[knock knock knock knock]

Sunset Shimmer: Oh! Hi, Lemon Zest...

[Lemon Zest]

This is your singing telegram

I hope it finds you well

You're invited to a party

'Cause we think you're really swell

Bass's turning one year old

So help us celebrate

The cake will be delicious

The festivities first-rate

There will be games and dancing

Bob for apples, cut a rug [pop]

And when the party's over

We'll gather 'round for a group hug

[Slowing down]

No need to bring a gift

Being there will be enough

Birthdays mean having fun with friends

Not getting lots of stuff

[Breathing heavily]

It won't be the same without you

So we hope that you say yes

So, please, oh please R.S.V.P.

And come, and be our guest!

Lemon Zest: [rasping voice] Next time, I think I'll just pass out written invitations.

[theme song]

[music]

Indigo Zap: Nice one! Now, let me show you how it's really done.

Lemon Zest: Hey, girls!

Indigo Zap: Hey, Lemon Zest!

Sugarcoat: Ahoy there, matey!

Lemon Zest: [squeal] Just wanted to tell you how happy I am that you could make it to Bass's party.

Sugarcoat: Are you kiddin', lassock? I wouldn't have missed it for the world. I could throw some fireworks in there!

Indigo Zap: Me neither. When Lemon Zest throws a party, I am there! Ta-da!

Lemon Zest: Aw! It's just a boring old apple. Don't worry, there are plenty of other surprises in there.

Indigo Zap: [spits] What kind of surprises?

Lemon Zest: I can't tell you that, silly. Then it wouldn't be a surprise.

Sugarcoat: [laughs]

Sunny Flare: This punch is simply divine. Is this the same recipe you used for your "Spring Has Sprung" party?

Lemon Zest: Nope! Something new.

Sunny Flare: [spits]

Lemon Zest: It's Bass's favorite.

Sunny Flare: [gulp]

Lemon Zest: Ooh, this is my jam!

Sunny Flare: [spits]

Lemon Zest: Having fun?

Sunset Shimmer: A blast!

Sour Sweet: You always throw the best parties, Lemon Zest.

Lemon Zest: They're always the best parties 'cause my best friends are always there!

Sunset Shimmer: Yah!

Sour Sweet: [yelp]

Lemon Zest: C'mon, everypony! wants to dance! Go, Bass! It's your birthday! Go, Bass! It's your birthday!

Sugarcoat: Hoo-wee! I am beat! I haven't danced that much since... Well, since your last party. Thanks again for the invite!

Indigo Zap: See ya later, birthday crocodile!

Sunny Flare: Bravo for hosting yet another delightful soiree.

Sour Sweet: It's been lovely.

Lemon Zest: You sure you don't wanna stay? There's still some cake left.

Sunser Shimmer: Uh, I think I'm gonna pass. Great party though. We should do this again soon.

Lemon Zest: [gasp] We should do this again soon!

[knock knock knock knock]

Sunset Shimmer: Oh! Hi, Lemo-

Lemon Zest: It's soon!

Sunset Shimmer: Pardon me?

Lemon Zest: You said we should have another party soon, and... it's soon! Here's your invitation!

Sunset Shimmer: "You're invited to Bass's 'after-birthday' party. This afternoon at 3 o'clock."

Lemon Zest: All our bestest friends are invited, and there's gonna be dancing, and games, and cake, and ice-cream, and punch!

Sunset Shimmer: This afternoon? As in, "this afternoon" this afternoon?

Lemon Zest: Yes, indeedy!

Sunset Shimmer: Oh, gosh. I wish I could make it, but I've gotten a bit behind in my studies. I've really gotta hit the books.

Lemon Zest: I understand. Your studies come first. But don't worry, we'll be sure to save you some cake.

Sunset Shimmer: Please do.

Lemon Zest: Oh! And Sunset, you shouldn't hit the books. You should really just read them.

Sunset Shimmer: I'll keep that in mind.

Sugarcoat: Huh? Oh, hi, Lemon Zest! What brings you 'round these parts?

Lemon Zest: Who's ready to shake their hoof-thang?! It's an invitation to Bass's "after-birthday" party this afternoon. There's gonna be dancing, and games, and cake, and ice-cream, and punch!

Sugarcoat: This afternoon? A-as in, "this afternoon" this afternoon?

Lemon Zest: That's funny. That's just what Sunset said, and the answer is, "Yes! It's this afternoon!"

Sugarcoat: Uh, well, I... I... uh... I don't think I can make it 'cause... uh... I have to... uh... uh, you know what? I... uh... pick cherries! Yep, cherries! 'Cause that's what we do! With the... cherries. We, uh... pick 'em!

[pause]

Sugarcoat: [gulp]

Lemon Zest: Okey-dokey-lokey! A party is still a party, even if there are only three guests.

Sugarcoat: [sigh]

Garble: [grunts] Anything else I can do for you, most beautiful one?

Sunny Flare: [sniff] [whimper] Hmm... perhaps you could take a bath. How do I put this delicately? You smell like a rotten apple core that's been wrapped in moldy hay and dipped in dragon perspiration.

Garble: [sigh]

Sunny Flare: Ooh! Love the new hat. Very modern. What's the occasion?

Lemon Zest: Bass's "after-birthday" party is this afternoon. I'm delivering the invitations.

Sunny Flare: The party is this afternoon? As in, "this afternoon" this afternoon?

Lemon Zest: It's so strange. Everypony keeps saying that.

Sunny Flare: Oh... do they?

Lemon Zest: I know it's short notice, but we had such a great time at his birthday party, I thought we could have even more fun at his after-birthday party.

Sunny Flare: And I'm sure that we would, but I'm going to have to decline. I have to... wash my hair!

Lemon Zest: Don't be silly, your hair doesn't look dirty.

Sunny Flare: It doesn't?

Lemon Zest: Nope!

Sunny Flare: See? [gag] Dirty! I have to go!

Lemon Zest: Huh... No Sunset, no Sugarcoat, no Sunny. Oh well, a party is still a party even with only two guests.

Indigo Zap: This afternoon?

Sour Sweet: As in...?

Lemon Zest: Yes! As in, "this afternoon" this afternoon!

Indigo Zap: Oh, man! We'd love to, but... we're... house-sitting this afternoon.

Lemon Zest: [sigh] Both of you?

Sour Sweet: It's... uh... a big house.

Indigo Zap: Uh, look at the time! We'd really better get going.

Lemon Zest: Wait! Maybe I could bring you some after-birthday cake and ice-cream. Who're you house-sitting for?

Indigo Zap: Harry.

Lemon Zest: Harry?

Indigo Zap: Yeah, I don't think you know him.

Lemon Zest: That's strange. I know just about everypony around here.

Sour Sweet: He's... a bear.

Lemon Zest: A bear?

Indigo Zap: Yup! He's a bear all right, and he'll be pretty upset if we don't get over to his house soon.

Lemon Zest: Wait! There's a bear around here who lives in a house?

Sour Aweet: It's, uh, really more of a cave.

Indigo Zap: But he's fixed up the place so much, it feels like a house.

Sour Sweet: And, uh, he wants us to look after his house... uh, cave... while he's, uh...

Indigo Zap: A-at the beach!

Lemon Zest: He's vacationing at the beach?

Indigo Zap: Yup! He loves to...

Sour Sweet:

Collect sea shells!

...Play beach volleyball!

...Collect volleyballs!

Indigo Zap:

Play beach volleyball!

...Collect sea shells!

...Play sea shells!

Indigo Zap: Gotta go!

Lemon Zest: Something strange is definitely going on around here, Bass. Sure Indigo Zap and Sour Sweet had to house-sit for that vacationing bear, but what are the chances all my other friends would have plans this afternoon too? Sunny has to wash her hair? Sugarcoat has to pick cherries? Sunset is behind on her studies and has to hit the books? The more I think about it, the more those are starting to sound like... [gasp] excuses!

[door closes]

Lemom Zest: That doesn't look like studying... or hitting!

[ding!]

Mrs. Orange: Ooh! You must be here for...

Sunset Shimmer: Shh! Is Lemon Zest around?

Mrs. Orange: Oh, I don't think so.

Sunset Shimmer: Good. I don't wanna her to know anything about this.

Mrs. Orange: Yes, of course. I'll be right back.

Lemon Zest: But... we're friends. What wouldn't Sunset want me to know anything about? [gasp] She's coming back.

Mrs. Orange: There you go.

Sunset Shimmer: Thanks, and remember, not a word to Lemon Zest. Hey! What's with the tin can? [yelp]

Lemon Zest: Time to get to the bottom of things! [gasp] I think our cover's been blown! We'll need a new disguise.

[doorbell rings]

Sunny Flare: She didn't see you at the lemonade shop, did she?

Sunser Shimmer: I don't think so.

Sunny Flare: Oh, good. I'd hate for her to ruin everything.

Sunset Shimmer: Me too.

Bass: [sneeze]

Sunny Flare: Have you seen her?

Sour Sweet: Not since this morning.

Sunny Flare: Me neither. Can you believe she was planning on throwing an after-birthday party today?

Sour Sweet: I'm just glad I was able to come up with an excuse for why I couldn't be there.

Sunny Flare: Me too! This is obviously going to be so much better.

Sour Sweet: As long as we keep her from finding out about it, it will.

Sunny Flare: [whispering] See you later!

Sour Sweet: [gasp] [scream]

Lemon Zest: I thought everypony loved my parties.

Indigo Zap: Hi, Lemon Zest! Uh-oh!

Lemon Zest: Indigo Zap! Wait!

Indigo Zap: Phew...

Lemon Zest: Where're you going?!

Indigo Zap: Ah!

[shriek]

Lemon Zest: What's the real reason you didn't want to come to Bass's party?!

Indigo Zap: [grunt]

Lemon Zest: What's in those bags?!

Indigo Zap: Sugarcoat! We have a problem!

Sugarcoat: [gasp]

[bonk bonk bonk bonk bonk bonk]

Lemon Zest: I know you're IN THERE!

Sugarcoat: Oh! Ahoy there, lassock!

Lemon Zest: Mind if I... take a look inside the barn?

Sugarcoat: No! Uh, I mean, yes, I mean... you can't come in here!

Lemon Zest: Indigo Zap just went in there.

Sugarcoat: Oh, well, she was just bringin' in some... supplies! Yup, supplies for the... renovation! Fixin' up the whole thing, top to bottom... uh, lots of construction goin' on in there right now.

Indigo Zap: [whispering] You heard her! Construction!

[ponies mimicking noises of various construction tools]

Sugarcoat: Yup! Construction! That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it. [nervous laugh] [gulp]

[pause]

Lemon Zest: Okey... dokey... lokey.

Sugarcoat: [relieved sigh]

[rest of ponies sigh in relief]

Lemon Zest: Secrets and lies! It's all secrets and lies with those ponies! They're up to something, Bass! Something they don't want me to know about! Well, I'm gonna know about it! I'm gonna know about it big time! And I know just who's gonna tell me all about it. Tell me all about it big time!

Garble: Wow! Nice spread!

Lemon Zest: It's all yours, Garble. All you have to do is talk.

Garble: That's it? Oh, you got it. Okay... uh, beautiful weather we're having, eh? I love a sunny spring day, don't you? The birds chirpin' and the flowers bloomin'.

Lemon Zest: No, no, no. Talk about our friends.

Garble: Oh, okay. Let's see, there's Sunset Shimmer. She's a unicorn. Good with magic. A real brainiac. And then you got Sunny. Total knockout. Sunset seems to think I don't even have a chance with her, but... eh, what does she know? Let's see. There's... there's Sour Sweet, a Pegasus who's afraid of heights. Heh, what's up with that?

Lemon Zest: Grr! No! You're not understanding me! I want you to confess!

Garble: Confess?

Lemon Zest: Confess!

Garble: I'm the one who spilled juice all over Sunset's copy of "Magical Mysteries and Practical Potions"!

Lemon Zest: And?

Garble: And I'm the one who used up all the hot water in Ponyville yesterday when I took a seven-hour bubble bath!

Lemon Zest: Aaand?

Garble: And sometimes... when no one's around... I do this: Lookin' good, Garble! Lookin' real good!

Lemon Zest: No! No! No! No!

Garble: W-What do you wanna hear? Tell me what you want me to say, and I'll say it!

Lemon Zest: Tell me that my friends are all lying to me and avoiding me because they don't like my parties and they don't want to be my friends anymore! [panting]

Garble: Your friends are all lying to you and avoiding you 'cause they don't like your parties and they don't want to be your friends anymore!

Lemon Zest: Aha! I knew it! [balloon deflating noise] Oh no, my friends don't like my parties and they don't want to be my friends anymore.

Garble: Uh... so... [loud eating noises]

Lemon Zest: [sigh]

Lemon Zest: Thank you all so much for coming! It means so much to Bass.

Lemon Zest voicing a bucket of lemons: Hey, lass! Could I have some more punch?

Lemon Zest: Well, of course you can have some more punch, Mr. Lemon. [twang]

Lemon Zest voicing a pile of rocks: I thank ya, lassock! This is one great pahty! You really outdone yourself!

Lemon Zest: Why, thank you, Rocky.

Lemon Zest voicing a clump of lint: Rum with lemonade is such a delight! I'm having a delightful time as well.

Lemon Zest: I'm so glad, Sir Lintsalot. [ding]

Lemon Zest voicing a bag of sugar: Might I trouble you for anozer slice of sugary treats, lassock?

Lemon Zest: Anything for you, Madame le Sugar.

Lemon Zest [as Rocky: I'm just glad none o' them ponies showed up.

Lemon Zest: Oh, they're not so bad.

[low string instrument whine]

Rocky: Not so bad? Puh-lease! They're a buncha losers!

Lemon Zest: Oh, c'mon now. "Losers" might be a little strong, dont'cha think?

Sir Lintsalot: After the way they treated you? I say "losers" isn't strong enough. They are basically just "generators of excuse".

Lemon Zest: Well, it was pretty rude...

Madame le Sugar: Pretty rude? It was downright deespicable!

Lemon Zest: It was, wasn't it?

Mr. Lemon: If I were you, I wouldn't speak to them ever again.

Lemon Zest: You know what? I'm not gonna speak to them ever again. And I'm not gonna invite them to another party as long as I live! They don't deserve to be invited to my parties. [plink] Not after the way they've been acting.

Madame le Sugar: [clapping] Deeespicable!

Sir Lintsalot: Such losers! Better be takin' out the trash!

Madame le Sugar: Yes, zat's right.

Lemon Zest [as Mr. Lemon: Well done.

Lemon Zest [as Sir Lintsalot: Yeah!

Lemon Zest [as Rocky: You show 'em who's the boss!

[knock knock knock]

Lemon Zest: Who could that be?

Indigo Zap: Hey there, Lemon Zest! Sorry I was in such a rush earlier. Had some place to be and couldn't slow down and say, "Hello." You know how it goes.

Lemon Zest: I know how it goes, all right!

Indigo Zap: Yeah... so, why don't you come with me over to Bloomin' Cherry Farms?

Lemon Zest: No thanks. I'm spending time with my real friends. Isn't that right, Madame le Sugar?

Lemon Zest [as Madame le Sugar: Oui! Zat iz correct, madame.

Indigo Zap: Uh... Lemon Zest?

Lemon Zest: Another slice of cake, Sir Lintsalot?

Lemon Zest [as Sir Lintsalot: I'd love one.

Indigo Zap: Aaallrighty. What do you say we get on out of Creepytown and head over to Sugarcoat's...

Lemon Zest [as Mr. Lemon: No way in hay bales. She's not going anywhere.

Lemon Zest: I most certainly am not. I'm having a wonderful time right here.

Indigo Zap: You should really just come with me.

Lemon Zest [as Rocky: You heard the lady! She ain't goin' nowheres, chump!

Indigo Zap: Who you calling a chump, chump?! Ugh... That's it. Party's over. Come on, Lemon Zest!

Lemon Zest: No!

Indigo Zap: Lemon Zest, let's go!

Lemon Zest: I said no!

Indigo Zap: You... [grunts] have to... come with... me!

Lemon Zest: No... I... Don't!

[crash]

Indigo Zap: Oh, you wanna do this the hard way?! We'll do this the hard way!

Indigo Zap: [grunting] [panting] We're... here...

Sunset Shimmer, Kerfuffle, Sugarcoat, Sunny Flare, and Sour Sweet: [in unison] Surprise!

Kerfuffle: I really thought she'd be more excited.

Lemon Zest: Excited? Excited?! Why would I be excited to attend my own farewell party?!

Sunset Shimmer: Farewell party?

Lemon Zest: Yes! You don't like me anymore, so you decided to kick me out of the group and throw a great, big party to celebrate! A "Farewell to Lemon Zest" party!

Kerfuffle: Hey, enough with those delusions of grandeur!

Sugarcoat: Why in the world would you think we didn't like you anymore, lassock?

Lemon Zest: Why? Why? Why?! Because you've been lying to me and avoiding me all day, that's why!

Kerfuffle: Lying? No, fool. It's a surprise, hello. Next time, never be that stupid to the lowest common denominator.

Lemon Zest: Kerfuffle?! How mean of you!

Kerfuffle: Calm down, Lemon.

Indigo Zap: Uh, yeah! Because we wanted your party to be a surprise.

Sunny Flare: We'd been planning this party for such a long time, we had to make excuses for why we couldn't attend Bass's party so that we could get everything ready for yours.

Kerfuffle: [sighs] All of this trashy nonsense is causing me to close the pub for now!

Sunny Flare: Gee, Kerfuffle. You don't need to be that serious.

Kerfuffle: Oh, my bad, lassock. Now, listen Lemon Zest.

Sunset Shimmer: If this is a farewell party, why does the cake I picked up from Zesty Lemonade Corner say "Happy Birthday, Lemon Zest"?

[everypony sans Sunset: What?!]

Lemon Zest: [squeak] Because it's my birthday! Ooh, how could I have forgotten my own birthday?

[ponies sigh in relief]

Lemon Zest: And you like me so much you decided to throw me a surprise party!

Sunny Flare: That's what we've been trying to tell you, darling.

Lemon Zest: You girls are the best friends ever! How could I have ever doubted you?

Sunset Shimmer: It's okay, Lemon Zest It could have happened to any of us.

Indigo Zap: Uh-huh! It sure would.

Sour Sweet: Don't worry about it.

Kerfuffle: How nauseatingly sentimental.

Indigo Zap: I'm just glad I haven't been replaced by a bucket of lemons.

Kerfuffle: [raspberry] I hope you would never develop those delusions even further, Lemon.

Sunset Shimmer: Huh?

Indigo Zap: You don't wanna know.

Lemon Zest: Wow, Kerfuffle. You sounded kind of mean.

Kerfuffle: Doesn't matter, Lemon. [sighs] I'm leaving. Another day, another pain. Business is waitin' fer me at the pub [leaves]

Sugarcoat: All right, girls! Enough of this gab. Let's party!

[music]

Sunset Shimmer: Dear Princess Luna,

I am writing to you from the most delightful party. I'm not only having a great time with my friends, but also was given the opportunity to learn a valuable lesson about friendship. Always expect the best from your friends, and never assume the worst. Rest assured that a good friend always has your best interests at heart.

Your faithful student,

Sunset Shimmer

Lemon Zest: You girls wouldn't mind if we celebrated Bass's after-birthday party too, would you? His party was cut short, and he's pretty upset about it.

Sour Sweet: Oh, definitely.

Sunny Flare: Aww, he was upset?

Sugarcoat: Uh-huh, sure!

Indigo Zap: For Bass, yeah!

Sunset Shimmer: Yeah, why not? Let's have a party for Bass. [giggles]

[music]

[credits]