The final bell of the day rang out across the campus of Canterlot High. Ginger Frosting couldn't wait! It was the end of the semester, and that meant it was the summer holidays! He was excited to tell his friends, his brother and his girlfriend what he had planned for them.
Ice and Ginger walked down the steps leading to the High School. "What you planning of doing this summer, bro?" Ice asked, looking up at his older brother as he adjusted the strap on his school bag.
"Nothing much, little brother. But I do have something planned for all of us. Dad helped me book it last month." Ginger replied with a smirk. "You'll love it."
"What is it?" Ice asked as the two walked to over to the statue opposite the school.
"Can't tell you. We gotta wait for everyone else to get here." Ginger chuckled at his brother's enthusiasm.
A short time later, Hurricane Storm and Lightning Streak, the twin son and daughter of Rainbow Dash and Soarin, eagerly rushed out of the school. "We're here!" Yelled Hurricane.
"What's the news, dude?" Lightning asked.
"Can't reveal it until everyone's here, Lightning." Ginger smiled.
A few moments later, the son and daughter of Thunderlane and Fleur De Lis, Shimmering Star and Sonic Boom were seen walking down the path. They both attended Crystal Prep Academy and equally hated it there. Stuck in an itchy school uniform, unlike their friends at Canterlot High, who could wear that they liked. Star brightened up as she locked eyes with Ginger. "Ginger!" She smiled as she leapt into her boyfriend's open arms and hugged him tightly.
"So, is this everyone?" Sonic asked.
"Not quite. We're still waiting on Cheesecake and Whipped Cream, not to mention Leaf Blower and Aquamarine, alongside Canis Major and Aries." Ginger replied. Whipped Cream and Cheesecake were the daughters of Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich, Aquamarine was the daughter of Rarity and Fancy Pants, Canis Major was the son of Twilight Sparkle and Timber Spruce while Aries was the son of Sunset Shimmer and Flash Sentry and Leaf Blower was the son of Fluttershy and Sandalwood.
"How long are they gonna be?!" Lightning groaned. "I bet Canis is in the science lab again, doing his crazy and lethal experiments."
"Not this time, Lightning Streak." Canis said as he, Aries, Whipped Cream, Leaf, Aquamarine and Cheesecake walked over.
"Why not? Make some explosives that set fire to the science lab?" Lightning joked. Canis growled lowly at Lightning, who calmed down and stepped aside as to not be in Canis's firing line.
Canis shook his head and sighed. "I may not have made some explosives, but I have made something that would benefit each and every one of us. I call it a multi-watch." He tapped on his watch and it projected a holographic screen in front of him. "This watch can text, call, scan and defend both yourself and the good people around you."
"Dude... Do you trust Cheesecake enough to not break it?" Cream asked, laughing. "I mean, we are descendants of Pinkie Pie and Cheese Sandwich, for pies sake!"
"I know, that is why they're unbreakable. Even the clumsiest of people can't break it." Canis smirked proudly. "Mom and Spike gave me he idea a few days ago. This week will be its first time in the field."
"You mean, "on the water"?" Ginger asked.
"On water?" Ice asked. "You gone nuts, big bro?"
"No, I ain't, Ice. What I'm saying, is that this week, we'll be going on a yacht. Like our parents did when they were our age." Ginger replied.
"Hate to break it to you, pal. But only our mom's were on that trip." Leaf noted.
"My dad was as well!" Aries argued. "Mom and Dad were both on that trip."
"The time the Storm King's magic was ruining the trip? And when Applejack was seasick?" Aquamarine growled at her best friend. Leaf and Aquamarine butter heads, growling at eachother.
"Hold on! Does that mean one of us is likely to be seasick?" Ice asked Ginger. "We've never been on a boat before, bro."
"Don't worry. Mom packed a whole three boxes of sickness pills in my suitcase, just in case."
Will our parents not be coming too?" Hurricane asked.
"I didn't get the chance to ask Mom before we left, but I'll ask tonight." Ginger replied.
"So that's it? When do we leave for this yacht?" Star asked.
"9:30 tomorrow morning." Ginger confirmed. "There's a whole three decks full of rooms for us, so we won't be stuck in one room together. Most likely, there'll be one room between two, or one each."
"Cool. So, meet at the docks tomorrow morning?" Sonic asked.
"Yep. See ya then!" Ginger tipped his hat to his friends, gave Star one last peck on the nose and left with Ice by his side. The others said their goodbyes and left for home.
Later that night, Ginger was assisting Ice with packing his bag. "Shorts, shades, hats, trainers, socks, t-shirts. Anything else?" Ice asked as he check off the list of things he needed.
"Nope. I've got the sunscreen and the pills." Ginger shook his head. "There'll be refreshments and snacks on the boat."
"Good!" Ice smiled as he put the piece of paper in his pocket. "Gift shop?"
"Yes, bro. There's a gift shop. We'll be going into international waters so everything will be cheaper."
"Great! I'll pack my wallet as well." Ice said before throwing his wallet into the suitcase, almost hitting is older brother in the face as he did so.
"Kids, dinner!" Their father called from downstairs.
"Coming Dad!" The boys yelled as they darted out of Ice's room and hurried downstairs.
Once they were downstairs, the two took their seats at the dining table. "Your father has something to say." Applejack told the duo.
"What is it?" Ice asked, looking up from his plate.
Applejack turned to Frost, who sighed and turned to the two boys staring at them with looks of confusion. "Boys..." Frost cleared his throat. "I booked extra rooms for the yacht trip. We're all going."
"You mean, you guys, Rainbow and Soarin, Thunderlane and Fleur, Fluttershy and Sandalwood, Rarity and Fancy Pants, Twilight and Timner, Pinkie and Cheese, Sunset and Flash?" Ice asked.
"Well, only Fleur De Lis will be coming with Star and Sonic. She can't trust Thunderlane with the two."
"Since he's an alcoholic?" Ginger asked. "Star told me a few weeks ago." He said after his parents gave him a strange look.
Meanwhile, Aquamarine was looking through his closet for the perfect things to take on the boat. Rarity entered the room a short time later. "Aqua, do you need any help packing?" She asked.
"Yes please, Mother. I can't find my navy blue trunks." Aqua told her as he poked his head out of the closet and looked over at his mother. "I thought it would be in here with the rest of my summer clothing, but it seems not."
Rarity couldn't help but laugh. "Try looking in the swimwear section, darling." She suggested. Aqua stepped out of the closet and walked further into his walk in closet. He looked at the room and found the trunks he was looking for. "Got them?"
"Yep! Thanks, Mother." Aqua smiled as he walked out to put the item in his suitcase. "All done."
"Brilliant. Now, shall we go to dinner?"
"I'm starving!"
Lightning and Hurricane rushed around their room, trying to hastily pack their suitcases. "Hey, those are my shades!" Lightning growled as he watched Hurricane place them in her suitcase.
"No, they're mine!" His twin sister returned. "Yours are on the windowsill."
"No, they're not!" Lightning clenched his fists as he looked over at the windowsill. "Mine are the dark blue ones, yours are the gold ones!"
"I have the gold shades!" Hurricane shouted. "You've got my trainers!"
"They're mine! Yours are downstairs in the porch."
Their bedroom door suddenly slammed open, revealing a furious Rainbow Dash. "What the hell is going on in here?!" She demanded.
"He/She started it!" The twins growled, pointing at eachother.
"Quit shouting at eachother. Now, Hurricane, go get your trainers from downstairs. Lightning, your shades are on the banister." Rainbow seethed. The two left the bedroom as Rainbow hurriedly packed their cases for them, using her super speed.
Hurricane was the first back into the room. She watched her mother as she darted from one end of the room, to the other using her powers. "Woah!"
Once everything was packed, Rainbow pressed her geode and her magic stopped. Smiling to herself, she walked towards the door, only to be met with her daughter's wide magenta eyes. "Surprised?" Rainbow smiled, patting Hurricane's shoulder and walking out of the room.
Cheesecake and Cream were done packing their suitcases and were chilling on their beds while waiting to be called for dinner. They packed everything, including a rubber chicken, candy, water balloons, cupcakes, whipped cream and all kinds of other things. "I think we over did it with the confetti, dude." Cream sighed.
"Nope, don't think so." Cheesecake smiled. "We can never have too much confetti."
Cream chose not to answer to that, but instead put his headphones in and played his favourite song, Never really over.
Star and Sonic quickly and quietly entered their mansion and crawled upstairs, hoping to avoid their father. They walked into their room and quietly packed their cases. Thunderlane suddenly appeared at the door, a glass bottle of alcohol hanging loosely in his right hand as he propped himself up on his left, leaning against the doorframe. "How come you two are so late?" He asked before taking another swig of beer.
"We had to talk with our friends about tomorrow's plans, sir." Sonic gulped, hoping to avoid another 'punishment' that was bound to come their way,
"Friends?! Ha! You two don't have any friends. You're attending the best school in the country. Your mother and I attended when we were your age," Thunderlane cackled. "And quite frankly, CPA doesn't allow friends."
"You're just jealous that people would rather hang around with us than with a mindless alcoholic who takes his anger out on his two kids!" Star roared, Sonic gulped and tugged on the sleeve of his sister's blazer.
"What are you doing?! If Dad does anything to us tonight, Ginger and the others are gonna ask questions!" He growled lowly at his sister.
"So? We'll just come up with an excuse. Anyway, ten months and we're outta here." Star shrugged.
Thunderlane growled at his daughter. "Be thankful I didn't hear that, Shimmering Star." He spat before walking away to fetch another bottle of alcohol.
"He'll be back soon." Sonic said to himself before resuming packing. Star followed closely and zipped up her case, leaving it by the door. "Call Ginger, sis. Ask if it's alright with his parents if we stay over. I really don't want Dad questioning us before we leave."
Star nodded and picked her phone up from her bedside table, unlocking it and speed dialling her boyfriend.
"Hey Star. What's up?" Ginger asked as he stiffled a yawn. "It's almost 10 PM."
"Ginger, could Sonic and I ask you something?" Star asked.
"Sure. Fire away." Ginger smiled.
"Would it be alright with your parents is we stayed at the farm tonight?"
"Hold on, I'll go ask Mom." Ginger told her before he walked out of his room. A few moments later, he returned with a cheerful smile. "Mom said yes. She and Dad know about Thunderlane."
"How?" Sonic asked as he took the phone from his sister.
"Mom and Dad knew Thunderlane from college. Even then he wasn't exactly the 'good guy' type." Ginger simply told him. "I'll set up Auntie Apple Bloom's old room for you guys."
"you don't need to, Ginger. We'll be happy sharing a room with you and Ice." Sonic said.
"Ice and I aren't exactly talking right now. He's moved into Uncle Mac's room for some reason." Ginger confessed. "He kept saying I'm hiding his stuff from him, which ain't true. He hides my stuff from me. Including my laptop and headphones."
"We get it. See you in a bit, Ging." Star smiled. Ginger nodded and ended the call.
"So, over at Ginger's." Sonic smirked. "I'll bunk with Ice."
"If you say so, little brother." Star chuckled. The two grabbed their suitcases and quietly exited their room. Their father was passed out on the couch so it was safe for them to walk past without him waking up. Star walked ahead and opened the front door before exiting with Sonic by her side. Next stop: Sweet Apple Acres.
Canis was finished packing his case, thanks to his parents help. He had everything he needed, his necklace, which was a birthday present from his mother, his astronomy books, telescope and headphones. He didn't bother packing any swimwear, as he would be down below deck researching. Too busy for playing games with his friends.
"That's all." Canis said to himself as he hoisted the case up and rested it by his bedroom door so he wouldn't forget it the next morning. A few moments later, a small red and green parrot flew into he room and took its seat upon his perch. "This will be the best week ever, Sirius." He said to the parrot, who simply squawked in return and flew into his cage. "A whole week of research."
"I hope you don't plan on doing just that." His father chuckled as he stood at the door. "Canis, you can leave your research until you come back. Have some fun and hand out with your friends. Ginger planned this week's trip as a part of a bonding week. Get to know your friends, the more you know about them, the more you'll wanna hang out with them."
"But Dad!" Canis moaned. "My research is important. I've been working of things that could change the world in a good way!"
"And that would be to get to know your friends." Timber raised an eyebrow at his son, who groaned as as he dipped his head. "Chill, Canis. Your work will still be here when you get back. The only thing I will let you take is your telescope and headphones. You'll also pack your trunks."
"Fine......" Canis sighed. On the plus side, he did have the chance to record some research during the hours his friends would be asleep. Sleep didn't matter to Canis, though. His research took top priority over his sleeping habits.
"Atta boy. Now, hungry?"
"I could eat a horse."
Aries had returned home to find neither of his parents back from work. Sunset worked as a forensic scientist at CCPD and Flash worked at a recording studio on the other side of the city. Great... Home alone.....
The first thing Aries did was walk to his room and begin packing. Afterwards, he prepared dinner for himself and his parents and a fresh pot of coffee stood silently in the counter, waiting to be used. Out of his family, Aries and his mother were the only two to drink coffee, while his father chose a non-alcoholic drink before and after work.
Around an hour later, Sunset stumbled into the house. "Aries, I'm home!" She called. Looking around the room, she saw her son sleeping on the couch. Probably tired from school and packing. Smiling to herself, Sunset left the living room and returned with a blanket which she draped over Aries. She then walked onto the kitchen to see a post-it note on the fridge, the coffee maker, and on a plate of cold food.
The note on the fridge stated:
Dear whoever is home,
No need to make dinner for yourself. I've prepared some already. Might need heating up in the over for a bit. I've already eaten, so there's no need to make anything for me. I've done the washing up too.
Lots of love,
Aries
Sunset smiled and looked over her shoulder at her son, who had somehow rolled off the couch and was tangled in the blankets. She looked back at the three notes and picked up the one on the coffee maker.
Dear Mom,
Already prepared some coffee when you get home. It's your favourite as well. Might need to reheat it if it's gone cold. Dad's beer is in the fridge, for when he gets home from the recording studio. The bottle opener is in the drawer beside the oven.
Lots of love,
Aries
Sunset looked at the coffee maker to see that the coffee had indeed gone cold. She shook her head and picked up the last note.
Dear whoever is home,
I've made some Haddock for dinner. Might need to heat it up. Didn't know what else to make, since were low on stock at the moment. Might need to go shopping sometime.
Lots of love,
Aries
Sunset couldn't help but feel proud of her son. Aries was such a gentleman when it came to his parents. Even when he's the first one home, Aries is usually prepared with notes, dinner and drinks, and never seems to disappoint. With a flick of a switch, the coffee maker was heating up its contents. Sunset smiled once more as she watched Aries open his cerise eyes and look around the room, confused for a second. He then shook his head and locked eyes with his mother, who strode forward and hugged him. "I'm so proud of you, Aries. You're such a gentleman."
"It was nothing, Mom. It's just routine. I get home, make coffee for us, prepare dinner, and leave notes for when you and Dad come home. Simple." Aries shrugged.
"But you shouldn't have to, my son. It should be your father and I doing all this." Sunset sat, gesturing to the plate of food and the drinks.
The front door suddenly opened, revealing Flash Sentry. He was wearing a light blue denim jacket, dark grey t-shirt, black trousers and black leather boots. "I'm home!"
"Dad!" Aries yelped as he leapt to his feet and rushed to greet his father. Sunset followed shortly after.
"I thought you'd be at the hotel tonight, Flash." She said.
"And miss our son leaving for the yacht trip tomorrow? No chance, SunShim." Flash replied and pecked his wife on the cheek. "Work can wait. It's gonna be a slow day tomorrow. Only one band."
"And that would be...?"
"The Flash Drives." Flash replied, smirking. "You know, Micro Chips, Sandalwood and I."
"Yeah, I know. You guys were eliminated in the first round of the Battle of the Bands." Sunset replied with a sly smile. Flash playfully growls at his wife, who just pulls him closer and kisses him.
Leaf Blower returned home to see his parents were nowhere to be seen, which was strange, since Fluttershy and Sandalwood were usually in the woods tending to the animals, or inside caring for them. "Mom? Dad? Anyone home?"
Silence.
"Great, I'm stuck with Mom's demon rabbit." Leaf groaned unenthusiastically. Angel hopped over and kicked his boot, earning a scowl from the human boy. "Angel Bunny!"
Angel nodded in response and bounced away to avoid any further confrontation with the son of Fluttershy.
"You better scram, demon rabbit." Leaf snarled angrily at the rabbit, who disappeared into a mouse hole.
"I heard shouting. Everything alright?" Fluttershy asked as she entered the house via the back door.
"Angel just kicked me for no reason, Mom." Leaf whined. "Like Rainbow said, he's a demon."
"Angel is not a demon. Now, don't you have some packing to do?" Fluttershy asked.
"Already did that. I figured that we'd be going somewhere for a week, so I packed everything I'd need." Leaf smiled.
The next morning, the group all met up at the docks. It was currently 8:45 AM and the group were literally bouncing off the walls.... All except Ginger, who was having second thoughts about the trip. Since arriving on the docks, his stomach felt like it was doing backflips as his head pounded. He tried to shake it off as nerves, but it only made his headache worse. He looked up at his mother, who had her eyes closed and was leaning into Frost.
"Dude, we're all here. Let's go already!" Lightning groaned in annoyance.
"Okay... All aboard...." Ginger gulped. Everyone walked onto the boat any Ginger was the last one to climb aboard. The anchor was released from the sea floor and the boat began to move. As the vehicle rode across the sea, Ginger could feel the floor moving below his feet. As best he could, he tried to stifle a moan and immediately regretted it as bile rose up his throat. A second later, Ginger stuck his head over the side of the boat and became sick to his stomach. After dry-heaving for the second time, Ginger allowed himself to sink to the floor, leaning his head against the cool fibreglass of the boat.
"Looks like you could do with a bit of company." A voice spoke from beside him. Ginger slowly moved his head to watch Star sit down beside him. "You okay, Ginger, you look a bit pale."
"I'm fine. A little seasick is all." Ginger assured his girlfriend. "I might go below deck for a bit and get some shut-eye." He slowly rose to his feet and unsteadily made his way below deck. He stumbled across the deck as he made his way towards the doors leading downstairs.
"You sure? Going below deck if you're seasick isn't such a good idea." Star said as she joined her boyfriend's side. "Come on. I'll get the tablets from your suitcase while you sit on the deckchairs beside the pool."
Ginger slowly nodded and turned to walk away when a familiar wave of nausea made itself known. Without a second thought, Ginger raced back to the side of the boat and became sick to his stomach once more. He quietly headed towards the pool area and took a seat on one of the deckchairs. He removed his baseball cap from his head and placed it over his face as he slowly drifted off to sleep.
Star returned to the top deckand headed over to the poolside, where she saw Ginger lying on a deckchair with his baseball cap over his head. She gently shook his shoulder and he stirred, slowly opening his eyes and removing the baseball cap from his face. "Here. I got you the tablets and a nice glass of water." She said and handed the objects to her boyfriend, who took them without hesitation and swallowed the tablets.
"Thanks, Star." Ginger smiled weakly at his girlfriend. Star smiled back and kissed him on the cheek.
"Your welcome, Ging."
Across the deck, Ice was staring at Sonic, daring him to leap into the pool. "Scaredy cat!"
"Am not!" Sonic returned and he shoved Ice over, as the younger boy fell into the pool. He emerged and snarled at his friend. Hahaha-WOAH!!" Sonic yelped as Ice grabbed his ankle and dragged him into the pool. "Dude, not cool."
Cheesecake and Cream swam over to them. "Anyone for a game of truth or dare?" Cream asked.
"Count me in!" Ice smirked as he turned to Sonic.
Sonic sighed and dipped his head. "I guess..."
Aquamarine and Leaf walked over. "Someone say truth or dare?" Aqua asked.
"Count us in!" Leaf added.
Ice smiled as he turned his attention to Aries and Canis, with the latter wearing a pair of goggles on his head. "You guys wanna join?"
Canis looked up from his work. "Sorry, Ice. I gotta do some research Incase we come across Equestrian Magic. Aries will partake in your game though."
Aries sharply looked up at his best friend, a shocked look on his face. "Me?! Wha-?"
"Just go on, Aries. I've got work to do." Canis etched him on, returning his attention to the notebook in his hands. That was, until a pair of hands pulled the book and goggles away from him.
"Remember what I said last night, Canis Major." Timber warned. "Socialize with your friends."
Canis huffed and turned away from his friends, looking up at his father. "Fine, Dad, can I at least keep hold of my notebook?"
"Nope. I'm keeping it in mine and Twilight's room." Timber replied. "You'll get it back at dinner."
Canis huffed and sunk further into his seat. "Fine...." He grumbled.
"That's my boy." Timber smiled. "Me and the other parents will be down below deck in the theatre room."
"Okay, Dad/Timber!" Canis and the others smiled back at Timber, who briefly patted Canis's shoulder before leaving.
I hate this...." Canis huffed as he crossed his arms.
"Deal with it." Cheesecake sneered. "Sacrifice one thing for something else."
"Shut it, Cheesecake." Canis growled at the taller teen.
Cheesecake turned away as Ice stood up. "I'm gonna get the spinner." Ice smiled as he walked off.
