The early morning sun had risen above the unusually bustling town of Maretime Bay. Earth ponies weren’t just in the town as they had been for so many moons, but unicorns and pegasi were socializing in the streets and children playing in them. Sheriff Hitch was chasing down a litterer as his bird chicks and crab followed him at only half the speed. But the only difference was that Sunny Starscout wasn't in town, selling her famous smoothies.
Despite that odd detail, among all the positivity and friendship in the air, Izzy Moonbow was happily trotting through the streets.
I can’t wait to get together with everypony! Izzy giggled as she hopped a couple of times, We’re gonna make friendship bracelets, have a picnic, watch Zipp fly and so many more amazing things!
But before she could get Sunny for their day, she first had an exciting errand to make. The unicorn smiled brightly. She’d found something a few days ago and it was determined by Sunny to likely be an ancient artifact.
The unicorn made her way into the museum of Maretime Bay and went into the back rooms where they examine new donations. Izzy didn’t fully understand the process, she’d rather create things out of everything.
She entered the large room where three different tables were lining it. Two unicorns were looking at what Izzy had found that was on display on a stand in the middle of the first table.
“So, it’s legitimate?!” the unicorn asked the unicorn next to him.
“Yes, we can confirm this is a weapon used thousands of years ago,” the second unicorn explained, looking at on a table, the mostly restored, albeit a little weathered machete with tons of intrigue. The first unicorn looked in Izzy’s direction.
“Hey, what’re you doing here?” he asked.
“She’s the one that found it,” said the second unicorn.
“Oh, right,” replied the first. He smiled. “Thanks so much for a wonderful find!”
“Booyah!” Izzy pumped a hoof into the air. Without asking permission, Izzy leaned closer to the machete, looking at it with wonder in her eyes. When she got to the right side of the machete’s handle, she paused at seeing some faded letters partly covered by some dirt, and there might be more between them but hidden by the dirt to form a word or name.
“M, T, C,” said Izzy, narrowing her eyes, “is that a name on the handle?”
“How did you find that?!” the first unicorn came over and looked at the faded letters on the right side of the machete, and his eyes widened. “Whoa, we might be able to find out who this traveler was!”
Izzy giggled bouncing in place. First, she got friends and found an artifact all in one week.
“Wait, shouldn’t you have noticed that earlier?” Izzy asked, suddenly furrowing her brows.
“We just got here,” said the first unicorn, “We had to evaluate the earth pony’s find.”
Izzy blinked. “Oh.”
A few minutes later, Izzy knew of the owner of the machete’s name and was trotting happily to Sunny’s house.
“I can’t believe I found that!” she giggled, “I might become a part-time pony to find things of the past!” She paused, tapping her chin, “What’s that called again?” She shrugged, “Never mind!” Izzy began trotting onward to Sunny’s house and saw that the lighthouse tower was completely restored due to having magical neighbors.
Shame that red pony got parole for a month after our crystal adventure, Izzy thought as she reached Sunny’s door, But maybe we’ll be friends soon!
“Sunny!” Izzy sang, swinging the door open. She heard it impact the wall, and she turned to the left wall, seeing the restored picture of filly Sunny and her father crooked. “Oops.” She put up a hoof and straightened it up. The unicorn turned back in the direction of the living room and kitchen. “Sunny!”
No response except her echo. Izzy lifted her ears, searched the floor and the second floor that wasn’t completely restored.
“Huh...” Izzy furrowed her brows. “This isn’t like Sunny.”
She tapped her chin and left the house, shutting the door.
Only to pop back in and straighten the picture once again.
Izzy trotted all around Sunny’s yard and next to the nearby forest but there was no sign of her best friend.
However, when she came upon a smaller road she hadn’t noticed before, the unicorn looked to see that there was a small opening within the forest. Curious and hoping to find Sunny, she trotted down that path for a little while.
Then, at the edge of it, she saw the back of Sunny. Her eyes lit up and she was about to call out to her, but she noticed that the earth pony looked to be sad and looking at a stone in front of her with her head down.
Frowning with confusion and concern, Izzy slowed down her trot and made her way over to a nearby tree to see what was going on. As the sun’s light streamed past the trees, their branches and very lush green leaves. There was a small stream running through the small clearing.
But she couldn’t hear what Sunny was saying, if anything at all. So, she snuck to the closest tree to look over at her.
“And that’s what happened in the past year,” Sunny’s voice came through, much to Izzy’s relief.
“I’ve accomplished so much after so many unsuccessful attempts,” Sunny continued, “And if only you were here to hug and congratulate me for all I’d done.” She paused and Izzy’s ears flattened, “You’d love to meet the pegasi and unicorn I made friends with. They’re wonderful. I just...” a light sob emitted from Sunny, “I just wish some days were easier with you not here with me. Dad, I love you so much...” Sunny placed her head on the gravestone.
Her father’s gone...? Izzy felt a sharp pain of sadness pierce her heart. She thought he must’ve been elsewhere and she didn’t think about it. And Sunny... Oh, Izzy wanted to rush over and hug her. But before she could do so--
“I wish you could see that all three tribes have reunited once again,” Sunny said, placing a tender hoof on the gravestone, “I did my part, Dad... hoof to heart...”
Izzy was about to run over, but then she stepped on a twig, making a loud snapping sound that caused her to freeze and Sunny’s head to perk up and look around.
“Who’s out there?!” Sunny asked, alarmed.
“It’s me!” Izzy came out from behind the tree and held up a hoof, when Sunny saw her, she visibly calmed down some.
“Izzy? What’re you doing out here?” Sunny asked.
“I was looking for you,” said Izzy, walking over to the earth pony, “We had our day today with the others and I couldn’t find you.”
“Oh...” Sunny paused, glancing once back at the grave, “I forgot...”
Izzy looked over at the grave and saw it was engraved “Argyle Starshine” with some symbols that looked like a star, a bolt, three butterflies, diamonds, apples, and balloons.
“Who’s Argyle?” Izzy asked softly.
Sunny sighed, “I can’t keep it in anymore...”
“Huh?”
“I’m sorry,” Sunny said, looking back at the grave, “I wanted to tell you, but I was so focused on our friendship and...” She turned fully back to the gravestone and sat back down. Izzy sat next to her and gently placed a foreleg around the earth pony.
“It’s okay...” Izzy whispered. Sunny sniffled and wiped her eyes.
“I need to tell you,” Sunny admitted, “I just can’t keep something like this from my best friend.”
Izzy felt her heart warm up and she just sat there.
“My dad was the most special pony in my life,” Sunny began, “He taught me everything I knew about earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi living in harmony so long ago.” She faintly smiled. “We played, laughed, and enjoyed one another’s company so much. He made me little toys, too.” She frowned again and Izzy stroked Sunny’s withers, “I never knew my mom because she died during childbirth, and my dad...” She looked at Izzy, tears filling her eyes, “Sickness took him...”
“Oh, Sunny...” Izzy lamented, her heart heavy.
“I allow myself to be here at my father’s grave every year on the day he died,” Sunny explained. “I’m always doing my best to stay positive and cheerful…” She sighed, “But sometimes, with how close we were, it’s not always easy…”
“Oh...” Izzy said sadly, “I didn’t realize...”
“I was a misfit in our town,” Sunny continued, “And aside from Hitch, my dad was the closest pony I ever had. And to lose him...” She choked, tears rolling down the earth pony’s cheeks.
It was then that Izzy enveloped Sunny in a huge bear hug. The earth pony immediately returned it and cried on the unicorn’s shoulder. A couple of tears built up behind Izzy’s eyes as she held her best friend close.
“I’m so sorry, Sunny,” Izzy whispered, wishing she could say more.
“It’s all right,” Sunny pulled back, wiping her tears, “I keep doing my part by being cheerful and optimistic for his sake. It was his final wish before...”
Izzy nodded, “I understand.”
“I needed this,” Sunny said, getting up, “I hope it’ll bring me more closure.”
Izzy just looked at her and didn’t move, processing all that she’d just found out.
“Let’s go and have a fun day with our friends!” Sunny said happily, her former sadness seemingly forgotten.
“Right,” Izzy forced a smile and got to her hooves, “That’s why I came.”
Sunny began jumping ahead and Izzy followed behind.
And so, for the entire day, Sunny, Izzy, Hitch, Zipp, and Pipp all hung out together doing all kinds of wonderful and fun activities. Despite her best efforts throughout the day, Izzy wasn’t as happy or into the things she and her friends were doing. But she hoped that they didn’t notice.
That evening, while the sun was setting, Izzy was sitting on a small hilltop looking at the sky washed with gold, red, and purple. She had to get away from her friends. The events with Sunny at her father’s grave just shook her perspective of the happy earth pony and she couldn’t believe how sad it was.
“Izzy, what’s wrong?” a voice asked, and Izzy snapped her head to look at Zipp who descended from the sky.
“N-Nothing,” Izzy fibbed, hoping Zipp would take the bait. But Zipp just raised a concerned eyebrow with a frown.
“I noticed you weren’t as positive during our time together,” said Zipp, walking over and stopping next to the unicorn, whose ears flattened on her head.
“Can you keep a little secret for now?” Izzy asked as Zipp took a seat.
“Sure.”
“When I visited Sunny this morning,” Izzy lowered her head, “I found her in an unexpected place.”
“Where?” Zipp tilted her head.
“In front of her father’s grave.”
Zipp’s eyes widened and then she frowned, “Oh, I’m sorry…”
“I am, too,” replied Izzy, feeling very bad for Sunny, “He was taken from her by a sickness and Sunny does work so hard to maintain her spirits and spreading friendship. It’s how she honors his memory.”
“That sounds sweet,” Zipp gave a soft smile but then she frowned. “Has this been bothering you the whole day?”
“Yes,” Izzy admitted, sitting back up. “It was just so unexpected. I just don’t know how to deal with it.” Both ponies just looked at each other for a minute as Izzy looked back at the setting sun.
“My father died when I was a filly,” Zipp admitted and Izzy gasped, looking at the pegasus with eyes as wide as dinner plates. “He was killed in an accident.”
“I’m so sorry, Zipp,” Izzy frowned, feeling sorry for her and Pipp.
“It’s all right,” said Zipp, giving her a reassuring smile, “But the incident brought Pipp and I closer together.” Her smile dwindled some, “My mom and I were a little bit different because of her duties and...” she lightly grimaced, “Faking our flight.”
“How did you deal with him being gone like that?” Izzy asked, placing a gentle hoof on the pegasus’ shoulder.
“I had my friends from an early age, family, too,” Zipp explained, smiling a bit, “And we grew and healed from them.”
“Sunny didn’t have... mostly any of that,” Izzy sighed.
“I see,” replied Zipp, “And I’ve seen how much it’s impacted you.” Izzy looked away, but she immediately was guided by a hoof to look back at Zipp, “But she has us now. And we’ll be there for her. Like you were.”
“Mm-hmm...” Izzy hummed with uncertainty.
Both ponies looked back out at the sun, which was mostly gone now and it would be time to leave soon. Then--
“I just got a great idea!” Izzy cheered right back up, springing onto her hooves and knocking a surprised Zipp onto her back. “Zipp, there was something Sunny said to me about her father!”
“What’s that?” Zipp picked herself up, rubbing the side of her head.
“She told me that he taught her everything she knew!” Izzy explained, holding a hoof up, “She knew everything he knew! And if he hadn’t done that, Sunny wouldn’t have gotten to do what she did for all of us!”
Zipp’s eyes widened as she gained a look of realization.
“So, I just got the greatest idea!” Izzy said happily.
“What is it?” Zipp asked with genuine intrigue.
“What if we honor Sunny’s father for all he taught Sunny and helped bring Equestria’s magic back?”
“Whoa, that’s a wonderful idea!” Zipp said with a smile.
“Anything to help Sunny and to let our friendship is what’ll help us through everything!” Izzy began hopping away, “Come on, I can make us all bouquets!”
“Wait up!”
“Izzy, I appreciate you walking with me, but where’re we going?” Sunny asked as she and Izzy walked down a dirt path past Sunny’s lighthouse home.
“I just wanted to do something special for you,” Izzy smiled.
“But we already do have something special, what else could there be?” Sunny asked, furrowing her brows.
“I need to do something for you,” Izzy gave a solemn, sympathetic smile, “And your father.”
Sunny lightly gasped, but Izzy gently pulled her along as questions arose in her mind.
Izzy took her down the path leading to her father’s gravesite and Izzy gave a look to her that said, “Trust me.” Sunny listened as she and her friend arrived back at the grave, the beautiful night sky and moon on display in the break of the trees.
“What’re we doing here?” Sunny finally asked.
“I want to honor your father’s memory,” replied Izzy, pulling out a bouquet of blue and violet flowers. Sunny gasped and her eyes slowly grew very wide.
“We all do,” Izzy pointed behind the earth pony, and Sunny turned around. Her eyes got a little wider when she saw Hitch, Zipp, and Pipp giving her smiles that were happy but a little bit solemn.
“You... what?” Sunny squeaked. “I...”
“Don’t say too much,” Zipp said as she was the first to step forward, “This is for you and your dad.”
Sunny’s mouth sealed shut as the pegasus walked past her and in front of her father’s grave, stopping just in front of it. Sunny stood close by and just watched, her emotions swirling.
“My name is Zipp, and I’m one of Sunny’s new friends,” Zipp began, “I might not have known you, Mr. Argyle, but I would’ve loved to have met you for all the tales you had of ancient Equestria. You raised a fantastic daughter that’s kind, smart, and very bright.” Sunny began to smile, very touched at her words. “I’m sure you were the best father she could’ve asked for.” She knelt and placed the bouquet of white, blue, and purple flowers on the stone, “Thank you, Argyle.” The pegasus walked up to Sunny and gave her a surprising hug, and she returned it. Zipp pulled back and Pipp was next, holding a bouquet of pink flowers.
“You were no doubt a fabulous and noble father to your daughter, Mr. Argyle,” Pipp said, “I appreciate you and what you taught her so much so all of us and everypony else could be together once again.” She placed her bouquet down, “And I truly hope it lasts.” The pip-pop pegasus hugged Sunny and she returned it before pulling away and Hitch stepped up.
“I know I already paid my respects,” Hitch began, “But after everything, I’ve gained a lot more appreciation for you, Argyle.” He gave a brief soft smile to Sunny, “We all thought you were crazy, but it turns out we were the ones that were crazy. All of us will work together to create a better future. Thank you, Argyle.” He placed his bouquet on his grave and he hugged Sunny, the earth pony’s tears falling before he pulled away.
There was only Izzy left and she was standing there with a smile but with caring eyes.
“I have so much to thank you for, Mr. Argyle,” Izzy said, and Sunny couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. She lightly gasped when the unicorn pulled out a very familiar drawing that Sunny and her father did to invite other ponies to Maretime Bay.
“If you two hadn’t made this drawing,” Izzy continued, as Sunny’s heart melted, “I wouldn’t have come to Maretime Bay or had met Sunny, the greatest pony and friend I’ve ever had. You’re just the best pony I’ve never met and I hope to carry on your flame with Sunny until the end.” She placed the picture and bouquet down. “May your sparkle shine forever, Mr. Argyle.”
Izzy looked up with a smile and Sunny ran over to and gave a big bear hug to the unicorn, lightly sobbing and she felt forelegs wrapped around her as she was pulled away from the grave. She and Izzy sat on the grass as everypony gathered around her.
“You guys,” said Sunny, choking and tearing up, “Thank you so much.” All of them pulled Sunny into a group hug and all embraced one another as true friends. Sunny softly sobbed in their warm forelegs and wings. She opened her eyes and happened to be looking up at the starry sky in the direction of the grave and moon.
She swore she saw her father smiling proudly down at her.
Author's Note
This was an idea that just came to me after seeing the wonderful and sparkly My Little Pony: A New Generation. I just thought it would be a touching yet interesting little story.
As for the machete at the beginning of the story, I had to make a reference to a character of my own. As for those that know who I'm alluding to, there might be muliple universes with different versions of her. 
