The Mysterious Mare Do Well

Pony's Log Number 208: It can be tough having a close friend who struggles with controlling their ego, especially when a pony has to bring them back down to earth...

One day, the CMC clubhouse was loaded with various ponies young and adult. They had gathered that today for a special meeting. The Rainbow Dash Fan club meeting with Scootaloo as the de facto club president. As one looked inside the clubhouse, they could see decorations, posters and pictures of Rainbow Dash were everywhere.

"Attention, everypony!" Scootaloo called out, wearing a rainbow mane wig on her head as she stood by a pulpit. She was trying to get everyone settled down for the club meeting, "Attention! The official Rainbow Dash Fan Club will come to order. Let's get right down to our first order of business. I motion that Rainbow Dash be declared the most awesome pony in Ponyville."

"I second the motion," said Snails, wearing a white tee that had a pink heart with Rainbow Dash in the center of the heart, "and I might add that if you looked up the word "awesome" in the dictionary, there would be a picture off Rainbow Dash." The other ponies, either wearing Rainbow Dash tees, rainbow wigs, and even both nodded in agreement.

"I object," said Snips, wearing his own tee and making the other ponies and Scootaloo gasp. Snips approached the pulpit.

"I think the word "awesome" is played out!" Snails pointed out, "Rainbow Dash deserves better! I motion we declare her the most stupendous pony!"

""Stupendous"?" said Scootaloo, "Is that the best you've got? I motion that we declare her...wonderiffic!"

"Astonishing!" said Snips.

"Breathtaking!" said Scootaloo.

"Astounding!" said Snips.

"Bedazzling!" said Scootaloo.

"What about super-ultra-extreme-awesomazing?" said a muffled voice. The other ponies agreed, even thought they had no idea who came up with the word.

"All in favor of declaring Rainbow Dash the most "super-ultra-extra-uh-whatever you said" pony in all of Ponyville," said Scootaloo, "say "aye"."

"Aye!" the entire fan club said a once and cheered. Outside the building was Rainbow Dash herself, giggling since she had been the one to suggest the new "word" to the Fan Club. Mario, who had been hanging out with her that day, felt rather jealous.

"Must be nice to have a fan club," said Mario bitterly.

"Well, I'm sure you had your fan club back in your racing days," said Rainbow, "but as they say: "Mario was great, but now he's out of date"." Rainbow laughed.

"Don't remind me!" Mario snapped, huffing at the blue Pegasus before turning away as Rainbow enjoyed all the cheers inside the club house.

"One of these days, Rainbow," Mario warned, "You're gonna learn what it's like to have your fans move on from you and admire somepony else. Let's see you laugh at me then."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," said Rainbow, dismissing his remark as Mario just rolled his eyes at her and sat on the grass with a bored look on his face.

(theme song)

The next day, Rainbow Dash was just enjoying herself as she was jumping and swimming about various clouds.

"What a beautiful day," Rainbow said with a content sigh, "There's nothing like a dip in the clouds to make a Pegasus feel super relaxed." Suddenly she heard something down below her as she peaked over her cloud.

"Help! Help! Help! Help!" shouted a young pony named Aura, apparently she had fallen inside of an old well that had been boarded up on top. Rainbow looked at the well with determination.

"Looks like my sky swim will have to wait!" said Rainbow as she flew down into the well, smashing the remaining boards off the top, "I'm Rainbow Dash, and I'm here to rescue you!" As Rainbow was down in the well, several others ponies had gathered around, including Twilight, Pinkie, Fluttershy, Applejack, and Mario. They were rather worried until Rainbow came flying out, carrying out Aura, who was rather dirty. The little filly was a little frazzled at first before she smiled as hugged Rainbow's neck. The ponies nearby began to cheer for her. Rainbow blushed and smiled nervously as she landed and let Aura hop off her back.

"Wow, what's with this crowd?" said Rainbow sheepishly at the cheering ponies as they gathered around her, "Uh, thanks, everypony. It was really no big deal."

"To me it was!" said Aura, "You're my hero, Rainbow Dash!" The ponies cheered for her once more, making Rainbow blush and smile again as she took off into the sky.

"That Rainbow Dash sure is something," said Scootaloo.

"Something special," said Snips and Snails together. Mario rolled his eyes.

"Are you jealous?" Applejack asked as the rest of his friend looked at him.

"A little," said Mario, "I used to have my own fan clubs back in the day, but now all they can say is..."

"Rainbow Dash is great, and Mario's out of date," Scootaloo and some of the fan ponies chanted as they walked by. Mario growled at them before stomping away. The other girls just chuckled to each other.

Later on, things were nice and quiet.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!

Never mind...a pony named Millie shrieked at the top of her lungs as her baby carriage, which had her foal, Cream Puff, inside was rolling away from her down a steep hill. Cream Puff just cried loudly as the carriage weaved down the path. Some other ponies noticed the runaway carriage. Rainbow was just lounging around a nearby cloud as she poked her head out of it and went after the carriage. As the carriage began to pick up speed, Rainbow picked up her pace as she saw the carriage was heading towards a cliff. Grabbing hold of the carriage handle with her teeth, she used her hind legs to bring the carriage to a stop just in time as the carriage stopped just inches from the edge of the cliff. Several other ponies, including rest of the Mane 7, watched the scene unfold from below, looking worried. Once Rainbow had stopped the carriage, they began to cheer. Rainbow began to blush and smile once more at all the attention. She began to take a bow when she suddenly gasped dramatically.

"Oh no!" Rainbow exclaimed, "There's something wrong with the baby!" The ponies gasped as Rainbow reached into the carriage and pulled out Cream Puff with a single fore-hoof.

"She's not cheering for everypony's favorite hero, Rainbow Dash!" she bragged as the other ponies began to cheer for her once more, except for her friends. Millie was also smiling as Rainbow went to hand the foal to her. Then a flash was seen and Rainbow saw some ponies taking her picture. Rainbow then tossed Cream Puff to Millie like it was just a toy. Millie gave Rainbow a glare as she caught the foal and walked away, but the blue Pegasus was too into posing for the camera to take notice. The rest of her friends walk up to her with Pinkie being the only one smiling, the others just gave her blank or indignant faces.

"There just aren't enough words in the dictionary to describe Rainbow Dash's awesomeness!" said Scootaloo excitedly as Rainbow continued to pose for pictures.

"I can think of a few new words," said Twilight.

"And I bet "modest" is not one of them," Applejack said to Twilight. Mario just sighed to himself.

"Oh, don't be jealous," said Twilight, "I think you're awesome in your own way." She kissed his cheek, making Mario blush as a small smile appeared on his face. Meanwhile, Rainbow had flew up a bit, blowing some kisses before the cheering ponies, then crafted a cloud into her lightning bolt cutie mark, and flew off into the sky.

"So much for modest," said Mario.

"No, but she is kinda awesome," said Twilight.

"True," said Mario before adding quietly, "but I just hope she doesn't let it go to her head. Oh the headache I had after that happened to me..."

Sometime later, three elderly ponies were just chattering on a balcony when a fourth elderly pony arrived to join the conversation. However, as he walked over to the others, there was a loud noise that sounded like wood splintering. The elderly ponies then saw that a huge crack forming across the balcony as the entire platform began to tilt downward. The other ponies noticed the cracking balcony from below. Any minute, it could break off completely, sending the four elderly ponies into a serious accident.

"Never fear, your friendly neighborhood Rainbow Dash is here!" the blue Pegasus announced. It was then the balcony broke away, causing the four elderly ponies to scream. But Rainbow was able to slow their descent by grabbing the balcony and setting it down gently on the ground below. The elderly ponies are relieved as the ponies watching the heroic event cheer for her.

"We'd be lost without you!" one pony shouted.

"You're our hero, Rainbow Dash!" another pony shouted as Rainbow rose into the air with a now cocky smile on her face.

"Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash!" the crowd cheered.

"I can't hear you!" Rainbow chanted with a fore-hoof against her ear.

"Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash! Rainbow Dash!" The crowds chanted loudly as the blue Pegasus raised her fore-hooves up and down to encourage the crowds. She then began to do "the snake" with her fore-hooves and does a twirl in the air before giving a hoof-pump.

"Are you kidding me?" Mario snorted, "I made that move popular!" Mario then did a twirl on his hind legs, and hoof-pumped with his hoof above his head, even making a illusionary star appear above him for extra flare.

(Cue "got a star" fanfare)

"Here we go!" Mario shouted. The other ponies just stared at him blankly.

"He's so out of date," said one pony and the others mumbled in agreement as Mario made a strained groan, making his illusion shatter like a broken window, before landing back on all fours before looking glum as the other ponies continued to cheer and Rainbow continued to show off.

"Call me silly," said Twilight, "but I think this whole hero thing might be going to Rainbow Dash's head." Pinkie, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity. and Mario all shared the same look of concern and annoyance.

"You may be right...silly," Pinkie answered as Twilight looked indignant. She wasn't actually expecting somepony to call her that.

At Sugarcube Corner, Pinkie and Applejack continued to watch Rainbow brag about her heroics. Twilight seemed rather stunned at the large crowd willing to listen to the blue Pegasus.

"And then I zoomed into the well," Rainbow told them wearing a pair of sunshades like she was some sort of celebrity and paced before the crowd of ponies, "I knew it would be dark and dangerous, but I didn't let that stop me. Danger's my middle name. Rainbow "Danger" Dash..."

"I thought it was Ashleigh," Twilight mumbled to Pinkie.

"It's not," said Pinkie, "though some ponies think my middle name is Andrea, but it's actually Diane. No idea where that comes from." Twilight just rolled her eyes.

"Thinking back on it," Rainbow continued, "I acted pretty awesomely heroic that day."

"That day," Spike repeated as he jotted down what was being said in his notebook. He was also wearing a trench coat, white work shirt, tie, and even a fedora hat to make himself look like a classic style reporter.

"Awesomely heroic that day and awesomely arrogant ever since," Applejack muttered to the three other ponies as Pinkie munched on a cupcake.

"Mm-hm," said Pinkie and Twilight as they nodded in agreement.

"Ain't that the truth Mario?" Applejack asked the colt, "Uh...Mario..." Mario, however, looked uncomfortable as even his eyes looked like he was zoning out. For some odd reason he was seeing himself bragging to the crowd of fan ponies rather than Rainbow.

Remember the next time you look in your dictionaries, you'll find my pic next to the word: speed.

I win all the time because I. Am. AWESOME!

I set my sights on goals and get them done with no help from anypony! 'Cause I'm a one pony show!

He then flashbacked to another conversation with an elderly pony.

Son, you're not very bright if you think racing is all about being a one pony show. A good racer is only the best when he's got his friends and family to support him!

Oh, whatever! I'm the greatest racer of all time! The flying unicorn! I made it to the top myself and now ponies finally respect me and take me seriously. I'm finally accepted as somepony important! I don't need no family or friends to support me!

Sigh...one of these days you're gonna wind up alone and have nopony to blame but yourself...

The next two flashbacks featured Mario visualizing when he crashed, followed by a flash of lightning as he sat along in his hospital room in a wheelchair all alone. Mario's lips began to quiver until he felt someone nudge his shoulder.

"Mario? Are you okay, sugarcube?" Applejack asked with concern. Mario snapped out of his thoughts and noticed the three girls just looked at him. Before Mario could reply, a pair of blue hooves appeared and snagged Applejack away. The orange pony was startled.

"Hey Applejack," said Rainbow, "How'd you like to be immortalized as my friend?"

"Immorta-what?" Applejack asked and was then stunned by several camera flashes. Rainbow held Applejack close for the pictures as the orange pony struggled to pull away. Spike was continuing to write in his notebook.

"Are you taking notes?" Twilight asked from behind.

"Yup!" Spike answered, "I've been hoof-picked by Rainbow Dash herself, to write her autobiography!"

"Umm, autobiographies are supposed to be written by the pony they are about," Twilight said as a matter of fact. Rainbow was still taking pictures as Applejack finally managed to break away and walked off with a disgusted look on her face. Rainbow blinked for a moment when she heard Twilight's remark.

"Maybe for your normal, run-of-the-mill ponies," Rainbow boasted as Applejack and Twilight just glared, "But I'm far too busy saving lives to stop and write. That's why I hired Spike as my ghost writer."

"Spike's a ghost!" Pinkie yelped as she was eating a cake, before making a run right out of the shop and startling Rarity. All the ponies just looked at her funny for a moment.

"...Anyway," Rainbow continued, "Spike here writes down everything I say. Don't you, Spike."

"Don't...you...Spike," the dragon said out loud to prove how literal he was taking Rainbow's instructions, "Got it!"

"This way, I can stay focused on performing those acts of bravery that nopony else has the guts to perform," Rainbow continued to brag as she walked away from Twilight and Applejack and then had a young fan-pony come up and hug her as a picture was taken, then three more young ponies did the same, "Yep, it takes guts. But it also takes brains. And sometimes a big lunch and a nap. Being a hero is surely not for everypony, but I'm up to the challenge." Twilight and Applejack just exchanged annoyed looks with each other. Then Mario came up to them.

"We gotta do something," said Mario frantically, "Rainbow's going down a path that could really break a pony's self-confidence. I don't want to see what happened to me happen to her! It's the worst feeling in the world!" Mario breathed heavily for a moment as Twilight, Applejack, and Rarity, who had been listening, looked at him sympathetically.

"We're you really this bad darling?" Rarity asked curiously.

"I was worse," said Mario, "the way Rainbow is acting and what she's saying just brings back all those bad memories. I thought I was so awesome and so full of myself, then one day reality struck back and felt completely worthless and I was left alone. That's why those "out of date" remarks hurt, because when I tried to pick myself up and continue, I was shut down and told I was history."

"I remember you telling me about that," said Twilight sadly.

"These fans may admire her now," said Mario, "but the minute Rainbow fails, they won't be there to help her get back on her hooves. They'll move on and she'll be left alone. I'd hate to see that happen to Rainbow. She's already at the point where trying to reason with her won't work so...I don't know what to do save her..." Applejack just gave him a sympathetic smile.

"First of all," said Applejack, "Rainbow isn't going to be left alone. It'll take more than a big ego for her to get rid of us. Besides, all that pony needs is a good ego check and a reminder that she doesn't need fan ponies to be awesome."

"Agreed," said Twilight, "And I know just what we need to do."

"I hope it won't be too harsh," said Mario concerned.

"No, it won't," said Twilight, "but it will help Rainbow understand how you feel right now and stop rubbing the fact she has fan ponies to your face." Mario nodded at the three girls huddled up and whispered the plan. They would later share it with Fluttershy and Pinkie.

Operation "ego check" was a go.

The next day, several fan ponies were standing in line for Rainbow to sign their pictures.

"There you go," Rainbow grunts since she was signing the pictures with a pen in her mouth.

"Someday, I wanna be just like you!" said the young pony named Lemon Daze.

"Aim high, kid," Rainbow replied as she brushed her mane with a fore-hoof, "but don't aim for the impossible."

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!

The ponies then gasped. There was Cherry Berry, inside of a balloon that had a large hole in it and she was descending far too quickly for a safe landing.

"Help! Help!" Cherry Berry called out from her megaphone.

"Uh, don't you think you should go and help?" Snips asked, getting worried as Cherry Berry got closer to the ground and Rainbow as still signing autographs.

"Yeah, yeah, I've got a good ten seconds to spare," said Rainbow, her voice muffled by the pencil in her mouth, "just a couple more." Rainbow then finished signing another autograph before taking off at high speed. She couldn't help but wave at the crowd before focusing on saving Cherry Berry.

"The tension is unbearable," said Spike as he wrote in his notebook, "Will Rainbow Dash make it on time?" It was then a large shadow appeared above Spike, making him look up. There standing on the roof is a pony wearing a dark purple mask over their face, a purple suit, cape, and hat with dark purple boots. They easily leap from rooftop to rooftop before diving through the basket and grabbing Cherry Berry out of it. This caused Rainbow to crash into the balloon as it landed roughly in front of a tree. Rainbow lifted up the damaged balloon material off her face as she sees the other ponies cheering for the new masked pony, who helped Cherry Berry to her feet. Twilight watched the mysterious pony in amazement. The masked pony looked in Rainbow's direction before disappearing. Rainbow was still stunned as the other ponies began to chatter with each other.

"Holy turnips, that pony came outta nowhere!" said a pony.

"I've never seen such bravery in all my life!" Daisy added.

"That's right!" said Mayor Mare as the masked pony stood on top of a mountain in the shadows and then disappeared in the background, "Ponyville has a new hero. A mysterious mare that has done well by our fair city today. I dub this new masked hero "The Mysterious Mare Do Well"!" The ponies all cheered, except for Rainbow, who was feeling rather jealous.

"Mare Do Well, huh?" said Rainbow, "Well that mare would do well to stay outta my way! Ponyville's only got room for one hero, and that hero is me!" Rainbow went to stomp off, but her hooves for caught in the string and she plopped into her stomach. Rainbow just sat up with an indignant look on her face.

Sometime later, some tourist ponies were screaming for the their lives. Apparently, the harness to their carriage bus had broken away from the pony pulling it and now they were rolling out of control down the same hill Millie had nearly lost Cream Puff on. Rainbow Dash wasted no time swooping down to the rescue. As she flew next to the carriage bus, she cleared her throat to get their attention.

"Never fear, your friendly neighborhood Rainbow-" she began but was interrupted.

"Excuse me, uh," said one of the distressed ponies named Globe Trotter, "do you think you could skip your catchphrase and just hurry up and save us?!"

"Ugh, fine!" said Rainbow with an eye roll and muttering, "picky, picky." Rainbow then got in front of the carriage bus and tried using her hind legs to slow it down.

"Whoaaaa! Aah!" Rainbow yelped as she lost her footing before getting dragged underneath the wagon bus and tumbled behind it. It was then the Mysterious Mare Do Well appeared. She lifted her hind legs to hold the rolling carriage bus back while she used her fore-hooves to anchor herself down. She managed to bring the carriage bus to a stop just inches before she could be pushed right off the cliff. The ponies in the wagon cheered.

"Oh thank you, Mare Do We-e..." A pony named Wisp had jumped out to thank the mare but the masked pony has already made her way across some hills in the distance and disappeared. Rainbow was left stunned once more.

"I can't believe it," said Rainbow, "Mare do well is stronger than me? Well, a hero is more than just muscle, and she's gonna learn that the hard way."

Elsewhere in Ponyville, some construction workers were working on a new building. One pony named, Crafty Crate, was operating a crane to lift up some heavy wood planks. As he was managing the controls, one of the levers became jammed, causing the crane to swing the heavy wood planks back and forth dangerously. Crafty Crate tried to un-stick the lever, but then the entire control panel short-circuited. Rainbow was flying overhead and saw the commotion below.

"Huh?" said Rainbow as she saw the crane was about to lose the wood planks as the rope holding them was breaking, "Never fear, your friendly neighbor-Whoa!" Rainbow was cut off from her introduction as the wood planks came flying at her. As she moved out of the way, the wood planks crashed into the constructed building, causing it to become unstable and some of the materials from the building started to come falling down. Several construction worker ponies began to run about to avoid getting hit by the falling materials.

"Never fear-" Rainbow tried to do her intro again but then had to stop and avoid getting hit by falling materials herself, "Uh! I'm coming! Hold on! Whoa!"

"Look!" said a pony named Jack Hammer. There standing on top of the crane was Mare Do Well and Crafty Crate cheered as the masked pony easily avoided the falling materials, getting to a frightened construction worker and got them to safety. Meanwhile, Rainbow watched the masked pony with annoyance until she noticed a large collection of bricks came tumbling down towards another pony, whose name was Jim Beam. Rainbow wasted no time swooping in to pick him up and carry him out of the way, but she was having some close calls with all the falling materials.

"Look out for the- Watch out for falling- On your left! Ah! The other left!" Jim Beam shouted as Rainbow struggled to dodge the falling materials, but she managed to get Jim Beam to safety just as the building came tumbling down. Jim Beam just looked agape before passing out, not even bothering to say thank you.

"Well, Mare Do Well, or should I call you Mare Do Slow?" Rainbow boasted. "You're gonna have to pick up the pace if you wanna complete with me, 'cause I move like lightning."

"Actually, she saved all of us!" said Rivet as several other construction worker ponies stood beside the pony, including the one Rainbow had tried to save, "We owe her our lives!" The other construction ponies all cheered for Mare Do Well. Rainbow sat on the ground, making the face of a pony who looked liked she had been told by the Wonderbolts that she would never be a great flyer. The other construction ponies just walked away and left her alone. Once Rainbow has recovered, she growled angrily.

"Okay, she's strong, fast, and somehow knows what's gonna happen ahead of time," said Rainbow to herself sternly, "I've gotta step up my game." Rainbow then took to the skies once more. It wasn't much longer before her flying had taken her to the outskirts of town where the Ponyville Dam was located. As she flew by, she noticed that there was a small crack in the dam wall and gasped.

"If the dam breaks, the whole town will be flooded!" said Rainbow, "Looks like Ponyville needs a hero!" Rainbow then pushed her hoof against the crack to seal it.

"Easy peasy," Rainbow told herself, not even noticing her touching the wall had made the cracking worse, "My game is officially back on. If only somepony were here to pat me on the back. Eh I guess I'll have to do it myself-" Just as Rainbow went to do so, the dam wall broke and water rushed right at Rainbow. The blue Pegasus yelped as the rushing water swept her away.

"Help!" Rainbow screamed as she went under and had to spit out a fish that had somehow swam into her mouth, "Help!" Rainbow began to panic as she struggled not to get dragged under the water. Then she found a nearby log sticking out for her to grab onto. Rainbow was relieved until she saw who it was that rescued her. For it was the masked Mare Do Well herself.

"You?!" Rainbow exclaimed angrily, as if her pride hadn't suffered enough lately, "I supposed you want me to thank-" Rainbow was then cut off as Mare Do Well removed her hat to reveal a unicorn horn. She then used her magic to collect various rocks and used them to rebuild and repair the dam.

"You've gotta to be kidding me," Rainbow exclaimed agape as some ponies watching in the distance cheered for Mare Do Well. The masked pony waved to the ponies before making herself scarce. By now, Rainbow was climbing out of the water and shaking the excess water off her body.

"Lemme get this straight," said Rainbow to herself, "She's strong, she's agile, and she's magic? How do I compete with that?" Rainbow then plopped onto her back, but then sat back up quickly when she realized something.

"Wait a minute," Rainbow continued, "I do have a leg up on her. And that leg is...wings! Hah! Take that, Mare Do Well!" Rainbow began to fly about confidently until somepony zoomed past her, making her spin about. Rainbow looked to see that it was Mare Do Well, flying with her own wings. The ponies cheered for her again as she flew by.

"Oh, for the love of Pete," Rainbow exclaimed.

Later at Sugarcube corner, Rainbow was just sulking to herself as her friends continued to talk about Mare Do Well and enjoy some freshly made sweet treats.

"Gotta hand it to the girl," said Applejack as she helped herself to a buffet table of sweet treats, "that Mare Do Well sure can pull off some pretty heroic feats."

"I must say, I was impressed by that spell she used to fix the dam," said Twilight as she, Mario, and Fluttershy sat at a nearby table, "Seems like something like that would take quite a bit of study."

"Indeed it would," said Mario, "It took me a long time to master even the most basic building and repairing spell. To do a dam means she's very advanced in construction magic. Most impressive." Fluttershy smiled in agreement until Rainbow just growled in irritation, crossing her fore-hooves to pout.

"She really cares about everypony's safety," Fluttershy added.

"Have you seen her costume?" Rarity said next as she used her magic to hold a cup of tea, "It is to die for! If you ask me, she's a hero of fashion!"

"And she's modest and humble," said Applejack, "She lets her actions speak for themselves. Gotta admire that."

"I find her very pretty," said Mario, earning a fierce glare from Twilight.

"Excuse me?" Twilight asked, clearly jealous. Mario smirked.

"Are you jealous?" Mario teased. Twilight glared, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her as she looked away with a huff, as everyone, minus Rainbow, snickered.

I thought I was pretty, Mario! Rainbow grunted under her breath, feeling more and more agitated. Mario was the only male pony in her life, minus her father, that ever said she looked pretty and hearing him call Mare Do Well pretty really got on her nerves.

"She's great," said Spike as he wrote in his notebook.

"I didn't say that," Rainbow snapped, getting in the dragon's face.

"Sounds like somepony's jealous," said Twilight, "not just of Mario Do Well, but also that Mario thinks she's pretty. I had no idea you liked Mario."

"Who, me?" Rainbow retorted.

"Rainbow Dash is jealous," Spike wrote and then added with a chuckled, "and appears to harbor a crush on Mario."

"Don't write that, Spike!" Rainbow retorted angrily as the other begin to laugh.

"Correction: Rainbow Dash is very jealous," Spike wrote smugly, "and does admit to having a crush on Mario."

"Fine! Laugh all you want," Rainbow yelled angrily, "but I'll be the one laughing when I prove to you all that I'm just as good-no, that I'm a better hero than Mare Do Well!"

"And about your crush?" Applejack asked with a smirk.

"I'm so over it!" Rainbow retorted, "He's better off with Twilight anyway! She's the one who likes old fashion things that are so out of date!" Mario growled angrily as Rainbow took off. The others just looked at her apathetically, even Rarity giving her jealousy a shrug until they heard Mario pounding the floor with his fore-hooves and gritting his teeth. These remarks about him being out of date were really starting to hurt.

"Easy sugarcube," said Applejack, "it's all a part of our plan. Rainbow didn't mean that."

"I'm a really that obsolete to everypony?" Mario asked, feeling very upset.

"Of course not, darling," said Rarity, "Just because you're not the center of attention doesn't mean you're out of date. You're still the fastest, kindest, sweetest, and most caring unicorn we've ever met. Anypony who can't see that doesn't deserve your time or attention."

"You're our friend and we love you," Fluttershy added as she hovered next to him.

"We accept you for who you are," said Twilight, "it's why...I like you." Mario smiled as they all shared a group hug together. While Mario felt better, he was still hurt by Rainbow's remark.

Outside the shop, Rainbow was on patrol as she flew about looking for any trouble. Unfortunately, things in town had gotten rather quiet. Ponies were just doing their daily business as Rainbow peaked from behind a house rooftop.

"Huh, no signs of trouble here," said Rainbow, "Darn it." She then flew towards the steep hill but found it empty as well.

"Buses and baby carriages are always careening down this hill," Rainbow complained, "Where is an out-of-control vehicle when you need one?!" She continued to hover about.

"Rrgh, there are absolutely no freak natural disasters going on anywhere!" Rainbow grumbled, "How am I supposed to prove myself when everything's so normal and safe?" Rainbow then noticed Granny Smith wobbling about with her purse at hoof, making the blue Pegasus gasp.

"Hold it right there Granny Smith," said Rainbow as she flew down to the elderly apple pony, "You don't have to pretend with me. I can see that you're in way over your head here!" The elderly pony then put a hearing horn to her ear, for she hadn't heard a word the blue Pegasus had said.

"Eh, what's that?" Granny Smith asked.

"You're putting on a brave face, I get it," said Rainbow, trying to sound sympathetic, "But you don't have to anymore. I'll help you cross the street!" Rainbow then got behind the elderly pony and began to push her forward.

"Actually, I can cross the street just fine!" Granny Smith protested, grunting as Rainbow continued to push her forward and Granny tried to resist.

"Don't worry!" said Rainbow, "You're in extremely...capable...hooves!" Granny Smith began to panic as Rainbow refused to take a hint to leave her be.

"Back off!" Granny Smith shouted until they were on the other side of the street.

"Here we are!" said Rainbow, panting a bit before she recovered, "Safe and sound. A good and heroic citizen deserves a little recognition, don't you think?"

THWACK!

Rainbow got recognition alright. A good smack in the face with Granny Smith's purse.

"I didn't wanna cross the street in the first place!" Granny Smith snapped before walking away squeaking and grunting to herself. Rainbow felt a little down until she heard the sound of someone grunting nearby. Apparently a pony named Amethyst Star, along with a little filly, named Liza Doolots, were having a picnic and the adult pony was having trouble opening a jar of peanut butter with her magic. Rainbow gasped.

"Somepony's in trouble!" Rainbow announced as she flew over to them as Amethyst Star continued to grunt.

"You'd better let me handle this, ma'am!" said Rainbow, "For your own safety, I must ask you to stand back."

"Oh, brother," said Amethyst Star, rolling her eyes. Rainbow dramatically cracked her neck twice before she grunted loudly to try and open the jar of peanut butter. Rainbow tried hard, even using her teeth to open it, but it was no good. All Rainbow did was embarassed herself and Amethyst Star was most annoyed as Liza Doolots just looked at Rainbow blankly. Rainbow just smiled sheepishly as Amethyst Star sternly grabbed the jar away from her, tapped it a few times against the side of a nearby water fountain. Then Rainbow simply popped the top off easily.

"Ta-da!" said Rainbow, trying to save face and attract attention.

"Uh...thanks," said Amethyst Star half-heartedly.

"How would you describe what I just did?" Rainbow asked eagerly, "Would you say I was amazing?"

"Aren't you milking this a bit?" Amethyst Star point out.

"Please, just answer the question!" Rainbow retorted, "Was I, or was I not, amazing?"

"Oh, you were amazing alright," Amethyst Star remarked, her tone full of sarcasm, "An amazingly-"

"Oh, look!" said Rainbow, zooming away before Amethyst Star could answer. She then grabbed a self-powered lawnmower and started pushing it forward, making it rattle as Rainbow began to mow the park grass at a very fast pace.

"Another great feat of heroism!" said Rainbow proudly as she finished the job, "I have just saved that grass!"

"From what?" a pony named Pine Breeze asked.

"From weeds!" Rainbow answered as she squatted down and examined the grass up close, "Weeds that were attempting to eat this lawn!" The other ponies just gave her funny and annoyed looks.

"Lame..." Liza Doolots remarked.

"Whatever," said another pony as they all walked away.

"Aw, who am I kidding?" said Rainbow sadly, suddenly realizing just how desperate she was getting for attention. Then Rainbow heard the words she hoped she would never have to hear:

"Rainbow was great, but now she's out of date."

She then remembered Mario's words not too long ago.

One of these days, Rainbow. You're gonna learn what it's like to have your fans move on from you and admire somepony else. Let's see you laugh at me then...

"I get it, Mario," said Rainbow sadly as she buried her face under her fore-arms, "You were right..." Rainbow just sat there for a long time before finally flying away. She thought of going to Mario to talk to him, but then remembered how she had insulted Mario and she figured the unicorn colt would be too angry with her to listen. As she arrived at Mario's home, she noticed him looking through a book. Judging by the sad look on his face, she figured he was looking at some pictures of his days when he was the center of attention. She also noticed that Charlie was shinning one of his old track trophies before putting it back into a cardboard box. Rainbow felt her eyes water, before snorting to herself.

"Just because Mario's accepted being out of date doesn't mean I have to do the same," she told herself as she headed home. But it was only a few days later that Rainbow was sitting alone in a thunder cloud. The thundercloud rumbled as if to emphasize her dreary mood as she sat on top of it.

"All anypony talks about is Mare Do Well this and Mare Do Well that," said Rainbow, "What about me? I mean...have I changed?" Rainbow then noticed a few young ponies now dressed up in Mare Do Well costumes. She stood up and examined herself.

"Same sleek body. Same flowing mane," Rainbow told herself as she gave her mane a brush for her fore-hoof, "Same spectacular hooves. Nope, I'm still awesome. They're wrong." Rainbow flew upright for a moment before she sumped back to her cloud. "But...then...why am I all alone? I hate being all alone...I wonder if this was how Mario felt after he was left alone. Ugh...I'm never gonna tease him about feeling out of date ever again!" She had just buried her face into her fore-hooves again when a certain orange filly appeared below.

"Hey Rainbow Dash!" Scootaloo called out.

"I knew it!" said Rainbow as she flew down to the filly, "No need to apologize, squirt. Anypony could make that mistake." Rainbow gave Scootaloo a noogie for good measure.

"Mistake?" said Scootaloo puzzled, "What mistake?" Rainbow then went on defense.

"Wait a minute," said Rainbow skeptically, "why are you here?"

"To invite you to join us!" Scootaloo answered, "We're heading off to the thank you parade for Ponyville's greatest hero. The mysterious Mario Do Well." Scootaloo smiled widely and excitedly. Rainbow could feel her heartbreak. Even her biggest fan had moved on, but despite how much she was hurting, Rainbow didn't show it.

"No! No way!" Rainbow retorted angrily, "Can't you see I-I wanna be alone? I love being alone!" Rainbow turned her back against the orange filly with her fore-hooves crossed. But inwardly, she was hoping Scootaloo would ask what was wrong.

"Oh okay," said Scootaloo, "See you later then." The orange filly then walked away.

"Yeah, right," Rainbow pouted bitterly, "like I'm gonna thank her." She then mouthed mockingly, "Thank you, Mare Do Well, for ruining e-" Rainbow then got an idea.

"Hey, squirt!" Rainbow shouted, "Wait up!" The blue Pegasus went to catch up to Scootaloo and was soon amongst the crowds of ponies that were there to cheer for Mare Do Well. Mayor Mare wasted no time taking center stage.

"Welcome to Ponyville's first, but surely not last, thank you parade," Mayor Mare announced, "in honor of our city's greatest hero, the mysterious Mare Do Well!" The ponies cheered as the said masked pony made her appearance by breaking through a large banner before the crowd. Several of them were holding signs and banners with her picture on them. Rainbow just glared at her jealously. Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore and she flew into the masked pony's face.

"The mysterious Mare Do Well, huh?" Rainbow retorted sternly, making the other ponies gasp, "So what are you hiding? Let's see how mysterious you are without your mask!" Rainbow went to pull the mask off with her teeth, but she missed and Mare Do Well run off as fast as she could. Mare Do Well wasted no time ducking down a street. Rainbow smirked as she attempted to cut her off by taking another path. She immediately jumped out on her hind legs to surprise the masked mare, but she was nowhere to be found and actually outsmarted Rainbow as she ran by from another direction. Rainbow began to pursue her again by flying. She was so determined to catch Mare Do Well that she nearly missed a turn and had to recover and catch up. As Mare Do Well headed down one road and Rainbow was right behind her, she managed to get behind Rainbow and take off in another direction. Rainbow wasted no time turning around to continue the pursuit when she saw the masked mare running off in another direction. Rainbow rushed toward the background just as the masked mare ran past the foreground. As Rainbow went to continue the pursuit, she heard a whistle and Mare Do Well was running by in the background again.

"What the hay?" Rainbow remarked as she continued to give chase until she found herself in a dead end. Rainbow looked up and saw the masked mare jump off the top of a wall. She gritted her teeth and followed as the masked mare ducked inside a tunnel of stairs as Rainbow started to gain some ground, but then she heard another whistle and, once again, Mare Do Well was now behind her running in another direction.

"Grr..." Rainbow grunted angrily before changing directions again to pursue. She then came to a stop as she found a ladder and quickly flew up to the roof. She squatted down to avoid being seen and then found Mare Do Well pacing about the street at a slow pace. Since Rainbow had given herself high ground advantage, she was able to air dive right into Mare Do Well and pinned her down.

"I got you now!" Rainbow said triumphantly, "Alright Miss Mysterious! Mystery...solved!" Rainbow then pulled off the masked and then yelped as she saw who it was behind the mask.

"P-p-p-p-Pinkie?!" Rainbow exclaimed as she saw two more ponies dressed as Mare Do Well appeared, each one removed their mask, leaving the blue Pegasus dumbfounded, "Whudda-hud-d-duh- hud-d-duh- huh?! Twilight?! Applejack?! There were three of you?!" All three ponies smiled at her.

"Yup, we all played Mare Do Well at different times," said Twilight.

"I stopped the carriage bus with these buddies, Bucky McGillicuddy and Kicks McGee," said Applejack as she lifted each hind leg to emphasize her point.

"I save the construction workers with my Pinkie sense," said Pinkie when her tail began to twitch and she immediately pushed Rainbow out of the way as a flower pot crashed beside them.

"Sorry!" said Cherry Berry from above.

"It's alright," said Pinkie with a smile.

"And I used my magic to fix the dam," said Twilight as she removed her hat to show Rainbow her glowing horn.

"Ooh, ooh!" said Fluttershy as she flew next to Twilight, "And I did the flyby afterwards."

"I made the costumes," Rarity added as she got into Rainbow's face, "Fabulous if I do say so myself."

"And I created a warp pipe network on the fly so they could get the each disaster location and then make the exit without leaving a trace," said Mario, "It worked very well considering I slapped it together last minute." Rainbow just said nothing as she walked away from them.

"I don't understand," said Rainbow as she turned to face them, "Why? Don't you want me to be a hero?"

"Of course we want you to be a hero," Twilight answered.

"But a real hero doesn't brag," Applejack added with a smirk.

"Uh, I guess I did start to brag a little," Rainbow admitted sheepishly.

"A little?!" the six ponies retorted sternly, knocking Rainbow to her back.

"Okay, a lot," Rainbow admitted as she sat up.

"Celebrating your accomplishments is natural," said Twilight, "But..."

"...Rubbin' them in everypony's face is not," said Applejack and glanced at Mario, "especially when other ponies have learned their lesson and are looking to redeem themselves. Being told their "out of date" hurts their feelings." Mario just nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, the only thing that should be rubbed in anypony's face is chocolate cake," said Pinkie and began to slurp her face as the others watched her with funny looks.

"I think we're getting off topic here," said Applejack.

"Hey!" Mario retorted.

"I meant the chocolate cake rubbin'," Applejack responded.

"Oh, okay," said Mario, feeling a little sheepish he had misinterpreted Applejack.

"What we're trying to say is," said Twilight, "it's great to be really good at something, but it's important to act with grace and humility." Rainbow just looked down at herself for a moment.

"Ohhhh," said Rainbow, "That makes loads more sense." She then took to the skies and hovered above them, "Yeah. You're right. And I guess I should've also act with grace and humility when others outshine me. Like Mare Do Well." The others smiled in agreement.

"I'd like to add something else to that if I can," said Mario as the others looked at him, "Just because one pony has the center of attention, doesn't mean that those who have accomplished great things are obsolete or out of date. We will all have our moments in the spotlight and just because our good deeds and achievements might go unnoticed doesn't mean that they are less important. True friends will always be there for us to celebrate our success and they will be there to remind us that we are special."

"Sounds like you both got letters to write to the Princess," said Twilight with a wink.

"Already got it covered," said Spike, "As Rainbow's ghost writer, I've already penned a letter to the Princess. Sorry, Mario, I didn't write you one." Mario just sighed.

"No biggie," Mario replied with a smile and made his letter appear next to him, "I wrote it as I was telling it to everypony."

"That's nice of you, Spike," said Rainbow, "But I really wanna write this letter myself."

"Aww, come on," Spike whined, "I wrote the whole thing already!"

"Okay, let's hear it," said Rainbow. Spike cleared his throat as he unrolled the sheet of paper.

"Dear Princess Cel-"

"Look out!" Rainbow called out, "It's a real ghost!" Mario then used his magic to summon an illusion of what appeared to be a white floating blob with a creepy face on it. Pinkie and Spike yelped and ran away screaming as Mario made the "ghost" disappear and everyone laughed. Rainbow was then surprised when Twilight offered her a sheet of paper and a quill. Rainbow then took the pin and winked before she got to writing her letter. Once she had finished, she gave it to Mario, who used his magic to send them away since Spike was currently running for his life.

"Mario?" said Rainbow gently as she landed beside him.

"Yes Rainbow?" Mario asked.

"Can...can we talk alone please?" Rainbow asked timidly. Mario nodded as they bid their friends farewell and headed to his house. Twilight just looked at them with a skeptical smile on her face.

"You're gonna spy on them aren't you?" Applejack asked. Twilight just smiled and teleported away. The others just shook their heads at what was clearly pure jealousy. It wasn't long before Rainbow and Mario arrived and the former was surprised to see Charlie wearing a butlers suit as he opened the door.

"You made Charlie your butler?" Rainbow asked.

"No," said Mario, "He just likes to be useful." He turned to the baby koala. "You've done your job for today. So go chillax little buddy." Mario and Charlie shared a quick high five/hoof as the koala headed upstairs and Mario and Rainbow took a seat on the sofa. By now Twilight had arrived just outside the house and was using a spell that enhanced her hearing so she could hear the conversation. Rainbow looked at Mario sadly.

"I'm really sorry for calling you out of date," said Rainbow, "I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I kind of got a taste of what it feels like to be called that. It really hurts. I don't understand why I keep acting like I have to come down on others or rub my achievements in their faces just to feel awesome. It's bad enough I still do that to Fluttershy and you, especially when all you've ever done was be good supportive friends." Rainbow sniffled a bit.

"Tell me Rainbow," said Mario, "Is that why you feel the need to be awesome all the time and that you won't allow yourself to fail at all?"

"Because I have a reputation to keep up," said Rainbow, "You saw how much ponies adore me when I'm awesome. Then look what happened when someone else started getting all that attention and I made a fool of myself. I was either ignored or declared lame and out of date. I just wanted to feel useful and special and...when I can't be there for anypony. I feel so...worthless. Like I had failed to be a good pony, a good friend..."

"I understand that completely, Rainbow," said Mario, "and I know exactly how that feels."

"I know and yet I was too dumb to realize it until after the fan ponies moved on from me," said Rainbow sadly, "I heard what you said when I was bragging the other day. I can't imagine how hard it was when everypony moved on from you, and then you had to deal with the fact you might never been able to run again, let alone walk. I don't even understand how you could overcome something like that. At least for me, I can pick myself up and keep being awesome while trying to be humble and more empathetic to others who don't get that moment in the spotlight. You weren't even given that much! You were set aside, never to get a second chance to learn and be a better racer and a better pony. Just thinking if that had happened to me just...just...oh not again..." Rainbow felt tears as she began to cry.

"It's okay. I forgive you, Dashie," said Mario as he held the blue Pegasus close, "I know you just let your ego get the better of you. Now you can be a better pony while still be awesome!" Rainbow chuckled despite her falling tears.

"Thanks, but the truth is," said Rainbow, "I've been dealing with this my whole life! Ponies just have never took me seriously growing up, whether it's because of my ego or just because I'm more of an athlete then girly. Let not forget all those times I was crashing when trying my flying tricks. Those three colts you meet during the Young Flyers Competition were just three of many who used to tease me. You're the first colt whoever...treated me right. You respected me not just as an athlete, but like a girl too. I feel like I can embrace my girly side around you without feeling dumb about it. Don't tell anypony, but...that was why I leaned against your shoulder during that picnic. And...I actually was enjoying wearing that bow, because you made me feel pretty that day..." Now Twilight was listening more attentively. While she had shed a few tears at Rainbow's touching monologue about her insecurities, her jealousy was back the moment she heard this part of the conversation.

"So, you do have a crush on me?" Mario asked as Rainbow sniffled a bit.

"Yes, but...I know you're heart is with Twilight," Rainbow answered, "I can respect that and I hope you two find that happily ever after and all that mush. It's why I never said anything. I really didn't want to have a crush on you."

"Well thanks alot!" Mario said, rather offended.

"No! No, that's not what I meant," Rainbow said, trying to correct herself, "Like I said before, it's just that I know your heart is with Twilight and you just treat me differently from other colts I've known growing up. I'm just worried that I won't find another colt who will treat me as well as you do. Do you just how rare it is to find a colt like you in Equestria? Having lightning strike twice in the exact some spot is easier!" Mario just chuckled as he gave Rainbow another hug.

"I'm sure you will Rainbow," said Mario as they pulled away, "He's out there somewhere and when you find him. He's gonna love and accept for both your strengths as well as your weakness. He'll treat you with respect and treat you like a lady. I'll see to that myself cause no one is gonna mess with your heart as long as I'm your best friend and I'll always love you." Twilight suddenly felt her jealousy disappear as she just smiled to herself, seeing Mario only loved Rainbow as a good friend.

"That is the cheesiest thing I've ever heard from your mouth," said Rainbow bluntly before smiling, "But also the sweetest. Thanks for hearing me out and for being my best friend. And let's get one thing straight: You. Are. Cool and Awesome! Being an egghead doesn't mean you are anything less, got it?"

"Sure," said Mario as he raised a fore-hoof, "Best friends?"

"More like a bro and sis who are totally awesome!" said Rainbow as she finished his hoof-bump and they chuckled. She then flew over to the front door and opened it, making Twilight tumble inside on her back.

"We knew you were there this whole time," Rainbow said plainly as she hovered above the purple pony. Twilight just giggled sheepishly with bright pink cheeks as Mario and Rainbow chuckled.

"So uit being so jealous," Rainbow continued, "Mario loves me like a sister and I love him like my brother. End. Of. Story." She then leaned into her face. "But if you don't realize how awesome he is, then I might just take him for myself!"

"What?!" said Twilight shocked.

"Gotcha!" Rainbow shouted as she and Mario laughed. Twilight just huffed and pouted to herself, but deep down all she wanted to do at the moment was find a nice pile of books and stay underneath them for a while.

The next day, Rainbow was dragging Mario towards the Carousel Boutique. Mario was rather puzzled as to why Rainbow wanted to bring him here.

"What's going on?" Mario asked annoyed as he rubbed his sore fore-hoof, "Did you actually want to go dress or accessory shopping or something?"

"Uh...not ready for that yet," said Rainbow, "I just wanted you to see what was going on inside! I think you'll like what you're about to see!" Mario looked at her skeptically, but then gasped as he peeked through the window. There before him was a small group of young fillies gathered together. All of them were wearing yellow tees with pink hearts that had Mario's face on the center. The area was loading with pictures and banner of him, even some streamers in his favorite color: yellow. Some noticeable fillies included: Apple Bloom, Dinky Doo, Liza Doolots, Twist and even...Silver Spoon?! How she got away from Diamond Tiara to attend something like this was beyond him. Standing at the pulpit was Sweetie Belle, wearing that same tee and even a beret similar to the one he wore outside but with a letter M on it.

"I hereby call the official Mario Star Fan Club to order!" said Sweetie Belle, "Before we begin, let's us all sing the club theme song together!"

"Yay!" the other fillies cheered. Sweetie Belle used her sweet voice to sing a song that didn't have any words but a rather catchy tune. The rest of the fillies sang along.

(You guessed it: the original Super Mario Bros theme.)

Rainbow chuckled.

"Guess you still have fans after all," she told him, "Sweetie Belle came up with the theme song herself. They've been meeting for weeks now and I stumbled upon the club when on one of my flights. Pretty awesome huh?"

Mario just smiled.

Well, hope you enjoyed the alternate ending to the Mysterious Mare Do Well. I don't meant to make Rainbow too soft, but the point is that she just finds it easier to confide in him. Plus some were speculating that she and Mario could be together and I wanted to address that issue now rather than later.

I had hinted back in season 1 that Sweetie Belle wanted to come up with a theme song for Mario. You had to expect this song was gonna come up sooner or later.

Peace Pony Fans!