S1 E17 Everypony! The Show Stoppers is up next!

....

Things in Ponyville were carrying on as normal, Malibu living his best life there in that little town even being the only alicorn. But it didn't bother him since he had good friends and that he knew he wasn't truly a pony by birth anyway. One day he spotted Fluttershy carrying a basket on her back. He went up to her.

"What's in the basket, Fluttershy?" He asked curiously. The yellow pegasus smiled shyly, lifting the top and revealing Rarity's white cat Opalescence inside, her usual look on her face. "I was grooming Rarity's cat, she comes back today. You want to come with me?" Malibu nodded, always enjoying what new outfits Rarity made, and she usually asked him to model for alicorn clothing sometimes.

The two friends made their way to Carousel Boutique, where Fluttershy rang the doorbell. When nobody answered it was soon why when hearing a loud crash inside. Malibu's ears fell a little at that. "Perhaps we should just take a peek to make sure she's ok?" He asked. Fluttershy nodded. The two opened the door, seeing a big mess inside and Rarity trying to clean it. "Oh, what now?!" Rarity screamed when she had heard the door bell.

She only saw that it was just Malibu and Fluttershy, sighing in relief. "Fluttershy, forgive me! And welcome back Malibu! I was so wrapped up in my work that I forgot that you were bringing Opalescence back from her grooming!"

Fluttershy smiled. "No worries, Rarity, I left her in the basket," She said, Opalescence appeared out of the basket, jumping out and showing off her groomed fur. "Oh, she looks great!" Rarity complimented. "I just don't understand how you do it! I can't get near her without getting a swipe from her claws," She said when trying to pet Opalescence but the cat hissed and tried to scratch the white unicorn who yelped and backed away.

Malibu cringed a bit, knowing his own experience with this demented cat once when she scratched his hoof, taking hint to stay away and sometimes felt jealous of Fluttershy's animal experience. But then Rarity had a slight nervous look. "Oh, did you use... the stare on her?" Fluttershy gasped at that. "Oh no! I couldn't! I wouldn't! I-I don't really have any control over when it happens, it just happens. No, I'm just good with animals. It's my special gift you know."

She petted Opal from her words. Malibu chuckled. "We all know that, Flutter," He complimented, though was curious about this stare thing that the girls brought up. Rarity smiled too. "Well, you should have a picture of Opal as a cutie mark instead of those butterflies," She joked, making the three laugh.

Malibu spotted Sweetie Belle walking up to Opal. "Ooh! Ooh! Maybe I can be great with animals too!" The answer to that was Opal swiping her claws, cutting off one of her mane curls, a cat grin on her face. Sweetie Belle backed away. "Or not..." For Malibu knew that his little trio of friends were still looking for their cutie marks and wondered when that day would come.

Rarity stood up to return to work. "I'm sorry I can't invite you two to stay and chat, I've bitten off more than I could chew with this order." Sweetie looked confused. "But you're not eating anything!" Malibu rolled his eyes but smiled. "I think she's just saying an expression," He said, as Rarity nodded. "Yes, it means I've taken on more work than I can handle. I've got twenty of these special robes to make tonight! They're due in Trottingham tomorrow morning!"

Fluttershy and Malibu spotted the capes on the prop dummies, all sparkling with gold silk. They were rather eye catching. "I lined them with this special gold silk. It took so long to make but I think it adds just the right touch; don't you?" She displayed the underside with the gold better. Malibu had to agree. "Oh yes," Fluttershy said. "These are lovely. But twenty by tonight? How will you get it all done?"

Rarity's ears fell. "Well, I, uh..." Sweetie Belle spoke. "Oh, oh, oh! Maybe I could..." Her sister gave her a glare. "Just... stand over here and watch..." Sweetie said nervously. "I'll manage," Rarity stated with a confident smile.

Malibu made his way to the door. "Then, suppose the two of us should stay out of your work space," He said, right as two blurs rushed in, nearly knocking them off their hooves. "Hi, Fluttershy! Hi Rarity!" It happened to be Applebloom and Scootaloo. They stopped, turning to see Malibu. "Hi Malibu!" They chorused, making him smile, as they greeted Sweetie Belle too. "Scootaloo! Applebloom!" She cheered.

"You ready for tonight?" Scootaloo asked. Sweetie Belle grinned. "Yup! Cutie Mark planning session is a go!"

"What's going on?" Malibu questioned in curiosity, making the three turn to look up at him again. "Tonight's the night we each try to find our own special talent."

"Even if it takes us all night!" Scootaloo piped up.

"I'm ready, are you ready?" Applebloom asked.

"Very ready!" Said Sweetie Belle, then the three all called out in loud voices; "CUTIE MARK CRUSADER'S SLEEPOVER AT RARITY'S! Yay!" Their loud voices rang in the other's ears. Sweetie Belle had a surprise for her friends next. "And look what I made us, and you Malibu!" She offered him a cape, that had the Cutie Mark Crusader's emblem on it, causing his eyes to water a bit. "This is mine?" He asked in happiness. Sweetie Belle nodded, showing off hers too, making the others ooh and ah over it.

"What does that patch on your cape mean?" Fluttershy asked, that made the three chorus out again. "THE CUTIE MARK CRUSADERS! Yay!" Scootaloo did a brave pose. "We're on a crusade, a mission!" Applebloom nodded. "To find our cutie marks! And Malibu here's our special member!"

Sweetie Belle suddenly unveiled the underside of her cape. "Yup and look; I lined them with this special gold silk. It took sooo long to make but I think it adds just the right touch, don't you?" Malibu at first liked how his shined gold but Rarity's face looked shocked and horrified, studying her gold silk fabric which had three square holes and one big one. Oh no.

"Sweetie Belle, what have you done?! That was the last of the gold silk! Now I'll have to make more! Oh, now I'll have to make more! I hope I can make more. I'm gonna have to work all night! Which means... I'm sorry girls, but I'm afraid the Crusader's sleepover is canceled," Rarity said in a firm voice.

That devastated the three. "What?!" Sweetie squeaked. Malibu glanced at his own cape guiltily, knowing it probably unbalanced Rarity's work schedule but Fluttershy placed a comforting hoof on his shoulder. "I just won't have any time to watch you if I want to get these robes delivered on time," Rarity argued. "But-!" Sweetie Belle tried but Rarity interrupted.

"No buts this time, I'm sorry, Sweetie Belle. It's just the way it has to be." That was when Fluttershy stepped forward. "I, uh, I suppose I could take them for the night." Malibu's eyes rounded at the idea. What?

"I couldn't ask you to do that!" Rarity pleaded, the three fillie's heads watching the grown ups with expectations. "Oh, it is no problem at all."

"Have you met my sister and her friends? A problem is all it would be."

"Did I have a problem with Opal? You've seen how well I handle small creatures!" Fluttershy insisted. Malibu had an argument about that though. "But Flutter, these are not creatures, they're fillies. Are you really sure?" He asked. Flutter looked at him with her confident smile. "Come on, it'll be fun," She said to both him and Rarity, who looked like she was considering. "I assure you, they're quite a handful," Rarity said.

"What? These sweet little angels? There would be no problem at all!" Malibu could swear he saw halo images on the three Crusader's heads on top of their innocent smiles, knowing this was going to be a long night.

"Oh, all right," Rarity mumbled, giving in. The Crusaders looked more than pleased. "CUTIE MARK SLEEPOVER AT FLUTTERSHY'S COTTAGE! Yay!"

The three ran out of the house, Malibu hoping Fluttershy could really handle the three. "I'll come with you to make sure they aren't in any trouble," He offered, Fluttershy nodding. "They're so cute. Wait for me!" The two ran after the kids out of the house, Rarity sighing and shaking her head.

....

Fluttershy and Malibu both walked to Fluttershy's cabin while the Crusaders did their usual mischief, running around and such. The two came across Twilight who they nearly run over. Twilight spots them. "Hello Fluttershy, Malibu." Malibu nodded his head. "Hey Twi. Where are you going?"

Twilight seemed excited. "I'm headed over to the Everfree Forest to Zecora's to get some of my favorite tea." That caused Fluttershy to look worried. "The Everfree Forest? Y-you'll be careful, won't you?" She said in fear. Malibu himself hadn't visited Zecora since the Parasprite incident but hoped to eventually, for she was a very interesting Zebra indeed.

"Of course!" Twilight assured. "How about you guys? What are you doing with the girls?" Malibu glanced at the CMCS. "Me and Fluttershy volunteered to take them to Fluttershy's house for a sleepover," He said. Twilight's eyes were somewhat surprised. "Wow, sounds like everypony has their hooves full today. Taking care of those three fillies all by yourself? You two sure you can handle it?"

Fluttershy looked confident again. "What? These sweet little angels? There would be no problem at all!" Malibu then noted he could see the angel halo above the three when they stood in a straight line near them.

....

Later that evening at the cottage Malibu wished he could say things were going well but... kids would be kids he supposed since he never had experience with children since he was a mutated gargoyle clone. The CMCS kept running about the cottage, disturbing some of the animals sometimes too. Fluttershy looked at Malibu, ears flattened. "No... problem at all."

Malibu cringed smiled. "Yeah." He said nervously. He loved the cmcs but they get a little bit over rowdy. "Ok, girls, uh, what should we do?

"I'm gonna get my cutie mark first?" Scootaloo yelled.

"Girls?" Malibu spoke up, feeling nearly as shy as Fluttershy right now. "Nu uh!" Sweetie Belle said. "I am!" Applebloom finished.

"Girls, ok now settle-." Fluttershy tried again. "I'm staying up all night!" "Me too!" "Me three!" The trio exclaimed, jumping onto a couch. Malibu placed a hoof on his cheek. This was gonna be a long night.

Fluttershy once again tried another tactic. "I-I know you're excited but- girls, oh, careful with the— oh, ah, girls—." Malibu had gotten a hold of Scootaloo with his magic to stop her from knocking over a lamp, bringing her back down to the ground. "So, what do you wanna do? Play a game?"

Malibu figured the cmcs had better plans than playing a game. "We are the cutie mark crusaders!" Scootaloo proclaimed. "And we want to crusade for our cutie marks!" Applebloom cheered. Sweetie Belle spoke up. "Yeah! And... uh, what they said!"

The yellow pegasus shook her head. "Mmm, I don't know... how about a nice quiet little tea party?"

Then the girls looked towards the window. "Or... we could go adventuring in the Everfree Forest!" Scootaloo suggested. "Yeah!" The other two cheered. Malibu stomped his foot. "Girls, no. I have no desire to see you get hurt," He snapped. Fluttershy nodded. "He's right, and there's far too many strange creatures!"

Sweetie Belle grinned. "But you two can go with us and we can catch those creatures. We could be, um... creature catchers!" The three chorused their title together. "YEAH! CUTIE MARK CRUSADER CREATURE CATCHERS!"

They next set up a supposed game where Scootaloo and Applebloom dress as an Everfree Forest creature, which made Malibu crack a smile slightly at their determination. "Arr! I'm a dangerous creature of the everfree forest! Raar!" Sweetie Belle thought for a moment then grinned. "Halt, dangerous creature of the everfree forest! I am Sweetie Belle; the creature catcher! And I am here to catch you!"

"You can never catch me! I am far too powerful and dangerous!" Scootaloo play taunted. Sweetie Belle smirked. "You cannot run from me!" The three ran about the cottage again, making Malibu's smile vanish, worried they would break something.

"Um, oh, maybe that's not such a— now girls, how about we do some nice coloring? Oh!" The crusader's shenanigans kept on going, and Malibu felt like he still couldn't yell at the little ponies to stop if it hurt their feelings. "Come back dangerous creature! So I can catch you!" Sweetie Belle shouted, but the three of them banged into the coffee table; breaking it up. The trio crouched down.

"Sorry, guys." Sweetie Belle apologized. "Yeah, sorry," Scootaloo said. Applebloom looked upset. "I guess we aren't creature catchers."

Malibu tried to cheer them up. "It really is ok, and we could probably fix-." Applebloom interrupted him. "Ah know! We can be cutie mark crusader carpenters!"

Fluttershy paled. "Carpenter..." Before Malibu could step in to stop them they began to try to fix the table, but it turned out to be a mess of one. "Um, that doesn't look like a table," Sweetie commented. Scootaloo tilted her head. "We were making a table?" Applebloom huffed. "Somepony needs to put this thing out of its misery."

They began to walk away again. "We are definitely not cutie mark crusader carpenters," Scootaloo grumbled. Malibu raised a hoof. "Uh," He started. "Who wants a picture of a hammer on their flank anyway?" Fluttershy then had an idea. "Well, now that we've gotten that out of the way, how about a game?"

The three looked confused. "A game?" Asked Applebloom. Malibu looked at the yellow pegasus in question. "It's called 'Shhhh!'" She stated, which confused him big time. "Er... wha?" He asked softly. Fluttershy blushed at their confused faces.

"It is a game about who can be quiet the longest. Sound fun?" The clone gargoyle pony scratched his head, while his little friends were off put by the idea. "I'm the world champ you know. Bet you can't beat me!" Fluttershy challenged, keeping her mouth closed then. Silence rang through the house for only a couple minutes.

Malibu's ears fell again as the trio said all at once: "I lose!" "Me too!" "Me three!" And once again they were causing mischief. Scootaloo looked excited. "Ok, now what can we do?" To Malibu's shock he saw Applebloom appear in the chimney. "Oh! How about cutie mark crusader coal miners?" "Yeah!" The other two shouted. Malibu's eyes flashed red. "No," He snapped firmly. "Too rough for you three."

"Aww!" The fillies whined, climbing back out. Fluttershy then guided them up the stairs. "He means, it is time for bed, don't you think? Aren't you excited to get all toasty and warm in your snuggly wuggly little beds?" She cooed, making Malibu chuckle, rolling his eyes as they entered the bedroom. He felt rather tired himself from all this baby sitting.

"Snuggly wuggly? But we have more crusadin' to do!" Applebloom declared.

"We've got plans!"

"And capes!"

Malibu and Fluttershy both helped the three into bed. "Um, ok. Maybe the crusading can wait until tomorrow? When it is light? And not so... dark?" Fluttershy whimpered, placing the covers over them. "How are we gonna find our special talent in our sleep?" Applebloom asked. Malibu blew out a candle while Fluttershy tucked them in. "Perhaps you can dream them up," He suggested. Scootaloo folded her hooves. "But we're not even tired!"

Fluttershy had a suggestion. "How about I sing you a lullaby?" The three agreed nearly instantly. Malibu sat down to hear his friend sing.

"Hush now

Quiet now,

It's time to lay your sleepy heads.

Hush now, quiet now

It is time to go to bed..."

Even the young alicorn had to admit it made him a little sleepy hearing it, recalling how Celestia used to sometimes sing it to him. Fluttershy always had a nice singing voice. He was jerked awake when Sweetie Belle spoke. "I know this one!" She exclaimed. Fluttershy smiled. "Oh, how wonderful! Why don't you sing it with me?

Malibu watched as Sweetie Belle cleared her throat, and right out of nowhere; she sang in a rock style version of the song.

"Hush now! Quiet now!

It's time to lay your sleepy head!

Said hush now! Quiet now!

It's time to go to bed!"

Her loud voice rang in his ears, making Malibu cringe though he had to admit Sweetie had talent with singing. "Okay, Sweetie, that was—." Fluttershy spoke but she kept singing.

"Driftin' off to sleep!

The exciting day behind you!

Driftin' off to sleep!

Let the joy of dream land find you!"

Malibu tapped her shoulder. "Uh, Sweetie Belle, I think..."

"Hush now, quiet now!

Lay your sleepy head!

Said hush now! Quiet now!

It's time to go to bed! Ow!"

Her singing/shouting had startled the chickens outside, as Malibu sighed in relief when the song ended. The trio looked out the window. "Fluttershy, yer chickens are on the loose!" Aplebloom exclaimed. Sweetie Belle tapped her chin. "I wonder what could've caused that..." She said, making Malibu roll his eyes slightly. "Don't worry, Fluttershy! We'll handle this!" Scootaloo exclaimed.

"No, wait—!" Malibu cried out but was too late as the three went to run outside. "Cutie mark crusader's chicken herders! Yay!"

And instantly they were outside, chasing the chickens around who were clucking in fear. Fluttershy and Malibu both ran outside trying to stop them scaring the chickens. Then Fluttershy had enough. "GIRLS!" She shouted, making them halt and Malibu jump. Fluttershy coaxed the chickens to the hen house but couldn't get them in at first.

She suddenly gave the chickens a hard stare, startling the hens, causing Malibu's jaw to drop at the sight of her using that stare. The chickens backed away from Fluttershy's Stare until they were in the hen house. "There's some good chickens. Ok, you three. Isn't it about time you got into bed?"

"But—!" The three said at once. "Please you guys? At least for your guardian?" Malibu asked gently, a hoof under Applebloom's chin. Applebloom frowned but nodded. The group went back into the bedroom and were placed back in bed.

"So, no more crusading for tonight?" Fluttershy asked. They nodded.

"Yes, Fluttershy."

"We promise Fluttershy."

"Good night, Fluttershy!"

Malibu smiled as they fell asleep, nodding. "I'll see you in the morning guys," He said gently, as he and Fluttershy left the bedroom to rest themselves, ready to close their eyes.

While Fluttershy slept on the couch Malibu slept on a mattress she placed for him. "Quite a stare you got, Flutter..." He mumbled sleepily as she smiled tiredly back at him. "Thank you, all I had to do was show those girls who was boss. Nothing's going to get past you and me. Good with animals, good with kids..." Malibu felt his eyes close, unaware of the cmcs sneaking past them to go into the forest.

....

A few minutes later was nothing but quiet. Malibu felt really relaxed on his mattress until he heard Fluttershy. "Girls? Girls?!" He jerked awake. "What! What?" Fluttershy ran to him, her eyes round. "They're gone! And one of my chickens is missing too, Elizabeak!" Malibu's face paled. He could only guess where they have gone; the friends stepping out and seeing their tracks leading into the Everfree Forest. This wasn't good.

"W-we can't spook out, Fluttershy. We gotta get them," Malibu said trying to be brave. Fluttershy whimpered but nodded, the two venturing into the dark trees. Everything was shadowed, making the trees look scary. Malibu didn't like going into this forest at night, his ears flat on his head, gulping nervously and wound up stepping on a stick.

"What was that?" Flutter whimpered, her bottom hitting against a tree, making her scream, running. "Fluttershy, wait!" Malibu shouted, flying after her before suddenly seeing somepony familiar. Was it, Twilight?

Fluttershy seemed relieved. "Oh, Twilight! It is you. Thank goodness, you're here. I need your help. The girls are out here somewhere and I'm afraid that they're—." When the moon shone on Twilight Malibu's eyes widened in horror and disbelief. His best unicorn friend was turned to stone like a gargoyle. But how?"

"What's happened to Twilight?" Malibu yelped in fear, her statue falling over. Fluttershy looked like she knew. "Oh no, if you've turned to stone then that must mean... oh! Oh no! The girls!" Fluttershy ran in a direction. "Stay with Twilight, Malibu, and keep her safe!" She ordered. Malibu didn't want to let Fluttershy off alone but Twilight needed the most help. He nodded.

A rough clucking and hissing was heard in the trees, making him jump. His horn lit up and his eyes. "Who's there?" He demanded. Suddenly a crazy animal that was part snake and part chicken leapt out of the bushes, squawking viciously, its own red eyes glaring. Malibu gasped in fear, not sure what it was and backing up but felt he couldn't, a strange sensation all over his body. The chicken snake kept staring coldly at him, and Malibu could feel stone creeping up his legs.

"N-no... stop..." Malibu croaked, his body going stiff as the stone crept over him after years of not having turned to stone. But this didn't feel like a gargoyle's natural sleep at all. The chicken snake smirked when Malibu gasped, trying to breathe with the stone now covering his neck. "F-Fluttersh..." his vision turned dark when turning to stone all the way.

...

Meanwhile the cmcs had heard the scary story about the monstrous cockatrice in the forest, running and screaming after coming across it when it had turned Malibu to stone. They came across the two statues and screamed. Fluttershy was horrified at seeing Malibu changed into a statue, his eyes open in fright like Twilight but she remained calm. "Girls! Behind me, now!"

The cockatrice roared and squawked, cornering the four ponies, the cmcs shivering behind them. Fluttershy glared, giving her hardest stare yet. "You! Just who do you think you are turning others into stone?!"

The cockatrice was somewhat surprised but began to use its magic to turn Fluttershy now. "You should be ashamed of yourself! I have a mind to find your mother and tell her what you've been up to, young man. Now, you go over there, and turn Elizabeak and my friends Twilight and Malibu back from stone and don't ever, ever let me catch you doing this again!"

Just from those words and her stare Fluttershy won the staring match with the cockatrice, breaking the stone spell and cowering. "Do you understand me?" Snapped Fluttershy threateningly. Squawking fearfully the cockatrice went to do so.

Malibu could feel himself wake up again, the stone skin around him breaking apart and he yawned, looking around weakly, wondering what happened but saw that crazy bird snake changing Twilight back again too. She too was confused. "M-Mal?" She mumbled groggily, having been stone longer than him.

"I'm ok. Are you? What happened to us?" Twilight shrugged but then glanced at Fluttershy looking over the girls. "I believe a certain friend of ours helped free us," The unicorn said with a smile.

The two went up to Fluttershy who hugged them both, looking over to see Elizabeak squawking, stuck in the dirt. Malibu used his magic to get her out and they brought Elizabeak back from the woods, everybody safe, the crusaders also apologizing for their sneaking out.

....

In the morning Rarity came to pick up the girls, Fluttershy telling Twilight and Malibu the story of the cockatrice being the one who turned them to stone.

"Being stone again like that was no picnic," Muttered Malibu, rubbing his head, still sore from their experience yesterday, thinking turning to stone suited a gargoyle body better than a pony. Twilight giggled, writing a letter. "This would make quite a letter to the princess. I was wrong about you. You really do know how to handle those girls," she complimented.

Malibu glanced at his little pals. "Don't think I want another night like this, but they really are a joy to be around," He said with a small smile. Fluttershy nodded. "I assumed that I'd be just as good with kids as I am with animals! Boy, was I wrong. I really learned the hard way not to bite off more than I can chew," She stated.

Twilight grinned. "You and Rarity both." Rarity came along at that moment. "Good morning Rarity," Twilight greeted while Rarity smiled in exhaustion.

"Did you finish your work?" Malibu asked. Rarity nodded. "Oh, just delivered them. I have to admit; if you and Fluttershy hadn't come along, I might not have! Thanks again."

Fluttershy gestured to the tea table. "Won't you join us for some tea?" Rarity shook her head. "I really must get back to the shop and clean up. Girls? Get your things, it is time to go. Girls?"

The cmcs ran about the yard, giggling like crazy and talking loudly. Malibu collapsed on the table, feeling like that cockatrice's spell wore out his energy to deal with this. Rarity kept trying to call them to get their attention but then Fluttershy stood.

"Allow me. Girls?" The three halted at Fluttershy's voice, standing at attention near her. "Yes Fluttershy." Applebloom said. "You called?" Scootaloo asked.

"Go get your things, Rarity is here to see you home." Fluttershy told them. The three looked sad but nodded. "Of course, Fluttershy! Right away!" They zipped away to get their stuff. Malibu grinned at how well she handled them than the first time.

Rarity was stunned. "H-h-how did you do that?" She yelped in shock. Fluttershy winked at her other friends. "I guess I'm just as good with kids as I am with animals."

The cmcs carried their bags, saying goodbye, Applebloom hugging Malibu. "See ya at home, Mal!" Malibu petted her mane. "You too."

"Thank you, Stare Master!" Called Scootaloo to Fluttershy.

The white unicorn then spoke again. "Ah, uh, speaking of which, I could use your help with Opal again." Fluttershy tilted her head. "Of course! How about later today?"

Malibu heard a meow sound; revealing Opalescence clinging to Rarity's side with her claws. He cringed.

"How about now?" Whimpered Rarity from the needle like claws, Fluttershy going in to help her.

....

Got it confused with saying there were 235 episodes. There's really 221 episodes, which I was somewhat grateful for.