Prologue Part 1
-MARIO-
Unknown Location
"...Aw man... it's just balled up paper."
"What kind of jerk throws trash in the water? It ain't helpin' us catch a thing!"
"Ugh... why did we pick tonight to go fishing, again?"
"Wasn't it your idea to try for a fishing Cutie Mark, Scootaloo?"
"I'm starting to regret it. Well, we may as well unfold it..."
“…Land’s sake! This here ain’t trash… it’s a person! And that’s… oh my gosh! Isn’t that…”
“…How did they even get balled up like that? And why were they in the river anyways?”
“Who cares? We need to help them… we need Rainbow Dash.”
“Rainbow Dash is back up in Canterlot… at least, Ah think she, Applejack, Rarity, an’ the others are. But… if Spike’s here… something bad must’ve happened. We need to get Big Macintosh an’ Granny Smith….”
Mario was floating in and out of consciousness, so he barely had any grasp on what was happening. Was he back in the Underwhere? Had his game ended somewhere between the balling up, being hurled through glass at incredible speeds, or going over the waterfall? It didn’t seem like he was dead, as he was in too much pain to be dead. So, he must have been saved by what sounded like three young girls.
Whoever his saviors were knew the Bearers. …Who, if he remembered correctly, had just been kidnapped by the leader of a cult who worshipped the evil alter ego of Princess Luna.
He had to get up, but his body could barely move. Apparently, his one of his rescuers had spotted him twitching.
“Don’t you worry, Mister,” the first voice that spoke told him. “Scootaloo has already gotten on her scooter and has headed back to Sweet Apple Acres. She’ll be back with Apple Bloom’s big brother and her Granny. We’ll get you and Spike patched up there. Maybe we’ll even get Cutie Marks in lifesaving!”
As Mario passed out once again, he couldn’t help but think, ‘What.’
---
Sweet Apple Acres
Mario could not help be feel comfortable in the sheets of the bed he was in. And the smell of freshly baked apple fritters seemed to wake him up from his unconscious state. As he sat up in the bed and opened his eyes, he saw he was in some sort of country style guest room. His hat was hanging up on some sort of hat rack, his Hammer was on the ground, and his Boots were nearby his bed. He had no idea how long he had been out for, but he knew one thing…
He had to stop Sirius and the Colts of Nocturne.
Jumping out of the soft bed, he jumped into his shoes and grabbed his cap and Hammer. Making sure he was properly geared up, Mario headed towards the door-
Only for it to open itself, revealing a big Earth Pony stallion wearing a brown yoke over his neck. The stallion was as red as Mario’s clothes, to say the least. His mane and tail were short, and were a dark orange. Like Applejack, he had three white freckles on his face. His hooves were visible, and were a light yellow color. As he walked into the room, Mario could see the mark on his flank- a green apple sliced in half.
“Uh… hi?” Mario asked, looking at the stallion.
“Big Macintosh!” an older woman’s voice yelled from a floor below them. “Is that there mustachioed gentlecolt up, yet?”
The large stallion turned to the door, and said in a calm tone, “Eeyup.”
“What about Spike?” the older voice inquired.
“Eeyup,” the stallion, Big Macintosh, answered. “Should be comin’ down soon enough.”
“Good,” the old woman called up. “Ah have a few questions fer ’em. Bring the boys down, an’ we’ll talk o’er breakfast.”
“Comin’, Granny!” Big Macintosh responded. Turning back to Mario, he instructed, “Follow me.”
Mario, not having much of a choice in the matter- as well as having a few questions of his own- agreed with no fuss. The red duo left the room, Mario spotting Spike walking down the stairs. Eventually, they came down the stairs to meet an old Earth Pony mare. She had bright green fur and a somewhat frail complexion, but she seemed calm. Her mane and tail were white with small hairs sticking out, but put up in buns. She was wearing a red and white checkered scarf over her neck. Finally, her mark on her flank was what looked like a freshly baked apple pie.
“Good to see yer awake, sonny,” the old mare spoke up. Looking at Spike, she added, “You too, Spike. Ah don’t know how ya’ll ended up crinkled up like that, but ya’ll gave Apple Bloom an’ her friends quite a scare a couple days ago. Not to mention Applejack ain’t come back to Ponyville fer the past two days.”
“We’ve been out for two days, Granny Smith?” Spike asked. “Balled up and thrown away. That was awful…”
“Eeyup,” Big Macintosh added. “Do mah sister an’ Miss Twilight know where ya are?” That caused both Spike and Mario to look at each other, both remembering what happened back in Canterlot.
“Um, about that…” Spike commented. “You guys may want to sit down for this…”
The two ponies looked at each other, but headed to the kitchen table where all of them had pancakes and apple fritters waiting for them, alongside a young Earth Pony filly. The filly, Mario noticed, had bright yellow fur. She also had a dark red mane and tail, the mane tied with a bright pink bow. Surprisingly, she didn’t have a mark on her flank like just about every other pony Mario had seen.
“Howdy, Spike!” the young pony spoke up in a familiar voice. “Glad to see yer up, alongside Mr. Mustache, there.”
“Hey, Apple Bloom,” Spike waved at her. Turning to Mario, he commented, “Mario, these ponies are Applejack’s family. Granny Smith, her grandmother, Big Macintosh, her older brother, and Apple Bloom, the youngest sibling. Apple Family, this is Mario. He’s one of the visitors from the Mushroom Kingdom that Applejack was asked to meet by Princess Celestia.”
“Well, nice to meet ya, Mr. Mario,” Granny Smith greeted. “Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres, an’ by extension Ponyville.”
“Thank you,” Mario nodded. “Now, you’re all probably wondering why Spike and I were balled up and floating down a river… and where Applejack is….”
“Eeyup,” Big Macintosh commented. Mario sighed.
“Well,” the plumber began, “to be honest, the day my friends, brother, and I came to Canterlot was the day the town was attacked.”
“Canterlot was attacked!?” Granny Smith gasped in horror. “Well, Ah hope Applejack is okay….”
“Uh, let me get to that,” Mario continued. “You see, Princess Celestia asked Applejack and her friends to protect the Elements of Harmony- you all what those are, right?” All three Apples nodded. One less thing to explain, he supposed. “Anyways, Spike and I both followed them through our own methods, and the six ponies managed to get to the Elements… but that’s what the attackers wanted to happen. That’s when the leader of the invaders, Lord Sirius Nebula, had them ambushed by some sort of ninja pony who could control ice. They were frozen while Spike and I tried to fight Sirius… only for him to overpower us with some sort of dark magic that balled us up and threw us away. I don’t know what happened after that, but… I think they were all kidnapped.”
Mario saw the expressions on the Apple Family’s faces. The three were downtrodden, but both Big Macintosh and Apple Bloom’s eyes began to water like concerned siblings. Mario could have predicted the filly's tears and her trying to fight them back, but Big Macintosh nearly crying for his sister? The two must have been as close to him as he was to Luigi. Sure he and Luigi had their bad moments, but Mario was just as worried about his younger brother as Big Macintosh was for Applejack. Mario guessed what they said about older brothers being born first to protect their younger siblings was true. Granny Smith was the most verbal on her concern.
“Oh my…” Granny Smith gasped in horror. “Applejack… somepony has her and her friends.” Scowling, the older mare said, “Iffn Ah were about twenty years younger, Mr. Mario, whoever this Sirius feller is would rue the day he messed with my granddaughter!”
“Darn tootin’!” Apple Bloom agreed, snapping away from her tears while Big Macintosh wiped away his own. “Ah’ve gotta tell Sweetie Belle an’ Scootaloo about this! Cutie Mark Crusaders Rescuers are a GO!”
With that, Apple Bloom jumped out of her seat, slammed her hoof on her plate to send her pancakes and fritter flying into the air, and eating them all in one gulp before running off upstairs. When she came back down, she was wearing a dark red cape with a blue shield with a yellow caped filly sown into it. She then headed out the door. Granny Smith shook her head.
“Apple Bloom’s already gone,” the old mare sighed as she’s seen this before. Turning back to Mario, she added, “Poor filly don’t even know where she’s goin’. Probably gonna try to head to Canterlot til she realizes she ain't got the Equestrian Bits or Mushroom Coins to buy a ticket fer the train… somepony has to talk her outta that idea ’fore she gits into any trouble.”
“I don’t blame her,” Spike commented before eating a set of pancakes. “She and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders are close to Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash. Just like how I am with them all.” Getting up, the Dragon reached into his pocket scale, pulling out Rarity’s Fire Ruby. Giving it a slight squeeze, Spike looked down at it with a determined scowl. “I’m going.”
“What?” Mario and Granny Smith asked, looking at the Dragon.
“You heard me, Mario,” Spike replied, pocketing the Fire Ruby necklace. “Twilight, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy… you said it yourself, they’ve been taken by Sirius! And Sirius no doubt has the Elements of Harmony, and is already putting whatever he has planned in motion if he hasn't already! Every second we waste talking is a second closer to Sirius' master plan succeeding! This isn’t just about rescuing my friends! This is about saving all of Equestria! I’m going to rescue Twilight, Rarity, and the girls even if my game ends! And not you or anypony else is going to stop me from finding them!”
Mario had to admire Spike’s love, bravery and loyalty to the six Bearers. It sort of reminded the plumber of himself with Princess Peach. Still, Spike was young and no doubt would need help rescuing the Bearers… and Peach, if she was in any trouble.
“Well, you won’t be alone,” Mario promised, jumping up. “I’ll help you out in any way I can. It’s better we worked together, Spike.” Spike nodded, ready to go.
"Same here, Mario!" Spike agreed. "You won't regret this alliance! Between your adventuring experience and my knowledge of Equestria, the girls will be saved in no time! Maybe I'll even get a kiss from Rarity!" Mario had to chuckle at the baby Dragon's fantasies, but couldn't deny him that. Besides, with Spike officially as his partner, he stood a suddenly better chance than he did before.
Spike joined your party!
Spike is no ordinary baby Dragon… he’s been raised by Princess Celestia herself, the personal assistant of Twilight Sparkle, and is really connected throughout Equestria. His knowledge of Ponyville, the people in it and the kingdom of Equestria in general will be invaluable to Mario in their quest. But that’s not his only use! His ‘Touch Ability’ is to breathe the traditional Dragon’s Fire at a spot Mario designates on the GamePad's Touch Screen… albeit it’s not very good for battle purposes, yet. He’s only a baby Dragon, after all.
Spike is also pretty useful in Battle, as well. His Jackhammer Tail can stomp on a foe, even ignoring spikes due to his tough scales! He can also Tattle on his opponents due to his connection with Princess Celestia.
“Ah’d go with ya both if Ah weren’t over a hundred an’ were still able to go travelin’,” Granny Smith announced, ending the celebration. “Ah’d send Big Macintosh with ya, too, if the farm didn’t need him to pick up Applejack’s work an’ direct our new workers. Those Toad fellers from the Mushroom Kingdom mean well, but they don’t know the first thing ’bout runnin’ an apple farm. Ah’m sorry Ah can’t do much more for ya’ll, Mario an’ Spike.”
“It’s alright, Granny Smith,” Spike commented. “What you’ve done for us is more than enough. You saved our lives, so we’ll bring Applejack and the others back home safe and sound.”
“Actually,” Granny Smith corrected, “it weren’t me who saved yer hides, boys. It was Apple Bloom an’ her friends, Sweetie Belle an’ Scootaloo. They were tryin’ to get their Cutie Marks in fishin’, but ended up fishin’ ya’ll out of the river.” Pulling out a picture, Granny Smith explained to Mario, “This is what those two silly gooses look like with their ‘Crusader Capes’ on.”
Mario looked at the picture, to see Apple Bloom alongside two other young fillies. To her left was a Unicorn filly that reminded Mario of a younger Rarity. She was just as white as Rarity, and part of her curly mane and tail were purple. The other halves were pinkish. Like Apple Bloom, she didn’t have a mark on her.
The other filly in the picture was a Pegasus pony. She had bright orange fur, so Mario could have mistook her for a younger Applejack if not for the wings. There was also the purple mane and tail that seemed similar to Rainbow’s hair style. She was also a “blank flank” as well.
“Thanks, Miss Smith,” Mario nodded.
“Call me Granny, Mario,” Granny Smith waved off. “Everypony else does. Good luck on yer journey, boys. An’ don’t be afraid to stop by here if ya’ll ever need anythin’ from me. Oh, an’ stop on by when it hits Zap Apple Season, an’ ya might be able to get some Zap Apple Jam.”
“You got it,” Spike chuckled. Spike and Mario soon walked out of the house, and saw where they were. Yoshi wasn’t kidding when he was gushing over Sweet Apple Acres. Everything smelled of apples and all of the fruit hanging from the trees looked lovely. Several Toads and Earth Ponies were walking around, helping out with harvesting the apples in the trees. The Toads were grabbing the buckets that the Earth Ponies were bucking out of the trees with a kick. One of the Earth Ponies even suggested to Mario that he take his Hammer and whack the trees to get things to fall out of the trees besides just apples.
“I guess Granny Smith hired some farm hooves to help out,” Spike concluded. Turning to Mario, he asked, “So, what’s our first move, Mario? You’ve clearly been doing things like this a lot.”
“Well,” Mario commented, “we need to find a way to get back to Canterlot. If we’re lucky, maybe Princesses Celestia and Luna are okay, and they can help us. If we’re really lucky, Peach and my other friends are unharmed, too. We’ll need all the help we can get.” Spike snapped his fingers, remembering something.
“Oh, right!” Spike grinned. “Mario, why should we GO to Canterlot when we can WRITE to Princess Celestia and it will be much faster?”
“Uh… Spike,” Mario voiced, “unless Princess Celestia has e-mail, my Mailbox 3DS isn’t going to get to her. And how is she going to be able to help us with snail mail?”
“You clearly haven’t seen how Dragon Fire mail works,” Spike replied. “Unless either Princess Celestia or I are in a completely sealed space where not even magical mist can get through, we can get letters to each other in an instant. It saves postage. However, I don’t have any Magic Scrolls on me, right now. We need to head to the Golden Oaks Library- where Twilight and I live and work- to get some. With this, I can also get information on any foes we run into. Either way, we’d have to cut through Ponyville to get anywhere with this mission.”
“…Okay,” Mario nodded, curious about this development. “So, if that’s what we’re doing, how do we get to Ponyville from here?”
“We’re going to have to head southeast from here,” Spike recalled. “Come on.” With that, Mario and Spike turned and headed for the town.
---
Ponyville
Mario and Spike walked into the quiet little town, feeling slightly relaxed. Mario looked around the quaint town and noticed a different feel to it than other places. Unlike the busy Canterlot, the harsh Rogueport, or even the weird Flipside, Ponyville was quaint, relaxing, friendly, and a decent looking place. In short, similar to Toad Town. But instead of Toads everywhere he went, Mario saw ponies everywhere. Sure, there were a few Toads and Koopas who had immigrated from the Mushroom Kingdom, but not enough to be prominent on the name.
As they walked through the town, Mario saw ponies waving to him and Spike in a casual manner, and going about their daily routines. Many of the houses the two passed were cottages, and several shops the two passed- one of which Mario recognized as an Item Shop, and another being an Inn- had signs to signal what they were. Mario asked, “So, where’s the library from here?”
“Should be a bit to the east,” Spike answered. “It’s a giant oak tree. You can’t miss it. I hope Owlowiscious and Peewee are alright.” Mario and Spike continued walking, and, sure enough, they spotted a giant oak tree with a door, two balconies, and several windows on it.
Mario also saw a familiar looking female Goomba walking towards it. The Goomba looked a little older than she did before, but Mario recognized the miner’s hard hat, the red tie, the pale head, and blonde ponytail anywhere.
“Goombella?” he called out. The Goomba looked up, and turned around, gasping in surprise.
“MARIO!” she greeted him, walking over and giving Mario a hug. After the two broke it, Goombella demanded, “Why didn’t you write saying you were coming all of the way to Ponyville!? I would have actually brushed my hair! I must look like a mess.”
“It’s kind of a long story,” Mario blushed. ‘Mainly, a certain Princess forced me to come all of the way to Equestria on short notice for a vacation, only for Canterlot to get attacked, and now the Elements of Harmony are in the hooves of a mad stallion,’ he thought to himself. ‘With perhaps Peach.’
“You two know each other?” Spike interrupted, walking over.
“Yeah,” Goombella answered. “Mario and I went on a treasure hunt with the help of a few other friends we made and my archeology professor, Prof. Frankly. Speaking of which, he’s still back in Rogueport.”
“Well, that’s one less familiar face I can count on,” Mario sighed. Goombella, from her time with Mario, could sense something amiss.
“Okay,” the Goomba voiced, “care to explain what’s your beef, Mario? It’s like Princess Peach has been kidnapped… again.”
“…I’m not entirely sure,” Mario answered. “But… maybe it’s better that we talk about this… inside.”
“It sounds bad already,” Goombella remarked. Spike walked over, and unlocked the library door. The three walked inside the building.
---
Golden Oaks Library
“WHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAATT!?” Goombella’s voice echoed from the library. On the main level of the well stocked and organized library, the plumber, Dragon, and Goomba were sitting at a table Spike had set for tea after Spike got himself properly equipped with Magic Scrolls, ink, and a few quills. Goombella’s expression, though, after she listened to Mario and Spike’s story, was one of shock, as the Goomba stood there, stunned by all of the news.
“So, let me get this straight, Mario,” Goombella said, flabbergasted by the story she just heard. “You mean to tell me that some black magic wielding stallion came in, had Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash ambushed by an ice magic using Pegasus, took you both down himself, and has his hooves on not only the fabled artifacts the Elements of Harmony but their Bearers as well?”
“…Yes?” Mario nervously answered the Goomba. “I was completely helpless… pony magic is stronger than it looks.”
“Ugh,” Goombella groaned. “This is bad… all of Equestria- no, the entire WORLD- is in danger! With the Elements and the Bearers, who knows what those evil cultists guys will do. Their planning alone beat the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony when they actually HAD the Elements! Not to mention we don’t have a CLUE if Princess Peach is okay… Sirius sounds like a nasty foe to underestimate, especially if he has dark magic like that.”
“Exactly why Mario and I have a lot of ground to cover,” Spike voiced, writing down on a scroll. “If we are to stand any chance of rescuing everypony, we need to find a starting place. I figured the best idea would be to let Princess Celestia know we’re okay and see if she can help us out, somehow.” Once he was done, the baby Dragon stood up, smirking at his work. Wrapping the scroll up with a red sun seal, he was complete. “Alright… ready to send.” Walking outside, the baby Dragon inhaled, and breathed out a breath of fire on the scroll, setting it aflame. The scroll then turned into a sparkly, purple and green mist, disappearing into the sky. “Well, that’s on its way.”
“Well, that’s ONE thing going right,” Goombella remarked. "Spike and Twilight were speaking the truth about the Magic Scrolls!" Turning to Mario, she asked, “So, what were these cultists guys like? Maybe my new Tattle Log I've been working on can help.”
“Well,” Mario recalled, “they wore blue and black with a full moon insignia, so they were as opposite as the X-Nauts as could be. Many of them were pony-shaped, too. They called themselves the ‘Colts of Nocturne’, and said they worshiped Nightmare Moon, who-”
“Who is what Princess Luna turned herself into when she felt that she and her beautiful nights were forsaken by her subjects due to them sleeping throughout them all, sealed in the Moon for a thousand years, and was purified by the Elements of Harmony's new Bearers,” Goombella finished. Mario and Spike gave her a blank look at her knowledge of the story. How many people in Equestria know the story. “I’ve read the Legend of Nightmare Moon for fun during my job. It’s part of what I do. It’s not hard to believe there’s a cult dedicated to worshipping HER exists, considering things like the Thousand-Year Door, the Light and Dark Prognosticus, the Sticker Comet, and the Star Rod. It only makes sense that a 'Mare in the Moon' exists as well.”
“Wow,” Spike joked, “you’re as big of an egghead as Twilight is, Goombella. You’re pretty much her if she was a archeologist Goomba!”
“Laugh if you must, Spike,” Goombella scowled, “but it’s our job as historians and archeologists to question what’s real and what isn’t and find the truth.” Turning to Mario, she continued, “Anyways, Mario, the point is I know the story of Nightmare Moon, and how the Elements of Harmony led to her defeat and purification. It should have been the end of the story right there. But these Colts of Nocturne aren't letting this story end. However, I would need to know more about the Elements in order to figure out just what their goal is. It clearly is some sort of revenge scheme against the Bearers of the Elements, but why go through the trouble of kidnapping them ALIVE? Sirius clearly went through a lot of trouble to guarantee their survival….”
“Perhaps Sirius wants to perform some kind of freaky ritual with them, first?” Spike suggested. “Hey, it buys us time.”
“So, while we’re waiting for Princess Celestia to respond if she can,” Mario interrupted, “I have to ask, Goombella… what were you doing coming to the library?”
“Oh, right,” Goombella recalled. “I’ve been coming over here to talk to Twilight about seeing if I could get a book on astrology. Particularly the strange event I saw happening when I looked at Canterlot a few nights ago. A bright purple light shot up into the sky, then broke into six separate, multicolored lights that fell throughout Equestria. I wanted to see if that is a special event on this side of the world or something. However, after your explanation as to why she’s not here, it seems less important than the crisis.”
“Wait,” Spike interjected. “A purple light shot into the sky, separated into six different lights, and those lights fell throughout the entire countryside? It must have happened after we were balled up, then.”
“Yeah,” the Goomba nodded. “It was really strange, too. I wrote down some possible locations for where those lights could have fallen, based on physics, trajectory, and a map of Equestria. All of the locations of those lights land somewhere in Equestria. I want to investigate them, but I still have my teaching job to do. Maybe it's something big.”
“Well, that’s jarring,” Mario voiced his opinion. “Though I don’t know how those lights will help us save Equestria. Still, it’s the best lead we have while we wait. Did you bring those notes?”
“Uh, no,” Goombella replied. “I didn’t bring them with me, but Miss Cheerilee should have them. I asked her to hold onto them until I confirmed my theory or at the least got the book. We were going to meet up for lunch at Sugarcube Corner to discuss lesson plans. Want to head there? Lunch will be on me.”
“Well, it’s all we can do,” Mario shrugged. The three then filed out of the library, leaving it behind for now.
-PEACH-
Canterlot- Mushroom Kingdom/Sarasaland Embassy
Peach cried in the conference hall she had met Celestia and Luna in, worried for Mario. The poor Mushroom Kingdom Princess had no idea what had happened to Mario while she was trapped in Canterlot. There were no signs of Mario, Spike, or the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony.
Daisy, meanwhile, stood by, angry at the crystal barricade.
“Stupid barricade preventing anyone from coming in or getting out,” the Sarasaland Princess remarked in a huff. “This is a total buzz kill for my vacation. The only upside from this is that we didn’t get kidnapped.”
“We might as well have…” Peach voiced. “I mean, trapped in city with no obvious way of escape out? Not even Princesses Celestia and Luna can escape? This is terrible! Not to mention we have no idea where Mario is….”
“Still beats getting kidnapped by Bowser,” Daisy replied. “At least it’s a nice looking place with the exception of the whole ‘evil giant crystals blocking all reasonable escape attempts’.” When Daisy saw that Peach was not cheering up, she sighed. “Look, I’m kind of unacquainted with the ‘distressed damsel’ thing. It only happened once to me. So, you’ll have to forgive me if my reactions aren’t the usual kind in these types of scenarios.”
“I’m sorry,” Peach shook her head. “It’s just… I asked Mario to be careful, but then this happens… and our new friends turn out to be the protectors of the land, and who knows what happened to them. I just hope they’re all okay….”
“This is Mario we’re talking about, right?” Daisy smirked at Peach. “The plumber who always beats Bowser? Your knight in shining overalls? The Jump and Hammer Master? The guy who saved the world on a regular basis? I’m sure wherever he is, he’s fine. He’s been through worse.”
“I guess you’re right,” Peach voiced, knowing all of the adventures Mario had. She knew she shouldn’t doubt him, but she still could not help but worry since the last time she saw him was him jumping from the window to the ramparts to help the Bearers.
Soon enough, the doors to the room opened, revealing Celestia, Luna, Toadsworth, Yoshi, and Luigi.
“I’m afraid I have terrible news, Princess Peach,” the Princess of the Sun remarked. “It’s been over forty-eight hours and we have searched every reasonable nook and cranny. There is still no sign of Mario. Spike, Twilight Sparkle, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Fluttershy are still missing, as well. At this point, we must assume the worst….”
“Not to mention that all of the whacking the guards and even I have done still hasn’t broken those black crystals,” Luigi added. “My own Hammer, useless.”
“So,” Peach asked, “is there really no way for us to leave? No way to expand the search?”
“I’m afraid not,” Celestia answered. “I have tried teleporting as I taught Twilight Sparkle how to… but the crystals seem to register the act and magically transport me back inside. However, the brief glimpse I’ve seen showed that our magic is still in effect.”
“Those crystals are no doubt the work of King Sombra’s special brand of dark magic,” Luna voiced. Everyone in the room but Celestia turned to Luna.
“Who’s King Sombra?” Yoshi questioned.
“King Sombra WAS an evil Unicorn,” Luna explained. “And that’s putting his crimes lightly. Around a millennium ago, he attacked the Crystal Empire to the north of here, usurping its former Queen and turning its inhabitants into essentially a slave race. He created his own brand of dark magic. The crystal barricade that keeps us locked in? He created the ultimate sealing spell that takes only one of two ways to break. Either the caster of the spell must be defeated, or artifacts of high magical power can break through them. And unfortunately, the better artifacts to do this are scattered to who knows where.”
“That is troubling, indeed,” Toadsworth commented, his mustache flicking. “Do you think King Sombra is responsible for this?”
“No,” Celestia replied. “Sombra has been destroyed once and for all. The Crystal Empire is free from his rule, and it is under the protection of our niece, Princess Cadance, and her husband, Shining Armor. However, whoever is responsible has studied Sombra’s brand of magic and was clever enough to manipulate events so that my sister and I could not directly interfere with his plans. They are clearly clever.”
All of the sudden, a purple and green starry mist floated in front of Princess Celestia, and seemed to swirl around before popping into a scroll. Celestia’s horn began to glow a bright yellow, surrounding the scroll before it fell to the ground.
“How did that happen!?” Luigi gasped, jumping back in surprise. Celestia smiled.
“Spike’s Dragon Fire mail,” Celestia breathed, expressing her relief at the scenario. “Back when Spike was much younger than he is, now, I taught him how to send and receive mail through his fire. Magic scrolls and their contents can be safely sent between the two of us. If this is happening, then he’s still alive, at the very least. Also, there’s a small enough gap for mist and air to get through, so we won’t have to worry about air supply.”
“You mean that baby Dragon guy can send mail with his fire?” Yoshi asked, amazed. “Aw man. All I can do is turn foes into Yoshi Eggs with my tongue.”
“Too much information,” Luna muttered in slight disgust. Celestia ignored that, and began to read aloud.
Dear Princess Celestia,
This is Spike. I’m writing to let you know that Mario and I are okay and are in Ponyville by the time you have this letter. However, something really bad is going to happen, soon, but we don’t know what.
When we went to help Twilight and the others protect the Elements of Harmony, we were all ambushed. Mario and I were personally trounced by Lord Sirius Nebula, the leader of the Colts of Nocturne, who are a group of Nightmare Moon worshippers, who used Sombra’s magic if those freaky green eyes mean anything. But before that, Sirius had the girls frozen with the Elements by a ‘Papergami Ninja’, if that makes any sense. We have reason to believe Sirius has the Elements of Harmony and the girls. Whatever Sirius is up to, it’s not good.
But don’t worry, Princess Celestia. Mario and I plan on going on a quest to find out where Twilight, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash are. We’ll find the Colts of Nocturne and stop their plans. But we can’t do this alone. As soon as we are able, we’ll meet up with you in Canterlot.
Please help,
Spike
P.S.,
Mario wants to know if his friends are alright… and Goombella says “Hi”.
Peach and Luigi each breathed a huge sigh of relief. “Thank the Star Spirits that Mario is okay…” the Mushroom Kingdom Princess sighed. She immediately then flipped her mood, scowling. “But those poor mares… Twilight, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie are in my shoes for once, and some madman was planning on using the Elements of Harmony, which only they can wield! We have to help them!”
“That’s never happened, before,” Celestia voiced. “Nopony usually bothers trying to take the Bearers of the Elements of Harmony. And freezing them implies that Sirius Nebula planned on capturing them alive from the beginning. What could he want with them and the Elements?”
“Well, whatever it is, Princess,” Toadsworth scowled, “no doubt it’s not good! Normally, I’m not as gung ho with my own Princess’ energetic ideas, but this situation calls for some kind of action to save those ponies!”
“I couldn’t agree with you more, Sir Toadsworth,” Celestia replied. “Now, I can’t leave the crystal barrier... but my magic CAN. It’s time to correct Mario and Spike’s assumption about the Elements.” Looking at Peach, she asked, “Could you be a dear, Princess Peach, and hand me one of those scrolls and a quill by you?” Peach turned around, finding a scroll and a feather quill. She brought those over to Celestia, who took them with her magic.
“Can I tell you what to write, Princess Celestia?” Peach asked. “I want to let Mario know that we’re okay….”
“Of course,” Celestia nodded. Holding up the quill with her magic, she asked, “What do you wish to say?”
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My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
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Good chapter so Mario land's in Ponyville and meet's the CMC and Applejack's family. Hope you will do the Spike tattle log's. While your not making character's like Derpy and Vinyl part of Mario's team, will we still see them in the story?
1876850
Yep, that happens.
I actually encourage you to guess how Spike's Tattles will happen before I post how it actually happens.
Anyways, you may (or may not, depending on whether or not I remember them) see them.
hmm, this is pretty cool, wonder what partners Mario will get in the future?
1877825
Well, you'll have to wait and see what other partners besides Spike there are. Some are going to be creatures one could see from Equestria. Others, though, will stay true to the Mario series, having come from the Mushroom Kingdom to Equestria. You'll know them when you see them, as I will tend to put a little more effort in describing important characters. Just think of it as a "return to old roots" with a new spin on things...
Is really interesting one questio you think that bowser and mario fight together one enemey/rival/boss in common in someone chapther the story
1881897
Bowser? Well, while Bowser will have a reason to oppose the Colts of Nocturne (as far as he'll be able to tell, they've muscled in on his territory of kidnapping Princess Peach (except they didn't)), he still hates Mario, and he'll most likely sooner or later hear of the Elements of Harmony and want to steal them.
This is bucking amazing!
Keep up the good work.
If only you had Zecora as a partner.
That would be awesome. Will Zeora show up at least?!
Saving. Please do not touch the power button...
The game has been saved.
Enemy: Parasprite
HP: 4
Attack: 2
Defense: 0
Location: Apple Trail
lol that reminds me of the completionist hey everybody it's Gung Ho Al
Hi Blade. Remember me? Too bad Siph couldn't come with me...
omg I love the prologue's picture. I shall now award you with a mustache
When Apple Bloom decided to take Mario and Spike back to Sweet Apple Acres. It reminded me of the beginning of the first Paper Mario game. Where Goombaria had to take Mario to Goomba Village to recover. I love seeing references to past Paper Mario games in this fanfic so far.
With Mario and Spike regaining their bearings in the small town of Ponyville, the duo team up to stop the Colts of Nocturne, and rescue the Elements! Only one problem... They don't know where to look! Thankfully, a familiar friend, Goombella is up to her usual antics, and has prepared a map of where six lights could have landed through Equestria. Could this be the key to saving the day?
Umm... question. How can an evil guy set up a unbelievable powerful barrier what two powerful princesses and army of guards cannot break out of nowhere. And also, we saw how Celestia used her solar-like beam to destroy dark crystals she created, I do not really buy it that a huge barrier made of dark crystals managed to surround entire city at once, and every single spot on a barrier of that size cannot be destroyed by focused power of two alicorns (if it was that simple to set up indestructible barrier of that size, than why even make this barrier, why not use those dark crystals to create army of 1000 golems what apparently Celestia and Luna would not even scratch with their powerful magic instead of wasting them to set up a barrier around entire city? It is like choosing to make a unarmed battleship instead of hundreds of armed and loaded tanks).
As much as I understand that it is a move to get princesses out of the way for the sake of the story (and getting princesses out of the way for the sake of the story seems to be a rule number one for every single author), I still find it odd that some cult got resourced and numbers to create such undestructive barrier, more or less invade entire capital, capture 6 heroines and get away with it).
The bad guys practically didn't won because of being cutting, tactical, smart, they won because they got unlimited resources to keep princesses and army in check, catch mane 6 and then trap princesses and guards under non-destructive barrier (it is necessary for the sake of the conflict, but I personally do not like it as it remind me of "did I miss anything" what Luna said at the end of Royal Wedding episode, or 15 second fight where Celestia got her flank kicked while mane 6 got 4 minutes epic fight before they went down, huge difference).
Oh, and on side note, where is Captain Shining Armor and Cadence (or maybe Prince Armor and Princess Cadence) in this story?
*drumroll*
Five moustaches!
2324728
Too bad the image is broken. Can anyone re-post?