Original subtitles

OK. Library... library... Where did they put the library?

[sigh] This Castle looked a lot smaller from the outside.

Morning, Starlight.

Whoops!

Sorry, Spike! I guess I'm still trying to find my way around.

You don't happen to know where the library is, do you?

Next door on the left.

[slam]

Oh. Thanks.

Acceptance, mm-hmm, Altruism, definitely.

Starlight! Good morning! Come in!

Sorry I'm late. I got a little turned around.

I still can't believe you're letting me stay here.

As your pupil. After everything I did.

Well, I'm not one to dwell on the past and neither should you.

The castle is your home now and as far as being my pupil goes...

I was just trying to figure out

what your first friendship lesson should be!

Oh. Well, it looks like you're really narrowing it down.

Oh, these are just the As. After this, I move on to the Bs!

♪ My little pony, my little pony ♪

♪ Aaaahhh

♪ My little Pony

♪ I used to wonder what friendship could be. ♪

♪ My Little Pony

♪ Until you all shared its magic with me. ♪

♪ Big adventure! ♪ Tons of fun

♪ A beautiful heart! ♪ Faithful and strong! ♪

♪ Sharing kindness ♪ it's an easy feat

♪ And magic makes it all complete! ♪

♪ To have my little pony

♪ Do you know you're all my very best friends? ♪

♪

Starlight: I know I'm just learning about friendship,

but I didn't think there were this many lessons for anything.

How do we choose?

Maybe I should pare things down a bit before we go through them.

Why don't you join the others in the throne room?

They're planning our trip to the Crystal Empire

when Shining Armor and Princess Cadance have their baby.

Throne room. Got it!

Um, which way is the throne room?

[sigh]

Rainbow Dash: Well, I think we should leave ASAP!

I don't want to miss the Crystalling!

But, um, shouldn't we wait for the invitation?

Frankly, I'm not exactly clear on all the customs

and traditions of the Crystal Empire.

Especially when it comes to a Crystalling.

What's a Crystalling?

Well, that's just it, Darling.

Princess Cadance and Shining Armor's baby is due any day

and we're still not sure.

The Crystal Empire was gone for a thousand years.

A lot of their customs are a bit murky.

We know it's got something to do with the new baby.

And a party!

And the Crystal Heart.

And a party!

And some kind of cool energy.

And...

A PARTY!

Spike: It's not hard to understand.

Most things in the Crystal Empire aren't.

Like how I'm a big hero there, for example.

Plus, I've had to help Twilight

do a lot of research on Crystallings.

Whenever a baby is born in the Crystal Empire,

the parents bring it before the Crystal Heart.

They get the purest shard of crystal they can find,

then pick a Crystaller to present the baby

to everypony who comes.

Then they all share the light and joy they feel,

feeding it into the crystal that joins with the Heart

and increases its power.

And this is going to be a Royal Crystalling,

so pretty much the whole Empire will show up.

That hasn't happened in a millennia.

What do you mean it increases the Crystal Heart's power?

The energy it uses to protect the Crystal Empire, I guess.

Protect it from what?

I didn't help Twilight with that part.

Hey, Twilight, can I ask you something

about the Crystal Empire?

Ha! Funny you should mention it...

Because I just narrowed your first friendship lesson

down to three options.

And one of them is in the Crystal Empire.

Really?

I found out that's where the first pony

you ever cared about lives!

Sunburst?

Of course that's just one idea.

We could also go to Griffinstone.[voice fades]

Making friends with a Griffin is a challenge all by itself.

Or we could tag along with the CMCs

the next time they help a pony who can't figure out

Starlight, is something wrong?

What? Oh, no. Those all sound great.

I know! I guess you were right.

It is going to be hard to choose one.

[nervous laugh]

Yeah.

[crash]

[slam]

Ugh! I am never going to find my way around this place!

Gee, Starlight, what's wrong?

Twilight's figuring out what my first friendship lesson is

and I guess I'm not exactly thrilled with the options.

Well, with one of them.

Which one?

Reuniting me with my first friend.

What's so terrible about that?

[sigh]

When we were foals,

Sunburst knew everything there was to know about magic.

He always knew just what to do.

[bubbles]

And he was always there to help me.

[whoosh]

I guess it's not surprising that Sunburst got his cutie mark

in magic and went off to Princess Celestia's school.

But when he left...

You blamed cutie marks and stripped a whole village

of theirs and when Twilight and the others stopped you,

you went back in time and almost destroyed Equestria.

[poof]

Not really stuff I'm super eager to tell Sunburst about.

I mean, he's probably some big, important wizard now

and I can't even find my way around Twilight's Castle.

Well, if Sunburst is that good at magic,

maybe he'd appreciate your [ahem] exploits.

You should talk to Twilight about it.

I'm sure she'd want to hear what you have to say.

I know, but I don't want her to think I'm not ready to learn

or that I'm not grateful for everything she's doing.

Twilight: SPIKE! COME QUICK!

[whistling wind]

♪

It's a Crystalling invitation!

Shining Armor's a father! I'm an Aunt!

Well, this settles it.

Since we're going to the Crystal Empire,

your first friendship lesson is going to be

reuniting with Sunburst!

Great.

[train chugging and whistle]

[yawn]

Um, Applejack, what is that?

Oh, just a little something for the young'un.

Made from genuine Sweet Apple Acres apple trees.

We make 'em for all the Apples

and anypony related to Twilight is practically family.

Yeah. It's OK, but it's no Cloudsdale Mobile...BAM!

Oooh! Pretty!

Well, a mobile is real nice...

as long as you have something to lay in so you can look at it.

And a fetching blanket to keep you warm.

I'm sure Shining Armor and Princess Cadance

will love all our gifts, but I think they're more happy

we'll be attending the baby's Crystalling.

Ooh! I can't wait to see all that light and love

make the Crystal Heart even more sparkly and shiny!

Actually, Pinkie, the Crystal Heart

is an ancient and powerful relic.

Without its magic, the Crystal Empire would be lost

to the Frozen North.

Wow. This Crystalling sounds pretty important.

I'd understand if you wanted to, you know,

wait to do a different friendship lesson

when we get back.

Are you kidding? This trip is perfect.

Not only do I get to see the baby and take part in a ceremony

that helps maintain the magic of the Crystal Empire,

but I'm starting my new pupil off

with the most amazing friendship lesson ever. I can't wait!

Right. Me neither.

Actually, Twilight, I am a little worried

about meeting Sunburst.

Oh, trust me, I know what it's like to see old friends,

but I'll be right there to help things along.

I've broken the whole lesson down into a few easy steps

to ensure this reunion goes off without a hitch.

[nervous giggle]

[clattering train wheels]

[squeaking brakes]

Step one, head to Sunburst's house and get you two started

on the right hoof.

Step two, get to the Castle with enough time to visit the baby.

[gasp] Shining Armor!

Twilight!

I didn't know you were meeting us.

Of course I am. It's me. Right here. Here I am.

Why wouldn't I come meet my sister?

Though we have met before.

Are you all right?

Never better! Being a father is amazing and wonderful

and amazing and confusing and amazing...

But surprising too, you know?

I mean, not that you'd know. You wouldn't know, I know. You know?

Sorry. I haven't really slept since Cadance had the baby.

Come to think of it, she hasn't either.

It sure would be great to get a break.

Oh. Of course. I don't know what I was thinking.

You two probably need all kinds of help!

I'm sorry, Starlight, but I guess combining

your first lesson with this visit wasn't such a good idea.

Oh, don't be ridiculous! You're an aunt now.

That's way more important than some friendship lesson.

I just wish there was a way to do both.

Maybe there is.

You've already done the work for Starlight's lesson

with this list.

All we have to do is follow it.

Spike, you're a genius!

Yeah. Genius.

Then it's settled.

Shining Armor and I will head straight to the castle

and you two can head straight to Sunburst's.

Aye, aye, princess.

All right, big brother.

Let's go see this amazing baby pony.

[snoring]

I know you're a little worried about this reunion,

but I'm sure Twilight's got everything covered.

Everything except how I'd rather do absolutely anything else.

I bet she's taken that into account too.

It's all part of the lesson. Trust the lesson.

Right.

Hey, is that you?

Oh. Yep. It sure is.

Now... according to the list, Sunburst's house is--

Why is there a statue of you in the Crystal Empire?

Because Spike, the brave and glorious,

saved all of us from King Sombra.

And then again during the Equestria Games.

Really?

Really! Big fan.

Um, when were you going to tell me about this?

Oh, it's no big deal.

IT MOST CERTAINLY IS!

That's it.

We're not going anywhere until I get the whole story.

Before we go in, I should probably tell you,

seeing the baby might be a bit of a shock.

Come on, big brother, I've met babies before.

I expect meeting this one won't be any different.

[gasp]

[cooing]

Of course, I could be wrong.

♪

[cooing]

The baby is an Alicorn?

It looks that way.

But I thought Alicorn wings had to be earned

by accomplishing some great princess-worthy deed.

Yeah, how can you just be born with them?

The birth of an Alicorn

is something Equestria has never seen.

It is beyond even our understanding.

That's not very reassuring.

Wow, a unicorn and a Pegasus!

So, she could be a super strong flyer and have crazy baby magic.

Well, I know all about super strong flying.

And I can help keep tabs on her magic.

[starting to sneeze]

[achoo/crash]

It appears her magic is more powerful

than that of a newborn unicorn.

The crowds have already started to gather.

This Crystalling is gonna be some party!

[pop]

Do you think we should call it off?

Um, we've all faced a lot worse than baby magic.

I can't imagine cancelling

such a beautiful and important ceremony

over something so potentially adorable.

Yeah! Of course! Come on!

In light of the little one's abilities,

this Crystalling might be more important than ever.

Perhaps you should address your subjects

and remind them of that.

[snoring]

Shining Armor, do you have everything you need

for the ceremony?

Huh? Oh! NO! I still have to interview the Honor Guards,

chose the Purity Crystal and pick a Crystaller!

All right. Take it easy.

Pinkie can stay here with me and keep an eye on the baby.

And we'll all help you with everything else.

[snoring and muttering]

That is if you can stay awake long enough to tell us how.

And that's how we found the Crystal Heart,

defeated King Sombra and saved the Empire.

Yay! We love you, Spike! Yeah!

Tell the one about the Equestria Games!

Well, as much as I love reliving my heroic deeds,

Starlight and I have an important lesson to do

by order of the Princess of Friendship.

AWWWWW!

Oh, come on, Spike. I want to hear about the Games, too.

I know you're nervous about seeing Sunburst,

but it says right in step three to,

"deal with your fears by facing them," not by putting it off.

Ugh. Let's go get this over with.

♪ [tense music]

Wait!

What?

Knocking on the door isn't the next thing on the list.

Seriously?

I know Twilight can be a little nitpicky,

but this is your first lesson as her pupil

and it's important that we do it right.

Fine. What's the next thing on the list?

"Before they see each other, make sure to highlight

the importance of the meeting."

I don't know. I'm pretty sure we can skip that.

I mean, if we skip it, the whole lesson could go south.

And then you might end up taking a giant step backwards

instead of forwards.

Maybe you'll never be able to learn anything

about friendship at all.

It's almost like your whole future depends on this moment.

"Highlight the importance of the meeting." Check.

I can't believe you wanted to skip that.

[knock knock knock]

Sunburst?

Yes? What can I do for you?

It's, it's me. Starlight.

We used to be friends?

Oh, of course! Starlight. My goodness, it's been a long time.

What, what have you been up to?

Me? Oh, you know, some of this, some of that.

Different stuff.

Right now I'm sort of, Twilight Sparkle's new pupil.

The Princess of Friendship?

Heh. Yeah. That's actually kind of why I'm here.

I mean, I know you're probably very busy.

What do you mean?

Well, I figured after Magic School,

you'd go on to do important wizard work, but...

Oh. No. Yes. Oh yes, that's me. Yep. Important wizard.

Really busy with lots of, uh... wizarding stuff.

Right, well Good to see you.

[door closes]

Huh. Maybe we should have skipped

"highlighting the importance of the meeting" after all.

Well? I guess that's that!

Starlight, come on!

We have to at least explain what Twilight wants!

Ugh.

[knocking]

Dearest Citizens, I am sure you are all just as thrilled

and ready for this Crystalling as myself and Shining Armor.

[cheers]

[gasp] I'm not ready!

Just pick whoever looks the most like Honor Guard material.

Right. Right!

I'm sorry;

fatherhood is way more stressful than I ever thought.

I can only imagine.

Now, I know choosing the crystal of purity

is a very important decision,

so I have gone through the trouble of arranging them

in order from incredibly pure to outrageously pure.

Um, Rarity? Don't they all sort of look the same?

Oh well, to the untrained eye, perhaps.

What do you think, Shining Armor?

I DON'T KNOW!

[whispers] I hope Twilight and Pinkie

are having better luck with the baby.

Well, at least she's having fun!

[baby gurgling happily]

Pinkie, hold her still!

I'm trying!

So, the Princess of Friendship wants you and I

to be friends again?

I know. Weird, right?

I don't understand.

Did something happen to you after I left for Magic School?

What? No! I don't see what that has to do with anything.

Why would you even ask that?

I mean, did something happen to you

after you left for magic school?

What? Um. No. Like you said, I'm a [ahem] important wizard.

I'm sure there's something on Twilight's list

that can help here.

[gasping]

OK. I chose the Honor Guard, picked the Purity Crystal

and I know exactly who I want to be our Crystaller.

So, all we need is...

The baby?

We're here!

She's a really strong flyer!

[whimpering]

[wail]

[cracking]

[shatter]

♪

I'm guessing that's gonna make it hard to do the Crystalling.

It's worse than that...

Without the Heart, the Crystal Empire is about to be buried

under a mountain of ice and snow!

♪ [dramatic]

[gurgle]