Twilight Time
Pony's Log Number 415: It never occurred to me or my wife that three little fillies would use their connection to us for their own selfish gain. Of course it doesn't help that two certain "fan fillies" encouraged them to do so...
One day at the Library, Mario and Twilight had invited the Cutie Mark Crusaders to a very special session, which was later dubbed as Twilight Time. Why wasn't Mario's name included you might ask? Well, he was the one who came up with the name. Since the Cutie Mark Crusaders had been struggling to find their special talents and their cutie marks, Twilight and Mario had offered to help them discover their talents, hoping that maybe they would learn a talent that would lead them to discovering their cutie marks. Since their own efforts had come up dry, the three fillies were more than willing to try a new route. Plus the fact they got to spend time with Mario and Twilight wasn't a bad bonus either. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were more than happy that they had one less filly having a crush on Mario. Apple Bloom enjoyed spending time with her big brother and sister in law. Little known fact: Mario had asked Apple Bloom to not to tell anypony about them being related at school. He figured the news would come to light on its own or he would reveal it himself when the time was right.
For the moment, Twilight was pacing before the Cutie Mark Crusaders as the three fillies sat on the floor. Mario was sitting beside Apple Bloom, giving his little sister a hug just cause he loved her.
"Uh, Sweetie Belle," said Twilight, "maybe we should run through the steps another few times before you try it on your own."
"Nope," said Sweetie Belle as she stood up, "Ready to give it a shot!" Twilight then looked at the broom that was set against the wall behind her.
"Okay then!" said Twilight. Mario then put a fore-hoof around the marshmallow filly.
"Remember Sweetie Belle," said Mario, "Concentrate on the object. Feel, don't think. Use your magic as an extension of yourself and remember to relax."
"And may the Force be with you," Scootaloo added, earning a glare from Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom, "What? What he said reminded me of the Pony Wars books he got me into reading!" Mario chuckled, grateful he had another fan of the book series. Sweetie Belle said nothing as Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. Sweetie Belle began to concentrate, causing her horn to spark a bit. The broom was soon encased on a lime green glow, shaking a bit as Sweetie Belle tried to lift it with her magic. Scootaloo and Apple Bloom smiled excitedly, even Mario smiled as well. Sweetie Belle was soon sweating and she began to concentrate intensively.
"Can't seem...to...!" Sweetie Belle strained as she raised her neck in the air so quickly that it made a loud click, causing her to let go of the broom and it toppled over.
"Think I threw my neck out..." Sweetie Belle grunted and rubbed the back of her neck.
"Aw, you're okay," said Scootaloo as she and Apple Bloom stood beside their friend.
"A little more magic practice and liftin' brooms'll be a cinch," said Apple Bloom.
"I doubt it," said Sweetie Belle dejectedly, "That thing weighs a ton."
"For the moment," said Mario, "But in time, using your magic to lift and pick up objects will become like second nature for you. Plus the more objects you learn to move, the size of the object won't matter as much."
"Tell that to my neck," said Sweetie Belle when Mario began to use a fore-hoof to message the tense spot on her neck, "Oooh, that's feels so good! Twilight, I'm so jealous that you get these from him all the time!"
"Not all the time," said Twilight with a small giggle, "But Mario does take good care of me. He's a really great husband."
"Glad to hear I'm doing my job well," said Mario as he continued messaging Sweetie Belle's neck a little more, "You're a great wife, Twilight. I love you."
"I love you too," said Twilight. The Cutie Mark Crusaders awed. It was then Spike came inside.
"Hey, has anypony seen my-" Spike then saw the broom on the floor, "Oh, there it is." Spike picked up the broom, twirled it quickly before he started using to sweep and whistle at the same time.
"Hmph," said Sweetie Belle as she sat down, "I'll never get my cutie mark for this..."
"Maybe not," said Twilight, "But I'm happy to keep helping you learn just for the fun of it as long as you like."
"True," said Mario, "plus you should be able to use your magic to pick up and move object about by now. I can't believe Rarity never bothered to teach you herself! I can't believe I never noticed you don't use your magic at all either."
"It's okay, Mario," said Sweetie Belle, "My parents are never around and Rarity is super busy."
"That's still no excuse," said Mario, "I did say I would look out for you."
"Well, you're helping me now," said Sweetie Belle, "Not your fault I'm too dumb to figure this out."
"Don't say that, Sweetie Belle," said Mario, "Have Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon been picking on you still?"
"Surprisingly, since we defeated them in that turn battle, they've backed off...mostly," said Apple Bloom.
"Mostly?" Mario asked skeptically.
"They still like to brag and show off and rub it in our faces," said Scootaloo, "they think they're so special because their rich...and have their cutie marks."
"I know how that feels," said Mario with an eye roll, "nothing much I can do about that I'm afraid." Spike just continued sweeping until he came across some parts on the floor.
"Hey, who's gonna clean up this mess?" Spike called out.
"This is no mess!" said Scootaloo.
"It is organized chaos, darling!" Mario said snootily, pretending to sound like Rarity and earning a chuckled from the three fillies.
"Good one, Mario," said Scootaloo with a giggle, "These are the carefully arranged pieces of a unicycle I took apart and will be putting back together...as soon as Twilight or Mario show me how." Scootaloo gave them both a squee and smile.
"Scootaloo, I already told you I won't show you how," said Twilight, "but I'll help you find the instructions so you can figure it out yourself." Twilight's answer wiped the smile off of Scootaloo's face.
"Ugh, I hate research!" Scootaloo groaned as she walked over to the numerous bookcases with a huff.
"To your left, third shelf from the bottom," Twilight told her, "You'll find it in no time."
"Thanks so much for helpin' us all learn these new skills, Twilight and Mario," said Apple Bloom as she walked up to the purple alicorn.
"Always glad to pass on my love of learning for learning's sake," said Twilight as Scootaloo climbed a ladder behind her, "Plus I enjoy spending time with my sister-in-law and her friends." Apple Bloom giggled before sighing to herself.
"Only I'm afraid I'll never get the hang of this potion-makin'," said Apple Bloom as she walked over to a set-up chemistry set where a potted plant was placed under a tap.
"Did you follow the magic plant-growing formula I gave you?" Twilight asked.
"Well...uh...more or less," said Apple Bloom hesitantly, tipping the potted plant a bit but not enough to make it topple over.
"Well, let's try it out on this apple seedling and see how we do," said Twilight as Mario sat beside his wife. Apple Bloom looked worried as she pulled down on the tap as a droplet of sticky potion came out. As soon as the droplet landed in the pot, it exploded into dust, making Mario and Twilight cough as they fanned off the smoke. The plant appeared to bloom but started having a coughing fit. Apple Bloom looked rather uneasy as Twilight and Mario covered their mouth to avoid laughing. Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo didn't hesitate to giggle, making Apple Bloom very annoyed.
"Layin' it on a little think there, aren't we, pal?" Apple Bloom remarked sarcastically as the plant coughed in reply. Mario chuckled.
"Well, when you first you don't succeed, try, try again," Mario said aloud, but deep down, he knew just how frustrating continuous failure could get.
(Main Theme)
Outside the Schoolhouse playground, Sweetie Belle stood up on her hind legs and spiked a ball. The Cutie Mark Crusaders, along with Pipsqueak, were playing four-square with each other. Then the peaceful moment was interrupted as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon entered the scene.
"Yoo-hoo!" Diamond Tiara chanted in an overly sweet tone, "Gather 'round! It's time!" The other colts and ponies gathered around her curiously, minus the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"As you all know, I had promised to put on an amazing, first-time-ever acrobatic display for all of you today!" Diamond Tiara announced as the young ponies cheered.
"I know, it's so exciting," Diamond Tiara bragged but then faked a groan, "But I'm tired."
"Awww..." the young ponies groaned.
"But I did not wish to disappoint you all," Diamond Tiara continued, "so I brought my butler Randolph to do them for me." As Diamond Tiara said that, an elderly stallion with a grape colored coat, with white puffy mane and tail, wearing a butlers shirt, wobbled over to the group. He then surprised everypony by doing a back flip, followed by a handstand, flipped again, and landed on all four hooves. He then jumped high into the air, spun about so much that he got a little dizzy, but then made a perfect landing. Then Diamond Tiara bashed him out of the way and posed with a smug smile on her face, leaving Randolph alone and dizzy.
"That was amazing, Diamond Tiara," Silver Spoon praised as if the tiara wearing filly had done all the tricks herself.
"I know," Diamond Tiara said arrogantly, "I don't know how I do it." The other ponies cheered for Diamond Tiara, letting her take credit for what her butler had done. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were most indignant.
"I can't believe she gets so much attention without even ready doing anything!" Apple Bloom complained.
"She's using somepony else to build herself up," Scootaloo added, "and without even putting any effort to learn her own skills like we do!"
"Ugh, you'd think we'd have knock some sense in her after defeating her and Silver Spoon in that turn battle last time," Sweetie Belle pointed out, "She literally humiliated herself in front of a stadium of ponies at the Crystal Empire! You'd think it would have humbled her a bit."
"Yeah, we gave it to her pretty good!" said Scootaloo, "And yet it's like she walked away from it completely unscratched!"
"Not completely," said Apple Bloom, "I heard from Applejack that Filthy Rich gave it to her good, but she still hasn't learned her lesson."
"How about we challenge her to round 3 and knock some sense into her ourselves?" Scootaloo suggested.
"No," said Sweetie Belle firmly, "We promised Mario that we only do turn battles for self-defense. I'm not about to risk losing the only spell I know how to do just to knock some sense into a filly who clearly doesn't want to learn her lesson!"
"Yeah, you're right," said Apple Bloom, "she ain't worth turn battling over."
"Tell that to all those aches in my body!" Scootaloo remarked, remembering how they had taken quite a beating from her in their last battle, "Then what do you suggest we do?"
"Hey, come to think of it," said Sweetie Belle, "if we got really good at the stuff Twilight's teaching us, we could be the big shots around here for a change! Hmm..." Sweetie Belle began to tap her chin in deep thought.
In her daydream, Scootaloo was sitting before a crowd of young ponies.
"Check this out!" said Scootaloo as she assembled a unicycle at lightning speed.
"And check this out!" said Apple Bloom, wearing a lab coat and safety glasses as she dropped potion into a potted plant making a "literal" apple tree grow. Literally meaning the tree was a giant apple attached to a tree trunk. The young ponies awed in amazement.
"Now check this out!" said Sweetie Belle as she made her horn glow and picked Diamond Tiara up with her magic, making the tiara wearing filly yelp.
"Hey, put me down!" Diamond Tiara yelped as she stayed in mid air and unable to break out of Sweetie Belle's magic grip. The other young ponies laughed.
Back in reality, Sweetie Belle had her eyes closed and was giggling to herself. She hadn't noticed that Diamond Tiara was trying to get her attention.
"Hey, can you hear me?" Diamond Tiara snapped, tapping the marshmallow filly to get her attention.
"Huh? Huh? What? What?" Sweetie Belle spluttered as she snapped out of her daydream.
"I was asking if your sister Rarity will be taking you to Manehatten anytime soon," said Diamond Tiara.
"Because if she is," Silver Spoon added, "maybe you can meet up with us while we hang out with a bunch of famous celebrities."
"Cool!" said Scootaloo excitedly.
"Wow, that's...pretty nice of you guys," Apple Bloom added.
"Actually, my sister hasn't offered to take me to Manehatten anytime soon," said Sweetie Belle sadly.
"Yeah, we figured," said Diamond Tiara smugly.
"Bump, bump, sugar lump rump!" Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon sang as they did their cocky little dance and smashed their back ends into each other and laughed. Sweetie Belle growled irritably at them.
"Oh yeah?!" Sweetie Belle snapped, "Well, I don't have to go all the way to Manehatten to hang out with the famous and super cool ponies! Me and my friends hang out with Princess Twilight and Prince Mario all the time. In fact, we're Prince Mario's best friends!" Apple Bloom smirked as the three fillies stomped off importantly. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were in utter shock, they looked at the three fillies, then at each other, and then just blinked.
"D-did you say Princess Twilight and Prince Mario?!" Diamond Tiara spluttered, "You hang out with both of them all the time? For real?"
"Well, duh," said Sweetie Belle, "you've seen us with Prince Mario from time to time. He's married to Princess Twilight after all." Diamond Tiara had actually forgotten about that, but there was no way she would ever admit to it. Or the fact she was regretting getting on his bad side not too long ago.
"As for hanging out with both of them," said Apple Bloom, "More like just once a week." Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were now following the three fillies.
"They help us learn cool new stuff to do!" Scootaloo added before glaring back at them, "That we actually do ourselves!" Diamond Tiara looked back at Randolph, who was standing on a rubber ball juggling and entertaining the other young ponies. She then looked back at the still walking away Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"You must bring me along next time you go!" Diamond Tiara offered.
"Bring us along," Silver Spoon said as she smashed herself into Diamond Tiara's side.
"I mean, we used to see her and Mario around all the time," Diamond Tiara continued, "and I thought "whatever"."
"Me, too," Silver Spoon added, "I thought that."
"Yeah, we're well aware of what you thought about them," said Sweetie Belle, "especially after you tried to send Mario to the hospital." Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon winced for a moment but then recomposed themselves.
"Well, things change," Diamond Tiara protested, "but now, she's a princess and he's a prince, which makes them totally awesome!"
"Plus, they have wings," said Silver Spoon, "Prince Mario looks even more handsome with them too!"
"Wait a second!" said Scootaloo, "you got a crush on Mario?" Silver Spoon blushed slightly as Diamond Tiara looked at her curiously. The grey filly quickly cleared her throat.
"Well...what filly doesn't?" Silver Spoon added quickly to regain her composure, "He'd totally be the most popular bachelor in Equestria if he wasn't already married!"
"Totally!" Diamond Tiara added, but even she had to admit saying that felt a little forced on her tongue, "Plus he and Princess Twilight are both Alicorns. So can I-"
"We!" Silver Spoon interjected, getting a quick death glare from Diamond Tiara.
"-go?" They both asked eagerly. The three fillies just looked at them for a moment.
"I don't think we should-" Apple Bloom replied.
"Would you two excuse us for a moment?" said Sweetie Belle with a large smile on her face, interrupting Apple Bloom, before zipping away a short distance. Then she extended her fore-leg and pulled Apple Bloom toward her. Scootaloo just ran to catch up to Sweetie Belle and her friends. The three fillies quickly huddled up together.
"We should totally say yes," said Sweetie Belle to the other two fillies with an excited smile on her face, "This is a golden opportunity."
"Are you kiddin'?" Apple Bloom protested, "I don't want them laughing at us while I'm mixing potions and accidentally sendin' plants into chokin' fits!"
"But don't you get it?" said Sweetie Belle, "They'll have to learn something too!" The three fillies then looked back at Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, who waved at them with toothy grins on their faces.
"And they won't be able to laugh at us when they're so busy trying to learn stuff on their own," Scootaloo added, "And keep in mind. Mario is going to be there. Silver Spoon seemed to behave whenever he's around and Diamond won't have the nerve to try and laugh at us with him there!"
"True," said Apple Bloom, "I must admit it's kinda fun to see them workin' hard to get on our good side for a change." The three fillies smiled to each other, deciding that inviting the two rich fillies along might benefit them as well. It didn't take long before the now five fillies arrived at the Library.
"Oh, my gosh!" said Diamond Tiara excitedly, kneeling down a bit before the front door, "A princess and prince live in there! And I'm about to go inside and see them! I can't even tell you how excited I am!"
"I can't either!" said Silver Spoon in a giddy tone as she walked along side her best friend before they began jumping up and down like fan ponies. The Cutie Mark Crusaders just looked at each other, especially since Diamond Tiara seemed excited to meet both Twilight and Mario.
"I just don't get how Diamond Tiara can be so excited to see Mario," said Sweetie Belle, "Didn't she hate him not so long ago?"
"Guess being a prince changed her view of him," said Apple Bloom as Scootaloo annoyingly knocked in the front door.
"Now remember," Sweetie Belle warned the two rich fillies, "Twilight and Mario take this time out with us so we can learn stuff." The two rich fillies just shared annoyed looks with each other. It was then Twilight opened the door,
"Hey there, guys!" said Twilight, "Come on in!" It was then Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon began to squeal like fan girls.
"Princess Twilight!" the two fillies exclaimed excitedly as they ran up to her and started bouncing up and down before her.
"Oh it's really her!" Diamond Tiara said excitedly.
"Oh, my gosh, I don't believe it!" Silver Spoon added in the same tone.
"Oh, and, uh, you brought guests," said Twilight nervously, "Great!"
"Princess Twilight, it is such a thrill and honor to be here!" said Diamond Tiara, "You have no idea. Oh my gosh, who dyes your tail?"
"I so have to get that done," said Silver Spoon. Twilight just looked at her tail, which was brushed and shiny thanks to her husband grooming it for her earlier that day.
"Actually, it's not dyed," said Twilight, "I've always-"
"Are those books in there?" Diamond Tiara gasped as she and Silver Spoon walked inside, "What a bold design choice!"
"You should so do that, Di!" Silver Spoon remarked.
"I know, right?" Diamond Tiara replied. The three fillies just gave Twilight some apologetic looks as they walked inside.
"Honey! The Cutie Mark Crusaders are here and they brought guests!" Twilight called out.
"Be right down, beautiful!" Mario called from upstairs.
"Awww!" Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon cooed, "He called you Beautiful!" Twilight gave a light chuckle as the three fillies behind her gave a light eye roll. They had heard Mario call Twilight that and other cute names enough times that they didn't think too much about it anymore. Twilight then faced the three fillies.
"Listen, I'm all for helping as many ponies as I can," said Twilight as the two rich fillies looked around the main room, "but maybe we should keep these weekly visits just between us, hm? I think my husband would agree, especially once he finds out who you three invited." It was then Mario came down the stairs. He was about to smile and say hello when he noticed Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon smiling at him.
"Hello Prince Mario," they both said in over the top cute voices. Mario had to use his full strength not to roll his eyes at them.
"Hello there," said Mario slowly before heading over to the three fillies and asked in a whispered tone, "What are they doing here? Did they blackmail you or something?"
"Surprisingly...no," said Apple Bloom slowly, "Once they heard we hang out with you and Twilight, they started begging us to come along."
"Kinda nice they actually want to get our good side for once," said Sweetie Belle. Mario looked at them skeptically and then looked at the two rich fillies who still had over the top smiles on their faces. Mario didn't trust them at all, but Twilight decided to speak before he could say anything further.
"Okay, which one of you wants to practice first?" Twilight asked.
"Shouldn't they go first?" Sweetie Belle asked as she pointed a fore-hoof at the two rich fillies.
"No, silly!" said Twilight, "My husband and I set up Twilight Time especially for you!" The two rich fillies smirked deviously...until Mario turned in their direction. The two fillies quickly smiled innocently. Mario glared and gave them an "I'm watching you" gesture with his left wing.
"Apple Bloom, go ahead," said Twilight, "Let's see how your potions are coming." Apple Bloom just shared nervous looks with Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo before trotting forward, dreading just what Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon would say as she tried, and probably failed, at her potion making. Mario could see the worried look on his little sister's face and got an idea.
"While my wife is working with Apple Bloom," said Mario, "Sweetie Belle, I have some concentration exercises to help you focus your magic with less effort. We can work on that upstairs. Silver Spoon, would you care to join us?"
"I would love to!" Silver Spoon replied, barely containing her excitement. Sweetie Belle gave Mario a puzzled look.
"What do you want her for?" she asked quietly.
"I've noticed that Diamond Tiara didn't tease others as much if Silver Spoon isn't around," said Mario, "Besides, I know the silver filly has a little crush on me. I'd like to get to know her a little better, and we can show her what real friendship looks like." Sweetie Belle noticed the lovesick face the silver filly was giving Mario and just rolled her eyes.
"If you say so," said Sweetie Belle doubtfully as the group of three headed upstairs.
Later that evening, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were just enjoying themselves at Sugarcube Corner. They had apparently enjoyed Twilight Time.
"You have no idea how hard it was not laughing at Apple Bloom," Diamond Tiara bragged as she sipped her milkshake, "She's supposed to be an apple farmer and yet she was torturing that apple sapling of hers with that potion of hers! I actually felt bad...for the sapling!"
"Uh-huh..." said Silver Spoon, looking a little dazed with a soft smile on her face.
"And then we have Scootaloo," Diamond Tiara continued, "the pony who literally proved she is a walking disaster waiting to happen. Remind me to never ask you to repair my scooter or unicycle...if I was lame enough to ride one."
"Uh-huh..." Silver Spoon repeated in the same tone. Diamond Tiara then asked the silver filly something, but was unheard, leaving the tiara wearing filly very annoyed.
"Uh...hello?" Diamond Tiara snapped loudly.
"Huh? Uh, wuh?" Silver Spoon replied, shaking her head a bit to snap back to reality.
"I asked you how Sweetie Belle embarassed herself," Diamond Tiara repeated irritably.
"Um...I...don't know?" said Silver Spoon sheepishly. Diamond Tiara blinked.
"Are you seriously telling me that you spend the whole time making goo-goo eyes at Mario?!" Diamond Tiara asked sternly.
"Of course not!" said Silver Spoon, "I was...talking to him."
"Talking," said Diamond Tiara bluntly before asking in a stern tone, "Talking about what?"
"Nothing about you, honest!" said Silver Spoon quickly, "He was mostly asking about me. What I like to do, my favorite dessert, any books I like to read, etc. The only question involving you was how we first met."
"I see..." said Diamond Tiara skeptically.
"Will you stop acting like I've betrayed you or something!" Silver Spoon retorted.
"Sorry, it's just I wonder just how far you'd go to impress him," Diamond Tiara said spitefully.
"Di, stop it," said Silver Spoon, "You know I'll always be loyal to you first."
"You better be," Diamond Tiara warned, "Now for the next phase of my plan."
"Your...plan?" Silver Spoon looked puzzled, "But...I...I thought our plan was to just use the Crusaders to get in good graces with Princess Twilight and Prince Mario?"
"Oh, Silver Spoon," said Diamond Tiara in her smug nature, "That's just phase one. Next comes the really juicy part of my plan." Silver Spoon didn't look that excited.
"Are you sure we should be pushing our luck?" said Silver Spoon. Diamond Tiara gave her a deadpan stare.
"What?" the tiara wearing filly asked in a low tone.
"I mean, I thought we were gonna stop wasting our time trying to humiliate the Crusaders?" said Silver Spoon, "Every time we try, we only..." Silver Spoon was stopped in her tracks when Diamond Tiara slapped the table with her fore-hooves and got into her face.
"I thought you said you were still loyal to me?" Diamond Tiara demanded angrily. Silver Spoon flinched.
"I...I am!" Silver Spoon stuttered, "I just thought...we were finally gonna just call a truce with the Crusaders!"
"Are you kidding me?!" Diamond Tiara yelled, "Diamond Dazzle Tiara does not call truces! We live in the real world, Silver Spoon, where there are winners and losers. I am a winner! And losers like the Cutie Mark Crusaders have no business having connections with Princess Twilight and Prince Mario!" Silver Spoon said nothing, her uncertainly about what Diamond Tiara had planned was clear on the silver filly's face.
"Are you a winner or a loser, Silver Spoon?" Diamond Tiara asked darkly.
"Of course I'm a winner," said Silver Spoon as a matter of fact.
"Then stop questioning my ideas!" Diamond Tiara snapped, "Now come on. Time is money!" Diamond Tiara then drank the last of her milkshake and stomped off with a huff. Silver Spoon inwardly groaned before paying for both their drinks and following her best friend out of the shop. Little did any of them know that a certain sword carrying Pegasus had been taking a little reading break at the table next to them and had heard everything. He glared at the two rich fillies sternly.
I better let Mario know about this Shenran said to himself, I'm not gonna let Diamond Tiara hurt those three fillies, especially Sweetie Belle. The last statement might sound strange, but the truth was the he had become very good friends with the marshmallow filly. They first met each other when Sweetie Belle was going to get some tea at Zecora's house for Rarity. Along the way through the Everfree Forest, she was attacked by a Timberwolf. Shenran had saved her life and the two had been friends ever since. He especially got to spend alot of time with Sweetie Belle when Rarity was helping him make Fluttershy engagement necklace. Since Sweetie Belle still had her crush on Mario, she proudly called Shenran her big brother.
The next day, the Cutie Mark Crusaders headed to school looking rather glum and annoyed.
"I can't believe I let you talk us into bringin' guests yesterday," Apple Bloom complained to Sweetie Belle.
"I didn't hear them laugh at us once, Apple Bloom," said Scootaloo, "At least I know Diamond Tiara didn't laugh at us. What about you and Silver Spoon, Sweetie Belle?"
"She...didn't laugh at me either," said Sweetie Belle, "She and Mario were just talking to each other, at least they did once Mario got her to stop saying "Diamond Tiara this" or Diamond Tiara that." I've heard of being a follower but it was like she didn't have her own opinion!"
"Wow," said Scootaloo, "Anything else?"
"Turns out she likes Mario's talking train stories as much as we do and some other books that he likes to read." Sweetie Belle continued, "Plus Mario did get her to try learning how to crochet. She seemed to enjoy it too despite getting the yarn all tangled up a few times."
"And you're magic skills?" Scootaloo asked.
"She didn't laugh at me once," said Sweetie Belle, "she wasn't really paying attention to me actually."
"Cause they laughed on the inside," Apple Bloom remarked bitterly.
"Don't worry," said Sweetie Belle," We won't make that same mistake again."
"You said Silver Spoon ignored you," said Scootaloo.
"She was making goo-goo eyes at Mario the whole time," Sweetie Belle snapped, "Do you want to share him with her?" Scootaloo blinked.
"Yeah, you're right, she and Diamond are never coming back," Scootaloo said bluntly as Apple Bloom rolled her eyes. But then she saw something up ahead.
"Aw, great," said Apple Bloom, "Look who showed up to make fun of us." There approaching the three fillies was Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon with malicious smiles on their faces as they lead a large group of young ponies with them.
"So much for learning skills to be big shots," said Scootaloo as the other two fillies shared worried looks.
"Hey, guess what!" said Diamond Tiara as the group reached the three fillies, "I told everypony about your special Twilight Time!"
"Oh, no," Sweetie Belle groaned and turned her head away, "here it comes..." Apple Bloom and Scootaloo braced for the worst.
"And they all want in!" said Diamond Tiara with a smile.
"Twilight Time! Twilight Time! Twilight Time! Twilight Time!" the young ponies cheered as they surrounded the three fillies. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were left speechless.
"Uh-oh..." was all the marshmallow filly could say.
"Twilight Time! Twilight Time! Twilight Time!" the young ponies continued to chant.
"Wow! All these ponies really wanna meet Twilight that badly?" Sweetie Belle asked as Scootaloo and Apple Bloom cringed.
"And Prince Mario!" Silver Spoon added, "I was so honored he spent time with just me yesterday!" Silver Spoon gave a happy squee and danced on her hooves.
"Us, Silver Spoon!" Sweetie Belle muttered through her teeth.
"We love you, Cutie Mark Crusaders!" Pipsqueak shouted and the rest of the young ponies began to cheer as well. The three fillies just shared more worried looks with each other.
"Now, now, everypony!" said Diamond Tiara, trying to take control of the crowds as she wrapped a fore-leg around Scootaloo, "Demanding time with the princess and prince as an unruly mob simply won't do. Might I suggest you get organized through us, the Cutie Mark Crusaders' nearest and dearest friends!" Before the three fillies could protest or refute Diamond Tiara's statement, the other young ponies cheered excitedly.
"Everypony get in line!" Silver Spoon announced as the young ponies all formed a single file line in front of her as she held a clipboard with a fore-leg, "No pushing, no pushing!" The foals excitedly stood in line as Scootaloo walked up to Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle.
"What a mess," said Apple Bloom.
"Of awesome!" said Sweetie Belle excitedly, "Don't you see? We're really and truly and certifiably the biggest of the big shots in school right now!"
"Huh?" Scootaloo asked with a puzzled look on her face.
"They all think we're the greatest, because we're their ticket to get time with Ponyville's newest and biggest celebrity, Princess Twilight and Prince Mario!" Sweetie Belle explained.
"We just said like two seconds ago that invitin' two ponies to Twilight Time was a big mistake!" Apple Bloom reminded her, "And now we're supposed to bring the whole class?"
"Relax," said Sweetie Belle confidently, "I got this." Apple Bloom looked at her worried while Scootaloo just had a blank look on her face.
The next day, the three fillies stood outside of Ponyville's personal fast food joint, the Hay Burger. (Apparently IN-N-OUT could not be built in Equestria due to copyrights. Sorry.)
"I don't like this, Sweetie Belle..." said Apple Bloom wearily.
"You said not to invite them to Twilight Time and I didn't," Sweetie Belle replied, "So what's the problem?"
"This feels like a trick," said Scootaloo.
"What's tricky about inviting Twilight and Mario out for a meal thanking them for all the nice things they've done for us?" Sweetie Belle said, "Especially Mario, who's always looking out for us and been there for us when we needed him? Seems like the least we can do for the princess and prince!"
"Did someone say "princess"?" Pipsqueak asked as he popped out of the bush.
"Did someone say "prince"?" Dinky asked right after as another pony peeked out from the bushes as well. Then Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon appeared to shove them all back down. Apple Bloom and Scootaloo shared skeptical looks with each other as Sweetie Belle headed over to the bushes. There before her were well over a dozen colts and fillies with the two rich ponies behind the bushes.
"When I told you when you could come eyeball the princess and prince at one of their favorite hangouts," Sweetie Belle told them sternly, "I said only two or three of you, tops!"
"Oops..." said the young ponies at once, some more apologetic than others. Sweetie Belle glared at them.
"She's coming!" said Scootaloo from behind Sweetie Belle as they noticed Twilight approaching from the background.
"Okay! But stay out of sight!' said Sweetie Belle.
"As you wish, Sweetie Belle," said Diamond Tiara in a cheerful but over the top voice.
"Yes, as I wish," said Sweetie Belle importantly before rejoining Apple Bloom and Scootaloo as Twilight arrived.
"Where's Mario?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Oh, he's on his way," said Twilight as she saw a flagpole appear beside her, "He's just finishing up a parkour run." The three fillies didn't need to wait long as they heard they heard a familiar invincibility tune getting louder as Mario came near the end of his run. The three fillies, along with those hiding from the bush, watched as Mario did a few vaults, spin jumps, both moves at once, and then triple jumped high into the air to grab the flagpole and sliding down on it. He then flipped off the pole and posed while standing on his hind legs and raising a fore-leg in the air.
"Thank you! So nice!" Mario called out before trotting casually over to his wife and giving her a kiss. He didn't notice all the young colts and fillies oohing and awing his parkour skills or the fact a few took his picture from the bushes.
"Well, I know I'm good and hungry," said Mario, "Shall we my love?" Twilight smiled as she leaned her head on his side.
"Mmm-hmm," Twilight replied. Mario wrapped a fore-leg around her while they walked side by side with the three fillies leading the way inside the Hay Burger. Many of the young fillies awed and cooed, as well as a couple colts who were brave enough admit they thought the royal couple was cute.
Inside the Hay Burger restaurant, the three fillies couldn't help but stare as Twilight began to sloppily munch her way through a few hay burgers and a double order of horseshoe shaped fries. Mario was just eating a bit more casually but kept giggling as he watched his wife eat, especially since her cheeks were coated in ketchup and crumbs.
"Mmm! Mmmm, mm!" Twilight hummed with her mouth full, "I didn't realize how hungry I was! I'm so glad you asked my husband and I to join you here today..." Twilight then used another hayburger to wipe her cheeks and then devoured it one bite. Mario took another bite of his hayburger and keeping a second one nearby when Twilight eyeballed it.
"You gonna eat that?" she asked.
"Hey, leave some for me!" Mario protested playfully, "I gotta eat too ya know!" Twilight stuck her tongue out at him before they shared a chuckle with each other. Mario then watched Twilight eat and giggled some more.
"What so funny, big brother?" Apple Bloom asked Mario curiously.
"I just think Twilight looks cute when she eats like this," said Mario as Twilight just kept eating and pretended she hadn't heard. The three fillies just gave him weird looks.
"I get it, I'm weird," said Mario, "but when you love somepony, you love them no matter what. To another pony, they might just find the way Twilight eats awkward, but I love Twilight for who she is. So...I find her eating cute. I've made her feel awkward with some of the things I do, but she still loves me never the less."
"I...see..." said Sweetie Belle slowly.
"Well...you love me don't you, despite my ideas of what makes Twilight cute," Mario asked as he munched on some horseshoe fries.
"Of course we do, why would that make us...Ooooooh! I get it," said Scootaloo as she and the other two fillies understood what Mario was trying to say.
"As I was saying before," said Twilight, sneaking a playful glare at her husband and swallowed, "we're so honored. Mm!" The three fillies were rather surprised.
"You are?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"When you first asked us to help you develop new skills," Twilight explained as she used her magic to grab some fries, "I thought "Working with young students so devoted to the joy of learning purely for its own sake? What could be better?" You all remind me of myself when I was your age!" Twilight began to eat her fries as the three fillies gave her and Mario nervous looks.
"Yes, well...we feel the same way," said Sweetie Belle.
"That's why we invited you two here," Apple Bloom added.
"All because of our love of learning!" said Scootaloo. They all gave them over the top smiles as Twilight began to sip her drink. Mario noticed that something was up.
"Is everything alright girls?" Mario asked the three fillies. Before any of them could answer, Pinkie appeared wearing a special strap to carry her tray without her fore-hooves. On her tray was a half-finished milkshake.
"Twilight! Mario!" said Pinkie, "Haven't seen you two here in, like, forever and a half!"
"I know," said Twilight, "We've been so busy I forgot how delicious everything is here!"
"You guys used to come here often when you were dating," said Pinkie. Twilight and Mario nearly choked before they gave each other sad looks.
"Yeah, that's true," said Mario sadly, "We...kind of stopped having our little dates after we got married."
"Well, we have been extra busy being a princess and prince," said Twilight before adding in a sad tone, "But that's no excuse to not make time for each other. I miss our dates."
"Well, our scheduling day for next is month is in a couple of days," said Mario as he checked his planner, "I'll make a note so we can make sure to get at least one date a week. Royal duties or not, we have a right to have time alone."
"Perfect," said Twilight as the two alicorns shared a quick kiss. It was then a large crowd of ponies peeked in on them from the window behind the royal couple and started watched them. Despite how young they looked, none of them seemed grossed out at seeing the royal couple kiss.
"Totally!" said Pinkie in agreement when she noticed the crowd behind them, "Hey, what's going on out there?" Pinkie pointed a fore-hoof behind them. The three fillies beside Pinkie blinked fearfully. Twilight and Mario had a blank look on their faces before they turned their heads around. By the time they did, the crowd had ducked for cover.
"Oh, never mind, they're gone!" said Pinkie.
"They?" Mario asked puzzled as the crowd reappeared in the windows.
"They're back!" Pinkie shouted, making the three fillies cringe, as the couple turned around again, but the crowd ducked for cover just in time once more.
"Never mind, they're gone," said Pinkie, "La la-la la-la..." Pinkie then walked away as Twilight shook her head, but Mario had narrowed his eyes.
"Lighten up, dear," said Twilight, "It was probably Pinkie just being Pinkie."
"It's not Pinks," said Mario in a low tone and narrowed eyes, "I sense something...I presence I've not felt since..." The three fillies just smiled innocently as Mario hummed to himself in deep thought. Twilight started eating a third hayburger. Behind the couple, some of the young ponies revealed their cameras and started taking pictures as Twilight ate quietly.
"Yes, that sound is also very familiar as well," Mario pondered to himself, "Reminds me of my glory days. It was...it was..." As the camera clicking continued, Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom had blank faces. Then Scootaloo made a pose, did ducky lips, and then grabbed Sweetie Belle to join her in posing and smiling for the cameras.
"Knock it off!" Apple Bloom muttered through gritted teeth. Twilight and Mario soon took noticed of the random grandstanding.
"What in the world is going on out-" Twilight then gasped as she turned around as the three fillies cringed.
"Now I remember what that presence was," said Mario as he did a fast one-eighty to look out the window and saw all the ponies taking pictures of them, "Paparazzi!" The crowd of ponies then disappeared behind the bushes.
"I'll go check things out," said Twilight, "wait here, okay?"
"Sure, honey," said Mario as Twilight headed outside. It was then Mario looked at the three fillies, who smiled at him nervously.
"What's going on here?" Mario asked firmly.
"Um...well," said Apple Bloom, "You...you see...they kind of...found out that we were coming to meet you guys here."
"And they wanted to see you both," Scootaloo added, "so..."
"I get it," said Mario, interrupting Scootaloo, "They pushed you into coming along. Get a glimpse of the royal couple. Oh, the joys of peer pressure." Mario chuckled to himself and shook his head.
"So you're not mad?" Sweetie Belle asked.
"Annoyed is a better word," said Mario, "but not at you guys. I should've known Diamond Tiara was gonna open her big mouth about Twilight Time. I bet she told everypony that they could get into Twilight Time too. Don't worry, girls. I don't know what scheme she's cooking up this time, but I'll take care of you." Truth of the matter was that Shenran had warned him that Diamond Tiara was up to something. Mario was waiting for just the right moment to expose the filly. He knew it was only a matter of time before Diamond Tiara would get so cocky she would expose herself. As for the three fillies, they inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. They were grateful Mario understood their situation, even if they neglected to tell him Sweetie Belle had invited the crowd. Apple Bloom then glared at Scootaloo.
"What was all this?" said Apple Bloom as she stood up, making the ducky lips and poses, "and this?"
"I couldn't help it!" Scootaloo protested, "When I don't smile in a picture, I look sad." Sweetie Belle just gave the orange Pegasus an "oh brother" look.
"Oh, we're gonna look sad all right," said Sweetie Belle as she slumped forward in her seat.
"Don't worry, Sweetie Belle," said Mario, "My wife will take care of the crowd and we'll have our lunch in peace." As much as Sweetie Belle wanted to feel better, she didn't. Back outside, Twilight gasped as she saw all the young colts and fillies starting at her. She hadn't even noticed that some of them were even hiding on the roof of the Hay Burger. Twilight soon felt uncomfortable from all the stares.
"Uh, can I...help you?" Twilight asked with a sheepish smile on her face. The young ponies then all screamed excitedly before they surrounded her, many of them jumping up and down like Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon did yesterday. Mario rushed outside when he heard the loud screaming outside.
"Honey, I heard the screaming and I-"
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Mario cringed painfully as all the fillies squealed at the top of the lungs when they saw him. Twilight had managed to cover her ears just in time.
"Okay...ow..." Mario groaned wearily as he held his head as some other fillies smiled and bounced up and down around him.
"Get my picture with her!" Diamond Tiara shouted as she and Silver Spoon stood next to Twilight.
"Me first!" Pipsqueak shouted as he tried to photo bomb.
"Hey! Get out of the shot!" Silver Spoon complained as she shoved Pipsqueak away. The Cutie Mark Crusaders just watched the mess unfold from the window.
"This is bad," said Sweetie Belle.
"Twilight's gonna be so ticked at us," said Scootaloo.
"I told ya this was a terrible idea," said Apple Bloom, "Big brother isn't gonna help us once he finds out we invited them here!" Back outside, several ponies were holding scraps of paper before Twilight and Mario.
"You seriously all want my autograph?" said Twilight in surprise.
"And Prince Mario's!" said a bunch of fillies and gave a happy sigh as hearts floated from their faces.
"Oh boy," said Mario wearily, but his wife just giggled.
"Okay, We'll sign just a couple more for you," said Twilight as she used her magic to sign the papers and Mario started doing the same, "but we really must get back to our little friends." It was then the Cutie Mark Crusaders were trying to sneak away from the commotion without being noticed. However, Mario and Twilight saw them.
"Oh, there you are!" said Twilight, making them freeze in their tracks.
"No need to go running off girls," said Mario as he finished signing another autograph, which the filly smiled happily and hugged it with hearts floating above her heads, "We've got things under control." The three fillies just smiled sheepishly in reply.
"Wow," said Pipsqueak, "to think I've been to the Hay Burger so many times, never knowing it's a regular hangout for a prince and princess!"
"This isn't our regular hangout," said Twilight as she gave Mario a smirk to keep quiet about how telling they used to have regular dates there, "We're only here to be with them." The three fillies had blank looks on their faces.
"There our best friends," Mario added giving them a wink and causing the three fillies to blush sheepishly.
"You mean, Princess Twilight and Prince Mario decide where it's cool to go based on where they go?" Pipsqueak asked.
"Huh?" said the three fillies, looking rather stunned.
"Yeah, we do," Mario answered as he smiled at the three fillies, "they're alot of fun to spend time with. I'm kind of surprised you didn't know that. You can't go judging a pony by their wealth...or their flank after all." The Cutie Mark Crusaders were speechless at the fact Mario was helping the fillies think they were cool.
"Thanks, guys, this was fun!" said Twilight, "Ready to go, honey?" Mario smiled as they intertwined a fore-leg with each other.
"Eeyup," said Mario.
"See ya around!" said Twilight as the royal couple took off into the sky. The young ponies were amazed at how they were able to fly so close together without their wings colliding with each other. Once they disappeared, they gathered around the Cutie Mark Crusaders and cheered for them. The three fillies smiled at all the praise.
"I'm opening a new lemonade stand!" said Pipsqueak, "Won't you come to the grand opening?" Before the three fillies could reply, another pony took their picture and Pipsqueak added, "I'll give you free lemonade for a week!" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo weren't sure what to say. It was then Sweetie Belle once again took control of the situation.
"Relax," Sweetie Belle told Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, "I know exactly how to handle this."
The next day, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were seen holding a pair of giant golden scissors as they cut the red ribbon to mark the opening of Pipsqueak's lemonade stand. The young ponies cheered as the three fillies smiled for them. Then a pair of glasses filled with delicious lemonade clinked against each other as the young ponies began to enjoy their drinks. Pipsqueak began to walk about the area with a tray that had a pitcher of lemonade and some glasses on his back. Sweetie Belle was just sitting comfortably on a pillow next to a barrel that was being used as a table wearing some blue sunglasses.
"More lemonade?" Pipsqueak asked the marshmallow filly.
"Don't mind if I do!" said Sweetie Belle as she grabbed a fresh glass with her mouth and set it on the barrel to take a drink. Just a short distance away was Scootaloo. She was also sitting on a pillow as a colt with a light brown afro mane and poofy tail was shining the girl's fore-hoof.
"Done shining your hooves!" said the colt, "it's an honor to do you the favor!" Scootaloo examined her fore-hoof.
"Whoa, so bright I can see myself!" said Scootaloo as she saw her reflection in her fore-hooves. I gotta thank Mario for helping me embrace my feminine side. Getting my hooves shinned is really nice. No wonder Rarity loves doing it!
Apple Bloom then peeked at Scootaloo from behind. Her pink bow was now coated in sparkly gems.
"And so can I!" said Apple Bloom as she turned to a little purple filly, "Nice job beddazzlin' my bow! What do I owe you?"
"Your gratitude is thanks enough," said the filly. It was then the group divided up as Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon came up to them in their snooty demeanor.
"You three must come to my pool party," said Diamond Tiara, "It'll be much cooler than this." The two rich fillies then took their leave as Sweetie belle and Scootaloo walked up to Apple Bloom.
"I believe we have arrived, Cutie Mark Crusaders," said Apple Bloom as they shared smug smiles with each other.
"Yeah!" the three fillies shouted as they shared high fives with each other.
A few days later, The Cutie Mark Crusaders were enjoying themselves at Diamond Tiara's backyard pool. Apple Bloom was floating comfortably on a ducky inner tube as Scootaloo jumped into the pool with a large splash. Scootaloo then surfaced and squirted some water at Apple Bloom, making the yellow filly laugh. Sweetie Belle was just reclining with Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon as they sat on some longue chairs under an umbrella that were near the pool's edge.
"Wow, this is nice," said Sweetie Belle to the two rich fillies, "but there's no one else here. Why is this party cooler, exactly?"
"Because of all the ponies we're keeping out," said Diamond Tiara smugly as Apple Bloom floated by in the foreground. Diamond Tiara pointed to the gate of the mansion where the rest of the other ponies were just watching them from the other side of the gate. The three fillies all looked back at them. Scootaloo even doing a spit-take. None of them felt comfortable enjoying the pool party at the expense of the other young ponies being forced to just watch them have fun.
"This has been great," said Sweetie Belle, trying to be direct and quick, "but we have to go. It's Twilight Time." Sweetie Belle got out of her chair as Scootaloo and Apple Bloom quickly climbed out of the pool and not bothering to dry off completely.
"So, we're coming too, right?" said Diamond Tiara hopefully.
"Um...a-actually, no," Sweetie Belle replied with much hesitation in her voice, "We didn't have a chance to ask Twilight and Mario, so-" Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon gave them disapproving frowns.
"Really?" Diamond Tiara snapped as she marched up to Sweetie Belle, "After all the favors we did for you? After all the favors they did for you?" The other young ponies were just as angry at Sweetie Belle's answer.
"Twilight Time! Twilight Time! Twilight Time! Twilight Time! Twilight Time! Twilight Time! Twilight Time!" the young ponies chanted loudly as they rattled the gate. If they had been adults, they might have smashed through the gate easily.
"Okay, I know exactly how to handle this," said Sweetie Belle calmly before throwing her head back and screaming, "RUN!"
"Twilight Time! Twilight Time! Twilight Time! Twilight Time!" the crowd kept chanting angrily as the three fillies tried to stay out of their sight. The three fillies then ran off toward the brick wall on the other side of the protesting colts and fillies and strained themselves frantically as they climbed over it.
"Go, go go!" Sweetie Belle shouted until they made it on the other side and into some bushes.
"We gotta beat them to Twilight and Mario's so we can explain!" said Scootaloo, "I really hope Mario can help us out of this mess!"
"This way!" said Sweetie Belle, "I know a shortcut!" It was then the crowd had discovered them as were slowly marching up to them, still chanting "Twilight Time".
"Then we run, like the wind!" Apple Bloom told them before they took off as fast as their legs could go as the crowd continued to chant and march after them. By the time the three fillies had reached the library, they were clearly out of breath.
"We...made...it..." Sweetie Belle panted as she tried to catch her breath, "Quick! Knock on-" But they were too late, two colts riding scooters blocked their way to the front door. The rest of the crowd arrived, being led by the two rich fillies. The Cutie Mark Crusaders were surrounded by the crowd as one of the scooter riding colts knocked on the door. Twilight answered the door and was shocked to see the large crowd of young ponies surrounding the three fillies.
"Twilight, we can explain," said Sweetie Belle.
"We know you said we should just keep Twilight Time to us!" Apple Bloom said as well.
"We didn't mean for so many ponies to be here! Honest!" added Scootaloo. Twilight just stared and then smiled.
"Oh, don't be silly," said Twilight, "I only meant that for your benefit so you could get the most of our time together. But if you want to share your time with others, that's fine."
"So, you're not mad?" Scootaloo asked in surprise.
"Of course not!" said Twilight, "Come on in, everypony! Spike made nachos!" The two colts riding there scooters rolled themselves in. While the three fillies lead the rest of the crowd of ponies inside. Spike then appeared showing the group a small plate of nachos and dip.
"Turns out we'll need some more than that," said Twilight as Spike just sighed in defeat and headed back into the kitchen. He closed the door just in time as Mario made his way down from upstairs.
"What's all the commotion down..."
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
Mario cringed painfully once more as all the fillies, minus Diamond Tiara and the Cutie Mark Crusaders, squealed loudly at his arrival.
"Okay ladies!" Mario bellowed as he held his now ringing ears, "I appreciate the fact you all like me and all, but please don't do that again!" Several fillies blushed and giggled as he looked in their direction. One even blew him a kiss.
"Oh for the love of Celestia," Mario muttered with dread as he walked over to his wife.
"I thought you like having the ladies' attention," Twilight teased. Mario looked at her wearily.
"I'd rather not risk you getting jealous again," said Mario worriedly. Twilight giggled and kissed his cheek.
"I'm not," said Twilight with a smile, making Mario relax a bit. Soon all the young ponies were chatting with each other excitedly as Twilight and Mario walked about the area.
"Before we start, we should maybe get a bit more organized?" said Twilight as she jumped on top of a table, "Ponies interested in magic in this corner. Ponies who want to learn potions over here. Bookworm ponies over there."
"Which group is Mario going to help?" a filly asked as some others giggled excitedly. Mario groaned inwardly as Twilight giggled.
"He will be helping out with all three groups," Twilight answered as the ponies began divide up as the Cutie Mark Crusaders watched.
"Incredible," said Apple Bloom, "Looks like everything's workin' out just fine."
"And I was so afraid Twilight and Mario would be disappointed in us," said Scootaloo.
"Told you I knew exactly how to handle all this!" said Sweetie Belle smugly.
"Handle what exactly?" Mario asked them as Twilight walked past him and the three fillies before Sweetie Belle could answer.
"Thanks to all of you for taking time out to come learn new things," Twilight told all the young ponies.
"Thank you, princess and prince!" said Diamond Tiara.
"We love you, princess!" Silver Spoon shouted, "We love you, Prince!" The rest of the foals shouted their own complements to the royal couple.
"Okay, okay, let's settle down," said Twilight, "if you want to thank anypony, thank the Cutie Mark Crusaders for so generously sharing this time."
"It was nothing, really," said Sweetie Belle on behalf of the others two fillies, "We just felt it was the right thing to do."
"Hmph! What a laugh," Diamond Tiara muttered under her breath as Twilight made her way over to Pipsqueak.
"Let's begin over here," said Twilight as she spoke to Pipsqueak first, "And what would you like to learn, little one?"
"I want to learn how to become a Cutie Mark Crusader!" said Pipsqueak excitedly.
"Awesome!" said Mario as he stood near the three fillies, "The group could always use more members." The three fillies just smiled wearily in return.
"And why do you want to become a Cutie Mark Crusader?" Twilight asked.
"Because then I could get all my classmates to do me favors and stuff because I'm friends with a famous princess and prince!" Pipsqueak replied. Twilight and Mario blinked in shock before they gave the three fillies a glare.
"Oh, boy," said Sweetie Belle as the royal couple walked up to them.
"Is this true?" Twilight Sparkle asked firmly.
"We wanted our time together just as a way to be you and Mario and learn new things," said Sweetie Belle sternly, "Really and truly!"
"I know that," said Mario firmly, "but what I..."
"Prove it," said Twilight. Mario and Sweetie Belle were left shocked.
"Huh?!" was all Sweetie Belle could say in reply.
"If it's true," Twilight challenged, "Then I'm sure you've all been practicing your skills over the past week. Show us how much better you got." The two rich fillies smirked at them deviously as the three fillies shared fearful looks with each other. Even Mario looked a little weary.
"Honey, I don't think..." said Mario but Twilight shushed him by putting a fore-hoof to his lips.
"Uh, well, uh...we..can't," said Apple Bloom.
"We kinda rushed over and forgot to bring our stuff," said Scootaloo.
"Hm, I see," said Twilight while the two rich fillies continued smirking at them. Mario then shot them a glare.
"I wonder why," Mario asked as he looked at the rest of the young colts and fillies, especially Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. Nopony said a word. Mario had expected as much, but he noticed that even Diamond Tiara was trying to avoid eye contract. Twilight then turned to walk away.
"No, wait!" Sweetie Belle called out and headed into the middle of the main room, "Hey, everypony, you're in luck! You came to learn, but instead you're getting dinner and a show! Get ready, 'cause we, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, are about to lay on you the amazing skills we learned in Twilight Time!" As Sweetie Belle continued speaking, she pulled Apple Bloom and Scootaloo over to her sides, who each had a nervous look on their faces. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon shared puzzled looks with each other as the other young ponies chatted with interest at what the Cutie Mark Crusaders were going to do.
"Unfortunately, since we don't have Scootaloo's unicycle parts" Sweetie Belle continued as the orange Pegasus headed over to the left side of the room while Apple Bloom headed to the right, "she'll take apart and put back together one of the scooters from outside." Scootaloo then brought in a green scooter and began to take it apart.
"Hey!" said Pipsqueak, "That's my scooter!"
"You got us into this mess, kid," said Scootaloo as a matter of fact, "Might wanna roll with us."
"Huh?" Pipsqueak asked rather cluelessly.
"Apple Bloom doesn't have her apple seed with her," Sweetie Belle continued to explain, "so she'll just grab an apple from the kitchen." Apple Bloom then approached the chemistry set and put down an apple. She presented it with a nervous smile on her face.
"And I will begin by using my magic to lift this broom!" Sweetie Belle finished as she presented the broom before the crowd. Twilight just smiled as Mario sat skeptically with his fore-legs crossed. Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon had their own curious looks on their faces as Scootaloo got to work putting the scooter back together. Apple Bloom began to carefully mix up her plant growing potion. Sweetie Belle then made her horn spark as her magic glow grabbed onto the broom. It wasn't much longer before Scootaloo was continuing to reassemble the scooter, Apple Bloom continued making her potion, and Sweetie Belle was concentrating as hard as she could as the broom slowly rose into the air.
"Ta-da!" said Scootaloo as she finished and rode the completed scooter around the room.
"Become a tree!" said Apple Bloom as she poured the potion onto the apple.
"Rise!" said Sweetie Belle as she struggled to get the broom to rise up to her eye-level. Then everything went south from there. Sweetie Belle dropped the broom, the scooter Scootaloo finished fell apart with her still riding it, and the apple that Apple Bloom had put potion on began to grow in size at an alarming rate. Twilight, Mario, and the others all backed away from the growing apple nervously.
"It's gonna..."
SPLAT!
"...blow," said Mario, finishing the statement in a deadpan tone, as the giant apple exploded, causing mush to fly all over, Twilight, Mario, the young ponies, and some of the mush even shot right out of the windows, covering two houses with the goop. One of those houses belonging to Shenran.
"That didn't turn out quite how I had hoped," said Sweetie Belle as she and her mush covered best friends all looked ashamed and embarassed.
"Looks like Twilight Time is over," said Twilight as she wiped off some of the apple mush off her face.
"And look who's not the prince and princess's entourage anymore!" Diamond Tiara called out.
"Oooh!" the other young ponies cooed. Mario and Twilight gave them both glares.
"Guess they didn't come here to learn after all," Silver Spoon added spitefully.
"All part of the plan, right Diamond?" Mario asked plainly.
"Totally," said Diamond Tiara before her eyes shrunk and she bit her lower lip. Mario chuckled hollowly. Twilight shook her head.
"Guess arrogance really does blind a pony," said Twilight.
"Did you think we wouldn't realize that you were trying to set them up this whole time?" Mario asked Diamond Tiara as the tiara wearing-filly spluttered.
"That's not true," said Diamond Tiara shot back and pointed a fore-hoof at the three fillies, "They're the ones who got all our hopes up that we could spend time with you if we did favors for them!" The other students then chatted in agreement.
"We became their friends because we thought we would be able to get to know you and Twilight better!" Silver Spoon added, but then a few seconds later realized what she said had actually made them even more guilty. Diamond Tiara shot her a fierce death glare. Mario just looked at them sadly.
"You all have hurt me and my wife's feelings today," said Mario. The others fillies, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon included, all gave the prince puzzled looks.
"While the Cutie Mark Crusaders are wrong in accepting your favors and making promises they can't keep," Mario continued, "You all sought to take advantage of them for your own benefits. That makes me and my wife feel like we're nothing but a prize to you all. The great opportunity to say you got to spend time with royalty. All you care about is a prince and princess and not taking the time to get to know us like normal ponies!"
"That not true!" Silver Spoon protested and pointed a fore-hoof at the Cutie Mark Crusaders, "they're the ones who didn't want to actually learn anything!"
"Well, neither did either of you," said Twilight quietly as well as sadly.
"Awww..." said the rest of the crowd as the two rich fillies just cringed as Mario walked up to them.
"If you two think this type of behavior is what will, in your words, get you in good graces with my wife and I," said Mario sternly, "then you are both gravely mistaken. Until you both are willing to understand what true friendship is all about, we will never associate with either of you."
"This is right," Twilight added sternly.
"Dismissed everypony!" Mario commanded as the crowd of ponies left without another word. He took noticed that both Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were sulking as they left. Only the Cutie Mark Crusaders remained as Twilight tried to shake off some of the apple goop stuck to her body and hind leg.
"We're really sorry, Twilight and Mario," said Sweetie Belle, "We made a huge mistake."
"And we're really and truly did enjoy learning new skills with you," said Apple Bloom, "and we enjoy hangout with you as ponies and not because you're a Prince and Princess."
"Guess we'll have to just keep on doing it without you," said Scootaloo as she handed Twilight the now repaired scooter. And unlike last time, it didn't fall apart as Twilight took it with a fore-leg, "learning new skills I mean. Thanks, Twilight and Mario." The royal couple then looked as Apple Bloom created another potion that made a small flower grow inside of a potted plant. Apple Bloom then presented it to the two alicorns.
"Thanks..." said Apple Bloom, the flower wilting a bit to match the sad look on her face. Sweetie Belle the used her magic to pluck the flower from the pot and tuck it behind Twilight's right ear.
"Thanks..." said Sweetie Belle in the same sad tone as the three fillies went to leave.
"Sweetie Belle?" said Twilight as she turned to face them as she held the scooter with her fore-leg.
"Scootaloo, little Sis?" Mario said as he faced the three fillies as well. The three fillies stopped and looked back at the two alicorns.
"Remember a moment ago when you asked us to give you a chance?" Twilight asked. The three fillies smiled. It was then Spike arrived with a very tall pile of freshly made nachos. He set the tall stack of treats down and presented them...only to find everypony was gone.
"Aw...COME ON!" Spike bellowed angrily before he pouted in disgrace. The others just chuckled as Spike took the nachos back to the kitchen. The three fillies offered to help clean up the apple mush inside the tree house.
"Mario?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Yeah little Sis," Mario asked as he quickly cleared the apple mush on the books shelves with a wash cloth.
"You and Twilight didn't really think we only wanted to hang out with you because you are a Prince and Princess did you?" Apple Bloom asked. Mario smiled.
"Of course not," said Mario, "We were still upset over what happened though."
"We are sorry," said Sweetie Belle, "We didn't mean to make you feel that way."
"It's just everypony was making us feel so popular that we...kind of got lost in the excitement," said Scootaloo.
"We understand," said Twilight, "Mario had a similar experience back when he was a colt."
"Ironically, Diamond Tiara's mother, Spoiled Rich, was behind it," said Mario, "She was the one who encourage me to act like a big shot with a bloated ego. Not to mention act condescending to others. You all know how that ended up."
"But...why would you wanna act that way?" Scootaloo asked curiously.
"The same reason you guys let ponies do all those favors for you," said Mario, "I wanted to feel popular and accepted. I loved being the center of attention, even if it meant losing part of myself to get it."
"But in the end, it only got you into trouble," said Apple Bloom, "Ugh, I can't believe we let ourselves get lost in all that attention. We practically walked right into Diamond Tiara's little trap and humiliated ourselves in front of our entire class!"
"That was my fault," said Sweetie Belle, "I was the one who kept encouraging our behavior. Guess I was just happy for a chance for Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon to be nice to us for a change."
"Believe me, Sweetie Belle," said Mario, "It's why I let Spoiled Rich to the same to me back in the day. I just wanted her bullying to stop and when the opportunity to get on her good side came. I took it...and it really paid the price for it."
"Maybe you wouldn't have if I had just been a better friend to you back in the day," said Twilight, "Instead of just skipping all your races and ignoring your rising fame just to study."
"Twilight, I'm actually glad you didn't see me when I was like that," said Mario, wincing at the memories.
"I still regret not being there for you, especially when things were so bleak for you," said Twilight sadly. Mario just sighed. He knew Twilight was struggling to forgive herself for her behavior in the past.
"Honey, do you really want to know how you can make that up to me?" Mario asked her.
"Yes!" said Twilight as she rushed up to him and grabbed his fore-hooves with her own, "name and I'll do it!" Mario just gave her a warm smile.
"Promise me that when I need you," said Mario, "You'll be there for me." Twilight smiled and gave him a quick kiss.
"I'll be there for you for the rest of my life," said Twilight as they shared a little nose nuzzle.
"Can we be there for him too?" Scootaloo asked as Mario called for the three fillies to join him and his wife for a group hug.
"Mario is quite snuggly isn't he girls?" Twilight teased.
"Totally," they said together, making Mario roll his eyes and blush as they pulled away.
"Let's finish cleaning up this mess," said Twilight, "And, to show I'm not a jealous pony..."
"...right..." Mario said with a smirk as Twilight stuck her tongue out at him.
"When we're finished, Mario can brush our manes and tails so their nice and shiny," said Twilight. The three fillies cheered excitedly and quickly got back to work. Neither of them noticed that outside the Library, Diamond Tiara was watching them from a window, seething with fury with Silver Spoon just sulking behind her. They were both still covered in apple mush.
"I don't get it!" Diamond Tiara complained angrily, "I just don't get it!"
"Get what?" Silver Spoon asked rather annoyed tone.
"After they made fool of themselves," Diamond Tiara vented, "And ruined everything we did to help make them popular! Everything! Princess Twilight and Prince Mario still want to associate with the likes of them?! And not me?! I'm the social elite! I'm better and more worthy of their time than those three blank flank losers! Yet there they are! Getting hugs from them and getting groomed by the Prince himself, who I might add, does a far better job at grooming than my hair stylist! And they get it for free! What do they have that I don't?! I. JUST. DON'T. GET. IT!" Diamond Tiara panted heavily in rage. It was quite the miracle that nopony inside had even heard her raise her voice. Silver Spoon showed her best friend no sympathy, especially since Diamond Tiara kept saying "I" and not "we".
"We're you even listening when Prince Mario was talking..." Silver Spoon tried to explain but was cut off.
"I didn't ask for you to speak!" Diamond Tiara snapped in Silver Spoon's face, leaving her best friend shocked and deeply hurt.
"Di..." said Silver Spoon quietly.
"And next time, how about you only speak when spoken to!" Diamond Tiara yelled angrily, "You ruined everything just like those stupid crusaders!"
"Diamond, I was only trying to defend..." Silver Spoon stuttered.
"QUIET!" Diamond Tiara barked before she stormed off, dreading heavily when her parents were going to think when they learned Prince Mario and Princess Twilight wanted nothing to do with her. Silver Spoon watched her best friend walk away with a stern look on her face.
"To answer your question: It's because they are friends," said Silver Spoon bitterly though Diamond Tiara was too far away, "I liked Mario before he was a Prince! Unlike you! You ruined everything for the both of us! You ruined my chance to call Prince Mario my friend!" Silver Spoon felt some tears leave her eyes.
"I'm beginning to wonder why I put up with you anymore!" Silver Spoon croaked, "even my parents are saying you're not worth the social prestige you and your mother claim to have!" Silver Spoon walked slowly home...alone.
A couple of weeks later, during the next Twilight Time session, Twilight and Mario had offered to let the three fillies add a entry to their friendship journal. They were more than honored but had Sweetie Belle write the entry since out of all three, she had the best penmanship.
"I guess Twilight and Mario must not be so super-upset anymore," Sweetie Belle wrote, "'cause they're letting us do our own diary entry like our sisters do. Boy, did we get our priorities messed up. We started acting special because we were friends with someone special. We almost forgot the real reason Twilight and Mario are special-because they are our friends. But they forgave us, and, like magic, things are good as new! That's the kind of magic I really want to get good at, now that I'm getting so good at the other kind."
As Sweetie Belle wrote her entry, Apple Bloom made another attempt at her plant growing potion, which produced a very large and healthy flower. Twilight and Mario gave her a smile and a pat on the shoulder, which the yellow filly smiled back in reply. Scootaloo then rode by with her fully assembled unicycle and was riding it proficiently around the main room. Sweetie Belle could now use her horn to make the broom hover about the room with ease and with minimal effort. She then gave the broom back to Twilight with her magic instead of her hooves.
"Wow, all three of you have made so much progress!" said Twilight as Mario stood beside her, "we're both really proud of you."
"Keep up the good work," said Mario, "and we'll see what else you three would like to learn."
"See you next time!" said Twilight as the three fillies prepare to leave.
"We're just glad Twilight Time is back to normal," Sweetie Belle had finished writing in the journal and also adding, "Well...almost back to normal." The three fillies had put on disguises before they exited the Library and headed on their way.
"I just hope no one sees us," said Sweetie Belle.
"'Cause we're tryin' to keep Twilight Time a secret?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Or because we look ridiculous?" Scootaloo asked.
"A little of both, actually," Sweetie Belle replied. Twilight and Mario laughed as the former leaned into his side so he could cuddle her as they watched the three fillies disappear out of sight.
Those three fillies could be a handful at times.
But for Mario and Twilight, they would always have a special place in their hearts.
Hope you enjoyed the added content. Plus don't dismiss the added filler between Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon. This is technically their last speaking episode before "you know what" happens in Season 5. The extra filler might make more sense if you know what happens!
And I hope nopony was bothered by me making Mario and Twilight a little bit more lovey-dovey in this chapter. After fifteen chapters of them being realistic, I think they deserved a chapter where they are just plain cute! It's not like I made them act like Big Mac and Cheerilee in that one Hearts and Hooves episode.
Next Episode, we get more Fluttershy, Shenran, and their first and only appearance...the Breezies!
Peace Pony Fans!