Chapter 7: Boast Busters

Boast Busters

Pony's Log Number 106: While it is good to be proud of your abilities, the best time to show it is when you're needed. Not for your own personal gain...

With another research project under their belts, Mario and Twilight were busy working on their magic abilities by trying to master some minor spells. Yet they were only minor because each spell has one or two effects. They both understood the importance of mastering simple tricks. Learning as many simple tricks as possible helps to build a unicorn's capability to learn and master more difficult spells. Mario and Twilight took turns learning several different tricks. Spike was their cheering section.

"Come on, Twilight," Spike cheered as Twilight got ready for her turn, "You can do it!"

"Okay, here goes," said Twilight as she began to concentrate and her horn began to light up. A glowing aurora surrounded the front of Spike's face. A couple of seconds later, a black mustache appeared on his face.

"Ha ha! Ya did it!" said Spike excitedly, "Growing magic, that's number twenty-five. Twenty five different types of tricks and counting."

"Take a bow, Twilight, you're amazing," Mario added, making Twilight blush a little from all the attention.

"And I think this is the best trick so far," Spike replied as he looked at his new mustache in the mirror and stroked it, "Hello, Rarity. What's that? Aw, it's nothin', just my awesome mustache." He laughed to himself.

"Sorry Romeo," said Twilight, "As attractive and enticing as you look, it's just for practice, and it's gotta go." She lit up her horn to remove the mustache.

"Wait!" Spike protested before it disappeared from his face, "Aw rats!" Twilight just giggled to herself. Mario pondered.

"I wonder how I would look with one," said Mario and then one appeared into his face. Twilight examined him as he gave her a smile.

"Hmm...nah, it's not you," she replied.

"What if I did this?" said Mario as he stood before them, magically made a red painter's cap appear on his head.

"It'sa me! Mario! WA-HOO!" Mario chanted in a goofy voice and Italian accent. Twilight and Spike just exchanged looks before they tumbled onto their backs in hard laughter. Mario was soon laughing as well. Doing magic with Twilight was so much fun.

(Theme Song)

Later that day, Mario, Twilight, and Spike were just enjoying a nice walk through town. Spike still couldn't settle down about Twilight and Mario's achievements.

"Twenty-five, Twilight," said Spike, "Twenty-five different kinds of tricks and counting. I thought unicorns were only supposed to have a little magic that matches their talents!"

"True," Twilight pointed out, "for ponies whose talents are for things like cooking or singing or math. But what if a unicorn's special talent is magic?"

"Or they are gifted with strong magical abilities," put in Mario.

"Like you two," said Spike, "and you both know a ton of magic."

"Oh Spike, stop it," said Mario.

"I'm sure there are lots of ponies right here in Ponyville that know just as much magic as us," added Twilight.

"Are you kiddin'?" Spike retorted, "I don't think there's another unicorn in all of Equestria with your kind of ability, Twilight and Mario. At least I've never met a pony who could jump higher than a house or run faster than a Sonic Rainboom."

"Pinkie apparently can," Mario muttered, "when she's hot on your trail." Mario shuttered at the thought as Twilight patted his shoulder to help him calm down. Suddenly two young unicorn colts came charging by. One was short and a tad pudgy while the other was tall and very skinny.

"Gangway! Comin' through!" the shorter and pudgier unicorn named Snips shouted before they rammed into Spike as they sprinted by.

"Augh! Snips, Snails!" Spike retorted as he was forced to hitch a bumpy ride on Snip's head, "What's goin' on?"

"Wha, haven't you heard?" Snails replied as he turned his head and saw Spike. They both made a quick stop and Spike was sent flying into the distance.

"Whoa!" Spike grunted as he crash landed.

"There's a new unicorn in town!" Snails told them.

"Yeah! They say that she's got more magical powers than any other unicorn ever!" Snips added.

"Really?" said Twilight and Mario together. Looking a little insecure about hearing that.

"Aw, no way, that honor goes to Twilight and Mario here," Spike pointed out. The two young colts just looked at them as Mario and Twilight had a light blush of embarrassment on their faces from the praise.

"Where is this unicorn?" Twilight asked once she had recomposed herself.

"Ho, she's in the town square," Snails responded, "come on!"

"Yeah!" said Snips, "Come on! Whooo!"

Twilight, Mario, and Spike just exchanged some curious looks before following them. Soon the other ponies were gathered around a large stage that had been set up just outside of the town hall. There was a large curtain surrounding part of it.

"Come one, come all!" said the unicorn's voice, "Come and witness the amazing magic of the great and powerful Trixie!" The platform appeared before them all and the curtain opened, revealing a cobalt blue colored unicorn wearing a purple wizard's hat and matching cape.

"Ooh!" said numerous ponies. Spike pushed a few ponies out of the way so he, Twilight, and Mario could get a front row view of Trixie. Their other friends were already there. Mario gave a loud groan when he saw who it was.

"Not her," he muttered.

"You know her?" Twilight asked.

"She was one of my biggest bullies when we were in magic school," said Mario bitterly, "That girl would stop at nothing to get under my skin and make me look dumb in public."

"I see," Twilight replied, "but wait...if she used to go to the same magic school as us, why did I never hear of her?"

"She only pestered me when you weren't around," Mario retorted, "She did try to talk to you once or twice, but you were so busy thinking to yourself about your studies that it doesn't surprise me you never knew she tried talking to you." Twilight just smiled sheepishly.

"Watch in awe as the Great and Powerful Trixie performs the most spectacular feats of magic ever witnessed by pony eyes!" Trixie continued to brag. She then conjured up a large collection of fireworks and fanfare.

"My, my, my!" Rarity remarked with an eye roll, "What boasting!"

"Come on," said Spike annoyingly, "nopony's as magical as Twi-Twi-Twi-" He then noticed that Rarity was right next to him.

"Oh," Spike replied as he cleared his throat, "Hey Rarity, I...uh...Mustache!" Spike then dashed away from her as she just looked rather clueless.

"There's nothing wrong with being talented, is there?" Twilight asked a little worried.

"Nothin' at all," said Applejack her own annoyed look as she watched Trixie show off, "'cept'in when someone goes around showin' it off like school filly with fancy new ribbons."

"Just because one has the ability to perform lots of magic does not make one better than the rest of us," Rarity added.

"Especially when ya got me around being better than the rest of us," said Rainbow with a laugh until Applejack gave her a death glare, "Eh, I mean, yeah, uh, magic shmagic. BOO!" Rainbow's boo chant did not go unheard as Trixie looked in her direction and smirked.

"Well, well, well, it seems we have some neighsayers in the audience," Trixie retorted, "Who is so ignorant as to challenge the magical ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie? Do they not know that they're in the presence of the most magical unicorn in all of Equestria?" Mario just shook his head in disgust.

"It's good to know you actually grew up, Trixie," said Mario to himself. Trixie shifted her head, blinking her eyes. Mario just glared once she had seen him.

"Well, long time no see, Mario," said Trixie smugly, "I was wondering what happened to you." Some of the pony's gasped when they heard Mario knew who she was.

"I see you haven't changed a bit..." said Mario, "So full of yourself...and ready to tear apart anypony who doesn't agree with your...stuck-up point of view."

"I've become the most powerful unicorn of all time," Trixie bragged, "what about you? Decided you weren't good enough for the Princess and came crying to this town for some pity? You're the pony who ran crying from the racetrack after one accident if I do recall." Mario growled as the rest of the girls looked rather offended. Rarity gave an indignant raspberry.

"Just who does she think she is?" Rarity asked aloud.

"Yeah," Spike agreed, "Since we all know that Twilight and Mario here are-"

"Spike! Shhh!" Twilight blurted out as she dragged Spike away from the crowd by the tail.

"What? What's wrong?" Spike asked curiously as Twilight let go of his tail.

"You see the way they reacted to Trixie," said Twilight, "I don't want anyone thinking I'm a show off!"

"Yeah, Spike," said Mario, "I made that mistake once and it nearly cost me everything! In fact...I'm still paying for that one mistake...I'm with Twilight about this. In a situation like this, we're better off keeping our magical talents to ourselves." Twilight agreed but she felt a little guilty.

"I never meant to rub that in your face, about the accident..." she said quietly.

"Don't," said Mario, cutting her off, "As far as I'm concerned, I had it coming." Twilight wanted to protest until some more fanfare went off from Trixie. Snips and Snails seemed to be the only ones who were impressed. Their friends looked indignant.

"So, "Great and Powerful Trixie"," Rainbow replied sternly, "What makes you think you're so awesome, anyway?"

"Heh, why, only the Great and Powerful Trixie has magic strong enough to vanquish the dreaded ursa major!" Trixie then launched some more special fireworks and fanfare to resemble herself and the image of the ursa major. The other ponies just oohed and awed in amazement. Mario, Twilight, Spike, and their friends just looked indignant, not believing anything Trixie said.

"What?" Snips exclaimed.

"No way," Snails added in amazement.

"When all hope was lost, the ponies of Hoofington had no one to turn to," Trixie explained in a theatrical manner as she animated the fireworks above her, "but the Great and Powerful Trixie stepped in, and with her awesome magic, vanquished the ursa major and sent it back into its cave deep within the Everfree Forest!"

"Saw, sweet!" said Snips and Snails together.

"That settles it," said Snips.

"Trixie truly is the most talented, most magical, the most awesome unicorn in all Ponyville," Snails added.

"No, in all of Equestria!" finished Snips. Mario just facehoofed himself. It was painful watching ponies believe Trixie's tall tales.

"How do you know?" Spike objected, "You didn't see it! And besides, Twi-" (ZIP) "mmph M-mmph..." Spike was shushed by Twilight as she made a zipper appear on the side of Spike's mouth and she zipped it shut. Trixie just laughed.

"It's true, my enthusiastic little admirers," Trixie replied, "Trixie is most certainly the best in Ponyville." The response was dead silence and the chirping of crickets.

"Don't believe the Great and Powerful Trixie?" she retorted with a chuckle, "Well, then I hereby challenge you, Ponyvilians. Anything you can do, I can do better. Any takers? Anyone? Hmm? Or is Trixie destined to be the greatest equine who has ever lived?" She set off some more fireworks and fanfare again. That was when Spike finally managed to unzip his mouth.

"Please, she unbearable!" Spike pleaded as he clung to Twilight's neck, "You two gotta show her. You just gotta!" Spike began to cry in desperation.

"Spike, pull yourself together," said Mario, "I know she's a pain, but there's no reason to lose tears over her."

"There's no way we're going to use our magic now, Spike," Twilight added, "Especially since..."

"Hmm, how about you?" Trixie called out Twilight as she approached the front of the stage. Twilight just gulped as Trixie stared her down. Mario stood in front of her.

"Hey, leave her alone!" Mario demanded.

"Why, is she your mare-friend?" Trixie cooed, making Mario blush a bit. He didn't even noticed that Twilight had a little pink on her face two. Any pony could have claimed they had, considering they did spent alot of time together.

"No," Pinkie answered somewhere in the crowd but stayed out of sight, "that would be me! He's my sweet babboo!" While Pinkie's statement definitely shifted the awkwardness away from Twilight and Mario, it only put Mario in a more annoying situation.

"I am not your sweet babboo!" Mario retorted sternly.

"YES YOU ARE!" Pinkie screamed. Mario and Twilight just rolled their eyes at her. Their friends did the same. Trixie laughed at Mario's expense as she continued to stare down Twilight.

"Well, how about it?" Trixie challenged, "is there anything you can do that the Great and Powerful Trixie can't?" Twilight grew more and more insecure by the second. Even Mario couldn't make eye contact with her.

"I-I-" she stuttered.

"That's it! I can't stand for no more of this!" Applejack retorted and coming to Twilight and Mario's rescue as she walked up to the stage. She then began to show off some of her lasso skills.

"You show her AJ!" Spike cheered as Applejack hopped back and forth her lasso ring. Then she used it to grab an apple from a nearby tree. She brought the apple straight towards her mouth and gobbled it up in one bite.

"Whooo!" the other ponies cheered.

"Top that missy," Applejack challenged.

"Oh ye of little talent," said Trixie as her wizard hat began to glow and she removed it, "Watch and be amazed at the magic of Trixie." Trixie used her magic to make the discarded rope come to life. It began to wiggle about like a snake and she added charmer music to boot. Mario was worried.

"Don't look at the rope AJ, don't look at the..."

"Whoa! Uh!" Applejack muttered as she did look and was soon charmed.

"Oh boy..." Mario groaned as Trixie grabbed another rope and tied Applejack's four legs and pinned her upside down. To add more insult, Trixie used her magic to grab an apple from the tree and stuffed it into Applejack's mouth. The other ponies just laughed as Applejack hopped off the stage in disgrace.

"Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie prevails," Trixie boasted when Rainbow flew up to her.

"There's no need to go struttin' around and showin' off like that," Rainbow pointed out.

"Oh?" Trixie asked indignantly.

"That's my job!" Rainbow gloated as she took off into the skies. She used the nearby windmill to increase her speed as she flew upwards, blasting through several clouds. Once she was in front of the sun, she made a pose before diving back through the clouds. As she did so, she used her slipstream to collect dew from the clouds, spun about through the wind mill again, and then came to a dead stop before Trixie. As the dew crashed into her, it created a miniature rainbow above her head.

"They don't call me "Rainbow" and "Dash" for nothin'!" Rainbow said confidently. The ponies gave her a cheer. Trixie wasn't impressed.

"When Trixie is through," she remarked, "the only thing they'll call you is loser." Trixie used her magic to make the rainbow above the Pegasus' head turn into a multi-colored cyclone.

"Whoa! Whoa! Whoa-a-a-a!" Rainbow screamed as she was spun about and dropped head first into the ground, leaving her very dizzy and the other ponies laughing.

"...I think I'm...gonna be sick...," she said woozily.

"Seems like anypony with a dash of good sense would think twice before tussling with the Great Trixie," the unicorn gloated as she used her magic to create a small dark cloud above Rainbow. Applejack, who had managed to get out of the ropes, helped the poor Pegasus to her feet when the cloud shot lighting at Rainbow's back end.

"Ow!" Rainbow flinched in a very, girly shriek. Those laughing just laughed harder.

"What we need is another unicorn to challenge her," Spike replied with his claws balled into fists, "Someone with some magic of her own." Twilight and Mario began to feel rather uneasy.

"Yeah! A unicorn to show this unicorn who's boss," Rainbow added, already fully recovered.

"A real unicorn to unicorn tussle," Applejack added. Mario and Twilight grew more and more uncomfortable when a certain marshmallow unicorn stood before the two.

"Enough, enough of you," she said firmly, "I take your hint, but Rarity is above such nonsense. Rainbow Dash and Applejack may behave like ruffians, but Rarity conducts herself with beauty and grace." While Mario agreed with her, he was still puzzled why Rarity was speaking in the third person.

"Ooo, what's the matter?" Trixie teased, "Afraid you'll get a hair out of place in that rat's nest you call a mane?" Let this be a warning to you reading this: Never insult Rarity's mane. You will not survive if you do.

"Oh, it. Is. On!" Rarity exclaimed with a fierce look of determination as she took the stage, "You may think you're tough with all your so-called powers, but there's more to magic than your brutish ways. A unicorn needs to be more than just muscle. A unicorn needs to have style." Rarity then grabbed one of the curtains with her horn. She then spun the cloth around her before it transformed into a beautiful gown with Rarity's hair styled in a beautifully done up-do.

"Ooh!" the other ponies said in amazement.

"A unicorn is not a unicorn without grace and beauty," Rarity concluded as she posed.

"Rarity won't let Trixie get the best of her!" Spike said proudly, "She's strong, she's beautiful, she's-"

POOF!

"GASP!" Spike stopped speaking as Trixie used her magic, leaving everyone stunned.

"Quick!" Rarity shouted in a panic, "Get me a mirror! What did she do to my hair? I know she did something terrible to my hair!"

"Nothing," said Twilight with a smile.

"It's fine," said Rainbow Dash plainly.

"It's gorgeous," Applejack added.

"It's green," said Spike and earned himself not just three, but also a fourth glare from Mario, "What?" Rarity looked up and saw that it was true. Her dark purple mane was now a shade of forest green.

"Ugh no," Rarity cried out, "Green hair! Not green hair!" Rarity ran off the stage crying and out of the crowds.

"Such an awful, awful color," Rarity sobbed as she passed a pony named Golden Harvest. Ironically, she had a mane the same color.

"Well, I never!" she retorted and walked away. The others just watched Rarity leave as Spike walked up to Twilight and Mario.

"Well, Twilight, Mario, guess it's up to the two of you," said Spike, but they both made hesitant faces, "Come on, show her what your made of." Several other ponies looked at the two.

"What do you mean?" said Twilight innocently.

"I'm nothing special," Mario added in the same tone.

"Yes, you are!" Spike protested, "you two are better than her!"

"We're no better than anyone!" Twilight protested as the stares increased.

"Hah! You think you're better than the Great and Powerful Trixie," said the cobalt unicorn, "You think you've got more magical talent? Well, come on, show Trixie what you've got. Show us all." Mario glared but Twilight was feeling more and more uncomfortable.

"Who, me?" Twilight responded, "I'm just your run-of-the-mill citizen of Ponyville. Same with Mario. Whose single and just my best friend."

Ooo...I know that is true, but still hurts to hear you say that out loud Mario thought sadly.

"No powerful magic here," Twilight continued, "I, uh...I think I hear my laundry calling. Sorry, gotta go." Twilight then took off. Mario just gave Trixie a glare before following after Twilight.

"Twilight? Mario?" Spike asked with worry.

"Ha!" Trixie gloated in triumph, "Once again, the Great and Powerful Trixie has proven herself to be the most amazing unicorn in all of Equestria. Huh, was there ever any doubt?" The other ponies just dispersed to their regular business and Spike continued to look worried about Mario and Twilight in the middle of all the shuffling.

A little later, Trixie was before her large mirror, using her magic to brush her light blue mane just outside of her personal wagon when someone present her a drink.

"Here's your smoothie you asked for," Snips said as he offered the drink to her, "with extra hay, just how you like it." Trixie flinched away since the plate with the smoothie was served using Snips back end.

"Mmm, hay," said Snails in a slow but zoned out voice as he stood aimlessly nearby. Trixie just rolled her eyes at the both of them, but accepted the smoothie with a very long sip. She noticed the two unicorn colts were just staring and smiling at her.

"Yes?" Trixie asked, showing that even she could only tolerate having ponies gush over her for so long before losing her patience.

"Ooo, tell us another story, Great and Powerful Trixie," Snails asked as he bounced up and down excitedly.

"Yeah, tell us about how you vanquished the ursa major," Snails asked.

"Guh!" Trixie snorted, "Trixie is far too exhausted from performing feats beyond imagination. Begone with you until morning."

"Oh, of course, Great and Powerful Trixie," said Snails, trying to grovel as he backed away.

"Anything you say," Snips added as he moved backwards in the same manner, "We are at your beck and call."

"Ah," was all Trixie could say once they left. Snips and Snails continued to move backwards until they nearly ran into Spike.

"What are you two doin'?" he asked with his arms crossed.

"Just bringin' the Gee an' Pee Tee a-"

"The what?" Spike asked, cutting off Snips.

"The Great and Powerful Trixie," Snips explained proudly.

"Sheesh," Spike muttered, rolling his eyes. Guess Mario was right about how pathetic it looks when ponies actually think she's great.

"Just bringin' her a smoothie," said Snips.

"How can you fall for her lameness?" Spike retorted, waving his arms up and down, "She's just a show-off. Unlike Twilight and Mario, who-"

"The great and powerful Trixie vanquished an ursa major," Snips interrupted and leaned into Spike's face, "Can your Twilight and Mario claim that?"

"Oh really?" said Spike, "Were you guys actually there?"

"Well, eh, uh...no," Snips stuttered as he exchanged looked with Snails, "but..."

"But nothin'!" Spike snapped, "The proof is in the pudding."

"I like pudding," said Snails with a laugh. Spike just looked annoyed.

"Look, unless an ursa major comes waltzing up the street for Trixie to vanquish, I'm not gonna believe a word she says," said Spike, "and neither should you!" Snips just began to think.

"Hm, an ursa walkin' up the street," he pondered aloud, "hey? Snails! You thinkin' what I'm thinkin'?"

"Why is it they call it a flea market when they don't really sell fleas?" Snails asked in his usual tone.

"Yeah, uh..." then Snips realized that wasn't what he was talking about, "oh, come on!" Soon the two colts took off and Spike just watched them disappear before making his way back to the Library. Mario and Twilight were actually reading from the same book as Spike arrived.

"Mario, Twilight, would you two put down that book and just listen to me?" Spike retorted.

"Didn't you see how they hated Trixie's bragging?" Twilight pointed out, "If we go out there and show off our magic..."

"...we run the risk of losing them as friends," finished Mario, "Nothing is worth that." Twilight gave him a sympathetic look before going back to her reading.

"It's not the same thing, you guys," said Spike, "You'll be using your magic to stand up for your friends."

"No, Spike, it's exactly the same," Twilight shot back.

"We don't need to stoop down to her level," said Mario, "While most of her magic quips were humiliating, they weren't anything that we needed to intervene. Well maybe Rarity's case...the poor thing was still upset until I managed to restore her mane's original color...but the point is that we don't need to fight magic with magic."

"Come on, Mario and Twilight," said Spike, "any one of these tricks, even the teeniest, would be enough to show up Trixie."

"I don't want to be seen as a bragger," said Mario and Twilight together. Then created a door frame with a door and slammed the door shut on Spike's face. Spike wasted no time reopening it.

"But you're the best!" Spike protested.

"Uh. Please, Spike I said no!" Twilight snapped.

"And that is final!" Mario added sternly. Spike just sighed to himself.

"If that's the way you want to be, then fine," said Spike, "Maybe Trixie was right about one thing. You two belong together!" With that he slammed the door shut, Mario and Twilight looked unamused since the door Spike slammed didn't shut them out or lead anywhere. Spike soon realized this. He reopened the door and slowly made his way back outside without another word. Mario and Twilight just watched him leave before sighing to each other sadly.

"He just doesn't get it doesn't he?" Mario muttered before continuing to read the book. Twilight looked worried. She just couldn't keep quiet about this issue any longer.

"Mario?" she asked quietly.

"Yes Twi?" he asked as he continued to read.

"What really happened all those years ago?" said Twilight, "When you were the top of the track team? I wanna know." Mario just looked at her blankly.

"Does it really matter?" Mario asked, "In the end, you were right about me." Twilight just looked sad.

"Mario, I know I wasn't there for you," said Twilight, "and I'm sorry I never tried asking if you were okay or tried to help you after your accident, but I don't understand how you know what it's like to show off and lose your friends because of it."

"I don't know if I wanna really..." Mario then stopped when Twilight looked at him with large eyes.

"I still want to know what happened," said Twilight sadly, "I don't know the whole story and I can tell you're still hurting over it. I didn't help you then, but let me help you now. Please?" Mario just looked at her before releasing a large sigh.

"Alright," said Mario, "I'll tell you..." Mario spent the rest of the afternoon telling her the entire story. Twilight did a great job hearing him out while doing her research, even giving him a hug since he cried during the conversation. Mario had to admit he felt much better finally being able to tell someone face to face rather than just jotting the painful memories into a journal. Being hugged by Twilight certainly was helpful in his opinion. He felt much better about the issue now, but was still reluctant to show off his magical talents. Twilight felt the same way.

By the time night had fallen, two young colts were now in the Everfree forest. They were apparently on a search for something, when they entered a cave and soon found themselves in complete darkness.

"Oh, how are we gonna find an ursa major when I can't even see my own hoof in front of my face?" Snips said annoyingly.

"Hold on," said Snails as he tried to light up his horn. After a few false starts, he finally managed to keep his horn lit.

"Oh, heh. That's better," said Snips before they turned behind them and saw what appeared to be a large bear-like creature that was coated in a celestial pattern. Apparently they were looking for an ursa major...and they had just woken it up. It gave a loud growl at the two colts.

"YAAAAH!" Snails and Snips screamed and took off as fast as their four legs could take them as the ursa gave another roar and pursued them. Spike was just outside the forest, kicking a small pebble cross the path when Snips and Snails came rushing by, screaming.

"Hey, guys, where ya goin'?" Spike asked curiously.

"Can't talk now," Snips replied, breathing hard and kept running.

"Got a major problem!" Snails he added and kept running as well.

"Yeah, ursa major, to be exact," said Snips as they disappeared. Spike looked puzzled when he heard a loud roar.

"Huh?" he exclaimed and looked up and saw the celestial bear coming his way. Spike only made a frightened face and took off to catch up with the two colts as the ursa roared again.

"TRIXIE!" Snips and Snails screamed.

"TWILIGHT! MARIO!" Spike screamed right behind him. Within record time, the two colts arrived at Trixie's wagon and began banging on the door of her wagon.

"Trixie!" They continued to chant until the unicorn opened the top half of the door.

"Trixie thought she said the Great and Powerful Trixie did not want to be disturbed!" she retorted.

"We-We have a-a tiny problem," Snips replied with a nervous laugh.

"Actually, it's a big one," Snails corrected.

"What is so important that you cannot wait until morning to disturb Trixie?" she asked. That was when she heard a loud roar. Then she saw the ursa break its way out of some trees and appeared before her in the distance. Trixie screamed at the top of her lungs and took off for dear life. Snips and Snails were stunned for only a second before taking off as well just as the ursa used its paw to smash Trixie's wagon to pieces. Spike had managed to reach the Library just a little after the two colts had spoken to Trixie.

"Twilight! Mario!" Spike panicked, "You gotta come! Quick!"

"I ready told you, Spike," Twilight retorted, "I don't want to show up Trixie!"

"So drop it!" Mario added sternly.

"No, you don't understand," Spike said frantically, "it's-"

ROAR!

That got Twilight and Mario's attention.

"Uh, is that what I think it is?" Twilight asked worried.

"I think it is," Mario replied with dread.

"Majorly," Spike added wearily.

Meanwhile, the ursa had managed to pursue Trixie, Snips, and Snails and had backed them towards a nearby house. They were all fearing for their lives when Snips remembered something.

"Great and Powerful Trixie, you've got to vanquish the ursa," said Snips.

"Yeah, vanquish it so we can watch," said Snails. Trixie was rather aghast at their request and suddenly she realized something.

"Wait, you brought this here?" Trixie said with a gasp before becoming angry, "Are you out of your little pony minds?"

"But, you're the Great and Powerful Trixie," Snips protested.

"Yeah, remember?" said Snails, "You defeated an ursa major." The Ursa roared at Trixie, making her gulp.

"Uh, okay," said Trixie nervously, "Stand back." She then used her horn to summon the rope, attempting to use her snake charmer trick on the ursa. She then bound what appeared to be two of its legs before smiling.

"Heh, piece of cake," Trixie said smugly. Until the ursa showed that Trixie had only succeeded in binding two of its front fingers together and broke the rope with ease.

"Aw, come on, Trixie," Snips retorted.

"Stop goofin' around and vanquish it, eh?" Snails added. Trixie was getting more and more nervous. She then tried to summon her thunder cloud again. It seemed she was creating quite a massive storm...until you backed away and found that the cloud was no bigger than the one she had summoned on Rainbow. Trixie just gasped and gulped again. She would be lucky if that even tickled the creature.

"Well, that was a dud," said Snails bluntly.

"Yeah, pfft, come on," said Snips impatiently, "Where's all the cool explosions and smoke and stuff like earlier?" Trixie said nothing as her little cloud finally cracked a lightning bolt, leaving a burnt mark on the side of the ursa's back end.

"Uh oh," Trixie squeaked as the ursa gave a loud roar. The three just screamed and ran off. Soon the ursa's roaring was waking up the other ponies living nearby. Many of them gasped at the sight. Then the ursa tore off a nearby roof and the ponies began running and screaming in fear. Mario and Twilight had just arrived on the scene.

"What's going on?" Twilight asked as they both ran into Snips, Snails, and Trixie.

"We brought an ursa to town," said Snips plainly.

"You what!?" Twilight exclaimed in shock.

"Don't worry, the Great and Powerful Trixie will vanquish it," Snails replied excitedly. Mario grunted angrily.

"When the brains were being passed out, you two forgot to take a number," Mario retorted.

"Heh, yeah we did," Snails answered with a chuckle. The fact Snails even answered that question so casually only proved Mario's point. Twilight just looked unamused. Trixie hadn't heard and was keeping very quiet for a moment before speaking.

"I can't," Trixie admitted sadly.

"WHAT!?" Snips and Snails exclaimed.

"Oh, I can't, I never have," Trixie confessed, "No one can vanquish an ursa major. I just made the story up to make me look better."

"Made it up!?" Snips and Snails exclaimed.

"Wow, what a surprise there," Mario muttered. Then the ursa gave a loud growl and a roar as it appeared above a house in the distance. Mario and Twilight looked uneasy as other ponies gasped fearfully. Rarity, Applejack and Rainbow were now in the crowd. Mario and Twilight just looked at each other. Then Spike made a gesture for them to do something. Mario gave a loud huff.

"Looks like we have no choice," said Mario and turned to Twilight, "I'll lure it here with my number twenty six. Then together we'll deal with it okay." Mario went to approach it, but Twilight grabbed his tail to pull him back a bit.

"Are you crazy, you can't face that thing alone!" Twilight protested.

"Yes I can," said Mario, "Trust me. Number twenty six will keep me safe while I lure it into range." Mario gave her a firm look. Twilight sighed.

"Okay," she said bravely, but didn't hide the fact she was nervous. She didn't even know what number twenty six even was. Mario slowly made his way towards the ursa. Their friends were watching from nearby.

"What in Celestia does Mario think he's doing?" Applejack asked curiously, worried about him. Once Mario was just a hair away from being at risk of getting swiped, he pulled out a cookie in the shape of a star.

"How can he eat cookies at a time like this?!" Rainbow said in shock. Mario didn't hear as he used his horn to create a little spark, causing the cookie to glow. By now the ursa major had seen him. Mario quickly ate the cookie in one bite. The ursa raised its paw to strike when...

(Insert your favorite Invincibility tune)

Mario's outer body began to glow a bright yellow with a slight flicker and it generated an endless supply of sparkles. Mario slowly moved towards Twilight as the ursa followed. It made occasional strikes, but all its attacks were blocked, preventing Mario from being hurt or knocked back. The others were in shock and Rainbow's jaw literally hit the ground.

"Oh wow," Spike exclaimed, "Invincibility spell. Mario's been trying to perfect that move for years!" Twilight was too surprised to reply. She was more worried how long the invincibility would last. Mario knew the invincibility was short lived and had been keeping track of the magic's energy. He paced himself so he had enough time to get out of range when the magic started to wear off.

"Four...three...two...one!" Mario called out as he rolled out of the way as the invincibility wore off. He then skillfully made a one eighty as he uncurled out of his ball and came to stop right beside Twilight. Now they were ready to deal with the ursa head on. Twilight gulped as she and Mario slowly got a little closer to the ursa. Then they began to make their horns glow. The magic created a small gust of wind that spread about the outskirts of town, creating a soft and smoothing melody that began to calm the ursa down.

"Nice use of number sixteen," said Spike, clearly impressed. Mario and Twilight began to sweat as they kept the melody playing and began to remove a nearby water tank from its stand. They then removed the water and slowly guided the tank through a nearby barn. Twilight kept the tank steady and Mario used his magic to collect some fresh milk from the cows. The cows gave moos in surprise as they were magically milked and the contents placed inside the tank.

"Golly, dont'cha know?" said a cow as the tank was filled with fresh milk and Twilight created a rubber suction top to turn the tank into a giant bottle of milk.

"That's new," Spike remarked as the tank made a clank once it arrived. Mario and Twilight groaned from the multi-tasking, sweating even more as they used their magic to lift the ursa into the air. Once they had it in a cradle position, they offered the giant milk bottle to the ursa, who began to drink it peacefully. Then they slowly but surely transported the ursa back into its cave where it belonged. Once it had been set down, Mario and Twilight let out a long but exhausted sigh as they tried to catch their breath. They were both tired, but triumphant. The ponies all cheered for them.

"Unbelievable!" said Rainbow.

"That was amazing!" Spike added.

"Heaven's to Betsy!" said Applejack, "We knew you two had ability, but not that much." Twilight and Mario just looked rather sad.

"I'm sorry, please, please, don't hate us," Twilight pleaded as Mario gave them a worried look.

"Hate you?" said Rainbow, Applejack, and Rarity together.

"Why, whatever do you mean, darlings?" Rarity asked puzzled.

"Well, I know how much you all hated Trixie's showing off with her magic tricks," Twilight explained, "and we just thought..."

"After my accident..." Mario stumbled, "I...I didn't want to risk losing my friends because of...my talents...I know that invincibility spell was a bit flashy but...I had to protect my..."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," said Rainbow, cutting them both off, "Magic's got nothing to do with it...or having alot of talents. Trixie's just a loudmouth."

"Most unpleasant," Rarity added.

"All hat and no cattle," said Applejack.

"So...you don't mind our magic tricks?" Twilight asked.

"Your magic is a part of who you are, sugarcubes," said Applejacks, "and we like you who you are. We're proud to have such powerful, talented unicorns as our friends."

"And after whuppin' that ursa's hindquarters," Rainbow added, "we're even prouder."

"You are?" Mario and Twilight said together.

"Uh-huh," said Rainbow.

"Mm-hmm," Applejack and Rarity said together. Mario and Twilight smiled.

"Wow, Twilight, how'd you know what to do with that ursa major?" Spike asked.

"That was what we were doing when you came looking for us," Twilight explained, "We were so intrigued by Trixie's bragging that we were compelled to do a little reading up on them."

"Guess you can say it pays to do your homework," Mario added, rubbing the back of his mane.

"So it is possible to vanquish an ursa major all by yourselves?" Spike asked.

"That wasn't a ursa major," Twilight replied.

"It was a baby, an ursa minor," said Mario.

"That was just a baby?" Trixie exclaimed in shock.

"And it wasn't rampaging," Twilight continued, "it was just cranky become someone woke it up." Twilight and Mario gave two particular young colts a glare.

"Awww..." they muttered sheepishly, knowing they were in deep trouble.

"Well, if that was an ursa minor," Spike thought, "then what's an ursa major like?" Mario and Twilight thought deeply to themselves. When they were moving the ursa minor, they had actually deposited the baby into its parent's lap, which was about twenty times the size of the baby.

"You don't wanna know," Mario and Twilight with a smirk.

"Huh," Trixie snorted as she stood beside them with a hoof pointed at them, "You may have vanquished an ursa minor, but you will never have an amazing, show stopping ability of the Great and Powerful Trixie!" She turned to Mario.

"You may have beaten Trixie this time, Mario," said Trixie, "But next time, victory will belong to Trixie!" Trixie then dropped a smoke bomb to try an disappearing act. But she ended up tripping and everyone could see her running way as the smoke disappeared.

"Why, that little..." Rainbow was about to take off to go after her when Twilight held her back by the tail.

"Just let her go," said Twilight as Trixie ran from Ponyville into the distance, "Maybe someday she'll learn her lesson."

"I hope you're right," said Mario, "In all the years I've known her, Trixie has never admitted to her mistakes."

"We can only hope," said Twilight and turned towards the two young colts, "Now, about you two." The two young unicorns just chuckled to each other nervously.

"Ah," Snips chuckled sheepishly, "Uh, we're sorry that we woke up the ursa minor."

"We just wanted to see some awesome magic," Snails added.

"Yeah!" Snips added, "And the way you vanquished that ursa minor was awesome!" Mario and Twilight just looked at them sternly, making the two colts slouch in defeat.

"We deserve whatever punishment you give us," Snails conceded sadly.

"For starters, you can clean up this mess," said Twilight as Mario looked at Trixie's destroyed and abandoned cart, "And...what do you think...Spike? Mario? Should I give them number twenty five?"

"Oh twenty five! Yes!" said Spike as Mario nodded in agreement, "And I think I deserve it, too!"

"Heah?" Snips and Snails said in confusion before Spike stood next to them.

"I think you're right," Twilight smirked as Mario let Twilight do her thing. Twilight made her horn glow and produced a thick black mustache on all their faces.

"Swwwwwwwwwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!" The three boys said together. Mario and Twilight just chuckled to each other. Before the night was over, Mario had to retell what he had told Twilight to the rest of their friends regarding his accident, but was grateful for their sympathy. Then he had to listen to Rainbow brag about how awesome his invincibility spell was until Rarity and Applejack dragged her away. Mario was just grateful he had so many caring friends.

By next morning, the damage had been cleared away for the most part, but the two colts still had to repair some broken rooftops. Mario and Twilight were just back in the library on the upper floor as Twilight prepared their letter to Princess Celestia.

"Dear Princess Celestia," Twilight recited out loud as Mario stood beside her, "We have learned a very valuable lesson about friendship: We were so afraid of being thought of as show-offs that we were hiding a part of who we are. Our friends helped us realize that it's okay to be proud of your talents, and there are times when it's appropriate to show them off...Especially when you're standing up for your friends."

"So you finally admit that you two are the most talented unicorns in all of Ponyville?" Spike asked as he reached the top of the stairs before Twilight could finish signing the letter.

"Well, yeah," said Twilight modestly.

"But it's nothing to brag about," Mario added.

"So, uh, how did it go with Rarity?" Twilight asked curiously.

"Eh, she didn't go for the mustache," said Spike, feeling rejected.

"You know Spike," Twilight pointed out, "that mustache has nothing to do with who you really are. Maybe you should just try to be yourself."

"Or...Maybe the mustache wasn't enough," Spike thought aloud, "Maybe if I had a mustache and a beard."

"Uh, not this again!" said Twilight in exasperation.

"Okay, imagine me with a nice, long, Fu Manchu type beard," Spike explained, "Or maybe a goatee. On no...a soul patch right on my chin!"

"Oh brother..." Mario replied with an eye roll.

Take my advice Spike...girls these days like colts, or dragons, who are clean shaved.

At least Twilight does...

I know Pinkie Pie doesn't have an actual appearance in this episode, but I needed her to cameo for that one joke.

Hey, my pony is named Mario, he had to do the "Super Mario" intro at least once.

If you need a time count on his "invincible star cookie" think about 20 seconds.

Peace Pony Fans!