My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic

Note: This episode is also known as "Mare in the Moon".

Plot Synopsis

Storytime, kiddies!

Once upon a time, there were two princesses who ruled over the kingdom of Equestria: a land populated by ponies, unicorns, and peagusi. The eldest, Princess Celestia, rose the sun to rule over the day while the youngest, Princess Luna, rose the moon to rule over the night. In harmony, they watched over the kingdom and its subjects. However, Luna soon grew resentful of her position. Since the ponies would slumber at the time, there were no subjects who would enjoy her "beautiful night". So one morning, she refused to let her sister raise the sun. Her bitterness turned her into the evil Nightmare Moon, who vowed to blanket the land in eternal night. With no other option, Celestia reluctantly used the Elements of Harmony, the most powerful magic in the land, to imprison her sister in the moon. From that day on, Celestia took on the role of raising both the sun and the moon and became the sole ruler of Equestria.

Meet Twilight Sparkle. Are you a book? If not, she doesn't give a shit about you.

One thousand years later (Next Sunday A.D.) Equestria remains a peaceful land. But in the land’s capital of Canterlot, one unicorn, a magic prodigy named Twilight Sparkle, is concerned that soon, this may no longer be the case. Twilight spends her days with her face buried in books and had recently re-read the myth of Nightmare Moon. After further research, she’s become convinced that the prophecy is about to come true. According to the prophecy, Nightmare Moon is due to return on the thousandth year of the Summer Sun Celebration, which is the next day. She has her assistant, a baby dragon named Spike, write an urgent letter to her teacher, Princess Celestia. Twilight is confidant that Celestia will take action, since the princess had trusted her judgment in the past. Immediately, the princess sends her reply, but it's not what Twilight expects. Instead, the letter asks Twilight to make her way to the village of Ponyville to supervise the celebration. But that's not the only thing: Celestia orders that Twilight uses the opportunity to make friends.

"OMG."

Twilight is shocked, but it's an acute observation. Twilight spends every available moment studying and has willingly brushed off all her peers. Nonetheless, she is concerned that Celestia is not taking her findings seriously. But orders are orders, so she travels with Spike to Ponyville to meet with the townsfolk. Things don't get off to a good start. The first pony she meets simply gasps and runs away. Figuring that the whole friendship order is a waste of time, Twilight instead focuses on supervising the preparations as quickly as possible, so that she may continue her research at the town library.

Meet Applejack, Yee-haw! Git-R-Done. South.

First, Twilight heads outside of town to Sweet Apple Acres, a family-run apple orchard, to check up on the banquet. There, she meets Applejack, a farm-raised earth pony who comes from a long line of apple farmers. Twilight is introduced to Applejack's brother, sister, grandmother, and the entire Apple family, who are there for a family reunion. After seeing that the food is handled, she reluctantly stays around for brunch.

Meet Rainbow Dash, she may or may not eat carpet.

Making her way back into town, she meets with Rainbow Dash: a boisterous pegusus who, despite being asked to clear the skies, appears to be goofing off. After colliding with Twilight, and cleaning off the mud, she explains that she'll deal with the clouds after she's done practicing her moves. She hopes to impress the Wonderbolts: Equestria's renowned flying troupe, who are performing at the celebration. But Twilight points out that they would never audition someone who doesn't even do her job properly. But Rainbow proves the unicorn wrong, managing to clear the skies in 10 seconds flat. With Twilight dumfounded, Spike checks off the weather and the two make their way to the town hall.

Meet Rarity, the fabulous drama queen of Harlem.

Inside, they find a beautiful unicorn named Rarity, who has been put in charge of the decorations. Having done an excellent job, Twilight gets ready to check her off when Rarity, instead, takes her back to her boutique to fix her hair. Rainbow Dash's airdrying had poofed it out, so Rarity gives her fellow unicorn a makeover. As Twilight explains her objective, Rarity is left in awe at the sheer mention of "Canterlot", and wishes to hear all about it. But as she looks around her store for a better outfit, Twilight and Spike sneak away before they get behind schedule.

Meet Fluttershy, her catchphrase is "(squeak)".

Finally, the two head out to check on the music preparations. They find a chorus of birds who are being conducted by another peasgus named Fluttershy. As her name implies, the girl is incredibly timid; too scared to properly introduce herself. Seeing that the music is done, Twilight prepares to head off with Spike, whose appearance suddenly catches Fluttershy's interest, and allows her to open up. Having never seen a baby dragon before, let alone one that can talk, Fluttershy wants to hear all about him. So she follows the two back into town, as Spike tells his whole life story while an annoyed Twilight leads ahead.

Meet Pinkie Pie, she's the reason this show is so damn popular.

Finally, Twilight arrives at Ponyville's library. Hoping to get back to learning about The Elements of Harmony, the power that imprisoned Nightmare Moon, she shoos away Fluttershy and enters the darken library... and is greeted by a surprise welcoming party. The party, which was made at a very short notice, was organized by Pinkie Pie; the gasping earth pony Twilight had met when she first arrived. Pinkie, being the talkative hyperactive, explains that she threw the party together in hopes that, since Twilight is new in town, she will be able to find friends more quickly. Also present at the party are the ponies that Twilight had met throughout the day, who are all willing to be her friends. But in reality, Twilight wants nothing of it.

Meet Nightmare Moon, she'll be your villain for this two-part pilot.

As the party continues, Twilight retires to her makeshift room. She wants nothing to do with the ponies, which she denounce as being "crazy; nothing more than a distraction from the real problem at hand. It's the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration, so while everyone is partying until sunrise, Twilight is hoping that Nightmare Moon's return is nothing more than a myth.

That morning, Twilight and Spike make their way to the town hall, where the mayor begins the festivities. But as she begins the formalities, Twilight looks skyward and notices that the unicorn shape on the moon has suddenly vanished. The mayor then introduces Princess Celestia, but when the curtain is pulled back, she isn't there. A moment later, Nightmare Moon appears before the stunned crowd. Returned after a thousand years of imprisonment, she vows that the Equestria will now forever be shrouded in the night.