The Magic of Friendship part 2
Pony's log number 102: Sometimes those you least expect end up being your key to victory.
(I won't be doing no "previously on MLP" for these two part episodes).
(theme song)
Nightmare Moon continued to laugh.
"Seize her!" Mayor Mare shouted, "Only she knows where the Princess is!" A group of several guard pegasi flew up to try and prevent Nightmare Moon from escaping.
"Stand back, you foals!" she laughed as she generated thunder bolts to knock back all the guards. Now Mario was angry.
"Hey, not cool!" he called out as he charged towards Nightmare Moon. Using the spin jump and jumping height to get high into the air. Using his magic, he thrust himself forward at high speed for an attack while still curled up. But Nightmare Moon easily swatted him away like a fly, sending him flying backwards, uncurling, and landed hard back at the ground with a thud. Mario was dazed as Nightmare Moon turned into a dark blue mist and easily slipped out of the building.
"Ergh!" Applejack groaned as she tried to hold Rainbow back, but the blue Pegasus had finally broken free, sending Applejack flying backwards as Rainbow tried to pursue, but the mist was far too fast for her and disappeared into the night.
"Come back here!" Rainbow panted and then realized what Nightmare Moon had said, "Nighttime? Forever?" It was just then Twilight dashed out of the building as fast as her hooves could take her. Mario, still woozy, wobbled out of the building soon afterward.
"Twi, wait for me!" he called out before curling back up into a ball and dashed away at high speed. Rainbow was rather stunned at Mario's move, but then remembered her train of thought.
"Where're they going?" she demanded from above, "They know something..." Meanwhile, Twilight had just arrived back at the library with Mario close behind her. She had already put Spike to bed.
"Uh...we gotta stop the Nightmare!..." Spike pointed out before he conked out again and was fast asleep. Twilight just smiled as she tucked Spike into his basket for the night.
"You've been up all night Spike," she pointed out as he continued to sleep, "You are a baby dragon after all." Once the light was off. She quickly started to search the library, tossing books around. Mario was still a bit stunned as what to do from his recent landing. He was a little annoyed Twilight didn't ask if he was alright. He did just launch himself at Nightmare Moon and got swatted back with a hard landing..
"Aside from a little landing on my...OW!" Mario retorted as a book hit him in the face, "I'm doing...OW...great! Thanks for OW...oh forget...YIPE!" Mario used his magic at the last moment to stop a another book from flying into his face again. Dropped it angrily and began looking for the book Twilight was desperately trying to find.
"Elements, Elements, elements..." Twilight said frantically, "Ugh! How can we stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony? Mario can you..."
"And just what are the Elements of Harmony?" Rainbow demanded, pushing her face right into Twilight's and causing the unicorn to back up nervously, "And how do you and Mario know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you two spies? Whoa!" Rainbow was soon pulled back as Applejack appeared and tugged the blue Pegasus away by the tail. Mario looked indignant.
So much for being friends. Mario thought as Applejack let go of Rainbow's tail.
Simmer down, Sally," she remarked, "She and Mario are no spies. But they sure knows what's going on. Don't you, Twilight? Mario?" Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity had arrived close behind. They clearly had the same train of thought on their faces. Twilight just looked at them before answering as Mario stood next to her.
"I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon," Twilight explained, "Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them; I don't even know what they do!" Pinkie just walked over to nearby shelf.
"Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide," she read aloud as Twilight zipped over and pushed her out of the way.
"How did you find that?!" she asked.
"It was under "E"," she said in a sing sang voice. Mario slapped a hoof over his face and Twilight felt rather silly as well.
"Oh," she remarked and recomposed herself before reading it, "There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honestly, and Loyalty. The sixth is a complete mystery. It is said, the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters." It was during this time that mysterious black mist had returned and was watching the seven ponies outside the window before zipping away. "It is located in what is now-"
"The Everfree Forest!" they all said together with much dread as they heard a very ominous music rush through its dark marsh.
"Whee! Let's go!" Pinkie Pie said eagerly and bounced forward.
"Not so fast," Twilight as she stopped her, "Look, I appreciate the offer, but...Mario and I can handle this alone..."
"No we can't," Mario mouthed but she couldn't see him say it.
"No can do, sugarcube," said Applejack firmly, "We sure ain't lettin' any friends of ours go into that creepy place alone. We're sticking to you two like caramel on a candy apple." The rest of the girls gave an agreed "hmph" as they ventured forward minus Pinkie Pie.
"Especially if there's candy apples in there," said Pinkie Pie, earning some stares by Twilight and Mario, "What? Those things are good." Twilight just sighed as Mario stifled a chuckle. They soon made their way inside as Twilight and Mario followed close behind.
"So...are you okay?" said Twilight, "Sorry I didn't ask earlier. Just...overwhelmed with all of this." Mario just hummed.
"I'm fine," said Mario, "I've had worse. But I wanted to tell you that I read some more about the elements in that book and discovered something."
"What is it?" Twilight asked curiously.
"I read a passage in that book that said: When the sixth element is revealed, a special element can appear that is a combination of the other six. It serves as the controller that bounds the power of the six elements together. But nobody, not even the royal sisters, have ever uncovered this...Seventh Element...as it seems. What do you think it means?"
"I'm not sure," said Twilight, "But the sooner we find the other six, the better. That seventh element might be helpful to us."
"I hope so," said Mario as they caught up with the rest of the group. Things felt a little too quiet before Twilight spoke up again.
"So, none of you have been in there before?" Twilight asked.
"Ugh, heavens no!" Rarity answered as she surveyed all the marsh, "Just look at it - it's dreadful!"
"I agree with that," Mario replied. They had started approaching a large cliffside. It was then the dark mist appeared and crept into the cracks of the ground beneath them.
"And it ain't natural," Applejack added, "Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria."
"Read about that too," said Mario, feeling a little jittery in the dark forest.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Twilight asked.
"Nopony knows," said Rainbow, lowering her voice to make it sound like she was telling a ghost story, "You know why?" Pinkie, Rarity, and Fluttery began to shiver nervously.
"Rainbow, quit it," Applejack scolded, knowing exactly what the blue Pegasus was trying to do.
"'cause everypony who's ever come in has never come out!" The three flinched and grew quit, but Mario just snorted as he stood behind her.
"Been there, done that," he remarked indignantly, "and I'm still alive." Suddenly there was a loud crash and the ground beneath them gave away and everyone screamed. Only Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were able to avoid sliding down the steep slope.
"Fluttershy! Quick!" Rainbow shouted as she swooped down.
"Oh my goodness, oh my goodness," Fluttershy panicked before joining Rainbow. Both Twilight and Rarity screamed as they tried to slow their fall down the slope, which lead towards a large drop off. Mario fought hard, but found he couldn't slow himself down. Applejack managed to use her teeth to stop her sliding. Rainbow scooped up Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy grabbed Rarity tail to slow her down. Twilight was losing ground fast and was soon dangling over the edge of the cliff. Mario tried to hold on but the part of the cliff he was holding onto suddenly broke away.
"HOOOOOOOOOO-WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Mario cried out as he fell.
"MARIO!" Twilight cried out and found her grip slipping.
"Hold on!" Applejack called out, "I'm a-comin'!" She let go of her branch and gently made her way towards Twilight and grabbed her front legs to keep her from falling.
"Applejack, what do I do?" Twilight asked in fright. Applejack just held her tightly before she looked up and saw something and then looked at Twilight.
"Let go," Applejack said plainly.
"Are you crazy?" Twilight retorted.
"No I ain't," Applejack said assuredly, "I promise you'll be safe."
"That's not true!" Twilight protested, showing she was afraid.
"Now listen here," Applejack said firmly, "What I'm sayin' to you is the honest truth. Let go, and you'll be safe." Twilight hesitated before she did let go.
"YAAAAAAAAAAH!" Twilight screamed before she was caught by both Rainbow and Fluttershy.
"Phew!" Twilight replied with relief, "WAH!" Suddenly they dropped all of a sudden but soon stabilized their flight again and slowly brought Twilight at the bottom of the drop off. Rarity and Pinkie Pie were already there.
"Sorry girls," Fluttershy replied apologetically, "I'm not used to holding anything more than a bunny or two." Twilight just watched Applejack hop her way down and smiled, grateful that she head trusted her new friend. Then she realized something.
"Wait! Mario!" Twilight asked, fearing the worst, "Where he is?"
"Over...here..." he groaned as he crawled out of the bushes covered in a few scrapes and twigs.
"Did Rainbow and Fluttershy drop you or something?" Twilight asked as she helped him clean out the twigs.
"I never got the flight assist," said Mario, "I curled up in a ball and bounced my way here. Unfortunately I couldn't control where I was bouncing and landed in the bushes." Twilight just smiled.
"I'm just glad you're okay," said Twilight before jabbing him, "Don't scare me like that!" Mario just rubbed his front shoulder before they headed on out. It was then the purple mist swooped about the forest and then caused a creature to give a loud roar.
"Mario, tell me, how do you do that anyway?" Rainbow asked, "The speed rolling and stuff!" Mario just blinked.
"I studied hedgehog behavior," he answered simply, "adapted to their special way of self-defense."
"Oh you must tell me all about them!" Fluttershy asked excitedly.
"Maybe after this is over," Mario replied, knowing Twilight wanted to keep moving. As they ventured forward, Rainbow just couldn't stop bragging.
"And once Pinkie and Rarity were saved, and Mario landed in a bush," Rainbow said excitedly, "whoosh...Me and Fluttershy loop-de-loop around and WHAM! Caught you in the nick of time." Twilight looked indignant and this time Mario had the same face.
"Yes Rainbow, I was there," Twilight replied simply before smiling, "and I'm very grateful, but we gotta GASP!" It was suddenly creature that was a hybrid between a lion and a scorpion appeared before them. His name was Manny Roar.
"A manticore!" Twilight cried out as it he roared at them, "We've gotta get past him!" Manny Roar tried to attack, but Rarity gave him a good buck in the face to make him jump back.
"Take that, you ruffian!" she called out confidently. Manny Roar gave a loud growl, messing up Rarity's mane and making it become poofy and messy.
"My hair!" Rarity cried out before noticing the manticore just glaring at her, "Woop-" She just barely missed getting swiped and dashed away. Mario spin jumped into the air to try fighting.
"Wait," said Fluttershy in her soft tone, causing Mario to land and uncurl.
What's up?" he asked, but Manny roared again as Applejack landed on top of him.
YEE-HAW! Git along, little dogie," she called out trying to ride Manny like a wild bull.
"Wait," Fluttershy repeated, more firmly, but her voice was still too soft. Mario tried to called out as well, but was interrupted as Applejack was tossed off.
"Whoa!" she called out and saw Rainbow dash above her as she was still in the air, "All yours, partner."
"I'm on it," said Rainbow as she tried to dive at Manny.
"Wait!" Fluttershy called out a little louder.
"Hold on you guys!" Mario added loudly, but Rainbow was already at the offense. Until Manny's roar blew her away, causing her to scream.
"Rainbow!" Twilight called out as Manny grunted at them. The rest of the ponies minus Fluttershy and Mario began digging their hooves into the dirt. Twilight snorted with determination before the five girls began to charge at him all at once. (Well four charged and Pinkie bounced toward Manny. They were within attacking range when Fluttershy and Mario cut them all off.
"WAIT!" Fluttershy called out and Mario held up a hoof to bring them all to a stop. Manny even stopped charging as well and roared. Fluttershy simple approached the manticore. Manny raised his hoof, ready to attack. The other's flinched nervously. Even Mario stood on Fluttershy's right. If Manny dared to strike, he would block Fluttershy from being hurt.
"It's okay," Fluttershy said kindly as she pulled the other front paw, revealing that he had a very thick thorn in his paw, "Oh, you poor, poor little baby."
"Little?" Rainbow replied stunned as the other's watched with interest, Manny gave a rather sad look at the yellow Pegasus.
"Now this might hurt just a second," she told him gently and quickly used her mouth to pull the thorn out. Manny roared and scooped Fluttershy towards his mouth so quickly that Mario was unable to stop him.
"Fluttershy!" the other's cried out, but Manny wasn't going to eat her. He was just licking her, clearly grateful for her removing the thorn from his paw and began to purr. Everyone smiled and Mario breathed a sigh of relief.
"Aw, you're just a little ol' baby kitty, aren't you?" Fluttershy replied sweetly as he continued to lick her mane and then set her down. Everyone gave her a cheer as the manticore set her down and went on his way. Twilight was most impressed.
"How did you know about the thorn?" she asked.
"I didn't," said Fluttershy as she walked by, her pink mane still sticking upward from the licking, "Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness." Twilight just smiled and then noticed Mario smiling as well.
"What's your reason for letting her do that?" she asked.
"I just trusted her judgment," said Mario, "If you didn't notice, if that manticore had stuck, I would have taken the hit."
"Why would you do that?" Twilight asked, probably demanded.
"Guess I care about you guys' safety more than mine," he replied and walked forward. Twilight just felt a little uneasy and they marched forward. Rarity soon groaned.
"No, my eyes need a rest from all this icky muck," said Rarity and then all their vision went black.
"Well, I didn't mean that literally," Rarity added. Mario whimpered.
"Is whittle pony afraid of the dark?" Rainbow teased.
"Yes, but I'm still here aren't I?" Mario retorted when Rainbow rolled her eyes.
"You're no fun teasing," she remarked.
"Sorry sweetie, but I'm used to hearing things like that," Mario said smugly.
"That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces and we wouldn't even know it," Twilight pointed out.
"Eugh, I hate those situations," Mario remarked when Rarity bumped into Twilight
"I didn't see you there, my apologies," she remarked.
"Right here...guh..." Rainbow remarked but bumped into Mario.
"Watch it!" Mario snapped as Rainbow just growled in annoyance.
"Oh wait, I think I stepped in somethin'," Applejack pointed out. Fluttershy then screamed.
"It's just mud," Applejack reassured. Then there was an ominous growl from one of the trees. Then another, then another and soon they were all surrounded. They all screamed, including Mario, who stood in front of the girls on guard despite being terrified himself. The trees growled again and they screamed once more...except for Pinkie. Who was apparently...laughing?!
"Huh?" everyone said in surprise. Pinkie was too busy just laughing and making faces at the scary tree.
"Pinkie, what are you doing?!" Twilight asked fearfully, "Run!"
"Oh girls, don't you see?" said Pinkie Pie. And then she...started to sing.
When I was a little filly and the sun was going doo-ow-ow-n..."
"You gotta be kidding me..." Mario replied with dread.
"Tell me she's not..." Twilight added before Pinkie popped up from above them and then again upside down.
The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me froo-ow-ow-n
"She is," Rarity replied.
"Oy ye," Mario muttered. Pinkie continued to sing as she bounced around the group.
I'd hide under my pillow
From what I thought I saw
But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way
To deal with fears as all
"Then what is?" Rainbow asked as Pinkie got into her face.
She said, "Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall
Learn to face your fears
You'll see that they can't hurt you
Just laugh and make them disappear."
Ha! Ha! Ha!
As if by magic, the once scary tree turned into a normal tree with no face on it. Even the darkness around it had disappeared. The ponies then gasped.
"Well...in that case..." Mario asked with a smile of his own. Pinkie continued her song as they others laughed the scary trees away.
So giggle at the ghostly
Guffaw at the grossly
Crack up at the creepy
Chortle at the kooky
Snortle at the spooky
And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna...hahahaha...heh...
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugh!
Soon all the scary trees had disappeared and the rest of the ponies were just on their backs, laughing themselves silly. Mario was most impressed.
Now where was that all my life? he asked, I sure could have used that lesson when I was younger.
"Sometimes we learn things when we are ready for them," Pinkie replied and then zipped away. Mario just looked bugged out for a second and shook his head, but a giggly grin was on his face.
I'll never understand that pony, he thought to himself and they were on their way. They continues to laugh and hop happily until Pinkie came to sudden stop and they all collided into each other. That was when they noticed before them was a wide stream dividing the forest. While it appeared to be rather shallow, the water was actually raging violently.
"How are we gonna cross this?" Pinkie Pie asked. Before anyone could answer, they suddenly heard the sound of someone crying in the distance.
"Huh?" Pinkie remarked as they all turned to see a rather large but lanky sea serpent, (or land serpent...you get the idea if you know who Steven Magnet is) was weeping to himself in the middle of the water.
"What a world, what a world," he sobbed dramatically.
"Excuse me, sir," Twilight called out, trying to be polite, "Why are you crying?"
"Well I don't know," Steven Magnet replied as he faced the seven ponies, "I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple smoke just whisked past and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off, and now I look simply horrid!" Steven wailed as he slammed back into the water, creating a massive wave of water that was coming at the ponies.
"Shields..."
SLOOOOOOSH!
"...up..." Mario muttered. He had attempted to raise a large barrier to protect the other girls. Sadly, he was too late and the shield went up after they had been drenched and left rather annoyed. Mario just looked indignant and lowered the shield.
"Oh, give me a break," Rainbow muttered annoyingly.
"That's what all the fuss is about?" Applejack asked is disbelief. Rarity felt indignant.
"Why of course it is," she replied for Steven as she stepped forward, "How can you be so insensitive?"
"Yeah," Mario added, agreeing with Rarity and walked next to her as Steven continued to cry, "if you had a bad or messy mane and had to be out in public, you'd feel subconscious too!"
"Precisely," Rarity nodded, "Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales."
"I know," Steven sniffled.
"And you're expertly coiffed mane," Rarity added.
"Oh I know, I know," Steven Magnet replied as he ran his fingers through it.
"You're fabulous manicure," Rarity pressed on. Mario just watched her with interest. He couldn't tell if Rarity was cheering him up or buttering up to his vain ego. He just let her keep talking.
"It's so true!" Steven answered as he looked at his fingers.
"All ruined without your beautiful mustache," Rarity finished with sympathy in her tone. Now Mario knew she was being sympathetic.
"It's true, I'm hideous!" Steven cried dramatically. While Mario felt he was being a...little...over the top, he knew something needed to be done to cheer Steven up. Rarity had already thought ahead of him.
"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected!" she said with determination, a clear mare with a mission. Before Steven or Mario could say anything further, Rarity pulled off one of Steven's scales, making him yelp.
"What did you do that for?" he asked. Rarity said nothing as she held the rounded part of his scale in her mouth. The sharper end gleaned in the moonlight as she raised it into the air. The rest of the ponies were just stunned, unsure of what she was about to do.
"Rarity, what are you-"
SWIPE!
Everypony's eyes shrunk with shock and Steven fainted, but fortunately he didn't hit them with water again. Rarity's now long beautiful tail had been cut, leaving just a short remain of purple hair. Using her magic, she picked up the cut up part and carefully tied it into the remains of Steven's cut mustache. He woke up and saw that his mustache had been restored...for the most part.
"Oh-hohohoho!" Steven exclaimed with glee, "My mustache. How wonderful."
"You look smashing," said Rarity before returning to the group.
"Oh, Rarity, your beautiful tail..." said Twilight sadly. Rarity just looked at her now short tail with a sad look before smiling.
"Oh it's fine dear," said Rarity bravely, making the best of it, "short tails are in this season. Besides...it'll grow back."
"So would the mustache," Rainbow muttered to Twilight from the side.
"Right, right," said Mario, who heard Rainbow, "Next time you're awesome mane gets a nice buzz cut. We'll just tell you. "It'll grow back"." Rainbow nervously put a hoof in her mane as the other chuckled to each other. Twilight then gasped.
"We can cross now," she told everyone as she walked through the now shallow water, "Let's go. Ah!" Twilight was startled as she found herself on a hump in Steven's long body.
"Allow me," said Steven as he created a set of hump platforms for them all to use to cross.
"Thanks Steven," said Mario as he used his spin jump to hop across while everyone else hopped normally. He couldn't help but feel the others staring at him again when he spin jumped to the other side and pushed himself forward in mid-air, landing on his hoofs softly.
"Is my jumping really that weird?" he asked out of the blue.
"Not...really..." said Rainbow slowly, "I mean...you said you studied hedgehogs to learn that, right?"
"Yeah," Mario answered.
"What kind of hedgehogs jump like that?" Rainbow asked.
"Maybe they are special kind of rare hedgehog," Fluttershy guessed.
"Or maybe they are hedgehogs that stand up on two hoofs, wear red sneakers, and run about at the speed of sound smashing metal objects that move like us," Pinkie said in one breath. Everyone gave her a dumbfounded look.
"Just a thought," Pinkie said simply and hopped away. That pretty much ended the conversation for now. It wasn't much longer before Twilight recognized what they were looking for.
"There it is, the ruins that hold The Elements of Harmony. We made it!" Twilight said excitedly as she and Mario took off.
"Twilight, Mario, wait for us!" Applejack called out as the rest of the girls followed pursuit.
"We're almost there," Twilight called out and then nearly tumbled down a large gap, but managed to dig her front hooves against the side of the cliff to keep herself from tumbling over. Mario had taken a step large enough to fall completely, but twisted his body to grab the edge of the cliff at the last second. He used his hind legs to boost himself back up to safety rolling forward to get away from the edge. Rainbow dash grabbed Twilight's tail to keep her from slipping forward.
"What's with you and falling off cliffs today?" she joked, but Twilight just looked shell-shocked and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Now what?" Pinkie asked with sigh.
"Duh," Rainbow remarked, as she flapped her wings to get herself up in the air.
"Oh yeah," Pinkie chuckled as Rainbow searched for the rope that held the boards to the bridge in place and flew back up to the opposite side.
"Rainbow..." said a mysterious voice, causing the blue Pegasus to drop the rope before she could tie it.
"Who's there?" said Rainbow, standing on her upright hoofs an using her wings to stay balanced.
"Rainbow..." said the voice again.
"I ain't scared of you!" Rainbow said bravely, pushing her front hooves in front of herself, "show yourself!"
"We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria," said the voice in tone that was deviously persuasive.
"Who?" Rainbow asked curiously.
"Why, you, of course," the voice answered.
"Really?! I mean...oh yeah, me," Rainbow stuttered, "Hey, uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts that would ya? 'cause I've been trying to get into that group for like, ever."
"No Rainbow Dash, "said the voice and before her appeared three Pegasus wearing some darker blue and black flight suits and goggles appeared before her, "We want you to join us, The Shadowbolts. We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria, but first, we need a captain." Their leader began to flying around Rainbow Dash, stroking her ego more and more.
"The most magnificient-"
"Yep" Rainbow agreed.
"Swiftest-"
"Yes"
"Bravest flyer in all the land."
"Yes" Rainbow chuckled, "it's all true."
"We need...you," said the leader.
"WOOHOO!" she shouted excitedly, "Sign me up. Just let me tie this bridge real quick and we have a deal." Rainbow grabbed the rope in her mouth and began to tie it when the leader charged next to her, making her drop the rope from her mouth.
"No!" she barked, "It's them or us!" Rainbow suddenly felt like she was in tight spot.
"Rainbow, what's taking so long?" Twilight called out. That was when she saw the Shadowbolts and gasped, "Oh no, Rainbow!" The Shadowbolt leader's eyes glowed, creating a thick fog that drowned Twilight out.
"Don't listen to them!" Twilight called out, but was soon muted by the fog. She tried to shout again when Mario raised a hoof. Rainbow was unsure of what to do.
"Well?" the leader asked.
"Rainbow," said Mario softly, so softly that there was no way Rainbow could have heard him, but unknowing to everypony else, Rainbow did, "I know how much you want to be the best flyer. I know that is your dream. Just know that we'll support whatever you decide to do. Even if this means goodbye." Rainbow hesitated another second before saying softly.
"You..." The three Pegasus looked stunned.
"Thank you," Rainbow clarified as she secured the bridge, "for the offer, I mean, but I'm afraid I have to say no." Rainbow zipped away. The leader and her two Pegasus gritted their teeth before turning back into the dark mist and floated away. The rest of the ponies cheered as Rainbow arrived back at the other side and they began to cross.
"See?" she told Twilight, "I'd never leave me friends hangin'." Twilight just smiled and then Rainbow zipped just above Mario's ear.
"Thanks for the support," she whispered, "It made the decision much easier." Mario smiled, giving her a nod as they all crossed the bridge. As they approached the ruins, they soon stopped before a large stone structure that held some orbs around it that looked similar to a planetarium.
"Whoa!" said Applejack, "Come on Twilight and Mario! Isn't this what you've been waiting for?" Twilight looked at the statue and gasped.
"The Elements of Harmony," said Twilight.
"We've found them!" Mario added. Slowly but surely, Rainbow and Fluttershy brought down the orbs.
"Careful, careful," she warned as they were set before her and Mario.
"One, two, three, four...there's only five!" Pinkie pointed out.
"Where's the sixth?" Rainbow asked.
"The book said," Twilight explained, "when the five are present, a spark will cause the sixth element to be revealed."
"And don't forget," said Mario, "When the sixth elements come together, another element will appear. It serves as the controller that will bound the power of sixth elements together...the seventh element..."
"What the hay is that supposed to mean?" Applejack asked curiously.
"I'm not sure," said Twilight, "but I have an idea. Stand back. I don't know what will happen. Mario can you give me a hoof please?"
"With pleasure," said Mario as they both knelt forward and began to make their horns glow to try and concentrate.
"Come on now, y'all," said Applejack as she guided everyone out of the room, "They need to concentrate." As Twilight and Mario continued to concentrate, the dark mist had arrived and began to circle around the elements as they were trying to create a magical spark. Soon they both opened their eyes to see a huge blue cyclone before them. Twilight and Mario gasped.
"Aah!" they both shouted as they saw the cyclone.
"Twilight, Mario?" everypony else shouted.
"The Elements!" Twilight and Mario shouted as they dove into the funnel of the cyclone and it magically disappeared, taking them both with it. The other five ponies began to talk over each other.
"Twilight?" Fluttershy called out, "Mario?"
"What?" Applejack exclaimed.
"Where did they go?" Rarity asked.
"What happened?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"What's going on?!" Rainbow Dash finished. All of them minus Applejack began to dash about, wondering where their two friends were.
"Twilight, Mario, where are you?" Applejack asked worried.
"Look!" Rarity called out as a nearby run down ruin where there was some glowing lights nearby.
"Come on!" Applejack called out as they all rushed out as fast as they could.
Meanwhile, the blackish blue mist had proofed Twilight and Mario into a new location, where they were coughing and spluttering from all the dust. There before them was Nightmare Moon, who laughed at them evilly. Twilight gasped before she and Mario gave her a stern glare and prepared to charge.
"You're kidding, you're kidding right?" Nightmare asked. Twilight just glared before she and Mario charged at her. Nightmare moon came right at them. Then at the last moment, Twilight used her magic to disappear. Reappearing in the middle of the elements. Mario had side stepped her at high speed zipping over to the center of the elements himself just as Twilight reappeared. Twilight was a little woozy since she wasn't used to teleportation spells and they began to glow their horns once more.
"Just one spark," she groaned and Mario grunted as well.
"Come on, come on!" Twilight pressed on.
"Spark...spark!" Mario added, grunting again. But then nightmare moon turned back into mist, sending an electrical blast that sent them both flying backwards and landing on their backs. However, the elements seemed to have charged somewhat.
"No, no!" Nightmare Moon cried out. Twilight and Mario smiled...until the charge fizzled out. They went agape. Nightmare Moon laughed triumphantly as she lifted her front hooves and stomped down around the orbs, causing them to shatter into pieces. Twilight and Mario were in shock. There only weapon against her...destroyed.
"Oh no..." Mario groaned. Now what were they going to do?
"You little foals!" she laughed, "Thinking you could defeat me? Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever!" She laughed evilly again, creating a great dark blue storm above her. Twilight and Mario felt like it was all over until they heard some familiar sounds behind them, talking over to each other.
"Don't worry Twilight, we're here!" Pinkie called out.
"Don't worry we'll be there!" Applejack added. Twilight and Mario waited for them to arrive. It was then that something clicked and a special spark appeared in both their eyes. They exchanged looks, giving each other a quick smirk before turning around to face Nightmare Moon.
"You think you can destroy The Elements of Harmony just like that?" Twilight challenged as Mario stood beside her, "Well, you're wrong, because the spirit of The Elements of Harmony are right here." As if they had rehearsed it, the five mares all stood around Twilight and Mario.
"What?" Nightmare Moon exclaimed. As Twilight spoke of each pony, several shards suddenly rose from the broken elements and surrounded them.
Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the spirit of...honesty!
Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the spirit of...kindness!
Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the spirit of...laughter!
Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the spirit of...generosity!
And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire, represents the spirit of...loyalty!
"These five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us!" said Twilight.
"But you still don't have the sixth Element!" Nightmare Moon protested, "The spark didn't work!"
"But it did!" said Twilight and faced the other five, "A different kind of spark. I felt it the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you." Twilight smiled as a single pair of tears escaped her eyes.
"The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all...were my friends," said Twilight proudly, "you see Nightmare Moon, when those Elements are ignited by the...the spark, that resides in the heart of us all. It creates the sixth element: the element of...magic!" It was just then the sixth orb appear, revealing the sixth element as it descended above Twilight. This was when the shards of the other elements began to restore themselves, creating special gold necklaces with each element residing in the center. Twilight's element was more special. It created a special tiara with the element of magic shining triumphantly on her head. Mario just smiled as he watched the six ponies restore the elements.
"My dearest friend Mario," Twilight said sweetly with her eyes closed, "Did you think I've forgotten you?" Mario was a little stunned. Until he felt something magical began to lift him into the air.
"When the six element are joined," Twilight said aloud, "another element will appear. The seventh element."
"Impossible," said Nightmare Moon, "that element is only a legend!"
"No, it is not," Twilight continued, "it is a combination of all six elements. And it's been with me this entire time."
"Me?" said Mario stunned.
"Mario," she continued, "Ever since I've met you, you've shown honesty, kindness, laughter, generosity, and loyalty. You've shown to me and my friends that you understood the magic of friendship long before I ever did. You are the one, Mario! The controller that will bound The Elements of Harmony together!" Every Element began to glow, sending a piece of it to float around Mario. Mario looked at each one nervously, but he felt their power bring peace to his mind and soul. He just smiled and embraced the magic that filled each one. They began to circle around him before converging into his body, creating a bright light. When Mario reappeared, he was now floating effortlessly into the air, his coat and mane glowing a golden yellow. Around his head was a special gold headband that contained a heart shaped element that held the colors of all six elements.
"Mario represents the magic that makes the Elements of Harmony so powerful," Twilight announced, "The element of...Love!" With that, a bright light surrounded the entire group of pony as the now all seven elements converged with Mario in the center of what was raw power. Using his element, he directed the energy at Nightmare Moon, launching it as a large and powerful rainbow that engulfed her in a multicolored cyclone.
"Nooo! Nooo!" Nightmare Moon screamed as the rainbow power consumed her. The power of the elements continued to become brighter until Twilight opened her eyes, her own eyes were now glowing as well before the brightness consumed them all.
Once the bright light had faded, everyone was now laying on the ground, clearly spent from being exposed to all that power.
"Ugh, my head," Rainbow groaned as she sat up.
"Everypony okay?" Applejack asked as the rest got back on their hooves.
"Oh, thank goodness!" said Rarity as she looked behind herself. Apparently, the magic of the elements had restored her beautiful tail.
"Why Rarity, it's so lovely," Fluttershy pointed out.
"I know!" said Rarity, trying to give her tail a cuddle, "I'll never part with it again."
"No, your necklace," Fluttershy corrected, "it looks just like your cutie mark." Rarity looked at the gold necklace.
"What?" she exclaimed as she saw the purple diamond in the middle of it and then looked at her cutie mark, "Ooh. So does yours!" Fluttershy looked at her own necklace and smiled.
"Look at mine! Look at mine!" Pinkie said excitedly as the others looked at theirs.
"Aw, yeah," said Rainbow proudly as she looked at her own.
"Check out mine!" said Mario as he looked at his headband, "it's got a little of everyone in it." They oohed and awed as Twilight looked at her own with a smile on her face.
"Gee Twilight," said Applejack, "I thought you two were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but I reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship."
"Indeed you do," said a majestic voice. Everyone felt a warm light enter the ruins of the castle. As a very familiar golden orb of hope and light filled the once dark sky. Another light made its way before them and there appeared before them all was Princess Celestia herself. All but Twilight and Mario bowed before her. Mainly because these two ponies were too happy to see her.
"Princess Celestia!" Mario and Twilight gasped as they rushed towards her and shared a warm embrace.
"Twilight Sparkle, Mario Star, my faithful students," she said proudly, "I knew you could do it."
"But...you told me it was all an old pony tale," said Twilight.
"I told you and Mario that you need to make some friends, nothing more," Celestia corrected as the other ponies stood up, minus Fluttershy but that was because of her shy nature, "I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return and I knew that it was you both who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true friendship into your heart." She spoke directly to Twilight for that last part since she was the one who not only discovered that her friends represented the elements, but that Mario was the seventh. Twilight turned to the other ponies, giving them a grateful smile.
"Now if only another will as well," said Princess Celestia, calling the attention of the seven ponies as she made her way towards what was left of Nightmare Moon, or rather her true form, "Princess Luna!" There sitting in the remains of the now useless pebbles and shards was a lighter blue alicorn with an even lighter mane and tail. The paleness of her coat and mane was a clear sign that she had been clearly drained of her magical power and was much smaller in size compared to Princess Celestia. She gasped when she heard her name and looked up at Princess Celestia fearfully.
"It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this," said Princess Celestia, "It is time we put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister." Everyone's jaw dropped.
"Sister?" Twilight, Mario, and Rainbow said at once.
"Will you accept my friendship?" Celestia offered, raising a hoof towards her. The other ponies leaned forward with interest and anxiousness, waiting to see what Luna would do. Pinkie, however, leaned too far forward.
"Whoa!" she called as she lost her balance and fell forward.
"I'm so sorry!" Luna sobbed as she burst into tears and hugged Celestia, "I missed you so much, big sister!"
"I've missed you, too," said Princess Celestia as tears formed on the bottoms of her eyes and she held Luna close. It was then Mario slowly took a step forward towards the two alicorns.
"Mario what are you doing?" Twilight whispered loudly, but Mario kept moving so he could stand nearby, placing a gentle hoof on top of Luna's. It made the two sisters pull away.
"I know you are sorry for what you did," said Mario shyly, "I wanted to extend my friendship towards you as well...Aunt Luna." Everypony looked at Mario stunned, even Twilight. Mario had not mentioned anything to the others about calling Princess Celestia his mother just yet. Even Luna had a "you had a son?!" look on her face despite her tears as her eyes shifted from Princess Celestia to Mario and back again.
"I found him when he was foal and raised him as my own," Princess Celestia explained, "he calls me his mother. Now he wants you to be his aunt. What do you say?" Luna just stared a bit more as Mario gave her a smile, then she smiled back placing a hoof against his to accept. Everyone was touched. That was when Pinkie burst into tears and sobbed...for a few seconds before blowing her nose.
"Hey do you know what this calls for?" she said and the scene returned to just outside of Ponyville, "a party!" Several ponies cheered and the celebration for the return of Princess Celestia and Princess Luna had began. Spike was there to give both Twilight and Mario a warm welcome. Luna seemed unsure about being there until two young Pegasus foals presented her with beautiful necklace of roses, which she gave Celestia a teary smile. Everyone was happy.
That is until Twilight and Mario were just exchanging some sad faces with one another.
"Why so glum, my faithful students?" Princess Celestia asked gently, "Are you not happy that your quest is complete and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?" Twilight and Mario just exchanged looks once more.
"That's just it," said Twilight, "Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends. We have to leave them."
"Yeah Mom," Mario added, "I really feel like I fit in around here. I was going to request I transfer my studies here, but..." He looked at Twilight, "...Twilight and I are a team. And one doesn't go off without the other." Twilight gave him a hug as they exchanged smiles. Princess Celestia smiled.
"Spike, take a note please," she commanded, "I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorns, Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star, shall take on a new mission for Equestria. They must continue to study the magic of friendship. They must report to me their findings from their new home in Ponyville." Twilight and Mario smiled excitedly as the rest of the ponies cheered and their friends all gathered around them for a group hug.
"Oh thank you Princess Celestia!" said Twilight happily, "We'll study harder than ever before!" Mario nodded in agreement as the ponies cheered once more.
Mario had to admit, this research project was going to be a whole new adventure and he couldn't wait to get started.
"Isn't this exciting?" Pinkie burst out, "Are you excited cause I'm excited I've never been so excited, except for the part when I went GASP, but I mean really-"
Okay Pinkie Pie, I think the readers are ready for this chapter to END now...
...eesh...
She's gonna be a handful...
Well that concludes this episode. Now you know what the seventh element is and how Mario links to the Mane 6.