My Little Pony: Ragtag's Tumble (Script)

"Failure is a part of life. To live is to make mistakes. To grow is to know defeat. You need to understand that the mark of experience is something that we live for – otherwise, there isn't a point to our struggling."

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[Brief Description: In a meadow in the middle of the Everfree forest, a young filly is sitting on a small hill. It's a calm summer's night - the crickets are chirping, the fireflies are buzzing with bright colors and a gentle breeze sweeps throughout the meadow. However, the filly, Ragtag, doesn't seem to be paying any attention as she is quietly sobbing. In her sorrow, she only looks towards the ground as her tears fall to the ground... and fails to see the yellow pegasus watching her from a distance.]

[Enter Spitfire]

[Spitfire slowly approaches.]

Spitfire: (Softly) so this is where you've been hiding...

[Ragtag only gives a faint glance before ignoring her.]

(Chuckling) You know, it was quite a show you gave at the flyers competition. I didn't think you had it in you to try a trick like that... I swear though, when you did, it nearly gave your dad a heart attack...

[She looks slightly over her shoulder, giving a stern glare while Spit sighs softly.]

(Firmly) They will be lookin' for you, ya know.

[She turns around and shows Spit her full glare.]

Ragtag: (bitterly) so!? *Sniff*

[Pause]

It's not like it matters... or that they care anyway...

Spitfire: Come on... You know that isn't true...

Ragtag: (Angrily) HORSERADISH! You think it matters to them how I failed so bad? Huh!? You think anyone in Ponyville gives a hollerin' hoot as to how I TRIED?

(Mockingly) Right now, all they care about is that Shooting Star won the Flyers Competition. That Shooting Star is going to be the next Wonderbolt in the family! That Shooting Star is gonna be the next legendary flyer!

Spitfire: (interrupting) so you're jealous of your sister?

Ragtag: (jumping in) NO! NO! NO! It's not that! In fact; It's great that she won! I'm so happy for her! It's just that...

[She sighs and makes a short pause]

I tried so hard for that one Rainbow Whirlwind. I put a TON effort into that one trick. I spent months... MONTHS perfecting it to the point where I was barfing up Rainbows! And then, at the moment I NEEDED to pull it off...

[She teasingly crosses her eyes]

DERP.

[She puts her face into the grass.]

(Sorrowfully) My life is over.

Spitfire: (Softly) Rag.

Ragtag: (mumbling) go away.

Spitfire: Come on, Rag.

[Rag lifts her head up.]

Ragtag: (screaming) GO AWAY!

[There is a long pause between the two ponies as Rag goes back to putting her head in the ground. Spit, however, is unfazed by her sudden outburst. She walks up the hill and sits right in front of her with a look of persistence in her eyes.]

Spitfire: So, let me get this straight; you pour your heart and soul into this trick, pull a 'dashie' and wanna quit and say that your life is over? I don't know about you, but to me, either that's a lack of effort or not much of a life at all...

Ragtag: (mumbling) shut up...

[Spitfire purses her lips.]

Spitfire: (Cutting in) so you took a chance. I, for one, enjoyed watching you try - even if you did come up short. After all, you were up against pegasi twice your age!

[Rag gives Spit another strong glare before putting her face down into the grass again.]

Ragtag: (mumbling) it doesn't matter. I still failed...

Spitfire: (Annoyed) Oh, come on! You gave it your best! All that matters is you had a blast, am I right?

Ragtag: (mumbling) they're probably laughing at how bad I failed.

[Spit sighs.]

Spitfire: Trust me, you got a lot to be thankful for, kiddo. For one, you're an amazing flyer. Most colts and fillies have to wait years to get to your level. Some can barely fly at all! It even took your mother years before she became a Wonderbolt!

[Rag mumbles.]

Be Thankful!

[Ragtag lets out another feint mumble and Spit looks at her annoyed. Then, she gives a soft chuckle and smirks, making Ragtag look at her curiously.]

Trust me. You could've been a LOT worse off... like Scootaloo or you Dad...

[Rag lifts her head up attentively, curious as to what she was about to say.]

…And been a complete turkey.

Ragtag: (interrupting) …what?

[Spit chuckles again.]

Spitfire: (gleefully) Ooooh, yeah. Back when they were your age, both Soarin and Scoot couldn't fly at all. In fact, it was as funny as hay watching them try! They would flap their wings so many times and only get like an INCH of the ground. They'd hover for a few seconds and then fall flat on their faces...

[She laughs.]

It was classic.

[Rag lifts an eyebrow.]

Ragtag: (Sarcastically) Yeah, Right.

Spitfire: (cutting in) I am NOT lying. Talk to anypony in Ponyville about it.

[She chuckles.]

I'm not surprised they haven't told you. It's not something they're proud of...

Ragtag: (Jumping in) Oh yeah? If Scoot and my Dad were so bad back in the day, then how come they're two of the top flying legends in the Wonderbolts now? hmm?

[Spit looks at her questioningly.]

Spitfire: (rhetorically) do I really need to tell you?

[Rag gives her a stern glare.]

(Relenting) *sigh* Alright.

It's because they kept at it. It didn't matter to them what the world thought. They just kept going and going until they got it right.

[She pauses for a moment, looking for the right words.]

It was funny to watch - sure. But it was truly admirable...

[There's a short pause between the two as Rag slowly looks up at her.]

Ragtag: (surprised) really?

Spitfire: (Calmly) Nothing's impossible, Rag.

[Rag takes in a deep breath and gets up off the ground.]

Ragtag: (relenting) So, I guess my crash at the flyers competition wasn't that bad...

[Short Pause]

But still! I promised Shooting and my mom that I would pull off the Whirlwind! And to top it all off, we're supposed to have a giant party at Sugarcube Corner to celebrate! Mrs. Pie spent weeks preparing for it!

[Short Pause]

How can I face them after that debacle?

[Spitfire chuckles slightly and sighs.]

Spitfire: You shouldn't worry about that. First off, you KNOW Pinkie will use ANY excuse to throw a party... If anything, her middle name should be 'over-the-top' instead of Diane... and second, it doesn't matter to you parents or your sister what happened in the flyers competition.

[She gives a wide comforting smirk.]

They're proud of you just the way you are.

[Rag sighs.]

Ragtag: (relenting) Fine. Fine. Fine. I get it.

Spitfire: (smiling) Good. I'm glad.

[She walks past her and beckons her to follow.]

We should be going. I doubt you want to miss out on the fireworks and cake.

Ragtag: (Curiously) wait... fireworks?

Spitfire: Yeah. Pinkie's sparing no expense for this party. I tell ya, she's...

[She stops mid-sentence Rag bites her lip.]

Ragtag: (interrupting) that's nice. You go enjoy the party. I'm gonna stay here for a while...

[She walks down to other side of the hill.]

Spitfire: I thought you loved fireworks.

Ragtag: I do and I'll see them later...

[Spit turns around.]

Spitfire: (concerned) *sigh* what is it, now?

Ragtag: Nothing! Just want to think a bit longer... maybe get in a few flying runs...

[She raises her eyebrow, obviously unconvinced.]

Spitfire: Rag, it's pitch black outside! You've been training all week!

(Firmly) You should rest. Besides, you got your whole life ahead of you to...

Ragtag: (annoyed) I know, just lemme...

[Spitfire gives her a long pressing stare.]

Spitfire: (bluntly) This IS about your sister, isn't it?

Ragtag: Huh? No! I...

Spitfire: (cutting in) Rag, just because she's a few steps of head of you doesn't mean...

Ragtag: (annoyed) I get it! I get it! I GET IT!

[Spit opens her mouth to reply, but is stopped by a voice from the background.]

Voice: There you are!

[Enter Shooting Star, flying in]

[Rag turns to her sister, while Shooting takes a moment to catch her breath.]

Ragtag: Hey, sis.

Shooting Star: I've been looking for you everywhere! The party's about to start...

Ragtag: Don't worry; just tell them I'll be there shortly.

[She waves her off.]

You guys can start without me.

[Shooting stares at her with a grumpy look on her face.]

Shooting Star: Yeah, I would... but Mrs. Pie won't start the party until everypony is there. She's practically blocking off Sugarcube right now.

(grumpily) I swear, sis, if we miss out...

Ragtag: (Sharply) IT'S FINE.

[Shooting stares at her with a bewildered look on her face. Spit, however, jumps in between the two.]

Spitfire: (interrupting) don't worry. We'll be there.

Ragtag: (annoyed) Meh.

Shooting Star: (surprised) Spit? I didn't know you were back...

Spitfire: Yeah. I promised Pinkie I'd be back in time for the party, too. Speaking of which...

[She starts flapping her wings.]

I should get going...

(Turns around) Oh, (beckons Shooting) and Shooting...

Shooting Star: Hmm?

[She walks up to Spit and whispers something in her ear.  The two have a small quiet conversation while Ragtag looks on and grumbles in frustration.  Spit then pats Shooting on the shoulder, turns back around and takes to the air.]

Spitfire: I'm off. I'll see you two at the party.

[She flies off stage.]

Have a nice talk!

[Exit Spitfire]

[Shooting turns to Rag and there is a long pause between the two.]

Shooting Star: Rag...

Ragtag: (Annoyed) Whaaaaaaat?

Shooting Star: (Rolls her eyes) RT, you're such a whiny little baby!

Ragtag: (Bitterly) you shut up!

Shooting Star: (Pressing her point) It's just a stupid tiara...

Ragtag: (Turns away) Dang it! Stop!

[Short Pause]

Shooting Star: RT...

[Rag grumbles in a low tone.]

RT...

[Rag grumbles louder.]

RT!

[Rag grumbles even louder.]

(Irritated) What are you? A zombie pony now!?

Ragtag: (Mockingly) like your last Boyfriend? Maybe...

Shooting Star: (In a low angry tone) REALLY?

Ragtag: (Turns around) Oh, come on! Did you honestly get a good look at that guy's face? He was zoned out half the time!

You're lucky I was there...

Shooting Star: (grumbling) Rag, you...

[She stops; realizing she's doing exactly what Rag wants and gets back on the topic at hoof.]

You're a bitter little gremlin, aren't you?

[Rag grumbles again.]

It's just a stupid tiara! Besides, we both know that if you pulled off the Rainbow Whirl...

[Rag interrupts her with a longer and angrier grumble.]

Rag... Listen...

[Rag gives another grumble.]

(Irritated) You know what? Forget it! NO CAKE FOR YOU... It's not like quitters deserve it anyway...

Ragtag: (Angrily) Not a quitter!

Shooting Star: (Sarcastically) Riiiight. And cows can fly!

Ragtag: Shoot... don't push.

[Seeing the irritation on Ragtag's face, Shooting sports a clever grin.]

Shooting Star: What? I thought this is what you wanted...

[Rag grinds her teeth in frustration.]

Quitter...

Ragtag: (Exploding) THAT'S IT! YOU WANNA RUB IT IN MY FACE THAT YOU WON!? FINE! ENJOY YOUR TIARA! YOU JUST WAIT ON YOUR PRETTY LITTLE FLANKS UNTIL NEXT YEAR!!!

[She walks up to Shooting with piercing eyes.]

You… Just… Wait...

[The smirk on Shooting's face turns into a giant smile.]

Shooting Star: I will... quitter...

[After the last word, she takes off giggling.]

[Exit Shooting Star]

Ragtag: (Angrily) YOU GET YOUR FLANKS BACK HERE!

[Ragtag takes off in a flash of rainbow colors.]

[Exit Ragtag]

[END]