Cover art by TheParagon

This week on Rants of Valakut, we have an exclusive sneak peek at the latest cartoon from Magic: the Gathering: Magic Ponies: Gathering Friendship.

Inspired by the popular Mare cycle from the 2019 core set, Magic Ponies follows the adventures of the young horses as they explore the world of Mareodin.

Rants of Valakut is pleased to present the transcript from the very first episode. Enjoy!


The show opens with a panoramic view of the lands of Mareodin. The vast plains, the great mountains, the deep forest, the dark swamp, and the rivers that divide the islands of this world.

Narrator
The land of Mareodin is a peaceful plane, divided into five realms. Each realm is home to a special herd of ponies….

Opening theme music, Narrator continues.

Narrator
The white ponies live in the plains, and pride themselves on their bravery and kindness. There are few as proud or as brave amongst the white ponies as Spirit Shield.

The blue sea ponies live in the broad rivers that divide the land and form the islands of Mareodin. They are explorers and problem solvers. The most curious and creative among the blue sea ponies is Stormsurge.

The red ponies live on the side of the great mountain. They are fiercely independant and live life to the fullest. The most adventureous and impulsive pony in their herd is Lightning Dart.

The green ponies live deep in the forest. They keep to themselves, but are known as the strongest and wisest ponies in all of Mareodin. And no pony is wiser than the mighty Woodvine.

The dark swamp is home to the black ponies. They are a lonely, mysterious herd. Not much can be said of them, but one thing is certain: no pony is more lonely than Plague Wind.

Uniting the five herds is the majestic planestrotter Sky Diamond. Gifted with the ability to travel the multiverse, Sky Diamond is rarely on Mareodin. Whenever she returns, every pony eagerly gathers to hear her tales of the lands beyond.

Together they are:

The Magic Ponies: Gathering Friendship

Fade to Black

Episode 1: The Scare of Mareodin

Fade in to an aerial view of the plains, with the river cutting through it.

SCENE 1

Narrator
Today is a quiet, sunny day on the plane of Mareodin, but things are about to take an interesting turn….

The view fades to Spirit Shield sitting by the riverside making plans with Stormsurge.

Spirit Shield
Do you remember the story Sky Diamond told us about the world where ponies turn into monsters at night?

Stormsurge
Yes, I remember it. She called it Innisteed. Why do you ask?

Spirit Shield
I was thinking that for our next party we could all dress up as the monsters she talked about, with fangs and claws and everything. I think it could be fun.

Stormsurge
I don’t dress up.

Spirit Shield
Oh, really, Stormsurge! Think of the fun you’d have designing all of the costumes!

Stormsurge
I really don’t think — hey, is that Lightning Dart?

Spirit Shield
Don’t try to change the subject! I know your tricks —

Stormsurge
No, really, look! Lightning Dart is coming this way. I think something must be wrong with her.

Lightning Dart staggers up next to Spirit Shield and collapses on the riverbank. She looks very sick.

Spirit Shield
Lightning Dart! What happened? You look terrible!

Lightning Dart
I don’t know. I was galloping along the foot of the mountain when this bad feeling suddenly came over me. It was all I could do to get over here.

Stormsurge begins to look over Lightning Dart carefully.

Stormsurge
The foot of the mountain, you say? Where were you exactly?

Lightning Dart
I was near that old forest, the one next to the river.

Spirit Shield and Stormsurge exchange a concerned look.

Spirit Shield
The one with the dark trees?

Lightning Dart looks confused. She sniffles and clears her throat.

Lightning Dart
Yeah… Why? What’s that got to do with it?

Spirit Shield
That’s the dark swamp, Dart. You shouldn’t have been anywhere near that place; It’s dangerous!

Lightning Dart
Dangerous?! Like, full of monsters?

Lightning Dart falls into a Coughing fit.

Stormsurge
Spirit Shield, she’s getting worse.

Spirit Shield
What can we do to help?

Stormsurge
I’m uncertain. Her illness isn’t like anything I’ve seen before.

Spirit Shield
What if we asked Woodvine? She has all sorts of protective charms and potions.

Stormsurge looks unimpressed at this suggestion.

Stormsurge
Hmph. I’m sure my books have something about this sickness. I just need time to look it up.

Lightning Dart sneezes and groans.

Spirit Shield
Stormsurge, you said yourself that Dart is getting worse! We don’t have time for your books. If Woodvine can help shouldn’t we at least try?

Stormsurge looks at Lightning Dart with a worried look.

Stormsurge
I guess you’re right. You take Lightning Dart down to the forest and I’ll meet you there. I still want to grab my books.

Spirit Shield
Alright. Come on, Dart, let’s go.

Spirit Shield pulls Lightning Dart onto her back and rides off. Stormsurge dives under the water.

The music settles on a dramatic minor chord.

Fade to black.

Narrator
Don’t go away! Magic Ponies: Gathering Friendship will be right back after these messages!

COMMERCIAL BREAK


What has caused Lightning Dart’s illness? Will Spirit Shield and Stormsurge find a cure in time?

Tune in next time for the exciting continuation of Magic Ponies: Gathering Friendship!

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