04x05 - The Manesquerade Ball

[bunniefuu]

[Opaline] Sparks of fire!

Explosions of annihilation!

[evil laughter]

[coughing]

We're finally steps away from our plan
of total pony takedown!

But we just need one more thing…

Oh, where'd you get…
I, uh… I can explain!

It's good I found your photo because
it brought my attention to something big.

Their Cutie Marks.

That is the evolved magic
that's powering their silly Prisbeam.

That's our ticket into taking over.

If we can steal their Cutie Marks,
then we're not just powerful,

we're all-powerful!

[evil laughter]
[coughing]

But I'm getting ahead of myself.

First, I need to find a way
to boost my power.

Then, I'll cast a transformation spell
to capture those Cutie Marks!

Then…

[coughing]

I'll book a throat detox.

And after that, well, as they say, Misty,
"The rest is history".

But do we have to steal
their Cutie Marks?

They're actually kind of nice ponies…

Nice ponies?!

Don't tell me you really were having fun
with those ponies?

No! Not at all!
I'm still just as bad as I've always been!

When we were together,
they complimented me on my mane

and I did not compliment them back! Ha!

Well, good. Because now that we have
the Dragonfire,

there's no going back.

Oh, ah… Well, that's the other thing
I wanted to tell you, um…

I kind of, um, maybe didn't get it, again.

Wow, Opaline.
You're taking this surprisingly well.

[shouting] Taking it well?

I was building up my breath
to yell at you!

You…
[coughing]

See what you've done to me, Misty?

Ugh!

This is a failure
worthy of my worst punishment yet.

[gulps]

♪ Hey you've gotta let it glow ♪

♪ You've gotta let it shine ♪

♪ Oh let's make our mark together ♪

♪ Just riding on forever ♪

♪ Just keeps on getting better
better better ♪

♪ Hey ♪

♪ Everypony everywhere ♪

♪ You can feel it in the air ♪

♪ Find your spark
and just glow and shine ♪

♪ Make a mark
that you can share ♪

♪ Hoofed at heart
you know we care ♪

♪ Oh ponies come on ♪

♪ Let's all unite ♪♪

And not only do I not have
the Dragonfire,

but I wasted all my magic
showing off my cool plan?! Ugh!

I'll just have to wait
for my power to replenish.

Need a little "refresher"
on why this is so important, huh?

When I was growing up in Skyros,

they were the "golden ponies".
The favorites.

Everypony loved them,
but I saw right through their act.

They thought they were so great
'cause they had the whole

"sun and moon thing" going.
Please.

I had something much better.
I was an Alicorn of fire.

Of power, of strength!

And because of that, I had to prove
I was not to be underestimated.

They'd learn I was not only
the wrong pony to push around,

but I would be so much more!

I would live up to my elemental duty.

And you will, Opaline!
I'm sorry I failed you,

-I promise I won't ever do that again.
-Oh, I know.

Because you won't have a chance to.

I'm using my last bit of magic
to make sure

you really think about your failure.

From this moment on,
consider yourself grounded!

[screaming]

[panting]
Oh!

Ugh. How lovely. I've been
dying to get out of the lair.

[Hitch] Thanks, everypony!

Big day in Maretime Bay.
A day we'll remember forever.

A day where we all come together,
a day where we all say--

The same thing we said the last time
we had a grand opening.

Hey Hitch! Can we wrap it up? Or…

[laughing]
Cut it up?

And for the first time in this
building's history,

this will be a place for everypony!
Welcome to Canterlove Studios!

Okay, I'm done. Woo!

[all cheering]

Wait, where are they going?
I just said this is for everypony!

Maybe inspiration
doesn't come that quickly?

Maybe there was something confusing
about your messaging?

Oh oh! Maybe they realized
they left their ovens on at home!

-All of them?
-You're right, too far-fetched.

It was probably their microwave ovens.

Or maybe, they just need an example
of how to use the studio first.

Oh! We should get a show up and running
to show the possibilities!

[squealing]
That's a great idea, Sunny!

I see my two stars now.

You and Hitch will be the co-hosts
of a smoothie-making cooking show!

What? Uh, no thanks, Pipp.

I-I didn't mean me.

Hmm. Actually,
we need a show title first.

Thank you. I was hoping
we could brainstorm it up--

Yes, I've got it!
The show will be called…

"Sunny Side Up" featuring Hitch!

Just two lifelong besties sharing
their recipes for yummy food

and friendship!

[squealing excitedly]
I am loving this concept.

I'm not really
an "in the spotlight" pony.

[wind whistling]

Woah, that was fast.

[bright music]

-[Pipp] Nervous?
-Extremely!

-Not really.
-Don't be!

I'll teach you everything
you need to know, how to smile,

how to stand, how to sit and "smize",
when you can't stand or smile.

-"Smize"?
-Smiling with your eyes!

You try!

Eh… Mm.

Oh… Or maybe, just try to work
on standing still,

then you won't look nervous.

Me? Nervous?
I'm a smoothie-making master!

This is easy peasy lemon-squeezy.

Ah!

Sorry, Pipp! Maybe that's a sign Sunny
should just host the show by herself?

I mean, remember how bad
it was when I ran the smoothie cart?

And that was without anypony
watching on TV!

Oh, pshh. You'll be great, Hitch.

Just pretend you're giving a Sheriff
speech and follow my lead.

[Hitch mutters awkwardly]

[clattering]

[Hitch] Ow.

[grunting]
"Worst punishment yet."

This is nothing. I'll get out of this!

[grunting]
[gasps]

Oh…

Ah…

[straining]

Oh! If only I had my Cutie Mark,
I could use Unicorn powers.

Right?

[soft music]

Ha! Well, better than nothing.

[panting]

Oh, I must be getting close!

Ugh! All that sitting around and scheming
in the castle has got me out of shape!

Ha, ha! I really must have Misty set up
a home gym. Hmm.

[sighs]

No Dragonfire yet?

No problem!
For now, I'll just find the one item

that will harness its powers even better.

Sure, this plan has a high chance
of wiping out

all of the pony magic
in Equestria forever but,

as the fillies say today, NMP.

Not my problem!

[laughing]

[sighs]

Ah!

[giggles]
Opaline thinks she's so powerful

and magical.
But she's no match for my hooves.

[creaking]

[squeaking]

And speaking of magic,
let's see what those ponies are up to…

[rhythmic music]

[Pipp] Three, two, one.

And… we're on!

[pop music]

Welcome to Sunny Side Up!
I'm Sunny and this is Hitch,

coming to you live
from Canterlove Studios…

and we're gonna tell you what's up
with making delicious food from home!

Isn't that right, Hitch?

[babbling]

Uh, yeah… you said it.

Today, we're going to be making
Pearnana Delights!

Remember what we talked about Hitch.
Just follow me!

First, we're gonna grab
as many chopped Pearnanas

you believe are going to delight
your morning!

Wait, is that one hoof-full or two?
The recipe says--

Then, add enough ice
to your heart's desire!

Wait, how much is that?

Then swirl in a secret ingredient
with your eyes closed,

so it's a surprise, especially to you!

-What?!
-Now, chop up your favourite fruit!

Sunny, slow down!

Ah!

Sunny, stop closing your eyes
while you're operating a blender!

Wah! Sunny, watch out!

[gasps]

-[gasping]
-Woah.

Hitch! That pearnana juice went
right into my eye!

Aw, Sunny I'm so sorry…

[crashing]

[gasps]
Guys, get it together!

[heats popping]
Oh, uh, keep up the great stuff!

Oh…

Uh, that's okay!

Um, falling is a part of the recipe!

-[giggles]
-Ah!

[groans]

[laughing]

You wouldn't dare.

[screaming]
[laughing]

[hearts popping]

[playful music]

[laughing]

[♪♪]

[laughing]

[gasps]

If they're there, then that means
they aren't paying attention to Sparky

and I can grab the Dragonfire after all!

And then Opaline won't doubt my loyalty!

Just in case I'm spotted!

[laughs]
Ooh, this is gonna be great!

Oh!

Or it couldn't possibly be that easy.

[gasps]
Dragonstone! Just as I remembered.

And the magic's return has begun
to activate it, just as I hoped.

Once I add Dragonfire to it,

it will be unstoppable and so will I!

[evil laughter]

[grunts]

[chomping]
[humming]

Oh! Found some floor food? Yum!

[Hitch] Sparky, don't eat food
off the floor!

-Aww.
-[whimpers]

[exclaiming dramatically]
We're losing them. Let's mix it up!

Now do a recipe with these bags
of mystery ingredients!

Oh! Oh! And the winner becomes
cooking royalty!

Oof!

And maybe, maybe Sunny
instructs Hitch blindly

as he cooks! Ooh, I like it!

-Huh? Um…
-What?

I really don't think this is a good idea.

Well, I'm really starting to get a hang
of this whole hosting thing

and I think it's a great idea!

But if you wanna sit this one out, Sunny,
I'm happy to host solo.

But the show is called "Sunny Side Up."

And pretty soon it'll be called,
"It's Over"!

Guys, we gotta recapture the magic
and do it fast!

-Ow.
-Ugh!

[sighs]

Welcome back to "Sunny Side Up",
where my co-chef Hitch

will be baking Cinnamon-Raisin
Fruity Cutie Cookies!

He'll be cooking blindly
while I… instruct him?

You know what? I can't.

Sunny? What are you doing?

I'll tell what we're not doing,
a cooking show!

Look at this place. Look at us.

How did we become such a mess?

Ever since we just started trying
to follow likes,

I totally lost track
of what's most important.

You wanna know what I love about
being a chef?

What I thought this show would be about?

It's a way to let loose and break free
of expectations!

Cooking is great to get you out of a rut!

Like if you've lost your way
or if you're stuck.

Especially if the reason that you're stuck

is because somepony's keeping
you there against your will

and pushing you to do something
you don't think is right!

[awkward chuckle]

Okay, maybe that was a little
over-dramatic.

But, if you're going through something
like that, well,

cooking is a great way for you
to reclaim your power.

Quit doing things you don't want to do
just to make everypony else happy,

and simply be yourself!

So, to everypony watching,
it's time to start believing in yourself.

And every dish, dessert,
or Pearnana Delight you make,

no matter if you followed the recipe
or improvised your own,

has the power to be delicious and unique.
Just like you.

Sunny, wait! No!

[coughing]
Oh my…

Except when it's a cup full
of sour ingredients

your co-host threw at you earlier.

Blech!

She… she's right.

The reason I've been failing my missions
for Opaline lately is because I…

I don't want to succeed.

I… I don't want to take away
the ponies' power.

I focus so much on trying to please her,
to try and follow her every order

that I never once asked myself
what I wanted.

I never once…

thought to believe in myself.

I've got to find a way out of this!

[mysterious music]

Ugh!

Ugh, this hike is atrocious!

Ah!

Why does every magical thing have to be
precariously perched

on a hill with stuff in the way?

[groaning]

[panting]

Ugh.

Here's an idea!

Bury your magic things
within hoof's reach!

Opaline has been lying to me from
the moment we met!

I knew something was off
when I discovered

Earth ponies didn't have laser eyes!

All they've ever treated me with
is kindness.

The kindness I deserve.

[soft music]

But is this really the right move,
Madame Taffytail?

This is the only life I've ever known.

But maybe that's even more reason
to go outside and experience more of it.

[Pipp] And that's a cut to commercial!

[laughing]
And maybe when we're back,

can we actually have you guys
make some food?

Hitch, I think we really need to talk.

All I wanted was to be a great chef
and an inspiration.

But everything just got out of control.

When I made that big speech about
needing to be myself,

it made me realize that you need to be
yourself too.

You were so nervous and instead of
encouraging you to do things your own way,

I let us both get caught up
in all this chaos.

I'm sorry, can you forgive me?

Sunny, I'm shocked.

Listen, I already said sorry, Hitch.
You don't have to rub it in.

No, no. "Forgive you"?
Sunny, this has been an awesome day!

Sure, I didn't actually learn how to cook
from the master,

and I'm pretty sure nopony
at home did, either.

But I had a great time! It actually
reminded me of how we used to play as kids

in Grandma Figgy's kitchen.
Our food fights were epic, remember?

How could I forget?

[laughing]

And besides, you are a great chef
and an inspiration!

You certainly inspired me to get over
my stage fright!

The food fight helped with that too.

Maybe if we met in the middle, we'd create
a show we both wanted to make?

One that celebrates
both of our strengths!

[straining]

[groans]

But Opaline, are you sure?

Do you really want to seize the most
powerful crystal in all of Equestria

for your own selfishness?

[laughing]

Oh, that was a good one.

Why am I so funny
when nopony's around?

[gasps]

[screaming]

Magic, seize it!

[groans]

I'll be back.

And another thing!

Other unicorns aren't trying to trick me,

though there was that one time
where Izzy blindfolded me

and forced me to hit a weird thing
called a "pine-a-tah".

Hmm.

Oh, I'm so confused!

Okay, think. Let's focus on the facts.

Opaline's lied to me
and I still don't have a Cutie Mark.

Maybe I never will.

Okay, then it's settled! I'm finally
leaving Opaline for good.

Now I just gotta figure out how.

[Zipp] Three, two, one,

and we're back!

Welcome back to "Sunny Side Up!"
I'm Sunny.

-And I'm Hitch.
-And we're finally gonna tell you

what's up with today's
Pearnana Delights recipe.

Now before, I mentioned grabbing
as many chopped Pearnanas

as you believe will delight your morning,
but to be more specific,

that's about a cup and a half.

And before, I started slinging fruit
when I got frustrated.

When really, I should've been more patient
and clear with my follow-up questions.

Guys! Our viewership is plummeting!

You two getting along is not
compelling television. What should we do?

Nothing at all, Pipp. This is the real
"Sunny Side Up".

Sure, the numbers aren't as high
as when they were hurling whipped cream

-at each other.
-But it's sweeter! Simpler!

The way it should've been from
the very beginning.

-[slurping]
-Mm! This is delicious!

Thanks so much
for tuning in, everypony!

But before we go,
we want to say something.

[Hitch] This will be our first and last
"Sunny Side-Up" broadcast.

Thank you all for tuning in today.
The ups, the downs…

The Pearnanas that we'll be
cleaning up for weeks!

[laughing]

But we hope it inspired everypony
to come on down to Canterlove Studios

and join in on the fun.

-[slurping]
-Ah!

[Zipp] And cut!

-That was brilliant!
-That was actually very educational!

That was… a great save, ponies!

Now, are you sure you don't wanna do
an encore?!

I've already got amazing ideas for merch!

Oh! Maybe we tie-dye shirts to look like
they're stained with Pearnanas?

Whoa, whoa, hold everything! Everypony
in Maretime Bay just signed up!

Looks like the studio is now fully booked
for the next six months.

Mm, probably for the best.

You two wouldn't be able to top
that episode, anyway.

From this moment on,
I make my own choices!

From this moment on,
I make my own friends!

From this moment on, I--

[Opaline coughing]

Make sure Opaline doesn't find out
I just said all that!

[evil laughter]

[coughing]

Come on! My cackle used to be
my greatest quality!

That's a lie,

every quality is my greatest quality.

Misty.

Something's different.

I've somehow become more enchanting
in the last 12 hours!

Phew!

I hope you've thought hard
about your failure while I was gone.

I have and I will.

I mean I won't fail you again.

Okay, okay. Easy. You don't have
to spit on me while you grovel.

Misty, dear.

I hope you know that I'm so hard on you
because I believe in you.

I see so much of the young pony
I once was: strong.

Determined.
Destined for greatness.

But that doesn't come easy.

You understand, right?

I do.

Good.

Woo! Oh, thank you, Opaline!

I am now free!

Oh! It is great to be free!

And I've been busy as well.

Very busy.

I've located it.

It's beautiful.

It's immaculate!
But also, terribly stuck.

Get plenty of rest tonight because
in the morning, we galop.

But before we get started with all that…

Anything you need!

Mind telling me what that is?

[dramatic music]

[gasps]

[♪♪]