Hey folks: Here's a little something I decided to cook up to coinside with my MLP Tune-ups post over on DeviantArt:

A re-work of the very first MLP outing, Rescue at Midnight Castle. And how I think it could've been improved.

Credit goes out to carrehz for the transcript of which I used for reference in this re-write.

----

~ Introduction ~

(We see a rainbow in the sky above the clouds, two Pegasus ponies

 Firefly and Medley pass by the camera in flight.)

(The two Pegasi land on the rainbow and slide down it into

a body of water. Giggling and laughing as they go.)

(Afterwards, we see the show title and the intro theme plays.

 We see the ponies frolic and play together.)

~ My Little Pony, My Little Pony

 Isn't the world a lovely place?

 My Little Pony, My Little Pony

 Everywhere you go a smiling face

 Running and skipping, merrily tripping

 Watching the morning unfold

 My Little Pony, My Little Pony

 What does the future hold? ~

(Twilight sits at the edge of a cliff; suddenly, Glory comes skating in out of nowhere.)

Glory: Look out Twilight, here I go!

(Glory skates off the cliff)

Ember: Now it's my turn!

(Ember jumps off cliff and tries to fly; Firefly catches her and gently places her on the ground)

Ember: Aww.. I coulda made it!

(Twilight looses her balance over the cliff)

Twilight: I wish.. I wish.. I wish!

(Twilight disappears, and reappears behind Bow-Tie)

Firefly: I'm goin' for the double inside-out loop!

Medley: But it's dangerous, Firefly!

Firefly: Danger is my life, Medley!

Medley: Firefly! Look out!

(Firefly crashes into Applejack, spilling her harvest

 of apples all over them, the other ponies laugh at this.)

Applejack: Applesauce, anyone?

~ Smiling and pleasant, (just for the present)

 No sign of trouble in sight

 My Little Pony, My Little Pony

 May all your days be bright

 May all your days be bright.. ~

Ember: Twilight, will I ever fly like Firefly and Medley?

Twilight: No Ember, not all Little Ponies can fly.

Ember: Will I jump far like Bow-Tie? Or disappear you like can?

Twilight: Ember, you'll grow up to be your own special little pony~

(Suddenly, dark clouds fill the skies; Twilight and Ember gasp)

Bow-Tie: Everybody, quick! Come on!

(general scared crowd dialogue; thunder strikes)

Ember: Eeeek!!

(The ponies are blown away by the sudden wind)

Firefly: What's going on?

Bow-Tie: It's the Stratadons!

Twilight: Stratadons?!

Firefly: Stand your ground! We can take em’!

Various ponies: (Mix of panicked and angry Clamouring)

Scorpan: Seize them!

(The Stratadons attempt to grab and attack the ponies but they fight back)

(A battle ensues between the ponies and Stratadons, kicking and clawing at one another.

 Both sides are equally tough but the ponies emerge the victors and drive the Stratadons off)

Scorpan: You may have won this round. But you won't be lucky next time!

(Scorpan and the Stratadons fly away)

Cotton Candy: Did you hear that? They said they’ll be back!

Firefly: Then we’ll just have to take the fight to them!

~~~

(Exterior shot of Midnight Castle; a tall, dark and creepy castle; cut to inside.

Scorpan is walking down a hallway inside the castle when a small purple dragon Spike

rushes up to him)

Spike: L-listen Scorpan, can I go with you next time, huh? Can I? Can I?

Scorpan: NO, Spike!

Spike: (jumping up and down, trying to get Scorpan's attention) I can slither really fast, Scorpan!

Really fast!

Scorpan: Not now, Spike, not now!

Spike: (disappointed) Oh..

(cut to a dark room.. something in a bag is pulsating, making heartbeat noises. Tirac strokes it.)

Tirac: (shrouded in darkness; his voice echoes) Quiet, my friend.. your time will come.

Scorpan: We attempted an attack on Dream Valley Master, but the ponies drove us back.

Tirac: The ponies beat you!?

(Scorpan nods)

Tirac: Hmm... it seems they're much stronger than we thought.

(Spike slowly creeps into the doorway)

Tirac: None the less, I must have control over Dream Valley from there we can conquer the rest

of Ponyland!

Spike: (rushes into room) Yeah, yeah, but he tried to get 'em, Master, honest, I mean honest,

       he really and truly tried, I-

(Scorpan quickly puts his hand over Spike and pulls him away)

Tirac: SILENCE!

(A moment of awkward silence ensues after Tirac’s shout)

Tirac: You will prepare another strike, Scorpan. Now!

Scorpan: As you wish, Master.

Tirac: That is precisely what I wish.

~~~

(Cut to a Japanese temple style building; cherry blossoms blow in the wind)

(Cut to inside the building, where we see a mysterious looking female pegasus pony meditating.

Suddenly, a sinking thought tugs at her mind.)

Shuriken: (Japanese accent) Tirac must have resurfaced. He’s threatening this land!

(Cut to outside Shuriken’s home where we see her sprint out the door and take flight)

(Cut to above the clouds as Shuriken flys quickly yet gracefully through the night sky.)

Shuriken: Just like my native land. He’s attempting to claim this land as his own.

I won't let that happen!

(She starts her decent towards Dream Valley where we see an aerial view of Dream Castle and

the ponies’ village)

~~~

(Meanwhile inside Dream Castle we see the ponies have gathered in the throne room)

Firefly: Sooner or later those bullies are gonna attack us again!

We need to take the fight to their turf!

Queen Majesty: Agreed. But it won’t be an easy journey. Tirac's hideout is located with in

Shadow Forest, of which is a very dangerous territory.

Shuriken: I think I may be able to help you.

(The ponies turn their attention to Shuriken who is standing in the throne room doorway)

[Various Ponies] W-Who are you?

Shuriken: I am Shuriken. And I have encountered Tirac and his forces before.

Ponies: You have?!

Shuriken: Yes. He invaded my native land and attempted to conquer it.

(We cross-fade to a flashback with Shuriken in her native land with her family)

Shuriken (Narration): Me and my family are part of a great clan of ninja ponies dedicated to

maintaining peace. Our routes may be in the far eastern lands.

But our clan’s branches extend to all corners of the world.

(Cut to a younger Shuriken who is training with an elderly pegasus pony)

Shuriken (Narration): Back in my days of ninja training. My sensei told me of a great evil that my

ancestors had vanquished many centuries ago.

(A sudden crack of thunder disturbs the two ponies,

 they both quickly dash outside the dojo to see that Tirac is causing havoc in their village)

Shuriken (Narration): That great evil my sensei spoke of was no other than Tirac. He wanted

revenge for his previous defeat.

(Cut to Shuriken with her family clan battling Tirac)

Shuriken (Narration): Together with my family clan we managed to defeat him just as my

ancestors did.

(Tirac once again defeated, retreats from Shuriken’s village)

Shuriken (Narration): But he was far from finished.

(Cut to Shuriken aboard a Japanese style sailing ship on course to Ponyland)

Shuriken (Narration): So under orders from my sensei, I moved here to the western lands

 to set up a new branch of the Ponitsu clan to protect this land.

(The flashback ends and we crossfade back to Shuriken with the ponies in Dream Castle)

Various ponies: (Clamours of wonder and shock)

Queen Majesty: Then it’s settled. Firefly, you and Shuriken will take a squad with you to

Midnight Castle and put an end to Tirac’s plans. Shuriken’s knowledge of Tirac will be

essential to your mission.

Firefly & Shuriken: (They salute with their fore-hooves) Yes ma’am!

~~~

(Cut to an exterior shot of Dream Castle)

(Just outside the castle, the ponies have gathered before Firefly and Shuriken to volunteer

 for the mission.)

Firefly: Alright! Her royal highness Majesty has given us a mission to stop Tirac’s conquest of

Ponyland! But it won’t be easy with just me and Shuriken. We’re gonna need a team!

So are there any volunteers?

Bow-Tie: I’ll go with you!

Applejack: Me too!

Twilight: You can count me in!

Ember: Can I come too?

Twilight: Ember! It’s too dangerous for you!

Ember: But I wanna be a hero like Shuriken!

Twilight: I understand that. But this is a serious matter.

Ember: Okay...

Firefly: Alright then. Let’s go and kick Tirac’s butt!

Ponies: YEAH!!!

(The newly formed team of heroes gallops off on their journey)

~~~

(We cut to the ponies who are walking through a dark forest)

Twilight: From what I remember. This should be the way to Midnight Castle.

Bow-Tie: (Pointing to a bridge up ahead) Just across that bridge over there!

(As the ponies begin to cross the bridge, Applejack notices a missing slat in the bridge)

Applejack: This bridge doesn't feel very safe..

Bow-Tie: Come on, it's fine!

(Applejack falls through the bridge and into the river below)

Twilight: Applejack!!

Shuriken: I'll help her!

(Shuriken jumps in after Applejack and catches up to her.. unfortunately, they are then

 trapped inside a giant clamshell.)

~~~

(Cue the song number, "Call Upon the Sea Ponies" [or just the "Sea Ponies Song"],

During this song, Shuriken and Applejack are encased in a bubble as the Sea Ponies

put on a rather spectacular song and dance number for them.)

Sea Ponies: ~ Shoo-be-doo, shoo-shoo-be-doo!

              Call upon the Sea Ponies when you're in distress ~

              Helpful as can be ponies, simply signal SOS!

              If you find you're cast adrift, and haven't got an oar (oar!)

              Count upon the Sea Ponies, they'll see you to shore

              Shoo-be-doo, shoo-shoo-be-doo! ~

Seawinkle: ~ Are you sinking fast? ~

Wavedancer: ~ Had some nasty shocks? ~

Sealight: ~ Feeling like all hope is gone

            and washed up on the rocks? ~

Sea Ponies: ~ Washed up on the rocks!

              Shoo-be-doo, shoo-shoo-be-doo!

              Call upon the Sea Ponies when you're in distress

              Helpful as can be ponies, simply signal SOS!

              If your rudder runs afoul of seaweed, moss or kelp (kelp!)

              Count upon the Sea Ponies, they'll see you get help!

              Sea Ponies, Sea Ponies, simply signal SOS (simply signal SOS)

              Sea Ponies, Sea Ponies, simply signal SOS (simply signal SOS)

              Oh, yes! ~

(The Sea Ponies throw the bubble containing Shuriken and Applejack onto the shore

and then retreat back into the water. The other Ponies rush towards them, relieved.)

Firefly: It's Shuriken and Applejack!

Twilight: They're alright!

(Sea Ponies bob up and down in the water)

Sealight: If you need us again..

Sea Ponies: Just call!

(They pass a shell to Shuriken, who catches it.)

Shuriken: Thank you, Sea Ponies.

Sea Ponies: ~ Shoo-be-doo, shoo-shoo-be-doo! ~

(They back-flip into the water and recede from view.)

~~~

(The Ponies walk down a dark path)

Firefly: You're sure this is the right way?

Bow-Tie: (nervously) Sure I'm sure.

(Firefly and Bow-Tie gasp. A group of trees in the distance start parting to

 reveal an opening into a small clearing in the forest, the ponies are awed.)

Twilight: Looks like some sort of ruins.

(The ponies walk towards what looks like worn down ruins of a Greco-Roman style temple.

 As they enter the ruins a mysterious voice speaks to them.)

Spirit of Ponyland: Hello my friends.

Twilight: Who said that?

(An ethereal, white alicorn appears in-front of the group)

Spirit of Ponyland: I am known as the Spirit of Ponyland. And I have observed you in your quest.

Firefly: We’re on our way to stop Tirac.

Spirit of Ponyland: Just you alone isn't enough. You and your friends may have bested Tirac-

and his forces previously. But they never truely defeated him, they only disrupted him.

Twilight: Then how do we defeat Tirac?

Spirit of Ponyland: You must venture into his castle and counter his Rainbow of Darkness,

              with the Rainbow of Light.

Applejack: Where is it?

Spirit of Ponyland: It’s hidden safely away with in the vaults of this very temple,

 only those with a connection to the spirit world can access the temple's vaults.

 Shuriken, you and the Ponitsu clan have a strong connection to the spirit world,

 it will guide you and your friends to victory.

Shuriken: We greatly thank you for your assistance.

Spirit of Ponyland: Anytime. But time grows short however, if Tirac isn’t defeated by midnight,

              the Rainbow of Darkness will be at full power and he’ll become unstoppable.

(She floats up and fades away)

Firefly: You heard her. Let’s go get the rainbow!

(The ponies make their way through the ruins to the temple vaults)

Twilight: This must be it.

Shuriken: Time to work my magic.

(Shuriken stands up on her hind hooves and gets into a meditation pose with her wings spread

out. Inscriptions on the vault door begin to glow and the door slides open revealing a mysterious

chest.)

(The ponies walk into the vault and open the chest and pull out a heart-shaped locket)

Applejack: That’s the Rainbow of Light?

Bow-Tie: But- it's so small!

Shuriken: Even small things can yield big results.

(Shuriken slips the locket around her neck)

Shuriken: Let’s move.

(Cut to outside the ruins, the ponies gallop out of the temple and continue on their journey)

~~~

(Meanwhile on a cliff by Midnight Castle)

Firefly: (whispering) There it is. Midnight Castle.

(they notice the raging torrent surrounding the castle)

Bow-Tie: Oh no!

Applejack: How're we gonna cross that?

Shuriken: Me and Firefly can fly across. But we’ll need the Sea Ponies to get you across.

(She and Firefly glide across the river, after they land on the other side Shuriken grabs the shell

the Sea Ponies gave her and tosses it in the river.)

Twilight: Where are they?

Applejack: They said they'd help..

(The Sea Ponies come up to the surface)

Sea Ponies: ~ Shoo-be-doo, shoo-shoo-be-doo! ~

Firefly: We've gotta get inside the castle!

Seawinkle: No problem!

Wavedancer: We know a way!

Sealight: Hop aboard!

(The other ponies are sitting on top of what looks like a giant shell,

 which is being pulled by the Sea Ponies)

Seawinkle: See that statue?

Wavedancer: Up there!

(Firefly flies up to the aforementioned statue and taps its head; a doorway in front of the

 ponies opens and they walk through it, one of Tirac's guards watches them from above.)

~~~

Scorpan: We tried, Master, but-

Tirac: It doesn’t matter now. By midnight my Rainbow of Darkness will be at full power

and Ponyland will be ours! (to the guard next to him) Well?

(While the guard whispers in Tirac's ear, Scorpan sneaks away)

Tirac: Ah, excellent. (to Scorpan) But as for you, Scorpan, you- (Scorpan's not there)

       Scorpan! SCORPAN!!

(In the castle's jail cell, Spike is locked inside. Scorpan arrives and throws the door open.)

Spike: Scorpan?

Scorpan: We're getting out of here, right NOW!

(breaks jail door down)

         Come on, it's almost midnight!

(The ponies creep through the castle)

Shuriken: Stay close, this place is a maze.

Bow-Tie: How are we ever gonna find that Rainbow of Darkness?

Twilight: We've just gotta keep lookin'!

~~~

(They walk into Tirac's room)

Bow-Tie: This must be Tirac's throne!

Firefly: Hey, where’d he go?

(Twilight turns and gasps as the guards suddenly appear and shut the door behind them)

Tirac: (evil laugh) So, you seek the Rainbow of Darkness? (cackles) It is mine!

Shuriken: Don’t count on it Tirac! Your reign of terror is over!

Tirac: Ah, yes. Shuriken. For too long you and your clan have beaten me and my forces.

But today that changes!

Firefly: That's what you think!

(She charges at Tirac, but is stopped by his guards. Suddenly, Scorpan pushes the

 door open with Spike following him.)

Scorpan: Come on, ponies!

Spike: (jumping up and down) Yahoo! Let 'em have it!

(After the first assault, Firefly grabs the Rainbow of Darkness and runs for it)

Tirac: Seize them!

(The guards run after the ponies, who are rushing through the door, but Scorpan shuts the door

just in time. They end up on an outside part of the castle when suddenly, everything starts shaking)

Scorpan: Look out!

(Tirac bursts out through the walls on his chariot, cackling as he retrieves the

Rainbow of Darkness.)

Tirac: On to Dream Valley my minions! Once we take control, PONYLAND WILL BE OURS!

(Tirac starts to open the bag containing the Rainbow of Darkness, when Shuriken flies into his-

chariot and knocks it. Scorpan joins the fight and attempts to take the bag,

but he's thrown off the chariot.)

Spike: Scorpan!

(Scorpan lands heavily on a bale of hay on the parapet; Spike rushes over to him)

Spike: (in a small voice) Scorpan?

Scorpan: (weakly) All is lost.

Shuriken: (hovering next to Firefly) No it isn't! Come on, Firefly!

(They both take flight)

Firefly: Come on, Let’s go for the double-loop double-up!

(They both do the double inside-out loop around Tirac's chariot.

Shuriken successfully knocks the bag out of Tirac's hand; it falls to the parapet)

Tirac: NO! Guards, catch it!

(Bow-Tie jumps up, catching the bag in her mouth)

Spike: Way to go, Bow-Tie! Oh!

(The guards close in on Bow-Tie)

Twilight: Over here!

(Bow-Tie tosses the bag to Twilight, who catches it and runs off)

Tirac: After her!

(Twilight skids to a halt at the edge of the parapet; the guards close in on her..)

Twilight: I wish.. I wish.. I wish!

(Twilight disappears; Firefly and Shuriken land on a lower section of the castle and Twilight

reappears close by them.)

Shuriken: Pass it to us!

(Twilight throws the bag to the duo, Firefly catches it and flies away with Shuriken by her side)

Shuriken: Now let’s finish it!

(Firefly nods as Shuriken readies the Rainbow Locket)

Tirac: Stop them!

(The Stratadons intercept the two pegasi in mid-air and knock the bag out of Firefly's mouth.)

Firefly & Shuriken: Oof!

Tirac: (catches bag) The game is over, Little Ponies.. the power is MINE!

Shuriken: (holds heart locket in her hoof) The game’s not over yet Tirac.

       (opens locket) Take THIS!

(A tiny rainbow flies out from the locket)

Bow-Tie: It's not doing anything!

Tirac: Behold the power of darkness! (unleashes the Rainbow of Darkness)

Bow-Tie: Our rainbow!

?: It's gone!

?: We're finished!

Tirac: (evil laughter)

(The Rainbow of Darkness turns into an arc-shape; light starts appearing at the end)

Shuriken: The Rainbow's fighting back!

Tirac: It can't be!

(The Rainbow of Light overpowers the Rainbow of Darkness; it then

engulfs Tirac and his chariot)

Tirac: No!

(After the Rainbow of Light engulfs Tirac. His monsters revert back to their true forms,

less threatening looking dragons like Spike and Scorpan. The dark sky gives way to

a radiant sunset. The dragons (some of whom were Tirac’s guards) glide down

and land safely in front of the ponies.)

Firefly: Scorpan! The guards are still here!

Spike: No! Wait! They’re not really evil!

Scorpan: Tirac took over our kingdom and forced us to work for him.

Spike: Yeah! You ponies saved us!

Twilight: (to Spike) We're glad to have helped you.

Dragon: Ah.. ah..!

(One of the dragons; has a butterfly on their nose. They sneeze and

fall into a near by body of water.)

(Everyone laughs.)

~~~

(Closing credits; the outro song plays as the heroes head home.)

~ My Little Pony, My Little Pony

 Isn't it time we started home?

 My Little Pony, My Little Pony

 Who ever dreamed how far we'd roam?

 Crickets are calling, evening is falling

 Over the meadow and glen

 My Little Pony, My Little Pony

 When will I see you again..? ~

~ The End! ~