Twilight, Sparkler, Flappy, Spike, Flurry, and Maddy stood on the platform of Ponyville Station the morning after the incident. After a rather hectic morning that included Sparkler needing a lot more help than usual due to not having her magic, Rarity had caught them before the train came.
“So I’ll bring your Yule Ball outfits with me when we come to Canterlot, that way they don’t get ruined. And Sparkler, I’ll modify yours to accommodate your…increased size.” Rarity told Sparkler.
“I don’t even know if I’ll be ABLE to go to the Yule Ball Rares.” Sparkler said, referencing the hyper accelerated nature of her pregnancy.
“It is better to be prepared and not use it than to go without an outfit darling.” Rarity replied. “And barring any doctor’s orders or other complications, you most certainly are going. I will not allow those stuck-up, self absorbed featherbrains who dare to call themselves nobles to get in the way of yours and Twilights’ perfect evening.” She declared.
“Squawk! You bet your flanks they won’t. Squawk!” Flappy agreed.
Twilight chuckled and rolled her eyes. “We’ll see what Celestia’s Doctor says.” She said.
“With any luck there’s a way to end this today without jeopardizing the precious cargo.” Sparkler commented.
Spike nodded in agreement. “Celestia said she’d look for anything that could help. And we gave her the latest after the hospital visit so she’s up to date on that.”
“Squawk! So now all we can do is wait, and hope. Squawk!” Flappy said.
Everypony nodded in agreement. At that moment, they heard the Friendship Express coming. The cue that the Medley-Sparkle Family had to go. The Express came to a stop at the station and ponies started disembarking and boarding. After a quick goodbye, Sparkler and her family boarded the train.
Soon after, in Canterlot, Chief Quill was outside the police station in the streets, out on patrol just like every other officer on duty, he was barking orders into his walkie-talkie. “Set up a low profile perimeter around Harmony Street, no high-profile pony gets in without showing ID and giving a reason for being there.” He told his officers. “And remain on high alert. Those nobles have eyes and ears everywhere.” He added. He cut the connection.
This activity from the Canterlot Police Department was a result of the news that Sparkling Medley was gonna be in town. Both Celestia and Chief Quill agreed that with the Nobles still making a stink about Sparkler, security around the Sparkle residence, and Canterlot in general, was to be tightened, and the CPD put on high alert for any Noble activities that were of a suspicious nature. A decision that was compounded by the more recent news of Medley’s current situation and the need for her to arrive earlier than initially planned.
“Arriving earlier, staying longer, giving the Nobles more opportunity to do something.” Quill kept saying in his mind. Although he knew that the circumstances of Medley’s earlier arrival were out of her control, it did nothing to ease his nerves. “I will never understand how the Nobility was able to get to the point where the entirety of the police department needs to be mobilized in order to protect one Pony from their shenanigans.” He commented idly.
“It wouldn’t even be a problem if they weren’t self-absorbed featherbrains who only cared about their own personal power.” Said a familiar voice.
Chief Quill turned his head to see Captain Sentry land beside him. “Captain Sentry.” He greeted his colleague.
“Chief Quill.” Flash replied. “I just wanted to inform you that I’m posting undercover guards in and around Harmony street for extra security. And I myself have been assigned to be Sparkler’s escort.” He explained.
“10-4.” Quill acknowledged. “If she doesn’t want guards in Ponyville, fine, but unfortunately here in Canterlot, she sadly does not have that option.”
“I just don’t get it.” Flash commented. “They’re blowing this way out of proportion just because Sparkler decided royalty wasn’t for her. Like, where does it say in the law that an Alicorn HAS to be a princess?” He asked.
“That’s what I said!” Quill replied. “I’ve dealt with Noble stupidity in my time. But this is just a whole ‘nother level.”
“I’ll say.” Flash agreed. “Well, I better be off, the Friendship Express is due any moment.” With that, Flash spread his wings and took off.
Quill watched him go and shook his head. “The hoops the Nobles are forcing us to jump through for the non-royal Alicorn.” He commented as he resumed his patrol.
At Canterlot Station, Shining Armor paced back and forth, a look of dread, worry and all the anxious feelings possible.
A chambray blue mare watched him pace back and forth, and sighed. “Shining, you’ve been pacing around for the last ten minutes. The train’s not gonna get here any faster if you pace.” She said.
“Don’t pretend like you’re not as concerned as I am Night Mare.” Shining replied as he turned to look at her. “You were there when Celestia told us the situation. Our nephew was sneezed into the womb of our sister’s marefriend, and suddenly that marefriend is pregnant with triplets. You're supposed to be the PHD here. Doesn’t it trouble that your niece is apparently powerful enough to cause this from SNEEZING?” Shining asked.
“My PHD is in astronomy, not magic.” Night-Mare reminded her older brother. “But it doesn’t take a PHD to figure out that magic works in mysterious ways.” She said.
“You’re telling me.” Shining responded. “Still, doesn’t it concern you at all?” He asked.
“Of course it does. Kicker’s my twin sister’s first child, making him my nephew.” Night-Mare replied. “But unlike you, I know that pacing around for ten minutes doesn’t help.” She took a jab at Shining.
“Yeah…maybe you're right.” Shining relented, sitting down next to Night-Mare. “Still, you can’t blame me for being worried.”
Night-Mare nodded. “I am too. Don’t think I’m any less concerned.” It was true. She was concerned. She had learned a few things yesterday on top of learning that Sparkler was pregnant. She also learned that her twin sister had a marefriend, a son, and yet didn’t bother sending a memo to her saying Night-Mare with that info. Granted Twilight and Night-Mare had their own lives and she understood that all of this happened in rapid succession, but she still coulda sent even a footnote at least! “I just can’t believe Twilight never said anything.” She commented.
“Mom and dad are gonna have some choice words for Twilight. That’s for sure.” Shining and Night-Mare chuckled at that.
At that moment, they heard a train horn, signaling the arrival of the Friendship Express. Night-Mare smiled. “Ooh! They’re here!” She exclaimed excitedly.
She and Shining got up on their hooves as the train pulled in for a stop. Once it came to a complete stop, the doors opened and ponies started disembarking. Soon, they spotted Twilight among the crowd and Night-Mare smiled. “Twily!” She called out, waving her hoof.
Twilight heard her nickname and glanced around to see her twin sister Night-Mare waving her over. She beamed and trotted over to her siblings. “Nighty! Shiny!” She exclaimed as she brought the two of them in for a hug.
“Twily!” Shining responded as he returned the hug with Night-Mare.
“Good to see ya BTSFF.” Night-Mare said. “But you have some serious explaining to do.” She added.
“What?” Twilight asked.
“A marefriend and a son? Seriously? You couldn’t send so much as a note-card saying you had a family?” Night-Mare asked with a giggle. “Do you know how shocked mom and dad and I were when Celestia told us the situation this morning?”
“Oh…that. Well I mean, it’s been kinda hectic lately. Hehe.” Twilight explained.
“You still couldn’t have taken like, ten seconds?” Night-Mare asked. “Yeah that explanation isn’t gonna fly with mom and dad.” Night-Mare said. After a deep breath, she nodded. “Now that that‘s out of the way, where is she?” She asked, referring to Sparkler.
“Flurry had a bit of an accident on the train so she and Spike stayed back to clean her up. Oh, and Night Mare?” Twilight asked.
“Yeah?” Night-Mare asked.
“Wait until we explain things to mom and dad before you start bombarding her with questions. I know you have them. But she’s anxious enough about meeting you, mom, and dad like this and it’s important to keep her calm and not stress her out.” Twilight said.
“Roger that.” Night-Mare said. “Save the questions for after she gives birth to my nephew and his siblings.”
“Exactly.” Twilight responded.
At that moment, they heard squawking coming from above them. “Squawk! Flurry Heart get back here! We are not going for a fly right now! Squawk!”
Twilight, Night-Mare, and Shining looked up to see Flurry flying around and being chased by a parrot. Night-Mare raised an eyebrow. “Does Sparkler have a parrot?” She asked.
“Name’s Flappy. Sparkler’s first ever friend.” Twilight replied. “Also will tear you a new one if you associate Sparkler with evil. Just ask Shining here. Who narrowly avoided such a punishment.”
Night-Mare laughed. “Yeah I believe Cadance said something about that.” She mused.
“I’m never gonna live that down am I.” Shining sighed.
“And that’s the last time that happens. Right?” Twilight asked.
“Mom and dad are itching to meet Sparkler. They won’t pull a Shining.” Night-Mare replied.
Twilight nodded and spread her wings. “I’ll go get Flurry.” With that, she took off.
Right then, Shining heard barking and turned his head to see Maddy running up to him. “Maddy!“ He exclaimed.
Maddy stopped at Shining’s hooves and jumped up, licking his face excitedly. A few seconds later they and Night heard a command. “Maddy! Down.”
Maddy did as she was told and sat down. Shining looked for the voice’s owner, and saw Spike walking with a mare under cloak. Though he recognized the mare under the cloak and smiled. “Hey Sparkler! Spike!” He waved.
Spike saw Shining waving and brought Sparkler over to him and Night-Mare. “Hey there Shining, Night-Mare!” He said.
“Hey there little Drago!” Night-Mare replied as she and Shining hugged Spike.
After a second, Night-Mare broke the hug and turned her attention to Sparkler. “And you must be Sparkler.” She said.
“Yeah. I’m Sparkling Medley.” Sparkler replied rather sheepishly. “And you are…”
“Doctor Night-Mare. PHD in Astronomy, and Twilight’s Best Twin Sister Friend Forever.” Night-Mare replied. “Nice to meet you Sparkling Medley.” She held out a hoof to shake.
“Nice to meet you too Night-gah!” Sparkler had gone to shake Night-Mare’s hoof, only to wince and grunt in pain as she felt another kick from her womb. She clutched her womb with her hoof.
“You ok Sparkler?” Shining asked, concerned.
“Yeah.” Sparkler replied. “I’m fine. Just felt a kick.” She explained.
“How many have you felt?” Night asked.
“Enough that Twilight had to cast a sleep spell on me just to make sure I got a good night’s sleep last night.” Sparkler replied. “Kicker and his siblings kept waking me up.”
“I’ll say this though, now we know why they named him Thunder KICKER.” Twilight chimed in as she landed with Flurry.
Shining saw Flurry and took her in his hooves. “And there’s the little sneezing rascal. Mommy and I are definitely having a custom inhibitor ring made until you learn to have complete control of your magic.” Shining told her.
Flurry just giggled. Sparkler smiled and turned to Twilight. “So, you and Night-Mare are twins.” She said.
“Yep!” Twilight and Night replied in unison.
Sparkler giggled. She could see the resemblance. “Well it’s nice to meet you Night.”
“Likewise Sparkler. Even if this isn’t quite how we imagined it going.” Night said.
At that moment, they heard a stallion’s voice chime in. “Captain Flash Sentry of the Solar division of the Royal Guard. Reporting for escort duty per princess Twilight’s request.” They all turned and saw Flash Sentry in his Royal guard armor, saluting.
Twilight rolled her eyes. “Flash, drop the formalities.“ She told him.
Flash nodded and put his hoof down. “Alright Twilight.” He turned his attention to Sparkler. “Are you Sparkling Medley?” He asked.
Sparkler nodded. “That’s me.” She replied.
Flash smiled and held his hoof to her to shake. “Flash Sentry. I’ve been assigned as your escort during your time in Canterlot.” He introduced himself. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Sparkler nodded and shook his hoof with her own. “Nice to meet you too Flash.” Least he’s friendly. Sparkler still had reservations, but she had accepted that it was for the best.
“If it helps Sparkler, you don’t have to think of me as just your escort. I won’t say no to us being friends.” Flash told her, hoping to make her feel better about him being there.
“I won’t say no either.” Sparkler replied. She couldn’t place it, but she had a feeling that her and Flash would get along great.
“Well, shall we go to the house? Mom and dad are itching to meet you Sparkler.” Night-Mare said.
Twilight nodded. “Yeah. Oh, also, Sparkler, Flappy said he was gonna go see Mina.” She told Sparkler.
“Of course he is.” Sparkler chuckled as they all started walking. She knew that Flappy would take the chance to see Mina.
At Canterlot Castle, Mina was in the garden, sitting on a branch when she heard a familiar squawking. “Squawk! Yo Mina! What up my firry friend? Squawk!”
Mina turned and saw Flappy land on the branch next to her. “Flappy!” She exclaimed happily as she hugged him with her wings.
Flappy returned the hug. “Squawk! So. How’ve you been Mina? Squawk!” He asked.
“I’ve been great. How about you? I heard something happened last night.” She said. She had been there when Celestia was informed of the situation with Sparkler.
“Squawk! Yeah. Flurry sneezed Kicker into Sparkler’s womb and now she’s experiencing a hyper-accelerated pregnancy with Kicker, and two others foals. Squawk!” He explained.
“Sweet Tia, that doesn’t sound good.” Mina replied.
“Squawk! So now we’re here a few days early so Sparkler can see Celestia’s personal doctor. Squawk!” Flappy continued.
“Doctor Shadow Wind’s the best of the best.” Mina commented.
“Squawk! Good. She needs that right now. Squawk!” Flappy replied.
Mina nodded, and blushed. “Uhm, Speaking of pregnancy…Flappy there’s something you should know…” Mina said.
Flappy raised an eyebrow. “Squawk! What? Squawk!” Flappy asked.
“So. Something interesting about phoenixes. Their reproductive systems are not like you would think. Phoenix reproductive systems tend to take other bird DNA and start making chicks even if the two birds haven’t ever…done that.” Mina explained.
“Squawk! Uh…ok? Squawk!” Flappy replied, now sure what to do with that information.
“And it seems my reproductive system found bird DNA and is starting to work.” Mina told him.
“Squawk! So…what does that—no. Squawk!” Flappy’s brain connected the dots. Mina wouldn’t tell him this unless… “Squawk! You’re pregnant too?! Squawk!”
Much to his shock, Mina nodded. “And Uhm…” Mina leaned in and whispered in his ear.
Flappy’s eyes widened and his beak dropped. “Squawk! I’M THE FATHER?! Squawk!” He exclaimed.
Mina nodded in reply. Flappy was at a loss for words. He wouldn’t deny that he had wanted to be a father at some point, but to say the timing was not ideal would be putting it mildly. And then there’s the fact of who Mina’s owner is. “Squawk! Celestia’s not mad right? Squawk!” He asked.
“Yeah. She’s not mad.” Mina replied.
“Squawk! Are you sure you're pregnant? Squawk!” Flappy asked. Needing confirmation.
“I wouldn’t lie about this Flaps.” Mina said. “And Uhm…I for one am happy about this.” She admitted.
“Squawk! You are? Squawk!” Flappy asked.
“Yeah…because…well, ok full disclosure, this isn’t how I imagined telling you, but uhm…I like you Flappy, like, REALLY like you.” She admitted, blushing.
Flappy blinked, and as if his brain was on autopilot, he lunged forward and pecked Mina on her beak with his own in a birdie kiss.
Mina was taken aback. “Flappy…” she was blushing, as was Flappy. Realizing that their feelings were mutual, they both leaned in and this time their kiss was longer, more passionate.
Flappy pulled back after a few seconds and smiled. “Squawk! So…guess this means we’re gonna be parents. Squawk!” He commented.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Mina responded. “It’s the season.”
“Squawk! When are you due? Squawk!” Flappy asked.
“Next week at the latest.” Mina replied.
“Squawk! Let’s not tell Sparkler yet. She’s got enough to worry about. Squawk!”
“Sounds good to me.” Mina replied.
Flappy smiled and went in for another kiss. Tis the season indeed. For pregnancies and for love. Which Flappy was glad had found him and Mina together.
To be continued…