With a loud ‘BANG’ The Artist threw open the door to 3rd platoons barracks building. “RISE AND SHINE! WAKE THE HAY UP! THERE’S A MOUNTAIN OUTSIDE JUST WAITING FOR YOUR COMPANY!” he yelled with glee. The whole barracks erupted with life as the 70 ponies it housed scrambled from their bunks.

The rain had only increased in intensity as the night wore on, and there were puddles scattered across the floor of the barracks. As Sparks dismounted his bunk he slipped on one of the wet steel rungs of his ladder and landed in one of the puddles with a splash. A helping hoove came down from above, and Braeburn helped to pull Sparks back on his hooves.

“The sooner you run the mountain the sooner you get breakfast and the longer your break! I reward the strong; the weak have no place in my army!” The Artist continued to bellow.

The ponies started spilling through the door and galloping for the mountain. The sun had not been raised yet, and with the rain visibility was low. The large shadow of Foal Mountain could be made out in the distance rising above the barracks building.

“Hey partner, ya just stick ta me and we’ll be in for breakfast before ya know it.” Braeburn said to Sparks as they began the run. Running the mountain twice yesterday and sleeping in a veritable lake had left Sparks sapped of all energy. The Mountain loomed in the distance, appearing taller now than it ever had before.

“I can’t do it.” Sparks said in defeat. As the rain streamed down. “I don’t have the energy.”

Braeburn turned around and slowed up for Sparks. “Ah’ll help ya, ya just got ta keep pace with me. Ah won’t let ya quit partner. Now follow me, ya understand?” Sparks weakly nodded. “Alright then” Braeburn said, “let’s run this mountain.”

45 minutes later Braeburn had lead Sparks up the mountain and back, and true to his word had actually lead Sparks to beat a lot of the other ponies. Braeburn showed him where to push, where to lower the tempo, and as a result they passed several many who had burnt out on the arduous climb.

They trotted into the near deserted mess hall as Celestia’s sun began to break through the clouds. They were among the first back from the run, which gave the added benefit of not having to wait in line for breakfast. As they returned to their squads table with their meals they saw that they were the first to finish the mountain run.

“See, ah told ya I’d get ya up the mountain and back.” Braeburn said with a tired triumph as they sat down at the table.

“You sure did” Sparks said in agreement. “You know, you could be a good leader if you had to be. You lead me up the mountain pretty well.”

Braeburn motioned to himself. “Me? A leader? Lands no. Just because Ah can lead a pony up a mountain don’t mean Ah can lead a bunch in a battle.” With that his face turned sullen, and Sparks could instantly tell what he was thinking about. 13 days to war.

Just as quickly as the melancholy came Braeburn shook it off, a smile erupting back on his face. ‘Gee’ Sparks thought, ‘nothing can keep this stallion down’.

“Hey, ah was just thinkin’, now that we’re friends maybe we should get ta know each other. Ah mean, ah don’t even know your name!” Braeburn said.

“We aren’t supposed to use our names, remember?”

“Ah ain’t sayin’ we use them, ah’m just sayin’ I should know my friends name is all. And look around”-Braeburn gestured to the whole room-“there’s hardly anypony here, and nopony that’ll care. Ya agree?”

Sparks looked out at the room. It was pretty barren, and he liked Braeburn alright. He nodded his head. “Ok, let’s talk then.”

Braeburns smile grew even bigger. “Alright, mah name’s-”

“Braeburn” Sparks interrupted. “And you’re a settler from Appleloosa with a Marechester lever action who runs an apple orchard and almost got into a pie fight once.”

Braeburn deflated slightly as he realized he was beaten to the punch. “Well, you’re mighty observant. And ya put me at ah disadvantage. Ya know all this stuff about me, but ah don’t even know the first thing about ya, ‘cept that you’re a unicorn. What’s your name?”

“My name’s Static Sparks”

Braeburn perked up at this. “Well it’s a pleasure ta meet ya properly” he said as he offered a hoove across the table for Sparks to shake. ”Now, in mah time in Equestria ah’ve learned that ya can tell a lot about a pony by their name.” He paused and looked Sparks over, then made a proclamation. “You’re an electrician ain’t ya?”

Sparks shook his head “No.”

Braeburn leaned in closer “Ah course not, ‘cause you’re an inventor. Right?”

“Wrong again.”

“Well what was ah thinkin’, you’re called Static Sparks ‘cause ya can shoot lightnin’ from your eyes and barbeque 20 unicorns at once!” Braeburn proclaimed triumphantly.

Sparks chuckled at this. “Well, I’ve never tried that, but that’s not what I do.”

Braeburn deflated yet again. “Alright, ah give up. Usually ah can guess a ponies special talent in three tries, but ya got me.” He picked up again slightly, “so what’s your special talent?”

“I don’t have one” Sparks said with a tint of sadness in his voice.

Braeburn looked at Sparks as if he was seeing him for the first time. “Why, you’re that unicorn from the staging room. Ah didn’t even recognize ya.” Braeburns voice turned apologetic. “What’s your story, Sparks?”

“Are you sure you want to hear it?”

Braeburn nodded. “Yeah, ah’m sure.”

“OK”

Sparks sat at his typewriter as he tried to marshal his thoughts. A soft incessant whirring seeped through the noise dampening spell he put around the equipment in the room. What to type about this? The Fillydelphia Flyer would go to presses in 14 hours, and he needed a review submitted by then.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp ‘DING’ as the warning bell rang. Sparks got up from his desk and trotted over to the equipment. It was time for a reel change.

He stood next to projector two as he looked through his small window at the film. ”Daring Do and the Alicorn Amulet” had been playing for almost a week but it was still a packed house. All the ponies in attendance were enthralled with what was happening on the screen, but Sparks had fixed his concentration on the top right corner.

A small x flashed onto the screen for a half second, and Sparks hit a button on projector two. The motor whirred to life as it began accelerating the film up to 24 frames per second. Sparks moved a hoove to a large lever on the side of the projector, eyes still fixed on the corner.

A second small x flashed on the screen and Sparks threw the lever. The light on projector 2 turned on, showing the film in perfect coincidence with projector 1. Sparks threw the lever on projector 1 as the film reel ran out, shutting off the bulb. He quickly looked out to check that the film matched with the sound, and satisfied with that began to return to his desk.

He stopped briefly and looked at the audience. Just like that, he knew what he was going to write. He returned to his typewriter and began.

I have been in this job long enough to know when a movie is good, or when it is not. It isn’t a measure of story, or effects or acting or direction. It’s the audience. From my point of view behind the projector I not only get to watch the movie, but I get to see how the world reacts to it. I have seen walkouts, I have seen ponies converse during scenes, and I have seen watches be checked time after time.

A good movie keeps everyponies attention; a good movie makes them completely forget the outside world and keeps their interest on the screen. I’ve been projecting this movie for the past 5 days, and hardly once have I seen anypony not be totally entranced by it. After playing it for five days I still sit at the window and watch every scene. “Daring Do and the Alicorn Amulet” is a great film.

It wouldn’t make any ‘greatest films ever’ lists, or win any awards, but at the end of the day this is the movie I’d watch before any others. It does exactly what I want a movie to do. For 115 minutes it makes me forget who I am, and travel into a world of action, adventure, magic. It’s pure escapism, and it’s all I can hope for.

10/10. The Projectionist.

Sparks looked over what he had written, and he looked over the last paragraph with a tint of melancholy. For 115 minutes it makes me forget who I am, it’s pure escapism, and it’s all I can hope for. That was the truth of his condition. He didn’t like being him.

He remembered when he was just a colt and he knew he was going to be an electrician. He remembered growing up and watching everypony else get their destinies. He remembered growing apart from several of his old colt friends. He remembered how he couldn’t get a job because he “just wasn’t meant for it.”

That was a while ago though, now he had maybe the best job he could hope for. Every day he could isolate himself from the world and go somewhere else, where he wasn’t looked at funny, wasn’t different. The pay was decent, his apartment was nice. He had even gotten some recognition under the pen name ‘The Projectionist’, and his reviews were posted around the country. Life was better than it was before.

But at the end of the day Sparks still had to deal with the one constant that never left him. He didn’t have a special talent. He didn’t have a destiny. That’s what kept him up at night. Not knowing.

Sparks thoughts were interrupted by heavy knocking at the door. He trotted over and opened it.

“Sparks my boy, have you reloaded the first film reel yet?” It was the owner of the cinemas, Movie Mogul. He was a short stout orange earth pony, who had appeared to have worked up a sweat. He was clearly anxious about something.

“No, I haven’t changed the reel on projector 1 yet. Why is this so important?”

“Too much to explain, but it’s big” Movie Mogul spat out hurriedly. He grabbed a film can marked “Equestria News Network” from his back with his teeth. “’ere, take this, put it on before the next movie.”

“Ok” Sparks said cautiously. What was getting this pony so worked up? “I’ll be sure to do that Mr. Mogul” he said as he took the can of film from him. Movie Mogul turned and began to trot away. He looked back at Sparks briefly

“Sparks, if you love this country, you need to start praying.”

Sparks closed the door. What the hay did that mean? He opened the top of the first projector and removed reel 4 of “Daring Do”, and slotted in the newsreel. He magically put the first frame into the film gate, and then closed the top shut. Now there was nothing left to do until the movie ended, and even then there would be a half hour break between films. What could be going on?

The credits stopped rolling for “Daring Do” and Sparks turned the theater lights back up. The theater cleared out as an intermission song started to play through the sound system. Sparks sat and took a listen; he had nothing better to do for his half hour break.

The song was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. He smiled. He knew who it was already. Sparks trotted over and opened the door.

“Hello Amber, what brings you here?” he said with a smile. Amber Waves was the one friend he made who never left him over the years. She was an amber unicorn, roughly his size, with a bushel of grain as a cutie mark. Her mane and tail were bright yellow and orange.

She smiled back, “You told me that this was the best movie you’d ever seen. I just had to see it for myself. How have you been, Sparks?”

He let her into the projection room as he answered. “I’ve been alright. I like my job; I got a new review I have to get to the Flyer before the nights out. And I get to watch ‘Daring Doo’ all day for free. It’s been great. How about you?”

“Oh, my little shops been running just fine.” Amber answered. “There really isn’t much to tell.” She trotted over to the empty Equestrian News Network film can. “What’s this?”

“That’s just a film reel that the owner said that I have to play before the movie. That’s what’s loaded into the projector right now, actually.” Sparks furrowed his brow. “It actually has me concerned; he was stressed when he gave it to me, and wouldn’t tell me what was going on. He said if I love Equestria I needed to start praying.”

“Well why don’t you just put it on?” Amber asked, “The movie doesn’t start for a half hour, and I would like to see how you do this.”

“You want me to put it on?” Amber nodded her head.

“Alright. So first I cut the music and dim the lights” Sparks said as he trotted over to the light panel and magically lowered the switches. In the theater the lights all dimmed to a slight yellow glow. “I open the curtain”- he flipped a switch next to the light panel and in the theater the curtains in front of the screen began to part-“and I spool up the film.” He hit the button on the projector and the motor noisily rumbled to life. Sparks cast the sound dampening spell over the motor. “Once it’s up to 24 frames per second I pull that lever, and the film starts.” He looked over at Amber. “You want to do it?”

She started back in surprise. “Me!? Really!?”

“Yeah, it’s easy. This was your idea anyway. You should throw the switch.”

Amber trotted over, placed a hoove on the lever, and then threw it down. With a clunk the film started, and in the theater the black and white Equestrian News Network logo flashed onto the screen as a trumpet fanfare echoed through the empty venue. The title card changed, and the happiness immediately died from the room.

INVASION!

The newscaster’s voice echoed in the hall. “Mere hours ago the long peaceful empire of Unicornia launched a surprise attack on Equestrian soil. The Unicorn Empire, long known for splintering off from the unicorns that would help to found Equestria in order to preserve their country, has taken control of the city of Vanhoover. The Canterlot royal guards have been dispatched to attempt to reclaim the city.”

“All attempts to contact their leaders have been met with silence, and while unconfirmed, there have been reports that the invaders have killed Equestrian police forces that resisted the occupation. Princess Celestia addressed the country earlier today.”

The film cut to an obviously concerned Celestia standing upon her balcony before legions of ponies. She raised a hoove for silence, and then began to speak.

“My subjects. Equestria faces a threat like no other in its past. I have tried to reason with the leaders of Unicornia, but they have not responded to my messages. I fear that in the face of this evil that our problems cannot be solved peacefully, or even without the intervention of good ponies. Therefore it is with a heavy heart that I have created the Equestrian Calvary to combat this evil and liberate our fellow countryponies in Vanhoover. I see no other option open to me other than to fight this foe. And as long as there are good ponies who love Equestria as much as I do we will fight them, until such a time that this war ends.”

The newscaster began speaking again. “The Republic of Gryphens has pledged logistic support and arms production for Equestria but at this time refused to commit griffons to battle. At this time the Equestrian Calvary is accepting volunteers for fighting. Anypony that wishes to join the Calvary can do so at the following recruiting stations.” with that an address flashed upon the screen, and then the film ran out, leaving the screen a blank white.

Amber pushed the lever back up and hit the button, shutting the projector off. Sparks sat down on the floor in shock, and Amber soon joined him. After sitting for a moment Sparks finally broke the silence.

“My dad always said that destiny would find me. I guess he was right.”

Amber looked over with concern. “Sparks, what are you saying?”

“I’m going to join the Calvary.”

“What! Are you mad!?” Amber was almost yelling as she said the words. “Didn’t you hear what he said? Ponies have been killed. Noponys ever been killed. Not when Chrysalis invaded, not when Discord got out, and not when Nightmare Moon returned. You could die!”

Sparks stood up. “If nopony joins because they are afraid of death then we might as well give all of Equestria to them. I can’t let that happen.”

Amber stood up as well. “You could help in some other way! You don’t have to go to die! Other ponies will go fight.”

“I’m no better or more important than any other pony in Equestria. Equestria is filled with good ponies. Ponies with wives and kids, familys and friends. If I join and save even one of them, it’ll be worth it. I’ll have made a difference. If I stay here and run films in this box while good ponies fight and die for this country I’ll survive, but I don’t think I’ll be able to live with myself. ”

“You don’t have to stay here, you could make food, or try and become a doctor, you don’t have to fight.”

Sparks sat down again. “I want to go for myself as well.”

“Why”

“My father always said that destiny would find me eventually, and I think it has. I think that I’m supposed to join, that I’ll find my destiny there. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life doing this, not knowing who I really am. I could, I could do this until I die. But I will have never lived, I will never know what I was meant to do, and I will never be noticed by anypony. I’d rather die for something than to live for nothing. I want to matter. Don’t you understand, I want to be somepony.” Sparks looked up at her.

“But you do matter Sparks” She said as she sat down. “You could stay.”

“Why do you care so much?” Sparks asked. At this she looked down toward the ground.

“Well, I’ve always kind of liked you” She said softly. Sparks sat and stared as he contemplated that statement.

“Why me? I’m not special, I’m not anypony. I don’t have a destiny or a talent or any of that.”

She looked back up at him. “That doesn’t matter though Sparks” She said. “Your entire life isn’t dependent on some sign on your flank. You are special; you just need to realize it. You’re a lot better than a lot of ponies that do have ‘talents’. That’s why I like you, you’re good.”

Sparks sighed. “You like me?” She nodded. “I chose the wrong day to grow some courage.” He looked at her again. “I’ve got to go though, I’m sorry.” He paused again, thinking of what to say next. “Would you wait for me to come back?”

She smiled softly “so I could be your marefriend?”

“Yeah.”

“Yes.”

“Thank you.”

She got up from the floor. “Would you buy a mare a meal?”

He got up, a sad smile on his face. “Yeah.” Out in the theater he could hear music softly playing. He trotted next to her and propped the door open. “I wish we could have done this sooner.” And then he closed the door.

“After that, I bought her a meal; we ran the projectors for ‘Daring Do’ together, I quit my job, signed up for the Calvary, and here I am. That was my first date. So now you know about me.”

The mess hall was busier as more and more ponies returned from the run. Sparks looked over. The Manehattenite and the unicorn that was on the MG team with him had returned from their run and had been listening to their story.

“I hope you get back to your girl.” The Manehattenite said.

“Thanks.”

Braeburn leaned back. “Wow partner, that’s one hay of a tale.”

“Yeah. It is, isn’t it?”

Braeburn leaned in again. “If it makes ya feel any better ah’ll do whatever ah can ta get ya back home In one piece.”

“Thanks, I’ll do the same for you, shake on it?” Sparks asked as he extended a hoove.

“Deal partner!” Braeburn said as he shook the hoove eagerly. “Now let’s get goin’, we got rifle trainin’ ta look forward ta.”

Author's Notes:

Finals begins soon for me, meaning that you shouldn't expect an update for two weeks as of April 21, 2013

anyone interested in the music? because here it is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3k6hW3UMPFI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n92ATE3IgIs

as always, feedback is appreciated.