Thirty Minute Pony Stories

The Epic Tale of the Finding of the Elements of Harmony

As depicted by The Ponyville Players, and guest star Princess Luna 

“Lulu, are you sure you want to do this? I know it’s still a bit of a sore subject for you.” Celestia looked at her sister with concern on her face,

“Tia, it’s alright. It’s been 3 decades since that day, and I am more than able to handle a stage play. The foals love it, and it’s an important part of history now.” Luna replied, smiling in an attempt to reassure her sister. The Solar Goddess simply nodded, and trotted towards the audience assembling in Ponyville’s square, all stood before a large wooden stage.

A curtain was drawn across the stage, separating the audience from the frantic scramble for order that passed for the backstage. Stage crew ponies were fretting about unorganised props, extras were fiddling with costumes, and 6 mares were having one last read-through of their more important lines.

“How do you know so much about what’s going on then? Are you a spy?” yelled a dark blue with rainbow maned pegasus mare.

“Tha’s the right lines an’ all, sigarcube, but y’all gotta remember that line ain’t s’posed ta be yelled. It’s s’posed ta be accusin’. Ya gotta say it real intense like. Not loud, but forceful, sinister,” said an earth pony with a russet red mane and a green coat.

“Gah, I know, Honeycrisp! I’ll get this line right, I swear! I just thought I’d put my own awesome spin on it, ya know?”

“Yeah yeah, jus’ stick ta the script, Thunderbolt, and we’ll be fine.”

The deliberating mares were joined by another, bouncing her way over, frizzy pink mane standing out against her brilliant yellow coat.

“Heya girls! You both ready to show those ponies what we’re made of?” She asked with a huge smile on her face.

“She’s as bad as her Mom.” Thunderbolt sighed. “Yeah, Bubblegum, we’re ready. Come on, let’s get into place!”

A harried looking mare ran through the backstage, examining a clipboard before yelling aloud.

“Do we have our Nightmare Moon? Anypony seen our Nightmare Moon anywhere?” A tap on her shoulder made the mare shriek, before her eyes settled on the Lunar Princess standing right behind her.

“I am here, Stagemistress. Fret not. I will not let this production fall into disarray while I am still able to draw breath!” Luna proclaimed loudly. A little too loudly, as some ponies who plugged their ears could attest to.

“Ah…heh…perfect, right, well, costume on please!” A glow of Luna’s horn, and she was ready for her debut.

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

The curtain was pulled, the orchestra began, and onto the stage, a dragon walked on, purple and green scales shining as though they had been polished. Spike beamed at the audience, his deeper and more mature voice ringing out over the crowd as he began.

“Our tale begins 30 years ago, when the time of Prophecy drew near, but nopony except for one of Equestria’s Chosen and the Princess of the Sun herself knew anything about what was to happen. It was a beautiful day, with the sun shining, the birds singing, the ponies playing, the shopkeepers selling, the students studying, the foals learning In school, the-“

“We get it! Move on!” Came a yell from the audience.

“Ahem, yes, well…Twilight Sparkle, favoured student of Princess Celestia herself, had studied the stories of the Mare in the Moon, and had learned of her impending return. Because of this, she had to warn the Princess, and soon…”

\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/

It was nearing the end of the first half of the play, and in the audience, six older mares were watching with a mix of wide smiles and embarrassed blushes. Seeing their lives depicted on stage was an unusual experience, but one they had to admit they rather enjoyed. Rainbow Dash was quick to cheer as soon as her daughter Thunderbolt came on stage, emulating her mother almost flawlessly. Twilight beamed with pride as her own daughter managed to convey realistically the difficulty she faced when she first visited Ponyville. Applejack had a grin a mile wide, as did Pinkie Pie and Rarity. Fluttershy gave a smile of encouragement to her own daughter as the younger mare said her lines, but much like her mother, she was indeed shy. Of course, the moment that many had waited for, and that Celestia was so concerned about was due.

Backstage, the stage manager whispered to Luna that her cue was coming up. Luna fidgeted and frowned, running her actions and lines through her head, before nodding more for her own benefit than any pony else’s that she was ready.

The curtain before her stood ready to open, and Luna waited for her cue. Suddenly, the curtain opened, and Luna stepped forward, presenting an air of menace. The audience gasped. There, on the stage, was Nightmare Moon, or at least what appeared to be Nightmare Moon. Luna swallowed, and recited her lines.

“Aaah, my beloved subject! It’s been so long since I’ve seen your precious little sunloving faces. Remember this day little ponies, for it was your last! From this moment forth, the night….shall last….FOREVER! AH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

As the curtain fell for the interval, Luna breathed a sigh of relief. Her ears perked, and she smiled at what she heard. From the other side of the curtain could be heard the hoofstomps of applause from a very eager and appreciative audience.

“Hmm…I could get used to this…”

Norse Pony’s comments: That last line is great, I love how you tied together Luna being appreciated on stage with the jealousy that originally brought about Nightmare Moon. Having the various kids play their moms was adorable, and I’m enamored of the idea of a stage play to memorialize the events of the first episodes. That’s a great concept for the story, well done.