> Why not? Sure. I'll Marry You.
>  by HAKDurbin
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

When it was announced that there would be a royal wedding at Zephyr Heights, ponies all over Equestria were delirious with happiness. Ponies in Zephyr Heights, Bridlewood and Maretime Bay, talked about the wedding as though it were a national holiday. All the celebrities and ponies of high significance were invited, and tickets for other ponies to celebrate in the royal castle were sold out. But while the vast majority were excited, other ponies were firmly against such happiness between earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi.
For many moons, the three races lived apart from each other. Then, things changed for the better when earth pony, Sunny Starscout went on a journey to see the unicorns and the pegasi in hopes of bringing friendship between all three pony kinds like in the olden days. Many unicorns and pegasi were contemptuous to see Sunny, but with the help of her new unicorn friend, Izzy Moonbow, Sunny discovered that not only were the stories against unicorns and pegasi untrue, but neither of them had magic. The only exceptions were the royal family in Zepher Heights, and neither Queen Haven nor her daughters flew anywhere outside their castle or posed any threat. 
When Sunny shared her discoveries with the ponies of Maretime Bay, many thought Sunny was talking nonsense like her father, Argyle Starshine, before her. Others were curious, however, and decided to go to Bridlewood and Zephyr Heights to see for themselves. They backed up Sunny's claims, and as time passed, all three pony kinds got to know each other better and found everything they were taught to be nonsense. Ultimately, earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi officially made peace, much to the joy of Sunny, who dreamed of every pony becoming friends all her life. 
But not everypony accepted change with open hooves. Some closed themselves off from ponies of different races becoming friends. Some earth ponies, in particular, were suspicious that unicorns and pegasi were only pretending to have no magic and planned to attack them when all of Maretime Bay least expected it. 
But several moons had passed, and there were no attacks to speak of. In fact, some ponies began developing romantic relationships with ponies outside of their race. Of all the interracial relationships, the most beloved and celebrated was the love between the pegasus princess, Pipp Petals, second in line to the throne of Zephyr Heights, and a unicorn pop star named Presto Tetrachord. At first, their relationship was professional - simply admiring each other’s music and performing a single together if the studio demanded it. But as time went by, Pipp and Presto began spending time together outside of making music, and before anypony knew it, they were deeply in love.   Presto was allowed to visit Pipp at the royal palace whenever he wanted and was treated by Queen Haven and Pipp's sister, Zipp, as though he was part of the family. 
And then, one night after performing a concert, Presto surprised everypony by proposing to Pipp onstage. Pipp teared up as she said yes, much to the joy of their fans. And so, the royal wedding between Pipp Petals and Presto Tetrachord was announced, exciting fans and non-fans alike. Many thought a public wedding between a unicorn and a pegasus was a wonderful way to strengthen the diversity in Equestria. Sunny Starscout, more than anypony, was on cloud nine, seeing the dream she shared with her father further come true. 
But none of that mattered to the bride. All Pipp thought about was that she would be united in wedlock with the stallion of her dreams. Her mother was more than happy to officiate the ceremony, and after much begging, Zipp agreed to be her Best Mare. When she wasn't on social media or helping prepare for the wedding, Pipp secretly wrote a song she planned to sing at the wedding reception to express her love for Presto. She imagined her husband falling deeper in love with her after singing her new song. 
Pipp was in her bedroom in Zephyr Heights Castle practicing her song with her keyboard.  It was a large room with her canopy queen-size bed, a disco ball hanging from the ceiling, a pony-sized mirror with lights in the corner by the bed, and a wide golden dresser. On top of the dresser was a large mirror with two smaller mirrors attached to its golden frame. The walls were made of marble and decorated with golden plaques. A room fitting for royalty and a pop star at work. 
As Pipp practiced, there was a knock on the door. She put her music paper in a dresser drawer and took out her phone to pretend she was on it for hours. 
"Come in," she said in a singing voice. 
The door opened to reveal six royal guards, led by Zoom Zephyrwing and Thunder Flap, who entered and bowed before the princess. 
"Your Highness, we come bringing wedding gifts," Zoom announced. 
"Wedding gifts? But the wedding is still five days away," Pipp said. 
"Apparently, some ponies didn't want to wait until then, or they sent their gifts from Maretime Bay or Bridlewood, and they arrived early," Zoom said. "Where would you like us to put them?"
"Oh, um, just put them in the empty space," Pipp said hesitantly.
Zoom and Thunder nodded and left the room for a moment to bring the gifts. There were wheeled garment racks, each one carrying dozens of outfits. Pipp's face lit up, and she ran to the rack to look at the outfits, loving each outfit more than the last. The outfits were followed by poly box trucks overflowing with wrapped presents of various shapes and sizes. Before Pipp knew it, half of her spacious room was filled with wedding gifts. Against her better judgment, Pipp decided to open a few of the smaller presents. There were necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and the like. It was fair to speculate that some ponies spent much of their savings just to give Pipp such fancy gifts. 
Zipp came into her sister's room bewildered as the guards kept bringing gifts. She squeezed her way through the towers of presents to find Pipp taking pictures of her opened gifts and uploading them online. Pipp flapped her wings and squealed as she proceeded to open another present. 
"Pipp, shouldn't you be waiting until after the wedding to open wedding presents with Presto?" Zipp asked. 
"I am waiting…waiting to open the bigger presents with Presto that might be for both of us," Pipp said. "Though, I doubt some of these ponies brought dresses and purses with Presto in mind."
"Still, it's ridiculous how many ponies are giving you gifts you don't need," Zipp said as she picked up a box. "Look at this. A diamond phone case? You already have eight of them."
"But this one has aquamarine diamonds, and that's, like, my sixth favorite color," Pipp chirped. "How could any pony know I love that color?"
Zipp raised her eyebrow. She didn't follow her sister on social media, but every pony in Equestria knew Pipp loved to share just about everything about herself. Zipp would bet anything Pipp had shared the Pippsqueaks her list of favorite colors. Maybe more than once. 
Pipp continued going through the presents, not paying attention to Zipp. She then stopped upon seeing an unusual-looking present. It was wrapped with torn pieces of wrapping paper in different colors, and the wrapping paper and the bow were covered in glitter. Pipp and Zipp looked at the present curiously, finding it strange yet pretty to look at. Pipp took a picture before unwrapping it and gasped. Inside were two small pony figurines, one resembling Pipp and the other of a well-built, British tan stallion with blue-black hair tied to a ponytail and a short boxed beard. The figurines were made of recycled plastic and other odds and ends. Pipp put her hoof on her heart before she picked up the figurines.
"Oh, these are the cutest things ever!" she squealed. 
"I gotta admit, those are pretty cool," Zipp said. "Is there a tag or something that says who this is from?"
"There is a card inside," Pipp said as she took out the card. "It says, 'May your luminescence shine as bright as your love - Izzy Moonbow.' What a cute wedding wish. Where have I heard the name Izzy Moonbow?"
Zipp thought for a moment and said, "I think that's the name of the unicorn that met with Mom with Sunny Starscout."
Pipp gasped loudly and asked, "You mean she's one of the ponies that brought Earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns together so I could meet my Prestie?"
Zipp resisted the urge to show she did not like Pipp's nickname for her fiancée. 
"I guess you can look at it that way," she said.
"Awww! Now I love these figurines even more," Pipp said. "Are they going to the wedding?"
"I don't think so. I haven't seen their names on the guest list," Zipp said.
Pipp gasped again as though she had unwittingly insulted a pony. 
"We have to fix that! Let's send them invitations right away!" She shouted.
"Pipp, we sent all the invitations months ago, and tickets are all sold out," Zipp said. 
"So? It's not like there will be so many ponies that they'll cover every square inch of the ballroom. We have enough space for two more ponies. Heck, we can give them each a plus one," Zipp said. 
"Even then, the wedding is five days away, and it takes almost two days to travel from here to Bridlewood or Maretime Bay. That means it would take two days for them to get their invitations, find a plus one, get ready, and then take two days just to get here," Zipp said.
"That also means they get an extra day to do the non-traveling stuff," Pipp said. "Besides, they won't be traveling alone. Everypony knows ponies from Bridlewood and Maretime Bay are coming here to watch the wedding outside on the jumbotrons. Better yet, we can find Sunny and Izzy's profiles online and send them invites."
"That's assuming they have profiles. Not everypony has social media or smartphones for that matter, Sis," Izzy said. 
"We could ask online for ponies we know in Bridlewood and Maretime Bay to let Sunny and Izzy know they're invited," Pipp said.
Zipp huffed and asked, "Pipp, don't you think you're getting carried away over two ponies you've never met?"
"I don't care if I haven't met them. I want them to come to my wedding," Pipp said. "Presto is everything to me, Zipp. I love him more than social media and my music. He doesn't see me as a princess or a pop star to win over but as a mare. If I don't try to show gratitude to the ponies who gave Presto and me the chance to meet, I won't forgive myself."
Silence overtook Pipp's bedroom. The guards who had finished delivering gifts quietly left, feeling awkward to be there during an emotional moment between the princesses. Zipp looked away as if everything other than her sister looked interesting before she sighed.
"I'll see what I can do," Zipp said.
Pipp squealed and tackled Zipp to a hug. 
"Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You are the greatest Best Mare ever!" Pipp shouted.
Zipp chuckled and hugged Pipp back. Pipp let go and helped Zipp up after a moment, and the sisters smiled until Zipp cleared her throat awkwardly.
"So… Mom sent me to ask you something," She said. "Do you feel ready to have that little talk with Presto after the wedding?"
"What talk?" Pipp asked.
"That we can't fly," Zipp answered.
Pipp's smile faded, and she hung her head.
"I wish I didn't have to, or at the very least, I wish I could tell Presto already. I don't want to hide anything from him," Pipp said. "Do I really have to wait until after we're married? He can keep a secret before then."
"Believe me, Sis, no one hates that we still have to hide that we can't fly more than I do. If it were up to me, I would have told the truth when we started talking to earth ponies and pegasi, but Mom said it would cause an uproar if our citizens find out we've been lying to them for generations," Zipp said. "We must accept that our family has brought this on ourselves and trust that Presto will understand." 
"Yeah, I guess," Pipp said.  
Zipp furrowed her brow, hating how she ruined her sister's mood. She pursed her lips until she glanced at Pipp's dresser and smiled. 
"How's the song coming along?" Zipp asked. 
Pipp smiled slightly, knowing what her sister was doing.
"I'm going to rehearse it with the band after dinner. Presto's going to love it, I know," Pipp said.
"I bet he will," Zipp said. "He is crazy about you too, after all."
Pipp's smile grew, and she turned back to the figurine of her fiancée.
"Yeah," she said with a blissful sigh.
Zipp's smile also grew as she was relieved that she brought back Pipp's happy demeanor. The room was silent for a few seconds before Zipp cleared her throat. 
"Well, I should give Mom your answer before she starts wondering where I am, so I'll let you get you back to rehearsing," Zipp said. 
"Totally. See you at dinner," Pipp said.
"See ya," Pipp said.
Zipp left the room, leaving Pipp alone with her trove of presents. Pipp took the figurines and put them on her keyboard next to the music sheets. Pipp gave the figurine of Presto a sweet look as if she were a school filly staring at a framed picture of her very special somepony. She moved the figurines so their snouts were touching. Pipp studied sighed blissfully before she started practicing again, thinking of the new chapter in her life.
> Chapter 2
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Hitch Trailblazer loved seeing ponies in Maretime Bay smile. As the sheriff, it was his duty to uphold the law and maintain the peace in the seaside town. For as long as he could remember, maintaining the peace meant supporting laws against unicorns and pegasi and Canterlogic creating products to fight against them run by the company's owner, Phyllis Cloverleaf. 
When Sunny, whom Hitch had been friends with since they were foals, returned to Maretime Bay saying unicorns and pegasi had no magic apart from the pegasi royal family, Hitch was skeptical like many ponies. Citizens demanded that he arrest Sunny for her claims, putting HItch in an awkward position. Luckily, when other ponies backed up Sunny's claims, and all three pony kinds became friends, Hitch could abolish the laws against interacting with unicorns and pegasi, keeping Sunny from jail. 
As time passed, Hitch found friendship between earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi rather pleasant. Some ponies, like his deputy, Sprout, were still unsettled, particularly when unicorns and pegasi began living in Maretime Bay. Still, Hitch felt his town had become a much better place now that earth ponies learned having a horn or wings was no more dangerous than having a birthmark, glasses, or facial hair.
 But while many earth ponies in Maretime Bay developed close relationships with the unicorns and pegasi, Hitch didn't attempt to befriend any. He had many admirers among mares from all three pony kinds, but he didn't interact with many ponies as a friend apart from Sunny and Izzy. It wasn't that he still had prejudice or fear against unicorns and pegasi. He valued the new citizens in his town as if they were born and raised in Maretime Bay, but at the end of the day, he was nothing more than a friendly face of the law for the civilians, earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi alike.
Hitch was walking to the sheriff's office to start the day on the morning of the third to last day before Pipp and Presto's wedding. As he greeted ponies passing by, he noticed many were in groups listening to music on their phones. Hitch smiled as he watched them, knowing many of them were excited about the wedding. Though he never listened to Pipp or Presto's music or had a smartphone, he liked to hum to the music as he walked.
"Good morning, Sheriff Hitch."
Hitch looked to his left and saw five mares walking toward him: two earth ponies, two pegasi, and a unicorn. They looked at Hitch flirtatiously save for the unicorn, who walked with her head low. Hitch gave the mares a friendly smile, blind to the meaning behind their stares. 
"Morning, Mayflower, Dahlia, Periwinkle, Wisteria Frost, Peach Melba," Hitch greeted. 
The mares giggled with Periwinkle Pi, the unicorn, lifting her head for a moment to give a brief smile. Hitch noticed Peach Melba holding out her phone as the mares walked to him, playing a song made by Pipp and Presto.
"I'm guessing you ladies are looking forward to the royal wedding?" Hitch asked. 
"Sure are. Wisteria and I have been Pippsqueaks for the longest time," Peach Melba said. "We're going to watch the wedding at Dahlia's since we couldn't get tickets."
Hitch smiled until he noticed Perwinkle Pi still looking very low.
“What’s eating you, Periwinkle?” he asked.
Periwinkle sighed heavily and said, “I wish Presto isn’t marrying Pipp.”
“Why’s that? I thought everypony is looking forward to the princess marrying him,” Hitch said.
“Everypony except Periwinkle. She’s been crushing on Presto since way back when he was doing gigs in Bridlewood,” Peach Melba said. “Poor dear, never got to make a move before Presto moved to ZH and met Pipp.”
It took Hitch a moment before he realized ZH stood for Zephyr Heights. Periwinkle Pi turned her head away from everypony as Mayflower explained her situation, feeling her heart ache the more her friend brought up her situation. 
"I'm sorry to hear that, Periwinkle. That must be hard," he said.
Periwinkle nodded before she turned her head to Hitch. 
"I get that he's really happy with the pretty princess, but I wish I could try to confess my feelings before she marries her," she said, still not looking at Hitch. “Better to be shot down in person than to watch him get married on TV.”
Periwinkle Pi’s friends looked at her sympathetically with Peach Malba turning off the music. Hitch furrowed his brow until he gently turned Periwinkle’s head to him and gave her a comforting smile. 
“Hey, don’t you worry about it, Periwinkle. Even if Presto Tertracord is taken, there’s a stallion for you somewhere,” he said.
“You really think so?” Periwinkle asked. 
“Absolutely,” Hitch said with confidence in his voice. “Don’t give up until Presto has tied the knot, and then learn to move on to find the guy meant for you.”
Periwinkle said nothing for a moment. Then she gave Hitch a small smile that made her friends hopeful. 
"Thanks, Sheriff Hitch. I needed to hear that," he said. 
Hitch smirked and posed as if he was a knight who heroically slew a vicious animal. 
"Anytime. Keeping the citizens of Maretime Bay safe and happy is what I'm here for," he said. "Speaking of which, I must make my way to the station."
"Of course," Mayflower said before she suddenly hatched an idea. "Say, before you go, do you have any plans for watching the royal wedding?"
Dahlia, Wisteria Storm, Peach Melba, and Periwinkle Pi's eyes widened, and they smiled brightly, instantly figuring out what Mayflower was thinking. 
"I can't say I do. I'll likely be on duty that night," Hitch said, oblivious. 
"Well, if you don't have anything planned, maybe you could take a little time off duty and watch the wedding with us," Mayflower said, batting her eyelashes. "There's always room for a strong, good-looking stallion such as yourself to keep us company during get-togethers like watching a royal wedding."
"Sorry, ladies, but duty calls," Hitch said.
The mares' cheerful faces were replaced with unamused looks.
"You always say that," Mayflower said. "Every time any pony asks to do anything with you, you're always busy being the sheriff."
"Not every time. I hang out with Sunny and Izzy," Hitch said.
"You're…you're not interested in either of them…romantically. Are you?" Wisteria asked hesitantly.
"No, of course not. Sunny is my best friend, and Izzy… I don't know how that would work," Hitch said. "They're just my friends."
"Well, if you spend your free time with friends, then why not bring them with us?" Dahlia said.
Mayflower leaned into Dahlia's ear and whispered, "What are you doing? It's supposed to be just us and Hitch."
"Compromise, May. Compromise," Dahlia whispered back. 
"Sorry, ladies, but when duty calls, I answer," Hitch said.
The mares' faces grew sour. Dahlia huffed as if Hitch insulted her personally. 
"You know, we all adore your devotion to protecting us, but it won't hurt to spend time with the ponies that adore you rather than putting your badge first," she said.
With another "humph," Dahlia walked past Hitch with the other mares following. Hitch watched them walk away, confused, thinking the mares were being unreasonable. He shrugged it off and continued walking to the station. Two tiny seagulls and a crab were waiting for him at the front of the station. The little critters saluted and Hitch smirked. 
"At ease, deputies," he said. 
The critters stopped saluting, and Hitch kicked the front door open with his smirk turned into a proud grin. The critters followed behind him single-file as he went in. Inside, Sprout was on his desk staring at the ceiling without a care while leaning against his chair and drinking a smoothie. 
"Good morning, station! Sheriff Hitch reporting for duty!" Hitch announced. 
As soon as Sprout heard Hitch's voice, he nearly choked on his smoothie and hid it under his desk before pretending to be filing paperwork. Hitch rolled his eyes, for Sprout hardly did any paperwork when on duty. Even when he did, it was because Phyllis made him. Hitch would also have to edit Sprout's work heavily because he was very poor at spelling and grammar, as evidenced by Sprout's desk name plaque he made out of notebook paper with deputy spelled, "Depooty."
Hitch went over to his desk and happily started going through a mountain of paperwork as though he was at home sitting on a sofa reading a book. As he read the reports, he began humming the song that was playing on Peach Melba's phone. The seagulls and the crab nodded to the beat as they stood next to Hitch's desk. Sprout's left ear twitched, and he pursed his lips as he pretended to work on paperwork. Finally, Sprout huffed and looked up at Hitch. 
"Hitch, could you knock it off?" he asked. 
"What? What's wrong?" Hitch asked. 
"You were humming one of those pegasi and unicorn pop songs. I can't stand ponies playing them all the time," Sprout said.
"Oh, come on, Sprout. The music is catchy," Hitch said. "Besides, it should die down after the wedding."
"It better. It feels like I'm watching trailers for a movie while watching my cartoons that they play for months before the movie comes out," Sprout grumbled. 
Hitch sighed and said, "You know what, Sprout? I get that you're still scared that unicorns and pegasi will do something, but you don't have to be grumpy about every single thing related to them."
"Hey, I get along fine without their tea, their crystals, and their smartphones. I mean, you don't have any of those things either," Sprout said. 
"Granted, but that's because I don't need to go online to interact with ponies. The citizens of Maretime Bay are all the social interaction I need," Hitch said proudly. "All I want is to see ponies laugh, smile, and have fun while I uphold the law."
Sprout huffed again. If there was one thing that got on his nerves almost as much as unicorns and pegasi living in Maretime Bay, it was how Hitch loved to express how he enjoyed doing his job. Hitch returned to working on his paperwork while Sprout begrudgingly got to work, too. The critters patiently watched Hitch work as though they were waiting for him to do something heroic. 
Suddenly, just as Hitch finished his first sheet of paperwork, Sunny Starscout burst through the front doors with a wide-open smile. She was followed by Izzy bouncing behind her and humming a tune. Sprout screamed and hid under his desk, thinking the station was under attack. Hitch gave his deputy a deadpanned look. 
"Hitch! Hitch, you won't believe what just happened!" Sunny exclaimed.
"Sunny, I'm on duty. You can't just burst into here unless it's an emergency," Hitch said.
"Does it count as an emergency if I want your help with something?" Sunny challenged.
Hitch raised his eyebrow. Sunny's claim of an emergency didn't match her jubilant demeanor.
"Alright, I'll bite. What's up?" he asked.
Sunny took a few deep breaths to cool down and said, "Okay, so Izzy and I were on our way to work. Right? We were just a few steps away from the lighthouse when Phyllis came running towards us."
"Mommy? What did she want from you?" Sprout asked, peeking his head from under his desk.
Izzy stepped in and said, "Well, since we don't have smartphones, your mom heard from Bubblegum McGinty, who heard from Spanner Spank, who heard from Lahara Blossom, who got a text message from Mulberry Bramble, who got a call from Sour Lavender -"
"What Izzy is trying to explain is that Phyllis came to us saying Princess Zipp was trying to get in contact with us," Sunny said.
"One of the princesses? What for?" Hitch asked. 
"Well, I made figurines of Princess Pipp and Presto Tetrachord as a wedding gift, and Princess Pipp opened her gift before the wedding,” Izzy said. “When she found out that they were made by one of the ponies that brought all three ponykinds together, she -”
“She invited us to the wedding!” Sunny screamed. 
Hitch, Sprout, and the critters stared at Sunny and Izzy, taken aback. After a few seconds, Hitch smiled and got off his chair to walk toward Sunny.
“Well, congratulations, Sunny. This must be a dream come true for you,” he said. 
“Is it ever!” Sunny shouted. “I’m happy enough that there’s a wedding between a unicorn and a pegasus, whether it’s a royal wedding or not, but to be invited?! I wouldn’t have believed it if Phyllis hadn’t gotten me in contact with Princess Zipp, and she told me herself!”
“I’ll bet,” Hitch said. “Who’d have thought you’d get a chance thanks to Izzy making those figurines through…what do you call it again, Izzy?”
“Unicycling,” Izzy boasted.
“Wait. Hold on a second,” Sprout said as he came out of his hiding spot with a suspicious glare. “You said you need Hitch’s help with something.”
Sunny froze for a moment, then chuckled sheepishly. 
"Right. So, the princess said that we each get a plus one, and I was hoping you could be mine," she said.
Hitch furrowed his brow and sighed like a parent hating to disappoint their foal.
"Sorry, Sunny, but I'm going to be on duty that night," he said.
"Come on, Hitch. It's such an important night. I want my childhood friend to be there," Sunny said.
"I can't just leave my post just for a wedding, no matter how important it is. I'm the sheriff," Hitch said.
"That's all the more reason you should go. You're the leading authority of a major pony settlement. Ponies look up to you. I'm sure the princesses and the queen would appreciate you attending the wedding," Sunny said. "Besides, what's there to do here during the wedding? More than half of Maritime Bay is heading off tomorrow to celebrate at Zephyr Heights, and the rest are going to stay at their homes to watch it. You won't need to do a thing the entire night."
"What about before that? Or after?" Hitch challenged. "It takes 2 days to get to Zephyr Heights in 2 days to get back. What if there's an emergency and I'm not there?"
"What if there isn't?" Sunny countered. "When's the last time there's been any trouble in Maritime Bay? The worst there's been for many moons was fearing for unicorns and pegasi to attack, and that's all over. We're at peace. What can happen? Someone dropped some litter?"
"Don't make fun, Sunny. You know I take violations of code 33 very seriously," Hitch said. 
"And if that's as bad as it gets, Maritime Bay can survive you not being here for a few days," Sunny said. 
"And what if you're wrong?" Hitch asked. 
Sunny took a moment to think about it and said, "Well, if I'm wrong, then I'll never ask you to join me in something outside your jurisdiction in Maritime Bay ever again." 
Hitch raised his eyebrow.
"Do you really mean that?" he asked. 
Sunny smirked as she reached into her bag and took out a journal. 
"I swear on my father's journal and everything about friendship among ponies in Ancient Equestria in it," she announced.
"Ooooo. She swore on her dad's journal," Izzy said as though Sunny dissed Hitch. 
Hitch kept his eyebrow raised as he stared at Sunny. She was always strong-willed when it came to accomplishing her lifelong dream, but in Hitch's eyes, Sunny was growing overconfident with so many things going her way over the past several moons. He was still uneasy about leaving his hometown, thinking something could happen with him not around. Hitch considered risking it because Sunny would have to keep her word if she was wrong. He turned his gaze to Sprout and thought of the risk of leaving him in charge with his prejudice against unicorns and pegasi. After rubbing his chin in thought, he turned back to Sunny with a warning glare.
"If I hear anything of there being so much as a hint of a ruckus in my absence when we come back, you can forget me ever stepping one hoof out of town again," he said.
"Deal," Sunny said, beaming. 
"Yay! We got our first plus one!" Izzy chirped.
Sprout rolled his eyes at the unicorn's cheerful attitude until something clicked in his mind, and his face lit up.
"Does this mean I'm in charge while you're gone?" he asked. 
"Restrictively," Hitch said bluntly. 
"Restrictively?" Sprout asked. "How can you restrictively run a town? Am I supposed to share the power with the critters?"
"Oh, no. I'm going to have your mom watch the town with you," Hitch said.
"What?! I'm supposed to be in charge with Mommy as my babysitter?!" Sprout shouted.
"As my insurance," Hitch answered calmly. "Your mom isn't hostile to unicorns and pegasi. I want her to keep you in check, so you don't start a war."
"Oh, come on. That's not fair," Sprout whined.
"I'm not trying to be," Hitch said before turning to Sunny and Izzy. "So, when do you plan on leaving?"
"Everypony who's going to Zephyr Heights will start heading there tomorrow morning, so I figure we should too," Sunny said.
"Sounds good. Who's going to be your plus one, Izzy?" Hitch asked. 
Sunny and Izzy looked at each other and chuckled nervously as it hit them. 
"I haven't thought about that yet," Izzy admitted. "We kinda focused on making you Sunny's plus one as soon as we got the tickets."
"Seriously?" Hitch asked with a deadpan look. "Do you have anypony in mind to be your plus one?"
Izzy blew a raspberry as though the answer was obvious.
"Of course, I do. There's, like, a gazillion ponies who would love to be my plus one, but I don't know who to choose," she said. "Practically everypony is either attending the wedding or has plans for celebrating it somewhere in Zephyr Heights or at home with friends and family. How do you choose somepony to ask to be your plus one when everypony else would want to go too? Am I right?"
"And we need to make a decision soon cause if Izzy chooses someone who didn't plan to travel to Zephyr Heights, they'll need time to get ready to leave first thing in the morning," Sunny added. 
Hitch hummed in acknowledgment. He opened his mouth to wish Izzy luck in deciding until something clicked in his mind. He remembered his conversation with Mayflower, Dahlia, Periwinkle, Wisteria Frost, and Peach Melba and how Periwinkle wanted to attempt to express her feelings for Presto Tetrachord before at the wedding. On paper, bringing some pony who wants to prevent the wedding wasn't a good idea, but the odds of Periwinkle catching Presto Tetrachord's attention and instantly winning his heart were slim at best. If anything else, it seemed like a good idea since she wanted to try, and she had her friends' support. 
"You know what, Izzy? I think I have a good suggestion for your plus one."
> Chapter 3
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was the night of Pipp and Presto's wedding. Ponies were partaking in festivities in every square inch of Zephyr Heights. There were food stands, games, plays, and magic shows on the streets. Music videos made by Pipp, Presto, or both played on the mega screens. There was a timer in the bottom right of the screens counting down to the ceremony. Ponies were on their phones, taking pictures and videos and sharing them with their friends and family in Maretime Bay and Bridlewood. On top of every other building, cartons of fireworks were set to go off as soon as the bride and groom kissed for the first time as husband and wife.
Pipp watched the festivities from her bedroom. Two maids were adjusting her dress for the concert before the wedding. Though Pipp didn't care about the politics regarding her marriage to a unicorn, she was astounded to see so many ponies expressing their happiness for her. Never in ten thousand moons did she imagine so many souls supporting her getting married so passionately. Not even when her only fans were her fellow pegasi. Pipp put her hoof on her heart as she fought the urge to cry, touched. 
Suddenly, Pipp felt her phone vibrating from underneath her wing. She took it out and saw that it was a video call from “Prestie.” Her heart skipped a beat, and she gave the maids a look, telling them to leave. The maids bowed and left the room just as Pipp answered the call, and Presto Tetrachord appeared on the screen. 
"Hi, Prestie Bear," she chirped. 
"Hi, Pippy Cake," Presto greeted. "Have you seen what's happening outside?"
"I can see it from my bedroom. I didn't know there could be so many ponies in Zephyr Heights at one time," Pipp said. 
"I know. It's incredible. I've seen posts of ponies selling plushies of us that are handmade out there," Presto said. 
"Seriously? You've got to share them with me," Pipp said. "Speaking of which, one of the ponies that brought earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi together made the cutest figurines of us. I can't wait to show you later."
"I'm looking forward to it," Presto said. 
Pipp's smile grew, gazing into Presto's gray-blue eyes. Then her smile weakened, and she sighed as she looked back outside. 
"I wonder how many of them are celebrating just because a unicorn and a pegasus are getting married," she said. "I'm thankful that our races are united, so we were able to meet, but it would be nice if there is focus solely on us getting married rather than just what it means for ponykind."
"No, my love. This night should be a historical moment," Presto said. "One day race will have no focus when ponies are united in holy matrimony, but it has to start with us. All of Equestria will treasure our happiness even when we are long gone."
Pipp kept looking outside as though she didn't hear Presto. Then she turned to her phone and said with a smile, "I guess you're right. Ponykind has to start somewhere. Might as well be us."
"And after that, we don't need to focus on anything else but our married life together," Presto said. "It will be just you and me. Well, you, me, and our fans."
"That sounds perfect," Pipp said. "Anyway, I better let you go. I'm performing in a few minutes."
"Of course. See you at the ceremony, Pipp Puff," Presto said.
"I'll be the one in the veil, Honey Bear," Pipp said.
Pipp hung up and held her phone to her chest as she let out a blissful sigh. She felt goosebumps in her body as she thought of everything Presto said about what their married life would be. The thought made Pipp more eager for the wedding to happen so she could sing her song for Presto. 
Eventually, Pipp took a deep breath to focus on the concert. She closed her eyes and did vocal warmups before exiting her bedroom and heading to the backstage room above the throne room. When she arrived, two crewponies attached wires to her dress and ran a test to ensure they were sturdy. Pipp paid no mind to them, for this was a normal routine whenever she was going to pretend to fly with her mom and sister.  Queen Haven was powdering her face in her dressing desk close to the edge. Cloudpuff stood next to his owner, dressed in a little cloak with holes for his wings and a bowtie. Haven saw Pipp through the mirror and smiled as she turned to her youngest daughter. 
"Your last concert before getting married. How are you feeling, pumpkin?" Haven asked. 
"Excited and anxious. I love my fans, but I just can't wait to be married," Pipp said.
"Oh, don't be so hasty, my darling. I'm not in a hurry to pronounce my little girl a married mare," Haven said. "I wish your sister would find someone. I'd be at ease knowing someone will be by her side when she becomes queen."
Pipp chuckled and said, "I'd like to see somepony try to woo Zipp. Your best bet might be to make an arranged marriage."
"Don't tempt me, Pipp," Haven said.
"Your Highness, we're going to start the show in two minutes," a crewpony said.
"Thank you, Frank," Pipp said.
Frank nodded and told the operator behind the curtain in the throne room that they were ready through his headset. A few seconds later, the wires lifted Pipp up and sent her hanging above the hole to the throne room. Pipp took a deep breath and did more vocal warmups for safety as her mother watched with a smile. 
"Remember to enjoy performing for your fans," Haven said.
"I always do, Mom," Pipp replied.







************************************************************





Down in the throne room, Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch stood in the middle of the crowd waiting for the concert to start. The walls and windows were decorated with flowers, party drapes, and lights. There were white, pink, and lilac cloudbuster balloons hanging above the ceiling. There was a stage set up in front of Haven, Pipp, and Zipp's thrones with a golden arch at the center.  
Sunny and Izzy wore neon light necklaces, fake earrings, and face paint. Sunny had plushies of Pipp and Presto, and Izzy was wearing a plastic ring on her horn that they won from playing games. Hitch played some games but mostly acted as the mares' chauffeur. Still, it was nice to watch his childhood friend enjoy the festivities with her best friend. 
Hitch felt somepony bump into his side, and he turned his head to see Periwinkle Pi's apologetic face. Izzy was more than happy to take Hitch's suggestion to make Periwinkle her plus one after he explained her reason for wanting to go to the wedding. Periwinkle partook in activities the least among the group. Sometimes she watched Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch play games and dance; other times, her focus was on Presto's music videos playing on the mega screens. Eventually, the group would push her into joining the fun, which eased her up. Periwinkle even won a pizza-eating contest, winning a unicorn raccoon plush. However, when it was time to go to the castle, it was back to focusing solely on her goal. When they went inside the castle, Periwinkle told the other to go ahead while she used the restroom, and so Hitch waited, hoping she’d be back before the concert started. 
“Sorry. It was hard to find you guys,” Periwinkle said. 
"It's alright. The concert hasn't started yet," Sunny said.
"Are you ready for this?" Hitch asked. 
Periwinkle hesitated and turned her head to her saddle bag.
"I'm…prepared," she answered. "Either way, I really appreciate you guys giving me this chance."
"Oh, pfff. You've said that like, nine times since we invited you," Izzy said.
"I know, but I can't help but be grateful that I can make this once attempt to get Presto to notice me," Periwinkle said. "Plus, how often do you get to watch your favorite artist perform in Zephyr Heights Castle? It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, to say the least."
"You're telling me. This has already been a wonderful night. I can't wait for the wedding itself," Sunny said. "Er, I still hope for the best for you, Periwinkle."
"You don't have to hide it, Sunny. You have your dream for tonight, and I have mine," Periwinkle said. 
Sunny gave Periwinkle a sad smile, knowing she was trying hard to keep her cool. Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and ponies cheered and stomped their hooves. Pop music was playing, and party lights lit up the room. Sunny, Izzy, Hitch, and Periwinkle expected somepony to appear on the stage until Sunny noticed ponies holding up their phones at the ceiling and looked up.
"Guys, look!" Sunny shouted. 
Izzy, Hitch, and Periwinkle looked up to see Pipp pretending to fly down with two spotlights on her from both sides. Pipp waved at the crowd before she leaned forward as the wires lowered her to make it look like she was diving down. Ponies cheered louder as Pipp pretended to fly a few feet above them. Finally, Pipp began singing her song, and ponies immediately sang along while waving their phones with their flashlights on. 
But while Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle sang, Hitch watched Pipp in awe. All his life, Hitch feared seeing a pegasus fly. That's what made him at ease when he learned the pegasi had no magic and yet seeing this mare flying above him with poofy wings, a pretty dress, and a radiant smile entranced Hitch as if he was looking at an angel.  Eventually, Hitch looked back and saw that his plot was shaking to the rhythm of the music. He embraced the moment and hummed the melody while bobbing his head. Hitch didn't look away from Pipp as she went from one song to the next. Sunny noticed Hitch enjoying the concert and smiled. It gave her hope that Hitch might become open to things outside of being a sheriff. 
Finally, after Pipp finished her last song, the crowd applauded with some ponies chanting her name. Pipp looked down at the crowd with a heartfelt smile before she cleared her throat.
“Thank you, everypony. It means so much to me that you are all here for this momentous occasion,” She said. “How is every pony doing tonight?” 
The ponies cheered and stomped their hooves again. 
“Do we have any unicorns in the house?” Pipp asked. 
Izzy jumped up and down like a little filly as she and Periwinkle cheered with the other unicorns. 
"Well, I have my eye on only one," Pipp said, smirking. 
Suddenly, smoke appeared from the stage, and ponies cheered as Presto appeared from it, wearing a blue onesie and holding a microphone. He looked up to see Pipp being lifted back up and blew a kiss. Pipp’s smile grew, and she mouthed, “I love you.” Presto smiled and mouthed, “I love you more,” before Pipp was out of sight. 
Hitch, Sunny, and Izzy turned to Periwinkle, whose face turned cherry red, and her knees wobbled at the sight of Presto. She slapped her cheeks to break out of her trance and took off her saddlebag.
“Hold this for me, Hitch,” Periwinkle said, handing her bag to Hitch.
Hitch hesitantly complied, taking the bag as Periwinkle opened it and took out a piece of folded cardboard paper. She unfolded the paper, revealing it to be a large sign with the words “Marry Me” drawn in red and black marker. There were hearts around the text made with glitter and glue, and a wide arrow pointing down below the text. Periwinkle closed her eyes and took a deep breath while holding the sign close to her before she lifted it so it was right above her.
“Marry me, Presto! Please, marry me!” Periwinkle shouted.
But by the time she began shouting out to her crush, the music had started, and ponies cheered as Presto sang his first song. Periwinkle bit her lip, worried that she had made her move too late, and stood up on her hind legs, holding her sign as high as she could, chanting, “Marry me! Marry me, Presto!” Sunny and Hitch looked at each other uneasy with Hitch’s ears hanging low. He started to regret suggesting that Periwinkle came with them, thinking she might not accept failure to get Presto’s attention as she thought she would. Hitch thought of telling Periwinkle to stop, but he didn’t have the heart to prevent her from seeing her goal all the way through. He could only hope that he, Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle’s friends back at Maretime Bay would help her move on once everything was over.
But as Hitch watched Periwinkle, he noticed ponies taking out their phones from the corner of his eye. Instead of using their phones to record video, they were staring at the screens with looks of shock, devastation, and anger. The ponies began to whisper amongst themselves and give Presto looks of betrayal and hate. The pop star didn't notice their dark looks because he was focused on the performance, and most of the crowd was focused on him. Hitch furrowed his brow as it was clear something was wrong. 



******************************************************



An hour later, the concert ended, and the ceremony was minutes away. Zipp was in her bedroom, staring at herself in the mirror. She wore a taffy-colored dress with poofy blush-pink sleeves, gold slippers, and a tiara with an emerald at the center. The makeup crew powdered her face, put blush on her cheeks, and violet glitter eyeshadow. Zipp looked at herself with dread as if she was turned into a life-sized doll. She pursed her lips before she shut her eyes and muttered to herself. 
"I love my sister. I love my sister. I love my sister. I love my sister. I love my sister."
Suddenly, the door burst open, and Thunder went in panting. He was quickly followed by Zoom looking troubled. Zipp turned around to face the guards as Thunder took a moment to collect himself.
"Your Highness, pardon the intrusion, but have you seen your sister anywhere?" He asked.
"Uh, pretty sure she's backstage putting her wedding dress on. Why?" Zipp answered.
"Something's wrong, and we need to tell Princess Pipp before the ceremony," Zoom said urgently.
"What's the problem?" Zipp asked.
"Well, you see, I was at my post, hanging on my phone to…check with security cameras," Thunder began, earning a glare from Zoom, who knew he was fibbing. "Anyway, I got a notification of breaking news on ZBS. Princess Pipp needs to see this!"
Thunder took out his phone from underneath his wing, pressed a few buttons on the screen, and handed the phone to Zipp. Zipp stared at the phone for a few seconds before her eyes grew wide, and she shook her head in disbelief. She rushed out of her room with Zoom and Thunder quickly following. As they ran, Zipp noticed the staff on their phones and whispering to each other. Some noticed Zipp and had looks of dread and sympathy, figuring out why she was running. 
They ran until they were at the doorway leading to the backstage room above the throne room, and the guard standing in front of the door opened it while holding her phone. Zipp ran to Queen Haven’s dressing table, and her fear grew as she found her mother not there. 
“Where’s my mom and Presto?!” Zipp shouted.
“The queen is down in the throne room giving her speech,” a crewpony said. "Presto should be in his dressing room getting into his tux."
“Oh, great,” Zipp growled. “Somepony down there, get in touch with my mom and keep Presto out of the throne room! We have to stop this wedding right -”
“Zipp?”
Zipp, Zoom, and Thunder’s hearts froze, and they slowly turned to where they heard the voice. Pipp was standing by the hole leading to the throne room with a pair of wires attached to her wedding dress. Her head was tilted as she looked at her sister’s troubled face. A few minutes prior, Zipp would have smiled at how beautiful her sister looked in her white dress with thousands of hoof-made beaded crystals from Bridlewood and a gold crown on her head with jewels of many colors. Pipp grew unsettled as Zipp walked over to her.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Pipp asked. 
Zipp opened her mouth, but she couldn’t think of how to explain the situation. After a moment of hesitation, she looked at Thunder’s phone and held it out to Pipp. Pipp looked between Zipp and the phone before she took the phone and saw a video on the ZBS app with Presto appearing in the thumbnail. Pipp hesitated before she pressed the play button, and the video showed Presto and a dark orange unicorn mare standing in front of his house at night. 
“A ZBS exclusive: an anonymous poster sent us this video of Princess Pipp’s husband-to-be, Presto Tetrachord, cheating on her with another mare,” a newsreader said through the phone’s speaker.  
Pipp let out a sharp gasp. She tried to convince herself that the ZBS was lying, misinterpreting what another mare was doing in front of Presto’s house, but her brief moment of hope was crushed when Presto smashed his lips together with the other mare’s. The dark orange mare ran her front hoof through Presto’s mane, and Presto had his hoof on the mare’s waist. They kissed as if it were a wrestling match between their lips. Finally, Presto opened the front door, and the two of them chuckled with flirtatious looks as they went inside.
Pipp kept staring at Thunder’s phone even though the video was over. A one-minute anonymous video disproved everything she thought was true about her fiancee since the day they met. Pipp looked down from the edge of the hole, where Haven and Cloudpuff were on stage. She could see ponies on their phones, either taking pictures or muttering in groups while looking at the news. Thunder's phone fell out of Pipp's hoof, and Thunder dived to catch it before it hit the floor and broke. 
"Pipp, I…I don't know what to say, " Zipp said. 
Pipp kept looking down as though she didn't hear Zipp. She was so stunned that she didn't know whether to cry or scream in rage. Her eyes widened as she realized all of Equestria might have seen the video already before the ceremony started. Her fans would be devastated, and ponies who weren't her fans would be ballistic that the groom of a royal wedding would cheat on the bride with a mare of his race. Even though Pipp was never into politics, she knew the unity between ponies was still so new that ponies might lose hope with the first wedding between ponies if different races ruined. Maybe dishearten other couples of different races. Her dreams and the peace in Equestria would be crushed because she fell in love with an unfaithful unicorn. 
"Pipp?" Zipp asked. 
Pipp stayed silent for a few seconds.  Then her face turned serious as she lifted her head and put her hoof on her chest to take a deep breath. She turned to Zipp, Zoom, Thunder, and the crewponies.
"I have a plan," Pipp said.



**************************************************************************************


Down in the throne room, ponies eagerly waited for the ceremony to commence. Many discussed how they enjoyed watching Pipp and Presto perform and sent videos they recorded to their friends and family while they waited. When the royal guards sounded the trumpets, and Queen Haven came down carrying Cloudpuff, ponies stomped their hooves as she landed in front of the golden arch. Haven began her long speech about unity among ponies, marriage, watching Pipp grow up, and watching her and Presto grow as a couple. Ponies politely listened to the queen’s speech, but over time they grew restless as Haven began to dwell on telling stories about Pipp and Zipp as fillies. 
Sunny and Izzy were invested in the queen's speech the most. They loved hearing Haven praise them for what they accomplished for ponykind and the stories she shared about the princesses. Sunny especially enjoyed hearing about Pipp and Zipp learning how to fly. Yet, as time passed, even she realized that the queen was dragging. 
Sunny turned her head to see Periwinkle feeling low with her sign lying on the floor. Periwinkle called out to Presto throughout his performance, even when her throat became dry, but Presto didn't notice her. When Presto finished his last song, Periwinkle's voice was drowned by the cheers as Presto exited the stage. With her last shot spent, Periwinkle sat on her plot staring at the floor, not paying any mind to Queen Haven or her speech. Hitch left to find something for Periwinkle to drink. Sunny sighed and walked over to stand next to Periwinkle.
"Are you going to be okay?" Sunny asked.
Periwinkle stayed silent for a moment, then turned her head to give Sunny a weak smile.
"I think I will be eventually," she said. "I mean, I didn't get his attention, but I spoke my mind to him as best as I could. Better that than to never try at all. Right? All that's left is for Presto to marry her, and I'll have closure knowing he's happy."
Sunny gave Periwinkle a small smile and put her hoof around her. Periwinkle's smile grew, and she put her hoof on Sunny's hoof, appreciating the support. Just then, Hitch came in carrying a smoothie. He handed the smoothie to Periwinkle, who immediately began drinking it, feeling her throat get better. She gave Hitch a thankful look, and Hitch smiled back before he turned to the crowd, frowning.
"What is it, Hitch?" Sunny asked.
"Haven't you guys noticed the ponies on their phones since Presto's concert? Something's not right," Hitch said.
Sunny looked at Hitch, confused, until she looked around. While many ponies were watching Queen Haven, some still whispered amongst themselves and showed something on their phones to other ponies. Some were uncomfortable with the queen discussing Pipp and Presto as a couple. The more she looked, the more Sunny wished she had a phone to find out what was happening. 
"And now, without further ado, let the ceremony commence!" Queen Haven shouted.
The ponies who were unaware of the situation cheered at the top of their lungs. The Wedding March began to play, and Pipp and Zipp were lowered from the ceiling to the stage. Ponies gasped in awe at how beautiful Pipp looked in her wedding dress. Even Hitch and Sunny forgot about the ponies on their phone as they stared at Pipp. Pipp looked at the crowd for the forced grin, but Zipp looked away to hide her unease as the wires lowered them to stand on the right side of the stage. Queen Haven smiled at her youngest daughter as she landed in front of her until she realized Presto had not entered the stage. His best stallion entered the stage on the left side, equally confused that Presto was not there. 
"Excuse me. Can I have your attention, please?" Pipp called out. "And can we have the house lights on?"
The cheering died down, and ponies looked at Pipp in confusion as the lights were turned on. The wedding band awkwardly stopped playing as Zipp grabbed a mic and handed it to the bride. Pipp took a moment to keep her cool, but her voice cracked as she started to speak. 
"It's my understanding that everypony in Equestria is watching to see me get married," Pipp said.
 Ponies cheered again before Pipp continued. 
"It's only natural I would want that when it’s not about marriage so much as love,” Pipp said. “That’s what we’re all looking for, right? The love between our families, our friends, and, of course, that special love you feel for that one special pony.”
The crowd cheered in agreement save for those who knew the truth and wondered if Pipp found out. 
“But the thing is sometimes we get so caught up in our idea of love that we are clueless of what our love actually is: a lie,” Pipp said. 
The throne room grew silent as ponies looked at Pipp, confused. Haven’s smile fell, and she turned to Zipp, who was giving her a sad look.
“Zipp, what is going on?” Haven whispered. 
Zipp squirmed as she took out her phone, opened the ZBS app, opened the video, and handed it to her mom. Haven covered her mouth with her hoof as she watched the video. She fought the urge to scream at the guards, ordering them to arrest Presto in front of the crowd. Meanwhile, Pipp sniffled and took another moment to collect herself before spilling the beans. 
“I just found out a few moments ago that my fiancee, Presto Tetrachord, cheated on me with another mare.”
Ponies in the audience gasped. The ones who already knew were astounded that Pipp straight out said it herself for all of Equestria to hear. Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch turned to Periwinkle, who looked at Pipp, stunned. 
"No. No, that can't be right. She's lying, or maybe there's some misunderstanding," Periwinkle said.
"I highly doubt it," said a stallion standing next to her. "It would be one crazy misunderstanding."
He handed his phone to Periwinkle, and Sunny, Izzy, and Hitch looked over Periwinkle's shoulder. As they watched the video, Sunny gaped and covered her mouth with her hoof, Izzy's mouth dropped, and Hitch stood appalled. They turned to Periwinkle, who watched the video with her eyes watering. 
Periwinkle robotically gave the stallion's phone back and picked up her sign. She studied all the hard work she put into making the sign, and her heart began to break. It was one thing that the stallion Periwinkle fell for didn't return his feelings, but finding out Presto would cheat on his fiancee, a beautiful princess at that, destroyed what closure she was ready to have. 
"I'm sure some of you might think I was cheated on out of prejudice since he was with another unicorn, but I don't believe that matters," Pipp said as tears ran down her face. "After all, just as we are all looking for love, so too can we have flaws of hate, fear, dishonesty, and unfaithfulness. I have no hate for unicorns just because the one I wanted to marry did this to me any more than if he was a pegasus like me, and neither should you. No matter what we are or what we do, we're all ponies. Right?"
The ponies stomped their hooves and cheered in agreement. But Periwinkle wasn't listening. She whimpered as she stared at her sign, with tears in her eyes. With a sob, Periwinkle shoved the sign into Hitch's front leg and got down on her belly, crying. Sunny and Izzy rushed to Periwinkle's side and rubbed her back as she cried. 
"We love you so much, Pipp!" An earth pony stallion in the crowd screamed. 
Pipp gave the Pippsqueak a sad smile and said, "I love you too. I love you all. More than anything, I wish this never happened, and I don't want anyone to lose hope in love, no matter who you find it with. If you want it, you need to grab it by the hoof and never let go. You chase it to the ends of the Earth, and when love comes for you, you…"
Pipp's voice died in her throat, struggling to make another expression. She realized that even with her big speech, ponies would be let down with all of their excitement and joy for her wedding being for nothing. If she wanted her words of encouragement to mean something, she would have to be an example, like her marriage to Presto was supposed to be. She began to quiver as the fear of the entire night becoming a catastrophe began to overtake her. 
As Pipp struggled to continue her speech, her eyes turned to Hitch. She stopped shaking and tilted her head as she watched Hitch look at Periwinkle sympathetically as she cried. As far as Pipp could tell, the unicorn was a fan of her and Presto and was heartbroken because they weren't going to get married. Whether she was right or wrong, Pipp saw in Hitch's gamboge eyes that he wanted to do something to cheer Periwinkle up. To make her happy. 
Pipp then noticed Hitch holding the "marry me" sign and raised an eyebrow. The distance between Hitch and Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle implied he wasn't in a relationship with either of them and, while not hunky like Presto, had a sightly appearance. The edges of Pipp's mouth curled up as she took a chance. 
"You say, 'yes,'" she said.
Ponies looked at Pipp, confused, and turned to where she was staring. Hitch broke his gaze from Periwinkle, realizing everypony in the crowd was looking at him. He looked around until he saw Pipp looking directly at him. Hitch looked at her, confused until he realized he was still holding the sign for her to see. His ears hung low, his cheeks turned barn red, and his pupils shrunk to the size of grains of sand as Pipp finished with a sweet smile.
"Why not? Sure. I'll marry you."
> Chapter 4
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The throne room was completely silent. Every pony in the crowd was looking between Hitch and Pipp as they processed what just happened. Queen Haven stared at her daughter with eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. Zipp looked at Pipp flabbergasted as what she just did was not part of the plan.
A few seconds after Pipp made her declaration, Sunny and Izzy looked away from comforting Periwrinkle to realize everypony was looking at Hitch and Pipp. Periwinkle lifted her head with red puffy eyes, wondering what was going on. All three mares looked between their friend and the bride until they realized Hitch was holding the “marry me” sign, and their eyes widened with Sunny letting out a loud gasp.
A unicorn mare jabbed Hitch in the side with her elbow, breaking him from his frozen state. 
"Well, don't just stand there, doofus! Go to her!" She shouted.
"Yeah, what are you waiting for?! Get over there!" A stallion shouted. 
"Go! Go! Go!" Another mare shouted.
"Wait a minute. Hold on. This isn't a proposal,” Hitch protested. “I-I-I am just holding my friend's sign and -”
“Oh, don't be shy! You asked the question, and she wants to marry you! Now get over there!” Another stallion shouted. 
“Please get over there! Save Pipp!” A third stallion squealed.
Before Hitch knew it, ponies were stomping their hooves and chanting, “Go” in unison. He uttered more words of protest, but his voice was drowned out by the crowd. He turned to Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle for help, but his hope was dashed when he saw Izzy and especially Sunny looking at him ecstatically.
“Go on, Hitch! Get over there!” Sunny shouted.
“Hitch is marrying the princess! Hitch is marrying the princess!” Izzy sang.
“But wait! Aren't we supposed to be focusing on Periwinkle?” Hitch asked.
“It's all right, Hitch,” Periwinkle said with a sniffle and a crack in her voice.
“But she's your crush's fiancé,” Hitch said.
“And she will be a million times happier with an honest stallion like you than she would have been with Presto,” Periwinkle countered as she took the "marry me'' sign off of Hitch's hoof. “Now, go on and marry her.”
“You heard her, Hitch. She just gave you her blessing,” Sunny said. “Go marry the princess!”
Sunny and Izzy pushed Hitch toward the stage and ponies nearby joined in pushing him around toward the stage. The best stallion helped him up, and led him toward Pipp, making Hitch's cheeks turn cherry red. The best stallion took off the clip-on collar and bow tie around his neck and put it on Hitch before Pipp took his hoof and guided him to the arch. Pipp turned to Queen Haven and gave her flabbergasted mother a pleading look. Haven opened her mouth to protest, but then she quickly accepted that the royal family was now stuck in a position where they had no choice but to play along.
"Er - let the ceremony continue," Haven said hesitantly. 
Ponies screamed and cheered again with many continuing to record on their phones. The wedding band took a few seconds to set up and begin playing The Wedding March again. Zipp and the best stallion took positions behind the bride and the groom respectively as Hitch and Pipp stood facing each other. Sunny was sitting on her plot squealing, “Oh, my stars! Oh, my stars! Oh, my stars,” while Izzy had her hoof on Sunny's shoulder. Periwinkle wiped tears from her eyes as she smiled for Hitch. When the band finished playing, Haven cleared her throat and spoke with her head held high.
“D-dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this stallion and this mare in holy matrimony,” she said.
Ponies cheered again. Haven opened her mouth, then froze with her eyes wide as she realized she had planned to continue with another speech regarding Pipp and Presto as a couple. Her cheeks turned pink as she stammered for every pony to see before she cleared her throat and turned to Pipp.
“Do you, Pippistasia Petals, take this stallion to be your lawfully wedded husband?” Queen Haven asked.
All eyes turned to Pipp, who was still smiling at Hitch. Hitch’s hooves began to shake unsure if the princess was really going to go through with it. Pipp was silent for several seconds, giving him hope that she was going to cave until her smile widened.
"I do."
Ponies cheered louder as Queen Haven turned to Hitch.
“And do you…?” She began.
It took Hitch a moment before he realized Haven was waiting for him to say his name and he cleared his throat. 
“Hitch Trailblazer, Your Majesty,” he said.
“Do you, Hitch Trailblazer, take this mare to be your lawfully wedded wife?” Haven asked.
Sweat ran down Hitch's head as all of Equestria waited on him. He wanted to politely decline in a way that would end the matter peacefully, but deep down he knew he was trapped in a situation he couldn't avoid. He turned to Pipp, who was giving him a worried look that made his heart ache. He cleared his throat and held his head straight with an awkward smile.
“I do.”
Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle cheered at the top of their lungs as Pipp eased up and Haven cleared her throat again.
“Very well. Bring out the rings,” she said.
Cloudpuff walked over carrying a pillow holding two gold bands hanging on gold chains with his mouth. He walked over to Pipp, who gave the little dog a bright smile as she took one of the bands. Cloudpuff turned to Hitch, and as soon as his eyes met Hitch’s Cloudpuiff dropped the pillow and barked happily with his wings flapping. Hitch grew uneasy with the dog instantly loving him, and awkwardly took the other band. 
Pipp walked to Hitch until they were inches away from each other, and Hitch flushed as Pipp put the necklace around his neck. Hitch stammered and looked around as though everything around Pipp was the most interesting thing in the world, making Pipp giggle. She took Hitch’s hoof carrying the ring on a chain and helped him put it on her neck. Hitch eased up and gave Pipp a sheepish grin that made her giggle again. 
Haven put her hoof on her chest and took a deep breath before she spoke again.
“By the power invested in me as queen of Zephyr Heights, I now pronounce you…husband and wife,” she said. “You may kiss the bride.”
Without skipping a beat, Pipp took another step toward Hitch, wrapped her front leg around his neck, and pulled his head toward her for a firm kiss. The ponies roared with thunderous applause and took pictures to capture the historic moment. Cloudpuff howled, flapping his wings and shaking his tail vigorously. Outside, a torrent of fireworks went off, lighting the night sky with explosions of vibrant colors. Sunny put her hoof on her heart, shocked yet happy that her childhood had just gotten married. Izzy laughed and bounced like a little filly while Periwinkle joined the applause. Zipp shook her head in disbelief and turned to her mother, who forced a grin on her face, knowing that all of Equestria was still watching. The best stallion politely joined the applause before exiting the stage before he got tangled in the situation any further.
But while all of Equestria celebrated, Hitch and Pipp held on to their kiss. Pipp eased up, pressing her lips against Hitch more tenderly as she moved her leg from Hitch’s neck and began caressing his cheek. Hitch looked at her in shock when Pipp pulled him in, but after a moment he closed his eyes and kissed her back. All thoughts on Presto, Zipp, Haven, Sunny, Izzy, Periwinkle, or anypony else were in the back of their minds as though they were the only souls in Equestria. When they parted, Hitch and Pipp stared at each other, shocked as it hit them how long they were kissing. They backed away with Pipp's cheeks tinting red and Hitch scratching the back of his head. 
“Ladies and gentlecolts of Equestria, I now present to you Mr. and Mrs. Tetra - I mean, Trailblazer!” Queen Haven declared. 
Pipp waved with a big smile as the crowd cheered again, and Hitch hesitated before he robotically waved with a forced grin. Then suddenly, the doors burst open to reveal Presto running toward the stage with half a dozen guards chasing after him. Ponies booed and hissed at Presto as he rammed his way through the crowd with his eyes fixed on Pipp. Pipp frowned and wrapped her leg around Hitch’s as she gave Presto a sullen look. Presto climbed up the stage, narrowly avoiding the guards grabbing him as he climbed, and Pipp pulled Hitch closer to her as Presto stopped in front of them.
“Pippy Cake, what in Equestria is going on?” Presto asked. “I was getting ready, and then the guards kept me from leaving my room. I had to sneak out to get here, and then I heard you're about to marry some other stallion?”
“Not about to. Did,” Pipp answered with venom in her voice. “This is Hitch Trailblazer, my husband.”
Presto’s eyes widened as he turned to Hitch, who chuckled nervously again with his ears hanging low.
“Are you crazy? Marrying another stallion right before we get married? What is the matter with you?!” He exclaimed.
“We should be asking you that same question, dude,” Zipp said coldly.
Zipp took out her phone and showed the video of Presto and the orange mare. Presto froze like a foal caught by his parents as the queen and princesses looked daggers at him.
“W-wait. You don’t understand. It isn’t like that,” he protested. 
“Oh, and what is it supposed to be like, Presto?!” Pipp screamed.
“It was nothing. It meant nothing,” Presto said.
“If it's nothing, then nothing would have happened!” Pipp screamed. “You promised it would be just you and me, and you fooled around with somepony else!”
“And how is this any better?!” Presto shouted as he turned to Hitch. “I mean, who in Equestria are you supposed to be? Some fan?”
“Er, no,” Hitch said, awkwardly. “I-I mean, I guess technically I am now, cause we’re married, and I liked her concert, and -”
“Enough!” Queen Haven roared with her wings spread apart. “Presto Tetrachord, you have dared to be unfaithful to my daughter, a princess of Zephyr Heights! You are forthwith banished from my kingdom!”
“What?! You…you can’t do that! My life is here! My career is here!” Presto shouted.
“You should have thought of that!” Haven growled. “You have two days to get your things in order and get out of my domain under pain of imprisonment for life! Guards, get this lecherous swine out of my sight!”
Before Presto knew it, the guards who chased after him were already on stage and dragging him away from Hitch and the royal family. He tried to break free while calling out to Pipp, but the guards were too strong. Ponies continued to boo and shouted insults at Presto as he was forced out of the throne room. The crowd whispered among themselves in contempt, and Queen Haven cleared her throat. 
"Let us proceed to the ballroom for the wedding reception!" She shouted.
Ponies cheered, instantly in high spirits again. Guards opened the doors and began escorting the ponies to the ballroom. Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle looked back as they followed the guards. Sunny looked at Hitch brightly, and Periwinkle gave a small smile while Izzy giggled. Hitch bit his lip, uncomfortable by his friends still supporting the marriage until Pipp tugged his leg, guiding him to a side exit with Haven, Zipp, and the other guards. Pipp gave Hitch another smile that made his heart race, making Haven and Zipp frown as they walked behind the bride and groom. 
"Zipp, did you know Pipp was going to do this?" Haven whispered. 
"No, I had no idea. I showed Pipp the video and she decided to make that speech about unity between ponies. She didn't say anything about marrying somepony else," Zipp said. "Either she hid that she was going to do that, or she just decided on the spot."
Haven's unease grew and she looked back at Hitch and Pipp. Her daughter continued to smile as though nothing had happened, while Hitch blushed. The queen couldn't tell if Pipp was being truthfully happy or she was pretending. Haven had known Pipp to be a joyful and untroubled pony ever since she was a filly that it was a marvel she was holding herself together in such a chaotic situation. Even so, Haven feared what emotional state Pipp was in.






**************************


Things got off to a rocky and awkward start when the wedding reception began. Queen Haven had a guard called the ponies supervising the wedding reception to remove anything related to Presto, but at short notice, it was too much for them to do before the guests arrived. Such a high demand required flower ponies to get rid of flowers that had Presto's colors, and the designers to remove paintings and pictures of Pipp and Presto together covering the ballroom walls. The caterer had to throw away the figurines of Pipp and Presto on top of the wedding cake and searched all over the kitchen to find spare bride and groom figurines. Several royal guards had to help the staff push an ice sculpture of Pipp and Presto out of the ballroom before guests arrived and throw it off the nearest balcony. Even the DJ had an uncomfortable time adjusting the dance playlist so that none of Presto's songs were played while still playing music for ponies to dance to at the same time. All in all, the castle staff spent the first half hour or so of the reception working through sweat and tears to keep Pipp's cheating fiance out of her mind as though it was always intended that she would marry Hitch.
But while the awkward tension was still around Hitch, the royal family, Cloudpuff, and the staff, their guests continued to celebrate on behalf of Zephyr Heights' most beloved princess. They ate, danced, sang, and posted videos and pictures of the reception. When Hitch, Pipp, Queen Haven, and Zipp appeared to sit at the bride and groom's table, ponies once again cheered for the newlyweds. Some of them screamed,  "Congratulations," "We love you, Pipp," "Attaboy, Hitch," "Long live Prince Hitch and Princess Pipp," and "We're so happy for you, Pipp" as Pipp waved to her guests. 
Hitch grew uneasy by the second as he robotically waved. He glanced at Pipp, who kept a bright smile and blew kisses toward the crowd. It was astounding to Hitch how the princess could be so cheerful after being cheated on and suddenly decided to marry a stranger. It didn't help that while Queen Haven was smiling and waving at the crowd and Cloudpuff was happy for Hitch to be there, Zipp couldn't bring herself to force a smile. Zipp noticed Hitch looking at her and gave him a look that showed she was as uncomfortable with the situation as he was. Hitch's ears hung low in unease, and yet he was relieved that there was at least one pony who wasn't afraid to look at things as they were when no pony else, not even his friends, would.
Eventually, the wedding cake was brought to the bride and groom's table. The cake was twelve feet wide and had fifteen layers. Pipp took Hitch by the hoof and dragged him to the cake, where the chef had a knife waiting for them. Queen Haven and Zipp followed the bride and groom, and Zipp whispered thanks to the chef for getting rid of the figures of Pipp and Presto. When Pipp and Hitch each took a piece of cake, Hitch slowly moved his piece into Pipp's mouth to avoid getting any frosting or crumbs on her dress. After Pipp took a bite, there was frosting on her nose, and Hitch grabbed a napkin to remove it. Pipp thanked him with a sweet smile that set his heart aflutter until her smile turned into a smirk and she shoved her piece into Hitch's mouth. Everypony laughed as Hitch struggled for a moment before swallowing and lightly chuckled with half his face covered in cake. 
After everypony grabbed a slice of cake, the DJ declared it was time for the bride and groom to have their first dance. Pipp guided Hitch to the center of the dance floor and pulled him toward her until their heads were close next to each other. Hitch blushed again and gulped as Pipp put her hoof on his shoulder and began to lead. It took the first minute of the song before Hitch figured out how to dance without tripping on his own hooves. Even when he was struggling, however, Pipp continued to put on a smile, making Hitch wonder if she was being polite, or was sincerely fine with his blunders. 
Halfway through the dance, Pipp closed her eyes and rested her head on Hitch's shoulder. Ponies "aww" ed and took pictures as Hitch's blush covered his face. Then Hitch felt Pipp ease up as she relaxed her head as though she were a filly safe beside her parents. Though he was dancing with someone she didn't know, Hitch couldn't help but be glad that he was giving the poor mare comfort in some way. He patted Pipp's back, and Pipp let out a soft "Mmmm."
Hitch then noticed Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle sitting at a table watching Hitch and Pipp dance as they ate their cake. Periwinkle had her hoof on her heart, and Izzy giggled while giving Hitch a teasing look with her mouth covered in cake. Sunny, on the other hand, smiled warmly as Hitch held his wife. Her demeanor confused Hitch as Sunny made it look like he was dancing with somepony who had been in a long-term relationship all along. He thought Sunny, of all ponies, would share his and Zipp's feelings about him suddenly marrying Pipp.
Finally, the song ended, and Pipp pulled her head back to look at Hitch. Though she didn't say anything, Hitch could see from the way Pipp looked at him that she was grateful that he let her rest her head on his shoulder. Hitch smiled back and gave a short nod to say "you're welcome." Hitch and Pipp stared into each other's eyes until they realized what they were doing and looked away, blushing.
"And now, for a special treat," the DJ announced. "The bride has prepared a special song to express her love for the groom."
Pipp's cheerful demeanor vanished in a blink of an eye, and Zipp's heart sank. In all the focus on keeping the audience happy, the two sisters had forgotten about the song Pipp secretly wrote for Presto. It took a moment before the DJ realized what he did, and his eyes widened as he covered his mouth. Ponies cheered and prepared to record the song on their phones. Haven looked at the DJ and Pipp confused until Zipp walked over to her from her seat and whispered into Haven's ear. Haven's face grew pale, and she turned to Pipp, who looked ready to crack any moment. Zipp squirmed until she hatched an idea and loudly cleared her throat. 
"Excuse me, Vinyl Skip, but Princess Pipp's song was scheduled to happen privately between her and her husband," she said. "I propose that the bride and groom be excused for this special moment between them while we continue to celebrate their union."
Ponies immediately shouted in protest while the DJ gave Zipp a thankful look. Haven eased up, realizing Zipp gave them a chance to remove the emotional bride from the public eye. 
"An excellent idea, Zipp. Let us allow Hitch and Pipp to retire for the evening so Pipp can perform for Hitch," Haven said.
The crowd moaned in disappointment with some begging Hitch and Pipp to stay. Hitch turned to Pipp, who was staring into space while trying not to snap and lightly nudged her. Pipp snapped out of her gaze and Hitch whispered what was happening in her ear. The princess fought the urge to show relief and stepped forward to give the crowd a forced smile. 
"Sorry, everypony, but this song has a very special place in my heart that's meant only for my hubby," she said while wrapping her leg around Hitch's leg. "But, don't be sad. You guys will always have a special place in my heart. I'll make it up to you with a whole new album about what each and every one of you in Equestria means to me."
The crowd "aww" ed and cheered, immediately uplifted. Pipp blew kisses again while Hitch forced his own smile to hide his blush as his and Pipp's sides touched. Haven smiled, relieved with her daughter keeping ponies happy. She then gestured to Zoom and Thunder to come over to her and held her hoof to hide her mouth from the crowd as she whispered. 
"Escort Pipp to her room, and take Mr. Trailblazer to wherever he's staying," she said. "Use the secret passageways to keep him out of sight. You understand?"
"It shall be done, Your Highness," Zoom replied with a salute. 
Zoom and Thunder walked over to Hitch and Pipp just as the bride finished blowing kisses. When Pipp noticed the guards, she said to the crowd, "Okay, you guys, Hitch and I gotta go. Love you lots. Pipp, Pipp, Hooray!"
"Pipp, Pipp, Hooray!" Haven, Zipp, Zoom, Thunder, and the guests shouted.
"Uh, Pipp, Pipp, Hooray," Hitch said. 
Pipp guided Hitch to the ballroom entrance from where they came with Haven, Zipp, and Cloudpuff. Zoom and Thunder walked beside the newlyweds. Ponies cheered again as they watched Hitch and Pipp leave with Cloudpuff jumping up and down and flapping his wings as he barked happily. The DJ started a new track, and ponies ran to the dancefloor. As Zoom and Thunder opened the doors, Pipp blew kisses one last time before she and Hitch exited the ballroom. 
As soon as the doors closed behind Pipp, her face fell into a look of melancholia. Hitch felt a pinch in his heart as it hit him that Pipp had finally shown how she was truly feeling underneath her cheerful demeanor. He pursed his lips as he watched Pipp stare ahead as she walked as though Hitch, Zoom, and Thunder weren't there. Hitch grew uncomfortable and he bit his lip before saying the first thing he could think of to break the silence. 
"Well, what a night, huh?" He said. 
Pipp said nothing. 
"I don't know about you, but I never would have expected that to happen," Hitch said.
Again, Pipp said nothing, and Zoom gave Hitch a warning glare. Hitch squirmed and decided to think of something more appropriate to say. 
"I'm sorry. I don't know what to say. I mean, I assume that at some point you really loved that guy," Hitch said.
"I was literally minutes away from marrying him," Pipp finally said, not looking at Hitch.
"Uh, yeah, that's true," Hitch said. "On the bright side, he's going to age badly."
"No, he's not," Pipp said.
"Yeah, you're right. He's just gonna get better looking," Hitch said before adding with a small smile. "On the other hand, he might get so hated when he comes back to Bridlewood that he'll grow a gut and shave his head."
Pipp let out a brief chuckle before her dejected demeanor returned. Hitch tried to think of something else to say that might get a bigger laugh out of Pipp, but deep down he knew it was a lost cause. He let out a sigh and said what he really wanted to say.
"I'm really sorry this happened to you."
For a few seconds, Pipp remained silent. Then she turned to Hitch with a sad smile of appreciation.
"I'm sorry too," she said.
Hitch furrowed his brow at how Pipp was looking at him with hints of tears in her eyes and her mouth twitching. The next thing Hitch knew, he, Pipp, Zoom, and Thunder stopped in front of Pipp's bedroom doors. Thunder put his hoof hood on the pad beside the doors, and the doors opened. Hitch began to follow Pipp inside, not knowing it was her room before Zoom held her hoof in front of him. 
"The queen has ordered that you be escorted to wherever you're staying in the city," she said.
Hitch's frown deepened, wanting to continue being there to comfort Pipp however he could, yet he accepted that Pipp should be left alone. He turned to Pipp who took off her crown and dropped it on the floor as she went into her room. 
"Are you going to be okay, Your Highness?" Hitch asked.
Pipp stopped and turned to Hitch with another sad smile. Her eyes watering.
"Good night," she said.
Hitch's ears hanged low as he wished Pipp gave him a direct answer. He nodded in acceptance and said, "Good night," before Pipp closed the doors in front of him, Zoom, and Thunder. Hitch stared at the door until Zoom cleared her throat, and she and Thunder began escorting Hitch to the secret passageways. 



**********************************************************


A couple of hours passed and the guests began to tire after eating, drinking, and dancing, and so Queen Haven declared the wedding reception over. The guards escorted the guests out of the castle and to the elevator to the city below. Haven and Zipp smiled and waved as the guests left, thanking them for coming with Cloudpuff standing beside Haven. 
When the last group of ponies went into the elevator, Haven let out a groan, drained from keeping up the act. She then raced back inside the castle with Zipp and Cloudpuff running behind. They took an elevator to Pipp's bedroom, and Haven paused before knocking on the doors. 
"Pipp? Pipp, can we come in?" she asked. 
Haven waited a moment to get an answer, and sighed before she put her hoof on the pad and the doors opened. Zipp and Cloudpuff went in first, and Zipp opened her mouth to call out to her sister until she realized the lights were off and the room was covered with wedding presents destroyed, racks of dresses knocked down, and Pipp's crown lying on the floor. As Zipp went further in, she found pieces of music paper torn to shreds and lying around Pipp's keyboard. 
Finally, Zipp and Cloudpuff stopped a few feet away from Pipp's king-sized bed with Pipp still in her wedding dress, lying on her front with a pillow covering her face, not making a sound. Cloudpuff whimpered while Haven quietly closed the doors. She hopped onto the bed and sat beside her daughter. 
"Pipp? Can I get you anything, sweetie?" Haven asked. 
She waited a moment before Pipp shook her head with her face still planted on the pillow. Haven and Zipp looked at each other, and Zipp sighed before turning around, deciding to give her sister space. Haven glanced at Pipp and took a step to get off the bed until Pipp got up and wrapped her front legs around her mother. Zipp turned her head, and her heart sank at the sight of Pipp's eyes red and puffy, and her pillow drenched with the makeup running down her face with her tears. 
"Mom, t-t-tell me that didn't happen," Pipp whined. "Tell me I wasn't betrayed. That I almost married a cheater for all of Equestria to see. My fans were counting on me to live this fairy tale marriage, and I…I let them down. I let everypony down."
Haven's heart broke, and she pulled Pipp into a hug. 
"No, no. No, you didn't," Haven said, with a frail voice. 
"Yes, I thought for sure I picked the right guy, and everypony believed me and…and…" Pipp sobbed.
Zipp hopped onto the bed and put her hoof on Pipp's shoulder.
"It isn't just you, Pipp. We all thought Presto was this perfect guy. No pony had a way of knowing," Zipp said.
"Then why did that article just happen to be published right before the ceremony?!" Pipp wailed. "Why couldn't I learn I was cheated on days ago, or weeks, or before he even proposed to me? Why did I have to give so much hope and then suddenly marry somepony I don't know, and…and…"
Haven pulled Pipp's head to her chest as Pipp burst into tears, and Zipp hugged her sister from behind. Cloudpuff hopped onto the bed and put his paw on Pipp's back leg, whimpering. Pipp smiled at Cloudpuff for a moment, before she let go of Haven and scooped Cloudpuff to hold him as she cried. Zipp sniffed as she and Haven fought the urge to cry with Pipp. All they could do was let Pipp let out her grief until she fell asleep.
> Chapter 5
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was the morning after the wedding and things were quiet in Zephyr Heights castle. The royal guards and staff were in low spirits, for they were nothing short of sympathetic for Pipp. They tried to hide it whenever Haven and Zipp passed by, but deep down their queen and oldest princess knew what was on their minds. It didn't help that Pipp hadn't left her room since the night before. 
Haven was in the throne room going through towers of paperwork. Cloudpuff napped next to her, cuddled up in a ball while Zoom stood in front of the throne, organizing the queen's schedule on her phone. The staff was taking down decorations as their queen worked. Haven hoped focusing on her duties would keep her mind off of the wedding, but her heart still ached for her beloved daughter. 
Suddenly, Zoom's phone rang, and she answered. She listened to the other pony on the phone and grew uneasy before turning to Haven. 
"Excuse me, Your Majesty, but the guards stationed at the elevator to the castle grounds have just informed me that Presto Tetrachord is there," Zoom said. 
Haven froze in the middle of signing a form, and she clenched her teeth, looking daggers at the paper as if it was Presto himself. Zoom cleared her throat and continued. 
"They said he's crying and begging the guards to let him in. He claims he just needs five minutes to talk to Princess Pipp."
"Oh, he does. Does he?" Haven snarled. Her eyes were still on the paper. "Well then, tell the guards he has five seconds to leave the premises and continue gathering his things before I have him dragged out of my kingdom in chains with all of his things left behind."
"With pleasure, Your Highness," Zoom said, smirking.
The guard went back to her phone and relayed the order below hanging up. Haven lifted her hoof to continue signing paperwork but sighed and hung her head, for Presto wanting to see Pipp made the queen think of holding Pipp when she broke down. Haven pinched the bridge of her nose and put the paper she was working on back on top of its pile. Going to see Pipp would put Haven drastically behind schedule, but she'd rather deal with that than not going to check on her daughter. She poked Cloudpuff's side, waking him up, and the little dog yawned before looking up at his owner. 
"Come, Sweetie. Let's go see Pipp," Haven said.
Cloudpuff sprung to his feet and barked happily. With that, Haven and Cloudpuff exited the throne room, leaving Zoom to look after the paperwork until the queen returned. They took an elevator to the floor to Pipp's room and walked to the front door just in time to see Zipp walking over from the other side. Haven and Zipp smiled for having the same idea before Zipp put her hoof on the datapad, and the doors opened. 
When they went in, the room was still a mess. Pipp's breakfast that Haven had sent to her was untouched, and Pipp herself was out of her wedding dress and sitting in front of her keyboard. She rested the side of her head against the top of the keyboard, staring at the figurines of her and Presto as she played a glum tune with one hoof. Cloudpuff barked as he jumped onto Pipp's chair and then onto the keyboard to stand between Pipp and the figurines. Pipp raised her head and the edge of her lips curled slightly as she petted the dog.
"Hi, Fluffy Pie," Pipp said softly. 
Cloudpuff wagged his tail and proceeded to lick Pipp's face. Pipp giggled and picked Cloudpuff up before noticing that Haven and Zipp were in her room. 
"Oh, hey, Mom, Zipp," Pipp said. 
"Hi, darling. How are you feeling?" Haven asked. 
Pipp's glum demeanor returned and she looked away while still petting Cloudpuff. 
"Not great," she answered. 
Haven frowned and walked over to rub Pipp's back. Zipp hesitated before she stepped forward with a small smile. 
"So…is that a new song for that album you promised, Sis?" She asked. 
Pipp briefly smiled again and said, "Might as well, right? It's not like I have a honeymoon to go to anymore even if I did get married."
"Yeah, I actually came to talk to you about that," Zipp said. "See, I did a little digging online, and it turns out that out of all the stallions in the crowd, you picked a guy who doesn't have a girlfriend, no accounts on social media, is the sheriff of Maretime Bay, everypony in town loves him, and, get this, he was Sunny Starscout's plus one. Who'd have thunk it, huh?"
Pipp lightly chuckled at the coincidence and went back to being glum until she heard Haven let out a long gasp. Pipp and Zipp turned to their mother to see her smiling with eyes wide open.
"That's fantastic news, Zipp," she said.
"It is?" Zipp asked with her head tilted. 
"Yes. It means Hitch Trailblazer won't be a problem," Haven explained. "If he has no presence on the Canternet, then he can't do anything there that will fan the flames of our situation, and being the well-respected ruler of Maretime Bay implies he has more decency than he-who-must-not-be-named."
"I don’t think ‘ruler’ is the right word to describe a sheriff, Mom," Zipp said.
"Whatever. The point is he is a pony who devotes his life to keeping his citizens safe like us," Haven said. "So, we should get him to sign an NDA, annul the marriage, and wait for the publicity to blow over. How does that sound, Pipp?"
Pipp smiled and nodded. Haven smiled back and hugged her daughter before heading to the doors to carry out her plan. But as her mother was leaving, Pipp's smile disappeared and she stared at the wall in thought. Zipp looked at Pipp curiously as Pipp tilted her head and she put Cloudpuff down without looking at him. The youngest princess rubbed her chin until she nodded to herself.
"Hey, Mom, I think I have a better idea," Pipp said. 
Haven stopped and turned around just as she was about to leave the room. Pipp blushed and rubbed her leg as she mustered the courage to pitch her idea, not looking at her mother. 
"As reasonable as your idea is, it might not be too crazy if… I stay married to Hitch."
Pipp's bedroom was silent with Haven, Zipp, and Cloudpuff staring at her. Then, Haven snorted before she burst out laughing. Pipp squirmed and turned to Zipp with a look for help. Zipp bit her lip as she realized her sister wasn't joking and turned to Haven. 
"Mom, she was being serious," she said. 
Haven stopped laughing and turned to Pipp, who gave her a sheepish smile. Haven stared at Pipp flabbergasted before she frowned and stormed back to her.
"Pippistasia, staying married to him is out of the question," Haven said. "Not only have you never met him before last night, but we haven't filed any papers to make your marriage legal." 
"Then we file the papers with Hitch. It shouldn't be hard. We're the royal family," Pipp said. "Besides, legal or not, I started something last night, and if I don't finish it I'll look crazy."
"Pipp, I'm saying this with love, but I'm pretty sure not looking crazy went out the window when you said you'll marry a total stranger," Zipp said. "I doubt every pony in Equestria is as behind your marriage as our guests were."
"So? That means some ponies are behind it," Pipp said. "And why wouldn't they? My fiancée cheated on me, so I married a pony that his citizens love and are friends with the pony that brought all three ponykinds together. It makes Hitch come off as a massive improvement from Presto, ergo, some ponies want Hitch and me to stay married."
"Sweetie, how do you intend to live a married life with somepony who lives on the complete opposite side of Equestria?" Haven asked. "Are you suggesting that he lives here, or you move to Maretime Bay?"
"No. I mean, I don't have to be married to him forever. It'll just be a few months or so of us communicating from our respective homes and visiting each other on occasion," Pipp said. "Think of it less like we're married and more like we're in an arranged, long-distance relationship. Practically boyfriend and girlfriend rather than husband and wife. If things between me and Hitch blossom, then we'll live an official married life, but if it doesn't, we'll get divorced."
"But you don't know things can go that simply," Zipp said. "Presto tricked everypony into thinking he's this perfect stallion who would be loyal to you to the end. What makes you so sure Hitch will be faithful?"
"Well, for one thing, Hitch witnessed Mom banishing Presto for all of Equestria to see in person and online," Pipp said. "He might not be one of our citizens, but after last night I bet he's smart enough to know things can get pretty ugly for him if he crosses our family. Plus, he'd lose all the love and respect he has in Maretime Bay if he cheats on me. But honestly, after the way he acted toward me last night, I believe Hitch has a kind and caring heart. If that doesn't make him somepony worth pursuing to find out if he's the one to spend the rest of my life with, then I don't know what does."
"Pipp, this idea could go extremely bad not just for you but all three of us as the royal family," Haven said.
"That's a chance we have to take, Mom," Pipp said. "In fact, you especially would be taking a massive risk if you don't support this idea. After all, you, the queen, married Hitch and me.”
“That’s not fair. You put me on the spot,” Haven said.
“And you still united us in holy matrimony, publicly making Hitch your son-in-law,” Pipp said. “Like it or not, Mom, our citizens will look to you to carry this out too, and it can look bad for you if you don’t. Not to mention, Presto, one of our citizens, tricked you as well. You even let him visit me in the castle whenever he wanted."
Haven stared at Pipp, astounded that her favorite daughter would speak to her that way. She turned to Zipp, who pursed her lips, before giving Haven a look that said, "She's got a point." 
"Alright, granted, but even if the sheriff agrees what are we supposed to tell our citizens?" Haven asked. "You don't want to be a joke?"
"I don't want to be the punchline," Pipp said. "We need to live in this moment of my life after a long time of deception and heartbreak to face not just our citizens or the Pippsqueaks, but everypony in Equestria and say, 'Presto Tetrachord didn't work out. Maybe Hitch Trailblazer will.'"
Haven grew unsettled after Pipp said her peace. She turned to Zipp again with a look for help, and Zipp hesitated before she gave her mother a shrug. Haven then felt Cloudpuff's paw on her leg, and she looked down to see the puppy give her an encouraging smile. Haven squirmed as she tried to think of another argument until she sighed and hung her head in defeat. 
"Alright, Pipp. We'll try it your way," Haven said before lifting her head and giving Pipp a worried look. "I just hope you are prepared for the consequences if this doesn't work."
Pipp gave her mother a small smile and walked over to hug her. Haven stroked Pipp's mane as she hugged her back. When they parted, Haven turned to Zipp and gestured to her to follow her. Zipp quietly followed her mother with Cloudpuff walking next to his owner. As they exited the room, Pipp went back to her keyboard and began playing her song again with enthusiasm. Haven closed the doors behind her, Zipp, and Cloudpuff, and took a deep breath with her eyes closed before turning to Zipp with a professional expression.
"Come, Zephyrina, we have work to do," Haven said. 
"What? Why am I helping out?" Zipp asked. 
"Because you have a duty to help your younger sister as well as a duty to do this with me as the future queen," Haven said. "Like it or not, we all have to play a part in this frivolous plan as a family. First, we're going to the registration center for new papers. Then, when Pipp's done with her signatures, we're gonna have Zoom and Thunder take us to where Hitch Trailblazer is staying."
Zipp frowned childishly at her mother, then huffed, reluctantly accepting Haven's logic. She began following Haven back to the elevator with Cloudpuff walking beside her with a bright smile, hoping to see Hitch again very soon. As Haven pressed the button to the elevator, Zipp looked back in the direction of Pipp's room, and she furrowed her brow in unease. She mentally prayed to whatever force in the universe out there that Pipp's risky plan may lead to her ultimately finding happiness.
> Chapter 6
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As soon as Hitch was in his four-bed hotel room, he raced to his bed and jumped onto it. Zoom let herself in to check that nopony else was watching them from the window. When she concluded that the coast was clear, she closed the curtains and asked Hitch who he was sharing the room with so the hotel staff could ensure only his friends could come in. Finally, Zoom ordered Hitch to stay indoors and away from social media, which Hitch robotically agreed to as he got under the covers and dozed off to sleep. 
Several hours later, Hitch woke up to somepony jumping on his bed. He groaned and rotated his body until he was lying on his back to find Izzy bouncing with a wide
grin.
"Hitch! Hitch, wake up! Tell us about last night!" Izzy shouted.
"Izzy, keep it down. My head is killing me," Hitch heard Periwinkle groan. 
"Izzy, get off the bed and give Hitch some air," Sunny said.
Izzy stopped jumping and whined before she got off. Hitch got up in a sitting position, rubbed his eyes before opening them, and found Sunny and Izzy standing next to his bed. He looked to the bed opposite his to find Periwinkle in bed, lying on her back and holding an ice pack on her forehead. 
"What's wrong with Periwinkle?" Hitch asked as he got out of bed. 
"Oh, she just had a few of those funny-tasting smoothies at the bar during the party and was acting all goofy," Izzy said. "She was a riot on the dance floor."
"Wait, they had hard smoothies there?" Hitch asked. 
"Yeah, after Periwinkle's first two smoothies, I made sure that I and especially Izzy had regular smoothies," Sunny said. "But enough about that. What are you doing back here, Hitch?"
"Yeah, shouldn't you be in the castle with your wife?" Izzy asked with a playful smirk. "You weren't too shy to share the same bed. Were ya?"
Hitch's cheeks heated up, and he cleared his throat while looking away from the mares to hide his blush.
"N-no, that's not it at all. The queen ordered that I be taken back to the hotel after the guards took the princess to her room," Hitch said.
"Aw, I was so sure you were too shy," Izzy said.
"Well, what do you expect? What mother would let a guy spend the night with her daughter when they just met him?" Hitch asked. 
"Gee, I don't know, Hitch. How about the daughter's husband?" Sunny said matter-of-factly.
"Who married her because he was pressured to do it in front of everypony," Hitch said.
"I don't know, Hitch. You didn't look like you were pressured to do anything when you kissed your bride," Izzy said teasingly. 
"I second that," Sunny said.
"Third," Periwinkle said, raising her hoof while still lying down, holding the ice pack with her eyes closed. 
"Uh, well, the princess kissed me 'cause we were told to," Hitch said. 
"You still kissed her back, and frankly, you two kissed longer than you needed to," Sunny said. "Face it, Hitch. You and Princess Pipp are already enjoying each other's company, and there's a good chance you guys could be happy together as husband and wife."
"How? How can I live a happy married life with the princess?" Hitch challenged. "You weren't there when they escorted us out of the ballroom, Sunny. As soon as we were out, she went back to being brokenhearted. Everything, even how she acted around me, was all an act to hide her grief. She was in love with Presto. I doubt Princess Pipp would ever want to see me again."
"Oh, come on, Hitch. Don't sell yourself short," Sunny said. "All teasing aside, I truly think Princess Pipp liked being with you even if she was publicly pretending to be happy."
"I agree," Periwinkle said, sitting up while still holding the ice pack on her head. "I meant what I said last night. You are an honest stallion, and I think the princess knows that already. The way she was resting her head on your shoulder when you two danced? That tells me she was pretty comfortable around you."
"Yeah, betcha Her Royal Highness already likes you so much that she wants to keep you as her husband," Izzy chirped. 
Hitch felt goosebumps all over his body. His mind went to when he and Pipp kissed and danced and how Pipp was into both moments. Hitch couldn't deny that Pipp was bashful when they both realized they kissed for too long, and it was unusual for anypony to rest their head on a stranger's shoulder when they danced. Hitch subconsciously lifted his hoof toward the wedding ring still hanging on his neck, then his common sense returned, and he shook his head. 
"Look, ladies, I appreciate the votes of confidence, but the cold hard truth is I only married the princess because I was forced into the stage and because I wanted to help a pony who was in trouble," he said. 
"But that's the thing, Hitch: you married her. Married her," Sunny said. "Marriage is not a job meant to help everypony that you keep or quit from, like being a sheriff. It's a commitment to be bound to one special pony forever, for better or worse."
"But even if that's true, how am I supposed to be bound to the princess forever?" Hitch asked. "Even if Princess Pipp teases the idea, I doubt the queen would want me to be anywhere near her daughter again."
No sooner did Hitch finish saying that than there was a knock on the door. Periwinkle groaned and laid on her bed again, wanting her ice pack to numb the pain completely. Izzy took a step to answer, but Hitch put her hoof in front of her, suspicious that it was journalists or Pippsqueaks wanting pictures or asking questions about the wedding. 
"Open up in the name of Queen Haven and Princess Zipp!" Thunder shouted from the other side of the door. 
Hitch, Sunny, and Izzy's eyes widened. Periwinkle put on her glasses and got out of bed. Izzy rushed to the door, knocking Hitch's hoof back, and opened the door. Zoom and Thunder stood in front of the door with Haven and Zipp behind them. The queen wore a knapsack made of gold leather on her back. Izzy noticed Zipp, and her face brightened as she waved her hoof.
"Hi, Your Royal Majesticness," she chirped. 
"Izzy, I told you already on the phone to just call me Zipp," Zipp said. "Do you mind if we come in?"
Izzy nodded vigorously before stepping back. Zoom and Thunder stepped away to allow Haven to come in, followed by Zipp. The former had a stern, professional look that made Hitch uneasy. Haven and Zipp stopped a few feet away from Sunny, Periwinkle, and Hitch, and Haven looked away from Hitch to notice Sunny. 
“Sunny Starscout. Good to see you again”, Haven said. 
“Good to see you too, Your Majesty,” Sunny said with a friendly smile.
The edge of Haven's mouth curled in appreciation before her head turned to Hitch. Hitch grew nervous as Haven cleared her throat. 
“Mr. Trailblazer, I see no point beating around the bush. I'm sure you know why we are are here?” The queen asked. 
“Yes, Your Highness,” Hitch replied. He cleared his throat and lifted his head to force a professional look to match the queen’s. “I think we can all agree that last night didn't go according to plan for anypony.”
“There is an understatement if I've ever heard one,” Zipp said. 
“Yes, well, what's done is done. You and my daughter are married, and as such, we have a possible solution to this little mishap. One that might work out for both parties.”
“I'm glad to hear it, Your Highness,” Hitch said. “Quite frankly, I also would want to arrange a divorce right away if some pony I didn't know sporadically married my daughter.”
“Actually, Mr. Trailblazer, that's not what we have in mind,” Haven said. 
Hitch, Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle looked at the queen, confused. Haven took out a set of papers from her saddlebag and held it up to Hitch. Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle walked behind Hitch and looked over his shoulders. When they looked at the papers, Sunny gasped and smiled brightly, Periwinkle looked up at Hitch with a small smile, and Izzy giggled. Hitch, on the other hand, stared at the papers, baffled. His cheeks tinted pink as he saw the words “marriage,” “united,” “husband,” and “wife” appear multiple times in the first paper.
“I don't understand,” he said. 
“I think it's pretty simple, dude,” Zipp said. “We want you to stay married to Pipp.”
Izzy cackled even louder, and Sunny and Periwinkle grinned in excitement. 
“What?! But-but-but we don't even know each other. You guys don't know anything about me,” Hitch said.
“Actually, I looked you up this morning. We know that you are the sheriff of Maretime Bay, and you are beloved by your citizens,” Zipp said. “Pipp is also beloved by our citizens even before she took Zephyr Heights by storm with her music career.”
"Precisely. And with both of you beloved by your respective citizens, you and Pipp may be a perfect match," Haven said. 
"But wasn't Presto also loved by everypony before last night?" Hitch asked. "How is anypony going to believe your daughter went from a pop star to the sheriff of the small town of Maretime Bay?"
"Well, for one thing, Pipp did go from Presto to you," Zipp said, earning smirks from Sunny and Periwinkle. "For another, we're not asking you to pretend you’re in love. We're just asking that you sign these papers to legalize the marriage and then get to know Pipp."
"But doesn't your sister get a say in this?" Hitch asked. 
"Actually, this was her idea," Haven answered. "You'll find she's done her required signatures in all the paperwork."
Hitch's eyes widened, and he took the paperwork from Haven. Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle looked over Hitch's shoulders again as Hitch looked through the papers, finding Pipp's name signed on half the blank lines on each sheet. The last sheet of paper was none other than a marriage certificate with Pipp's signature on the bottom right side. Sunny's face lit up like a massive flame, Izzy let out a joyous laugh, and Periwinkle looked at Hitch with a warm smile and nudged his side. 
"Told ya," she said.
Hitch stood frozen with his eyes fixed on Pipp's signature. He felt his heart leap and goosebumps appear all over his body again as it hit him that the beautiful princess sincerely wanted to continue being his wife. He blushed again, imagining Pipp still wearing her wedding ring and thinking of spending time with him as a couple, holding hooves, going on picnics, dinner, and a movie, cuddling on the couch, dancing, and above everything else, kissing. Hitch's blush grew with each thought until his cheeks were barn red at the thought of him and Pipp getting lost in their own world while kissing, just like at the wedding. It was too good to be true. 
"Okay, but how do you expect me to do this?" Hitch asked. "I have no desire to stop being the sheriff just to move to your castle and be some prince." 
"Oh, no. I wouldn't ask you to abandon your duties straight out. I’m well aware of how important you are in Maretime Bay," Haven said. "We're simply suggesting a few months or so of you and Pipp visiting each other and spending some time together. When you two aren't together in person, you can text or video call each other on your phones whenever you want. If things go further between you, we will officially welcome you as part of our family, and then we can look into you and Pipp being a real married couple. If it doesn't work out, we'll arrange for you and Pipp to get a divorce, and we will part ways, no hard feelings."
"That sounds reasonable enough, Your Highness, but I don't feel comfortable leaving Maretime Bay so frequently, and I also don't have a smartphone," Hitch said.
Haven looked at Hitch astounded, as though he were a barbarian for not having a smartphone. 
"Well, if protecting your citizens is your concern, I can leave some members of my royal guard," Haven said. "Zoom is one of the most by-the-book members of my guard. I'm sure with a little teaching, she will be a suitable substitute for you."
Hitch turned to Zoom, who gave him a salute of confirmation. 
"As for not having a phone, we'll have to fix that," Haven said. "I shall get in contact with the Z-Heights store at Maritime Bay to have a phone ready for you when you return home."
"That's nice of you, Your Highness, but I don't think that would be necessary," Hitch said. 
"Nonsense. If we are to do this, it is essential that you have a phone to stay in contact with Pipp,” Haven said. "Besides, all expenses will be paid for your phone. You are, after all, a member of the royal family by marriage."
"Even so, Your Grace, this all seems like a really excessive thing on both sides," Hitch protested. "Are you okay with letting me continue to be your daughter's husband even after we've known each other for less than 12 hours?" 
Haven furrowed her brow and took a step toward Hitch, so their faces were only inches away. 
"You have every right to be skeptical, Mr. Trailblazer. And to answer your question, no. I'm not entirely comfortable with my daughter putting her faith in you after the stallion she dated for two years deceived her,” Haven said. “That being said, there is logic behind Pipp's idea in ways that I will not discuss with you. I am trusting you from one leader to another that you are smart enough not to pull any funny business as Presto Tetrachord did. I am not saying I would go to war with Maretime Bay or anything like that should you cheat on my daughter, but you are still a pony that your citizens look up to, the same as me. Thus, the consequences of betraying my trust and breaking my daughter's heart will be far more severe for you and your citizens. Maybe all of ponykind.” 
"All of ponykind? That's an exaggeration. Don't you think?" Hitch asked. 
"One would think so, but while there are some naysayers, there are many ponies who support you and Pipp as a married couple," Zipp said. 
Hitch sighed and rubbed his forehead, growing irritated that everypony but him seemed to be behind the idea.
“Look, Your Majesties, I only agreed to marry your daughter partially because I was pressured to and because I wanted to help a pony who was in need. I'm not looking for a real relationship,” he said. “My only true devotion is being loyal to the law in Maretime Bay and upholding it to the best of my ability."
"Then consider this a plea for help from me," Haven said. "My daughter is grieving, and picking you as her husband has given her hope. I need you to keep that hope alive for as long as you can while she's dealing with a broken heart. And if that's not enough, I can tell you from looking online that ponies all over Equestria, including your citizens, are putting their faith in that hope too."
“Wait a minute. Ponies in Maritime Bay are behind the marriage?” Hitch asked. 
“Take a look for yourself, Sheriff,” Zipp said as she took out her flypad. 
Hitch took the pad and saw countless comments on Zipp's profile page on social media. Sunny gasped in excitement as she, Izzy, and Periwinkle continued to look over Hitch's shoulder. Sunny began scrolling down while Hitch held the phone, looking through the comments from ponies of Maretime Bay.
Spanner Spanks: Oh my stars! Hitch and Pipp look so cute together! 
Silver Shoals: Did you see how those two kissed? Love at first sight! 
Cookie Crumble: I'm so happy for Pipp! 
Toots: It should have been Hitch that Pipp was engaged to that whole time! 
Bubblegum McGinty: Those two look like they are so meant to be!
Kickflip: Prepp < Pitch
"What do the words 'prep' and 'pitch' have to do with Princess Pipp and me? And 'prep' isn't spelled with two p's."
"No, dude. Those are the names ponies made by combining your names," Zipp explained. "Prepp is a combination of Presto and Pipp, and Pitch is a combination of Pipp and Hitch. That pony is saying they prefer you over Presto as Pipp's husband." 
"Oh, well, I guess that makes more sense," Hitch said. "Still, I can't believe ponies in Maretime Bay support this."
"Believe it, Hitch. Ramble about how crazy this whole affair is, but no matter how you look at it, you've made ponies happy by marrying Pipp," Periwinkle said. "And to tell you the truth, I think this is the right thing to do not just for everypony's happiness, but yours too."
"Mine? How do you expect to find my happiness through all of this?" Hitch asked. 
"Remember what Dahlia said when she and Mayflower invited you to watch the wedding with our group? She said it wouldn't hurt to spend time with the ponies that adore you rather than putting your badge first above everything else," Periwinkle said. "I won't speak for my friends, but if there's even a smidge of a chance that you'll find love by being married to Pipp, then as one of the citizens who looks up to you, I'd want nothing more than for you to take that chance."
"Me too," Sunny said. "I think this will be a great experience for you, Hitch. You've already moved out of your comfort zone by going to the wedding and marrying Princess Pipp, and now you have an opportunity to be more than just a sheriff. As your childhood friend, it would mean a lot to me if you try. You work so hard to make everypony happy. Don't you think you deserve happiness too?"
Hitch opened his mouth, but then he stopped to think about the question. He couldn't deny that he had devoted himself to justice and peace for his fellow ponies all his life. It was all he had lived for, and he treasured the results of serving the ponies of Maretime Bay more than anything. And now, for the first time in his life, Hitch questioned the extent of his dedication. It would be hard to hold back on being a sheriff as regularly as he did, especially with needing to keep Sprout in check. And yet, Hitch's friends, the queen, and the oldest princess painted a pretty picture suggesting he and Pipp start a relationship. It was still a long shot in Hitch's eyes, but deep down, he knew a part of him wanted to see Pipp again. 
"Well, Sheriff, what say you?" Haven asked. 
Hitch bit his lip, feeling pressured. He looked down as logic and feelings fought each other in his mind until Hitch released a heavy sigh and surrendered. 
"All right. I'll do it. I'll stay married to the princess," he said. 
"Yippee!" Izzy shouted. 
"All right!" Periwinkle shouted. 
Sunny beamed and pulled Hitch into a one-legged hug. Hitch chuckled before turning to Haven and Zipp. The queen was sighing through her nose while Zipp gave a small smile. 
"Very well then," Haven said as she took a pen from her saddle bag. "Can I have your signatures, please?" 
Hitch hesitated before he took the pen and used a bed desk to begin signing the papers. When he got to the marriage certificate, he paused and took a moment to let what he was doing sink in before he signed his name on the dotted line on the lower left side of the certificate. He turned to Haven and handed the papers to her before he took the pen and held it out to Haven. Then just as Haven was about to take the pen, it slipped out of Hitch's hoof and fell onto the floor. Periwinkle and Thunder stepped forward to pick up the pen, and then their hooves touched just as Periwinkle grabbed the pen. Periwinkle and Thunder looked at each other and moved back, with Thunder taking the pen and handing it to Haven. 
"Alright. I shall have these submitted at the registration office on the way back to the castle, then you and Pipp will be officially, legally married," Haven said. 
"Great," Hitch said with a weak smile. "So, how should I address you two now that we're in-laws?” 
Haven furrowed her brow and said, "You will continue to address me as Your Highness or Your Majesty for now. Just because you are married to Pipp doesn't mean I consider you my son-in-law. That aside, you may address my daughters however they prefer."
"That's reasonable," Hitch said. 
"Good. Until then, safe travels back to Maretime Bay," Haven said. "We will be in touch as soon as you collect your phone."
"Understood. Until then, Your Highness," Hitch said.
"Bye, Your Majesty,'' Sunny said.
“Farewell, Sunny Starscout," Haven replied. 
With that, Haven turned around and exited the room with Zoom following. Thunder hesitated before tipping his helmet like a cowboy hat while giving Periwinkle a soft smile. Periwinkle covered her hoof to hide a giggle as the cadet walked away. Hitch began to ease up with the queen gone until he realized that Zipp was still in the room. The princess looked back to make sure her mother had left before turning back to Hitch. 
Before Hitch, Sunny, Izzy, or Periwinkle had a moment to react, Zipp grabbed Hitch by his satchel and pulled him toward her until their noses touched. 
"Listen here and listen good, buddy. My mom will see this as unbecoming of the future queen of Zephyr Heights, but as Pipp's sister, I don't care," Zipp snarled. "As far as I am concerned, Presto got off lucky by simply being banished. You, however, are not so fortunate. If you hurt my sister in any way or I hear of you so much as looking sideways at another mare, you will be patrolling Maretime Bay in a wheelchair with a feeding tube attached to your stomach. Do I make myself clear?"
Hitch felt the blood drain from his face and his knees wobble as Zipp threatened him. Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle looked at Zipp, flabbergasted to the extent that she threatened their friend. After a few seconds, Hitch gulped and nodded. Zipp smirked, pleased with her point being made, and let go of Hitch's satchel before she finally left the room. For half a minute, the room was silent before Periwinkle cleared her throat. 
"Well, I'd say that was a little extreme, but to be fair, her youngest sister was cheated on," she said.
"Y-y-yeah, no pressure for me,'' Hitch squeaked. 
"Ah, don't worry about it, Hitch,'' Sunny said. "You know better than to treat a pony like Presto did with or without a threat like that, so you have nothing to fear.”
"Thank you for another vote of confidence,'' Hitch said. "Still, I hope you're right that this will benefit me somehow, whether it works out between Princess Pipp and me or not."
"Ah, quit calling her that, Hitch. She's one visit from the registration office away from legally being your wife," Izzy said. "What kind of wife wouldn't want her husband to address her by her first name? I mean, it's not like she will always call you Sheriff Hitch."
"Come to think of it, now that you are legally royalty, this does legally make you a prince," Periwinkle said, rubbing her chin. "So, maybe it would be Prince Hitch. Maybe Sheriff Prince Hitch or Prince Sheriff Hitch?"
"If we have to address each other formally despite being married, I'd rather the princess address me as Sheriff Hitch. I'd rather not consider myself a prince even if this whole thing works out," Hitch said.
"Hey, don't be like that, Hitch. It's really cool that you're a prince," Izzy said. 
"Yeah, odds are you won't have much choice anyway/ At least not publicly," Periwinkle said. "After all, you are the first earth pony to be a member of the Zephyr Heights royal family. Maybe the first earth pony ever to be a prince."
Sunny's face fell, and she stared at the wall in shock.
"Oh. My. Stars," she said before a big smile stretched to the sides of her face. "You're right, Periwinkle. He is the first earth pony in history to be a prince!"
"Wait a minute, Sunny. Don't you think you're exaggerating?" Hitch asked. 
"Hitch, my family has been researching ancient Equestria for ten generations. I know all the contents of my father's journal, forwards and backward. The highest authoritative position an earth pony has ever had is being a mayor or a chancellor, or, of course, a sheriff,'' Sunny said with a big grin. "The pegasi and unicorns are the only ponies who have ever had a monarchy. And now, my childhood friend is the first earth pony to be royalty! This is so cool!"
Sunny began laughing and dancing like a foal high on sugar, and Izzy joined in for fun. Periwinkle moaned and massaged her head with Sunny, and Izzy's laughter reminded her of her hangover. She took her ice pack and exited the room, finding peace and quiet somewhere else. 
Hitch huffed and rolled his eyes, knowing it would take a while for Sunny to calm down when matters of Equestrian history and the unification of all three ponykinds were involved. He exited the room and walked down the hall to the elevator, hoping there was time to get breakfast at the hotel's cafeteria. As he waited for the elevator to come, he looked at his ring and eased up. His marriage to Pipp was going to be legally binding, and he would spend more time with her. The fact made him blush as he thought of holding hooves, cuddling, and kissing Pipp. At the same time, however, Hitch felt the pressure of trying to build a relationship to make the ponies of Maretime Bay happy. 
"A chance to find happiness, too," Hitch said to himself. "Can I really find that in the midst of all this?"
> Chapter 7
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hitch, Sunny, Izzy, and Periwinkle stayed in their hotel room until dark, where ponies who lived outside of Zephyr Heights had already begun the journey back to Maretime Bay or Bridlewood. Hitch would rather have left as soon as he concluded business with Queen Haven and Zipp, but he couldn't deny that it was smarter to begin their journey late at night when there would be no nearby ponies wanting to talk to him simply because of the wedding. 
Thus, they snuck out of Zephyr Heights from their hotel and walked for a few hours before they made camp. When they arrived at Maritime Bay two days later, it was past midnight, so Periwinkle and Hitch went to their respective houses while Sunny and Izzy went to the lighthouse. Hitch plopped onto his bed and got under his covers with a cheerful smile. Though his bed at the hotel room was extremely comfortable, nothing could be the comfort of his own bed in Maretime Bay. 
The next day, Hitch took a shower, ate breakfast, and began trotting to the police station, humming a cheerful tune as though it were a regular day. But as he walked down the streets of his beloved town, ponies were giving him looks of surprise or encouraging smiles. Obviously, every pony was thinking of the wedding, making it clear that this day would be anything but normal. Still, Hitch continued to smile and sing a merry tune to delay the inevitable for as long as he could as he made his way to the police station. 
The two seagulls and the crab were napping on top of the police station sign until they heard Hitch's footsteps. The seagulls chirped with glee as they flew down to meet Hitch while the crab snapped its claws vigorously. 
"Yes, yes, it's nice to see you guys, too,"  Hitch said. "Now, let's say we enjoy another day of protecting our citizens and upholding the law?"
The critters responded with a single saluting and the crab clamping its claws again. Hitch smirked and walked past the critters to open the police station doors. He opened his mouth to give the station a good morning but he was quickly interrupted by hoof grabbing him by his badge and pulling him inside. Sprout closed the doors before the critters could get in and turned to Hitch with a frustrated glare. 
"Hey, Sprout. What's going on?" Hitch asked. 
"What's going on? What's going on?!" Sprout shouted. "How about the fact that you got married to a pegasus princess! One of the few pegasi that can fly of all ponies! Every pony has been ballistic ever since the royal wedding! My mom and I have spent the last 3 days with ponies coming to the station just to ask questions about you and the princess. They're always asking why you didn't tell them that you were getting married, why you were holding that marry me sign, if you are going to stay in Zephyr Heights to be a prince, or if you were going to make me sheriff."
"Ponies were asking if I was going to make you sheriff?" Hitch asked with a raised eyebrow. 
Sprout rubbed his leg with a nervous chuckle and said "Well, said ponies are mostly me and mommy, but there are a few other ponies who were curious about that too." 
"Uh-huh. Sure," Hitch said. "Did anything unrelated to the wedding happen?"
"Just the typical argument and somepony tossing litter on the ground. Mommy made sure everything was under control apart from that," Sprout said. "But back to the matter at hoof, why did you marry the pegasus princess?!"
Hitch huffed and said, "Okay, first of all, her name is Princess Pipp. Second of all, it was a misunderstanding mixed with being pressured and…being talked into wanting to be legally married."
"You want to stay married to her? Have you lost your mind?" Sprout asked. 
"Actually, Sprout, I've been concerned about everypony's state of mind ever since Presto Tetrachord was caught," Hitch said. "Secondly, I don't even know if we will stay married. We will occasionally visit each other and get to know each other."
Sprouts stared at Hitch, baffled, then massaged his head as he said, "This is too much for my head."
"Believe me, Sprout, this is a lot for me, too," Hitch said. "We can only hope it will not affect day-to-day life here in Maretime Bay. 
Just then, there was a knock on one of the front doors and Sprout smirked before gesturing to Hitch to answer with his front leg. Hitch hesitated, uneasy with how Sprout looked at him before he walked over to the doors and opened them. Dozens of ponies crowded the front of the police station, talking over each other toward Hitch as soon as he opened the doors. Sprout cackled mischievously behind Hitch, enjoying seeing him experience what he had been going through for the past 3 days. Hitch huffed and shook his head before he firmly stomped his hooves  for silence.
"Everypony. Everypony, quiet down!" He shouted. 
As soon as hitch began stomping his hoof, ponies began to fall quiet out of respect for their dear sheriff. Sprout glared in jealousy as Hitch cleared his throat. 
"All right, what's the problem here?" He asked. 
“Problem? How can there be a problem when our sheriff heroically saved the day at Zephyr Heights?” One stallion asked.
“Yeah, way to go, Hitch! You practically saved the unity of all ponykind and got yourself a lovely wife in the process!" Another stallion shouted. 
"I'm so happy for you! Where is your wife, Hitch? Are you leaving us to be a prince?" A mare asked. 
"If you do, we'll miss you, but you have our full support. Isn't that right, everypony?" Another mare said. 
Ponies cheered and shouted words of agreement. They then waved their front legs in the air, singing, "For He's a Jolly Good Pony." Hitch grinned nervously and awkwardly waved back. But just as ponies were about to finish singing their song, Posey Rose pushed through the crowd with four other earth ponies following behind, all five of them looking at Hitch with looks of betrayal and anger. 
"Sheriff Hitch, what's the meaning of all this?" Posey demanded. "Was it not enough that you allowed unicorns and pegasi to live in our town or for others to move in Bridlewood or Zephyr Heights? You would take things so far as to marry a pegasus princess?"
"Yeah, did you plan it so the princess married you instead of Presto Tetrachord?" Another earth pony asked. 
The ponies that supported the marriage looked at Posey, and her group flabbergasted, and a unicorn mare stepped up. 
"How could Hitch have planned to marry the princess? Everypony knows he never left Maretime Bay until Sunny convinced him to go to the wedding with her and Izzy. Plus, he has no cell phone where he can listen to Pipp's music or possibly get in contact with Queen Haven," she said. 
"He still was holding that sign telling the princess to marry him. It's clear that he wants to use the marriage to convince all of us to keep the peace between us and Earth ponies and pegasi," Posey accused. "I bet he was in league with that mare that Presto Tetrachord was in that video with." 
"That's ridiculous. Daisy Weather just pointed out that Hitch doesn't have a phone and so can't talk with anybody outside of Maretime Bay," a pegasus stallion  pointed out. "Besides, you ponies who have known Hitch all his life should know that he would never do anything so dishonest!" 
"Of course, a pegasus would defend him. He married your princess," another member of Posey's group said. "Maybe he didn't plan it, but maybe Sunny did. She lives with a unicorn who might know who Pesto Tetrachord was with."
"Honestly, Berry Tart, you guys are just pulling straws. Sunny would never do something so dishonest either," another earth pony said. "You're essentially accusing Hitch and Sunny of causing a marriage between two different races of ponies that would have happened anyway had Presto not betrayed Princess Pipp Pedals,” an earth pony said. 
“Princess Pipp Trailblazer,” another earth pony corrected. 
"But that still doesn't hide the fact that he was the only pony holding a sign that convinced the pegasi princess to marry him!” Posey barked. “Even if he never met the princess before or knew Presto cheated on the princess, he still pursued one of the three pegasi who can fly. If I didn't know any better, I'd presume Sheriff Hitch married somepony with magic to convince the few ponies against the peace that there's nothing wrong with interacting with unicorns and pegasi magic or no magic. Well, we won't have it, Sheriff Hitch. Do you hear me? We. Won't. Have it!"
Before Hitch knew it, ponies simultaneously began arguing with Posey and her friends. The ponies that sided with the marriage surrounded Posey and her friends, but the naysayers refused to back down despite being few. Sprout smirked and wanted to join Posey, but he knew it would get him into trouble with Hitch. Hitch huffed and shook his head before returning to the station and coming back with a whistle. He blew the whistle, making everypony cover their ears as they turned to him.
"That's better," Hitch said. "Now, I appreciate that so many of you support my marriage to Princess Pipp. That said, I want to stress that neither Sunny nor I planned it. We went to Zephyr Heights to witness Pipp marrying Presto. What happened with Presto was as much a surprise for us as it was with everypony else."
"What about the sign?" Posey asked, with naysayers and supporters saying words of agreement.
Hitch hesitated, not wanting to make Periwinkle's plan public.
"Uh, a mare tried to get Presto to marry her instead of Pipp during the concert before the wedding. When she saw the video of Presto kissing another mare, she shoved the sign into my possession before she broke down crying."
"A mare? Who?" Posey asked with a raised eyebrow. 
"Doesn't matter. The point is there was no ulterior motive behind marrying the princess," Hitch said. "It was a spontaneous decision to handle a devastating situation. Currently, Princess Pipp and I plan to visit each other occasionally to get to know each other. What that will lead to, I cannot say, but I swear on my badge that I will never leave Maretime Bay to be a prince."
"So, what? Are you not going to live with your wife unless she moves here? Isn't that a little much?" An earth pony asked.
"Maybe, but that's something the princess and I will figure out for ourselves," Hitch said. "In any case, Sprout and I are on duty, so unless somepony has a complaint to file or has something else to report that has nothing to do with Princess Pipp and me, I'm going to have to ask you all to disperse. And please, no arguments amongst each other."
Ponies opened their mouths to protest, but their respect for Hitch prohibited them from going against his wishes, and so they went about their business, heading homes or heading to their jobs. Hitch sighed in relief and went back inside with Sprout, where the critters were waiting. Hitch walked over to his desk and sat on his chair, leaning back before he noticed Sprout standing next to him with another astounded look. 
"Yes, Sprout?" Hitch asked. 
"You're going to be visiting Zephyr Heights to date your wife?" Sprout asked. 
"That's not exactly what I said, but I guess you could look at it that way,'' Hitch said. 
"Does that mean you'll put me in charge regularly with Mom conditionally?" Sprout asked. 
"Not exactly. The queen has offered to have a couple of her guards patrol Maritime Bay in my absence, one of which is very by the book. She will be carrying out my duties as sheriff while you work for her as deputy," Hitch said.
"What?! You trust me so little with the town that you would have a couple of pegasi guards be the sheriff while I'm still deputy? That's so unfair!" Sprout screamed.
"Sorry, Sprout, but you can't handle things maturely because of your prejudice against the unicorns and the pegasi," Hitch said. "Besides, being a sheriff is a lot of responsibility."
"So what? I can be responsible," Sprout claimed. 
"Really? Then why don't you do something very responsible, like writing a report about everything that's happened while I'm gone?" Hitch said, smirking. 
Sprout looked at him in disbelief before he growled and stomped toward his desk like a little foal put in timeout. Hitch smirked, pleased that his point was made before he took out a folder of paperwork from his desk and began writing paperwork he had not finished before going to the wedding. As Hitch got to work, he smiled as he grew more comfortable fulfilling his regular duties as the sheriff. It was as if doing his job was a safe haven from all the craziness at Zephyr heights. 
His moment of peace was interrupted when there was a knock, and the front doors opened. Hitch huffed, mentally praying that whoever was coming in was not another citizen asking questions, demanding, or expressing their negative opinion against his marriage. At first, he felt assured that wasn't the case when the only pony coming in was Peach Melba, but his Hope was soon dashed when he realized she was wearing a hot pink polo shirt and hat with a gold Z at the center and holding a small package with her right front leg. It didn't help that Peach's friendly demeanor that Hitch was used to was replaced with melancholy that seemed to have turned into a hint of grief as soon as Peach glanced at the wedding ring hanging around his neck. Peach took a deep breath through her nose before waking to Hitch with a forced smile. 
"Good morning, Hitch. Welcome back," Peach said with a forced smile. "Con…congratulations on your…marriage."
"Thanks, Peach," Hitch said before glancing at the package. "Is that what I think it is?"
"Yup. It's your new phone the royal family purchased for you," Peach said. "My boss wanted me to send it to you as soon as we found out you're back."
"What?! Now you're getting a smartphone?!" Sprout shrieked. "You said you don't need stuff like that."
"Yeah, well, I do now since I have to keep in touch with my wife," Hitch said.
Peach flinched at Hitch calling Pipp his wife and cleared her throat before putting the package on Hitch's desk. Hitch took out a box cutter from his desk drawer and cut open the box. Inside was a phone in a light gamboge case with aquamarine sides protected by foam and a charger. Hitch picked up the phone, and analyzed it while Peach cleared her throat. 
"The case is for protecting the phone in case you drop it. Queen Haven thought it necessary since you've never used a phone. She even thought it would be appropriate for the case to be the color of your coat and the sides the color of your mane," Peach said. "Additionally, per the royal family's plan, you have unlimited data, one terabyte of memory, and a warranty lasting up to five moons."
"I have no idea what any of that means," Hitch said. 
"You basically can use the Canternet as much as you want, practically put as many apps, music, videos, and photos as you want, and if you lose your phone or it gets destroyed, you get a new one, no worries," Peach explained. "Also, per the queen's instructions, you have the numbers of Princess Pipp, Princess Zipp, and Zoom of the royal guard already added to your contacts, so you can call or text them."
"Not the queen herself?" Sprout asked. 
"She probably doesn't trust me enough to want to be my contact," Hitch said. "Is there anything else I should know?"
Peach resisted the urge to whimper and said, "Well, I wouldn't say it's something you should know, but Princess Pipp also wanted your phone to have the music app, Amplify, downloaded with all of her music on a playlist so you can listen to it. You also have headphones in the box that you can use to listen to the music privately."
Hitch’s ears perked up, and he looked up from his phone. 
“Really? How do I do that?” He asked. 
Peach hesitated as she kept her forced smile and said, "W-Why don't I show you how to use your phone before I teach you how to play music?"
Hitch frowned but accepted that it was necessary. He handed his phone to Peach, and Peach walked over to Hitch's side so he could look over her shoulder. Peach walked Hitch through how to use his phone, turning it on, turning it off, restarting, adjusting audio, choosing a ringtone, and setting his phone to sound, vibrate, or silence. She then showed him how to swipe between pages on his home screen and how to open, close, or switch from one app to another. 
Finally, Peach paused before begrudgingly opening Amplify and opening a folder containing Pipp's music. Hitch was taken aback as Peach scrolled down to show the dozens of songs on the playlist. Peach then plugged the headphones into the phone and put the buds on Hitch's ears before selecting a song. 
As soon as the song began to play, Hitch's heart skipped a beat. Though he didn't fully listen to Pipp's songs by themselves at the concert, he recognized the instrumental music. Hitch smiled as Pipp began singing. He imagined himself at the concert again, watching Pipp sing with all her heart, smiling as she flew above the crowd. Hitch wished he had a phone that night to capture Pipp's performance like so many ponies did at the concert. 
But while Hitch was enjoying the song, Peach watched with her ears hanging low. She only had a brief moment to say hi to Periwinkle on her way to the sheriff's station from the Z-Heights store. Periwinkle unknowingly gave Peach hope that things might not work out between Hitch and Pipp when she explained Hitch's reluctance to make the marriage legal. But as she watched Hitch listen to the song, she struggled not to show any contempt or sadness as if she were fighting the pain of stubbing her hoof with a rock. It didn't matter that Hitch married Pipp spontaneously or that he didn't spend the night with her. The way he smiled as he listened to Pipp's music may as well have fallen for Pipp at first sight compared to how he looked at any other mayor, including Peach herself. All the poor mare and her friends could do was wait and see if things fell apart between Hitch and Pipp over time. 
Even so, Peach knew Dahlia, Mayflower, and Wisteria would want to know about her visit to the sheriff's station. The four mares were devastated when they watched the wedding on TV. Mayflower knew she was too old for Hitch, but she still adored being around him. The other mares were distraught from watching Hitch get married before they tried to express their feelings. Until then, Peach would have to tell her friends to brace for the worst the next time they got together.
The song ended, and Hitch opened his eyes with a pleased smile. He took off the headphones and put his phone down as he turned to Peach and said, "Okay then. That's everything. Right?"
"Y-yes, that's everything the Royal Family made sure was set up," Peach said. "As for the phone itself, there are instructions for how to use it, among other things. Not many ponies bother to read it since they know the gist of it, but it's up to you if you want to read it. Anyway, I better get going before my boss begins to wonder where I am. If you need help with anything else apart from that, please do not hesitate to drop by the Z- Heights store and ask me, Hitch."
"I won't," Hitch said. "Thank you very much for your help, Peach."
"No problem, Hitch. Happy to help, Peach said. Her cheeks were aching from her fake grin.  "Have a good day."
"You too," Hitch said. 
Peach closed her saddlebag and turned to Sprout as she headed to the front doors. 
"Have a good day, too, Sprout," she said.
Sprout gave the pegasus a halfhearted grunt in response, not looking away from his paperwork as Peach exited the station. Hitch put his phone and headphones on his desk and returned to his paperwork. After a few minutes, however, he slowly began to stop writing until he finally stopped. He tried to continue writing but felt stuck as though he were a fictional writer having a horrible case of writer's block. Hitch's eyes then turned to his phone, and he pursed his lips. Reason dictated that he shouldn't play music while on duty, yet he wanted to hear more of Pipp's music. Hitch then rubbed his chin, wondering if he could listen to the music while writing his paperwork. 
After a minute of debating with himself, he plugged his headphones into his phone, turned his phone on, opened Amplify, and played another track. Hitch expected it to be another loud, upbeat song, but this track was calm and quiet, with Pipp singing softly while a piano played. Hitch was taken aback, but the song still made him smile. It was comforting to hear Pipp sing this way, making Hitch feel as if Pipp were with him in person, helping him forget about the craziness happening outside of the station. 
When the song ended, Hitch selected the track again and returned to writing. He resisted humming the tune to not disturb Sprout, yet he couldn't stop himself from tapping to the slow beat. Whether he liked it or not, Pipp was in his life now, and for the first time, that didn't sound so bad for the sheriff of Maretime Bay.
> Chapter 8
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It was half past seven, and Hitch and Sprout closed the station for the evening. After they locked the doors, they got smoothies at Sunny's stand before Hitch walked Sprout to Phyllis's house. As they walked down the main street, ponies gave Hitch smirks or encouraging smiles that made him roll his eyes. 
Some mares couldn't look him in the eye as though it hurt to see him with his wedding ring still hanging around his neck. Hitch looked at the mares, puzzled as he passed by them. He wondered if they were downcast because they were fans of Presto and were still devastated that he wasn't the pony they thought he was, or perhaps they were one of the very few ponies that preferred Pipp to have married Presto despite what her fiance had done. Whatever it was, Hitch hoped that they would eventually feel better despite whatever was tormenting them.
After Hitch and Sprout grabbed their smoothies, they sipped their drinks as Hitch walked Sprout to Phyllis's house. They said good night, and then Hitch walked to the other side of Maritime Bay, where his house awaited him. If there were only one selfish thing Hitch enjoyed about being a sheriff, it would be him being financially well off. Paid of mortgage and everything. He grilled hay fries and a grass and cheese sandwich. 
Hitch ate his dinner and drank the rest of his smoothie in the living room while watching TV. After eating, he reclined his chair as he watched his favorite detective show, Davy Bluecoat: Private Eye. When the show ended, Hitch browsed through channels for something else to watch, but most of them were playing low-budget films and documentaries that didn't interest him. 
Finally, Hitch stopped on a talk show. At the center of the stage were two mares, an earth pony, and a unicorn sitting on maroon chairs. On the screen behind the stage was an image of Pipp and Presto looking away from each other with a purple broken heart between them. Hitch raised the volume and leaned closer to the TV screen as the earth pony, the host, began to speak. 
"So, Kernel Heartbeat, it's been three days since the wedding, and ponies are still talking about it nonstop," she said.
"Indeed, Glamour, it certainly was a historic moment regardless of how it went down," Kernel, the unicorn, said. "Truth be told, I'm a diehard Prepp fan, so I haven't completely accepted what happened between Presto and Pipp."
"I know what you mean. Do you have any idea who is that mare Presto was with?" Glamour asked.
"Search me. I may have been born and raised in Bridlewood, but I don't know all of my fellow unicorns," Kernel answered. "Whoever that mare is, she better hope Queen Haven doesn't find out who she is if she also lives in Zephyr Heights. She's bound to be banished too if that happens."
"True that. I believe Presto is on his way to Bridlewood as we speak," Glamour said.
"That's right, and I hear he was booed all the way to the outskirts of Zephyr Heights," Kernel said. 
"I imagine he's not going to fair much better when he gets back to Bridlewood," Glamour said. 
"Actually, not every pony in Bridlewood hates Presto for what he did," Kernel said. "Some hope that he and Pipp will get back together. Maybe there is some misunderstanding, or Presto is going through a tough time and just made one little mistake. And, of course, there's the small minority of unicorns who weren't on board with him marrying a pegasus to begin with. If Presto is lucky, that might be enough for him to at least have a place to settle down and think about what to do with his career."
"That might be very difficult. He can only hope so many ponies still listen to his music on Amplify," Glamour said. "But what about you, Kernel? What are your personal feelings about the whole matter?"
Kernel pursed her lips and looked away, playing with her hooves before turning to face her host again. 
"Honestly, Glamour, I still root for Presto and Pipp."
The audience sitting in front of the stage gasped as though Kernel had said a foul word. Hitch stared at the screen, flabbergasted that some pony would say that. Glamour also looked at Kernel, puzzled, before she put up her professional face and cleared her throat. 
"Begging your pardon, Kernel, but Presto slept with another pony. I fail to see how anypony in their right mind could look past that and want him to marry her fiance even if she didn't get married to somepony else," Glamour said.
"What can I say? I remain a die-hard Prepp fan," Kernel said with a shrug. "Besides, we saw Presto kiss that other mare, and he did have his hoof somewhere that it shouldn't be, I grant you, but that doesn't automatically prove that they did it." 
"Ha! Denial much?" Hitch asked. 
"And besides, it's not as though he's the only one who did something completely unreasonable," Kernel continued. "The way I see it, Princess Pipp married another pony out of retribution against Presto. Sure, the ponies in the throne room were cheering for her to marry this other stallion, but think about it. What mature pony would marry somepony else right on the fly instead of just calling off the wedding? No disrespect to Pipp, but she had plenty of other options."
"I don't think Pipp planned to marry somepony else before going on stage," Glamour said, earning words of agreement from the audience. 
"Looks can be deceiving, and one can only know so much of what is going on in a pony's mind during an unfortunate situation like that," Kernel said. "The point is there was fault on both sides. The bride and the groom each did something that ultimately messed up the relationship. Did one pony do something more horrible than what the other did? Yes. I can't condone what Presto did if he did sleep with that other mare. But I believe it's still possible he and Pipp could reconcile over time."
"Even though she's married?" Glamour asked. 
"Of course, even though she's married," Kernel said. "Presto and Princess Pipp were together for 2 years and spent that time in the same city where he could visit her at the castle whenever he wanted. On top of that, they are both musicians, so they have a ton in common through that. But Princess Pipp and the sheriff of Maretime Bay? They only met that night, and I heard he returned to Maretime Bay without his wife today. How are they going to develop something when they live miles away? And what do they even have in common that could develop chemistry worth a spoonful of hay?" 
The stage was silent after Kernel said her piece. After about 15 seconds, Glamour cleared her throat and said, "Right, why don't we go to commercial and ponder what Kernel Heartbeat just said? So stay tuned for Let's Talk with Glamour Puregold."
The audience politely applauded before the channel cut to a commercial. Hitch frowned and turned off the TV before getting off his chair and taking his dishes to the kitchen. As he filled the sink with hot, soapy water, Hitch huffed and began to pace as he dwelled on Kernel's words. 
"I can't believe that mare," he grumbled. "I mean, it's nice to know it's not just me or the queen who is skeptical about this whole thing, but thinking Presto Tetrachord could get back together with the princess? And here I thought everypony at the wedding had lost their minds. I can only imagine how the queen and the princesses would react if they watched that. I mean, Sunny is right that I don't need to be threatened by Princess Zipp to be loyal to my wife."
Just as Hitch finished talking to himself, he noticed that his sink was almost full and he quickly turned off the faucet before it overflowed. He washed his plates and threw away his smoothie container in the trash before heading upstairs to the bathroom to brush his teeth. He then went to his bedroom and took off his satchel before hopping onto his bed, getting under the covers, and turning off his bed lamp. Hitch closed his eyes and let out a blissful sigh as he rested his head on his pillow and lay down on his side, ready to rest after another long day of work. 
After a few minutes, Hitch began to roll back and forth until he opened his eyes with a frown. As silly as it was to let another pony get to him, Hitch couldn't deny that Kernel Heartbeat had a point about him and Pipp. 
"What do the princess and I have in common?" He thought. "The queen and Princess Zipp brought up how ponies look up to us, but what about what we have in common personally? I enjoy her music, but is that enough to create the foundation of a relationship?"
Hitch lay on his back, staring at the ceiling as he pondered on the question. He then glanced at his satchel lying on the floor with his phone inside. After debating, he turned on his lamp and took out his phone and the instruction booklet from his satchel. He began reading the instruction booklet, but much of it was confusing or was something Peach had already explained. 
Hitch then stopped at a page explaining how to call somepony with a smartphone. The green phone symbol and the blue talk bubble for calling and texting somepony made sense, but the instructions explaining the video camera symbol surprised Hitch. He heard all about texting when ponies in Maritime Bay began using cell phones, but he didn't hear anything about calling someone with video.
Curious, Hitch turned on his phone, opened the contacts app, and selected the contact profile for Pipp. A picture of Pipp giving a giddy smile appeared, and below it was her name, and the call, text, and video call icons. 
"Okay, good. So, Princess Pipp and I can see each other when we call," Hitch said. "Now, how do video calls work?"
Hitch placed his phone on his bed, took out the instruction booklet again, and flipped through it until he saw a section discussing video calls. He put his hoof underneath the tiny text to keep track of where he was reading. 
"Okay, that's for volume, that's for switching cameras, and that's for adjusting the screen," Hitch said to himself before looking back at his phone. "I guess the real question is when will we start calling each other. I mean, I'm on duty most of the day, and I can only imagine how busy Princess Pipp is going to be but with being a member of the royal family and -"
Just then, Hitch's phone rang, and a picture of Pipp appeared at the center of a screen with a blue background and white text saying, "You have a video call from Pipp" appeared. Hitch let out a yelp, taken aback that Pipp was calling him at that moment of all times. He opened the instruction booklet again to double-check which symbol on the bottom of the screen to answer the call, then swiped right on the video symbol. Pipp appeared on screen wearing a bathrobe, staring at the camera confused. 
"Hello? Hitch? Are you there?" She asked. 
Hitch looked confused until he saw an upright rectangle on the bottom right of the screen showing his bedroom floor. He scanned through the buttons in the bottom of the screen until he found and pressed the button for switching cameras. His face appeared on the smaller rectangle and Pipp smiled. Though the princess was not there in person, Hitch's cheeks heated up at the sight of her pretty smile. 
"H-hi," he stuttered. 
"Hi, Hitch," Pipp replied. "How's it going?"
"It's going… fine," Hitch said, mentally kicking himself in the head for coming up with a weak response. "How about you?"
"It's going well. I heard you got your phone earlier today, and I thought I could give you your first video call," Pipp said. "I'm not calling at a bad time. Am I?"
"No! No, not at all," Hitch said. "In fact, I was just in bed reading the instruction booklet for my phone. I had just finished reading the instructions on how to video call."
Pipp laughed and said, "Seriously? You read that just before I called you?"
"Yeah, talk about crazy good timing," Hitch said.
"Right?" Pipp asked. 
Hitch and Pipp chuckled for a few seconds before silence took in, and Hitch scratched the back of his head. 
"So…how was your day?" He asked.
Pipp smiled and said, "Oh, nothing special. Just worked on some music and checked videos and stuff on social media. How about you? Are you adjusting to having a smartphone okay?"
"Uh, more or less," Hitch said. "I have a friend who works at the phone store and explained the basics of using it."
"That's good to hear. I know a lot of unicorns and earth ponies had trouble figuring out how to use a smartphone," Pipp said.
"I don't blame them. Tell you the truth, I think this thing barely counts as a phone," Hitch said. "My idea of a phone is the one at the station plugged to the wall, and is used just for calls."
Pipp chuckled.
"I can't imagine what that's like. Smartphones have been around since I was little. To me, something barely counts as a phone if it's only used for calling. The idea of it not even being portable makes my skin crawl," she said. 
"You really like having a phone with you, huh?" Hitch asked. 
"Of course. I can do so many fun things with my phone, Bestie!" Pipp chirped. "I can play games, share my status, and make videos and pictures to share with the Pippsqueaks. The Canternet is a wonderful way to reach out to ponies all over Equestria. Who could ask for more?"
"Er, well, I've never thought of looking at it that way," Hitch said. "Anypony I want to connect with is in person in my hometown. Being the sheriff has been the best way to be connected to everypony."
"Really? I couldn't imagine it being that simple for me. Even when my only fans were the pegasi, I needed my phone. You can only reach out to so many ponies in person when you are a princess and a pop star," Pipp said before her smile weakened. "Still, your idea of being with everypony who looks up to you in person sounds lovely."
"Have you ever gone anywhere outside of your castle?" Hitch asked. 
"Oh, absolutely. There are fundraisers, concerts, and holidays that Zipp, mom, and I have to make an appearance outside of Zephyr Heights Castle," Pipp said. 
"But you've never left Zephyr Heights before?" Hitch asked. 
Pipp's face fell, and she looked down from her phone, making Hitch squirm. 
"No. Never," Pipp said. It was almost a whisper. "The closest I've ever gone to leaving Zephyr Heights was.. planning to go to Bridlewood with Presto for our honeymoon."
"Oh. I see," Hitch said, mentally kicking himself in the head again for saying something that led to Pipp thinking about Presto. "How, uh, how are you holding up with that, if you don't mind me asking?"
Pipp lifted her head to look at Hitch t with an appreciative smile. 
"I'm taking it one day at a time," she said. "I think I can say I feel a little better now that he is no longer in Zephyr Heights."
"Yeah, I heard he's heading back to Bridlewood," Hitch said. "I bet ponies in Bridlewood are waiting at the forest's edge to throw pebbles at him when he gets there."
Pipp responded with a dry laugh, unamused yet appreciative that Hitch was trying to cheer her up by talking bad to her ex again. Hitch grew uneasy, knowing he wasn't improving a situation. 
"Well, seeing as we're supposed to be visiting each other, why don't you visit me at Maretime Bay?" Hitch suggested. 
"Really? You want me to visit first?" Pipp asked. 
"Why not? Technically, I visited you first, so it only makes sense," Hitch said. "Besides, Sunny and Izzy will be there, and, no disrespect to Bridlewood, but maybe as far as going somewhere outside of your kingdom, Maretime Bay might be more special for you." 
"You're just saying that because you're the sheriff, and you're technically obligated to say that about your hometown," Pipp said half teasingly. 
"Obligation nothing. Maretime Bay is my home and I would gladly sing its praises," Hitch said. "I mean, it's no honeymoon in a forest full of crystals, but you might have a relaxing time in a seaside town.
Pipp didn't say anything at first, making Hitch worry. Then she rubbed her chin in thought and said with a smile, "You know what? That sounds perfect."
"Really?" Hitch asked.  
"Really. I mean, you and I got to start somewhere with interacting with each other in person, and maybe someplace simpler would be a good place for vacation," Pipp said. "Plus, getting to know the ponies of Maretime Bay might help me make songs for that album I promised."
"Well, great," Hitch said. "I'm sure Sunny and Izzy will want to join showing you around -"
*Beep beep*
A pop-up appeared at the top of Hitch's screen, saying his phone's battery was at 15 percent. Hitch stammered and reached for the box containing the charger until he heard Pipp let out a sigh. 
"Battery's almost out, huh?" She asked. 
"How'd you know?" Hitch asked. 
"I know the notification sound of a phone low on battery when I hear it, and you have the look of wanting to get your charger right away," Pipp said. "I should probably let you go before your phone dies."
Hitch's heart felt a pinch as he wished he could keep talking to Pipp.
"O…kay," he said, trying to hide his disappointment. "Maybe I could…call you next time?"
Pipp's smile faded, taken aback before giving Hitch a sweet smile. 
"I'd like that," she said.
"Really?" Hitch asked. 
"Really, really," Pipp said.
"Okay. Cool," Hitch said. "Good night."
"Good night, Hitch," Pipp said.
Pipp's video froze for a moment before her profile picture appeared with the words "call ended" above it. Hitch turned off the phone, then took out the charger from the box and plugged it into the outlet behind his bed lamp. After plugging his phone into the charger, he turned off his lamp and hopped back into bed, smiling as he closed his eyes. He laid still with a peaceful smile until his smile turned, and he growled while running his hooves through his hair. 
"'Okay cool?' Really, Hitch? That's what you say when a princess permits you to call her? You're such a doofus," He grumbled to himself. "I bet Presto Tetracord and all the ponies still rooting for him and the princess to get back together would laugh their heads off at that!" 
Hitch covered his face with his pillow to let out a yell, then rotated until he was on his front with his pillow to cover his head. After a minute, he lifted his pillow and looked at his phone charging. The screen showed the words "fast charging" with the number at 18%, but all Hitch could see was Pipp smiling at him though the screen was otherwise blank. The image in his mind made him feel better as he remembered that she still agreed to visit. He lifted his pillow from his head and rested his head against it again. Hitch stared at his phone, still imagining Pipp's face, until his eyes grew heavy, thinking about showing his wife around his peaceful, seaside town of Maretime Bay. 
> Chapter 9
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following morning, Hitch dropped by the Z-Heights store on the way to the sheriff's station. There, Peach Melba taught him that there were apps that drain a phone's battery more than others, such as Amplify and making video calls. Thus, Hitch brought his charger to work so that he wouldn't drain his phone's battery from listening to Pipp's music while working in case Pipp wanted to video call after work. 
As the week passed, Hitch continued encountering ponies who had questions regarding him and Pipp. It became a routine to answer questions regarding the wedding, Presto, whether Hitch would live with Pipp in Zephyr Heights or her moving to Maretime Bay every time Hitch was on patrol. To Hitch's relief, the questions died down on Thursday as the community acknowledged Hitch's explanations of what happened at Zephyr Heights Castle and where things were going between him and Pipp. Periwinkle appreciated Hitch not revealing her as the pony behind the "Marry Me" sign. But while she was happy that Hitch was giving his marriage a chance, many other mares, such as Mayflower, Dahlia, Mountain Frost, and Peach Melba, didn't look or speak to Hitch with the sparkle in their eyes that they once had.
Come Friday, two weeks after the wedding, Hitch went to work with Pipp in mind. The last time Pipp called him, she announced she was visiting and expected to arrive sometime that day, but she didn't know when exactly. Hitch kept Pipp's visit a secret from everypony but Sunny, wanting to avoid any more excitement all over town. At noon, Hitch went to grab lunch while Sprout stayed in the sheriff's station ordering pizza. Hitch walked to Sunny's smoothie stand and got in line for a drink before grabbing his lunch at a nearby sandwich stand. Hitch hummed to Pipp's songs as he waited in line. When Hitch reached the front of the line, Sunny looked at him with a professional smile, but Hitch saw in her eyes that she was excited. 
"Morning, Sheriff Hitch," Sunny greeted. "The usual blueberry plum swirl?"
"You bet," Hitch replied. 
"Coming right up," Sunny said. 
Sunny went to the back of the stand and began working on Hitch's order. Hitch went back to humming and tapped his front left hoof while he waited. When Sunny finished, Hitch reached into his satchel to take out money to pay for the smoothie. However, as Hitch dug into his satchel, Sunny looked around to make sure nopony else was around and smirked before leaning toward Hitch and holding her hoof up to hide her mouth. 
"Psst. Hey, Hitch, any idea how soon Pipp will be here?" she whispered. 
Hitch rolled his eyes, thinking he should have suspected Sunny would ask.
"No idea. She hasn't texted me since she left Zephyr Heights because there's no reception between Zephyr Heights and Maretime Bay," Hitch said. 
"That's a shame. Are you hoping she comes soon?" Sunny asked. 
Hitch looked away from Sunny, hesitant to answer. 
"Yyyyyyeeesss, and no," he said.
"No? What do you mean, 'no?' Aren't you looking forward to her coming to see you?" Sunny asked.
"Sure, I am, but I'd like the princess to arrive when I'm off duty, so I have time to show her around town," Hitch said before adding while scratching his front leg, "Also, the later she comes, the higher the chance of ponies not going, well, ballistic."
Sunny gave Hitch an unamused frown and asked, "Seriously, Hitch? That's your biggest concern?"
"Well, what do you expect? If I told anypony she's coming apart from you, the whole town would want to set a parade or something in her honor when she's only here to see me," Hitch said.
"Hitch, you're married to the most beloved pony in all of Equestria. Everypony is going to lose it whether you tell them ahead of time or not," Sunny said. "Besides, what do you plan to do if Pipp does come when you're done with work? Show her around town in the middle of the night while everypony is asleep and then call it a day? I doubt she's coming all the way here just for that."
"No, you're right. She wouldn't," Hitch said with a sigh. "I just want to make time where it's just the two of us so we can find out whether or not we should stay married."
Sunny smiled warmly and said, "I understand, but her appearance will cause a lot of attention whenever she comes here. You probably will too whenever you visit her at Zephyr Heights. Queen Haven and Zipp never said anything about you and Pipp getting to know each other privately all the time."
"If that's the case, then maybe the princess and I should figure out how to spend time with less attention apart from calling or texting each other," Hitch said. "Otherwise, I should expect every visit to be her popping up and somepony saying -"
"IT'S PIPP!"
Hitch turned to find a horde of ponies running past him and Sunny, screaming joyfully. Hitch and Sunny looked ahead to find Pipp walking down the streets with Thunder and Zoom walking beside her and Zipp following. Zoom and Thunder stepped in front of Pipp and lifted their wings to keep ponies back as the citizens cheered and took pictures with their phones. One shopkeeper took a bouquet from his shop and ran over to offer them to Pipp. Pip smiled sweetly and reached over Zoom and Thunder's wings to take the flowers as she thanked the ponies for their enthusiastic welcome. 
Hitch huffed and gave Sunny a look that said," You see what I mean?" He marched over to the crowd, with Sunny getting out of her stand to follow. Pipp noticed them coming from the corner of her eye and her smile brightened as she turned to Hitch and waved to him. Hitch's heart skipped a beat, but the moment was quickly dashed when he noticed Zipp looking at him over Pipp's shoulder. She was giving Hitch and Sunny a friendly smile, but deep in her cyan eyes Hitch could see that she was going to watch him very closely. Hitch gulped to hide any hint of fear and put on a professional face as he pushed through the crowd. 
"All right, everypony, break it up," he ordered. 
The ponies who noticed Hitch coming backed away, all too happy to give him room to come over to his wife. Zoom and Thunder lowered their wings to allow Hitch to pass, and Pipp's smile grew as Hitch stopped in front of her. 
"H-hi," Hitch said while scratching the back of his head. 
"Hi," Pipp said, moving her mane back. 
The crowd "awww" ed, finding their awkward greeting adorable. Then Izzy pushed her way to the front of the crowd and shouted, "Kiss her, Hitch!"
"Yeah, kiss her!" A stallion agreed. 
Before Hitch and Pipp knew it, the crowd was exclaiming words of agreement and telling them to kiss. Hitch and Pipp looked away from each other bashfully, with Hitch still rubbing the back of his head as their cheeks turned pink. They then faced each other, and Hitch  awkwardly leaned his head toward Pipp. Pipp chuckled with her mouth closed, finding Hitch's attempts to make the first move cute, and leaned in for a peck on the lips. They looked away from each other again with their cheeks turning cherry red, and ponies cheered while some took videos of the kiss. 
"All right, everypony, let's leave Hitch and Pipp alone,'' Sunny said, stepping between Hitch and Pipp and the crowd. "Pipp came all the way from Zephyr Heights to spend time with Hitch, so let's leave them be." 
Some of the ponies "aww" ed in disappointment but reluctantly agreed. Thus, the crowd dispersed, leaving only Hitch, Pipp, Zipp, Sunny, Izzy, Zoom, and Thunder left. Hitch and Pipp continued to look away from each other, with Hitch giving Sunny a thankful look. After half a minute, Hitch cleared his throat and turned to Pipp, still not looking at her. 
"So… how is your trip?" Hitch asked. 
Pipp turned back to Hitch and said, "It was a nightmare not being able to use Bestie, but Zipp was here to keep me company, so I managed."
"Yeah, Zipp. You didn't mention you were bringing your sister with you," Hitch said. 
“That's because I'm a last-minute addition," Zipp said. "When Pipp told me she was coming to visit you, I thought it would be nice to visit Maretime Bay myself. After all, I've never been outside of Zephyr Heights either, so why not fix that when my sister comes to visit you?"
"Well, you are both welcome to come and visit our home, Zipp," Sunny said. 
"Yeah, the more princesses the better," Izzy said. 
"Thanks, you two," Pipp said. "Now, I hope our arrival wasn't disrupting your patrol, Hitch."
"Oh, no. Not at all," Hitch assured. "In fact, I was about to grab some lunch."
Sunny gasped and said, "Hitch, your smoothie is still on the counter."
Pipp and Zipp's eyes widened, and the former said, "Oh, my glitter, lunch with a smoothie sounds so wonderful. We haven't eaten lunch either, and after so much walking, a smoothie sounds wonderful. I'm so thirsty I could chug an entire smoothie in 10 seconds."
"Ha! That's cute, Sis. I could chug an entire smoothie in less than 10 seconds," Zipp said.
Hitch laughed and said, "That's nice, Your Highnesses, but it just so happens I hold the record for drinking an entire, large smoothie the fastest."
"Oh, is that a fact?" Zipp asked with a smirk. "In that case why don't you prove that with a little competition? If either I or Pipp beat you, you have to pay for both of our drinks."
"You're on," Hitch said. "Don't say I didn't warn you about going against a champion."
"Hee hee. In-laws smack talking. This is going to be fun," Izzy said. 
"Alright then, everypony, follow me to my stand," Sunny said.
Hitch, Pipp, Zipp, Izzy, Zoom, and Thunder followed Sunny, with Pipp walking beside Hitch. Sunny went back inside her stand and held out Hitch's smoothie to him until she gasped and pulled back. 
"Wait a minute. This smoothie has probably melted a little after being left alone to welcome Pipp and Zipp," she said. "I'll make another smoothie so that you all have fresh smoothies to keep it fair."
"Fine with me. It won't help the princesses," Hitch said.
"Oh, ho! I'm gonna make you eat those words, Sheriff," Zipp said. "Anyway, I'll take a strawberry and raspberry mix, Sunny."
"An orange and kiwi smoothie would be fabulous," Pipp said, singing the last word.  
"Coming right up," Sunny said. "Who wants Hitch's old smoothie?"
"Oooo. Me! Me! Me!" Thunder exclaimed, waving his hoof. 
With a chuckle, Sunny gave Thunder the smoothie and began working on the other three smoothies. As they waited for their drinks, Hitch and Zipp gave each other competitive smirks that made Izzy giggle and Pipp smile in amusement. When Sunny finished, she handed Hitch, Pipp, and Zipp their smoothies and then took out a timer. She paused for a few seconds to build up the suspense. 
"On your marks…get set…GO!" Sunny exclaimed. 
Immediately, Hitch, Pipp, and Sunny began wolfing down their smoothies. Hitch and Zipp continued glancing at each other, trying to intimidate the other by showing off how fast they were drinking. Izzy, Zoom, and Thunder watched Hitch and Zipp closely as they consumed three-quarters of their smoothies. Eventually, Hitch grew closer to finishing first, exciting everypony until they heard Pipp slamming her cup on the counter. 
"Totally done!" She boasted with a hiccup.
Izzy, Zoom, and Thunder looked at the younger princess, shocked, while Sunny stopped her timer. Hitch finished his smoothie six seconds later, and Zipp finished last three seconds after Hitch. Hitch and Zipp panted before turning to Pipp, astonished to see her victorious.
"7.1 seconds. We have a new Gulpathon record!" Sunny announced. "Princess Pipp Trailblazer is our new champion!"
Sunny, Izzy, Zoom, and Thunder cheered while Pipp gave Hitch and Zipp a smug look. Hitch started back, stunned that he had been beaten and that Pipp finished her drink in less than 10 seconds. Pipp gestured to Hitch with her head to pay up, and Hitch sighed as he paid Sunny for Pipp and Zipp's smoothies. Zipp gave her sister a hoof bump, then turned to Hitch. 
"Gotta admit, Sheriff, I'm impressed," she said. "I consider myself pretty fast when I want to be, and it usually leads to me winning a lot of contests back at home. So, as baffled as I am that Pipp beat both of us, I have to give you credit that you're not all talk since you finished before me. So, nice job."
"Thanks, Your Highness," Hitch said. 
"Ah, just call me Zipp like everyone else," Zipp said. "Just keep in mind giving you permission to call me by my real name doesn't mean I'm not still watching you."
"That's fair," Hitch said. 
Zipp smirked and nodded in approval. Hitch smiled back in respect until their faces fell, and they pursed their lips before holding their heads and whimpering and agony. Pipp followed suit, screaming, "ouch," rapidly and repeatedly while Sunny shook her head. 
"It never fails. One large smoothie and you get a nasty brain freeze," she said. "That's the price you pay when participating in a Gulpathon."
"Yeah, but it was totally worth it," Pipp said with a smile to hide her pain. "My thirst is quenched, I got my drink for free, and now I'm the new Gulpathon champion in Maretime Bay."
"A triple score for sure,'' Sunny added before turning to Hitch with a smirk. "And if memory serves correctly, both you and the former champion have yet to have lunch, so may I suggest that you go find a place to eat with Hitch paying for both of you?" 
"Both? Why am I paying for both of us?" Hitch asked while still massaging his head. 
"Duh, because she is a guest and your wife. Everypony knows the husband pays for both meals on a date," Sunny said. 
"Yeah, Hitch, that should be obvious for a gentlecolt like you," Izzy said. 
Hitch opened his mouth to protest, but all he could do was sputter until he huffed and lowered his head in defeat. 
"Fine, but we're going to have to do takeouts. I'm still on duty," he said.
"Oh, come on, Hitch, the sheriff's station isn't going to miss you. You did promise a tour of the town," Sunny rebuked. 
"I know, but I don't like the idea of leaving Sprout alone for too long,'' Hitch said. 
"Who is Sprout?" Pipp asked. 
"He's my deputy. I need to keep an eye on him because he is still a little prejudiced against unicorns and pegasi," Hitch said. "The only creatures I consider obedient in the station are the critters."
Pipp's eyes widened, and she let out a loud gasp. 
"You have critters?!" she asked. 
"Yeah, a couple of seagulls and a crab," Hitch said. 
"Oooo. I want to see the critters!" Pipp chirped. "Let's grab food and eat at the sheriff's station so I can meet the critters!"
"Are you sure? The station isn't the fanciest place for two ponies to eat out together," Hitch said. 
"I don't mind," Pipp said. "Besides, you did promise me a tour, and it only makes sense that I visit your job at some point. So, might as well, right?"
Sunny and Zipp gave Pipp concerned looks, thinking she may be too kind to Hitch, who was not yet putting Pipp before his badge. Hitch, on the other hand, smiled and said, "Well then, what are we waiting for?"
With that, Hitch and Pipp walked away, with Pipp giving everypony else a wave. Everypony silently watched as Hitch and Pipp left, and Zoom turned to Zipp with a salute. 
"Your Highness, do you want us to follow them?" She asked. 
Zipp's frown deepened as she thought about it, then said, "Yes, but be discreet. Keep a close eye on the sheriff's station outside. Be ready to come to Pipp's aid should anything happen."
"Very good, Your Highness," Zoom said as she and Thunder saluted. 
The royal guards marched in Hitch and Pipp's direction, keeping at a distance. Zipp kept her eye on Pipp and Hitch as they walked away until Sunny put her hoof on her shoulder. 
"Don't worry, Zipp. Your sister will be fine," Sunny said. "Married or not, Pipp couldn't be in safer hands in Maritime Bay." 
Zipp kept her gaze momentarily before she sighed and turned to Sunny. 
"Maybe you're right, but it's going to take more than your words to assure me," Zipp said. "Besides, Presto was somepony we thought we didn't have to worry about either, so I see no reason to believe that this will be different right away."
"I understand. Just know for the record that I believe you are worrying for nothing," Sunny said. "In the meantime, I still have work to do, but how about Izzy gives you your own tour around town?"
Izzy let out a long gasp with her face stretching from ear to ear.
"Showing a new friend around my new home?!" she squealed. "This is going to be the best! I can even show you where I get my materials for unicycling!"
Zipp hesitated, not wanting to spend her time working on arts and crafts, but after a moment, she accepted there no there's no other choice, for she had nothing better to do with Zoom and Thunder keeping an eye on Pipp in her stead. 
"Sure. Why not?" she answered with a forced grin. 
"Yay!" Izzy squealed. "I hope you like glitter cause our first stop is showing you the store where I get, like, boatloads of it in many colors."
Zipp chuckled while keeping her forced grin as Izzy took her by the hoof and began dragging her to the arts and crafts store. Sunny giggled as she watched them go and went back inside her stand just as more customers began coming. As Sunny began making smoothies, she looked in the direction of the sheriff’s station. 
"Hitch, please start opening up more."
> Chapter 10
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hitch and Pipp wandered around town, trying to decide what to get for lunch. Each restaurant looked more attractive to Pipp than the last. Half the time, she was distracted by ponies expressing joy to see her in person. When Pipp found Maretime Bay had a trolly, she begged Hitch to ride it together. Her pleas made her look like a spoiled little filly, but Hitch was glad she enjoyed seeing his town. 
 Eventually, as they rode the trolley, they found a grilled cheese sandwich stand and decided to grab food there. When the owner of the stand, an earth pony, saw them coming, he let out a high-pitched squeal and began rambling about how many times he had listened to Pipp's music since his friend, a pegasus, introduced him to it. Pipp laughed and said yes when the owner asked for a picture. He offered to have their lunch be on the house, but Pipp politely refused, not wanting to keep her fan from earning money for his business. 
After Hitch paid, they took their sandwiches and chips bags and headed to the station. The seagulls and the crab were sleeping on the sign, having gotten drowsy from waiting for Hitch to come back. Pipp "awww"ed at the sight of the critters and took a picture on her phone right before the critters woke up. The seagulls chirped, and the crab clapped its claws at the sight of Pipp. The seagulls flew down with one of them carrying the crab and landed in front of Hitch and Pipp. Pipp knelt before the critters, still taking pictures as she smiled at them. 
"Hello, little ones. Aren't you just the cutest?" Pipp greeted. "What are their names?"
Hitch's eyes widened and he looked away with a sheepish grin as he said, "You know, now that you mention it, I haven't given them any names."
"What? How could you have these little cuties around when you are at work and don't have names for them?" Pipp asked. 
"It just never crossed my mind,'' Hitch said. "Truth be told, they're not my pets or anything like that. There's just something about little creatures that just drives them to want to be around me. I'm practically a magnet."
Pipp tilted her head and rubbed her chin, puzzled. 
"Well, I guess that makes sense. I mean, Cloudpuff was immediately taken with you at the wedding, and that doesn't normally happen," Pipp said.
"Cloudpuff? Hitch asked. 
"Our family dog. The one who was the ring bearer," Pipp explained. "He's always been such a friendly puppy, but the way he was excited when you got on stage - that's not like him when meeting new ponies. In fact, he seemed rather ecstatic when I talked Mom into making our marriage legal."
"Really?" Hitch asked, earning a nod from Pipp. "Well, then, I guess Cloudpuff makes an excellent example."
"I guess so," Pipp giggled. "Anyway, let's get inside before our sandwiches get cold."
Hitch nodded, and they headed to the station entrance with the critters following. When they went inside, Hitch found Sprout leaning against his chair, snoring with his head facing the ceiling and an empty pizza box on his desk. Hitch huffed and shook his head before he put his food on his desk and looked for a folded chair. 
"Is that Sprout?" Pipp asked.
"Yup," Hitch answered with disappointment and his voice. 
"Oh. Zipp mentioned something about Zoom needing to keep an eye on a deputy whenever you visit me. I'm guessing this is an example of why?" Pipp asked. 
"Yep. If you don't count the critters, it's just Sprout and me upholding the law," Hitch answered. "Sprout, however, tends not to take his job particularly seriously even if you take away his prejudice."
"What do you mean?" Pipp asked. 
"He tends to loaf around more than anything," Hitch explained as he set a chair at the side of his desk. "He'll do some paperwork or do assignments when I tell him to, but he'll be very reluctant."
"Why is he still your deputy even though he doesn't really do his job?" Pipp asked. 
"Because we've been friends since we were colts, and there aren't any other ponies interested in being a deputy. Not like Sprout anyway," Hitch said before he bit his lip. "Also, I feel compelled to keep an eye on him because of his prejudice."
"Oh," Pipp said, slightly taken aback, before turning to Sprout. "I guess that makes sense. It's my understanding that Maretime Bay has the most ponies who are still opposed to the unity between all three pony kinds. No offense."
"None taken," Hitch said as he cleared the papers on his desk. "Anyway, shall we dig in?"
Pipp's cheerful demeanor returned, and she nodded before sitting on the folded chair. Hitch opened his bag of chips while Pipp undid the wrapping around her sandwich. As soon as she took a bite of her sandwich and let out a pleased "mmm" as soon as the warm cheese and toasted bread touched her tongue. She slowly chewed with her eyes closed before she swallowed and immediately took another bite. 
"Oh, my, glitter, this is so good," she said with her mouth full. "Either I just haven't eaten grilled cheese in forever, or this is the best grilled cheese ever made."
"Heh. I don't know about the best ever made, but I do know that Cheddar Biscuit knows how to make some pretty good cheese sandwiches," Hitch said.
"Do you go to that stand on your lunch break?" Pipp asked. 
"Occasionally. It depends on what food I'm feeling or if I don't bring my lunch," Hitch said. "It's Sprout who's always consistent. He always orders at the same place and eats it all without breaking a sweat."
"Seriously?" Pipp asked as she turned to the empty pizza box. "He ate that entire pie while you were gone?"
"Pretty much," Hitch said. 
Pipp shook her head in disbelief as she stared at the sleeping Sprout. 
"Unbelievable. He doesn't look like someone who eats so much pizza," she said. "I am a little jealous of his metabolism."
"Yeah, that's probably one thing you can count on Sprout doing while on duty," Hitch said. 
Pipp hummed in acknowledgment before taking another bite of her sandwich. For a couple of minutes, Hitch and Pipp ate in silence, with Hitch finishing his chips and getting started on his sandwich. Pipp had a few bites of her sandwich left before she stopped and glanced at Sprout again with unease. 
"So, why is Sprout still prejudiced against unicorns and pegasi?" She asked. 
Hitch furrowed his brow and put down his sandwich. 
"I think it has to do with this upbringing," he said. "You see, he was raised by his mom, Philis Cloverleaf."
"The mare who was making all those contraptions to combat unicorns and pegasi?" Pipp asked. 
"The very same," Hitch answered. "Mrs. Cloverleaf was very passionate about protecting earth ponies and ensuring they were prepared in case of an attack from other ponies. I guess you could say following her example was Sprout's motivation to be an enforcement of the law despite the fact that he puts so little effort into it. I think it's fair to say that, even if Mrs. Cloverleaf has accepted there's nothing to be afraid of, Sprout has been raised with so much claim of danger against him and his fellow earth ponies that it will probably take a miracle for him to open up."
Pipp frowned and gave the snoring Sprout a look of pity. She understood not letting one's guard down after years of believing earth ponies were unintelligent creatures and unicorns were all-powerful menaces. Even so, the idea of ponies still hating ponies who weren't their race despite the joy of all three pony kinds united made Pipp's heart ache. It reminded her that no matter what she did as a public figure, she couldn't make all ponies and Equestria happy, no matter who they were.
Suddenly, Sprout let out a loud snort and yelped as he jumped as though somepony put several volts through his body. He leaned against his desk and groaned as he slowly opened his eyes. He lifted his head to see Hitch glaring and saluted, sitting straight. 
"I didn't sleep, Hitch!" Sprout exclaimed. "I've been working on my paperwork just like you said! No one drop of pizza grease is on a sheet of -"
As Sprout made his excuse, he noticed Pipp from the corner of his eye. He froze up, and the blood drained from his face,  turning it into a pale shade of red. Before Pipp opened her mouth to greet Sprout, Sprout let out a high-pitched scream and hid under his desk. He rushed to get under so fast that he rammed his head against the desk's back support. As Sprout rubbed the top of his head, he looked behind to find Pipp crouching with a worried face. 
"Are you all right?" she asked. 
Sprout yelped again and tried to move further away from Pipp, but he could barely fit underneath the desk. Pipp crouched down further and stretched her hoof to Sprout, but the gesture scared him even more. 
"Hey, it's okay. It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you," Pipp said as though she were talking to a frightened little critter. 
"Y-yeah. S-s-sure. Right. You're just waiting for me to let my guard down before snatching me up and taking me away. I know you're part of the Royal Family and that you can fly," Sprout whimpered. 
 Pipp frowned and rolled her eyes, half tempted to reveal that she, Zipp, and Haven couldn't fly. 
"Now, why would I do a thing like that?" she asked. "For that matter, what's so scary about a pegasus grabbing a pony and carrying them up in the air? Are you afraid I will send you to the moon or something?"
"M-m-maybe," Sprout stuttered. 
"Sprout, come out of there. You're not in any danger. Quit acting like a baby," Hitch rebuked as he got off his seat and walked over to stand next to Pipp.
"But she suggested taking me up to the moon!" Sprouts protested. "She obviously wouldn't have said that if she had if she hadn't done that to anypony before!"
Hitch and Pipp looked at each other with unamused looks like annoyed parents struggling to teach their foal a lesson. Pipp turned back to Sprout and sat down on her front completely as she gave him a comforting smile. 
"Sprout, has there ever been a point in the history of Equestria where a pegasus snatches some pony and takes them to the moon?" She asked. 
Sprout stopped shaking and paused momentarily before stuttering, "N-no."
"Has a pegasus ever been known to fly to the moon?" Pipp asked. 
"Well, no, but maybe you can take somepony to the moon, and you just don't know it because you never tried," Sprout said.
Pipp tilted her head with a befuddled face and spread her wings as she said, "Are you messing with me? Look at my wings. They're so light and poofy. Do they look like they can carry other ponies into the air besides me? The sky is so high up that no pegasus can even come close to reaching the moon. They tire out before they even make it to the atmosphere back when there was magic."
"You don't know that," Sprouts said. 
"Don't I? I'm one of the few pegasi that can fly. Remember?" Pipp countered. "Our wings are part of our bodies and they can tire from flapping just as easily as somepony can get tired from running. My mom, sister and I don't even like to fly except for my concerts and things like that. If those are the only times you have ever heard about the three of us flying, then you're obviously in no danger at all."
Sprout's shaking died down until his body became completely still. Hitch tilted his head, unsure of whether or not to be hopeful, then his eyes widened and his mouth hung open as he saw Sprout rubbing his chin in thought. In all the years Hitch had known Sprout, he had never seen his friend take a moment to consider anything. He always wanted Sprout to change for the better, especially when all three ponykinds made peace, but deep down, Hitch thought there were better chances of lightning striking the same spot twice or the air turning into gold. And yet, with this one moment of kindness and patience, Pipp was helping Sprout realize he was in the wrong. 
"I…I've never thought of that," Sprout admitted. "You really can tire from flapping your wings?"
"Of course, I can. Heck, if you ask literally any pegasus whether they can fly or not, I bet my tiara that they would say the same thing." Pipp said. "Now, come on. Get out of there. You look silly huddled under your desk like that."
For a moment, Sprout remained still. Then, he slowly moved away from his desk with his eyes still on Pipp like a wild animal unsure to accept whether a stranger was friendly or dangerous. Finally, Sprout stood up, facing Pipp, who looked at him with another friendly smile. 
"There, that's better," she said as she extended her hoof. "My name is Pipp. Nice to meet you, Sprout."
Sprout hesitated again before he held out his hoof with an uncomfortable grin. Pipp's smile grew as they shook hooves. When they parted, Pipp turned to Hitch, who was still staring with his mouth hanging a gape. She couldn't help but snicker as Hitch snapped out of it and turned to Sprout. 
"Right," he began, clearing his throat. "Now that we have that out of the way get back to your paperwork, Sprout."
"Yes, Hitch," Sprout said half-heartedly. 
Sprout threw the pizza box in the trash bin and went back to writing his report while Hitch and Pipp returned to Hitch's desk and continued their lunch. As Hitch ate his sandwich, he saw Sprout glancing at Pipp. The deputy looked at her in amazement as though she had given him philosophical knowledge that blew his mind. Sprout noticed Hitch looking at him from the corner of his eye and cleared his throat as he went back to his paperwork. Hitch looked between Sprout and Pipp, more amazed by Pipp's incredible deed. He scooted his chair to Pipp and leaned his head toward her as she ate her chips. 
"Your Highness, you are a miracle worker," Hitch whispered. "I can't believe Sprout even listened to you, much less accepted your logic."
Pipp giggled before she swallowed and leaned her head closer to Hitch. 
"To be honest, I'm surprised too," she said. "Zipp's the voice of reason between the two of us sisters. I guess his fears were so ridiculous that I couldn't help but describe in detail how completely outrageous they are."
"Evidently," Hitch said. "Regardless, you have given me a shred of hope with Sprout getting rid of his prejudice, and for that, I am in your debt as Sprout's employer and friend."
"In your debt? That's a little over the top," Pipp chortled. 
"Maybe, you still made massive progress. I may grow more comfortable with leaving Maritime Bay to visit you. Or, at the very least, Sprout might not be too much trouble for your guards."
"Hmmm. Is that so? Pip asked, rubbing her chin with a smirk. "Well, when you put it like that, then I guess you are totally in my debt. And I have a few ideas on how you can fulfill that debt."
"Oh, dear. What do you have in mind?" Hitch asked. 
Pipp let out a mischievous giggle and said, "Don't worry. I'm not planning anything cruel or sinister. And I don't plan on making you do anything right now. You're just going to have to wait and see. In the meantime, let's finish our lunch already, and then you can show me what you do here at the station when you're on duty."
"Are you sure you want to see that?" Hitch asked. "I'm just going to be filing paperwork. It's nothing exciting."
"Maybe, but I'd like to watch," Pipp said. "After all, the main purpose of this visit is to get to know you. Worst case scenario, I can just be on my phone, and we can do something else when you're done."
"All right, suit yourself," Hitch said. 
In a few minutes, Hitch and Pipp finished their lunch and rested against their chairs, satisfied. Pipp threw the bags in the trash bin while Hitch took out his pen from the drawer and his phone and headphones from his satchel. Pipp's eyes lit up as she saw Hitch take out his headphones and plugged them into his phone. 
"You listen to music while you work?" She asked. 
"Oh, yeah," Hitch said with his cheeks turning pink. "I, uh, might have developed a…habit of listening to your music while I'm filing paperwork."
"Awww. Really?" Pipp asked with her hoof on her heart. 
"Yeah, I meant it when I told Presto I became a fan at the wedding," Hitch said, scratching his head.  
"Hitch, that's so sweet," Pipp said. "Do you mind if I listen with you while you work?" 
"How can we do that? There's only one set of headphones," Hitch asked. 
"Leave it to me. I always come prepared for something like this," Pipp said with pride. 
She reached into her wing and took out a little device with the tip of it split into two directions. Hitch gave the device a puzzled look as it looked like somepony had cut the end of a set of headphones off the cord, removed the jack (or the plug,) and split it down the middle. Pipp covered her mouth to hide another giggle as she watched Hitch. It was cute how her husband saw more of the world of technological advancement he had never known.
"It's a splitter. You plug it into the phone, then plug two headphones on the two ends, so two ponies can listen to the music simultaneously," Pipp explained. 
"Really? It can do that?" Hitch asked. 
"Of course, it can. This is something that the pegasi have had for many moons," Pipp said. 
Hitch looked at the branch and then at Pipp before he smiled and said, "Then what are we waiting for?"
"Yay!" Pipp exclaimed. 
She disconnected Hitch's headphones and plugged the splitter into them. She then took out her headphones from underneath her wing, and then she and Hitch plugged their respective headphones into the splitter. The two of them looked at each other, smiling before Hitch opened Amplify and randomly selected one of Pipp's songs. 
As the song played, Pipp's smile grew and she began humming to her song while Hitch began writing. A few minutes into the song, Hitch glanced at Pipp, and the edge of his mouth curled up before returning to his paperwork. Even though he couldn't hear her humming because of his headphones, he was glad that Pipp was enjoying herself while she looked over his shoulder to watch him work. Hitch looked up at Sprout, who didn't look disturbed by Pipp's singing as he wrote his report, and his smile grew as he grew more hopeful that Sprout may change his ways.
> Chapter 11
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

At 7 o'clock, Hitch and Sprout closed the station. Pipp gave Sprout a friendly farewell, and the prejudiced deputy hesitated before giving her an awkward wave as he headed to his mother's house. After saying farewell, the newlyweds decided to see Sunny to get smoothies before going to Hitch's house for dinner. 
When Hitch and Pipp got to Sunny's stand, they saw her getting ready to close up until she saw them coming. Sunny smiled and lifted the metal shade back up. At the same time, Izzy and Zipp were walking over from the direction of Sunny's lighthouse. Finally, Zoom and Thunder came, making sure it didn't look like they were following Hitch and Pipp.
"Evening, Mr. and Mrs. Sheriff," Izzy chirped. 
It took a moment for Pipp to get the joke before she giggled, covering her mouth with her hoof.
"Hi, Izzy," she said. "Did you two have fun?"
Izzy blew a raspberry and rolled her eyes as though the answer was obvious. 
"Only, like the best time ever!" she exclaimed. "I showed Zipp every single part of Maritime Bay from top to bottom except for the sheriff's station so that Hitch and Pipp could continue spending time together. Zipp even had a lot of fun when I showed her all my unicycling stuff back at home."
"Is that right, Zipp?" Pipp asked. 
"Shockingly, yes," Zipp said. "I was initially uncomfortable when she kept showing me where she gets glitter and all the various places where she finds stuff for her projects, but the stuff she creates at the lighthouse is pretty neat. I think you'd really like them, Pipp."
"Really? Well, I totally got to check it out if you recommend it," Pipp said. "Anyway, Sunny, can we trouble you for more smoothies?"
"Absolutely," Sunny chirped. "Although, if you're hoping to get what you got last time, I'm afraid I'm fresh out of oranges and kiwi." 
"Since when are you out of oranges and kiwi?" Hitch asked. 
"Since ponies found out Princess Pipp Trailblazer is the new gulpathon champion, and that was her drink of choice," Sunny said. 
"Aw. And I was hoping to enjoy an orange and kiwi smoothie without chugging it all down," Pipp whined. "It's just like when my favorite taco place in Zephyr Heights was out of my favorite quesadillas because everypony found out about it."
"Hehe. Yeah, I remember that. I think they named that dish after you," Zipp said. 
"I wouldn't be surprised," Pipp said. "But enough about that. What else do you got, Sunny? Any recommendations?"
"Hmmm. Well, the Grape Strawberry Splash is a classic, and Blueberry Plum Blast is the best seller," Sunny said. "Actually, I recently created a new flavor called Strawberry Razzle."
"Ooo, Strawberry Razzle. Now, that sounds tasty," Pipp set. "I'll have a large one of that, please."
"Sure thing," Sunny said. "And I assume the usual again, Hitch?"
"You got it," Hitch said. 
With a smile, Sunny went inside to make the smoothies. As Hitch and Pipp waited, Zipp glanced at Izzy, who watched Sunny in hopes of placing an order as soon as Hitch paid. Zipp loudly cleared her throat, catching Zoom’s attention, and the two of them moved several feet away from the others before huddling together. 
"Report," Zipp commanded. 
"Ma'am, the sheriff showed your sister around town and grabbed lunch just as planned. Then, they went into the sheriff's station, and we were unable to investigate further because the only windows in the building are at the front entrance, and they were covered with blinds," Zoom said.
"Eh, it would have been hard to be sneaky if you tried to spy on them through the front entrance without ponies noticing you," Zipp said. 
"The most we heard was a high-pitched scream from inside not too long after they went in, but it didn't sound like it came from the princess or the sheriff," Zoom continued. 
"What makes you so sure it wasn't either of them?" Zipp asked. 
"Well, Your Highness, it sounded more like somepony perfectly impersonating a chicken," Zoom said. 
"A chicken? Are you messing with me?" Zipp asked. 
"No, ma'am. It really sounded like there was a chicken that got scared and was flailing around the place," Zoom said. "The sheriff did mention having a deputy who is still prejudiced against the unity. Perhaps this Sprout pony was surprised by your sister being there."
"A grown stallion is so scared of a pegasus that he'd sound like a chicken when screaming?" Zipp asked.
"There was nopony else inside, and none of the sheriff's animals are chickens, Your Highness. I can't imagine anypony else screaming," Zoom said before glancing at Thunder and leaning into Zipp's ear. "And between you and me, it's my experience that some stallions are not as courageous as you'd think they would be."
Zipp looked past Zoom to see Thunder looking at the night sky and humming a tune with a bubbly face. 
"Fair enough. I'll have to ask Pipp if anything, in particular, happened when I get the chance," Zipp said. "Does Pipp look comfortable around Hitch?" 
"Yes, she does," Zoom answered. "She looked like she was having a lot of fun seeing the town when they went looking for a place to grab lunch, and both she and the sheriff were smiling when they left the police station with the deputy. For all intents and purposes, she appears to be very comfortable around the sheriff."
Zipp's body eased up, and the edges of her lips curled slightly at this news. It hardly meant that she was okay with Hitch, but it was a comfort to know that he was carrying out her mother's request to hold on to Pipp's hope for the marriage as best as possible. She turned her head to the newlyweds just as Sunny finished making their smoothies and handed them to Hitch and Pipp. Hitch paid for the smoothies, and Pipp took a sip of hers before her eyes lit up like a flame, and she squealed. 
"Oh. My. Dazzle. I think I just discovered my new favorite flavor. This is a million times better than orange kiwi!" Pipp exclaimed.
"I'm glad you like it. Just be careful not to declare this in front of everypony. I don't have all the strawberries in the world, you know," Sunny said.
"No way. I've learned my lesson. This is going to be our little secret. I might even order different smoothies in the future to keep ponies clueless," Pipp said.
"That might be tricky for several reasons, Pipp. Ponies might just order whatever you have, whether it's the same or not," Zipp said. "Anyway, where are you two thinking of grabbing dinner?"
"Actually, Hitch is making me dinner at his place," Pipp said. "He showed me his daily routine when he's on duty, and now he's going to show me his end-of-the-day routine."
Zipp furrowed her brow and she asked, "You two aren't going to be doing that alone. Are you?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't we?" Pipp said. 
Zipp bit the bottom of her lip and looked between Pipp and Hitch. Knowing what was on her older sister’s mind, Pipp walked over and guided her away from the others until they were several feet away. 
"Zipp, it's fine. There's nothing to worry about," Pipp whispered. 
"How do you know? You've never been to a stallion's house before," Zipp said. 
"I know, but I'm confident I can trust Hitch to be a decent guy while I'm a guest at his home," Pipp said. "If anything goes sour, I'll call you right away. I promise."
"Don't you think you're being a little too optimistic, Pipp?" Zip asked. "Or have you forgotten about Presto?"
"I haven't forgotten anything," Pipp snarled. "I'm just taking a leap of faith with Hitch. Besides, you're the one who researched him, with all of your info pointing to him being a good guy. Right?"
Zipp flinched and rubbed her front leg with her free with her other front leg. 
"Yyyyyyyes, I did do that," she admitted. 
"Well, there you go," Pipp said, smirking. "Besides, I'm a grown mare, so I can still choose for myself who I can trust. Not you."
Pipp walked back to Hitch without another word, leaving a stunned Zipp behind. It was shocking enough for Zipp that Pipp had the nerve to call Haven out to convince her to legalize her marriage. At this point, she grew worried about how stubborn her little sister had become since having Hitch marry her in Presto's place. She returned to rejoin the group just as Sunny closed her stand after serving smoothies to Izzy, Zoom, and Thunder. Sunny turned from her stand to see Zipp, and she gasped. 
"Oh, I'm sorry, Zipp. I didn't ask if you wanted a smoothie, too," she said.
"It's cool. I'm not thirsty," Zipp said. "You and Izzy about to head home?"
"Sure are. We're making pizza tonight," Sunny said with a grin. "What about you? Where are you staying?"
"Oh, um, I'm just gonna go get a room at a hotel with Zoom and Thunder," Zipp said.
"What?! You shouldn't just stay in a hotel. You're our friend's sister-in-law," Izzy said. 
Sunny gasped and said with a grin, "You know what we should do? We should have a sleepover at the lighthouse."
"Oooo, a sleepover. I've never had one before," Thunder said.
"Thunder, we're not here to play around," Zoom rebuked. 
"Yeah, she's right. We're here to make sure Pipp is alright while she's spending time with Hitch," Zipp said. 
"Oh, come on. Enough with that already. We've told you already that Pipp couldn't be in safer hooves, and I'm pretty sure she knows it, too," Sunny said. "Why, Hitch wouldn't let anything -"
"Sunny, wait," Hitch interrupted, stepping forward. "I'd like to speak for myself this time.
Sunny looked at Hitch, taken aback, before she smiled and backed away, gesturing to Hitch to go ahead with a wave of her hoof. He silently gulped to keep his ears back as he remembered her threat at Zephyr Heights. 
"Look, Zipp, you have every right to be suspicious after everything that happened. Were I in your hooves, I would certainly do the same. What Presto did was so unforgivable that I personally don't know how he could live with himself," Hitch began. "That said, I consider myself a pony of honor. I have never looked at a mare the way that would lead me to want to do anything Presto did, and I've never given romance much thought before the wedding. I made an agreement with your mother and a commitment to be a lawfully wedded husband, and I will honor them to whatever end. I do whatever it takes to make sure all ponies are happy, whether I'm the sheriff or not. That's simply the moral code I live by."
Zipp raised an eyebrow, unfazed. Sunny and Izzy grew unsettled while Pipp glared at her sister, demanding her to back off. Zoom took a step forward with her wings half open, ready in case Zipp made a command. Thunder hesitated before he did the same. However, Hitch did not show any hint of nervousness in his stance or how he stared back at Zipp. After a minute, Zipp lowered her eyebrow and smirked in amusement. 
"You know, some of that talk about being a husband and stuff sounds very similar to what Presto used to say about his love for Pipp," she said. “Still, all your talk about honor and commitment and trying to make ponies happy does match what I've heard about you, and Pipp seems to be enjoying your company so far. I guess you make enough of a valid point that I'll abide for now. Just don't forget what I told you at the hotel."
"Believe me, Your Highness, you painted a vivid picture," Hitch said. 
"Good," Zipp said. "Then I guess sleepover it is."
Izzy squealed and hopped up and down like a little filly while Sunny smiled warmly at Zipp. Thunder opened his mouth to let out a yay of excitement but stopped himself and looked away so Zoom wouldn't notice. Hitch eased up and turned to Pipp, who gave him an impressed smirk, pleased that he talked her sister into leaving them alone. 
"Well then, if you will excuse us, my husband has dinner to make," Pipp said.
Sunny smirked and walked over to Hitch. 
"By specialty, does she mean just spaghetti and cheese?" She whispered.
"Of course not," Hitch claimed before he looked away hesitantly. "Not just cheese anyway." 
"Haha. Sure. You might want to give your royal wife something a little more original and fancy, and then next time, Hitch," Sunny said. 
"Hey, the kind I'm making is an old family recipe. You can't get more gourmet than that," Hitch said.
"Hey, you two, quit whispering, and let's get this sleepover started already," Izzy said. "I want to show you guys the methods and rituals of a true unicorn sleepover."
"Rituals of a unicorn sleepover? I'm in," Thunder chirped. 
"Thunder," Zoom said in a warning tone before her face softened. "Although, I admit these so-called rituals among unicorns do sound fascinating."
"Then what are we waiting for? To the lighthouse!" Sunny explained. 
With that, Sunny and Izzy led Zipp, Zoom, and Thunder to the lighthouse, with Izzy bouncing with glee. Hitch and Pipp watched the group until they were out of sight, and Pipp huffed as they began walking toward Hitch's house. 
"Hitch, that was incredible," Pipp said. "I thought Zipp would never leave us be." 
"Honestly, I didn't think she would either. I thought she was going to try to have your guards restrain me for talking to the future queen like that or something," Hitch said 
"No, I wouldn't let her do that, and even if I couldn't stop her, I could just call Mom, and she would chew Zipp out good," Pipp assured. 
"Would that really stop her?" Hitch asked.
Pipp scoffed as though the answer was obvious. 
"Everypony in Zephyr Heights knows that I'm mom's favorite. I tell her everything. She always takes my side when Zipp tries to prevent me from doing something I want to do."
"Is that so? Well, then I guess I have one more reason to hope this works out," Hitch said. 
Hitch froze in place, and his cheeks grew warm. Pipp stopped walking a couple seconds later as what Hitch said hit her. She turned to Hitch and gave him a kittenish look.
"There's more than one reason, is there?" She asked. 
Hitch's cheeks turned into a deeper shade of red, and he stuttered, which only amused Pipp even more. She moved closer to him, making Hitch sweat. He wanted to step back, but he struggled to look away from her flirtatious, spring-bud green eyes. Pipp leaned her head closer to Hitch, and he whimpered until he saw his house past Pipp.
"Uh, hey, we're home," Hitch said, pointing past Pipp with a nervous grin. "I better put our smoothies in the fridge before they completely melt."
The next thing Pipp knew, her smoothie was out of her grasp, and Hitch raced past her like a bunny running from a predator. She turned around to see Hitch unlock the door and go inside, leaving the door opened to let her get in. Pipp glared at where she last saw Hitch with a bitter pout, but then her flirtatious demeanor returned as she walked to the front door. 
"And here I thought he'd only be bashful at the wedding," she thought. "It's cute that he has a shy side to him. Too bad Zipp didn't see that. She might have let her guard down a little."
Pipp went inside and closed the door behind her. She went into the living room to explore Hitch's house while Hitch started making dinner in the kitchen. The walls were decorated with framed newspaper articles of Hitch. One was of Hitch after rescuing a foal from being run over by the trolley. Another had a picture of him and several firefighters covered in ash with a building half burned down behind them. A third one had Phillys handing Hitch a certificate for keeping the beach clean. 
Pipp smirked as she looked at her husband's accomplishments. She then turned to a wall with pictures of Hitch from when he was younger. She found pictures of his first day in elementary school, losing his first tooth, getting braces, graduating high school, and ultimately his picture of his first day on the job as Sheriff with Sprout next to him as deputy. Finally, Pipp stopped at a picture of Hitch and Sprout as colts and Sunny as a filly in camping clothes with a dark blue stallion wearing spectacles standing behind them. Pipp stared at the photo curiously as she thought the stallion somehow resembled Sunny. 
"Sunny's dad."
Pipp turned her head to see Hitch entering the living room wearing an apron that said, "Salute the cook." He looked at the dark blue stallion with a sad but fond smile as he stood beside Pipp. 
"This took place a couple of moons before he passed away," Hitch said. 
"Were you really close with him?" Pipp asked. 
"Er, I don't know about close, but as the father of our childhood friend, he was very friendly to me and Sprout … even if we didn't really deserve it," Hitch said.
"What do you mean?" Pipp asked. 
Hitch's smile faded, and he stared deeply into Sunny's father's smiling face as he thought of how best to explain. 
"Argyle Starshine was a friendly pony and a devoted father, but when it came to his interests beyond his duties at the lighthouse, he was the…oddball of the community," he said. "He researched ancient Equestria and how earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi used to live together in harmony. That unicorns used magic to light up the night sky, the pegasi created the weather, and Ancient Equestria was chock-full of strange magical artifacts. Sprout and I were all for hanging out with Sunny even when Phyllis told Sprout not to, but when it came to talking about earth ponies getting along with unicorns and pegasi, we never took Argyle seriously. We thought his research was as ridiculous as saying the sky is green or plaid when everypony else can clearly see that it's blue. Looking back, Argyle was much too forgiving. I wish I had a chance to apologize for how I treated his claims and that he could see all we've accomplished. 
Pipp's ears lowered as Hitch hung his head. Then she smiled and nudged his side with her left front knee to catch his attention. 
"Hey, no need to beat yourself up like that. We were all blind back then. Literally, every pony who's not Sunny or Izzy would have treated somepony that way. Why, I could see myself having recorded her father making such claims and then posting them online as if it was some crazy conspiracy video to give my fans a good laugh," Pipp said. "The important thing is that his dream came true and that we do all we can to preserve it."
For a moment, Hitch said nothing, making Pipp worried that he didn't hear her. Then he sighed and lifted his head to give her an appreciative smile.
"Yeah, you're right. We should also be very grateful for his determination and for passing down his determination and knowledge to Sunny," Hitch said. 
"I totally agree," Pipp chirped before her cheerful demeanor disappeared, and she looked toward the kitchen. "By the way, I think something is bubbling."
Hitch let out a loud, sharp gasp and shouted, "My pasta!" He zoomed back to the kitchen and stirred the pasta until it stopped bubbling. Pipp covered her mouth to hide a giggle before she took out her phone and took a picture of the framed photo of Sunny, Hitch, Sprout, and Argyle. She looked at her phone to check how her photo turned out, and then something clicked in her mind before. With a devious smirk, Pipp began taking pictures of the other framed photos and newspaper clips of Hitch, planning to create an album of pictures of her husband on her gallery app later. 
 "Anyway, this is a nice place you got here," Pipp said as she took photos. 
"Yeah, it's no castle at the top of a mountain, but it's home with paid-off mortgage and everything," Hitch called out from the kitchen. 
"Oh, paid off mortgage, you say? Being the sheriff must pay very well," Pipp said. 
"It has its benefits," Hitch said. "I prefer to think more about what I do for the community than how much I get paid, but at the same time, who wouldn't like paying off your mortgage?"
"Considering I've never had to worry about stuff like that I'll take your word for it," Pipp said. "Doesn't it ever get lonely, though?"
There was a pause before Hitch came out of the kitchen again, giving Pipp's question some thought. 
"I haven't really considered that," he said. "I visit Sunny and Izzy occasionally, but I guess I'm used to living by myself."
"By yourself? No family around?" Pipp asked. 
"My grandmother lives on the outskirts of town, but my parents passed away years ago," Hitch said.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Pipp said. "I know what it's like to lose a parent. Zipp and I lost our dad when I was very young."
"Yeah? What was he like?" Hitch asked. 
"Cheerful," Pipp said plainly. "He loved spending time with Zipp and me, playing with us, making us laugh and sing songs while mom was doing her duties. He married into the royal family, too, you see."
"How about that," Hitch said. "I wonder what he would have thought of me."
"I'm sure he would've liked you…eventually," Pipp said. "He'd have to get to know you before he'd think you're safe to stay married to before we could try to make this work."
"That's fair," Hitch said. "Anyway, the pasta's almost done, so make yourself comfortable on the sofa, and I'll bring it here."
"You don't eat in the dining room?" Pipp asked with her head tilted in confusion. 
"Well, I normally eat breakfast there, but I prefer watching TV while I eat, especially since my favorite detective show, Davy Bluecoat: Private Eye, is almost on," Hitch said ecstatically. "Have you done it before?"
"No way. We always eat at the dining table, and Mom often doesn't want me on my phone when we eat together," Pipp said. 
"That's what I thought," Hitch said. "In that case, sit back and enjoy how non-royals spend their evening."
Pipp raised her eyebrow, intrigued by how Hitch advertised his plan for the evening. She decided to play along, sitting on the sofa while Hitch went back to the kitchen. As she patiently sat on her plot, she hummed one of her songs to pass the time until she noticed Hitch's TV on the opposite side of the wall. Pipp looked at it with a puzzled face, for,  in her eyes, it looked to her like a rectangular brown box with a 24-inch flatscreen inserted through a rectangular hole in the box that fit the screen. Pipp had heard of earth ponies having different-looking TVs before becoming friends with the pegasi, but she had no idea what they looked like. The side of her that loved material things wanted to tell Hitch he needed a new TV, but she decided against it, wanting to be respectful to her host. 
After a few minutes, Hitch returned, holding one plate of pasta on his right hoof and balancing a second one on his head. He carefully placed the one he was holding on the coffee table in front of Pipp before he took the one on his head and placed it next to the first plate. Pipp's ears perked up, and her eyes brightened as she saw the spaghetti covered in marinara sauce with mushrooms, onions, asparagus, and lots of Parmesan cheese. Hitch went back to the kitchen for a moment to bring silverware and a loaf of garlic bread wrapped in tin foil and placed them beside the plates. Pipp could feel her mouth watering as she stared at her plate. 
"Like what you see?" Hitch asked. 
"This looks scrumptious. I didn't think anyone would put asparagus in spaghetti sauce," Pipp said. 
"It's an old family recipe," Hitch said before glancing at the clock hanging on the wall. "Anyway, dig in. The show is about to start."
As soon as Hitch said, "Dig in," Pipp took her plate and fork, rolled up a bit of pasta with her fork, and put it in her mouth. Hitch smiled as he watched Pipp instantly enjoy his cooking and made a mental note to boast about it to Sunny. He turned on the TV just as the intro sequence of the title show played. Pipp momentarily looked away from her spaghetti to notice Hitch grinning like a colt excited to watch his Saturday morning cartoons as he ate his dinner. Pipp thought Hitch's demeanor rather strange for a grown stallion but decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, concluding that the TV series might just be that good. 
After the show's intro played, Davy Bluecoat appeared in his office, leaning on his chair, resting his back hooves on his desk, and flipping a coin. A mare with an unnatural slim figure wearing a glittery red dress entered the office and told Davy that her grandmother's diamonds were missing. Davy began searching all over the city, looking for clues while encountering ponies trying to dispose of him or trying to get to the diamonds before he and the mare could. In the end, the mare tried to betray him after finding the diamonds and discovering that she lied about them belonging to her grandmother. Still, Davy outwitted her, so she and his other enemies were sent to jail, and the diamonds were returned to their rightful owner. When the episode ended, Hitch leaned against the couch and sighed in contentment. 
"Boy, that was a great episode," he chirped. "That has to be one of the best mysteries on the show yet."
"Um, are you sure? Cuz if I'm being honest, that didn't look like that wasn't much of a mystery," Pipp said 
"What? You're pulling my leg trying to sound impressive," Hitch said.
"The way the mare was looking at him while they were trying to solve the mystery together, it looked super obvious that she wasn't being honest with Davy Bluecoat," Pipp said. "Here, just rewind it, and I'll show you."
"Your Highness, it's a live broadcast. You can't rewind a show," Hitch said. "This isn't one of those streaming services. You are completely at the mercy of what shows or movies they have scheduled to air?"
"What? For real?" Pipp asked, flabbergasted. "How can you be okay with not being able to rewind, fast forward, or pause?"
"I just am," Hitch said, shrugging. "It's not that bad. It can be fun switching channels and seeing what's on. In fact, why don't you give it a try?"
"Excuse me?" Pipp asked. 
"You heard me," Hitch said as he held the remote to Pipp. "Just keep switching channels until you find something that interests you. Whatever it is, we'll watch."
Pipp looked at Hitch as though he were a crazy pony. After a moment of hesitating, she took the remote and began flipping channels. The first channel Pipp flipped to was a history channel, which immediately disinterested her. The next one played a reality show about selling antiques. The channel after that played an animal documentary, and the one after that played a cooking show. The more she switched channels, the closer she got to giving up and rebuking Hitch for his lifestyle in terms of media. 
Luckily, just when Pipp was about to give up, she switched to the horror channel. Her face lit up, and her wings perked up as she let out an excited gasp with her hooves on her cheeks. Hitch looked at it with unease and his ears hung low as spooky music came from the TV speakers. 
"Um, why did you stop here?" he asked with a twitch of fear. 
"Because I love spooky stories," Pipp chirped. "They're so fun and thrilling."
Hitch chuckled nervously as he looked back at the TV to see it announcing it was about to start a movie called Them. 
"A-a-are you sure you want to watch something like this?" He whimpered. "It looks like they're about to play a film from before earth ponies became friends with unicorn and pegasi again. Horror films back then usually had to do with unicorns or pegasus as the monsters in some form or another."
"Oooo. Really? That sounds even more exciting," Pipp said. "I'd like to see what an earth pony's idea of spookiness they had back then."
Hitch whimpered again and said, "Are you sure? It might come as a little offensive -" 
"Hitch, you said we can watch whatever I choose from switching the channels, and I say we're going to watch this," Pipp said. 
Hitch gulped and forced a grin, reluctantly complying. A minute later, the film began, and Pipp squealed in delight. The film started with an earth pony couple walking down the street at night. They were smiling and holding hooves, with the mare resting her head against her husband's head. Suddenly, they were approached by a black cloud floating a few feet above the ground with the head of a unicorn with no mouth and glowing grayish-yellow eyes. The couple gasped an alarm, and their fears grew as two more black cloud beings appeared beside them. 
The couple tried to run, but the leading cloud figure flipped its head, and a flash of light came from its unicorn horn. With a bang, the stallion broke into cubes and half spiral pieces as though he were made of building blocks. His wife screamed and ran as fast as she could, but not long before she took a wrong turn and found herself in a dead end with the cloud figures behind her. With another flash and a bang, the mare burst into thin, long pieces, making her remains look like a pile of yellow, violet, and rose-red string. 
Hitch and Pipp screamed, but Pipp enjoyed the fright. Hitch's gamboge face turned into a lighter shade of yellow, and he grabbed a blanket that was folded on top of the sofa and wrapped it around his body. He wanted to cover his face, but he forced himself to keep watching in a useless attempt to appear tough in front of Pipp. He covered his mouth with the blanket to cover his screams as the unicorn-headed figures continued to attack Earth ponies throughout the film. 
Each death was more disturbing than the last. From one pony's head being sucked out of its body to another pony vaporized from the inside, to one of the figures creating a set of pegasi wings on an earth pony's back that flapped on their own, sending him floating all the way to space. It took all of Hitch's willpower not to go back on his word by grabbing the remote and switching channels. 
Suddenly, halfway through the movie, he felt something wrapped around him. He squealed at first, afraid it was one of the creatures from the movie. Then he slowly turned his head, and his eyes widened, and his cheeks heated up to find Pipp sitting close to him with her front legs wrapped around him. She looked up and gave him a comforting smile that warmed his heart. Pipp then wrapped one end of Hitch's blanket around herself to move closer to Hitch, her cheeks heating up as she rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her legs around Hitch. 
Hitch wanted to ask Pipp what she was doing and why, but the words didn't come out of his mouth. He knew she wanted to comfort him, knowing that he was afraid. If Hitch were watching a spooky movie with Sunny or Izzy, they would tease him for being so scared, and yet here was this mare who knew that he was afraid but didn't mind. It was as if Pipp silently told Hitch it was okay to be spooked and that she was there for him. 
After a minute of processing would have happened, Hitch smiled and scooted closer to Pipp as they went back to the movie. He still jumped at every scare, but with Pipp at his side, getting scared didn't feel that bad.




*****************************************************************************

The next thing Hitch knew, there was a distant ringing. He opened his eyes to find sunlight shining through the windows, and the TV was still on, playing a different movie on the horror channel, and the dishes were still on the coffee table. He looked at the clock hanging on the wall to discover it was 7 o'clock, and it hit him that the ringing was his alarm clock going off upstairs in his bedroom. Just as he was about to get off the couch, a pink hoof waved before him and bopped him in the nose. The hoof began bopping his nose repeatedly as he heard somepony mutter in their sleep. 
"Come on, Bestie. Just five more minutes."
Hitch turned his head to find Pipp asleep, resting her head on his shoulder. His pupils shrunk to the size of grains of sand as he felt Pipp holding him tight as though she was sleeping with a large teddy bear. A part of Hitch wanted to stay wrapped around his blanket with Pipp, but he knew he couldn't fall asleep again with his alarm clock going off even if he didn't have work. He mentally sighed and lightly nudged Pipp with his leg. 
"Your Highness. Your Highness, wake up," he whispered. 
Pipp whimpered and robotically let go of Hitch. She yawned and stretched with her front legs in the air before turning to Hitch with a drowsy smile. 
"Hey," she said. "What's that noise coming from?"
"It's my alarm clock upstairs. It's time for me to get ready for work," Hitch said.
Pipp gave Hitch a confused look with her eyes half open, for in her mind, it was still night time, and they were still watching the movie. She looked past Hitch to see the time on the clock, and her eyes widened. She turned to Hitch and her cheeks grew warm as she looked away from Hitch with an awkward smile. 
"Whoops," she said with a bashful giggle. "Guess we didn't finish the movie."
"Guess not," Hitch agreed with a chuckle. "Gotta say, I never thought I'd fall asleep watching a spooky movie before."
"Me neither," Pipp said before she looked away, rubbing her hoof. "I also didn't think that's how we were going to fall asleep together for the first time."
Hitch covered his face with the blanket as his cheeks heated up more. He had initially planned to surrender his bed to Pipp while he slept on the couch, thinking going to sleep together was something to hold off until he and Pipp decided to live together if the relationship went that far. From the corner of Hitch's eye, however, he could see Pipp's cheeks were still a deeper shade of pink as she continued to look away from him. Hitch tilted his head in confusion, finding it odd that the beautiful princess was timid around him. 
Suddenly, there was a knock on the front door. Hitch took off the blanket, got off the couch, and headed to the door. He opened the door to find an impatient Zipp glaring at him with her dark blue eyes. Zoom and Thunder stood behind Zipp, giving Hitch stern looks.
"Where is she?" Zipp growled. 
"Um, in the living room," Hitch said with a twitch of unease. 
Zipp pushed Hitch aside and let herself in as soon as Hitch finished his sentence, with Zoom and Thunder following. They entered the living room just as Pipp got off the couch, and she grunted in irritation. 
"Zipp, what are you doing? You can't just barge into somepony's home," Pipp rebuked. 
"I'm pretty sure I can when Mom tells us to head home, and you're not answering your phone," Zipp countered as Hitch returned to the living room. 
Pipp looked at her sister, confused, and took out her phone. She pressed the power button, but the screen remained blank. Her eyes widened, and she let out a long, dramatic gasp as she realized her phone was out of battery. 
"Bestie! Bestie, no!" Pipp squealed as though she were holding a live creature that died.  
"Seriously? How could you forget to charge your phone? You never do that," Zipp said. 
"I didn't get a chance to. We were having dinner and watching a movie, and then we… kind of dozed off on the couch," Pipp said 
Zipp raised an eyebrow until she noticed the blanket on the couch, the dirty dishes and empty smoothie cups on the table, and the TV still on. She sighed, and Zoom and Thunder eased up before the oldest princess turned to Hitch.
"Sorry, Sheriff. I kinda freaked out from instantly getting Pipp's voicemail," Zipp said. 
"It's all right. I get it. You're still skeptical about me, and it was your sister and my first night together," Hitch said. "That being said, I must inform you that it is against the law to come into somepony's house without permission, and you have no jurisdiction in Maretime Bay."
"That's fair," Zipp said. "Anyways, we better get going pronto." 
"But, what about Bestie?" Pipp whined. "Can't I charge her before we go? And what about breakfast?"
"We grabbed some bagels and coffee for the trip, and you know there's no reception outside of town," Zipp said. "You can charge your phone when we get home."
Pipp pouted, but Zipp gave her an unfazed look. Hitch frowned, wishing Pipp didn't have to go already, then smiled as he walked over to Pipp. 
"How about I walk you to the end of the borders of Maritime Bay?" he asked. 
Pipp's ears perked up, and she gasped with a grin. 
"Yes, please," she said. 
Hitch smiled back, and together he, Pipp, Zipp, Zoom, and Thunder exited the house and began walking down the path to the outskirts of Maritime Bay. Pipp trotted close to Hitch again and glanced at him as they walked. Hitch noticed Pipp giving him another kittenish look and immediately turned his head away. Pipp covered her mouth to hide a giggle, then nuzzled her head against Hitch's. Hitch felt goosebumps all over his body, and he almost tripped on his front hoof, taken aback by the sudden moment of affection. He grinned sheepishly while avoiding eye contact with Pipp, which amused her more. 
"He's like a little bunny," Pipp thought. "No, he's like a shy puppy too bashful to be petted. It's so adorable."
Pipp covered her mouth to hide another giggle, feeling like a school filly fawning over the colt she liked. After about 10 minutes, Hitch, Pipp, Zipp, Zoom, and Thunder were at the blue sign that said, "Now leaving Maritime Bay" out in the field. Pipp pouted again, wishing Hitch could stick around a little longer, then put on another cheerful face as everypony stopped, and she turned to Hitch. 
"Well, I don't know about you, but I had fun on our first get-together," Pipp said. "We should see if we can rent that movie sometime to finish it." 
Hitch squirmed before forming a grin so Pipp wouldn't notice. 
"Y-yes. We should do that," he said. "Also, thank you again for getting through Sprout's thick skull. It may be too optimistic to say, but we made real progress with him. 
"My pleasure," Pipp said. "Anyway, I'll text you as soon as we get home, then we can talk about you coming for a visit."
"Looking forward to it. Safe travels," Hitch said. 
"Catch ya later, Sheriff," Zipp said. 
Zoom and Thunder saluted before they and Zipp turned around and began their long trek back to Zephyr Heights. Pipp took a few steps following them, then stopped momentarily and checked to make sure her sister wasn't looking back. Hitch tilted his head until Pipp turned around, rushed over to him, and firmly kissed his cheek. Hitch stood paralyzed with half of his face beet red as Pipp giggled again, then rushed over to catch up with Zipp and the guards. 
Hitch stared at nothing for a few minutes when Pipp, Zipp, Zoom, and Thunder were already half a mile away. When he came to, he waved at Pipp with a goofy smile even though she was too far away. When the pegasi were out of sight, Hitch began walking back to Maritime Bay. He put his hoof on the cheek Pipp kissed and wished she could have stayed longer. Going back to work and filing paperwork was starting to feel less attractive without Pipp there. 
"It's going to be a long few days before I can hear from her again," Hitch said to himself with a sad sigh.
> Chapter 12
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sprout saw Hitch in high spirits since Pipp's visit to Maritime Bay. He was used to seeing Hitch in a chipper mood, always happy to serve the ponies of Maretime Bay as the sheriff, but the stallion that Sprout had known since they were colts was particularly giddy. 
Sprout was reluctant to admit that he understood to a degree. Pipp was surprisingly nice to Sprout even when he thought she would harm him. How she smiled at him once he began to see a reason was etched on his mind. Since she visited, Sprout pondered how his fears against the pegasi were silly, as though he only now accepted as a grown stallion that there were no monsters in his closet or under his bed. If nothing else, Phyllis was pleased that the seeds had been planted in Sprout's mind. 
A few weeks passed since Pipp's trip, and Sprout was on his way to work. Walking down the main streets from Phyllis's house, he noticed ponies walking by with bright smiles. Some even greeted him, “Good morning,” as though they were long-time friends with Sprout. Indeed, Maretime Bay had become a more cheerful and friendly place ever since the sheriff's wife visited, even if she was only in town for less than 24 hours. Sprout was uneasy with the upbeat manner unusual for the ponies of Maretime Bay, particularly the unicorns and the pegasi, who knew he was still prejudiced against them. Still, it was nice to see the citizens so happy, especially if it meant getting positive attention from the citizens as the deputy for a change. 
Sprout arrived at the sheriff's station, carrying a bag of donuts and a bottle of chocolate milk with one hoof. The critters were sleeping on the sign, expected to wake up when Hitch arrived as per routine. Sprout went inside the station and went to his desk to eat his breakfast. 
At 7 o'clock sharp, Hitch came in through the front doors, but, to Sprout's confusion, he didn't give the station a good morning like he regularly did. He was followed by the critters walking behind him in a straight line and then by Zoom and Thunder with military duffle bags on their backs. Sprout's ears hang low at the sight of the royal guards, worried that something serious was happening. 
"Sprout, allow me to introduce you to Zoom Zephyrwing and Thunder Flap," Hitch said. "They're the ones that are going to hold the fort while I'm in Zephyr Heights."
"What? You're leaving for Zephyr Heights? When did you decide this all of the sudden?" Sprout asked. 
Hitch furrowed his brow and said, "Sprout, I told you I was going a week in advance. I put it on the calendar."
Sprout looked past Hitch to see on the calendar past him to see on the calendar hanging next to the front doors that Hitch indeed wrote that he would be leaving for Zephyr Heights on Friday the 8th. Sprout chuckled sheepishly, and Hitch rolled his eyes and shook his head. 
"You gotta be kidding me," Hitch said under his breath before he spoke up. "Alright then, let me repeat what I told you. I'm going to be spending a week at Zephyr Heights Castle. Including traveling time, I'll be gone for about 11 days. While I'm gone, Zoom is in charge as acting Sheriff, and you and Thunder will serve as her deputies. I expect you to treat Zoom with the respect you give me. Is that understood?"
"Yes, sir," Sprout huffed.
"Good," Hitch said before taking out his set of keys and turned to Zoom. "Here are the keys to the station and my house. Make yourselves at home while I'm away. I'm trusting you have memorized Maretime Bay law and will look after my town to the letter. If there's any sort of trouble that requires you to contact me, don't hesitate to send a message."
"Sheriff Trailblazer, we will protect your town as though it were Zephyr Heights Castle. You have our word," Zoom said as she and Thunder saluted. 
"Okay, okay, at ease. No need for that," Hitch said with a chuckle before turning to Sprout. "See you in a week and a half, Sprout,"
"Yeah, yeah. See ya," Sprout said halfheartedly.
Hitch frowned and shook his head again, mentally praying Sprout wouldn't cause too much trouble for Queen Haven's guards as he exited the station. The seagulls and the crab chased him, planning to follow him to the end of the town's borders before bidding him goodbye. Zoom took her duffle bag off her back and began scanning the station to be familiar with its interior. Sprout scoffed as he watched Zoom while eating a donut, knowing there was not much for the pegasus to look at. After inspecting, Zoom hummed and nodded before turning to Thunder. 
"Thunder, take our bags to the sheriff's house, then begin the morning rounds," Zoom commanded.
"Morning rounds?" Thunder asked. 
"Yes, the morning rounds. We've gone over the sheriff's schedule a hundred times," Zoom said. "How can we be studying his schedule, going over the rules, and studying a map of this town the entire trip, and yet you can't remember the first thing we're supposed to do in the sheriff's place?"
Thunder paused before shrugging with a sheepish grin. Zoom huffed, and face hoofed like she was getting a headache. Sprout smirked while eating his donut, amused with what was happening between the two pegasi.
"Just drop off our bags and patrol the streets," Zoom said.
"Yes, ma'am," Thunder said, still grinning in embarrassment. 
Thunder put Zoom's bag on top of his bag, and the bags wobbled as he struggled to balance them on his back. He pushed the door open with his plot, and Sprout let out a low chuckle as the private exited the station. Sprout then reached into his bag and took out a jelly-filled long john. He licked his lips and opened his mouth to take a bite before noticing Zoom standing in front of his desk, looking daggers at him. 
"What?" Sprout asked rudely.
"Get to work," Zoom said.
Sprout scoffed and said, "Yeah, yeah. I'll get to it after breakfast."
He opened his mouth again, but before his teeth could pierce the donut, Zoom snatched it from his hoof and put it back in the bag. Before Sprout could react, Zoom tossed his bag of donuts and chocolate milk into the air, landing on the highest shelf of binders.
"Hey, I wasn't done," Sprout protested. 
"You can finish your fattening breakfast when you're not on the clock," Zoom said. 
"That's not fair! Hitch lets me finish my breakfast before getting to work!" Sprout whined. 
"Well, I'm not the sheriff. As far as I'm concerned, you're on the clock, so you have to get to work, no ifs and or butts. Now, start working on your reports, Deputy Depooty."
"Just because Hitch put you in charge doesn't mean you can boss me around like I'm in the royal guard with you and your buddy," Sprout said. "And for your information, my name is not Depooty. It's Sprout. Sprout Cloverleaf."
Zoom's commanding expression faded into a look of puzzlement. 
"It's not?" she asked. "Then, why is that the name on your name plaque?"
Sprout looked at her, equally confused, until Zoom pointed at his name plaque made of paper. It took him a moment to realize the confusion before he cackled, confident that he had the upper hand. 
"That's my deputy name plaque," he said triumphantly. 
But instead of Zoom feeling embarrassed, Sprout's answer was met with a snort. Zoom looked between Sprout and his name plaque, covering her mouth as she began snickering. 
"You're joking. Come on, you have to be joking. You're trying to mess with me on my first day running this town," Zoom said. 
"What are you blind? That obviously spells deputy. Look at it closely. De-pu-ty," Sprout said, using his hoof to point at the letters on his name plaque by syllable.
His efforts only made Zoom snicker more. His ears hung low as he became unsure whether to feel embarrassed. The snicker became a low giggle as Sprout's incapacity to spell 'deputy' hit Zoom more. 
"That's not how you spell deputy, doofus," Zoom chortled. "How in Equestria has your supervisor not told you Deputy is spelled with a u and not two o's? I mean, if this is how it is just spelling your rank, your reports must be -" 
Zoom stopped in mid-sentence, and her eyes widened as it hit her. She glanced at the five-page report lying on Sprout's desk, and the left edge of her mouth curled up. Sprout glanced between Zoom and the report, and his eyes widened, realizing what was on the mare's mind. With Hitch fixing Sprout's reports without telling him, the lazy deputy thought there was nothing wrong with any of his writing, and yet the way Zoon looked at his paperwork gave him a twitch of fear. Sprout grabbed the paper from his desk, but he only had a moment of relief before Zoom snatched it from his hoof. 
"Hey, give that back!" Sprout shouted. 
He got off his chair and ran over to get the report back, but Zoom forced him back with her right front leg while reading the report with her left hoof. Sprout tried to push Zoom's hoof away, but he was no match for the strength of a royal guard. Finally, Zoom began cackling, and Sprout's face fell. Zoom's cackle turned into uncontrollable laughter as she fell to the floor on her side. Tears ran down her face, and she slammed her hoof on the floor. 
"Stop laughing! You're just teasing me for the sake of teasing me," Sprouts whined, feeling as though he were a school colt being bullied. 
"Buddy, I have enough material to laugh at you straight at your face, and it's entirely your fault," Zoom giggled. "You don't know when to use ‘then’ or ‘than,’ you go back and forth between writing in past, present, and future tense. Granted, how to spell ‘axe’ and ‘gray’ depends on who you ask, but you hardly know when to use commas, for crying out loud. Honestly, 'Depooty,' if I didn't know any better, I'd say you are an elementary school dropout. Optimistically, you gave up during the 3rd grade."
Sprout looked at Zoom, shocked that she talked to him that way. All his life, Sprout thought himself somepony with very few flaws to speak of, if any. Whatever issues ponies like Hitch and Phyllis ever had with him, they either sugar-coated it or didn't say anything at all, making Sprout believe that there was nothing to worry about. And yet, here was this mare, a pegasus at that, who ripped the Band-Aid off and poured salt to the wound regarding Sprout's inability to write correctly, laughing all the way. Sprouts clenched his teeth as Zoom laughed until her face was a deeper shade of blue. 
"S-so what? It's not like my writing is so bad that Hitch can't understand what I'm saying," Sprout said. "Besides, I can do other stuff."
"Like what?" Zoom asked, standing up with an amused smirk. 
"Well … I'm great at going undercover," Sprout boasted. "Sunny used to try to sneak her way into my mom's factory back when she was holding special events for devices to use against unicorns and pegasi, and Hitch left me in charge to keep an eye on her so she wouldn't get in."
"I see. And has the sheriff had any need for your so-called great capability in going undercover since all three ponykinds became friends?" Zoom asked. 
"Er, well, no," Sprout admitted. "But I also watch out for anyone dropping litter." 
"And do you know where in the law it says that ponies can't do that?" Zoom challenged. 
"What does that matter? It's a rule that gets broken a lot, and ponies should know better, especially when we have plenty of public trash bins," Sprout said. 
"Granted, but you are still an enforcer of the law, and you should have memorized the law of your town before the sheriff hired you," Zoom said. 
"How would you know? You're not a real officer of the law. You were hired to protect your queen and pretty princesses," Sprout said. 
"It is standard procedure that royal guards know the ins and outs of our duties and the full extent of Zephyr Heights law. That is precisely why Queen Haven assigned me to look after this town whenever the sheriff is visiting Princess Pipp," Zoom said. "Frankly, I am astonished by your lack of capacity to even know that. I would expect Thunder’s lack of conviction in reading the law of Maretime Bay but for the sheriff's only fellow officer? That is unacceptable."
"Oh, mind your own business, lady. You're just a substitute. You don't get to decide how things are done with Hitch gone. You don't even live here," Sprout said. 
"He also made me acting sheriff and commanded you to give me the same respect you give him," Zoom countered. "As such, I'm making it my solemn duty to discipline you to be an adequate force of this town's law. From now on, whenever the sheriff is gone, eating, sleeping, or anything else you do in your spare time are privileges." 
"But that's not fair," Sprout protested. 
"Deputy, you were eating on the job and arguing with your superior on top of lacking qualities regarding law enforcement, a first-year Zephyr Heights royal guard trainee would know. I'd say disciplinary action is more than fair," Zoom said. "And furthermore, the sheriff specifically instructed me to keep an eye on you. So, as long as I am here to run this town in his absence, you are not getting paid to sit down and barely do the bare minimum of your job whenever you feel like it. I suggest we start with this so-called report. We are going to thoroughly analyze each and every sentence, and I'm going to lecture you on every mistake you make."
Sprout gave Zoom a grumpy pout like a 4-year-old colt told he couldn't have apple juice and cookies before dinner. He had half a mind to grab the landline phone on Hitch's desk and call him to try to get hitched to make Zoom stop bullying him. But Sprout figured Zoom would stop him before he got close, and he never thought to ask Hitch for his cell phone number. Zoom raised her eyebrow and spread her wings, growing impatient with the stubborn stallion. Finally, Sprout scoffed, rolled his eyes, and stormed back to his desk as though he were told to go to his room. 
"Fine," he growled. 
Zoom smugly watched Sprout sit back down, pleased with him falling to submission. She grabbed Hitch's chair from his desk and brought it over to sit beside Sprout’s, almost touching Sprout's side. Sprout tried to wheel away, but Zoom used her right back leg to hold one of the legs of Sprout's chair down. Sprout glared at the pegasus, who kept smirking as she grabbed a red pen. 
"Oh, quit giving me that look, 'Depooty.' If you are a good boy while we make it through the first page, I might give you your donut back," Zoom said. "Now then, let's work on the first sentence starting with going over why ‘morning’ is not spelled with two o's, and an e before the i."
Sprout groaned while reclining his chair and staring at the ceiling. It was going to be a long, frustrating day.
> Chapter 13
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thunder's morning started off uncomfortable as he carried two heavy duffle bags on his back. He and Zoom had only been running Maritime Bay for less than ten minutes, and already Zoom had found a reason to rebuke Thunder for his incompetence. He hoped to grab a smoothie from Sunny and a muffin from another stand on the way to Hitch's house, but neither place was open for another hour. There were fewer ponies on Main Street than when Zoom and Thunder came in to meet Hitch in front of the sheriff's station because many followed Hitch to the end of the borders of Maretime Bay to wish him luck on his first trip visiting Pipp, thus making him feel alone in the seaside town.
If all that wasn't enough, Thunder did not remember how to get to Hitch's house.
Thunder himself couldn't believe he was that absent-minded. He had been to Hitch's house when he, Zipp, and Zoom came there to pick up Pipp during their previous trip, but it didn't occur to him that he might need to go there again by himself. One would think that he and Zoom would go over where precisely Hitch lives during their 2-day journey to Maretime Bay, but it had never crossed poor Thunder's mind until this point. He dared not ask Zoom for directions for fear of being further rebuked, so he was stuck in the middle of Main Street with two duffle bags on his back. 
"Aw, pony feathers," Thunder said to himself. 
He looked around the area, thinking of which way to go, but his only options were to go east toward the lighthouse, north to a narrow street that went uphill, or back west, where he'd be passing the sheriff's station. He thought of going to the lighthouse and asking Sunny and Izzy for help, but he decided against it, thinking he should try to figure it out alone. Finally, Thunder decided to take the narrow street, thinking he could look for Hitch's house and technically be on patrol by wandering around town. 
So, Thunder took a second to force the pain of carrying the duffle bags into the back of his mind and began going uphill on the narrow street. He scanned the houses as he walked by, but none looked familiar. Eventually, Thunder got to the top of the hill, where he could only take a left turn, leading him downhill till he was close to the Canterlogic Factory. Thunder grew uneasy as he realized he could only go in two directions. Either go right in the direction of the factory or go left and risk passing the sheriff's station. He decided to risk it and return to the fountain where he started. If Zoom spotted Thunder, he would say that he decided to do his rounds before going to Hitch's house and keep the duffel bags on his back to exercise while at it. Zoom would never buy any of that, but that never stopped Thunder from fibbing before.
As Thunder walked through the plaza, he saw ponies opening their stores and food stands. Some noticed him passing by as they set up and gave him friendly greetings. Thunder smiled and nodded to hide his struggle with the duffle bags. While greeting the citizens of Maretime Bay, he did not notice Periwinkle Pi walking toward him in the opposite direction, holding folders and papers with one hoof and greeting her fellow citizens. With their heads turned away, Thunder and Periwinkle collided, and Periwinkle dropped her folders and papers, spreading them across the ground. Thunder tried to keep the duffel bags balanced before they fell off his back and landed on the street, one landing on his left side and the other on his right. 
Thunder and Periwinkle looked down at their possessions, then looked up, and their eyes widened, instantly recognizing each other. They stared at each other for a moment before they looked away, with Thunder rubbing the back of his neck and Periwinkle rubbing her front hoof. After an awkward silence, Thunder knelt down and gathered Periwrinkle's papers. Periwinkle smiled before kneeling down to help him. Their hooves touched as they reached out to a paper simultaneously and looked at each other again before turning away bashfully, with Periwinkle taking the paper. With the papers and folders gathered, they stood back up, and Thunder gave Periwrinkle the papers he gathered. 
"You, ugh, hi - er, I mean, begging your pardon, madam," Thunder stuttered. 
"It's okay, really," Periwinkle said. "Here, let me help you with your bags." 
Thunder smiled as Periwinkle put down her folders and papers and picked up the duffle bag on Thunder's right. Thunder put a duffle bag on his back, and Periwinkle stood on her back legs to put the other bag on the first. Thunder struggled for a few seconds until the duffel bag stopped wobbling, and then he stood up straight with his head up high, trying to mask the pain in his back. Periwinkle covered her mouth to hide a giggle before she began playing with her hair. 
"You… you're very strong," she said timidly.
"It comes with a job," Thunder said. "It is essential for Queen Haven's royal guards to be pillars of strength and security."
Periwinkle tried not to laugh again from the way Thunder was trying to act tough. 
"I bet it is," she said. "On that note, what is a strong royal guard like yourself doing in our humble town? Are you one of the guards watching over the town while Hitch is in Zephyr Heights?"
"That is correct," Thunder said. "I am heading to Sheriff Trailblazer's house to drop off my and my comrade's duffle bags before beginning my rounds.
Periwinkle looked at Thunder in confusion and turned her head back, realizing that Thunder was walking back toward the sheriff's station. 
"Then why are you heading back this way when Hitch's house is on the other side of town?" she asked. 
Thunder froze in place with his eyes widened, realizing he had been caught. He chuckled sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck again. 
"Er, well, I wanted to explore your fine town a little bit before dropping off the bags," he said. "Walking around in heavy bags is good exercise anyway." 
Periwinkle tilted her head with a befuddled look. Thunder put on a fake grin to try to look convincing, but while Periwinkle wasn't glaring at him for lying like Zoom would, it was clear that what he said didn't make sense. After a few seconds, Thunder sighed and lowered his head in defeat. 
"Okay, I'm lost," he said. "I've gone in a complete circle with no idea where exactly his house is."
"Oh, is that it?" Periwinkle asked, giggling again. "Well, I can show you where it is if you like."
"Really? You sure you won't be late for wherever you're going?" Thunder asked. 
"Oh, it's nothing to worry about. I always come to the school very early, so I've got plenty of time before class starts," Periwinkle said. 
"Oh, well then, by all means, lead away, madam," Thunder said.
With a smile and a nod, Periwinkle began leading Thunder back to Main Street toward the lighthouse. Thunder mentally kicked himself in the head, realizing that if he walked further west, he might have found Hitch's house, yet he was glad that he didn't since his little detour led him to see Periwinkle again. He glanced at Periwinkle, who was looking down as she walked with a timid smile. Thunder's cheeks turned into a subtle shade of pink, and he dared to wonder if the mare liked that she was walking with him, too. Goodness knows mares had never been known to be interested in him, so it was hard to believe a cute mare like Periwrinkle might like his company. 
"Soooooooo, um, when you say you're heading to school, does that mean you go to school like a college or something?" Thunder asked. 
"No, I'm a teacher," Periwinkle said. "I teach at the schoolhouse with my friends Mayflower and Peach Melba."
"Wow, I didn't think Maretime Bay would need that many teachers in a schoolhouse for such a small town," Thunder said. 
"Well, it's not so big that three teachers are required, I grant you, but you could say it's become necessary that schools have one teacher from each race,” Periwrinkle explained. “Mayflower, an earth pony, has been running the school for years, but a lot of her teaching outside of reading, writing, and arithmetic has proven out of date since all three ponykinds have been united. So, on top of sharing the other subjects, Peach, a pegasus, and I are teaching foals about unicorn and pegasi culture. Some unicorns and pegasi students find it silly that they are being taught what they already know, but it's still important to ensure the next generation of ponies knows everything about all three races. Sunny has also shown us her father's research on Ancient Equestria so we can teach our students about earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi back when there was magic.”
"Really? Is there anything you find particularly interesting from back then?" Thunder asked.  
"Oh, tons," Periwinkle chirped. "When there was magic, some unicorns could use it for all sorts of things beyond simply making things float with their horns. There were magical artifacts that Sunny believes date further back than Ancient Equestria. One artifact could wipe out memories, another one was a crystal heart that could protect an entire empire from dark magic, and my favorite is a magical device that, with certain special keys, could create a castle made of crystal."
"A.. castle made of crystal?" Thunder asked, befuddled. "That sounds more like something out of a movie than something that happened many moons ago."
"You wouldn't be the first pony to be skeptical about that. Believe me," Periwinkle said. "I wish I could see that kind of magic for myself, though. That kind of magic sounds like something from a Harry Trotter movie."
Thunder's eyes widened, and he stepped before Periwinkle, making her stop. 
"You watch the Harry Trotter movies?" He asked.
"Oh, uh, yes. Yes, I do," Periwinkle said, brushing her mane. "I have developed a habit of collecting Harry Trotter merchandise like mugs, phone cases, and action figures, never taken out of the packaging. Silly, isn’t it?”
“You kidding? I like to collect sneakers, and one pair I have has Harry’s sword,” Thunder said.
Periwinkle’s eyes widened, and she gasped as though Thunder said he owned the sword from the movie itself. 
“Get out!” she shouted. “Where in Equestria did you find them? How do you know they even exist?”
“Oh, I just happened to find them in my monthly sneakers catalog,” Thunder said. “I also found boots with the magic wings Harry used to fight Voldimare’s pegasi.”
“That is so cool!” Periwinkle exclaimed before her face fell to a look of unease. “But does it bother you that pegasi are depicted that way?”
“Honestly, I find Harry Trotter funny because they make pegasi like vultures, not knowing we can't fly,” Thunder said. “I mean, imagine Harry Trotter flying toward his enemies with his flying boots only to learn that he’s the only pony in the fight that can fly.”
“Oh, my goodness, that would be hysterical,” Periwinkle giggled. “How about if the filmmakers found out how unicorns are superstitious? Voldimare would be casting the vaporizing spell on one of his pegasi minions for betraying him and then realize she’s using magic against a pony with wings made of feathers. Magic, wing, and feather. Four of the words that unicorns perceived as bad words that jinx poines.”
“Oh, yeah. What’s the fourth word again?” Thunder asked.
“Mayonnaise. Don’t ask why,” Periwinkle said. 
Thunder tilted his head and opened his mouth to ask what was wrong with the word mayonnaise until he decided to drop it to respect Periwinkle's wishes. 
"Alright then, what if they found out about the 'bad words' and used all four of them in one scene?" Thunder asked. "Like, Voldimare is about to cast the vaporizing curse on one of his pegasi minions only to realize that she is using magic and at a pony with wings made of feathers like you said, and then suddenly a giant jar of mayonnaise falls on top of her?" 
Periwinkle stared at Thunder for a second before she covered her mouth to cover a snort. She then burst out laughing, trying not to drop her books and papers. Thunder chuckled, growing more comfortable with how the conversation was going. 
"That would practically break her brain," Periwinkle chortled. "Forget destroying her seven gems of power. Just throw Voldimare in a giant jar of mayonnaise, and she'll be doing the ritual drenched and mayonnaise for all eternity!"
"That's kind of cruel when you say it like that," Thunder said. "How does that ritual go, if you don't mind me asking?" 
Periwinkle chuckled again before putting down her books and papers, then took a few feet away from Thunder. She made a goofy face and stretched her backside as she blew a raspberry, followed by a goofy dance while singing, "Bing Bong." Though it had only been several moons since Periwinkle last did the ritual out of fear of being jinxed, she still felt silly performing it before a stallion in the middle of the road. It was as though she were performing a song or dance that she made up when she was a filly. Thunder burst out laughing, and Periwinkle stopped dancing to give Thunder a hard glare. 
"Hey, come on, I get that it's stupid now, but you don't have to make fun of me," she said. 
"No, no, I'm not laughing at you," Thunder chortled. "I'm just imagining Voldimare trying to cast the vaporizing spell on Harry Trotter, but Harry points out she's using magic, compelling Voldemort to do the ritual. And since Harry is the only one flying because he has his boots, he could snatch Voldimare and drop her into a giant jar of mayonnaise and close the lid."
Periwinkle contemplated what Thunder was saying before she began laughing with him. 
"Oh, my gosh. I can totally see Voldimare cursing Harry Trotter as she begins the ritual again for all eternity," Periwinkle said before speaking in a low voice. "'Harry (bing bong) James (bing) Trotter, (bing bong) you will pay for this (bing bong) atrocity. (Bing bong) I swear it!'"
"And all of his pegasi followers would just stare at their beaten dark lord, trying not to laugh while the unicorns keep using the ritual as if trying to protect their master," Thunder added. 
Periwinkle and Thunder began doing the ritual together, laughing as they went. They went on for about a minute until Periwinkle looked past Thunder to find two earth pony fillies, Peg and Sis, staring at the two adults with their heads tilted. Periwinkle's cheeks flared up, and she nudged Thunder's side. Thunder turned to Periwinkle while still doing the ritual until he looked in the direction she was looking and realized they had company. 
"Ms. Periwinkle, are you okay?" Peg asked. 
"Y-yes, I'm fine," Periwinkle said. "I was just teaching our guest from Zephyr Heights old Bridlewood culture. Isn't that right, sir?"
"Yeah. Yeah, that's it. I'm learning very educational stuff," Thunder said, rubbing his hoof with a sheepish grin. 
Peg and Sis continued to stare at Periwinkle and Thunder, unconvinced. For several seconds, there was awkward silence until Periwinkle cleared her throat. 
"Why don't you girls go on ahead to school? I'll be right there after I take our guest to his destination," she said. 
"Um, sure. See you at school, Ms. Periwinkle," Sis said.
The fillies began walking in the direction of their school, murmuring about wishing they recorded Thunder and Periwinkle and posted the video on Ponygram. Periwinkle and Thunder continued to blush, not looking at each other until Periwinkle picked up her books and papers and silently gestured to Thunder to follow her again. The two grown ponies walked in awkward silence as they made their way to Hitch's house. When they stopped at his front door, Periwinkle cleared her throat while pulling some of her hair back. 
"Well, here it is. Hitch's house," she said 
"Thank you. I'll make sure not to forget again," Thunder said. "Have, uh, have a good day teaching."
"Thanks. You as well with your rounds," Periwinkle said. 
Thunder and Periwinkle paused, trying to think of something else to say before Periwinkle began walking in the direction of the school. Thunder reached out for the front doorknob and then stopped. He was eager to drop the bags and get his morning patrol but didn't want to part ways with Periwinkle on awkward terms. Thunder squirmed, debating with himself until he dropped the bags and ran over to Periwinkle.
"Say, uh, madam," he said.
Periwinkle turned to Thunder and smiled. 
"Oh, you can call me Periwinkle," she said.
"Right, Periwinkle," Thunder said shyly. "Would you be interested in…maybe…"
"Going out to dinner?" Periwinkle finished. 
Thunder's face heated up, and he looked away, embarrassed that Periwinkle was onto him. 
"Y-yeah," he confessed. "And maybe afterward we could…uh…"
"Go dancing?" Periwinkle asked. 
Thunder was thinking of seeing a movie, but the hope in Periwinkle's voice compelled him to play along. 
“Sure, and after that, I was thinking we could -”
“Go out for a stroll on the beach?” Periwinkle asked. 
“Yeah, and maybe we could meet at the Town Square on…”
“Saturday? 7 o'clock?”
 “Yes.”
 “I'd love to.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” 
“Good.”
“Great.”
“Terrific.”
“Wonderful.” 
Thunder and Periwinkle stared at each other, smiling, their hearts racing excitedly. Then Periwinkle realized they were staring for so long and looked away, trying to hide her blush.
"Well, I better be going," Periwinkle said.
"Oh, yeah, sure. Better get my bags inside," Thunder said. "I'll, uh, see you on Saturday.”
“I can’t wait,” Periwinkle said. 
Thunder's face turned beat red as though Periwrinkle had said, “I love you.” Periwinkle’s cheeks turned to a deeper shade of pink as she walked away, feeling somewhat embarrassed by how she expressed her enthusiasm. Thunder watched Periwinkle leave until she was out of his line of sight, then sighed as he looked at the sky with a dopey smile.
“I got a date,” he said. “I got a date, and she can't wait. I got a date, and she can't wait.” 
Thunder opened the door and dropped his and Zoom’s bags on the entrance hall floor before he finally began his morning rounds. As he began making his way back to Main Street, he repeatedly said, “I got a date, and she can't wait,” in a singing voice. For the rest of the day, Thunder carried out his duties carefree.
> Chapter 14
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hitch's journey to Zephyr Heights was calm but lonely. He enjoyed looking at how beautiful the land of Equestria was, which he didn't bother doing on his last trip to Zephyr Heights because his mind was wrapped up in leaving Maretime Bay when going to the city and on having gotten married on the way back. Still, apart from the occasional traveler passing by, Hitch felt lonely to the point that he wished he thought of having somepony traveling with him. At the very least, he wished he could listen to Pipp's music without worrying about his phone running out of battery. 
On Sunday, just before noon, Hitch went up the mountain to Zephyr Heights’ front gates. Hitch took out his phone from his satchel and turned it on to call Pipp, but when he reached the top of the mountain, he stopped to find 12 royal guards blocking the entrance. At the center of the line of guards, a crimson-red mare stepped forward to Hitch, accompanied by two guards beside her carrying trumpets. They stopped a few feet in front of Hitch before all 12 guards saluted. 
"Can I help you?" Hitch asked with an uneasy tone. 
"Sir, I am Lieutenant Aurora. We're here to escort you to the bowling alley," the crimson-red guard said. 
"The bowling alley? But I'm on my way to the castle," Hitch said. 
"Orders from Her Majesty, the queen. She wants to ensure that you get there without any issues," Aurora said. 
Hitch tilted his head, unsure if he heard Aurora correctly. He thought he needed to present himself to Haven in the throne room before she allowed him to spend time with Pipp in her kingdom. The bowling alley was a random choice for Haven and Hitch to talk. 
"Maybe she has to be there for a get-together with important ponies, or perhaps she chose the bowling alley for a heart-to-heart chat while going a few rounds," Hitch thought. 
"Excuse me, sir, but we're pressed for time," Aurora said. "The queen and the princesses are expecting you at the bowling alley right now."
"Oh, uh, right. Let's not keep them waiting then," Hitch said. 
Aurora nodded and turned to her fellow guards. 
"Entourage formation!" she shouted. 
Without skipping a beat, the guards surrounded Hitch in a square formation. Aurora and the two guards with trumpets stood in front of Hitch. Three guards stood behind him, and three guards lined up beside Hitch on opposite sides. Hitch grew uneasy that Haven's guards were taking things so far to escort him to a bowling alley. 
"Forward march!" Aurora shouted. 
The guards began marching through the gates while Hitch walked at a regular pace. When they entered the city, Hitch was in awe of how lively Zephyr Heights was without a royal wedding to celebrate. Scores of ponies were shopping in clothing stores, and jewelry stores, and eating out in fancy restaurants. The jumbotrons advertised products like Amplify, Z-Heights, ZBS, and Zeus. Some of the citizens were former earth pony residents of Maretime Bay. Hitch smiled at the sight of old faces and was amazed at how the earth ponies had quickly adapted to life in the big city. 
When Hitch and the guards had walked for about half a mile, the guards beside Aurora blew their trumpets. Ponies turned toward Hitch and the guards, and their faces lit up at the sight of Hitch.
"Make way for Prince Hitch!" Aurora shouted. "Make way for the prince of Maretime Bay!"
"What? I'm not the prince of Maretime Bay. I'm the sheriff," Hitch said.
But nopony could hear him. Ponies screamed in joy as they rushed over to Hitch and the guards. The guards raised their wings to ensure the citizens were kept at a distance while taking pictures and videos of Hitch. Hitch looked around, taken aback as ponies called out to him. 
"Prince Hitch, over here! Look at my camera!"
"Oh, my hoofness, he's on his way to visit Pipp! I wanna see them kiss!"
"Prince Hitch, look at me! It's Beet Drop, remember? You used to visit my vegetable stand before I moved here?"
"Boy, I'm gonna get so many views on Ponygram."
"Long live Pitch!"
Ponies cheered and began chanting, "Long live Pitch!" The guards continued to play the trumpets, and Aurora kept shouting, "Make way for Prince Hitch," catching the attention of more ponies. Before Hitch knew it, the crowd was so big that it felt as though there was a parade in his honor. Newscast music played from the speakers all over the city, and the jumbotrons cut to the ZBS news anchors, Dazzle Feather and Skye Silver. Skye looked at the camera with a professional smile, but Dazzle struggled to keep her excitement. 
"Good morning, Zephyr Heights. This is Dazzle and Skye with breaking news. Prince Hitch Trailblazer has finally come to visit his wife!” Dazzle squealed. “Everypony is coming together to give our new prince a royal welcome."
"Yes indeed, Dazzle," Skye said. "And it looks like some ponies are taking out banners from their apartments to welcome Hitch."
The jumbotrons cut to an extreme wide shot of the main street, showing Hitch and the guards passing by a 15-story-tall apartment building. An earth pony and unicorn couple stood outside their balcony from the sixth floor holding a rolled-up, 40-foot banner of Hitch and Pipp kissing after being made husband and wife. Below the picture was a heart with black and white outlines, an arrow piercing through it, and the words "Pitch forever" in cursive. 
The couple was soon followed by other residents in the apartment building taking out homemade banners and posters. On the second floor, two pegasus fillies squealed as they held out a 36 by 72 stick figure drawing of Hitch and Pipp with the words "Pitch OTP" made with glitter in Hitch and Pipp's colors. A scrawny unicorn stallion held up a poster with the words "Welcome home," written with Sharpies and markers. Two neighbors held a massive poster, with one holding a side from their respective balcony that said, "Long live Prince Hitch Trailblazer." Hitch was bewildered by the passion and creativity the citizens put into expressing their happiness.
"Turn right!" Aurora shouted. 
The guards turned right at a crosswalk, and the ponies on that side of the crowd backed away to let them and Hitch through. Citizens looked at each other in confusion as they realized the guards weren't taking Hitch to the castle. 
"Hold on. Is it my imagination, or is Hitch diverting from the direction to the castle?" Dazzle asked. 
"It's not your imagination, Dazzle," Skye said. "Perhaps Hitch is taking a detour to see more of his new subjects?"
"Subjects? Nopony is my subject," Hitch said.
The crowd surrounding Hitch and the guards continued to grow as more ponies found out Hitch was in Zephyr Heights either through their phones or from watching ZBS through the jumbotrons. Eventually, Hitch saw a bowling alley at a distance, and his eyes widened to see Haven, Pipp, and Zipp standing before it. Above the front entrance was a sign that said, "Pitch Bowling Alley" in neon lights with a logo containing the Blue Shield in Hitch's cutie mark, Pipp's cutie mark at the center of the shield, and two bowling pins coming out behind the shield diagonally on both sides. There was a red, grand opening ribbon held by two poles in front of the entrance. Standing in front of the ribbon was a tall, muscular, grayish-green pegasus stallion wearing sunglasses and a bowling jacket.
Pipp gave Hitch a cheerful wave while Zipp smirked, and Haven looked at him with a professional smile. The guards stopped in front of the royal family, and Aurora and the guards with trumpets backed away, allowing Hitch to walk toward his wife. Pipp hugged Hitch, leaning her head against his with her eyes closed and a bright smile. The affection melted the hearts of the citizens still recording with their phones. 
"Pipp, what's going on? Why did your mom order the guards to take me here?" Hitch asked. 
"I'll explain later. Right now, smile for the camera," Pipp said.
Pipp took out her phone and pulled Hitch for a selfie. Hitch forced a smile a split second before Pipp took a picture. Pipp took two more pictures for safety and then planted a kiss on Hitch's cheek before taking one more. The crowd whooped and took pictures of Hitch looking away from Pipp, flustered, and Pipp giggling. Haven and Zipp looked at each other unamusedly before Haven stepped forward, holding a mic. 
"My beloved subjects, it gives me great pleasure to welcome your new prince, who has come to visit our beloved Pipp," she said.
Ponies stomped their hooves in applause. 
"It also pleases me to announce that today is the opening day of Kegler Hambone's new bowling alley, named after the pairing of our dear prince and princess," Haven continued. 
The muscular pegasus with the sunglasses and bowling jacket sheepishly chuckled and scratched his head as the crowd applauded again. 
"And so, to celebrate these two occasions, Prince Hitch and Princess Pipp will have their first date as a married couple bowling in our new bowling alley," Haven announced. 
"Wait, what?" Hitch asked. 
Ponies roared with thunderous applause. Pipp waved to the crowd and elbowed Hitch to join. Hitch hesitated before waving with an uncomfortable grin. When the cheering died down, Kelger Hambone handed a large pair of scissors to Pipp. Pipp opened the pair of scissors and held it up to the ribbon by one of the scissors' bows. She gestured to Hitch with her head to join, and Hitch paused before holding the scissors by its other bow.
"On three," Pipp said. "One, two, three."
Hitch and Pipp cut the ribbon, and the ponies cheered again. Kegler squealed in a high-pitched voice, thrilled to have witnessed the new royal couple open his bowling alley. 
"Let Hitch and Pipp's first date commence," Haven declared. 
Ponies cheered again as Kegler held the front door open for Hitch and Pipp. Pipp offered her front leg to Hitch, and he hesitated before he took it, and they walked in together. They were followed by Haven, Zipp, and Kegler. The inside of the bowling alley was in the colors of Hitch and Pipp's cutie marks. On the far left side of the bowling alley, a picture of Hitch and Pipp sharing their first kiss was painted on the wall. A large painting of Hitch and Pipp having their first dance at the reception was painted on the right wall. Hitch's ears hung low, growing uncomfortable to the extent that Kegler's business was themed around his and Pipp's marriage. 
"So… when were you going to tell me about this?" Hitch asked. 
"Yeah, I'm sorry you had to find this out now," Pipp said. "It was something Mom decided to do yesterday. She found out that Kegler was opening his new bowling alley with us being the theme. Without consulting me, she decided to use your new fame to grab everypony's attention at the bowling alley and declared us playing to be our first date. I swear, I would have called you about this if you had any reception while coming here.” 
"I see," Hitch said. "I'm surprised your mom would take things so far as to refer to me as a prince. Last I checked, she and your sister haven't accepted me into your family."
"Oh, they still haven't. I assure you," Pipp said. "But the rest of Zephyr Heights looks at you as their new prince. Apparently, ponies have been wanting to see you return so they can officially welcome you to our kingdom as the new member of our family."
"Well, that explains why some were prepared with banners, " Hitch said.
 "We really lifted the spirits of the ponies of Zephyr Heights when we got married," Pipp said. 
"Oh? I haven't noticed," Hitch said sarcastically. 
Pipp giggled while covering her mouth. Kegler escorted them to a lane at the very center of the alley. Two bowling balls were waiting for Hitch and Pipp in the colors of their manes. Hitch and Pipp chuckled awkwardly, growing more uneasy from how far Kegler was going with the theme. They looked back to find scores of ponies coming in, filling the main hall to its capacity. Haven stepped between Hitch and Pipp and the crowd and turned to the crowd, still holding her mic. 
"Let the first game in Pitch Bowling Alley begin," she declared. 
Ponies began live streaming through their phones, waiting for Hitch and Pipp to start playing. The countless phones and the large crowd made Hitch feel this was less of a date and more like a major league sports game. Pipp took the light blue ball and held it to Hitch, silently telling him to go first. Hitch took the ball and took a breath to get his head in the game before he rolled it toward the pins. Four pins were knocked down, and ponies politely stomped their hooves. Hitch rolled again, and the last six pins were knocked down. The audience cheered, and Hitch proudly shook his hoof in the air.
"Yeah. That's how it's done. The sheriff still got it," he boasted. 
Pipp and Zipp smirked, amused with Hitch celebrating. A new set of pins were set up, and Pipp picked up her ball. She rolled the ball toward a few pins on the left side, making Hitch chuckle. Then, suddenly, just as the ball was halfway down the lane, it curved and knocked down all of the pins. The crowd cheered louder, and Pipp turned to a stunned Hitch with a smug look. 
"A strike is better than a spare. Right?" she asked. 
Zipp snickered, and Haven lowly chuckled. Hitch stood stupefied for several seconds before giving Pipp a competitive glare.
"Beginner's luck," he claimed.
"Oh, really? You think just because I'm a princess who writes and performs music and hangs out on social media, I can't be good at bowling?" Pipp asked.
"Er, well, I didn't mean that exactly. It's just not every day somepony gets a strike on the first round," Hitch said.
"Granted, but I'll have you know Zipp and I used to go bowling with our dad a lot when we were little," Pipp said. "In fact, I totally humiliated you-know-who when we went bowling once."
It took Hitch a moment before he got that you-know-who was Presto.
"Yeah, well, I've done my fair share of winning bowling tournaments back home, so if you think you're gonna humiliate me, you're mistaken," Hitch said.
"Is that so? Wanna make a wager?" Pipp asked. "Loser after the best two out of three games has to do what the winner wants."
The crowd "oooo"ed and looked at each other, grinning. Their livestreams gained multiple hooves up from ponies staying at home to express their excitement. Hitch raised his eyebrow and smirked as he took a step toward Pipp.
"That's a risky thing to bet on, princess. I'm just getting warmed up, and you have no idea what I could come up with if you lose," Hitch said. 
"Keep talking, buddy. I like my opponents shooting their mouths off before I humiliate them," Pipp said. "I'd be more concerned about what I might think of. I've got a head start with a strike." 
"Spares can technically be worth more points in the long run," Hitch said. "You can't get strikes forever."
"And you can't get spares forever," Pipp countered. "Now, are you going to talk a big game our entire date, or are we going to play?"
"Yeah, come on, Sheriff. Quit stalling and prove you're not all talk," Zipp said. 
Ponies in the audience exclaimed words of agreement. Hitch looked between Pipp and the crowd and scoffed. He picked up his ball and rolled it, knocking down all the pins. The crowd "oooo"ed again as Hitch held his hoof to a surprised Pipp.
"Don't say I didn't warn you," Hitch said.
Pipp remained baffled momentarily before her shock turned into a competitive smirk. She shook Hitch's hoof, then took her ball. She rolled the ball and turned to Hitch, not bothering to watch her ball land another strike. 
"Bring it on, tough guy," she said.
For the next several rounds, Hitch and Pipp were getting strikes and spares and boasting to the other each time one of them took the lead. Ponies cheered for every strike or spare, growing anxious over who would win the first game. Some began betting on who would win the whole thing. Zipp cheered Pipp on, while Haven kept a calm demeanor to look unbiased despite wanting to see Pipp win. 
On the 9th round, Pipp took down four pins on the left on her first roll. She rolled again and smiled to see it move toward the front pin. Unfortunately, the ball curved left at the last second and only hit one pin. Seeing his chance, Hitch used the last round to get a spare and knocked seven pounds on his final roll. Pipp made a spare and took down several pins on her final go, but she was ultimately 10 points behind Hitch at the end of the game. The ponies rooting for Hitch cheered, and he posed for them as they took pictures. 
"So, princess, are you scared yet?” Hitch asked mockingly. 
"Yeah, yeah, build your ego up, handsome. Winning the first game will make it even more humiliating when I win the whole thing," Pipp said. 
"That's the spirit, Sis. Put him in his place," Zipp cheered. 
The ponies rooting for Pipp cheered in agreement. Pipp giggled and blew kisses at her fans while Kegler set up the system for the second game. Hitch made a strike on the first round with a cocky grin, expecting to discourage the Pippsqueaks, but Pipp rolled a strike right afterward, showing that she was not backing down. 
The second game continued with Hitch and Pipp going back and forth with who took the lead. In the 7th round, Hitch rolled his ball, expecting it to hit the pins right at the center, but all but the two pins at the very far sides were knocked down. His supporters winced while Pipp's fans laughed at Hitch hitting a goal post-split. Hitch tried to knock out at least one of the remaining pins, but his ball missed the right pin by a foot. In the 9th round, he knocked down six pins and missed the remaining four on the second roll. In the final round, Hitch's first roll led to his ball falling into the gutter, making him nervous. Ultimately, Pipp used Hitch's mistakes to beat him by 17 points. Her fans cheered, and Pipp took a selfie with the score in the background. 
"A one-way tie. Now, things are getting interesting," Haven said.
"Come on, Sheriff. Don't hold back. Your citizens are probably watching this on their phones, too," Zipp said mockingly. 
Hitch gave Zipp an unamused look as Kegler set up another game. His supporters cheered, and he waved his hoof with a grin in appreciation. He turned to take his ball, only to find Pipp blocking his path. 
"How about I go first this time just to shake things up?" she asked. 
"Suits me fine," Hitch said.
Pipp smirked before she took her ball and rolled, hitting a strike. Hitch huffed, annoyed with Pipp already starting off strong. He reached for his ball only for Pipp to step in front of him again, making Hitch uneasy with their faces only inches apart.
"Want a kiss for good luck?" Pipp asked. 
Hitch blushed and looked away, and the audience cheered and chanted, "Do it." Haven frowned, not wanting to see Hitch and Pipp kiss, while Zipp enjoyed seeing Pipp easily make Hitch blush. Hitch shook off his blush and put on a brave face before facing Pipp.
"You're the one who got lucky with the second game. Even with that strike, you'll need a kiss for luck more than I do," Hitch said.
Pipp giggled and said, "Place your bets."
She wrapped her leg around Hitch's head and pulled him toward her for a firm kiss. Hitch's eyes widened, and his face turned beet red, ignoring the crowd cheering. When Pipp let go, Hitch was in a daze for a moment before he shook his head and slapped his cheeks. He took his ball and rolled, knocking out 7 pins, then finishing with a spare. Pipp pouted, hoping her kiss would take him off his game. Simultaneously, she was glad Hitch kept the game interesting and expected the last game to be as big as the last two. 
But, the strike at the beginning was the only one Pipp made. In fact, Hitch and Pipp each only hit a few spares throughout the final game. The cheering began dying as ponies realized the competitors were beginning to tire. Hitch and Pipp would knock down a handful of pins on the first roll, and in the second roll, the ball either missed the remaining pins or ended up in the gutter. Pipp had a head start with her strike, but Hitch was slowly catching up throughout the game. 
Finally, in the last round, Pipp knocked down four pins, and her ball ended up in the gutter in the last roll. Hitch looked up at the TV, and his face lit up as he saw that the score was 105 to 100, making Pipp in the lead by only 5 points. On his first roll, Hitch knocked down 4 pins, raising the score so he was only off by 1. The ponies rooting for him cheered as the other six pins were close to each other. All Hitch needed to do was roll the ball in their general direction, and victory was assured. 
Pipp's ears hung low, Zipp bit her lip, and the edge of Haven's lip curled down despite trying to keep a calm demeanor. With a smug grin, Hitch rolled the ball toward the last six pins, but halfway down the lane, the ball curved away from the pins. Hitch's eyes widened, and he mouthed, "No" repeatedly while Pipp's face brightened and her wings perked up. Hitch's ball missed the pins by a couple of centimeters.
"No!" Hitch cried out.
His cry of defeat was drowned by the deafening cheers. Zipp laughed hysterically while pointing at Hitch, and Haven chuckled with her mouth closed. The ponies who rooted for Hitch begrudgingly paid their friends and family members they betted with. Pipp cheered while raising her front hooves in the air and flapping her wings ecstatically. She bowed to the crowd like a prima donna who had just completed a performance while ponies chanted, "Pipp Pipp hooray!" Pipp then turned to Hitch, who hung his head in defeat and bumped his side with her knee to get his attention. 
"Good match, Hitch. It was pretty close," Pipp said, holding her hoof to Hitch. 
Hitch sighed before he forced a smile and shook Pipp's hoof. 
"Yes, indeed. Congratulations, Your Highness," he said. "So, uh, how do you wish for me to uphold our agreement?"
"Yeah, Sis, what are you going to make him do?" Zipp asked with a smug grin. 
Ponies in the crowd exclaimed words of agreement. Hitch's ears hung low as he grew worried Pipp would make him do something humiliating. Pipp, however, scratched her chin, pretending to think about it before looking at her audience with a pout.
"Sorry, everypony, but I honestly have no idea what to make Hitch do," she said.
Ponies "aw"ed in disappointment.
"But I'm gonna think of something eventually. And when I do, I'm gonna livestream it so you all know what I ultimately won," Pipp said
The crowd applauded, satisfied with Pipp's promise. Haven hummed and nodded in approval before turning to her citizens and holding up her mic again. 
"With that, I declare Hitch and Pipp's first date concluded. Those who wish to bowl in Kegler's bowling alley may do so now," Haven announced. "The newlyweds, Zipp, and I shall go to our castle, where Prince Hitch will settle down in his new home."
Haven's citizens cheered even louder, and the guards made a square formation surrounding Haven, Zipp, Hitch, and Pipp. Pipp offered Hitch her leg again, and they walked together with Haven and Zipp behind them. When they exited the bowling alley, they found ponies crowding the entire street, taking pictures and livestreaming the royal family. Pipp waved to the citizens with glee, and Hitch hesitated before he joined her. 
They were halfway down the street heading back to the main street when half a dozen ponies wearing ties and holding microphones ran toward Haven, Zipp, Hitch, Pipp, and the guards accompanied by cameraponies. Aurora and the other guards raised their wings in defense as the reporters stopped 10 feet before them. 
"1000 pardons, Your Highness, but can we have a moment to interview Hitch and Pipp?" the leading reporter asked. 
"Sure. We'd love to," Pipp said. "Right, Hitch?" 
"Er, right," Hitch said begrudgingly. 
The crowd cheered, with some of them taking out their phones again to record the event. Zipp huffed, and Haven reluctantly smiled in approval, both eager to return to the castle. The reporters called out to Hitch and Pipp simultaneously, and Pipp pointed at a pegasus reporter standing far left.
"Hitch, Pipp, how did you enjoy your first date?" the reporter asked. 
"It was loads of fun. I'm glad we could go out and play in Kegler's new alley. Right, Hitch?" Pipp said.
"Yes. I must admit I didn't peg the princess as the competitive type," Hitch said.
"How would you compare this to your other first dates, Hitch?" a unicorn reporter asked. 
"Uh, well, actually, that was the first date I've ever had…ever," Hitch confessed.
Ponies gasped in shock. Hitch's ears hung low as he looked at everypony, wondering if he had said something to offend them. He turned to Pipp, who gave him a look of shock and confusion. 
"You never had a date before? How is that possible?" the unicorn reporter asked. "From what I've seen on the Canternet, you have so many admirers in Maretime Bay that wanted to date you before you married."
"What? No, I don't," Hitch said. "I'm adored by all of my fellow citizens, but I'm sure I would know if any of the mares at home thought of me that way."
The unicorn reporter tilted his head, befuddled. The ponies from Maretime Bay were even more astounded, for they knew very well how obvious mares like Mayflower, Dahlia, and Primrose liked Hitch. They whispered among their fellow ponies, expressing their concern for many of the mares in Maretime Bay. Their hearts were already broken from Hitch marrying Pipp, but Hitch revealing his obliviousness might have added salt to the wounds. Haven was unsettled by how ponies reacted and cleared her throat to catch their attention. 
"Well, whatever the case may be, we can all agree that Prince Hitch lucked out with his first and only relationship being with our beloved Pipp," she said. 
Ponies stomped their hooves and applause, their spirits instantly lifted again by Haven's words. The reporters took a moment to call out to Hitch and Pipp again, and Pipp pointed at an earth pony reporter. The earth pony hesitated before asking her question. 
"Prince Hitch, if you don't mind me asking, how does it feel knowing that you're married to one of the very few pegasi in the world that can fly?" the reporter asked.
The city grew silent in the blink of an eye. Many citizens glared at the reporter, either loathing her for saying something they considered insensitive or suspicious that she was a pony against the unity of all pony kind. Others thought about it and grew curious, having never thought of it or forgotten it since before the wedding. Haven, Zipp, and Pipp's faces fell with Haven wishing she thought of telling Hitch what he could and could not say about the royal family flying. Hitch, however, took a moment to think about the question and shrugged. 
"To be honest, I haven't given it much thought," he said. "When I think about the princess, my mind is on who she is as a pony and whether we will work as a couple. I forgot that she, her sister, and her mother could fly up until you mentioned it."
"You didn't mind seeing her fly when she performed the night you married her?" the reporter asked. 
"Of course not. I thought Princess Pipp was amazing flying during her performance. Made her stand out from any concert I've gone to," Hitch replied with a smile.
"You don't think about what life will be if you decide to stay married and have foals who could be pegasi that can fly?" the reporter asked. "I imagine Presto Tetrachord did, but considering how you two happened so suddenly, some ponies can't help but wonder, especially when there are still ponies against your marriage and the unity."
"Alright, that's enough," Haven said. "We really must be off to welcome Prince Hitch to his -"
"Excuse me, Your Majesty, but please let me handle this," Hitch said. 
Haven turned to Hitch and saw the calm but serious look in his tangelo eyes. She hesitated, knowing what Hitch would say could make or break her citizens' view of him as Pipp's husband. After a moment, Haven lifted her hoof to give permission. Zipp looked at Hitch with a glare that said, "Choose your words carefully." Pipp watched Hitch turn to the crowd, with part of her confident that he would give a good answer and the rest of her afraid he would say something irreparably damage the royal family's reputation. 
"Historically, according to Argyle Starshine's research, earth ponies, unicorns, and pegasi intermarrying was not uncommon in Ancient Equestria," Hitch began. "It didn't matter whether somepony could fly or levitate objects. All that mattered was how those ponies felt about each other. Were there any challenges regarding ponies having abilities that the other doesn't or whether their foals would have said abilities? It's possible, but I don't think it was a big issue in the long run. After all, romantic relationships between ponies of different races are only a topic now because we have fallen so far from the equality that our ancestors had, for goodness knows how many moons. And who knows how long it will be for interracial relationships to stop being a topic and become something we don't think about in relationships any more than we focus on whether or not a pony is pink, orange, blue, or lilac?"
Hitch turned to Pipp and smiled. 
"Now, as for me and Princess Pipp, the idea of us having foals is the last thing on my mind as we just had our first date. Still, I think I can speak for both of us when I say that if we do raise a family, we will love our foals, whether they're earth ponys, pegasi, or, somehow, unicorns. We will love our foals if they can fly, and we'll love them if they can't. It can't be any simpler than that.”
The city was silent for a moment after Hitch spoke before it was filled with thunderous applause. Ponies vigorously stomped their hooves, cheered, and whistled. The earth pony reporter looked at Hitch baffled, then she smiled and nodded in satisfaction. Hitch smirked and held his chest up, proud of his accomplishment. 
Then suddenly, Pipp wrapped her legs around Hitch's neck and pulled him to a kiss on his cheek. Hitch's cheeks heated up the moment he felt Pipp's soft lips. Ponies in the crowd cheered louder and followed it up by chanting, "Long live Pitch!" Haven sighed with her hoof on her heart and smiled at Hitch approvingly. Then she cleared her throat.
"Alright, if that’s all, I declare this interview over. We must get to the castle to show Hitch to his new room," she said. 
Ponies cheered once more, and the reporters backed away, allowing a clear path for the guards and the royal family. Pipp and Hitch walked together in front of Haven and Zipp, with Pipp blowing kisses to their citizens with her free hoof. When they turned to the main street toward Zephyr Heights Castle, Pipp rested her head on Hitch's shoulder, smiling blissfully. 
"Oh, Hitch, you were incredible," she said.  
"Er, well, I don't know about that," Hitch said, shyly scratching his cheek. "I just said what anypony should have said."
"Don't sell yourself short, Sheriff," Zipp said, rushing to walk next to Hitch and Pipp. "Likely all of Equestria was watching you, including ponies who either are against the unity or still want Pipp with you-know-who. I can think of several ways you could've made one wrong move, and everything went up in flames, but you kept your cool and spoke the truth without faltering. Not many ponies can do that. I'm impressed."
Hitch's eyes widened as Zipp followed her words with a smirk. She backed up so she could walk next to Haven, who was waving to her citizens and stopping every few seconds for somepony to take a photo. Hitch stared at Zipp momentarily before turning to a pleased Pipp.
"Did your sister just compliment me?" he asked. 
"She did," Pipp said matter-of-factly. "And it's about time, too. Zipp and Mom are overdue giving you more credit in my book."
"Well, I mean, I think so too, but I was under the impression I'm supposed to be getting credit based on how I behave as your husband rather than how I talk about us publicly," Hitch said. "Does it really mean a lot to your mom and your sister that I make your subjects happy?"
"It means a lot to me," Pipp said.
Pipp backed up her statement by moving closer to Hitch and nuzzling her head against his. Goosebumps appeared all over Hitch's body, and he looked down to see Pipp smiling with her eyes closed as she walked. His heart pounded rapidly, unable to take the constant affection the angelic mare was giving him. Hitch resisted the urge to let out a bashful whimper while countless ponies filmed him and Pipp from their phones. 
And yet, as Hitch tried to keep it together, he saw how merry the citizens of Zephyr Heights were. They weren’t happy simply because they were fans of Pipp and her marriage to him, but they were full of hope. Hope for a future beyond what ponykind had accomplished within the past several moons. It was a kind of happiness Hitch had never seen anypony experience before, and ponies in Maretime Bay might also be experiencing it, having watched what he said on their phones. 
With this realization, Hitch smirked and held his chest up as he walked as though he had rescued his town from a terrible monster. If his wife wasn't leaning her head against him, Hitch would have waved to the ponies recording on their phones as though he was directly looking at the citizens of Maretime Bay. It may not have been intentional, but Hitch felt a strong sense of pride that, even when far away from home, he was fulfilling his duty as sheriff.
> Chapter 15
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hitch, Pipp, Zipp, Haven, and the royal guards walked as though they were the center of a parade until they reached the elevator to the Zephyr Heights castle grounds. Hitch sighed in relief as they entered the elevator, thinking it was over until Pipp tapped his shoulder and pointed to the glass wall. Ponies were still cheering and waving as the elevator went up, and news cameras were filming them going up the elevator for ZBS to show on the jumbotrons. Hitch muttered, “Oh, come on,” before he turned to the glass wall and waved in the direction of the cameras with the royal family. When the elevator got so high that they were out of view from the citizens and the cameras, Haven sighed heavily and sat on her bottom with her head down. 
“Goodness, I was not prepared for being out there so long,” Haven said. “In hindsight, we should have expected them to want interviews.”
“Yeah, we probably should have,” Zipp said. “But, at least we're done for the day.”
“Thank hoofness for that,” Haven said before turning to Hitch and Pipp. “Not to mention the grand opening of Kegler's bowling alley was a smashing success. Well done, you two.” 
Hitch raised an eyebrow at how Haven made it sound as though she had put him and Pipp on a special assignment without telling him. On the other hand, Pipp smiled, sharing her mother's satisfaction with the opening of the bowling alley. The elevator went up to the castle grounds, and the royal family and the guards began making their way to Zephyr Heights castle. Two guards at the castle entrance opened the doors and saluted as Haven, Zipp, Pipp, and Hitch entered. Haven was a few steps inside before turning to Aurora.
"Thank you, Aurora. That will be all for now," Haven said.
"Yes, Your Majesty," Aurora said as she and her fellow guards saluted.
The guards close the doors behind Haven, Zipp, Pipp, and Hitch. The royal family walked down the entrance hall in silence, with Haven still looking like she was getting ready to collapse. Hitch grew awkward by none of the mares speaking or looking at him as they walked. He wondered if it was always like this when the queen and the princesses got home after going out in public for an event. Eventually, Zipp, who was walking ahead of Hitch and Pipp, cleared her throat and looked back at Hitch. 
"So, uh, I hope you like living here, Sheriff," she said.
"Thanks, Your Highness," Hitch said.
Pipp smiled, glad that her sister had the courtesy to be welcoming to her husband, even if it was only to break the ice. 
"Oh, don't be so awkward, Zipp. This is Hitch's home away from home now," Pipp said before turning to Hitch. "We've agreed that as long as we're married, the guards and the staff are to treat you like the prince you unofficially are. Plus, you can go anywhere you like except our bedrooms unless given permission."
"Makes perfect sense," Hitch said.
"Actually, you're also not allowed in the chambers above the throne room or the Zephyr Heights archives," Zipp said.
Pipp’s eyes widened, and she covered her mouth before scratching her head with a sheepish grin. In all her eagerness to make Hitch feel comfortable, she forgot about the dressing room above the throne room, where she, Haven, and Zipp set up to pretend to fly.
"Oh, yeah. Those places are big no-nos," she said.
"Why? What's wrong with those places?" Hitch asked. 
"Just don't do it. They're restricted to official royalty," Haven said. "And I'll thank you never to bring them up again, Sheriff Trailblazer."
Hitch tilted his head in confusion. Though Haven didn't scream it or was looking at him angrily, the way she spoke made it seem as though the Zephyr Heights archives and the chamber above the throne room were sensitive topics. Hitch decided to let it be out of respect, yet he couldn't help but wonder what kind of secrets they were hiding. 
They made their way to the throne room, where two royal guards stood in front of Haven's throne, with one of them substituting Zoom as Haven’s secretary. Cloudpuff was cuddled in a ball, sleeping on Haven's throne until his ears perked up at the sound of the doors opening. His eyes opened and he jumped to his feet, happily barking while his wings flap vigorously. Haven smiled sweetly as she sat on her plot and spread her front legs open for a hug. 
“That's right, sweetie. Come to Mommy,” she said. 
Cloudpuff jumped off of Haven's throne and raced toward Haven, Zipp, Hitch, and Pipp. Haven prepared for Cloudpuff to jump into her loving embrace until Cloudpuff ran past her. She stood still, stupefied momentarily, before she turned around to find Hitch on his back and Cloudpuff on top of him, licking his face. Zipp looked at Cloudpuff and Haven, then whispered, “Ouch” to herself as though the puppy had slapped his owner. Pipp, however, put her hoof in her heart and took out her phone from her wing to take a picture. 
“Aw, Cloudpuff missed you,” Pipp said. “He's already accepted you as part of the family. Haven't you, Cloudpuffy-poo?”
Cloudpuff barked happily in response before he went back to licking Hitch. Hitch laughed as Cloudpuff’s tongue tickled him until he saw Haven give him a cold stare. It took him a moment to realize Haven expected Cloudpuff to come to her, and he chuckled nervously as he lightly pushed Cloudpuff off of him and stood up. Haven humphed and turned away with her head held high. 
“Girls, please show the sheriff to his room. I have some paperwork to take care of,” Haven said. 
“Wait, I thought we were having lunch together after the sheriff is settled in his room,” Zipp said. 
“Terribly sorry, darlings, but as you can see, I have a lot of paperwork to attend to,” Haven said. "I'll try to catch up so the four of us can get together for dinner tonight."
Zipp and Pipp looked past Haven and saw a pile of paperwork next to her throne, the height of a full-grown pony's legs. While it was a tall pile, Haven was not known to take all day to handle such an amount. The sisters looked at each other with unamused expressions, silently agreeing that their mother was being childish. Haven walked to her throne without another word, and Pipp huffed before gesturing to Hitch with her head to follow her and Zipp.
Hitch grew uncomfortable again as he followed Zipp and Pipp to a side door and up the stairs, with Cloudpuff cheerfully walking beside him, oblivious to the tension he had caused. The sisters led Hitch to the top floor and took a right down the hall to a pair of glass doors and a datapad. Zipp put her hoof on the datapad, and it scanned her hoof before the doors opened to reveal the bedroom. 
Hitch's mouth dropped at the sight of his bedroom. He couldn't believe this was his room, from the king-sized bed to the ceiling two stories high, to the private bathroom on the left side, to the diamond chandelier hanging at the center. Pipp covered her mouth to hide a giggle while Zipp smirked.
"In case you are wondering, Sheriff, yes. Our bedrooms are more or less like this, too," Zipp said. "Were you expecting a bedroom more like what you are used to?"
"Yeah, kind of. At least with size," Hitch said. "Do you usually need this much space?"
"I do. I like to use my room as a stage for my next gig," Pipp said. 
Hitch turned to Zipp, who shrugged and said, "Don't look at me. I'm an outside girl. I don't need this much space any more than you do. In any case, make yourself comfortable. If you wanna nap or something before lunch, go ahead."
Hitch looked at the bed and suddenly felt fatigued. Apart from Cloudpuff knocking him off his hooves to say hello, Hitch had been on his legs since he woke up that morning. 
"Yeah, a nap would be good right about now," he said.
"Cool. We’ll leave you to it then,” Zipp said.
"Have a good nap, Hitch," Pipp said. "Come on, Cloudpuff. Let's leave Hitch to his nap."
Cloudpuff whined, wanting to stay with Hitch a little longer. Pipp scooped Cloudpuff up and put him on her back while Zipp closed the doors behind Hitch. Hitch dropped his bags on the floor and then plopped onto the bed. He let out an “Oooo” as he was unprepared for how comfy the bed was. He rolled over to his back and let out an “Ahh,” feeling as though the mattress was massaging his back. 
“Oh, yeah. I can get used to this being my second bed,” Hitch said to himself. 
Within moments, he dozed off.








********************************************************************








Hitch woke up to a knock on the bedroom doors. He rolled to his side and saw on the golden clock hanging on the wall that it was a quarter past three. He had been sleeping for almost four hours. Hitch sat up and stretched before there was another knock on the door. 
"Hitch, are you awake? Can I come in?" Pipp asked from the other side of the doors. 
"Uh, yeah, come on in," Hitch said.
He waited a moment as Pipp scanned her hoof on the datapad before the doors opened. Standing next to Pipp was a golden bussing cart with a tray holding two plates covered by lids on top of them. Pipp pushed the cart to the side of Hitch's bed, closing the doors behind her on the way. 
"I thought you might be hungry about now, so I brought lunch in bed for two," Pipp said.
"Lunch in bed? Is that a thing?" Hitch asked. 
"If it wasn't before, it is now," Pipp said. "Far as I'm concerned, you deserve it after having partaken in opening the bowling alley, and that interview dropped on you all right after you got here. Plus, I thought it a good opportunity for us to be alone after a very public date."
Hitch felt his stomach growl, and he chuckled sheepishly.
"You know what? Lunch in bed sounds tremendous,” he said. “What you got for us?”
"Grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup to keep you warm after a long journey," Pipp answered proudly. 
"Nice. Did you make it yourself?" Hitch asked. 
"Er, no. I had one of our chefs make it," Pipp answered with a sheepish grin. "I rarely need to worry about food to the point of making it myself. I pretty much just picked what I want the chef to make. Plus, I really liked the grilled cheese we got when I visited you, so I couldn’t help but want to eat some with you again.”
"Ah, I see. Well, let's see what royal grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup taste like," Hitch said.
Pipp giggled as she took the tray off the cart and placed it on the bed in front of Hitch. She then got on the bed with her tray and sat opposite Hitch. Hitch and Pipp lifted the lids from their respective plates, revealing each having a bowl of tomato soup, two grilled cheese sandwiches sliced diagonally, and a spoon wrapped in a napkin. Hitch dipped a sandwich in his soup before taking a bite. His eyes widened as he chewed on the toasted bread and gooey, melted cheese. The edges of his mouth curled up until he heard a clicking sound and saw Pipp holding her phone toward him, trying not to laugh. 
“I'm sorry. I couldn't resist,” Pipp chortled. “Your reaction was so cute that I had to take a picture.”
“Cute?” Hitch asked with his mouth full before he swallowed. “How is a grown stallion supposed to look cute eating a grilled cheese sandwich?”
“I don't know. You just looked like a colt enjoying a grilled cheese sandwich for the first time, and it was so adorable,” Pipp said. “Everypony on Ponygram is going to love this.”
“Wait, you're going to publish that picture online?” Hitch asked. 
“Of course. I love sharing moments of my life and posting them online, and seeing my husband look so cute eating grilled cheese is an opportunity too good to pass up,” Pipp chirped.
“I thought we're supposed to be alone while eating our lunch,” Hitch said. 
“We are. I'm just sending a picture. Not live streaming,” Pipp said. 
Hitch furrowed his brow and asked, “Could you skip a post?”
Pipp looked at Hitch as though he said something strange. Then she saw Hitch acting as though she were about to reveal an embarrassing picture of him from when he was a colt. Pipp looked at the picture on her phone, all set to be submitted to Ponygram with her hoof ready to hit the button. It seemed silly to the active social media celebrity not to publish a picture she knew the Pippsqueaks would adore, and yet she knew she assured Hitch that they would be spending time alone. With a squirm, she discarded the post and turned off her phone before putting it under her wing. 
“Okay, I can skip just one,” Pipp said.
“Thank you,” Hitch said.
Hitch went back to his lunch at ease, smiling as though Pipp never took the picture. Pipp smiled at Hitch enjoying his lunch again, but she was still uneasy with not publishing her picture. She was so used to posting pictures and videos that telling her not to upload something may as well be like telling her not to blink when she needs to. With a sigh, Pipp went back to her lunch, eating at a slower pace than Hitch.
“Hitch?”
“Hmm?” Hitch asked with his mouth full.
“Do you oppose social media?” Pipp asked.
Hitch stopped chewing at tilted his head at Pipp before swallowing.
“What makes you say that?” he asked. “Is it because I don’t want you to post the picture?”
“Yeah, it is,” Pipp said. “Usually, when somepony doesn’t want a picture or video of them posted, it’s because they are against social media.”
“Well, I mean, I’m not prejudiced to it, but it’s not something that interests me,” Hitch said. “I mean, from what I can tell, you’re just posting things and waiting to see if anypony likes it. It’s like a game where everypony is competing to get the most points, except you’re using your personal photos and videos to play the game. Am I making any sense?”
Pipp stared at Hitch, making him worry he broke her brain for speaking of something she loved that way. Then Pipp snorted and moved her head back, laughing while holding her gut with her right leg. Hitch’s ears hung low as he was unsure how to react to her laughter.
“A game to get the most points. I’ve never heard it like that before,” Pipp chortled while wiping a tear from her eye. “I want that to be my Ponyhoof status. I can only imagine the amount of laughing emojis I’d get.”
“Uh, Your Highness, you’re kinda proving my point when you talk like that,” Hitch said. “Do you really not see it that way at all?”
“Neigh way, Hitch,” Pipp said. “If anything, I see what I do on the Canternet as one of the most important things I can do as a princess.”
"Really?" Hitch asked. 
"Really, really," Pipp said, giving Hitch a soft smile. "I know I might appear as a social media addict just posting stuff to get likes and followers, but it's more than that. I love making ponies happy, whether through my music, the things I post online, or what Mom, Zipp, and I do publically as the royal family. If posting a random selfie, giving somepony's content a like, or posting a status lifts up somepony's day, then it's totally worth it. Their happiness is my happiness. That's why I love seeing how uplifted our citizens were during our date, and that's part of why it broke my heart when… things happened at the wedding."
"Wait a minute. You were thinking about your fans when you found out Presto Tetrachord cheated on you?” Hitch asked. 
“Of course,” Pipp said. “I wasn't happy just for me when I thought I was going to marry the perfect guy, Hitch. I was happy that my fans were happy for me. Being in the first interracial married couple in forever means nothing to me. I cared about how I would be happy and how the marriage I thought I would get would light up the lives of so many ponies, and I thought that he felt the same way. That's why I'm happy with how you handled yourself out there, and that's why I decided we should stay married.” 
"Because I’m beloved by the citizens in Maretime Bay?” Hitch asked.
“Exactly,” Pipp said. “Now, I'm not blind. Finding out whether we can work should be the focus of our relationship rather than what other ponies think, but the way you show what a good heart you have is why I've grown to admire you, Hitch."
Hitch's cheeks heated up, and he shyly looked away from Pipp while scratching his leg. It took Pipp a moment to realize what she said, and she looked away, flustered. It wasn’t as though she said she loved Hitch, but she didn’t mean to indicate that she had begun to like him so plainly. After a few seconds, Hitch cleared his throat and timidly turned to Pipp with his cheeks still red. 
"So, you're really glad you married me so far, huh?" he asked. 
"Yeah, I am," Pipp said. 
"And you really think we're gonna be this power couple that's gonna brighten all of Equestria, huh?" Hitch asked.
Pipp turned to Hitch and put her hoof on top of Hitch's with a smile.
"After today, I know we are," Pipp said.
"Well, then I guess the social media stuff makes more sense when you put it like that," Hitch said. "That said, let's not have all of Equestria know when we’re on a date. I don't want watching movies together or eating lunch in bed or at the sheriff’s office to be the only times we can be alone."
"Totally agree,” Pipp said. “Though, it might be a tall order since we’re the most recognizable ponies in Equestria.”
“Hmmm. That’s true,” Hitch said, rubbing his chin. “Maybe there’s a way we can go out without anypony knowing it. We can sneak into the restaurant with the secret royal passageways or reserve the whole place for us. Maybe if we had disguises, we could -”
Pipp let out a gasp and jumped into a standing position, almost knocking her soup out of her tray. Her gasp was followed by a squeal as she flapped her wings happily. Hitch moved his and Pipp’s grilled cheese and tomato soup back as Pipp jumped on the bed.
“Disguises! Let’s go with disguises!” Pipp chirped. “It’ll be like one big makeover for a special night for the two of us!”
“I don’t think disguises and makeovers are the same thing, Your Highness,” Hitch said.
“Maybe not by definition, but they totally go hand in hand here,” Pipp said. “After all, we’re not going to be putting on masks or dye our manes and coats like they do in movies. We still need to look nice on our second date. I can wear a dress that nopony has publicly seen me in, and we can have a tailor make you a tux and a top hat. We’ll have to put on wigs, and I’ll grab a large hat to cover my head.”
“Oooo, if we’re doing fake hair, can I have a mustache?” Hitch asked.  
Pipp stopped bouncing and stared at Hitch as though he spoke gibberish.
“A…a mustache? Why in all of Equestria would you want a mustache?” Pipp asked. 
“Because I’ve always wanted to grow a mustache,” Hitch said before posing like a cool detective. “Davy Bluecoat has the coolest mustache ever. I betcha I would look butch with a brown, bushy mustache.”
Pipp tilted her head as she stared at Hitch. He was looking at her in excitement as though he were a colt, asking his mother to get the toy he wanted from the toy store. Pipp looked away hesitantly, then sighed before giving her husband a reluctant grin. 
“Well, I guess it would help with disguising yourself, so I’ll see what I can do,” she said.
“Yay! I can’t wait,” Hitch said. “You won't regret this, Your Highness. You’re gonna like seeing how handsome I look with a mustache.”
“Uh, yeah, I can’t wait,” Pipp said. “Though if I’m going to take care of disguises, you have to choose the place to go for dinner. And it’s gotta be someplace nice, so we’re eating something other than grilled cheese or spaghetti.”
“That’s fair,” Hitch said. “Anyway, let’s get back to our lunch before it gets cold.”
Pipp smiled and nodded before Hitch moved her tray back to her and they began eating again. As they ate, Hitch looked up at Pipp, who was eating more moderately than before. The edges of his mouth curled as he thought about how passionate she was about making ponies happy, beginning to accept that there was something they could build on to connect as a couple. 
Then his smile faded to a look of unease as he realized he was assigned to find a place for dinner in a city he hardly knew. He spent the rest of the day mentally praying he could deliver a dinner date worthy of royalty.