Sunny Starscout spreaded her wings out and stretched her back, feeling tension release itself, before laying down against her chair and releasing a relaxed sigh. The bright sun warmed her body and the sound of waves from the ocean was the music to her ears. A day at the Maretime Bay beach was enough to get the stress off her mind, especially her whole adventure with her new friends, bringing back the magic, and the big battle between her and Sprout. She was rewarded by becoming an alicorn after all that. Princess Pipp Petals even got her fans back, after the big lie was set among her city. Sprout's mom, Phyllis, was more than oblidging to write her a cheque for the damage that her son caused to Sunny's home. She would send construction workers to fix it up while she stayed at Hitch Trailblazer's place for the time-being. And being at the beach was the key to help coax her.
"This is the life.", she said. "Am I right?" She turned to her friend, Izzy Moonbow.
The purple-furred and blue-maned unicorn was also sitting in a chair with a coconut cup drink on the right arm rest. She was also wearing sunglasses. "Right-o, girlfriend.", she said, lifting her sunglasses to rest on her horn. "This is just what I needed. That adventure has gotten me beat."
"You're not the only one.", a female voice said. The two seated ponies glanced at a white pegasus with a magenta and blue mane and tail, also for the tips of her wings. Zipp Storm was laying on her belly against the sand. "Some heroes like us need relaxation."
"Agreed.", another female voice said. Zipp turned her head to the voice. The figure next to her and that was poking out of the sand was the head of Pipp Petals. She had buried her sister in the sand up to her neck, after digging a hole that met Pipp's neck level. She was wearing sunglasses that rested at the tip of her nose, that way she would look over the rims. "It feels nice when you don't have to do too much."
"How are you holding up there, Pipp?", Sunny asked.
"I'm alright.", said the princess in the sand. "Though it's hard to move with all this sand pressed up against me."
"I can help you out, if you want, sis.", Zipp offered.
"No, it's fine, Zipp.", Pipp protested. "It's cozy."
The four mares' ears perked up at the sound of a splash. They turned to see a stallion springing from the water. It was Hitch, who threw his head back, whipping some locks of mane from his brow and waded over to shore. "Why can't any of you come in the water?", he asked his four mare friends as he walked up to them. "It's pretty lonely in that ocean."
"Sorry, Hitch, but sun bathing's way better.", Sunny said.
"Maybe in your book, but not mine.", Hitch said. He gave his body a good shake, flinging small water droplets in the process.
A couple of them splashed against Pipp's mane. Zipp was lucky not to get water on her as she shot up on all fours and staggered away.
"Hitch, watch it!", Pipp scolded. "You're getting my head wet!"
"Sorry, Pipp.", Hitch said apologetically. "Didn't notice you were there."
Zipp kneeled down to her sister's head. "Are you sure you don't want me to dig you out, Pipp?", she asked.
"Of course I'm sure.", Pipp said, nodding her head. "In fact, I actually want to livestream this." She turned her head to see her phone resting on a picnic blanket along with a bag full of snacks, laid on the left side of Sunny's chair. "If I could reach it." She stretched her neck close enough to grab it, but no luck. "With my mouth." She tried again, but still no avail. Her face went blank when Hitch picked it up.
"I got you covered, Pipp.", Hitch said, turning her phone on.
"Oh, ok then." Pipp said. "Thanks, Hitch."
Hitch swiped his hoof multiple times against the screen, scrolling through apps on the device held in his hoof. "Um, how do you do this exactly?", he asked.
Zipp rushed over to Hitch's side and looked at the screen. "It's simple, I've seen her do this.", she said. "You just go to the streaming app, go to settings and click on live, then you press the start streaming button." After giving out the instructions, she took her place behind her sister's head.
Hitch did everything Zipp told him. As he clicked on the 'start streaming' button, a red light flashed on the camera. "Hey, there's a red light flashing, does that means it's going?"
Zipp nodded, signaling Hitch to aim the camera at Pipp's smiling face.
"Hello, all my pippsqueaks.", she greeted. "As you can see, I'm at the beach. And I'm here with my sister, Zipp." She tilted her head back to look up at her sister. "Say 'hi', Sis."
Hitch aimed the camera at Zipp, which the snow white pegasus happily waved to. "How do you do, folks.", she said.
"And my friends, Sunny Starscout and Izzy Moonbow.", Pipp continues.
Hitch aims the camera at the two mares in the chairs.
"Hi.", Izzy chirped, waving at the camera.
"Hello.", Sunny said.
Hitch aimed the camera at Pipp once more. "And last but not least, the one who's holding the camera, Hitch Trailblazer.", Pipp said, causing Hitch to turn the camera to his own face.
"The sheriff of Maretime Bay, that's me.", the yellow stallion said. "Hey, you in the back, nice cardigan."
"Uh, Hitch.", Sunny said, getting Hitch's attention.
"Yeah, Sunny?", Hitch asked, aiming the camera at Sunny.
"You realize you're only talking to a camera, right?", Sunny asked.
"And how can you tell if somepony's wearing a cardigan?", Izzy asked.
Hitch aimed the camera back at him. "Sometimes I like to pretend I'm in front of an audience.", he said.
"I know that everypony can watch on the big screen, but there are some ponies who watch on their phones too.", Pipp explained.
Hitch nodded his head. "I see.", he said. "And I also like to see if any of the ladies want any charming me to go around." He clicked his tongue a few times.
"Quit being modest and aim that camera at my sister.", Zipp commanded.
"Ok.", Hitch said, aiming the camera back at Pipp.
Pipp cleared her throat. "Anyways, I'm sure you all are wondering - where is my body?", she said.
Hitch scanned the camera around the sand, no single spot of Pipp's body. "It has vanished into thin air.", he said, aiming the camera back at himself while imitating a sinister voice.
In response, Izzy and Sunny burst into laughter. "What was that?", Sunny asked, between laughs.
"It was only a joke.", Hitch said as he aimed the camera back at Pipp.
"So, my pippsqueaks.", the princess in the sand began. "Recently, the earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi have finally made peace with each other. And as Sprout's punishment for damaging Sunny's home, he was sent to jail and will stand trial in one week. And his mom, she was generous enough to write a cheque to pay for the damages. Then, we got rewarded by coming to the beach and my sister dug a hole in the sand for me and buried my body." She looked up at her sister.
Hitch aimed the camera at Zipp.
"That's what big sisters do, they're always playful with the little ones.", Zipp said, looping a foreleg around Pipp's head and giving her sister a boop on the nose with a hoof.
Hitch aimed the camera back down at Pipp. "But, my biggest reward is having you guys back after how we lied. Anyways, I'm going to enjoy the rest of my day at the beach.", she said in conclusion. "Love you guys. Pipp-pipp hurray."
Hitch pressed the stop streaming button on the screen and set the phone on the blanket. "I think that stream was a success.", he said.
"You wrestled a shark?!", a lady-like female voice exclaimed.
Hitch shot his head up at the sudden female voice and turned to Zipp. "Whoa, Zipp, watch what you're saying.", he said. "I've done no such thing."
"Uh, I didn't say anything.", Zipp said, shaking her head.
"You bet your bucket I did.", a deep male voice said.
The five ponies turned to see a grey unicorn stallion balancing two surf boards on his back. It was Alphabittle, walking along side Queen Haven, wearing a blue one-piece bathing suit with cute little polka dots. And for once, she's not wearing her crown.
Alphabittle continued his explanation. "As I saw it's top fin coming towards me and my entire party on the pier, it jumped out, bearing it's sharp teeth, preparing to have one of us as it's meal. I was not gonna have any of it. I jumped at it and kicked it with one of my back hooves and I tackled it before I grabbed it's top fin. Then, I wiggled my body on top of the creature, dragging it to an umbrella with the top ripped off and I was able to puncture his chin in the top. We had it tied in a net and shipped it off to have it's body placed in a sea meat locker. Let me tell you, he was horrible." He and Haven shared a laugh as the story ended.
"Hello, mom, Alphabittle.", Zipp greeted, walking to the pegasus queen and old stallion. "I see that you two are becoming the best of friends."
"Oh, isn't Alphabittle amazing?!", Haven asked happily. "He told me he wrestled a shark!"
"We know, we heard.", Sunny said.
"Weren't you scared?", Izzy asked.
"Me?", Alphabittle asked, taken aback. "I was never scared, but it definately was scared of me. Yo, Hitch." He waved over to the yellow stallion.
"What up?", Hitch asked, walking up to the unicorn stallion.
"Care for a little surfing competition?", Alphabittle asked, handing Hitch one of his surf boards. "The pony who stays on their board wins."
Hitch placed the board on his back. "Sure. If you feel like losing.", he said confidently.
"Whoa.", Alphabittle chuckled. "That's some big talk right there."
"Nope, true talk.", Hitch corrected, as he and the taller stallion headed towards the ocean.
Sunny chuckled. "Boys.", she said with a roll of her eyes.
Haven looked down at Pipp's head poking out of the sand and gave a teasing glance.
Pipp darted her eyes around awkwardly. "Um... What, mom?", she asked.
The pegasus queen kneeled down to her youngest daughter's head. "Something seems different about you, Pipp.", she said.
Pipp raised an eyebrow. "Like what?", she asked.
"I don't know.", Haven said, shrugging. "You forgot to wear your body?"
Izzy laughed. "Girl, what kind of question is that, asking if she forgot to wear her body?", she asked.
"I don't see it anywhere on her.", Haven chortled. "So what?"
"I buried her in the sand, mom.", Zipp admitted. "I dug a hole for her and filled it up, leaving her head in the open air while she was in it."
"Oh, really.", Haven said slyly. "Did you ask if she needs help out?"
"Nah, she's enjoying it.", Zipp said.
Pipp nodded. "Mmm-hmm. The sand's really cozy.", she said.
Haven rolled her eyes playfully. "Well, let's not say nopony told you that the tides roll in at sunset.", she said.
"What was that, mom?", Pipp asked.
"Nothing.", Haven squeaked, while trying to look innocent.
"So.", Zipp started. "I can see that you and Alphabittle are starting to become good friends."
"Like you wouldn't believe.", Haven said enthusiastically. "Isn't he amazing?"
"Well, can you give us a couple of reasons why he's amazing?", Izzy asked.
Haven tapped her chin in thought. "Mmm, there are a couple I can think of.", she pondered. "He's very competitive, he knows the best tea flavors, and he has the heart to fight against wild animals."
"Considering the shark fight?", Zipp asked.
Haven nodded. "He mentioned he fought other animals too.", she said. "One time, he grabbed an umbrella with his very naked hooves and started swinging at a group of vicious crows that threatened to eat the apples from the apple trees. Then, he told me that he wrestled a grizzly bear that came rampaging through Bridlewood."
Izzy made a blank face. "Wait, a grizzly bear came into Bridlewood?", she asked. "Bears haven't been seen for years. Though, I did learn about them in school as a filly. But, are you sure he fought one of those?"
"That's what he said.", Haven said.
"I don't remember bears being in our village full of unicorns in the forest.", Izzy pondered. "Probably before I came around, maybe."
"I guess bears have some secrets we don't know about.", Sunny said.
After several more minutes of talking about Alphabittle's fights with animals, the five mares turned and saw the big buff grey stallion and the sheriff heading back to shore with their surf boards on their backs.
Hitch had a proud look on his face. "I told you if you felt like losing.", he teased.
Alphabittle's whole body was wet even his mane and tail. "Hey, you only won because those dolphins helped you.", he said grumpily.
"Ah, I honestly don't even care if animals come near me anymore, especially friendly ones.", Hitch said.
"So, how did it go?", Pipp asked.
Alphabittle let his surf board slide off his back. "Hitch cheated.", he grumbled.
"What?", Hitch playfully said. "I didn't cheat, I was getting support from the dolphins."
"Hey, Alphabittle.", Izzy called out. "Haven said you fought a bear back in Bridlewood Is that true?"
Alphabittle nodded. "Yep, it is.", he said proudly.
"When did that happen?", Izzy asked.
Alphabittle shrugged. "I don't know.", he answered. "Probably around the time before you came."
Hitch glanced at Sunny and waved at her.
Sunny looked up and noticed. "What's up, Hitch?", she asked, getting up off her chair and walking over to him.
"Can I have a word with you in private?", Hitch asked.
"Sure.", Sunny said. "Hey, guys. Can you excuse us for a minute?"
"Sure, Sunny.", Zipp said.
The two friends walked away from the group, until they were like twenty-five feet away from them.
"So, what do you want to talk about?", Sunny asked.
Hitch let out a deep breath through his nose. Then, he blurted out the one name that nagged at his mind. "Sprout.", he finally said.
Sunny raised an eyebrow. "What about him?", she asked. "Is it about his trial?"
"He told me what he was going to do after that.", Hitch responded. "He said he was going to resign as my deputy."
Sunny was shocked. "What?", she gasped. "Why would he want to do that?"
"Considering after what happened when he destroyed your home, he felt really guilty about it.", Hitch explained.
Sunny's eyes slowly in shock. "He... He does?", she asked.
Hitch nodded. "He just doesn't want to risk hurting any more ponies.", he said. "He's retiring for Maretime Bay's sake. And I don't blame him. Though, I tried to talk him out of it, but he said his decision is final."
Sunny lowered her head. "Then so be it.", she said softly.
"Without him as my deputy, it just won't be the same while I'm on duty.", Hitch added.
"I agree.", Sunny replied.
"But, hey.", Hitch said, smiling. "I can offer you the job as my deputy."
Sunny shook her head apprehensively. "Um, no, I'd rather not do that.", she said.
Hitch's smile quickly disappeared. "Oh, it was just an offer, I'm sorry.", he apologized. "I was doing that, because... after everything we've been through, you proved how wrong I was."
Sunny tilted her head in confusion. "About what?", she asked.
"About how all types of ponies were meant to be friends.", Hitch admitted. "I know you were still my friend back when we were kids, but I always thought that you and your dad were nothing but bad influences, because of what you believed in. And after all those years you tried to prove us wrong, you succeeded. I changed, because of you. You're the sweetest, smartest, and most incredible pony in the world."
Sunny blushed and giggled. "Is that how you feel about me?", she asked.
"Yep.", Hitch said. "And, I just want to let you know that... I'll be here for you, through and through."
Sunny reluctantly threw herself at Hitch and hugged him tightly. "Thank you.", she whispered.
Hitch returned the embrace. "You're welcome.", he whispered back.
As soon as the two broke the hug, they awkwardly chuckle to each other. "Well, that all escalated pretty quickly.", she said.
"You said it.", Hitch said, playfully poking Sunny's chest.
"Aww, that's so cute.", Izzy said from out of nowhere.
The two friends turned and saw their friends, the queen, and Alphabittle standing before them. Even Pipp, who had been helped to escape her sandy burial, her pink fur from her neck to her hooves was coated in sand.
"Please tell me that you two are getting infected from the love bug.", Zipp teased.
"Ok, seriously, guys.", Hitch said nervously. "You need to unhear all of that. How much did you hear?"
"We just got here the last couple seconds you two were talking.", Alphabittle responded.
"And I'm sensing a little romance is coming between you two.", Haven said snickering.
Sunny hid half of her face with her wing. "W-What makes you guys think that?", she asked, all flustered.
"You two were smiling, and hugging, and everything.", Pipp giggled.
"Hey, now, you guys got everything wrong.", Hitch protested. "We were hugging, because we're friends. At least, so far."
"What's that supposed to mean?", Sunny asked with her face all red.
Hitch shrugged. "Beats me.", he said.
Izzy raised an eyebrow slyly. "Who knows, maybe there will be a thing for you two.", she said, chortling.
Sunny took a deep breath to calm her nerves down. "Ok, everything settled, who wants ice cream?", she announced.
Everypony raised their hooves in agreement.
"I'd be down for some.", Pipp chirped.
"Me too.", Zipp agreed. She looked over at her sister's sandy body. "But, first, Pipp. You should wash up, you look like a sand pony."