The Return of Harmony: Part 1 (Stallion Version)

[Our story opens up in the Canterlot Royal gardens. Cherryloo is leading his students on a field trip through the statue garden.]

Cherryloo: I want to start our field trip here in the world-famous Canterlot sculpture garden. [points to a statue of 3 ponies playing together] That one over there represents "Friendship".  [calls out to Applebuck and his friends who are falling behind.] Alright students, this one represents "Victory". [A statue of a stallion with a long mane holding a flag.]

Scooteroll: How cool would it be to have that for a cutie mark?

Applebuck: [sarcastic] Cool… if you were actually victoryful at somethin'.

Sweepy Bell: That's not a word!

Scooteroll: [annoyed] What are you, a dictionary?

Cherryloo: [calls out annoyed] Boys! [The CMC boys quickly head over to the teacher] Now this is a really interesting statue. [Points at a strange looking statue] What do you notice about it?

[The statue is of a strange creature.  It has the arms of a lioness and an eagle, the legs of donkey and a dragon, and the head of an exceptionally beautiful mare.]

Applebuck: It's got an eagle claw.

Scooteroll: And a lion paw!

Sweepy Bell: And a snake tail!

Cherryloo: This creature is called a draconequus.  She has the head of a pony and a body of all sorts of other things. What do you suppose that represents?

Applebuck: Confusion!

Sweepy Bell: [pushed Applebuck aside] Evil!

Scooteroll: [Pushes Sweepy aside] Chaos!

Sweepy Bell: [annoyed] It's not chaos, you dodo!

Scooteroll: [angry] Don't call me things I don't know the meaning of, and it is too chaos!

Sweepy Bell: Is not!

Applebuck: [Pushes his friends aside] You're both wrong! [The three boys get into a fistfight. Cherryloo quickly moves in and breaks up the brawl.]

Cherryloo: Okay, break it up, break it up. [the boys stop fighting] Actually, in a way, you're all right. This statue represents "Eris", the goddess of discord, which means a lack of harmony between ponies. In fact, you three have demonstrated discord so well, that you're each going to write me an essay explaining it. [the boys moan in disappointment while their classmate snicker at them.] Now let's go, and I don't want to see you boys fighting again.

Applebuck: [still arguing] It's confusion!

Sweepy Bell: Evil!

Scooteroll: Chaos!

[The class continues their fieldtrip.  As they are leaving, the statue of Eris appears to crumble.  An evil yet seductive laugh can be heard in the distance.]

[Theme song plays.]

[The scene opens up in the middle of Ponyville.  Rainbow Blitz is chasing after some pink clouds.]

Rainbow Blitz: Come back here you! [flies at top speed and catches the cloud] Gotcha! [the cloud is sticky] What the hay is this!?... [licks the cloud] Cotton candy? [the cotton candy cloud starts raining on Blitz] Wait a second! It's not supposed to rain until tomorrow. You can't just– [the rain comes down harder] you did.

[Meanwhile, Applejack is busy harvesting corn, when Blitz and the candy clouds come into view.]

Rainbow Blitz: [chasing the clouds] Hey, I didn't tell you to go anywhere!

Applejack: Rainbow Blitz, what's going on with this rain? [notices that the rain is actually chocolate milk] I mean chocolate milk? I mean chocolate milk rain?!

Rainbow Blitz: [approaches Applejack] There's crazy weather all over Equestria! Cloudsdale is getting soaked by a major cola storm right now! But don't worry. I'm not leaving you until I get control of Ponyville! [at the same time, all of Applejack's corn starts popping into popcorn.]

Bubble Berry: [Jumping through the fields of popcorn.] Why would you wanna stop this? [slurps up the chocolate rain.]

Elusive: [approaches with a raincoat and umbrella] Ahem. I heard about your troubles, Applejack, and I came to see if there's anything I can do without getting wet... or dirty… Or out from under my umbrella.

[Suddenly, all the apples in the orchard increase in size, causing the trees to droop from the weight.  Several animals move in and start eating the apples.]

Applejack: Butterscotch! Do somethin'!

Butterscotch: Now, Lilitha, you really shouldn't– [Lilitha and all the rabbits around her suddenly sprout giraffe legs] No! It's not possible! I must be seeing things!

Dusk Shine: [approaches studying a book] Don't worry everyone. I've learned a new spell that'll fix everything. [Dusk Shine casts a powerful spell that radiates throughout all of Ponyville.  After finishing the spell, Dusk Shine looks up to see that his spell has done absolutely nothing.] [stunned] My fail-safe spell... failed! What do we do?

Barbara: Uh, give up?

Elusive: Barbara, [gives his umbrella to Dusk] Dusk Shine will come up with something.

Dusk Shine: [thinks for a moment] Okay, time for plan B. Blitz, can you corral all those clouds in one corner of the sky?

Rainbow Blitz: No problemo dude! [flies off and corrals all the clouds into a small cluster.]

Dusk Shine: Applejack, I need you to bring those high-strung storm clouds down to Earth. [Applejack quickly lassos all the clouds.]

Bubble Berry: [notices that the chocolate rain has stopped] Hey, what gives!?

[Dusk Shine wispers something to Butterscotch.]

Butterscotch: [acting] Oh no... I hope none of the animals see these delicious chocolate-filled cotton candy clouds. I'd hate to have to share them…

Bubble Berry: You and me both, dude! [the animals suddenly shove Berry aside and start eating the clouds] Hey!

Applejack: And when y'all are done with that, feel free to have some popcorn for dessert.

Dusk Shine: You see, Barb? You should never give up. There's nothing the six of us can't do. [Suddenly Barbara hacks up a letter from Lord Solaris.  Dusk Shine is stunned upon reading the letter] Come on gents. Lord Solaris wants to see us all in Canterlot immediately!

[Next Scene: Inside Canterlot Castle.  Lord Solaris is pacing around nervously when Dusk Shine and his friends arrive.]

Dusk Shine: Lord Solaris! We came as fast as we could.

Lord Solaris: Thank you Dusk Shine.  Thank you all.

Dusk Shine: [frantic] Is this about the weather, and the animal's weird behavior.  Why isn't my magic working? Is there- [Solaris holds up his hoof to interrupt Dusk Shine.

Lord Solaris: Come with me. [Solaris and the stallion six move to a long hallway filled with many stain glass windows.] I've called you here for a matter of great importance. It seems an old foe of mine, someone who I thought I defeated long ago… has returned.  Her name… is Eris! [Butterscotch lets out a wimpy yelp.] Eris is the goddess of chaos and anarchy.  Before my brother and I stood up to her, she ruled Equestria in an eternal state of unrest and unhappiness.  Artemis and I saw how miserable life was, for earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns alike. So… after discovering the Elements of Harmony, we combined our powers and rose against her, turning her to stone!

Rainbow Blitz: Alright Solaris!

Lord Solaris: I thought the spell we cast would keep her contained forever. But sence Artemis and I are no longer connected the elements the spell has been broken.

Dusk Shine: [Worried] You're no longer connected…

Lord Solaris: This is Canterlot Tower, where the elements kept inside since you all recovered them.  I need you to wield the Elements of Harmony once again, and stop Eris, before she thrust Equestria into eternal chaos.

Dusk Shine: But why us? Why don't you-

Bubble Berry: [interrupts] Hey look! [Points at a stain glass window with depicting the stallion six] We're famous!

Lord Solaris: You six have shown the full potential of the elements by harnessing the power of your friendship to defeat a mighty foe.  Although Artemis and I once wielded the elements, it is you who now control their power, and it is you who must defeat Eris.

Dusk Shine: [determined] Lord Solaris, you can count on us to-

Bubble Berry: [interrupts] Hold on a second!  Eternal chaos comes with chocolate rain you guys. CHOCOLATE RAIN!

Dusk Shine: [annoyed] Just ignore him my Lord. We'd be honored to use the Elements of Harmony again.

[Lord Solaris approaches a large door.  He inserts his horn into the door's keyhole and the door slowly opens.  Solaris retrieve a large beautiful box from behind the door.]

Elusive: [admiring the box] Since we're using them, can I just have the case while we're at it?

Lord Solaris: Have no fear young stallions.  I have total confidence that you will be able to defeat Eris… with these. [Solaris opens the case to reveal the Elements of Harmony… however, the box is empty.  Everyone gasps in horror.]

Bubble Berry: Oh well… If anyone needs me, I'll be licking up the chocolate rain puddles before they dry up. [tries to leave]

Applejack: [stops Berry] Aww no. Ya'll get your party keister back over here.

Dusk Shine: [worried] The elements, they're gone!

Lord Solaris: That chamber is protected by a powerful spell only I can brake… this doesn't make sense.

[A woman can be heard laughing seductively in the distance]

Voice: [a smooth, sweet, seductive female voice] Make sense, oh now what fun is there in making sense.

Lord Solaris: Eris! Show yourself!

Eris: [giggles] It seems you didn't miss me at all. Oh… Solaris dear, I missed you. [the stain glass depiction of Eris begins to move] It's been a blast being imprisoned in stone, but you wouldn't know that would you?  [angry] Because I don't turn ponies into stone! [Resumes her seductive tone] That's really quite rude, isn't it?

Lord Solaris: Enough!  What have you done with the Elements of Harmony?

Eris: Well, they were just so pretty I had to barrow them for a while. [giggles and make the depection of the Elements disappear from the window.]

Lord Solaris: You'll never get away with this, Eris.

Eris: [admiring her nails] Oh Solly, you really havn't changed at all, have you?  You're still so grim and depressing.  How dull…

Rainbow Blitz: [offended] Hey! Nopony insults Solaris! [Tries to attack Eris, but ends up crashing into the stained glass window.]

Eris: Oh, this must be Rainbow Blitz, famed for his loyalty, the element of harmony he represents.

Rainbow Blitz:  That's right!  And I'll have the Lord's back no matter what!

Eris: We'll see about that…

Elusive: What a trifle talking to tacky window.  Seems pointless…

Eris: [appears in the window behind Elusive] And this handsome devil is Elusive.  Representing generosity, if I'm not mistaken.

Applejack: So you know who we are, big deal.

Eris: Oh, I know much more than that… honest Applejack.

Dusk Shine: You seem to know our strengths as well.

Eris: Why yes… student Dusk Shine.  And you're is the most powerful and rare element, magic.  Butterscotch is kindness [Butterscotch cowers in fear of Eris] and Bubble Berry's is my absolute favorite, laughter. [Bubble Berry starts snickering]

Dusk Shine: [annoyed] Berry!

Bubble Berry: [laughing] She's sitting on your head! [Eris blows the stallion six a kiss while sitting on Dusk Shine's portrait.]

Lord Solaris: Stop stalling Eris.  What have you done with the Elements of Harmony?

Eris: Really now Solly, your such a bore.  Fine, I'll tell you, but I'll only tell you my way.  To retrieve your precious elements, just make sense of this change of events.  Twists and turns are my master plan, [the windows go back to normal] then find the elements back where you began. [giggles]

Butterscotch: [scared] Can we go home now?

Applejack: What do you reckon she ment?  Twists and turns to back where we start.

Dusk Shine: [thinking]  Twists and turns… Twists and turns… [looks out the window at the royal gardens] Twists and turns! That's it! I bet Eris hid the Elements inside the palace labyrinth.

Lord Solaris: Good luck, Stallions of Equestria.  [Knights Dusk Shine with his horn] The fate of our land is in your hooves.

Dusk Shine: Thanks Lord Solaris, we won't let you down. [The Stallion six leave Canterlot Castle.  Eris can be heard laughing seductively in the background.]

[Next Scene: The Stallion six has just reached the entrance to the hedge maze.]

Butterscotch: [scared]  W-We have to go in there?

Rainbow Blitz: Nope! Idiot Eris forgot about these bad boys! I'll just do a quick flyover and we'll have the Elements in no time. [suddenly Blitz's wings disappear, causing him to fall to the ground] [horrified] What the hay! My wings are gone! [Suddenly Butterscotch's wings disappear too.  He screams in horror.]

Dusk and Elusive: [both their horns disappear] Your horn! [notices that their own horns are gone] My horn! Ahhh!

[Suddenly Eris appears before the stallion six in a bright flash of light.  She has the arms of a chicken and lioness, the legs of a donkey and a dragon, the tail of a snake, and the head of an exceptionally beautiful mare.  Her eyes are yellow with red iris, and her eyelashes are long and girly. Her hair is long, platinum blonde, and humanlike.  She is about the same size as Solaris]

Eris: [laughing seductivly] You should see the looks on your faces. Priceless! [giggles]

Dusk Shine: Give us our wings and horns back!

Eris: [pretends to be offended] That's no way to talk to a lady. You'll get them back when our little game is over. I simply took them to ensure there's no cheating. [Teleports behind Applejack and pets his mane] You see, this is the first rule of our game: no flying, [strokes Dusk Shine's cheek seductively] and no magic.

Rainbow Blitz: [confused] The first rule?

Eris: [lounges on one of the hedges] The second rule is everypony has to play or the game is over, and I win. Good luck, boys! [leaves laughing]

Dusk Shine: Don't worry guys. We can do this if we work together!

Rainbow Blitz: Yeah! Like Dusk said, there's nothing we can't do!

Dusk Shine: All right, boys, let's do this! [The six of them approach the entrance of the maze.]

All Six: Together! [Suddenly the hedge maze comes alive and separates the six stallions into six separate mazes.  The six begin to panic.]

Dusk Shine: Stay calm, fellas! Everypony head to the middle as fast as you can, and we'll regroup there!

Rainbow Blitz: Moving out!

Elusive: See you in the center.

Applejack: Yee-haw!

Bubble Berry: See you guys there!

Butterscotch: [Still panicing] What's that? Who's there? [shouting] Guys!

[Applejack quickly makes progress through the maze.  He comes upon a small group of apples.  The apples begin to move away from Applejack as if alive.]

Applejack: [confused] What in tarnation? [Follows the apples through the maze until he reaches an orchard in the middle of the maze.]  Where am I? [suddenly all the apples in the orchard come together and start talking to Applejack]  Who are y'all?

Apples: The keepers of the grove of truth. You may ask us one question past, future or present. But be warned, that the truth may not always be pleasant.

Applejack: All right then, I don't trust this place worth a hill of beans, but I've got a really bad feelin' about this Eris lady. What's gonna come of this mission we're on? [The apple direct him to a nearby pond]

Apples: For the answer you seek, go ahead, take a peek.

[Applejack looks into the pond and sees a reflection of his friends]

Rainbow Blitz: [very angry] I hope I never see you again!

Butterscotch: [angry] Me too!

Bubble Berry: Fine!

Elusive: Fine!

Dusk Shine: It's settled, then. [The scene in the reflection ends]

Applejack: [horrified] No! Our friendship? Over?! [Eris can be seen floating overhead, she is holding a few puppet strings that are making the apples move] It can't be true. It just can't!

Apples: When all the truth does is make your heart ache, sometimes a lie is easier to take. [Suddenly, Applejack looks hypnotized.  He becomes less colorful looking.]

Dusk Shine: [catches up with Applejack] Applejack! Thank Solaris! I thought I heard voices over here. Who were you talking to?

Applejack: I was talking to... uh... nopony! Nopony whatsoever! [Shifty eyes]

Dusk Shine: [confused] What?

Applejack: Nothing. [shifty eyes] Come on, uh, we best be going.

Dusk Shine: Did Applejack just...? [to himself] Come on, Dusk! Applejack wouldn't lie.

[Meanwhile, Bubble Berry is busy hopping his way through the maze when he comes across a garden filled with balloons.  The sound of laughter can be heard.]

Bubble Berry: Wow! This is the greatest balloon garden I've ever seen! It's the first balloon garden I've ever seen, but still! Wah![a balloon catches his leg casing him to falls into a mud puddle.  The balloons all start laughing at him.] [annoyed] Hey, what gives?

Eris: [Teleports into the garden][patronizing tone] What's the matter, Bubble Berry? I thought you appreciated a good laugh?

Bubble Berry: [sad] It's different. They're laughing at me.

Eris: It's hardly different. [giggles] Your friends laugh at you all the time.

Bubble Berry: My friends laugh with me, not at me.

Eris: Oh, really? [the balloons start laughing harder]

Bubble Berry: [scared] No! Stop it! [the balloons laugh harder still.  Some take on the faces of Berry's friends.] Stop laughing at me! [Curls up into a little ball and tries to ignore them.]

Eris: [patronizing] Oh, poor Bubble Berry. And here I thought laughter made you happy. [gets a hypnotic look in her eyes]

Bubble Berry: [hypnotized, the color drains from Berry] [angry] Happy? [deep grumble] I don't think so. [all the balloons pop, and Dusk Shine and Applejack catch up with Berry.]

Dusk Shine: [relived] Bubble Berry! Are we glad to see you!

Bubble Berry: [angry] Oh you are, huh? Why? Need a good laugh?

Dusk Shine: [confused] Berry? [to Applejack] What do you think has him so upset? It's not like him.

Applejack: I didn't notice anything strange about Berry. [shifty eyes]

Dusk Shine: Weird. Better pick up the pace before the stress of this gets the better of all of us. [A balloon with Eris' face on it follows the group.]

[Meanwhile, Elusive is busy finding his way through the maze.]

Elusive: [sighs] I was expecting an audience with the Lord, not outdoor sports. [crashes into a solid stone wall] Agh. [Notices the wall has giant gemstones in it] Sweet Solaris... [Eris' face can be seen in the gemstones]

Eris: [giggles] It's your lucky day, handsome. You've found the one thing in Equestria that could rival my face for sheer beauty. What do you think? You like?

Elusive: [hypnotized] Yes, I like very much. [shakes his head and brakes free of Eris' hypnotism] No! No, I shan't succumb to such regal splendor. [Forcing himself] Must... get to the center... to meet... the others. [loses his will to resist] Mine! [the color drains from Elusive as he begins to excavate the gems.] Well, Elusive. It took forever, but it was worth it. Who knew three little gemstones would turn out to be this beautiful beast of a diamond? [kisses the diamond] Now to get you home. [Elusive picks up the diamond and begins to walk slowly.  Dusk Shine and friends catch up to him.]

Dusk Shine: Elusive! Are we glad to see... [We see that this whole time, the diamond was just a simple boulder] Why are you carrying a giant boulder?

Elusive: [offended] What do you mean, "boulder"? This big beautiful bedazzling rock is a diamond! And it's all mine. [cuddles with the boulder] Keep your envious little eyes off it! I found it and it's mine fair and square! [walks away with the boulder very slowly]

[Meanwhile: Butterscotch is busy hiding in one of the bushes.  When he thinks the coast is clear, he jumps out.]

Butterscotch: Okay, I can do this. I can... [is startled by some butterflies] Oh, Wait a minute... Butterflies? Wait! Don't leave me here! [follows the Butterflies into an open part of the maze]

Butterflies: [starts talking to Butterscotch.  They all have Eris' hairstyle.] Butterscotch, looks like you've been left behind by your so-called friends, huh?

Butterscotch: [not worried] Oh, no. I'm certain they're doing their best to find me.

Butterflies: Well, it must be so upsetting to know how much of a coward they think you are.

Butterscotch: [not upset] Not at all. I am a coward, and I appreciate their understanding.

Butterflies: [losing her patience] Yes... Well, surely it burns you up... I mean, that they're always pointing out your flaws, right?

Butterscotch: [very calm] Not really. In fact, I think I'm awfully lucky to have friends who want me to be the best I can be.

Eris: [loses her patience and appears before Butterscotch angrily] Oh, for goodness sake! You've been kind for far too long, young man. [hypnotizes Butterscotch, draining his color] Time to be cruel, like a normal stallion. Chao. [teleports away angrily] [the other four catch up to Butterscotch]

Dusk Shine: Butterscotch! I'm so glad to see a friendly face. This labyrinth is getting to every pony.

Butterscotch: [very coldly] Oh, well cry me a river! [Dusk Shine is shocked] Why don't you wave your magic little horn and make everything all right?

Dusk Shine: [stunned] Uh...

Butterscotch: Oh, that's right, you can't. You don't have one. [Butterscotch walks away and softly bucks Dusk Shine.]

Dusk Shine: What the hay is happening to my friends?

[Butterscotch rams Berry knocking him down.  Applejack laughs at Berry.]

Bubble Berry: And what are you laughing at, featherbrain?

Applejack: Chocolate milk. [Shifty eyes]

Elusive: [struggling to hold the boulder] Little help here! [Dusk Shine helps Elusive carry the boulder] Thanks, Dusk Shine.

Dusk Shine: No proble–

Elusive: [interrupts rudely] But don't get any ideas about my gem! [deep grumble] I know where you live.

[Meanwhile Rainbow Blitz is making his way through the maze when he notices a small cloud with a rainbow lightning bolt.]

Rainbow Blitz: I got you now element!

[Chases after the cloud and comes across Eris lounging in a hammock made of clouds.]

Eris: Oh. I can see why you like these clouds so much. [giggles] Very plush.

Rainbow Blitz: [prepairs for battle] Get off there and put 'em up! [throws a few punches at the air] Come on! Let's go!

Eris: Calm down, there's no need to fight.  I'm just here to deliver a message.

Rainbow Blitz: I've got a message for you, too! [throws a few more punches at the air]

Eris: [changes her tone from her usual seductive tone, to one of extreme seriousness] Listen closely, this is important. [resumes her seductive tone] A weighty choice is yours to make. The right selection or a big mistake. If a wrong choice you choose to pursue, the foundations of home will crumble without you. [snaps her finger causing an image of Cloudsdale in ruin to appear before Blitz.]

Rainbow Blitz: [worried] Cloudsdale? Crumble... without me? [hypnotized] No!

Eris: [places a box before Blitz] This box contains your wings. You can take them and leave the game… [giggles] or you can carry on aimlessly wandering this maze. [strokes Blitz's cheek, causing his color to drain] Your choice.

[Meanwhile, the other five are walking through the maze together.  Dusk Shine is carrying Elusive's boulder for him.]

Dusk Shine: [exhausted] Must... find... Rainbow Blitz. As a team... we're unstoppable. Rainbow Blitz won't let us down.

Applejack: [annoyed] Well, looky there. [points up] Rainbow Blitz is flying away. He's abandonin' us.

Dusk Shine: Now I know that's a lie. [sets the boulder down and looks up to see that Blitz is indeed flying away] [shocked] What!? Why would Blitz betray us like this?

[Suddenly the skies go dark, thunder crashes in the distance, and the walls of the maze disappear all around the five stallions.  Eris appears in the midst of the rubble.]

Eris: Well, well, well. Somepony broke the "no wings, no magic" rule. [snaps her finger returning all wings and horns to their respective owners.] Looks like I win, boys. [giggles] You didn't find your precious elements. [Pulls out an umbrella and opens it.  The umbrella opens upside down.] Looks like we might be due for a lovely storm of chaos! [Lets out her trademark seductive laugh while Dusk Shine looks on in horror.]

[To be continued…]