OK, Spike. You know you might get distracted
by the stacks of books and copious charts,
so remember what to say:
"Twilight, I know you're in full prep mode
for Trivia Trot tomorrow, but you need to get some sleep!"
Huh, nice work! You got this!
[door opens]
[gasp]
♪ [mysterious music] ♪
This is weird.
Twilight! What are you doing?
Great question, Spike! And the answer is:
[ding] Going to bed!
Brains need eight hours of sleep
to perform at optimum levels!
Oh! Cool. I thought I'd have to force you to go to bed
since tomorrow is your chance to be the first pony
to win Ponyville trivia three times in a row.
That is tomorrow, right?
The answer is: [ding] Yes!
Ask me another one.
Another what?
Another question! I wanna stay in the zone.
That way, I can sleep in the zone, wake up in the zone,
and be totally in the zone tomorrow!
Uh, this is a whole new level of Twilighting, isn't it?
The answer is: Yes!
Are you OK?
The answer is: Yes!
Well, goodnight, Twilight.
Good luck with your brain sleep
and getting that third win.
The answer is: [ding] Goodnight and YES!
That wasn't a question.
♪ My little pony, my little pony ♪
♪ Aaaahhh ♪
♪ My little Pony ♪
♪ I used to wonder what friendship could be. ♪
♪ My Little Pony ♪
♪ Until you all shared its magic with me. ♪
♪ Big adventure! ♪ ♪ Tons of fun ♪
♪ A beautiful heart! ♪ ♪ Faithful and strong! ♪
♪ Sharing kindness ♪ ♪ it's an easy feat ♪
♪ And magic makes it all complete! ♪
♪ To have my little pony ♪
♪ Do you know you're all my very best friends? ♪
♪♪
I'm glad you decided to come watch
your first Trivia Trot, Spike!
I hope the rules aren't too confusing.
Rules? Isn't trivia just asking questions
and answering them?
[laugh]
The Trot is a little more involved than that.
Let's start with the first category of rules:
Categories! Rule 1: Each category must be
categorically designated and thoroughly researched
in all categorical...
[fade out and in]
...participating in Trivia Trot.
And that wraps up rule 41.6!
Of course, the exception to that, 41.6a,
is interesting itself because...
Oh, look we're here!
Oooh! I can't wait to see who my partner's going to be!
You don't get to pick your own team?
Rule 20.16b, Spike!
To keep things fair, the teams are randomly selected!
20.16b. How could I forget?
And, based on the regular attendees,
I've charted every potential teammate's
strengths and weaknesses,
plus my percentage of winning with each one!
Ha! I knew there'd be a chart! Glad I'm just watching.
I don't think I could handle being your teammate.
What if I let you down?
You could never let me down, Spike.
But I'm glad you're watching too.
I'm going to need all the support I can get
for win number three!
[door opens]
[hum of conversation]
Well, well, well, if it ain't our reigning champ.
Think you can win again this week, Twilight?
Everypony here has a different area of expertise,
so it really is anypony's game.
But, yes!
Then you'd better hope you get paired with me,
because I am gonna rule this game!
[door opens]
We'll just see about that.
I didn't come all the way from the Crystal Empire to lose.
And I hope you realize I have the highest percentage
of correct answers, and I aim to keep it that way!
Pfffft!
I hope you realize not every category
is gonna be Spells So Old
Not Even Starswirl the Bearded Remembers Them.
Fluttershy: I hope there's one
on fur maintenance for adorable creatures.
Because I've been brushing up.
Hee hee hee.
Technically, that was a category last week.
It won't be in the game tonight.
Rule 37.2c, no back-to-back categories.
But I think Fluttershy was joking.
Pinkie Pie: Sure sounded like a joke to me!
Heh heh! Woohoo!
Pinkie Pie?
Present!
♪ [dramatic music] ♪
♪♪
What's wrong, Twilight?
I hadn't anticipated Pinkie Pie as a potential player!
She's never played before! My chart is completely off!
I have no way to predict what will happen
and unpredictable is not good for a Trivia Trot Three-peat!
Do I have to do that thing where I list
all your successes as Princess of Friendship
to put things into perspective
and remind you this is just a game?
Spike! This has nothing to do with being the
Princess of Friendship!
And this is not just a game! This. Is. TRIVIA. TROT!
[knocking]
OK, settle down everypony.
I'm fixin' to pick these here teams!
[excited chatter]
It's starting! But I have to revaluate my chart.
Spike, I need you to find the part on match-ups.
Can you look outside?
What'd I miss?
Granny's about to call out the fifth team!
Sunburst gave me the highest chance of winning,
but he's been paired with Cranky Doodle.
[thud]
Who? Yeah. WHAT?
At least Rainbow Dash and Applejack aren't together.
Team AppleDash is basically unstoppable.
♪ [dramatic stings] ♪
And apart, they'll spend all their energy
trying to one up each other, so that only helps my chances.
LET'S DO THIS! YEAH!
And not every team is a threat,
but there aren't many ponies left.
All righty, hold on to yer horse shoes
cause the next pair of players is...
Maud and Mudbriar!
[loud complaining]
What's wrong?
Maud and Mudbriar have been paired together every week.
It's a statistical improbability!
Which would be fine, if they weren't so good!
♪ [busy music] ♪
[long gasp]
Oh, no! According to my calculations,
the only pony who could really threaten my winning streak is--
And our final pair of contestants for this week's
Trivia Trot is... Twilight and Pinkie Pie!
Pinkie Pie: Twilight!
It's you and me! Isn't that great!
Yeah. Great.
Spike: So, I'm guessing the one pony
who could mess up your winning streak is Pinkie.
Twilight! I can't believe we're partners! For a game!
I LOVE games! And I'm super duper excited for this game
because it'll be my first time ever playing it
and I get to play it with you which makes it even funner!
Twilight and Pinkie Pie forever! Ooh!
We can be team Twinkie! Or... Team Pinklight! Sparkle Pie!
No, no, no, no... TWIPIE!
Pinkie... I'm glad you're excited,
but tonight's game is special.
I could be the first pony ever to win three consecutive Trots
in a row and I'm really hoping I do!
You don't have anything to worry about.
I'll do everything I can to be the bestest
and most funnest teammate ever!
[bell ringing]
So... still think you can win?
I know I can. Pinkie might not be the partner I expected,
but I can coach her along.
And besides, I'm pretty good at this game.
If she misses a few, I'm sure I can pick up the slack.
[horn blast]
LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!
[nervous laugh]
Now the first order of business is
we need somepony to keep score.
I'll do it!
I'm not sure you wanna take that job, Spike.
The scorekeepin' can get a might intense.
Yeah, Starlight used to do it, but now...
Well, I can't even say the word trivia around her.
Phh, applemash! Don't let them scare ya.
You'll be fine! Now let the games begin!
[cheering]
Get ready to Get ready to get squashed! get squished!
Hey don't copy me!
♪♪
The first category is "Literary Figures!"
[groans]
Oooh! A category about books! We're off to a great start.
Hee hee!
Ahem.
Who is the pony that despises the holiday season
in the old classic, "A Hearth's Warming Tale?"
[ding]
The answer is NOPONY because everypony ends up
loving the holiday with singing, festive cakes,
and thoughtful presents!
Well, as much as that ain't exactly wrong,
it ain't exactly right neither.
Heh heh.
[whimper]
Just doing my job, Twilight.
[sigh]
Sorry. I didn't know we could have negative points.
It's fine, Pinkie...
But maybe it'll help our chances
if I coach you as we go.
Tip one... try sitting still.
Can do, Coach Twi.
And don't get distracted or be distracting.
Oh! And remember to listen carefully!
Also it's best to keep quiet between questions.
Got it.
Sitting still, sitting still.
Granny: Which topographical locale used to be a cavern,
but after thousands of years of erosion, is now a gorge?
Pinkie! - WHAT!
[ding]
The answer is The Ghastly Gorge.
That is 100% correct!
♪ [horror stings] ♪
♪♪
The next category is... APPLES!
RIGGED!
I didn't hear you complain
when the category was Wonderbolt History.
But-ah. That-that's totally different!
OK, Pinkie, remember the category is apples.
Keep your mind on apples.
Apples. Apples. Apples. Apples! Oohh, and oranges.
And grapes! And strawberries!
Strawberry cupcakes! I'm hungry.
Which variety of apple only blooms for five days?
Rainbow: Don't choke!
Now why would I choke on a question about apples?
Uh... what was the question again?
You kidding me?
♪ [game show music] ♪
Come on, Pinkie! You know this one. Mysterious apples...
Only around for five days?
[gasp]
[stomach gurgling]
Quiet down there!
Pretty sure there's a rule against tummies ringing in.
[ding]
Um, I'm just guessing, but is it Zap Apples?
Finally! Yes, Fluttershy, it is.
At least somepony here knows her apples!
YEAH!
[crash]
[thud]
♪♪
[stomach rumbling]
One minute left in the
refreshment slash bathroom break-AHH!
Spike! I don't think I can coach Pinkie well enough
for us to get my three-peat. I don't want her to feel bad;
she's trying so hard, but I might have to start
answering everything myself.
Look, Twilight!
No more belly growl interruptions
for team TwiPie!
[gulp]
Maybe instead of focusing on Pinkie,
you should just focus on how you're playing.
Or... I should look at how everypony else is playing.
Hope yer all in yer seats 'cause the break is over
and it is time for more questions!
Lemme see, lemme see.
How do you say 'reward' in Old Ponish?
[gasp]
[ding]
"Reward" in Old Ponish is 'hlight'.
Correct!
SLEEPING!
[murmurs]
Ahem. Sunburst's partner is sleeping
and according to rule 57.6, sleeping at the table
is subject to disqualification!
Well, lookie here. That's an actual rule!
Cranky is disqualified.
I'm sorry Sunburst, without your teammate,
you can't play neither.
Awww! Fine. But I'm counting that as a correct answer!
Can't stay awake for five minutes!
Don't worry, Pinkie. We're not out of this game yet!
[gasp]
[ding]
Is the answer carrots?
Twilight: Ah! Rule 13.2! No help from pets!
♪♪
Rule 72.8. No sticking tongues out at opponents!
♪♪
Motion to establish new rule:
No expressionless contestants!
Nice try.
Fine.
The next category is, cupcakes!
Twilight? I know all about those! You have to let me help!
[exasperated sigh]
Sure! Just when we're finally back in the game!
Why, that sounds perfect, Pinkie, but.
Oooh. Isn't that a Confetti Appreciation Parade I see?
Where?
What flavor cupcakes did Princess Celestia order
for Princess Luna's surprise birthday party last year?
Wait. What?
[ding]
Double midnight chocolate fudge
with chili pepper frosting!
Correct!
♪ [fanfare] ♪
Hey, I knew that! I made those cupcakes!
Sorry, Pinkie, but you were looking at the parade
and I didn't want our team to miss out on the point.
I guess that makes sense. But...
Which way did that Confetti Parade go, anyway?
♪♪
[ding]
1547 Pony B.E.
♪♪
[ding]
Vanhoover!
♪♪
[splat]
[ding]
Cutie Pox!
♪♪
[ding]
BANANAS!
♪♪
The category is: Sticks and Stones!
I don't know anything about those!
That's not any kind of category.
Technically, it's a kind of category
where we know the answers and you don't.
[big breaths]
Don't worry fellow Twipie! I grew up on a rock farm.
I'm sure I know some of these.
[faster breaths]
What kind of stone can be used to start a fire?
[ding]
The black one!
The answer is flint.
Yeah! That one! We both get points, right?
Sorry, Pinkie. Rule 4: Answers must be specific and exact.
I'd help you if I could. I know this category pretty well.
Gee Pinkie, I forgot the name of that famous rock
in Griffonstone. Could you ask Maud?
You got it! Hey, Maud!
What's the name of the famous rock in Griffinstone!
Pinkie, you can't ask me that.
Sure I can! I just did!
[indignant murmurs]
What?
You can't go and ask another player about rocks
when that's the category. It's in the rulebook. Somewheres.
Um, sorry, Pinkie, but you're disqualified.
WHAT?
♪♪
I can't believe I'm disqualified.
Heh heh.
I'm sorry, Pinkie. I guess I forgot about that rule.
Oh, no! If I'm out, you don't have a partner!
You won't be able to get your third win!
Actually, since there's another player
who has also had his teammate disqualified...
Rule 19.7b. Whereby players whose teammates
were disqualified may form a new team.
Oh. OK. Um, I'll just cheer you on from... over there.
♪ [mournful music] ♪
Granny: The next category is: Ancient Legends!
Oh, we're going to crush this round!
I don't know, Twilight. You seem out of the zone today.
But don't worry. I can pick up the slack.
WHAT? I am the reigning Trot champ.
If there's any slack that needs picking,
I'll be the up. I mean, wait.
I'm just saying. You seem a little frazzled
and I do have a correct answer percentage to maintain.
Who traveled to Equestria from a distant land
seeking to steal the magic from its pony inhabitants?
[ding]
That would be Lord Tirek.
[ding]
Technically, that answer is incomplete.
The answer is Lord Tirek and Scorpan.
But Scorpan tried to convince Tirek not to do it!
So, technically, he wasn't part of it,
even if he started out... Uh... Never mind.
♪ [sluggish music] ♪
[ding]
♪♪
[ding]
♪♪
Look, Sunburst, I realize I may have been
a little off earlier,
but I'm really good at this game.
How many holes are there in Daring Do's hat!
[ding]
Twenty!
Correct!
HA!
Twilight! I knew that one! You just cost us a point
and the correct answer I needed to boost my percentage!
Well, I knew it too.
You're not the only pony to ever read a book, you know.
You're right, Twilight.
I'm sorry, but now that I think about it,
I'm not so sure about Dash's answer.
Could you do a quick fact check?
Oh, I know it's twenty! But if you want proof.
Wait. According to rule 18.3,
I can't check outside reference material.
[gasp]
Are you trying to get me disqualified?
What kind of pony would do that to their own teammate?
You're right, Twilight! I don't know what got into me!
I was so focused on my correct answers,
I wasn't thinking straight. Can you forgive me?
It's OK, Sunburst. I understand.
And I have a teammate of my own to apologize to.
Lucky for you, Cranky's awake and according to rule 57.6b.
...players previously disqualified for sleeping
may rejoin the game, provided they're well rested.
Where am I? What time is it?
Where are my morning hay cakes?
♪♪
Pinkie, you were the best teammate I could ask for,
but I let wanting to win keep me from seeing that.
Pfft. I knew you wanted to win,
but I probably could have helped a little.
And even if I couldn't...
we still could have had fun.
I'm so sorry for not realizing it.
I got so obsessed with one thing,
I forgot what really mattered.
No! That doesn't sound like you at all!
Well, win or lose, nothing is more important
than my friend or my team. TwiPie forever?
I don't know.
I understand. I guess even the Princess of Friendship
can mess things up with her friends.
Oh, it's not that.
It's just that I already changed it to Team TwiBurst.
Now I guess I should change it to SunDoodle?
[munch]
Actually, I have a better idea.
According to rule 13.2,
players can join the game at any time,
provided they start from zero.
Wow. These rules are really convoluted.
But doesn't starting from zero mean we'll lose?
Well, our chances aren't good,
but the odds of having fun on team TwiPie are 100%!
What is the name of the Ponyville Day Spa's
most popular candle?
[ding]
Candle-licious Melty Wax! Competitive Library Musk!
Uh... no.
Ha, ha, ha Musk. You!
♪♪