//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 Part 3 // Story: Paper Mario: The Land of Harmony // by Blade Squall //------------------------------// Applewood Studios— Sparkle Family Trailer “…And that’s what’s unfortunately happened,” Spike finished his story to Twilight’s parents. After W-Masque’s attack, Shining Armor immediately began a case investigation, questioning everyone he could. Spike took this time to bring his group to Twilight’s parents’ trailer on set, allowing them to explain the bad news. Mario, meanwhile, was perfectly prepared to join the investigation as well, since dealing with the Changeling would get W-Masque off his back long enough to find the Element of Kindness. Mario knew for a fact that his quartet was not the Changeling W-Masque was looking for, since his group recently got here as confirmed by Velvet, Flurrie, and everyone on set. There was also the fact that Mario’s partners stayed in almost immediate eyesight at all times. Still, he realized something: He had NO idea what a real Changeling looked like. Mario’s train of thought was interrupted by gentle sniffles. He looked up to see Velvet with tears staining her cheeks. “Oh… oh no… my poor baby filly… she’s in the hooves of some evil cult. Who knows what horrible, awful things the leader of that cult is doing to her…? TWWWIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLYYYY!” She broke down, her husband attempting to comfort her by floating a tissue up to his wife’s cheeks. Little did they know right now Twilight and her friends were being given the pony equivalent of a pedicure while being forced to watch a dreaded marathon of X-Nauts… whatever that was about. It was torture… for everypony other than Twilight, who enjoyed the cool sci-fi stuff, and Rarity and Fluttershy who at least enjoyed the pedicure. If it wasn’t for the snacks offered with it, Rainbow and Applejack would have taken their chances and attempted to fight their way out of their room. Pinkie was just entertained. “Uh, don’t ya worry, ma’am,” Boomregard said in an effort to cheer her up. “We’re gonna go an’ save her. This is a promise.” “Yeah!” Diggsie agreed. “I already said I save Pinkamina! We save all of the Bearers!” Mario took this moment to look around the trailer. It was rather big. In fact, big enough to be considered an apartment on set. It had two levels, a couple extra bedrooms besides the one for the couple, a kitchen, a couple bathrooms, and a large air mattress that was being blown up right now. WHAM! “HOLD IT, SHERIFF!” Shining’s voice interrupted as the door swung open, startling everyone in the room as Book Key barged in, several officers behind him. “NOPONY MOVE!” Book Key yelled. “As far as I’m concerned, this whole bunch is under arrest for suspicion of either harboring or even being the Changeling!” “What!?” Mario asked. “What makes you-a think that!?” “Look, we can’t even trust that’s your real face, plumber,” Book Key scowled. “So, why should I believe you?” I just got here today! I’m Mario! Burp! Mario, for some reason, let out a belch. “That’s not much of an argument,” Spike deadpanned. Shining, having enough, walked into the trailer. “I’ve checked security footage… it’s through most of the studio. Mario, Spike, and their two friends have matching alibis of coming here just today. They’re clean.” “Well, that clears you four,” Book Key growled, “but it DOESN’T clear these two!” He pointed a hoof at the couple. Shining Armor placed a hoof to his face. “Mom, Dad,” Shining asked. “Could you explain to the officer how did I meet my wife?” “Oh, Cadance?” Velvet giggled. “Well, you two were in high-school together! You ended up being high-school sweethearts… her being a crown princess, you being her royal guard… ah, so romantic!” “The first thing I remember my son saying to her was ‘Hello’,” Night Light added. “Cadance was just recently hired to be Twily’s foal-sitter. He was really socially awkward. It’s a Sparkle Clan trait.” “They’re my parents,” Shining said with an embarrassing groan. “And yeah… we’re all socially awkward like that.” “Wait a minute,” Book Key said, “Cadance as in ‘Princess Mi Amore Cadenza’? You are married to a Princess?” “Well, technically ‘Empress’ since she and I co-rule the Crystal Empire,” Shining elaborated. “But she hates ‘Empress’, and would rather be called just ‘Princess’.” “Now that I think about it,” Spike asked, “Why isn’t Princess Peach a Queen?” “We’re not having this conversation,” Mario stopped him. “Anyway, Book Key,” Shining said, “I know this is your town, but this is my investigation I opened up. I hate to pull rank, but if a Changeling infiltrator is here, then this case just got a lot more personal to me.” “How about everypony settles down?” a female voice spoke up with a gentle tone. Soon enough, most of the police officers bowed in respect, save for Book Key and Shining. To Mario’s surprise, a female Alicorn (come to think of it, were there any male Alicorns?) walked in, a gentle smile on her face. She certainly was smaller than either Celestia or Luna, for certain. She had a pink coat, just as pink as one of Peach’s dresses. Her wings were surprisingly tipped a shade of purple around her feathers. Her mane and tail were both long and curly, being striped in purple, a darker shade of pink, and yellow. She was wearing yellow regalia with her horseshoes and tiara, which had a purple jewel. Her Cutie Mark was a crystal-like heart surrounded by golden sparkles. “Cadance?” Shining Armor asked. “Why are you doing here? There’s a Changeling loose!” “I know,” Cadance said, keeping her kind smile. “I heard about it when I saw the police coming this way. Don’t worry, Shiny… I’ll be fine this time. After all, it’s only one Changeling that the criminal, W-Masque, is after. One Changeling isn’t as big of a threat as an entire swarm and their queen kidnapping me, replacing me, dumping me into a forgotten series of caverns, brainwashing you, infiltrating the capital city’s population, turning you and Twilight against each other, dumping Twilight in the same caverns with the hopes that one of us will end the other’s game, and then taking over the country for an emotion-based food source all on my wedding day.” “And I thought I had weird adventures,” Mario muttered to himself. “Okay,” Shining nodded. Turning back to Book Key, he said, “Listen, I understand your concern with the Changeling. Believe me when I say I understand the fear of one among us, since their queen got into my head and heart pretending to be my wife-to-be. But we don’t have time to be butting heads. One of us should look into W-Masque. He tried to blow up Applewood Studios with Bob-Ombs. I’m willing to release the Bob-Ombs into your custody, but we should each focus on a different part of the problem. Can I ask you to deal with W-Masque while I catch a Changeling? We’ll compare notes.” “Divide and conquer,” Book Key mused. “And here I was thinking you Royal Guards got soft around Nightmare Moon a few years back. Fine, Captain. I’ll take your offer. I’ll have W-Masque behind bars in no time. See if your Guard won’t let a bug crawl past you.” Book Key turned out and walked out, his officers following. “Whew,” Shining said. “Thought that jerk would never leave. And it allows me to focus as much attention on the Changeling here as necessary. Though why a movie set out here? If this is the precursor to a second Changeling invasion, then it’s a very meaningless point strategically. After all, nothing of major importance to the rest of Equestria is here in Los Pegasus. A better place to start would be the Weather Factory of Cloudsdale, the New Yoke Stock Exchange in Manehattan or the Shipyard of Baltimare.” “It’s probably the last place anypony would look for a Changeling,” Spike theorized. “It allows them to be somepony else without risk of being called out on it.” “Well, that’s one explanation,” Night Light said after he finished setting up the air mattress. “A refugee of the Changeling Swarm, perhaps? Nopony will know until we find it… provided they’ll want to talk.” “You’re more than welcome to stay here during your stay, dears,” Velvet said to everyone. “It’s the least we can do while you all are trying to save Twily… and also the fact that one of you is my son, another is his wife.” “Thanks, Mom, Dad,” Shining said. “So, Cadance… surely you’re not just here to help my investigation, are you?” “Oh, right,” the pink Alicorn smiled. “I saw that weird Koopa you were talking about. Bowser, you said his name was?” “BOWSER!?” Mario gasped. “He’s… he’s here!?” “Oh, you know him?” Cadance said. “You must be Spike’s friend, Mario. I’m sorry we’re just now meeting… I just wish it were under better circumstances, Mr. Mario.” “I guess I’ll put the offer of joining the investigation on hold,” Mario said. “Look, if Bowser’s here, that cannot be a good sign. Where did you see him?” “Downtown near Silver Screen and Gold Emmy’s theater,” Cadance recalled. “He and those other Koopas he was with are probably still there. I thought they were going to see the new movie coming out about these creatures call Pocket Monsters and a treasure hunt in a modern wild west setting… and several explosions.” “Wait, whose theater?” Diggsie asked. “Oh, those are Red Carpet and Green Screen’s parents,” Velvet explained. “They own the theater we’ve scheduled to have the debut performance at, the Hairieon Trot Theater.” “Okay,” Mario said. “It’s time I had one less thing to worry about. Guys, I’m gonna need your help to deal with Bowser.” “Alright, fine,” Spike nodded. “Mr. and Mrs. Sparkle, everypony, if you’ll excuse us…” Mario’s group left the studios, Mario practically running… only to bump into Frankie. “Hey, Mario,” the Pianta nodded. “Leavin’ the set? Shouldn’t we wait until the police and Guards are done with their investigation? So many coppers here make me a bit nervous… we never had to worry 'bout this back in Rogueport.” “I know,” Mario said. “There was absolutely no police force in Rogueport or the surrounding area. How that place survived before I-a showed up, I don't know, no offense. But I need to take care of something immediately, Frankie.” “I’m not gonna stop ya, Mario,” Frankie said. “In fact, I was on my way to deliver this.” He gave Mario an Actor’s Pass. “That card should allow ya to get into Applewood Studios without security bein’ on your case, Mario.” “Wow, thanks, Frankie.” Mario said, pocketing it. “We’ll be on our way.” With Diggsie’s help, the group dug their way to the other side of the gate, heading into town. --- Applewood— Hairieon Trot Theater Mario’s group, after quite a jog, showed up to see a group of people gathering up right in front of the theater. Squeezing through with Paper Form, Mario’s group gasped in shock to see a peculiar sight. “I’m going to ask this one LAST time,” Bowser growled, looking at a blue and blacked cloaked Pegasus mare. “WHERE IS YOUR BOSS!?” “I told you I don’t know,” the mare shrugged in a matter-of-fact tone. “He’s probably checked into a hotel somewhere, but I don’t remember which one. I’m just waiting for Boogular… he said he’d come back after locating somepony.” “Man, you are flighty!” Bowser scowled. “Look, I have a problem with your Boss! The Elements of Harmony? The whole kidnapping Peach thing? TAKING OVER THE WORLD!? That’s all MY GIG!” “Oh, Lord Sirius doesn’t want to take over the world,” the mare shook her head. “And we didn’t kidnap any Princesses. We just want NIGHTMARE MOON to take over the world, and to that end, we've kidnapped the Bearers!” “Yeah, but you’ve interfered with ME kidnapping a Princess!” Bowser corrected. She then gasped in excitement. “Hey! I just got an idea! Why don’t you join up with us and help us revive Nightmare Moon! This whole daytime thing is kind of stressful, isn't it? My sister's eyes can't handle this light, either... and I'm sure a scary monster like you can't really wander around in the day like this without getting looks of fear.” “ARGH!” Bowser growled, stamping his foot, ignoring the mare’s suggestion. “You’re so annoying!” He then looked up to see Mario’s group. “Oh, FINALLY! An excuse to stop talking to you!” He then roared before jumping up to Mario’s group, causing the crowd near them to scatter. “Well, well, well… if it isn’t Mario! You guys come ALL of the way out here, and don’t invite ME on vacation!?” “Hey, Peach informed me and Luigi last minute,” Mario defended himself. “And besides, my vacation’s pretty much canceled right now!” “Well, that’s true,” Bowser said. “Because now, I’m going to cancel YOU!” “Wait, THAT’S Mario!?” the mare asked. “Ohmygosh! There is Spike as well! I found them! Uh, should I tell Lord Sirius or try to fight them now?” “Bowser,” Mario scowled, “We both know you can’t take me on in a fair fight by yourself!” “Hey, you have buddies,” Bowser pointed out. “Fair point,” the plumber agreed. “Still, you’re not gonna be able to get to Peach or beat me.” “I suppose,” Bowser shrugged. “Well, not alone, at least. Isn’t that right, Roy?” “Roy?” Mario asked. All of the sudden, the pink-shelled, sunglasses-wearing Koopaling landed in between Mario and Bowser. “Heh-heh-heh,” Roy grinned. “King Dad thought it was time for a family reunion!” As if on cue, the other Koopalings showed up. “Oh mama-mia,” Mario breathed. “All of you? You brought the whole group!?” “And reporting to Lord Sirius wins out,” the mare said, flapping her wings. “Bye-bye, cute little Dragon! Take care of yourself until I beat you, okay?” She then flew away, causing Spike to raise an eyebrow. “King Dad wanted to have a family vacation,” Bowser Jr. answered. “We may bicker and battle, but we’re a family!” “Roy,” Bowser grinned, “how long has it been since you fought Mario?” “Too long,” Roy answered. “King Dad, I’ll turn Mario and his little friends into confetti myself.” “Are you sure, Roy?” Ludwig asked. “Ve can easily defeat him together, non?” “You relax, music boy!” Roy chuckled. “I’ll handle this!” “We’ll see about that,” Wendy rolled her eyes. “Fine… have fun. Meanwhile, we’ll do something productive, like find that Sirius guy. Where did that Pegasus girl go?” “Go ahead,” Roy said. “This shouldn’t take too long,” Bowser and the others left, leaving Mario’s group with the powerhouse of the Koopalings, who pulled out a large black cannon in one hand, and a gray Magikoopa wand in the other. “I know how cliché it is, but let’s have a blast!” Spike wasted no time Tattling on the Koopaling. “So, for everypony who isn’t Mario, this is Roy “Bully” Koopa, the third oldest Koopaling and Bowser’s toughest kid physically! He’s a believer of real men wear pink… not a bad philosophy. I mean, I hang out with mares more often. Anyway, he’s a heavy hitter with his shell, fire, and magic attacks, but that’s just all of the Koopalings! He also has the ability to use a powerful Ground Pound that can shake the ground and damage all of us, flipping Boomregard on his back! He also has a Bullet Bill Blaster as well, summoning the kamikaze attackers for his side. He can also charge attack us. This fight’s going to be one the toughest we’ve had so far!” “Indeed it will be,” Roy chuckled, aiming his Bullet Bill Blaster at Spike before firing, summoning two Bullet Bills. Diggsie quickly put up her Boulder Barricade, knowing what would happen while Mario and Boomregard focused their attacks on Roy. The Boulder Barricade did not last the might of Roy’s Bullet Bills, leaving Spike exposed to Roy’s hard-hitting magic attack. Mario, Diggsie, and Boomregard covered Spike, each attacking Roy at the same time. Roy, taking the attacks rather well, grunted before charging, knocking the three back. “He’s tough, alright,” Boomregard admitted. “This kid sure packs a punch.” “I’m not as weak as I was before, Mario!” Roy taunted. “None of us Koopalings are! Gone are the days where you, your brother, and two nameless Toads could just jump on our heads three times and we’d go down! You’re looking at the new and improved Roy Koopa, soon-to-be regent of Equestria!” “Regent of Equestria?” Spike nitpicked before using a Jackhammer Tail on Roy’s head. “Hey, the rest of the Koopalings and I have a bet going on,” Roy said. “Whoever is the one to KO Mario wins the right to rule Equestria when King Dad takes over the world!” “Really?” Spike scowled. “You’ll have to get past me first!” “With pleasure!” Roy said before jumping up and unleashing a Ground Pound, damaging all of the group with the shockwave… before a stage light fell on Spike’s head, electrocuting him and causing sparks to fly off his scales, signaling he was Stopped. “Can’t… move…” “Who the heck put those stage lights there, anyway?” Boomregard asked, on his back after being flipped. “Great,” Mario groaned, “it’s just you and me, huh, Diggsie?” “Yeah!” Diggsie nodded. “I set up a Boulder Barricade, you attack!” As she set up the barricade, Mario took this time to charge up a Spin Hammer, and sent Roy flying. When the Koopaling recovered from that, and charged into Mario, damaging his barricade. “That won’t last forever, Mario!” Roy scowled. However, Spike recovered from being Stopped and Boomregard flipped back up. “Ah’m okay,” the Boomerang Bro said before using his Windy Toss, doing some damage but Roy resisted. The Koopaling was soon hit by a Dragon’s Ember before Diggsie pounced on him. Mario decided to use the Boulder Stomp, gaining some kind of rock version of his usual outfit right as he jumped. He became a massive boulder, stomping Roy flat to end the fight. “Wow, we actually did it!” Spike said as he high-fived Diggsie and Boomregard. Roy groaned, “Ugh… you got lucky, Mario! I’m gonna beat ya, next time!” He got up, and jumped away. “Well, we’ll have to find him and the other Koopalings,” Mario groaned. “In the meantime, we should probably return back to Applewood Studios.” “Why do you want to head back so soon?” Spike asked. “We should probably get back to finding the Changeling?” Mario reminded everyone. “Oh, right,” Boomregard remembered. “We gotta round up that critter. The Colts o’ Nocturne want it, so we can’t let them get it.” “So, what, we go back to studio and KO Changeling?” Diggsie asked. “It could be anybody.” “Not exactly,” a male voice spoke up. Sure enough, Doopliss walked over. “Yo, Slick. So, let me guess: hunting down the Changeling, huh? Another wild adventure?” “Doopliss,” Mario scowled. “Relax, not here to steal your face again,” Doopliss chuckled. “However, just to let you know, the Changeling is NOT me.” “How can we be so sure?” Mario asked. “Changeling magic is similar to Duplighost magic,” Doopliss explained. “We both can take on different forms... just not another shape-shifter’s form.” “If that’s true, then that’s three less people it could be,” Mario concluded. “Twilight Velvet, Night Light, and you. Also, Frankie, Flurrie, and Wario all recognized me so quickly, so they’re probably not the shape-shifter.” “Still leaves a few people,” Diggsie said. “Little ponies know us, too, so, they out.” “And I doubt a Changeling could get the jump on Big Macintosh,” Spike added. “Not to mention Cadance and Shining Armor would be a little more prepared and did not know about the Changeling until showing up.” “Again, still leaves several potential suspects,” Boomregard said. “We gotta git to the bottom of this here mystery.” Mario sighed, “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but thanks, Doopliss.” “No problem—” “I still don’t trust you.” “Of course not,” Doopliss groaned. --- Applewood Studios—Sparkle Family Trailer Upon returning to the Studio, Mario’s group saw the Crusaders and Big Macintosh talking to the Royal Guards, the former group acknowledging them with a friendly wave. After passing them, they headed straight for the Sparkle Family Trailer, where they were greeted by the family. “So, that Bowser guy isn’t going to be much trouble for now?” Shining asked. “He’s still out there,” Mario said. “And even worse, the Colts of Nocturne know we’re here, now. I hope they don’t team up…” “Then we don’t have a lot of time before they attack the studio again,” Shining Armor said. “The Element of Kindness—and its temporary Bearer—need to be found soon if we're going to save the kingdom.” "Why is it that whenever Twilight is involved in anything I hear about," Cadance asked herself, "the fate of Equestria is in the balance? We really need to figure out just a day by ourselves relaxing. You know, like going to the Starswirl the Bearded Traveling Exhibit." "You and Twily do both like Starswirl related stuff," Shining chuckled. “Ya’ll don’t think the Changeling has it, already, do ya?” Boomregard offered. “Why would you say that?” Spike asked. “Well, think ’bout it,” Boomregard concluded. “Bad guy wants Changeling, bad guy also wants magical artifact which their leader plans to use to revive evil goddess who will plunge world into eternal night. Both happen to be somewhere on the studio grounds. An’ correct me if Ah’m wrong, but didn’t ya’ll say that there was a near Changeling invasion in Canterlot? If more Changelings wanted to take o’er Equestria again, wouldn’t it benefit them to make sure one of the few forces that could stop them DOESN’T git back in pony hooves? As fer the Temporary Bearer, if the Changeling overheard our conversations, they'll wanna find an' deal with 'em 'fore they 'come a threat.” Spike stared at Boomregard, who had a sheepish grin on his face. “For somepony with amnesia, you make a point,” Spike agreed. “If we find the Changeling, we could find the Element. We should probably talk to the others around the studio.” “We’ll be here if you need us,” Cadance said. “Any questions?” Mario raised his hand. “So, why is it that I’m just now meeting a third Alicorn?” Mario asked. “Trust me when I say I wasn’t born like this,” Cadance giggled. “I was actually a Pegasus back when I was a filly. Then I saved an Earth Pony village from a villain who used the Alicorn Amulet, then Aunt Celestia adopted me, and figured out how to make me an Alicorn. It was a benefit to get magic, since I really could not make of my talent of love very well as just a Pegasus.” “Still, it would have been nice to know there were more Alicorns than Celestia and Luna,” Mario said. “I’ve been ruling the Crystal Empire, which is just north of Equestria’s borders, with Shining as my Prince Consort,” Cadance explained. “I would have loved to meet Princesses Peach and Daisy, but the Crystal Empire has been busy getting prepared for the Equestria Games, and they required me to supervise the preparations. The only reason I’m not there right now is because I felt that searching for the Bearers of the Elements should take higher priority, and wished to do as much as I could to aid the search.” “Don’t know much of Crystal Empire,” Diggsie said. “All I know is it huge city-state made of gems and have Crystal Ponies.” “The Empire, believe it or not, was cursed by the fearsome King Sombra,” Spike explained. “The city’s denizens were conquered and enslaved by him, but he was defeated by Princesses Celestia and Luna over 1,000 years ago, turning him into shadow, but not before he caused the city to vanish until he could regain his full power. Shining, Cadance, the girls, and I had to defeat him permanently to free the city of his rule—hence my glass window.” “That explains that,” Mario said. “And it also explains the dark crystals trapping Canterlot,” Shining added. “They’re Sombra’s design, showing that had he had been further prepared for both Princess Celestia and Luna, he could be ruling all of Equestria. For Sirius to do that with the help of all of his mages… that’s a lot of dark magic. No wonder we need the Elements back, and soon.” “Right, end of the world as we know it,” Mario brushed off. “I’ve been through several of these to know that we have to get moving. Might as well ask the obvious question.” Turning to Twilight and Shining’s parents, he asked, “Have you by any chance seen a giant glowing stone orb with a—Mama-mia, Spike?” “Yo?” the Dragon said. “Who is the original Bearer of the Element of Kindness, again?” “Fluttershy,” Spike answered. “She has butterflies for her Cutie Mark. We're looking for an orb most likely glowing either pastel yellow or bright pink with a butterfly.” “Yeah, let’s go with that,” Mario said. Night Light and Twilight Velvet looked at each other. “That was an Element of Harmony?” Night Light asked. “In its hibernated state, yep,” Boomregard said. “So ya’ll have seen it?” “Indeed,” Velvet said. “It landed near Wario and Waluigi’s trailer when we were shooting some time ago. If anypony besides Red Carpet and Green Screen knew anything about it, it would be Wario and Waluigi… and Waluigi’s disappeared on us.” “So that means I have to talk to Wario,” Mario groaned. “Let’s-a-get this over with.” “If Wario grinds your gears so much,” Spike asked, “why don’t we talk to Red Carpet or Green Screen?” “Because, sadly, Wario would have the least amount of reason to lie to me and the most likely reason to keep it. Wario’s a greedy guy.” “Hopefully he doesn’t turn into a giant rampaging monster whenever he gets too greedy,” Spike said. “What?” Mario asked. “Yeah, that’s something I can do.” “Ya mean, ya have a giant form that ya could’ve used on Hootenanny an’ ya didn’t do that!?” Boomregard asked. “What gives?” “Three reasons,” Spike said. “1, my giant form is caused by giving into the Dragon’s primal desire for greed and riches, so it’s not like I can turn into a giant willingly. 2, the last time I did that, I robbed half of Ponyville, destroyed the other half, kidnapped Rarity, attacked the Wonderbolts and my friends, and when it wore off, Rarity and I nearly fell to our deaths, so I would have destroyed Fillydelphia if I did that again. 3, the six ponies that could probably stop me at that point-- Rarity especially-- are currently in Sirius Nebula’s hooves, so do you really want to look into making me a giant, fire-breathing monster without them to serve as my anchor back into reality before I destroy Equestria?” “Still would be useful if ya learned how to use it and aim its rage,” Boomregard pointed out. “This conversation is over,” Spike said. “We are not having it again. Let’s just go talk to Wario.” --- Wario and Waluigi’s Trailer “Hm, I don’t know, Mario,” Wario said after Mario came into his rather messy trailer. “I may or may not have seen your rock. Perhaps you can refresh my memory…” “How many Coins?” Mario asked, knowing Wario’s greed would tighten his lips. “I’m feeling lenient,” Wario shrugged, “so… 1,000 Coins will do!” “Wario!” Mario scowled. “You know very well I never have a wallet that big!” “Yeah, that would be yanking your chain,” Wario agreed. “Okay, how about… 100 Coins?” “Well, that’s negotiable,” Mario said, forking over the money. “Now, tell us you remember the Element of Kindness.” “Is that what that rock was?” Wario said. “Hmm… I think I’ve heard about those Elements of Harmony. Aren’t they a rare pony treasure and powerful magical artifacts? I could have made a mint off of one of those by selling it back to Equestria and bought an even bigger castle full of gold!” “You have a castle?” Diggsie asked. “I’ve had one since the end of Wario Land, a.k.a. Super Mario Land 3!” Wario recalled. “Of course, Nintendo forgot about it by the time the Wario Ware games got really selling, but I got so popular as an anti-Mario after Super Mario Land 2 that I got my own game series… and eventually a micro-game series.” “Back to the Element of Kindness,” Mario said. “So, you don’t have it?” “I did until Waluigi disappeared,” Wario answered. “By that point, I thought the rock was useless, so I threw it away. Ask Red Carpet about it, she probably knows what happened.” “And you said Red Carpet was a bad idea,” Spike said as they walked out of the trailer. “Do we even know where she would be right now?” Mario asked. His partners all blinked. “Yeah, I thought not.” “Try her office,” Green Screen said as she walked up to them. Everyone looked at the green Unicorn. “How much did you hear?” Mario asked. “Enough to know that you’re after the Changeling and you're trying to find the Element of Harmony,” the pony said. “I’m sorry that this had to happen, all of you. But I assure you my sister and I am not the Changeling. If you need to talk to my sister, she’ll be at her office… I’ll take you to her. We just need to make sure she’s not in a meeting with Miss Yearling, Miss Lumina, or Caspian.” “Why those three in particular?” Spike asked. “Well, Miss Yearling has her secrets about Daring Do she’d rather not share with the public,” Green Screen answered, “Miss Lumina does not like making her conversations public—she’s skittish around new ponies such as yourselves, even if you all aren’t ponies—and Caspian… well, he has his reasons for privacy as well. So, ready to talk to Red Carpet?” “Yes,” Mario nodded. The group followed the mare towards her sister’s office.