The Cutie Map Part 1
Pony's Log Number 501: Never thought I'd experience a living functioning utopian society. At least that's what they make you think it is...
It was another beautiful day in Ponyville. For the most part, the citizens of the town seemed to have gotten adjusted to having a giant crystal castle just outside the town area. Inside the castle, the Mane Seven entered the main room where all the thrones were located. It had been roughly three days since Fluttershy and Shenran had returned from their honeymoon and the rest of the group was happy to have the yellow Pegasus back with the group. Inside the throne room, Spike was just snoring peacefully on his throne. Pinkie wasted no time bouncing over to her throne and taking a seat on it. She or any other pony hadn't even realized that the cutie mark on it began to start glowing as soon as she sat down it. Rainbow had just hovered over to her throne when Twilight and Mario approached.
"Let's go through this one more time," Twilight asked.
"Not again," Mario groaned and even Rainbow face-hoofed herself.
"We've been over it like a million times, Twilight!" Rainbow retorted annoyingly, "We found all seven keys, found all seven power hearts, defeated Tirek, and got this sweet castle! End of story!"
"Yes, but why?" said Twilight.
"I mean, we know Tirek blew up our home and we needed a new one and such," said Mario, "but...well...even my wife would agree that a castle is a bit much for a replacement." Twilight nodded in agreement.
"I dunno, sugarcubes," said Applejack as she took a seat in her own throne, "Maybe it's just your new home and there ain't nothin' more to it than that."
"Easy for you to say," Mario muttered to Twilight, "We could never call this castle our home."
"Shh!" said Twilight, not wanting anypony to hear about their feelings of having a castle just yet.
"I must say, speaking strictly on aesthetics," said Rarity as she took a seat in her own throne, "there really doesn't need to be more to it. It's all simply divine!" Mario and Twilight just discreetly looked at each other and rolled their eyes. Mario may be a bit of fashionista like Rarity, but he wasn't seeing anything appealing about the castle decor at the moment.
"I agree with Twilight," said Fluttershy as she took a seat in her own throne, "And Rarity. And Applejack. And Rainbow Dash. And Pinkie Pie. Oh, and probably Spike." Spike just snored in reply.
"What about me?" Mario asked with a slightly whining tone since Fluttershy hadn't said his name.
"Well, what about you?" Fluttershy teased as Mario pouted as everypony minus Twilight snickered at him.
"By the way, where's Shenran?" said Twilight before adding with a smirk, "I thought your new husband would be with you." Fluttershy blushed. It was still a dream come true for the young Pegasus. She was now a married Pegasus and she was happily wed to the stallion of her dreams. Fluttershy just giggled happily as he cheeks stayed light pink.
"He's still unpacking his things back at the cottage," said Fluttershy, "Fortunately, most of his items weren't destroyed when Tirek blew up his house. He also wanted to spend some time knowing where everything is and getting to know every animal back at the cottage. He wants to come up with a routine so we can work together. Oh! My routine is going to be so much easier now that I have a big strong stallion helping me all the time."
"Ok, and what was I to you all these years?" Mario asked indignantly since he had been helping the yellow Pegasus with her animals before he ever introduced her to Shenran.
"My little annoying minion," Fluttershy replied smugly. Mario gave Fluttershy a raspberry, which she returned. Twilight just smiled and rolled her eyes at them before she started pacing around the center carpet.
"As Princess and my husband as Prince," said Twilight, "We've been chosen to spread the magic of friendship across Equestria."
"And now we need to find and collect these as well," Mario pointed out as he made the golden flower appear before the group, which sparkled brightly before them. The six girls awed in amazement,
"What is that?" Applejack asked.
"It's beautiful," said Fluttershy.
"They are called Flower Sprites," Mario explained, "Apparently they are supposed to be sources of friendship magic. I got this one helping Mom with a personal friendship problem and wasn't expecting it to appear."
"Let me guess: we gotta collect seven of them and some sort of special power appears?" Rainbow asked.
"Not this time," said Mario, "There's no limit to how many Flower Sprites are out there. It could be just a few, or maybe even hundreds!"
"Hundreds?" Pinkie exclaimed, "You're gonna need a bigger saddle bag for them all." Mario resisted shooting the pink pony a glare since Pinkie had obviously forgotten that his magic saddle bag was bottomless.
"We'll worry about that later," said Mario, "For now we've got a castle mystery to solve."
"True. So why would the Tree of Harmony want us to sit in a castle in Ponyville?" Twilight asked as she took a seat on her throne, "It doesn't make any sense."
"I don't think we're supposed to just sit in a castle all day, honey," said Mario as he took a seat on his throne, "I think the thrones are meant to provide us a place to discuss friendship problems when they occur, like a counsel of some sort." Just as the cutie mark on Mario's throne began to glow. Everypony else then noticed the cutie marks on their thrones were glowing as well. Then the cutie marks on each of their thrones shot out a beam of colored light that met at the center of the room. It was then the Flower Sprite popped out of Mario, hovered over to the center of the room to the star mark on the floor in the center of the room. The Flower Sprite then dived into the center star, making it glow and turn into a cluster of sparkle dust.
"Reacting to the Flower Spite, the door slowly opens," said Pinkie Pie dramatically.
"Pinkie that's a floor symbol not a door!" Mario retorted when the room started to rumble, "Oh come on! I don't want Pinkie to be right!" It was then fissures of crystal rock rose from the ground and all the fissures met at the center of the floor. Then the crystal constructed itself into what appeared to be... after a brilliant flash of light...
(Cue "The odyssey...err I mean...the Cutie Map has powered up!" fanfare)
A table with a map had appeared!
Spike was woken up by the bright light and blinked at what he saw. The rest of the Mane seven just stared at the table map in awe.
"Is that new?" Spike asked curiously, "I like it." Nopony replied.
Mario was just grateful it wasn't a door.
(Main theme)
"This is incredible!" said Spike as he walked across the table, "It's got all of Equestria and a whole bunch more!" Pinkie then stared at the map and noticed a familiar farm.
"Hi, Mom and Dad!" said Pinkie when Spike stomped his foot over the image, making Pinkie nearly cry. Before Mario could assure Pinkie that her parents were safe, he heard a familiar sound.
"I know that humming," said Mario to himself and turned to his wife, "Honey, open your wings!" Twilight gave Mario a funny look before opening her wings and saw that her cutie mark was glowing. Mario then lifted his wings to show his cutie mark was glowing as well. Then Pinkie saw her was glowing as well, followed by Fluttershy. As the rest noticed their own glowing cutie marks, images of all seven cutie marks floated into the air above the table. Mario and Twilight's cutie mark were close together while the other five ponies' cutie marks were rotating around them. The seven cutie marks floated across the map before they hovered over a particular area. It was then Twilight used her magic to pull Spike off the table map so she could get a better look.
"But if this is Ponyville," said Fluttershy as she pointed at the correct area of the map, "why are our cutie marks over there?"
"I don't know," said Twilight, "But it seems like the map wants us to find out. The tree, the chest, the castle, the Flower Sprite, and now the map. How can we not follow it? Right honey?" Mario pondered for a second before nodding in agreement.
"Indeed," said Mario, "Looks like we're off to another journey across Equestria!"
"Y'know what?" said Rainbow as she hovered above the location, "There's a ton of room for dangerous adventure along that route. Count me in!"
"Aw, shoot, I reckon you're right," Applejack added.
"Well, I was planning on organizing my baking sheets," Pinkie pondered, "but okay!"
"Very well," said Rarity in agreement as she sighed to herself. Then Pinkie and Rarity stared at Fluttershy with smiles on her faces. Fluttershy tried to look away but turned to see Rainbow hovering and starting at her in the same manner. She was beginning to wish she had told Shenran to come with her after all.
"Um, maybe I'll just stay here with Spike," said Fluttershy firmly, "Besides, I don't want to be away from my new husband right now. I'm gonna miss him too much." Rainbow glared at her, but Fluttershy took no notice.
"Awesome!" said Spike, wearing a sports jersey, beverage hat, and a number one sports glove, "Me, Big Mac, and Shenran have a huge weekend ahead of us talkin' hoofball, and...and trading hoofball cards, and arguing about hoofball states..." Fluttershy winced. She didn't even know if Shenran was into hoofball or had hoofball trading cards. Actually, Shenran never said anything about meeting with Spike and Big Mac either. Fluttershy might have been suspicious, but Shenran wasn't the type of stallion to do anything behind her back. (At least she hoped he wouldn't). Plus she really wouldn't mind if he spent time with Spike and Big Mac anyway.
"O-o-on second thought," said Fluttershy sheepishly, "m-m-maybe I'd better go with them. In case they need me. Just let me say goodbye to my husband before we go okay?"
"Sure thing, Sis," said Mario as her appeared beside Rainbow.
"Look like it's time for a road trip," Twilight said as she stood next to her husband and the seven ponies made their way out of the castle.
"Road trip! Road trip! Road trip! Road trip!" Mario, Pinkie, and Rainbow chanted as they walked.
"Cool it you three!" Applejack scolded as the three ponies gave her a raspberry.
"Well, suit yourself," said Spike as he walked forward a bit to watch the group leave, "But Big Mac's got a Hock Fetlock rookie card I plan to sweet-talk right into these hot little claws. And I hear Shenran's got shiny cards...and they will soon be my shiny cards..." Nopony was listening anymore.
Once Fluttershy had bid her husband goodbye, (and found out that Shenran knew nothing about hoofball or being invited to spend time with Spike and Big Mac), the Mane seven boarded the train and took a long ride to the end of the line. The Mane seven then made their way off the train as Twilight used her magic to examine the map with Mario standing right beside her. The two alicorns conferred with each other before they led the rest of the Mane seven on their way. They crossed a rope bridge and soon reached the top of a hill. Down below them was a small village containing a single street surrounded by identical houses and a single house as the right end of the street.
"That's it!" said Twilight, "That's the place on the map!"
"Indeed it is," Mario said in agreement.
"Right," said Rarity as she marched ahead, "Let's get down there and find the spa." Twilight quickly teleported in front of the marshmallow mare.
"Wait," said Twilight, "We don't know why the map sent us here. We shouldn't just walk right in. It could be dangerous."
"Yes!" said Rainbow with a hoof-pump but then blinked and glared at Mario, "Will you let go of my tail!"
"Sorry, just making sure you don't charge in there all gung ho and get yourself into trouble," said Mario before releasing her tail and walking up to Twilight and Applejack. It was then Pinkie got in front of Twilight, Applejack, and Mario with her fore-legs spread out.
"Stay behind me, everypony!" said Pinkie sternly, "I'm on it!"
"Careful, Pinkie!" said Applejack.
"Don't worry, Sis," said Mario, "I'll go with her. We've gotten good at tag-team recon." Pinkie and Mario shared a determined nod together as they both rolled down the hill. (Mario curled up into a ball and spin dashed while Pinkie just rolled down in a more unorthodox manner.) The two ponies then leaned their back against a rock. Pinkie quickly scoped the area before giving a wave of her fore-leg for the others to come. Pinkie the zoomed under a small rock and then ducked under another small rock. Mario then ducked behind some smaller rocks to hide and scope out the area. Then they both appeared from underneath a large rock. The rest of the group just watched from a short distance away as Pinkie waved at them to come.
"Pinkie we're losing it!" Mario cried out when the giant rock crashed on top of the two ponies. Pinkie had survived with some damage, but Mario came floating out from underneath the rock completely flattened.
"Momma mia..." Mario groaned as she landed softly on the ground beside the giant rock. Despite the large rock on top of her, Pinkie was able to move about with the rock on top of her as the rest of the Mane seven walked up to the pink pony as she peeked out from behind the giant rock. Fluttershy stayed behind for a moment and gave Mario a green and white mushroom to get him back into shape again. Once he had been revived and hugged Fluttershy thank you, Mario hovered behind Pinkie, put on some hi-tech goggles, and began to scan the village with them. Twilight and Applejack peeked out behind the rock beside Pinkie.
"This is where the map sent us?" Rainbow retorted as she saw two ponies conversing with each other, "It looks like the most boring place in Equestria."
"You know what they say, Dashie," said Mario, "Never judge a village by what's going on at the surface."
"Who say's that?" Rainbow asked.
"Daring Do, book 9," said Mario. Rainbow looked baffled. She knew all the Daring Do quotes by heart. It blew her mind that she actually missed one.
"It's just an ordinary village full of ordinary pony folk," said Applejack as she saw an adult with a little filly walking side by side of each other.
"It could certainly use a few more architectural flourishes," said Rarity.
"I agree," said Mario, "I'm all for uniformity and such, but the decor is certainly a bit on the plain side."
"I think it's lovely," said Fluttershy, "Shenran would have loved to have come with us to see this village."
"I don't like it," said Pinkie sternly as she narrowed her eyes and saw two more ponies talking to each other, "I don't like it one bit. I know smiles. And those smiles? They're just not right."
"I see your point, Pinks," said Mario, "They look a little...too happy..." Mario shuttered. Those smiles just gave him a bad case of the goosebumps.
"Forget the smiles," said Twilight, "Look at the cutie marks." The group noticed that all the ponies of the town had equal signs for cutie marks.
"Okay, that's weird," said Rainbow.
"You can say that again," Mario remarked as the rest of the group had worried looks on their faces before they quickly ducked behind their rock.
"An entire village with the same cutie mark?" said Twilight, "How can that be?"
"It's quite a mystery, honey," said Mario, "A mystery we just might need to solve."
"I bet there's some sort of monster behind it," said Rainbow.
"What makes you say that?" Twilight asked.
"'Cause fighting a horrible monster would be super-awesome!" Rainbow replied.
"Will you get your head out of the clouds?" Mario remarked, "we've got a real situation here!"
"Mario's right," said Applejack, "I reckon we just ought to head into town and talk to some locals, find out what's going on."
"Sounds like a game plan to me, Sis," said Mario.
"Great idea, AJ," said Rainbow, "Let's go!" The three ponies headed toward the town before Twilight and the others followed, except for Pinkie, who was still glaring at the ponies.
"Those smiles are bad news," said Pinkie before she sank behind the rock and joined the group. The Mane seven casually walked into the town. The ponies then turned to give them rather large and very ominous smiles.
"Welcome," said a pony named Sunny Song.
"Welcome!" said a random Pegasus mare.
"Welcome!" said a random unicorn stallion.
"Welcome!" said a pony named Bacon Braids.
"Welcome!" said a second unicorn stallion.
"Welcome!" said a pony named Offbeat.
"Welcome," said a unicorn filly, a pony named Cotton Cloudy, another pony named Princess Erroria, and another pony named Ruby Pinch said all together. Despite all the warm greetings, the group had mostly weary looked on their faces except for Pinkie and Fluttershy. The former kept glaring while the latter was enjoying all the hospitality. Mario couldn't help but walk very close to his wife. All those smiles were making him feel very uncomfortable.
"Honey?" Mario said nervously.
"Yes dear?" Twilight asked, noticing how close Mario was to her.
"All those smiles are reminding me of that horror book you had me read not too long ago," Mario said timidly as he noticed some more smiling ponies.
"What book was that?" Twilight asked.
"Invasion of the Pony Snatchers," Mario said ominously. Twilight snorted and rolled her eyes. Mario then tilted her head.
"Wanna come with me to the park?" Mario asked, matching the smiles of the other ponies, as she got into her face.
"Yaaaah!" Twilight screamed before she bopped the top of his beret, which he had worn for the trip, with her fore-leg.
"OW!" Mario yelped as he rubbed his sore head, "At least you get what's got me so uneasy." Twilight just glared at her husband and said nothing.
"Mario, you're just being silly," said Fluttershy from above, "This must be the most pleasant place in Equestria!"
"Welcome!" said a pony named Night Glider who hovered in front of the yellow Pegasus. Fluttershy giggled happily.
"Ugh, thanks a lot, map," Rainbow grumbled. It was then a stallion with a pale blue coat with a cerulean mane and tail appeared before them.
"Welcome!" said the pale blue stallion as he looked at Twilight and Mario, "Pardon my forwardness, but are you two alicorns?" Mario and Twilight smiled sheepishly.
"That there's the Prince and Princess of Friendship!" said Applejack.
"Well, you've certainly come to the right place for friendship," said the pale blue stallion.
"You don't say..." said Mario skeptically.
"What brings you to town?" asked an all white stallion standing beside the pale blue one.
"We're not entirely sure," Twilight answered.
"I see," said the white stallion, "Well, all are welcome here in our little village. My name is Double Diamond, and this is Party Favor."
"Howdy, Double Diamond," said Applejack, "And this here's Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, and Mario Star."
"And you all have your own unique cutie marks," said Double Diamond as he looked closer at Twilight and Pinkie's cutie marks. The latter took offense and used her tail to cover it.
"O-kay..." said Mario slowly, feeling a little uneasy about Double Diamond's interest in their cutie marks. He resisted the urge to cobber him for sticking his face into his wife's flank.
"If you don't mind, has there been any sort of...trouble here, lately?" Twilight asked.
"Trouble?" Double Diamond replied, "Why, I don't think we've ever had trouble in our little village."
"It's true. You'll see. Hm," Party Favor said in agreement. Mario looked at the two skeptically. There was no such thing as a village that was always 100% problem free. Unless they had something to hide...
"Hmm, very interesting," said Mario plainly.
"Perhaps you'd care to speak to our founder, Starlight Glimmer," said Double Diamond.
"After you," Mario replied politely as the two stallions lead the group to their founder's home.
"I wish everypony in Equestria was as friendly as these ponies are," said Fluttershy happily.
"I've got my eye on them," said Pinkie, "Something's rotten in...whatever the name of this village is that we're in right now." The fact some of the smiling ponies were following them.
"I'm with Pinkie," said Mario, "Those smile doesn't feel friendly. They give me the creeps."
"The only creep I see right now is you," Fluttershy remarked with a teasing smirk.
"Be quiet!" Mario retorted sternly. It was then the two stallions appeared before the cottage that was placed between the two rows of houses and knocked on the door twice.
"Starlight, we have some new visitors," said Double Diamond before the door opened and the two stallions walked inside and the Mane seven followed them.
"Be ready to fight," said Rainbow to Applejack, "we don't know what's gonna come through that door." It was then the door opened and there before them was a pale lilac unicorn with a purple mane and tail that had sky blue highlights on it. She also had her bangs trimmed in a fashion similar to Twilight's bangs.
"Welcome!" said Starlight, "I'm so pleased to have you here." Rainbow just groaned to herself as Mario gave the blue Pegasus a discreet death glare.
"This is Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, and Mario Star," said Double Diamond. Twilight smiled sheepishly while Mario smiled more casually. Starlight looked at the two alicorns curiously before stepping forward.
"Forgive my bluntness," said Starlight, "but I'm assuming it's Princess Twilight Sparkle and Prince Mario Star? We don't get many alicorns around here."
"Yes, but "Twilight" is fine," said the purple pony, "and you can just call my husband "Mario"."
"So!" said Starlight, "How did you two hear of our little village?"
"It's kind of a long story," said Twilight, "Let's just say we found it on a map."
"Technically, it's a Tree-power heart-chest-castle-map!" said Pinkie as she got in front of Twilight and Mario before sinking off screen, giving Starlight the stink eye. Mario just gave the pink pony a stink eye of his own.
"Well, however you found us, we're happy to have you!" said Starlight, "We're happy to have anypony who wants to experience true friendship for the first time." Applejack gave the lilac unicorn a skeptical look.
"Say what?" said Applejack.
"Oh, indeed," said Starlight Glimmer as she walked over to a crooked picture that had an equal sign on it and straightened the frame, "That's what's so unique about our village, you see. Around here, we don't flaunt our special talents because we don't have any special talents to flaunt." Mario took noticed that Starlight made a face before it quickly disappeared into a smile.
"Is that why you all have those cutie marks?" Twilight asked, pointing at Starlight's equal sign.
"Perhaps it would be easier to understand if I gave you a tour of the village!" Starlight suggested.
"Uh oh," Mario whispered to the group, "I sense a song coming up!"
"Well, duh," said Pinkie as she showed him some sheets of paper, "It's in the script! After we meet Starlight Glimmer, she's breaks into a song! Seriously, I thought you understood the program by now, Mario. This is season five for pony's sake!" Mario just gave Pinkie a funny look and decided not to question anything she had just said. It was then some marching drums could be heard.
"Heads high, ponies!" Starlight announced as she marched out of her cottage and several smiling ponies gathered around her, "Marching proud!" It was then some whistling was heard.
"All together now!" Starlight instructed as some ponies exited their home and followed her, "Every one of you! No pony left behind!"
[Starlight - she lead the march of the ponies, showing off a smile and then scoping the area before turning around.]
Life is so grand in Our Town
We're always filled with cheer
We never have to look around
To know that we're all here
[Citizens - the ponies began to march around the Mane seven, who looked rather uneasy at being surrounded as Pinkie and Mario looked at them skeptically. Starlight just had a smirk on her face and moved her head up and down as the other ponies sang.]
In Our town, In Our Town
We don't have to wait
To find out that our destiny
Is just to emulate
"Let's see those big, happy smiles!" said Starlight as she marched before some ponies, making them give even bigger smiles. As she sang, two smiles appeared side by side as they molded into an equal sign. Then four ponies with the equal cutie marks marched in sync and then smiled boldly.
Life is a smile in Our Town
Our cutie mark's the same
Because we do not separate
Ourselves by more than name
[Citizens - Two Pegasi got next to Rainbow as they sang, making the blue Pegasus feel uneasy. Then they brought Rainbow to the ground and walked away, leaving the blue Pegasus baffled and stunned.]
In Our Town, in Our Town
We dare not compete
Winning only breeds the worst
Ego-filled conceit
"You see?" said Starlight, startling Rainbow, "Now everypony wins!" Rainbow looked very frazzled before she rushed over to Mario and held him for dear life. Mario held her protectively while looking at Starlight with a glare on his face.
[Starlight - She marched before some smiling ponies. Starlight then stood beside a smiling unicorn mare, braiding her mane with her magic, and then walked away.]
Life is a joy in Our Town
We're all equal here
No one is superior
And no one shakes in fear
[Citizens - The Mane seven watched as ponies marched past them heading to the left in sets of four. Twilight and Rarity looked at them uneasily. Pinkie and Mario glared at them. Pinkie then continued to give them the stink eye while Fluttershy was just smiling and watching the performance.]
In Our Town, in Our Town
We work as a team
You can't have a nightmare
If you never dream
[Starlight - She walked up to Fluttershy, then walked backward as she appeared between Pinkie and Fluttershy. She then smirked as she stood between Mario and Twilight and then looked into Twilight's eyes for a moment and held her chin. Mario rolled his eyes at Starlight. Then four mares started dancing but one pony was off routine. Then Starlight appeared and the mare corrected herself began to dance in sync with the others. Starlight then stood on her hind legs and threw her head back.]
Other ponies argue
Do you ever wonder why?
When you think your talent's special
You don't see eye-to-eye
There's just too many difference
That lead to disarray
But when you learn to act as one
It's like a holiday
[Citizens - As the ponies sang, the Mane seven stepped forward. Pinkie and Mario kept glaring. Twilight looked worriedly to Applejack and Rarity. Rainbow, now recovered, still looked a little disturbed. Fluttershy smiled and watched the performance. She was soon swaying her head and smiling cutely until Pinkie got in her face, giving the yellow Pegasus a death glare and shook her head. Fluttershy cowered down with large eyes until Pinkie looked away and Fluttershy backed up a bit as the others watched the performance. The villager ponies then circled around them again but they were separated in a special way so when they straightened out they looked like an equal sign from above. Starlight then stood between the two lines as the ponies stood in profile position to show off their equal signs. The view then zoomed out as several Pegasi hovered into the air, two Pegasi held a banner with the equal sign on it as the flew toward the foreground.]
In Our Town, in Our Town
We don't complicate
When you learn to simplify
Life is oh, so great
Join in our utopia
Come out of the dark
Banded by equality
By our cutie mark!
The song had barely finished when Rainbow burst out laughing.
"You're kidding, right?" Rainbow chuckled as she showed off her cutie mark, "Give up our cutie marks? No way!"
"Rainbow Dash!" Fluttershy scolded in her soft voice, "don't be so rude. I don't think we should judge them. They all seem perfectly happy with their choice."
"Don't believe their smiles, Fluttershy," said Pinkie sternly as she got into the yellow Pegasus's face.
"Need I repeat myself when I say those smiles are kind of creepy," said Mario as Fluttershy gave him a glare.
"I'm sorry," said Twilight as she walked forward with Mario standing beside her, "I guess we're just a little confused by all of this."
"We can understand the desire to want peace and tranquility amongst our fellow ponies and such," Mario added, "But is getting rid of your cutie mark really the best solution? I mean all the power to you if it has, but..." Mario was at a loss for words. Unlike Pinkie, he knew saying anything offensive could cause trouble. He feared what might happen if he told Starlight that he found the villager smiles creepy.
"We have no judgments here in our village," said Starlight as three ponies smiled and nodded in agreement, "Each of us was confused once as well, blinded by the false promise of our cutie marks."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," said Rainbow, "Is she for real?" Rainbow got a glare from both Twilight and Mario.
"When we were sent to this village," said Twilight as she and Mario walked away from Rainbow, "we assumed it was to help in some way. But, well, it doesn't seem like you need any help."
"At least it appears that way from the surface," Mario muttered quietly to himself.
"Have you considered perhaps that you that you might have been sent here so we could help you?" asked Starlight as she walked up to the royal couple, making them looked a little stunned.
"After all, nopony has ever come to our village and wanted to leave," Starlight added smugly as she walked away a bit, leaving all but Mario with stunned looks on their faces.
"Interesting," said Mario suspiciously, sensing a hidden message behind the context of that statement.
"Why should you be any different?" Starlight continued as the group exchanged looks with each other, "But that is entirely your choice." Starlight then walked past them.
"Please enjoy our little corner of Equestria," said Starlight with a smirk on her face, "We're all quite fond of it. No doubt you will be as well. Double Diamond, please help our guests with whatever they might need."
"Of course," said the white stallion as he stood before them with a large smile on his face.
"Thank for your hospitality, Starlight," said Mario politely. The lilac unicorn smiled then walked away.
"Well, this will certainly provide a boost to our little community," said Starlight to herself as she walked away, "When the rest of Equestria sees that a princess and prince gave up their cutie marks to joins us, they'll finally understand what we're trying to accomplish." A devious smile appeared on Starlight's face, but nopony saw it.
Meanwhile, the Mane seven continued to walk about the town. Yet their visit was still awkward since no matter where they went, they were bombarded with ponies giving over the top smiles at them.
"Welcome," said a third unicorn stallion.
"Welcome!" said a pony named Ivy Vine.
"Welcome!" said a pony named Sunny Song.
"A cutie mark is a representation of a pony's unique talents and skills," said Twilight to her husband.
"Indeed, I've worked far too hard on all my talents and skills to throw them all away like these ponies have," said Mario.
"The biggest question is," said Twilight, "How is it possible to-" Their train of thought was interrupted when Rarity gasped dramatically.
"What in the name of Equestria is that?!" Rarity exclaimed as she pointed at a collection of some ragged looking cloaks hanging on a rolling coat rack.
"Welcome!" said a stallion named Burlap, "Care to sample some local fashion? We've got cloaks this month!" He then flicked the side of his cloak and smiled widely.
"You call that fashion?" Mario remarked quietly to avoid being heard. Rarity looked like she was going to be sick but quickly recomposed herself.
"Wha-Ooh, er, perhaps another time, good sir, thank you," said Rarity as she squatted low and walked away from the racks backward. Twilight and Mario smiled sheepishly as they walked away. Rarity didn't stop walking backward until she, Twilight, and Mario rejoined the rest of the group at a nearby table.
"No wonder nopony's wearing anything!" Rarity whispered to Applejack.
"Really, girls!" said Fluttershy sternly in a hushed tone, "They may do things a bit differently then we're used to, but there's no reason to be rude."
"Flutters does have a point," said Mario wearily, "in spite everypony's all..." He then spoke in a ominous but raspy voice, "I'm watching you my little ponies...always watching..." Mario then sank below the table as Fluttershy, Applejack, and Twilight just rolled their eyes at him.
"No, the reason to be rude is that they all keep staring at us," said Rainbow as several ponies kept looking at them with their over the top smiles. Mario shuttered nervously.
"Sensing a disturbance in the Force, young Jedi?" Rainbow asked sarcastically. Mario glared, not liking that Rainbow would poke fun at his love for the Pony Wars books.
"I honestly do," said Mario, "I've got a bad feeling about all this equality stuff and giving up your cutie marks. And all those smiles and stares are scaring me." Mario whimpered, which earn him a sympathetic smile and hug from Rarity.
"Need something?" Double Diamond called out from a table on the other side of the street.
"Uh, no! We're good!" said Twilight with a nervous smile on her face before speaking to the others in a hushed tone, "Fluttershy's right. If we're going to get the bottom of why the map sent us here, we'll need the help of these ponies." As Twilight was speaking, a pale skinned unicorn mare with grayish purple mane tied up in a bun appeared at the table with an over the top smile and wearing one of the ragged cloaks around her neck.
"Oh, um, girls..." Mario tried to say to let the others know of the mare's presence.
"I think we ran off to the end of Equestria before we even knew what that map was!" Applejack retorted and tapped her fore-hoof on the table.
"If we were sitting at the end of Equestria," said Pinkie, "We'd be sitting on a big "A". Get it?" Pinkie giggled to herself. Mario wanted to do a comedic plop, but he didn't want to startle the mare that had unintentionally had become part of the conversation.
"Oh, please, Miss Pie!" said Rarity indignantly, "this is hardly the time for jokes! We've come all this way and for what?" The mare looked a little uncomfortable and walked away. Mario watched her walk away and stood between Applejack and Fluttershy.
"I don't think this trip was all for nothing," said Mario, "That map was powered by the Flower Sprite, which is an extension of the magic that comes from the Tree of Harmony and the Seven Power Hearts. I don't think it would steer us wrong."
"Maybe you're right," said Twilight in a quiet tone, "But we're here now, and it sure feels like something's wrong."
"That and two bits'll get you a cup of cider," said Applejack indignantly.
"Which is why I'm glad I know the recipe by heart," said Mario, "I can craft the stuff for free all by myself. Cider just for me and the cutie sitting beside me." That comment got a kiss from Twilight. Rainbow gasped.
"You know how to make cider on your own?" said Rainbow, "that means you've been drinking cider all this time and you never shared it with me?" Rainbow looked ready to cry as Mario groaned and face-hoofed himself.
"Me and my big mouth," Mario remarked.
"We all knew your mouth was big," Fluttershy remarked.
"Alright, enough with the sass already, Flutters, seesh," Mario retorted.
"But it's my job as your little sister to be sassy," said Fluttershy, "Applejack even told me so." Applejack chuckled as Mario gave the two mares a death glare.
"Is this a bad time?" the mare finally asked.
"We shouldn't be bickering like this in front of our new friends," said Fluttershy sternly, leaving the mare unheard, "Really, Applejack, you're almost as bad as Rainbow Dash!"
"Don't drag me into this!" Rainbow snapped as she got into the yellow Pegasus's face, making Fluttershy wince and lean away. The other ponies were now staring at the group. Fluttershy was wishing once again that she had asked Shenran to come with her. At least he could keep Rainbow out of her face.
"Is your friendship ending?" asked the mare as she stood beside Rarity.
"Are you crazy?!" said Pinkie as she got into the mare's and Rarity's face, making them both wince and lean away, "We'd never let a disagreement get in the way of food!"
"Don't you mean our friendship?" Mario pointed out.
"Same thing," said Pinkie, making Mario roll his eyes.
"O-kay, well, my name is Sugar Belle," said the mare as she used her magic to hold up an order pad, "What can I bring you? We have...muffins..." The other ponies waited but it seemed as if muffins was the only thing being offered on the menu. Applejack and Rarity share looks with each other, followed by Fluttershy and Rainbow, then Twilight and Mario exchanged their own awkward looks with each other.
"Then I guess we'll take seven muffins!" said Twilight.
"Make that twelve!" Pinkie shouted as Sugar Belle walked away, earning a glare from the royal couple, "What? I'm hungry!"
"Come on guys," said Twilight quietly as Pinkie leaned forward on the table, "We've got to stick together. It doesn't matter what happened before, we're here now."
"And I think we can all agree that our work here in this town ain't finished yet," said Mario in the same tone.
"I guess you're both right," Applejack conceded, "And the sooner we figure out why, the sooner we can go home."
"I hear ya Little Sister," said Mario in agreement. As they shared a hoof-bump, a plate of plain looking muffins appeared on the table.
"Forgive me for overhearing," said Sugar Belle, "but just a moment ago you were disagreeing, and now it seems like you're...agreeing."
"How...observant..." Mario said slowly as the others, minus Fluttershy, gave Sugar Belle skeptical looks.
"Uh-huh..." said Applejack with her fore-legs crossed.
"Well, you had such differing opinions - and cutie marks," said Sugar Belle.
"Again with the cutie marks..." Mario muttered to himself.
"We have differing opinions all the time, darling," Rarity replied.
"But you look like you're friends," Sugar Belle pointed out.
"We are friends," said Twilight, "Well, Mario and I are married of course, but that is just another type of friendship." Mario nodded in agreement, "A simple disagreement wouldn't change that. I mean married couples have disagreements all the time and our love for each other comes out stronger than ever." Twilight was unaware that Double Diamond, despite appearing to be reading, was listening to the conversation attentively. He and Sugar Belle exchanged glances with each other.
"I'm sorry, I'm just having a hard time understanding," said Sugar Belle sheepishly before saying bluntly, "Different talents lead to different opinions, which lead to bitterness and misery." The rest of the group just looked at her blankly as Pinkie tried eating a muffin.
"So...why aren't you bitter and..." Sugar Belle was then interrupted and looked back before noticing that Pinkie had choked on a muffin.
"Bleh!" said Pinkie before getting glares from everypony else, "Mmmm...good..."
"It's all right," said Sugar Belle kindly, "I know I'm not a very good baker. At least, I know I'm not any better than anypony else in the village." Sugar Belle nervously bit her lip and noticed that Double Diamond was giving her a dirty look. Mario took notice of the exchange between the two ponies.
"Well, I..." Sugar Belle stuttered, "hope you enjoy our little village!" She then quickly headed inside as Pinkie spluttered and wiped off the crumbs of the bad muffin from her tongue. Sugar Belle then reappeared and rushed between Twilight and Pinkie.
"Come inside before you go!" said Sugar Belle, "Meet me downstairs!" Sugar Belle than gave Double Diamond a huge smile before she zoomed back inside. Mario hummed as he rubbed his chin with his fore-hoof.
"Okay, that was weird," said Rainbow.
"Let's all sit here and eat these muffins and act normal," said Twilight as she and Mario picked up a muffin with their magic, "I think we're being watched." Twilight and Mario discreetly turned to see several villagers were giving them over the top smiles.
"You think?" said Rainbow.
"No, not like that," Twilight quietly, "I mean somepony here doesn't want us talking to Sugar Belle." She tilted her head to the side where Double Diamond was just eating a muffin.
"It's clear as day that conversations with us might be limited out here," said Mario, "especially if they think we're a threat to their way of life." Applejack pondered as the others remained silent for a moment.
"I got an idea," said Applejack, "but you gotta eat all of them muffins, Pinkie Pie."
"Me?!" Pinkie exclaimed as she pulled on her mane, "Why me?!"
"You got a stronger stomach than any of us," said Applejack, "and that filly in there might be our best chance at findin' out what the hay is goin' on round here." Pinkie looked at the pile of muffins dreadfully.
"What can't Mario do it?" Pinkie whined, pointing a fore-hoof at the alicorn stallion.
"Here," said Mario as he grabbed a muffin, "Let me see how bad these are." Mario only took one bite before his eyes budged out and whimpered loudly before he turned to the side and spat the bite out.
"Sorry, Pinks, but there is no way I can eat all those muffins," said Mario wearily. Pinkie cringed before she got to work. By the time she had finished, she wasn't looking too well as she forced down the last muffin and cleaned the plate.
"I can't believe you ate all our muffins, Pinkie Pie," said Applejack with an over the top voice as the others minus Pinkie had over the top grins on their faces, "We'd best go inside and get some more!" The Mane seven quickly got up from their table and made their way inside Sugar Belle's house.
"Nice work, Pinkie," Twilight told the pink pony as they made their way downstairs. Pinkie, her stomach now having visible bulge, honked and thumped as she bounced down the stairs behind the rest of the group.
"I've accidentally eaten cardboard tastier than that..." Pinkie groaned.
"Here Pinks, this will help you feel better," said Mario as he reached into his saddle bag and fed Pinkie a refreshing herb.
"Mmmm, minty," said Pinkie with a sigh of relief as her stomach felt better, "Thanks Big Brother." Mario smiled in reply.
"Hello? Sugar Belle?" Twilight called out as the rest of the Mane seven looked about the room.
"I think this could be a trap," said Mario nervously.
"Thank for you coming!" said Sugar Belle as she appeared with an over the top smile on her face.
"So nopony could see what's about to happen," said Sugar Belle with a smirk that was borderline devious. The Mane seven flinched when they saw Party Favor and Night Glider appeared with creepy looking smiles approached them with Sugar Belle.
"I knew it!" Mario exclaimed fearfully as he cowered behind his wife, "It's a trap!" The Mane seven took a few steps back when Twilight ready her horn on defense.
"Are you and Mario really the Princess and Prince of friendship?" Party Favor asked getting into Twilight's face.
"Do you both know Princess Celestia?" Night Glider asked as she stuck her face into Mario's. Both alicorns looked a little uneasy.
"I love your cutie mark," said Sugar Belle as she grabbed Pinkie's back end, startling the pink pony.
"How can you be friends with different cutie marks?" Night Glider asked as she hovered before Rarity and Fluttershy before landing, "Don't you end up hating each other?"
"What is it with cutie marks being a bad thing for friendship?" Mario asked but nopony answered him.
"Oh, look at this one!" said Sugar Belle as she looked as Fluttershy's cutie mark, startling the yellow Pegasus, "This one is great too! I'd love to have my special talent back for even just for a day! Make something besides those disgusting muffins..."
"So what's stopping you?" Rainbow asked, "Go get your cutie marks back."
"Daydreaming is one thing," said Party Favor, "but you mean actually having it put back on?" He, along with Night Glider and Sugar Belle, winced, "That seems extreme." Rainbow was most annoyed.
"I'm not sure Starlight would like that," said Sugar Belle, "She wants us all be happy in our sameness."
"So...Starlight doesn't like it when ponies miss or want their cutie marks again?" said Mario, "That's...an interesting fact to know."
"How do you take somepony's cutie mark anyway?" Twilight asked.
"Oh! Good question honey," said Mario.
"The cutie unmarking is a beautiful experience!" Night Glider explained, "Starlight uses the Staff of Sameness to magically take them away and replace them with these." She, Party Favor, and Sugar Belle turned to their side to show their equal signs.
"Staff of Sameness huh?" said Mario to himself quietly, "Never heard of such a spell. Nevertheless...the fact a pony could uncover such a spell is...frightening..." Mario winced.
"But nopony should keep you from your cutie marks," said Twilight, "It represents such an essential part of who you are." Mario nodded in agreement.
"Oh, we're not kept from them," said Night Glider, "They're in the vault up in the caves. We can visit them anytime we like to remind us of the heartache of a life with special talents." Twilight and Mario narrowed their eyes as they exchange looks with each other. They could both agree that something about this cutie mark removal didn't sound right at all. Nor did the idea that a life with your special talents meant living in misery.
"Can we visit the cave?" Twilight asked with a smirk on her face. It wasn't long before they got their answer. Later that day, Starlight was leading the Mane seven toward the cave.
"I'm delighted you're interested in our cutie mark vault," said Starlight to the others, "We hope someday everypony in Equestria will make a pilgrimage here to our little village to have their cutie marks removed too, and our message of perfectly equal friendship can finally be spread across the land." While the Mane seven listened, Mario and Pinkie were inwardly rolling her eyes.
"This must be the reason we're here," Twilight whispered to the others while Starlight continued talking.
""Pilgrimaging"?" Pinkie asked innocently.
"No," said Twilight firmly, "helping those ponies get their cutie marks back."
"Agreed," said Mario.
"Oh, are you sure, Twilight and Mario," said Fluttershy, "Maybe they missed them a little, but even they didn't seem all that unhappy."
"Open your eyes, Sis," said Mario, "the smiles on those ponies aren't genuine. They look forced. Plus I can't accept the idea that any pony would be willing to give up their cutie mark by their own decision."
"You have no proof it was against their will, Big brother," Fluttershy protested, "even Shenran would call you out on that."
"True," said Mario, "They might not have been forced, but there is another way to convince a pony do you bidding. That is trough trickery and deception. And that Starlight feels like a prime suspect."
"Are you suggesting that maybe Starlight tricked them into giving up their cutie marks?" Applejack suggested.
"From what we've heard," said Mario, "Starlight is looking like the guilty party. Just the way she talks and interacts with other ponies is very suspicious."
"Mario does have a point," said Twilight as she looked at the overly happy Double Diamond and then at Starlight, "why did they want to meet us in secret? And why did they ask us not to tell Starlight who told us about the vault? Something's not right."
"Just going to this cave doesn't feel right," said Mario. It was then the group approached the entrance to a large cave.
"Just through here!" Starlight announced as she walked inside the cave. Mario glared at the cave suspiciously.
"This has got trap written all over it," said Mario.
"Well, lucky for us, we're super good at springing out of them," Rainbow bragged as the rest of the group followed Starlight inside.
"You're recklessness continues to amaze me, Dashie," said Mario, "Hey!" Mario then was startled when he saw Double Diamond snatch her magic saddle bags.
"You won't be needing that in there," said Double Diamond in a very creepy tone. Mario wanted to protest, but decided to keep cool. He had plenty of defensive tricks up his sleeve without his saddle bags.
"Very well," said Mario slowly as he followed the group inside the cave.
"Behold!" said Starlight proudly, "Our cutie mark vault." Twilight and Mario's jaw hit the floor as they looked what appeared to be just that. A tall, glowing locker filled with cutie marks from top to bottom! Though Mario took notice that some spaces were empty.
"I've never seen anything like it!" said Twilight.
"Who knew cutie marks could be stored away like this?" Mario remarked, feeling more and more uneasy, "it's like the bank of cutie marks or something."
"And here is the Staff of Sameness," said Starlight as she walked over to a stone like staff that looked like a two-pronged fork and showed it to the Mane seven, "It was one of the great Mage Meadowbrook's nine enchanted items." Twilight and Mario exchanged stern looks at each other as the rest of the Mane seven started at the artifact in awe.
"We are incredibly fortunate to have it here," Starlight continued, "This is the tool that allows us to free ourselves from our marks!" She then paused for dramatic effect. "I'm curious - how did the subject of the vault come up?" Twilight and Mario glared at her sternly. They could tell Starlight's tone was anything but innocent.
"Oh, some ponies were telling us how much they missed their cutie marks, and-"
"Pinkie!" Twilight and Mario said sternly.
"Oops... " said Pinkie, covering her mouth and backing away once she realized her mistake. Starlight gasped.
"Were they?" said Starlight as she twirled the staff and had a rather devious smirk on her face, "Well, it seems you inspire all sorts of free thinking, don't you?" She gave them all a glare, leaving Rarity and Fluttershy baffled. Twilight and Mario continued to stare her down.
"I didn't know missing your cutie mark was a crime," Mario remarked, "In fact, as I recall, all your villagers did chose to have them removed by choice. Didn't they?" Starlight glared and said nothing. Rarity could feel the tension in the air and chuckled nervously.
"Well, w-we certainly didn't intend to cause an disruptions to your charming little-" Rarity tried to explain, but was cut off when Starlight got into her face.
"Good," Starlight replied sinisterly, "Let's just make sure of that, shall we?" Rarity backed away nervously until she bumped into Double Diamond. Then several more ponies with over the top smiled surrounded the Mane seven.
"It's a trap!" Twilight shouted.
"I knew it!" said Mario before trying a diplomatic approach, "Listen Starlight. We don't mean to cause you or your village any trouble. Just let us go and we'll leave your village in peace!"
"I'm afraid that's no longer an option," said Starlight. Mario glared.
"If you lay one fore-hoof or magic blast on my family..." Mario warned.
"Oh, please," said Starlight dismissively, "You think you're so special because your cutie mark means you can do just about anything! Well, here's some cold hard facts for you Mario! Without your cutie mark, you. are. nothing." Mario growled fiercely and charged at her.
"Mario, no!" Twilight shouted. But then Starlight used the Staff of Sameness, which encased Mario in a its magic glow, Mario struggled to break free when suddenly, like a sticker, he could feel the magic peeling off his cutie mark.
"Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" Mario screamed in anguish, but it was no use. His cutie mark was removed and captured between the two prongs of the staff as Mario plopped to the floor. His flank now donning an equal sign and his entire mane, tail, and fur colored grayed out slightly. Starlight then tossed it into the vault. The others gasped as Twilight lit up her horn and took to the air to attack, but then Starlight fired the Staff of Sameness at her, which actually managed to immobilize her. Twilight groaned painfully as the magic peeled off her cutie mark as well. Starlight smirked in triumph as she tossed Twilight's cutie mark into the vault. Once the cutie marks were sealed in, an equal sign appeared on Twilight's flank, dimming her mane, tail, and fur coloring, before she plopped to the floor unconscious. Starlight then fired the staff at the rest of the Mane seven, who groaned painfully as their cutie marks were peeled off one by one and stored into the vault. Unlike Twilight and Mario, they managed to remain conscious, but they all had sad looks on their faces as they saw the equal signs appear on their flanks.
"Aw, I don't blame you for what you tried to do here today," said Starlight in a very condescending tone, "You've spent your whole lives thinking those marks are a good thing." By now Twilight and Mario had recovered and was standing with the rest of the group. Mario panted heavily at her.
"Give them back!" Twilight demanded as the rest of the Mane seven glared at Starlight.
"Well, now you can spend the rest of your lives here with us!" said Starlight as she walked away and then looked back at them, "And we'll teach you just how much better life can be without your cutie marks!" The other ponies surrounded the Mane seven into two perfect rows, the ironically resembled an equal sign. Mario seethed with fury.
"Over my dead flank!" Mario screamed and charged at Starlight once more.
POW!
One swipe of the fore-leg was enough to send Mario flying back at toward the rest of the Mane seven now that his natural strength and agility were gone. Mario groaned as Starlight stood over him.
"You might have been a problem before," said Starlight deviously as she literally looked down on him, "But not anymore! Face it Mario! Without your cutie mark, you're nothing. And that's all you'll ever be!" Mario gritted his teeth at her, but hot tears were now streaming down his face as he looked away from her.
While he tried not to show it, but he was actually starting to believe what she said was true.
After all, all his abilities and talents were gone...
Things have gotten pretty tense. I hope my writing quality is still good since I've gone back to using Letupita720HD for my notes until Netflix gets its act together. But all I can say is that Starlight sure didn't have a problem striking Mario below the belt. Plus Mario had far more to lose getting his cutie mark taken away.
Kudos if you caught the Super Mario 64 joke.
And if anypony asks why Shenran wasn't part of the adventure? Simple. He's not an element bearer, but that doesn't mean he won't be part of the adventures in the future.
How will our Mane seven cope now that their trapped and without their cutie marks?
Peace Pony Fans!