The Crystalling Part 2
Pony's Log Number 602: I think I got the answer to my question from the last entry. But that still leaves one more question: How can we even fix this mess?!
Routine notification: I don't do "Previously on My Little Pony" segments.
(Main Theme)
(Cue extra life fanfare)
"Wuh? Huh?!" said Mario as he shot up with a start before he settled down, "What...what happened?"
"Apparently the baby's loud crying created some sound waves that knocked you out," said Luna, "You should be alright now thanks to those special mushrooms you always keep in your saddle bag." Mario then got up on all fours.
"It's why I carry 'em," said Mario, "So did anything happen while..." Mario then noticed the others gathered around the shattered remains of the Crystal Heart.
"Momma Mia!" Mario exclaimed with wide eyes, "I get knocked out for a few minutes and suddenly everything falls apart."
"It would appear so, big brother," said Applejack as Mario walked up to the others.
"So...now only can we not take part in a fabulous ancient ceremony," said Rarity, "but we're also about to be frozen solid!"
"Frozen solid?!" Mario squeaked, "Ugh...everypony knows I hate cold weather!"
"Without the Crystal Heart's magical protection," said Twilight, "the entire city's about to become a winter wasteland!" Mario cringed.
"But what about when King Sombra ruled the Crystal Empire and the Crystal Heart was missin'?" Applejack asked, "The city wasn't covered in snow then!"
"The Heart wasn't missing," said Twilight as Mario stood on the right and Cadance, Shining Armor, who was holding the baby with a fore-leg, approached from the left, "It was still in the castle. King Sombra had just hidden it."
"King Sombra knew of the Crystal Empire would be in danger if he had destroyed the Crystal Heart," said Mario, "So he kept it hidden so the heart could still protect the Empire but at the same time, hid it from the crystal ponies to destroy their hope."
"I'm afraid Twilight and Mario are correct," said Princess Celestia as she used her magic to hold up the curtain, "and the storm clouds are already forming." Outside, dark ominous clouds were approaching.
"I can totally fly up there and bust those puppies! No problem!" Rainbow boasted and tried to take off when Celestia shut the curtain on her to prevent her from flying off.
"I wouldn't advise it, Rainbow Dash," said Princess Celestia, "Those storm clouds are not like the ones you know."
"Thus far north," Luna added, "the weather has a will of its own, and now it will grow stronger, enveloping everything in its path."
"Including the Crystal Empire!" Cadance remarked as Twilight and Mario stood beside her.
"And us along with it!" Twilight cringed as Pinkie held her and trembled fearfully. Shenran held his wife close as the latter looked very scared. Everypony else was just as frightened and worried, except Mario.
"Not if I can help it!" said Mario as he flew up and tapped Celestia's fore-head.
"Mario what are you-" Celestia was cut off when she felt some of her magic exit her body and transferred to Mario. Mario landed and closed his eyes as his body copied the mane, tail, and cutie mark of Celestia. Just like with Luna, His mane and tail were bubble-gum pink, which was Celestia's original mane color when it wasn't flowing.
WEAPON GET: SOLAR FLARE
"Awesome!" said Rainbow, "Mario can use sun power to blast those clouds away."
"And I'll have the extra power to do it!" Mario said confidently as he went to activate the red gem.
"No Mario!" Celestia ordered sternly, "Even with your boosted strength, it will not be enough to stop the storm! And if you overuse your amulet, the frigid cold could put you in grave danger." Mario sighed and then used his magic to restore his normal coloring. They needed to think of a plan and do it fast!
Back at Sunburst's house, the awkward tension between the two ponies could still be felt. Spike and Diamond Tiara were still searching Twilight's list for something to break the ice.
"There's gotta be somethin'..." Spike said aloud.
"I'm looking! I'm looking!" said Diamond Tiara impatiently, "ugh, Twilight seriously needs to add a table of contents for these lists in the future!" Meanwhile, Starlight and Sunburst were still facing each other. The former was standing while the latter was sitting on a stool near his desk.
"I know Princess Twilight and Prince Mario are keen on the two of us rekindling our friendship," said Sunburst to Starlight, "but...it's been so long, I don't see how anything on that list is going to help."
"Well, aren't we the pessimist," muttered Diamond Tiara and then her eyes grew large, "Oh my gosh! I'm saying big words and I know what they mean! I'm turning into an egghead!" Diamond Tiara looked like she was having a nightmare as Spike just rolled his eyes behind her.
"I know right?" Starlight replied, not hearing the filly at all, "It's not like there's some spell that would magically compel us to pick up where we left off."
"Well, actually, there's several," said Sunburst as he pulled a few books off some shelves with his magic, "Mistmane's Material Amity. Rockhoof's Rappart. Flash Prance's fellowship..." Starlight then walked up to him with a look that said she was joking.
"Ahem," said Sunburst once he came to realization, "But I-I get the feeling the princess isn't looking for a spell."
"Definitely not," said Starlight with a chuckle.
"Got it!" said Spike, now wrapped up in the list.
"You found something?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"Yes," said Spike, "it' says here: "And if all else fails, ask them to share an embarassing moment from their past, maybe even something they regret"!" The fact both Starlight and Sunburst's pupils shrunk and they both went rigid was a clear sign neither of them were liking the idea.
"Uh, I don't see how that would help," said Sunburst.
"Uh, yeah!" Starlight said in agreement.
"It's a great idea actually," said Diamond Tiara, "Silver and I had to do that when we needed to repair our friendship. Sometimes opening up is the best way to..."
ZIP!
"...mmmmmmmmmmmmph!" Diamond Tiara was then cut when Starlight magically zipped her mouth shut and picked her and Spike , who was still tangled in the list, up with her magic.
"Okay, that's enough sugar for you," said Starlight and started heading to the front door, "We should just get out of your mane. It's pretty obvious this isn't going how Twilight hoped, and I'm sure you have plenty of important work to do..."
"What? Oh! Right, yes, heh-heh!" said Sunburst with some hesitation, "Uh, no rest for the wizardly."
"Come on, Spike, Di," said Starlight.
"Mmmmmmm-mmmmmm-mmmmmmph!" Diamond Tiara squirmed, but Starlight's magic grip prevented the filly from unzipping her mouth. Spike just groaned and let Starlight carry him out of the house as the lilac unicorn shut the door.
Back outside the castle, the storm clouds were continuing to close in on the city. Then a cold gust blew under the curtain.
"Brrr," said Mario as he and Twilight shivered.
"There must be a spell that can restore the Crystal Heart!" said Twilight.
"Perhaps," said Celestia.
"But it isn't something that either of us know," said Luna.
"What about the Crystal Library?" Shenran suggested.
"Good thinking honey," said Fluttershy.
"The library here at the castle is nearly as extensive as the one in Canterlot," said Cadance as she walked over to Twilight and handed the baby to Shining Armor, "There's a good chance we can find something there!"
"Can you hold off the storm?" Twilight asked.
"Hey, I can do it!" Mario protested.
"No, Mario, I need you to help Cadance and I find the spell," said Twilight and then turned to Celestia and Luna.
"Yes, for a time, but even our magic will eventually succumb to the power of the Frozen North," said Luna.
"Please pull back before that happens," said Mario worriedly, "I don't want to lose either of you."
"You won't, my son," said Celestia before turning to Twilight, "We will do what we can, but you must hurry." Celestia and Luna then flew off and used their magic to try and blast away the oncoming black storm clouds. Twilight and Mario hovered a bit as they watched the two princesses battle the clouds before they landed.
"I don't know how long it will take to find the right spell," said Twilight to the others, "but you should tell the crowd outside to get somewhere warm!"
"And try not to mention the Crystal Heart," Cadance advised, "We don't want to start a panic."
"Are you sure hiding what happened is even a good idea, Big Sis?" said Mario, "You might have been too drowsy to remember, but the last time we tried to cover up a...situation with the Crystal Heart, these crystal ponies proved to be very persistent and stubborn..."
"Mario, we weren't prepared for that the last time," said Rainbow, "We've totally got this."
"Then you better get going," said Cadance.
"Yes, ma'am," said Applejack, "C'mon, girls and Shenran!" Then she, Fluttershy, Shenran, and Rainbow headed on their way. Twilight watched them leave before she walked up to Mario, Cadance, Shining Armor, Pinkie, and Rarity.
"I'm gonna need all of your help," said Twilight the group, "the crystal library is enormous!"
"You can count on us, Twily!" said Shining Armor.
"Don't forget your husband is the fastest pony alive," said Mario, "We'll find the right spell in seconds flat!"
"And you've been hanging around Rainbow too much," Rarity teased.
"It's better than hanging around you too much," Twilight remarked, "Did you know my husband actually has his own fainting sofa? And the other day he thought he lost his favorite train and screamed that it was The. Worst. Possible. Thing!" Rarity rolled her eyes and refused to comment, though she couldn't avoid blushing slightly. Mario's face was already bright red. Shining Armor snickered...until the baby shocked everypony by suddenly teleporting right onto Pinkie's face.
"WAH!" Pinkie screamed as she pried the baby off and sent her flying. Cadance and Shining Armor winced as the latter dived to catch the baby, but the baby teleported away before Shining Armor could catch her. Mario groaned loudly.
"She can teleport too?!" Mario said wearily, "What's next? She'll start talking?!"
"Oh Mario!" said Twilight annoyingly.
"Where'd she go?!" Shining Armor asked in a panic. The others started searching around when they heard some distant baby giggling. Cadance did her best to focus on where the giggling was coming from.
"This way!" said Cadance shouted as the others followed after her. Mario quickly caught up to her side.
"Why can't anything ever be easy?" Mario complained. Cadance just chuckled.
"That's just life, little brother," said Cadance, "anyway put a fore-leg on my fore-head. I'm sure you'll need this." Mario did as Cadance asked. Despite still running, Mario was able to focus as he copied Cadance's tri-colored mane, tail, fur, and cutie mark.
WEAPON GET: LOVE BARRIER
"Oooh! Pink is so your color," said Pinkie.
"I agree, darling," said Rarity as the four girls giggled to each other and Shining Armor snickered. Mario just looked indignant.
"Yeah, well Cadance's love magic is nothing to laugh at," Mario remarked. Mario gave a little grunt as he made a dark pink barrier appear. Mario then got an idea.
"Let's see if the baby likes pretty hearts," said Mario as they arrived at an intersection, stood on his hind legs, and tossed some hearts that bounced across the floor like one of his fire balls. They soon heard giggling and found the baby had noticed the hearts.
"Come to ya Uncle Mario!" said the alicorn prince as he lowered the barrier and raised his fore-hooves toward the baby. But just as the baby was in catching range. She teleported from in front of Mario to behind him and kept flying.
"Hey, get back here!" Mario called out as he created another shield. Then the baby fired another magic blast that reflected off a castle wall and headed straight for him.
"Ugh!" Mario groaned as the blast struck his shield, which not only destroyed it but also struck Mario...painfully.
"Honey, are you okay?" Twilight as she, Rarity, and Pinkie stopped running as Cadance and Shining Armor kept running after the baby.
"That shield wasn't enough to protect me from the baby's magic," said Mario as he tried to recover from the blast, "Time to power up!"
POWER GEM!
Mario activated his Amulet and raised a much larger and stronger red barrier, disabled his amulet, and then the four ponies continued their pursuit after the baby and its parents.
Back outside the snow was starting to fall as Spike, Starlight, and Diamond Tiara were walking down the street together. By now, Diamond Tiara had managed to get the magic zipper off her mouth. As much as she wanted to tell Starlight off for closing her mouth, she could tell Starlight was already upset.
"Well, Spike, Di, looks like my biggest fears came true," said Starlight, "I wouldn't be surprised if Twilight decides to give up on me entirely."
"That would never happen," said Diamond Tiara, "Twilight wouldn't give up on you just because your friendship lesson didn't work out. Mario wouldn't give up on you either. In fact...I can understand why you would think that way. I mean...I still worry about failing my friendship lessons and that Mario is gonna give up on me. I guess I don't want him to think I'm just wasting his time..."
"Good to know you understand my own fears," said Starlight, "I still failed nevertheless..."
"Aw, it's not your fault," said Spike, "I'm the one who said all we needed was this list." Spike then blew fire into it so it disintegrated into thin air.
"And here I thought I would be able to help," said Diamond Tiara sadly, "Some help I turned out to be..."
"It's not the list or the extra help, Spike and Di," said Starlight, "Or you. Or Di. Or Twilight. Or Mario. I'm the one Sunburst doesn't want to be friends with."
"I don't remember him saying he didn't want to be friends," said Spike.
"The fact he looked so puzzled about the two of you needing to rekindle your friendship," Diamond Tiara pointed out, "probably means he's too dense or clueless to realize that he even hurt you in the first place."
"Either way," said Starlight, "he didn't have to say it." Starlight just lowered her head and felt sorry for herself. Diamond Tiara looked at the lilac unicorn for a moment and then snorted.
"Well, if that's the case," said Diamond Tiara firmly, "Then it's his loss."
"Di's right," Spike added as he and the filly got in front of Starlight, "Twilight and Mario obviously think you're worth being friends with! And I do too!"
"So do I," said Diamond Tiara as she and Spike gave Starlight a hug, "You're not the only pony looking to redeem themselves and be a better pony. Not to mention learning all about friendship. You're like a big sister to me and I love you." The filly's words touched Starlight's heart as she smiled and hugged them both back.
"Thanks, Spike, Thanks Di," said Starlight, "At least I have four friends, even if one of them has dragon breath." Starlight gave Spike a wink to show she was just teasing. Diamond Tiara just giggled at the joke as Spike exhales and saw his breath.
"Uh, that's not dragon breath," said Spike, "It's freezing!" Despite the now oncoming snowy weather, a crystal pony was just watering their flowers.
"You're right, Spike," said Diamond Tiara as she shivered, "Brr! And here I thought I wouldn't need my winter coat and galoshes!"
"Oh, you're right!" said Starlight, "But I thought the Crystal Heart was supposed to keep the cold weather out."
"That's what Twilight and Mario told me," said Diamond Tiara, "not to mention from Cheerilee during class a few weeks ago."
"It is...unless something's happened!" said Spike, "Come on!" The four friends then headed to the castle. As for the crystal pony, they must not have noticed the cold weather because they were now cluelessly staring at their now frozen in motion watering can.
Just before the platform where the Crystalling was going to take place. Rainbow, Applejack, Fluttershy, and Shenran were now before the crowds, trying to convince the ponies to leave.
"We're just saying that it might not be the best idea to stay outside," said Rainbow.
"I camped out all night for this spot!" said a mare named Tough Nut who was sitting on a beach chair, "I'm not about to just give it up!"
"You would if you knew about the heart," Shenran muttered under his breath.
"Shh!" said Fluttershy before trying to speak to the crowd, "Still, when you think about it, the view is just as good a little further back, like...inside your house?" The crystal ponies began to complain to each other.
"The Crystalling ceremony is one of our most sacred traditions!" said a stallion named Scouts Honor, "And when the foal is held before the Crystal Heart, I plan to be as close to the action as possible!"
"Honestly," Applejack replied, "I don't know if there's gonna be a Crystallin'. The truth is, the baby's an Alicorn and her magic's plum crazy, so you might not wanna be that close after all."
"A baby alicorn?" said another stallion named Tough Nut, "Wow, I can't wait to see that!"
"Oh, those little wings are probably so cute!" said Scouts Honor.
"I know, right?" another pony named Mustafa Combe added.
"Okay, what part of "the baby has crazy magic that could blast you to bits" is not being understood right now?" Shenran asked, now starting to lose his patience.
"Look, I am a hundred percent sure that Crystalling isn't happening," said Rainbow. It was then a bright light appeared above them. Everypony looked up to see large magic beams firing from out of the castle.
"No Crystalling, huh?" Mustafa Combe remarked, "Then why are they staring the fireworks show?" The crystal ponies all cheered. Shenran face-hoofed himself loudly.
"I'm surrounded by dummies!" Shenran groaned as she buried his face into his hooves. Rainbow face-hoofed herself as well before squatting down on the ground and covering her eyes. Fluttershy just patted Rainbow's and her husband's head sympathetically.
Inside the Crystal Library, things were not going smoothly at all. Cadance and Twilight were the only ponies able to actually search the library shelves. Shining Armor and Mario were busy chasing the baby about the area.
"Young filly...come back here!" Shining Armor shouted as he had just chased after the baby, who was just giggling happily as she flew across the foreground. Pinkie and Rarity peeked out from the corners of opposite shelves. Waiting for a chance to cut the baby off and capture her.
"Come to your Auntie Pinkie Pie!" Pinkie then tried to bounce after the baby. Between chases, the baby would sneeze and fire a magic blast. Mario always made sure to use the Power Gem of his amulet to refresh his barrier while trying to capture the baby. It was then another blast came directly at him and destroyed his barrier...again. To make matters worse, his copy ability powered down.
"Oh great!" Mario muttered to himself, "I used up all of Cadance's copy magic!"
"Look out!" Pinkie shout as another magic blast came right at the alicorn prince.
SPEED GEM!
Mario used his amulet to jump over the now slow motion magic blast and then disabled the magic once he was over the blast. Mario then blinked.
"Ah-ha!" said Mario with a smirk as he saw the baby coming in his direction.
GO!
Mario reactivated his Speed gem again as the baby came within range, jumped up, and grabbed her with a fore-leg as he deactivated the Amulet.
"Ah-ha! Gotcha!" said Mario, "Now please be a good little girl and..."
Too late...the baby teleported out of his fore-leg.
"AW COME ON!" Mario cried out in frustration as the baby flew past in the background with Rarity chasing after her. Twilight was just searching books as quickly as she could.
"Bridles Buck's Boat Chants, Hayhoof's Intonement, Mystic Maps and Mazes..." Twilight read aloud before she threw her head back and groaned loudly. She then looked up at Cadance, "Anything up there?" It was then the baby teleported behind the shelf Cadance was searching and continued to fly about.
"Not yet!" said Cadance, "I'm not even sure how these are organized!" It was then Mario came to a stop.
"Did you check the library card catalogue?" Mario suggested.
"I don't think we have one," said Cadance, "and the librarian isn't..." It was then the baby appeared before Cadance. Cadance smiled and went to grab her when...
ACHOO!
The baby fired another magic blast. Cadance ducked out of the way and, of course, it headed directly for Mario.
GOTTA DODGE!
Mario used his amulet again to give him time to cartwheel out of the way and then released a breath as the baby teleported again.
"I don't think the baby likes me," said Mario wearily as the baby flew circles around Twilight, "Her magic blasts keep coming right at me!"
"Guess Fluttershy wasn't kidding when she said you'd be target practice!" Pinkie remarked as she bounced past in the background.
"Not funny Pinkie!" Mario snapped angrily as Shining Armor went chasing after the baby.
"Shining Armor, I thought you were taking care of the baby!" Cadance called out.
"I'm trying!" Shining Armor retorted as he turned a corner, "Mario, give me a hoof over here!"
"Alright!" Mario replied, "I'm coming!" Mario then curled into a ball and zipped away at high speed. He then found a place to cut off the baby once again.
GO!
Mario used his amulet to capture the baby, but this time he encased her inside of a magic bubble.
"Gotcha this time little missy!" said Mario before...
...the baby teleported right out of the bubble. Even Shining Armor was shocked.
"You gotta be joking, kidding me!" Mario exclaimed and groaned loudly before he and Shining Armor went back to chasing the baby once again.
"Whoo!" the baby cheered as she teleported again and continued to fly about. It was then Rarity tried to cut her off by holding a net with her magic.
"Gotcha!" said Rarity, but the baby easily teleported around her and kept flying, "Oh! Or not..."
SPEED GEM!
Mario made another try of cutting the baby off and captured her inside not one, but a triple layered magic bubble.
"Let's see you get out of that," Mario challenged. He immediately regretted his words as the baby did so...easily. Mario's jaw hit the floor and his left eye twitched.
"Can anything contain her?!" Mario cried out in frustration and was ready to pull the his mane hairs out. The baby just continued flying about happily. It was then Starlight, Spike, and Diamond Tiara entered the library. They were all shocked at what they were seeing as the baby flew across the fore-ground with Pinkie chasing after her. Then another magic blast flew across the fore-ground as Shining Armor, now with a burnt mane, ran for his life. Cadance was frantically tossing book after book to Twilight, who was frantically was trying to read them as fast as she could. It was then Mario used his amulet to capture the baby again.
GEM CHANGE!
After Mario used the speed gem, he quickly changed to the power gem and used his power-boosted magic to create the strongest containment bubble he could make.
"There's no way you'll..."
Sigh...you readers can guess what happened next.
"AAUUUUUUUGH!" Mario screamed in frustration as he threw his head back, making Starlight, Spike, and Diamond Tiara wince. It was then the baby flew past Twilight as Pinkie continued the chase and they headed downstairs.
"Whoa!" Pinkie yelped as the baby made a tight turn and she slipped and crashed off-screen. She quickly recovered and continued the chase.
"Okay, I usually don't say this alot, but I'm scared," said Diamond Tiara timidly as she and Spike hid behind Starlight. Then the filly's eyes shrunk.
"DUCK! EEEEEEEEK!" Diamond Tiara shouted and then screamed as a magic blast came at them. The three friends had ducked just in time.
"What is going on?!" Starlight asked once she found it safe enough to stand up.
"You want the long or the short version?" Pinkie asked as the baby grabbed her hind leg and dragged her across from behind the three friends.
"Whatever version is gonna keep us alive!" Diamond Tiara cried out as she stayed low to the ground with her fore-hooves over her head.
"Uh...short?" Starlight replied.
"The baby's an Alicorn and she accidentally destroyed the Crystal Heart," Pinkie explained quickly, "so Twilight and Cadance are looking for a spell to put it back together and save the Crystal Empire from turning into a giant wasteland of ice and snow." Starlight and Diamond Tiara, who was now standing up, both cringed.
"Oh," said Starlight.
"I...understand..." said Diamond Tiara wearily as Spike finally stood up. It was then Pinkie and Shining Armor crashed head first into each other, leaving them dazed. Mario then jumped toward the baby as she flew past and just went for a normal homing dive at 500 mph.
THUNK!
The baby still managed to teleport away before Mario could grab her and he smashed into the wall, which squished the middle of his body between the fore-legs and hind legs. When he landed back on the ground, his body now stretched up and down, making accordion sounds. Cadance winced at the sight of her husband, Pinkie, and Mario's failed attempts to get the baby. It was then she noticed a black and gold book that had three stars on the cover and gasped.
"What about this?" Cadance asked as she brought the book over to Twilight, "Trotter's Tome of Reliquary?" Twilight took the book with her magic and began to search the pages and smiled.
"I think this is it!" said Twilight excitedly as she showed Cadance a page from the book.
""Spell of Relic Reconstitution"!" Cadance read aloud, "I can't believe we found it!"
"It's a good thing too," said Twilight as she held the book with her magic, "Without this, I don't know what we'd do!" It was then the baby teleported into a stack of books on just on the right of Twilight, knocked them over, and flew away.
"I have you now!" Mario shouted as he went for a full on homing attack. As usual, the baby moved out of the way easily and Mario crashed into the table and then slid down on the other side with a groan. Pinkie then chased after her and then finally dived at the baby and caught her. Suddenly...
ACHOO!
The baby fired another magic blast, which headed right for Rarity! Rarity used a handheld mirror to deflect the magic blast, but now it was heading right for Shining Armor. He quickly used a magic shield to deflect the magic blast, but now it was heading for Starlight, Spike, and Diamond Tiara. Diamond Tiara screamed as Starlight raised a barrier over them to reflect the blast again. Now it was heading straight for Mario.
GOTTA DODGE!
Mario used his amulet to slide under the blast, but as he deactivated the Amulet, he realized that he had been right behind the book Twilight was holding. His wife had ducked but the magic blast went right through the book! Twilight gasped. Cadance and Mario winced.
"Oops," said Pinkie from the background.
"That spell was the only thing we found in the whole library that was even close to what we needed!" Twilight said in a panic.
"I'm so sorry, Twilight!" said Starlight since it was her barrier that had sent the blast right at the book.
"It's not your fault, Starlight," said Twilight as she searched through the pages and then gave her husband a death glare before snapping, "I blame my stupid husband for dodging instead of blocking!" Mario winced at Twilight's raised tone and then started to cry.
"Hey, take it easy little bro," said Cadance gently, "You don't need to cry."
"Yeah, I'm sorry I yelled at you, sweetie," said Twilight, "none of us were expecting any this." Mario just sniffled and hadn't stopped crying.
"Still doesn't excuse the fact that I haven't been able to help at all," Mario sobbed, "watching the baby or restoring the Crystal Heart." Mario then pulled off his Amulet and glared at it.
"I made so many ponies waste so much time on this stupid thing!" Mario retorted, "and it turns out the Double Gem Amulet is just as useless as I am!" Mario then tossed the Amulet to the floor. Cadance just gave him a gentle hug.
"I'm sorry, I don't why I'm unraveling like this..." Mario said sadly.
"It's okay," said Cadance gently, "You did admit that you've been having gloominess lately. That's not going to just go away instantly. Plus you're the type that if things aren't going well for you or you feel like you're failing, you beat yourself up over it. You expect too much of yourself and you're too hard in yourself because you're a perfectionist." Mario just sniffled again and said nothing. Rarity fought not to start crying herself. If anypony understood that flaw, it was her.
"Yeah, well these days when I feel like I failed, I feel like I failed in proving that I'm not useless," Mario sobbed. The others just looked at him sympathetically. It was then the baby teleported out of Pinkie's fore-legs and then grabbed the Double Gem Amulet. Everypony winced and Diamond Tiara ducked under Starlight's legs to hide. Yet to everypony's shock, the baby didn't put the Amulet on to use it. Instead she held it in her tiny fore-legs and hovered over to the still crying Mario. Mario looked up and saw the baby glaring at him.
"I get it," said Mario in a depressed tone, "You don't like me. Just leave me alone!" The baby made an irritated noise and kept glaring at him. Cadance then understood.
"It's not that, little brother," said Cadance, "the baby doesn't like seeing her uncle put himself down. Or looking sad." Mario blinked in surprise as the baby hovered over and put the Amulet back into his neck and smiled.
"Do you really think I can help?" Mario asked. The baby then snuggled into the right side of his face and kissed his cheek, making a cute little "smack" noise as she did so, and continued nuzzling his cheek. Everypony else awed.
"And you thought the baby wouldn't like you," said Twilight with a smile. Mario chuckled as he wiped his eyes with one fore-hoof and held the baby with another. The baby cooed at him happily.
"Thank you," said Mario, "you're very, sweet. Destructive...but sweet." The baby just giggled in reply.
"Glad you're feeling better," said Cadance as she turned to Twilight, "Do you think you can remember the spell?"
"I only read it through once!" Twilight protested, "And my husband didn't get a chance to read it! Oooh...and he's really good at photographic memory."
"Sorry..." said Mario.
"It's not your fault, dear," said Twilight.
"Well, if anypony can exactly remember something she read for the first time two minutes ago," said Rarity as Shining Armor, who took the baby and put her on his back, Pinkie, Spike, and Diamond Tiara walked up to her, "it's you, Twilight."
"That is true, dear," said Mario, "You did memorize all twenty six of my first volume of train stories only reading it once. This was just one page and not a whole book." Twilight smiled.
"I'll try," said Twilight, "But I'm not sure how long it'll take." It was then a cold wind blew inside the library from one of the holes the baby's magic blasts had caused. They could also see that dark clouds were coming in.
"Is quickly an option?" Pinkie asked nervously. Mario then narrowed his eyes as he placed a fore-hoof over his Amulet.
"This won't stop the storm," said Mario, "but it will give you just a little more time." Mario then closed his eyes and changed his fur, mane, tail, and cute mark to resemble Celestia and took off into the sky at high speed through the hole.
"Mario!" Twilight called out. Mario reached the very top of the castle tower, looked to make sure Celestia and Luna weren't in the line of fire.
POWER UP!
Mario then cried out loudly, jumped into the air, and created a large ring of fire that expanded from the castle and toward the storm clouds, pushing them back a bit. Mario jumped and created about three more large rings of fire before he felt the amulet reach its limit and shut it down. He then released a long breath before flying back to the others.
"It's not much, but I'm sure it'll help buy us some time," said Mario.
"Thanks honey, I'm sure it will," said Twilight as she gave him a hug, "Hopefully I can remember that spell..."
"I'll help if I can," said Cadance and then turned to her husband, "but we should evacuate the city just in case! You need to lead everypony to the train station before the tracks freeze over!"
"Do you want me to help with the evacuations?" Mario asked but then the baby flew over and sat on his back, giggling happily.
"I think the baby wants you to stay here with us," said Cadance with a chuckle. The baby burbled as she hugged Mario's neck. Mario just smiled.
"Alright," Mario conceded, "Take care out there!"
"We will," said Shining Armor and then looked at his wife, "but between you, Twilight, and Mario, I'm sure you'll remember the spell." Shining Armor then led both Rarity and Pinkie out of the castle. Back inside, Twilight grabbed a sheet of paper.
"I only help this spell is the one we need," said Twilight worriedly as she began to write.
"I'll take another look around the library shelves to see if there might be another book with an equivalent spell," said Mario and then looked at the baby as he walked away, "now you stay on Uncle Mario's back so he can be helpful, okay?" The baby then teleported but reappeared giggling and snuggling into his mane comfortably. Mario chuckled as he took off to air to begin his search. Then Starlight approached Twilight.
"Is there anything I can do?" the lilac unicorn asked.
"I don't think so," said Twilight, "I'm just sorry about your lesson."
"Oh, that doesn't matter now," said Starlight sadly as Diamond Tiara stood beside her, eyeballing the unicorn with interest, "Sunburst and I don't have anything in common anyway. He's a big important wizard! And I'm re-learning everything I ever thought I knew!"
"So am I, if you remember," said Diamond Tiara gently. Starlight smiled at the filly sympathetically.
"Sunburst?" Cadance remarked as she walked up to Starlight, "I don't the name, but if he's an important wizard, you should bring him here. Maybe he'll know what to do if that spell fails." Starlight then gasped.
"Of course!" said Starlight and ran off to go get him.
"You better go with her, Spike," said Twilight, "You, too, Di."
"Right, Twilight," Diamond Tiara replied as she and Spike exchanged nods with each other and went after the lilac unicorn. Outside from another castle hole, a pony could see that Luna and Celestia were being overwhelmed by the storm despite their best efforts to fight against it.
Meanwhile, Diamond Tiara and Spike had managed to catch up with Starlight as they braved the stormy winter weather together. The three friends didn't take too long to rush to Sunburst's house and opened the door to get inside. Starlight struggled to shut the door before speaking to the orange stallion, who was just reading his books.
"Sunburst!" Starlight said in desperation, "Haven't you looked outside?!" The orange stallion then lifted his nose of his book and looked out the window.
"Snow?" Sunburst remarked, "That's not right. The Crystal Heart-"
"Is gone!" Starlight finished for him, "The baby - Shining Armor and Cadance's baby - it's an Alicorn!" Sunburst was so shocked that his glasses nearly fell off his face.
"Really?" Sunburst exclaimed.
"Really!" said Starlight and Diamond Tiara together as the former continued to speak, "And her magic is a little berserk, and well, I guess she destroyed the Heart!"
"And nearly us!" Diamond Tiara added as she stood beside the lilac unicorn.
"But Twilight and Mario think they can fix it," Starlight continued, "and Princess Cadance thought you could help!"
"Me?" Sunburst said in shock.
"Of course!" said Starlight, now panicking, "You're an important wizard in the Crystal Empire! It just makes sense!" Sunburst blinked before he tried to recompose himself.
"Right...right...right, right, right," Sunburst stuttered, "You know, I'd like to help, I-I really would. I-I just have so much, um, important wizard work to do around here."
"Huh?!" Spike and Starlight exclaimed in shock.
"Say what?" Diamond Tiara exclaimed, just as shocked as her two friends.
Back outside, Fluttershy, Shenran, Rainbow, and Applejack were busy trying to convince the crowd outside the Crystalling stage to leave...and failing miserably.
"You can't stay here!" Applejack protested.
"Did I mention this was a Royal Crystalling?" Mustafa Combe replied, "When the Crystaller holds the one aloft, all of the Empire will share our joy and light, and the Crystal Heart will beat stronger than ever has before!"
"It really is a moving ceremony!" a pony named Scouts Honor replied, getting teary eyed.
"I really don't think it's going to happen," said Fluttershy. Shenran trembled in rage before he finally snapped.
"DO ANY OF YOU PONIES EVEN NOTICING THE ONCOMING STORM APPROACHING US RIGHT NOW!?" Shenran screamed as his own patience reached its limit, "WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THERE'S GONNA BE A CRYSTALLING WHEN THERE AN ONCOMING BLIZZARD FORMING OUT HERE?!" Shenran panted heavily as Fluttershy was just left in complete shock.
"Shenran!" Fluttershy exclaimed, "You never lose your temper and explode like that. It's...it's...attractive..." Fluttershy smirked.
"Fluttershy!" Rainbow and Applejack retorted. The yellow Pegasus just smiled bashfully as he cheeks turned dark pink.
"But Shenran does have a point you guys," Rainbow complained as she shivered, "Come on, it's freezing out here!"
"Uh, this is the Crystal Empire," said Tough Nut as a matter of fact, "We've seen snow before."
"Not like this!" said Shining Armor as he appeared in the background.
"Oh, thank Celestia!" Shenran said with relief.
"We don't have time to argue!" Shining Armor continued, "Princess Cadance has decided to evacuate the city!" The crowd gasped.
"But the Crysalling...!" Mustafa Combe tried to protest.
"I don't know if we'll ever have another Crystalling again!" Shining Armor replied, "The Crystal Heart...is shattered!" The crowd gasped again.
"It's not safe here!" Tough Nut said in a panic. Shenran just huffed and face-hoofed himself.
"That's what we've been tryin' to tell you!" Applejack remarked with a groan as Rainbow glared in the background. Nothing more was said before Shining Armor led the six ponies and the rest of the crowd away from the castle.
Back at Sunburst's house, the orange stallion had gone back to his "work" as Starlight, Spike, and Diamond Tiara recovered from their shock.
"Okay, what part of the "Crystal Empire is going to freeze if the Crystal Heart isn't restored" is not being understood right now?!" Diamond Tiara snapped.
"Calm down, Di," said Starlight, "I'll handle this." She then turned her attention to the orange stallion.
"Sunburst, I know you're busy," Starlight told him, "but did you hear what Di and I said?"
"Oh, I heard you," said Sunburst in a very casual tone, "but-but like I said, when you're an important wizard, the work just piles up."
"Sunburst!" Starlight snapped impatiently. Sunburst just sighed as he wiped his glasses.
"Look, Starlight, I want to help," Sunburst replied, "I do. But I can't. I wish I could."
"What you mean?!" Starlight asked as she and Diamond Tiara walked up to him.
"You can't help or you won't help?" Diamond Tiara asked in a stern tone.
"Obviously can't!" Sunburst replied, "Fixing an ancient relic? I-I can't even come close to doing something like that."
"Why does that not surprise me?" Diamond Tiara remarked as she sat down with her fore-legs crossed.
"But I thought you were an important wizard!" Starlight added. To their surprise, Sunburst started to tear up.
"Well, you were wrong, okay?!" Sunburst yelled as his eyes built up tears and started to cry, "I'm not an important wizard! I'm not even a wizard at all!" Sunburst then ran off. Starlight and Spike were left in shock once again, except for Diamond Tiara who just sighed.
"Wait, did you know he wasn't a wizard?" Starlight asked the filly.
"I had my suspicions," said Diamond Tiara, "And I could tell he was hiding something from you."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Starlight asked.
"I didn't have any proof," said Diamond Tiara in her defense, "Plus you were nervous enough seeing him and you didn't exactly want to tell him the truth about what you've been up to so...I didn't know if I should speak up or not...I'm sorry..." Diamond Tiara just looked sadly away. Starlight pulled the filly in for a gentle hug.
"Well, thank you for telling me the truth," said Starlight, "I guess it's time we get the bottom of this...and it's time I told the truth."
"I'll be right here supporting you," said Diamond Tiara with a warm smile. Starlight smiled back before the two ponies and Spike headed towards the other room where Sunburst was feeling very sorry for himself.
"I know it's hard for you to understand," said Sunburst as he sat on his chair with his back against them, "but not all of us end up achieving greatness."
"What? Why wouldn't I understand that?" Starlight asked as she took a seat on the table across from him. Diamond Tiara pushed her own chair over so she could sit beside the lilac unicorn.
"Really?" Sunburst retorted angrily, "You and your filly friend are the protégés of the Princess and Prince of Friendship respectively."
"Technically, they're more like just students than protégés," Spike pointed out as he appeared from below the table. Starlight and Diamond Tiara glared at him. Then the latter pushed him back down with a fore-hoof.
"H-hey!" Spike remarked as he was shoved down but didn't bother coming back up.
"Whatever," Sunburst remarked bitterly, "I'm sorry I'm not the big important wizard you were expecting."
"Sunburst," said Starlight gently, "I don't care if you're a wizard or not. I'm just surprised. You always knew so much about magic. I mean, look at all these books!" Sunburst glared.
"Yeah, well, reading about magic is one thing," Sunburst retorted, "but you don't know what it was like at magic school! To know so much and not be able to do any of it!" He stamped a fore-hoof on the table to emphasize his point. Starlight just winced and then gritted her teeth.
"Well, you don't know what it was like to be left behind!" Starlight snapped as she pointed a fore-leg at him, finally letting her hurt feelings come out, "And then you get so bitter that you steal the cutie marks from an entire village and then get defeated by Twilight, Mario, and her friends, so you travel through time to get back at them, but they beat you again. And need I mention that I went out of my way to break Mario's spirit just because he shared a bond with his friends that I wanted but thought I could never have! Then you find out that he has self-confidence issues that you only made those issues worse! Yet he forgives you and makes you his honorary sister and the others all want to teach you about friendship, but you're so terrified that ponies will find out what you did that you can't make any friends!" By the time, tears were pouring out of Starlight's eyes as she tried to wipe her eyes and bit her lip. Diamond Tiara grabbed a tissue and handed it to her.
"Thank you," Starlight croaked as she wiped her eyes dry. Diamond Tiara gave her a supportive hug. Sunburst was just staring at Starlight with his jaw hanging out and his glasses slid down his face.
"Did you really travel through time?" Sunburst said after a long silence.
"Starlight's crying and that's the first thing that comes out of your mouth?" Diamond Tiara remarked as she kept hugging Starlight. Spike reappeared between them, making the two ponies pull apart.
"See? I told you he'd be impressed," Spike remarked smugly, as the filly noticed both boys had ignored her comment.
"I'm also impressed that Starlight defeated the Prince of Friendship," said Sunburst, "Then again, Starlight did beat up three colts single-hoofed when we were foals." Starlight just smiled sheepishly.
"Wow, KO'd three colts all by yourself," said Diamond Tiara, "Yeah, you are totally cool in my book." Starlight just chuckled as she and Sunburst got out of their chairs.
"I'm sorry we lost touch," said Sunburst, "Maybe if I had reached out, you could have helped me out in magic school, and I could've helped you to..."
"...not become totally evil?" said Starlight bashfully as Sunburst smiled back. Starlight sighed, "Let's just say I know what it's like to have something you're not exactly proud of."
"Join the club," Diamond Tiara remarked sadly as she rested his chin on her fore-hooves.
"What do you mean?" Sunburst asked.
"Di here used to be a big bully," said Spike, "Even went out of her way to get Mario into a serious accident. She did it all because she wanted to please her mother and became an important elite pony. But in the end, she realized that her mother was a pony who could never be pleased and was only using her to make herself look good. She didn't care that she was making Di feel lonely and miserable."
"Prince Mario reached out to me, gave me the courage to stand up to Mother," Diamond Tiara said sadly as she held the bottom end of her special braid in her fore-hoof, "so I could find my own destiny. Even if it means being branded by my own mother as the "family disgrace", I've been much happier being Prince Mario's student and I have friends who genuinely care about me." Starlight just smiled at the filly supportively.
"Starlight, when you showed up thinking I was some big wizard...I'm sorry," said Sunburst, "I should've told you the truth."
"It's fine," said Starlight, "At least we worked it all out. I think Twilight and Mario would be proud of us."
"I know I am," said Diamond Tiara as the two unicorns chuckled.
"Well, if you ever want to tell them about it, we should probably leave now!" Spike remarked as he pointed to a window outside. Diamond Tiara and Starlight gasped.
"Oh right!" Diamond Tiara replied.
"I forgot to tell you!" Starlight said to Sunburst, "They're evacuating the city!" She and Diamond Tiara began to push the orange stallion forward as Spike nervously followed behind the filly and mare.
"You need to get to the train station," Starlight instructed, "unless you've got a spell here that will drive back the Frozen North and fix the Crystal Heart so the baby can have her Crystalling?" Something then clicked into Sunburst's mind.
"The Crystalling...!" said Sunburst before he rushed back to his books, "Of course!" He quickly grabbed five books at once with his magic and started to search through the pages.
"Sunburst..." Diamond Tiara asked wearily, "what are you doing?"
"Don't you worry, little filly," said Sunburst, "I think I've got an idea!" Starlight then smiled and Diamond Tiara did afterward.
Back outside, the situation was growing worse by the minute. Celestia and Luna were starting to get coated in ice as they continued to try and fight the stormy weather.
"Push them back, my sister!" Celestia called out to Luna. Luna fired another blast when she noticed a flames stretching from the castle tower and Mario giving a loud battle cry.
"Descend, sister!" Luna called out, "Your son is offering his help again!" Celestia flew down just as the large fire flame passed above her struck the clouds, but even the push back was very little.
"He's only stalling the storm now!" Celestia shouted to Luna.
"It's better than nothing, sister!" Luna replied, "We need all the time we can get!" Down below, the weather was continuing to get worse and the crystal ponies were panicking.
"This way!" Shining Armor shouted as he lead the charge to the train station. Suddenly one crystal pony slipped on the ice and crashed into a bank of snow. Fluttershy helped the crystal pony to her hooves and they went to catch up with the group. It was then a crystal filly tripped and was nearly ran over by some of the panicking ponies when Shenran swooped down just in time.
"Thanks, Shenran," said filly. Shenran smiled as he set the filly closer to her parents before flying up a bit to make nopony else got tripped up or run over. Rainbow then tried to beat back some storm clouds herself.
"Ugh!" Rainbow groaned as her body and wings were covered in sheets of thick ice.
"Don't do that!" Shenran called out, "The ice is so cold it could cause permanent damage to your wings!" Rainbow nodded before landing in front of the charging crowd.
"Just a little bit further, y'all!" said Applejack, "The station's just ahead!" It was then the group saw Sunburst, with saddle bags on his back, along with Starlight, Diamond Tiara, and Spike. The group stopped moving just as Celestia and Luna had arrived to join the charging crowd.
"We have to go back!" Starlight shouted.
"I know how to stop this!" Sunburst told the crowd. Luna looked rather uncertain as she glanced at Celestia, who had a knowing look on her face and smiled.
Back at the area where the shattered remains of the Crystal Heart were, Cadance was just pacing back and forth as Twilight continued to write. It was then Mario had arrived with the baby riding his back. One would have thought taking the baby do perform some power-enhanced fire blasts out in the cold weather would be insane, but remember what kind of baby Mario was dealing with. Plus the baby refused to let go of Mario anyway so he had little choice but to take the baby with him. He made extra sure that she held him securely as he performed his spell until the Power Gem was nearly exhausted and returned to join the others.
"Okay, I pretty much exhausted all of the copy magic I got from Mom," said Mario as he arrived with the baby just riding his back, "Plus that powered up Solar Flare wasn't even pushing the storm clouds back anyway.
"Was the baby okay?" Cadance asked calmly, but the fact the pupils of her eyes were trembling and her smile shaky showed that she had been worried sick.
"The baby was my own personal cheerleader," said Mario as he nuzzled her cheek, "She really enjoyed my performance and she listen to me when I told her to stay on my back and not go flying off or teleporting to my head. Right, sweetie?" The baby giggled and burbled happily as she did teleport to Mario's head and snuggled it. Cadance just smiled and was also relieved the baby was not only fine, but behaving herself.
"Uh, I think that's everything?" said Twilight, her tone not even that confident as Cadance walked up and looked the spell over.
"It looks right to me," said Cadance, "but...there's only one way to find out!"
"Is there anything I can do to help?" Mario asked.
"Think you help fire this spell with us with the baby on your back?" Cadance asked. Mario smiled as the baby sat down on his back again.
"Sweetheart," said Mario gently and firmly, "Uncle Mario needs to do some more magic. So please stay put on my back and don't go teleporting off. Okay?" The baby smiled and gave a nod. Cadance and Twilight were in deep shock as Mario took his position.
"The baby understood you?" Twilight remarked as Cadance's jaw hung open.
"Guess so?" Mario replied uneasily, "I mean. She did make it clear in her own way that she wants to see me be helpful." Twilight and Cadance exchanged looks before sighing and chuckling.
"We just feel silly that we didn't ask you to look after her in the first place," Cadance replied, "but we've got more important things to worry about." Mario nodded as he looked over the spell and fired his magic at the shards, making them glow. Twilight then fired her own magic at the shards. The shards then floated into the air, making a heart shape. Cadance then fired her magic at the floating shards to rebuild the Crystal Heart back together.
"It's working!" Mario said excitedly as the Crystal Heart was restored, "It's working!" But two seconds later, the Crystal Heart then fell apart again, the shattered piece tinkling on the floor.
"Oh no..." said Mario sadly.
"The spell failed," said Twilight.
"Maybe if we tried again and I used my Power Gem," Mario suggested.
"That might make the spell too strong," said Cadance, "it would destroy what's left of the Crystal Heart and then all hope will be lost."
"There's gotta be something else we could do!" said Mario.
"I don't think so, dear," said Twilight sadly, "I don't know what else to do."
"An old student of mine believes he does," said Celestia as she, Luna, Sunburst, Diamond Tiara, Spike, Shining Armor, and the rest of the Mane nine arrived. Sunburst walked up and examined the shattered remains of the Crystal Heart.
"The baby did this?!" Sunburst remarked, still having a hard time trying to believe it.
"You have no idea," Mario replied as the baby just smiled innocently.
"I tried putting it back together with-" Twilight tried to explain as she showed Sunburst the scroll, but he quickly interrupted her and crumpled the scroll with his magic.
"The spell of Relic Reconstitution," Sunburst finished, "No, that won't do it." He quickly pulled out a book and showed it to Twilight, "The Crystal Heart's been around for millennia. Restoring a relic like this is way beyond one spell. You need to combine with it something else. Something unique to the relic itself. Something that strengthens it and provides it with power...?" Twilight and Mario only needed a couple of seconds to figure out what Sunburst is implying.
"The Crystalling!" said Twilight and Mario together.
"Combining that spell with the light and love of everypony," said Sunburst as he gave Starlight a book, "together with Somnambula's Weather Abjuration to clear away the snow..." He then handed a scroll to Cadance and Shining Armor, whom the former was now holding the baby, "and a little Fledgling's Forbearance for the parents."
"That should curb the little one's power fluctuations," said Sunburst as he gave the baby a little tickle. The baby giggled happily in reply.
"You must be Sunburst," said Cadance, "Starlight said you were a powerful wizard."
"Oh, I'm not wizard," said Sunburst plainly. Everypony except for Celestia, Starlight, Diamond Tiara, Spike, and Rainbow gasped.
"What?" Rainbow exclaimed as Starlight, Spike, and Diamond Tiara winced and looked at each other.
"But he studied magic his whole life!" said Starlight, "You should see his house! And since nopony else has any better ideas, what do we have to lose?!"
"Starlight's right," said Diamond Tiara, "Just because a pony can't perform spells doesn't mean that they can still be an expert on magic. If you don't trust him, maybe you'll trust me and Starlight...please?" The two ponies smiled nervously. Shining Armor and Cadance exchanged looks and then gave each other a nod. Shining Armor then held the baby with his magic and walked up to Sunburst.
"I had planned on asking Twilight to be our Crystaller," said Shining Armor, "But since it seems like she'll be busy..." He then handed the baby to Sunburst.
"I'd be honored!" said Sunburst as the baby giggled happily. Sunburst then remembered something.
"Oh! One last thing!" said Sunburst as the others looked at him curiously, "Prince Mario, Starlight tells me that you have special love magic and that you've completed a special relic that provides a pony with incredible speed and insurmountable strength."
"My Double Gem Amulet?" said Mario, "Yeah, do you need it for restoring the Crystal Heart."
"Actually, I need you to use it," said Sunburst, "Do you think you could charge up your love magic, use your Amulet to enhance its power?"
"I've...never tried enhancing my love magic," said Mario, "but I should be able to..."
"Great," said Sunburst, "I'll need you charge up your love magic, increase the power with your Amulet, and then fire a fully powered magic blast just as I go to put the purity shard into the Crystal Heart."
"That sounds pretty tricky," said Twilight, "Mario would need to fire his magic blast precisely as the purity shard joins with the Crystal Heart."
"Fortunately, dear," said Mario, "I've got a way to ensure a perfect shot. It's risky, but my body can take it..."
"Mario... what are you thinking?" Celestia asked suspiciously. Mario then used his magic to make the smaller white gem glow.
"Usually this gem is only available if a pony is tired out or at a point where any additional damage might result in being knocked out," said Mario, "but during those sticky or dire situations, this white gem starts to glow. It allows a pony to activate both gems at the same time!" The others gasped.
"But wouldn't that result in twice the physical fatigue if you overuse it?" Cadance asked.
"Thanks to Starlight, I've been able to tone the fatigue down so it's not exactly twice the strain, but the fatigue is still greater than using just one gem," said Mario as the others listened with worried looks on their faces, "This time, however, the fatigue is unavoidable. Once I activate both gems, they cannot be manually shut down. It's literally "all or nothing" and we can agree that this is definitely an all or nothing situation." The others just continued to look worried.
"Very well my son," said Celestia, "you have proven time and time again that your body is more durable than the average pony and we need to make sure that your magic blast is precise." Luna nodded in agreement. Cadance huffed.
"Mario, must you always put yourself in these risky situations?" Cadance snapped, "You don't have to prove anything to anypony!"
"This isn't about my self-esteem, Cadance," said Mario sternly, "This is called self-determination and I'm going to make sure this works even if I have to burn myself out to do it! I wouldn't go for it if I didn't think I could handle the extra fatigue." Cadance stared but just sighed and smiled. It had been a long time she had seen him this motivated about anything.
And she knew there was nothing she could do to change Mario's mind.
"Well, what are we waiting for?!" said Twilight. Everypony minus, Starlight, Mario, Twilight, Luna, Celestia, and Diamond Tiara rushed out of the curtain. Mario noticed the little filly had stayed behind.
"Di, you need to..."
"I'm staying by your side, master!" said Diamond Tiara sternly, "if you pass out from the fatigue, I've got a green and white mushroom on standby. I can't take seeing you unconscious again!" Mario stared and then smiled.
"That's my faithful student," said Mario, "Planning ahead, just like I taught you!" Diamond Tiara smiled and even Celestia couldn't help but smile as well. Twilight then fired her magic to bring the shards back together into a heart. But she was already straining as she struggled to keep it together. Celestia and Luna then fired their own magic blasts to help Twilight, but even with three alicorns, they were all struggling to keep the shards together.
"Maybe I should..." Mario pondered aloud.
"No! Save your energy for when the time is right!" said Starlight, "You need to time your Amulet so that you can charge up fully and enhance the your love magic." Starlight then fired her own magic beam at the heart and all four ponies struggled to keep the Crystal Heart assembled.
Outside, Sunburst went to start the Crystalling. The baby just laughed as Cadance and Shining Armor kissed her cheeks and then tapped their horns against the baby's. The baby's body then glowed brightly as she hovered into the air. Rarity then held the case of purity shards and Sunburst grabbed one.
"Citizens!" Sunburst announced proudly, "May I present the newest member of the Crystal Empire!" The baby then opened her wings and glowed brighter than ever. The crowd began to cheer.
"She's beautiful," said Mustafa Combe.
"Oh! It's just so moving!" said Scouts Honor as he got teary eyed at the sight. The crystal ponies began to bow down, making the ground beneath them to start glowing. Sunburst then tapped the purity shard against the ground, absorbing all the love and hope into it. He then rushed inside of the curtain.
"Get ready Mario!" Sunburst called out. Mario stood firm as he watched Sunburst jump into the air and went to jam the purity shard into the air. As the shard was directly above the Crystal Heart...
DOUBLE GEM!
Mario activated both gems at the same time, slowing time down for him and increasing his power. He then went to charge up his love magic for a powerful blast. He was fully charged just as the shard had just tapped the top of the Crystal Heart.
RAAAAAAAAAH!
Mario screamed loudly as he fired a bright pink magic blast twice the size of his body. The force was so great that he was knocked back several feet. The magic was immediately absorbed by the purity shard just as it submerged into the Crystal Heart completely and his Amulet's effects expired. Everypony else backed away and Mario was on his back, sweating and breathing heavily from the exhaustion. Diamond Tiara helped Mario sit up as the Crystal Heart was restored. It then gave off a bright wave of love magic, which turned everypony into crystal ponies and pushed away the stormy weather. (It also healed Mario of his fatigue too!) Back outside the crowds and the rest of the Mane nine cheered. The baby then floated down to her parents, who both nuzzled her lovingly.
"Best Crystalling ever!" said Tough Nut as the surrounding ponies nodded in agreement.
Back behind the curtain, Twilight rushed over to her husband and gave him a hug and kiss.
"Great job dear," said Twilight happily, "I knew you could do it."
"Thanks honey," said Mario.
"How's your body feeling?" Twilight asked with concern.
"Just fine, thanks to the Crystal Heart's magic," said Mario, "But I was pretty tired out after the Amulet shut down. Hopefully, I won't have to use the Double Gem technique again."
"Never the less," said Celestia and she and Luna walked up to him, "You have shown just how useful the Double Gem Amulet can be. I'm very proud of you my son."
"Thanks Mom," said Mario as he gave her a happy smile. It was then the rest of the group had returned and Twilight and Mario had rushed up to chat with them. And the group had plenty of congrats to Mario for the success of his new Amulet.
"For a pony who isn't great at magic," said Starlight to Sunburst, "you did pretty well."
"Indeed," said Celestia as she walked up to the two ponies, "I'm glad you've found a way to share your unique gift, Sunburst. You may be more of a wizard than you think." Sunburst and Starlight just smiled at each other.
"Check me out!" said Diamond Tiara, getting the attention of the three ponies nearly as she examined her crystal-like appearance, "Now I really do shine like a diamond. Wait till my friends see me now!" Celestia chucked.
"Unfortunately, Diamond Tiara," said Celestia, "The crystal appearance only lasts for a couple of hours." Diamond Tiara blinked.
"Aw nuts!" Diamond Tiara grumbled as she sat down and pouted. Everypony else chuckled as Starlight gave the little filly a comforting hug, which helped Diamond Tiara feel a little better.
Later that day, the Mane nine, Spike, and Diamond Tiara were at the train station with Shining Armor, Cadance, Sunburst, and the baby. The group was getting ready to leave when Twilight Velvet and Night Light arrived.
"You would not believe the crazy weather that delayed our train," said Night Light, "Came out of nowhere!"
"But it was all worth it to see this peaceful little angel!" said Twilight Velvet as she walked up and saw the now sleeping baby in Shining Armor's fore-leg, "Awww, so sweet! Come meet your grandmare!" The baby just giggled happily.
"Yeah, peaceful now, anyway," said Applejack discreetly to everypony minus Starlight.
"You can say that again, Sis," said Mario.
"I suppose that spell really did the trick!" said Twilight. Suddenly, the baby started to inhale as if she were gonna sneeze!
"INCOMING!" Mario shrieked.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" screamed the group as they ducked for cover.
Achoo
The baby just gave a normal sneeze. No massive magic blasts whatsoever. Even Shining Armor and Cadance had flinched but were relieved to see there was no more overpowered magic. The rest of the group also came out of hiding and sighed in relief as well.
"Is it possible for a filly to have their heart to stop due to fear?" Diamond Tiara asked wearily.
"Oh, Di," Mario chuckled as he held his student close to help her feel better.
"We have Sunburst to thank for that," said Shining Armor.
"I hope he takes his role as Crystaller seriously," said Cadance, "something tells me the baby will need a pony like him to look for magical advice."
"Hey, I thought the baby was gonna look up to me for magic advise?" Mario protested as the baby hovered over to him and giggled happily as she nuzzled his mane again.
"Oh, she'll be looking up to you for more than just magical advise, little brother," said Cadance, "She seems to have fallen in love with you." Mario just chuckled as he put the baby into his fore-leg. The baby then gave Mario another kiss, making a kissing sound as she did so. The others awed as Twilight Velvet took the baby.
"Cadance, darling, aren't we gonna name the poor little dear?" Twilight Velvet asked, "Or are we gonna spend our entire visit just calling her "the baby"?" Cadance and Shining Armor smiled to each other.
"We were thinking..."Flurry Heart"," said Cadance.
"You know, to remember the occasion," said Shining Armor as he looked at the Mane eight, Spike, and Diamond Tiara.
"Oh, goodness, how could anypony forget?" said Rarity.
"Never expected this visit to turn out into such a big adventure," said Diamond Tiara.
"When you're with us, kid," said Rainbow, "You get used to it." Diamond Tiara rolled her eyes, but still smiled. She was just grateful to be included as part of the main group.
"I think it's lovely," said Twilight as she kissed Flurry Heart, making the baby giggle happily.
"How are you doing Mario?" Twilight Velvet asked curiously, "Feeling any better?" For the record, both Twilight's parent's had been at his birthday party. So they knew about his problem.
"Doing much better, Mother," said Mario, "Little Flurry Heart certainly helping me stay cheerful." Twilight Velvet chuckled.
"I do hope Cadance didn't give you a hard time for waiting until after the baby was born to tell her about your problem," said Twilight Velvet as she gave them both skeptical looks. Cadance and Mario both exchanged nervous looks at each other.
"Ah-heh...ehhh..." they both replied and smiled nervously. Everypony else laughed and the eight ponies and Spike headed to the train. Meanwhile, Diamond Tiara had walked over to where Starlight and Sunburst were chatting with each other.
"Well, I think you're the Crystal Empire's big important wizard, whether you like it or not," said Starlight.
"I don't know if I'll have any time for any wizarding," said Sunburst, "I'm a Crystaller now. That's a big responsibility."
"I can't think of anypony more qualified," said Starlight, "Just...promise you'll stay in touch?"
"Hm, like I'd ever lose touch with my oldest friend," said Sunburst as the two shared a hug. Diamond Tiara couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"And with that," said Diamond Tiara, "I'd say this friendship lesson is complete."
"Thanks to you," said Starlight. It was then there was a bright light appeared above them. Starlight and Diamond Tiara looked up above.
And two Flower Sprites appeared and floated down to them.
"Wow! Real Flower Sprites!" said Sunburst, "I'd never thought I'd actually get to see such a rare thing up close! I asked Prince Mario to send me a copy of his research so I can look further into them. I've been told they're an extension of the Power Hearts, which are the original guardians of the Crystal Heart!"
"That's nice and all," said Diamond Tiara as she started at the Flower Sprite above her head, "and I...I understand why Starlight would get one, but why me?"
"Because when I needed help," said Starlight, "You were there to help me like a good friend."
"Hey! Where's my Flower Sprite?!" Spike yelled from the train, "I helped too!"
"I...honestly don't know Spike," said Diamond Tiara. The little dragon huffed and shut the train window. But don't worry, his chance to earn Flower Sprites will come another day. Diamond Tiara and Starlight smiled as they looked at the Flower Sprites floating above them.
"You know how to do the dance?" Diamond Tiara asked.
"In my sleep," said Starlight confidently. Then the two ponies jumped up to collect them.
(Cue "You got a Flower Sprite" fanfare)
The Flower Sprite floated down as Diamond Tiara and Starlight stood on their hind legs. They each twirled as they grabbed their own Flower Sprite and held it up with a fore-hoof.
"WA-HOO!" They cheered together.
Inside the train, Twilight was just watching the three ponies and looking rather glum. Spike was sitting across from her as Mario sat next to his wife near the window.
"What's wrong, Twilight?" said Spike.
"Why so sad my love?" Mario asked.
"I don't know, Spike, Mario," said Twilight sadly, "I think I have alot to learn about being a teacher."
"So do I dear," said Mario.
"Oh really?" Twilight asked skeptically.
"Yes, really," said Mario firmly, "I went into teaching Diamond Tiara about friendship completely blind and unprepared. I honestly didn't know what I was gonna do to teach her, but then things just fell into place and I found out what seems to work and what doesn't. A good teacher learns along with her student."
"Which didn't exactly happen in this case," said Twilight.
"What are you talking about?" Spike protested, "Your lesson went perfectly! And...I will admit it...thanks to Diamond Tiara, Starlight and Sunburst got over their past and rekindled their friendship!"
"No thanks to me," said Twilight, "I know alot happened. I just wish I could've given my pupil the attention she deserves." It was then Starlight and Diamond Tiara entered the train coach. Starlight took a seat across from Fluttershy and Shenran. Diamond Tiara rushed over to where Mario was as the two Flower Sprites appeared and entered Mario's body for safekeeping. The filly then took a seat next Spike.
"Well, I know she needed to be put on the right path," said Spike, "Diamond Tiara certainly helped alot with that, but giving her the space to make her own decisions worked pretty well. Isn't that how Celestia taught you and Mario?" Twilight and Mario looked at each other and smiled.
"You know, I never thought about it!" said Twilight, "But I guess it is!"
"Maybe you're a better teacher than you thought," said Spike, "and I do mean the both of you."
"I can agree with that, Spike," said Diamond Tiara, "It was hard, but I was able to actually help a friend deal with a very difficult problem. I wasn't sure if I could be helpful or supportive when I offered to help, but...Starlight is my friend. I care about her and I knew in my heart that I had to help her anyway I can." Mario smiled proudly.
"I'm very proud of you, Di," said Mario, "You're beginning to understand what it means to be a good and caring friend. Even when supporting a friend is difficult, you've learned the a true friend will always be there no matter what." Diamond Tiara smiled.
"You know," said Diamond Tiara, "I used to think trying to understand other's ponies problems was such a hassle, but now that I've actually made the effort to try. I feel like I can not only relate to their problems, but it helps me better understand myself. It's nice to know you're not alone in the struggle to find redemption."
"True redemption also comes from forgiving yourself, Di," said Twilight, "and moving on from the past. As far as we're concerned, Diamond Tiara the spoiled bully is no more. You are now your own pony." Diamond Tiara smiled.
"Yeah...I guess I am," said the filly, "I'm the pony I want to be. A pony who wants to learn about friendship and spread it across Equestria." Mario and Twilight smiled. The latter then looked back and exchanged a smile with Starlight. It was then the train pulled away from the station so the Mane nine, Spike, and Diamond Tiara could finally head for home.
Starlight and Diamond Tiara both knew they still had alot to learn.
But their futures had never looked so bright.
For those wondering why Spike didn't get a Flower Sprite, basically, Diamond Tiara and Starlight both learned something special about friendship that will help them to grow as characters. This was there moment. Spike will get his own moment to get a Flower Sprite very soon this season...
Kudos if you caught the ZackScottGames joke.
I also hope you all enjoyed seeing Mario use his new Double Gem Amulet. But one thing's for sure, the Amulet is clearly not effective in babysitting an overpowered Alicorn Baby! Thank Celestia her magic has finally been stabilized...for now...
Next Time: Rarity, Mario, Pinkie, and the return of everypony's favorite Maud head to Manehatten for a ponfied version of the famous story The Gift of Magi.
Peace Pony Fans!