//------------------------------// // Episode 10: Rising Tide // Story: My Little Pony: Sparkling Harmony: Season Two // by Captain_Cosmos //------------------------------// “Heads up Kicker!” Kicker saw the ball coming towards him and he reared around and up on his hind legs and bucked the ball to the other side. The ball soared through the air and landed in the bucket that Sweetie Belle was holding in her magic. Sweetie felt the ball slam into the bucket and smiled. “Nice buck Kicker! I think you have YET to miss the target!” Kicker blushed and smiled. He had been playing a game of Buckball with the Cutie Mark Crusaders and a few of the older mares, and he was enjoying every second of it, he finally had friends to play with after so many years alone. “T-Thanks Sweetie Belle. This is a fun game.” He heard chuckling and felt a hoof ruffle his mane. He turned to see Rainbow Dash smiling at him. “You’re a natural Kicker. This is your first game of Buckball?” Kicker nodded. “Yeah.” Fluttershy landed in front of him and smiled. “You sure could fool me. I actually think you haven’t missed yet.” Scootaloo nodded. “Can you keep that streak up kid?” Back over on the picnic blanket, Sparkler watched the action with Twilight, Starlight, and Rarity. She smiled when Kicker got the ball in the bucket. “Nice shot Kicker!” She called out. Starlight giggled. “He’s sure having fun out there.” Sparkler nodded. “Thank Faust. I was worried he’d shy away the whole time.” Rarity chuckled. “I was too, once I heard what he had been through.” Sparkler nodded. “Thank Celestia he’s out of their hooves now.” Twilight smiled. “And right in the hooves of somepony who actually cares about him.” Sparkler blushed a little and smiled sheepishly. Rarity giggled at that. “Oh, I think somepony’s becoming rather fond of her houseguest.” Sparkler felt the heat build up as she giggled nervously. “Hehe. I wouldn’t say THAT.” Starlight laughed. “Sparks. I can see it in your behavior. You’re becoming attached to Kicker.” Sparkler scoffed. “Pfft. Me? Get attached? No.” Twilight, Rarity, and Starlight just gave her knowing smug looks. For the moment, nopony said a word, until finally, Sparkler relented. “Ok fine. I admit that I like having him around. Happy?” Twilight giggled. “Hey. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s normal for a foster parent to develop attachments to their charges. Some even officially adopt them.” Sparkler sighed. “It's just...I never thought I’d be a mother in my life. Let alone this soon. But hearing how awful his life was before...I just have this burning desire to help him. This nagging urge to give him the love and attention he’s been in desperate need of.” Starlight chuckled. “You are SO becoming attached. Sparkler groaned. “I already admitted to that Starlight.” She deadpanned. Twilight chuckled. “Well I think you’ll be a great mother Sparkler.” Sparkler nodded. “Maybe, but will he feel the same...” She looked ahead to where Kicker had just bucked the ball into the bucket AGAIN. She sighed. Does he even see me as a mother? Would he ever? ... Meanwhile, at the Canterlot Police Station, Chief Quill was walking back to his office after his lunch break. He was holding a report in his magic. He sighed. “Dang nab it, that's the 7th code 425 this week. Where do these graffiti ponies keep coming from?” He asked nopony in particular as he entered his office. He went to file the report with the others from the day, when he noticed something on his desk, something he knew wasn’t there before. “What in Equestria...” he took the mystery scroll in his magic, unfurled it, and read its contents. As he read, his eyes widened, and his mind began to race. Those self-absorbed IDIOTS! He set the parchment down. “I need get the princess down here.” ... In Canterlot Castle, Celestia held a piece of parchment in her magic. She furrowed her eyebrows, and lowered it to look at her audience. “Silver-Mane, what exactly is this?” “A petition for that Falsicorn to be descended back to whatever she was before she allegedly ascended. Your majesty.” Silver-Mane replied. Celestia sighed. She could see at least a couple dozen names on the parchment titled, STOP THE FALSICORN! And Celestia knew exactly what it meant. “Silver-Mane, do you even KNOW who Sparkling Medley is?” Silver-Mane scoffed. “She is an Alicorn imposter who dishonors you and all Alicorns by turning her back on her duties. That’s all I need to know!” Celestia shook her. “She cannot turn her back on what she never had to begin with Silver-Mane. And I gave her the choice.” Silver-Mane scoffed. “Then why is it that she continues to hold her status? If she has no desire for royalty then she should be descended at once, and her power given to somepony who is worthy!” Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Who is to say she is not worthy?” Silver-Mane grimaced. “And what has she done to earn this honor? Where’s her answer to that?” Celestia shook her head. “If you wish to know the truth Silver-Mane, I would suggest picking up a copy of the Ponyville Daily. I hear they have a very detailed story on the recent press conference in Ponyville.” Silver-Mane scoffed. “That ruffian toilet paper? As if that pile of trash has the true story.” Celestia sighed. Now was the time to get this Noble to leave. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention Silver-Mane, I shall take it into consideration.” Silver-Mane smiled triumphantly. “Thank you for your time, your Majesty. I look forward to hearing your verdict.” With that, he left. Once the doors closed, Celestia rolled up the parchment, sealed it up with a ribbon, and then promptly lit the scroll on fire. As it disintegrated, Celestia shook her head. “Bless Ponyville and their common sense.” She got up off her throne and decided that some cake was in order, until she felt her horn tingle and receive an incoming message. Chief Quill: Forgive the unannounced communication your majesty, but if you could find time to visit the CPD there is an urgent matter that warrants swift discussion. Involving Ponyville’s new Alicorn. Celestia raised an eyebrow. Chief Quill requested her presence at the station. And it involves Sparkler...I better get down there. ... Moments later, Chief Quill was busy with a cork board. Hanging up photos of the Nobles whose names were on the scroll he had received. Right in the middle of all of them was Silver-Mane’s photo, who’s name was the first on the petition. “I don’t know what you think you’re going to do Silver-Mane, but I’m on to you.” At that moment, there was a knock on his door and he turned to see the door open to reveal somepony he had been expecting. “Princess Celestia.” He took a few steps forward and bowed to her. “Thank you for finding the time to come visit. I would’ve visited you at the castle but I was afraid somepony might overhear.” Celestia nodded as she entered the office and closed the door. “You said there was an urgent matter concerning Sparkler Chief?” Quill nodded and rose, summoning the unfurled scroll from his desk. “Yes your majesty. Around ten minutes ago I returned from my lunch break to find this on my desk. And after reading it’s contents, I fear that there is an imminent danger to Miss Medley.” He hoofed the parchment to Celestia. Celestia took the parchment in her magic, gave it a look, and noticed it was exactly what she had reduced to ashes moments ago. “They sent this to you as well?” She asked. Quill nodded. “I assume it’s because they think I can persuade you to follow through with it. I assure you I most certainly will not.” Celestia let out a small sigh of relief. “It is comforting to know at least the CPD is sensible.” Quill chuckled. “Unlike those self-centered Nobles who think THEY deserve Miss Medley’s power. If any of the newspapers had bothered to publish the TRUTH, like they’re supposed to, maybe the situation wouldn’t be as bad.” Celestia nodded. “But because they just wanted to sell more copies, you believe Sparkler is in danger.” Quill took the parchment back and pinned it to the cork board. “This ridiculous waste of parchment is a clear sign that those Nobles are on the warpath your majesty. I’m positive that if they could, they would take control of the Elements of Harmony just so they can claim THEY saved Equestria. Fortunately the Elements themselves made sure that wouldn’t be a problem.” Celestia nodded in agreement. “We are fortunate.” She sighed. “But Sparkler is another story.” Quill nodded. “With the wealth and influence the Nobles possess, there is no telling WHAT could befall that Alicorn.” Celestia nodded. “So what is it that you suggest we do?” “Investigators Nosey Pants and River Song are already in Ponyville keeping an eye on things since that Thunder Kicker foal resurfaced. And their reputation is well known in Canterlot. If we were to say...transfer them to Ponyville, it may warn the Nobles that they shouldn’t try anything.” “You think that would work?” Celestia asked. Quill nodded. “It’s the best idea I have short of attaching an entire security force to Miss Medley, something I doubt she’ll agree to.” Celestia chuckled. “She wants nothing to do with being royalty. Guards included.” Quill nodded. “Then transferring Nosey and River is the best option to keep Sparkling Medley safe.” Celestia nodded. “Make it so Chief.” Quill smiled. “Gladly. Thank you for your time, your majesty.” Celestia nodded. “Of course Chief Quill.” ... Later, back in Ponyville, Twilight lit her horn and a spark flew out of it, flew to above Sparkler’s house, and blew up to release a barrier that completely surrounded the house. The barrier touched the ground and disappeared. As if nothing happened. Twilight smiled and nodded. “And there. Anypony trying to get in is gonna have a pretty tough time.” Sparkler nodded. “Thanks Twilight. I really appreciate this.” Twilight nodded. “Always happy to help a friend.” Sparkler looked at her house and sighed. “I don’t think you even flinched when you cast that spell. Magic really is your special talent isn’t it.” Twilight giggled and nodded. “Yeah. I guess you can say it is.” “I wish I could do magic like that, do you know how useful some of the spells I’ve seen you cast would be?” Sparkler commented. Twilight nodded, and then an idea came to her. She smiled. “Well, if you want. I’d be happy to teach you Sparkler.” Sparkler raised an eyebrow. “Really?” Twilight nodded. “You realize who you’re talking to? I love teaching, and the chance to teach magic is always a fun opportunity.” “So you’ll do it?” Sparkler asked? Twilight chuckled. “I get out of school at three. Come by the castle around then?” Sparkler chuckled. “I get off work at 5. Airwave and Lyrica are supposed to come back from their trip to the Changeling Hive tomorrow and we got some music to mix.” Twilight nodded. “Ok. So 5?” Sparkler nodded. “5. Mind if I bring Kicker along? Flappy’s capable of watching him but even if his claws are dangerous...he’s still small.” Twilight chuckled and shook her head. “Not at all. I’m sure Spike’ll let him read comics with him.” Sparkler nodded. “Sounds great.” She glanced at the horizon, and saw the sun was setting. “Hey Twi, you’re welcome to stick around for dinner. We’re having Macaroni and Cheese tonight.” Twilight smiled and nodded. “I’d love to.” Sparkler nodded and she and Twilight entered the house. Before Sparkler entered the house, she looked around at her house, which was now protected from all angles. Here’s hoping this is enough. With that, she entered the house after Twilight to have dinner. To be continued...