“OK everyone, I would like to make a toast. To family members finally safe at home. To families that never gave up hope and never forgot. To new family. And most of all to Mr. Pin Point. Without you none of this would be possible. Love, life, and happiness. May you never run out. Cheers”
Ten years ago a toast was made in my honor. Ten years ago I brought three fillies back to their families. Ten years ago I took on a partner that became more over time. Now, sitting on a train with my wife Apple Bloom and my two daughters. We're all headed back to Ponyville. I wonder what's changed if anything. My girls, all getting one last nap before our stop. Now myself, I was remembering that scruffy teenager who wanted to help in my quest to return lost souls back to love ones. Now in the span of ten years she has matured into a mare, a wife, and a mother. Oh, train stopped time to disembark. Now here I am back in Ponyville with my family ready to celebrate with old friends. Because today is the day that Melody, the daughter of Sweetie Belle, is leaving for Wonderbolt training. Of course seeing how a junior flyer's champ and back up weather pony was leaving town it was Ms. Pie who orchestrated the farewell party. From what I saw time had not slowed her down. Every glass was full and every free hoof has some form of cake, pastry, or ice cream. Of course now she had help. That being her on again off again boyfriend Party Favor. The speed that stallion had with party balloons was amazing. The bounce house, the dunk tank, the kiddie pools, and all the lounge chairs were made by him.
Pinkie was the first to see me and Bloom. With speed I couldn't even explain Pinkie rushed over to us.
“Apple Bloom, Pin Point you made it,”she said super excited,“look at you two the happy couple and these must be two adorable kids Apple Jack is always telling me about.”
“Yes,” I said,“these are my daughters Search Engine and Digital Tech. We call them Siri and Gidget.”
Now before this conversation with Ms. Pie goes any further lets give some explanation about my two girls. First of all Search Engine or Siri as we call her. There is nothing my daughter can't find if she puts her mind to it. Just like her old man I guess. Then there is Digital Tech or Gidget. She's the tinkerer, the inventor, the one that can take any appliance apart to see how it works and put it back together again. Now Bloom came up with the names. The night that Apple Bloom went into labor she had a very detailed dream about the foal. What she saw in the dream inspired her choice and that's where the names were born. Even though Siri is 5 and Gidget is 4 most people mistake them for twins. Both girls have their mothers complexion and eye color yet have my mane and tail color. Apple Bloom thought it would be cute if the girls wore a bow in their hair like she did when she was a fillie. Well Siri thought it would look better as a headband and Gidget preferred it as a tail bow.
Now back to the conversation with Ms. Pie. Siri happen to notice a fillie appear from behind Ms. Pie's hind legs.
“Excuse me ma'am but is that your daughter behind you?” said Siri.
Looking behind her Ms. Pie happened to notice the cocoa brown fillie with a candy striped mane behind her.
“Oh there you are you sneaky little filly,” said Ms. Pie picking up the little one and giving it a nuzzle,“Yes this is my daughter Pecan Pie. I named her that cause every time I see her she's peeecaaan around a corner. Aaah get it.”
Naturally I face hoofed and tried to hide a chuckle. She went on to explain how she always wanted to be a mother but the love of her life wasn't ready to settle down. So she figured the just find a stallion that would help her to have a foal. That's where Party Favor came into the picture. He was always helping Ms. Pie with her parties after leaving the equal village to find a better life. He met up with Ms. Pie and a romance started. Then it stopped. Then it started again. A constant back and forth was the norm apparently between these two and between the back and forth Pecan was born.
“Oh yeah, one thing about Pecan,” Ms. Pie said,“She is real sneaky. If you blink she disappears.”
Sure enough one blink and Pecan was no longer behind her mother.
“Where'd she go?” Said Apple Bloom as everyone was looking around for her. Everyone except Siri.
“She's over there. Peeking at us from behind the bouncy house.”
Looking at the bouncy house there was Pecan staring back at us.
“Wow,” said Ms. Pie,“nopony has ever found her that fast.”
I said with a big smile,“ that's nothing back home kids hate to play hide and seek with her.”
Everyone had a laugh at that. Ms. Pie could sense that cups were getting low so she darted off to continue serving but before she did she pulled a megaphone out of her hair and announced the Mr. and Mrs. Pin Point were here. Before we could take a step Apple Jack was galloping full stride toward her sister. Apple Jack hugged Bloom so tight I heard bones pop.
“Big sis you're crushing me,” said Bloom out of breath.
“Ah swear ah will never get used to you soundin like that,” replied Apple Jack.
Its true since Apple Bloom left Ponyville her country accent wasn't as strong as it used to be. Seeing how we live in Whinny city the population there had more of a flat accent. Also with most of the missions we were on it worked out better for her country side not to show and when we had time between missions Bloom would work with a voice coach.
So this being the first time the sisters have been face to face the conversation was mostly about life, foals, and how Granny Smith is still alive. As for me, I prepared for that big brother in law smack on the back from Apple Jack's other half Rock Hoof. I don't know if he was testing my strength or trying to realign my back. Most likely more of the former than latter.
“Pin Point, greeting and welcome. I say it has been 4 winters since I seen you last”
It's true the last time me and my family were in Ponyville was right after Bloom had Gidget. Now 4 years later my girls still look at their uncle with amazement. Mainly because he is the biggest stallion the two have ever seen. A moment later a half version of Rock Hoof trotted up with a foal on his back crying. The foal had Rock Hoof's color except for its muzzle which was pure white. The mane and tail was the same golden blonde as Apple Jack's.
“Well brother you remember my son Rock Hoof Jr., he likes to be called Rocky and this is our daughter Pebble,” said Rock Hoof picking up the crying foal.
“Ah’ll take care of this,” said Apple Jack, “she's probably hungry. Come on Bloom we can talk more inside. Besides ya haven't said hi ta granny yet.”
The ladies went inside to say their hellos. While my brother in law took me over where the stallions were. The first pony I saw was Party Favor resting on one of his balloon lounge chairs not showing any signs of being winded. Next to him was Bow Hothoof, Twilight's husband Star Tracker and Flash Magnus Rainbow Dash's fiance. Standing over by the barrel of cider Hondo was conversing with his two son in laws. Rarity’s husband Blood Moon a grey thestrial with a blood red and charcoal mane and Sweetie Belle's husband Godot a griffon that smelled like onions. Then Fluttershy’s husband Cattail walked up to me and Rock Hoof with Sunburst.
“So this is the famous Pin Point I heard about,” said Cattail taken a swig of what looked like some kind of home brewed liquor.
“Yeah that's me,” I said.
All the stallions were drinking some form of liquor accept for Sunburst who happened to be drinking milk and had a very dignified milk mustache.
“After all these years Sunburst you still won't touch anything harder than milk?” I asked him.
“N-No,” Sunburst stated,“ a lesson well learned is a lesson that only needed to be taught once.”
Rock Hoof and myself both shook our heads but we both understood why he doesn't drink any more. After that I excused myself and made my way over to Hondo. Still talking to Blood Moon and Godot he saw me and gave me the second hard slap to the back today. What ever Rock Hoof may have dislodged Hondo put it back in place.
“Boys, I want you to meet Pin Point,” said Hondo,“if it weren't for his ability to find my Sweetie and the others none of this would be possible.
“So you were the one that went to Aldo's house and talked him into letting my wife go?”
“Yes that was me.”
“Let me just say thank you. For what you did I was able to find the love of my life. Again thank you.”
At that moment I should have felt taller than two Rock Hoofs yet all I said was you're welcome.