//------------------------------// // Episode 80: Long overdue Respects // Story: My Little Pony: Sparkling Harmony: Season Two // by Captain_Cosmos //------------------------------// After the events of the day, and the trial that ended in disaster thanks to the Nobles, everypony was sound asleep in their beds or sleeping bags. Sparkler was one such pony. Who was wrapped up in Twilight’s loving embrace. Sparkler’s world suddenly turned into a…fairly standard living room. Something that confused her because a moment ago she was flying with her family. “Uh…hello?” She asked, for the moment, nopony answered, but then, a pair of ponies appeared right in front of her. A Pegasus mare and an earth pony stallion. Sparkler blinked as they phased into existence. “Uh…hi?” She greeted them skeptically. “Hello there.” Said the stallion, both the Pegasus and the earth pony smiling at her. Sparkler studied them. Raising an eyebrow. “Do I…know you from somewhere? You both look familiar.” She said. Indeed, she felt like she had seen these ponies before. “We have never met directly. However, Autumn Apple brought a photograph of us to give to our little foal.” The Pegasus responded. Sparkler’s eyes widened. Autumn? The photograph… “You’re Kicker’s parents…” She realized. The Pegasus nodded, smiling. “I’m Cloud Mist. And this is Storm Kicker.” Cloud introduced herself and her husband. “I-It’s an honor to meet you two.” Sparkler responded. “My name is Sparkler.” “Yes. We are aware.” Storm replied. “We’ve been watching you guys.” “We wanted to say thank you. For saving our son from those monsters.” Cloud said. “For giving him the life that we’ve always wanted for him.” “Although. We admit that we didn’t see him becoming an Alicorn Filly coming.” Storm mused. Sparkler gulped, and chuckled nervously. “Yeah uh…that was an accident! I swear I wasn’t trying anything!” She blurted out. Cloud and Storm glanced at each other for a moment, before laughing. “Yeah. We know.” Cloud said. “We told you we’ve been watching you.” Storm said. “And while it was unexpected. We certainly won’t complain about the result. Six Alicorn children. You and your significant other have your work cut out for ya.” He mused. “We’re ready.” Sparkler responded. “I promise we’ll take good care of Melody, and her siblings.” “Good.” Cloud said. “We’ll hold you to that.” At that moment, there was a door that was opened, and then closed after a moment. Then, rather confused, all six kids walked into the living room. “Hello?” Melody asked. “Anypony—Mom?! Dad?!” Crystal’s, as well as her siblings’ eyes widened when they saw their new mother, and their birth parents! Storm and Cloud smiled brightly. “Hiya kids!” Storm said happily. “Guess who.” Cloud said. The kids, after standing stock still for a few seconds, burst out smiling as they took off in a sprint and tackled their birth parents in a hug. “You’re here!” Sky exclaimed. “How are you here?” Trail asked. Storm chuckled as she caught the girls in a hug. “We came by to see you guys. We’re so glad that you’re finally safe!” He said. “Thank Sparkler.” Melody responded. “She and Mommy Twi were the ones who adopted us.” “We know. We’ve been watching you.” Cloud said. “You sure went through a transformation didn’tcha Kicker, or should I say Melody.” Storm said. Melody blushed. “Yeah uh…that’s ok with you guys right?” She asked. “Of course sweetie. You can have whatever name you want.” Cloud assured Melody. Melody smiled while Crystal beamed. “Does this mean you’re coming back to life?” She asked her perceived birth parents. That’s when the mood dropped. Storm and Cloud sadly shook their heads. “Afraid not Crystal.” Storm said. “It’s just not possible for us to come back to life.” Cloud said. “But don’t worry. We’re confident your new family will take good care of you.” The kids all nodded in agreement. “Ok.” Lumber said. “We promise to be good.” Lightning said. Sparkler couldn’t help but chuckle. “I sure hope so.” She said. Storm and Cloud smiled. “Well. It’s time for us to go now.” Cloud said. “It was good to see you guys one last time.” Storm said. “We miss you.” Melody said. “We miss you too. But don’t worry. We’ll always be with you. No matter where life takes you. So long as you remember that Friendship is magic.” “And it will never fade away.” Storm and Cloud told the kids. All six kids nodded, understanding their birth parents. After one last group hug, which Sparkler was pulled into, Storm and Cloud faded away. As did the kids. Leaving Sparkler alone in the house. Or so she thought. “Magic truly is a wonderful thing isn’t it.” Sparkler heard Luna say, before she revealed herself from behind a corner. Sparkler smiled. “You had something to do with this didn’t you.” She said, realizing what must’ve happened. “Storm and Cloud did indeed contact you from the afterlife, as I said, magic is a wonderful thing.” Luna responded. “I merely merged your children’s dreams with yours so that they might be able to see their birth parents one last time.” “Thank you Luna.” Sparkler said. “For everything.” “My pleasure Sparkling Medley.” Luna responded. “Good morning Equestria, I’m Gabby Tostudio. Here today with your morning news radio broadcast. Top story, Nobility is HISTORY. For those unaware, the majority of the Nobility has been quite vocal in their opposition to non-royal Alicorn Sparkling Medley’s decision to stay out of royalty. There have been little incidents like the Yule Ball disaster that spawned from this political conflict. But it came to a head yesterday when the Nobles stormed a courtroom in which Sparkling Medley was located and made aggressive moves towards her. Due to this riot, two convicts by the name of Sparky Rump and Misty Mystique have escaped life sentences passed down to them only moments prior. In response, Princess Celestia has had all of them arrested, and addressed the nation mere hours after the incident.” “The Nobility has officially been dissolved. I wish for my little ponies to be able to live their lives as they see fit. But the Nobles’ actions in recent weeks against Sparkling Medley, which has resulted in two criminals escaping justice, have gone too far. The Canterlot Police Department is investigating all those responsible and they will face consequences for their actions. With any luck this shall rectify a mistake that should have been corrected long ago.” “Equestria is going to have an adjustment period with there now being no Nobility. But ponies all around have expressed their distaste for the Nobles’ actions and are glad something is finally being done to knock them down a few pegs. And now over to Blast Storm for the weather.” … True to Blast’s weather report, it was a nice, sunny, chilly winter day in Canterlot. Twilight, Sparkler, and the kids met up with Autumn and they all headed into the Canterlot Cemetery. Autumn took the lead as they walked the rows of graves, until they came across a trio of graves. The graves that held the remains of Autumn’s husband, and Storm Kicker and Cloud Mist. “Here we are.” Autumn said. “Where your parents and my husband rest.” Autumn told the kids. The kids all nodded…and one by one, they each placed a rose from a pack that Sparkler had picked up in front of each of the three tombstones. Paying their respects to their parents, and Autumn’s husband, who tried saving them. When the kids were finished, Sparkler and Twilight each placed their own roses in front of the tombstones. Once all the roses were in place, the nine ponies all just stood there, silently looking at the stones. “Astarih jydan alan, li'ahibaayik fi hawafir jayida.” Sparkler said as she placed her roses “What Sparkler?” Twilight asked. “It’s a Saddle Arabian prayer. It means Rest well now. For your loved ones are in good hooves.” She explained. “I can agree with that.” Crystal said. After which they returned to respectful silence. “It’s sad.” Autumn said after a moment. “The murderers responsible for this are still out there. And all because some idiots didn’t like that an Alicorn didn’t have to be a princess.” “At least Celestia took care of that.” Twilight responded. “Finally.” She was relieved that she wouldn’t have to worry about the now-former Nobles trashing Sparkler anymore. Now she just needed to worry about the escaped convicts. We’ll find them. And when we do, they’ll be thrown into the dungeon where they belong. They all stood there for a little longer, before deciding that it was enough and heading out. After the Cemetery, they all proceeded to Donut Joes. Where Pinkie decided to throw a party to Celebrate the Nobility getting what they deserved at last. All their friends and family were there. Plus Princesses Celestia and Luna, Candy, Hanzal, Fleur, Fancypants, Investigators Nosey and River, Chief Quill, Flash Sentry, as well as Pearl, Audrey and Serena, who the sextuplets had become fast friends with, and of course all the pets. Mina, Flappy, their kids, Maddy, and Autumn’s dog Bella, who had been very happy to see her best friend Maddy after all these years. Overall, it was a good way to cap off such an eventful two months. It wasn’t all sunshine and roses. But they weathered through it all, and for Twilight and Sparkler, it only reinforced their bond. “You know what Sparky?” Twilight asked. “What?” Sparkler responded. “Having gone through all this, I’m now more confident than ever that we’re better together.” Twilight told her marefriend. “Me too Twi.” Sparkler kissed Twilight’s cheek. “After all this. I’m ready for anything life throws at us.” “Me too.” Twilight responded. Her words genuine and determined to make it so. They watched as their kids all gathered around Fleur and Fancy and started bombarding her with questions. Primarily about Fleur’s wings. Fleur’s an Alicorn too…how many more are out there? To be continued next time… (Below song plays throughout the final moments of the episode beginning when they leave the cemetery)