Lesson Zero

Ponies Log Number 203: Even though things have been settled between me and Twilight, and we're best friends again, I still can't help but think that my decision to study solo might have had some...negative consequences for Twilight...

It was early in the morning and Twilight was getting ready for another busy day.

"Quill" said Twilight.

"Check," said Spike.

"Parchment," said Twilight.

"Check," said Spike.

"Extra ink," said Twilight as she hovered the bottle above Spike.

"Check"

"Extra extra ink," Twilight called out as she hovered another bottle above Spike.

"Check"

"Is that everything on the checklist?" said Twilight as she set the items on her desk. There before her was plenty of parchment (or paper), three jars of ink, and four quills. Spike continued to check off the items, but feels a bit concerned as Twilight walks by.

"Great," said Twilight, "Now that we've completed the checklist of things we need to create checklist, we can make my checklist of the things I have to get done by the end of the day. Ready?"

"Ready!" said Spike with a quill raised in the air and ready to go.

"Item 1: Create checklist of the things I have to accomplish by the end of the day," said Twilight with a toothy grin. Spike just sighed as Twilight just looked at him curiously, not really understanding what the big deal was.

The big deal was that Spike missed Mario. While things may have been settled in terms of the fight, Discord, and what had happened at the Gala, things certainly hadn't gone back to normal. Especially in the fact that Mario and Twilight still hadn't gone back to studying together. Sure, their letters to Celestia shared their names again, but Mario still would spend more time with their other friends. When Spike asked Twilight why Mario hadn't come back, she only replied that Mario wanted some room to do his own things and she felt like she owed that to him.

Spike didn't believe her answer one bit. He knew thanks to Mario that Twilight had kissed him on the lips and that Twilight did miss having Mario around. Rather than admit to it, Twilight seemed to try and do everything she could to keep herself busy and not think about it. It was one thing to distract herself, but now it seemed like Twilight was taking her organization to levels Spike had never seen before. It was one thing to micromanage, but it was another when a pony was literally making a checklist to check her checklists. Sounds redundant but that was the case. Spike could see that Twilight was trying far too hard to try and control every aspect of her life and it was only a matter of time before something would give out and there was going to be a major meltdown.

(theme song)

It wasn't much longer before Twilight and Spike were making their way through Ponyville. Spike was dragging a long checklist behind him as they went along.

"How are we doing, Spike?" Twilight asked as Spike examined the long list before him.

"Let's see..." said Spike as he read the long checklist, "We've already dropped off your cape at the cleaners, returned the blackboard you borrowed from Cheerilee, ordered new parchment and quills from that stationery shop..."

"Hmm...Seems like we just placed an order for those a few days ago," said Twilight curiously.

"Can't imagine why we go through so many of them," Spike remarked, clearly not hiding his sarcasm.

"Sounds like we're ahead of schedule," said Twilight, "what's next?" Spike checked the list again.

"Cupcakes!" he announced excitedly. It wasn't much longer before they headed inside of Sugarcube Corner. There before them was a baby blue colored box that had several cupcakes inside.

"Whoa..." said Spike as his mouth watered at the sight of all the tasty treats. Then Twilight noticed something in particular.

"Uh, I only ordered twelve," Twilight pointed out.

"Oh, I know, dear," Mrs. Cake replied a she walked out with a tray of treats on her head, "But I had an extra. So I thought I'd make it a baker's dozen." She then made her way back into the kitchen with two sets of baked goods all packed up and resting on her head.

"Uhhh-no!" Spike yelped as he was continuing to stare at the cupcakes before Twilight pulled him away.

"Oh, that was very thoughtful of you," said Twilight, "It's just that some of the icing from the extra cupcake is getting all over the one next to it. See?" Twilight pointed a hoof at the two cupcakes as Mrs. Cake looked as well.

"Ohh...sure..." said Mrs. Cake slowly. Thought one could argue she only said that because of the old saying: the customer is always right. Before Mrs. Cake could anything further, Twilight grabbed an icing spatula from the back wall.

"Not to worry, I'll just move some of this to...hmm..." Twilight answered as she tried to move the icing about herself, "...I think I may have scooped too much...oops! Now those two have more. Let's just try this again..." As Twilight tried to "fix" the icing herself, Mrs. Cake just watched Twilight with an uneasy expression as frosting began to splatter about. Even Spike was making worried faces as Twilight continued to shift the icing about, eventually getting a huge SPLAT of frosting to the baby dragon's face. Things felt a slightly awkward when Twilight's face made twitch as a sign of a pony who was clearly being way too paranoid.

It's getting worse Spike thought worriedly.

"...Hmm...no, that won't do," Twilight said aloud as she continued "fixing" the icing, "Let me just...hmm...put some here, and...no, that's not right. A little more on this one...a little bit...and wait...I'll just...ooh, a little bit more here, and here, and...perfect!" When Twilight had finished, all the cupcakes had, in her eyes, the right amount of icing, which was just a small little dab in the center. The rest of the icing had flown off, some on Mrs. Cake while the Spike was now completely covered in it.

"Hmm, oh yea..." said Mrs. Cake...wearily, "...much better..."

"Okay," said Twilight as she put the top on the box and used her magic to carry it away, "time to tackle the next item on our...oops!" Twilight then noticed Spike covered in th frosting. "Looks like we're going to have to add "give a baby dragon a bath" to our list." Spike then extended his tongue and with a spin twirl he learned from Mario, slurped up the icing and licked himself clean.

"Very efficient!" said Twilight as they left Sugarcube Corner and Spike was now sitting on her back, "And a little bit gross."

"Eh," Spike responded with a shoulder shrug.

Once they had returned to the Library, they headed upstairs as Spike was looking over the checklist once more.

"Looks like that's everything!" Spike told her as he hopped off Twilight's back.

"Almost everything," Twilight told him as Spike noticed something at the bottom of the now rolled up checklist.

"Triple-check checklist to make sure we didn't miss anything when we double checked the checklist!" Spike read aloud, "Uh...check!" Spike went to make the check when he flinched painfully as he dropped the quill, showing that his claw was now glowing a red.

"Ugh...I've been holding that quill so long, I've got a claw cramp!" said Spike before wrapping up his hurting hand/claw up in some bandages as Twilight was looking at her cupcakes, "Well good thing we don't have anything to report to Princess Celestia this week...I don't think I could write another word!" Twilight then froze as if her heart had skipped a beat.

"We haven't send a letter to Princess Celestia this week?!" Twilight exclaimed in a panic.

"Why? Is that bad?" Spike asked casually.

"Bad? BAD? Of course it's bad!" Twilight snapped, getting into Spike's face so quickly that his arms went into the air, sending the bandage on his claw to go flying behind him, "I'm...that is...Mario and I...are supposed to send Princess Celestia a letter every week, telling her about a lesson we've learned about friendship! Not every other week, not every ten days, every...single...week!" Twilight didn't hesitate to poke the Dragon's chest and got right into his face again as she explained the situation.

"Huh?" said Spike puzzled. But Twilight was already tossing about various books near her desk.

"Ohh...Where's my calendar, where my calendar?" Twilight asked frantically as she searched about.

"Where it...always is?" Spike remarked as he walks over a drawer on the other side of the room and pulls it out. Twilight then grabbed the calendar with her magic and pulled it toward her desk, causing Spike to smack into the side of it.

"When did we send the last one?" Twilight asked as she flipped through the pages.

"Last...Tuesday?" Spike answered as he lay on the ground on his back.

"And today is..." said Twilight as she finally found the current date in her calendar book.

"Tuesday?" Spike answered again as Twilight's head shot up from the calendar in full panic, her face twitching from shock, making a face similar to Pinkie when the pink pony was suffering from depression.

"Argh! Nononononononono!" Twilight exclaimed as she rushed up another set of stairs to look outside as the sun took a single step across the sky from east to west, "If I don't send a letter by sundown, I'll be...TARDY!" Twilight looked rather panicked as a dynamic background appears around her...until Spike appears and moves it away.

"What's that now?" Spike asked as Twilight plopped onto her bed.

"Tar-dy, Spike!" Twilight repeated with a groan, "Late, I'll be late! How could I let this happen? I'm usually so organized. I've never been late with an assignment." Twilight then grabbed her blanket and wrapped herself inside it like a cocoon, her body trembling a bit.

"Oh please!" said Spike as he stood nearby before pulling off the blanket and heading downstairs, "You and Mario are the most studious students ever! I'm sure the Princess will forgive you if you two miss one deadline!" Twilight just looked down from above as she sat on her bed.

"I don't know about Mario, but I'm afraid to take that chance, Spike," said Twilight before teleporting to Spike and getting in his face again, "This is the ruler of all of Equestria we're talking about. The pony who holds my...our...fate in her hooves! What if she doesn't forgive me?"

"Yeah...I don't think she-"

"What if instead she starts thinking I'm not taking my studies on friendship seriously?" Twilight interrupted, getting more and more anxious as she paces about the room.

"Why would she-" Spike tried to speak again.

"What if she make me come back to Canterlot and puts me back in school and makes me prove I've been taking them seriously by giving me a test?!" Twilight continued, cutting Spike off again, "What if I don't pass?!" Spike just glared and shook his head at her.

"Well, why wouldn't you pass-"

"She's my teacher," Twilight exclaimed, getting in his face and then hopped forward, "Do you what teachers do to students who don't pass? They send them back a grade! But she won't just sent me back a grade. She'll send me back to...magic kindergarten." Spike just facepalmed himself as Twilight began to vision herself in the middle of kindergarten classroom and all the young fillies were laughing at her. As if the vision was just a window shade, Spike pulls down on it back it retract, bring Twilight back to reality. At least physically, mentally Twilight was just sitting on the floor with an expression of dread and fear on her face, her body trembling once more.

"Twilight? Twilight!" Spike called out to her, shaking her to snap Twilight's out of it.

"Huh?" Twilight remarked as her mind is now back in reality.

"That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!" Spike told her sternly, "You're not going to be sent back to magic kindergarten."

"You're right," said Twilight as she stood up, "I have no reason to worry. Because I'm going to solve a friend's problem and get that letter to Princess Celestia before sundown!" Spike just sighed to himself as he slumps forward.

"So...go any problems, troubles, conundrums or any sort of issues, major or minor, that as I good friend could help you solve?" Twilight asked with a big smile.

"Well..." Spike pondered, "I have this friend whose...recently kissed Mario on the lips and..."

"Something besides that!" Twilight barked, not wanting to discuss that issue at all, even if it did actually make for a good friendship problem that needed solving.

"Huh. Hmm. Huunh. Huh...I got nothin'," said Spike after some deep pondering, leaving Twilight a bit dejected...for a moment before she sighed.

"Then it looks like I'm going to have to find somepony who does," said Twilight before taking her leave. Spike just sighed to himself.

"This won't end well," he muttered to himself. Just outside the Library, Twilight was still feeling rather annoyed.

"I can't believe Spike would consider the fact I kissed Mario on the lips a friendship problem," she complained to herself, "Things are just fine between the two of us now. Sure we don't study anymore together, but Mario's still there for me if I need him and..." Twilight then realized something.

"Mario!" said Twilight, "we do those letters on lessons we learn together. Even if I haven't found a friendship problem, I'm sure he has! Mario has always come through for me in a pinch and even if he's already written up the lesson, I can just ask for his insight, take some notes, and then I'll have own letter! Squee!" Twilight excitedly took off for Mario's house and eagerly knocked on the door.

"Door is unlocked!" Mario called from inside. Twilight looked a little puzzled as she heard some laughter from inside. Twilight opened the door to find both he and Pinkie in his kitchen. They were apparently making some sandwiches and Pinkie had just drawn a mustache and goatee on Mario's face using mustard.

"Oh-huh-huh-uh! I have discovered zee master-piece-a!" Mario exclaimed with French accent as he raised a fore-hoof in the air before he and Pinkie laughed harder and they hugged each other. Twilight just looked at them funny.

"Umm...what's going on here?" Twilight asked slowly.

"We're just getting some sandwiches and food ready for the picnic later today," said Mario as Pinkie set two potato chips over her eyes.

"You like my new sun shades?" Pinkie asked.

"Oh, they look delicious, darling," said Mario, pretending to be Rarity before they laughed once more. Twilight just rolled her eyes at them.

"Heh, heh, heh," said Twilight unamused, "Mario, do you have a minute? I need to speak to you about something."

"Is it personal?" said Mario asked, tilting his head as a clue that unless Twilight gave a good reason, Pinkie was not gonna go anywhere.

"No, but...oh never mind," said Twilight, "Umm...you do know what today is right?"

"Tuesday..." Mario guessed slowly.

"The day our letter to Princess Celestia is due," said Twilight, "I came to see if you've got anything to report. If we don't send something by the end of the day, we'll be...tardy!"

"Now hold on there," said Mario, "Since when did Mom say we had to deliver a letter each week?"

"Uh...that's what we've been doing this whole time..." Twilight said slowly.

"According to her instructions," said Mario, "Princess Celestia said we must report to her our findings on the magic of friendship here in Ponyville. She never said we must report to her our findings on the magic of friendship here in Ponyville every week."

"Well we did make a nice little routine of sending her a letter every week since we've got here," Twilight replied quickly, "Don't you think she's gonna be a little concerned if we skip a week. We've always sent her a letter on Tuesday! I don't know about you, but I don't want to risk getting her angry because she finds her mail to us non-existent!"

"I'm sure Mom wouldn't be upset just because we didn't send her a letter this week," said Mario and Twilight just gasped.

"How can you be so calm about this?" said Twilight, "We're about to miss an assignment! Doesn't that get you at least a little worried?"

"Of course it did," said Pinkie, "Mario had a nervous breakdown about it last night."

"Thanks for sharing!" Mario retorted sarcastically.

"You're welcome," Pinkie replied with a squeaky smile as Mario rolled his eyes.

"My point Twilight is that the weekly deadline doesn't exist," said Mario, "sure we've made a habit of sending them weekly, but I'm surprised we kept it up this long."

"Surprised?" said Twilight.

"Friendship problems aren't issues that appear on routine like that," said Mario, "There was bound to be a week where no problems or issues occur. It's like that time we had that book report and the library and bookstores sold out on all the books we needed to complete the assignment."

"Oh please don't bring that up," Twilight remarked wearily.

"My point is that, you can't do an assignment when there no material to work with," said Mario, "If Mom has an issue about it, we can just tell her what's going on. She'll understand."

"WHAT?!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Look if it will make you feel better," said Mario as he headed over to a desk on the other side of the house, "I can write Mom a letter and tells her what's going on." Mario began to write when Twilight pushed him away and pinned him against the wall with her fore-hooves.

"Nonononono!" Twilight pleaded, "Please don't tell the Princess about this!"

"Twilight, everything is going to be fine," said Mario, "Now let go of me so I can write to Mom." Twilight looked at him with watery eyes.

"Please I beg of you!" Twilight pleaded as she literally sat on her hind legs and clasped her fore-hooves together to plead, "I'll do anything you want! I'll kiss you again on the lips, I'll date you, I'll be your marefriend! We can get married and start a family! Just please, please, please, don't tell Princess Celestia about this and let me find a friendship problem to solve!" Twilight knelt before him as she looked at him with large eyes. Mario just looked indignant. As much as he would love to have another kiss with Twilight and all those others things. He wanted Twilight to do that cause she was in love with him, not just desperate.

"Twilight..." Mario began but the purple pony just gave him the puppy dog pout.

"Okay, okay!" Mario remarked, "But you can't just make a friendship problem appear you know, even if our friends..."

"Our friends!" Twilight exclaimed, "I can go see if our other friends have any friendship problems! Mario, you're a genius!" Twilight then quickly kissed his cheek and took off from the house.

"Twilight wait!" Mario called out, "That's not what I...UGH! Why can't she ever listen to me!"

"Just give her some space," said Pinkie gently, "When she's ready for help, she'll come back." Mario just sighed. Now he was worried about Twilight too.

A clock ticking could be heard as the sun made another step across the sky. Twilight was just making her way through the town.

"You've got this, Twilight," she told herself trying to stay positive, "You have plenty of time to get that letter to Princess Celestia! Has to be somepony who needs the help of a good friend!"

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!" somepony screamed.

"Rarity!" said Twilight, getting stars in her eyes.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEKK!" Rarity screamed some more as Twilight bucked open the front door.

"Don't worry, Rarity!" said Twilight, "I'm here!" Rarity was just on a display stage sobbing.

"Why me-e-e-e-e-ee..." Rarity moaned dramatically and then gasped, "WHYYYY?! Why? Why-y?! And of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!" Rarity continued to cry while Twilight is actually smiling excitedly. This is exactly what she had been looking for.

"What's happened?" Twilight asked, trying to show concern, "Are you alright?" Rarity gasped again.

"I've lost my diamond-encrusted purple ribbon!" Rarity told her with pouty lips, "I have searched high, and I have searched low. Low and high! High and low! But I can't find it anywhere! Anywhere-e-e-e-ere! How can I possibly finish my latest creation if I can't find it?!" Rarity then summons her chasse sofa and continues to sob. Twilight seems more overjoyed about the problem than she should have been, even rubbing her fore-hooves with anticipation.

"Never fear, Rarity," said Twilight, "As you friend, I'll do my best to help you fi-"

"Oh, there it is," said Rarity, calming down instantly as she find her ribbon nearby, picks it up, and gets back to work. Twilight seems a bit stunned.

"So...you just lost your ribbon?" said Twilight slowly.

"Mm-hm!" Rarity answered as she examines the ribbon with her magic.

"But now you've found it?" Twilight added in the same tone.

"Yeah-huh," said Rarity as she used some scissors to cut the ribbon into pieces.

"And nothing else is bothering you?" Twilight asked next, "Nothing that I, a good friend could help you with?" Twilight couldn't help but give her starry-eyed smile.

"Hmm...there is one thing," said Rarity, giving Twilight some large eyes and pouty lips.

"Yes?" Twilight asked eagerly. even leaning forward to the point that her hind legs are in the air.

"I think I left my measuring tape under the fabric over there," said Rarity, "Could you get that for me?" Twilight just sighed to herself.

"Measuring tape?" Twilight said half-heartedly, "Sure." Rarity took notice of Twilight's tone.

"Twilight? Is there something bother-Twilight?" By the time Rarity turned around, Twilight had already left.

More clock ticking can be heard as the sun took another step as Twilight is once again walking through the town.

"No need to panic," Twilight told herself, "Rarity is just one pony. I'm sure one of my other friends will need me." It was then Rainbow, wearing some safety goggles, was seen making various grunts and kai noises as she karate kicked a wooden wall of a barn, then smashed through the other side. Some broken wood shards stuck to her blue fur, but she quickly shakes them off before air diving at the barn once again. Applejack, stationed in an underground bunker wearing a red helmet, crouches down and covers her head as the impact shakes her up a bit. Rainbow then karate chops some more wood planks and beams, even tearing a plank of wood off with her teeth and tossing it away. Twilight happened the walking down a path when the wood plank landed before her, startling her.

"What is the world...?" Twilight exclaimed as she saw Rainbow charging and smashing the barn, "Rainbow must be angry with Applejack! She must hate her guts! How wonderful!" Twilight gets her starry smile before taking off towards Rainbow. The blue pony was about to make another charge when...

"Rainbow Dash! Stop!" Twilight called out, causing the blue pony to come to a halt and found that her tail was being held in the air by Twilight's magic. The purple pony approached her, "Listen, Rainbow. I know you're upset with Applejack, but don't worry. Whatever it is that has come between you two, I'm sure that I, as a good friend, can help you resolve your problems." That was then Twilight let go and Rainbow hit the ground with a THUD.

"Uh, what are you talking about?" Rainbow asked puzzled.

"Oh Rainbow Dash, you don't have to hide your feeling from me!" said Twilight as she rubs the blue pony's shoulder, "I can tell you two must've had a terrible fight." Rainbow was still puzzled before she found herself sitting in a therapy sofa. Twilight had found herself a pair of glasses to wear and had tied her mane into a bun and used her magic to hold a clipboard.

"Now, why don't you tell me all about your issues with Applejack," said Twilight gently, patting Rainbow on the head.

"I don't have any issues with Applejack," Rainbow said plainly.

"You don't?" Twilight asked puzzled, "Then why are you destroying her property?"

"Because she asked me to," Rainbow answered as she sat up, "Right Applejack?"

"Yes, ma'am," Applejack agreed as she lifted her helmet off her head, "I wanted to put up a new barn, but this one's gotta come down first. Hehe. Now get back to it, R.D." Applejack put her helmet back on and ducked back into her bunker.

"You got it, boss!" Rainbow called out and started to ascend into the sky.

"I'd take cover if I were you," said Applejack. Twilight just looked puzzled as the orange pony ducked down. Twilight then noticed that as Rainbow flew high into the sky she began to air dive right at the barn, giving a loud battle cry. Twilight yelped as she ducked into the bunker. A few seconds later...

BOOOOOOOOOM! RAINBOW 'SPLOSION!

Large amounts of rubble and dirt landed right on top of both ponies. Applejack just quickly popped out with huge smile on her face and jumped out of the bunker. Twilight just popped out with a sigh before heading on her way. The rubble had messed up her mane and tail slightly, but Twilight was too focused on her own mission to care.

The clock continued to tick as the sun made another step across the sky as Twilight made her way towards Fluttershy's cottage.

"I can't believe I wasted all that time," said Twilight with a sigh, "I should have just come here first. Fluttershy always has some fear she's trying to get over. As a good friend, I'll be able to help her." Twilight walked around the house to see Fluttershy standing before a bear. The bear roared as Fluttershy ran under his legs to get away, the bear looked under for a second before Fluttershy grunts as she give the bear a hard karate kick, knocking the bear into his back and pulling his hind leg from behind making the bear groan in pain and pound his fists to the ground.

"Fluttershy?" said Twilight in deep shock. Fluttershy then does a stomp attack on the bears back. Twilight knew Fluttershy could have only learned that from Mario. The bear just began cry for mercy. Twilight's jaw literally dropped as Fluttershy twisted the bears neck aggressively and then flipped the bear into his back for the victory. Twilight just couldn't believe what she had seen.

"How can this be happening?" said Twilight, still in disbelief, "Of all the days she had to stop being such a scardy pony, she had to pick today?! What am I going to do?!" Twilight just walked sadly away. If she had stayed a few seconds longer, she would have seen that the bear had enjoyed the tussle.

"You really should have come to me sooner," said Fluttershy as she used her fore-hooves to gently rub his back, "you were carrying so much tension in that shoulder." The bear just growled contently with its tongue was hanging out of its mouth.

With her opportunities to help her friends non-existent, Twilight was now laying down on a park bench with her tail tucked between her legs as she brushed it with one of her fore-hooves.

"It's fine, It'll all be fine. The day isn't over yet," Twilight told herself before she sat up and looked at the sun in the sky, "But it will be over soon!" The sun inched closer to the western horizon and more clock ticking could heard. Twilight groaned as she sat on the bench.

"It'll all be over!" said Twilight as she looked at herself in a puddle of water and tears began to fall from her eyes, "My time in Ponyville! My advanced studies!" Twilight then tried to recompose herself.

"Nono," Twilight told her reflection as she rubbed her hooves, "You're a good student. You can do this." She gave herself a hoof pump to emphasize her point.

"Ooh! But what if I can't?" said Twilight's reflection with a fearful and worried look on her face.

"You can!" Twilight told her reflection, who was on the verge of tears, "You just need to keep it together. Keep. It. Together!" Twilight sternly stared at her reflection as she leaned her face at the water when Spike came along carrying a package.

"Are you talking to...yourself?" Spike asked uneasily. He slowly walked up and waved his hand over her face since Twilight was too in the moment to reply, "Twilight?" Twilight just blinked before she sat up. She soon noticed some little fillies just laughing at the distance, making her left ear impulsively twitch. The foals suddenly turned into dark shadows that started laughing at her, making her stare blankly at them until Spike literally bursts Twilight's little bubble.

"Snap out of it!" Spike yelled sternly.

"Huh?" Twilight just sat on the ground on her back, her mane and tails looking even more frazzled.

"Are you okay?" Spike asked with concern. Twilight just shakes her head a bit, still looking at the three fillies, who were just jumping rope and playing together.

"Twilight, I'm really worried," said Spike since Twilight still wasn't listening to him and was blinking, rubbing her eyes, blinked again, and just sat facing away from him with a slight wobble to her stance, "I mean this letter thing is really getting to you. Here. You've been so anxious all day that you completely forgot about the picnic. Why don't you try to relax and go hang out with-"

"The picnic," Twilight exclaimed, nearly doing a one-eighty of her head and startled Spike as she grabbed the box with her magic, "I should go see my friends!" Twilight then took off to meet the other ponies.

"I'm glad you've come to your senses," said Spike with some relief, but inwardly was a little worried.

Mario, please get Twilight to come to her senses, Spike thought, She's gonna drive herself insane if someone doesn't get through to her...

In another part of the park, Pinkie happily bounced over with her own little picnic basket. As she sets the basket down and removed the checkered cloth as some balloons pop out and carry the basket high into the sky. Fluttershy just watched the balloons disappear as Pinkie gave her a puzzled look. Meanwhile, Applejack was laying out their picnic cloth for their lunch and Rainbow, wearing some sunglasses, is busy putting on some sunscreen. Rarity was busy shuffling through her own basket.

"Please tell me I did not forget the plates," said Rarity and gasped when she realized she had, "I did. I totally forgot them. Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!" Fluttershy just made an unamused face as Rarity summoned her chasse sofa and threw herself on it to cry.

"Oh why, why, why..." Rarity sobbed until she noticed everyone is either just staring or glaring at her, "...Uh...What? You didn't expect me to lay on the grass, did you?" The others just gave her more stares and skeptical looks when they heard the sound of someone sliding down a nearby pole. They all looked and saw that it was Mario as he made his own picnic basket appear and wearing a brown beret on his head.

"Ooh, what's with the chapeau darling?" Rarity asked with a smile. Mario just looked a little shy.

"Well...you girls are always saying that I should show a little confidence and go with my gut on such things," said Mario timidly, "And well...if it looks silly I'll just..."

"No no keep it on!"

"We love it"

"Awesome!"

"Looking good, Mario!"

"It's fabulous darling!" said the five girls as Mario smiled and set his basket down as Rainbow reclined against the blanket with a smashed box appears behind her head. Rainbow lowered her shades and looks up to see...Twilight?!

"Whoa!" Mario exclaimed as he saw her and leaned away nervously. Twilight just gave them a maniacal smile, her mane and tail looking even more frazzled. Everyone just looked at her uneasily as they stood side by side.

"You alright, hun?" Applejack asked as she took a step forward.

"No! I am not alright," said Twilight loudly with large eyes. The six ponies all chatter about with each other in worry and shock.

"It's just terrible," Twilight told them with her head down.

"Yes?" the six ponies said at once, leaning forward.

"Simply awful," said Twilight worried.

"Yes!?" the six ponies asked, leaning forward again.

"It's the most horrific trouble I've ever been in and I really, really, really need your help!" Twilight pleaded.

"YES!?" the six ponies repeated, now feeling very worried and concerned.

"My...Our...letter to Princess Celestia is almost overdue," Twilight told them, pressing both her fore-hooves to her head and looking at them with worried eyes, "And I haven't learned anything about friendship!" The six ponies just breathed a huge sigh of relief and smile to each other.

"This again," Mario muttered.

"Oh thank goodness," said Fluttershy, "I thought something really awful had happened." Twilight was taken aback, making a groan that sounded like she was being strangled. She immediately teleported to Rainbow, who turned away in annoyance.

"Something awful has happened!" Twilight exclaimed before teleporting to Rarity, making the marshmallow pony do a spit take, "If I don't turn in the letter on time, I'll be tardy!" Twilight then teleported towards Applejack as she knelt on her hind legs.

"TARDY!" Twilight cried out in desperation. Mario just looked rather worried as the other girls just started to laugh at her. Twilight felt rather angry. The sound of a kettle whistle could be heard as her cheeks turned slightly red.

"No offense, sugarcube," said Applejack as she gently pushed Twilight away with both her fore-hooves, "but it looks like somepony's gettin' themselves all worked up for nothin'!"

"This is not nothing," Twilight snapped before she swatted Applejack's hooves away from her, "This is everything." Twilight then scurried across the picnic blanket, moving from Rainbow to Fluttershy.

"I need you guys to help me find somepony with a problem I can fix before sundown!" Twilight cried out as she stopped moving about then glared sternly at Pinkie, "My whole life depends on it!"

"Oh, Twilight, you're such a crack-up!" Pinkie giggled before she started to laugh.

"Come on now," said Applejack as Twilight just glared at the others, "Have a seat and stop sweatin' the small stuff."

"Ugh...UGH!" Twilight groaned in annoyance twice before taking off and teleporting away.

"Wow, I've never seen Twilight so upset before," Fluttershy told the others.

"Oh, what a drama queen," said Rarity, earning the marshmallow pony some dirty looks, "Mm, relatively speaking..." Rarity chuckled sheepishly as she looked away. It was then the five girls noticed that Mario looked rather upset himself.

"Hey, don't let Twilight get you all tied up in a knot, bro," Rainbow told him.

"You don't understand," said Mario, "I've seen Twilight go stir crazy before, but I've never seen anything as bad as this!"

"I'm sure she's just overreacting," said Rarity.

"Either way," said Mario, "I can't just sit back and let her be alone like this. I get like that too sometimes so I can sympathize with what's going on in her head. I'll be right back everypony. Enjoy the sandwiches." Mario then teleported after Twilight. It wasn't long before he arrived inside the Library seeing Twilight frantically pacing back and forth across the floor.

"Must find friendship problem! Must find friendship problem!" Twilight repeated frantically, "Friendship problem me findie!" Mario looked even more worried as Spike walked up to him with a stern look on his face.

"Do something!" Spike snapped. Mario took a slow deep breath and approached the rather frazzled pony.

"Twilight?" Mario said gently as Twilight was rubbing her fore-hooves and staring at a bookshelf.

"You have a friendship problem for me?" Twilight said frantically with a smile that showed she was on the brink of a mental breakdown.

"Uhh...no," said Mario as Twilight groaned and plopped to the floor. She then sat up instantly a second later.

"I know, I can spy on the other ponies in town," said Twilight, "I can use my magic so I can watch them all, watch their every move, and when a friendship problem comes, I can save the day!"

"TWILIGHT!" Mario shouted sternly, making her flinch as he walked up to her.

"Listen to yourself!" said Mario in the same tone, "What you're considering is crazy! Nothing is going to happen if you don't submit that letter. There was nothing in the instructions that we had to do this weekly. You're not missing an assignment and you're not tardy!"

"But..."

"You are not missing an assignment and you're not tardy!" Mario repeated, this time getting in her face. Twilight just looked nervously until she let out a long sigh.

"Okay...okay," said Twilight.

"Are you gonna calm down and relax?" Mario asked her, still looking at her sternly.

"Mm-hm," Twilight replied with a soft smile. Mario was skeptical but just sighed and pulled back a bit.

"Alright then," said Mario, "Take a few deep breaths, brush your mane and tail, and come back to the picnic with us. I made your favorite sandwiches and I'll bet you haven't eaten anything all day have you?" Twilight's stomach growled as she gave him a sheepish smile. Mario chuckled.

"No worries, it's hard to eat when your anxious," said Mario sympathetically.

"Alright, I'll get myself ready then," said Twilight, "see you a bit." Mario nodded as he and Spike watched her head upstairs. Spike just looked indignantly.

"You don't really believe her do you?" Spike asked curiously as Mario's face went from cheerful to irritated.

"Not for one second," Mario snorted, "I'm sorry it's come to this but Twilight leaves me no choice. I'm going over her head."

"Whoa..." said Spike, taken aback hearing Mario suggest something like that.

"Spike, take a letter," said Mario, "I have something that needs to be sent to Mom right away."

"Way ahead of you," said Spike as he pulled out an already written letter, "Does this sound okay?" Mario quickly read over and nodded.

"Couldn't have said it better myself, Spike," said Mario, "send it now. I'm going back to the picnic." Spike nodded and sent the letter as Mario teleported back to the park.

True, to Mario's suspicions, Twilight had continued on with her panic attack in her bedroom, which was now pushing her to the brink of insanity as she chuckled to herself.

"Oh my poor sweet Mario," Twilight said to herself in a tone that was anything but natural, "You might not care about disappointing the Princess, but I don't have that luxury. I'm gonna do whatever it takes to not disappoint her and neither you or any other pony is going to stop me. Nopony will stop me!" Twilight laughed maniacally as she noticed the sun take another step forward as the sound of a clock was heard.

"Clock is ticking, Twilight. Clock. Is Ticking," Twilight told herself, making the face of a pony gone mad.

"Keep it together," said Twilight as she paced about her room and then saw her blue chest, "If I can't find a friendship problem...I'll make a friendship problem!" Twilight used her magic to open her chest and rubs her fore-hooves in a devious manner. Twilight had officially gone insane.

As the sun continued to make its way further west, a red bird was about to settle down in its nest. The bird was then startled when Twilight rose from the bush with the nest on her head and a creepy smile on her face. Twilight made some insane giggles as she eyeballed the Cutie Mark Crusaders in the distance. The three fillies were just giggling about as they played with their ball. Just as the ball landed in the middle of them before it began to glow and expand. Twilight then popped right out of it.

"Hi girls!" said Twilight with a creepy smile and her left ear twitching twice.

"Oh, hi, Twilight," said Apple Bloom, feeling a little disturbed at Twilight's appearance and her smile as Scootaloo looked at the purple pony suspiciously and Sweetie Belle just had a blank look on her face, "How's it go-"

"Gr-eat, just great," said Twilight, cutting off Apple Bloom as sweat drops down the purple ponies face as she paces towards them, making the three fillies back away, "You three look like you're doing great too. Looks like three good friends who obviously don't need the help of another good friend." Twilight managed to get between Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle as she finished her remark by getting into Scootaloo's face. Her left ear twitched again as her eyes were now showing rings under them as she presented them a raggedy doll that had one eye missing, old yarn hair, and some polka dot bottoms.

"This is Smarty Pants," said Twilight as she nuzzled the doll affectionately, "She was mine when I was your age, and now I want to give her to you!" She hovered the doll before the three fillies, who just looked at the doll skeptically.

"That's...um...great," said Scootaloo, struggling to find something nice to say.

"Yeah, great," Apple Bloom added in the same tone.

"I really...like her...mane," said Sweetie Belle with an uncertain tone. Twilight rushed up to them.

"She even comes with her own notebook and quill," said Twilight as she gave Scootaloo the notebook and tucks the quill behind Sweetie Belle's ear, "for when you want to pretend she's doing her homework!" Twilight then rubbed her fore-hooves together as her head dangled to one side. The three fillies were getting worried and uncomfortable.

"That's...um...great," said Scootaloo with no enthusiasm in her voice.

"Yeah...great," Apple Bloom slowly and skeptically before they jabbed Sweetie Belle to say something.

"I really like her...mane?" Sweetie Belle repeated.

"I just hope the fact that there are three of you and only one of her doesn't become a problem," said Twilight as she moved the doll before turning away as dark shadows appear around her face, which gave Twilight a devious smile and she made other insane faces, "I'd hate to cause a rift between such good friends." It was then Scootaloo rotated a fore-hoof on the side of her head to the other fillies, emphasizing that she felt Twilight was...cuckoo. It didn't last long before Twilight shoved the doll into their faces again.

"So, who wants to play with her first?" Twilight asked eagerly.

"Uh...You should play with her first, Sweetie Belle," said Apple Bloom as she pushed the marshmallow filly forward and took off, "Y 'know, 'cause you like her mane so much." Sweetie Belle's eyes shrunk for a moment.

"Nononononono, I think Scootaloo should get to play with her first," Sweetie Belle answered as she took off. Scootaloo looked back to see its now just her and the doll.

"I'd love to, but, um, you take her, Apple Bloom," said Scootaloo nervously and went to grab Apple Bloom, who was being pushed by Sweetie Belle to take the doll and Scootaloo started to pull her red mane. Apple Bloom managed to break free.

"Applejack says it's important to share," said Apple Bloom as she tries to push Sweetie Belle towards the doll, but the marshmallow filly resists. Soon Twilight realized that they are fighting more not to play with the doll rather than fighting over it.

I gotta think of something! Twilight thought nervously, Thinkthinkthinkthinkthink, Twilight. Think! Twilight then gasped.

That's it! Twilight told herself as she clapped one fore-hoof on top of the other.

"Ooh, you're going to like Smarty Pants," said Twilight sinisterly, "And you're going to like her more than anything!" Twilight then leaned forward and sent out a ray of hearts towards the doll, enchanting it as the doll landed before the fighting fillies. It didn't take long before the eyes of the three fillies changed into hearts.

"I want it," said Scootaloo with a gasp.

"I need it," Apple Bloom added.

"I really like her mane!" Sweetie Belle repeated before the three fillies were literally fighting over the doll like Twilight had planned. Twilight reeled back a bit before seeing her plan had worked.

"The "want it, need it" spell, works every time," said Twilight before teleporting to the other side of the fight and stood ready for action, "Okay, okay, let's break it up. I think we can all see that there is an important lesson to be learned here about-"

SMACK

"Ugh!" said Twilight as the three fillies bashed into her and knocked her back, "C'mon here girls, we're all friends here right? Don't you think you ought to share?"

"No way!" Apple Bloom retorted as she stuck her head out of the fight cloud . Twilight looked annoyed before she dived into the fight cloud to break them up the hard away, but seconds later came flying out and crashed into Big Mac upside down. He was apparently carrying a bucket in his mouth.

"Big Macintosh! Thank goodness!" said Twilight with relief, "You've gotta help me get that doll away from those girls!" Twilight pointed towards the fighting girls.

"Eeyup," said Big Mac plainly before setting down his bucket, walking up casually, and plucked the doll out of the fight without any trouble whatsoever.

"Oh thank you so much," said Twilight, "Now if you could just give her to me?" Before Twilight could grab it with her magic, Big Mac ran off with it.

"Nnnope," Big Mac replied, eyes showing he was now affected by the spell.

"Oh no!" Twilight exclaimed.

"Give her back! Don't touch it! It's mine!" the three fillies complained as they chased Big Mac across the park for the doll. They soon came across Mayor Mare, who had been sitting on a chair reading a book.

"What's all the commotion about?" she demanded.

"They're fighting over that doll!" Orange Swirl pointed out.

"That incredible, amazing doll!" Bon Bon added as she and several other ponies were now wanting the doll for themselves. Dozens of ponies were soon arguing over the doll as they literally buried Big Mac alive trying to claim it. Twilight tried to push her way through the crowd of fighting ponies so she could disable the spell.

"Can't...get...a clear shot..." Twilight grunted as every time she found her target, somepony got in her way. Big Mac was about to submerge when Mayor Mare snagged the doll for herself.

"Gimme!" she exclaimed and ran off. Then...

BOOM!

Several ponies went flying in all directions as Big Mac bashed his way out of the pony made mountain.

"Nope," Big Mac said determined and went after Mayor Mare and other ponies went after her. Twilight was left agape as she saw the ruckus unfold.

"Oh, what have I done?!" said Twilight wearily.

Meanwhile, the five girls and Mario were just relaxing by their blanket. Rainbow was just reclining lazily on the blanket. Pinkie was just poking a picnic cloth in another basket. Rarity and Fluttershy were chatting with each other and Applejack was just leaning against a tree, hat tilted over her eyes as she sucked on a wheat stalk. Mario was sitting next to her, trying to relax, but was now feeling rather worried herself. Fluttershy took notice.

"Still worried about Twilight?" she asked from her side of the picnic blanket.

"Yeah," said Mario, "You should've seen how Twilight was acting when I got there. I haven't seen a pony that unraveled since..."

"Don't bring up the Gala," said Fluttershy with a glare.

"Or my birthday!" Pinkie added.

"Sorry," said Mario, "I just hope I did the right thing..." He had informed them about his decision to have Spike send a letter to the Princess about the matter.

"You did," said Rainbow bluntly, "You're not snitching on Twilight for doing anything wrong, just to get her to chill out."

"True," said Mario when suddenly there was a rumble approaching, which woke up Applejack.

"Y'all hear that?" the orange pony asked the others before a huge cloud of arguing ponies trampled through their picnic blanket.

"What in the name of all things oats n apples is goin' on here?!" Applejack asked, turning to Pinkie as Mario stood beside the pink pony with a face that meant somepony was in big trouble.

"I can make a pretty good guess," Mario snarled as the pony continued their pursuit of Mayor Mare. Then a Pegasus pony swooped down and intercepted the doll, which only cause a tug of war in the sky as another Pegasus tried to pull it away from the other. They eventually lose grip of it and the doll lands near Rainbow. The blue Pegasus went to look at it and was nearby enchanted as well before a certain purple pony appeared.

"Don't look at it!" she called out, shutting Rainbow's eyes and turning her head away.

"Don't look at what?" Rarity asked curiously.

"My Smarty Pants doll," Twilight answered, letting go of Rainbow's head so she tumbled into her back, "I enchanted her and now everypony is fighting over her!" The other ponies had broken up into smaller fights as the doll began to bounce from one fight cloud to the next.

"Why would you enchant your doll?" Fluttershy asked.

"Oh, I had to do something!" Twilight retorted with worry as she crutched to the ground with her hooves on her head, "I had nothing to report to Princess Celestia." Mario had heard enough as his temper boiled.

"GRRRRRRR-RAH! I don't know why I even bother trying to help you anymore!" Mario yelled, making Twilight cower back as he got into her face, "You never listen to me! I told you everything was going to be fine! WHY CAN'T YOU JUST TRUST ME!"

"I'm sorry! I had to try and send something!" Twilight protested, "I thought if I couldn't find a problem, I'd make a problem! The day is almost over!"

"Not almost," said Applejack as the sun slowly made its way past the horizon, declaring that the day was over. Twilight just lowered her head in defeat.

"TWILIGHT SPARKLE!" a stern but bold voice called from above. For their hovering above them all in a bright light was Princess Celestia herself.

"Whoa...nelly," said Applejack as she removed her hat.

"This can't be good," Mario added as he and the six girls looked at the alicorn fearfully. Princess Celestia then flashed a bright light from her horn, removing the enchantment from the doll and all the ponies affected by it. This made everyone stop arguing and even Mayor Mare was shocked to see that she was hoof wresting with Muffins as the doll landed before them all. The other ponies just shared both sheepish and silly smiles. Mayor Mare felt rather embarassed as her face turned bright red. She just stomped the doll, making it give a loud squeak as she and the other ponies dispersed, leaving just Big Mac and the doll on the ground. Big Mac looked about for a couple of seconds. Then he grabbed the doll, giving a loud neigh as he ran off with it, showing that he genuinely wanted the doll by the hearts in his eyes. Mario and Applejack watched him run off with disturbed looks on their faces.

"What is seen cannot be unseen," Mario remarked as Applejack nodded in agreement before turning their attention towards the Princess, who was still glaring sternly at Twilight. Twilight was cowering as Applejack was biting her upper lip and the others looked just as worried as the bright light around Princess Celestia faded.

"Meet me in the library," Princess Celestia told Twilight sternly. Mario took a step forward.

"Mom, please..."

"Both of you," She added, making Mario nervous, before taking to the sky.

"Goodbye, girls," said Twilight sadly as she stood up and looked at them with teary eyes, "if you care to visit, I'll be in magic kindergarten, back in Canterlot." Twilight then turned to walk. She noticed that Mario was waiting for her. The colt just gave her a stern glare before shaking his head and walking ahead of her. Twilight just looked at him sadly before following a short distance behind. The other five ponies were slowly starting to put two and two together.

"Magic kindergarten?" said Fluttershy in shock.

"Canterlot?" Rainbow added in the same tone.

"We're never gonna see Twilight again!" said Pinkie as she covered her face with her fore-hooves, "and the Princess might even send Mario away too!"

"Uh, what are we gonna do, y'all?" Applejack asked worried as she put a comforting fore-hoof on Pinkie's back.

"Of all the worst things that could have happened," said Rarity, getting ready to be overdramatic again, "this is...THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!" The other ponies just looked at her with skeptical or annoyed looks.

"What?" Rarity asked innocently, "I really meant it this time!" The others just rolled their eyes.

Meanwhile, Mario and Twilight were just outside the Library. No words had been said the entire way back as Mario went to grab the door.

"Wait!" Twilight called out. Mario just stood with his back against her and didn't move. Twilight looked at him sadly.

"I'm sorry," said Twilight sadly, "I know that's not enough but...please don't hate me..." Mario just sighed.

"I'll never hate you," he said softly, "just because I'm hurt doesn't mean I don't love you. Now come on." Twilight whimpered as Mario opened the door, gesturing for her to go first.

"Twilight, I'm giving you a second chance," said Mario, "will you trust me? Even though you're scared?" Twilight just took a deep breath and bravely went inside. Mario smiled to himself for a second before walking inside as well. There was Princess Celestia, waiting for the both of them. She had already informed Spike that the three ponies were to be left alone, but Spike still eavesdropped quietly behind a book shelf. Twilight made her way over to the Princess and crutched low fearfully as the Princess just looked at her sternly. Mario just stood close by. In despite of how angry he was with Twilight, his heart couldn't take seeing Twilight like this.

"Mom," Mario said boldly, taking a step forward, "Please have mercy on Twilight. She never meant any harm. You know as well as I do how hard it is think rationally when your panicking. Remember all those times I made those mistakes with you. Even when the spells cause chaos and mayhem, I never meant to hurt anypony. I was just...scared to disappoint you...Twilight felt the same way..."

"Mario, that's enough!" said Princess Celestia boldly.

"Twilight knows her actions have consequences," Mario continued to speak bravely, "Let me have her punishment!" Twilight gasped in shock. Even Princess Celestia was taken aback but recomposed herself.

"Why would you do that?" Princess Celestia said sternly, "Mario, I know you care deeply for Twilight, but do you think this will change her feelings about you? She's already made it clear that you are only friends and nothing more! What do you have to gain by taking the fall for her actions? It could mean having to leave Ponyville." Mario just looked at her bravely.

"Because when you truly love someone," said Mario firmly, "their happiness always comes first. I want Twilight to be happy and she is happy living here in Ponyville. Even if it means giving up my own happiness, her happiness will always come before mine." Twilight was fighting harder than ever not to break down in tears. Mario's words had really touched her heart. She didn't even know that Princess Celestia had taken notice.

"Mario..." said Princess Celestia firmly, "I want you to step aside and let me hear what Twilight has to say. At the end of the day, I make the final decision on who gets punished. That's an order, young man." Mario just looked at her sadly before backing up a few steps and sat next to Twilight's left side.

"If there's no more interruptions," Princess Celestia continued, "I'd like to discuss with Twilight why she thought it appropriate to use such a spell in the first place. I do not enjoy seeing unicorns misuse their magic."

"But...but...I...we are supposed to send you a letter about friendship every week," said Twilight, "I missed the deadline. I'm a bad student! I'm...tardy!" Twilight just lowered her head sadly.

"You are a wonderful student, Twilight," said Princess Celestia, "I don't need to get a letter every week to know that." Mario nodded quietly in agreement.

"Really?" said Twilight as she lifted her head to look at the Princess when suddenly the other five girls came barreling through the front door. Rainbow dived inside, did a somersault, and then landed between Twilight and the Princess.

"Wait!" Rainbow called out, raising a fore-hoof in the air.

"You can't punish her!" said Pinkie as she rushed next to her

"It wasn't her fault!" Applejack added from behind Twilight. Princess Celestia gave Mario a glance. He just shrugged his shoulders as a sign he had nothing to do with this.

"I'm listening," said Princess Celestia.

"Please, your Highness," said Fluttershy as she sat next to the Princess, "We all saw that Twilight was upset."

"But we thought that the thing she was worrying about wasn't worth worrying about," Rainbow added.

"So when she ran off all worked up," Applejack added as Pinkie gave Twilight a comforting nuzzle under the chin. Twilight was also standing up at this point, "not a single one of us tried to stop her. Well...Mario did, but...we should have as well."

"Just like Mario, and as Twilight's good friends," Rarity added, "we should have taken her feelings seriously and been there for her!"

"Please don't take her or Mario away from us just because we were too insensitive to help," Fluttershy added as she and everypony else gave her sad looks. It was only a second later that Princess Celestia expression softened.

"Looks like you all learned a pretty valuable lesson today," Princess Celestia remarked as they all looked at her sadly.

"Mm-hmm," said Applejack, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Rainbow, and Rarity together. Twilight was back to crutching on the floor, still feeling rather worried.

"Very well," said Princess Celestia, "I'll forget Twilight's "punishment" on one condition." The others all spoke at once to agree, wondering what the condition was as Princes Celestia gracefully leaped over them towards the door leading to the balcony.

"From this day forth, I would like you all to report to me your findings on the magic of friendship when, and only when, you happen to discover them," Princess Celestia told them as she gave Twilight and Mario a wink. Everyone cheered as Pinkie bounced about and Rainbow warped a hoof around Twilight for a side hug. Then Twilight realized something and went after the Princess.

"Princess Celestia, wait!" said Twilight as the Princess was about to take flight, "How did you know that I was in trouble?"

"Your friends Spike and Mario made me aware that you were letting your fears get the best of you," Princess Celestia explained as Spike got caught eavesdropping and went to hide while Pinkie, Applejack, Mario, Fluttershy, and Rarity appeared in view, "I commend them both for taking your feelings seriously. And before I go, I do have one more favor to ask of you."

"What is it Princess?" Twilight asked as Princess Celestia leaned into her ear.

"You know as well as I do that a girl doesn't just kiss a guy on the lips cause they are your best friend," Princess Celestia pointed out, "I know you have forgiven each other over what happened with Discord, but I feel like things between you have still been left unresolved. And I know you two were happier working together." Twilight sighed.

"You're right," said Twilight, "but I'm afraid, Princess. Even...I don't know why I did that. And that's the truth." Princess Celestia just smiled.

"All I ask is that you be honest with my son," she told her student, "It's the reason why I summoned both of you and not just you alone. So please talk things out before the day is over." Twilight just smiled and gave her a brave nod.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I must return to Canterlot," said Princess Celestia as she pulled away and raised her wings, "I'm expecting some mail." Twilight smiled as she watched the Princess fly away and then teleport in front of the moon before heading back inside.

"Y'all heard the Princess," said Applejack, "Spike, take a letter." The said dragon was leaning against the wall as he pulled out a parchment and quill from his back as Twilight walked into the room. Twilight then pulled Spike in for a grateful and tender hug. She then turned to Mario and raised a hoof to hug him but then...

SMACK!

"GASP!" the other ponies and Spike gasped as Twilight smacked a hoof across Mario's cheek.

"What was that for?" Mario asked in shock, rubbing his sore check.

"What were you thinking?" Twilight demanded.

"About what?" Mario asked, not sure he had done to deserve a smack.

"Why would you do that?" Twilight demanded again, "why would you offer to take my punishment? You could have been sent away! And yes, I heard everything you said about my happiness meaning more to you than your own!"

"Maybe that's just how much I love my best friend," Mario answered. Twilight's eyes began to build up tears.

"If you really loved me you would know that I would never be happy if you left," Twilight retorted as her voice cracked and she lost her grip on all the tears she had been holding back from today, from all those weeks since she had hurt Mario in the first place, "none of us would be if you left us. We all want you here in Ponyville! I want you here in Ponyville! I need you Mario! I need you here with me at the library. I...I...miss...you..." Twilight began to cry as Mario slowly walked up to her. He was about to pull her into a hug when she lifted her head to look at him. The others just watched quietly, wondering what would happen.

"Just before I restored you from Discord's influence," Twilight continued in a broken tone. "I remember you telling me that I shouldn't bother to save you, because you thought you weren't worth it."

"I'd rather not remember that," said Mario sadly, "I still regret that I let Discord corrupt you all."

"That's not your fault!" Twilight croaked, "It's all mine! You only felt that way because I took you for granted. You've done so much for me over the years and have gotten so little in return. When I saw you so...broken, I wanted to just show you how much your friendship has meant to me."

"Is that why you kissed me on the lips?" Mario asked.

"Yes," said Twilight as her tears continued to stream down her cheeks, "Nothing else felt good enough. Plus...you told me after that it was your first time ever kissed on the lips, making it your first kiss. Well...just so you know...that was my first time kissing a colt on the lips too." Mario blinked as the others couldn't resist cooing, except for Spike who just stuck a finger in his mouth.

"Wow," said Mario, "Am I really so important to you that you would give me such a rare gift?" Twilight smiled as she continued to cry.

"Sorry if I upset you by doing that," Twilight continued, "I mean...I do like you. And I mean like you, but...I still not sure if its love or not. I've spent nights just trying to find an answer because I know I never wanted to hurt you like I did ever again. It's why I've been so scared to speak up. I don't want to give you false hope. I want you to be happy..." Mario just smiled and embraced Twilight tenderly as she just lost her voice in her tears. Twilight couldn't help but cry a little harder as Mario held her for a minute or two. The other ponies just smiled to each other, some like Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rarity were shedding a few tears at the moment. Even Rainbow felt herself sniffing a bit before she turned away so no one could see her cry.

"So, you miss me and want me to come back to studying with you," said Mario once they pulled away and Mario used a fore-hoof to wipe away Twilight's tears, "Alright then, but...I may ask for one condition..."

"Name it," said Twilight as she wiped her eyes herself.

"I want to make you a new schedule that will help you complete everything you need to do while still making time for your friends. And it will allow for the two of us to spend some real time together," said Mario, "I keep feeling like that it was because of your fear and insecurities why you have gotten too hyper-organized in recent days. I mean triple checking your checklists, getting a little crazy over a baker's dozen of cupcakes and complaining that the icing of one cupcake is driving you nuts?" Twilight blushed as she chuckled sheepishly.

"Well...you love a girl who's got a problem," said Twilight shyly, "and anxiety issues."

"I wouldn't love her any other way," said Mario sweetly, "and I can help you not feel like you have to be so controlling over your daily life and have some flexibility when the unexpected does occur. Remember, Twilight, you're not alone in your problems anymore. We've all learned a valuable lesson about being there for each other. We're always here for you." Twilight looked at Mario and then the rest of her friends smiled.

"And spending more time one on one might help us find out if we're meant to be more than friends," Mario added, "if...you're willing to leave that door open?" Twilight chuckled.

"I think that sound's fair," said Twilight, "after all, I'd like to do another platforming/parkour run with you again. That was so much fun!" Mario laughed as the two shared a warm hug. The others cheered. A little while later, they were all gathered at a podium as Applejack lowered her hat to begin what was going to be a group letter.

"Dear Princess Celestia," Applejack began, "We're writtin' to you because today we all learned a little something about friendship."

"We learned that you should take your friend's worries seriously," said Fluttershy.

"Even if you don't think that he or she has anything to worry about," Rainbow added as she lay on her stomach.

"And that you shouldn't let your worries turn a small problem..." Rarity added as she sat comfortably on a purple pillow.

"...into an enormously huge entire-town-in-total-chaos Princess-has-to-come-and-save-the-day problem," Pinkie said as she made a superhero pose and plopped to the floor.

"And that good friends should never be afraid to admit that they need each other and can tell one another what's bothering them or on their mind," Mario concluded as Twilight nodded in agreement.

"Signed, your loyal subjects," Applejack finished.

"P.S." Spike began as he went to write his own opinion, "Obviously Spike did not have to learn a lesson, because he is the best, most awesome friend a pony could ask for. Unlike everypony else, he took things seriously and-"

"Ahem," said Mario indignantly as Twilight walked up to Spike shaking her head. The baby dragon lifted his head to see everypony giving him dirty looks.

"Eheh...uh...yeah..." Spike stuttered, "I'll just...um..." Spike marked a large X over what he wrote, making the other's laugh. Spike just glared at them, snorting through his nose. Thought he was hoping that things really would go back to normal between Mario and Twilight.

The next morning, Twilight gave a yawn and stretched her fore-hooves as got ready for the day. She then peaked downstairs and found Mario already gathering the books for today's studies. She gave a soft, happy squeal before rushing downstairs and hugging him tightly.

"You came!" she exclaimed happily.

"I said I come back first thing in the morning," said Mario, "So what did you wanna cover first?" Twilight smiled as she headed towards the front door and opened it.

"How about we take a walk, just you and me, then pick up something at Sugarcube for breakfast?" Twilight proposed, "We can get started a little latter." Mario blinked a bit in surprised, but then chuckled.

"After you my lady," Mario said chivalrously. Twilight giggled as she made her exit with Mario not far behind.

"Be back later Spike!" Mario called out as he closed the door. Spike just waved them off and got back to his chores. Spike just smiled.

Maybe now things will finally return to normal, Spike thought, Of course, if they do realize they are in love, I just hope I can stomach all the sappiness. Eugh!

I wouldn't go so far at the say Twilight and Mario are now "best friends who are dating" but it's definitely a step in the right direction.

Hope you enjoyed this new alternate take on this episode and I hope I didn't make Twilight seem too dramatic. After all, she was bottling up alot of emotions when she got a little...cuckoo...so it had to come out.

Peace Pony Fans!