This is the 1st chapter of the 3rd season. But before I could start the Crystal Empire Arc, I wanted to thank you all for reading two of the stories and the support. It means a lot. But now, this first chapter is where Mario and Twilight tell their friends and family about how they first met.
I don't own the series of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.
Mario and Twilight's Past
It was a beautiful sunny day in Ponyville park. The Mane 8, 8 foals, and Spike were just relaxing and enjoying themselves. After Princess Cadence and Shining Armor's wedding, everypony was looking forward to just spend some time to relax and enjoy themselves without another crisis to deal with. They even invited the CMCs to partake in the food as well as the fun. Everypony was just relaxing on a nearby laid out picnic basket as Mario and Kronk were busy cooking some hayburgers over a barbecue grill Spike had lit up.
Twilight just sat a short distance away watching him with a lovesick smile on her face. Mario waved at her from time to time, making her giggle and wave back in return. Since they had become a couple, the two ponies were more inseparable than ever. It seem they couldn't even say goodnight to each without Twilight nearly crying, even when Mario only lived in Sweet Apple Acres. While they seemed to have a hard time dealing with seeing Twilight and Mario kissing with each other, the rest of the Mane 6 and the rest of the 8 foals seemed to tolerate their lovesick behavior without too much fuss. After all, they had been waiting for the day Twilight admit her love to Mario.
Twilight felt like the happiest mare in Equestria, hopelessly and deeply in love. She couldn't be happier to have Mario for her coltfriend now. Just having him nearby was enough to put her in a good mood these days. Even at the park, she loved just sitting quietly and watching him cook their lunch. She was in a pure bliss until...
"EARTH TO TWILIGHT!" The voice of Sweetie Belle shouted.
Twilight shook her head to snap out of her daze when she noticed Sweetie Belle glaring at her. She and Apple Bloom had been asking her questions for a while now, regarding her feelings for Mario.
"May I help you?" Twilight asks, slightly annoyed since she's trying to relax and watch her coltfriend cook.
"I asked you why you waited so long to tell Mario that you loved him?" Sweetie Belle repeated hastily. "I mean you're not the type of pony that would lead a guy on right?"
"No! That's not the reason at all!" Twilight snapped defensively, which doesn't seemed to phase the two fillies.
"You clearly returned his feelings so why did you make him wait?" Apple Bloom asked. "Doesn't seemed fair...especially since Mario told us he's been in love with ya since day one, even after he didn't tell us about his teachers or his friends."
Twilight couldn't resist an eye roll, but she did find their protectiveness over Mario a little cute. A little cute is the word because she knew Sweetie Belle had a crush on him.
"I don't think you would understand..." Twilight answered, earning only glares from the two fillies.
"If you're talking about telling Mario the truth about how we feel about him, then we actually do." Apple Bloom said.
"I cried when he found out." Sweetie Belle adds. "You know. I get it. I'm too young for him! But still, to hear Mario actually reject me with his own lips! I just don't think I could take that kind of rejection!"
"Sweetie Belle, it's not that personal. He only did it for your own good." Daylight protests in her mother's defense.
Sweetie Belle began to cry dramatically as Apple Bloom and the rest of the foals looked rather indignant.
"I can see how she Rarity are sisters." Apple Bloom said quietly.
"Tell me about it." The 7 foals replied in agreement.
"But the point is that...were you afraid to admit your love to him?" Apple Bloom asks as Twilight sighed before given her a nod.
"Well, seeing him in his martial arts outfit made me fall in love with since our first time at the Gala." Twilight replied back. "But when he keeps his distance from me when he's still hurting over the incident with Discord, I started missing him something awful and I tried everything to kind of...block that pain out..."
"Is that why you tried to enchant us with that doll?" Sweetie Belle asks when Twilight blushed a deep shade of red.
"That was more from me trying to handle a problem I had involving friendship report and not trusting him." Twilight explains. "He was angry over that too...let's face it girls. I haven't done a very good job appreciating him or his love for me, same could be said about taking care of Comet. I didn't think I deserved their love. It wasn't until I was at risk of losing it forever when I finally found the confidence to admit it. I just want it to last forever...he deserves that much after what I put him through. I really do love him so much..."
The two fillies looked at her sympathetically as Comet and Daylight went to her, comforting their mother. Twilight remembered how she had a meltdown with Queen Chrysalis was so close to draining Mario's love. She still had nightmares about it as she felt new tears wanting to escape her eyes as Applejack and Rarity approached. They took note that some tears had escaped Twilight's eyes as she quickly tried to wipe them away while Comet and Daylight tried to comfort her.
"Are you girls givin' Twilight a hard time?" Applejack asks sternly.
"I know you, Sweetie Bell, loved Mario as well, but there's no need to be sore losers about it." Rarity said.
"We were just askin' why Twilight waited so long to tell him." Apple Bloom replied, slightly annoyed.
"Yeah, I mean we were afraid to speak up about it and cried when he found out." Sweetie Belle adds. "It also didn't help that somepony gave me a hard time about it."
Rarity already knew whom she mentioned.
"Well, that's because I moved on after I had a special somepony at the Gala and addition of taking care of Golden Charm and given birth to Flora Heart after being informed of their grave misfortune." Rarity told her. "But...the only other pony having a crush on him was Rainbow Dash..."
"Rainbow Dash has a crush on Mario?!" Scootaloo exclaimed since she was parking her scooter close by when she heard the conversation.
"Wuh? Huh? YAHH!" Rainbow Dash spluttered since she had been dozing in a nearby tree branch when the sudden statement made her tumble out of the tree with a thud.
"Do you have a crush on Mario?" Scootaloo asked curiously as Rainbow Dash shuttered a bit to speak as her cheeks turned light pink. "Hey, it's cool. I have a crush on him too...just something about him that makes me feel...I don't know...pretty? I guess..."
Rainbow Dash just blinked as the others giggled to each other. Twilight just rolled her eyes irritably at them. She knew Mario's heart was only for her, but seeing so many of her friends admitting to having a crush on her stallion made her very jealous.
"Okay, guys! That's enough! The hayburgers are ready!" Mario called out, showing a plate of fresh hayburgers.
Twilight clapped excitedly as she zoomed over to snuggle the side of her coltfriend.
"Oh, I can't wait to eat what you made for us, sweet lover boy." Twilight said.
"I'm glad too." Mario replied as they nuzzled their noses to each other.
"Oh, please no!" Scootaloo shouted with her fore-hooves in the air.
"Anything but that!" Sweetie Belle cringed uncomfortably and Apple Bloom look disgusted.
"I think I just lost my appetite." Apple Bloom groaned as she put her fore-hoof on her stomach which Mario, Twilight, and 7 foals laughed.
"The look on your faces was so worth it." Mario remarked as he, Twilight, and 7 foals laughed some more.
The three fillies soon realized that, they've been tricked.
"Ugh, we get it!" Sweetie Belle barked. "No more love potions or matchmaking. Eesh..."
The others just laughed as Rarity gave her sister a hug.
"We're glad you learned your lesson." Rarity said. "Now, let's get something to eat, I'm famished."
The three fillies nodded as they got in line.
The eating was rather quiet. Though, everypony took notice that Mario and Twilight were feeding each other as giggled as they did so. When the couple had finished, they shared a quick kiss with each other. Then, Twilight tucked her head underneath Mario's chin as he held her close with a soft smile on his face.
"Awwww!" The three fillies, 7 foals, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie said, finding Mario and Twilight's cuddling adorable.
"Okay, I'm not one for sappy or cutsie stuff, but...that was kind of sweet." Scootaloo admitted as Applejack and Rarity chuckled to each other.
The new couple soon pulled away since they knew everypony was watching them.
"Now, tell me, Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom." Mario said, turns to the two. "Why were you asking my marefriend all those questions?"
"We just wanted to know why she waited so long to admit being in love with you." Sweetie Belle said. "We all could tell that she definitely had feelings for you long before Princess Cadence and Shining Armor's wedding."
Twilight looked away, feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"Just leave her be girls." Mario scoffed. "As they say: good things always come to those who wait. And doesn't just include cutie marks."
Twilight giggled as they shared another quick kiss and then went back to their cuddling.
"I'd still like to know when Twilight knew you were her special somepony." Fluttershy said as she wiped her mouth with a napkin.
"We have to assume that it was during the whole fiasco with Discord." Rarity said. "She did kiss Mario on the lips during that incident after all."
"And you were in love with 'Tom' at the time." Sweetie Belle remarked smugly as Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and the 7 foals snickered.
"We agreed to never speak of that again!" Rarity repeated with irritation, couldn't believe her friends had told Sweetie Belle about that incident.
"Actually...the truth is..." Twilight said timidly. "I fell in love with Mario way before that..."
"Really?!" Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and the CMCs exclaimed while Applejack and Rainbow Dash cooed.
Twilight blushed and Mario, Comet, and Daylight looked at her curiously.
"Exactly how long ago are we talking about here, sweetie?" Mario asked as Twilight felt a little bashful.
"Well...huh?" Twilight was then interrupted when she felt water hit the front of her nose.
She looked up to see a huge mass of clouds above the sky.
"Hey, what the heck?! I thought we were supposed to have clear sunny skies today!" Kronk exclaimed with a glare as Rainbow Dash and Storm Hark grunts in annoyance.
"We'll go find out, you guys go find shelter. Let's go, Storm Hawk!" Rainbow Dash said as she and her son took to the skies as the rain got heavier.
"Quick everypony! Our clubhouse is close by!" Apple Bloom suggested quickly.
Without anypony protested, Apple Bloom led the way and everypony ran towards the clubhouse. It wasn't long before the ponies and the dragon were now inside the clubhouse, trying to dry themselves off as the rain poured down outside. Mario and Kronk used their magic to bring out some fresh towels and gave them to Fluttershy, Twilight, Rarity, and the kids. They accepted them as they dry themselves off with them, looking sharper than ever.
"Thanks, sweetie." Twilight said.
"Don't mention it." Mario replied as Twilight kissed his cheek and snuggled against his side.
It was then Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk arrived, their mane draped over their faces from getting soaked.
"Airheads." Rainbow Dash muttered before informing them. "Apparently, the weather team lost a shower and it somehow drifted over here. It's pretty big, so we might be stuck here until the drains itself out."
It causes the ponies to groan.
"Now what can we do?" Scootaloo asks.
"Well, we were in the middle of a question before the rain came." Sweetie Belle said.
"Yeah." Apple Bloom said, turns to Twilight. "Twilight, when did y'all realize you were falling for Mario?"
"Was it on Hearts and Hooves Day?" Rarity questions. "Mario said you really enjoyed the little scavenger hunt he created for you...and the red roses."
"It...was before that." Twilight said quietly as her ears lowered, really didn't want to say until Mario pecked her cheek.
"Just be honest, how long ago did you feel something for me?" Mario asks as Twilight sighed.
"I've pondered this since the day I confessed my love to you, Mario." Twilight said. "And I realized the first time I found myself really liking you...was..."
Everypony looked at her eagerly as Twilight felt more and more embarrassed.
"Right after our first year at Magic School." Twilight said, causing Mario to drop his jaws and the ponies to gasp.
"Wait, wait, wait, you liked him when your kids?" Storm Hawk asks.
"And you still liked him?!" Rainbow Dash exclaims.
"That was when I realized...well...actually I got an idea." Twilight said as she recomposed herself and turned to Mario. "Sweetheart, do you remember that weekend during summer break when I let you stay at my family's house?"
"You stayed at her house?" Apple Shine asks, turns to her uncle. "I betcha lucky."
Mario just blushed at that.
"Apple Shine, please, I was around your age when it happened." Mario told her.
"You don't say?" Rarity asks with a smirk as Twilight thought of an idea.
"Since we're going to here for a while, sweetie." Twilight said, looked over to Mario. "How about we tell them a story about how we spent the weekend with my family?"
"Alright." Mario replied.
"What was he like when he's our age?" Comet asked curiously.
"He was a lot like he was today." Twilight told her son.
"Was Twilight a lot like she is now?" Scootaloo asks.
"Yes, but alot more studios." Mario answered. "Aside from me, Twilight never really considered friendship very valuable so aside from me and until Celestia asked her to start babysitting Spike, I was the only one who she would talk to. That weekend was the first time she would actually talk to me about something other than studying. So, shall we tell these ponies our little weekend adventure, sweetie?"
Twilight smiled as the rest of the group cheered.
"Alright, so...if I recall." Twilight said. "We had just finished our summer semester together."
"Mr. and Mrs. Straight A students had to do summer schools?!" Pinkie Pie exclaims with a gasp.
"That's a shocker." Rainbow Dash and Storm Hawk said sarcastically.
"Well, like you said, Twilight is an egghead, but not me." Mario told them. "We took extra classes for extra credit and such. I still kept on going with my martial arts and in between Nature and Earth elements as well."
"That sounds like you and Twilight." Fluttershy said as some of the ponies giggled to each other.
"Eeyup." Mario said as he and Twilight blushed. "So anyway...we had just got back from seeing our professors and...well...Twilight wasn't too happy about the fact the professors wouldn't give her the syllabus for classes in the fall...which were still five weeks away."
Twilight rolled her eyes at that comment, even thought it's true.
Flashback
Inside the hallway of what was one of the dormitories to Princess Celestia's School of Gifted Unicorns, both young Twilight and young Mario arrived back at their dorms. Young Mario was feeling rather annoyed as his friend and fellow student, Young Twilight was fuming.
"I can't believe the professor had the nerve to lock me out of the classroom for demanding the fall syllabus!" Young Twilight complained. "How am I supposed to plan my studies without it?"
"Maybe we'll just have to wait till day one to do it." Young Mario suggested.
"Are you crazy?!" Young Twilight exclaims. "How can those professors find that appropriate? You know I like to plan my day out each day at least a month ahead! That way I know exactly what I need to do! If we're going to be the students of Princess Celestia, we need to stay organized! Without organization, there's nothing but pure chaos! Then we'll fall behind on our studies and then we'll fail, and I'll get expelled from school..."
Young Twilight began hyperventilating until Young Mario pulled her in for a hug. She stops talking and looked stunned.
"What are you doing?" Young Twilight asks bluntly.
"Giving you a hug." Young Mario answered plainly. "It seems to settle you down when your anxiety gets the better of you. Feeling better?"
Young Twilight just rolled her eyes as he let go of her.
"Yes. Thanks, Mario." Young Twilight replied in annoyance as Young Mario smiled.
"It's why I'm here, to look out for you." Young Mario said.
"Only because Princess Celestia asked you to." Young Twilight said as she walked ahead.
Young Mario froze for a moment before catching up with Young Twilight. He turned to give her a death glare so they were making eye contact, which made her stop moving.
"I look out for you because I want to be your friend." Young Mario told her sternly. "All my teacher and my friends did was help me gather confidence to speak to you. If you haven't noticed, you're the only pony I can even speak to casually minus our professors! Even when we're with the group, I usually speak up as much as Moon Dancer as I'm just sticking to martial arts and the Elements."
"I...never noticed that you didn't speak to any other ponies." Young Twilight said.
"That's because you're too busy with your nose in dusty old books." Young Mario remarked. "I bet you have no idea how many times I've saved your flank from crashing into walls and other ponies because you keep walking and reading at the same time from one place to the next."
"Never mind." Young Twilight said, rolling her eyes. "Let's just get back to my dorm. I've got another idea for a research project."
"Another one?" Young Mario groaned. "Look, I know we're both Celestia's personal students, but don't you think we should take a break or something? Even a well-trained mind needs to rest and rejuvenate itself."
"Isn't that what sleeping is for?" Young Twilight remarked as they arrived in their dorm room. "And have you been the philosophy books again?"
"No, that was actually words of wisdom from Master Wu himself." Young Mario replied with blank expression.
Young Twilight was stunned for a minute before she carried on with Young Mario as they made it to their room.
"Looks like mail mare came by." Young Twilight said as she used her magic to lift the letters and took a look at them as Young Mario set his heavy saddlebags down on the floor.
"Phew!" Young Mario exhaled. "Carrying all those heavy books better give me some muscles in the long run or I'm going to complain to the professors about giving us such heavy textbooks every semester!"
Young Twilight just had a bored look on her face, not really listening to Young Mario, until her eyes widened at one particular letter.
"This ones from my home." Young Twilight said as she quickly opened it and read the message inside, beaming when she finished reading it.
"What does it say?" Young Mario asks curiously.
"My B.B.B.F.F is home for the weekend from the cadet academy." Young Twilight said excitedly.
"Your what?" Young Mario asked, puzzled.
"B.B.B.F.F. Big Brother Best Friend Forever!" Young Twilight repeated.
"Oh..." Young Mario said slowly.
"So...I guess you'll get that weekend rest after all." Young Twilight said. "Did you have any plans?"
"Well, I'm planning to head for the monastery to continue my training for the weekend. Master Bolobo has plans for me since he saw me using the Nature Element." Young Mario said as she giggled.
"Alright, it looks like we've both got plans this weekend." Young Twilight said. "This will be the best weekend ever!"
"Yeah!" Young Mario replied excitedly.
"Hello, my faithful students." Princess Celestia said as arrived to make a visit. "What seems to be all the excitement?"
"Well, Twilight is going home this weekend to see her brother." Young Mario said. "I'm about to head for the monastery to continue training."
"How wonderful. I trust you both will have a great time?" Princess Celestia asked with a smile as Young Twilight and Young Mario nodded in respond. "But Mario, I believe I should make a suggestion before you go anywhere. It's best that you head there by tomorrow, so you won't wear yourself out from this long path."
Young Mario just raised his eyebrow, knowing that Princess Celestia made a valid point since heading for the monastery will take more than one day to get there by foot.
"It sounded like she doesn't want you get too exhausted for a long journey." Daylight said.
"No kidding, I can understand you're leaving, but it'll be all day before you get there." Comet adds.
"True." Mario agrees, sighed. "But I know a special trick that Master Wu taught me how to get there quicker."
"But I had a solution that could pass the time for Mario." Twilight told them.
"Why not before that?" Scootaloo asks when Twilight whimpered.
"As I said before, she didn't value friendship...for the time being." Mario said and then he and Twilight continued their story.
Flashback
Both she and Young Twilight can tell that Young Mario was wondering why since he goes to the monastery after school for training. Princess Celestia can tell that her adopted son goes to Master Wu more than her, which it felt like she was left out and hurt consider that she had royal duties. But if she as least once that she didn't have any royal duties, she would spend her days with him.
"Princess Celestia." Young Twilight said, earned her attention. "I have an idea that get him to stay."
"What is it?" Princess Celestia asks curiously as Young Twilight walked up to her.
Princess Celestia knelt down as her student whispered her idea. Princess Celestia couldn't help but smile. It was a few minutes later that Princess Celestia turns to Young Mario, who's curious and confused about what Young Twilight is telling her.
"Mario." Princess Celestia said. "I know you've been wanting to train in the monastery and learn more about your Element from the Master of Nature, but you must realize that you can't do it on your own. I know it was hard to be patient, but you must try to have a little patience and try to rest your body and spirit for now."
"I know, but I was waiting for this." Young Mario replied with a sigh. "Master Wu even wanted to take me to the Temple of Nature to learn from Master Bolobo."
"While this doesn't make for you resting after all the heavy lifting of the textbooks, Twilight does have something she would like to ask of you." Princess Celestia continued which Young Mario's interest piqued as Young Twilight walked in.
"What's up?" Young Mario asks curiously.
"Mario, would you like to come spend the weekend with my family?" Young Twilight asked, leaving Young Mario shocked.
"Umm...sure." Young Mario answered, blinked his eyes.
Young Twilight could tell Young Mario wasn't as excited as she had hoped.
"Don't you want to?" Young Twilight asked.
"N-n-no, I-I-I mean yes...yes I'd like to." Young Mario stuttered. "I...was just...you surprised me. I've never been invited to spend the weekend at a friend's house before."
"I'm sure you'll have fun." Young Twilight said with a smile. "Shining Armor likes playing board games so you'll get along with him."
"Cool." Young Mario said. "Thanks, Twi."
"You're welcome." Young Twilight replied as she made her way into the room.
"So, it seems like you won't have to worry about coming to the monastery for the time being." Princess Celestia said with a smile.
"Great..." Young Mario said,
"I always assumed you would be super duper excited to get to spend some time with Twilight, especially at her home." Pinkie Pie pointed out.
"I was." Mario replied. "But keep in mind that I had a crush on her back then. And I was going to meet her parents and her big brother."
"Oh." The ponies said all at once.
"So, exactly what happened when you met Shining Armor?" Winter Breeze asked curiously.
"I'll tell you when I get to that part." Mario answered with a smirk as Twilight rolled her eyes playfully.
Early that Friday as Young Mario was busy getting his things for the day, Young Twinkleshine, Young Minuette, Young Lemon Hearts, and Young Moon Dancer were in his room. They had stopped by to invite him and Young Twilight for donuts. Young Twilight had turned them down, like usual, but they're surprised to hear Young Mario pass until he told them why and Young Twinkleshine and Young Minuette cooed. But now, these girls all knew that Young Mario had a crush on Young Twilight, including Young Lyra, who's apparently absent from the group doing her own thing.
"Spending the weekend at your crush's house." Young Twinkleshine said.
"And to think Twilight actually invited you!" Young Minuette added.
Young Mario just rolled his eyes at them. As much as he tried to be mature about it, the constant love talk would really get on his nerves from time to time.
"I think I just need to keep things as friends." Young Mario said. "I'm already nervous as it is since this is the first time I've been invited to somepony's house, especially overnight."
"You mean...we've never invited you to our houses yet?" Young Lemon Hearts remarked in shock.
"Not even for dinner?" Young Minuette added in same tone.
"No." Young Mario said as he grabbed his wooden staff and some other items into his saddlebag.
"We gotta remember to do that sometimes so you can meet our parents." Young Minuette said. "Do you think you're ready?"
"I'm...almost done packing..." Young Mario said slowly with an annoyed look.
"She means are you ready to meet her parents, and her big brother." Young Twinkleshine points as Young Mario looked a little bored.
"I guess." Young Mario replied.
"It's a big deal for a girl to introduce you to her parents." Young Lemon Hearts told him. "If you ever want to date Twilight, you gotta get her parents to like you."
"I...know..." Young Mario said with a sigh.
"And if they don't like you, you can kiss your chances of dating Twilight goodbye." Young Twinkleshine said.
"WHAT?!" Young Mario shouted.
"Let's not forget that she has a big brother." Young Lemon Hearts said. "He might just turn Mario into a throw rug when he finds out you're in love with his little sister."
"Uhh...girls..." Young Moon Dancer said as they looked and found Young Mario glaring at them with a stern look, which scared them a lot.
"Nice job, girls." Young Minuette said with a glare. "You've made him angry!"
"Well, you know we like to keep talking!" Young Twinkleshine retorted. "You could've stopped us!"
Young Minuette rolled her eyes as Young Moon Dancer helped Young Mario to calm down.
"Don't worry about it." Young Moon Dancer said. "If you just be your normal cute self, you'll be okay. Plus, your dad is a strong pony. I'm sure he'll be alright."
Young Mario didn't feel any better, still felt angry about what the girls said.
"Wait a second there." Twilight said. "Did Moon Dancer have a crush on you or something? She called you cute."
"Yeah, but I just wasn't ready to date her as I found you very attractive that day I met you." Mario confessed to her, who smiled with a blush. "Besides, Fluttershy. You should feel the same way as Shenran committed to you and you alone. If you gave the word, he'd be your stallion in an instant."
"That's true." Fluttershy said, blinked before she smiled with a blush.
"Wait...is Shenran one of those handsome stallions along with Cole that was dancing with Fluttershy at the wedding?" Apple Bloom asked. "And Cole playing a guitar with Applejack?"
"I think so." Sweetie Belle said. "They were pretty cute..."
"Sorry lassies, they're already taken." Golden Charm said with a smirk.
"OH COME ON!" Sweetie Belle remarked. "Why are all good stallions taken?!"
"I'd like to know that myself!" Apple Bloom added as Applejack and Rarity chuckled.
"You two have plenty of time to find your special somepony." Applejack said. "Right, Scootaloo?"
Scootaloo then blushed since she'd kept quiet to avoid the conversation. She didn't wany anypony knowing she was interested in Shenran too and that she's very disappointed he's taken.
"Uh...r-r-right." Scootaloo said sheepishly. "Can...we get back to the story please?"
Mario and Twilight chuckled before they continued on.
Flashback
Young Mario wasn't too happy about spending the day with Young Twilight, but kept a brave face on him. While at that, he sat beside Young Twilight inside the carriage. Her parents had offered the carriage so they could get to her house quickly. Young Twilight was just busy talking about how excited she was to see Shining Armor to notice Young Mario looking out the window as he continued to think about the monastery while sitting next to her. Young Twilight then took to notice that Young Mario was just starring out the window.
"Mario, are you listening?" Young Twilight asks in annoyance.
"Yes." Young Mario replied. "You said you were excited about visiting Shining Armor and that you used to have adventures together where you tried to capture monsters. One time, you built a fortress to the kitchen with blocks and made him dance in order to get through and Cadence saw the whole thing, making him very embarrassed. And you were telling me how one time you tried to speed eat your bowls of cereal together and he got milk up his nose!"
"Wow...that's exactly what I'm saying..." Young Twilight said, blinked and baffled. "How'd you do that?"
"Strong memory skills." Young Mario answered before he sighed. "Twilight, can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" Young Twilight asked.
"Do you think your parents will like me?" Young Mario asked as Young Twilight blinked a bit.
"Why wouldn't they?" Young Twilight asked curiously.
Young Mario felt a little nervous and quiet as he looked away. He didn't want to say anything to Young Twilight about liking her but he wasn't sure what else he could say that was honest. After a few seconds, he found something he could tell her.
"Well, it's just that I never met anyone's parents before." Young Mario replied. "I know my manners and behavior and such, but...I really don't know if they remember me when I met you that day when you hatched Spike."
"You'll be fine and they don't think you're weird." Young Twilight said with a smile. "My parents are very nice. I've told them all about you."
"Y-y-y-you have?!" Young Mariop exclaims in complete shock.
"Yeah." Young Twilight said. "Especially my B.B.B.F.F!"
"Oh boy." Young Mario said bluntly as he then looked away, then thought of something else. "Do you think he'll like me? I've heard of big brothers being...protective of their little sisters..."
"Oh, he's very protective, too protective for his own good." Young Twilight said. "But don't worry, he's a big dork unlike you."
"Uhh...thanks?" Young Mario said, confused.
"See, Mario? Even your marefriend thinks Shining Armor is a big dork." Fluttershy told him.
"Yeah, I noticed as well." Mario replied back with a smirk as the others snickered.
Flashback
"Uh, thanks for cheering me up." Young Mario said bashfully.
"No problem." Young Twilight answered and then noticed that they had arrived at her house. "Oh cool! We're here! Come on!"
Young Twilight excitedly hopped out of the carriage as Young Mario took his time getting out. He then used his magic to pull out some bits to give to the pony driver.
"Thank you, Mario."
Young Mario smiled before making his way up the stairs to the front door where Young Twilight was waiting impatiently for him. He took a slow deep breath as Young Twilight knocked on the door. It wasn't long before Twilight Velvet opens the door.
"Mom!" Young Twilight said as she embraced her mother.
"Oh Twilight, I'm so happy to see you!" Twilight Velvet said when she noticed Young Mario standing nearby. "And who is your friend?"
Young Mario looked away bashfully.
"This is Mario Star." Young Twilight said. "The colt I told you about who helped me get straight A's for my first year at Magic School. He's also the famous martial artist we saw get his cutie mark."
"Well, I wouldn't say I'm exactly famous." Young Mario said with a smile, blushed a bit as Twilight Velvet chuckled.
"Well, come on in, dear, don't be shy." Twilight Velvet said.
"Uh...Okay...Mrs..." Young Mario said.
"My name is Twilight Velvet, but you can call me Mrs. Velvet." Twilight Velvet replied kindly.
"Okay...Mrs. Velvet." Young Mario replied back.
Twilight Velvet smiled and gestured for Young Mario to come inside, which he did. Young Mario then gasped silently as he looked around the house. The place looked rather cozy in his opinion. Sure, he and his friends were trained at the monastery by their teacher, but something about this place just...felt more comforting to him. It was like he could sense this home was filled with lots of tender love and care. He couldn't really explain why.
But his thoughts were interrupted when he noticed a large stallion come down a set of stairs who happen to be Shining Armor. Young Mario felt even smaller than he already was he saw him fully grown size up close.
"Twily!" Shining Armor said.
"Shining Armor!" Young Twilight shouted with glee as she ran towards him and they embraced each other happily. "I missed you!"
"Same here, sis." Shining Armor said as they parted and that was when he noticed Young Mario setting his saddlebags down. "Wait...since when did you get a boyfriend?"
Young Mario stiffed up a bit before he felt a little annoyed with a blush. Young Twilight just rolled her eyes.
"He's just my study partner, B.B.B.F.F." Young Twilight replied. "I invited him over to spend the weekend with us."
Shining Armor glared at him, making Young Mario looking at him bluntly as he approached him.
"So, you're staying over for the weekend, huh?" Shining Armor asked with a straight face.
"No, just for a day until I head for the monastery." Young Mario said. "Master Bolobo has plans for me after he witnessed my Nature Element."
"I see." Shining Armor said sternly. "You consider yourself a good colt?"
Young Mario nodded as he kept a straight face.
"Good." Shining Armor said. "You'll most likely be bunking with me in my room. So, I hope you'll stay out of trouble and behave, especially around my sister! The last colt who didn't behave...let's just say he's swimming with the fishes..."
POW!
Shining Armor was flung in the air and land on the ground on his back after Young Mario uppercut him to his chin.
Mario and Twilight were interrupted again when they found Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, and the 7 foals on their backs laughing loudly.
"That's...the funny part?!" Rainbow Dash said, laughing. "Shining Armor...tried to scare you...but you uppercut him to his chin?!"
Rainbow Dash kept laughing hard with Scootaloo and the foals as the others giggled, causing Mario to smirk along with Twilight.
"Yeah, it was the funny part." Mario replied back as Twilight chuckled.
Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, and the foals calmed themselves down.
"Okay, we're done. Continue on." Rainbow Dash said as Mario and Twilight exchanged chuckles before they continued.
Flashback
Young Mario laughed hard as he fell on his back while slapping a hoof on the floor. Twilight and Young Twilight giggled at Shining Armor's expense. Shining Armor sat up feeling a little woozy before he recovered.
"Wow, nice move." Shining Armor said with a groan.
"Thanks, years of training." Young Mario replied once he calmed down, got back on his hooves before he looked at Shining Armor sternly. "But don't you ever do that again."
"Easy there, little guy." Shining Armor said gently. "I was only kidding. I'm just protective over my sister. I want her to be safe and happy after all."
"Same." Young Mario said softly as Shining Armor smiled.
"Ah! So, you look out for her I see." Shining Armor said, rather impressed.
"I try to." Young Mario replied back with a smirk. "But Twilight is very independent. I can only do so much you know. She likes her personal space."
"It's true." Young Twilight said as a matter of fact. "I'm a big girl now!"
Young Mario scoffs amusingly as Shining Armor smirked.
"I think you and I are going to get along just fine." Shining Armor said. "What's your name?"
"Mario Star." Young Mario answered bravely.
"Well, Mario, why don't you follow me and I can help you get settled." Shining Armor said. "As I said before you punched me, and it still hurts a bit, you'll be bunking with me for the night. Hope you don't have an issue with snoring."
"Nah, I can manage." Young Mario said as he collected his saddlebags.
"Need some help?" Shining Armor asks when he saw Young Mario straining a bit with his saddlebags and a wooden staff.
"Sure, just take my wooden staff." Young Mario said as he handed Shining Armor his wooden staff. "This guy wants to build up his muscles."
Shining Armor chuckled at the comment, so did Twilight Velvet and Young Twilight.
"Come on." Twilight Velvet said. "Your father is in the dining room."
"Okay." Young Twilight said. "Don't take too long to unpack, Mario. I want you to meet my dad."
"Why are you in such a hurry to have me meet my doom?" Young Mario asks with a smirk.
In his young mind, protective big brothers were scary and protective fathers were even scarier, but he wasn't that scared of them.
"Yeah, Twily, at least let me get to know the colt before you execute him." Shining Armor replied.
"Very funny." Twilight Velvet said, chuckled. "Now go unpack, Mario, and you be nice to him, Shining Armor."
With a deadpan look, Young Mario floated a piece of paper to Twilight Velvet as he followed Shining Armor upstairs. Twilight Velvet opened it and instantly rolled her eyes.
"That's Mario's will, is it?" Young Twilight asks in a deadpan tone.
"Yep." Twilight Velvet answered.
"Did he leave me his books?" Young Twilight asks eagerly, only for Twilight Velvet to bop her on the head with the paper and head into the kitchen to dispose of the paper. Young Twilight just sighed to herself and went to see her father.
Back upstairs, Shining Armor welcomed Young Mario inside his bedroom.
"Whoa..." Young Mario said as he looked around the room.
Shining Armor's room had a nicely sized bed in the far corner surrounded with a bookshelf filled with various books, a rather large train set, a shelf that had some posters of the Royal Guard, an ant farm, and on the other side of the room were various board games, stacks of various comic books, and even some Power Ponies action figures.
"Pretty neat, huh?" Shining Armor said as he pointed to the spare sleeping cot near his bed. "You'll be sleeping right over there so you can set your saddlebag along with your wooden staff there and get settled."
Young Mario nodded as he headed over to the cot. As he started to unpack, he noticed a brown teddy bear on the bed.
"Is that your sleep toy?" Young Mario asked.
"Duh-huh-uhh..." Shining Armor stuttered as he used his magic to pick it up and tuck it inside a drawer, causing Young Mario to chuckle.
"Sorry if I upset you. I still sleep with a dragon. See?" Young Mario replied as he pulled out a handmade black dragon plush toy.
"Who's that?" Shining Armor asked.
"It's Onyx." Young Mario said. "Cadence helped me make it once when I was trying to learn something new."
"Wait...did you say Cadence?" Shining Armor asks, surprised as he blinked. "As in Princess Cadence?!"
"Yes." Young Mario answered as he set his sleep toy down on the cot and unpacked his gear from his saddlebags along with his wooden staff. "Why?"
"I used to know her before we graduated High School." Shining Armor remarked with a sigh as Young Mario pondered.
He remembered Princess Cadence talking about being in love with somepony, but he's made a promise of secrecy to not say anything about it.
"So...tell me..." Shining Armor said. "Do you like Twily?"
Young Mario blinked before he brought his war hammer and began to wipe it with a cloth.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Young Mario said dismissively.
"Oh come on, Mario." Shining Armor pushed on, which made Young Mario break his concentration with a frustrated look on his face. "I'm gonna find out one way or..."
"UGGH! Okay! Okay! I do!" Young Mario confessed, irritated. "She's smart, she's a great pony to study with and I find her absolutely beautiful! Now do you know?! Are you happy?!"
Shining Armor looked at Young Mario as he continued to wipe his war hammer clean off before he came over to him.
"Then tell me, Mario." Shining Armor said calmly, making Young Mario looked back at him. "How do you plan to get Twily to like you back?"
"Just being kind to her and treating her right, looking out for her and being her friend." Young Mario answered right away after he put his war hammer away. That way, even if she doesn't like me that way, we'll still be good friends."
"That sounds more like trying to befriend her rather than make her fall in love with you." Shining Armor pointed out.
"Well, I'd do anything to make her happy." Young Mario said bluntly. "Her happiness means more to me than mine. I've even given up nights of sleep when she's having anxiety over planning her schedules for the month. I wanted to help her have some peace of mind and do well in school."
"Oh, Twilight, you and your over-planning everything." Shining Armor muttered, little annoyed. "You sure she's worth all that sacrificed?"
"Somepony once tried to fry the book she was reading when we were walking on campus once." Young Mario told him. "As soon as I saw it, I used my war hammer and used it to defect the blast away from the mountain. Luckily, nopony got hurt."
Young Mario couldn't help but chuckle at that as Shining Armor blinked. Deep down he was very impressed, but he still had one more question in mind.
"What would you say is your weakness?" Shining Armor asked.
"I have a bad temper sometimes, hate the fact that some ponies try to pick on me, have a strong dislike of elite snobs as well as events, and I hate it when they try to pick me as an easy target." Young Mario replied back with a glare, leaving Shining Armor speechless.
"You are one honest little colt, you're certainly not like other colts your age." Shining Armor said.
"I know, I know how to bite back." Young Mario said bluntly, sighed. "But they're just all talk and no bite, especially when they know full-well I'm not making it easy."
"That, I can understand." Shining Armor said. "And I hope you don't let Twilight think like that."
"Well, she thought it was just pure luck when I managed to calm her down after she lost control of her magic." Young Mario said in a matter of fact tone.
"Well, we boys gotta stick together." Shining Armor said with a chuckle. "But I'm glad to see my Twily is in good hooves. You're pretty cool, Mario Star."
"Thanks, Shining Armor. Does...this means we can be friends too?" Young Mario asks as Shining Armor smiled.
"You got it...little buddy." Shining Armor answered as Young Mario smiled in return.
It was just before dinner as Young Twilight's father, Night Light, was checking in on Twilight Velvet as she got dinner ready for everypony.
"Is Mario still upstairs with Shining Armor?" Night Light asked as Young Twilight stood beside him.
"I think so." Twilight Velvet said as she used her magic to stir something in the pot. "I just hope Shining Armor is playing nice."
It was then some shouting was heard upstairs.
"OH C'MON! How do you keep getting seven letter words?! And is that even the real word?!"
"It's in the dictionary! See? Page 1028!"
"Did you memorize that thing?"
"I study with Twilight all the time. What do you think?"
Young Twilight giggled and Night Light chuckled as Twilight Velvet playfully rolled her eyes with a smile on her face. She's just glad Young Mario and Shining Armor were getting along.
"Alright boys, dinner's ready!" Twilight Velvet called out.
"Alright, Mom!"
"Yes, Mrs. Velvet!"
It wasn't long before the two boys arrived downstairs and Young Mario introduced himself to Night Light. Surprisingly, Young Mario had a much easier time introducing himself to Night Light than Shining Armor. As for dinner, Young Mario had hoped to just eat his share of the food quietly, but it seemed that Twilight Velvet and Night Light wanted to know as much about Young Mario as possible, including Shining Armor. They all wanted to know about Young Mario's adventure with his friends.
"I still can't believe you and your friends fought the demon bear." Twilight Velvet said impressively.
"Well, it's nothing else besides helping the villagers rebuild." Young Mario said. "Master Bolobo and Master Wu also saw me using the Nature Element as they saw me as his successor. I'm just glad I didn't turn into a snobby poser."
"Why bother to try if you knew it was going to be too much for you?" Shining Armor said. "I mean all of Canterlot has a lot of snobs anyway."
"Shining Armor!" Twilight Velvet said disapprovingly.
"Now, now dear, our son does bring up a good point." Night Light said as he held his wife's fore-hoof. "After all, Mario did say that only one elite was ever nice to him as the rest seem to take pleasure in putting him down."
"I've been bullied...a lot." Young Mario said. "Just for bring me and, for a while, because I didn't have my cutie mark before I managed to get over it and found my courage."
Young Mario smiled at the apple half with seeds, golden star, and a gold ribbon underneath it on his flank proudly.
"I don't see you getting bullied at school." Young Twilight remarked irritably.
She was feeling a little shut out of the conversation since her parents and her big brothered hadn't bother asking anything about her during dinner.
"You're always reading and walking from place to place, Twi." Young Mario remarked bluntly.
"Twilight Sparkle!" Twilight Velvet said sternly. "Didn't I tell you not to read and walk at the same time anymore? You'll get yourself hurt not watching where you're going."
Young Twilight looked sheepishly at her but then gave Young Mario a glare to blame him for bringing it up.
"It's my fault, Mrs. Velvet." Young Mario said. "I am usually walking with her and I let her do it. I'll make sure doesn't read and walk at the same time anymore. I'm sorry."
Twilight Velvet was taken aback, so was Young Twilight, who looked surprised Young Mario had taken the blame for her. Shining Armor and Night Light exchanged smirks with each other.
Twilight Velvet was rather impressed to see Young Mario had taken the blame for one of Young Twilight's bad habits.
"I see." Twilight Velvet said with a smirk of her once she recomposed herself. "I'll be holding you to that, Mario Star."
"Yes, ma'am." Young Mario said as he took a sip of his lemonade.
Young Twilight just looked stunned before she rolled her eyes at him.
"You didn't need to do that you know." Young Twilight whispered to him. "My mom already likes you!"
"I didn't want to see you get into trouble because I brought that up." Young Mario said.
Young Twilight then glared until she saw that he really was feeling guilty and softened a bit before nibbling on a dinner roll.
"Alright, everypony." Twilight Velvet said. "Time for after dinner clean-up. Whose offering...to..."
Twilight Velvet then saw everypony, minus Young Mario, at the table had quickly disappeared. She gave a loud snort to herself.
"What should I do to help you?" Young Mario asked as he got out of his seat.
Twilight Velvet smiled, grateful for at least one helper with dinner clean up.
"You can help me clear the table." Twilight Velvet instructed as Young Mario smiled about to work, then she got an idea. "Mind if we get to know each other a bit as we work?"
"Um...Okay." Young Mario said. "What do you want to know?"
Twilight Velvet then leaned against the sink as Young Mario finished putting the dishes into it. Twilight Velvet then got to work washing the dishes as Young Mario stood next to her to dry them with a cloth using his magic.
"For starters, why did you take the fall for Twilight's bad habit?" Twilight Velvet asked. "I know for a fact that my daughter's been doing that ever since she learned how to hold a book with her magic."
"I didn't like seeing she was in trouble." Young Mario said. "I didn't want her mad at me because I brought that up."
Twilight Velvet just hummed in reply.
"Do you like my daughter?" Twilight Velvet asked.
Young Mario nearly dropped the plate he was holding with his magic, but managed to catch it and place it on the counter.
"Yes, I do." Young Mario said. "But...like I told Shining Armor. I'm not trying to impress her or push her to like me. I'm just...trying to be a good and supportive friend and look out for her. I know I care about her."
"Do you think she's pretty?" Twilight Velvet asked with a smirk on her face.
"She's beautiful, and...before I say this...do you like me, Mrs. Velvet?" Young Mario asks.
"Yes, I do." Twilight Velvet answered simply.
"Okay, I wanted to know that before I said the next part." Young Mario said. "You must be the reason Twilight is so beautiful, Mrs. Velvet."
Twilight Velvet couldn't help but giggle at that.
"I would like to think so, but...why wait to say I liked you before telling me that?" Twilight Velvet questions.
"I didn't want you thinking that I said that just to make you like me." Young Mario said. "I was...afraid of being misunderstood."
Twilight Velvet was impressed.
"You're not like the other colts." Twilight Velvet said.
"Is...that a good thing?" Young Mario asks with uncertain look.
"Of course it is. It means you're special." Twilight Velvet replied as Young Mario smiled.
"Thank you, Mrs. Velvet." Young Mario said. "Thanks for letting me stay for the day. With my friends continuing training at the temples, I thought I'd be heading for the Temple of Nature to meet up with Master Bolobo. I hope we can become friends."
"We already are, dear." Twilight Velvet said. "Now, may I give you some advice?"
"Sure." Young Mario replied.
"Just keep being your sweet and charming self." Twilight Velvet said. "And when she's ready, my Twilight will love you forever."
"Really?" Young Mario said hopefully. "You really think I'm good enough for Twilight? That we...we could be together."
"Yes, I do." Twilight Velvet said sweetly.
Young Mario put down the plate he finished drying and hugged her happily. Twilight Velvet was more than willing to return the gesture.
"Now, wait just a minute there, Mario." Twilight said. "You saying that my mom knew that we were meant together?"
"It certainly does seem like she did." Mario answered. "Plus, Shining Armor told me on our wedding day that getting your Mom's approval and blessing was far more important than your fathers anyway."
"He would say that." Twilight remarked, neither confirming nor denying that what her brother said was true.
Flashback
Once Young Mario and Twilight Velvet pulled away, they went back to work, but she still had questions.
"Now, tell me, Mario, what's your favorite music?" Twilight Velvet asks.
"Don't laugh, but its...not really my thing for music." Young Mario answered which Twilight Velvet gasped in surprise.
"You're not a fan of music?!" Twilight Velvet said in shock before turns into excitement. "Then I guess I'll have to teach you."
Young Mario hesitated for a moment before he smiled and nodded in agreement. He found that he no longer felt shy talking to Twilight Velvet as he answered more questions long after the dishes were finished.
Later that night, Shining Armor was leaving his bedroom when Young Twilight appeared holding a book on her fore-hooves and wearing a safari hat on her head.
"Are you ready for a good ol' monster hunt?" Young Twilight asks excitedly as Shining Armor smiled.
"You bet, Twily, just-huh?"
Shining Armor was caught off guard when he heard the sound of music being heard downstairs. Young Twilight and Shining Armor exchanged puzzled looks before they headed downstairs. They were still making their way down the stairs when they stopped moving with surprised looks on their faces. Young Mario and Twilight Velvet were dancing together as he used his magic to enlighten his front hooves into auric hands while playing an imaginary guitar. Night Light stomped his hooves to cheer for them.
"Wow, Mario has got some dancing skills, especially while doing an imaginary guitar." Shining Armor said as he made his way downstairs, which Young Twilight looked indignant.
"Big brother!" Young Twilight called out. "What about the monster hunt?"
"In a moment, Twily." Shining Armor said as Young Mario did a wave move with his arms.
Night Light and Shining Armor stomped excitedly as the two took a bow.
"Shall we dance some more?" Twilight Velvet asks.
"You got it." Young Mario replied politely.
Another song began to play as they took hold. Night Light and Shining Armor just smiled and watched them dance. Young Twilight just watched them dance, feeling rather ignored before she snorted and headed upstairs without another word. She certainly wasn't feeling in the mood for a monster hunt anymore.
"I hope Shining Armor will be reading me a bedtime story." Young Twilight said later that night as she headed over to his bedroom. "I love it when Shining Armor reads me 'Gusty the Great'."
Young Twilight then stopped just outside the door and he jaw opened. There was Shining Armor, reading Young Mario's copy of the same book as he lay down in the spare cot cuddling his plush dragon Onyx in his foreleg.
"...and while nopony had ever tried to reach Cloudsdale on hoof, Gusty the Great was not deterred!" Shining Armor said, read aloud. "She and her unicorn warriors marched up the hill."
"Wow." Young Mario said. "You know, I wish I could be a hero someday."
"I'm sure you will, little buddy." Shining Armor replied as Young Mario continued listening to him reading a book.
Young Twilight just growled before stomping away.
"I liked 'Daring Do and the Sapphire Stone' more anyhow." Young Twilight muttered to herself and headed back to her bedroom.
"Twilight, if felt Mario was getting all the attention, why didn't you speck up?" Rarity asks curiously.
"Because it's hard for somepony our age to talk to grown-ups." Winter Breeze explains. "Why else do you think Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo didn't come to you for help for situations like the Gabby Gums incident?"
Both Applejack and Rarity suddenly felt rather guilty.
"Guess we both still have alot of work to do in trying to listen to them, don't we?" Applejack said, remembering that incident.
Rarity, of course, had encouraged Gabby Gums to the point that her own secrets were publicly exposed. She knew that she's just as much to blame for Gabby Gums since she had encouraged Sweetie Belle, indirectly of course, to do it.
"Indeed, we do." Rarity said quietly as both Sweetie and Apple Bloom cuddled up to their sisters while Mario and Twilight continued the story.
Flashback
The next morning, Night Light was busy making breakfast when a rather sleepy Young Twilight entered the kitchen.
"Morning Dad." Young Twilight said sleepily as she rubs her right eye with a fore-hoof.
"Morning, pumpkin." Night Light said. "Did you sleep well last night?"
"Yeah." Young Twilight said simply. "Have you seen Mom? Shining Armor and Mario aren't in his bedroom this morning."
"They're seeing Mario off today, because he's getting up early to head for the Temple of Nature." Night Light told her. "They'll be back right now."
Young Twilight was confused as Twilight Velvet and Shining Armor entered inside.
"Did Mario really left?" Young Twilight asks.
"Yeah, just now. Though, he's leaving his things behind, so he won't get too exhausted." Shining Armor answered. "But Twilight, let me ask you something, have you ever thought about what was on Mario's mind? Did he ever tell anything?"
Young Twilight felt rather uneasy.
"I...I guess I...wasn't listening." Young Twilight said, sighed. "I mean...unless we're studying or doing a project together. I usually don't really ask him about his...personal life. He will mention a few things to me, but...I never really tried asking myself. I'm the protege to the Princess after all. I have to keep up with my studies."
"Mario is also a protege to the Princess, sweetheart." Twilight Velvet said. "But he still takes the time to try and get to know you. You should know make an effort to get to know him, too."
"B-b-b-but I already have my friend, my B.B.B.F.F." Young Twilight protested as Shining Armor chuckled.
"Twily, you silly filly." Shining Armor replied. "Just because I'm your B.B.B.F.F. doesn't mean that you can't make friends with other ponies."
"Really?" Young Twilight asked.
"Of course." Shining Armor said. "You know, Mario really does care about you, Sis. He said he's always trying to help you and looks out for you. He told me he stays up all night when you're those monthly schedules."
"Yeah...that's true." Young Twilight said skeptically, but also embarrassed.
"I think he would make a good friend for you, Twily." Shining Armor said. "Besides, you know I can't always be around. So, knowing he's looking out for you really gives a peace of mind that you're in good hooves."
"I can take care of myself, big brother." Young Twilight said smugly.
"Twily..." Shining Armor warned her.
"Okay, I get it." Young Twilight said. "He is nice and all, but the way he's always so...nice and considerate of me. I mean...it's not the first time he's offered to take the blame and consequences for my...mistakes. He acts...differently from other colts..."
"That's not exactly a bad thing, Twilight." Night Light remarked. "Mario is just more mature than colts his age. I mean...would you rather think he is thinking girls are yucky and have cooties and all that?"
Young Twilight giggled.
"Yeah, it is kind of nice he doesn't act like that." Young Twilight said, sighed. "I just hope he gets back..."
A little while later, Young Mario was able to teleport to the Temple of Nature to meet Master Bolobo in order to become his successor and learning the Element of Nature. But soon as he arrived there, Young Mario began to notice that someone was in there and felt like something is wrong. Young Mario started to head inside, noticing that either someone ransacked the place or someone fought the Master of Nature. He then noticed the trail of blood as he widen his eyes in dread, hoping that it isn't his teachers, continued to follow the trail and what he saw was his late teacher, lying on the ground and a snake demon...Orochimaru and Kabuto. Both of the snake demons looked at Young Mario, who's in a state of shock and dread, with sinister smirk.
But Master Wu got in front of them, protecting his pupil with a serious scowl on his face as he readied his fighting stance.
"All in good time, Wu. We've got what we came for." Orochimaru said. "And soon, your students will be the next victims when the time comes..."
And with that, Orochimaru and Kabuto vanished into the shadows, leaving Master Wu and Young Mario alone. Young Mario then rush to Bolobo as he began to cry in tears and Master Wu turns to him, embrace him in comfort.
"And that's how he died?" Daylight asks as Mario nodded.
"Wow, it must've been tough seeing your teacher got killed right before your eyes." Rainbow Dash stated.
"It is." Mario replied. "But after the incident, we gave Master Bolobo a proper burial for his accomplishments as the Master of Nature."
Flashback
Few days after the incident at the Temple of Nature, Princess Celestia give Master Wu, the Elemental Masters, and their students a deepest sympathy for the death of Master Bolobo. They were now gathered together at the funeral, given Master Bolobo at burial at the Temple of Nature. It was heavily raining that day. Princess Celestia, even Young Twilight's family have gathered to pay their respect. Not many words were said, only the mournful silence echoed through the rain.
After the coffin lowered into the ground and was buried by the Master of Earth, everypony started given Master Wu and the Elemental Masters their condolences and started to leave. The only ponies who were left were Young Mario, the Elemental Masters and their students, Master Wu, and Young Twilight's family.
Young Mario remained standing in front of Master Bolobo's grave, as he reads the words engraved on the tombstone.
Bolobo
Master of Nature
Twilight Velvet, Night Light, Young Twilight, and Shining Armor really wanted for him to go with them, but then they thought it would be best to give him some space. They bid farewell and starts heading home.
"You should go as well, Celestia." Master Wu said quietly.
"Are you sure?" Princess Celestia asks, feeling concerned.
"I need to be alone with him..." Master Wu said.
Princess Celestia wanted to protest, wanted to tell him that Young Mario isn't alone, but then she's starting to consider that right now wasn't the right time to make him feel better. She gave him a nod and leaves, along with the Elemental Masters and their students, leaving Master Wu and Young Mario alone.
"Mario..." Master Wu called him, earned his attention. "I'm sorry for what happened, and if I got here in time, it would've been different. But...I'm afraid we can't change that..."
"Then...what am I supposed to do?" Young Mario asks sadly.
"I will teach you how to use the Nature Element in his stead." Master Wu told him. "But...we can't right now...It's best we all clear our minds..."
Young Mario can respond with a nod. Master Wu gestured his student to come with him as he and Young Mario leaves the Temple of Nature.
Later that night, Young Mario decided to call it a day since the incident had happened. Young Twilight turns and saw him heading to the room as she walks to him.
"Mario, I'm sorry for what happen to Bolobo." Young Twilight said sadly, earned his attention. "He really meant everything to you, is he?"
"He was more than my teacher, Twi, I considered him a father-figure, like Master Wu." Young Mario told her. "He can be a grump sometimes, but he has heart."
Young Twilight nods with an understanding, then hugs him for comfort as Young Mario hugs her in return. Twilight Velvet, Night Light, and Shining Armor watching at that sight with a smile, hoping for Master Wu teach Young Mario and for him to be the next Master of Nature.
And as the story ends, the CMCs started to bring tears to their eyes along with the 7 foals. Never thought that they would hear a story that's not only sad, but learning the dark truth about the death of Bolobo.
"And after this, I head for the monastery to train and remained here ever since." Mario said, finished his story.
"Gosh, it was hard on losin' yer teacher like this." Applejack said sadly as Mario nodded in agreement.
"But did Mom tried...you know." Daylight said.
"She did, and I know she tried...but sometimes...it wasn't easy to forget." Mario told her.
They all agreed with an understanding.
"But Uncle Mario, what happen to you and Twilight?" Apple Shine asks.
"I'll tell you another time." Mario said with a sad smile. "But right now, I think it's best we call it a day."
They all agreed as they then decided to head home when Twilight gives him a hug in comfort, making Mario hugging her in return.
At the Temple of Nature, Master Wu pays respect to the late Master of Nature.
"Bolobo, your successor has become stronger...but it is as feared...my brother and his army are now making their move..." Master Wu said. "And I feared that if we don't get the rest of the Serpentine Staff soon, they Equestria will be in grave danger..."
That's it for the 1st chapter.
