Magic Duel
Pony's Log Number 305: Someponies seem to love lifelong rivalries with others. They'll never surrender no matter how many times they lose! But I never thought she just might win...
It was a dark and stormy night as a pony wearing a cloak galloped about a shady part of a mysterious town. The pony then entered a shop that was filled to the brim with various curios and potpourri. The pony began to quickly toss and swat items about in search for something, which also included even pushing a few items on a shelf and those on a few nearby tables. It was then the lights to the shop turned on.
"May I help you traveler?" said a voice as a bluish-grey stallion with a braided cobolt blue mane and tail, glasses on his face, red hat on his head, and wearing a uniform, "Hmm, something drew you to my shop...something powerful." As the shopkeeper pony made his way to the counter, the cloaked pony then pointed at something. The shopkeeper then turned to see a particular black amulet that was shaped like an alicorn with a red gem in the center of it.
"Ah, you have a keen eye," said the Shopkeeper as he rested a fore-hoof on the glass case, "The Alicorn Amulet is one of the most mysterious and powerful of all the known magical charms." The cloaked pony pointed at it sternly.
"Uh, ah-I'm afraid this is...far too dangerous," said the shopkeeper until the cloaked pony tossed a large sack loaded with bits in it. The shopkeeper's fears and concerns were immediately subsided.
"Would you like that gift-wrapped?" he asked quickly before eyeballing all the bits. The cloaked figure said nothing as a devious smile could be seen from the reflection of the glass case.
At last, Twilight and Mario, revenge will be mine...
(Main theme)
At Fluttershy's cottage, the yellow Pegasus was kneeling before her animals with Twilight, Mario, and Spike standing right behind her.
"Don't be scared, little friends," Fluttershy said to her animal friends, "Twilight is wonderful with magic." Fluttershy then did a fast one eighty and got into Twilight's face, "Anything happens to them, Twilight, so help me..." Twilight leaned away as she sat down and Spike got in between the two ponies and pushed them apart.
"Aww, don't worry, Fluttershy," said Spike, "Twilight's magic has gotten a lot better since she accidentally crushed me and Applejack with a giant snowball."
"Oh you had to bring that up," said Mario with an eye roll. Twilight just looked at them and blushed sheepishly.
"Of course she's good with magic," said Fluttershy, but she was starting to panic and sweat, "Twilight's great with magic. I guess I just don't want my little friends to be scared. Oh, oh, look how scared they are!" Her animals just sat quietly and smiled excitedly. They were anything but frightened, but Fluttershy wasn't feeling any better about it.
"I promise, Fluttershy," said Twilight as she stood next to her, "Nothing bad will happen to them."
"I know," Fluttershy squeaked fearfully.
"Calm down, Sis," said Mario as he gave her a gently hug, "If you pass out, Shenran isn't here to revive you with a kiss." Fluttershy glared and stuck her tongue out at him. Mario just returned the gesture. Twilight then took a few steps forward and began to concentrate as she let her horn glow. Fluttershy began to panic as Twilight encased the animals in her magic grip.
"Stop, stop!" Fluttershy pleaded as she crouched to the ground and trembled, "They can't take it." Twilight just looked at Fluttershy sadly. Mario then rubbed a fore-hoof against Fluttershy's back to try and calm her down before gesturing with the other fore-leg for Twilight to continue. It was then Twilight sent the beaver into the air and the rest of the animals followed. The animals began to chatter and cheer happily as they all flew in a circle. Twilight then tilted her head to the right, making the animals dive down and then rise further up into the air. Poor Fluttershy was so nervous that she started biting away at her horseshoes with the shavings scattering on the ground in front of her. Twilight then moved her head back to the left as the animals then flew together in a large cluster. Fluttershy just kept watching with a fearful look on her face as Twilight made the animals fly about in the shape of a helix.
"Twilight, that looks amazing!" said Spike as he watched with a smile on his face. Sparks started to fly from Twilight's horn as she eased her magic and gently set all the animals back down on the ground.
"Phew!" said Twilight as she wiped some sweat from her brow.
"Great job, my love," said Mario as he kissed her cheek. Twilight just smiled as the animals gathered around her and jumped around.
"That's all for now, little ones," said Twilight, "Maybe we can practice again later, if Fluttershy says it's alright." The animals then began chattering around Fluttershy, who was still sitting on the ground with her eyes closed.
"Your magic has really improved since we came to Ponyville, Twilight," said Spike, "Princess Celestia's going to love it."
"Thanks, Spike," said Twilight.
"She's not the only one whose magic has improved," said Mario, feeling a little shut out.
"Eh, whatever," said Spike as he waved him off. Mario just pouted until Twilight pecked his cheek.
"I think you've grown a lot with your magic, sweetie," said Twilight as they shared a nose nuzzle, "anyway, I have to be at my best when Princess Celestia arrives with the delegates from Saddle Arabia. I can't believe she's trusting me with the entertainment."
"Well, you are a great organizer, sweetie," Mario replied as they both giggled when Rainbow then slammed right into Twilight, ruining a possible tender moment.
"Twilight! Mario! Come quick! It's an emergency!" said Rainbow. Twilight just looked at Rainbow with large eyes and forming an O shape with her mouth.
Back in town, several ponies had gathered around just in front of Town Hall, Rarity was just standing alone when a red magic blast put her into a very loud and bold colored dress. Rarity gasped in horror at it.
"You beast!" Rarity exclaimed, "This shade of brown should only be used for accents!" Rarity then stood on her hind legs and went to faint when Applejack got behind her so the marshmallow pony could recline on her back.
"Come on, Applejack," said Pinkie, who stood right behind Applejack, "We've got to get her in a nice, soothing pink, stat!" It was then Mario, Twilight, and Spike arrived on the scene.
"What's going on here?" Twilight demanded.
"Who did this to Rares?" Mario asked sternly.
"Well, well, well," said a pony in a cloaked figured, "If it isn't...Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star." The pony then lifted her hood to reveal herself as Trixie. She smiled at them evilly as her eyes gave off a red glow. The ponies nearby gasped and Mario growled.
"Trixie!" said Twilight, after she had gasped as well and looked at her angrily.
"What's she doing here?" Spike added with his hands on his hips.
"You've got alot of nerve showing up and terrorizing my friends with your magic," said Mario angrily, "especially after the last time you were here!"
"You call that great and powerful?" said Rainbow indignantly as she hovered alongside Mario. Trixie looked at Rainbow deviously before blasting the blue Pegasus with her magic, causing Rainbow's right wing to get bigger and her left wing to shrink. Rainbow yelped as she struggled to stay airborne.
"Oh! She's Rainbow Wobble, now!" said Snips.
"Yeah! Ha-ha-ha-ha!" Snails added as Rainbow yelped and flew over them.
"Ugh, not Dumb and Dumber again," Mario groaned with an eye roll.
"Be nice, Mario," said Twilight, "they're just...slow witted."
"If you say so, sweetie," said Mario as he saw Rainbow hover above, "and apparently so is Rainbow...Hey, Dashie! Here's an idea...try landing?"
"Good spell, oh Great and Powerful Trixie!" Snails called out as Snips nodded in agreement.
"You two! Quiet!" Trixie snapped as she fired a magic blast at the two of them. When the smoke cleared, the two had been joined together by their horns.
"Uh hey!" Snips yelped, "W-What happened?" He later realized that because of their joined horns that he was upside down.
"Get off of me!" said Snails angrily from above, "Brbrbr." Snails tried to shake Snips off, but it was obviously no good.
"Let go," said Snips as he ran about before they flipped over and Snips ran about with Snail above his head.
"Go this way!" Snails shouted before they flipped over again and ran in the other direction. They continued to run back and forth, flipping as they changed directions to try and separate. Twilight and Mario just watched for a moment before turning to face Trixie.
"I get that those two can be rather annoying," said Mario sternly, "But that was uncalled for!"
"Stop picking on my friends, Trixie!" Twilight demanded.
"You two and I have some unfinished business," said Trixie, "My magic's gotten better since I was here last! And I'm going to prove it!"
"Ugh...this again?" said Mario annoyed.
"I take it she's done this alot more with you," said Twilight.
"You have no idea!" Mario remarked, "and I've beaten her every time! Give it up already Trixie before you embarrass yourself...again!"
"This time I will defeat you, Mario Star!" Trixie sneered as her eyes glowed red once again, "The two of you, a magic duel. I fight each of you one-on-one. Winner stays, loser leaves Ponyville forever! And...if one of you loses, you both automatically lose!"
"Forget it!" said Twilight, "I'd never make a deal like that!"
"Same here," said Mario, "I've got nothing to prove to you!" They both turned to walk away.
"Hm. Your choice," Trixie answered with a sinister look on her face. She then picked up Spike, making him yelp as she contorted his body into the shape of a ball and started dribbling him like one. Twilight and Mario were shocked.
"Trixie put him down," said Twilight sternly.
"He never did anything to you!" Mario added as Trixie tossed Spike toward a nearby makeshift basketball hoof and scored a 3-pointer.
"Why are you doing this?" Twilight demanded.
"Why?" Trixie retorted angrily, "because you two humiliated me!" Trixie then used her magic to create a projection screen, "After you showed me up with that Ursa Minor, I became a laughing stock. Everywhere I went I was laughed at and ostracized. I even had to take a job on a rock farm just to earn a living! A rock farm!" The projection showed images of Twilight and Mario taming the Ursa Minor, followed by pictures of ponies laughing at Trixie as her wagon was covered in graffiti. Another image showed her being laughed at just for being in plain sight. She tried to use her smoke getaway trick and failed as she tripped and left her hat and cape behind. The last image was her working on the rock farm, when Igneous Pie pointed at a giant rock that Trixie needed to break. Then Trixie made the screen disappear as she glared at the two ponies.
"Hey! You're lucky a rock farm would take the likes of you!" Pinkie shouted angrily as Trixie and Twilight looked at her. Trixie than created a magic version of a mouse clicker, which clicked and dragged onto Pinkie's mouth and snort, pulling it off and dumping it into a virtual trash can.
And don't forget that empty trash can before shutting down!
Pinkie grunted angrily.
Just kidding!
"I'm sorry your life has been difficult recently," said Mario calmly before angrily adding, "But maybe if you spent less time poking fun at others and bragging you wouldn't give ponies a reason to laugh at you!"
"QUIET!" Trixie yelled as she sent a magic blast at Mario, who managed to successfully block it by raising his fore-legs up. At least it was assumed he blocked until he wobbled and crouched down looking rather drained.
"Sweetie?" Twilight asked, "are you okay?"
"Ugh, that was some strong magic..." Mario groaned as he struggled to stand up straight before giving Trixie a glare, "But I've had enough of you trying to go out of your way to make my life and my friends miserable! Let's settle this once and for all!"
"Bring it on, Mr. Worthless!" Trixie taunted deviously. The other ponies gasped as Mario snarled viciously as his temper hit its limit.
"Mario!" Twilight said sternly, getting the colt's attention, "Calm down now! She's just trying to push your buttons. Don't let her!"
"You be quiet!" Trixie snarled as she fired a magic blast at Twilight. Twilight gasped at the oncoming blast until Mario dived right in front of it to take the hit.
"HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-WAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-"
The blast was so strong that it sent Mario flying high into the sky and out of sight. Only a small sparkle showing what direction he had flown off to.
"Mario!" Twilight gasped as Trixie laughed.
"Well, that took care of him!" said Trixie, her eyes glowing red once more, "as you can see, Twilight. Now I want revenge! And with your precious Mario defeated, I'll just keep casting spells 'til you agree. I did change my mind. Even though Mario lost..."
"You didn't even dual him!" Twilight protested, "You just took a cheap shot at me and sent him flying to South Equestria!"
"I repeat, despite the fact Mario lost," said Trixie, "the magic dual rules are the same. Winner stays, the other leaves Ponyville forever. Well? What do you say?" Trixie then fired another magic blast to make the Grand Oak Library turn upside down, dumping all the books out of it. Owlowiscious tried to collect one or two books as he flew out of the window. Twilight looked worried as Trixie just smirked and enjoyed her fun. Twilight then looked at the others.
"Whoooaah! Help...me!" Spike cried out. Snips and Snails were still trying to pull themselves apart, Rainbow still hadn't figured out how to balance herself out (or simply land and stop flying...eesh), and Applejack was comforting a distraught Rarity as the marshmallow pony just looked distraught and had a brown cloak over herself. Pinkie tried to eat a cupcake, but no mouth meant no eating and she began to cry. Then Twilight noticed something float over to her. She recognized it immediately. It was Mario's brown beret. He had been wearing it ever since they had gotten together. Out of all the hats he wore, this brown beret was her favorite. She even had Rarity stitch a letter M on it with some topaz gems on the front. Twilight picked the beret up, narrowed her eyes as she made it disappear.
"Alright, Trixie," said Twilight firmly, "Let's duel!"
"Excellent," said Trixie with a smirk as she restored the library and removed the spells she had put on everypony else. Rarity was still crying afterward as Pinkie made indignant muffled noises since Trixie didn't restore her mouth.
"If I lose," said Trixie reminded Twilight, "I won't set hoof in Ponyville again. But if you lose, you and Mario are banished from this one horse town!" Twilight just glared at Trixie angrily. The rest of the Mane seven and Spike, all gasped with worried looks on their faces. The background music grew tense as the two ponies stared each other down. While Trixie remained cocky and confident, Twilight was sweating a bit as she tried not to show her nervousness. Trixie then blasted a nearby wagon loaded with goods and sent it flying as some bystanders. Most of them managed to run away, but then Shoeshine tripped and screamed as the wagon came at her. Twilight used her magic to catch it just in time and gently set the wagon and the goods to the side.
"Phew," said Twilight with some relief. Trixie then made several pies appear and sent them all flying at Twilight at once. Twilight gasped, pondered a bit, and then smiled as she made a parasprite appear, which devoured all the pies and gave a loud burp. The parasprite's burp produced a second parasprite. Twilight just made the parasprites disappear and exhaled. It was then a dark shadow appeared above her and then a large dose of snow was dumped on top of her. Twilight looked like a snow pony for a moment before she lit her horn brightly to make the snow around her melt and shook herself dry. Twilight then fired a magic blast at Trixie's face, making the cobalt pony grow a very large and bushy mustache. The rest of the mane seven and Spike laughed as Trixie made some scissors appear and cut off the mustache.
"Snips, Snails, step forward!" Trixie commended as the two unicorn colts stepped forward.
"Wh-what is it, oh Great and P-P-Powerful Trixie?" Snips asked with a nervous laugh. Trixie then fired a magic blast, causing them to be surrounded by a red vortex and a bright light, the others cringed and Twilight gasped in shock as the two unicorn were put back down in the ground. Snips was now a baby foal while Snails was a very old and wrinkly stallion with a long white beard. Snips then cried like a baby...literally.
"An age spell?" Twilight said in shock, "But...how could you do an age spell? That's only for the highest level unicorns!"
"Well, Twilight?" said Trixie arrogantly as she rubbed her amulet, "Give up?" Twilight just sighed as she made her horn glow brightly. She picked up both Snips and Snails to attempt to reverse the spell.
"Come on, Twilight, you can do it!" Spike cheered as the others smiled and watched. Twilight's horn began to glow brighter and she was sweating heavily as she tried to reverse the spell. But it was no good, Twilight soon wore herself out and collapsed to the floor in exhaustion, dropping the two colts. Snips began to cry again as Snails slowly sat up, his back creaking as he did so. Trixie smirked in triumph.
"Trixie is the highest level unicorn!" the cobalt unicorn bragged and laughed evilly, "And now its time for you to leave Ponyville! FOREVER!" Twilight just leaned forward looking shocked and devastated as the rest of the mane seven and Spike stood in front of her.
"That's enough, Trixie!" said Applejack sternly as the rest of the group glared.
"You proved your point, but you can't possibly expect Twilight or Mario to leave Ponyville!" Rarity added firmly.
"You fools!" said Trixie, "She's already gone!" Twilight then yelped as Trixie picked her up with her magic, then, as if Twilight had literally been put inside of Pinkie's party cannon, was sent flying in the air and into the outskirts of Ponyville. Twilight landed with a THUD on her stomach as Trixie created a giant barrier and then set it over the entire town. Twilight saw the barrier descending as she tried to run back, but it was too late. Twilight stopped before she ended up running into the barrier and Rainbow crashed head first into it. The rest of the mane seven and Spike were now separated from Twilight, and Mario as well, wherever he might be at the moment.
"It's okay, guys," said Twilight as they shared sad looks with each other, Spike put his hand on the barrier as Twilight placed her hoof against it from the other side, "I'll figure something out. Maybe I can find Mario and we can work together to find a solution. Just take care of each other. And keep an eye on Trixie. There's something strange about her." Twilight then ran off into the outskirts of town.
"Twilight?" Spike called out, but there was no reply. Spike just banged his fore-head on the barrier.
Out near the edges of the Everfree forest, Twilight was grunting in exertion as she focused her magic on a small flower. She was attempting to use the aging spell on it. Her horn was shooting sparks from it and she was sweating to show that she was using her magic to the fullest potential. The flower then closed up and Twilight smiled...until the flower bloomed again to show she had failed.
"UGH!" Twilight grunted angrily as she reeled her head back and gritted her teeth before she glared at the flower in frustration, "It's impossible! How could Trixie know such advanced magic? Without Spike, I can't get a message to the Princess in Saddle Arabia. So who else do I know who understands strange and powerful magic?" Twilight didn't need longer to figure out as she made her trek toward the Everfree Forest. Then she remembered something and suddenly felt herself wanting to cry. She remembered that Mario was still out there and she had no idea if he was okay. She made his beret reappear and just looked at the stitched M on the front.
"Twilight, you need to keep it together," she told herself, "I'm sure Mario is alright. He's got to be alright. It would take more than a powerful magic blast to take him down. I bet he's already figured out that Zecora would be the best pony to go for help! He's probably there waiting for me!" Twilight smiled widely, until it flipped over and her eyes enlarged as tears poured out of her eyes. She then hugged the beret to her chest.
"MARIO YOU BETTER BE OKAY OR I'M GONNA DESTROY YOU MYSELF!" Twilight wailed as she let herself cry for a bit. Once she was able to recompose herself, she headed towards Zecora's home as some tribal music was heard in the background. She lightly knocked on the door and the Zebra opened it and gave Twilight a warm smile.
"What they say about love it true," Zecora replied, "two soul mates will always find one another, they sure do." Zecora stepped aside to show that Mario was already inside sitting at a table with a cup of tea. Twilight smiled widely.
"Schmoopy!" Twilight squealed with glee as she hugged him tightly.
"OW! Owowowow!" Mario yelped, "Twilight, please! Oooo, I'm stiff! I'm stiff!" Twilight then pulled away.
"Sorry," said Twilight sheepishly as she then handed Mario his beret, which he smiled and put the hat back on his head.
"As I was making one of my special herbal pies," said Zecora, "Mario came crashing in my front yard as an unexpected surprise."
"Yeah," said Mario wearily, "I was pretty banged up to. But Zecora prepared me a special herbal bath and gave her some ointments to help me feel better. My muscles are just stiff though..."
"You're aches should go away soon," said Zecora, "and you'll have back what makes you zoom." Mario nodded as he held Twilight close. He could tell she looked upset.
"Talk to me, sweetheart," said Mario, "I'm assuming you're here because of Trixie." Twilight then began to pace about as she explained what had happened. Mario was furious and was ready to leave and deal with Trixie solo until Zecora ushered him to stay put, which he conceded begrudgingly.
"Your tale of woe upsets me so," said Zecora as she sat mantra style by the table and sips her tea, "No wonder you're dour. It's an abuse of power!"
"That sounds like the Trixie I know," said Mario bitterly, "oh, she is going to pay this!"
"I don't know what to do, Zecora," said Twilight as she stopped pacing and faced the two ponies, "I feel like I've abandoned my friends. But I can't take her on horn-to-horn. I don't think Mario could either and he's more advanced in magic than I am!"
"I thought we were about even," said Mario. Twilight sighed.
"We're still out of our league against Trixie," Twilight pointed out.
"UGH!" Mario groaned in frustration. Zecora just remained calm as she took another sip of her tea.
"If you and Mario train with me, so good you'll be," Zecora replied, "I'll show you two the way to make sure she won't stay."
"You'll train Mario and I in magic?" said Twilight excitedly, "But she was doing age spells, weather spells. You name it!" Twilight gestured with a fore-leg about Trixie's spell, knocking over Zecora's tea cup
"What?!" said Mario in shock, "Trixie could never learn magic that advanced in such a short time and that's coming from somepony who can learn things very quickly. I'm sensing foul play here." Mario growled inwardly. The more he thought about Trixie, the angrier he felt.
"When it comes to magic, it would be tragic if somepony licked me, especially Trixie," Zecora remarked as she waved a fore-hoof over her tea cup to instantly replace the spilled tea.
"You really think we can beat her?" Twilight asked hopefully.
"Mm-hmm," said Zecora with a nod.
"Okay, when do we start?" said Twilight excitedly as she stood on the table with her fore-legs and knocked the tea cup over again. Zecora gave her an annoyed look as Mario rolled his eyes.
"I'll go make some more tea," Mario said bluntly as he walked off. Twilight noticed the sour expression on her coltfriend's face.
"Sweetie, are you okay?" Twilight asked with concern.
"Doing great!" Mario replied with both sarcasm and spite in his tone, "We just now banished from our homes thanks to the biggest pain in the flank in all of Equestria!" Mario snorted and headed back to the pot Zecora used to brew the tea and got to work. Zecora and Twilight looked concerned.
"It appears my training efforts must be doubled," said Zecora, "for within Mario I sense an deep inner struggle."
"Trixie's been bulling Mario ever since he was foal," Twilight explained, "And I still don't see why other than the fact he was a top student like I was."
"She just downright hates me, Twilight," said Mario bitterly, "And this is why: When I first met Trixie, she was just a filly starting out in performance magic. I saw her trying to show off some simple tricks, which she used to do very well too. In fact, the day I saw her perform for the first time was when she got her cutie mark. Being young, I was really impressed with her magic and I started learning performance magic as well. I figured if I could learn a few tricks of my own, we could be friends. It was at her birthday party that I performed my routine for everypony. They seemed to enjoy it, including Trixie. Then it was Trixie's turn to do her routine. It was a complete disaster. She had apparently attempted an advanced trick that caused the stage to collapse on top of her. I rushed over to help her out of wreckage, but she was furious. She blamed me for upstaging her and said that I ruined her party. She said that I would pay for what I had done to her."
As Mario spoke, a flashback was seen in a black and white montage showing when Young Mario was walking about and saw Young Trixie doing some magic tricks and then a bright flash appeared on her flank to show she had gotten her cutie mark. Young Mario smiled excitedly. He was then seen in his bedroom reading various books and learning some basic magic tricks. Then a small stage was seen surrounded by balloons and streamers where Mario finished his magic routine with the old rabbit out of a hat trick. The young ponies, including the Canterlot group, applauded excitedly, including Young Trixie. Then Young Trixie took to the stage as Young Mario watched her with a smile on his face. He then gasped and winced as the stage collapsed and rushed over to the cobalt filly to help her out. Young Trixie looked at him in rage as she yelled at Young Mario, making him cower back and look very sad. He then winced when she mentioned that he would pay for what had happened.
Back in the present, Mario had his back against Twilight and Zecora. A dark shadow appeared over his eyes, showing the anger that burned inside of his heart.
"From that day on, she's made it her mission to make me and anypony close to me miserable," Mario continued sternly, "Now she's gone too far and I am going to stop her if it's the last thing I do!" Mario raised his voice in the end. Twilight looked worried as Zecora remained calm, but the zebra knew she had alot of work to do.
Back in Ponyville, several banners of Trixie's silhouette were being hung all over the interior of Town Hall. Fluttershy and Rainbow were being forced to hang the banners as Rarity was hard at work creating them. Mayor Mare had been locked up inside of what appeared to be a giant birdcage as Trixie noticed Mr. and Mrs. Cake bringing in a giant chair made out of candy and other sweets. Plus little Pumpkin Cake was enjoying the ride.
"You two!" Trixie barked, "Hurry up with my throne!" Mr. and Mrs. Cake picked up their pace as Applejack, who was beside Trixie, was being forced to smash apples in a large bucket with her hooves.
"And you," said Trixie angrily to the orange pony as she was just smashing apples with a single fore-hoof, "how long do I have to wait for my applesauce facial?" Applejack glared.
"Forget it!" Applejack retorted as she turned away on her hind legs and crossed her fore-legs, "I ain't doing nothin' 'til you let Twilight and Mario come home!" Trixie then picked up Applejack with her magic and used two feathers to tickle her. Applejack started laughing uncontrollably.
"Okay, I'll do it!" Applejack said in her laughter, "Just make it stop! Hoo!" Trixie did stop the tickling, but decided to slam Applejack into some buckets of apples for good measure.
"I thought I told you to dance!" Trixie yelled, her eyes glowing red, as she blasted Pinkie with her magic, making the pink pony dance and twirl about against her will. Rarity then finished another banner as Rainbow and Fluttershy went to hang it up.
"Oh, Trixie's cruel magic is ruining Ponyville. Ow!" said Rarity as she used a regular needle and thread to make another banner, but then pricked herself and whined, "Oh, somepony has to help us!"
Back in the Everfree Forest, Zecora had asked Mario and Twilight to do some exercising near some a rather thick and dense part of the forest. The zebra was well aware of the fact they did parkour together and was now using their learned agility for another reason.
"Yes, yes," said Zecora as she did a handstand nearby the makeshift obstacle course, "in order for your magic to grow, you must let its energy flow. Obtain the energy from your surroundings you must, for to beat Trixie requires both patience and trust." Mario and Twilight just panted as the two ponies continued to make their way about the obstacle course. Then Mario stopped near a patch of extra thick forest.
"Why'd you stop?" Twilight asked as Mario looked rather uneasy at the dark part of the forest.
"Something isn't right..." said Mario quietly, "I...I feel cold..."
"Really?" said Twilight puzzled, "I'm breaking a sweat over here!"
"It is not the cold that brings you a shiver," Zecora replied, "For within those branches is the darkness that resides within us that gives you the quiver." Twilight cringed as Mario narrowed his eyes and ventured into the area.
"No..." Twilight called out.
"It is for the best," said Zecora, "that Mario ventures alone to face this test." Twilight then looked at Zecora and then found that Mario had already disappeared. Twilight just bit her lip with worry. Mario just kept steady as he went deeper into the area. The vines and marsh were so thick that even he found it difficult to see where he was going despite having his horn glowing. All seemed quiet, possibly too quiet, when a pony appeared before him. It was Trixie!
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" said Trixie deviously, "Do you think you'll ever get rid of me?"
"I don't think I can," said Mario sternly, "I know I can!" Mario made his horn glow, ready to fight as Trixie laughed him.
"You ruined me," said Trixie, "And now I'll ruin you. And I'll keep hurting you and the rest of your friends for the rest of your life!"
"NO!" Mario then fired a large and powerful magic blast at Trixie. The impact created a bright light. Mario had to turn away. When he was able to open his eyes, he found himself back in Ponyville, but he saw that things were not well. He saw ponies bound and chained. Black banners everywhere and dark clouds thundering in the sky.
"No!" said Mario in disbelief as maniacal laughter was heard. Mario turned around to see a cloaked pony.
"What is this, Trixie?" Mario yelled, "How dare you enslave Ponyville!"
"But Trixie didn't," said a voice that made Mario's heart drop, "You did!" The cloaked pony removed his hood to reveal himself as...Mario!? He was laughing manically as his eyes and horn glowing red.
"No!" said Mario as his eyes watered, "No! This...this can't be true! I would never...no...no..." Mario squatted down and began to cry. The surroundings revealing that all Mario had seen was an illusion. Once Mario was able to recompose himself and realize that it was just an illusion, he returned to the group, but hadn't bothered to wipe his eyes.
"Sweetheart?" Twilight asked worried once she saw how upset and distressed he looked. Zecora just shook her head in disappointment.
"There is no need to tell your tale," said Zecora, "one can clearly see that you failed." Mario said nothing and just looked at the ground as Twilight held him close. Mario began to cry again.
"I don't know what happened in there," said Twilight, "But just let it all out..." Mario cried harder. Twilight just kissed his cheek nuzzled his neck to comfort him.
Once he had settled, he just sat quietly, looking very glum as Zecora had Twilight using her magic to float on a small pond as the purple pony also rotated several orbs of water around her. Zecora just stood nearby standing on one hind legs and extending the other hind leg outward.
"Ah, no noise, no sound, no fuss must interfere with your focus," Zecora told Twilight, "Only then can victory be earned." Twilight then grunted as she found it harder to concentrate.
"Trixie is the highest level unicorn!" Twilight heard echo in her mind as well as laughter, which broke her concentration. Twilight yelped as she and the orbs of water fell into the pond. Twilight just poked her head out of the water.
"There is much, much that I can teach," said Zecora, "But the answer you both need may still be out of reach." Twilight sighed as she swam over to the edge of the pond as Zecora walked away.
"I'm sorry, Zecora," said Twilight sadly, "I'm trying my best, so is Mario, but...we can't stop thinking about Trixie. There was something different about her. It's like she's gone from high and mighty to mean and nasty."
"What's the difference?" Mario asked in a cold tone, "She's always like that."
"Not this time!" Twilight retorted, "She's not just being a bully and teasing. She being downright cruel. Mario, in all the years she's bullied you, had she ever crossed the line like this?" Mario was silent as Zecora remained indifferent.
"Both your thinking needs a readjust," Zecora told them, "Total concentration is a must." Twilight just sat down in the water, soaked and looking rather dejected. Mario was feeling no better.
"It's hopeless," said Mario. Twilight's head perked up and looked at him in shock.
"What did you say?" Twilight said, still stunned.
"It's hopeless," said Mario, "We're hopeless. We'll never defeat Trixie! We just be doomed to her tormenting us for the rest of our lives."
"No! No, we won't, Mario Star," said Twilight angrily as she got out of the water and walked up to his face, "We can figure this out. We are not giving up! And I won't let you give up either!" Mario just looked at her sadly. Twilight could see the pain in his eyes and she softened as she placed a fore-hoof on his chin.
"Sweetie, tell me," said Twilight, "what happened in that cold part of the forest?" Mario told Twilight what had happened. She listened attentively, trying to make sense of Mario's illusion as he wiped some spare tears that had escaped his eyes.
"I think I understand," said Twilight as she placed a fore-hoof on his chest, "You have alot of anger inside because of how Trixie had treated you all these years. The illusion is warning you that if you fight her with anger, you'll be no better than her. It would be like you were the pony being cruel to everypony else right now. This might sound strange coming from me, but...I think you need to forgive her."
"B-b-but s-she..." Mario stuttered.
"Mario, all that anger is only hurting one pony. You!" Twilight said sternly, "Being angry doesn't do anything to Trixie at all! What good is it to want revenge? Look at how petty it makes Trixie when she does it to you! Do you really want to be just like her?" Mario's lips quivered before he let out a very long exhale.
"No," said Mario, "I don't want to be angry and bitter anymore. I'm the element of love. I shouldn't feel this way...but I do..."
"There is nothing wrong with being angry," said Twilight, "or being hurt, but love is forgiveness, Mario. You'll feel better when you do it."
"Indeed," said Zecora, who had heard everything, "For your mind to reach a conclusion, forgiveness and peace of mind are the solution." Mario nodded in reply, but he still wasn't sure if he could do it.
Back in Ponyville, the outside area looked like a dark and dreary ghost town, with banners of Trixie hanging on the walls of several buildings as well as statues of her littering the area. The Great Oak Library stood ominously in the background as Golden Harvest and her sister tried to quickly seek shelter and refuge. Spike poked out of the curtains to look outside before walking back to the rest of mane seven, who were searching frantically to try and find something to help them defeat Trixie and get Twilight and Mario back into Ponyville.
"Ugh, this really doesn't seem to be getting us anywhere," Rarity complained as she tossed another book into a nearby pile. Pinkie then popped out of it as she made muffled noises in reply.
"I hear you, Pinkie," said Applejack, but it is debatable if Applejack did understand the pink pony at all, "I can't find anything that describes the kind of magic Trixie's doin'."
"Ugh, there must be something!" said Spike, "Twilight has every magic book there is! I already checked Mario's place. I'm glad Trixie doesn't know where he lives cause who knows what she'd do to the place." It was then some squeaks were heard as Charlie appeared on Spike's shoulder. He was clearly upset about Mario being gone, but was also thanking Spike for bringing him to the library for safekeeping.
"Anytime, little buddy," said Spike, "let's keep looking." It was then Fluttershy pulled out a book and opened it to find something she recognized around Trixie's neck.
"Um, I think I may have found something?" said Fluttershy quietly.
"Yes, it's time for us to consider our futures in this new Trixie-led Ponyville," said Rarity dramatically as she cut off Fluttershy.
"Um, this sounds an awful lot like Trixie's magic-" Fluttershy tried again in the same tone.
"She wants me to grow apples with no peels!" Applejack exclaimed, cutting off the yellow Pegasus, "Now how the hay am I supposed to do that?"
"Um, there's a picture of the necklace-" Fluttershy added quietly, but was still left unheard as Pinkie got between Rarity and Applejack and made muffle noises.
"It's called the Alicorn Amulet, and whoever wears it is blessed with untold-" Fluttershy tried to read aloud, but her soft tone made her ignored until Spike pulled the book right out of her fore-hoof.
"Hey, everypony, look!" said Spike, "This book has a picture of Trixie's necklace!" The rest of the ponies minus Fluttershy gathered around him.
"It's called the Alicorn Amulet," Spike read aloud, "and whoever wears it is blessed with untold powers!"
"If you read a little further, you'll see-" Fluttershy tried to add, but was cut off...again.
"Even though it provides great power," Rarity continued, "it also corrupts the user!"
"Yes, but, um, you can't-" Fluttershy stuttered, still unable to get anypony to listen to her.
"You can't just take the Alicorn Amulet off her neck," Spike added, "it has a magical lock! Trixie's the only pony who can take it off!"
"Maybe we could-" Fluttershy proposed.
"We need to get this information to Twilight and Mario," said Applejack, not even realizing she had finished Fluttershy's statement, "She'll know what to do."
"But, w-who-" Fluttershy stuttered.
"If any of us try to leave," Rarity pointed out, "Trixie's magical force field will tell her!"
"Maybe we should-" Fluttershy tried again to propose an idea, but the poor girl just couldn't get anypony to listen to her.
"I've got it!" said Rainbow, interrupting the yellow Pegasus, "Trying to sneak past the force field would be impossible without help, but I know who's got the goods to get into those woods!"
"It-it must be-" Fluttershy pondered nervously.
"Fluttershy!" said Rainbow as she scooped the yellow Pegasus up into her fore-legs.
"Whaaat?!" Fluttershy exclaimed in a now clearly audible tone as she landed on the floor with a thud.
"What do you say, Fluttershy?" Applejack asked as she walked up to the yellow Pegasus, who was currently trembling and holding a book over her head, "Can you handle the mission?"
"No! I'll crack under the pressure!" Fluttershy as she held the book on her head to her chest, "I'll snap like a twig!"
"Perfect!" said Rainbow as she scooped Fluttershy in her fore-legs again, "Fluttershy'll sneak out of Ponyville and find Twilight and Mario."
"But-but I, I-" Fluttershy tried to protest but was then dropped to the floor again with a thud. The other four ponies and Spike formed a circle and joined hooves, or claw in Spike's case, in the center. They turned to Fluttershy and smiled. Poor Fluttershy was just trembling and her teeth were chattering fearfully.
Just put your hoof down and tell them no, Fluttershy thought, You don't let your friends force you into doing something you don't want do anymore! You're not a pushover and they need to listen to you! True...but...we need help and Mario and Twilight need this information...and they all think I can do it...(sigh)...I guess I can vent about being ignored to Shenran or Mario later...
"Okay," said Fluttershy with a sigh and reluctantly put her fore-hoof out with the others.
"Alright!" said Applejack as all but Fluttershy cheer excitedly.
"I know just the design for a dangerous mission outfit!" said Rarity excitedly, but Fluttershy was just biting her lower lip and quivered fearfully.
Just outside the town area, Snips and Snails were being forced to pull Trixie about as she sat in a wooden chariot with no wheels on it.
"Pull, you fools!" Trixie ordered as she used her magic to crack a whip, "Somepony set off the magic force field, and Trixie intends to punish them!"
"But...wouldn't it be faster if we had some...wheels?" Snips asked, gasping for air and panting heavily.
"The Great and Powerful Trixie doesn't trust wheels," said Trixie bluntly, "Now pull faster!"
"I'm telling ya, Snips," said Snails as he panted, "She's getting weirder and weirder!" Snails was then cut off when Trixie cracked her whip again as they kept moving. It was then Trixie saw some beavers hitting their tails against the barrier.
"Stop! You there!" Trixie demanded as she brought the chariot to a stop, "What are you doing?!" The beaver then angrily chattered with Trixie and then pointed at a nearby log. Trixie just rolled her eyes before lifting the barrier so the beavers could carry the log out. She then transformed her wooden chariot into a larger golden luxury chariot that still lacked wheels.
"Gah, why is she so mean to us?" Snails groaned.
"Yeah!" Snips added, "I miss the day when she was just a fraud!" It was then Trixie cracked her whip again as she jumped the edge of the gold chariot with an angry look on her face. The two unicorn colts stopped talking and struggled to drag the overly sized chariot away. One beaver watched to make sure Trixie was far enough away before the other two beavers helped pull Fluttershy out of the log. She was now wearing a black outfit with blue boots, belt, and ear covers. But the fact that the two beavers had to pull Fluttershy out of the log had left the outfit torn and tattered. Plus one of her fore-boots was missing.
"Oh, oh, dear!" said Fluttershy, "Rarity's dangerous mission outfit is ruined! Guess we better go back!" Fluttershy laughed nervously but then was surround by the three beavers and various birds who reminded her of her mission.
"Oh, okay, okay, you're right," said Fluttershy, "I need to be brave and find Twilight and Mario." It was then a bird tweeted to her.
"Oh! Y-you found them?" said Fluttershy. The bird tweeted again.
"They are in the Everfree Forest?!" Fluttershy exclaimed as she tried to run back inside of the log, but the birds picked her up by her mane and tail to carry her into the Everfree Forest. The beavers followed close behind her.
"Oh this is me being brave!" said Fluttershy as she tried to run away...in the air, "I wanna be brave at home, locked in my closet, with my teddy bear! Oh, where's Shenran when I need him!"
Deep within the Everfree Forest, Mario had decided to venture back into the cold thick forest area once again. He knew he had to do this and this time he was going to be ready. Mario slowly made his way into the darkest part of the swampy area when he saw Trixie reappear.
"I'm surprised to see that you even came back," said Trixie, "Ready for round two?" Mario just took a deep breath.
"Yes I am," said Mario, "This time I know exactly I need to do."
"And what might that be?" Trixie asked indignantly. Mario looked at her sympathetically.
"I'm sorry" said Mario.
"Well, if you're going to..." Trixie said in shock before rapidly shaking her head, "Wait, what?!"
"I'm sorry," said Mario gently, "I'm sorry for everything I did to make you so angry at me." Trixie blinked. She was not expecting to hear that from Mario.
"I...I don't get it," said Trixie perplexed and Mario then pulled her into a hug.
"It's simple Trixie," said Mario, "What I'm really trying to say is...I forgive you...for everything. And I'm sorry I hurt your feelings." Mario then pulled away and smiled. Trixie blinked a bit, still in a state of shock before she looked at him sadly.
"Mario...I..."
"You don't need to say anything," Mario interrupted, "Just know the past is in the past."
"No, not that!" Trixie protested, "Mario, I need your help!"
"What's wrong?" Mario asked worried.
"Something's happening to me," said Trixie, "Something is making me act very cruel to everypony. I can feel it slowly consuming me. You have to believe me! I know I have no right to ask this of you, but please! Help me!"
"What is it Trixie?" Mario asked worried, "You can tell me!" Trixie then gasped as if she had seen something and ran away.
"Trixie! Wait!" Mario called as he went after her, "I know you're not lying! Please tell me! Trixie! Trixie!" Mario tried to follow but was soon pushing his way through a combination of vines and some bushes to try and go after her, but Trixie was out of sight.
"TRIXIE!" Mario shouted as he jumped out of a bush.
"EEEP!" Fluttershy yelped as Mario crashed into her. Mario quickly recovered and saw the yellow Pegasus next to him. Her outfit was now even more torn up and tattered then before.
"Fluttershy?" Mario asked. Fluttershy looked a bit dazed as she looked at the unicorn colt.
"Mario? Mario!" Fluttershy exclaimed excitedly as the two best friends hugged each other, "I'm so glad you're alright!"
"Same here," Mario answered, "but...how did you get out of the barrier?"
"Some beavers helped me disguise myself as a log and carried me out," Fluttershy explained.
"O...kay..." said Mario since Fluttershy's little summary didn't make much sense.
"But that's not important right now," said Fluttershy, "I have news regarding Trixie and why she's acting so mean and nasty."
"Well, C'mon!" said Mario excitedly, "Twilight's this way!" The two ponies made their way toward Zecora's house. Fluttershy wasted no time removing her dangerous mission outfit and explained everything to Zecora, Mario, and Twilight. As some more tribal music could be heard, Zecora offered Fluttershy some tea. The yellow Pegasus examined her cup for a moment before taking a slow sip.
"I can't believe I didn't recognize the Alicorn Amulet!" said Twilight as she paced back and forth.
"The more she uses it, the more it will corrupt her!" said Fluttershy.
"You're right about that," said Mario.
"What do you mean, sweetie?" Twilight asked curiously.
"I went to confront my illusion again," said Mario, "I was able to forgive Trixie. Once I did that, she told me that something was corrupting her and that she needed help. The power of the amulet is consuming her to the point that her actions aren't even her own anymore! We have to save her!"
"I agree," said Fluttershy, "and I'm so proud of you, big brother. Forgiving her must have been hard to do. Even I haven't completely forgiven the ponies who hurt me."
"It was," said Mario, "but my heart feels so much lighter for doing so. We just need to figure out how to get Trixie to remove the amulet."
"But how are we supposed to beat that amulet?" Twilight asked, "Our magic's not good enough."
"Twilight Sparkle, much work have you and Mario have done," said Zecora, "You learned all my lessons, all but one. If Trixie's tricks have you in a fix, you must nix your magic and use the six." Mario and Twilight pondered.
"Nix your magic, and use the six..." Twilight repeated, "Nix your magic, use the six! Use the six! that's it! Zecora, you're a genius!" The zebra smiled.
"Now we'll need to get you back inside Ponyville, Fluttershy," said Twilight as she approached the table and started writing down her new plan. Mario looked it over as Twilight was about to roll it up for Fluttershy to deliver.
"Wait," said Mario, "I need to add one more detail to your idea."
"What's that, sweetie?" Twilight asked.
"That I will be facing Trixie...alone," Mario replied as he jotted the detail down.
"What?!" Twilight and Fluttershy exclaimed, "Mario, I thought you forgave Trixie."
"I did," said Mario, "This confrontation is not meant to defeat Trixie, but wear her down a bit." Twilight looked puzzled.
"But...if you wanted to do a turn battle, wouldn't that be more effective if we did that together?" Twilight asked.
"The alicorn amulet has created a powerful magical bond with Trixie," Mario explained, "If that bond has grown as much as I think, Trixie might not be able to even remove the amulet even if she wanted to. If I can at least drain her magical resources a bit, it could weaken the magical bond with the amulet, making it easier for Trixie to remove it."
"You make me proud, Mario Star," said Zecora, "for you have come so far. By fighting with love, instead of hate, you just might defeat Trixie this very date." Mario and Twilight smiled with determination.
"Then let's do this," said Mario as Twilight modified the letter and then handed it to Fluttershy. Then Mario followed Fluttershy outside.
"I have a better way to get you back to the others at full speed," said Mario, "I learned a new spell with my love magic that only requires two ponies who share a strong bond of friendship with each other to work."
"You sure its "friendship"?" Fluttershy asked with a smirk on her face.
"Yes, Twilight insisted that I share this ability with our friends," Mario replied annoyingly.
"I see," said Fluttershy, "So...what do we have to do?"
"Well, tell me," said Mario, "Do you believe we can do anything? I know we can."
"I guess...I mean of course!" said Fluttershy, "I know that we can both do amazing things when we work together!"
"Then let give it a go!" said Mario, "It's time for the two of us to team up. It doesn't matter what obstacles Trixie puts in our way. We'll blow past everything she throws at us!" Fluttershy smiled and closed her eyes and Mario did the same. His horn then glowed pink. Then in slow motion both ponies jumped and twirled into the air on their hind legs. Both ponies reeled back as they looked at each other with confident smiles. Their left fore-hooves charged up a strong pink glow. Then...they made a loud hoof-bump that echoed when it vibrated. Now that they were both magically enhanced. They both curled up into their own ball and took off at high speed.
"FRIENDSHIP BOOST!" Mario shouted.
(Cue "Double Boost" theme music in the background - which has lyrics below)
Together we can show the world what we can do
You are next to me and I'm next to you
Pushing on through until the battle's won
Together Mario and Fluttershy took off at a speed fast enough to create a sonic rainboom, except this time, a pink colored draft appeared with a heart at the front. It only took them seconds before they had charged right out of the Everfree Forest.
"Yeah, that's how it's done!" said Mario, "We've got unstoppable speed and timing! Just have to keep this up!"
No pony's gonna give a thing to us
Into each other we put our trust
Standing united
After the fight...
"Here it comes!" Mario called out, "Spin jump and stay curled up at my command!" Fluttershy nodded as she noticed the barrier coming up fast.
"NOW!" Mario shouted as they spin jumped together. Within a time frame of about one and a half seconds. Mario and Fluttershy home attacked the barrier at high speed. The impact shattered a hole into the barrier, but the barrier immediately started to seal the opening. Mario then used his magic to pick up Fluttershy in her curled form and launched her toward the Great Oak at a speed even faster than their running speed just as the barrier repaired itself and Mario was bounced back from it, triggering the alarm. By the time Trixie was even able to step out of Town Hall to inspect for intruders, Fluttershy was already safely inside of the Great Oak Library.
And was now pasted deeply into a nearby wall face first.
The rest of the ponies and Spike were stunned to see Fluttershy enter so fast and now pasted on the wall.
"Good thing I opened the window right at that moment?" said Spike sheepishly as Fluttershy unpeeled herself and landed on the floor, dropping the letter.
"Uhh...what happened to you?" Rainbow asked.
"Mario...tried out his...friendship boost with me..." Fluttershy answered, still dizzy. Rainbow gasped.
"Mario perfected the friendship boost move?" said Rainbow excitedly with a squee, "awesome!"
"Hey, Twilight sent us a message," said Spike as he picked up the dropped note on the floor and opened it up, "Dear friends..."
"NO!" Fluttershy yelled as she snatched the note away, "I'm going to read this letter and you are all going to listen while I do and not interrupt me! GOT IT?" The other ponies just looked shocked.
"Uh...did we ignore you again?" Rainbow asked in an innocently and clueless tone.
"Never mind," said Fluttershy firmly, but calmly, "Just hush and I'll read the message." No pony said a word as Fluttershy did just that.
As the plan was being assembled, Trixie was still having Snips and Snails pull her about again in her giant golden chariot. She was not happy to be out and about either. She was still fuming over coming out not too long ago and not finding anypony trying to escape, which meant Mario's double boost and slingshot move had worked.
"This better not be another false alarm, or the Great and Powerful Trixie will-" Trixie vented until she gasped and saw both Twilight and Mario standing on the other side of the barrier with Zecora standing nearby.
"You!" said Trixie, "What's the matter, Twilight Sparkle and Mario Star? Not enjoying your exile?" Mario took a deep breath to stay calm, reminding himself that Trixie wasn't being herself right now.
"I know about the Alicorn Amulet," said Twilight, "I know you cheated. And I don't just mean by firing a cheap shot to send Mario flying to Zecora!"
"Cheated? Moi?" Trixie asked innocently.
"Yeah," Twilight answered, "And I thought you might wanna see what a real magical amulet looks like." Twilight then used her magic to show Trixie a gold amulet with a green broach in it, "Zecora gave it to me. It's from beyond the Everfree Forest and it's way more powerful than your measly Alicorn Amulet!" Twilight then put the amulet around her neck.
"Ha! Nothing's more powerful than the Alicorn Amulet!" said Trixie, her eyes glowing red as she spoke, "And nopony's more powerful than the Great and Powerful Trixie!"
"Care you put your amulet where your mouth is?" said Twilight, "How about another duel?"
"Why should I?" Trixie asked indignantly, "I already beat you and Mario."
"Well, technically we never dueled," said Mario, "I mean you blasted me away before we could even duel. Must have been afraid of me beating you or something."
"BE QUIET!" Trixie yelled as her eyes glowed red again.
"Then how about we actually duel, just you and me, for real this time," said Mario with a smug smile on his face, "unless you're...afraid to lose..." Trixie snarled.
"Well, Mario does have a good point," said Twilight, "That's up to you! But I guess you'll never see the totally awesome magic from beyond the Everfree Forest. Come on, Zecora. C'mon sweetheart. Let's go test this amulet out some more!"
"Okey-dokey!" Mario called out as the three ponies turned to leave.
"Wait!" said Trixie as she made the barrier disappeared and then teleported in front of Mario and Twilight, "Okay, okay, you're on! A second duel! This time we'll duel...the both of you." Twilight and Mario smirked.
"Let's a go time!" Mario said confidently.
Later on, the dark clouds rumbled and lightning cracked in the background. Twilight and Mario stood at one side of the front of Town Hall and Trixie stood on the other end. The other ponies gathered around to watch, including the rest of Mario and Twilight's friends. Mayor Mare was also there, but still in her caged prison. Trixie knelt forward a bit and gritted her teeth as her eye went red. Twilight stomped each fore-hoof firmly before glaring back at Trixie. Mario then bounced on all four of his hooves and then crouched down a bit with a smirk on his face.
"So who's first to taste their defeat to Trixie?" Trixie asked arrogantly.
"My Schmoopy of course," said Twilight. Despite the circumstances, the ponies standing nearby snickered.
"Give it rest," Mario remarked to the crowds, "You've heard Twilight call me that enough times already!"
"Well, Schmoopy, ready to taste defeat?" Trixie taunted. Mario just chuckled.
"If you mean yourself," said Mario, "Let's a go!" Mario then used his magic to create some safety barriers for what was now going to be a closed area battle.
(Cue favorite Kirby Boss Battle music)
Mario then stood on his hind legs and glared confidently for Trixie to make the first move.
"Let show everypony how pathetic you really are!" Trixie shouted as she began to fire one magic blast to another. Mario just took his time keep calm and dodging the attacks with ease, even doing a few cartwheels and somersaults to avoid the magic blasts.
"Quit moving around and fight me!" Trixie yelled.
"Okay," said Mario as he waited for a magic blast to appear. He then created a little vacuum with horn, sucking the magic blast into it. The ponies all gasped as the blast went into his horn, created a small lump in the middle of it. Mario smirked as he squatted down.
MIRROR MARIO!
With a quick flash of light, Mario reappeared wearing a red and green jesters hat and was holding a wand in his fore-hoof.
"What the-" said Trixie stunned, but then laughed, "If you wanna be a fool, then let's make you the punch line!" Trixie then fired a magic blast right at Mario. Mario smirked as he split into two Marios, allowing the magic blast to fly between them, and then Mario returned to being just one pony. Trixie growled as she fired another blast. Mario then stood on one hind leg and waved his wand to produce some mirror crystals. The magic blast bounced off of them and right back into Trixie, knocking her over and dealing heavy damage.
"Oh, you're gonna pay for that," said Trixie as she fired some more magic blasts in rapid session. Mario tried to avoid them, but then one hit him directly. The impact knocked him over and made him drop his Mirror power.
"Go Mario Go!" Rainbow called out. Mario quickly recovered and back-flipped just in time to avoid another blast.
"Stop jumping around!" Trixie complained, "You need to be put on ice!"
"Oh, good idea!" said Mario as he sucked up another one of Trixie's magic blasts and squatted down.
ICE MARIO!
With a flash of light, Mario's fur and tail were shades of blue and he had a crown with ice crystals on his head. Mario then just skated about as Trixie kept firing at him. Mario then blew an ice gust from his mouth at one blast that tried to hit him turning it into a block of ice. Mario then sent it flying at Trixie, knocking her into the air. Just as she landed on her fore-hooves, Mario slid next to her. He then squatted and flash froze her into a block of ice and sent her flying to the other side of the battle barrier. The ice shattered, damaging Trixie and knocked her off her hooves again. Trixie slowly recovered and growled.
"Time to bring on the heat!" Trixie cried as she fired larger and faster magic blasts at Mario. Mario discard his ice power then did multiple back-flips to avoid the attacks. Then used his horn to suck up another blast and then squatted.
FIRE MARIO!
With another flash of light, Mario's fur was the same color as Big Mac's, but his mane and tail were now flames, with a golden crown on his head. If you had forgotten, Mario's body is dark orange when he uses a fire flower. This form was different.
"Stop transforming!" Trixie snapped angrily.
"Why, are you gonna stop firing at me?" Mario asked. Trixie growled loudly as she started firing magic blast after magic blast in rapid session. Since she was fighting with more anger than precision, Mario had no problem avoiding the magic blasts, especially since he used his new fire powers to turn into a giant fireball and burst forward in short distances.
"Is that all you can do to attack me?" Mario taunted, "Whittle Trixie can't fight me up close and personal?" Trixie growled as she jumped at Mario. Mario then jumped over her and then...
BURP!
Belched some fire at her back end.
"HOT! HOT! HOT!" Trixie yelped as she jumped high into the air and moved out of the fire to used her magic to fan out her smoking tail. Trixie snarled.
"You'll never defeat me!" Trixie growled her eyes glowing red, but the sweat on her brow showed that she was running out of HP, or heath points.
"If you say so," said Mario, not believing her.
"No more Miss Nice Pony!" Trixie snarled as she then fired magic blasts that, when they hit the ground, created electric shock waves that spread about the battle field.
"Yah! Wah! Whoa!" said Mario as he barely jumped in time to avoid getting zapped when he finally saw a magic blast about to hit him from above. He quickly sucked up one of the blasts before it hit the ground with his horn and squatted.
SPARK MARIO! (which is the pony version of Plasma Kirby)
Mario transformed again, this time appearing a shade of pastel green with a mane and tail that were frazzled but charged with lots of electricity. Of course, he had a gold crown with electrocuted spikes on it. Trixie poured all the magic power she could muster up to make sure all Mario could do was dodge her and not attack, but that was what Mario had wanted. In order for Mario to charge up his electric attack, he had to move around to max its power. When Trixie finally needed a breather and stopped firing, Mario stood on the opposite side of the arena. His body was covered with electricity, creating an electric shield around himself.
"Give up?" Mario asked in a serious tone. Trixie growled.
"Never!" Trixie yelled as she panted heavily and started to charge her horn, but her exhaustion made trying to create a large magic blast slow. Mario then fired a fully charged electric blast at her.
"NO!" Trixie screamed as the blast hit her.
CRITICAL STRIKE!
Trixie was sent flying as she landed on the ground with a thud. She tried to get up but plopped to the ground in exhaustion.
Mario was the winner!
"Do the dance! Do the dance!" Twilight called out. Mario rolled his eyes and used his magic to discard the ability, and then created two more copies of himself.
(Cue favorite Kirby Dance fanfare!)
"HAI!" Mario shouted in a high pitched voice as he finished his dance with a victory pose on his hind legs. The protective barrier was lowered and everypony cheered...until Trixie managed to rise to her feet.
"You...cheated!" she exclaimed.
"How?" said Mario, "I didn't even have an amulet!" Trixie growled before rolled her eyes.
"Oh, whatever," said Trixie, "Just because you beat me doesn't mean your marefriend will, Mario!"
"We will see," said Twilight as she stepped forward and Mario stood with the rest of the group, who all patted his shoulder for a job well done, "I'm ready when you are!"
"Let's start with a simple age spell, shall we?" Trixie proposed.
"Let's," Twilight replied.
"Snips, Snails," Trixie ordered as the two unicorn colts stood in front of her. She then blasted her magic at them, turning them both into crying babies.
"And oldie, but a goodie, ha," Trixie bragged as her eyes glowed red again, "Now, let's see what your little charm can do."
"No problem," said Twilight as she took a step forward with her horn glowing, "Um, Applejack, Rarity? Could you help me, please?"
"Huh?" said Applejack.
"Huh?" Rarity replied soon after as the two mares walked up. Trixie just filed one of her fore-hooves. Twilight then looked at Mario who gave her a smirk, she returned it before firing a magic blast at both Applejack and Rarity. A smoke cloud appeared for a moment. Once it cleared, Applejack and Rarity were now little fillies. Trixie's eyes nearly popped out and her jaw dropped, but she quickly recomposed herself.
"Oh, ho-hum," said Trixie, "So you can do an age spell, big deal." Trixie waved Twilight off with her fore-hoof. Twilight just smiled as she fired another magic blast, turning Applejack and Rarity back to normal. Twilight then fired another magic blast as she leaned on her fore-hooves and had her hind legs slightly in the air. Now young Rarity was standing on top of Applejack. Another magic blast had the same position, except Applejack was now an old mare and struggling to hold adult Rarity on her back. Twilight then stood on her hind legs and bent over backwards to fire one more magic blast, which returned Applejack back to being her correct age as she and Rarity stood beside each other once again. Trixie was in complete disbelief.
"That's...that's impossible!" said Trixie in shock.
"That's nothing!" said Twilight as she looked behind her and saw Rainbow. She then fired a magic blast at her. The blue Pegasus looked up to see that above her was...herself?!
"Yow!" Rainbow yelped as the two Rainbows hovered in the air and mirrored each other.
"How did you-" Trixie exclaimed.
"Duplication spell," said Twilight, "Ever see a pony become a blend of two animals at once?" Twilight then pointed a Mario and fired a magic blast at him. The first gave him a raccoon tail and ears, which he wagged his tail a bit to rise into the air. The second blast gave him the body of a frog, which he hopped around a bit. The third blast gave him a hard black tortoise shell, with an unlimited supply of hammers for him to throw. One even conked Trixie on the head. The fourth blast gave him cat ears, claws, and tail, which Mario hissed at Trixie. The last one gave him the tail and ear of a bunny, which he bounced high into the air up and down twice. Then Twilight returned Mario to normal. Trixie was left dumbfounded.
"There's more!" said Twilight, "Ever see one pony play ten instruments?" Twilight then turned her head and fired a magic blast at Pinkie, who was standing between Golden Harvest, Lyra (who was drinking a hayshake and enjoying the show), and Bon Bon. The three ponies ducked as the magic blast hit Pinkie and she started playing the ten instruments. Pinkie then got into Trixie's face as she played from the right, the left, and even above the cobalt pony.
"This...this can't be!" Trixie exclaimed.
"Ooh, one more," said Twilight, "I can turn a mare into a stallion." Applejack's eye widened as she tried to run away, but it was too late. Twilight fired a magic blast at Applejack, turning her into a stallion.
"Eeyup," said Male Applejack bashfully before Twilight fired another magic blast and turned Applejack back into a mare. Though Applejack was left a little woozy from the transformation.
"Well, Trixie, looks like my amulet is more powerful than yours," said Twilight until she felt somepony tear the amulet off her neck, "Hey! Give it back!" Trixie grinned evilly as she laughed in triumph.
"With this amulet, I shall now rule all of Equestria!" Trixie declared as Twilight and Mario gasped. Trixie then pulled off the Alicorn Amulet, causing the red glow from her eyes and horn to disappear.
"Witness, my subjects!" Trixie bragged as she equipped the other amulet and held the Alicorn Amulet in her fore-hoof, "Gaze upon an ever greater and "powerful-er" Trixie!" Lightning clashed behind Trixie as Rainbow swooped down and snatched the Alicorn Amulet away from her.
"Hey!" Trixie scoffed, "I don't need that old Alicorn Amulet. I have this!" Trixie the fired her own magic blast at Rainbow. It was a direct hit, which jolted the blue Pegasus at first, but then she was laughing.
"Stop it!" Rainbow pleaded as the magic blast gave off weak electric crackles, "Tha-That tickles!"
"Tickle?!" Trixie exclaimed in shock, "That was supposed to make you writhe in agony! This amulet is defective! Give mine back!" Trixie then fired another magic blast, but Rainbow easily dodged it and flew over to Zecora.
"Sorry. This is going back into hiding where it belongs," said Rainbow as she dropped the amulet into a chest that Zecora was holding. Trixie growled until both Mario and Twilight wrapped a fore-leg around her.
"By the way, Trixie, the amulet around your neck?" said Twilight as she pointed at it, "It's one of Zecora's doorstops." The gem in the middle of the "amulet" then fell off and shattered at it hit the ground.
"But...how did you two do those spells?" Trixie asked, clearly upset, "Nopony can do those spells!"
"You're right. Not even me or Mario," said Twilight as she stood in front of Trixie and Mario stood beside her, "Well, Mario actually learned his spells from experimenting with spells we already knew. He combined a duplication and adaptation spell to allow him to copy your magic attacks. As for the animal changes, Mario simply expanded on the magic cookie recipes he used to make himself invincible. Instead, they turned him into animals that grant him special abilities. As for the rest of those spells, Zecora taught us so much about magic while we were in exile. She even taught us when not to use it. Our magic alone wasn't powerful enough to take on the Alicorn Amulet head to head...uhh...to head since there was two of us against one of you. Anyway, so we needed to use a different kind of magic - the magic of friendship."
As Twilight mentioned Zecora's teachings, a flashback was shown of Fluttershy sternly reading her message to the others, which also included Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, Granny Smith, and Big Mac. Then everypony was at the Carousel Boutique as Applejack painted Apple Bloom orange and yellow, Rarity used hair dye and a comb to make Sweetie Belle's mane and tail to look just like hers. Pinkie donned an artist's beret and painted Big Mac orange and yellow. Fluttershy was then putting on a rainbow wig as she looked at herself in the mirror. Then it was shown that as Twilight fired her magic blasts that a smoke cloud would appear, the ponies hiding secretly behind a Trixie statue would swap positions to make it look like Twilight had transformed or aged them. The same was seen with Mario as the magic dust cloud appeared and he would eat a magic cookie to turn himself into a different animal ability.
"We also knew that the only pony who could get the amulet off your neck was you," Twilight finished, "and we also figured that since the amulet was so powerful, we needed to wear the magic's power down a bit so you could remove it, which was why we had you fight Mario first."
"But..." said Trixie, still puzzled, "what about the pony with the ten instruments?"
"That's not magic," said Twilight, "that was just Pinkie Pie." Pinkie than just continued to play as the other ponies cheered and gathered around Twilight. Trixie just sheepishly backed away as the dark clouds above began to clear. Trixie didn't get too far before she bumped into Mario. Trixie just sighed.
"Okay...okay...you win," Trixie conceded reluctantly, "Just leave..."
"We need to talk," said Mario firmly as he stood beside her as Trixie looked at him nervously.
Later that night, Angel could be seen floating happily in the skies as Twilight used her magic to make the animals do their flying routine before everypony, including Princess Celestia and Saddle Arabian delegates. A Spike watched the show, he was holding Fluttershy, who had her face buried into his shoulder and was too frightened to watch. She did turn around to take a peek, but then looked away and continued trembling. Spike just patted her back for comfort as he and the crowds continued to ooh and awe at the sight. Just as Twilight had the animals do synchronized sky swimming, some fireworks exploded in the background. Princess Celestia and the Saddle Arabian delegates were amazed, but Twilight was puzzled as she set the animals down. She turned around to see Mario and a familiar cobalt blue unicorn, wearing her usual magician's cape and her horn glowing.
"Trixie?" Twilight said in surprise.
"It's the least I could do," said Trixie as she put her magicians hat on her head, "I treated you, Mario, and your friends so horribly when I wearing that Alicorn Amulet. I just couldn't control myself. You can forgive me, can't you?" Trixie didn't resist making a pouty face. Twilight just looked at her indifferently and rolled her eyes.
"Sweetie," said Mario gently. Twilight looked at her coltfriend, who just smiled and gave her a gesture to do so. Twilight couldn't resist smiling back.
"Hmmm. Sure," said Twilight bluntly.
"Oh, good," said Trixie, "Don't you think the Great and Apologetic Trixie is the most magnificent a humble pony you've ever seen?!" Twilight glanced as Mario, who just shrugged his shoulders.
"Canterlot wasn't built in a day," Mario said to her. Twilight just shook her head and rolled her eyes, but a smile was on her face. Trixie then attempted her smoke trick, but could be seen running off into the background, and tripping and falling on her face.
"Well, hopefully she learned her lesson this time," said Twilight to Mario as he stood beside her. Mario just smiled.
"I'm not too sure about the humility," said Mario, "But Trixie and I did talk things out and now she knows that I was never trying to upstage her all those years ago and she apologized. I was able to forgive her for real this time. I offered her friendship, but...she turned it down."
"Why?" Twilight asked.
"She said she had some issues that needed to be taken care of," said Mario, "but the door is always open whenever she's ready." Twilight smiled and kissed his cheek.
"I'm so proud of you, sweetie," said Twilight, "I'm glad you were at least able to settle things between the two of you."
"Thanks, sweetie," said Mario as he held her close, "I don't feel any anger towards her anymore. I wish her the best and hope someday that we can be friends..."
"I'm sure that day will come..." Twilight replied as they shared a quick kiss under the moonlight sky.
Just as the black fade out appeared to end this story.
(ANGRY MUFFLED YELLS)
Okay, okay, Pinkie! We'll get your mouth and nose back! Twilight!
Twilight then appeared and used her magic to restore Pinkie's mouth and nose. Pinkie inhaled to speak.
Oh Look! We're all out of time! See ya!
It seems that after all those years of being bullied that Mario had at least found peace with Trixie. I hope his journey wasn't too dark, but Mario needed to come to term with his anger regarding Trixie's bullying. He'll have more of these journeys in the future where he'll need to learn to let go of the past and truly forgive those who wronged him.
On the bright side, you got to see Mario do moves from Sonic Forces and Kirby.
Next chapter will probably have very little Mario in it, but I hope you'll tune in.
Peace Pony Fans!