//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 Part 2 // Story: Paper Mario: The Land of Harmony // by Blade Squall //------------------------------// Applewood Studios Applewood Studios: where almost every famous play, documentary, musical, or movie in Equestria is written, built, filmed, and produced. Mario’s group, briefly joined by Twilight Velvet herself, found themselves standing outside its massive gates. Several sets, trailers, and ponies who helped produce these shows were scattered throughout the large lot. Mario spotted what appeared to be a large movie theater on the scene as well while Velvet walked over to what appeared to be a security panel. Mario could not help but notice that the bars in the gate were practically thin enough for him to slip through in Paper Mode, as well as Diggsie looking at the ground, almost as if she could sense a tunnel. The only thing NOT preventing them from taking the two more obvious ways in was the gang of tough-looking business Piantas in black suits. “Give me a minute, Mr. Mario,” Velvet said. “I just need to clear us by security.” She then had a Key Card float out of her person, and swiped it, causing the gates to open up. “Hi, gentlecolts.” “Ma’am,” one of the Piantas spoke up, “I know this is how ponies greet each other regardless of race, but we’re still Piantas.” “I know, but it’s a force of habit,” Velvet apologized. “Anyways, this baby Dragon is Spike, my daughter’s assistant. You don’t mind him and his friends entering do you? They’re with me.” “I don’t mind,” the Pianta said. “But I ain’t sure the boss will.” He then placed a hand to his ear. “Hey, Boss… Mrs. Sparkle here has guests, one of them claiming to be an assistant of her daughter. Yeah, unannounced… but Mrs. Sparkle here is giving me the Chain Chomplet pout, ya knows I can’t take that. …Wait… SHE’S on her way? She saw the camera feeds and is floating down here? And you’re coming with her?” Mario, Spike, Boomregard, and Diggsie all looked at each other, confused. Mario then asked, “Um, who’s ‘she’?” “MARIO?” a female voice interrupted. Mario then looked to see a familiar looking Wind Spirit floating towards him. “It’s been AGES since I’ve seen you, my mustachioed gentleman! And you have such cute little new friends!” “…Flurrie?” Mario asked in shock. “Madam Flurrie?” the Pianta guard spoke up. “You know him?” “Know him?” Flurrie spoke up. “Of course I know him! I’ve traveled with Mario once.” “So, do you know Goombella?” Spike spoke up. “But of course, darling!” Flurrie smiled. “How is she in that little town? Ponyville? Oh heavens, if she had written ahead that you all might be coming, we probably wouldn’t have this scenario playing out.” “Alright, alright,” a male voice spoke up. “So what’s the problem wit all o’ this?” A light blue skinned Pianta with a white business suit and a green grass skirt. “…MARIO!?” “Wait a minute,” Mario spoke up. “Frankie!? You’re here, too?” “It’s okay, boys, we can let these guys in,” Frankie said. The two guards backed away almost immediately. “Well, this certainly speeds up this process!” Velvet smiled. “Thank you again, Mr. Frankie.” “Not a problem, Mrs. S,” the Pianta nodded. “Thank your boss for choosing the Pianta Syndicate to help with security for this picture of yours. Oh, and Flurrie, too… wouldn’t have gotten with Francesca without her and Mario, here. Anyways, Mario, I’ll get to makin’ a pass for yous so yous don’t have to go through this here scenario all over again.” “…Well, that saves time,” Diggsie said as they entered. “Don’t mind those boys,” Frankie spoke up, “they’re new. Anyways, Mario, what brings ya to pony-land?” “I’m curious as to what brings you out here, myself,” Flurrie spoke up. “I’ve been trying to keep my identity a secret to my fans from back at our part of the world, so you probably wouldn’t have known I was here.” “Well,” Mario nervously commented, “I’ll tell you guys, but only in private so this doesn’t become a huge problem.” “Well, it’ll have to wait until after today’s shoot,” Flurrie spoke up. “Now that Twilight Velvet is here, I’m sure Red Carpet and Green Screen will want to get started.” “An’ the pun names keep comin’,” Boomregard commented. Flurrie laughed with him as Frankie walked away. “I have to agree, Mr. Boomerang Bro,” the Wind Spirit said. “But it’s easy to remember. Mario, you have such exquisite company. Where do you keep finding these people?” “In Canterlot before a party, in Appleloosa with no memory, and being held hostage underground by spiders who imitate gangsters,” Mario confessed. After a bit of walking, Flurrie said, “We need to head to Set 7 for the shoot, today. Almost everyone is already there. Mario, would you care to join today’s shoot?” “What?” Mario asked. “…Hmm, now that I think about it,” Velvet confessed, “I DID recruit these folks and Spike as extras on the spot. Perhaps we can use the help for the movie.” “The movie?” Spike recalled. “What movie?” “The Daring Do reboot, of course,” Flurrie explained. “I’ve been casted as the villainous mistress of weather this younger Daring faces in her first adventure, Augustine.” “And you have no problems with playing a villain?” Mario asked. “Please, Mario, I’m an actress,” Flurrie smiled. “I’ve played mainly heroic roles, yes, but sometimes it’s fun to play against type.” Mario and Spike both shrugged. “Anyways, we’ve had a need for a bit of extra help for this movie.” “So what’s this franchise about?” Mario asked. Velvet explained, “Daring Do is the titular archeologist Pegasus in a series of action adventure novels. When I was just a filly in magic college, the series was just getting started. I was hooked on the first book, and it really helped my writing career. I even met my husband at one of the book signings. Eventually, it became popular enough to develop into an expanded universe that has been added to by many writers, and even the original film franchise.” “Wow,” Mario commented. “And this series has been going on since your college days?” “Yes, it has,” Velvet smiled. “Many fans, me included, have been drawn to the sense of brains, brawn, and beauty that Daring Do brings to the box office… which is why the mares who read her books want to be her, and the stallions want to be with her.” “So, what brought about this here reboot if her stories sell so well?” Boomregard asked. “Ah mean, Ah can understand a fresh start to bring a character back into the spotlight, but it sounds like Miss Do doesn’t need any help stayin’ relevant.” Velvet explained, “Well, part of the reason is that A.K. Yearling, the author of the books, has announced her retirement from the films as the lead actress.” “A.K. Yearling!?” Spike asked, a massive grin on his face. “Twilight LOVES her work!” Realizing that she was retiring, he asked, “What’s wrong?” “Miss Yearling says she’s getting ‘too old’ to do all of the mandatory stunts that come with being the character, and the last filming she was in resulted in an actual wing accident— not just the one that was in the first book of the main series— that nearly ended her career. It just wouldn’t be the same characterization of Daring without her as the main actress. Yearling, however, is kind enough to stay on set and help mentor our new Daring Do. She even approved of my script.” “The author did her own stunts?” Spike asked. “Heh… Rainbow and Twilight will totally want to hear that. They love the character.” “You know, Spike,” Velvet pointed out, “I just realized you haven’t told me about my daughter Twily.” “Um…” Spike began, nervous. “You see, Mrs. Sparkle—” “Hey,” Diggsie spoke up to change the subject, “there sounds like other reasons for this reboot.” “Well, to put it bluntly,” Flurrie explained, “ever since the cultural exchange between Mushroom and Equestria, many people wish to bring in a mixture of both of our lands in this performance. In this new continuity, Daring is fresh out of the academy, just as naïve as most Equestrians are to the Mushroom Kingdom’s antics. We’re basically new to these ponies, and they’re new to us.” “If Bowser’s in this movie,” Mario scowled, “I might give it a bad rating.” “Oh good heavens no!” Flurrie promised. “I’m playing the antagonistic Augustine, a fearsome spirit of the weather who has cursed the ancient kingdom of Fun’guis, which was the supposed ancestor of the Mushroom Kingdom today, with supernatural weather patterns that the poor Pegasus and her crew have no control over. Daring will have to rely on her wits, survival skills, and knowledge of Equestrian history to do battle with my minions. Bowser, of course, is not involved in this picture… maybe a sequel if this gets good enough ratings to green light one, but not this film.” “Oh thank the Star Spirits,” Mario said. He whispered, “The situation’s bad already without Bowser acting.” Ignoring that, Velvet said, “Unfortunately, a good proportion of the fan base does not think having a new Daring Do explore a different environment is a good idea. Some of the more vehement fans have even tried to attack the movie. That is the reason for the added security of the Pianta Syndicate.” “I thought there was something up with that,” Mario commented. “Anyways, we should get this started.” Inside the set, ponies and creatures of all sorts were setting up the scene. One of whom was an older Pegasus mare with tan fur and a grayscale mane wearing a pink cloak over her body. She smiled upon seeing Velvet. “Hey, Velvet,” she spoke up. “I see you and Flurrie found a few extras, didn’t you… and even a Dragon, too!” “...A.K. YEARLING?” Spike breathed, recognized the mare. The mare gave him a tired smile before petting him on the head. Mario remembered Spike being a baby Dragon, after all. “Fans still recognize me,” A.K. Yearling spoke up. “Well, that’s always nice. If you wish for an autograph, I’ll give you a moment of my time, later. But right now, we’re a little short-hooved.” “Right,” Velvet recalled. “That’s what these guys are for.” “Howdy, Spike,” Apple Bloom’s voice yelled over. Sure enough, the Cutie Mark Crusaders walked over, Apple Bloom wearing her mane in what appeared to be a ponytail without its bow similar to her older sister, Sweetie Belle wearing a blonde wig and her tail colored blonde, and Scootaloo’s fur a different color— tan similar to Yearling, but her mane a monochromatic wig. “…Ah guess we didn’t know that Big Macintosh’s delivery was gonna be at Applewood Studios, huh?” “That would have been good to know earlier,” Mario shrugged. “But, hey… what are you girls doing?” “These three little darlings are going to be doing a minor role for the beginning of the movie,” a new female voice spoke up. The group turned to see a red furred Unicorn approaching, her mane and tail being long dark brown and tied in fishtail braids and her eyes behind a pair of glasses while wearing a black director’s hat on her head. Her Cutie Mark was a movie camera. “Miss Apple Bloom and Miss Sweetie Belle are Daring Do’s childhood friends for when she finds the Fungi Amulet… and little Miss Scootaloo is going to be young Daring.” “I have to give you credit where it’s due, Miss Red Carpet,” Yearling smiled as Red Carpet, in an aura of brown magic, floated a script in front of her, “you improvise very well. You know, this is something I’ll have to write down next book.” “I figured we needed a good origin scene,” Red Carpet explained as Yearling took note. “No offense, A.K., but there is a lot of fan interpretation with your main star’s foalhood.” Turning to Mario’s group, she asked, “So… who do we have here?” “A group of extras I thought we could use, one of whom I know personally and another whom Flurrie knows personally,” Velvet explained. “I know the Dragon… Flurrie knows the plumber, Mr. Mario.” “I see,” Red Carpet said. “Green Screen? Do we have it in the budget to compensate these guys?" “I’ll see what I can do,” a female voice yelled back. “Green Screen?” Mario asked. “My younger sister,” Red Carpet answered. “But only by five minutes. She likes background work… I like directing.” “Is she green?” Mario asked. “Yep.” “Oh thank goodness, there’s another pair of red and green siblings in this country.” Ignoring that, Red Carpet motioned them to follow her. “Okay, everypony, I know we called you all here out of the blue, but we could use the extra help. Girls, did you read the script Mr. Nightlight edited for you like I asked you to?” “Yes, ma’am!” Scootaloo smiled. “I can’t believe I’m acting… maybe this is our destiny, girls! Cutie Mark Crusader Actresses!” “Mama-mia,” Spike said, shaking his head. “That’s-a my catchphrase,” Mario spoke up. “Well, ‘Holy guacamole’ never caught on,” Spike defended himself. Turning to the red Unicorn, he asked, “So, what do you need us to do?” Red Carpet looked at the group of four. “Hmm… I got it! How good are you at stunts, Mr… Mario, right?” “Uh yeah,” the plumber nodded. “Well, I’m a seasoned adventurer who has defeated the entire Koopa Troop several times with usually just my brother at my back. Hence the title, ‘Super Mario Bros.’. However, I’ve also saved the world several times over, am good with improvised items, and have fought apocalyptic monsters.” “I can vouch for all of that,” Flurrie added. “…So, you’re pretty good,” the red Unicorn summarized. “Yes.” “Good, because Mr. Wario needs a new stunt double.” “…What.” “That’s right, Mario!” a male voice spoke up. Sure enough, a yellow and purple clad, more muscular (and heftier) version of Mario with a W on his cap walked over. “I finally got in one of these RPGs!” “Wario… what are YOU doing here?” Mario asked. “Well, I figured I could use the money and promote my new line of micro-games… by cameoing in one of your games!” Wario answered. Mario raised an eyebrow at this, while Wario turned to the screen. “Game and Wario! Buy it!” Turning back to Mario, he said, “But anyways, yeah, I’m acting, loser. Where’s your wimpy, ghost-fearing brother? Or did you trade him for a baby Dragon?” “Leave Luigi— and by extension Spike— out of this!” Mario scowled. The hostility between the two was obvious. “Uh, can we start?” Apple Bloom asked. Mario sighed, breaking eye contact with his greedy rival, looking at the kids and Red Carpet. “So stunt double?” Mario asked. “Yes,” Red Carpet explained. “You see, Mario, Wario’s previous stunt double, Mr. Waluigi, has disappeared. I have not a clue as to his whereabouts, and we’ve been missing him for the past few days. Anyways, you have done battles before, correct?” Mario nodded. “Some of these scenes are based off the Stage Battle system you are probably used to.” “Wow,” Mario said. “So, I’d just be pretending to fight someone?” “Yes,” Flurrie nodded. “We understand that real battles are not open-and-shut cases, so you are free to improvise most scenarios. But you’d have a script you have to adhere to! These battles have certain objectives you must meet in them and they have to end in a certain way!” “It’s true,” Velvet agreed. “Mario, each scene in the movie has prerequisites for it written down. Not every scene has you victorious in the battle, or the battle even finishing. Some scenes have restrictions, or required moves being used. Some scenes put you by yourself, while others have you allying with a co-star. And of course, the biggest one… we only have so much film.” “True,” Red Carpet said. “Between getting big stars from the Mushroom Kingdom like Flurrie, Wario, and now you, and the added security from the protests, we did not have a lot of budget for actual film, so we have to limit the number of turns we can allow in each battle. You must finish the scene’s conditions in the allotted time. If you mess up, we’ll have to re-film the scene. I’m afraid we’ll have to cut your pay for the failed scenes.” “Ooh, harsh,” Spike said. “Well, what do we do?” “You all, unfortunately, will be extras we’ll use from time-to-time in each scene,” Red Carpet confessed. “I’m sorry, Velvet, but I’ll have to ask for you to rewrite the script for these ones, okay?” “I understand,” Velvet nodded. “Well, Mr. Mario, do you have any questions?” “What exactly is Wario’s role?” Mario asked, looking at Wario. “Wario is playing the mysterious figure of Fun’guis’ ancient hero, Mai’take,” Velvet explained. “Mai’take was once the leader of a group of warriors who fought the evil Augustine to save the world. In the end, he sacrificed his soul to seal Flurrie’s character, Augustine, from wreaking havoc on the world. However, rather than have his game end, he is cursed to wander the world for eternity until Augustine can be defeated once and for all. Of course, that’s all I can tell you about the character right now.” “Okay, second question,” Mario said, “let’s negotiate our contract. Are these going to be contracts that by chance put me under your employ for life?” “What kind of contracts would that be?” Red Carpet scoffed. “I’d never do that!” “Hey, just making sure. I’ve met a few people who have run basically gladiator and slave rings.” “…What.” “It’s a long story,” Mario said. “Well, let’s-a go. What’s the first scene?” “Wait,” Red Carpet interrupted. “Where are Bravado and Herpy? We can’t start without those two!” “Bravado and Herpy?” Mario said. “Keep in mind I’ve never read this stuff.” “Right,” Yearling recalled. “Believe it or not, in the series proper, they’re Daring’s two closest male friends besides her younger brother. Fans, of course, think these two wish to be more than friends with Daring. Bravado is a hapless flirt with her… while Herpy is so adorably nerdy but helpful when the audience needs a surrogate to understand what’s going on. Needless to say, fans who do support the reboot really wished for these two to be in. Luckily we have two skilled actors willing to fill the part.” “They’re in position!” Green Screen called back. “Good,” Red Carpet nodded. “Alright, quiet on the set! Everypony in position! It’s time we made magic!” “Break a leg, Mario,” Spike nodded. “We’ll do our parts.” --- Scene 1: Meet Young Daring Do! Victory Objective: Defeat Ancient Stone Goomboss (Prop AWG-1) in 5 Turns! Failure Objectives: Daring (Scootaloo) is KO’d; you are KO’d; 5 Turns pass Secondary Objective: Perform an Appeal once! --- Rolling! On a green screen backdrop featuring a large lift where Sweetie Belle and Apple Bloom stood, they were looking down at Young Daring (Scootaloo), who was lying on her stomach. “Are you okay down there?” Sweetie asked. “Daring “stood up, shaking her head. “I’ll be fine,” the little Pegasus said. “I’ve had worse falls!” “Stay there, Double D!” Apple Bloom ordered. “We’ll get your dad!” The two fillies turned away, and “trotted” from overlooking Daring. The little filly, curious, trotted down the hall to the right, looking around. Although it looked like a normal green screen backdrop to her, it would (in editing) show up to be some kind of underground ruin. Wario seemed to be covered in stone-like paint, trapped in a statue-like pose. “Wow,” Daring breathed, looking around. “Is this some kind of tomb…?” She then spotted what appeared to be a giant stone Mushroom. “What’s this?” she asked, reaching a hoof out to touch it. BOOM! The filly gasped in horror as the Mushroom began to shake before flipping over… leaving a giant stone version of Mario’s old enemy, the Goomba King Goomboss. “FOOLISH PONY… PREPARE FOR GAME OVER!” the stone Goomba (actually a robotic prop) yelled. Daring jumped back, running away from it, only to find herself at a dead-end, a wall in the way. “Oh no!” Daring gasped. “I’m trapped!” Looking at her wings, she fluttered them as fast as she could while the stone Goomboss stomped over. However, they were too small to avail. “LOOKS LIKE YOU CAN’T RUN AWAY FROM ME…” the stone Goomba laughed. “ANY LAST WORDS, MY LITTLE PONY?” “NOT SO FAST!” a new voice (Wario) declared. All of the sudden, the Wario statue lit up, and jumped in between the filly and the stone Goomboss. “IT’S YOU…” “And CUT!” Red Carpet yelled. “Stunt double on set!” Scootaloo relaxed from her look at awe while Wario casually walked off screen. The lift was lowered, allowing a supervised Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle to climb down. Mario walked on, covered in the same statuesque make-up. “I look ridiculous,” Mario complained. “Hey, you signed the contract,” Scootaloo pointed out. “I’m only here for one scene. So, you’re supposed to help me defeat that?” “Yep,” Mario nodded. “I can still Jump and Hammer it, right?” “The only condition is that we have to win and both be standing in five turns,” Scootaloo said, looking at the script. “But it says that you have to appeal once as a bonus objective.” “We only threw those in as extra incentive,” Red Carpet said. “I’m sure our producers will send a bit more cash our way if we do something really eye-catching. You, of course, will receive an additional bonus for performing this feat. This is what Velvet thinks will catch the most attention in the trial screening. Of course, this bonus objective will change for each scene. You can take this time to switch Badges that will allow you to accomplish the scene the easiest. When you’re ready, talk to your co-star and we’ll get rolling.” After adjusting his Badges for maximum damage potential, Mario nodded before facing the stone Goomboss. ACTION! Mario sunk into a fighting stance as the scene began while Daring (Scootaloo) gasped in surprise. “Uh… what?” “You have to fight!” Mario yelled before performing a Jump followed by a Ground Pound. The prop took “damage”, but it was far from over. Scootaloo just ran up and gave it a bit of a buck. After that, it was the stone Goomboss’ turn, where he just walked up to Mario and hit him with its foot. He was able to block most of the damage, so it wasn’t too bad. Still, he had a new Spin Hammer that he wanted to try in battle. Twisting up his body, he unleashed it, knocking the stone Goomboss prop off screen… only for it to come from the other way and land back where it came from. “How did that happen?” Velvet asked from behind the camera. “Eh, just roll with it,” Spike suggested. “Battles are battles, after all. Besides, Mario has pretty much established that the Mushroom Kingdom, even by our standards, is weird. I mean, Twilight could become an Alicorn Princess and it would still make more sense than their country’s standards.” “No talking on set,” Red Carpet whispered to them. Back on stage, Daring bucked the prop once more. The stone Goomba once again kicked him, but Mario Superguarded against it, doing counter damage. He took this moment to do an appeal, allowing Daring to go in for the KO. The stone Goomboss, not able to take another hit, fell to the ground before turning back to the stone Mushroom. “AND CUT!” Red Carpet said. “Green Screen, sister, did you get all that?” A light green Unicorn walked over, having a brown mane and tail in curls. She had a roll of film on a computer screen as a Cutie Mark. “Got it, sis!” the younger Green Screen answered. “I’ll going to edit that action scene right away. Mario, good job.” “I suppose I should get out of this for now and let Wario back on?” “You took the words right out of my snout,” Red Carpet nodded. “Green Screen will send this to a private screening, and we’ll see what our producers will say. Welcome to Applewood Studios.” “Ain’t one o’ the producers part o’ mah family?” Apple Bloom asked. “Seriously, this here script says ‘Golden Delicious’. Ah knew one o’ mah kin would be on this!” “Well, I’m sure she’ll want to see this once it’s finished,” Red Carpet nodded. “Go ahead and get out of the costume, Mario. Wario, you’re on!” Mario walked from in front of the camera, allowing Wario to join Scootaloo on screen. As he did, Velvet motioned him over. “Hey, Mario… that was great! Here’s something a little extra for you.” Mario was handed a brown Badge that looked like a stone mushroom on a boot. It was labeled “Boulder Stomp”. “That is something my husband found, once… he said a Luma gave it to him. Problem is that we have no need for it. Perhaps you can make use of it?” “I think I can,” Mario nodded. Meanwhile, on the set with the camera rolling, Daring (again, Scootaloo) looked up at the Mushroom, looking from behind Wario. “Wow… that thing came alive… what was it?” She then saw it glowing again, only to peel back and become a treasure chest. She looked at it while Wario backed away, his work done. Daring opened up the chest, pulling out a cloud-shaped Mushroom charm. “Hey, Mister… what’s this?” When she turned around, Wario’s character was gone. “Daring!” a masculine voice spoke up. “Daring?” Daring blinked, closing her eyes… “And CUT! Scene!” Scootaloo cheered, trotting off the set. “And that was fantastic,” Red Carpet complimented the fillies. “You all were excellent.” “Yay!” the three Cutie Mark Crusaders smiled, checking their flanks… only to be disappointed that their flanks were still blank. “Aw…” "I'm afraid there really is not much in terms of Cutie Marks for acting," Red Carpet confessed. “Maybe next time, young fillies,” Velvet said. “In the meantime, I’ll set you all and your guardian, Mr. Apple, up with a place to stay until you go home, at least.” “Wow,” Sweetie Belle beamed. “Twilight’s Mom is awesome!” Meanwhile, a Pegasus mare looking similar to a younger Yearling walked on the set, a shy smile on her face, but without a Cutie Mark. “Alright, Lumina,” Yearling instructed, “remember that you’re Daring, okay? I know that she’s a confident adventurer and knowledgeable archeologist in canon, but remember, she’s not as experienced.” “Um, right,” the mare known as Lumina nodded. “Be curious, be adventurous… but most of all, Daring, right?” “That’s the ticket, sweetheart,” Yearling smiled. “I can honestly see you being a good replacement for me in the future. You’re going to go far in this business.” “Lumina?” Mario asked after he returned from his costume. “She’s Yearling’s apprentice,” a dark blue Unicorn male said. He had a darker blue mane and tail, both straight and neat. His Cutie Mark was a crescent moon with a second crescent inside of it. “She’s shy, but has talent. She knows how to do her own stunts, but she’s also very gentle.” Lumina was joined by two stallions, one gray Unicorn with a red long, messy mane and glasses over his eyes while another was a dark gray Earth Pony that looked ready for adventure. “Gentle, huh?” Spike mused. “You all don’t think…” “Maybe, but Ah ain’t thinkin’ so,” Boomregard said. “Too early to say,” Diggsie agreed. “What are you all talking about?” the stallion asked. “Oh, Night Light!” Spike gasped. “Uh, guys, this is Twilight’s Dad, Night Light, or Mr. Sparkle. Mr. Sparkle, these are my friends, Mario, Boomregard, and Diggsie. And yes… I know how weird they are.” “Finally!” Night Light grinned. “And I thought Twily was the one with friend issues growing up. How many male friends did you have when you were with Princess Celestia and Twily?” “Night!” Velvet scowled. “Don’t tease Spikey-wikey!” “Sorry,” Night chuckled. “But seriously, though, Spike, glad to see you again. So, where’s Twily? Not like you to go anywhere without her.” “I am owed a story, I believe,” Velvet agreed. Mario and Spike looked at each other. “Well…” Mario began— BOOM! “What was that!?” Red Carpet asked. Flurrie floated over with Frankie after her. “Too… many… Bob-Ombs…” “Bob-Ombs?” Mario asked, gasping in horror. “We’ve been tryin’ to chuck and blow them away,” Flurrie confessed, “but we still have too many of them.” “Okay, stop,” Red Carpet asked. “What’s going on? Are you guys saying Bob-Ombs are attacking the studios?” “Yes,” Frankie nodded. “Sorry, miss.” “Oh, our insurance doesn’t cover explosions!” the Earth Pony next to Lumina scowled. His eyes then glowed… before exploding in a cloud of purple smoke, revealing a familiar looking Duplighost. He was wearing a blue party hat with red stars and a blue bowtie. “Seriously, I don’t have time or am being paid enough for this.” “Doopliss!?” Mario asked. Turning to Flurrie, he asked, “You’re still working with him!?” “Mario, is me working with Doopliss really a concern?” Flurrie asked. “Right now, we SHOULD be focusing on saving the studio!” “Wait, what happened between ya’ll an’ that there Duplighost?” Boomregard asked. “I’m afraid we do not have time for that, now, sir,” the Unicorn said. “We have to stop the Bob-Ombs. Defeating five each should do.” “Caspian’s right, Slick!” Doopliss said in irritation. “We can talk about who stole who’s identity later! Right now, this gig is the best I’ve got! If we want to save this picture, we can’t let these Bob-Ombs blow it up!” Mario motioned his team to head out of the studio… and spotted a series of Bob-Ombs running around, finding places to explode (and since they’re Bob-Ombs, explosions were only a minor inconvenience for them). After defeating five groups (Spike’s Dragon Ember doing more than enough to cause them to harmlessly explode in battle), they saved the studio as the Bob-Ombs quickly ran away… only to run into a group of gold-clad guards. “Uh-oh,” one of the Bob-Ombs muttered. “Uh-oh, indeed,” a male voice said right before a purple bubble surrounded them. The Bob-Ombs, seeing themselves captured, tried exploding… only to see that their explosive attacks, even when combined, did nothing. “I’m going to say that you all aren’t getting out of that. I specialize in shield spells… creating one that surrounded all of Canterlot is what earned me Captain of the Guard.” Sure enough, Shining Armor trotted over, the guards saluting him. “Oh, hi, Shiny!” Velvet waved as she walked over with Night Light. “I’m surprised to see you here.” “Hi, Mom, Dad,” Shining Armor smiled at his parents. “I saw this group of Bob-Ombs following somepony with high jumps, and had to follow. I’m glad I did. Is everypony okay?” “Yes,” Night Light said. “Thanks to you, Mario, and Spike.” Shining looked at the two aforementioned heroes. “So… you’re Mario, huh?” Shining said. He trotted over and extended a hoof. “Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard, and Co-Ruler of the Crystal Empire. It’s a tough job, but it’s what I enjoy. Glad to meet somepony capable, Mr. Mario.” “Uh, the same,” Mario nodded, shaking the offered hoof. “So, you’re who Spike said was Twilight’s older brother.” “Yeah,” Shining said. Turning to his parents, he said, “Mom, Dad, has Spike given you the news?” “What?” Velvet and Night Light both asked. “Who did all of this!?” Wario scowled, looking around the movie lot. The place was rather damaged despite their best efforts to save the film studio. “We’ll find out, sir,” Shining Armor promised. “We’ll open an investigation right away.” “WHAA-HA-HA!” a male voice laughed. “There won’t be any need!” A tall, thin, mustachioed masked man landed in front of Mario’s group. He wore a purple hat similar to Mario, Luigi, and Wario’s but it had a black circle compared to those three with a blue crescent moon in the middle of the circle. This blue crescent moon was also on the man’s white gloves. Instead of overalls, he wore a black tuxedo suit with orange pointy shoes and a purple rose serving as his corsage. He also wore a purple shirt underneath the black jacket. “What the… who are ya’ll?” Boomregard asked, looking at the man. “Are ya’ll… Colts of Nocturne!?” “Of course!” the tuxedo-clad villain answered, taking his rose off and pointing the flower at Mario’s group. “You all can call me… W-Masque!” “W-Masque?” Mario asked, confused. “What are you even doing here, trying to sabotage the movie?” “Well, I heard from folks around town that this movie was going to be a ‘box-office bomb’,” W-Masque chuckled, placing his flower back. “So, I decided to save everyone the trouble by blowing the picture up! However, I’m not here to prevent the movie from making it to the big screen… I’m here for the Changeling!” The actors and the film crew all looked up in shock, Red Carpet and Green Screen the most shocked. The actor known as Caspian looked away, while Doopliss shot the Unicorn a look. “Changeling?” Mario asked. “What Changeling?” “Ah, that’s right! Changelings, a race of bug-like ponies that can disguise themselves like Duplighosts, and feed off of positive emotions like love! They once tried to take over Equestria, but failed and are considered enemies of the state! And I know for a fact that one is among you all! You just arrived on set today, Mario!” W-Masque laughed. “Yep! I’ve heard all about you… how you all are on a quest to get the Elements of Harmony before my group does! I know that one’s here on the studio as well! The Element of Kindness!” “What!?” Velvet asked. “What do you mean… Twily said in her letters about her and her friends having the Elements of Harmony… what’s one doing here?” “The fact that one’s here, and Spike’s here without Twily… you don’t mean something happened to Twily, do you?” Night Light scowled, looking at W-Masque. “Villain! What do you know about our daughter!?” “WHAA-HA-HA!” W-Masque chuckled. “Why don’t you ask Mario and Spike? After all, according to my supervisors, they’re the ones on a quest to save her and her friends!” He then scrunched up before performing a Spring Jump, landing on the room of another building. “Listen up, crew of Daring Do… each day the Changeling among you does not turn itself into the authorities, you will be attacked by yours truly. If your Changeling has any sympathy, he will surrender soon!” He then whistled, where a cloaked equine-like creature with eagle like wings flew down next to him. A Griffon by the looks of it. “Come, Madame G! We ride!” He then jumped onto the Griffon, leaving Mario’s group stunned.