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[[Image:Firefly's Adventure.jpg|thumb|[[G1_Ponies|G1]] Firefly's Adventure]]
[[Image:g1pony-movie.jpg|thumb]]
[[File:Mlpvhs2.jpg|thumb]]

The very first MLP cartoon originally aired on television in 1984, under the simple name of '''"My Little Pony"''', presumably due to Hasbro not planning upon MLP making future TV appearances.  In 1986, it aired as part of the [[My Little Pony and Friends]] TV series, this time under the name of '''"Rescue at Midnight Castle"''' but a scene including the 'Little Piece of Rainbow' song had been edited out.  Finally, the special was released as '''"Firefly's Adventure"''' along with a special edition of [[Firefly#Firefly's Adventure|Firefly]].

It was also released on VHS tape in the UK as '''"My Little Pony in Dreamland"'''.

== Firefly's Adventure ==
This was just a re-release of the first My Little Pony Special which was renamed "Firefly's Adventure", sold with [[Firefly#Firefly's Adventure|Firefly]] in a different pose.


== Synopsis ==

The ponies are enjoying a quiet day in Ponyland, picking apples, rollerskating and generally frolicking in the meadows.  Later, as most of them are resting by the lake, the peace is disturbed by a sudden thunderstorm.  The ponies run for Dream Castle, but a swarm of dragons appear from the clouds.  A strange creature, known as Scorpan, is riding upon one of their backs, ordering them to 'sieze the ponies'.  They capture Cotton Candy and Moondancer before retreating, Scorpan declaring that all of the ponies are doomed as soon they will belong to "Tirrac, the Master of Midnight Castle".  Most of the ponies are now cowering in Dream Castle, but Firefly decides to fly off to look for help, much to the horror of her friends who call for her to come back as it's too dangerous.

Next we are taken to 'Midnight Castle', a terrifying place surrounded by a raging river.  Scorpan is seen locking Cotton Candy and Moondancer in a dark and dreary dungeon before setting off down a long passageway.  His pet dragon, named Spike, runs after Scorpan, begging to come with him but Scorpan refuses.  We are taken to a giant throne room, where we see the mysterious Tirrac's hand, stroking a pulsating bag and talking to it lovingly.  Scorpan enters the throne room and informs Tirrac that he has captured two of the little ponies.  Tirrac orders Scorpan to kneel before his throne, before reprimanding him on not capturing all four ponies that he needs "to pull his chariot of midnight".  Spike runs into the room, defending his master and saying how hard Scorpan tried.  Tirrac calls for silence, and Scorpan holds his hand over Spike's mouth.  Tirrac then orders Scorpan to prepare another raid on Ponyland and Scorpan reluctantly agrees, carrying Spike away in his arms.  The camera moves to show Tirrac's hoof, but we don't get to see his face.

Meanwhile, over the rainbow, a little girl is standing in a stable talking to her pony, TJ.  They hear a splash and the girl rushes to see what has fallen into the wishing well outside the stables.  She winds up the bucket, and sees Firefly looking up at her.  The girl is stunned at the sight of a talking pony, and Firefly informs her that she can also fly.  They introduce themselves and we find out that the girl's name is Megan.  Firefly asks Megan to 'hop on' which she does.  Firefly then tells Megan that she is going back to Ponyland with her to help her friends.  Megan protests that she can't do anything to help, but Firefly is sure Megan is the answer to all their prayers, and eventually convinces the girl that maybe she will be able to help the little ponies.

The little ponies are excited to see Firefly back safely and to meet Megan.  But before they are even able to explain their situation, Scorpan and the dragons return.  One of them catches Megan, so Firefly loops around the dragon and makes him drop her.  Firefly cannot fly fast enough to catch her though, and amazingly, Scorpan saves her from the fall.  He orders Megan to "Leave this land - this battle is not yours."  As the dragons retreat once more, this time with Bubbles and Ember, Megan shouts at Scorpan angrily - Firefly is proud of her and tells her again how brave she is.

We are taken back to Midnight Castle, where the four ponies have been chained in the throne room.  Spike bounds up the passageway to watch fearfully from the door.  The ponies are pleading for mercy and Tirrac once again calls for silence, then tells his guards to take Ember away as she is too small to pull his chariot.  Tirrac steps forward from the shadows, finally revealing his face.  The pulsating bag we saw earlier is now hanging around his neck.  He opens it, revealing the 'Power of Darkness' within.  A black mist surrounds the ponies and they are turned into dragons.  Ember asks what happened to her friends, and Tirrac tells her that they now belong to him, before ordering Scorpan to catch a fourth pony by midnight or Spike will pay.

Meanwhile, Megan and four of the ponies have gone in search of help.  They are crossing a rickety old bridge across a river when Applejack falls in.  Megan dives in after her to save her but they become trapped inside a clam shell.  Fortunately, help is at hand as the Sea Ponies appear and help them back to shore.  While Firefly, Twilight and Bow Tie greet their friends with relief, the Sea Ponies give Megan a shell to throw into the water as a signal any time she needs help from them again.

They continue down the path to the mysterious Mushromp where the Moochick lives.  The Moochick is a kindly old wizard, but a bit forgetful.  He already knows about Tirrac and says that he has a piece of "Rainbow of Light" which could save them all, but he cannot find it.  He and the ponies look everywhere to no avail, but thankfully the Moochick's pet bunny, Habbit, has had it all along and hands it to him.  The magical piece of rainbow turns out to be contained within a tiny locket, and none of the ponies can see how it will help.  Megan thanks him anyway, before she and the ponies head off to Midnight Castle.

Upon seeing the raging river surrounding the castle, the ponies are just about ready to give up, but Megan remembers the signal shell in her pocket.  The Sea Ponies appear and tow the ponies across the river on a makeshift raft.  They find a way into the castle but, unbeknownst to them, a guard watches them enter...

Scorpan is once again kneeling before Tirrac's throne, apologising for not being able to capture a fourth pony.  Tirrac tells him to try again.  Just then, the guard comes in and whispers something to Tirrac, presumably about the ponies entering the castle.  He turns back to Scorpan, only to find that Scorpan has left.  Spike and Ember have been locked in the dungeon together, and Scorpan goes to get them out before the midnight madness ensues.  Ember is scared, but Spike re-assures her, reminding her that Scorpan is his friend.

Megan and the ponies are creeping around the passageways in the castle looking for the Rainbow Power of Darkness with no luck.  Eventually, they find Tirrac's throne room, and notice that Applejack has disappeared.  Suddenly, the doors slam closed behind them and the guards bar their exit.  Tirrac announces that he has the Rainbow of Darkness as well as their friend.  The guards step back to reveal Applejack chained in front of Tirrac's throne.  He releases the 'Power of Darkness' once more.  Bow Tie tries to run to her friend's aid but the guards block her path and Applejack is turned into a dragon.  Scorpan bursts into the room with Spike and Ember, telling the remaining ponies to run.  Spike cheers him on as he battles the guards.  Tirrac orders his guards to 'sieze them!' but Scorpan picks up Megan and he and the ponies make a run for it.

Outside, the ground is trembling.  Scorpan tells everyone to get back inside, but it's too late.  Tirrac's Chariot of Midnight comes bursting through the wall of Midnight Castle as he chants, "The Rainbow of Darkness that darkness sends, Now begin the night that never ends!"  Scorpan flies up to try to sieze the Rainbow, but Tirrac sends him flying to the ground where Scorpan declares that all is lost.  The ponies won't give up though and try various tricks and actually manage to get the Rainbow away from Tirrac.  Firefly tries to take it back to Dream Castle, but flies into a dragon and drops the bag back into Tirrac's hands.

They're just about to give up when Megan remembers the Rainbow of Light and releases it from the locket.  It is tiny in comparison to the Rainbow of Darkness.  Tirrac simply laughs and releases his rainbow which soon consumes the ponies' rainbow.  It seems that all hope really is lost... but then the rainbow fights back!  Soon, the black Rainbow of Darkness takes on proper rainbow colours which swirl around everybody, destroying Tirrac and turning the ponies and everything else back to normal.

Back in Ponyland, we discover that Scorpan was really a prince who Tirrac turned into Scorpan when he took over his kingdom.  Spike, however, remains the same as he has always been a baby dragon.  The story ends with a butterly landing on Ember's nose, causing her to sneeze and jump back into the little stream, splashing everyone.

== Characters ==

*[[Twilight]]
*[[Firefly]]
*[[Medley]]
*[[Ember]]
*[[Bubbles]]
*[[Bow Tie]]
*[[Moondancer]]
*[[G1 Applejack|Applejack]]
*[[G1 Cotton Candy|Cotton Candy]]
*[[Glory]]
*[[G1 Spike|Spike]]
*[[Megan and Sundance|Megan]]
*[[T.J.]]
*[[First Born|White Mystery Pony]]
*[[The Moochick]]
*[[Habbit]]
*[[Seawinkle]]
*[[Sealight]]
*[[Wavedancer]]
*[[Scorpan|Scorpan/The Prince]]
=== Antagonists ===
*[[G1 Tirek|Tirek/Tirac]]
*The Stratadons

== Screenshots ==
<gallery caption="Rescue at Midnight Castle Screenshots" widths="200px" heights="200px" perrow="4">
Image:RAMC1.jpg|Firefly and Medley
Image:RAMC2.jpg|Firefly and Medley sliding down rainbow
Image:MyLittlePonyRainbowHQScreenshot.png|My Little Pony Rainbow Logo
Image:RAMC4.jpg|Dream Valley
Image:RAMC5.jpg|Dream Castle
Image:RAMC6.jpg|Ember
Image:RAMC7.jpg|Ember
Image:RAMC8.jpg|Ember Jumping
Image:RAMC9.jpg|Bubbles
Image:RAMC10.jpg|Ember Laughing
Image:RAMC11.jpg|Bow Tie and Moondancer
Image:RAMC12.jpg|Bow Tie
Image:RAMC13.jpg|Twilight
Image:RAMC14.jpg|Twilight and Ember
Image:RAMC15.jpg|Ember Jumping
Image:RAMC16.jpg|Firefly Catching Ember
Image:RAMC17.jpg|Twilight Wishing
Image:RAMC18.jpg|Twilight Wishing
Image:RAMC19.jpg|Twilight Wishing
Image:RAMC20.jpg|Firefly, Medley and Ember
Image:RAMC21.jpg|Bow Tie
Image:RAMC22.jpg|Firefly
Image:RAMC23.jpg|Firefly's Double Inside Out Loop
Image:RAMC24.jpg|Medley, Twilight and Ember
Image:RAMC25.jpg|Applejack with basket
Image:RAMC26.jpg|Firefly with basket on head
Image:RAMC27.jpg|Medley helping Firefly
Image:RAMC28.jpg|Applejack shaking herself
Image:RAMC29.jpg|Applejack and Glory
Image:RAMC30.jpg|Applejack and Glory
Image:RAMC31.jpg|Twilight and Ember
Image:RAMC32.jpg|Twilight and Ember
Image:RAMC33.jpg|Twilight and Ember
Image:RAMC34.jpg|Twilight and Ember
Image:RAMC35.jpg|Twilight and Ember
Image:RAMC36.jpg|Twilight and Ember
Image:RAMC37.jpg|Twilight and Ember
Image:RAMC38.jpg|Glory, Applejack and Bubbles
Image:RAMC39.jpg|Frightened Cotton Candy and Moondancer
Image:RAMC40.jpg|Frightened Ember
</gallery>


<br style="clear:both">

== Songs ==
{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable"
|-
! '''My Little Pony Theme'''
|-
| 
My Little Pony, My Little Pony,

Isn't the world a lovely place?

My Little Pony, My Little Pony,

Everywhere you go a smiling face!

Smiling and skipping, merrily tripping,

Watching the morning unfold,

My Little Pony, My Little Pony,

What does the future hold?



Jolly and pleasant, just for the present,

No sign of trouble in sight!

My Little Pony, My Little Pony,

May all your days be bright!

May all your days be bright!

|}
{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable"
|-
! '''Dancing on Air'''
|-
| 
'''Firefly''': Pony feathers!

They'll be dancing on air when they meet you,

Dancing on air with glee!

'''Megan''': I doubt they'll be celebrating,

When they see it's only me.

'''Firefly''': They'll do cartwheels in air when they meet you,

Their hopes will start to rise!

'''Megan''': From what they're anticipating,

They're in for a big surprise!

'''Firefly''': They'll be floating, lighter than a cloud!

'''Megan''': They'll be floating, laughing right out loud!

'''Firefly''': The sight of you will send spirits flying,

'''Megan''': One or two may burst out crying!

'''Firefly''': Why can't you believe you're gonna be great?

'''Megan''': But Firefly...

'''Firefly''': Trust me!

Megan, you're a dream come true,

That my friends will think so too,

You're the answer to our every prayer!

'''Megan''': Time will tell if I'll come through,

But just imagine if I do!

'''Firefly''': They'll be dancing...

'''Megan''': Prancing...

'''Firefly/Megan''': Dancing on air!

|}
{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable"
|-
! '''Call Upon The Sea Ponies'''
|-
| 
'''Sea Ponies''': Shoo-bee-doo, Shoo-Shoo-bee-doo!

Call upon the Sea Ponies when you're in distress,

Helpful-as-can-be ponies, Simply signal "SOS"!

If you find you're cast adrift, and haven't got an oar - oh!

Count upon the Sea Ponies, they'll see you to shore!

Shoo-bee-doo, Shoo-Shoo-bee-doo!

'''Seawinkle''': Are you sinking fast?

'''Wavedancer''': Had some nasty shocks?

'''Sealight''': Feeling like all hope is gone, and washed up on the rocks?

'''Sea Ponies''': Washed up on the rocks!

Shoo-bee-doo, Shoo-Shoo-bee-doo!

Call upon the Sea Ponies when you're in distress,

Helpful-as-can-be ponies, Simply signal "SOS"!

If your rudder runs aground, or seaweed holds a grip - Kelp!

Count upon the Sea Ponies - they'll see you get help!

Sea Ponies, Sea Ponies,

Simply signal SOS, signal SOS! 

Sea Ponies, Sea Ponies,

Simply signal SOS, signal SOS! 

Oh, yes!
|}
{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable"
|-
! '''Little Piece of Rainbow'''
|-
| 
'''The Moochick'''  It's got to be around here somewhere!

Somewhere there's a little piece of rainbow,

I save it for a rainy day!

It's either underneath the rug, or in the cupboard - ugh, a bug!

But have no fear, I'll find it right away!

Wait until you see this piece of rainbow,

It's brighter than a peacock's plume!

It's ocean blue and sunrise pink,

I left it by the sink, I think...

Or was it in the closet with the broom?

Perhaps we ought to try the other room.

That piece of rainbow must be hiding someplace,

Search every nook and cranny, high and low!

'''Megan''': You'd think that with a rainbow, there'd be some trace!

'''Twilight''': But not a gleam!

'''Bow Tie''': Not a glimmer!

'''Firefly''': Not a glow!

'''Moochick''': Oh, where'd I put that little piece of rainbow?

I ran across it just last week!

It might be in the flower pot!

My goodness gracious, no, it's not.

That piece of rainbow's playing hide and seek!

I'm sorry but it seems...

I'm sorry but it seems we're up the creek!

'''Megan''': You're not giving up, are you?

'''Moochick''': Might as well, looked everywhere, absolutely no place else it could have...

Wait a moment!

Beg your pardon!

Silly me, come and see, it's in the garden!

This is where I put that piece of rainbow,

It's buried here beneath the ground.

I left it in the flower bed,

It's how I am - I plan ahead!

I knew that here I'd find it safe and sound.

A lesson for you all...

When hope seems past recall...

A piece of rainbow always can be found!
|}
{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable"
|-
! '''Closing Credits'''
|-
| 
My Little Pony, My Little Pony,

Isn't it time we started home?

My Little Pony, My Little Pony,

Who ever dreamed how far we'd roam?

Crickets are calling, evening is falling,

Over the meadow and glen,

My Little Pony, My Little Pony,

When will I see you again?
|}

== Cast and Crew ==
{| class="collapsible collapsed wikitable"
|-
! Cast and Crew
|-
| 
'''Supervising Director:'''
*John Gibbs

'''Directors'''
*Gerri Chiniquy
*Milt Gray
*Tom Ray
*Nelson Shin

'''Animation Supervisor'''
*John Ahern

'''With the Vocal Talents of:'''
*Sandy Duncan (Firefly)
*Tony Randall (Moochick)
*Charlie Adler (Spike)
*Tammy Amerson (Megan)
*Fran Brill
*Victor Carole
*Laura Dean (Twilight, Cotton Candy)
*Carol Goodheart
*Lani Groves
*Yolanda Brica Lee Lewis
*Lyn Lipton
*Ullanda McCullough
*Gerrianne Raphael
*Ron Taylor

'''Storyboard Directors:'''
*Bob Kline
*Lonnie Lloyd
*Don Sheppard
*Wendell Washer

'''Model Design:'''
*Takashi
*George Goode
*Jerry Eisenberg

'''Background Design:'''
*Martin Strudler
*Dennis Venizelos

'''Supervising Editor:'''
*Robert T. Gillis

'''Music Editor:'''
*Joe Siracusa

'''Sound Effects Editors:'''
*Richard Gannon
*Ron Fedele

'''Creative Consultant:'''
*Jay Bacal

'''Casting by'''
*Reuben Cannon and Associates

'''Music Score Composed and Conducted by'''
*Johnny Douglas

'''"My Little Pony" theme by'''
*Ford Kinder and
*Spencer Michlin

'''Songs recorded at'''
*MEGA MUSIC

'''Distributed by'''
*Claster TV Productions

A division of Hasbro Industries

'''Executive in Charge of Production:'''
*Lee Gunther

'''Written by'''
*George Arthur Bloom

'''Songs composed by'''
*Tommy Goodman

'''Lyrics by'''
*Barry Harman

'''Produced by'''
*Bob Richardson and
*Karl Geurs

'''Executive Producers:'''
*Joe Bacal
*David H. DePatie
*Tom Griffin

|}

==Errors==
===Animation errors===
[[Image:Moochickhatears.jpg|thumb|The Moochick's hat w/ ears]]
* When the ponies are laughing because of the mess Firefly made with her double inside-out loop, Medley is drawn in Firefly's colors.
* The Moochick takes off his hat at one point. The way his ears are drawn during that scene is totally different from how they are drawn with his hat on. (Not an error, This is because his hat has ears.)

===Story errors===
* When the Stratadons attack for the first time, the ponies flee into Dream Castle. They stay there until Firefly returns with Megan, whom they greet at the drawbridge. Then the Stratadons attack a second time and suddenly the ponies and Megan are in the middle of a field rather than in the vicinity of Dream Castle, where they wouldn't have been captured.
* During the scene that sees the first three ponies transformed into dragons, how did Ember break free from the guard?
* "Rainbow" of "Darkness"! Did the production crew not know what rainbows are? For that matter, "Rainbow" of "Light" is a pleonasm.
* The final scene at the former location of Midnight Castle shows Glory, Medley and the [[First Born|white Earth Pony]]. These three stayed at Dream Castle during the story and therefore shouldn't be in the scene. 

===Semi-errors===
* At the start of the episode, Bow Tie behaves oddly, as if she is already seeing the Stratadons coming. It takes a good minute before they actually appear and Bow Tie gets to warn everyone.
* Scorpan's landing in a haystack that has no business being on top of a castle, that is the only one around and is never seen again in any other scene requires a great suspension of disbelief.
* Spike and Scorpan are shown to be good friends throughout the episode. Why Spike goes to live with the ponies rather than Scorpan-turned-human prince is never explained.


==Notes==
[[File:Newborn-porcelain.jpg|300px|right|thumb|[[First Born]]]]

* "Rescue at Midnight Castle" was produced to support the Year Two (1983-1984) line-up of ponies, featuring about half of them. A notable omission is [[Majesty]], the pony released with Spike and Dream Castle. This was probably done to make room for Megan as leader figure.
** Another cast oddity is the inclusion of a white Earth Pony that was never part of the toyline and officially is nameless. The most promising theory behind her identity is that she represents the same character as a ceramic pony called "[[First Born]]", who is unique in the ceramic pony line for being the only one without plastic counterpart.<ref>[http://www.etherella.com/mlpmedia/tvshow.html ''My Little Pony'' on TV at the ''My Little Pony'' scrapbook]</ref> Another theory states she is a prototype version of [[Peachy]], because she's usually seen in the company of [[Twinkles]].
** [[Ember]]'s toy was produced in four different color palettes, of which only one was sold in stores and had a [[symbol]]. Still, the colors Ember wears in the special are those of the lavender, symbol-less, Mail Order version rather than the "main" version.  
** This and "[[Escape from Katrina]]" are the only episodes to feature adult Sea Ponies, as Hasbro stopped producing them after Year Three (1984-1985). This is why the Sea Ponies in the specials don't have the characteristic floats the Sea Ponies have in the series, because those only came with the baby Sea Ponies.
** All the Sea Ponies except for the main three are crowd filler. None of them has ever had a toy and their color palettes are based on the various non-Sea Pony ponies in the episode.
* The Sea Ponies' "Shoop-be-doo" went on to become the Sea Ponies' standard way of introducing themselves in episodes. It even returned in two more songs, one in "Escape from Katrina" and one in "[[The Magic Coins]]".
* When "Rescue at Midnight Castle" was adapted into a two-parter for inclusion in the regular series, the Moochick's song was cut out to fit the time limit. The Moochick's song was likely chosen for this because it comes very soon after the song by the Sea Ponies, which is more important for the story.
* VHS releases of this video include a preview for the "next My Little Pony adventure" that would again feature Firefly and the Moochick. Stranger still, a completely unrelated group of rainbow ponies appears during the clip. This episode or special never surfaced.

== External Links ==
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-Ll5zaPcIE Rescue at Midnight Castle (English)]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGUdE_HIShs Part 1 (Swedish)]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CjztjB5ZgI&feature=related Part 2 (Swedish)]
*[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_UsbqoogBE&feature=related Part 3 (Swedish)]

== See also ==
[[Category: Generation 1]]

= needs to be merged with the above info =

==Synopsis==
It's a day like any other for the ponies that live in [[Dream Castle]]. [[Firefly]] and [[Medley]] are playing in the sky and at the nearby waterfall, their laughter encouraging [[Twilight]], [[Bow Tie]], [[G1 Moondancer|Moondancer]], a [[First Born|white Earth Pony]] and [[Ember]] to join them outside. The baby pony even attempts to join the two [[Pegasus|Pegasi]] in their flight, but has to conclude that she cannot fly. Next, Ember tries to make a jump several other grownups just did, but has to be caught by Firefly midair because she's not going to make it. Twilight, meanwhile, teleports herself over to the group. Firefly tries her double inside-out loop, but ends up crashing into Applejack, coaxing a good laugh from the others.

A little later, the ponies take a rest near the river and Ember asks Twilight if she'll ever be able to fly, jump far or disappear like the grownups. Twilight answers she'll grown up to be special in her own way. At that moment, the sky turns dark and Bow Tie screams for everyone to run to Dream Castle. The [[Stratadon]]s have arrived, led by [[Scorpan]], and they intend to capture four ponies for their master, [[Tirek|Tirac]]. Bow Tie manages to get out of their clutches and most others get to Dream Castle in time, but Cotton Candy and Moondancer are captured. Satisfied with just two ponies for now, Scorpan orders the Stratadons to return to Midnight Castle. As soon as the monstrous group is out of sight, Firefly flies off to find someone who can help them get back her friends.

At Midnight Castle, [[G1 Cotton Candy|Cotton Candy]] and Moondancer are locked up in a cell by Scorpan. As he walks off to report to Tirac, he is approached by his protegé [[G1 Spike|Spike]]. Spike begs Scorpan to take him with him during the next hunt, but Scorpan refuses. At Tirac's throne room, Tirac berates Scorpan for bringing only two ponies back with him. Spike tries to stand up for his pal, but this only enrages Tirac. Scorpan quickly promises to go get the two ponies more to appease his master, all the while shielding Spike from him.

In another land, Firefly crashes in a well near a [[Megan's Place|stable]], where a young girl, [[Megan]], is just preparing her pony [[T.J.|TJ]] for a good night's rest. Hearing the crash, Megan rushes outside and finds Firefly. Flabberghasted at first about the "talking pony", Firefly's attitude wins Megan's trust and the girl agrees to hop on Firefly's back for a ride. Though only then does Firefly reveal she wants Megan to come with her to Dream Castle to help out against the Stratadons. Megan is reluctant, but can't get off anymore. On the way, Firefly talks some confidence in her and Megan's reluctance subsides by the time they arrive. The other ponies greet her warmly, but the pleasantries are interrupted by a second Stratadon attack. Megan, [[Bubbles]] and Ember are caught. Firefly tries her double inside-out loop to free Megan, which works, but also nearly sees Megan falling to her death. Oddly, it is Scorpan who spares the girl this fate, catching her and bringing her to the ground. He warns her to leave [[Ponyland]], which doesn't so much scare off Megan as pisses her off. Scorpan and his army leave then, and Megan promises the ponies they'll free their friends.

At Midnight Castle, the four captive ponies are brought before Tirac, who orders Ember to be taken away. Upon Cotton Candy's inquiry why she is separated from them, Tirac explains why he had the ponies captured in the first place. He intends to use his powers of darkness to transform them into suitable mounts for his Chariot of Midnight, with which he plans to conquer Ponyland. Unleashing his [[Rainbow of Darkness]], the three ponies are transformed into dragons, much to the horror of Ember. Tirac is happy with the result, but lashes out at Scorpan because Ember was clearly too young for his plans, leaving him with one mount too few for his plans. Tirac demands Scorpan to organize a third attack before midnight. And this time, Spike will be killed if the results are unsatisfactory.

Meanwhile, Twilight, Firefly, Bow Tie and Applejack take Megan to see the [[The Moochick|Moochick]], a wizard who should be able and willing to help them. To get to his home, they need to cross a river by means of a bridge that has seen better days. Applejack falls off and Megan jumps after her to save her from drowning. The two sink all the way to the bottom of the river, where they meet and are saved by the Sea Ponies. The two meet up with the rest of their group on shore and are given a special shell by the Sea Ponies that can call them if ever they need help again. Megan thanks them, and the group continues to the Moochick's place. The Moochick warns them of Tirac's plans to use their friends to plunge the land into eternal night. Asking him what they should do to stop him, the Moochick elaborates that they need to take away the source of his power, the Rainbow of Darkness, which will be a lot easier if they take with them the [[Rainbow of Light]], which he so happens to have lying around. After a long search, he finds the locket containing the rainbow and the group heads out to take on Tirac.

Just off the shore near Midnight Castle, the group finds the route blocked and so uses the shell to call upon the Sea Ponies. The Sea Ponies know a way in and are only to glad to help the group get over the water. However, a guard spots them while they enter the castle and warns Tirac. At that time, Tirac is again admonishing Scorpan, who apparently failed to capture any pony during a third raid. Though the news that four ponies have snuck into Midnight Castle means a fourth can be captured before midnight and that Spike thusly will live, Scorpan takes inspiration from the ponies' resistance. In his first bid for rebellion, he frees Ember and Spike, who had been locked up together, and goes to search the infiltrators.

The infiltrators, meanwhile, have gotten lost in Midnight Castle. Applejack gets separated from the group, captured by the guards and brought to Tirac's throne room. There, the rest of the group eventually also arrives, just too late to prevent Applejack from being morphed into a dragon. All is not lost though, as Scorpan, Spike and Ember come bursting into the throne room and help Megan, Twilight, Bow Tie and Firefly escape. The group flees outside, but is followed by Tirac, who now rides his Chariot of Midnight. Scorpan attacks him in an attempt to steal the Rainbow of Darkness, but he's punched away and incapacitated by the subsequent fall and crash-landing. Seeing this, Megan hops on Firefly to get the Rainbow of Darkness. Utilizing Firefly's double inside-out loop, they succeed in knocking it out of Tirac's grasp. Bow Tie catches it, leading to the ponies and guards struggling to get and keep it from each other. Eventually, Firefly grabs it and is ordered to fly it to Dream Castle. 

However, the Stratadons stop her and Tirac regains control over the Rainbow of Darkness. Megan decides it's time to try the Moochick's plan and releases the Rainbow of Light. Much to the ponies' horror, the Rainbow of Light turns out to be really small and doesn't look like it will be a match for the Rainbow of Darkness. Tirac drives the point home by unleashing the Rainbow of Darkness on the Rainbow of Light, which is swiftly consumed. Hope seems lost for the ponies, but then the Rainbow of Light shows its true potential and starts "infecting" the Rainbow of Darkness, turning it into a Rainbow of Light. The new, powerful Rainbow of Light attacks and destroys Tirac. With Tirac and the Rainbow of Darkness gone, the Stratadons and guards return to their forms before Tirac claimed them, which are butterflies and birds respectively. Midnight Castle itself turns into a tree and the four bespelled ponies return to their pony forms. The big surprise is Scorpan, who changes into a human prince and explains that Tirac turned him into Scorpan when he took over his kingdom. Spike is asked why he's not changing back, to which he responds he's always been a baby dragon.

The group's attention is drawn by Ember, who is brought to sneezing herself into a creek by one of the former-Stratadon butterflies sitting on her nose. The silliness of the situation so soon after the battle with Tirac incites a round of laughter.

Some time later, the ponies gather at Dream Castle to say goodbye to Megan. Spike has decided to go live with the ponies and is also present to see Megan off. Riding Firefly again, Megan is returned to her home, where she happily hugs TJ.

==Songs==
{|width=100%|
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===Opening theme===
''My Little Pony, My Little Pony''<br>
''Isn't the world a lovely place''<br>
''My Little Pony, My Little Pony''<br>
''Everywhere you go, a smiling face''<br>
''Running and skipping, merrily tripping''<br>
''Watching the morning unfold''<br>
''My Little Pony, My Little Pony''<br>
''What does the future hold?''

''No sign of trouble in sight''<br>
''My Little Pony, My Little Pony''<br>
''May all your days be bright''<br>
''May all your days be bright''

|valign=top|
===Dancing on Air===
''They'll be dancing on air when they meet you''<br>
''Dancing on air with glee''<br>

''I doubt they'll be celebrating when they see it's only me''

''They'll do cartwheels in air when they see you''<br>
''Their hope will start to rise''

''From what they're anticipating, they're in for a big surprise''

''They'll be floating lighter than a cloud''

''They'll be floating - laughing right out loud''

''The sight of you will send spirits flying''

''One or two may burst out crying''

''Why can't you believe?''<br>
''You're gonna be great''

''But, Firefly....''

''Trust me! Megan, you're a dream come true''<br>
''That, my friends all think so too''<br>
''You're the answer to our every prayer''

''Time will tell if I'll come through''<br>
''But just imagine if I do...''

''They'll be dancing...''

''Prancing...''

''Dancing on air!''

|valign=top|
===Call upon the Sea Ponies===
''Shoop-be-doo Shoop-shoop-be-doo''<br>
''Call upon the Sea Ponies when you're in distress''<br>
''Helpful as can be ponies; simply signal SOS''<br>
''If you find you're past the drift and haven't got an oar - oar''<br>
''Count upon the Sea Ponies; they'll see you to shore''<br>

''Shoop-be-doo Shoop-shoop-be-doo''<br>

''Are you sinking fast?''

''Had some nasty shocks?''

''Feeling like all hope is gone and washed up on the rocks?''

''Washed up on the rocks''

''Shoop-be-doo Shoop-shoop-be-doo''<br>
''Call upon the Sea Ponies when you're in distress''<br>
''Helpful as can be ponies; simply signal SOS''<br>
''If your rudder runs aground or seeweed holds a grip - kelp''<br>
''Count upon the Sea Ponies; they'll see you get help''<br>

''Sea Ponies, Sea Ponies''<br>
''Simply signal SOS, simply signal SOS''<br>
''Sea Ponies, Sea Ponies''<br>
''Simply signal SOS, simply signal SOS''<br>
''Oh, yes!''

|valign=top|
===A Little Piece of Rainbow===
''Somewhere there's a little piece of rainbow''<br>
''I saved it for a rainy day''<br>
''It's either underneath the rug or in the cupboard - ug, a bug!''<br>
''But, have no fear, I'll find it right away''<br>
''Wait until you see this piece of rainbow''<br>
''It's brighter than a peacock's plume''<br>
''It's ocean blue and sunrise pink - I left it by the sink I think''<br>
''Or was it in the closet with the broom''<br>
''Perhaps we ought to try the other room''<br>
''That piece of rainbow must be hiding some place''<br>
''Search every nook and cranny high and low''<br>

''You'd think that with a rainbow there's be some trace''

''But not a gleam''

''Not a glimmer''

''Not a glow''

''Oh, where did I put that little piece of rainbow?''<br>
''I ran across it just last week''<br>
''It might be in the flower pot, my goodness gracious, no, it's not''<br>
''That piece of rainbow's playing hide and seek''<br>
''I'm sorry but it seems - I'm sorry but it seems we're up the creek''<br>

''You're not giving up, are you?

''Might as well; looked every place; absolutely no place else we could...''<br>
''Wait a moment! Beg your pardon!''<br>
''Silly me, come and see, it's in the garden''<br>
''This is where I put that piece of rainbow''<br>
''It's buried here beneath the ground''<br>
''I left it in the flowerbed, it's how I am - I plan ahead''<br>
''I knew that here I'd find it safe and sound''<br>
''A lesson for you all - when hope seems past recall''<br>
''A piece of rainbow always can be found''

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===Closing theme===
''My Little Pony, My Little Pony''<br>
''Isn't it time we started home?''<br>
''My Little Pony, My Little Pony''<br>
''Whoever dreamed how far we'd come?''<br>
''Crickets are calling, evening is falling''<br>
''Over the meadow and glen''<br>
''My Little Pony, My Little Pony''<br>
''When will I see you again?''<br>
|}
==Cast==
* Ponies: [[Firefly]], [[Medley]], [[Twilight]], [[Bow Tie]], [[Moondancer]], a [[First Born|white Earth Pony]], [[Ember]], [[Bubbles]], [[Glory]], [[G1 Applejack|Applejack]], [[G1 Cotton Candy|Cotton Candy]]
* Pets: [[Twinkles]]
* Humans: [[Megan]]
* Other: [[Stratadon]]s, [[Scorpan]], [[Spike]], [[Tirek|Tirac]]

==References==
<references />

[[Category:G1 TV and Movies]]