Redemption for a Cloverleaf

“I’m back!” Zipp called out, with a drink carrier in her hoof. She immediately saw Winthrope and Hitch sitting at a table together. Possibly going over the case of the Mother Mutilator.

“Good to see you. And you brought smoothies for us.” Hitch said, happily taking his Citrus Smoothie.

Winthorpe looked a little hesitant when Zipp brought out a smoothie for him. Why would she be doing this?

“It’s a Triple Berry smoothie. Consider it a…welcome to Maretime Bay.” She said, making herself sound as genuine as she could.

Winthrope took the smoothie and then took a sip. He appeared to be satisfied with the flavor.

“Hmm. Pretty good. Thank you, Zipp.” He said, confining to drink.

That made Zipp feel good. Now, he would be more open in speaking to not just Hitch, but her too. And if he did, then she could have more of a chance to try and get under his fur and make him angry.

Then, through her own research of this Dodd Winchester, maybe she could make him reveal that he was indeed that pony. She only hoped that it wouldn’t end with violence. He was from Clopton, a very tough town. If it came to physical skills, he had them beat.

She only hoped. Little did she know how much time was being wasted on him right now, when something else was about to happen at Canterlogic. Something that would change her life forever.

Mane Melody. It was only a few days ago when Izzy brought Sprouty here to clean up his mane after that asshole Adonis poured a smoothie in it. She still felt a little bad about that, but Sprouty reassured her that it was okay. She felt a bit better after that.

Now, she was bringing a smoothie to a friend she hadn’t seen in a week. She knew she’d be here. She technically owned the place after all.

The door opened and it only took Izzy a split second to spot the pink Pegasus named Pipp Petals. She was currently getting her hooves done, by Rocky, with her biggest fans, the Pippsqueaks. That being Seashell, Glory and Peach Fizz.

“Pipp.” Izzy called out, making a beeline toward her.

The Pegasus turned toward the mare and beamed. “Izzy.”

The two came over and hugged each other. So happy to see each other again. Even if it was only for a week.

“How are you? I saw Zipp in town just now.” Izzy said, letting go of her hug.

“I’m great. Just getting my hooves done.” She said, before letting out a gasp. “And you brought me a Strawberry Ripple Smoothie! Oh, Izzy you are a doll.” She said, taking a sip of her favorite flavor of smoothie.

“Oh, I have so much to tell you about this whole week.” Izzy said, super excitedly, as she sat down in a chair next to Pipp, preparing to get her hooves done as well.

Jazz Hooves got started on doing Izzy’s hooves. “So, Izzy, how is Sprout doing? Is he okay after what happened?”

Pipp looked surprised hearing that. “What do you mean, Jazzy?”

Izzy then looked a bit glum. “Me and Sprouty got a smoothie together, and some big meanie poured a smoothie in his mane.”

Pipp gasped, except this time in shock. “How could anypony do something so horrific?” She asked, sounding very upset.

“I know.” Jazzy said, about to get finished with Izzy’s first hoof. “It was barbaric.”

“Yeah.” Izzy said. “I’m just glad Sprouty had fun getting his mane cleaned here. That wasn’t the best first date.”

Pipp felt her ear twitch when she heard that. What was that word she just heard? Date? She slowly turned her head back toward her unicorn friend with a sly grin on her face.

“Date, you say?” She said, making Izzy blush. The Pippsqueaks looked interested in hearing this too.

“You went on a date? With Sprout?” Seashell asked.

“Tell us all about it.” Glory said, sounding super excited.

“Yeah. Did you two kiss?” Peach Fizz asked, making her friends look at her with a weird expression.

Izzy gave a romantic sigh. “We had a wonderful time. We ate at the Firepit Pizza, he looked so handsome, we talked and…” She let out a giggle, unable to finish her sentence.

“And what? Come on, Iz. What happened, girl?” Pipp said, as Rocky was just about finished with her hoof now. Jazzy was even interested in hearing this.

“Well, Peach Fizz, to answer your question, Yes. I did kiss him.” She said, sounding super happy. The orange unicorn filly squeed in excitement for her fellow unicorn.

“No…way…” Jazzy said, sounding like she was in disbelief.

“Aww.” Rocky said, putting a hoof over his heart. “Sounds like you two really like each other. Congrats, Iz.”

“Oh, thank you.” Izzy said, appreciating his support.

“Woohoo. You go, girl. Looks like you and Sprout are an item.” Pipp said, again making Izzy blush. Though, this was more happiness for her instead of embarrassment. She was a super happy Izzy, knowing that her and Sprout may actually be something.

Little did she know that her support and love for him would be put to the test. Something she’d never forget for the rest of her life.

*Ping*

Sanguine Sauvignon heard her phone go off. She quickly took it out with anticipation. The feeling was just killing her.

Do It.

She smiled a very sick and sinister one. She looked through the small bag she had brought in with her, which some ponies mistakenly thought was just a purse. Her snickers and giggles intensified. She couldn’t wait to get started.

Then she pulled it out. She was surprised how she was even able to sneak it in. She laughed maniacally for a split second.

She picked her bag back up and walked out of her stall. Thankfully, no pony was as in there with her. She opened the door and looked at all the ponies working. She smirked crazily.

No pony was gonna expect anything. She dropped her bag to the ground, and then let out a shout.

“HEY! OVER HERE!” She yelled out loud, causing a few Canterlogic workers to look in her direction, startled by her sudden loud voice.

That startled feeling quickly turned to fear when they saw the psychotic mare. And what she had on her.

*BANG!BANG!BANG!* went the hoofgun she had. Every pony started running away from her. She laughed again, and started shooting at those very ponies.

She knew Bud would be so proud of her. Anything to make him happy, she’d do it. She only hoped that his little brother showed up soon. She didn’t want him to miss all the fun.

Reggie was currently in the basement, getting a few bathrooms down there knocked out. Granted, not a lot of ponies use these bathrooms, but it killed some time for him here. He also did this to be alone and away from every pony to think.

Why did he need to think? Well, ever since he saw that stallion walk into Phyllis’ office, there was this feeling he had. Deep in the pit of his stomach. He didn’t know why or how, but he just had this feeling that he’s seen that stallion before.

From the facial features, to the blonde mane, to the impress looking physique, he felt he’s seen that stallion from long ago. He just couldn’t put his hoof on it though. It was almost killing him that he didn’t know.

He continued thinking these thoughts until he heard something coming from upstairs.

*BANG!BANG!BANG!*

He felt his blood run cold. Being a former police pony, he knew what that sound was. It was a gun. Somepony had snuck a gun into Canterlogic. And it was going off.

He rushed out of the bathroom he was doing. He pulled his phone out and dialed Hitch’s number.

Sunny had just given Sugar Moonlight her usual smoothie. Truth be told, after she had told Zipp about this Dodd Winchester, she felt anxious just to get this shift over with and help her and Hitch out with the case. She was frankly trying her damndest to fight boredom.

As soon as she thought that, however, she saw a few ponies running past her smoothie stand. Now, this wouldn’t be anything out of the ordinary for her. Ponies run past her stand a lot.

However, with the way these ponies ran past her stand, it felt different to her. One, it looked like they were running from one central location to another. Some were running toward other buildings and shops.

Also, it was when she got a good look at one of the ponies running. She swore she thought she saw a look of fear on one of their faces. As if, he was running from somepony or something. But why?

Sunny now couldn’t help but wonder what was going on here. Something didn’t seem right. And her thoughts were correct, as she now heard a sound off in the distance. A sound that made her blood run with fear.

She swore she thought she heard a gun shot.

-/-

Sprout was thinking a lot of things as he walked into town. It had been almost a week since he’s spoken to his mother, Phyllis. Their last conversation being him telling her he wasn’t her Sugercube anymore. Now, he felt his nerves rising up through him like never before, as all these questions began to run through his head?

What if she doesn’t want to talk?

What will they say to each other if she DOES want to talk?

What if she asks why he didn’t listen to her?

What if she scolds him?

What if he just yells at her?

As he walked he looked at his front hoof. He didn’t know why, but he decided to wear Izzy’s bracelet she gave him not too long ago. She said it would give him good luck. Granted, when she told him that, Adonis poured a smoothie on his head. So, was it REALLY good luck?

To be fair though, a few ponies did stand up for him that day. Primrose, Dahlia and Posey. He was honestly surprised that they stood up for him. Especially Primrose. With her being a unicorn, she probably would’ve hated him after his rampage 2 years ago.

But she didn’t. She stood up for him, and told Adonis to leave him alone. He truly felt touched for that. So, maybe, the bracelet was good luck after all.

He was getting closer and closer to Canterlogic. As the questions and concerns danced through his head, he saw something rather odd. He was seeing several ponies running. Not as if they were doing some exercise or something. No, this was different.

These ponies looked like they were running away from something. Or maybe some pony. One pony who passed him in particular looked to have a look of fear on his face.

He knew now that something didn’t feel right. What was going on here? He was now about 20 feet away from the front door of Canterlogic. Then, something happened that would fill him with true fear and horror.

The front door of Canterlogic burst open. A terrified looking mare started to run out. Sadly, with all her adrenaline, she slipped and fell to the pavement outside.

Sprout now got a good look at this mare. He recognized her. This was one of his former coworkers. Judy. Now, truth be told, he knew that Judy didn’t like him very much. The two barely had any conversations with each other. And if they ever did, it was quick and, in her case, kind of rude sounding on her part.

However, here and now, he saw somepony who looked scared out of her mind. Tears rolled down her face. She was shaking and shivering with fear.

“Judy!” Sprout called out, as he started to run toward her.

“No!” She screamed, stopping him in his tracks. “Run! She’s got a gun!”

Sprout felt his blood run cold hearing her say that. What did she just say? Between her saying that and what happened next happened so fast, it was almost unbelievable.

The front door opened again. This time, his coat almost turned white. There, standing in the front entrance, was somepony he never thought or wanted to ever see in his life.

A mare with a light cherry coat and a long, silky smooth red wine mane stood there. She looked about in her mid thirties. She also looked completely psychotic with that grin on her face.

Worst of all: she was holding a hoof gun. Sprout felt his heart drop into his stomach. He knew now that there’s been a shooting here.

Judy quivered and cried on the pavement. “Please.” She sobbed. “Please don’t kill me.”

Sprout didn’t know what to do. He couldn’t come towards her, because she had a gun. She could shoot him instantly. He couldn’t run away, because she might kill Judy here. He had no idea what to do. He was frozen to the ground in fear.

He now noticed that the mare with the gun took a look at him. And her expression changed a little bit. She went from completely psychotic, to surprised and a bit unsure of something. What was going on with her?

No words were said for about a minute. All there was were Judy’s sobs and pleads to not kill her and loud silence between Sprout and the mare with the gun. He saw her tilt her head a bit.

“Are you Sprout Cloverleaf?” He felt a chill run down his spine when he heard her voice. He didn’t answer her at first. Then he heard her cock the gun in Judy’s direction.

“Yes.” He said fast, with his hooves up. He didn’t know why he said that. It was just on instinct.

Then her expression changed again. He saw her smile a sinister smile.

“Well, what an unbelievable coincidence. It appears we don’t have to go looking for you. You came to us.” She said, with a crazed chuckle.

“What do you mean? Who are you and what do you want?” Sprout asked, trying to defuse the situation.

She let out a chuckle again. “I’m Sanguine Sauvignon. And believe it or not…I’m here to take you to your big brother.”

Sprout felt his mind blow. What? Now way! She knows his older brother? How?

More so, does that mean that…Bud Bloomington is here? In Maretime Bay? At Canterlogic? If he was…Oh No.

“That’s right, Sprouty.” Sanguine said. Which made Sprout angry. Only Izzy gets to call him that.

“Bud is upstairs right now. He’s….catching up with Phyllis.” She said with psychotic glee in her voice.

He felt his stomach start to churn. His worries were correct. Bud was with his mother…their mother. And him now knowing everything, after Sunny told him….he knew this was bad.

“Bud REALLY wants to meet you, Sprouty. He’s been waiting for this for a few years now. Don’t you wanna meet your big brother?” She asked, with a cruel grin on her face.

Sprout looked down at Judy. He saw she was scared she was gonna die here. Now, even though she and him didn’t always interact with each other very well, he knew she wasn’t necessarily a bad mare. And she especially didn’t deserve to be in this situation. She didn’t wanna die.

Now, back then, Sprout would’ve instantly tucked tail and ran away. That’s what he always thought to do whenever danger was present. Just run away and something or somepony will deal with that danger. He was a coward. That’s what he was.

Now….he knew what he had to do. No more running away. And no more cowering. It was time to be a stallion and face your fears head on.

Even if it cost him his life.

“Miss Sauvignon? If I agree to come with you, will you let Judy go?” He asked with fear in his voice. Judy looked surprised to hear that from him. He wasn’t really gonna do this, was he?

Sanguine raised an eyebrow with that cruel grin on her face.

“If you let Judy go, I promise I’ll come with you. I…I’ll meet my big brother. Just, please, don’t kill Judy.” He said calmly and softly. Almost pleading with her not to kill her. Judy looked shocked. He was doing this.

Sanguine thought for a split second. She shrugged very arrogant like and said, “Alright. But you better do what I say. Got it?” Sprout nodded nervously.

Sanguine then looked down at the pathetic mare. “Now get your ass up and get outta before I change my mind, you little bitch.”

Judy didn’t need to be told twice. She quickly started to run away from Canterlogic. Fear still running through her body. She needed to find Sheriff Hitch and fast.

Sprout watched her run away, hoping she’d get to safety somewhere. He turned back and now saw Sanguine had the gun pointed at him. He put his hooves up where she could see them.

“She’s gone. Now let’s go. Bud is waiting for you. Walk!” She said, as Sprout started to walk ahead of her. As she trailed behind him, he thought about what he had done.

He couldn’t believe that he had just sacrificed himself to save somepony who wasn’t even a friend to him. In fact, she didn’t really like him at all. But, she was in a situation where she could be killed by a complete lunatic mare.

Even Judy didn’t deserve to die. He saved her life. He felt that, if this was it, at least he saved somepony. At least he was a hero to somepony now.

If he dies now, at least he made amends with every pony. Hitch, Sunny, Pipp, Izzy, Queen Haven, Alphabittle and even Zipp. At least he went out being okay with them.

He just wondered: Was this truly it for him?

Zipp was frustrated. She was trying to find a good leeway into making this Winthorpe slip up and show that he was Dodd Winchester from all those years ago. So far, nothing. What could she do?

Well, as luck would have it(if one would even call this luck), as Hitch and Winthorpe discussed the case, Hitch’s phone went off.

“Hang on, I gotta take this.” Hitch said, now putting the phone to his ear. He didn’t even answer his full name before she saw his expression change. She saw his face turn to horror.

“Hang on, Reggie! I’ll be right there!” Hitch said out loud, hanging up his phone.

“What’s going on, Hitch?” Zipp asked, now sounding very concerned.

“That was Reggie! We need to go to Canterlogic now! There’s been a shooting!” He exclaimed. Zipp felt a chill run down her spine.

Hitch turned to Winthorpe. “I’m sorry Officer Winthorpe, but we gotta go! Come on!” He said, as both him and Zipp made their way towards the front door.

*BANG!*

Zipp and Hitch froze to their spot. What the hell was that? The shooting was at Canterlogic. The assailant wasn’t at his office now, was he?

That’s when they saw Winthorpe walk past them and casually shut and locked the door. He turned to face them.

“I’m sorry you two. I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.” He said, now his voice sounding very sinister. Both Hitch and Zipp felt their hearts racing. What is this guy doing? He shot off a warning shot to them. Why?

“My adopted brother is still catching up with his mother. And I don’t think he’d want to be interrupted.” He said, now pulling his gun on the two of them.

Adopted brother? That means….Zipp knew it. She was right all along.

“I knew it! When I saw that old photo from years ago! Your name isn’t Winthorpe! You’re Dodd Winchester, aren’t you?!” Zipp angrily asked, not moving an inch, while keeping her eyes on his gun.

Hitch looked shocked. “What?”

Dodd let out an arrogant chuckle. “Seems you’re a better detective than I thought, Zipp Storm. I mean, I thought you were a pretty shitty one when you blamed Sprout for my adopted brother killing that slut on the beach. But, I guess you’re pretty good.”

Hitch grew angry when he heard that. “You did that? You, and Bud Bloomington, and Sanguine Sauvignon. You killed Lilac Summers! You killed all those mares over 20 years!” He yelled emotionally at him, while still standing frozen to the ground.

“Yeah. We did. We purged this world of bad mothers out there. We are saviors to all foals of Equestria.” He said.

Zipp felt her anger rise. “All you did was orphan those foals and take loved ones away from family members! You and your cronies are monsters!”

“Oh? We’re monsters? What about the monsters that intentionally abuse their children, huh?” Dodd asked them.

While still looking angry and scared, their demeanor calmed down a little bit.

“What about the monsters who don’t give their children all the basic necessities for everyday life? What about the monsters who neglect every aspect of their children, to the point where they don’t care about them or their lives? And most of all, what about the monsters who choose to have sex with their own children because it gives them sick, twisted pleasure? Huh? What about those monsters?”

Zipp and Hitch heard every word Dodd had said to them. So it looks like all the abuse, neglect and molestation allegations were true. What Bud, Dodd, Sanguine and the rest of the Lexi Orphanage foals had went through was all correct. They lived in a hell hole. Plain and simple.

“So, are we really true monsters? All those sluts and whores and bitches we killed over the years, their children are better off without them.” Dodd said, with anger, bitterness and psychopathy in his tone.

Zipp and Hitch knew they needed a plan. This guy was a delusional, dangerously psychotic individual. If they made one wrong move, they were dead.

Little did they know that, after Dodd had fired off that warning shot, a certain somepony was there outside. Somepony who now needed a plan to get inside.

-/-

*BANG!*

Sunny Starscout had let out a startled cry. As her heartbeat grew, she saw the door close in front of her. And she even heard the door lock. That’s when she knew that Zipp and Hitch were in trouble. Somepony was in there with a gun.

She figured that Zipp’s assumption was correct. This must be Dodd Winchester. One of the three Lexi Orphanage survivors from 20 years ago. What the hell was he doing here?

She crouched low to the ground. She couldn’t risk being seen by this assailant. When she made it to one of the windows, she slowly pulled her head up to it to look inside. And what she saw made her gut wrench in terror.

She saw Officer Winthorpe, or Dodd Winchester as she assumed, holding a gun to Zipp and Hitch. This was bad. One wrong move in there, or even out here, and those two are dead. She needed a plan. And fast.

She quickly thought of any scenario in her head, and she came up with one. Though she only hoped that this would work. She just needed to find the right emotions to work with.

She needed the Alicorn.

So, she closed her eyes. She relaxed herself. She then thought about all her friends. From back when she was a filly, to right now.

Hitch. Sprout. Izzy. Zipp. Pipp. Posey. Dahlia. She had created bonds with these ponies. It was a struggle to unite ponies. Before when Earth Ponies, Unicorns and Pegasi were separated, she tried to unite every pony. But they didn’t listen.

Until that one day when a certain purple unicorn came to town. Sure she scared the hell out of every pony, including Sprout, but when all was said and done, it was all worth it in the end.

She united all the races. She made her Dad proud. She made new friends.

She was Sunny Starscout. And she would protect her friends and loved ones. She would protect….

EVERYPONY.

She opens her eyes and she felt herself floating. She knew she had it now. She had unleashed the Alicorn.

And now, she was gonna help Hitch and Zipp kick this psycho’s ass.

She summoned enough energy in her horn and then…

*BLAST!*

She used all her force to make the locked door open.

“What the fuck?!” Dodd cried out loud, turning to see what had just happened. Bad mistake.

Hitch had punched Dodd in the gut, forcing him to drop his gun. Zipp then kicked square in face. Sunny and then grabbed him, lifted him onto her back and then slammed him down REALLY hard on the floor, almost knocking him out.

Zipp then picked him up and held his stunned ass for Hitch and Sunny to land a few shots on him. For the next minute or so, both Hitch and Sunny took turns punching and kicking Dodd. Mostly in his face, but Sunny kicked him in his testicles. She thought he’d cry, but he just grimaced a little.

Clopton ponies were tough as nails, that was for sure. Zipp then turned him around and punched him in the gut a few times as well. He then fell to the ground, trying to catch his breath from the beating he took.

Hitch then grabbed a pair of hoofcuffs from his desk, as he was trying to catch his breath as well. He dragged Dodd toward the jail cell that was next to Sprout’s old desk. When inside, Hitch cuffed Dodd to one of the many bars in the cell. Just to make sure Dodd didn’t try to pick a lock or anything.

“Thanks for the save, Sunny. Good thing to know we have the Alicorn when we need it.” Hitch said, hugging Sunny, glad that she was okay.

“That…was badass.” Zipp complimented her, making Sunny smile.

Her smile then changed back to a look of fear. “Hitch, Zipp, we need to head over to Canterlogic right now! I heard Gunshots over there.”

“I know. I just got a call from Reggie. We were about to go, before Dodd revealed himself.” Hitch explained. When he did, Dodd had regained his composure. He knew that Bud probably wouldn’t like this. He knew he was going to prison now.

And yet…he couldn’t help but laugh.

Zipp noticed this. “Guys, why is he laughing?” She asked, now Hitch and Sunny looking over at Dodd.

“Why is he laughing?” Zipp asked, sounding a bit afraid.

“Oh, Zipp. Hitch. Sunny.” Dodd said, for some reason, naming all of them.

“You may have captured me, but Bud is a whole other story. That guy…it’ll take an army to stop him. But it doesn’t matter anyway. You’re too late.” Dodd said, now sounding more sinister than before.

Hitch looked confused. “What do you mean?”

“When he’s done with Phyllis, and he finds Sprout, Canterlogic is gonna go…” He finished his sentence, mimicking an explosion.

Hitch, Zipp and Sunny felt their coats turn white with fear. No. No, please no.

“He’s got a BOMB?” Hitch yelled, making Dodd laugh cruelly at him.

“We gotta go! NOW!” Hitch said to Zipp and Sunny, as they all ran out of the door, leaving a sadistic, laughing Dodd Winchester behind.

They didn’t even get twenty steps before a voice stopped them.

“SHERIFF HITCH!!” Judy yelled toward them.

“Not now, Judy. We gotta get Canterlogic!” Hitch exclaimed. Just as he was about to run away from her, he heard her say something that made his fear rise even higher.

“There’s been a shooting at Canterlogic! And the shooter took Sprout hostage!” She yelled.

Hitch, Zipp and Sunny felt sick to their stomachs now. It was worse than ever. There’s been a shooting at Canterlogic, some innocent ponies have probably been shot and killed, the assailants have a bomb….

…and now Sprout has been taken hostage.

The three friends ran, and flew, as fast as they could to Canterlogic. They had never been more scared in all their lives. They only hoped they would make it on time. They only hoped that they would save Sprout and Phyllis.

Little did they know that hope was everything they were going to need after today. Because nothing would ever be the same ever again.