twilight: PIIINKIIIEEE!!

(Pinkie finally shuts up as all the spectators back off—leaving Twilight to hit the ground on her back.)

Pinkie: (innocently) Yes, Twilight? (She flutters her eyelashes.)

Twilight: (sitting up) At least the other ponies tried to be subtle about the ticket!

Mare 1: Wait. What ticket? What Gala?

Pinkie: Oh, you didn’t know? Twilight has an extra ticket to the Grand Galloping Gala!

Crowd: The Grand Galloping Gala?!?

Various: Have I ever told you how much I love your mane? (Spike runs by, pulling her away.) I’ll wash your dishes!

Daisy: Would you like any help with your gardening? (Turn around; another has cut them off.)

Mare 2: (holding up carrots) I have a cartload of extra carrots. (The crowd closes in; shouting offers; Spike climbs on Twilight’s back.)

Spike: What are we gonna do?

Twilight: We’re…gonna…RUUUNNN!!(They run away!)

Pinkie: So it's a maybe?

Marx: (completely irritated) That's it! (and used all the magic she had left to lead Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie Pie into the library and they all shocked)

Applejack: What the hay?

Fluttershy: Aaaah!

Rarity: What happen?

Rainbow: How do we got here?

Pinkie: Again! Again! Again!

Rainbow: Why did you bring us here Marx?!

Marx: Why? Why?! (his voice raised fright them)I did it because I want you all to stop winning the Twilight ticket! You won't know how hard it is for her to decide! And your attempts don't help her at all! Today you care only about yourselves and your greedy plans! You really didn't care how Twilight felt about all your attempts to get the ticket! You should be all ashamed! (his words made the five of them realize their mistake)

Rainbow: You are right.

Applejack: We were greedy.

Rarity: We just care about ourselves.

Fluttershy: Were sorry.

Pinkie: It wasn't nice what we did.

Marx: You have to apologize especially to Twilight. Do you all understand?

All five: Yes...
(After a few minutes Twilight qnd Spike teleported back in the library. )

Spike: Warn me next time you’re gonna do that! (He shakes clean; Twilight comes around.)

Twilight: I didn’t even know it was gonna happen! Now, quick! Lock the doors!

(Outside, night has fallen. She blows out the lantern at one window, Spike slams the front door, and all the lights in the windows are switched off. This shot reveals a detail of the building that was not visible in previous shots: an observatory platform attached to the topmost limb. Inside, she and Spike lean wearily against each other.)

Twilight: Phew.

(The lights come on, startling them; quick pan to the reason—her five friends have gathered in a loft above the bookshelves and are waiting expectantly. Twilight screams.)

Twilight: I can’t decide, I just can’t decide! It’s important to all of you and I just can’t stand to disappoint any of you, and giving me gifts and doing me favors won’t make any difference because you’re all my friends, and I want to make you all happy and I can’t! I just can’t!

(She winds up in a huddle on the floor, forelegs wrapped around head, as Applejack walks up.)

Applejack: Twilight, sugar, we—We didn’t mean to put so much pressure on you. Marx talked to us and made us understand that it was not right what we all did.  And if it helps, I don’t want the ticket anymore. You can give it to somepony else. I won’t feel bad, I promise. (Fluttershy flies down to them.)

Fluttershy: Me too. I feel just awful that I made you feel so awful. (Pinkie and Rarity are still in the loft.)

Pinkie: And me too. It’s no fun upsetting your friends.

Rarity: Twilight, it was unfair of me to try to force you as I did.

Rainbow: Yea, me too. That means the ticket is mine!

Applejack: We all got so gung-ho about goin’ to the Gala that we couldn’t see how un-gung-ho we were makin’ you. (Twilight smiles.)

All ponies but Twilight and Marx: (from o.s.) We’re sorry, Twilight.

Marx: So what are you going to do with the tickets if no one wants them anymore Twilight?

Twilight: I think I know. Spike, take down a note. “Dear Princess Celestia…” (levitating both tickets) “I’ve learned that one of the joys of friendship is sharing your blessings.”. “But when there’s not enough blessings to go around, having more than your friends can make you feel pretty awful.” (They reach Spike and float down to the scroll.) “So, though I appreciate the invitation…” (They tuck themselves in.) “…I will be returning both tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala.” (Back to her.)

Others but Marx: WHAT?!?!?
Twilight: If my friends can’t all go I don’t want to go either.

Applejack: (gasping softly, as Rainbow floats down) Twilight, you don’t have to do that.

Twilight: Nope, I’ve made up my mind. Spike, you can send the letter now.

(He opens the nearest window and burns the scroll to get it gone. Zoom out to frame Fluttershy in the foreground.)

Fluttershy: Now you won’t get to go to the Gala either.

Twilight: It’s okay, girls. I couldn’t possibly enjoy myself without my best friends there with me. (They gather around her, laughing gently.) So I would rather not go at all.

Marx: In my opinion, I think you did it right. At least you won't have to waste your time at the Gala anymore.

Applejack: You really hate the Gala don't you?

Marx: Yes and I will still do it.

(Unexpectedly, Spike materialized a new letter from Celestia.)

Twilight: A letter from the Princess? That was fast. (Spike opens it.)

Spike: (reading) “My faithful student Twilight: Why didn’t you just say so in the first place?”

(Seven gold tickets pop out of the parchment; close-up of his hand, which holds them fanned out like a poker hand.)

Spike: Six tickets to the Grand Galloping Gala! (Collective gasp cut to frame all six ponies.)

Twilight: Now we can all go!

Marx: Wait a momente! Why are there seven tickets I don't want to go!

Spike: (read) By the way, Marx, you are obliged to come to the Gala whether you like it or not.

Marx: Dang it!

Twilight: Hey, who knows.

Rarity: Maybe you'll like at the Gala.

Marx: (groan) Definitely no.

(Everyone hears Twilight's stomach )

Rarity: Allow us to treat you to dinner.

(The ponies exit one by one, the tickets floating out of Spike’s hand in time due to Twilight’s magic.)

Rainbow:  What a great way to apologize!

Pinkie: And to celebrate!  Come on, everyone! The cupcakes are on me!

Marx: I hope that eating will be able to cheer me up from this bad news. (goes outside gloomy)

(As Applejack brings up the rear, Spike holds back the last ticket only to have it whisked out of his hand.)

Spike: (dejectedly) How come I don’t get a ticket to the Gala?

( The belch rumbles out and the green flare spills from the door and windows for a moment. Back to him, now holding an unfurled scroll.)

Spike: (reading) “And one for you, Spike.”

(Outside, he runs from the library laughing but stops short at the sight of Applejack and Marx directing a knowing little smile his way. Despite all his protestations, he genuinely wants a piece of this action.)

Spike: Huh? (walking slowly by) I mean, gross! I have to go too?

Marx: Shut up and come to eat with everyone. (he says it with annoyance that he also has to go to the Gala)

(Tilt up to frame Canterlot in the distant, starlit high altitudes, then fade to black.)