Slice of Life
Pony's Log Number 509: There's a star in every show, including a support team. Ever wonder how things would be if we gave the support team their chance to be the stars of the show?
One day, Matilda was busy working on a new scrapbook featuring pictures of herself with Cranky. One picture was of their trip to Manehatten and another spending Hearth's Warming together. Mathilda always smiled in the pictures while Cranky had a...cranky face. The exception was a picture during Twilight and Mario's coronation, where Cranky had a smile. She then added some glue to another page and pasted what appeared to be an invitation of some sort. Cranky then arrived carrying a bag loaded with groceries.
"I'll never understand the ponies in this town!" Cranky complained, "Everywhere I went, they were all gussied up and lookin' at me funny! Kept asking if I was "nervous"!"
"Did they forget the wedding is tomorrow?" Matilda replied as she admired the invitation she had pasted into her book, which was actually their wedding invitation.
"Oh, maybe they're just as excited for us to be married as I am," said Cranky as he walked up to his fiancé. They shared a loving nuzzle and some giggles with each other.
"Well, they're going to feel awfully silly when they realize they've got the wrong date," Matilda replied as she looked over invite. Her eyes suddenly shrunk as she gasped loudly.
"The invitations are wrong!" Matilda exclaimed, "This says the wedding is today!"
"But I got such a good deal on them," said Cranky to himself.
"Everypony in town got these!" said Matilda, "The princesses have even RSVP'd."
"I told you we should have eloped!" Cranky retorted.
"Oh dear," said Matilda in a panic, "The caterer, the flowers, the musicians! We've got to move it to today!"
"What?!" Cranky exclaimed. Matilda then burst out of the door and ran into town.
"Where's my wedding planner?!" she cried out in a panic. Cranky just watched his fiancé take off as he examined the invitations. Then he got a stern look on his face. In hindsight, he and Matilda should've check the invitations before they were sent out, but he did what most ponies would do.
Go blame the pony he hired to make the invitations.
"You told me you could do it for half what the others changed," said Cranky sternly to the pony he hired to print the invitations, "and then you sent the invitations to everypony in town with the wrong date!" Cranky snorted angrily. His hired press pony, who happened to be Muffins, put a basket of freshly baked muffins on the counter.
"Muffin?" was all she could say in response.
(Main theme)
Back in town, Twilight and Mario were running at full speed down the street. As the alicorn couple pasted a cafe, Muffins was sitting at a table with her close friend, Dr. Hooves, at the outdoor cafe.
"I really messed up on those invitations!" Muffins said sadly, "I feel just awful, Doc!"
"Hmph!" said Savior Fare as he set down their drinks with twisty straws, "Perhaps that explains why I never got mine!" He walked off importantly, leaving Muffins feeling worse.
"I told Cranky I could get 'em printed for cheap," Muffins explained further, "but that meant hiring somepony with no experience using a printing press.
It was then Featherweight was trying to work the school printing press machine, but as he did so, the printing press fell apart and the colt was squirted with blank ink. Back at the cafe...
"Oh, I wish there was a way I could go back in time and fix all this," said Muffins. Dr. Hooves just slurped his drink as he began to smirk and ponder to himself.
It wasn't long before the two ponies entered what appeared to be Dr. Hooves personal laboratory.
"Going back in time is old thinking, my friend," said Dr. Hooves as Muffins decided to look around, "I was working off a cutting-edge theory of making time come forward to you." He then turned a knob to make the time on a clock move forward more quickly. He turned around to see Muffins wearing a metal hat on her head as she sat in a model airplane that was made out of the body of a zeppelin.
"My life's work, decades - centuries, really - of research and experimentation," Dr. Hooves explained as he lowered the model airplane down for Muffins to get out and removed the helmet on her head, "and I nearly had it cracked! Turns out there's a magic spell for it. Who knew?" Dr. Hooves then looked around when he got no reply. He saw Muffins touching an electrical orb that made her mane and tail stick up. Then she let go and her mane was and tail were deflated until she put her hoof back on the orb to make them stick up again.
"But there are so many things that magic can't explain," Dr. Hooves continued as he tapped Muffins' shoulder, making his mane and tail stick up until he let go of her. Muffins also let go as he mane and tail returned to normal, "where science and mathematics are the real magic!"
"Like these?" Muffins asked as she admired a contained filled with glowing objects, "They're pretty."
"Ah, yes, my flameless fireworks," said Dr. Hooves, "I never could quite figure out how to get them to ignite."
"How did you learn to make all this stuff anyway?" Muffins asked curiously.
"I've been studying science my whole life," Dr. Hooves replied, "Ever since a particularly traumatic experience as a foal, I've been looking for ways to make sense of the world around me. Science provides explanations of things we never thought possible!" He then turned to Muffins.
"Now, why did we come here again?" Dr. Hooves asked. Muffins just looked zoned out as her eyes went cross-eyed and shook her head to recompose herself.
"Yeah, Oh! Because I accidentally sent out invitations for Cranky and Matilda's wedding with today's date instead of tomorrow's!" said Muffins as she face-hoofed herself, bit her lip, and winced.
"Great whickering stallions!" Dr. Hooves exclaimed as he got into Muffin's face and shook his head rapidly, "I completely forgot! And I still need to get my suit tailored!" He then ran out of the lab, leaving Muffins behind.
At the castle of friendship, two familiar sisters had just exited the castle doors. It was Sakura and Anemone. They had come to attend Cranky and Matilda's wedding. Mario and Twilight had invited them to stay at the castle while they were in Ponyville. However, the two sisters had arrived in Ponyville alone and Spike had to escort them to the castle himself.
"I still can't believe Mario and Twilight weren't even here to greet us or say hello," Sakura complained, "they knew we were coming for the wedding!"
"I'm sure it was something important," said Anemone, "At least we got to give Spike some hugs and lemon pokes." Anemone waved her lemon wand with her magic as Sakura chuckled to herself.
"You do know Spike gave you a funny look when you poked him, right?" Sakura teased. Anemone stuck her tongue out at her.
"Unlike you, I'm not embarassed about being considered weird," Anemone said confidently.
"Bleh!" Sakura retorted indignantly as they headed into town, "How are we even related ag...OOPMH!" Sakura was then cut off when a teal colored Pegasus crashed into her.
"Oops, my bad!" said Muffins as she hovered back into the air and noticed who she crashed into, "Sakura?"
"Muffins!" said Sakura excitedly as the two ponies shared a hug, but the cherry colored pony immediately noticed that her friend looked distressed.
"What's wrong, Muffins?" Sakura asked as the teal Pegasus sighed and explained everything.
"I just feel so awful about it," said Muffins once she had finished, "I had asked for help but my friend Dr. Hooves needs to get his suit tailored and I was hoping to see if Mario could help me."
"Unfortunately, he isn't here," said Anemone, "We were here for the wedding too." Muffins groaned.
"What am I gonna do?" Muffins said sadly and was about to cry.
"Aw, don't cry Muffins," said Sakura, "We can help you out."
"Really?" Muffins asked.
"Sure, you're are friend," said Anemone, "And my sister and I have handled some last minute wedding plans back in the day." That got Muffins to feel better.
"Oh thank you, thank you," said Muffins, "We need to find Matilda or Cranky and find out what we need to do." The two sisters nodded as Muffins and Sakura took to the sky and Anemone ran behind them.
Back with Dr. Hooves, he had found his green suit and was quickly making his way over to the Carousel Boutique.
"Rarity? Rarity!" Dr. Hooves shouted as he knocked hard on the front door, but there was no reply. Dr. Hooves grumbled to himself until he saw DJ Pon-3 walking by listening to music on her headphones.
"Please!" Dr. Hooves begged her, "You've got to help me! I lost track of time, unbelievably, and forgot that the wedding is this afternoon!" Little did Dr. Hooves know was that DJ-Pon-3 had her music playing so loudly that she couldn't hear a word the stallion was telling her.
"Have you seen Rarity?" Dr. Hooves asked, "She's got to alter the sleeves on my suit, and she's got to do it now!" DJ-Pon-3 simply nodded and walked away.
"Oh, ha-ha, thank goodness," said Dr. Hooves, "Lead on, my friend." Dr. Hooves then looked rather puzzled when DJ-Pon-3 led him to Ponyville's Bowling Alley. Other ponies were playing as the two walked inside.
"Er, why have you brought me here?" Dr. Hooves asked DJ-Pon-3, "Rarity would never set hoof in-" Dr. Hooves then turned to see three ponies approaching. One had a rather snazzy tie while another had some snazzy sunglasses, and the other had a snazzy bowling bag.
"Great whickering stallions," said Dr. Hooves as he shook his head about and DJ-Pon-3 took her lead, "they've got style!" He then approached the three bowling ponies.
"Gentlecolts!" said Dr. Hooves as he walked up to them, "I'm facing certain calamity, and I couldn't help noticing your remarkable fashion sense! Could I have the name of your incredible tailor?"
"Oh, yeah, man," said a pony named Jeff Letrotski, "His name is me."
""Me"?" Dr. Hooves asked puzzled, "What an unfortunate name."
"No, man, like, I manufacture all of my own garments," said Jeff Letrotski, "We all do, man."
"Then you've got to help me!" Dr. Hooves pleaded, "I need this suit tailored! It's an emergency!"
"Sorry, man," Jeff Letrotski said with a laugh, "we're just about to start the finals."
"What's this word you keep using - "man"?" Dr. Hooves asked.
I would explain what a "man" is to the good doctor, but humans don't exist in Equestria...not since G1 if my memory is correct...plus the Equestria girls series plans to show that humans who try to enter Equestria...don't stay human...
"I dunno, man, but guess what?" Jeff Letrotski replied, "Our fourth didn't show, so if you roll with us, we'll alter your suit for you." Dr. Hooves looked at the bowling pins while doing some advanced mathematics that came to inconclusive results.
"I'm sorry, gentlecolts, but I will not bowl," said Dr. Hooves, "the splits, the spares! There are simply too many variables!"
"Variables? What are you talking about, man?" said Jeff Letrotski, "Just throw the ball straight."
"Hold on, straight?" said Dr. Hooves as he had a mental picture of a bowling ball going straight and striking the bowling pins.
"Very well, I'll try your "straight" technique," said Dr. Hooves as he approached the other bowling ponies, "It just might be crazy enough to work."
Just outside the bowling alley, the Mane eight were all huddled up and discussing something together. Some other ponies were watching in a crowd behind them when a grey colored mare with black mane and tail and wearing a collar and pink bow-tie approached.
"Do we know what they're on about?" the pony, whose name was Octavia Melody, asked the group.
"The way they're huddled up like that," said Apple Bloom, "I'd say it's either a friendship problem or a monster attack."
"A monster attack?!" Octavia exclaimed, "Blast! I'm performing at the ceremony this afternoon, and I still haven't sort out what to play. How am I meant to practice with a monster invading Ponyville?"
"Maybe it's just a friendship problem," said Sweetie Belle, "and it'll all be cleared up in half an hour or so."
"C'mon Fluttershy, we need that shield analysis!" Mario said in a loud voice so the crowd could hear.
"I'm not giving you a shield analysis!" Fluttershy snapped, "I don't even know what a shield analysis has anything to do with this!"
"Honey, it's code for the monster's weak point!" Shenran explained.
"Neither of you are not hurting that bugbear!" Fluttershy said sternly.
"We still gotta neutralize it before that thing hurt us or anypony else!" Mario protested angrily. Those in the crowd just listened quietly for a moment.
"Guess it is a monster attack," said Sweetie Belle bluntly, "but they'll take care of it in no time. They've got my sweetie and big brother on the team." Scootaloo just rolled her eyes jealously and Apple Bloom just rolled her eyes in annoyance at how the marshmallow filly described Mario and Shenran respectively. Octavia groaned loudly.
"I hope so," the musical pony remarked as she walked off. The rest of the ponies just watched with interested with Matilda came barging in between Golden Harvest and Big Mac.
"Where's Pinkie Pie?!" Matilda called out, "I need my wedding planner!"
ROAR!
It was then a giant bear with two sets of arms, wings, and a giant stinger on it's bottom appeared and growled menacingly. The Mane Eight got into position to attack.
"Alright everypony," said Mario with a smirk of determination as he set his targeting visor on his head, "Let's rock n' roll!" The group split up to deal with the bugbear as it attacked the group. Twilight and Mario flew up and each targeted a magic blast at the bugbear, which stunned it for a moment. Rainbow then zoomed past its head as the bug bear recovered and went after the eight ponies. Matilda just watched the scene unfold in horror.
"Oh no! On my wedding day?!" Matilda exclaimed, "Somepony's gotta help me!" It was then she saw a pink unicorn with a purple and lilac mane and tail directing ponies to take cover. Her name was Amethyst Star.
"You!" Matilda shouted as she pointed a fore-hoof at her.
"Me?" Amethyst Star asked in surprise.
"I need to move an entire wedding from tomorrow to today!" Matilda explained frantically.
"But nopony's asked me to organize anything since Twilight and Mario came to town," Amethyst Star replied.
"So you'll do it?" Mathilda asked hopefully.
"I used to be the best organizer in all of Ponyville," said Amethyst Star, "You bet I'll-"
ROAR!
Amethyst Star flinched at the roar of the bug bear. She turned to see Rarity temporarily knocked out. Pinkie was being held by one of its four claws. Twilight, Applejack, and Shenran were staring it down. Mario was on the ground as the bug bear took a swipe at him, but Mario used his super speed to somersault out of the way. He was moving so fast that the unicorn and donkey could see Mario make after-images as he moved. Rainbow then tried to dive attack, but the bug bear swatted her into a nearby house. Rainbow recovered just as the bugbear smashed the house to pieces.
"Come on!" said Matilda, "We better get to the salon before that monster flattens it!" The two headed off. It was then Muffins, Sakura, and Anemone arrived on the scene. Muffins was still very worried.
"What am I gonna do?" said Muffins.
"Don't worry, we'll find Matilda and she'll tell us what was can do to help," said Sakura as she flew beside her. Anemone then saw how violent the bugbear was acting, especially as Rainbow tried to taunt it by zooming about. The bugbear then picked up a nearby wagon with one claw and Applejack used a rope to send it tumbling into its back. Mario then tried to do a splashdown, when the bugbear smacked him away and into a nearby house wall. Anemone snorted.
"I outta give that monster some hard lemon pokes!" Anemone shouted and headed toward the bugbear when Sakura swopped down and picked Anemone up.
"We've got other things to worry about, Sis," said Sakura firmly, "They'll handle that monster on their own!"
"You put me down this instant, Sakura!" Anemone said angrily, "The last time you picked me up during one of your flights, you dropped me!"
"You were five at the time!" said Sakura with an eye roll, "You're fine!" Muffins then gasped and Sakura stopped so quickly that she did drop Anemone. While the fall was only a few feet from the ground, Anemone gave her older sister a death glare.
"Matilda!" Muffins exclaimed as she hovered before the donkey and Amethyst Star, "I feel so bad about the invitations! Is there anything I can do-"
"FLOWERS!" Matilda screamed as she and Amethyst Star ran off.
"Well, we can do that!" said Sakura, "My sister and I are florists after all."
"Well Ponyville has their own florist, but if you can help them get the flowers ready faster..." Muffins suggested.
"Works for me," said Sakura and turned to her still glaring little sister, "You go help Matilda and we'll handle the flowers!"
"Fine by me," said Anemone bluntly before adding under her breath, "I prefer keeping my hooves on the ground." Before she could give her sister her hard lemon pokes, the two Pegasi had flown away. Anemone then rushed over to Matilda.
"I've got some experience in organizing too!" Anemone called out, "I'd like to help anyway I can."
"That won't be..." Matilda then stopped speaking, but kept running, when she got a good look at the unicorn running beside her.
"Anemone? Is that you?" Matilda exclaimed as the unicorn smiled. Matilda had been a good friend of Anemone and Sakura's mother, which is why they had come to the wedding. After their mother had passed away, Matilda had kept in touch with the two sisters via letters, but it had been years since she had seen either of them face to face.
"Hi, Aunt Matilda," said Anemone, using the nickname she and Sakura called her back when they were little fillies. Matilda's eyes watered.
"Oh, it's been so long since I've seen you, Anemone," said Matilda happily as they continued to run together, "and what a beautiful lady you've grown into." Anemone giggled.
"Where's your big sister?" Matilda asked.
"Sakura is with Muffins getting the flowers," said Anemone, "I'm here to help with everything else."
"Well, an extra set of hooves wouldn't hurt," said Amethyst Star, "A good organizer always needs a trusty assistant."
"Anemone here is one of the most organized ponies in Horse-a-lulu," said Matilda proudly as they arrived at the spa, "You two should be able to work together just fine." The two unicorns smiled with determination and shared a hoof-bump with each other.
At the Flower Stand, Sakura and Muffins arrived to tell the three local florists, Lily Valley, Daisy, and Roseluck the news. To say they were shocked would be an understatement.
"You want Matilda's arrangements...today?!" Lily Valley exclaimed as Daily and Roseluck winced and they all dramatically collapsed to the ground.
"The horror, the horror!" Daisy lamented dramatically.
"Oh brother..." Sakura remarked with an eye roll.
"Excuse me!" said Roseluck indignantly as she sat up, "Do you have any idea how taxing, toiling, and stressful being a florist is?!" Sakura just gave them blunt looks as she turned to show off her cherry blossom cutie mark.
"I may be a Pegasus," said Sakura, "but I'm also a florist." The three earth ponies were stunned. They had never met a Pegasus pony who liked to garden flowers that were not made out of ice and clouds before.
"So there's no way you can do it?" Muffins asked.
"We don't even have Matilda's flowers in yet, much less arranged!" Lily Valley replied and then gasped, "This is a disaster!"
"Okay, thanks anyway," said Muffins as she walked sadly away.
"Aw, don't give up Muffins," said Sakura gentle as she put a fore-hoof around the teal Pegasus's shoulders, "We'll think of something else!" The three Earth ponies just watched the two Pegasi walk away. It was then the bugbear ear flew past and growled at it passed the three ponies. Rainbow then flew after it while Mario ran behind, then stopped to gobble up a star cookies in front of the three ponies.
(Cue favorite "invincibility" music)
"Here I go!" Mario shouted as his body glowed and twinkled before continuing the chase. Lily Valley then gasped again.
"Look, girls!" she shouted, "A broken stem on one of the zinnias!"
"Whaaa?!" Daisy gasped as the three girls collapsed to the ground again.
"Oh the horror, the horror!" Roseluck cried out. Sakura heard them and rolled her eyes.
"Drama queens," she muttered. Meanwhile, Mario noticed that the rest of the Mane Eight were having a difficult time trying to get the bugbear away from town.
"Ugh, we're just going around in circles," said Mario to himself in the background as Shenran swung his swords about to keep the bugbear from attacking Fluttershy at the moment, "We're going to need help..." Shenran heard and hovered over to him so the two could whisper to each other..
"Maybe you need to summon...them?" He suggested. Mario's eyes widened. It had been a long time since he had heard Shenran suggest that.
"But they're..." Mario protested.
"We have no choice," said Shenran. Mario nodded with a stern look on his face.
"Cover for me!" Mario said firmly as Shenran saluted and Mario teleported away.
Inside the town hall, Lyra and Bon Bon had been asked to help decorate the Town Hall. The two best friends were more than willing to help Matilda out.
"I have to admit, when Matilda said we needed this place ready by today," said Bon Bon, "I was a little nervous."
"With you at my side, I knew we'd get it done in time," said Lyra as she set up a decoration with her magic. The two ponies then bumped flanks.
"These is nothing like a best friend, is there?" Bon Bon replied as she headed over to a box loaded with decorations.
"Anything's possible when you know somepony as well as we know each other!" said Lyra as she handed Bon Bon a bow. Suddenly they heard the bugbear roaring in the distance, startling Bon Bon.
"What was that?" Bon Bon asked.
"There's some monster attacking Ponyville or something," Lyra answered.
"What is it this time?" Bon Bon asked with an eye roll, "A creature from the Everfree Forest?"
"Uh, I think it's some sort of bugbear," said Lyra with a giggle. Bon Bon's eye shrunk and her heart skipped a beat.
"Did you say bugbear?" Bon Bon asked nervously before she zoomed over to a curtain while standing on her hind legs.
"It found me!" Bon Bon said panicking.
"What are you talking about, Bon Bon," Lyra asked, feeling a little puzzled at her best friend's behavior.
"My name isn't Bon Bon," the earth pony replied, "It's "Special Agent Sweetie Drops". I work for a super-secret anti-monster agency in Canterlot, or at least I did until the bugbear went missing from Tartarus a few years back." Lyra was stunned.
"What are you talking about?" Lyra repeated.
"When it escaped," Bon Bon explained as she pulled out a metal suitcase that had a disguise and a grappling hook, "we had to shutter the whole agency. Every last shred of evidence of the organization's existence was destroyed. Celestia demanded complete deniably." By now, Lyra was beyond shocked. One could say she looked a bit devastated.
"...What?" was all the mint green unicorn could reply.
"But what Agent Sweetie Drops didn't tell you," said a voice as a mysterious pony wearing a bowler hat, dark sunglasses, and a bushy mustache appeared out of a box of decorations. He was, of course, Mario, but neither pony knew that, especially since Mario deepened his voice as he spoke to them, "Was that I planned on bringing the agency out of retirement and establishing a new Headquarters here in Ponyville."
"EEK!" Lyra shrieked as Mario's sudden appearance. Bon Bon gasped.
"Chief Hidden Block!" Bon Bon exclaimed, saying Mario's undercover name.
"Good to see you Agent," said Mario and gave Lyra a stern look before pulling out a miniature device, "Do I need to use the eraser on her?" Lyra squeaked in horror as her eyes shrunk.
"No Chief!" said Bon Bon, "Our secret is safe with her." Mario glared, even though neither pony could see his eyes.
"I'll be holding you accountable for her, Agent," Mario replied, "If I am going to bring S.M.I.L.E. out of retirement, I need the latest technology and ponies that I know I can trust!"
"Understood Chief," said Bon Bon as she went to salute and lost her grip of her grappling hook in her fore-leg.
"OW!" Mario yelped as it bonked it on the head.
"Oops, heh, sorry about that Chief," Bon Bon said sheepishly as she grabbed her grappling hook back. Mario rubbed his sore head.
"I forgot you had a habit of doing that," Mario remarked as he used his magic to summon a scroll, "Here's your assignment!" Bon Bon took the scroll and unrolled it.
"Bugbear is on the loose," Bon Bon read aloud, "Assist Princess Twilight is getting the bugbear out of Ponyville and back into Tartarus. But remain hidden! Nopony must know that you're helping us! Agent Dual Dao will call you for any assistance if you are needed directly. This message will self-destruct!"
"Self-destruct?!" Lyra spluttered as she grabbed the paper, crumpled it up, and tossed it away at the window. Sadly, Lyra's aim was way off as the paper bounced off a wall and headed right for Mario!
"NO, NO, NO, NOOO!"
KA-BOOM!
"Ugh..." Mario groaned as he was now covered in soot and smoking a bit, "Why do I put up with you?" Mario didn't bother waiting for an answer and quickly then sank back into the box and disappeared. Lyra then quickly searched the box and found no signed of "Chief Hidden Block" anywhere.
"Getting back to the subject at hand," said Bon Bon, now geared up and ready to go, "It was me who captured the bugbear. I had to go deep cover here in Ponyville and assume the name Bon Bon. I never thought it'd be able to track me, but now it has."
"Are you saying our whole friendship was based on a lie?!" Lyra retorted once she found her ability to speak.
"I'm sorry, Lyra!" said Bon Bon, "I couldn't tell you for your own protection! Chief Hidden Block can testify to that. Agents who get their cover blown face very serious consequences! The few who get compromised are often never heard from again!"
"B-B-But the lunches! The-the long talks! The benches we sat on!" Lyra spluttered as her eye were filling with tears, "None of that was real?!"
"It was all real," said Bon Bon gently as she lifted Lyra's chin, "You're my very best friend." It was then the bugbear roar was heard again. Bon Bon quickly rushed to the window and opened it.
"I've got to find a crowd to blend into before I put you in danger!" said Bon Bon to Lyra as she hooked up her grappling hook, "I'll see you at the wedding!" Bon Bon then put on some dark shades and repelled from the window. Lyra rushed out to watch her leave.
"Fine!" Lyra snapped, "But we're going to talk about this later!" Bon Bon landed on the ground and walked backwards to sneak into the crowd and watch the Mane eight, which now included an undisguised Mario, as they continued to fight the bugbear. For the moment Pinkie was riding a unicycle while balancing some spinning plates to distract the bugbear. Behind the crowd, Cranky was talking to the jeweler pony.
"I need my ring today, no matter the cost," said Cranky before adding sheepishly, "As long as it doesn't cost any extra." The jeweler pony just rolled his eyes annoyingly.
Back at the bowling alley, Dr. Hooves was in one of the worst situations any bowler could face.
"Seven/ten split, man," said Jeff Letrotski, "Harshest of the harsh. But if you pick this up, we win the whole shebang!" Dr. Hooves took a deep breath, then twinkle hoofed sideways up to the bowling lane to toss his ball.
"Doc!" Muffins exclaimed as she and Sakura burst into the bowling alley and making Dr. Hooves drop his bowling ball, "I finally figured out how I can help! Your flameless fireworks look just like flowers. Sakura and I will use them for the wedding!"
"We either get a beautiful floral decoration or something that will explode into pretty colors! Whee!" Sakura said excitedly, "Let's go get 'em, Muffins!" Muffins smiled as the two Pegasi flew away.
"Great whickering stallions!" Dr. Hooves exclaimed while shaking his head rapidly, "Wait!" He then ran after Muffins and Sakura. Jeff Letrotski and his two bowling buddies leaned forward as the bowling ball hit one pin. The one pin swirled over to the second, but sadly it fell away from it. The bowling pony wearing the shades, named Walter, didn't hesitate to show his disappointment as he grunted angrily.
"Wait!" Dr. Hooves called out as he saw Muffins and Sakura flew away, "The flameless fireworks are extremely volatile! Without knowing what the trigger is, they could go off at any moment!"
(Cue "invincible" theme again)
He was interrupted when he saw the bugbear fly past following Mario trying to swat at him. However, Mario was currently invincible so the bugbear could swat him at will without hurting the Alicorn prince. Behind him, somepony was discreetly tossing him continuous star cookies so he could stay invincible for a prolonged amount of time. Twilight fired a magic blast at it, Rainbow then jabbed the bugbear forward and made sure it stayed focused on Mario as they led it outside of Ponyville. Dr. Hooves was rather stunned.
"My word, is that a bugbear?" he asked but didn't get any answer. Plus the distraction was enough to make him completely forget about Muffins and Sakura, as well as the flameless fireworks they were going to get from his lab.
At the Ponyville spa, Matilda was sitting in a chair getting her mane done, but she was still feeling very worried and overwhelmed.
"Don't you worry, Aunt Matilda," said Anemone as she stood in front of the female donkey, "We're gonna make sure you look beautiful for Cranky while Amethyst Star takes care of everything else."
"Oh, there are so many things I'm forgetting!" said Matilda as she wore a yellow bathrobe, "I hope Cranky remembers to tell the musicians! Oh! Oh! I'll never get my mane done in time!"
"You just need to calm down, take a deep breath, and relax," said Anemone, "Things will be alright in the end."
"The filly is right. You must relax, my dear!" said Lotus Blossom as she and Aloe got to work on Matilda's mane, "We can handle anything! We once did a pony's hair during the ceremony!"
"Wow, that is impressive," said Anemone in awe.
"Oh, it's true, it's true," said a voice. Mathilda and Anemone turned to see a rather giant sized serpent sitting in the spa bathtub nearby. Those who remember the beginning of this series will remember who he was. The serpent was Steven Magnet, whom Rarity had sacrificed her tail to help him oh so long ago. Anemone scooted closer to Matilda since seeing the giant serpent scared her a little.
"They really are the best," said Steven, "Matilda, I've to say, I already feel like we're family."
"You do?" Matilda asked in surprise.
"Who are you?" Anemone asked.
"Of course! I'm Steven Magnet, Cranky's best beast," said the serpent proudly.
"You're Steven Magnet?" Matilda said in surprise.
"Wow," said Anemone, "And I thought Shenran having a draconequus at his wedding was unique."
"Well, what'd you expect, a bugbear?" Steven joked, "I've known Cranky forev-er! Surely he must have told you about the time he saved me from Flash Freeze Lake?"
"...You're Steven Magnet," Matilda repeated.
"He said he was," Anemone replied.
"Oh, I know, I know!" Steven said, "Typical Cranky, to leave out minor details, like the fact that I'm, y'know, a sea monster, right?" Steven laughed, "I just love that old burro!"
"I'm sorry, Steven," said Matilda, "I guess I assumed you were a pony. And I had no idea you had such adventures together."
"Oh, honey, you don't know the half of it!" said Steven, "Now whose this pony who I heard call you Auntie?"
"Anemone, Mr. Magnet," said the unicorn politely, "It's nice to meet you. Poke!" Anemone then tapped Steven's cheek with her wand. Steven chuckled at the gesture.
"Well, aren't you the sweetest!" said Steven, "But Matilda, let me tell you something. In all that we've been through together, the only thing he ever cared about was finding you." Steven then pointed at Matilda's nose.
"Really?" said Matilda as she shed a tear.
"Aw!" Anemone cooed.
"Well, that and a baldness cure," said Steven and laughed at his own joke.
"He is the sweetest thing, isn't he?" said Matilda as Anemone nodded in agreement, "All the stress I've put myself through. All the stress I put him through. The only thing that matters is that we're together. The wedding isn't the important thing - the marriage is."
"That is true," said Anemone, but then Steven began to laugh.
"Oh, goodness gracious," said Steven, "If you both believe that, I've got a bridge to sell you! All these ponies traveling to Ponyville, putting on uncomfortable clothes, sitting through a long ceremony, you think any of them care about the marriage?" Steven laughed again, "Honey, the wedding is everything!" Poor Matilda was now in the verge of a panic attack as her teeth rattled inside her mouth. Anemone glared at Steven.
I'd give Steven hard lemon pokes for upsetting Aunt Matilda, she thought, But unlike Discord, I'm afraid he'll eat me.
Most know Steven wouldn't eat anypony, but he could certainly drown somepony when he got upset. Mario would know considering he almost did drown when he and the others met him all those years ago.
Meanwhile, DJ Pon-3 was arriving back at her home, which she shared with Octavia. Inside the house decor was split in half. Octavia's decor end was rather rustic while DJ Pon-3's decor was painted purple and filled with all her music equipment. DJ Pon-3 walked inside as Octavia was busy playing the "Wedding March" on her cello. While she was in tune, she wasn't satisfied with her efforts.
"Ugh, all these wedding songs are so...standard," Octavia grumbled, "I want Cranky and Matilda's wedding to be special." DJ Pon-3 just drank a bottle of milk as Octavia spoke. The cello playing pony just continued playing when DJ Pon-3 smiled as she got an idea. She quickly headed over to her personal turntable. After a few tweaks, DJ Pon-3 pointed a fore-hoof at Octavia to play. Octavia did as DJ Pon-3 added a few random dubstep beats to her cello playing. Octavia just glared as DJ Pon-3 continued to thinker with some more dubstep beats with her disk jockey equipment.
"Thanks, but I'm not sure that's appropriate for a wedding, is it?" Octavia replied as she continued to play with her cello. DJ-Pon-3 continued to listen quietly before she smiled and tapped a pedal underneath her turntable and started playing some dubsteps again. This time the dubsteps went with Octavia's cello playing at the two ponies exchanged smiles with each other. Then they stared each other down to signal the start of a music duet. The dubsteps and cello playing intensified as DJ Pon-3 spun her record before playing it and Octavia spun her cello staff in her fore-hoof. Various lights shined around the two music ponies as DJ Pon-3 worked her turntable and Octavia played her cello. The DJ pony then pointed at Octavia to go solo. The two ponies then stood opposite each other as they rotated counter-clockwise of each other while they played. Then they stopped playing and exchanged smirks with each other. DJ Pon-3 got another idea as she set up some giant speakers and increased the volume before pointing at Octavia to play. Octavia then played her cello with great intensity as some silhouettes of microphones appeared. DJ Pon-3 increased the volume to the speakers more as Octavia spun her cello while standing on her hind legs. DJ Pon-3 then switched records, increasing the volume to the speakers even more as she began to work her turntable with a higher intensity. The intensity was so great that Octavia's neck collar loosened a bit as she played her cello without her cello staff and Octavia spun about while standing on her head. The two music ponies then got so into the music that they both jumped into the air. DJ Pon-3 held the dashboard of her turntable in her fore-hooves while Octavia held her cello. The two ponies were about to smashed their objects when...
"STOP!" Octavia called out, putting an end the music momentum as they both landed back on the floor. DJ Pon-3's shades were now dangling over the edge of her nose, "I'm going to be late for the wedding!"
It wasn't long before DJ-Pon-3 had added wheels to her turntable and speakers as she and Octavia burst out of the front door, were airborne for a few seconds, and rolled into town to go the wedding. They also continued their music duet at full blast. The Mane eight were now fighting the bugbear as he clung onto the top of the Carousel Boutique. Both Twilight and Mario were firing magic blasts at it as the bugbear growled at them. Some other ponies were watching the battle, and Bon Bon was hidden amongst the crowd, discreetly tossing props and other power ups to help the Mane eight. It was then DJ Pon-3 and Octavia zoomed by, shocking and stunning some ponies in the crowd. DJ Pon-3 than noticed that they were heading toward a house wall when Octavia extended her cello staff, which hooked onto a street lamp and let them turn into another street. They turned so fast that DJ Pon-3's lips flapped about. They were also coming so quickly that three ponies were taken by surprise and knocked into the air. The three ponies then landed on the run away turntable for the ride, whether they wanted it or not. Octavia then winced when she saw their turntable heading toward three ponies trying to transport a sofa inside of a wagon. Upon impact, the sofa was now sitting on top of the giant speakers with the three ponies and Octavia was sitting on the armrest as she continued playing her cello. DJ Pon-3 winced again as the turntable collided with three more ponies, then another set of three, and then three more ponies in succession, sending each one flying into the air and landing on the run-away turntable. The turntable then took another sharp turn and there was more trouble. Mr. and Mrs. Cake, along with their twins, Matilda in her wedding dress, and the wedding cake, were making their way to the wedding area when the runaway turntable picked them up as well. Suddenly, Cranky was walking past with baskets filled with vegetables and wearing his tuxedo. He saw the turntable coming his way and quickly jumped out of the way, but at the loss of his vegetables and his toupee. A few more ponies dodged out of the way to avoid being run over or picked up by the turntable. One pony in particular dropped a scepter with Twilight's head on it. As soon as one of the turntable's wheels bumped into the scepter, all the ponies on the turntable went flying into the air in slow motion toward Town Hall.
A short distance away, Gummy was watching the scene unfold in slow motion from an upstairs window.
What is life? Gummy narrated in his mind, Is it nothing more than the endless search for a cutie mark? And what is a cutie mark but the constant remind that we're all only one bugbear attack away from oblivion? And what of the poor gator? Flank forever blank, destined to an existential swim down the river of life to...an unknowable destiny?
"Oh Gummy," said Anemone, who mysteriously appeared from behind the gator, "You're words of wisdom pierced the very reaches of my soul." Anemone smiled at him cutely and batted her eye lashes at him. Gummy's only reply was licking his eye and blinking.
Back at town hall, several ponies made a smooth landing into the seats. DJ Pon-3 and Octavia landed side by side at one part of the main room. The Cake family landed by a table as the wedding cake landed layer by layer on the table behind them. Octavia just smiled.
"Something like that might work," Octavia replied as DJ Pon-3, whose shades were dangling on her nose again, just smiled in agreement.
Outside of town, the Mane eight had finally managed to guide the bugbear toward the edge of town. Shenran then noticed some bushes along both sides of a nearby path. He let the others move ahead of him before secretly placing a mini-communicator on his left ear and tapped it lightly.
"Agent Sweetie Drops, this is Agent Dual Dao," said Shenran in a hushed tone, "DD to SD, do you copy?" There was some static before he got a reply.
"Sweetie Drops here, what's up, Agent?" Bon Bon replied from her hiding spot in a nearby bush.
"We just got the bugbear out of Ponyville, but we need the teleporter to Tartarus up now!" Shenran told her, keeping his voice quiet as the others pushed the bugbear further away from Ponyville. Bon Bon looked around and saw the same sets of bushes along a nearby path
"I'm on it," said Bon Bon, "and I'll be sending you a power-up so Prince Mario can easily push the bugbear into the portal!"
"I'll keep my eyes out for it," said Shenran, "Agent out!" Shenran then hung up, removed the communicator, and went to catch up with the rest of the group. Bon Bon then got to work setting up a device that looked like a projector. Once it was set up from her hiding spot, she then activated the machine to create a warp portal that led straight to the bugbear's prison hold in Tartarus. Mario noticed the portal and smirked.
"We need to get the bugbear through that portal!" Mario called out.
"Where in tarnation did that come from?" Applejack called out.
"As long as it heads to Tartarus, that's all that matters," said Twilight, "Let's get this monster contained everypony!"
"Easier said than done," said Rainbow as she hovered around the bugbear, but she barely missed getting swiped again.
"Yeah, this monster is starting to lose interest in us!" Pinkie added and yelped as she barely missed getting clawed. The bugbear started flying away from the portal as Applejack and Twilight tried to get it back on the path to the portal.
"We need to get it into that portal now!" Mario shouted.
"Mario! Use this!" Shenran called out as he held in his fore-hoof a giant yellow and red spotted mushroom, which Bon Bon had left laying on the ground close by.
"Perfect!" said Mario as Shenran tossed the giant mushroom to the alicorn prince. Mario stood still as the mushroom turned into magic dust that fell onto him.
(Cue "Mega Mushroom" theme)
Mario grew five times his normal size and stood on his hind legs.
"Mario time!" he cried out as he charged into the bugbear, knocking him back toward the portal.
"Go get 'em Mario!"
"Yee-haw!"
"Show it to him!" Rainbow, Applejack, and Pinkie cheered.
The bugbear tried to wrestle with Mario, but the giant Alicorn Prince was far too strong for it as Mario easily pushed the bugbear right behind the portal before reeling back and shoving the bugbear hard through the portal, which sealed up the moment the bugbear had fallen through it. Mario then powered down to normal size and turn around to face the others.
"Thank you so nice!" Mario shouted as he gave a victory pose. The others breathed a sigh of relief.
"That portal closed just in time," said Rarity.
"Guess luck was on our side," said Twilight as Mario and Shenran shared a hoof-bump with each other, especially regarding Bon Bon's ability to close the portal quickly. Bon Bon wiped her brow with relief before sneaking away from the group. She had barely made her way back into town and made her way down quiet alleyway, and shortcut to Town Hall, when Mario reappeared behind her wearing his chief's outfit. (Mario had also altered his cutie mark to resemble a transparent 2D question block.)
"Good work Agent Sweetie Drops," said Mario, "I'm glad to see that my trust in you wasn't misplaced." Bon Bon smiled.
"You can always count on me, Chief," said Bon Bon as she tapped the side of a wall with a fore-hoof, "I'm always on duty." Bon Bon didn't realize until too late that by tapping the wall, she made a pottery plant wobble and fall from a second floor window still...right into Mario's head.
"OW!" Mario yelped as the pottery crashed into his head, leaving him groaning. Bon Bon looked up and chuckled sheepishly.
"Sorry about that, Chief," said Bon Bon.
"Just...go..." Mario said wearily as Bon Bon saluted and ran toward Town Hall. Mario just snorted.
"The things I do to protect Equestria," Mario muttered to himself before teleporting away.
Back at Town Hall, Celestia and Luna were standing at the table where the wedding presents were being kept.
"What do you mean you left it on the counter?!" Celestia exclaimed to Luna in a hushed but also annoyed tone.
"I thought you were bringing it!" Luna retorted in the same tone. It was then Spike appeared to drop off his gift on the wedding table. The sun and moon princess just smiled until he walked away, then went back to shoot dirty looks at each other.
"I handled the gift for Cadance and Shining Armor!" Luna added, "You were supposed to do this one, remember?"
"Well, we can't just come to this wedding empty-hooved!" Celestia protested. As the two just stared each other down, a large crowd of fillies and colts came running past the two princesses screaming for their lives.
"Come back! You're all so cute! You all need my lemon pokes!" Anemone shouted as she chased after them. Celestia and Luna just rolled their eyes. Back in the seats, Hayseed Turnip Truck was sitting in his seat when he turned to see Shining Armor sobbing next to his wife, Cadance.
"It's alright," said Cadance with a sigh, "He always cries at weddings. He certainly did when Twilight got married to Mario." Shining Armor then started bawling.
"...Usually it's not until the wedding starts," said Cadance, feeling slightly embarassed at the scene her husband was making. Then again, Cadance thought, I did bring up the fact Twilight is now married. Is he really still feeling like Twilight no longer needs him...I wonder... Cadance just continued to ponder and comfort Shining Armor when Anemone, who had finally shown the colts and fillies being poked was nothing to be afraid of, handed the stallion a box of tissues with her magic.
"T-t-thank you," Shining Armor hiccuped as he blew his nose like a trumpet, "Wait, aren't you the mare who nearly ruined my sister's marriage?"
"Shining Armor!" Cadance scolded, "Twilight said that situation was settled a long time ago!"
"It's okay, Princess Cadance," said Anemone, "That was my sister. She had a bad habit of doing things without using her brain."
"I heard that!" Sakura shouted as she and Muffins were standing before their arrangement of the flameless fireworks.
"These flameless fireworks look even better than flowers!" Muffins said with a giggle.
"That was a great idea on your part, Muffins," said Sakura.
"Couldn't have done it without you," said Muffins as they shared a hoof bump with each other. It was then the doors opened and there stood Bon Bon as she removed her sun glasses.
"Attention, everypony!" said Bon Bon, "Our friends have done it! They've defeated the bugbear!" The ponies cheered, except for Lyra, who was sitting on her seat indignantly with her fore-legs crossed as well as having one hind leg over the other.
"Hey," said Bon Bon casually.
"Hello," Lyra replied bluntly and not looking at Bon Bon.
"So, uh," Bon Bon stuttered, "you didn't happen to mention our earlier conversation about my..." Bon Bon lowered her voice, "...secret identity..." then made her voice normal again, "...to anypony, did you?"
"No, I did not," said Lyra huffily before sternly glaring at Bon Bon, "and you're not the only one with a secret, y'know. You know those expensive imported oats you were saving for a special occasion? I cooked them up and ate them! All of them!" Lyra got into Bon Bon's face sternly before the two ponies smiled and Lyra laughed.
"It's sort of thrilling to reveal your deepest, darkest secrets!" Lyra said excitedly. Bon Bon laughed.
"That's what best friends are for," said Bon Bon as the two ponies shared a hug with each other. On the other side of the seats, Celestia and Luna were still fuming as they sat next to each other.
"Next time, you can just bring your own gift," said Celestia annoyingly, "and I'll bring mine."
"Fine," Luna replied bluntly. The main door then creaked open again as Muffins looked to see Dr. Hooves rushing up to Town Hall building.
"There you are!" Dr. Hooves exclaimed as he now wore an extra long scarf, "My suit has vanished and this was the only thing left in my closet! How do I look?"
"Like a million bits!" said Muffins as she gave him a hug and a cute smile. Sakura giggled as she walked up to the two friends.
"Do you like him?" Sakura asked in a whisper to Muffins.
"He's just a friend, but he is kind of cute," Muffins replied as the two Pegasi giggled to each other.
"Great whickering stallions, look at the time!" Dr. Hooves exclaimed as he looked at his fore-leg even though he wasn't wearing a watch, "We'd better get inside. Allons-y!" The three ponies walked back inside. Near the grooms side of the altar, Steven was watching the ceremony from outside a window since he was too big to fit into the Town Hall. Cranky was grumbling.
"I can't believe I lost my hair!" Cranky told his best beast, "I look ridiculous. The love of my life deserves better than this!"
"Have no fear, Cranky, my dear," said the serpent, "It's Steven Magnet's mustache to the rescue!" Remembering a tactic Rarity used to help him, Steven plucked a scale off himself and used it to cut off a side of his mustache. He then bundled the mustache hairs into a toupee and set it on Cranky's head, even brushing and hair-spraying it for good measure.
"Aw, thanks, buddy," said Cranky.
"Oh, no problem," said Steven as he gave the male donkey a hug and shoved him up the alter where Matilda was already waiting for them, "Now you get in there and marry that donkey!" Steven's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Well, is everypony here?" Mayor Mare asked since she was going to marry the two donkeys. Muffins and Sakura stood by the main doors as the Mane eight were running to Town Hall. Mario was way ahead of the group.
"Don't close the-"
WHAM! CLICK!
Muffins and Sakura shut the door and locked it, shutting out the Mane Eight from entering.
"-door..." Mario replied, his voice muffled since he face was smashed into the doors. Neither Pegasi had heard him anyway.
"All set, Mayor!" Muffins shouted.
"All systems go!" Sakura added with a fore-leg salute.
"Dearly beloved," Mayor Mare began, "we are gathered here today to join these two in mare-trimony. As I look around this room, I can only imagine how uncomfortable Cranky must be." Several ponies started laughing as Mayor Mare cracked a joke about Cranky looking nervous, even Matilda covered her mouth to hide her chuckles. Cranky just grumbled to himself.
"But I also see so many ponies from all trots of life, brought together by love," Mayor Mare continued as she looked at all the ponies in the seats. Shining Armor got a little misty eyed as Cadance snuggled up to him, "Cranky searched all across this great land of ours to find Matilda, and no matter what obstacles kept them apart, love would finally bring them together, just as it had brought all of us together now." Celestia and Luna rolled their eyes before finally holding hooves and smiling at each other as a sign they weren't going to fight anymore.
"It's remarkable to me how such a story like Cranky's search for Matilda," Mayor Mare continued as the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Zecora, Daisy Jo, and other familiar background ponies watched from the balcony, "could fill this room with such a unique collection of ponies! It makes you realize that everypony is the star of their own story. And it's not just the main characters in our stories that make life so rich. It's everypony - those who play big parts and those who play small." Toward the back of some chairs, several fillies and colts were all huddled up together as they looked frightfully at a lone changeling that was there for the wedding. (One could speculate that this might have been Thorax, but that's another story...)
"If it weren't for everypony in this room and many more who couldn't be here today," Mayor Mare concluded as Cranky and Matilda gazed at each other lovingly, "Cranky and Matilda's lives wouldn't be as full and vibrant as they are." Steven quickly teared up and started crying as he grabbed Bulk Biceps for comfort. The muscular Pegasus only squeaked in reply and didn't move.
"And so, in front of all these loved ones..." said Mayor Mare, "Cranky, do you take this donkey to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"You bet I do!" said Cranky.
"And do you Matilda," said Mayor Mare, "take this donkey to be your lawfully wedded husband?" Matilda felt a little choked up but managed to recompose herself.
"I do!" she said, still tearing up.
"Then I'm proud to say, I now pronounce you jack and jenny!" Mayor Mare said happily. Cranky and Matilda then shared a kiss. The ponies all cheered happily. As the two donkey's pulled away, the flameless fireworks glowed. Dr. Hooves looked a bit worried until the fireworks rocketed into the air above them and exploded into a collection of various colors.
"HA-HA! Of course!" Dr. Hooves laughed excitedly and grabbed Roseluck by the face, "They need love to ignite! How could I have missed it?!" Cranky and Matilda just smiled as they and the rest of the ponies watched the indoor fireworks show.
Outside the town hall, the Mane eight had been listening and watching everything unfold from a window near the entrance.
"You know something everypony?" Twilight asked the group as she head toward the outer railing of the town hall balcony.
"What is it honey?" Mario replied.
"We're so lucky to live in this town," said Twilight, "I love you all!" She then pulled the other ponies into a group hug.
"Ow!" Rainbow yelped as she pulled into the group hug, "That's where the bugbear bit me!"
"Sorry!" said Twilight quickly before continuing to hold everypony close.
"Want me to kiss your boo-boo and make it better?" Shenran asked.
"Very funny," Rainbow remarked.
"I was being serious," Shenran pointed out.
"Oh...heh...it's okay," said Rainbow, "Thanks for the offer." The others just chuckled as they watched the sun set into the horizon. They all could agree.
There was no better place they'd rather be...
...then here in Ponyville.
There you have it. Hope you were pleased with the surprises and bonus scenes I left in the chapter. Bet nopony expected to see Sakura and Anemone take center stage of the story, or that they knew Matilda. I bet nopony guessed that Mario and Shenran were part of the secret Agency that Bon Bon was part of! I hope you enjoyed my references to both Get Smart and Inspector Gadget!
Plus I hope everypony enjoyed the fact that I showed how Bon Bon helped with the bugbear. They never did show how they took care of it, only that Bon Bon said they defeated it.
Next time: Spike once again has the opportunity to take charge again. Considering what little he learned the last time he took charge, this should be interesting...
Peace Pony Fans!