3 - A Royal Player 2 And A Great Idea

Game Changer's heavy eyes opened, blinded by the morning sun pouring in from...the window? The window? But I fell asleep on the grass last night! How did I get here? "Good morning, Game Changer. The town enjoyed your help yesterday," said Luna softly beside him.

"Luna! Now that's a face I wanna see when I wake up. Can you do that more often?" Game joked.

"I am afraid not. It is up to you to keep your stamina in touch, as helpful as you are."

"OK. Thanks, Luna. Much appreciated...oh, and I forgot." Game bowed with as much grace as he could manage. His tetromino tail rotated so that the longest side was parallel with the floor as he went.

Luna left in silence.

"Nngh..." Applejack stretched, cautiously opening her eyes to the stunning daylight. "G...Game?" she called, expecting to see his face for some reason. "Mmh, just a dream." She slowly rolled out of bed, feeling for the creaky wooden floor with her hooves. Her eyes were shut. Sweeping her mane aside, Applejack opened her eyes again and headed over to the chest of drawers, starting her plait.

"Time to wake up, scruff!" Game messed up his son's already-messy mane with a grin.

"Uurgh...I can't..." Shroom Hop rolled around a little. Game caught him as he left the bed, and carried him downstairs. "Where...were you?"

"I was with Applejack. You know a little filly called Apple Bloom or somethin', right?"

"Yeah, Dad. She's pretty nice. Feisty, too."

"The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, then...'scuse the awesome pun." Game winked. "Pack your bags, son. I think you're late!"

A little while later, Shroom Hop left with a light satchel over his back. Game waved his son away for another day at school. He swept his fringe aside and wondered what to do..."Sure, I could help somepony else, but why not have some fun with the Power Sock?" he thought. "I feel like kicking a few shells today. But..." The guilty corner of his mind owned up. "I really wanna see Applejack again..." He had a great idea.

Game focused hard on the Sock, and in a flash of emerald, an empty Koopa shell appeared before his eyes. Placing his front hooves onto the shell, he used his back legs to gain some speed. He soared out of the door with a grin, carrying the fairly heavy shell.