Princess Celestia!
I have an idea for your onesversary.
My… onesversary?
The 1111th year anniversary of when you first raised the sun.
Good thing Pinkie Pie reminded us.
Or we would have forgot to celebrate!
You're not the only ones.
What did you have in mind?
To commemorate your first sunrise I've written a play.
We would like to perform it at my School of Friendship if you don't mind.
Mind?
Of course not!
I think a play is a fantastic idea!
Did she just… prance?
Forgive me for getting so excited.
It's just… when I was a filly
my friends often put on plays.
It was so wonderful.
Everypony coming together to create a magical experience to share with others.
I've always believed theater brings out the best in us
and forges a special bond of friendship.
I didn't know you used to act.
Oh, not me.
I was always too busy with my magic lessons to be part of any plays myself,
but still… it's something I always wished I could experience.
And you still can.
Princess Celestia, we would be honored if you would be the star of our play.
We would?!
You want me to star in your play?!
Yeah…
When did that happen exactly?
If you'll excuse us for a second…
Don't you see, Spike? It's perfect!
Princess Celestia has always wanted to be in a play!
And this one's all about her.
I guess, but how are we supposed to give her directions?
She's the ruler of Equestria!
She's also our friend.
Celestia is always kind to everypony.
So if we have a chance to finally do something for her, we should.
Come on, how many times has Celestia helped us,
guided us, been a warm calming voice over our shoulder.
Twilight.
Yes, Princess Celestia.
Your invitation is very kind,
but are you certain it's wise?
I have no acting experience at all.
Experience?
You'll be playing yourself!
And we'll all help you.
Ple-ease.
And it means so much to the students if you are in our show.
Well… if you're sure…
Yeah, what she said.
Then I would be delighted to join your theater troupe.
Confetti is ready.
Wormy apple cores, Pinkie!
How many times have I told you to keep your special effects away from my sets?!
Three hundred twenty-seven.
Oh, and if you just did…
then it's three hundred twenty-eight.
Can't believe you've memorized your lines already Fluttershy.
Once you get past terrifying paralyzing stage fright
the rest is easy.
Now I just hope Princess Celestia says we can do our play.
As soon as she sees these fabulous costumes,
all she'll be able to say is — bravo!
Heads up!
Here comes our answer!
Wonderful news, everypony.
We get to put on our show?
Even better.
Princess Celestia is gonna be our star.
Yeah, that's how I felt too.
Celestia?!
Starring in our play?
This is huge!
Well, she was a little nervous at first,
but I told her not to worry.
With us helping it'll all go smooth as…
Silk!
I must find the silk!
If Celestia is going to be in our play
we have to take everything up to the next level!
None of these old ideas will do!
Yeah, forget my regular party cannon
for Princess size effects we're gonna need Big Bertha.
Pinkie!
What?
Our play is gonna be amazing!
I gotta tell everypony I know!
And even the ones I don't!
Why in tarnation are y'all gettin so starstruck?
We've met Princess Celestia before.
Plenty of times.
Those were formal things — Galas, world-saving…
This is different!
Imagine doing sweaty warm-ups with a princess,
blowing your nose in front of a princess, sitting around just…
talking with a princess.
I'm a princess, you talk to me.
That's different.
You're not a princess princess.
Huh, thanks.
Celestia wants to experience the special friendship the theater ponies have.
To give her that, you just need to be yourselves.
You…
You really think so?
Quit fretting.
It's only a couple of pals getting together to put on a onesversary play.
What could go wrong?
Places, everypony!
We're here to rehearse "A New Day in Equestria".
Corrected, written and produced by Twilight Sparkle.
Page one, act one, scene one, action!
Once upon a time, before Celestia,
Equestria was suffering terrible hardship.
Raising the Sun every morning was so hard
it took five great sorcerers plus Star Swirl the Bearded to do it.
And every day the unicorns helping Star Swirl would use so much magic
that they've lost their powers… forever.
Things looked bleak.
Soon,
Equestria would lose all its magic users.
Then the land would be covered in darkness.
For… eternity.
Even I can't believe how good my play is!
The sets, the props, the outfits, they're all great!
And… here comes the best part.
But then, a student named Celestia
discovered she had the power to raise the Sun herself
without draining her magic!
That's your cue, Celestia!
Oh! Right! Of course!
It is time for a new day
in Equestria.
What.
Oh I said,
it is time for a new day
in Equestria.
And your delivery was… great,
but maybe you should try it a tiny bit louder…
for the ponies in the back row.
Oh, yes, yes! My royal Canterlot voice!
Thank you for the reminder, Twilight.
It is time for a new day in Equestria!
Oh, goodness!
This theater does have strong acoustics.
That my apologies.
I'm still learning to hone my craft.
No, no, you're doing… fine!
Why don't we try it one more time?
Just like you're talking to me.
It is time for a new day in Equestria.
A bit more energy.
It's time for a new day in Equestria!
How is that?
Honestly, Your…
Great! Wow!
It's hard to believe you've never done this before!
Let's move on to the next number!
Again!
Step! Buck! Leap! Touch!
Again!
Step! Buck! Leap! Touch!
Got it!
Move it on!
Five! Six! Seven! Eight!
Come on, Star Swirl,
throw off that musty hat
and let's have a dance!
Oh dear.
I think we have a problem!
Yeah, our lead actress
is a disaster.
What are we gonna do?!
If I tell Celestia she's terrible, it'll hurt her feelings and I'll be a bad friend.
But if I keep her at the show, she'll be the laughingstock of Equestria,
and I'll be a worse friend!
You need to tell Celestia the truth, Twilight.
Any other suggestions?
Why don't we just cancel the show?
Real suggestions?
No, think about it.
Right now most of Equestria doesn't even know we're doing a onesversary play.
If we shut it down…
nopony will ever never miss it!
So they'll never find out Princess Celestia is a bad actress!
And she won't be embarrassed!
It's a perfect plan!
All right!
I just finished telling everypony to come to our play!
You… did?
Yeah, you should have seen how excited they got when they found out Celestia was in it!
They said they'd tell their friends and then their friends'd tell their friends!
Everypony in Equestria is gonna see this thing!
Did I miss something?
Just a bright light of hope being snuffed.
But that's okay.
If we can't cancel the show,
we know what have to do.
Be honest with Celestia and give the lead role to somepony else?
Not a chance!
Twilight! You know truth is a huge part of friendship!
And so is making another ponies dreams come true.
Look.
I promised Celestia that this time she could be a part of the play,
instead of just watching it.
And I plan to keep that promise.
But… how?
You want to give me acting lessons?
No-no-no-no-no!
More like a… special workshop with other actors.
To take your performance from good to flawless.
Thank you so much Twilight!
This is what I always knew theater must be about!
That special stagepony bond of sheer trust and honesty.
Yeah… that's what it is.
Princess Celestia, meet method mare performers
On Stage and Raspberry Beret.
Avec plaisir, Your Majesty.
The pleasure is all mine.
If there's anything I can do to become a better equestrian thespian,
I will!
What do you have planned?
I thought we'd make it up as we go along…
Otherwise known as
improvisation.
Yes and we can start as soon as we get out of this box.
What… box?
How's it going over here?
That sun will never rise again.
That's why I have something even better!
Oh, it's the perfect substitute!
It… was the perfect substitute.
Please, give me something to be happy about!
Let's try visualization.
And you're skiing!
Oh, it's so snowy today!
I'm getting chilly.
Should I get you a blanket?
All aboard!
The Ponyville Express is leaving the station!
It is?
I don't see anything.
Let's be weeping willows in the wind!
We are strong in adversity yet supple as we bow to fate!
Well, what do you feel?!
N-n-nothing.
Oh, the classroom floor under my hooves!
Does that count?
Do I wanna know?
Wait for it…
Pinkie Pie!
What?! It's realistic!
The Sun is just like burning marshmallow!
What are they doing now?!
They do the simplest acting exercise they could think of.
A game of charades.
A puppy!
A duck-billed platypus!
Antidisestablishmentarianism!
Oh, I give up! What?!
My love for Equestria and all the ponies in it!
Twilight, you felt what I was emoting, didn't you?
Y-yeah!
Now that's the best acting we've seen all day.
Okay, I tried, I tried and tried!
Well, we have to face facts.
We can't make Celestia an actress,
so there's only one thing to do!
Tell her the truth finally?
No!
I've rewritten the script to give Celestia a more artistic part… with no lines.
And to make sure the show's a hit
I've whipped up this the biggest, bestest, flashiest fake sun ever!
Pinkie, that is unsafe.
Why would untested magic fireworks that I bought in a back-alley from Trixie at midnight be unsafe?
I can't take it anymore!
It was supposed to be a simple play.
Just one simple play!
And then everything goes wrong, from the stage to the props,
right down to the worst lead actress in Equestria!
Twilight, if you honestly felt I was a bad actress
why didn't you tell me?
I'm so sorry,
I didn't mean to insult your acting,
it's just… I got so stressed!
But… that's no excuse for what I said.
You have every right to be upset with me.
I'm not upset because you insulted my acting.
You're not?
I'm upset,
because it all the time we've known each other,
I thought I taught you about the importance of friendship, trust and honesty.
Celestia, wait!
No, you can't fly away now, look!
Ponies are taking their seats for the show.
Standing room only!
Did I do a good job of advertising for this thing or what?
Sorry.
We can't put on a show with no lead actress.
You'll go find Celestia.
We'll figure out a way to stall this thing till you get back.
Good luck.
Nopony's gonna volunteer to try to tame that.
Nopony indeed.
So…
Who likes juggling?
Princess Celestia! Please wait!
Can we talk?
I'm afraid I haven't much to say Twilight.
Alright then, just listen.
You've guided me since I was a filly,
you've given me knowledge, and advice, and friendship.
Just once,
I wanted to be able to give something back to you.
I know what I did was wrong.
I should have told you the truth.
But I promised you could be in our play.
I had to make it work.
Nothing would make me feel worse than knowing I disappointed you.
You really mean that.
Of course!
I look up to you more than anypony I've ever met.
I hate to let you down.
Like I did.
You had good intentions, Twilight.
But you know that the truth is always better than a well meant lie.
Didn't Applejack remind you?
About a hundred times.
And now, because I didn't listen to her,
I've ruined your whole onesversary.
Well, I don't know about that.
Isn't there an old saying:
"The show must go on."?
There may be a way for us to save the play yet.
But how? I mean,
if I'm being completely honest,
you're not an actress.
No, but I am a princess.
Good news
free food!
Bad news
this play is officially disaster.
Fortunately, I know a thing or two about how to deal with those.
You came back!
Yes, but let's celebrate later.
Right now we have a show to do.
B… b-but how?!
The audience is about to riot!
We have no backdrop!
And our lead actress is…
No longer in that role.
Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Twilight,
go calm the audience.
Let them know the play will start in just a minute.
Rainbow Dash, bring us some clouds and place them behind the stage.
There. That's our new backdrop.
Starlight, do you have a copy of the script?
Spike, you narrate the play.
Fluttershy will be our new lead.
Oh my… Me? Playing you?
While you watch me playing you?
Oh no, oh no, I think my stage fright is coming back.
Visualize with me.
You're a princess. Regal. Commanding. Confident.
Feel the rising sun's warmth.
Equestria needs you.
Once upon a time, before Celestia,
Equestria was suffering terrible hardship.
Raising the sun every morning was so hard,
that it took five unicorn sorcerers, plus Star Swirl The Bearded to do it.
You call those great sorcerers?
Oh, no. Hecklers. What would we do?
Spike, improvise!
Yes! And… Raising the Sun each day was super draining.
But… you can see that for yourselves, right? I mean…
Do these guys look beat up or what?
Star Swirl is so stressed,
he's got kinks on his horn!
But that's okay,
because it turns out Celestia had the special power
to raise the sun all by herself.
It's time for a new day in Equestria!
In all the commotion we forgot we don't have a sun!
What do we do?
We play charades.
My goodness,
I had no idea this production would have such
elaborate special effects.
Judging by how many flowers the audience threw,
it seems our play was a success.
I just feel bad you never got a chance to actually be in it.
You shouldn't.
I never felt I had to be on stage to be a part of the show
All I ever wanted was to share an honest bond of creativity,
artistry and happiness with my friends.
And that's exactly what I got to do.
Thank you for saving our play, Princess Celestia.
You're welcome Twilight,
but from now on, none of you will have to call me princess anymore.
Wait what? We don't?
No.
I had so much fun tonight
I've decided to give up my crown,
step down from the throne,
and devote all of my time to the theater!
You… what!?
Gotcha.
Maybe I'm not such a bad actress after all.
SCHASTLIVY PONEC
anon2anon sunnysubs.com