Author's Note

Yeah, this one was a while now too. Again, I was having trouble figuring out how to write what I was going to do here. But, I eventually came up with something.

Also, I just wanna give you all a warning here: From here on out, in every chapter, there MAY be something that you may view as triggering. So, be prepared for some uncomfortableness in the coming chapters. Cause I don’t plan to hold anything back in what I write.

Anyway, if you like this chapter, make sure to comment, like, follow and favorite for future updates. Thank you all and goodnight everybody.

Chapter 14: Family Dilemma

-/-Earlier in Town-/-

“Thanks Sunny.” Dahlia, the flower pony, said as she received her smoothie from Sunny’s cart.

“No problem, Dahlia.” Sunny said in a somewhat somber tone, while putting her bits away in the register.

While Dahlia trotted away, happily drinking her smoothie, Sunny had officially closed her stand for the day. There were a few reasons why, one of them being the hours she put into her schedule. However, probably the main reason, was because she was having trouble getting everything that had happened with Sprout earlier off her mind.

He was assaulted by two ponies who he worked with at Canterlogic. Two ponies who hated him because of his actions with the giant machine of doom a while back. But mostly, they attacked him because of the incident in town the day before. Where Zipp accused Sprout of murder before she tackled him to the ground. He then punched her in the face. Really, REALLY hard, and giving her a black eye.

But, if that wasn’t bad enough, they found out that it wasn’t Sprout who murdered the dead mare on the beach. Which was great. Sprout was innocent.

Then the REAL killer was revealed. In a shocking way. The apparent older brother of Sprout Cloverleaf.

After so many years of knowing Sprout and Phyllis Cloverleaf, she found out the shocking reveal of there being another one out there. Phyllis Cloverleaf had another son all those years of knowing her. She had another son that she never told Sprout or anypony else. She had another son, who she had given up. Thrown away like he was nothing.

She remembered all those years over at Phyllis’ home, where there were no pictures of this other son. The only son in any pictures in that house were of Sprout.

The more she thought about it, that was about it. The more she remembered, there were even no pictures of any other relatives in that house either. No brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, or even grandparents. The only pictures she saw in the house were of Phyllis, Sprout and the late Bright Cloverleaf. There also was a few pictures of her, Hitch and Sprout at a few places, like the Science Fair, and of Bella and Vinny, the Firepit Pizza ponies, but that was it.

Looking back, Sunny probably should’ve been a bit more curious then she felt. She felt maybe her younger self should’ve asked Phyllis what was up with that. How would she have reacted? Would she lie to her? Would she tell her to mind her own business? Would she not even give an answer?

As these questions flowed through her head, she also couldn’t help but think about Bright Cloverleaf again.

Sprout looked so much like him now. Minus the extremely bright golden mane(Bright’s was of a darker shade) and the eye color(Sprout had his mother’s eyes), Sprout truly was the spitting image of his father. It was almost uncanny in a way.

However, the thing she remembered most about Bright Cloverleaf, was just the calm, cool, collected, and overall kind stallion he was. She only wished she would’ve known him longer. Sadly, she only knew him for about two years. She had met him when she was about 6 and a half. When her father and him had agreed to a playdate between her, Hitch and Sprout.

She remembered how Sprout wasn’t exactly too thrilled with the idea of playing with a “girl” of all ponies. He was a colt. And colts played with other colts at that age. That’s what he thought.

Thankfully, after Hitch talked him into it, the three did have a good playdate together. And the three of them had become best friends after that. Yeah, Sprout did tease her a lot, but overall, the three were as close as siblings.

Then she remembered that day. That day that still sent chills down her spine. The day that Bright Cloverleaf suddenly passed away from a completely random brain aneurysm.

-/-Flashback-Almost 20 Years Ago-/-

It was just like any other playdate for the three of them. This time they were at Sprout’s home. They’d usually rotate their play dates. The last one was at Hitch’s home, where the three of them played hide and seek. Both in and out of the house. Sunny was unstoppable at hiding. She always found a place to hide where Sprout or Hitch would never find her.

Today, they had been playing tag in the backyard, which Hitch was dominant in. Bright had come in with a few bags of groceries. As he put them them away, he kicked himself upon realization that he forgot the milk. Phyllis told him it was fine, but Bright insisted. Sprout may need it for his cereal in the morning. So, as the three foals played outside, Bright called out to Sprout saying that he’d be back in 5 minutes.

“Okay, Daddy.” Sprout called back, not really paying attention to him, while chasing Sunny, due to him being it.

It was a lot longer than 5 minutes after Bright had left to go down to the store to get the milk. As a matter of fact, it had been an hour now. While the three foals were taking a breather, Sprout had realized that his father hadn’t come home yet. This didn’t seem right to him. He felt a little worried.

“I wonder if Daddy is home now.” Sprout said out loud.

“Yeah, I thought he said he’d be back in 5 minutes.” Hitch said, feeling strange.

“I hope nothing’s wrong.” Sunny said, looking just as worried as Sprout.

Sprout stood up from the ground. “I’m going inside to see what’s up.” He said, immediately being followed by Hitch and Sunny.

When they walked in, they noticed Phyllis looking out the window. She didn’t show emotion, but deep down she was starting to feel scared. What was taking Bright so long? The store was literally not too far from here. He should’ve been back by now.

“Mommy.” Sprout said, getting her attention as she turned toward them. “Is Daddy home yet?”

Phyllis made herself look as calm as ever. “Not yet, Sugercube. But, I’m sure he will soon.” She said very reassuring.

Then, she saw a police pony coming up the the road. She felt her heart raise a little bit. Maybe, he was walking past her home?

Wrong.

The police pony was now waking up toward her home. Phyllis felt a wave of nerves wash over her. This couldn’t be good.

“Uh, Mrs. Cloverleaf?” Hitch asked. “Why is there a police pony here?”

He had noticed. Hitch must’ve seen the police pony coming up to the house.

“You three?” Phyllis asked them without looking. “Please go outside. I’ll handle this.”

The three of them felt scared now. Especially Sprout. Why was his Mommy talking like that? He’d never heard that type of tone with her. He knew that something was DEFINITELY wrong here.

The three of them had walked away from the living room area and into the kitchen, where the back door was. Sunny had then gotten the idea to open the door and then shut it, making Phyllis believe they were outside. She shushed them to keep them quiet. They were supposed to be outside.

While keeping quiet in the kitchen, they heard Phyllis open the door.

“Excuse me, ma’am, are you Phyllis Cloverleaf?” They heard the police pony say. Judging from his voice, he appears to be pretty young. Maybe in his early thirties.

“Yes. Is something the matter?” They heard Phyllis ask.

A big sigh was heard from them by the police pony. A very sad one at that. They started to feel concerned now.

“I’m sorry to tell you this, but there’s been an accident. With your husband, Bright.” The police pony told her in a compassionate tone.

The three of them couldn’t believe what they were hearing. What did this guy just say?

“What happened?” Phyllis asked, sounding calm on the surface, but still showed some emotion to it. She hoped this police pony wasn’t gonna say what she thought.

Sadly, he did.

“Bright collapsed near the dairy section. 911 was called, but unfortunately…” The police pony said, trying to continue, but found it difficult, due to the sadness in his voice.

Sunny put a hoof toward her mouth to cover her gasp. Hitch’s eyes widened in surprise. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. The two then looked at Sprout. He had his head down in shock and disbelief.

“Your husband suffered a very severe brain aneurysm. And…we couldn’t save him. I’m truly sorry, Mrs. Cloverleaf. Your husband is dead.” The police pony said in the most gentle voice he could give.

“What?” Sunny asked out loud, then covered her mouth, hoping to conceal her identity.

A few seconds later, and Phyllis called them. “Can you three come here please?”

They stayed still for a few seconds, before slowly trotting into the living room together.

Now, at that time, being an 8 year old filly, Sunny saw that Phyllis wasn’t breaking down and crying like any wife would, or widow now in this case. She seemed completely calm. Calm in a very scary way.

“Sunny, Hitch, I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to cut your little play date short. I’ll call Argyle and Gladys.” Phyllis told them.

Sunny and Hitch didn’t have a word to say. After hearing what they heard, they didn’t know how to react to all this. They just saw Bright an hour ago, and now he was dead. It felt so surreal to them.

They turned and looked at Sprout. All they saw was a little colt with his head bent down in disbelief. As if he didn’t know what was going through his head right now. Except for one thing.

His father was now gone. Gone forever.

Looking back, Sunny could now tell that Phyllis was trying to be strong for them. She was holding in all her emotions. All the sadness, shock, anger and heartache. All of it bottled up to keep a strong face for her foal and his friends.

Sunny couldn’t help but sniffle a little bit. She wouldn’t have cared if Phyllis broke down crying and weeping for the stallion she loved. She wouldn’t have cared if she and her friends had to comfort a grief stricken mare in her time of need.

Neither would she have cared if Sprout had as well. The poor little colt had just lost his father completely randomly. Out of nowhere. If he would’ve maybe started crying or completely denying what he had heard or even punched the police pony and accused him of lying, she would’ve ABSOLUTELY understood it.

But nothing happened. Both Sprout and Phyllis chose to remain strong for her and Hitch. They chose to not let it out.

She also remembered the funeral. It was just so sad. Bright was apparently very well liked in the community. Respected for his contributions with Canterlogic. Just an all around decent stallion. Now, he was gone. Way too soon.

Friends and employees from Canterlogic, which was founded by his grandfather(Sprout’s great-grandfather), had all come to honor the memory of their boss. There were friends from when he was young and still in school. Friends he made after he left school. Even acquaintances that he knew for a little amount of time. Bright’s death had clearly affected a lot of ponies in a profound way.

Sunny did cry a little bit at the funeral that day. Bright was such a nice stallion to her. Always treated her and her Daddy with respect. Always welcomed them with open hooves into their home whenever a play date was made. Now, she wouldn’t see him ever again.

As Argyle comforted his daughter, she looked over at Sprout and Phyllis. Sprout just had his head down the whole time. He did look sad, as he should. However, she also noticed there were no tears in his eyes. She expected Sprout to be bawling his eyes out. But that didn’t happen.

Now Phyllis, this one REALLY surprised her. As Phyllis had the black veil over her face, showing she was now a widow, there was no expression on her face. No tears. No sobs. No cries. No whimpers. No nothing.

All she saw was a blank stare. Not a single piece of emotion on her face at all. It was like she was a mannequin at a department store. Like she was completely dead inside. It was kinda scary for her. Even Argyle and Gladys were concerned with her lack of emotion here.

Looking back, maybe a huge part of Phyllis Cloverleaf DID die that day. The love of her life was now gone forever. And completely random at that too.

She remembered, after the funeral, that Sprout never really spoke of his father again to her or Hitch. She really wanted to. She wanted to find some way to comfort her friend.

However, after days and weeks, Hitch told Sunny to stop trying. If Sprout wasn’t gonna talk about it, she couldn’t make him. It was probably too painful for him to talk about his Dad. If he wanted to talk, he’d do it when he wanted to. Sunny didn’t want to. However, after a conversation with HER Daddy, she eventually stopped trying.

She understood now why Sprout never spoke of him again. Has she been his age when her father passed away, she’d probably have days where she didn’t want to talk about her Daddy. Too painful to speak.

It was here she realized that this was why she couldn’t hate Sprout. Regardless of the constant teasing growing up, destroying her home and not speaking to her afterwards for so long, she couldn’t hate him. She just didn’t have the heart to hate him.

Why? Because she knows. She, in a lot of ways, was very similar to Sprout. She knows what and how he feels. Especially after everything he’d gone through in his life.

She and Sprout were almost the same.

“Sunny!!” She heard a loud voice cry out to her. She turned toward that voice and saw it was Izzy and Pipp running toward her. Both looking worried as ever.

“What’s wrong you two?” She asked them, now sounding equally as worried.

“You need to come to the Sheriffs Department right away. It’s Zipp.” Izzy said.

“Why? What happened?”

“She’s….she’s been arrested.” Pipp cried out.

Sunny looked surprised for a quick second before realizing the situation. She must’ve been arrested for the assault on Sprout from yesterday. She had a feeling that Hitch would probably do this.

“Really?” She asked them.

Pipp nodded. “Yes. And it’s even worse. Look.” She pulled her phone out and showed Sunny the ugly video of the incident in the town square.

Sunny’s eyes widened in shock. However, what REALLY shocked her, was the views on this video now.

Over 50 million views. The whole world has seen what happened now. Almost the entirety of Equestria has seen Sprout be accused of murder AND him physically strike a mare.

“Oh No.” Sunny worriedly said.

-/-Sheriff’s Department-/-

“Zipp.” Pipp whimpered a little bit, now seeing her big sister behind bars, as she trotted over to the cell where her mother was standing. Izzy just stood there at the entrance, not knowing what to do in this situation.

“What are you three doing here?” Hitch asked them.

“Mom called me a little bit ago. And now Sunny and Izzy saw the video.” Pipp said, looking back at Hitch, making him groan in annoyance.

“And worse: it’s now at a little over 57 million views. Almost all of Equestria had seen it.” Pipp said, now looking at Zipp, who had her ears droop in gloominess. She probably should’ve known the video would reach up to that many views.

“Not only that, look at some of the comments.” Sunny said, looking scared and disgusted at the same time.

Now everypony in the room, excluding Zipp, looked at their phones and were shocked at some of the comments made in the video.

I’d like to punch Sprout in the face and see how HE likes it

If I were in that crowd, I’d hurt Sprout myself

So, he likes beating women, eh?

They all cringed at the comments. But, they only got worse. And even terrifying.

He should kill himself

If I see Sprout, I’ll shoot the loser myself

Somepony should pay money to hurt him

I’ll kill him myself

Anypony wanna kill him?

Sunny and Hitch looked flat out disgusted with this. Ponies were ACTUALLY posting comments about killing Sprout. Some even telling him to kill himself. Hitch read these with anger.

If Sprout saw these, he’d be devastated. Would he even do it? Hitch did remember when Sprout told him that he HAD contemplated suicide when he interviewed him. And what did he do?

He screamed and hollered in his face about how selfish he was. About how he wasn’t thinking about the ponies who loved him. He even cried his eyes out at Sprout’s admittance to doing such a terrible deed.

Looking back at that, Hitch was the one who felt selfish. He shouldn’t have yelled in his best friends face like that. He shouldn’t have completely lost control like that.

Why did he do it though? Very simple. He was scared. Terrified that he would lose somepony who he once called, and still does, his best friend. He was filled with terror that somepony deep down, but never admitted, was like a brother to him, would end their life.

And it would be all his fault. He would be responsible for Sprout taking his own life. Why? Because he lost control of his emotions and just fired Sprout. Without even sitting down and talking to him. About why he did it. And he spent months not talking to him or even just checking up on him. He was a bad friend during that time.

Hitch remembered what Tap Shot, the bartender, had asked him that night. And it was a difficult answer to give.

Did he regret firing Sprout as his Deputy?

His thoughts were interrupted when Sunny spoke.

“Zipp? Do you see what you’ve done?” She asked with slight emotion in her tone, walking closer to the jail cell, showing her the comments from the video on her phone.

Zipp’s eyes widened at the cruel, horrible comments made. If she had felt guilt and remorse for what she did, it tripled on that now. Ponies were ACTUALLY commenting on Sprout either killing himself or somepony else killing him. She shivered in horror. She had no idea how badly she screwed up. She couldn't believe it was getting to this point.

“You may have ruined Sprout’s life.” Sunny scolded her.

Haven and Alphabittle had their heads down in shame. They couldn’t believe how bad this situation has gotten. It was almost like a living nightmare. Pipp did so as well. She had a feeling this would happen with Sprout. And it did. However, she also couldn't help but feel sorry for her sister too. Even if Zipp DID commit a crime, she didn't want to see her big sister in jail. No family member wants to see their loved ones behind bars.

"Sunny, I-I'm so sorry. I'd do anything to take it all back. I never expected it would get to this." Zipp shamefully said in a low voice to her friend.

"Sorry isn't enough Zipp." Hitch told her. "You may be a princess of Zephyr Heights, but here: You are just a regular citizen of Maretime Bay like everypony else. And when you commit a crime like you did, you have to have some type of punishment to it."

"Sheriff Hitch, please." Queen Haven replied, causing Hitch to turn his glance toward her.

"I know my daughter screwed up, but she's sorry. Can't you go easy on her?" She asked him.

"If my old Deputy had to be punished for HIS crimes, your daughter does too. I can't play favorites, Queen Haven. That's not what a good Sheriff does." He told her.

Pipp was starting to look visibly upset to Zipp. She began to notice it when their mother asked what she did just now. That's when Pipp, with a determined look on her face, turned toward the Sheriff.

"Did Sprout have any nightmares afterwards?" She asked out loud, causing everypony to give a shocked look.

"What?" Hitch asked, as Izzy, who was equally as surprised as everypony else, trotted over toward everypony.

"Pipp, don't!" Zipp practically begged her little sister not to say.

But it didn't work. "I'm telling them!" She yelled.

"Telling us what, sweetheart?" Haven asked, now sounding even more concerned.

Pipp breathed through her nostrils before telling everypony. "Zipp's been having nightmares ever since her and Hitch found the body."

"WHAT?!" Everypony, except Zipp, exclaimed.

Pipp nodded, now turning to face her mother. "I took Zipp to the hospital yesterday to see if her eye was okay. We spent the night at the hospital to make sure Zipp didn't have a concussion. After we went to sleep, Zipp was thrashing and screaming on her bed. I had to shake her and yell at her to wake up. She was even crying after it."

The whole room now went quiet. Even Sheriff Hitch was surprised by that. He didn't know Zipp was traumatized by this. Though, he shouldn't be, he felt. If anypony saw what they did, they'd have nightmares too. Maybe now he knows why Zipp overreacted in the way that she did.

Queen Haven looked at Zipp with deep concern. "Zephyrina, you should take yourself off this case now. For your mental well being."

"Your mother's right, kid. This could really affect your psyche." Alphabittle chimed in.

"I agree, Zipp. You assaulted somepony, and now these nightmares? You should just let me handle this case." Hitch told her.

"NO!" Zipp yelled. "I can't get off this case. I NEED to know who did this."

"Why? What's so important about it?" Pipp asked.

"Because...I think Lilac Summers' is trying to tell me too."

"WHAT?!" Everypony except Sunny and Izzy asked out loud.

While this intense conversation was going on, Sunny and Izzy both looked worried. They had no idea how badly the dead mare must've had an effect on their friend. She was clearly dealing with a lot right now.

As Izzy took a glance toward the window, she couldn't help but think about Sprout Cloverleaf right now. If anypony was dealing with a lot right now, it would be him. More so than Zipp. She just hoped he was doing okay right now. Whatever he was doing.

-/-Firepit Pizza-/-

He hoped he wouldn't interrupt the dinner rush for them now. He didn't want to fuck up anything that had to do with their business. But, he needed to see them right now. He needed to see Bella and Vinny.

When he entered the front door, he saw the kind, sweet Bella approach him.

"Well, hello Sprout, how are--" She stopped mid-sentence when she saw the state that Sprout was in. He had tears in his eyes. His shutters could be heard. Thankfully, this was one of those entrances, where there was a small doorway that connected the restaurant and the outside. So, nopony could see him.

"Sprout, honey, what's wrong?" She asked him, obviously with concern in her voice.

He wiped away the tears in his eyes. "Can I speak with you and Vinny? In private? Please?" Sprout asked, almost begging her.

Bella saw the desperation in his eyes. She knew this was serious. This didn't look good. She motioned for Sprout to stay right here, while she went to go and get Vinny. He waited there for about 5 minutes, which felt like 5 hours to him, before he saw the pony with arthritis coming.

"Hey Sprout, you okay? What's wrong?" Vinny asked him, also looking concerned.

Sprout paused for a quick second before he told him. "You were right."

Vinny looked confused. "What do you mean?"

Sprout took his phone out and showed them the video of the incident in town yesterday. He saw it himself when he got home, after his emotional outburst with destroying the photo of him and his Mother. He couldn't believe it himself when he saw it.

Now, when Bella and Vinny saw it, they looked horrified. Bella put her hoof to her mouth in shock, while Vinny just stared in disbelief. After the video ended, he looked up at Sprout.

"Go to the back room. We'll talk there." Vinny said. Bella then proceeded to sneak Sprout throught the kitchen, telling her employees that there was nothing to see here. To get back to work. Until, finally, she put him in a room where, from the looks of it, Bella and Vinny interviewed ponies for jobs here. Nice place to use it.

He would need it. Now more than ever.

After a couple minutes of waiting, Vinny, using his cane, trotted in.

"Okay, so what the hell happened?" Vinny asked, coming over to sit next to Sprout and Bella.

Sprout paused for a brief second before he uttered, "I was assaulted."

Bella gasped in shock and worry, while Vinny just looked pissed off. No pony messes with somepony he considers family. No pony.

"Tell us everything." He said, which Sprout did.

"So, that's what happened." An emotional Sprout said, finishing his tale of misfortune. Which did include the reveal of him having a long lost brother.

Both Bella and Vinny were stunned. They couldn't believe that somepony they've known for years in Phyllis Cloverleaf had another son. She had another son that she never told anypony about.

"I don't fucking believe this shit. Your Mama has another boy out there?" Vinny asked him.

Sprout nodded. "And he's the one who killed that mare, Lilac Summers. That's why my DNA showed up at the crime scene. And that's why Zipp attacked me and I....hit her." He hung his head in shame at them.

Bella put her hoof on Sprout's back in comfort. "Oh, you poor thing. I can't believe you're going through all of this. I'm so sorry, sweetheart." She said, consoling him as best she could.

The room went silent for a few minutes. The only sounds were Sprout's silent and emotional cries. Vinny decided to break that silence.

"So, you left your Mama?" Vinny asked, also patting Sprout on the back.

Sprout nodded. "I don't wanna see her ever again. She has lied to me my whole life. I even quit my job. I don't want to be associated with her anymore."

Bella looked sad and disappointed. "Sprout, honey, she's your mother. She probably was trying to protect you." She said reassuringly.

However, Sprout wasn't having any of it. He shook his head. "No. She was probably trying to protect herself. Her big image. I'm not her sugercube anymore."

"Sprout." Vinny said, shaking his head. Not in disappointment at Sprout's words, but this whole fucked up situation.

"I'm so sorry, kid. I wish I could help ya." He said.

When he said that, Sprout knew it was now time to ask them. Admittedly, he felt kind of dirty doing this, but he needed to do this. For his sake.

"Maybe you can." He said, causing them to look at him with a curious look.

So, with as much courage as he could muster, Sprout asked them.

"Remember when you guys offered me that job? Well, do you still have a position available?" He asked them point blank, causing them to look surprised.

Sprout rubbed his foreleg in embarrassment. “Look, I know this is so sudden, and I may look desperate, but I—“

“Oh, of course there is, sweetie!” Bella interrupted him with excitement in her voice.

Sprout looked surprised at first, but was very happy to hear this. They gave him a job right on the spot. Sometimes, it was good to get hired by somepony from within.

“Oh, thanks you two. But, there’s one other thing as well.” He said, going back to looking sheepish.

“What’s that?” Vinny asked.

Sprout breathed in a big sigh. “If it’s not too much trouble, could I…maybe….just for a little while….stay with you guys?” He asked, sounding as nervous as ever.

Both Bella and Vinny remained quiet for about a minute. Sprout was worried about that at first before he was given his answer.

“Absolutely.” Vinny said with a wise smile on his face.

Sprout was even more surprised now than just a few seconds ago. No questions asked, they let him stay with them? They let him stay with them just like that?

Sprout felt his eyes get glossy.

“Thanks you two.” He said with the deepest appreciation in his voice.

“My home is your home, kiddo.” Vinny said, patting Sprout on the shoulder.

Bella smiled at her husband. “This is so kind of you, honey. Thank you so much.” She said.

Vinny shrugged with a grin on his face. “Well, I’m a kind stallion, am I right?” He sarcastically asked, causing Bella to raise an eyebrow at him with a sly grin.

“Anyway, honey, why don’t you take Sprout to the house? I’m gonna go back inside and finish the shift.” Vinny says, turning toward the door.

“Are you sure?” She asked.

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll be fine. Show our new houseguest to his room. I’ll see ya when we close.” He said, now walking out of the room with his cane, shutting the door behind them.

Bella then made her way toward the door, before turning back to Sprout.

“Come on, sweetheart.” She said, motioning him with her head. “Let me show you our guest room.”

Sprout followed her out of the door. As they walked outside toward the house that was next door to the restaurant, he felt a lot of feelings flowing through him.

He felt relief that Bella and Vinny both gave him a job AND a place to stay, no questions asked. He felt betrayed at his mother for not telling him about this older brother he had all these years. He felt anger for Zipp Storm for causing all this drama for him.

Yet, even with those feelings within him, there was also a part of him that felt happy. He was glad that a hoof reached out to him and helped him up. Bella and Vinny were those helping hooves.

It would take some getting used to now living in a new home. Working in a new environment. Away from his mother.

But, even so, he was looking forward to it as well. This was his new life now. Tomorrow was a new day for Sprout Cloverleaf.

….hopefully.