//------------------------------//
// Episode 39: Back to Better than Normal 
// Story: My Little Pony: Sparkling Harmony: Future Incursion 
// by Captain_Cosmos 
//------------------------------//

Sparkler and Light and Dark flapped their wings after Light and Dark were discharged from the Hospital and came in for a landing outside Canterlogic HQ, where there was construction happening to repair the damage Sprout unleashing his mechapony caused. Sunny and her friends smiled and approached the mother and her sons. “Hey guys! Nice to see you two up and about again Light and Dark!” Sunny said.

“Yeah.” Light responded.

“Now we just want to go home.” Dark said. Both Light and Dark bouncing excitedly that they finally got to say that.

Izzy giggled. “That’s got you all excited huh.” She said.

“They kept asking the doctors if they could discharge them early.” Sparkler said. “I think the doctors were actually getting ANNOYED with their constant asking.” She chuckled.

“What? We were fine.” Light said.

Sparkler nodded. “Thank goodness for that. When we get home, Mommy Twi and I are going to bring you to the doctor for a check up. I highly doubt they’ll accept medical records dating to a time LONG after you’d be gone.”

Pipp laughed. “What? You mean Twilight’s not going to pull some princess strings?” She asked.

“She HATES doing that.” Sparkler responded. “Although…I’m actually not sure about this time.” She admitted. Twilight had said that she’d take care of the red tape involved when she asked for the documents, but she didn’t go into much detail.

“If I was her, given the amount of times she’s saved the world, I’d cash in on those favors I’m sure she’d earned.” Hitch commented.

Zipp chuckled. “Wow. I thought you were a law abiding Sheriff, Sheriff.” She said. “A pony who DOESN’T bypass it?”

“I also understand that Princesses can get away with a lot more than the average pony. Like stealing a kiss as a confession in the middle of a crisis.” Hitch responded, pecking his new marefriend on the cheek.

Sparkler smiled. “Glad to see you all found your special someponies.” She said.

“Thanks to a little help from you.” Pipp responded. “Although I doubt you intended to have them spill the beans early when you talked to them.” She added.

Sparkler chuckled. “Yeah. Accidental confession, check.” She said.

Sunny rolled her eyes, but smiled. “For real though Sparkler, thanks for helping us find each other.” She said.

“Thank YOU for everything you’ve done for us. Especially putting up with being foalsitters.” Sparkler responded. “Seriously, I won’t forget this.”

“You could remember to bring Twilight here?” Sunny asked. “I mean now that she’s safe from that dark future she should be well and alive so no reason why she can’t visit.”

Hitch straight up laughed. “Still irritated that you weren’t allowed to see Twilight eh?” Hitch asked.

“She’s the princess of friendship! Obviously something happened that led to the tribes splitting and I’d very much like to know what that was.” Sunny defended herself with a pout.

Sparkler chuckled. “I’ll try to remember.” She said.

Sunny beamed and fluttered her wings cutely. After a second of chuckling, it was time for Sparkler and the boys to go. “I’m gonna miss you.” She said.

“Us too!” Light and Dark said.

“We’ll miss you too.” Izzy responded as they all came in for a group hug. After a second, they parted and the 2022 crew let Sparkler, Light and Dark pass. “Take care!” Izzy called out to them.

“Good luck with all your kids!” Pipp said.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Hitch said.

“See ya around!” Zipp said.

“Good luck with Twilight and marriage!” Sunny finished as they all waved.

Sparkler and her sons waved back as they walked into Canterlogic. Though Sparkler blushed at Sunny’s call. Yeah I might need to rethink my timetable on that one. She thought.





1,019 years into the past, Twilight, the kids and Night Mare stood with Princesses Celestia, Luna, and Cadence, as well as Shining Armor. The kids filled the adults in on what happened to them at dinner, leaving out anything they suspected could cause a time paradox. Celestia had gotten there this morning upon her sister hearing the news so now they all stood watching the portal, that had still not been deactivated yet.

A few moments later, the portal lit up and A pair of Batpony colts came through, followed by Sparkler.

“Light! Dark!” The kids all exclaimed in joy. They all rushed and dogpiled on their new batpony brothers.

Sparkler smiled as she glanced at the drone that had yet to leave and nodded at it. Telling Night Shade they made it through and he could recall the drone and shut the portal down. The drone nodded in response and it disappeared into the portal. After a moment, the portal closed. “Hello everypony.” She said, addressing the ponies in the room.

“Sparkler!” Cadence rushed in and hugged Sparkler. “Your kids told us everything. I’m glad to see you’re ok.” She said.

“Ehehe. Better than OK actually.” Sparkler responded as Cadence let her go.

“It seems so.” Luna responded. “Twilight has informed us that the Medley Sparkle family has two new additions.” She said as the kids all got up and let Light and Dark get to their hooves.

Sparkler nodded. “Yeah. That’s right.” Sparkler responded.

Light and Dark finally noticed the other Alicorns there and stared in awe of them. “Whoa. You’re just like Mom and Mommy Twi!” Light said.

Twilight chuckled. “Yeah. Light, Dark, meet Night Mare, my sister, Shining Armor, my Brother, Princess Cadence, my sister-in-law, and Princesses Celestia and Luna.” She introduced them to the others in the room.

“Wait? Princesses?” Light and Dark asked. Their minds connected the dots and they both bowed their heads in respect. “Your Majesties.” They said.

Cadence laughed. “Oh no. No no no you two are family. And I will not have family bowing down to me.” She said as she leaned in and scooped Light and Dark up in her forehooves. Hugging them both. “Oh you two are just adorable. Why anypony would think otherwise is beyond me.” She said.

Sparkler internally sighed in relief. She was half afraid Light and Dark were gonna get the same spiel, even though she KNEW Cadence wasn’t like that. Light and Dark smiled as they returned the hug their new Aunt was giving them. This was a MUCH better reaction then they had gotten from their egg donor.

“It is nice to meet you Light Wing and Dark Wing.” Celestia said.

“I will admit that when Twilight and her kids first mentioned two new additions to the family, I was not anticipating batponies.” Luna said.

Light and Dark let go of their aunt and noticed the look Princess Luna was giving them. Their smiles faded and they gulped. “Uh…is that ok?” Light asked. Suddenly nervous.

Shining glared at Luna and nudged her. “Come Luna, you’re scaring them.” He said.

“They are batpony colts with unique appearances unlike anything we have ever seen before.” Luna countered. “That is going to raise some eyebrows.”

“But you two don’t need to be afraid.” Twilight said. “You shouldn’t get any negativity from your new hometown.” She said.

Light and Dark smiled as Celestia nodded. “And speaking of that. I was able to have these drawn up.” She said as she lit her horn and a folder floated over to Sparkler. “All of the documentation Light and Dark need to be considered legal Equestrian Citizens and legal Medleys in 1003.” She said.

Sparkler took the folder in her magic and opened it up to have a look. “Medical records?” She inquired.

“Dr. Shadow Wind was very understanding.” Celestia responded. “For all intents and purposes, Light and Dark have always lived here. I do have my concerns though about Time Paradoxes.” Celestia added.

“I trust that if Light and Dark being here were to cause a paradox, our friends across time would’ve told me.” Sparkler responded.

“Very well. Welcome to 1003 Light Wing and Dark Wing.” Celestia responded.

Light and Dark nodded while Lightning held up his phone. “Selfie time!” He exclaimed. “All Medley siblings come in!” He exclaimed.

Twilight and Sparkler chuckled while their kids all posed for a selfie. Twilight couldn’t help but smile. “Who woulda guessed you being gone for a few minutes would give us two more kids.” She commented.

“You guys have a knack for attracting strays off the streets.” Shining said. “11 kids before one of you even pops the question.”

Sparkler nodded. “Yeah…” She said. Her mind drifted back to the box that she knew, upon a sneak inspection, had a beautiful ring in it. Should I really do it now or wait? She was conflicted. On one hoof, it hadn’t been a full year yet, but on the other hoof, if Twilight was willing to raise 11 kids with her, that was a good sign that they were going to be together for life.

“Sparkler?” Twilight asked, snapping Sparkler out of her thoughts.

“What?” Sparkler asked Twilight.

“Something on your mind?” Twilight asked.

“No.” Sparkler lied.

Twilight frowned. “Alright. Spill it. What’re you thinking about?” She asked. Knowing Sparkler was in fact thinking about something.

Darn it! She can tell. Sparkler’s mind raced for a few seconds before making up her mind. She sighed. “I was thinking about something that’s been on my mind for a few weeks now…the next step in our relationship.” She said.

Twilight’s eyes widened. “O-oh.” She said, blushing, but mind racing.

“Yeah.” Sparkler responded. She lit her horn and summoned the small box from under her wing.

Everypony around them noticed what was going on, and Shining smiled as he took a step back to give them some space. Luna and Celestia had shocked, but happy expressions on their faces, Cadence was immediately brought to the edge of tears and the kids were all smiling with hope.

Twilight saw the Box and her brain connected the dots. She held her forehooves to her mouth and her eyes watered.

“I originally was going to wait a year or so…but, well, we’re already there in everything but legality at this point so…will you?” Sparkler asked as she opened the box and showed the ring. A beautiful silver band on which sat a custom cut and colored crystal. Twilight’s and Sparkler’s Cutie Marks combined.

Twilight stared at the ring and then at Sparkler. Her mind racing. For the moment, nopony said a word. Nopony moved. The silence eventually broke as Sparkler spoke up. “If you don’t think we’re ready I under-mmph!” Sparkler was cut off when Twilight crashed their lips together. Sparkler was caught so off guard that her wings sprang open and she nearly dropped the ring.

Twilight laughed as she pulled back after a few seconds. “Yes!” She exclaimed as she bounced around Sparkler. “Yes yes yes yes yes!” She said repeatedly. After one lap, she settled in front of Sparkler. “Yes Sparkler! I’ll marry you!” She exclaimed happily with the biggest smile on her face and tears of joy in her eyes.

Sparkler’s brain took a second to process what happened, but the second she did, a giant smile captured her face as she lit her horn and slid the ring down Twilight’s horn. Twilight was joyfully crying hysterically as she embraced her new fiancée. Sparkler feeling a few tears of her own coming on.

Around them, the kids cheered and hugged each other, and eventually They dogpiled their parents. Cadence and Night Mare were crying hysterically, Shining wiped away some of his own “liquid pride.” And Celestia and Luna smiled proudly.

“About time.” Luna commented. “I’ve seen enough dreams of this from both of them.”

“And now those dreams are reality.” Celestia responded. Glancing over at Cadence. I give it 2 days before Cadence and I have an argument over who gets to preside over the ceremony. Celestia chuckled to herself with the thought as the Sparkle-Medley family celebrated.

From afar, the Cloaked Figure known as Clear Cut sighed in relief as his eyes dimmed. “Thank Faust. For a second there, I was worried something was gonna go wrong.” He commented. He had been spying through a window in the lab.

He felt a tingle in his spine. He smiled. “Yes. Sparkler is engaged to her suitor.” He said. He had seen the patch of fur crystalizing from Sparkler. “The time of revelation is coming fast.”

To be continued…