-/-Earlier at the Crystal Brighthouse-/-

“Izzy? You feeling okay?” A concerned Pipp asked her friend Izzy, who looked sad after the events she witnessed. Sprout had been beat down by two ponies and no pony came to help him. Besides herself, Sunny and Hitch, no pony came to Sprout’s aid.

As she had a gentle hoof on her friend's shoulder, she was asked one little question by the usually bubbly, outgoing unicorn.

"Why?"

Pipp looked confused.

"Why didn't anypony help him?" Izzy asked her in a somewhat somber tone, causing Pipp to give her a sad look.

"I mean, I know a lot of ponies don't like Sprout, but that was too far. He was literally assaulted in front of everypony. Why didn't somepony come over and ask if he was okay? Why is everypony being so mean to him?" She asked out loud with a wave of frustration in her tone.

Pipp knew at that point she had to show Izzy the video. Either show it to her now, or she’d probably see it on the inner web anyway. So, with a depressing sigh, she took her phone out and showed it to Izzy.

“This is why.” Pipp showed the clip to her and then pressed play. The ugly video of the incident in town was shown before Izzy’s eyes with surprise and discomfort.

The video was only 2 to 3 and a half minutes long. She stopped playing the video after Sprout punched Zipp in the face, causing Izzy to squeak in shock, while putting her hooves to her muzzle. Pipp then put her phone back.

“So, everypony saw it?” Izzy asked.

Pipp nodded. “At this point, I think all of Equestria has seen it. That’s why those two big guys attacked Sprout.”

“B-B-But, that still isn’t right. That still doesn’t excuse no pony helping him.”

Pipp patted Izzy comfortingly with a sad look. “I know, Izzy. I know. It’s not right.” She said in a soothing tone. It didn’t appear to make Izzy feel better.

“But, sadly, that’s how ponies are nowadays. It’s just disgusting.” She told her, now with a cross expression. Izzy took notice of Pipp’s unhappy look.

“What do you mean?” She asked curiously.

Pipp sighed. “I love my Pippsqueaks. I love doing my livestreams for them. I wouldn’t be what I am without them. It just shows how great the internet and technology can be.”

Izzy smiled and nodded in agreement. She knew how much Pipp loved her fans. Hell, a week ago, her and Izzy did a livestream together on how to style somepony’s mane with glitter. Of course, if anypony knew, when it came to glitter, Izzy knew all about it. The livestream got a pretty good reception from the Pippsqueaks. They even made some really nice comments about how Izzy looked so pretty. It was sweet.

Her expression changed, however, when she saw Pipp look a little upset.

“But, Izzy, as great as the internet is, there is a dark side to it as well.” She said in a somber tone.

Izzy looked surprised to hear this from Pipp. She didn’t expect her to say something like this.

“Dark side? How so?” She asked her.

Pipp shook her head in disgust. “Well, there's fans that take their love of famous ponies like me to obsessive levels. I’ve never told Zipp or my Mom this, but there were a couple times I saw a few personal messages on my phone of ponies wanting a picture of me. In a sexualized manner.”

Izzy cringed in disgust.

“Oh, there’s also ponies who want personal details about where I live, so they could meet me. So, I block them. I’d only block ponies if it meant they were trying to stalk me or send me inappropriate texts or pictures.” Pipp shuttered in revolution “That’s why I am always careful when it comes to my followers. You never know when one of them might be a creeper.”

“But, what does this have to do with Sprouty?” Izzy asked.

“There’s also ponies out there who would gladly harass and even assault ponies who have been accused of something. Whether it be them saying something stupid or them being labeled a suspect in a crime. Like Sprout was.” She said.

“Why would they do that?” Izzy asked.

“Simple. They want followers. They want to feel a sense of belonging. And they’ll do ANYTHING for it. Like I said, I love my Pippsqueaks, but I would never go this far for subscribers or followers. It’s just sick how ponies want attention so badly.” Pipp said, looking bummed.

“Now, my own sister frames an innocent stallion for a crime he didn’t commit. And he gets beat down by two guys.” Pipp looked at Izzy with a worried expression. “I think it’s gonna get worse for him.”

Now, Izzy looked scared. “Wh-Why do you say that?”

“Two words: Cancel Culture.” Pipp said.

“Cancel Culture? What’s that?” Izzy asked.

“Basically, it’s when ponies on the internet want somepony blackballed forever because of stuff that happened years ago. Somepony could have said some dumb joke that ponies found “offensive”-“ Pipp said in a mocking tone, while using her fluffy wings for air quotes.

“-and they keep bringing it up to where they want to ruin that pony’s life. It’s stupid. Everypony has said and done stupid stuff before, but now, if it offends ponies, then they’ll want to ruin and try to control that pony’s life. It’s just disgusting and toxic how ponies like that are.” Pipp said, finishing her rant on the snowflake culture of the internet.

Izzy looked shocked at hearing all of this. “Pipp, I had no idea.” She said.

“Yeah.” Pipp said softly. “And this what I mean when I say it’s gonna get worse for Sprout: After his little rampage, and after Zipp’s accusation, he might never get to go anywhere ever again without getting harassed and even assaulted by ponies. Even if Sprout is innocent, there’s a lot of ponies out there who will STILL believe he’s guilty. Because they’re stupid and completely nuts.” Pipp sighed with frustration in her tone, while Izzy looked concerned. Both for Pipp AND Sprout.

“I’m sorry, Izzy. I guess I just needed to get that off my chest.”

Izzy shook her head. “No No. I’m glad you told me about this.”

Pipp sighed sadly again. “I actually feel really bad for Sprout. He didn’t kill that mare, and yet he’s the one paying for it.”

“I wonder who even is this brother of Sprouty.”

Pipp turned to Izzy with a raised eyebrow. “You’ve been calling him Sprouty a lot, Izzy. What is that? Some kind of pet name?”

Izzy blushed in embarrassment and surprise.

While her eyebrow remained raised, Pipp’s lips formed a sly grin.

“You know, if I didn’t know any better, I’d say you have a thing for—“

Pipp’s sentence was cut off by her phone ringing. Talk about unusual timing.

“Oh, you better get that. It’s probably important.” Izzy said nervously, trying to avoid what Pipp was about to say.

Pipp let out a giggle. She had a feeling she’d say that. However, when she looked at her phone, her smile was replaced with that of a look of surprise.

It was her mother. Queen Haven.

She pushed the talk button. “Hey Mom. What’s up?”

Izzy got off the couch that she and Pipp were sitting on, leaving Pipp and her mother to have a conversation. She only got a few steps before turning back when Pipp let out a loud gasp. And not a happy one. A scared one.

“O-O-Okay! I’ll be right there!” She exclaimed with worry on her face as she hung up.

“What’s wrong?” Izzy asked with concern.

Pipp looked at Izzy with fear in her eyes “Zipp’s been…arrested.”

-/-Maretime Bay Sheriff’s Department-/-

“OH MY HEAVENS! Zephyrina, your eye!” Queen Haven loudly cried. When she first entered the Sheriff’s Department, she saw two things that filled her with worry. One was her first born child in a jail cell. The second was seeing the massive black eye she was now sporting after her incident in town yesterday.

However, while Queen Haven looked on in concern and worry, all Zipp did was look at her in self misery. She was so ashamed of herself. She didn’t want her mother to see her like this. So she looked away, huddling herself again on the uncomfortable jail bed.

“Why is Zipp arrested?” Alphabittle asked, showing unease for this situation.

Hitch shook his head while sighing. “Because she committed aggravated assault on a citizen of Maretime Bay. I thought you saw the video.” He told them.

“We did.” Queen Haven said, obviously showing unhappiness at what was going on.

“However, Sprout physically struck my daughter. He’s the reason she has a black eye. Why isn’t HE arrested too?” She asked in anger at Hitch, who didn’t back down once from her.

“Because, she attacked him. He was simply defending himself. If you know all of what is going on here, maybe you’d have a pretty good idea about why all of this is happening.” Hitch said, kind of getting in Queen Haven’s face. Further showing his bravery toward a pony of royalty.

Alphabittle got in between the two as a way to separate them.

“Hitch, what are you talking about? What’s been happening here?” He asked.

The Sheriff paused for a quick moment, looking over at his newest criminal. Zipp did take one look at him, before looking away in self disgust. She was especially mad at herself for disappointing Hitch as well.

“There was a body found on the beach two days ago.” Hitch told them, causing Queen Haven to loudly gasp, placing a hoof to her mouth in shock. Alphabittle himself was appalled to hear this too.

Now that he had their attention, he felt he should tell them everything like he told Phyllis just now. So, that’s what he did. For the next little while, he explained everything that happens in Maretime Bay the past two days. From the discovery of the victim, Lilac Summers, to finding out about the victim’s missing foal, to Sprout’s partial DNA match, to Zipp losing control of her emotions, to the incident in town, to Sprout’s DNA result being revealed, to the shocking result of Sprout having a long lost brother, to the beat down Sprout got from Oscar and Sal, to the intense conversation he just had with Phyllis. It was quite a long explanation to say the least.

“So, that’s all what happened.” Hitch said.

“So that’s why Phyllis was looking all upset when she walked outta here. I just spoke to her not too long ago.” Alphabittle said.

“You did?” Hitch asked.

“Yeah. I’m the one who showed her the video. I convinced her to come back here.” Alphabittle said, followed by a small shutter. Queen Haven looked at him in concern.

“So…Phyllis has another son?” He asked.

“Yeah.” Hitch said, looking somewhat pissed off. “I didn’t know either. Neither one of us did. Including Sprout.”

It got quiet after everything Hitch told them. The only sound being heard was the ceiling fan.

After she heard everything that Hitch had to say, Queen Haven looked back at her daughter, still being huddled up on the bed. She gave a sad sigh as she walked up to the jail cell. So, there was indeed a reason why Zipp was there. She put her hoof on one of the bars.

“Are you okay, Zipp?” She asked in a comforting tone.

Like the worried tone Pipp gave asking her that very question, Zipp couldn’t help but tear up. Hitch and Alphabittle looked on at the scene. Hitch looked away. He still felt incredibly angry with her for what’s happened to Sprout. However, he also couldn’t help but feel some sympathy as well. He could tell Zipp regretted what she did. And it didn’t help that she was saying all this in front of her mother as well.

Alphabittle, on the other hoof, just looked on at the sad display. No parent wants to see their child in jail. No matter what crime they’ve done.

Zipp let out an emotional sob. “I’m sorry, Mom. I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault.” She said, still huddling herself.

“Is everything that Hitch said true?” Her mother asked softly.

She almost couldn’t look at her when she gave her answer. But, she did turn her head out of her huddling stance to face her. She nodded her head.

Queen Haven just put her head down in sadness and disappointment. Alphabittle walked up to the jail cell and put a comforting hoof on Haven’s back. She looked at him with appreciation in her eyes.

“Hey, it’s gonna be okay, kid.” He said, trying to comfort the crying Pegasus as well.

“No, it’s not! I’ve ruined everything!” Zipp wailed, getting out of her huddle. She was now sitting on the edge of the bed, facing them. Emotional tears running down her face.

“I-I-I just got so angry and I lost control. I was so mad at what this brother guy did to that poor mare. I mean, she was raped with a sharp fucking knife. Who knows where that baby is now. I wasn’t…I-I didn’t…” She stopped herself from continuing as Hitch also approached the jail cell. Both Haven and Alphabittle looked shocked and horrified at what Zipp just told them. No wonder she lost control. Anypony who sees something like that would.

Zipp noticed Hitch had a bit of a remorseful look on his face.

“Maybe, I did the same.” He said, causing everypony to look at him in confusion.

“What are you talking about, Hitch?” Zipp asked, still crying.

“I admit, I didn’t give you the chance to explain yourself. I was angry at you for the assault yesterday, and for what happened today. I should’ve let you talk. So, I’m gonna let you. Zipp, tell me, what the hell were you thinking yesterday?” He asked her in a comforting tone.

Zipp sniffled while wiping away the tears. She gave a sad sigh.

“I guess I wasn’t thinking. I was so emotional about Lilac Summers, that I just…went crazy, I guess. When I heard that Sprout’s DNA was at the crime scene, and after his little rampage, I just automatically assumed it was him. I jumped to conclusions. I lost control.” Zipp sadly admitted to Hitch.

“Zipp.” Alphabittle said with empathy in his voice. He was starting to think that maybe she should get off this case. For her mental well being. Little did he know that Haven felt that way too.

“Look Zipp.” Hitch said, now getting everypony’s attention. “I get it. I was bitter and angry at Sprout for a long time because of what he did. But this? You cannot automatically make accusations like that. Everypony in town already hates him. Now, after you declared HIM the murderer in front of the whole town, now everypony is gonna believe a lie. Something I know you hate. Pipp told me everything before you guys could fly again.”

That caused Queen Haven to look down in a depressed state. That was a big regret she had all her life. After Pipp’s performance, where it was revealed that the royal family couldn’t fly either, the kingdom received a ton of criticism from their subjects. Calling them liars, fakes and frauds. And they were. However, sadly, and like a lot of situations like this, the blame was thrown at the wrong ponies.

In that case, Pipp received MEGA hate from her fans after that. Granted, a lot of the hate had died down after magic had returned, and they DID gain the ability to fly, but there was still a little bit of hate thrown her way after she and her family had lied to everypony. If Haven had one regret, it was she should’ve just told everypony the truth. That it was HER who told her two daughters to lie to her subjects. But she didn’t. Because it probably would ruin her image as the ruler of Zephyr Heights.

Haven felt herself to be a bad mother at times. When her husband Sky Rift died suddenly from a random heart attack, like Phyllis Cloverleaf, she also was now the ruler of her kingdom. She had to put on a strong face for her subjects.

Also, sadly, that also came at the expense of her two young daughters, who were 8 and 6 at the time. While she did love them tremendously, she also had kingdom work to do. That meant that she had some days where she couldn’t be with them. The butlers, the nannies and the maids would look after them.

How she wished she could go back in time to see them as those young fillies again and raise them in a better way. She would give anything for that.

She looked over and saw Zipp wipe her tear stained eyes.

“I’m sorry, Hitch.” She said in a low tone.

“It’s not me you have to apologize too, Zipp.” Hitch said.

She knew who he was talking about. She knew who he was saying she needed to apologize too. And it filled her with guilt and disdain.

Just before another word was spoken, the doors to the Sheriff Department burst open. Nearly startling the four ponies already inside. They both looked at the very entrance and saw three ponies there.

Pipp Petals, Izzy Moonbow and Sunny Starscout. What were they doing here? How much worse was this situation going to get?

“How Dare He? How Fucking Dare He?”

Phyllis Cloverleaf thought as she ran toward her home. She had just gotten done with an interview with Hitch Trailblazer. An interview that resulted in an argument between them.

He found out that she had another son many, many years ago. When she was a young teenager. Something she has never spoken of again. Something she has kept buried inside her forever. Something she has wanted to keep her REAL son away from. Not some hideous abomination. Something she had that she so desperately didn’t want.

Something you were forced to—

SHUT UP! She yelled at the thought in her head. Now is NOT the time to be thinking about that. Now is NOT the time to listen to the voices in her head.

Right now, she NEEDED to find Sprout.

Eventually, she made it to the walkway of her home. However, right before she could walk up to the house, she saw something that made her heart sink. Something she was hoping wouldn’t happen.

Sprout had just walked out of the house. Standing there, he was carrying a few saddle bags on his back. And when the two’s eyes locked, his face made an angry glare at her.

For a few seconds during the stare between them, Phyllis felt her heartstrings pull. Her REAL son was now moving out. And not in the way that she had wanted one day. She saw the look of anger on his face. She had never seen that type of look directed at her.

After she realized the situation, she ran up toward the house toward Sprout.

“Sugercube, please!” She exclaimed, small tears forming in her eyes. “Please don’t leave me! You gotta let me explain.”

All Sprout did was huff at her. He lightly pushed her to the side before he began to walk away from his home.

“Sprout, Please! Please, you have to listen to—“

“Listen to you?!” Sprout loudly asked in anger. Phyllis shuttered a little in surprise. She had seen the famous Sprout pout before, but this was not even close to that. This was full on pissed off.

“Listen to you? Mommy?” He asked her, mocking the Mommy part, which put a crack in Phyllis’ heart. He always called her Mommy. Always.

“I’ve listened to you my WHOLE FUCKING LIFE!” He yelled in a serious rage as he got closer to her face. A look of fear ran through.

“And you know where it’s gotten me? Nothing but trouble.” He said, now tears forming in his eyes too. Making Phyllis cry.

“I’ve ALWAYS listened to you. And it cost me my job, my friends for a long while, it cost me everything. Listening to you has been the biggest mistake of my life.” Sprout said with a sob mixed in.

“Sprout, sweetie—“ Phyllis emotionally said, extending her hoof to touch his face.

But Sprout swatted it away, causing Phyllis to flinch a little bit. He didn’t want her affection.

“I’m done listening to you. I’m done working for you. Hell, everypony at your job HATES me anyway. I’m doing them a favor. I fucking quit!” He loudly said, now turning around and walking away from her.

“Sprout, I-I’m sorry you found out this. Please, sugercube. Please don’t leave me.” She said, now feeling the tears fully run down her face. She wasn’t able to hold her emotions in. She didn’t even try too.

Sprout stopped at the walkway, and turned back one more time.

“I’m not your sugercube anymore.” He said, turning away and waking toward his destination.

“Sprout…” Phyllis whispered, watching her son walk away from her.

She collapsed to the ground and openly weeped in her hooves. What she feared had come true. What she was so desperate for not to happen, DID happen.

Sprout was gone. He had left her. Bright had been dead for almost two decades now.

She was just Phyllis Cloverleaf. And she was now alone.

Author's Note

Hey guys, I am SO sorry for the long delay. Work has just gotten crazy for me. And I’ve also gotten into the Yakuza games, which admittedly DID take time away from my writing. So, sorry about that.

And yes. Sprout and Phyllis are now NOT on good terms. What will happen next? All I can say, is stay tuned.