Ponyville- Fluttershy’s Cottage
Mario, Spike, and Boomregard all walked out of the forest, but they were all surprised at what had become of Fluttershy’s yard since Mario and Spike had been here last. For one… the ground was covered in different polka dots, and what ground that wasn’t covered in polka dots was turned into desert sands, reminding the trio a bit of the San Palomino Desert they just came from not too long ago. Second, there was a giant brown rabbit standing in front of the door to the cottage dressed as if he was the western equivalent of a bouncer, with a gray Stenson, black sunglasses, and a vest. Third, two female Piantas were in front of the cottage, dancing a nonsensical hula alongside several animals.
In short, Fluttershy’s cottage went completely bonkers during the time Mario and Spike had left it alone. While Mario and Boomregard’s jaws just dropped, Spike groaned.
“Oh boy,” the Dragon scowled. “HE’s here.”
“Who’s HE?” the Boomerang Bro questioned while the Dragon walked over to the front of the cottage. Boomregard and Mario looked at each other before following Spike. The Dragon looked up at the bunny bouncer.
“Where is he?” Spike asked. The bouncer looked him up and down before nodding. He then got out of the way, allowing Spike to open the door. “Thank you… oh, and those two are with me.”
Mario asked while following the Dragon, “Should we be going in Fluttershy’s when she’s… not here?” Mario could not help but look around. Despite the insanity of the exterior, Fluttershy had a nice place. Fluttershy had bird houses hanging up throughout her house, a nice couch right there, a quaint kitchen, and a… weird creature Mario had never seen before sitting in a comfy chair, a white bunny sitting reluctantly on an arm-rest.
The creature was a mix-and-match of various animals that made absolutely no sense for him to be made up of. Various animal parts were used, from the head of a pony, to a goat leg, a lion paw, an eagle claw, and Mario didn’t want to know what else. It just seemed weird. Especially the fact that he was dressed as a cowboy, complete with a false mustache.
“After all of that,” Spike declared, pointing outside, “we don’t have a choice.” Looking at the creature, he scowled, “Discord… what did you do to Fluttershy’s place?”
“I was WONDERING when somepony would ask what the deal with all of that was!” the creature laughed, snapping the outfit away. “Most ponies who come by just look at this place, and slowly back away. But not you, Spikey-wikey. You take this in stride, my little Dragon!” Looking at the house, he asked, “You think it’s too much for dear Fluttershy? I thought she’d like the Piantas teaching her animals how to do the hula whenever she came home. But it’s been almost a DAY since I’ve come back to Equestria. By the way, I’m banned from this Little Fungitown they have there. Apparently making clones of yourself to win at every arcade game is considered cheating. Especially when the clones are small eight-bit versions of yourselves.”
“Yeah, they probably would frown upon it,” Mario agreed. “Um… who are you, exactly?”
“So, who are the mustachioed man and the cowboy, Spike?” Discord asked. “I didn’t think you’d have any male friends considering you spend most of your time around mares.”
“They’re Mario and Boomregard,” Spike answered. “And I can have guy friends… that aren’t Snips, Snails, and Big Macintosh.” Turning to Mario and Boomregard, he explained, “Anyways, Mario, this is Discord, the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony… but he’s been reformed from a villain. But that’s not the point, here, Discord. What are you doing in Fluttershy’s cottage!?”
“Oh, right,” Discord recalled. “Okay, so I was on a diplomatic meeting with Prince Blueblood to this place the Beanbean Kingdom. We’re done with that for now, but for some odd reason, I can’t get back into Canterlot… there’s a giant black crystal barricade in my way. If I didn’t know any better, that’s Sombra’s work. But Sombra’s game ended back in the Crystal Empire a few months before this ridiculous game was ever dreamt up. Well, I didn’t like him that much, anyways. He was always so serious, dark, broody, and wanting to turn all of Equestria into his slaves, starting with those Crystal Ponies up north. He never so much as smiled unless he was actually causing somepony physical pain. Basically, he was an immoral, violent, power-hungry stallion version of Twilight Sparkle.”
“Well, about that,” Mario began. “It wasn’t exactly Sombra… but an evil cult sealed Canterlot and tried to steal the Elements of Harmony, only they’ve been scattered across the country.”
“WHAT!?” Discord asked, shocked. “Somepony was actually STUPID enough to scatter the Elements across Equestria!? Oh great… back when I was a villain, I wouldn’t have EVER done that! Hide them and turn society against each other while I ate a bag of popcorn, yes, but never done something stupid like that!”
“Wait, you wouldn’t have?” Spike blinked. “Seemed simple for you to send the six magical objects capable of defeating you to the winds.”
“It seems simple on paper,” the Spirit of Chaos answered. “But it’s not smart to scatter six magical artifacts that should they ever be separated by distance the world would literally split apart. You see, I may have been evil, but I didn’t want DESTROY THE WORLD kind of evil! After all, what fun is chaos when there’s nopony in the world to enjoy it!? Oh, and I just bought Fluttershy a new puppy, too. Too bad she’s not gonna get a lot of time with him.” At this, the white rabbit next to Discord jumped up, and hid under the couch, while other animals began running away. Mario raised an eyebrow.
“A puppy?” he questioned.
“ARF ARF!” a voiced barked from the upper level.
“Oh, there he is, now,” Discord smiled. “Come down, Chomper!” As if on cue, a yellow Chain Chomplet wearing a brown spiked collar bounced down the stairs, eagerly landing right in front of Mario. This caused the plumber to back up in fear. “Isn’t he the most adorable thing you ever laid eyes on?” Discord asked aloud.
“…What is that?” Spike asked, looking at the Chain Chomplet bouncing up and down.
“It’s a Chomplet,” the Spirit of Chaos answered. “A perfect guard dog once it grows up. I found this one on Isle Delfino. I’m not allowed at Sierra Beach’s hotel, either because Chomper ate a hole in the wall… alongside the women’s bathroom door, an entire ice cream stand, and some kind of rocket nozzle, but he’s cute otherwise. I think Fluttershy would love him. Speaking of which, where is she?”
“Uh, about that,” Mario commented. Mario then explained what exactly happened to the Bearers, and how he, Spike, and Boomregard were on a quest to rescue them. Discord took this all in silence.
“…So,” the Spirit of Chaos and Disharmony scowled, “somepony did ALL of that?”
“I bet you’re enjoying this,” Spike accused. “The six mares who can defeat you are now who knows where, Princess Celestia is locked up, and you’re essentially free to do whatever you want. Seems like the perfect set-up for you.”
“Actually,” Discord replied, “I’ll help you out if it helps Fluttershy.”
“I’ve been meaning to ask,” Mario voiced, “why are you so concerned with Fluttershy that you’ve chosen to take over her house?”
“…She’s the only friend I’ve ever had,” Discord answered, turning away from Mario. “Believe it or not, while I would enjoy watching Equestria fall into chaos without me having to lift a finger, I’ve… come to value Fluttershy being the only one who was willing to give me a chance at being a friend. And knowing her and the rest of the world, people tend to value it when the world DOESN’T get ripped apart. That’s the only reason I see to help you AT ALL, Mario. But it’s not going to be free. In exchange for a certain amount of Coins, I’ll grant you temporary power you can use in battle. Increase your attacks, make you hard as steel, perhaps earn double Star Points you have, maybe even increase the coins you receive after the battle is done. There’s a few catches, though, with these curses. One, they only affect you. Two, they’re so random that not even I have control when they act. And three… they’re not permanent.”
“I’ve had similar spells used on me,” Mario acknowledged. “But if you can alter reality on a whim to the point of changing Fluttershy’s front yard, I don’t see why you can’t warp the Bearers back here…”
“I know the sensible answer should be that I can’t alter reality to bring them here with a snap of my finger if I don’t have a general idea where they are,” Discord replied. “But realistically, what would be the point of this game if I could solve the entire crisis that easily? I’m afraid for that reason alone, you’re on your own! So, anyways, do you want one of those temporary spells?”
“Perhaps a bit later. I need to go see a Goomba about things. Oh, and we probably should go see what those three fillies had in mind.”
“Ah, the Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Discord guessed. “I still owe them for releasing me before with their little argument near my stone prison back when I was in Canterlot.”
“…What,” Boomregard asked.
“It’s a long story,” Spike said, prepared to drag him and Mario off. “In the meantime, Discord, try not to blow up Fluttershy’s cottage… or make it into a spaceship.”
“Well that cancels Friday night’s plans,” Discord muttered, crossing his arms. “But then again, I didn’t know what I’d call the house once I took it to space. The Get Away is silly, Starship Mario is copyrighted, and the Star Zoo is weird. …I guess I could work on designing that Hedge Maze I’ve been planning. Now, where am I going to get 99 random schmucks willing to stand in a Hedge Maze…?”
“I don’t want to where that train of thought’s going,” the Dragon whispered to Mario and Boomregard. “How about we head to town before our brains hurt?” Mario was about to comment when something began ringing, playing a familiar theme. Mario reached into his pocket, pulling out his Mailbox 3DS.
“I can’t believe I still have this thing working, here,” Mario commented, flipping it open. There was a new e-mail waiting for him, but he could not believe who sent it.
Dear Mario and Spike,
This is Mario, right? In case you’re wondering, this is Twilight Sparkle. I want you to know that even though I, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity have been kidnapped, we’re alright. Please do not waste time worrying about us. We have made unlikely allies who are allowing us use of the Colts of Nocturne’s device called a “computer”. We’ve heard you have gotten your hands on the first Element of Harmony, so thank you. But be careful… the Colts of Nocturne now know you’re alive, and are going to try to stop you.
Mario, I know it’s much to ask, but could you watch out for Spike. We miss him a lot, and value his safety. I know it’s embarrassing to him, but, Spike has always been there for me growing up, and I him. Being knowingly separated from him with nopony else to ask to take care of him… just, make sure he doesn’t get hurt, okay?
Sincerely,
Twilight Sparkle, Rarity, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, & Rainbow Dash
“Thank goodness Twilight’s okay,” Spike said with a sigh as Mario closed his Mailbox 3DS. He then pulled out the Fire Ruby necklace Rarity gave him to hold onto, still in surprisingly good condition. Spike then pocketed it, feeling his determination to save them all burning bright in his heart. “Discord… I can’t believe I’m saying this, but take care of Fluttershy’s cottage. It’s the closest to the Everfree Forest and she has all of these animals to look after. We’re going to bring her home. Her and everypony else.”
“Alright, then,” Discord nodded. “Because honestly, not having them around is kind of boring. See you around, shortstuff!” The rabbit peaked out from the couch, panic on his face, pointing to the Chomplet, only to be ignored by the three as they walked out. “Don’t worry, Angel… Chomper’s not going to eat you. You’d probably give him indigestion.”
---
Ponyville- Carousel Boutique
The actual town was quite lively as they walked through it. Mario could not help but smile at the cheery atmosphere, almost forgetting his troubles… and forgetting the insane makeover Discord caused to Fluttershy’s cottage.
However, Mario could not help but notice a crowd of ponies gathering near a strange looking shop. It was a two story building with a mixture of blue and pink for the exterior, and Mario could not help but notice a carousel theme with the shop. Mario, Spike, and Boomregard, curious, forced their way through the crowd. As they pushed through, Mario heard murmurs of “Is it reopening after so long?” and “I heard it was under new management”, and “They’re selling an all-new accessory.”
“Fillies an’ gentlecolts,” a familiar, cute sounding filly’s voice declared as Mario’s team reached the front, “it’s the moment ya’ll have been waitin’ fer!”
“Apple Bloom?” Spike asked aloud as the filly emerged from the shop, wearing a top hat, a black tuxedo top, and had the most adorable smile on her face. Soon enough, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo emerged behind her, both cheerful and wearing similar outfits to Apple Bloom.
“We, the Cutie Mark Crusaders,” Scootaloo explained, “would like to announce that the amazing Miss Rarity’s Carousel Boutique is under temporary new management!” The crowd turned to each other, even more confused than they were before. “Now, I know what you’re all thinking: What does this mean for the company?”
“Well, a whole new opportunity!” Sweetie Belle answered, bouncing up and down. “You see, while my sister made you all sorts of clothes and stuff… well, we’re a little too young to be doing that. Mom, Dad, care to elaborate on our new business venture?”
Sure enough, two older ponies emerged from the shop. One was a bright pink Unicorn mare with a purple mane and tail, dressed in a bright red shirt and white pants. Her husband was a white stallion with black hooves and wearing a straw hat that made it hard to tell if he was an Earth Pony or a Unicorn as well as a blue shirt that reminded Mario of Isle Delfino. His Cutie Mark was a trio of footballs.
“Of course, Sweetie,” the stallion smiled, patting the filly on her head. “Anyways, fillies and gentlecolts, I’m Magnum. When my younger daughter and her friends told me and my wife what happened to her sister, well, I was stunned and angry that somepony would dare take my daughter Rarity away. But, however, I heard that somepony’s going to save them. Isn’t that right, you in the red hat?”
“Me?” Mario asked, pointing to himself. He, Spike, and Boomregard walked over.
“That’s him, Dad,” Sweetie smiled. “That’s Mario! And Spike, too! And… a cowboy Koopa?”
“A Boomerang Bro, little lady,” Boomregard smiled. “Ah don’t really know mah real name, but just call me Boomregard.”
“Well, then,” Magnum smirked, slapping Mario on the back, “glad to meet ya! Anyways, my daughter and her friends said they were inspired to start this little venture of theirs because of something their new student teacher and you talked about. Badges.”
“Badges?” Mario asked. “Uh, are you guys opening a Badge Shop?”
At this, the Toads, Goombas, and Koopas in the crowd began getting excited at this news. They had not expected Carousel Boutique to be turned into a Badge Shop. The ponies in the crowd looked confused, but they were quickly filled in by their neighbors.
“Well,” Magnum’s wife, “we were going to reveal it in a more extravagant manner, but you beat us to the punch!” She then turned to the crowd, and said, “That’s right, fillies and gentlecolts! Carousel Boutique, while Rarity is gone, will now be selling the powerful accessory of Badges! Now, with these, you can perform unique Jumps! Your partners will be blessed with more skills! And even find rarer treasures! This is a limited time opportunity! So, come down to Carousel Boutique, where our Badges are, how does Rarity say it, girls?”
“Chic!” Apple Bloom answered.
“Unique!” Scootaloo continued.
“And magnifique!” Sweetie finished. This caused the crowd to go wild.
After the hustle and bustle died down, Magnum took Mario’s group inside, where he showed them a shelf with Badges on them. “Man, I knew one day collecting these old things would be helpful,” he smiled at the collection of Badges. “You see, Mario, I travel around the world quite a bit. I’ve run into these Badges on my travels. There are Badges here that you’d never be able to find anywhere else in Equestria.”
“So, that’s why you’re able to do this?” Mario asked. “You’ve had these for years?”
“I didn’t know what they did, at first,” Magnum stated with a sheepish blush. “I just thought they were nice to look at, and began collecting them. Then, I used them a bit… and wow, they were useful. However, since Sweetie and her friends think we can make a profit on them and they can earn their Cutie Marks doing so, well, who was I to say no to selling these?”
“Wait,” Spike questioned. “You guys actually ENCOURAGE their activities? They kind of took over Rarity’s house.”
“Well, somepony has to keel Opalescence fed,” Sweetie’s mom announced as a white cat walked over, scowling at Mario as she approached. Opalescence, or “Opal” for short, made with her paws a motion that she was watching the plumber, before turning away. “And with Rarity and her friend Fluttershy away, well, I figured I may as well watch her business.”
“And I’m watching Rainbow Dash’s turtle,” Scootaloo replied, standing on a tortoise’s shell.
“Tortoise,” Apple Bloom corrected. “Tank’s a tortoise.”
“Whatever,” the orange Pegasus filly waved off. She leaned down and affectionately nuzzled the tortoise’s nose.
“So,” Sweetie smiled up at Mario, “care to buy a Badge?” As if to prevent him from saying no, she, Apple Bloom, and Scootaloo each gave Mario an adorable pout with big eyes. Mario sighed.
“Okay, I’ll look,” he said, looking around. “Just as long as you all don’t do that again.” Then… he saw it. One of his favorite Badges because of how powerful it was. How it allowed him to take on several targets at once. “You guys have a Multibounce? I’ve used this all of the time!”
With his Badge purchased and equipped, Apple Bloom smiled, “Thank ya kindly, Mario!”
“We’ll restock these shelves every now and then,” Scootaloo grinned. “Check back here!”
“Girls,” Spike interrupted, “this is really nice, but… where’s Goombella? We kind of need her help to get the next Element.”
“You have the first one already?” Sweetie Belle asked. Looking at Boomregard’s wrist, she gasped. “Wow… isn’t that Applejack’s? Why do you have it?”
“A long story, little lady,” Boomregard answered.
“Well, if yer holdin’ onto that fer mah sister,” Apple Bloom said, “maybe ya should show it to Miss Goombella. She should be o’er watchin’ the library fer Twilight.”
“I did give her and Owlowiscious my key, right?” Spike asked himself aloud. “Well, we better get over to the library.”
---
Golden Oaks Library
“Oh, I was wondering when I’d hear about the Traveling Sisters Three again!” Goombella giggled after they had come in and told her the story. “And Kolorado and Kooper are doing alright. Nice to know that fellow students of Prof. Frankly are still in the treasure hunting business after that Dizzy Dial incident back in Rogueport. I have never seen the Pianta Syndicate and the Robbo Gang so mad at a single Koopa! Prof. Frankly and I had to apologize to Zess T. up and down for a month before she would speak to me again as a result of knowing them.”
“Uh, Goombella,” Mario interrupted, “as interesting as this is… we have the first Element.”
“Oh, right,” the Goomba recalled. “Sorry, just thinking about the Dizzy Dial incident brings back strange memories… and the Traveling Sisters Three.” Looking at Boomregard, she asked, “So, you guys said that the Bearers are going to be temporarily replaced by six other souls?”
“That’s what the Spirit o’ Honesty said to us when she popped out o’ this,” the Boomerang Bro said, holding out his wrist.
“Wow…” Goombella breathed, surprised at how it glowed. “I’ve always asked Twilight if I could see the Elements for archeological reasons, but she always told me, ‘They’re for the safety of Equestria, not something you could put in a museum someplace’.” Looking up at Boomregard, she smiled, “To think you’re the temporary Bearer of Honesty, Boomregard… this is awesome.” Looking back at Mario, the Goomba said, “But if what Peach found out is true, then our world is living on borrowed time. We have to find the other five Elements and their temporary Bearers pronto if we’re going to save the world. If I remember correctly… the full moon starting this countdown of doom was… last night!” Mario and Boomregard looked at each other, both horrified at this news.
“That’s kind of why we came to you,” Spike said, cleaning up a bit with the help of Twilight’s pet owl. “You’re the only one who knows exactly where the Elements landed and can help us find them in time.”
“The general locations,” Goombella corrected. “But if your desert episode proved anything, I’m not the only one who has somewhat of a clue as to where the Elements are. Apparently, sky pirates are after the Elements and the Colts of Nocturne can perhaps blend in with the populace and know you’re still alive, so they’ll be after you as well. Not to mention random strangers who don’t have a clue as to what they’re doing with the Elements can just use them as an energy source to enhance either their technology or perhaps themselves. In the wrong hands, the Elements of Harmony separately are a force to be reckoned with.”
“Like Guylan with his train,” Boomregard concluded.
“And if all six were together,” Spike announced for them all, “they’d be almost unstoppable!”
“Mario,” Goombella asked, “you wouldn’t by chance have the Crystal Stars, would you?”
“Toadsworth and Princess Peach made me promise not to bring them. Or the Ultra Hammer, the Ultra Boots, or any of my Badges I had before. Luigi and I barely got our regular Hammers past Toadsworth when I explained they were for self-defense.”
“Ugh,” Goombella groaned. “This game would be so easier and quicker if they allowed you to keep some gear from the previous ones! Why is it that we can never keep our equipment in these adventures!?”
“…Goombella,” Spike asked for the three confused males, “what are you talking about?”
“I’m sorry,” the Goomba archeologist sighed. “I’m just venting a bit of frustration at how modern games still have the same problems that they did when I first made my debut in a video game back in 2004. It feels so long ago.” Recomposing herself, Goombella continued, “Anyways, we’ve gotten too far off-track with this. We have to get the rest of the Elements soon.”
“Well then, we better git to our next destination if we’re gonna find our next Element with the help o’ that large brain o’ yers. Where to, Miss Goombella?”
“Oh you flatter me,” Goombella smiled, pulling out her notes and taking Mario’s map of Equestria. Erasing the marks she wrote the last time, she began reading her notes. “But anyways, I’ve been keeping an eye on my news updates and researching possible locations of where the other Elements could have ended up. The most likely location right now? Hmm… Hey, Mario… I know you’re going to be busy getting the Element, but could you do me a huge favor and buy me a Filly Cheese Sandwich?”
“A Filly Cheese Sandwich?” the plumber questioned. “Okay, Goombella, I’ve eaten a lot of questionable-looking and strange-sounding food throughout my travels— as weird as that sounds— but I’ve never seen nor heard of a Filly Cheese Sandwich.”
“A Filly Cheese Sandwich?” Spike said aloud. “That’s a huge sandwich— both in size and popularity. One of a kind, too. In fact, nopony outside of Fillydelphia can make them right if what Pinkie Pie’s told me is true…”
Mario recognized the name of the town. Toad and Yoshi had took turns gushing over the town, particularly its famous sandwiches. That was when he realized what Goombella was telling him. “We’re going to Fillydelphia for the next Element?”
“I’m afraid so,” the Goomba answered.
“What makes you say it like that?” Spike asked. “All we need is to hop on a train and we’ll be there by sunset. Problem solved.”
“Normally, that wouldn’t be a problem,” the Goomba responded. “However, something huge is going on Fillydelphia that’s gotten all of the trains BOOKED until the end of the week! By that time, you’d NEVER get to Fillydelphia before something happened to the Element of Harmony! I’m afraid I have no idea how to get you there on foot before someone gets their hands, hooves, claws, whatever on the Element.”
“Don’t worry,” Mario said. “We’ll think of something. We always do. Like asking someone in town and hope they have an idea of how to get to Fillydelphia in a short amount of time.” Looking at Spike, he asked, “Do you know anyone who could?”
“One pony,” the Dragon recalled. “The Mayor. She probably would have an idea of a route we could take. She’s most likely at the Town Hall, which should be near Sugarcube Corner.”
“Sugarcube Corner is a funny name fer a shop,” Boomregard asked. “What do they sell?”
“Malts, milkshakes, muffins, cookies, cupcakes, regular cakes, just to name a few things,” Spike answered. “In short, it’s a bakery.”
“…Still a funny name fer a shop.”
“It’s a confectionary shop,” Spike argued. “It’s supposed to sound sweet.”
“Why not name it, ‘Sweets Bakery’?”
“Because that’s not the owners’ last name. They’re the Cakes.”
“…Cake’s Bakery, then.”
“I’d send you all to another place if I could confirm another Element’s location, I swear,” Goombella told Mario while Boomregard and Spike argued about Sugarcube Corner’s name. “However, this one is the only one I’m certain of right now and is in immediate danger of moving. Eyewitness reports from the area say they saw a giant red light land in Fillydelphia right into the Bell Tower. But nobody’s seen a glowing red rock leave the town yet, and something’s about to be revealed to the public? Yeah, this is totally an Element of Harmony. I'd stake my archeology liscence on it.”
“We’ll get it, Goombella,” Mario responded to the Goomba. “Trust me, I’m THE Super Mario. Have I ever let you down before when we went after a Crystal Star?” The Goomba shook her head.
“Well,” the Goomba remarked, “better grab the baby Dragon and the amnesiac cowboy. Good luck, Mario.” She then gasped, remembering something. “Oh, right! Before you go… I know you guys are going to be busy saving the world and whatnot, but, how are you guys on that Tattle Log?”
“I suppose we’re alright,” Mario answered. “Why?”
“Well, if in the odd chance you find a one-of-a-kind enemy and fail to Tattle on it, but want the reference for later,” Goombella explained, “check back here. For better or for worse, I’ve taken up Prof. Frankly’s rather odd habit of leaving my research notes scattered everywhere. If you miss anything, try checking with Twilight’s owl, Owlowiscious. He cleans up around here every night.” The plumber nodded before grabbing Spike and Boomregard, breaking up their argument as he dragged the two out.
---
Ponyville- Town Square
As the trio walked downtown, Mario kept looking at his map where Goombella marked it now. If the map was true, Fillydelphia certainly had bigger buildings than Ponyville did, and the bell seemed to be a key landmark in the town. If the Bell Tower was destroyed by the Element, chances are that the townsfolk would not be willing to give it up so easily due to the damage it caused them. Mario knew right away he’d have to tread lightly upon getting there.
“There’s Town Hall,” Spike interrupted, pointing to a large, multistory building that a light brown Earth Pony mare emerged from. She had a long grayish white mane, her tail matching it. Apart from the glasses resting on her snout, she wore a white collar with a green cravat sticking out of it. Her Cutie Mark, unsurprisingly, was a scroll wrapped in a blue ribbon.
“Ah, I’m finally done with work for the day,” the mare smiled in relief. “Though, I wish Twilight and her friends were here… this town has gotten somewhat depressing without those six mares to liven things up. Not to mention all of those reports stacking up… well, I don’t have to deal with them until later.”
“Miss Mayor!” Spike called over to her, making her stop her walk. Mario’s team walked over to the Mayor, the baby Dragon with a huge grin on his face. “Just the pony we wanted to see.”
“Oh, hello Spike,” the Mayor remarked while returning Spike’s grin with a sad smile. “I take it that it would be too much to ask where Twilight is. I’ve realized I’ve taken her and her friends for granted, but… well, ever since they’ve disappeared off of the face of the planet for so long, my job has rather hectic. Without Rainbow Dash running the weather, many of the weather patrol ponies have been working to near exhaustion. Not to mention the sudden change in management at Carousel Boutique by Rarity’s family and the three fillies is awfully troubling unannounced. Sugarcube Corner isn’t the same without Pinkie Pie… neither is Sweet Apple Acres without Applejack. Finally, I couldn’t help but notice Fluttershy’s cottage has been invaded by the infamous Spirit of Disharmony… and where did he get those Piantas from?”
“Uh, a long story, Miss Mayor,” Spike interrupted. With a forced grin, Spike assured her, “Don’t worry, though… Mario, Boomregard, and I will fix everything.”
“Wait, what?” both the plumber and Boomerang Bro asked.
“She’s talking to us and we don’t have to explain where everypony is again,” Spike whispered through the grin. “Just go with it.”
“Oh, I hope so,” the Mayor nodded. “But… Ponyville’s not the only place with issues developing as of late. So, I’ve decided to post a Trouble Board inside my office where ponies can voice a problem they have or help solve somepony’s problem. These requests are coming from just about everypony in Equestria. And with Canterlot sealed off from the general public, problems are flooding from all across the region to the town that’s closest to Canterlot: Ponyville! I’m afraid I’m not a miracle worker and can make the kingdom’s problems disappear.”
“I’ve heard of these,” Mario realized. “You then have to go find whoever has the problem and solve it for them. Once you do, you’ll negotiate an award with them.”
“You’re an expert, I see,” the Mayor nodded. “That’s convenient, Mr… I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?”
“Mario,” the plumber nodded. “Anyways, we’ll look into seeing if we can help every now and then. But first, we kind of have a problem WE need help with.”
“I figured as much when Spike was so eager to see me,” the Mayor sighed. “Well, what is it?”
“If it ain’t too much trouble, Miss Mayor,” Boomregard voiced for them all, “we’d like to git ourselves to Fillydelphia sometime in the near future. Problem is we’ve heard the trains are booked. Do ya know any routes we can walk?” Mario then showed the Mayor his map. The Mayor frowned.
“…Well, there IS a single way by hoof,” the Mayor commented, a reluctant tone. “But it hasn’t seen much use in years due to the railroads allowing ponies to pass this trail without getting close. During its use, several ponies that traveled that path vanished, never to be seen again. In fact, I’ve heard stories growing up as a filly that the original founding caravan of Fillydelphia was over 17,000 ponies who traveled through here. By the time they actually got there, less than ten percent of the caravan was left, enough to sustain a healthy population for later time, but low on resources. I wouldn’t recommend it to anypony, not even the crazy Monty Mole who’s leading a tour through it with Cranky and Matilda’s help. Are you all sure you can’t wait until the end of the week? I’m sure that’s when the trains will lighten up.”
“Unfortunately, no,” Spike replied. “Sorry, Mayor, but we need to get there ASAP. Besides, Fillydelphia was founded almost 400 years ago, so they had to have figured a safe route through. How bad could it be?”
“Famous last words, Spike,” Mario grumbled. Spike turned to Mario, confused.
“Mario,” the Dragon scoffed, “in the short time we’ve started traveling together, we’ve taken on Diamond Dogs, Pegasirates, Bonefallo, and a notorious outlaw. What could a 400-year-old travel route have for us that we’re not ready for?”
“Spike,” Mario educated, “there’s a difference between confidence and arrogance. One thing I’ve learned over the years is to never underestimate anyone. Especially if they’re an all-black Shy Guy called an Anti Guy. You WILL regret fighting one, trust me.”
“…At this point, I’m not even going to ask,” Spike deadpanned. “Let’s just go.”
“I see I’m not going to convince you all to NOT do this,” the Mayor sighed. “Very well, gentlecolts, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. You’re going to be traveling through the Foal Mountains, and that’s just the FIRST leg of your trip. You then have to go through the Hollow Shades, a dark forest. If you all manage to get through there, you should make it to Fillydelphia in a day and a half. Look for a Monty Mole by the name ‘Mohan’, and you should find your way. He should be getting ready to start the tour near the northeast of the town. Mohan dug a tunnel and had a Warp Pipe that cuts straight to the mountain range right there.”
“Something tells me this here Mohan fella ain’t gonna be cheap to late arrivals,” Boomregard remarked. “We oughta mosey o’er to him, pronto.”
“Thank you, Miss Mayor,” Mario nodded. “We’ll be careful.”
“Pack plenty of items,” the Mayor called as they walked away from her. Thinking aloud to herself, she sighed, "I sure hope Twilight and her friends are alright. I've only seen Spike this whole time since they went off to Canterlot... and then this happened. It's like the Royal Wedding and the Crystal Empire all over again, only more evident."
---
Ponyville- Northeast Gate
Mario, Spike, and Boomregard, after a brief stop at the local shop to restock their items, rushed straight towards the northeast, passing the train station in northern Ponyville as they went. The trio was stunned to see how insanely packed the train station was for Fillydelphia. Mario couldn’t help but feel bad for the civilians waiting for the train, but he had a job to do. If he didn’t get the next Element of Harmony, there wouldn’t be a future for any of these people.
Soon enough, Mario’s team reached the northeast corner of the town, where— just like the Mayor said— a Monty Mole stood on a rocky brown Warp Pipe. The Monty Mole was a dark gray one, and he looked rather buff for one, with impressively large claws on his hands. He wore some rather impressive sunglasses over his eyes, and wore a green version of Goombella’s miner’s hat. To top it off, he had a megaphone in his hands.
Standing on either side of the Pipe were Donkeys, a male and a female. The male Donkey had blonde hair that looked like a toupee to the plumber and a somewhat annoyed expression on his face. Meanwhile, the female Donkey was smiling, wearing her brown hair in gentle curls with a white collar with a sapphire around her neck.
“ALRIGHT, PONIES, TOADS, AND WHATEVER THE REST OF YOU ARE!” the Monty Mole shouted through his megaphone in a heavily masculine tone. “WE ARE ABOUT TO GET THE FIRST EVER MOHAN EQUESTRIAN ADVENTURE TOUR UNDERWAY! OUR DESTINATION IS NONE OTHER THAN THE CITY OF FILLYDELPHIA THROUGH THE FOAL MOUNTAIN RANGE! EVERYBODY GATHER AROUND, BECAUSE I’M ONLY GONNA GO OVER THE RULES OF THIS TRIP ONE TIME ONLY! YOU MISS OUT, TOO BAD!”
“Um, excuse me?” Mario spoke as he walked over. “We were wondering if—”
“WHAT DO YOU WANT!?” the Monty Mole yelled right into Mario’s face, making him and the male Donkey flinch in agony.
“…For you to not shout in that thing, for one,” the male Donkey replied with a scowl. “Why am I helping you with this ridiculous tour again?”
“I’m sorry, Cranky,” Mohan retorted, turning off the megaphone, “who said they knew the way through the mountains via years of traveling and— coincidentally— owes me 1,000 Bits for that ‘you-know-what’?” Cranky rolled his eyes. “Your girlfriend just volunteered.”
“…Right,” Cranky grumbled in a low voice that Mario could barely make out. “Doing this for Matilda…”
Others in the group looked at Mario’s trio, confused by them. Mario saw Carrot Cake and Cup Cake among the tour group, but Cup Cake had a strange looking saddlebag… almost like a kangaroo pouch mothers used to carry their babies, only remade for foals, such as the two in the pouches. One of them was a male white Pegasus with a brown mane and tail. The other foal was a light yellow Unicorn filly with orange hair pulled up in a ponytail.
But a third traveler surprised Mario. It was none other than—
“Prosperous Dusk?” Mario asked, looking at the stallion he met in Canterlot. “What the… what are you doing here in Ponyville?”
“Mario, Spike,” the friendly purple and green marked Unicorn smirked at the duo. “I’m glad to see you two made it out of Canterlot in one piece.” Walking over to them, he whispered, “When those awful cultists attacked, I did my best to fight them off… but the city began to seal itself in black crystals, the same type of the legendary Crystal Usurper, King Sombra. I barely made it out of Canterlot alive.”
“Well,” Mario replied, “the same can’t be said for my friends. We have to figure out how to get them out of there.”
“Is that why you’re here?” Prosperous Dusk asked. “Interesting.”
“What about you?” Mario questioned. “Why are you going to Fillydelphia?”
“Perhaps the same reason as almost everypony else here,” Prosperous Dusk answered. “I am drawn to this rumor about this strange unveiling happening in the town that happens AFTER a red comet crashed into the Fillydelphia Bell Tower. I figured since I’m not teaching right now, I could finally get around exploring Equestria.”
“Ahem,” Mohan interrupted, causing Mario’s group to turn to him. “Sir,” the Monty Mole spat, “you have a lot of nerve walking up to me like this and wasting valuable daylight. I am running a business, here, and time is money. Right now, you’re wasting both my time AND my money, and are very lucky I don’t pound you into the ground. Now… what do you want, or am I going to have to shred somebody?”
“Um, actually,” Spike explained, “we kind of wanted to join your tour to Fillydelphia.” Mohan scowled behind his sunglasses.
“You think you can waltz up to me and demand to join the tour LAST MINUTE!?” Mohan scoffed. “I don’t think you know Mohan’s Equestrian Adventure Tour’s policy on late customers. I charge DOUBLE for what I run the tour normally for last minute arrivals!”
“Uh, what would be the Mushroom Kingdom equivalent cost of your tours?” Mario asked. “I’ve only got Mushroom Coins.”
“Normal tours under regular circumstances of this kind through the Foal Mountains, due to insurance rates and cost of proper equipment?” Mohan asked. “It would run you about 200 Mushroom Coins for a full adult before I let you sign the legal waiver, 100 for kids. Now, since you, the cowboy Koopa, and the Dragon are SO last minute… let’s see here, it would cost… 1,000 MUSHROOM COINS!”
Mario’s group stared in total awe at how expensive Mohan’s tour ran them. Spike turned to Mario. “You wouldn’t happen to have a secret Mushroom Kingdom bank account where you’re filthy rich, do you?” the Dragon hoped.
“Whatever you’re doing,” a young voice yelled over, “leave my Daddy out of it!”
“Um, not talking about your father, Diamond Tiara!” Spike nervously yelled back. The Dragon turned back to Mario. “Well, that bank account?”
Mario, ignoring the weirdness of that remark, turned to Spike. “Um… sorry, Spike. I don’t have that kind of money. My wallet for reasons I’ll never know can only carry up to 999 Coins, and not a single Coin more.”
“Well, that ain’t right!” Boomregard demanded from the Monty Mole about the price range. “Ya can’t just charge us that high!”
“Of course I can!” Mohan replied. “This is MY business, not yours! If you ran this tour you could set the prices! But you don’t!”
“Now, Mohan,” Matilda said, breaking her calm demeanor, “don’t be rude to your potential customers.”
“Lady,” the Monty Mole retorted, “they haven’t paid yet, so they aren’t my customers.” Turning back to Mario, he scowled, “Well? Come on, you either pay 1,000 Coins or no tour for you!”
“Fine then, ya greedy mole,” Boomregard shrugged.
“Thank you, buddy,” Mohan grinned, extending his hand. “Now pay up—”
“Git off of that there Pipe, an’ we’ll be on our way,” Boomregard finished, causing the Monty Mole to stare in shock. “We’ll hoof it on our own. Probably git there faster than ya can lead us.”
“…Did you just try pull a fast one on me, cowboy!?” Mohan snarled in anger.
“Ya didn’t let me finish what Ah was tryin’ to say,” Boomregard justified. “Next time, don’t be in a rush.”
“Good call, Boomregard,” Mario agreed with a nod. “There’s no way we can pay for this out of pocket to this avaricious Monty Mole… and besides, it’s not like we’re required to be with this guy to get over these mountains.” Turning to Mohan, he said, “So, if you’d kindly get out of the way…”
“OOOHHHHH NO!” Mohan denied, stamping on the ground while his face turned red. “I am NOT budging for a poor plumber and a wise guy Koopa who insult me! You all better take those back! Otherwise, you’ve just made a powerful enemy! Prepare to get shredded, idiots!”
“Somehow, I doubt that,” Mario shook his head. “Look, I’m sorry, but we don’t have the money for your overpriced tour. Just let us use the Warp Pipe to the Foal Mountains, and we’ll be out of your hair and on our way. It’s not hard.”
“I wouldn’t recommend going alone, boys,” Cranky interrupted, getting between Mohan and Mario’s group before things got ugly. “Ya see, sons… I’ve made this trip through the Foal Mountains and Hollow Shades before on my own. And let me tell you right now, cowboy… my first time getting through this trail was HORRIBLE. I got so far off of my trail through the mountains that I ran through my supplies quick. Though then again, it was in the middle of winter. And even on my second time in warmer weather like this, my game nearly ended in these mountains. It was the same foolish behavior of being underprepared that almost prevented Fillydelphia from ever being founded in the first place. For your own safety, I can’t let you go alone at least on your first time through the mountains.” Mario stood there, shocked by Cranky taking Mohan’s side in the argument, despite his poor behavior. Mohan, however, had calmed down, and begun chuckling.
“Thank you, Cranky Doodle Donkey,” Mohan laughed, though Cranky grunted at the middle name. “Well then, you have no choice, buddies! Either cough up the dough or get lost! Unless, of course…” He looked at Boomregard’s wrist, noticing the Element of Honesty. “You wish to sell THAT to me. I’m sure it’s worth a fortune somewhere…”
“It ain’t fer sale,” Boomregard scowled, holding his wrist close to himself. “Ah’m holdin’ onto this fer a special lady who entrusted it to me. Ah can’t let ya have it ’less ya can pry it off mah wrist!”
“Are you sure you don’t wanna sell it?” Mohan offered.
“It ain’t up fer discussion ’less ya wanna walk away from it with half yer teeth down yer stomach.”
“…Such a shame,” Mohan spat. “It would have ALMOST gotten you on this tour. Too bad, so sad. Now, take your friends and get outta my sight, cowboy! Or do I have to get rough?” Mario scowled, reaching towards his Hammer while Boomregard drew his Boomerang—
CHING-CHING!
The hostilities were suddenly ended when a bag of Mushroom Coins flew out of nowhere, landing right in between Mario’s group and Mohan. “There you are!” a female voice with a gentle tone to it remarked. “1,400 Coins! For those gentlemen and myself!”
Mario, Spike, Boomregard, and Mohan all looked to see one of the most surprising sights of all time. A Bee buzzed her way through the crowd. The Bee, like most of her kind, wore a white fuzzy collar around her neck. But that’s where the similarities ended. She had on light purple gloves and boots, as well as an indigo coat over the top half of her body. Her helmet was a lighter shade of brown with a blue Bee stitched into it.
“Wait… did you say… 1,400 Coins?” Mohan asked, looking into the bag. There were so many Coins that the Monty Mole couldn’t count them all in one sitting.
“Well, I couldn’t just ignore these poor souls’ plight,” the Bee replied. “And, well… I’m kind of late, too. We Bees may be able to buzz through the skies, but I can’t fly all of the time!”
“…Thank ya, ma’am,” Boomregard tipped his hat to the Bee. Mario and Spike just quietly nodded to her as well. The Bee just giggled.
“Oh, you flatter me! Just helping fellow travelers out, after all. And well… my Queen did give me a charitable paycheck.”
“I can see that,” Mohan said, drooling over the Coins. Turning towards Mario’s group, he scowled, “Okay, you’re on the tour thanks to the Bee… not that I like it. Now shut-up and get in line if you’re ready to go! I’m not turning this tour group around if you forgot something!” Mario’s group and the Bee were all ready, so they got back in light.
Turning his megaphone back on, Mohan began, “ALRIGHT, PEOPLE! LISTEN UP, BECAUSE I’M ONLY GOING OVER THESE OFFICIAL TOUR RULES ONCE! RULE NUMBER ONE: UNLESS IN SOME STRANGE COINCIDENCE WE CAN’T CONTINUE THE TOUR, ALL PAYMENTS ARE FINAL! THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS! RULE NUMBER TWO: I AM THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY HERE AT ALL TIMES! WHAT I SAY GOES, NO EXCEPTIONS! IF YOU DON’T LIKE IT, YOU’RE OFF THE TOUR! RULE NUMBER THREE, AND THE MOST IMPORTANT: STAY WITH THE GROUP ON THE TRAIL! I CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR SAFETY SHOULD YOU FALL BEHIND OR RUN AHEAD, NOR CAN I BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ACCIDENTS THAT OCCUR AS AN ACT OF THE STAR SPIRITS, CELESTIA, OR LUNA HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF YOUR OWN FAILURE TO STAY WITHIN THE SAFETY OF THE TOUR GROUP. CRANKY AND I LEAD THE GROUP BECAUSE HE’S BEEN THROUGH THESE MOUNTAINS BEFORE AND I’M IN CHARGE. YOU GET AHEAD OF US, YOU’LL RECEIVE ONE WARNING BEFORE I KICK YOU OFF THE TOUR AND LET YOU FEND FOR YOURSELF! MATILDA WILL BRING UP THE REAR SO THAT NOBODY FALLS BEHIND HER! RULE NUMBER FOUR: YOU CAN’T SUE ME BECAUSE YOU LISTENED TO THESE RULES! UNDERSTAND?”
Everyone begrudgingly nodded, already fed up with Mohan and the tour had not even begun yet. Even the two foals Carrot and Cup Cake had with them looked at each other, annoyed expressions on the babies’ faces.
“Alright,” Cranky interrupted the murmurs of discontent, “Everypony come on and sign our legal waiver. That way, we have— in writing— that you all acknowledge our tour rules and understand that you are willingly taking this trip through the Foal Mountains to Fillydelphia. It is a day and a half hike from here, and there may be times where it becomes dark. We will give you proper equipment after signing the waver.”
The very moment Mario’s team read over and signed the legal waver Matilda held up to them, she gave Mario’s group a Lantern. “Remember,” she instructed them, “in dark places, take out the Lantern with the X Button in the field to light the area around you… at least, that’s what Pinkie Pie has told me about these things. I still don’t know what she meant, but I’ll take her word for it. Be warned, though: you only have a limited amount of battery life, and it burns quickly the longer you have the Lantern out, and you also can’t use your Hammer while it’s out. Pressing the X Button again will put your Lantern away. If you need a new battery, you can buy some from me for a small fee of 10 Coins.”
“Matilda,” Spike interrupted, “you do realize I’m a Dragon, right?”
“I know, Spike,” the female Donkey nodded. “However, your fire only has a temporary burn and can only light your way for a shorter time than a Lantern. Please, I insist.”
“Alright,” the Dragon sighed as Mario accepted the Lantern. After everyone was properly equipped, Mohan offered a greedy chuckle, looking at the Element of Honesty on his wrist.
“Pry it off your wrist, huh?” the Monty Mole mused to himself. “That can be arranged…”
“Hey, Mohan,” Cranky interrupted his planning. “We’ve gotten all of the signatures we need from our customers. Can we get this tour over with, already?”
“Oh, right!” Mohan remembered. “Okay, people, make sure you’re all ready! Head down the Warp Pipe single file! We’re setting out! Remember, stay with the group!” With that, Mohan swirled down the Pipe, followed by Cranky. Mario, Spike, and Boomregard proceeded after them, alongside the Bee. Soon, everyone was down the Pipe save for Matilda and Prosperous.
“Hmm… what was that on that Koopa’s wrist?” the purple and green Unicorn asked aloud. “And who was this ‘special lady’ he was referring to?” Shrugging, he concluded, “Perhaps there is more to Mario and Spike’s new friend.” With that, he jumped into the Pipe, followed by Matilda.