A Clone Gargoyle's Equestrian Tale

Journal Lessons: Equestria Games

Finally, episode 24 of Equestrain Tale before the big finale and Rainbow Rocks!

.....

A train whistle echoed across the land of Equestria as it chugged its way to the Crystal Empire, Rainbow Dash poking her head out the window, Malibu doing the same with another. They were both really excited.

"This... just... got... real!" Rainbow squealed, the two looking back inside at their team for Ponyville warming up for the big game, the CMCs practicing their routine for the opening.

Malibu's heart fluttered from both nerves and excitement, taking her hoof. "I know you'll do great, Dash. Even though I'm sitting in the royal seats with my mom, I'll be cheering you on." He said with a grin.

The rainbow Pegasus grinned back at him before addressing the team. "Listen up, gang! We're almost there, so I've got a few things to say. First off, who here besides me and Mal thinks this is the best Equestrian Games in Ponyville history?"

They all cheered, with Bulk Biceps adding his own loud "YEAH!" Making Malibu snicker quietly.

Rainbow Dash continued. "And no matter what your sport is, we gotta give it our best, because we've all got a genuine shot at Ponyville gold!" It made them all cheer again more. "...with the possible exception of Bulk Biceps, Fluttershy, and me. I mean, we're good and all, but we're up against the Wonderbolts in the aerial relay. So gold's kind of a stretch. Let's not kid ourselves."

Then Scootaloo walked up. "Don't feel bad, Rainbow Dash! We have absolutely no shot at getting gold, either!"

Malibu chuckled again, rolling his eyes. "Well, that's because you're just carrying the flag, kid." He said, tousling her mane, making Scootaloo flush but she continued. "Winners or not, we still have the chance to be awesome!"

Rainbow Dash nodded, her grin wider. "That's the spirit! You hear that everypony and dragon? We still have the chance to be awesome!" She said, hoof pumping, Malibu feeling himself cheer, Spike hopping up and down next to him. "But, uh, let's try to win lots and lots of stuff too, 'Kay?" Rainbow suddenly injected, causing the team to start warming up again faster, Malibu quietly face hoofing himself. She still had a long way to go.

.....

About another hour train ride later, they finally arrived at the Crystal Empire station, the train chugging to a halt. The gang all stepped out, Malibu levitating a couple of his bags while Spike loaded the rest onto a portable ramp, smiling proudly. "It's all in there, gang! Leave it to Spike, the champion gear-carrier for all your gear carrying needs!"

Applebloom looked it over in worry. "And the Ponyville flag? You sure? And what about the flagpole?"

Spike leaned against the ramp. "In the portable ramp!" The ramp wheeled away an inch, Spike prat falling.

Malibu grinned while looking over at Applebloom. "Don't worry too much. I'm sure things will go fine."

The baby dragon nodded in his way. "Yeah. And you're just kinda nervous, that's all. Perfectly understandable. Whenever I'm afraid I'll forget something or start to panic, I have a  simple trick. I count to ten, and by the time I'm done, I've calmed myself enough to get the job done right every time." Spike folded his arms. "Easy-peasy, cider-squeezy!"

Before Malibu could say anything else, two Crystal Guards suddenly came out of nowhere, snatching up Spike into a seat, Spike yelping out, dropping the bags. "Hey! Put me down!"

Malibu gasped, running after them all the way to the palace, wondering what they even wanted with Spike. They dropped him to the ground in front of the Crystal Heart where Cadance and Twilight were. Twilight's eyes widened. "Spike! Are you alright?"