//------------------------------//
// Episode 46: And...They're Gone 
// Story: My Little Pony: Sparkling Harmony: Season Two 
// by Captain_Cosmos 
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“Aww! Why can’t I go with you and Mommy Twi mom?” Kicker whined as he watched his mother pack a saddlebag to go on her first ever friendship mission.

“Because where we’re going isn’t safe for you Kick. I’d feel a whole lot better if you just stayed here with grandma and grandpa.” Sparkler replied.

“B-but we were gonna decorate the tree and go see power ponies together. You me Mommy Twi and grandma and grandpa. We can’t do that if you go.” Kicker said, the disappointment practically drooled from his voice.

“I know sweetie.” Sparkler sighed as she got down on her haunches and pulled Kicker in for a hug. “I wish we could bring you with us. But it’s just too dangerous. And Mommy Twi and I can’t ignore the call of the Cutie Map.” She explained.

Kicker nodded. Admittedly he didn’t fully understand what the big deal was with the Cutie Map, but he knew it was important.

“I promise, grandma and grandpa are gonna take good care of you while we’re gone.” Sparkler said. “You’ll be safe with them.”

“Ok.” Kicker replied. He wasn’t happy his new parents were leaving for a trip on their first full day of being a family, but at least he still had his new grandparents around. “You’ll be back soon right?” He asked.

“We’ll be back as soon as we possibly can. And if we get held up, we’ll send word ahead via Spike’s Firemail.” Sparkler replied. “Come on. Let’s go downstairs.” Sparkler added as she levitated her saddlebag onto her back.

Downstairs, Twilight, Thundercracker, and Aurora were sitting in the living room, waiting for Sparkler and Kicker to come down. In the meantime, They were probing Twilight’s brain.

“So you don’t yet know WHAT exactly the problem is?” Aurora asked.

“Nope. We have to find it when we get there.” Twilight replied.

“Well that seems like a waste of time.” Thundercracker commented. “Why would the map not let you know what the problem is ahead of time?”

“I don’t really know.” Twilight replied. “You’re right that it is a waste of time to find it when we should already know it, but the map does what it wants. And I’d rather not mess with it.”

“Fair enough.” Aurora said.

At that moment, everypony noticed Sparkler and Kicker enter the room. Twilight beamed. “Ready to go Sparkler?” She asked.

“Yeah. All packed and ready to go to Griffonstone.” Sparkler replied.

“Just be careful over there.” Aurora responded. “I hear those griffons can be…wild.”

“They shouldn’t give us any trouble. They should know better than to mess with a pair of princesses.” Twilight replied.

Sparkler’s eyes widened. “Uh, Twilight. I’m not—“

“I know.” Twilight cut her off. “You’re not royalty. But those Griffons likely haven’t heard of you yet. So, in order to minimize the risk of causing a scene, we’ll just not say anything. That ok?” She asked.

Sparkler went to open her mouth to object, before her argument fell short of her mouth. You and your logic Twilight. What Twilight was saying made sense. If those Griffons didn’t know her, why risk the possibility of causing a scene when Twilight’s status could just ward them off? After a moment, she sighed. “Fine. But if one of those Griffons bow to me, I’m setting the record straight.” She said.

“They should just leave us alone.” Twilight replied.

“Right.” Sparkler responded. She turned to her parents. “Ok. Few things before we go. Make sure Kicker finishes his plate every meal. He’s getting there but there are still signs of malnourishment.”

“Got it.” Aurora replied.

“Bedtime is at 9:30 at the absolute latest.”

“Sounds good.” Thundercracker said.

“Don’t let him go down into the basement unsupervised. He could hurt himself down there.”

“Obviously.” Aurora replied.

“And whatever you do, do NOT let him out of your visual range anywhere outside this house.”

“As if we’d do anything else.” Thundercracker said with a chuckle.

“Dad. I’m serious. You can’t let him out of your sight.” Sparkler said.

“Sparky, we’ll be fine.” Aurora said. “If we can handle raising an Alicorn for twenty years. A few days watching over an adorable little Earth Pony colt should be a breeze.”

“She’s got a point Sparkler.” Twilight interjected. “Cadance and Shining are having a hard time raising Flurry. And both are powerful magic users.”

“Seriously Sparky. You can count on us.” Thundercracker said.

Sparkler glanced between Twilight and her parents, and all of them were giving her reassuring smiles. She sighed after a second. “Just, if anything happens, have Spike send us a note via his Firemail and we’ll come running back.”

“Our friends will still be here if you need them.” Twilight said. “And Candy is gonna stick around til we get back in case her services are needed at a moment’s notice.”

“Got it.” Aurora and Thundercracker said.

“Squawk! What up Medley Crew! Squawk!” At that moment, everypony saw Flappy land on his perch in the living room. “Squawk! So what’d I miss while out on my morning flight? Squawk!”

“Twilight and I are going on a friendship mission for a few days.” Sparkler answered.

“Squawk! Awesome! Squawk!” Flappy beamed. “Squawk! So where are we going? Squawk!”

“Griffonstone, and I’m afraid it’ll just be me and Twilight going. You need to stay here Flappy.” Sparkler replied.

Flappy’s smile faded. “Squawk! What? Why? Squawk!” He asked.

“Because Kicker’s not coming, so he’ll need all the familiar faces he can get if something happens.” Sparkler replied. “Please, just stay here.”

“…Squawk! Fine. I’ll stay. Squawk!” Flappy relented.

Maddy barked in response and ran up to hop onto the couch, rear up on her hind legs and stood on her forelegs on the armrest, and proceeded to lick Flappy, wagging her tail.

While Flappy giggled, Sparkler chuckled. “And then there’s Maddy. Breakfast at 8, let her out. Dinner at 5, let her out. Dog food is in the pantry, and make sure her water bowl is kept stocked with water.” She told her parents and Kicker.

“Right.” The three of them said.

Sparkler took a deep breath, then let it out. That was it. “Alright. Guess we better be off now.” Sparkler said.

Kicker rushed forward and wrapped his forelegs around both his mothers. “You sure I can’t go?” He asked.

“Afraid so Kicker.” Twilight replied as she and Sparkler wrapped a wing around their son. “It’s too dangerous for you right now.”

“It’s our job as parents to keep you away from danger.” Sparkler added. “Bringing you with us to Griffonstone would not be in line with that goal.”

“Ok.” Kicker relented. “I’ll stay.”

“Thanks Kick.” Sparkler smiled. “We’ll be back before you know it.”

Kicker nodded and tightened his grip on his mother’s slightly. “I love you guys.” He said.

“Love ya too Kick.” Twilight and Sparkler replied in unison as they each leaned in and kissed his forehead. After that, they all separated and Sparkler and Twilight headed out the door.

“Be good for grandma and grandpa Kick.” Sparkler called to the house.

“I will.” Kicker replied.

“See ya soon. Oh, and one more thing.” Twilight said as she suddenly remembered something. “Some of the students at the School of Friendship are putting on a little concert for the kids in Ponyville this afternoon. That might be something you guys could go to.” She said.

“Cool! Can we go?” Kicker exclaimed and asked Thundercracker and Aurora.

“Sounds like a plan little dude.” Thundercracker replied, ruffling Kicker’s mane.

Twilight nodded. “Alright then. Bye.” She said.

“Bye mom, mommy twi!” Kicker called back.

“Have fun.” Aurora said.

“Stay safe, and no pregnancy spells while you're over there!” Thundercracker called out.

“Dad!” Sparkler whined in embarrassment as the door closed.

Outside, Sparkler was blushing like mad as Twilight giggled. “Might not be a bad idea.” She mused. “I’m sure Kicker would love to be a big brother.” She chuckled, before she felt something swat her flank. She jumped and turned her head to see Sparkler fold her wing back to her side. “Sparkler.” She snickered with a blush.

“No. None of that Sparkle. As much as I agree with you that Kicker would surely like a little sibling, neither of us are ready for that yet.” Sparkler said. “We haven’t even been marefriends for twenty-four hours yet.”

“Oh relax Sparky. I was only joking…mostly.” Twilight giggly assured Sparkler as she rested a wing on her back. “We’ll go as fast or as slow as you want.” She said.

“Thanks Twi. I know I’ll be ready eventually, but for now, cuddling, snuggling, and kissing in the bed is what I’m comfortable with.” Sparkler said.

“Alright.” Twilight replied. She leaned in and kissed Sparkler on the cheek. “At least I can now freely admit without shame that that one time we cuddled left me wanting more.”

“Same here.” Sparkler replied. “And we definitely need to do the Alicorn Sandwich again. I’m sure Kicker would love that.”

“Oh, that reminds me. Mind if I make a copy of that photo for myself when we get back?” Twilight asked.

“Of course.” Sparkler replied with a giggle. “Oh! And we have yet to get a family picture with you me Kicker and Flappy and Maddy.”

“Right. However long we’re gone, we should take off work when we get back so we can spend time with Kicker.” Twilight suggested. “To make it up to him for having to go on this trip.”

Sparkler beamed. That was exactly what she was thinking. “You read my mind Twi. Something about the timing doesn’t sit right with me.”

“It is rather odd.” Twilight agreed.

Sparkler nodded as they walked side by side towards the station.





Back in the house. There was silence as Kicker and his remaining family members stared at the door. After a moment, Flappy broke the silence. “Squawk! So. Anypony have any suggestions on what to do to pass the time before the concert? Squawk!” He asked.

“We could go out and explore. Ooh! Maybe there’s a candy shop in town, maybe Kicker wants some candy?” Aurora suggested.

“Candy run!” Kicker declared.

Flappy just burst out laughing. “Squawk! Of course. Squawk!” He chuckled. “Squawk! Of course the moment Sparkler leaves you immediately want to spoil her little rascal here. Squawk!” He commented.

“Can ya blame us?” Aurora asked.

“He’s our first Grandfoal. Of course we want to spoil him.” Thundercracker added.

Flappy just chuckled and rolled his eyes. “Squawk! Just hope he goes down when it’s time for bed. Squawk!” Let’s also hope he doesn’t have any problems tonight. He prayed in his mind. Though Flappy was confident Kicker would be fine without Sparkler for a few days, especially with the measures Sparkler and Twilight put in place, he still couldn’t help but worry.

“So. Are we gonna go or what?” Kicker asked. Eager to see how much candy he would be able to get.

“Sure thing!” Thundercracker replied, lighting his horn and summoning Kicker’s coat. “Let’s get you all bundled up and let’s go!”

“Yay!” Kicker replied excitedly.

To be continued…