Maretropolis

The next day, all the news channels aired footage of Inkwell in an orange jumpsuit, being led to prison.

“Former Mayor Raven Inkwell is behind bars today, guilty of masterminding the attacks that have plagued Maretropolis of late,” said one newscaster.

The footage showed Blueblood being led out of prison.

“Her predecessor, Vladimir Blueblood, denies all knowledge of her plot, claiming he was just trying to protect the city,” another newscaster said.

“Did I falsely imprison those people?” Blueblood asked. “Yes. Yes, I did. If anything, I was just doing the wrong thing for the right reason.”

Back in the studio, the newscaster continued.

“In related news, doctors say the ‘Snapdragon’ antidote is proving effective in rehabilitating the afflicted victims.”

In the hospital, when Mr. Shy awoke, his wife and children wrapped their arms around him, with Applejack watching and smiling.

“Papa?” Fluttershy gasped. “Oh, papa!”

They all gave Applejack grateful smiles and said, “Thank you.”

After Applejack’s leg healed, she returned to the MPD and saw Pinkie Pie at the front desk again, and her fellow officers welcoming her back with two big boxes of cupcakes.

Months later, Applejack stood proudly at a lectern giving the commencement address to graduates of the Maretropolis Police Academy.

“When I was a kid, I thought Maretropolis was a perfect place, where everyone got along and anyone could be anything. Turns out, real life’s a bit more complicated than a slogan on a bumper sticker. Real life is messy. We all have limits. We all make mistakes. Which means, glass half-full, we all have a lot in common. And the more we try to understand one another, the more exceptional each of us will be. But we have to try. So, no matter who you are, whether you’re the strongest, or the fastest, the smartest, the most magical, or our very first Dragon... I implore you... Try! Try to make the world a better place. Look inside yourself and recognize that change starts with you. It starts with me. It starts with all of us!”

Spike approached the stage. He stood tall in front of Applejack, his chest out as she pinned his badge to his chest. They saluted each other, and he gave her a smile full of joy and pride.

The audience went wild with applause as the police academy graduates tossed their hats into the air and cheered.

Spike and Applejack took their seats among the other cops in the Bullpen. Iron Will stood up at the front, calling order.

“All right. All right, enough! Shut it! We have some new recruits this morning, including our first Dragon. Who cares?”

“Ha! You should write your own line of inspirational greeting cards, sir,” said Spike sarcastically.

“Shut your face, Drake!” said Iron Will.

The officers laughed heartily.

“Assignments. Officers McRae, Flankmeyer, Delgado... Dragontown SWAT. Strongheart, Hayes, Wolfram... Undercover. Smith, Drake. Parking Duty. Dismissed,”

When Spike and Applejack shot him frustrated looks, Iron Will smiled.

“Just kidding! We have reports of a street racer tearing up Central. Find him! Shut him down!”

Later, in their police cruiser...

“So, are all blondes bad drivers, or just you?” Spike asked.

Applejack slammed on the brakes, causing Spike to lurch forward. Thankfully, he’d been wearing his seatbelt.

“Oops. Sorry,” she said.

“Sly girl,” he chuckled.

“Dumb boy,” she replied.

“You know you love me,”

“Do I know that? Yes. Yes, I do,”

Spike and Applejack smiled at each other.

The light turned green and a tricked-out, bright red 1975 Torino raced past them. Their smiles even wider, Spike put on his sunglasses, hit the siren button, and Applejack stomped on the gas pedal.

Their cruiser sped down the street in pursuit of the car, whose vanity plate read “ROXROCK”.

The chase quickly ended and Spike and AJ exited the cruiser.

“Sir, you were going 115 in a 30 zone,” Applejack said as she walked up to the driver’s window. “I hope you have a good explanation.”

The window rolled down and Spike removed his sunglasses.

“It’s a Maud, Maud, Maud, Maud World?”

The woman’s face slowly broke into a smile.

“Spiiike...”