The Last Roundup/Transcript

: The episode begins with Applejack running around a track and through a series of obstacles; jumping hurdles and ending with the toss of a hay bale by a long rope. Meanwhile, Apple Bloom was observing from a fence and wearing Applejack's hat ~
: Apple Bloom: Woo-hoo! Applejack, yer sure to knock everypony's hat off at the Equestria Rodeo Competition!
: Applejack: Aw, shucks Apple Bloom. I sure hope so.
: Apple Bloom: Hope so?! I know so! After all, you're the ten time rodeo champ'een of Ponyville! Why, you got more blue ribbons than anypony in Ponyville, ever! And I can't wait for my big sis to win every blue ribbon in Equestria, and bring home the title of Equestria Rodeo champ'een.
: [ theme ]
: Rainbow Dash is hanging a banner outside the town hall depicting Applejack surrounded by apples on vines in celebration of her participation in this year's competition ~
: Rainbow: Huh?! [a lightning bolt whizzes by Rainbow as she attempts a dodge, causing only the end of her tail to be singed] Now, careful Derpy! Don't want to do any more damage than you've already done... [she indicates the top floor of the town hall, which collapses]
: Derpy Hooves: [jumping on a small storm cloud and causing lightning bolts] I just don't know what went wrong! [gets a jolt from the cloud]
: Rainbow: Yeah... It's a mystery.
: Derpy: Nice work, Rainbow Dash! [Backs into the town hall, causing a support beam to fall off. Rainbow attempts to catch it, but it drives her through the floor.]
: Derpy: echoing as she shouts down the hole: You OK, Rainbow Dash?! Anything I can do to help?!
: Rainbow: [flying out of the hole] No! Nothing! In the name of Celestia, just sit there and do nothing.
: [she sits down hard, putting a hole in the floor and dragging Rainbow in with her]
: Derpy: Oops! My bad...
: Townsponies: Applejack! Applejack! Applejack! Applejack! Applejack! Applejack! Applejack!
: Mayor: beginning on the fifth chant: Everypony, can I get your attention?! Attention, please! [they stop] Yes, we are all here to send Applejack to compete in this year's Equestria Rodeo competition in Canterlot.
: [everypony cheers and begins stomping their hooves in applause]
: Mayor: And I want to thank Applejack in advance for generously offering up her prize money to fix town hall.
: Derpy: Yeah, Applejack! Whoo-hooooo! [falls back down the hole as Rainbow rolls her eyes]
: Pinkie: Speech! Speech!
: Applejack: Aw, shucks. I'm not much for speeches.
: Pinkie: Alright then, no speech! [zips out of sight to the right]
: Applejack: But, [Pinkie returns in a flash] this here is the nicest send off anypony could ask for. Y'all have been cheering me on in every rodeo since I was a little, little pony. So, it seems only fittin' to use my winnin's to fix up town hall. I promise to make Ponyville proud!
: [at the train station]
: Granny Smith: I want you to show all them highfalutin rodeo ponies what a real rodeo pony's like!
: Applejack: You betcha, Granny Smith!
: Mayor: And bring back all that money!
: Applejack: You betcha, Mayor.
: Pinkie: And have fun; and don't be nervous. Or if you are, use that nervous energy to do even better than you already would! And eat peanuts and popcorn and taffy. Taffy gives you lots of nervous energy! [pulls a bag of candy out of nowhere and begins eating from it like a feed bag]
: Twilight Sparkle: Just do your best, Applejack.
: Applejack: I'll do better than my best!
: Train Conductor: The train to Canterlot is about to leave! Aaaaaall aboard who's comin' aboard!
: Applejack: Guess that means me!
: Rainbow: See ya in a week!
: Apple Bloom: With lots of new blue ribbons!
: Mayor: And lots of moneeeey!
: Applejack: Darn tootin'! [the train begins moving and Applejack hollers from a window] See y'all in a week, with a big bag full of blue ribbons!
: [those on the platform run after the train as they bid farewell until they run out of room]
: Pinkie: And drink sarsaparilla! [the others look at her quizically] What? It gives you extra sass.
: Sometime later, Applejack's family and friends are setting up a grand celebration with decorations, food, and music in the barn at Sweet Apple Acres ~
: Fluttershy: Ooh... I hope Applejack is surprised by this surprise party!
: Rainbow: Well, that is the point!
: Fluttershy: I know. But I hope she isn't so surprised she's startled because while being surprised can be nice, being startled can be... very startling.
: Pinkie: Surprise! [a party whistle sounds and confetti flies at Fluttershy, knocking her over]
: Fluttershy: Oh, Pinkie! You startled me...
: Pinkie: Sorry! I was just practicing my "surprise" for when we surprise Applejack with this super cool party for becoming rodeo champ'een of Equestria!
: Surprise! [Fluttershy falls over again]
: Twilight: [looking out the barn door] Quiet, Pinkie, I think Applejack's coming!
: Pinkie: Don't worry, Twilight. Got my lips all limbered up! [She starts flexing her lips and mouth as Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash dive into a hay bale in the loft; everypony else hides behind whatever they can and the lights are turned off. The door opens...]
: Everypony: [turning on the lights] Surprise!
: Pinkie: [too late] Surprise! Aw, shoot!
: Courier: Wow, this is the best surprise ever! How did you know it was my birthday?!
: [Twilight sticks her head out the door to take the courier's telegram before promptly retreating inside and slamming the door. As the poor stallion looks forlorn, Pinkie darts out with a slice of cake for him before going back in with another slam of the door.]
: Apple Bloom: Who's it from, Twilight?! What's it say?!
: Twilight: It's from Applejack.
: Family and Friends,
:: Not coming back to Ponyville. Don't worry; will send money soon.
: Twilight: That's all there is.
: [everypony gasps]
: Apple Bloom: Applejack's... not comin' back...
: Rainbow: What do you mean Applejack's not coming back?! She loves Ponyville!
: Granny Smith: And she loves Sweet Apple Acres!
: Apple Bloom: And she loves her family! [begins pouting]
: Rarity: Something just dreadful must have happened to Applejack to make her not return!
: Fluttershy: Maybe she's hurt, or sad, or scared!
: Rainbow: So what are we waiting for?! Let's go find her!
: Twilight: Don't worry, we'll search all of Equestria if we have to. We'll bring her back.
: Apple Bloom: Y'all are the best...
: Granny Smith: Thank you, girls!
: [Big Mac begins to cry]
: Granny Smith: Our little bushel just lost one apple.
: The five friends now speed toward Canterlot aboard the Friendship Express, determinedly looking out the window toward's Equestria's capital ~
: [Upon exiting the train, they split up to cover more ground. Rarity shows a picture of Applejack to some wranglers as Pinkie chases a rodeo clown while running atop a ball with a picture in her mouth. Twilight shows the same picture to some ponies sweeping up after the event. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy also inquire of other ponies to no avail. When the building cleared they rested resignedly until one remaining pony recognized Applejack's picture laying on a table and pointed them to a distant cliff.]
: Back aboard the train ~
: [Pinkie Pie is grunting with her hind legs crossed.]
: Rainbow: I hope this lead doesn't turn out to be a dead end. I don't wanna go home empty-hooved after promising we'd find her.
: Fluttershy: I don't know how we'll break it to the Apple family...
: Twilight: I don't know how we'll break it to Ponyville!
: Pinkie: I don't know how I'll make it to the next stop!
: [the train whistle blows]
: Twilight: This is Dodge Junction, girls. Applejack is supposed to have come here after the rodeo ended. Let's fan out and try to find her.
: [the moment they step off the train Pinkie speeds towards an outhouse]
: Pinkie: Pickles! [she knocks and a toilet flushes] Hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry, hurry! Hurry it up in there!
: Applejack: [walking out] Some ponies. Sheesh... [Pinkie darts inside then comes out in sudden realization]
: Pinkie: Applejack! [hopping around] I found her, I found her, I found her, I found her, I found her!
: Rarity: Oh, Applejack, thank heavens!
: Fluttershy: We're so glad you're safe!
: Pinkie: I found her, I found her, I found her, I found her... be right back. [flies to the bathroom]
: Applejack: Uh... Hey, everypony. What's up?
: Rainbow: Why didn't you come back to Ponyville?!
: Rarity: Yes, why are you here?
: Fluttershy: Are you OK? [a toilet flushes]
: Pinkie: Do you have any snacks?
: Twilight: Tell us what happened, Applejack!
: Cherry Jubilee: Applejack? Are these some of your Ponyville friends?
: Twilight: Yes ma'am!
: Rarity: And you are...
: Cherry Jubilee: Why, I'm Cherry Jubilee, boss of Cherry Hill Ranch. Hasn't Applejack told ya? I saw her compete at the Equestria Rodeo. Never saw anypony win so many ribbons in all my life.
: Applejack: Aw, shucks Miss Jubilee. You don't have to go into all that...
: Cherry Jubilee: Aw, she's so modest. Anyway, I can always use a pony with quick hooves and a strong back. So when I heard Applejack was looking for a change of scenery, I snapped her up as quick as I could and brought her to Dodge Junction. Well, I'll let you catch up with your friends. See ya back at the ranch.
: Rainbow: "Change of scenery?!" What's that supposed to mean?!
: Applejack: No big deal, guys. I thought cherries would be a nice change from apples, so I took the job and came here. That's it. End a' story.
: Pinkie: That's it? Well, that's a terrible story!
: Applejack: Sorry, but that's all there is to tell. Thanks for checkin' on me, but y'all can go home now. Tell my family "hi," and that I'm doing A-OK.
: Rainbow: Excuse me, AJ, but we didn't travel all over Equestria searching for you to come home without you!
: Applejack: Well I didn't ask you to come lookin' for me! There is nothin' to tell and I am not going back to Ponyville!
: Twilight: I don't care what she says, Applejack's not telling us something.
: Rainbow: Twilight's right. We gotta get her to spill the beans.
: Pinkie: What?! She had beans?! Ugh! I told her I was snacky!
: Cherry Jubilee: You ready to put yer back into it, Applejack?
: Applejack: Sure am, Miss Jubilee. [she steps into a giant wheel used to power a nearby conveyor belt]
: Cherry Jubilee: Terrific. Come on in, girls.
: Applejack: What are you all doing here?
: Twilight: We're your cherry sorters. Shall we get started?
: Applejack: Fine.
: Cherry Jubilee: Red cherries go in one bin, and yellow cherries go in the other. Simple as cherry pie. Just one teensy thing to remember: have fun!
: Applejack: What are you five up to?
: Rarity: Well, uh, you made working on a cherry orchard sound... so delightful.
: Applejack: Uh-huh... Well, just remember, no talking about Ponyville.
: Rainbow: Fine! Why don't you quit talkin' and get walkin'?
: [She begins walking in the wheel, powering the pulleys that rotate the belt. The other girls start sorting the cherries as they come along.]
: Twilight: So, AJ, how was Canterlot? [she receives a harsh glare] Not talking about Ponyville, talking about Canterlot. Totally different town.
: Applejack: Canterlot was fine.
: Twilight: Was the rodeo fun?
: Applejack: Yes.
: Twilight: Did you meet some nice ponies there? [now standing beside Applejack rather than the conveyor]
: Applejack: Some.
: Rainbow: [flies over] Really?! Did you see Wild Bull Hickok?! What about Calamity Mane?!
: Applejack: Yes, I saw 'em both. [when Applejack's expression remains sour, Rainbow's smile turns to an angry frown]
: Rarity: [also coming over] And how did you meet Miss Jubilee?
: Applejack: Um, well, Miss Jubilee had a cherry stand at the rodeo. Real good treats.
: Fluttershy: Um, excuse me? [she and Pinkie are frantically trying to keep up with Applejack's increasing speed as she becomes more irritated by the series of questions]
: Applejack: Cherry winks, cherry cheesecake, cherry tarts; we struck up a conversation being orchard folk and all.
: Twilight: So you told her about Sweet Apple Acres?
: Applejack: Yes.
: Rainbow: Did you tell her why you weren't going back?
: Applejack: No, 'cause it was none of her business!
: Fluttershy: Can you please slow down?
: Rainbow: Is it because I made it rain on you that one time?
: Applejack: No! [now running]
: Fluttershy: Help! [Pinkie begins scooping up the cherries and stashing them wherever she can]
: Twilight: Is it because you were insulted when I gave you that book on organized orchards?
: Applejack: No!
: Rarity: Is it because you were insulted when I insulted your hair?
: Applejack: No, no, no! I'm not telling you why, so just–
: Fluttershy: Stop!
: [Applejack screeches to a halt, bringing the conveyor to an abrupt stop and throwing cherries at her and the girls next to her. Everypony gasps at Applejack covered in cherry pulp, then she leaves. They all then begin cleaning up the mess they've created]
: Twilight: Well, girls, we seem to be striking out.
: Rainbow: That's 'cause we're playing too nice.
: Rarity: Yes. Desperate times do call for desperate measures.
: Rainbow: It's time to call in the big guns.
: [dramatic close-up of Pinkie licking mashed cherry from the conveyor]
: [Sometime later, Applejack is in the cherry orchard bucking trees just like she did back home.]
: Pinkie: Hey, Applejack! Need some help?
: Applejack: You promise not to ask me any questions?
: Pinkie: I promise.
: [Applejack continues kicking trees while Pinkie shakes one]
: Pinkie: Have you ever had a cherry changa? Oh, sorry, that was a question.
: Applejack: That kind of question is fine, Pinkie. No, I- I never had a cherry changa.
: Pinkie: Well, no wonder, because I made it up myself! A cherry changa is mashed up cherries in a tortilla that's deep fried. Cherry changa. Great name, huh? Oh, but maybe I should call it a chimmy cherry. Ooh, that's good too. Which do you think sounds better? Cherry changa or chimmy cherry? Or what if I combine them? Chimmy cherry changa! What sounds the funniest?! I like funny words! One of my favorite funny words is "kumquat!" I didn't make that one up. I would work in a kumquat orchard just so I could say kumquat all day! Kumquat, kumquat, kumquat! And "pickle barrel!" Isn't that just the funnest thing to say?! Pickle barrel, pickle barrel, pickle barrel. Say it with me! Pickle barrel, kumquat, pickle barrel, kumquat, pickle barrel, kumquat, chimmy cherry changa!
: Applejack: Noooo! Make it stop, make it stop!
: Rainbow: [appears out of nowhere wearing earplugs and puts a hoof over Pinkie's mouth] The only way to make it stop is for you to spill the beans!
: Applejack: Never!
: Pinkie: [Rainbow uncovers her mouth] Speaking of beans, did you ever realize how many words rhyme with beans? Lean, mean, spleen, unclean, bean...
: Applejack: Alright, alright, I'll tell everypony what's goin' on! Just please stop talkin'! But can it wait 'til tomorrow at breakfast? I'm plum tuckered out.
: Rainbow: Tomorrow, huh? I don't know...
: Pinkie: Do you Pinkie promise?
: Applejack: I will tell you the whole truth at breakfast. Pinkie promise. [Does the sign of crossing her heart and sticking her hoof in her eye. Everypony smiles and looks satisfied.]
: Twilight: I'm glad we're finally going to get some answers from Applejack.
: Rainbow: Yeah, maybe.
: Pinkie: Don't worry, Rainbow. She's gotta 'fess up after making a Pinkie promise.
: [Twilight knocks on Applejack's bedroom door and Pinkie barges in.]
: Pinkie: Good morning, Applejack! You ready for bre-
: [she gasps and begins turning red upon seeing that Applejack isn't there]
: Pinkie: her voice shifts several times takes on an demonic quality: Nopony breaks a Pinkie promise!
: [Pinkie runs off and the others give chase. They find Applejack nervously trotting in place at the train station.]
: Pinkie: Applejack! still sounding evil: You Pinkie promised!
: [Applejack flees]
: Pinkie: Applejack, come back here!
: Applejack: [hops in an empty stagecoach being drawn by four Earth Ponies] Giddy up, fellas! I gotta get the heck outta Dodge!
: Pinkie: She's gonna get away!
: Twilight: Oh, no she won't! Look, girls! [indicates an empty wagon with room for two ponies to pull it; Rainbow and Fluttershy put on the yokes]
: Pinkie: [as they give chase] Follow that stagecoach!
: [the view switches between a tense Applejack and her determined friends]
: Pinkie: Oh, we have you now!
: [When a rabbit jumps into the middle of the road, Fluttershy brings the wagon into a spin that stops just short of hitting him. He sniffs the wagon and hops away. They resume the chase.]
: Applejack: Whoa! What the hay?! [they've caught up to her and are ramming her stagecoach from the left]
: Rainbow: Pull over!
: Applejack: Hey, cut that out! [they hit her again]
: to her drivers: I'll pay you double to outrun them.
: Twilight: We'll pay you triple to slow down!
: Applejack: I'll pay you quadruple to leave them in the dust! [and they do, causing the others to choke on the resulting cloud]
: Rarity: That was rude!
: Pinkie: Get them! Get them!
: Rainbow: Come on, Fluttershy!
: Applejack: [noticing they've caught up again] Come on, y'all! Go! Go!
: Pinkie: [hoisting herself up next to Applejack] Applejack, you broke your Pinkie promise! Apologize!
: Applejack: Pinkie, I did not break my promise!
: Pinkie: What?
: Applejack: If y'all reckon back, I told you that I would tell you everythin' at breakfast, but I didn't come to breakfast. I couldn't come to that breakfast. Not if it meant telling y'all what happened.
: Pinkie: Well, I- I...
: Applejack: I'm sorry, Pinkie, but I can't tell y'all the truth. I just can't!
: Pinkie: Well I heard a sorry in there, so that'll have to do for now. I'll get a real apology later. Rarity, catch me.
: Rarity: What?! Pinkie!
: [she jumps back to their wagon and she knocks Rarity out]
: Twilight: Rainbow, go back!
: Rainbow: No time! They knew what they were getting into.
: [Pinkie looks happy but Rarity is obviously irritated as they watch the wagon ride off into the distance]
: Applejack: Yes! Hyah!
: [She spots a railroad crossing as the gate comes down for an approaching train. They crash through right before the train arrives, blocking off her friends.]
: Applejack: Yee-haw!
: Drivers: Lady, you're trouble. [they leave]
: Applejack: Ha! Try and catch me now. [Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash fly over the train, wagon in tow.] Aw, nuts... [runs away]
: Rainbow: Not so fast! [tackles her to the ground, spilling the contents of her saddlebags - many medals, but none blue]
: Applejack: Fine. Now you know.
: Twilight: Know what?!
: Applejack: Well, just look!
: Twilight: I am! You won an amazing number of ribbons, just like Miss Jubilee said!
: Applejack: Don't you get it? There's every color of ribbon down there. Every color but... blue. I came in fourth, third, even second, but I didn't win one first prize. And I certainly didn't win any prize money.
: Rainbow: But the telegram said you were gonna send money.
: Applejack: That's why I came here. I wanted to earn some money. After that big, old send off Ponyville gave me, I just didn't have the nerve to come home empty-hooved. I couldn't come home a failure...
: Twilight: Applejack, you're not a failure!
: Rainbow: And we're your friends! We don't care if you came in fiftieth place! You're still number one in our books.
: Applejack: So... you're not upset, or disappointed?
: [all three shake their heads emphatically]
: Applejack: But... what about the mayor? I don't think I can face her and tell her I didn't get that money to fix the broken roof.
: Fluttershy: Applejack! We can always find a way to fix that hole in the roof, but if you don't come back, we'll never be able to fix the hole in our hearts. [she and Twilight nuzzle Applejack as Rainbow hovers overhead, tears starting to form]
: Rainbow: Darn it! Now you got me actin' all sappy!
: Applejack steps off the train back in Ponyville to a warm reception from her family and the mayor ~
: Applejack:
: Dear Princess Celestia,
:: It's a tad easier to be proud when you come in first than it is when you finish further back. But there's no reason to hide when you don't do as well as you'd hoped. You can't run away from your problems; better to run to your friends and family.
: [Back in the desert, Pinkie and Rarity ride a hoof-powered trolley down the rails.]
: Pinkie: Which do you think, Rarity? Chimmy cherry, or cherry changa? Chimmy cherry? Cherry changa? Chimmy cherry? Cherry changa? Chimmy cherry? Cherry changa? Chimmy cherry? Cherry changa?
: Rarity: When I get back, you're going to get it, Rainbow Dash! [Pinkie continues this chant as they ride into the distance.]
: [credits]