Redemption for a Cloverleaf

by Big-Badd_MAC

Rating: mature
Tags: Dark, Death, Alternate Universe, Thriller, Sunny Starscout, Sprout, Mystery, Phyllis Cloverleaf, Hitch Trailblazer, My Little Pony: A New Generation, Profanity, Violence, Zipp Storm
Length: 141384

A Maretime Bay Murder Mystery

On a seemingly normal day in Maretime Bay, something truly terrible happens. A young mare is found dead. A victim of an apparent murder. To make matters worse, it appears her foal is missing as well.

After Hitch and Zipp survey the crime scene, Hitch is shocked to discover his ex-deputy, Sprout Cloverleaf, has his DNA at the crime scene as well. Sprout swears he didn’t do it, but how can we believe him when DNA says otherwise?

Did Sprout indeed take the life of this lady? Is he truly capable of something like this? Is he an evil monster?

Find out all the shocking answers in this Detective style tale, Redemption for a Cloverleaf.

Published 2022-10-17 17:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2025-02-16 04:54:03 UTC

Chapter 2: The Investigation Begins

Author's Note

Warning: There will be a point in this story that will both be triggering and graphic to read. Viewer discretion is advised.

Hope you all enjoy this chapter. If you do, then comment, like, follow and favorite. Have a nice day, everyone.

Chapter 2: The Investigation Begins

-/-Sprout Cloverleaf-/-

“What the heck is going here?” He said quietly, walking back to work to get back on his shift.

Sprout wondered where every pony was heading off too. After seeing those three fillies run past him, looking terrified as all hell, that’s when a lot of ponies started to walk off somewhere in a big group.

However, what REALLY stood out to him, was Hitch and Zipp leading the way. He wanted to know where they all were going. It must be pretty serious.

He also looked on with envy. It was pretty clear that Zipp had replaced him as Hitch’s deputy. He had heard about all the gadgets and technology shit that she had, and how skilled at finding things she was. She certainly was a worthy one to replace him.

What was worse about this whole thing, was he couldn’t do a thing about it. He knew Hitch didn’t like him anymore. Neither did Sunny, seeing as how he destroyed her old home, which had memories of her father, whom he knew she loved and missed very much. He ESPECIALLY knew Zipp didn’t like him either. He saw that look she gave him not too long ago when they passed each other on the street. He didn’t know about Pipp, but she had to have not liked him either.

Izzy, well, he knew she didn’t like him now after his little outburst at her 2 weeks ago. He ruined a good chance at having a friend, instead of being alone. Hell, even if his mother did love him and was kind enough to give him a job at her factory, she was barely around anymore. Always taking business trips out of town to Bridlewood or Zephyr Heights. She was even on one of those trips right now. Wouldn’t be back until next week.

He was alone. Isolated. Friendless. And worst of all: It was his own fault.

And he would NEVER let ANYPONY see that it got to him. That’s what both Phyllis and his father, Bright Cloverleaf(before he passed away of a random brain aneurysm when Sprout was but an 8 year old colt; what a day that was), had taught him all his life. If somepony is giving you shit, friendly or maliciously, NEVER let them see that they get to you. Just let it go and ignore it.

That’s what he’s done all his life, and that’s what he’s gonna do now. If his new coworkers treat him like shit, call him names(behind his back or to his face), or try to fuck with him on the job, then he’d bottle it all up. Keep it inside.

He also wasn’t gonna snitch either. That’d make ponies hate him more. So, just deal with it.

As he approached his mother’s factory, he put his hard hat back on his head, and proceeded to finish his shift for the day.

-/-Maretime Bay Beach-/-

Hitch was the Sheriff of Maretime Bay. Had been for a while now. And by all accounts, he was a damn good one. Everypony would agree to that. Not to mention, one of the five heroes of Equestria to bring magic back. Also, helping in uniting the pony races was one of the things that made Hitch a hero.

But, what truly made Hitch a great Sheriff, was that he would always be there for anypony in need. Whether it be a thief stealing something from somepony, a missing foal, or even a small complaint about too much noise in an apartment complex, he would take it and help out to the best of his abilities. Because he LOVED it. He truly loved being the Sheriff of Maretime Bay.

However, even the Sheriff of Maretime Bay had not done things like this. Yeah, he helped save Sunny and his friends from his ex-deputy, Sprout Cloverleaf, and his giant machine of doom. But, despite the wreckage of Sunny’s lighthouse, no pony was ACTUALLY hurt or even died.

Here, a young mare was found dead. On the beach, one of the most attractive tour spots in all of Maretime Bay.

Murdered.

As he heard Zipp Storm vomit a few feet away from him, as well as every pony who followed them down to the beach watched from a distance(Hitch told them to stay back, as this was now a crime scene), all Hitch could do was just stare. Stare down at the victim.

He had NEVER done anything like this before. He had never solved a homicide investigation. This truly was a first time in the life of the Sheriff of Maretime Bay.

Now, on one hoof, Hitch felt, somewhat ashamedly, very excited. Deep down, there was a part of him that always wanted to solve bigger cases then the small stuff he had been doing for a while now. He remembered all the crime dramas, which did contain murder, rape, foal molestation, and all sorts of heinous, unforgivable crimes, that he watched growing up with Sunny and Sprout. Watching said crime dramas, he knew INSTANTLY that that was what he wanted to be. And he did.

However, on the other hoof, he also thought of the victims here. He hadn’t started on her yet, and therefore didn’t have an ID to identify her. But, as he looked down at this mare, he started to feel a lot of things.

Sympathy for Glory, Seashell and Peach Fizz for finding this horrible discovery, and at such a young age. No pony that age should be witnessed to something like this. They may have lost a part of their innocence today.

Sadness for the victim. This poor mare, who looked fairly young, about 23 years old, had her life taken away from her by some evil, psychopathic creature. Why was anypony’s guess right now, but Hitch felt it just gave the suspect a sick, twisted pleasure. An excitement. This mare was too young to die.

Anger for the suspect. What did this mare do to make whoever did this brutalize her to this extent? What did she do to deserve this? What kind of heartless pony could do this to another pony?

Hitch closed his eyes and took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down a little bit. He was successful in not losing his lunch. Or his breakfast either.

He looked back down at the mare and started to get to work. The mare laying on her right side. He gently moved her on her back.

He had gloves on and his chemistry kit in a bag he always carried around. The first thing he noticed was there were hoof marks on the mares neck. Big ones at that. Was she strangled to death by a pony’s bare hooves? Was that the cause of death?

Next, he looked at her face. Her left eye was swollen shut. Her nose appeared to be broken. There were even some bruises on her ears as well.

It was very clear to Hitch that this was a sign of pure, unadulterated rage. Whoever did this, showed ABSOLUTELY no mercy on this poor mare.

He then noticed a small red line near her muzzle. It looked like dried blood. Now he felt he really would throw up. Because he knew he had to do it.

Slowly and gently, he proceeded to pry the mare’s mouth open with his gloved hooves. The smell of decay, which wasn’t that long, permeated out of her mouth and went through Hitch’s nostrils.

The smell was unbearable. But, he wouldn’t throw up. He refused to throw up.

Don’t throw up, Hitch. Don’t throw up. Whatever you do, don’t throw up. Come on, Man.

He was yelling at himself in his head. He was starting to feel his lunch come up. He tried so hard to keep it down.

“You okay, Hitch?” He heard a voice ask him, turning his head toward that direction.

It was Zipp. She looked nauseous. There was still a look of uncomfortableness in the way she looked. She shivered a little from the vomiting earlier.

All of a sudden, Hitch didn’t feel like he had to throw up anymore. He was able to keep his lunch down, thanks to Zipp’s interruption.

Hitch gave her a sad look. “I should be asking you that.”

“I’ll be okay. I’ve just…never seen a dead body before. It’s my first time, ya know.” She said, looking away from the dead mare in discomfort.

“I know.” Hitch said. “Mine too.”

The two smiled a warm smile at each other for a brief second before Hitch continued to get back to the mare.

He looked back into her mouth. He saw there was blood and fur in it. And a huge chunk of fur at that. However, what surprised Hitch about the fur was that it wasn’t the same color as the mare’s coat.

This mare was an earth pony, who had a light yellow coat and a dark purple mane. The fur in this mare’s mouth was red. A darker shade of red.

“The mare bit the pony who attacked and killed her. She bit him HARD.” Hitch said, emphasizing the hard part.

Zipp shivered. “At least she went out fighting, right?”

“Yeah.” Hitch muttered. He closed her mouth.

He looked over her torso area. There only appeared to be one huge hoof mark near her stomach. The do’er punched the mare in the stomach. Possibly to cut her off if she started it fight back.

He tilted her on her left side to look at her back. There did appear to be markings there too. Thought, these weren’t hoof marks. They looked more so like marks from being pinned up against something. Like a stove or a wall.

“The suspect had her pinned against something.” Hitch said.

Before he could lower her back down, he heard Zipp gasp, and then let out a whimper.

Now THAT surprised him. In all the times he’s known Zipp Storm, she was always so brave, brash, fearless and ready to take on anything. So, hearing this was out of the norm for him.

He turned back to face her. “Zipp, what’s wrong?”

“I just saw some blood drip down her legs when you tilted her.” She said, with fear in her voice.

Hitch couldn’t say anything. Blood near her legs? That means….

Oh no.

“Zipp, maybe you should look away. I’ll look.” He told her, trying to console her as well.

She couldn’t answer. She didn’t know what to say in this instance. What was she even supposed to say?

Hitch took another deep breath. He went toward her legs. He REALLY didn’t want to check there. But he had too.

So, he slowly, but surely, opened her legs. Revealing her marehood.

“Oh God!” Hitch loudly exclaimed, horrified at the sight he saw.

Before he was able to keep his lunch down, pretty well. But now, after seeing this awful discovery, he couldn’t anymore. Hitch then walked a few steps away and proceeded to lose his lunch.

While he was doing that, Zipp decided she NEEDED to see. She just had to. She knew it must be that bad, due to Hitch’s reaction, but it had to be done.

So, she walked over to the open legs and looked at the marehood. And when she did, she didn’t lose her lunch, but she started to openly cry. Just weep at what this poor mare had went through, before she was finished off.

The victim’s marehood was cut to ribbons. Viscous stab wounds all over. The wounds hadn’t exactly closed, even with most of the blood around her legs were now dry. Her marehood still bled.

It was as clear as day to both Hitch and Zipp: This mare was raped with a knife.

Both Zipp and Hitch walked up the beach and back into the town square. Where every pony was waiting for them. Hitch had called for the ME’s to take the mares body and bring it to the morgue for any DNA testing. Hopefully, they find something soon. As well, hopefully they could find an ID to find out the poor mares name.

Hitch walked with huge discomfort after losing his lunch, like he did NOT want to do, while Zipp still had tears in her eyes, wiping them away. Though, anypony could tell she had just gotten done crying, with her puffy cheeks, stuffy nose, and red eyes.

As they made it back into town, every pony who followed them earlier and were told to stay back, had came up to them and bombarded them with questions. Asking what was found, who the mare was, things like that. It was like they were reporters without cameras.

While all that was going on, Zipp looked over at a nearby picnic table where her younger sister and her fans, her Pippsqueaks, were sitting at. Though, there wasn’t any giggles or happiness or excitement on the three fillies’ faces. They all still looked as terrified as ever when they told them about their discovery.

As Zipp walked over toward them, it was then that Pipp looked over at her older sister as well. She saw the look on Zipp’s face. She was shocked. She had not seen her like that in a long time. Not since their father’s funeral back when they were just little fillies. The same age as her little Pippsqueaks.

She got up and, with a very concerned tone in her voice, asked Zipp, “Hey, are you okay? What happened? What’s going on?”

Zipp thought her crying fit was over when they left the dead mare. But, hearing her baby sister sound THIS concerned and worried about her, she couldn’t hold back again.

She grabbed her sister and hugged her. Hugged her tight, and just bawled. Bawled her eyes out.

Pipp was again surprised at Zipp’s outburst. Again, not since their father’s funeral has she seen Zipp cry this much. It was almost unsettling. What had she seen to make her act like this?

But, she gave in and comfortingly wrapped her forelegs around her big sis.

“It’s okay. It’s okay. You’re okay.” Pipp softly and quietly said, consoling Zipp as best she could. All Zipp could do was just cry.

Pipp didn’t see her Pippsqueaks, because her back was turned, but the three fillies stared to cry again too.

Hitch witnessed all of what he just saw. Seeing Zipp break down in tears was just gut wrenching. Heartbreaking. Even the residents of Maretime Bay looked on in sympathy, some with tears in their eyes as well, as they looked on at the Royal Sisters hugging each other, while one cried her eyes out.

At that moment, he knew that Maretime Bay wasn’t gonna be the same again for the next while. Hell, Maretime Bay may never be the same again. And he was just getting started on this case.

Chapter 3: Interviewing Pippsqueaks

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 4: Pizza & Conversations

Author's Note

First off, I hope you all are enjoying this story so far. I know I’m enjoying writing it.

Secondly, I’m going to warn you that Reader Discretion is Advised. There will be some topics in this Chapter that will be triggering for some people. So, fair warning before you give a read.

Anyway, if you enjoy this chapter, hit that like button, leave a comment, and favorite and follow for future updates. Thanks, and have a nice day every pony.

Chapter 4: Pizza & Conversations

“Well, another day goes by.” Sprout Cloverleaf muttered to himself, walking down the streets of Maretime Bay toward his home. Which, technically wasn’t his, it was his mother, Phyllis’. He was lucky his mother still allowed him to live with her. Especially after his little incident when he became the dictator he became.

Due to all the stuff he did as “Emperor”, her being involved with him in ANY way would’ve ruined her reputation at work. She COULD have kicked him out of her house. She COULD have told him to find a job himself. Hell, his favorite pizza place, The Firepit Pizza, would’ve hired him in an instant, seeing as how he was one of the top regulars there. At least they still liked him.

However, Phyllis wasn’t as cold hearted as a lot of ponies made her out to be. Yes, she was angry AND disappointed in her son’s actions, no doubt. And she ABSOLUTELY gave him an earful about it.

But, after the yelling and the grounding, she ACTUALLY sat him down and TALKED with him about his actions and WHY what he did was wrong, she gave him an offer. Well, not so much an offer, as it was this is all I can give you and if you don’t take it, I won’t be able to help you. So, really, what choice did he have?

She gave him a job at her factory. Manual labor. And she made him apologize to the ponies of Maretime Bay(Yes, Unicorn and Pegasi included) that he terrorized with his giant machine of doom, help clean up the mess he made with Sunny’s lighthouse home, and pay for the damages of some of the other parts of town as well.

Above all, she did this because she LOVED her son. She LOVED the hell out of him. And, sometimes, you NEEDED to show a little tough love on your child. Make them see the consequences of their actions. Make them know WHY what they did was wrong.

Sprout knew this now. After all the things he did, he knew what he did was wrong. His mother made that very clear to him. He knew he was stupid.

He knew now it was stupid of him to ACTUALLY think he was as good as Hitch. He knew he would NEVER be as good a Sheriff as Hitch. He would NEVER be as likeable as Hitch. Whether it be with the mares or just ponies in general, it didn’t matter. Every pony HATES him, and every pony LOVES Hitch. That’s how it is. That’s how it always will be.

Hell, he knew Hitch hated him now. After he was terminated from his deputy job, he knew he cost himself his two only friends he ever had. The only two ponies that ever accepted him for who he was. The only ponies, besides his mother, who gave his life some damn meaning.

Now, they were gone from his life. And he knew his mother would ask him a few times if he ever tried talking to them, but why bother? All there would be was them screaming at him and asking him what the hell was he thinking. But, most of all, why? Why did he do it?

And, honestly, even he didn’t know. He was SO desperate to prove himself that he, pretty much, wasn’t thinking rationally at that time. All he wanted was to make ponies see him as just as great as Hitch, if not better. To see him as a more worthy pony to be Sheriff.

But, what would be worse of all, was if he heard Hitch and Sunny say they hated him.

After all the years of them growing up together, all the sleepovers, the hangouts, the days in school, everything else, only for them to tell him they hated him now, and had NEW friends to replace him?

That would be the moment that Sprout knew he would do it.

He OBVIOUSLY never talked with his mother about this, but recently he HAD been thinking about it. He HAD thought about what they would think if he did it. Would they feel happy? Sad? Angry? Confused?

He HONESTLY didn’t know how ANYPONY would feel if he decided to take his own life.

As scary as it sounds, and even HE was scared thinking about it too, he had been contemplating suicide recently. And, really, was it surprising to think that?

He lost his job, he lost his friends, he was working a job where mostly every pony HATED him and treated him like shit, he lost his self esteem, his confidence, his approval of his mother, he lost, at least that’s what he felt, pretty much everything.

Really, the only ponies who still liked him and still treated him decently, were the Firepit Pizza employees. Especially the owner and his family. They LOVED when Sprout came in and ordered a pizza. They knew the kind he liked on memory alone.

Speaking of pizza, he decided to stop in, sit down and have one. After all, he had another shitty day at work, his mother wasn’t home right now, so why not? And at least there would be some conversation.

So, he turned in that direction he knew very well, and headed to The Firepit Pizza.

“Sprout! My boy, how you been?!” The owner named Vinny exclaimed, happy to see one of his best regulars, if not his absolute best. He was currently behind the cash register, counting the money he and his family made today. The stallion was old, around his early to mid 60’s, and had a pizza cutie mark. His black mane was thinning now, and on the verge of going completely bald. His tail was the same color. His coat color was powder white, which looked to be kinda of fading a little bit. Just showed that Father Time does eventually catch up with ponies.

Sprout put on a smile when he saw him. He felt like these guys were a second family to him. He’d come to this place for damn near a decade and a half now. Every since he was a foal, he loved coming here. Everything about this place just screamed nostalgia to him.

The décor, the smell, the service, the familiar faces, the drinks, everything. It’s what made Sprout love this place.

“I’m okay, Vinny. How about you?” He said in a friendly manner. Or as friendly as he tried to make it out to be.

“Eh, well minus the arthritis being a pain in my ass, I guess I’m alright. So, you here for the usual?” He asked.

Sprout nodded. “Yep. And, since I’ve still got time, I’m gonna dine in.”

“HA!” Vinny happily replied. “You usually get your pizza to go. This is a first. Any occasion I outta know about, boy?”

Sprout knew what he wanted. But, he didn’t know if he should tell them all the things he was feeling the past long while. He didn’t want to worry them.

Before he could answer, however, he heard a feminine voice he knew very well coming from the kitchen. The voice belonged to a mare who was about Vinny’s age, maybe a year or two younger. She had a pine green coat color with a turquoise colored tail and mane, which was about shoulder length and had a widow’s peak to it. Her cutie mark was a pizza cutter.

“Well, hello Sprout, sweetie pie. How’ve you been, lately?” She asked in a super sweet, and almost motherly tone, enveloping him into a hug. She was wearing a red apron, which now had flour all over it, which got onto Sprout a little bit(but he didn’t mind). Seemed she had just gotten done with an order.

Sprout hugged her back with a smile. “Hi Bella. I’m doing okay, I guess. How bout you?” He asked her.

She gave an exaggerated eye roll. “Ugh, today was just aggravating as ever, sweetheart. Where do I even start?” She asked, looking dramatic in a funny way.

“Well, before you do, honey, Sprout here wants to order.” Vinny told his wife of 45 years.

“The usual, correct?” Bella asked, not needing to write it down on a notepad.

Sprout gave a nod. “Yep. Only this time, I’m gonna dine in.” He said.

Bella looked surprised. “No kidding, eh? What’s the occasion? You usually get it to go.”

“That’s what I said just now.” Vinny said, clarifying his statement.

Sprout only told his mother this one time, but he felt that Bella and Vinny were like a second family to him. He remembered when he first started coming here when he was 10 years old. After his mother convinced him on how good the pizza here was, he decided to give it a shot.

Truth be told, he was a little shy meeting them the first time. Phyllis knew them, and she introduced her little boy to them. However, after a little conversation, he open up to them a little bit. Then, after months and months, years and years of service, he felt he could trust them with any problems he had.

One of the biggest problems he ever had, when he was 12, was when he got in trouble at school one day for shoving a filly to the ground. And very hard. Causing her to cry and go to the principal.

His reason was for her constantly making fun of his blonde mane. She said it looked like an ugly fashion model’s mane. That was enough for him on that.

After his mother scolded him heavily for hurting that filly(and grounding him for a week), he bumped into both of them while him and his mother were in town, doing some grocery shopping. Noticing him looking as bummed as ever, they both asked what was wrong.

And when he told them, Vinny(kind of in a way where an Uncle would give advice to his nephew or niece), he put his arm on his shoulder and told him what was up.

“Look, kiddo, I get it. It’s not nice to make fun of somepony’s features. Unless, you know it’s being done in a friendly way, like with that little friend of yours. Hitch.” He said.

Sprout, even if he didn’t want to admit it, did feel kind of guilty for what he did. He didn’t mean to hurt the filly. He just got mad and was tired of her hurtful comments.

“But, it ain’t right for a colt to put his hooves on a filly. Even if they do deserve it, and I’ll admit, sometimes I feel some stallions are a little justified in it. However, it’s still wrong. Colts are physically stronger than fillies. If you actually hit her, ponies would think you was weak. You aren’t weak, are you little dude?” Vinny asked him.

Sprout shook his head no. Though, nowadays, even if he’s never laid his hooves on a filly or a mare, he felt weak on his courage levels. He felt like a coward sometimes.

“Good. Then, when you go back to school tomorrow, even if it hurts to do it, you apologize to her. Cause that’s what’s called being a man. Owning up to a mistake. And trust me kiddo, I’ve made plenty.” He said, patting him on his back.

Sprout agreed to apologize to the filly tomorrow. He did, and Vinny was right. It felt shitty to it. But, at least his grounding was over early. Little did Sprout know that that very filly only made fun of him, because she had a crush on him. Though, that probably went away after he shoved her hard to the ground.

So, Sprout decided, he was gonna be honest with them about why he was gonna dine in tonight, instead of getting it to go like he usually does.

He gave a sad sigh while rubbing his foreleg. This didn’t go unnoticed by Bella and Vinny.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Why so glum, sweetheart?” Bella asked, looking worried for her friend.

“Well” Sprout struggled to say. “I guess I just need somepony to talk to. And since my Mom is away in Bridlewood right now, I figured I’d go to the two ponies who actually still talk to me. Who still like me.” He said in kind of a depressing way.

That made Bella and Vinny look really sad. They knew about Sprout’s new job at his mother’s factory. From the look on his face, it appears that he hates everything about it. They would’ve offered him a job in an instant. But, Sprout wanted to prove to other ponies that he was a changed stallion. And, if it meant working at a job he hated, so be it. Even so, it hurt them to see somepony they’ve known since he was a little colt look so down in the dumps.

“Say no more, honey. I’ll get started on it. You just sit down with Vinny over here and tell us ALL about what’s bugging you.” Bella said in a very sweet tone before heading back into the kitchen.

Sprout looked over at Vinny, who offered him a seat next to him. He accepted the offer and sat next to his longtime friend. Admittedly, he felt nervous, and a bit uncomfortable as well. But, he already made his choice. He had to do it.

“So, Sprout, tell your Uncle Vinny what’s got you all sad and stuff?” Vinny said, while taking out a prescription bottle. It was for his arthritis. He dry swallowed it right there, kinda making Sprout cringe a little bit. He should have taken it with water.

Sprout then took a breath before telling all.

“Well, Vinny, first off, before I say anything, I just wanna thank you for sticking by me. Every pony in town probably hates me. But, you and Bella are still here for me, even when my Mom is away. So, thank you.” Sprout said with an appreciative smile.

Vinny returned that very smile, while putting a hoof on Sprout’s shoulder. “Hey, come on kid. You’re like another son to me. You’re like family to me. Sometimes, family members screws up. Depending on the nature of said screw up, I will always stand by my family. And I will always stand by you, kid.” He wisely told him.

Sprout almost choked up right there. He was lucky to have a great stallion on his side like Vinny here. And even calling him family no less.

That made Sprout remember something. “Hey, speaking of sons, how’re your kids doing?” He excitingly asked.

“Oh, they’re great. My eldest boy, Leo, is gonna have his second child in a few months. Me and Bella look very forward to our future grand baby.” Vinny said very proudly.

“And Tony is looking forward to meeting his baby sister.” Bella said from the kitchen very loudly.

Sprout gave a warm smile. “That’s great you guys. Tell him I said congratulations, okay?”

Vinny nodded happily. “I will. Now, what was it you wanted to talk about, Sprout?” He asked, now getting down to business.

”Well, here I go.” Sprout said internally.

“It’s about Hitch. And Sunny. And their new friends. And, pretty much, every pony I terrorized during my little reign of terror.” He admitted ashamedly.

Vinny was silent for a minute. He did have a feeling THAT would be on his mind for a long time now. And after everything he heard Sprout had went through afterwards, whether it be from townsfolk or Phyllis herself, he knew that Sprout must be living in some type of hell.

“Go on.” He said.

Sprout sighed. “The only time I’ve spoken with them was during the whole giant berry fiasco not too long ago. But, that was just a quick statement. Other than that though, ever since I destroyed Sunny’s lighthouse, I haven’t had a single conversation with them.” He said, looking regretful of what he did.

“Mhmm. What else?” Vinny prodded him to move on.

“A couple weeks ago, one of Sunny’s new friends, her name is Izzy I think, she ACTUALLY said Hi to me. And I’m starting to now think it was genuine.” Sprout said, his mind taking him back to that day.

“What happened on that day?” Vinny asked him like how a therapist would.

“I told her if she was gonna shit talk me like every pony else, then do it behind my back for all I care. At the time, I thought she was just trying to screw with me. But, she really looked hurt when I said that. And right before I clocked into work, I heard her say something to me. It’s been on my mind ever since.” Sprout confessed.

“What did she say?” Vinny asked. At this point, he heard the oven door open. He knew now that Bella had just put Sprout’s pizza in.

As Bella came out of the kitchen and put her apron on the hook next to it’s entrance, Sprout told Vinny what Izzy said to him.

“She said I just wanna be your friend. Then she walked off, looking sad.” He said, looking as guilty as ever. He never thought he’d feel like this before. And it felt uncomfortable, but worthy to vent it.

“Did she?” Vinny asked.

“Yeah. I don’t know why I’m feeling this now. But, after that, it’s made me think about Sunny and Hitch too.” Sprout said, as Bella took a seat next to her husband.

“How so?” Vinny asked, taking Bella’s hoof in his own, and kissing it. Bella smiled warmly at the love of her life.

Sprout sniffled a little bit, not letting any tears out of his eyes. Bella rubbed his shoulder for comfort.

“I’m so ashamed of myself. I was so determined and, frankly obsessed, with trying to be better than Hitch, that I didn’t think rationally. Or with basic logic. I mean, I built a war machine of doom for Celestia’s sake. That’s not something I’d call normal.” He said.

“I know, honey.” Bella said very soothingly.

“But, worst of all, I feel like I cost myself my only two friends. It’s one thing if I lost my job and made townsfolk not like me, but losing Hitch and Sunny would’ve…” Sprout trailed off. He didn’t know if he should tell them this. He hasn’t even told Phyllis about it even.

“Would’ve what, Sprout?” Vinny asked. Bella looked a little concerned.

Sprout knew Vinny wouldn’t let him leave until he finished that sentence. So, with whatever would happen next, he told them.

“…would’ve made me contemplate suicide.” Sprout said, now allowing the tears in his eyes to fall.

He hated himself. He hated who he was. He hates who he is now. He so DESPERATELY wished he was somepony else. He WANTED to be a new pony altogether. He wished he could leave Sprout Cloverleaf behind entirely.

But he couldn’t. It was impossible.

Bella and Vinny were silent for about a minute, which felt like an hour to Sprout, before Vinny uttered this statement to him.

“How Dare You.” He told him in a disappointing tone of voice.

Sprout couldn’t look Vinny in the eye. He felt too ashamed to do so.

“How Dare You feel like that. Do you have any idea what kind of pain you’d cause your Mama? Us?” Vinny angrily asked, though not raising his voice at all.

Sprout continued to have his head down in shame. More tears started to fall down his face.

“I never thought somepony I considered a son would think something very fucking selfish.”

Sprout looked back up at Vinny and saw the cross, unhappy look on his face. He knew that he wasn’t bullshitting him. Bella though, she just looked hurt. Hurt that somepony she’s known all her life would ever even consider something as terrible as that.

“Have you even TRIED to talk with Hitch and Sunny? Or their new friends? Have you?” Vinny asked, his voice raising a little bit.

Sprout remained silent for a little bit before he answered, “No.”

“Why? Why haven’t you at least tried?” Vinny asked him with a frown on his face.

“I’m, well…I’m…” Sprout struggled to get out. He didn’t want to admit it. He was so desperate to NOT admit it to himself. He wanted to be strong. He wanted to never let others see that it got to him.

“What, Sprout?” Vinny asked, almost shouting at him now. Though, his voice reminded low.

“I’m afraid, alright?” Sprout admitted.

He felt two things happen at once. One was like a stab to his soul. He always had this way of never letting ponies see that they got to him. He always had a way of just bottling up his emotions. Never letting anypony in.

However, he also felt a new emotion as well: Relief. He had been holding in all these thoughts and emotions for so long, it was eating him alive from the inside. Like maggots eating away at a decaying corpse.

It was here that Sprout realized it was almost impossible to constantly never let ponies see that they get to you. Because the truth is, it DID get to him. His past actions, Sunny & Hitch, his job, everything. It DID get to him. It DID make him feel things.

Again, Bella and Vinny were silent for a minute before Bella spoke up.

“What exactly are you afraid of?” She asked him.

Sprout knew this felt difficult, but he HAD to continue.

“I’m afraid they’ll tell me they hate me and never wanna see me again. That they have new friends who are better then me. That they don’t need me or want me anymore. I’m afraid to..” Sprout choked up again. Though, this time, there was a clear son in that choke. He couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“I’m afraid I’ll lose even more then I’ve already lost.” He said, now breaking down crying.

Bella looked on with sympathy at her friend, while Vinny just stared. No emotion or reaction. Just a stare as Sprout continued to cry his eyes out.

“Listen to me, Sprout.” Vinny said in a slightly intimidating voice. That caused Sprout to look at him, with the tears still fresh in his eyes.

“I can understand if you’re feeling down in the dumps. I can also get why you feel the way you feel about your two old friends. I know you’re remorseful about all that happened. I can get why you’re feeling scared about the possibility of rejection.” He said, causing Sprout to feel more bad about himself.

Then, Vinny put his hoof back on Sprout’s shoulder, who quickly wiped away the tears on his face.

“But let me remind you of something: Do you remember back when you were a little colt? And you got in trouble at school for knocking that filly on her ass?” He asked him.

Sprout nodded his head yes. He certainly did. It was a memory he’d rather forget, if he was being honest.

“And do you remember when I told you that apologizing for your mistake, even if it hurts to do so, is the right thing to do? And how that’s how you be a man, right?” Vinny asked, making Sprout remember again, making him nod.

“Well, there’s something else about being a real man as well. You wanna know it is?” He asked, again making Sprout nod his head.

“It’s not about proving yourself in a fight. It’s not about being macho and tough, because let’s face it, most tough guys can be little snowflakes when somepony insults them and they make a big deal about it.” Vinny ranted at those types of stallions. And he was right about it. He’d certain seen different types before.

“What makes a real man, is putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation that you KNOW you don’t want to be in, but you do it anyway for the greater good. Meaning, facing your fears. You KNOW you’re scared, but you know that if you don’t face them, you’ll never get over it. And they’ll control you for the rest of your life. What makes a real man, and this is the biggest thing no pony ever wants to do, is admit when he’s wrong. THAT is what makes a real man.” Vinny told his longtime friend.

Sprout listened to every word Vinny said. He never thought about it that way. He, admittedly, thought that physical toughness was what ponies thought of when the term “real man” came up. Whether it be doing “manly” activities or beating ponies up in a fight, that’s what he always thought was what made a “real man.”

Boy, how stupid and wrong did he feel now.

“Sprout, if you wanna be a real man, then tomorrow, if you happen to bump into this Izzy, then apologize to her. Tell her the truth. Tell her, you were frustrated, you thought she was trying to fuck with you, and you now realize she was being sincere. And that it wasn’t right for you to act that way. THAT is called being the bigger man.” Vinny explained to him.

Sprout knew at that moment that Vinny was right. He needed to apologize to Izzy. What he said to her was just rude and uncalled for.

In fact, he didn’t just NEED to. He WANTED to. He WANTED to make things right with Izzy.

However…what about……

“What about Sunny and Hitch though? And their friends?” He asked Vinny.

“Same thing. Just dig down deep and whenever you bump into them again, just apologize like a real man. Hell, you may wanna talk it over with a drink or something. After your whole giant machine of doom fiasco, it’ll take more than just an apology. It’ll take an explanation as to WHY you feel you were wrong. And that you’d do anything to make it up to them.” Vinny said.

Bella just smiled in admiration at her husband’s wisdom. He was such a wise and humble stallion. It was no wonder she fell in love with him 48 years ago.

“I love you.” She said to him. He smiled, nuzzled her and returned an “I love you” to her as well.

Sprout looked happy for the couple. 45 years of marriage was quite an accomplishment.

However, Sprout still had one more question for Vinny and Bella.

“What if they all DO hate me though?” He asked, sounding worried.

“Honestly, I seriously doubt they would. I don’t see Hitch or Sunny throwing away all those years of friendship down the drain for a mistake that you feel terrible for. But, if it IS that way, then maybe they never really WERE friends with you to begin with. And I know that’ll be a tough pill to swallow, but that’s another thing about being a real man too: accepting his fate. Even if it’s one he doesn’t like. And we’re here for you, Sprout. No matter what. So, whatever happens, please come to us. Okay?” Vinny said, finishing his words of wisdom.

Sprout felt tears of happiness, in a sense, after hearing Vinny’s words. He was happy that these two truly cared about him. Even after his fuck up, they still treated him like family. Like another son. He was truly greatful for them.

His sniffles could be heard from them. “Thanks you guys. I really needed that. And I’m sorry if I scared you about the whole suicide thing. This has just been eating me up inside all this time. I’m glad to have you guys as a family.” He said emotionally.

Bella smiled with tears in her eyes. “Blood or not, you’re family no matter what, sweetie.” She said, wrapping her hooves around him. Sprout hugged her back. And even Vinny joined as well, forming a big group hug.

Then, they all heard the timer in the kitchen go off with a DING.

“Oh, your pizza is ready, Sprout.” Bella raced into the kitchen to get it out of the oven.

Sprout felt his mouth watering at the smell of the delicious food coming out. Just like when he was a colt. He couldn’t wait to dig in.

Then, on a nice sized pizza pan, hot, fresh, and ready to eat, came the pizza that Sprout eagerly awaited.

Just like he usually gets: Pepperoni and Mushrooms. Just the way he loves it.

“Oh, yes. Thank you. This looks so good.” Sprout said to Bella.

She chuckled at the compliment. “No problem at all, sweetie. Now, you go ahead and dig in.” She said very sweetly.

As Sprout was about to do just that, he thought of an idea.

“Actually, why don’t I share it with you guys?”

Bella and Vinny looked surprised. They didn’t expect that from him.

“B-But Sprout, that’s YOUR pizza.” Vinny said.

Sprout embarrassingly rubbed the back of his head. “Yeah, but since you guys have heard me out and everything, I figured maybe I could do the same to you guys.” He said.

Bella’s eyebrow raised. “What do you mean, sweetie?” She asked.

Sprout looked at Bella. “You did say earlier that you had an aggravating day, and where to start, right?” He asked her.

Bella started to get interested in where Sprout was going with this.

“So, why don’t you tell me about it, while we eat? I mean, even if it’s my pizza, YOU still cooked it, right?” Sprout asked.

Bella looked so appreciative, while Vinny had a cringey look on his face as he looked at Sprout.

“Uh, kid, are you sure? I mean, once she gets going, she may never stop. I mean, you know my little nickname I gave her, right?” He asked, causing Bella to give him an unamused look.

Sprout giggled. “Yeah. The Chatty One.”

“Exactly!” Vinny hilariously exclaimed.

Bella scoffed. “Well, excuse me, for being social, darling.” She said, pretending to look offended, even though she knew they were right. She was a motormouth indeed.

“Yeah, sure, sweetheart. Now sit down and tell Sprout here all about your day.” He said, inviting her to sit down again.

She smiled and did just that.

“Oh, jeepers. Where DO I start?” She asked herself out loud, causing Sprout to giggle again, while he ate a slice.

So, Bella then went on to talk about her day. First, the fryer for the fried clam shells mysteriously broke, so they couldn’t use for today. They’d need a repair guy to fix it and soon.

Second, there was a scare where Vinny almost fell over. Apparently, as he was walking, a little colt had accidentally knocked his drink onto the floor, causing Vinny to slip a little bit. Thankfully, another customer saw this and was very quick to catch him from falling and hurting himself even worse, because of his arthritis. The colt was very apologetic for it, but Vinny didn’t yell at him. He knew it was an accident.

Third, there was a drunk customer who came in and demanded a free mostaccioli meal. Bella would never serve customers who were under the influence of any substance, so she asked nicely for him to leave, but that customer wasn’t having any of it. So, he tried to lunge over the counter to get at her. Thankfully, Vinny had his cane that he sometimes uses to beat the shit out of the stallion and kick him out of the restaurant. They called Sheriff Hitch, and he quickly arrested him for domestic disturbance.

Fourth and last, at least for now, there was a customer that dined in, who unfortunately realized, after her meal, she didn’t bring enough bits. This could’ve ended badly, until a polite mare came up to her and paid for the rest of her meal. She thanked the mare for that. But what REALLY stood out to Bella, was when they left together. It kind of looked like a little spark was there between them. Could a possible romance between the two mares happen? Possibly.

“So, yes, it was aggravating, but at least it all worked out in the end.” Bella said, eating a slice. There were only about 3 small square slices left. Sprout didn’t even know if he needed a to go box or not.

“I’ll bet it was.” Sprout said, taking one of the last slices and popping it in his mouth.

As he chewed his piece, he heard Vinny say something that caught him off guard.

“Not to mention what happened at the beach today.” He said, followed by a sigh through his nostrils.

Sprout stopped chewing for a moment and looked straight up at them. He swallowed down his food before he asked them.

“What do you mean? What happened at the beach?” He asked.

Bella and Vinny looked shocked at this question.

“You mean, you don’t know?” Vinny asked.

“No pony said anything to you?” Bella asked.

Sprout was now starting to get nervous. “No. What’s going on?” He asked them.

They both were silent before Vinny let out the horrifying news.

“Kid…there was a dead body found there, buried in the sand this afternoon.” Vinny said.

Sprout felt a lightning bolt of shock run through his system. “WHAT?!” He loudly asked.

Bella and Vinny then told Sprout everything they heard about from the news today. From the discovery of the body by three little fillies, to the town following Hitch and Zipp to the beach, to Zipp sobbing into her little sisters hooves. It was ugly to say the least.

Sprout looked as shook as ever. Now he knew what was going on with every pony in Maretime Bay. Especially with the three crying little fillies who ran past his break spot.

“This is crazy. I just don’t believe it.” Sprout said in disbelief. He’d seen a few small time crimes before, but never MURDER. This was something else entirely.

“Well, you better believe it now, kid. And, if I were you, I’d watch myself.” Vinny said.

“What do you mean?” Sprout asked.

“You, technically, are in the criminal database now. You’ve got a record. Some ponies MIGHT point the hoof at you because of that.”

Sprout’s eyes widened. “But why? I didn’t even know about this until now.” He said dramatically.

“I know. And if ANYTHING happens to you, come to us. Okay? We’ll help out as best we can.” Vinny said.

“You can count on it.” Bella said.

Sprout didn’t know what to think. This is the first he’s heard about a mare being found dead on the beach. Could ponies REALLY think he would be capable of something like this? Could Vinny be correct?

Sprout gulped. “I’ll keep that in mind. But, I doubt anything’s gonna happen. Because I didn’t do anything. I’ll be okay guys. Don’t worry to much.” He reassured them.

Bella and Vinny still looked a little worried. It could be possible that ponies would automatically think Sprout did it, simply because of his criminal record. Would the townsfolk REALLY do anything truly reprehensible?

Vinny nodded his head. “Yeah. Maybe you’re right.” He said.

Sprout smiled. “Thanks again for everything guys. I’m glad I got all this stuff off my chest. I can always count on you.” He said, getting up from his seat.

“No problem, kid.” Vinny smiled. “Have a good rest of your night.” He waved to his friend.

“And tell your Mama we said hello, okay?” Bella said.

“Will do. See ya later.” Sprout said, now leaving The Firepit Pizza.

He felt a lot of relief now. A good meal, a good conversation, and good advice from a wide stallion. A good night to finish off a bit so good day.

Although, Sprout still did feel a little shook after hearing the news about the murder. And the fact that ponies might think he had something to do with it, all because of his criminal record.

But, that wouldn’t happen, right? Especially, Hitch and Sunny. Even if they didn’t like him anymore, even they knew he wouldn’t be capable of something like this, right? He sure hoped so.

As he walked closer to home, he knew what he was gonna do tomorrow, if he saw her. He knew what he had to do.

He was gonna apologize to Izzy Moonbow. He would tell her the Celestia-Honest truth. Hopefully, she would listen to him.

Hopefully, she would forgive him.

Hopefully…maybe…possibly…she’d be his friend.

Hopefully.

Chapter 5: Emotions & Memories

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 6: A Name Revealed(Slight Update)

“Will I see her?”

Sprout Cloverleaf thought as he sat where he usually sat for his lunch breaks. Today, he was having some hay fries he cooked up early this morning before he headed out for work. Microwaveable fries suck. So, he got up early to cook them in the oven.

However, the only thing he could think of was if Izzy Moonbow would pass by him. He made up his mind on what he was gonna do. He knew what he HAD to do.

He was going to apologize to her. He was gonna do what Vinny told him to do. Swallow his pride, be a man, and apologize.

However, so far, he didn’t have much luck. He kept his eyes on the crowd, hopefully to see her, while eating his hay fries. Sadly, he was coming up empty. He almost gave up, until he heard a voice humming and singing to herself.

“Radadadada, dodadodedo” Sang Izzy Moonbow, walking down the street. In a convenient way, she was headed right past him. Lost in her thoughts. Her happy little thoughts.

She probably didn’t even notice Sprout sitting on the bench right in front of her.

Sprout saw her coming. He knew this was his chance. He was gonna do it.

As she walked toward his left, Sprout suddenly started to think again. What if she doesn’t want to talk to him? What if she’s still hurt by his comment? What if she’s mad at him for the whole giant machine of doom? What if—

Be a man and apologize, Sprout

He heard his friend Vinny say to him.

Sprout made his decision right there.

As Izzy was walking past him on his right, still lost in thought, he called out to her.

“H-Hey Izzy!” He called out loud enough.

This caused Izzy to stop in her tracks and look at the source of who was calling her. She saw a very familiar pony, sitting down on the bench next to her. Smiling nervously.

Izzy looked confused. The last time she tried to talk with him, he told her to just talk behind his back for all he cared. He even said it in a rude way. Why would he be calling out to her?

She looked to her left and right in confusion. No way he was talking to her. Right?

“Yeah. I said hey to you, Izzy.” Sprout said, looking a bit embarrassed.

“Really?” She asked, kind of looking happy to see him.

“Yes. Can you sit down with me?” He patted the empty part of the bench.

“Why?” She asked, raising her eyebrow.

He rubbed the back of his head, kinda bashfully. “I wanna tell you something. Something important.” He said, not looking her in the eye.

Izzy stood there for a few moments before making her decision.

“Okay.” She said cheerfully, before taking her seat in the empty part of the bench.

If Sprout felt nervous now, he felt it crank up to a level 11. Had this been a few years ago, he would’ve tucked tail and ran away, hopefully in the comforting arms of his mother.

Now, he was just nervous about the reaction she’d give him. The unknown.

“So, what’d you wanna talk about?” She asked with a smile on her face. Though it went away when Sprout started to look uncomfortable.

“What’s wrong?” She asked, ACTUALLY looking concerned.

Sprout took a deep breath. This was it. He was gonna do it. He NEEDED to do it. He had to do it.

“I want to apologize.” He blurted out. He turned away in shame.

That caught Izzy off guard a little bit. “For what?” She asked.

Sprout fidgeted with his hooves for a little bit before continuing. He had never felt so out of his comfort zone.

“Everything. For trying to hurt you with that stupid giant machine of doom. For hurting your feelings two weeks ago. For being afraid of you and all unicorns and pegasi. For being stupid. For not apologizing sooner than I should’ve.” He said all that without looking at her. He did then look into her eyes when he said this next sentence.

“I’m sorry for being me. A worthless coward.” He said with a look of sadness in his eyes. That statement was absolutely true. He wanted to be somepony else so damn badly. He hated what he saw in the mirror everyday.

Izzy saw the look of regret in his eyes. The sadness. The self loathing. The depression. She knew Sprout meant every word he was saying. Whenever somepony meant something, she always just had this ability to just KNOW. To know whether or not they were telling the truth or not.

Sprout was absolutely being sincere here. But, she also saw the bad things he felt about himself in him as well.

If there was one thing Sprout needed, it was a friend.

She saw him look at his phone. “Well, I’ve got about five minutes left. I better get back to work. That’s what I wanted to say, Izzy. I’m sorry. I understand if you don’t wanna be friends with me. No pony does anyway. And I accept that.” He said, putting his hard hat back on.

“See you around.” Sprout said, looking ashamed, as he started to walk back to his mother’s factory.

He didn’t get five steps in until he felt something wrap around his entire body. In a split second, he thought he was gonna get slammed down to the ground. But, he then realized who it was.

The very unicorn he apologized to was hugging him.

“Ohhhhhhh, Sprouty.” She said cheerfully, as she tightened her hug. Even lifting him off the ground a little bit.

Sprout was surprised by the force of the hug she gave. He didn’t expect the mare to have this much strength. It was kinda crazy to say the least.

Now, however, he started to feel really uncomfortable. Not in an emotional way, but in a physical way. Meaning, she was crushing him in two with this bear hug.

“Izzy…..I can’t breath….please put me down.” He said as loud as he could, despite losing his breath.

Thankfully, Izzy heard him and put him down with a giggle. Sprout was able to catch his breath pretty quickly. He was about to say something, before she spoke first.

“Of course I forgive you, Sprouty. I mean, with an apology like that, I’d be a big jerk to NOT accept it.” She said.

Sprout was surprised. Izzy actually…forgives him?

“You mean…you don’t hate me?” He asked.

“Of course not. I can’t hate anypony who’s a friend of Sunny’s.” She said, almost reassuring him.

However, when Sprout heard her say Sunny’s name, he went back to feeling ashamed again. Of course, Izzy noticed it.

“I don’t think Sunny considers me a friend anymore, Izzy. Not since I destroyed her home. Can’t say I blame her.” He said.

She saw how down Sprout was. She just hated seeing somepony…ANYPONY looking down. Even if it is Sprout. She could tell he regrets everything he did. She could tell everything was still weighing heavily on his mind.

No matter who, she felt all ponies deserve a second chance. Yes, even Sprout Cloverleaf.

Suddenly, an idea popped in her head. A lightbulb so to speak.

“I know! What if I ASK Sunny how she feels about you?” She asked excitedly.

Sprout froze in surprise and horror. “WHAT?!” He exclaimed.

“I’ll ask Sunny how she feels about you. Then, I’ll tell you how she feels. That way, you’ll know.” She said, now turning around and running toward the lighthouse.

“No! Izzy, wait—“ Sprout tried calling her to stop her, but it was too late. She was already half way up the road.

“BYE NEW FRIEND! IT WAS NICE TALKING TO YOU!” She shouted while running away.

Sprout just groaned in defeat. He apologized to Izzy, but now the naive mare turns it around by asking Sunny how she feels about him? He thought he would win here. He thought he would get all this shit off his mind.

Now, he has to worry about what Izzy was gonna say to Sunny. She’d probably tell Izzy that she hates him and never wants to see him again. That she can’t forgive him for destroying her home.

That she hates him.

As if Sprout’s depression wasn’t bad enough, now if he ACTUALLY heard that, it would get worse.

He sighed sadly as he walked back to work.

Zipp woke up. She found herself still at her computer desk. She guessed she must’ve pulled an all nighter trying to find the victim’s name. And where she was from.

Or, did she?

She looked toward the window and saw it was still dark out. How long had she been asleep? It felt longer than that.

She got up from her desk to take a look outside. Obviously, no pony would be out at this hour. They’d be in bed by now.

Except for the pony she saw right through the window.

The pony was standing about 10 feet away from the Sheriff’s office. Her back was turned toward her though. So, she couldn’t get a good look at her face. So, she thought she’d check out what was going on.

Zipp opened the front doors and walked toward the pony.

“Hey, who’re you, and what’re you doing out this late at night? Shouldn’t you—“

She stopped dead in her tracks when she got a little closer to the mare. She couldn’t move. Her hooves felt glued to the ground. She found it difficult to speak with the fear she felt in her heart. She DID recognize this mare.

It was the Jane Doe on the beach. But how?! This mare was supposed to be dead. Her and Hitch found her body. With the injuries she suffered, there’s no WAY she survived. So, how is she standing here?

The mare still had her back turned to Zipp. She couldn’t see her face. And honestly, she was afraid to. She had never felt fear like this before. Hell, she never experienced fear like this at all.

Then, with enough courage, she finally found her voice. Problem is, what do you say to a supposed dead mare.

“What-What h-h-happened to you?” Zipp stuttered, trying to get the words out.

After she asked that, her nerves rose up by 10 as she saw the supposed dead mare turn around. Very slowly.

Zipp was now face to face with the Jane Doe on the beach. She looked normal. Nothing on her face. No bruises. No marks. No blood. Nothing.

However, what was scaring her, was the completely blank look on the mare’s face. No emotion. No expression. Just a dead stare. It looked like one of those mannequins you’d see at a department store.

Zipp gulped in fear and spoke to the supposed dead mare again.

“I-Is there…s-s-something y-you wanna t-t-tell me?” She asked her. No answer. Not even a blink. It’s like she was staring into Zipp’s soul.

Zipp was about to ask the mare something else, before she thought she heard something. Off in the distance.

Shink-Shink-Shink

Zipp looked around to see where that sound was coming from. She turned away from the mare for a split second. However, when she turned back, she felt a shockwave course through her body.

The mare was still there. Only now, she saw the swollen black eye. The bruises on her neck. On her face. The blood trickle near her mouth.

Zipp just stood there. Frozen in shock and fear. But, if that wasn’t bad enough, what happened next would undoubtedly traumatize her even more.

The dead mare opened her mouth, only for the chunk of fur and blood to fall out. It just lay there on the ground in front of her.

Zipp felt sick to her stomach. She felt like vomiting, but she couldn’t.

Then she heard that sound again. Only this time, she heard it getting closer.

Shink-Shink-Shink-Shink-Shink

As the sounds got louder and louder, Zipp figured out what it was now. And it frightened her to no end.

It was the sound of a knife. A very sharp one at that. At it was getting closer and closer to them.

Zipp still felt herself unable to move. She tried but it felt like something was holding her there against her will.

She looked back at the supposed dead mare again. Her mouth was still open after spitting out the contents in her mouth. And there was another reason it was open as well.

“Help me.”

Zipp swore she felt her blood go icy cold after hearing that. The supposed dead mare….spoke?

“Please, help me.” The supposed dead mare said again, in a monotone voice that had some pleading to it.

“W-What—?” Zipp tried to ask her. However, before she could finish, that loud sound was getting closer and closer and closer and closer.

Then she saw it.

There was a large, shadowy black figure coming up behind the supposed dead mare. She couldn’t see a face. She couldn’t see a body. She couldn’t see any hooves. All she could see…was a large, sharp knife. It’s as if this shadowy figure was the Grim Reaper itself.

As it got closer, Zipp looked at the mare again, and her fear raised even higher at what she saw now.

The mare’s expression changed. Her mouth was wide open. So wide it could break her mandible and jaw completely off. Her head tilted a little bit upwards. Her eyes widened. So wide, she could see the complete top part of her sclera. Her mouth was shivering a little bit. She even made a bit of a moaning sound. Like she was breathing in a huge breath of air.

Zipp felt like she was looking at a demon from hell.

Then, the shadowy figure put the knife toward the mare’s neck. Was it threatening her? Was it threatening Zipp?

She tried to move to help this poor mare. However, she still couldn’t. She was helpless…powerless to stop this black figure.

As Zipp still struggled to get free, she heard the most horrifying sound come from the mare.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!! The mare let out a blood curling, and somewhat demonic scream. It was so loud, Zipp had to cover her ears to avoid any damage.

She still heard the screams of the mare, as she was powerless to stop the black figure from pulling her away to Celestia knows where.

She could still hear her screams. They got louder and louder and…

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!” Zipp screamed in terror, her head shooting up.

She looked around at her surroundings. She was at her computer desk again. She looked toward the window. She saw it was bright and early morning. She got up from her desk and looked out the window to get a closer look.

She saw several ponies outside walking. She saw the flower mare, Dahlia. The town grumpard Posey. She saw several earth pony, unicorn and pegasi in the town of Maretime Bay.

So, what she just witnessed was a dream. A bad dream. A nightmare.

Zipp felt chills. Her body was sweating profusely. She felt paranoid that the dead mare was watching her. And every move she made.

What the hell was that? That thing that took the dead mare away in her nightmare?

All of a sudden Zipp remembered something: she didn’t need to call the victim a Jane Doe anymore. After a few hours of searching, she FINALLY was able to ID the victim. She couldn’t wait to tell Hitch the good news.

Speaking of Hitch, she heard a knock at the door. At first, for a split second, she felt a huge chill run down her spine. Was it the dead mare she saw in her dreams? Was she coming to ask her for help? To keep her safe from that shadowy figure with the large knife?

She shook her head, bringing herself back to reality. The mare was dead. Dead ponies don’t walk around and talk to living ponies.

It was just a dream. Nothing more, nothing less.

The door opened and in walked her little sister, Pipp Petals.

“Zipp! What the heck? You didn’t come home last night. You didn’t answer my calls or respond to my texts. I was worried about you.” She said, scolding her older sister.

Zipp looked confused for a moment and took a look at her phone. Low and behold, there were a few missed calls and missed texts from Pipp.

One of the texts said:

Zipp, where r u? We’re starting 2 get 😟 Please come back

Zipp gave an embarrassed look. She must’ve been so focused on finding the ID for the Jane Doe, she must’ve not been paying attention to her phone. Now she felt a little bad for worrying her sister that much.

Pipp still looked mad, but now she gave a look of concern for Zipp.

“Did you pull an all-nighter? Because, you look like you’ve been up all night.” She said, looking over her sweaty body and disheveled mane.

Zipp decided to tell a little white lie. Yes, she did pull an all-nighter, but the reason, probably, for her looking like this, was the nightmare she had. She didn’t want Pipp worrying about her even more. So, that’s what she did.

“Uh, yeah. I’ve just been up all night. Sorry if I worried you, Pipp. I should’ve responded to you.” She said, looking guilty.

Pipp just shook her head in disappointment at her. “So, did you find out who the mare is?” She asked.

Right before Zipp could answer, the front door opened again. This time, it WAS Hitch Trailblazer. With a cup of coffee in his hooves. He didn’t necessarily get hammered last night, but he did wake up with a slight headache. Keyword being slight.

“Morning, you two.” He said, kinda looking tired.

Zipp giggled. “You had too much last night, Sheriff?” She jokingly asked.

Hitch waited a couple seconds before answering, “You could say that.”

However, that wasn’t the truth. The reason he didn’t get much sleep last night is because of Tap Shot’s words to him about his ex-deputy, Sprout Cloverleaf. The questions she asked still buzzed around inside his head like an angry wasp. The more he thought about him, the more it made his head hurt.

“Oh!” Zipp said, getting his attention. “Good news, Hitch. I was able to ID the Victim. And you were right.”

Hitch looked surprised to hear that. She must’ve pulled an all-nighter, due to her determined look and disheveled mane. She worked her ass off last night.

Zipp took her paperwork she from her desk and brought it over to Hitch.

“I looked through both the databases of Trotville and Clopton. It took a little bit, but I was able to find THIS mare here. Positive ID of our victim.” Zipp showed him the photo.

The mare had a light yellow coat and a short dark purple mane. The photo looked about a few years old. So, in this photo, the mare looked to be about 19 or 20 years old.

No question about it. This mare was their victim.

“Lilac Summer.” Hitch said. He was glad he knew the mare’s name now.

“Yeah.” Zipp said, looking remorseful for her. “I was also able to find out a little bit about her too.”

She took the phone away for a quick second and then read off what was on her phone.

“She’s 23 years old. She lives in Clopton as a waitress at some restaurant called “Auntie Edna’s.”

Pipp interrupted with a question. “Clopton? Where’s that?”

“It’s on the South outer skirts of town. About 30 miles from here.” Hitch said.

Zipp nodded. “She did have a prior arrest for a shoplifting when she was 15, and then another one for vandalism when she was 18. Both times, it was settled, she didn’t serve any time.”

“What about family members? Friends? Lovers?” Hitch asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

Zipp shook her head. “Couldn’t find anything. Seems to me she was a runaway. Probably lived in a bad home.”

Hitch snorted in cynicism. “Well, that’s Clopton for ya. Not a good town to live in.”

Pipp suddenly thought of something. “Wait. If she’s from Clopton, why was she found here in Maretime Bay? Was she gonna move here?” She asked them.

“I didn’t here anything from anypony here.” Hitch answered with a shrug.

“Me either.” Zipp said. “Why would somepony from Clopton be found here in Maretime Bay dead? I don’t think anypony from town has even seen or heard of her.” She asked.

Hitch then thought of something pretty crazy.

“What if she was murdered in Clopton and then dumped here?” He asked.

Zipp gave Hitch a flat look. “That doesn’t sound logical. Like you said, Clopton is 30 miles away from Maretime Bay? Why would our killer lug a body for 30 miles? Killers don’t normally do that. They’d do it somewhere closer in town. It doesn’t make sense.” She told him, looking back at her phone at Lilac Summer.

“What if the killer wanted her to be found?” Pipp asked out of nowhere, catching Hitch and Zipp off guard. They didn’t think about that.

Hitch shook his head. “Why would our killer want to be found? He buried her on the beach. I doubt he would want to be found if he did that.” He said, kinda disappointing Pipp.

“Unless it’s something bigger.” Zipp said.

“It might be.” Said a voice coming through the front door again. The three of them looked and saw an older female earth pony, wearing a white lab coat. She was around her mid 30’s. Her light silver coat color only showed where her rump was, revealing a cutie mark of a mortuary. Her mane was black and short, tied and a bun. She had her clipboard on her back.

“Hey Charnelle. How are you?” Hitch asked. He had known her for a while now. Even if there weren’t a lot of murders that happened in Maretime Bay, she was still on call if there needed to be a DNA test done. She was the right mare needed for it.

“Other than spending time with our victim, I guess I’m okay.” She said.

“So, what did you find out about Lilac?” Zipp asked her, kind of getting close to her in anticipation. She really wanted to know about what happened to her.

Charnelle backed up a little bit in discomfort. Zipp was apparently in her bubble.

“Maybe you should let me and Zipp handle this here, Pipp.” Hitch told her.

“Yeah.” Zipp said. “Can you give us a minute with Charnelle please?” She asked. Pipp nodded and then walked away to a chair near the front door and went on her phone doing whatever it is she does.

Hitch and Zipp then urged Charnelle to go on.

“Well, the cause of death was, whoever did this, broke the mare’s neck.” She said, reading off her clipboard. Hitch and Zipp looked surprised.

“A-Are you sure?” Zipp asked. “What about the….the….” Zipp tried to say, but was having a hard time mentioning the mutilated marehood of Lilac Summer.

Hitch interrupted. “The mutilated private parts didn’t kill her?” He asked.

Charnelle shook her head. “My findings show that she was pinned up against something, like a counter near a sink, he has his hoof on her throat, and while he has her pinned there, he shoved his hoof where her throat was. Hard. Snapping her neck, and stopping brain wave activity. The poor mare never stood a chance.” She explained to them.

“So, what about the…you know..” Hitch asked, looking uncomfortable for Zipp’s sake.

Charnelle sighed. “He did that while he had her pinned against something. I could tell there was a lot of blood loss from her. Then he snapped her neck and finished her off.” She said.

Zipp got an angry look on her face. “The fucker tortured her before he killed her.” She said.

Now, Zipp was hell bent on finding the killer. No matter who it was or what it took. She’d get her guards from Zephyr Heights to pitch in if it needed to be that way.

“Not only that, the body was moved.” Charnelle randomly said.

That surprised Hitch and Zipp. “She was?” They both asked at the same time.

“Mmhmm.” Charnelle nodded. “Hard to say how long exactly, but I can tell she was moved a pretty long way. Kinda odd if I say so myself.”

So, Hitch was right. She was moved from Clopton to here. But why? Why would the killer want to bring his victim to Maretime Bay of all places?

“I looked through the database of Clopton. She’s from there. Are you telling me the killer lugged her body for 30 miles?” Zipp asked her.

“It would appear so. Yes.” She said.

They both were silent for a second, letting that sink in. This was getting more interesting by the minute.

“There’s something else I found too.” Charnelle said, taking a quick look at her clipboard.

“What’s that?” Zipp asked.

“A scar on her lower abdomen. Though, it wasn’t from the murder. It was from a C section about a little over a year ago.” She said.

Now Hitch and Zipp looked shocked to hear this. The mare was so young, and not only that, but she was…

“She had a baby?” Hitch asked.

Charnelle nodded sadly. “Look, I’m sorry to put more on your plate, but it appears her baby is missing as well.”

If the idea of Lilac being tortured before dying pissed Zipp off, hearing this just made her even madder than ever. And it didn’t go unnoticed by Hitch. He was wondering if this case might be getting to be too much for her. Though, he knew she’d deny it. Even if he was right.

“I also have some good and bad news. For you, Hitch.” Charnelle said.

“What is it?” Hitch asked.

“Good news, I was able to find a DNA match.” She said.

Zipp suddenly looked ecstatic. “You did?” She asked loudly and happily. Her voice was so loud, it startled Pipp a little bit, before she went back to her phone.

“Yes.” Charnelle said, backing away from Zipp again. “Granted, it’s only a partial match. So, you’d have to get a DNA test from the suspect in order for it to show if it’s a full on match. But, this is the good news.”

“It sure is.” Zipp said.

“So, what’s the bad news?” Hitch asked.

Suddenly, Charnelle looked sad, giving a sigh. “Are you sure you want me to tell you?” She asked him with a bit of sympathy in her tone.

Hitch looked surprised at this. So did Zipp. Why was she acting like this?

“What’s wrong?” Zipp asked.

“I just don’t know how you’ll react to it, Hitch. It’s gonna shock you.” She said.

“Who is it?” Hitch asked, showing her he meant business. Zipp did too.

Charnelle gave another sad sigh.

“Okay.” She said softly. She breathed through her nostrils before telling them the potential suspects name.

“Hitch, the partial match belongs to your ex-deputy, Sprout Cloverleaf.”

Author's Note

Well, here ya go. I actually wanted to try a dream sequence for this story. I’ve had it in my mind for a while now, and I picked the right call to use it.

Anyway, hope you guys like this chapter. If you do, comment, like, favorite and follow for future updates. Thank you all and goodnight everybody.

Note: I forgot to add the part about the baby missing from the description. Sorry bout that. Anyway, here ya go.

Chapter 7: Angry Accusations

Author's Note

For this chapter, I wanna give a fair warning for my fellow readers. There’s going to be something in this chapter that’ll be triggering to read.

Also, you might think Zipp is out of character here. Just, wanted to give you a huge warning here.

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

Chapter 7: Angry Accusations

“Hi Sunny!” Izzy excitedly said, surprising her friend at the Smoothie Cart she owned and operated. She had opened up almost 2 hours ago. Izzy knew this, because this would be the time where Sunny would take her break. Whenever that happened, she would join her friend to keep her company.

“Oh, hey Izzy. You want me to make you your usual before I go on my break?” Sunny asked her with a smile on her face.

“No thank you.” Izzy said, waving her hoof. “Besides, I wanna ask you something. Something REALLY important.” She emphasized to her friend.

Sunny giggled as she put up her BACK IN 30 MINUTES sign. When she walked out of her smoothie truck, she decided to ask Izzy what was up.

“What is that’s super important to ask me, Izzy?” Sunny asked, as her and Izzy sat down on a bench near her truck.

“It’s about your old friend, Sprout. What do you think about him?” Izzy asked very directly, but with an upbeat tone.

Now, Sunny had known Izzy for a while now. She knew a lot of things that she was. Sweet. Upbeat. Outgoing. Silly. Artistic. Creative. Kind. And a lot of other things.

One of those other things she knew Izzy was, and arguably the most about her, was Random. She was one of the most random mares she had ever known. Whether it be making some wacky device just for fuck all reason, imitating somepony, or just dancing out of nowhere, Izzy was as random as a raffle drawing. And, honestly, that’s what made Sunny gravitate toward Izzy.

However, sometimes randomness could lead to moments of uncomfortableness. Somepony could not understand how to comprehend what they were seeing and could react in a not so fun way. And, sadly, this was one of those moments.

Sunny felt like a lightning bolt shot through her body. She REALLY didn’t expect Izzy to ask her something like that. Furthermore, she started to wonder why Izzy would even ask her about him in the first place.

Did Izzy and Sprout….talk? Like, ACTUALLY in a conversation? Without him running away terrified?

Izzy started to notice her friend not answering her. So, she asked again.

“Did you hear me, Sunny? I asked how do you feel about Sprout?” She asked. Though this time, there was a bit of concern in her tone. She didn’t know if she might’ve hurt Sunny by asking that.

After a few seconds of silence, Sunny broke it by asking, “W-W-Why do you wanna know, Izzy?”

“Well, he looked pretty sad when I brought your name up. He said he doesn’t think you consider him a friend anymore. And that he doesn’t blame you.” She said in her upbeat tone again.

Sunny looked surprised to hear this. So Sprout ACTUALLY spoke with Izzy? Not only that, he talked about his feelings with her? This didn’t sound like the Sprout she grew up with. The Sprout she had known all her life.

“You…You TALKED with Sprout? H-How?” She asked.

“Well,” Izzy started. “He apologized to me for when he told me to leave him alone 2 weeks ago. And for the giant machine of doom. He looked so sad while doing it. And he really meant it too.” Her ears dropped in empathy. “He even called himself a worthless coward. That kinda hurt a little to hear it.”

Sunny just couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Sprout…actually said SORRY to Izzy? And called himself worthless? This sounded like the Sprout she knew was overtaken by a benevolent force trying to trick her and Sunny into believing he was a changed stallion.

…..yeah, right.

“Sprout… apologized to you?” Sunny asked Izzy.

She nodded happily. “Yep. And I want to know if you are still friends with him. I think he REALLY wants to talk to you, Sunny. To apologize to you too.” She said in a sweet tone to her.

“Do you think he meant what he said?” Sunny asked.

Izzy nodded In approval with an upbeat smile to her.

“What makes you think that?” Sunny asked.

Izzy was silent for a quick second before replying…

“I just do. I’ve always had this feeling if ponies are being sincere or not. And he totally was, Sunny.” She said, trying to reassure her friend.

Sunny looked at the ground. She didn’t know what to feel about all of this. It was all so sudden.

“So, what do you think, Sunny?” Izzy asked again.

Sunny continued to look at the ground. She heard Izzy’s question. She heard it ring through her mind. However, she couldn’t answer that very question. Why was that?

Simple. She didn’t KNOW how to feel.

It felt like a pin could be heard dropping in the Sheriff’s office. With the shock of this announcement, Hitch felt like he just didn’t know what to say. What to do. What to think.

His old deputy, somepony he’s known since he was a little colt….is now a potential suspect for murder? And not just any murder. A murder that included Lilac Summer’s marehood being mutilated by a knife. Tortured before getting her neck snapped. Then buried on the beach of Maretime Bay.

He took a quick look at Zipp, and knew this wasn’t good. He saw the intense look on her face. He saw the anger in her eyes. He saw her hooves and body shaking. It was clear as day that Zipp ABSOLUTELY thought that Sprout was 100% the murderer. He just knew she was itching to arrest him.

Hitch felt his lip quiver a little bit. This couldn’t be right. There had to be some type of mistake. No WAY Sprout would do something like this. No way.

“That…That…That’s wrong. That’s gotta be wrong. You need to test that again.” Hitch told Charnelle.

“DNA is NEVER wrong, Sheriff. And I’ve tested it 3 times already. You need to bring Sprout Cloverleaf in for questioning.” She said.

“Gladly.” Zipp angrily said with intensity in her voice. She then fluttered her wings and flew out the door at top speed.

Oh No. This wasn’t good.

“Zipp! Come back!” Hitch yelled at her as he attempted to chase after her through the front doors. But, it was too late. Zipp was already up in the sky, further away from the Sheriff’s office.

As he looked up at the sky in worry, he heard Pipp come up behind him.

“Hitch, what’s going on? Zipp just rushed past me in the lobby. Where’s she going?” She asked, worrying about her big sister.

“All I know is she’s about to make a big mistake. We gotta catch up to her. We need to run to Canterlogic. NOW!” Hitch said in a desperate tone, followed by him running away like crazy toward town.

Pipp felt scared. If Hitch is looking worried, then this must be bad. Really bad. And it involved her sister too. She knew she couldn’t sit this one out.

So, with that, and fear and worry in her heart and veins, she followed Hitch into town. Flying above him to keep on the lookout for the fast pegasus.

She just hoped, whatever it was that got Hitch worried, they wouldn’t be too late.

“Another day goes by again.” Sprout muttered to himself, as he had just gotten done with his shift. He was now heading home.

As he walked, he started to wonder if Izzy Moonbow really was going to ask Sunny about him. She seemed pretty adamant about doing it. Not to mention, she also didn’t exactly seem the brightest in his eyes. She’s the kind of mare that wouldn’t really think things through. If she felt it was right, she’d do it. Even if it would lead to consequences.

While continuing his walk home, being given glares by other ponies in the process, he saw a very familiar looking food cart. Or in this case, Smoothie Cart.

He felt his nerves rise up. It was Sunny’s, no question about it. There was a line of ponies, waiting to get their smoothie from her. Truth be told, Sprout missed Sunny’s smoothies. If there was one thing he KNEW she was amazing at, it was making smoothies. His favorite was Wild Raspberry Lemonade.

However, after the giant machine of doom fiasco, he hasn’t been to her cart since. He was worried about the awkwardness of facing her after destroying her home. Maybe she’d ban him from her cart forever. Maybe she’d tell him to go find another smoothie to buy.

Maybe she’d tell him to go away, because she hates him and never wants to see his sorry face ever again.

Yet, after apologizing to Izzy, and telling her about how he thinks Sunny feels about him, there was a part of him that WANTED to stand in line and talk to Sunny. To order a Wild Raspberry Lemonade Smoothie. To apologize to her and beg her for forgiveness.

He even stood there for a couple minutes. Not really in line, more like standing next to the line. There was a feeling he had of getting in line right now. He felt conflicted. Should he tuck his tail between his legs and run back home in isolation again, or puff out his chest, be a man, and stop being a Celestia damn coward?

However, just before he could make his decision, he heard a very loud, angry voice hovering above him.

“HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!” Said a very irate Zipp Storm, landing right behind him.

Obviously being startled by this, Sprout turned around and saw a very pissed off and almost enraged looking pegasus stare at him with true anger in her eyes. Her wings ruffled. Her body and hooves shaking. Her huffing and puffing.

Sprout was caught off guard by this. He had never seen anypony look this pissed off before in his life. Hell, not even Hitch looked this pissed off when he terminated him. Was she looking at him?

Speaking of looking, the customers in Sunny’s line had taken notice of what was going on and looked in on it. They too had never seen Zipp Storm look like this.

But, perhaps the pony who was paying most attention here, was Sunny herself. She was shocked to see Zipp looking like this. She felt scared looking at Zipp like this.

And she also saw her old friend Sprout Cloverleaf too. She saw the surprise and fear in his eyes. This didn’t look good.

Moments after landing in front him with that angry look, Sprout decided to ask what was going on.

“Uh, can I help you with something?” Sprout asked, feeling intimidated. Something wasn’t right here. He just knew it.

“You’re coming with me, murderer.” Zipp said aloud.

There were gasps in the crowd. Sprout noticed that. What was she talking about?

“What are you talking about?” Sprout asked, sounding scared now.

“You know, I thought you were bad enough with that stupid giant machine of doom, but now I realize what a sick, twisted fuck you really are.” Zipp shouted at him.

Murmurs from the crowd were heard by Sprout. He had no idea what was going on here.

“I-I’m not understanding what you’re saying. What did I do?” He asked, sounding angry and afraid at the same time.

Zipp furiously snorted. “You know what you did.” She yelled at him.

“No, I don’t. What are you yelling at me for?” He shouted back at her.

By this point, almost every citizen of Maretime Bay was hearing the shouting match that was going on and were curious enough to listen in on it. Even Sunny herself had come out of her cart to get a closer look.

Zipp had enough of this. She decided to come out and say it.

“It was you, Sprout Cloverleaf! You murdered that mare that was found at the beach!” She loudly exclaimed.

Huge gasps could be heard from every pony. Even Sunny herself. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

The same could be said for Sprout as well. Bella and Vinny had told him to watch himself after they told him about the dead mare on the beach. He never thought a culprit would be found so soon.

What he also didn’t know, was him being accused of it.

His nerves rose up to a level 10. He had never felt so scared in his life.

“What?! No I didn’t! Are you crazy?!” Sprout asked her in a scared tone.

“Then why was there a partial match of your DNA found at the scene? Huh?” Zipp shouted at him.

If being accused sent his nerves up to 10, now evidence of his DNA SOMEHOW showing up at the crime scene sent them up to 15. His heartbeat was racing like crazy.

He rapidly shook his head. “No. No. No. This-you’re crazy. T-This is crazy. I didn’t do this.” He pleaded his case to her.

Sunny felt numb. There’s DNA evidence that Sprout murdered that poor mare on the beach? This is crazy, she thought. There must be a mistake.

However, Zipp wasn’t having any of it. She trotted toward him.

“Yeah, right. I know it was you, psycho. Like I said, you’re coming with me.” She said, getting closer and closer to him.

Sunny knew this was bad. She needed to do something. Fast.

However, just before, she could do anything, Zipp grabbed Sprout by his shoulder with force.

Now, growing up, Sprout learned two things about situations like this. You either fight or flight. You either stand down and fight, or you run away and live to fight another day.

And when Zipp grabbed his shoulder, one of those instincts came to him.

Fight.

He slapped Zipp’s hoof away from him.

“Get your hooves off me, bitch!” He angrily yelled at her.

Then, something inside Zipp just snapped. She was pissed off. She wanted him to come with her, so she could charge and book his ass. Be done with this crazy as hell case.

So, she tackled him to the ground. Sprout struggled like crazy. Thrashing about.

“Get off me, get off me!” Sprout yelled.

Sunny couldn’t take what was going on. She pushed through the crowd and walked up to Zipp and Sprout.

“Zipp! Stop! What’re you doing?! Let him go!” Sunny pleaded with her.

Zipp shot an angry look at her friend. Which scared Sunny tremendously.

“Are you HONESTLY defending this guy?! After everything he did?” Zipp angrily asked her.

Sunny couldn’t speak after the look she saw in Zipp’s eyes. This wasn’t the same Zipp Storm she knew. This was somepony different entirely.

Now, what happened next would stick with Sprout forever. He NORMALLY would never do this. Not after knocking that filly on her ass back when he was a colt. However, in situations like this, desperate times called for desperate measures. And this was one of them. Didn’t exactly make him feel better, but he knew that it was a scary situation that he had to get out of.

So with that, while Zipp looked at Sunny, he managed to get a hoof free, swung as hard as he could, and he punched her in the face. Very hard. So hard, he knocked her off of him.

“AHG!” Zipp shouted in pain from the blow she took. He hit her so fucking hard, she almost felt dazed on impact. She even swayed over toward Sunny.

As Sprout scrambled to his feet, the whole crowd that was watching this just gasped in shock. They just witnessed Sprout Cloverleaf, who had just been accused of the murder of that mare on the beach, just punch the shit out of a mare.

Sunny helped Zipp stand up from the blow she just took. “Zipp, are you okay?” She asked her.

As she held the side of her face that just got punched, her anger grew to even bigger levels now. She was gonna beat the piss out of this guy.

Zipp wasn’t the only one pissed off either. The whole crowd looked at Sprout with true hate. They felt it. They knew he was the guy. He murdered that mare, and now just hit another one to get her off his ass.

However, all Sunny could do, was just look on in concern for both of them. Sprout because this crowd looked ready to pounce, and Zipp because she took a really hard right hook to the face. She could get a black eye. A concussion.

As she stood there, not knowing what to do, her concerns were saved by somepony she knew very well.

“THAT IS ENOUGH!” She heard Hitch Trailblazer yell out loud. Thankfully, the crowd had stopped with their death glare at Sprout and looked on at the Sheriff. Pipp had landed next to him.

He surveyed the situation at hoof. He saw Zipp covering her sore face, Sunny looking worried, the townsfolk looking angry, and his old friend looking scared as hell.

“ZIPP!” Pipp exclaimed, rushing over to check on her sister’s condition.

He wanted to know what the hell had just happened, but he already had an idea. He knew Zipp must’ve started some shit. He knew she must’ve let her emotions get the better of her.

However, he wanted this to be done behind closed doors. He didn’t want the townsfolk seeing any of this.

He walked over to Sprout, who looked on the verge to run away. However, the look in his eyes caused him to have his feet glued to the ground. He couldn’t run if he tried.

Hitch then whispered to Sprout, “Listen Sprout, you need to come with me, now. If you don’t, this is gonna end bad for you.” He motioned to the angry crowd looking at him.

This crowd looked ready to attack. Sprout knew that. So, he decided to agree with his old friend’s request.

“Okay. Just get me outta here.” Sprout whispered back.

Hitch nodded. The two of them then walked off together toward the Sheriff’s office. With Sunny, Pipp and Zipp following suit.

What Hitch was afraid of, was the townsfolk were following too. They wanted to know what was going on as well. They were probably hoping that Sprout would be found guilty of the crime he was accused of.

Hitch knew when he got back to the office, he was going to hear one hell of a story.

Chapter 8: Old Friends Talk

“Oh Celestia Zipp, your eye.” Pipp emotionally said, placing a wet dish cloth over her older sisters left eye. She even shed a few tears, seeing her in this condition. Sunny also looked worried for her friends condition. She saw the punch Zipp took. It was indeed a very hard one.

When the five of them made it back to the Sheriff’s office, Sprout was put in an interview room. He would be asked questions by Hitch in a little bit. However, what was currently the main priority, was finding out just what the hell happened in the town square just now.

By now, Zipp’s eye had started to blacken. She was still in pain from the punch to the face she received from Sprout. She was honestly surprised at just how hard a punch he could throw. Even on the ground.

“Zipp, you need to go to the hospital. This looks serious.” Pipp pleaded with her big sister.

She just groaned. Both in annoyance and in pain. “Ugh, I’ll be fine, okay? I just wanna interview, Sprout.” Zipp said, standing up.

As she proceeded to trot past her little sister, she loudly muttered. “And punch HIM in the face for good measure.”

After that was said, The Sheriff stood in front of her, blocking her way. His face showing how unhappy he was right now.

“You’re not doing anything.” Hitch said, sounding very pissed off at her.

Zipp was surprised to hear this. “And why not?” She asked, with offensiveness in her tone.

“One, your sister is right. Your eye needs to be looked at. And two, I’m not letting you ANYWHERE near Sprout after what I’m pretty sure YOU started.” Hitch shouted at her.

Zipp winced in pain from the swelling pain in her face. But that didn’t stop her from getting in Hitch’s face.

“What do you mean I started? That fucker hit me.” Zipp yelled.

Sunny and Pipp looked scared at the argument going on right now. This felt like the first real, big time fight that this little group had ever had. And this was serious. Because, it involved law enforcement. Somepony could get in trouble here.

Hitch glared daggers at Zipp. “I have a pretty good idea about what happened. You went and accused Sprout. Then you tried to take him by force, didn’t you? Explains why he punched you in the eye, right?” He asked her.

He then looked at Sunny. She had never seen Hitch look this mad before in his life. In all the years she’s known him, she had NEVER seen him look as angry as he looked now. And the worse part is, he was looking at her. Was he angry at her too? She felt scared looking into his eyes.

“Am I right, Sunny? You were there.” Hitch asked her.

All Sunny could do was look at Hitch and then at Zipp with nervousness on her face. She didn’t know what to do to.

Hitch walked closer to Sunny’s face. Her fear levels rose up.

“Listen Sunny. I know we’ve been friends for years now. But, this isn’t your longtime friend talking to you. This is the Sheriff of Maretime Bay talking. So, tell me right now: Was what I just said what actually happened?” He asked her in an intense tone.

Scared witless, Sunny looked at Zipp and then at Pipp. The way they looked back at her, she felt Zipp wanted her to lie to him. Because she saw literally everything that went down.

Then, she looked over at the Interview Room where Sprout was. She couldn’t believe she was in this situation. Zipp and Hitch in a pretty serious argument about another one of her old friends. And it looked like there would be consequences either way about what happened. If she lies or tells the truth, somepony wasn’t gonna be happy.

“Sunny.” Hitch said, getting her attention. “You need to tell the truth. If I find out you lied to me, I’m going to arrest you. Plain and simple. Now tell me.”

She saw that look. She knew Hitch wasn’t fucking around. He was as serious as ever. She didn’t want to go to jail. Regardless if it involved staying loyal to a friend.

So, with a huge sigh, she told Hitch what was up.

“Yes.” Sunny said, looking down in shame.

“Sunny, what the hell?” Zipp asked out loud.

“YOU ASSAULTED SOMEPONY, ZIPP!” She shouted. Tears were now running down her face. Hitch didn’t like to see Sunny cry, but it was necessary here.

“You flat out accused somepony you don’t like, without getting all the facts together, and then you tackled him to the ground because he wouldn’t come with you.” She said, now turning away from Zipp, a few sniffles being heard from her.

It was then that Zipp felt a little remorse for Sunny here. She didn’t like seeing her friend cry. She didn’t want her to be in this type of situation here. This was between her, Hitch and Sprout.

“What the fuck were you thinking, Zipp?!” Hitch asked out loud, startling Zipp and Pipp.

With her attention back on him, Hitch continued. “He was just wanted for questioning. Besides the partial DNA match, there is literally NO evidence that he did this crime at all. You assaulted somepony for no fucking reason at all. That is NOT what a good detective does.” He yelled in her face, looking as angry as he’s ever been. But he wasn’t done yet.

“Not to mention, you also had no authorization to do that. I NEVER deputized you. You, basically, committed a crime, Zipp. I should arrest your ass right now for aggravated assault.”

Pipp felt scared too. In all the time she’s known him, she has NEVER seen Hitch look this pissed off. Especially AT somepony. It was honestly frightening to see.

As for Zipp, she just couldn’t believe what she had heard. Her sister had basically committed aggravated assault. Without really even thinking clearly. She started to think maybe she should’ve talked more with Zipp about what happened at the beach yesterday.

Pipp and Sunny continued to look on at the ensuing argument that was going on between Hitch and Zipp. And she wasn’t backing down at all. Even if she was surprised at what Hitch said to her.

“Why are you even defending that loser? He disobeyed you and started a war and, oh yeah, almost killed us with that stupid giant machine of doom. You should be on my side for this.” Zipp yelled in Hitch’s face, before turning to Sunny. Making her look scared again.

“And you. Why are you defending him? He’s the one who destroyed your home. If anything Sunny, you should be on my side more than anything.” She exclaimed.

“Leave her outta this!” Hitch yelled.

“Fuck you!” Zipp screamed.

The two then literally got in each other’s faces. Looking so angry at each other. It was as if the two were about to throw hooves at each other.

Sunny and Pipp knew this looked bad. They weren’t gonna stand around anymore. They needed to stop this.

So, the two of them got in between them and pulled each other back. Pipp pulled Zipp back, while Sunny did the same with Hitch.

“STOP THIS!” Sunny screamed out loud. “You two fighting isn’t gonna solve anything.”

“Zipp, stop it! You need to go to the hospital.” She pleaded with her.

“You don’t know shit, Zipp! You don’t know ANYTHING about Sprout! He’s my friend!” Hitch yelled at Zipp.

This surprised them, Sunny included. They all stared at Hitch in disbelief. They just couldn’t believe he said this.

Hitch attempted to calm himself down a little bit. He took a deep breath.

“I’ve known Sprout since I was a little colt. He’s been my friend for years. Hell, even longer than Sunny. You’ve never personally met Sprout. You have NO right to talk shit about his Mom and Dad like you did last night before I left. You know nothing about him.” He ranted at her. As he did this, he was starting to feel something. Something that ACTUALLY felt…good. Relieving.

He felt like he was getting all this shit he was feeling off his chest. It felt good to not have to bottle up these feelings now.

Zipp looked confused. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. What did I say?”

“When you made that little comment about “I wonder what his Dad would think”. Hitch mockingly impersonated Zipp. “That’s what made me leave last night. You pissed me off real good talking shit about a dead stallion.”

Now Zipp and Pipp both looked surprised. They really didn’t see that coming. “Wait…Sprout’s Dad is dead?” Zipp asked in a low tone.

“Yeah. When he was only 8 years old. Me and Sunny were there when it happened.” Hitch angrily told her.

Now, it was Sunny’s turn to look at Zipp in disbelief. “You made fun of a pony’s dead Dad?” She asked, now sounding a bit pissed off herself.

“I-I-I didn’t know he was dead. It was just a joke.” Zipp stuttered.

“Joke? How do you think I’d feel if somepony made a joke about MY Dad? And what about your Dad too? How would you feel?” Sunny asked, sounding emotional.

“Don’t bring him up, Sunny.” Zipp said in an almost threatening tone. No pony speaks ill about the late King of Zephyr Heights while she was around.

“Well, you brought up Sprout’s Dad, so now you know.” Hitch said, having Sunny’s back.

Zipp was almost ready to attack both of them, before Pipp got in front of her and in between Sunny and Hitch.

“THAT IS ENOUGH!” Pipp shouted at the top of her lungs. It was so loud, it almost shook the entire Sheriff’s Department. All three of them were surprised at how loud she could go. Well, she was a famous singer, so they probably shouldn’t be.

“Listen every pony.” She said, now getting their attention. “This isn’t how friends act toward each other.”

After a brief silence, she continued. “We need to talk about this later when our minds are all clear. Right now, Zipp-“ she turned to her sister. “-you NEED a hospital. Your eye could get worse. So stop yelling at everypony and let’s go. Now.”

Zipp saw that desperate and pleading look on her face. She knew that she was worried sick about her. About her physical well-being. Maybe, if her eye gets worse, it could lead to vision loss or something. Of course, it was just a punch. A very hard punch. But, still just a punch. It’s not like she had a concussion or anything.

….right?

She knew Pipp wouldn’t stop telling her to do this. So, she decided to relent and give in to her little sister’s demand.

“Fine. I’ll get my eye looked at.” She told her begrudgingly with a grumble in her voice.

Pipp nodded in approval. “Thank you. Yes.” She said, now guiding Zipp out of the Sheriff’s Department.

As she did this, there was a bit of a stare down between Zipp and Sunny & Hitch. But, mostly between Zipp and Hitch. There was certain some tension between them now. Both Sunny and Pipp saw it in their eyes.

What could this mean for their friendship? Could it be repaired? Or was it all over after this really bad argument?

As the door closed, with Pipp and Zipp leaving to go to the hospital, silence filled the air of the Sheriff’s Department. After so many loud, angry, and hurtful words said between them, it felt heavy to say the very least.

However, Hitch knew he had a job to do. So, with that, he put himself back together, got some papers from his desk, and proceeded to head toward Sprout’s interrogation room. Not before looking back at Sunny.

“I think you should leave, Sunny. I’ll handle Sprout.” He said.

“Are you sure?” She asked concernedly.

He nodded. “Yeah. To be honest, I’ve been wanting to talk with Sprout for a while now. It just took me a while to figure it out in my head.” He said with a sad look.

“You should head home. I’m really sorry you had to see all that, Sunny.”

Sunny nodded sadly. “Okay. But, can you promise me something?”

“What?” He asked.

“When you get done with Sprout, I wanna talk to him too. I think I’ve wanted too for a while now as well.” She said.

Hitch nodded in approval. “Okay. It’ll just be between you and him. I promise.”

She gave him a warm smile. “Thank you. And good luck Hitch.” She said, now turning around and leaving herself.

Hitch then walked a couple of feet away, and there he stood. Outside of Sprout’s interrogation room. It was in this room where he would speak to somepony he’s known longer than he can remember. And somepony he hasn’t spoken too in a very long time.

What would he ask him? What would he say? What words would come out of his mouth?

What Sprout say to him? What would Sprout say? What words would come out of Sprout’s mouth?

In all the years he’s been Sheriff, Hitch had never felt anxiety like this. Had never felt as nerve wracking as this. As uncomfortable as this.

But, he had to do it.

He had a job to do. He knew had to talk with his old friend. He knew if he didn’t sit down and talk with Sprout right here and right now, it would be on his conscience for the rest of his life.

So, after a huge breath of air, Hitch opened the door.

Sprout had never felt so scared in his life. He was in the interrogation room that he and Hitch used to use when interviewing ponies about various crimes committed over Maretime Bay. Only now, HE was the one being interviewed, and for a crime he was accused of committing.

He couldn’t believe what he had just done. All he wanted was to get Zipp off of him. He had been tackled by a pretty well in shape pony, that could take him in a fight. So, he had no choice. He HAD to fight back. Even if it meant physically striking her in the face.

He knew it was wrong to lay a hoof on a mare. Especially after he knocked that little filly on her ass when he was a colt, and his mother gave him a massive earful. When he punched Zipp, he almost instantly felt guilty for doing it.

However, he was scared and in a troubling situation. He wondered what anypony else would’ve done. Would they have done the same thing?

Now, he was just waiting. Waiting to be talked to by somepony he’s known all his life. An old friend who he used to work for. Before he fucked it all up.

He was nervous and scared as hell to ACTUALLY have a conversation with Hitch. He was equally scared if Zipp was gonna be with him too. Would she try to lunge at him and give him a receipt? Would Hitch even hold her back?

All his nerves stopped for a brief moment when the door opened.

There he stood. Hitch Trailblazer. The Sheriff of Maretime Bay. One of his foalhood friends.

For the next two minutes or less, all the two could do was just stare at each other. No words. No expression. No nothing. Just a silent stare.

That was until Hitch walked a few more steps and then sat in the chair in front of Sprout.

“How’re you feeling?” Hitch asked, regarding the assault that took place.

Sprout didn’t know what to say. He had a hard time making eye contact with Hitch. He had trouble finding the words. So, what else could he say except:

“Fine.” He softly said, barely audible.

It was quiet again for a minute. Just awkward silence again.

“Where’s Zipp?” Sprout hesitantly asked.

“She’s going to the hospital to get her eye looked at. Hopefully, she’s not concussed or anything.” Hitch answered.

“Oh.”

“Mmhmm.”

Another awkward moment of silence between them.

“Sunny told me everything.” Hitch said. He also had a hard time making eye contact with his old buddy.

“So, you know I didn’t mean to hurt her, right?” Sprout asked, sounding very afraid.

“Yeah. I know.” Hitch muttered.

Another minute of silence passed them again. Hitch now felt tired of the awkwardness. He decided to get down to business.

“Look Sprout.” Hitch said, getting his attention. “I need you to be honest with me here, okay? Because if you don’t, I can’t help you.”

“I didn’t kill anypony. I swear.” Sprout pleaded with Hitch.

“I need to know why there was a partial DNA match of yours at Lilac Summers’ murder scene.” He said, now looking at Sprout in the face.

“I don’t know. I’m just as confused as you are. I’ve never heard of Lilac Summers. I don’t know what she looks like. Hell, I don’t even know what it was that killed her. Hitch, please, you gotta believe me.” He pleaded with him again.

Hitch looked surprised to hear this. In all the years of them being friends, he’s known when Sprout was being sincere and when he was full of shit. He knew Sprout’s sarcastic nature from him being totally honest.

And this was one of those moments of him being honest. That’s what it came across as to him.

“You seriously don’t know? No pony has said anything to you?” He asked him.

“I only found out last night when I visited Bella and Vinny. They told me about the body when we sat down for a pizza together.”

“So, you never heard anything else?”

Sprout shook his head. “No, all Vinny told me was the discovery of the body. That’s it. Hitch, how bad was it?”

Hitch raised his eyebrow in question.

“If that crazy bitch Zipp attacked me and accused me, then something really bad must’ve happened to her. What happened?” Sprout asked.

Hitch thought for a moment. Should he tell him? Was it really his business?

The more he thought about it, he felt if Sprout didn’t do this, maybe it would be wise to tell him to let him know why Zipp and possibly every pony in Maretime Bay would probably want his head now.

He shuttered, which didn’t go unnoticed by Sprout.

“The mare was beaten. Had her neck snapped in half.”

Sprout looked shook. “Oh Celestia.”

“Oh, it gets better.” Hitch sarcastically said. “There was a huge chunk of fur with blood in her mouth after she apparently bit her attacker. I had to pry open her mouth to see it.”

After he said that, he saw as if Sprout’s face and coat had just turned white. He looked sick. Sick to his stomach.

“Shit.” Sprout shuttered. He even shivered a little too.

Hitch did the same. He was also still shook up after the crime scene.

“But, strangely enough, that’s not the worst part.” He told Sprout.

“What could be even worse than that?” Sprout asked.

Hitch paused for a quick second, remembering when he saw the thing that made him lose his lunch and Zipp cry emotionally.

“Her marehood was completely mutilated. She was raped with a sharp knife.”

Sprout couldn’t even….he was just stunned. Now he kinda has a feeling as to why Zipp acted so crazy. If he saw what she saw, he probably would be traumatized too. Just hearing what Hitch said sent a chill down his spine.

He couldn’t say anything. Really, how could anypony after hearing that? All he could do was shiver and put his hooves in his face.

“So, you see why Zipp acted like that?” Hitch asked him.

Sprout could only nod his head.

“I think I already know the answer, but I have to ask anyway: Have you ever traveled to Clopton or Trotville before or recently?”

Sprout put his hooves away from his face, and just looked at Hitch in disbelief.

“No. Are you fucking crazy? My Mom told me to NEVER to go there. Hell, I don’t even know what the town looks like, but I’ve heard about all the crime and shit that goes down there. Why are you even asking me that, Hitch?” He asked him, now starting to feel angry.

“Lilac Summers was from Clopton. According to Charnelle, she was carried over 30 miles from Clopton to the beach of Maretime Bay. I’m still having a hard time believing it myself.” Hitch said.

“And you HONESTLY think I would carry a body for over 30 miles to bury it on the beach?” Sprout asked, his anger and fear rising.

Hitch took notice of his old friends behavior. He didn’t know what to do. Take advantage of it, or aggravate it more?

His thoughts stopped after Sprout said something to him. Something that just made Hitch not believe that he would ACTUALLY say something like this.

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

As minute that sentence left Sprout’s mouth, Hitch stopped thinking. Stopped talking. Stopped asking questions. All he did was just listen to his old friend.

“You ACTUALLY are enjoying interrogating me, aren’t you? Intimidating me. Making me scared. You like seeing me like this, don’t you? Because you fucking hate me, right?”

That….that right there…it did something to Hitch. That last sentence that Sprout just said…it felt like he literally attacked him with those words. It felt like he used those words as a weapon.

What Sprout just said…it HURT Hitch. It hurt him to hear that.

“You and Sunny and Pipp and ESPECIALLY Zipp. You all hate me. You even gave Zipp my old job. She’s your new deputy. I can tell you like working with her more than you EVER did working with me. That’s how it is, right?” Sprout angrily asked him, while he breathed hard. He even shuttered a little bit emotionally.

Hitch just couldn’t believe Sprout was saying all this. He wanted to interrupt him. Tell him to shut the fuck up and listen to him. But, Sprout wasn’t done yet. And what he would say next, would be something that Hitch didn’t think Sprout would EVER do. Would never think he was capable of.

What he said next actually OFFENDED Hitch.

Sprout gave a sarcastic smirk. “Well, you and your new friends can hate me all you want. But, honestly, I hate myself more than all of you and your new friends combined. My self hatred is even higher than ANY of what you guys could have.”

Now it was Hitch’s turn to look on in disbelief.

“And I know why. I get it. I guess I deserve it. I guess I don’t deserve to have you as a friend anymore. I deserve to be friendless. I deserve to have every pony hate me and wish me dead. I deserve to live the life I’m living now. I mean, that’s what you wanna hear right? You will always better than me. You will always be the better Sheriff than I could ever be. You will always be ahead of me at everything. I’m inferior to you. How about that, huh? You want me to say that, well I did.” Sprout poured his heart out at Hitch about his self loathing and insecurities. Tears started to run down his face. There were sniffles as well.

Hitch couldn’t believe what he was seeing and hearing. He had NEVER seen a side of Sprout like this before. Him just saying all these things…this wasn’t the same Sprout he grew up with all those years ago.

And truthfully, Hitch started to get uncomfortable. Not just that, but what he felt earlier.

Offended.

Sprout shuttered in sadness with a depressing smile on his face. More tears streaming. More sniffles being heard.

“What was I thinking, huh? Thinking I could be a good Sheriff? Thinking I’m worth a damn? Thinking I could ACTUALLY be on your level? No wonder I’ve always been so jealous of you. No wonder I wish I could be just a LITTLE BIT like you. No wonder I wish I was somepony else every fucking day I look in the mirror.”

Hitch was starting to get pissed off. Even if he was mad at Sprout for what he did, he didn’t like hearing this. He didn’t like ponies talking badly about themselves. And in such a horrible way.

However, before Hitch could say anything, Sprout said one last thing. One last thing that made Hitch just not take hearing all this anymore.

After Sprout wiped away the tears on his face, he said, loud enough for Hitch to hear:

“No wonder I’ve thought about ending it all.”

That did it.

That one little sentence did it.

Now…Hitch was pissed off.

SLAM went the table the two were sitting in, as he struck the very surface with his right hoof.

“Ah.” Sprout yelped in surprise. He didn’t see that coming. He also didn’t see what he was now looking at coming either.

Hitch was staring…no…no, not staring, that’s too nice of a word. Hitch was now GLARING at Sprout. A seriously ANGRY glare.

Sprout couldn’t believe what he was seeing. The last time he saw Hitch look angry was when he fired him all that time ago. How could he ever forget that moment?

Here, it was WAY different. This didn’t look like Hitch was angry. He didn’t look furious. Hitch looked flat out enraged.

“HOW FUCKING DARE YOU!!!” Hitch bellowed at the top of his lungs, while standing up from his chair.

If Sprout had felt scared before, now it intensified. Because Sprout was now flat out terrified. Zipp accusing him outta nowhere was bad, but this was on a whole other level.

He was frankly shocked at seeing Hitch like this. He had never seen him like this before. Not once in his whole entire life.

Hitch walked around the table and was now standing over Sprout. Huffing and Puffing. Angry eyes piercing their gaze upon his old friend in front of him.

Sprout couldn’t move. He was frozen in fear. Shaking like a leaf. Lip quivering. Looking up at a seriously pissed off Hitch Trailblazer.

“How Dare You!” He yelled again, though this time not as loud as before.

“Do you HONESTLY think I’m that heartless?! Do you think I’m that cruel?! Do you think I would EVER think things like that?!” He asked him. As he asked his old friend these questions, Sprout began to notice something. Something off about Hitch right now.

As his huffing and puffing continued, he swore he saw pricks of tears in the corner of Hitch’s eyes. Now THAT caught Sprout off guard too. He couldn’t believe what he was witnessing.

Was Hitch Trailblazer….crying?

“I can’t believe my best friend would think terrible things like this. Even if I was mad at you for a long time, I would NEVER want you to FUCKING KILL YOURSELF!” Hitch screamed literally inches in Sprout’s face.

It was then that Sprout saw the pricks in his eyes from a moment ago start to fall from Hitch’s eyes. It was a stream falling. He was full on crying now.

“Do you have any idea how that makes me feel? Do you know what kinda pain I’d be in if I found out my best friend decided to take his own life? Do you?!” Hitch exclaimed on that last part.

Seeing Hitch’s crying was starting to take an affect on Sprout. Because he felt tears start to well up in his face. He felt a choked sob come up his throat. He couldn’t feel the words come out.

“H-H-Hitch, I-I-I’m…I-“ He tried to say but couldn’t.

“Why would you think that, huh?” Hitch asked him.

Sprout was having trouble finding the right words, until Hitch raised his voice one more time.

“ANSWER ME!”

“Because I’m ashamed, okay?!” Sprout loudly answers him, while standing up from his seat. The tears had now fully fallen down his face.

As the two stallions with tears in their eyes looked at each other in silence again, they knew know there was nowhere to go from here but just tell the truth. About everything.

Sprout choked on a sob. “I’m ashamed of everything, okay? The giant machine of doom, the prejudice I felt for Unicorns and Pegasi, my bad attitude, all of that.” He said, emotionally pouring his heart out to his best friend.

Hitch sniffled a little bit emotionally, listening to his friend’s tale.

“But, most of all, I’m ashamed that I betrayed the trust of my two best friends in the whole world. The only two ponies who ACTUALLY give a fuck about me.” Sprout said, following a few sobs. More tears ran down his face.

Hitch had no idea Sprout felt so much remorse for his actions. He had no idea that the idea of losing him and Sunny affected him so much. It clearly had a mental impact on him.

He felt selfish for being bitter all those months. Never checking in on him. Never asking about him to his mother, Phyllis. Never wanting to think about him, because he got bitterly angry at him for the giant machine of doom.

Hitch had never felt so selfish. He felt like he was a terrible friend. Especially, to somepony he grew up with.

“And I was scared too.” Sprout continued, causing Hitch to continue listening to him.

“I was scared to approach you and Sunny and your new friends. Because…” He paused, his lip quivering again.

“What?” Hitch said, while wiping tears away.

“That you hated me. And that…that you don’t wanna see me ever again.” Sprout whimpered. “I wish I could take it all back. I’m so sorry, Hitch.”

Hitch regretted everything that happened during the past months. He wished he would’ve sat down and talked with Sprout. Like Tap Shot said, ask him why he did it. What he was thinking.

He felt like shit now. And he probably deserved to feel that way.

He gave a big sigh, looking at the ground in shame. “This all my fault.”

Sprout looked on in surprise. What did he say?

“I never should’ve avoided you. I never should’ve stopped thinking about you altogether. I never should’ve treated you like that.” Hitch said with deep regret and remorse.

Sprout couldn’t believe what he just heard. It was truly stunning to say the least.

“I wish I could take it all back too. I should’ve sat you down and talked with you, man to man. But it was my pride, my ego and my arrogance that kept me from doing it.” Hitch said, before looking back up at Sprout.

“I was bitter. I was bitter at you for disobeying me. That’s what made me not wanna speak to you anymore. But, I was wrong. I was wrong for thinking that.” He said, now putting a hoof on Sprout’s shoulder, surprising him.

“I’m so sorry…buddy.” Hitch said emotionally, which then followed something Sprout NEVER thought Hitch would ever do.

Hitch embraced Sprout in a hug. And cried on his shoulder.

“I’m so sorry.” He sobbed.

As Sprout felt Hitch’s tears on his shoulder, he felt his come back again. He then wrapped his hooves around Hitch as well.

“Me too. Me too.” Sprout sobbed.

Then, for the next 10 minutes, all Hitch and Sprout did was hug each other while crying their eyes out, and repeatedly apologizing to each other for their behaviors.

After their emotional apologies, Sprout and Hitch finally calmed down. The tears they shed were finally done. Even if they had extremely red eyes and puffy looking cheeks, they felt a lot better now.

“Your cheeks look about as bright as your coat.” Hitch jokingly said, sniffling. Happy sniffles this time.

“I hope you mean my face, cause I don’t swing that way.” Sprout said in his old smartass way with a smirk on his face.

“Screw you, man.” Hitch said, slightly laughing at his buddy’s joke. Sprout laughing in tow.

It was silent again for a minute before Hitch realized he still had a job to do.

“Listen to me, Sprout.” Hitch said to him in a serious tone, which got his attention.

“I KNOW you didn’t do this. I’ve known from the start. I know you to well.” He said, causing Sprout to give him an appreciative smile.

“But, after what happened in town with Zipp, the townsfolk are gonna believe it, no matter what we say. Even if I give the best speech ever, they won’t leave you alone. I’m just telling you.” Hitch said.

Sprout groaned. He knew Hitch was right. Especially after he struck Zipp in the face. They’d be after his head now.

“So, what do I do?” He asked.

“There’s only one thing you can do: Consent to a DNA test.” Hitch said.

Sprout looked at Hitch. “Seriously?” He asked. Not in a rude way, but in a “Is this truly the only way?” way.

Hitch nodded. “Charnelle told me that DNA tests never lie. Your match at the crime scene was only partial. If you wanna prove you didn’t do it, then prove it by agreeing to this. It’ll come up negative, and you’ll be in the clear.”

Sprout gave him a look that said he doesn’t know if that’ll work or not.

“Just trust me, please. It’s the only way. Please Sprout. I’m not just asking you as the Sheriff. I’m asking you as your best friend.” Hitch told him.

Sprout thought a moment. He wanted more than anything for all this to just go away. If that meant he had to take a full DNA test, then he guessed he had no choice. So, he made up his mind.

He nodded his head. “Okay Hitch. I’ll do it.”

Hitch nodded in agreement. “Thank you, I’m glad you made the smart choice.” He said, heading for the exit to the interview room.

He looked back at Sprout. “Follow me. I’m gonna help clear your name, pal.” He said, motioning for him to come with him.

Sprout agreed and followed Hitch out the door to take the DNA test.

Hitch just hoped that everything would be okay after everything that went down with him and Zipp. Hopefully, after the DNA test, they could all see the real Sprout right now. And, possibly, maybe they could be friends with him too.

By Celestia, he truly hoped.

Chapter 9: Nightmares and Dreamscapes

“UGH, OW!” Zipp grimaced in pain, as the doctor, Dr. Hoofington, looked over her injured eye. She was currently sitting on a hospital bed, Pipp next to her the whole time, while he felt her eye for any abnormalities in the eye socket area.

“So, you got into a fight, and the other pony punched you so hard, he blackened your eye? Is that what happened?” Dr. Hoofington asked.

“It’s a lot more complicated than that.” Zipp said, trying to save face.

“I see.” He said, continuing to look over her injured eye.

"How bad is it, Doc?" Pipp worriedly asked.

Dr. Hoofington stepped away from Zipp for a quick second, facing the both of them.

"Well, your eye looks pretty bad. Whoever it was that hit you, he got you good." He told Zipp, making her feel frustrated and angry. She still couldn't believe that Sprout Cloverleaf of all ponies ACTUALLY gave her a black eye. From what she's heard from some of the townfolk, Sprout was a major wussbag. So, him punching her that hard would look bad for her image.

"Don't remind me, please. Just tell me what's up so I can get outta here." Zipp said, rather rudely to him. That surprised Pipp a little bit. Zipp indeed have a sarcastic and sassy streak to her, but she never saw any disrespect or rudeness in her. Not even when they were fillies.

Dr. Hoofington also didn't appear to like that either. He just gave her a raised eyebrow look.

"Well, Miss Storm, I can tell you now that your orbital socket has taken some damage. I would need to look over you more to find out if it's just a fracture or flat out broken. However, there's something else I'd like to know as well."

"What's that?"

"I would like to see if you suffered a concussion as well. You did say that when you got punched, you swayed on you hooves a little bit, am I right?"

Pipp covered her mouth in shock. She didn't want to hear that. She just hoped it was a black eye that would heal in a few months. This? This was something different now.

Zipp groaned. She hoped the same thing as Pipp. She didn't know a punch from Sprout Cloverleaf would hurt her that much.

"So, what are you proposing?" She asked in an unhappy tone.

"I ask that you stay here for the night. So, I could monitor any more symptoms of a concussion if there are any."

“What? Are you serious?” Zipp asked, sounding surprised.

“Yes. If there are symptoms of a concussion, I would need to let you know what you would be facing. Concussions need to be taken with absolute seriousness.” Dr. Hoofington told her, not once showing any signs of giving her shit. He was as serious as ever.

“Ugh.” Zipp groaned again. “Is it really necessary?”

“Yes. Also, it’ll take about 12 to 18 hours to figure out wether your eye socket is just fractured or broken. So, if you stay here for the night, not only will I be able to determine that, but I’ll also know wether or not you have a concussion. So, please Miss Storm, I highly advise you stay the night.” He explained his reasoning to her.

Right before Zipp could give her answer, Pipp turned to face her.

“I agree.”

“What?” Zipp asked, looking at her in disbelief.

“Look, Zipp, I know you wanna find the killer, but if you’re gonna do that, you NEED to be healthy enough to do it. If you have a fractured eye socket and a concussion, you’ll just slow down Hitch’s investigation. You should take a day or two off from this. Help clear your head.” Pipp said to her.

“Pipp, come on, I-“

“Don’t “Pipp, come on”, me.” Pipp interrupted her in a motherly like tone. That surprised Zipp a little bit. She never expected her little sister to have their mother’s sternness in her.

“You are hurt. Injured. And Dr. Hoofington here is giving you the best outcome here. If you stay the night, you’ll know if you’re okay or not. It’s just one night, okay? So, please, just stay and get looked at.” Pipp said to her.

The more she talked, the more she started to think Pipp might be right. Zipp didn’t want to be to injured and not know about it, then go out there and get hurt again and make things worse. Plus, she could just tell Pipp was worried about her. She just wanted to know if she was gonna be okay or not.

So, again, Zipp decided to relent.

She groaned for a third time. “Fine. I’ll stay the night.” She grumbled.

Pipp smiled in relief. “Good. And I’ll stay here with you to keep you company.”

Before Zipp could say anything else, Dr. Hoofington seemed to agree with Pipp’s statement.

“I’ll make sure a bed is ready for you to sleep in tonight, Miss Petals.” He said, leaving the hospital room to go find her a bed.

Zipp just shook her head in frustration. Why was she in this situation?

After the whole fiasco at the Sheriff’s Department, Sunny was now home at the Crystal Brighthouse. As she walked in, she was greeted by her unicorn friend, the bubbly, Izzy Moonbow.

“Hi, Sunny.” She cheerfully called out, while crafting a few bracelets together. Sunny guessed they were new friendship bracelets she was gonna give to her and her friends.

“Hey.” Sunny said in a flat tone. Everything that happened was still fresh on her mind. She still couldn’t believe that Zipp and Hitch almost came to blows with each other. If her and Pipp weren’t there, they certainly would’ve thrown hooves at each other.

Izzy looked away from her bracelets and up at Sunny. She saw Sunny looking down.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” She asked, putting her crafting materials down and walking over to her friend.

Sunny knew she couldn’t keep this from her. Especially after she was asked by her about Sprout earlier today. She had every right to know.

She sighed. “Sit down. I have some really bad news.” She told her.

Izzy knew this looked serious. So, she did what she was told and sat down on the couch with her.

After Sunny sat next to her, she then proceeded to tell her everything that just happened recently. From Zipp accusing Sprout of murder, to her assaulting him, to Sprout punching Zipp in the face, to Zipp and Hitch’s really bad argument, to Pipp then escorting Zipp to the hospital. To say Izzy was shocked would be an understatement. Because, she looked like she just couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“This is all so crazy.” Izzy said, still letting the events she was just told sink in.

“I know. This is all just a mess.” Sunny said, looking worried for everypony involved.

“So, is Hitch interviewing Sprouty right now?” Izzy asked.

Sunny looked caught off guard with that nickname she gave her old friend. But, she quickly shook it off. She probably has nicknames for all her friends.

“Yeah. I wonder what those two are talking about.” She said.

“Did you get a chance to talk with him?” Izzy asked.

Sunny shook her head. “No, but Hitch promised me I would talk with him one on one when I get the chance. I have been wanting to speak with him for a while now.”

Izzy looked excited. “You have? So, does that mean you still consider him a friend?” She asked.

Sunny didn’t answer. She had a hard time coming up with one.

“Well, do you?” Izzy asked, looking concerned.

Earlier today, Sunny didn’t get a chance to answer Izzy’s question. Because, her break had ended and she needed to get back to customers. Now, her shift was over. She was home. Now, there wasn’t an excuse to get out of this.

“I don’t hate him.” She began. “I really don’t. I don’t think I can hate anypony. No matter what.”

Izzy nodded, encouraging her to go on.

“And I’ve known Sprout since I was a little filly. Me and him and Hitch have been friends for that long. I can’t just forget everything we’ve been through. Even if he teased me a lot, he was still my friend.” She said, before pausing again. Though, this times, she inhaled through her nostrils before she continued.

“But, now whenever I think about Sprout, and it isn’t all the time, I also think about…” She started to say, before her lip started to quiver.

When Izzy saw this, she felt sad. Because she knew why. She knew why she felt like this.

“Your Dad.” Izzy finished for her.

While being choked up, Sunny nodded her head.

“I know he didn’t do it intentionally. He did look really remorseful for what happened. But, he still destroyed my home. A place I lived in for so long. It’s…” She paused again, this time sniffling while a few tears of sadness ran down her face.

Izzy looked at her with sympathy. She put a hoof around her friend in comfort.

“I know.” Izzy said sadly.

“It’s all I have left of my Dad. And he destroyed it.” Sunny said, crying in sadness.

All Izzy could do was continue to comfort her friend. She let her rest her head in her shoulder and just cry. Openly weep for the memory of her father.

As she continued to let her tears out, she surprised Izzy with what she said next.

“I chose friendship.”

Izzy pulled her head away a little bit to look at her friend.

“What do you mean?” She asked Sunny.

“I don’t want to bitter. I don’t want to hold grudges against anypony. I just want ponies to be friends with each other. I want ponies to be able to live in happiness together. But…” She trailed off again.

Izzy, again, urged her to continue.

“How can I think that when I still think about what Sprout did? I don’t want to kick him out of my life. I really WANT to still be friends with him. But, what would my Dad think? Would he agree with me? Would he…” She paused once more, but was instantly able to finish her sentence without Izzy’s help.

“Would he still be proud of me?”

Izzy couldn’t help but let out a few tears of her own. She hated seeing any of her friends like this. She wiped the tears away as she spoke next.

“Your Dad would always be proud of you, Sunny.” She said, causing Sunny to look at her.

“Your Dad loves you, no matter what choices you make. No matter what decision you decide. He’ll always watch over you. Cause that’s what a Dad is supposed to do.” Izzy explained, with a tear running down her face as well.

Sunny did the same, while wiping her own tears away. She hugged her friend, who gladly returned it. They stayed like that for about a half a second before breaking the hug.

“Thanks, Izzy. I’ve been wanting to get this off my chest for a while now.” She said, as the two stood up from the couch.

“No problem, Sunny. And, just to let you know, Sprout DOES feel tremendous remorse for what he did. I could tell. And I really think he wants to talk to you too. To apologize for everything.” She said, causing Sunny to look glum. So, her thought was correct. Sprout really did feel bad for what he did.

“Now, I’ll always have your back, Sunny. But, if I’m being honest, I think Sprout DOES deserve a second chance. And since he does feel guilt, don’t you think he should at least try to show he’s a different pony now?” She asked in a humble voice, unlike the Izzy she knows today.

Sunny thought about that. She did agree that ponies, in hindsight, should be given a second chance. And, if Sprout was willing, should he be given a chance to show it?

She did agree to that…until she remembered the murder from yesterday.

“Well, what about the partial match?” She asked.

Izzy snorted in laughter. “Oh, come on, Sunny. You’ve known Sprout forever. You don’t really think he’s capable of that are you? I don’t see it.” She said in an upbeat tone.

Sunny thought on that. In all the years she’s known him, Sprout was always a talk first, then run away from a fight kind of pony. He’s the kind of guy who’d go find Hitch and ask him to fight his battles for him. He was a wussbag.

Him committing a murder like what Zipp described wasn’t like Sprout at all. Even if she WAS angry and bitter at him for destroying her home, she’d highly doubt he would commit a murder like that.

It was then she knew her mind was made up about this.

“No, you’re right. Sprout wouldn’t do something like this.” She said, feeling silly thinking that Sprout would commit a crime as horrible as that.

Izzy giggled. “Yeah. He’s WAY to cute to do that.” She said, not realizing what just came out of her mouth.

Though, that did get picked up by Sunny. Her eyebrow raised with a grin on her face.

“Izzy, do you-“ She started to ask slyly, before she was interrupted.

“Oh my, look at the time. It’s time to hit the sack.” She gave a big yawn, which was obviously exaggerated.

“I’m going to bed. Goodnight, Sunny.” She said, trotting up the stairs, humming a little tune to herself.

All Sunny could do was chuckle at her friends behavior. She didn’t expect Izzy to find Sprout cute. It was, honestly, kind of adorable.

She continued to laugh internally at Izzy’s behavior while she trotted up stairs to get ready for bed also.

“I’m not one for fashion sense, but this is the ugliest hospital gown I’ve ever seen.” Zipp commented, while looking over the gown she had to wear. It was all white and had horrible looking pink flowers on them in a pattern.

Pipp couldn’t help but snicker. She had always wanted Zipp to at least try a dress on all her life, and now she was wearing one that looked so ugly, even Pipp wouldn’t livestream it.

“It looks so bad.” Pipp said before bursting out laughing.

Zipp grumbled in anger. “You take any pics of me in this, I’m gonna shave your mane off while you sleep.” She said.

After Pipp’s laughter fit, she managed to compose herself. “No problem, big sister. You’re here to heal up, not look like you dress up like Mom back when she was younger than us.” She said, before laughing again.

Zipp blushed in embarrassment. “I’m going to bed. And I am serious about the mane shaving, sis.” She said, as she climbed into her hospital bed. She did wince in pain as she layed down and pulled the covers over her.

“Okay, Zipp. I think I’m gonna get some shuteye too. Tell me if you need anything in the middle of the night, kay?” She said to her, while on her side, pulling the covers over herself.

“Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. Goodnight.” Zipp grumbled, before laying down.

Pipp giggled. “Goodnight.” She said, doing the same.

As Sunny and Izzy were sleeping in their respective beds, the former was awakened by a sound she though she heard.

She groaned a little bit as she groggily sat up in her bed. After rubbing her eyes, she was startled at what she saw.

There was a large yellow light that was beaming at her bed. What she found strange, was it seemed to only be illuminating on her bed. She looked to her right and saw Izzy was still fast asleep. No light illuminated her bed.

She was also surprised that Izzy didn’t seem to stir. She was completely out like a light. Not even noticing the light illuminating Sunny’s bed.

She slowly got out of her bed and followed the light. It was leading downstairs. Now she was worried. Was there an intruder in the Crystal Brighthouse? Or, did Pipp come back from the hospital with Zipp?

As she descended the staircase, the light started to fade away from her and to something in the middle of the downstairs foyer. She was to the middle of the staircase, when she saw what was downstairs. And what she saw, she couldn’t believe it. She just could not believe what she was looking at.

“Hey, Sunny.” Argyle said with his kind smile on his face.

After a few seconds of her just standing there in the middle of the staircase, Sunny felt tears roll down her face. Emotional sobs escaped her throat. And with that, she ran down the rest of the staircase.

When she made it to the foyer, she ran into her dead father’s open hooves. She cried hard for a minute or two, relishing being in her father’s embrace again. A feeling she missed so much.

“Daddy.” She sobbed as she hugged him tighter, not wanting to let him go, like she was forced to the last time.

“Hey, sweetheart. How’s my little ray of sunshine doing?” He asked, hugging his daughter back.

Sunny, begrudgingly, let go of her father’s embrace, while wiping the tears away.

“I’m doing good. I did it. Me and my friends. We brought magic back to Equestria. All the ponies are united again. Earth ponies, Pegasi, and Unicorns are all living in harmony. We did it all. And I’m glad I was able to make your dream come true, Dad.” She said happily.

Argyle smiled. “I know. I saw everything. I’m so proud of you, Sunny. I knew you could do it.” He said.

Sunny sniffled a little bit, clearly emotional about her father’s approval.

“But, I see you’ve been having some troubles lately.” He said, causing Sunny to look at him in confusion.

“About one of your old friends, I believe.” He said.

When he said that, she knew who he was talking about. She knew who he was referring to.

Sprout Cloverleaf.

Sunny began to look sad. “You saw what happened?” She asked him, even though she knew the answer.

Argyle nodded. “I did. I did.” He said. “And I can see that it’s been on your mind for a little bit. You don’t know what to think or feel. Am I right?”

Sunny looked away in shame for a quick sec. “Yes. I don’t know what to do. I don’t think Sprout meant to do anything bad. Or hurt ponies. But….that lighthouse…it-“

“You feel it’s all you have left of me?” Argyle interrupted her. She was surprised he knew that. But, then realized she shouldn’t be. He’s always watching over her. Like a good father does.

Sunny nodded. “I miss you, so much. I wish you were here. I wish you could meet my friends. And…and let me know how you feel about Sprout.” She said.

Argyle sighed through his nostrils. “I wish I was there too, Sunny. Your friends sound like nice ponies. But, there’s a reason I’ve come here.” He said, now putting his hoof on her shoulder, surprising Sunny a little bit.

“I’m here to tell you…that you need to let me go.” He told her.

Sunny was shocked to hear this. Her father telling her to let him go?

“Dad, I-I can’t—“

“You can miss me everyday. You can think about me in the toughest of times. But, don’t let my death define who you are. Don’t let me not being here tell you what to do and not do. I want my daughter to live happy and freely with all her friends. Even the ones she’s confused about.” He told her in the most wise tone she’s ever heard from him.

Sunny felt her lip quiver. She couldn’t believe what her Dad was saying. It felt almost surreal.

“I forgive him. And if I can do that, can’t you let it go, too? I mean, after all, you have a new house to create new memories with. And with new friends to share it with. Do you really want to hold onto something that’s in the past?” Argyle asked her.

Sunny listened to her late father’s words. What he was saying, he did have a point. Even if she lost her lighthouse home, she had a new one. And with great friends to share it with. She had, in a lot of ways, a family. A family to create new and great memories for future days to come.

Did she really want to hold onto the past? Constantly keep thinking about stuff that happened before, when you could worry about now?

Did she really want to hold a grudge against a lifelong friend?

She sniffled. “You always were right, Dad.”
She said.

Argyle smiled wisely.

“I promise.” A determined Sunny said. “I won’t dwell on the past anymore. I won’t hold grudges. I’ll learn to value friendship. Just like the great Twilight Sparkle did. I’ll keep honoring your memory, by forging my own path. I swear I will, Dad.” She said, new tears spilling out of her eyes.

She then felt a hoof placed on her head. She looked and saw Argyle’s smiling face.

“That’s my girl. Thank you, Sunny.” He said.

It was then that Sunny noticed, Argyle’s body was starting to fade. His body was starting to erase.

“D-Dad!” Sunny said, worrying at first, before seeing his calm face.

“It’s okay, Sunny. I’m sorry, but I’ve gotta go now.” He said.

She felt her lip quiver. “You’re leaving already?” She sadly asked.

“Yes. But, I will always be watching you. Always supporting you. And always guiding you in the right direction.” He said, as his body was now fading completely. His spirit was now floating out of the Crystal Brighthouse.

“I love you, Sunny.” She heard his spirit echo to her.

She sniffled as tears of happiness ran down her face.

“I love you too….Daddy.”

Sunny woke up in her bed. Looking around at her room. She saw Izzy still sound asleep. Muttering things about glitter and unicycling.

She couldn’t help but smile at her friends antics. Even in her sleep, Izzy Moonbow was as random as ever.

Sunny got out of her bed, and then walked toward the window nearest to her. She looked up at the sky and saw a star twinkle at her.

It was like her father was wishing her goodnight. Watching over her and making sure she had good dreams. Just like the one she had just now.

As she put her hoof to the window, she gave her answer to what her Dad said to her in her dream.

“I’ll try my best, Dad.” She said softly, before hopping back into bed and going back to sleep.

”Ugh, why am I having trouble falling asleep?” Zipp softly asked in a frustrating tone, trying not to wake up Pipp.

She tossed and turned a few times before groaning and sitting up in her hospital bed. She looked on in envy at Pipp, who was out like a light, sleeping peacefully.

When she looked away from her, she started to feel a bit creeped out. It was completely dark in the hospital. She looked toward the window and saw it was dark outside too. What was worse was just how silent it was here. Not a single sound to be heard.

Until she heard a hoofstep.

Zipp felt like her heart just jumped into her throat. There was somepony here. There was somepony in the hospital after visiting hours were over.

Although, Zipp felt whoever was here wasn’t here to VISIT her. She didn’t know why, but she felt this pony was coming for her. She also had this feeling that it wasn’t a doctor or a nurse. So, who was it?

She heard the footsteps getting closer. Closer to her and Pipp’s room. Closer to them.

Her heart was beating tremendously. Her fear was skyrocketing. Who was it?

She heard the footsteps now outside her door. The pony then walked in. Zipp’s fear intensified even more. She knew who it was now.

It was Lilac Summer. The dead mare on the beach.

Zipp tried to speak, but she couldn’t. It was like some malevolent force had taken away her ability to speak. Or, it could just be the fear she was feeling.

Why was she seeing this mare again?

Lilac Summer slowly trotted over to Zipp’s bed. Zipp wanted to try and get out of there, but she couldn’t move. Her body was frozen to this hospital bed.

Zipp was now face to face with Lilac Summer. She saw the mannequin store blank expression on her face again. She almost was waiting for her to spit out the chunk of blood and fur in her mouth.

After Zipp had gulped down a huge amount of fear in her heart, she finally found the courage to speak.

“W-W-What do y-you want from m-me?” She stammered while shaking.

All Lilac Summer did was blink at her. Zipp didn’t know why, but that blink sent a chill down her spine.

She quickly looked over at Pipp for a second. She was still fast asleep. Not knowing the horror that Zipp was seeing.

She looked back and was, once again, greeted by the bruises and blood on Lilac’s body. She almost jumped from the scary surprise she saw. But, she was still frozen in her bed.

Then, her worst fear coming true, Lilac opened her mouth. Out fell the chunk of fur and blood. Though, this time, it fell directly on her lap. Granted, she still had a blanket over her body, but she still felt sick to her stomach just looking at that.

“Why are you doing this to me?” Zipp cried out in frustration.

After she asked that, she heard the sounds of the sharp knife again. SHINK-SHINK-SHINK.

“He’s coming.” Zipp heard Lilac say to her. She felt her blood run cold again, hearing her speak.

Though, this time, it was HOW she spoke. When she said that, she almost felt a demonic presence come from her. As if it came from the depths of hell itself.

Was Lilac Summer some kind of demon? Was she in Hell? She certainly hoped not.

Then, she heard the sharp knife sounds getting closer to them. Zipp started to worry. Because, now Pipp was here too. Whoever that thing is, he’ll hurt her too.

Her worry turned ice cold again when she heard Lilac Summer say this:

“Run.” She said, now getting closer to Zipp’s face. Zipp could smell the stench of death and decay on her.

“Run…Run…RUN…RUN…RUN!…RUN!…RUN!…RUN!!!…RUN!!!….RUN!!!!” Lilac Summer bellowed and screamed in Zipp’s face. She covered her ears to avoid any chances of becoming deaf from the loud and demonic tone coming from the dead mare.

She managed to open one eye and see something even more terrifying.

The black figure with the sharp knife(possibly the grim reaper?) had entered the room. As Lilac continued to yell at Zipp to run, the figure came up behind her and put his knife to her throat.

That’s when Lilac stopped yelling “RUN!” at her and then yelled something else:

“ZIPP! ZIPP! ZIPP! ZIPP! ZIPP!” Lilac screamed in terror as the black figure pulled her away to Celestia knows where.

Zipp just stared in terror. How did Lilac Summer know her name? Why was she yelling her name?

“ZIPP! ZIPP! Wake up! WAKE UP!” Pipp yelled at her, trying to get Zipp out of her nightmare.

Zipp then awakened. Sweat poured down her body. Shaking profusely. Not knowing where she was anymore.

She looked up and saw her little sister looking down at her with extreme worry on her face. She was on the ground. Her pillow and blankets scattered all over the floor. Thankfully, she didn’t feel hurt or anything. Physically at least.

Mentally and emotionally, Zipp felt scarred at what she saw.

Why couldn’t she help her? Why couldn’t she do something? Why couldn’t she do anything?

“Zipp, speak to me. Are you okay?” Pipp tearfully asked her.

Seeing Pipp worriedly cry for her was too much for Zipp. So, after seeing that, Zipp felt tears run down her face too. She reached up and embraced her little sister and cried onto her shoulder, like she did when she first saw the body.

Pipp was surprised at first, but then embraced Zipp as well. They both lay on the ground just hugging each other and crying.

Like what Zipp saw, this case may just turn into a nightmare for all ponies involved. And they still were just getting started.

Chapter 10: The Results Are In

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Chapter 12: Past Secrets Revealed

Sprout opened the front door to his home and trudged inside. He shut the door behind him and started to walk toward the bathroom to look at himself in the mirror. After he got jumped by Oscar and Sal, he wanted to make sure he didn’t have any bruises or marks on his face. If his mother saw any, she’d probably freak the fuck out and want to know everything.

His mother….Phyllis Cloverleaf.

While he slowly walked through his home toward the bathroom, he walked past a lot of pictures of himself and Phyllis together. Framed ones at that. Showing many great memories there were between them.

One photo was of him, Phyllis AND his late father, Bright Cloverleaf. It was only now that Sprout realized just how similar he and his father looked. Sprout was literally the spitting image of Bright.

In this very photograph, Sprout was about 6 years old. He and his family had a cookout at the Maretime Bay park to celebrate Equestria’s Anniversary Day. The many, many year(centuries at this point)anniversary of when Equestria was founded by their forefathers. Phyllis had made up two nice salads, while Bright handled the grill with his hayburgers. He even wore the cheesy as hell “Kiss The Cook” apron. Of course, Sprout was grossed out by that(any colt at his age would), while Phyllis just shook her head in a joking manner.

Anyway, Hitch and his mother Gladys were here too. She offered to take a photo of them at the grill. Bright and Phyllis agreed, while Sprout had to be called over. He didn’t exactly like being interrupted while him and Hitch played together. But he did, begrudgingly, and this is the photo today.

Sprout also remembered that this was almost two years before his father passed away so suddenly. Truth be told, he didn’t exactly think about his Dad very much. After the random brain aneurysm, Sprout did what his mother said and chose to move on. To not mourn him forever.

While it is true you can’t mourn somepony forever after they pass, that doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t mourn at all though. Sure there were a couple sad talks about Bright here and there, but that was pretty much it. Phyllis was a strong mare. The fact that she didn’t break down and show vulnerability after her husband had passed away so soon, showed her toughness as a mother.

There was another picture next to that one. This one was taken about 5 years later when Sprout was 11. He, Hitch and Sunny were at that year’s Science Fair. The three of them had worked together to build a catapult, which was what they were standing with in the picture. Hitch worked on sawing the wood, Sprout used a nail gun to piece the wood together, and Sunny drew out the plans to make it work. It took a while, but the three of them did create a pretty decent sized catapult.

Only for them to get 2nd place. Sprout was totally bummed when he got the results. Apparently, the class genius, Gizmo Appleton, had created a giant magnet that pulled the metal table up to it. To say everypony was impressed would be an understatement. Sprout, again, was disappointed that he lost, but Hitch and Sunny did comfort and reassure him about how 2nd place isn’t always the worst thing to come in. Sometimes, ponies are just better at things than they were.

Looking back, it was a pretty fun day. He was okay getting 2nd place. At least he didn’t get dead last for one student who literally did not try. There’s not trying and there’s what this one student did. He brought in a cup of dirt. No sign. No plant in it. No colors added to it. Just a plain cup of dirt. He remembered when he heard the colt say “It’s a cup of dirt. Just put an F on it and let me go home.” The teacher did just that.

However, he also looked back on this day with sadness and sympathy as well. Not for that colt, but for Sunny. The reason was because this was around the time when Argyle had started coughing a lot lately. He almost kept himself completely under control here, but there were a few times where he did have a coughing fit. He remembered how worried Sunny looked. How him and Hitch told her he probably just has a tickle in his throat. It’s probably nothing too serious.

Oh, how wrong they were. Not too long after this, Argyle checked himself into a doctor and found out he had cancer. Him and Hitch admittedly felt guilty for telling Sunny that, even if they shouldn’t. They couldn’t have known at the time.

He remembered how Argyle fought this cancer for 6 long years. Chemotherapy, remissions, going through it again, hospitals, doctors giving false hopes and bad signs for the future. That was everything that Argyle and Sunny went through for 6 long years. Until 3 months after Sunny’s 17th birthday. When Argyle ultimately lost his fight.

He remembered that day. The day after him and Hitch had visited Argyle with Sunny for the last time in the hospital, he got a message from Hitch that morning saying that Argyle had passed away. He had come to Sunny’s lighthouse home to comfort his grief stricken friend. He remembered how heartbroken she was, wrapping her hooves around her two foalhood friends and crying like a newborn baby.

While Hitch gave her comforting words, all Sprout did was just let Sunny bury herself into him. Just letting her cry. Just letting her get all her emotions out. He never said a single word to her. Not on that day.

Nor did he at Argyle’s funeral either. He remembered how the three of them had sat in the front pew, facing the altar. While the priest read the memorial of Argyle to the crowd, Sunny was crying her eyes out at the beautiful speech that was being given for her father. She sat between Hitch and Sprout that day. Phyllis sat next to Sprout, and Gladys sat next to Hitch. While Gladys also shed tears, Phyllis did not. Not that she felt no sympathy or compassion for Sunny, but she just had herself under control. Never let them see that they get to you, remember?

Sprout didn’t have tears in his eyes either, but he couldn’t help but feel tremendous pain for Sunny. Losing a parent at any age can be hard for anypony. Especially before they turn 18. Sprout lost his father almost a decade ago by that point, and he knew what Sunny was feeling. He knew how much sorrow she felt in her heart. He empathized with her.

He reached out a hoof and patted Sunny on the shoulder in the most comforting way he could. Sunny looked at him, tears running down her face, while also looking surprised as well. He hadn’t said or did anything during the whole process of the funeral. So, him doing this caught her off guard a little bit.

He gave her a sympathetic look while patting her shoulder. He then looked away, taking his hoof off her. The priest still honoring Argyle’s memory.

Looking back, Sprout wished he would’ve said something. Anything to her. To make her feel like he really cared. Because he did care. He truly did. He just, didn’t exactly show it in the most supportive way.

Again, never let them see that they get to you.

He saw another picture next to that one. This one he ABSOLUTELY remembered. This was certainly a day he would never forget.

This was taken about 5 years ago. When Sprout was almost 20 years old. In this photo, he was standing next to his mother. The two of them were dressed up in a suit(which he HATED) to promote the new renovations done for Canterlogic. Phyllis had decided to make her building bigger. She had added a new cafeteria, a bigger kitchen, made the working areas larger than before, and even added a daycare center for employees who had foals that couldn’t afford a foalsitter. Overall, the renovations were successful for Canterlogic.

In this photo, Sprout stood next to Phyllis with a big smile on his face. Almost a bit too big. What he remembered about that day, however, was this was around the time when Sprout and Hitch had become the law of Maretime Bay. Hitch as the Sheriff and Sprout as the Deputy. When Phyllis found out about that result, she was not very happy at that. She expected it to be the other way around. She wanted her son to be Sheriff. Not taking orders from somepony else. That’s not what a Cloverleaf does. Even if it is from a longtime friend.

After that picture was taken, he remembered how Phyllis told him she wasn’t too happy with what happened. He remembered how he should try to outshine Hitch at any cost to prove that HE was a better Sheriff than him. Why?

Because it would help her business. How great would it be that Sprout, the son of the owner of Canterlogic, be the Sheriff of Maretime Bay? That would make her and her business look great.

That was the day when Sprout started to feel jealous and envious of his best friend. He wanted to make his mother happy. He wanted to make her look good. He wanted to show how great of a son he is. And how did he do that?

He became a delusional, reckless, power hungry dictator who destroyed his best friend’s home. He lost his job, his friends, he lost everything. All because he listened to her.

He’s listened to his mother all his life. He never questioned her. He never mouthed off at her. He never told her No when she asked him of something. He never left her side. He was a Momma’s boy. Plain and simple. That’s who he was and still is.

And now…throughout his whole life, from when he was born to this moment now…he finds out he has an older brother out there. He has a brother, whom Phyllis never told him about. She never told her youngest son, her sugercube, the light of her life…that he has a big brother out there. That she has another son.

As Sprout kept staring at this photo, he felt his emotions come boiling up. His grip on the photo tightened. His hooves were shaking. His lip was quivering. His breathing was heavily. His eyes were watering with angry and sad tears. His throat was choked with a sob.

“You fucking bitch.” He whispered.

Then, everything inside had come out. All the boiling emotions had exploded out of him like a volcanic eruption. Sprout took that very photo of him and his mother that day 5 years ago at Canterlogic…and smashed it on the ground.

“YOU FUCKING BITCH!” He screamed in complete rage. “YOU FUCKING BITCH!” He was now stomping on that very photo, not even caring he was getting broken glass in his feet.

He then went to the kitchen, got a hammer from one of the drawers near the stovetop, and came back to the now damaged photo.

“FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU!” He was screaming as he slammed the hammer down on the damaged photograph. What also was coming down were the tears coming from Sprout’s angry and hurt eyes as his meltdown continued.

“YOU! FUCKING! BITCH!” He said, as he stopped hitting the photo with the hammer. He just threw it to the side, not caring where it landed.

He was huffing and puffing now, looking at the damage he had just done. A broken photograph of him and his mother. Broken glass all over the floor.

A broken stallion. A broken son. A broken friend.

As he gave one last stomp to the photo, he saw something else as well. Something else that was broken.

A broken bond between a mother and her son.

Sprout just sat on the couch, not bothering to clean up the mess he made. With his bloody hoof, he just layed down and let his emotions out. He sobbed and cried for the next hour or so.

All because of Phyllis Fucking Cloverleaf. All because of his mother.

“You Fucking Bitch.”

“Hitch, what is going on here? Where’s my son?” Phyllis asked impatiently, while the two of them were standing in an interrogation room together.

“He left just a little bit ago. He’s probably at home.” Hitch said in a low tone.

“Why was he here? Is he in trouble or something?” Phyllis asked, sounding worried. “Why did Zipp attack my son? I saw the video.”

Hitch sighed at all of Phyllis’ questions. She had a right to ask them, due to her probably not knowing what the hell all was going on in Maretime Bay these past few days. Especially involving Sprout.

So, Hitch decided to just tell her everything. Hopefully, she’d be willing to talk after this as well.

“A dead body showed up on the beach two days ago.”

Phyllis felt her eyes go wide and her heart tighten at the statement she just heard.

“What?!” She said in disbelief.

“There was a dead body that was found by the Pippsqueaks. Glory, Seashell and Peach Fizz. Those poor little fillies found a dead body.”

“Oh….” Phyllis felt so bad for those three little ones. They must’ve been so terrified finding something like that.

“The body was in bad shape. Whoever did this completely brutalized her. It was sick.” Hitch said.

“What does this have to do with my sugercube?” Phyllis asked desperately.

“I was getting to that.” Hitch said, kind of cutting her off. That made Phyllis be quiet.

“My ME pony Charnelle found a partial match of Sprout’s DNA at the crime scene.”

“Oh no.” Phyllis said, her inner terror rising in her heart. “Please, don’t tell me my boy is being framed. I know he messed up, but he would never murder somepony.”

“That’s what Zipp thought. She lost her temper and emotional control and accused Sprout of being the murderer. She tackled him to the ground, and he punched her in the face to get him off of her.” He said.

Phyllis didn’t look too happy at that statement. “Is that why Zipp is in jail?” She asked, causing Hitch to nod his head.

“Good.” She said, rather cold hearted.

“So, after that, I had an interview set up with Sprout.” Hitch said, now with a grateful smile on his face.

“After him and I talked, we hugged each other and cried like foals. I’m glad him and I are friends again.”

Phyllis felt her heart warm hearing that. “You really did that?” She asked.

“Yeah. Him and Sunny reconciled too. We’re all friends again.” He said, almost getting choked up.

Phyllis did tear up a little bit. “Oh, I’m so happy you and Sunny didn’t kick Sprout out your lives. Thank you for giving my boy another chance, Hitch.” She said, sounding truly grateful. Which made Hitch smile in appreciation for her thanks.

However, he knew what he was here for. So, that very smile went away, and was replaced with a disappointing frown. Making Phyllis look confused.

“That’s where you come in, Phyllis.” Hitch said in a low, slightly intimidating tone. Phyllis didn’t like that. Not at all.

“W-What do you mean?” She asked, sounding worried.

“Well, after Sprout and I reconciled, I urged him to take a DNA test to prove his innocence. And you know what: He agreed to it.”

Phyllis froze.

“And just now we got the results. Thankfully, Sprout is in the clear. He didn’t murder that mare. But, you wanna know what IS a problem?” Hitch asked, now feeling cross with her.

Phyllis didn’t answer. Her body was still frozen in place.

“Well, Charnelle told me that Sprout and our murderer have the same DNA. And that it was a stallions DNA as well. So, you are in the clear too. But, I was wondering, Sprout was too, about how that could be possible? I mean, there isn’t another Cloverleaf out there, right?” He asked her, his frown still there and his cross feelings growing.

Phyllis felt her lip start to quiver. Her body started to shake. Her breathing was getting heavier and heavier. It was almost as if she was having a panic attack.

“She then said, and I quote, “I’m not talking about your mother. I’m talking about your older brother.””

Phyllis’ legs felt like rubber. She lowered herself to the ground. With a terrified look on her face.

“So, I’d like to know, Phyllis, why? Why would you keep something like this from everypony else?” He asked, looking down at her with a stern expression.

No word was said for about a minute between the two of them. Hitch just looked angry with Phyllis, while she stayed low to the ground, looking like a filly getting caught doing something bad.

“Phyllis.” Hitch said. “I need to know.”

He heard Phyllis mutter something under her breath. It was silent, so he couldn’t make out what it was she said.

“What was that?” Hitch asked.

Phyllis looked up at Hitch with a pleading look. “Hitch, please.”

His face still kept that serious, no bullshit expression. He wasn’t screwing around here.

“It would ruin Sprout’s life if this got out. It would ruin my employee’s lives as well. Don’t make me do it.” She said, looking on the verge of tears.

Hitch looked surprised to hear this. “How would it ruin their lives?” He asked.

Phyllis finally stood up from her pleading stance. “Look, it happened years ago. Years before I met Bright. I was a young teenager.”

“Do you know where your other son is?” Hitch asked.

“No. And, honestly, I don’t even care where he is. As long he’s not here.” Phyllis said in a very uncaring voice.

Which surprised Hitch. Sure Phyllis had shown sternness before. And she showed a no-bullshit attitude as well. But this….this felt different.

“Why do you feel that way?” Hitch asked.

“Like I said, I was a young teenager, and the piece of garbage who impregnated me left me high and dry.”

“Where is the father?”

“Don’t know, and don’t care. I hope he’s dead. Hell, I hope he died a horrible, painful death wherever he is.”

Like earlier, Hitch thought he was looking at somepony else who just so happened to have Phyllis Cloverleaf’s face and body. After hearing her uncaring and hurtful words about her other son, he felt it stronger now. This did NOT feel like the same Phyllis he grew up knowing for years.

“Why’d you give up your other son?” Hitch asked.

“He looked exactly like his father. I hated his father, and I hate that thing too.” Phyllis said in her cold blooded tone.

Hitch just gave her a look of disbelief and disgust.

“You don’t know what happened to me.” Phyllis said flat out.

“What’s your other son’s name?” Hitch asked.

“I didn’t give a name. The nurse who operated on me gave me the first name she could think of and I just took it.” Phyllis said. Hitch could tell she wanted to get out of this interrogation room. She wanted to both find her son AND get out of this conversation.

“What name?” Hitch asked, looking cross with her.

“Bud. Bud Bloomington.” She said.

“Bloomington is your maiden name?”

“Yes. But I don’t use that name for anything anymore.”

“Why?”

“None of your fucking business.” Phyllis was getting really agitated now.

Hitch himself felt agitated too. “What did you do with Bud?”

“A few days after I brought that thing into the world, after I was able to walk around without help, I dropped him off at the first orphanage I could find. Somewhere in Clopton. I just wanted to get rid of that thing.”

Hitch shook his head at her. “What happened to you, Phyllis? How could you be so cruel?”

“No!” She yelled. “I will….I will never….NEVER speak of that THING ever again. I don’t EVER want to talk about it. Not to you. Not to Sunny. Not to ANYPONY.”

“What the hell’s your problem, Phyllis?!” Hitch angrily yelled at her.

“YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE! AND YOU NEVER WILL!” Phyllis literally screamed at her son’s foalhood friend.

After a brief few seconds of silence between them, and with frustrated tears in her eyes, Phyllis spoke again.

“I couldn’t stand looking at that thing. It made me sick. Even now, it still disgusts me.” She said, wiping away tears with her hoof.

“Do you think Bud knows who you are? That you’re his mother?” Hitch asked.

“I don’t see how. I only had him for three or four days before I got rid of the abomination.” Phyllis said sadly.

Hitch paused for a brief second before continuing. “Phyllis, I’ve known you ever since I was a colt. How could you never tell Sprout about this? I mean, you should’ve seen him when he found out the news.”

Phyllis looked away in self disgust from Hitch. Apparently, she had spent years keeping this secret from her son. Never wanting him to find out. Now, he knows about Bud Bloomington. He must be devastated.

And probably angry with her as well.

“Oh, and two of your employees assaulted Sprout after they saw the video.” Hitch told her, making Phyllis look at him in surprise.

When she saw he was being serious, she now looked pissed off.

“Who?” She asked.

“Oscar and Sal.” He told her.

Phyllis let out a growl. “Well, since you’re the Sheriff, I want you to relay those two a message: tell them they are FIRED.” She yelled out the last part of that sentence.

She turned around and headed for the door. “I’m done here. I need to see my sugercube.” She said, wanting to get out of there.

“Phyllis, no pony is gonna judge you if you had a foal when you were a teenager.” Hitch said, while her hoof was at the door.

“I’m not talking about this anymore, Hitch.” She told him, while turning the door knob.

Just as she was about to open it, Hitch said to her, “It’s okay. You were young, and you and that guy chose to ha—“

“I DID NOT—” She angrily yelled at him, cutting him off. She stopped herself from finishing that sentence.

Hitch looked surprised. She did not what? Why didn’t she finish her sentence? He was about to ask her what she meant, before Phyllis lifted her hoof up at him, signaling she didn’t want to hear it.

“Go to hell.” Phyllis muttered loudly for him to hear, while she finally opened the door and walked out.

Hitch just stood there for a minute, before deciding to follow her. He wanted to know what she was about to say. What did she mean by she did not? Did not what?

As he walked into the lobby, Zipp still huddled on the jail cell bed, he saw the door had just closed. She must have just walked outside. So, he decided to go after her.

However, when he opened the lobby door, he was greeted by the presence of two older ponies he knew very well. They were around the same age as Phyllis is. And now his problems were just about to get worse.

“Sheriff Hitch, is my daughter here?” Queen Haven asked him, while Alphabittle Blossomforth stood right by her side.

Hitch let out a groan. He wanted to ask Phyllis more questions. He wanted to know more about this Bud Bloomington. Who was he? Who was the father? And why did she look so scared or reluctant to talk about it?

Either way, now he had these two to worry about now as well. He knew there was gonna be more drama to deal with now more than ever.

He just wondered what Sprout was gonna say to Phyllis when the two would meet again. He did have this one feeling though:

Nothing was gonna be the same after all of this. Never again.

Author's Note

Thank you all for reading this chapter. I hope you all are enjoying the story so far.

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

Chapter 13: Family Matters

-/-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.

Chapter 14: Family Dilemma

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.

Chapter 15: Another Decision Made

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Chapter 16: Leaving Maretime Bay

“Well, I’m off to work, Mommy. See ya later.”

Phyllis Cloverleaf remembered her son saying those exact words every day he would leave for his job at Canterlogic after he was let go by Hitch. He would say it with a deadpan tone with a mix of depression in it. It was something she was used to hearing everyday.

As she stood in her shower, letting the water rain down on her body, she remembered how she did NOT hear Sprout say that today. Because he was not here anymore. He had moved out in anger at her. After finding out he had an older brother out there all these years, he said those words that still rung in her head. Breaking her heart every time she heard it.

I’m not your Sugercube anymore

After she had cried herself to sleep last night, her tears had run out now. She couldn’t cry anymore. All she had were her heartbroken thoughts about her sweet little boy possibly not loving her anymore.

Would he really thought? She knew he was angry at her. Maybe he had a right to be. But, he didn’t hate her. Did he?

You only hate yourself

She flinched and cringed in the shower as she tried to make those damn voices go away. Why were they doing this to her? Why couldn’t they just leave her alone?

She hadn’t heard those voices in years. Why were they here now? What did they want?

Or maybe you hate HIM more

Go away.

You know why. You know what happened.

I said go away. Her hooves were shaking as the water ran down the shower walls.

You know I can’t go away. Unless you admit it. Acknowledge what HE did to you.

Phyllis’ eyes widened in fear when the voice told her that. Her shaking increased. Her fear grew even stronger.

Just at the thought of …. HIM!!!!!!

Come on. Say it. Say it!

“Will you shut up?! I have to get ready for work!” She yelled out loud over the water raining down on her.

Come on Bloomin-

“THAT IS NOT MY LAST NAME! IT’S CLOVERLEAF! YOU HEAR ME?!!!” Phyllis bellowed at the top of her lungs in anger. It was so loud, somepony outside probably could’ve heard her.

As she huffed and puffed, trying to calm herself down, the voices stopped talking to her. She had hoped they’d finally go away for good now.

She turned the water off, allowing the breeze to flow around her body. She opened the curtain and stepped out of the shower, planting her hooves on the rug that was on the cold tile floor. After she dried her body off, next came her mane. Something she took great pride in making sure it looked good everyday when she was in her office, and around her employees.

When she tilted her head up toward the fog infested mirror to look at herself while drying, she suddenly felt an eerie vibe run through her. Even though she couldn't see herself in the mirror, she felt like there was something behind that fog. Something evil.

Actually, not something. Some pony. She felt that this pony, whoever it is, was staring at her. Gazing into her soul. Checking her out. Looking over her like some pervert. It was making her uncomfortable.

What made it worse for her was, for some reason, she felt like she KNEW who this pony was. Somepony she knew from long ago. Somepony whom she felt terrified of even thinking about now.

She wiped the fog off the glass and saw it was her reflection. It was her. It was Phyllis CLOVERLEAF. That was her name. That is who she is, was and will always be. That other name was nothing to her.

She finished drying her mane, put on her makeup, and then left the bathroom. She had to get ready for work now. She had a business to run after all. When she left that very bathroom, she still felt sad that she couldn't make breakfast for Sprout anymore. She would just make it for herself. A little piece of toast with a side of orange juice. A simple, but effective breakfast.

After finishing that, she went back to the bathroom to brush her teeth. As she put the toothpaste on her wet brush, she thought back to that feeling she had just a few moments ago. Why did she have that feeling? Why did she feel so paranoid?

That stallion was dead. Dead to her both physically and emotionally. He was gone. So why did she feel so scared all of a sudden?

She shook her head to get those thoughts out. It didn't matter. Those feelings she had didn't matter. Why should they matter anyway? It's not like she'd tell anypony about this anyway. They'd think she's nuts. They wouldn't believe her.

Just like a long, long time ago. When everypony called her a liar. When nopony believed her. When THEY didn't believe her.

"Do you REALLY have to go?" Seashell asked in a hurt tone, alongside her two besties, Glory and Peach Fizz. The three of them looked sad seeing the situation before them.

Zipp felt sorry for them, while Pipp tried not to get emotional. Even fanning her eyes with her fluffy wing.

"Unfortunately, yes Pippsqueaks. I need to be here for my big sister at a time like this. Every step of the way." Pipp said, trying not to cry. Which just made the Pippsqueaks look even sadder than before.

Hitch, Sunny, Izzy and the Pippsqueaks had gathered at the garden of the Crystal Brighthouse to see Zipp and Pipp off. Even if it was only going to be for 7 days, it still felt sad seeing them leave. It was like seeing them go off to war, even though there was no war at all going on.

Both Sunny and Izzy looked sad, seeing the situation, while Hitch just looked gloomy and depressed. He really didn’t want to do this, but he had to. It was for the best for everypony involved.

“But why? What happened with Zipp?” Glory asked in a very innocent tone. She and her friends clearly didn’t understand how serious the whole situation was.

Zipp sighed sadly. “I need to take some time off of this case. I haven’t been myself ever since we looked at the body.”

“Have you been scared? Cause I have. Sometimes, I’m scared she’ll come and get me when I sleep.” Peach Fizz said, very timidly. Glory and Seashell hugged their friend in comfort.

Pipp joined them in that hug, allowing a small tear to run down her cheek.

“Don’t be scared, Pippsqueaks. You’ll be safe with our friends still here. I promise.” She told her little fans. They all looked up at her and smiled, a little teary eyed as well.

Zipp smiled and walked over to them. As she put her wing on Pipp’s back, she told them in confidence, “We’ll be okay, kiddos. It’s only for 7 days. Then, when we come back, maybe we can do something with you three.”

The Pippsqueaks smiled in excitement, letting go of Pipp’s hug. “Princess Pipp, can we get our manes done when you come back?” Seashell asked.

“Yeah, and Zipp can too.” Glory said.

“I don’t think I mea—“

“Of course, Pippsqueaks. I’d be happy to give you three a little makeover. That’ll be fun.” She said with a kind smile on her face, causing the Pippsqueaks to squee in delight.

After a second of silence, Hitch decided to speak. “Zipp, I’m sorry it had to be like this. But, you agreed to the terms, and now you have to follow them.”

Zipp nodded. “Yeah. I know.”

“Just…don’t make me regret this. Okay?”

“I won’t.”

Another second of silence went by, and Sunny and Izzy hugged both Zipp and Pipp goodbye as well.

“We’re gonna miss you when you’re gone.” Izzy said.

“Yeah. Come back as soon as the 7 days are up.” Sunny said.

“We will, girls. We’ll miss you too.” Pipp said, now grabbing her carry bag. Thankfully, this time, she was traveling light. No need for over 50 suitcases.

“Take care you guys.” Zipp said, her carry bag with her as well. The two sisters then took flight toward Zephyr Heights. Their home.

“Goodbye, Princesses.” The Pippsqueaks called, waving goodbye to them.

As they were now in the distance, all of them sighed. They weren’t going to see their friends for a whole week now. It certainly wouldn’t feel the same for the time being.

“Come on you three.” Hitch said, looking sad. “Let’s get you home to your Mama’s.”

The Pippsqueaks nodded in agreement. As they followed Sheriff Hitch, with Izzy watching them leave, Sunny continued to look up to the sky where Zipp and Pipp were at now. Izzy turned her head and stood next to her best friend.

“You feeling okay, Sunny?” Izzy asked in concern.

“Why did it have to be like this? Why did Zipp have to lose control of her emotions? Why is the whole situation so bad?” Sunny asked, sounding depressed.

Which made Izzy sad. She hated seeing ponies so down in the dumps. Anypony really.

“I don’t know. Things just happen, I guess.” She said, patting Sunny on her shoulder in comfort.

After a brief moment of silence, Izzy decided to ask Sunny something.

“So….what should we do?”

“Well, I have to go back to the Crystal Brighthouse to get my smoothie supplies for the stand. Gotta do my shift today.” She said, still looking depressed as she walked away.

“Hey.” Izzy said, following her. “Maybe I could help you?”

However, Sunny shook her head. “Thanks for the offer, but I’d kinda like to be alone now, Izzy.” She said, making Izzy more sad.

“Maybe, you could go check up on Sprout. See how he’s doing. Maybe see how his Mom is doing.” Sunny said in a low tone, showing her depressing mood.

When she said that, Izzy blushed a little. Go see Sprout? Now? Alone?

Be alone with Sprout? Why did she feel both so giddy and nervous now at the same time?

“Okay, Sunny.” She said, quickly regaining her composure. “I’ll do that. And I’ll let you in on how he’s doing.”

Sunny smiled, still showing some blueness to it. “Thanks Izzy.” She said, now turning away to walk towards her home.

Izzy turned in the opposite direction, headed toward the Cloverleaf home. Hopefully, Sprouty was there. Hopefully he was feeling better.

Hopefully, she would know what to say.

As the two Pegasi sisters flew in the air, the only sound that could be heard was the breeze that blew through their faces. The silence in the their flight was almost deafening to a degree. What was also deafening, was the look of failure on Zipp Storm’s face.

She was supposed to be an intelligent, tech savvy detective, and on her first big time case, she blew it. And blew it HARD. Now, she was technically on some type of probation with Hitch after her emotional incident in town 3 days ago. Worse, now she was going to face the inevitable dread of having to serve some time in jail.

Zipp Storm. One of the heroes of Equestria. One of the five ponies who brought magic back to Maretime Bay. The future Queen of Zephyr Heights. And even a flight instructor.

All those things she was, and now on that list was a prisoner. A mare who flat out committed aggravated assault on a citizen of Maretime Bay. He might’ve been a former criminal, but he was still a citizen no less.

Somepony who she may have ruined his life. An innocent stallion had his life ruined. All because of her.

Pipp noticed the incredibly sad and depressing look on her big sister’s face. She eased over to her as gently as possible.

“Hey.” Pipp said, getting Zipp’s attention. “This is a good thing. Okay? I know you’ll have to serve some jail time, but right now, this is the best thing for you. Mentally and Emotionally.” She said with great care in her voice.

Zipp looked away from her in a state of gloominess. “I just…I just wish I could’ve handled things better. This whole situation is my fault.”

Pipp looked sad. She wanted to say something encouraging to her, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t, because she knew Zipp was right. It was sad to say, but it was true. They flew for about 20 more minutes before they finally saw it.

Zephyr Heights. The land they called home. The place where Pegasi lived in harmony, along with Unicorns and Earth Ponies.

There was the large bridge where Pegasi crossed back when they still couldn’t fly. There were the very tall buildings, some of which had big TV screens on them(which would feature Pipp in her livestreams, podcasts and even commercials). There were the many, many restaurants, most of which were fast food chains. Their favorite was The Hayburger Hut, which according to legend, was around even before the great Twilight Sparkle became the ruler of Equestria.

As Zipp and Pipp flew past the sights, they couldn’t help but smile. So many wonderful memories they had here. Truth be told, while they were excited to move to Maretime Bay, they also felt a sense of sadness that day as well. They were leaving behind all of this. All of the wonderful things that Zephyr Heights had done for them.

It just goes to show that, even if you stay at someplace for a long period of time, it still isn’t the same as what ponies call home.

Speaking of home, and after seeing the sights, they floated down toward the castle. This large structure was their home ever since they were fillies. A beautiful castle to live in.

When they touched the ground, they saw their mother Queen Haven and Alphabittle Blossomforth standing there. Zoom Zephyrwing and Thunder Flap, two of Haven’s guards, were there as well. They must’ve been waiting for them to arrive.

“Welcome home, Princesses Zipp and Pipp. It’s an honor to be able to see you again.” Zoom proudly proclaimed.

“And to be able to serve you for any request you may need. You just let us know, and we’ll be there on the spot.” Thunder added, with a bow.

Queen Haven trotted over toward her two daughters with a warm smile and embraced both of them.

“Welcome home, my little fillies.” She said to them in a soft tone, while they hugged their mother back.

While that went on, Alphabittle couldn’t help but notice that, while Pipp was smiling during her mother’s hug, Zipp just had a depressed, defeated look on her face. Not that she wasn’t happy to see her. It could’ve just been under better circumstances.

He gave a light sigh. He knew that this was going to be a very interesting week. And maybe, not in a good way.

“Alright. Now, it’s time.” Hitch muttered to himself, while at his computer desk.

After he escorted the Pippsqueaks home to their mother’s, he knew he had to get back to work with this. After all the drama with Zipp and Sprout, now it was time.

It was time to continue the hunt for this killer.

He laid back and relaxed in his chair. While doing that, he went over all the details in his head. The details he had so far that is. The details about the victim, Lilac Summers.

Her being, not from Maretime Bay, but one of its twin towns, Clopton. She was apparently lugged for 30 miles, maybe even more, from Clopton to the beach of Maretime Bay. Her baby was missing also. The mare was brutalized beyond belief. With her neck getting snapped in half, while having her marehood be mutilated by a sharp knife.

Hitch shivered and shuttered in disgust and fear. When he first saw that sight, he lost his lunch, while Zipp lost her mind in a way. Maybe the townsfolk had as well.

Then, in a shocking reveal, his ex-deputy and best friend, Sprout Cloverleaf, had a partial match of his DNA found at the crime scene. That lead to the incident in town that now led to Zipp being arrested and now sent back home. He considered her lucky that Haven bailed her out when she did, but he remembered she was a Queen. She could’ve bailed her out on an even more serious charge if that happened. She was a Queen after all. She had a lot of money.

After Sprout took a DNA test, it was revealed that it was NOT him that did it. Which was good. His friend was in the clear.

Then he found out about this “Bud Bloomington.” Sprout’s long lost big brother. It was HIS DNA. It was HIM who murdered Lilac Summers.

Bud Bloomington was Phyllis Cloverleaf’s first born son. Bloomington was apparently her maiden name. She had him when she was only a teenager. And, according to his ME Pony Charnelle, Bud was about 12 or 13 years older than Sprout. So, he had to be about about 37 or 38 years old now.

Meaning, when you do the math, that Phyllis was about 14 or 15 when she had gotten pregnant with Bud. Obviously, a young age to have a foal. Not uncommon, but still young nonetheless.

Phyllis also had NEVER, not once, told a single pony about this. She never told Hitch, Sunny, or even her second born son, Sprout. Hell, she probably never told Sunny’s Dad or his Mom, Gladys. This was something she WANTED to keep secret. Something she WANTED to keep buried and hidden away.

She made no bones about it on how much she hated the stallion who impregnated her that day. Understandable. However, she also hates Bud as well. She even kept calling him “That Thing.” She never even called him the name she eventually decided to name him. She kept saying “That Thing.”

Why? What could make her hate her own child so much? How could she feel hate for her own son?

He also remembered that little outburst she blurted out right before she left her interview with him. When she screamed, “I DID NOT—” before stopping herself. He asked again, what did she mean by that? Did not what?

What? She did not choose? As in, she did not choose to……

Hitch felt his eyes widen in shock. He started to put the pieces together, now that he had a bit of an epiphany. The more he did that, the more it was….kind of starting to make sense.

“Oh God.” He whispered to himself.

As much as he didn’t want to believe it, as much as it disgusted him to think about it, as much as he didn’t want to imagine the pain Phyllis must’ve gone through, he had to acknowledge that there were some things that pointed to it. Things that made him have to ask this question?

Was Phyllis….raped?

Author's Note

I told ya I wasn’t gonna hold anything back.

So, I hope you all liked this chapter. If you do, make sure to comment, like, favorite and follow for future updates. Thank you all and goodnight everybody.

Chapter 17: The Hunt Is On

-/-Bella & Vinny Residence-/-

*knock*knock*knock*

“Sprout, sweetheart, it’s time to wake up.” Bella said in her kind voice, as she opened the door to the guest room Sprout was now staying in.

Sprout stirred a little bit before he rubbed his eyes, getting the sleep out of them. He looked over at Bella, who greeted him with a warm smile.

“Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?” She asked him.

Sprout groaned as he lifted the blankets off of him, and proceeded to get up from the bed. He stretched and yawned while he said, “Yeah, I did. These beds are comfy.”

Bella giggled a little bit as she watched Sprout continue to stretch his limbs.

“Well, sweetheart, let’s go downstairs. I’ve prepared breakfast for us.” She said, leaving his room with a spin in her steps and a sparkle in her walk.

It wasn’t until after she walked away that Sprout smelled the incredible aroma coming from the kitchen. It smelled as heavenly as a peaches and cream. The smell was enough to drag him physically through the house and into the kitchen to discover what this beautiful aroma was.

So, with that, he trotted out of his room and proceeded to walk toward the dining room. However, before he could, he did take one last look at the room. It felt odd to be sleeping in a room that wasn't his. It was strange to not be living with his Mother anymore. He wondered how she was doing.

He shook that thought out of his head. That didn't matter anymore. Phyllis lied to him. All these years of listening to her was the worst thing he ever did. It didn't matter what she was doing now. He wasn't there, and that was all good for him. With that, he turned his head and walked downstairs.

-/-

“Oh wow. This looks good.” Sprout said, taking his seat at the dinner table. The pancakes that were on his plate in front of him looked about as great as any pancake he had ever seen. The texture looked just about perfect. The aroma was heavenly. And the syrup that was on the pancakes looked like it was just the right amount. Not too much and not too less. Just right.

“They taste even better. Go ahead kid, dig in.” Vinny said while chowing down on his pancakes. His walking cane was right next to him so he could get up without too much struggle. Even if he was arthritic, Vinny was a tough old bastard. He wouldn’t let something like arthritis keep him from running his business. He may be almost 60, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t still go.

“Make sure to take your medicine, dear.” Bella said, while washing her hooves in the sink.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear ya.” Vinny muttered.

Bella turned toward the table with a serious look on her face. “Don’t you “Yeah, yeah, yeah” me, Vincent. Or do you want to make breakfast yourself the next week? Hmmmm.” She sternly told her husband with a raised eyebrow.

Which made Vinny instantly get his pill bottle. “Yes, honey. Sorry, honey.” He said, screwing the cap off and taking it with the water in his glass. The sweet, warm smile returned to Bella’s face as she took her seat next to her husband and new houseguest.

Sprout was glad to see that Bella took the medication for Vinny very seriously. Arthritis was a serious thing for somepony Vinny’s age. He NEEDED to take his medicine, regardless if there were some side effects. It was like any other medicine for anypony. Bella could be a very strict lady on Vinny, which he needs. She was his wife after all. She was supposed to tell him what to do.

After chuckling a little at what he saw, Sprout dug in to the pancakes. In just one bite, his tastebuds felt like they went to heaven and back in a split second. It was so good, you could literally CRY because of how good it tasted.

He swallowed. “Oh Bella, these are incredible.” He said, taking another bite.

She nodded. “I’m glad you love them, sweetheart.” She said.

Vinny shrugged. “What’d I tell ya? I got the best cook here. One of the many reasons why I married her.” He said with a grin, looking toward Bella.

She sarcastically turned her head away with a humph. “Flattery will get you nowhere, darling.” She said.

“Oh, I tend to disagree, honey.” He said, causing Bella to chuckle.

After another moutful and smallow of the best pancakes he ever had(Maybe even better than his Mother's?), Sprout decided to get down to business with them.

"So, Vinny, have you decided on a position for me?" He asked.

"Well, I got two options for ya. And, really, these are the only ones I think would make the most sense. Although, admittedly, one of them might be a problem for some." He said.

Sprout looked confused. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, here's the first position: I'll have you be the night janitor."

"Night janitor, huh?"

Vinny nodded. "Yeah. Basically, after we close at 9:30, you come in and you clean the place for the next morning. You vacuum the rugs, clean the bathrooms, wipe down the seats and tables, mop the floors, wipe the windows, disinfect stuff, that kinda thing. Seems pretty easy, if ya ask me."

Sprout nodded in agreement. "Yeah. That does sound pretty easy." He said, kind of getting a little excited.

"Not to mention" Vinny interjected. "No pony will be around to see you. You'll be in complete secrecy. No pony will bug or harass you while the place is closed."

Sprout appeared to like that. "Yeah."

"However, there also is this too, sweetheart." Bella said, standing next to Vinny with a concerned look on her face. Which made Sprout look confused.

"It'll just be YOU here. You and no pony else. You'll be all alone here. Vinny and I will be at the house, retiring for the night. I just worry you might feel...well, lonesome. Even creeped out with it being dark out and you being here all by yourself. I mean, would you really want that?" She asked, kinda sounding a bit like a worried mother would sound. Almost a bit like HIS Mommy.

Sprout suddenly looked a bit bummed to hear that. "I guess when you put it that way. I mean, I don't think I'll mind, but I just don't want to worry you guys." He said.

"Well, honestly kiddo, either job I'm offering might worry us a little bit about you." Vinny said, touching Bella's hoof.

Sprout looked confused again. "Why is that?" He asked.

"Well, here's the second job: I'll have you work in the kitchen."

Sprout's eyes widened in surprise.

"And yes. I mean, with the other chefs."

"Vinny, I'm not sure about that. I mean, after what happened with me and Zipp in town? I'm not sure ANYPONY wants to see my face. Not without getting in it. Or punching it. Or--"

Vinny waved his hooves in annoyance. "They can get as pissy pants as they want. As long as I'm in charge of the place, they know I'm the one who decides who works there and who doesn't. If they have a problem, they can either deal with it or quit."

Sprout cringed a little. "Are you sure? I don't wanna ruin your business. I mean, if anypony found out I was working for you guys, it might hurt you guys. And that won't seem fair."

Vinny nodded. "I agree. I even told Bella that last night. I do love ya kid. And I wanna help ya. But, I also don't wanna fuck up my business either. I admit this is a big risk. So, I just need you to make a decision. Once you do, you instantly got the job." He said with a smile on his face.

Sprout thought for a moment. The janitor job DID seem like the easiest option for him. No pony around to fuck with him or potentially fuck up their business. But, like Bella said, it seemed like it would be kinda lonely and even scary to be in the shop at night. Also, who knows if some creeper would hang around and try to break in? That seemed like paranoia talking, but anything was possible.

On the flip side, however, the idea of working as a chef here seemed risky. Although, on one hoof, Sprout working in the kitchen at his favorite pizza place sounded like a dream come true. Not to mention, the chefs probably get a discount on the food they cook as well. No more having to pay for his pizza's all the time. On the other hoof, however, his name was under scrutiny right now. He was seen on camera being framed for murder AND punching a mare in the face. Maybe the customers didn't see him, but the coworkers certainly would. And who's to say that some of them even like him? Well, maybe there were a few, seeing as how he was a regular there. But, there could still be some ponies there who hate him after his rampage. AND after the incident in town. It just seemed too risky.

Although, there was the saying: No risk, no reward. If only there was some type of reward to be seen from him.

Sprout thought about the pros and cons about both positions. Both had them. But which one outweighed the other? It was hard to pick.

"Hey." Vinny said, getting his attention.

"Ya don't gotta make a decision right now. I'll give ya three or four days to make up ya mind. Take a few days off to clear your head. You may need it, kiddo." He said, with a wise smile on his face.

Sprout looked appreciatively at them. "Thanks, you too. I'll make a decision soon." He said.

"Take all the time you need, sweetheart." Bella said.

"Yeah. Now finish your pancakes. They might be getting cold." Vinny said.

"Okay." Sprout chuckled and took another mouthful. Vinny did the same with his, before getting ready to start the day.

Hitch typed in the name “Bloomington” on his Pogle Search engine. After hitting enter, he began to surf through the many sites that were listed. Where would he even start though?

Then, randomly, he saw a site that read “Bloomington Farms.” Thinking Why Not, he decided to click on it.

On this website, he saw a title picture of a big red barn in the background. The Bloomington Farms name was stenciled in steel above the open barn doors. In front of the barn doors, was an elderly earth pony couple. There was a stallion, who looked to be walking with a walker. He also did NOT look very well. Apparently, age did not do well for this very old stallion. He looked to be in his late 80’s.

The mare standing next to him looked to be not that much younger than him, maybe about a year younger. Her mane was as gray as ash. She also looked to NOT have the best teeth in the world. They looked as brown as damp wood. Age also didn’t appear to be too kind to her either.

What caught Hitch off guard about this photo wasn’t the incredibly old looking ponies. Or the ancient look about them. What piqued his curiosity was the look of the photo itself.

Hitch used to take photography class back when he was still in school. One of the things he learned there, was how to tell how old a picture looked just by its appearance. You could tell when something looked like it was taken from way back when, to only a few years ago.

With this photo, it looked like it was about 20, maybe 30 years old. So these two elderly ponies were most likely dead by this point. And even the barn looked a little bit older in the photo. So, either the barn now was probably on its last legs, or was no longer standing.

And even the website looked old as well. It looked like a website from about 50 years ago. Why would a website that looked so old still be up and running? Why would a website have a picture of two elderly ponies, who now were probably dead? Why would no one update anything on this website?

It was then that Hitch looked at the bottom of the photo. There was a passage written there. It appeared to be some type of memorial written to the two ponies. So that made it clear that these two ponies were now dead. Long since dead at that.

He decided to read the passage. It read:

In Loving Memory

Liana and Aster Bloomington. Two wonderful ponies, who are sadly gone from this world. These two Trotville natives are responsible for creating The Blooming Days Festival. Where ponies from Trotville, Clopton and Maretime Bay all come to show off the wonderful produce they grow. Apples, Oranges, Strawberries, Blueberries, Mangos, Bananas, Onions, Potatoes, Tomatoes and several other produce items freshly grown for ponies to show to a large audience.

There were a few photos of this event with the Memorial. Hundreds of ponies, these all being earth ponies, had baskets of freshly grown produce on their backs in big lines, waiting to be let in. It certainly showed how big farming can be for some ponies. This must’ve been a HUGE deal back then.

So these two, Liana and Aster Bloomington, were who started this big farming event. He decided to keep reading.

It was certainly no surprise as to why they wanted to help their fellow farmers. The Bloomington family had this very farm for decades. Going as far back as to when Princess Twilight Sparkle ruled Equestria.

Hitch was surprised to hear this. The Bloomington name was around for that long? He didn’t remember ever hearing that from Sunny. And she was almost like an encyclopedia when it came to shit from many years back.

Liana loved to garden and tend her plants, while Aster loved to take morning walks and exercised almost daily.

Sadly, after Aster was diagnosed with lung cancer, due to Aster’s long term smoking, he developed lung cancer. He fought the devilish disease for 6 years, before he sadly succumbed to his cancer.

After Aster’s passing, Liana, through her grief and sadness, struggled to keep her farm going. She ultimately hired a few farm hands to help her, due to a personal tragedy in their lives.

That’s when Hitch saw the photo of a very young looking stallion in the picture. He didn’t even look 30. Hell, in this photo, he looked like he wasn’t even 22. This stallion had a shoulder length blonde mane and a yellowish orange coat color. He looked pretty well built for somepony who looked so young.

While the stallion in the photo had a big smile on his face, what Hitch read next damn near broke his heart.

One of their two children, Marlow Bloomington, at the age of 21, committed suicide.

Hitch felt his heart sink reading that. 21 years old, and this guy ends his own life? That is so sad to hear.

Marlow was just like his father and mother in a way. Kind, loved to help ponies, a hard worker, and always looked out for his fellow farmers. And most of all, he loved his family very much. No pony can say for sure as to why Marlow decided to end his life, but one thing we can say, is that it was a heartbreaking end to a great stallion like him.

Liana and Aster Bloomington will be remembered for all the good that they did for farmers all across Equestria. They will be remembered as hard working farmers who loved each other. But above all else, Liana and Aster were good ponies all around. They may not be here anymore, but their legacy that they left behind will never be forgotten.

Liana and Aster Bloomington(RIP)

Hitch felt sad reading that memorial. It seemed that these two ponies were loving ponies to every pony they have ever met. He couldn’t imagine the pain and heartache they must’ve felt after the suicide of their son. It must’ve been impossible to cope with.

Then he remembered something. As he quickly reread the memorial, he realized that it never mentioned the name of the other foal that Liana and Aster had. All they mentioned was Marlow’s name. It said one of two, and yet didn’t mention the other one.

Now, that was strange. Why would a family not mention their other child? Especially when there is a memorial of their dead parents?

Also, he remembered, when he interviewed Phyllis, that she did say Bloomington was her maiden name. So, she was born Phyllis Bloomington. However, she also said that the Bloomington name means NOTHING to her now. But why? What happened with Phyllis and her family?

Hitch decided to look deeper into this website. So, he saw a few links to a few pages. He saw one that said “Family Photos”. He clicked on it. As he scrolled through the page, all he really saw was a few photos of Liana and Aster when they were younger. There were a few photos of Marlow when he was a little kid. One of him standing on a bucket as a baby. Hopefully, his parents were nearby if he fell off it.

Then, as he scrolled further and further, he came across a photo that REALLY caught him off guard. Something truly confusing.

There was a big family photo. About 14 or 15 ponies in total. All standing together near a wooden fence that was between a dirt road. Liana and Aster and Marlow were in this photo. Again, both looked younger here. So, this was years and years ago.

However, what truly stood out, was the shaded black mark in the photo. There was a black mark between Marlow, who looked about 13 at this time, and his mother. There was a pretty open space between them. Almost as if you could fit another pony between them. So, why was there a black mark there? It didn’t make sense to him.

Unless…maybe that mark was put there on purpose. Maybe, there was somepony there when the photo was originally taken. Now, somepony edited, poorly might he add, this mystery pony out of this picture. Why though? Why would somepony do that? How could you erase somepony from a family picture? How could you justify that?

Hitch thought more and more about what Phyllis told him. And the more he did that, he started to put some pieces of a mystery puzzle together in his head. Now, he didn’t have any proof yet, but looking at this, he did have to ask this question?

Is this Phyllis’ family? The family she grew up with? And if yes, what happened to make Phyllis not want anything to do with them? And to make The Bloomington’s, pretty much, erase her from their family?

He knew now that he would need to talk with Phyllis again. Even if she didn’t want to speak to him after that interview. He needed to know all of this. It may be the only way to find this Bud Bloomington.

Speaking of Bud, he remembered when he interviewed Phyllis that she told him she dropped him off at an orphanage somewhere in Clopton. Three or four days after he was born. So, Bud was literally an infant when she just threw him away like he was nothing.

He decided to put the Bloomington name on hold for now. This time, he searched up “Orphanages in Clopton.” He hit enter. As he scrolled through the available links, he came across a pretty interesting one. It stood out to him in a pretty big way when it said:

Fire Burns Down Lexy Orphange in Clopton

He clicked on it. What popped up was an image of an old newspaper article. It was dated to have been about a little over 20 years ago. However, it was the front image that sent a chill down his spine.

It was what appeared to be an aftermath of a house fire. There were police ponies, medical ponies, arson squad ponies and many others in this picture. They were going over what caused this fire to happen, AND any victims that were burned alive in the inferno.

He decided to read what was in the description of this newspaper below the image. It read:

Tragedy struck on Wednesday as a fire broke out at Lexy Orphanage. No word has been said as to whether this was accidental or intentional, but what has been said, is that 7 of the 10 ponies who lived in this orphanage have all died. The two caretakers, who run the orphanage, named Issac and Lexy, and 5 orphans who grew up here, were tragically burned alive. Three others, who did grow up here, are nowhere to be found yet. We don’t know if it was them who started this fire, but the police are on the lookout for them. We will fill in more details in future papers, but all we can say so far, is that we have endured a horrific tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims. May they rest in peace.

A sense of sadness went through Hitch. He couldn’t imagine what it must’ve been like in those last few minutes with all those ponies who perished in that blazing hell. And those other three? Where could THEY be?

Hitch suddenly remembered something else. This newspaper article looked a little over 20 years old. A long time ago indeed. Then, he remembered the math he did in his head about Phyllis and Bud’s age difference. She was in her early fifties now. She apparently had Bud when she was about 14 or 15. So again, when you do the match, Bud would be about in his late thirties now.

With this article being 20 years old, that would mean that, at the time of this fire, Bud would’ve been about 17 or 18 years old. He decided to imagine if this was where Bud was dropped off at when he was an infant. If yes, he still technically could’ve been living there. He either wasn’t an adult JUST yet, or he may have been in the process of moving out soon. Then, this fire happens, killing seven ponies.

He didn’t have any proof that this was where Bud grew up, but if he was right, and seeing what he did to Lilac Summers, could it be possible…that HE started this fire? Could it be that his murderous ways started way back then?

Again, he didn’t have any evidence or proof. He would continue to search as deep into this, as well as The Bloomington family, as he could. But, these little ideas he formed, they weren’t exactly too far fetched to say the least.

With a big sigh, he decided to take a small break from this. So, he decided to go Sunny’s smoothie cart and get one for himself. He also figured he’d make an announcement to the citizens of Maretime Bay regarding everything that’s happened so far.

Although, he knew that the crowd was DEFINITELY not gonna like to hear that, A Sprout wasn’t the guy like they all were expecting it to be, and B that he had arrested Zipp Storm after SHE got her block knocked off. It certainly wasn’t gonna be an easy situation, that was for sure.

He normally didn’t like to ask for help, but he now figured that he may need to ask Sunny to assist him on this case. Zipp wasn’t here now. Sunny was great at research, so why not have her help him look up some things regarding Clopton or The Bloomingtons? He knew it was the right thing to do.

However, he also worried with great fear. He didn’t want Sunny getting involved in this case, but now he may need her. He also had to admit this too: For the first time in a long time, when it came to a case, he felt afraid. He felt afraid of what was gonna happen on this case. And how it would affect everypony going forward.

But mainly, why he felt scared, was because he knew he wasn’t gonna like what he would find. It scared him to no end.

So, with that, and all the fear inside of him, he got up from his chair, and headed outside to go to his longtime friend’s smoothie cart. Hopefully, a smoothie of hers would make him feel a little bit better. Celestia, he truly hoped.

Author's Note

Looks like we’re getting more into the case now, aren’t we?

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

Chapter 18: A Conference Part 1

Izzy Moonbow trotted happily up the road toward the Cloverleaf home. Her besty, Sunny Starscout, had told her where Sprout lived, before she went off to do her smoothie stand for the day. She had said that she wanted to be alone right now, due to all the shit that was going on with Zipp being arrested and then being sent home. With Pipp going with her as well.

She also suggested that Izzy should go find Sprout and see how he is doing. After being assaulted by two of his employees, he may need to somepony to talk to. To be there for him.

To look at his cute face. To touch his blonde mane. To, maybe, get to know him more.

Izzy blushed at those thoughts. She didn’t know why she felt so giddy thinking about Sprouty like that, but she just did. Thinking about him made her feel…happy. A super happy Izzy.

She also couldn’t deny that she felt super sad for him too. She knew he didn’t kill that mare on the beach, and yet he was blamed for it. And by one of her best friends, Zipp Storm. After hearing Pipp's rant about "Cancel Culture" and the "Dark Side of the Internet", she even feared for his life. What if she was right? What if Sprout couldn't go anywhere anymore? What if he couldn't leave his home without getting harassed or assaulted by other ponies? It just wasn't fair for him.

What she knew that he needed above all else, was a friend. A friend who he could count on and rely on. Somepony who he knew would have his back. Of course, Hitch and Sunny fit that category. They grew up with Sprout. So, obviously they would be considered ponies who would have his back.

Izzy wanted to be that too. She wanted to let him know that she was there for him too. She wanted to make him see that she would be there for somepony to talk too. Maybe, a shoulder to cry on.

She thought about all of these things as she eventually realized that she was headed toward her destination. The Cloverleaf household. She smiled in excitement as she walked toward the front door. However, just before she took a few more steps up the walkway, the door opened and out popped a pink coated, blonde maned earth pony mare, around her early fifties. Izzy remembered who this was. This was Sprout's mother. Phyllis Cloverleaf.

"Hi, Mrs. Cloverleaf." Izzy called out, while happily waving to her, which caused her to glance her way.

Phyllis took one look at the unicorn mare. She remembered this mare. The one who, pretty much, started everything in bringing the pony races back. Bringing magic back.

And the type of pony that she made her son, her Sugercube, fear for his life. The one she was wrong about. Another reason why she was now alone.

Izzy noticed the look on Phyllis' face. Since she could read a pony's sparkle, she saw it clear as day that Phyllis was miserable, sad and depressed. Even physically, she just didn't look like herself.

Izzy ran up toward her. "Hey, are you feeling okay? What's wrong?" She asked, sounding genuinely concerned for her.

Phyllis just brushed past her, not saying a word. Looking miserable and depressed. Izzy went after her.

"Mrs. Cloverleaf, is Sprouty home?" She asked, walking next to her.

Phyllis stopped in her tracks and looked at her with a look that, on the outside, appeared to be a blank expression. However, Izzy read her sparkle and saw that her misery and sadness were still there. She was holding in her emotions.

"No. He's not. Not anymore." Phyllis said, her voice cracking a little bit. Izzy looked confused.

"What do you mean?" She asked her.

"I mean, he moved out last night. He doesn't want anything to do with me anymore." She said, again keeping herself in control.

Izzy looked shocked. "What? That can't be right. Sprouty loves you."

"I'm not so sure anymore." Phyllis said, her voice appearing to be close to breaking.

Izzy felt bad for her. She wanted to just give her a big hug. To let her know that it was okay.

"I'm so sorry, Mrs. Cloverleaf. I had no idea. I came over, because I wanted to see if Sprouty was okay. You know, after he got assaulted and learning of his brother and--"

"You know?!" Phyllis yelled, cutting Izzy off. Which startled her.

"Uh, well, I-I uhh..." She stammered a little bit, as she saw that Phyllis looked incredibly angry now. She didn't mean to offend her or anything. She just said what she knew.

"Answer me now, Miss Moonbow." Phyllis said in an intimidating way.

Izzy gulped. "Uh, yeah. Me, Sunny, Pipp and Zipp. We all know. We were all there when Sprouty's test results came back. We were all surprised to hear you have another so--"

"That THING is NOT my son!" Phyllis yelled at her, causing Izzy to shrink in her hooves. She hadn't seen her, or any mare look this mad before.

"Sprout is my son. Not that THING I gave birth to all those year's ago. That THING is an abomination. You hear me? That THING is NOT my son." She angrily and intimidatingly told Izzy, who was shrinking more and more to the gound. Izzy nodded in fear.

Phyllis took a deep breath, calming herself down, and got out of Izzy's face. Izzy got back up in fear, not wanting to piss off Phyllis even more.

"I don't know for sure where my Sugercube is, but if I had to guess, he's probably staying with Bella and Vinny. They live next to the pizza place they own. The Firepit Pizza. We're like family with them. If you want to see him, he's probably there." She said, with an unhappy look on her face.

As Phyllis walked away, Izzy said to her, "I'm sorry if I made you mad, Mrs. Cloverleaf. I didn't know your other son was a sore subject."

Phyllis turned back to her with an angry glare.

"But, I do care about Sprouty. He apologized to me after his giant machine of doom. He even apologized to Zipp and Pipp too. Your son is really sorry about everything. He doesn't deserve to be in this situation. And, I want to help him. I really do." She said, in a sympathetic tone toward her.

Phyllis' glare didn't receed from her face.

"And, if you ever wanna talk, I'm here too. And so are all my friends."

Phyllis closed her eyes and sighed for a quick minute. "You could never understand. And I don't think you ever will." She said, now turning away and walking toward her destination.

Izzy looked on in sadness and sympathy for Mrs. Cloverleaf, before she trotted in the direction of the Firepit Pizza place. Hopefully, Sprouty was there.

As if her day couldn't start out worse enough. Phyllis cursed under her breath. Why did Izzy have to know about that THING she had so many years ago? Why did her and, apparently, all her friends have to know too? Would it only be a matter of time before so many other ponies find out too?

While she thought about all these things in her head, she couldn't help but notice that, as she was walking toward Canterlogic, there were a few ponies who were looking at her. Some just staring. Some even glaring. Some shaking their heads at her.

She wasn't gonna let them get to her. Let them stare. They don't know ANYTHING about what all is going on. Screw them.

"Look, there's Mrs. Cloverleaf." She heard somepony whisper to somepony else. Her hearing was pretty good for her age. She turned and saw it was two earth pony mares. They didn't see her, but she saw them.

"I wonder how she feels about Sprout killing that mare." One of them said.

"Hmph. I feel she's just as much to blame. She shouldn't have been a Mom." The other one said.

"Do you think she even cares?"

"Probably not. She's just a rich bitch. She's probably a slut too that gets around with other stallions. You can do that when you have money."

Phyllis wanted to go over there right now and beat the shit outta those two little bitches. How DARE they! How fucking DARE they! They have NO right to say things like that when they don't even know her. Especially her sugercube. She wanted to go over there, slap both of them, and tell them to keep her son's name out of their FUCKING MOUTHS!

Several other ponies probably feel that way too. They just don't say it. At least, out in public. Her employess probably feel that way too. They definetely say shit about her son. Maybe even her too.

With all her anger seething, she turned and walked toward Canterlogic. Those bitches weren't even worth it. She has more important things to do right now. Which is running her business.

She eventually made it to Canterlogic. She used her key card to enter her premises.

"'Morning, Mrs. Cloverleaf." Said a dark purple coated stallion, with a light brown mane. The stallion looked to be around Phyllis’ age, maybe just a little bit older. For his age, he actually looked pretty decent. Age had apparently been on his side, unlike most ponies who reach their early fifties.

Anyway, this stallion was currently pushing a cart with a bunch of cleaning supplies on it toward one of the bathrooms in the main lobby. So, he was obviously a janitor for this place.

"Hello Reggie." Phyllis said in a low and uninteresting tone. Not even sharing a passing glance with him. As she continued to walk past him, this Reggie looked confused at his boss' behavior. Normally, she was in a relatively good mood. She'd say good morning to him in a sweet, upbeat way. Here, it was like she woke up on the wrong side of the bed, went back, and the same result happened.

Overall, she didn’t look to be in a good mood. It would be wise to stay out of her way. You never know if something could really piss her off.

Phyllis walked through the working area where everypony was working. Each one saying “Good Morning Mrs. Cloverleaf” as she passed them. And in such a happy mood as well.

Was it because they actually felt that way, or was it because her son wasn’t here now? They probably don’t know that Sprout quit. But, even if they didn’t, they might just be happy to NOT see him in today.

Phyllis let out a frustrating groan. She needed a cup of coffee. So, she headed straight to the break room to make a good cup of Joe. However, as she was walking toward that very room, she heard voices coming from there. It sounded like a male and a female talking in there.

“Did you see what happened to Sprout yesterday, Kodiak?” The female voice said. Her tone came across as more serious and concerning. As for the male…well….

“Ha. Yeah, I did, Judy. Oscar and Sal decided to give that little bitch the beating he deserved. Especially after he murdered that mare on the beach.” He said with the most arrogant, conceited tone you would ever hear.

Phyllis chose now to stay put. She wanted to listen to what this guy has to say about her son. Let’s hear him run his mouth.

“We don’t know FOR SURE, yet. Honestly, I think Zipp just randomly accused him. Without any evidence or proof.”

“Are you defending that loser?”

“No, I don’t like him either. But, I don’t think it was right of Oscar and Sal to flat out assault some pony. They probably are gone from here now.”

“Heh. Maybe. But, hey, at least Sprout got his ass kicked. I wish I would’ve been there.” Kodiak laughed.

Phyllis had heard enough now. It was time.

“Oh, do you now?” She said out loud, walking into the break room.

The stallion froze. The arrogant tone that matched the look on his face was now changed into a look of terror. He just insulted his boss’s son and she heard every word.

Judy just shook her head in disgust at him, while she muttered, “Idiot.”

“Uh, G-G-Good M-Morning, Mrs. Cloverleaf. Nice weather we’re having, eh?” Kodiak said to her, trying to get himself out of this very BAD situation.

“Indeed we are. Unfortunately, I don’t think the weather is good enough to make me unhear what you just said.” She told him, getting closer to him, making him shrink.

“Oh, come on Mrs. Cloverleaf, I was just joking arou—“

“Like hell you are. Now shut up!” She shouted at him, which he did like a good little colt. Judy even looked intimidated as well. This was her boss, and she was seeing her coworker being hounded by her. This didn’t look good.

“So, you think it’s funny my son was assaulted? Hmm?” She asked, raising an eyebrow at him.

He only quivered in fear.

“Well? Answer! Do you…think it’s funny…my son…was assaulted?” She asked again, upping the intimidation factor.

“N-N-N-No, Mrs. Cloverleaf.” Kodiak answered, shivering like a leaf.

“Well, that’s what you just said. To your friend here.” She said, now looking at Judy.

Who put her hooves up in self defense. “Don’t look at me, Mrs. Cloverleaf. He was just running his mouth. I didn’t find it funny at all.” She said, looking down at the stallion, who shot a glare at her.

“Sellout.” He whispered to her. She just rolled her eyes at the pathetic stallion on the floor being intimidated by his female boss.

“Sellout, huh?” Phyllis said, apparently hearing the stallion’s whisper. Which made him go back to his look of fear.

“I’d rather have a sellout mare, then a pathetic little worm of a stallion, who thinks it’s funny that my son got assaulted by two FORMER employees of mine.” She said, staring down at this loser of a stallion.

“F-Former?” He asked.

“Yes. They’re in jail for that assault, which you find funny, and I told Sheriff Hitch to relay a message to them that they are FIRED!” She told him.

Kodiak just continued to look scared as hell, staring into his boss’s eyes. They just pierced his soul like a sharp knife.

“Maybe I should do the same to you?” She said to him in a cold hearted tone.

He bowed his head toward her. “Please, Mrs. Cloverleaf. I-I-I’m sorry about what I said. I was just being a dick. I-I-I’ll do anything. Just please don’t fire me. I need this job.” He begged her in the most pathetic way possible.

While Phyllis looked down at him with extreme pity, she noticed that several of her employees had heard what was being said and decided to investigate. They probably saw the stallion say that to her just now.

Come on. Do it. You know you want to. Just do it.

For the first time since she started hearing those voices, she decided to listen to this one here. This stallion needed to be taught a lesson. A lesson in humility. And what was that lesson:

Don’t Fuck With Phyllis Cloverleaf. Especially when it came to her Sugercube.

“Oh? You’ll do anything? Is that right?” She asked.

“Yes.” The scared stallion replied.

“Very well.” Phyllis then lifted her front left hoof in front of his face.

“I am your boss. Your ruler in a way. So, to show that I am that, why don’t you kiss my hoof?” She asked, with a pretty sadistic smile on her face.

Judy, as well as the other employees, were shocked and surprised to see this behavior from their boss. They had NEVER seen this type of treatment from her before.

Kofiak looked up at her with a pleading look. She knew that he was begging her not to make him do this in front of all his coworkers.

“Mrs. Cloverleaf, don’t you think this is a little too far?” Judy asked her boss.

Phyllis turned to face her now. “You want to be on my bad side? Hmm?” She asked in a somewhat threatening tone, causing the mare to shut up.

She looked back down at the pathetic stallion who still looked at her in a pleading way.

“Well? You want to keep being employed here, right?” She asked him, her hoof still raised in front of his face.

The stallion knew she wasn’t fucking around. If he didn’t do it, he’d lose his job. He didn’t want that. He had important things in his life.

With a whimper in his throat, the stallion grabbed Phyllis’ hoof, very gently. He looked back up at his boss. She still had that look that told him she was waiting. Her eyebrow was raised.

He sighed and, feeling so embarrassed and humiliated, he touched his lips to her hoof. It was only for a quick second, but the damage was done. Kodiak had kissed his female boss’s hoof in front of many of his coworkers.

Speaking of, several of those coworkers who watched either looked on in disgust at Phyllis’ act, or they shook their heads in pity at the stallion for doing the act. Either way, what little respect Kodiak had for everypony, it was probably gone.

Phyllis smiled in a smug grin. “Good. Good. Now, get back to work.” She said, heading toward the coffee machine. She still needed her fix after all.

Now who’s the bitch? Huh, Kodiak?

Kodiak and Judy left the break room area, along with the other coworkers. It was here they knew that they should probably keep their comments about their boss’s son to themselves. If they didn’t, they’d either be fired or be forced to do something humiliating like one of them just did now.

As Phyllis stood there, making her cup of Joe, she couldn’t help smile at her act. That stallion deserved it. She may not be able to do anything outside of the Canterlogic building whenever somepony insulted her Sugercube, but inside, she wouldn’t tolerate that. Not even a little bit. He thought it was funny that her son was assaulted, well, now she thought it was funny that she made her employee do something humiliating. It was cathartic to her.

Nopony DARE better mess with my Sugercube

“Thanks Sunny.” Windy said, receiving her smoothie. It was a peach smoothie.

“No problem, Windy.” Sunny said, trying to keep a smile on her face. As she saw Windy flying away, happily drinking her smoothie, she couldn’t help but feel so bummed out.

After everything that’s happened, she just felt so useless. She was the alicorn savior of Equestria. She should be able to help ponies out whenever they needed. She should be the type of pony that can solve any problem for anypony.

Yet, with all that’s happened with Sprout, Pipp, and especially Zipp, she felt like she couldn’t do anything. She felt helpless. She just wished she could help in some way, shape or form.

“Sunny.” She heard her name being called. She turned and saw it was Hitch. She was wondering how he’s been doing ever since Zipp and Pipp left.

“Hey Hitch. You doing okay?” She asked.

“Will you help me?” He asked point blank, surprising Sunny tremendously.

“What?” She asked him, sounding confused.

He sighed. “Look, I know I don’t normally ask for it, but I think I’m gonna need some help finding the guy who did this. Zipp or Pipp can’t help now, and I don’t know if I wanna ask Sprout or Izzy right now either. I think you’re the only one who I can trust, Sunny.”

Sunny was stunned. In all her life knowing Hitch Trailblazer, she always knew him as such a confident pony who could do anything. Seeing him here, asking for help, just came across so odd to her.

“W-Why do you want me to help?” She asked.

“Because you’re literally the best researcher I know. I mean, all those years of study on Unicorns and Pegasi ended up being true. I think you could really help speed up the process. So, what do you say, Sunny? Will you help me?” Hitch asked with a warm smile.

Sunny couldn’t help but give it back to him. “Okay. I’ll help. I’m just about done with my shift anyway. I’ll come back to the Sheriff’s office with you.” She said, kind of sounding excited.

Hitch smiled and nodded. “Thanks Sunny. Before that though, I need to do something.” He said, before pulling out a megaphone, which confused Sunny at first.

He turned away from her, and began to speak loudly into it.

“ATTENTION!” He yelled out loud, causing a ton of ponies walking around to look at him. There were Posey and Dahlia looking at him in confusion.

“ATTENTION EVERYPONY! THIS IS SHERIFF HITCH TRAILBLAZER! I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE! TO ALL OF YOU! PLEASE TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE GAZEBO! I HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY!” He yelled out loud for everypony to hear.

It seemed to work, as hundreds, it appeared, to line up toward the gazebo that was not too far away from where Sunny was at. There was the Mayor, Windy(who was finishing off her smoothie), the Pipsqueak Trio, Posey and Dahlia, and several other familiar faces Sunny and Hitch knew.

They all were standing in front of the gazebo, where Hitch stood tall and ready to speak to his ponies. Sunny stood in her smoothie cart, watching what was about to unfold.

Hitch cleared his throat. “Good Afternoon, my fellow ponies. Now, you probably are wondering why I’ve asked to gather all of you here at such a random moment.”

“Yeah. I was busy watering my flowers, Sheriff.” Dahlia said in an annoyed tone.

“Yeah, me too. This better be good.” Posey said, looking her usual irritated self.

“I do, just trust me. The reason I have gathered you all here is to discuss what has happened the past three days.” Hitch said loud enough for everypony to hear.

The crowd looked surprised to hear that. There were even small murmers and whispers among them. What was Hitch talking about?

“I’m talking about the murder victim that was found at the beach. I have some details I would like to address with all of you. Because, I’m sure some of you are aware of the incident that happened the day AFTER that.” He told all of them.

This caused a lot of ponies in the crowd to give an angry look. They knew what he was talking about.

“Two days ago, one of the heroes of Equestria, the ones who helped bring magic back to Equestria, Zipp Storm, accused my former deputy, Sprout Cloverleaf, in front of all of you. This lead to an altercation, which resulted in Zipp receiving a black eye after she tackled Sprout to the ground.”

“The fucker hit a mare! He should be hung for that! No pony should hit a beautiful mare as Zipp.” A random stallion said in the crowd. He was a very overweight looking stallion with a dull brown coat with a curly looking brownish red mane. He had glasses on and had some acne on his face. He said that with a tone he would think was gentlecolt like, but really came across as creepy from others.

“And, just to let any other lady know, you have my full support in anything you say.” He said in a tone that would constitute flirting.

“Ugh, no thanks, Wiggy.” Said a random mare not too far away from him.

“Mare’s never want nice guys.” Wiggy said in a low tone that had pouty face written all over it.

“Anyway.” Hitch exclaimed, getting their attention back.

“As of earlier this morning, Zipp Storm and her younger sister, Pipp Petals, have left Maretime Bay. They are back in Zephyr Heights. The reason is a deal I made with Zipp, regarding her arrest.”

“What? You arrested Zipp?! Why?” Windy asked angrily.

“Because she committed aggravated assault on a citizen of Maretime Bay. Yes, a former criminal, but still a citizen nonetheless. That is a punishable offense. Which, now brings me to what I’m sure all of you are thinking about: Sprout Cloverleaf being the murderer.” He said to all of them. It definitely looked like they believed it. No pony in the crowd said anything, but they believed it.

“I’m sure all of you believe that Sprout was the pony who did it. After what Zipp declared, you all probably believe that Sprout brutally murdered that mare. Am I right?” He asked the whole crowd.

The crowd was silent with intensity, before Posey replied, “And if we do?”

Hitch sighed. “I had a feeling you all would. And I understand why. You all believe it because of his little “Emperor” run. And the giant machine of doom. Correct?”

“What’s your point, Sheriff Hitch? Did he do it or not?” Dahlia asked impatiently.

“I’m getting to that, thank you.” He said, causing Dahlia to shut up.

“Well, I’m here to tell you all…that Zipp Storm was wrong. Sprout Cloverleaf did NOT murder Lilac Summers.” He said out loud.

The crowd looked surprised. Some genuine, although there was a lot who didn’t like the answer that Hitch gave. They appeared to have wanted it to be Sprout.

“Yesterday, Sprout consented to a DNA test. That very test came back negative. Not to mention, the victim is NOT from Maretime Bay. She’s from one of our twin towns. Clopton.”

The crowd gasped.

“Clopton! That shithole town?! That’s where she’s from?!” A pony with a bunch of balloons on his back said.

Hitch nodded. “Yes. Lilac Summers was, apparently, lugged for over 30 miles from Clopton, to the beach of Maretime Bay. Sprout has NEVER stepped hoof in that town. Also, the blood type found on the mare didn’t match Sprout’s either. Overall, Zipp let her dislike of Sprout get the better of her, and she accused an innocent stallion. Which is what he is regarding this case.” Hitch took a deep breath. He knew what he was going to say next would probably bring something out of ponies. Something that he didn’t want to see.

“So, to everypony here, I understand why you dislike Sprout. And, well, I’m going to be honest with all of you, if I hadn’t have sat down and talked with Sprout that day, I’d have believed it myself.” He told everypony with a look of shame on his face.

Sunny looked on at him with sympathy. She knew he must’ve felt like shit for not speaking to Sprout for so long. She understood why he didn’t, but it still wasn’t right either.

“After I let Sprout go from his deputy position, I was so angry with him. Maybe I had a right to be. However, that angriness, turned to bitterness. I never talked with him OR his mother. I never checked up on him. Hell, I didn’t even want to think about him when something would make me do so. I admit, I was a bitter stallion.” He took another breath. He felt like shit again for doing all of what he did when he and Sprout weren’t talking.

“I was bitter at my former deputy for disobeying me and starting a war when I told him not to. And that is something a good sheriff should NEVER do. That’s why….that’s why I’m glad that me and Sprout have reconciled. I’m glad that I have forgiven him and not remained in bitterness. I’m….” He got a little choked up here, before getting himself back together.

“I’m glad I have my best friend back.” He finished that sentence. Sunny herself couldn’t help but get a little choked up herself. She was so glad Hitch wouldn’t be bitter. It was a good thing for him. For everypony.

Some ponies in the crowd had mixed reactions. Some looked kinda touched to hear Hitch pour his heart out here. Some looked to be ashamed of their bad feelings for Sprout. Some rolled their eyes. And some still looked a bit untrusting. Could everything he just said be true?

“So, I give you all my word. I WILL find the pony who did this to Lilac Summers. I will find the piece of garbage who took the life of a young mare. I am…I will clear my best friend’s name. I promise to all of you: I will find the killer. Even if it means I die doing it. I promise on my life, everypony.” He said, as he bowed to the crowd and started to leave the gazebo.

Everypony just looked over at Hitch, not knowing what to believe. Was everything he just said true? Was he stretching the truth a little bit? Was he lying to defend his friend?

Hitch walked over to Sunny’s smoothie stand with a warm, confident smile.

“You ready, Sunny?” He asked.

She nodded. “Let’s go clear our friend’s name, Sheriff Hitch.” She said, putting the closed sign on her stand, and walking away with her friend to the Sheriff’s Department. To help their friend.

It took a while, but Izzy eventually found the Firepit Pizza place that Phyllis told her about. In finding the Pizza place, she also found the house next door to the place. This must be the owner’s home. She said Sprout may be here, due to how close he was to them. Almost on a family level.

She hoped she was right. She took a deep breath and knocked at the door. A couple seconds went by and Bella opened the door.

“Yes? Hello?” She said in a sweet, welcoming tone.

“Hi, new friend.” Izzy said excitedly. “My name’s Izzy Moonbow.”

Bella smiled at her outgoing friendliness. “Nice to meet you, Izzy. I’m Bella. Me and my husband, Vinny run the Firepit Pizza next door. Do you need something, dear?” She asks her.

Izzy nodded her head. “Is Sprouty here?” She asked.

Bella looked concerned when she was asked that. No pony was supposed to know that Sprout was living here now. How did she know he’d be here? Should she lie? Should she just tell her to leave?

“Hey Bella, do you want me to hel—“ Sprout had come from the kitchen to ask her something. He was cutoff by the very big surprise he was seeing.

“Izzy?” He asked, looking confused.

Bella turned her head to look at him. “You know her? And why did she call you “Sprouty”, sweetheart?” She asked, causing him to get red in the face with embarrassment. Izzy did too, though she still had a shy smile on her face.

“Izzy, huh?” Vinny’s voice could be heard coming up the hall. He was walking with his cane, before he stopped to look at the scene going on right now.

“Yep. That’s me.” She said, regaining her composure from the embarrassing question by Bella.

Vinny took a minute to remember something. He looked at Sprout. “Wasn’t this the mare you wanted to apologize too?” He asked him, causing Sprout to look embarrassed too. He nodded his head.

Vinny couldn’t help but grin. So, thankfully, this mare was a good one. Not somepony to fuck with their houseguest.

“Eh, come on in, Miss Izzy. Make yourself at home.” He said. Bella looked for a split second before she let Izzy inside.

Izzy felt so happy and giddy. She was here with Sprouty now. The two pizza ponies trusted her enough to let her in. She may get a chance to cheer Sprouty up.

She just hoped he would allow that to happen. She wanted to see Sprouty all cheered up. Hopefully, see him…happy.

Author's Note

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

Chapter 19: Theories Formed

-/-Zephyr Heights-/-

*ding*ding*

“I hope you two are hungry. I’ve had our chefs cook up your favorite, girls.” Queen Haven said to her two daughters with a big smile on her face.

The three of them were joined by Alphabittle Blossomforth at the large dinner table. He was even dressed up in a nice suit for the occasion. Of course, he sat next to Haven, who was on his left. Haven was in the middle, while Pipp sat next to her on the right, and Zipp sat next Pipp. It was a very nice get together.

Although, it would be even better if Zipp looked to be enjoying herself. Which she wasn’t. Ever since she came back home, she had just looked as miserable as ever. And it certainly didn’t go unnoticed by everypony here at the table.

One of the chefs came over to Pipp with a tray that had a silver cover on it. The excitement could clearly be seen on her face. The chef lifted the cover off and revealed her dish to her.

“For you, Miss Petals: A daffodil and daisy sandwich on a sourdough bun, with buttered egg noodles on the side, and a strawberry lemonade for the drink. To your liking.” The chef said to her.

Pipp took a big whiff of the smell of the food in front of her. “Oh, yes. Just like when I was a filly. It looks so good. Thank you, Benjamin.” She said, very lady like, earning her a courteous smile from him.

Another chef came over to Zipp. Truth be told, even though she was looking forward to a nice meal with her family, she still couldn’t shake the miserable, guilty feeling she had. It was hard for her. The chef lifted the silver cover off the tray, revealing the dish to her.

“And for you, Miss Storm: a toasted hay and petunia sandwich on wheat bread, with a side of a baked potato filled with butter and cheese, and a sparkling water for the drink. To your liking.” The other chef said.

“Thank you, Bartholomew.” She said in a low tone that did seem genuine, but still showed some misery to it. She was clearly not in the best of moods right now.

The chef who served Pipp came to Alphabittle next. Now HE was probably looking the most forward to this. His giddy smile just screamed excitement.

“For you, Master Alphabittle: a Hayburger on a brioche bun, with a side of extra crispy hay fries, and a glass of swamp fever cocoa from Bridlewood for the drink. To your liking.” Benjamin said with class and dignity.

“Thank you so much, sir.” Alphabittle said.

Finally, Bartholomew, came over to the one in charge of it all, the Queen of Zephyr Heights, Fairwheather Haven.

“And lastly, for you, your majesty: a grilled salmon with lemon sauce, with a garden salad and prench dressing for the side, and a glass of grape village farms’ wine for the drink. To your liking.” He said in the best way he possibly could.

“Why, thank you, Bartholomew. Benjamin. This all looks so lovely. You may be excused now.” She said to them.

“Yes, your majesty.” The both of them said at the exact same time, before leaving the dining room, so the family could dine in peace.

As soon as the two chefs left, the family began to eat. In a respectable manner of course. When eating in a royal castle, manners maketh the family.

“Oh, I’ve missed this, girls. Having a family dinner with the ponies I love.” Queen Haven said, flashing a quick grin at Alphabittle. Which which caused him to get flushed red with a nervous chuckle.

This made Pipp and Zipp cringe a little bit. It was clearly obvious by now that Haven and Alphabittle were a romantic item. The two had been spending a lot of time together. If she was doing her daily rounds, he’d be there with her. Maybe not for all of them, but quite a bit. Whenever she had some free time(which was rare in her case; being the Queen and all), he’d accompany her on that free time.

Also, it was just the way they acted toward each other. The way they’d look at each other. The little subtle comments and compliments. And the fact that Haven had started calling him “Alphie”. No other pony had called him that from Pipp and Zipp’s point of view.

It was weird at first when they started realizing it. However, even if it was still a bit cringeworthy, they still accepted it. As weird as it made them feel, they knew that Alphabittle and Haven were very happy together. And that’s what they wanted the most. Their mother to be happy.

Especially knowing that Haven had been a widow for over 15 years now. Her husband, the late King of Zephyr Heights, Sky Rift, had suddenly, and almost randomly, died of a heart attack while Haven and their daughters, were spending time together. When they found out that he had passed away, it was truly a devastating blow to them. Haven did put on a strong face for her subjects, and her daughters, but as they got older, they could tell that their mother was very lonely, and looking for love.

So, if anypony deserved a special somepony, it was her. If anypony could truly make her happy, it was Alphabittle. If she was happy, they were too.

However, if there was one pony in this room right now who was NOT happy, it would be the heir to the thrown of Zephyr Heights, Zipp Storm. She had been back in her home town for about 6 hours already, and she still felt so miserable. Not even her favorite food could cheer her up,

Of course, Haven, with her motherly senses, she could tell that her oldest daughter was gloomy and depressed. After she a bit of her salmon, she spoke to her.

“Zipp, honey, what’s wrong?” Haven asked, showing concern. This caused Pipp and Alphabittle to look at her as well. "This is your favorite dish. You're barely taking a bite. What's going on, deary?"

Zipp gave a sad sigh. “Well, you guys, I…well…I want to ask you something. Especially you Mom.” She said, looking at them.

“What is it?” Haven asked, showing concern and interest.

“What do you think of Sprout?” She asked. Which caused Haven and Alphabittle to look confused and surprised. Pipp silently picked up her sandwich and took a bite. She had a feeling her sister would ask that. She just didn't think it'd be so soon.

“Why do you ask, deary?” Haven asked.

“I mean, do you still hold a grudge against him? After his reign of terror? I mean, he almost killed you guys." Zipp said to all three of them. Haven's face just remained stoic, while Alphabittle looked away in an awkward glance.

"Because, that's why I did it. I still hadn't forgotten about what he did. To you. But..." She paused.

"But what?" Haven asked.

"Well, before we found out about this brother of Sprout, he ACTUALLY said sorry to me. And Pipp. He even said, if he ever saw you guys again, He'd apologize to you as well. And, well, he actually came across very genuine." Zipp said, looking away for a quick second in regret over her actions.

"I guess, what I want to know is, if Sprout actually does apologize to you both, what would you think?" She asked, now rubbing her shoulder with her left wing.

Alphabittle took a quick glance at Haven. Noticing her still stoic stare, he worried about what her reaction would be. Worse yet, what she would think when HE would give his answer to Zipp.

Haven took a deep breath. Inhale and Exhale. "Do you REALLY want me to be honest, Zephyrina?" She asked her in a scolding, motherly tone. Zipp nodded her head yes, while Pipp looked on at the awkward situation, still eating her delicious sandwich.

“Before I do, I need to say this first: when Hitch told me everything about what happened 2 days ago, I was not happy with him arresting you. However, after what he told me, I have to tell you that I am VERY disappointed in you.” She said, scolding her daughter.

Zipp’s ears dropped. “I know.” She said, sounding bummed.

“I did NOT raise you to start fights or use physical force on somepony. Especially giving that you struck first. I was, and still kind of am, very disappointed in you for doing that.” Haven said, scolding her more. Zipp looked even more bummed than ever.

“Although, even if I don’t approve of you doing what you did, I do understand why.” She said, causing Zipp to pay attention to her.

Haven sighed. "After Sprout's rampage, I thought about having him jailed. I really did. I even thought about taking him away from his home to be thrown in our dungeon. Admittedly, I was even concerned about you leaving Zephyr Heights to move to Maretime Bay. Because I didn't want you to have to face a discriminatory pony like him." She explained to her.

"So, what made you change your mind?" Zipp asked her.

Haven looked at Alphabittle, who blushed in embarrassment. "Alphie and Sprout's mother, Phyllis. We talked that night. Phyllis practically BEGGED me not to throw her son in jail. She was even teary eyed and emotional. I felt kind of bad for her. I was still thinking about it, until Alphie told me something.” She said, now motioning for him to tell her daughter what she meant.

He sighed. "Before the races were united again, we all taught everypony to hate and not trust the other races. Admittedly, I taught my little orphan foals that Unicorns were the superior race. Your mother told me how she told her subjects that Pegasi were superior and Earth Ponies and Unicorns were second rate. And I'm pretty sure somepony with power in Maretime Bay did the same thing for their ponies too. Parents taught their kids to fear them. Their parents did the same to them growing up, and their parents and so on and so forth. If you would've seen Phyllis, she was filled with so much guilt and remorse. She even told me she wished she could take it all back. She blamed herself for filling her son's head with lies and paranoia." He said with remorse and shame all over his face. Pipp, Zipp and Haven feeling sympathy for their friend.

"What I'm trying to say is, if Sprout hadn't done it, somepony else probably would've. Admittedly, I probably would've. If..." He trailed off, before looking at Haven, who now blushed a little herself.

"If I hadn't met your mother. After we met, I learned to not be so judgmental of ponies. Even if they made dumb decisions. So, I can't hate Sprout. Whether he wants to apologize or not, I just can't bring myself to hate him. Or anypony. So, I just decided to squash whatever animosity I may have with him. Because, if any of my old orphan kids did what Sprout did, I'd feel I'm to blame too. I just can't hate him, Zipp." He said, smiling while looking into Haven's eyes.

Haven looked back with a smile of her own. Admittedly, that caused Pipp and Zipp to feel like they wanted to hurl. But, they kept a straight face on. They didn't want to offend their mother.

She looked back at Zipp. "When Alphie told me all of that, I knew that it wasn't worth it to throw Sprout in jail. After all, Phyllis told me she would handle it with him. And after everything Alphie told me about her, I can see that she has. So, while I am a bit angry that he hit you and gave you that black eye..." Haven paused, while Zipp touched her bruised eye socket. She flinched a tiny bit, but not too much.

"I have decided to let it go and forgive. I need to be better for our kingdom. And for you two." She said, looking at Pipp, who was almost done with her sandwich. "And holding grudges doesn't make me that for you or anypony else. So, if Sprout does indeed apologize to me and Alphie, then I will forgive him."

Pipp and Zipp smiled at their mother's kindness. They really didn't see that coming from her. They were glad their mother didn't want to be bitter and angry for anything.

Zipp looked down at her tray. "Oh wow. This looks great." She said, now taking a bite of her sandwich. Her tastebuds went to heaven when she took that big bite.

Alphabittle and Queen Haven chuckled and went back to their trays as well. Overall, it was a very nice family dinner for all of them.

-/-

2 Hours Later

-/-

"Are you sure you wanna do this, Zipp?" Pipp asked her, sounding very worried as they stood behind the curtain, with their mother and Alphabittle behind them, looking equally as worried as Pipp.

Zipp nodded in seriousness. "This was part of the deal. I have to honor my part of it. Plus, I just have to tell the truth. We've lied to so many of our subjects for so long. It's time We, espeacially me, told the truth. I have to do this, Pipp." She said, reassuring her younger sister.

"Are you sure, Zipp?" Alphabittle asked.

"Yes, deary. If you do this, your reputation may be damaged. If not ruined. Do you want to risk that?" Haven asked her, showing worry for her first born daughter.

Zipp smiled and put her wing on her mother's shoulder. "It'll show that I'm a pony. Just like everypony else. I made a mistake and I have to admit that. I gotta do what's right, Mom. Wish me luck, okay." She said, now walking though the curtain.

The three ponies just looked on in concern for Zipp. They hoped she was right. They hoped everything would be okay in the end. By Celestia, they truly hoped.

-/-

Maretime Bay-Hitch & Sunny

-/-

"*sluurrrrrppp* Ah. Thank you, Sunny. I needed that." Hitch said after drinking a smoothie Sunny made for him. His favorite was Super Citrus. His usual one he gets.

"No problem, Hitch. I'm happy to help. In any way." She said, now sitting in a swivel chair that sat next to Hitch's desk. "So, what did you need me to research? Have you found anything interesting?" She asked him, while playfully spinning in the chair.

Hitch knew that Sunny, probably, wasn't gonna like what he found. Or what he was hypothesizing in his head. It might make her feel scared. And he didn't want that for his lifelong friend. But, he already asked for her help, and if she was willing to do it, then he had to be honest with her.

"Well, yeah. I do have something I need to research for you. But, before that, I need to go over everything with you about what all has happened." He told her.

She stopped spinning to look at him. "What do you mean?" She asked him.

Hitch took a breathe and decided to continue. "Well, it's about Phyllis." He said, making Sunny nod, which caused him to keep going.

"Before you and Pipp and Izzy showed up here yesterday, and before Alphabittle and Queen Haven arrived, I had a talk with Phyllis about her other son. I even have a name."

"Who?" Sunny asked, looking very interested.

"Bud Bloomington. That’s her maiden name. Have you ever heard of that name before?"

Sunny thought for a moment, trying to remember if she did.

“Well…” Sunny began. “I think I remember Bloomington as, like, a family of farmers. In fact…” She gasped happily before running towards the entrance of the Sheriff’s Department where her bag was. She fished through it and brought out her little book of history involving Unicorns and Pegasi.

She trotted back over and showed it to Hitch. “I did some research on one of the Elements of Harmony from many years back. The Element of Honesty: Applejack.”

Hitch raised an eyebrow. “What does that have to do with Bloomington?” He asked.

She opened her book and showed Hitch her notes. “Applejack was an apple farmer. Her father and grandparents were too. But, her mother was a pear farmer. And her aunt and uncle were Orange farmers. They also had friends who were produce farmers as well. Now that I think about it, I think it was The Bloomington’s who started their Blooming Days Festival with the Apples. They may have started it when Applejack was in her 50’s. It was a big deal for all farmers of Equestria.” She explained to him with an excitable tone.

Hitch both felt impressed and disheartened when Sunny told him all that. Impressed that Sunny knew all of that. Not to mention, this “Applejack” she had talked about before, now sounded a lot more interesting to hear about. Hell, maybe he might even research the legend of Applejack after this.

But, the reason he also felt disheartened, was because, if what he felt in his gut was true, then that meant that what he found was true. He knew Sunny wasn’t gonna like what he was about to say. Especially when it came to Phyllis and the possibility of her being….raped.

Sunny saw the uncomfortable look on Hitch’s face and began to feel worried.

“What’s wrong? Is there something about The Bloomington’s that you found?” She asked him.

Hitch gave a big sigh. “Bloomington is Phyllis’ maiden name, like I said. But, look what I found.” He said, pulling out a piece of paper from his little In/Out file stack.

He gave her the photo he saw of the big Bloomington family photo, with the black mark in it. Possibly, editing out a family member who was in the photo many years ago.

Sunny’s eyes widened in surprise. “What is this?” She asked.

“Remember when I used to take photography class when we were in school?”

Sunny nodded. “Yeah. And you got in trouble for taking pictures of Ms. Clementine dancing while she had nopony in class.” She said with a giggle.

Hitch didn’t look amused. He never forgot his punishment. It was so humiliating. And it didn’t help that his Mother was behind it all. Served him right, but it still didn’t make him feel better.

“Anyway…” Hitch continued. “When I was taking those classes, I learned how to edit photos. You could erase things that photobombed it. Like, another pony in the background or an eagle flying past you. However, it’s how you edit it out that made me take an interest in this here.” He said, now pointing at the black mark.

“This, right here, is a poorly done edit job. To try and erase somepony out of this picture. Either that, or they wanted it to be that way. They purposefully made that edit job look so poor. It's almost like, they wanted to show that this pony isn’t welcome in the Bloomington’s family anymore.” He said in a grim tone, making Sunny feel shocked.

“But, why would they do that? How could any family just kick out their own family member?” Sunny asked, before instantly catching on to what Hitch might be trying to say.

“W-Wait. Are you saying, that this is Phyllis’ family growing up?” She asked.

“It might be, Sunny. And this isn’t the only one. Look at what else I found.” He said, now taking out three more photos and giving them to Sunny. He found theses after searching the Bloomington website some more from earlier.

Shocking her even more, she looked at a photo of a photo of Liana and Aster Bloomington standing outside of a school house with their son Marlow, and a black mark that was next to him.

Another one showed Marlow on a tractor, holding something in his hooves. What was there was a mystery, because it was another black mark again.

Lastly, there was a photo of Liana, Aster and two other ponies standing next to a picnic table, laughing with joy, while a black mark was shown covering whoever it was standing on the table.

“This is all so crazy. If this black mark really is Phyllis, why would they kick her out of the family? What did she do to make that happen?” She asked.

“Well, honestly Sunny, when I interviewed her, she even told me that the Bloomington name means nothing to her now. For whatever reason, she hates them.” Hitch told her.

“How could she hate her family though?” Sunny asked, looking upset. She probably felt that family was supposed to love each other. And be happy. Apparently, that wasn’t the case here.

“It may have to do with Marlow there.” Hitch said, pointing to the photo of the blonde stallion.

“Why?” Sunny asked him.

Hitch shuddered. “Marlow Bloomington committed suicide almost 40 years ago. He was only 21 at that time. He was their only son.” He said, pointing to Liana and Aster.

Sunny out her hoof to her mouth. “Oh my. Their own son...killed himself?” She asked, getting choked up. Suicide was a touchy subject for her.

“Yeah.” Hitch said, feeling bad for Marlow. "You know what's odd, though?"

Sunny looked at the photo of Marlow holding whatever the black mark was, and then looked back at Hitch. "What?"

"When I read Liana and Aster Bloomington's memorial on their website, it said that they had two children. Yet, they only mentioned Marlow. It never said the name of the other foal they had. So, if I'm assuming that Phyllis is a Bloomington, this family, and with all these black edit mark jobs on the photos, it makes me think something." He explained to her.

Sunny took a little bit to put two and two together. When she did, her face appeared shocked again.

"If this black mark is Phyllis, and she's been kicked out of the family, and what you just said about them not mentioning Marlow's sibling, then...then that means..." She trailed off, before Hitch finished for her.

"Marlow may be Phyllis' brother."

Both of them felt a chill run through them. In all the years they've known her, they didn't know she had another son. Now, they find out she, quite possibly, could have a brother. Or, had a brother in this case, because he's been dead for almost 40 years.

"I also found this too." Hitch said, now regaining Sunny's attention again. He pulled out another picture. He gave it to Sunny. Her eyes now looked horrified at what she was seeing.

"I don't wanna look at that." She said, while giving the picture back to him. It was the picture of the burned down orphanage in Clopton from 20 years ago.

"Sorry, Sunny." He said, putting the picture back.

"What does that have to do with anything involving the case?" She asked, not sounding happy about having to see the picture.

"When I interviewed Phyllis, she told me that, 3 or 4 days after giving birth to Bud, she went to Clopton and dropped him off at an Orphanage there. Lexy Orphange is what it was called."

"So, she just dropped him off at the first orphange she could find? She just wanted to get rid of him that badly? Was she that desperate to not keep him?"

"Well, Sunny, she was about 14 or 15 when she got pregnant with him. She was a young teenager when it happened."

"Okay, so she was young. But, does that mean she was right in doing it that way?"

"No. But, she didn't care. She hates who impregnated her AND she hates Bud. She even kept calling him "That Thing." She really only named him Bud after the nurse who operated on her gave her the first name she could think of. She clearly doesn't want to talk or even think about him. Ever again."

Sunny looked pissed. "That is horrible. What kind of Mother is she? What kind of Mother does that? What kind of Mother hates her own child?" She said, sounding a bit emotional.

Hitch sighed. "You're right. It's not right. But, after some thinking, I think I can understand why she did it."

Sunny raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Right before Phyllis left her interview, I told her that nopony would judge her if she had a foal when she was a teenager. She was young and she chose to have sex with whoever she did it with. However, before I could finish my sentence, she interrupted me. She said something that made me keep thinking about it more." He said, looking disgusted at what he felt.

"What did she say?" Sunny asked.

Hitch took a deep breath. "She screamed "I DID NOT--" before stopping herself. Then she left. The more I thought about it, the more I asked myself, "What did she mean by DID NOT?". And then I thought, did she mean she didn't choose to have sex? Meaning..." Hitch said, trailing off. As if to make Sunny put it together herself.

And she did. Sunny's shocked and disgusted look said everything. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Hitch, are you saying...that Phyllis was raped? When she was a teenager?" She asked.

"I think so, Sunny." He said in a low, somber tone.

It went quiet for a bit. Neither her or Hitch said anything. The statement he made was truly heavy. They couldn't believe that Phyllis might have been raped at a young age. Knowing how strong she was emotionally, she must've been hiding this for years. Even when the two of them were foals.

The silence was broken when Hitch spoke again. "This orphanage in Clopton burned down 20 years ago. Do the math, and you'll see that Bud Bloomington was about 17 or 18 at the time. Have you ever heard anything about this orphanage before?" He asked her, causing her to shake her head No.

"Okay. So, I'm gonna do more research on the fire at Lexy. I need you to research anything more about the Bloomington's. Look up anything about that family. Hell, maybe see if there is a death certificate of Marlow. Maybe, look for Bud's birth certificate. I'm counting on you, Sunny. Can you do it?" He asked her.

Sunny paused for a moment before nodding her head Yes. "I won't let you down, Sheriff Hitch. Let's do this." She said in a sad, but somewhat determined tone. Hitch grinned and nodded back. The two of them then went to a computer desk to search for evidence on how to find this monster. It was time to catch a killer.

-/-

Izzy & Sprout

-/-

"Ooohhh, that smells delicious." Izzy complimented, as she took a big whiff of what was being cooked in the kitchen. It was around lunch time now. Vinny had already gone next door to his restaurant. It was time to start his shift. Bella would go over later. Right now, she was fixing lunch for Sprout and her new houseguest, Izzy Moonbow, who were sitting at her dining table.

Bella heard Izzy's compliment just now and let out a happy giggle. "It'll taste even better, darling. I hope you have an appetite." She said in a sing-song type tone.

“Thanks so much for letting me stay for lunch, Miss Bella.” Izzy said happily. Sprout, meanwhile, was trying not to look at Izzy. He didn’t expect her to be here. After yesterday, when she and Sunny helped him up after he was beat down by Oscar and Sal, he kind of wanted to be alone. Or, at least with Bella and Vinny. Two ponies who truly love him and care for him.

How much did Izzy care? Was that why she was here? Did she really consider Sprout a friend?

As Bella brought over the two lunch plates to the table, she said to her, “Oh, why it’s no problem at all, deary. Any friend of Sprout’s here is a friend of ours.” She said that, while she laid down two plates of Italian Caprese Salads. They looked delicious.

Sprout, however, blushed and looked away a little in embarrassment after what was said. Izzy saw that and let out a low giggle. It was cute seeing Sprouty look so all red faced. Just like his coat color.

“Well, Bella, we…I mean, we, uhh…” He tried to say, but couldn’t find the words. What was he supposed to say to her? Thankfully, Izzy knew.

“Sprouty apologized to me after he went cuckoo bananas with his giant machine of doom.” She said, crossing her eyes and rolling a hoof next to the left side of her head in a joking way.

Sprout groaned. “Why you gotta bring up old stuff, Izzy?” He asked in a low and frustrating tone.

Bella looked at Sprout with sympathy. She knew that his actions from before still had an effect on him. It probably will for the rest of his life.

Izzy looked surprised to hear him say that. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. I was just joking.” She said, trying to defend herself, but in an apologetic way.

Sprout groaned again. He didn’t want to be around anypony right now. He just wanted to be alone. He looked toward the sliding glass door that lead to Bella and Vinny’s outdoor garden. Something that Bella took a lot of pride in. There was a bench there that he could eat at.

He grabbed his plate. “Thanks for the salad, Bella. It looks really good. But, I just wanna be alone right now.” He said, as he trotted toward the glass door. As he opened it and trotted outside, Izzy couldn’t help but feel like shit. She came over here to help Sprout and now she had to open her big, fat mouth.

“Sorry, Miss Bella.” Izzy said to her, sounding bummed.

She sighed sadly. “I know you didn’t mean any harm, but you should really watch what you say around him. He feels tremendous guilt and shame about what he did. He poured his heart out to me and Vinny 3 nights ago. He was even crying. I feel so bad for him too.” Bella said, now looking outside.

Sprout was indeed sitting at that bench, eating his salad. Alone. In misery.

“May I ask why you’re really here, Izzy?” Bella asked, still looking at Sprout outside.

“Because, I wanted to check on Sprout. To see if he’s okay. I mean, he got beat up and he found out he has a brother he’s never known. He must be so sad and depressed. And I just hate seeing ponies like that.” She said sadly, while she took a depressing bite of her salad.

It was a good salad. Very good. However, even if her tastebuds felt like they were walking on sunshine, she still felt sad for making Sprout feel so bad again.

“Well, Izzy.” Bella said, getting her attention. “If you intend on cheering up Sprout, do better at it.” She turned to look at her. Izzy couldn’t help but feel intimidated with the look on Bella’s face.

“I love Sprout. I love him as if he’s another son to me. And I’m what a lot of ponies may call a “Mama Bear”, if you get what I mean. You DO know what that means, right?” Bella asked her in a scary tone, while getting close to her face.

Izzy gulped in fear. “You’ll hurt whoever hurts the ponies you love?” She asked, chuckling in intimidation.

“Yes.” Bella said. “So, if you are going to cheer Sprout up, make sure you do it right next time. Because if you don’t…and you hurt him more…..” She trailed off, making Izzy finish what she wanted to say.

“There will be consequences.” Izzy said in fear.

Bella then smiled her warm, kind-hearted smile. “Exactly, deary.” She said, patting Izzy on the head like a foal, making her blush in embarrassment.

“Oh, and how’s the salad, deary? Is it good?” She asked in her sweet tone.

Izzy nodded. Both in fear and honesty. “Yep. It’s really good.” She said, taking another bite.

Bella chuckled. “Well, I’m glad you like it, deary.” She said, walking back to the counter.

Izzy knew something from that day forward. It was something she would take with her to her eventual grave. And that was:

Don’t mess with a Mama Bear like Bella.

Izzy couldn’t help but feel happy, looking at all the pretty flowers in the back yard. There were red tulips, gorgeous yellow sunflowers and pink petunias. Bella worked very hard on her gardening, it seemed. She must do this as a hobby when she isn’t working the pizza joint.

However, her happy feeling faded away when she looked ahead at the bench Sprouty was sitting at. With an empty plate and now dirty fork. Looking sad and miserable.

All because she opened her big, fat mouth.

She took a deep breath before she got closer and closer to him. She hoped she looked good. For some reason.

“Hey.” She said in a sheepish tone.

Sprout didn’t answer. He just looked at the ground. Not paying her any attention.

“Mind if I sit next to you?” She asked, trying to sounding upbeat.

No answer from him. So, since he technically didn’t say No, she slowly trotted over to the bench and sat next to him. He didn’t show any emotion. Although, Izzy did sense his sparkle. And it was clear that he was as miserable as his Mother is. Which made her feel sad. So, she decided to start up a conversation. And she knew what to start with.

“Miss Bella has a really pretty garden, huh? It kinda reminds me of Dahlia and Posey’s garden.” Izzy said, with a chuckle.

“Uh-huh.” Was all Sprout uttered.

Izzy thought for a moment, before she saw his empty plate. That was something.

“And her Caprese Salad was SOOOO delicious. Am I right?”

“Uh-huh.” Again, no emotion. Just misery vibes.

Nothing. Izzy knew she was just giving small talk. She needed to do big talk now. And that meant she had to have a conversation that may be uncomfortable. For him.

Izzy sighed sadly. “I’m sorry if I made you feel bad. I didn’t mean to make you relive any bad memories. I really was just joking, Sprouty.” She said.

It was silent between the two of them for a little bit. Izzy almost felt like giving up and walking away. He obviously was just so sad and miserable, that nothing she could do would make it better. Telling jokes? Compliments? Stories that could get your mind off of anything? No. Sprout felt that depressed. She gave another sigh of sadness as she was about to get up, before she heard Sprout mutter something. Very silently.

She turned her head to face him. “What was that?” She asked.

“Why?” Sprout asked, a little louder now.

She looked confused. “Why what?”

He looked at her with frustration on his face. “Why are you sorry?”

Izzy felt surprised to hear him ask that question. “Because, I felt bad for making you feel bad.” She said.

“Why should you? I deserve to feel bad.” He said.

“What? Why would you say that?” Izzy said, sounding shocked he’d say that.

“I hated you.” He said, with a choke in his voice, making Izzy’s heart hurt. She knew he was getting emotional now.

“I hated you for just being a Unicorn. Same with Pegasi, who are some of your friends. I chose to listen to my Mother, and it made me want to hurt you. All of you. I almost killed you with that giant machine of doom. Hell, when you tried to be nice to me not too long ago, I pretty much told you to fuck off. So why?!” He loudly asked, with small, angry and emotional tears running down his face. Izzy flinched a little bit when Sprout raised his voice.

“Why, huh?! Why?!” Sprout continued to yell. “Why are you so forgiving?! It pisses me off! Why don’t you hate me, huh?!” He screamed in her face, while he huffed and puffed with tears in his eyes.

Izzy felt her lip quiver. She almost felt like crying herself. She knew now just how much sorrow and guilt Sprouty had. He clearly hasn’t forgiven himself for his actions. It would probably take a lot for him to fully let go of what he did.

If she felt bad before, she certainly felt like shit now. She had no idea how one little joke could make Sprout relive his past actions. And make him feel like the worst pony in the world, which he wasn’t.

His brother obviously was.

“Because you need a friend.” Izzy said softly. Sprout’s anger induced face was replaced with that of a confused one. What was she talking about?

“I don’t think it’s right that you’re going through all of this. And I don’t think it was right of Zipp to do what she did. You’re innocent, Sprout. We all know that.” She said in as comforting a tone as she could.

Sprout felt a small pang of anger rush through him. Zipp Fucking Storm. If there was one pony he hated now, it was her. Accusing him in front of the whole town? Fuck her.

“And, also, because you’re a good pony.” Izzy said.

Sprout looked surprised to hear that. “No, I’m not. I’m…I’m…” He was about to finish his self loathing rant, before Izzy put a hoof on his shoulder, surprising him. He looked at her light purple, unicorn face.

“You made mistakes. We all do. I’ve made some, Zipp has made some, even Hitch has made mistakes too. That doesn’t mean you’re a bad pony. If you were a bad pony, you wouldn’t feel any remorse for your actions. You’d still want to separate all the pony races. Hell, you’re talking to a unicorn right now. That’s some progress, right?” She asked him, giggling a little bit, and taking her hoof from his shoulder.

Sprout heard Izzy’s words. She was right in saying that everypony makes mistakes, they certainly do. Even great ponies like Hitch and Sunny.

But him: was what he did what one would call a mistake?

“Why are you being so nice to me?” He asked her.

She let out a giggle again. “Because I want to make everypony happy. Including you, Sprouty.” She said in a kind tone.

Sprout couldn’t believe that he was hearing this. He had never met a pony so forgiving as her. Even after his little rampage, she forgives him and wants to be his friend. She comes over to cheer him up when he’s feeling down. She even calls him a good pony, when he doesn’t feel like it.

He gave a smile. “You really mean that?” He asked her, causing her to nod her head yes.

He sniffled and wiped away the tears from his eyes. “Thank you, Izzy. I’m glad I have you as a friend.” He said, causing Izzy to blush and giggle again.

Which made him giggle too. He felt surprised at that. Her giggle made him do the same just like that? Weird. He wondered what it was?

When the two looked at each other again, they were silent for a minute, before Sprout decided to break the silence.

“So, you want me to show you the rest of Bella’s garden?” He asked, sounding shy. He wondered why he felt so tingly around her all of a sudden. It was odd.

Izzy smiled widely and nodded. “I’d love to.” She said, feeling giddy again. About spending time alone with Sprouty.

There she went, calling him that name again.

“Come on.” Sprout said, motioning her to follow him. Then, for the next few hours, Sprout showed Izzy around Bella’s beautiful garden.

Little did they know that that very pony was watching them. With a warm smile on her face. Happy to see Sprout looking happy.

Good work, Izzy.

Author's Note

Well, hope you enjoyed this long ass chapter. This may be my longest one to date. Side note, more chapters in the future may be longer. I plan to end this story, HOPEFULLY, by the end of the year.

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

Chapter 20: A Conference Part 2

Author's Note

Hello everyone. Yes, I know this one is even later than normal. One, work has been a bitch lately. And two, admittedly, I was having trouble figuring out what to do for this chapter.

Well, I came up with this. I hope you like it. Now, there’s another reason for the long wait as well.

See, I was serious when I said that I intend to make these chapters longer. I wanted to see if I could get to 10,000 words here. And I’m proud to say that I did.

Now, I do plan on finishing this story by the end of the year, or if possible, sometime in the early portion of 2024. Hopefully, I can finish this one strong.

Also, this is going to be a massive trigger warning here. There is mentions of rape, abortion, abortion rights, religious families, and some very dark moments in this chapter. So, be warned. Oh, and a little surprise at the end for all of you as well. I hope you enjoy it.

Reader’s Discretion is Advised.

Anyway, I hope you all like this chapter. If you do, hit that like button, comment on the story, and follow and favorite for future updates. Thank you all and goodnight everybody.

Chapter 20: A Conference Part 2

Zephyr Heights

The applause and cheers were loud and boisterous for the future heir to the throne of Zephyr Heights. News had made rounds about Zipp and Pipp’s return home. To say the subjects were filled with excitement would be an understatement. It was almost overwhelming for Zipp, even though she grew up with this around her.

Speaking of Zipp, she tapped the microphone on the podium, which was on a big stage, to see if it was working. After hearing the loud thumping sound, that confirmed it indeed was. She took a few breaths. This was it. This was part of the deal after all.

She was about to make herself look bad in front of her subjects. She was going to tell them the truth.

“Good evening, my loyal subjects. All of you know who I am. However, seeing as how this is being broadcasted across Equestria, I have to tell everypony who I am.” She paused for a brief second.

“My name is Zephyrina Storm, or Zipp as I’m called by my friends and family. I am a princess, and future heir to the throne of Zephyr Heights.” She paused again after another round of applause from her subjects. She almost cringed when she saw one of them, a stallion who looked BEYOND morbidly obese, with his hair stylized like her. Was he a fan of hers, or a creepy stalker? She did not know.

She shook it off quickly and continued. “I also am one of the five ponies responsible for bringing magic back to Equestria. Those other ponies being my sister, and princess of Zephyr Heights, Pipp Petals, Izzy Moonbow of Bridlewood, Sheriff Hitch Trailblazer and Sunny Starscout, both of Maretime Bay. These ponies I consider to be my closest friends.” She stopped again after a third round of applause from the crowd.

“Now, you all are probably wondering why I have asked all of you to be here for this conference. And let this be put on record here: it was me who asked of this. Not my mother. Everything I’m about to say to all of you, comes from me. So, if anything I say happens to not agree with what your beliefs are, then know that it’s me who’s saying them. Not my family or anypony else in the royal palace.” She explains to everypony.

This made a few ponies look caught off guard. Some even whispered to each other, wanting to know what was happening.

Zipp breathed in and out. This was it. Whatever happens afterwards, it’s on her.

“I’ve called you all out here to discuss the video that was released on all social media platforms two days ago. Like Cliptrot and Ponytube. The video of me accusing former Deputy of Sheriff Hitch Trailblazer, and former criminal, Sprout Cloverleaf of murder. That leading to a fight between him and I, which resulted in me being given this black eye right here.” She told everypony, pointing to her blackened eye.

The crowd proceeded to boo when they heard Sprout’s name. Making Zipp cringe a little bit. She had a feeling this would happen.

After they stopped booing, she continued on. “Well, I need to explain everything about what lead to that video AND the fight. I just hope, after my explanation, that you all can understand the situation.” She told them, while looking away for a quick second. She took another pause and went back to it.

“Four days ago, there was a body that was found on the beach of Maretime Bay. A victim of a cruel, cold blooded murder.” She told everypony, which made them gasp in shock. The princess of Zephyr Heights found a murder victim? That sounded so crazy.

“Now, I won’t give any details about the murder, seeing as how I know there are children out here.” She said, taking a look at a few colt and filly Pegasi in the crowd. Some looked about as young 7.

“However, all I will say is this: when Sheriff Hitch Trailblazer and I looked over the body of the victim, it was a truly horrifying, disturbing and just sickening sight. I’ll even admit, I cried for the victim and what she must’ve went through.”

”Oh God!” Hitch cried as he proceeded to lose his lunch.

Zipp took a look at the body and saw the horrifying sight. She let her tears loose.

Zipp closed her eyes, while she groaned. No. Why were the images coming to her? Why now?

She quickly shook her head, hoping to get the images out of there. She needed to finish this.

Zipp composed herself. “I…I’ve had nightmares about the victim. I admit: I’m traumatized by what I saw.” She said, causing the crowd to look at her with sympathy.

”Help me.” The dead Lilac Summers said.

“Please, help me.”

Zipp grunted again. She wasn’t gonna let this get her down. No fucking way.

“When…when Hitch’s ME pony found a partial match at the scene, it DID belong to Sprout Cloverleaf. But…”

The shadowy black figure with a sharp knife appeared behind Lilac Summers.

Her face looked almost contorted. Like a Demon from Hell.

Zipp shivered in fear. Why was this happening? Why now? Why here?

“But what, your highness? Did he do it, or not?” Somepony in the crowd asked, very rudely.

“I’m getting to it, okay?” Zipp answered with some noticeable frustration in her voice.

That pony immediately shut up. Lowering himself to the ground. The subjects looked surprised to hear that type of tone from the heir to the throne.

Zipp noticed what she had done, and tried composing herself again.

“I apologize. I didn’t mean to raise my voice. Just…give me a minute, please.” She apologized to the pony and her subjects.

”AAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” Lilac Summers screamed, as she was being pulled away to Celestia knows where.

She took a deep breath. In and Out. Don’t let these images keep you from doing what you have to do.

“As I was saying: When I heard Sprout’s name….I am ashamed to say this….but I immediately thought it was him. I flew to the townsquare to confront him. And…I accused him in front of the townsfolk. He denied it, and I got even more angry than I felt. That resulted in me…assaulting Sprout, which made him punch me on instinct.” Zipp said with her head bowed in shame.

The subjects looked shocked to hear this. Their future leader attacked somepony out of nowhere? How could somepony so elegant and fair do something like this?

“I admit it: I accused and labeled somepony a murderer without gathering more evidence and information first. I allowed my personal feelings and emotions to get the better of me. I…accused an innocent stallion.”

The subjects gasped hearing this. The heir to the throne was…wrong about something? She made a mistake? That can’t be right.

“You heard it right. Sprout Cloverleaf consented to a DNA test. That very test proved his DNA to be negative. Meaning, I was wrong. Sprout did NOT murder the victim on the beach of Maretime Bay.” She said with so much shame and guilt on her face.

The faces in the crowd were mixed. Some looked on in sympathy at Zipp’s regretful looking face. Some looked uncomfortable at the speech being given. However, some looked angry with her.

“I had no idea I was being recorded. Which, admittedly, is my fault. I should’ve known better. Seeing as how we’re in an age where everypony has a phone, which has a camera on it, and they can and will record things whenever something like that happens. So, to everypony out there, who I may have disappointed, scared or even made angry, then I want to say that I’m sorry. I apologize to my subjects. I apologize to my Mom and little sister. I apologize to everypony in the Royal Palace. I apologize to all of you. I’m a princess. I should be better than that.” She said, pretty much pouring her heart out to everypony in the audience.

“However, if there is one pony who I should apologize to the most…it’s Sprout Cloverleaf.” She said, which made a few ponies in the crowd give an angry look. She didn’t know if it was directed at her or the pony she just name dropped.

“Sprout…” She started, before pausing, not knowing exactly what to say. Especially given the fact that this press conference was being seen all over the world. She looked directly into the camera that was recording her.

“I admit it. I was wrong. I was wrong for automatically thinking it was you. I had no right to do that. Admittedly, I feel like I abused my power, even though it was in a place where I have none. I feel like it’s my fault that you were assaulted by two ponies who thought you were a murderer. I feel like I’m the reason you’re in this mess of a situation.

And, I don’t know if you’re watching this right now. But if you are, or you catch what I say when this is aired, then I want you to know….that I’m sorry.” She said, now breathing deeply through her nostrils to calm herself down. To keep herself from getting emotional in front of everypony.

“I am truly sorry. I wish I could take it all back. And, if you choose not to forgive me, I’ll accept it. After all, when you apologized to me, I didn’t forgive you either. And I knew you were genuine. I was a spoiled brat, and I should’ve been better than that. But, I want you to know that I am also genuine in my apology to you. Again, I’m sorry, Sprout.” She said. A small tear ran down her face. She quickly wiped it away.

The crowd was silent again. They were just in shock. They couldn’t believe that Princess Zipp said all of this. They couldn’t believe she admitted everything. It felt uncomfortable for them to see a prim and perfect pony like a Royal family member admit to having flaws.

“Now, I also have to ask this as well: Could any of you, who commented on the video, please stop commenting about Sprout in a bad way? If anything, you should throw that at me. Cause, I’m the one to blame. If any of you are going to type terrible and awful comments, then I deserve them. Not Sprout.” She said, looking away in self disgust.

When she looked back at the crowd, she saw the pony, who made that rude comment earlier, raise his hoof. That meant he had a question he wanted to ask her. She called on him.

“Princess?” The pony asked. “If everything you just said is all true, then let me ask this question: How are we to trust you when you eventually become the Queen of Zephyr Heights?”

Zipp looked surprised at first to hear that question. Unbeknownst to her, Queen Haven, Pipp and Alphabittle, who were right behind the curtain Zipp was standing behind, looked nervous. They didn’t expect to hear that type of question.

“You’re supposed to be somepony that we could look to as a leader. Somepony who could keep us safe. Somepony who we know can help us in a time of need. If you did all of this to a supposedly innocent stallion, then what does that mean for the future? Huh? How can we trust you to run this kingdom? How can—?” The dude pony never got a chance to finish his question. Two Royal Guards had come up to him and grabbed him.

Several other ponies looked shocked at this. Why were these Guards taking him away? What did he do wrong? He was asking her some questions. Tough questions, yes. But questions nonetheless.

As he was attempted to be escorted out away from the crowd, Zipp thought for a moment. What if she didn’t answer his questions? What would the others think? Would the kingdom look bad? Would her and her family get even worse criticism from when they lied to everypony about flying?

She thought more and more, and then made her decision.

“Guards!” She yelled at them, making them stop with the pony in their tracks.

“I appreciate your loyalty, but this stallion asked a question. If I’m going to be the future Queen, I need to answer tough questions. So, please, let him go.” She told them.

The two Guards looked at each other for a moment, shrugged and then let him go. The stallion looked up at Zipp, waiting for an answer.

“I made a mistake. A very bad one. But, I think that’s what makes me more of a pony then anything else. I made a mistake. Just like every pony all across Equestria. We all mistakes. Right?” She asked the rest of the crowd.

She saw some look away in embarrassment, some nod their heads, some shrug their shoulders and some not react at all.

“My Mom and my Sister. They’ve made mistakes too. Everypony in the Royal Palace has made mistakes. That’s what makes me like all of you. We all make mistakes. And some of those mistakes, we have to answer and pay for. I’m doing that now. No pony is perfect. I’m certainly not a perfect pony.

But, even if I’m not perfect, that doesn’t mean that I’d allow anything bad to happen to any of you. When the day comes for me to be Queen, I will do EVERYTHING in my power to help anypony. I promise to all of you.” She said to everypony, including the pony who asked her the question.

The crowd, again, went silent. It was uncomfortable silence to her. She knew that, after the pony asked her about her future as Queen, there were probably some other ponies here who were probably doubting her. Even worse, they would probably compare her to her Mother as a Queen. Whether she would be a disappointment to the throne. She decided now would be a good time to end this conference.

“Well, that’s what I came to say. I’m sorry for any misunderstandings you all may have felt from the video. I just hope you all can understand everything. Thank you all for being here, and please have a nice rest of your evening.” Zipp said, bowing to the audience in a somber way. She then walked behind the curtain to a dead silent crowd.

-/-

Zipp took a big breath after that very stressful situation. She had to do it though. She made a deal with Hitch. She had to honor it. And she did it.

Alphabittle, her Mother and her Sister looked at her with a worried expression.

“Are you okay?” Alphabittle asked.

She nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m okay.” She said, trying not to remember how uncomfortable that was. Both the question about her future and the images she saw in her head of Lilac Summers.

“Are you sure?” Pipp asked. “I don’t know, but you looked kinda…off out there.” She said looking concerned and confused.

That made Zipp look nervous. The last thing she wanted was for Pipp to start getting worried about her. Granted, she already was after everything that happens in Maretime Bay. However, she didn’t want her to think about the nightmares she’s had either.

“W-W-What makes you think that, Pipp?” Zipp asked, trying not to sound flustered.

“You just looked….a little on edge.” She said.

“Maybe you should go rest, sweetheart. You’ve had a long day.” Queen Haven said to her with affection.

Normally, Zipp wasn’t one for naps. She was an active, energetic mare who was always up and about. Always wanting to fly or do some science experiment. However, after what she just saw in her head, she thought that maybe it would be wise to go to bed now. Maybe that would clear her head a little bit.

“Okay.” Zipp grumbled. As she walked away, she was stopped by Alphabittle’s voice.

“Hey. If you wanna talk about what happened in Maretime Bay, your Mom and I are here, okay? Don’t forget that.”

Zipp didn’t say anything. She just walked away from them toward her and Pipp’s room. Haven, Pipp and Alphabittle just looked on with worry and sadness. They hoped what she just did was the right thing. Even if it was in hindsight, it may not have helped HER out all that much.

As Zipp continued toward her room, she heard it.

”RUN! RUN! RUN!”

She stopped in the hallway after hearing Lilac Summers’ voice echoing in her head. She breathed in and out, trying to calm herself. Her hooves were shaking.

”HE’S COMING.”

Zipp opened her eyes and saw that she was now at the door of her and her sister’s room. She quickly opened it and flew inside. She hugged the wall with her back in fear. She was hyperventilating. She needed to get herself under control.

She then saw something in her head that almost made her tear up. Something she still had in her head.

It was Lilac Summers. With that mannequin store blank look on her face. She was staring at her. Staring deep into her soul.

“What do you want from me?!” Zipp shouted out loud, now tearing up a little bit.

She looked around her room. No pony was there. Lilac Summers wasn’t there. It was just her. She was all alone in this room. Nopony but her.

Zipp shuddered again. Why was she seeing these images? Were they trying to tell her something? What did they want?

She shook her head, eliminating those thoughts from her head. She climbed into bed and pulled the covers over her. She hoped a good nights rest would ease these frightening images and nightmares.

Hopefully.

Back in Maretime Bay, at the Sheriff's Department, Hitch and Sunny were working extensively to find out more information on the killer of Lilac Summers. The mysterious older brother of their foalhood friend, Sprout Cloverleaf. Bud Bloomington.

Sunny was looking for more info on the Bloomington family, while Hitch attempted to gather more information about Lexy Orphange. They had been searching for over an hour by this point. So far, they weren't finding a whole lot. Or, maybe, stuff that they didn't find to be useful for information about the case.

That was until Hitch found something. As he searched through the web for Lexy Orphange, he saw a link that shocked him. The title of this link made him sick to his stomach. It read:

Owners of Lexy Orphange Accused of Foal Abuse

With extreme hesitation, he clicked on the link. Judging from the style of this article, this actually looked more like a gossip column. Something that, while it could be completely untrue, could still be published to everypony. It's the dirt that they wanted. Not to mention, just because it was a gossip column, didn't necessarily mean it was untrue either.

The date of this gossip column looked to be over 20 years ago. Although, judging from the ponies mentioned in it, he deduced that this was published long before the article(which actually WAS an article, because it was front page news as well)about the fire that burned down Lexy Orphange, killing all but three. He then proceeded to read the article.

A Safe Haven, or a Prison? That is what we ask about Lexy Orphange. Created 20 years ago, this orphanage was said to be a place where foals who, sadly and unfortunately don't have a Mom or Dad, could go and try to live as normal a life as they can. This is where 8 foals can call a home.

Or was it ever like that?

This interested Hitch. What did this gossip column mean by that? Was it a case of neglectful parents who don't take care of their foals too well? Was it a case of the foals being treated like slaves?

He thought of one other thing. He just hoped it wasn't what he was thinking about.

According to an unnamed source that wants to be anonymous, she has heard rumors about how the foals at Lexy Orphanage are not as happy there as the two owners, Issac and Lexy, claim to be. There have been rumors that, allegedly, the two owners do NOT take care of their foals very well. Signs of neglect is what one would call it.

There were rumors and stories about the physical and mental conditions of the foals. One being that some of them come to their school smelling very badly. As if they don't take showers. Or brush their teeth. Or use any form of hygiene.

Some rumors also say they have seen bruises and marks on a few of the foals' bodies. Some that weren't there before. And there would be an excuse from them as well. A sign of physical abuse, according to many doctors and psychiatrists.

However, not even that is enough with some of the rumors that have been given to us.

Hitch gulped, while his eyes were closed. Please don't be what I think it is, Hitch thought. He opened his eyes and continued reading.

We have heard rumors about sexual abuse and even molestation of these foals as well. The psychiatrist who works at the school that these 8 foals go to, has said that there were signs in the behavior of the foals that indicate sexual abuse and molestation.

Are these rumors true? Are Issac and Lexy being victims of false allegations, or are they evil monsters deep down? Will we ever know the truth?

Hitch shuddered in disgust. He knew it. He had a feeling that this was what the gossip column was going to reveal. He also was disgusted at what, allegedly, had happened with those poor foals. How could anypony take a foal, who doesn't have a Mom or a Dad, and just take advantage of them like that? It was sick. It was revolting.

"You okay, Hitch?" Sunny asked. He didn't answer her, which made Sunny look confused. She turned her attention to Hitch's screen. And when she saw what he did, she put a hoof to her mouth in horror. She read through the gossip column.

"Oh God." Sunny whispered in disgust.

"I know." Hitch said, sounding revolted. The two were silent for a few more seconds, before he decided to break it.

"Phyllis told me during her interview that she picked the first orphanage she could find before dropping Bud off as a baby. She just wanted to get rid of him as fast as she could. And, if this is where Bud grew up..."

"Phyllis may have unintentionally placed her own foal in the hooves of....pedophiles." Sunny shivered and shuttered in nausea.

"That's why I'm thinking that the fire that burned down was caused by Bud, if this was the orphanage he grew up in. He was humiliated, abused and molested for years. Then, one day, he had enough and burned it down. Along with the two owners and five of the other foals.” Hitch said.

“Those poor little kids.” Sunny felt her lip quiver. “They must’ve been so scared in the last moments of their life.”

“Yeah.” Hitch said. “Although, I wanna know who the three survivors are.”

Sunny looked at Hitch in surprised confusion.

“The three survivors of the fire were never found. They’ve probably been in the wind ever since the fire. And, if Bud was one of them, then who are the other two? And did they have anything to do with it?”

Sunny thought for a moment. “Maybe they helped Bud with the murder of Lilac Summers.”

“Could be.” Hitch said. “She was carried for over 30 miles after she was murdered. Clopton is a pretty big town. There’s no way Bud did this all by himself without getting noticed.”

“And her baby? What about that?” Sunny asked, sounding scared. “Do you think…Do you think Bud-“

“Don’t even say it, Sunny.” Hitch said, cutting her off. “We can’t think that. But…if Bud…if he hurt that baby…”

Sunny could tell that Hitch was looking angry just thinking about that. She didn’t want a redo of what happened with Zipp to happen to him. So, she decided to show him what she found.

“I found something regarding the Bloomington’s, Hitch.” She said, making him look at her with interest.

The two of them went over to where Sunny’s computer was.

“Okay Hitch. So, after everything you told me about Phyllis throwing Bud away, I thought about this: Why didn’t she just get an abortion if she was raped? Why didn’t her family take her to get an abortion?” She asked.

“Good question.” Hitch answered.

“Well, after I looked up her family name, I think I might know why.” She sat down in her chair, and pulled up what she found.

“So, the Bloomington’s were, from what several ponies have said, a very conservative type family. They were very religious. Went to church every Sunday.” Sunny said.

“Okay, but what does that have to do with anything?” Hitch asked.

“Since they were religious, they were heavily against a lot of things. Like, sex out of wedlock, homosexuality, and abortion.” She said.

Hitch’s interest perked up here.

“You said that Phyllis was about 14 or 15 when she…might’ve been raped, right?” She asked him, causing Hitch to nod.

“Well, one, since she was so young at the time, she wasn’t married. So, that’s one thing. But, since she was pregnant, and if Phyllis was raped, maybe her family wouldn’t let her. Because abortion went against their beliefs.” She said.

Hitch scoffed. “Disgusting.”

“I know.” Sunny shuttered.

Hitch thought for a moment again. “Well, since Phyllis was 14 or 15, by law, she didn’t have a job. And if her family wouldn’t help her, she wouldn’t have been able to afford it.”

“Could this be it, though?” Sunny asked. “Could this be why Phyllis and the Bloomington’s aren’t together anymore? I mean, that’s her family, Hitch.”

He thought again for a moment, before an ugly idea appeared in his head.

“What if they didn’t believe her when she said that she was raped?” He asked.

Sunny was silent for a quick sec before she responded, “Why wouldn’t they believe her though?”

“Good question. Some ponies may have chosen not to believe her, but her family? There would have to be a good reason why they didn’t believe her.”

“If Phyllis was raped, then who was it?”

“Again, good question. Maybe that’s why Phyllis refused to talk about it. It’s not JUST the fact that she was raped. It’s who did it to her.”

“Maybe it was somepony she loved and trusted, and then betrayed her when he prayed on her instead of protecting her.”

Both Sunny and Hitch felt uncomfortable just talking about the concept of rape. It made their skin crawl. However, all of these thoughts they were having were starting to give them an idea.

When Phyllis had gotten pregnant with Bud Bloomington, her religious family refused her an abortion and probably didn’t give her any support, if she was not believed about her rape. Then, when she gave birth to Bud, she took him away from them by dropping him off at a completely random orphanage in Clopton. That’s probably why the Bloomington’s kicked her out of the family.

That’s probably why she was marked out of the photos he found.

“Maybe it was somepony the Bloomington’s were close too. Maybe this pony took advantage of Phyllis.” Sunny said, looking sad just thinking about what going Phyllis must’ve gone through.

“Yeah. And instead of choosing her, they chose him.” Hitch said, shaking his head and looking cross.

The two didn’t speak again for about 2 whole minutes. The thought process of everything they just hypothesized was super heavy. They couldn’t imagine what pain Phyllis must’ve went through. It was no wonder she didn’t want to talk about Bud or the rest of the Bloomington family.

“I just thought of something.” Sunny said, now getting Hitch’s attention.

“What if Sprout is right? What if he is being framed?” She asked.

Hitch raised his eyebrow. “What do you mean, Sunny?”

“Hitch, you just said that Lilac Summers was carried for over 30 miles from Clopton to Maretime Bay. I’m no expert in criminology, but there is NO WAY somepony would do that for no reason.” She said.

Hitch pondered that for a moment, and realized Sunny was right.

“If he wanted to dump the body, he would’ve dumped it somewhere not too far away from wherever he was. If he lugged a body for 30 miles to dump it on the beach, then that means he wanted the body found. I guess Pipp was right about that.” Hitch said.

“But, if he wanted the body found, then does that mean he knows who Sprout is?” Sunny asked, now sounding concerned.

“I think so. And if he knows who Sprout is, then he HAS to know who Phyllis is too. Question is, who is he targeting exactly?” Hitch asked, causing Sunny to look confused.

“Is Bud after Sprout because he wants him to pay for their mother’s sins? Or, is he after Phyllis, because he wants to make her pay for throwing him away all those years ago?”

“But why frame Sprout, though?” Sunny asked out loud with frustration in her tone.

“He wants to make Phyllis suffer by losing her other son.”

Sunny shivered in fear. “Oh God.”

Hitch gave her a sympathetic look. He knew he needed her to help him with the case, but he also felt like this might affect her in a bad way going forward. He just hoped she wouldn't be as traumatized as Zipp currently is. He looked to his left slightly and noticed that it was getting late. He then looked toward the window near the front door and saw that it was getting dark outside. It seemed like a good time for her to call it a night.

"Hey Sunny, it's getting kinda late. Maybe you should head home." He told her compassionately.

"Are you sure?" Sunny asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. You've been a great help gathering information today. I couldn't have done it without you." He smiled warmly at her, which caused her to do the same.

"Okay. I mean, I still gotta do my smoothie stand tomorrow anyway. After I'm done with that, I'll help out again." She said very confidently, while gathering her bag together.

As she trotted toward the door, Hitch nodded approvingly at her. "Okay. I'll see ya tomorrow then. Good night, Sunny."

Sunny turned back. "Good night, Hitch." She said, while opening the door and then leaving.

Now that he was alone, he began to contemplate whether he should call it a night or not. Sunny had her job in the morning, but he at least was still doing his. It was a 24/7 type job. He found some interesting things today. Hopefully, they were good enough. Also, he hoped that all the stuff he was hypothesizing was actually true.

Regardless if what he was thinking was true or not, it didn't change the fact that all these right now were just opinions. They weren't facts. They may have made sense, but even if it did, that still didn't mean that they were all true.

At least, not yet.

He knew now that tomorrow, he NEEDED to talk to Phyllis again. He knew that it was going to be a hard conversation to have, seeing as how he had a feeling that she was raped when she was younger. However, it needed to happen. It was a big step in finding Bud Bloomington and bringing him to justice.

Then, another idea popped up in his head. He decided to look up who the detectives were at the Lexy Orphanage fire from 20 years ago. Maybe they could tell him about what caused the fire. Who the victims names were. Who the three survivors were. He just hoped that they remembered anything about that day.

He just hoped that what he was thinking would happen. Because he wanted to find the killer and just get this case over with. Why? Because, after what happened with Zipp, he worried about how this case would affect himself as well. That worried him to no end.

A Few Hours Earlier

It was quitting time now for everypony at Canterlogic. After a hard day's work from them, they had plans to just kick back and relax for the rest of the evening, before they had to do it all over again. They were also just happy to be out of here after the incident in the break room area earlier today with Kodiak and Phyllis. After Kodiak had made fun of his boss' son getting assaulted by two of his former coworkers, she implied that maybe she should fire him too. When he begged her not too, she made him kiss her hoof in embarrassment.

It was here that they all learned to keep their comments about the boss' son to themselves. Also, don't fuck with her in any way, or she may do the same thing to you too. Or fire you, which none of them had wanted.

Now, one of the exceptions to the employees leaving was Reggie the janitor. He stayed behind to clean an area that, while havingn't been used in a long time, still looked like it needed some dusting and cleaning. This very area used to be where anti-unicorn devices were made. However, now that the races were united, Canterlogic made devices to HELP unicorns and pegasi. Earth ponies too, obviously. Some of the employees weren't too happy with Phyllis' decision, but she owned the company. She could do with it however she pleased.

It had now been about an hour and fifteen minutes after Reggie had gotten done with the unused area. He was pushing his cart to one of the custodial closets close by. As he did so, he noticed that one of the areas that he would be passing was Phyllis' office. He had gotten her garbage earlier, so he didn't need to step in there. However, he noticed that the door was wide open and the lights were on. That meant that she was still here too.

This made him a little nervous. He saw what she did to Kodiak earlier. And, while he didn't have a whole lot of sympathy for him(He insulted the boss' son and she heard him, what did he think was gonna happen?), he knew that he should steer clear away from her. She clearly wasn't in a good mood today. If that didn't show from her barely saying hello to him this morning, it certainly did now with the Kodiak incident.

That's what he was going to do. Just walk past her office and be on his merry way home. To relax with a drink in his hooves for the evening. That's what he was going to do. That's what he SHOULD do.

However, right before he could even pass her office, he heard it. It was soft and kind of silent, but clear as day. It was something he didn't expect to hear.

He heard sniffles, silent sobs, and small whimpers. He knew that nopony else could possibly be there with her. So, no doubt about it, the crying was coming from his boss. It was coming from Mrs. Cloverleaf.

He knew he should just ignore it. He should probably leave her alone. That's what she probably wanted too. But, if there was one thing his mother taught him growing up, it was to never leave a pony who was clearly crying in sadness and heartache. Always be there when you can be.

So, even if he knew something bad might happen, he knew he wouldn't sleep at night if he didn't do this. He had to see what was up. With that, he stopped his cart and stealthily hugged the wall. While trying to conceal his presence, he slowly put his head toward the entrance of the door. That was when he saw her.

Phyllis was sitting in her chair sideways to her right while looking at an old photograph of her and Sprout together. It was from about 5 years ago when Canterlogic made their renovations. She insisted(No, more like made him)dress up in a suit for the occasion. She knew he hated it, but he did it anyway for her. He was going to get the company many years from now after all.

Well, not anymore, because he quit. He quit his job. And he quit her. He left her after the horrifying truth about his long lost older brother. Those words "I'm Not Your Sugercube Anymore." still rang in her head, breaking her heart even more than last.

The tears ran down her face, with them landing on the photo of them. She saw the one back at the house was destroyed by Sprout in a fit of emotional rage. Thankfully, she had a copy here in her office. However, it still didn't change the fact that her baby boy was gone now.

"I'm so sorry." She softly said with a choked sob. "My little Sugercube." She sobbed even more, allowing more tears to run down her face.

Reggie felt bad for her. He knew that photo was in here, due to his job interview many years ago. So, if she was crying while looking at the photo, then that means that something happened between her and her son. Nothing was worse than being on bad terms with your children. It was the most painful thing in the world to have your kids not talk to you because of stuff that happened a long time ago.

Worse, in his case, is if you hear them say they hate you to your face. He certainly knew that feeling. He wanted to go in there and ask her if she was okay. Again, she probably wanted to be alone, but she also probably needed a shoulder to cry on.

When he moved his body just a little tiny bit, he accidently knocked over a can of disinfectant spray. As he cursed himself in his mind, it was too late to do anything. The can fell to the ground with a loud sound.

That was when Phyllis looked to the entrance and saw him. Her red, puffy, tear stained face locked eyes with one of her employees.

There was no use hiding now. He was caught. He was caught spying on his boss, who was having an emotional moment. There was nothing he could do now, but accept the consequences. With a big sigh, he showed himself.

"Hello, Mrs. Cloverleaf. Am I interrupting something?" He asked, sounding as sincere and honest as he could.

She, however, did not look happy to see him. She gave him a serious glare. "Were you spying on me just now?" She asked in a low, angry tone.

He breathed through his nostrils. "In a way, yes." He said ashamedly, while rubbing his front leg with his other.

She stood up from her seat and walked toward him. Even if she was shorter than him in height, her intimidation skills were far bigger than he was. When she was face to face with him, he stood his ground. He was terrified he was gonna lose his job, but he wasn't gonna back down like Kodiak did.

"May I ask why?" She asked him, still looking angry.

"I heard you crying."

"So, that's what makes you spy on me? What? Did you want to make me feel even worse?" She asked, her throat choking on a sob.

Reggie shook his head. "No, not at all, Mrs. Cloverleaf."

"Then what?!"

"I just wanted to check on you. To see if you were okay."

The two were silent for a minute. Nothing but the intense air between them. Reggie stood his ground, while Phyllis looked at him in anger. He knew now he was probably going to get fired. It was a nice job he had. He was here for a while, made good money, but now it looked like it was coming to an end. He was about to accept his fate, when he heard her ask an odd question.

"You really do?" She asked him, not changing her intimidating look.

He was surprised when she asked him that. He totally expected her to fire him on the spot. It was weird to say the very least.

He nodded his head. "Yes. You're my boss. I owe you so much for giving me this job. And, if you're feeling sad and depressed, I just want to know if you need to talk with somepony. You can do that with me, Mrs. Cloverleaf."

Phyllis thought about it in her head for a minute. She was miserable all night last night and all of today. Nothing but misery and woe in her mind and heart. Should she talk about it? Even if she didn't know TOO much about Reggie, he did come across very sincere and honest with him.

You won't do it. You know you can't talk about your feelings. Remember what you told Sprout, right?

She closed her eyes hard and breathed heavily. That caused Reggie to give her a concerned look. Something was seriously not right with her.

Never let them see that they get to you.

Fuck you Phyllis said to the thoughts in her head. She may have listened to them with Kodiak, but that was the only time. She was gonna listen to her own thoughts. Not, whatever this was.

"Mrs. Cloverleaf?" Reggie asked, again showing concern for his boss.

Phyllis then took a relaxing breath through her nose. She knew what she was gonna do now.

"Well, Reggie, if what you're saying is true, then how about we talk over a drink?" She asked him out of nowhere, causing Reggie to blush in surprise.

"W-What?" He asked, sounding confused.

"I admit. My day has been terrible. I could use a drink to drown out my sorrows. Maybe even talk a little about them. So, if you're serious, then come join me at The Maretime Bay Tavern." She said, sounding as serious as ever.

Reggie couldn't believe this. Did his boss just ask him out on a date? Well, not really ask, as it was an offer. But still, he was going to have a drink with his boss? If Reggie was one thing, it was a professional. He would never DARE cause uncomfortness around his other coworkers. He would never let his personal feelings get in the way of his work schedule.

However, this was still his boss. What she wants, he does. And, if she wants a drink with him, he has to do it. He was still here at Canterlogic. And, if he was here with her, he does what she says. She's his boss. That's how it is.

Reggie gave an uncomfortable sigh. "O-Okay, Mrs. Cloverleaf. I-I'll join you. I could use a drink myself." He said.

Phyllis gave a smile. Something he looked happy to see. "Good. I'll wait for you at the front entrance."

Reggie nodded. "Okay. Just let me put my cart back." He said, now walking out of her office to push his cart toward the custodial closet. As he did so, he couldn't help but think to himself:

What have I gotten myself into?

When that was done, he closed the closet door, and proceeded to the front entrance of Canterlogic. There she stood with her purse draped over her shoulder. There was that smile again. That smile that he liked seeing whenever she passed him in the halls where he cleaned. It was a nice smile.

He gave a smile back to her. She motioned for him to join her, as they walked out of the front door toward the Maretime Bay Tavern. Hopefully, this wouldn't end with something completely uncomfortable and awkward.

Oh, how wrong they would be.

"That was so much fun, Sprouty." Izzy said happily while they stood at the back entrance of Bella and Vinny's home. He had just gotten done showing her around Bella's garden.

He smiled. "Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it, Izzy." He said, sounding appreciative of her.

“You know so much about flowers and gardening.” She said to him.

“Well, my I’m named after a flower. Cloverleaf, ya know.” He said with a grin.

“Yeah, and your Mom is too.” Izzy blurted out. When she did that, she saw Sprout’s face looking bummed and depressed again. She felt confused. Did she say something wrong?

“Hey, are you okay?” She asked sincerely.

Sprout softly grunted a little bit. “I made the biggest mistake of my life listening to her. Me listening to her turned me into a dictator.” He said in a self loathing manner.

“Sprouty…” Izzy began, before he cut her off.

“I’ve lived my whole life trying to be like her. I didn’t realize how bad of an idea that was until it was too late. Worse, I took my friendships with Hitch and Sunny for granted. All because I chose to listen to her.” He said, sounding sad.

Izzy knew from earlier that he still felt tremendous guilt for everything that happened during his emperor run. Now, it involved his mother too. After she ran into her before coming here, she also saw how much pain and suffering Phyllis was going through right now.

His mother clearly loved him. With all her heart. If only she knew what that was like.

Maybe he’s understand if she told him about her.

Izzy sighed sadly. “Your Mom loves you, Sprouty. I spoke with her earlier before I came to see you. She’s really depressed.”

Sprout looked at her in disbelief. “She’s depressed, huh? Well, how do you think I feel? In the past few days, I’ve been accused of murder, assaulted, spat on, and now, the biggest one of all, apparently I have a big brother out there. Some guy who brutally murdered a mare that I’m being blamed for. So, who’s more depressed, Izzy?” He ranted in anger at her.

“If only I knew.” She said sadly.

Sprout looked confused when she said that. “What are you talking about?”

“If only I knew how much MY Mom loved me.” She said, causing Sprout to look very surprised.

“What?” He asked.

Izzy nodded. “I’m an orphan.” She said, looking at the ground dejectedly. Sprout’s face changed to a sympathetic one. He had no idea.

“Alphabittle and his ex-wife raised me and 7 other foals in an orphanage together. I know that they’re my family in spirit. But, I always have this thought in the back of my head about why my Mom gave me up. I wonder if she ever loved me. If she even wanted me.” She said, now getting emotional.

Sprout now felt like shit. Here she was, trying to make him feel better, he yells at her about how depressed he felt, and now finds out that she had a pretty rough foalhood. Not knowing who your parents are is tough for anypony to live with. He sighed in guilt.

He put his hoof on her shoulder, causing her to look at him.

“I’m sorry, Izzy. I didn’t know.” He said in a compassionate tone. Izzy blushed a little when she saw his hoof touching her. Light tears touched her face, before she quickly wiped them away.

“I guess I’m not the only one with problems. We all have them, don’t we?” He asked, now sitting next to her.

Izzy nodded. “Yeah.”

The two were silent again for a few minutes, before Sprout broke it again.

“Why would my Mom lie to me all these years? Why would she not tell me about whoever my brother is?” He asked out loud.

Now Izzy put her hoof on his shoulder. Admittedly, he looked flushed when she did that too.

“Your Mom probably had a reason. Maybe, she just wanted to protect you.” She said compassionately.

“I doubt it.” Sprout said.

The two of them looked to the sky and now saw it was getting late. Izzy felt she should be heading home now. Sunny probably was wondering where she was. And Sprout wanted to hit the sack too. He’s had a long day today.

“I guess, I should get going now.” Izzy said, standing up.

Sprout nodded. “Yeah. I’m getting kinda tired. Thanks for stopping by, Izzy. I guess I really needed some support. I’m glad it was from you.” He told her, causing her to blush again with a giggle.

“No problem, Sprouty.” She said, before she happily gasped. She just got an idea in her head.

“Hey, do you wanna do something tomorrow?” She asked, sounding excited.

Sprout looked surprised to hear that. “You wanna hang out tomorrow? Where?” He asked her.

“How about we go to Sunny’s smoothie stand and get a smoothie together?” She asked.

He flinched a little bit when she asked that. On one hoof, a mare asked to spend some time with him? As in, like a date? As in, somepony was interested in him? A pretty mare was interested in him?

Wait, why did I just think that? He asked himself. He quickly shook that thought out of his head.

He then thought on the other hoof now. His name was still in the trenches. What would happen if somepony saw him walking about? Especially, given his past prejudice with unicorns, what would they do if they saw him WITH a unicorn mare? Would they record him again? Would they harass him?

Would they assault him like how those two assholes did? He now felt concerned about that very thought. Even now if Izzy would be with him.

“I don’t know.” He said, rubbing his foreleg nervously. “I don’t want you to have to be involved with anything if ponies do something to me.”

“They won’t.” Izzy said, looking determined. “Not if I have anything to say about it.”

He felt surprised by her response. “Izzy, I just don’t—“

She stopped him mid sentence, putting her hoof to his shoulder again.

“Sprout, listen to me. I don’t care if ponies look at you or me funny. I don’t care if they make comments. No matter what happens, I’m with you. You’re my friend. And friends stick together no matter what.” She told him in a very earnest tone.

Sprout looked at her hoof touching his shoulder. Then back to her. That serious look never wavered. He knew she was serious. Nothing spelled bullshit on her face.

“I want to help my friend.” Izzy continued, now taking her hoof off his shoulder. “I don’t want you being cooped up inside all day, hiding from everypony. I want you to have at least a little bit of fun with your friends. And I know Sunny and Hitch feel the same. So, please Sprouty. Will you join me for a smoothie tomorrow at noon? Please?” She asked him with a hopeful smile.

Sprout was stunned to hear this. He had no idea that ponies, other than his mother and Bella & Vinny, actually truly cared this much about him. He was glad that Hitch and Sunny reconciled with him, but he didn’t think they’d care this much. He especially didn’t know that a unicorn, who he didn’t know that much, could actually care this much. About him. About his well being.

He felt choked up. It was kind of overwhelming to feel this way. He was happy that somepony gave a fuck about him. To the point where they’d accept looks and insults from ponies JUST to help him.

“You really care that much?” Sprout asked, his lip quivering a little bit.

“Uh huh.” Izzy said, now blushing a little bit, while shyly rubbing her foreleg again.

She was hoping he’d give her an answer. The suspense was getting her anxious.

Sprout gave a big breath. “You promise you’ll have my back?”

Izzy nodded.

“Even if a situation may get ugly?”

She nodded again.

He paused for a second before responding. “Okay Izzy. I’ll join you for a smoothie tomorrow.”

Izzy beamed. “Oh, thanks Sprouty.” She said cheerfully, while wrapping her hooves around him in a hug, surprising him again.

She quickly let go and open the screen door to the inside of Bella and Vinny’s home.

“I can’t wait. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She said, before closing the screen door.

As he heard her bid Bella farewell, all Sprout could do was just stand there in shock. Izzy just…hugged him? And she looked excited to see him tomorrow. He couldn’t believe that somepony was looking forward to be meeting with him of all ponies.

He felt a blush rising to his red cheeks. Bella looked at him from inside and just giggled.

*clop*clop*clop*

Zipp heard it. She woke up instantly. She sat up straight in her bed.

She looked to her right and saw that Pipp wasn’t here. She was alone now. Alone in her room.

The hoofsteps were coming from outside her door. There was no other sound that could be heard.

Zipp felt her fear rise. She knew that something didn’t feel right. She felt nervousness in her heart and soul.

As she stood up straight in her bed, she found that she could move her legs and wings. That was a good sign. She used those very legs to get out of her bed and walk toward her door.

Her fear in her heart grew to bigger levels now that she was standing between her room and what that hoofstep sound was.

With a nervous gulp, she turned the doorknob and opened the door. There was Nopony standing there. She almost closed it, until she heard the hoofstep noise again.

She looked to her left. No pony. Then she looked to her right.

She saw a shadowy figure illuminating in the light down the hallway. Something was there. Was it that demon thing she saw from her previous two nightmares?

She shuddered in fear as she walked outside her door. She walked in the direction of where that shadow was. Whatever was there, she knew it wouldn’t be good.

She heard a voice coming from down the hall. She immediately recognized it. It was her again.

“Don’t kill me! Please!” Lilac Summers begged and pleaded with somepony. It sounded like she was literally begging for her life.

Zipp felt her heart rate soar. She flew as fast as she could down the hallway toward the voice. She had to save her. Before it was too late.

“Please, don’t hurt my baby!” She heard Lilac’s voice again, now begging for her missing foal’s life now. There even looked to be pain and suffering in her voice with it as well.

Zipp doubled what her normal speed was. She had to save that baby. Whoever it was that killed her, she was not gonna let the same thing happen to that baby.

She flew and soared down many hallways, following the cries and screams from Lilac. Finally, she felt the voices were getting closer. She was almost there. She was gonna save her and her baby.

That’s when she saw something truly horrifying. A sight she didn’t want to see. A sight that was in a lot of ways because of her.

It was Sprout Cloverleaf. The stallion she accused of murder in front of the town of Maretime Bay. He was standing there. On a platform.

With a noose around his neck. His hooves tied behind him. She gasped in horror at this sight.

“Sprout!” She yelled, trying to move. However, for some reason, her legs didn’t budge. She was frozen stiff again.

Looking just as terrified as her, Sprout began to beg for his life.

“PLEASE! I DIDN’T DO IT!” He sobbed uncontrollably, before a muzzle was placed over his mouth. His muffled cries couldn’t be heard anymore.

Zipp was crying too now. She was seeing an innocent stallion about to be executed. Hung in front of a massive crowd. Speaking of, this crowd, which just magically appeared in front of her, were cheering and laughing at all of this.

Zipp then looked to her right. Her eyes widened again.

It was Lilac Summers again. She just stood there. Watching this event unfold with any emotion to speak of.

“Do something!” Zipp cried to her. “He’s innocent! He didn’t do it! Please!” She was sobbing to her to help.

Lilac turned her head. Zipp’s terror increased again. As if the execution of Sprout was bad enough.

Half of Lilac’s fave was the bruised side and the other was completely fine. She tilted her head at her.

“Lilac, please! I’m sorry I got it wrong! I’m sorry I messed up! Just please make them stop!” Zipp pleaded with her.

That’s when she heard something coming from underneath her. She froze. She made her eyes move to the ground and saw that they were coming from underneath Lilac.

Then, she saw Lilac begin to go under. As if, she was going to literal Hell itself. Then…she heard that terrifying sound again.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!” Lilac Summers screamed as she was being taken under by whatever the hell was taking her.

Zipp covered her ears again to avoid eardrum damage. The screaming kept getting louder. And louder. And loude—

“—AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!” Zipp Storm woke up screaming in terror.

“Zipp!” Pipp yelled, immediately coming to her bed.

“Zipp. Zipp! Are you okay? Speak to me!” She told her sister, while tears ran down her face.

Then their door burst open. Scaring both of them. Mostly Zipp though.

“Girls? Girls! What happened? Are you okay?” Their mother Queen Haven asked in a scared and concerned motherly tone.

The room was silent for a brief second before Zipp burst into sobs again. Pipp and Haven immediately came over and wrapped their wings around her in comfort, while she cried her eyes out.

As they both consoled her as best they could, all Zipp could do was cry and cry about the horrors she just saw. She saw Lilac Summers being dragged to hell, while Sprout was being executed by a hanging.

And all of it was her fault.

“What have I done?” Zipp asked with a sob, while Haven and Pipp continued their consoling. They both started to think that maybe doing a press conference for the whole world to see might’ve been a bad idea.

And by the whole word to see, that meant the WHOLE WORLD. Seen by everypony.

And that meant….everypony.

Somewhere in Clopton

“Thank you all for being here, and have a nice rest of your evening.” Zipp Storm had just said to an entire audience of Pegasi.

In front of the TV, were two earth ponies. One was a dark peach coated stallion with a short blonde mane. He appeared to be very muscular. As if he hit the gym almost daily. He watched the TV with a deadpan expression.

The other pony there, an earth pony mare, about 3 years younger than him, was sitting in his lap, cuddling his chest. She has a light cherry coat color and long, silky smooth red wine mane. When she looked at the TV, she gave a cocky grin.

“It appears they found the little bitch, huh?” The mare asked, caressing the stallions face with her hoof very gently.

The stallion didn’t even pay no mind to that. He didn’t even appear to feel anything when she showed that affection to him.

“It would appear so.” The stallion said in a cold, and kind of heartless tone.

“I guess you’ll get what you’ve wanted for so long now, right?” She asked, kinda sounding flirty. She appeared to hope this would lead to the bedroom with them.

“Yes. I’ll see my little brother….and my mother real soon. I’m looking forward to it already.” He said, again sounding very apathetic to her.

She gave a romantic sigh as she cuddled into his chest.

“You’re my hero. I’ll always stand by you, Bud Bloomington.” She said, enjoying being in his arms.

Bud just breathed through his nostrils as he continued watching the TV.

Chapter 21: Bud Bloomington

Somewhere in Clopton

Water rained down on the face and body of Bud Bloomington in the shower. He remembered to put on the protective sleeve over his bandages on his front left hoof. Wasn't a good idea to get it wet. The wound from that bitch would open and the blood would spill out. Thankfully, he was prepared.

It was about 6 in the morning and he was getting ready for his job. He had worked at the local elementary school as a janitor for about 5 years now. It was a simple job, but a humble and rewarding one. This might've been his longest job to date. He had drifted from job to job to job for over 20 years now. All sorts of odd jobs here and there.

He was a construction worker(Just like his little brother was), a waiter, a buscolt, he worked on a farm that was not too far away from here, and there were even a few times where he dressed up like a clown and entertained kids at birthday parties. That was always rewarding for him. He loved kids. And deep down he knew kids loved him too.

They had to love him. After all, he freed them. Freed them from the awful life they had. They would be better off without the whores who brought them into this world and didn't do anything to nurture them. Or love them. Or teach them anything about the outside world.

That's what he did for Lil' Bentley. The 1 year old son of his latest victim. Lilac Summers.

*PUNCH*

"AAH!" Lilac Summers screamed after she was punched in the face by Bud Bloomington. She knew now that everything he told her was a lie. He seemed so charming. So nice at the bar she met him at. After he said the right things to her, she invited him back to her place. Hopefully, she would get a coltfriend after this. Maybe, a father for her son. Unlike her baby daddy who left her. Bentley was with a foalsitter for the night anyway. So, she was free for the rest of the night.

Now she knew it was all an act. This guy had just assaulted her. She had to get away. She had to get to her baby though. She had to get Bentley.

As she tried to stand up from the hard blow she took, she was cut off by a swift kick to the ribs, cutting off oxygen, making it difficult for her to breathe.

She felt herself being turned over, looking up into Bud's eyes. Those eyes weren't the same ones she met at the bar just a few hours ago. These eyes...she knew now he was a complete psycho.

"AHHHHH!" She screamed out loud, hopefully somepony could hear her. Sadly, they couldn't.

He laid another punch to her face, blackening her eye. Another, almost fracturing her cheekbone. Now, he was face to face with her.

"Your son is better off without you." He whispered in a sinister tone in her ear. She was so scared, she didn't know what to do. She needed to think quickly. And fast.

That was when she noticed his left hoof really close to her muzzle. Acting on instinct, he opened her muzzle and bit down. HARD.

"ERGH!" Bud grunted, taking his hoof away from her. He instantly saw the blood running down his hoof. She bit him good.

When she saw he wasn't on top of him anymore, she kicked him in the stomach, making him go down. With all the pain coursing through her body, she pulled herself back up and then proceeded to walk down the steps to the kitchen, while hobbling from the gut kick earlier.

As she walked downstairs, Bud started to pull himself up. He never had a mare who fought back before. All the other victims he had, they never fought like this one did. He smiled sadistically, and trotted after her. She wasn't going anywhere.

Lilac had gotten to her phone charger. She had to charge it when she came home with Bud. She pulled it off and proceeded to dial 911. She even locked the door to the kitchen. Hopefully, the door would be strong enough to hold him.

She then got an answer.

"911, this is Officer Winthorp, what is your emergency?" An officer on the other end answered in a monotone voice.

"Please!" Lilac begged over the phone. "You gotta send somepony! He's trying to kill me!" She had tears in her eyes as she pleaded with the officer over the phone.

There was silence for a brief second. She felt scared and confused. What was going on here?

"Hello?! Did you hear me?! I NEED HELP!" She screamed into the phone.

"Would the guy attacking you happen to be named Bud Bloomington?"

Lilac felt her blood go cold when he asked her that. How did he know her attacker? What was happening?

"I know why he's after you. You must be a bad mom. Leaving your kid with somepony and not taking care of him yourself, huh?" He said on the other line with a cruel sense of humor.

Lilac's fear tripled as more tears ran down her face. "Wh-Why?"

"You don't deserve to live. Neither did all the other ones." He coldly said to her, as he hung up, leaving her to die.

Lilac slowly put the phone down with tears of fear. She couldn't believe what she had done. She had let a serial killer into her home.

She had let the Mother Mutilator into her home.

*BANG!*

She screamed when she heard the loud sound. When she turned around, she was in shock. She just couldn't believe her eyes.

Bud Bloomington had kicked the door to her kitchen in. There he was. Looking angrier than before.

She made a break for the front door, but sadly, with busted ribs and pain in her head, she just wasn't fast enough to outrun him. He grabbed her by her mane violently, her screaming for help, and flung her toward the kitchen counter sink.

He stomped on her back leg to make sure she didn't try to run off again. He then put his injured left hoof to her throat. He was going to enjoy this. Every second of her screams.

"Please. Please don't kill me." She begged for her life. Her eyes widened in horror as she saw Bud pull out a kitchen knife.

"You're a bad mother. And you need to be punished." He said in a scary low tone, while caressing her leg with the knife.

It was at this point, she accepted her fate. She couldn't escape this big, strong psychopathic stallion. She was gonna die right here. And there was nothing she could do about it.

"Please, don't hurt my baby." She softly begged him.

Bud smiled, then showed her the knife. "I'm setting Bentley free....FROM YOU!"

Then, he drove the knife between her legs. Her screams were loud. Very loud. But, he quickly covered her mouth to muffle the screams. Even if his left hoof was in pain, hopefully not infected, he didn't care. He loved hearing her screams for mercy. He loved the feeling of the blood running down her marehood. He loved the tears running down her face. He loved every second of her suffering.

That's what he needed to do, after all. He needed to make this mare suffer. Just like all the other mare's he killed. If you left your kid with a foalsitter, so you can go out drinking to get hammered, you were a bad mother. And you needed to be punished.

If you don't wanna play with them when they ask you too, because you are too busy talking to somepony who pretends to be your friend, you were a bad mother. If they act up in school, because you obviously didn't give them enough attention at home, you were a bad mother. If you can't afford to give them something, because you are too stupid enough to hold down a job, you were a bad mother. If you yell at them, belittle them, or even hit them, you were a bad mother.

Mother's on this planet need to understand that it is their job to make sure that their kid is the most well behaved, well mannered, well respectable kid on the face of the planet. If they didn't do any of those things, then they failed as a mother. If their child one day commits a crime, it's on the fault of the mother. Because the child was raised in a bad home. They failed to set morals and standards for them. It's their fault that their foal is in jail now. Not them.

Some may say the father is to blame, but the father wasn't responsible for physically bringing the child into the world. The mother went through HOURS of labor to push a foal out of her womb and into Equestria. All the father did was just help her put it in there. And the father was just there to work and put food on the table. It was the mother's job to stay home and take care of the kids and the house.

That was what mother's needed to do. And if they didn't, they needed to be punished. And to Bud Bloomington, that punishment was torture and death.

And death came to Lilac Summers when he pushed back on her muzzle. With just one strong jerk, he snapped her neck in half. Pushing it all the way back to her spine. Severing her spinal cord from the brain.

As her limp body fell to the floor, he had successfully saved another poor unfortunate soul. Lilac Summers was now dead. Bentley was safe from her now.

Then he remembered he had some ponies to call. They had a job for him. A big one. He needed to take this bitch to Maretime Bay.

That's where his brother was. His plan to save him was now coming into fruition. He was already looking forward to meeting him.

And his mother.

He smiled again.

As he applied the shampoo to his mane, he had his eyes closed, so he wouldn’t get any in his eyes. While his eyes were closed, he couldn’t help but think about everything that has happened so far. To him, everything seemed to be going according to plan.

His plan to finally see his mother. The one who threw him away like he was nothing. The one who brought him into this world, only to then leave him.

Leave him with...THEM!

12 year old Bud was in his room with all his adoptive siblings. It was a big room that all 7 of them shared with him. He felt it was his room, because he was the eldest out of all of them. Though, he was ashamed of how THIS was the room he slept in.

This room that had peeled paint on the walls. An old wooden floor that looked about ready to collapse. 3 windows that didn't necessarily shut all the way, which made it hard for him and the others in the winter. A ceiling that had a small leak in it, which would cause a dripping sound when it would rain. And, of course, the occasional spiders and rats that would visit them in the night. That is what this room for him and the others was like.

They were playing a quiet game right now. A board game. Candy Land. It was Sanguine Sauvignon's favorite. She just loved all the candy themed areas on the board game. Now, since the board game only allowed so many players, they all took turns playing a round.

4 for each turn. It was currently Sanguine(who would become his future...let's call her marefriend), Dodd Winchester(later becoming a Clopton police pony named Winthorp, who would...help Bud whenever he needed a problem to be taken care of), Apricot Alolla, and Peach Prune. The two latter fillies also loved playing board games, especially Candy Land. Dodd, being the only colt during this round, didn't necessarily like this game or any other ones. He never liked board games as a foal. Now, when he got older, and the "Games" he played with Bud and Sanguine, he grew to love games. It was a favorite pastime for him.

Now, Bud wasn't playing right now. He was currently reading a book on his bed. The other three foals, twin fillies Olive Oil and Ginger Oil, and colt Duke Bristle. Duke was just leaning against the wall that was close to his bed, while the twins were playing patty cake. All of the foals were keeping the noise down. They needed to be quiet today.

Why? Because today, their adoptive parents had gotten paid. Bud knew this, because every Saturday, his adoptive mother would make sure she looked as good as possible. Doing her mane and makeup, and putting on the most fake smile you could ever see. Show the paying stallion how good she was taking care of them all. How much she loved them all. How great of a mother she is. And his adoptive father would just smile and nod and say "Yep" over and over and over again. Just telling them exactly what the paying stallion wanted to hear.

He knew that it was all lies. He knew how much the paying stallion was a gullible, naive fool. He probably would pay her twice the amount he would normally do.

Now, with his adoptive parents being paid, one would think that they would spend it all on things that were needed for the orphanage. Things like food, water, cleaning products, attire for when winter would come, sheets, pillows, blankets, and other essential needs. That is what one would think when you are raising 8 foals.

And they would only be half right. Sure there was food and cleaning products and stuff like that, but it was the cheapest stuff one would ever imagine. The cheapest laundry soap and detergent. Sheets that were bought at a rummage sale or a Goodwill store. Pillows that were not as comfy as a normal one. All the stuff they had, they barely spent 50 bits on.

As far as food, well...98% of the time, it was always fast food. Like the Hayburger or Pizza Hoof or whatever one would think of, that's what they would normally have. And the other 2% of the time...it was fried, fatty foods that you could buy cheap at the market for only 5 bits. And water, they didn't drink that. It was either soda's or lemonade. Maybe some Milk on occasion, but not enough.

And they all had to share 2 or 3 body scrubbies(Gross as fuck!), one shampoo bottle, one body wash bottle, and they would use the same toothbrush for years. Bud still had his toothbrush from when he was 5.

It was embarrassing. It was humiliating for him as a colt to live like this. He wished he had cool things like the other colts and fillies at school. They probably had nicer things then he and the others did. So, why couldn't he? Why couldn't he have a normal life?

However, if that wasn't embarrassing enough, then that was nowhere NEAR the most humiliating thing that happened to him on a few occasions. When his adoptive parents would use the other half of that money to buy their...

...medicine. That's what they called it. But, he knew what it was. He could smell it from beyond his door. And he also knew that his adoptive mother had taken her medicine now, as he heard her coming up the stairs.

He knew what she was gonna do. She does this whenever his adoptive father wasn't around. He was probably using that money to drink all night at the bar not too far from here.

And what is it that she does?

"Oh, Buddy." He heard that tone. He knew what it was. It was that loving, motherly voice whenever she took her medicine. When she wasn't on her medicine, she either ignored them, beat them, or yelled at them to just go and play or something. Whenever she sounded like this...that was her saying she needed...some company.

"Buddy, can you come here please? Lexi wants to...talk. Can you come and talk with me, please?" She asked, sounding drunkenly seductive.

Bud shivered and shuttered. He felt he should be used to this by now. She's been doing this to him ever since he was 7. She was the worst. All his adoptive father did was beat him. Whenever he got pissed off, or drunk, or both, he would get a belt and just whip him with the metal part. It hurt like hell, but he never touched him in a sexual manner. Though, Bud knew that his adoptive father Issac probably did the same things to Sanguine that Lexi does to him.

Lexi Orphanage. That's what this place of hell was.

He stood up from his bed. Duke put out a hoof to stop him, but Bud just brushed his hoof away. There was no point in trying to stop her. She ultimately gets what she wants. If not him, then he may do something to them too.

The other foals looked scared. They knew what their adoptive mother did to Bud whenever she took her medicine. Sometimes they even heard all the horrible and disgusting things she did to him.

So, Bud walked out of his room and trudged over to his adoptive parents' room. His shivering wouldn't stop. He wanted her to stop doing this, but she didn't. She was never gonna stop. Because she had power over him. For now, at least. When he grew up. It would stop. Because he would make it stop. He would make her pay for all the years she did this to him.

But, for now, she was in control. Not him.

He was in the doorway, not really looking at her, but he knew what was there. His adoptive mother was sitting there on the big bed, wearing a robe. He could almost smell the alcohol and medicine on her breath from here. The first time he smelled it, when he was only 7, he threw up all over the floor. Then she beat the living shit outta him, making him cry. She even threw him on the floor, face first, into the vomit. Then she made him clean it up. After he did that, she said he needed to shower.

Which he did...only he didn't shower alone.

"Hey Buddy." She said, making him shutter and almost cry. "Come sit next to me." Even if he knew what was gonna happen, he still walked over to her. He knew what she was gonna do. And he couldn't stop it.

He sat next to his adoptive mother. He looked at her and saw that smile. That drunken...arrogant smile. He knew she was enjoying this. She got off on this. He wanted to grab the nearest object and just hurt her. Hurt her very much. But he couldn't.

Then...he felt her start touching him. She touched his shoulder. His mane. Then his chest, which made him shutter in embarrassment. Then, she felt her hoof go lower and lower. He knew where she would touch him next.

"I need some company." She whispered in his ear. He let out a soft sob before she took what she wanted.

He growled in anger as his shampooing was all done now. He never forgot her molestations of him. He knew she loved every minute of it. He also knew, or at least figured, that his adoptive father didn't care. Hell, he probably encouraged it. He figured out that he was doing the same thing to Sanguine that his adoptive mother was doing to him.

He heard the door open. For a split second, he almost thought it was his adoptive mother again. Then, he remembered that she and her husband were dead. Along with his other siblings as well. The only ones alive today are him, Sanguine and Dodd.

He relaxed now. He knew who was there.

"Getting ready for work, are we?" Sanguine asked seductively as she pulled the shower curtain open partly and entered the shower.

“Yep.” He said, now applying body wash on his muscular chest and torso area.

He looked at her beautiful body. Her voluptuous mane and tail. Her nice flank. He was lucky that she gave him some stress relief whenever he needed it. She had been doing this for twenty years now. Ever since that day.

The day that he took control. The day he made her pay for all the humiliating stuff she put him through.

The day he, Sanguine and Dodd killed their adoptive parents and siblings.

Issac and Lexi were passed out in the living room. Apparently, they took WAY too much of their medicine. It was probably from the stress of what they had been going through recently.

About one month ago, there was a gossip column about them and how they treated their adoptive foals. The neglect and abuse allegations had been out there. Of course, they did their best to make themselves look good. Lexi even convinced one of the police officers, Reggie(who moved to Maretime Bay many years later and became the janitor at Canterlogic), that all of that stuff was lies. He seemed doubtful at first, but eventually left.

They realized that it HAD to be one of their kids who did this. One of them must've went to the gossip column and told the publisher anonymously. So, they spent weeks trying to coax it out of the kids about who did it. They took toys away, they made them dress up in embarrassing clothing and walk with them in town, they beat them, and even made them miss dinner. It was a hellish month for everypony there.

What they didn't know is that it was Duke Bristle. He had had enough of the abuse and neglect from them. He wanted out of this home and life. He wanted better parents then Issac and Lexi.

That's what they all wanted. However...Bud Bloomington, Sanguine Sauvignon and Dodd Winchester wanted something different. They didn't JUST want to leave them. They wanted to punish them. For all the crap they took over the years. At this time, Bud had just turned 18(No birthday party...never had one), Sanguine was 15 and Dodd was 16. They all knew what they were gonna do. They knew that none of them were gonna graduate high school. Not after this.

They all got knives from the kitchen.

The younger ones, that being the Oil twins who were 10 and Apricot Alolla who had just turned 9, also didn't have a birthday party, were upstairs playing Yahtzee.

They entered the room, getting the attention of their younger adoptive siblings.

"Oh, hey you three. How are you?" Apricot said in a sweet tone.

Then....Sanguine shut the door and locked it.

That caused them to look surprised. "Uh...Sanguine..." Both Oil twins said at the same time, now feeling uneasy.

Then that uneasy feeling turned to fear when Bud, Dodd and Sanguine pulled out their knives. It was a good thing that Duke and Peach Prune weren't here...yet.

Nopony could hear their screams. It was too late.

14 year old Duke Bristle was just coming up the driveway with 8 year old Peach Prune. He had just taken her to see the new Power Ponies film. Personally, he thought it sucked. But, Peach was happy. That's all that mattered.

They entered the home and saw that their adoptive parents were passed out. Good. He didn't need to hear them bitch at him about money, even though he also knew about all the drugs and shit they did with the money they had. That, and having to hear about who leaked the story about them to the gossip column.

As he walked up the stairs, however, something felt very wrong to him. He didn't know why, but he felt tension in his heart and soul. And it didn't go unnoticed by Peach Prune.

They made it to the top of the stairs, when Peach asked what was wrong.

He shivered. "Something doesn't feel right." He said as he put his hoof on the door to their room. However, just before he could open it, something from the darkness came out and snatched Peach.

"AHH-!" She screamed, before a hoof covered her mouth. This caused Duke to turn in horror and see why she was screaming. It was Sanguine. She was holding Peach with one hoof covering her mouth and...in her other hoof...a sharp, bloody knife at her throat. Tears were streaming down Peach's face and shivering body.

Just before he screamed or ran at her or did anything, she put the hoof with the knife in it to her lips. Telling him to be quiet.

"What are you doing, you crazy bitch?!" He asked in a soft and angry tone. "Let her go!"

"That's what we're doing. We're letting you go." Duke heard the voice of Dodd from behind him. He turned and saw blood on him as well.

Fear started to run through him. What the hell did these guys do?

"We're going to send you to heaven. After what we're about to do, we know we're going to hell. And we're okay with that." Dodd said in a sinister tone.

"What are you talking about?" He asked him, still not trying to alert Issac and Lexi.

"I mean you two are going to die. But, at least you'll be safe from this horrible world." Dodd said, now smiling an evil smile. Duke was about to try and run at Sanguine and get Peach to get her out of here.

Then, out of nowhere, he felt a knife go through his back. He didn't scream, he just went into shock as the blood spilled down his back. He knew who it was that did it. There could only be one other pony.

"Goodbye brother." Bud whispered into Duke's ear as he turned the knife into his little brother's back. Before Peach could even react, Sanguine quickly dropped her knife and snapped her little sister's neck like a twig. It was quick and painless for her.

Not so much for Duke. As Bud stabbed him repeatedly with his knife into his chest. After about 5 more stabs, he knew that Duke was now dead.

Their five siblings were dead. Now...all that was left was Issac and Lexi.

Issac and Lexi were so knocked unconscious, they never woke up when Bud, Sanguine and Dodd picked them up and put them into their chairs. They didn't even wake up when they taped them to the chairs. There was about three rolls of gorilla tape that were used to keep them to this chair.

Eventually, they did wake up. They saw Bud, Sanguine and Dodd standing in front of them with knives in their hooves. When they saw that, the two of them started to freak out. However, their screams were silenced. Their mouths were taped as well. Nopony was going to hear them scream.

"Surprised, huh?" Bud said, coming over to Lexi, waving the knife around. She said something that was muffled.

He leaned closer to her face. He saw that she felt fear. He smiled. Good. That's what he wanted the most. He would kill his siblings off quickly and then make sure Issac and Lexi feel EVERY ounce of pain and suffering. Just like he and the other two had went through all these years.

Sanguine went over to Issac with her knife. "You always liked to mess with me, huh Daddy?" She asked, mocking the Daddy part. She saw the fear in his eyes too. She loved it. And she wanted more.

"You both are fucking gonna pay for all the shit you did to us all these years." Dodd said, now presenting the five gasoline cans he had brought into the house.

"No pony is find us after what we do to you." He added with an evil grin.

Bud and Sanguine then raised their knives and started cutting. And stabbing. And cutting some more. And stabbing some more. The muffled cries, screams and begs for them to stop were like ecstasy to him. The blood flowing out of them made him feel like he was having the time of his life. He loved every minute of it.

Then...came his favorite part. As well as Sanguine's as well. When they taped Issac and Lexi up, they left a certain body part open. Something that they had used to abuse them for years.

Their private places. Lexi's marehood was wide open to Bud's usage, and Issac's stallionhood was visible to Sanguine. They knew what they wanted to do now.

They both raised their knives and violently brought them down onto them. Lexi was screaming in pain and suffering as Bud dug his blade viciously into her marehood, watching her blood ooze out of her and onto the floor. Sanguine did the same thing. She cut into Issac's balls, ripping out the testicals as she heard him cry in agony. She also took his stallionhood and sliced it off, leaving him to look like a mare now. Both Issac and Lexi were were crying and sobbing in pain. And their three children, who now became their murderers, loved every second of it.

Then, after all that was said and done, Bud snapped Lexi's neck in half, ending her horrid, miserable life. While, Sanguine pulled Issac's head back, and cut open his throat so deep, blood squrited out of it and into her face. He was now gone too. Finally. Issac and Lexi were both dead.

Then, Dodd took two gas cans and started to pour gasoline all over their soon to be former home. Bud took two more and went upstairs. He looked at his five dead siblings. He almost felt sorry he had to kill them. But, they were weak. They didn't do anything to try and stop all the beatings and molestations they took over the years. They were better off dead. He poured gas into his former room and their former parent's rooms.

Sanguine took the last remaining gas can and poured it into the kitchen. All these years of all the crappy meals they ate were coming to an end here. It was almost poetic to say the least for her.

After they were done letting all the gas pour out, they walked out the front door. Dodd took one match he had and lit it on fire.

"See you in Hell." He whispered and threw the flame ridden match to the gas covered floor. As the three of them walked away, the house was already lit ablaze.

Bud shivered a little bit. Probably from the memories of the horrific act he did. Probably from the fact that Sanguine had started to please him. She took his member and placed it in her mouth.

He let the water rain down on his soapy body, while looking at the mare pleasuring him. Truth be told, he didn't REALLY love her. He really only had her around when he needed pleasure or when he needed help getting rid of a body. He almost had a good mind to reach down and snap her neck and be done with her. However, for now, he needed her. Just like he needed her for when he delivered Lilac Summers' body to Maretime Bay.

Lilac Summers was the 8th victim he had. The other 7 were just like her. Bad mothers who needed to be punished. When he tortured and murdered them, he would call Dodd and Sanguine and they would help him cover up his crime. He was glad that Dodd took his advice and became a police pony. It helped them get other police ponies off their backs.

However, that was all going to come to an end soon.

Dodd had helped him look through the databases of where to find ponies and see what their relation was. It took a while, but he found out who his mother was. And found out he had a little brother too. He felt a lot of things run through him. Anger mostly. But, after calming himself down, he knew what he was going to do.

He applied for an interview with Canterlogic for a position as a janitor about a month ago. He knew that his mother Phyllis Bloomington, or Cloverleaf as she went by now after she married one almost 20 years ago, owned the factory. So, she'd be the one giving the interview.

He'd be alone with his mother. And if everything went according to plan, he'd meet his little brother Sprout soon as well. And save him from the miserable life he knew that he had. He heard about the giant machine of doom that happened almost 2 years ago now. All that happened because Phyllis made him do it. Through her bad parenting.

He also knew that ponies had to hate Sprout for what he did. That was why he brought Lilac over to the beach of Maretime Bay. He knew that, once she was found, everypony would blame Sprout. They'd probably do everything to treat him like dirt. To hate him for just being alive. He wanted to show Sprout that he knows what he's been through.

And when he does, he'll know that'll be the biggest victory over Phyllis. To turn her favorite son against her, and side with him. They would be brothers united. They'd be safe together.

He felt his load coming up. Whether it be from Sanguine's amazing mouth skills or from the thoughts in his head about his devious plan, he felt ready to blow. And blow he did, right in Sanguine's mouth.

Celestia, he couldn't wait for next week.

Chapter 22: Izzy & Sprout’s Day Out

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 23: A Timeline

Sunny was looking at the board Hitch had come up with in disbelief. There were pictures of young mares from years ago. Some pictures looked as young as 3 years ago, while a few others looked as old as 15 years ago. It took a few seconds for her to realize that all of these mares were now dead. Victims at the hooves of a sadistic serial murderer.

She also realized it must’ve taken Hitch a while to put this all together. That, and coming up with the apparent timeline he had added up with the previous victims of The Mother Mutilator. Who they now knew was the long lost older brother of their longtime foalhood friend Sprout Cloverleaf, Bud Bloomington of Clopton.

While Hitch was adding more to the board, she looked at him with worry in her eyes. The messy mane, the dark circles around his eyes, the bloodshot eyeballs. It was clear that Hitch looked like he didn’t even sleep last night. Or maybe even a little longer than that.

“Hitch, maybe you should—“

“I think I’ve got a pattern with the killings, Sunny.” He said in a somewhat desperate tone, interrupting her.

“Look at this.” He said, pointing to a picture on the board. The first one of the left side. It was of a mare who, like Lilac Summers, was around her early 20’s. This one had an Indigo coat color and a Blue-Violet mane.

“Nova Jasmine. She was murdered 18 years ago. She was around 24 when she died. Wanna know the cause of death?” He asked her.

Sunny looked too scared to answer. She had a feeling she knew what it was. She almost didn’t want to hear what ended her life.

“She was beaten. Then, she was pinned up against something with force…” He shuttered for a quick second before continuing. “…where she was raped with a sharp knife. Her neck was snapped in half, killing her. This was the first victim of the Mother Mutilator.” He said, looking scared and sad at the same time.

“Oh my God.” Sunny muttered, looking at all the victims of Bud Bloomington.

“Nova had a foal named Violet Rays. After she was murdered, Violet went to live with her aunt and uncle-in-law.” Hitch said, before pointing to the picture next to Nova Jasmine.

In this picture, there was a mare who appeared to be only 20 years old. She had a pink lemonade coat color with a braided pink taffy mane. Sunny felt her heart break a little looking at this one. This one here looked to be the youngest out of all of them. So young, only to be taken away.

“Manik Blush. Only 20 years old. She was murdered 2 and a half years after Nova was. She had a foal when she was 16. A son named Roth. After she died, he went and lived with his grandparents. She was murdered the same way as Nova and Lilac were.” Hitch said.

“It’s his MO. That’s how he does his killings.” Sunny said, causing Hitch to nod in agreement.

“All of the victims on this board…” He said, waving a hoof over the pictures of the victims. “…were murdered in the exact same way and manner.”

Sunny just looked on in horror. All these young mares were subject to horrific torture before being murdered. Taking them away from their families and loved ones.

“Rain Dancer, 21 years old. Murdered 3 years after Manik. She had a 2 year old girl named Wave Rider.” He said, pointing to a mare with a Lakeside Mist style mane and a Fountain Spout coat.

“Cream Crumble. 22 years old. Killed 3 and a half years after Rain. She had a 9 month old girl named Cream Puff.” He pointed to a mare who had a cream tan coat and a banana ice cream colored mane.

Sunny let out a soft cry when she heard that this victim’s baby wasn’t even a year old when she was taken away from him.

“Willow Dawn.” Hitch let out a similar soft cry that Sunny did. Which caused her to look on in concern at her longtime friend.

“18 years old.” Hitch said, causing Sunny to cover her mouth, while trying to hold back tears. She thought Manik was the youngest one. She was wrong. Which she didn’t want to be.

“Murdered 1 year after Cream. She had a 1 year old girl named Aurora.” He said, pointing to a picture of a mare, who honestly looked like a hippie. She had a tree colored coat with a leaf green mane, while wearing a rainbow headband. She was even wearing a peace symbol necklace.

“Iris Chevelle. 25 years old. She was a basketball player in college. Murdered 3 and a half years after Willow. She had a 7 year old son named Rush.” He said, pointing to an amber coated, cherry apple red maned mare in a basketball uniform, with a basketball in her hoof.

This made Sunny feel sadder. She was the oldest one out of the victims, but still so young and, apparently, had a lot more to give. Before being murdered.

“Sunflower Bloom. 23 years old. Murdered 2 and a half years after Iris. She had a 3 year old daughter named Honey Nut.” He said, pointing to a mare with a dandelion mane and a banana green coat.

Then, Hitch pointed to the victim that was found on the beach. Lilac Summers. Her light yellow coat and dark purple mane.

“And now, our victim, Lilac Summers. 23 years old. Judging by my timeline, her murder occurred 3 years after Sunflower’s. And she had a 1 year old son named Bentley. Who I have no idea where he is.” He said, groaning in frustration.

Sunny just couldn’t believe it. All these years. All these murders. All these innocent victims. All taken away by one stallion.

“All young mothers. That’s who he targets.” She said, causing Hitch to nod.

“I also noticed something else.” He said, getting her attention again.

“Remember that picture I showed you of the Lexi orphanage being burned down?” He asked her.

“Yeah.” Sunny said.

“That was 20 years ago. Nova Jasmine was the first mare murdered by Bud. Which was, as of now, like I said, 18 years ago. So, doing the math, she was murdered only 2 years after Lexi.” He said.

“And ever since him and those two other survivors burned down their home, he’s been murdering mares for 20 years.” Sunny interjected.

“He’s been terrorizing Clopton for 20 years now. Him and whoever those other two survivors of the Lexi fire are.” Hitch said.

The two just stared at the board for a minute or two, just letting the feeling of dread sink in. This was even bigger than they could've ever imagined it to be. It truly scared them. Especially Hitch. He might be the Sheriff of Maretime Bay, but he had NEVER come across ANYTHING like this in his life.

"You know what's weird though?" Hitch asked her, breaking the silence between them. She turned her head to face him.

"The 7 victims before Lilac? They were all found in Clopton. Some were found in alleyways, some were found in dumpsters, some were even found in the river that leads to Trotville. So, all these mares, including Lilac Summers, are all from Clopton." Hitch explained to her.

Sunny thought for a quick second before understanding what Hitch was going to say. "Yet, Lilac Summers was found on our beach. Which is about 30 miles away from Clopton. Why would he go to all that trouble to dispose of her body in Maretime Bay? Why didn't he just dump her somewhere in Clopton?" She asked out loud.

Hitch thought for a moment. It was a good question. Why would Bud Bloomington do that? There HAD to be a reason to drag a body for 30 miles just to dump her on the beach of Maretime Bay.

Then, Hitch started to try and brainstorm.

"I just thought of something." He said, getting Sunny's attention.

"Remember when we talked yesterday? About the possibility of Sprout being framed?" He asked, causing Sunny to nod.

"Well, lets look back at Sunflower. She was murdered 3 years before Lilac. But, you remember what happened with Sprout almost 2 years ago, right?" He asked.

Sunny felt her ears flop down in sadness. She certainly did.

"Yeah. His rampage." She said, feeling depressed about having to relive her friend's past actions. Actions that she had forgiven him for. Actions that were done and over with.

"So, that would mean that, 1 year after Sunflower was murdered, Sprout's incident with the giant machine of doom happened. Everypony knows about it now. It doesn't just stretch to Bridlewood and Zephyr Heights. It also stretches to Trotville and Clopton. Clopton being where Bud is from. He had to have at least heard about it. Maybe he even studied everything about Sprout. He’s probably been doing it ever since.” Hitch said.

"But how would he have figured it out though?" Sunny asked. "Phyllis gave up Bud when he was just a baby. He's never met Sprout. How would he have figured out who they were?"

"The only way he could've figured it out is if he had some help. We don't know who the names of his other two survivors from Lexi are, but I'm thinking they figured it out. Or, at least help Bud figure it out. But, you know what I'm thinking, Sunny?" He asked, while suddenly showing a look of worry on his face, which concerned her.

"What?" She asked.

"With how much crime there is in Clopton, I'm thinking somepony with power helped him out. And who has legal power that could be abused, and nopony would dare try to question it?" He asked, trying to get her to understand.

She thought for a quick minute, before she shuttered in her revelation. "A cop?" She asked, which caused Hitch to nod in seriousness.

"So, you think a cop from Clopton has been helping Bud for 20 years with all these murders?" She asked him.

"It would explain how he's been able to get away with it for so long. That, and knowing about Clopton’s crime rate over the years, I’m absolutely sure that there’s quite a lot of corrupt cops in the force over there.” Hitch said.

"Then, that means we need to figure out who those other two survivors of the Lexi fire are." Sunny said with a determined look.

Hitch nodded. "Yes. I'm with you on that." He said, which was followed by a huge yawn.

Sunny saw that Hitch looked so tired. She knew he must've been up all night. No sleep.

"Hitch, you need bed rest. You've been up all night. Just let me take care of it." Sunny said in a comforting tone.

"Sunny, I'm fine, I--" He tried finishing, before yawning again, and looking woozy.

"Hitch, go to the back and sleep for a little while. I'll see if I can find anything on them. Please. Don't overdo it like Zipp did." She said in a stern, yet pleading tone.

Hitch heard her and knew that she was worried about him. Truth was, he HAD been up all night. Ever since finding all the other victims, he just went into a frenzy. He felt tired. He could almost barely stand.

So, with that, he decided to give in. "Okay, Sunny. I'll take a small nap."

She smiled appreciatively. "Thank you. I promise I'll wake you up in about 5 or 6 hours. Just leave it to me, Sheriff Hitch." She said as she went to his computer and started getting to work.

Hitch smiled. He was glad to have a great friend like her. He knew she'd find something on those other Lexi survivors. She was the best at research after all. So, he yawned again, and went to the backroom where all the beds were. When he layed on them, he knew that Sprout was right when he stayed there a few nights ago. These beds were NOT the most comfortable. However, as true as that was, once he hit the bed, he almost instantly fell asleep.

“…and then Pipp was like “ICONIIIIICCC!” in a sing-song voice.” Izzy said, telling Sprout a random as hell story that he forgot about halfway through her rambling. He didn’t want to seem rude at not really listening. So, just like how anypony would do in that situation, he responded the only way he knew how.

“That’s crazy, Izzy.” Sprout said, as he was almost finished with his smoothie. Sunny had just left a couple minutes ago. Whoever it was that texted her must’ve needed to see her bad. It must’ve been important.

Izzy let out a giggle. “Yeah.” She said, happily drinking the last of her smoothie too.

The two were silent for a little bit. Taking in their appearances. Izzy didn’t realize this before, but Sprout had green eyes. She never noticed that. Maybe, she was too distracted by his golden blonde mane. And his facial features weren’t too bad either. Add all that up, and she saw Sprout was…cute. She fought the urge to blush at what she just thought.

Sprout did the same thing that Izzy was doing now. He also noticed, just now, that her eyes matched her coat color. Violet. He didn’t know why, but the violet coat and blue mane looked like a cool combination to him. It was unique. And the headband she wore. That looked hoofmade as well.

“Hey, did you make that headband?” He asked randomly.

“Oh this.” She said, touching it with a shy smile. “Well, no. My adoptive Mom made it. She gave it to me when I was a teenager.”

Sprout smiled. “Well, it looks good on you.” He said in a sweet tone.

Izzy couldn’t control her blush this time. Red in the face, she giggled in such a cute way, Sprout himself got red in his already red face.

“Thanks.” She said.

As he rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment, he couldn’t help but think something he never thought he felt. Izzy…looked really pretty. He felt odd thinking that. Especially after he used to fear Unicorns. Now, he couldn’t help but think one looked really pretty.

“This is nice.” Sprout said, getting her to come out of her embarrassed state.

“It feels good spending time with a friend. I’m glad I’m not cooped up inside.” Sprout said.

Izzy smiled. “Well, I’m glad. That’s good to hear.”

Both of them felt good. They both felt good talking to each other. Listening to each other. Nothing could bring them down.

Well, except for this.

“Hey loser.” A voice came up from behind Sprout. However, just before he could respond, he felt something cold spill over his head.

Izzy gasped at what she just saw. This random bystander just poured a smoothie over Sprouty’s head.

Both of them stood up, while the pony just laughed in Sprout’s face. The pony in particular looked to be Sprout’s age, maybe just a little bit older. He had a white coat color and a bleach blonde mane that was longer in length than Sprout’s was.

“Missed ya at work today.” The pony said in an extremely sarcastic way.

“Hello Adonis.” Sprout said in a miserable way. He was so hoping nothing like this would happen. He was having such a nice time. And now this happened. Did he speak too soon? Should he have just stayed home today?

“HEY!” Izzy shouted. “WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!” She now sounded very upset. When that was said, a few townsfolk started to see what was going on. They saw Sprout with a smoothie dripping off his mane and face.

The pony turned toward Izzy with a cocky smile. “What do you care? This dude hates Unicorns and Pegasi. You’re one of them. You should be thanking me, honey.”

“Don’t call me honey. And he doesn’t feel that way anymore. He wasn’t even doing anything. We were just having a smoothie together, you jerk.” She said, getting in his face.

By now, a lot of townsfolk were witnessing what was now going on. Izzy and this random pony arguing over his actions.

“I can call you honey if I fucking want to. I’m way better than this asshole, that’s for sure.” He said, almost in a threatening way.

The townsfolk knew this was getting out of hoof. Somepony needed to do something.

“Why did you do that?” She asked again out loud, sounding upset. “That wasn’t nice.”

“Yeah? Well, like I said, he’s a loser. Nopony gives a shit about him. Maybe that’s why. What are you gonna do about it?” He asked her.

Nothing was said for about half a minute. The only thing that was happening was Izzy and Adonis arguing and Sprout looking miserable at what his former coworker just did. He was humiliated. Why him? Why him?

That was….until this happened.

“Hey! You leave him alone!” A stern voice yelled out. Everypony looking on at the situation glanced over in surprise at the source of that voice. Even Sprout, Izzy and asshole Adonis looked too.

It was Primrose. A unicorn mare with an off white coat, a dark purple mane that covered one of her eyes, and a light green scarf that covered her neck. Though, why she was wearing a scarf in the nice, sunny weather would be anypony’s guess.

She walked up toward Adonis. “Izzy’s right. He wasn’t even doing anything, and you just poured your smoothie over his head like some big jerk. Why don’t you go pick on somepony your own size.” She yelled in anger in his face.

Everypony was shocked at this. Especially Adonis. A unicorn standing up for Sprout of all ponies? Sprout was shocked too. He didn’t expect a unicorn to be doing this for him.

“Why are you standing up for him? Do you not remember what this asshole did?” Adonis angrily said, pointing his hoof at Sprout, who looked away in shame, while the smoothie dropped down his face and mane.

“He’s already done his time. He’s a citizen like us now. Get over it.” Primrose said.

“What about that mare, huh? The one this fucker murdered?”

“Sheriff Hitch has already cleared him. He didn’t kill her. Zipp was wrong. Like I said, get the hell over it.”

As the situation intensified with the citizens of Maretime Bay, as well as Sprout and Izzy, Adonis them let out an arrogant smirk.

“Oh, I see. This is about Sheriff Hitch, right?” He asked.

Primrose let out an angry blush. He was really gonna go there.

“You’re standing up for this loser here because you have a thing for Hitch, right? We all know how tight him and loser here are. Is that it? You hoping if you stand up for his friend, you’ll go to bed with him?” He asked with a cocky eyebrow raise, making Primrose blush angrier

As the confrontation went on, Izzy looked over at Sprout and saw her heart crack a little bit. He was looking so upset. Almost on the verge of tears. She had hoped her bracelet would bring him good luck, and now this happened. She almost felt it was her fault. Maybe she shouldn’t have pushed him to go out with her.

Just as she thought things would get worse, something happened.

“What do her feelings for Sheriff Hitch have to do with you being an asshole?” A voice shouted out, surprising everypony again. This time, it was Posey. A known grumpard.

She approached Adonis and Primrose. The latter looked genuinely shocked at what Posey was doing.

“W-What are—“

“Shut up!” She yelled in his face, somewhat intimidating the stallion. He was surprised at her abrasiveness.

“You aren’t doing some retarded prank or fighting some stupid oppression, you’re just being an asshole to somepony who’s enjoying a nice day out with his friend. How would you feel if somepony did that to you, huh?” She asked him.

Adonis didn’t answer right away. He was shocked at the fact that Posey was standing up to him for Sprout of all ponies. He didn’t even get a chance to answer, because another pony came up to him.

“You do realize you technically just assaulted somepony, right?” Dahlia the flower pony asked, standing next to Posey, who flashed a smile at him.

“Pouring a drink on them can be labeled as an assault. Me and Posey could report you to Sheriff Hitch. How do you think he’ll feel when he hears about what you did?” She asked him, making Adonis looked nervous.

Primrose smiled and decided to join in. “Not to mention, you just said that you work at Canterlogic. Sprout’s Mom owns that place, and you just did that to her only son. What’s to stop us from reporting you to her? How do you think she’ll feel?” She asked, standing next to Dahlia and Posey.

Now, Adonis looked really scared. He didn’t expect this. Why wasn’t anypony standing by him? Would they really snitch on him?

Sprout was starting to feel almost overwhelmed. He had no idea ponies would be standing up for him. He felt that ponies felt he probably deserved what he got, but that didn’t happen. Ponies were defending him from his former asshole employee.

“So, what’s it gonna be, asshole?” Posey asked, not moving alongside Dahlia and Primrose.

Adonis growled and scoffed in defeat. This was getting out of hoof. He knew he should leave before things escalated further.

“Fine. Not like you matter anyway, loser.” He called out to Sprout, before leaving the town square.

It was silent in the town for a little while, mostly from the rest of the townsfolk. That was until Primrose turned around and walked over to Sprout.

She put a gentle hoof on his shoulder. “Hey, are you okay?” She asked in a comforting voice.

Sprout felt his lip quiver. He was feeling a little emotional that she cared. She actually cared.

“Don’t listen to him, Sprout. He’s just a big asshole. And you DO matter.” Dahlia said, coming over to see if he was okay as well.

Izzy smiled at what she was seeing. She was so happy to see ponies doing something. Even if it was just asking if he was okay, it was still something. They didn’t just stand by and do nothing.

“Yeah.” Posey said. “We can report him if you want us too.”

Sprout had to let out a gulp. He did that to not let out any tears. Because, he almost felt them coming. It was almost overwhelming for him to have support.

Izzy then stepped in. “I think we should get you cleaned up first, Sprouty. Let me take you to Mane Melody.” She said, grabbing his hoof and taking him to her destination.

Posey, Dahlia and Primrose smiled as Izzy took Sprout to the mane salon. He needed a good mane cleaning after asshole Adonis did that. They then looked at the crowd.

Some were still surprised at what they did. Some were touched and some didn’t know what to think. As the three mares walked away, a lot of the townsfolk asked this question inside their minds:

Was Sprout a changed stallion? Was he not the same as he used to be? Was he as bad as others have made him out to be?

The doors of Mane Melody burst open, startling everypony in there.

“Jazzy, Rocky, we got a mane emergency here.” Izzy called out, bringing Sprout in, who almost hesitated a little bit.

Everypony in the salon looked on at Sprout with the smoothie still dripping off his mane. Strangely enough, none were laughing. They just looked on in confusion.

Jazzy let out a huge gasp at the sight she saw. She galloped over to Sprout.

“What happened? Who did this?” Jazzy asked, looking over Sprout’s mane.

He rubbed his hoof in embarrassment. “An old coworker of mine spilled a smoothie on me. On purpose.” He muttered.

“That is barbaric.” Jazzy cried in a dramatic tone.

“Yeah. And really mean too.” Izzy said.

Rocky then trotted over to them. “Come on. Let’s get your mane cleaned, Sprout.” He said, putting a hoof on his shoulder and leading him to a chair.

Sprout almost hesitated again. However, when he saw Izzy give him a look of reassurance, he accepted it. He allowed himself to be put in a chair and have his mane done. He just hoped they wouldn’t stylize it or something.

All of a sudden, random music started playing in the salon, confusing Sprout, while water began flowing into his golden blonde mane.

“What is going on here?” He asked Rocky, who was the one doing his mane.

Rocky smiled. “Here at Mane Melody, we sing while we work. It was Pipp’s idea. And it has sure made work fun. I think you’ll love it, Sprout.” He said, before turning to Jazzy.

“Hey Jazzy, turn it up.” He called. His wish was granted, as Pipp’s iconic song started to play.

“Try something new

Take a chance

Just, believe it

Let out your light

Shining bright

Can’t, you see it?

Woah-oh-woah-oh-oh

Woah-oh-woah”

Rocky started singing along to the amazingly catchy lyrics. Sprout couldn’t help but smile. This was amazing. He had never had this kind of experience before.

As he let the music flow through his mind, the song continued on.

“Try something new

Take a chance

Just, believe it

Let out your light

Shining Bright

Can’t, you see it?

At Mane, Melody

At Mane, Melody”

Izzy smiled at the sight she was seeing. Sprout was ACTUALLY having fun. After that asshole Adonis poured a smoothie in his mane, he still managed to have fun and not let that incident get him down. Maybe that bracelet was good luck after all.

She started to sing along with the song being played in the salon.

It had been about an hour now since Sunny told Hitch to go sleep for a little bit. In that time, she had been trying to gather information on Lexi Orphanage. The place where The Mother Mutilator and his two accomplices grew up.

So far, she hadn’t come up with anything. The only things she knew about was what Hitch found. That being the article on the Lexi fire that burned down the orphanage and the gossip column about the abuse, neglect and possible molestations of the kids who grew up there. Other than that, she was having trouble finding anything else.

She let out a groan in frustration. How hard could this be? She looked back at the article about the fire. As she read through it for a third time, she saw something that looked rather peculiar.

She saw the name Reggie in the paper. Why did she remember that name? She swore she remembered hearing a name like that. She thought for a minute again, and remembered that the name WAS familiar.

Reggie was the name of the janitor who worked at Canterlogic. He looked about in his mid fifties, probably only a year older than Phyllis. She looked back at the article again. She remembered that this article was about 20 years old now. So, back then, Reggie would have been in his early 30’s.

Now, it might just be a coincidence, but Sunny started to wonder: was this Reggie, Janitor Reggie, the police pony from Clopton who worked this case?

She decided to look into other articles on the Lexi fire. It took her another hour to realize that there were none. No police pony ever went back to this case. Basically, the case went cold. Also, no pony ever found the three survivors of the fire. It was almost as if they disappeared.

Whoever these three survivors were, they must know how to keep a low profile. They must know how to hide in the shadows.

She then remembered the gossip column about the abuse of the kids. So, she decided to look into any schools in the Clopton area. There were 3 elementary schools, 2 middle schools and 2 high schools. There was also 3 college campuses too. Why anypony would go to college in Clopton was anypony’s guess to her.

So, she decided to search up these schools and ask around for anypony if they knew about this gossip column or any of the kids who died in the Lexi fire. Granted, that was 20 years ago. Some were probably retired, dead or maybe don’t even remember, due to old age and Alzheimer’s.

This was going to be tricky. But, she knew she had to do it. It was probably going to take a couple of hours, but if it got her some information, then so be it.

With that, she decided to look into the schools of Clopton.

“Wow.” Sprout said, brushing his mane with his hoof. “That was actually, kind of fun.”

Izzy smiled. “I’m glad you did. I’m really sorry I let what happen to you, Sprouty.” She said, now looking bummed. “I should have been more careful.”

“Don’t apologize.” Sprout said, causing her to look at him.

“You helped me get out of the house. If you weren’t here, I’d just be a shut in. Even if asshole Adonis did that, I’m glad that you were still there.” He said to her.

She smiled in appreciation at him.

Sprout blushed a little in embarrassment. “Also, thanks for standing up for me.” He said.

Izzy giggled. “No problem, Sprouty.” She said.

As they talked, the two Joe realized they were at Bella and Vinny’s place. The two looked at each other again. They were silent for about a minute before it was broken.

“So, uh…” Izzy started to say, not being able to finish her sentence. Sprout just rubbed her back of his head.

Then, Izzy had an idea.

“You know, if you wanna know about Arts and Crafts, there’s gonna be a fair in Bridlewood in 2 days. You wanna check it out with me?” She asked shyly.

Sprout thought for a moment. After the asshole Adonis incident, he wanted to say No. Not to mention, Bridlewood is a place where Unicorns live. Ponies he used to be prejudiced against. Would they be willing to forgive him? Would they even allow him into their hometown?

Then, he thought of something. Maybe….this could be a good chance to apologize to them. This could be a chance to prove he’s a changed stallion. And with Izzy by his side, maybe then he’d have a chance. Just maybe.

“Well, okay. Sure. I’d love to, Izzy. It’s a date.” He said, before IMMEDIATELY realizing what he said, making him get red in the face. Izzy did too.

“I-I-I mean in a-a-a figurative term. Not an ACTUAL date. Hehehe.” He said, looking embarrassed and nervous all at once.

Izzy smiled cutely at him. Which he couldn’t help but find just that. Why did he feel that, he did not know.

“Cool. I’ll see ya then, Sprouty.” Izzy said, turning away and walking back to the Crystal Brighthouse. Even singing a little tune to her step.

Sprout felt his heart beat. Did he just ask Izzy out on a date? An ACTUAL date this time? Was he going to be going on a date with a Unicorn?

He let out a sigh. For some reason, he was already looking forward to it. After the day he had, he was glad to be friends with her. He felt lucky.

And that’s what they were. Friends. Just friends. There wasn’t anything below the surface, right?

….. ….. …..

Maybe a good night’s rest would clear his head.

Author's Note

So, the plot thickens. Will Izzy and Sprout figure it out? Will Sunny and Hitch find the answers they need? Stay tuned for more.

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

Chapter 24: Zephyr Heights

Author's Note

Hello everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year's. Happy 2024. Now, before you read this chapter, I just want all of you to know that, in part of this chapter, some of you may think that Zipp is OOC, or Out of Character. I don't mean any disrespect for this character, but I just feel that, in the context of my story, no matter who it is, this character would have a lot of problems that may get in the way of who they REALLY are. That's how I feel Zipp Storm would be like after everything she's gone through in this story.

Also, yes I know this chapter is very late again. Sorry, Christmas was crazy this year, as well as my two jobs. And, I know this chapter is very short, but I just wanted to get something out for you all. I hope you enjoy it.

Also, remember to like, comment, follow and favorite for future updates. And I can guarantee that this year will be when this story comes to an end. I can't say when exactly for sure, but it will come. Thank you all for being here and enjoying what I have given you. Goodnight everybody.

Chapter 24: Zephyr Heights

It had been 3 days now since Zipp’s nightmare incident. Ever since then, she hasn’t gotten a lot of sleep, due to her fear of seeing horrific visions of Lilac Summers, or whatever that demonic thing was. After that last one she had, she almost didn’t want to sleep ever again.

The Royal Family were currently sitting in a waiting style room in the castle. Now, they did have their doctors and some psychologists work for the kingdom. Mainly for the Royal Guards who spent everyday, defending the Royal Family with their lives. It was a good idea for them to make sure their mental health was stable.

For Zipp, Haven decided to contact a psychologist who worked in Zephyr Heights. The rest of the kingdom wouldn’t know and the doctor would keep a promise to keep things confidential between them.

During their waiting, Haven could plainly see how not well Zipp looked. She knew her first born daughter probably wasn’t getting a lot of sleep after her latest nightmare. It scared her to no end to see her like that.

While on the subject of sleep, her and her other daughter Pipp hadn’t exactly slept like geese either. The two of them were worried sick about the mental decline of Zipp Storm. It made them lay awake at night, wondering when the next nightmare would come.

“Zephyrina, I’m glad you agreed to this. I’m so worried about you, sweetie.” Haven said to her firstborn daughter, even caressing her cheek in affection.

“Me too. I’m…I’m really scared.” Pipp Petals said to her big sister, even touching her hoof for comfort.

“I know. I know.” Zipp said, looking terrible. Her mane wasn’t styled like it normally was, her eyes had dark circles, and she just didn’t have a lot of energy. Which scared even her. The pegasus pony who LOVED to fly and do parkour stuff, had no energy to speak of. That’s what sleepless nights can do to you.

After a few more minutes went by, they heard somepony coming. The pony who trotted in was about Haven’s age, probably 5 years younger than her. He had a short black mane with a beige coat, and wore a grey business suit.

“Your highness’s.” He said, bowing to the Royal Family.

“Hello, good sir. You must be Dr. Baxter.” Haven said, extending her hoof to him.

He gladly returned that hoof shake. “Indeed I am. It is an honor to be doing business with you.”

Dr. Baxter then took a look at Zipp Storm. As a psychologist, he took to studying everything about his patients. From their eating habits, to what time they get up or go to bed, to odd habits, to starting new habits they never had before. And when he took in the sight of Zipp Storm, she was no different.

He could see that she was a wreck. From her body language to her physical appearance, she didn’t appear to be well. And it looked like she hadn’t been for quite some time now.

“And you must be my newest patient. Princess Zephyrina Storm.” He said, approaching her and shaking her hoof.

“Call me Zipp.” She said.

He nodded. “I see. Well, Zipp, shall we get started?”

“I guess.” Zipp said, not sounding too excited, as she attempted to follow the doctor to the room they had requested to be used for this appointment.

She looked back at her sister and mother one last time, before she continued following him.

When the door closed, Haven heard a small sniffle come from her youngest daughter. She turned and saw something that made her tear up as well. Pipp was fanning her eyes with her wing, trying not to allow tears to roll down her face.

“I just…hope she’ll be okay, Mom.” She said in a trembling voice.

Haven sniffled as well, while rubbing Pipp’s back in comfort.

“I hope so too, dear.” She said, looking at the door were Zipp and Dr. Baxter were at now.

-/-

Zipp layed her body out on the sofa in the room. Dr. Baxter sat in the chair that was sitting next to the sofa. Further showing a doctor and patient style setting.

“Alright Zipp, now: what is the reason for you asking me to be here?” He asked, bringing out a phone, where she knew he was now recording this session. Though, this would only be heard by Zipp’s family. Nopony else in the kingdom would.

She took a deep breath. “Well, doc, it all started almost a week ago now.” She started.

“Mhmm.” Dr. Baxter replied.

“I’m a detective. I help out Sheriff Hitch Trailblazer in Maretime Bay whenever he needs it.”

“I see.” He replied. “What types of jobs do you help Mister Trailblazer with?”

Zipp shrugged. “Oh, you know, ordinary stuff. Like, who stole from somepony. Who vandalized this property. Get the animals out of Posey’s garden.”

Dr. Baxter nodded. “And what happened last week?” He asked her.

Zipp grew silent. She felt scared now. Would those images appear in her head if she talked about it? It did last time.

“Zipp?” Dr. Baxter asked.

She shuttered. “Let’s just say, all the things I did with Hitch were NOTHING compared to what we saw that day. It was…horrifying.”

“Might I ask what exactly was it you saw?” He asked, adjusting his glasses.

She rubbed her foreleg. “I saw…WE found a dead body on the beach. The victim was murdered. In a sick, brutal way.” Zipp felt a cold chill run down her spine.

Dr. Baxter noticed her body language when talking about this. It was clear to him that seeing this dead body had caused a change in her behavior. Even if this next move was risky, he decided to keep going.

“What changes have been happening to you after you found this dead body?” He asked her.

“I’ve…I’ve been having nightmares. Really bad ones. It’s like they won’t stop.” She told him, while leaning up on the couch.

“This may be hard for you, but could you walk me through these nightmares? What have you seen?” He asked.

Zipp was quiet for a second before she spoke. “Well, the first time…I saw the victim. Lilac Summers is her name. She’s…she’s alive in my dreams. But…” She stopped before she saw something.

She saw Lilac’s mannequin like stare at her. She shook her head to get that image out of her mind. Not now. Not here.

“But what?” Dr. Baxter asked her.

Zipp took another deep breath. “At first, she’s just staring at me. No emotion on her face. Those blank eyes. But…then I take my eyes off her for just a split second. When I look back at her…..she looks just like what I found her at the crime scene. Her face…and then…” She shivered in fear as she saw the beaten, bloody face of Lilac Summers. Again, she shook her head to get the image out of her mind.

“What happens next, Zipp?” Baxter asked.

“She…opens her mouth and a piece of flesh falls out of her mouth. Right in front of me. And then…she talks.” She shivered.

Dr. Baxter took many mental notes of Zipp’s body language. Clear signs of somepony who has serious trauma.

He would need to be 100% sure, but he also felt that this was a case of somepony dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

“Then…there’s this…black figure thing that carry’s her away while she’s screaming. And that’s what I do when I wake up. And then I start crying my fucking eyes out.” Zipp admitted, while a loose tear leaked from her eye. Which she quickly wiped away.

“I’m truly sorry you’ve been going through these nightmares, Zipp. I apologize for asking this, but have you experienced any recently?” He asked her, which Zipp nodded her head.

“Was this one worse than the others?” He asked, again making her nod her head.

“Why is that?”

She looked away in shame. “Because now I’m seeing an innocent stallion be executed right before my eyes.”

“What do you mean by that?” He asked, getting interested in this.

Zipp gave him a look of self loathing. “Hitch and I discovered a partial match, and it showed DNA of a pony I…haven’t really given much of a chance too.”

“Who is this pony?”

“Sprout Cloverleaf.”

“Hmm, I see. I’ve heard of him. He’s the one who almost started a war with all of the pony races. He's also Phyllis Cloverleaf's son, who owns Canterlogic. Correct?"

“Yeah.” She nodded her head, with a depressed look.

“So, what did you mean by what you just said?”

Zipp sighed sadly. “Before Hitch came in, I had my first nightmare. And then, when we discovered Sprout’s DNA, I got…I got angry. I just…got so angry.” She said with a sniffle and a hoof fanning her eyes.

“What did you do?” Dr. Baxter asked, looking at her with sympathy in his eyes.

“I flew to the townsquare and….I accused him of murder in front of everypony. He denied it, and I tackled him to the ground. I committed aggravated assaulted on him, flat out. And, apparently, somepony in the crowd recorded it and posted it on the internet. Now, everypony thinks Sprout murdered somepony. Because of me.” Zipp said with an emotional shutter.

“What happened when you found out it was NOT him?”

She took another deep breath. “Two guys assaulted him, before Hitch arrested them.” She looked away in guilt from Dr. Baxter. “And arrested me too.”

“Hmm.” He said, adjusting his glasses again. “You said that you now have seen him in your nightmares. Correct?” He asked, causing her to nod again.

“I tried to help him in my dream, but I couldn’t move. I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t….” She couldn’t finish her sentence, as she let a few tears loose.

Dr. Baxter pulled a tissue box out of his bag and gave her a few. She smiled at the kind gesture, before blowing her nose and drying her eyes.

“I can see you’ve been through a lot lately, Zipp. And it’s been weighing heavily on you.” Dr. Baxter said.

“What do you think is going on with me, doc?” Zipp asked.

“Well, judging from your symptoms, as well as your body language with how you told it, it’s obvious you are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. However, with what you just told me about this Sprout fellow, I can see you also are dealing with a tremendous amount of guilt for your actions.” He said.

Zipp sniffled again, while nodding her head. “Yeah. I wish I could take it all back. Especially after—“ She started to say, before stopping herself.

“After what, Zipp?” He asked her.

She waived her hoof. “It’s probably nothing important.”

“I disagree.” Dr. Baxter immediately responded. “With what you’ve told me now, anything could be important with your mindset now. So, what happened, Zipp?”

She felt stupid now. She should’ve kept her mouth shut. But now that she opened it, she had to say it.

“Well, I remembered something. Something I said about…Sprout’s Dad.” She said.

“What was it that you said?”

“Well, let’s just say I made a bad joke. Not knowing…that his Dad was already dead. Hitch told me…that he’s been dead since Sprout was a colt.” Zipp said, rubbing her foreleg again in shame.

“Why does that make you feel guilty, Zipp?”

“Because….Me and Pipp lost our father when I was Sprout’s age.”

Dr. Baxter and Zipp were silent for a minute, before he broke it, continuing their session.

“I see.” He said. “You feel terrible because you made fun of somepony’s father, without realizing he was dead. Now you feel you can somewhat relate to the feeling of losing a father to somepony you misjudged. Do you feel that way with Mr. Cloverleaf, Zipp?”

Zipp didn’t respond at first, but after a minute or so, she replied, “Yes.”

“How old were you when your father passed away?”

“I was 8. It was me. My Mom. And Pipp. She had a few hours of free time. So, she was playing with us. It went on for a little bit. But then…” She stopped.

“Then what?” He asked, sounding compassionate. He knew this might get emotional for her.

And he was right. She gave an emotional shutter. A few tears came out, while she wiped them away with her foreleg.

“One of our guards came bursting in. He…he had this terrified look. He told us…that the King had collapsed. And that we needed to come to the hospital right away. We were all so scared. We hoped and prayed so hard that he’d be okay. But…when we got to the hospital…” She let out a few choked sobs.

Dr. Baxter looked at her with compassion in his eyes. “He passed away before you could say goodbye?” He asked her.

While Zipp was crying, she nodded her head. He gave her a few more tissues, as well as a couple minutes to calm down. She eventually did and their session continued.

“I’m so sorry that you went through that, Zipp. I can only imagine a young filly or colt losing a parent at that age. It clearly has affected you in a profound way.” Dr. Baxter told her.

“I miss him everyday. He should still be here. To see me become Queen of Zephyr Heights one day. It…it wasn’t fair.” She said with a bit of sadness and anger in her tone.

“How do you think Sprout felt when he lost his father?”

“I don’t know. I…I never got the opportunity to get to know him after his community service ended. I just…judged him.” Zipp then came to a realization after saying this.

“Like he judged us. Like how everypony judged each other before we were reunited again.” Zipp now felt as guilt ridden as she did before.

“Maybe, had you gotten to know Mr. Cloverleaf, then you would understand him a bit more?” Dr. Baxter asked her.

“I don’t know. Maybe.” She said.

“What do you think of Mr. Cloverleaf now that you know he’s innocent?”

Zipp fell silent for a few seconds before responding. “I don’t know. I mean, he almost killed my Mom and Alphabittle. I know he’s already done his time, and he’s apologized, but I still don’t know if it’s truly genuine.”

“Why? Why don’t you think he’s genuine?”

“Because he’s…” Zipp sounded frustrating, not being able to finish her sentence.

“He’s what?” Dr. Baxter asked.

“He’s one of those rich stallions. That pony who had everything given to him. He’s probably never had to work hard in his life. His Mom has spoiled him all his life. That’s why.” Zipp angrily said.

The two were silent for a minute before Dr. Baxter asked her something that almost made her jump out of the couch in shock.

“Isn’t that what you are?”

Zipp looked horrified at the question. What did he just say?

“I mean, with all due respect Zipp, all the things you just said, that also applies to you as well.”

“How?!” Zipp asked. “How am I ANYTHING like Sprout?”

“Well, for starters, you both lost your father at a young age. Making you be raised by a single mother all your life.” Zipp flinched at that realization.

“There’s also this: you’re a princess, Zipp. The future heir to the throne. You will one day be ruling Zephyr Heights. As for Sprout, well he’s the heir to the Canterlogic factory his mother owns. He’s going to be running that factory one day. While he’s not going to be ruling all of Maretime Bay, he’s going to be in charge of many ponies who work for him. That’s not an easy task. Yes, ruling a kingdom is MUCH different, but running a huge business is by no means easy.”

Zipp just sat there in shock. She didn’t expect Dr. Baxter to be telling her all of this. It was almost scaring her a little bit.

“And again, no disrespect, but you say he was a spoiled rich kid. Have you truly never been spoiled at some time in your life? Has your sister never been spoiled? As I stated, you are a princess. He’s not some prince. So, if anything, did you ever consider that maybe YOU were somewhat spoiled more than him?” Dr. Baxter asked, not in a rude or condescending way, but in a calm and respectful way.

“I-I-I’m not spoiled! I’ve worked my ass off for years!” Zipp shouted in a defensive tone.

“What exactly is that for?”

Zipp looked at him in disbelief. “For what? To be the Queen one day. Everypony expects something from me. I…I have to be good at what I do.”

There was more silence between them while Zipp tried to calm down.

“Do you believe they expect you to be perfect?” Dr. Baxter asked, taking Zipp off guard again. “Do you believe you can’t make mistakes?”

“N-no.” Zipp stammered in a voice that felt in denial. “That’s not it at all.”

“Then why do you feel ponies expect things from you?”

“As you said, I’m a princess. I have to be ready when I take the throne one day. I need to ponies to know that I can be trusted.”

“Do you think after your little press conference—“

“I can be better than that!” Zipp shouted. “I HAVE to be better than that!” She let out a small shutter, with small tears leaking out of her eyes.

Dr. Baxter looked over her again. He knew how stressed out she looked. How in denial she sounded. This mare looked to be going through a lot.

“May I be honest with you, Zipp?” He asked her. Zipp didn’t answer. She knew he was going to be. That’s what he’s been throughout this therapy session.

“I can see you have put a lot of pressure on yourself. Feeling the need to be perfect for your subjects and fear of mistakes and the future clearly shows that.”

Zipp just looked down at the floor. She couldn’t bring herself to look at him.

“Do you want to be Queen of Zephyr Heights one day?”

“It’s not my choice. I’m the oldest. It’s tradition. I’m going to be Queen, whether I want to or not.” She answered with a frustrated tone.

“You didn’t answer my question. Do YOU want to be Queen?”

“No. I mean Yes. I don't know. I mean…” Zipp stumbled over her words, not know how to answer the question.

“I….I….I just don’t know why Pipp can’t do it. I mean, everypony likes her more than me. She’s more famous than I am. She’s prettier than I am. She’s….She’s…” Zipp tried continuing her self loathing rant, before Dr. Baxter stopped her.

“Why are you so hard on yourself?” He asked her, sounding sympathetic.

“Because I was born to be a big deal! Mom and Dad and Pipp and so many ponies expect so much of me! And there are times where I…I just…” Zipp was crying again as she ranted to Dr. Baxter. Thankfully, he was able to finish her sentence for her.

“You don’t know what to do.”

It took about a minute before Zipp responded to him. She nodded her head, while more tears streamed down her face.

“Speaking from personal experiences, I think that’s the scariest thing in the world. When we have problems, and we can’t figure out how to fix them. Whether it be financial problems, health problems or any others, we all want to be able to find the issue and fix it. However, even professionals like me, we all have moments in our lives when we feel confusion. When we feel…” He tried to find the right word to say. Zipp, with tear stained eyes, finished for him.

“Powerless.” She said.

Dr. Baxter gave her a sad look. “Yes. Powerless.”

Zipp slammed a hoof on the couch. “I don’t want to be powerless, though. I want to be better. I…” Zipp struggled to say what she was about to say. It was something she never wanted to say in all her life. Probably due to personal pride, or from her foalhood. However, she ultimately said the words.

“Dr. Baxter, I…I need help.” She said softly with a light sob in her tone.

He gave her a warm smile. “That’s good. That’s the first step to getting better. It’s going to be slow, I guarantee that. And it won’t be easy. But, I know you can do it. Because I believe in you, Princess Zipp.”

Zipp put a hoof to her muzzle and choked down a few sobs at his kind words.

It had been about 2 hours now. Haven and Pipp felt like they were on pins and needles. They were as anxious as ever.

Their anxieties finally flowed away when the door opened. Out walked Zipp and Dr. Baxter. They noticed her eyes were puffy and red. She had been crying in there.

“Zipp, are you okay?” Pipp asked in a concerned tone, while she touched her sisters face.

Her sister sniffled. Haven brought her daughter into a hug.

“I’m here, my little filly. I’m here.” She cooed into her daughters ear.

Pipp joined in the group hug as they stood there for a few minutes. Just being in each other’s hooves. As a family.

The three of them were sitting in the Royal Tea Room. Each enjoying a cup of tea. Alphabittle wasn't present here, as he was currently in Bridlewood, attending the Arts and Crafts Fair. He wanted to see Izzy's art projects on display. Not just as an art fan, but to support his adopted daughter. Little would he know that he would also run into her special guest who was accompanying her.

"So, how did everything go, sweetie?" Haven asked Zipp.

She gave a sigh. "Well, apparently I have PTSD. Next week, him and I are gonna have another appointment."

The Queen gave a warm smile. "That's good to hear. I'm glad to hear that you're taking this seriously, Zephyrina. And we will get through this. Together." She said, caressing her daughter's cheek, showing her affection.

Pipp rubbed her sister's shoulder in comfort. "It'll be okay, sis. I'm here for you."

Zipp nodded her head. "Yeah." Haven and Pipp were about to drink their tea again, before Zipp asked The Queen a question. Something neither of them saw coming.

"Do I HAVE to be Queen one day, Mom?" Her question caused Haven to almost spit her tea out. She was surprised at that random question. Pipp was as well. Where was she going with this?

"Zipp, honey, why do you ask that question?" She asked, trying to regain her composure.

Zipp then turned to her sister. "Have you ever thought about being Queen, Pipp?"

Pipp only stammered in surprised nervousness. When she stopped, Zipp continued.

"I know it's tradition, but what if I'm not capable enough to run the kingdom? I mean, Pipp is way more famous than I am. She's nicer and better with ponies than others. Wouldn't she be a better Queen then I am?" She asked, almost sounding a little unconfident in herself. Something that her mother didn't like to hear.

"Zephyrina, why are you saying these things? I will not have my daughter talk badly about herself." She said in a scolding kind of way.

"Why would you bring this up, Zipp? I've never heard of this from you before." Pipp said, sounding concerned now for her.

"It's just...I'm scared okay." She said, making Haven and Pipp look shocked at her statement. They have NEVER heard her say that before. Fear wasn't a term in Zipp's personal dictionary.

"I don't know what'll happen when I take the throne one day. What if I make a mistake like I did with Sprout? What if I make a mistake that hurts the kingdom? What if...?" She stopped talking. She tried continuing, but couldn't bring herself too.

Her mother gave her a comforting look. "Honey, I know you feel scared about the future. I felt the same way when I had you. And Pipp. And when your father passed away." She said.

Zipp looked away from her, trying not to cry again. Pipp looked at her in heartbreak. Nearly 20 years after his funeral, where Zipp clutched and hugged Pipp and cried and bawled her eyes out, she knew that their father's death still affected her deeply. Even today.

Haven pulled Zipp's face toward hers. "I know you miss him. I know you both miss him dearly. I do too. And when he passed, I was terrified about how I was going to run the kingdom without him. Especially being a mother to you two." She said, motioning to Pipp, who know had pricks of tears in her eyes too.

"It wasn't fair that he died." Zipp said in a very depressing tone.

Haven breathed in a big breath as hold back tears herself, remembering Sky Rift. The stallion she once loved with all her heart, only to be taken away from her.

"However, I also knew that, if I didn't stand up and fight through my pain, I would be letting your father down even worse. So everyday, with all the fear in my heart, I would fight through them. I would make decisions that I feared would hurt or help the kingdom." She said, with a warm, comforting smile toward her daughters. They appeared to smile back.

"What I'm trying to say, Zephryina, is you have every right to be scared. And I understand you may doubt yourself, because I did the same thing. But, the reason you are the heir is very simple: Because I KNOW you can do it. Not to say that I don't think Pipp can, but since you ARE the first born child, I have faith that you can do it. I know you can, Zipp." Queen Haven kindly said to encourage her daughter.

Zipp smiled emotionally and hugged her mother again. Pipp joined in as well. After they were done with that, Zipp said something else.

"I want to talk to Sprout." She said randomly. "Pipp, do you think you can call Izzy or Hitch and tell them? I want to speak to him face to face."

Pipp looked unsure of this request. "I don't know, Zipp. Do you think that's a good idea? I mean, it's only been about 5 days since you assaulted him."

"I agree, Zipp. Maybe you should wait a little bit. Wait until you can go back to Maretime Bay." Haven said.

However, Zipp shook her head. "No. I HAVE to do this. I want Sprout to come to Zephyr Heights, so I can apologize to him face to face. I need to do this, you guys. Please."

Haven and Pipp looked at each other for about a half a minute before giving her an answer. Pipp got her phone out and proceeded to make a few phone calls. She just hoped it would go how she planned.

Somewhere in Clopton

5 days. 5 more days. That's how long he had to wait. That was how long Bud Bloomington had to wait for his upcoming interview for Canterlogic.

He was at a Boutique, which was close to where Auntie Edna's Restaurant was. That was where he met Lilac Summers. That was where he put the good moves on her. He looked across the street at the restaurant and just gave a cruel smile. Those stupid employees probably have no idea it was even him. He put on such a great charade as a nice guy, who just wanted to ask a pretty mare out. Just showed how stupid ponies like them in this Celestia foresaken town really are.

He wanted to look good for his interview. He wanted to pick the best suit he could find. Something that shows how serious he was taking this interview. Something that a proud mother would love to see her son in.

She would fall for it. He knew his mother would not even recognize him. Why would she? After all, she abandoned him when he was a baby. She dropped him off at THAT place. Where THOSE ponies lived.

The place where they abused and neglected him all his life. The place where he lost his virginity at the age of 11 to somepony who liked little colts. The place where he got beat if he was in the way of a drunken piece of shit. The place that broke him.

He could almost see it in his head now. He would be a stand up stallion. He would answer any question she would ask him. He would answer it in the most professional, upbeat way he could muster. He may even tell a funny joke here and there. After all, if a pony in charge of a place liked you and your personality, you had a better chance at getting hired. It's not about what you do, it's about who you know.

Then, he would tell her something about his little brother. Sprout Cloverleaf. She would ask how he knew her son's name. That would be when he would give her the shock of all shocks.

He would reveal himself to her. He could only imagine the look on her face. He was smiling just picturing it in his head.

After he picked out a suit, and paid for it, he walked out of the store, and walked home through the streets of Clopton. As he did so, he couldn't help but think of the excitement of meeting his little brother. When he would finally see him, he just knew that he would finally save him from the awful life he had.

When they kill Phyllis Cloverleaf together, he would run away with his little brother. As for Sanguine and Dodd, he didn't care. Hell, he may just kill them two and be done with it. He didn't need them anymore. He had Sprout now.

The two would be against the world together. Brothers united. Brothers forever. He smiled at the wonderful thought in his head as he walked home.

Chapter 25: Burying the Hatchet Part 1(Edit)

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 26: Burying the Hatchet Part 2

Author's Note

Hello everypony, I hope you are enjoying my story even more than I am. I’m glad you all have been here on this journey with me. And I thank you for it.

Now, just for a warning, the scene where Zipp and Sprout confront each other may be uncomfortable to some. So, be prepared for that.

Anyway, if you enjoyed this chapter, make sure to comment, like, follow and favorite for future updates.

Also, big news, I am in the process of writing a sequel to my Hearth’s Warming Dress story I wrote back in December. I can’t say when that story will officially be up, but I’ll try to get it released soon.

So, thank you all and goodnight everybody.

Chapter 26: Burying the Hatchet Part 2

The Next Day-Zephyr Heights

Zipp was so nervous right now. A feeling she wasn’t used to having. She was always such a confident and headstrong mare who felt she could do no wrong.

How silly she felt now.

Her and Pipp were currently waiting at one of the many entrances to Zephyr Heights. This one was closer to where Maretime Bay stood just 8 miles away. This entrance was also closed off, as per ordered by Queen Haven. Reason being is for a confidential guest coming to Zephyr Heights to have a private meeting with Zipp, as well as the rest of the Royal Family.

He would be here any minute now. She felt both a sense of relief and surprise when she heard that Sprout had, reluctantly, accepted her invitation. Though, due to the now 85 MIL video on PonyTube of Zipp accusing Sprout of murder, he asked for an undisclosed location, which she agreed to.

Her two personal Royal Guards, Zoom Zephyrwing and Thunder Flap, would pick both Sprout and Izzy up and accompany them to Zephyr Height’s’ undisclosed location where Zipp and Pipp were currently at. However, once there, Izzy and Pipp would leave the area to give Sprout and Zipp some privacy. Now, the way the meeting would go down between them was ultimately up to the two of them.

How would it go? Would he scream his head off at her? Would he not say a single word? Would he even care?

Would he be understanding? Would he care enough to listen to her? Would the two even reconcile at all?

…Would the two even become….friends?

“You feeling okay, sis?” Pipp asked her, sounding worried.

Zipp sighed. “I don’t know. I’m just…I have no idea how this is gonna go.”

“I don’t either. I’m afraid too.” Pipp said.

“I’m not afraid.” Zipp said, sounding a bit insecure. It sounded so much so, that Pipp immediately knew, giving her a stern look. Letting her know she knew she was lying.

Zipp sighed. “Okay, maybe I’m a bit afraid. But…I just hope this doesn’t make Izzy feel like she has to choose between us.”

“I don’t think Izzy will feel that way, Zipp.” Pipp said in a reassuring tone.

“For your sake, I hope you’re right, Pipp.” Zipp said.

After that was said, Pipp couldn’t help but think about it. She knew Izzy was a super positive, happy and upbeat pony. Always somepony who could never let anything get to her.

However, after hearing what her big sister said, she now had to seriously think:

Is Zipp right?

Izzy and Sprout were currently waiting outside of The Firepit Pizza. Vinny was currently doing his shift, while Bella stayed behind to say goodbye to Sprout. To wish him good luck with seeing somepony who accused him of murder almost a week ago now. He was certainly gonna need it.

After she did that, she went back inside her home. Hoping for the best for somepony she looked at as a son.

Izzy looked super excited. So much so, she may burst. She was gonna see her Pegasi friends after almost a week of not seeing them. Now to most, that may not seem like a big deal, but her and the Pegasi sisters lived together. They were almost always together. So, it made some sense to her to feel excited to see her friends again.

“Ooh, you’re gonna love it in Zephyr Heights, Sprouty. The ponies there are so nice and cool and, oh oh, the views and sights are breathtaking. I’m so excited to see Pipp and Zipp.” She said, bouncing up and down happily.

Her bouncing stopped when she took a look to see him. When she did, her happy and excited mood was replaced with concern and worry.

Sprout wasn’t exactly talkative when she came to see him today. Ever since he woke up, he had this aura around him. That aura showed discomfort and nervousness. Though, he was doing everything in his power to not show it. He was keeping everything inside.

“Are you feeling okay, Sprouty?” Izzy asked him.

He gave a deep breath through his nostrils. “I don’t know.”

Izzy gave him a sad look. “I know you feel scared. But, I’m with you. And, this is a good thing. For you. And for her.” She told him, comforting him as best as she could.

Sprout didn’t say a word. He just gave another snort.

“When this is all over, maybe you and Zipp could be…friends.” Izzy said, sounding upbeat.

He only gave her a flat look. Izzy knew he was questioning that statement, without actually saying anything.

She sighed. “I know Zipp did something bad to you. And I know she can be a very prideful mare. But, once you really get to know her, she’s a really nice mare. You just gotta trust me on this. After this is all over, I guarantee you and her are gonna be friends. Just like me and her and the others. I promise, Sprouty.” Izzy said.

“For your sake, I hope you’re right, Izzy.” Sprout said, now looking away from her.

Before she could say anything else, two Pegasus ponies appeared before them. They had arrived in a hot air balloon, which had a Zephyr Heights logo on it. They both wore helmets and body armor. Showing that they were proud Royal Guards for the Queen of Zephyr Heights.

The guard on the left was a female. She had a sky blue coat and a violet mane and tail. She also had violet colored eyes and a purple castle for a cutie mark. She actually appeared to be a little taller than the one on the right.

The guard on the right was male. He had a spring green coat and a coat that had a mix of a shade of blue and green with it. He also had dark cyan blue colored eyes and a knight chess piece for a cutie mark.

Izzy laughed and smiled. “Hi Zoom. Hi Thunder.” She said.

The two smiled. “Good afternoon, Izzy Moonbow.” Zoom Zephyrwing said, happily greeting her friend.

Sprout almost couldn’t move. He felt too scared to even do so. These two guards could beat him up if they wanted to right now. Maybe throw him in the dungeon. If they had one.

Thunder Flap approached him. “Good afternoon, Sprout Cloverleaf. How are you doing today?” He asked him, sounding genuine, but Sprout didn’t know if he was putting on an act or not.

“…fine.” Sprout said lightly, not really making eye contact with Thunder. Which made him look confused.

Zoom approached her partner. She cleared her throat. “Sprout Cloverleaf. Are you ready to see Princess Zipp?” She asked.

He gave a deep breath. In and Out. “I guess.” He said, not looking too enthusiastic. Which made Izzy look more worried for him.

Both Zoom and Thunder nodded. “Well, let us accompany you and Izzy to Zephyr Heights then.” Zoom said, showing him the very hot air balloon they arrived in.

Both Izzy and Sprout walked into the basket of the hot air balloon. He took one last look at the Firepit Pizza, hoping this wouldn’t be the last time he would see it.

When everypony was all set in, Zoom applied pressure to the valve, and the hot air balloon lifted off. Straight to Zephyr Heights.

Sprout wasn’t necessarily afraid of heights, but being up in this hot air balloon almost made him. Up in the air, with two ponies he’s never met, off to a location to have a “meeting” with a pony he gave a black eye too not too long ago. He almost felt ready to start having a panic attack. Maybe even throw up.

Izzy saw this and almost instantly jumped into action. She then did something that, on the surface, would be pretty ballsy for anypony. She nuzzled him.

“It’s okay, Sprouty.” Izzy whispered to him.

Then, as if a tidal wave washed right through him, he felt almost all his nerves fade. Blushing at her affection, he stuttered, “U-U-Uh, T-Thanks Izzy.”

When she stopped the nuzzling, she saw his blush. It looked cute. Which made her blush too.

Both Zoom and Thunder couldn’t help but snicker at the situation unfolding. Two ponies clearly crushing on each other was just too cute to see. However, they also saw how nervous Sprout looked now and earlier. So, they decided to do something about that.

“I understand you’re nervous, Sprout. But, I promise you: you’re not in trouble. Princess Zipp just wants to talk. She doesn’t want to fight or cause you any harm. And neither does Her Majesty, Queen Haven.” Zoom said.

Thunder nodded. “She’s right. We all just wanna move past this and let this go.”

Sprout looked surprised to hear that from Zoom and Thunder. Izzy then put her hoof on top of his.

“You see? I told you nothing bad is gonna happen. I promise.” She said in her sweet tone she usually does on him.

He looked away from her, blushing again. Dammit! Why did she have to be so cute?

“Okay. I trust you, Izzy.” He said, looking back at her only a little bit.

Zoom and Thunder giggled.

His nerves shot up again. Only this time, it was a combination of both nervousness and anger. He both glad and not glad to see this pony’s face again.

As the hot air balloon landed, he saw both Pipp and Zipp standing there. Zipp with her black eye still showing. It had been about 4 to 5 days since he struck her, but it didn’t look like it was gonna heal anytime soon.

“Pipp! Zipp!” Izzy cried in excitement. She hopped over the basket of the hot air balloon and ran toward them.

The two Pegasus sisters flew over to their excitable Unicorn friend and the three embraced.

“Oh, it’s so good to see you guys.” Izzy said, sounding so happy to see them.

“You too, Izzy.” Pipp said, getting her phone out and taking a selfie of the three of them.

The three then let go of their embrace. They turned their attention to the hot air balloon. Sprout hadn’t moved. He was still standing there. Just staring at them.

No. No it wasn’t them. It was only one pony he was staring at. The one who started all this mess. The one who accused him of murder in front of the whole town of Maretime Bay. The one who made ponies assault him and pour a drink on him.

The one who probably ruined his life.

He was only staring at Zipp Storm.

He stepped over the basket of the hot air balloon, never taking his eyes off of her. Never changing his expression.

Zipp was staring back at him, however she did look away from him for only a few seconds in shame. She could only wonder what had happened to him while she was gone from Maretime Bay. With the way he was looking at her, it probably wasn’t all that good.

The stare down went on for about a minute, raising the tension. Pipp, Izzy, Zoom and Thunder certainly felt it. They only wondered what would happen while they were away from this situation.

“Come on guys.” Thunder said lightly. “Let’s give these two some privacy.”

Zoom and Thunder escorted them away from Sprout and Zipp. Pipp and Izzy both looked back, hoping nothing bad was gonna happen to them.

When the four ponies left, it was now just the two of them. Two ponies who were not on good terms, attempting to get on good terms. How hard that can be.

The two were silent for another minute. Only staring at each other. One with sympathy and regret in her eyes, the other with anger and frustration in his eyes.

Zipp couldn’t take the silence anymore. So, she decided to break it and speak first. She took a deep breath. In and Out.

“Sprout…first of all, thank you. For agreeing to meet me here. I would’ve understood if you didn’t want to see me, but you chose to. And I promise, it’s just you and me here. No pony else. I swear.” She said.

Sprout didn’t answer. He still just stared.

“Sprout, I…I know you and I are not on good terms. And I know you must be really angry with me. I don’t blame you. You have every right to feel that way. What I did to you was…inexcusable.” Zipp looked down in shame, showing her self loathing of the situation.

Again, no words from Sprout. Just an angry stare.

“I…I had no right to accuse you in front of everypony. I admit: I let my dislike of you get the better of me. It…it’s hard for me to say this…but I was wrong. I was wrong for what I did.” She sniffled a little bit, trying not to cry.

Still, no words or even a change in Sprout’s face. Still, that angry state.

“I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but I’m gonna give it you anyway.” Zipp said, pausing for a second before letting it out.

“I’m sorry, Sprout. I’m so sorry for accusing you of murder. I can’t take back what I did, but I can tell you I deeply regret what I did. Whatever’s been happening to you, should not be happening. And I have to live for the rest of my life knowing I ruined an innocent pony’s life.” Zipp said, pouring her heart out. A small tear escaped her eye, before she quickly wiped it away.

“I’m truly sorry, Sprout.” She said again.

She waited a few seconds, waiting for him to respond. But all she saw was the angry stare he still had on her. She almost said his name again before he said something that sounded family to her. The reason it sounded familiar, was because it came from her not too long ago.

“I don’t know if I should believe you or not.” He said that, somewhat imitating Zipp, but in a condescending tone.

She remembered now why he said that to her in that type of tone. When she did, all she could do was look on at him in guilt. Because she said the exact same thing to him when he apologized to her not too long ago.

“I saw your little press conference video. Let me ask you a question, and don’t fucking lie to me: Did Hitch make you do that? After all, I know you were arrested for assaulting me. Sunny told me everything.”

Zipp knew she couldn’t lie here. Even if she wanted too, she just couldn’t bare to lie to him. Especially now when he’s justified in his hostile feelings for her.

“Yes. That was part of a deal Hitch and I made regarding my arrest.” She shamefully admitted.

Sprout just shook his head at her in disgust.

“But, I also did it because I do really feel terrible about what I did. The guilts been eating me alive.”

“Like hell it is!” Sprout yelled. Zipp didn’t flinch. She knew she just had to take it.

“You accused me because you fucking hate me! After what I did! You hate me because I almost killed you, your sister and your Mom! You didn’t care about evidence or proof or alibi’s or any of that! You WANTED it to be me, didn’t you?!” He yelled out loud to her.

Zipp didn’t answer, because she didn’t need to answer. It was plastered on her face. All the things he was saying to her were true. Well, almost all of them.

“Is that what you wanted to do?! Huh, you wanted to ruin my life?! You didn’t think it was enough that the whole town fucking hated me?! You wanted them to hurt me?!”

“No.” Zipp said. “I admit I was still mad at you for the whole giant machine of doom. And maybe, I automatically assumed it was you. That was a mistake. I admit that. But, I didn’t want ponies to assault and harass you.”

“Well, that’s what your little stunt did!” Sprout yelled. “Hell, two days ago, Izzy and I went and got a smoothie from Sunny. I was scared as hell to go out in public after what you did. You wanna know what happened?”

Zipp looked like she didn’t want to know. But, he obviously was gonna tell her.

“One of my FORMER employees poured a smoothie on my head. I wasn’t even doing anything. He just came up and poured a smoothie on my head. Called me a loser and a murderer. There’s ponies online who want to hurt me. All because of YOU.” He said, pointing his hoof at her.

Zipp looked hurt to hear that. “Sprout, I-“

“Shut Up!” He yelled at her. He was now huffing and puffing in anger at her. Zipp looked surprised to hear how high his voice could get. She had never seen ANYPONY this angry before.

“What kind of detective are you, huh? Detectives are supposed to get all the facts before accusing somepony. You aren’t a REAL detective. You’re just a bully.”

That comment right there stung her. It hurt her to hear him say that. She knew she couldn’t bear hearing that from him.

“I’m not a bully!” She yelled. “I made a mistake, okay?! I made a really bad mistake that I regret!”

“Oh. And you don’t think I regret my actions?!” Sprout yelled in anger. “I have to live with the fact that I listened to my bigot mother all my life. I have to live with the fact that I let both of my best friends down. And I have to live with the fact that I judged ponies before even knowing them. I have regrets too, Zipp!”

“I know you have regrets now!” Zipp exclaimed. “I understand that now. And I understand YOU to a degree.”

Sprout looked shocked to hear that. “What the FUCK could somepony like you understand about ME?!”

“Because I know what it’s like losing a father!” Zipp yelled.

If he was shocked earlier, now he was stunned. Where did that come from? As he saw her huff and puff, the silence between them lasted for about a minute before he asked her,

“Who told you about my Dad?” He asked her that in an almost defensive type tone.

Zipp knew now things would probably get even worse from here on out. But, she had to keep going. She just had too.

“Before our little incident in town, I admit: I talked shit about you to Hitch. I…I made a bad joke about your Dad. Not knowing he was already dead. Hitch…I could tell was very pissed at me.” She said, looking away for a split second in shame at her actions, before looking back at him.

“Then, after our incident in town, Hitch told me about your Dad. And ever since…I’ve just felt like shit. Especially after finding out that you’re innocent. It’s been on my mind so much because….because I lost my Dad too when I was your age.”

Sprout didn’t see that coming. He especially didn’t see her tearing up, thinking about her father. He never did that. Because his mother told him it’s best to move on from it.

“I just feel so guilty about that, because I know my Dad would be disappointed in me if he found out about what I did. But I feel guilty more so…because I know your pain, Sprout.” She said, looking at him with tears dropping from her eyes.

He felt uncomfortable. He never really spoke much about his Dad after his death. Why did it have to be brought up now?

Zipp sniffled. “I don’t hate you anymore. Because I know how you feel. I know what you lost. Because I lost that too. And I’m so sorry that it got to this point between us. That’s why I wanted to speak to you alone. So we could…just start over.”

Sprout lowered his guard a little hearing that. He didn’t sense one bit of bullshit in her now.

“I can’t take back what I did. But, I can be better, Sprout. I want to just bury the hatchet with you. I understand if you don’t want to forgive me, but…I forgive you, Sprout. For everything.”

Sprout felt his heart pull hearing that. “You…you really do?” He asked.

Zipp nodded with a sob. “Yes. My Mom told me it’s not right to hold onto grudges or hatred. And my therapist probably feels that way too. I’m so sorry, Sprout. I shouldn’t have been bitter. It’s all my fault for everything that’s happened.”

The two were silent again, before Sprout broke it with a random and very awkward question.

“How did your Dad die?” He asked, surprising her.

“My Dad died of a random brain aneurysm. What happened with yours?”

Zipp shuttered. “Random heart attack.”

Sprout sighed. “Guess we both lost our Dad’s randomly. Shows how much life is just so fucked up, huh?” He asked her, causing her to nod.

“I think you’re lucky in a way.”

She looked surprised to hear that. And in a small way, offended too.

“How’s that?” She asked.

“Because you and your sister got to grieve. I didn’t.” He said in a very depressing tone. That made Zipp look at him in shock.

“After my Dad died, my Mom told me it’s best to move on. He wouldn’t want us mourning him forever. Hell, her and I didn’t even cry at his funeral. Seriously, how fucked up is that?”

Zipp agreed. That WAS fucked up. What kind of parent doesn’t cry at her husband’s funeral?

“I can tell you got to grieve. You got to mourn him. Because you had a better mother than me. No wonder I moved out.”

Zipp raised an eyebrow. “You don’t live with your Mom anymore?”

Sprout shook his head. “I’m living with two ponies who SHOULD have been my parents. Maybe then I wouldn’t have been such a stupid fuck up.” He said in a self loathing way.

“Sprout…” Zipp started to say with sympathy in her voice.

He put his hoof up. “Don’t even. I know I’m a fuck up. And I always will be.”

“You aren’t a fuck up anymore.” Zipp said. “You wanna know why?”

“Why?” He asked.

“Because you wouldn’t feel sorry for anything. You’ve apologized to everypony after your community service for 18 months.” Zipp said, now looking remorseful. “I know this now. I was bitter at first, but I’m not anymore. You aren’t a fuck up, Sprout. Please stop calling yourself that.”

“……okay.” He said, looking away from her.

The two were silent again, before being broken again. This time by Zipp.

“Ya know, if you ever wanna talk about your Dad, I’m here.” She said. “Because, odds are, I probably know what you’re feeling.”

“To be honest, Zipp, I haven’t thought about my Dad in years. I don’t know if I’m about to start now, after being told by my Mom to not too.” He said in a very down voice.

Zipp smiled sadly. “Even so, I’m here okay.”

Sprout couldn’t help but give her a smile back. He didn’t know why, he just did. The two were silent again, before Sprout spoke.

“I don’t know if we’ll ever be great friends, to tell you the truth. After what you did, I don’t know if I can fully trust you. And let’s be frank, I don’t know if you can fully trust me.” Sprout said, causing Zipp to feel her heart sink.

“But, I don’t hate you either. I should. But, after what you told me about your Dad, I don’t think I can hate you. Even if I wanted to.”

Zipp looked away again in disappointment. She sighed. “I guess I understand that.” She said. “I just…hope the day can come when we can put the whole past behind us and start over and be friends.”

“Hopefully, but that day isn’t today.” Sprout said.

More silence between them. Zipp got her phone out. Before she even called anypony, Sprout stopped her.

“Who are you calling?”

“The others. To bring you and Izzy back home. Why?”

“Do you think you could bring your Mom over here?” He asked, causing her eyes to widen in surprise.

“Why?” She asked.

He sighed. “Because I want to apologize to your Mom. Face to face.”

“Sprout, you don’t have to-“

“Yes. I do. I have to. Because I want to and I have to. Please Zipp.” He said.

She waited a couple seconds before she got her sister on the phone.

It took about 10 minutes, but Izzy, Pipp, Zoom and Thunder all arrived. And they didn’t arrive empty hoofed. Standing in between Zoom and Thunder was the Queen of Zephyr Heights herself, Fairweather Haven.

Both Izzy and Pipp wanted to ask Zipp and Sprout how it went, but they were silent again after seeing Sprout and Queen Haven face to face.

Zoom cleared her throat. “So, Sprout Cloverleaf, you said you wanted to see Her Majesty Queen Haven?”

Sprout almost felt like he was going to shit himself. All the other ponies he’s apologized to were one thing, but this was a Queen he was apologizing too. She was probably the most important one.

He took a deep breath. In and Out.

“Queen Haven, the last time we saw each other, I was a delusional, reckless dictator who almost hurt or killed you with my giant machine of doom. And I understand you probably don’t want to see me after I punched your daughter in the face and gave her that black eye. I understand if you hate me.” He said, coming up to her very slowly.

Zoom and Thunder, almost instinctively, had a good mind to tackle Sprout to the ground for attempting to get close to the Queen. However, after Zipp motioned for them to stop, they did so. They just hoped that was a good idea.

Now, Sprout was somewhat up close to Queen Haven. She didn’t appear to be backing down from him. Or looking afraid.

Then, to the surprise of everypony, including Haven herself, Sprout knelt before her. With his head bowed to the ground. In a way, showing her respect as the Queen.

“I come before you a changed pony. Humbly asking for your forgiveness. I can’t take back what I did, but all I can say to you is that I’m sorry. I am truly sorry for any pain I may have caused you and your family. I understand if you can’t, but know that I’m not the same as I once was.” He said to her in the most humble voice possible.

Izzy, Pipp and Zipp were shocked. They had a feeling Sprout may apologize, but actually kneeling before her? This was either desperation or being truly humbled.

It was silent for a few seconds before Queen Haven brought her hoof to his chin and lifted it to face her.

She gave a warm smile. “At ease, Sprout Cloverleaf.”

He looked surprised as he stood up. “I have forgiven you for your past actions. Living in bitterness is not what I wish. For myself, my family or my kingdom. I’m glad to see what a changed stallion you have become.” She said.

Sprout felt so happy to hear that. “I-I’m so sorry. Thank you, your majesty.”

She then embraced him. He accepted her in his arms. While Zipp, Pipp, Zoom and Thunder all smiled, Izzy just went “EEEEEEE” again.

“So, how’d it go?” Izzy asked. They were being taken home in the same hot air balloon, with Zoom and Thunder accompanying them.

“Well,” Sprout began. “Her and I don’t hate each other. At least not anymore. But, I’ll be honest, I don’t know if Zipp and I will ever be great friends, Izzy.” That made Izzy look sad to hear that.

“Maybe someday we can. You never know. But not today. She understands that. I just hope you can understand that too.” He said to her, not really caring if Zoom and Thunder could hear him.

Izzy sighed sadly. “I hope that day can come soon. You and Zipp could be great friends, Sprouty.”

“Maybe.” Sprout said.

The hot air balloon finally dropped them off at their destination. At the Firepit Pizza place. After saying their farewells, Zoom and Thunder rode their hot air balloon home to Zephyr Heights.

“Thanks for coming today, Izzy. I couldn’t have done it without you.” Sprout said.

Izzy blushed. “No problem, Sprouty. I’m always happy to help my friends.” She giggled.

The two were about to walk away from each other, before Izzy did something pretty quick. As Sprout had his back turned to go toward the front door to Bella and Vinny’s house, she quickly ran toward him. So quick, that Sprout didn’t even hear her or had time to react.

When she reached him, she kissed him right on his cheek. He froze for a split second. Before he could even turn around Izzy was already gone, running up the road toward the Crystal Brighthouse.

He just stood there in shock. Not even knowing what just happened. He touched his cheek where he felt her lips touch. It only took a few seconds for him to let out a goofy smile and giggle before he entered Bella and Vinny’s home.

Chapter 27: Scars of the Past

Maretime Bay

The same day that Izzy and Sprout were in Zephyr Heights, both Sunny and Hitch were kept busy as well.

Especially Hitch. After waking up at around midnight, he saw that Sunny had, apparently, pulled an all nighter on finding information about Bud Bloomington. So much so, that she was now asleep at the very desk she worked so hard at.

He was, honestly, impressed by her research. He had found the names of not only Bud Bloomington’s accomplices, but the names of the victims of the Lexi Orphanage fire 20 years ago. Also, a Canterlogic employee named Reggie used to be a Police Pony from Clopton at the same time that had happened. He HAD to know something about it.

The only thing he knew would be hard was talking with Phyllis Cloverleaf. The last time they talked, he confronted her about Bud Bloomington being her son. It was certainly an ugly and bad conversation.

Mostly, how it ended. That was when Hitch started to put an idea in his head about the possibility of…Phyllis being raped.

The thought just made his skin crawl. Especially, given the huge age difference between Sprout and Bud(according to his ME Pony, Charnelle, Bud was about 12-13 years older), then that would mean Phyllis had him when she was a young teenager.

Meaning…she was violated at only 14 or 15 years old.

He truly felt like shit now. The way he confronted her the last time, even if he might’ve been justified in being angry, was completely uncalled for. He had no right to act in the way that he did.

And if his theory was correct…he could only imagine what Phyllis must’ve gone through for almost 40 years now. He knew that, when he speaks to her again, he needed to be as gentle as possible. If he was going to take some figurative shots to the face, so be it. If she was going to yell and scream at him, she had a right too.

But, even with all that said, he NEEDED her. He needed to speak with her. He needed to know if all the things he was finding were true. He just hoped he could get her to talk.

He was taken out of his intense thoughts from Sunny mumbling something. He looked at his desk and saw she was waking up. As she rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, she saw Hitch’s smiling face.

“Morning Sunshine.” He said in a friendly tone.

Even still feeling groggy, she then opened her eyes in shock.

“Oh crap!” Sunny said out loud. “I forgot to wake you up. I’m so sorry, Hitch.”

“Don’t worry about it, Sunny. You helped me out a lot.” He said, making her look confused, while he standing up from her chair.

“You helped me find the names of Bud Bloomington’s accomplices. And this Reggie guy. He might now something about Lexi. You did a good job, Sunny.” He said, complimenting her job well done.

She flushed red in embarrassment. “Happy to help, Hitch.”

He nodded at her. “Okay, Sunny. Today, I’m going to Canterlogic to interview Phyllis.”

“I’ll come with you. I can close my smoothie stand for today.”

He shook his head. “No. I need to do this alone.”

Noticing his sad look, Sunny was concerned with curiosity for him. “Why? Why do you have to?”

Hitch sighed. “Because it’ll get uncomfortable. I guarantee things are gonna be said between her and I. Very bad things. And I don’t want you to hear them. It needs to be one on one. Just me and her. I don’t want her to feel outnumbered. Sorry Sunny, but this is my job here.” He said, looking depressed.

She gave him a sad look. “Are you sure? I could come and maybe ask Reggie questions.”

Hitch was about to say No again, before a thought crossed his mind. While he interviews Phyllis again, Sunny could talk with Reggie. Kill two birds with one stone. He shrugged.

“I guess. Although, I doubt he’ll talk about it. We can give it a shot. But don’t try to coax or force it out of him. If he won’t talk, we can’t make him. Can you promise that?”

Sunny sighed and nodded. Even if she wanted to find Bud Bloomington very badly, she had to respect that this was HIS job. She had to honor his rules.

“I’ll do my best, Sheriff Hitch.” She said, making Hitch smile.

They were going to have to wait for a few hours before Canterlogic would open. They also would probably wait an extra hour or two so Phyllis could get settled into her office.

So, for the time being, the two went back to looking into more research on Bud Bloomington. It would only be a matter of time before they caught this murderer. And send him to prison where he belongs.

Hopefully, if Phyllis and Reggie cooperate. If not, then they may not know what to do.

Reggie had rarely felt nervousness. Being a former cop, he learned in the boot camp training about how to keep your emotions at bay. How to keep them in control. It was a skill needed, being an officer of the law.

He didn’t feel nervous whenever he had to enter a building to stop a criminal from committing a horrific crime. He felt calm and collected when he once interviewed a pedophile, while his old partner wanted to bash the pony’s skull in. He didn’t even flinch when a group of five ponies once cornered him to try and mug him for his money.

Stupid thugs didn’t know who they were messing with. They certainly learned that day.

There was only 3 times in his life when he truly ever felt nervous. The first one was asking his girlfriend at the time(who would eventually, and sadly, become his ex-wife) to marry him. He almost sweated bullets. Being married to a cop would certainly be a challenge to any marriage. He was completely shocked when she said yes. And that made him a happy stallion.

The second time was when his daughter was born. He remembered how he almost felt like he was having an anxiety attack in the hospital while his wife was in labor. If he didn’t have his old partner with him, he may have done that. Thankfully, after words of encouragement from said partner, he was able to cool his nerves down. Then, when he saw that little baby filly, wrapped in a blanket, in his wife’s hooves, it all went away. Him holding his little baby girl was all worth it. He felt so happy now.

How he wished things would’ve played out differently.

The third time he ever felt nervous was actually now. It had been 2 days now since his night with his boss, Phyllis Cloverleaf. The two had a drink together, after he found her crying alone in her office, looking at a picture of her and her son, Sprout.

Truth be told, Reggie never hated or even disliked Sprout. He definitely knew most of, if not everypony else did. He heard the comments and remarks about him. And, while never really interacting with Sprout at all, he didn’t hate him. If anything, he almost felt sorry for him.

The kid probably just wanted to live the rest of his life in peace, but ponies just don’t want him too. No matter what, if you at one time got yourself in trouble, served your time and now a member of society again, they wouldn’t let you forget it. Even though Reggie knew that some criminals who get out of jail would go right back in, he didn’t see that with Sprout. He just saw a lonely kid who deeply regretted his actions.

However, that wasn’t what was making him nervous now. What was making him nervous was knowing he had to go to Phyllis’ office to get her garbage and quick scrub her toilet. He didn’t have to do it yesterday, because he does that area only 3 days of the week. The other day was one where he left it.

So now, he was going to come face to face with his boss, whom he spent a night with. After they both got drunk at a bar and opened up to each other, they went back to her place, and that resulted in them…sleeping together.

The thought just shook him. Not necessarily the sex itself, but the fact that it was his BOSS. The mare who signs his paychecks. The mare who hired him. The mare that controlled whether or not he could work here.

He was grateful she told him she wasn’t gonna fire him. But, even so, that still didn’t change the fact that he still did something inappropriate with his boss. He was a professional. He would NEVER do something like that…until two days ago that was.

What was worse though, for him, was what if somepony found out about it? He hadn’t told a single soul, and he was confident that neither did Phyllis. However, he didn’t know if somepony saw him and Phyllis leave the bar together. Whether they were coworkers of his or not, they might’ve started up a rumor about them. And the rumor would end up being true. Because it DID happen.

Reggie shuttered in nervousness. He had just finished up with the west end bathrooms. Now, he was going to get the trash in the break room area. That was where Kodiak was forced to kiss Phyllis’ hooves when he mocked her son out loud.

Just goes to show that some pony’s really need to shut the fuck up sometimes.

As he made his way toward the very break room area, he heard a few ponies talking. He knew who they were.

“So, did you hear about what Adonis did to Sprout a couple days ago?” He heard a young adult mare day. He knew this voice. It was Judy. She’s a friend of Kodiak, the Boss Hoof Kisser.

His attention perked up at the mention of Sprout. What did she say?

“Yeah. He poured a smoothie on his head.” He heard another mare’s voice. This one was named Rain Fall.

He stopped his cart and decided to listen in. This sounded interesting. Especially hearing it was his fellow coworker, Adonis.

Now, Reggie didn’t HATE anyone he worked with. He was a professional pony, who would work with anypony if he was asked to. However, if there was one pony who came close to him HATING, it would be Adonis.

The two had some interactions with each other in all the years he had been here. And all those times, he just saw Adonis as a stuck up, arrogant, narcissistic asshole. The dude thought he was better than everypony else. He truly believed that he was better than everypony.

The way he’d talk about how great he is, the constant grooming of his blonde mane, him making offhoof comments and remarks at his fellow coworkers. All these things just made Reggie want to ask Phyllis, or Mrs. Cloverleaf since he was on the job, about why she still had him employed.

Probably, she had no idea about any of this.

“That’s just awful.” Judy said.

Rain Fall scoffed. “Who cares? It’s Sprout. He doesn’t even work here anymore. Why should we care?”

Judy glared at her. “Just because I don’t like somepony, doesn’t mean I agree with something like that happening to them. I’m just glad Posey, Primrose and Dahlia defended him. Because Adonis, kind of committed a crime.”

“Pouring a drink on somepony is a crime?” Rain Fall asked, sounding condescending.

“Yes.” Judy said. “That can be labeled an assault.”

Reggie had heard enough. He grabbed a few trash bags and walked in. Both Judy and Rain Fall noticed him. Rain looked nervous at him.

“Hello Reggie. How’re you this morning?” She asked, trying to sound polite.

Reggie raised his eyebrow at her, making her look more nervous now.

“Fine.” He said, walking toward the garbage can. He grabbed the bag and pulled it out. As he was putting a new trash bag in the can, he saw Rain Fall’s eyes darting back and forth, while Judy just rolled her eyes at her coworkers behavior.

Reggie grabbed his filled garbage bag and brought it to his cart to consolidate it with the bag on it.

“Did you hear?” Rain asked, sounding scared. Judy just muttered “Idiot” to her.

Reggie thought about if he should say anything to her. Should he threaten to tell Mrs. Cloverleaf? Should he make her apologize? No. He had a better idea.

He turned toward her. “I did. Every word.”

“Are you gonna tell Mrs. Cloverleaf?” She asked, almost sounding like a child who didn’t want to get into trouble.

He just shook his head. “I’m not a snitch, unless I REALLY dislike you. I don’t know you too well, so I can’t say that I do dislike you. So No. I’m not telling Mrs. Cloverleaf.”

Rain Fall breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, Thank you Re—“

“I’m not done.” Reggie interrupted her, shutting her up and making her feel intimidated. Judy felt it too.

“Let me tell you both something.” Reggie said in a scolding voice. These two, more so Rain Fall, needed a lecture from him.

“I understand why you don’t like Sprout. I get he committed some crimes. But, when does all this pettyness stop?” He asked, to which they didn’t answer.

“When do you let it go? In case you hadn’t noticed, Sprout doesn’t work here anymore. So why do you continue to criticize him? Did it ever occur to you that maybe he ACTUALLY wants to change and be different? How much do you even know him?”

Both Rain Fall and Judy gave a bummed look.

“Why can’t HE get a second chance? What’s so different about him?”

After hearing his words, both Rain Fall and Judy looked sullen. His words obviously were getting to them.

Reggie just shook his head. “I’m not trying to make you like Sprout, because you can’t force somepony to like you. But all I’m saying is, can’t you stop with all this hate for him? It’s getting ridiculous.” He said, now pushing his cart away from the break room area, leaving Judy and Rain Fall to think about their words.

He then took the elevator to get up to the floor where Mrs. Cloverleaf's office was. As he got out, he figured he should take care of the two small bathrooms that were closest to her office. No problem. He could get those done in 5 minutes.

After getting the mare's bathroom done, he headed toward the stallion's. When he saw a faint light at the bottom of the door, he knew that somepony was using it. So, he waited for that somepony to finish up.

"Mmmm." He heard a sound coming from the other side. "You are so dashing. You have the best looking mane in all of Maretime Bay." The voice let out an arrogant chuckle.

Reggie let his eyes roll in annoyance. He knew who it was on the other side now. That narcissist, Adonis, was in there preening his mane, while talking to himself about how amazing he looks. He must think he's on the set of some big movie set or a big commercial shoot.

No. He was at Canterlogic. The place where he is employed. A place where he is supposed to work. Which he is not doing right now. Which was making Reggie do the same thing. He shook his head, having enough of this.

Reggie knocked on the door. "Adonis. Hurry up in there. I gotta clean." He called out, sounding annoyed. After about a minute of silence, the door opened, revealing a just as annoyed, also irritated, Adonis.

Adonis came close to Reggie's face. "Listen to me, you old coot." He said, emphazing old coot, clearly mocking Reggie's age of being in his mid 50's. "Do not ever rush me again. My mane takes time for it to look perfect. Unlike yours. Tell me, did you ever perform at a drag show? Because that's what yours looks like." He laughed at his coworker, while walking away.

Reggie REALLY wanted to deck this guy. He may be old, but he knew he could bitch slap this pony and make him cry like a mare. However, he knew if he assaulted him, Sheriff Hitch Trailblazer would arrest him and Phyllis would probably fire him for it.

Suddenly, an idea popped in his head. He remembered what Judy and Rain Fall were talking about earlier.

"Oh, you like manes so much, huh? You like pouring smoothies in other ponies mane's too?" Reggie asked out loud. Adonis froze in place after hearing that question. He turned around and saw Reggie grin at him.

"That's right. I know." He said, making Adonis look nervous now. The two were silent now. Simply staring into each other's eyes. One with confidence, the other with concern.

"I think you should be nicer to ponies from now on." Reggie said, now turning away from him and heading toward Phyllis' office. Even though his head was turned, he could just FEEL Adonis looking scared that he was gonna tell Mrs. Cloverleaf about what he did to her son. While he felt he absolutely SHOULD report Adonis for that, he decided against it. Let the arrogant little punk feel some fear about his job. He needed it.

He needed it to be humbled a little bit.

After his little victory, Reggie was now outside of Mrs. Cloverleaf's office. The door was wide open. So that meant she was indeed in there. Probably looking over some paperwork of some kind.

His nerves were still on edge, but he knew he had to do this at some point. He couldn't hide from her, even if he tried. So, with that, he gave a small rap on the door.

"Come in." He heard Mrs. Cloverleaf call out. He gave a deep breath before coming in with his cart. He was correct in his assessment of her looking over paperwork. When she looked up at him, and their eyes met, the tension almost immediately came to them. After remembering their little night together, Phyllis couldn't help but have a small flush of pink on her already pink cheeks. She knew it was wrong of her to think this, but after their night together, she couldn't help but think Reggie had some...nice physical attributes to him.

Reggie looked away from her, almost in shame. Not at her, but at himself. He didn't regret helping a mare when she had some personal issues at home. He was glad to help somepony like that. However, he still felt dirty after he slept with her. Even if she was, and he knew this was wrong to think, a very lovely and pretty mare, she was still his boss. It was reckless for him to do what he did.

He cleared his throat, making the awkward tension between them clear out as well. "Hey. I'm, uh, here to get your bathroom for you." He said in a low, awkward tone.

"Thank you." Phyllis said in the same way.

He pushed his cart toward her personal bathroom. He emptied the small trash can, wiped the mirrors, and scrubbed the toilets, sinks and surface areas. He also stocked some toilet paper and paper towels for her as well. Never know if you may need some extra if he wasn't there.

While all that was going on, Phyllis looked over at him and smiled. She knew how hard working he was. He was a year older than her, and probably had some pain in his body after the years of being a police pony in Clopton of all places. Yet, he still dragged his ass to work everyday. If he was off, it would be because he asked for it. Not because he no-showed. He was always in a professional mood, never came off as grouchy or grumpy and he would help anypony out in any way he could. She was glad to have him as an employee.

When he finished her bathroom, he came over to her desk and grabbed her trash can that was next to it. After dumping it into his garbage bag on his cart, he put it back over to her desk. He was about to tell her to have a good rest of her day, when she spoke before him.

"How're you feeling?" She asked him, catching Reggie off guard.

“What?” He asked, sounding confused.

Phyllis rolled her eyes a little bit. “How’re you feeling? Meaning, how’s your day been?” She asked him.

Feeling red in the face, he stuttered, “O-Oh, I-I’m fine, I guess. All things considered.” He muttered that last part, feeling embarrassed.

She flushed a little bit as well. “Good to hear.” She said.

After a second of awkward silence, Reggie then asked his boss, “How about you? How’ve you been doing?”

He almost regretted asking her that, due to her demeanor changing. She looked sad. Probably, due to everything that’s been happening to her recently.

“It’s hard. It hasn’t even been a week, and I miss my Sugercube so much.”

Reggie groaned in sympathy for her. He remembered what Phyllis told her about the fight she had with her son. Something that made him move out in anger at her.

If only he knew the REAL reason for all this.

“Every morning I wake up, I almost feel the need to call out to him to tell him breakfast is ready. But then I remember he’s not here anymore. And when I remember that, I feel so….alone.” She said, her lip quivering. But holding back tears, to make herself look strong for her employee.

Reggie breathed a sigh in sadness for her. He could tell she loved her son with all her heart. Him not being with her was one thing, because all children leave their parents one day to have home’s of their own.

However, it’s another thing to have them leave you, because they feel angry with you over something that either was or was not in your control. And they don’t speak to you for years. They don’t want anything to do with you.

Oh, how he knew that feeling very well.

“I used to think that too.” He said, making Phyllis look at him, her interest perking.

He gave a depressing sigh. “I lost my family. My wife divorced me, my daughter doesn’t like me very much, and I’m almost certain my grandson is being told how awful of a pony I was to my family. I haven’t spoken to them for 9 years.”

Phyllis gasped in shock. “9 years? Reggie, I didn’t…I had no idea.” She said, feeling incredibly sorry for him.

“I allowed myself to put my work ahead of my family. I have no pony to blame but myself. And when I moved to Maretime Bay, I felt alone for so long.” He said, before he did something that he did at the bar that night, but this time sober as ever.

He put a comforting hoof on top of Phyllis’. She felt surprised at first, but accepted his comfort.

“However, after the past few years here, I’ve learned that, no matter how alone somepony feels…they aren’t. You aren’t alone, Phyllis.” He said to her in a kind and warm tone to her.

She felt a tear in her eye, hearing that statement. As she wiped it away, she said to him, “Thank You, Reggie.” Causing him to give her a nod of approval.

“I do hope one day you and your family can reconcile.” She said to him. Deep down though, she felt like a major hypocrite. Because she knew that she would NEVER reconcile with hers.

Not after what they did…and did NOT do.

He gave another sad sigh. “I doubt it. After everything, I’m not sure I’m even worthy of their forgiveness.”

Phyllis raised her eyebrow in confusion. “Why? What exactly happened?” She asked.

He was silent for a minute. Phyllis was about to tell him that he didn’t need to say anything, before he revealed it to her.

“20 years ago. Back when I was a detective, there was a fire at an orphanage.”

Phyllis froze.

“Lexi Orphanage is what it was called.”

Lexi Orphanage

“One day, I saw this gossip column. There was a story in there about the owners of the Orphanage.”

”I guess this’ll do.” A young voice in her head said, looking through a list of orphanages.

“According to an unnamed source, they abused, neglected and even molested the foals they adopted. There were even some reports from teachers about some of the foals as well.”

Phyllis wanted to tell him to stop talking, but couldn’t. It was like some type of force was making her sit there and listen to him.

“Me and my partner went there to question them. Issac and Lexi. Of course, they denied it. The kids wouldn’t talk. Probably, because they were too scared. Though, there was one in particular that I’ll never forget.”

”No Way.” Phyllis thought.

“The oldest one there. He had this…look in his eye. Like, there was nothing there. But, at the same time, there WAS something there. Something….evil.”

The young pink coated, blonde maned filly quickly trotted up to the house she found on the Canterweb. She dropped the basket carrying that THING she was forced to give birth too. After a look of disgust, she knocked on the door, and then quickly fled away. Not just from this home, but out of Clopton.

“Even his name, I’ll never forget.”

Bud Bloomington. She knew what he was gonna say, right before he even said anything. He did say that name, but Phyllis only heard it in her head, not from his mouth.

Reggie took a breath from his venting, only to realize that Phyllis’ demeanor had changed again. Even if her head was facing toward her desk, he saw that she looked…Shocked. Worried.

Scared?

“Uh, Phyllis?” He asked, sounding concerned.

She looked back up at him, still showing that look he had never seen from her.

“Not to be rude, Reggie, but will you please get back to work?” She asked him in a low tone that seemed…almost frightened.

Now he felt even MORE concerned. Why was she acting this way? Did his story disturb her that much?

Or was there something more there?

He wanted to ask her what was wrong, but she was still his boss. If he was told to get back to work, then that’s what he was going to do.

Still looking worried for her, he said, “Okay. Have a good rest of your day.” He then grabbed his cart, and walked away with it out of her office, closing her door on the way out.

Phyllis just sat there, still looking at the door. She was alone now. Physically, at least. Mentally, she wasn’t.

Looks like he knows.

No, he doesn’t.

The guy is a former cop. He can figure this stuff out. He’ll know eventually.

Then I’ll deny it.

And you think that’s gonna make me go away? You know I’m here until you come to terms with what happened.

I don’t want to remember what happened.

Because they blamed you, right?

Phyllis tried to forget. She didn’t want to remember. She hid that hideous scar from so long ago for close to 40 years now.

Now, that scar…it was opening.

A young pink coated, blonde maned teen mare was on the floor, holding her cheek in pain from the blow she took.

The stallion standing over her had a look of pure rage on his face, with his hoof in the air. While another mare was standing off to the side, doing nothing. She knew if she did, something would happen to her too. And, she knew what was about to happen to this little filly right now.

“YOU FILTHY, LYING LITTLE SLUT!!!!” He screamed, while he kicked her a few times, making her cry in pain.

“AFTER WHAT HAPPENED, YOU DARE ACCUSE HIM OF THIS??!! AND THEN ABANDON YOUR CHILD??!!” The enraged stallion said, as he grabbed his daughter by her face and screamed in it.

As terrified as the teen mare was, and with enough bravery her body could muster, she told him, in a pain filled voice,

“Truth hurts doesn’t it, Daddy?” She said in a mocking tone, with some anger in it as well.

She knew that HE was the family favorite. She was just the other child. They obviously didn’t love her as much as they did HIM.

Now he was gone. Because he was a coward.

The enraged stallion then grabbed a hooffull of her mane and dragged her toward the front door of the house. With the filly kicking, screaming and crying all the way.

The door flew open. “You aren’t my daughter anymore. You aren’t a Bloomington anymore. Get out of my house and get out of my life.” He said, as he literally threw her out of the house and onto the pavement.

She looked back one more time, before her father shut the door, showing she was no longer a member of this household. With tears in her eyes, and with nothing on her, she picked her bruised body up from the cold ground.

She only took a few steps, before looking back at the home she grew up in. One last look. After that, she trotted away. She may be only be 15 years old, and recently had a goal she dropped off at a random orphanage, but she knew there was only one place to go. A place where she’ll be accepted for who she was.

Maretime Bay.

Finally, the tears fell down her face. A horrific memory that she wanted to repress was remembered by her. A scar reopened she wanted to keep closed.

She then buried her face into her arms and cried for a little while at her desk.

Chapter 28: Phyllis’ Confession

-Sheriff’s Department-

It was almost time. It had been close to 2 hours now since Hitch and Sunny agreed to go to Canterlogic to try and speak with Phyllis and Reggie. That was in the early hours of the morning, just minutes before Canterlogic opened. So, they decided to wait for a few hours, to make sure Phyllis was settled in.

During the wait, Hitch was feeling the suspense just killing him. He was both excited and dreading talking to Phyllis after their last conversation. He wanted to get this over with. The only thing he hoped for was that Phyllis would give him at least something to work with.

Although, after looking through some interesting things, he probably wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t want to talk about it.

All of a sudden, he heard a small, but loud gasp come from Sunny. He turned his head toward her.

“What’s wrong, Sunny?” He asked, now feeling more interested, looking at the shocked face of Sunny.

“You need to see this.” She said, making him get out of his chair and come over to her.

“What’d you find?” He asked, looking at the screen. He was then met with surprise with what he was looking at.

“Remember that guy, Marlow Bloomington? Who may be Phyllis’ brother?” She asked him, showing him the screen that showed a letter on it.

“Yeah?” He said, looking over it. He then saw that, it wasn’t a letter. It was a certificate.

Moreover, a death certificate.

"This is Marlow Bloomington's death certificate. It says he hung himself in his closet." Hitch said, reading over the tragic details of somepony who took their own life.

Sunny nodded. “I know. But look at the date. This was around 40 years ago. Around the same time that Phyllis was…well, you know.” She said, shivering in disgust. Hitch almost did too.

She clicked on the mouse, and then moved to another screen. There, Hitch saw ANOTHER certificate. Only this time, it was a Birth Certificate.

“This is Bud Bloomington’s birth certificate. No father listed. Only Phyllis' name on here.” Hitch said in disbelief.

“That’s not all.” Sunny said, minimizing the screens and making both of them appear next to each other.

“You keep saying Do the Math. Well I did. And I found something really crazy, Hitch.” She said, allowing him to see both screens.

Hitch did that. And it took him only a minute to add everything up. When he did, his eyes widened in shock. Of all the years he’s been Sheriff, this was certainly a twist he didn’t see coming.

“Marlow killed himself….not too long after Bud was conceived.”

The two of them couldn’t move. That was a very interesting, and somewhat disturbing detail there. A mare is pregnant with a foal for 11 months. Looking at the dates between when Bud was born and Marlow took his own life, that was the same number of months when these two things happened. Phyllis became pregnant with Bud, then VERY shortly after that, Marlow Bloomington committed suicide. Then, 11 months later, Bud Bloomington, the serial killer in Clopton known as the Mother Mutilator, was born.

"Hitch?" Sunny asked in a barely audible whimper, making him look at her.

"If Marlow really is Phyllis' brother...then....did he...?" Sunny started to ask, but couldn't, due to the VERY ugly and disgusting idea she just got in her head.

Hitch felt his stomach start to churn. The very idea of this just made him so nauseous, he almost felt the need to run to the bathroom to puke his guts out in the toilet. He didn't want to believe that this was true. But, if it was, then he HAD to know. He may need to talk to Charnelle again and have her look over the DNA samples.

"I don't know, Sunny. I just don't know." He said, feeling a shiver run down his spine. Sunny sat up from her chair and gently patted his back in comfort. He smiled, glad to have Sunny with him on this case. Had he done this case alone, he may have started to lose his mind like how Zipp did for a little while.

-Canterlogic-

Phyllis was currently staring out of the large window in her office that overlooked Maretime Bay. Almost as if she was the Queen, but she wasn’t.

She had just cleaned her face up after getting done crying, remembering that traumatic moment from her foalhood. She thought she had sealed these memories away forever. Almost to a point of even forgetting who THOSE ponies were.

However, a certain voice in her head wouldn’t let that happen. He wouldn’t let her forget everything that happened during her foalhood. And he wasn’t leaving anytime soon either apparently.

Do you get it now?

Shut Up

You know I can’t do that.

You had NO RIGHT to do what you just did! Why would you make me see….THAT?

You know why.

I don’t want to….

Remember? You don’t want to remember? That’s it?

Phyllis closed her eyes and grunted a little bit, just to try and shut that voice up in her head. When she opened her eyes again, she looked down toward the front entrance to Canterlogic.

It was Sunny and Hitch. They both were just standing there. She didn’t know for sure, but she could swear that they were looking up at her.

Hitch knows.

No, he doesn’t.

Why else would he be here then? He’s the Sheriff. Gathering info on crimes is what he does.

Phyllis thought for a moment, and realized the voice in her head was right. Hitch MUST be here to speak with her. Which means he knows some things about her. About what happened all those years ago.

The question is, how much did he know?

You need to tell him.

No.

You’ve known Hitch ever since he was a colt. You know how good a job he is at being the Sheriff. What’s not to trust?

Why should I? Why should I trust ANYPONY with this? I’m barely opening up to YOU, whoever you are.

The voice paused for a second before he gave Phyllis the biggest and best answer he could.

Cause he’s your son’s best friend. Sprout NEEDS you, whether he likes it or not. Telling Hitch everything will help bring that demon child of yours to prison where he belongs.

Phyllis felt a shiver run up her spine. Why couldn’t this voice in her head, whoever it is, just leave her alone? Why was it even here?

Phyllis, you’ve been in so much pain the past 40 years. Hiding it only makes it worse. And I think you know that, until you open up, just a little bit, I won’t go away. Besides, you’ve known Hitch ever since he was a little colt. You also know he’s a stallion of his word. He’s somepony you can tell this too.

Phyllis tried so hard to NOT listen to the voice in her head telling her this. However, her attempts were in vain. She couldn’t get the thoughts or the voice out of her head.

What if he doesn’t….?

Believe you? You’re worried he won’t believe you? Like THEY didn’t?

Phyllis grunted, trying not to see any visions from the past that this voice in her head showed her before. There wasn’t any visions, but now she heard another voice. Many voices actually. Voices she remembered from long ago.

”Don’t LIE to me!!” A voice coming from an older mare yelled at her in a rage.

“I’m not lying!” She heard a pink teen filly plead her case, also sounding extremely terrified.

She then heard a slap. Phyllis could somewhat feel the stinging sensation in her cheek.

“You were just being a little whore, that’s what’s happened. And you are NOT getting an abortion. That’s final.” The older mare said, now turning her back and walking away from her.

Hearing that news, all the pink filly could do was sit down and cry. Why won’t they listen to her? Why didn’t they believe her?

Hitch and Sunny walked around Canterlogic for a little bit, trying to look for Reggie, the police pony turned janitor. Sunny would ask Reggie some questions, regarding the Lexi Orphanage fire from 20 years ago, while Hitch would interview Phyllis about Bud Bloomington, her other son.

“You remember what I told you, right Sunny?” Hitch asked her as they walked toward the break room.

Sunny nodded. “Yeah. I’ll only talk about the fire. I won’t mention Phyllis having another son to Reggie.”

“And if he says no comment on something?”

“I won’t try to push him. He’s the experienced one and we have to respect that.”

Hitch nodded. “Okay good.” He told her, as he now looked in the break room. There, drinking a cup of coffee, was a stallion who looked about in his mid fifties, same age as Phyllis. He had a dark purple coat and a light brown mane. He also looked pretty good for his age. It appeared he still took care of himself, despite his age.

Reggie turned his head and saw the two of them coming in. “Sheriff Hitch. Sunny Starscout. Nice to see you.” He told them.

“Hello Reggie.” Hitch said. Truth be told, he was feeling sort of giddy now. He was in the presence of a guy who worked as a detective in a hard place to live in Equestria like Clopton. It was like meeting a hero he never knew he had.

“What brings you two over here?” Reggie asked, taking a small sip of his coffee.

Sunny slowly took a few steps toward him. “We need your help with something.”

The older stallion raised an eyebrow in confusion. “With what?”

“The victim that was found on the beach about a week ago? We did some digging, and found out she was a victim of the serial killer from Clopton. The Mother Mutilator.” Hitch said. He could feel tension as he saw Reggie’s demeanor change a little bit. It appeared he didn’t like what he just heard.

“We know you used to be a police pony in Clopton. And, we need your help in finding the guy who did it.” Sunny said.

“I’m retired from that.” Reggie said in a monotone, yet stern voice. Showing he didn’t really want to talk about this.

“I know.” Hitch said. “But, admittedly, I’m desperate. I need to know as much as I can, regarding all the information we’ve gathered.”

“I promise I only have a couple to ask. It won’t take long at all. And if there’s any you don’t feel comfortable discussing, just tell me. But, we really need your help, Reggie.” Sunny said, trying to look as sincere as she possibly could.

Reggie allowed what these two said to play in his head. He didn’t really want to discuss THIS case in particular. He knew all about the Lexi fire from 20 years ago. And a few years after that was when the killings of the Mother Mutilator had begun. It was a case he was on, and became consumed with.

A case that cost him his family. A case that COULD have driven him insane, had he not been convinced to resign his position. A case that one could argue ruined his life.

However, he also respected that Hitch was the Sheriff here. He may have been a police pony longer than him, but that wasn’t the case now. He was a janitor and he had to follow Hitch’s laws here.

“Before I give my answer, let me ask this question…” Reggie asked. “Why is Sunny interviewing me? Why not you?”

Sunny and Hitch looked at each other for a quick second. They didn’t want to reveal anything involving Phyllis’ other son, but if Hitch was gonna talk with Phyllis, he needed to give a reason why. So, Hitch decides to tell a half truth and half lie.

“I need to talk with Phyllis. There was a partial match of DNA from Sprout. I know it’s not him. But, I need to ask if there are any other family members I should know about.” He said, trying to sound like he was telling the truth, when it was only half of it.

Reggie didn’t look like he was buying it. He wanted to call him out on it. However, he could also see desperation on their faces. He could tell they were being genuine in their attempt to find that psycho fucker who murdered those mares all those years ago. He wanted that murderer to be found too.

So, he decided to be the bigger stallion here.

“Fine. I’ll talk.” Reggie said.

Sunny nodded gratefully. “Thank you sir.” She said, now sitting at the table in the break room. Thankfully, no pony else was around. It was just those two.

Just as Hitch was ready to leave, Reggie called back to him. “Hitch, go easy on Mrs. Cloverleaf, okay? She’s had a rough few days. She had a fight with her son and he moved out. She’s still kind of emotional about it.”

Hitch looked surprised to hear that. He took a quick look at Sunny. She looked embarrassed at him finding that out. She was going to tell him soon. They were just so busy finding evidence that she must’ve forgot to tell him.

He nodded at Reggie and proceeded to Phyllis’ office.

Reggie then looked at Sunny. She almost felt intimidated of him. This was a guy who, just by looking at him, had seen and done so much. Being a police pony in Clopton was something only the true toughest of the tough ponies could do.

“So, Reggie, we looked through the victim’s of the Mother Mutilator. Hitch and I. We know you worked for the police during that time. What can you tell me about it?” She asked.

Reggie sighed. “It was tough during that time.” He said, remembering everything he didn’t want to. “Whoever the guy was that did it, he was good at covering his tracks. And the loved ones of the victims, I think you can tell what that was like.”

Sunny gave him a sad look. She COULD tell. So many ponies who lost their loved one to a serial killer. The police probably got so many angry calls or negative views from the media. Probably saying that all cops are bad and that they should be defunded. Even though, they also are needed the most in a town like Clopton. It was like hating something, but needing it to stay live and safe.

“You know what’s funny though?” Reggie asked, making Sunny pay attention again.

“It was the timing of it.” He said. Sunny’s ears perked up for this.

“What do you mean by that?” She asked, jotting down her notes.

“There was some gossip column I was reading one day. It talked about some orphanage called Lexi.” He said. Sunny had to contain her excitement with him saying this. She encouraged him to continue.

“It said that the kids there were abused, neglected and even molested. Even some teachers at their schools showed some concerns about them. So, me and my old partner went out there to investigate.”

Sunny wrote down a few quick notes. She wasn’t really a fast note taker.

“When we got there, we asked the two owners about it. Issac and Lexi were their names. We asked the kids too. They were either too scared to talk, or just chose not too. But, there was one kid who stood out to me.”

Sunny could practically feel the excitement. Which she was containing at full strength.

“He was the oldest kid there. 17 or 18 years old to be exact. There was something funny about him. When I looked at him, when you saw his eyes, it’s like there was nothing there, but there kind of was too. Almost…evil, if I don’t sound too dramatic.”

“What did he look like?” Sunny asked, her hooves practically sweating with excitement.

“Well, he looked in good shape. He looked like he hit the gym almost every day. He had a blonde mane and his coat, kind of looked like a peach if it was darkened.”

Sunny wrote that down. Blonde mane, dark peach coat color. Muscular.

“And what was his name?” She asked.

“Bud. Bud Bloomington.”

Sunny had to hold herself down in her chair to keep her from jumping out of it. Now, her and Hitch may FINALLY have a lead on this. Thankfully, she kept her cool.

“So, why did this day make the first victim of the Mother Mutilator seem odd to you?” She asked.

“It wasn’t that day. It was a month later.” Reggie said, breathing in a deep breath.

“One month after we went out there, we got a call saying that there was an arson. 7 victims dead.”

“And the place where the arson was at?”

“Lexi Orphanage.” Reggie said. Sunny felt a chill run down her spine.

“There was 10 ponies living there. We only found 7. So, 3 of those ponies disappeared. It took a while to ID the victims, some of which were young fillies and colts.” Reggie said, trying not to get choked up. Sunny felt true remorse for him.

“Two things: One, Bud Bloomington wasn’t ID’d among the bodies. Two, and this is where the Mother Mutilator comes in.” He said, making the suspense keep Sunny on him.

“All of the victims were stabbed to death before the fire. And one of them….her marehood was stabbed beyond belief. And that’s what all the other victims had.”

Sunny’s jaw hit the floor at this revelation. They had something big now on this case.

Hitch was going to have to have a talk with Sunny after he got done with Phyllis. He wanted to know if she knew. If she knew about Sprout moving out in anger at Phyllis. If she did, why didn’t she tell him when they were doing research together?

That didn’t matter right now though. Because now, he was standing outside of Phyllis Cloverleaf’s office. Even if he knew this was gonna be intense and uncomfortable, eventually when the matter does happen, he still didn’t feel prepared for this mentally. Or emotionally.

So, with that, he knocked on her door. The seconds that went by felt like hours to him. After waiting for about another minute, he attempted to knock again. He hesitated. Maybe Phyllis wasn’t here, he thought in denial. Reggie just said she was. His mind was doing hurtles in his head.

“Come in.” He heard Phyllis’ voice from the other side. It sounded barely audible. Like, she knew or had a feeling he was gonna be here.

He slowly opened the door. When he was inside, he saw her with her back turned to him. She was looking out the window that overlooked Maretime Bay. He knew then that she must’ve seen him and Sunny come into the building.

After walking further inside and closing the door behind him, all he could do was just stare at her. The quiet between them felt tense to Hitch. He wanted to say something to stop this feeling. But what would he start with? What could he even say?

“Saw you come in from here. You and Sunny.” Phyllis said, with her back still turned to him.

“Yeah.” Was all Hitch could mutter. The silence was broken. That was good. Now, he knew what he could say. Actually, what he NEEDED to say first off.

“I’m here for a few things, Phyllis.” Hitch started. “But first… I want to apologize.”

Phyllis slowly turned around. Now the two were face to face. He could tell she wasn’t really happy to see him. Not after everything that’s happened. He took a few steps toward her. Slowly, and with compassion.

“I was wrong.” He continued. “I had no right to act the way I did when I talked to you last. It was…bad how I treated you.” He truly felt like shit now. Even if she looked okay physically, just looking in her eyes, she was absolutely miserable and sad. He just knew it.

He saw her face get choked up. He saw she was holding in her emotions. And waiting for the right moment to blow them up in his face.

“I admit, I was angry and confused with what I found out. About you having another son out there. With how long we’ve known each other, I felt insulted. But, even with that said, it’s still no excuse for how I acted. I’m truly sorry, Phyllis.” He said, sounding very downbeat and bummed.

She sniffled. “You ruined my life.” Phyllis said in a tone that could just barely be considered a whisper. It was filled with anger and hurt.

Hitch sighed in sadness. “I know about Sprout moving out. I’m sorry.”

“How many other ponies know about that THING?” She asked, with the THING filled with venom and hate.

“Well, me, Sunny, Izzy, Pipp, Zipp, Alphabittle and Queen Haven. That’s all I know of.” He said.

“And I guarantee you Bella and Vinny know too. I’m certain he moved in with them. So, they must know as well. Even ponies I love with all my heart know about this. Do you know how hard that is to accept, Hitch?” Phyllis asked him, with a small tear running down her face.

“Be that as it may, Phyllis, I know they won’t judge you for what happened. Especially….” Hitch had to stop himself from having a baby barf in his mouth. Though it was more out of nervousness than it was disgust.

“Especially what, Sheriff Hitch?” Phyllis asked, still sounding bitter at him.

He took a deep breath. “Especially with what I’ve come up regarding what happened…to you.” He said, sounding very sad.

I told you he knows.

Phyllis continued her glare at him. Though, she was hiding what she was feeling more. On the outside, she showed a mare angry at a stallion she’s known her whole life. On the inside, her heart was racing with fear. Did he know, or figure it out?

Hitch sighed again. “When you said “I did not” and you didn’t finish your sentence. It was on my mind for a while. Then, I figured, the only reason you’d say that is because…” Hitch had to sniffle a little bit, trying not to get himself choked up.

Phyllis felt her lip quiver. He was gonna say it. She knew it.

“Because…you were raped.” Hitch finally said, followed by a deep breath, letting out his anxiety.

The room grew quiet. Not a single word or sound came from either of them. Even so, the tension in the room became heavier than it did when Hitch first walked in.

He knows. You gotta tell him. Come on, Phyllis. It’s time to stop hiding. Even if you’re angry with him, you know you can trust him with something like this. Please, Phyllis. Enough.

Phyllis let out an emotional shutter. She tried desperately to not let out tears, but it was impossible.

“Guess you figured it out.” Phyllis said softly.

Hitch felt his heart almost break in two hearing her say this. All the opinions and hypothesis’ he thought of were true. He hoped it wasn’t true, but it was. Somepony he’s known his whole life, the mother of one of his closest’s friends…was violated. Raped and impregnated at a very young age by some piece of shit pony. Then FORCED to have a child she didn’t want.

He should feel glad that his detective skills turned out to be true. But he wasn’t. If anything, he felt like shit even more.

“Phyllis…” Hitch said in a tone that showed her deep compassion and remorse.

“Now do you know why I chose to keep something like this a secret? Why I don’t like to talk about it?” Phyllis asked very emotionally. “I was only 14.” She shuttered with tears down her face.

“I’m so sorry, Phyllis. I had no idea. I can’t imagine what you’ve been through these last 40 years.” He said, a few tears streaming down his face now as well.

The two stared at each other for about half a minute, before Hitch came forward and wrapped his hooves around Phyllis.

“I’m so sorry.” Hitch whispered emotionally. Which caused Phyllis to break down.

“I was only 14.” She repeated herself, now accepting his hug. Even wrapping her hooves around him as well.

“I know.” Hitch said softly. The two of them just stayed in that embrace for about 2 or 3 minutes. Just Hitch comforting his friend.

“So, Phyllis, I have a couple questions I wanna ask you now.” Hitch said, now sitting in the chair that faced her desk.

“Before I answer any of your questions, I need to say some things to YOU as well.” She said, wiping her excess tears off her face.

Hitch nodded. “Understandable.”

“First, what’s going on with Zipp? Is she arrested still?” She asked, still not looking too happy about her son’s assault.

“She’s in Zephyr Heights right now. She’ll be back in about 2 or 3 days. When she comes back, she’s gonna help me find your other son.” He told her, making her look very unhappy hearing that.

“I know you think she should be in jail, but she agreed to an offer I gave her. She stays a week in Zephyr Heights, while I do most of the work on this case. When she comes back, she and I work together to find Bud. When we do, she’s agreed to spend 15 to 16 days in jail.”

“She should spend more.” Phyllis said.

“I get it, but that’s what it is here. She even apologized to Sprout. It’s on video on Cliptrot.” He told her. That surprised her. She may need to look that up and see if he’s telling the truth.

“Very well.” She continued. “Now, I also want to let you know, that if I say No Comment, then don’t try to make me say anything. If you do, I’ll ask you to leave. Are we at an understanding, Hitch?” She asked him.

Hitch nodded. “Yes. I only want to know a few things. It’s your right to say No Comment about something personal.” Even though he said it, he couldn’t deny that deep down he would be bummed if he didn’t get all the information from her.

“Now, Phyllis, you said your maiden name is Bloomington. Were your parents farmers from Trotville? I read up on something called the Blooming Days Festival.”

Phyllis gave a deep breath, before hearing somepony in her head tell her something that any pony in a situation like her would need to hear.

It’s okay, Phyllis. It’ll be okay. Hitch is here. It’ll all be okay.

Phyllis nodded her head. “Liana and Aster Bloomington. My garbage parents, who kicked me out after I dropped that THING off at that orphanage. Although, they probably never even loved me too much anyway. I was only the other foal.”

Hitch felt another pang to his chest hearing that. Parental favoritism was just horrible. However, now that she’s told him this, then that means it’s true.

Marlow Bloomington is Phyllis’ brother.

“When you say that, I take it Marlow Bloomington was your brother. He was the golden child to them?” He asked.

It only happened in quick flash, but he swore he saw her flinch just a little bit. However, he mostly saw her breath in anger at that name.

“Yes. But the only thing my brother ended up being was a coward who took his own life. My parents even blamed me for it.”

“Why? Why would they blame you?” He asked.

She shrugged. “Guess they needed a punching bag to take out their anger on. Why not use their only daughter, right?” She asked in mock humor, masking sadness and anger.

“I’m sorry, Phyllis.” Hitch said. Now, he knew he was gonna get into some really dark shit. He took a deep breath.

“Phyllis, we know that Bud Bloomington killed Lilac Summers. But…she wasn’t the only one.” He said, making Phyllis’ eyes widen.

“What?” She asked in shock.

“He, along with two other accomplices, were responsible for the Lexi Orphanage burning down 20 years ago. And after that….was when the Mother Mutilator killings started happening.”

Phyllis almost felt ready to vomit hearing this. A chill ran down her spine.

“Y-Y-You’re saying…”

Hitch nodded. “Bud Bloomington is the Mother Mutilator.” Phyllis felt her hooves sink into her desk in shock and disbelief.

“Last question: do you REALLY know who your rapist is?” He asked her.

Phyllis breathed in and out again. “Yes. I know he’s dead now. However, as far as who he is, I’m going to decline telling you that.”

Hitch looked defeated hearing that.

“Do you think I like hating my other son? Believe it or not, I don’t. But, whenever I looked at that THING, I just thought of…my rapist. And it made me sick. I know it’s not fair or right. But it is what it is, Hitch.” She said.

Hitch sighed dejectedly. “Okay Phyllis. That’s all I need from you. Thank you for telling me this. And I promise, I’m gonna find your other son and bring him to justice.”

The room went quiet for a minute, before Hitch spoke again, this time deciding to say something personal again.

“Phyllis….I know you and I have disagreed on many things in the past. But, I’ve always respected you. And, personally, I’ve always thought of you as a second mother. Because…Sprout has always been like a brother to me.” He said, making Phyllis look touched.

“And I know that the past two years, I had a funny way of showing it. I admit, I was angry and bitter. But, I realized I was wrong for being that way.” He saw Phyllis nod her head emotionally.

“What I’m trying to say is, I think if you as family, Phyllis. With everything you’ve been through the past 40 years, I think you should talk with somepony.” He told her, making her look away from him in shame.

“There’s nothing wrong with asking for help, Phyllis. Especially from ponies who love you.” He said in the most compassionate tone he could ever muster, making a tear fall down Phyllis’ face.

As Hitch walked toward her door, he looked back and said this to her before leaving.

“You’re not alone, Phyllis. Even if you think you are.”

Phyllis just sat there in her chair, touched by his words. She never knew he felt that way about her. She also let those words repeat themselves in her head again.

You Are Not Alone.

A tear of emotion ran down her face.

Chapter 29: Father & Daughter

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 30: One More Day

-Yesterday: Maretime Bay Sheriff's Department-

Both Sunny and Hitch sat in silence for a few more minutes after coming to terms with what they discovered about Phyllis Cloverleaf. They felt sick to their stomach, finding out that she was raped and impregnated at 14 years old.

Worse even, that baby she gave birth to, whom she gave up to Lexi Orphanage of Clopton, ended up growing up to be a serial killer. The Mother Mutilator.

As the minutes went by, Hitch remembered something that Reggie said to him before he went to talk with Phyllis. Something that Sunny has to know.

“So, Sprout moved out of Phyllis’ place?” Hitch asked, making Sunny look toward him in surprise. Which then turned to that of a gloomy one.

She sighed. “Yes. He told me when him and Izzy had a little smoothie date a few days ago. And…” She trailed off, not knowing if Hitch would be mad if she told him this.

“And what?” Hitch said, not looking too happy with her.

She sheepishly. “….I told him the name of his brother.” She said, making Hitch groan.

“I felt he had every right to know. Please don’t be mad, Hitch.” She said.

“No, I’m not mad.” Hitch said in a frustrating tone. “I’m just…I don’t know.”

“Should we tell Sprout about all this?” Sunny asked.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea for now, Sunny. I don’t want to make him feel even worse than he probably already feels.”

“He has a right to know, Hitch.” Sunny said. “We shouldn’t keep something like this from him.”

Sunny was about to say something, when they both heard a knock at the front door. After about one second, a mare peaked her head inside.

“Excuse me? Is there somepony here named Hitch Trailblazer?” She asked in a whispering tone, while walking inside.

“That would be me.” Hitch said, standing up from his chair. He wondered why she was whispering. Both he and Sunny froze when he got a better look at this stranger.

The mare looked about in her early twenties. She had a pale peach coat and a light orange mane with an apricot cutie mark.

However, the mare was not alone. Hitch got his answer when he saw what she was carrying on her back. It was a basket. However, it did not contain any foods or drinks.

In this basket….was a baby. Sleeping peacefully, while wrapped in a blue blanket. So, the baby was a boy.

“My name is Amber.” She said, again keeping her voice down, as to not wake up the baby.

“Nice to meet you Amber. This is my friend, Sunny.” He said, shaking her hoof. Sunny shook her hoof as well.

“I don’t think I’ve seen you in town, Amber. Are you and your son new here?”

When she said that, Hitch noticed Amber’s face suddenly look very sullen.

“This isn’t my son. It’s my friend’s son. His name is Bentley.”

Both Hitch and Sunny felt their jaws drop. What did she say?

“My friend Lilac Summers went missing almost a week ago. I’ve been looking after him ever since.” She depressingly said, making Hitch and Sunny feel their nerves rise up.

“And I….I heard that there was a body found here about a few days ago. So I…” Amber tried to finish her sentence, but couldn’t because she was getting emotional.

Sunny felt her heart crack watching this. She looked over at Hitch, who looked so remorseful at what he was about to do.

Just before he could tell her, something stopped from doing so. The doors burst open.

“Sunny! Hitch! Guess what?!” She asked out loud in happiness.

She looked toward Amber and smiled. A new friend to meet for Izzy Moonbow.

“Hi, new friend.” Izzy said, sort of invading Amber’s personal space a little bit. “My name’s Izzy Moonbow. And you are?”

Sunny got between them to separate Izzy from her. “Izzy, this is Amber. And now’s not a good time.”

Feeling confused, Izzy asked, “Why? What’s the matter?” She then saw the little baby and cooed a little bit loudly. Just before she could gush over him, Amber put a hoof to Izzy’s mouth.

“He’s sleeping. Be quiet.” She said, not looking too happy. Which made Izzy look hurt. Thankfully, lil’ Bentley only stirred but was still asleep.

“Sunny,” Hitch said getting her attention. “Why don’t you take Izzy out of here. I’ll handle this.”

“Are you sure?” She said, looking sad, which confused Izzy more. Hitch nodded.

“Okay.” Sunny said. “Come on, Izzy.” She said, walking toward the entrance. Izzy looked back at Hitch and Amber one more time, before following her friend. She only wondered what was going on and why they were acting so sad.

When they left, Hitch breathed a big sigh. Amber looked at him.

“Follow me.” Hitch said, walking toward the downstairs morgue. Amber picked up Bentley and followed the Sheriff.

“So it’s true. Lilac’s really dead.” Amber said, her heart breaking as she said it.

Hitch nodded. “I’m so sorry about your friend, Amber.”

A few tears rolled down her face. “I knew she shouldn’t have gone after that guy. But, she was desperate to find a father for Bentley here.”

This statement perked Hitch’s interest. “So, you saw the guy? As in, you know what he looks like?”

Amber nodded. “He was a big, buff looking guy. Looked like he hit the gym everyday. He had a blonde mane, and his coat looked peach colored. But darkened.”

That’s the exact same description that Sunny just gave him.

“He put on this charming persona, but there was something up with his eyes. It’s like…there was something there, but also…not. It’s hard to explain, Sheriff Hitch.” Amber said.

“I understand.” Hitch said. "And I promise I'm gonna find this guy. Thank you for giving me the description, Amber."

She nodded sadly, with a tear rolling down her face. She looked at the sleeping baby in the basket. "I guess I'm Bentley's Mom now." She said, picking up the basket and putting it on her back.

As she trotted out of the Sheriff's Department, Hitch felt both sad and glad. He was relieved to see that Lilac Summers' baby was still alive. So, Bud didn't kill him. He also felt that, since Bentley was alive, then that must mean that all the other victims' children of Bud Bloomington were alive.

However, he also felt very sad for Amber as well. This mare lost a close friend of hers, and now she was going to take care of her foal. She never ASKED to have a foal. But now, she had one. And she was gonna take care of him as best she could in honor of her friend.

*ring*ring*

Hitch heard the telephone. It was quite early in the morning. A bit odd to have somepony call you. He looked at the caller ID, and was even more surprised. It read that it was somepony from Clopton. Why would somepony from Clopton be calling him? Sure, yesterday Amber had come from Clopton to find out about her friend, Lilac Summers. But, now somepony was calling him from there? This seemed strange.

He picked up the phone. "Hello, this is Sheriff Hitch Trailblazer of Maretime Bay. How may I help you?" He answered.

"Hello Mr. Trailblazer. This is Detective Winthorpe of Clopton. Badge number 7421." He heard the other pony on the line say. His voice sounded a bit low, but not very melancholy. If anything, it sounded very intimidating to him. Though, to be fair, he had no idea that this very pony was actually named Dodd Winchester. One of the pony's responsible for the Lexi Orphanage fire 20 years ago.

"Huh. Never gotten a call from somepony in Clopton. What's going on?" Hitch asked.

"I've heard that the body of a mare from Clopton was found on your beach almost a week ago. Would this pony happen to be named Lilac Summers?" Dodd asked.

Hitch felt his detective instincts kick in here. "How did you know that? I don't believe I've reported anything to you or the Clopton Police Department."

"I saw the video on Cliptrot, and just put two and two together. Lilac Summers was reported missing about 5 days ago." Dodd said. To Hitch, that seemed either understandable or convenient. He didn't know for sure. But, he continued on anyway.

"Well, yes. Me and my partner Zipp Storm found her. And I've been investigating this ever since."

"Yeah, I also saw the video of her accusing this Sprout Cloverleaf. And then a few days later she recanted those statements. Is she there with you now?"

Hitch didn't know if he should be impressed or feeling odd that Winthorp, or Dodd, knew that too. Though, it was all over social media, so he felt that was understandable as well.

"She's coming back tomorrow. She needed to clear her head after finding the body."

"Okay. Well, since Lilac was a Clopton mare, I'd like to discuss the case with you and her tomorrow. Is it alright if I meet up with you?"

Hitch, for some reason, felt like something was off. The last day before Zipp comes back home, he gets this call from a pony he's never met before, asking him for a meeting regarding the murder of Lilac Summers. Now, on one hoof, he felt that maybe it was just weird timing. It happens sometimes. He was probably too busy with other cases in Clopton to worry about the missing Lilac Summers.

On the other hoof, however, the timing was still weird to him. Yes, it happens sometimes, but there's also times where it just feels to perfect of a time. Why didn't this happen a day or two after Lilac was found? And, why is this happening the day before Zipp comes back?

Either way, he felt something was off here. But, being the detective he was, he decided to let it happen. Maybe, once and for all, he can finally get to the bottom of this case and be done with it.

"Okay, Mr. Winthorpe. Maybe come by tomorrow at around Noon or 1 or so."

"That sounds fine. I'll see you tomorrow." Hitch then heard the dial tone, meaning he hung up. When the call ended, he still just had that feeling that something felt funny. He didn't know why, he just did.

He just hoped his feeling was wrong.

Somewhere in Clopton

After he hung up the phone, Dodd quickly called Bud, who was at work right now.

"Well?" Bud asked, answering after only one ring. He was currently cleaning a staff bathroom. Thankfully, no pony was around to hear him.

"It's done. Hitch and I are gonna have a meeting tomorrow." Dodd said, using air quotes on the meeting part.

"Good." Bud said, hanging up and getting back to his job.

Dodd looked at his phone and smiled a shit eating grin. Everything was going according to plan. And if he could keep Hitch, and maybe Zipp, distracted long enough, he'll get to relive what he and his two adoptive siblings did 20 years ago. With different ponies, but he was still looking forward to it. He glanced over at the briefcase he was given a few days ago by some ponies he knew. One's that would not be welcome around Police officers in any town.

Canterlogic. He knew that day was going to be...a blast.

"Izzy, hold still." Sunny said, while giggling slightly. She was currently trying to brush Izzy's mane, while the unicorn rocked side to side in her stool, looking like she was gonna burst.

“Ooh, I’m so excited!” Izzy exclaimed with glee. “But I’m also nervous.” Her expression changed. “I’m…..nervous-cited.”

Sunny raised an eyebrow in confusion. “What?”

“It’s a word I just came up with.” The unicorn said, getting up from her stool. “I’m so excited that I could just burst.” She said, jumping into the air.

“Buuuuutttt…” She then said, while huddling herself to the ground. “I’m also so nervous that I just want to crawl into a shell and hide.” Then, completely randomly, she stood back, while her front and back hooves looked like robot parts. It reminded Sunny of those Transformers movies she saw in the theaters.

She shook that thought out and put a comforting hoof on Izzy’s shoulder. “You shouldn’t be nervous, Izzy. I’m sure you and Sprout are gonna have a great time together.”

Izzy smiled at her friend’s support. “What is it about Sprout that makes you like him, Izzy?” Sunny asked her, which caused Izzy’s smile to turn to a shy one, while her purple face turned pink.

“I-I don’t know. There’s just something about him that I think is…cute.” Making both Sunny and Izzy giggle.

“Well, sweetheart, you look as handsome as ever.” Bella told Sprout, while fixing a tie for him.

While blushing, Sprout was wearing a suit that Vinny had in the closet that didn’t fit him anymore. Thankfully, it fit Sprout very well.

After she was done, Bella looked over Sprout one more time. “Well, how do you feel?” She asked.

Sprout rubbed his foreleg shyly. “Not gonna lie, completely nervous. I just hope I don’t screw anything up.”

“Why do you feel you’ll screw something up?” Bella asked.

“I don’t know. I just…” He wanted to finish his sentence, but couldn’t figure out what to say.

“Does this have anything to do with your past views on Unicorns?” Bella asked, which made Sprout sadly nod his head.

Bella sighed. “Sprout, if you want to truly move on from this, you have to understand that what you used to feel is in the past. The past is just that for a reason. If you want to move on, you have to let it go. That is how you win, honey.”

He heard her words. All the things she said were absolutely true. He didn’t deny that. The problem is, how could he truly move on? How could he let go of the past? He didn’t know. He didn’t know how.

“Sweetheart, how do you feel about Izzy?” Bella asked him.

Another blush appearing on his face, he responded, “I-I don’t know. There’s just something about her that makes me feel…happy. She’s just…really pretty.”

Bella giggled. “Whatever happens, I think you two will make a great couple.”

Sprout was happy for her support. He was lucky to have a mare like Bella in his life. And he hoped she was right with her statement.

Izzy took a deep breath. She still felt “nervous-cited”, but she also felt she looked pretty good. Her mane was clean and well brushed, thanks to Sunny. She had a nice, blue dress, which matched her mane color. She even decided to add just a little bit of eye shadow. She just hoped Sprout thought she looked good as well.

She knocked on Bella and Vinny’s door. After waiting for a few seconds, the door opened and there he stood.

He was wearing a nice looking suit. It kind of looked a bit old-fashioned, but Sprout somehow made it look good. His mane also looked well brushed.

When the two looked at each other, they were both surprised at how good looking they were. With a blush on their faces, they both greeted each other with very shyly.

“H-Hi, Izzy.”

“Hey, Sprouty.”

Bella came up from behind. “Izzy, you look lovely.” She told her.

“Thank you, Miss Bella.” Izzy giggled in a shy tone.

Very gently, Bella pushed Sprout out of the door. “Now, you two have fun. And you tell me all about it when you get back.” Bella told Sprout.

He gave her a nod of approval. As the door closed, Sprout and Izzy continued to stare at each other. Izzy smiled, while Sprout looked ready to throw up with nervousness.

He gulped. “You look great, Izzy.” He said, while starting to walk toward the restaurant’s front doors.

“I think you look great too, Sprouty.” Izzy said, walking right next to him.

The two then walked into the restaurant. Izzy could immediately smell the wonderful aroma.

“Oh, wow.” She said. “It smells so good in here.”

Sprout nodded with a smile. “Just wait till you taste it. Even better.”

Izzy could barely contain her excitement. It was happening. She was on a date with Sprout. And this time, it actually can be called a date.

Zephyr Heights

“I must say Zipp, this feels quite out of nowhere.” Queen Haven said, feeling odd about the situation she was currently in.

Her and her two daughters were currently out and about, having a nice shopping spree. Zipp had just bought a new pair of sunglasses, while Pipp had bought…well a lot of things. Obviously, they were too big to carry, so Zoom and Thunder carried all of her bags back to the castle. Oh, how challenging that must be for the both of them.

“I don’t mind. I like shopping sprees. No matter who it’s with.” Pipp said, having a blast with this situation.

Zipp was having fun too. The sunglasses she bought looked REALLY good on her. Made her feel she looked 20% cooler than she normally was.

However, while she did want to have a nice shopping spree with her sister and mother, there was another reason for this as well. And she felt now was as good a time as any to tell them.

She sighed. “Could we sit down somewhere, you two?” Pipp and Haven looked at her, confused looks on them.

“I need to talk to both of you. It’s kinda why I wanted to do a shopping spree with you today.” She said, looking sort of sad, but not all the way there.

Pipp and Haven looked at each other, and without a word, they agreed to Zipp’s request. They all sat a small bench that faced the clouds to the west. It was a truly beautiful view to look at.

They were all seated. “Zephyrina, is something wrong?” Haven asked.

“I wanted to apologize for everything. For making you guys worry about me so damn much. I’m sorry if I scared you.” She said.

“Zipp, you don’t have to apologize for anything. We’re family. You know that family is always here for each other.” Pipp said, rubbing her older sister’s shoulder.

Zipp smiled at that statement. She felt now was the perfect time to tell them what she wanted to say.

“I had a dream last night.” She said, making Pipp and Haven look worried at first. Another nightmare?

She shook her head. “This time, it was a good dream. It almost felt real.”

“Whatever do you mean, sweetheart?” Haven asked, feeling curious. Pipp did as well.

Zipp felt her lip quiver a little bit. “Daddy came and visited me.”

No words were said, but Pipp and Haven were surprised to hear that.

“He came…because he knew I was going through all this stuff. Because…he’s still watching over us. And he always will.” Zipp said, choking up a little bit. She saw that Pipp and Haven look that way as well.

“I’m not perfect. And I can’t make myself be that. I know I’m gonna mistakes when I take the throne. And, I admit, I’m afraid of the future. But…I’m not gonna dwell on that anymore. I need to be myself. I need to be Zephyrina Storm.” She said.

Haven took a breath, as to not let a few tears out. “That’s good sweetheart. I only wish I could have been there to see your father as well.”

“Me too.” Pipp said.

“Well….” Zipp said, rubbing her hoof. “He actually did tell me to tell you both something.”

Pipp and Haven looked very surprised to hear that.

Zipp waived a wing in front of her eyes. “Mom…I’ll admit, when you and Alphabittle started dating, I felt angry. Because of Daddy. But…I don’t anymore. Because…” she let out a soft sob, making Haven tear up now.

“Because, He told me he’s at peace now. And, for you to be happy with whoever you find. So…when you and Alphabittle get married one day, I’m happy for you. Because Daddy is too, Mom.” Zipp said, choking on a few sobs. Haven put her hoof to her muzzle to also choke on a few sobs, remembering her late husband.

Zipp then turned to Pipp, who also had tears in her eyes now too. “And Pipp? Daddy said…that he’s so proud of you for the career you’ve made. But, don’t let it consume you. Be true to yourself. So, don’t change the way you are, okay?” She told her sister. Both of them were bawling their eyes out now.

Haven embraced her two daughters and all of them cried together. As a family, remembering the late, great Sky Rift.

They both looked to the sky. With tear filled smiles on their faces. Zipp and Pipp were going back to Maretime Bay tomorrow. And they were glad to have at least spent one more day together.

“Your father will always still be here.” Haven whispered to both her girls.

“Definitely.” Pipp said emotionally.

Zipp just looked up to the heavens at her father, who she knew was watching out for her and the rest of her family.

Maretime Bay

“So, Sunny was beating the shit out of both Hitch and I. While we were falling on our asses.” Sprout said, telling Izzy a story about when he, Hitch and Sunny were foals at the Maretime Bay roller rink.

Izzy giggled. “Guess we know where she got her way of transportation into town, huh?”

“Eeyup.”

The two were having a blast together. They had ate a nice pizza together, where they learned that, apparently, they both liked Pepperoni and Mushrooms. They were both certainly shocked that they liked the same toppings.

But, minus the food, they were having a fun time just talking together. Getting to know each other. Another thing they had in common, was they both loved comic books. Which surprised Sprout mostly. Izzy didn’t have that vibe about her that she was into comics. She was into Arachni-colt, while he was into Scare-Devil. They both talked about films based on them that they liked and disliked. Though, Izzy was more upbeat about them, whereas Sprout had issues with a few films.

“This is nice.” Sprout said. “I’m really glad we…had this date, Izzy.”

She blushed a little. “Thank you, Sprouty. I am too.”

The two were silent for a little bit, before Izzy asked a random question.

“Do you think…there could be other dates for us in the future, Sprouty?” She asked, making him look caught off guard.

“Because…I really like you.” She said nervously, fidgeting her hooves. Sprout could feel his mouth becoming dry with nervousness and panic. She said it. She actually said it.

A mare…a very pretty and attractive mare liked him. For him. And for the past week, this mare has been here for him through thick and thin. Regardless if she was criticized for it, she still did it. Because she liked him.

And the truth was….he felt the same way. He liked her too. He wanted to tell her that. But could he even do it?

“Sprouty?” Izzy asked.

He took a deep breath. In and Out. “Izzy, I….you’ve been helping me out a lot this whole week. And I thank you for it. And, these past few days…I admit, I’ve been feeling these feelings you have for me.”

Izzy gasped lightly. He felt the same way as her?

“I…I do….like you, Izzy.” He admitted.

Izzy almost felt like jumping in the air and screaming YES over and over and over again. She was gonna say something, before he spoke again.

“And that’s what scares me.” He said, making Izzy feel confused. What did he say?

“I…I’ve grown up my whole life being told how bad unicorns are. I listened to my Mother and it made me do bad things. Now….Now, I have romantic feelings for one. I just…feel like I don’t deserve you.” He said in a sad tone. The silence between them lasted only 30 seconds before Izzy spoke up again.

“You do.” She said, making him look at her.

“I get you feel tremendous guilt for your past. But that’s what it is. The past is the past for a reason. It’s not who you are anymore. You are a better stallion now than you were back then. And I see that in you, Sprouty. You…You do deserve to be happy. With me.” She said.

“How can you be so sure of that, though?” He asked her.

She then put her hoof on top of his. “Because I’m with you. No matter what.” She said in a determined, yet comforting way.

Sprout couldn’t believe that this mare, this unicorn mare, was this serious about being with him. Damn the looks from ponies, damn the comments he pretended not to hear, and damn the ponies who may hate him, and even her by association.

She liked him. And he liked her. That’s all that mattered and that’s all that needed to matter.

He put his hoof on top of hers now. “Okay. Maybe that’d be great, Izzy.”

She felt super happy to hear him say that. A super, happy Izzy.

The two had gotten down with their meal, and after he payed, the two left. After walking the VERY small distance from the restaurant to Bella and Vinny’s home, the two were now just standing there.

“I had a fun time with you tonight, Sprouty.” Izzy said, shyly looking away. She wondered if she should do it or not.

Sprout smiled. “Yeah. I did too. And I’m looking forward to another.” He said, turning for a split second to see if the door was unlocked. It was.

As he turned back, he was about to say something else, before she was shut up by Izzy planting a quick kiss on Sprout, full on the lips. Blushing as red as his coat, he was utterly silent, and in shock, of the quick act.

Also blushing, she nuzzled him. “Goodnight.” She whispered to him.

As she trotted away, it took a minute for him to regain his composure. He smiled that same giddy smile he did when she kissed him the first time.

He knew he had a story to tell Bella and Vinny.

Somewhere in Clopton

Bud Bloomington looked outside his window at the night sky. Tomorrow. Everything was going to go done tomorrow. Everything was going to change tomorrow.

He was going to be interviewed by his mother, Phyllis Cloverleaf. He couldn’t wait to see her. And he also couldn’t wait to see his little brother.

He knew what he was gonna do. He was going to completely blindside her. She may not believe him at first, but he had something on him that would immediately make her see that what he would tell her is the truth.

After all the pain and suffering he had been through all his life, after all the molestations by his adoptive mother, the brutal beatings by his adoptive father, the neglect and lack of love for him, it was all coming to ahead.

He would make her feel every ounce of pain, suffering and torment he’s felt all his life. And then he’d do something even worse before he ends her horrid life.

He would call his little brother to come to him. He knew that Sprout must be feeling the same as him. They were half brothers after all. And they had the same evil bitch of a mother. He had to have had just as terrible a foalhood as he did. When he and Sprout would meet, he knew Sprout would INSTANTLY jump at the chance to kill their mother together.

Then, they’d run off together. As brothers united. If he wanted to, he’d end Dodd and Sanguine’s lives as well. They weren’t his REAL siblings. He probably had no use for them anymore after tomorrow.

He smiled. He was a hero to the unwanted children of Equestria. He punished bad mothers who didn’t raise their foals good enough. That’s who he is. And that’s who he will be to his little brother.

Sprout and Bud. He liked the sound of that. He couldn’t wait until tomorrow.

Author's Note

Again, yes I know this is late. I apologize. I’ve been having newer interests lately, and admittedly, they’ve gotten in the way of me writing this story. But, I’m glad I got this out for all of you.

As for the next chapter, well guys, this will be the start of the end of this story. Yes. The next chapter is when everything comes to ahead.

Bud Bloomington comes to Maretime Bay. What’s gonna happen to Sprout and Phyllis? Will Izzy and Sprout be happy together? Will Zipp overcome her fears and doubts? Will Hitch finally catch the Mother Mutilator?

All I can say is….stay tuned.

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

Chapter 31: The Plan in Place

“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.

Chapter 33: The Eye of the Storm

“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.

Chapter 34: Brothers Meet

Jazz looked confused. They swore they saw Sunny, Sheriff Hitch and Detective Zipp running toward Canterlogic. Even from far away, she swore they looked really intense. They wondered what was going on here.

Pipp looked over at Jazz, looking confused. “Jazz? Everything okay?”

The stylist earth pony didn’t look back, but responded. “I just saw Hitch, Sunny and Zipp running towards Canterlogic. Like, real fast.”

Both Izzy and Pipp looked toward her. “What do you mean?” The pink Pegasus asked, as she now stood next to Jazz. Izzy joined too.

“Like I said, I just saw them running toward Canterlogic really fast. They looked kinda scared too.” Jazz said to them.

Pipp and Izzy, for whatever reason, started to feel a bit concerned now. Why would those three be running towards a place, while looking fearful? Especially Zipp, who’s normally not afraid of anypony or anything?

Unless…something really bad has happened over there.

“Pipp?” She heard Izzy ask her. When she looked toward her unicorn friend, she saw that Izzy was starting to look concerned now as well.

“What’s going on?” Izzy asked her, almost sounding innocent and childlike.

“I don’t know.” Pipp said, getting her phone out. “But I’m gonna find out.” She dialed her phone and called Zipp’s number. Now again, NORMALLY, Zipp would always answer on the second ring. Kind of like how ponies usually do.

This time, however, it only did a half ring on the first one, and Zipp answered.

“Pipp! Where are you?!” Zipp answered. Pipp felt her heart jump a little. That was certainly a way to greet somepony. And in the tone of her sister’s voice, she could tell that Zipp was scared. No, not just scared. More like terrified.

“I’m at Mane Melody. Why? What’s wrong? What’s going on?” Pipp asked, her voice rising, matching Zipp’s fear.

Izzy felt it too. Why was Pipp talking like that? She normally never does. Several other ponies in Mane Melody looked over at her now too.

“You need to stay there and lock the doors! There’s been a shooting at Canterlogic!”

Pipp felt her glorious pink coat turn white at Zipp’s statement. She couldn’t believe what she just heard.

“Pipp?” Izzy asked. “What’s going on?”

“What did you say?” Pipp asked her sister, while a small quiver could be found in her tone.

“Keep everypony inside and don’t let them leave! And no matter what happens, just stay there! Okay? Pipp…I love you. I love you, baby sister. Thanks for being there for me all week when I needed you. I gotta go now.” Zipp said, sounding very emotional, hanging up the phone.

Silence filled Mane Melody. Everypony just stared at the pink Pegasus. As they wondered why her voice rose during her conversation with her big sister, they saw Pipp’s phone drop out of her hooves and onto the ground. There was a look of fear in her eyes. Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Pipp, please. Talk to me. What’s going on?” Izzy asked, sounding on the verge of tears now as well.

With a quiver in her voice, Pipp told every pony the shocking news.

“There’s been a shooting at Canterlogic.”

The whole crowd gasped at Pipp’s revelation. A shooter? In Maretime Bay?

-Earlier with Bud & Phyllis-

“I surprised you when I showed up here, didn’t I, Mom?” Bud asked Phyllis in a sinister tone, as he looked over what he had done to her.

Phyllis was tied up to her chair with a some rope. The kind of rope that could hold a sailboat to a dock. Very strong. And very hard to get out of.

She was crying softly, due to the horrific beating she took. She knew that one or more of her ribs were broken after Bud kicked her there very hard. Her left eye was starting to swell after he punched her there a few times, also very hard. Her back was in pain, due to both him stomping on it, and taking the chair she was now tied up in and smashing her with it. She didn’t know for sure if her front left hoof was broken or not, but it hurt like hell for her, after he slammed it on her desk. But that wasn’t even the worst part.

She could feel the blood running down the side of her right cheek, after Bud had chomped down on her ear and then ripped part of it off. She remembered screaming in pain and begging him to stop. Screaming for help, but no pony came.

And she knew why. She too heard the gunshots downstairs. This son of a bitch planned everything. He wanted to get her alone with him, and when he got to do his sick, twisted acts to her, his accomplice would shoot up Canterlogic.

In a way, she was happy now that Sprout had quit. If he was here, he’d be caught in the crossfire. Or worse, he’d meet That THING. Little did she know that one of those things would make her worst fear come true.

She was surprised when he came over and slapped her right across the cheek where he bit part of her ear off.

“Look at me, you fucking bitch.” Bud ordered his victim to do. Phyllis reluctantly did, staring at the hideous abomination she gave birth to almost 40 years ago. He pulled back his chair he sat in when he was being interviewed and sat in it, facing his mother.

“Answer the fucking question. Did I surprise you?”

Phyllis nodded her head with true fear. Because it was true. Even if he did kill that mare on the beach, she never expected him to show up. Let alone at her place of business.

Bud smiled. “Good. I’m glad that you and I could see each other. At least, just this once. Before I take everything from you.”

“W-W-What do you want?” Phyllis asked, quivering in pain.

“Hmm.” Bud appeared to like that she said that. “Good question. You probably think I wanna kill you. And make no mistake, I will fucking kill you. Slowly. And painfully. Even worse than my other victims. But…I’m thinking about doing something else first. I’m thinking….humiliation.”

Phyllis looked surprised to hear that. What did he mean by that?

“I’m thinking…taking everything away from you. Your coworkers. Your business. And most of all…your other son. My baby brother.”

Her eyes shot open in fear. No. He seriously wasn’t thinking this, was he?

“Bud, please.” Phyllis begged. “Don’t harm Sprout. He’s done nothing to you. If you’re gonna kill me, just do and get it over with. Just please don’t hurt my son.”

Bud sneered at her pleading. “You think I’m gonna hurt my baby brother? Wow, you are clueless. That’s surprising, seeing as how you own a big business. I expected more.”

Phyllis now looked confused. If he wasn’t gonna hurt Sprout, what did he plan to do with him?

“You saying that just shows you know nothing about me. You know nothing about your first born foal. Well, let me tell you.” He said. He leaned back in his chair for about a second before sitting up straight again.

“Do you know what life was like for me at Lexi Orphanage? That place you dropped me off at all those years ago when I was just a baby? Do you?” He asked, now making Phyllis look guilty. She had a feeling he was going to say what she thought he was.

“Well, let me fucking tell you.” He said, his voice rising in anger, making Phyllis feel scared again.

“Issac and Lexi. You would think that, them opening an orphanage, they’d want to raise kids in a good environment. With love and attention. And that their kids would be their whole world. You’d think that, right?” Bud asked her, glaring at her, which made Phyllis nod her head.

“Well, apparently, somepony didn’t explain that to those pieces of trash. Every day, me and my adopted siblings had to endure abuse and neglect by them. Do you know what it’s like to sit at a dinner table and not talk about your day? Do you know what it’s like to be scared to even talk to them, because either they’d scream their head off at you or beat you?”

Bud stood up from his chair and started to pace the floor, making Phyllis nervous.

“Do you know what it’s like to use the same toothbrush for 15 years? Do you know what it’s like to have to eat fried and fast food for days on end, because they’d rather spend their money on drugs or alcohol? Do you know what it’s like to have the cheapest beds and sheets and pillows and blankets as possible, and deal with it, because if you complained, you’d get a beating?”

He took a deep breath, remembering all the things he went through as a child. All the anger and rage he felt for his adopted parents. He stopped pacing and looked back at Phyllis, who was both afraid of what he might do to her, and what he was gonna say next.

“And most of all, do you know what it’s like to be touched when you’re 7 years old? To take a shower with your adopted mother? And…” Bud growled at the trauma he was remembering. “Do you know what it’s like to lose your virginity when you’re 11 years old? And your first is your adopted mother?” Bud asked, somewhat sounding emotional, remembering all the sexual abuse and rape his adopted mother had put him through.

Phyllis was shocked. She didn’t know. She didn’t know how bad that place was. She was a young 15 year old filly. She just wanted to get rid of him. She had no idea that the ponies at Lexi were that much scum.

She started feeling remorse for her first born son. She wanted to say she felt completely sorry for him, but she couldn’t. Even with all the abuse, neglect and molestation he took, she still hated him. And couldn’t call him her son. No matter how much he was.

“I’ll answer that question for you. NO! YOU DON’T!” He screamed, making Phyllis flinch.

“And when me and my adopted siblings took control and ended their lives, that’s when I knew what my purpose in my life was. That’s when I knew…that I’m not a mistake. That I am here for a reason.” Bud said, trying not to let tears roll down his face.

Phyllis almost felt sympathy for him. Keyword being ALMOST, because he was still a serial killer.

“My purpose…is that I am a savior. I am a savior to the unwanted child. I punish bad mothers out there. The ones who don’t care about their foal. The ones who would rather be a whore and a slut. The ones who get drunk and high on the weekends. The ones who would rather have fun instead of being a mother to their child. That is who I am. I am the Mother Mutilator.” He said, as he got a bid close to her face.

“You’re sick, Bud. You need help.” Phyllis said.

“Oh, I need help? What about you? Abandoning her child? Throwing him away like he’s nothing? Who needs help here, Mom? Tell me.” Bud said to her, anger rising again.

“I got rid of you, because I was raped!” Phyllis shouted at him.

“Oh, you were raped, huh?” Bud said in a cynical tone. “Well, why didn’t you leave me with your family, huh?”

“The Bloomington’s didn’t want me to get an abortion. And if they did, you wouldn’t be here. Besides, you have no idea what it was like for me growing up being Liana and Aster Bloomington’s daughter. You probably still wouldn’t have had the childhood you wanted if one of the Bloomington’s raised you. ” Phyllis said angrily. The two were silent for a split second before she said, arguably, the coldest thing she has ever said to somepony. Let alone her own child.

“I admit I didn’t look too hard in looking for a better orphanage for you. But you’re lucky that I still dropped you off at one. Because if it were up to me, and I found a way to get away with it…..I would’ve killed you myself when I gave birth to you.”

Bud shook his head. “What did I ever do to you? What did I do to make you hate me?”

Phyllis shook her head in disgust at him. “You were born.”

The second that very sentence left her mouth, she felt her cheek sting as Bud slapped her again. She grunted in pain, but only looked back at her first born child with pity. Which made Bud angry.

Their conversation was interrupted as Bud’s phone went off. He knew who it was.

“What?” Bud asked, seething with anger.

“He's here. Sprout is here.” Sanguine said on the other line. Bud felt surprised to hear that. He couldn’t believe it.

“What are you talking about?” He asked, not really believing her.

“I mean, your little brother is here. Right in front of me. Bright red coat, bright yellow mane, and turnip for a cutie mark. It was really convenient.”

Bud now felt extremely nervous. And excited. He knew she was telling the truth. Sprout was here. His little brother was here. He was going to meet his little brother for the first time ever.

“Send him up. I want to see him.” Bud said, now hanging up the phone. He then looked back at Phyllis with an arrogant smile.

She started to feel scared again. Who was he talking about on the phone? What was gonna happen?

“Looks like I won’t need to go into town and look for him. Sprout has come here.”

Phyllis felt her coat turn white when Bud said that. No. Please, Celestia No. Sprout was here. And he, apparently, was taken hostage by Bud’s accomplice. And now he was being taken up here.

He was going to meet Bud Bloomington.

-/-

Sanguine had now hung up her phone, while still keeping her gun pointing in Sprout’s direction. She never took her eyes off of him once. Though, if he did try to run, she could’ve just shot at him, but intentionally missed. She knew that, if she did hurt him, Bud would be mega pissed at her. And she knew from previous experience that Bud being mad at her would not be good for her.

Thankfully, he didn’t move a muscle. Although, it wasn’t really because he was a hostage. It was because he was now seeing the damage that was done by her.

He heard all the cries, groans, whimpers and sobs from his former coworkers. He looked around the whole place and saw there were several ponies who were bleeding profusely, due to being shot by Sanguine. He only saw about 3 or 4 that were indeed dead.

One he saw in particular. Kodiak. He was the one who, before this whole mess started, said to Sprout that he didn’t care what he did when he went on a lunch break. Kodiak didn’t treat him very well. That said, he felt sick to his stomach to know that Kodiak’s last moment in life was being shot in the head by a psycho bitch with a gun.

He saw Sanguine put her phone away. “Let’s go upstairs. Time for you to meet your brother.” She said, ordering him to march in front of her. He did so.

They walked through the corridor of building, while she ignored the cries for help and pleas to not let them die of the victims she shot. Sprout wanted to help these ponies, but there was nothing he could do. Sanguine had a gun. And if he ran, she may pull the gun on every pony and finish them off. He only hoped that somepony in town heard all this and called Sheriff Hitch.

He then heard Sanguine hum to herself. He slightly turned his head to see what she was going. She appeared to be eyeballing him up and down. As if she was mentally undressing him.

“You know, you look a bit like Bud. Except the color palette. You’re a lot brighter and his is more darker. Even so, I’ll bet you’re great in the sack.” She said, while she caressed her tail up Sprout’s rump. He felt himself shiver in disgust. This mare was probably 10 or 11 years older than him. It made him sick.

“Well, we’ll see about that when we leave with you. I can’t wait for you to have a nice hot four way with us. Yeah, it’ll be kinda awkward having your brother there, but you’ll get used to it.” She said, in the most seductive voice she could summon. Sprout just felt like he was going to vomit. What kind of sick bitch is this mare?

They were now outside of Phyllis’ office on the second floor. This was it. He knew that Bud and Phyllis were here. He couldn’t mentally prepare himself for whatever was about to happen.

“Well, here we go. I’ll leave you guys alone. I’ve got a certain somepony I’ve gotta kill.” She said with a grin.

“But you said you wouldn’t kill anypony else!” Sprout said, now feeling scared again.

“I said I wouldn’t kill Judy. I never said anypony else. Besides, there’s somepony in particular I’ve been DYING to see for a long time. Well, good luck with Bud.” She said, now slamming in the door. “He’s here!”

“Come in.” Bud said. Even with the door closed, Sprout could tell this pony sounded somewhat nervous now.

Sanguine then left them to get back to what she was doing. She was going to hunt a certain janitor she knew from 20 years ago. She couldn’t wait to see him again. It’ll be nice to catch up with him.

And, of course, cut off his balls and cock, just like she did to her adopted father Issac all those years ago.

When Sprout saw her leaving, he took a deep breath. He could’ve ran away, but Sanguine would probably just chase after him. And Bud would probably kill his…their mother. He needed to save his mother. That was what mattered now.

Even if it cost him his life. He then put his hoof on the doorknob and opened it.

-/-

*BANG!BANG!*

Sanguine let off two more shots into a random Canterlogic worker. She laughed cruelly as Adonis begged for mercy, before putting two bullets in his face. He died, being deathly terrified of a crazed, psychopathic mare.

She also heard the whimpers and sobs of several other Canterlogic employees, who had been shot, but were only injured, not dead. Yet. She decided to go around and finish off every pony here. She’d find Reggie, and then do what she had planned for him. With that, she walked over to her first target.

Said target was a mare, who looked about in her late 20’s. She had an Artic Blue coat color, with a Cerulean blue mane. Her shoulder was shot, and the pain was so unbearable, she could barely stand up. The mare tried to get to the front door, but was stopped in her tracks when she saw Sanguine.

She let out a cry of terror, as she attempted to run faster toward the door. Her attempts were in vain, however, as she then felt a swift kick to her back. Her body hit the cold concrete floor. Sending shockwaves of pain shooting up through her body.

“Aww, going somewhere?” Sanguine mockingly asked the mare, as she then grabbed her by the mane and dragged her away from the door. With the mare screaming and pleading with her to stop and let her go.

Sanguine did let go of the mare’s mane, but then raised the gun to her face. The mare had tears running down her face.

“Please.” She begged with her life. “Don’t kill me. I have a kid at home.”

“Aw, you do?” Sanguine sarcastically asked, clearly making fun of her.

“What’s your kids name? And what’s yours?” The psychotic mare asked.

With noticeable blubbering in her voice, the mare answered her. “His name is Hydro. And-And I’m…Lazuline.”

“And how much do you love your kid, Lazuline? Is he your whole world? Would you give ANYTHING for him?!” She raised her voice in that last part.

Lazuline nodded her head yes with fear. All she wanted now was to go home. And be with her son. Her whole world.

“The fact that you’re working for a fucking cunt like Phyllis Cloverleaf, shows that you must be a bad mother. Quite frankly, Hydro is better off without you.” Sanguine said, now anger showing on her face. She cocked the gun, which lead to more pleading from Lazuline.

Little did Sanguine know…that everything she just said was heard by somepony. Somepony she was looking for.

“Let her go!” Reggie called out, causing both Lazuline and Sanguine to turn their heads in that direction. He had a Trashcan lid that he threw in their direction like a frisbee. As luck would have it, it was a complete direct hit.

“ARGH!” Sanguine shouted in pain, as she fell backwards. The lid may have been plastic, but it was still heavy and could pack a punch if it needed to.

When Samguine fell, Lazuline turned to Reggie’s direction.

“LAZULINE! RUN!!” He said, running toward Sanguine, while rolling a Trashbarrel with him.

In those few seconds, Lazuline forced herself up, and quickly ran toward the exit, terrified with her life.

Before Sanguine could react, Reggie had then forcefully shoved the rolling trash barrel right into her side. With her now on the ground, Reggie saw this as his chance. Now, normally, Reggie considered himself a gentle colt. Never in his life would he EVER lay his hooves on a mare. And he went his whole life doing that.

However, sometimes, there are instances where one has to say “Fuck That” to being a gentle colt. Especially, if the mare was a dangerously psychotic individual, who just shot and killed a bunch of ponies. Some who he knew pretty well, and even was friends with.

So with that, before Sanguine could raise her gun toward him, Reggie kicked her right in the face. And due to the force of the kick, her gun flew out of her hoof. She was stunned from the kick. He then punch her right in the face, knocking her to the ground.

Reggie was about to deliver another blow to her, before he finally got a good look at her. Like earlier with the stallion, who went into Phyllis’ office for an interview, he also swore this mare looked familiar to him. It took him about a few minutes to finally figure it out. To say he was shocked at this revelation, would be an understatement.

“Sanguine Sauvignon. You were one of the survivors of the Lexi Orphanage fire 20 years ago.” Reggie said, causing Sanguine to laugh crazily. And also with some pain, as she stood up from the blows she took.

“Looks like you still haven’t lost your touch after all, old man.” She said, blood running down her nose and bottom lip. He was sure her nose was broken. He put two and two together again, before he felt a chill run down his spine as the revelation kicked into him.

“Then that means….Bud Bloomington is up there with Mrs. Cloverleaf.” He said, sounding terrified. Sanguine laughed again.

Reggie then had a face of pure hate and anger toward her. “All those years. Of me trying to desperately find you and your two accomplices. You killed those ponies at Lexi Orphanage and then burned it down.”

“Yeah, and what if we did, huh? Issac and Lexi deserved to die.” She let out a small laugh at the memory of her torturing and killing those evil bastards. “Especially Issac. After what he did to me when I was only 10.”

He swore he thought he heard a very, very small and subtle sob from her, remembering the abuse, and apparent rape, of her. So, it turns out the gossip column was correct. Her and the rest of the Lexi Orphanage kids were molested and raped by their own adopted parents. No wonder they were so fucked up now.

“I understand killing Isaac and Lexi, but why kill your younger siblings? They were just little kids. They couldn’t hurt you.” Reggie asked.

“They were weak. They wouldn’t survive in the world we lived in. We sent them to heaven. They’re much better off.”

With disgust and rage, Reggie punched Sanguine one last time. This time, knocking her unconscious. He shook his head in disgust at her. He definitely felt SOME sympathy for all the abuse and torment she and her two other accomplices received from Issac and Lexi. However, what he felt most for her, was pity. A pity of a mare she was.

He grabbed her body and lifted her over his shoulder. Also, noticing the gun was not too far away from her, he went over and picked it up. He then went over to the exit and opened the front door. Thankfully, he saw that help was coming right away. Sheriff Hitch Trailblazer, Sunny Starscout, and Zipp Storm were racing toward him. He waived them over to him.

“Reggie!” Hitch cried.

“It was her.” Reggie said. “Sanguine Sauvignon. I’ll explain everything about her later.”

“We know! We know about Lexi Orphanage!” Zipp said frantically. Reggie looked confused.

“No time to explain. We gotta get inside. There’s a bomb.” Sunny cried, completely freaking out. Reggie felt his face turn white with horror.

“Bomb? What are you talking about?” He asked.

“The other accomplice, Dodd Winchester. He said that Bud Bloomington has a bomb! They’re gonna blow up Canterlogic!” Hitch said, with true panic in his voice. Reggie felt his fear double.

“We gotta get every pony out of here!” Reggie told him. “And we need to put this bitch somewhere she won’t escape.”

Zipp then grabbed Sanguine and hoof cuffed her to a random flag pole. She was unconscious, and therefore didn’t fight back.

Hitch, Reggie and Sunny looked surprised. “I grabbed a few hoof cuffs before we left.” Zipp said.

“Okay.” Reggie said, now getting serious. “You guys go up there and get Mrs. Cloverleaf. I’ll try and get any other survivors out of here.”

“But what about you?” Sunny asked.

Reggie sighed. “Whatever happens, happens. Don’t worry about me. Just get Mrs. Cloverleaf. If the bomb goes off, and I’m not with you guys, just get her to safety. Promise?” He said.

Hitch, Sunny and Zipp knew they couldn’t let anypony die, but they had no time. They needed to find Sprout and Phyllis and get them out of here. And find a way to make sure the bomb doesn’t go off. So with that, they all nodded their heads. Reggie did the same. He then gave the hoof gun to Hitch, and then ran back inside to find any survivors.

Hitch, Sunny and Zipp all looked at each other. This could be it for all of them. They were about to confront a psychopathic serial killer, who had their friend and his mother held hostage. However way this goes, nothing was gonna be the same for them.

“Hitch?” Zipp said, getting his attention.

“I’m so sorry for everything.” She said, obviously meaning what happened with her and Sprout a little over a week ago.

He put a hoof on her shoulder, and then hugged her. Hugged her tight. Sunny joined them, letting out a soft sob. This may be the last time she would ever see her friends again. At least they would go out being friends still.

When they let go, Hitch looked up at Canterlogic, with a determined look on his face.

“Let’s go save our friend.” He said, as he, Sunny and Zipp stormed inside.

- Earlier -

The door opened, and Sprout couldn’t move at what he was seeing. It was a sight he never imagined he’d ever see. And now that he’s seen it, he knew it’ll plague his nightmares for the rest of his life.

His mother was tied up to her chair. Her face was beaten severely. Her eye was blackened. Worst of all, part of her ear was missing. It looked like it had been ripped off.

Then…he looked at the stallion. This well built, muscular looking stallion. He had a dark peach coat with a dark blonde mane.

As the two locked eyes with each other, Sprout knew exactly who this stallion was. This was the one who killed Lilac Summers. The one who was the serial killer dubbed “The Mother Mutilator.” The one who Phyllis kept a secret from all these years.

He was looking at his older brother. Bud Bloomington.

The silent stare down between them lasted for about 2 minutes. Just them two looking deep at each other. Deep into each other’s eyes.

Then, Sprout saw Bud smile at him. And it wasn’t like how Sanguine smiled at him earlier. All evil and arrogant and whatnot. No. This was different.

The way Bud smiled at Sprout…one would think that it was like an emotional reunion between two loved ones, who had been separated for years with each other. Because, when Bud smiled at him, it was a genuine, loving smile. He even looked choked up, looking at him.

Bud approached him. Sprout, in that split second, wanted to run away. He was worried his brother might try to kill him. But before he could even do that, something different happened.

Bud wrapped his hooves around his little brother. Embracing him. Hugging him.

“Sprout Cloverleaf. My baby brother.” Bud said, actually sounding a bit emotional here. Which made Sprout feel a bit uneasy here. This guy was a sadistic, psychopathic serial killer, and yet, here he was hugging him. And feeling emotional about it.

Bud closed the door behind Sprout. Not realizing, he didn’t lock it. Which, Sprout noticed. He was then let go by him.

Sprout felt his mane being stroked and petted by Bud in a way that seemed affectionate. “I’m your big brother. Bud Bloomington. I’m here to save you, little brother.”

Sprout couldn’t speak. What could he even say to this lunatic stallion? Frankly, any wrong thing said could set him off. And if it came down to physical strength, he’d be a dead pony. Because, Bud was super strong. And Sprout barely had any upper body strength at all.

“Oh, you’re confused. I know. I understand. Well, let me explain.” Bud said, backing away from him. His face then looked intense.

“I know everything about you, little brother. I know about the giant machine of doom from two years ago. I know that you tried to start a war with the pony races.” Bud said to him. Hearing everything that he did in the past made Sprout hang his head in shame.

“And I also know what you’ve been through. I know, that you’ve been ostracized. You’ve been ignored and pushed away. And so many ponies hate your guts. I know this.” Sprout couldn’t deny that what Bud was saying was true. He had been through that after what he did two years ago.

“Well, I’m here to tell you something, little brother. It’s not your fault. You wanna know whose fault it is? You wanna know who caused you to do that? You wanna know who made you like that?” Bud asked him, his anger intensifying. Which Sprout found intimidating.

Bud pointed at Phyllis, who tried to speak, but couldn’t, due to the fear she felt inside of her as well. “Her. She’s responsible.”

Sprout felt his lip quiver. “She made you like that. She’s just like every bad mother out there. She doesn’t give a damn about her kid. She acts like it, but deep down, she doesn’t care about you. She never cared about either of us.” Bud said.

Sprout couldn’t stop staring at his mother. When the two of them locked eyes, she saw the fear and sadness in her eyes. After everything Sunny had told him, he knew that she’d been through so much when she was young. Even now.

“And bad mothers like her? They need to be….” Bud had said, before reaching into his briefcase. Sprout looked terrified at what he his older brother had taken out.

“…Punished.” Bud said, now brandishing a kitchen knife. Phyllis let out a terrified whimper.

Bud put the knife in Sprout’s hoof. “I know what you’ve been through, little brother. I know what it’s like…to feel like an outcast. To feel like you don’t belong. But, with you and I together, we can be something. We can do great things together. And that’s why…I want you to have the first shot with the knife. Go ahead. Stab that fucking bitch. And then, we can run away together, little brother. You’ll be free. No judgments or demands from me. We are brothers united. Brothers forever.” Bud said to him.

Sprout looked at the knife in his hooves. Now, a lot of the things Bud said to him, whether he liked it or not, were true. Sprout had felt like an outcast. Like he didn’t belong. Especially, after his rampage two years ago.

However, he also knew, that Bud here was a complete psychopath. Sure, maybe they’d been through similar things. But, Bud knows NOTHING about him. He was frankly surprised that Bud just GAVE him the knife. He almost has a good mind to stab him to death right here and now and get Phyllis out of here.

However, again, Bud outweighed him by almost 100lbs. Bud was much more stronger than him. Also, he grew up in Clopton. A very tough town to grow up in. He’d see it coming from a mile away.

That’s when Sprout came up with an idea. He only hoped that it would work. Because, if it didn’t, both him and Phyllis would die here today.

He looked towards his mother with an angry look on her face. As he took a few steps towards her, she felt confused and scared. Did Sprout choose Bud over her? Was her little Sugercube truly gone forever now?

“Mom?” Sprout said, with his lip quivering even more now. Which made Phyllis’ heart crack.

“Everything Bud here is saying is true. All my life, I wanted to be like you. I wanted to be everything you were. You were my idol.” Tears started forming in his eyes.

“And that was my biggest mistake in life. I’ve heard so many ponies call me a piece of shit. And you know what? They’re right!” He yelled out loud, causing Phyllis to flinch a little bit.

“All of them are right. I AM a piece of fucking shit. And you wanna know why: I’m a piece of shit for listening to you all my life! I never should’ve listened to you.” More tears rolled down his face.

Phyllis felt her heart break hearing that. Even if it hurt her to hear that, she couldn’t deny that what he was saying wasn’t wrong. She made him do what he did two years ago. It was all her fault for not being a better mother.

“And frankly, I should’ve been Bella and Vinny’s son. They would’ve raised me better than you EVER did.”

Now Phyllis felt her heart completely break when he said that. Did that mean that he didn’t love her anymore? Was their relationship over? Although, again, she didn’t blame him for thinking that. Bella and Vinny would’ve been WAY better parents to him than she was as a mother.

“And you abandoned your child.” Sprout said, looking angry with her. “You didn’t give a damn about his health or safety or wellbeing. You just threw him away like he was nothing. A broken toy. Man, that’s so wrong. SO WRONG!”

At this point, both Phyllis and Sprout were crying their eyes out. All the emotions and frustrations and anger were all out of him. And there would be no going back from that.

Bud smirked at Phyllis. He did it. He had won. He had gotten his little brother over to his side. He walked right next to him and put a comforting hoof on Sprout’s shoulder.

“Get what you fucking deserve, mother.” Bud said in a smug way. Phyllis had hung her head in sadness. He was right. He had won. She accepted that she was going to die right here. And she felt she deserved it for being a bad mother all these years.

“Bud?” Sprout said, getting his attention. Phyllis looked confused at this. What was he doing?

“Before I do what I’m about to do, can I tell you something as well?” He asked him, sounding as sincere as he could be.

“Of course.” Bud said, looking supportive of his little brother. “Anything.”

Sprout took a deep breath. He just hoped this plan would work. If it didn’t, he may……

“After I found about you, I’ll be honest, I was in denial. I didn’t believe it. But then, after reality set in, I looked into everything to find out who you were and where you were. And after everything I read, I wanna say something that I don’t think our Mother would ever say to you.”

He paused for a quick moment, before he put a gentle hoof on Bud’s shoulder. Which surprised Bud a little bit.

“I acknowledge you.” He said with a warm tone. Bud felt his lip start to quiver now.

“I acknowledge you as my big brother.” Sprout said, now making Bud sniffle emotionally. Phyllis didn’t know what to think now. Had Bud truly taken Sprout to his side? What was going on here?

“And I know everything about what happened to you at Lexi Orphanage. I’m so sorry. For everything you went through. I can’t imagine the pain and suffering you’ve been through. You should’ve had a family that loved you.” Sprout said, with true compassion in his eyes. By now, Bud had tears rolling down his face. He knew his little brother would understand him. And he was right.

He sniffled again. “It’s okay, little brother. We’re together now. That’s all that matters.”

Sprout had stroked his older brother’s arm very affectionately. “I only wish I could’ve known who you were a long time ago. After all, I always wanted a brother. And you’re right. We do have a lot in common.”

Bud nodded his head, while tears rolled down his face. After all the trauma, abuse, neglect, and molestation he went through, he finally found his little brother. He now had a real family.

“All I wanted was love.” Bud said. “All I wanted was family. And now I have it.”

“Yeah.” Sprout said, still stroking his brother’s arm. “But, even so, I know I can’t fix you. It’s too late.” Bud looked confused hearing that.

“If only I knew who you were a long time ago, maybe you wouldn’t be this….delusional….crazy….pathetic excuses for a stallion, with bigger mommy issues than anypony could imagine.” Sprout said, strangely still showing compassion for his brother.

Bud was even more confused now. “Pathetic? B-B-But you said we’re alike.”

“We are.” Sprout said, with a disappointed, sad and angry look on his face, he then told his older brother what he truly thought of him.

“You’re a piece of fucking shit.” He said softly, before he finally set his plan into action.

After Bud heard that, he felt the knife he gave Sprout plunge into his stomach. Which shocked Phyllis tremendously. He chose her. Bud didn’t cause Sprout to go with him. Amazingly, he only gave a shocked grunt. He didn’t scream in pain or anything. The shock from the stab was simply too great for him.

As the blood poured out of Bud’s abdomen, Sprout pulled it out with as much force as he could. While Bud was hunched over, grabbing his stomach wound, Sprout then raised the knife in the air and plunged it as deep as he could into the top of Bud’s shoulder. This time, Bud did let out a small groan of pain from that.

Sprout used as much force as he could to then knock Bud onto the floor. And with that force, the blade dug even more into Bud’s shoulder. He then took the blade out of his brother’s shoulder, which caused blood to pour out of Bud like a stuck pig. As Bud lay there on the ground, Sprout quickly ran to his mother.

“Mommy, let’s get out of here.” He said, as he started cutting the ropes as fast as he could. It was tough, however. With Sprout not having the brute strength of his brother, and the style of the ropes, he would need somepony else to help him.

His attempts stopped when he heard the grunts and groans of his older brother. Sprout was shocked. Bud was getting up of his own volition. With his stomach and shoulder bleeding profusely. But he didn’t care, apparently. Both He and Phyllis looked on in fear, as the now wounded, pissed off stallion stood up. Sprout continued trying to cut Phyllis out.

“Sugercube.” She whispered to Sprout. “Just stop. Run. Get out of here. If I die, then at least I knew I was protecting my son. Please, sweetheart. Just get out of here.”

Sprout didn’t listen. No way in hell was he gonna leave his mother with this psychopath. He intensified his cutting, to the point where he managed to get one part of the ropes severed.

Bud then walked over to the suitcase he brought in. He let out an angry laugh.

“I see she’s blinded you, little brother. I tried to be peaceful with you. But, I guess I’m gonna have to use force.” He said, as he then picked up said briefcase.

“I’ll never go anywhere with you! You fucking lunatic!” Sprout cried, still attempting to cut his mother loose.

Bud opened the briefcase and then pounded on something in it. The next sound made both Phyllis and Sprout turn toward it. And what they saw next made them turn white with fear.

A little screen on one of the inner sides of the briefcase showed a countdown clock. 5:00…4:59…4:58…4:57…”

“You’ve got a bomb?!” Sprout asked in fear.

Bud nodded his head with sadistic glee. “I told you I was gonna take everything from our mother. And this whole building is one of them. Now, little brother, you’ve got two choices. 1, you can leave with me, and allow this place to be blown sky high. Or 2, I beat the shit out of you, kill our mother, and blow this place up anyway. Besides, once the button is pushed, you can’t do anything to stop it. This place is gonna be destroyed anyway. So, what’s it gonna be?” He threatened his little brother.

Sprout didn’t know what to do. He could leave his mother here. But, at least Bud wouldn’t harm her physically. However, if he doesn’t go with him, his mother will be violently assaulted and murdered. And he’ll be abducted and taken from Maretime Bay. He was in utter turmoil. What should he do?

*CRASH!!!*

Sprout, Bud and Phyllis were startled at the sound of the door breaking down. It was Hitch, Sunny and Zipp.

“FREEZE MOTHERFUCKER!!” Hitch yelled, while holding a gun on him. Sprout saw that that must be the same gun that Sanguine used. He must’ve overpowered her and taken it.

Sunny and Zipp looked at the briefcase in Bud’s hooves. They gasped in terror at the clock counting down. 4:28…4:27…4:26…

“That’s the bomb!” Zipp cried.

Bud laughed at them. “Oh, Hitch and Sunny. My little brother’s childhood friends. And Zipp Storm. You ruined Sprout’s life, you little bitch.” Zipp then saw him. This was the guy. Bud Bloomington. The serial killer known as The Mother Mutilator. Because of the hate and rage she was feeling, she lunged right at him.

“ZIPP! NOOO!” Hitch yelled in fear. But it was too late. With one hoof, Bud grabbed Zipp by the neck. She could barely breathe. She tried kicking him, but it was no use. He was too strong.

“Let her go! And diffuse the bomb!” Hitch said, still holding the gun on him. Sunny had then went over to Sprout and started to help him untie Phyllis.

“Diffuse? Heh. Once the button was hit, you can’t do anything about it. This place is gonna go boom.” Bud said, still holding Zipp by the throat. Hitch was terrified hearing that. If they couldn’t diffuse the bomb, then Canterlogic was going to be destroyed.

“But, if you want the bitch, then take her.” He then threw Zipp at Hitch with all the force he had. Zipp’s body slammed into Hitch. The wind was knocked out of both of them.

Sunny, Sprout and Phyllis were all scared at what was unfolding. Sprout kept cutting with the knife, while Sunny tried untangling as best she could to get Phyllis free. Their attempts were starting to be successful, as Sprout had now cut two pieces of rope, while Sunny had managed to untangle one of them. They only had two more ropes to untangle to free Phyllis.

“What are you two doing?! I told you to run! Just leave me!” Phyllis said, very emotionally, knowing this may be her last moment with her son and his friends.

Bud then turned his head towards them. He charged at them, kneeing Sprout in the side. With the force, the knife he had was knocked out of his hoof. Sunny attempted to grab it, but was then punched in the face by Bud. He kicked her in her ribs extremely hard, causing Sunny to lose her breath a little bit. He saw the knife on the floor and then grabbed it.

He looked at Phyllis. “I’m saving you for last.”

His attention was then turned to Zipp and Hitch. He trotted towards them. He saw that Zipp was trying to leave, but was having difficulty, due to the hard blow she took. Bud came over and closed the door. He looked down at her. This was the bitch that ruined his little brother’s life. The one who accused him of the crime HE committed.

He then gave her a swift, hard kick to her gut as well. Hitch got up and then attempted to charge at him. Bad mistake. Bud had his knife now. He used that very knife to stab Hitch right in his shoulder, causing him to scream in pain. He stabbed him two more times, which made Hitch fall to the floor. Blood pouring out of Hitch’s shoulder like a faucet.

Bud then turned his attention to Zipp. He grabbed her by her mane and violently slammed her into the wall. He grabbed her by her throat again. This time, he was gonna do what he always did to bad mothers. Granted, she wasn’t a mother, but in this case, he’d make an exception for her. He raised his knife at her.

Sprout, by this point was seeing everything that was going on. His friends were being beaten down and tortured by his evil, older brother. He was seeing his friends be hurt, and he couldn’t do anything about it.

What could he even do anyway? He was always a coward. He was always the type to run away from a fight. He could never stand up and fight on his own. Or for anypony.

No more. He was done being a coward. This time…he was going to protect his family and friends.

Even if it cost him his life.

He looked toward his mother and then at Sunny. Then he turned to Hitch and Zipp. They were his friends. And they needed his help. He looked toward his mother, who was now feeling scared. Why was he looking at her like that?

He stood up and wrapped his hooves around her tied up body. “I love you…Mommy.” He said, letting out a soft sob.

“AAAHHHHHH!!!!” Zipp cried out in pain, as the blade dug into her flank. He stabbed one of her wings, yanking out a few feathers. As the blood oozed out of her body, he laughed in sadistic joy.

“This is the end for you.” Bud said, as he attempted to finish her off. He was gonna shove his blade into Zipp’s marehood. What happened next… it was almost like it was in slow motion.

Sprout ran toward them, once he saw that Bud was gonna finish her off. He couldn’t let Zipp die here. No matter what she did to him, she wasn’t gonna die like this. He ran as fast as he could. Sunny and Hitch, while in excruciating pain, looked at what was about to happen.

Zipp prepared for the worst, having her eyes closed. He was gonna kill her right here. She just awaited for the blade to go into her. But that didn’t happen. She heard a gasp, which came from her assailant, Bud Bloomington. She opened her eyes, and they widened in terror at what she just saw.

Sprout had just dove in front of her, taking the blade shot to his gut.

Chapter 35: Canterlogic Ends

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Chapter 36: Aftermath of Canterlogic

BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMM!!!!!!

Every pony in Mane Melody felt their hearts stop. The Pippsqueaks screamed in terror at the incredibly loud sound. They looked out the window, only to see a massive fireball in the sky. Smoke blowing everywhere.

“ZIIIIIIIPPPPP!!!” Pipp cried out in horror at what she was seeing. Zipp had just called her not too long ago. Telling her to stay where she was. That there was an active shooter at Canterlotic. And now there was an explosion over there. She was absolutely terrified that she didn’t make it out of there.

Her attention was then turned to Izzy, who burst out of the front doors of Mane Melody.

“Izzy, NO!” Pipp yelled, chasing after her. Despite her having wings, Izzy was a fast runner.

“SPROUTY!!!” Izzy cried out, while racing toward Canterlogic. Tears of fear running down her face. She didn’t care how dangerous or scary this situation was. She needed to see if Sprouty was okay. She only hoped as she ran toward Canterlogic.

She would find out later that Hope was everything she needed after today. For her and for everypony.

Queen Haven felt her blood run cold when she saw the massive fireball appear out of nowhere. She saw it was coming from Canterlogic.

“Oh my God.” Alphabittle said softly in utter shock.

“ZIIIIPPPP!!! PIIIIPPPP!!!” Queen Haven wailed in terror at what she was seeing. Where were her babies? Were they safe?

Bella felt her heart stop for a quick moment after hearing the explosion she just heard. She looked outside her window. Her eyes widened in horror.

Though Canterlogic was a bit of a ways, she could still see the smoke and flares from here. She knew where that explosion had come from. And worse, Sprout was over there just now. She felt chills run down her spine. She had never felt so scared in all her life.

She needed to get Vinny. Right now.

“GET HIM TO THE BACK! THIS GUY IS SERIOUSLY HURT!” Yelled one of the medics, who was rushing toward the emergency medical and trauma section of the hospital.

With Sunny running close behind them, Sprout was being wheeled back on a gurney. He had a breathing mask on his muzzle, as he had passed out from the pain and blood loss he suffered from the stab wound. There were cloths on his stomach to try and keep more blood from pouring out of his body.

There were about 8 or 9 medical ponies in total, now wheeling Sprout into the Emergency surgery section. Sunny was about to follow them, on instinct and pure emotion, but was then stopped by one of them.

“Ms. Starscout, I’m sorry but we cannot allow you back here. Personnel only.” He said, keeping her away from the doors.

“But Sprout’s my—“

“I KNOW he’s your friend.” He said to her, clearly showing concern for both her and Sprout. “But this is our job now. All you can do now is wait and hope for the best. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing else you can do now.”

As the medical pony ran through the doors, Sunny was now left all alone. All she did was stare at the doors Sprout and the medics went through. Thinking about the last words he said to her before passing out.

“Thank you for forgiving me.”

Her legs felt weak. Her body fell to her right side toward the wall. Tears fell down her face, as she slid down the wall slowly. When she fell to the floor, she sobbed her heart out.

Several ponies who crowded the building that used to be Canterlogic, were now walking away, and with their hooves covering their faces. The smoke and the heat started to sting their eyes and they were worried about smoke inhalation. It was unbearable for them.

However, some ponies still stayed. There were some that had loved ones in there. Hitch knew at that point that the already dead ones were the ones they were talking about.

Also, several orderlies had left to take the victims of the shooting to the hospital. Now, there were about only 3 or 4 ponies on the scene. Looking on at the shock of the sight they were looking at

Reggie, Phyllis, Hitch and Zipp could only stare in horror at the burning building. Canterlogic was now gone. A place where Hitch grew up, running through the hallways with Sprout and Sunny as a child, was now destroyed. And there was nothing they could do about it.

His thoughts and emotions were interrupted, when he heard psychotic cries of glee. It was Sanguine Sauvignon. Still hoofcuffed to the post, she was flailing her body and whooping and hollering like a mad dog at the explosion she and her adopted siblings had created.

Zipp and Hitch looked on in anger at her. She was the one who shot and killed several ponies. Innocent ponies who have families. Friends. Lovers. Several ponies who mean a lot to them. Now, taken away by a crazed mare with a gun.

Then she stopped. She looked completely shocked. It was so odd for them. First, she went from wails and sobs of heartbreak after Bud had fallen from the window of Canterlogic, before the explosion. Then, she was cheering like crazy with glee at the explosion. Now, she looks stunned for some reason. Then she smiles.

Reggie, Phyllis, Hitch and Zipp look to where she is looking at. They share the same look of shock as well. They couldn’t believe what they were seeing. It’s impossible. It can’t be.

After having his head bashed in and falling almost 20 feet to the ground, slowly….ever so slowly….

Bud Bloomington was starting to sit up, while grunting and huffing with severe pain.

Phyllis was horrified. How? How could he survive that? How could ANYPONY survive that? Zip and Hitch were just as horrified as well. They had never seen anything like this before in their lives.

Reggie just stared. He wasn’t shocked. Also growing up in Clopton, you were raised to be tough as nails. You were either tough, or you learned to be tough eventually. He pulled out the gun he picked up before the explosion.

“This guy is the Mother Mutilator.” Hitch said, grunting in pain. Reggie looked at him. “He’s the guy who killed the mare on the beach over a week ago. He planned this whole thing.”

As Hitch told Reggie all this, Bud had officially sat up on his own. With all the injuries he suffered, it was beyond belief to see him even moving.

“Hitch, Zipp, Phyllis, go to the hospital. Check and see if Sprout is okay. I’m gonna finish this.” He took a step forward towards Bud, who just stared at him with anger and hate. Though, he was having a hard time standing.

“Reggie….” Phyllis said, clearly worried about him. She touched his arm with affection.

“This ends now. The Mother Mutilator and his crimes….are coming to an end.” He said, stepping toward Bud. Phyllis looked on at him. She was scared, but she was inspired also. What a brave stallion Reggie is.

“Reggie.” Zipp said, getting his attention. “There’s a third accomplice. He’s in the jail cell at Hitch’s office. He’s a Clopton Police Officer. Winthorpe. Or Dodd Winchester.”

“All the evidence is there. I give you full permission to give it to one of your guys in Clopton.” Hitch said.

Reggie nodded. “Understood. Now go.”

As a few of the medical ponies began to escort them to the hospital, Reggie was now standing a few feet away from Bud Bloomington, who was trying his hardest to stand and fight. He could feel his back may be broken from such a high fall. Blood was pouring out of the back of his head, his shoulder and stomach from where he was stabbed, and his ribs were broken.

Reggie gave him a look of anger. “You know, I could blame you and your adopted siblings for making me put my work ahead of my family. I could blame you for making me lose them. I could blame you for making me quit something I loved to do. But, at the end of the day, I only blame myself. Everything that happened to me, when you and your siblings started your crimes, I did it to myself.”

Bud, by this point, had managed to make himself stand up. The pain shooting through his back was so painful, it felt like he could go paralyzed at any moment. His head wound felt like his brain would slip out of the back of his skull in less than a minute. But, even so, he didn’t care. If he was going down, he’s going down his way.

“And, really, I should’ve arrested Issac and Lexi the first time we went out there. I had a gut feeling that they were garbage ponies. And I was right. But I was also right about you.” He pointed the gun at Bud, who was walking super slowly toward him.

“I knew when I saw you, there was evil in you. But, I know you weren’t born that way. You were made by them. And I’m so sorry for what you went through all your childhood. You and your adopted siblings should’ve had a better life. Instead of the ones you've lived.”

Bud kept slowly walking toward Reggie. With pain shooting through his body, he started to reach for Reggie’s gun.

“Good thing it’s finally over.”

BANG!BANG!BANG!

Reggie shot Bud in the face twice and once in the forehead. After about half a second, Bud finally fell to the ground. Blood pouring out of his face and skull. He didn’t need to do a double take for this one. He knew it now.

Bud Bloomington was dead. The Mother Mutilator was no more. The nightmare, for all the family members of the victims, was over.

His attention was then turned to screams and cries of sorrow. Though, they also had screams of somepony who was mad with insanity. He saw Sanguine pulling on the hoofcuff chain, basically trying to de glove her hoof from it. To try and get to Bud Bloomington. The pony she saw get shot and killed right in front of her.

He shook his head with pity and anger. He probably should kill her too. After all, she was the gun mare. She was the one who killed a bunch of his coworkers. She absolutely deserved to die right here by his hoof.

Reggie trotted over to the crazed, grief filled mare. She saw this and her eyes were now full of hate.

“So, are ya gonna kill me too, huh?! Well, go ahead! At least I’ll get to be with Bud! I bet you feel all badass and high and mighty and shit! Well, you aren’t! YOU didn’t do shit 40 years ago! YOU didn’t care about us! All you cops don’t give a shit about the REAL victims! You only care about the ones who benefit you! You only—“ *SMACK!*

Her rant was interrupted when Reggie slammed the barrel of the gun on top of Sanguine’s head. Knocking her unconscious again. This time, a small trickle of blood dripping out of her.

“Shut the fuck up.” Reggie said, almost annoyed with her then he was angry. He looked around and saw he didn’t have a key to free her. He couldn’t break the cuffs himself. Maybe when he was in his early to mid 20’s, but not in his mid 50’s.

He also knew that Hitch was in his way to the hospital. He wouldn’t be able to help him. So, Reggie did the next best thing. He got his phone out. He dialed a number he hadn’t dialed in an along time. He only hoped this number was still active. After a few rings, he was relieved to hear that voice on the other line.

“Hey. Long time no see, Reggie.”

“Yeah, it has Stone.”

“So, what’s up?”

“I need you and some of your guys to come to Maretime Bay.”

“Maretime Bay? Why, to neuter us?” The pony laughed at his own joke. Reggie rolled his eyes with a chuckle.

“No. He’s been found.”

“Who?”

Reggie took a deep breath at what he was about to say. “The Mother Mutilator. He’s dead. I killed him.”

“….what?” Stone said, sounding completely in disbelief.

“I’ll explain everything. Just get over here now. There’s been a shooting and explosion at Canterlogic over here.”

“Oh My God. Are you okay?”

“You know me. Now just get your ass over here. Meet me at the hospital. I’ll be there.” Reggie said, before hanging up. He truly hoped that Stone would come. He only hoped that he would be interested enough in the Mother Mutilator case FINALLY being over.

Though, it was his old partner, who was now the Captain of the Clopton Police Department. He knew him pretty well. So, he had a feeling he would show up.

He turned and saw the final two orderlies look at him with fear in their eyes. They saw him straight up murder a pony. And then bash a mare in the head.

“These two are responsible for all of this.” Reggie said, waving his hoof at the firey sight of Canterlogic. “I hope you two understand what I did.”

All they did was stare in shock for a couple more seconds, before getting to the last few ponies. That being Bud Bloomington and Sanguine Sauvignon. One of the orderlies was a mare, who had a pin in her mane. She used to unlock the hoofcuffs on Sanguine’s hoof. She carried her unconscious body towards one of the carriages that would take her to the hospital.

When she came back, her and the other orderly, this one being a young stallion, had put Bud’s body on the gurney. Though that wasn’t all there was. His body was put in a black body bag. They zipped him up, knowing he would be taken to the coroner’s office.

As the final orderlies were leaving, Reggie heard the fire department sirens. He knew he had to leave now. As he walked, however, he saw two mares running toward his location.

“IZZY! STOP!” Pipp had yelled, fastly following behind her unicorn friend.

Reggie stopped in his tracks. “Mister!” The unicorn mare cried out, tears streaming down her face. “Where are they?! Where’s Sprouty?!” She begged, putting her hooves on his chest.

Pipp had finally caught up with her friend, but was immediately turned silent at the image of Canterlogic burning down. Izzy looked on in horror as well.

Reggie took a breath and was about to explain everything, before he saw something odd. It was a flying chariot. It quickly landed on the ground. Out popped two ponies. A very large Unicorn stallion, who looked the same age as him, and almost had the same physique as him. The other was a Pegasus mare, who looked around Phyllis’ age.

“MOM!” Pipp cried out, instantly running into her open hooves.

“Oh, my baby. Oh, my precious baby.” Queen Haven emotional cooed in her daughter’s ear. Tears rolling down their faces.

“Uncle Alphie!” Izzy ran straight into her adoptive father’s hooves. Tears also rolling down her face.

“Oh..my sweet Izzy. Oh, my little girl.” Alphabittle cried, holding on to Izzy for dear life.

Reggie looked at this scene playing out. He was happy that they were all together. However, he knew he needed to tell them everything else that was going on.

“Pipp, where’s your sister? Where’s Zipp?” Haven asked, scared out of her mind.

“She’s at the hospital.” Reggie blurted out loud. Everypony was now looking at him.

“How bad is it?” Haven asked, clutching at her daughter even more.

Reggie sighed. “She got stabbed by one of the perpetrators of the explosion.”

Haven and Pipp felt their coats turn white. Their heartbeat almost immediately started rising.

“No…no, please.” Haven said, with a sob. Pipp hugged her mother tight.

“What about Sprouty? Is he okay?” Izzy asked, sounding even more afraid than Haven and Pipp.

Reggie gave a deep breath again before he told her the truth.

“Sprout was stabbed in the gut.”

As minute that sentence left his mouth, Izzy felt like her heart just jumped into her throat. She let out a cry of deep concern and fear for the stallion she fell in love with. Pipp, Haven and Aplhabittle looked at Izzy with deep sympathy in their eyes.

“He got stabbed worse than Zipp did. Sunny flew him to the hospital…but I don’t know if he’s gonna make it.” Reggie said, with his head low to the ground.

Tears started to fall down her face. Her legs were shaking. She almost felt like she couldn’t breathe. She fell to the ground.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!” Izzy let out an emotional cry. And with that, the damn burst.

She just laid there for about a minute or so. Sobbing her eyes out for the stallion she fell in love with. Her cries broke the hearts of her friends.

“We need to get down to the hospital. Your friends are all there. And your other daughter is there as well Ma’am.” Reggie said to Haven.

Wiping the tears from her eyes, she nodded her head. “Thank you. We’ll be there shortly.” She said. Both her and Pipp helped Izzy to her feet. The unicorn mare was still a sniffling, crying mess. Alphabittle came over and wrapped his forelegs around his adoptive daughter. Hoping to soothe her pain.

“Let’s go.” Reggie said, escorting them to the hospital.

As the four ponies trotted into the hospital, they noticed two elder looking ponies at the reception desk. One was a stallion with a walking cane, and the other was a mare, who looked about a year or two younger than him. Reggie knew who they were. He had stopped into their store to get a pizza from time to time.

“What happened?! Where’s Sprout?!” Vinny asked, sounding angry, but that feeling was masked by what he was truly feeling. Absolute fear. The receptionist felt intimidated to speak, hearing this old stallion raise his voice at her.

“Vinny, please calm down.” Bella said, also looking fearful, but still keeping a level head.

“How the fuck can I calm down?! Sprout is seriously hurt, and we don’t know all that has happened.” He said, as she now noticed a few tears rolling down his face.

Bella embraced him, making him take deep breaths. “Honey, there’s nothing we can do now. All we can do is wait.” She whimpered, as tears rolled down her eyes now too. Vinny sobbed as he wrapped his forelegs around his wife of almost 50 years.

“Bella! Vinny!” Izzy cried, running toward them. They noticed and welcomed her embrace.

“Oh, Izzy! Thank Celestia, you’re safe.” Bella cried.

Haven and Pipp felt their hearts break at the sight of Sprout’s loved ones breaking down and crying over him. Reggie did the best he could to stay strong. Being from Clopton, he knew how to keep his emotions in check. How to be tough on the inside.

Although, most of the time, that was all bullshit.

“Excuse me?” Haven said, now getting the receptionist’s attention. “I’m here to see my daughter, Zephyrina Storm. Or Zipp. Where is she? Is she okay?”

“Yeah. And what about Hitch? And Sunny?” Pipp asked, clearly worried about her sister and her friends.

The receptionist mare took a breath and stood up. “Well, Miss Haven and Pipp. Zipp suffered major stab wounds to her flank and left wing. She also has broken ribs and we’re worried about her hip as well.”

“Oh my God.” Haven said, covering her mouth, holding in a sob. Pipp looked to be holding back tears as well.

“She’s in emergency surgery right now. However, I’m certain she’ll pull through. Her injuries are serious, however not life threatening.”

Haven and Pipp felt like a tidal wave had washed over them. They were both so worried Zipp may be on the verge of death. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case.

“Oh, thank Celestia.” Haven said, tears rolling down her face. Pipp hugged her, showing her comfort.

“As for Sunny, she's okay. She’s only suffered minor injuries. Hitch suffered serious stab wounds to his shoulder. He’s being patched up right now. His injuries are a little more serious than Sunny, but less than Zipp. So, he’ll pull through.” The receptionist continued.

“What about Phyllis Cloverleaf? And her son?” Reggie asked.

“Yeah!” Izzy said emotionally. “Where’s Sprouty?! I need to see him!” Alphabittle put his hoof on her shoulder to get her to calm down a little bit.

The receptionist looked sullen all of a sudden. “Well, Phyllis has suffered major injuries. We’re worried she may have an injured back. She’s also being tested for any infections with her ear injury. She’ll pull through, but she won’t be the same for a while. If ever again.”

“And Sprout?” Vinny asked, looking impatient and scared. Bella touched his face with her hoof to comfort him.

The receptionist gave a sad sigh. “Sprout is also in emergency surgery. But…he’s really hurt bad. He’s in critical condition.”

Everypony felt their hearts sink. Especially Izzy. Who just felt her heart start cracking in her chest.

“He’s suffered a major stab wound to his abdominal area. We’re worried about him internally bleeding out. At this point, he could go either way. I’m truly sorry.” The receptionist said, looking sad for Sprout’s loved ones.

And when that was said, Izzy felt her heart break in two. Pipp looked over at her friend and embraced her. Then came the tears from her unicorn friend.

“You’re really lucky you don’t have any broken ribs. They’re just bruised. And your jaw looks okay, although that’ll be a bit sore for a while.” The doctor told Sunny, as he was patching her up. Her ribs were being taped, and she had an ice pack on the left side of her jaw.

“Yeah.” Sunny said, looking sad. “Doc, do you know how Sprout is doing?”

The stallion doctor sighed sadly. “We don’t know. At this point, it’s truly 50/50 for him. I’m sorry about your friend.” He said, now putting the last touches on her. When finished, Sunny stood up. She started walking away.

“Where are you going?” The doctor said. “You should stay here for a little bit.”

“I can’t.” Sunny said, walking with a bit of pain shooting through her body. “I need to see if the others are okay. Where’s Hitch and Zipp? And Phyllis, what about her?”

The doctor saw that Sunny was feeling extremely worried about her other loved ones. He almost felt a need to lie to her. To tell her they were going to be okay. But, she had a right to know. So, he told her everything that was said from the receptionist desk to her other loved ones who weren’t at Canterlogic before it blew up.

“I’m so sorry about your friends, Sunny. I’m praying for them.” The doctor said, leaving Sunny feeling almost helpless. Two of her friends were hurt bad, and one was REALLY hurt, to the point where he may die. And there was nothing she could do about it. Not even the Alicorn could help her in this situation.

“Sunny!” She turned around to see it was Pipp who yelled out to her. She saw Queen Haven follow close behind her. Reggie was behind Haven. Then she saw who was following them.

She saw it was Bella and Vinny. The two pizza place ponies. Knowing how close the two were to both Sprout and Phyllis, she could only imagine the fear and worry going on with them. However, when she saw who was with them, her heart almost broke instantly.

She saw Izzy with Alphabittle, Bella and Vinny. Except, this wasn’t the same happy, super upbeat, super positive, always smiling Unicorn friend she knew. No. This was a different Izzy now.

Her face was downcast. She saw tear marks on her face. And her overall demeanor, or as she would call it “sparkle”, was that of a sad, heartbroken pony.

“Sunny, are you okay?” Haven asked, sounding worried for her as if she was her own daughter.

She didn’t answer. She just kept looking at Izzy, who almost looked as if she was being held up by both Bella and Vinny. Like, the heartbreak she was feeling was just too overwhelming for her to stand on her own.

“Izzy?” Sunny said, getting the Unicorn’s attention. She came up and wrapped her forelegs around her friend.

“Please.” Izzy begged in a soft voice. “Tell me they’re wrong. Sprouty’s gonnna be okay, right?”

Sunny felt her friend’s tears fall upon her shoulder. It broke her heart to see Izzy like this. She wanted to tell Izzy that, Yes, Sprout would be okay. He’s gonna be just fine.

But she couldn’t. Then she’d be lying to her friend. And if Izzy knew that, she would probably never forgive her. So, Sunny let go of Izzy. Alphabittle, Bella, Vinny, Reggie, Haven and Pipp just gave a depressing look to this whole situation.

With an incredibly sad look, Sunny told her the truth. “I don’t know.” She said. “The doctors told me that he could go either way. There’s a 50/50 chance he may….” She tried finishing that sentence, but just couldn’t bring herself to do it. It felt so painful for her to even think that her childhood friend may be gone forever and there would be nothing anypony could do about it.

Izzy whimpered and buried her face into Sunny. Letting out her sobs again. Breaking the hearts of everypony looking at them.

2 Hours Later

The 7 ponies just sat there in the waiting room. Waiting and waiting to hear the news about their injured friends. Hoping that they would be okay. And hoping one would survive.

Reggie also was waiting for his old partner from Clopton, now the Sergeant of the Clopton Police Department, to come and get him. He was given full permission by Hitch to see all the evidence that they gathered in finding the Mother Mutilator. He only wondered what Stone would think, knowing that he killed the Mother Mutilator. The serial killer, who terrorized Clopton for 20 years. Taking loved ones away from their families. Taking the lives of several young mares.

He only hoped he understood why he did it.

As for the others, Haven, Alphabittle and Pipp sat with each other, hoping and praying for Zipp’s safety. Bella and Vinny were comforting Izzy as best as they could, along with Sunny as well. Their efforts were in vain, however. Izzy still looked beyond scared and worried for Sprout. They only hoped that he would come out of this alive. Though, they knew he probably would never be the same after all this.

Frankly, no pony involved with everything that just happened would ever be the same again.

Their concerned thoughts were interrupted when they heard a slight rapping on the open door to the waiting room they were in. Izzy felt her heart tick up at the sound, but was disappointed when she saw who it was.

“Hello every pony. Hey Redge.” Said an older looking stallion. He appeared to be about the same age as Reggie. He had a suit and tie on, along with a hat. He also looked to be a bit slimmer than Reggie. His coat was a rocky, gray color, along with a navy blue mane, which looked to be getting shorter by the day. He probably would lose his hair soon. Though, that was just an example of somepony getting older.

Reggie stood up and shook this stallion’s hoof. “Everypony, this is my old partner, Stone. He’s the Sergeant of the Clopton Police Department.” Everypony said hello to him in a somber like tone.

“Reggie called me a little bit ago. Said there was a shooting at Canterlogic. I’m truly sorry to hear about what happened. I hope you know I’m praying for your loved ones.” He said, being as compassionate as he could.

Sunny stood up, wincing a little bit from the bruised ribs.

“Mr. Stone, me and my friend, Sheriff Hitch Trailblazer, have one of your guys in jail. Your officer, Mr. Winthrope, his real name is Dodd Winchester. He’s one of the ponies involved with the Mother Mutilator killings over the past 20 years. We have all the evidence at the station.” She said, holding her bruised ribs, feeling the pain shooting through her body.

Stone looked shocked hearing that. “Winthorpe?” Sunny nodded intensely.

Before anything else was said, a female nurse entered the waiting room.

“Excuse me everypony? Am I interrupting something?” She asked.

Izzy shot up out of her seat and darted toward the nurse.

“How is he?! Is Sprouty okay?!” She asked out loud, sounding emotional. Sunny put a gentle hoof on her friend’s shoulder, trying to get her to relax a bit. Though, how could anypony truly relax at a time like this?

“He’s still in emergency surgery.” The nurse said, looking sad for Izzy’s worried state. “We’re doing everything we can to save him. I’m sorry, but I can’t give you any more information regarding Mr. Cloverleaf, ma’am.”

Izzy hung her a bit in disappointment and sadness.

“However, I do have news regarding Sheriff Hitch Trailblazer, Zipp Storm and Phyllis Cloverleaf.” She said, which made Haven and Pipp spring out of their seats as well.

“How is she?!” Haven asked, with deep concern in her voice. “May we see her?”

“Well, I can tell you right now that your daughter will not be flying anytime soon. And she’ll need physical therapy for both her wing and her flank. And, I’m sorry to say this, but regarding how well her physical therapy goes, she may walk with a limp for a long time afterwards. She’s gonna have to stay here for a while. I’m sorry if she can’t home yet.”

Haven and Pipp looked devastated at the news. They were at least happy that she was still alive. However, knowing she probably will never be the same again, at what cost was it?

“Can we go see her?” Pipp asked.

“We had to pump her up with some drugs. But, from what we’ve seen, she’s at least lucid. So, yes. You may go see her. Just don’t crowd around her too much. She just got done being stitched up.” The nurse said, giving them a warm smile.

Pipp and Haven returned their smiles, before turning to everypony else in the room.

“Good luck, everypony.” Haven said, before leaving the room. Before Pipp left, she turned to Izzy, who was still looking down at the floor in sadness and despair. She came toward her and hugged her again.

“I’m praying for Sprout too, Izzy. Don’t lose hope, okay?” She said, making Izzy tear up again. Pipp gave everypony one last look before she followed her mother down the hall to where Zipp’s room was.

“Nurse?” Stone said, getting the her attention.

“Forgive me if this sounds impatient, but is Sheriff Hitch Trailblazer lucid enough to speak to me? I need to speak with him.” He asked.

Bella, Vinny, Reggie and Alphabittle looked a bit annoyed hearing that. It’d be one thing if it was a family member wanting to see him. But him being asked questions after coming out of getting stitched up was just unnecessary in their minds. However, Sunny understood why.

The nurse nodded. “He is. He needed less drugs than Zipp, but I’d say to please tread lightly. He’s in a lot of pain.”

“Understood.” Stone said. “So, if you have anypony you need to see Reggie, go ahead and do it. Once I’m finished asking Mr. Trailblazer, I’m gonna need you to come with me to the station.”

“Right. And Sunny come with, if she wants.” Reggie said, looking at her. She was a bit surprised at hearing this. “You helped Hitch in finding the Mother Mutilator. You have as much right to be there as anypony.”

Sunny nodded intensely. “Okay. I’ll go with you, Mr. Stone. Hitch probably wants to know how I’m going anyway.” She looked toward Bella, Vinny, Alphabittle and Izzy. “Guys, good luck.” She said, as she walked out of the room, with Stone following close behind her.

“What about Phyllis? How’s she?” Reggie asked the nurse. Both Bella and Vinny stood up. Vinny winced a bit in pain, due to his arthritis. Which made Bella look concerned for him. But, he didn’t care about himself right now. Something more important was going on.

She sighed sadly. “Well, she’s alive. That’s the most important thing. However, she’s also suffered a major eye injury, which we may need to perform surgery on. Her ribs and left hoof are broken. Regarding her ear, she’s definitely gonna need reattachment surgery if she wants to look somewhat normal again. She’s also suffered a few herniated disk in her back. She will also need physical therapy to treat her back injuries. Overall, she’s probably never gonna be the same after his. I’m truly sorry.” The nurse said.

Bella let out a soft sob. Vinny put a comforting hoof on his wife’s back. He didn’t want to show it, but he was just as worried and concerned as she was for both Phyllis and Sprout.

Reggie growled in frustration. “May I go see her? Is she lucid enough?” He asked.

“I’m sorry sir. She’ll be more lucid sometime tomorrow morning. You can see her then.” She said, before leaving the waiting room.

Everypony in here now just sat there. Deep in their thoughts. Hoping and praying that Phyllis and Sprout will be okay. Well, mostly for Sprout, because they knew Phyllis would still be alive. They didn’t know anything about Sprout yet. There was a big chance he may not make it.

Reggie looked back at the others. Bella, Vinny and Alphabittle had sat back down with Izzy. Comforting her as best as they could. It was truly a sad sight to see. He could only hope and pray for Sprout and Phyllis at this point.

Because now, he had to go and find Stone. He was sure by now that he had gotten all the information from Hitch. Now, it was time to make the final arrests for the crimes committed at Canterlogic. And the Mother Mutilator slayings over the past 20 years.

He was at least glad that these ponies were getting what they deserved now. Bud Bloomington may be dead, but at least Sanguine Sauvignon and Dodd Winchester would pay for their crimes. He only hoped that everything would be all worth it in the end of all this.

By Celestia, he truly hoped.

Author's Note

Well, we are nearing the end guys. I’d say both 2 or 3 more chapters, and this story will be complete. I hope you enjoy the ride.

Also, if you liked this chapter, make sure to comment, like, favorite, and follow for future updates. Thank you all and Goodnight Everybody.

Chapter 37: Thoughts and Prayers

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Chapter 1: A Shocking Discovery

“Throw it over here, Glory!” Said an earth pony filly named Seashell, waiting with excitement for her pegasus filly friend to throw the frisbee they had randomly found.

“No, throw it to me!” Said a unicorn filly named Peach Fizz.

Glory looked on at which one of her friends she should throw it to. Should she throw it to Seashell and watch her try and catch it with her hooves? Or should she throw it to Peach Fizz and watch her try and use her magic to catch the frisbee they were having fun with?

These three little fillies, known as Pipsqueaks due to their admiration for Princess Pipp Petals, were on the beach of Maretime Bay enjoying a nice, sunny day. Perfect weather, perfect temperature, perfect all around. And after watching Pipp’s recent livestream, their parents told them to go outside and play. So, what better way to enjoy a day like this, then a day at the beach.

After a brief minute of who to throw the frisbee to, she shouted “Go along, Seashell!” And with that, she threw the frisbee in Seashell’s direction, much to the disappointment of Peach Fizz.

For a filly, Glory could throw pretty well. As when the frisbee left her hoof, it went pretty far across the beach. With Seashell giving chase, and excitement running through her veins.

The frisbee had landed near the entrance of a cave that was on the beach. The very same one where her and friends had rescued Pipp and Zipp from after they had gotten trapped inside. They had gotten, as Pipp promised them, a shoutout on her livestream after the Royal Portrait Day Picture. It was truly an honor for them.

Seashell ran toward the entrance of the cave, only a few feet away from the fallen frisbee, when she suddenly tripped over something.

“Ugh, Ah!” She cried out as she tumbled over to where the frisbee now lay on the ground. “Ow.” She groaned in pain, holding her foreleg.

Peach Fizz and Glory gasped in concern at what they just saw, and quickly ran over to their fallen friend. Well, Peach Fizz ran, but Glory flew. So, she made it over to Seashell pretty quickly.

“Are you okay, Seashell?” She said, helping her up with her hooves.

“Yeah!” Peach Fizz said, as she made it to them. “You took a pretty nasty tumble. You aren’t hurt, are you?”

Seashell just shook her foreleg out a little bit. “I’m okay. I was just surprised. Something tripped me.” She said.

“What was it?” Glory asked, looking around the beach at what could’ve tripped her friend up.

“It was right there.” Seashell said, pointing her hoof in the direction at where she was mysteriously tripped over.

As they trotted over, It was only then that something looked kinda off. There, in the sand, was something that looked to buried underneath it. It looked pretty big. Almost like a buried treasure. Though, it didn’t look in the shape of a treasure chest like they had seen in the movies.

What really surprised them, however, was they swore they thought they saw the object was ACTUALLY looking at them. They saw what appeared to be an eye. Was there some type of sea creature that washed up on the beach? Like a squid, or something?

Neither of the fillies could move or speak. After seeing the eye, the three of them were filled with fear. Something was under this sand indeed. Was it alive? Was it dead?

After a few minutes, Seashell walked up to it. She looked back at her two friends, almost telling them to help her unbury whatever was under this sand. Glory and Peach Fizz didn’t want to. They were scared at what they might find.

It wasn’t until Seashell gave them a type of glare that told them to get a grip when Glory and Peach Fizz came over and proceeded to help their friend unbury whatever was underneath this sand.

If their fear was there before, now it turned to complete terror after they had just finished unburying whatever it was. The terror was so high, they just wanted to run home to their mothers and just bury themselves deep in their chests and cry.

The three little fillies backed away from their discovery, still unable to believe what they had just found. The terror still there. The fear still there.

Seashell couldn’t hold it in anymore. Not that she could hold it in anyway. She let out a huge scream in horror.

“WWWAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!” She let out a blood curling scream and ran away from her discovery. With Peach Fizz and Glory right behind her. Tears of fear running down their faces.

They needed to find Sheriff Hitch. Right away.

-/-Maretime Bay-/-

“I’m going on break.” A bright red coated, blonde maned stallion, wearing a yellow hard hat called out.

“I don’t care what you do, Sprout.” His coworker rudely said, going back to what he was doing.

“Whatever.” Sprout muttered under his breath. He was used to his new coworkers doing this. Pretty much, treating him like shit. Disrespecting him. Calling him names.

After Sprout’s little run as the “Emperor” of Maretime Bay while Hitch ran off to find Sunny, he was let go and relieved of his Deputy duties. Thankfully, his mother, Phyllis Cloverleaf, was able to get him a job at her factory, although it was after a citywide apology, cleaning up the mess he made with Sunny’s old lighthouse home, and a MAJOR grounding from her.

As Sprout walked over to his usual spot where he took his 30 minute lunch break(which was a bench that was next to his favorite pizza place; thankfully, the employees there still liked him. He was one of their regulars after all), he looked all around him. There were Pegasi and Unicorns everywhere. They weren’t fighting or causing a rukus or, in unicorns cases, trying to fry earth ponies’ brains. They were just…talking. Interacting. Laughing. Even helping a few ponies, like carrying something for them that was too heavy, or picking something up that they dropped on the floor.

A while ago, all the earth ponies, Sprout included, would’ve fled in terror. They would’ve fought to keep the Pegasi and Unicorns out of their home. That’s what they all did.

That’s what HE did.

That’s how he thought of them…until conversations with his mother. Whenever the two talked, she would tell him about her business trips to Bridlewood and Zephyr Heights. Due to the unity of all pony races, she decided to expand her factories into those areas.

When she talked about her experiences meeting these Unicorns and Pegasi, she would talk about how helpful, sweet and polite they were. How athletic the Pegasi were. How artistic Unicorns were.

But most of all, how WRONG she was about them.

That’s what got to Sprout the most. If she felt she was wrong about the other pony races, that made HIM wrong too. Meaning, he’s been wrong all his life. That everything he’s ever known, felt, and did was wrong.

And that’s what cost him his job. His dream. His self confidence. His self esteem. His spirit.

His friends?

He didn’t know about that. Hitch spoke to Sprout recently after the giant berry fiasco. Sunny was there too. But, it wasn’t even much of anything. Just an explanation of what happened, a piece of wood to his head(thankfully he was wearing his hard hat), and him trying to fix his mistake, only to screw up even worse.

He only passed the two princesses of Zephyr Heights, Zipp and Pipp, but nothing was said. Though, Zipp did give him a mean look one time. He knew she didn’t trust him. Couldn’t blame her, he guessed.

Though, there was one time the unicorn, Izzy he thought her name was, where she ACTUALLY said Hi to him as he passed her one day on his way to work.

That was kind of a weird memory he had.

-/- 2 Weeks Ago-/-

It was only his second week working at his mother’s factory, and already he felt like he was in enemy territory.

The looks, the sneers, the comments he pretended not to hear. He knew almost no pony at work liked him.

As he walked toward his mother’s factory, with his hard hat on, he heard a high pitched voice.

“Hi, new friend!” The happy purple unicorn called out. He felt weirded out when she said that.

No way she was saying that to him. He started to look around at who she was talking too.

She giggled and walked up close to him. “No, silly. I said Hi to you.”

She DID say Hi to him? After what he tried to do to her and her friends? She still says Hi to him?

Something must be up.

“Uh…hey.” He said in the most awkward tone.

Izzy then started to look at him. She felt like she saw him one time. But where?

Sprout started to feel uncomfortable. He turned around to head to work, until Izzy remembered.

“You’re Sprout, aren’t you? The crazy emperor guy who destroyed Sunny’s home?” She said, oddly, without a hint of malice in her voice. In fact, she ACTUALLY said it in a friendly, upbeat way.

“Yeah, what of it? You hear to shit talk me to?” He asked her in his usual grumpy tone. He really didn’t have time for this. He needed to get to work, or they’d have an excuse to bitch about him to Phyllis, in hopes of getting him fired.

Izzy was surprised with his outburst. “N-No. I just-“

“Look, I don’t have time for this right now. I gotta go to my new job. Talk shit about me behind my back for all I care.” Sprout said, walking away from her.

Izzy looked hurt at his comment. She could read sparkles all her life. And only one thing showed to her about Sprout’s sparkle.

Grey. A color for misery.

As he walked away, she called out loud enough for him to hear.

“I just want to be your friend.” She said, walking away and looking dejected.

Sprout did look back and the upbeat mare now looking as down as ever. Did she really mean that? Did she really want to be his friend? Did he feel bad?

His thoughts stopped when he looked at his watch. 6:45. And he’s supposed to clock in at 7:00. He needed to hurry.

-/-End of Flashback-/-

He started to think about that day a lot. He never told anypony about it. Why should he? He knew what they felt. He knew what they were gonna say.

You deserve this.

But, did he? He now knew he made a mistake. He knew what he did was wrong. He knew he let Hitch down. He knew all this.

Even with all that, did he deserve to be treated like he had the plague or something? He didn’t know.

Now, there was a pony who was being nice to him(he didn’t know if it was genuine or not), and he let his cynicism and paranoia get the better of him. He might’ve cost himself a friend.

Way to go Sprout. Way to fucking go.

He sat alone, as he always did, no pony wanted to sit with him. He got out some left over daisy sandwiches his mother made the other day. Still quite delicious, although not as great as when they first are made.

His mother, if she was here right now, probably would’ve asked him why he sat alone when eating his lunch. Why didn’t he talk with his new coworkers? Why didn’t he talk with Hitch and Sunny? Why is he all by himself?

Now, he would’ve told her he liked the quiet. But, that’s a big fat lie. He would’ve LOVED to be around his new coworkers.

He didn’t want to admit it to her or anypony else…but the truth is, he was afraid to.

He continued eating his lunch, when he thought he heard something. While his mouth was full, he turned and saw where the noise was coming from. And, quite frankly, it surprised him.

Three fillies, one of each race, were running into town like crazy. As they all passed by the bench he sat at, he saw how they looked scared out of their minds. Tears rolling down their faces.

What the hell was going on here? Something didn’t seem right.

-/-Elsewhere in Maretime Bay-/-

“I’m just saying, I would’ve had you if I wasn’t so busy trying to find out who stole Posey’s shovel?” Hitch Trailblazer, the Sheriff of Maretime Bay, said to Zipp Storm, Princess and future Queen of Zephyr Heights, as well as Private Detective of Maretime Bay. The two, along with fellow Princess of Zephyr Heights, Pipp Petals, were walking down the streets of Maretime Bay after Hitch and Zipp competed against each other in a race. Needless to say, Hitch wasn’t victorious in it.

Zipp laughed. “Sure Sheriff, sure. And Posey didn’t just misplace it, didn’t want to admit it, and asked you to find who “stole” it.” She said.

“Sorry Hitch, but Zipp destroyed you in that race.” Pipp said, before taking a selfie with her phone.

Hitch couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yeah, yeah, whatever.” He said, looking at the beautiful sky above.

“Wow, such a great day today. Nothing could ruin my good mood.” He said.

Zipp and Pipp agreed with him. Then, Pipp saw something coming up to them.

At first she looked happy to see them. Her little fans, her Pipsqueaks as she called them, were running toward her. These Pipsqueaks in particular were ones she had ACTUALLY gotten to know. Seashell, Glory and Peach Fizz. Such adorable little ponies they were. And knowledgeable ones too. They came up with great ideas for her livestreams.

However, her happy look vanished when she saw what she saw.

“Uh, Hitch, Zipp?” She said, getting their attention.

“What?” They both asked at the same time. They both looked in her direction and saw what Pipp was looking at.

Seashell, Glory and Peach Fizz were running toward them, while tears of fear streamed down their faces. They also saw the look of true fear and horror in their eyes as well.

“SHERIFF HITCH! SHERIFF HITCH! HELP!” Seashell called out to him.

Hitch was surprised. He had never seen these three fillies like this before. What was going on?

The three of them ran over toward the little fillies who now stopped dead in their tracks.

“Pipsqueaks, what’s going on? Why do you look so scared?” Pipp asked them, obviously sounding concerned for her little fans.

“Yeah, are you okay?” Zipp asked as well. She knew this sounded serious.

Peach Fizz couldn’t spit it out. Her and Glory just hugged each other and cried. It was by this point, a lot of the residents of Maretime Bay had seen what was going on and wanted to listen in on this conversation.

“Seashell.” Sheriff Hitch said in a calm voice. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”

Seashell could only nod her head Yes, while the tears of fear continued to stream down her face. Pipp felt like she wanted to hug this poor little filly and just tell her she was safe with her.

“Can you tell me?” Hitch asked. Now, Peach Fizz and Glory stopped hugging each other and looked at Seashell. She looked back at them.

She then sniffled and turned back to tell the horrifying discovery they found on the beach.

“Sheriff Hitch, there’s a dead body on the beach. We found it there buried in the sand.”

An audible gasp could be heard throughout the whole crowd gathered around what was happening. Pipp did what she wanted to do. She came over and enveloped Seashell, Glory and Peach Fizz into a comforting hug, as their sobs increased.

As for Hitch and Zipp, they both just stood there, stunned.

This wasn’t gonna be like an ordinary day for the Sheriff of Maretime Bay now.

Author's Note

Well, here’s my second channel. You can check out my first one, MysteryLover17, on this website as well.

Hope you all liked this chapter. Make sure to comment, like, follow and favorite for future updates.

Chapter 11: Phyllis Comes Home

-/-Somewhere in Bridlewood-/-

“I hope that went well”. Phyllis Cloverleaf thought to herself as she trotted back to her hotel room. She had just gotten done with a meeting with a few Unicorn ponies about the possibility of putting a Canterlogic factory somewhere in or near Bridlewood. She had done the very same not too long ago in Zephyr Heights.

Truth be told, she fully expected to be offered to put her factory on the outer towns of both of those places. There were two towns near Bridlewood, that being Pointyvale and Sharpington. She had a feeling she’d be put in Pointyvale. Not necessarily a BAD place to put it, but it just wasn’t a big enough town to put a big factory like hers there.

As for Zephyr Heights, there ALSO were two towns on the outer parts there too. That being CloudsVu(which, according to legend, used to be called Cloudsdale, though it’s never been proven) and Skytown. She felt she had a little bit more of a chance for her factory to be put in Zephyr Heights, although she worried about the major costs of being put in a place where a Queen lived. Might be a bit TOO expensive.

However, as she thought about her business ventures, she also thought about her son. Her little boy. Her sugercube.

She remembered after he took her job offer, he always came home looking super depressed. Like he had just about the worst day you could imagine. Though, whenever she would ask him about it, he’d always say the same thing to her.

“I’m fine, Mommy”

And then he’d spend the evening by himself. Not talking to her. Or anypony else for that matter. She had asked him a few times if he ever tried talking with Sunny and Hitch, but the answer was always No. Which made her sad. Those three were as close as siblings growing up. They did so much together, and now they don’t talk at all because of his mistake.

It was behaviors like this that REALLY worried her. She just KNEW that Sprout was depressed. After his actions, which she also knew he felt extreme remorse for, he had pretty much just shut himself out. Being friendless. Bottling everything up.

And that was HER fault. That was something she regretted to tell him when he was growing up. Never let them see that they get to you. She told him that after her husband Bright passed away so suddenly from a brain aneurysm. She told him that they had to be strong for him. And that he wouldn’t want them to be sad and mourn forever. He’d want them to move on.

Also, due to Bright passing away so soon, SHE was given ownership of Canterlogic. Add on to that fact that she had a little 8 year old colt to raise, she didn’t really give herself time to mourn the only stallion she ever truly loved. She just kept moving forward and not looking back.

Maybe that was another reason as to why Sprout never talked with her about his feelings. Seeing how she was and how she carried herself, Sprout wanted to mold himself to be like her. She, pretty much, told him to never talk about your feelings, bottle it up and just keep on working. What a mistake that was.

What made this worse was she also knew how her employees felt about her son. She saw, or at least heard about, all the looks and comments about her son that her employees would give him. Behind his back or even to his face. Now, if she ever ACTUALLY saw one of her employees doing that to him, she’d fire that pony in an instant. She wasn’t gonna tolerate that treatment towards her son. Even if Sprout didn’t tell her anything. Which scared her tremendously.

However, what TRULY filled her with fear, was the possibility of Sprout thinking about…well…ending it all. She didn’t want to sound overly dramatic, but she did have a really sick feeling that her son might try to commit suicide. That’s why she so desperately wanted him to talk with Sunny and Hitch again. Or meet new ponies. Make new friends. If he wasn’t gonna talk with her, or anypony else, who did he have to talk to? No pony.

Phyllis felt herself to be a bad mother. Even if Sprout chose to wreck havoc with that giant machine of doom, she was the one who filled him with fear about Unicorns and Pegasi. It was her that made him think he could be better than Hitch. It was her who filled his head with impossible dreams.

It was all her fault. She made her son like that. She made her son into a dictator. She turned her son into a criminal. Everything that happened was all her fault.

And she was so scared about losing him. Losing her husband was bad enough, but losing her son too? She knew she’d either go insane or she’d probably join him in death too. That way, they’d all be happy together in the afterlife. At least she wouldn’t be alone.

She regretted not calling him the past two nights. The meetings and other things got in the way. She also didn’t want to interfere with his work schedule or wake him up in the middle of the night. Even still, she just wished that she would’ve called him and just asked how he’s feeling. If everything is going alright at work.

That’s when she came up with an idea. When she would get back to her hotel room, she’d call her sugercube and ask him, when she gets home, if he’d like to take a vacation with her. Maybe, take him to Zephyr Heights to see the sights. Or come back to Bridlewood and check out the unique stores here. She was going to cheer up her son. She was going to sit down and talk with him about EVERYTHING. And she meant EVERYTHING.

Bright, that stupid saying she gave him growing up about his feelings, Sunny and Hitch, his job, everything. She wasn’t gonna hold ANYTHING back.

He was her son. And she loved him with all her heart. And she wanted him to feel happy to be alive.

While she thought all of this, she found herself back at the Hotel she was staying at. It was a pretty nice one. Not overly fancy, but not some rundown crackhouse, like in Clopton. She was just about to enter the lobby, when she heard a familiar voice call out to her.

“PHYLLIS!” The loud voice cried, causing her to turn around, feeling startled. She saw it was Alphabittle Blossomforth. The huge, grey unicorn came running at her with worry in his eyes. She wondered what had gotten into this stallion?

She also wondered what he was doing here in Bridlewood? He had been in Zephyr Heights a LOT lately, from what the residents of Bridlewood have said.

Perhaps it was to see a certain royal family member that he had been tagging along with quite a bit lately? Perhaps it was to help out that certain royal family member with some tasks around the kingdom, just to be around her? Perhaps…it was to just stare in wonder and captivation at this beautiful royal family member?

Phyllis just giggled thinking all those possibilities as to why Alphabittle was here in Bridlewood.

“Yes, Alphabittle? What’s wrong? You nearly scared me half to death.” She said, kinda scolding him in a motherly tone.

“Sorry about that, but you NEED to see this. It’s about your son.” He said frantically, while getting his phone out.

Phyllis felt her heart rate rise a little bit when he mentioned Sprout. What’s he talking about?

“What do you mean? What’s going on?” She asked, obviously sounding worried.

He then showed Phyllis his phone. “This went viral last night. Your son got into a fight with Queen Haven’s daughter in Maretime Bay.” He said, before clicking play.

As the video of Zipp and Sprout’s altercation in the town square of Maretime Bay played, Phyllis almost felt like she was gonna have an anxiety attack. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. This couldn’t be happening.

But it was.

What made it worse for her was, after seeing Zipp accuse Sprout if murder, then tackling him to the ground, him striking her in the face. Hard. Causing her to almost be out on her hooves.

After the video was done, and Alphabittle put his phone back, Phyllis felt scared out if her mind. What had happened yesterday? What caused all this?

Was Sprout in jail?

Her heart rate started to soar. “Oh No. My little sugercube.” She said, backing away a little bit in fear.

“You need to go back to Maretime Bay right now. This whole situation looks ugly. Queen Haven and I are gonna go too. I’m gonna accompany her when I go to Zephyr Heights. She’s seen it too. That’s why I showed it you.” He told her.

Phyllis nodded her head in agreement. “I need to check out early. Thank you, Alphabittle.” She said, quickly rushing inside and up to her room. She quickly packed all her bags and rushed out the front door.

As she ran towards where the start of the forest was, she felt her heart rapidly beat in concern and worry for her son. What was going on in Maretime Bay? What had caused Zipp Storm to tackle Sprout to the ground like that?

She sincerely hoped that Hitch could give her all the answers to her questions. She hoped that Sprout wasn’t in jail for simply defending himself. She hoped she wasn’t too late.

By Celestia, she truly hoped.

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

”You and the killer have the same mother.”

After Charnelle, the ME Pony, revealed that shocking result to Sprout and everypony in the room, not a single one of them had spoken a word. The shock was just too great for them to comprehend. They all just couldn’t fathom it.

Sprout Cloverleaf has an older brother? An older brother he had never known or heard of all his life, until now? Phyllis Cloverleaf has another son and never told anypony?

It was especially shocking to Hitch and Sunny. Sprout and the two of them had grown up together. Known each other all their lives.

Now, they find out that Phyllis has another son out there. The one who brutally murdered Lilac Summer’s. To say it was all so much to take in would be an understatement.

“Y-Y-You’re joking.” Sprout weakly muttered, causing everypony to look at him. “You have to be joking.” Hitch and Sunny felt like a knife had just jabbed their hearts when they heard that tone from him. They both felt tremendous pain for Sprout right now.

Izzy and Pipp looked on in sympathy at Sprout as well. Hearing news like this must be devastating to hear. Izzy especially wanted to console Sprout and let him know that she was head right now and would listen to him if he needed to talk.

Zipp couldn’t believe she was thinking this, but she also felt bad for Sprout. She probably would’ve felt how Sprout must be feeling right now if she found out something as crazy as this.

Charnelle sadly shook her head. “I wish was Sprout. But, apparently, there IS another Cloverleaf out there. And according to the DNA found at the crime scene, if I had to guess, I’d say your brother is about 12, 13 years older than you.” She paused for a split second.

“I’m sorry you had to find out this way. I truly am.” She said with sympathy in her voice.

Sprout just looked down at the floor. Not saying a word.

“I’m gonna go now. I’ll let you know if I find anything else about Lilac Summer.” She said, walking out of the room, leaving every pony to think on what just happened.

After about a minute of silence, and Sprout continuing to look at the floor in shock at what he found out, Izzy slowly trotted over to Sprout with a sympathetic look.

“Sprout? Are…you okay?” She asked him, sounding genuinely concerned.

Sprout didn’t answer her. He just looked at the floor with that shocked look on his face.

However, Sunny and Hitch noticed it wasn’t just shock on his face. They also saw disbelief, hurt and betrayal. His own mother had another son all his life and never told him.

This time, Hitch came up to him. “Hey, Sprout, buddy? You wanna talk?” He asked him in a gentle voice, while patting his back in comfort.

Sprout still didn’t answer. It was almost like he couldn’t hear them. Like he was in a sort of hypnotic trance.

“Sprout?” Sunny tried getting his attention. “Say something.”

Pipp wanted to try and console Sprout as well, but she couldn’t figure out how. She barely knew him and didn’t want to say the wrong thing. It could make it worse.

However, Sprout did NOT say anything. After Sunny asked him to do so, and without even looking at everypony, Sprout turned around and slowly trudged toward the front door.

Sunny reached her hoof out and attempted to say something, before Hitch stopped her. He gave her a look that said to let him be. With finding out news like this, it probably is better for ponies to leave him alone for a while. They both didn’t like it and WANTED to help their longtime friend, but sometimes ponies just need to be left alone when dealing with stuff like this.

As Sprout quietly opened the door and left, Izzy let out a small whimper for him. She HATED seeing ponies so down. So depressed. So broken. So sad. And so…well, every word in the dictionary that described a negative emotion. She just wanted to run after him and hug him. Listen to ANY word he had to say about all this crazy reveal.

Maybe even stroke his good looking mane while doing so. That thought kind of made her blush. She quickly brushed it off. Now is not the time to think about how cute Sprout looked. This was serious time.

“I can’t fucking believe this shit.” Hitch said out loud, causing everypony to look at him.

“I’ve known Phyllis Cloverleaf since I was a colt, and I never ONCE knew she has another son. Celestia, this is so much to take in.”

Sunny looked sad. “Why would she keep something like this from us?”

While that was said, Izzy looked out the window to see where Sprout was going. However, what she saw now, shot up worry and anger from her as she let out a huge gasp.

“SPROUT!” She yelled as she ran out the door, startling everypony.

When she ran out, Hitch ran after her as well. And when he saw what he saw happening to Sprout, his anger went from 0-100. He saw red.

Sprout was being beat up by two earth pony stallions. Both of whom were a bit bigger than he was. And QUITE older. In the double digits category go say the least.

One had a blonde, crew cut style mane, a white coat and a trash can cutie mark. The other was bald, had a beige coat and a broom cutie mark. Seems like these two guys are janitors at some place.

Possibly Canterlogic?

Sprout was down on the ground being kicked and stomped by these two guys, when Hitch ran up and punched the bald pony in the face.

The bald pony groaned in pain from Hitch’s punch, while he stepped back a little bit.

The crew cut pony stopped what he was doing, which caused Hitch to buck him in the face. He yelled in pain from the shot he took.

Sunny, Pipp and Zipp all looked on in shock and horror at seeing Hitch beat the hell out of these two scumbags. Sunny had never seen a side of him like this before. It was almost scary seeing Hitch look this angry.

She then looked over at Sprout and gasped in horror. She saw him on the ground, trying to protect himself from the beating he took from those two ponies. She ran over toward him and Izzy, who appeared to be trying to help him up.

“Sprout!” Sunny exclaimed. “Oh Celestia, are you alright?!” She asked him, sounding worried.

“Sprouty!” Izzy said with serious concern.

Thankfully, he didn’t look too bad. Yes, he did look a little bit roughed up. And it did appear he took a shot to the face. But, thankfully, Izzy saw what was going on literally when it first happened. Thank Celestia it didn’t go any further. So, it wasn’t serious.

As Sunny and Izzy helped Sprout up, Hitch continued to beat the hell out of the two ponies. Especially the bald one. The crew cut pony looked to be done with his beating. The bald one put up a little bit more of a fight. However, Hitch was just a little bit more tougher than BOTH of them. So it was not really a surprise that he beat both of their asses.

As he cuffed both of the scumbags, some of the townsfolk ponies heard the commotion going on, and decided to see what was up. Some ponies were shocked and surprised at Hitch’s brutality. Both ponies looked to be beat up REALLY bad. Especially the crew cut pony. He was even moaning in pain from his beating. While the bald one just grumbled.

When the two ponies were cuffed, Hitch came out of his anger induced rage. He saw the results of it on these two scumbag ponies. He had no idea what he had just done.

He looked at everypony in town staring at him in disbelief. He couldn’t help but feel remorse for them. He didn’t mean for them to see this. He just go so angry and lost control on these two.

However, he couldn’t help but ask a serious question regarding everypony in town at what just happened:
Why Didn’t Anypony Help?

After breathing a big sigh of both relief and disappointment, he turned around and brought the two ponies up.

“You okay, Sprout?” He asked his friend, who didn’t answer him. By now, Izzy and Sunny had let go of him and he was fine standing on his own.

He just looked away in shame. Why he felt that way was a mystery to Hitch. It wasn’t his fault he got beat down by these two assholes.

“Why are you asking if HE’S okay? You should be asking Zipp that?” The crew cut pony asked in anger at Hitch.

“Shut up and walk, fuckface.” Hitch said calmly.

As the two ponies did just that, the bald one called out to both Zipp and Pipp, who were still standing at the entrance of the Sheriff’s Department in shock and concern over what had just happened.

“We saw the video. You should be thanking us, Zipp.” He said.

When he said that, Hitch stopped in his tracks. His anger came back a little bit, though he was more in control of it now. He looked over at Zipp.

“What video?” He asked both of the scumbag ponies, while not looking at them.

Pipp had a look of embarrassment on her face, while Zipp looked away in shame. She did take one look over at Sprout and her shame doubled inside of her.

Sprout just shook his head at her in disgust and walked away. Again, Izzy wanted to go after him, but Sunny stopped her. Right now, he needed to be alone. Even if he was roughed up, Sprout needed to be alone to clear his head.

While the two scumbag ponies were escorted inside the Sheriffs Department, and eventually put in a jail cell, Hitch gave her that same look of disgust that Sprout just did. He knew that after he was done booking these two assholes, he was gonna have a serious talk with her.

Zipp then looked over at Sunny and Izzy. What she saw on them was even worse. Sunny had a look that said nothing but disappointment and shame as she shook her head at her and walked away, possibly to start up her smoothie cart business for the day.

As for Izzy, the look she gave just broke Zipp’s heart. Izzy didn’t just look disappointed like Sunny, she looked hurt. She looked like Zipp had just betrayed her. And the incredibly sad look on her face just sold it. Izzy then trotted off, probably back to the Crystal Brighthouse.

However, the worst one was when she turned to her little sister Pipp next to her. She could see that Pipp was angry with her too, but there also was a look of disappointment on her face too. She expected better of her big sister, and after this whole incident, she was almost ashamed of her. She flew off, probably to find Izzy and comfort her as best she could.

Now, Zipp was alone. She was standing outside the Sheriff’s Department all by herself. With the exception of all the townsfolk, who either already left the uncomfortable situation they saw, or still stood there not knowing what to do. Some either looked at her in disgust or shame, or some even looked at her with a smile. Those ponies appeared to be happy that Sprout got beat down by those two scumbags.

It sickened her to think that ponies would find enjoyment in that. Why would anypony want somepony to get beat up that bad? Even if she still didn’t entirely trust Sprout, she was still disgusted with how those two scumbag ponies acted.

Eventually, the rest of the townsfolk stopped looking on at what just happened, and continued to go about their business. However, all Zipp could do was just stand there in shame. All she could think was one question she had about this whole situation. The whole situation that was now officially her fault.

”What have I done?”

*SLAM*

Went the jail cell doors, closing the two scumbag ponies inside their new little home. When interrogating them, he found out their names were Oscar and Sal. The bald one was Sal and the crew cut pony was Oscar.

They both worked at Canterlogic as Janitors for about 3 years now. Like almost everypony there, they HATED Sprout Cloverleaf with a passion. Always gave him looks and made comments about him behind his back.

Another thing they were, apparently, was major creep asses. One reason for them assaulting Sprout was seeing the video of Him striking Zipp and giving her a black eye. That was obvious. Another was, pretty much, they just HATE Sprout and wanted to beat him up.

However, the biggest reason for them assaulting Sprout, was that they wanted to impress Zipp and Pipp. Yes. These two older gentlecolt’s, who were probably 15 to 20 years older than them, wanted to impress two young mares in hopes of bedding them. These two creep asses wanted to get with two mares who were old enough to be their father’s.

Fucking disgusting much. Hitch got great pleasure throwing these two in a cell together. He just hoped he could keep them there for a LONG time.

However, now was NOT the time to think about these two creep asses. His attention was now focused on one pony. The pony who he now knows started all this shit.

His friend, Zipp Storm.

After Oscar and Sal were in their cell(while yelling obscenities at him), he walked back into the main lobby. Zipp stood right there with that same look of shame on her face. She probably could’ve left while Hitch dealt with Oscar and Sal, but with that angry look he gave her, she knew that would make her situation worse. He would eventually find her and make her punishment more than what he might have planned for her.

Hitch walked up to her with that angry look on his face again. Zipp had to look away from his piercing glaze.

“What video were they talking about, Zipp?” He asked her in a somewhat threatening tone.

She sighed sadly before she took her phone out and showed him that video. Hitch watched while Zipp tackled Sprout to the ground, resulting in her black eye. He shook his head in disappointment.

“Why?” Hitch asked.

Zipp didn’t answer.

“Why, Zipp? What were you thinking?”

“Hitch-“

“Don’t talk. Just listen.” He said, rather rudely. Which did kind of hurt Zipp a little bit.

“Do you have any idea what you just did? You accused the first stallion that came up in front of a lot of ponies. Ponies who don’t like him, and probably would believe you, even if evidence says otherwise.”

“I’m sorry, Hitch, I didn’t-“

“Sorry isn’t enough, Zipp. If I have to punish my best friend of over 20 years for his crimes, I have to punish YOU for your crimes too.” He said, rather calmly, but still had a little anger in him.

Zipp felt a cold chill run through her. What was he talking about?

“Hitch, come on, I didn’t know we were being recorded. I didn’t mean for that happen to Sprout. I’ve just been so crazy with finding the fucker who murdered Lilac. I didn’t mean to lose control. I’m sorry, okay?” Zipp said, now letting some emotional tears run down her face.

Hitch looked disappointed with a bit of sadness. He didn’t WANT to do this, but he knew he HAD to. He was the Sheriff after all. It was the right thing to do.

“I’m sure you didn’t mean to. But, I have to do this. You committed aggravated assault, Zipp. And now you unintentionally caused two ponies to commit assault on that same pony. You have to pay for that.” Hitch said in a soft voice.

Zipp felt her heart sink. She knew it. She knew what Hitch was going to do now.

“Zipp, turn around. You’re under arrest.” Hitch said.

It was in that moment that Zipp let out a small sob. She fucked up. She made a bad mistake and now she was going to pay for that. She turned around like he asked her to do and felt the hoof cuffs around her hooves.

“You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law.” Hitch continued reading her her rights, while leading her to the jail cell that was in the lobby where they stood. He put her in the cell, took off her hoof cuffs, shut the cell door, and now Zipp was in jail.

Zipp Storm, the Detective, was now in jail.

“I’m sorry, Zipp, but I have to do what I have to do. I hope you understand.” He said softly.

Zipp sat on her bed, curled up in a ball and cried. Openly cried for her current situation.

About an hour or so after Zipp’s arrest, the Sheriff Department’s doors flew wide open. Startling Hitch and Zipp in the process. They were equally surprised at who it was that opened the doors with such force.

“Is my sugercube here? Where’s my son?” Phyllis desperately asked Hitch, who was sitting at his desk, looking at his computer for more facts on the case, before being interrupted.

When he looked at Phyllis, he saw the extreme look of concern and worry on her face. He knew she must’ve seen the video as well. Well, pretty much, EVERYPONY has seen the video. It’s probably one of the most viral videos on the web right now.

Phyllis looked over at Zipp in the jail cell. She felt both confused and relieved at what she saw.

“Why is Zipp in jail? If she’s here, where’s Sprout then?” She asked Hitch.

He knew she wanted to know if her son was okay. The fact that she cut her Trip short so soon showed that much.

However, when Hitch looked at her, he also felt like he saw a different pony altogether as well. This was a mare he’s known since foalhood. Somepony who almost felt like another family member to him.

Now, after finding out she has another son out there, and never told anypony, including him and Sprout, he felt like this was a different pony, but still had Phyllis’ face.

He also had a feeling that, what he was gonna do next, was NOT gonna be an easy conversation to have. What would she say? What would her reaction be?

He stood up from his desk. Then, walked very casually over to Phyllis, and said this to her in that calm voice he used when he arrested Zipp:

“Phyllis, we need to talk.”

The way he told her that felt unsettling to Phyllis. She had never seen that type of look on his face before. It kind of scared her a little bit. Why was he looking at her like this?

He motioned for her to follow him to an interrogation room. After a brief hesitation, she followed behind him. What could he want with her? Did something really bad happen to her son? Did something happen to her job while she was away?

She had no idea. All she did know was this was all feeling really strange. She didn’t like it one bit.

When they made it to one of the interrogation rooms, Hitch let her go in first. Even holding the door open for her like a true gentlecolt. And some say chivalry is dead.

When she walked inside, he gave a deep breath through his nostrils. He knew this was gonna be a really hard interview. This might be harder when he interviewed Sprout about the partial DNA match.

”This is not gonna be good.” He told himself internally, before stepping inside and closing the door.

Chapter 32: An Unexpected Reunion

Author's Note

This is a major Trigger Warning for everyone who is about to read this. What you’re about to read will feature male on female violence. Reader’s Discretion is advised.

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

Chapter 32: An Unexpected Reunion

Bella had come outside after seeing Sunny leave with tears on her face. She walked over to the bench where Sprout was still sitting. She saw that he also had tears on his face too. However, what really concerned her, was the look of shock and disbelief as well.

When Sunny left, she didn’t say anything to Bella. Not out of any disrespect or anything. She was just clearly having an emotional moment. Telling Sprout something that made them both feel that way.

“Sprout? Sweetheart?” Sprout turned his head after Bella got his attention. She came and sat down next to him.

“What happened?” She asked, clearly sounding worried. “What did Sunny say?”

Sprout began to wonder if he should tell her what Sunny had said to him. Was it really his place to tell her about something that happened to his mother over 40 years ago? She and Vinny had known Phyllis for as long as they could remember. She was practically family to them as well.

“Sunny told me everything that her and Hitch found out. About that mare on the beach who was murdered. And….and now I know why Mom gave up my brother all those years ago.” He told her, as she rubbed his shoulder in comfort. She nodded, urging him to keep going.

“Bella, I’m still mad at my Mom. Everything I wanted to be in life, it was based on lies and ignorance and…and prejudice. And she straight up abandoned her first child.” He said, anger rising on that last statement, which made Bella whisper “it’s alright” to him a few times to calm him down a little bit.

“She didn’t care where she put him. As long as she got rid of him…..but…..after what Sunny told me, now I know why. I get it.” He said, breathing in and out slowly.

Bella was scared to hear this. She’s known Phyllis Cloverleaf for years. Even before she met her husband Bright. Could Phyllis have been hiding a horrifying secret from her and Vinny all these years? Why would she do this?

“Sunny told me that, when my Mom was 14 she….she was raped.”

Bella felt as if a bolt of lightning struck through her. The shock was so big, she almost fainted upon hearing that statement. She almost didn’t believe it at first, but knowing how smart Sunny was, and how close her and Sprout were growing up, there was no reason to believe either of them were lying.

“Oh sweetheart.” Bella said, embracing Sprout.

Sunny knew that was one of the hardest things she ever had done. She remembered the day she decided to ultimately take her father off life support. That was ABSOLUTELY the hardest day of her life.

She also remembered, when she was still a filly, to stop getting Sprout to open up after his father had passed away so suddenly. It was both Hitch and her father who told her that, if he didn’t want to talk about it, no pony could make him. She didn’t want to. Really, she didn’t want to. However, she eventually realized that they were right. So, she stopped. That was certainly a hard decision for her.

And just now, telling Sprout everything that she and Hitch discovered, regarding the Mother Mutilator murders, was also a hard decision for her to make. She almost chose not to do so, after seeing the incredibly good mood he was in. Something she didn’t see too often with him growing up.

“Sunny!” She looked up and saw Zipp flying fast toward her. The look on her face concerned Sunny. Zipp looked like she saw something bad happen just now. What was going on?

“What’s wrong, Zipp?” Sunny asked, now that the Pegasus was right in front of her.

“Where did you get those photos you found? Of some of those Lexi Orphanage guys?” Zipp asked, looking sort of intense.

“I just looked through old archives of yearbooks from Clopton from 20 years ago. And looked at some old photos as well. Why?” She asked.

Zipp looked left and right, making sure no pony could hear them. She didn’t want to start a panic. “That police pony from Clopton? Officer Winthorpe?” She asked, making Sunny nod her head.

“I swear, he looks like one of the names you found. Dodd Winchester. Like, literally, almost to a tee.” She said, sounding kind of afraid. Which made Sunny look scared too.

“Are you sure, Zipp? Are you ABSOLUTELY sure?” Sunny asked, making Zipp nod her head.

“I told Hitch I needed to step out for a minute to get a smoothie.” Zipp told her. “So, let’s go to your stand, and maybe tell me some things you found out about Dodd. So I’ll know for sure if it’s him.”

“Okay.” Sunny said, now looking and feeling nervous. “But Zipp, if you’re wrong, please try not to make a big show of it. But, if you’re right…just please be careful. This guy is from Clopton. They’re either REALLY tough, or VERY bad ponies.”

The Pegasus mare nodded. “I will.”

“Zipp!” They both heard a familiar voice coming up the road they were on. It was the lovable unicorn, Izzy. She was running towards them, and almost tackled Zipp into a hug.

“Welcome back, friend.” She said, now letting go of Zipp. She laughed a little bit.

“Hey Izzy.” Zipp said with a chuckle. “Good to see you.”

“Hey, where’s Pipp? I wanna see her too.” The happy unicorn said, sounding even more excited.

“She took the Pippsqueaks to Mane Melody to get their manes done.” Sunny said.

“Ooh. I’ll go see her. But first, I need to get my smoothie on, Sunny.” Izzy said in an over the top, but hilarious way. Which made Sunny and Zipp chuckle.

“Sure. Let’s go.” Zipp said, as the three took off.

It took only a few minutes for them to get to her stand. Izzy and Zipp waited patiently for Sunny to set everything up. While they did that, Zipp noticed that Izzy was looking at her with an excited look. As if she wanted to tell her something, but was waiting for her to ask what was up. Zipp chuckled again.

“Alright, I’ll bite. What’s up, Izzy?” Zipp asked.

The unicorn mare jumped up and down with glee. “Sprouty and I went on a date last night.”

Zipp looked surprised to hear that. “Really? You and Sprout?”

“Uh-huh. Uh-huh.” The unicorn said, looking as if she was ready to burst.

Zipp raised an eyebrow. “And how was it?”

Izzy sighed in ecstasy. “It was wonderful. We had a nice dinner at the Firepit Pizza. We talked. And we found out we both have a few things in common. He looked so handsome. And…” She let out a giggle with a blush on her face.

Zipp grinned. “And what?”

Izzy squeed in delight. “I kissed him.” She sighed again. “It was so romantic.”

“You and Sprout, eh?” Zipp asked, still finding it hard to believe that somepony who once hated unicorns, was now apparently dating one. And both seemed very happy with it.

Izzy nodded. “I can’t wait to tell Pipp. Oh, she is gonna love to hear this.”

“I’m sure she will.” Zipp said. “I’ll be honest, I still think it’s weird seeing you two together, but I’m still happy for you, Izzy.”

“Oh, thank you.” Izzy said, sounding super happy. A super happy Izzy.

It was then they both realized that their smoothies were done. Izzy’s Dreamy Greenie smoothie and Zipp’s Peanut Butter and Banana Bomb. Then, Zipp thought of something.

“Sunny, make Hitch and Pipp a Super Citrus and Strawberry Ripple. And maybe, get a….Triple Berry for our Winthorpe.” She said, which made Izzy look confused.

“Who’s Winthorpe?” She asked.

“It’s nothing, Izzy. Here.” Sunny said, giving her the Dreamy Greenie smoothie. “Go on over to Pipp and chat with her. Don’t leave out any details about your date last night.” She said, making Izzy flush in her cheeks, giggling as well.

Sunny quickly made a Strawberry Ripple smoothie for Pipp. Izzy then took both in her magic and trotted away.

Since Sunny had just opened up her stand, no pony else had come by yet. So, it was just her and Zipp for now. She looked to the left and right to see if no pony was looking.

“Okay. So, there are a few things I learned about this Dodd Winchester.” Sunny said, making Zipp nod her head with intensity.

“Both he and Bud Bloomington got into fights with other students when they were in school. And actually, I think Dodd was more of a bully than Bud was. He picked on a lot of students back then.” Sunny told her.

Zipp became interested in hearing that. “Bullies are naturally insecure ponies. So, maybe, if I made him angry or did something that pissed him off…”

“Maybe he’ll let something slip out.” Sunny said, getting to where Zipp was thinking of.

“Also, there’s this too: Bud Bloomington, Dodd Winchester and Sanguine Sauvignon technically never graduated high school. The Lexi fire happened about 2 months before graduation. Bud was 18, Dodd was 16 and Sanguine was 15.”

Zipp looked surprised when Sunny said that. “And nopony went looking for them? They just disappeared?” She asked.

Sunny shrugged. “I guess Clopton police officers were too busy with something else. But after the Lexi fire, two years later, was when the Mother Mutilator’s first victim died. Nova Jasmine.”

Zipp thought that was pretty interesting. If she thought that this Winthorpe was indeed Dodd Winchester, then she needed to know how long he’d been a police pony. If the Lexi fire was 20 years ago, then that meant that Dodd was now 36 year old. When did he officially start as a police pony?

And how has he been helping Bud murder all those mares?

Zipp grabbed the 3 smoothies, which were in a carry box. “Alright Sunny. Thanks.” She let out a big breath. “Wish me luck okay?”

Sunny nodded. “Please be careful, Zipp.” She said, making Zipp nod her head, before she took off.

She almost felt the need to shut down her smoothie stand for today and go help Zipp as well. But, this was now was Hitch and Zipp’s case. She was happy to help while Zipp was gone, but now the rest was up to them.

Little did she know that after today, nothing would ever be the same for her and her friends again.

Hmmmm. This place is pretty state of the art. It’d be nice if I owned this place.

Bud Bloomington thought as he walked through the Canterlogic. Sanguine wasn’t with him now. He sent her off to the bathroom with the bag she had with her. When he sent her a text on his phone, that’s when her part came up next.

He looked around at all the employees here. They certainly looked like they were hard working ponies. After all the jobs he’s worked at in Clopton, he truly respected hard working ponies like these.

Shame that this would be their last day here.

He walked upstairs to where he would be interviewed by Phyllis Cloverleaf. His birth mother. With his good looking suit on, his briefcase, and good looking mane that he brushed really well before coming here, his excitement levels were off the charts.

He couldn’t wait to see her. He couldn’t wait to catch up with her. He couldn’t wait…

“Alright. Have a nice day, Phyllis.” He heard a voice say from inside her office. He stopped in his tracks. He swore he thought he knew that voice.

The door then opened, and out came, with a janitor cart, a dark purple coated, light brown maned stallion, who looked about in his mid fifties. When the two saw each other, everything went quiet for about a minute.

Bud knew who this was. It was Reggie. The former police pony, who came by the Lexi Orphanage before he and his accomplices set the cursed place ablaze. He almost felt the need to kill him right here and now. But, that would interfere with his plan. So, he regained his composure and put a smile on his face.

“Hello good sir.” He said in a happy voice, while patting his briefcase. “Going in for an interview. Maybe, we’ll be working together.” He said, as he walked past him and into Phyllis’ office.

As for Reggie, while he walked away, he just couldn’t shake the feeling that he felt he’s seen a ghost. He swore he thought he recognized that stallion. Why does he look so familiar?

If he hadn’t had another bathroom to do, he’d have asked that stallion about it. It was almost killing him now when he saw that stallion.

In the future, this would be something that Reggie deeply regretted not doing.

Back in Phyllis’ office, the two ponies greeted each other. “Ahh, Mrs. Cloverleaf. Pleasure to meet you.” Bud said in a fake friendly tone.

Phyllis sat up from her chair. “Nice to meet you as well. Your name is Burgeon Barren, correct?” She asked, shaking his hoof.

“That would be me.” Bud said, with that fake smile he’s used on his victims over the years. Truth be told, when he felt the touch of his mother’s hoof on his, he almost wanted to bring her hoof to his muzzle and smell it. Take a big whiff of what this bitch smells like. Thankfully, he let go of her hoof and then the two sat down.

The tension was there for Bud. He knew he had to time his reveal just right. Let her ask all her questions. Then, he’d drop the bombshell on her.

After Sprout had calmed down a little bit, Bella had now felt it was time to calmly and gently tell Sprout how she felt about this situation.

“Sweetheart, I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now. I am so sorry that you found this out. I know that you must feel…angry…scared…confused…believe me, I understand.” Bella comforted him as best she could.

Sprout shook his head in disbelief. “Why would my Mom lie all these years? Why would she keep this from me? Why didn’t she make sure my brother was in a good home, instead of those ponies who did raise him?”

Bella looked sad. She knew that Sprout wanted these questions answered. But, questions like that were complicated to answer. And if they were answered, would it matter if he didn’t like what he heard?

She gave a sigh. “I wish I could answer all those questions, sweetheart. And to be fair, I’d like to know them myself.” She said, as Sprout looked at her again.

“However, if I had to give an answer, I’d say it as simple as this: your mother was in a bad place. She didn’t know what to do, and I guess didn’t have support from her family. She was a young filly, and made a quick decision to get herself out of it. Looking back, maybe it was wrong of her to do that. But, again, she was 14 and didn’t know what else to do.”

Sprout heard her words and thought about the situation his mother must’ve been in. She was raped and impregnated by somepony at 14 years old. Her family doesn’t believe her or support her during her pregnancy. When she brings his brother into the world, she now has a child she didn’t choose to have or want. No pony helps her. She obviously won’t kill him, because she’d go to prison. So, she just quickly looks up orphanages on the internet, and chooses the first one she sees.

Then, her family kicks her out of the house. And, apparently, erases her from the family altogether. As if she never existed. And she was 15 by that point as well.

When all that went through his head, he started to wonder…..”Why wouldn’t she do all that stuff?” Who could blame her after everything she went through? Yeah, it still wasn’t right of her to just get rid of her child like he was nothing. But….she was only 14.

She was scared. Alone. Confused. What else could she have done?

“I’m not trying to tell you what to do, sweetheart. I’m just saying, knowing what you know now, doesn’t it all make sense?” Bella asked him. Sprout couldn’t say anything.

“And there’s this too:” She put her hoof on his shoulder in comfort again. “After everything you and your Mom have been through, do you really think you can’t love her anymore?”

Sprout thought about that. He closed his eyes, thinking back to the days of when he was a little Colt.

There was the time when, after Bright passed away, the two of them went camping at a local campground. Something that Bright lived to do when he was still alive. He got a little scared at night, and his mother promised to protect him with her life. He knew then the monsters wouldn’t get him with her by his side.

Then, there was the time when, a nice looking shirt he owned didn’t fit him anymore. He was freaking out, because he was going on a date the next day with a pretty mare who agreed to a movie date with him. No questions asked, she bought him a nice looking shirt. Just like that. Too bad the date he had didn’t lead to anything. But, he was always appreciative of that.

Then, after he aced his first test, she took him out to the Firepit Pizza, where he met Bella and Vinny. And to this day, they’ve been like family to them ever since.

When he opened his eyes, he knew what he had to do. He knew that, even if it would turn ugly, even if there would be things said between them, he knew now what he had to do.

“You’re right Bella. You’ve always been.” He said, now standing up from the bench.

“And now…I know I have to talk to her.” He said, while Bella stood up as well. The two then hugged each other.

“No matter what happens between you and Phyllis….Vinny and I….we love you, Sprout.” Bella said.

“And I love you guys.” He said, now letting go. He then walked toward the screen door, which would lead to the front door of Bella and Vinny’s home. When he walked out of their house, he thought in his head that, he had no idea how he was even gonna talk or react to his mother. What would he even say? What would be said between them?

He didn’t know. But, he was gonna sit down and talk with her about this. Little did he know that, when he would get there, he would not only see his mother….but his brother as well. And it would change his life forever.

“So, that’s how I’d strip and wax the floors.” Bud, as Burgeon Barren, said, finishing a question he was asked by Phyllis.

“Hmmm.” Phyllis said, very impressed with this stallion’s skills as a janitor. However, that wasn’t all she was thinking.

During the interview, Phyllis kept looking at her paper of questions she usually asks whenever hiring somepony. When she’d look back at the stallion, she kept getting a weird feeling in her gut. She didn’t know why or how, it was just there.

She couldn’t shake the feeling…that she knew this stallion from somewhere. She swore she recognized his face. She just didn’t know where and why.

“I’m also available to work weekends, if you need me to.” Bud said, still keeping that fake smile on his face. He only wondered when he’d reveal himself to her. It should be any minute now.

Phyllis couldn’t take it anymore. The feeling was just killing her. She had to ask.

“Do you mind if I ask a personal question?” She asked him.

“Not at all.” Bud said, now feeling a slight tinge of excitement. What was she gonna say?

“Do I….know you from somewhere? I don’t know why, but…I just feel like I recognize you?” She asked him.

That was it. Now was the time. Time to finally put his plan into action.

Bud started to chuckle a little bit. It went on for about a minute, before Phyllis started to get a little confused.

“What’s so funny?” She asked him.

His chuckling stopped, regaining his composure. “Nothing. It’s just…I’m a little surprised you say you recognize me. I mean…why would you?” He asked.

The tone in his voice felt like a red flag in Phyllis’ head. It sounded a bit…sinister. Why did he say that?

“After all, we haven’t seen each other in ages. Though, you probably never wanted to see me again, right? All these years, why would you want to?” He asked, his voice becoming more sinister.

Phyllis had no idea what this stallion was talking about. She had never seen this stallion before. Sure, she thought he looked familiar, but she doesn’t remember him.

“I mean….you did leave me. On the porch step of a random orphanage in Clopton. Just like that.” Now Bud’s voice was starting to show signs of anger and bitterness.

Phyllis felt a chill run down her spine. How did he know about an Orphanage in Clopton?

No.

No, it can’t be.

“Oh, I see you’re looking confused. Well, then let me show you something.” Bud said, opening up his briefcase. What he pulled out made Phyllis look at with fright and horror.

It was a little blue baby blanket. It had holes in it and looked worn and torn, due to years of wear and tear. She knew this…because she left that with Bud when she left him at the doorsteps of Lexi Orphange in Clopton 40 years ago.

She looked at Bud again. Now she knew. She knew EXACTLY who this was.

“B-B-B-Bud?” She asked, with the most terrifying tone in her voice she had ever heard.

“That’s right, Phyllis. Or should I call you…..Mom.?” He asked.

Then, for the next minute, the two just stared at each other. 40 year ago, Phyllis threw Bud away. Like he was nothing. Nothing but a piece of trash. Not caring who he was put with. As long as she was rid of him.

Now, 40 years later, the two were face to face. Alone. In a locked room. Together.

Phyllis made only the smallest move possible. She had to get out of here. She had to get Sheriff Hitch. What a mistake that was.

Bud saw that coming a mile away. When she moved, he lunged towards her. He grabbed her by her mane and, while she let out a blood curdling scream, he threw her against a wall. He slapped her very, VERY hard. Sending her to the ground.

He then kicked her about 4 or 5 times, very violently in the ribs, which made her almost lose her breath, and cough up blood. He grabbed the chair he sat in during his interview, and then wedged it in between the door handle. His phone was as then taken out, and he texted his other accomplice.

Do It.

Send.

He’d let her have her fun with all the other employees. He knew what he was gonna do.

He walked back over to his mother, who was now on the floor trying to get back up. He leaned back and punched her. Right in the jaw. Down she went again.

“Let’s spend some time catching up….Mom.” He said, before taking out years and years of anger out on her violently. Even if pony’s COULD hear her screams, no pony could help her. She was trapped. Trapped with this evil monster that she brought into this world.