It's About Time
Pony's Log Number 220: Twilight and I just learned the hard way the old proverb: Do not worry about tomorrow...
Somewhere in the land of dreams were an entire world was made out of Ice Cream, a familiar baby dragon was walking with Rarity down a path.
"I made it for you, Rarity," said Spike with a happy sigh, "Why, yes, it is an ice cream house. Chocolate fudge singles...rocky road garage..." As Spike was talking, the ice cream house was visible in the distance, but soon the view shifted to show that Spike was just talking in his sleep. He then shot awake at the sound of footsteps echoing downstairs. Spike made his way down the steps to see Twilight pacing about the room.
"Huh? Twilight?" said Spike sleepily as he made his way down the steps.
"Oh, hi, Spike," said Twilight as she continued to pace about back and forth across the room.
"It's the middle of the night," said Spike as he pointed outside to show the moon was high in the sky, "Why are you pacing like this?"
"Frankly, I don't know how you can sleep at a time like this!" said Twilight as she continued her pacing.
"Three A.M.?" Spike said bluntly as he held up a clock with his right claw. Twilight quickly teleported to the baby dragon.
"It's awful, it's horrible, it's tragic!" said Twilight fearfully as she got into Spike's face. She then puts a book down on her desk and used her magic to turn the pages in it. Then she placed another on top of it.
"Eh...I don't understand," said Spike, feeling puzzled, "What's wrong?" Twilight then shoved another calendar into Spike's face.
"Here," said Twilight, "Now do you see what's wrong?" Spike just looked at the calendar skeptically.
"We forgot to celebrate Arbor Day?" said Spike.
"No, the problem is that Mario and I just finished planning our schedules together for the month, but I forgot to leave time to plan for next month!" said Twilight as she smacked a face-hoof over her head, "Don't you see? There's no time in my schedule to put together another schedule! I could move Mario and I's meeting with the Ponyville Hay Board to the following Tuesday, but I'd have to reschedule my lunch with Pinkie Pie, and you know what a nightmare she is with scheduling."
KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!
"Who's that at this hour?" said Twilight.
"I'll get it," said Spike crankily as he headed downstairs and nearly got the door smacked in his face as Mario came barreling through with a book in his magic grip as he rushed upstairs.
"Oh great, your awake," said Mario quickly as he approached Twilight's desk, "I'm in trouble!"
"What it is?" Twilight asked worried.
"I just checked my schedule for next month and I found out I forgot to make time to schedule next month!" Mario said in a panic as Twilight gasped.
"Are you serious?" said Spike in disbelief.
"Me too!" said Twilight, "how are we gonna get prepared for next month, next month?!"
"I...I guess if you wanna cancel a date to plan..." said Mario.
"Why?! You don't wanna go out with me anymore?!" Twilight snapped defensively. Mario blinked.
"I...I am sorry, Twilight," said Mario, "I didn't know our dates had any priority for you. After all, I've kept them more as downtime so you can relax and not feel pressured to be romantic. I'm willing to sacrifice one night so you can make your schedule. Your need over mine after all." Twilight softened and chuckled to herself.
"That's sweet, but our "dates" are very important to me, Mario," said Twilight, "And I look forward to them each month. In fact, if you checked your schedule, I increased the number of times we go on dates each month from five to seven! I'm not canceling one." Mario looked at his planner and was surprised to see she was right. As much as he wanted to feel happy that Twilight enjoyed spending one-on-one time with him, there were more important things to worry about.
"Then what are we gonna do?" said Mario nervously, "We need to have time to plan! But how can we when we've pretty much booked every possible time slot with something else!"
"I don't know," said Twilight in the same tone, "this is an absolute disaster. Our whole year could be thrown off!"
"What are we gonna do?!" Twilight and Mario said together at once. Spike just glared at the two before heading upstairs.
"And I woke up from an ice cream dream for this," Spike muttered to himself as he rubbed his head and went back to bed.
(Main Theme)
The sun was rising into the sky as the rooster crowed in the distance. Twilight and Mario were hard at work trying to figure out a solution to their scheduling issue. Neither pony had gotten much sleep and they both had dark circles under their eyes. Twilight was at her desk as she was jotting down some notes.
"There," said Mario as he smiled and closed his planner, "I figured that if I put my reading of "The Equestrian Dream of Financial Success" with my monthly Monopoly night with Charlie, I can make the time to schedule for the next month. What about you Twilight?" Twilight was still looking at her notes when she suddenly smiled.
"Oh my gosh, I think I did it too!" said Twilight, "If I can find a way to read "The Art of Invisibility Spells" and "Thornhoof's Brief History of Canterlot" at the same time, that could leave me a half-hour scheduling window!"
"Sure that's enough time?" Mario asked worried when suddenly a wind started to whirl behind them, blowing papers about, turning pages of already open books, and sparkles of magic were starting to appear and were making crackling sounds.
"It's the best I can...huh?" said Twilight as she turned around and saw crackling magic sparks. Mario soon turned around as well to see the sight before them. Both of them leaned away from the crackling magic sparkles as a bright light appeared in the middle of the room, making the surrounding books and papers fly around the two ponies like a cyclone. Twilight and Mario backed away with a single fore-hoof shielding their eyes from the light as it became even brighter. The ball of light shrunk for a moment as the brightness intensified, making Mario and Twilight cringe and turn away.
"What's going on?" Twilight asked.
"I don't know," said Mario. The light then settled and faded away. Mario and Twilight were shocked to see...another Twilight. Her head was down, her black outfit torn and slightly charred, a bandage on her forehead, with a messy looking mane and tail, an eye patch on her right eye, and a cut on her chin.
"AAAAAAHHHH!" Twilight and Mario yelped as the former's look alike stood up and rushed up to her.
"Twilight," said the look alike, "You've got to listen to me!"
"Wuh?" said Mario puzzled.
"Who are you?" Twilight asked, "I mean, you're me, but I'm me too. How can there be two me's? It's not scientifically possible. You are not scientifically possible." Twilight walked behind the look alike and then poked her to emphasize her point. Mario rolled his eyes.
"Twilight, you said you read that book I gave you about parallel universes," said Mario, "Maybe she's..."
"I'm not from an alternate version!" her look alike snapped before glaring at the other purple pony in the room and put a fore-hoof on her shoulder, "Twilight, I have a very important message for you from the future!"
"You're from the future?!" Twilight and Mario exclaimed.
"That's right, now listen..." said Future Twilight.
"What happened to you?" Twilight asked in shock, "The future must be awful!"
"Did we get together and then have a fallout that was so bad that you went into depression and a life on the streets?" Mario asked with worry as Future Twilight glared.
"No!" Future Twilight snapped as Mario breathed a sigh of relief, "Please! I don't have much time!"
"Is there some sort of epic pony war in the distant future or something?" Twilight asked with a fore-hoof to her chin.
"If that's true, then old age was really good to you," said Mario, "You look so young!"
"Thanks Mario, but actually, I'm from next Tuesday morning," said Future Twilight, "but that's not important right now!"
"Wuh?" said Mario in shock.
"I can't believe that time travel is really possible!" said Twilight excitedly, "How did you, I mean I figure it out?"
"The time spells are in the Canterlot archives," Future Twilight answered, "But that's not-"
"Really? Where? I've never seen them!" said Twilight.
"Twilight, please, we need to hear the-" Mario tried to get Twilight to hush so Future Twilight could speak.
"They're in the Star Swirl the Bearded Wing," said Future Twilight, "Now, you have to listen to-"
"Is time travel fun, or does it hurt?" Twilight interrupted again, "I have so many questions-" Twilight was cut off when her future self shoved a fore-hoof to her mouth.
"Quit talking and let your future self tells us her message!" said Mario firmly. Future Twilight was soon covered in magical crackles as she started to speak.
"I have something extremely important to tell you about the future," said Future Twilight, "and I only have a few seconds, so you got to listen! Whatever you do, don't-"
POOF!
Before Future Twilight could finish her statement, she was engulfed by a bright light and disappeared, leaving a burnt mark on the floor.
"Oh great," said Mario, frustrated that the message was left incomplete. Twilight was just as worried.
"Future Twilight? Oh no! What was she trying to warn us about?" said Twilight nervously.
"We might have known if you had kept your mouth shut," Mario remarked, getting a stern glare from the purple pony.
"Don't make me hurt you," Twilight warned.
"Sorry," said Mario, but rolled his eyes soon afterward.
"Her clothes, her mane, that scar," said Twilight, "Oh, what a mess she is! ...I mean, I am...or will be!"
"I thought she was beautiful," Mario mumbled to himself.
"Will you quit being lovesick over me and focus?" Twilight snapped and gasped as she looked at the burnt mark on the floor, "She must want us to prevent whatever horrible thing happens in the future!" Twilight then gasped again.
"And I'm going to do everything I can to protect you so you don't end up in such a condition," said Mario, "I...I always thought I could protect you. Seeing that I must have failed within the next week or so...I'm doubting if I even can now. Am I really just...all talk...? Am I not capable of protecting you..." Mario was about to cry when Twilight gave him a hug.
"No, we'll figure this out," said Twilight, "and you're not going to fail to protect me. It must have been during one those moments when I requested personal space or something beyond even your control."
"That doesn't make me feel better," said Mario worried and then saw Twilight made a run for her front door, "Twi! Wait for me!" Mario quickly zipped away to catch up with the purple pony.
Meanwhile in town, Pinkie was trying to walk down the road with several balloons tied to her torso.
"C'mon, Fluttershy!" said Pinkie from behind, "The party can't start until the party supplies get there." The pink pony looked back to see the yellow Pegasus literally belly crawling on the ground because her back was loaded with several bags full with various party supplies.
"Happy to...help...but...can I carry...the balloons next time?" Fluttershy grunted as they continued along their way until...
CRASH!
...Twilight came barreling into Fluttershy, knocking the bags off her back and scattering the party supplies all over the ground. The purple pony had also landed right on top of the yellow Pegasus.
"Oh!" said Fluttershy in surprise since Twilight was still on top of her and now wearing a pair of gaucho glasses on her face. Twilight just recovered quickly and took off without apologizing to the yellow Pegasus.
"Sorry Sis," said Mario as he helped Fluttershy to her feet, "We're in a bit of a rush." Mario then used his magic to gather all the party supplies together, but rather than place them on Fluttershy's back. He just set them beside her and then went to catch up to Twilight.
"Listen, everypony," said Twilight as she jumped up to a pedestal, "I've got something really important to say!" A group of ponies looked at her and started to laugh. Twilight was rather taken aback by their laughter.
"Uh...Twi," said Mario, "You're face..." Twilight then saw the glasses and sternly pulled them off.
"This is no laughing matter," Twilight snapped, "We have a crisis on her hooves!" The ponies all gasped.
"I've just received a message by myself from the future!" said Twilight as Applejack and Rarity arrived. The other ponies stared and then started laughing once more.
"This isn't a joke!" Twilight retorted as she hopped off the pedestal, "My future self tried to warn up me about a horrible disaster that's going to occur sometime before next Tuesday morning!"
"What kind of disaster?!" Applejack asked as she and Rarity looked rather worried.
"I don't know," Twilight answered, "I got sucked back into the future before I could explain!"
"And present Twilight kept talking so much her future self couldn't speak," Mario muttered to Applejack and Rarity, "I can't imagine how that must feel like."
WHAM!
Twilight then used her turn battle hammer to whack Mario on the head, leaving him dizzy as stars spun above his head.
"Run for your liiiiiiiiiife!" Pinkie screamed as she tried to run off, but the balloons tied to her torso made her float forward as her legs moved helplessly above the ground. Twilight just stared at Pinkie as Rarity walked up to her.
"What ever should we do, Twilight?" said Rarity, "How do we stop a disaster if we don't know what it is?"
"We'll just have to work together to make sure we're safe," said Twilight as Mario woozily wobbled over to her before shaking his head to recover. Twilight then turned to speak to a blue Pegasus hovering above her, "Rainbow Dash, you and the other Pegasi spread out over Equestria, and look for any kind of problem that could lead to a disaster, and I mean anything."
"You got it!" said Rainbow with a salute and then zoomed off.
"Everypony else-" said Twilight when Pinkie floated by still screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Anypony else wanna panic with me? No?" Pinkie asked before she floated away and went back to screaming all over again.
"Ugh, like I don't already have a headache," Mario groaned and rubbing his sore head.
"You'll live, Mario," said Twilight, "Everypony else, time to disaster proof Equestria."
Everypony got to work with what had become a massive disaster prevention assignment. The first task was checking the Ponyville Dam, which they lowered Applejack and Rarity down a scaffolding so Applejack could repair some cracks that appeared due to wear and tear. Rarity used her magic to remove the excess cement from off the orange pony's brow and mane. Mario then used his magic to lower Twilight down to them, who was using her own magic to hold a checklist and marked it. Next, Mrs. Cake was using a garden hose to fill up the Ponyville Water Tower. She was then startled when Twilight teleported to her, checked the water level, and checked off her checklist. After that, Pinkie was being held by a rope by Big Mac as she used a screwdriver with her mouth to tighten some screws on one of the bridge support beams. Twilight and Mario approached with the checklist to see how things were going.
"Eeyup," said Big Mac, but his speaking made him let go of the rope, sending Pinkie into the water. Twilight and Mario just gave him sheepish smiles before heading on their way. Mario and Twilight are later seen as the Cutie Mark Crusaders use a cloth to wipe the sideways clean to prevent minor accidents. Apple Bloom looked a tad annoyed as the others just look rather puzzled as to why they were going this, but Mario and Twilight just smiled as the latter checked off her list and then the two ponies walked away. Back at the library, Spike was busy filling up some cracks in the walls of the library as Mario and Twilight observed and the latter checked the task off her list. They even went so far as to have Pinkie's front bangs trimmed by Rarity to prevent disasters. Pinkie just smiled at the free mane trim as Twilight checked it off her list. By late afternoon, Twilight and Mario were checking the long list together as Fluttershy stood nearby with a worried look on her face.
"Done, done, and done," said Twilight.
"All tasks on the list have been completed," said Mario as Applejack and Rarity arrived. The former had some green leaves in her mane while the latter used her magic to remove them.
"Applejack, what about the Everfree forest?" Twilight asked.
"The perimeter is clear," said Applejack firmly.
"Great," said Twilight before she looked up to Rainbow, who was hovering with two other pegasi near her.
"And my team gave the all clear from Fillydelphia to Las Pegasus," Rainbow told her.
"Excellent," said Twilight as she rolled up her list and paced about, "Well, we've done everything on the list, but still...Future Twilight looked like she had been through a horrible ordeal. I just have this nagging feeling we should be looking for something bigger than loose bolts and leaky pipes."
ROOOOOOOOOOOOAR!
Everypony froze when a giant three headed dog appeared from behind one of the shops. It hopped over the building and landed before them.
"Okay," said Pinkie sternly as she stood before the crowd of ponies, "everypony, follow my lead...AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Pinkie then ran off and the rest of the ponies started to scream and run amok. Some took refuge inside of buildings as they shut the door and windows and a few hid inside of nearby wooden barrels. Mario just looked agape before turning to Rainbow Dash and her fellow Pegasi.
"You said your team gave the all clear," said Mario, "How in Equestria could you miss this?" Rainbow and the nearby Pegasi just gave sheepish and squeaky smiles as Mario face-hoofed himself.
"What is that thing?!" Spike asked frantically.
"That's Cerberus!" said Twilight, "He's supposed to be guarding the gates of Tartarus. But if he's here, then all the ancient evil creatures that have been imprisoned there could escape and destroy Equestria!"
"Destroy Equestria?!" Spike exclaimed.
"Yeah? Isn't it great?" said Twilight with a smile.
"I'm happy your proud of your knowledge, Twilight," said Mario calmly before snapping, "But this is anything but great!"
"It's absolutely terrible!" Pinkie pointed out as she stopped screaming, "This means that giant fire-breathing turtle with spikes on its shell can come after Mario again since he's been wanting to destroy Mario since the day of his birth!" Mario and Twilight gave Pinkie a blank look.
"What are you talking about?" Mario asked in confusion.
"Something only those reading this story or played video games will understand," Pinkie answered, "Now I go back to screaming." Pinkie did just that as Mario and Twilight looked at each other and rolled their eyes.
"Hey Cerberus!" said Twilight to the three-headed dog just it had raised its leg to...take care of business behind a shop, "You look like you could use some obedience training. Magic obedience training!" Twilight and Mario stand their ground as they both lit up their horns to face Cerberus head on. Cerberus roared loudly at the two ponies. Twilight and Mario had just about fully charged their horns when...
"Huh?" said Mario and Twilight together in shock as they saw Fluttershy had already tamed Cerberus.
Easily.
"Who's the cute widdle three headed dog?" Fluttershy cooed as she hovered above it so she could continue to rub its belly.
"Wow, I knew you were good with animals," said Twilight as she and Mario approached, "But this is amazing!"
"Aww, he's just a big furry guy who got out of his yard, that's all," said Fluttershy as she continued to scratch his belly, "Right, Cerberus? Who's a good boy? Who's a good boy?" Then both Fluttershy and Cerberus were startled when Pinkie came running by screaming when Twilight got an idea.
"Pinkie," Twilight called out.
"Yes, Twilight?" the pink pony answered and stopped screaming instantly.
"Do you have a ball I can borrow?" Twilight asked.
"I have balls stashed all over Ponyville," said Pinkie as she rushed over to a nearly hole in a tree, stuck her fore-hoof inside and pulled out a yellow blue stripped bouncy ball. Twilight then used her horn to collect the bouncy ball and hovered it before Cerberus, making him pant excitedly. Pinkie, Spike, and Mario watched with interest.
"Come on, Mario," said Twilight before she started to lead Cerberus away, "We'll be back as soon as we've returned him to the gates of Tartarus. Once he's back home, there'll be no disaster." Pinkie and Spike just exchanged smiles with each other as Twilight and Mario disappeared.
It was the next morning and the rooster began to crow. Neither Twilight or Mario had returned and Spike had just gone to sleep peacefully in his basket.
"I wish Twilight and Mario would go on epic adventures more often," Spike yawn as he stretched and scratched his back contently, "Best night's sleep I've had in weeks." Spike went to stretch again when he heard the sound of a door opening and closing. He got out of bed and made his way downstairs and saw that it was Twilight and Mario, both ponies were covered in dirt.
"Hey, Twilight, Mario, how'd it go with Cerberus?" Spike asked.
"Great," said Twilight, "We got him back before any evil creatures could escape."
"Except it did want to play fetch for a while before letting us leave," said Mario, "and then kicked dirt on us when he finally decided to bury the ball." Spike chuckled when he suddenly clutched his stomach.
"Hurrh...hu-" BURP!
Spike then burped out a scroll, which smacked Twilight in the face. Twilight yelped.
"Oh no!" said Twilight as she rushed away.
"What's wrong?" Mario asked as he followed her.
"What's the big deal?" said Spike as he opened the scroll, "it's just a "lost dog" flyer. I guess the Princess hasn't heard we found Cerberus yet." Twilight just started at the mirror with her jaw hanging open a bit.
"It's not that," said Twilight, "it's this!" Twilight showed Spike a small cut on her cheek.
"A paper cut?" said Spike as Twilight looked rather worried, "Come on, Twilight, you really need to toughen up. Just clean it out and you'll be fine." Spike just walked away as Twilight looked in a state of panic.
"Be nice Spike," said Mario, "even paper cuts can sting alot when you first get them. Um...did you want me to kiss it to make it feel better, Twi?"
"Never mind that," Twilight snapped as she looked at herself in the mirror, "Look where it is! The cut is in the exact same spot as the scar of Future Twilight's cheek!"
"Oh no!" said Mario in shock, realizing she was right, "I should have stuck my head in the way so you wouldn't get cut!"
"Mario, I don't think you could have anticipated that scroll cutting me," said Twilight before looking very worried, "but the truth is clear. We haven't changed the future at all! The disaster is still coming!"
"Momma mia!" Mario exclaimed in panic as Twilight's eye shrunk with fear.
A few hours later, Twilight and Mario were upstairs pacing back and forth in the main room of the library. Spike just watched them walk about in circles and always staying parallel to each other.
"If the disaster wasn't caused by Cerberus getting loose," said Twilight, "then what could it possibly be?"
"I don't know, Twilight," Mario added with worry, "Oh if we only had heard everything Future Twilight had to say."
"I said I was sorry!" Twilight retorted, "do you want another whack on the head?"
"Hey, I know you're worried," said Mario sternly, "but I won't let you take out your frustration on me! I'm just trying to help!" Twilight sighed.
"I'm sorry, Mario," said Twilight, "I don't mean to lash out at you. I just wish I knew what the disaster was."
"I dunno," said Spike and then laughed, "but maybe you two ought to give the pacing a rest. You've worn a groove in the floor!" While Twilight and Mario noticed that they were now a few inches lower than the rest of the floor, they had more important things to worry about as they continued pacing in a circle.
"We don't have time for another one of your lectures, Spike!" said Twilight.
"This is serious!" Mario added sternly.
"My lectures?" said Spike indignantly.
"We did everything I could think of to change the future," said Twilight, "But it didn't work, so maybe it's not what I do...Maybe it's what I don't do!"
"Huh?" said Spike, scratching his head.
"Say what?" Mario said in the same confused tone. Twilight then teleported to a particular area in the room and stood still.
"If I stand here and don't move a muscle until next Tuesday," said Twilight, "I can't possibly do whatever it is that future Twilight wanted to warn me not to do!" Twilight then made a rigid face as Mario just looked at her blankly.
"This...could be trouble," said Mario with worried, "I think I better go gather some supplies so Twilight can at least be as comfortable as possible while she's doing this. Keep an eye on Twilight for me Spike until I get back." Spike saluted as Mario made his exit. Then the baby dragon got a mischievous smirk on his face.
"Really? So...no matter what happens, you're not gonna move a muscle huh?" said Spike as he walked up to the purple pony, "Then maybe you won't mind if I...eat an entire tub of ice cream!" Spike then zipped away and came back holding a large container of the sweet treat. He wasted no time devouring the ice cream using a large spoon and gobbling it up in large bites. Twilight began to sweat as Spike held out a large scoop to her face before eating it and licking his lips.
"Mmm!" Spike taunted with his mouth full, "So good!" Spike continued to eat noisily as Twilight glared at him.
"Spike, stop!" said Twilight through her teeth with a growl, "Think of the stomach ache!"
"Stomach ache, huh?" Spike chuckled, "That's future Spike's problem." Spike then walked away as Twilight trembled as she continued to stay put. Spike walked back to Twilight, still eating, as he leaned against her side when there was knock on the door.
"Hey Twilight," said Rainbow as she barged her way inside, "another Pegasus just got back from Baltimare with an all-clear and-" Rainbow stopped talking when she saw Spike eating an entire tub of ice cream in front of her and started to laugh.
"What's going on?" Rainbow asked as she hovered over to the purple pony, "Aren't you gonna stop him?" Twilight just looked very uncomfortable and held her breath.
"She sure isn't!" Spike bragged, "she's not gonna move until next Tuesday! She thinks it'll prevent the disaster from happening!" Rainbow laughed.
"Oh this is too rich!" said Rainbow before she gasped, "Hey, Twilight! There's a mouse right behind you!" Twilight flinched and bit her lip to avoid moving or squealing. Rainbow and Spike laughed heartily, making Twilight feel very annoyed.
"Wait, wait, wait," said Spike as he got an idea, "Let me try!" Spike then picked up a quill and started to tickle Twilight's chin. Twilight just held her breath as Spike continued to tickle her as he sat on her back. Twilight felt like she was going to cry when she finally used her magic to toss Spike away from her.
"Whoa-oa!" Spike cried out as he slammed into a shelf. But as he did so...
BURP!
WHOOMPH!
Spike spat out a fireball...right at Twilight!
Rainbow and Spike both gasped at the after-sight.
"Oh no," Rainbow groaned as she and Spike looked at Twilight fearfully.
"What happened?" Twilight asked in a deadpan tone.
"I'm so, so sorry," said Spike nervously, "I didn't mean to! It was a total accident!"
"Show me," Twilight said sternly.
"Uhhh...I'm not so sure that's such a-" said Rainbow with alot of hesitation on her tone.
"Show me!" Twilight demanded. Spike nervously held up a mirror, showing Twilight's mane was partially singed and now sticking in the air around her head.
"Oh no!" Twilight exclaimed, "This is the same mane cut as Future Twilight!"
"Y'know...It really doesn't look that bad," said Rainbow sheepishly as she rubbed the back of her head.
"I don't care how it looks!" Twilight snapped as Mario returned from his trip.
"Okay," said Mario "I've got some nutritious snacks here for you to eat Twilight while you're standing...AAAAAAAH!" Mario saw Twilight's mane and dropped the bag with the snacks inside of it and screamed. He then saw the nervous looking Rainbow and Spike standing nearby.
"Sweet precious gemstones what did you do to her!?" Mario said angrily, "Spike, I asked you to do one simple thing and protect my Twilight from anything bad!"
"Your Twilight?" Rainbow teased. Mario blushed, but still glared at them.
"Just let it go! We've got bigger problems to worry about!" Twilight retorted, "It's just another sign that the future hasn't changed! Not doing anything didn't work either! Oh, I wish there was a way to know what was going to happen so I could stop it!" Spike then pondered.
"You wanna see the future?" said Spike, "I might know somepony who can help!" Mario felt rather weary.
"Spike, you're not seriously considering..." Mario then groaned as Spike brought him and Twilight to an ominous purple colored tent, "he is...UGH!"
"What's this?" Twilight asked curiously.
"It's Madame Pinkie's place," said Spike.
"Madame Pinkie?" said Twilight.
"You can't be serious," Mario groaned, "I'm staying out here. Fortune Telling makes me very uncomfortable. Besides, the one time the old group from Canterlot actually got me to try it out for fun. I got a frying pan to my head!"
"Suit yourself," said Spike as he and Twilight headed inside.
"Come...Enter the chamber of Madame Pinkie Pie..." said the pink pony, now dressed like gypsy and using a spooky voice as she sat before a table with a crystal ball in the center, "For the answers that you seek, let us consult the mystical orb of fate's destiny." Then using a normal voice. "Do you like my mystical orb of fate's destiny? I just got it. Cool, huh?" Twilight and Spike blinked.
"Yeah uh...the best one I've seen," said Twilight sheepishly.
"Look deep into the crystal ball...for it will reveal all!" said Pinkie with her spooky voice, "Ah, yes I see something...It is a vision of the future...I see...you, Twilight. You will get a really cool birthday present next year..."
"Yes, and?" said Twilight anxiously and excitedly as Spike smiled.
"That's it," said Pinkie plainly as she leaned against the back of her chest with her fore-hooves behind her head.
"Are you sure?" Twilight asked.
"Yep," Pinkie answered, "Cool birthday present."
"Pinkie, I need your Pinkie Sense to tell me what the impending disaster that future Twilight was trying to warn me about!" Twilight snapped.
"Oh, my fortune telling has nothing to do with my Pinkie sense," said Pinkie, "It's only good for vague and immediate events." It was just then Pinkie's tail twitched.
CRACK!
And a flower pot crashed on top of Twilight's head.
"Like that, see?" said Pinkie and then pondered, "Where did that even come from?" Then Pinkie got another tail twitch.
CLANG!
"OW! OH FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! I DIDN'T EVEN GO INSIDE THE TENT! PINKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE!" Pinkie cringed when she heard Mario's angry shouting.
"I...think...Madame Pinkie is announcing her retirement," she said sheepishly with a chuckle.
A few days later as the sun was setting in the sky and Pinkie had arrived outside the Library.
"Lalalalalalala, lalalala...Gosh, I haven't Twilight since the flower pot incident," said Pinkie to herself, "or Mario since the...frying pan incident. Hope they still aren't mad." Pinkie then let herself inside of the Library.
"Uhhh..." said Pinkie dumbfounded as she looked inside. The main area was now loaded with various machines, blackboards with various graphs, telescopes, books, and lots and lots of paperwork. Twilight and Mario were running about from one object to the next as Spike just sat calmly in the corner of the room just stuffing his face with more ice cream. Pinkie also took notice that both Twilight and Mario each had a bandage on their heads and they both had dark circles under their eyes.
"Off by point zero two from yesterday," said Twilight as she peeked through a telescope, checked a chart, and marked her notes down in a book, "Carry the fifteen...negative azimuth on the fourteenth moon."
"Recalculating projected lateral movement of the great stallion constellation and reducing error by point four, zero, seven, two," Mario told Twilight as he peeked through a telescope and jotted down some notes on his own sheet of paper.
"Hey Pinkie," said Spike as he noticed the pink pony in the middle of the mess.
"Twilight's really serious about finding out about that cool birthday present, isn't she?" said Pinkie as she watched Twilight and Mario run about the room from one telescope to the next and eventually to the graphs on occasion, "She's even got Mario involved."
"Who cares?" said Spike dismissively, "As long as I can keep eating ice cream. Sorry, future Spike." Spike then took another bite and hummed happily. Twilight just smiled as her tongue was sticking out from the corner of the mouth as she wrote some more notes. Mario then started chuckling to himself, but Pinkie could tell that Mario wasn't laughing over something he thought was funny.
"Are...you guys okay?" Pinkie asked worried as stood behind Mario.
"Ah, Pinkie, I'm glad you're here," said Twilight as she pulled Pinkie over to one of the telescopes, "Can you help me recalibrate the apertures on the nine-and-quarter catadioptric telescopes?"
"Sure!" Pinkie replied. Thought it could be assumed Pinkie had no clue what Twilight was talking about.
"So I was thinking," said Twilight as she walked over to another telescope, "after I came to see Madame Pinkie and the flower pot landed on my head-see the bandage? Just like the bandage from the future." Twilight pointed at the bandage to prove her point.
"Nice!" said Pinkie.
"Indeed," said Mario with a unstable smile, "another sign that our efforts to prevent a horrible disaster have been for nothing. But not this time! Oh no...we will not be beaten again! This time we will come out ahead! Right Twilight!"
"That's right, Mario," said Twilight as she walked past Spike, "we had an epiphany after that flowerpot hit my head and the frying pan hit Mario's head. Doing things didn't work, not doing things didn't work, and we couldn't predict the future either, so we only had one other choice. Monitor everything." Twilight's eyes enlarged as her pupils shrank, making the red veins on her eyes visible as well as making her look slightly insane. Mario's eyes were in the same condition.
"Yes, yes, no matter what happens, we will know what it is," Mario said in a maniacal tone and rubbing his fore-hooves together, "Nothing will get past us. Nothing! Nothing! Every star, every cloud, even the very space in the sky and the smallest bits of time and space. If it shifts just one micrometer, even less, we will know! We will know it all!" Mario then laughed loudly like a mad scientist before smiling like one at Pinkie.
"Makes sense to me," said Pinkie uneasily with a smile since both ponies were sticking their faces in hers. They were so close that both their noses were pressing against her own.
"That way no matter what happens in the future, we'll be ready," said Twilight as she rushed to another telescope, her eye moving wildly from the top lense, and Mario headed back to the graphs to do more calculations, "We thought we saw something in the Horsehead nebula, but after staring at it for three straight hours, We were wrong!"
"You won this round nebula!" Mario shouted before adding in a dark tone, "but next time, you won't!" Pinkie and Spike just exchanged worried looks.
"Three hours?" said Pinkie in shock as she stood next to Spike, "when did you sleep? And has Mario been here the whole time?"
"He brought his sleeping bag and set it up on the basement room," said Spike as he continued to eat his ice cream.
"We didn't sleep," said Twilight with a wild smile on her face, "We haven't slept since future Twilight was here. There are three days left until next Tuesday, we can sleep all we want after that!"
"After victory!" Mario shouted as he head toward another telescope, "Victory that shall be ours! Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-HA!" Mario and Twilight got back to work as Pinkie looked rather annoyed.
"I'm beginning to see that Mario and I would not have worked out as a couple," said Pinkie, "He's crazy!"
"No kidding, so is Twilight," Spike remarked, "they should just get together now. They're already acing like a married couple."
"I heard that!" Twilight snapped.
"And you both have been awake for too long," Spike added.
"Yeah," Pinkie added, "Tuesday's not three days from now. Tuesday's tomorrow!" Mario and Twilight gasped and looked at each other before switching telescopes.
"Pinkie, did you finish recalibrating the apertures on the nine-and-quarter-inch catadioptric telescopes?" Twilight asked.
"I have no idea," said Pinkie with a smile.
"Brilliant!" Mario shouted as he went to make the recalibrations himself as Twilight continued to scope the sky when she accidently looked directly at the sun.
"Ah! My eye!" Twilight yelped as put a fore-hoof to her right eye and pulled away.
"Twilight!" Mario yelped as he rushed over to her.
"Don't worry Twilight," said Pinkie as she rushed over to the fireplace to grab something, "I have eye patches stashed all over Ponyville, in case of an eye patch emergency. There! Now you look like a pirate! A sleepy pirate with a really weird mane cut." Mario glared as Pinkie pulled over a mirror. Twilight and Mario gasped.
"The eye patch...another sign! Nearly all the signs have come true!" said Twilight as she and Mario rushed over to their notes, "We haven't done a thing to prevent the catastrophe!" Mario was trembled and breathing heavily.
"No...no...no!" Mario retorted as he banged the sides of his head with his fore-hooves, "Why is everything we've tried not working! I was supposed to protest Twilight from ending up like her future self and I've failed at every turn! I'm supposed to protect the mare I love and I've failed! I failed you Twilight! I failed you-u-u-u!" Mario's voice grew louder as he spoke until he threw his head back and dramatically shouted at the end.
SMACK! SMACK!
"Mario, get a grip!" Twilight snapped after she slapped him twice across the face, "You haven't failed me! We still have a chance to fix this! If Tuesday's tomorrow, and the disaster happens by Tuesday morning, then there's only one solution. I'll just have to stop time!"
"GENUIS!" Mario exclaimed as he placed a bar of soap and lined up to an open door leading to the bathroom.
"What are you doing?" Twilight asked.
"If I step on this bar of soap," said Mario, the veins of his eyes showing as well as the dark circles under them, "I can slide right into the bathroom and bump my head on the edge of the sink. If I hit the right pressure point on my head, I can figure out the equation for the spell known as the flux compacitor, which makes time manipulation possible!" Mario couldn't resist giving Twilight a squeaky smile as he finished his statement.
"Just go buy us some train tickets for Canterlot and be happy," said Twilight bluntly.
"Fine," said Mario, walking away and looking glum.
"Be happy!" Twilight retorted. Mario looked back at her.
"AH-HA-HA-HA!" Mario laughed sarcastically as he quickly trotted out of the Library. Spike and Pinkie looked unamused as Twilight approached.
"Come on you two," said Twilight, "We have a mission that requires us to go undercover."
It was late at night by the time the train arrived at Canterlot station as the three ponies and Spike were now all dressed in black body suits with hoods. Mario, Twilight, and Spike raced off to their destination as Pinkie just bounced about as she followed them from behind. Mario and Twilight then stopped in the middle of one of the streets and began to tippy-hoof forward. Spike and Pinkie just followed behind them without trying to be discreet or secretive. Then Twilight and Mario ducked behind a nearby fountain, then somersaulted over to a tree before scouting the area to see that all was clear before zooming ahead. Spike and Pinkie just kept following at their own pace. The fact they were just following the two ponies so casually showed that only Mario and Twilight were taking this mission seriously.
"Uhh...I don't think we need to be sneaking around, Twilight and Mario," said Spike as he held an ice cream cone in his hand, "It's not illegal to walk around Canterlot."
"Guard! C'mon on you guys!" Twilight called to them as she posed next to a fountain statue. Pinkie and Spike then posed as well as a unicorn guard walked by. Twilight exhales loudly once the guard was gone.
"That was close," said Twilight before she noticed one member wasn't there, "Hey, where's Mario?"
"Right here," Mario replied, but nopony could see him.
"Where?" Twilight asked as she looked around.
"I said here," said Mario as he appeared out of the blue, startling everypony.
"Whoa!" said Spike.
"How'd you do that?" Twilight asked.
"I already read that book about the art of invisibility," said Mario, "See?" Mario then disappeared again, "I'm still here but you can't see me!"
"AAH! Mario's a ghost!" Pinkie shouted as she hid fearfully behind Spike.
"Pinkie, I'm not a ghost," said Mario as a matter of fact, "Just invisible." Mario then reappeared as Pinkie breathed a sigh of relief.
"Well, I'm sure that will be useful," said Twilight, "Now let's get going." They continued to venture forward a bit before Spike looked rather irritated.
"I dunno why we have to wear these things either," said Spike as he tugged on his own black body suit.
"Aren't we wearing them for fun?" Pinkie asked.
"No, there is nothing fun about this!" Twilight retorted.
"We're going undercover to prevent a future disaster from happening," Mario added in a stern but hushed tone, "I thought you were up to speed on the situation!"
"Oh...Are you sure?" Pinkie asked.
"Focus, guys!" Twilight snapped in a hushed tone and stamping a fore-hoof, "The only way to prevent the disaster is to stop time! Time spells are kept in the Star Swirl the Bearded wing, the most secure section of the archives. That's why we're sneaking around." Twilight then pointed toward a tall tower that had a sun weather vane on top of it as well as two more unicorn guards standing at the entrance.
"Awesome! That sounds like fun!" said Pinkie.
"No, it's not fun!" Twilight and Mario said sternly as they walk away.
"Aww," said Pinkie sadly as Twilight and Mario then sneaked into a bush, peeked out, and zipped away. Twilight hadn't noticed that part of her outfit had ripped from getting caught on a tree branch. Pinkie and Spike didn't notice the torn piece of cloth as they walked by.
"I still don't understand how sneaking into the archives is gonna help her find out about her birthday present," Pinkie told Spike.
If Mario had heard that, he might have been banging his head against a wall in frustration.
Getting back on track, Twilight had asked Mario to scope for a way into the tower while she did the same. As usual, Pinkie and Spike just stood back and watched. Twilight then came across a window that she was able to open from the outside.
"The coast is clear," said Twilight as she looked around, "Now slowly lift me into the window so we can-AH!" Twilight was given a hard shove as she went flying inside. Pinkie and Spike just casually entered as Twilight tried to recollect herself.
"I wonder if...Mario..."Twilight then game to a stop when she was looked up and heard something above her.
(Cue Mission Impossible theme)
Mario then tied a rope to himself and jumped through the window and maneuvered his way down as he power dived to the floor below. As he neared the floor, he untied himself, did a front flip, and landed in a defensive stance until he noticed the two ponies and Spike glaring at him.
(cue record scratch fanfare)
"How'd you get in here?" Mario asked, "I was about to signal you from...that open window..." Mario then faced-hoofed himself.
"Let's get this over with," said Spike with a dismissive sigh as Twilight just looked rather indignant. Twilight and Mario then continued to sneak about a rather dark hallway. They then stood on both their hind legs with their backs against the wall to scan another hallway as Pinkie and Spike kept themselves concealed. Once another unicorn guard removed the light from his horn and walked away, Twilight and Mario made a run for it, even quickly tip-hoofing past some more guards. As usual, Pinkie and Spike just casually followed behind them. That was until Spike dropped his ice cream cone and went to pick up the dropped scoop with his tongue, which Twilight quickly grabbed the baby dragon and disappeared with him. They later hid behind some curtains to avoid another guard. Twilight was hanging on the middle curtain, Pinkie was hanging onto the curtain to Twilight's left, and Spike poked his head out of the top curtain at Twilight's right. Mario was actually hiding right below Twilight's curtain but used his invisibility spell to avoid being seen. Once the guard was gone, Mario reappeared as Twilight and Pinkie slid down their curtains. Sadly, Spike fell to the ground since he wasn't holding onto the curtain he was hiding behind.
"Okay, if my calculations are correct," said Twilight in a hushed tone as she and Mario moved forward while keeping low to the ground, "the Star Swirl the Bearded wing should be right...here." This view then zoomed out to show...the window they had come in as well as the rope Mario had been tied to still hanging from the roof.
"Uh, Twilight?" said Spike.
"What is it, Spike?" Twilight asked.
"Isn't this where we came in?" said Spike. Twilight then saw he was right.
"You've gotta be kidding me!" Mario exclaimed, "we just went around in a circle?!".
"Cool! Can we climb in the window again?" Pinkie asked excitedly, "That was super fun!"
"I don't understand," said Twilight, "It's supposed to be here...How are we supposed to find it now?"
"I don't know," said Mario, "I was following you. You said you actually checked the map to this place!"
"You could've checked the map too ya know!" Twilight retorted.
"How?" Mario protested, "You kept hogging it!"
"Maybe we can ask somepony in the Star Swirl the Bearded wing?" said Pinkie as she pointed to an area that was locked up by an iron bar door. An orchestral twang and angelic choir could also be heard as Twilight and Mario gasped.
"Huh? How'd we miss that?" said Twilight as she looked at Mario and he shrugged his shoulders. They then looked inside with awe. For inside the area was shelves of various books and scrolls and a large sand dial in the heart of the area.
"Look at all those priceless magic scrolls," said Twilight, "There are more than I ever imagined!"
"Twilight, the guard!" Pinkie pointed out as a shadow approached the group.
"What are we gonna do, what are we gonna do?!" said Twilight and Mario. They began to panic and ran about the area before the locked door as the shadow approached the group. Mario and Twilight huddled close as they squatted on the ground, trembling fearfully as the guard walked up to them.
"Hey, Twilight, Mario, haven't seen you two in a while," said the guard cheerfully, "let me open that for ya." With a loud squeak, the guard unlocked door and opened it for the group. They were all stunned.
"Thanks," said Twilight and Mario with a nervous chuckle.
"I figured you two would be a couple someday," the guard added as Pinkie and Spike headed inside. Mario and Twilight blushed and smiled sheepishly as the guard walked away. Then they both rolled their eyes and headed inside the wing, getting ahead of Pinkie and Spike.
"Oh no!" said Twilight as she and Mario stopped moving.
"Oof!" said Spike.
"Oh!" said Pinkie. Both of them had bumped into Twilight and Mario from behind.
"Look, I look just like future Twilight..." said Twilight with horror, "The last sign has come true!"
"And that's bad right?" said Pinkie.
"No, it's the perfect time for a party," said Mario sarcastically before getting into Pinkie's face and shouting, "Of course this is bad!"
"But how can we find the time-stopping spell?" Spike asked worried, "There must be a million scrolls in here!"
"I. Don't. Know," said Twilight with worry since both she and Mario were panicking.
"We will find it!" said Mario frantically, "We must. We must! We must! Even if we have to turn this place upside down! We're gonna find that spell at all costs!" Mario began to run about, searching through various books and scrolls at once. The rest of the group began to do the same. Twilight began to search some other shelves as Pinkie sat on top of one shelf checking and tossing away various types of scrolls. But their time was running out as the sky got lighter and birds began to sing outside. Spike was nearly about to fall asleep but managed to shake his head to wake up and was searching through books when he noticed how the sun was about to rise.
"Twilight, Mario, it's over!" said Spike as he looked out the window, "It's officially Tuesday morning!"
"Nnngh, no!" Twilight yelped as she and Mario tossed some books they were holding with their magic as they rushed to the left and then to the right. Then they both looked out the window.
"Tuesday morning, the disaster!" said Twilight, "Incoming!" Twilight pushed Spike out of the way and ducked as she covered her head with her fore-hooves and trembled.
"It's can't end like this!" Mario snapped as he crouched next to her and held her close, "if this is it, I'm going with you!"
"No!" Twilight snapped, "Mario get away! I won't let you!"
"Then tell me before the disaster strikes," Mario asked frantically with a brief pause asked with a broken tone, "Do you love me?" Twilight's eyes widened as her lips quivered when...Princess Celestia was standing in front of them...and she was smiling?
"Good morning, Twilight, Mario," said Princess Celestia cheerfully, "Love the new hairstyle, Twilight. Well, happy Tuesday you two!" The two ponies just smiled as the Princess walked away, leaving Twilight and Mario dumbfounded.
"Well Mom seemed...pretty upbeat...for an incoming disaster," said Mario slowly.
"Why isn't anypony surprised to see us sneaking around in here?!" Twilight snapped, "Is it possible there never was a disaster? That we've just been making ourselves frantic over nothing?!"
"I don't get it," said Spike as he removed the black hood from his head, "If future Twilight wasn't warning you about a disaster, then what was she trying to tell you?" Twilight then giggled.
"I don't know," said Twilight, "But do know one thing. I look ridiculous." Spike, Twilight, and Mario all laughed.
"Yeah, you do," said Spike.
"You don't look that bad," said Mario as Twilight glared at him.
"Seriously?" Twilight asked skeptically.
"Well, okay, maybe a little silly," said Mario honestly, "I still think you look beautiful." Twilight just giggled.
"Well, you either need glasses or you're just sweet," said Twilight, "and this all happened because we couldn't stop worrying about the future and let the future handle itself! Well, not anymore!"
"I agree," said Mario.
"From now on, We're gonna solve problems as they come, and stop worrying about every little thing!" said Mario and Twilight together.
"That's great," said Spike, "Does that mean there won't be any more late night pacing?"
"No more late night pacing," said Twilight, shaking her head in agreement as she pointed at the giant sun dial, "If only we had learned this lesson a week ago, we wouldn't have had to go through all this."
"Twilight, Twilight, I found something!" said Pinkie as she appeared from one side of the room with her hoodie now off, "It doesn't stop time, but it lets you go back in time. It says you can go back once, and it only lasts for a few moments. Does that help?"
"Pinkie, you're a genius," said Twilight with an excited smile on her face.
"Woo-hoo!" said Pinkie.
"I thought you were chicken," Mario teased as Pinkie gave him a stern glare.
"I'm kidding," said Mario with a chuckle, "Just remembering you say that the last time Twilight called you a genius." Pinkie just stuck her tongue out at him and smirked.
"Now I can go back and tell past Twilight and Mario that they don't need to go berserk with worry about a disaster that's never gonna come!" said Twilight.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Mario asked.
"I can manage alone, Mario," said Twilight. Twilight took a few steps forward and made her horn glow white. The intensity of the magic made a light whirlwind surround her before a bright light transported her exactly one week back in time. Spike, Mario, and Pinkie watched in awe as Twilight disappeared.
Twilight arrived rather shaken up as she shook her head to recover from the trip and then rushed towards her past self and past Mario.
"Twilight," said...Twilight, "You've got to listen to me!"
"Wuh?" said past Mario puzzled.
"Who are you?" Past Twilight asked, "I mean, you're me, but I'm me too. How can there be two me's? It's not scientifically possible. You are not scientifically possible." Past Twilight walked behind the look alike and then poked her to emphasize her point. Past Mario rolled his eyes.
"Twilight, you said you read that book I gave you about parallel universes," said Past Mario, "Maybe she's..."
"I'm not an alternate version!" Twilight snapped before glaring at the other purple pony in the room and put a fore-hoof on her shoulder, "Twilight, I have a very important message from you from the future!"
"You're from the future?!" Past Twilight and Past Mario exclaimed.
"That's right, now listen..." said Twilight.
"What happened to you?" Past Twilight asked in shock, "The future must be awful!"
"Did we get together and then have a fallout that was so bad that you went into depression and a life on the streets?" Past Mario asked with worry as Twilight glared.
"No!" Twilight snapped as Past Mario breathed a sigh of relief, "Please! I don't have much time!"
"Is there some sort of epic pony war in the distant future or something?" Past Twilight asked with a fore-hoof to her chin.
"If that's true, then old age was really good to you," said Past Mario, "You look so young!"
"Thanks Mario, but actually, I'm from next Tuesday morning," said Twilight, "but that's not important right now!"
"Wuh?" said Past Mario in shock.
"I can't believe that time travel is really possible!" said Past Twilight excitedly, "How did you, I mean I figure it out?"
"The time spells are in the Canterlot archives," Twilight answered, "But that's not-"
"Really? Where? I've never seen them!" said Past Twilight.
"Twilight, please, we need to hear the-" Past Mario tried to get Past Twilight to hush so Twilight could speak.
"They're in the Star Swirl the Bearded Wing," said Twilight, "Now, you have to listen to-"
"Is time travel fun, or does it hurt?" Past Twilight interrupted again, "I have so many questions-" Past Twilight was cut off when her present self shoved a fore-hoof to her mouth.
"Quit talking and let your future self tells us her message!" said Past Mario firmly. Twilight was soon covered in magical crackles as she started to speak.
"I have something extremely important to tell you about the future," said Twilight, "and I only have a few seconds, so you've got to listen! Whatever you do, don't-"
POOF!
"-waste your time...worrying...about..." Twilight soon realized that she was back at the present with Mario, Pinkie, and Spike and face-hoofed herself, "UGH! I can't believe I just did that!"
"Did you tell her about the cool birthday present?" Pinkie asked.
"Remember last week when future Twilight came to warn me and Mario about something?" said Twilight to the others, "that was me trying to warn myself not to worry so much! Now Mario and I are gonna spend the next week freaking out about a disaster that doesn't even exist! Ugh!" Twilight raised both her fore-hooves in the air and groaned loudly as she sat down with a sad and frustrated look on her face. Mario slowly approached her.
"Twilight-"
"And you!" Twilight snapped, "You're supposed to be my voice of reason and you ended up being just as crazy as me! What's got into you? I don't even know how you didn't figure out that me going back was a bad idea!" Mario looked rather upset.
"I was scared Twilight," said Mario softly, "I was scared something really bad was going to happen to you. I thought going back in time was the right call. I just...(sniff)...I don't know what I would do if...something happened to you...and I...never saw you again..." Twilight softened as she heard Mario speak, especially when a few tears left his eyes and his voice cracked.
"Mario-" said Twilight gently.
"I need you, Twilight," Mario interrupted as he started to cry, "I hated seeing all those unfortunate incidents happen to you. I didn't stop the madness because...I was desperate...to protect you...and make sure...you were going to be okay..." Twilight just smiled as she nuzzled him under his chin and let him hold her for a bit until he managed to calm down.
"You won't," said Twilight, "I should've figured this would have affected you too. You suffer from bad anxiety as much as I do."
"We have alot in common, Twilight," said Mario, "not just in strengths, but in weaknesses too. Normally, I would have seen reason, but I panicked and I just kept fearing the worst and was desperate to stop the future."
"Yeah," said Twilight, "but just like you told Fluttershy not too long ago. With our friends, we can learn to overcome it. One baby step at a time." She then kissed his cheek, "Thank you for looking out for me. I really do appreciate the fact you went without sleep and overworked yourself just to protect me." Mario smiled as Pinkie approached them.
"And I wouldn't worry about the time travel failure," said Pinkie, "it's past Twilight and past Mario's problem now."
"Huh, I guess you're right, Pinkie," said Twilight with a giggle.
"I guess we needed that smile," Mario added as the three ponies all shared a laugh. Then Spike drew their attention by letting out a loud groan.
"Ohhh...my stomach..." said Spike as his stomach gurgled and he laid on his back on the floor, "I, I think it's all that ice cream...I thought the stomach ache would be future Spike's problem, but now I am future Spike. Ohh..." Mario just smirked as Pinkie and Twilight giggled to each other.
"Come on, future Spike," Twilight said as she used her magic to put Spike onto her back, "Let's get you home." They took one last look at the sundial before making their exit and getting on the next train home for Ponyville. Mario and Twilight sat on the same cushion together as Pinkie and Spike sat across from them. Mario wrapped a fore-hoof around Twilight as she rested her head on his shoulder as they closed their eyes to relax. By the time they had arrived back in Ponyville, Pinkie and Spike found that Mario and Twilight had fallen asleep holding each other. All that lack of rest had finally caught up with them. Pinkie had to get a cart to take both of them to their own homes so they could rest.
The next morning, Twilight was fast asleep in her bed when she slowly woke up from her own bed and stretched.
"Wow...I feel great," said Twilight as she sat up and saw Mario standing next her bed.
"You should," said Mario, "We've been asleep for two whole days!"
"Two whole days?!" Twilight said in shock.
"Guess all that anxiety and not sleeping caught up to us," said Mario, "I just arrived an hour ago. From what Pinkie told me, the rest of our friends took care of the library while you were sleeping and helped Spike recover from his stomach ache."
"I'm never eating ice cream again!" said Spike indignantly from down below as he continued his chores. The two ponies just smirked and rolled their eyes at him. They knew he would eat ice cream again in due time.
"Anyway," said Mario as he used his magic to set a tray before Twilight, "I made you breakfast in bed. Once you finish eating and get ready for the day, I got some medicines from Zecora to take care of your eye, the scar, and the bump on your head. As you can see, I don't have my bandage on anymore." Mario pointed at his head. Twilight gave him a happy smile.
"Okay," said Twilight as she began to enjoy her breakfast and Mario let her be. Since his back was turned, he didn't noticed that Twilight was watching him the entire time with a smile on her face. When he was out of view, she giggled happily, clapping to herself as she continued eating.
He made me breakfast in bed! Oh he's such a sweetie! Twilight thought, but then nearly choked when she realized her train of thought, Wait...since when do I gush over him?! He's done stuff like this for me before. How is this time any different?
She took her time finishing her breakfast, getting ready, and then headed downstairs. She found Mario just helping out with dusting the book shelves and putting some books away. Twilight giggled as she watched him quietly do his work.
He's so helpful Twilight thought as she giggled again and made her way down the stairs.
"Mario, I kind of need you to treat my injuries before I can fix my mane," said Twilight in a sweet tone. While her mane was no longer sticking out, it was still rather messy despite being washed and wet.
"Okay," said Mario, "I've got the bottles all ready for you." Twilight nodded as she took a seat on a cushion and let Mario get to work. The first thing is he did was treat Twilight's eye so she could see with both of them again. Twilight gave him a cute smile as she finally was able to use and see with her right eye again.
Mario looks much cuter when I can see him with both of my eyes," Twilight thought before she blinked to herself, Wait...Why did I just think that?! Twilight didn't have to figure it out as Mario quickly took care of her scar and the bump on her head. The medicines cured her cuts and bruises easily.
"There, all your injuries are healed now," said Mario, giving Twilight a smile that made her feel giddy.
"Can you brush my mane please?" Twilight asked before she could even stop herself. Mario froze for a moment before he chuckled.
"Okay," said Mario "I'll make sure to be gentle since you're mane hasn't been brushed in over a week." Twilight just kept smiling.
"I trust you," said Twilight in a cute tone.
"Twilight," Mario said gently as he took his time brushing her mane.
"Yeah?" Twilight asked softly.
"Can I tell you something?"
"Sure."
"I think you're cute." Mario said bravely. Twilight giggled with glee before putting a hoof over her mouth.
"Made your day huh?" Mario asked, trying not to chuckle. Twilight just sighed as she settled down, nodded, and closed her eyes so Mario could continue brushing her mane. Twilight just sighed contently as she felt the brush going through her mane.
I feel like I'm walking on clouds right now Twilight thought to herself, why is it lately that being with Mario just makes me feel so...happy? I already knew he thought he was cute, but why did hearing it make me feel
"Twilight?" said Mario slowly.
"Yeah?" said Twilight with a sigh.
"I'm finished," said Mario, "Despite the fireball, your mane didn't lose any length. It's just a little thin in certain places, but your mane is back to its normal style. Then again, it's been a few days since your mane got brunt so it has had time to recovered." Twilight opened her eyes as Mario provided her with a mirror. While she was happy her mane was no longer a mess, deep down she felt...sad and disappointed.
He's already done brushing my mane? Aw...I wanted him to keep combing it longer...Wait...I'm about to cry over him not brushing my mane?...what's happening to me?! Twilight said to herself.
"Twilight, are you okay?" said Mario, "You look a little upset. Did I hurt you when I brushed your mane?" Twilight then blinked and shook her head to recompose herself.
"I'm...okay," said Twilight slowly, "can...you just hold me for a bit...please?" Mario chuckled as he wrapped a fore-hoof so she was resting her head comfortably under his chin. Twilight just hummed as she got comfortable.
I wanna stay here forever Twilight thought when she blushed deep red, Why does being held by him make me feel like I'm safe and secure? Sure, he protects me and looks out for me all the time, but...since when do I feel so...dependent...like I need his protection? I can defend myself! But...why would I rather he did instead... These thoughts continued to plague Twilight's mind for the rest of the day.
Late that night, Spike was just sleeping comfortably in his basket.
"Why yes, I did make you a house made out of cookies, Rarity," said Spike when he heard something that made him wake up with a start. He recognized it at as somepony walking about downstairs.
"Not again!" said Spike crankily as he made his way downstairs and found that Twilight was pacing about once more. She looked worried about something
"Twilight, I thought you said no more late night pacing," said Spike crankily but then softened when he noticed that Twilight didn't look panicky, but genuinely upset over something.
"Did Future Twilight reappear again to warn you about another doom that probably doesn't even exist?" Spike asked. Twilight stopped pacing about and sat down in the middle of the room. Spike felt rather uneasy since Twilight didn't answer and hadn't bothered to respond to him.
"Twilight, I was only teasing," said Spike, "I know its gonna take time for you not worry about tomorrow and over scheduling your life. It's no big deal." Twilight sniffled a bit and then some light sobs began to be heard. Spike now felt rather guilty.
"Twilight, hey, I'm sorry," said Spike sadly as he walked up to the now crying unicorn, "I didn't mean to make you cry..."
"It's not you Spike," Twilight sobbed, "It's just...all I can think about lately is Mario and I don't know why." Spike looked puzzled.
"What about Mario has got you so upset?" Spike asked plainly, "Did somepony about the future send a warning about him?" Twilight glared despite her tears.
"Spike! This is serious!" Twilight snapped as her tears, "This has nothing to do with my future or Mario's future or anything about future disasters! This has to do with why he's all I can think about and I can't focus on anything else!"
"So...thinking about Mario is upsetting you?" said Spike puzzled, "I don't get it." Twilight began to cry harder.
"Nopony does!" Twilight sobbed, but didn't admit that she hadn't bothered to talk to anypony else about her problem. Spike sighed slowly before hugging Twilight from the side.
"Please don't cry, Twilight," said Spike, "You're not really telling me what's upsetting you. Please just tell me what on your mind and stop beating around the bush about it. Did Mario hurt you? Or it is something else?" Twilight sniffled a bit as she tried to recompose herself before speaking again.
"In the past year or so," said Twilight, "I just...find myself thinking about Mario more and more these days. Sometimes I can't even concentrate on my studies. I always feel this happiness whenever he's here. Lately, just the thought of him makes me feel like bouncing around like Pinkie Pie! And ever since Hearts and Hooves Day, I just wanna be close to him and cuddle. I never used to be like that around him! Sure his hugs were nice and all, but I never wanted them to last forever. Then all this stuff about worrying about the future happened and he tells me that the idea of losing me terrifies him and that he doesn't know he how he could ever be happy without me. And it made me realize...I don't think I can be happy without him! Just the idea of him being gone forever...just...just..." Twilight couldn't speak as her crying overtook her. Spike just hugged her close until Twilight had settled down. He had a good idea what was going on, but decided to put it to the test.
"Then tell me Twilight," said Spike, "What If I said Mario was waiting downstairs to give you a big smooch?" Twilight then smiled despite her tears and started to giggle.
"Now look at yourself in the mirror," Spike asked with a smirk. Twilight obeyed and took a good look at herself the mirror. She saw the way she was smiling and how her eyes look rather dazed like she was... she was...lovesick. Twilight then froze and her eyes widened once again. Her body began to tremble and she began to breathe rather heavily.
"Twilight what's wrong?" said Spike worried, "One second your happy I brought up Mario. Then you see how your acting in the mirror and are having a panic attack!"
"And with good reason!" said Twilight frantically, "It's happened Spike. The one thing that terrified me the most has happened! Mario...finally did it! He did it, Spike! He did it!" Twilight continued to tremble as her tears continued to stream down her cheeks.
"He did what?" said Spike.
"Don't you see Spike?" said Twilight, her voice cracking, "I...can't deny it anymore. I just can't...it make me sick keeping it inside! I gotta tell somepony! Just promise me that this will never leave this room, Spike!" Spike looked at her with a gentle but firm look on his face.
"If I can guess what you're gonna say," said Spike, "I don't know if I can make that promise..."
"Spike, please don't tell him! Just don't! He can't know!" Twilight pleaded in a desperation, kneeling on her hind knees before the dragon.
"The last time you were afraid to tell Mario something, you pushed him away for weeks and nearly drove yourself completely insane!" said Spike sternly, "And let's not forget you nearly sent Ponyville into complete chaos and got in big trouble with Princess Celestia! I'm not gonna watch you do that to yourself again, Twilight! It was scary..." Twilight looked at him with sad eyes.
"I promise I'll tell him," Twilight begged, crossing her fore-hooves, "Just give me time. I will tell him when I'm ready. I promise! I Pinkie Promise!" Spike just sighed to himself.
"Fine," said Spike, "Then tell me Twilight. Give it to me straight. What has Mario done to you?" Twilight sniffled and tried to wipe her eyes but her tears refused to stop falling.
"Isn't it obvious?" Twilight repeated in a broken tone before she looked at Spike eye to eye,
"Spike...I've fallen in love with him..."
She admits it!
But that's only half the battle, Twilight's still gotta tell Mario. When will she do that?
All I can say is...this could take a while...just don't expect any slimes in the next chapter if you get the joke...XD
Peace Pony Fans!