The Stare Master

Pony's Log Number 117: NEVER underestimate the trouble three young fillies can cause you, but ESPECIALLY NEVER underestimate the power of the Fluttershy...

It was another busy day at the Carousel Boutique and Rarity was moving about trying to get another order finished. She had also had to deal with a small lavender and pink mane filly, who was mentioned before was called Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle was actually Rarity's little sister and older pony didn't seem to be handle the idea of watching the filly and doing her work too well at the moment.

"Where'd I put that?" Rarity mumbled to herself, "Ohh, I thought I already..." Some clattering was heard as Rarity shuffled about. Some balls of yarn rolling across the floor.

"Oh, and I can't forget I've got to..." Rarity continued, "Oh, how am I ever going to get this done?" Sweetie Belle was just watching her old sister run back and forth across the room and then gave her a light eye roll.

"Are you sure I can't help?" Sweetie asked curiously, "I could-"

"No!" said Rarity, cutting Sweetie Belle off.

"Maybe just a-"

"No thanks!" Rarity interrupted again.

"How about-"

"Just stand over there," Rarity instructed.

"But-"

"Where you'll be out of the way," Rarity finished and then remembered something, "Ribbon, ribbon, Where's that ribbon?"

"I got it," Sweetie Belle shouted as she tried to reach for it by standing on the table with the sewing machine and stretching out her fore-hoof. Then there was a loud creak as Sweetie Belle knocked the thread off the table.

"Whoa!" she shouted as she lost her balance. Rarity watched with a gasp as the thread knocked over nearby mannequin over, which then launched three yarn balls that were on the floor into the air towards another shelf.

"Aah!" Rarity cried as she ducked to avoid the flying object as the domino effect continued. Clattering noises could be heard until things finally settled, leaving a huge mess in the room. Sweetie Bells surveyed the mess as Rarity gave her a glare.

"Um, I-I'll just go and stand over there, where...I'll be out of the way," Sweetie Belle said nervously before zipping away as fast as she could. Rarity just sighed to herself. Apparently this hadn't been the first time this something like this had happened whenever Sweetie Belle tried to help.

(Theme Song)

It wasn't much longer before Rarity had managed to clean up the mess herself, which another habit she had developed when dealing with Sweetie Belle "accidents". Sweetie Belle felt a little shunted.

"Won't you at least let me help you clean up?" Sweetie Belle asked, feeling rather bored and eager to clean up her own messes.

"No," said Rarity in a tone that wanted to end the discussion immediately, "You've helped me quite enough."

"I'm sorry, sis!" said Sweetie Belle sadly, "I just thought that if I could help, I might find my special gift and finally earn my cutie mark." Sweetie Belle looked at her blank flank as Rarity listened quietly for a moment.

"I understand," said Rarity, "It's just that...I need this time in order to fill this order with any...complications." Rarity's words were clearly emphasizing more than just work problems, but Sweetie Belle was too innocent to realize that.

"There's never any...complications...with me helping out when Mario's here," said Sweetie Belle, "I never mess up like that when I help him."

"Sweetie Belle, I know you've got quite a crush on Mario," said Rarity, changing the subject, "but he's far too old for you and he's already got his heart set on another pony."

"I know, I know," said Sweetie Belle indignantly, "He already told me, but I can't help but like him. He's just...really cute." Sweetie sighed to herself happily as Rarity just rolled her eyes.

"Okay, all done," said Rarity, "Now, back to work. I've lost a lot of time, and I cannot have any more interruptions."

DING-DONG!

"Oh, what now?!" Rarity snapped as she heard the door bell and Fluttershy and Mario walked inside with a basket.

"Oh, sorry," said Fluttershy, hearing Rarity's outburst, "I thought the "open" sign meant you were open, but I must have been mistaken." Mario was with her because she had finally asked him to help out with the animals. And for the most part, he had done exceptionally well. However, he did clash a bit with Fluttershy's pet bunny Angel. Though Fluttershy was able to remedy the issue when Mario felt his patience reach its limit.

"Fluttershy," said Mario gently, "I think Rarity was just blowing off some steam. It's nothing against us...I think..." Rarity then gasped when she heard the two ponies behind her.

"Fluttershy! Mario! Forgive me!" said Rarity as she rushed over to them, "I was so wrapped up in my work that I had forgot you two were bringing Opalescence back from her grooming!"

"No worries, Rarity," said Fluttershy, "I've left her there in the basket." Opal just purred as she came out of the basket, showing her beautifully groomed coat.

"Oh, she looks great!" said Rarity, "I just don't understand how you were able to do it! I can't get near without getting a swipe from her claws!"

"HISS!" Opal said defensively and tried to swipe at Rarity.

"Ahh!" Rarity yelped as she pulled away just in time before she thought of something, "Did you use...the Stare on her?" Mario gasped and his eyes shrunk.

"Don't mention that word! It makes my knees wobble!" Mario retorted nervously.

"On no!" Fluttershy exclaimed in her soft tone, "I wouldn't! I couldn't! I-I don't really have any control over it when that happens. I-It just happens."

"Control isn't the issue," said Mario dreadfully, "You just underestimate its power and effectiveness."

"What do you mean?" Rarity asked curiously. Fluttershy sighed.

"Earlier today, Mario was having trouble with some misbehaving squirrels that were fighting on a low tree branch," Fluttershy explained, "Mario was trying to settle the dispute when they started laughing at him and throwing their nuts and acorns at his head. I used the Stare to make them stop, but...I didn't realize until after that...Mario was in my line of sight. It took a good ten minutes to get him to stop crying."

"Hey, I'm a sensitive guy," Mario protested meekly, "I don't like the idea of any of my best friends that angry with me."

"I'm not big brother," said Fluttershy sweetly and hugged, "and I'm sorry that happened. Besides, I like that you're sensitive."

"Me too!" Sweetie Belle added, "You're so cute!" Mario smiled, Fluttershy giggled, and Rarity sighed in annoyance.

"But, no, I didn't use the Stare on Opal," said Fluttershy, "I'm just good with animals. It's my special talent, you know?"

"Well, you should have a picture of Opal as a cutie mark instead of those butterflies," Rarity suggested.

"But the butterflies represent her gentle personality," Mario remarked, making Fluttershy smile.

"Ooh, ooh, oh, oh, oh, oh!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed excitedly, "Maybe I can be good with animals, too!" Sweetie Belle approached the white cat and turned her head towards Rarity as she spoke.

SHING!

Opal took a swipe at Sweetie Belle's mane, cutting off one of her curls as a wide, devilish smirk appeared on the cat's face.

"Or not," said Sweetie Belle as she zipped away from the cat, Fluttershy, Mario, and Rarity laughed.

"I'm sorry I can't invite you to stay and chat, Fluttershy and Mario," said Rarity, "I've bitten off more than I can chew with this order."

"But you're not eating anything," Sweetie Belle remarked.

"No, Sweetie, it's an expression," Rarity explained, "It means I've taken on more work than I can handle. I've got twenty of these special robes to make tonight! They're due in Trottingham tomorrow morning." Rarity then showed them all a glittery golden cloth. Fluttershy and Mario gasped in amazement as it twinkled before they eyes. Sweetie Belle also eyed the material.

"See? I've lined them in a special gold silk," said Rarity, "It took so long to make, but I think it adds just the right touch. Don't you?"

"Indeed," said Mario, clearly impressed.

"These are lovely," said Fluttershy, "but twenty by tonight? How will you get it all done?"

"Well, I, uh..." Rarity stuttered.

"Oh, oh, oh! Maybe I could..." A death glare by Rarity dismissed Sweetie Belle's idea, "just...just stand over here and watch."

"Not if I help Rarity out, Sweetie Belle," said Mario, "We make a good team you and I." Mario gave her a wink as Sweetie Belle giggled happily.

"I'll manage," said Rarity definitively, "On my own." Mario just rolled his eyes at being dismissed, but he learned that when Rarity wanted to work solo there was no changing her mind. Sweetie Belle looked disappointed.

"Well, maybe Mario and I should get out of your mane so you can work," said Fluttershy, when a familiar yellow and orange filly came barreling through the front door.

"Whoa-oa-oaaa! Oomph!" Mario was knocked into a backward spin and landed on his stomach with a plop as they plowed right through him.

"Hi, Fluttershy! Hi, Rarity! Hi Mario!" said Apple Bloom and Scootaloo at once as they rushed over to Sweetie Belle.

"Hello, uh, girls..." said Rarity wearily.

"You ready for tonight?" Scootaloo asked excitedly.

"Yup! Cutie mark planning session is a go!" Sweetie Belle answered.

"Tonight is the night we each try to find our own special talent," Apple Bloom added.

"Even if it takes us all night!" said Scootaloo.

"I'm ready!" said Apple Bloom, "You ready?"

"Very ready!" said Scootaloo.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER SLEEPOVER AT RARITY'S YAY!" The three fillies shouted at the top of their lungs. So loud in fact, that the entire Boutique rumbled, leaving the three adult ponies rather shaken up.

"That's one way to immobilize someone," said Mario shakily. To think most thought only overweighed turtles that stomped the ground and threw hammers at you could do that.

"And...look what I made us!" said Sweetie Belle as she rushed over and put on what appeared to be a purple colored cape. One could hear a trumpet flourish as Sweetie Belle presented it to the others.

"Oh, wow!" said Apple Bloom and Scootaloo, as they gasped and laughed excitedly, "That is so cool! Oooh!"

"What does that patch on your cape mean?" Fluttershy asked curiously about what appeared to be am emblem on the side of the cape.

"THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS! YAY!" the three fillies shouted again, rocking the room once more.

"Indoor voices please," said Mario, feeling shook up again.

"We're on a crusade, a mission!" Scootaloo explained.

"To find our cutie marks!" said Apple Bloom.

"Yup. And look," Sweetie Belle added as she lifted the cape, "I lined them with this special gold silk. It took so long to make, but I think it adds just the right touch, don't you?" Apple Bloom and Scootaloo oohed impressively. But Rarity felt her eyes twitch and even Mario groaned once he recognized the fabric.

"Oh Sweetie Belle," Mario muttered, "How many times did I tell you to ask Rarity before using her fabrics?"

"Sweetie Belle!" Rarity exclaimed when she saw the cut out holes on the fabric she had made beforehand, "What have you done? That was the last of the gold silk! Oh, now I'll have to make more. I hope I can make more. I'm gonna have to work all night. Which means...Sorry, girls, I'm afraid the sleepover is cancelled."

"What?!" Sweetie Belle said in shock.

"I just won't have any time to watch you if I want to get these robes delivered on time," said Rarity.

"But-"

"No buts this time," said Rarity in a motherly tone, "I'm sorry Sweetie Belle. It's just the way it has to be."

"Awwww..." said the three fillies sadly. Then Fluttershy got an idea.

"I, uh, I suppose I could take them for the night," said Fluttershy. The three girls gave her wide smiles.

"I couldn't ask you to do that," said Rarity hesitantly, despite the three wide grins beaming at her.

"Oh, it's no problem at all," said Fluttershy with a smile. The three fillies looking at Fluttershy again.

"Have you met my sister and her friends?" Rarity asked Fluttershy in a serious tone, "A problem is all it would be."

"Did I have a problem with Opal?" Fluttershy said smugly, "You've seen how well I can handle small creatures!"

"I suppose that's true..." Rarity pondered, the three smiles now looking at her, "and I do have alot of work to do..."

"Come on," said Fluttershy, "it'll be fun."

"I assure you, they're quite a handful," said Rarity. The three fillies just kept smiling, looking at the pony speaking. Mario just chuckled to himself.

"These sweet little angels?" Fluttershy remarked as three halos appeared over the fillies head.

"Oh boy..." Mario muttered to himself. Even he knew they were anything but angels.

"Well...all right," Rarity reluctantly conceded.

"CUTIE MARK CRUSADER SLEEPOVER AT FLUTTERSHY'S COTTAGE! YAY!" the three fillies shouted excitedly, rumbling the ground again before making a fast sprint out of the door. Since Mario was temporarily immobilized, they sent him spinning once more and landing on his stomach.

"Not again! UGH!" Mario groaned.

"So cute," Fluttershy giggled before calling out in her own soft tone, "W-wait for me!" Fluttershy then flew off to go catch them.

"Hmmm..." Rarity pondered as Mario woozily rose to his hooves.

"Mario, I think I'll need your help after all," Rarity remarked.

"Okey-dokey," said Mario as he tucked his work glasses on his nose, "I'll start gathering the materials for the gold silk while you..."

"No, darling, I mean I want you to help Fluttershy watch the girls," said Rarity.

"Why? Don't you trust her?" Mario asked.

"Of course I do," said Rarity, "it's just...well..."

"Oh Mario!" said Fluttershy as she flew back, "I wanted to ask if you could help me with the girls...if...uh...Rarity doesn't mind...I see you're about too..."

"Actually, I was just suggesting Mario go help you," Rarity quickly before pushing Mario out the door, "I am very busy and I'm sure Mario will have more fun helping you than me so ta, ta!" With that Rarity shut the door as Mario just stood a little stunned.

"So...will you help me, big brother?" Fluttershy asked sweetly. Mario just blinked before giving her smile.

"Sure little sister," said Mario, "how can I say no to you?" Fluttershy giggled as they headed back to her cottage once they had caught up with the three fillies. The three fillies were still ahead of the two adults as Fluttershy flew excitedly behind them and Mario was running alongside the yellow Pegasus at a decent pace.

"Oh won't this be ever so fun?" said Fluttershy giddily as Mario smiled, "We can have a nice little tea party, and sit quietly and color, and tell each other fairy tales, and-"

"Oh Fluttershy," Mario sighed himself. He already knew that Sweetie Belle was the only filly interest in most of Fluttershy's idea of fun. Apple Bloom might like a few of those things, but good luck convincing Scootaloo to do any of that. Fluttershy soon gasped when she saw who was ahead. The three fillies continued to zoom ahead, their hooves clattering, the air rushing past until they nearly sent Twilight into a tailspin as they ran by giggling to each other.

"Hello, Fluttershy, Mario," said Twilight.

"Oh! Hello, Twilight," said Fluttershy.

"Hey Twi!" said Mario.

"Where are you off too?" Fluttershy asked.

"I'm heading to the Everfree Forest to Zecora's to get some of my favorite tea," said Twilight.

"Th-The Everfree Forest?" Fluttershy and Mario exclaimed worriedly.

"Ah, you'll be careful, won't you?" Fluttershy asked the purple pony.

"Of course! How about you two?" Twilight asked curiously, "What are you doing with the girls?" The three fillies poked their heads from the water well.

"Rarity has a big order to fill tonight, so I volunteered to take the girls to my cottage for a sleepover," said Fluttershy, "Mario's going to give me a hoof."

"Wow, sounds like everypony has their hooves full today," said Twilight, "taking care of those three fillies all by yourself? And I know Mario hasn't done much "child watching" since Spike matured. You sure you can handle it?" The three fillies had devious smirks on their faces before standing between Twilight an Fluttershy, smiling as their halos appeared over their heads.

"What? These sweet little angels?" Fluttershy remarked as Mario rolled his eyes. Twilight gave them both a skeptical look before saying good bye and on her way. Fluttershy noticed that Mario looked worried.

"I'm sure she'll be okay," said Fluttershy, "Twilight can take care of herself."

"I know," said Mario sadly, "But I can't but feel like...if anything happens and I'm not there..."

"I know you love her Mario," said Fluttershy, "but no pony likes to be protected all the time. Twilight needs her space and I need your help right now."

"I know Fluttershy," said Mario, "I just hope I can tell Twilight how I feel someday."

"Just need the right moment, maybe like the Gala," Fluttershy suggested.

"Not a bad idea," said Mario.

"But for now, you're my date for the evening, okay handsome," said a voice. Mario turned around to see Sweetie Belle holding him as she sat on his back. Mario just chuckled to himself as let Sweetie Belle ride him all the way to Fluttershy's cottage. They settled down right away as Fluttershy closed the top half of her front door. Crickets were chirping quietly and an owl started to hoot as day turned into nighttime outside the house. Some of the animals and birds were chattering about as the fillies began to explore the living room.

"Wow! Look at this place!" said Sweetie Belle excitedly, "What's that? Are those chickens?" The three fillies began to chatter loudly as they zipped about, hooves clattering as they ran across the floor and even in between Fluttershy and Mario a couple of times.

"No...problem at all," said Fluttershy to herself and then addressed the three fillies, "Okay, uh, girls, what should we do?"

"I'm gonna get my cutie mark first!" Scootaloo said boldly.

"Girls?" Fluttershy called out.

"Nuh-uh!" Sweetie Belle retorted.

"Should we-" Fluttershy tried to suggest but was interrupted again.

"I am!" Apple Boom protested, ignoring Fluttershy's suggestion.

"Girls, okay, now settle-"

"I'm staying up all night!" Scootaloo shouted excitedly, her eyes rolling about as she scared Angel right off his cushion.

"Me, too!" said Apple Bloom as she jumped on.

"Me, three!" said Sweetie Belle as she hopped on the cushion as well.

"I can step in at any time," Mario whispered to Fluttershy, "I good train toot with my horn should..."

"I got this," said Fluttershy quietly, but even she wasn't so sure.

"I-I know you're excited, but-girls," said Fluttershy gently until she saw Apple Bloom teetering dangerously, "oh, oh, careful with the-oh, ah, girls-" Fluttershy then saw Sweetie Belle had gotten her nose stuck inside of one of the birdhouses hanging above.

"Sweetie Belle, get out of there," said Mario, "I knew a beagle once that did that he ended up smashing the poor birds house trying to get the house off." Sweetie Belle managed to get her nose out without much difficulty as the three ponies finally settled down on the sofa as Fluttershy blew part of her soft pink mane from her face.

"So, what do you wanna do? Play a game?" Fluttershy offered.

"I am known for coming up with various mini-games for parties," Mario suggested, "Each one is a good blend of competitiveness and fun."

"We are the Cutie Mark Crusaders!" said Scootaloo as she appeared next to Fluttershy.

"And we want to crusade for our cutie marks!" said Apple Bloom on the other side of Fluttershy.

"And, and, and, we...um-" Sweetie Belle stuttered as she appeared above Fluttershy, "yeah! What they said!"

"These girls are the like Rainbow and Twilight," Mario warned based on his experiences with Rarity when she could watch them, "Once they get a goal, nothing will detour it." Fluttershy pondered quietly for a moment.

"I got an idea," Fluttershy whispered to Mario before speaking to the girls.

"Mmm, I don't know," said Fluttershy hesitantly, "how about a nice quiet little tea party?"

"That's you brilliant idea?" Mario asked quietly.

"Or...we could go adventuring in the Everfree Forest!" Scootaloo suggested.

"Yeah," said Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle as the three fillies charged for the front door.

"Oh no! The Everfree Forest is much too dangerous," said Fluttershy, "It's filled with far too many dangerous creatures."

"But you could go with us," Sweetie Belle suggested, "and we could catch those creatures."

"I've always wanted to see Mario battle an Everfree Forest creature," said Apple Bloom, "Applejack told me how he faced a Hydra single handedly and won."

"Heh...I have been working on my fighting abilities..." Mario said modestly.

"Mario..." Fluttershy warned.

"What? I'm not implying that we do it," said Mario, "Besides, my skills are for self-defense only. I don't go looking to pick fights with any creature."

"Unless they make you mad," Fluttershy added smugly.

"You just had to go there didn't you?" Mario asked annoyed. He could never understand how such a shy and timid pony could be so sassy around him. For the moment, he was the only one she acted that way with.

Guess it's just a sign our friendship is growing Mario thought, Even Rainbow said she finds it easier to open up to me then the other girls.. Mario didn't have much time to think about it when Sweetie got an idea.

"Or we could capture them," said Sweetie Belle, "We could be, creature catchers!"

"YAY! CUTIE MARK CRUSADER CREATURE CATCHERS!" they screamed at the top of their lungs, making Fluttershy lean back and immobilized Mario temporarily again.

"Indoor voices please," Mario pleaded, feeling woozy again.

"Sorry," they said quickly before Apple Bloom and Scootaloo grabbed carpet and covered themselves with it.

"Arrrr! I am a dangerous creature from the Everfree forest! Rrrarrr!" said Scootaloo, trying to sound menacing as Sweetie Belle stood before the creature.

"Don't worry my princess," said Mario, trying to sound regal and brave, "I'll slay this savage beast and save you!"

"What are you talking about?" Sweetie Belle retorted, "You're the damsel in distress and I'm saving you!"

"Wah?!" Mario said stunned as Fluttershy snickered quietly.

"Halt, dangerous creature of the Everfree Forest," said Sweetie Belle bravely, "I am Sweetie Belle, the creature catcher, and I'm here to catch you!"

"You can never catch me! I'm far too powerful and dangerous!" said Scootaloo.

"You cannot run from me!" Sweetie Belle and gave chase.

"Raaar!" Scootaloo roared as she began to chase Sweetie Belle. Sweetie Belle just giggled. As Scootaloo continued to roar, even she was giggling as well. Mario just chuckled at their fun. Fluttershy was looking rather uneasy. As cute and fun as their chase looked, they were starting to get a little too close to the furniture...and some fragile decor.

"Um, oh, maybe that's not such a-" Fluttershy tried to warn but noticed that the three fillies weren't listening, "now girls, how about we do some nice coloring? Doh-" Fluttershy flinched as they barely missed knocking something over. Now Mario was concerned.

"I...think that's enough girls," said Mario, "Coloring would be a good idea! You can try to draw what you think you're cutie marks will look like!" But the girls weren't listening to him either.

"Come back, dangerous creature, so I can catch you!" said Sweetie Belle.

"Never!" said Scootaloo as Sweetie Belle jumped on a small side table. Mario could see what would happen next.

"Careful..." said Fluttershy, "...you don't..."

CRASH!

Too late...

"...break anything..." said Fluttershy wearily as her side table was destroyed and the vase on top of it smashed beyond repair.

"Sorry, Fluttershy," said Sweetie Belle sadly.

"Yeah, sorry," said Scootaloo in the same tone.

"I guess we aren't creature catchers," Apple Bloom added in the same tone. Mario just sighed.

"Oh, girls, it's okay," said Fluttershy gently, "I-"

"I know!" Apple Bloom exclaimed, "We could be Cutie Mark Carpenters!"

"C-carpenters?" Fluttershy stuttered as the three zoomed away and returned with a toolbox.

"I thought you locked up your tool shed," said Mario under his breath.

"Those are your tools," said Fluttershy as Mario noticed his cutie mark on the toolbox. Mario face-hoofed himself. He had forgotten he had left it here after repairing her stove earlier that day. While fixing the table was definitely a carpentry job, the girls were dressed as if they were prepared for operate.

"Hammer!" said Apple Bloom.

"Hammer," Scootaloo replied as she passed a hammer to Sweetie Belle and then Sweetie Belle gave it to Apple Bloom.

"Hammer!" said Sweetie Belle.

"Hammer," Scootaloo replied as she gave Sweetie Belle a hammer.

"Hammer!" Scootaloo told herself as she grabbed her own.

"Hammer," she repeated once it was tucked into her mouth. Fluttershy and Mario looked worried until they were knocked off their feet as they heard the loud thumping, clattering, sawing, and even jackhammer sounds of construction. When they had finished, they had completed a very crude wood sculpture.

"Um...that doesn't look like a table?" said Sweetie Belle.

"We were making a table?" Scootaloo exclaimed as Mario groaned.

"I don't what was worse," said Mario to himself, "the fact they tried building for the first time without blueprints or their lack of teamwork trying to built it!"

"Somepony needs to put this thing out of its misery," said Apple Bloom.

"Finally, something we agree on," Mario muttered.

"We are definitely not Cutie Mark Carpenters," said Scootaloo.

"Who wants a picture of a hammer on their flank anyway," Sweetie Belle remarked as Fluttershy pulled the "table" away and left Mario to repair it as she went over to the three fillies.

"Well, now that we've gotten that out of the way," said Fluttershy, "How about a game?"

"A game?" Apple Bloom asked puzzled as the three fillies were now seated on the sofa.

"It's called "Shhh!"," Fluttershy told them as Mario, who had already finished repairing the side table thanks to his speed, was standing nearby.

"What's that?" said Scootaloo.

"Well, it's a game about who can be quiet the longest," said Fluttershy, "Sound fun? I'm the world champ, you know."

"That's true," said Mario, "She holds the Pony's World Record at 9 days, 18 hours, and 35 minutes."

"Very funny," Fluttershy retorted before turned to the three fillies, "I bet you can't beat me!" Fluttershy gave a light squee before taking a deep breath. The silence lasted no more than about three seconds.

"I lose!" said Scootaloo as she zipped away.

"Me too!" Sweetie Belle added before taking off as well.

"Me three!" said Apple Bloom as she did the same. Fluttershy just sighed as she released her breath as the three fillies began to zoom about again.

"Okay, now what can we do?" Apple Bloom thought and then got an idea as she rushed inside of Fluttershy's un-lit fireplace, "How about Cutie Mark Coal Miners?"

"Yeah!" they all said excitedly as once, their faces and bodies covered in chimney soot.

"No!" Fluttershy and Mario snapped firmly together.

"Awwww!" The three fillies groaned to themselves.

"I mean, it's time for bed," said Fluttershy as the three fillies walked passed her, now clean, "don't you think? Aren't you excited to get all toasty and warm in your snuggly wuggly-widdle beds?"

"Snuggly-wuggly?" said Apple Bloom indignantly, "But we have more crusading to do!"

"We've got plans!" said Scootaloo.

"And capes!" said Sweetie Belle.

"Um, okay, um. Maybe the crusading can wait until morning?" Fluttershy suggested as she guided the fillies up the stairs to the guest bedroom, "When it's light? And...not so dark?" The three fillies were still glum as they gathered around a bed large enough for all three of them to sleep in.

"How are we gonna find our special talent in our sleep?" Apple Bloom asked.

"Maybe you'll have a lovely little dream about your special talent," said Fluttershy as she blew out the candle to darken the room. The three fillies climbed into the bed and under the covers.

"But we're not even tired!" Scootaloo protested.

"How about I sing you a lullaby?" said Fluttershy as Mario stood next to her.

"Mm-hmm, yeah!" said the three fillies. Fluttershy cleared her throat.

[Fluttershy]

Hush now, quiet now
It's time to lay your sleepy head
Hush now, quiet now
It's time to go to bed

"Hmm," Mario sighed contently, enjoying Fluttershy's sweet voice.

"I know this one!" said Sweetie Belle excitedly.

"Oh how wonderful!" said Fluttershy, "Why don't you sing it with me?" Mario looked worried, especially after he saw Scootaloo and Apple Bloom smile and plug their ears as Sweetie Belle cleared her throat. Then she sang in a very upbeat, over the top voice.

[Sweetie Belle]

Hush now! Quiet now!
It's time to lay your sleepy head!
Said hush now! Quiet now!
It's time to go to bed!

"Okay Sweetie, that was..." Fluttershy tried to comment, but Sweetie wasn't going to stop

[Sweetie Belle]

Driftin' (driftin') off to sleep!
Exciting day behind you!
Driftin' (driftin') off to sleep!
Let the joy of dream land find you!

"Thank you Sweetie, um..." said Fluttershy, trying to get Sweetie Belle to stop.

[Sweetie Belle]

Hush now! Quiet now!
Lay your sleepy head!
Said hush now! Quiet now!
It's time to do to bed!

Ow!

Sweetie sang so loudly that the entire house shook, knocking items off the wall shelves, and many of the animals, including some of the chickens outside, we're startled by the noise. Sweetie Belle's singing certainly wasn't bad, at least according to Mario, but that felt more like a Gospel performance rather than a sleepy time lullaby.

Even after it seemed that the three fillies had fallen asleep, the chickens were still clucking and flapping about frantically.

"What was that?" said Scootaloo as she and the rest of the fillies woke up. Fluttershy and Mario had barely finished putting back all the things that had fallen from the shelves thanks to Sweetie Belle's solo when they noticed the bed was empty. Fluttershy gasped as she saw them already outside the house and in her backyard.

"Girls!" Fluttershy exclaimed from upstairs.

"Fluttershy, your chickens are on the loose!" Apple Bloom told her.

"I wonder what could have caused that," Sweetie Belle pondered to herself as Scootaloo and Apple Bloom just gave her both dirty looks.

"Don't worry, Fluttershy," said Scootaloo, "the Cutie Mark Crusaders will handle this!"

"Cutie Mark Crusader chicken herders! Yay!" they said loudly, but not as loudly as before as they zipped away with a rush of air and soon chickens were clucking about as the three fillies gave chase.

"No, I don't think that's a-" But Fluttershy was too late as the girls were already on their way towards the chicken coop. Mario ushered her downstairs and out of the house so they could put a stop to the trouble.

"-ah, come back, please!" Fluttershy pleaded as the chickens continued to cluck as the three fillies were giggling as they gave chase.

"Come on, girls, the chickens are fine-oh, girls, um," Fluttershy protested, but then her patience hit her limit.

"Girls!" Fluttershy said sternly and loud enough to make them stop running about. Mario then stomped his hoof sternly as the three girls stood side by side next to him, not saying another word. Fluttershy went to settle the frazzled chickens as she clucked to make them settle down. All but three chickens would enter their hut.

"Come on, in you go," said Fluttershy, but the chickens ignored her. Fluttershy, who had had enough of being ignored, gave her chickens ...the Stare. Eerie music could be heard as the chicken froze in place a bit. Even the three fillies were in awe as Fluttershy's Stare made the chickens walk backwards side by side into their coop.

"If you think that's scary," Mario told them, "you could be the one being "stared" at if you don't settle down and behave." The fillies just said nothing.

"There's some good chickens," said Fluttershy before turning to the other fillies, "Okay, you three. Isn't it about time you got to bed?"

"But-"

"Please?" said Fluttershy, nearly pleading. Mario tried decided to speak.

"You know," said Mario quietly but firmly, "You three always tell me how much you hate it when ponies don't listen to you. Yet that's all you've been doing to me and Fluttershy all night. If you want ponies to listen to you, you gotta show that same respect to others. You'll have plenty of time to crusade in the morning and if you listen to us, we can help you guys get closer to your cutie marks. But for now, please get to bed now." The three fillies nodded as they slowly headed inside. Fluttershy tucked them all back into the bed.

"So no more crusading for tonight, all right?" said Fluttershy.

"Please stay in the bedroom unless you need something and keep quiet," Mario added as well.

"Yes, Fluttershy and Mario!" said Scootaloo.

"We promise, Fluttershy and Mario!" said Sweetie Belle.

"Good night, Fluttershy and Mario!" said Apple Bloom. The three fillies then closed their eyes to sleep as Fluttershy and Mario left the bedroom. Mario couldn't help but sneak a skeptical glance at the three fillies. He knew fake sleeping eyes by now.

Just hope they listened to my part at least Mario pondered at least as the two ponies made their way downstairs. Once the three fillies could hear no more hoof steps, they each opened a single eye before sitting up together in the bed.

"Okay, so what kind of crusading do we do next?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"There's not much we can do from this room..." Apple Bloom pondered, "unless we become Cutie Mark Crusader cottage cleaners."

"N-no, thanks," said Sweetie Belle, not liking the idea at all.

"Well, we have to think of somethin'," said Apple Bloom, "We can't just waste this opportunity to find out what our special talents are."

"I don't know," said Sweetie Belle, "Mario seems pretty upset earlier with us..."

"Oh you just don't want to disappoint your boyfriend," Scootaloo teased.

"Hey, at least I have one!" Sweetie Belle retorted indignantly.

"Yuck! I don't want none of that mushy stuff!" Scootaloo retorted, showing her age.

"Hey girls! Look!" said Apple Bloom as she stood outside their window. Part of the wired fence was broken and there were chicken footprints leading away from the coop, "Some of the chickens may have escaped!"

"Into the forest!" Sweetie Belle added as she saw the trail of chicken feet prints heading in that area.

"Cutie Mark Crusaders chicken rescuers are go!" they whispered to each other. They slowly made their way downstairs and into the living room. By now, Mario had returned home and Fluttershy was just reclining peacefully on her sofa, feeling very pleased with herself.

"It really wasn't that hard," said Fluttershy to herself with a sigh as her eyes were half-closed. As she spoke, the three fillies snuck past her and out the back door, "Nothing's gonna get past Fluttershy! Good with animals, good with kids. And Mario was so worried when he left. Well it seems he had nothing to worry about." Outside, the three fillies were quietly galloping towards the Everfree Forest. They had also donned their capes before heading out. As they pasted a particular wooden post, Scootaloo's cape got caught. While she managed to break free, her cape tore in the process.

"Wait up!" Scootaloo whispered loudly and went to catch up with the other fillies. Meanwhile, Fluttershy had fallen asleep on her sofa.

"Mmm, peace and quiet," said Fluttershy, but then she realized that wasn't a good thing, "Too quiet." Fluttershy rushed upstairs to find the quest bed empty. She then looked outside and found the broken fence and chicken feet prints. She rushed outside and headed towards her chicken coop.

"Girls? Girls?" Fluttershy called out as she peaked inside the coop. That was when she noticed one of her chicken nests were empty, "Elizabeak! She's missing! Girls?" Fluttershy then followed the feet prints and noticed the were some hoof prints next to it and the torn piece of Scootaloo's cape.

"Oh no!" she exclaimed, "They must have gone looking for my missing chicken! Which means...they must have gone into..." Fluttershy gasped and then gulped, "...The Everfree Forest!"

Several minutes later, Fluttershy was pacing back and forth. Before leaving, Mario had given Fluttershy a new item he had created: a magic pipe. By dropping it onto the ground, Fluttershy could summon Mario from anywhere in Equestria. Of course Mario did take too kindly to being dumped out of his warm bed and landing on his stomach as he popped out of the pipe. But his irritation turned into concern right away once Fluttershy told him what had happened.

"Those girls have really done it this time!" said Fluttershy to Mario, "They've really bitten off more than they could chew! Oh, just like me! I never should have offered to watch them."

"We all make mistakes Fluttershy," said Mario, patting her shoulder, "I should have put my hoof down a little more with them too. I just didn't want to be labeled as the bossy foal-sitter and more like the cool, fun loving foal-sitter. I should have stepped in more."

"You were only respecting my decision to handle thing on my own," said Fluttershy, "I was the one who told you to step back when I really needed you to intervene."

"Well, we can both admit we were way over our heads," said Mario, "but we can deal with that later. Right now we need to find those three fillies before they really get into trouble."

"Right," said Fluttershy as she looked determined at the forest, took a deep breath and they made their way down the path.

Meanwhile, the three fillies were hot on the trail of the renegade chicken. Apple Bloom was trying to call out to it.

"Here, chick-chick-chick-chick-chick!" Apple Bloom called out, "Brawk, bawk-bawk-bawk, brawk!"

"What are you doing?" Scootaloo asked in annoyance.

"Callin' for the chicken!" said Apple Bloom.

"That's not how to call a chicken," Scootaloo protested.

"Oh, and you know how to call a chicken?" Apple Bloom asked indignantly.

"I know that's not the way," said Scootaloo in the same tone.

"Then show me," Apple Bloom said in annoyance.

"I don't have to show you!" Scootaloo retorted.

"You're just a chicken!" Apple Bloom shot back.

"Am not!" Scootaloo protested.

"Oh wait, now I know how to call a chicken!" said Apple Bloom, "Scootaloo! Scoot-scootalooooo!" That was when they passed a dark hole that had some creepy looking eyes staring at them, but neither filly noticed them.

"That's so funny I forgot to laugh," said Scootaloo sarcastically.

"You also forgot how to call a chicken," Apple Bloom pointed out.

"Why, you..." Scootaloo snarled as Apple Bloom gave the pegasus filly a raspberry.

"Come on, guys," said Sweetie Belle, "we're not gonna find the chicken or are cutie marks by arguing." Little did Sweetie Belle know that the wind made a tree branch that looked like a giant claw lean towards her as if to grab her, but she was so focused on making her two friends stop fighting that she never saw it.

"Maybe that's our special talent," Apple Bloom suggested, "Arguin'!"

"Is not!" said Scootaloo.

"Is too!" Apple Bloom protested.

"Is not!"

"Is too! Anything yet?"

Scootaloo checked her flank but there was nothing.

"Nope," Scootaloo answered.

"Darn," said Apple Bloom. They two just looked at each other and began to giggle to each other. An ominous wind continued to blow though their pathway as the three fillies continued their search.

"Heeeere, chick-chick-chick-chick," Apple Bloom continued to chant, "baaawk, bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk, b-baaaaawk!"

As for Fluttershy and Mario, they were soon gaining some ground as they continued to venture cautiously through the forest. While Mario was able to put on a brave face, Fluttershy was finding it hard to do so.

"Girls?" Fluttershy whispered and gulped, "Girls?" Fluttershy suddenly thought she heard something and gave a light squeak. Mario hugged her gently.

"You're okay, Fluttershy," he told her gently, "Big brother's here." Fluttershy shook her head.

"He's right," said Fluttershy and began to pep talk to herself, "Oh! Get a hold of yourself, Fluttershy. Mario's here for you. Just put one hoof in front of the other." Just then Fluttershy stepped on a twig.

"Ahh! What was that?" said Fluttershy startled as she backed away nervously. She backed away so quickly that she backed right into a tree. Fluttershy screamed and zipped away in a rush of air.

"Calm down, it's just...UGH!" Mario tried to stop her, but Fluttershy just ran him over, flattening him. Mario didn't stay flat for long before he un-flattened himself and went after her, both their hooves clattering as Mario caught up with her. He was about to wrap a hoof around the yellow Pegasus to slow her down when he and Fluttershy noticed something in the distance.

"Twilight? I-Is that you?" said Fluttershy.

"Is it!" said Mario happily and called out, "Twily!"

"Oh, Twilight, it is you," Fluttershy said excitedly, "Thank goodness you're here. I need your help. The girls are out here somewhere, and I'm afraid that they're..."

"GASP!" Fluttershy and Mario exclaimed in shock. As the moon crawled out from behind a cloud, they saw that Twilight was colored grey all over and completely frozen.

"Oh! What happened to you?" Fluttershy asked, placing a hoof on Twilight, only for her to tumble over to the side. Mario just looked in shock. He could see what had happened to her and lowered his head as he sat next to her.

"Oh, no!" said Fluttershy, "If you've been turned to stone, it must mean-oh!" Fluttershy realized a horrible truth, "Oh no, the girls! Don't move. I'll be back for you. Girls!" Fluttershy then ran off when she realized that someone was missing. Fluttershy turned around and saw Mario still sitting before the petrified Twilight.

"Mario, we need to hurry and find the...girls..." Fluttershy lifted his head. An pained look was across his face as hot tears were pouring from his eyes.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Mario screamed.

"Mario, please calm down, there's no time..."

"I should've gone with her!" Mario croaked, "I could have prevented this. I...I never got to tell her..."

"Mario, listen to me," said Fluttershy, tilting his chin so they were making eye contact, "Twilight won't stay this way forever. This can be fixed, but there are three fillies who we need to save before the cockatrice gets them too."

"A...cockatrice?" Mario asked puzzled.

"I'll explain on the way," said Fluttershy, "Now come on." Mario just nodded as he wiped his eyes and leaned to Twilight's ear.

"I will come back and save you. I promise," he told her, kissing her cheek and the two ponies were on their way. As for the three fillies, Scootaloo and Apple Bloom were still fighting.

"Is not!" said Apple Bloom.

"Is too!" Scootaloo shot back.

"Is not!"

"Is too!"

"Girls!" Sweetie Belle snapped, "Our special talent is not arguing. Besides, what would the cutie mark of somepony whose talent is arguing even look like?" Sweetie Belle then bumped something in front of her and saw a very familiar pony, giving her a stern glare.

"You're better off guessing the cutie mark of three disobedient little fillies," said Mario sternly. His red eyes, due to crying, made him look angrier than he really was.

"Uh-oh," said Sweetie Belle.

"Girls? Girls?" said someone from above. The three fillies looked up and saw Fluttershy flying from above.

"Fluttershy?" Sweetie Belle called out as the yellow Pegasus landed next to Mario.

"Girls! Thank goodness we found you!" Fluttershy said with relief.

"Fluttershy, what-" Apple Bloom tried to ask.

"Girls, we have to leave the forest at once!" Fluttershy told them, cutting off Apple Bloom as she made them back up a few steps.

"But...we haven't found the chicken yet!" Sweetie Belle protested.

"There's no time for that," said Fluttershy, "There's a cockatrice on the loose!"

"A cocka-what now?" Apple Bloom asked confused.

"A cockatrice!" said Fluttershy, "It's a frightening creature with the head of a chicken and the body of a snake. Now come on!"

"The head of a chicken and the body of a snake?" said Scootaloo, as they began to walk away from Fluttershy, "that doesn't sound scary, that's sounds silly."

"Oh the joys of being innocent," Mario muttered with an irritated eye roll.

"Why, if I ever saw one of them cockathingies face-to-face," said Apple Bloom, "I laugh at how silly it was!"

"And end up being a statue in the Apple fields," Mario remarked but Fluttershy shushed him. She wanted to tell them about the danger herself.

"No! Never look one in the eye!" said Fluttershy as the landed in front of them.

"If you look a cockatrice in the eye-" Fluttershy tried to warn just as the chicken walked by.

"The chicken!" Apple Bloom shouted as they went after it.

"Girls! Wait!" Fluttershy and Mario shouted as the three girls raced ahead.

"Here, chick-chick-chick-chick-chick!" the three fillies called out as they gave chase and heard the chicken clucking again. Then they heard a loud growl as well before a chicken head popped out of another bush.

"There he is!" said Sweetie Belle, not even realizing the chicken was a she. The chicken jumped and disappeared when Scootaloo saw another chicken head in the bushes.

"Two chickens?" said Scootaloo.

"I thought only one escaped!" said Apple Bloom.

"Only one did," said Mario, "That second is..."

"Grab them both!"

"GIRLS NO! NO!" Mario yelled. The chicken continued clucking as the bush rustled some more. And the cockatrice revealed itself, giving a loud roar and a squawk. The poor chicken stared clucking loudly as it raced about in circles until the cockatrice landed and gave it a red eyed stare. This turned the chicken into a statue in seconds before it landed head first into the soft soil beneath it. The three fillies trembled a bit before...

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" they screamed as they ran away from the creature, still screaming as they ran right through a bush. Then Scootaloo tripped over a small rock, knocking them all over. They then gasped when they saw the stone Twilight as a slimy snail crawled across her face.

"See?" said Fluttershy, "Now we have to-"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" the three fillies screamed again, this time scattering as they continued to scream and panic.

"Girls, please," said Fluttershy as she tried to get the girls to calm down, "Girls-now listen to me, I-please!" Mario gritted his teeth.

"EVERYPONY!" he shouted loudly and then blew a loud "TOOT-TOOT" with his horn. This made the three girls stop screaming and running about. It was just than the cockatrice arrived, looking to attack.

"Girls! Behind me, now!" Fluttershy ordered and the three fillies obeyed. Mario narrowed his eyes as he approached the creature.

"Hey, chicken head!" Mario barked, "I've got a score to settle with you!" Mario then used his magic to make a blindfold appear over his eyes. The cockatrice growled at him, charging at Mario. Mario just stayed still before he felt the creature rush immediately towards his blindfold as he tilted his head to avoid it.

"So that's how you wanna play?" said Mario, "Well get a load of this!" The cockatrice went for another charge, but Mario jumped into the air as the cockatrice tried to snag his blindfold again. The creature looked puzzled as it stopped charging. Then it was taken by surprise as Mario stomped his head his hind legs, spin into the air, and stomped his head again before making a perfect landing on the ground.

"Whoa!" said Scootaloo, "how did he do that?"

"He's using his other senses to defend himself," said Apple Bloom, "Applejack told me that by blocking one of your five senses, the other four become stronger." The cockatrice was slightly dazed and then squawked again at Mario. It then noticed the four girls nearby and took off after them instead.

"Get back here! I'm not done with you!" said Mario as he lifted his blindfold to go after it, but then he stopped, taking a longer path so he arrived behind Fluttershy. Why? Because right when the cockatrice started squawking and roaring at the girls, Fluttershy narrowed her brow. Mario knew what was coming next and he was not gonna get caught in the crossfire again.

"You!" Fluttershy said sternly, "Just who do you think you are, going around and turning others into stone?" The cockatrice looked stunned but then narrowed it red eyes at her.

"You should be ashamed of yourself," Fluttershy continued, making eye contact with it despite knowing that it was causing her back legs and tail to become stone, "I have a mind to find your mother and tell her what you've been up to, young man." How Fluttershy knew the cockatrice was a boy was anyone's guess. The cockatrice was now sweating but still tried to intensify its stare to speed up the stone making process. Mario and the girls grew more worried as Fluttershy's back half was already turned to stone.

"Now you go over there, and turn Elizabeak and my friend Twilight back to normal," Fluttershy instructed firmly, her Stare now at full power, "and don't ever let me catch you doing this again. Do you understand me?" By now the cockatrice knew it was out-matched and with a crack and small explosion, Fluttershy's back half was returned to normal. The cockatrice just ran off squawking as the three fillies and Mario watched it disappear.

"That was too close," said Mario with relief, "Nice job there Little sis. That was very brave of you...not to mention very risky." Fluttershy just smiled as she looked at the three fillies.

"Are you girls all right?" she asked, "I was so worried!"

"Yeah, fine!" said Scootaloo.

"Thanks to that stare of yours," Sweetie Belle added.

"You're like the queen of stares," said Scootaloo as she stood before Fluttershy, "You're the-"

"Stare Master!" said the three fillies together.

"We're sorry we snuck out of the house and into the forest," said Sweetie Belle sadly.

"Yeah," Apple Bloom add with relief, "Mario is right. If we want ponies to listen to us, we need to listen to grown-ups like you. We'll listen to you both from now on."

"We promise," Scootaloo added.

"Oh you do, do you?" said Fluttershy with smirk, "Well, you better, or I'll give you...the Stare!" Fluttershy looked at them with a bulging eye, making Apple Bloom and Scootaloo flinch while Sweetie Belle looked away. Fluttershy giggled and soon they were too. In the background the cockatrice was flying away when a familiar purple pony wobbled over to them.

"What...what happened?" she asked wearily. This was then followed by the squawking of the chicken, who had also been restored and its head still stuck in the ground. Mario rushed over to Twilight.

"Twilight! You're okay!" said Mario happily as he hugged her.

"Mario, I said I would be okay," said Twilight as she pushed him off.

"Are you aware of the fact it's already late at night?" Mario asked her, "It doesn't take that long to get tea." Twilight looked up, rather surprised until she gave Mario a glare.

"I do now," Twilight answered, "and for some strange reason I remember you kissing me." Mario just went agape as his cheeks turned bright pink.

"I...I...uhh...I..." Mario stuttered.

"Mario was just saying he missed you," said Fluttershy, "you two are such close friends after all." Fluttershy gave Mario a discreet wink. Twilight just rolled her eyes, shrugged her shoulders. She didn't think much else of it so Mario felt it best to drop the subject for now.

It wasn't until next morning that Fluttershy began to explain everything to Twilight over some tea as the three fillies were just giggling and playing in the yard (and staying away from any of the animal homes). While Mario was hesitant to be there after last night, Twilight seemed to have forgotten about the kiss, even after Fluttershy mentioned how worried he was when they found her turned to stone. Twilight was too busy writing what had happened in a letter for Princess Celestia.

"And that's when it brought you back from stone," Fluttershy finished as Twilight wrote her letter.

"This is gonna make quite a letter to the princess," said Twilight, "I was wrong about you and Mario. You two certainly know how to handle those girls."

"Oh, I wouldn't go that far," said Fluttershy.

"Hmm? How so?" Twilight asked curiously.

"I assumed that I'd be just as good with kids as I am with animals," said Fluttershy, "Boy was I wrong. I learned the hard away not to bite off more than I could chew." Mario nodded in agreement.

"You, Mario, and Rarity," Twilight added as she saw a familiar marshmallow pony walking up, "Good Morning Rarity."

"Did you finish all those capes?" Fluttershy asked curiously.

"Just delivered them," said Rarity with a sigh, "I have to admit, if you had not come along, I might not have. Thanks again you two."

"Won't you stay for some tea?" Fluttershy asked, "Mario brewed it and its quite delicious."

"I really must get back to the shop and clean up," said Rarity, "Girls! Get your things! Time to go!" The three fillies just continued playing, giggling, and calling out to each other.

"Girls! Time to-Girls! Your things! Girls! Time to-Girls!" Rarity gave a loud groan in frustration as the three fillies continued to ignore her. Mario and Fluttershy exchanged smiles as they stood beside Rarity.

"Allow me," said Fluttershy as she cleared her throat and spoke in a clear, but soft tone, "Girls?" The three girls stopped what they were doing and lined up in front of her and Mario.

"Yes, Fluttershy," Apple Bloom answered.

"You called?" Scootaloo asked.

"Go and get your things," Fluttershy instructed, "Rarity is here to see you home."

"Of course, Fluttershy, right away!" said Sweetie Belle as the three girls zoomed inside. Rarity was agape.

"Ah, huh, ah, how did you..." Rarity stuttered, "How did you do that?"

"I guess I'm just as good with kids as I am with animals," said Fluttershy, giving a wink as she and Mario shared a discreet hoof bump.

"Thank you, Fluttershy! Mario! Bye! Thank you, Stare Master!" the three fillies said at once as they made their exit.

"Ah, uh, speaking of which," said Rarity once the three fillies were gone, "I could use your help with Opal."

"Of course," said Fluttershy, "How about later today?" Then she and Mario flinched as they heard an angry yowl.

"How about now?" Rarity strained as tears pricked her eyes. Opal had apparently clawed herself into the right side of Rarity's flank. The cat gave another angry yowl as Fluttershy, Twilight, and Mario just giggled to each other.

Looks like everything turned out alright in the end.

"Oh Mario," said Twilight in an overly sweet tone.

I take that back...Mario wasn't in the clear just yet...

"Yeah?" Mario asked slowly.

"You still never answered my question," said Twilight in the same tone before giving him a stern look, "Why did you kiss me?"

"I..."

"Mario, could you please go to the market and pick up some extra carrots for me?" Fluttershy offered quickly, "right now please?"

"Oh no, you're not..."

"Sure thing, see ya!" said Mario quickly, cutting off Twilight and rushing off at high speed.

"You can't run away from me forever!" Twilight yelled as Mario disappeared into the horizon.

He knew Twilight was right, but he just wasn't ready to tell her truth just yet.

When will Mario tell Twilight the truth? You'll have to read and find out...

Peace Pony Fans!