S2 E3 everypony! Luna Eclipsed is up next!

....

A week since the defeat of Discord Malibu was happy to have just a normal day in Ponyville. He was roaming about in town, just enjoying the peaceful sights and the smells of the food market.

He spotted Twilight and Spike from afar, Spike holding what looked like a really long checklist. It made Malibu grin, knowing Twilight she was obviously doing a whole lot of chores she needed one of her famous checklists for.

"Hey, Twilight!" Malibu called out, waving his hoof at her. Twilight saw her friend, grinning. "Malibu! A nice day, isn't it?" He nodded. "Yep. And I see you are obsessing over your checklist, huh?" She flushed but nodded. "Yeah. Do you want to hang out? If you aren't doing anything?"

The teal alicorn looked pleased to hang out with any of his friends. "Sure! What's up next on your list?" Spike had an excited face. "Cupcakes!" The baby dragon said excitedly. Malibu liked the idea of visiting Sugarcube Corner, wanting to have something sweet himself now.

Inside the sweet shop they opened the box of cupcakes, Spike longing to eat them, making Malibu chuckle. Twilight however had a concerned look on her face. "Uh, I only ordered 12," She complained to Mrs. Cake. Malibu then noted how many cupcakes were squished together. Mrs. Cake walked out. "Oh, I know dear. But I had an extra. So I thought I'd make it a baker's dozen!"

Malibu grinned. "That's nice," He said, but Twilight shook her head, pulling Spike away from the cupcakes. "Oh, that's very thoughtful of you. It's just some of the icing from the extra cupcake is getting all over the one next to it. See?"

Mrs. Cake from Malibu's perspective looked confused. "Ohh... sure..." Twilight grinned. "It's just that I'm sharing these at a picnic later and I don't want to feel like somepony else is getting more icing!"

The young alicorn spoke up. "I'm sure they wouldn't care—." He tried to say but Twilight shook her head. "Not to worry, I'll just move some of this one to..." She used a spatula to move the icing. "Hm... I think I may have scooped too much... oops! Now those two have more! Let's just try this again!" The unicorn began to go into a frenzy over the cupcake icing, trying to make it right. Malibu just stood there, blinking a little over her obsession.

She muttered to herself over it, eyes going slightly crazy. "Ooh, a little bit here, and here, and... perfect!" Now there wasn't much icing left on them all, Mrs. Cake covered in icing. She grinned awkwardly. "Oh, yes, much better..." She said.

"Okay, time to tackle the next item on our..." Twilight and Malibu saw Spike covered in the pink frosting. Malibu couldn't help the laugh that came. "Oops! Looks like we're going to have to add 'give a baby dragon a bath' to our list."

Spike shook his head, his tongue coming out, spinning himself and licking all the icing off in seconds. Malibu stared, somewhat grossed out by that sight. He hopped onto Twilight's back when they left. "Very efficient! And a little bit gross." The baby dragon shrugged with a grin. "Eh." Malibu himself always wondered how other animals found it sanitary to lick themselves clean.

Back at the library Spike leapt off her back and pulled out the list. "Looks like that's everything!" He declared. Twilight shook her head, Malibu wondering what could be next. "Almost everything!"

Malibu saw Spike looking at the last thing. "Triple-check checklist to make sure we didn't miss anything when we double checked the checklist." Ok, that's a mouthful, the former gargoyle thought, shaking his head. "Uh... check. Ugh!" He dropped the quill, his wrist looking rather cramped. "I've been holding that quill for so long, I've got a claw cramp!"

"Let's get it wrapped up then," Malibu suggested, pulling out bandages, Spike smiling at his kindness. "Good thing we don't have anything to report to Princess Celestia this week. I don't think I could write another word!"

Hearing those words startled Twilight greatly, her eyes bulging, dropping a cupcake. "We haven't sent a letter to Princess Celestia this week?!" Malibu tilted his head. "Really? I haven't noticed." Spike nodded. "Yeah, why? Is that bad?"

Twilight got right into his face in her panic. "Bad? BAD? Of course it's bad! I'm supposed to send Princess Celestia a letter every week, telling her about a lesson I've learned about friendship! Not every other week, not every ten days, every... single... week!" She poked Spike's chest a few times, Malibu pulling her back. "Easy, Twilight. I'm sure my mom would understand..."

But his friend didn't listen, rummaging through drawers. "Ooh, where's my calendar, where's my calendar?!" Spike pulled out a scroll. "Where it... always is?" Twilight used her magic to take the scroll, causing Spike to collide with her desk, making Malibu wince. That must've hurt. Twilight glanced through her calendar. "When did we send the last one?" She asked, her voice all stressed.

Malibu thought for a bit then remembered. "Last Tuesday I guess?" Twilight panicked more. "And today is..."

Spike spoke up then. "Tuesday?" That sent Twilight off the rails, screaming. "Oh, nononononono!" She looked out the window at the sun rising. "If I don't send her a letter by sundown, I'll be... tardy!" She squealed. Malibu had no idea what that word meant. "Er, wha?" Twilight glared at him. "Tar-dy, Malibu! Late, I'll be late!" She fell onto her bed, curling up. "Oh, how could I have let this happen? I'm usually so organized! I've never been late for an assignment!"

Malibu went to stroke her shoulder comfortingly while she covered herself with her blanket. "You really don't need to work yourself up over this, Twi. It's just a letter. One letter doesn't mean the end of the world." Spike also spoke. "Yeah, and you're the most studious student ever!"

Twilight however wasn't convinced. "I'm afraid to take that chance, guys. This is the ruler of all of Equestria we're talking about. The pony who holds my fate in her hooves!" She gasped, eyes twitching. "What if she doesn't forgive me?!"

Spike rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I don't think she—." But was interrupted. "What if instead she starts thinking I'm not taking my studies on friendship seriously?" Malibu groaned, shaking his head. He knew it would take more than simple words to snap her out of it. "What if she makes me come back to Canterlot and puts me back in school and makes me prove I"ve been taking them seriously by giving me a test?! What if I don't pass?!"

Malibu raised his brow. "Is this for real with you? Why wouldn't you pass?" Twilight glowered. "She's my teacher! Do you know what teachers do to students who don't pass? They send them back a grade! But she won't just send me back a grade. She'll send me back to... magic kindergarten."

She began to shake, closing her eyes, tensing up badly as though having a vision of it. Malibu frowned, poking her sharply. "Twilight, you really can't believe that!" Spike agreed with him. "That was the most ridiculous thing we've ever heard. You're not going to be sent back to magic kindergarten!" Spike argued. Twilight sighed, nodding. "You're right you two. I have no reason to worry."

Malibu felt relieved that she was calming down but would be proved wrong. "Which is why I'm going to solve a friend's problem and get that letter to Princess Celestia before sundown!" She proclaimed, grinning madly.

Ok... not what he meant by not worrying. The unicorn smiled creepily at the two. "Sooo... got any problems, troubles, conundrums, or any other sort of issues, major or minor, that I as a good friend could help you solve?" She asked in a quick voice to both him and Spike. Spike thought for a time with comical thinking expressions, making him snicker silently. "I got nothin'," He replied, Twilight's face falling in disappointment. Malibu nodding in agreement.

She sighed, still not giving up. "Then it looks like I'm going to have to find somepony who does." Malibu leaned towards Spike while she left.

"I'm gonna go make sure she doesn't work herself into a tizzy. Could you write to Celestia and tell her what's happening?" Spike grinned. "You got it!" He ran to get a quill and parchment, Malibu running to catch up to Twilight.

He ran around trying to find his 'sister', until he came across Sweet Apple Acres. Twilight tried finding a friendship problem with Rarity, but it didn't work out. So next she found Rainbow Dash and Applejack working on destroying a barn. Malibu's eyes had widened when seeing his marefriend destroying the barn, Applejack taking cover while wearing a helmet.

Malibu flew up to Rainbow Dash. "What's going on?" He asked, but before Dash could answer magic halted her in mid air. "Rainbow Dash, stop!" It was Twilight. Malibu felt glad to find Twilight, hoping to snap her out of it more. Twilight grinned at Dash, the rainbow pegasus staring in confusion. "Listen, Rainbow. I know you're upset with Applejack, but don't worry. Whatever it is that has come between you two, I'm sure that I, as a good friend, can help you resolve your problems!"

Her magic lost hold of Rainbow's tail, having her fall to the ground. "Uh, what are you talking about?" Dash asked. Malibu spoke. "Yeah, Dash. Why were you destroying that barn?" Twilight narrowed her eyes that he jumped in but it caused Dash to answer. "She asked me too. I don't have any issues with Applejack." AJ grinned from the ditch. "Yes, ma'am. I wanted to put up a new barn, but this one's gotta come down first. Now get back to it, R.D."

Malibu gave Twilight a slight grin, making her groan, Rainbow zooming into the sky. "You sure now this was a friendship problem?" The mulberry unicorn sighed, shaking her head. "I already tried Rarity, but she didn't have a friendship problem either," She said. Applejack turned to them. "I'd take cover, if I were you two," The orange pony said.

Twilight and Malibu looked up to see Dash high up in the sky, looking ready to charge down. Twilight yelped, jumping into the ditch, dragging Malibu with him, making him grunt hitting the dirt. His eyes drifted to the skies, Rainbow yelling, slamming into the barn that combined with a Sonic Rainboom, making everything explode into a cloud of rainbows. The debri collapsed onto Malibu who winced, feeling it covering him up.

Inside he was still impressed that his marefriend had the skills to pull something like that off. Malibu heard somepony digging him out, which was Applejack. She grinned down at him. "Speechless?" Malibu nodded. "Uh Huh. But gotta make sure Twilight's ok too. Where is she?" Applejack shrugged in confusion, looking around. Twilight must've left while digging Malibu out.

"Sorry I can't stay. I have to go," Malibu said in a stressed way, running to save his friend from going too out of hand. He sensed she would go to Fluttershy's next, which is what he did. But arrived too late. Twilight had long since left, only seeing Flutter massaging what appeared to be a bear?

His mouth dropped, walking up to her. "F-Fluttershy? What is this bear?" The yellow pegasus grinned at him. "Oh, I realized I never introduced you to him. This is Harry." Harry growled in greeting. Malibu waved nervously. "But, have you seen Twilight? I've been trying to find her." Fluttershy shook her head. "No, don't think so."

That made the former gargoyle groan, ears fallen, running off again before Fluttershy could ask him what was wrong. Where are you, Twilight?! Malibu asked himself, running as fast as he could, until, as if by a miracle; he heard the sound of her voice.

Malibu inclined his head towards a bench on a hill. She really did look out of it, curled up and petting her tail even. He stayed back slightly at first, watching. "It's fine. It'll all be fine. The day isn't over yet. But it will be over soon!" She squealed in panic, the sun now at high noon. She really seemed to be running out of time here.

Next he saw her talking to a puddle. "It'll all be over! My time in Ponyville! My advanced studies! Nono. You're a good student. You can do this. Ooh! But what if I can't? You can! You just have to keep it together. Keep. It. Together!"

He stared, unable to figure out what to do, but a claw tapped his shoulder, which was Spike carrying the box of cupcakes. "Mal? Is she ok?" Malibu shrugged. "Dunno. But come on. She needs us." Spike nodded, the two going up to her. "Are you talking to... yourself?" He pondered. They heard the sound of two fillies laughing while playing jump rope, Twilight staring, eyes widened and crazy. Malibu wondered what could be going through her head until Spike snapped his talon in front of her. "Snap out of it!"

That made Twilight shake her head, coming back to her senses but barely. Malibu helped her sit up since she fell over. "Huh?"

He stared at her in worry. "Are you sure you're ok?" His friend's head kept on swaying, her face still looking rather tizzied up. "F-fine... fine..." She slurred. Malibu hoped Celestia would arrive eventually to help reassure Twilight that she wouldn't be mad about a missing letter.

"Twilight, we're really worried. This letter thing has been really getting to you." Spike handed her the box of cupcakes. "Here, you've been so anxious all day that you completely forgot about the picnic. Why don't you just relax and go hang out with—."

She turned, a crazed grin on her muzzle. Malibu yelped a little from her look. "The PICNIC!" Spike jerked back in nerves, Twilight taking the box with her magic. "I should go see my friends!" Twilight raced off, leaving the two alone.

Spike smiled. "Glad you've come to your senses." Malibu however didn't believe it. "I still think she's stressed. Gonna go over to the picnic myself and ensure the others are ok around this stressed Twilight," He told Spike. The baby dragon nodded, praying his Twilight will soon get a hold of herself.

He teleported to where the picnic was which was in a field. Fluttershy yelped but the others greeted him. "Hey, Mal!" Called Rainbow Dash. Malibu smiled, swishing his tail, sitting down with them, but saw Rarity on a fainting couch. He gave her a questioning look.

Rarity turned red, glancing away. "I'd rather not talk about it."

Applejack tilted her head. "Are things goin' ok?" She questioned. "Well, I— aah!" Malibu jumped, Twilight showing up out of nowhere and dropping her box of cupcakes, grinning like an insane person more, mane all frazzled. This was definitely getting freaky for him.

Rainbow's face looked scared and concerned as she should be. "You alright, hun?" AJ asked in worry. Malibu turned to Twilight as she spoke. "NO! I am not alright!" She wailed. The other 5 spoke among themselves, faces full of worry. Twilight Sparkle lowered her head. "It's just terrible."

"Yes?" They all asked minus Malibu.

"Simply awful."

"Yes?"

"It's the most horrific trouble I've ever been in and I really really really need your help!" Twilight whined like a little filly. Malibu for the moment just sat there, knowing his words of comfort weren't even gonna help snap her out of it still.

"YES?!" All of the others cried out in louder voices. Twilight finally explained. "My letter to Princess Celestia is almost overdue, and I haven't learned anything about friendship!"

Malibu expected his friends to comfort Twilight like he did and assure her she was overreacting but all they did was sigh in... relief? "Oh, thank goodness! We thought something awful had happened!" Fluttershy proclaimed, making Twilight more stressed. He was about to speak again but Twilight yet again spoke over him.

"Something awful has happened!" She teleported randomly a couple times. "If I don't turn in a letter on time, I'll be tardy! TARDY!" The unicorn wailed dramatically, holding onto Pinkie's hoof.

They all giggled, Malibu glaring. "Guys, don't you see she's all stressed up?" AJ nodded. "Yeah, but fer nothin'." Twilight growled. "This is not nothing. This is everything. I need you guys to help me find somepony with a problem I can fix before sundown! My whole life depends on it!"

To Malibu's surprise, Pinkie merely began laughing, falling on her back. "Oh, Twilight! You're such a crack up!" Rainbow Dash saw how Malibu was looking angry for them to react like that and gave him a playful nudge. "Hey, I see you're catching the Twilight worrying syndrome, why don't you cool off for a bit?" Malibu then realized how much of Twilight's panicking had worn off onto him, and nodded.

Applejack grinned, gesturing to have Twilight sit down with them. "Come on, now. Have a seat and stop sweatin' small stuff." Malibu saw Twilight growling, face madded and crazy, stomping away and teleporting. He sighed. Suppose it was better for him to let Twilight cool off by herself. Applejack handed him a cup of apple cider. "Here, to settle ya." Malibu took it gratefully and drank it, grateful to have this time with the others, praying again for his mom to come soon.

"Wow, I've never seen Twilight so upset before," Fluttershy complimented. Rarity groaned too. "Oh, what a drama queen!" Everypony eyed her, raising her brow since she was still laying on the couch. "Uh, relatively speaking..."

...

Later that afternoon Malibu had nearly forgotten about Twilight, his friend's willingness to help him relax having managed to really settle him. He was laying down near Rainbow Dash, enjoying the sun starting to set but heard voices coming.

Applejack glanced around. "Y'all hear that?" Malibu nodded, wondering what it could be, as a huge group of ponies rushed by, clamoring over something.

"What in the world?" Malibu exclaimed in shock. It was pretty much all of Ponyville at it over something which included the cmcs, the mayor and Big Macintosh. He,l spotted a ragged old doll being tossed around until it landed in front of him. Staring at it for a few minutes made his vision fuzzy. "Ok... why am I starting to like this doll?" It was happening with Rainbow Dash too when Twilight covered up their eyes.

"Don't look at it!" She shrieked. Malibu shook his head, coming back to normal. "Don't look at what?" Rarity asked, Twilight covering her eyes too. Twilight looked more insane and upset than ever. "My Smarty Pants doll! I enchanted her and now everypony is fighting over her!"

The teal alicorn was stunned at the idea of her casting a spell over the whole town. That would take a lot of advanced magic.

"But why, Twilight? Isn't that a little extreme for someone like you?" Malibu asked, voice a little angry. She blushed, looking guilty. "Oh, I had to do something! I had nothing to report to Princess Celestia! I thought if I couldn't find a problem, I'd make a problem!"

It made Malibu rather furious for Twilight to having to do it a t all! He got into her face. "That was uncalled for, Twilight Sparkle! You can't just force problems onto somepony just to write a dumb letter! And now the whole town is in jeopardy!"

Twilight began to cry. "I had no choice! The day is now almost over!" Applejack glanced at the sunset. "Not almost!"

The sun finally set on the horizon, Twilight whimpering and curling up. Malibu wondered what would happen until a bright flash came.

"Twilight Sparkle!" It was his mom, looking rather angry, which somewhat scared him especially since the Discord problem. Applejack took off her hat, her eyes round. "Whoa, nelly!" Malibu watched his mom use her stronger alicorn magic to wipe the spell away from those who were affected.

Derpy and the Mayor were in hoof and hoof with one another until snapping out of it. Mayor Mare turned red, going off about her normal business, stepping on the doll in the process. Celestia glanced at Malibu with a light nod, before turning back to her student. "Meet me in the library." She said firmly, taking off again.

Twilight sighed softly, tears in her eyes. "Goodbye, everypony. If you care to visit, I'll be in magic kindgerarten, back in Canterlot..." She trotted off slowly. Malibu's heart was torn up for her, her imagination having gotten too much of a grasp on her head.

"Magic kindergarten?" Fluttershy asked in shock. "Canterlot?" Rainbow added. Malibu saw Pinkie sobbing. "We're never gonna see Twilight again!"

Rarity began to look dramatic. "Of all the worst things that could happen, this is THE. WORST. POSSIBLE. THING!" That made him and the others glare. She grinned weakly. "What? I really mean it this time!"

Malibu himself now realized since being an alicorn he could've easily casted a spell to calm down Twilight. He growled, kicking a rock. "I feel like this is my fault, too. I should've used something to help, and not have left her alone!" Fluttershy rubbed his back. "It isn't your fault, Malibu. But we gotta go and be there for her. It was also all on the rest of us for not taking her seriously."

"Yeah, let's go!" Rainbow Dash cheered, already have zipped away with her wings. The others followed in her wake, hoping they weren't too late.

Rainbow charged the door, opening it quickly, jumping in front of Twilight, raising her hoof. "Wait!" She yelled. "You can't punish her!" Pinkie pleaded.

Applejack nodded. "It wasn't her fault!" Celestia raised her brow. "I'm listening," She said. Malibu's ears fell when he too spoke. "You can't take her away, mom. Please don't! It wouldn't be the same without her!" Fluttershy stood next to him. "We all saw that Twilight was upset."

Pinkie Pie nuzzled Twilight. "But we thought the thing she was worrying about wasn't worth worrying about!"

The others continued to beg for Celestia to not take her away, until she spoke, a smile on her face. "Looks like you all learned a pretty valuable lesson today." The 6 of them nodded. Malibu had to agree pretty hard on that.

"Very well. I'll forget Twilight's punishment on one condition."

Malibu's eyes were wide in fear at this while his friends said they would do anything. Celestia then spoke the offer. "From this day forth, I would like you all to report to me your findings on the magic of friendship when, and only when, you happen to discover them."

All of them there looked happy, especially Malibu himself, relieved what his mom had decided as they all cheered. He hugged the white alicorn tight, and she enveloped him in her wings before leaving. Twilight went up to her. "Princess Celestia, wait! How did you know I was in trouble?"

That caused both Malibu and Spike to cringe at one another. They should've told Twilight about this too. "Your friend Spike and Malibu made me aware that you were letting your fears get the best of you. I commend him for taking your feelings seriously. Now, if you will all excuse me, I must return to Canterlot. I'm expecting some mail."

Smiling Celestia flew off and teleported back to Canterlot. "Y'all heard the Princess. Spike, take a letter!" Twilight had looked over to Malibu and instantly hugged him too. He was relieved she wasn't angry at him and Spike for telling Princess Celestia about her stressing.

They all sat down on cushions, Spike preparing to write the letter.

Applejack started. "Dear Princess Celestia,

We're writin' to you because today we all learned a little somethin' about friendship."

Fluttershy spoke next. "We learned that you should take your friends' worries seriously."

Rainbow Dash nodded, Malibu putting a hoof around her. "Even if you don't think they have anything to worry about."

"And that you shouldn't let your worries turn a small problem..." Rarity began before Pinkie took over. "...into an enormously huge entire-town-in-total-chaos Princess-has-to-come-and-save-the-day problem!" Malibu felt himself laugh which had been a while since the stressful stuff began. It felt good.

"Signed, your loyal subjects," AJ finished with her smile. But Spike wound up adding his own piece. "P.S. Obviously Spike did not have to learn a lesson, because he is the best, most awesome friend a pony could ask for. Unlike everypony else, he took things seriously, and-."

The Mane 7 glared hard at the baby dragon who swallowed, laughing nervously. "Uh, yeah... I'll just... um..." He scratched out his words, causing them all to laugh together through the night.

I liked doing this one too, looking forward to writing more Luna later.