Testing, Testing 1, 2, 3
Pony's Log Number 421: Studying is a skill that anypony can learn, but far too many ponies are narrow minded about how a pony can study the "right" way...
One fine day in Ponyville, Twilight and Mario were sitting on the front porch of their home. Twilight was just reading a book as Mario snuggled close to her while he watched his wife read the book aloud.
"The magical properties of this spell will only have lasting effects if you focus on-" Twilight read aloud when...
WHOOOSH!
"Yeah!" Rainbow shouted and laughed as she zoomed between Twilight and Mario and the book, causing several of the pages to rise into the air.
"No! Rainbow Dash!" Twilight grunted.
"Grrrr! Darn it, Dashie!" Mario grunted as well, "Can a stallion just cuddle his wife in peace?" Twilight just glared at the sky as she used her magic to collect the scattered pieces of paper, but she just crumpled them up and stuffed them into the book.
"How in Equestria does that pony expect to pass her history of the Wonderbolts exam tomorrow if she's wasting time flying?!" Twilight vented angrily as she flew into the air to collect some more sheets of paper, crumpling them up as she did so. Mario used his own magic to collect the sheets of paper while trying to iron them out and set them properly back into the book. Then Twilight smirked as she got an idea.
"Honey," Mario said slowly and suspiciously, "what are you thinking?"
"I'm just gonna fly right up to her and tell her what I think about her lackadaisical approach to studying!" Twilight told her husband.
"Sure it's worth the effort?" Mario asked, "We all know Dashie can be a lazy lump of Pegasi feathers. She might take it as a complement."
"Not with what I have to say," said Twilight sternly before hovering higher into the air, "Won't she be surprised!"
"Surprise!" Rainbow shouted as she casually appeared right into Twilight's face. Twilight was so startled as she dropped all the papers she had crumpled up. Mario flew up quickly to retrieve them as his wife recovered.
"What? Huh? How did you-" Twilight spluttered.
"Puh-lease, Twilight," said Rainbow as she reclined on her back on a cloud, "That was the worst sneak attack ever." Twilight gently floated down to the blue Pegasus but stumbled a bit as her hooves touched the top of the cloud.
"Wait, I don't remember you equipping..." then Mario realized something, "Oh right! We're Alicorns now! We don't need spells to walk on clouds anymore." Mario then landed beside his wife.
"Wha? But-" Twilight spluttered again, still trying to make sense of how Rainbow knew she was coming.
"I saw you giving me a stink-eye from the ground and heard you flying towards me and muttering from a mile away," said Rainbow dismissively as she rolled over and lay on her stomach, "Mario did have a good point. You can't sneak attack as Pegasus as awesome as me!"
"Hey, beautiful, wanna go out?" Mario asked while making his voice sound like Soarin.
"AAAH!" Rainbow screamed as she turned around to see Mario snickering at her.
"Not funny!" Rainbow remarked irritably, her cheeks light pink since she really thought it was Soarin.
"But I surprised you, didn't I?" Mario said smugly, even Twilight snickered quietly to herself. Rainbow just looked unamused as she let herself fall backwards off the cloud. Twilight looked worried for a second before she saw Rainbow reclining peacefully in her freefall. Twilight and Mario then flew after her.
"Well, if you heard me "muttering"," Twilight retorted to the blue Pegasus, "then you must know what I was "muttering" about."
"Yeah, yeah, the Wonderbolts history test," said Rainbow, "No big deal."
"No. Big Deal. Really big deal," said Twilight, "It's a test! A test that will determine if you can join the newly formed Wonderbolts Reserves, and being part of the Wonderbolts Reserves means you'll have the opportunity to live your dream as a Wonderbolt! This is the most important test of your life!"
"Twilight, not everypony gets all freaked out about tests like you," said Rainbow, "you and Mario actually."
"I...I mean...we...do not get "all freaked out" about tests!" Twilight retorted indignantly, waving her fore-legs about and looked away. Mario also looked away, feeling rather insecure.
"Uh, seriously?" Rainbow asked bluntly before looking at the two alicorns upside down, "Your freakouts are so epic, you sing freakout arias about freaking out."
"That's only happened once," said Mario annoyingly before adding indignantly with his fore-legs crossed, "besides...Twilight's really good at ballet dancing." Twilight just rolled her eyes.
"Fine, we may tend to take our test a little seriously," said Twilight as Rainbow went back to hovering in front of her right side up, "but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be studying for yours!" Twilight then smiled excitedly.
"Oooh! And I know just the pony who can help you: me!" said Twilight. Rainbow just face-hoofed herself.
"Just you?" Mario asked bluntly. Twilight didn't answer as she grabbed Rainbow's fore-hoof and then teleported everypony back inside the library. Rainbow found herself sitting behind a desk as Mario landed on his back end on the floor beside her.
"This is gonna be so much fun!" said Twilight as she stood in front an already set up blackboard with an pointer stick on her magic grasp.
"Sure. Fun," said Rainbow unenthusiastically as she leaned on her new desk. Mario just rolled his eyes.
He could tell that today was going to be a long day.
(Main theme)
Rainbow just sat quietly at her desk with a large pair of black shades to cover her eyes. Mario just rolled his eyes at her again when Twilight used her magic to place a rather thick book on her desk.
"Wha-huh?" Rainbow yelped, making her shades sit on top of her head and fell off.
"This is the most complete-" Twilight began to explain.
"And ginormous!" Rainbow added as she stared at the book.
"-book on the history of the Wonderbolts," said Twilight.
"Okay, but how am I supposed to get what's in there into here?" Rainbow asked as she tapped the book and then her fore-head. Twilight went to speak when Mario got in front of her.
"How about we try a little photographic memory?" Mario offered. Twilight glared at her husband for cutting her off.
"Photo-what?" Rainbow asked.
"Photographic memory," Mario repeated, "It mean remembering something by making a mental image in your head about what you see. You do it all the time when you learn the Wonderbolts aerobatic moves after all."
"Oh right," said Rainbow, "so...how do we do that with a book?"
"Read the first paragraph," said Mario, "try to remember what you read. Then read it again." Rainbow did, but she couldn't help but read it rather quickly only once.
"Okay...now what?" Rainbow asked. Mario then placed a fore-hoof over the page.
"Now tell me what you read," said Mario, "Tell me as many facts as you can."
"Uhh...umm...uhh..." Rainbow stuttered.
"Come on, Dashie," said Mario, "you had to have at least remembered something!" Rainbow stuttered and then growled.
"This is how you study?" Rainbow asked.
"Indeed," said Mario, "If I can remember what a page said by just looking at the page number or a picture, then that means I'm keeping the information in my head. When I'm really in the zone, I can memorize the contents of an entire book!"
"Seriously?" said Rainbow.
"Eeyup," said Mario, "But the trick is to start out in small chunks and then work your way to pages and so forth. That way you don't overwhelm yourself, especially when the book is rather big. After all, I can tell your mind is looking overwhelmed at the idea of memorizing that entire book." Rainbow felt her heart sink to her stomach as she started at the book.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!" Rainbow screamed as she held her head, "Owie! Owie, owie! Too much knowledge! Too much for my head! It hurts! Ow! It hurts!"
"Dashie, you've only read one paragraph!" said Mario annoyingly before adding with a smirk, "I thought you'd be up for the challenge! You aren't the type of pony to turn down a challenge." He had hoped stroking Rainbow's ego would get her motivated to try.
"I can't do it!"
Mario was then shocked to hear Rainbow surrender so quickly.
"Dashie, come on," said Mario, "Just treat the text as a picture."
"A picture I never want to see again," Rainbow muttered.
"Well, now that Professor Mario's study technique has proven to be ineffective..." said Twilight.
"Hey, that technique is what got me tied with you for head of the class for years thank you," said Mario indignantly.
"Maybe in the early years," said Twilight, "but the technique is very time consuming and inefficient for tests and exams that have only a couple of days to study."
"True, but it worked for me," Mario muttered.
"Until I came and gave you better study techniques," said Twilight a smug smile on her face. Mario just rolled his eyes at her.
"Right..." Mario remarked.
"So...what would you suggest to help me learn this stuff?" Rainbow asked Twilight.
"With my handy-dandy study checklist, or course!" said Twilight excitedly as she held up a clipboard with her magic.
"Of course," said Rainbow with a worried look on her face.
"You had to have seen that coming," Mario remarked when Twilight lightly smacked the top of his head with her clipboard.
"First up, reading and highlighting," said Twilight as she tucked the pencil behind her ear. Then Mario handed Rainbow a highlighter and the blue Pegasus got to work.
"Reading and highlighting is the foundation of any good study method," Twilight explained and Rainbow held the highlighter with her mouth and used her wings to turn the pages, "It allows the student to hone in and boil down on what's really important, separating the good from the bad, the wheat from the chaff, getting to the crux of things." Twilight then grabbed the book away from Rainbow.
"Let's see what you've got so far!" said Twilight.
"Um..." Rainbow said slowly. Twilight and Mario flinched when they opened the book when they saw the entire pages were covered in highlighter ink, which made the pages very shiny.
"Huh?" said Twilight as she flipped the pages to see Rainbow had done the same on other pages as well, "Hm, by highlighting everything, you don't really separate the wheat from the chaff...Or the good from the bad." Rainbow just had a bored look on her face when Twilight turned another page to see Rainbow has used the highlighter to draw a picture of herself. Then another page, which had a folding out page on it, had a drawing of Twilight that was clearly meant to be poking fun at her.
"Hey, I am not that tall!" Twilight protested. Rainbow just giggled to herself. Mario glared at Rainbow bitterly. He didn't like it when ponies made fun of his wife. Twilight just gave her an unamused look then decided to try something else.
"Okay, Rainbow," said Twilight with a sigh, "clearly reading and highlighting is not your style of studying."
"It's not as easy as it looks," said Mario, "Even I found myself highlighting the entire page when I first tried doing it...minus the mocking pictures!" Mario gave Rainbow a death glare as the blue Pegasus just smiled innocently.
"I remember dear," said Twilight plainly, "so let's move on to the tried and true. History lecture!" It was then Rainbow raised her fore-leg in the air.
"Yes, Rainbow?" Twilight asked.
"Is it snack time?" Rainbow asked as she held an already open lunch box.
"No," said Twilight.
"Recess?" Rainbow as she poked her head outside the window holding a soccer ball with her fore-hoof.
"No," said Twilight. Rainbow sighed.
"Can't we just watch the history of the Wonderbolts movie?!" Rainbow whined as she forced herself to drag her body back to her seat.
"No!" Twilight snapped before recomposing herself with a smile, "Now, just get comfortable, and experience the magic of learning. Um...honey...what's with the stick." Mario smirked as he stood beside Rainbow, who was looking very bored. Mario then quickly flicked the stick to the ground in front of Rainbow.
THWACK!
"Yaaaah!" Rainbow yelped as the sound of the stick, making her sit up at attention. Twilight just looked unamused and used her magic to take Mario's stick away and tossed it aside. Mario just glared.
"I'll be upstairs if anypony cares," Mario remarked as he slowly headed on his way. Twilight just watched him disappear before beginning her lecture.
"Ahem," said Twilight as she began as she drew pictures of Celestia and Luna, "Prior to the great Celestia/Luna rift, there was no need for the Earth, Unicorn, Pegasi, or E.U.P. Guard." Twilight then drew a line between the two sisters as Rainbow sighed and leaned forward a bit. She nearly lost her balance but was able to regain it, causing her chair to creak as she readjusted herself on it.
"But after Luna's banishment, the Protective Pony Platoons were formed," Twilight continued, "On the anniversary of the first Celestial year of peace, a celebration was held." As Twilight spoke, Rainbow began to make her stool creak in a rhythmic fashion as she donned a dorky smile on her face. Owlowiscious then appeared and started hooting with the squeak of the chair. Then Spike appeared with a drum and started playing it to the beat from Rainbow's left and then from her right. Charlie than arrived and started playing a tambourine to the beat.
"Headed by General Firefly," Twilight pressed on, completely unaware to the commotion behind her, "an elite team of aerial performers were chosen to help celebrate this auspicious occasion. The first performance was so full of energy, so highly charged, that magical lightning showered down on the crowd. Everypony was so filled with amazement and wonder that General Firefly dubbed them "the Wonderbolts"!" Twilight had been drawing some pictures of the Pegasi and used four pieces of chalk to draw out a firework explosion. Rainbow then twirled around on her stool as she bounced up and down on it as Spike, Charlie, and Owlowiscious continued their beat. Mario had returned downstairs and saw the four goofing around. He was about to head over to his wife when Twilight turned around and created a image of the Wonderbolts insignia with her magic. That was when she saw all the commotion. Twilight was stunned for a moment when Owlowiscious, Spike, and Charlie saw her staring at them and zipped away, leaving Rainbow alone and still wobbling about, enjoying herself. Twilight then noticed Mario had returned and opened her mouth to speak.
"I just got here and was gonna tell you what was happening," Mario told her. Twilight glared at Rainbow.
"Rainbow Dash," Twilight called out, "Can you repeat any of my lesson?" Rainbow just kept wobbling a bit on her stool and smiled sheepishly. Twilight then used her magic to pull the stool out from under the blue Pegasus, making Rainbow fall onto the floor with a thud. Twilight then headed to her checklist and went to take a seat when...
HONK!
She found out that somepony had put a horn under her chair. Rainbow snorted and laughed to herself. She then waved off Owlowiscious, Charlie, and Spike, who just smiled and backed away. Mario walked up to her and glared at her sternly.
"You know," said Mario, "I get this feeling that in flight school one of your best friends must have been the pony in charge of detention." Rainbow glared and gave him a raspberry.
Later, Twilight had decided to take Rainbow and her husband outside.
"History lecture...nope," said Twilight with a sigh as she marked it off her checklist, "Okay Rainbow-"
"Uh honey," said Mario as he hovered and was scouting the area for the blue Pegasus, "our student appears to have skipped class."
"Rainbow? Rainbow Dash!" Twilight called out.
"Here!" said Rainbow as she suddenly appeared above the sign of the Library and sat down on it.
"Where in Equestria did you go?" Mario asked irritably.
"You know that if I have to sit still for too long that I gotta take a short flight!" Rainbow retorted as a matter of fact.
"Oh brother," said Mario, knowing Rainbow hadn't been sitting still that much.
"Let's move on to my favorite style of learning: flashcards!" said Twilight as she showed the blue Pegasus some note cards with her magic.
"YAY!" said Mario excitedly and clapped his fore-hooves. Twilight smiled at the support.
"Oh, does that mean I'll learn in a flash?" Rainbow asked as she flew off to the right and flew off to the left.
"Let's find out!" said Mario deviously as he held up some cards and made his horn glow to summon a turn battle.
"Mario, don't!" said Twilight, "We both agreed that the sticker and battle card turn battle styles are not very popular. We tried 'em and we'd promised to never use them again." Mario sighed and put his battle cards away and just sat beside Rainbow with a huff.
"Well dear, let's hope Rainbow will actually try to learn," said Mario to his wife.
"One can only hope, honey," said Twilight as she held up a flash card, took a deep breath, that had a picture of a Wonderbolt general on it, "Colonel Purple Dart, the leader of the Wonderbolts in the Fourth Celestial Era, was known for his-wha?!" It was then a spit wad shot the card out of the sky.
"Rainbow! Did you see what happened?" Twilight asked frantically.
"What? No! I was...riveted by your captivating cards!" Rainbow replied quickly innocently.
"Mario?" Twilight asked.
"I didn't see who shot it," said Mario, giving Rainbow the stink eye, "But I'll keep a better watch since I have a pretty good guess who did that."
"Hmm..." Twilight glared before used her magic to show another card, "After becoming the official flying squadron for Princess Celestia, she honored them with-" It was then another spit wad shot the card away, "Gotcha!"
"Got what?" Rainbow asked innocently as she reclined on the Library sign.
"I saw you shoot that spit wad!" said Mario sternly.
"I got nothing," said Rainbow casually showing him her hooves that nothing was there, even opening her wings to show nothing. Mario and Twilight glared before the latter presented another card.
"The original Wonderbolts lightning bolt insignia was-YAH!" Twilight was cut off as she lowered her card and Rainbow shot a spit wad right at her, but she moved the card and her head out of the way, "Rainbow Dash, you could have hurt me!"
"With a spit wad? Really?" Rainbow Dash asked as she hovered in the air with the straw in her mouth.
"A spit wad to the eye would have been no laughing matter!" said Twilight as she grabbed the straw with her magic and snapped it in half, "Just ask my husband!"
"You seriously got hurt with a spit wad?" Rainbow asked in apathetic tone as she peeked out from behind the Library sign. Mario growled at her.
"Somepony tried to shot one at Twilight back during our days in magic school," said Mario, "I jumped in the way and took the hit. I had to wear an eye patch for four days! This was one of very few incidents where Twilight knew I saved her."
"Did you get another kissy-wissy?" Rainbow cooed in a teasing tone. Mario snorted.
"No, but that honey glazed donut she bought me was very delicious," Mario answered as Twilight giggled, but then the purple Alicorn glared as Rainbow just made a disgusted face.
"Well, if you can horse around like this, then you clearly must be ready for the test," said Twilight as she tucked the cards under her wing. Then she and Mario walked away.
"Clearly," said Rainbow cockily. Mario snickered.
"Right into our trap," he muttered to his wife.
"Well then," said Twilight to Rainbow, "I guess you're also ready for a..." Twilight and Mario then teleported in front of Rainbow.
"Pop Quiz!" said Twilight as she narrowed her eyes at the blue Pegasus.
"Prove to us you've got what it takes," Mario added with his eyes narrowed at her, "If you pass our quiz, we'll admit our study techniques were no good. If you lose..."
"I'm not wearing that giant bow!" Rainbow snapped.
"Fine!" Mario remarked with an eye roll, "Guess I'll just settle with you realizing being confident isn't enough to succeed at certain things."
"Bring it!" said Rainbow cockily. Mario and Twilight then teleported Rainbow back into the main room of the Library. Twilight then appeared hovering beside Rainbow from the right and Mario from the left.
"The initials E.U.P. stand for what?" Twilight asked.
"Ernie's undercooked pancakes," Rainbow answered bluntly.
"The original aerial team performed for...?" Twilight asked as she and Mario switched places.
"Celestia's cereal celebration," Rainbow answered.
"The Wonderbolts were given their name by this famous Pegasus?" Twilight asked as she landed before muttering to Mario, "Please don't say Colonel Waffle..."
"...or Lieutenant French Toast..." Mario muttered back to his wife.
"Hello? General Blazing Donut Glaze!" Rainbow scoffed as she hovered in the air before the two alicorns, "So, did I ace it or what?"
"Or what?" Twilight remarked, "You didn't get one answer correct."
"If you were going for a donut," Mario remarked as he made the treat appear from his mane and showed it to the Blue Pegasus, "Then I guess you won just that because it's shaped in the same number as your score for the pop-quiz. A BIG ZERO!" Mario then broke the donut in half, gobbled down his half and used his magic to give his wife the other half. She just took smaller bites of it as Rainbow looked stunned.
"What?" Rainbow exclaimed as she sat down on the floor, "But-but how?"
"I don't know," said Twilight, "I've never heard answers so wrong! And so breakfast related!" It was then Rainbow's stomach growled.
"I don't know what's more upsetting to me, Dashie," said Mario, "The fact you haven't tried to learn anything about the history of the Wonderbolts or the fact you've been so busy showing off to even eat breakfast this morning!"
"If you had taken the official test today..." Twilight added and Rainbow gasped as she realized that truth.
"My dream of being in the Wonderbolts Reserve would have been crushed," Rainbow realized as she covered her face with her fore-hooves and her wings. She then gasped again, "What am I gonna do? I'm running out of time! I don't know any of this history!" Rainbow then hovered about before gettin into Twilight Mario's faces.
"I'm gonna fail!" Rainbow said dramatically. Rainbow then burst out of the front door.
"I'm gonna fail, I'm gonna fail, I'm gonna fail!" Rainbow repeated as she hovered around the front of the Library.
"Rainbow, calm down," said Mario.
"And it's all your fault!" Rainbow snapped.
"Our fault?!" Mario and Twilight retorted together.
"I'm the one helping you!" said Twilight sternly.
"Maybe your famous study methods aren't all they're cracked up to be, eh, teacher?!" Rainbow replied in a mocking manner.
"Excuse me," said Twilight, clearly offended.
"You didn't even give any of our techniques a chance!" Mario shot back, "As I recall, all you did was make fun of my wife, tune her out when she was giving a lecture, and shot spit wads at her flash cards! As for my technique, you gave up without even giving it a try!"
"We've used them to study for many a test and passed!" Twilight added.
"We did more than just pass, my love," said Mario, "We got As! Perfect scores too!"
"Yeah, right," said Rainbow, snubbed the two alicorns.
"Do you know the name of the premiere Wonderbolts choreographer?" Twilight asked her.
"Uh, well-" Rainbow stuttered.
"Commander Easyglider," said Twilight, "Do you know how many Pegasi flew in the original squad?"
"Um-" Rainbow stuttered again.
"Seven!" Twilight said firmly, "Do you know Princess Celestia's favorite flight pattern?! The Icaranian Sun Salutation! See? I could pass the test. In fact, Mario actually took the exam an got a perfect score!" Mario then made his test sheet appear showing he had gotten a perfect score on it.
"Why in Equestria did Mario have to take the exam?" Rainbow asked.
"I just took it for fun," said Mario, "But at least I can hang out with Spitfire and have legitimate proof that I can be there besides my royal status." Rainbow as agape for a moment before giving Mario a fierce glare.
"Fine! Rub it in, why don't ya?" Rainbow snapped as she landed and sat with her back against the two alicorns, "Besides, I don't see why I have to take this lousy test anyway. I've proven I'm one of the best flyers around." Mario chuckled irritably.
"Being a Wonderbolt takes more than just having raw talent, Dashie," Mario said, "Spitfire would say the same to you. She would also take offense of what you said too!"
"Yeah right!" Rainbow retorted. Neither did the three ponies noticed that Fluttershy was just watching the them from a short distance away.
"Knowing the origin and being able to properly represent them for all of Equestria is just as important," said Twilight.
"Yeah, right," said Rainbow with an eye roll, "Some history buffs like you two must have made that up to bring us flyers down!" Mario was offended, but kept his composure.
"You just said you're all wings and no brains," Mario said bluntly.
"I...um...uhh...oh be quiet!" Rainbow retorted angrily.
"Don't yell at him!" Twilight snapped, "Knowing history actually is beneficial, Rainbow." Rainbow blew them both a raspberry.
"Beneficial for eggheads!" said Rainbow indignantly as she hovered above them.
"Girls," said Fluttershy with an unamused look on her face.
"Well, this egghead and the egghead I married know history and can fly!" said Twilight as she and Mario hovered up to the Blue Pegasus.
"Just 'cause you've both got wings," said Rainbow, "doesn't mean you two can fly!"
"Girls!" Fluttershy called out in a slightly louder tone.
"Twilight's barely able to just get off the ground," Rainbow added spitefully, "and Mario probably cheated or got an easy test!" The two alicorns gasped.
"You take that back!" Mario demanded angrily.
"No!" Rainbow snapped.
"Take it back!" Mario shouted, "I never cheat and my wife is twice the flier you'll EVER be!"
"Only in your lovesick mind!" Rainbow shouted back as she stared the two alicorns down. Mario and Twilight grunted angrily at her as Rainbow grunted back.
"Girls! STOP!" Fluttershy snapped in a stern tone at she pushed them apart. Mario glared at her bitterly. Fluttershy nearly glared back until she realized that Mario wasn't angry with her, but rather hurt.
"Oops, I kept saying girls," said Fluttershy, "Sorry, big brother." Mario just snorted in reply as he crossed his fore-legs.
"Now, is that any way to talk to a friend?" Fluttershy asked all three of them. The three ponies all softened and shared sheepishly looks on their faces.
"Sorry," said Twilight and Mario together to Rainbow.
"Yeah, sorry," said Rainbow to both alicorns.
"Don't you have more important things to do?" Fluttershy asked Twilight and Mario, "Like prepare Rainbow for her big test?"
"We've tried everything, Fluttershy," said Twilight, "But none of our study methods work for her."
"All Rainbow could do was make fun of us," Mario remarked sadly.
"I said I was sorry!" said Rainbow sadly before looking away.
"Okay, okay," said Mario, "my bad."
"Well, no offense to your teaching methods, Twilight and Mario," said Fluttershy as she walked up to the alicorn couple, "but I think I may have a way to help Rainbow." Rainbow smiled excitedly.
A little later, a stage had been set up for what appeared to be a play of some sort. Opal was on stage, trying to look like Princess Luna. Angel was also on stage, dressed up like Princess Celestia. Spike, wearing a black beret on his head, was the director of the play and sat on the side of the stage with the script on his claws. Mario, Twilight, Rainbow, and Fluttershy were now watching the play, but it was clear that Rainbow had no idea at all of what was going on.
"Oh, who's that, who's that?" Rainbow asked eagerly.
"Celestia and Luna," Fluttershy replied, "back when they were happy." Opal just meowed and then pretended to faint. Angel just looked shocked. Fluttershy just smiled giddily at the scene. Rainbow looked puzzled. Then Owlowiscious appeared and put Opal onto the backdrop moon. Opal then just reclined snootily on it. It was then Tank and Winona appeared on stage, along with Gummy, whom Spike had to literally push across the stage before running off. Tank had on an aviators hat and goggles. Winona had a purple unicorn horn on her head. Gummy...was just Gummy. The three animals then bowed before Angel.
"Uh...now what?" Rainbow asked curiously.
"Gummy's an Earth pony, Winona's a unicorn, and Tank is a Pegasus," Fluttershy explained.
"They're the E.U.P.," Twilight added, "helping to protect the Princess."
"Uh, how are you getting all this?" Rainbow asked. Twilight just gave her a bored look in reply.
"And look!" said Mario, "Here comes General Firefly." It was then Charlie appeared onstage wearing a military jacket and hat, along with cardboard wings tied into his back. The koala then gave the audience an over the top smile.
"Way to ham it up, Charlie," Mario remarked, feeling very embarassed at the koala's lack of humility.
"He's your koala, Mario Star," said Fluttershy and Twilight.
"Oh good grief," Mario retorted with an eye roll. Charlie then did some squeaks as if he was instructing Tank. Tank then rose into the air with Gummy sucking on one of his feet. Winona just started scratching herself as Angel fell asleep on stage. Rainbow looked more confused than ever and Twilight and Mario both looked rather bored. Owlowiscious then put Angel on the backdrop sun. Spike then made a frantic gesture while biting his lip. Angel then gestured as if he was trying to raise the sun. Tank then flew into the backdrop of the sun, knocking Angel off of it.
"Oh, no!" Fluttershy exclaimed as Owlowiscious caught Angel before the bunny hit the ground, but at the same time, Owlowiscious slammed into the backdrop of the moon, knocking Opal off of it. Spike managed to catch Opal before the cat hit the ground. Tank then dived at Charlie, knocking him onto his back. Charlie quickly got up and squeaked at him angrily, before yelping as Tank came at him again and chased the koala right off the stage. Then the backdrop moon broke loose and started rolling after Spike and Opal despite the fact that it was crescent shaped.
"Stop, stop, stop!" Rainbow pleaded as she hovered into the air and flew off, "That was aw-"
"Awesome!" said Pinkie as she appeared out of the blue and then bounced in around, "I give it three woohoo's! Woohoo, woohoo, woohoo! And an extra "woo" for good measure! Woo!"
"Well, I give it a "whoa, whoa, what?"" Rainbow remarked, "I'm totally confused and I just wanna go home...Whoa-Hey!" Rainbow had tried to take off but then found that Pinkie had grabbed her tail and pulled her back down.
"Whoa your woes there, woeful," Pinkie retorted, "Some ponies learn through theatrical presentation, but other ponies learn through musical intervention."
"Oh please no..." Mario groaned.
"Hey! You said I was a good rapper!" Pinkie remarked. Mario blinked.
"Oh, your gonna rap?" said Mario, "Well...that's different! Do you need a beat, Pinks?"
"I got it all covered but thanks anyway," Pinkie replied before she zipped away, leaving Rainbow looking rather puzzled.
[Pinkie - The viewed resembled a 1980s and 1990s rap video. Pinkie was wearing a black wide brimmed hat, large blue sweater with a watch necklace, black pants and sneakers on her hind hooves. Pinkie rapped as some beatboxing and turntable scratching could be heard in the background. The later thanks to DJ-Pon3. The background also continued to shift colors throughout the song.]
Well, back in ancient times, there were the Wonderbolts of old
A general named Firefly, amazing and so...
[Pinkie, Goldengrape, and Dr. Hooves - the two stallions, dresses in street attire, stood on Pinkie's left and right as they rapped and bopped to the beat.]
Bold!
[Pinkie]
She brought them all together, spreading unity...
[Pinkie, Goldengrape, and Dr. Hooves - the three ponies moon-walked in place.]
In flight!
[Pinkie]
Performing at their very best with wonder...
[Pinkie, Goldengrape, and Dr. Hooves - the view zoomed in on both of Pinkie's backup rappers as they bopped to the beat.]
And with might!
[Pinkie - she then skateboarded on a half-pipe before showing herself facing to the left and to the right.]
There's Admiral Fairweather and the Colonel Purple...
[Pinkie, Goldengrape, and Dr. Hooves]
Dart!
[Pinkie - continued bopping to the beat then turned to the right.]
Gave Wonderbolts a bit of steel along with...
[Pinkie, Goldengrape, and Dr. Hooves - DJ. Pon3 was shown doing some more record scratching.]
Lots of heart!
[Pinkie - the background continued to change colors behind Pinkie.]
An admiral named Fairy Flight and general called...
[Pinkie, Goldengrape, and Dr. Hooves]
Flash!
[Pinkie]
Helped the 'bolts fly super high...
[Pinkie, Goldengrape, and Dr. Hooves]
With style and panache!
[Pinkie - She waved her fore-hooves up and down.]
Commander Easyglider was the real cream of...
[Pinkie, Goldengrape, and Dr. Hooves]
The crop!
[Pinkie - Pinkie then danced in place on her hind legs with mirror images of herself dancing to the right and left of her in the background.]
For her wicked moves, the Wonderbolts...
[Pinkie, Goldengrape, and Dr. Hooves]
Soared to the top!
[Pinkie - Pinkie then chanted as DJ Pon3 was seen record scratching again.]
Wonderbolts, yeah! Wonderbolts...
[Pinkie, Goldengrape, and Dr. Hooves - Pinkie flicked a fore-leg as her two backup rappers appeared behind her. ]
Huh!
[Pinkie - Pinkie then zoomed in from the background to the foreground a couple of times, the last time with DJ Pon3 at her right. The latter also had lifted her shades to show her eyes as she smiled.]
Wonderbolts, yeah! Wonderbolts...
[Pinkie, Goldengrape, and Dr. Hooves - she then threw her fore-legs downward so they crossed at her hooves.]
Unh!
[Pinkie Pie - She stood next to an insignia of the Wonderbolts, which pulsed to the beat of the music. Then she stood with the insignia behind her to the right along with her backup rappers.]
That is my rappin' history of the Wonderbolts!
With the flip of the screen, Pinkie was now out of her rappers outfit. Twilight was stunned while Rainbow had a poker face.
"So, d'you get it?" Pinkie asked Rainbow, who smiled excitedly.
"Yes, Pinkie Pie!" said Rainbow before she attempted a very poor version of her rap style sounds, "General This and Colonel That, they're the Wonderbolts, something that rhymes with that!" Pinkie just looked at Rainbow for a moment with a blank expression on her face.
"That...was pretty terrible," said Pinkie.
"What?! No...really?" said Rainbow looking very upset as she looked at Pinkie, then Twilight, and then Pinkie again, "But I've gotta learn this stuff! Now!"
"Um...Twilight," said Fluttershy as she tapped the purple's pony's shoulder, "Make your husband stop, please!" Twilight turned to see Mario wearing a backwards baseball cap, black sunglasses, and standing on his hind legs.
[Mario - He stood on a wooden stage with black background and just a spotlight over himself. He waved his fore-legs about as he tried to rap on his own.]
So we're finally here, performing for you
If you know the words, you can join in too
Put your hooves together, if you want to clap
As we take you though this pony rap! Huh!
mmmph?!
Mario was then cut off as Pinkie shoved a fore-hoof to his mouth. His spotlight and background disappearing.
"Mario, there's is a reason why that rap is known for having lyrics that are "so bad that its good"," Pinkie replied, "Don't try to ponify it. It's better being associated with Donkey Kong 64. The video gamers will thank you for it."
"Donkey who? Video gamers?!" Mario asked puzzled.
"Never mind, the readers know what I'm talking about," said Pinkie as the rest of the group just rolled their eyes.
"What am I gonna do?" Rainbow asked and then chose that moment to run off as Twilight and Fluttershy shared worried looks with each other. Rainbow didn't run too far before he was stopped by a familiar marshmallow pony who was wearing what looked like a cross between an old time military outfit and a marching band outfit.
"And I am just the pony to help!" said Rarity.
"Rarity, you look ridiculous," said Rainbow.
"Does not!" said Mario, now out of his rapper outfit. Rarity gave him a smile and a wave of her fore-hoof to say she would deal with the blue Pegasus.
"I am going to ignore that comment out of my desire to help you," said Rarity. Rainbow just looked back at the group, who just gave her smiles.
"Good luck," Rainbow remarked, not hiding the sarcasm in her voice.
It wasn't long before Rarity had brought Rainbow back to the Carousel Boutique.
"Get ready, Rainbow Dash," Rarity told the blue Pegasus as they walked inside, "for I am going to take you on an historical adventure in fashion!" A spotlight then appeared under Rarity, "I am now modeling the rather unattractive, and frankly itchy, original Wonderbolts flying costume. Fortunately thanks to the vision of Flair d'Mare, the Wonderbolts ensemble became more streamlined in a wonderfully breathable fabric. Of course, there were fashion hits...and misses." It was then a spotlight appeared on Pinkie, who was now wearing a militant's jacket, an overly sized hat, and some gray wide-legged pants.
"Just look at those dreadful bell-bottoms," Rarity told Rainbow, "What were ponies thinking?"
"I dunno," said Pinkie, "I bet General Flash rocked these things!"
"Don't you mean General Flash was grooving those things?" Mario asked from somewhere off-screen.
"Ehh...whatever," said Pinkie dismissively. Rainbow then yelped.
"Pinkie, you're real!" said Rainbow in shock.
"Of course I'm real," Pinkie replied, "I mean I'm not the real General Flash, the tenth leader of the Wonderbolts, but I, Pinkie, am really real." Rainbow was too stunned to reply when Fluttershy walked up to her wearing a hat similar to Pinkie's, but it had gold wings on the lip of the cap. Her jacket had blue and yellow ringed polka dots on it with some boots that had the lightning crest on them as well as some bracelets.
"And I'm Admiral Fairy Flight," said Fluttershy, "from the seventh squadron." Rainbow just flinched and sat down when Twilight appeared. She was wearing a dark gray aviators jacket with polka dots on it along with a World War II style military hat that had a wooden crest on the side of it. She was also wearing black shades.
"And of course you recognize Commander Easyglider," Twilight told Rainbow as her shades slid down her eyes, who just looked at the purple pony and her outfit skeptically. It was then Applejack walked up to her wearing a light blue marching band style hat with a matching shirt that had lots of medals on it with black pants that had yellow vertical stripes on them.
"And I'm sportin' some sort of getup worn by Colonel Purple Dart," said Applejack as Rainbow started looking rather flustered and started to breathe in a panicked fashion.
"And you gotta recognize this outfit," said Mario as he appeared wearing the modern day Wonderbolts attire that had a special crest on it show that it belonged to an Admiral, "I look pretty good don't I?" Rainbow did answer.
"Just look at us," said Rarity as she walked up to Rainbow and got in her face, making the blue Pegasus cringe.
"Look at us," said Twilight as she leaned into Rainbow's face.
"Look at me!" said Pinkie as she appeared above Rainbow.
"It's too much for my eyes!" Rainbow screamed as she flew to the side and covered her eyes with her fore-hooves.
"Oh, come on!" said Mario annoyed, "We don't look that bad! Sure, most of the outfits are vintage, but that doesn't mean we don't look bad in them!"
"Are you seriously saying we look...pretty in these things?" Twilight asked stunned. Mario gave her a smirk.
"Beautiful mares can look good in anything," said Mario, referring to his wife as well as the other girls. They smiled but Rainbow just groaned in disagreement.
"Now don't you fret, Rainbow," said Applejack as she tossed the hat on her head aside, "This fashion show nonsense wouldn't help me learn nothin', either." Rarity glared indignantly, but it was unseen by the orange pony and blue Pegasus.
"Really?" said Rainbow as she followed Applejack out of the Boutique, "Well, what special study trick do you have, AJ?"
"Who, me?" Applejack replied, "Oh, I got nothing." Rainbow just sighed to herself.
"Why, I could tell you every little thing there is to know about the history of apples," Applejack continued, "but I picked all that up over years in the field as a labor of love. Mario is the only exception, since he read all about our apples and had hands on experience."
"It's like that pony can do anything," Rainbow remarked annoyingly.
"Actually, he's struggles with spelling when he writes," said Applejack, "plus his hoof-writing is terrible. He also really bad at sculpting things cause his hooves get shakey."
"I'm right here ya know!" Mario snapped.
"How much time you got?" Applejack asked Rainbow, ignoring Mario.
"Twelve hours," Rainbow replied.
"Oh, then you are up a creek," said Applejack as she walked away. Rainbow just sat down sadly when Twilight appeared floating some flash cards over the Pegasus.
"Oh, I think we should just go back to old-fashioned studying," Twilight suggested.
"Sometimes, the best way is the old-fashioned way," Mario added persuasively.
"What about our play?" Fluttershy asked with Opal, Angel, and Charlie sitting on her back and still in costume. Rainbow just looked at the yellow Pegasus and the critters worriedly.
"Just looked at these costumes!" Rarity told Rainbow as she showed the blue Pegasus another outfit. Then Applejack shoved Rarity out of the way.
"And Granny Smith discovered the first granny smith in Fillydelphia," Applejack said, "when she was just a filly!"
"Uh, what does that have to do with the Wonderbolts, sis?" Mario asked.
"Nothin'," said Applejack, "But its somethin' worth knowing." Mario just made a long face and said nothing. Then Pinkie appeared wearing her watch necklace and black brimmed hat.
[Pinkie Pie]
Commander Easyglider was the real cream of the crop-
"Pinkie, stop rapping!" Twilight snapped, "This isn't gonna help Rainbow!"
[Pinkie Pie]
Well, I suggest you put down your silly cards of flash,
For I know that they cannot help our good friend Rainbow Dash
Soon everypony was arguing with each other. Rainbow was flustered in seconds.
"Enough!" Rainbow screamed, "No rapping, no cards, no costumes, no play, and no apples!" As Rainbow shouted, she flicked Pinkie's hat, flicked Twilight's horn, pulled Rarity's hat over her eyes, then got into Fluttershy's face about the play and making Spike feel dejected, and then yelled at Applejack.
"I am never gonna pass this test, ever!" Rainbow yelled, "Just forget it!" Rainbow then took off in a streak of rainbow into the sky. The others just felt very sad, knowing this had let their friend down.
Rainbow flew to the outskirts of Ponyville quickly. Twilight and Mario did their best to try and catch up with the blue Pegasus. Mario managed to do so without much fuss, but Twilight needed a moment to catch her breath.
"Rainbow, I'm sorry about all that!" said Twilight, "We didn't mean to overwhelm you!"
"It's okay," said Rainbow, "You and Mario were just trying to help. It's just too bad I'm too dumb to learn anything."
"You not dumb!" said Twilight as she and Mario hovered beside her, "You just learn differently!"
"If by "differently" you mean "not at all"," said Rainbow, "then you're totally right."
"Rainbow, seriously..." Mario began.
"I was trying!" said Rainbow angrily, "What you think is me being lazy, is how I feel when I can't get the information to sink in!"
"Okay, okay, I believe you," said Mario, raising his fore-hooves in front of himself defensively.
"Doesn't matter does it?" said Rainbow, "I'm just dumb."
"No, that's totally wrong," said Twilight as she hovered in front of her.
"See? Wrong again," said Rainbow as she lowered her elevation. Twilight and Mario just pondered and looked at each other a bit before they went to catch up with Rainbow.
"I don't know anypony that's read more Daring Do books than you," said Twilight.
"You probably know the series even better than we do now," Mario added.
"Well, that's not going to get me into the Wonderbolts," said Rainbow as she looked at the ground below. Down below she noticed the Cutie Mark Crusaders and Big Mac talking with Filthy Rich.
"And your knowledge of jokes and pranks is only rivaled by Pinkie," said Twilight.
"Great," said Rainbow sarcastically, "My years of being a class clown prevented me from actually learning how to learn."
"That's not what I meant," said Twilight.
"Yeah, we're just saying that you can learn something when you're motivated to do so," said Mario, "what other pony has learned many of the Wonderbolt's flying moves by just watching them perform a few times? Not many ponies can do that, even I'm having trouble doing some of their moves."
"Yeah, right," said Rainbow, "I've never seen you crash!"
"That's because I always practice by the lake and away from town," said Mario, "I actually tried to practice behind our home and I crashed into the main room once..." Mario shuttered, "Wife not happy about that..."
"I see..." said Rainbow with an unsympathetic tone.
"Rainbow," said Twilight, "you're smart, creative, initiative, and -Ugh!" Twilight was then surprised to see Rainbow shove her to the side. Rainbow had also sent Mario flying back as well since Twilight had collided with him.
"What was that for?!" Mario demanded.
"Hey! I know you're upset," said Twilight indignantly, "but you don't need to-" Twilight and Mario were then taken aback when they noticed a pony pedaling a helicopter in the sky.
"Whoa...I almost slammed into that!" said Twilight as she and Mario sat on a cloud.
"I'm so sorry, honey," said Mario, "I was supposed to be watching the skies and I lost focus when we were talking."
"I know," said Rainbow as she hovered before the alicorn couple, "You two were jabbing so much you didn't even notice."
"But how did you notice?" said Rainbow, "You were listening and talking to me this whole time!"
"Ha-heh, you're such a rookie," said Rainbow with a chuckle, "An experienced flyer like me knows how to multi-task."
"While you fly?" said Twilight surprised.
"Of course, Twilight," said Mario, "A good flyer needs to be fully aware of what is going on around them. It's a pretty difficult task, even I'm nowhere close to mastering the skill."
"You'll do it," said Rainbow, "It's essential! Yes, I was paying attention to you, but was also scanning the sky and the ground for any problems."
"Really?" Twilight said amazed.
"Flying's not just flying," said Rainbow as the sound of a VHS rewinding was heard.
"In order to stay safe in the sky," Rainbow explained, "I've got to hear and see everything down to the littlest of details. For instance, I saw Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo come out of Sugarcube Corner, and from the looks of it, they had carrot cupcakes with sprinkles. And I'm thinking Big Mac sold a huge order of apples to Filthy Rich 'cause I heard him give a very hearty-"
"Eeyup," said Big Mac and Rainbow together. As Rainbow explained, three fillies walking out of Sugarcube Corner with their lips covered in frosting and crumbs. Big Mac stood beside a cart loaded with apples as Filthy Rich opened a suitcase that one could guess was filled with lots of bits. Mario smirked as Twilight just listened with her jaw open.
"I always make note of everything when I fly," said Rainbow, "No biggie." Twilight then smiled and gasped.
"Oh my gosh!" Twilight gasped.
"What?" Rainbow asked.
"Gotta go!" said Twilight, "Come on, honey!" Twilight then flew off, pulling Mario with her. Rainbow just watch them leave with a puzzled look before looking rather sad.
"Yeah, I get it," said Rainbow, "I wouldn't want to hang out with a loser like me either." Rainbow then took a seat on the cloud and gave a sad groan as she curled up into it. The cloud then turned gray to match her mood as some thunder rumbled from it. Mario looked back to see how sad Rainbow looked.
"Honey, wait!" said Mario.
"What's wrong?" Twilight asked.
"Can you manage your plan on your own while I give Dashie a little one-on-one?" said Mario, "I think she needs it." Twilight looked back for a moment and just gave him a smile and nod. Mario flew back to Rainbow, who he could tell was fighting back tears. He gently landed on the cloud in front of her. Rainbow then sat up.
"Have you...ever felt...like your dream...just...no matter how hard you tried..." Rainbow stuttered, her voice cracking.
"Yes, Dashie," said Mario, "I do. A dream is never easy, but you can't give up..."
"I already have!" Rainbow cried out as she let her tears fall and began to cry. Mario just pulled her in for a secure hug and just held her as the blue Pegasus cried herself out on his shoulder.
Back at the Library, Twilight had called out the rest of the Mane seven at the top most balcony.
"Thanks for meeting me, everypony," said Twilight as she made her landing.
"What is it, Twilight?" said Applejack.
"Where's Mario?" Pinkie asked curiously.
"He's keeping Rainbow company," said Twilight.
"That's a good idea," said Fluttershy, "Mario is a really good friend to open up with and I'm glad Rainbow knows that."
"Same here," said Twilight as she looked into her telescope. She saw that Mario and Rainbow were just talking to each other. Twilight could see that Rainbow as still crying and that Mario was listening and offering her comfort when she needed it. Seeing Rainbow crying only made Twilight want to help the blue Pegasus even more.
"We have to help Rainbow Dash," said Twilight to the rest of the group as she continued to watch Mario and Rainbow.
"Yes, but how?" Fluttershy asked.
"We've tried every kind of studying," Rarity pointed out, "My way, your way..."
"But we haven't tried Rainbow Dash's way," said Twilight as she faced the group.
"Hmm, I'm intrigued," said Pinkie with a serious face as she put her black rapping hat on her head. Some record scratching was then heard in the background.
"Okay, listen up, ponies," said Twilight as the group gathered around, "here's the plan." She then whispered her plan to the others, but also made a mental note to fill Mario in later.
A little later that day, Rainbow was just continuing to sit sadly on her gray cloud. While crying had helped her vent out her feelings a bit, she wasn't feeling that much better. Mario had left her alone for a bit to give her some personal space, but as soon as he returned home, Twilight filled him in on the plan. Now the alicorn couple were heading back to the depressed blue Pegasus.
"Hey, Rainbow," said Twilight as she and Mario appeared behind the cloud, "Wanna go for a fly?"
"It might help you clear your mind than just sitting here all day," Mario added.
"Sure," said Rainbow with a sigh as she got off her cloud and they went on their way, "Got nothing better to do. Didn't we just do this?"
"Yes, but like you said," said Twilight when she stumbled a bit and smiled sheepishly, "I'm such a newbie, I need all the practice I can get."
"Why not just go with Mario?" Rainbow asked, "He's the better flyer and you two could have made it a date."
"Maybe," said Mario, "But I'm still not that good with knowing my surroundings. I still need to watch how the master does it." Rainbow just sighed again as the three ponies continued on their way.
"Yeah, well, I'm sure you'll become a great flyer in no time," said Rainbow, "After all, you're both good at everything." Rainbow then flew ahead a bit. Twilight and Mario glared at her for a moment before they looked at each other, shared some smirks, and then caught up to the blue Pegasus.
"So...what's going on?" Twilight asked.
"Oh, nothing," said Rainbow, "Just getting my dreams crushed." Twilight then took a slow breath.
"I saw you and Mario through my telescope," said Twilight, "I hope he was able to help you."
"Not really help me with my problem, but he was a good listener and good for a hug," said Rainbow before trying to sound threatening, but ended up sounding depressed, "Don't tell anypony I was crying and that I said I liked being hugged!"
"I won't," said Twilight, "but I hope you know that if you ever needed to cry or want a hug, we're all here for you."
"Thanks," said Rainbow in a dreary tone. Twilight could tell Rainbow probably wouldn't open up like that with them anytime soon and sought to change the subject.
"Uh...read any good books lately?" Twilight asked.
"Just history books," Rainbow sighed, "I'd tell what they were about, but my brain is as dry as a rock."
"Maybe you tried too hard to absorb all the information," said Mario, "that's happened to me from time to time. I could read an entire book cover to cover, but I can't recall anything from it."
"Or maybe I'm just too dumb to learn anything," said Rainbow, "I bet my brain is a rock." Mario snorted as the group flew around a cloud.
"Speaking of rocks," said Twilight, "did you know Pinkie Pie grew up on a rock farm?" Mario gave his wife a funny look.
Well that was a random change of topic Mario thought.
"Maybe I'll go work there as I have no other plans for the rest of my life," said Rainbow sadly.
"Oh, come on now, Rainbow," said Twilight, "You can't give up on your dreams!"
"Seems my dream has given up on me," said Rainbow.
"I know how that feels," said Mario, "especially after my accident."
"At least you've got a chance to redeem yourself at the Equestria Games in a few weeks," Rainbow pointed out, "and you found out that Twilight loves you after all." Twilight looked rigid for a moment.
"What does that..." Twilight then blinked as Mario looked away, his cheeks turning bright red.
"Being married to me was one of your dreams?" Twilight asked her husband. Mario's cheeks went to a darker shade of red as he nodded sheepishly. Twilight giggled.
"Well, I'm glad I could make your dream come true," Twilight replied as they shared a little nose nuzzle.
"Guess I need to find a new dream," Rainbow remarked, "Maybe I'll learn to shine shoes, sell hats, dig ditches..."
"Or maybe you'll be a Wonderbolt," said Twilight as she did a loop-de-loop through a cloud and Mario lightly clapped for her.
"Twilight, give it up!" said Rainbow as she landed in front yard of her Cloudominium, "I have."
"Maybe in your mind, but not in your heart," said Mario.
"What does that mean?" Rainbow asked.
"Remember when Twilight broke my heart," said Mario, but noticed Twilight look rather guilty, "How I wanted to give up on trying to get her to love me?"
"Yeah," said Rainbow, "You kept your distance, but in your heart, you still kept hope that she would come around. You didn't give up completely."
"And I think in your heart, you haven't completely given up either," said Mario.
"You don't know how I feel!" Rainbow shot back.
"Okay, then let's go inside and smash all your Wonderbolt memorabilia," said Mario, "we could also tear up all the posters and set them on fire."
"You're not touching any of my Wonderbolt stuff!" Rainbow shouted angrily.
"Why not?" Mario replied casually, "You said you gave up on the dream. You don't need it anymore."
"Yes I do," said Rainbow, "Just because I can't make the reserves doesn't mean I can't get into the Wonderbolts at all! Maybe there's still a chance and I..." Rainbow blinked and suddenly gave Mario a very sheepish smile. She understood what he was trying to say. Mario and Twilight smirked.
"So, what do you remember about our flight?" Twilight asked. Rainbow just sighed.
"Nothing important," said Rainbow with a sigh and in a bored tone, "Except after Luna was banished to the moon, Celestia needed protective forces, so Earth, unicorn, and Pegasi formed the E.U.P Guard of Protective Pony Platoons." Rainbow then blinked in surprise at what she had just said.
"Yes...?" Twilight nodded.
"And, at the celebration of the first Celestial year of peace," Rainbow continued with more upbeat tone to her voice, "an elite flying squadron performed, headed by General Firefly, who later named the group the Wonderbolts!"
"Uh-huh...?" said Twilight, feeling more excited.
"Tell us more!" Mario encouraged excitedly.
"Commander Easyglider established the flight choreography that is still used by the Wonderbolts today!" said Rainbow with a back flip.
"Yes!" said Twilight and Mario happily.
"I...I know the history!" said Rainbow, "I know it all! But how in Equestria did that happen?"
"You learned it!" said Twilight as she put a fore-leg around Rainbow's shoulder.
"All on your own!" Mario added and did the same gesture from the other side of the blue Pegasus.
"Yeah, I got that!" said Rainbow, slightly annoyed, "But how?"
"Well, on our first flight, I discovered that you catalogue everything that happens all around you when you're flying, without even thinking about it!" Twilight explained, "Don't you see?" It was then the VHS rewinding was heard again as Twilight continued, "I made use of your special skills by enlisting everypony to help you learn the history of the Wonderbolts!" As the three ponies were talking in the sky, Rainbow had been absent-mindedly watching the ground below. The first thing she saw was Fluttershy and Rarity, who were dressed up at Princess Celestia and Princess Luna respectively.
"I, Princess Celestia, banish you, Princess Luna, to the moon!" said Fluttershy to Rarity.
"Noooooo!" Rarity exclaimed dramatically. Further ahead were the Cutie Mark Crusaders.
"Earth!" shouted Apple Bloom.
"Unicorn!" shouted Sweetie Belle.
"Pegasus!" shouted Scootaloo. The three fillies then created a pyramid as they stood on Big Mac's back.
"E!" shouted Apple Bloom.
"U!" shouted Sweetie Belle.
"P!" shouted Scootaloo.
"Eeyup!" Big Mac replied from below the pyramid.
"Let us celebrate our first Celestial year of peace!" Fluttershy announced as she flew into the foreground.
"Yes, let's party!" said Pinkie as she wore an old Wonderbolts outfit and stood next to a cannon, "I'm General Firefly! Gee, my costume is itchy and unattractive, but I'm gonna assemble an awesome flying team!" Pinkie then fired her cannon, shooting out confetti shaped like the Wonderbolt crest on it.
"I'll call them...the Wonderbolts!" Pinkie shouted. Further ahead, Rarity appeared wearing her own military outfit.
"Streamlined style by Flair d'Mare!" said Rarity. It was then several Pegasi appeared dressed in Wonderbolt attire, many of them taking to the sky and doing some minor flying tricks.
"Admiral Fairweather!" said one Pegasi.
"Colonel Purple Dart!" said Downdraft.
"Admiral Fairy Flight," said Sassaflash.
"General Flash!" said another Pegasi.
"Commander Easyglider!" said High Note. As the flight continued, Rainbow noticed that grass hedges were shaped into the Wonderbolt insignia and several ponies were holding up giant posters with pictures of Wonderbolt related content on them. Applejack had even done the insignia crop circle style on the ground. Fluttershy then stood on top of the tower of the Carousel Boutique, which had the Wonderbolt flag hanging from it.
"The history of the Wonderbolts!" said Fluttershy as she flew into the air and fireworks exploded in the background.
Rainbow then landed below where the rest of the Mane seven were waiting for her.
"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" Rainbow said excitedly, "Thank you! Thank you all so much!"
"You're welcome," said Twilight as she and Mario landed beside Rainbow. Twilight decided to explain when Rainbow gave her a puzzled look, "but it all came from you. You learned without knowing you're learning. Your main focus is flying, but then your brain is also absorbing lots of other information! It's actually really brilliant!"
"I wish I could do that," said Mario.
"Ha, I always knew I was brilliant!" Rainbow said with a smug smile.
"Glad to see your back to normal," said Mario with some sarcasm in her tone. Rainbow gave him a raspberry before they all laughed.
Back at the library, Twilight and Mario were sitting side by side as Twilight wrote her entry into the friendship journal.
"Rainbow Dash finally learned the history of the Wonderbolts," Twilight recited aloud, "but she's not the only pony that needed a lesson; I needed to learn something just as important. One way of learning isn't better than another. After all, every pony is unique and individual."
"Well said," said Mario when Twilight handed him the quill.
"I think you should add something as well," Twilight said with a smile. Mario nodded as he took the quill with his magic and pondered a bit.
"When it comes to learning, it is important to have good friends who can help you study," Mario recited as he wrote into the journal, "while their study methods might not always work for you, they can still work together to help you find the study method that helps you learn best. With good friends, anypony can be a genius. After all, smart ponies are awesome!"
"I agree," said Twilight before adding smugly, "I am pretty awesome!"
"Yes, yes you are, dear," said Mario with an eye roll before chuckling to himself.
Meanwhile, Rainbow was busy taking her exam in a room where a Wonderbolt cadet was just sitting at a teacher's desk reading a newspaper. Rainbow didn't need long before she finished her exam and slapped it onto the table. The cadet just gave her a blank look before he began skimming over her answers. Rainbow did her best to keep her cool composure, but the fact the cadet said nothing as he looked over her test made her anxiety reveal itself. Then the instructor put the test on the table with a poker face. Rainbow then landed, thinking she had failed the exam. But her sadness was soon turned to joy when the cadet stamped a star sticker on it that said:
100%
Rainbow had gotten a perfect score!
"Yeeeaah! Whoo!" said Rainbow excitedly as she grabbed her test paper and hovered into the air.
She was now in the Wonderbolt Reserves!
It was late afternoon when Rainbow arrived back at the Library and knocked loudly on the door. Twilight opened the door with Mario standing beside her.
"Hey, how did it go?" Twilight asked when Rainbow shoved her test papers into the alicorns' face.
"Check out who got a perfect score!" said Rainbow cockily, "Guess not only you eggheads can do that! Ha!" Twilight just rolled her eyes as Mario chuckled to himself.
"Well, congratulations Dashie," said Mario, "I'm sure Pinkie already found out and is planning your celebration party as we speak."
"Aw, you ruined the surprise!" Pinkie remarked as she randomly popped out of the bushes and gave the alicorn stallion a glare, but quickly smiled when she saw Rainbow, "Come to Sugarcube Corner when you're done here!" Pinkie then bounced away, Rainbow waited until Pinkie was gone before speaking again.
"I wanted to thank you two both for helping me," said Rainbow, "and for not letting me give up on my dream. I know I wouldn't have got this score without you guys."
"Well, that's what friends are for Dashie," said Mario, "Just like you've always got our backs. We've always got yours." Rainbow smiled.
"Glad I have such good friends," said Rainbow, "I hate it when I get so...upset..."
"Rainbow, it's nothing to be embarassed about," said Twilight, "My husband's a big sweetheart. If there's anypony you can cry with, it's him!" Rainbow chuckled.
"Yeah, he's really easy to do that with and I don't feel so...embarassed about it," said Rainbow, "I guess what I'm asking is..."
"I'm perfectly fine if you need to confide in my husband," said Twilight, "I just hope someday you'll know that you can open up with all of us. We are all here for you after all."
"She is right," said Mario, "We all love you, Dashie. We wouldn't judge you just because you're feeling insecure or starting crying around us." Rainbow sighed.
"I'll think about it," said Rainbow, "Maybe next time, I guess I could try confiding in you and Twilight. Maybe..." Mario and Twilight exchanged smiles.
"Well, we'll both be here when you need to talk," said Twilight.
"Thanks," said Rainbow, "now come on! We've got a party to go to!" The alicorn couple chuckled as the three ponies headed to Sugarcube Corner.
Tonight was a night to celebrate as Rainbow took one more step closer to achieving her dream.
I apologize if Mario's study technique seemed a little...un-original. I may have been alot like Twilight back in the day in terms of studying, but the photographic memory technique was how I studied, even though it wasn't too time efficient because I have an issue being too detailed with facts and such...but hey, I graduated collage with a 3.6 so...it worked more or less.
Plus kudos if you caught my joke regarding one the biggest flaws of recent Paper Mario games, which was the turn battle system. And I'll leave it up to you if you think Pinkie stopping Mario from "ponifying" the DK rap was a good idea or not!
Next time: Welcome to Rainbow Falls! The town of real-estate trading! I'll be your host! Would you like to make a trade?
Peace Pony Fans!