//------------------------------//
// Episode 37: Advice from a Pro 
// Story: My Little Pony: Sparkling Harmony: Season Two 
// by Captain_Cosmos 
//------------------------------//

“One of your old schoolmates...is friends with Luna, and is coming here to help Kicker.” Twilight said, struggling to wrap her head around it.

“Sounds like it.” Sparkler said, trying to remain calm.

“Is Luna out of her MIND?!” Twilight exclaimed.

“I—I don’t know…” Sparkler admitted.

Twilight started pacing back and forth. After two trips, she turned her attention back to Sparkler. “What exactly did Luna tell you last night?” She asked.

“She said that her friend would find time in her schedule to make the trip here, and that she had no idea they went to school with me back in Saddle Arabia until Luna said my name.” Sparkler responded.

“Ok. Ok, you want to talk to me about it. Meaning she could’ve told you something more.” Twilight said, trying her best not to hyperventilate.

“She did.” Sparkler replied. “According to Luna, this old schoolmate of mine was part of the elite few that didn’t bully me.” She said.

At that, Twilight stopped in her tracks and stared at Sparkler. “D-Did you just say there were a few ponies in that building that DIDN’T hate you?” She asked.

“Apparently?” Sparkler responded. “I—I don’t know Twi. The mere thought of it is throwing me for a loop.” She said.

Indeed, this new information was making her head spin. All throughout school, nopony had ever reached out to her, nopony even tried to be her friend, nopony except a parrot that she fixed up. All this time, she just assumed that meant everypony hated her. But now? To learn that there was not one, but actually a FEW ponies that didn’t hate her from her school days. I…I just…what?

For Twilight, she wouldn’t deny that she had a boiling distaste for Sparkler’s old schoolmates. They had spent thirteen years putting her through Tartarus for absolutely no reason other than she was different. She was honestly surprised that it was allowed to go on for so long. Now, Sparkler was going to cross paths with one of them, and it was one of the elite few to NOT bully her according to Luna, whom she trusted. I don’t think Luna would lie about this, but was SHE the one who was lied to?

“Did Luna tell you when exactly they were coming?” Twilight finally asked Sparkler.

“No, she didn’t.” Sparkler shook her head. “All she said was that they’d find time in their schedule…” Her voice trailed off.

Twilight sighed. “Well, what’re you thinking?” She asked.

“I…I don’t know.” Sparkler said. “On one hoof, they went to the same school as me and I don’t remember anypony not taking part in bullying me. On the hoof, they’re willing to help Kicker.” She said.

“So it’s your fear of the past against getting help for Kicker.” Twilight concluded.

“I know it should be a no brainer.” Sparkler said. “If I’m gonna be a good mother I have to think about what’s best for Kicker. And if that means tolerating somepony from my old school than I should be able to do it…” Sparkler’s ears drooped and she gazed at the floor. “But at the same time…” Her eyes started to water. “I…I don’t know if I can do it. What if they were just lying to Luna? What if they’re coming here just to put me down again like back in school? I don’t know if I can take that again Twi. I…I just don’t know.” She sniffled.

Twilight jumped into action and pulled Sparkler in for a hug. “Hey. Hey, it’s gonna be ok.” She cooed, stroking Sparkler’s mane to smooth the distraught mare. “You’re not alone anymore. You know that.” She said.

“Yeah. I know. But that’s not doing much right now. What if…” Sparkler trailed off, not wanting to say it. “Just…what do I do Twilight?” She asked.

“Well…” Twilight responded. “I mean, it has been a while since you were in school. Maybe they changed?”

“Twilight, they had thirteen years to change their minds and nopony did. What makes you think they just suddenly changed overnight?” Sparkler asked, with a hint of irritation in her voice.

“Well, they’re reportedly friends with Luna. She’s also an Alicorn.” Twilight said.

“And a Princess.” Sparkler countered. “You can’t spite a Princess without consequences.”

“Fair point.” Twilight admitted. “Still though, they claim they never took part in bullying you. I feel like Luna would be able to tell if they were lying.” She said.

“So…what are you suggesting?” Sparkler asked.

“Look, Sparkler, you're right about one thing. Right now the priority has to be helping Kicker. You can’t let your personal feelings get in the way of that.” Twilight said. “But beyond that, I’d say at least keep an open mind about it. Don’t just write it off as a lost friendship cause.”

“So, I should give them a shot?” Sparkler asked.

“Yes.” Twilight said with a nod. “And remember, if they end up not having changed at all, remember that you have friends that’ll be there for you. And…” Twilight leaned in and whispered into Sparkler’s ear. “You can always file a complaint with Luna and I’m reasonably sure she’ll, ahem, talk to them.” She added with a wink.

Sparkler couldn’t help but chuckle at what Twilight was implying. And she was glad for it. “How do you always get me laughing when I don’t think I can laugh?” She asked, smiling.

“Must be hanging around Pinkie too much.” Twilight replied. “But I’m not complaining about the result.” She added.

“Yeah me neither.” Sparkler replied. She let out a relieved sigh. “Thanks Twilight. I needed that.”

“Just helping a friend in need. Just like a true true friend should.” Twilight replied with a smile.

Sparkler was about to answer, before the sound of rumbling reached their ears. They both giggled after a second, it sounded like it was breakfast time.

“Guess it’s time we caught up with Flappy and Kicker.” Sparkler said.

“Then let’s get some breakfast.” Twilight suggested. Gesturing for the door.

Sparkler nodded and they walked out of the library, turning the corner to head to the kitchen. “I really appreciate you listening Twilight. I really did need the Princess of Friendships’ counsel.” She said after a minute, sending Twilight a warm smile.

“Of course Sparkler!” Twilight replied, draping a wing over her friend. “Anytime you need me to listen, I will. And I’m not saying that as the Princess of Friendship.”

Sparkler blushed as she felt Twilight’s wing over her. “Maybe this is where all my luck has been throughout the years. Fate was saving it so I could have enough luck to meet you.”

Twilight let out a laugh. “Really now? Thirteen years of bad luck just so we could meet? Sounds a little extreme for fate don’tcha think? I mean, sure it’s not every day you make friends with an Alicorn, but really though, I think fate went a little overboard there.” She giggled.

“Well, it doesn't matter. It happened.” Sparkler said.

“And I’m glad it did. Us meeting I mean.”

“Me too.” Sparkler replied. Actively restraining herself from planting a kiss on Twilight’s cheek. Not ready yet, not ready yet!





“Really? That’s the plan for her Birthday?” Asked Kicker after Flappy, Spike, and Starlight told him what was gonna happen for Sparkler’s birthday.

“Squawk! Yep! That’s the plan. It’s gonna be the best birthday she’s ever had. Squawk!” Flappy responded as he dumped the salad into the blender.

“And it’s very important that she doesn’t find out about it. So you HAVE to keep it a secret.” Starlight told Kicker.

“Think you can do it?” Spike asked.

“Why’re you telling me? What if Mom asks? I’m not about to lie to her.” Kicker said.

“No, no no no. Don’t think of it as lying. Think of it as keeping her in the dark so as to not spoil the surprise.” Spike said.

“And the reason we’re telling you is so you don’t get scared when it happens.” Starlight added.

“Squawk! We know you don’t do well with surprises right now. Squawk!” Flappy explained. “Squawk! So we’re trying to minimize the chances of scaring you and potentially having a very angry momma bear after us. Squawk!”

“O-oh.” Kicker responded, deflating a little. “I-I’m sorry. I’m ruining your plan.”

“Squawk! What? Squawk!” Flappy flew over to the table and landed in front of Kicker. “Squawk! Aww. Don’t feel bad Kicker. You’re not ruining anything. Squawk!” He told him.

“I’m not?” Asked Kicker.

“Squawk! Of course not. You knowing doesn’t affect what will happen. We just don’t want to scare you. Squawk!” Flappy explained. “Squawk! It just wouldn’t be right for us to leave you in the dark knowing you don’t do well with surprises. Squawk”

“Yeah. Unlike some ponies, we actually care about you and your wellbeing.” Starlight said.

“Really?” Kicker asked.

“Squawk! I literally dived into a magical beam fight for you. You better believe I do care. Squawk!”

“Well, can’t argue with that.” Kicker replied with a giggle. “Thanks guys. I promise you can count on me to keep the secret.” He said.

“Good. We promise this will only make the whole thing better for Sparkler.” Starlight said.

“Squawk! And I have to say, I’m kinda glad she needed to talk to Twilight about something. It gave us a chance to finally clue you in. Squawk!”

“What did she need to talk to her about?” Spike asked.

“Squawk! Not sure. But hey, we don’t need to worry about that. It can’t be anything bad. Squawk!”

“Yeah. I’m sure it’s nothing we need to worry about.” Starlight replied.

Flappy nodded and went back to making Kicker’s breakfast, though now he couldn’t help but think, What DID she want to talk to Twilight about?

To be continued…