This is the 3rd chapter. I guess the only Elements for Mario Star were: Heroism and Courage.
I don't know much about the two, but I do know they share in common, they put others first before themselves, even at their own peril. So, I'm gonna try Courage first and see how it goes.
And as for Elijah/Comet, you'll see it on the next chapter.
So, I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
Friendship is Magic: Part 2
My Little Pony, My Little Pony
Ahhhh
My Little Pony
I use to wonder what friendship could be
My Little Pony
Until you all share this magic with me
Big adventure,
Tons of fun,
A beautiful heart,
Faithful and strong,
Sharing kindness
It's an easy feat
And magic makes it all complete
You all have my little ponies
Do you know all you're all my best friends?
Nightmare Moon continued to laugh amongst the gathered of frightened ponies before her. She stood high and mighty, believing she had won over her subjects. The only pony brave enough to speak up was Mayor Mare.
"Seize her!" Mayor Mare shouts. "Only she knows where the Princess is!"
The Pegasus Guards flew towards Nightmare Moon in an effort to prevent her escaping.
"Stand back, you foals!" Nightmare Moon mocks with a laugh.
Generating a thunderbolt, knocking the Royal Guards back. Seeing the guards crash upon the grounds, amidst the frightened ponies, Mario Star furrowed his brow with anger. Without thinking, Mario lit his horn as he made his front hooves into aura hands before standing with his hind legs.
(Combat-sang by Ron Wasserman)
Nightmare Moon continued to laugh evilly until Mario delivers a flying kick, knocking her aside to the ground.
Mario landed on the ground before getting into a fighting stance as Nightmare Moon glared at him.
"You dare?!" Nightmare Moon shouted.
"Why don't you do something about it?!" Mario snapped back as the ponies watched from the background.
Mario switched his stance, ready to fight as Nightmare Moon got back on her hooves before glaring at the unicorn stallion.
"Obviously, you are in need of some discipline. Come with me peacefully or suffer the consequences." Nightmare Moon said, smirking evilly.
"I'd rather die!" Mario retorts.
Nightmare Moon didn't like that answer as she fired a couple of magic blasts at Mario, but he easily deflected them with his defense support spell and cartwheeled from another one as he got into his fighting stance. Soon Nightmare Moon charged at Mario as he managed to stop her with his somersault to the chin, causing her to stumble. Mario then charges after Nightmare Moon, delivering a punch and kick combo, elbow strike, and spinning hook kicked her to the wall. She then recovered before she tried to blast a magic beam at Mario, but he used his auric hands to grab it, turning it into mango orange magic blast and fire it right back at her, blasted her. But Nightmare Moon managed to quickly turn into a mist before the magic beam blasted the wall, slipping out of the building with ease.
(Music Ends)
"Ergh..." Applejack groaned.
Applejack tried to hold Rainbow Dash back. But eventually, Rainbow Dash finally broke free, sending Applejack flying backwards as Rainbow tried to pursue the Mare in the Moon, but the mist was too fast and disappeared into the night.
"Come back here!" Rainbow Dash shouts, panted and allowed Nightmare Moon's words to sink in, realizing what she meant. "Nighttime? Forever?"
Just then, before Rainbow Dash had more time to think, she spots Twilight Sparkle dashing out of the building as fast as her hooves could take her. Mario turned his hands back to his original hooves before he galloped after Twilight and ran beside her.
"Where are they going?" Rainbow Dash questions from above.
Meanwhile, Twilight Sparkle had just arrived back at the library by the time Mario Star entered through the door. She had just put Spike to bed, the baby dragon was completely oblivious to the situation as he slept.
"Uh...We gotta stop Nightmare!"
But it wasn't long before the baby dragon conked out again, falling fast asleep. Twilight smiled warmly, as she tucked Spike into his basket for the night.
"You've been up all night, Spike." Twilight points out as he slept. "You are a baby dragon after all."
Once she turned off the lights, Twilight quickly searched the library, tossing the books with Mario helping her find the book they're looking for from the other bookshelf.
"Elements, elements, elements..." Twilight said frantically. "Ugh! How can I stop Nightmare Moon without the Elements of Harmony?! Mario, can you..."
Twilight didn't finish her sentence when Rainbow Dash flew right into her face, forcing the unicorn to back away nervously.
"And just what are the Elements of Harmony?" Rainbow Dash demands. "And how do you and Mario know about Nightmare Moon, huh? Are you two spies? Whoa!"
Rainbow Dash was soon pulled back by Applejack when she appeared. Mario watched her sister tugged Rainbow Dash away by the tail, letting her go at a safe distance from the two.
'Jump to conclusions, it'll lead you to confusion.' Mario mentally thought, remembered the advice from Wu, but decided not to say that to Rainbow Dash.
"Simmer down, Sally." Applejack remarked calmly. "She and my brother ain't no spies. But they sure know what's going on. Don't you, Twilight? Chase?"
Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie arrived close behind, clearly sharing the same train of thought as their faces showed. Twilight looked at them one by one, hesitant to answer. Mario stood beside her, motioning her to talk.
"I read all about the prediction of Nightmare Moon." Twilight explains. "Some mysterious objects called the Elements of Harmony are the only things that can stop her, but I don't know what they are, where to find them; I don't even know what they do!"
Pinkie Pie merely walked over to a nearby shelf, examining a rather old book.
"'The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide'." Pinkie Pie read out loud.
Hearing the title, Twilight zipped over and pushed her out of the way.
"How did you find that?!" Twilight asked with shock.
"It was under 'E'." Pinkie Pie answered simply, in a singing voice.
Mario gave her an annoyed glare as Twilight felt silly as well.
"Remind me to label the bookshelves in the library." Mario quietly muttered.
"Oh..." Twilight remarked with an annoyed glare.
Twilight recomposed herself before reading the contents of the book.
"There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known: Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honestly, and Loyalty. It is said, the last known location of the five elements was in the ancient castle of the royal pony sisters."
It was during the time that mysterious black mist returned, floating as if it were watching the seven ponies from the outside window. Having heard enough, the mist zips away unnoticed by the group.
"I'm gonna regret this." Mario said. "But...Does the book say where can we find the castle?"
"It is located in what is now-"
"THE EVERFREE FOREST!" The ponies said in unison with dread.
Ominous music is heard, as if the melody rushed into the dark marsh that stood before them. A short time passed since they read for the location of the castle, where the Elements of Harmony are said to be secured. But the overall dread remained and the only way to find the castle was to enter the mysterious and frightening Everfree Forest.
"The only way to find the castle is to tread through the dark forest, get through those monsters, and possibly being lost in an endless maze and ravine." Mario clarified.
"Yep." Twilight answered, plain and simple.
"Whee!" Pinkie Pie cheered eagerly. "Let's go!"
Pinkie Pie was about to enter the forest with a smile on her face, but Twilight stopped her.
"Not so fast." Twilight said seriously, earned their attention. "Look, I appreciate the offer, but...Mario and I really rather do this on our own."
But Mario says otherwise when he shook his head with a calm expression, mouthing 'No, we can't'. But whether Twilight Sparkle saw him mouth off or not, won't be brushed off easily.
"No can do, sugarcube." Applejack said firmly. "We sure ain't lettin' any friends of ours go into that creepy place alone. We're stickin' to you like caramel on a candy apple."
The rest of the girls gave an agreed 'Mm-hmm', as they ventured forward. Even Fluttershy, who's the most nervous of the group, trotted with them. The only one who didn't go or catching up to them was Pinkie Pie.
"Especially if there's candy apples in there." Pinkie Pie states, but her rambling earned some stares from both Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star. "What? Those things are good."
And with that, Pinkie Pie catches up with the rest of the girls. Twilight couldn't help but let out a heavily sigh while Mario shook his head, chuckled a little. Even though, he did show some tolerance of Pinkie Pie's sense of humor and her being random. They wasted no time as they follow the group of ponies and stay close behind, venturing into the deep dark forest in search of the Elements of Harmony.
The trek through the Everfree Forest was quiet...Too quiet. Apart from the slight breeze brushing against the trees, the forest was inactive as the starry sky while the moon cascade over the area. As they walked, Twilight turned towards Mario who kept a lookout and keep his guard up, expecting an ambush in the forest.
"So...Are you okay? After battling Nightmare Moon?" Twilight asks, breaking the silence.
At first, Mario either didn't answer or hear her. Of course, Mario kept his calm demeanor which it was hard for Twilight about his expression when she's observing him. She released a sigh before pressed on.
"Look...I'm sorry I didn't ask earlier." Twilight sincerely apologizes to him. "It's just...It's been overwhelming with all this, you know?"
"I've had worse." Mario shrugs. "Also...There's something I've been meaning to tell you."
"What is it?" Twilight inquires.
"While we've gone separate ways, I was doing some digging about the elements, trying to find information." Mario explains. "I've been able to find something."
"What did you find out?" Twilight asks again.
"According to the book, 'When the sixth element is revealed, the seventh element, the most powerful of them all, will emerge.' It serves at the heart of the Elements of Harmony that binds the six elements." Mario explains. "But nopony, not even the royal sisters, have ever uncovered the Seventh Element. What do you think it means?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure." Twilight answered. "But the sooner we find the six elements, the better. Maybe the Seventh Element might help us."
"I hope so." Mario said with a sigh.
Soon, they caught up with the rest of the group. When things got quiet, Twilight broke the silence once more and spoke up.
"So, none of you have been in there before?" Twilight asks.
"Ugh, heavens no!" Rarity answered, surveying the marsh. "Just look at it-it's dreadful!"
"No arguments there." Mario agrees.
The ponies approached a large cliffside overlooking the entire forest. It was then the dark mist appeared, creeping into the cracks of the ground beneath them.
"And it ain't natural." Applejack adds. "Folks say it don't work the same as Equestria."
"Now that rumor is just a bunch of hogwash." Mario replied. "Many of the ponies believed that rumor, especially the rumor to keep fillies and colts from wandering in the forest."
As they walked through the dark brush of the wood, he couldn't help but felt slightly nervous over this whole endeavor, but never once waver his courage nor falter his belief.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Twilight asked nervously.
"Nopony knows..." Rainbow Dash said, lowering her voice to make it sound like she was telling a scary story.
It was more than enough to make Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, and Rarity to shiver with fright.
"You know why...?" Rainbow Dash asks, creeping up the three.
"Rainbow, quit it!" Applejack scolded since she knows what Rainbow Dash is doing and she's not liking it, but Rainbow Dash didn't listen.
"Cuz' everypony who's ever come in has never come out!" Rainbow Dash concluded.
It got Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy flinched quietly, but Mario rolled his eyes with annoyance.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash as the ground beneath their hooves gave away. Every pony screamed as they slid along the steep slope. Only Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash were able to avoid the drop, but saw their friends were in danger.
"Fluttershy! Quick!" Rainbow Dash shouts, swooping down.
"Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!" Fluttershy panicked, before joining Rainbow.
Both Twilight and Rarity screamed their lungs out, trying to slow their descent down the slope which ended at a very large drop off. Mario punched the ground with his hoof and dig it deep to slow into the ground as he slid over the edge. Applejack managed to clamp her teeth on the root to stop sliding. Rainbow Dash scooped up Pinkie Pie while Fluttershy grabbed Rarity's tail, slowing her down.
Twilight was losing her ground fast and soon dangled over the edge of the cliff. Mario was trying to hold on the ground, but his hoof slipped out of the ground. He then suddenly slid down and fell in mid fall.
"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Mario yelled out.
"MARIO!" Twilight called out as she began to lose her grip.
Mario then used his magic to form a barrier while slowing down to prevent himself from falling, lands on the ground safely while deactivating the barrier.
"Good thing I've learned the landing spell." Mario states with relief as he looks back at the cliff, seeing the others are struggling to hold on. But his eyes were on Twilight who was in a very bad situation.
"Hold on!" Applejack called. "Ah'm a-comin'!"
Applejack let go of the root, gently making her way towards Twilight. She grabs her front legs, preventing the unicorn from falling.
"Applejack! What do I do?" Twilight asks, frightened.
Applejack just held Twilight tightly, before she looked up and saw something. She then turns to Twilight.
"Let go." Applejack answered plainly.
"Are you crazy?!" Twilight retorts.
"No ah ain't." Applejack assured. "Ah promise you'll be safe."
But the look on Twilight's face proves she's not convinced.
"That's not true!" Twilight protested.
"Now listen here." Applejack said firmly. "What ah'hm sayin' to yah is the honest truth. Let go and you'll be safe."
Twilight was hesitated for a moment, before she eventually let go.
"YAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
Twilight screamed before she felt her fall stopped midway. She turns from side to side, realizing both Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy caught her in the air. Twilight sighed with relief, but they dropped suddenly, soon stabilized their flight again as the two Pegasus ponies slowly brought Twilight to the bottom of the drop off. Rarity and Pinkie Pie were both there.
"Sorry girls." Fluttershy apologized. "I'm not used to holding anything more than a bunny or two."
In the meantime, Twilight watched Applejack hopped her way down and smile, grateful she could trust her. Just then, she realized something.
"Mario!" Twilight cried, feared the worst. "Where is he?!"
"Over here!"
Twilight Sparkle turned and saw Mario walked alongside the girls.
"MARIO!"
Seeing Mario was okay, Twilight quickly ran up to him and threw her arms around him with a very tight hug. Mario was slightly taken aback, but he hugged her in return.
"I thought I lost you." Twilight choked out when Mario gives her a reassuring pat on the back with his hoof, as he backs away to look into her eyes.
"It'll take more than that to get rid of me." Mario said with a smile, but Twilight smiled back.
"I'm just glad you're okay." Twilight said, before jabbing him in the shoulder. "Don't ever scare me like that again!"
Mario rubbed his shoulder, before following the ponies and headed on out. Little did they know, the purple mist swooped about in the forest before approaching the creature, its contact made it utter a loud roar.
"So, tell me, how do you do that anyway?" Rainbow Dash asks. "You know, the barrier and slow landing!"
"Oh that, I use a barrier spell first before decelerating my falling." Mario explains.
"And are you truly a highly skilled martial artist? The way you battled Nightmare Moon was incredible." Rarity said, amazed of his fighting style.
"Yeah, but I still have long ways to go." Mario answered.
"That is so cool!" Rainbow Dash squealed.
"Oh, you must show me you Toso Kune Do skills!" Fluttershy spoke excitedly.
"Maybe, after this whole adventure is over." Mario suggests, knowing Twilight wanted to keep moving. As they ventured through the forest, Rainbow Dash couldn't stop bragging about herself.
"And once Pinkie and Rarity were saved, and Mario landed in a ground." Rainbow spoke excitedly. "Whoosh...Me and Fluttershy loop-de-loop around and WHAM! Caught you in a nick of time."
Twilight looks indignant, or at least 'tired' of her bragging. Even Mario has the same face, makes him wish he smacked her in the back of head since he grew tired of her bragging.
"Yes Rainbow, I was there." Twilight replied simply, smiled at her. "And I'm very grateful, but we gotta-"
Suddenly, to every pony's surprise, a creature pounced before them. Twilight gasped, as before her eyes stood behind a mix between the body of a lion and a scorpions tail.
"A MANTICORE!" Twilight cried, as it roared. "We've gotta get past him!"
The manticore tried to attack with the swipe of his paw. But Rarity gave him a good buck in the face, forcing him to jump back.
"Take that, you ruffian!" Rarity said with confidence.
However, the manticore responds with a roar, the intense breeze messed up Rarity's mane, making it poofy and messy.
"My hair!" Rarity cried out before noticed the manticore's glare. "Woop-"
Rarity just barely missed getting swiped, dashing off to the side.
"Wait." Fluttershy said softly.
"You said something, Fluttershy?" Mario ask curiously.
But the Manticore's roar knocks him onto his back, as he stares face-to-face with the vicious beast. The Manticore raises its paw to strike, but Mario quickly dodges and counter with a punch in the nose and deliver a back kick to the face, forcing him to stumble.
"Back off, kitty!" Mario shouts when Applejack lands on top of the Manticore.
"YEE-HAW! Git along, little doggie!" Applejack called out.
Mario then lands on his hooves, watching his sister ride the Manticore like a wild bull at the rodeo.
"Wait." Fluttershy repeated.
But firm as she could, her voice was still too soft and no pony could hear her. Applejack was tossed off with a 'WHOA!'.
"All yours, partner!" Applejack said when she turns to Rainbow Dash.
"I'm on it!" Rainbow Dash said, diving towards the Manticore.
"Wait." Fluttershy called out, louder.
This time, Mario heard her and can tell she sensed something was wrong with the Manticore. Rainbow Dash soared round and round the Manticore, trying to distract him. But the Manticore's tail swats the Pegasus away, making her scream.
"Rainbow!" Twilight called out.
Rainbow Dash lands on the ground hard and the Manticore's grunt gestures the group toward them. Soon, all the ponies, except Fluttershy and Mario, leaps into battle. Twilight snorts with determination, bucking her hooves as the five girls charge at the Manticore at once...
"WAAAAAAIIIIIIIIT!?" Fluttershy called out.
"STOOOOP!?" Mario shouts with his magic formed into a wall between both sides. Both the Manticore and the ponies stopped charging, but the creature still growled. Mario deactivates his magic while Fluttershy simply approaches the Manticore, who raised its paw to attack. The girls flinched nervously, anxiously assuming the worst while Mario with interest.
"Shh...It's okay." Fluttershy said kindly.
The ponies are watching Fluttershy nuzzled the Manticore's front paw. The Manticore extends it, revealing a very thick thorn from its paw.
"Oh, you poor, poor little baby." Fluttershy cooed.
"Little?" Rainbow Dash repeats, stunned.
The others watch with interest as the Manticore face the kind Fluttershy with a rather sad look.
"Now this might hurt just a second." Fluttershy told him gently.
She quickly used her mouth to pull the thorn out. The Manticore roared, scooped Fluttershy towards his mouth quickly.
"Fluttershy!" The girls, except Mario, cried out.
"Wait!" Mario shouts, stopped them as something made him look with amazement.
But what really made their jaws dropped in shock...The manticore licks her, clearly grateful that Fluttershy removed the thorn from his paw, practically purring. Everyone smiled, including Mario.
"Aw, you're just a little ol baby kitty, aren't you?" Fluttershy replied sweetly. "Yes you are, yes you are."
The Manticore continued licking her mane, before setting her down. By then, Fluttershy's mane stuck upward. Every pony gave her a cheer as the Manticore went on his way. Twilight Sparkle was mostly impressed of Fluttershy's kindness.
"How did you know about the thorn?" Twilight inquires.
"I didn't." Fluttershy replied as she walked by. "Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness."
Twilight just smiled as Fluttershy moved on, before noticing Mario smiled.
"What's your reason for letting her do that?" Twilight asked.
"Sometimes you have to trust your instinct." Mario told her. "I trust Fluttershy enough to let her help the Manticore, that's what my instincts is telling me."
Twilight shook her head as the two followed the ponies deep into the Marshlands, missing the fact that the thorn shifts back into the mist as it followed them. They march through the Marshlands, continued for the group of ponies. But the forest seemed to go on endlessly, they felt like they're not getting closer.
"No." Rarity groans with shiver. "My eyes need a rest from all this icky muck!"
All at once, their visions went black as darkness casted over the forest.
"Well, I didn't mean it literally." Rarity adds.
"That ancient ruin could be right in front of our faces and we wouldn't even know it." Twilight points out.
"Don't you hate this situation?" Mario remarked.
The forest is too dark, Rarity bumped into Twilight Sparkle.
"I didn't see you there, my apologies." Rarity remarked.
"Right here...Guh." Rainbow Dash remarked, but bump into Mario.
"Hey! Watch where you going?!" Mario snapped.
Rainbow Dash merely growled with annoyance.
"Oh wait." Applejack paused, raising her hoof. "I think I stepped in something."
Fluttershy suddenly screamed, but Applejack was indifferent.
"It's just mud." Applejack reassured.
Suddenly, there was an ominous growl from one of the trees. Then another, and another, and soon, they were all surrounded. On each tree, they seemed to make a scary faces at the ponies with large eyes and razor-sharp teeth. The five girls screamed, while Mario just stared at it puzzlingly. He walked to it as the girls looked shocked.
"Mario, what are you doing?!" Twilight shouted at Mario, who walked to one of the trees as he taps it before turning to them.
"It's just wood. It's not real." Mario assures them, but it isn't helping them.
Suddenly, they heard Pinkie Pie laughing which it got them surprised when they noticed her laughing and making goofy faces towards one of the trees.
"Pinkie, what are you doing?!" Twilight shouts fearfully. "Run!"
"Oh girls, don't you see?" Pinkie Pie asked.
And before they knew it, Pinkie Pie starts singing.
Pinkie Pie (Sings):
When I was just a little filly,
And the sun was going doo-ow-ow-n!
"Oh, don't tell me..." Mario said in disbelief.
"Tell me she's not..." Twilight adds.
But she never finished when Pinkie Pie popped from above them, upside down.
Pinkie Pie (Sings):
The darkness and the shadows,
They would always make me fro-ow-ow-n!
"She is." Rarity replied, causing Mario to shook his head with annoyance.
Pinkie Pie continued to sing as she bounced around the group.
Pinkie Pie (Sings):
I'd hide under my pillow,
From what I thought I saw,
But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way,
To deal with fears at all!
"Then what is?" Rainbow Dash asks as Pinkie Pie got in her face.
Pinkie Pie (Sings):
She said, 'Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall
Learn to face your fears.
You'll see that they can't hurt you
Just laugh to make them disappear.'
Ha Ha Ha!
As if by magic, that once scary tree turned to normal with no face on it. Even the darkness surrounding the tree disappeared, much to their surprise.
Pinkie Pie (Sings):
So...Giggle at the ghostly,
Guffaw at the grossly,
Crack up at the creepy,
Whoop it up with the weepy,
Chortly at the kooky,
Snortle at the spooky.
And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna...hahahahaha...heh...
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!
Soon with a little help from her friends, all of the scary trees have disappeared. The rest of the ponies rolled on their backs, laughing themselves silly. Mario Star was mostly impressed.
"Where was that all my life?" Mario asks as his friends turned to him with a smile. "Sure could have used that lesson when I was younger."
"Sometimes we learn when we are ready." Pinkie Pie replied, before zipping away.
Mario watched her before he smiled as he shook his head.
As they continue to laugh and hop merrily on their way with Mario leading the way, casually walking, he came to a sudden stop, causing every pony to collide with each other. Before they could say anything, they noticed before their eyes was a wide stream dividing the forest. While it appears rather shallow, the water was actually raging violently.
"How are we gonna cross this?" Pinkie Pie asked.
"Hmm..." Mario muttered, studying the stream. "The river is too strong to swim across, no bridge to cross, either. Guess the only option is to..."
"Don't...Even...Say It!" Rainbow Dash warns.
Mario glared at her and kept silent as the ponies looked on...before he smirked.
"Up a creek with no paddle." Mario finished.
"YOOOOOOUUUUU!" Rainbow Dash shouted.
Just before Rainbow Dash could charge at Mario, they suddenly heard a cry from the distance. Confused, they turn towards a rather large sea serpent with grayish mulberry scales with grayish sapphire blue belly, brilliant orange hair and mustache with brilliant yellow highlights, and black eyes, weeping himself in the middle of the river. His elongated figure is wiggling so fast, the rapids were building. They also noticed the half of the mustache looked torn as if it was cut off.
"What a world!" The sea serpent sobbed dramatically. "What a world!"
"Excuse me, sir." Twilight called out, trying to be polite. "Why are you crying?"
"Well, I don't know." The sea serpent replied with a shrug, facing the ponies. "I was just sitting here, minding my own business, when this tacky little cloud of purple just whisked past me and tore half of my beloved mustache clean off, and now I simply look horrid!"
The sea serpent wailed as he slammed back into the water, creating a massive wave towards the ponies. Mario saw it and rolled to the side out of the way when...
SLOOOOOOSH!
The girls were already drenched, and they turned to Mario, who lets out an innocent whistle, rather annoyed before glaring at the sea serpent.
"Oh, give me a break." Rainbow Dash muttered with annoyance.
"That's what all the fuss is about?" Applejack asks with disbelief.
However, Rarity felt rather indignant about the situation.
"Why, of course it is!" Rarity replied, stepping forward. "How can you be so insensitive?"
"She does have a point." Mario adds with an agreement. "Any pony would feel subconscious if they had to be out in public, only to have either bad or messy mane...Or in this case, a mustache."
Mario and Rarity walk side to side toward the sea serpent.
"Precisely." Rarity nods. "Oh, just look at him. Such lovely luminescent scales."
"I know." The sea serpent sniffled.
"And that expertly coiffed mane." Rarity adds.
"Oh I know, I know." The sea serpent replied, running his fingers through it.
"Your fabulous manicure." Rarity pressed on.
Meanwhile, Mario watched her interest. Of course, it was hard to tell if either Rarity was genuinely cheering him up or buttering up his vain ego. Either way, he allowed her to keep talking.
"It's so true!" The sea serpent answered, looking at his fingers.
"All ruined without your beautiful mustache." Rarity finished her sentence with sympathy.
"It's true, I'm hideous!" The sea serpent cried dramatically.
As over the top as the sea serpent was acting, Mario too felt sympathy for him. Something that's needed to be done to cheer up this poor creature, but 'how' to do it was another matter. Luckily, Rarity was already step ahead of him.
"I simply cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected!" Rarity declared with determination.
Before the sea serpent or Mario could reply any further, she pulled off one of the sea serpent's scales, making him yelp.
"What did you do that for?" The sea serpent asks.
Rarity said nothing as she held the rounded part of his scale in her mouth. The sharper end gleaned in the moonlight as she raised it into the air. The rest of the ponies were just stunned, unsure of what she was about to do.
"Rarity, what are you-"
Twilight was cut off when...
SWIPE!
Every pony's eyes shrunk with shock and the sea serpent fainted. Fortunately, he neither splashed them with water nor he was severely hurt. Instead, Rarity's now long beautiful tail was cut off, leaving a short remainder of indigo tail. Using her magic, she levitates the cut tail and carefully ties it with the remains of the sea serpent's sliced mustache. When he awoke, he saw that his mustache has been restored...To some degree.
"Oh-hohohohohohoho!" The sea serpent exclaims gleefully. "My mustache. How wonderful!"
"You look smashing." Rarity said before returning to her friends.
"Oh, Rarity, your beautiful tail..." Twilight said, sadly.
Rarity looks upon her now short tail, sadly yet smiling.
"Oh, it's fine dear." Rarity said bravely, making the best of it. "Short tails are in this season. Besides, it'll grow back."
"So would the mustache." Rainbow Dash muttered on the side, but earned a smack on the back of her head by Mario.
"Keep telling yourself, Rainbow Dash." Mario said when he overheard Rainbow Dash after smacking her. "Tell you what: Next time that awesome mane of yours gets a buzz cut, I'll be sure to remind you, 'It'll grow back'. What do you say?"
Rainbow Dash nervously put a hoof on her mane, as the others chuckled each other.
"Heh, heh...No thanks!" Rainbow Dash replied, chuckled nervously. "I'm good!"
Twilight Sparkle then turns to the river, that's now calm as she gasp.
"We can cross now." Twilight informed them, walking through the river. "Let's go. Ah!"
Twilight was startled when she found herself upon the hump of the sea serpent's elongated body.
"Allow me." The sea serpent offered as he creates a set of hump platforms with his body for all the ponies to cross to the other side.
"Thank you." Mario thanked the sea serpent, jumping across.
One by one, the rest of the ponies jump across and follow Mario Star as their journey to recover the Elements of Harmony continues. It wasn't long, during their travels, when Twilight Sparkle recognizes the sight which they had been searching for.
"There it is!" Twilight said excitedly. "The ruins that hold the Elements of Harmony. We made it!"
"Well, what are waiting for?!" Mario asked rhetorically.
Twilight and Mario proceed to take off with the rest of the girls following in hot pursuit.
"Twilight! Mario!" Applejack called them. "Wait for us!"
"We're almost there!" Twilight called back. "Whoa!"
In her hurry, Twilight Sparkle nearly tumbled down by a large gap but managed to dig her front hooves against the cliff side, preventing herself from falling. Mario Star skidded to stop. Rainbow Dash grabbed Twilight's tail to keep her from slipping forward.
"What's with you and falling off cliffs today?" Rainbow Dash asks with a joke, but Twilight was too shell-shocked for a retort and merely breathed a sigh with relief.
Mario however, glared at her with annoyance.
"Now what?" Pinkie Pie asked with a sigh.
"Duh." Rainbow Dash remarked, flapping her wings into the air.
"Oh yeah." Pinkie Pie said with a chuckle.
Taking to the skies, Rainbow Dash searched for the rope holding the boards to the bridge in place. Finding them through the mist, she flies back toward the opposite end intending to tie the bridge together.
"Rainbow..."
A mysterious voice caught Rainbow Dash's attention, dropping the rope before she could tie it.
"Who's there?" Rainbow Dash asked, looking around.
"Rainbow..."
She stood upon her upright hooves, using her wings to stay balanced. She placed her front hooves in front of herself in case the mysterious figure had malicious intent.
"I ain't scared of you!" Rainbow Dash said bravely. "Show yourself!"
"We've been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flyer in Equestria." The mysterious voice spoke, deviously persuading.
"Who?" Rainbow Dash asked curiously.
"Why, you, of course."
"Really?! I mean...Oh yeah, me." Rainbow Dash stuttered. "Hey, uh, you wouldn't mind telling the Wonderbolts, would ya? 'Cuz I've been trying to get into that group for like, ever."
"No, Rainbow Dash..."
Before Rainbow Dash's eyes, three Pegasi ponies, wearing dark blue-and-black flight suit with goggles, appeared before her. While two of the ponies were silent, the leader, a mare did the talking.
"We want you to join us, The Shadowbolts. We're the greatest aerial team in the Everfree Forest, and soon we will be the greatest in all Equestria, but first, we need a Captain."
The lead pony began to fly around Rainbow Dash, stroking her ego more and more.
"The most magnificent-"
"Yes."
"Swiftest-"
"Yes."
"Bravest flyer in all the land."
"Yes." Rainbow Dash said with a chuckle. "It's all true."
"We need...you." The leader offered.
"WOOHOO!" Rainbow Dash shouts excitedly. "Sign me up. Just let me tie this bridge 'real' quick and then we have a deal."
Rainbow Dash grabbed the rope in her mouth, proceeding to tie it to the post. Suddenly, the leader charged next to her, making Rainbow Dash drop the rope.
"No!" The leader barked. "It's them or us!"
Rainbow Dash suddenly felt as if she was in a tight spot. On one hoof, Rainbow Dash needed to get the bridge tied so their friends can cross and help find the missing elements. But on the other hoof, if she turned down her offer to join the flight team, word of this will surely get out and Rainbow Dash may never get accepted into 'any' flight team. She won't get another chance if she refused now.
"Rainbow, what's taking so long?" Twilight called her with a shout.
From the other side, the other ponies were waiting for Rainbow Dash to tie the bridge. Mario Star quickly saw the Shadowbolts and silently pointed them out to Twilight Sparkle.
"Oh no!" Twilight gasped. "Rainbow!"
The leader of the Shadowbolt's eyes glowed, creating a thick fog to block Twilight.
"Don't listen to them!" Twilight warns her.
But it was all for naught, her cries were muted by the fog. From the other side, Rainbow Dash was unsure what to do while the mysterious flight team waits for an answer.
"Rainbow Dash." Mario called him, using his telepathic magic. "I know how much you wanted to be the best flyer; I know this was your dream! Don't worry about us, we'll find the elements and save Equestria. Just know whatever you decide, we'll always support you. Even if this means goodbye...I won't be disappointed in you."
"Well?" The leader asked.
Rainbow Dash hesitated for another second, until the decision has finally made.
"You..."
The Shadowbolts seemed satisfied with her answer, when she suddenly took the rope to secure the bridge, much to their shock.
"Thank you! For the offer, I mean." Rainbow Dash clarified. "But I'm afraid I have to say no."
Rainbow Dash zipped away as the Shadowbolts grit their teeth before turning back into the dark mist and floated away. The rest of the ponies cheered for Rainbow Dash flew back to the other side, as they began to cross the bridge.
"See? I'd never leave my friends hangin'." Rainbow Dash told her.
Twilight Sparkle just smiled as Rainbow Dash zipped just above Mario Star's ear.
"Thanks for the support." Rainbow Dash thanked him with a whisper. "It made the decision easier."
Mario Star smiled, giving her a nod as they all crossed the bridge together.
It wasn't long before the ponies found themselves in the ruins of the Castle of Royal Sisters. As they explored the ancient castle, they pause before a large stone structure, which held five orbs around it. In a way, it reminded the ponies something out of a planetarium.
"Whoa!" Twilight and Mario gasp in unison.
"Come on, Twilight and Mario." Applejack said. "Isn't this what you've been waitin' for?"
"The Elements of Harmony." Twilight said, gapping at the statue.
"The legend is true." Mario adds. "We've found them!"
Slowly but surely, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy brought down the orbs one at a time.
"Careful, careful!" Twilight warned.
But fortunately, all the orbs were set in place before Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star.
"1, 2, 3, 4,...There's only 5!" Pinkie Pie points out.
"Where's the 6th?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"The book said." Twilight explains. "When the 5 are present, a spark will cause the 6th Element to be revealed."
"And don't forget." Mario points out. "When the 6 elements come together, another element will appear. It serves as the center that will bond the power of the 6 elements together...The 7th element..."
"What the hay is that suppose to mean?" Applejack asked curiously.
"I'm not sure." Twilight admits. "But I have an idea. Stand back. I don't what will happen. Mario, can you give me a hoof, please?"
Hearing the word 'please' was the first for Mario Star after parting ways years ago, especially Twilight Sparkle.
"You want...My help?" Mario asked before straightening himself up. "I mean...Why yes!"
Both unicorns kneel forward, channeling their horns to glow, focusing their magic upon the orbs before them.
"Come on, y'all." Applejack said, guiding every pony out. "They need to concentrate."
As Twilight and Mario concentrates, the dark mist soon arrived and encircled the elements, all while they tried to generate a magical spark. Soon, they both open their eyes and witnessed a huge blue cyclone before them. Twilight and Mario gasped, realizing with was happening.
"Aah!" Twilight and Mario shouts in unison.
"Twilight! Mario!" Every pony shouts.
"The Elements!" Twilight shouts.
"We gotta stop her!" Mario adds.
The two unicorns dove into the funnel of the cyclone, as it magically disappeared along with them. The other five ponies looked around, talking amongst each other.
"Twilight?! Mario?!" Fluttershy called them.
"What?!" Applejack exclaims
"Where did they go?" Rarity asks with worry.
"What happened?" Pinkie Pie adds.
"What's going on?!" Rainbow Dash shouts.
All of them, except Applejack, dashed about, wondering where their two friends have disappeared to.
"Twilight, Mario, where are you?" Applejack asked, worried.
"Look!" Rarity called them.
They turn toward where Rarity was pointing as a nearby rundown ruin glowed.
"Come on!" Applejack called.
With that, all of the ponies rushed out as fast as they could to reach their friends.
Meanwhile, the dark blue mist transported Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star toward a new location, the two unicorns coughed and spluttered from all the dust. Before them was Nightmare Moon herself, laughing evilly over the Elements of Harmony. Twilight gasped before she and Mario glared sternly, preparing to charge as Mario conjures an auric hands, readied his fighting stance.
"You kidding?" Nightmare Moon mocked. "You're kidding, right?"
Twilight and Mario just glared, before they charged towards her when Nightmare Moon came right at them. At the last possible, just when Twilight's horn was about to contact, Twilight conjured her magic to instantly vanish and reappear in the elements. Mario used his martial arts skills on Nightmare Moon and side kicked her to the side.
Slightly woozy, since Twilight wasn't used on teleportation, she, along with Mario as he just arrived, ignited their horns once more trying to generate life back into the elements.
"Just one spark..." Twilight grunts. "Come on, come on!"
"Spark...Spark!" Mario adds with a grunt.
Nightmare Moon quickly turned back into a mist, sending an electric blast to propel the unicorns backwards and onto their back. However, the elements seemingly charged back to life."
"No, no!" Nightmare Moon cried out.
Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star smiled triumphantly...Until the charge frizzled out, leaving them agape.
"But...Where's the 6th element?!" Twilight cried out.
Nightmare Moon laughed sinisterly and lifted her hooves, stomped down around the orbs, causing them to shatter into pieces. Twilight and Mario were in shock and their only weapons against her...destroyed.
"Oh no..." Mario whispered in dread.
"You little foals!" Nightmare Moon laughed. "Thinking you can defeat me? Now you will never see your princess, or your sun! The night will last forever!"
Nightmare Moon cackled evilly, generating a great dark blue storm above her. Twilight felt that it was all over, their efforts to prevent Nightmare Moon's take over were in vain. Mario glared angrily at Nightmare Moon. Suddenly, a familiar sound caused them to turn behind, as a group of shadows approached talking over each other.
"Don't worry Twilight, we're here!"
"Don't worry, we'll be there!"
As they waited for their arrival, something clicked between Twilight and Mario. A special spark suddenly appeared in both their eyes. Exchanging looks, they gave each other a quick smirk silently realizing what this means. They turned around to face Nightmare Moon as their expressions shifting into fierce competitions.
"You think you can destroy the Elements of Harmony just like that?" Twilight asks with a challenge as Mario stood beside her. "Well, you're wrong, because the spirits of the Elements of Harmony are right here."
As if they rehearsed this moment, all five mares stood around Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star.
"What?!" Nightmare Moon exclaims with shock.
Before Nightmare Moon's eyes, several shards suddenly rose from the broken elements, surrounding the mares one by one as Twilight spoke.
"Applejack, who reassured me when I was in doubt, represents the Spirit of...Honesty!"
"Fluttershy, who tamed the manticore with her compassion, represents the Spirit of...Kindness!"
"Pinkie Pie, who banished fear by giggling in the face of danger, represents the Spirit of...Laughter!"
"Rarity, who calmed a sorrowful serpent with a meaningful gift, represents the Spirit of...Generosity!"
"And Rainbow Dash, who could not abandon her friends for her own heart's desire, represents the Spirit of...Loyalty!"
"These five ponies got us through every challenge you threw at us!"
"But you still don't have the 6th element!" Nightmare Moon protests. "The spark didn't work!"
"But it did!" Twilight corrects her before facing the five mares. "A different kind of spark. I felt it at the very moment I realized how happy I was to hear you, to see you, how much I cared about you."
Twilight smiled, as a single pair of tears escaped her eyes.
"The spark ignited inside me when I realized that you all...Were my friends!"
Upon Twilight Sparkle's epiphany, a light glowed around the unicorn as all eyes watch it descend before her. It didn't take long for Twilight to realize what it all meant.
"You see, Nightmare Moon." Twilight continued. "When those Elements are ignited by the...the spark, that resides in the heart of us all, it creates the 6th element: The Element of...Magic!"
It was then the 6th orb appeared, revealing the 6th element before descends above Twilight. The shards of the other elements restored themselves, creating a special gold necklaces with each element residing the center. Twilight's element was more special, a tiara with the element of magic shining triumphantly on her head. Mario Star smiled proudly, watching the six ponies wielding the Elements of Harmony.
"My dearest friend, Mario." Twilight called him sweetly with her eyes closed. "Did you think I've forgotten about you?"
Slightly stunned, Mario Star suddenly felt a magical aura lift him high into the air.
"When the 6 elements joined together." Twilight said aloud. "Another element will appear: The Seventh Element."
"Impossible!" Nightmare Moon exclaims. "That element is a myth; pure fantasy!"
"No...It's not. That element represents the combination of all 6 elements, an element that's been with him this entire time."
"Me?!" Mario exclaims with shock.
"Mario." Twilight continued. "Ever since I've met you, you're shown the values of friendship: Honesty, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, and Loyalty. You've shown to me and my friends you understood magic of friendship long before I ever did. Even if we're grown apart, I still even considered you as my friend. You even risk you life to protect us and the ponies from Ponyville, and fight against Nightmare Moon for your own selfless act."
Every elements began to glow, a piece of each floating around Mario Star, looked at each one in surprise. But the power he felt brought peace of his mind, body, and soul, smiling as he embraced the magic within. The shards circled around him, converging into his body, emanating a blinding radiance. When Mario Star appeared, he floated effortlessly in the air, his coat and mane glowing a golden yellow. Around his head with a helmet that contained an apple with a star and a ribbon, his body has an armor, and his hooves has gauntlets, and all the colors of the 6 elements surrounding it.
"Mario Star, my most faithful friend, represents the magic that deems the Elements of Harmony so powerful." Twilight announced. "The Element of...Courage!"
A bright light surrounds the ponies, as the 7 elements converge with Mario in the center with her power. Using his element, emanating his horn, Mario directs the power, a large and powerful rainbow, toward Nightmare Moon, engulfing her in a multicolored cyclone.
"NOOOOOOO!" Nightmare Moon screamed. "NOOOOOO!"
As the rainbow's power consumed Nightmare Moon, the elements themselves glowed brighter until Twilight Sparkle opens her eyes, which glowed as well. The brightness consumed them all, filling the entire room with radiance. Eventually, the bright light fades, leaving every pony laying on the ground, clearly spent from the exposure to all that power.
"Ugh, my head." Rainbow Dash groaned.
"Everypony okay?" Applejack asked as the rest got back on their hooves.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Rarity cried.
All of the ponies turned as Rarity looked behind herself. Apparently, the magic of the elements was so powerful, it restored her tail to its former glory.
"Why Rarity, it's so lovely." Fluttershy points out.
"I know!" Rarity said, cuddling her tail. "I'll never part with it again."
"No, your necklace." Fluttershy corrects her. "It looks just like your cutie mark."
Rarity finally noticed her gold necklace, noting how the purple diamond in the center matched her cutie mark.
"What? Ohhh!" Rarity exclaims. "So does yours!"
Fluttershy looked upon her own necklace, smiled warmly. All of the other ponies acknowledged their new necklaces bestowed upon them by the elements power.
"Look at mine! Look at mine!" Pinkie Pie said excitedly.
"Aw yeah!" Rainbow Dash said proudly, admiring her own.
Mario admired his set of armor with a grin as Twilight admired her tiara with a big smile.
"Gee, Twilight." Applejack said. "I thought you two were just spoutin' a lot of hooey, but I reckon we really do represent the elements of friendship."
"Indeed you do..."
A majestic voice draws the group toward the window, as the sun returns, and a warm light enters the castle ruins. As the familiar golden orb of hope and light ignited the dark sky, another made its way before the ponies. And there, standing majestically before them was Princess Celestia herself, towering before the subjects. All, except Twilight and Mario, bowed before their ruler. The two ponies in question were all too happy to see her again.
"Princess Celestia!" Mario and Twilight gasped as they rush towards their mentor, sharing a warm embrace.
"Twilight Sparkle, Mario Star, my faithful students." Princess Celestia said proudly. "I knew you could do it."
"But...You told me it was all an old pony-tale." Twilight points out.
"I told you and Mario that you needed to make some friends, nothing more." Princess Celestia corrected her as the other ponies stood up, except Fluttershy given her shy nature. "I saw the signs of Nightmare Moon's return, and I knew it was you both who had the magic inside to defeat her, but you could not unleash it until you let true Friendship into your heart."
Princess Celestia's words spoke directly to Twilight Sparkle, given she was the one who not only discovered how her friends represented the elements, but Mario Star was destined to be the 7th. Twilight turned the other ponies, offering a grateful smile.
"Now if only another will as well." Princess Celestia said as the seven ponies turned as she made her way towards what remained of Nightmare Moon, or rather her true form...
"Princess Luna!"
There, sitting upon the remains of the armor, a grayish phthalo blue fur coat, with very light azure mane and tail, met their gaze. The paleness of her coat and mane was a sign that her powers have been drained, the alicorn much smaller in size compared to Princess Celestia. She gasped upon hearing her name, one she hadn't heard in for so long, as looked toward Princess Celestia fearfully.
"It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this." Princess Celestia said. "Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister."
Every ponies jaws dropped upon that startling twist.
"Sister?!" Twilight, Mario, and Rainbow said at once.
"Will you accept my friendship?" Princess Celestia offered.
The other ponies leaned forward with interest, anxiously waiting to see how Princess Luna would reply. Pinkie Pie however, leaned too forward.
"Whoa!" Pinkie Pie called, losing her balance.
After a brief moment, Princess Luna burst into tears and raced to embrace her sister.
"I'm so sorry!" Princess Luna sobbed. "I missed you so much, big sister!"
Tears formed on the bottom of Princess Celestia's eyes, holding her sister close.
"I've missed you, too." Princess Celestia said, tearfully.
That was when Pinkie Pie burst into tears, sobbing...For a few seconds, before blowing her nose.
"Hey, you know what this calls for?" Pinkie Pie asked. "A party!"
It wasn't long before the seven ponies and the two princesses returned to Ponyville as the entire town cheered for the princesses return, as the celebration begins. Amongst the crowd, Spike appeared giving both Twilight and Mario a warm welcome. Princess Luna, unsure about being there, was suddenly approached by two young Pegasus foals presenting her a necklace roses as she gave Princess Celestia a teary smile. All of Ponyville was happy...Except the two.
"Why so glum, my faithful students?" Princess Celestia asked gently. "Are you not happy that your quest is complete. and you can return to your studies in Canterlot?"
Exchanging looks once, Twilight and Mario turned towards their friends, who seemed sad that she'll be leaving.
"That's just it." Twilight said. "Just when I learned how wonderful it is to have friends, we have to leave them."
"I really don't want to leave, your highness." Mario adds. "Ponyville is my home and I really fit in here ever since I left Canterlot years ago, to be with my family. To be fair, I was hoping to request a transfer to find my own place, and maybe continue to study martial arts...Just for me...But..."
Mario Star paused before turning toward Twilight Sparkle, looking straight into her eyes before turning to Applejack.
"...I finally realized that no matter where I go or what I choose, I don't want to be without my friend or my sister." Mario continues. "I need them as much as they need me...It wouldn't make sense for one to go off without the other."
Twilight Sparkle gave Mario Star a warm but teary smile while Applejack leaps up and give her brother a warming hug as they're touched. Princess Celestia smiled understandably.
"Spike, take a note please." Princess Celestia commands.
On the command, Spike brought his pen and quill in hand as he take notes when Princess Celestia made an announcement before all the ponies in Ponyville.
"I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorns, Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star, shall take on a new mission for Equestria. They must continue to study the magic of friendship. They must report to me their findings from their new home in Ponyville."
Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star smiled excitedly, as the rest of the ponies cheered, and their new friends gathered around them for a group hug.
"Oh thank you, Princess Celestia!" Twilight thanked her. "We'll study harder than ever before!"
Mario Star nods in agreement as all of Ponyville cheered once more. Mario Star looked around to all their friends gathered together, he had to admit...What started was a simple project would start a brand new adventure. He may not know what their journey will take them, what dangers they may encounter, or how the entire experience will forever affect his life. Until...
SMOOCH!
Mario Star suddenly froze when Twilight gave him a kiss on his cheek! The crowd of Ponyville, including Applejack, gasped in surprise and happiness as their friends cooed at the sight.
"Wha-What was that for?" Mario asks in confusion.
"For being brave, helping us save the day, and for letting me see what true friendship is." Twilight answered with a smile as she blushed a bit. "Thank you, Mario."
Mario smiled back at her with a blush before they shared a friendly head nuzzle.
"Isn't that exciting?" Pinkie Pie asks, popping out. "Are you excited, cause I'm excited, I've never been so excited, well, except for the time I went (DEEP GASP) But I mean really-"
Soon enough, the screen quickly fades to black.
That's it for the 3rd chapter.