Friendship is Magic: The Seventh Element

by Master Mr B

"When the sixth element is revealed, a special element can appear that is a combination of the other six. It serves as the controller that bounds the power if the six elements together. But nobody, not even the royal sisters, have ever uncovered this...Seventh Element..." Follow my OC as he takes part in the adventures of FiM. And possibly win the heart of Twilight Sparkle...

164. Fame and Misfortune

Fame and Misfortune

Pony's Log Number 714: As an experienced writer, I know with any published work comes critics and haters, but this time they've gone too far...

It was a beautiful day in Ponyville as Mario and Twilight were sharing an afternoon date together. Twilight could tell that Mario was looking very excited.

"Mario, you look more hyped than Pinkie Pie before a party," Twilight chuckled, "Why are you so excited?" Mario giggled.

"Maybe I just look forward to our dates and spending time with the most beautiful pony in Equestria," said Mario with a sly smirk. Twilight smirked.

"That's be very sweet if you weren't lying," Twilight remarked, "Now what's going on here?" Mario didn't look phased and kept smirking.

"Just follow me, beautiful," said Mario, "You'll find out once we get to our first stop." Twilight just sighed annoyingly, but still couldn't help but giggle. After all, Mario just implied he had a surprise for her and she couldn't wait to see what it was. She was even more surprised when they arrived at the Carousel Boutique.

"Is the surprise here?" Twilight asked as Rarity opened the door.

"Mario! You told her!" Rarity exclaimed.

"I didn't," Mario replied, "Twilight's just being nosy. After all, I came to get something to give my honorary cutie, Sweetie Belle." Mario gave Rarity a wink. Since Twilight didn't see it, she took offense and snorted jealously. Rarity chuckled.

"Right this way," said Rarity as Mario gestured for Twilight to follow. Twilight just glared at her husband but still followed with a snooty and jealous look on her face. Rarity then handed Mario a nicely wrapped package.

"Bet Sweetie Belle will love it," Twilight remarked with alot of spite on her tone. Mario laughed, making Twilight look even more irritated.

"Maybe. Too bad it's for you," said Mario as he wiggled his eye brows at her. Twilight snorted and slapped his shoulder.

"You're evil!" Twilight mock whined and snatched the package with her magic. She unwrapped the package and opened it. She gasped at what was inside. There inside the box was a barrette hairclip in the shape of a buttercup flower with yellow gems of various sizes.

"Mario..." Twilight exclaimed in shock.

"I know you're not one to wear jewelry and such, sweetie," said Mario, "But after our little dream where I got to meet my parents. I hope you would wear this in honor of Buttercup. Since...you're my buttercup." Twilight gave Mario a teary smile as she took the barrette clip with her magic and clipped it onto the left side of her mane. Then gave Mario a soft kiss.

"I'd be honored to wear this," said Twilight, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," said Mario as he gave her a soft kiss back, "And please leave Sweetie Belle alone. I was just trying to..." Twilight put a fore-hoof to his mouth.

"I'll leave her be," said Twilight, "but don't tease me like that again."

"I'm sorry," said Mario sadly. Twilight nuzzled him lovingly.

"I forgive you," said Twilight, "But you know by now I'm a jealous pony. You're mine after all." Mario sighed contently.

"I like being your stallion," said Mario as they shared a cuddle together. Rarity couldn't help but giggle for a few seconds and then quietly got back to work.

Once the alicorn couple left the boutique and had some lunch, they walked cuddle up close together as they took another walk about Ponyville. Plenty of ponies had some nice comments to say about Twilight's barrette clip, putting the alicorn couple in a good mood. Then a group of little foals came running past, laughing and having fun with each other.

"So cute," Mario remarked.

"Yeah," said Twilight, "Kinda makes me want a foal."

"Well we have Di," Mario pointed out.

"I mean a baby foal," said Twilight, "A...little bit..." Mario smirked.

"Okay...now who's teasing?" Mario asked with a smile and skeptical look.

"I'm not teasing," said Twilight, "Just because I said I was interested doesn't mean I'm..."

SPLAT!

Twilight and Mario looked to see that the latter had gotten some sort of whipped dessert against her leg.

"Wuh?!" Mario exclaimed.

"Oops," said a light pink filly with a tri-colored cherry red, golden yellow, and magenta mane that was half tied along with a matching tail, "Sorry, Princess Twilight and Prince Mario. That was meant for her." The light pink filly pointed across the other side of the street. There was a mint colored filly with a purple, mint-green, and lime green colored mane and tail that were tied in the same style as Applejack's. She held a banana split on a fore-hoof.

"Incoming!" the pink filly shouted as the mint filly chuckled the banana split.

"Get down!" Mario shouted as he made Twilight crouch.

"Whoa!" Twilight yelped as the banana split flew over all three of their heads. The banana split then landed on the table of a nearby unicorn that had just finished his meal. He looked at the banana split, shrugged his shoulders, and enjoyed the tasty treat.

"Toola Roola, Coconut Cream, what are you doing?" Twilight asked firmly.

"Why are you throwing desserts at each other?" Mario asked and then added, "and at us?!"

"That was meant for my ex-friend!" said Coconut Cream sternly.

"I'm not your ex-friend," Toola Roola protested, "you're my ex-friend!" She then grabbed another dessert and tossed it at Coconut Cream. Coconut Cream return fire with her own desserts. But their efforts were only getting Twilight covered in splattered desserts until she used her magic to make Mario get hit instead.

"You know I'm supposed to be your bodyguard, not your shield!" Mario said indignantly with his body covered in sweets.

"I thought they were one in the same," Twilight teased. Mario glared as Twilight just smiled cutely. But then they both got hit with more desserts at the same time as the treats continued to fly back and forth between the two fillies. But not for long.

"Both of you, stop!" Twilight and Mario snapped as they used magic barriers to clean themselves off and block any more oncoming desserts. The two fillies just winced and stopped fighting as Mario and Twilight sternly looked at them.

"Now, the two of you are going to tell us what's going on here," said Mario, "because this is not how two friends who call themselves honorary sisters, fellow train fanatics, and members of my fan club, should be behaving right now!" Toola Roola and Coconut Cream just looked at him sadly.

"Well, we were talking about which of our talents are better," said Toola Roola, "I think being an artist is better than being a baker!" She glared at Coconut Cream who rolled her eyes.

"And I think being good at baking is a better talent!" said Coconut Cream, "I can actually give ponies something to actually eat and enjoy!"

"Ponies enjoy looking at art too you know!" Toola Roola retorted.

"Yeah, until they get bored of staring at it!" Coconut Cream retorted.

"Or, in your case, they get a stomach ache from all the sweets you shove in their mouths!" Toola Roola shot back.

"Oh yeah?!"

"Yeah!"

"Alright, alright, time out!" Mario called out, "No need to start fighting again over this!"

"That's right," said Twilight, "Just because you don't see eye to eye doesn't mean you have to argue or throw desserts at each other." Toola Roola and Coconut Cream sighed.

"We're supposed to be friends," said Toola Roola, "But we can't agree."

"Yeah," Coconut Cream added sadly, "Maybe we're not meant to be friends."

"Really?" said Mario, raising an eyebrow at them and looked at his wife, "Twilight and I don't always see eye to eye all the time. I guess we're not meant to be friends, or married for that matter..." Toola Roola and Coconut Cream whimpered.

"Mario don't be silly!" said Toola Roola, "besides, you and Twilight love each other!"

"Just because you don't agree on things doesn't mean you can't be friends or married to each other," said Coconut Cream when the two fillies blinked and looked at each other.

"Oh!" They both exclaimed when they realized what Mario telling them.

"Friends can disagree with each other all the time," said Mario, "But that doesn't mean you can't be friends because of it. You just gotta respect each other's opinions and feelings. Honestly, do you two really want to end your friendship with each other?" Toola Roola and Coconut Cream only needed half a second to look at each other before they gave a loud whimper.

"No..." they both said sadly.

"I guess we have alot to learn about friendship," said Toola Roola.

"We had no idea that friendships would be so hard," said Coconut Cream.

"No friendship is ever easy," said Mario, "They all have their own struggles. But just because they struggle doesn't mean that they are destined to fall apart. If you really value that friendship, you're not gonna let it fall apart. You gonna strive to make things right with each other."

"Does that mean admitting the other pony was right?" Toola Rolla asked.

"Depends on the situation," said Mario, "but at the end of the day, does losing your friend worth being right?" Toola Roola and Coconut Cream exchanged glances and both shook their heads at the same time.

"I'm sorry," said Toola Roola as she gave Coconut Cream a hug.

"I'm sorry, too," Coconut Cream replied back and returned the hug.

"So you see, friendship isn't always easy, but there's no doubt, it's worth fighting for," said Twilight.

"Same can go for a marriage as well," said Mario as he gave his wife a nuzzle.

"Awww!" Coconut Cream and Toola Roola replied and giggled as they held each other happily. Twilight and Mario just smiled as the two filly walked away. Twilight then kissed Mario's cheek.

"You're really good with handling young ponies," said Twilight, "You don't just tell them how to understand something, you make them think and come to understand things on their own. That makes the lessons more effective and improves their thinking skills. That's my kind of lesson learning!" Mario smiled sheepishly.

"I try," said Mario, "You're words of wisdom were pretty good too. After all, friendship is always worth fighting for." Twilight chuckled.

"Hmmm. That sounds familiar," said Twilight and then gasped, "Honey, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Mario pondered and then blinked in realization.

"Doesn't it involve a book we haven't written in for years now?" Mario replied as Twilight smiled back in reply. Then they both quickly headed back to the castle.

The alicorn couple wasted no time heading back to the castle and rushing into the library and began searching through the shelves for something. Twilight was just humming and hmm-ing as she looked about the shelves. Mario then suddenly snorted.

"Seriously?! Where is it?" Mario snapped impatiently, "We just did a book-sortation last month! We shouldn't be having this much trouble finding it!"

"Umm...I actually didn't include it in the last book-sortation, sweetie," said Twilight as she kept searching, "No...Aha!"

"You found it?" Mario asked excitedly as he hovered over to his wife.

"Here it is," said Twilight as she pulled out a very old and dusty book from the back of the shelf. Starlight had also walked into the library when she saw the book.

"What is that?" Starlight asked, cringing at the sight of the old book.

"Come on, Starlight," said Twilight as she and Mario landed, "Don't judge a book by its cover. This is the friendship journal my friends and I used to keep. It's filled with all the things we've learned, like..." She turned to a specific page and read it aloud, "Friendship isn't always easy, but there's no doubt, it's worth fighting for."

"And my personal hoof-note to that lesson," Mario added, "The same can be said for marriage as well. Because marriage, at its core, is a very special kind of friendship." It was then two pages from the journal fell out. One turned into a pile of dust and another just floated on top of the dust pile. Twilight, Mario, and Starlight just stared at the pile and paper for a second.

"I'll judge a book by its cover just this once," said Starlight smugly.

"Uhh...I can fix that," said Mario with a sheepish smile. Twilight just groaned irritably and pouted.

(Main theme)

A little later that day, Mario and Twilight had summoned the rest of the Mane eight. They were all waiting patiently in their thrones when Twilight, Mario, and Starlight walked into the room.

"Thanks for coming, everypony," said Twilight, "My husband and I got a surprise for you"

"What is it, Twilight?" Fluttershy asked curiously and also anxiously, "Do I need to prepare myself?"

"Flutters, you're acting like we're gonna jump scare you or blast something at your face," Mario remarked, "Only Pinkie does that!"

"I've backed off, ya know!" Pinkie remarked indignantly.

"And we all appreciate that, little sister," said Mario, "I just want Flutters to chill out. I mean, despite the fact she would do it me, I'm not the kind of brother who would do that to her!" Fluttershy just rolled her eyes and then gasped when she saw Twilight's mane.

"Oh, is the surprise your new barrette?" Fluttershy asked, "it's beautiful!" Shenran, Pinkie, and Rainbow chattered in agreement.

"I agree on that," said Applejack, "But that flower looks familiar."

"It's a buttercup, darling," said Rarity, "Twilight wanted to honor you and your brother's late mother so Mario asked me to make that barrette clip for Twilight."

"She's wearing it in honor of our Mom," Mario added. Applejack felt her eyes water as a smile appeared on her face. She was rather touched.

"While I'm glad you all like the barrette," said Twilight, "that's not the surprise. It's this!" Twilight then used her magic to make the old journal plop into the middle of the table. The group had mixed expressions that were either stunned, repulsed, or a mix of both.

"Ugh, what is that thing?" Rarity asked, "Why is it so smelly?"

"Wait a minute," said Pinkie and then gasped as she grabbed the book, "Is this our friendship journal? I haven't seen this thing in forever!"

"Hoo-wee!" Applejack remarked, "It's lookin' a little, uh...overripe."

"I'll say," said Rainbow as she grabbed the book and looked through it until she saw a page covered in rotten apple, "There's a smushed apple in Applejack's lessons." She then turned some more pages and found one with some rather sloppy writing, "Dude! Mario, we're you even trying to write actual words with this?!"

"My penmanship stinks, okay!" Mario remarked, "I've never been good at writing neatly..." Mario rubbed his fore-leg insecurely.

"It's not that bad darling," said Rarity, "It could use work, but it's readable. I know I can read it."

"With, or without yer glasses?" Applejack asked with a smirk. Rarity just blushed to emphasize the latter. Rainbow just turned the page and found some very, very small text.

"Fluttershy's lessons are so small, you can barely read them," said Rainbow as she leaned into the page to read the words, "And I can't believe Shenran tried to write just as small to go with her lessons."

"I didn't want to outshine her," said Shenran in his defense.

"And I, uh, wanted to leave room for all of you," said Fluttershy timidly. Rainbow then turned the page and found some very fancy writing.

"I-I don't even know what this is," said Rainbow Dash as she showed the page to Rarity.

"It's called calligraphy, darling," Rarity replied, "If you're going to make words, at least make them fabulous." Applejack then grabbed the journal and a page unfolded that was full of holes.

"Looks like you got a little aggressive with your friendship lessons, Rainbow Dash," Applejack remarked.

"What can I say?" Rainbow remarked smugly, "When I learn something, I learn it hard." Mario shook his head behind her.

"And she says my writing is awful," Mario pointed out. Twilight just patted her husband's back sympathetically as Rainbow took the journal and turned the page.

POP WHISTLE!

"I found Pinkie's page," said Rainbow Dash in an unimpressed tone. Pinkie giggled.

"Well, I am surprised!" Pinkie remarked. Twilight then used her magic to grab the book back.

"That wasn't the only surprise," said Twilight and gave Starlight and Mario a smirk. The two ponies returned the smirk before they used their magic to lift the book above the center of the table. Together, Mario and Starlight duplicated brand new covers and then filled them up with brand new pages. Everypony watched in awe as the two ponies did their work.

"Ta-da!" said Twilight as the copies floated before them, "Starlight, Mario, and I decided to make one for each of you!" Applejack eagerly grabbed her book.

"That's amazin'!" said Applejack, "A perfect copy!"

"I learned the spell years ago when I needed to make copies of a certain..." Starlight then paused when Twilight and Mario glare at her, even Fluttershy looked worried. Starlight smiled sheepishly as she cleared her throat, "...manifesto." The others didn't seem bothered about where the spell came from.

"Ahhh! Even better than a perfect copy," said Rarity as she gave her copy a sniff. Fluttershy was just looking through her new copy.

"Oh, I'd forgotten all about this lesson," said Fluttershy.

"Hey that was a good lesson," Shenran remarked since he was on the same page as his wife. Rainbow then laughed as she read her copy behind Fluttershy and Shenran's throne.

"Remember this one from when Mario and I helped Daring Do?" Rainbow Dash replied, ""Never underestimate the power of friends who always got your back"."

"And my personal extension "Trust in your friends and don't go charging headfirst into trouble"," Mario added. Rainbow just blushed, especially when Fluttershy and Shenran gave her knowing smirks.

"Ah-heh...ehhh..." was all Rainbow could say and his her face in her copy.

"Aww, Cheese Sandwich!" said Pinkie, "Party Cannon! Ah! Birth-iversary!"

"After Twilight and Mario remembered the journal," said Starlight, "I had so much fun reading all the stuff you all learned, I just had to have my own copy. Even Di loved the journal and she has her own copy as well." She held up a copy of the journal to prove her point.

"And that brings me to the second part of the surprise," said Twilight.

"Wait...there's a second part?!" said Mario, "You only said you wanted to surprise everypony with their own copy of our friendship journal."

"Well, I wanted to surprise you too, sweetie," Twilight replied, "My idea. How would you girls and guys feel about making our journal available for everypony? If we can get these lessons into other ponies' hooves, maybe they'll benefit from them."

"Well, I think that's a great idea," said Fluttershy.

"Same here," said Shenran.

"I'm in! Yay!" said Pinkie.

"W-We always said we wanted to," said Applejack.

"Sounds fabulous," said Rarity. Then Rainbow laughed heartily as she kept reading her copy.

"I'm awesome," Rainbow said aloud until she saw everypony either glaring annoyingly at her, "Oh, yeah. Uh, good idea." Then everypony noticed that Mario didn't looked as excited about the idea.

"Honey? Is something wrong?" Twilight asked. Mario hummed before he spoke up.

"I'm just worried about how ponies will take our friendship lessons," said Mario, "Until you know what kind of audience you're presenting your work to, first time publication can often get alot of...backlash..."

"I don't remember you getting backlash when you published your first volume of talking train stories," said Twilight. Mario glared.

"That's because you didn't show up during the debut and book signing," said Mario, making Twilight wince and looked away insecurely, "The rest of the group here can testify when I say I nearly started crying from the more...harsh criticism. I was ready to quit and retract the books altogether."

"But thank to us, ya didn't, big brother," said Applejack.

"And to this day, your first volume is still the number one children's book in Equestria," said Rarity.

"Publishing a book is never easy," said Twilight, "But these lessons could help far more ponies than we could ever reach out to. I think it would be good for Equestria if we shared our lessons with others." Mario sighed.

"Very well, sweetheart," said Mario, "I hope your first publication journey is alot smoother than mine was." Twilight just smiled excitedly and kissed him to say thank you.

A few days later, as some montage music began to play and once the publication red tape had been dealt with, Twilight and Mario began to distribute copies of the friendship journal to various locations. Their first stop was Cloudsdale. Twilight and Mario both approached a Pegasus vender that was selling books and used her magic to hand him a journal. The vender put the book on the shelf immediately as Mario left a box with some more copies nearby for restock.

In Rainbow Falls, a few more copies of the friendship journal were now on a newsstand that belonged to a little colt. Twilight then gave the paper-colt his own copy and he began to read it immediately. Then she and Mario left some more extra copies of the journal with him. Then they both waved goodbye and headed to their next location. The paper-colt was too busy reading to take notice.

The word about the journal soon spread. In Manehatten, a stacks of friendship journals were being placed in front of the display window of a small bookstore. But they quickly disappeared as ponies purchased their copies. In the pony version of Times Square, the friendship journal was being advertised on the main display.

Back in Ponyville, there was a huge line of young ponies at the Schoolhouse. They were all excited about getting a copy from Twilight and Mario. Twilight had just given a copy of Dinky when the alicorn couple heard the sound of two ponies arguing. They both looked to see that Toola Roola and Coconut Cream were arguing. The two fillies were standing before a hopscotch court.

"No!" Toola Roola yelled, "I don't wanna play with you anymore!"

"Why not?!" Coconut Cream protested, "You love playing hopscotch!"

"No, you do because you always win!" said Toola Roola angrily. Mario then gave a loud whistle to get their attention. The two fillies stopped fighting and looked at the alicorn couple.

"Hi there," said Mario.

"Hey, girls," said Twilight, "Couldn't help but overhear. You might want to take a breather, maybe read Rainbow Dash's chapter on Rainbow Falls? It might help." Mario nodded in agreement as Twilight gave them the friendship journal.

"Sure, Princess and Prince," said Toola Roola as she and Coconut Cream held the book and started reading it.

"Thanks, Twilight and Mario!" said Apple Bloom as she held her own copy of the friendship journal, "The friendship journal's makin' us super popular!"

"Oh?" said Twilight with a skeptical look.

"I thought you three learned your lesson about not using our family relations for your own personal gain?" Mario said in skeptical tone.

"We're not, Mario," said Sweetie Belle, "In fact, these ponies aren't asking if we can get them to meet you or Twilight. They're asking about our cutie mark services!"

"I see," said Mario, rather surprised.

"We were thinkin' of puttin' together a cutie mark summer camp," said Apple Bloom, "Now, everypony's definitely gonna sign up for it! This is gonna be awesome!" Apple Bloom gave an excited giggle, "Cutie Mark Crusaders, whoo!" Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle, and Scootaloo walked off. Mario chuckled, but then noticed Twilight was looking rather upset. Before he could ask why, Starlight appeared. She had apparently heard everything.

"A cutie mark camp is a great idea," said Starlight Glimmer.

"And they could use some positive publicity to promote it too," said Mario, "Their talents can now reach out to ponies outside of Ponyville now."

"Yeah, but the purpose of the journal isn't supposed to be marketing," said Twilight. She then walked off with Starlight and Mario right behind her.

"I get it, sweetie," said Mario once he caught up to his wife, "but marketing is always going to be a small factor when it comes to publishing a book. It might not be a priority, but it is something you need to consider if this journal is gonna reach out to everypony in Equestria." Mario then made a sheet of paper appear, "I know the money isn't important, but you might wanna take a look at this." Twilight grabbed the sheet with her magic. Starlight looked as well, but their eyes shrunk at what they read.

"Sweet Celestia!" said Twilight, "Are you sure that's not just somepony's address number?!" Mario shook his head.

"From an investment perspective," said Mario, "The friendship journal is a success, but how the journal helps others is gonna take some time before we'll see any real results. All we can do for now is make sure they have the opportunity to get a copy and read it."

"I just hope those foals actually learn something from our lessons," said Twilight worriedly.

"They will!" Starlight replied, "I'm sure ponies all across Equestria will - Whoa!" Starlight, Twilight, and Mario all yelped and stopped walking when they saw four ponies holding their journals and had really big smiles at them.

"I could distract them while you two run!" Mario suggested discreetly to the two mares. Twilight just lightly shoved Mario as a clue to be quiet.

"Uh, hello!" said Twilight, "Can I...help you?"

"Were here all the way from Fillydelphia because we got copies of your friendship journal," said the tourist stallion.

"Wow!" said Twilight, "How wonderful! What was your favorite friendship-"

"Will you sign them?!" the tourist stallion asked as he shoved his journal into Twilight's face. The other three tourists did the same.

"Oh, uh, I guess so," said Twilight and quickly signed the covers of each journal.

"Um, did you want me to sign them too?" Mario asked. The four tourist ponies gave him stunned looks.

"Uhh...why?" asked the second tourist stallion.

"Hey, do you realize this is the Prince of Friendship? Twilight's husband?" Starlight pointed out. Mario smiled. The tourist ponies started and blinked for a couple of seconds.

"Ehh, he's not important," one tourist mare remarked. Starlight glared as Mario just looked hurt and said nothing.

"So, uhh..." said Twilight, trying to get attention away from her husband, "what did you think of the lessons?"

"Oh, we haven't read them," said the tourist stallion, "These are keepsakes. We gotta them in mint condition. Ha-ha." He took his copy and placed it inside of a plastic covering.

"Oh..." said Twilight, clearly disappointed as she finished signing the other journals and gave it to the other tourist ponies.

"Wow, that was worth the trip!" said the second tourist stallion as the others chattered while walking away. Twilight just sighed as Starlight put a fore-hoof on her shoulder.

"I know that was disappointing," said Starlight as she noticed how sad Mario looked, "but I think..."

"Starlight, it's okay," said Mario quietly, "I'm used to it by now..." Starlight gave him a firm look.

"Your tone says otherwise," said Starlight before venting angrily to Twilight, "I don't understand why ponies think so little of Mario! He's an absolute sweetheart and very likeable!" Mario blushed at the complements.

"As sad as it sounds," said Twilight sadly, "it roots from ponies who resent the fact he got to be raised by Princess Celestia." Starlight snorted.

"That's just stupid," said Starlight, "Do they really think Mario deserved to be left buried alive?! Or dumped into an orphanage?! My reasons for disliking him at first was because I thought he was spoiled prince brat."

"But unlike you, alot of ponies don't try to get to know Mario," said Twilight, "Or are willing to admit their point of view on him wasn't right."

"And there are alot of ponies who could care less about my issues," said Mario, "Just like some ponies don't care to learn about us. To them, the journal is nothing but a collector's item."

"You can say that again," said Twilight as they walked off. Starlight gave them sympathetic looks as she trotted off to catch up with them. They had barely arrived at the cafe when Starlight decided to speak up again.

"Don't worry, Twilight and Mario," said Starlight, "I'm sure lots of other ponies are being inspired to be better friends."

"I hope your right, Starlight," said Mario wearily.

"Well, I for one found the journal terribly illuminating," said a stallion named Diamond Cutter to a pony mare named Daisy. Twilight then gasped. Mario flinched and quickly curled into a ball and rolled over to a nearby bush.

"Quick!" Mario whispered loudly, "Over here!" Twilight rushed to the bush and sat behind it next to Mario's right. Starlight soon followed and sat down on the other side of Mario. All three had their backs against the bush as they quietly listened in.

"I agree," said Daisy, "I'm seeing sides of these ponies I didn't know were there. I only wish they'd left Rarity out. She clearly doesn't belong in that book with the rest of them."

"Say what?!" Mario said quietly as Twilight and Starlight blinked in surprise. Twilight then leaned out from the bush to watch the two ponies continue to talk.

"Oh, I know," Diamond Cutter replied, "Who does she think she is? Certainly she did a fine job setting up the Ponyville Days celebration, but does she really believe it was a success just because of her?" He then laughed inconsiderably, "The nerve!"

"And Mario taking credit as well for it?" Daisy added, "You know I think I understand why they consider each other twins. Neither of them belong in this book and neither of them belong with these group of ponies!"

"Okay...that hurt..." Mario groaned, putting a fore-hoof on his heart. It was then a pony reading a newspaper lowered it. It was Rarity! She had heard everything. It didn't take long before she burst into tears and ran off bawling her eyes out.

"But that's not what she was saying!" said Twilight as she and Starlight shared worried looks with each other.

"And I read that chapter!" Starlight added, "Mario didn't say anything about the Ponyville Celebration. His lesson had to do with being yourself!" Twilight noticed that Mario looked upset.

"Honey..."

"I'll recover," said Mario, "I'm more worried about my twinsie!"

"Rarity!" Twilight called out. But Rarity didn't say nothing, but continued crying as she ran off. The two ponies who critized her watched her run off and then just shared unsympathetic looks with each other.

"You're right, honey," said Twilight, "Oh, poor Rarity. She overheard all the mean things those ponies were saying. She must be devastated. I'm going after her."

"Same here," said Mario with a sternly, "Because if I stick around here, I'm tempting to do something I'll regret to those two!"

"Go ahead," said Starlight, "I'm gonna have a chat with these two."

"Better you than me, Sis," said Mario as Twilight nodded in agreement. Then the alicorn couple walked off as Starlight made her way to the two ponies.

Rarity continued to cry and run as she speed through town. Mario and Twilight rushed after her.

"Mario, cut her off!" Twilight commanded.

"Doing it!" Mario replied as he used his high speed to quickly get in front of her.

"I gotcha..."

WHAM!

"...siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

THUD!

Mario attempted to stop Rarity as he got in front of her and lifted his fore-legs up so he could capture her in a hug. But Rarity ended up bashing him into the air and out of the way. Sending Mario spinning about before he landed hard on his back.

"Ugh..." Mario groaned, feeling a bit woozy as Twilight came to a stop before him.

"Honey, are you okay?" Twilight worriedly.

"Frazzled but okay," said Mario as Twilight helped him up. Then the alicorn couple continued after Rarity, who was still running and crying.

"Rarity, wait!" Twilight called out.

"Please stop!" said Mario.

"WAH!" Mario yelped as Pinkie tackled Twilight and Mario together to the ground.

"Twilight! Mario! Isn't it amazing?" Pinkie said excitedly, "Our journals are everywhere!"

"Not a good time, Pinks!" Mario retorted as he and Twilight sat up.

"Pinkie, we've got too-" Twilight tried to explain, but Pinkie wouldn't listen.

"Ponies keep stopping by to tell me my entries are hilarious!" said Pinkie another pony appeared with a copy of the journal. Pinkie turned to sign it, making the pony smile.

"Well good for you," said Mario irritably as he and Twilight stood up and dusted themselves off.

"I even had somepony come all the way from Las Pegasus to say how much he liked my lessons," Pinkie added.

"I'm so glad to hear some ponies are being inspired by the journal," said Twilight.

"Glad you're getting some positive feedback for your lessons," Mario added.

"Hey, look! There's Pinkie Pie!" said Cherry Berry, "The funny one!" Ponies nearby began to laugh.

"Giggly feedback is the best kind!" Pinkie told the alicorn couple. The surrounding ponies laughed again.

"Well, at least you're getting a positive reaction," said Twilight, "We just saw Rarity, and I'm afraid this journal thing really upset her. And ponies have nothing nice to say regarding my husband!" Mario just looked away insecurely.

"Aww, that's too bad," said Pinkie sadly. Suddenly the surrounding ponies began to laugh, stunning the three ponies.

"Wait," said Pinkie skeptically, "That wasn't even funny." The surrounding ponies laughed again, leaving the three ponies confused.

"Uh," said Pinkie, "Why are ponies being so mean to Mario? He's a such a loving and caring big brother." The surrounding ponies laughed again.

"That was the funniest thing she's said yet!" said one pony.

"That's just too funny!" said a second.

"Mario a loving and caring brother?! What a riot!" said a third as they laughed harder. Mario gave Pinkie a very annoyed glare.

"Heh...sorry," said Pinkie sheepishly when the other ponies laughed again, leaving Mario even more annoyed and Twilight was rather disturbed.

"O-kay. Well I guess I'll catch you later," said Twilight and smiled, hoping for a laugh. All she got was silence and a cough from Cherry Berry.

"Seriously?" Mario asked annoyingly. Twilight just groaned and walked off with Mario just following behind her.

"Yup. Bye Mario and Twilight!" Pinkie called out. But then flinched when the surrounding ponies laughed again. This time, Pinkie was feeling very uncomfortable and walked away backwards from all the laughter.

"Hah! Classic Pinkie!" said a pony named Sassaflash, "Oh, she's even funnier in real life!"

"You've known me for years!" Pinkie yelled, but her only reply was more laughing from the other ponies. Pinkie then ran off as the other ponies kept laughing without a care in the world.

Meanwhile, Twilight and Mario were still making their way to the Carousel Boutique. They figured that if there was any place Rarity would run off to cry, it would be there. Twilight suddenly did a one-eighty and faced her husband.

"Are you okay?" Twilight asked with concern. Mario just looked away and said nothing.

"Don't do this, Mario," Twilight warned, "Don't close up and try to hide it. I know what happened back there upset you. Talk to me, sweetie." Mario opened his mouth to speak when suddenly a piece of paper landed on his horn.

"Huh?!" Mario said in surprise as a few more sheets of paper came falling from above. The two ponies looked up to see a medium sized cloud above them and heard a familiar voice.

"Maybe it's time to call it a day," said Rainbow as Mario and Twilight exchanged looks with each other and then hovered up to the cloud. They saw the blue Pegasus with a crowd of Pegasus foals. Their leader was a young but rather outspoken filly named Princess Erroria.

"I wipped out all the Twilight Spawkle lessons 'cause they were getting in the way of the good ones," said Princess Erroria in a proud tone. Rainbow just looks unimpressed while Twilight was shocked.

"What do you mean you skipped the lessons?" Twilight asked the filly, "We've all had valuable experiences."

"Yeah, well I also had to wipe out parts with Mawio in Rainbow Dash's lessons," Princess Erroria said indignantly, "All that swappy stuff was really wuining the Rainbow Dash awesomeness!"

"Hey! Mario is what made those experiences so awesome!" said Rainbow. The filly laughed.

"Why are you swicking up for the guy?" said Princess Erroria remarked, "He's wame compwared to you and his lessons were so mushy!" The other Pegasi foals chattered in agreement. Mario was hurt and also indignant.

"Yeah, well this lame pony is also known as R.W. Archway!" said Mario, "Author of the six volumes of talking train stories you foals all love to read!" The Pegasi foals all blinked.

"EWWWWW!" Princess Erroria said rudely, "you're R.W. Awchway! Ugh! I can't bewieve I wasted my bits on books written by the wikes of you!" The other foals all booed Mario and started chucking crumpled pages of their journals at him. Mario used a wing to block the attacks.

"Alright that's enough," said Rainbow as she pushed two Pegasi ponies to Twilight, "Hey, here's a great idea! Why don't you guys talk to Twilight for a while? So I can back to things like working and napping and, well, pretty much anything else." Rainbow couldn't help stuttering as she tried to come up with what to tell the foals. Mario wasn't too impressed with her skills.

"Nice out," Mario replied bluntly at Rainbow's poor excuse to be left alone.

"Aw, we don't wanna hear her bowing lessons and who cares abwout Mawio anyway?!" Princess Erroria remarked, not caring that both Mario and Twilight were deeply offended and were glaring at her, "Come on! Tell us again about when you met Dawing Do!"

"Again?" Rainbow said with a nervous laugh, "Haven't we already covered that one? A couple dozen times?"

"We can't get enough of it!" said Princess Erroria before adding slyly, "Come on, you don't want to disappoint your fans!" Twilight and Mario just watched the scene, finding they were quickly disliking this particular filly. Then they were caught by surprise to see that the number of Pegasi foals had doubled in number, all holding a copy of their journals.

"Uh..." Rainbow stuttered as she tried to find an excuse to leave and them saw some black clouds behind her, "It's just that I, uh, really need to get those storm clouds back in their...pens."

"Oh, cool!" Princess Erroria replied, "We'll come along. You can tell us the stowy there." Rainbow just looked rather indignant as the foals all followed after her.

"Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash!" the Pegasus foals chanted.

"Rainbow Dash rules, Mawio drools!" Princess Erroria called out.

"Yeah!" The same foals shouted in agreement. Twilight and Mario were left alone and upset.

"Ugh!" Mario grunted, "I don't know what gets on my nerves more with that filly. The fact she openly made all those foals turn on me or the fact she can't take no for an answer."

"I'd say both," Twilight replied, "and were not gonna let her get away with disrespecting us, especially you! Now come on!" Twilight and Mario had just taken off the cloud when they heard more arguing down below.

"What now?!" Mario remarked.

"Over here!" said Twilight as the alicorn couple descended below. Apparently, four ponies had literally pinned Fluttershy and Shenran against the front door of a house as they were shouting at them. The Pegasus couple held each other protectively.

"Please, just leave us alone!" Fluttershy begged.

"Get back you parasprites!" Shenran yelled defensively.

"Fluttershy, Shenran, what's wrong?" Twilight asked as she and Mario used their magic to move two of the four arguing ponies aside so they could walk up to them.

"We want answers!" demanded a pony named Glasses Stallion.

"Yeah! We're entitled to know!" a mare named Lemon Chiffon demanded as well.

"What is it, everypony?" Twilight asked worriedly.

"Let's just calm down and maybe we can help," said Mario, trying to be peacekeeper.

"We wanna know why Fluttershy keeps learning the same thing over and over again!" Lemon Chiffon replied indignantly, "Be assertive already!"

"Seriously?!" Mario remarked in exasperation and disbelief.

"Even I've learned more than she has!" a stallion named Wisp added, "Why can't I be in the book?"

"A pony that shy shouldn't even be married for that matter," Glasses Stallion added, "Unless he married her to be his personal doormat!"

"You've gotta be joking, kidding me?!" Mario replied angrily as Twilight glared at them. It was then Starlight arrived.

"What? Really?!" Starlight remarked as she lifted Wisp into the air with her magic, "Are you attacking my friend because you want to be in a book?!" Starlight then glared angrily at Glasses Stallion, "And how dare you attack Fluttershy just because she managed to find her special somepony and you can't find your own!" Glasses Stallion whimpered at that remark.

"It's okay, everypony. I got this," said Fluttershy as she stood up when Shenran got stepped forward.

"I treat my wife with the utmost respect!" Shenran snapped, "Who do you think you-"

"I said I got this!" Fluttershy retorted through her teeth as she gave Shenran a stern glare.

"I'm only trying to defend you, sweetheart!" Shenran protested.

"QUIET!" Fluttershy yelled. Mario, Starlight, and Twilight all winced at seeing Fluttershy yell at Shenran. Shenran looked hurt and most annoyed. Fluttershy then inhaled deeply.

"Listen up!" said Fluttershy firmly, "I am more assertive! And yes, it took me a while to get there. But can you honestly say you could learn something one time and completely change who you are?" Fluttershy glared sternly at Lemon Chiffon, who cowered back, sweated a bit, and said nothing.

"I didn't think so," said Fluttershy bluntly.

"Wow," said Glasses Stallion, "You're way different from the Fluttershy in the book." Fluttershy smiled.

"I don't know how I feel about that," Glasses Stallion added skeptically. Fluttershy just sighed sadly.

"Talk about dense," Shenran remarked.

"Bud out!" Fluttershy snapped.

"Excuse me?!" Shenran said indignantly, "I'm trying to help you!"

"You can help by being supportive!" Fluttershy retorted angrily as she flew off.

"How can I when you keep telling me to be quiet all the time?!" Shenran snapped as he followed after her.

"I said be supportive, not fight my battles!" Fluttershy yelled.

"Well, excuuuuuuuuuuse me, princess!" Shenran yelled back as the couple continue to argue with each other. The other ponies continued to grumble with each other. Mario, Twilight, and Starlight were watching the fighting Pegasi couple disappear.

"I've seen Fluttershy and Shenran have arguments before," said Mario worriedly, "But I've never seen anything as bad as this."

"It feels like everypony is Equestria is missing the "friendship" part of the friendship journals," said Twilight.

"More like they're just using what was written to pick us all apart from the inside out," said Mario sadly. Starlight looked at Mario with concern, but Mario and Twilight were already heading off to the Carousel Boutique before she could ask if Mario was okay.

It didn't take long before the three ponies arrived at the Carousel Boutique. The fact the main floor was dark meant that Rarity was hiding inside of her upstairs bedroom. The three ponies quickly and quietly made their way to Rarity's bedroom and slowly peeked inside.

"Rarity, are you alright?" Twilight asked, "Wah!" Twilight yelped as a roll of fabric that flew past her head.

"Rarity? Sis?" Mario asked gently, "Please talk to us...YIPE!" Mario yelped as well as some threads nearly hit his head. The three ponies slowly approached Rarity as she continued working at her sewing machine in the dark and said nothing.

"What are you doing?" Twilight asked.

"WHY I'M CREATING A GOWN, DARLING!" Rarity replied showing them the gown with a very huge smile on her face. However, the fact her eyes were wide-eyed, covered in mascara stained cheeks, and her curly mane was messy and wrinkled made Rarity look like a pony who had gone completely insane. Mario and Starlight cringed fearfully at the sight. Twilight was stunned but quickly recovered.

"For what?" Twilight asked calmly.

"I don't know!" Rarity snapped, "I'm stress-sewing!" She continued to make frustrated noises as she worked.

"Stress-sewing?" Twilight asked.

"You know, when you put your anxious and frustrated energy into something constructive..." Mario explained.

"I get that, honey," Twilight retorted indignantly, "but I've never heard of somepony sewing to de-stress before."

"Anything can be a de-stresser if it's something you enjoy," Mario replied, "I stress-sketch when I'm upset and Starlight does stress-kite flying." Starlight just smiled sheepishly since she felt a little embarrassed that Mario had said that aloud.

"When I overheard those two at the cafe," Rarity said as she walked past the three ponies, "I suddenly understood why I've been getting cancellations for days!"

"Cancellations?!" Mario spluttered.

"What? Why are ponies cancelling their orders?" Starlight asked curiously.

"Because nopony likes me anymore!" Rarity replied dramatically as she twisted the head of a mannequin and wrapped her fore-legs around it, "They're boycotting me!" Rarity then grunted as she rushed over to her bedroom window and opened the curtain. Outside the shop, several ponies were standing outside her window picketing and protesting angrily.

"And to make matters worse," said Rarity, "Several of them have sent me letters all saying the same thing."

"I'm afraid to ask what it that is," Mario said dreadfully.

"Either I lose Mario as my business partner or they're done with me!" Rarity answered, "They say he lowers the value of everything I create! Plus someponies are saying that it's no wonder I call him my twin because nopony likes him either!" Mario grunted angrily.

"What is it about me that makes ponies hate me so much?" Mario cried out in frustration, making Twilight and Starlight back away from him nervously, "WHAT DID I EVER DO TO THEM?! UGH!" Mario panted heavily.

"Just calm down, sweetie," said Twilight gently before heading to the door, "I'm sure if I go out there and talk to those ponies, they'll see that they're being unreasonable."

"No offense, honey," said Mario sadly as he walked up to his wife and stood beside her, "But these kind of ponies would rather slam the door in your face than listen to reason.

WHAM!

"AHH!" Twilight yelped.

"UGH!" Mario yelped as the Rarity's bedroom door literally slammed into their faces, "Told ya..." It wasn't long before they found out the pony who did that was Applejack. Her mane and tail were a mess, even her hair tye was missing and she had bags under her eyes.

"I need a hundred blankets, and I need 'em now!" said Applejack and then noticed who she smacked with the door, "Sorry Twilight and Mario!" Applejack ran off as the door closed. Mario and Twilight still looked like they were still pasted against the door with long faces as they both glared with the orange pony.

"Right away, pony-who-still-likes-me!" said Rarity as she got to work on her sewing machine.

"Hey, I still like you!" Mario remarked.

"You don't matter!" Rarity yelled.

"Rarity..."Mario croaked, now feeling really hurt and was about to cry.

"It's okay, Mario," said Starlight gently as she hugged him, "She's just upset right now and not thinking straight. She didn't mean that." Mario just sniffled as he watched Applejack rush toward a shelf that had some blankets in it.

"I don't need nothin' fancy," Applejack remarked as she grabbed the blankets and put them on her back and rushed out.

"What's the matter, Applejack?" Twilight asked worriedly.

"Please talk to us!" Mario asked, nearly pleading.

"I'm popular, Twilight and Mario!" Applejack said in a mixture of fear and desperation, "I'm popular, and I don't like it one bit! And I really need my big brother right now! Please help me!"

"You don't even have to ask, little sister!" Mario replied with determined, "Lead the way!" Applejack then rushed off with Mario following her. Twilight was about to do the same when she noticed that Rarity had gone back to stress-sewing and still looking very upset.

"You go ahead," said Starlight, "I'll stay here." Twilight just inhaled and exhaled before running off to catch up with Applejack and Mario. Starlight just gave Rarity a sad and worried look.

And I thought Mario was taking alot of heat today, now I've got Rarity to worried about, Starlight thought, I can see why Rarity would relate to Mario's problems.

Neither pony is good at dealing with harsh criticism, especially when ponies go out of their way to tear them down...

Why do ponies always pick on the ponies who have the most loving and caring hearts anyway?

Sadly, Starlight didn't have an answer.

At Sweet Apple Acres, Big Mac was being forced to carry several pieces of luggage as two ponies wearing some very generic farmer's attire walked about the farmland. The entire grounds were filled with lots of tourists that were wearing similar attires and had taped papers with apple cutie marks on their flanks. Twilight arrived to see everything. Several ponies were just gobbling up apples from nearly buckets and just lazily lounging around the orchard. Two ponies were even hugging apple trees! Granny Smith had barely served a table with various treats when the ponies devoured them in seconds flat. She looked exhausted as she went to get more food...for who knows how many times that day. Apple Bloom was standing near a barrel as she pushed the tapper to give a nearly pony some cider to drink. He drank the cup empty and held it under the tap for more. Apparently, it wasn't his first refill cause Apple Bloom gave a frustrated groan as she refilled the cup. Twilight continued to look around the area as she walked up to Applejack. She was handing several ponies a blanket each as Mario, who had a huge stack of blankets behind him, was holding another stack on standby for when Applejack needed more.

"Applejack, who are all these ponies?" Twilight asked with concern.

"They call themselves the Sweet Apple Admirers," Applejack answered, "They say they read my journal entries, and they felt like a part of the family. And now they actually wanna become part of the family!" It was then one pony zoomed up to the orange pony an held a camera to take a picture with Applejack. Applejack smiled in the picture, but she couldn't help but look like she was about to have a mental breakdown.

"You're journal entries?" Twilight remarked.

"Yeah, you know," Applejack continued as she pushed a bucket of apples towards some other ponies that quickly gobbled them up, "all the stuff about how friends are like family and what not."

"And now they all think they can just waltz in here and eat us out of house and home," Mario remarked annoyingly.

SPLAT!

A pony off-screen threw an apple pie at his face.

"And that's not the first apple pie that's been thrown..."

SPLAT

"...at my face..." Mario said wearily. Twilight used her magic to hold a cloth and cleaned her husband's face before speaking up again.

"Can't you get rid of them?" Twilight asked.

"And kick out my own family?!" Applejack protested as she hugged two tourist fillies, who smiled at her.

"Applejack, I know you do consider friends your family and such," said Mario, "But these ponies aren't your real friends and family. Not yet at least. They don't even know who we really are and we don't know them yet other than being your fan club. Not to mention all they're doing is taking advantage of you and the rest of the family." As Mario spoke, several ponies gathered around him, glaring, snarling, and gritting their teeth at him. And Mario knew they were looking at him menacingly and said firmly, "and real family members don't do that! Nor do they..."

The scene changed so that the outer fence and orchard were seen in the background.

BONK!

"...throw other family members off the farmland..." Mario finished wearily as Mario landed on his head from being thrown out. Twilight was furious.

"Hey, you can't do that to my husband!" Twilight snapped.

"I need my-" Applejack then froze when she saw Granny Smith with a tall stack of dirty dishes on her back that was taller than her, "Granny Smith, hang on! Let me help!" Applejack then rushed after the experienced mare. Some other ponies hanging around a nearby corral fence saw the orange pony heading in their direction.

"There she is!" shouted an admirer.

"Yee-haw!" several ponies shouted as Applejack ran past and then went back to their own business. Twilight watched the whole scene, feeling most upset.

"I wish we'd never released that journal," Twilight said with a sigh that was filled with regret. She quietly left the farm go find her husband, who she found was just laying on the ground looking very depressed.

"Honey..." Twilight said gently. Mario pointed in one direction and Twilight saw something she hadn't before. All over the entrance to the farm were signs with Mario's face with big red Xs and "Do not enter" symbols on them, saying he wasn't welcome and to keep out. Twilight felt her temper flare as she growled, but she quickly stopped when she heard loud sniffling. She turned to see that Mario was now crying.

"Can we just go home please?" Mario whimpered. Twilight didn't want to, but she knew Mario had had enough mistreatment for one day and quietly nodded. She then held Mario close so he could cry himself out into her shoulder.

"I'm so sorry you have to do deal with this," Twilight said quietly. Once Mario had calm down, the two alicorns headed back to the castle.

Once they arrived back home, Twilight and Mario just stayed inside of their bedroom. Mario was sitting on their bed while Twilight just sat sadly on a sofa that was placed near their bedroom window. Twilight just stared outside sadly as Starlight arrived and walked inside of their bedroom.

"There you are!" said Starlight, "Okay, I just left Rarity. I think she's doing better, and-" Starlight then noticed that Twilight was just staring out of the window and wasn't sure if the purple pony was even listening to her. But she wasn't offended.

"Oh, boy - Window-staring, huh?" said Starlight, "Was it that bad at Sweet Apple Acres?"

"It's bad everywhere," Twilight replied, "If you don't take into account the fact that my husband was getting told off, disrespected, and outright insulted the entire time. Ponies who claimed they were part of the Apple family actually threw Mario off the farm so he landed on his head!"

"Ouch," said Starlight and cringed, "and how is..." Starlight then noticed on the bed was a tall pile of pillows with Mario's tail sticking out of it, "Oh." Starlight then walked up to the pile of pillows and removed a pillow. Mario was inside the pillow pile, his mane messy and cheek tear-stained. He gave Starlight a rather hopeless look.

"I guess it's never going to end," said Mario weakly, "I can't take the hate anymore...I give up..."

"Mario, don't talk like that!" said Starlight, "Just because these ponies don't like you doesn't mean you have to give into their mean words. You've been doing so well recovering from all that harsh criticism! You're so close to recovering fully from your gloominess. Don't let those ponies destroy everything you've worked so hard to achieve! Don't let all that progress be for nothing!"

"But it doesn't matter how much I do or what I achieve, Starlight!" said Mario angrily, "Forget the fact I helped in saving Equestria a dozen times over! Forget the fact I helped Rarity create a fashion empire! Forget the fact I created a successful mini-railway with its own branch line! Forget that I revolutionized how ponies view high-quality cuisine! It clearly means nothing that I'm still the only stallion who's ever become and alicorn and is the Prince of Friendship! And it clearly means nothing that I'm the Seventh Element! It's means nothing! NOTHING!" Mario buried his fore-hooves into his pillow and began to cry loudly. Starlight just looked at him sadly for a moment before pulling him up and hugging him tenderly.

"Shh, shh, shh...it's going to be okay," said Starlight gently, "It's going to be okay." Mario whimpered in reply. Twilight felt some tears leave her eyes. She had never felt so guilty.

"What have I done?" Twilight wondered aloud as she walked over to her own copy of the journal, "I thought I was doing something good. I thought I was helping. I even thought this would help ponies see my husband in a more positive light! How could our friendship journal have led to so much...anti-friendship?! How can ponies be so shallow that being raised by Celestia is enough to make Mario the most unwelcome pony in Equestria?!" Mario cried harder, making Twilight flinch and looked at him sadly.

"Oh, I'm so sorry, my love," said Twilight as she stroked his mane, "I didn't mean that. I'm just upset that ponies are being so mean to you. It's because of me you're suffering like this..."

"Oh, Twilight, it's not your fault," said Starlight.

"Yeah, I don't blame you for this, honey," Mario croaked as he pulled away and looked at her with eyes still full of tears, "You can't control how ponies think of me or our friends."

"Of course it's my fault!" said Twilight, "If I hadn't the big idea to make copies, none of this would be happening! You even warned me that there might be some backlash and it's really biting back full force!"

"But I was expecting harsh criticism over the writing itself and the lessons," said Mario, "That's what ponies critized me about! I wasn't expecting ponies to go so far as to criticize everything about us and go disrupting our lives!"

"Nevertheless," said Twilight, "I'm afraid I made life awful for you and my friends!" Twilight tugged on her ears before lowering her head down in shame.

"I really think you're being too hard on yourself," said Starlight Glimmer as Mario held Twilight lovingly in his fore-legs.

"Am I?" Twilight interjected as she gave Starlight an upset look.

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!

"I sense trouble," said Mario worriedly as he rushed off. Twilight and Starlight followed him to the front door. Starlight, Twilight, and Mario wasted no time opening the door and were deeply shocked.

"Momma mia..." Mario remarked in shock as Twilight yelped as well. There before them was the rest of the Mane eight, looking very upset, and behind them several angry ponies who were yelling and shouting loudly.

"Everypony inside! Now!" Mario called out as the six ponies rushed inside. Twilight, Starlight, and Mario then flinched as some of the crowds tried to come inside as well.

"Get back!" Mario shouted as he made a yellow blanket appear and whipped it at them to make the ponies back away from the front door, "Back! Back! Back!" Once they were pushed back enough, Twilight quickly slammed the door shut.

"Phew!" said Mario, "Thanks honey!" Twilight said nothing as she looked at Starlight, who just smiled sheepishly. Twilight then just sighed in defeat.

"Is everypony okay?" Mario asked.

"No!" Applejack replied, looking more ragged and exhausted than before, "I didn't know where else to go! I've got so much cookin' and cleanin' and family-in' to do...I ain't got time for anythin' else!" Applejack then squatted down as she pulled her stenson hat firmly down on her head.

"Well, you're safe here, sugarcube," said Mario gently as he rubbed her back gently, "Just relax okay." Applejack only whimpered in reply. Pinkie then appeared from inside of a nearby jar.

"At least ponies aren't laughing every time you talk!" Pinkie remarked, "Not even I want to be funny all the time! I'm telling you, my days of hilariousity-ness-ness...are over!" Pinkie then ducked into the jar to hide.

"Um, are you sure you wanna stay in there, Pinks?" said Mario, "Nopony is gonna laugh at you here. I'll see to it myself."

"Thanks, but there's alot of interesting stuff inside here!" said Pinkie, "So far I've found Shy Guys. sprouts that pop up green and white mushrooms, vegetables of various sizes, a POW block, and I think I might have even found a potion to Subspace!" Mario just blinked.

"Uhh...okay..." said Mario uneasily, "forget the fact I don't even know what most of that stuff is...I don't blame Pinkie for wanting to hide. Not being taken seriously is a big issue for her."

"You think you've got problems?" Rainbow retorted, "I know I'm awesome, but I can't even go to the bathroom without somepony trying to tell me how cool I am!" Rainbow landed firmly.

"Pfft, you got it easy compared to everypony else, Dashie," Mario snorted, "Some of us are getting bashed with harsh words and not taking it well! Just look at Rarity!" Rainbow did and was instantly disturbed when she saw Rarity wearing a very uncoordinated dress and several hats that were stacked on top of each other. Her mane was still a mess and she still had the face of a mad pony.

"Uh, Rarity?" Rainbow asked nervously, "What are you wearing?"

"My emotions, darling!" Rarity declared, "STRESS COUTURE!" She also held a piece of measuring tape with her magic to make her point. Fluttershy was just fuming and, to the surprise of Mario as well as Twilight, Shenran looked rather unsympathetic.

"I don't know what I'm gonna do if I have to defend myself one more time!" Fluttershy huffed when she noticed Rarity was measuring her with the tape. Fluttershy gave her a very irritated death glare.

"Hmm? Oh, uh, sorry, darling," said Rarity sheepishly, "Force of habit." Fluttershy just kept glaring.

"Will you just back off?" Shenran scolded, "Rarity's not doing anything to you."

"Just shut your mouth!" Fluttershy yelled.

"No!" Shenran shot back, "I've had it up to here with your bad attitude, Fluttershy!"

"Well, excuse me if ponies getting in my face about being shy angers me!" Fluttershy snapped.

"Is is my fault you keep turning down my help like a stubborn mule?" Shenran retorted. Fluttershy gasped.

"I can't believe you just called me a mule!" Fluttershy yelled, clearly offended.

"I didn't not call you a mule," Shenran yelled back, "I called you a selfish, spoiled brat!" Fluttershy was taken aback before she snarled.

"You ungrateful creep!"

"You're the one being ungrateful!"

"If you don't like me being assertive, maybe you shouldn't have married me!"

"If you didn't want me to care at all, maybe you shouldn't have married me!"

"I WISH I NEVER MARRIED YOU!" Fluttershy and Shenran yelled at the same time, "I HATE YOU!" Both of them looked away, whimpered loudly as tears quickly built up in their eyes. But as soon as they looked at each other. They scoffed at each other in disgust before turning away with their backs facing the other, crossed their fore-legs and pouted bitterly. Mario was left speechless.

"Even when I was being mean," said Mario to Twilight, "I don't remember our fights getting this ugly." Twilight just gave Mario a sad look and said nothing. Twilight then went to peek out of the window. Fans and critics alike flooded the view, making Twilight cringe as she closed the curtain. She then looked at the others. Rainbow looked disturbed as Rarity rocked back and forth on her back holding her hind legs with her fore-legs. Fluttershy and Shenran were still pouting and didn't want to speak to each other. Applejack had fallen asleep on the floor when Pinkie popped out of the jar and crashed landed on top of Applejack, making her yelp and wake up with a start. Mario was quiet as he looked at the group and then sighed sadly.

"Starlight? Honey?" Mario called out as Twilight and Starlight shared looked with each other and then at Mario.

"What's up?" Starlight asked gently.

"I understand," said Mario sadly as he looked at the six other ponies, "I understand what they're all going through..." Fluttershy blinked widely before her face scrunched up in rage.

"You don't know anything about what we're dealing with!" Fluttershy exploded, making Mario cringe.

"YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" shouted...Rarity?! Everypony was stunned to see Rarity panted heavily in rage as she glared fiercely at Fluttershy. She had also removed her stress dress.

"Don't you DARE say he doesn't understand, Fluttershy," Rarity continued in a very stern and low tone, "You know as well as I do that he does. Out of everypony here in this room, HE understands how we're feeling right now. He understands better than anypony in Equestria." Fluttershy felt ashamed, especially as tears began streaming down Rarity's cheeks. Rarity then approached Mario and started crying.

"You know what's it's like," Rarity continued firmly despite her tears, "You know how it feels..."

She pointed to Applejack, "To feel like you have to run yourself ragged to make others happy..." Applejack sniffled as tears built up in her eyes.

She pointed to Fluttershy, "To feel like you're always having to defend yourself because ponies don't care about your issues and struggles..." Fluttershy sniffled a couple of times as tears streamed down her cheeks.

She pointed to Pinkie, "To feel like all ponies can do is laugh at you and never take you seriously..." Pinkie's lips quivered before she buried her face into her fore-legs and cried.

She pointed to Rainbow, "To feel like ponies go out of your way to trouble you and never leave you be..." Rainbow nodded in agreement and gave Mario a sad look. Rarity then finally put a fore-hoof to your chest.

"And finally," said Rarity, her tears falling faster, "to feel like everything you worked so hard to achieve is getting torn apart by others simply because they chose not to like or accept you. You've been through it all! And it's proved one thing."

"What's that Rares?" Mario asked with concern.

"The rest of us are all weak!" Rarity snapped angrily, stunning the group.

"We're not weak!" Rainbow protested.

"Oh really?!" Rarity snapped furiously and glared at Rainbow fiercely, "Exactly how long has it been since we've been having to deal with our problems? Two days tops?! And look at us! We're all driven to hiding here, angry, frustrated, tired, upset, and even defeated. I don't know about you, but I know deep down that I can't take it anymore! I don't think I can take another day of this. Even you can agree with that." Rainbow whimpered.

"Y-y-your right," Rainbow stuttered, "I can't take it anymore! But how does that make us all weak?" Rarity snorted.

"It's only been two days," said Rarity, "and we're at our limit. Mario! Mario's been dealing with this for years! YEARS! How long did it take him to completely crumble at the seams? It was years! It took him years before he started falling apart and couldn't take it anymore! And most of us are falling apart after only two days! He is far stronger than any of us! If anypony can help us get through this, it's him!" Rarity's tears were falling even faster as she walked up to Mario.

"If there was ever a time little sister needed her big brother's strength," Rarity sobbed, "It's now!" Now it was Mario's turn to cry.

"I'm not as strong as you think Rarity," Mario croaked, "I haven't been handling all the criticism against me very well. Just before you all showed up, I was hiding under a fortress of pillows giving up...because nopony likes me either...I even got banished from Sweet Apple Acres by ponies who think they can be part of the family...and I don't deserve to be..." Applejack rushed up to him and buried her face into the floor.

"I'M SO SORRY!" Applejack wailed as she cried loudly. Mario pulled her up so they were looking eye to eye.

"Don't cry, sugarcube," said Mario in a gentle and caring tone, "I know you didn't abandon me. Those ponies were wearing you out and the rest of our family! They needed you more than I did."

"I still could've defended you," Applejack sobbed in a broken tone, "I tried but...Granny Smith..."

"Hey she's gets priority and I'm fine with that," said Mario, "Just know I'm not mad at you and I love you." Applejack buried her face into his shoulder and wept. Mario kissed the side of her head and held her close.

"Mario, if there's anything this situation has shown us," Rarity said sadly, "it's that we now understand what you're dealing with and why you suffered gloominess in the first place. And now we're coming to you for help." Rarity's voice broke as she continued, "Please help me, big brother...I'm losing everything I've worked so hard to achieve and I feel like I'm wanna give up...I'm about to fall down that same dark pit you were stuck in..."

"NO!" Mario cried out and held Rarity close. The marshmallow mare just looked at him as her tears kept falling and her lips quivered when Mario gave her a firm but teary look, "As long as your my twin sister, you'll never fell down that dark pit. I fell down that pit because I thought I was alone in dealing with all the hurt and discouragement, but it's not true! You have me and all our friends, Rarity, and I love you very much. Every business has its low points, but that doesn't mean you're finished. We can rebuild! We can begin again! And together, we'll make it through! I promise you. We'll get through this together. Even if you feel like you're gonna fall, big brother will always be there to catch you. Always." Rarity smiled despite her crumbling composure.

"As long as I have my big brother! I need him! I need him!" Rarity sobbed and broke down as she wept into Mario's other shoulder. Pinkie, already crying slowly walked up next. Before she could even ask, Applejack and Rarity scooted over so she could join the group hug. Rainbow came over next and just joined the hug but didn't cry. Fluttershy simply watched the group, her lips quivering and tears still falling, before looking at her husband. Shenran was just about to get up and join the group hug.

"Wait!" Fluttershy croaked. Shenran just gave his wife a sad and hurt look. Fluttershy composure began to crumble quickly.

"I'm sorry..." Fluttershy mouth as she broke down and lifted her fore-legs in the air. Shenran wasted no time pulling her in and let her weep into his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, too," said Shenran, feeling his own composure slip, "I didn't mean anything I said. I don't hate you. I want to be with you forever."

"You don't think I'm too shy?" Fluttershy sobbed, her muffled since her face was buried in his shoulder and her pink mane.

"Flutters, my love," said Shenran, "Your shy and timid nature is why I fell in love with you in the first place. I don't care if you ever learn to be assertive all the time. I'll love you always." Fluttershy wailed and cried harder as Shenran shed his own tears and held her for dear life. Unfortunately, Fluttershy set off a chain reaction which those who were already crying began to cry harder and now Rainbow was crying too. Starlight just watched the whole scene sadly, wincing as their crying got louder. It didn't help when she looked at Twilight that she was now crying as well.

"Okay...so maybe they are having a hard time with it," said Starlight uneasily before adding in a firm tone, "That doesn't mean you did anything wrong."

"Yes I did," Twilight retorted, "Releasing the journal was my idea, and it backfired in ways I could have never imagined! And I just undid the progress my husband had made in regards to his gloominess! I'm a terrible wife! All I do is hurt him and now I've hurt all my friends in the process!" Twilight just sniffled and tried to wipe her eyes.

"It's not your fault," said Starlight firmly, "It's everypony else's! Some ponies are just jerks! Others...well...they're just focusing on the wrong things, and-" Starlight then got an idea and gasped, "Wait here! I've got an idea!" Starlight then teleported away. Twilight just watched Starlight disappear and then turned to see the rest of the group. Mario was currently allowing Rarity and Rainbow too just rest their heads on his shoulders as he used his magic to brush Applejack's messy mane. Pinkie was just holding Mario with her head under his chin. Shenran was just rubbing his wife's back as he held her. While they had all calmed down, their tears were barely slowing down. Twilight couldn't bear seeing her husband and the rest of their friends looking so glum.

"I can't wait any longer," said Twilight in a firm and determined tone, "I've got to fix this."

"Don't bother, Twilight," said Mario sadly as he finished retying Applejack's brushed mane and was now getting the wrinkle out of Rarity's mane, "Ponies like these can't be reasoned with. You're better off talking to a wall! At least the wall will actually listen to you!" Twilight blinked and then snorted.

"These ponies are hurting you and everypony else!" said Twilight angrily, "And I'm done with it!" Twilight stamped her fore-hoof firmly as she headed toward the front door. The rest of the Mane eight lined up behind her as they exchanged worried looks with each other. Twilight then opened the door to the still arguing ponies standing outside.

"Everypony, please stop!" Twilight cried out, but the ponies continued to argue as they surrounded her and wouldn't stop. At least they didn't settle down until a sand colored unicorn appeared with a swamp green mane and tail appeared.

"Princess Twilight, I'm with the Canterlot Chronicle," said the reporter pony, "Quick question - what would you say to ponies who wonder why you moved to Ponyville in the first place?"

"I moved here to learn about friendship," said Twilight as the rest of the Mane Eight came out and stood behind her, "That's why the journal even exists. It took some time for me to get the hang of it, but it was each of these ponies standing next to me who taught me the lessons in those journals." The view showed each pony as Twilight said their names, "Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Shenran, and my loving and handsome husband Mario." Twilight then pulled Mario forward so he was standing beside her as she held his fore-hoof.

"I've learned so much from-" Twilight continued.

"What I mean is, some ponies would argue that it doesn't seem believable that the eight of you would be friends," the reporter pony interrupted, "in fact, is doesn't seem believable that you would choose that stallion beside you for your husband."

""Believable"?!" Twilight spluttered.

"Now you see why I have no respect for the Canterlot Chronicle," Mario whispered in her ear as Twilight's ear bent down to show she was most annoyed.

"Well, sure," the reporter pony continued as he held his copy of the journal with his magic, "I read this journal cover to cover, and I have to say your character would have been much more interesting if she'd stayed in Canterlot. And she'd be far more likable if she hadn't married Mario!"

"Excuse me?!" Mario snapped offensively. The rest of the group were indignant.

"My character?!" Twilight retorted, "We are real ponies! This journal if a record of things that actually happened to us! We made mistakes, and we learned from them! And what gives you the right to tell me that I shouldn't marry Mario! Mario is one of the most loving and caring ponies I have ever met in my entire life. Despite the fact that I took him for granted for years on end, he continued to love and support me for years on end without ever asking for anything in return. And that dedication and kindness is what made me fall deeply in love with him! I'm proud to call him my husband and my special somepony. I don't get why you ponies dislike him so much! Is the fact Celestia took him in rather than leave him in an orphanage or buried under a burnt down building enough of a reason to despite him so much?!" The ponies blinked.

"That's not why we dislike him at all," said one fan pony.

"Then what's your problem with him?" Twilight demanded.

"HE'S AN OC!" several ponies shouted at once. The Mane eight were stunned.

"You've gotta be joking kidding me..." Mario groaned loudly.

"Fine, maybe he is," said Twilight, making Mario's jaw drop, "But that only makes me love him even more and I could care less if you told me I could've chosen better. Because I don't want better! I want Mario! He's my Mario! He's not perfect and he's got issues, but that doesn't make him any less worthy of me or being any less worthy of being part of our group of friends! Just like the rest of us, he made mistakes and learned from them. And unlike most ponies, he has no problem telling us and others that he's not perfect. That's shows he's got humility as well as integrity!"

"Yeah, well, what about Rarity?" Diamond Cutter demanded, "Are we really supposed to believe everything she wrote in there?"

"Rarity is the most generous and selfless pony you'll ever meet," said Mario defensively, "It takes alot of courage to admit when you've made a mistake and you have no right to tell other ponies whether she learned her lessons or not!" Behind Mario, Rarity smiled and gave a firm nod in agreement.

"Oh give me a bweak!" said Princess Erorria, "That's why you wanna be Team Dash! She's the only one that didn't weally need to learn anything, because she's was alweady so cool." Mario rolled his eyes.

"You know, I might be awesome and all," said Rainbow as she hovered next to Mario, "But I'm also a girl too! In fact, I have no problem doing this..." She then gave Mario a hug and said in a sweet tone, "You're the best big brother in the world and I love you." Rainbow then kissed his cheek and Mario returned the hug. Princess Erroria and the other fillies jaws dropped.

"Mawio is making Rainbow Dash uncool!" Princess Erorria cried out and shrieked. The other fillies booed Mario angrily. Rainbow and Mario were most offended.

"Oh grow up, will ya!" Rainbow retorted as she glared at the fillies.

"Twilight was better before had wings!" a mare named Pearly Stitch shouted angrily.

"Ugh...that old complaint again..." Mario remarked with an eye roll.

"Fluttershy is just so painfully shy, it's hard to relate!" Lemon Chiffon complained, making a nearby Fluttershy fan uncomfortable, "I mean, come on!" Shenran snarled as Fluttershy held him back with a fore-leg and shook her head to make him stand down. The crowds began to argue once more. Twilight cringed as things started to get out of control again.

"Wait a minute, everypony!" Twilight cried out.

"Are Pinkie Pie and Applejack related or what?!" Caramel cried out in desperation.

"And it's your business why?" Mario pondered aloud when...

SPLAT!

A custard pie smacked his face, making the rest of the group behind him cringe.

"NOPONY LIKES YOU!" somepony shouted as the arguing got more intense. A journal then came flying out of the arguing crowds and landed before Twilight, making her step back. The rest of the Mane Eight were most upset. Rarity, Shenran, and Rainbow face-hoofed themselves. Pinkie just looked emotionally spent. Applejack, Fluttershy, and Mario just lowered their heads in defeat. Mario had already cleaned his face.

"Listen to me!" Twilight called out and then shouted in her Canterlot voice, "LISTEN TO ME!" Her voice created sound waves that stunned the ponies and finally got them to stop arguing. Twilight started at the group with her wings open.

"Wait!" I shouted aloud.

"Huh?" said Twilight in surprise and looked in my direction, "who are you?"

"I'm the narrator," I told her, "And I know what you're about to do. I wanted to ask if we could sing the first part of the song together. As a writer, I know how it feels to want to share your work and face some...harsh criticism..." Twilight blinked and then smiled.

"I'm not gonna question how you're talking to me and just say yes," said Twilight, "Follow my lead."

"Sure thing!" I replied as Twilight opened her wings and began the song.

[Twilight and myself - Twilight pointed at herself and then at the discarded journal on the ground next to her. She then looked back at the others, who were all still looking rather upset. Twilight then firmly stomped between the crowds as the ponies watched her. As she, and myself, kept singing, the rest of the Mane Eight were inspired by Twilight's words and exchanged smiles with each other. Twilight then teleported back to them as we finished our part of the song.]

I never claimed to be perfect
My mistakes are all written in ink
None of us claimed to be perfect
And it's sad if that's what you all think
Our flaws helped to make us special
They bond us and keep us strong
Our flaws are what brought us together
So stop actin' like something's wrong

[Mane Eight - Twilight appeared in front of the rest of the group as they started singing. Rainbow and Fluttershy then appeared on screen with backdrops that matched the color of their fur. Then they switched places so they were behind each other's backdrops. The two Pegasi then crawled out from the center divider of both backdrops, sat down and gave each other a hug.]

We're not flawless
We're a work in progress
We've got dents and we've got quirks
But it's our flaws that make us work.
Yeah!

[Mane Eight - They stood side by side as they sang and looked at each other. Then the center of the journal was seen. Each of the girls was seen as a reflection in each arm of a six pointed star. Mario and Shenran appeared in the top half and lower half of the center diamond of the star respectively. Then the journal opened for Rainbow's solo.]

We're not flawless
We're a work in progress
So tell me what flaws you got, too
'Cause I still like what's flawed about you.

[Rainbow Dash - She sang and flew across the sky as she reached a giant billboard of herself wearing shades. Her billboard self then continued singing as she lifted her shades and then lowered them again as she posed.]

They say I'm a big shot
That my ego's the size of a whale
My confidence comes off as cocky
But it gives me the courage to fail

[Rarity - appeared on a dark stage sitting on a shadowed fainting sofa, singing with a rather snooty demeanor.]

Sure, I can be a drama queen
A bit stuck up, it's true

[Applejack - As she sang her part, it was revealed Rarity was sitting on her back. Rarity hopped off and gave Applejack a smile.]

And I can be too eager to please
There's such thing as bein' too honest, too, 'cause

[Mane Eight - The eight ponies sang together as the crowds watched with blank faces. Mario and Shenran appeared on screen with a peach and green colored backdrops respectively. Then they switched backdrops as the kept singing. Then the middle divider flipped over so each stallion came out from behind it. And they gave each other a hug.]

We're not flawless
We're a work in progress
We've got dents and we've got quirks
But it's our flaws that make us work
Yeah!

[Mane Eight - They stood side by side as they sang and looked at each other. Then the center of the journal was seen. Each of the girls was seen as a reflection in each arm of a six pointed star. Mario and Shenran appeared in the top half and lower half of the center diamond of the star respectively. The book opened up to show Shenran in his dojo.]

We're not flawless
We're a work in progress
So tell me what flaws you got, too
'Cause I like what's flawed about you

[Shenran - Shenran did a few sword exercises and tried to look bold and outgoing. Then his swords disappeared and he was now surrounded by shadow ponies that were glaring at him. He began to feel rather timid and insecure as he cowered back at all the stares. But then Fluttershy helped him stand up so he could stand and sing proudly as she held him lovingly, making the shadows disappear.]

I learned to be strong, brave, and confident
Never show 'em your fear
But I'm really very shy and timid
But my wife gave me confidence and cheer

[Mario - As he sang, he was trying to put together a popsicle stick building together when it collapsed. Mario got angry and swiped the popsicle sticks off the table and pouted. Mario then watched as he saw himself crying on a chasse sofa like a drama queen. Mario then was seen alone under a spotlight surrounded by darkness. But then Twilight and the rest of the Mane eight appeared and surrounded in a group hug.]

I am very hot tempered and stubborn
A bit of a crybaby too
I only want to show I'm worthy
My friends say I've got nothing to prove! 'Cause, yeah

[Mane Eight - The eight ponies continued to sing as some of the hovering Pegasi just watched them blankly. Pinkie and Applejack then stood against their own backdrops. Then Applejack and Pinkie swapped sides with the latter making a funny face. Then the divider flipped over as Applejack walked out and looked around. Pinkie jumped out and pounced Applejack right off the screen.]

We're not flawless
We're a work in progress
We've got dents and we've got quirks
But it's our flaws that make us work
Yeah!

[Mane Eight - The eight ponies sang side by side and exchanged looks with each other. Then the center of the journal was seen. Each of the girls was seen as a reflection in each arm of a six pointed star. Mario and Shenran appeared in the top half and lower half of the center diamond of the star respectively. The book opened up to show Pinkie in a chasse sofa while a copy of her took notes and wore gaucho glasses on a chair beside her.]

We're not flawless
We're a work in progress
So tell me what flaws you got, too
'Cause I like what's flawed about you

[Pinkie - sat on the chasse sofa as she sang. Then she appeared below after lifting the scene like a window drape. Then she grabbed Twilight and Rainbow in her fore-legs and hugged them. Twilight and Rainbow just gave some very sheepish and nervous smiles on their faces.]

Ponies think I'm all bubbles and laughter
That I don't seem sincere
I might joke around a little too much
But I'm just so happy you're here

[Fluttershy - The scene shifted to look like an under the sea surroundings with a giant clamshell in the middle. The shell opened up as Fluttershy hovered out of it as she began to sing. As she disappeared upward, a constellation appeared in the sky in the shape of Twilight's head.]

It took me a while to be confident
To really come out of my shell

[Twilight - she and the rest of the Mane eight appeared. As she sang, the other did a little background singing. Then Twilight gave Rarity a smile.]

But nopony has to be perfect
By now, don't you know us so well? Because, yeah

[Mane Eight - As the group sang, Pinkie sang a little higher so her voice stood out a bit more. Twilight and Rarity appeared behind their own backdrops. Twilight was reading as she sang. Then they swapped places, the divider flipped, as Twilight and Rarity appeared. Rarity pulled the book away and they both shared a hug.]

We're not flawless
We're a work in progress
We've got dents and we've got quirks
But it's our flaws that make us work.
Yeah!

[Mane Eight - The view panned 360 degrees as the eight ponies stood in a circle and sang. Each of the girls was seen as a reflection in each arm of a six pointed star. Mario and Shenran appeared in the top half and lower half of the center diamond of the star respectively. The book opened up and all eight ponies popped out and posed side by side. But then the book disappeared to show there were still standing in a circle and posing.]

We're not flawless
We're a work in progress
So tell me what flaws you got, too.

[Pinkie Pie]

You got, too

[Mane Eight]

'Cause I still like what's flawed about you

The crowd stayed silent as Twilight stepped forward. The rest of the Mane Eight stayed behind her as Rainbow and Mario hovered in the air.

"So you see, everypony?" said Twilight to the crowd, "None of us ever claimed to be perfect. Without our flaws, there wouldn't be any friendship lessons to learn. Without our flaws..." The rest of the Mane eight exchanged smiles with each other, "There wouldn't be any friendships at all." The crowd stared for a few moments...and then went back to arguing once more. Even the reporter pony just rolled his eyes and jotted down his own notes. Twilight was agape as the rest of the Mane eight looked indignant. Except for Mario, who just landed with his head low.

"Oh, sweetie, it's okay," said Twilight, "It's not your fault those pones-" Twilight then stopped as Mario's body began to shake, which made the rest of the group worried since they thought he was crying. Mario then lifted his head and shocked them all. He wasn't crying! He was laughing! Mario's laughter got to loud that the crowd stopped arguing and looked at him with funny looks. Even the rest of the Mane Eight looked rather puzzled.

"What's so funny?" a pony demanded as some others grumbled in agreement. Mario finally settled down.

"You guys!" Mario answered, "I mean...this is so stupid...so totally stupid..."

"And what exactly about all of this do you consider stupid?" the reporter pony asked in a curious but also annoyed tone.

"Simple," said Mario, "I can't believe I let ponies like you upset me all these years. So you think I'm on OC. So you think I don't deserve my friends. So you don't think I should be married to Twilight. So you think I don't deserve my wings and being the Prince of Friendship. At the end of the day, I am who I am! These are my friends! Twilight is my wife! I am the Prince of Friendship. If you don't like that, then newsflash everypony. WHATEVER!" The crowd gasped and the Mane Eight were stunned, except for Shenran, who was smiling excitedly.

"Atta boy, bro," Shenran said quietly.

"You heard me!" Mario continued in a tone filled with confidence and conviction, "Whatever! Who cares? I've had enough of letting ponies like you making me feel like I'm completely useless and worthless every single day of my life. Because at the end of the day, I can't change your opinions of me. You're gonna think what you want about me and my friends and we can't stop you. If you don't wish to be convinced otherwise or take the time to get to know me or my friends for who we truly are, then that's your loss. I don't need you or your approval of me to live a happy, healthy life. I don't need your approval to believe in myself or to think that I'm special. I don't need your approval to be good enough for these seven ponies beside me. While it's true that one or two may have needed some persuasion to like me, unlike all of you, they gave me a chance and they grew to love me without me having to put any effort into it. They see me for who I really am and they love and accept me! They are my family and I love them with all my heart and soul." The rest of the Mane seven smiled happily as they listened to Mario speak. Twilight was crying tears of joy.

"Yeah, well, I just decided I still don't like you!" shouted a second pony from the crowd. Trying to spoil Mario's moment as all but Mario glared at the pony.

"And I just decided: I don't care," said Mario indignantly, "I've got seven ponies who like me anyway. They're approval is all I really need. If others come to accept me, great, there's plenty of room in my heart for them. If not, then it's no sweat of my back."

"That's right, Big brother," said Pinkie, "Mario is one of the sweetest and most loving and caring ponies you could ever meet."

"He is one of the easiest ponies to open up with," said Fluttershy, "It doesn't matter what's troubling you, Mario has to ability to empathize and help you out one way or another."

"He's a better definition of loyalty and more awesome than me," said Rainbow as she wrapped a fore-leg around his shoulder, "He's always got your back even when we uhh...heh...are too proud to seek his help or advice..." Rainbow blushed.

"And he's hard working too," said Applejack, "Every blessing he's got was earned though good honest work and effort. He's inspires me to do my best everyday and that's it's okay to make mistakes."

"The very fashion empire some of you are trying to destroy, he helped me build!" Rarity added, "I wouldn't be the success I am today if it wasn't for his help and support."

"And even when it feels like the odds are stacked against him," said Shenran, "Even if he's not feeling fully confident, he still gives his all to help us and to protect all of Equestria."

"Mario is the glue that holds us all together," said Twilight, "We're our own tight-knit family because of him and why the elements have chosen him as the seventh element: The element of Love." Mario gave them all a smile. The crowd was silent once again.

And then they started arguing...again, leaving the Mane Eight very indignant at the fact is seemed everything they, and Mario, had said went completely over their heads.

"BOO YOU STINK!" shouted a pony off-screen when...

SPLUT!

A whipped cream pie smashed into Mario's face.

"Hmph!" Mario snorted as he angrily wiped the cream off his face and hovered into the castle. The rest of the Mane Eight trotted inside as well before Twilight firmly slammed the doors shut. The eight ponies all sighed in unison.

"So that just happened," said Rainbow irritably.

"Eh, just shows how dense they are, Dashie," said Mario, "You know what they say: Haters gotta hate." The other ponies stared and then smiled impressively.

"I can't tell you how proud I am of you," said Twilight happily to Mario. Mario blinked.

"For what?" Mario asked, "All I said was that I'm done letting them tear me down."

"And that is a big deal, darling," Rarity added, "The whole reason you've been recovering from gloominess is because years of harsh words were tearing you down and making you think so little of yourself."

"Being able to finally put your hoof down and say enough is enough," said Shenran, "That's huge, bro! That means you're strong enough not to let harsh and mean words bother you anymore."

"I'm just sorry I took so long to figure it out," said Mario quietly, "I always knew that I needed to not let all those harsh words bother me, but...it wasn't until after we sang and everypony just completely disregarded everything Twilight was saying...I realized that getting their approval isn't worth it. I don't need them. I have all the love and approval right here with you guys. After all, popularity is fleeting, but friendship is forever." The group smiled as they gathered around him for a group hug. Mario smiled and then sniffled.

"Nevertheless," said Mario as began to cry, "I'm still a sensitive pony and I can't help but shed tears because of how grateful I am to you all. Its thanks to all of you I've had the strength to finally say enough is enough. You gave me strength when I was too tired to keep fighting. You gave my hope when I was ready to give up. So thank you, everypony. I finally feel like I'm close to feeling completely healed of all this gloominess."

"I agree on that," said Twilight, "And let me just say seeing you stick up for yourself like that was very attractive." Twilight gave him a cute smirk. Mario chuckled.

"Well, thank you for defending me like you did," said Mario, "that was the most romantic thing you've ever done for me." Twilight giggled as they shared a loving kiss and nose nuzzle. The others smiled. Fluttershy cuddled under Shenran's chin as he held her back lovingly.

"Are we gonna be okay, honey?" Fluttershy asked worriedly.

"Of course," said Shenran, "can you forgive me for getting to upset?"

"I already have. Can you forgive me for being so mean and defensive?" Fluttershy replied, "Sometimes I forget you defend me because you love me and not because you don't think I can't fight my own battles."

"I already have," Shenran replied as the two shared their own nose nuzzle, "No group of dense-minded ponies are gonna tear us apart!"

"Yeah," said Fluttershy as she snuggled into her husband's forelegs, "Nopony is gonna say I'm not good enough for my Shenny." Shenran giggled in agreement and began to stroke her mane with a fore-hoof.

"Girls! Mario! Shenran!" said Starlight as she walked into the main hall, "I found two ponies who have something I think you should hear." To the Mane Eight's surprise, the two ponies were Toola Roola and Coconut Cream.

"Um, we just wanted to thank you," said Toola Roola, "To all of you."

"Yeah, our friendship?" said Coconut Cream, "Well, we were having trouble until we read your journal. It showed us that friends go through all sorts of tough times and come through stronger than before."

"It's made us better friends than we've ever been!" Toola Roola added, putting a fore-leg around Coconut Cream.

"Really?" Twilight replied, feeling touched.

"Mm-hmm," said Coconut Cream and Toola Roola together as they put a fore-leg around each other.

"Oh, I can't tell you how much it means to hear that," said Twilight as Mario nodded in agreement, "Thank you for telling us. We've had a tough couple of days, but knowing we've helped fillies like you."

"It makes everythin' we've been through worth it," said Applejack as she walked up to the two fillies.

"Absolutely," said Rarity in agreement and put a fore-leg around Applejack's shoulders, "As Mario told us before you arrived, Fads come and go. Friendship is forever."

"Well said, Rares," said Mario.

"There are worse things than not being able to do anything without being told I'm awesome," Rainbow remarked as she hovered in the air with her fore-hooves behind her head.

"No kidding," said Mario sarcastically with a smirk on his face.

"Heh...sorry," Rainbow said timidly. Fluttershy and Shenran chuckled to each other.

"And we can't change the way other ponies think about us," said Fluttershy, "But we can change how we let it affect us." Shenran nodded in agreement.

"Of how we don't let it affect us!" said Pinkie as she leaned over to Fluttershy and smashed a pie in her face. The others just started at her with blank looks on their faces. Pinkie giggled.

"Go ahead! Laugh!" Pinkie told them and the rest of the group did just that.

"True, we don't need to be popular to feel loved, accepted, and appreciated," said Mario, "As long as we have our friends, it's all we'll ever really need." Starlight then walked up to the still laughing Toola Roola and Coconut Cream and they shared a group hug together. As the rest of the Mane eight continued to laugh, they gathered around Mario for a large group hug as they settled down.

"Reckon we still have to deal with them, don't we?" Applejack pointed out.

Outside, the ponies were still arguing loudly outside.

"Stay in the friendship moment, Applejack," said Twilight, "they can wait a little longer."

KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK!

"Or not..." Twilight groaned.

"I'll get it, dear," said Mario as he hovered out of the group hug and headed toward the door. He opened the door a little bit before allowing somepony to sneak inside and quickly shut the door before the other arguing ponies could try to break in.

"Twilight! It's Moon Dancer!" said Mario as the butter colored unicorn gave a wave hello. Twilight smiled excitedly as the group broke away and Twilight gave her a hug.

"So sorry about the mess outside," said Twilight to Moon Dancer, "what brings you here?"

"Those ponies actually," said Moon Dancer in a stern and annoyed tone, "I've been hearing plenty of things about you, your friends, and especially Mario all over Canterlot." Moon Dancer held her copy with her magic, "And I've been worried about Mario since I know he's very sensitive to negative criticism so I decided to come and visit." She turned to Mario, "Are you doing okay?" Mario smiled and nodded.

"It was really rough as first for me," said Mario, "For all of us actually, but...I finally hit a point where I told them enough is enough."

"Really?" said Moon Dancer excitedly.

"Eeyup," Mario replied, "I said that if they can't accept me or take the time to get to know me then who needs them. I have real friends who love and accept me and that's all I ever really needed. I'm not gonna let ponies like them tear me down anymore." Moon Dancer gave him a hug.

"I'm so happy for you," said Moon Dancer, "I'd say you're completely healed of that gloominess you've been having."

"I...wouldn't say I've fully healed..." said Mario, trying to be realistic but also sounded worried, "but I'm pretty close." Moon Dancer nodded to accept his answer.

"Princess Twilight, why do ponies dislike Prince Mario so much?" Coconut Cream asked curiously.

"Yeah," said Toola Roola, "Mario told us all about how he got mean when he was a famous racer, but he learned his lesson."

"We don't like him less just because he's made mistakes," said Coconut Cream, "In fact, we like that he admits he's made mistakes."

"Yeah, we thought grown-ups were perfect," said Toola Rolla, "Why else do they tell us what to do all the time?" That made all the adults chuckle.

"Well I can assure you that grown-ups do make mistakes," said Twilight, "but to answer your question girls, some ponies just like to judge others by what's on the surface or what they hear about them via gossip, news, and even books. They don't want to take the time to get to know who that pony really is."

"Oh," said Toola Roola and Coconut Cream together sadly.

"But we like Mario," said Toola Roola, "He's really nice to us."

"Yeah, and despite being fillies," said Coconut Cream, "he listens to us and cares about what we have to say."

"We'd like to get to know him more," said Toola Roola.

"Yeah, after all," said Coconut Cream, "We like trains too."

"Trains are what made us become friends in the first place," said Toola Roola as they both giggled together. Mario chuckled.

"Well, then," said Mario, "I think I know a way we can get to know each other and you can have fun with trains."

"Really?" said Toola Roola.

"What is it?" Coconut Cream asked excitedly.

"Our adopted daughter, Diamond Tiara, has been getting rather overwhelmed managing her share of the Ponyville railway," Mario explained, "If you two are willing to learn, I think you two are just what we need for her branch line. If you are both interested." Toola Roola and Coconut Cream jumped up and down excitedly and gave Mario a hug.

"When do we start?" they asked excitedly. Mario couldn't help but laugh since he found their excitement and enthusiasm rather cute.

"Once we take care our arguing ponies situation," said Mario and then blinked as a light bulb lit up above his head, "And I think I've got an idea." Mario then told everypony to gather around in a circle as he whispered something to them. Once they pulled away, they all had a firm but determined looks on their faces.

"We'll do it tomorrow," said Mario in a low but confident tone, "All those ponies out there will look silly."

The Mane Eight, Starlight, Moon Dancer, and their little filly friends, had decided to go on strike.

The next day, Mayor Mare was sitting in her office, listening to the noise outside. Several ponies were angry. It was then one of her assistants allowed themselves in.

"There's trouble in town, Miss Mare," said the assistant, "Several shops are closed. There's no trains. Sweet Apple Acres has been shut down. The town has come to a complete standstill."

"Indeed," said Mayor Mare, "Princess Twilight and Prince Mario informed me about this. Just carry on as usual and send the protesters away. It's out of my hooves." The assistant was stunned.

"As...you wish, ma'am," said the assistant as the pony left. Mayor Mare sighed as she grabbed a nearly pad that had some crossword puzzles and started doodling on it, tuning out the grumbling ponies outside.

Why were ponies grumbling?

Several ponies were given a major wake-up call when they found that several major shops in town were closed. Sugarcube Corner had its doors locked and the delicious smells that sweetened the morning air were non-existent, which meant no more tasty treats. Ponies who had parties planned or wanted to schedule a party were turned away by an nearby sign stating that Pinkie had cancelled all planned parties and wouldn't be hosting parties anymore.

Rarity had not only closed the Carousel Boutique but also Canterlot Carousel and Rarity For You as well. Ponies boycotting their shops were so stunned that they didn't know what else to do when they saw the shops were closed down.

At Sweet Apple Acres, the admirers were shocked to wake up and found notices that the Apple family was gone, forcing them to pack up and leave. As they left, they took notice that there were signs stating that the farm was now closed and the Apple trees were bare. Ponies who visited the market area found an empty wagon stating that no apples or apple products were on sale. Filthy Rich had even shut down Backyard Bargains to show his support of the strike. Burnt Oak closed down as well. Grand Pear had not only closed up his own market stand to show his support.

Fluttershy had word spread to the animals about the strike so she could close the sanctuary. Dr. Fauna wanted to close down her office to support Fluttershy, but neither pony felt that any animal should be deprived of any healthcare because of ponies being unreasonable.

Rainbow had convinced the Ponyville weather team to go on strike, leaving the weather mostly cloudy as the clouds cluttered the sky and blocked the sun.

In the train yard, freight cars loaded with cargo and other goods were sitting on their sidings not being delivered. Ponies expecting their deliveries never received them and were even more upset when they were told the Ponyville railway was closed.

The Mane eight, Starlight, Apple Family (Grand Pear included), and even the Cake family had all taken refuge inside of Twilight's castle to avoid having to deal with the angry ponies. Since Cheerilee had closed down the Schoolhouse to show her support, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Toola Roola, Coconut Cream, Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon were at the castle as well. In fact, there were a few additional fillies and colts at the castle as well since Sweetie Belle had convinced the entire Super Mario Fan Club to come give Mario and the others their support. The parents didn't mind that at all since it kept their foals out of all the drama and Mario and Twilight promised to take care of them. Plus the castle was loaded with all the food and essentials the group could ever need to sustain themselves. They also played games, sang songs, and other various activities to pass the time. So everypony at the castle was happy and content.

At first, it seems as though the strike had only made ponies angrier and despise the Mane eight even more. They had even tried to gather together and storm the castle but were quickly halted when Celestia appeared before them.

"If any of you comes near this castle," Celestia warned sternly, "You'll have to answer to me!"

"But those ponies are causing Ponyville to come to a standstill!" one critic shouted.

"And they have every right to do so!" Celestia replied firmly, "It's one thing to have your own opinions about them, but it's another when you go and disrupt their lives! Now disperse immediately or I'll have to use force!" This made the grumbling ponies call off their attack, but they still walked off with long and bitter looking faces.

"They can't make our favorite shops shut down because they can't handle a little criticism!" the harsh critics remarked to the group of angry ponies, "This strike is only making them look bad! We'll show 'em that we don't need them!" Several other ponies nodded in agreement.

But after seven days had passed, the harsh critics soon saw their comments blow up in their faces. Ponies were no longer angry with the Mane eight, but with them!

With the strike in place, all the Ponyville residents were finding life in town was very boring with so many shops closed. Ponies who hadn't boycotted Rarity couldn't order or shop for new couture. Ponies of all ages were upset at not being able to purchase tasty treats and the fact there were no more parties to look forward to. Ponies who didn't buy apples beforehand found they missed eating their favorite fruit and other apple products. Those with pets often asked Dr. Fauna when they would see Fluttershy again, but she would never give an answer to their questions. Those who relied on Mario's railway were forced to close down because their deliveries never arrived and their shelves were now empty. The fact Pinkie wasn't around to make them smile and the fact the sky was still buried under a huge collection of clouds only made ponies feel even more depressed and miserable. Ponies began to realize that they might have gone too far with how they treated the Mane eight.

By the eighth day, the harsh critics had lost all their power and influence. Because ponies were so angry with them for causing so much trouble, many of them had to go into hiding. While their opinions about the Mane eight didn't change, they had learned to keep their personal feelings and opinions to themselves. Several ponies from the Canterlot Chronicle that had posted harsh and negative articles about the Mane eight had been fired. They too went into hiding to avoid dealing with angry ponies.

By the ninth day, the group of ponies at the castle were enjoying themselves when there was a loud knock on the door. Mario and Twilight opened it to find it was Mayor Mare.

"I believe our fellow townsponies have something to say," said Mayor Mare with a smile on her face. The rest of the group came out of the castle to see that a large crowd of ponies were standing outside looking very glum. Some were also holding a large banner with the words SORRY written on it. The group blinked before they exchanged smiles with each other.

"I think it's time we got Ponyville running again," said Mario as Twilight nodded in agreement.

So by the start of the ninth day, Twilight, Mario, and the rest of the Mane eight called off the strike and life, for the most part, returned to normal.

Pinkie didn't have to deal with ponies laughing at her anymore and was happily scheduling parties and making them smile. The Cakes reopened shop and they spent sunrise to sunset serving customers who were desperate for one of their treats.

Applejack didn't have to worry about ponies forcing herself into the family and was able to manage the farm, sell apples, and still have time to relax with her true friends and family.

Ponies didn't bother Fluttershy and Shenran about the former's shy nature. Fluttershy could walk about town and ponies wouldn't get in her face about being assertive anymore.

Rainbow finally got her privacy back and enjoyed a nice long nap once the clouds were clear.

While Rarity did lose several regular customers, new customers had come to take their place. So many that her number of regulars doubled!

Diamond Tiara and Mario reopened the railway with Toola Roola and Coconut Cream managing the yard. But the two fillies were learning how to handle freight cars so quickly that Mario knew it wouldn't be long before they were pulling trains to help with the deliveries.

Even as things settled down, Twilight still wondered if she should recall the friendship journals, but the rest of the Mane, along with encouragement from Starlight and Celestia, convinced her to keep the journals available to other ponies. After all, most of the hype and drama around the journal has finally settled down. And during the strike, several of the foals had said their own friendships had gotten stronger thanks to the journal. So Twilight knew the friendship journals were helping other ponies, even if it was only just a few.

A few days later, Mario and Twilight were walking about town holding fore-hooves since they were on another date together. Mario took noticed that Twilight was wearing the buttercup barrette. In fact, she hadn't taken it off since he gave to her a couple of weeks ago.

"You know, sweetie," said Mario, "As much as I love seeing you wear that barrette. You don't have to wear it all the time."

"I wanna wear it all the time!" Twilight replied, "You said I'm your buttercup. And this barrette is a reminder that I'm your girl!" Mario giggled.

"Yes, you are," said Mario, "and I'm happy to be your stallion." He and Twilight shared a loving nuzzle and were about to kiss when...

"Bleh!" said a nearby tourist stallion," I still think Twilight could've done better in choosing a husband." Twilight glared as Mario just gave the stallion an indignant look. But then Mario smiled.

"Probably," Mario replied, "But she still chose me anyway." He gave his wife a pony scoffed.

"You sicken me, Mario," he said rudely.

"Aw, that's so sweet of you to say," said Mario with a smile, "See you!" Mario and Twilight then walked away. The tourist stallion was left dumbfounded before he finally recovered.

"That wasn't a complement!" he yelled, but Mario and Twilight took no notice. Soon, the alicorn couple had arrived on a small hill where they were going to have a picnic. Mario was just about to get their food out of the basket when he noticed that Twilight was staring at him. The fact hearts were floating above her head meant she was clearly lovesick. Mario laughed.

"I haven't seen you that lovesick since we first started dating," said Mario, "am I really that attractive?" Twilight giggled and gave him a shy nod.

"It just...the way you handled yourself when that pony tried to say those mean things to you," Twilight replied happily, "You were so confident and strong when you spoke to him. You didn't let his attitude knock you down like you used to. The way you carry yourself now. You look happier and stronger too. It's attractive..." Twilight gave him another lovesick smile. Mario chuckled as he pulled his wife in for a loving hug.

"Well I do feel alot happier now that I've learned to brush those harsh words aside," said Mario, "But you know what else?"

"What?" Twilight asked.

"For the first time in my life," said Mario as he looked into the distance as he held Twilight close to his chest, "I feel like I can look forward to the future now. Those harsh words aren't buzzing in my head anymore. My mind feels at peace now." Twilight gave him a teary smile.

"I'm glad," said Twilight as she nuzzled the underside of his chin, "but your mind doesn't need to be completely silent. Let these words repeat in your head from now on."

"What words?" Mario asked as Twilight gazed lovingly into his eyes.

"I love you," said Twilight, "Your family loves you. We will love you always." Mario hummed in agreement as the two alicorn cuddled each other.

"I guess that writer was right," said Mario.

"What writer? What they did they say?" Twilight asked curiously.

"Good things can come out of bad situations," Mario told her, "If you hadn't suggest we released the friendship journal, I might not have found the strength to finally say enough is enough. And despite what the rest of our friends had to deal with, we've all gotten closer to each other because of it. While it wasn't what you expected, we did get quite a few ponies whose friendships have gotten better thanks to the journal." Twilight giggled.

"You're right dear," said Twilight, "Everything worked out in the end and even we got closer because of it."

"Yeah, I love you so much my Twilight," said Mario and nuzzled her mane.

"I love you so much, Mario, my one and only," Twilight replied sweetly. Mario sighed contently as he held his wife a little longer.

He had to admit, this friendship journal had really helped him take a huge step forward to healing from his gloominess.

While he would admit he didn't feel fully healed yet...

...he had to admit for the first time in his life...

...he could finally see the finish line.

I hope I didn't keep too many pony fans waiting for this chapter, but keep in mind that it was Christmas and New Years so I wasn't writing as much. I hope this chapter was worth the wait.

Once again, I point out that I'm not good with song lyrics and did the best I could with adding singing parts for Mario and Shenran. Plus I hope you like my alternate ending to the chapter too. After all, I get what the original writers were trying to do, but I still felt a little dissatisfied. It's one thing to not like the Mane six, but the fact all those "neighsayers" got away with disrupting their lives just didn't sit right with me. I thought I came up with a very civilized and mature solution to teach them a lesson.

Plus I hope you enjoyed seeing Mario take a huge step forward in recovering with his own depression. He had to have a low point before he could finally realize that he doesn't need to let mean ponies ruin his life or make him feel worthless anymore.

Fun Fact: I really am not that good with penmanship, which is why I prefer typing my writing and not actually using a pencil or pen and paper. I really did struggle getting As and Bs in penmanship classes in elementary school. Using computers for assignments didn't become a thing until I was in middle school.

Fun Fact 2: I am a HUGE fan of Toola Roola and Coconut Cream. They're SO cute! And it was heartbreaking they never had another appearance in the show, not even as background ponies. So I plan on making use of them from here on out and develop their characters a bit too.

I don't know if ZackScottGames has a copyright on that catchphrase I put it in the story so I'm giving him credit here.

Kudos if you caught the Super Mario Bros 2 USA joke!

Kudos if you caught the Spongebob Joke!

And I hope nopony minded a little fourth wall break. This is my favorite song of all time because it relates to me as a writer and as a person who's been bullied to point of entering depression, which I'm still dealing with. I couldn't resist singing with Twilight on the first part of the song. While Mario had his own part in the song, Fluttershy's part is actually the most relatable for me when it came to making the life-long friends I have now.

Next time: The return of Thorax and Ember! Can Diamond Tiara help Spike when he invites them both to Ponyville on the same day? Can Mario help Twilight and Starlight in keeping them apart? Will the universe explode if Thorax and Ember cross paths?

Stay Tuned!

Peace Pony Fans!