My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic s03e01 Episode Script
The Crystal Empire - Part 1
- News from northern Equestria, uh, your highness.
- Yes? I am simply to tell you that IT has returned.
- Find Princess Cadence and Shining Armor.
- Yes, your highness! My dearest Twilight, You must come to Canterlot at once.
[My little pony theme.]
Where are my quills?! No, no no no no! I need the magical compendium volumes 1 through 36! Where is it?! Flash cards! I'm gonna make some flash cards! Spike, I'm going to need you to quiz me.
On everything! Everything I've ever learned.
Ever.
That isn't gonna be enough cards.
Twilight, calm down! It's just a test.
Just a test? JUST A TEST?!? Princess Celestia wants to give me some kind of exam and you're trying to tell me to calm down because it's JUST A TEST?! Uh⦠yes.
I'd say she's handling things pretty well, considering Are you sure you don't want me to go as well? Yes.
Princess Cadence and Shining Armor are already there.
The others will be joining them soon.
The Empire's magic is powerful.
It cannot fall again, my sister.
She will succeed at her task.
And when she does, we'll know that she is that much closer to being ready.
Ahem - Trust me, little sister.
- You wanted to see me? To give me a test? I brought my own quills! And plenty of paper to show my work.
Sorry, sorry! This is a different kind of test.
The Crystal Empire has returned.
The Crystal Empire? The Crystal Empire? I'm sorry, I⦠I thought I'd studied - Ooh, I don't think there's anything in any of my books about⦠- There wouldn't be.
Few remember it ever existed at all.
Even my knowledge of the empire is limited.
But what I do know is that it contains a powerful magic.
was black as night, took over the Crystal Empire.
He was ultimately overthrown, turned to shadow, and banished to the ice of the arctic north.
But not before he was able to put a curse upon the empire.
A curse that caused it to vanish into thin air.
If the empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected across all of Equestria.
If hatred and fear take hold Which is why I need your help finding a way to protect it.
You want me to help protect an entire empire? It is, as I said, a different kind of test.
But one I'm certain you will pass.
How do I begin? By joining Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire.
- My brother is there? - He is.
Your ponyville friends will join you as well.
I have every confidence you will succeed.
And when you do, I'll know you are ready to move on to the next level of your studies.
But what if I fail? - You won't.
- Butâ¦what if⦠You won't.
But twilight⦠In the end, it must be you, and you alone, who ultimately assists Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in doing what needs to be done to protect the Empire.
- Do you understand? - Mmhmm! Then go.
There is no time to lose.
Ah, Twilight! That was fast! Let me guess! You got a perfect score! A minus? B plus? Ah, Twilight, did you⦠fail? [I was prepared to do my best.]
[Thought I could handle any test.]
[For I can do so many tricks.]
[But I wasn't prepared for this.]
[Levitation would have been a breeze.]
[Facts and figures I recite with ease.]
The square root of 546 is 23.
36664289109 She is correct! [I could ace a quiz on friendship's bliss.]
[But I wasn't prepared for this.]
[Will I fail, or will I pass?.]
[I can't be sureâ¦.]
[She can't be sureâ¦.]
[My mind sharp, my skills intact.]
[My heart is pureâ¦.]
[Her heart is pure.]
[Oh, I've taken my share of licks.]
[I've made it through the thin and thick.]
[But no I wasn't.]
[But no she wasn't.]
[Oh, no I wasn't.]
[Oh, no she wasn't.]
[No, I wasn't prepared⦠For thisâ¦.]
Uh⦠Prepared for what, exactly? Twilight! Did ya pass? Are we gonna celebrate your awesomeness with Princess Celestia?! Not quite.
We're going to the Crystal Empire! - Huh? What� - Crystal Empire? Ha! And you all made fun of me for packing so many scarves! I didn't say a word.
Hey! Come back! C'mere! Aw - Twilight! - Shining Armor? Twily! You made it! We'd better get moving.
There are things out here we really don't want to run into after dark gulp â¦What kind of thingsâ¦? Let's just say the Empire isn't the only thing that has returned⦠Something keeps trying to get in! We think it's the unicorn king who originally cursed the place.
But Princess Celestia said I was being sent here to find a way to protect the empire! If King Sombra can't get in, then it must already be protected⦠-Creepy howling sound- Aah! It.
.
it's one of the things, isn't it?! We have to get to the Crystal Empire.
Now! Go, go!! Almost there Everypony OK? Oh no, Shining Armor, your horn! Sparkleriffic! It's gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! (stammer)â¦There are no words! Focus, Rarity.
We're here to help Twilight, not admire the scenery.
Eh, I don't see what the big deal is.
Just looks like another old castle to me.
Ohâ¦! Another oldâ¦! Have you lost your mind?! Look at the magnif-⦠Very funny⦠Cadence! Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake! One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance.
Are you OK? Cadence has been able to use her magic to spread love and light.
Cadence has been able to use her magic to spread love and light.
That seems to be what is protecting it.
But she hasn't slept.
Barely eats.
I want to help her, but my protection spell has been countered by King Sombra.
It's alright, Shining Armor, I'm fine.
She's not fine.
She can't go on like this forever.
And if her magic were to fade, you saw what's out there waiting for that to happen.
- That's why we're here.
- Why we're all here.
- Mmhmm! Well, with Cadence putting all her strength into keeping her spell going, and me trying to keep an eye on signs of trouble in the arctic we haven't been able to gather much information from the crystal ponies.
Crystal ponies? There are crystal ponies?! Um, ahem.
Please, continue.
But we have to believe one of them knows how we can protect the empire without having to use Cadence's magic.
- A research paper! - Huh? That must be part of my test, to gather information from the crystal ponies and deliver it to you! This is gonna be great! I love research papers! Yeah, who doesn't? Ohohoh, let me guess! Is it spike? No no, Fluttershy! Rarity?? Don't worry, big brother.
I am really good at this sort of thing.
Are you sure? Absoultely sure? I'm sorry.
I wish I could help you.
But I⦠can't seem to remember anything before King Sombra came to power And I don't want to remember anything about the time he ruled over us King Sombra's spell must be why their coats aren't⦠crystaley.
- Have we really been gone a thousand years? - Yes.
It feels like it was just yesterday⦠If you think of anything⦠Even the smallest thing⦠Of course.
- Well, that was a total bust.
- Maybe the others are having better luck.
A way to protect the empire.
You know anything about it or what? I wish I could help you.
Really.
- Come on! You gotta know something! - But⦠I don't have any information.
Oh, um, excuse me⦠Oh, hello! I was just wondering ⦠Oh, oh that's ok, um, you all look really busy.
Heheh⦠Time to gather some intel! It just feels like something is missing.
I know.
It looks the same, but⦠it doesn't feel the same.
Because it isn't! Ah! A spy! *scream* A spy? How did they know? Ah! They must have noticed my night vision goggles! Woooo.
Night visiony! And when you flip your mane, it simply must create a rainbow of color! Ah! Wouldn't I look just magnificent? Sooo sparkly! Hehehehe! I got nothing so far.
Oh, me neither.
My cover has been blown.
I repeat.
My cover has been blown! Oooook? Sorry, Twilight.
These crystal ponies seem to have some kind of collective amnesia or something.
The only thing I was able to get out of them was something about a library.
A library?! Oh why didn't you say so?? Uhâ¦thought I just did.
I justâ¦I don't even know what to⦠There are no wordsâ¦! Ahem.
May I help you? - Yes.
We're looking for a book.
- We have plenty of those.
You do.
You really do!~ We're looking for a history book.
Something that might tell us how the empire might have protected itself from danger back in the day.
Yes, of course.
History, history⦠Ah, yes.
- â¦which is where, exactly? - I⦠I can't seem to remember I'm not sure I actually work here.
We'll just take a look around.
I'm sure we can find it on our own.
Let me know if you find anything.
I like her! Uh, anyone else starting to think this is a lost cause? No, no, no, no, no⦠â¦Yes! History of the Crystal Empire! I just hope it has the answers we need.
A Crystal Fair.
According to this book, it was established by their first queen, and became their most important tradition.
The fair was held every year to "renew the spirit of love and unity in the empire so they could protect it from harm.
" My friends and I can put it together.
Everything we need to know is in the book! That sounds pretty promising.
We'll get started right away.
Come on, Spike.
We've got a crystal fair to put together.
[Princess Cadence needs our help.
Her magic will not last forever.
.]
[I think we can do it, but we have to work together.
.]
[We have to get this right.
Yes, we have to make them see.]
[We can save the crystal ponies with their history.]
[It says that they like jousting.
.]
[They flew a flag of many hues.
.]
[Made sweets of crystal berries.
.]
[They had a petting zoo with tiny ewes.
.]
[Oh, we have to get this right.
Yes, we have to make them see.]
[We can save the crystal ponies with their history.]
[There was a crystal flugelhorn that every pony liked to play.]
[And a Crystal Kingdom anthem.
Can you learn it in a day?.]
[Oh, we have to get this right.
Yes, we have to make them see.]
[We can save the crystal ponies with their history!.]
It looks amazing! I don't know how I could have done this without you! One last check to make sure everything is in place, and then the festivities can begin.
What's this thing for? The last page of the book mentioned a crystal heart as the fair centerpiece.
so I used my magic to cut one out of a crystal block.
Nice work, Twi.
Think we're ready to get this fair up and running.
-Hear ye, hear⦠-Bwoooomp! Heh.
My bad.
Heheh.
Ahem.
Hear ye, hear ye! Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor do cordially invite you to attend the crystal fair! Come on in, yall! Got food and drinks that-a-way.
Games and crafts are that-a-way.
Crystal heart's in the back near the princess.
Did she say⦠crystal heart? We totally nailed it, right? Must be feeling a lot of love and unity about now! Gonna have some grub, huh? What are ya thinkin? Crystal Empire berry pie? Maybe some crystal corn on the cob! What is with these ponies?! Seeing all of this, I feel like I'm starting to remember.
Remember things from before the king.
Me too.
Gasp! The crystal heart! Do you think they really have it? Of course we have it! Can't have a crystal fair without the crystal heart, right? Of course you can't.
The whole purpose of the crystal fair is to lift the spirits of the crystal ponies so the light within them can power the crystal heart, so that the empire can be protected! I DO work at the library! What's that about "powering the heart"? I just can't believe you found it! King Sombra said he had hidden it away where we would never see it again! I only hope it will still be as powerful after all these years! â¦Mmm.
Funnel cake! - Why did you - I think we may have a problem I didn't know it was an actual relic! The book didn't mention anything about the crystal ponies powering the heart! There was a page missing⦠How did I not notice?! It's alright, Twilight.
Twily
- Yes? I am simply to tell you that IT has returned.
- Find Princess Cadence and Shining Armor.
- Yes, your highness! My dearest Twilight, You must come to Canterlot at once.
[My little pony theme.]
Where are my quills?! No, no no no no! I need the magical compendium volumes 1 through 36! Where is it?! Flash cards! I'm gonna make some flash cards! Spike, I'm going to need you to quiz me.
On everything! Everything I've ever learned.
Ever.
That isn't gonna be enough cards.
Twilight, calm down! It's just a test.
Just a test? JUST A TEST?!? Princess Celestia wants to give me some kind of exam and you're trying to tell me to calm down because it's JUST A TEST?! Uh⦠yes.
I'd say she's handling things pretty well, considering Are you sure you don't want me to go as well? Yes.
Princess Cadence and Shining Armor are already there.
The others will be joining them soon.
The Empire's magic is powerful.
It cannot fall again, my sister.
She will succeed at her task.
And when she does, we'll know that she is that much closer to being ready.
Ahem - Trust me, little sister.
- You wanted to see me? To give me a test? I brought my own quills! And plenty of paper to show my work.
Sorry, sorry! This is a different kind of test.
The Crystal Empire has returned.
The Crystal Empire? The Crystal Empire? I'm sorry, I⦠I thought I'd studied - Ooh, I don't think there's anything in any of my books about⦠- There wouldn't be.
Few remember it ever existed at all.
Even my knowledge of the empire is limited.
But what I do know is that it contains a powerful magic.
was black as night, took over the Crystal Empire.
He was ultimately overthrown, turned to shadow, and banished to the ice of the arctic north.
But not before he was able to put a curse upon the empire.
A curse that caused it to vanish into thin air.
If the empire is filled with hope and love, those things are reflected across all of Equestria.
If hatred and fear take hold Which is why I need your help finding a way to protect it.
You want me to help protect an entire empire? It is, as I said, a different kind of test.
But one I'm certain you will pass.
How do I begin? By joining Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in the Crystal Empire.
- My brother is there? - He is.
Your ponyville friends will join you as well.
I have every confidence you will succeed.
And when you do, I'll know you are ready to move on to the next level of your studies.
But what if I fail? - You won't.
- Butâ¦what if⦠You won't.
But twilight⦠In the end, it must be you, and you alone, who ultimately assists Princess Cadence and Shining Armor in doing what needs to be done to protect the Empire.
- Do you understand? - Mmhmm! Then go.
There is no time to lose.
Ah, Twilight! That was fast! Let me guess! You got a perfect score! A minus? B plus? Ah, Twilight, did you⦠fail? [I was prepared to do my best.]
[Thought I could handle any test.]
[For I can do so many tricks.]
[But I wasn't prepared for this.]
[Levitation would have been a breeze.]
[Facts and figures I recite with ease.]
The square root of 546 is 23.
36664289109 She is correct! [I could ace a quiz on friendship's bliss.]
[But I wasn't prepared for this.]
[Will I fail, or will I pass?.]
[I can't be sureâ¦.]
[She can't be sureâ¦.]
[My mind sharp, my skills intact.]
[My heart is pureâ¦.]
[Her heart is pure.]
[Oh, I've taken my share of licks.]
[I've made it through the thin and thick.]
[But no I wasn't.]
[But no she wasn't.]
[Oh, no I wasn't.]
[Oh, no she wasn't.]
[No, I wasn't prepared⦠For thisâ¦.]
Uh⦠Prepared for what, exactly? Twilight! Did ya pass? Are we gonna celebrate your awesomeness with Princess Celestia?! Not quite.
We're going to the Crystal Empire! - Huh? What� - Crystal Empire? Ha! And you all made fun of me for packing so many scarves! I didn't say a word.
Hey! Come back! C'mere! Aw - Twilight! - Shining Armor? Twily! You made it! We'd better get moving.
There are things out here we really don't want to run into after dark gulp â¦What kind of thingsâ¦? Let's just say the Empire isn't the only thing that has returned⦠Something keeps trying to get in! We think it's the unicorn king who originally cursed the place.
But Princess Celestia said I was being sent here to find a way to protect the empire! If King Sombra can't get in, then it must already be protected⦠-Creepy howling sound- Aah! It.
.
it's one of the things, isn't it?! We have to get to the Crystal Empire.
Now! Go, go!! Almost there Everypony OK? Oh no, Shining Armor, your horn! Sparkleriffic! It's gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! (stammer)â¦There are no words! Focus, Rarity.
We're here to help Twilight, not admire the scenery.
Eh, I don't see what the big deal is.
Just looks like another old castle to me.
Ohâ¦! Another oldâ¦! Have you lost your mind?! Look at the magnif-⦠Very funny⦠Cadence! Sunshine sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake! One of these days we need to get together when the fate of Equestria isn't hanging in the balance.
Are you OK? Cadence has been able to use her magic to spread love and light.
Cadence has been able to use her magic to spread love and light.
That seems to be what is protecting it.
But she hasn't slept.
Barely eats.
I want to help her, but my protection spell has been countered by King Sombra.
It's alright, Shining Armor, I'm fine.
She's not fine.
She can't go on like this forever.
And if her magic were to fade, you saw what's out there waiting for that to happen.
- That's why we're here.
- Why we're all here.
- Mmhmm! Well, with Cadence putting all her strength into keeping her spell going, and me trying to keep an eye on signs of trouble in the arctic we haven't been able to gather much information from the crystal ponies.
Crystal ponies? There are crystal ponies?! Um, ahem.
Please, continue.
But we have to believe one of them knows how we can protect the empire without having to use Cadence's magic.
- A research paper! - Huh? That must be part of my test, to gather information from the crystal ponies and deliver it to you! This is gonna be great! I love research papers! Yeah, who doesn't? Ohohoh, let me guess! Is it spike? No no, Fluttershy! Rarity?? Don't worry, big brother.
I am really good at this sort of thing.
Are you sure? Absoultely sure? I'm sorry.
I wish I could help you.
But I⦠can't seem to remember anything before King Sombra came to power And I don't want to remember anything about the time he ruled over us King Sombra's spell must be why their coats aren't⦠crystaley.
- Have we really been gone a thousand years? - Yes.
It feels like it was just yesterday⦠If you think of anything⦠Even the smallest thing⦠Of course.
- Well, that was a total bust.
- Maybe the others are having better luck.
A way to protect the empire.
You know anything about it or what? I wish I could help you.
Really.
- Come on! You gotta know something! - But⦠I don't have any information.
Oh, um, excuse me⦠Oh, hello! I was just wondering ⦠Oh, oh that's ok, um, you all look really busy.
Heheh⦠Time to gather some intel! It just feels like something is missing.
I know.
It looks the same, but⦠it doesn't feel the same.
Because it isn't! Ah! A spy! *scream* A spy? How did they know? Ah! They must have noticed my night vision goggles! Woooo.
Night visiony! And when you flip your mane, it simply must create a rainbow of color! Ah! Wouldn't I look just magnificent? Sooo sparkly! Hehehehe! I got nothing so far.
Oh, me neither.
My cover has been blown.
I repeat.
My cover has been blown! Oooook? Sorry, Twilight.
These crystal ponies seem to have some kind of collective amnesia or something.
The only thing I was able to get out of them was something about a library.
A library?! Oh why didn't you say so?? Uhâ¦thought I just did.
I justâ¦I don't even know what to⦠There are no wordsâ¦! Ahem.
May I help you? - Yes.
We're looking for a book.
- We have plenty of those.
You do.
You really do!~ We're looking for a history book.
Something that might tell us how the empire might have protected itself from danger back in the day.
Yes, of course.
History, history⦠Ah, yes.
- â¦which is where, exactly? - I⦠I can't seem to remember I'm not sure I actually work here.
We'll just take a look around.
I'm sure we can find it on our own.
Let me know if you find anything.
I like her! Uh, anyone else starting to think this is a lost cause? No, no, no, no, no⦠â¦Yes! History of the Crystal Empire! I just hope it has the answers we need.
A Crystal Fair.
According to this book, it was established by their first queen, and became their most important tradition.
The fair was held every year to "renew the spirit of love and unity in the empire so they could protect it from harm.
" My friends and I can put it together.
Everything we need to know is in the book! That sounds pretty promising.
We'll get started right away.
Come on, Spike.
We've got a crystal fair to put together.
[Princess Cadence needs our help.
Her magic will not last forever.
.]
[I think we can do it, but we have to work together.
.]
[We have to get this right.
Yes, we have to make them see.]
[We can save the crystal ponies with their history.]
[It says that they like jousting.
.]
[They flew a flag of many hues.
.]
[Made sweets of crystal berries.
.]
[They had a petting zoo with tiny ewes.
.]
[Oh, we have to get this right.
Yes, we have to make them see.]
[We can save the crystal ponies with their history.]
[There was a crystal flugelhorn that every pony liked to play.]
[And a Crystal Kingdom anthem.
Can you learn it in a day?.]
[Oh, we have to get this right.
Yes, we have to make them see.]
[We can save the crystal ponies with their history!.]
It looks amazing! I don't know how I could have done this without you! One last check to make sure everything is in place, and then the festivities can begin.
What's this thing for? The last page of the book mentioned a crystal heart as the fair centerpiece.
so I used my magic to cut one out of a crystal block.
Nice work, Twi.
Think we're ready to get this fair up and running.
-Hear ye, hear⦠-Bwoooomp! Heh.
My bad.
Heheh.
Ahem.
Hear ye, hear ye! Princess Cadence and Prince Shining Armor do cordially invite you to attend the crystal fair! Come on in, yall! Got food and drinks that-a-way.
Games and crafts are that-a-way.
Crystal heart's in the back near the princess.
Did she say⦠crystal heart? We totally nailed it, right? Must be feeling a lot of love and unity about now! Gonna have some grub, huh? What are ya thinkin? Crystal Empire berry pie? Maybe some crystal corn on the cob! What is with these ponies?! Seeing all of this, I feel like I'm starting to remember.
Remember things from before the king.
Me too.
Gasp! The crystal heart! Do you think they really have it? Of course we have it! Can't have a crystal fair without the crystal heart, right? Of course you can't.
The whole purpose of the crystal fair is to lift the spirits of the crystal ponies so the light within them can power the crystal heart, so that the empire can be protected! I DO work at the library! What's that about "powering the heart"? I just can't believe you found it! King Sombra said he had hidden it away where we would never see it again! I only hope it will still be as powerful after all these years! â¦Mmm.
Funnel cake! - Why did you - I think we may have a problem I didn't know it was an actual relic! The book didn't mention anything about the crystal ponies powering the heart! There was a page missing⦠How did I not notice?! It's alright, Twilight.
Twily