The Jinxie Games

The Jinxie Games is the tenth episode of My Little Pony: Make Your Mark, the third episode of the series' Chapter 4, and the tenth episode overall.
In this episode, Hitch Trailblazer competes in Bridlewood's Forest Critter Field Day, and Pipp Petals and Zipp Storm fear the worst when their mother Queen Haven postpones brunch with them.
==Summary==
===Forest Critter Field Day===
The episode begins with Hitch Trailblazer and Sparky Sparkeroni training for a pony/critter sporting competition in Bridlewood called Forest Critter Field Day. Unfortunately, in accordance with the competition rules, Sparky is forbidden from participating, forcing Hitch to find a new partner. Meanwhile, Pipp Petals and Zipp Storm are concerned when their mother Queen Haven appears to blow off their monthly family brunch, sending Cloudpuff to deliver a message postponing their brunch for a later date.
Upon seeing how fast Cloudpuff can fly, Hitch believes him to be the perfect replacement partner for Sparky in Forest Critter Field Day. Some time after the Mane 5 depart for Bridlewood for the competition, Misty sneaks into the Crystal Brighthouse in search of Sparky. When she finds the Brighthouse empty, she decides to stick around and watch Forest Critter Field Day coverage on television.
===Haven and "Alphie"===
As Hitch and Cloudpuff compete in various Forest Critter Field Day games, Hitch is forced to contend with their arbitrary rules and unusual, nonsensical scoring system. Meanwhile, Pipp, still concerned about her mother and believing something bad happened to her, convinces Zipp to open an investigation into her whereabouts. On their way to the Crystal Tea Room to interrogate Alphabittle, they hear what sounds like their mother's giddy laughter coming from inside the establishment.
There, they discover the reason that Haven postponed their family brunch: to spend time with Alphabittle under the pretext of being "ambassador to the Pegasi" for Forest Critter Field Day. Pipp and Zipp quickly realize the truth, however, when they see their mother act very flirtatious with Alphabittle, even addressing him as "Alphie". Back at the Brighthouse, with Misty unable to steal Sparky or the Unity Crystals for Opaline, she searches for something of sentimental value to bring to her.
===When we're all together===
Watching their mother and Alphabittle behave very flirty and romantic with each other causes Pipp and Zipp to recoil in much disgust and embarrassment. Meanwhile, Hitch and Cloudpuff go through multiple Field Day events but are unable to win a single trophy because of the bizarre rules.
When Queen Haven steps in front of a podium to address everyone in the crowds, she speaks about unity and harmony between the pony races. When she sees Pipp and Zipp sitting in the stands, her speech takes on a more personal tone, and she expresses how much she cherishes the time they spend together as a family. With that, she announces the start of the final Field Day event: the Forest Critter Grand Prix.
At the Brighthouse, Misty goes through a box of the Mane 5's belongings, and she finds a photo of herself and the Mane 5 in a photo album. At the same time, she hears Queen Haven's speech about togetherness on television, and she starts to feel considerable guilt about deceiving her friends.
===The Forest Critter Grand Prix===
As the Forest Critter Grand Prix – an obstacle race between the remaining pony/critter teams – gets underway, Pipp continues to observe Queen Haven and Alphabittle act flirty with each other, much to her revulsion. With no one keeping an eye on Sparky, the infant dragon wanders off and climbs up a tall tree. Multiple ponies, including Pipp, Zipp, Haven, and Alphabittle, notice him and see him about to fall.
When Hitch sees Sparky about to fall from the tree, he abandons the Grand Prix and uses his plant-growing magic to save him. Despite Hitch returning to the race and eventually crossing the finish line first, he still does not win a trophy because of the arbitrary rules (though Cloudpuff does win an award for "cutest puppy"). Pipp and Zipp apologize to Hitch for not keeping a closer eye on Sparky.
When Haven explains to Pipp and Zipp that she has found companionship with Alphabittle after her daughters left home to live their own lives, Pipp and Zipp are understanding and wish their mother well with her new relationship. When the Mane 5 return home from Bridlewood, Misty sneaks out before she is discovered, and when she has an opportunity to take Sparky to Opaline, she decides not to.
==Quotes==
:Zipp Storm: Mom's terrible at texting. Last week, she sent me a text that just said, "Don't".
:Izzy Moonbow: That's a hop-stoppage penalty! Yoooouuuu're out!
:Hitch Trailblazer: What?! That's not in the rules!
:Izzy Moonbow: Uh, yes, it is! Right here in the Forest Critter Field Day manual, page 403.
:Izzy Moonbow: [reading] "Every pony contestant must compete with a critter. No baby dragons."
:Hitch Trailblazer: There's no way it says that. Oh. Wow, it does say that.
:Zipp Storm: [reading] "Let's reschedule for another time that's more inconvenient for you both. With love, Mother."
:Sunny Starscout: Um, did she mean to say "more convenient"?
:Pipp Petals and Zipp Storm: [sigh] No.
:Misty: This sneaking around stuff is stressful.
:Zipp Storm: Mom?! What are you doing here?
:Queen Haven: Ummm...
:Pipp Petals: [whispering] Blink twice if you're being held hostage!
:Queen Haven: If you don't mind, Alphie and I were discussing official... negotiations?
:Pipp Petals: [groans, gags] Did she just call him "Alphie"?
:Queen Haven: Thank hoofness I have Cloudy. With the girls away now, I feel so... alone sometimes.
:Alphabittle: Hey. You're not alone.
:Zipp Storm: What in the hay is happening out there?
:Pipp Petals: Ugh, I don't know. This is literally what every sport looks like to me.
:Misty: [mockingly] "Oh, we're so happy! We all have cutie marks and get to live with our best friends!"
:Zipp Storm: Are they on water skis? Yeah! It's waterskis, and it looks like they're being pulled by a gaggle of geese...
:Izzy Moonbow: Oh, oh! The water fowl slalom! The goose is loose! Did they jump through all six flaming hoops yet?!
:Pipp Petals: He's feeding her cheeses! From a fancy platter!
:Hitch Trailblazer: But I... But we... We finished first!
:Izzy Moonbow: And Elder Flower finished second last year, so we promised her that, no matter what, she could be the winner this year. It's right here in the rules. Page 372.
:Queen Haven: You two are growing up. You've flown the nest and started living your lives. But I still have a life, too. I love your new friends, and I love the ponies you're all growing into. And I also love—
:Pipp Petals: Okay, okay, we get it!
==Gallery==
Pipp gasping at AlphaHaven C4E3.png
Hitch about to run the Grand Prix C4E3.png