It was a lovely Spring afternoon. Fourteen-year-old Sunny was happily skating towards her home after school was done for the day. Her birthday was only the next day, and she was allowed to have a sleepover. It was to be with Hitch, Sprout and another friend, a new friend named Ash. Ash was a light grey pony with a short orange mane, with red streaks and matching red glasses. Her eyes were blue. They were meeting Sunny at her home, as Sprout had left his gift at home so they had to go and get it. “Hey, watch it, kid!” A grumpy stallion shouted when Sunny skated right past him, nearly touching.
Sunny laughed as she looked back, “Well, you shouldn’t be in my way in the first place!” She pulled a silly expression as she looked back at him, seconds before crashing into a pole and then tumbling on the ground.
The stallion laughed merrily as a result as he walked away, showing little remorse as he felt it was well deserved. There was a cut on Sunny’s cheek, nothing serious but it was bleeding a little. She rolled her eyes and scoffed as she went to her bag for a bandage. It was an old grey bag with yellow stars.
The fabric as the bottom was falling apart, a large hole was poorly stitched together, barely holding on. The worn-out strap was barely holding together by a few threads. Stains were all over, a big purple one on the flap that looked like it had been forcibly pulled at by something angry.
Despite the wear and tear, Sunny didn’t mind, It was her ‘adventure bag’ that she liked to carry around and pretend she was exploring. It went on many walks on the hiking trail with her. In fact it still had scruffs and small tears from the branches. She also took it to school where it held her pencils, textbooks, homework and other school supplies.
She would have gotten a new one, but she won this one in a drawing contest a few years prior, and many memories were attached to it. Soon she found the bandages and bandaged up her minor cut before skating again.
Sunny zoomed through the town and to the lighthouse, with a big grin. The skates came off and on her back as she barged into the house with a smile, she put the skates down and closed the door. The picture frame went crooked, so Sunny got on her hind legs to put back in place.
”I’m home, she shouted happily,”
There was no reply, Sunny shrugged it off. Assuming her dad was either taking a nap or in the garden, or out in town. It wasn’t uncommon, and she didn’t mind at all! She put her bag on the table and waited for her friends. Soon they did arrive and put their gifts on the table in front of Sunny.
”Oh, where’s Mr. Starshine?” Asked Hitch.
Sunny shrugged, “Maybe in the garden... Oh, wait! He did tell me he might be out in town when I got home? Yesterday he collapsed and had a hard time getting up, I don’t think he’s feeling well,” Sunny then sighed. “So I assume he went back to the hospital this afternoon for another checkup after work.”
Ash felt bad, “Oh, I hope he’ll be okay!”
”Maybe we can play until he gets back!” Shouted Sprout.
”Good idea!” Hitch exclaimed, ”So, what do you want to play, Sunny?”
”Hide and seek!” Sunny giggled, “Please!”
Hitch started to laugh playfully, “Oh yeah! I am ready!” He said with an energetic time and expression before he turned around, closed his eyes and started to count.“One... Two...”
The remaining ponies giggled as they galloped away to find hiding places. Hoping to find one where they wouldn’t be discovered.
“Nine... Ten... Ready or not, here I come!” Shouted Hitch playfully.
Then at that moment he heard a scream. It was coming from Ash. “Hitch! Sprout! Sunny!” It cried. It was coming from the top of the Lighthouse. The other two ponies were already running to the platform, fleeing their places. Hitch scrambled on the platform before it started going up.
Everyone exchanged concerned glances. “Could be a spider?” Sprout suggested, “Sh-she’s scared of them? Or it could be a Pegasi!” He freaked out.
Hitch had a bad feeling in his gut, “I...” Soon the lift made it up, with the three on it. “Ash what-“ He managed to say before seeing Argyle lying on the ground, next to the table with many of Sunny’s drawings on it. He wasn’t moving at all as Ash stared in helpless horror, shaking his hoof to try and get a reaction.
Sunny was trembling, she started breathing heavily, “D-dad!” She screamed as she rushed over, tears running down her horrified face.
“He- h-he’s not waking up!” Shouted Ash. “I-I tried but-“
”Dad, please! Get up!” Sunny said as she shook him the best she could, uncontrollable tears of worry running down her face, “Please!” Her chest went up and down rapidly. She felt her stomach hurt as she looked down at his lifeless body. Hitch was desperatly searching for a pulse, his face filled with horror as he lifted his hoof from his chest.
”W-will he be okay!?” Cried Sunny, “Please Hitch, say he’s gonna be okay!”
”Sprout!” Hitch shouted as Sunny hugged Argyle’s body, begging him to get up.
“What’d I do?” Sprout asked, back towards everyone, not wanting to witness what was happening.
“Get help! Sprout! Go get help! Fetch an adult!” Hitch shouted.
”I can’t! What if-“
Hitch shouted louder, “Sprout! No time to fool around! Get help!”
Sprout looked at Argyle, “But he taught Sun-“
”But nothing!” Shouted Hitch, tears streaming down his grim face, “You get somepony to help! Just do it!”
Sprout was shocked but his shouting, he never saw him so angry. He trembled a little, “O-okay-“ He lowered the platform.
”H-he’ll be okay? Right?” Sunny sobbed.
Hitch spoke softly, “I’m sorry, Sunny...”
”P-please H-Hitch!” She sobbed as she backed away. She looked at Ash, who was sitting on the platform, shaking in fear. “What did you do!?” Sunny shouted at Ash.
”I-I” Ash’s voice cracked, “All I did was come up here for a hiding place and I saw him on the ground!”
”You’re a freaking liar!” Shouted Sunny.
Hitch ran round Argyle to get to Sunny and put a hoof around her, “Hey... I don’t think Ash would hurt him,” He said softly.
Sunny looked at her father and broke into tears, she put her face in Hitch’s chest as she cried deeply, hugging him. “H-He’ll be okay, right?” Sunny asked, demanding an answer that would say Argyle is okay.
”I... I don’t think...” Hitch said, shedding a tear.
Ash patted Sunny’s back as she cried more. “You’re lying Hitch! This is a joke!” Shouted Sunny, “This isn’t funny, H-Hitch!” Sunny shouted, “Tell me this is a joke!”
”It isn’t...” Ash whispered.
“This isn’t funny!” Sunny cried, “This is a cruel joke, isn’t it?” Sunny asked again.
Hitch stayed silent and only cuddled her, stroking her slightly. “I’m here... Sunny, I’ll always be here if you need me...” He said softly.
”And Me...” Ash added quietly.
Hitch’s chest came damp as Sunny cried into it heavily, he didn’t mind at all, he just stroked her back softly. “Just let it all out...”
It felt ages before Sprout returned, by the time he did, Hitch and Ash managed to get Sunny to calm down a bit. Sunny was laying on the couch on the bottom floor, tears pouring as she tried to process what had happened. Her chest felt heavy, and she felt hopeless, Phyllis and Sprout burst in. Phyllis looked absolutely concerned. Two doctor ponies plus Hitch’s father followed. Ash’s grandmother was there too!
“He’s at the top of the lighthouse,” Informed Hitch, Sprout led the way by making the platform go up. Hitch’s father and Ash’s Grandmother approached them.
”We are going home, buddy,” Hitch’s father said.
”C’mon sweetie, you don’t belong here,” Ash’s grandmother added.
”No,” Both Ash and Hitch said softly at the same time.
Hitch’s father gulped, “Are you sure? Do you realise what had happened?” He asked his son.
Hitch nodded. “Yes I do, sir, but Ash and I don’t want to leave Sunny here on her own!” He exclaimed.
Ash nodded, “I-I want to be there for her tooooo-Ahem. Would you really leave your friend if she was in this state?” She asked.
”Please father, I want to at least spend a month with her to make sure she’ll be okay. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling and going through.”
He sighed, “Alright. Good point!” Hitch’s father exclaimed, “Okay, I’ll let your mother know. If you need anything just call us, okay? And stay safe.”
Ash’s grandmother’s jaw was open in shock, “Oh no! I disagree with you! I’m no-longer exposing my granddaughter to this brainwashing house! She’s going to end up like Sunny, following the hoof-steps of Argyle! And look where believing this friendship nonsense led Argyle to!”
Sunny wanted to make her ears vanish as she circled up with her favourite plushie, crying once again from the old mare’s claim.
“That has nothing to do with what had happened!” Shouted Ash, “I want to be there for my friend! Doesn’t matter what she believes in, no one deserves this!” She said as a tear came out.
Her grandmother got angrier, “How dare you talk to me like that! You’re getting a punishment when we get home, Missy!” She snatches her by the ear and pulled her out the door, screaming and crying. All Hitch and his father could do was watch in terror.
Sunny felt like throwing up, all this was too much for her. She cried out in anguish as she watched the doctor ponies walk out the door with Argyle in a stretcher. Hitch patted her back, “I’m here, I’m here.” Her throat hurt and her gut felt like it was kicked repeatedly.
“I-I never asked for this-“ She sobbed.
A month had passed since that tragic day Argyle had died from his illness. Plus a month since Sunny and Hitch had seen Ash, who hadn’t shown up at school at all. Clearly, Sunny was still hurting, but not as much. She helped Hitch move her father’s things. Artefacts were moved to the top of the lighthouse or under his desk. A picture of Argyle sat peacefully on the desk next to his glasses and necklace. Sunny wiped a few tears as she looked at it, Hitch patted her back. “I’m sure he’s proud how you’ve grown.” He said with a smile.
On the table was a wrapped present, Hitch had found it on the desk a week prior. But Sunny wasn’t in the mood to open it as she would burst into tears at the mention of her father. It was in blue wrapping paper with pink stars and a pink bow. It had a card in an envelope taped to it saying ‘To Dear Sunny.‘ It was clearly what her father was going to give her for her birthday before his passing.
Sunny walked up to it with a sad smile, she sat down upon the couch with it. She slowly ripped open the paper after reading the card that made her tear up a little. Hitch watched with a smile as the paper was torn away, revealing a blueish green object. Soon, Sunny made a surprised gasp! It was a blueish green bag Argyle had made for Sunny. Twilight’s cutiemark was embedded on the flap part. It was made of an extremely sturdy material. It wouldn’t be showing any wear and tear for a long, long time, and really easy to keep clean!
On the main strap were six badges, each one having a different image on it. Each image was one of the one’s that belonged to the ancient six ponies! Sunny teared up, “This is such an amazing gift!” She said joyfully, “Thank-you, dad!” She exclaimed.
”Woah, you’ll look like an explorer with that!” Hitch responded positively.
Sunny smiled, “I’ll take good care of it... It’s perfect... I wish he was here... so I can hug him and thank him...”
Then Hitch put a hoof on her shoulder, “I’m sure he knows how grateful you are... I bet he’s in the afterlife watching you, proud.”
Present day...
Hitch was standing in the Brighthouse, in front of Zipp, Izzy and Pipp. Pipp was wiping her eyes with a hankie, Izzy was looking at the floor with ears drooped and Zipp was looking at Hitch with despair. None of them were expecting that, well, they knew he was gone but not like that.
“So... that’s why she likes that bag so much...” Zipp spoke softly. She wiped some tears, Izzy brought her in for a snuggle, she sighed too, “It was the last thing her father made for her...” Zipp lamented.
Pipp blew her nose with her hankicheif but then gasped as she remembered a detail, “Wait, six badges you said? Sunny only has three on her bag...” She whimpered, “D-did she lose some?”
Hitch nodded sombrely, “One fell off when she took a tumble into the ocean on a boat ride when we were seventeen... she was unharmed and thankfully nothing was damaged or ruined... but the badge that went missing was in her hoof at the time as a bully had taken it and ran away with it. When she got it off him, he pushed her off the boat!”
Zipp wings flared out angrily as she stared at him, fuming “What happened to the bully after!?” If it was possible then smoke was sure to come out her ears.
Hitch gained a satisfied but slight smile, “He got a good spanking by his parents and was expelled...”
”What about the other two?” Asked Pipp. Hoping they were on something else and not missing.
Hitch then clarified, “Well when we were about eighteen we were on a school hike and Sunny fell in some mud... so during a rest at the lake she washed her badges and bag but well... a bird snatched one of them...” Hitch nodded, “She was very upset.”
”Don’t blame her,” Replied Pipp.
”As for the last one... it was at graduation.” Hitch confirmed as he recalled the memory, “The teacher didn’t like the design as they didn’t like balloons. So Sunny had to give it to her just so she could attend graduation...”
Zipp cocked her head, “So where is it now?”
Hitch scoffed then rambled, “After our graduation was over the teacher had claimed she already gave it back. But we knew the truth, we assume she hid it- turns out she sold it...”
“What!?” Screeched Pipp as she glared at Hitch, teeth gritted as she growled. Pipp was clearly more than angry, “That’s just cruel! What kind of pony does such a thing!?”
Zipp held her sister back by a hoof, “It’s over, it’s in the past,” Zipp informed, hiding her own frustration. “Also, Hitch is not at fault.” She then took a deep breath, “Maybe if we ask around we may find it.”
Izzy held something out in her hoof, with a sweet smile on her face “Could this be it? I found it in the woods last week” She exclaimed as she held out a round object. Its orange paint had rubbed off, and it was a bit bent out of shape, but Hitch could work it out. Orange with three red apples.
”Yes yes!” Hitch exclaimed happily, “That’s the one the bird took!”
”That’s cool, Izzy! Wait- I’ll be right back!” Zipp zipped away and zipped back holding something, “I think this could be one, I found it when I dived into the sea last month. I felt it was important.” She also made a smirk, “Guess it was right to follow my instinct.”
Most of the paint was gone, but Hitch could make out the middle despite it being flaky and discoloured. Blue diamonds on a white background. It also smelt like fish, “Oh yeah! That’s the one she lost when she fell into the sea!”
”Ugh...” Pipp commented, tongue out in disgust. “So that’s why I smelt fish near your bed... geez Zipp, you share a room with three other ponies.”
Izzy cheered with joy, “Yay! Wait- me and Zipp had one, imagine if Pipp had one too!”
”Uh..., Maybe...” Pipp responded sheepishly, “But uh,.. that’d be a coincidence-“
Zipped looked at her seriously, suspecting something “Well, do you?”
Pipp stepped back, “It- oh, I guess it’s the right thing-“ She quickly went to her room and returned, ears drooping. She held out the pink badge with three balloons, it was perfect, besides the paint was worn at the edges. “Rocky dropped it yesterday so I was going to return it... but I guess he’ll understand if I explain the situation..”
“I’m sure he will!” Hitch smiled but then was confused, “Wait, did you say Rocky? How did Rocky, a mane stylist. manage to get a badge that was stolen and sold by a teacher?”
Zipp chuckled, “It’s not rocket science considering that happened about three to five years ago,”
”Oh-“
Pipp smiled “Rocky said that a few weeks ago that’s what a filly paid him with when he painted their hooves!”
Izzy giggled, “I remember that, it was soo cute!” She was there when it happened. She indeed was a bit confused but she liked the pattern and colours on it so she kept it. According to Pipp she had it for a week before handing it to Pipp.
Hitch was more confused, “How’d a foal get it?”
Zipp nodded and shrugged, “It must have been sold, traded, got lost, got betted and ended up in other hooves until this point!”
Izzy did some joyful bounces, “I'll fix them right up! Sunny will be so happy when she sees them!”
Every pony nodded and smiled as they looked at each other.
“Yeah!” Every pony agreed.
Author's Note
I wasn’t sure if this was necessary enough. I wrote it for this story but decided to put it in a sequel since I didn’t have ideas for one. Then I didn’t want this to go to waste.
