Episode 16: Summer Festival

At the Castle of Friendship, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were looking at a calendar that had a date marked for the Summer Festival in Station Square. They then checked how much US money they had for the Festival.

"Looks like we have enough for a lot o' the activities there," Apple Bloom said.

"I heard it has some rides that can knock your socks off!" Scootaloo said, her wings flapping fast. "I can't wait."

"Don't we need someone to go with us to the Festival?" Sweetie Belle asked. "According to this flier, we need a guardian just to enter the festival."

"I'm sure one of the Freedom Fighters will escort us to the Festival," Joshua said. "Especially if one of them is actually the father of one of our members." He then looked towards Nyx, the others following.

"I'm not sure if MC is going to make it to the Festival," Nyx said. "He, Truemen and Blaze are out of the country."

"Doing what?" Dinky asked.

"Don't know," Nyx said. "They never said why or when they would be back."

"Well, perhaps one of the other Freedom Fighters can escort us there," Scootaloo said. "How about we go and see?" Then the Crusaders headed out of the room. Later, the Crusaders went through the portal to Freedom Fighters Mansion. When they entered, they saw Misty and Alphabittle talking.

"I'm sure there's something we can do together like the old days, Misty," Alphabittle said. "We could go to the local playground. You loved going on the Merry-Go-Round."

"Actually, Alphabi-- I mean, dad," Misty said. "I'm kinda old for that."

"Okay, that's true," Alphabittle said. "We could try some poetry. You used to love that when you were a filly."

"Emphasis on use to," Misty said. "I'm not that much into poetry. Or attention." She then sighed. "I just need time for myself." She then headed towards the Crusaders. "Oh, hey there, Crusaders. What brings you here?"

"Well, we were wondering if any of the Freedom Fighters are here to take us to the Summer Festival here in Station Square," Joshua said.

"Well, the only ones who are here are me, Maria and Muttski," Misty said. She then looked towards Alphabittle. She then sighed. "Perhaps I should try something fun. I can escort you there. Might as well bring Maria and Mutt there."

"That actually sounds fun," came Maria's voice. Then Misty and the Crusaders looked towards the voice and they saw Maria and Mutt standing there. "I actually wanted to go to one a long time ago, but because of my sickness, I couldn't do anything about it. Plus, there's the fact I was shot and then turned into a hedgehog. And then I spent 50 years in suspended animation."

"50 years?" Misty asked. "Wow. You're older than me."

"Misty, everyone here's older than you," Mutt said. The Crusaders laughed at that.

"True, true," Misty said. "How about we head out?"

"Okay!" the Crusaders, Mutt and Maria said. Then they all headed for the front door.

"Hey, wait!" Alphabittle said. "Misty! Don't forget your sweater!" Alphabittle was carrying a sweater and he closed the door from behind.

From the other side of the closed door, Misty whined, saying, "Daaaad!"

At the Station Square Park where the Summer Festival was being held at, a lot of people were enjoying their time with the activities there. Especially the young ones. The Crusaders, Mutt, Maria, Misty and Alphabittle entered the Festival.

"Whoa!" the Crusaders said.

"This is awesome!" Joshua said. "What should we do first?"

"Remember, stay together," Misty said. "Your families might freak out if I come back to the mansions without one of you. You got it."

"Yes, Misty!" the Crusaders said. Then they all headed off somewhere.

Misty chuckled and she looked around at all the things to do. She was about to walk off somewhere, but then Alphabittle grabbed her shoulders.

"Hey, Misty-wisty," Alphabittle said. "Check out all the games. You used to love playing all of these kinds of games when you were a filly."

"Daaaad," Misty whined. "I know it's been a while since we've saw each other, but maybe we should tone it down with the father/daughter bonding. I'm not a little filly anymore."

Maria leaned towards Mutt and whispered, "Not since what happened the other day." Mutt looked at Maria confused. Maria then whispered, "Nicole will show you what happened when we get back home."

"I know you're not a little filly anymore, Misty," Alphabittle said. "I'm just happy to have my daughter back. And I can't handle the separation anymore."

"I know, Dad," Misty said. "It's just... ever since we've reunited, I feel like... you're afraid of losing me again. I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. But sometimes, I need some time for myself."

"Oh, c'mon, Misty-wisty," Alphabittle said, hugging Misty tightly. "I know you don't mean that." He then noticed something. "Hey, look. How about we ride that roller coaster together?" Alphabittle pointed at the roller coaster at the end of the park.

Misty looked at it and gulped. She then said, "Maybe... at the... end of the day. We should..."

"Oh, c'mon, Misty," Alphabittle then pulled Misty towards the roller coaster. "The best time to get onto a roller coaster is as soon as possible. That way we won't have to worry about the line."

"Wait! Dad, no!" Misty said. Maria and Mutt followed the two futuristic unicorns towards the roller coaster.

Meanwhile, the Cutie Mark Crusaders were walking down the path full of festival games, looking at all the things they could do for fun.

"So many choices!" Scootaloo said. "Ring toss, water gun race, skee ball! This place is awesome!"

"Well, I don't wanna walk past any more of them," Joshua said. "Let's play!"

"I like the way you think, Josh," Babs said. "Let's do this!" Just then, Misty teleported in, making the group of kids jump in fright.

"I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!" Misty said. "Ever since my dad came back from the future, he's been unbearable! He won't let me eat my own meals!" She then remembered one time when she was trying to eat her cereal. She was about to eat it, but the spoon was taken out of her hand.

"Here comes the Pegasus," Alphabittle said in the flashback. All Misty did in response was give off an annoyed face, without opening her mouth. It then went back to the present.

"He won't let me sleep," Misty said. She then flashbacked to when she was trying to sleep. But then, six blankets were put on over her.

"Better keep warm, Misty," Alphabittle said in the flashback. "It's gonna be a cold night."

"Daaaad!" Misty said in the flashback. "We're in a heat wave!" It then went back to the present time.

"He even walked into the bathroom when I was in the tub," Misty said. She then remembered when Alphabittle opening the bathroom door as she was bathing.

"Misty, I'm here to..." Alphabittle said in the flashback before being interrupted by Misty's scream.

"DAAAD!!!" Misty screamed, making Alphabittle slam the door shut. "I'M NOT DESCENT!!"

"Sorry, Misty!" Alphabittle said in the flashback. It then went back to the present.

"I just wish... he wasn't so... clingy," Misty said.

"Ah'm sure y'all get past that separation issue," Apple Bloom said. "Mah Ma and Pa were gone fer a long time due to an Equestria Disease called Swamp Fever. They missed a lot o' mah life. Mah first day o' school, gettin' mah Cutie Mark, so many birthdays o' mine, Applejack and Big Mac's. But they knew Ah wasn't that li'l filly they knew when they were gone. They had o' lot of catching up on."

"Swamp Fever?" Misty asked. "Isn't that that deadly disease that turns any creature into trees if not treated in time?"

"Eeyup," Apple Bloom said. "It was MC that actually got rid o' that disease and cured all who wasn't cured in time. What he did undid all o' it."

"It was actually nice meeting Apple Bloom's parents," Sweetie Belle said.

"It was sappy, yet amazing at the same time," Scootaloo said.

"Well, at least it wasn't as long as I was separated from my dad," Misty said. "You know, being raised by a magic hungry Alicorn tyrant bent on destroying those who stand in her way."

"Is she really that evil?" Nyx asked. "Wow. Makes me, or rather, who I was supposed to be, sound like a schoolhouse bully than an evil queen bent on having Equestria bathe in an eternal night."

"You did that?" Misty asked.

"For two weeks," Nyx said. "My friends here, before Joshua and Dinky came along, helped me see the light again."

"I was living in Manehattan at the time," Babs said.

"Okay," Misty said. "Well, right now, I need my space."

"Misty?! Where are you?!" came Alphabittle's voice from afar.

"Let's get out of here before he makes me do something I'm too old for," Misty said, pushing the Crusaders towards the haunted house.

Misty and the Crusaders were walking through the haunted house. The Crusaders were sticking close to Misty in case they ran into something really scary. Just then, a dummy werewolf came out from behind a black curtain, sending out noises. The Crusaders screamed in fright, clinging onto Misty, who didn't flinch at all.

"Okay, now that was scary," Scootaloo said. Then she looked up, seeing Misty wasn't scared at all. "Why didn't that make you jump?"

"Have you seen where I lived for years before coming here?" Misty asked. "Opaline being angry is a lot more scarier than what this place has."

"I'm not gonna argue with that," Joshua said. "Opaline was pretty scary when she appeared in the Castle that day."

"She scares me my entire life," Misty said. She then looked at Nyx. "So, you're really a reincarnation of a wicked mare that brought an eternal night?"

"Yeah," Nyx said. "I was created to make everypony see how beautiful the night sky is, but it was a complete disaster. The plants were dying, crops weren't growing, everypony was eventually going to starve. Nexus had an idea to make all the plants of Equestria grow during the night, but they didn't do it until after the eternal night started."

"They should a started that process months in advance," Misty said, making the Crusaders nod in agreement. Just then, a creepy clown popped out of a giant jack-in-the-box, scaring the Crusaders, hiding behind Misty.

Scootaloo looked up at Misty confused and asked, "Not even clowns scare you?" Misty shook her head. They continued walking through the haunted house.

Outside, Alphabittle was looking all over for Misty. Mutt and Maria were following him, trying to calm him down.

"Misty! MISTY!" Alphabittle called out. "Where are you, Misty?!"

"Mister Blossomforth, calm down," Maria said. "Misty is..."

"Lost in this carnival with no adult supervision!" Alphabittle said, cutting Maria off. "I gotta get her back! I can't lose her again!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Mutt said. "Take it easy, Alphabittle! She's old enough to watch out for herself! She's 16."

"So?! She's still so young! I can't lose her again!" Alphabittle said, picking up Mutt and shaking him. Just then, someone patted his back.

"Take it easy, y'all," came the voice of the one who pat him. Alphabittle turned around and standing right behind him was Applejack, Apple Bloom and Big Mac's father, Bright Mac. "Y'all are panickin' over nothin'."

"Bright Mac?!" Mutt and Maria asked in unison.

"Hey, ya two," Bright Mac said. "What brings y'all here?"

"Enjoying the Summer Carnival here in Station Square," Mutt said. "What about you?"

"Mah wife and Ah are selling some apple sweets over there," Bright Mac said, pointing at a booth. There, Pear Butter was at the stand.

"Get yer apple sweets from Sweet Apple Acres in Ponyville, Equestria!" Pear Butter called out. "We got caramel apples, apple pies, even some apple fritters!"

"Ooh hoo hoo!" Mutt said. "I love me some apple fritters!" Mutt then dashed towards the booth.

"Mutt sure loves those apple fritters," Maria said.

Bright Mac then looked at Alphabittle and asked, "So, why are ya so worked up?"

"My daughter's missing, again," Alphabittle said.

"Really?" Bright Mac asked. "How old is she? 5? 6?"

"16," Alphabittle said.

"16?" Bright Mac asked. "Sounds like she's old enough ta make her own decisions. Doing things by herself."

"I missed 11 years of her life!" Alphabittle said. "She's my little filly! I have to find her!"

Bright Mac then sighed and said, "Come with me. We have so much to talk about." The two fathers walked away from Maria. Mutt came back eating an apple fritter and he extended a caramel apple out for Maria.

"Caramel Apple?" Mutt asked.

"Thanks," Maria said, taking the caramel apple. She then took a bite out of it. "This is good."

"So, what are those two talking about?" Mutt asked.

"I'm gonna have to say... years of separation from their offspring," Maria said.

"Oh, I get it," Mutt said. "Pretty smart for a 65 year old with the mind of a 15 year old." Maria nodded in agreement. Then the two of them walked away from there.

Later, Misty and the Crusaders came out of the Haunted House. Scootaloo was clinging onto Misty with her tail between her legs. Literally.

"I-I-I d-d-don't g-g-get it!" Scootaloo said. "Th-th-that l-l-last one was s-s-so sc-sc-scary! H-h-how are you n-n-not afr-fr-fraid?"

"Meh, I don't scare easily," Misty said. "Well, except for when I saw some of the older Freedom Fighters watching Frankenstein."

"What's Frankenstein?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"Frankenstein is the scientist who created a monster made up of different body parts dug up from the cemetery, and brought to life," Joshua said. "It's also been used as a Halloween costume."

"That makes sense," Sweetie Belle said. Just then, the stomachs of the Cutie Mark Crusaders started growling.

"Sounds like we need to get some food in you little fillies," Misty said. "C'mon, I think I saw a booth that serves pizza." Then they all headed away from there.

Eventually, Misty and the Crusaders were sitting at a long table, eating their slices of pizza and drinking their drinks. Misty sighed in relief that her dad wasn't bugging her by treating her like a little filly.

"So, Misty, any good movies in theaters?" Joshua asked.

"Probably not ones that are okay with your parents," Misty said. "But, there may be some movies that are age appropriate for you now. I'll check." Misty then brought out her phone to see what's in theaters. Just then, something in her pocket started vibrating. Misty pulled it out. It was the communicator that Shade had given her. She then answered the communicator. "Shade?"

"Misty, you're in danger," Shade's voice came from the communicator. "Opaline is peeved." Just then, the girls of the Crusaders gasped.

"Hey, you really shouldn't repeat that kind of language around kids!" Scootaloo said.

"Do I hear kids with you?" Shade asked through the communicator.

Misty sighed and said, "Yeah. I'm kinda watching the Cutie Mark Crusaders from Equestria here at the Summer Festival."

"Well, you need to get out of there, quickly," Shade said through the communicator. "Opaline is sending the Destructix to take you down."

"What?!" Misty asked.

"They won't stop until you're taken down," Shade said through the communicator. "You need to get out of there before they get you."

"Okay," Misty said. "I got it." She then looked towards the Crusaders. "We need to get out of here, pronto." The Crusaders nodded. Then they all headed for another part of the Festival.

Back over at the Apple Sweets Booth, Bright Mac, Pear Butter and Alphabittle were all talking.

"So, we knew we had to let our foals grow up on their own," Bright Mac said. "We missed so much of their lives. The way we knew 'em are nothin' but memories now."

"It sure was hard seeing our foals grown up," Pear Butter said, handing a customer some apple sweets. She then turned around to face Alphabittle. "Misty is all grown up. And there ain't nothin' ya can do 'bout it."

Alphabittle sighed and said, "I guess... it's hard seeing my little filly all grown up now. I was... hoping she'd remember all the good times we have done together since before she disappeared. But I guess I can never have them back."

"It's gonna be alright, Alphabittle," Bright Mac said. "How 'bout instead o' tryin' ta rememberin' all the old ways all at once, you make new memories." Alphabittle then looked at all the families that were there at the Festival. He then saw older kids doing the more mature rides.

Alphabittle sighed and said, "Perhaps you're right, my farming friend. I've been holding onto the past so much, I didn't see what was going on now. I know Misty is grown up now. I can't keep her from growing up. But I'll be there for her whenever she needs me." Just then, Misty and the Crusaders ran past the booth. Alphabittle noticed this and called out, "Misty? What's the rush?!"

Misty stopped, turned around, and said, "I have to get out of here!"

"Why?" Alphabittle asked. Just then, Misty was tackled by something fast. They crashed into a booth selling popcorn. Misty and whoever tackled her were covered in popcorn. Misty popped her head out of the popcorn, but then the back of her head was grabbed and slammed down. Misty tried looking back at who was pinning her down.

"Did you really think that Opaline was done with you?" came the voice of who was pinning her down. Then the face of who pinned her down came into Misty's view. It was Lightning Lynx of the Destructix. "Hello, Misty." Just then, the rest of the Destructix came down in front of Misty, getting ready to pound her.

"This is your punishment for betraying the one who took you in," Scourge said, cracking his knuckles. Misty got worried at that.

Misty was pinned down to the ground. Sergeant Simian was stepping up, getting ready to pound Misty's skull. Misty was getting nervous at that.

"Leave her alone!" came Alphabittle's voice. He came charging in to protect Misty, but was kicked back by Fiona.

"Dad!" Misty called out.

"Dad?" Scourge asked. "I thought you were abandoned when you were a filly."

"More like foalnapped!" Misty said. "Opaline stole me... from my home! From my family!"

"At least you've gotten one last chance to see him again!" Flying Frog said, before he started laughing creepily.

"Sergeant Simian, crush her!" Scourge said. Misty got nervous when she saw Sergeant Simian coming up close to crush her. Predator Hawk and Fiona were holding Alphabittle down. Just then, she saw something on the right side. She then gave a sly smirk.

"You may have me pinned down, ready for my skull to be crushed, but there's one thing you haven't thought of," Misty said, looking at Scourge.

"Oh, yeah?" Scourge asked with a mocking tone. "And what's that?"

"The Phoenix Flare," Misty said.

"The what?" Sergeant Simian asked. But then he was slammed from his left side by something yellow, glowing in an orange aura. He fell over and landed on Flying Frog, out cold.

"Gaaaah!" Flying Frog said, being crushed. "Get this gorilla off of me!"

"Where'd that...?!" Scourge asked before noticing Maria and Mutt standing in the middle of the path of booths. Maria's eyes were red instead of orange now, and she was surrounded in an orange aura.

"You shouldn't have done that," Maria said. She then charged at Scourge. Scourge went over to counter her. The two of them were giving their all trying to knock each other out. Mutt then went over and tried kicking Lightning Lynx off of Misty, but he jumped out of the way, still pinning down Misty.

"You're too slow, kid," Lightning Lynx said. "You should just give up."

"That's the thing about us Freedom Fighters," Mutt said. "We never give up. We always fight for what's right."

"Then why are you a Freedom Fighter?" Lightning Lynx asked. "Face it. You're just a kid without any powers. Just fancy shoes and a dangerous toy whip." Mutt then got self conscious about that. He looked down at his shoes. "That's right. You're nothin'." Just then, he was levitated off of Misty with a pink aura. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! What's happening?!"

Misty's horn was glowing. She then said, "Dad, duck!" Misty then threw Lightning Lynx towards Alphabittle, Fiona and Predator Hawk. Alphabittle ducked as the two holding him were hit by Lightning Lynx. Misty then got up and approached Alphabittle. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Alphabittle answered. "Are you?"

"I'm good," Misty responded.

"Not for long!" came Scourge's voice. Misty turned around to see Scourge coming right towards her. Misty got nervous. But then, Maria came in and attacked Scourge on his left side, sending him towards a booth, him crying out in pain.

"How is that girl so fast?!" Scourge asked. He then tried going after Misty again, but Maria was preventing it.

The Crusaders were trying to get the people around them away from the battle. But as Nyx was doing her part, she saw something glowing in a hollow tree. She ran over towards it, looked at what was inside and gasped. She then reached into the tree and grabbed it.

Misty held up Fiona, Lightning Lynx and Predator Hawk in her magic. Then Bright Mac came in with a lasso and hooked the three of them in it. Then they started spinning around, tightening the lasso around them. Misty then brought them closer and then Bright Mac tightened the rope so they wouldn't escape.

"Not bad, Misty," Bright Mac said. "Oh, Ah'm Bright Mac by the way. Ah'm Applejack and Apple Bloom's pa."

"Nice to meet you," Misty said.

Maria and Scourge were still battling. Scourge was trying to hit Maria, but she moved out of the way every time. Scourge was getting irritated.

"Stand still and get hit!" Scourge said.

"Not gonna happen!" Maria said.

Nyx then ran up to the fight and said, "Maria! Catch!" She then threw what she had found.

Maria caught the Chaos Emerald. When it went into her hand, it started bright. Scourge was getting freaked out by this. He was stepping back from Maria with the Chaos Emerald.

"Chaos Inferno!" Maria said, holding out the Chaos Emerald. Then the orange aura turned into blue flames, taking the form of a phoenix. It then charged at Scourge, making contact, sending him out of the city, and towards the ocean. Maria then went back to the group as time was frozen. Maria's eyes went back from red to blue as time was frozen for 19 seconds. Then time went back at normal speed.

Misty looked around and asked, "Where's Scourge?"

"I... I think I sent him towards the ocean," Maria said. "Sometimes my powers activate by a Mama Bear Instinct. Alex's grandfather refers to it as the Phoenix Flare."

"Misty," Alphabittle said, walking up to Misty. Misty turned around, seeing Alphabittle coming towards her.

"Listen, Dad, I know I ran off earlier, but..." Misty said before being cut off by Alphabittle hugging her.

"I'm sorry, Misty," Alphabittle said. "I... I guess I was too stubborn to let go of the past that I didn't see the Young mare you've grown up to be. I always thought you would always be the filly I once knew, but I was wrong. From now on, I will give you some room for you to grow on your own, and we can talk from time to time if you want to."

Misty smiled at that and said, "I'm okay with that... Dad." She then returned the hug saying that last word. Just then, the Destructix vanished in pink flames. "Oh, boy. Looks like Opaline's going to be upset with them."

Back in Opaline's Throne Room, Opaline was scolding the Destructix for failing to kill Misty.

"YOU INCOMPETENT FOOLS!!" Opaline shouted. "How hard is it to kill a traitor?!"

"She wasn't alone, Opaline," Scourge said. "She had backup."

"I don't care!" Opaline shouted. "I want Misty taken down immediately!" She then looked down at the magic mirror in the middle of the room, seeing Misty, the CMC, Maria, Mutt, Alphabittle, Bright Mac and Pear Butter getting onto the bus back to Freedom Fighters Mansion.

Author's Note

Next Episode:
Hades Gate