“So…are you two ready to go?” Queen Haven asked her two daughters, who were currently standing near a way point that faced the direction of Maretime Bay. Today was the day that Zipp’s one week stay in Zephyr Heights was over. Now, she could come back and finally help Sheriff Hitch catch that psychopathic murderer.

Zipp nodded. “Yep. I’m ready, Mom.” She said, looking at Pipp, who now only had one suitcase on her. That surprised her, due to when they first moved, she had a mountain of suitcases that would take almost 10 or 20 guards to carry it all. Good to know that, this time, she chose to pack light.

“Me too.” Pipp said.

Haven sighed sadly. “Now Zipp…you know that, when you catch this stallion…you’re going to spend some time in jail. Are you….?” She tried to finish her question to her daughter, but just couldn’t find out how to ask it.

“I know, Mom. But, if I’m going to be Queen one day, then I need to show that, even royalty should answer for their consequences. If that means spending 2 weeks in jail, then so be it.” Zipp said.

Haven sighed. She, like any parent, would do anything to try and keep their child out of jail. Even with any crime they might’ve committed. It upset her, but she was also proud of her for taking responsibility for her actions.

She was growing up. Almost too fast for her. She embraced her two daughters.

“Thank you for the wonderful week we’ve had.” She whispered to them.

“We’ll come back soon, Mom.” Pipp said, as both her and Zipp let go.

“Alright. Let’s go.” Zipp said. They both waived one more time before taking off to the skies. Haven looked up and a small tear rolled down her face. She was so proud to call them her little girls. Even if they weren’t so little anymore.

Maretime Bay

Hitch and Sunny waited anxiously. Today was the day that both Pipp and Zipp came back. They were both excited to see their two friends they haven’t seen in a week, but also nervous as well. After everything they learned this whole week about what happened to Phyllis, learning more facts about this Bud Bloomington, and so much more, they both wondered if Zipp could even take it.

Now, while they felt a sense of relief excitement and nervousness, the three guests they brought along only felt the former. Glory, Seashell and Peach Fizz came and were as giddy as they could possibly be. They couldn’t wait to see Pipp and Zipp. Well, mostly Pipp. That’s why they were called Pippsqueaks.

“What mane style are you gonna do?” Peach Fizz asked her two besties.

“I don’t know, what about you?” Glory asked.

“I don’t care which one I get. As long as it’s from Princess Pipp, I’ll love it.” Seashell said.

Hitch and Sunny chuckled at their enthusiasm. It was adorable to see how much those three idolized Pipp like that.

“There they are!” Peach Fizz cried, as two Pegasi came into view. While the three of them were squeeing in glee, Hitch took a breath, while Sunny patted him on the shoulder for comfort.

The two Pegasi sisters landed. “Princess Pipp!” The Pippsqueaks cried, running over to her.

Pipp let out a huge smile. “Pippsqueaks!” She said, enveloping the three fillies in a big hug. Zipp smiled at her little sister’s fans.

Seashell broke away from the hug. “Hi, Princess Zipp! Are you coming to get our manes done?” She asked.

Zipp ruffled her mane. “Maybe later, Pippsqueaks. I got work to do with Sheriff Hitch.”

When she said that, she locked eyes with him. There wasn’t a word said between them during that half a second. She only hoped that Hitch wasn’t still mad at her for what she did to Sprout.

“Come on, Pippsqueaks.” Pipp said, still carrying her one suitcase. “Let’s go style those manes, and make you ICONIC.” She said, trotting toward Mane Melody with her little fans following behind her.

Now that she had left, Zipp was all alone with Hitch and Sunny. The silence was as thickening between them. So, she decided to break it.

“Okay, Hitch.” Zipp said. “I’m ready. When we catch this guy, I’m ready to serve 2 weeks in jail.”

Hitch gave a sad sigh, which Sunny gave him a sympathetic look. This did not go unnoticed by Zipp, making her look confused.

“Is everything alright?” She asked.

Hitch breathed another sigh. “Zipp….Sunny and I have been working together while you and Pipp were gone. And well…I’m not gonna lie…what we’ve found is worse than anything we could’ve thought possible.”

Zipp felt nervous hearing him say that. “How bad?”

“Come on back to the station and we’ll show you.” He said, with Sunny following him. Zipp did the same. She began to wonder what in Equestria had happened this whole week while she was gone.

“That…is how bad it is, Zipp.” Hitch said, now getting done explaining everything to her at what both he and Sunny discovered about this heinous crime.

From the criminal’s name of Bud Bloomington, to finding out about his other victims(making him a serial killer), to the Lexi Orphanage fire 20 years ago(and the victims involved in that tragedy as well), to Phyllis’ confession about being raped and impregnated at only 14 years old, and her dropping him off at that very Lexi Orphanage when he was only 3 or 4 days old.

Zipp was in shock and disgust. She almost couldn’t speak. Hitch and Sunny were right. This was worse than she could imagine.

“I…I don’t believe it. This is all so much worse than I ever thought. All those mares…” Zipp said, looking at the board Hitch had made. All those victims, who were taken away from their families and foals.

“These are the types of mares he targets. Young mothers. It’s like he thinks he’s saving these foals, because he believes that they’ll have a horrible childhood with a bad mother. Or, what HE believes is a bad mother.” Hitch said.

“It’s a Messiah complex.” Sunny said.

Zipp still looked at the board with all the previous victims over the years of Bud’s killings. The ones that REALLY stood out to her was Willow Dawn. This was the youngest victim, being at only 18 years of age. The other was Iris Chevelle. She looked to have a huge career ahead of her, only for this psychopath to take it all away from her. And her family.

“There is SOME good news though, Zipp.” Hitch said, making Zipp look at him with interest.

“One, Lilac’s baby, Bentley, is okay. He didn’t harm him. Her friend Amber is taking care of him now. And I’m certain that the other victims’ children are okay too.” Hitch told her.

“Because he believes he’s saving these foals, right?” Zipp said, somewhat sounding very cynical.

“I think so. And also, I’ve gotten a meeting with a police pony from Clopton.”

Zipp and Sunny looked surprised to hear that. “You did?” The Pegasus pony asked.

Hitch nodded. “Officer Winthorpe. He and I are gonna discuss the case. And, if you want, you can join us too.”

“Okay.” Zipp said. “Do you have anything that I could look at?”

Sunny nodded and trotted over to the desk she used during her research. She pulled out all the papers, files and everything else she discovered during her research.

“Here.” Sunny said, placing her research in front of Zipp. “This should be good enough, I hope.”

Zipp stared in surprise for a quick second, before she scooped up the papers and sat at the desk Sunny used.

“Thanks Sunny.” Zipp said, getting started immediately.

As she did so, Sunny looked at Hitch and said, “Do you mind if I leave, Hitch? I need a break from all of this.”

Hitch gave her a warm smile. “Not at all. Go ahead, Sunny.”

She smiled back, and then trotted out the door. Though her statement of needing a break was true, she did fib a little bit to Hitch. Mainly, because she was about to do something that she knew he wouldn’t approve of. Something that was on her mind since yesterday when she brought it up.

She was going to tell Sprout everything. The only hope from her was that it wouldn’t make him feel any worse than he already feels. She truly hoped.

They could hear the birds chirping. The wind whistling. The sound of laughter from little foals, probably at a nearby park somewhere.

It was days like this that made Bud Bloomington, Dodd Winchester and Sanguine Sauvignon wish they could live in Maretime Bay. Clopton was a dump of a town, that they wish they could just….blow up.

They were standing at a crossroads that lead to Maretime Bay. There were a total of three roads. Both Bud and Sanguine were standing at one way, and Dodd was standing at another one.

“Remember the plan, right?” Bud asked Dodd.

He nodded. “Yeah, when I make it to the Sheriff’s Department, I’ll text you. Then you and Sanguine enter the town and go to Canterlogic. You do your interview, and try to contact your little brother. I’ll keep Hitch and whoever else is there distracted long enough.”

“And if something happens?” Bud asked.

Dodd smiled sadistically. He mimicked a gun shot to his head.

Bud nodded. “Good luck.” He said, as both he and Sanguine trotted off a little bit toward their way. They figured they’d sit on a bench and wait till Dodd contacted him.

Dodd then went off in his direction. He couldn’t help but chuckle. After all this was said and done, he couldn’t wait to hear what happened to Phyllis Cloverleaf. And Canterlogic. He was just hoping that the suitcase he was given by a few Clopton criminals would be what they said it was.

A blast.

Sunny wondered if she should even be doing this at all. Maybe Hitch was right. Maybe it’s best to tell Sprout everything they found AFTER they catch Bud Bloomington.

On the other hoof though, would Sprout feel angry at her and Hitch for not telling him anything? They’ve been two of his closest friends since foalhood. Why wouldn’t they tell him any of this? Were they his friends or weren’t they?

Sunny stood outside of the home of Bella and Vinny, these thoughts still racing through her brain. She still hadn’t made a decision yet about what she should do. She even hesitated to knock on the front door. Maybe she should just head back over to the Sheriff’s Department.

She almost did that, before she heard the door open. She looked and saw Bella. She obviously knew her very well. Since Sprout and Phyllis were like family to them, they considered Hitch and Sunny family also. Well, maybe not so much anymore after Sprout’s rampage two year ago.

“Sunny.” Bella said, surprised to see her. “What are you doing here?”

The orange mare took a deep breath. In and Out. She knew she had to do this now. Here she goes.

“Is Sprout here? I need to see him.” She said, looking determined. However, Bella didn’t exactly look too happy to see her.

“He is. May I ask why you need to see him?” She asked, sounding suspicious.

Sunny looked sad. “I…need to tell him something. It’s very important. And very personal as well. Please Bella.” She said, knowing that Bella probably wanted Sprout away from her and Hitch.

Bella just stood there for a few seconds, before opening her door and allowing Sunny to come in. When the orange mare did, she looked toward the sliding back door and saw a familiar red stallion outside. He was watering flowers, while wearing gardening gear.

And he looked…happy. Really happy.

Sunny’s gloomy expression didn’t change. In fact, it seemed to get worse. Because she knew, or had a feeling, that the news she was gonna tell him, probably would break his good mood.

But…he still had a right to know. He absolutely had every right to know about everything. She looked at Bella, who only had a sullen look on her face. She turned back and walked outside.

She heard him whistling a little tune to himself. He was even skipping a little bit to that very tune he was doing. He turned around and saw her. He smiled and brightened up.

“Hey Sunny.” He said, sounding happy. He out down his gardening tools and watering can and trotted over to her.

“How’re you doing?” He asked, sounding as chipper and upbeat as ever. She wanted to be happy. Especially after the news she heard last night from Izzy.

It felt ironic to Sunny. The one who was afraid of unicorns, now was dating one. And seemed REALLY happy about it. However, she couldn’t be happy. Because she knew what was gonna happen when she tells him.

Sprout noticed this and looked concerned for her. “Hey, are you okay? What’s wrong?” He asked.

Sunny sighed sadly. “I need to tell you some things, Sprout. Is there anyplace we can sit?” She asked.

He looked confused. Why was she acting like this? Did something happen? To her? Or maybe him? He didn’t know. But, he pointed over to a bench that faced a few daises and lilies. They both sat down together.

“So, what’s going on, Sunny?” Sprout asked.

Sunny sighed. “Well…Sprout…I just want you to know that, I’m telling you all this, because you’re one of my closest friends. You have every right to know this. I just hope…that you can understand.” She said looking depressed.

“Why are you saying this?” Sprout asked, now feeling worried.

“I know…you’re REALLY angry with your Mom. And, to be honest, if I was in your hooves, if I found out my Dad had a sibling and never told me, I’d feel angry with my Dad too. You have every right to feel angry with her.” She said, looking at him with sympathy in her eyes.

“What does she have to do with this, Sunny?” He asked, now feeling a bit scared.

Sunny almost felt like lying to him. Just to make him feel better. To keep him in his good mood. But, she knew that, WHEN this gets out(and it will eventually), that Sprout would feel more betrayed by her if she knew and said nothing to him. So, with pain in her heart, she told him.

“The reason why your Mom gave up your brother all those years ago was because…” She had to pause to pull herself together. She looked at Sprout, who looked scared to hear her reveal.

“…because your Mom….was raped.”

Now, when that was revealed by Sunny, a number of things could have happened that would come as a big surprise to Sprout. The flowers could’ve come to life and played a magical song on a flute. The bench could’ve broken in half. The watering can could’ve started talking. Even Sprout could’ve realized he was talking to an alien who was pretending to be Sunny all along. They all would’ve been surprising to him.

However, even IF all those things DID happen, they wouldn’t have hit him as hard as what Sunny just told him right now. Of all things he could usually see coming, that was one thing that truly felt like being hit by a train at 100 miles an hour.

She put a hoof on his shoulder as a source of comfort. “Let me explain.” She said sadly.

For the next few minutes or so, she told him everything that her and Hitch had found out. From the Bloomington family, to Phyllis being raped, to her dropping his brother at Lexi Orphanage in Clopton, to her being not only kicked out but erased altogether from the Bloomingtons, to the abuse allegations at Lexi, to the Lexi fire that took 7 lives, to the Mother Mutilator killings over 20 years and to Phyllis confessing to Hitch about her rape 40 years ago. When she was only 14 years old.

“That’s why…your Mom never told you anything. Why she never…told you about your brother.” Sunny said, choking up emotionally. Just waiting for Sprout to speak.

He couldn’t at first. All he could do was have his lip quiver in confusion, shock and hurt. All the words Sunny had told him almost didn’t feel real to him. All this time…all these years…

“My Mom…My Mommy…was raped?” Sprout asked, a small choked sob in his throat. Sunny let out a few tears, as she nodded her head yes to him.

He was starting to feel sick. Almost nauseous. Like he was ready to throw up. That was until Sunny put a hoof on top of his. He looked at her, the emotions still running through him.

“Sprout…do you know why…I forgave you? Even after everything?” She asked emotionally. Sprout felt a tear run down his face, her attention his.

“It’s because…I can’t hate somepony who lost their Dad like me. I know you put on a strong face all those years when your Dad died. And you were there for me when my Dad died. You and Hitch. You both are my friends. And as friends…sometimes we tell them some things that we think is right for them. And…” She stopped herself to wipe her eyes. Sprout still had her attention.

“I’m not trying to tell you what to do. Or guilt you or anything. I’m not. But…now knowing what your Mom went through…I think you and her should talk. I know you’re angry with her. But….the worst thing to do would be to not speak to each other ever again. I’m glad you and I talked after we didn’t for almost 2 years.” She said, looking at Sprout, who had more tears run down his face.

Then, surprisingly, she wrapped her hooves around him. “No matter what you choose, regarding your Mom…know that…you and Hitch will always be like brothers to me. And I love you, Sprout.” She poured her heart out to him.

He let out a sob and wrapped his hooves around her now too. “I love you too, Sunny.”

The two of them then sat and hugged each other emotionally for the next few minutes. Letting each other cry in their embrace.

Zipp Storm was looking through all the evidence that Hitch and Sunny had come up with. She saw all the school reports, the old pictures, the gossip column about the abuse allegations from Lexi, and even the Reggie the Janitor, who used to be a cop from Clopton. She was honestly impressed with how much they came up with.

Meanwhile, Hitch was currently pacing the room with a cup of coffee in his hooves. He was nervous. That feeling he had yesterday, when talking with Detective Winthorpe, was still on his mind. He didn’t know why, but something just didn’t feel right.

Zipp noticed this, and looked back at him. “Hitch, are you okay?” She asked.

He took a breath. “I don’t know. Something just feels weird to me.”

Her eyebrow raised. “Why? What do you mean?” She asked.

“Well, it’s the timing of all this. I mean, the day before you and Pipp come home, a whole week after the body was found, NOW….somepony from Clopton wants to speak with me? Why didn’t they call me earlier?”

Zipp shrugged. “They probably are all busy, Hitch. You know, since Clopton is a crime ridden town and all.”

“Yeah. I thought that too. But, even so, it just feels weird. I just….got a bad feeling about all this, Zipp.”

Normally, Zipp wouldn’t get so agitated about things like what Hitch just said. However, after everything she went through last week, she couldn’t deny that, maybe, Hitch could be right. Anything could be possible about all this.

All of a sudden, they heard a knock at the door. Which was then opened. The stallion who walked in had a police pony badge on him. He also had a wooden brown coat and a silver mane, with a goatee. His cutie mark was a revolver. There was even a police pony hat on his head.

“Sheriff Hitch Trailblazer?” Winthorpe, also Dodd Winchester, asked out loud.

“That would be me.” Hitch said, coming to him, and offering him a hoof shake. Which was accepted.

“Oh, and that’s my partner, Zipp Storm.” He said, introducing him to her.

“Pleaure to meet you.” Winthorpe said. He didn’t offer her a hoof shake though.

As Hitch walked Wintorpe over to a table, Zipp couldn’t keep her eyes off of this stallion. It was like she was transfixed on him. Something was mesmerizing about him to her. And the reason was simple.

After she looked through the names of the Lexi Orphange kids, some of whom were killed in the fire 20 years ago, there were a few names who stood out to her. Bud Bloomington being the obvious one, due to him being Sprout’s older brother. The guy who murdered all those mares over 20 years.

However, there was another name that stood out to her as well. Dodd Winchester. He was only 2 years younger than Bud. He also happens to be the one who got into fights when he was in school. Even threatened a few teachers here and there. She saw what this Dodd looked like when he was in school.

And when she saw this Winthorpe fellow, she couldn’t help but think….he kind of looks a little bit like what Dodd did all those years ago.

Hitch looked back at her. “You coming, Zipp?” He asked.

She had to hurry up and think of something. She couldn’t outright accuse Winthorpe. She didn’t have as much proof on that. She needed to find Sunny now. And talk to her about all this.

“Actually Hitch, do you mind if I step out for a bit? I’m kinda parched. I need a smoothie. Be right back.” She said, almost hurrying out the door.

Both Hitch and Winthorpe looked confused. “What was that about?” Winthorpe asked.

“It’s probably nothing.” Hitch said. “Let’s get down to business.” He sat down at the table. Winthorpe then sat down too. He had an inner, sadistic grin on him. Because he knew that, while him and Hitch discussed the Mother Mutilator case, Bud would be catching up with his birth mother. He could only imagine the surprise on her face when she sees him.

Bud and Sanguine sat on a bench for about 15-20 minutes. Both just enjoying the peaceful atmosphere. When suddenly, they both heard a ding. Bud got his phone out, and looked at the text.

I’m here. Go on ahead.

While Sanguine smiled with a bit of craziness in her eyes, all Bud did was just put his phone back. No emotion or anything on his face. They both stood up from the bench.

As they trotted toward their destination, Sanguine let out a sadistic giggle. “This is gonna fun.” She said softly, so as not to alert any ponies walking by them, who may hear them.

“Just stick with the plan. I don’t care how many ponies you get.” Bud said, sounding only slightly annoyed.

“I know, sweetie.” Sanguine said, flirting with him. Which only made Bud roll his eyes.

“You know what to do if you come across Reggie, right?” He asked. She nodded.

“It’ll be nice catching up with that old copper.” She said.

After a few more minutes, they realized they were now in the main section of Maretime Bay. They walked around for about 10 minutes, with Sanguine enjoying the sight seeing, until they saw the big building they were looking for. The place where their plan would come to fruition.

Canterlogic. Bud had to take a deep breath. In just a few moments, he was going to see his mother. She was going to interview him, and while that was happening, the plan would begin. Everything she knew and loved would be taken from her. And she would die knowing that.

The anticipation of meeting his little brother was almost killing him too. He couldn’t wait to rescue him. Brothers united. Brothers forever. He then walked inside of Canterlogic.

Author's Note

Well, here we go guys. The final act of my story. If I had to guess how many more chapters there will be, I’d probably say about 4, maybe 5. But yes, this story is coming to an end very soon.

Let’s all just hope everything turns out okay for every pony here.

If you like this story, make sure to comment, like, favorite and follow for future updates. Thank you all and goodnight everybody.