“I’ll only be gone for three days at most. There should be enough food here for you in the meantime.” Alphabittle told Crystal and Mystic.
“Yep. There definitely should be.” Mystic said.
“And if you need anything—“
“We’ll go to your cantina and ask nicely. Yeah we know Alphabittle, don’t worry.” Crystal said.
“Crystal, you’re two kids living in an impressively fortified cottage waiting for your mother to come for you.” Alphabittle deadpanned. “That’s definitely going to get some ponies worrying.”
“Fair enough.” Crystal responded.
“Alright. Stay safe you two.” Alphabittle said. After a few more goodbyes, Alphabittle left, and Mystic rolled her eyes.
“Can you believe him? We went over the plan with him 20 times last night. And yet he still doesn’t seem to think we get it.” She commented.
Crystal nodded. Alphabittle, who had been their defacto adult for a week now, had an important meeting to attend somewhere out of town, and Crystal and Mystic had politely refused to leave the cottage per their mother’s instructions, so like any foster parent with two charges (his words), Alphabittle made arrangements for Crystal and Mystic while he was out, which Crystal and Mystic appreciated, but found that Alphabittle was a bit crazy when making them. Originally he wanted somepony from his cantina to check on Crystal and Mystic every 2 hours, but Crystal and Mystic talked him out of that, saying that it could actually be dangerous if somepony was watching the pattern with malicious intent.
“I wonder what his kids’ll go through if he ever has any. He seems to take parenting VERY seriously.” Mystic commented.
“Kinda like mom.” Crystal responded. That’s when her mood dropped and she glanced over at the tree bark they had saved. “I wish we had gotten more information.” She commented. “Like, another tree bark message.”
“I’m sure Mom’s just focusing all her energy on getting the band back together.” Mystic responded. “Hehe. Imagine if Alphabittle ran into her.“
“I hope she doesn’t get mad that we aren’t with him.” Crystal chuckled.
The next day, in Maretime Bay…
“So, what’s going on today at town hall?” Melody asked Hitch.
“Meeting between representatives of the three tribes.” Hitch responded. “Equestria’s in the process of reunification so things need to be hashed out.” He explained.
“Let me guess. Friendship faded?” Pedal asked.
“Bingo.” Hitch said.
Pedal rolled her eyes. It was another beautiful day in Maretime Bay, and Pedal, Melody, and Flurry were spending the day with Hitch while Sunny and everypony were at Town Hall.
“Now I’m glad Mommy Twi didn’t get sucked in with us. She woulda gone ballistic if she learned friendship had faded.” Melody commented.
“Yeah. Hehe.” Hitch responded.
At Town Hall, Pipp and Zipp were at the refreshments table, getting some water before the inevitable conference. Zipp let out a sigh. “Still don’t get why I have to be here.” She commented.
“Because we’re a package deal basically. Mom herself couldn’t be here so she asked us to come in her steed.” Pipp responded.
“Don’t you have like, a bajillion followers? Ponies are gonna listen to you over me so I really don’t think I need to be here.” Zipp said.
Pipp smirked. “Oh. I see, you’d rather be with Sheriff Trailblazer and the girls eh?” She asked.
Zipp jumped and gulped. “What? No? What makes you say that.” She asked.
“So you DON’T like hanging out with him?” Pipp asked.
“I-I mean I do…but not—“ Zipp stopped when she realized what Pipp was doing. “Ugh. You’re messing with me aren’t you Pipp.” She said.
Pipp laughed. “Oh come on Zipp. I see the way you look at him. You have a crush on him.” She said.
Zipp rolled her eyes. “I don’t have a crush on him. But I do know that you have a crush on Sunny.” She said, smirking.
Pipp blushed and jumped back in surprise. “I…I don’t—“ She stammered.
Zipp chuckled. “Oh yes you do. I’ve seen the way you look at her. There’s also the fact that you’ve insisted on being present for every one of her flight practices.” She said.
“That could mean anything.” Pipp countered. “Don’t you think I’d want to support my friend when she’s adjusting to changes in her species?”
“There’s also the fact that I’ve caught you doodling in your diary. Sunny surrounded by hearts.” Zipp commented. “And by the looks of it Izzy as well if my eyes were correct.” She mused.
Pipp’s jaw dropped. “Nope. This conversation is done. And I’m closing my door every time now.” She said.
Zipp laughed. “If you don’t want me bugging you about your love life don’t bug me.” She said.
Meanwhile, Izzy and Sunny were talking when they heard a stallion call out to them. “Izzy. Sunny.” Said the voice of Alphabittle.
Izzy and Sunny turned to see the Unicorn stallion approach. Izzy smiled. “Hiya there Alphabittle!” He said.
“Hi Alphabittle.” Sunny said.
“Hello you two. How are you doing? Everything going alright with the new roommate situation?“Alpha asked.
“Yeah! We’re having a blast living together!” Izzy said.
“That’s good to hear. Hey, Izzy, I should tell you that some kids are living in your old cottage.” Alpha said.
“Kids?” Izzy asked.
“Yeah. Two fillies, named Crystal Spark and Mystic Medley.” Alpha explained. “They’ve been living there for the past week.”
At the mention of the fillies’ names, Izzy and Sunny gasped and turned to glance at each other. They knew those names as the names of two of Pedal’s and Melody’s sisters! “Uh…are you sure those are the names?” Sunny asked.
“They told me themselves. I’ve been keeping an eye on them. Why?” Alpha asked.
Izzy and Sunny glanced at each other again. Izzy suddenly bolted for the door. “I’ll be right back!” She called out behind her.
Alpha watched her go and raised an eyebrow. “What was that all about?” He asked.
“Let’s just say we recognize those names, and it’s super important that we investigate.” Sunny explained.
Izzy dashed right to the Sheriff’s station, where she knew Melody, Pedal, and Flurry would be. She got to the door, burst in, and without even thinking, said in a loud voice. “We just got a lead on Crystal and Mystic!”
The reaction was Hitch and the girls jumping from their seats and the board game they were playing getting messed up. Hitch groaned. “Izzy! Don’t you knock?” He asked.
“Sorry Hitch. But this is super important. Word from Alphabittle is that Crystal and Mystic are living in my old cottage.” Izzy explained.
“Wait, what?!” Pedal asked.
“Mystic and Crystal?” Melody asked.
“That’s what my friend Alphabittle said.” Izzy responded.
Pedal and Melody looked at each other excitedly. If the information was accurate, they were about to reunite with two of their sisters! “When do we leave?” Pedal and Melody asked together.
“As soon as you want to.” Izzy said. “Hitch, can you let the conference ponies know something came up for me?” She asked Hitch. “Oh, and girls, I think it would be best if Flurry stayed here. For her own safety.” She told Pedal and Melody.
Pedal’s and Melody’s smiles faded. Flurry staying meant one of them had to stay behind as well. Melody and Pedal glanced at each other. “You go on with Izzy.” Melody told Pedal. “I’m better equipped to handle Flurry.” She reasoned.
Pedal but her lip, before letting Melody take Flurry. “We’ll be back soon.” She said. “Hopefully with Crystal and Mystic.”
“Looking forward to it.” Melody responded.
Pedal nodded, before she and Izzy left the station. Hitch smiled. “Well that’s good news.” He commented.
“Yeah.” Melody responded.
Hitch nodded. “Come on. Let’s get to town hall.” He said.
Later that evening, in Izzy’s old cottage, Crystal and Mystic were eating dinner. A pre-made salad courtesy of Alphabittle. “I wonder what everypony else is doing.” Mystic commented.
“Hopefully staying safe. And for mom’s group, hopefully finding a way to get the band back together.” Crystal responded.
At that moment, their horns tingled, signaling the tripwire spell activating. They both stopped eating and got out of their seats. “Incoming!” They both scrambled up the ramp and towards the window. Outside, they saw a pair of ponies approaching. One was a unicorn Mare, the other was a filly, Earth Pony. Crystal lit her horn and activated a night vision spell to get a better look…and her eyes widened in disbelief when she saw who the Earth Pony filly was. “It…it’s Pedal!” She exclaimed.
“Wait, Pedal?!” Mystic asked.
Crystal pulled a string that was hanging by the window. “Yes! I can see her!” She said.
Outside, Izzy and Pedal approached Izzy’s old cottage, before they were suddenly blinded by some lights shining on them. Pedal squinted her eyes. “What the?! What’s going on?” She asked.
At that moment, Pedal heard a familiar voice. A voice she hasn’t heard in a while. “Pedal? Pedal Medley is that you?” Asked the voice of Crystal Spark.
Pedal’s eyes adjusted to the light and she could see Crystal land a few feet away from her. Pedal’s eyes widened, before tearing up and smiling brightly. “Crystal! You’re ok!” She cried.
“And you!” Crystal exclaimed as she pulled her sister in for a big hug. Her own eyes watering. “I’ve missed you so much! We both have!” Crystal cried.
“Melody, Flurry and I missed you guys too!” Pedal said.
“Pedal!” They heard Mystic cry as she ran out of the cottage and towards them.
Pedal pulled away from Crystal just in time to catch Mystic in a hug. “Oh thank Faust you’re alright!” Mystic cried.
“Yeah. Me too.” Pedal said.
Mystic and Pedal embraced each other for a bit long before separating. “Did you find anypony else?” Mystic asked.
“Melody and Flurry are waiting back in Maretime Bay. They’ve been with Pedal.” Izzy chimed in happily.
Crystal and Mystic jumped, then remembered that Pedal wasn’t alone. They both turned to the Unicorn Mare…and they somehow knew who she was. “Are you Izzy?”
“The mare that used to live here?” They asked.
Izzy smiled and nodded. “Yep! That’s me! I’m living in Maretime Bay now with my best friend Sunny and we’ve been watching over your sisters and cousin.” She explained happily. “And when Alphabittle told us about you, we came running.”
“Alpha did mention that he knew you.” Crystal commented. “Thanks Izzy.”
“No problem!” Izzy said. “I’m just happy you two could use it to get by.”
“Yeah. We did.” Mystic said.
“And we fortified it too.” Crystal said.
“That’s so cool!” Izzy said. “You’ll have to tell us all about that on the way back.” She added.
“Girls, grab the tree bark letters if you still have them, we’re getting out of here.” Pedal said.
Crystal and Mystic nodded, ran back into the cottage, and came back out carrying their tree bark messages. “So what’s been happening with you?“ Crystal asked Pedal.
Pedal smiled as the group started to walk away. “For one, we got new toys to play with and to keep Flurry from getting lost.” She said. She started telling Crystal and Mystic about their time in Maretime Bay so far. Leaving out how Sprout nearly killed Melody, and going into depth about the PonyPhones.
While Pedal talked with her sisters. Izzy couldn’t help but smile. It was always good to see family reunited. And for her, it helped to fuel her desire to be a mother one day. First step is to tell Sunny how I feel. She thought as they walked along.
To be continued…