"From a True, True Friend!"

"Aaaand that´s a wrap-up! Good job, everypony! The season is over, give yourself a big applause, you deserve it!"

The applause felt tired, not because the crew was cheerless but because after almost a year of shooting the only thing they wanted was to come home and enjoy their free time. Shooting will resume soon, even with a premiere date of next winter, for them that meant another cancelled summer vacation; that without counting conventions, special appearances and tours into the equation.

"What? This again?" Pinkie shouted looking at her cell phone.

"What´s wrong, Diane?" Fluttershy asked in the next seat, while the makeup artist got rid of all the glitter from the musical number.

"Fans are again complaining there was no Octavia episode! That was just a rumor! I told the director that letting her be on scene was a bad idea!"

"Relax Diane, she only appeared in the background for a few minutes last year. Nothing to worry about. Beside, we had fun shooting all those episodes in Canterlot. I´ll said it was worth it," Fluttershy replied while her tail extensions were removed.

"But what if she wants more screentime? What if she wants a role in the show? She might not want to sing my songs anymore! I´ll be ruined, she is the real Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie shouted, while the hairdresser removed the puffy wing she used in show revealing her natural straight hair.

"Calm down, Diane."

"Easy for you to say, you sign your own songs! You have it easy!"

"Hey, I´ve problems of my own. Auh, this rash is getting worse. Why do we have to use real bunnies for these scenes?" she complained while her assistant applied the medicine.

Elsewhere in the studio, Rainbow Dash had already her saddlebags and was ready to leave when she noticed a familiar mare leaving the executives office.

"Thanks for your time, sirs."

"Derpy?"

"Oh, hi Rainbow."

Rainbow looked at the ominous door, knowing exactly what happened there. "They said no again..."

"What can I do? At least they let me be in the shooting today. Maybe some fans will notice me, haha. That would be fun, right? Just like old times," Derpy said, trying to sound cheerful.

"..."

"Well, I better go."

"Hey Derpy."

"Uh?"

"You know, one of my stunts doubles just resigned."

"You mean Raindrop, right? I saw the pictures in the magazines. I´m happy for her."

"Yeah, she got one role and now she thinks she´s a regular. Anyways, there´s an open spot now and maybe I was thinking if you want to..."

"You want me to be your double? Me, the clumsy good for nothing, taking the fall for Mrs. I do my own stuff?" It was hard to tell if she was mocking her or not with that goofy look.

"Hey, I´m being nice here! And that was my agent idea! She said kids will be destroyed if they know I´m...you know."

"Afraid of heights?"

"I´m not afraid of heights..."

"Okay. I´ll take the job," Derpy said, smiling. "But only as a favor for you, RD. After all, us cousins need to stick together."

"Second cousins, derps."

"Don´t get technical with me, family is family!"

Moving along the studio, Rarity politely knocked in the leading actress dressing room.

"Twilight? Darling, are yo-" Rarity went quiet as she saw her gulping half a dozen pills. Twilight was shaking, obviously having problems. "Darling, is the treatment that painful?"

"Ah? Oh hi Rarity. Didn´t hear you come in. No, no really. I just get cramps once in a while."

Rarity caressed her friend´s mane. She was still wearing the fake crown. "You look gorgeous every time you wear it," she said.

"Wish I could remove this hideous horn already. But they insisted and now I´m a princess. How ridiculous does that sound?"

"Darling, they´re taking a huge risk letting you stay in the show, you know that. At least as an alicorn princess you can still keep your job."

"But I´m not an alicorn Rarity! I´m a pegasus, I´ve always been one! I was just...born in the wrong body." Twilight voice was trembling, almost at the verge of tears.

"Shhh dear, relax. Just one more season. Just hold on for one more season."

"You´re too good with me, Rarity."

"Can´t help it. I´m the team mom, remember?"

"Mommy? Are you ready?" a child voice cried from the hallway.

"I need to go. Sure you´ll be all right?" Twilight nodded.

Just before she left the room, Twilight asked. "Rarity, is it weird? I mean, playing your daughter´s sister?"

"...sometimes. But at least, I get to spend the day with her. It´s better than having her waiting for me in an empty house."

"I suppose. Take care, Rarity."

Rarity smiled and met with Sweetie in the hallway. As they left the building, Sweetie hugged Apple Bloom.

The filly stayed at the door, watching all the actress and crew leave. She waved at Scootaloo and Spike as their respective parents came pick them up. It was getting cold. One by one, everypony left the building and she stood there, waiting.

"Kid? What are you doing here?" Applejack asked, no longer wearing the hat or the fake accent but a dress she find more comfortable.

"Waiting for my parents. They´ll be here soon." Apple Bloom said.

"It´s getting late. Why don´t you wait for them inside?"

"The cafeteria is already closed and I don´t want to bother the security guard."

Applejack took off her scarf and put her around Apple Bloom´s neck. "Come on kid, I´ll take you home."

Apple Bloom looked up, confused.

"Just because we play sisters on the show, doesn´t mean we can´t act like them in real life."

Apple Bloom smiled and followed Applejack to her car.

The last crew member turned off the lights and locked the doors. Ponyville Studios went into slumber, the magic of friendship resting inside it.

(Pony business is serious business)